BYNATHANIELHAWTHORNE

WITHPICTURESBYMAXFIELDPARRISH

NEWYORKDUFFIELD&COMPANY

MCMX

COPYRIGHT,1910,BYDUFFIELD&COMPANY

THEUNIVERSITYPRESS,CAMBRIDGE,U.S.A.

JASONANDTHETALKINGOAK(FromtheoriginalinthecollectionofAustinM.Purves,Esqu're

Philadelphia)

Preface

The author has long been of opinion that many of the classical myths werecapable of being rendered into very capital reading for children. In the littlevolumehereofferedtothepublic,hehasworkeduphalfadozenofthem,withthisendinview.Agreatfreedomoftreatmentwasnecessarytohisplan;butitwillbeobservedbyeveryonewhoattemptstorendertheselegendsmalleableinhisintellectualfurnace,thattheyaremarvellouslyindependentofalltemporarymodesandcircumstances.Theyremainessentiallythesame,afterchangesthatwouldaffecttheidentityofalmostanythingelse.

Hedoesnot,therefore,pleadguiltytoasacrilege,inhavingsometimesshapedanew,ashisfancydictated,theformsthathavebeenhallowedbyanantiquityoftwoor three thousandyears.No epochof time can claima copyright in theseimmortalfables.Theyseemnevertohavebeenmade;andcertainly,solongasmanexists, theycanneverperish;but,by their indestructibility itself, theyarelegitimatesubjectsforeveryagetoclothewithitsowngarnitureofmannersandsentiment,andtoimbuewithitsownmorality.Inthepresentversiontheymayhavelostmuchoftheirclassicalaspect(or,atallevents,theauthorhasnotbeencarefultopreserveit),andhave,perhaps,assumedaGothicorromanticguise.

Inperformingthispleasanttask,—forithasbeenreallyataskfitforhotweather,andoneofthemostagreeable,ofaliterarykind,whichheeverundertook,—theauthorhasnotalwaysthoughtitnecessarytowritedownward,inordertomeetthe comprehension of children. He has generally suffered the theme to soar,whenever suchwas its tendency, andwhenhehimselfwasbuoyant enough tofollowwithoutaneffort.Childrenpossessanunestimatedsensibilitytowhateverisdeeporhigh,inimaginationorfeeling,solongasitissimple,likewise.Itisonlytheartificialandthecomplexthatbewilderthem.

LENOX,July15,1851.

Contents

Preface

AWONDERBOOK

THEGORGON'SHEADTHEGOLDENTOUCHTHEPARADISEOFCHILDRENTHETHREEGOLDENAPPLESTHEMIRACULOUSPITCHERTHECHIMÆRA

TANGLEWOODTALES

THEWAYSIDETHEMINOTAURTHEPYGMIESTHEDRAGON'STEETHCIRCE'SPALACETHEPOMEGRANATESEEDSTHEGOLDENFLEECE

Illustrations

JASONANDTHETALKINGOAK

PANDORA

ATLAS

BELLEROPHONBYTHEFOUNTAINOFPIRENE

THEFOUNTAINOFPIRENE

CADMUSSOWINGTHEDRAGON'STEETH

CIRCE'SPALACE

PROSERPINA

JASONANDHISTEACHER

THEARGONAUTSINQUESTOFTHEGOLDENFLEECE

AWonderBook

THEGORGON'SHEAD

TanglewoodPorch

Introductoryto"TheGorgon'sHead"

Beneath the porch of the country-seat called Tanglewood, one fine autumnalmorning,was assembled amerry party of little folks,with a tall youth in themidst of them. They had planned a nutting expedition, and were impatientlywaitingforthemiststorollupthehill-slopes,andforthesuntopourthewarmthof the Indian summer over the fields and pastures, and into the nooks of themany-coloredwoods.Therewasaprospectofas fineadayasevergladdenedtheaspectofthisbeautifulandcomfortableworld.Asyet,however,themorningmist filled up the whole length and breadth of the valley, above which, on agentlyslopingeminence,themansionstood.

This bodyofwhite vapor extended towithin less than a hundredyards of thehouse.Itcompletelyhideverythingbeyondthatdistance,exceptafewruddyoryellowtree-tops,whichhereandthereemerged,andwereglorifiedbytheearlysunshine,aswaslikewisethebroadsurfaceofthemist.Fourorfivemilesofftothe southward rose the summit of Monument Mountain, and seemed to befloating on a cloud. Some fifteen miles farther away, in the same direction,appearedtheloftierDomeofTaconic,lookingblueandindistinct,andhardlysosubstantialas thevaporysea thatalmost rolledover it.Thenearerhills,whichbordered the valley,were half submerged, andwere speckedwith little cloud-wreathsallthewaytotheirtops.Onthewhole,therewassomuchcloud,andsolittlesolidearth,thatithadtheeffectofavision.

The children above-mentioned, being as full of life as they could hold, keptoverflowing from the porch ofTanglewood, and scampering along the gravel-walk, or rushing across the dewy herbage of the lawn. I can hardly tell howmanyof thesesmallpeople therewere;not less thannineor ten,however,normorethanadozen,ofallsorts,sizes,andages,whethergirlsorboys.Theywerebrothers,sisters,andcousins,togetherwithafewoftheiryoungacquaintances,whohadbeeninvitedbyMr.andMrs.Pringletospendsomeofthisdelightfulweather with their own children, at Tanglewood. I am afraid to tell you their

names, or even to give them any nameswhich other children have ever beencalledby;because,tomycertainknowledge,authorssometimesgetthemselvesinto great trouble by accidentally giving the names of real persons to thecharacters in their books. For this reason I mean to call them Primrose,Periwinkle, Sweet Fern, Dandelion, Blue Eye, Clover, Huckleberry, Cowslip,Squash-Blossom,Milkweed,Plantain,andButtercup;although,tobesure,suchtitlesmightbettersuitagroupoffairiesthanacompanyofearthlychildren.

Itisnottobesupposedthattheselittlefolksweretobepermittedbytheircarefulfathers and mothers, uncles, aunts, or grandparents, to stray abroad into thewoods and fields, without the guardianship of some particularly grave andelderly person. Oh no, indeed! In the first sentence of my book, you willrecollect that Ispokeofa tallyouth,standing in themidstof thechildren.Hisname—(andIshallletyouknowhisrealname,becauseheconsidersitagreathonortohavetoldthestoriesthatareheretobeprinted)—hisnamewasEustaceBright.HewasastudentatWilliamsCollege,andhadreached, I think,at thisperiod, the venerable age of eighteen years; so that he felt quite like agrandfather towards Periwinkle, Dandelion, Huckleberry, Squash-Blossom,Milkweed, and the rest, whowere only half or a third as venerable as he. Atrouble in his eyesight (such as many students think it necessary to have,nowadays, in order toprove their diligence at their books) hadkept him fromcollegeaweekortwoafterthebeginningoftheterm.But,formypart,IhaveseldommetwithapairofeyesthatlookedasiftheycouldseefartherorbetterthanthoseofEustaceBright.

Thislearnedstudentwasslender,andratherpale,asallYankeestudentsare;butyetofahealthyaspect,andaslightandactiveasifhehadwingstohisshoes.Bytheby,beingmuchaddictedtowadingthroughstreamletsandacrossmeadows,hehadputoncowhidebootsfortheexpedition.Heworealinenblouse,aclothcap,andapairofgreenspectacles,whichhehadassumed,probably,lessforthepreservation of his eyes than for the dignity that they imparted to hiscountenance.Ineithercase,however,hemightaswellhaveletthemalone;forHuckleberry,amischievouslittleelf,creptbehindEustaceashesatonthestepsof the porch, snatched the spectacles from his nose, and clapped them on herown;andasthestudentforgottotakethemback,theyfelloffintothegrass,andlaytheretillthenextspring.

Now,EustaceBright,youmustknow,hadwongreatfameamongthechildren,as a narrator of wonderful stories; and though he sometimes pretended to beannoyed,whentheyteasedhimformore,andmore,andalwaysformore,yetI

reallydoubtwhetherhelikedanythingquitesowellastotellthem.Youmighthave seen his eyes twinkle, therefore, when Clover, Sweet Fern, Cowslip,Buttercup,andmostoftheirplaymates,besoughthimtorelateoneofhisstories,whiletheywerewaitingforthemisttoclearup.

"Yes, Cousin Eustace," said Primrose, who was a bright girl of twelve, withlaughing eyes, and a nose that turnedup a little, "themorning is certainly thebesttimeforthestorieswithwhichyousooftentireoutourpatience.Weshallbe in less danger of hurting your feelings, by falling asleep at the mostinterestingpoints,—aslittleCowslipandIdidlastnight!"

"Naughty Primrose," cried Cowslip, a child of six years old; "I did not fallasleep,andIonlyshutmyeyes,soas toseeapictureofwhatCousinEustacewas tellingabout.Hisstoriesaregood tohearatnight,becausewecandreamabout them asleep; and good in themorning, too, because thenwe can dreamaboutthemawake.SoIhopehewilltellusonethisveryminute."

"Thankyou,mylittleCowslip,"saidEustace;"certainlyyoushallhavethebeststoryIcanthinkof,ifitwereonlyfordefendingmesowellfromthatnaughtyPrimrose.But,children,Ihavealreadytoldyousomanyfairytales,thatIdoubtwhetherthereisasingleonewhichyouhavenotheardatleasttwiceover.Iamafraidyouwillfallasleepinreality,ifIrepeatanyofthemagain."

"No,no,no!"criedBlueEye,Periwinkle,Plantain,andhalfadozenothers."Welikeastoryallthebetterforhavingheardittwoorthreetimesbefore."

Anditisatruth,asregardschildren,thatastoryseemsoftentodeepenitsmarkintheirinterest,notmerelybytwoorthree,butbynumberlessrepetitions.ButEustaceBright,intheexuberanceofhisresources,scornedtoavailhimselfofanadvantagewhichanolderstory-tellerwouldhavebeengladtograspat.

"Itwouldbeagreatpity,"saidhe,"ifamanofmylearning(tosaynothingoforiginal fancy)couldnot findanewstoryeveryday,year inandyearout, forchildrensuchasyou.Iwilltellyouoneofthenurserytalesthatweremadefortheamusementofourgreatoldgrandmother,theEarth,whenshewasachildinfrockandpinafore.Thereareahundredsuch;anditisawondertomethattheyhave not long ago been put into picture-books for little girls and boys. But,insteadofthat,oldgray-beardedgrandsiresporeovertheminmustyvolumesofGreek, and puzzle themselveswith trying to find outwhen, and how, and forwhattheyweremade."

"Well,well,well,well,CousinEustace!"criedallthechildrenatonce;"talknomoreaboutyourstories,butbegin."

"Sitdown,then,everysoulofyou,"saidEustaceBright,"andbeallasstillassomanymice.Attheslightestinterruption,whetherfromgreat,naughtyPrimrose,littleDandelion,oranyother, Ishallbite thestoryshortoffbetweenmyteeth,andswallowtheuntoldpart.But,inthefirstplace,doanyofyouknowwhataGorgonis?"

"Ido,"saidPrimrose.

"Then hold your tongue!" rejoined Eustace, who had rather she would haveknownnothingabout thematter. "Holdallyour tongues, and I shall tellyouasweetprettystoryofaGorgon'shead."

And so he did, as you may begin to read on the next page.Working up hissophomoricaleruditionwithagooddealoftact,andincurringgreatobligationsto Professor Anthon, he, nevertheless, disregarded all classical authorities,wheneverthevagrantaudacityofhisimaginationimpelledhimtodoso.

TheGorgon'sHead

Perseus was the son of Danaë, who was the daughter of a king. And whenPerseuswasavery littleboy, somewickedpeopleputhismother andhimselfintoachest,andsetthemafloatuponthesea.Thewindblewfreshly,anddrovethechest away from the shore, and theuneasybillows tossed it upanddown;whileDanaëclaspedherchildcloselytoherbosom,anddreadedthatsomebigwavewoulddashitsfoamycrestoverthemboth.Thechestsailedon,however,andneithersanknorwasupset;until,whennightwascoming,itfloatedsonearanislandthatitgotentangledinafisherman'snets,andwasdrawnouthighanddryupon thesand.The islandwascalledSeriphus,and itwasreignedoverbyKingPolydectes,whohappenedtobethefisherman'sbrother.

This fisherman, Iamglad to tellyou,wasanexceedinglyhumaneanduprightman.He showedgreat kindness toDanaë and her little boy; and continued tobefriendthem,untilPerseushadgrowntobeahandsomeyouth,verystrongandactive,andskilfulintheuseofarms.Longbeforethistime,KingPolydecteshadseen the two strangers—the mother and her child—who had come to hisdominionsinafloatingchest.Ashewasnotgoodandkind,likehisbrotherthefisherman, but extremelywicked, he resolved to sendPerseus on a dangerous

enterprise, in which he would probably be killed, and then to do some greatmischief to Danaë herself. So this bad-hearted king spent a long while inconsideringwhatwasthemostdangerousthingthatayoungmancouldpossiblyundertaketoperform.Atlast,havinghituponanenterprisethatpromisedtoturnoutasfatallyashedesired,hesentfortheyouthfulPerseus.

Theyoungmancametothepalace,andfoundthekingsittinguponhisthrone.

"Perseus,"saidKingPolydectes,smilingcraftilyuponhim,"youaregrownupafine young man. You and your good mother have received a great deal ofkindnessfrommyself,aswellasfrommyworthybrother thefisherman,andIsupposeyouwouldnotbesorrytorepaysomeofit."

"PleaseyourMajesty,"answeredPerseus,"Iwouldwillinglyriskmylifetodoso."

"Well,then,"continuedtheking,stillwithacunningsmileonhislips,"Ihavealittleadventuretoproposetoyou;and,asyouareabraveandenterprisingyouth,youwilldoubtlesslookuponitasagreatpieceofgoodlucktohavesorareanopportunityofdistinguishingyourself.Youmustknow,mygoodPerseus,IthinkofgettingmarriedtothebeautifulPrincessHippodamia;anditiscustomary,onthese occasions, to make the bride a present of some far-fetched and elegantcuriosity.Ihavebeenalittleperplexed,Imusthonestlyconfess,wheretoobtainanything likely toplease aprincessofher exquisite taste.But, thismorning, Iflattermyself,Ihavethoughtofpreciselythearticle."

"AndcanIassistyourMajestyinobtainingit?"criedPerseus,eagerly.

"You can, if you are as brave a youth as I believe you to be," replied KingPolydectes, with the utmost graciousness of manner. "The bridal gift which IhavesetmyheartonpresentingtothebeautifulHippodamiaistheheadoftheGorgonMedusawiththesnakylocks;andIdependonyou,mydearPerseus,tobringittome.So,asIamanxioustosettleaffairswiththeprincess,thesooneryougoinquestoftheGorgon,thebetterIshallbepleased."

"Iwillsetoutto-morrowmorning,"answeredPerseus.

"Praydoso,mygallantyouth,"rejoinedtheking."And,Perseus,incuttingoffthe Gorgon's head, be careful to make a clean stroke, so as not to injure itsappearance.Youmustbringithomeintheverybestcondition, inordertosuittheexquisitetasteofthebeautifulPrincessHippodamia."

Perseusleftthepalace,butwasscarcelyoutofhearingbeforePolydectesburstintoalaugh;beinggreatlyamused,wickedkingthathewas,tofindhowreadilytheyoungmanfellintothesnare.ThenewsquicklyspreadabroadthatPerseushadundertakentocutofftheheadofMedusawiththesnakylocks.Everybodywasrejoiced;formostoftheinhabitantsoftheislandwereaswickedasthekinghimself, and would have liked nothing better than to see some enormousmischiefhappen toDanaëandherson.Theonlygoodman in thisunfortunateislandofSeriphusappearstohavebeenthefisherman.AsPerseuswalkedalong,therefore, the people pointed after him, andmademouths, andwinked to oneanother,andridiculedhimasloudlyastheydared.

"Ho,ho!"criedthey;"Medusa'ssnakeswillstinghimsoundly!"

Now, there were three Gorgons alive at that period; and they were the moststrangeand terriblemonsters thathadeverbeensince theworldwasmade,orthathavebeenseeninafterdays,orthatarelikelytobeseeninalltimetocome.Ihardlyknowwhatsortofcreatureorhobgoblintocallthem.Theywerethreesisters, and seem tohaveborne somedistant resemblance towomen,butwerereallyaveryfrightfulandmischievousspeciesofdragon.Itis,indeed,difficulttoimaginewhathideousbeingsthesethreesisterswere.Why,insteadoflocksofhair, ifyoucanbelieveme,theyhadeachofthemahundredenormoussnakesgrowingontheirheads,allalive,twisting,wriggling,curling,andthrustingouttheirvenomoustongues,withforkedstingsattheend!TheteethoftheGorgonswereterriblylongtusks;theirhandsweremadeofbrass;andtheirbodieswereall over scales, which, if not iron, were something as hard and impenetrable.Theyhadwings,too,andexceedinglysplendidones,Icanassureyou;foreveryfeatherinthemwaspure,bright,glittering,burnishedgold,andtheylookedverydazzlingly,nodoubt,whentheGorgonswereflyingaboutinthesunshine.

Butwhenpeoplehappenedtocatchaglimpseoftheirglitteringbrightness,aloftintheair,theyseldomstoppedtogaze,butranandhidthemselvesasspeedilyastheycould.Youwillthink,perhaps,thattheywereafraidofbeingstungbytheserpentsthatservedtheGorgonsinsteadofhair,—orofhavingtheirheadsbittenoff by their ugly tusks,—or of being torn all to pieces by their brazen claws.Well,tobesure,theseweresomeofthedangers,butbynomeansthegreatest,nor the most difficult to avoid. For the worst thing about these abominableGorgonswas, that, if once a poormortal fixedhis eyes full upononeof theirfaces,hewascertain,thatveryinstant,tobechangedfromwarmfleshandbloodintocoldandlifelessstone!

Thus, as youwill easily perceive, it was a very dangerous adventure that thewicked King Polydectes had contrived for this innocent young man. Perseushimself,whenhehadthoughtoverthematter,couldnothelpseeingthathehadverylittlechanceofcomingsafelythroughit,andthathewasfarmorelikelytobecome a stone image than to bring back the head ofMedusawith the snakylocks.For,nottospeakofotherdifficulties,therewasonewhichitwouldhavepuzzledanoldermanthanPerseustogetover.Notonlymusthefightwithandslay this golden-winged, iron-scaled, long-tusked, brazen-clawed, snaky-hairedmonster,buthemustdoitwithhiseyesshut,or,atleast,withoutsomuchasaglance at the enemywith whom he was contending. Else, while his armwasliftedtostrike,hewouldstiffenintostone,andstandwiththatupliftedarmforcenturies,untiltime,andthewindandweather,shouldcrumblehimquiteaway.Thiswouldbeaverysadthingtobefallayoungmanwhowantedtoperformagreatmanybravedeeds,andtoenjoyagreatdealofhappiness,inthisbrightandbeautifulworld.

Sodisconsolatedidthesethoughtsmakehim,thatPerseuscouldnotbeartotellhismotherwhathehadundertakentodo.Hethereforetookhisshield,girdedonhissword,andcrossedoverfromtheislandtothemainland,wherehesatdowninasolitaryplace,andhardlyrefrainedfromsheddingtears.

But,whilehewasinthissorrowfulmood,heheardavoiceclosebesidehim.

"Perseus,"saidthevoice,"whyareyousad?"

He lifted his head from his hands, inwhich he had hidden it, and behold! allaloneasPerseushadsupposedhimselftobe,therewasastrangerinthesolitaryplace. It was a brisk, intelligent, and remarkably shrewd-looking youngman,with a cloak over his shoulders, an odd sort of cap on his head, a strangelytwisted staff in his hand, and a short and very crooked sword hanging by hisside. He was exceedingly light and active in his figure, like a person muchaccustomedtogymnasticexercises,andwellabletoleaporrun.Aboveall,thestranger had such a cheerful, knowing, and helpful aspect (though it wascertainly a little mischievous, into the bargain), that Perseus could not helpfeeling his spirits grow livelier as he gazed at him. Besides, being really acourageousyouth,hefeltgreatlyashamedthatanybodyshouldhavefoundhimwithtearsinhiseyes,likeatimidlittleschool-boy,when,afterall,theremightbenooccasionfordespair.SoPerseuswipedhiseyes,andansweredthestrangerprettybriskly,puttingonasbravealookashecould.

"Iamnotsoverysad,"saidhe,"onlythoughtfulaboutanadventurethatIhaveundertaken."

"Oho!"answeredthestranger."Well,tellmeallaboutit,andpossiblyImaybeofservicetoyou.Ihavehelpedagoodmanyyoungmenthroughadventuresthatlookeddifficultenoughbeforehand.Perhapsyoumayhaveheardofme.Ihavemorenamesthanone;butthenameofQuicksilversuitsmeaswellasanyother.Tellmewhatthetroubleis,andwewilltalkthematterover,andseewhatcanbedone."

Thestranger'swordsandmannerputPerseus intoquiteadifferentmood fromhisformerone.HeresolvedtotellQuicksilverallhisdifficulties,sincehecouldnoteasilybeworseoff thanhealreadywas,and,verypossibly,hisnewfriendmightgivehimsomeadvice thatwould turnoutwell in theend.Sohe let thestranger know, in few words, precisely what the case was,—how that KingPolydecteswantedtheheadofMedusawiththesnakylocksasabridalgiftforthebeautifulPrincessHippodamia,andhowthathehadundertakentogetitforhim,butwasafraidofbeingturnedintostone.

"Andthatwouldbeagreatpity,"saidQuicksilver,withhismischievoussmile."Youwouldmakeaveryhandsomemarblestatue, it is true,and itwouldbeaconsiderablenumberofcenturiesbeforeyoucrumbledaway;but,onthewhole,onewouldratherbeayoungmanforafewyears,thanastoneimageforagreatmany."

"Oh, far rather!" exclaimedPerseus,with the tears again standing in his eyes."And,besides,whatwouldmydearmotherdo, ifherbelovedsonwere turnedintoastone?"

"Well,well, letushope that theaffairwillnot turnoutsoverybadly," repliedQuicksilver, in an encouraging tone. "I am the very person to help you, ifanybodycan.Mysisterandmyselfwilldoourutmosttobringyousafethroughtheadventure,uglyasitnowlooks."

"Yoursister?"repeatedPerseus.

"Yes,mysister,"saidthestranger."Sheisverywise,Ipromiseyou;andasformyself, I generally have allmywits aboutme, such as they are. If you showyourself bold and cautious, and follow our advice, you need not fear being astoneimageyetawhile.But,firstofall,youmustpolishyourshield,tillyoucanseeyourfaceinitasdistinctlyasinamirror."

ThisseemedtoPerseusratheranoddbeginningoftheadventure;forhethoughtitoffarmoreconsequencethattheshieldshouldbestrongenoughtodefendhimfrom theGorgon's brazen claws, than that it should be bright enough to showhimthereflectionofhisface.However,concludingthatQuicksilverknewbetterthanhimself,heimmediatelysettowork,andscrubbedtheshieldwithsomuchdiligenceandgood-will,thatitveryquicklyshonelikethemoonatharvest-time.Quicksilverlookedatitwithasmile,andnoddedhisapprobation.Then,takingoffhisownshortandcrookedsword,hegirdeditaboutPerseus,insteadoftheonewhichhehadbeforeworn.

"Noswordbutminewill answeryourpurpose,"observedhe; "thebladehasamostexcellent temper,andwillcut throughironandbrassaseasilyasthroughtheslenderesttwig.Andnowwewillsetout.ThenextthingistofindtheThreeGrayWomen,whowilltelluswheretofindtheNymphs."

"The Three Gray Women!" cried Perseus, to whom this seemed only a newdifficulty in thepathofhisadventure;"praywhomay theThreeGrayWomenbe?Ineverheardofthembefore."

"Theyarethreeverystrangeoldladies,"saidQuicksilver,laughing."Theyhavebutoneeyeamongthem,andonlyonetooth.Moreover,youmustfindthemoutbystarlight,orintheduskoftheevening;fortheynevershowthemselvesbythelighteitherofthesunormoon."

"But," said Perseus, "why should I waste my time with these Three GrayWomen? Would it not be better to set out at once in search of the terribleGorgons?"

"No,no,"answeredhisfriend."Thereareotherthingstobedone,beforeyoucanfindyourway to theGorgons.There isnothing for itbut tohuntup theseoldladies;andwhenwemeetwiththem,youmaybesurethattheGorgonsarenotagreatwayoff.Come,letusbestirring!"

Perseus,bythistime,feltsomuchconfidenceinhiscompanion'ssagacity,thathemadenomoreobjections,andprofessedhimselfreadytobegintheadventureimmediately. They accordingly set out, and walked at a pretty brisk pace; sobrisk, indeed, that Perseus found it rather difficult to keep upwith his nimblefriendQuicksilver.Tosaythetruth,hehadasingularideathatQuicksilverwasfurnished with a pair of winged shoes, which, of course, helped him alongmarvellously.And then, too,whenPerseus looked sidewaysathim,outof thecornerofhiseye,heseemedtoseewingsonthesideofhishead;although,ifhe

turneda fullgaze, therewereno such things tobeperceived,butonlyanoddkind of cap. But, at all events, the twisted staff was evidently a greatconvenience toQuicksilver, and enabled him to proceed so fast, that Perseus,thougharemarkablyactiveyoungman,begantobeoutofbreath.

"Here!"criedQuicksilver,atlast,—forheknewwellenough,roguethathewas,howhardPerseusfoundittokeeppacewithhim,—"takeyouthestaff,foryouneeditagreatdealmorethanI.AretherenobetterwalkersthanyourselfintheislandofSeriphus?"

"Icouldwalkprettywell,"saidPerseus,glancingslylyathiscompanion'sfeet,"ifIhadonlyapairofwingedshoes."

"Wemustseeaboutgettingyouapair,"answeredQuicksilver.

ButthestaffhelpedPerseusalongsobravely,thathenolongerfelttheslightestweariness.Infact,thestickseemedtobealiveinhishand,andtolendsomeofitslifetoPerseus.HeandQuicksilvernowwalkedonwardattheirease,talkingverysociablytogether;andQuicksilver toldsomanypleasantstoriesabouthisformeradventures,andhowwellhiswitshadservedhimonvariousoccasions,thatPerseusbegantothinkhimaverywonderfulperson.Heevidentlyknewtheworld;andnobodyissocharmingtoayoungmanasafriendwhohasthatkindofknowledge.Perseuslistenedthemoreeagerly,inthehopeofbrighteninghisownwitsbywhatheheard.

Atlast,hehappenedtorecollectthatQuicksilverhadspokenofasister,whowastolendherassistanceintheadventurewhichtheywerenowboundupon.

"Whereisshe?"heinquired."Shallwenotmeethersoon?"

"Allatthepropertime,"saidhiscompanion."Butthissisterofmine,youmustunderstand,isquiteadifferentsortofcharacterfrommyself.Sheisverygraveandprudent,seldomsmiles,neverlaughs,andmakesitarulenottoutterawordunlessshehassomethingparticularlyprofoundtosay.Neitherwillshelistentoanybutthewisestconversation."

"Dearme!"ejaculatedPerseus;"Ishallbeafraidtosayasyllable."

"Sheisaveryaccomplishedperson,Iassureyou,"continuedQuicksilver,"andhasalltheartsandsciencesatherfingers'ends.Inshort,sheissoimmoderatelywise, thatmanypeoplecallherwisdompersonified.But, to tellyou the truth,shehashardlyvivacityenoughformytaste;andIthinkyouwouldscarcelyfind

her so pleasant a travelling companion as myself. She has her good points,nevertheless;andyouwill find thebenefitof them, inyourencounterwith theGorgons."

Bythistimeithadgrownquitedusk.Theywerenowcometoaverywildanddesert place, overgrown with shaggy bushes, and so silent and solitary thatnobody seemed ever to have dwelt or journeyed there. All was waste anddesolate,inthegraytwilight,whichgreweverymomentmoreobscure.Perseuslookedabouthim,ratherdisconsolately,andaskedQuicksilverwhethertheyhadagreatdealfarthertogo.

"Hist!hist!"whisperedhiscompanion."Makenonoise!ThisisjustthetimeandplacetomeettheThreeGrayWomen.Becarefulthattheydonotseeyoubeforeyou see them; for, though theyhavebut a single eye among the three, it is assharp-sightedashalfadozencommoneyes."

"ButwhatmustIdo,"askedPerseus,"whenwemeetthem?"

Quicksilver explained to Perseus how the Three GrayWomen managed withtheir one eye. They were in the habit, it seems, of changing it from one toanother,asifithadbeenapairofspectacles,or—whichwouldhavesuitedthembetter—aquizzing-glass.Whenoneofthethreehadkepttheeyeacertaintime,she took it out of the socket and passed it to one of her sisters,whose turn itmight happen to be, andwho immediately clapped it into her own head, andenjoyedapeepatthevisibleworld.Thusitwilleasilybeunderstoodthatonlyone of the Three Gray Women could see, while the other two were in utterdarkness;and,moreover,at theinstantwhentheeyewaspassingfromhandtohand, neither of thepoorold ladieswas able to see awink. I haveheardof agreatmanystrangethings,inmyday,andhavewitnessednotafew;butnone,itseemstome,thatcancomparewiththeoddityoftheseThreeGrayWomen,allpeepingthroughasingleeye.

SothoughtPerseus, likewise,andwassoastonished thathealmostfanciedhiscompanionwasjokingwithhim,andthattherewerenosucholdwomenintheworld.

"YouwillsoonfindwhetherItellthetruthorno,"observedQuicksilver."Hark!hush!hist!hist!Theretheycome,now!"

Perseus looked earnestly through the dusk of the evening, and there, sureenough,atnogreatdistanceoff,hedescriedtheThreeGrayWomen.Thelight

beingsofaint,hecouldnotwellmakeoutwhatsortoffigurestheywere;onlyhediscoveredthattheyhadlonggrayhair;and,astheycamenearer,hesawthattwoofthemhadbuttheemptysocketofaneye,inthemiddleoftheirforeheads.But, in themiddleof the thirdsister's forehead, therewasavery large,bright,and piercing eye, which sparkled like a great diamond in a ring; and sopenetratingdiditseemtobe,thatPerseuscouldnothelpthinkingitmustpossessthe gift of seeing in the darkestmidnight just as perfectly as at noonday.Thesightofthreepersons'eyeswasmeltedandcollectedintothatsingleone.

Thusthethreeolddamesgotalongaboutascomfortably,uponthewhole,asiftheycouldallseeatonce.Shewhochancedtohavetheeyeinherforeheadledtheother twoby thehands,peepingsharplyabouther,all thewhile; insomuchthatPerseusdreadedlestsheshouldseerightthroughthethickclumpofbushesbehind which he and Quicksilver had hidden themselves. My stars! it waspositivelyterribletobewithinreachofsoverysharpaneye!

But, before they reached the clumpof bushes, one of theThreeGrayWomenspoke.

"Sister!SisterScarecrow!"criedshe,"youhavehad theeye longenough. It ismyturnnow!"

"Letme keep it amoment longer, Sister Nightmare," answered Scarecrow. "IthoughtIhadaglimpseofsomethingbehindthatthickbush."

"Well,andwhatofthat?"retortedNightmare,peevishly."Can'tIseeintoathickbushaseasilyasyourself?Theeyeismineaswellasyours;andIknowtheuseof it as well as you, or may be a little better. I insist upon taking a peepimmediately!"

But here the third sister,whosenamewasShakejoint, began to complain, andsaid that it was her turn to have the eye, and that Scarecrow and Nightmarewanted to keep it all to themselves. To end the dispute, oldDame Scarecrowtooktheeyeoutofherforehead,andhelditforthinherhand.

"Takeit,oneofyou,"criedshe,"andquitthisfoolishquarrelling.Formypart,Ishallbegladofalittlethickdarkness.Takeitquickly,however,orImustclapitintomyownheadagain!"

Accordingly,bothNightmareandShakejointputouttheirhands,gropingeagerlytosnatchtheeyeoutofthehandofScarecrow.But,beingbothalikeblind,they

could not easily findwhere Scarecrow's handwas; andScarecrow, being nowjust asmuch in thedarkasShakejoint andNightmare, couldnot atoncemeeteitheroftheirhands,inordertoputtheeyeintoit.Thus(asyouwillsee,withhalf an eye, my wise little auditors), these good old dames had fallen into astrange perplexity. For, though the eye shone and glistened like a star, asScarecrowheld itout,yet theGrayWomencaughtnot the leastglimpseof itslight,andwereallthreeinutterdarkness,fromtooimpatientadesiretosee.

Quicksilverwas somuch tickled at beholding Shakejoint andNightmare bothgropingfortheeye,andeachfindingfaultwithScarecrowandoneanother,thathecouldscarcelyhelplaughingaloud.

"Now is your time!" hewhispered to Perseus. "Quick, quick! before they canclaptheeyeintoeitheroftheirheads.Rushoutupontheoldladies,andsnatchitfromScarecrow'shand!"

In an instant, while the Three Gray Women were still scolding each other,Perseusleapedfrombehindtheclumpofbushes,andmadehimselfmasteroftheprize. Themarvellous eye, as he held it in his hand, shone very brightly, andseemed to lookup intohis facewith aknowingair, andanexpressionas if itwouldhavewinked,haditbeenprovidedwithapairofeyelidsforthatpurpose.ButtheGrayWomenknewnothingofwhathadhappened;and,eachsupposingthat one of her sisters was in possession of the eye, they began their quarrelanew.Atlast,asPerseusdidnotwishtoputtheserespectabledamestogreaterinconvenience than was really necessary, he thought it right to explain thematter.

"Mygoodladies,"saidhe,"praydonotbeangrywithoneanother.Ifanybodyisinfault,itismyself;forIhavethehonortoholdyourverybrilliantandexcellenteyeinmyownhand!"

"You!youhaveoureye!Andwhoareyou?"screamedtheThreeGrayWomen,allinabreath;fortheywereterriblyfrightened,ofcourse,athearingastrangevoice, anddiscovering that their eyesighthadgot into thehandsof theycouldnotguesswhom."Oh,whatshallwedo,sisters?whatshallwedo?Weareallinthedark!Giveusoureye!Giveusourone,precious,solitaryeye!Youhavetwoofyourown!Giveusoureye!"

"Tellthem,"whisperedQuicksilvertoPerseus,"thattheyshallhavebacktheeyeas soon as they direct you where to find the Nymphs who have the flyingslippers,themagicwallet,andthehelmetofdarkness."

"My dear, good, admirable old ladies," said Perseus, addressing the GrayWomen,"thereisnooccasionforputtingyourselvesintosuchafright.Iambynomeansabadyoungman.Youshallhavebackyoureye,safeandsound,andasbrightasever,themomentyoutellmewheretofindtheNymphs."

"TheNymphs!Goodnessme! sisters,whatNymphsdoeshemean?" screamedScarecrow."ThereareagreatmanyNymphs,peoplesay;somethatgoahuntingin the woods, and some that live inside of trees, and some that have acomfortablehomeinfountainsofwater.Weknownothingatallaboutthem.Wearethreeunfortunateoldsouls, thatgowanderingaboutinthedusk,andneverhadbutoneeyeamongstus,andthatoneyouhavestolenaway.Oh,giveitback,goodstranger!—whoeveryouare,giveitback!"

All this while the Three Gray Women were groping with their outstretchedhands,andtryingtheirutmosttogetholdofPerseus.Buthetookgoodcaretokeepoutoftheirreach.

"Myrespectabledames,"saidhe,—forhismotherhadtaughthimalwaystousethegreatestcivility,—"Iholdyoureyefastinmyhand,andshallkeepitsafelyforyou,untilyoupleasetotellmewheretofindtheseNymphs.TheNymphs,Imean,whokeeptheenchantedwallet,theflyingslippers,andthewhatisit?—thehelmetofinvisibility."

"Mercy on us, sisters! what is the young man talking about?" exclaimedScarecrow,Nightmare,andShakejoint,onetoanother,withgreatappearanceofastonishment."Apairofflyingslippers,quothhe!Hisheelswouldquicklyflyhigher thanhishead, ifheweresillyenough toput themon.Andahelmetofinvisibility!Howcouldahelmetmakehiminvisible,unlessitwerebigenoughforhimtohideunder it?Andanenchantedwallet!Whatsortofacontrivancemaythatbe,Iwonder?No,no,goodstranger!wecantellyounothingofthesemarvellousthings.Youhavetwoeyesofyourown,andwehavebutasingleoneamongst us three. You can find out such wonders better than three blind oldcreatures,likeus."

Perseus, hearing them talk in this way, began really to think that the GrayWomenknewnothingofthematter;and,asitgrievedhimtohaveputthemtosomuchtrouble,hewasjustonthepointofrestoringtheireyeandaskingpardonforhisrudenessinsnatchingitaway.ButQuicksilvercaughthishand.

"Don'tletthemmakeafoolofyou!"saidhe."TheseThreeGrayWomenaretheonlypersonsintheworldthatcantellyouwheretofindtheNymphs;and,unless

you get that information, you will never succeed in cutting off the head ofMedusawiththesnakylocks.Keepfastholdoftheeye,andallwillgowell."

As it turned out, Quicksilver was in the right. There are but few things thatpeople prize somuch as they do their eyesight; and theGrayWomen valuedtheirsingleeyeashighlyasifithadbeenhalfadozen,whichwasthenumberthey ought to have had. Finding that therewas no otherway of recovering it,theyatlasttoldPerseuswhathewantedtoknow.Nosoonerhadtheydoneso,thanheimmediately,andwiththeutmostrespect,clappedtheeyeintothevacantsocketinoneoftheirforeheads,thankedthemfortheirkindness,andbadethemfarewell.Beforetheyoungmanwasoutofhearing,however,theyhadgotintoanewdispute,becausehehappenedtohavegiventheeyetoScarecrow,whohadalreadytakenherturnofitwhentheirtroublewithPerseuscommenced.

ItisgreatlytobefearedthattheThreeGrayWomenwereverymuchinthehabitof disturbing their mutual harmony by bickerings of this sort; which was themore pity, as they could not conveniently do without one another, and wereevidently intended to be inseparable companions. As a general rule, I wouldadviseallpeople,whethersistersorbrothers,oldoryoung,whochancetohavebut one eye amongst them, to cultivate forbearance, and not all insist uponpeepingthroughitatonce.

QuicksilverandPerseus,inthemeantime,weremakingthebestoftheirwayinquestoftheNymphs.Theolddameshadgiventhemsuchparticulardirections,that theywere not long in finding themout.Theyproved to be very differentpersons fromNightmare,Shakejoint, andScarecrow; for, insteadofbeingold,theywereyoungandbeautiful;and insteadofoneeyeamongst thesisterhood,eachNymphhadtwoexceedinglybrighteyesofherown,withwhichshelookedvery kindly at Perseus. They seemed to be acquainted with Quicksilver; and,whenhe told themtheadventurewhichPerseushadundertaken, theymadenodifficultyaboutgivinghimthevaluablearticlesthatwereintheircustody.Inthefirst place, they brought outwhat appeared to be a small purse,made of deerskin,andcuriouslyembroidered,andbadehimbesureandkeepitsafe.Thiswasthemagic wallet. The Nymphs next produced a pair of shoes, or slippers, orsandals,withanicelittlepairofwingsattheheelofeach.

"Putthemon,Perseus,"saidQuicksilver."Youwillfindyourselfaslight-heeledasyoucandesirefortheremainderofourjourney."

SoPerseusproceededtoputoneoftheslipperson,whilehelaidtheotheronthe

groundbyhisside.Unexpectedly,however, thisotherslipperspread itswings,flutteredupofftheground,andwouldprobablyhaveflownaway,ifQuicksilverhadnotmadealeap,andluckilycaughtitintheair.

"Bemorecareful,"saidhe,ashegaveitbacktoPerseus."Itwouldfrightenthebirds,upaloft,iftheyshouldseeaflyingslipperamongstthem."

WhenPerseushadgotonbothofthesewonderfulslippers,hewasaltogethertoobuoyant to tread on earth. Making a step or two, lo and behold! upward hepopped into theair,highabove theheadsofQuicksilverand theNymphs,andfound it very difficult to clamber down again.Winged slippers, and all suchhigh-flying contrivances, are seldom quite easy to manage until one grows alittle accustomed to them.Quicksilver laughed at his companion's involuntaryactivity,andtoldhimthathemustnotbeinsodesperateahurry,butmustwaitfortheinvisiblehelmet.

Thegood-naturedNymphshadthehelmet,withitsdarktuftofwavingplumes,all in readiness to put upon his head. And now there happened about aswonderfulanincidentasanythingthatIhaveyettoldyou.Theinstantbeforethehelmet was put on, there stood Perseus, a beautiful young man, with goldenringlets and rosy cheeks, the crooked sword by his side, and the brightlypolished shield upon his arm,—a figure that seemed all made up of courage,sprightliness, and glorious light.Butwhen the helmet had descended over hiswhitebrow,therewasnolongeranyPerseustobeseen!Nothingbutemptyair!Eventhehelmet,thatcoveredhimwithitsinvisibility,hadvanished!

"Whereareyou,Perseus?"askedQuicksilver.

"Why, here, to be sure!" answered Perseus, very quietly, although his voiceseemedtocomeoutofthetransparentatmosphere."JustwhereIwasamomentago.Don'tyouseeme?"

"No, indeed!"answeredhis friend."Youarehiddenunder thehelmet.But, if Icannotseeyou,neithercantheGorgons.Followme,therefore,andwewilltryyourdexterityinusingthewingedslippers."

Withthesewords,Quicksilver'scapspreaditswings,asifhisheadwereabouttoflyaway fromhis shoulders;buthiswhole figure rose lightly into theair, andPerseusfollowed.Bythetimetheyhadascendedafewhundredfeet,theyoungmanbegan to feelwhat a delightful thing itwas to leave thedull earth so farbeneathhim,andtobeabletoflitaboutlikeabird.

It was now deep night. Perseus looked upward, and saw the round, bright,silverymoon, and thought thathe shoulddesirenothingbetter than to soarupthither,andspendhis life there.Thenhe lookeddownwardagain,andsawtheearth,withitsseasandlakes,andthesilvercoursesofitsrivers,anditssnowymountain-peaks,andthebreadthofitsfields,andthedarkclusterofitswoods,anditscitiesofwhitemarble;and,withthemoonshinesleepingoverthewholescene, itwasasbeautifulas themoonoranystarcouldbe.And,amongotherobjects,hesawtheislandofSeriphus,wherehisdearmotherwas.SometimesheandQuicksilverapproachedacloud,that,atadistance,lookedasifitweremadeof fleecy silver; although, when they plunged into it, they found themselveschilledandmoistenedwithgraymist.Soswiftwastheirflight,however,that,inaninstant,theyemergedfromthecloudintothemoonlightagain.Once,ahigh-soaringeagleflewrightagainsttheinvisiblePerseus.Thebravestsightswerethemeteors,thatgleamedsuddenlyout,asifabonfirehadbeenkindledinthesky,andmadethemoonshinepaleforasmuchasahundredmilesaroundthem.

As the two companions flew onward, Perseus fancied that he could hear therustleofagarmentclosebyhisside;anditwasonthesideoppositetotheonewherehebeheldQuicksilver,yetonlyQuicksilverwasvisible.

"Whosegarmentisthis,"inquiredPerseus,"thatkeepsrustlingclosebesidemeinthebreeze?"

"Oh,itismysister's!"answeredQuicksilver."Sheiscomingalongwithus,asItoldyoushewould.Wecoulddonothingwithoutthehelpofmysister.Youhavenoideahowwisesheis.Shehassucheyes,too!Why,shecanseeyou,atthismoment,justasdistinctlyasifyouwerenotinvisible;andI'llventuretosay,shewillbethefirsttodiscovertheGorgons."

Bythistime,intheirswiftvoyagethroughtheair,theyhadcomewithinsightofthegreatocean,andweresoonflyingoverit.Farbeneaththem,thewavestossedthemselves tumultuously inmid-sea, or rolled awhite surf-line upon the longbeaches,orfoamedagainsttherockycliffs,witharoarthatwasthunderous,inthe lowerworld;althoughitbecameagentlemurmur, like thevoiceofababyhalfasleep,beforeitreachedtheearsofPerseus.Justthenavoicespokeintheairclosebyhim.Itseemedtobeawoman'svoice,andwasmelodious,thoughnotexactlywhatmightbecalledsweet,butgraveandmild.

"Perseus,"saidthevoice,"therearetheGorgons."

"Where?"exclaimedPerseus."Icannotseethem."

"Ontheshoreofthatislandbeneathyou,"repliedthevoice."Apebble,droppedfromyourhand,wouldstrikeinthemidstofthem."

"Itoldyoushewouldbethefirsttodiscoverthem,"saidQuicksilvertoPerseus."Andtheretheyare!"

Straightdownward, twoor threethousandfeetbelowhim,Perseusperceivedasmall island,with theseabreaking intowhite foamallaround its rockyshore,except on one side, where there was a beach of snowy sand. He descendedtowardsit,and,lookingearnestlyataclusterorheapofbrightness,atthefootofaprecipiceofblackrocks,behold,thereweretheterribleGorgons!Theylayfastasleep,soothedbythethunderofthesea;foritrequiredatumultthatwouldhavedeafened everybody else to lull such fierce creatures into slumber. Themoonlight glistened on their steely scales, and on their golden wings, whichdroopedidlyoverthesand.Theirbrazenclaws,horribletolookat,werethrustout,andclutchedthewave-beatenfragmentsofrock,whilethesleepingGorgonsdreamedoftearingsomepoormortalalltopieces.Thesnakesthatservedtheminsteadofhairseemedlikewisetobeasleep;although,nowandthen,onewouldwrithe,andliftitshead,andthrustoutitsforkedtongue,emittingadrowsyhiss,andthenletitselfsubsideamongitssistersnakes.

The Gorgons were more like an awful, gigantic kind of insect,—immense,golden-wingedbeetles,ordragon-flies,orthingsofthatsort,—atonceuglyandbeautiful,—thanlikeanythingelse;onlythattheywereathousandandamilliontimesasbig.And,withallthis,therewassomethingpartlyhumanaboutthem,too. Luckily for Perseus, their faceswere completely hidden fromhim by thepostureinwhichtheylay;for,hadhebutlookedoneinstantatthem,hewouldhavefallenheavilyoutoftheair,animageofsenselessstone.

"Now,"whisperedQuicksilver,ashehoveredby thesideofPerseus,—"nowisyourtimetodothedeed!Bequick;or,ifoneoftheGorgonsshouldawake,youaretoolate!"

"Which shall I strike at?" askedPerseus, drawinghis sword anddescending alittlelower."Theyallthreelookalike.Allthreehavesnakylocks.WhichofthethreeisMedusa?"

Itmustbeunderstood thatMedusawas theonlyoneof thesedragon-monsterswhoseheadPerseuscouldpossiblycutoff.Asfortheothertwo,lethimhavethesharpestswordthateverwasforged,andhemighthavehackedawaybythehourtogether,withoutdoingthemtheleastharm.

"Becautious,"saidthecalmvoicewhichhadbeforespokentohim."OneoftheGorgonsisstirringinhersleep,andis justabout to turnover.That isMedusa.Donotlookather!Thesightwouldturnyoutostone!Lookatthereflectionofherfaceandfigureinthebrightmirrorofyourshield."

PerseusnowunderstoodQuicksilver'smotiveforsoearnestlyexhortinghimtopolish his shield. In its surface he could safely look at the reflection of theGorgon's face. And there it was,—that terrible countenance,—mirrored in thebrightnessoftheshield,withthemoonlightfallingoverit,anddisplayingallitshorror. The snakes, whose venomous natures could not altogether sleep, kepttwistingthemselvesovertheforehead.Itwasthefiercestandmosthorriblefacethateverwasseenorimagined,andyetwithastrange,fearful,andsavagekindof beauty in it. The eyes were closed, and the Gorgon was still in a deepslumber; but therewas anunquiet expressiondisturbingher features, as if themonsterwastroubledwithanuglydream.Shegnashedherwhitetusks,anddugintothesandwithherbrazenclaws.

Thesnakes, too,seemedtofeelMedusa'sdream,andtobemademorerestlessby it. They twined themselves into tumultuous knots, writhed fiercely, andupliftedahundredhissingheads,withoutopeningtheireyes.

"Now,now!"whisperedQuicksilver,whowasgrowingimpatient."Makeadashatthemonster!"

"Butbecalm,"saidthegrave,melodiousvoice,attheyoungman'sside."Lookinyourshield,asyouflydownward,andtakecarethatyoudonotmissyourfirststroke."

Perseus flewcautiouslydownward, stillkeepinghis eyesonMedusa's face, asreflectedinhisshield.Thenearerhecame,themoreterribledidthesnakyvisageandmetallicbodyofthemonstergrow.Atlast,whenhefoundhimselfhoveringover her within arm's length, Perseus uplifted his sword, while, at the sameinstant, each separate snake upon the Gorgon's head stretched threateninglyupward,andMedusaunclosedhereyes.Butsheawoketoolate.Theswordwassharp;thestrokefelllikealightning-flash;andtheheadofthewickedMedusatumbledfromherbody!

"Admirablydone!"criedQuicksilver."Makehaste,andclaptheheadintoyourmagicwallet."

To the astonishment of Perseus, the small, embroidered wallet, which he had

hungabouthisneck,andwhichhadhithertobeennobiggerthanapurse,grewall at once large enough to contain Medusa's head. As quick as thought, hesnatcheditup,withthesnakesstillwrithinguponit,andthrustitin.

"Yourtaskisdone,"saidthecalmvoice."Nowfly;fortheotherGorgonswilldotheirutmosttotakevengeanceforMedusa'sdeath."

Itwas, indeed, necessary to take flight; for Perseus had not done the deed soquietly but that the clash of his sword, and the hissing of the snakes, and thethumpofMedusa'sheadasittumbleduponthesea-beatensand,awoketheothertwomonsters.Theretheysat,foraninstant,sleepilyrubbingtheireyeswiththeirbrazenfingers,whileallthesnakesontheirheadsrearedthemselvesonendwithsurprise,andwithvenomousmaliceagainst theyknewnotwhat.ButwhentheGorgons saw the scaly carcass ofMedusa, headless, and her goldenwings allruffled,andhalf spreadouton thesand, itwas reallyawful tohearwhatyellsandscreechestheysetup.Andthenthesnakes!Theysentforthahundred-foldhiss,with one consent, andMedusa's snakes answered them out of themagicwallet.

NosoonerweretheGorgonsbroadawakethantheyhurtledupwardintotheair,brandishing their brass talons, gnashing their horrible tusks, and flapping theirhugewings sowildly, that some of the golden feathers were shaken out, andfloated down upon the shore. And there, perhaps, those very feathers liescattered,tillthisday.UprosetheGorgons,asItellyou,staringhorriblyabout,inhopesofturningsomebodytostone.HadPerseuslookedthemintheface,orhadhe fallen into theirclutches,hispoormotherwouldneverhavekissedherboyagain!Buthetookgoodcaretoturnhiseyesanotherway;and,asheworethehelmetofinvisibility,theGorgonsknewnotinwhatdirectiontofollowhim;nordidhefailtomakethebestuseofthewingedslippers,bysoaringupwardaperpendicularmileorso.Atthatheight,whenthescreamsofthoseabominablecreaturessoundedfaintlybeneathhim,hemadeastraightcoursefortheislandofSeriphus,inordertocarryMedusa'sheadtoKingPolydectes.

IhavenotimetotellyouofseveralmarvellousthingsthatbefellPerseus,onhiswayhomeward;suchashiskillingahideoussea-monster,justasitwasonthepointofdevouringabeautifulmaiden;norhowhechangedanenormousgiantintoamountainofstone,merelybyshowinghimtheheadoftheGorgon.Ifyoudoubtthislatterstory,youmaymakeavoyagetoAfrica,somedayorother,andseetheverymountain,whichisstillknownbytheancientgiant'sname.

Finally,ourbravePerseusarrivedattheisland,whereheexpectedtoseehisdearmother.But,duringhisabsence, thewickedkinghadtreatedDanaësoveryillthat shewascompelled tomakeherescape,andhad taken refuge ina temple,where somegoodold priestswere extremelykind to her.These praise-worthypriests, and the kind-hearted fisherman, who had first shown hospitality toDanaëand littlePerseuswhenhefoundthemafloat in thechest,seemtohavebeentheonlypersonsontheislandwhocaredaboutdoingright.Alltherestofthe people, as well as King Polydectes himself, were remarkably ill-behaved,anddeservednobetterdestinythanthatwhichwasnowtohappen.

Not finding hismother at home, Perseuswent straight to the palace, andwasimmediatelyusheredintothepresenceoftheking.Polydecteswasbynomeansrejoicedtoseehim;forhehadfeltalmostcertain,inhisownevilmind,thattheGorgonswouldhavetornthepooryoungmantopieces,andhaveeatenhimup,out of theway. However, seeing him safely returned, he put the best face hecoulduponthematterandaskedPerseushowhehadsucceeded.

"Have you performed your promise?" inquired he. "Have you broughtme theheadofMedusawiththesnakylocks?Ifnot,youngman,itwillcostyoudear;forImusthaveabridalpresentforthebeautifulPrincessHippodamia,andthereisnothingelsethatshewouldadmiresomuch."

"Yes,pleaseyourMajesty," answeredPerseus, in aquietway, as if itwerenoverywonderfuldeedforsuchayoungmanashetoperform."IhavebroughtyoutheGorgon'shead,snakylocksandall!"

"Indeed!Prayletmeseeit,"quothKingPolydectes."Itmustbeaverycuriousspectacle,ifallthattravellerstellaboutitbetrue!"

"YourMajestyisintheright,"repliedPerseus."Itisreallyanobjectthatwillbeprettycertaintofixtheregardsofallwholookatit.And,ifyourMajestythinkfit, I would suggest that a holiday be proclaimed, and that all yourMajesty'ssubjects be summoned to behold this wonderful curiosity. Few of them, Iimagine,haveseenaGorgon'sheadbefore,andperhapsnevermayagain!"

The kingwell knew that his subjectswere an idle set of reprobates, and veryfond of sight-seeing, as idle persons usually are. So he took the youngman'sadvice, and sent out heralds and messengers, in all directions, to blow thetrumpetatthestreet-corners,andinthemarket-places,andwherevertworoadsmet, and summon everybody to court. Thither, accordingly, came a greatmultitude of good-for-nothing vagabonds, all of whom, out of pure love of

mischief, would have been glad if Perseus had met with some ill-hap in hisencounterwith theGorgons. If therewereanybetterpeople in the island (as Ireally hope there may have been, although the story tells nothing about anysuch), they stayed quietly at home,minding their business, and taking care oftheir little children.Most of the inhabitants, at all events, ran as fast as theycouldtothepalace,andshoved,andpushed,andelbowedoneanother,intheireagernesstogetnearabalcony,onwhichPerseusshowedhimself,holdingtheembroideredwalletinhishand.

Onaplatform,withinfullviewofthebalcony,satthemightyKingPolydectes,amidhisevilcounsellors,andwithhisflatteringcourtiersinasemicircleroundabout him. Monarch, counsellors, courtiers, and subjects, all gazed eagerlytowardsPerseus.

"Show us the head! Show us the head!" shouted the people; and there was afiercenessintheircryasif theywouldtearPerseustopieces,unlessheshouldsatisfythemwithwhathehadtoshow."ShowustheheadofMedusawiththesnakylocks!"

AfeelingofsorrowandpitycameovertheyouthfulPerseus.

"OKingPolydectes,"criedhe, "andyemanypeople, Iamvery loath to showyoutheGorgon'shead!"

"Ah,thevillainandcoward!"yelledthepeople,morefiercelythanbefore."Heismakinggameofus!HehasnoGorgon'shead!Showusthehead,ifyouhaveit,orwewilltakeyourownheadforafootball!"

The evil counsellors whispered bad advice in the king's ear; the courtiersmurmured,with one consent, that Perseus had shown disrespect to their royallord and master; and the great King Polydectes himself waved his hand, andorderedhim,withthestern,deepvoiceofauthority,onhisperil,toproducethehead.

"ShowmetheGorgon'shead,orIwillcutoffyourown!"

AndPerseussighed.

"Thisinstant,"repeatedPolydectes,"oryoudie!"

"Beholdit,then!"criedPerseus,inavoiceliketheblastofatrumpet.

And, suddenlyholdingup thehead,notaneyelidhad time towinkbefore thewickedKingPolydectes,hisevilcounsellors,andallhisfiercesubjectswerenolongeranythingbutthemereimagesofamonarchandhispeople.Theywereallfixed,forever,inthelookandattitudeofthatmoment!AtthefirstglimpseoftheterribleheadofMedusa,theywhitenedintomarble!AndPerseusthrusttheheadbackintohiswallet,andwenttotellhisdearmotherthatsheneednolongerbeafraidofthewickedKingPolydectes.

TanglewoodPorch

AftertheStory

"Wasnotthataveryfinestory?"askedEustace.

"Ohyes,yes!"criedCowslip,clappingherhands.

"Andthosefunnyoldwomen,withonlyoneeyeamongstthem!Ineverheardofanythingsostrange."

"Astotheironetooth,whichtheyshiftedabout,"observedPrimrose,"therewasnothing soverywonderful in that. I suppose itwasa false tooth.But thinkofyourturningMercuryintoQuicksilver,andtalkingabouthissister!Youaretooridiculous!"

"And was she not his sister?" asked Eustace Bright. "If I had thought of itsooner,Iwouldhavedescribedherasamaidenlady,whokeptapetowl!"

"Well, at any rate," saidPrimrose, "your story seems to have driven away themist."

And, indeed, while the tale was going forward, the vapors had been quiteexhaled from the landscape. A scenewas now disclosedwhich the spectatorsmight almost fancy as having been created since they had last looked in thedirectionwhere it lay.About half amile distant, in the lap of the valley, nowappeared a beautiful lake,which reflected a perfect image of its ownwoodedbanks, and of the summits of the more distant hills. It gleamed in glassytranquillity, without the trace of a winged breeze on any part of its bosom.Beyond its farther shore was Monument Mountain, in a recumbent position,stretching almost across the valley. Eustace Bright compared it to a huge,headlesssphinx,wrappedinaPersianshawl;and,indeed,sorichanddiversified

was theautumnal foliageof itswoods, that the simileof the shawlwasbynomeanstoohigh-coloredforthereality.Inthelowerground,betweenTanglewoodandthelake,theclumpsoftreesandbordersofwoodlandwerechieflygolden-leavedorduskybrown,ashavingsufferedmorefromfrost than thefoliageonthehill-sides.

Overallthisscenetherewasagenialsunshine,intermingledwithaslighthaze,whichmade itunspeakably soft and tender.Oh,what adayof Indian summerwasitgoingtobe!Thechildrensnatchedtheirbaskets,andsetforth,withhop,skip,andjump,andallsortsoffrisksandgambols;whileCousinEustaceprovedhisfitnesstopresideovertheparty,byoutdoingalltheirantics,andperformingseveralnewcapers,whichnoneofthemcouldeverhopetoimitate.Behindwentagoodolddog,whosenamewasBen.Hewasoneofthemostrespectableandkind-heartedofquadrupeds, andprobably felt it tobehisdutynot to trust thechildrenawayfromtheirparentswithoutsomebetterguardianthanthisfeather-brainedEustaceBright.

THEGOLDENTOUCH

ShadowBrook

Introductoryto"TheGoldenTouch"

Atnoon,ourjuvenilepartyassembledinadell,throughthedepthsofwhichrana littlebrook.Thedellwasnarrow,and itssteepsides, fromthemarginof thestreamupward,werethicklysetwithtrees,chieflywalnutsandchestnuts,amongwhichgrewafewoaksandmaples.Inthesummertime,theshadeofsomanyclustering branches, meeting and intermingling across the rivulet, was deepenoughtoproduceanoontidetwilight.HencecamethenameofShadowBrook.But now, ever since autumn had crept into this secluded place, all the darkverdure was changed to gold, so that it really kindled up the dell, instead ofshadingit.Thebrightyellowleaves,evenhaditbeenacloudyday,wouldhaveseemedtokeepthesunlightamongthem;andenoughofthemhadfallentostrewall the bed andmargin of the brookwith sunlight, too. Thus the shady nook,where summer had cooled herself,was now the sunniest spot anywhere to befound.

Thelittlebrookranalongoveritspathwayofgold,herepausingtoformapool,in which minnows were darting to and fro; and then it hurried onward at aswifterpace, as if inhaste to reach the lake; and, forgetting to lookwhither itwent,ittumbledovertherootofatree,whichstretchedquiteacrossitscurrent.Youwouldhavelaughedtohearhownoisilyitbabbledaboutthisaccident.Andevenafterithadrunonward,thebrookstillkepttalkingtoitself,asifitwereinamaze.Itwaswonder-smitten,Isuppose,atfindingitsdarkdellsoilluminated,andathearingtheprattleandmerrimentofsomanychildren.Soitstoleawayasquicklyasitcould,andhiditselfinthelake.

InthedellofShadowBrook,EustaceBrightandhislittlefriendshadeatentheirdinner. They had brought plenty of good things from Tanglewood, in theirbaskets,andhadspreadthemoutonthestumpsof trees,andonmossytrunks,andhadfeastedmerrily,andmadeaverynicedinnerindeed.Afteritwasover,nobodyfeltlikestirring.

"Wewillrestourselveshere,"saidseveralofthechildren,"whileCousinEustace

tellsusanotherofhisprettystories."

CousinEustacehadagoodrighttobetired,aswellasthechildren,forhehadperformedgreatfeatsonthatmemorableforenoon.Dandelion,Clover,Cowslip,and Buttercup were almost most persuaded that he had winged slippers, likethosewhichtheNymphsgavePerseus;sooftenhadthestudentshownhimselfatthetip-topofanut-tree,whenonlyamomentbeforehehadbeenstandingontheground.Andthen,whatshowersofwalnutshadhesentrattlingdownupontheirheads,fortheirbusylittlehandstogatherintothebaskets!Inshort,hehadbeenas active as a squirrel or a monkey, and now, flinging himself down on theyellowleaves,seemedinclinedtotakealittlerest.

But children have nomercy nor consideration for anybody'sweariness; and ifyouhadbutasinglebreathleft,theywouldaskyoutospenditintellingthemastory.

"Cousin Eustace," said Cowslip, "that was a very nice story of the Gorgon'sHead.Doyouthinkyoucouldtellusanotherasgood?"

"Yes, child," said Eustace, pulling the brim of his cap over his eyes, as ifpreparingforanap."Icantellyouadozen,asgoodorbetter,ifIchoose."

"OPrimroseandPeriwinkle,doyouhearwhathesays?"criedCowslip,dancingwithdelight."CousinEustaceisgoingtotellusadozenbetterstoriesthanthatabouttheGorgon'sHead!"

"Ididnotpromiseyouevenone,youfoolishlittleCowslip!"saidEustace,halfpettishly. "However, I suppose you must have it. This is the consequence ofhavingearnedareputation!IwishIwereagreatdealdullerthanIam,orthatIhadnever shownhalf thebright qualitieswithwhichnature has endowedme;andthenImighthavemynapout,inpeaceandcomfort!"

ButCousinEustace,as I think Ihavehintedbefore,wasas fondof tellinghisstoriesasthechildrenofhearingthem.Hismindwasinafreeandhappystate,andtookdelightinitsownactivity,andscarcelyrequiredanyexternalimpulsetosetitatwork.

Howdifferentisthisspontaneousplayoftheintellectfromthetraineddiligenceofmatureryears,whentoilhasperhapsgrowneasybylonghabit,andtheday'sworkmayhavebecomeessential to theday'scomfort,although the restof thematterhasbubbledaway!Thisremark,however,isnotmeantforthechildrento

hear.

Withoutfurthersolicitation,EustaceBrightproceededtotellthefollowingreallysplendid story. It had come into his mind as he lay looking upward into thedepthsofatree,andobservinghowthetouchofAutumnhadtransmutedeveryone of its green leaves intowhat resembled the purest gold.And this change,whichwehaveallofuswitnessed,isaswonderfulasanythingthatEustacetoldaboutinthestoryofMidas.

TheGoldenTouch

Onceuponatime,therelivedaveryrichman,andakingbesides,whosenamewasMidas;andhehadalittledaughter,whomnobodybutmyselfeverheardof,andwhosenameIeitherneverknew,orhaveentirely forgotten.So,because Iloveoddnamesforlittlegirls,IchoosetocallherMarygold.

This KingMidas was fonder of gold than of anything else in the world. Hevaluedhisroyalcrownchieflybecauseitwascomposedofthatpreciousmetal.If he loved anything better, or half so well, it was the one littlemaidenwhoplayed somerrily around her father's footstool.But themoreMidas loved hisdaughter,themoredidhedesireandseekforwealth.Hethought,foolishman!thatthebestthinghecouldpossiblydoforthisdearchildwouldbetobequeathher the immensest pile of yellow, glistening coin, that had ever been heapedtogether since theworldwasmade.Thus, he gave all his thoughts and all histimetothisonepurpose.Ifeverhehappenedtogazeforaninstantatthegold-tintedcloudsofsunset,hewishedthattheywererealgold,andthattheycouldbesqueezedsafely intohisstrongbox.When littleMarygoldran tomeethim,withabunchofbuttercupsanddandelions,heusedtosay,"Poh,poh,child!Iftheseflowerswereasgoldenastheylook,theywouldbeworththeplucking!"

Andyet, inhisearlierdays,beforehewassoentirelypossessedof this insanedesireforriches,KingMidashadshownagreattasteforflowers.Hehadplantedagarden,inwhichgrewthebiggestandbeautifullestandsweetestrosesthatanymortaleversaworsmelt.Theseroseswerestillgrowinginthegarden,aslarge,aslovely,andasfragrant,aswhenMidasusedtopasswholehoursingazingatthem, and inhaling their perfume.But now, if he looked at themat all, itwasonly to calculate how much the garden would be worth if each of theinnumerablerose-petalswereathinplateofgold.Andthoughheoncewasfondofmusic (inspiteofan idlestoryabouthisears,whichweresaid to resemblethoseofanass),theonlymusicforpoorMidas,now,wasthechinkofonecoin

againstanother.

Atlength,aspeoplealwaysgrowmoreandmorefoolish,unlesstheytakecaretogrowwiserandwiser,Midashadgottobesoexceedinglyunreasonable,thathecouldscarcelybeartoseeortouchanyobjectthatwasnotgold.Hemadeithiscustom, therefore, to pass a large portion of every day in a dark and drearyapartment,underground,atthebasementofhispalace.Itwasherethathekepthiswealth.Tothisdismalhole—foritwaslittlebetter thanadungeon—Midasbetook himself, whenever he wanted to be particularly happy. Here, aftercarefullylockingthedoor,hewouldtakeabagofgoldcoin,oragoldcupasbigasawashbowl,oraheavygoldenbar,orapeck-measureofgold-dust,andbringthem from the obscure corners of the room into the one bright and narrowsunbeamthatfellfromthedungeon-likewindow.Hevaluedthesunbeamfornoother reason but that his treasure would not shine without its help. And thenwouldhereckonoverthecoinsinthebag;tossupthebar,andcatchitasitcamedown;siftthegold-dustthroughhisfingers;lookatthefunnyimageofhisownface, as reflected in the burnished circumference of the cup; and whisper tohimself, "OMidas, richKingMidas,what a happyman art thou!"But itwaslaughable to see how the image of his face kept grinning at him, out of thepolishedsurfaceofthecup.Itseemedtobeawareofhisfoolishbehavior,andtohaveanaughtyinclinationtomakefunofhim.

Midascalledhimselfahappyman,butfeltthathewasnotyetquitesohappyashemightbe.Theverytip-topofenjoymentwouldneverbereached,unlessthewholeworldweretobecomehistreasure-room,andbefilledwithyellowmetalwhichshouldbeallhisown.

Now,Ineedhardlyremindsuchwiselittlepeopleasyouare,thatintheold,oldtimes,whenKingMidaswasalive,agreatmanythingscametopass,whichweshouldconsiderwonderful if theyweretohappeninourowndayandcountry.And,ontheotherhand,agreatmanythingstakeplacenowadays,whichseemnotonlywonderfultous,butatwhichthepeopleofoldtimeswouldhavestaredtheireyesout.Onthewhole,Iregardourowntimesasthestrangestofthetwo;but,howeverthatmaybe,Imustgoonwithmystory.

Midaswas enjoying himself in his treasure-room, one day, as usual,when heperceivedashadowfallovertheheapsofgold;and,lookingsuddenlyup,whatshouldhebeholdbutthefigureofastranger,standinginthebrightandnarrowsunbeam!Itwasayoungman,withacheerfulandruddyface.Whetheritwasthat the imagination of KingMidas threw a yellow tinge over everything, or

whatever the cause might be, he could not help fancying that the smile withwhichthestrangerregardedhimhadakindofgoldenradiancein it.Certainly,although his figure intercepted the sunshine, there was now a brighter gleamuponallthepiled-uptreasuresthanbefore.Eventheremotestcornershadtheirshareofit,andwerelightedup,whenthestrangersmiled,aswithtipsofflameandsparklesoffire.

AsMidas knew that he had carefully turned the key in the lock, and that nomortal strength could possibly break into his treasure-room, he, of course,concluded thathisvisitormustbesomethingmore thanmortal. It isnomatterabouttellingyouwhohewas.Inthosedays,whentheearthwascomparativelyanew affair, it was supposed to be often the resort of beings endowed withsupernaturalpower,andwhousedtointerestthemselvesinthejoysandsorrowsofmen,women,andchildren,halfplayfullyandhalfseriously.Midashadmetsuch beings before now, and was not sorry to meet one of them again. Thestranger's aspect, indeed, was so good-humored and kindly, if not beneficent,thatitwouldhavebeenunreasonabletosuspecthimofintendinganymischief.Itwas farmoreprobable thathecame todoMidasa favor.Andwhatcould thatfavorbe,unlesstomultiplyhisheapsoftreasure?

The strangergazedabout the room;andwhenhis lustrous smilehadglisteneduponallthegoldenobjectsthatwerethere,heturnedagaintoMidas.

"Youareawealthyman,friendMidas!"heobserved."Idoubtwhetheranyotherfourwalls,onearth,containsomuchgoldasyouhavecontrived topileup inthisroom."

"Ihavedoneprettywell,—prettywell,"answeredMidas,inadiscontentedtone."But,afterall,itisbutatrifle,whenyouconsiderthatithastakenmemywholelifetogetittogether.Ifonecouldliveathousandyears,hemighthavetimetogrowrich!"

"What!"exclaimedthestranger."Thenyouarenotsatisfied?"

Midasshookhishead.

"Andpraywhatwouldsatisfyyou?"askedthestranger."Merelyforthecuriosityofthething,Ishouldbegladtoknow."

Midaspausedandmeditated.Hefeltapresentimentthatthisstranger,withsuchagoldenlustreinhisgood-humoredsmile,hadcomehitherwithboththepower

and the purpose of gratifying his utmost wishes. Now, therefore, was thefortunatemoment,whenhehadbut tospeak,andobtainwhateverpossible,orseeminglyimpossible, thingitmightcomeintohisheadtoask.Sohethought,andthought,andthought,andheapeduponegoldenmountainuponanother,inhisimagination,withoutbeingabletoimaginethembigenough.Atlast,abrightideaoccurredtoKingMidas.Itseemedreallyasbrightas theglisteningmetalwhichhelovedsomuch.

Raisinghishead,helookedthelustrousstrangerintheface.

"Well, Midas," observed his visitor, "I see that you have at length hit uponsomethingthatwillsatisfyyou.Tellmeyourwish."

"It isonlythis,"repliedMidas."Iamwearyofcollectingmytreasureswithsomuchtrouble,andbeholdingtheheapsodiminutive,afterIhavedonemybest.IwisheverythingthatItouchtobechangedtogold!"

Thestranger'ssmilegrewsoverybroad,thatitseemedtofill theroomlikeanoutburstof the sun,gleaming into a shadowydell,where theyellowautumnalleaves—forsolookedthelumpsandparticlesofgold—liestrewnintheglowoflight.

"TheGoldenTouch!"exclaimedhe."Youcertainlydeservecredit,friendMidas,for striking out so brilliant a conception.But are you quite sure that thiswillsatisfyyou?"

"Howcoulditfail?"saidMidas.

"Andwillyouneverregretthepossessionofit?"

"What could induce me?" asked Midas. "I ask nothing else, to render meperfectlyhappy."

"Be it as you wish, then," replied the stranger, waving his hand in token offarewell."To-morrow,atsunrise,youwill findyourselfgiftedwith theGoldenTouch."

The figure of the stranger then became exceedingly bright, and Midasinvoluntarilyclosedhiseyes.Onopeningthemagain,hebeheldonlyoneyellowsunbeamintheroom,and,allaroundhim, theglisteningof thepreciousmetalwhichhehadspenthislifeinhoardingup.

WhetherMidassleptasusualthatnight,thestorydoesnotsay.Asleeporawake,however, hismindwas probably in the state of a child's, towhoma beautifulnewplaythinghasbeenpromised in themorning.At any rate, dayhadhardlypeeped over the hills,whenKingMidaswas broad awake, and, stretching hisarms out of bed, began to touch the objects that were within reach. He wasanxious toprovewhether theGoldenTouchhad reallycome,according to thestranger'spromise.Sohelaidhisfingeronachairbythebedside,andonvariousotherthings,butwasgrievouslydisappointedtoperceivethattheyremainedofexactly the same substance asbefore. Indeed,he felt verymuchafraid thathehad only dreamed about the lustrous stranger, or else that the latter had beenmakinggameofhim.Andwhatamiserableaffairwould itbe, if, after allhishopes,Midasmustcontenthimselfwithwhatlittlegoldhecouldscrapetogetherbyordinarymeans,insteadofcreatingitbyatouch!

All this while, it was only the gray of the morning, with but a streak ofbrightnessalongtheedgeofthesky,whereMidascouldnotseeit.Helayinaverydisconsolatemood,regrettingthedownfallofhishopes,andkeptgrowingsadder and sadder, until the earliest sunbeam shone through the window, andgilded the ceiling over his head. It seemed to Midas that this bright yellowsunbeamwasreflectedinratherasingularwayonthewhitecoveringofthebed.Lookingmore closely,whatwas his astonishment anddelight,whenhe foundthatthislinenfabrichadbeentransmutedtowhatseemedawoventextureofthepurest and brightest gold! The Golden Touch had come to himwith the firstsunbeam!

Midasstartedup,inakindofjoyfulfrenzy,andranabouttheroom,graspingateverythingthathappenedtobeinhisway.Heseizedoneofthebed-posts,anditbecameimmediatelyaflutedgoldenpillar.Hepulledasideawindow-curtain,inorder toadmitaclear spectacleof thewonderswhichhewasperforming;andthetasselgrewheavyinhishand,—amassofgold.Hetookupabookfromthetable.Athis first touch, itassumed theappearanceofsuchasplendidlyboundandgilt-edgedvolumeasoneoftenmeetswith,nowadays;but,onrunninghisfingers through the leaves, behold! it was a bundle of thin golden plates, inwhichall thewisdomof thebookhadgrownillegible.Hehurriedlyputonhisclothes, andwasenraptured to seehimself in amagnificent suitofgoldcloth,whichretaineditsflexibilityandsoftness,althoughitburdenedhimalittlewithitsweight.Hedrewouthishandkerchief,whichlittleMarygoldhadhemmedforhim. That was likewise gold, with the dear child's neat and pretty stitchesrunningallalongtheborder,ingoldthread!

Somehoworother,thislasttransformationdidnotquitepleaseKingMidas.Hewouldrather thathis littledaughter'shandiworkshouldhaveremained just thesameaswhensheclimbedhiskneeandputitintohishand.

But itwas notworthwhile to vex himself about a trifle.Midas now took hisspectaclesfromhispocket,andputthemonhisnose,inorderthathemightseemoredistinctlywhathewasabout.Inthosedays,spectaclesforcommonpeoplehadnotbeeninvented,butwerealreadywornbykings;else,howcouldMidashavehadany?Tohisgreatperplexity,however,excellentastheglasseswere,hediscovered thathecouldnotpossiblysee through them.But thiswas themostnaturalthingintheworld;for,ontakingthemoff,thetransparentcrystalsturnedout tobeplates of yellowmetal, and, of course,wereworthless as spectacles,thoughvaluableasgold.ItstruckMidasasratherinconvenientthat,withallhiswealth, he could never again be rich enough to own a pair of serviceablespectacles.

"Itisnogreatmatter,nevertheless,"saidhetohimself,veryphilosophically."Wecannotexpectanygreatgood,without itsbeingaccompaniedwith somesmallinconvenience.TheGoldenTouchisworththesacrificeofapairofspectacles,at least, if not of one's very eyesight. My own eyes will serve for ordinarypurposes,andlittleMarygoldwillsoonbeoldenoughtoreadtome."

WiseKingMidaswassoexaltedbyhisgoodfortune,thatthepalaceseemednotsufficientlyspacioustocontainhim.Hethereforewentdownstairs,andsmiled,onobservingthatthebalustradeofthestaircasebecameabarofburnishedgold,ashishandpassedoverit, inhisdescent.Heliftedthedoor-latch(itwasbrassonlyamomentago,butgoldenwhenhisfingersquittedit),andemergedintothegarden.Here,asithappened,hefoundagreatnumberofbeautifulrosesinfullbloom, and others in all the stages of lovely bud and blossom.Very deliciouswas their fragrance in themorningbreeze.Theirdelicateblushwasoneof thefairestsightsintheworld;sogentle,somodest,andsofullofsweettranquillity,didtheserosesseemtobe.

ButMidasknewawaytomakethemfarmoreprecious,accordingtohiswayofthinking,thanroseshadeverbeenbefore.Sohetookgreatpainsingoingfrombush to bush, and exercised his magic touch most indefatigably; until everyindividual flower and bud, and even theworms at the heart of some of them,werechangedtogold.Bythetimethisgoodworkwascompleted,KingMidaswassummonedtobreakfast;andasthemorningairhadgivenhimanexcellentappetite,hemadehastebacktothepalace.

Whatwasusuallyaking'sbreakfastinthedaysofMidas,Ireallydonotknow,andcannot stopnow to investigate.To thebestofmybelief,however,on thisparticularmorning, thebreakfastconsistedofhotcakes, somenice littlebrooktrout, roasted potatoes, fresh boiled eggs, and coffee, forKingMidas himself,andabowlofbreadandmilkforhisdaughterMarygold.Atallevents,thisisabreakfastfittosetbeforeaking;and,whetherhehaditornot,KingMidascouldnothavehadabetter.

LittleMarygoldhadnotyetmadeherappearance.Herfatherorderedhertobecalled,and,seatinghimselfattable,awaitedthechild'scoming,inordertobeginhisownbreakfast.TodoMidasjustice,hereallylovedhisdaughter,andlovedhersomuchthemorethismorning,onaccountof thegoodfortunewhichhadbefallen him. It was not a great while before he heard her coming along thepassagewaycryingbitterly.Thiscircumstancesurprisedhim,becauseMarygoldwasoneofthecheerfullestlittlepeoplewhomyouwouldseeinasummer'sday,andhardlyshedathimblefuloftearsinatwelvemonth.WhenMidasheardhersobs, he determined to put littleMarygold into better spirits, by an agreeablesurprise;so,leaningacrossthetable,hetouchedhisdaughter'sbowl(whichwasaChina one,with pretty figures all around it), and transmuted it to gleaminggold.

Meanwhile,Marygold slowlyanddisconsolatelyopened thedoor, and showedherselfwithherapronathereyes,stillsobbingasifherheartwouldbreak.

"Hownow,mylittlelady!"criedMidas."Praywhatisthematterwithyou,thisbrightmorning?"

Marygold,withouttakingtheapronfromhereyes,heldoutherhand,inwhichwasoneoftheroseswhichMidashadsorecentlytransmuted.

"Beautiful!"exclaimedherfather."Andwhatisthereinthismagnificentgoldenrosetomakeyoucry?"

"Ah,dearfather!"answeredthechild,aswellashersobswouldlether;"itisnotbeautiful,buttheugliestflowerthatevergrew!AssoonasIwasdressedIranintothegardentogathersomerosesforyou;becauseIknowyoulikethem,andlikethemthebetterwhengatheredbyyourlittledaughter.But,ohdear,dearme!What do you think has happened? Such amisfortune!All the beautiful roses,thatsmelledsosweetlyandhadsomanylovelyblushes,areblightedandspoilt!They are grown quite yellow, as you see this one, and have no longer anyfragrance!Whatcanhavebeenthematterwiththem?"

"Poh, my dear little girl,—pray don't cry about it!" said Midas, who wasashamed to confess that he himself hadwrought the changewhich so greatlyafflicted her. "Sit down and eat your bread and milk! You will find it easyenoughtoexchangeagoldenrose like that (whichwill lasthundredsofyears)foranordinaryonewhichwouldwitherinaday."

"Idon'tcareforsuchrosesas this!"criedMarygold, tossingitcontemptuouslyaway."Ithasnosmell,andthehardpetalsprickmynose!"

The child now sat down to table, but was so occupied with her grief for theblighted roses that shedidnot evennotice thewonderful transmutationof herChina bowl. Perhaps thiswas all the better; forMarygoldwas accustomed totakepleasureinlookingatthequeerfigures,andstrangetreesandhouses,thatwerepaintedonthecircumferenceofthebowl;andtheseornamentswerenowentirelylostintheyellowhueofthemetal.

Midas,meanwhile,hadpouredoutacupofcoffee,and,asamatterofcourse,thecoffee-pot,whatevermetal itmayhavebeenwhenhe took itup,wasgoldwhen he set it down.He thought to himself, that itwas rather an extravagantstyleofsplendor,inakingofhissimplehabits,tobreakfastoffaserviceofgold,and began to be puzzledwith the difficulty of keeping his treasures safe. Thecupboard and the kitchen would no longer be a secure place of deposit forarticlessovaluableasgoldenbowlsandcoffee-pots.

Amid these thoughts,he lifteda spoonfulofcoffee tohis lips, and, sipping it,wasastonishedtoperceivethat,theinstanthislipstouchedtheliquid,itbecamemoltengold,and,thenextmoment,hardenedintoalump!

"Ha!"exclaimedMidas,ratheraghast.

"Whatisthematter,father?"askedlittleMarygold,gazingathim,withthetearsstillstandinginhereyes.

"Nothing,child,nothing!"saidMidas."Eatyourmilk,beforeitgetsquitecold."

He took one of the nice little trouts on his plate, and, byway of experiment,touched its tail with his finger. To his horror, it was immediately transmutedfrom an admirably fried brook-trout into a gold-fish, though not one of thosegold-fisheswhichpeopleoftenkeepinglassglobes,asornamentsfortheparlor.No;butitwasreallyametallicfish,andlookedasifithadbeenverycunninglymade by the nicest goldsmith in the world. Its little bones were now golden

wires;itsfinsandtailwerethinplatesofgold;andtherewerethemarksofthefork in it, andall thedelicate, frothyappearanceofanicely fried fish, exactlyimitatedinmetal.Averyprettypieceofwork,asyoumaysuppose;onlyKingMidas,justatthatmoment,wouldmuchratherhavehadarealtroutinhisdishthanthiselaborateandvaluableimitationofone.

"Idon'tquitesee,"thoughthetohimself,"howIamtogetanybreakfast!"

Hetookoneofthesmoking-hotcakes,andhadscarcelybrokenit,when,tohiscruelmortification,though,amomentbefore,ithadbeenofthewhitestwheat,itassumedtheyellowhueofIndianmeal.Tosaythetruth,ifithadreallybeenahotIndiancake,Midaswouldhaveprizeditagooddealmorethanhenowdid,whenitssolidityandincreasedweightmadehimtoobitterlysensiblethatitwasgold.Almost indespair,hehelpedhimself toaboiledegg,which immediatelyunderwentachangesimilartothoseofthetroutandthecake.Theegg,indeed,mighthavebeenmistakenforoneofthosewhichthefamousgoose,inthestory-book,wasinthehabitoflaying;butKingMidaswastheonlygoosethathadhadanythingtodowiththematter.

"Well, this is a quandary!" thought he, leaning back in his chair, and lookingquiteenviouslyatlittleMarygold,whowasnoweatingherbreadandmilkwithgreat satisfaction. "Sucha costlybreakfastbeforeme, andnothing that canbeeaten!"

Hopingthat,bydintofgreatdispatch,hemightavoidwhathenowfelttobeaconsiderable inconvenience, King Midas next snatched a hot potato, andattemptedtocramit intohismouth,andswallowit inahurry.But theGoldenTouchwastoonimbleforhim.Hefoundhismouthfull,notofmealypotato,butofsolidmetal,whichsoburnthistonguethatheroaredaloud,and,jumpingupfrom the table, began to dance and stampabout the room,bothwithpain andaffright.

"Father, dear father!" cried littleMarygold,whowas averyaffectionate child,"praywhatisthematter?Haveyouburntyourmouth?"

"Ah,dearchild,"groanedMidas,dolefully,"Idon'tknowwhatistobecomeofyourpoorfather!"

And, truly,mydear little folks,didyoueverhearofsuchapitiablecase inallyour lives? Here was literally the richest breakfast that could be set before aking, and its very richness made it absolutely good for nothing. The poorest

laborer, sittingdown tohis crust ofbreadandcupofwater,was farbetteroffthanKingMidas,whosedelicatefoodwasreallyworthitsweightingold.Andwhat was to be done? Already, at breakfast, Midas was excessively hungry.Wouldhebelesssobydinner-time?Andhowravenouswouldbehisappetiteforsupper,whichmustundoubtedlyconsistofthesamesortofindigestibledishesasthose now before him! How many days, think you, would he survive acontinuanceofthisrichfare?

ThesereflectionssotroubledwiseKingMidas,thathebegantodoubtwhether,after all, riches are the one desirable thing in the world, or even the mostdesirable.Butthiswasonlyapassingthought.SofascinatedwasMidaswiththeglitteroftheyellowmetal,thathewouldstillhaverefusedtogiveuptheGoldenTouchforsopaltryaconsiderationasabreakfast.Justimaginewhatapriceforonemeal'svictuals!Itwouldhavebeenthesameaspayingmillionsandmillionsofmoney(andasmanymillionsmoreaswould takeforever to reckonup) forsomefriedtrout,anegg,apotato,ahotcake,andacupofcoffee!

"Itwouldbequitetoodear,"thoughtMidas.

Nevertheless,sogreatwashishunger,andtheperplexityofhissituation,thatheagaingroanedaloud,andverygrievouslytoo.OurprettyMarygoldcouldendureit no longer. She sat, amoment, gazing at her father, and trying,with all themightofherlittlewits,tofindoutwhatwasthematterwithhim.Then,withasweet and sorrowful impulse to comfort him, she started from her chair, and,runningtoMidas,threwherarmsaffectionatelyabouthisknees.Hebentdownandkissedher.Hefeltthathislittledaughter'slovewasworthathousandtimesmorethanhehadgainedbytheGoldenTouch.

"Myprecious,preciousMarygold!"criedhe.

ButMarygoldmadenoanswer.

Alas,whathadhedone?How fatalwas thegiftwhich the strangerbestowed!ThemomentthelipsofMidastouchedMarygold'sforehead,achangehadtakenplace. Her sweet, rosy face, so full of affection as it had been, assumed aglittering yellow color, with yellow tear-drops congealing on her cheeks. Herbeautifulbrownringletstookthesametint.Hersoftandtenderlittleformgrewhardand inflexiblewithinher father'sencirclingarms.Oh, terriblemisfortune!Thevictimofhisinsatiabledesireforwealth,littleMarygoldwasahumanchildnolonger,butagoldenstatue!

Yes, thereshewas,withthequestioninglookoflove,grief,andpity,hardenedintoherface.Itwastheprettiestandmostwofulsightthatevermortalsaw.Allthefeaturesand tokensofMarygoldwere there;eventhebelovedlittledimpleremained in her golden chin. But, the more perfect was the resemblance, thegreaterwasthefather'sagonyatbeholdingthisgoldenimage,whichwasallthatwaslefthimofadaughter.IthadbeenafavoritephraseofMidas,wheneverhefeltparticularlyfondofthechild,tosaythatshewasworthherweightingold.Andnowthephrasehadbecomeliterallytrue.Andnow,atlast,whenitwastoolate,hefelthowinfinitelyawarmandtenderheart,thatlovedhim,exceededinvalueallthewealththatcouldbepiledupbetwixttheearthandsky!

Itwouldbetoosadastory,ifIweretotellyouhowMidas,inthefulnessofallhisgratifieddesires,begantowringhishandsandbemoanhimself;andhowhecouldneitherbear to lookatMarygold,noryet to lookawayfromher.Exceptwhenhiseyeswere fixedon the image,hecouldnotpossiblybelieve that shewaschangedtogold.But,stealinganotherglance, therewas theprecious littlefigure,withayellow tear-dropon itsyellowcheek, anda look sopiteousandtender,thatitseemedasifthatveryexpressionmustneedssoftenthegold,andmakeitfleshagain.This,however,couldnotbe.SoMidashadonlytowringhishands,andtowishthathewerethepoorestmaninthewideworld,ifthelossofallhiswealthmightbringbackthefaintestrose-colortohisdearchild'sface.

Whilehewas in this tumultofdespair,hesuddenlybeheldastrangerstandingnear thedoor.Midasbentdownhishead,without speaking; forhe recognizedthesamefigurewhichhadappearedtohim,thedaybefore,inthetreasure-room,and had bestowed on him this disastrous faculty of the Golden Touch. Thestranger'scountenancestillworeasmile,whichseemedtoshedayellowlustreall about the room, and gleamed on littleMarygold's image, and on the otherobjectsthathadbeentransmutedbythetouchofMidas.

"Well, friend Midas," said the stranger, "pray how do you succeed with theGoldenTouch?"

Midasshookhishead.

"Iamverymiserable,"saidhe.

"Verymiserable,indeed!"exclaimedthestranger."Andhowhappensthat?HaveInot faithfullykeptmypromisewithyou?Haveyounoteverything thatyourheartdesired?"

"Gold is not everything," answeredMidas. "And I have lost all thatmy heartreallycaredfor."

"Ah! So you havemade a discovery, since yesterday?" observed the stranger."Let us see, then.Which of these two things do you think is reallyworth themost,—thegiftoftheGoldenTouch,oronecupofclearcoldwater?"

"Oblessedwater!"exclaimedMidas."Itwillnevermoistenmyparched throatagain!"

"TheGoldenTouch,"continuedthestranger,"oracrustofbread?"

"Apieceofbread,"answeredMidas,"isworthallthegoldonearth!"

"TheGoldenTouch," asked the stranger, "or your own littleMarygold,warm,soft,andlovingasshewasanhourago?"

"Ohmychild,mydearchild!"criedpoorMidas,wringinghishands."Iwouldnothavegiventhatonesmalldimpleinherchinforthepowerofchangingthiswholebigearthintoasolidlumpofgold!"

"Youarewiserthanyouwere,KingMidas!"saidthestranger,lookingseriouslyathim."Yourownheart,Iperceive,hasnotbeenentirelychangedfromfleshtogold.Wereitso,yourcasewouldindeedbedesperate.Butyouappeartobestillcapable of understanding that the commonest things, such as lie withineverybody'sgrasp,aremorevaluablethanthericheswhichsomanymortalssighandstruggleafter.Tellme,now,doyousincerelydesire to ridyourselfof thisGoldenTouch?"

"Itishatefultome!"repliedMidas.

A fly settled on his nose, but immediately fell to the floor; for it, too, hadbecomegold.Midasshuddered.

"Go, then," said the stranger, "and plunge into the river that glides past thebottomofyourgarden.Takelikewiseavaseof thesamewater,andsprinkleitover any object that youmay desire to change back again from gold into itsformer substance. If you do this in earnestness and sincerity, it may possiblyrepairthemischiefwhichyouravaricehasoccasioned."

KingMidasbowedlow;andwhenhe liftedhishead, the lustrousstrangerhadvanished.

Youwilleasilybelieve thatMidas lostno timeinsnatchingupagreatearthenpitcher(but,alasme!itwasnolongerearthenafterhetouchedit),andhasteningto the river-side. As he scampered along, and forced his way through theshrubbery, it was positively marvellous to see how the foliage turned yellowbehindhim,asiftheautumnhadbeenthere,andnowhereelse.Onreachingtheriver'sbrink,heplungedheadlongin,withoutwaitingsomuchastopulloffhisshoes.

"Poof!poof!poof!"snortedKingMidas,ashisheademergedoutofthewater."Well;thisisreallyarefreshingbath,andIthinkitmusthavequitewashedawaytheGoldenTouch.Andnowforfillingmypitcher!"

As he dipped the pitcher into the water, it gladdened his very heart to see itchangefromgold into thesamegood,honestearthenvesselwhich ithadbeenbeforehetouchedit.Hewasconscious,also,ofachangewithinhimself.Acold,hard, andheavyweight seemed tohavegoneoutof hisbosom.Nodoubt, hishearthadbeengraduallylosingitshumansubstance,andtransmutingitselfintoinsensiblemetal,buthadnowsoftenedbackagainintoflesh.Perceivingaviolet,that grew on the bank of the river,Midas touched itwith his finger, andwasoverjoyed to find that the delicate flower retained its purple hue, instead ofundergoingayellowblight.ThecurseoftheGoldenTouchhad,therefore,reallybeenremovedfromhim.

KingMidashastenedbacktothepalace;and,Isuppose,theservantsknewnotwhattomakeofitwhentheysawtheirroyalmastersocarefullybringinghomeanearthenpitcherofwater.Butthatwater,whichwastoundoall themischiefthathisfollyhadwrought,wasmoreprecioustoMidasthananoceanofmoltengoldcouldhavebeen.Thefirstthinghedid,asyouneedhardlybetold,wastosprinkleitbyhandfulsoverthegoldenfigureoflittleMarygold.

Nosoonerdid it fallonher thanyouwouldhave laughed toseehowthe rosycolor came back to the dear child's cheek! and how she began to sneeze andsputter!—and how astonished she was to find herself dripping wet, and herfatherstillthrowingmorewateroverher!

"Pray do not, dear father!" cried she. "See how you havewetmy nice frock,whichIputononlythismorning!"

ForMarygolddidnotknow that shehadbeena littlegoldenstatue;norcouldsherememberanythingthathadhappenedsincethemomentwhensheranwithoutstretchedarmstocomfortpoorKingMidas.

Herfatherdidnotthinkitnecessarytotellhisbelovedchildhowveryfoolishhehad been, but contented himself with showing how much wiser he had nowgrown. For this purpose, he led little Marygold into the garden, where hesprinkled all the remainder of the water over the rose-bushes, and with suchgood effect that above five thousand roses recovered their beautiful bloom.Thereweretwocircumstances,however,which,aslongashelived,usedtoputKingMidasinmindoftheGoldenTouch.Onewas, that thesandsoftheriversparkledlikegold;theother,thatlittleMarygold'shairhadnowagoldentinge,whichhehadneverobservedinitbeforeshehadbeentransmutedbytheeffectofhiskiss.Thischangeofhuewasreallyanimprovement,andmadeMarygold'shairricherthaninherbabyhood.

When KingMidas had grown quite an old man, and used to trotMarygold'schildrenonhisknee,hewas fondof telling them thismarvellous story, prettymuch as I have now told it to you. And then would he stroke their glossyringlets,andtell themthat theirhair, likewise,hadarichshadeofgold,whichtheyhadinheritedfromtheirmother.

"Andtotellyouthetruth,mypreciouslittlefolks,"quothKingMidas,diligentlytrottingthechildrenallthewhile,"eversincethatmorning,Ihavehatedtheverysightofallothergold,savethis!"

ShadowBrook

AftertheStory

"Well, children," inquired Eustace, who was very fond of eliciting a definiteopinionfromhisauditors,"didyouever,inallyourlives,listentoabetterstorythanthisof'TheGoldenTouch'?"

"Why,astothestoryofKingMidas,"saidsaucyPrimrose,"itwasafamousonethousands of years before Mr. Eustace Bright came into the world, and willcontinuetobesoaslongafterhequitsit.Butsomepeoplehavewhatwemaycall'TheLeadenTouch,'andmakeeverythingdullandheavythattheylaytheirfingersupon."

"Youareasmartchild,Primrose,tobenotyetinyourteens,"saidEustace,takenrather aback by the piquancy of her criticism. "But you well know, in yournaughty littleheart, that Ihaveburnished theoldgoldofMidasalloveranew,and have made it shine as it never shone before. And then that figure of

Marygold!Doyouperceivenoniceworkmanshipinthat?AndhowfinelyIhavebrought out and deepened the moral! What say you, Sweet Fern, Dandelion,Clover,Periwinkle?Wouldanyofyou,afterhearingthisstory,besofoolishastodesirethefacultyofchangingthingstogold?"

"I should like," said Periwinkle, a girl of ten, "to have the power of turningeverythingtogoldwithmyrightforefinger;but,withmyleftforefinger,Ishouldwantthepowerofchangingitbackagain,ifthefirstchangedidnotpleaseme.AndIknowwhatIwoulddo,thisveryafternoon!"

"Praytellme,"saidEustace.

"Why,"answeredPeriwinkle, "Iwould toucheveryoneof thesegolden leavesonthetreeswithmyleftforefinger,andmakethemallgreenagain;sothatwemighthavethesummerbackatonce,withnouglywinterinthemeantime."

"O Periwinkle!" cried Eustace Bright, "there you are wrong, and would do agreatdealofmischief.Were IMidas, Iwouldmakenothingelsebut just suchgolden days as these over and over again, all the year throughout. My bestthoughts always come a little too late.Why did not I tell you how old KingMidascame toAmerica,andchanged theduskyautumn, suchas it is inothercountries,intotheburnishedbeautywhichithereputson?HegildedtheleavesofthegreatvolumeofNature."

"CousinEustace," saidSweetFern,agood littleboy,whowasalwaysmakingparticularinquiriesaboutthepreciseheightofgiantsandthelittlenessoffairies,"howbigwasMarygold,andhowmuchdidsheweighaftershewas turned togold?"

"Shewasaboutastallasyouare,"repliedEustace,"and,asgoldisveryheavy,she weighed at least two thousand pounds, and might have been coined intothirtyorfortythousandgolddollars.IwishPrimrosewereworthhalfasmuch.Come,littlepeople,letusclamberoutofthedell,andlookaboutus."

Theydid so.The sunwasnowanhouror twobeyond itsnoontidemark, andfilledthegreathollowofthevalleywithitswesternradiance,sothatitseemedtobebrimmingwithmellowlight,andtospillitoverthesurroundinghill-sides,likegoldenwineoutofabowl.Itwassuchadaythatyoucouldnothelpsayingofit,"Thereneverwassuchadaybefore!"althoughyesterdaywasjustsuchaday,andto-morrowwillbejustsuchanother.Ah,butthereareveryfewofthemina twelvemonth'scircle! It isa remarkablepeculiarityof theseOctoberdays,

thateachofthemseemstooccupyagreatdealofspace,althoughthesunrisesrathertardilyatthatseasonoftheyear,andgoestobed,aslittlechildrenought,atsobersixo'clock,orevenearlier.Wecannot,therefore,callthedayslong;buttheyappear,somehoworother,tomakeupfortheirshortnessbytheirbreadth;andwhenthecoolnightcomes,weareconsciousofhavingenjoyedabigarmfuloflife,sincemorning.

"Come, children, come!" cried Eustace Bright. "More nuts, more nuts, morenuts!Fillallyourbaskets;and,atChristmastime,Iwillcrackthemforyou,andtellyoubeautifulstories!"

Soawaytheywent;alloftheminexcellentspirits,exceptlittleDandelion,who,Iamsorrytotellyou,hadbeensittingonachestnut-bur,andwasstuckasfullasapincushionofitsprickles.Dearme,howuncomfortablyhemusthavefelt!

THEPARADISEOFCHILDREN

TanglewoodPlay-Room

Introductoryto"TheParadiseofChildren"

ThegoldendaysofOctoberpassedaway,assomanyotherOctobershave,andbrownNovember likewise,and thegreaterpartofchillDecember, too.At lastcame merry Christmas, and Eustace Bright along with it, making it all themerrierbyhispresence.And,thedayafterhisarrivalfromcollege,therecameamightysnow-storm.Uptothistime,thewinterhadheldback,andhadgivenusagoodmanymilddays,whichwere likesmilesupon itswrinkledvisage.Thegrass had kept itself green, in sheltered places, such as the nooks of southernhill-slopes,andalongtheleeofthestonefences.Itwasbutaweekortwoago,andsincethebeginningofthemonth,thatthechildrenhadfoundadandelioninbloom,onthemarginofShadowBrook,whereitglidesoutofthedell.

But no more green grass and dandelions now. This was such a snow-storm!Twentymiles of it might have been visible at once, between thewindows ofTanglewoodandthedomeofTaconic,haditbeenpossibletoseesofaramongtheeddyingdriftsthatwhitenedalltheatmosphere.Itseemedasifthehillsweregiants, andwere flingingmonstrous handfuls of snow at one another, in theirenormous sport. So thickwere the fluttering snow-flakes, that even the trees,midway down the valley, were hidden by them the greater part of the time.Sometimes, it is true, the little prisoners of Tanglewood could discern a dimoutlineofMonumentMountain,andthesmoothwhitenessofthefrozenlakeatitsbase,and theblackorgray tractsofwoodland in thenearer landscape.Buttheseweremerelypeepsthroughthetempest.

Nevertheless,thechildrenrejoicedgreatlyinthesnow-storm.Theyhadalreadymadeacquaintancewith it, by tumblingheelsoverhead into its highest drifts,and flinging snow at one another, as we have just fancied the Berkshiremountains to be doing. And now they had come back to their spacious play-room,whichwasasbigas thegreatdrawing-room,andwaslumberedwithallsortsofplaythings,largeandsmall.Thebiggestwasarocking-horse,thatlookedlikearealpony;and therewasawholefamilyofwooden,waxen,plaster,and

china dolls, besides rag-babies; and blocks enough to build Bunker HillMonument, and nine-pins, and balls, and humming tops, and battledores, andgrace-sticks, and skipping-ropes, and more of such valuable property than Icouldtellofinaprintedpage.Butthechildrenlikedthesnow-stormbetterthanthem all. It suggested so many brisk enjoyments for to-morrow, and all theremainderofthewinter.Thesleigh-ride;theslidesdownhillintothevalley;thesnow-images that were to be shaped out; the snow-fortresses that were to bebuilt;andthesnowballingtobecarriedon!

Sothelittlefolksblessedthesnow-storm,andweregladtoseeitcomethickerandthicker,andwatchedhopefullythelongdriftthatwaspilingitselfupintheavenue,andwasalreadyhigherthananyoftheirheads.

"Why,we shall be blockedup till spring!" cried they,with the hugest delight."What a pity that the house is too high to be quite covered up! The little redhouse,downyonder,willbeburieduptoitseaves."

"Yousillychildren,whatdoyouwantofmoresnow?"askedEustace,who,tiredofsomenovelthathewasskimmingthrough,hadstrolledintotheplay-room."Ithasdonemischiefenoughalready,byspoilingtheonlyskatingthatIcouldhopeforthroughthewinter.WeshallseenothingmoreofthelaketillApril;andthiswastohavebeenmyfirstdayuponit!Don'tyoupityme,Primrose?"

"Oh,tobesure!"answeredPrimrose,laughing."But,foryourcomfort,wewilllisten to another of your old stories, such as you told us under the porch, anddown in the hollow, by ShadowBrook. Perhaps I shall like them better now,when there is nothing to do, than while there were nuts to be gathered, andbeautifulweathertoenjoy."

Hereupon, Periwinkle, Clover, Sweet Fern, and as many others of the littlefraternityandcousinhoodaswerestillatTanglewood,gatheredaboutEustace,andearnestlybesoughthimforastory.Thestudentyawned,stretchedhimself,and then, to thevast admirationof the small people, skipped three timesbackandforthoverthetopofachair,inorder,asheexplainedtothem,tosethiswitsinmotion.

"Well,well, children," saidhe, after thesepreliminaries, "sinceyou insist, andPrimrosehassetherheartuponit,Iwillseewhatcanbedoneforyou.And,thatyou may know what happy days there were before snow-storms came intofashion,Iwilltellyouastoryoftheoldestofalloldtimes,whentheworldwasasnewasSweetFern'sbran-newhumming-top.Therewasthenbutoneseason

intheyear,andthatwasthedelightfulsummer;andbutoneageformortals,andthatwaschildhood."

"Ineverheardofthatbefore,"saidPrimrose.

"Of course, you never did," answered Eustace. "It shall be a story of whatnobodybutmyselfeverdreamedof,—aParadiseofchildren,—andhow,bythenaughtinessofjustsuchalittleimpasPrimrosehere,itallcametonothing."

SoEustaceBrightsatdownin thechairwhichhehad justbeenskippingover,tookCowslipuponhisknee,orderedsilencethroughouttheauditory,andbegana story about a sad naughty child, whose name was Pandora, and about herplayfellowEpimetheus.Youmayreadit,wordforword,inthepagesthatcomenext.

TheParadiseofChildren

Long,longago,whenthisoldworldwasinitstenderinfancy,therewasachild,namedEpimetheus,whoneverhad either fatherormother; and, that hemightnot be lonely, another child, fatherless and motherless like himself, was sentfroma far country, to livewithhim, andbehisplayfellowandhelpmate.HernamewasPandora.

ThefirstthingthatPandorasaw,whensheenteredthecottagewhereEpimetheusdwelt,wasagreatbox.Andalmostthefirstquestionwhichsheputtohim,aftercrossingthethreshold,wasthis,—

"Epimetheus,whathaveyouinthatbox?"

"MydearlittlePandora,"answeredEpimetheus,"thatisasecret,andyoumustbekindenoughnot toaskanyquestionsabout it.Theboxwas lefthere tobekeptsafely,andIdonotmyselfknowwhatitcontains."

"Butwhogaveittoyou?"askedPandora."Andwherediditcomefrom?"

"Thatisasecret,too,"repliedEpimetheus.

"How provoking!" exclaimed Pandora, pouting her lip. "Iwish the great uglyboxwereoutoftheway!"

"Oh come, don't think of it anymore," cried Epimetheus. "Let us run out ofdoors,andhavesomeniceplaywiththeotherchildren."

ItisthousandsofyearssinceEpimetheusandPandorawerealive;andtheworld,nowadays,isaverydifferentsortofthingfromwhatitwasintheirtime.Then,everybodywasachild.Thereneedednofathersandmotherstotakecareofthechildren;becausetherewasnodanger,nortroubleofanykind,andnoclothestobe mended, and there was always plenty to eat and drink.Whenever a childwantedhisdinner,hefounditgrowingonatree;and,ifhelookedatthetreeinthemorning,he could see the expandingblossomof thatnight's supper; or, ateventide,hesawthetenderbudofto-morrow'sbreakfast.Itwasaverypleasantlifeindeed.Nolabortobedone,notaskstobestudied;nothingbutsportsanddances,andsweetvoicesofchildrentalking,orcarollinglikebirds,orgushingoutinmerrylaughter,throughoutthelivelongday.

What was most wonderful of all, the children never quarrelled amongthemselves;neitherhad theyanycrying fits;nor, since time firstbegan,hadasingleoneof theselittlemortalsevergoneapart intoacorner,andsulked.Oh,whatagoodtimewasthattobealivein?Thetruthis, thoseuglylittlewingedmonsters, called Troubles,which are now almost as numerous asmosquitoes,had never yet been seen on the earth. It is probable that the very greatestdisquietudewhich a child had ever experiencedwasPandora's vexation at notbeingabletodiscoverthesecretofthemysteriousbox.

ThiswasatfirstonlythefaintshadowofaTrouble;but,everyday,itgrewmoreandmoresubstantial,until,beforeagreatwhile,thecottageofEpimetheusandPandorawaslesssunshinythanthoseoftheotherchildren.

"Whence can the box have come?"Pandora continually kept saying to herselfandtoEpimetheus."Andwhatintheworldcanbeinsideofit?"

"Always talking about this box!" said Epimetheus, at last; for he had grownextremely tiredof the subject. "Iwish,dearPandora,youwould try to talkofsomethingelse.Come,letusgoandgathersomeripefigs,andeat themunderthe trees, forour supper.And Iknowavine that has the sweetest and juiciestgrapesyouevertasted."

"Alwaystalkingaboutgrapesandfigs!"criedPandora,pettishly.

PANDORA

"Well, then," said Epimetheus, who was a very good-tempered child, like amultitudeofchildreninthosedays,"letusrunoutandhaveamerrytimewithourplaymates."

"Iamtiredofmerrytimes,anddon'tcareifIneverhaveanymore!"answeredourpettishlittlePandora."And,besides,Ineverdohaveany.Thisuglybox!Iamsotakenupwiththinkingaboutitallthetime.Iinsistuponyourtellingmewhatisinsideofit."

"As Ihavealready said, fifty timesover, Idonotknow!" repliedEpimetheus,gettingalittlevexed."How,then,canItellyouwhatisinside?"

"Youmightopen it,"saidPandora, lookingsidewaysatEpimetheus,"and thenwecouldseeforourselves."

"Pandora,whatareyouthinkingof?"exclaimedEpimetheus.

Andhisfaceexpressedsomuchhorrorattheideaoflookingintoabox,whichhadbeenconfidedtohimontheconditionofhisneveropeningit,thatPandorathought it best not to suggest it anymore. Still, however, she could not helpthinkingandtalkingaboutthebox.

"Atleast,"saidshe,"youcantellmehowitcamehere."

"Itwasleftatthedoor,"repliedEpimetheus,"justbeforeyoucame,byapersonwholookedverysmilingandintelligent,andwhocouldhardlyforbearlaughingasheputitdown.Hewasdressedinanoddkindofacloak,andhadonacapthat seemed tobemadepartlyof feathers, so that it lookedalmostas if ithadwings."

"Whatsortofastaffhadhe?"askedPandora.

"Oh, themostcurious staffyouever saw!"criedEpimetheus. "Itwas like twoserpents twisting around a stick, and was carved so naturally that I, at first,thoughttheserpentswerealive."

"Iknowhim,"saidPandora,thoughtfully."Nobodyelsehassuchastaff.ItwasQuicksilver;andhebroughtmehither,aswellasthebox.Nodoubtheintendeditforme;and,mostprobably,itcontainsprettydressesformetowear,ortoysforyouandmetoplaywith,orsomethingveryniceforusbothtoeat!"

"Perhapsso,"answeredEpimetheus,turningaway."ButuntilQuicksilvercomesbackandtellsusso,wehaveneitherofusanyrighttoliftthelidofthebox."

"Whatadullboyheis!"mutteredPandora,asEpimetheusleftthecottage."Idowishhehadalittlemoreenterprise!"

For the first time since her arrival, Epimetheus had gone out without askingPandoratoaccompanyhim.Hewenttogatherfigsandgrapesbyhimself,ortoseek whatever amusement he could find, in other society than his littleplayfellow's.Hewastiredtodeathofhearingaboutthebox,andheartilywishedthatQuicksilver,orwhateverwasthemessenger'sname,hadleftitatsomeotherchild'sdoor,wherePandorawouldneverhaveseteyesonit.Soperseveringlyasshedidbabbleaboutthisonething!Thebox,thebox,andnothingbutthebox!Itseemedasiftheboxwerebewitched,andasifthecottagewerenotbigenoughto hold it, without Pandora's continually stumbling over it, and makingEpimetheusstumbleoveritlikewise,andbruisingallfouroftheirshins.

Well,itwasreallyhardthatpoorEpimetheusshouldhaveaboxinhisearsfrommorning till night; especially as the little people of the earth were sounaccustomedtovexations,inthosehappydays,thattheyknewnothowtodealwith them. Thus, a small vexation made as much disturbance then, as a farbiggeronewouldinourowntimes.

AfterEpimetheuswasgone,Pandorastoodgazingatthebox.Shehadcalleditugly,aboveahundredtimes;but,inspiteofallthatshehadsaidagainstit,itwaspositively a veryhandsomearticle of furniture, andwouldhavebeenquite anornamenttoanyroominwhichitshouldbeplaced.Itwasmadeofabeautifulkindofwood,withdarkandrichveinsspreadingoveritssurface,whichwassohighlypolishedthat littlePandoracouldseeherface in it.Asthechildhadnoother looking-glass, it is odd that she did not value the box, merely on thisaccount.

Theedgesandcornersoftheboxwerecarvedwithmostwonderfulskill.Aroundthe margin there were figures of graceful men and women, and the prettiestchildreneverseen,recliningorsportingamidaprofusionofflowersandfoliage;and these various objects were so exquisitely represented, and were wrought

together in such harmony, that flowers, foliage, and human beings seemed tocombineintoawreathofmingledbeauty.Buthereandthere,peepingforthfrombehindthecarvedfoliage,Pandoraonceortwicefanciedthatshesawafacenotso lovely, or something or other that was disagreeable, and which stole thebeautyoutofall the rest.Nevertheless,on lookingmoreclosely,and touchingthespotwithherfinger,shecoulddiscovernothingofthekind.Someface,thatwas really beautiful, had been made to look ugly by her catching a sidewayglimpseatit.

Themostbeautifulfaceofallwasdoneinwhatiscalledhighrelief,inthecentreofthelid.Therewasnothingelse,savethedark,smoothrichnessofthepolishedwood,andthisonefaceinthecentre,withagarlandofflowersaboutitsbrow.Pandorahadlookedatthisfaceagreatmanytimes,andimaginedthatthemouthcouldsmileifitliked,orbegravewhenitchose,thesameasanylivingmouth.Thefeatures, indeed,allworeavery livelyandrathermischievousexpression,which lookedalmost as if itneedsmustburstoutof thecarved lips, andutteritselfinwords.

Hadthemouthspoken,itwouldprobablyhavebeensomethinglikethis:

"Donotbeafraid,Pandora!Whatharmcantherebeinopeningthebox?Nevermindthatpoor,simpleEpimetheus!Youarewiserthanhe,andhavetentimesasmuchspirit.Openthebox,andseeifyoudonotfindsomethingverypretty!"

Thebox,Ihadalmostforgottentosay,wasfastened;notbyalock,norbyanyothersuchcontrivance,butbyaveryintricateknotofgoldcord.Thereappearedto be no end to this knot, and no beginning. Never was a knot so cunninglytwisted, norwith somany ins and outs,which roguishly defied the skilfullestfingerstodisentanglethem.Andyet,bytheverydifficultythattherewasinit,Pandora was themore tempted to examine the knot, and just see how it wasmade.Twoorthreetimes,already,shehadstoopedoverthebox,andtakentheknotbetweenherthumbandforefinger,butwithoutpositivelytryingtoundoit.

"Ireallybelieve,"saidshetoherself,"thatIbegintoseehowitwasdone.Nay,perhapsIcouldtieitupagain,afterundoingit.Therewouldbenoharminthat,surely.EvenEpimetheuswouldnotblamemeforthat.Ineednotopenthebox,and should not, of course, without the foolish boy's consent, even if the knotwereuntied."

It might have been better for Pandora if she had had a little work to do, oranythingtoemployhermindupon,soasnottobesoconstantlythinkingofthis

onesubject.Butchildren ledsoeasya life,beforeanyTroublescame into theworld, that they had really a great deal too much leisure. They could not beforeverplayingathide-and-seekamongtheflower-shrubs,oratblind-man's-buffwithgarlandsover theireyes,oratwhateverothergameshadbeen foundout,whileMotherEarthwasinherbabyhood.Whenlifeisallsport, toilistherealplay.Therewasabsolutelynothingtodo.Alittlesweepinganddustingaboutthecottage, I suppose, and the gathering of fresh flowers (which were only tooabundanteverywhere),andarranging theminvases,—andpoor littlePandora'sday'sworkwasover.Andthen,fortherestoftheday,therewasthebox!

Afterall,Iamnotquitesurethattheboxwasnotablessingtoherinitsway.Itsuppliedherwithsuchavarietyofideastothinkof,andtotalkabout,whenevershehadanybodytolisten!Whenshewasingood-humor,shecouldadmirethebrightpolishofitssides,andtherichborderofbeautifulfacesandfoliagethatranallaroundit.Or,ifshechancedtobeill-tempered,shecouldgiveitapush,orkickitwithhernaughtylittlefoot.Andmanyakickdidthebox—(butitwasamischievousbox,asweshallsee,anddeservedallitgot)—manyakickdiditreceive.But,certainitis,ifithadnotbeenforthebox,ouractive-mindedlittlePandorawouldnothaveknownhalfsowellhowtospendhertimeasshenowdid.

Foritwasreallyanendlessemploymenttoguesswhatwasinside.Whatcoulditbe,indeed?Justimagine,mylittlehearers,howbusyyourwitswouldbe,iftherewere a great box in the house, which, as you might have reason to suppose,containedsomethingnewandprettyforyourChristmasorNew-Year'sgifts.Doyouthink thatyoushouldbe lesscurious thanPandora?Ifyouwere leftalonewiththebox,mightyounotfeelalittletemptedtoliftthelid?Butyouwouldnotdoit.Oh,fie!No,no!Only,ifyouthoughtthereweretoysinit,itwouldbesoveryhardtoletslipanopportunityoftakingjustonepeep!IknownotwhetherPandora expected any toys; for none had yet begun to bemade, probably, inthosedays,when theworld itselfwasonegreatplaything for thechildren thatdwelt upon it. But Pandora was convinced that there was something verybeautifulandvaluableinthebox;andthereforeshefeltjustasanxioustotakeapeepasanyoftheselittlegirls,herearoundme,wouldhavefelt.And,possibly,alittlemoreso;butofthatIamnotquitesocertain.

Onthisparticularday,however,whichwehavesolongbeentalkingabout,hercuriositygrewsomuchgreaterthanitusuallywas,that,atlast,sheapproachedthebox.Shewasmorethanhalfdeterminedtoopenit,ifshecould.Ah,naughtyPandora!

First,however,shetriedtolift it.Itwasheavy;quitetooheavyfortheslenderstrength of a child, like Pandora. She raised one end of the box a few inchesfrom the floor, and let it fall again, with a pretty loud thump. A momentafterwards, shealmost fancied that sheheard something stir insideof thebox.She applied her ear as closely as possible, and listened. Positively, there didseem to be a kind of stifledmurmur,within!Orwas itmerely the singing inPandora'sears?Orcoulditbethebeatingofherheart?Thechildcouldnotquitesatisfy herself whether she had heard anything or no. But, at all events, hercuriositywasstrongerthanever.

Asshedrewbackherhead,hereyesfellupontheknotofgoldcord.

"Itmusthavebeenaveryingeniouspersonwhotiedthisknot,"saidPandoratoherself."ButIthinkIcoulduntieitnevertheless.Iamresolved,atleast,tofindthetwoendsofthecord."

So she took the golden knot in her fingers, and pried into its intricacies assharply as she could.Almostwithout intending it, or quite knowingwhat shewasabout,shewassoonbusilyengagedinattemptingtoundoit.Meanwhile,thebrightsunshinecamethroughtheopenwindow;asdidlikewisethemerryvoicesof the children, playing at a distance, and perhaps the voice of Epimetheusamong them.Pandora stopped to listen.Whatabeautifulday itwas!Would itnotbewiser, if shewere to let the troublesomeknotalone,and thinknomoreaboutthebox,butrunandjoinherlittleplayfellows,andbehappy?

Allthistime,however,herfingerswerehalfunconsciouslybusywiththeknot;andhappeningtoglanceattheflower-wreathedfaceonthelidoftheenchantedbox,sheseemedtoperceiveitslylygrinningather.

"That face looks very mischievous," thought Pandora. "I wonder whether itsmilesbecauseIamdoingwrong!Ihavethegreatestmindintheworldtorunaway!"

Butjustthen,bythemerestaccident,shegavetheknotakindofatwist,whichproducedawonderfulresult.Thegoldcorduntwineditself,asifbymagic,andlefttheboxwithoutafastening.

"ThisisthestrangestthingIeverknew!"saidPandora."WhatwillEpimetheussay?AndhowcanIpossiblytieitupagain?"

Shemadeoneortwoattemptstorestoretheknot,butsoonfounditquitebeyond

her skill. It had disentangled itself so suddenly that she could not in the leastremember how the strings had been doubled into one another; and when shetriedtorecollect theshapeandappearanceof theknot, itseemedtohavegoneentirelyoutofhermind.Nothingwas tobedone, therefore,but to let theboxremainasitwasuntilEpimetheusshouldcomein.

"But," saidPandora, "whenhe finds theknotuntied,hewill know that Ihavedoneit.HowshallImakehimbelievethatIhavenotlookedintothebox?"

Andthenthethoughtcameintohernaughtylittleheart,that,sinceshewouldbesuspectedofhaving looked into thebox, shemight justaswelldosoatonce.Oh, very naughty and very foolishPandora!You should have thought only ofdoingwhatwasright,andofleavingundonewhatwaswrong,andnotofwhatyour playfellowEpimetheuswould have said or believed.And so perhaps shemight,iftheenchantedfaceonthelidoftheboxhadnotlookedsobewitchinglypersuasiveather,andifshehadnotseemedtohear,moredistinctlythanbefore,themurmurofsmallvoiceswithin.Shecouldnottellwhetheritwasfancyorno;but therewas quite a little tumult of whispers in her ear,—or else it was hercuriositythatwhispered,—

"Let us out, dear Pandora,—pray let us out! We will be such nice prettyplayfellowsforyou!Onlyletusout!"

"Whatcanitbe?"thoughtPandora."Istheresomethingaliveinthebox?Well!—yes!—I am resolved to take just onepeep!Onlyonepeep; and then the lidshallbeshutdownassafelyasever!Therecannotpossiblybeanyharminjustonelittlepeep!"

ButitisnowtimeforustoseewhatEpimetheuswasdoing.

Thiswasthefirsttime,sincehislittleplaymatehadcometodwellwithhim,thathehadattemptedtoenjoyanypleasureinwhichshedidnotpartake.Butnothingwent right; norwashenearly sohappy as onother days.He couldnot find asweet grape or a ripe fig (if Epimetheus had a fault, it was a little toomuchfondness for figs);or, if ripeatall, theywereover-ripe,andsosweetas tobecloying.Therewasnomirth inhisheart, suchasusuallymadehisvoicegushout,ofitsownaccord,andswellthemerrimentofhiscompanions.Inshort,hegrewsouneasyanddiscontented,thattheotherchildrencouldnotimaginewhatwas thematterwithEpimetheus.Neitherdidhehimselfknowwhatailedhim,anybetterthantheydid.Foryoumustrecollectthat,atthetimewearespeakingof,itwaseverybody'snature,andconstanthabit,tobehappy.Theworldhadnot

yetlearnedtobeotherwise.Notasinglesoulorbody,sincethesechildrenwerefirstsenttoenjoythemselvesonthebeautifulearth,hadeverbeensickoroutofsorts.

At length, discovering that, somehow or other, he put a stop to all the play,Epimetheus judged it best to go back to Pandora,whowas in a humor bettersuited to his own.But,with a hope of giving her pleasure, he gathered someflowers,andmadethemintoawreath,whichhemeanttoputuponherhead.Theflowerswere very lovely,—roses, and lilies, and orange-blossoms, and a greatmanymore,which lefta trailof fragrancebehind,asEpimetheuscarried themalong;andthewreathwasputtogetherwithasmuchskillascouldreasonablybeexpectedofaboy.Thefingersoflittlegirls,ithasalwaysappearedtome,arethefittesttotwineflower-wreaths;butboyscoulddoit,inthosedays,ratherbetterthantheycannow.

AndhereImustmentionthatagreatblackcloudhadbeengatheringinthesky,for some time past, although it had not yet overspread the sun. But, just asEpimetheusreachedthecottagedoor,thiscloudbegantointerceptthesunshine,andthustomakeasuddenandsadobscurity.

Heentered softly; forhemeant, ifpossible, to stealbehindPandora, and flingthewreathofflowersoverherhead,beforesheshouldbeawareofhisapproach.But,asithappened,therewasnoneedofhistreadingsoverylightly.Hemighthavetrodasheavilyashepleased,—asheavilyasagrownman,—asheavily,Iwas going to say, as an elephant,—without much probability of Pandora'shearinghisfootsteps.Shewastoointentuponherpurpose.Atthemomentofhisenteringthecottage, thenaughtychildhadputherhandto the lid,andwasonthepointofopeningthemysteriousbox.Epimetheusbeheldher.Ifhehadcriedout,Pandorawouldprobablyhavewithdrawnherhand,andthefatalmysteryoftheboxmightneverhavebeenknown.

ButEpimetheushimself,althoughhesaidverylittleaboutit,hadhisownshareofcuriosity toknowwhatwas inside.Perceiving thatPandorawas resolved tofindoutthesecret,hedeterminedthathisplayfellowshouldnotbetheonlywisepersoninthecottage.Andiftherewereanythingprettyorvaluableinthebox,hemeanttotakehalfofittohimself.Thus,afterallhissagespeechestoPandoraaboutrestraininghercuriosity,Epimetheusturnedouttobequiteasfoolish,andnearly as much in fault, as she. So, whenever we blame Pandora for whathappened,wemustnotforgettoshakeourheadsatEpimetheuslikewise.

AsPandoraraisedthelid,thecottagegrewverydarkanddismal;fortheblackcloud had now swept quite over the sun, and seemed to have buried it alive.Therehad,foralittlewhilepast,beenalowgrowlingandmuttering,whichallatonce broke into a heavy peal of thunder. But Pandora, heeding nothing of allthis, lifted the lid nearly upright, and looked inside. It seemed as if a suddenswarmofwingedcreaturesbrushedpasther,takingflightoutofthebox,while,atthesameinstant,sheheardthevoiceofEpimetheus,withalamentabletone,asifhewereinpain.

"Oh, I am stung!" cried he. "I am stung! Naughty Pandora! why have youopenedthiswickedbox?"

Pandora let fall the lid, and, starting up, looked about her, to see what hadbefallenEpimetheus.Thethunder-cloudhadsodarkenedtheroomthatshecouldnotveryclearlydiscernwhatwasinit.Butsheheardadisagreeablebuzzing,asifagreatmanyhugeflies,orgiganticmosquitoes,orthoseinsectswhichwecalldor-bugs, andpinching-dogs,weredarting about.And, as her eyesgrewmoreaccustomed to the imperfect light, she sawa crowdof ugly little shapes,withbats'wings,lookingabominablyspiteful,andarmedwithterriblylongstingsintheir tails. It was one of these that had stung Epimetheus. Norwas it a greatwhilebeforePandoraherselfbegantoscream,innolesspainandaffrightthanherplayfellow, andmakingavastdealmorehubbubabout it.Anodious littlemonsterhadsettledonherforehead,andwouldhavestungherIknownothowdeeply,ifEpimetheushadnotrunandbrusheditaway.

Now, if youwish to knowwhat these ugly thingsmight be,which hadmadetheirescapeoutof thebox, Imust tellyou that theywere thewholefamilyofearthlyTroubles.TherewereevilPassions; therewereagreatmanyspeciesofCares;thereweremorethanahundredandfiftySorrows;therewereDiseases,ina vast number of miserable and painful shapes; there were more kinds ofNaughtinessthanitwouldbeofanyusetotalkabout.Inshort,everythingthathas since afflicted the souls and bodies of mankind had been shut up in themysteriousbox,andgiventoEpimetheusandPandoratobekeptsafely,inorderthatthehappychildrenoftheworldmightneverbemolestedbythem.Hadtheybeen faithful to their trust, allwouldhavegonewell.Nogrownpersonwouldeverhavebeensad,noranychildhavehadcausetoshedasingletear,fromthathouruntilthismoment.

But—andyoumayseebythishowawrongactofanyonemortalisacalamitytothewholeworld—byPandora'sliftingthelidofthatmiserablebox,andbythe

faultofEpimetheus, too, innotpreventingher, theseTroubleshaveobtainedafootholdamongus,anddonotseemverylikelytobedrivenawayinahurry.Foritwasimpossible,asyouwilleasilyguess,thatthetwochildrenshouldkeeptheuglyswarmintheirownlittlecottage.Onthecontrary,thefirstthingthattheydidwas to flingopen thedoorsandwindows, inhopesofgetting ridof them;and,sureenough,awayflewthewingedTroublesallabroad,andsopesteredandtormented the small people, everywhere about, that none of them somuch assmiled formanydaysafterwards.And,whatwasverysingular,all the flowersanddewyblossomsonearth,notoneofwhichhadhithertofaded,nowbegantodroop and shed their leaves, after a day or two. The children,moreover,whobefore seemed immortal in their childhood, now grew older, day by day, andcamesoontobeyouthsandmaidens,andmenandwomenbyandby,andagedpeople,beforetheydreamedofsuchathing.

Meanwhile,thenaughtyPandora,andhardlylessnaughtyEpimetheus,remainedin their cottage.Both of themhad been grievously stung, andwere in a gooddealofpain,whichseemedthemoreintolerabletothem,becauseitwastheveryfirst pain that had ever been felt since theworld began.Of course, theywereentirelyunaccustomed to it,andcouldhaveno ideawhat itmeant.Besidesallthis, theywere in exceedingly bad humor, bothwith themselves andwith oneanother.Inordertoindulgeittotheutmost,Epimetheussatdownsullenlyinacorner with his back towards Pandora; while Pandora flung herself upon thefloor and rested her head on the fatal and abominable box. She was cryingbitterly,andsobbingasifherheartwouldbreak.

Suddenlytherewasagentlelittletapontheinsideofthelid.

"Whatcanthatbe?"criedPandora,liftingherhead.

ButeitherEpimetheushadnotheardthetap,orwastoomuchoutofhumortonoticeit.Atanyrate,hemadenoanswer.

"Youareveryunkind,"saidPandora,sobbinganew,"nottospeaktome!"

Again the tap! It sounded like the tiny knuckles of a fairy's hand, knockinglightlyandplayfullyontheinsideofthebox.

"Whoareyou?"askedPandora,witha littleofher formercuriosity."Whoareyou,insideofthisnaughtybox?"

Asweetlittlevoicespokefromwithin,—

"Onlyliftthelid,andyoushallsee."

"No, no," answered Pandora, again beginning to sob, "I have had enough oflifting the lid!Youare insideof thebox,naughtycreature,and thereyoushallstay!Thereareplentyofyouruglybrothersandsistersalreadyflyingabouttheworld.YouneedneverthinkthatIshallbesofoolishastoletyouout!"

ShelookedtowardsEpimetheus,asshespoke,perhapsexpectingthathewouldcommend her for herwisdom.But the sullen boy onlymuttered that shewaswisealittletoolate.

"Ah,"saidthesweetlittlevoiceagain,"youhadmuchbetterletmeout.Iamnotlikethosenaughtycreaturesthathavestingsintheirtails.Theyarenobrothersandsistersofmine,asyouwouldseeatonce,ifyouwereonlytogetaglimpseofme.Come,come,myprettyPandora!Iamsureyouwillletmeout!"

And, indeed, there was a kind of cheerful witchery in the tone, that made italmost impossible to refuse anything which this little voice asked. Pandora'shearthadinsensiblygrownlighter,ateverywordthatcamefromwithinthebox.Epimetheus,too,thoughstillinthecorner,hadturnedhalfround,andseemedtobeinratherbetterspiritsthanbefore.

"MydearEpimetheus,"criedPandora,"haveyouheardthislittlevoice?"

"Yes,tobesureIhave,"answeredhe,butinnoverygood-humorasyet."Andwhatofit?"

"ShallIliftthelidagain?"askedPandora.

"Just as you please," said Epimetheus. "You have done so much mischiefalready, that perhaps youmay aswell do a littlemore.One other Trouble, insuch a swarm as you have set adrift about theworld, canmake no very greatdifference."

"Youmightspeakalittlemorekindly!"murmuredPandora,wipinghereyes.

"Ah,naughtyboy!"criedthelittlevoicewithinthebox,inanarchandlaughingtone."Heknowsheislongingtoseeme.Come,mydearPandora,liftupthelid.Iaminagreathurrytocomfortyou.Onlyletmehavesomefreshair,andyoushallsoonseethatmattersarenotquitesodismalasyouthinkthem!"

"Epimetheus,"exclaimedPandora,"comewhatmay,Iamresolvedtoopenthe

box!"

"And,asthelidseemsveryheavy,"criedEpimetheus,runningacrosstheroom,"Iwillhelpyou!"

So,withoneconsent,thetwochildrenagainliftedthelid.Outflewasunnyandsmilinglittlepersonage,andhoveredabouttheroom,throwingalightwherevershe went. Have you never made the sunshine dance into dark corners, byreflectingitfromabitoflooking-glass?Well,solookedthewingedcheerfulnessof this fairy-like stranger, amid the gloom of the cottage. She flew toEpimetheus,andlaidtheleasttouchofherfingerontheinflamedspotwheretheTroublehadstunghim,and immediately theanguishof itwasgone.ThenshekissedPandoraontheforehead,andherhurtwascuredlikewise.

Afterperformingthesegoodoffices,thebrightstrangerflutteredsportivelyoverthechildren'sheads,andlookedsosweetlyatthem,thattheybothbegantothinkitnotsoverymuchamisstohaveopenedthebox,since,otherwise,theircheeryguestmusthavebeenkeptaprisoneramongthosenaughtyimpswithstingsintheirtails.

"Pray,whoareyou,beautifulcreature?"inquiredPandora.

"IamtobecalledHope!"answeredthesunshinyfigure."AndbecauseIamsuchacheery littlebody, Iwaspacked into thebox, tomakeamends to thehumanraceforthatswarmofuglyTroubles,whichwasdestinedtobeletlooseamongthem.Neverfear!weshalldoprettywellinspiteofthemall."

"Your wings are colored like the rainbow!" exclaimed Pandora. "How verybeautiful!"

"Yes,theyareliketherainbow,"saidHope,"because,gladasmynatureis,Iampartlymadeoftearsaswellassmiles."

"Andwillyoustaywithus,"askedEpimetheus,"foreverandever?"

"Aslongasyouneedme,"saidHope,withherpleasantsmile,—"andthatwillbeaslongasyouliveintheworld,—Ipromisenevertodesertyou.Theremaycometimesandseasons,nowandthen,whenyouwillthinkthatIhaveutterlyvanished.Butagain,andagain,andagain,whenperhapsyouleastdreamofit,youshallseetheglimmerofmywingsontheceilingofyourcottage.Yes,mydearchildren,andIknowsomethingverygoodandbeautifulthatistobegivenyouhereafter!"

"Ohtellus,"theyexclaimed,—"telluswhatitis!"

"Donotaskme,"repliedHope,puttingherfingeronherrosymouth."Butdonotdespair,evenifitshouldneverhappenwhileyouliveonthisearth.Trustinmypromise,foritistrue."

"Wedotrustyou!"criedEpimetheusandPandora,bothinonebreath.

Andsotheydid;andnotonlythey,butsohaseverybodytrustedHope,thathassincebeenalive.Andtotellyouthetruth,Icannothelpbeingglad—(though,tobesure,itwasanuncommonlynaughtythingforhertodo)—butIcannothelpbeinggladthatourfoolishPandorapeepedintothebox.Nodoubt—nodoubt—theTroubles are still flying about theworld, and have increased inmultitude,ratherthanlessened,andareaveryuglysetofimps,andcarrymostvenomousstingsintheirtails.Ihavefeltthemalready,andexpecttofeelthemmore,asIgrowolder.ButthenthatlovelyandlightsomelittlefigureofHope!Whatintheworld could we do without her? Hope spiritualizes the earth; Hope makes italwaysnew;and,evenintheearth'sbestandbrightestaspect,Hopeshowsittobeonlytheshadowofaninfiniteblisshereafter!

TanglewoodPlay-Room

AftertheStory

"Primrose,"askedEustace,pinchingherear,"howdoyoulikemylittlePandora?Don't you think her the exact picture of yourself? But you would not havehesitatedhalfsolongaboutopeningthebox."

"ThenIshouldhavebeenwellpunishedformynaughtiness,"retortedPrimrose,smartly;"forthefirstthingtopopout,afterthelidwaslifted,wouldhavebeenMr.EustaceBright,intheshapeofaTrouble."

"CousinEustace,"saidSweetFern,"didtheboxholdallthetroublethathasevercomeintotheworld?"

"Everymiteofit!"answeredEustace."Thisverysnow-storm,whichhasspoiledmyskating,waspackedupthere."

"Andhowbigwasthebox?"askedSweetFern.

"Why,perhapsthreefeetlong,"saidEustace,"twofeetwide,andtwofeetanda

halfhigh."

"Ah,"saidthechild,"youaremakingfunofme,CousinEustace!Iknowthereisnottroubleenoughintheworldtofillsuchagreatboxasthat.Asforthesnow-storm,itisnotroubleatall,butapleasure;soitcouldnothavebeeninthebox."

"Hearthechild!"criedPrimrose,withanairofsuperiority."Howlittleheknowsaboutthetroublesofthisworld!Poorfellow!HewillbewiserwhenhehasseenasmuchoflifeasIhave."

Sosaying,shebegantoskiptherope.

Meantime, the day was drawing towards its close. Out of doors the scenecertainly looked dreary. There was a gray drift, far and wide, through thegatheringtwilight;theearthwasaspathlessastheair;andthebankofsnowoverthe stepsof theporchproved that nobodyhad enteredor goneout for a goodmanyhourspast.HadtherebeenonlyonechildatthewindowofTanglewood,gazingatthiswintryprospect,itwouldperhapshavemadehimsad.Buthalfadozenchildrentogether,thoughtheycannotquiteturntheworldintoaparadise,maydefyoldWinterandallhisstormstoputthemoutofspirits.EustaceBright,moreover,onthespurofthemoment,inventedseveralnewkindsofplay,whichkeptthemallinaroarofmerrimenttillbedtime,andservedforthenextstormydaybesides.

THETHREEGOLDENAPPLES

TanglewoodFireside

Introductoryto"TheThreeGoldenApples"

Thesnow-stormlastedanotherday;butwhatbecameofitafterwards,Icannotpossibly imagine. At any rate, it entirely cleared away during the night; andwhenthesunarosethenextmorning,itshonebrightlydownonasbleakatractofhill-country,hereinBerkshire,ascouldbeseenanywhereintheworld.Thefrostworkhadsocoveredthewindow-panesthatitwashardlypossibletogetaglimpse at the scenery outside. But, while waiting for breakfast, the smallpopulace of Tanglewood had scratched peep-holeswith their finger-nails, andsaw with vast delight that—unless it were one or two bare patches on aprecipitoushill-side,orthegrayeffectofthesnow,intermingledwiththeblackpineforest—allnaturewasaswhiteasasheet.Howexceedinglypleasant!And,tomakeitallthebetter,itwascoldenoughtonipone'snoseshortoff!Ifpeoplehavebutlifeenoughinthemtobearit,thereisnothingthatsoraisesthespirits,andmakesthebloodrippleanddancesonimbly,likeabrookdowntheslopeofahill,asabright,hardfrost.

No soonerwas breakfast over, than thewhole party,wellmuffled in furs andwoollens,flounderedforthintothemidstofthesnow.Well,whatadayoffrostysport was this! They slid down hill into the valley, a hundred times, nobodyknows how far; and, to make it all the merrier, upsetting their sledges, andtumblingheadoverheels,quiteasoftenastheycamesafelytothebottom.And,once,EustaceBrighttookPeriwinkle,SweetFern,andSquash-Blossom,onthesledgewithhim,bywayof insuringa safepassage; anddown theywent, fullspeed.But,behold,half-waydown, thesledgehitagainstahiddenstump,andflung all four of its passengers into a heap; and, on gathering themselves up,therewasnolittleSquash-Blossomtobefound!Why,whatcouldhavebecomeof the child? And while they were wondering and staring about, up startedSquash-Blossomout of a snow-bank,with the reddest face you ever saw, andlookingasifalargescarletflowerhadsuddenlysproutedupinmidwinter.Thentherewasagreatlaugh.

When they had grown tired of sliding down hill, Eustace set the children todiggingacaveinthebiggestsnow-driftthattheycouldfind.Unluckily,justasitwas completed, and the party had squeezed themselves into the hollow, downcametheroofupontheirheads,andburiedeverysoulof themalive!Thenextmoment,uppoppedall their littleheadsoutof the ruins, and the tall student'sheadinthemidstofthem,lookinghoaryandvenerablewiththesnow-dustthathad got amongst his brown curls. And then, to punish Cousin Eustace foradvisingthemtodigsuchatumble-downcavern,thechildrenattackedhiminabody,andsobepeltedhimwithsnowballsthathewasfaintotaketohisheels.

Soheranaway,andwentintothewoods,andthencetothemarginofShadowBrook, where he could hear the streamlet grumbling along, under greatoverhangingbanksofsnowandice,whichwouldscarcelyletitseethelightofday. There were adamantine icicles glittering around all its little cascades.Thencehestrolledtotheshoreofthelake,andbeheldawhite,untroddenplainbefore him, stretching from his own feet to the foot ofMonumentMountain.And, it being now almost sunset, Eustace thought that he had never beheldanythingsofreshandbeautifulasthescene.Hewasgladthatthechildrenwerenotwithhim;fortheirlivelyspiritsandtumble-aboutactivitywouldquitehavechased away his higher and gravermood, so that hewouldmerely have beenmerry(ashehadalreadybeen,thewholedaylong),andwouldnothaveknownthelovelinessofthewintersunsetamongthehills.

Whenthesunwasfairlydown,ourfriendEustacewenthometoeathissupper.Afterthemealwasover,hebetookhimselftothestudy,withapurpose,Iratherimagine,towriteanode,ortwoorthreesonnets,orversesofsomekindorother,inpraiseofthepurpleandgoldencloudswhichhehadseenaroundthesettingsun.But,beforehehadhammeredouttheveryfirstrhyme,thedooropened,andPrimroseandPeriwinklemadetheirappearance.

"Goaway,children!Ican'tbetroubledwithyounow!"criedthestudent,lookingoverhisshoulder,withthepenbetweenhisfingers."Whatintheworlddoyouwanthere?Ithoughtyouwereallinbed!"

"Hearhim,Periwinkle,tryingtotalklikeagrownman!"saidPrimrose."AndheseemstoforgetthatIamnowthirteenyearsold,andmaysitupalmostaslateasIplease.But,CousinEustace,youmustputoffyourairs,andcomewithustothedrawing-room.Thechildrenhavetalkedsomuchaboutyourstories,thatmyfatherwishestohearoneofthem,inordertojudgewhethertheyarelikelytodoanymischief."

"Poh,poh,Primrose!"exclaimedthestudent,rathervexed."Idon'tbelieveIcantelloneofmystoriesinthepresenceofgrownpeople.Besides,yourfatherisaclassicalscholar;notthatIammuchafraidofhisscholarship,neither,forIdoubtnot it isas rustyasanoldcase-knifeby this time.But thenhewillbe sure toquarrelwiththeadmirablenonsensethatIputintothesestories,outofmyownhead,andwhichmakesthegreatcharmofthematterforchildren,likeyourself.Noman of fifty, who has read the classical myths in his youth, can possiblyunderstandmymeritasareinventorandimproverofthem."

"Allthismaybeverytrue,"saidPrimrose,"butcomeyoumust!Myfatherwillnotopenhisbook,norwillmammaopenthepiano,tillyouhavegivenussomeof your nonsense, as you very correctly call it. So be a good boy, and comealong."

Whatever he might pretend, the student was rather glad than otherwise, onsecond thoughts, tocatchat theopportunityofproving toMr.Pringlewhatanexcellentfacultyhehadinmodernizingthemythsofancienttimes.Untiltwentyyears of age, a youngmanmay, indeed, be rather bashful about showing hispoetry and his prose; but, for all that, he is pretty apt to think that these veryproductionswouldplace himat the tip-topof literature, if once they couldbeknown.Accordingly,withoutmuchmore resistance,EustacesufferedPrimroseandPeriwinkletodraghimintothedrawing-room.

Itwasalarge,handsomeapartment,withasemicircularwindowatoneend,inthe recessofwhich stoodamarble copyofGreenough'sAngel andChild.Ononesideof the fireplace thereweremanyshelvesofbooks,gravelybut richlybound.Thewhite lightof theastral-lamp,and the redglowof thebrightcoal-fire,made the roombrilliant and cheerful; and before the fire, in a deep arm-chair,satMr.Pringle,lookingjustfittobeseatedinsuchachair,andinsucharoom.Hewasatallandquiteahandsomegentleman,withabaldbrow;andwasalways so nicely dressed, that even Eustace Bright never liked to enter hispresencewithout at least pausing at the threshold to settle his shirt-collar.Butnow,asPrimrosehadholdofoneofhishands,andPeriwinkleoftheother,hewasforcedtomakehisappearancewitharough-and-tumblesortoflook,asifhehadbeenrollingalldayinasnow-bank.Andsohehad.

Mr.Pringleturnedtowardsthestudentbenignlyenough,butinawaythatmadehim feel how uncombed and unbrushed he was, and how uncombed andunbrushed,likewise,werehismindandthoughts.

"Eustace,"saidMr.Pringle,withasmile,"IfindthatyouareproducingagreatsensationamongthelittlepublicofTanglewood,bytheexerciseofyourgiftsofnarrative.Primrosehere,asthelittlefolkschoosetocallher,andtherestofthechildren, have been so loud in praise of your stories, that Mrs. Pringle andmyself are really curious to hear a specimen. It would be so much the moregratifyingtomyself,asthestoriesappeartobeanattempttorenderthefablesofclassical antiquity into the idiom of modern fancy and feeling. At least, so Ijudgefromafewoftheincidentswhichhavecometomeatsecondhand."

"You are not exactly the auditor that I should have chosen, sir," observed thestudent,"forfantasiesofthisnature."

"Possibly not," repliedMr. Pringle. "I suspect, however, that a young author'smost useful critic is precisely the onewhomhewould be least apt to choose.Prayobligeme,therefore."

"Sympathy,methinks,shouldhavesomelittleshareinthecritic'squalifications,"murmuredEustaceBright. "However, sir, if youwill find patience, Iwill findstories. But be kind enough to remember that I am addressing myself to theimaginationandsympathiesofthechildren,nottoyourown."

Accordingly,thestudentsnatchedholdofthefirstthemewhichpresenteditself.Itwassuggestedbyaplateofapplesthathehappenedtospyonthemantelpiece.

TheThreeGoldenApples

Did you ever hear of the golden apples, that grew in the garden of theHesperides? Ah, those were such apples as would bring a great price, by thebushel,ifanyofthemcouldbefoundgrowingintheorchardsofnowadays!Butthereisnot,Isuppose,agraftofthatwonderfulfruitonasingletreeinthewideworld.Notsomuchasaseedofthoseapplesexistsanylonger.

And, even in the old, old, half-forgotten times, before the garden of theHesperideswasoverrunwithweeds,agreatmanypeopledoubtedwhethertherecouldbe real trees that bore applesof solidgoldupon their branches.All hadheardofthem,butnobodyrememberedtohaveseenany.Children,nevertheless,usedtolisten,open-mouthed,tostoriesofthegoldenapple-tree,andresolvedtodiscover it, when they should be big enough. Adventurous young men, whodesired to do a braver thing than any of their fellows, set out in quest of thisfruit.Manyofthemreturnednomore;noneofthembroughtbacktheapples.No

wonderthattheyfoundit impossibletogatherthem!It issaidthattherewasadragon beneath the tree, with a hundred terrible heads, fifty of which werealwaysonthewatch,whiletheotherfiftyslept.

Inmyopinionitwashardlyworthrunningsomuchriskforthesakeofasolidgoldenapple.Hadtheapplesbeensweet,mellow,andjuicy,indeedthatwouldbe anothermatter. Theremight then have been some sense in trying to get atthem,inspiteofthehundred-headeddragon.

But,asIhavealreadytoldyou,itwasquiteacommonthingwithyoungpersons,when tired of too much peace and rest, to go in search of the garden of theHesperides.Andoncetheadventurewasundertakenbyaherowhohadenjoyedverylittlepeaceorrestsincehecameintotheworld.AtthetimeofwhichIamgoing to speak, he was wandering through the pleasant land of Italy, with amightyclub inhishand, andabowandquiver slungacrosshis shoulders.Hewaswraptintheskinofthebiggestandfiercestlionthateverhadbeenseen,andwhich he himself had killed; and though, on the whole, he was kind, andgenerous,andnoble, therewasagooddealofthelion'sfiercenessinhisheart.Ashewentonhisway,hecontinuallyinquiredwhetherthatweretherightroadtothefamousgarden.Butnoneofthecountrypeopleknewanythingaboutthematter, andmany lookedas if theywouldhave laughed at thequestion, if thestrangerhadnotcarriedsoverybigaclub.

Sohejourneyedonandon,stillmakingthesameinquiry,until,atlast,hecametothebrinkofariverwheresomebeautifulyoungwomensattwiningwreathsofflowers.

"Canyoutellme,prettymaidens,"askedthestranger,"whetherthisistherightwaytothegardenoftheHesperides?"

Theyoungwomenhad beenhaving a fine time together,weaving the flowersintowreaths,andcrowningoneanother'sheads.Andthereseemedtobeakindof magic in the touch of their fingers, that made the flowers more fresh anddewy,andofbrighterhues,andsweeterfragrance,whiletheyplayedwiththem,thanevenwhentheyhadbeengrowingontheirnativestems.But,onhearingthestranger'squestion,theydroppedalltheirflowersonthegrass,andgazedathimwithastonishment.

"ThegardenoftheHesperides!"criedone."Wethoughtmortalshadbeenwearyof seeking it, after somany disappointments.And pray, adventurous traveller,whatdoyouwantthere?"

ATLAS

"Acertainking,whoismycousin,"repliedhe,"hasorderedmetogethimthreeofthegoldenapples."

"Mostoftheyoungmenwhogoinquestoftheseapples,"observedanotherofthedamsels,"desire toobtain themfor themselves,or topresent themtosomefairmaidenwhomtheylove.Doyou,then,lovethisking,yourcousin,soverymuch?"

"Perhapsnot,"repliedthestranger,sighing."Hehasoftenbeensevereandcrueltome.Butitismydestinytoobeyhim."

"And do you know," asked the damsel who had first spoken, "that a terribledragon,withahundredheads,keepswatchunderthegoldenapple-tree?"

"Iknowitwell,"answeredthestranger,calmly."But,frommycradleupwards,ithas been my business, and almost my pastime, to deal with serpents anddragons."

The young women looked at his massive club, and at the shaggy lion's skinwhichhewore,andlikewiseathisheroiclimbsandfigure;andtheywhisperedtoeachotherthatthestrangerappearedtobeonewhomightreasonablyexpecttoperformdeedsfarbeyondthemightofothermen.But,then,thedragonwithahundredheads!Whatmortal,evenifhepossessedahundredlives,couldhopetoescapethefangsofsuchamonster?Sokind-heartedwerethemaidens,thattheycouldnotbeartoseethisbraveandhandsometravellerattemptwhatwassoverydangerous,anddevotehimself,mostprobably,tobecomeamealforthedragon'shundredravenousmouths.

"Goback,"criedtheyall,—"gobacktoyourownhome!Yourmother,beholdingyousafeandsound,willshedtearsofjoy;andwhatcanshedomore,shouldyouwineversogreatavictory?Nomatterforthegoldenapples!Nomatterfortheking,yourcruelcousin!Wedonotwish thedragonwith thehundredheads toeatyouup!"

The stranger seemed to grow impatient at these remonstrances. He carelesslyliftedhismightyclub,andletitfalluponarockthatlayhalfburiedintheearth,near by.With the force of that idle blow, the great rock was shattered all topieces.Itcostthestrangernomoreefforttoachievethisfeatofagiant'sstrengththanforoneoftheyoungmaidenstotouchhersister'srosycheekwithaflower.

"Doyounotbelieve,"saidhe,lookingatthedamselswithasmile,"thatsuchablowwouldhavecrushedoneofthedragon'shundredheads?"

Thenhesatdownonthegrass,andtoldthemthestoryofhislife,orasmuchofitashecouldremember,fromthedaywhenhewasfirstcradledinawarrior'sbrazenshield.Whilehelaythere,twoimmenseserpentscameglidingoverthefloor, and opened their hideous jaws to devour him; and he, a baby of a fewmonths old, had griped one of the fierce snakes in each of his little fists, andstrangledthemtodeath.Whenhewasbutastripling,hehadkilledahugelion,almost as big as the one whose vast and shaggy hide he nowwore upon hisshoulders.Thenextthingthathehaddonewastofightabattlewithanuglysortofmonster,calledahydra,whichhadnolessthannineheads,andexceedinglysharpteethineveryone.

"ButthedragonoftheHesperides,youknow,"observedoneofthedamsels,"hasahundredheads!"

"Nevertheless,"repliedthestranger,"Iwouldratherfighttwosuchdragonsthanasinglehydra.For,asfastasIcutoffahead,twoothersgrewinitsplace;and,besides, therewasoneof theheads that couldnotpossiblybekilled,butkeptbiting as fiercely as ever, long after itwas cut off. So Iwas forced to bury itunderastone,whereitisdoubtlessalivetothisveryday.Butthehydra'sbody,anditseightotherheads,willneverdoanyfurthermischief."

The damsels, judging that the storywas likely to last a goodwhile, had beenpreparingarepastofbreadandgrapes,thatthestrangermightrefreshhimselfintheintervalsofhistalk.Theytookpleasureinhelpinghimtothissimplefood;and,nowandthen,oneofthemwouldputasweetgrapebetweenherrosylips,lestitshouldmakehimbashfultoeatalone.

The traveller proceeded to tell how he had chased a very swift stag, for atwelvemonth together, without ever stopping to take breath, and had at lastcaughtitbytheantlers,andcarriedithomealive.Andhehadfoughtwithaveryoddraceofpeople,halfhorsesandhalfmen,andhadputthemalltodeath,fromasenseofduty, inorder that theirugly figuresmightneverbeseenanymore.

Besidesallthis,hetooktohimselfgreatcreditforhavingcleanedoutastable.

"Doyoucallthatawonderfulexploit?"askedoneoftheyoungmaidens,withasmile."Anyclowninthecountryhasdoneasmuch!"

"Had it been an ordinary stable," replied the stranger, "I should not havementionedit.Butthiswassogiganticataskthatitwouldhavetakenmeallmylife toperformit, if Ihadnot luckily thoughtof turning thechannelofa riverthroughthestable-door.Thatdidthebusinessinaveryshorttime!"

Seeing how earnestly his fair auditors listened, he next told themhowhe hadshot some monstrous birds, and had caught a wild bull alive and let him goagain, and had tamed a number of very wild horses, and had conqueredHippolyta, thewarlikequeenof theAmazons.Hementioned, likewise, thathehad takenoffHippolyta'senchantedgirdle,andhadgiven it to thedaughterofhiscousin,theking.

"WasitthegirdleofVenus,"inquiredtheprettiestofthedamsels,"whichmakeswomenbeautiful?"

"No,"answeredthestranger."Ithadformerlybeenthesword-beltofMars;anditcanonlymakethewearervaliantandcourageous."

"Anoldsword-belt!"criedthedamsel,tossingherhead."ThenIshouldnotcareabouthavingit!"

"Youareright,"saidthestranger.

Goingonwithhiswonderfulnarrative,heinformedthemaidensthatasstrangeanadventureaseverhappenedwaswhenhefoughtwithGeryon,thesix-leggedman.Thiswasaveryoddandfrightfulsortoffigure,asyoumaywellbelieve.Anyperson,lookingathistracksinthesandorsnow,wouldsupposethatthreesociablecompanionshadbeenwalkingalongtogether.Onhearinghisfootstepsata littledistance, itwasnomorethanreasonable to judgethatseveralpeoplemustbecoming.ButitwasonlythestrangemanGeryonclatteringonward,withhissixlegs!

Six legs, and one gigantic body! Certainly, he must have been a very queermonstertolookat;and,mystars,whatawasteofshoe-leather!

Whenthestrangerhadfinishedthestoryofhisadventures,helookedaroundattheattentivefacesofthemaidens.

"Perhaps youmay have heard ofme before," said he,modestly. "My name isHercules!"

"Wehadalreadyguessedit,"repliedthemaidens;"foryourwonderfuldeedsareknownallovertheworld.Wedonotthinkitstrange,anylonger,thatyoushouldset out in quest of the golden apples of the Hesperides. Come, sisters, let uscrowntheherowithflowers!"

Thentheyflungbeautifulwreathsoverhisstatelyheadandmightyshoulders,sothatthelion'sskinwasalmostentirelycoveredwithroses.Theytookpossessionofhisponderousclub,andsoentwined itaboutwith thebrightest,softest,andmostfragrantblossoms,thatnotafinger'sbreadthofitsoakensubstancecouldbeseen.Itlookedalllikeahugebunchofflowers.Lastly,theyjoinedhands,anddancedaroundhim,chantingwordswhichbecamepoetryof theirownaccord,andgrewintoachoralsong,inhonoroftheillustriousHercules.

AndHerculeswas rejoiced, as any other herowould have been, to know thatthese fair younggirls hadheardof thevaliantdeedswhich it hadcost him somuch toil anddanger to achieve.But, still, hewasnot satisfied.Hecouldnotthinkthatwhathehadalreadydonewasworthyofsomuchhonor,whilethereremainedanyboldordifficultadventuretobeundertaken.

"Dearmaidens,"saidhe,whentheypausedtotakebreath,"nowthatyouknowmyname,willyounottellmehowIamtoreachthegardenoftheHesperides?"

"Ah! must you go so soon?" they exclaimed. "You—that have performed somanywonders,andspentsucha toilsome life—cannotyoucontentyourself toreposealittlewhileonthemarginofthispeacefulriver?"

Herculesshookhishead.

"Imustdepartnow,"saidhe.

"Wewill thengiveyou thebestdirectionswecan," replied thedamsels. "Youmustgotothesea-shore,andfindout theOldOne,andcompelhimtoinformyouwherethegoldenapplesaretobefound."

"TheOldOne!"repeatedHercules,laughingatthisoddname."And,pray,whomaytheOldOnebe?"

"Why, theOldManof theSea, tobesure!"answeredoneof thedamsels."Hehasfiftydaughters,whomsomepeoplecallverybeautiful;butwedonotthinkit

propertobeacquaintedwiththem,becausetheyhavesea-greenhair,andtaperawaylikefishes.YoumusttalkwiththisOldManoftheSea.Heisasea-faringperson,andknowsallaboutthegardenoftheHesperides;foritissituatedinanislandwhichheisofteninthehabitofvisiting."

Hercules thenaskedwhereabouts theOldOnewasmost likelytobemetwith.Whenthedamselshadinformedhim,hethankedthemforalltheirkindness,—for thebreadandgrapeswithwhich theyhadfedhim, the lovelyflowerswithwhich they had crowned him, and the songs and dances wherewith they haddone him honor,—and he thanked them,most of all, for telling him the rightway,—andimmediatelysetforthuponhisjourney.

But,beforehewasoutofhearing,oneofthemaidenscalledafterhim.

"Keepfastholdof theOldOne,whenyoucatchhim!"criedshe, smiling,andliftingherfingertomakethecautionmoreimpressive."Donotbeastonishedatanything thatmay happen.Only hold him fast, and hewill tell youwhat youwishtoknow."

Hercules again thanked her, and pursued hisway,while themaidens resumedtheirpleasantlaborofmakingflower-wreaths.Theytalkedaboutthehero,longafterhewasgone.

"We will crown him with the loveliest of our garlands," said they, "when hereturns hither with the three golden apples, after slaying the dragon with ahundredheads."

Meanwhile, Hercules travelled constantly onward, over hill and dale, andthroughthesolitarywoods.Sometimesheswunghisclubaloft,andsplinteredamighty oak with a downright blow. His mind was so full of the giants andmonsters with whom it was the business of his life to fight, that perhaps hemistook thegreat tree for a giant or amonster.And so eagerwasHercules toachievewhathehadundertaken,thathealmostregrettedtohavespentsomuchtimewiththedamsels,wastingidlebreathuponthestoryofhisadventures.Butthus it always iswithpersonswhoaredestined toperformgreat things.Whattheyhavealreadydoneseemslessthannothing.Whattheyhavetakeninhandtodoseemsworthtoil,danger,andlifeitself.

Persons who happened to be passing through the forest must have beenaffrightedtoseehimsmitethetreeswithhisgreatclub.Withbutasingleblow,the trunkwas riven as by the stroke of lightning, and the broad boughs came

rustlingandcrashingdown.

Hasteningforward,withouteverpausingorlookingbehind,hebyandbyheardthe sea roaring at a distance.At this sound, he increased his speed, and sooncametoabeach,wherethegreatsurf-wavestumbledthemselvesuponthehardsand,inalonglineofsnowyfoam.Atoneendofthebeach,however,therewasa pleasant spot,where some green shrubbery clambered up a cliff,making itsrockyfacelooksoftandbeautiful.Acarpetofverdantgrass,largelyintermixedwithsweet-smellingclover,coveredthenarrowspacebetweenthebottomofthecliff and the sea. Andwhat should Hercules espy there, but an oldman, fastasleep!

Butwas it reallyand trulyanoldman?Certainly, at first sight, it lookedverylikeone;but,oncloserinspection,itratherseemedtobesomekindofacreaturethatlivedinthesea.For,onhislegsandarmstherewerescales,suchasfisheshave;hewasweb-footedandweb-fingered,afterthefashionofaduck;andhislongbeard,beingofagreenishtinge,hadmoretheappearanceofatuftofsea-weedthanofanordinarybeard.Haveyouneverseenastickoftimber,thathasbeenlongtossedaboutbythewaves,andhasgotallovergrownwithbarnacles,and,atlastdriftingashore,seemstohavebeenthrownupfromtheverydeepestbottomofthesea?Well,theoldmanwouldhaveputyouinmindofjustsuchawave-tostspar!ButHercules,theinstantheseteyesonthisstrangefigure,wasconvincedthatitcouldbenootherthantheOldOne,whowastodirecthimonhisway.

Yes,itwastheselfsameOldManoftheSeawhomthehospitablemaidenshadtalkedtohimabout.Thankinghisstarsfortheluckyaccidentoffindingtheoldfellowasleep,Herculesstoleontiptoetowardshim,andcaughthimbythearmandleg.

"Tellme,"criedhe,beforetheOldOnewaswellawake,"whichisthewaytothegardenoftheHesperides?"

Asyoumayeasilyimagine, theOldManoftheSeaawokeinafright.ButhisastonishmentcouldhardlyhavebeengreaterthanwasthatofHercules,thenextmoment.For,allofasudden,theOldOneseemedtodisappearoutofhisgrasp,andhefoundhimselfholdingastagbytheforeandhindleg!Butstillhekeptfast hold. Then the stag disappeared, and in its stead there was a sea-bird,flutteringandscreaming,whileHerculesclutcheditbythewingandclaw!Butthebird couldnot get away. Immediately afterwards, therewas anugly three-

headeddog,whichgrowledandbarkedatHercules,andsnappedfiercelyatthehands bywhich he held him! But Hercules would not let him go. In anotherminute,insteadofthethree-headeddog,whatshouldappearbutGeryon,thesix-leggedman-monster,kickingatHerculeswithfiveofhislegs,inordertogettheremainingoneatliberty!ButHerculesheldon.Byandby,noGeryonwasthere,but a huge snake, like one of those which Hercules had strangled in hisbabyhood, only a hundred times as big; and it twisted and twined about thehero'sneckandbody,andthrewitstailhighintotheair,andopeneditsdeadlyjawsasiftodevourhimoutright;sothatitwasreallyaveryterriblespectacle!ButHerculeswasnowhitdisheartened,andsqueezedthegreatsnakesotightlythathesoonbegantohisswithpain.

YoumustunderstandthattheOldManoftheSea,thoughhegenerallylookedsomuchlike thewave-beatenfigure-headofavessel,had thepowerofassuminganyshapehepleased.WhenhefoundhimselfsoroughlyseizedbyHercules,hehadbeeninhopesofputtinghimintosuchsurpriseandterror,bythesemagicaltransformations, that the hero would be glad to let him go. If Hercules hadrelaxedhisgrasp, theOldOnewouldcertainlyhaveplungeddownto theverybottomofthesea,whencehewouldnotsoonhavegivenhimselfthetroubleofcomingup,inordertoansweranyimpertinentquestions.Ninety-ninepeopleoutofahundred,Isuppose,wouldhavebeenfrightenedoutoftheirwitsbytheveryfirstofhisuglyshapes,andwouldhavetakentotheirheelsatonce.For,oneofthehardestthingsinthisworldis,toseethedifferencebetweenrealdangersandimaginaryones.

But,asHerculesheldonsostubbornly,andonlysqueezedtheOldOnesomuchthetighterateverychangeofshape,andreallyputhimtonosmall torture,hefinally thought it best to reappear in his own figure. So there hewas again, afishy,scaly,web-footedsortofpersonage,withsomethinglikeatuftofsea-weedathischin.

"Pray,whatdoyouwantwithme?"criedtheOldOne,assoonashecouldtakebreath;foritisquiteatiresomeaffairtogothroughsomanyfalseshapes."Whydoyousqueezemesohard?Letmego,thismoment,orIshallbegintoconsideryouanextremelyuncivilperson!"

"MynameisHercules!"roaredthemightystranger."Andyouwillnevergetoutofmyclutch,untilyoutellmethenearestwaytothegardenoftheHesperides!"

Whentheoldfellowheardwhoitwasthathadcaughthim,hesaw,withhalfan

eye, that itwouldbenecessary to tellhimeverything thathewanted toknow.TheOldOnewasaninhabitantofthesea,youmustrecollect,androamedabouteverywhere, likeother sea-faringpeople.Of course, hehadoftenheardof thefame of Hercules, and of the wonderful things that he was constantlyperforming,invariouspartsoftheearth,andhowdeterminedhealwayswastoaccomplish whatever he undertook. He therefore made no more attempts toescape,buttoldtheherohowtofindthegardenoftheHesperides,andlikewisewarnedhimofmanydifficultieswhichmustbeovercome,beforehecouldarrivethither.

"Youmustgoon,thusandthus,"saidtheOldManoftheSea,aftertakingthepointsofthecompass,"tillyoucomeinsightofaverytallgiant,whoholdstheskyonhisshoulders.Andthegiant, ifhehappenstobeinthehumor,will tellyouexactlywherethegardenoftheHesperideslies."

"Andifthegianthappensnottobeinthehumor,"remarkedHercules,balancinghisclubonthetipofhisfinger,"perhapsIshallfindmeanstopersuadehim!"

ThankingtheOldManoftheSea,andbegginghispardonforhavingsqueezedhimsoroughly,theheroresumedhisjourney.Hemetwithagreatmanystrangeadventures,whichwouldbewellworthyourhearing,ifIhadleisuretonarratethemasminutelyastheydeserve.

Itwas in this journey, if Imistakenot, thatheencounteredaprodigiousgiant,whowas sowonderfully contrived by nature, that, every time he touched theearth,hebecametentimesasstrongaseverhehadbeenbefore.HisnamewasAntæus.Youmay see, plainly enough, that itwas a very difficult business tofightwithsuchafellow;for,asoftenashegotaknock-downblow,uphestartedagain,stronger,fiercer,andablertousehisweapons,thanifhisenemyhadlethimalone.Thus,theharderHerculespoundedthegiantwithhisclub,thefurtherheseemedfromwinningthevictory.Ihavesometimesarguedwithsuchpeople,butneverfoughtwithone.TheonlywayinwhichHerculesfounditpossibletofinish thebattle,wasby liftingAntæusoffhis feet into theair,andsqueezing,andsqueezing,andsqueezinghim,until,finally,thestrengthwasquitesqueezedoutofhisenormousbody.

When this affairwas finished,Hercules continuedhis travels, andwent to thelandofEgypt,wherehewastakenprisoner,andwouldhavebeenputtodeath,ifhehadnotslain thekingof thecountry,andmadehisescape.PassingthroughthedesertsofAfrica,andgoingasfastashecould,hearrivedatlastontheshore

ofthegreatocean.Andhere,unlesshecouldwalkonthecrestsofthebillows,itseemedasifhisjourneymustneedsbeatanend.

Nothing was before him, save the foaming, dashing, measureless ocean. But,suddenly,ashelookedtowardsthehorizon,hesawsomething,agreatwayoff,whichhehadnot seen themomentbefore. Itgleamedverybrightly,almostasyoumayhavebeheldtheround,goldendiskofthesun,whenitrisesorsetsoverthe edge of the world. It evidently drew nearer; for, at every instant, thiswonderful object became larger andmore lustrous. At length, it had come sonighthatHerculesdiscoveredit tobeanimmensecuporbowl,madeeitherofgoldorburnishedbrass.HowithadgotafloatupontheseaismorethanIcantell you. There it was, at all events, rolling on the tumultuous billows,whichtosseditupanddown,andheavedtheirfoamytopsagainstitssides,butwithouteverthrowingtheirsprayoverthebrim.

"I have seenmany giants, inmy time," thoughtHercules, "but never one thatwouldneedtodrinkhiswineoutofacuplikethis!"

And,trueenough,whatacupitmusthavebeen!Itwasaslarge—aslarge—but,in short, I am afraid to say how immeasurably large it was. To speak withinbounds, itwas ten times larger than a greatmill-wheel; and, all ofmetal as itwas,itfloatedovertheheavingsurgesmorelightlythananacorn-cupadownthebrook.Thewavestumbleditonward,untilitgrazedagainsttheshore,withinashortdistanceofthespotwhereHerculeswasstanding.

As soonas thishappened,heknewwhatwas tobedone; forhehadnotgonethrough so many remarkable adventures without learning pretty well how toconduct himself, whenever anything came to pass a little out of the commonrule.Itwasjustasclearasdaylightthatthismarvellouscuphadbeensetadriftbysomeunseenpower,andguidedhitherward,inordertocarryHerculesacrossthe sea, on his way to the garden of the Hesperides. Accordingly, without amoment'sdelay,heclamberedoverthebrim,andsliddownontheinside,where,spreadingouthislion'sskin,heproceededtotakealittlerepose.Hehadscarcelyrested, until now, since he bade farewell to the damsels on themargin of theriver. The waves dashed, with a pleasant and ringing sound, against thecircumferenceofthehollowcup;itrockedlightlytoandfro,andthemotionwassosoothingthatitspeedilyrockedHerculesintoanagreeableslumber.

Hisnaphadprobablylastedagoodwhile,whenthecupchancedtograzeagainstarock,and,inconsequence,immediatelyresoundedandreverberatedthroughits

golden or brazen substance, a hundred times as loudly as ever you heard achurch-bell. The noise awoke Hercules, who instantly started up and gazedaroundhim,wonderingwhereaboutshewas.Hewasnotlongindiscoveringthatthecuphadfloatedacrossagreatpartofthesea,andwasapproachingtheshoreofwhatseemedtobeanisland.And,onthatisland,whatdoyouthinkhesaw?

No; you will never guess it, not if you were to try fifty thousand times! Itpositively appears tome that thiswas themostmarvellous spectacle that hadever been seen byHercules, in thewhole course of hiswonderful travels andadventures.Itwasagreatermarvelthanthehydrawithnineheads,whichkeptgrowing twice as fast as they were cut off; greater than the six-legged man-monster; greater than Antæus; greater than anything that was ever beheld byanybody,beforeorsincethedaysofHercules,orthananythingthatremainstobebeheld,bytravellersinalltimetocome.Itwasagiant!

Butsuchanintolerablybiggiant!Agiantastallasamountain;sovastagiant,thatthecloudsrestedabouthismidst,likeagirdle,andhunglikeahoarybeardfrom his chin, and flitted before his huge eyes, so that he could neither seeHerculesnorthegoldencupinwhichhewasvoyaging.And,mostwonderfulofall,thegianthelduphisgreathandsandappearedtosupportthesky,which,sofarasHerculescoulddiscernthroughtheclouds,wasrestinguponhishead!Thisdoesreallyseemalmosttoomuchtobelieve.

Meanwhile, the bright cup continued to float onward, and finally touched thestrand.Justthenabreezewaftedawaythecloudsfrombeforethegiant'svisage,andHerculesbeheldit,withallitsenormousfeatures;eyeseachofthemasbigas yonder lake, a nose amile long, and amouth of the samewidth. Itwas acountenanceterriblefromitsenormityofsize,butdisconsolateandweary,evenas you may see the faces of many people, nowadays, who are compelled tosustainburdensabovetheirstrength.Whattheskywastothegiant,sucharethecares of earth to those who let themselves be weighed down by them. Andwhenevermenundertakewhatisbeyondthejustmeasureoftheirabilities,theyencounterpreciselysuchadoomashadbefallenthispoorgiant.

Poor fellow!Hehadevidently stood therea longwhile.Anancient foresthadbeen growing and decaying around his feet; and oak-trees, of six or sevencenturies old, had sprung from the acorn, and forced themselves between histoes.

Thegiantnowlookeddownfromthefarheightofhisgreateyes,and,perceiving

Hercules, roared out, in a voice that resembled thunder, proceedingout of thecloudthathadjustflittedawayfromhisface.

"Whoareyou,downatmyfeet there?Andwhencedoyoucome, in that littlecup?"

"I amHercules!" thunderedback thehero, in avoiceprettynearlyorquite asloudasthegiant'sown."AndIamseekingforthegardenoftheHesperides!"

"Ho! ho! ho!" roared the giant, in a fit of immense laughter. "That is a wiseadventure,truly!"

"Andwhynot?" criedHercules, gettinga little angry at thegiant'smirth. "DoyouthinkIamafraidofthedragonwithahundredheads!"

Justat this time,while theywere talking together, someblackcloudsgatheredabout the giant's middle, and burst into a tremendous storm of thunder andlightning,causingsuchapotherthatHerculesfounditimpossibletodistinguishaword.Onlythegiant'simmeasurablelegsweretobeseen,standingupintotheobscurityofthetempest;and,nowandthen,amomentaryglimpseofhiswholefigure,mantledinavolumeofmist.Heseemedtobespeaking,mostofthetime;buthisbig,deep,roughvoicechimedinwiththereverberationsofthethunder-claps,androlledawayoverthehills,likethem.Thus,bytalkingoutofseason,thefoolishgiantexpendedanincalculablequantityofbreath,tonopurpose;forthethunderspokequiteasintelligiblyashe.

Atlast,thestormsweptover,assuddenlyasithadcome.Andthereagainwasthe clear sky, and the weary giant holding it up, and the pleasant sunshinebeamingoverhisvastheight,andilluminatingitagainstthebackgroundofthesullenthunderclouds.Sofarabovetheshowerhadbeenhishead,thatnotahairofitwasmoistenedbytherain-drops!

WhenthegiantcouldseeHerculesstillstandingonthesea-shore,heroaredouttohimanew.

"IamAtlas,themightiestgiantintheworld!AndIholdtheskyuponmyhead!"

"SoIsee,"answeredHercules."But,canyoushowmethewaytothegardenoftheHesperides?"

"Whatdoyouwantthere?"askedthegiant.

"Iwantthreeofthegoldenapples,"shoutedHercules,"formycousin,theking."

"Thereisnobodybutmyself,"quoththegiant,"thatcangotothegardenoftheHesperides,andgatherthegoldenapples.Ifitwerenotforthislittlebusinessofholdingupthesky,Iwouldmakehalfadozenstepsacrossthesea,andgetthemforyou."

"You are very kind," replied Hercules. "And cannot you rest the sky upon amountain?"

"Noneofthemarequitehighenough,"saidAtlas,shakinghishead."But,ifyouweretotakeyourstandonthesummitofthatnearestone,yourheadwouldbeprettynearlyona levelwithmine.Youseem tobea fellowof somestrength.Whatifyoushouldtakemyburdenonyourshoulders,whileIdoyourerrandforyou?"

Hercules, as youmust be careful to remember,was a remarkably strongman;andthoughitcertainlyrequiresagreatdealofmuscularpowertoupholdthesky,yet,ifanymortalcouldbesupposedcapableofsuchanexploit,hewastheone.Nevertheless,itseemedsodifficultanundertaking,that,forthefirsttimeinhislife,hehesitated.

"Istheskyveryheavy?"heinquired.

"Why,notparticularlyso,atfirst,"answeredthegiant,shrugginghisshoulders."Butitgetstobealittleburdensome,afterathousandyears!"

"And how long a time," asked the hero, "will it take you to get the goldenapples?"

"Oh,thatwillbedoneinafewmoments,"criedAtlas."Ishalltaketenorfifteenmiles at a stride, and be at the garden and back again before your shouldersbegintoache."

"Well, then,"answeredHercules, "Iwill climb themountainbehindyou there,andrelieveyouofyourburden."

Thetruthis,Herculeshadakindheartofhisown,andconsideredthatheshouldbedoingthegiantafavor,byallowinghimthisopportunityforaramble.And,besides,hethoughtthatitwouldbestillmoreforhisownglory,ifhecouldboastof upholding the sky, than merely to do so ordinary a thing as to conquer adragonwith a hundred heads. Accordingly, without more words, the sky was

shiftedfromtheshouldersofAtlas,andplaceduponthoseofHercules.

When this was safely accomplished, the first thing that the giant did was tostretchhimself;andyoumayimaginewhataprodigiousspectaclehewasthen.Next,heslowlyliftedoneofhisfeetoutoftheforestthathadgrownuparoundit;then,theother.Then,allatonce,hebegantocaper,andleap,anddance,forjoy at his freedom; flinging himself nobodyknows howhigh into the air, andfloundering down again with a shock that made the earth tremble. Then helaughed—Ho! ho! ho!—with a thunderous roar that was echoed from themountains, far and near, as if they and the giant had been somany rejoicingbrothers.Whenhisjoyhadalittlesubsided,hesteppedintothesea;tenmilesatthe first stride, which brought himmidleg deep; and tenmiles at the second,when thewatercame justabovehisknees;and tenmilesmoreat the third,bywhichhewas immersednearly tohiswaist.Thiswas thegreatestdepthof thesea.

Herculeswatchedthegiant,ashestillwentonward;foritwasreallyawonderfulsight, this immensehumanform,more than thirtymilesoff,halfhidden in theocean,butwithhisupperhalfastall,andmisty,andblue,asadistantmountain.Atlastthegiganticshapefadedentirelyoutofview.AndnowHerculesbegantoconsiderwhatheshoulddo,incaseAtlasshouldbedrownedinthesea,orifheweretobestungtodeathbythedragonwiththehundredheads,whichguardedthegoldenapplesoftheHesperides.Ifanysuchmisfortuneweretohappen,howcouldheevergetridofthesky?And,bytheby,itsweightbeganalreadytobealittleirksometohisheadandshoulders.

"Ireallypitythepoorgiant,"thoughtHercules."Ifitweariesmesomuchintenminutes,howmustithaveweariedhiminathousandyears!"

Omysweetlittlepeople,youhavenoideawhataweighttherewasinthatsamebluesky,whichlookssosoftandaerialaboveourheads!Andthere,too,wasthebluster of the wind, and the chill andwatery clouds, and the blazing sun, alltaking their turns tomakeHerculesuncomfortable!Hebegan tobeafraid thatthegiantwouldnevercomeback.Hegazedwistfullyattheworldbeneathhim,and acknowledged to himself that it was a far happier kind of life to be ashepherdatthefootofamountain,thantostandonitsdizzysummit,andbearup the firmamentwith hismight andmain. For, of course, as youwill easilyunderstand,Hercules had an immense responsibility on hismind, aswell as aweightonhisheadand shoulders.Why, ifhedidnot standperfectly still, andkeeptheskyimmovable,thesunwouldperhapsbeputajar!Or,afternightfall,agreatmanyofthestarsmightbeloosenedfromtheirplaces,andshowerdown,likefieryrain,uponthepeople'sheads!Andhowashamedwouldtheherobe,if,owingtohisunsteadinessbeneathitsweight,theskyshouldcrack,andshowagreatfissurequiteacrossit!

Iknownothowlongitwasbefore, tohisunspeakablejoy,hebeheldthehugeshape of the giant, like a cloud, on the far-off edge of the sea. At his nearerapproach, Atlas held up his hand, in which Hercules could perceive threemagnificentgoldenapples,asbigaspumpkins,allhangingfromonebranch.

"I am glad to see you again," shouted Hercules, when the giant was withinhearing."Soyouhavegotthegoldenapples?"

"Certainly,certainly,"answeredAtlas;"andveryfairapplestheyare.Itookthefinestthatgrewonthetree,Iassureyou.Ah!itisabeautifulspot,thatgardenoftheHesperides.Yes;andthedragonwithahundredheads isasightworthany

man'sseeing.Afterall,youhadbetterhavegonefortheapplesyourself."

"Nomatter,"repliedHercules."Youhavehadapleasantramble,andhavedonethebusinessaswellasIcould.Iheartilythankyouforyourtrouble.Andnow,asIhavealongwaytogo,andamratherinhaste,—andastheking,mycousin,isanxioustoreceivethegoldenapples,—willyoubekindenoughtotaketheskyoffmyshouldersagain?"

"Why,astothat,"saidthegiant,chuckingthegoldenapplesintotheairtwentymileshigh,or thereaboutsandcatchingthemas theycamedown,—"asto that,mygoodfriend,Iconsideryoualittleunreasonable.CannotIcarrythegoldenapplestotheking,yourcousin,muchquickerthanyoucould?Ashismajestyisin such a hurry to get them, I promise you to take my longest strides. And,besides,Ihavenofancyforburdeningmyselfwiththesky,justnow."

HereHerculesgrewimpatient,andgaveagreatshrugofhisshoulders.Itbeingnowtwilight,youmighthaveseentwoorthreestarstumbleoutoftheirplaces.Everybody on earth looked upward in affright, thinking that the skymight begoingtofallnext.

"Oh,thatwillneverdo!"criedGiantAtlas,withagreatroaroflaughter."Ihavenot let fall somany starswithin the last five centuries.By the time you havestoodthereaslongasIdid,youwillbegintolearnpatience!"

"What!"shoutedHercules,verywrathfully,"doyouintendtomakemebearthisburdenforever?"

"Wewillseeaboutthat,oneofthesedays,"answeredthegiant."Atallevents,you ought not to complain, if you have to bear it the next hundred years, orperhaps thenext thousand. I bore it agoodwhile longer, in spiteof theback-ache.Well,then,afterathousandyears,ifIhappentofeelinthemood,wemaypossiblyshiftaboutagain.Youarecertainlyaverystrongman,andcanneverhaveabetteropportunitytoproveit.Posteritywilltalkofyou,Iwarrantit!"

"Pish!afigforitstalk!"criedHercules,withanotherhitchofhisshoulders."Justtaketheskyuponyourheadoneinstant,willyou?Iwanttomakeacushionofmy lion's skin, for theweight to restupon. It reallychafesme,andwill causeunnecessaryinconvenienceinsomanycenturiesasIamtostandhere."

"That'snomorethanfair,andI'lldoit!"quoththegiant;forhehadnounkindfeelingtowardsHercules,andwasmerelyactingwithatooselfishconsideration

ofhisownease."Forjustfiveminutes,then,I'lltakebackthesky.Onlyforfiveminutes,recollect!IhavenoideaofspendinganotherthousandyearsasIspentthelast.Varietyisthespiceoflife,sayI."

Ah,thethick-wittedoldrogueofagiant!Hethrewdownthegoldenapples,andreceivedbackthesky,fromtheheadandshouldersofHercules,uponhisown,whereitrightlybelonged.AndHerculespickedupthethreegoldenapples,thatwere as big or bigger than pumpkins, and straightway set out on his journeyhomeward,withoutpayingtheslightestheedtothethunderingtonesofthegiant,whobellowedafterhimtocomeback.Anotherforestspranguparoundhisfeet,and grew ancient there; and again might be seen oak-trees, of six or sevencenturiesold,thathadwaxedthusagedbetwixthisenormoustoes.

Andtherestandsthegianttothisday;or,atanyrate,therestandsamountainastall as he, andwhichbears his name; andwhen the thunder rumbles about itssummit, we may imagine it to be the voice of Giant Atlas, bellowing afterHercules!

TanglewoodFireside

AftertheStory

"Cousin Eustace," demanded Sweet Fern, who had been sitting at the story-teller'sfeet,withhismouthwideopen,"exactlyhowtallwasthisgiant?"

"O Sweet Fern, Sweet Fern!" cried the student, "do you think Iwas there, tomeasure himwith a yard-stick?Well, if youmust know to a hair's-breadth, Isuppose hemight be from three to fifteenmiles straight upward, and that hemight have seated himself on Taconic, and had Monument Mountain for afootstool."

"Dearme!"ejaculatedthegoodlittleboy,withacontentedsortofagrunt,"thatwasagiant,sureenough!Andhowlongwashislittlefinger?"

"AslongasfromTanglewoodtothelake,"saidEustace.

"Sure enough, that was a giant!" repeated Sweet Fern, in an ecstasy at theprecisionofthesemeasurements."Andhowbroad,Iwonder,weretheshouldersofHercules?"

"ThatiswhatIhaveneverbeenabletofindout,"answeredthestudent."ButI

thinktheymusthavebeenagreatdealbroaderthanmine,orthanyourfather's,orthanalmostanyshoulderswhichoneseesnowadays."

"Iwish,"whisperedSweetFern,withhismouthclosetothestudent'sear,"thatyouwould tellmehowbigwere someof theoak-trees thatgrewbetween thegiant'stoes."

"They were bigger," said Eustace, "than the great chestnut-tree which standsbeyondCaptainSmith'shouse."

"Eustace,"remarkedMr.Pringle,aftersomedeliberation,"Ifinditimpossibletoexpresssuchanopinionofthisstoryaswillbelikelytogratify,inthesmallestdegree,yourprideofauthorship.Prayletmeadviseyounevermoretomeddlewithaclassicalmyth.YourimaginationisaltogetherGothic,andwillinevitablyGothicizeeverythingthatyoutouch.Theeffectislikebedaubingamarblestatuewith paint. This giant, now! How can you have ventured to thrust his huge,disproportionedmassamongtheseemlyoutlinesofGrecianfable,thetendencyof which is to reduce even the extravagant within limits, by its pervadingelegance?"

"Idescribedthegiantasheappearedtome,"repliedthestudent,ratherpiqued."And, sir, if you would only bring yourmind into such a relation with thesefablesas isnecessary inorder toremodel them,youwouldseeatonce thatanoldGreekhadnomoreexclusiverighttothemthanamodernYankeehas.Theyare the common property of the world, and of all time. The ancient poetsremodelled them at pleasure, and held them plastic in their hands; and whyshouldtheynotbeplasticinmyhandsaswell?"

Mr.Pringlecouldnotforbearasmile.

"Andbesides," continuedEustace, "themoment you put anywarmth of heart,anypassionoraffection,anyhumanordivinemorality,intoaclassicmould,youmakeitquiteanotherthingfromwhatitwasbefore.Myownopinionis,thattheGreeks, by taking possession of these legends (which were the immemorialbirthright of mankind), and putting them into shapes of indestructible beauty,indeed, but cold and heartless, have done all subsequent ages an incalculableinjury."

"Which you, doubtless, were born to remedy," said Mr. Pringle, laughingoutright. "Well, well, go on; but take my advice, and never put any of yourtravestiesonpaper.And,asyournexteffort,whatifyoushouldtryyourhandon

someoneofthelegendsofApollo?"

"Ah, sir, you propose it as an impossibility," observed the student, after amoment's meditation; "and, to be sure, at first thought, the idea of a GothicApollostrikesoneratherludicrously.ButIwillturnoveryoursuggestioninmymind,anddonotquitedespairofsuccess."

Duringtheabovediscussion,thechildren(whounderstoodnotawordofit)hadgrown very sleepy, and were now sent off to bed. Their drowsy babble washeard,ascendingthestaircase,whileanorthwest-windroaredloudlyamongthetree-topsofTanglewood,andplayedananthemaroundthehouse.EustaceBrightwentback to thestudy,andagainendeavored tohammeroutsomeverses,butfellasleepbetweentwooftherhymes.

THEMIRACULOUSPITCHER

TheHill-Side

Introductoryto"TheMiraculousPitcher"

Andwhen,andwhere,doyouthinkwefindthechildrennext?Nolongerinthewinter-time, but in themerrymonth ofMay. No longer in Tanglewood play-room,oratTanglewoodfireside,butmorethanhalf-wayupamonstroushill,oramountain,asperhapsitwouldbebetterpleasedtohaveuscallit.Theyhadsetout fromhomewith themightypurposeofclimbing thishighhill,even to theverytip-topofitsbaldhead.Tobesure,itwasnotquitesohighasChimborazo,orMontBlanc,andwasevenagooddeallowerthanoldGraylock.But,atanyrate,itwashigherthanathousandant-hillocks,oramillionofmole-hills;and,whenmeasuredbytheshortstridesoflittlechildren,mightbereckonedaveryrespectablemountain.

AndwasCousinEustacewiththeparty?Ofthatyoumaybecertain;elsehowcould the bookgoon a step further?Hewas now in themiddle of the springvacation,andlookedprettymuchaswesawhimfourorfivemonthsago,exceptthat, ifyougazedquitecloselyathisupper lip,youcoulddiscern the funniestlittlebitofamustacheuponit.Settingasidethismarkofmaturemanhood,youmight have considered Cousin Eustace just as much a boy as when you firstbecameacquaintedwithhim.Hewasasmerry,asplayful,asgood-humored,aslightoffootandofspirits,andequallyafavoritewiththelittlefolks,ashehadalwaysbeen.This expeditionup themountainwas entirelyofhis contrivance.All thewayup thesteepascent,hehadencouraged theelderchildrenwithhischeerfulvoice;andwhenDandelion,Cowslip,andSquash-Blossomgrewweary,he had lugged them along, alternately, on his back. In this manner, they hadpassedthroughtheorchardsandpasturesonthelowerpartof thehill,andhadreachedthewood,whichextendsthencetowardsitsbaresummit.

ThemonthofMay,thusfar,hadbeenmoreamiablethanitoftenis,andthiswasas sweet and genial a day as the heart of man or child could wish. In theirprogress up the hill, the small people had found enough of violets, blue andwhite,andsomethatwereasgoldenasiftheyhadthetouchofMidasonthem.

Thatsociablestofflowers,thelittleHoustonia,wasveryabundant.Itisaflowerthat never lives alone, but which loves its own kind, and is always fond ofdwellingwithagreatmanyfriendsandrelativesaroundit.Sometimesyouseeafamily of them, covering a space no bigger than the palm of your hand; andsometimes a large community, whitening a whole tract of pasture, and allkeepingoneanotherincheerfulheartandlife.

Within the verge of thewood therewere columbines, lookingmore pale thanred,becausetheyweresomodest,andhadthoughtpropertosecludethemselvestoo anxiously from the sun. There were wild geraniums, too, and a thousandwhiteblossomsof thestrawberry.The trailingarbutuswasnotyetquiteoutofbloom;butithiditspreciousflowersunderthelastyear'switheredforest-leaves,ascarefullyasamother-birdhidesitslittleyoungones.Itknew,Isuppose,howbeautifulandsweet-scented theywere.Socunningwas theirconcealment, thatthechildrensometimessmeltthedelicaterichnessoftheirperfumebeforetheyknewwhenceitproceeded.

Amidsomuchnewlife,itwasstrangeandtrulypitifultobehold,hereandthere,inthefieldsandpastures,thehoaryperiwigsofdandelionsthathadalreadygoneto seed. They had done with summer before the summer came.Within thosesmallglobesofwingedseedsitwasautumnnow!

Well, butwemustnotwasteourvaluablepageswith anymore talk about thespring-timeandwildflowers.Thereissomething,wehope,moreinterestingtobe talked about. If you look at the group of children, you may see them allgatheredaroundEustaceBright,who,sittingonthestumpofatree,seemstobejustbeginningastory.Thefactis,theyoungerpartofthetroophavefoundoutthatittakesrathertoomanyoftheirshortstridestomeasurethelongascentofthe hill.CousinEustace, therefore, has decided to leaveSweet Fern,Cowslip,Squash-Blossom,andDandelion,atthispoint,midwayup,untilthereturnoftherestofthepartyfromthesummit.Andbecausetheycomplainalittle,anddonotquite like to stay behind, he gives them some apples out of his pocket, andproposestotellthemaveryprettystory.Hereupontheybrightenup,andchangetheirgrievedlooksintothebroadestkindofsmiles.

Asforthestory,Iwastheretohearit,hiddenbehindabush,andshalltellitovertoyouinthepagesthatcomenext.

TheMiraculousPitcher

Oneevening,intimeslongago,oldPhilemonandhisoldwifeBaucissatattheircottage-door, enjoying the calm and beautiful sunset. They had already eatentheir frugal supper, and intended now to spend a quiet hour or two beforebedtime. So they talked together about their garden, and their cow, and theirbees,andtheirgrapevine,whichclamberedoverthecottage-wall,andonwhichthegrapeswerebeginningtoturnpurple.Buttherudeshoutsofchildren,andthefiercebarkingofdogs,inthevillagenearathand,grewlouderandlouder,until,atlast,itwashardlypossibleforBaucisandPhilemontoheareachotherspeak.

"Ah, wife," cried Philemon, "I fear some poor traveller is seeking hospitalityamongourneighborsyonder,and,insteadofgivinghimfoodandlodging,theyhavesettheirdogsathim,astheircustomis!"

"Well-a-day!"answeredoldBaucis, "Idowishourneighbors felt a littlemorekindnessfortheirfellow-creatures.Andonlythinkofbringinguptheirchildrenin this naughty way, and patting them on the head when they fling stones atstrangers!"

"Thosechildrenwillnevercometoanygood,"saidPhilemon,shakinghiswhitehead."Totellyouthetruth,wife,Ishouldnotwonderifsometerriblethingweretohappentoallthepeopleinthevillage,unlesstheymendtheirmanners.But,asforyouandme,solongasProvidenceaffordsusacrustofbread,letusbereadytogivehalftoanypoor,homelessstranger,thatmaycomealongandneedit."

"That'sright,husband!"saidBaucis."Sowewill!"

Theseoldfolks,youmustknow,werequitepoor,andhadtoworkprettyhardforaliving.OldPhilemontoileddiligentlyinhisgarden,whileBauciswasalwaysbusywithherdistaff,ormakingalittlebutterandcheesewiththeircow'smilk,or doing one thing and another about the cottage. Their food was seldomanything but bread, milk, and vegetables, with sometimes a portion of honeyfromtheirbeehive,andnowandthenabunchofgrapes,thathadripenedagainstthecottagewall.Buttheyweretwoofthekindestoldpeopleintheworld,andwouldcheerfullyhavegonewithouttheirdinners,anyday,ratherthanrefuseaslice of their brown loaf, a cup of newmilk, and a spoonful of honey, to theweary travellerwhomightpausebefore their door.They felt as if suchguestshad a sort of holiness, and that they ought, therefore, to treat thembetter andmorebountifullythantheirownselves.

Their cottage stood on a rising ground, at some short distance from a village,whichlayinahollowvalley,thatwasabouthalfamileinbreadth.Thisvalley,

in past ages, when the world was new, had probably been the bed of a lake.There, fishes hadglided to and fro in the depths, andwater-weeds hadgrownalongthemargin,andtreesandhillshadseentheirreflectedimagesinthebroadandpeacefulmirror.But,asthewaterssubsided,menhadcultivatedthesoil,andbuilt houses on it, so that itwas now a fertile spot, and bore no traces of theancientlake,exceptaverysmallbrook,whichmeanderedthroughthemidstofthevillage,andsuppliedtheinhabitantswithwater.Thevalleyhadbeendrylandsolong, thatoakshadsprungup,andgrowngreatandhigh,andperishedwitholdage,andbeensucceededbyothers,astallandstatelyasthefirst.Neverwasthereaprettierormorefruitfulvalley.Theverysightoftheplentyaroundthemshould have made the inhabitants kind and gentle, and ready to show theirgratitudetoProvidencebydoinggoodtotheirfellow-creatures.

But,we are sorry to say, the people of this lovely villagewere notworthy todwellinaspotonwhichHeavenhadsmiledsobeneficently.Theywereaveryselfishandhard-heartedpeople,andhadnopityforthepoor,norsympathywiththehomeless.Theywouldonlyhavelaughed,hadanybodytoldthemthathumanbeingsoweadebtof love tooneanother,because there isnoothermethodofpaying thedebt of love and carewhich all of usowe toProvidence.Youwillhardlybelievewhat I amgoing to tell you.Thesenaughtypeople taught theirchildrentobenobetterthanthemselves,andusedtoclaptheirhands,bywayofencouragement, when they saw the little boys and girls run after some poorstranger,shoutingathisheels,andpeltinghimwithstones.Theykeptlargeandfierce dogs, andwhenever a traveller ventured to show himself in the villagestreet,thispackofdisagreeablecursscamperedtomeethim,barking,snarling,andshowingtheirteeth.Thentheywouldseizehimbyhisleg,orbyhisclothes,just as it happened; and if hewere raggedwhen he came, hewas generally apitiableobjectbeforehehadtimetorunaway.Thiswasaveryterriblethingtopoortravellers,asyoumaysuppose,especiallywhentheychancedtobesick,orfeeble,orlame,orold.Suchpersons(iftheyonceknewhowbadlytheseunkindpeople,andtheirunkindchildrenandcurs,wereinthehabitofbehaving)wouldgomilesandmilesoutof theirway,rather than try topass throughthevillageagain.

Whatmadethematterseemworse,ifpossible,wasthatwhenrichpersonscameintheirchariots,orridingonbeautifulhorses,withtheirservantsinrichliveriesattending on them, nobody could be more civil and obsequious than theinhabitantsofthevillage.Theywouldtakeofftheirhats,andmakethehumblestbowsyoueversaw.Ifthechildrenwererude,theywereprettycertaintogettheir

earsboxed;andasforthedogs,ifasinglecurinthepackpresumedtoyelp,hismasterinstantlybeathimwithaclub,andtiedhimupwithoutanysupper.Thiswouldhavebeenallverywell,onlyitprovedthatthevillagerscaredmuchaboutthemoneythatastrangerhadinhispocket,andnothingwhateverforthehumansoul,whichlivesequallyinthebeggarandtheprince.

SonowyoucanunderstandwhyoldPhilemon spoke so sorrowfully,whenheheard the shouts of the children and the barking of the dogs, at the fartherextremityof thevillage street.Therewasa confuseddin,which lastedagoodwhile,andseemedtopassquitethroughthebreadthofthevalley.

"Ineverheardthedogssoloud!"observedthegoodoldman.

"Northechildrensorude!"answeredhisgoodoldwife.

They sat shaking their heads, one to another,while thenoise camenearer andnearer;until,atthefootofthelittleeminenceonwhichtheircottagestood,theysawtwotravellersapproachingonfoot.Closebehindthemcamethefiercedogs,snarlingattheirveryheels.Alittlefartheroff,ranacrowdofchildren,whosentupshrillcries,andflungstonesatthetwostrangers,withalltheirmight.Onceortwice, the younger of the twomen (he was a slender and very active figure)turnedaboutanddrovebackthedogswithastaffwhichhecarriedinhishand.His companion, who was a very tall person, walked calmly along, as ifdisdaining to notice either the naughty children, or the pack of curs, whosemannersthechildrenseemedtoimitate.

Bothof the travellerswereveryhumblyclad, and lookedas if theymightnothavemoneyenoughintheirpocketstopayforanight'slodging.Andthis,Iamafraid,wasthereasonwhythevillagershadallowedtheirchildrenanddogstotreatthemsorudely.

"Come,wife,"saidPhilemontoBaucis,"letusgoandmeetthesepoorpeople.Nodoubt,theyfeelalmosttooheavy-heartedtoclimbthehill."

"Goyouandmeet them,"answeredBaucis, "while Imakehastewithindoors,and seewhetherwe canget themanything for supper.A comfortable bowl ofbreadandmilkwoulddowonderstowardsraisingtheirspirits."

Accordingly,shehastenedintothecottage.Philemon,onhispart,wentforward,and extended his handwith so hospitable an aspect that therewas no need ofsayingwhatneverthelesshedidsay,intheheartiesttoneimaginable,—

"Welcome,strangers!welcome!"

"Thank you!" replied the younger of the two, in a lively kind of way,notwithstandinghiswearinessand trouble. "This isquiteanothergreeting thanwe havemetwith yonder in the village. Pray,why do you live in such a badneighborhood?"

"Ah!" observedoldPhilemon,with a quiet andbenign smile, "Providenceputme here, I hope, among other reasons, in order that I may make you whatamendsIcanfortheinhospitalityofmyneighbors."

"Well said,old father!" cried the traveller, laughing; "and, if the truthmustbetold,my companion andmyself need some amends. Those children (the littlerascals!)havebespatteredusfinelywiththeirmud-balls;andoneofthecurshastorn my cloak, which was ragged enough already. But I took him across themuzzlewithmystaff;andI thinkyoumayhaveheardhimyelp,eventhusfaroff."

Philemonwasgladtoseehiminsuchgoodspirits;nor,indeed,wouldyouhavefancied,bythetraveller'slookandmanner,thathewaswearywithalongday'sjourney,besidesbeingdisheartenedbyroughtreatmentattheendofit.Hewasdressedinratheranoddway,withasortofcaponhishead,thebrimofwhichstuck out over both ears. Though it was a summer evening, hewore a cloak,which he kept wrapt closely about him, perhaps because his under garmentswereshabby.Philemonperceived, too, thathehadonasingularpairofshoes;but, as itwas nowgrowingdusk, and as the oldman's eyesightwas none thesharpest,hecouldnotpreciselytellinwhatthestrangenessconsisted.Onething,certainly,seemedqueer.Thetravellerwassowonderfullylightandactive,thatitappearedasifhisfeetsometimesrosefromthegroundoftheirownaccord,orcouldonlybekeptdownbyaneffort.

"Iused tobe light-footed, inmyyouth," saidPhilemon to the traveller. "But Ialwaysfoundmyfeetgrowheaviertowardsnightfall."

"There is nothing like a good staff to help one along," answered the stranger;"andIhappentohaveanexcellentone,asyousee."

Thisstaff,infact,wastheoddest-lookingstaffthatPhilemonhadeverbeheld.Itwasmadeofolivewood,andhadsomething likea littlepairofwingsnear thetop.Two snakes, carved in thewood,were represented as twining themselvesabout the staff, andwere so very skilfully executed that oldPhilemon (whose

eyes,youknow,weregettingratherdim)almostthoughtthemalive,andthathecouldseethemwrigglingandtwisting.

"Acuriouspieceofwork,sureenough!"saidhe."Astaffwithwings!Itwouldbeanexcellentkindofstickforalittleboytorideastrideof!"

Bythistime,Philemonandhistwoguestshadreachedthecottagedoor.

"Friends," said theoldman, "sit downand rest yourselveshereon thisbench.MygoodwifeBaucishasgonetoseewhatyoucanhaveforsupper.Wearepoorfolks;butyoushallbewelcometowhateverwehaveinthecupboard."

Theyoungerstrangerthrewhimselfcarelesslyonthebench,lettinghisstafffall,as he did so.And here happened something rathermarvellous, though triflingenough,too.Thestaffseemedtogetupfromthegroundofitsownaccord,and,spreading its little pair of wings, it half hopped, half flew, and leaned itselfagainstthewallofthecottage.Thereitstoodquitestill,exceptthatthesnakescontinued towriggle.But, inmyprivate opinion, oldPhilemon's eyesight hadbeenplayinghimtricksagain.

Beforehecouldaskanyquestions,theelderstrangerdrewhisattentionfromthewonderfulstaff,byspeakingtohim.

"Wastherenot,"askedthestranger,inaremarkablydeeptoneofvoice,"alake,inveryancienttimes,coveringthespotwherenowstandsyondervillage?"

"Notinmyday,friend,"answeredPhilemon;"andyetIamanoldman,asyousee.Therewerealwaysthefieldsandmeadows,justastheyarenow,andtheoldtrees,andthelittlestreammurmuringthroughthemidstofthevalley.Myfather,norhisfatherbeforehim,eversawitotherwise,sofarasIknow;anddoubtlessitwillstillbethesame,whenoldPhilemonshallbegoneandforgotten!"

"Thatismorethancanbesafelyforetold,"observedthestranger;andtherewassomethingverysterninhisdeepvoice.Heshookhishead,too,sothathisdarkand heavy curls were shaken with the movement. "Since the inhabitants ofyonder village have forgotten the affections and sympathies of their nature, itwerebetterthatthelakeshouldberipplingovertheirdwellingsagain!"

The traveller looked so stern, that Philemonwas really almost frightened; themore so, that, at his frown, the twilight seemed suddenly to grow darker, andthat,whenheshookhishead,therewasarollasofthunderintheair.

But,inamomentafterwards,thestranger'sfacebecamesokindlyandmildthattheoldmanquiteforgothis terror.Nevertheless,hecouldnothelpfeelingthatthiseldertravellermustbenoordinarypersonage,althoughhehappenednowtobe attired so humbly and to be journeyingon foot.Not thatPhilemon fanciedhim a prince in disguise, or any character of that sort; but rather someexceedinglywiseman,whowent about theworld in this poor garb, despisingwealth and all worldly objects, and seeking everywhere to add a mite to hiswisdom.Thisideaappearedthemoreprobable,because,whenPhilemonraisedhiseyestothestranger'sface,heseemedtoseemorethoughtthere,inonelook,thanhecouldhavestudiedoutinalifetime.

While Baucis was getting the supper, the travellers both began to talk verysociably with Philemon. The younger, indeed, was extremely loquacious, andmade such shrewdandwitty remarks, that thegoodoldmancontinuallyburstouta-laughing,andpronouncedhimthemerriestfellowwhomhehadseenformanyaday.

"Pray,myyoung friend," saidhe, as theygrew familiar together, "whatmay Icallyourname?"

"Why,Iamverynimble,asyousee,"answeredthetraveller."So,ifyoucallmeQuicksilver,thenamewillfittolerablywell."

"Quicksilver?Quicksilver?"repeatedPhilemon,lookinginthetraveller'sface,toseeifheweremakingfunofhim."Itisaveryoddname!Andyourcompanionthere?Hasheasstrangeaone?"

"You must ask the thunder to tell it you!" replied Quicksilver, putting on amysteriouslook."Noothervoiceisloudenough."

Thisremark,whetheritwereseriousorinjest,mighthavecausedPhilemontoconceiveaverygreataweoftheelderstranger,if,onventuringtogazeathim,hehadnotbeheldsomuchbeneficenceinhisvisage.But,undoubtedly,herewasthe grandest figure that ever sat so humbly beside a cottage door. When thestranger conversed, it waswith gravity, and in such away that Philemon feltirresistiblymoved to tell him everything which he hadmost at heart. This isalwaysthefeelingthatpeoplehave,whentheymeetwithanyonewiseenoughtocomprehendalltheirgoodandevil,andtodespisenotatittleofit.

But Philemon, simple and kind-hearted old man that he was, had not manysecretstodisclose.Hetalked,however,quitegarrulously,abouttheeventsofhis

pastlife,inthewholecourseofwhichhehadneverbeenascoreofmilesfromthisveryspot.HiswifeBaucisandhimselfhaddwelt inthecottagefromtheiryouth upward, earning their bread by honest labor, always poor, but stillcontented.HetoldwhatexcellentbutterandcheeseBaucismade,andhownicewere the vegetableswhich he raised in his garden.He said, too, that, becausetheylovedoneanothersoverymuch, itwas thewishofboth thatdeathmightnotseparatethem,butthattheyshoulddie,astheyhadlived,together.

As the stranger listened, a smile beamed over his countenance, and made itsexpressionassweetasitwasgrand.

"Youareagoodoldman,"saidhetoPhilemon,"andyouhaveagoodoldwifetobeyourhelpmeet.Itisfitthatyourwishbegranted."

AnditseemedtoPhilemon,just then,asif thesunsetcloudsthrewupabrightflashfromthewest,andkindledasuddenlightinthesky.

Baucis had now got supper ready, and, coming to the door, began to makeapologiesforthepoorfarewhichshewasforcedtosetbeforeherguests.

"Hadweknownyouwerecoming,"saidshe,"mygoodmanandmyselfwouldhavegonewithoutamorsel, rather thanyoushould lackabettersupper.But Itookthemostpartofto-day'smilktomakecheese;andourlastloafisalreadyhalf eaten. Ah me! I never feel the sorrow of being poor, save when a poortravellerknocksatourdoor."

"Allwillbeverywell;donottroubleyourself,mygooddame,"repliedtheelderstranger,kindly."Anhonest,heartywelcometoaguestworksmiracleswiththefare,andiscapableofturningthecoarsestfoodtonectarandambrosia."

"Awelcomeyoushallhave,"criedBaucis,"andlikewisealittlehoneythatwehappentohaveleft,andabunchofpurplegrapesbesides."

"Why, Mother Baucis, it is a feast!" exclaimed Quicksilver, laughing, "anabsolutefeast!andyoushallseehowbravelyIwillplaymypartatit!IthinkIneverfelthungrierinmylife."

"Mercyonus!"whisperedBaucistoherhusband."Iftheyoungmanhassuchaterribleappetite,Iamafraidtherewillnotbehalfenoughsupper!"

Theyallwentintothecottage.

Andnow,mylittleauditors,shallItellyousomethingthatwillmakeyouopenyoureyesverywide? It is reallyoneof theoddestcircumstances in thewholestory.Quicksilver'sstaff,yourecollect,hadset itselfupagainst thewallof thecottage. Well; when its master entered the door, leaving this wonderful staffbehind,whatshoulditdobutimmediatelyspreaditslittlewings,andgohoppingandflutteringupthedoorsteps!Tap,tap,wentthestaff,onthekitchenfloor;nordiditrestuntilithadstooditselfonend,withthegreatestgravityanddecorum,besideQuicksilver'schair.OldPhilemon,however,aswellashiswife,wassotakenupinattendingtotheirguests, thatnonoticewasgiventowhatthestaffhadbeenabout.

AsBaucishadsaid,therewasbutascantysupperfortwohungrytravellers.Inthemiddleofthetablewastheremnantofabrownloaf,withapieceofcheeseononesideofit,andadishofhoneycombontheother.Therewasaprettygoodbunch of grapes for each of the guests. A moderately sized earthen pitcher,nearly fullofmilk, stoodatacornerof theboard;andwhenBaucishad filledtwobowls,andsetthembeforethestrangers,onlyalittlemilkremainedinthebottomofthepitcher.Alas!itisaverysadbusiness,whenabountifulheartfindsitself pinched and squeezed among narrow circumstances. Poor Baucis keptwishing that she might starve for a week to come, if it were possible, by sodoing,toprovidethesehungryfolksamoreplentifulsupper.

And,sincethesupperwassoexceedinglysmall,shecouldnothelpwishingthattheirappetiteshadnotbeenquitesolarge.Why,attheirveryfirstsittingdown,thetravellersbothdrankoffallthemilkintheirtwobowls,atadraught.

"Alittlemoremilk,kindMotherBaucis, ifyouplease,"saidQuicksilver."Thedayhasbeenhot,andIamverymuchathirst."

"Now,mydearpeople,"answeredBaucis,ingreatconfusion,"Iamsosorryandashamed! But the truth is, there is hardly a dropmoremilk in the pitcher. Ohusband!husband!whydidn'twegowithoutoursupper?"

"Why,itappearstome,"criedQuicksilver,startingupfromtableandtakingthepitcherbythehandle,"itreallyappearstomethatmattersarenotquitesobadasyourepresentthem.Hereiscertainlymoremilkinthepitcher."

Sosaying,andtothevastastonishmentofBaucis,heproceededtofill,notonlyhisownbowl,buthiscompanion'slikewise,fromthepitcher,thatwassupposedtobealmostempty.Thegoodwomancouldscarcelybelievehereyes.Shehadcertainlypouredoutnearlyallthemilk,andhadpeepedinafterwards,andseen

thebottomofthepitcher,asshesetitdownuponthetable.

"ButIamold," thoughtBaucis toherself,"andapt tobeforgetful. IsupposeImusthavemadeamistake.At all events, thepitcher cannothelpbeingemptynow,afterfillingthebowlstwiceover."

"Whatexcellentmilk!"observedQuicksilver,afterquaffing thecontentsof thesecondbowl."Excuseme,mykindhostess,butImustreallyaskyouforalittlemore."

NowBaucishadseen,asplainlyasshecouldseeanything,thatQuicksilverhadturnedthepitcherupsidedown,andconsequentlyhadpouredouteverydropofmilk, in filling the last bowl.Of course, there could not possibly be any left.However, in order to let him knowprecisely how the casewas, she lifted thepitcher, and made a gesture as if pouring milk into Quicksilver's bowl, butwithout the remotest idea that any milk would stream forth. What was hersurprise,therefore,whensuchanabundantcascadefellbubblingintothebowl,that itwas immediately filled to thebrim,andoverflowedupon the table!Thetwo snakes thatwere twisted aboutQuicksilver's staff (but neitherBaucis norPhilemonhappenedtoobservethiscircumstance)stretchedouttheirheads,andbegantolapupthespiltmilk.

And thenwhat a delicious fragrance themilk had! It seemed as if Philemon'sonly cow must have pastured, that day, on the richest herbage that could befound anywhere in theworld. I onlywish that each of you,my beloved littlesouls,couldhaveabowlofsuchnicemilk,atsupper-time!

"Andnowasliceofyourbrownloaf,MotherBaucis,"saidQuicksilver,"andalittleofthathoney!"

Baucis cut him a slice, accordingly; and though the loaf, when she and herhusbandateofit,hadbeenrathertoodryandcrustytobepalatable,itwasnowaslightandmoistasifbutafewhoursoutoftheoven.Tastingacrumb,whichhadfallenonthetable,shefounditmoredeliciousthanbreadeverwasbefore,andcouldhardlybelievethatitwasaloafofherownkneadingandbaking.Yet,whatotherloafcoulditpossiblybe?

But,ohthehoney!Imayjustaswellletitalone,withouttryingtodescribehowexquisitely it smelt and looked. Its color was that of the purest and mosttransparentgold;andithadtheodorofathousandflowers;butofsuchflowersasnevergrewinanearthlygarden,andtoseekwhichthebeesmusthaveflown

highabovetheclouds.Thewonderis,that,afteralightingonaflower-bedofsodelicious fragrance and immortal bloom, they should have been content to flydown again to their hive in Philemon's garden.Neverwas such honey tasted,seen, or smelt. The perfume floated around the kitchen, and made it sodelightful,that,hadyouclosedyoureyes,youwouldinstantlyhaveforgottenthelow ceiling and smoky walls, and have fancied yourself in an arbor, withcelestialhoneysucklescreepingoverit.

AlthoughgoodMotherBauciswasasimpleolddame,shecouldnotbut thinkthat therewas something rather out of the commonway, in all that had beengoingon.So,afterhelpingthegueststobreadandhoney,andlayingabunchofgrapesbyeachoftheirplates,shesatdownbyPhilemon,andtoldhimwhatshehadseen,inawhisper.

"Didyoueverhearthelike?"askedshe.

"No,Ineverdid,"answeredPhilemon,withasmile."AndIratherthink,mydearoldwife,youhavebeenwalkingaboutinasortofadream.IfIhadpouredoutthemilk,Ishouldhaveseenthroughthebusinessatonce.Therehappenedtobealittlemoreinthepitcherthanyouthought,—thatisall."

"Ah, husband," said Baucis, "say what you will these are very uncommonpeople."

"Well,well," repliedPhilemon, still smiling, "perhaps theyare.Theycertainlydo look as if they had seen better days; and I am heartily glad to see themmakingsocomfortableasupper."

Each of the guests had now taken his bunch of grapes upon his plate.Baucis(whorubbedhereyes,inordertoseethemoreclearly)wasofopinionthattheclustershadgrownlargerandricher,andthateachseparategrapeseemedtobeonthepointofburstingwithripejuice.Itwasentirelyamysterytoherhowsuchgrapes could ever have been produced from the old stunted vine that climbedagainstthecottagewall.

"Veryadmirablegrapesthese!"observedQuicksilver,asheswallowedoneafteranother,withoutapparentlydiminishinghiscluster."Pray,mygoodhost,whencedidyougatherthem?"

"Frommy own vine," answered Philemon. "Youmay see one of its branchestwistingacrossthewindow,yonder.ButwifeandIneverthoughtthegrapesvery

fineones."

"Inevertastedbetter,"saidtheguest."Anothercupofthisdeliciousmilk,ifyouplease,andIshallthenhavesuppedbetterthanaprince."

This time,oldPhilemonbestirredhimself,and tookup thepitcher; forhewascurious todiscoverwhether therewasanyreality in themarvelswhichBaucishad whispered to him. He knew that his good old wife was incapable offalsehood,and that shewas seldommistaken inwhat she supposed tobe true;butthiswassoverysingularacase, thathewantedtoseeintoitwithhisowneyes.Ontakingupthepitcher, therefore,heslylypeepedintoit,andwasfullysatisfiedthatitcontainednotsomuchasasingledrop.Allatonce,however,hebeheldalittlewhitefountain,whichgushedupfromthebottomofthepitcher,andspeedilyfilledit tothebrimwithfoaminganddeliciouslyfragrantmilk.Itwas lucky that Philemon, in his surprise, did not drop themiraculous pitcherfromhishand.

"Whoareye,wonder-workingstrangers!"criedhe,evenmorebewilderedthanhiswifehadbeen.

"Yourguests,mygoodPhilemon,andyourfriends,"repliedtheeldertraveller,inhismild,deepvoice, thathadsomethingatoncesweetandawe-inspiringinit."Givemelikewiseacupofthemilk;andmayyourpitcherneverbeemptyforkindBaucisandyourself,anymorethanfortheneedywayfarer!"

Thesupperbeingnowover,thestrangersrequestedtobeshowntotheirplaceofrepose.Theoldpeoplewouldgladlyhave talkedwith thema little longer,andhaveexpressedthewonderwhichtheyfelt,andtheirdelightatfindingthepoorandmeagre supperprove somuchbetter andmore abundant than theyhoped.Buttheeldertravellerhadinspiredthemwithsuchreverence,thattheydarednotask him any questions. And when Philemon drew Quicksilver aside, andinquiredhowunderthesunafountainofmilkcouldhavegotintoanoldearthenpitcher,thislatterpersonagepointedtohisstaff.

"There is thewholemysteryof the affair,"quothQuicksilver; "and if youcanmakeitout,I'llthankyoutoletmeknow.Ican'ttellwhattomakeofmystaff.Itisalwaysplayingsuchodd tricksas this; sometimesgettingmeasupper,and,quiteasoften,stealingitaway.IfIhadanyfaithinsuchnonsense,Ishouldsaythestickwasbewitched!"

Hesaidnomore,but lookedsoslyly in their faces, that theyratherfanciedhe

waslaughingatthem.Themagicstaffwenthoppingathisheels,asQuicksilverquittedtheroom.Whenleftalone,thegoodoldcouplespentsomelittletimeinconversationabouttheeventsoftheevening,andthenlaydownonthefloor,andfellfastasleep.Theyhadgivenuptheirsleeping-roomtotheguests,andhadnoother bed for themselves, save theseplanks,which Iwishhadbeen as soft astheirownhearts.

The old man and his wife were stirring, betimes, in the morning, and thestrangers likewise arose with the sun, and made their preparations to depart.Philemonhospitablyentreatedthemtoremainalittlelonger,untilBauciscouldmilk thecow,andbakeacakeupon thehearth,and,perhaps, find thema fewfresh eggs, for breakfast. The guests, however, seemed to think it better toaccomplishagoodpartoftheirjourneybeforetheheatofthedayshouldcomeon.They,therefore,persistedinsettingoutimmediately,butaskedPhilemonandBaucistowalkforthwiththemashortdistance,andshowthemtheroadwhichtheyweretotake.

Sotheyallfourissuedfromthecottage,chattingtogetherlikeoldfriends.Itwasvery remarkable, indeed,howfamiliar theoldcouple insensiblygrewwith theeldertraveller,andhowtheirgoodandsimplespiritsmeltedintohis,evenastwodrops ofwaterwouldmelt into the illimitable ocean. And as forQuicksilver,withhiskeen,quick,laughingwits,heappearedtodiscovereverylittlethoughtthat but peeped into their minds, before they suspected it themselves. Theysometimeswished,itistrue,thathehadnotbeenquitesoquick-witted,andalsothathewould flingawayhisstaff,which lookedsomysteriouslymischievous,with the snakes alwayswrithing about it.But then, again,Quicksilver showedhimselfsoverygood-humored,thattheywouldhavebeenrejoicedtokeephimintheircottage,staff,snakes,andall,everyday,andthewholedaylong.

"Ahme!Well-a-day!"exclaimedPhilemon,whentheyhadwalkeda littlewayfromtheirdoor."Ifourneighborsonlyknewwhatablessedthingitistoshowhospitality to strangers, theywould tieupall theirdogs, andneverallow theirchildrentoflinganotherstone."

"Itisasinandshameforthemtobehaveso,—thatitis!"criedgoodoldBaucis,vehemently. "And I mean to go this very day, and tell some of them whatnaughtypeopletheyare!"

"Ifear,"remarkedQuicksilver,slylysmiling,"thatyouwillfindnoneofthemathome."

The elder traveller's brow, just then, assumed such a grave, stern, and awfulgrandeur,yet serenewithal, thatneitherBaucisnorPhilemondared to speakaword.Theygazedreverentlyintohisface,asiftheyhadbeengazingatthesky.

"Whenmendonotfeeltowardsthehumbleststrangerasifhewereabrother,"saidthetraveller,intonessodeepthattheysoundedlikethoseofanorgan,"theyareunworthytoexistonearth,whichwascreatedastheabodeofagreathumanbrotherhood!"

"And,bytheby,mydearoldpeople,"criedQuicksilver,withtheliveliestlookoffunandmischiefinhiseyes,"whereisthissamevillagethatyoutalkabout?Onwhichsideofusdoesitlie?MethinksIdonotseeithereabouts."

Philemonandhiswifeturnedtowardsthevalley,where,atsunset,onlythedaybefore,theyhadseenthemeadows,thehouses,thegardens,theclumpsoftrees,thewide,green-marginedstreet,withchildrenplayinginit,andallthetokensofbusiness, enjoyment, and prosperity. But what was their astonishment! Therewasnolongeranyappearanceofavillage!Eventhefertilevale,inthehollowofwhich it lay,hadceased tohaveexistence. In its stead, theybeheld thebroad,blue surface of a lake,which filled the great basin of the valley frombrim tobrim,andreflectedthesurroundinghillsinitsbosomwithastranquilanimageas if it hadbeen thereever since thecreationof theworld.For an instant, thelakeremainedperfectlysmooth.Then,alittlebreezesprangup,andcausedthewater to dance, glitter, and sparkle in the early sunbeams, and to dash,with apleasantripplingmurmur,againstthehithershore.

The lake seemed so strangely familiar, that the old couple were greatlyperplexed, and felt as if they could only have been dreaming about a villagehaving lain there. But, the next moment, they remembered the vanisheddwellings,andthefacesandcharactersoftheinhabitants,fartoodistinctlyforadream.Thevillagehadbeenthereyesterday,andnowwasgone!

"Alas!" cried these kind-hearted old people, "what has become of our poorneighbors?"

"Theyexistnolongerasmenandwomen,"saidtheeldertraveller,inhisgrandanddeepvoice,whilearollof thunderseemedtoechoitatadistance."Therewas neither use nor beauty in such a life as theirs; for they never softened orsweetenedthehardlotofmortalitybytheexerciseofkindlyaffectionsbetweenman and man. They retained no image of the better life in their bosoms;therefore, the lake, thatwasofold, has spread itself forth again, to reflect the

sky!"

"Andasforthosefoolishpeople,"saidQuicksilver,withhismischievoussmile,"theyarealltransformedtofishes.Thereneededbutlittlechange,fortheywerealreadya scaly setof rascals, and thecoldest-bloodedbeings in existence.So,kindMotherBaucis,wheneveryouoryourhusbandhaveanappetiteforadishof broiled trout, he can throw in a line, and pull out half a dozenof your oldneighbors!"

"All,"criedBaucis,shuddering,"Iwouldnot,fortheworld,putoneofthemonthegridiron!"

"No,"addedPhilemon,makingawryface,"wecouldneverrelishthem!"

"As for you, good Philemon," continued the elder traveller,—"and you, kindBaucis,—you, with your scanty means, have mingled so much heartfelthospitality with your entertainment of the homeless stranger, that the milkbecameaninexhaustiblefountofnectar,andthebrownloafandthehoneywereambrosia.Thus, thedivinitieshave feasted,atyourboard,off the sameviandsthatsupplytheirbanquetsonOlympus.Youhavedonewell,mydearoldfriends.Wherefore,requestwhateverfavoryouhavemostatheart,anditisgranted."

PhilemonandBaucislookedatoneanother,andthen,—Iknownotwhichofthetwoitwaswhospoke,butthatoneutteredthedesireofboththeirhearts.

"Let us live together, while we live, and leave theworld at the same instant,whenwedie!Forwehavealwayslovedoneanother!"

"Beitso!"repliedthestranger,withmajestickindness."Now,looktowardsyourcottage!"

They did so. Butwhatwas their surprise on beholding a tall edifice ofwhitemarble, with a wide-open portal, occupying the spot where their humbleresidencehadsolatelystood!

"There is your home," said the stranger, beneficently smiling on them both."Exercise your hospitality in yonder palace as freely as in the poor hovel towhichyouwelcomeduslastevening."

The old folks fell on their knees to thank him; but, behold! neither he norQuicksilverwasthere.

SoPhilemonandBaucistookuptheirresidenceinthemarblepalace,andspenttheir time,withvast satisfaction to themselves, inmakingeverybody jollyandcomfortablewhohappenedtopassthatway.Themilk-pitcher,Imustnotforgetto say, retained its marvellous quality of being never empty, when it wasdesirable tohave it full.Whenever anhonest, good-humored, and free-heartedguest tookadraught from thispitcher, he invariably found it the sweetest andmost invigorating fluid that ever ran down his throat. But, if a cross anddisagreeable curmudgeon happened to sip, he was pretty certain to twist hisvisageintoahardknot,andpronounceitapitcherofsourmilk!

Thustheoldcouplelivedintheirpalaceagreat,greatwhile,andgrewolderandolder,andveryold indeed.At length,however, therecameasummermorningwhen Philemon and Baucis failed to make their appearance, as on othermornings,withonehospitablesmileoverspreadingboththeirpleasantfaces, toinvite the guests of over-night to breakfast. The guests searched everywhere,from top to bottomof the spacious palace, and all to no purpose.But, after agreatdealofperplexity,theyespied,infrontoftheportal, twovenerabletrees,whichnobodycouldremembertohaveseentherethedaybefore.Yettheretheystood,withtheirrootsfasteneddeepintothesoil,andahugebreadthoffoliageovershadowingthewholefrontoftheedifice.Onewasanoak,andtheotheralinden-tree.Theirboughs—itwasstrangeandbeautifultosee—wereintertwinedtogether,andembracedoneanother,sothateachtreeseemedtoliveintheothertree'sbosommuchmorethaninitsown.

While the guestsweremarvelling how these trees, thatmust have required atleastacenturytogrow,couldhavecometobesotallandvenerableinasinglenight,abreezesprangup,andsettheirintermingledboughsastir.Andthentherewas a deep, broad murmur in the air, as if the two mysterious trees werespeaking.

"IamoldPhilemon!"murmuredtheoak.

"IamoldBaucis!"murmuredthelinden-tree.

But, as the breeze grew stronger, the trees both spoke at once,—"Philemon!Baucis!Baucis!Philemon!"—asifonewerebothandbothwereone,andtalkingtogetherinthedepthsoftheirmutualheart.Itwasplainenoughtoperceivethatthegoodoldcouplehadrenewedtheirage,andwerenowtospendaquietanddelightfulhundredyearsorso,Philemonasanoak,andBaucisasalinden-tree.And oh, what a hospitable shade did they fling around them. Whenever a

wayfarerpausedbeneathit,heheardapleasantwhisperoftheleavesabovehishead,andwonderedhowthesoundshouldsomuchresemblewordslikethese:—

"Welcome,welcome,deartraveller,welcome!"

And some kind soul, that knewwhatwould have pleased old Baucis and oldPhilemonbest,builtacircularseataroundboththeir trunks,where,foragreatwhile afterwards, the weary, and the hungry, and the thirsty used to reposethemselves,andquaffmilkabundantlyoutofthemiraculouspitcher.

AndIwish,foralloursakes,thatwehadthepitcherherenow!

TheHill-Side

AftertheStory

"Howmuch did the pitcher hold?" askedSweet Fern. "It did not hold quite aquart,"answeredthestudent;"butyoumightkeeppouringmilkoutofit,tillyoushouldfillahogshead,ifyoupleased.Thetruthis,itwouldrunonforever,andnotbedryevenatmidsummer,—whichismorethancanbesaidofyonderrill,thatgoesbabblingdownthehill-side."

"Andwhathasbecomeofthepitchernow?"inquiredthelittleboy.

"Itwasbroken,Iamsorrytosay,abouttwenty-fivethousandyearsago,"repliedCousin Eustace. "The people mended it as well as they could, but, though itwouldholdmilkprettywell, itwasneverafterwardsknown to fill itselfof itsownaccord.So,yousee,itwasnobetterthananyothercrackedearthenpitcher."

"Whatapity!"criedallthechildrenatonce.

The respectable dog Ben had accompanied the party, as did likewise a half-grownNewfoundlandpuppy,whowentby thenameofBruin,becausehewasjustasblackasabear.Ben,beingelderly,andofverycircumspecthabits,wasrespectfully requested, by Cousin Eustace, to stay behind with the four littlechildren, in order to keep themout ofmischief.As for blackBruin,whowashimselfnothingbutachild,thestudentthoughtitbesttotakehimalong,lest,inhis rude playwith the other children, he should trip them up, and send themrollingand tumblingdown thehill.AdvisingCowslip,SweetFern,Dandelion,andSquash-Blossomtositprettystill,inthespotwhereheleftthem,thestudent,

with Primrose and the elder children, began to ascend, and were soon out ofsightamongthetrees.

THECHIMÆRA

Bald-Summit

Introductoryto"TheChimæra"

Upward, along the steep and wooded hill-side, went Eustace Bright and hiscompanions.Thetreeswerenotyetinfullleaf,buthadbuddedforthsufficientlytothrowanairyshadow,whilethesunshinefilledthemwithgreenlight.Thereweremoss-grownrocks,halfhiddenamongtheold,brown,fallenleaves;therewererottentree-trunks,lyingatfulllengthwheretheyhadlongagofallen;thereweredecayedboughs,thathadbeenshakendownbythewintrygales,andwerescattered everywhere about. But still, though these things looked so aged, theaspectof thewoodwas thatof thenewest life; for,whicheverwayyou turnedyoureyes,somethingfreshandgreenwasspringingforth,soastobereadyforthesummer.

At last, the young people reached the upper verge of the wood, and foundthemselvesalmostatthesummitofthehill.Itwasnotapeak,noragreatroundball,butaprettywideplain,ortable-land,withahouseandbarnuponit,atsomedistance. That house was the home of a solitary family; and often-times theclouds,whencefell therain,andwhencethesnow-stormdrifteddownintothevalley,hunglowerthanthisbleakandlonelydwelling-place.

Onthehighestpointofthehillwasaheapofstones,inthecentreofwhichwasstuck a long pole,with a little flag fluttering at the end of it. Eustace led thechildren thither, and bade them look around, and see how large a tract of ourbeautifulworldtheycouldtakeinataglance.Andtheireyesgrewwiderastheylooked.

MonumentMountain,tothesouthward,wasstillinthecentreofthescene,butseemed to have sunk and subsided, so that itwas nowbut an undistinguishedmemberof a large familyofhills.Beyond it, theTaconic range lookedhigherand bulkier than before. Our pretty lakewas seen, with all its little bays andinlets; and not that alone, but two or three new lakeswere opening their blueeyes to the sun. Several white villages, each with its steeple, were scatteredabout in the distance. There were so many farm-houses, with their acres of

woodland, pasture, mowing-fields, and tillage, that the children could hardlymakeroomintheirmindstoreceiveallthesedifferentobjects.There,too,wasTanglewood, which they had hitherto thought such an important apex of theworld.Itnowoccupiedsosmallaspace, that theygazedfarbeyondit,andoneither side, and searched a goodwhile with all their eyes, before discoveringwhereaboutitstood.

White, fleecycloudswerehanging in theair,and threwthedarkspotsof theirshadow here and there over the landscape. But, by and by, the sunshine waswheretheshadowhadbeen,andtheshadowwassomewhereelse.

Far to thewestwardwasarangeofbluemountains,whichEustaceBright toldthe childrenwere the Catskills. Among thosemisty hills, he said, was a spotwheresomeoldDutchmenwereplayinganeverlastinggameofnine-pins,andwherean idlefellow,whosenamewasRipVanWinkle,hadfallenasleep,andslept twenty years at a stretch. The children eagerly besought Eustace to tellthemall about thiswonderful affair.But the student replied that the story hadbeen told once already, and better than it ever could be told again; and thatnobodywouldhavearighttoalterawordofit,untilitshouldhavegrownasoldas"TheGorgon'sHead,"and"TheThreeGoldenApples,"andtherestofthosemiraculouslegends.

"Atleast,"saidPeriwinkle,"whilewerestourselveshere,andarelookingaboutus,youcantellusanotherofyourownstories."

"Yes,CousinEustace,"criedPrimrose,"Iadviseyoutotellusastoryhere.Takesomeloftysubjectorother,andseeifyourimaginationwillnotcomeuptoit.Perhapsthemountainairmaymakeyoupoetical,foronce.Andnomatterhowstrangeandwonderfulthestorymaybe,nowthatweareupamongtheclouds,wecanbelieveanything."

"Canyoubelieve,"askedEustace,"thattherewasonceawingedhorse?"

"Yes," said saucy Primrose; "but I am afraid you will never be able to catchhim."

"For that matter, Primrose," rejoined the student, "I might possibly catchPegasus,andgetuponhisback,too,aswellasadozenotherfellowsthatIknowof.Atanyrate,hereisastoryabouthim;and,ofallplacesintheworld,itoughtcertainlytobetolduponamountain-top."

So, sitting on the pile of stones,while the children clustered themselves at itsbase,Eustacefixedhiseyesonawhitecloudthatwassailingby,andbeganasfollows.

TheChimæra

Once, in the old, old times (for all the strange things which I tell you abouthappenedlongbeforeanybodycanremember),afountaingushedoutofahill-side, in themarvellous land ofGreece.And, for aught I know, after somanythousandyears,itisstillgushingoutoftheveryselfsamespot.Atanyrate,therewas the pleasant fountain,welling freshly forth and sparkling adown the hill-side, in the golden sunset, when a handsome youngman named Bellerophondrewnearitsmargin.Inhishandheheldabridle,studdedwithbrilliantgems,andadornedwithagoldenbit.Seeinganoldman,andanotherofmiddleage,anda littleboy,near thefountain,andlikewiseamaiden,whowasdippingupsome of the water in a pitcher, he paused, and begged that he might refreshhimselfwithadraught.

"Thisisverydeliciouswater,"hesaidtothemaidenasherinsedandfilledherpitcher,afterdrinkingoutofit."Willyoubekindenoughtotellmewhetherthefountainhasanyname?"

"Yes; it is called the Fountain of Pirene," answered themaiden; and then sheadded, "My grandmother has told me that this clear fountain was once abeautiful woman; andwhen her sonwas killed by the arrows of the huntressDiana,shemeltedallawayintotears.Andsothewater,whichyoufindsocoolandsweet,isthesorrowofthatpoormother'sheart!"

"Ishouldnothavedreamed,"observedtheyoungstranger,"thatsoclearawell-spring,withitsgushandgurgle,anditscheerydanceoutof theshadeintothesunlight,hadsomuchasonetear-dropinitsbosom!Andthis,then,isPirene?Ithankyou,prettymaiden,fortellingmeitsname.Ihavecomefromafar-awaycountrytofindthisveryspot."

Amiddle-agedcountryfellow(hehaddrivenhiscowtodrinkoutofthespring)staredhardatyoungBellerophon,andatthehandsomebridlewhichhecarriedinhishand.

"The water-courses must be getting low, friend, in your part of the world,"remarkedhe,"ifyoucomesofaronlytofindtheFountainofPirene.But,pray,

haveyoulostahorse?Iseeyoucarrythebridleinyourhand;andaveryprettyoneitiswiththatdoublerowofbrightstonesuponit.Ifthehorsewasasfineasthebridle,youaremuchtobepitiedforlosinghim."

"I have lost no horse," said Bellerophon, with a smile. "But I happen to beseekingavery famousone,which,aswisepeoplehave informedme,mustbefoundhereabouts,ifanywhere.DoyouknowwhetherthewingedhorsePegasusstillhauntstheFountainofPirene,asheusedtodoinyourforefathers'days?"

Butthenthecountryfellowlaughed.

Some of you, my little friends, have probably heard that this Pegasus was asnow-whitesteed,withbeautiful silverywings,whospentmostofhis timeonthesummitofMountHelicon.Hewasaswild,andasswift,andasbuoyant,inhisflightthroughtheair,asanyeaglethateversoaredintotheclouds.Therewasnothingelselikehimintheworld.Hehadnomate;heneverhadbeenbackedorbridledbyamaster;and,formanyalongyear,heledasolitaryandahappylife.

Oh,howfineathingitistobeawingedhorse!Sleepingatnight,ashedid,onaloftymountain-top, and passing the greater part of the day in the air, Pegasusseemedhardlytobeacreatureoftheearth.Wheneverhewasseen,upveryhighabovepeople'sheads,with the sunshineonhis silverywings,youwouldhavethoughtthathebelongedtothesky,andthat,skimmingalittletoolow,hehadgotastrayamongourmistsandvapors,andwasseekinghiswaybackagain.Itwasverypretty tobeholdhimplunge into the fleecybosomofabrightcloud,andbelostinit,foramomentortwo,andthenbreakforthfromtheotherside.Or, inasullenrain-storm,when therewasagraypavementofcloudsover thewhole sky, itwould sometimes happen that thewinged horse descended rightthrough it, and the glad light of the upper region would gleam after him. Inanother instant, it is true, both Pegasus and the pleasant light would be goneaway together. But any one that was fortunate enough to see this wondrousspectaclefeltcheerfulthewholedayafterwards,andasmuchlongerasthestormlasted.

In thesummer-time,andin thebeautifullestofweather,Pegasusoftenalightedonthesolidearth,and,closinghissilverywings,wouldgallopoverhillanddaleforpastime,asfleetlyasthewind.Oftenerthaninanyotherplace,hehadbeenseenneartheFountainofPirene,drinkingthedeliciouswater,orrollinghimselfuponthesoftgrassofthemargin.Sometimes,too(butPegasuswasverydaintyin his food), hewould crop a fewof the clover-blossoms that happened to be

sweetest.

TotheFountainofPirene,therefore,people'sgreat-grandfathershadbeeninthehabitofgoing(aslongastheywereyouthful,andretainedtheirfaithinwingedhorses),inhopesofgettingaglimpseatthebeautifulPegasus.But,oflateyears,he had been very seldom seen. Indeed, thereweremany of the country folks,dwelling within half an hour's walk of the fountain, who had never beheldPegasus,anddidnotbelievethattherewasanysuchcreatureinexistence.ThecountryfellowtowhomBellerophonwasspeakingchancedtobeoneof thoseincredulouspersons.

Andthatwasthereasonwhyhelaughed.

"Pegasus,indeed!"criedhe,turninguphisnoseashighassuchaflatnosecouldbeturnedup,—"Pegasus,indeed!Awingedhorse,truly!Why,friend,areyouinyoursenses?Ofwhatusewouldwingsbetoahorse?Couldhedragtheploughsowell, thinkyou?Tobesure, theremightbea littlesavingin theexpenseofshoes;butthen,howwouldamanliketoseehishorseflyingoutofthestablewindow?—yes,orwhiskinghimupabovetheclouds,whenheonlywanted toride to mill? No, no! I don't believe in Pegasus. There never was such aridiculouskindofahorse-fowlmade!"

"Ihavesomereasontothinkotherwise,"saidBellerophon,quietly.

Andthenheturnedtoanold,grayman,whowasleaningonastaff,andlisteningvery attentively, with his head stretched forward, and one hand at his ear,because,forthelasttwentyyears,hehadbeengettingratherdeaf.

"Andwhatsayyou,venerablesir?"inquiredhe."Inyouryoungerdays,Ishouldimagine,youmustfrequentlyhaveseenthewingedsteed!"

"Ah,youngstranger,mymemoryisverypoor!"saidtheagedman."WhenIwasalad,ifIrememberrightly,Iusedtobelievetherewassuchahorse,andsodideverybodyelse.But,nowadays, Ihardlyknowwhat to think,andveryseldomthinkaboutthewingedhorseatall.IfIeversawthecreature,itwasalong,longwhileago;and,totellyouthetruth,IdoubtwhetherIeverdidseehim.Oneday,tobesure,whenIwasquiteayouth,Irememberseeingsomehoof-trampsroundaboutthebrinkofthefountain.Pegasusmighthavemadethosehoof-marks;andsomightsomeotherhorse."

"Andhaveyouneverseenhim,myfairmaiden?"askedBellerophonofthegirl,

whostoodwiththepitcheronherhead,whilethistalkwenton."YoucertainlycouldseePegasus,ifanybodycan,foryoureyesareverybright."

"OnceIthoughtIsawhim,"repliedthemaiden,withasmileandablush."Itwaseither Pegasus, or a largewhite bird, a very greatway up in the air.And oneothertime,asIwascomingtothefountainwithmypitcher,Iheardaneigh.Oh,suchabriskandmelodiousneighasthatwas!Myveryheartleapedwithdelightatthesound.Butitstartledme,nevertheless;sothatIranhomewithoutfillingmypitcher."

"Thatwastrulyapity!"saidBellerophon.

Andheturnedtothechild,whomImentionedatthebeginningofthestory,andwhowasgazing at him, as children are apt to gaze at strangers,withhis rosymouthwideopen.

"Well,mylittlefellow,"criedBellerophon,playfullypullingoneofhiscurls,"Isupposeyouhaveoftenseenthewingedhorse."

"ThatIhave,"answeredthechild,veryreadily."Isawhimyesterday,andmanytimesbefore."

"Youarea fine littleman!"saidBellerophon,drawing thechildcloser tohim."Come,tellmeallaboutit."

"Why," replied thechild,"Ioftencomehere tosail littleboats in thefountain,andtogatherprettypebblesoutofitsbasin.Andsometimes,whenIlookdownintothewater,Iseetheimageofthewingedhorse,inthepictureoftheskythatisthere.Iwishhewouldcomedown,andtakemeonhisback,andletmeridehimuptothemoon!But,ifIsomuchasstirtolookathim,hefliesfarawayoutofsight."

AndBellerophonputhisfaithinthechild,whohadseentheimageofPegasusinthewater, and in themaiden,whohadheardhimneighsomelodiously, ratherthan in themiddle-agedclown,whobelievedonly incart-horses,or in theoldmanwhohadforgottenthebeautifulthingsofhisyouth.

Therefore, he haunted about the Fountain of Pirene for a great many daysafterwards.Hekeptcontinuallyonthewatch,lookingupwardatthesky,orelsedownintothewater,hopingforeverthatheshouldseeeitherthereflectedimageofthewingedhorse,orthemarvellousreality.Heheldthebridle,withitsbrightgemsandgoldenbit,alwaysreadyinhishand.Therusticpeople,whodweltin

the neighborhood, and drove their cattle to the fountain to drink,would oftenlaughatpoorBellerophon,andsometimestakehimprettyseverelytotask.Theytold him that an able-bodied young man, like himself, ought to have betterbusinessthantobewastinghistimeinsuchanidlepursuit.Theyofferedtosellhim a horse, if he wanted one; and when Bellerophon declined the purchase,theytriedtodriveabargainwithhimforhisfinebridle.

Eventhecountryboysthoughthimsoveryfoolish,thattheyusedtohaveagreatdeal of sport about him, and were rude enough not to care a fig, althoughBellerophon saw and heard it. One little urchin, for example, would playPegasus,andcut theoddest imaginablecapers,bywayof flying;whileoneofhis schoolfellowswould scamperafterhim,holding fortha twistofbulrushes,whichwasintendedtorepresentBellerophon'sornamentalbridle.Butthegentlechild,who had seen the picture of Pegasus in thewater, comforted the youngstranger more than all the naughty boys could torment him. The dear littlefellow, in his play-hours, often sat down beside him, and,without speaking aword, would look down into the fountain and up towards the sky, with soinnocentafaith,thatBellerophoncouldnothelpfeelingencouraged.

Now you will, perhaps, wish to be told why it was that Bellerophon hadundertakentocatchthewingedhorse.AndweshallfindnobetteropportunitytospeakaboutthismatterthanwhileheiswaitingforPegasustoappear.

If Iwere to relate thewholeofBellerophon's previous adventures, theymighteasilygrowintoaverylongstory.Itwillbequiteenoughtosay,that,inacertaincountryofAsia,aterriblemonster,calledaChimæra,hadmadeitsappearance,and was doing more mischief than could be talked about between now andsunset. According to the best accountswhich I have been able to obtain, thisChimærawasnearly, ifnotquite, theugliestandmostpoisonouscreature,andthe strangest and unaccountablest, and the hardest to fightwith, and themostdifficulttorunawayfrom,thatevercameoutoftheearth'sinside.Ithadataillike a boa-constrictor; its body was like I do not care what; and it had threeseparateheads,oneofwhichwasalion's, thesecondagoat's,andthethirdanabominablygreatsnake's.Andahotblastoffirecameflamingoutofeachofitsthreemouths!Beinganearthlymonster,Idoubtwhetherithadanywings;but,wingsorno,itranlikeagoatandalion,andwriggledalonglikeaserpent,andthuscontrivedtomakeaboutasmuchspeedasallthethreetogether.

BELLEROPHONBYTHEFOUNTAINOFPIRENE

Oh,themischief,andmischief,andmischiefthatthisnaughtycreaturedid!Withitsflamingbreath,itcouldsetaforestonfire,orburnupafieldofgrain,or,forthat matter, a village, with all its fences and houses. It laid waste the wholecountryroundabout,andusedtoeatuppeopleandanimalsalive,andcookthemafterwards in the burning oven of its stomach.Mercy on us, little children, IhopeneitheryounorIwilleverhappentomeetaChimæra!

While thehatefulbeast (if abeastwecananywisecall it)wasdoingall thesehorriblethings,itsochancedthatBellerophoncametothatpartoftheworld,ona visit to the king. The king's name was Iobates, and Lycia was the countrywhichheruledover.Bellerophonwasoneofthebravestyouthsintheworld,anddesired nothing so much as to do some valiant and beneficent deed, such aswouldmakeallmankindadmireandlovehim.Inthosedays,theonlywayforayoung man to distinguish himself was by fighting battles, either with theenemiesofhiscountry,orwithwickedgiants,orwithtroublesomedragons,orwithwildbeasts,whenhecouldfindnothingmoredangeroustoencounter.KingIobates,perceivingthecourageofhisyouthfulvisitor,proposedtohimtogoandfight the Chimæra, which everybody else was afraid of, and which, unless itshould be soon killed, was likely to convert Lycia into a desert. Bellerophonhesitated not a moment, but assured the king that he would either slay thisdreadedChimæra,orperishintheattempt.

But, in the first place, as themonsterwas soprodigiously swift, hebethoughthimself that he should never win the victory by fighting on foot. The wisestthinghecoulddo,therefore,wastogettheverybestandfleetesthorsethatcouldanywherebefound.Andwhatotherhorse,inalltheworld,washalfsofleetasthe marvellous horse Pegasus, who had wings as well as legs, and was evenmoreactiveintheairthanontheearth?Tobesure,agreatmanypeopledeniedthat therewas any such horsewithwings, and said that the stories about himwere all poetry and nonsense. But, wonderful as it appeared, Bellerophonbelieved that Pegasus was a real steed, and hoped that he himself might befortunateenoughtofindhim;and,oncefairlymountedonhisback,hewouldbeabletofighttheChimæraatbetteradvantage.

AndthiswasthepurposewithwhichhehadtravelledfromLyciatoGreece,andhadbroughtthebeautifullyornamentedbridleinhishand.Itwasanenchantedbridle. If he could only succeed in putting the golden bit into the mouth ofPegasus,thewingedhorsewouldbesubmissive,andwouldownBellerophonforhismaster,andflywhithersoeverhemightchoosetoturntherein.

But, indeed, it was a weary and anxious time, while Bellerophon waited andwaited forPegasus, inhopes thathewouldcomeanddrinkat theFountainofPirene.HewasafraidlestKingIobatesshouldimaginethathehadfledfromtheChimæra. It pained him, too, to think how much mischief the monster wasdoing,while he himself, instead of fightingwith it,was compelled to sit idlyporingoverthebrightwatersofPirene,astheygushedoutofthesparklingsand.And as Pegasus came thither so seldom in these latter years, and scarcelyalighted theremore than once in a lifetime, Bellerophon feared that hemightgrowanoldman,andhavenostrengthleftinhisarmsnorcourageinhisheart,beforethewingedhorsewouldappear.Oh,howheavilypasses thetime,whilean adventurous youth is yearning to do his part in life, and to gather in theharvestofhisrenown!Howhardalessonitistowait!Ourlifeisbrief,andhowmuchofitisspentinteachingusonlythis!

WellwasitforBellerophonthatthegentlechildhadgrownsofondofhim,andwasneverwearyofkeepinghimcompany.Everymorningthechildgavehimanewhopetoputinhisbosom,insteadofyesterday'switheredone.

"DearBellerophon,"hewouldcry, lookinguphopefully intohis face, "I thinkweshallseePegasusto-day!"

And, at length, if it had not been for the little boy's unwavering faith,Bellerophonwouldhavegivenupallhope,andwouldhavegonebacktoLycia,andhavedonehisbesttoslaytheChimærawithoutthehelpofthewingedhorse.AndinthatcasepoorBellerophonwouldatleasthavebeenterriblyscorchedbythecreature'sbreath,andwouldmostprobablyhavebeenkilledanddevoured.Nobodyshouldevertrytofightanearth-bornChimæra,unlesshecanfirstgetuponthebackofanaerialsteed.

OnemorningthechildspoketoBellerophonevenmorehopefullythanusual.

"Dear, dearBellerophon," cried he, "I know notwhy it is, but I feel as ifweshouldcertainlyseePegasusto-day!"

AndallthatdayhewouldnotstirastepfromBellerophon'sside;sotheyatea

crust of bread together, and drank some of the water of the fountain. In theafternoon,theretheysat,andBellerophonhadthrownhisarmaroundthechild,who likewisehadputoneofhis littlehands intoBellerophon's.The latterwaslost inhisownthoughts,andwasfixinghiseyesvacantlyon the trunksof thetrees thatovershadowed thefountain,andon thegrapevines thatclamberedupamongtheirbranches.Butthegentlechildwasgazingdownintothewater;hewas grieved, for Bellerophon's sake, that the hope of another day should bedeceived,likesomanybeforeit;andtwoorthreequiettear-dropsfellfromhiseyes,andmingledwithwhatweresaidtobethemanytearsofPirene,whensheweptforherslainchildren.

But,whenheleastthoughtofit,Bellerophonfeltthepressureofthechild'slittlehand,andheardasoft,almostbreathless,whisper.

"Seethere,dearBellerophon!Thereisanimageinthewater!"

Theyoungmanlookeddownintothedimplingmirrorofthefountain,andsawwhathetooktobethereflectionofabirdwhichseemedtobeflyingatagreatheightintheair,withagleamofsunshineonitssnowyorsilverywings.

"Whatasplendidbirditmustbe!"saidhe."Andhowverylargeitlooks,thoughitmustreallybeflyinghigherthantheclouds!"

"Itmakesmetremble!"whisperedthechild."Iamafraidtolookupintotheair!It is very beautiful, and yet I dare only look at its image in the water. DearBellerophon,doyounotseethatitisnobird?ItisthewingedhorsePegasus!"

Bellerophon'sheartbegantothrob!Hegazedkeenlyupward,butcouldnotseethewinged creature,whether bird or horse; because, just then, it had plungedintothefleecydepthsofasummercloud.Itwasbutamoment,however,beforetheobjectreappeared,sinkinglightlydownoutof thecloud,althoughstillatavast distance from the earth. Bellerophon caught the child in his arms, andshrankbackwithhim,sothattheywerebothhiddenamongthethickshrubberywhichgrewallaroundthefountain.Notthathewasafraidofanyharm,buthedreaded lest, ifPegasuscaughtaglimpseof them,hewould fly far away, andalight in some inaccessiblemountain-top. For it was really the winged horse.Aftertheyhadexpectedhimsolong,hewascomingtoquenchhisthirstwiththewaterofPirene.

Nearer and nearer came the aerialwonder, flying in great circles, as youmayhaveseenadovewhenabouttoalight.DownwardcamePegasus,inthosewide,

sweeping circles, which grew narrower, and narrower still, as he graduallyapproached the earth.Thenigher the viewof him, themore beautiful hewas,andthemoremarvellousthesweepofhissilverywings.Atlast,withsolightapressureashardlytobendthegrassaboutthefountain,orimprintahoof-trampin the sand of its margin, he alighted, and, stooping his wild head, began todrink.Hedrewinthewater,withlongandpleasantsighs,andtranquilpausesofenjoyment;andthenanotherdraught,andanother,andanother.For,nowhereintheworld,orupamongtheclouds,didPegasusloveanywaterashelovedthisof Pirene. And when his thirst was slaked, he cropped a few of the honey-blossomsoftheclover,delicatelytastingthem,butnotcaringtomakeaheartymeal,becausetheherbage,justbeneaththeclouds,ontheloftysidesofMountHelicon,suitedhispalatebetterthanthisordinarygrass.

After thus drinking to his heart's content, and in his dainty fashion,condescendingtotakealittlefood,thewingedhorsebegantocapertoandfro,anddanceas itwere,outofmere idleness and sport.ThereneverwasamoreplayfulcreaturemadethanthisveryPegasus.Sotherehefrisked,inawaythatitdelights me to think about, fluttering his great wings as lightly as ever did alinnet,andrunning little races,halfonearthandhalf inair,andwhichIknownotwhethertocallaflightoragallop.Whenacreatureisperfectlyabletofly,he sometimes chooses to run, just for the pastime of the thing; and so didPegasus, although it costhimsome little trouble tokeephishoofs sonear theground.Bellerophon,meanwhile,holdingthechild'shand,peepedforthfromtheshrubbery,andthoughtthatneverwasanysightsobeautifulasthis,noreverahorse'seyessowildandspiritedasthoseofPegasus.Itseemedasintothinkofbridlinghimandridingonhisback.

Onceortwice,Pegasusstopped,andsnuffedtheair,prickinguphisears,tossinghishead,andturningitonallsides,asifhepartlysuspectedsomemischieforother.Seeingnothing,however,andhearingnosound,hesoonbeganhisanticsagain.

Atlength,—notthathewasweary,butonlyidleandluxurious,—Pegasusfoldedhiswings,andlaydownonthesoftgreenturf.But,beingtoofullofaeriallifetoremainquietformanymomentstogether,hesoonrolledoveronhisback,withhis four slender legs in the air. It was beautiful to see him, this one solitarycreature,whosemate had never been created, butwho needed no companion,and,livingagreatmanyhundredyears,wasashappyasthecenturieswerelong.Themore he did such things asmortal horses are accustomed to do, the lessearthly and themorewonderful he seemed. Bellerophon and the child almost

held their breath, partly from a delightful awe, but still more because theydreadedlesttheslighteststirormurmurshouldsendhimup,withthespeedofanarrow-flight,intothefarthestblueofthesky.

Finally, when he had had enough of rolling over and over, Pegasus turnedhimselfabout,and,indolently,likeanyotherhorse,putouthisforelegs,inordertorisefromtheground;andBellerophon,whohadguessedthathewoulddoso,dartedsuddenlyfromthethicket,andleapedastrideofhisback.

Yes,therehesat,onthebackofthewingedhorse!

ButwhatabounddidPegasusmake,when,forthefirsttime,hefelttheweightofamortalmanuponhisloins!Abound,indeed!Beforehehadtimetodrawabreath, Bellerophon found himself five hundred feet aloft, and still shootingupward, while the winged horse snorted and trembled with terror and anger.Upward hewent, up, up, up, until he plunged into the coldmisty bosomof acloud, at which, only a little while before, Bellerophon had been gazing, andfancying it a very pleasant spot. Then again, out of the heart of the cloud,Pegasusshotdownlikeathunderbolt,asifhemeanttodashbothhimselfandhisrider headlong against a rock. Then hewent through about a thousand of thewildestcapriolesthathadeverbeenperformedeitherbyabirdorahorse.

Icannot tellyouhalf thathedid.Heskimmedstraight forward,andsideways,andbackward.Herearedhimselferect,withhis fore legsonawreathofmist,andhishindlegsonnothingatall.Heflungouthisheelsbehind,andputdownhisheadbetweenhis legs,withhiswingspointingrightupward.Atabout twomiles'heightabovetheearth,heturnedasomerset,sothatBellerophon'sheelswerewherehisheadshouldhavebeen,andheseemedtolookdownintothesky,insteadofup.Hetwistedhisheadabout,and, lookingBellerophonintheface,withfireflashingfromhiseyes,madeaterribleattempttobitehim.Heflutteredhispinionssowildlythatoneofthesilverfeatherswasshakenout,andfloatingearthward, was picked up by the child, who kept it as long as he lived, inmemoryofPegasusandBellerophon.

Butthelatter(who,asyoumayjudge,wasasgoodahorsemanasevergalloped)had been watching his opportunity, and at last clapped the golden bit of theenchantedbridlebetweenthewingedsteed'sjaws.Nosoonerwasthisdone,thanPegasus became as manageable as if he had taken food, all his life, out ofBellerophon'shand.TospeakwhatIreallyfeel,itwasalmostasadnesstoseesowild a creature grow suddenly so tame. And Pegasus seemed to feel it so,

likewise.He looked round toBellerophon,with the tears inhisbeautifuleyes,instead of the fire that so recently flashed from them. But when Bellerophonpatted his head, and spoke a few authoritative, yet kind and soothing words,another look came into the eyes ofPegasus; for hewasglad at heart, after somanylonelycenturies,tohavefoundacompanionandamaster.

Thus it always is with winged horses, and with all such wild and solitarycreatures.Ifyoucancatchandovercomethem,itisthesurestwaytowintheirlove.

WhilePegasushadbeendoinghisutmosttoshakeBellerophonoffhisback,hehad flown a very long distance; and they had come within sight of a loftymountain by the time the bit was in his mouth. Bellerophon had seen thismountain before, and knew it to beHelicon, on the summit ofwhichwas thewingedhorse'sabode.Thither(afterlookinggentlyintohisrider'sface,asiftoaskleave)Pegasusnowflew,and,alighting,waitedpatientlyuntilBellerophonshouldpleasetodismount.Theyoungman,accordingly,leapedfromhissteed'sback,butstillheldhimfastbythebridle.Meetinghiseyes,however,hewassoaffectedbythegentlenessofhisaspect,andbythethoughtofthefreelifewhichPegasushadheretoforelived,thathecouldnotbeartokeephimaprisoner,ifhereallydesiredhisliberty.

Obeying thisgenerous impulseheslipped theenchantedbridleoff theheadofPegasus,andtookthebitfromhismouth.

"Leaveme,Pegasus!"saidhe."Eitherleaveme,orloveme."

Inaninstant,thewingedhorseshotalmostoutofsight,soaringstraightupwardfromthesummitofMountHelicon.Beinglongaftersunset,itwasnowtwilighton themountain-top,andduskyeveningoverall thecountry roundabout.ButPegasusflewsohigh thatheovertook thedepartedday,andwasbathed in theupperradianceofthesun.Ascendinghigherandhigher,helookedlikeabrightspeck,and,atlast,couldnolongerbeseeninthehollowwasteofthesky.AndBellerophonwasafraidthatheshouldneverbeholdhimmore.But,whilehewaslamenting his own folly, the bright speck reappeared, and drew nearer andnearer, until it descended lower than the sunshine; and, behold, Pegasus hadcomeback!Afterthistrialtherewasnomorefearofthewingedhorse'smakinghisescape.HeandBellerophonwerefriends,andputlovingfaithinoneanother.

Thatnight they laydownandslept together,withBellerophon'sarmabout theneckofPegasus,notasacaution,butforkindness.Andtheyawokeatpeepof

day,andbadeoneanothergoodmorning,eachinhisownlanguage.

In this manner, Bellerophon and the wondrous steed spent several days, andgrewbetteracquaintedandfonderofeachotherallthetime.Theywentonlongaerial journeys, and sometimes ascended so high that the earth looked hardlybigger than—the moon. They visited distant countries, and amazed theinhabitants, who thought that the beautiful young man, on the back of thewingedhorse,musthavecomedownoutofthesky.AthousandmilesadaywasnomorethananeasyspaceforthefleetPegasustopassover.Bellerophonwasdelightedwiththiskindoflife,andwouldhavelikednothingbetterthantolivealwaysinthesameway,aloft intheclearatmosphere;foritwasalwayssunnyweatherup there,howevercheerlessandrainy itmightbe in the lowerregion.But he could not forget the horrible Chimæra, which he had promised KingIobates to slay. So, at last, when he had becomewell accustomed to feats ofhorsemanshipintheair,andcouldmanagePegasuswiththeleastmotionofhishand, and had taught him to obey his voice, he determined to attempt theperformanceofthisperilousadventure.

Atdaybreak, therefore,as soonasheunclosedhiseyes,hegentlypinched thewingedhorse'sear,inordertoarousehim.Pegasusimmediatelystartedfromtheground, and pranced about a quarter of amile aloft, andmade a grand sweeparoundthemountain-top,bywayofshowingthathewaswideawake,andreadyforanykindofanexcursion.Duringthewholeofthislittleflight,heutteredaloud,brisk,andmelodiousneigh,andfinallycamedownatBellerophon'sside,aslightlyaseveryousawasparrowhopuponatwig.

"Well done, dear Pegasus! well done, my sky-skimmer!" cried Bellerophon,fondly stroking the horse's neck. "And now,my fleet and beautiful friend,wemustbreakourfast.To-daywearetofighttheterribleChimæra."

Assoonastheyhadeatentheirmorningmeal,anddranksomesparklingwaterfromaspringcalledHippocrene,Pegasusheldouthishead,ofhisownaccord,sothathismastermightputonthebridle.Then,withagreatmanyplayfulleapsandairycaperings,heshowedhisimpatiencetobegone;whileBellerophonwasgirding on his sword, and hanging his shield about his neck, and preparinghimself forbattle.Wheneverythingwasready, theridermounted,and(aswashiscustom,whengoingalongdistance)ascendedfivemilesperpendicularly,soasthebettertoseewhitherhewasdirectinghiscourse.HethenturnedtheheadofPegasustowardstheeast,andsetoutforLycia.Intheirflighttheyovertookan eagle, and came so nigh him, before he could get out of their way, that

Bellerophonmighteasilyhavecaughthimbytheleg.Hasteningonwardatthisrate, itwasstillearly in theforenoonwhentheybeheld the loftymountainsofLycia,withtheirdeepandshaggyvalleys.IfBellerophonhadbeentoldtruly,itwas inoneof thosedismalvalleys that thehideousChimærahad takenup itsabode.

Being now so near their journey's end, thewinged horse gradually descendedwithhisrider;and they tookadvantageofsomeclouds thatwerefloatingoverthe mountain-tops, in order to conceal themselves. Hovering on the uppersurfaceofacloud,andpeepingoveritsedge,BellerophonhadaprettydistinctviewofthemountainouspartofLycia,andcouldlookintoallitsshadowyvalesatonce.Atfirstthereappearedtobenothingremarkable.Itwasawild,savage,and rocky tract of high and precipitous hills. In the more level part of thecountry,thereweretheruinsofhousesthathadbeenburnt,and,hereandthere,the carcasses of dead cattle, strewn about the pastures where they had beenfeeding.

"TheChimæramusthavedonethismischief,"thoughtBellerophon."Butwherecanthemonsterbe?"

As I have already said, there was nothing remarkable to be detected, at firstsight,inanyofthevalleysanddellsthatlayamongtheprecipitousheightsofthemountains.Nothing at all; unless, indeed itwere three spires of black smoke,which issued fromwhat seemed to be themouth of a cavern, and clamberedsullenly into the atmosphere. Before reaching the mountain-top, these threeblack smoke-wreaths mingled themselves into one. The cavern was almostdirectly beneath the winged horse and his rider, at the distance of about athousandfeet.Thesmoke,as itcreptheavilyupward,hadanugly,sulphurous,stifling scent, which caused Pegasus to snort and Bellerophon to sneeze. Sodisagreeablewasittothemarvelloussteed(whowasaccustomedtobreatheonlythepurestair),thathewavedhiswings,andshothalfamileoutoftherangeofthisoffensivevapor.

But,onlookingbehindhim,Bellerophonsawsomethingthatinducedhimfirsttodraw thebridle,and then to turnPegasusabout.Hemadeasign,which thewingedhorseunderstood,andsunkslowlythroughtheair,untilhishoofswerescarcelymorethanaman'sheightabovetherockybottomofthevalley.Infront,as far off as you could throw a stone,was the cavern'smouth,with the threesmoke-wreathsoozingoutofit.AndwhatelsedidBellerophonbeholdthere?

Thereseemedtobeaheapofstrangeandterriblecreaturescurledupwithinthecavern.Theirbodieslaysoclosetogether,thatBellerophoncouldnotdistinguishthemapart;but,judgingbytheirheads,oneofthesecreatureswasahugesnake,thesecondafiercelion,andthethirdanuglygoat.Thelionandthegoatwereasleep;thesnakewasbroadawake,andkeptstaringaroundhimwithagreatpairof fiery eyes. But—and this was the most wonderful part of the matter—thethreespiresofsmokeevidentlyissuedfromthenostrilsofthesethreeheads!Sostrangewasthespectacle,that,thoughBellerophonhadbeenallalongexpectingit, the truthdidnot immediatelyoccur tohim, thatherewas the terrible three-headedChimæra.HehadfoundouttheChimæra'scavern.Thesnake, thelion,andthegoat,ashesupposedthemtobe,werenot threeseparatecreatures,butonemonster!

Thewicked,hatefulthing!Slumberingastwothirdsofitwere,itstillheld,initsabominableclaws,theremnantofanunfortunatelamb,—orpossibly(butIhatetothinkso)itwasadearlittleboy,—whichitsthreemouthshadbeengnawing,beforetwoofthemfellasleep!

Allatonce,Bellerophonstartedasfromadream,andknewittobetheChimæra.Pegasus seemed to know it, at the same instant, and sent forth a neigh, thatsoundedlikethecallofatrumpettobattle.Atthissoundthethreeheadsrearedthemselveserect,andbelchedoutgreatflashesofflame.BeforeBellerophonhadtimetoconsiderwhattodonext,themonsterflungitselfoutofthecavernandsprungstraighttowardshim,withitsimmenseclawsextended,anditssnakytailtwistingitselfvenomouslybehind.IfPegasushadnotbeenasnimbleasabird,bothhe andhis riderwouldhavebeenoverthrownby theChimera's headlongrush, and thus the battle have been ended before it was well begun. But thewingedhorsewasnottobecaughtso.Inthetwinklingofaneyehewasupaloft,half-waytotheclouds,snortingwithanger.Heshuddered,too,notwithaffright,butwith utter disgust at the loathsomeness of this poisonous thingwith threeheads.

TheChimæra,ontheotherhand,raiseditselfupsoastostandabsolutelyonthetip-endof its tail,with its talonspawingfiercely in theair,and its threeheadssplutteringfireatPegasusandhisrider.Mystars,howitroared,andhissed,andbellowed! Bellerophon, meanwhile, was fitting his shield on his arm, anddrawinghissword.

"Now,mybelovedPegasus,"hewhisperedinthewingedhorse'sear,"thoumusthelp me to slay this insufferable monster; or else thou shalt fly back to thy

solitarymountain-peakwithoutthyfriendBellerophon.ForeithertheChimæradies,oritsthreemouthsshallgnawthisheadofmine,whichhasslumbereduponthyneck!"

Pegasuswhinnied,and,turningbackhishead,rubbedhisnosetenderlyagainsthisrider'scheek.Itwashiswayoftellinghimthat,thoughhehadwingsandwasan immortal horse, yet hewould perish, if itwere possible for immortality toperish,ratherthanleaveBellerophonbehind.

"Ithankyou,Pegasus,"answeredBellerophon."Now,then,letusmakeadashatthemonster!"

Uttering thesewords, he shook thebridle; andPegasusdarteddownaslant, asswift as the flight of an arrow, right towards the Chimæra's threefold head,which,allthistime,waspokingitselfashighasitcouldintotheair.Ashecamewithin arm's-length, Bellerophon made a cut at the monster, but was carriedonwardbyhissteed,beforehecouldseewhethertheblowhadbeensuccessful.Pegasus continued his course, but soon wheeled round, at about the samedistancefromtheChimæraasbefore.Bellerophonthenperceivedthathehadcutthegoat's headof themonster almost off, so that it dangleddownwardby theskin,andseemedquitedead.

But, to make amends, the snake's head and the lion's head had taken all thefierceness of the dead one into themselves, and spit flame, and hissed, androared,withavastdealmorefurythanbefore.

"Nevermind,mybravePegasus!"criedBellerophon."Withanotherstrokelikethat,wewillstopeitheritshissingoritsroaring."

Andagainheshookthebridle.Dashingaslantwise,asbefore,thewingedhorsemadeanotherarrow-flighttowardstheChimæra,andBellerophonaimedanotherdownrightstrokeatoneofthetworemainingheads,asheshotby.Butthistime,neither he nor Pegasus escaped sowell as at first.With one of its claws, theChimæra had given the young man a deep scratch in his shoulder, and hadslightly damaged the leftwing of the flying steedwith the other.On his part,Bellerophonhadmortallywoundedthelion'sheadofthemonster,insomuchthatitnowhungdownward,withitsfirealmostextinguished,andsendingoutgaspsofthickblacksmoke.Thesnake'shead,however(whichwastheonlyonenowleft),wastwiceasfierceandvenomousaseverbefore.Itbelchedforthshootsoffire fivehundredyards long, andemittedhisses so loud, soharsh, and soear-piercing, that King Iobates heard them, fifty miles off, and trembled till the

throneshookunderhim.

"Well-a-day!"thoughtthepoorking;"theChimæraiscertainlycomingtodevourme!"

Meanwhile Pegasus had again paused in the air, and neighed angrily, whilesparklesofapurecrystalflamedartedoutofhiseyes.Howunliketheluridfireof the Chimæra! The aerial steed's spirit was all aroused, and so was that ofBellerophon.

"Dostthoubleed,myimmortalhorse?"criedtheyoungman,caringlessforhisownhurtthanfortheanguishofthisgloriouscreature,thatoughtnevertohavetasted pain. "The execrable Chimæra shall pay for this mischief with his lasthead!"

Thenheshookthebridle,shoutedloudly,andguidedPegasus,notaslantwiseasbefore,butstraightatthemonster'shideousfront.Sorapidwastheonset,thatitseemedbutadazzleandaflashbeforeBellerophonwasatclosegripeswithhisenemy.

TheChimæra,bythis time,after losingitssecondhead,hadgot intoared-hotpassionofpainandrampantrage.Itsoflouncedabout,halfonearthandpartlyintheair,thatitwasimpossibletosaywhichelementitrestedupon.Itopenedits snake-jaws to such an abominablewidth, thatPegasusmight almost, Iwasgoingtosay,haveflownrightdownitsthroat,wingsoutspread,riderandall!Attheirapproach itshotouta tremendousblastof its fierybreath,andenvelopedBellerophonandhissteedinaperfectatmosphereofflame,singeingthewingsofPegasus,scorchingoffonewholesideoftheyoungman'sgoldenringlets,andmakingthembothfarhotterthanwascomfortable,fromheadtofoot.

Butthiswasnothingtowhatfollowed.

Whentheairyrushofthewingedhorsehadbroughthimwithinthedistanceofahundred yards, the Chimæra gave a spring, and flung its huge, awkward,venomous,andutterlydetestablecarcassrightuponpoorPegasus,clungroundhimwithmight andmain, and tied up its snaky tail into a knot!Up flew theaerialsteed,higher,higher,higher,abovethemountain-peaks,abovetheclouds,andalmostoutofsightofthesolidearth.Butstilltheearth-bornmonsterkeptitshold, and was borne upward, along with the creature of light and air.Bellerophon,meanwhile,turningabout,foundhimselffacetofacewiththeuglygrimnessoftheChimæra'svisage,andcouldonlyavoidbeingscorchedtodeath,

or bitten right in twain, by holding up his shield.Over the upper edge of theshield,helookedsternlyintothesavageeyesofthemonster.

ButtheChimærawassomadandwildwithpain,thatitdidnotguarditselfsowellasmightelsehavebeenthecase.Perhaps,afterall,thebestwaytofightaChimæraisbygettingasclosetoitasyoucan.Initseffortstostickitshorribleiron claws into its enemy, the creature left its own breast quite exposed; andperceiving this,Bellerophon thrusthis swordup to thehilt into itscruelheart.Immediately the snaky tail untied its knot. The monster let go its hold ofPegasus, and fell from that vast height, downward; while the fire within itsbosom,insteadofbeingputout,burnedfiercerthanever,andquicklybegantoconsumethedeadcarcass.Thusitfelloutofthesky,alla-flame,and(itbeingnightfallbeforeitreachedtheearth)wasmistakenforashootingstaroracomet.But,atearlysunrise,somecottagersweregoingtotheirday'slabor,andsaw,totheirastonishment,thatseveralacresofgroundwerestrewnwithblackashes.Inthemiddleof a field, therewasaheapofwhitenedbones, agreatdealhigherthanahaystack.NothingelsewaseverseenofthedreadfulChimæra!

AndwhenBellerophonhadwonthevictory,hebentforwardandkissedPegasus,whilethetearsstoodinhiseyes.

"Backnow,mybelovedsteed!"saidhe."BacktotheFountainofPirene!"

Pegasusskimmedthroughtheair,quickerthaneverhedidbefore,andreachedthefountaininaveryshorttime.Andtherehefoundtheoldmanleaningonhisstaff,andthecountryfellowwateringhiscow,andtheprettymaidenfillingherpitcher.

"I remember now," quoth the oldman, "I saw thiswinged horse once before,whenIwasquitealad.Buthewastentimeshandsomerinthosedays."

"Iownacart-horse,worththreeofhim!"saidthecountryfellow."Ifthisponyweremine,thefirstthingIshoulddowouldbetocliphiswings!"

Butthepoormaidensaidnothing,forshehadalwaysthelucktobeafraidatthewrongtime.Sosheranaway,andletherpitchertumbledown,andbrokeit.

"Whereisthegentlechild,"askedBellerophon,"whousedtokeepmecompany,andneverlosthisfaith,andneverwaswearyofgazingintothefountain?"

"HereamI,dearBellerophon!"saidthechild,softly.

Forthelittleboyhadspentdayafterday,onthemarginofPirene,waitingforhisfriendtocomeback;butwhenheperceivedBellerophondescendingthroughtheclouds,mountedonthewingedhorse,hehadshrunkbackintotheshrubbery.Hewas a delicate and tender child, anddreaded lest theoldman and the countryfellowshouldseethetearsgushingfromhiseyes.

"Thou hast won the victory," said he, joyfully, running to the knee ofBellerophon,whostillsatonthebackofPegasus."Iknewthouwouldst."

"Yes,dearchild!"repliedBellerophon,alightingfromthewingedhorse."Butifthyfaithhadnothelpedme,IshouldneverhavewaitedforPegasus,andneverhavegoneupabovetheclouds,andneverhaveconqueredtheterribleChimæra.Thou,mybelovedlittlefriend,hastdoneitall.AndnowletusgivePegasushisliberty."

Soheslippedofftheenchantedbridlefromtheheadofthemarvelloussteed.

"Be free, forevermore,my Pegasus!" cried he,with a shade of sadness in histone."Beasfreeasthouartfleet!"

But Pegasus rested his head on Bellerophon's shoulder, and would not bepersuadedtotakeflight.

"Wellthen,"saidBellerophon,caressingtheairyhorse,"thoushaltbewithme,as long as thouwilt; andwewill go together, forthwith, and tellKing IobatesthattheChimæraisdestroyed."

Then Bellerophon embraced the gentle child, and promised to come to himagain,anddeparted.But, inafteryears, thatchild tookhigher flightsupon theaerialsteedthaneverdidBellerophon,andachievedmorehonorabledeedsthanhisfriend'svictoryovertheChimæra.For,gentleandtenderashewas,hegrewtobeamightypoet!

Bald-Summit

AftertheStory

Eustace Bright told the legend of Bellerophon with as much fervor andanimationas ifhehadreallybeen takingagallopon thewingedhorse.At theconclusion, he was gratified to discern, by the glowing countenances of hisauditors, howgreatly they had been interested.All their eyeswere dancing in

theirheads,exceptthoseofPrimrose.Inhereyestherewerepositivelytears;forshewasconsciousofsomething in the legendwhich therestof themwerenotyet old enough to feel. Child's story as it was, the student had contrived tobreathethroughittheardor,thegeneroushope,andtheimaginativeenterpriseofyouth.

"Iforgiveyou,now,Primrose,"saidhe,"forallyourridiculeofmyselfandmystories.Onetearpaysforagreatdealoflaughter."

"Well,Mr.Bright,"answeredPrimrose,wipinghereyes,andgivinghimanotherofhermischievoussmiles,"itcertainlydoeselevateyourideas,togetyourheadabove the clouds. I advise you never to tell another story, unless it be, as atpresent,fromthetopofamountain."

"OrfromthebackofPegasus,"repliedEustace,laughing."Don'tyouthinkthatIsucceededprettywellincatchingthatwonderfulpony?"

"Itwassolikeoneofyourmadcappranks!"criedPrimrose,clappingherhands."I think I see you now on his back, two miles high, and with your headdownward! It is well that you have not really an opportunity of trying yourhorsemanshiponanywildersteedthanoursoberDavy,orOldHundred."

THEFOUNTAINOFPIRENE(FromtheoriginalinthecollectionofAustinM.Purves,Esq're

Philadelphia)

"Formypart, Iwish I hadPegasushere, at thismoment," said the student. "Iwould mount him forthwith, and gallop about the country, within acircumferenceofa fewmiles,making literarycallsonmybrotherauthors.Dr.Deweywouldbewithinmyreach,atthefootofTaconic.InStockbridge,yonder,isMr. James,conspicuous toall theworldonhismountain-pileofhistoryandromance.Longfellow,Ibelieve,isnotyetattheOx-bow,elsethewingedhorsewould neigh at the sight of him. But, here in Lenox, I should find our mosttruthfulnovelist,whohasmadethesceneryandlifeofBerkshireallherown.On

the hither side of Pittsfield sits Herman Melville, shaping out the giganticconception of his 'WhiteWhale,' while the gigantic shape of Graylock loomsupon him from his study-window. Another bound of my flying steed wouldbringmeto thedoorofHolmes,whomImention last,becausePegasuswouldcertainlyunseatme,thenextminute,andclaimthepoetashisrider."

"Havewe not an author for our next neighbor?" asked Primrose. "That silentman,who lives in theold redhouse,nearTanglewoodAvenue,andwhomwesometimesmeet,withtwochildrenathisside,inthewoodsoratthelake.IthinkIhaveheardofhishavingwrittenapoem,oraromance,oranarithmetic,oraschool-history,orsomeotherkindofabook."

"Hush,Primrose,hush!"exclaimedEustace, ina thrillingwhisper, andputtinghis finger on his lip. "Not a word about that man, even on a hill-top! If ourbabbleweretoreachhisears,andhappennottopleasehim,hehasbuttoflingaquireor twoofpaper into thestove,andyou,Primrose,andI,andPeriwinkle,SweetFern,Squash-Blossom,BlueEye,Huckleberry,Clover,Cowslip,Plantain,Milkweed, Dandelion, and Buttercup,—yes, and wise Mr. Pringle, with hisunfavorable criticisms onmy legends, and poorMrs. Pringle, too,—would allturntosmoke,andgowhiskingupthefunnel!Ourneighborintheredhouseisaharmless sort of person enough, for aught I know, as concerns the rest of theworld;butsomethingwhisperstomethathehasaterriblepoweroverourselves,extendingtonothingshortofannihilation."

"AndwouldTanglewoodturntosmoke,aswellaswe?"askedPeriwinkle,quiteappalled at the threatened destruction. "And what would become of Ben andBruin?"

"Tanglewoodwould remain," replied the student, "looking just as it doesnow,butoccupiedbyanentirelydifferentfamily.AndBenandBruinwouldbestillalive, and would make themselves very comfortable with the bones from thedinner-table,without ever thinkingof thegood timeswhich they andwehavehadtogether!"

"Whatnonsenseyouaretalking!"exclaimedPrimrose.

Withidlechatofthiskind,thepartyhadalreadybeguntodescendthehill,andwerenowwithin theshadowof thewoods.Primrosegatheredsomemountain-laurel, the leafofwhich, thoughof lastyear'sgrowth,wasstill asverdantandelastic as if the frost and thaw had not alternately tried their force upon itstexture.Ofthesetwigsoflaurelshetwinedawreath,andtookoffthestudent's

cap,inordertoplaceitonhisbrow.

"Nobodyelseislikelytocrownyouforyourstories,"observedsaucyPrimrose,"sotakethisfromme."

"Donotbetoosure,"answeredEustace,lookingreallylikeayouthfulpoet,withthe laurel amonghisglossy curls, "that I shall notwinotherwreathsby thesewonderfulandadmirablestories.Imeantospendallmyleisure,duringtherestofthevacation,andthroughoutthesummertermatcollege,inwritingthemoutforthepress.Mr.J.T.Fields(withwhomIbecameacquaintedwhenhewasinBerkshire,lastsummer,andwhoisapoet,aswellasapublisher)willseetheiruncommonmerit at aglance.Hewillget them illustrated, Ihope,byBillings,andwillbringthembeforetheworldundertheverybestofauspices,throughtheeminenthouseofTicknor&Co.Inaboutfivemonthsfromthismoment,Imakenodoubtofbeingreckonedamongthelightsofthisage!"

"Poorboy!"saidPrimrose,halfaside."Whatadisappointmentawaitshim!"

Descendingalittlelower,Bruinbegantobark,andwasansweredbythegraverbow-wow of the respectable Ben. They soon saw the good old dog, keepingcareful watch over Dandelion, Sweet Fern, Cowslip, and Squash-Blossom.These littlepeople,quite recovered from their fatigue,had set aboutgatheringcheckerberries, and now came clambering to meet their playfellows. Thusreunited,thewholepartywentdownthroughLutherButler'sorchard,andmadethebestoftheirwayhometoTanglewood.

TanglewoodTales,

ForGirlsAndBoys,

BeingASecondWonder-Book

TANGLEWOODTALES

TheWayside

Introductory

Ashorttimeago,IwasfavoredwithaflyingvisitfrommyyoungfriendEustaceBright,whomIhadnotbeforemetwithsincequittingthebreezymountainsofBerkshire. It being the winter vacation at his college, Eustace was allowinghimselfalittlerelaxation,inthehope,hetoldme,ofrepairingtheinroadswhichsevere application to study had made upon his health; and I was happy toconclude, from the excellent physical condition in which I saw him, that theremedyhadalreadybeenattendedwithverydesirablesuccess.Hehadnowrunup fromBostonby thenoon train, partly impelledby the friendly regardwithwhich he is pleased to honorme, and partly, as I soon found, on amatter ofliterarybusiness.

ItdelightedmetoreceiveMr.Bright, for thefirst time,underaroof, thoughavery humble one, which I could really callmy own.Nor did I fail (as is thecustomof landedproprietorsallabout theworld) toparade thepoor fellowupanddownovermyhalfadozenacres;secretly rejoicing,nevertheless, that thedisarray of the inclement season, and particularly the six inches of snow thenupon theground,preventedhimfromobserving the raggedneglectofsoilandshrubberyintowhichtheplacehaslapsed.Itwasidle,however,toimaginethatan airy guest from Monument Mountain, Bald-Summit, and old Graylock,shaggywithprimevalforests,couldseeanythingtoadmireinmypoorlittlehill-side,withitsgrowthoffrailandinsect-eatenlocust-trees.Eustaceveryfranklycalled the view frommy hill-top tame; and so, no doubt, it was, after rough,broken, rugged, headlong Berkshire, and especially the northern parts of thecounty,withwhichhiscollegeresidencehadmadehimfamiliar.Buttomethereisapeculiar,quietcharmin thesebroadmeadowsandgentleeminences.Theyarebetterthanmountains,becausetheydonotstampandstereotypethemselvesinto the brain, and thus grow wearisome with the same strong impression,repeated day after day. A few summer weeks among mountains, a lifetimeamong green meadows and placid slopes, with outlines forever new, becausecontinuallyfadingoutofthememory,—suchwouldbemysoberchoice.

I doubtwhether Eustace did not internally pronounce thewhole thing a bore,

untilIledhimtomypredecessor'slittleruined,rusticsummer-house,midwayonthehill-side.It isamereskeletonofslender,decayingtree-trunks,withneitherwalls nor a roof; nothing but a tracery of branches and twigs,which the nextwintryblastwillbeverylikelytoscatterinfragmentsalongtheterrace.Itlooks,andis,asevanescentasadream;andyet,initsrusticnet-workofboughs,ithassomehowenclosedahintofspiritualbeauty,andhasbecomeatrueemblemofthesubtileandetherealmindthatplannedit.ImadeEustaceBrightsitdownonasnow-bank,whichbadheapeditselfover themossyseat,andgazingthroughthe arched window opposite, he acknowledged that the scene at once grewpicturesque.

"Simpleasitlooks,"saidhe,"thislittleedificeseemstobetheworkofmagic.Itisfullofsuggestiveness,and,initsway,isasgoodasacathedral.Ah,itwouldbe just the spot for one to sit in, of a summer afternoon, and tell the childrensomemoreofthosewildstoriesfromtheclassicmyths!"

"Itwould,indeed,"answeredI."Thesummer-houseitself,soairyandsobroken,islikeoneofthoseoldtales,imperfectlyremembered;andtheselivingbranchesof the Baldwin apple-tree, thrusting themselves so rudely in, are like yourunwarrantableinterpolations.But,bytheby,haveyouaddedanymorelegendstotheseries,sincethepublicationoftheWonderBook?"

"Manymore," saidEustace; "Primrose,Periwinkle, and the restof themallowmenocomfortofmylife,unlessItellthemastoryeverydayortwo.Ihaverunawayfromhomepartlytoescapetheimportunityofthoselittlewretches!ButIhavewrittenoutsixofthenewstories,andhavebroughtthemforyoutolookover."

"Aretheyasgoodasthefirst?"Iinquired.

"Better chosen, and better handled," replied Eustace Bright. "Youwill say sowhenyoureadthem."

"Possiblynot," I remarked."Iknow,frommyownexperience, thatanauthor'slastworkisalwayshisbestone,inhisownestimate,untilitquitelosestheredheatofcomposition.Afterthat,itfallsintoitstrueplace,quietlyenough.Butletusadjourntomystudy,andexaminethesenewstories.Itwouldhardlybedoingyourselfjustice,wereyoutobringmeacquaintedwiththem,sittinghereonthissnow-bank!"

Sowedescendedthehilltomysmall,oldcottage,andshutourselvesupinthe

southeasternroom,wherethesunshinecomesin,warmlyandbrightly, throughthebetterhalfofawinter'sday.Eustaceputhisbundleofmanuscript intomyhands;andIskimmedthroughitprettyrapidly,tryingtofindoutitsmeritsanddemeritsbythetouchofmyfingers,asaveteranstory-telleroughttoknowhowtodo.

It will be remembered, that Mr. Bright condescended to avail himself of myliteraryexperiencebyconstitutingmeeditoroftheWonderBook.Ashehadnoreason tocomplainof the receptionof thateruditeworkby thepublic,hewasnow disposed to retain me in a similar position, with respect to the presentvolume, which he entitled "TANGLEWOOD TALES." Not, as Eustace hinted, thattherewasanyrealnecessityformyservicesasintroductor,inasmuchashisownnamehadbecomeestablished, in somegooddegreeof favor,with the literaryworld. But the connectionwithmyself, hewas kind enough to say, had beenhighly agreeable; nor was he by any means desirous, as most people are, ofkicking away the ladder that had perhaps helped him to reach his presentelevation.Myyoung friendwaswilling, in short, that the freshverdureof hisgrowing reputation should spread over my straggling and half-naked boughs;evenasIhavesometimesthoughtoftrainingavine,withitsbroadleafiness,andpurple fruitage, over the worm-eaten posts and rafters of the rustic summer-house.Iwasnotinsensibletotheadvantagesofhisproposal,andgladlyassuredhimofmyacceptance.

Merelyfromthetitlesofthestories,Isawatoncethatthesubjectswerenotlessrich than those of the former volume; nor did I at all doubt thatMr. Bright'saudacity (so far as that endowmentmight avail) had enabled him to take fulladvantageofwhatevercapabilitiestheyoffered.Yet,inspiteofmyexperienceofhisfreewayofhandlingthem,Ididnotquitesee,Iconfess,howhecouldhaveobviatedallthedifficultiesinthewayofrenderingthempresentabletochildren.Theseold legends,sobrimmingoverwitheverything that ismostabhorrent toourChristianizedmoralsense,—someofthemsohideous,otherssomelancholyand miserable, amid which the Greek tragedians sought their themes, andmouldedthemintothesternestformsofgriefthatevertheworldsaw;wassuchmaterialthestuffthatchildren'splaythingsshouldbemadeof!Howweretheytobepurified?Howwastheblessedsunshinetobethrownintothem?

ButEustacetoldmethatthesemythswerethemostsingularthingsintheworld,andthathewasinvariablyastonished,wheneverhebegantorelateone,bythereadinesswithwhichitadapteditselftothechildishpurityofhisauditors.Theobjectionablecharacteristicsseemtobeaparasiticalgrowth,havingnoessential

connectionwiththeoriginalfable.Theyfallaway,andarethoughtofnomore,the instant he puts his imagination in sympathywith the innocent little circle,whosewide-openeyesare fixedsoeagerlyuponhim.Thus thestories (notbyany strained effort of the narrator's, but in harmonywith their inherent germ)transformthemselves,andreassumetheshapeswhichtheymightbesupposedtopossessinthepurechildhoodoftheworld.Whenthefirstpoetorromancertoldthese marvellous legends (such is Eustace Bright's opinion), it was still theGoldenAge. Evil had never yet existed; and sorrow,misfortune, crime, weremere shadowswhich themind fancifullycreated for itself, asa shelter againsttoo sunny realities; or, at most, but prophetic dreams, to which the dreamerhimself did not yield a waking credence. Children are now the onlyrepresentativesofthemenandwomenofthathappyera;andthereforeitisthatwe must raise the intellect and fancy to the level of childhood, in order torecreatetheoriginalmyths.

I let theyouthful author talk asmuch and as extravagantly as hepleased, andwasglad to seehimcommencing lifewith suchconfidence inhimself andhisperformances.Afewyearswilldoallthatisnecessarytowardsshowinghimthetruthinbothrespects.Meanwhile,itisbutrighttosay,hedoesreallyappeartohaveovercomethemoralobjectionsagainstthesefables,althoughattheexpenseofsuch libertieswith their structureasmustbe left toplead theirownexcuse,withoutanyhelpfromme.Indeed,exceptthattherewasanecessityforit,—andthattheinnerlifeofthelegendscannotbecomeatsavebymakingthementirelyone'sownproperty,—thereisnodefencetobemade.

Eustace informed me that he had told his stories to the children in varioussituations,—inthewoods,ontheshoreofthelake,inthedellofShadowBrook,intheplay-room,atTanglewoodfireside,andinamagnificentpalaceofsnow,withicewindows,whichhehelpedhislittlefriendstobuild.Hisauditorswereeven more delighted with the contents of the present volume than with thespecimenswhichhavealreadybeengiventotheworld.TheclassicallylearnedMr. Pringle, too, had listened to two or three of the tales, and censured themevenmore bitterly than he did THE THREE GOLDENAPPLES; so that, what withpraise,andwhatwithcriticism,EustaceBrightthinksthatthereisgoodhopeofatleastasmuchsuccesswiththepublicasinthecaseoftheWonderBook.

Imadeallsortsofinquiriesaboutthechildren,notdoubtingthattherewouldbegreateagernesstohearoftheirwelfareamongsomegoodlittlefolkswhohavewrittentome,toaskforanothervolumeofmyths.Theyareall,Iamhappytosay (unlessweexceptClover), inexcellenthealthandspirits.Primrose isnow

almostayounglady,and,Eustacetellsme,isjustassaucyasever.Shepretendstoconsiderherselfquitebeyondtheagetobeinterestedbysuchidlestoriesasthese;but,forallthat,wheneverastoryistobetold,Primroseneverfailstobeone of the listeners, and to make fun of it when finished. Periwinkle is verymuchgrown,andisexpectedtoshutupherbaby-houseandthrowawayherdollinamonthortwomore.SweetFernhaslearnedtoreadandwrite,andhasputonajacketandpairofpantaloons,—allofwhichimprovementsIamsorryfor.Squash-Blossom,BlueEye,Plantain,andButtercuphavehad thescarlet fever,butcameeasilythroughit.Huckleberry,Milkweed,andDandelionwereattackedwiththehooping-cough,butboreitbravely,andkeptoutofdoorswheneverthesunshone.Cowslip,duringtheautumn,hadeitherthemeasles,orsomeeruptionthatlookedverymuchlikeit,butwashardlysickaday.PoorCloverhasbeenagooddealtroubledwithhersecondteeth,whichhavemadehermeagreinaspectand rather fractious in temper; nor, evenwhen she smiles, is themattermuchmended,sinceitdisclosesagapjustwithinherlips,almostaswideasthebarndoor.Butallthiswillpassover,anditispredictedthatshewillturnoutaveryprettygirl.

AsforMr.Brighthimself,heisnowinhissenioryearatWilliamsCollege,andhas a prospect of graduatingwith some degree of honorable distinction at thenextCommencement. In his oration for the bachelor's degree, he givesme tounderstand, hewill treat of the classicalmyths, viewed in the aspect of babystories,andhasagreatmindtodiscusstheexpediencyofusingupthewholeofancienthistoryfor thesamepurpose.Idonotknowwhathemeans todowithhimself after leaving college, but trust that, by dabbling so early with thedangerous and seductive business of authorship, he will not be tempted tobecomeanauthorbyprofession. Ifso, Ishallbeverysorryfor the little that Ihavehadtodowiththematter,inencouragingthesefirstbeginnings.

I wish there were any likelihood of my soon seeing Primrose, Periwinkle,Dandelion, Sweet Fern, Clover, Plantain, Huckleberry, Milkweed, Cowslip,Buttercup,BlueEye,andSquash-Blossomagain.ButasIdonotknowwhenIshallrevisitTanglewood,andasEustaceBrightprobablywillnotaskmetoeditathirdWonderBook,thepublicoflittlefolksmustnotexpecttohearanymoreabout those dear children from me. Heaven bless them, and everybody else,whethergrownpeopleorchildren!

THEWAYSIDE,CONCORD,MASS.

March13,1853.

TheMinotaur

In theold cityofTrœzene, at the footof a loftymountain, there lived, averylongtimeago,alittleboynamedTheseus.Hisgrandfather,KingPittheus,wasthe sovereign of that country, and was reckoned a very wise man; so thatTheseus,beingbroughtupintheroyalpalace,andbeingnaturallyabrightlad,couldhardly failofprofitingby theoldking's instructions.Hismother'snamewasÆthra.Asforhisfather,theboyhadneverseenhim.But,fromhisearliestremembrance,Æthraused togowith littleTheseus intoawood, and sitdownuponamoss-grownrock,whichwasdeeplysunkintotheearth.Heresheoftentalkedwithhersonabouthisfather,andsaidthathewascalledÆgeus,andthathewasagreatking,andruledoverAttica,anddweltatAthens,whichwasasfamousacityasanyintheworld.TheseuswasveryfondofhearingaboutKingÆgeus,andoftenaskedhisgoodmotherÆthrawhyhedidnotcomeand livewiththematTrœzene.

"Ah,mydearson,"answeredÆthra,withasigh,"amonarchhashispeopletotake care of. The men and women over whom he rules are in the place ofchildrentohim;andhecanseldomsparetimetolovehisownchildrenasotherparentsdo.Yourfatherwillneverbeabletoleavehiskingdomforthesakeofseeinghislittleboy."

"Well,but,dearmother,"askedtheboy,"whycannotIgotothisfamouscityofAthens,andtellKingÆgeusthatIamhisson?"

"Thatmayhappenbyandby,"saidÆthra."Bepatient,andweshallsee.Youarenotyetbigandstrongenoughtosetoutonsuchanerrand."

"AndhowsoonshallIbestrongenough?"Theseuspersistedininquiring.

"Youarebutatinyboyasyet,"repliedhismother."Seeifyoucanliftthisrockonwhichwearesitting?"

Thelittlefellowhadagreatopinionofhisownstrength.So,graspingtheroughprotuberancesoftherock,hetuggedandtoiledamain,andgothimselfquiteoutofbreath,withoutbeingabletostirtheheavystone.Itseemedtoberootedintothe ground.Nowonder he could notmove it; for itwould have taken all theforceofaverystrongmantoliftitoutofitsearthybed.

Hismotherstoodlookingon,withasadkindofasmileonher lipsandinhereyes,toseethezealousandyetpunyeffortsofherlittleboy.Shecouldnothelpbeing sorrowfulat findinghimalreadyso impatient tobeginhisadventures intheworld.

"You see how it is,my dear Theseus," said she. "Youmust possess farmorestrength thannowbeforeIcan trustyou togo toAthens,and tellKingÆgeusthat you are his son. But when you can lift this rock, and show me what ishiddenbeneathit,Ipromiseyoumypermissiontodepart."

Oftenandoften,afterthis,didTheseusaskhismotherwhetheritwasyettimeforhimtogo toAthens;andstillhismotherpointed to therock,and toldhimthat,foryearstocome,hecouldnotbestrongenoughtomoveit.Andagainandagain the rosy-cheekedandcurly-headedboywould tugandstrainat thehugemassof stone, striving, child ashewas, todowhat agiant couldhardlyhavedone without taking both of his great hands to the task.Meanwhile the rockseemedtobesinkingfartherandfartherintotheground.Themossgrewoveritthickerandthicker,untilatlastitlookedalmostlikeasoftgreenseat,withonlyafewgrayknobsofgranitepeepingout.Theoverhangingtrees,also,shedtheirbrown leavesupon it, asoftenas theautumncame;andat itsbasegrewfernsandwildflowers,someofwhichcreptquiteoveritssurface.Toallappearance,therockwasasfirmlyfastenedasanyotherportionoftheearth'ssubstance.

But,difficult as thematter looked,Theseuswasnowgrowingup tobe suchavigorousyouth,that,inhisownopinion,thetimewouldquicklycomewhenhemighthopetogettheupperhandofthisponderouslumpofstone.

"Mother, I do believe it has started!" cried he, after one of his attempts. "Theeartharounditiscertainlyalittlecracked!"

"No, no, child!" hismother hastily answered. "It is not possible you canhavemovedit,suchaboyasyoustillare!"

Norwouldshebeconvinced,althoughTheseusshowedhertheplacewherehefanciedthatthestemofaflowerhadbeenpartlyuprootedbythemovementoftherock.ButÆthrasighedandlookeddisquieted;for,nodoubt,shebegantobeconsciousthathersonwasnolongerachild,andthat,inalittlewhilehence,shemustsendhimforthamongtheperilsandtroublesoftheworld.

Itwasnotmorethanayearafterwardswhentheywereagainsittingonthemoss-coveredstone.Æthrahadoncemoretoldhimtheoft-repeatedstoryofhisfather,

and how gladly he would receive Theseus at his stately palace, and how hewouldpresenthimtohiscourtiersandthepeople,andtellthemthatherewastheheir of his dominions. The eyes of Theseus glowed with enthusiasm, and hewouldhardlysitstilltohearhismotherspeak.

"DearmotherÆthra,"heexclaimed,"Ineverfelthalfsostrongasnow!Iamnolongerachild,noraboy,noramereyouth!Ifeelmyselfaman!Itisnowtimetomakeoneearnesttrialtoremovethestone!"

"Ah,mydearestTheseus,"repliedhismother,"notyet!notyet!"

"Yes,mother,"saidhe,resolutely,"thetimehascome."

ThenTheseusbenthimselfingoodearnesttothetask,andstrainedeverysinew,withmanlystrengthandresolution.Heputhiswholebraveheartintotheeffort.Hewrestledwiththebigandsluggishstone,asifithadbeenalivingenemy.Heheaved,helifted,heresolvednowtosucceed,orelsetoperishthere,andlettherock be his monument forever! Æthra stood gazing at him, and clasped herhands,partlywithamother'spride,andpartlywithamother'ssorrow.Thegreatrockstirred!Yes,itwasraisedslowlyfromthebeddedmossandearth,uprootingtheshrubsandflowersalongwithit,andwasturneduponitsside.Theseushadconquered!

Whiletakingbreath,helookedjoyfullyathismother,andshesmileduponhimthroughhertears.

"Yes,Theseus,"shesaid,"thetimehascome,andyoumuststaynolongeratmyside!SeewhatKingÆgeus,your royal father, left foryou,beneath the stone,whenhe lifted it inhismighty arms, and laid it on the spotwhenceyouhavenowremovedit."

Theseus looked, and saw that the rock had been placed over another slab ofstone, containing a cavity within it; so that it somewhat resembled a roughlymadechestorcoffer,ofwhichtheuppermasshadservedasthelid.Withinthecavitylayasword,withagoldenhilt,andapairofsandals.

"Thatwasyourfather'ssword,"saidÆthra,"andthosewerehissandals.WhenhewenttobekingofAthens,hebademetreatyouasachilduntilyoushouldproveyourselfamanbyliftingthisheavystone.Thattaskbeingaccomplished,youaretoputonhissandals,inordertofollowinyourfather'sfootsteps,andtogirdonhissword,sothatyoumayfightgiantsanddragons,asKingÆgeusdid

inhisyouth."

"IwillsetoutforAthensthisveryday!"criedTheseus.

Buthismotherpersuadedhimtostayadayortwolonger,whileshegotreadysome necessary articles for his journey.When his grandfather, the wise KingPittheus,heardthatTheseusintendedtopresenthimselfathisfather'spalace,heearnestly advised him to get on board of a vessel, and go by sea; because hemightthusarrivewithinfifteenmilesofAthens,withouteitherfatigueordanger.

"The roads are very bad by land," quoth the venerable king; "and they areterriblyinfestedwithrobbersandmonsters.Amerelad,likeTheseus,isnotfittobetrustedonsuchaperilousjourney,allbyhimself.No,no;lethimgobysea!"

ButwhenTheseusheardof robbers andmonsters, heprickeduphis ears, andwassomuchthemoreeagertotaketheroadalongwhichtheyweretobemetwith.Onthethirdday,therefore,hebadearespectfulfarewelltohisgrandfather,thankinghimforallhiskindness,and,afteraffectionatelyembracinghismother,hesetforth,withagoodmanyofhertearsglisteningonhischeeks,andsome,ifthe truthmustbe told, thathadgushedoutofhisowneyes.Buthe let thesunandwinddry them,andwalked stoutlyon,playingwith thegoldenhiltofhisswordandtakingverymanlystridesinhisfather'ssandals.

IcannotstoptotellyouhardlyanyoftheadventuresthatbefellTheseusontheroadtoAthens.Itisenoughtosay,thathequiteclearedthatpartofthecountryof the robbers, aboutwhomKingPittheushadbeen somuchalarmed.OneofthesebadpeoplewasnamedProcrustes;andhewasindeedaterriblefellow,andhadanuglywayofmakingfunofthepoortravellerswhohappenedtofallintohis clutches. In his cavern he had a bed, on which, with great pretence ofhospitality,heinvitedhisgueststoliedown;butiftheyhappenedtobeshorterthan the bed, thiswicked villain stretched themout bymain force; or, if theywere too long, he lopped off their heads or feet, and laughed at what he haddone,asanexcellentjoke.Thus,howeverwearyamanmightbe,heneverlikedto lie in the bed of Procrustes. Another of these robbers, named Scinis,mustlikewisehavebeenaverygreat scoundrel.Hewas in thehabitof flinginghisvictimsoffahighcliffintothesea;and,inordertogivehimexactlyhisdeserts,Theseustossedhimofftheverysameplace.Butifyouwillbelieveme,theseawouldnotpollute itselfby receivingsuchabadperson into itsbosom,neitherwouldtheearth,havingoncegotridofhim,consenttotakehimback;sothat,between thecliff and the sea,Scinis stuck fast in theair,whichwas forced to

beartheburdenofhisnaughtiness.

After thesememorable deeds, Theseus heard of an enormous sow, which ranwild, and was the terror of all the farmers round about; and, as he did notconsiderhimselfabovedoinganygoodthingthatcameinhisway,hekilledthismonstrouscreature,andgavethecarcasstothepoorpeopleforbacon.Thegreatsowhadbeenanawfulbeast,whilerampingaboutthewoodsandfields,butwasapleasant object enoughwhen cut up into joints, and smokingon I knownothowmanydinnertables.

Thus, by the time he had reached his journey's end, Theseus had donemanyvaliantdeedswithhisfather'sgolden-hiltedsword,andhadgainedtherenownofbeingoneofthebravestyoungmenoftheday.Hisfametravelledfasterthanhedid, and reached Athens before him. As he entered the city, he heard theinhabitantstalkingatthestreet-corners,andsayingthatHerculeswasbrave,andJasontoo,andCastorandPolluxlikewise,butthatTheseus,thesonoftheirownking,would turn out as great a hero as the best of them.Theseus took longerstridesonhearingthis,andfanciedhimselfsureofamagnificentreceptionathisfather'scourt,sincehecamehitherwithFametoblowhertrumpetbeforehim,andcrytoKingÆgeus,"Beholdyourson!"

He little suspected, innocent youth that hewas, that here, in this veryAthens,wherehis father reigned,agreaterdangerawaitedhim thananywhichhehadencountered on the road.Yet thiswas the truth.Youmust understand that thefatherofTheseus, thoughnotveryold inyears,wasalmostwornoutwith thecaresofgovernment,andhadthusgrownagedbeforehistime.Hisnephews,notexpecting him to live a very greatwhile, intended to get all the power of thekingdomintotheirownhands.ButwhentheyheardthatTheseushadarrivedinAthens,andlearnedwhatagallantyoungmanhewas,theysawthathewouldnot be at all the kind of person to let them steal away his father's crown andsceptre, which ought to be his own by right of inheritance. Thus these bad-heartednephewsofKingÆgeus,whoweretheowncousinsofTheseus,atoncebecame his enemies. A still more dangerous enemy was Medea, the wickedenchantress;forshewasnowtheking'swife,andwantedtogivethekingdomtoher sonMedus, instead of letting it be given to the son ofÆthra, whom shehated.

Itsohappenedthattheking'snephewsmetTheseus,andfoundoutwhohewas,just as he reached the entrance of the royal palace.With all their evil designsagainsthim,theypretendedtobetheircousin'sbestfriends,andexpressedgreat

joyatmakinghisacquaintance.Theyproposedtohimthatheshouldcomeintotheking'spresenceasastranger,inordertotrywhetherÆgeuswoulddiscoverintheyoungman'sfeaturesanylikenesseithertohimselforhismotherÆthra,and thus recognize him for a son. Theseus consented; for he fancied that hisfatherwouldknowhiminamoment,bythelovethatwasinhisheart.But,whilehewaitedatthedoor,thenephewsranandtoldKingÆgeusthatayoungmanhadarrived inAthens,who, to theircertainknowledge, intended toputhim todeath,andgetpossessionofhisroyalcrown.

"AndheisnowwaitingforadmissiontoyourMajesty'spresence,"addedthey.

"Aha!" cried the old king, on hearing this. "Why, he must be a very wickedyoungfellowindeed!Pray,whatwouldyouadvisemetodowithhim?"

Inreplytothisquestion,thewickedMedeaputinherword.AsIhavealreadytoldyou,shewasafamousenchantress.Accordingtosomestories,shewasinthehabitofboilingoldpeopleinalargecaldron,underpretenceofmakingthemyoungagain;butKingÆgeus,Isuppose,didnotfancysuchanuncomfortablewayofgrowingyoung,orperhapswascontentedtobeold,andthereforewouldnever lethimselfbepopped into the caldron. If therewere time to spare frommore importantmatters, I should be glad to tell you ofMedea's fiery chariot,drawnbywingeddragons,inwhichtheenchantressusedoftentotakeanairingamongtheclouds.Thischariot,infact,wasthevehiclethatfirstbroughthertoAthens, where she had done nothing but mischief ever since her arrival. Buttheseandmanyotherwondersmustbeleftuntold;anditisenoughtosay,thatMedea,amongstathousandotherbadthings,knewhowtoprepareapoison,thatwasinstantlyfataltowhomsoevermightsomuchastouchitwithhislips.

So,whenthekingaskedwhatheshoulddowithTheseus,thisnaughtywomanhadananswerreadyathertongue'send.

"Leave that to me, please your Majesty," she replied. "Only admit this evil-mindedyoungmantoyourpresence,treathimcivilly,andinvitehimtodrinkagobletofwine.YourMajestyiswellawarethatIsometimesamusemyselfwithdistillingverypowerfulmedicines.Hereisoneoftheminthissmallphial.Astowhatitismadeof,thatisoneofmysecretsofstate.Dobutletmeputasingledropintothegoblet,andlettheyoungmantasteit;andIwillanswerforit,heshallquitelayasidethebaddesignswithwhichhecomeshither."

Asshesaidthis,Medeasmiled;but,forallhersmilingface,shemeantnothinglessthantopoisonthepoorinnocentTheseus,beforehisfather'seyes.AndKing

Ægeus,likemostotherkings,thoughtanypunishmentmildenoughforapersonwho was accused of plotting against his life. He therefore made little or noobjectiontoMedea'sscheme,andassoonasthepoisonouswinewasready,gaveordersthattheyoungstrangershouldbeadmittedintohispresence.Thegobletwassetonatablebesidetheking'sthrone;andafly,meaningjusttosipalittlefromthebrim,immediatelytumbledintoit,dead.Observingthis,Medealookedroundatthenephews,andsmiledagain.

When Theseus was ushered into the royal apartment, the only object that heseemed to behold was the white-bearded old king. There he sat on hismagnificentthrone,adazzlingcrownonhishead,andasceptreinhishand.Hisaspect was stately and majestic, although his years and infirmities weighedheavily upon him, as if each year were a lump of lead, and each infirmity aponderous stone, and all were bundled up together, and laid upon his wearyshoulders.The tearsbothof joyandsorrowsprang into theyoungman'seyes;forhethoughthowsaditwastoseehisdearfathersoinfirm,andhowsweetitwouldbe to support himwithhis ownyouthful strength, and to cheer himupwiththealacrityofhislovingspirit.Whenasontakeshisfatherintohiswarmheart,itrenewstheoldman'syouthinabetterwaythanbytheheatofMedea'smagic caldron.And thiswaswhat Theseus resolved to do.He could scarcelywaittoseewhetherKingÆgeuswouldrecognizehim,soeagerwashetothrowhimselfintohisarms.

Advancingtothefootofthethrone,heattemptedtomakealittlespeech,whichhehadbeenthinkingabout,ashecameupthestairs.Buthewasalmostchokedbyagreatmanytenderfeelingsthatgushedoutofhisheartandswelledintohisthroat, all struggling to findutterance together.And therefore, unlesshe couldhavelaidhisfull,over-brimmingheartintotheking'shand,poorTheseusknewnotwhat to do or say. The cunningMedea observedwhatwas passing in theyoungman'smind.Shewasmorewickedatthatmomentthanevershehadbeenbefore;for(anditmakesmetrembletotellyouofit)shedidherworsttoturnallthis unspeakable love with which Theseus was agitated, to his own ruin anddestruction.

"DoesyourMajestyseehisconfusion?"shewhisperedintheking'sear."Heissoconsciousofguilt, thathe tremblesandcannot speak.Thewretch lives toolong!Quick!offerhimthewine!"

NowKingÆgeushadbeengazingearnestlyat theyoungstranger,ashedrewnear the throne. There was something, he knew not what, either in his white

brow,orinthefineexpressionofhismouth,orinhisbeautifulandtendereyes,thatmadehimindistinctlyfeelasifhehadseenthisyouthbefore;asif,indeed,hehadtrottedhimonhiskneewhenababy,andhadbeheldhimgrowingtobeastalwartman,whilehehimselfgrewold.ButMedeaguessedhowthekingfelt,andwould not suffer him to yield to these natural sensibilities; although theywerethevoiceofhisdeepestheart,tellinghim,asplainlyasitcouldspeak,thatherewashisdear son,andÆthra's son,coming toclaimhimfora father.Theenchantress again whispered in the king's ear, and compelled him, by herwitchcraft,toseeeverythingunderafalseaspect.

Hemadeuphismind,therefore,toletTheseusdrinkoffthepoisonedwine.

"Youngman,"saidhe,"youarewelcome!Iamproudtoshowhospitalitytosoheroic a youth. Do me the favor to drink the contents of this goblet. It isbrimmingover,asyousee,withdeliciouswine,suchasIbestowonlyonthosewhoareworthyofit!Noneismoreworthytoquaffitthanyourself!"

Sosaying,KingÆgeustookthegoldengobletfromthetable,andwasabouttooffer it to Theseus. But, partly through his infirmities, and partly because itseemedso sada thing to takeaway thisyoungman's life,howeverwickedhemightbe,andpartly,nodoubt,becausehisheartwaswiser thanhishead,andquakedwithin him at the thought of what hewas going to do,—for all thesereasons,theking'shandtrembledsomuchthatagreatdealofthewinesloppedover. In order to strengthen his purpose, and fearing lest the whole of thepreciouspoisonshouldbewasted,oneofhisnephewsnowwhisperedtohim,—

"Has yourMajesty any doubt of this stranger's guilt?There is the very swordwith which he meant to slay you. How sharp, and bright, and terrible it is!Quick!—lethimtastethewine;orperhapshemaydothedeedevenyet."

Atthesewords,Ægeusdroveeverythoughtandfeelingoutofhisbreast,excepttheone ideaofhow justly theyoungmandeserved tobeput todeath.He saterectonhisthrone,andheldoutthegobletofwinewithasteadyhand,andbentonTheseusafrownofkinglyseverity;for,afterall,hehadtoonobleaspirittomurderevenatreacherousenemywithadeceitfulsmileuponhisface.

"Drink!" said he, in the stern tone with which he was wont to condemn acriminaltobebeheaded."Youhavewelldeservedofmesuchwineasthis!"

Theseus held out his hand to take the wine. But, before he touched it, KingÆgeustrembledagain.Hiseyeshadfallenonthegold-hiltedswordthathungat

theyoungman'sside.Hedrewbackthegoblet.

"Thatsword!"hecried;"howcameyoubyit?"

"It was my father's sword," replied Theseus, with a tremulous voice. "Thesewerehissandals.Mydearmother(hernameisÆthra)toldmehisstorywhileIwasyetalittlechild.ButitisonlyamonthsinceIgrewstrongenoughtolifttheheavystone,andtaketheswordandsandalsfrombeneathit,andcometoAthenstoseekmyfather."

"My son! my son!" cried King Ægeus, flinging away the fatal goblet, andtotteringdownfromthethronetofallintothearmsofTheseus."Yes,theseareÆthra'seyes.Itismyson."

Ihavequiteforgottenwhatbecameoftheking'snephews.ButwhenthewickedMedeasawthisnewturnofaffairs,shehurriedoutoftheroom,andgoingtoherprivate chamber, lost no time in setting her enchantments at work. In a fewmoments, she heard a great noise of hissing snakes outside of the chamberwindow; and, behold! there was her fiery chariot, and four huge wingedserpents,wrigglingandtwistingintheair,flourishingtheirtailshigherthanthetopofthepalace,andallreadytosetoffonanaerialjourney.Medeastayedonlylongenoughtotakehersonwithher,andtostealthecrownjewels,togetherwiththeking'sbestrobes,andwhateverothervaluablethingsshecouldlayhandson;andgettingintothechariot,shewhippedupthesnakes,andascendedhighoverthecity.

Theking,hearingthehissof theserpents,scrambledasfastashecouldto thewindow,andbawledouttotheabominableenchantressnevertocomeback.Thewhole people ofAthens, too,who had run out of doors to see thiswonderfulspectacle, set up a shout of joy at the prospect of getting rid of her. Medea,almostburstingwithrage,utteredpreciselysuchahissasoneofherownsnakes,onlytentimesmorevenomousandspiteful;andglaringfiercelyoutoftheblazeof the chariot, she shook her hands over the multitude below, as if she werescattering a million of curses among them. In so doing, however, sheunintentionally let fallaboutfivehundreddiamondsof thefirstwater, togetherwith a thousand great pearls, and two thousand emeralds, rubies, sapphires,opals,andtopazes,towhichshehadhelpedherselfoutoftheking'sstrong-box.Allthesecamepeltingdown,likeashowerofmany-coloredhailstones,upontheheadsofgrownpeopleandchildren,whoforthwithgatheredthemupandcarriedthembacktothepalace.ButKingÆgeustoldthemthattheywerewelcometo

thewhole,andtotwiceasmanymore,ifhehadthem,forthesakeofhisdelightat findinghisson,and losing thewickedMedea.And, indeed, ifyouhadseenhowhatefulwasherlastlook,astheflamingchariotflewupward,youwouldnothave wondered that both king and people should think her departure a goodriddance.

AndnowPrinceTheseuswastakenintogreatfavorbyhisroyalfather.Theoldkingwasneverwearyof havinghim sit besidehimonhis throne (whichwasquitewideenoughfortwo),andofhearinghimtellabouthisdearmother,andhischildhood,andhismanyboyisheffortstolifttheponderousstone.Theseus,however,wasmuchtoobraveandactiveayoungmantobewillingtospendallhis time in relating things which had already happened. His ambition was toperform other andmore heroic deeds,which should be betterworth telling inproseandverse.NorhadhebeenlonginAthensbeforehecaughtandchainedaterriblemad bull, andmade a public show of him, greatly to thewonder andadmirationofgoodKingÆgeusandhissubjects.Butprettysoon,heundertookanaffair thatmadeallhis foregoneadventuresseemlikemereboy'splay.Theoccasionofitwasasfollows:—

Onemorning,whenPrinceTheseusawoke,hefanciedthathemusthavehadaverysorrowfuldream,andthatitwasstillrunninginhismind,evennowthathiseyeswereopen.Foritappearedasiftheairwasfullofamelancholywail;andwhenhelistenedmoreattentively,hecouldhearsobsandgroans,andscreamsofwoe,mingledwith deep, quiet sighs,which came from the king's palace, andfromthestreets,andfromthetemples,andfromeveryhabitationinthecity.Andall these mournful noises, issuing out of thousands of separate hearts, unitedthemselves into the one great sound of affliction, which bad startled Theseusfromslumber.Heputonhis clothes asquickly ashe could (not forgettinghissandals andgold-hilted sword), and hastening to the king, inquiredwhat it allmeant.

"Alas! my son," quoth King Ægeus, heaving a long sigh, "here is a verylamentablematterinhand!Thisisthewofullestanniversaryinthewholeyear.ItisthedaywhenweannuallydrawlotstoseewhichoftheyouthsandmaidensofAthensshallgotobedevouredbythehorribleMinotaur!"

"TheMinotaur!"exclaimedPrinceTheseus;and,likeabraveyoungprinceashewas,heputhishandtothehiltofhissword."Whatkindofamonstermaythatbe?Isitnotpossible,attheriskofone'slife,toslayhim?"

ButKingÆgeusshookhisvenerablehead,andtoconvinceTheseusthatitwasquiteahopelesscase,hegavehimanexplanationof thewholeaffair.Itseemsthat in the island of Crete there lived a certain dreadful monster, called aMinotaur,whichwas shapedpartly like aman andpartly like a bull, andwasaltogethersuchahideoussortofacreaturethatitisreallydisagreeabletothinkofhim. If hewere suffered to exist at all, it shouldhavebeenon somedesertisland,or in theduskinessof somedeepcavern,wherenobodywouldeverbetormentedbyhisabominableaspect.ButKingMinos,whoreignedoverCrete,laidoutavastdealofmoneyinbuildingahabitationfortheMinotaur,andtookgreat care of his health and comfort,merely formischief's sake. A few yearsbeforethistime,therehadbeenawarbetweenthecityofAthensandtheislandofCrete, inwhichtheAthenianswerebeaten,andcompelledtobegforpeace.Nopeacecouldtheyobtain,however,exceptonconditionthattheyshouldsendseven young men and seven maidens, every year, to be devoured by the petmonsterofthecruelKingMinos.Forthreeyearspast,thisgrievouscalamityhadbeenborne.Andthesobs,andgroans,andshrieks,withwhichthecitywasnowfilled,werecausedbythepeople'swoe,becausethefataldayhadcomeagain,when the fourteenvictimswere tobechosenby lot;and theoldpeople fearedlesttheirsonsordaughtersmightbetaken,andtheyouthsanddamselsdreadedlest they themselves might be destined to glut the ravenous maw of thatdetestableman-brute.

ButwhenTheseusheardthestory,hestraightenedhimselfup,sothatheseemedtaller than ever before; and as for his face, it was indignant, despiteful, bold,tender,andcompassionate,allinonelook.

"LetthepeopleofAthens,thisyear,drawlotsforonlysixyoungmen,insteadofseven,"saidhe."Iwillmyselfbetheseventh;andlettheMinotaurdevourme,ifhecan!"

"Omydear son," criedKingÆgeus, "why shouldyouexposeyourself to thishorriblefate?Youarearoyalprince,andhavearighttoholdyourselfabovethedestiniesofcommonmen."

"ItisbecauseIamaprince,yourson,andtherightfulheirofyourkingdom,thatI freely takeuponme thecalamityofyour subjects,"answeredTheseus. "Andyou,myfather,beingkingoverthispeople,andanswerabletoHeavenfortheirwelfare,areboundtosacrificewhatisdearesttoyou,ratherthanthatthesonordaughterofthepoorestcitizenshouldcometoanyharm."

Theoldkingshedtears,andbesoughtTheseusnottoleavehimdesolateinhisold age, more especially as he had but just begun to know the happiness ofpossessing a good and valiant son. Theseus, however, felt that he was in theright,and thereforewouldnotgiveuphisresolution.Butheassuredhis fatherthathedidnotintendtobeeatenup,unresistingly,likeasheep,andthat,iftheMinotaur devoured him, it should not bewithout a battle for his dinner. Andfinally, since he could not help it,KingÆgeus consented to let him go. So avesselwasgot ready, and riggedwithblack sails; andTheseus,with sixotheryoungmen,andseventenderandbeautifuldamsels,camedowntotheharbortoembark.A sorrowfulmultitudeaccompanied them to the shore.Therewas thepooroldking, too, leaningonhis son's arm,and lookingas ifhis singleheartheldallthegriefofAthens.

JustasPrinceTheseuswasgoingonboard,hisfatherbethoughthimselfofonelastwordtosay.

"Mybelovedson,"saidhe,graspingtheprince'shand,"youobservethatthesailsofthisvesselareblack;asindeedtheyoughttobe,sinceitgoesuponavoyageof sorrowanddespair.Now,beingweigheddownwith infirmities, IknownotwhetherIcansurvivetillthevesselshallreturn.But,aslongasIdolive,Ishallcreepdaily to the topofyonder cliff, towatch if therebea sail upon the sea.And,dearestTheseus, ifbysomehappychanceyoushouldescape the jawsoftheMinotaur, then tear down those dismal sails, andhoist others that shall bebrightasthesunshine.Beholdingthemonthehorizon,myselfandallthepeoplewillknowthatyouarecomingbackvictorious,andwillwelcomeyouwithsuchafestaluproarasAthensneverheardbefore."

Theseus promised that he would do so. Then, going on board, the marinerstrimmed the vessel's black sails to thewind,whichblew faintly off the shore,beingprettymuchmadeupofthesighsthateverybodykeptpouringforthonthismelancholyoccasion.Butbyandby,whentheyhadgotfairlyouttosea,therecameastiffbreezefromthenorthwest,anddrovethemalongasmerrilyoverthewhite-capped waves as if they had been going on the most delightful errandimaginable.Andthoughitwasasadbusinessenough,Iratherquestionwhetherfourteen young people, without any old persons to keep them in order, couldcontinue to spend thewhole timeof thevoyage inbeingmiserable.Therehadbeen some few dances upon the undulating deck, I suspect, and some heartybursts of laughter, and other such unseasonablemerriment among the victims,before thehigh,bluemountainsofCretebegantoshowthemselvesamongthefar-offclouds.Thatsight,tobesure,madethemallverygraveagain.

Theseusstoodamongthesailors,gazingeagerlytowardstheland;although,asyet, it seemed hardly more substantial than the clouds, amidst which themountainswere loomingup.Onceor twice, he fancied that he sawaglare ofsomebrightobject,alongwayoff,flingingagleamacrossthewaves.

"Didyouseethatflashoflight?"heinquiredofthemasterofthevessel.

"No, prince; but I have seen it before," answered the master. "It came fromTalus,Isuppose."

As the breeze came fresher just then, themasterwas busywith trimming hissails,andhadnomoretimetoanswerquestions.Butwhilethevesselflewfasterand faster towards Crete, Theseus was astonished to behold a human figure,giganticinsize,whichappearedtobestridingwithameasuredmovement,alongthemarginoftheisland.Itsteppedfromcliff tocliff,andsometimesfromoneheadlandtoanother,whiletheseafoamedandthunderedontheshorebeneath,anddasheditsjetsofsprayoverthegiant'sfeet.Whatwasstillmoreremarkable,wheneverthesunshoneonthishugefigure,itflickeredandglimmered;itsvastcountenance, too, had a metallic lustre, and threw great flashes of splendorthrough the air. The folds of its garments,moreover, instead ofwaving in thewind,fellheavilyoveritslimbs,asifwovenofsomekindofmetal.

The nigher the vessel came, the more Theseus wondered what this immensegiantcouldbe,andwhetheritactuallyhadlifeorno.Forthoughitwalked,andmade other lifelike motions, there yet was a kind of jerk in its gait, which,togetherwithitsbrazenaspect,causedtheyoungprincetosuspectthatitwasnotruegiant, but only awonderful pieceofmachinery.The figure looked all themoreterriblebecauseitcarriedanenormousbrassclubonitsshoulder.

"Whatisthiswonder?"Theseusaskedofthemasterofthevessel,whowasnowatleisuretoanswerhim.

"ItisTalus,theManofBrass,"saidthemaster.

"Andishealivegiant,orabrazenimage?"askedTheseus.

"That, truly," replied themaster, "is thepointwhichhasalwaysperplexedme.Somesay,indeed,thatthisTaluswashammeredoutforKingMinosbyVulcanhimself,theskilfullestofallworkersinmetal.Butwhoeversawabrazenimagethathad sense enough towalk roundan island three times aday, as thisgiantwalks round the island ofCrete, challenging every vessel that comes nigh the

shore?And,ontheotherhand,whatlivingthing,unlesshissinewsweremadeofbrass,wouldnot bewearyofmarching eighteenhundredmiles in the twenty-fourhours,asTalusdoes,withouteversittingdowntorest?Heisapuzzler,takehimhowyouwill."

Stillthevesselwentboundingonward;andnowTheseuscouldhearthebrazenclangor of the giant's footsteps, as he trod heavily upon the sea-beaten rocks,someofwhichwereseentocrackandcrumbleintothefoamywavesbeneathhisweight.As they approached the entrance of the port, the giant straddled clearacrossit,withafootfirmlyplantedoneachheadland,andupliftinghisclubtosuchaheightthatitsbutt-endwashiddeninacloud,hestoodinthatformidableposture, with the sun gleaming all over his metallic surface. There seemednothingelsetobeexpectedbutthat,thenextmoment,hewouldfetchhisgreatclub down, slam bang, and smash the vessel into a thousand pieces, withoutheeding howmany innocent people hemight destroy; for there is seldom anymercyinagiant,youknow,andquiteaslittleinapieceofbrassclockwork.ButjustwhenTheseusandhiscompanionsthoughttheblowwascoming,thebrazenlipsunclosedthemselves,andthefigurespoke.

"Whencecomeyou,strangers?"

Andwhentheringingvoiceceased, therewasjustsuchareverberationasyoumayhaveheardwithinagreatchurchbell,foramomentortwoafterthestrokeofthehammer.

"FromAthens!"shoutedthemasterinreply.

"Onwhaterrand?"thunderedtheManofBrass.

Andhewhirledhisclubaloftmorethreateninglythanever,asifhewereabouttosmite them with a thunder-stroke right amid-ships, because Athens, so littlewhileago,hadbeenatwarwithCrete.

"Webringthesevenyouthsandthesevenmaidens,"answeredthemaster,"tobedevouredbytheMinotaur!"

"Pass!"criedthebrazengiant.

Thatone loudword rolledall about the sky,whileagain therewasaboomingreverberationwithinthefigure'sbreast.Thevesselglidedbetweentheheadlandsoftheport,andthegiantresumedhismarch.Inafewmoments,thiswondroussentinel was far away, flashing in the distant sunshine, and revolving with

immensestridesaround the islandofCrete,as itwashisnever-ceasing task todo.

NosoonerhadtheyenteredtheharborthanapartyoftheguardsofKingMinoscamedown to thewater-side, and took chargeof the fourteenyoungmen anddamsels. Surrounded by these armed warriors, Prince Theseus and hiscompanionswere led to theking'spalace,andushered intohispresence.Now,Minoswasasternandpitilessking.IfthefigurethatguardedCretewasmadeofbrass, then the monarch, who ruled over it, might be thought to have a stillhardermetalinhisbreast,andmighthavebeencalledamanofiron.HebenthisshaggybrowsuponthepoorAthenianvictims.Anyothermortal,beholdingtheirfreshandtenderbeauty,andtheirinnocentlooks,wouldhavefelthimselfsittingonthornsuntilhehadmadeeverysoulofthemhappy,bybiddingthemgofreeasthesummerwind.ButthisimmitigableMinoscaredonlytoexaminewhethertheywereplumpenoughtosatisfytheMinotaur'sappetite.Formypart,Iwishhehadhimselfbeentheonlyvictim;andthemonsterwouldhavefoundhimaprettytoughone.

Oneafteranother,KingMinoscalledthesepale,frightenedyouthsandsobbingmaidenstohisfootstool,gavethemeachapokeintheribswithhissceptre(totrywhethertheywereingoodfleshorno),anddismissedthemwithanodtohisguards. But when his eyes rested on Theseus, the king looked at him moreattentively,becausehisfacewascalmandbrave.

"Young man," asked he, with his stern voice, "are you not appalled at thecertaintyofbeingdevouredbythisterribleMinotaur?"

"I have offeredmy life in a good cause," answered Theseus, "and therefore Igive it freely and gladly.But thou,KingMinos, art thou not thyself appalled,who, year after year, hast perpetrated this dreadful wrong, by giving seveninnocentyouthsandasmanymaidenstobedevouredbyamonster?Dostthounottremble,wickedking,toturnthineeyesinwardonthineownheart?Sittingthereon thygolden throne,and in thy robesofmajesty, I tell thee to thy face,KingMinos,thouartamorehideousmonsterthantheMinotaurhimself!"

"Aha! do you think me so?" cried the king, laughing in his cruel way. "To-morrow,atbreakfast-time,youshallhaveanopportunityofjudgingwhichisthegreatermonster,theMinotaurortheking!Takethemaway,guards;andletthisfree-spokenyouthbetheMinotaur'sfirstmorsel!"

Near the king's throne (though I had no time to tell you so before) stood his

daughterAriadne.Shewasabeautifulandtender-heartedmaiden,andlookedatthesepoordoomedcaptiveswithverydifferentfeelingsfromthoseoftheiron-breastedKingMinos.Shereallywept, indeed,attheideaofhowmuchhumanhappinesswouldbeneedlesslythrownaway,bygivingsomanyyoungpeople,in thefirstbloomandroseblossomof their lives, tobeeatenupbyacreaturewho, no doubt, would have preferred a fat ox, or even a large pig, to theplumpest of them. And when she beheld the brave, spirited figure of PrinceTheseusbearinghimselfsocalmlyinhisterribleperil,shegrewahundredtimesmorepitifulthanbefore.Astheguardsweretakinghimaway,sheflungherselfattheking'sfeet,andbesoughthimtosetallthecaptivesfree,andespeciallythisoneyoungman.

"Peace,foolishgirl!"answeredKingMinos."Whathastthoutodowithanaffairlike this? It is a matter of state policy, and therefore quite beyond thy weakcomprehension. Go water thy flowers, and think no more of these Atheniancaitiffs,whomtheMinotaurshallascertainlyeatupforbreakfastasIwilleatapartridgeformysupper."

Sosaying,thekinglookedcruelenoughtodevourTheseusandalltherestofthecaptives, himself, had there been noMinotaur to save him the trouble.As hewouldnothearanotherwordintheirfavor,theprisonerswerenowledaway,andclappedintoadungeon,wherethejaileradvisedthemtogotosleepassoonaspossible, because theMinotaurwas in the habit of calling for breakfast early.The seven maidens and six of the young men soon sobbed themselves toslumber!ButTheseuswasnotlikethem.Hefeltconsciousthathewaswiserandbraver and stronger than his companions, and that therefore he had theresponsibilityofall their livesuponhim,andmustconsiderwhether therewasnowaytosavethem,eveninthislastextremity.Sohekepthimselfawake,andpacedtoandfroacrossthegloomydungeoninwhichtheywereshutup.

Just before midnight, the door was softly unbarred, and the gentle Ariadneshowedherself,withatorchinherhand.

"Areyouawake,PrinceTheseus?"shewhispered.

"Yes,"answeredTheseus."Withso little timeto live, Idonotchoose towasteanyofitinsleep."

"Thenfollowme,"saidAriadne,"andtreadsoftly."

Whathadbecomeofthejailerandtheguards,Theseusneverknew.Buthowever

that might be, Ariadne opened all the doors, and led him forth from thedarksomeprisonintothepleasantmoonlight.

"Theseus," said themaiden, "you can now get on board your vessel, and sailawayforAthens."

"No,"answeredtheyoungman;"IwillneverleaveCreteunlessIcanfirstslaytheMinotaur,andsavemypoorcompanions,anddeliverAthensfromthiscrueltribute."

"Iknewthatthiswouldbeyourresolution,"saidAriadne."Come,then,withme,braveTheseus.Hereisyourownsword,whichtheguardsdeprivedyouof.Youwillneedit;andprayHeavenyoumayuseitwell."

Then she led Theseus along by the hand until they came to a dark, shadowgrove, where the moonlight wasted itself on the tops of the trees, withoutsheddinghardlysomuchasaglimmeringbeamupontheirpathway.Aftergoingagoodwaythroughthisobscurity,theyreachedahigh,marblewall,whichwasovergrownwithcreepingplants,thatmadeitshaggywiththeirverdure.Thewallseemedtohavenodoor,noranywindows,butroseup,lofty,andmassive,andmysterious,andwasneithertobeclamberedover,nor,sofarasTheseuscouldperceive, tobepassed through.Nevertheless,Ariadnedidbutpressoneofhersoft little fingersagainstaparticularblockofmarble,and, though it lookedassolidasanyotherpartofthewall,ityieldedtohertouch,disclosinganentrancejustwideenoughtoadmitthem.Theycreptthrough,andthemarblestoneswungbackintoitsplace.

"We are now," said Ariadne, "in the famous labyrinth which Dædalus builtbeforehemadehimselfapairofwings,and flewaway fromour island likeabird. That Dædalus was a very cunning workman; but of all his artfulcontrivances, this labyrinth is themostwondrous.Werewe to take but a fewstepsfromthedoorway,wemightwanderaboutallourlifetime,andneverfinditagain.Yet in theverycentreof this labyrinth is theMinotaur;and,Theseus,youmustgothithertoseekhim."

"Buthowshall Ieverfindhim?"askedTheseus,"if the labyrinthsobewildersmeasyousayitwill?"

Justashespoke, theyhearda roughandverydisagreeable roar,whichgreatlyresembled the lowingof a fiercebull, butyethad somesortof sound like thehumanvoice.Theseusevenfanciedarudearticulationinit,asifthecreaturethat

uttered it were trying to shape his hoarse breath into words. It was at somedistance, however, andhe really couldnot tellwhether it soundedmost like abull'sroaroraman'sharshvoice.

"ThatistheMinotaur'snoise,"whisperedAriadne,closelygraspingthehandofTheseus, and pressing one of her own hands to her heart, whichwas all in atremble."Youmustfollowthatsoundthroughthewindingsofthelabyrinth,and,byandby,youwillfindhim.Stay!taketheendofthissilkenstring;Iwillholdtheotherend;andthen,ifyouwinthevictory,itwillleadyouagaintothisspot.Farewell,braveTheseus."

Sotheyoungmantooktheendofthesilkenstringinhislefthand,andhisgold-hiltedsword, readydrawnfrom its scabbard, in theother,and trodboldly intothe inscrutable labyrinth.How this labyrinthwas built ismore than I can tellyou.Butsocunninglycontrivedamizmazewasneverseenintheworld,beforenor since.There canbenothing else so intricate, unless itwere thebrainof amanlikeDædalus,whoplannedit,ortheheartofanyordinaryman;whichlast,tobesure,istentimesasgreatamysteryasthelabyrinthofCrete.Theseushadnot taken five stepsbeforehe lost sightofAriadne;and in fivemorehisheadwasgrowingdizzy.Butstillhewenton,nowcreepingthroughalowarch,nowascendingaflightofsteps,nowinonecrookedpassageandnowinanother,withhere a door opening before him, and there one banging behind, until it reallyseemedasifthewallsspunround,andwhirledhimroundalongwiththem.Andallthewhile,throughthesehollowavenues,nownearer,nowfartheroffagain,resoundedthecryoftheMinotaur;andthesoundwassofierce,socruel,sougly,so like a bull's roar, andwithal so like a humanvoice, andyet likeneither ofthem,thatthebraveheartofTheseusgrewsternerandangrierateverystep;forhe felt it an insult to the moon and sky, and to our affectionate and simpleMotherEarth,thatsuchamonstershouldhavetheaudacitytoexist.

Ashepassedonward,thecloudsgatheredoverthemoon,andthelabyrinthgrewsoduskythatTheseuscouldnolongerdiscernthebewildermentthroughwhichhewaspassing.Hewouldhavefeltquitelost,andutterlyhopelessofeveragainwalkinginastraightpath,if,everylittlewhile,hehadnotbeenconsciousofagentle twitchat the silkencord.Thenheknew that the tender-heartedAriadnewasstillholdingtheotherend,andthatshewasfearingforhim,andhopingforhim,andgivinghim justasmuchofher sympathyas if shewereclosebyhisside.Oh, indeed, I can assure you, therewas a vast deal of human sympathyrunningalongthatslenderthreadofsilk.ButstillhefollowedthedreadfulroaroftheMinotaur,whichnowgrewlouderandlouder,andfinallysoveryloudthat

Theseusfullyexpectedtocomecloseuponhim,ateverynewzigzagandwriggleofthepath.Andatlast,inanopenspace,attheverycentreofthelabyrinth,hediddiscernthehideouscreature.

Sureenough,whatanuglymonsteritwas!Onlyhishornedheadbelongedtoabull; andyet, somehoworother,he looked likeabull allover,preposterouslywaddlingonhishindlegs;or, ifyouhappenedtoviewhiminanotherway,heseemedwholly aman, and all themoremonstrous forbeing so.And therehewas, the wretched thing, with no society, no companion, no kind of a mate,living only to do mischief, and incapable of knowing what affection means.Theseushatedhim,andshudderedathim,andyetcouldnotbutbesensibleofsomesortofpity;andall themore, theuglierandmoredetestablethecreaturewas. For he kept striding to and fro in a solitary frenzy of rage, continuallyemittingahoarseroar,whichwasoddlymixedupwithhalf-shapedwords;and,after listening awhile, Theseus understood that the Minotaur was saying tohimselfhowmiserablehewas,andhowhungry,andhowhehatedeverybody,andhowhelongedtoeatupthehumanracealive.

Ah,thebull-headedvillain!AndO,mygoodlittlepeople,youwillperhapssee,oneofthesedays,asIdonow,thateveryhumanbeingwhosuffersanythingeviltogetintohisnature,ortoremainthere,isakindofMinotaur,anenemyofhisfellow-creatures, and separated from all good companionship, as this poormonsterwas.

WasTheseusafraid?Bynomeans,mydearauditors.What!aherolikeTheseusafraid!Nothad theMinotaurhad twentybullheads insteadofone.Boldashewas, however, I rather fancy that it strengthened his valiant heart, just at thiscrisis,tofeelatremuloustwitchatthesilkencord,whichhewasstillholdinginhis lefthand. Itwasas ifAriadneweregivinghimallhermightandcourage;and,muchashealreadyhad,andlittleasshehadtogive,itmadehisownseemtwiceasmuch.And toconfess thehonest truth,heneeded thewhole; fornowthe Minotaur, turning suddenly about, caught sight of Theseus, and instantlyloweredhishorriblysharphorns,exactlyasamadbulldoeswhenhemeanstorushagainstanenemy.Atthesametime,hebelchedforthatremendousroar,inwhichtherewassomethinglikethewordsofhumanlanguage,butalldisjointedandshaken-topiecesbypassingthroughthegulletofamiserablyenragedbrute.

Theseuscouldonlyguesswhat thecreature intended tosay,and that ratherbyhisgesturesthanhiswords;fortheMinotaur'shornsweresharperthanhiswits,andofagreatdealmoreservicetohimthanhistongue.Butprobablythiswas

thesenseofwhatheuttered:—

"Ah,wretchofahumanbeing!I'llstickmyhornsthroughyou,andtossyoufiftyfeethigh,andeatyouupthemomentyoucomedown."

"Comeon,then,andtryit!"wasallthatTheseusdeignedtoreply;forhewasfartoomagnanimoustoassaulthisenemywithinsolentlanguage.

Withoutmorewordsoneitherside, thereensuedthemostawfulfightbetweenTheseusandtheMinotaurthateverhappenedbeneaththesunormoon.Ireallyknownothowitmighthaveturnedout,ifthemonster,inhisfirstheadlongrushagainstTheseus,hadnotmissedhim,byahair's-breadth,andbrokenoneofhishornsshortoffagainstthestonewall.Onthismishap,hebellowedsointolerablythat a part of the labyrinth tumbled down, and all the inhabitants of Cretemistook thenoise foranuncommonlyheavy thunder-storm.Smartingwith thepain, he galloped around the open space in so ridiculous a way that Theseuslaughedatit,longafterwards,thoughnotpreciselyatthemoment.Afterthis,thetwoantagonistsstoodvaliantlyuptooneanother,andfoughtswordtohorn,fora longwhile.At last, theMinotaurmadea runatTheseus,grazedhis leftsidewithhishorn,andflunghimdown;andthinkingthathehadstabbedhimtotheheart,hecutagreatcaperintheair,openedhisbullmouthfromeartoear,andprepared to snap his head off. But Theseus by this time had leaped up, andcaught themonster off his guard. Fetching a sword-stroke at himwith all hisforce,hehithimfairupontheneck,andmadehisbullheadskipsixyardsfromhishumanbody,whichfelldownflatupontheground.

Sonowthebattlewasended.Immediatelythemoonshoneoutasbrightlyasifallthetroublesoftheworld,andallthewickednessandtheuglinessthatinfesthumanlife,werepastandgoneforever.AndTheseus,asheleanedonhissword,takingbreath, feltanother twitchof thesilkencord; forall through the terribleencounterhehadhelditfast inhislefthand.EagertoletAriadneknowofhissuccess,hefollowedtheguidanceof the thread,andsoonfoundhimselfat theentranceofthelabyrinth.

"Thouhastslainthemonster,"criedAriadne,claspingherhands.

"Thankstothee,dearAriadne,"answeredTheseus,"Ireturnvictorious."

"Then,"saidAriadne,"wemustquicklysummonthyfriends,andgetthemandthyselfonboard thevesselbeforedawn. Ifmorningfinds theehere,myfatherwillavengetheMinotaur."

Tomakemystoryshort,thepoorcaptiveswereawakened,and,hardlyknowingwhetheritwasnotajoyfuldream,weretoldofwhatTheseushaddone,andthattheymust set sail for Athens before daybreak. Hastening down to the vessel,theyallclamberedonboard,exceptPrinceTheseus,wholingeredbehindthem,onthestrand,holdingAriadne'shandclaspedinhisown.

"Dearmaiden," said he, "thouwilt surely gowith us.Thou art too gentle andsweetachildforsuchaniron-heartedfatherasKingMinos.Hecaresnomorefor thee than a granite rock cares for the little flower that grows in one of itscrevices.Butmy father.KingÆgeus, andmydearmother,Æthra, and all thefathersandmothersinAthens,andallthesonsanddaughterstoo,willloveandhonor thee as their benefactress.Comewith us, then; forKingMinoswill beveryangrywhenheknowswhatthouhastdone."

Now, some low-minded people, who pretend to tell the story of Theseus andAriadne,havethefacetosaythatthisroyalandhonorablemaidendidreallyfleeaway, under cover of the night, with the young stranger whose life she hadpreserved.Theysay,too,thatPrinceTheseus(whowouldhavediedsoonerthanwrong themeanest creature in theworld) ungratefully desertedAriadne, on asolitary island,where thevessel touchedon itsvoyage toAthens.But,had thenoble Theseus heard these falsehoods, he would have served their slanderousauthors as he served theMinotaur!Here iswhatAriadne answered,when thebravePrinceofAthensbesoughthertoaccompanyhim:—

"No,Theseus,"themaidensaid,pressinghishand,andthendrawingbackastepor two,"Icannotgowithyou.Myfather isold,andhasnobodybutmyself tolovehim.Hardasyouthinkhisheartis,itwouldbreaktoloseme.AtfirstKingMinoswillbeangry;buthewillsoonforgivehisonlychild;and,byandby,hewillrejoice,Iknow,thatnomoreyouthsandmaidensmustcomefromAthenstobedevouredbytheMinotaur.Ihavesavedyou,Theseus,asmuchformyfather'ssakeasforyourown.Farewell!Heavenblessyou!"

Allthiswassotrue,andsomaiden-like,andwasspokenwithsosweetadignity,thatTheseuswouldhaveblushedtourgeheranylonger.Nothingremainedforhim,therefore,buttobidAriadneanaffectionatefarewell,andgoonboardthevessel,andsetsail.

In a fewmoments thewhite foamwasboilingupbefore theirprow, asPrinceTheseus and his companions sailed out of the harbor with a whistling breezebehind them. Talus, the brazen giant, on his never-ceasing sentinel's march,

happened to be approaching that part of the coast; and they saw him, by theglimmeringofthemoonbeamsonhispolishedsurface,whilehewasyetagreatwayoff.Asthefiguremovedlikeclockwork,however,andcouldneitherhastenhisenormousstridesnorretardthem,hearrivedattheportwhentheywerejustbeyond the reach of his club. Nevertheless, straddling from headland toheadland,ashiscustomwas,Talusattemptedtostrikeablowatthevessel,and,overreachinghimself, tumbled at full length into the sea,which splashedhighoverhisgiganticshape,aswhenanicebergturnsasomerset.Thereheliesyet;andwhoeverdesires toenrichhimselfbymeansofbrasshadbettergo thitherwithadiving-bell,andfishupTalus.

On the homeward voyage, the fourteen youths and damselswere in excellentspirits, as youwill easily suppose. They spentmost of their time in dancing,unlesswhenthesidelongbreezemadethedeckslopetoomuch.Indueseason,theycamewithinsightofthecoastofAttica,whichwastheirnativecountry.Buthere,Iamgrievedtotellyou,happenedasadmisfortune.

You will remember (what Theseus unfortunately forgot) that his father, KingÆgeus,hadenjoinedituponhimtohoistsunshinesails,insteadofblackones,incaseheshouldovercometheMinotaur,andreturnvictorious.Inthejoyoftheirsuccess, however, and amidst the sports, dancing, and other merriment, withwhichtheseyoungfolksworeawaythetime,theyneveroncethoughtwhethertheirsailswereblack,white,orrainbowcolored,and,indeed,left itentirelytothemarinerswhether theyhadanysailsatall.Thus thevessel returned, likearaven, with the same sable wings that had wafted her away. But poor KingÆgeus,dayafterday,infirmashewas,hadclamberedtothesummitofacliffthat overhung the sea, and there sat watching for Prince Theseus, homewardbound; and no sooner did he behold the fatal blackness of the sails, than heconcludedthathisdearson,whomhelovedsomuch,andfeltsoproudof,hadbeeneatenbytheMinotaur.Hecouldnotbearthethoughtoflivinganylonger;so, first flinginghiscrownandsceptre into thesea, (uselessbawbles that theyweretohimnow!)KingÆgeusmerelystoopedforward,andfellheadlongoverthecliff,andwasdrowned,poorsoul,inthewavesthatfoamedatitsbase!

Thiswasmelancholy news for PrinceTheseus,who,when he stepped ashore,foundhimselfkingofallthecountry,whetherhewouldorno;andsuchaturnoffortune was enough to make any young man feel very much out of spirits.However, he sent for his dearmother toAthens, and, by taking her advice inmattersofstate,becameaveryexcellentmonarch,andwasgreatlybelovedbyhispeople.

ThePygmies

Agreatwhileago,whentheworldwasfullofwonders,therelivedanearth-bornGiantnamedAntæus,andamillionormoreofcuriouslittleearth-bornpeople,whowerecalledPygmies.ThisGiantand thesePygmiesbeingchildrenof thesamemother(thatistosay,ourgoodoldGrandmotherEarth),wereallbrethrenanddwelttogetherinaveryfriendlyandaffectionatemanner,far,faroff,inthemiddleofhotAfrica.ThePygmiesweresosmall,andthereweresomanysandydeserts and such highmountains between them and the rest ofmankind, thatnobodycouldgetapeepatthemoftenerthanonceinahundredyears.AsfortheGiant,beingofaveryloftystature,itwaseasyenoughtoseehim,butsafesttokeepoutofhissight.

AmongthePygmies,Isuppose,ifoneofthemgrewtotheheightofsixoreightinches,hewasreckonedaprodigiouslytallman.Itmusthavebeenveryprettytobehold their little cities, with streets two or three feet wide, paved with thesmallestpebbles,andborderedbyhabitationsaboutasbigasasquirrel'scage.The king's palace attained to the stupendousmagnitude of Periwinkle's baby-house, and stood in the centre of a spacious square,which could hardly havebeen covered by our hearth-rug. Their principal temple, or cathedral, was aslofty as yonder bureau, and was looked upon as a wonderfully sublime andmagnificent edifice.All these structureswere built neither of stone norwood.Theywereneatlyplastered togetherby thePygmyworkmen,prettymuch likebird's-nests,outofstraw,feathers,eggshells,andothersmallbitsofstuff,withstiffclayinsteadofmortar;andwhenthehotsunhaddriedthem,theywerejustassnugandcomfortableasaPygmycoulddesire.

Thecountryroundaboutwasconvenientlylaidoutinfields,thelargestofwhichwas nearly of the same extent as one of Sweet Fern's flower-beds. Here thePygmiesusedtoplantwheatandotherkindsofgrain,which,whenitgrewupandripened,overshadowedthesetinypeople,asthepines,andtheoaks,andthewalnut andchestnut-treesovershadowyouandme,whenwewalk inourowntractsofwoodland.Atharvest-time,theywereforcedtogowiththeirlittleaxesandcutdownthegrain,exactlyasawood-cuttermakesaclearingintheforest;andwhenastalkofwheat,withitsoverburdenedtop,chancedtocomecrashingdownuponanunfortunatePygmy,itwasapttobeaverysadaffair.Ifitdidnotsmash him all to pieces, at least, I am sure, itmust havemade the poor little

fellow'sheadache.Andoh,mystars!ifthefathersandmothersweresosmall,whatmust the children and babies have been?Awhole family of themmighthavebeenput tobed ina shoe,orhavecrept intoanoldglove,andplayedathide-and-seekinitsthumbandfingers.Youmighthavehiddenayear-oldbabyunderathimble.

NowthesefunnyPygmies,asI toldyoubefore,hadaGiantfor theirneighborandbrother,whowasbigger, ifpossible, than theywere little.Hewassoverytall that he carried a pine-tree, which was eight feet through the butt, for awalking-stick. It took a far-sighted Pygmy, I can assure you, to discern hissummitwithout thehelpofa telescope;andsometimes, inmistyweather, theycouldnotseehisupperhalf,butonlyhislonglegs,whichseemedtobestridingaboutbythemselves.Butatnoonday,inaclearatmosphere,whenthesunshonebrightlyoverhim,theGiantAntæuspresentedaverygrandspectacle.Thereheusedtostand,aperfectmountainofaman,withhisgreatcountenancesmilingdownuponhislittlebrothers,andhisonevasteye(whichwasasbigasacart-wheel,andplacedrightinthecentreofhisforehead)givingafriendlywinktothewholenationatonce.

ThePygmieslovedtotalkwithAntæus;andfiftytimesaday,oneoranotherofthemwouldturnuphishead,andshoutthroughthehollowofhisfists,"Halloo,brotherAntæus!How are you,my good fellow?" andwhen the small, distantsqueak of their voices reached his ear, theGiantwouldmake answer, "Prettywell,brotherPygmy,Ithankyou,"inathunderousroarthatwouldhaveshakendownthewallsoftheirstrongesttemple,onlythatitcamefromsofaraloft.

It was a happy circumstance that Antæus was the Pygmy people's friend; fortherewasmorestrengthinhislittlefingerthanintenmillionofsuchbodiesastheirs. If he had been as ill-natured to them as he was to everybody else, hemighthavebeatendowntheirbiggestcityatonekick,andhardlyhaveknownthathedid it.With the tornadoofhisbreath,hecouldhavestripped the roofsfrom a hundred dwellings, and sent thousands of the inhabitants whirlingthroughtheair.Hemighthavesethisimmensefootuponamultitude;andwhenhetookitupagain,therewouldhavebeenapitifulsight,tobesure.But,beingthe son of Mother Earth, as they likewise were, the Giant gave them hisbrotherlykindness,andlovedthemwithasbigaloveasitwaspossibletofeelforcreaturessoverysmall.And,ontheirparts,thePygmieslovedAntæuswithasmuch affection as their tiny hearts could hold.Hewas always ready to dothemanygoodofficesthatlayinhispower;as,forexample,whentheywantedabreezetoturntheirwindmills,theGiantwouldsetallthesailsa-goingwiththe

mere natural respiration of his lungs.When the sunwas too hot, he often sathimselfdown,andlethisshadowfalloverthekingdom,fromonefrontiertotheother;andasformattersingeneral,hewaswiseenoughtoletthemalone,andleave thePygmies tomanage their own affairs,—which, after all, is about thebestthingthatgreatpeoplecandoforlittleones.

In short, as I said before, Antæus loved the Pygmies, and the Pygmies lovedAntæus.TheGiant'slifebeingaslongashisbodywaslarge,whilethelifetimeof a Pygmy was but a span, this friendly intercourse had been going on forinnumerablegenerationsandages.ItwaswrittenaboutinthePygmyhistories,and talked about in their ancient traditions. The most venerable and white-beardedPygmyhadneverheardofatime,eveninhisgreatestofgrandfather'sdays,when theGiantwasnot their enormous friend.Once, tobe sure (aswasrecordedonanobelisk,threefeethigh,erectedontheplaceofthecatastrophe),AntæussatdownuponaboutfivethousandPygmies,whowereassembledatamilitaryreview.Butthiswasoneofthoseunluckyaccidentsforwhichnobodyistoblame; so that thesmall folksnever took it toheart,andonly requested theGiant tobecareful foreverafterwards toexamine theacreofgroundwhereheintendedtosquathimself.

ItisaverypleasantpicturetoimagineAntæusstandingamongthePygmies,likethe spire of the tallest cathedral that everwas built,while they ran about likepismiresathis feet; and to think that, in spiteof theirdifference in size, therewere affection and sympathy between them and him! Indeed, it has alwaysseemed to me that the Giant needed the little people more than the PygmiesneededtheGiant.For,unlesstheyhadbeenhisneighborsandwellwishers,and,aswemaysay,hisplayfellows,Antæuswouldnothavehadasinglefriendintheworld.Nootherbeinglikehimselfhadeverbeencreated.Nocreatureofhisownsize had ever talkedwith him, in thunder-like accents, face to face.When hestoodwithhisheadamongtheclouds,hewasquitealone,andhadbeensoforhundredsofyears,andwouldbesoforever.EvenifhehadmetanotherGiant,Antæus would have fancied the world not big enough for two such vastpersonages,and, insteadofbeingfriendswithhim,wouldhavefoughthimtilloneofthetwowaskilled.ButwiththePygmieshewasthemostsportive,andhumorous, andmerry-hearted, and sweet-temperedoldGiant that everwashedhisfaceinawetcloud.

His little friends, like all other small people, had a great opinionof their ownimportance,andusedtoassumequiteapatronizingairtowardstheGiant.

"Poorcreature!"theysaidonetoanother."Hehasaverydull timeofit,allbyhimself; and we ought not to grudge wasting a little of our precious time toamusehim.Heisnothalfsobrightasweare,tobesure;and,forthatreason,heneedsustolookafterhiscomfortandhappiness.Letusbekindtotheoldfellow.Why, ifMotherEarth hadnot been very kind to ourselves,wemight all havebeenGiantstoo."

On all their holidays, the Pygmies had excellent sportwithAntæus.He oftenstretchedhimselfoutatfulllengthontheground,wherehelookedlikethelongridgeofahill;anditwasagoodhour'swalk,nodoubt,forashort-leggedPygmytojourneyfromheadtofootoftheGiant.Hewouldlaydownhisgreathandflaton thegrass,andchallenge the tallestof themtoclamberuponit,andstraddlefromfingertofinger.Sofearlesswerethey,thattheymadenothingofcreepingin among the folds of his garments.Whenhis head lay sidewiseon the earth,theywouldmarchboldlyup,andpeep into thegreatcavernofhismouth,andtakeitallasajoke,(asindeeditwasmeant)whenAntæusgaveasuddensnapwithhisjaws,asifheweregoingtoswallowfiftyofthematonce.Youwouldhavelaughedtoseethechildrendodginginandoutamonghishair,orswingingfromhisbeard. It is impossible to tellhalfof thefunnytricks that theyplayedwiththeirhugecomrade;butIdonotknowthatanythingwasmorecuriousthanwhenapartyofboyswereseenrunningracesonhisforehead, to trywhichofthemcouldgetfirstroundthecircleofhisonegreateye.Itwasanotherfavoritefeatwiththemtomarchalongthebridgeofhisnose,andjumpdownuponhisupperlip.

Ifthetruthmustbetold,theyweresometimesastroublesometotheGiantasaswarmofantsormosquitoes,especiallyastheyhadafondnessformischief,andlikedtoprickhisskinwith their littleswordsandlances, toseehowthickandtough itwas.ButAntæus took itallkindlyenough;although,once inawhile,whenhehappened tobesleepy,hewouldgrumbleoutapeevishwordor two,likethemutteringofatempest,andaskthemtohavedonewiththeirnonsense.Agreatdealoftener,however,hewatchedtheirmerrimentandgambolsuntilhishuge,heavy,clumsywitswerecompletelystirredupbythem;andthenwouldheroar out such a tremendous volume of immeasurable laughter, that the wholenation of Pygmies had to put their hands to their ears, else itwould certainlyhavedeafenedthem.

"Ho!ho!ho!"quoth theGiant, shakinghismountainous sides. "What a funnythingitistobelittle!IfIwerenotAntæus,Ishouldliketobeapygmy,justforthejoke'ssake."

The Pygmies had but one thing to trouble them in the world. They wereconstantlyatwarwiththecranes,andhadalwaysbeenso,eversincethelong-lived giant could remember. From time to time very terrible battles had beenfought, inwhich sometimes the littlemenwon thevictory, and sometimes thecranes. According to some historians, the Pygmies used to go to the battle,mountedon thebacksofgoatsandrams;butsuchanimalsas thesemusthavebeenfartoobigforPygmiestorideupon;sothat,Irathersuppose,theyrodeonsquirrel-back,orrabbit-back,orrat-back,orperhapsgotuponhedgehogs,whosepricklyquillswouldbeveryterribletotheenemy.Howeverthismightbe,andwhatever creatures the Pygmies rode upon, I do not doubt that they made aformidable appearance, armed with sword and spear, and bow and arrow,blowingtheirtinytrumpet,andshoutingtheirlittlewar-cry.Theyneverfailedtoexhortoneanothertofightbravely,andrecollectthattheworldhaditseyesuponthem;although, insimple truth, theonlyspectatorwas theGiantAntæus,withhisone,great,stupideye,inthemiddleofhisforehead.

Whenthetwoarmiesjoinedbattle,thecraneswouldrushforward,flappingtheirwingsandstretchingouttheirnecks,andwouldperhapssnatchupsomeofthePygmiescrosswiseintheirbeaks.Wheneverthishappened,itwastrulyanawfulspectacletoseethoselittlemenofmightkickingandsprawlingintheair,andatlastdisappearingdownthecrane's long,crookedthroat,swallowedupalive.Ahero, you know, must hold himself in readiness for any kind of fate; anddoubtless the glory of the thingwas a consolation to him, even in the crane'sgizzard. If Antæus observed that the battle was going hard against his littleallies, he generally stopped laughing, and ran with mile-long strides to theirassistance,flourishinghisclubaloftandshoutingatthecranes,whoquackedandcroaked,andretreatedasfastastheycould.ThenthePygmyarmywouldmarchhomewardintriumph,attributingthevictoryentirelytotheirownvalor,andtothewarlike skill and strategy ofwhomsoever happened to be captain general;and for a tedious while afterwards, nothing would be heard of but grandprocessions, and public banquets, and brilliant illuminations, and shows ofwaxwork,withlikenessesofthedistinguishedofficersassmallaslife.

Intheabove-describedwarfare, ifaPygmychancedtopluckoutacrane'stail-feather, it proved a very great feather in his cap. Once or twice, if you willbelieveme,alittlemanwasmadechiefrulerofthenationfornoothermeritintheworldthanbringinghomesuchafeather.

ButIhavenowsaidenoughtoletyouseewhatagallantlittlepeoplethesewere,and how happily they and their forefathers, for nobody knows how many

generations, had livedwith the immeasurableGiantAntæus. In the remainingpartofthestory,IshalltellyouofafarmoreastonishingbattlethananythatwasfoughtbetweenthePygmiesandthecranes.

Oneday themightyAntæuswas lollingat full lengthamonghis little friends.Hispine-treewalking-sticklayonthegroundclosebyhisside.Hisheadwasinonepartofthekingdom,andhisfeetextendedacrosstheboundariesofanotherpart; and he was taking whatever comfort he could get, while the Pygmiesscrambledoverhim, andpeeped intohis cavernousmouth, andplayed amonghishair.Sometimes,foraminuteortwo,theGiantdroppedasleep,andsnoredliketherushofawhirlwind.Duringoneoftheselittlebitsofslumber,aPygmychancedtoclimbuponhisshoulder,andtookaviewaroundthehorizon,asfromthesummitofahill;andhebeheldsomething,alongwayoff,whichmadehimrub the bright specks of his eyes, and look sharper than before. At first hemistookitforamountain,andwonderedhowithadgrownupsosuddenlyoutofthe earth.But soonhe saw themountainmove.As it camenearer andnearer,whatshoulditturnouttobebutahumanshape,notsobigasAntæus,itistrue,althoughaveryenormousfigure, incomparisonwithPygmies,andavastdealbiggerthanthemenwhomweseenowadays.

When the Pygmy was quite satisfied that his eyes had not deceived him, hescampered,asfastashislegswouldcarryhim,totheGiant'sear,andstoopingoveritscavity,shoutedlustilyintoit,—

"Halloo,brotherAntæus!Getup thisminute,and takeyourpine-treewalking-stickinyourhand.HerecomesanotherGianttohaveatusslewithyou."

"Poh, poh!" grumbledAntæus, only half awake, "None of your nonsense,mylittlefellow!Don'tyouseeI'msleepy.ThereisnotaGiantonearthforwhomIwouldtakethetroubletogetup."

But thePygmy lookedagain,andnowperceived that the strangerwascomingdirectly towards theprostrate formofAntæus.With every stephe looked lesslikeabluemountain,andmore likean immensely largeman.Hewassoonsonigh, that there could be no possiblemistake about thematter. There hewas,with the sun flaming on his golden helmet, and flashing from his polishedbreastplate;hehadaswordbyhisside,andalion'sskinoverhisback,andonhisrightshoulderhecarriedaclub,which lookedbulkierandheavier than thepine-treewalking-stickofAntæus.

By this time, the whole nation of Pygmies had seen the new wonder, and a

million of them set up a shout, all together; so that it really made quite anaudiblesqueak.

"Getup,Antæus!Bestiryourself,youlazyoldGiant!HerecomesanotherGiant,asstrongasyouare,tofightwithyou."

"Nonsense,nonsense!"growledthesleepyGiant."I'llhavemynapout."

Stillthestrangerdrewnearer;andnowthePygmiescouldplainlydiscernthatifhisstaturewerelessloftythantheGiant's,yethisshoulderswereevenbroader.And,intruth,whatapairofshoulderstheymusthavebeen!AsItoldyou,alongwhileago,theyonceupheldthesky.ThePygmies,beingtentimesasvivaciousastheirgreatnumskullofabrother,couldnotabidetheGiant'sslowmovements,andweredeterminedtohavehimonhisfeet.Sotheykeptshoutingtohim,andevenwentsofarastoprickhimwiththeirswords.

"Get up, get up, get up!" they cried. "Up with you, lazy bones! The strangeGiant'sclubisbiggerthanyourown,hisshouldersarethebroadest,andwethinkhimthestrongerofthetwo."

Antæuscouldnotendure tohaveitsaid thatanymortalwashalfsomightyashimself.ThislatterremarkofthePygmiesprickedhimdeeperthantheirswords;and,sittingup, in ratherasulkyhumor,hegaveagapeofseveralyardswide,rubbed his eye, and finally turned his stupid head in the directionwhither hislittlefriendswereeagerlypointing.

Nosoonerdidheseteyeonthestrangerthan,leapingonhisfeet,andseizinghiswalking-stick,hestrodeamileortwotomeethim;allthewhilebrandishingthesturdypine-tree,sothatitwhistledthroughtheair.

"Who are you?" thundered the Giant. "And what do you want in mydominions?"

TherewasonestrangethingaboutAntæus,ofwhichIhavenotyettoldyou,lest,hearing of somanywonders all in a lump, youmight not believemuchmorethanhalfofthem.Youaretoknow,then,thatwheneverthisredoubtableGianttouchedtheground,eitherwithhishand,hisfoot,oranyotherpartofhisbody,hegrewstronger thaneverhehadbeenbefore.TheEarth,youremember,washis mother, and was very fond of him, as being almost the biggest of herchildren;andsoshetookthismethodofkeepinghimalwaysinfullvigor.Somepersonsaffirmthathegrewtentimesstrongerateverytouch;otherssaythatitwasonlytwiceasstrong.Butonly thinkof it!WheneverAntæustookawalk,supposingitwerebuttenmiles,andthathesteppedahundredyardsatastride,youmay try to cipher out howmuchmightier hewas, on sitting down again,thanwhenhefirststarted.Andwheneverheflunghimselfontheearthtotakealittle repose, even if hegotup theverynext instant, hewouldbe as strongasexactly ten just such giants as his former self. It was well for the world thatAntæus happened to be of a sluggish disposition, and liked ease better thanexercise;for,ifhehadfriskedaboutlikethePygmies,andtouchedtheearthasoftenastheydid,hewouldlongagohavebeenstrongenoughtopulldownthesky about people's ears. But these great lubberly fellows resemblemountains,notonlyinbulk,butintheirdisinclinationtomove.

Anyothermortalman,excepttheveryonewhomAntæushadnowencountered,would have been half frightened to death by the Giant's ferocious aspect andterriblevoice.Butthestrangerdidnotseematalldisturbed.Hecarelesslyliftedhisclub,andbalanceditinhishand,measuringAntæuswithhiseyefromheadtofoot,notasifwonder-smittenathisstature,butasifhehadseenagreatmanyGiantsbefore,andthiswasbynomeansthebiggestofthem.Infact,iftheGianthad been no bigger than the Pygmies (who stood pricking up their ears, andlookingand listening towhatwasgoing forward), the stranger couldnothavebeenlessafraidofhim.

"Whoareyou, I say?" roaredAntæusagain."What'syourname?Whydoyoucomehither?Speak,youvagabond,orI'lltrythethicknessofyourskullwithmywalking-stick."

"YouareaverydiscourteousGiant,"answeredthestranger,quietly,"andIshallprobablyhavetoteachyoualittlecivility,beforewepart.Asformyname,itis

Hercules. I have come hither because this ismymost convenient road to thegardenof theHesperides,whitherIamgoingtoget threeof thegoldenapplesforKingEurystheus."

"Caitiff,youshallgonofarther!"bellowedAntæus,puttingonagrimmerlookthanbefore;forhehadheardofthemightyHercules,andhatedhimbecausehewassaidtobesostrong."Neithershallyougobackwhenceyoucame!"

"Howwillyoupreventme,"askedHercules,"fromgoingwhitherIplease?"

"Byhittingyouarapwiththispine-treehere,"shoutedAntæus,scowlingsothathemadehimself theugliestmonster inAfrica. "I am fifty times stronger thanyou;and,nowthat I stampmyfootupon theground, Iamfivehundred timesstronger!Iamashamedtokillsuchapunylittledwarfasyouseemtobe.Iwillmakeaslaveofyou,andyoushall likewisebe theslaveofmybrethren,here,thePygmies.Sothrowdownyourclubandyourotherweapons;andasforthatlion'sskin,Iintendtohaveapairofglovesmadeofit."

"Comeandtakeitoffmyshoulders,then,"answeredHercules,liftinghisclub.

Then theGiant, grinningwith rage, strode towerlike towards the stranger (tentimesstrengthenedateverystep),andfetchedamonstrousblowathimwithhispine-tree, which Hercules caught upon his club; and being more skilful thanAntæus,hepaidhimback sucha rapupon the sconce, thatdown tumbled thegreat lumberingman-mountain, flat upon the ground. The poor little Pygmies(whoreallyneverdreamedthatanybodyintheworldwashalfsostrongastheirbrotherAntæus)wereagooddealdismayedatthis.ButnosoonerwastheGiantdown,thanuphebouncedagain,withtenfoldmight,andsuchafuriousvisageaswashorribletobehold.HeaimedanotherblowatHercules,butstruckawry,being blindedwith wrath, and only hit his poor, innocentMother Earth, whogroanedandtrembledatthestroke.Hispine-treewentsodeepintotheground,and stuck there so fast, that beforeAntæus could get it out,Hercules broughtdownhisclubacrosshisshoulderswithamightythwack,whichmadetheGiantroarasifallsortsofintolerablenoiseshadcomescreechingandrumblingoutofhis immeasurable lungs in that one cry. Away it went, over mountains andvalleys,and,foraughtIknow,washeardontheothersideoftheAfricandeserts.

As for thePygmies, their capital citywas laid in ruins by the concussion andvibrationoftheair;and,thoughtherewasuproarenoughwithouttheirhelp,theyallsetupashriekoutofthreemillionsoflittlethroats,fancying,nodoubt,thatthey swelled the Giant's bellow by at least ten times as much. Meanwhile,

Antæushad scrambleduponhis feet again, andpulledhispine-treeoutof theearth;and,alla-flamewithfury,andmoreoutrageouslystrongthanever,heranatHercules,andbroughtdownanotherblow.

"Thistime,rascal,"shoutedhe,"youshallnotescapeme."

But oncemore Hercules warded off the stroke with his club, and the Giant'spine-treewasshatteredintoathousandsplinters,mostofwhichflewamongthePygmies,anddidthemmoremischiefthanIliketothinkabout.BeforeAntæuscouldgetoutoftheway,Herculesletdriveagain,andgavehimanotherknock-down blow, which sent him heels over head, but served only to increase hisalreadyenormousand insufferable strength.As forhis rage, there isno tellingwhatafieryfurnaceithadnowgottobe.Hisoneeyewasnothingbutacircleofred flame. Having now no weapons but his fists, he doubled them up (eachbiggerthanahogshead),smoteoneagainsttheother,anddancedupanddownwith absolute frenzy, flourishing his immense arms about, as if hemeant notmerelytokillHercules,buttosmashthewholeworldtopieces.

"Comeon!"roaredthisthunderingGiant."Letmehityoubutoneboxontheear,andyou'llneverhavetheheadacheagain."

NowHercules(thoughstrongenough,asyoualreadyknow,toholdtheskyup)begantobesensiblethatheshouldneverwinthevictory,ifhekeptonknockingAntæusdown; for, by andby, if hehit him suchhardblows, theGiantwouldinevitably, by the help of hisMother Earth, become stronger than themightyHercules himself. So, throwing down his club, with which he had fought somanydreadfulbattles,theherostoodreadytoreceivehisantagonistwithnakedarms.

"Stepforward,"criedhe."SinceI'vebrokenyourpine-tree,we'lltrywhichisthebettermanatawrestling-match."

"Aha!thenI'llsoonsatisfyyou,"shoutedtheGiant;for,iftherewasonethingonwhichhepridedhimselfmorethananother,itwashisskillinwrestling."Villain,I'llflingyouwhereyoucanneverpickyourselfupagain."

OncameAntæus,hoppingandcaperingwiththescorchingheatofhisrage,andgetting new vigorwherewith towreak his passion every time he hopped.ButHercules,youmustunderstand,waswiserthanthisnumskullofaGiant,andhadthoughtofawaytofighthim,—huge,earth-bornmonsterthathewas,—andtoconquerhimtoo,inspiteofallthathisMotherEarthcoulddoforhim.Watching

hisopportunity,asthemadGiantmadearushathim,Herculescaughthimroundthe middle with both hands, lifted him high into the air, and held him aloftoverhead.

Justimagineit,mydearlittlefriends!Whataspectacleitmusthavebeen,toseethismonstrousfellowsprawlingintheair,facedownward,kickingouthislonglegsandwrigglinghiswholevastbody, likeababywhen its fatherholds itatarm's-lengthtowardtheceiling.

But themostwonderful thingwas, that, as soon asAntæuswas fairly off theearth,hebegan to lose thevigorwhichhehadgainedby touching it.Herculesvery soon perceived that his troublesome enemy was growing weaker, bothbecausehestruggledandkickedwithlessviolence,andbecausethethunderofhis big voice subsided into a grumble. The truth was, that, unless the GianttouchedMotherEarthasoftenasonceinfiveminutes,notonlyhisovergrownstrength, but the verybreath of his life,would depart fromhim.Hercules hadguessed this secret; and itmay bewell for us all to remember it, in caseweshouldeverhavetofightabattlewithafellowlikeAntæus.Fortheseearth-borncreaturesareonlydifficult to conqueron theirownground,butmayeasilybemanaged if we can contrive to lift them into a loftier and purer region. So itproved with the poor Giant, whom I am really sorry for, notwithstanding hisuncivilwayoftreatingstrangerswhocametovisithim.

Whenhis strengthandbreathwerequitegone,Herculesgavehishugebodyatoss,and flung it aboutamileoff,where it fellheavily,and laywithnomoremotionthanasand-hill.ItwastoolatefortheGiant'sMotherEarthtohelphimnow; and I shouldnotwonder if his ponderousboneswere lyingon the samespot to this very day, and were mistaken for those of an uncommonly largeelephant.

But,alasme!WhatawailingdidthepoorlittlePygmiessetupwhentheysawtheir enormous brother treated in this terriblemanner! IfHercules heard theirshrieks, however, he tookno notice, and perhaps fancied themonly the shrill,plaintive twitteringof smallbirds thathadbeen frightened from theirnestsbytheuproarof thebattlebetweenhimselfandAntæus. Indeed,his thoughtshadbeen somuch taken up with the Giant, that he had never once looked at thePygmies,norevenknewthat therewassuchafunnylittlenation in theworld.Andnow,ashehad travelledagoodway, andwasalso ratherwearywithhisexertionsinthefight,hespreadouthislion'sskinontheground,andreclininghimselfuponit,fellfastasleep.

As soon as the Pygmies sawHercules preparing for a nap, they nodded theirlittleheadsatoneanother,andwinkedwiththeirlittleeyes.Andwhenhisdeep,regularbreathinggavethemnoticethathewasasleep,theyassembledtogetherinanimmensecrowd,spreadingoveraspaceofabouttwenty-sevenfeetsquare.One of their most eloquent orators (and a valiant warrior enough, besides,thoughhardlysogoodatanyotherweaponashewaswithhistongue)climbeduponatoadstool,and,fromthatelevatedposition,addressedthemultitude.Hissentimentswereprettymuchasfollows;or,atallevents,somethinglikethiswasprobablytheupshotofhisspeech:—

"TallPygmiesandmightylittlemen!Youandallofushaveseenwhatapubliccalamityhasbeenbrought topass,andwhataninsulthasherebeenofferedtothemajestyofournation.YonderliesAntæus,ourgreatfriendandbrother,slain,withinour territory, by amiscreantwho tookhimat disadvantage, and foughthim(iffightingitcanbecalled)inawaythatneitherman,norGiant,norPygmyeverdreamedof fightinguntil this hour.And, addingagrievous contumely tothewrongalreadydoneus, themiscreanthasnowfallenasleepasquietlyasifnothing were to be dreaded from our wrath! It behooves you, fellow-countrymen, to consider in what aspect we shall stand before the world, andwhatwillbetheverdictofimpartialhistory,shouldwesuffertheseaccumulatedoutragestogounavenged.

"Antæuswasourbrother,bornofthatsamebelovedparenttowhomweowethethewsandsinews,aswellas thecourageoushearts,whichmadehimproudofour relationship. He was our faithful ally, and fell fighting as much for ournational rights and immunities as for his own personal ones. We and ourforefathershavedweltinfriendshipwithhim,andheldaffectionateintercourse,asmantoman,throughimmemorialgenerations.Yourememberhowoftenourentire people have reposed in his great shadow, and how our little ones haveplayedathide-and-seekinthetanglesofhishair,andhowhismightyfootstepshave familiarlygone to and fro amongus, andnever troddenuponanyofourtoes. And there lies this dear brother,—this sweet and amiable friend,—thisbrave and faithful ally,—this virtuous Giant,—this blameless and excellentAntæus,—dead!Dead!Silent!Powerless!Ameremountainofclay!Forgivemytears!Nay,Ibeholdyourown!Werewetodrowntheworldwiththem,couldtheworldblameus?

"Buttoresume:Shallwe,mycountrymen,sufferthiswickedstrangertodepartunharmed,andtriumphinhistreacherousvictory,amongdistantcommunitiesoftheearth?Shallwenotrathercompelhimtoleavehisboneshereonoursoil,by

thesideofourslainbrother'sbones,sothat,whileoneskeletonshallremainasthe everlasting monument of our sorrow, the other shall endure as long,exhibiting to the whole human race a terrible example of Pygmy vengeance?Suchisthequestion.Iputittoyouinfullconfidenceofaresponsethatshallbeworthyofournationalcharacter,andcalculatedtoincrease,ratherthandiminish,theglorywhichour ancestors have transmitted to us, andwhichweourselveshaveproudlyvindicatedinourwelfarewiththecranes."

The orator was here interrupted by a burst of irrepressible enthusiasm; everyindividual Pygmy crying out that the national honor must be preserved at allhazards.Hebowed,andmakingagestureforsilence,wounduphisharangueinthefollowingadmirablemanner:—

"Itonlyremainsforus,then,todecidewhetherweshallcarryonthewarinournational capacity,—one united people against a common enemy,—or whethersomechampion,famousinformerfights,shallbeselectedtodefytheslayerofourbrotherAntæustosinglecombat.Inthelattercase,thoughnotunconsciousthattheremaybetallermenamongyou,Iherebyoffermyselfforthatenviableduty.And,believeme,dearcountrymen,whetherIliveordie,thehonorofthisgreatcountry,andthefamebequeathedusbyourheroicprogenitors,shallsuffernodiminutioninmyhands.Never,whileIcanwieldthissword,ofwhichInowfling away the scabbard,—never, never, never, even if the crimson hand thatslewthegreatAntæusshalllaymeprostrate,likehim,onthesoilwhichIgivemylifetodefend."

So saying, this valiant Pygmy drew out his weapon (which was terrible tobehold,beingaslongasthebladeofapenknife),andsentthescabbardwhirlingover the heads of the multitude. His speech was followed by an uproar ofapplause, as its patriotism and self-devotion unquestionably deserved; and theshoutsandclappingofhandswouldhavebeengreatlyprolongedhad theynotbeenrenderedquiteinaudiblebyadeeprespiration,vulgarlycalledasnore,fromthesleepingHercules.

Itwas finally decided that thewholenationofPygmies should set towork todestroyHercules;not,beitunderstood,fromanydoubtthatasinglechampionwould be capable of putting him to the sword, but because he was a publicenemy,andallweredesirousofsharinginthegloryofhisdefeat.Therewasadebatewhether thenationalhonordidnotdemandthataheraldshouldbesentwithatrumpet,tostandovertheearofHercules,and,afterblowingablastrightinto it, to defy him to the combat by formal proclamation. But two or three

venerable and sagacious Pygmies,well versed in state affairs, gave it as theiropinion thatwaralreadyexisted,and that itwas their rightfulprivilege to taketheenemybysurprise.Moreover,ifawakened,andallowedtogetuponhisfeet,Herculesmighthappen todo themamischiefbeforehecouldbebeatendownagain. For, as these sage counsellors remarked, the stranger's club was reallyverybig,andhadrattledlikea thunderboltagainst theskullofAntæus.SothePygmiesresolvedtosetasideallfoolishpunctilios,andassailtheirantagonistatonce.

Accordingly, all the fightingmen of the nation took their weapons, andwentboldlyuptoHercules,whostilllayfastasleep,littledreamingoftheharmwhichthePygmiesmeant todohim.Abodyof twenty thousand archersmarched infront,with their little bows all ready, and the arrows on the string. The samenumberwere ordered to clamber uponHercules, somewith spades to dig hiseyesout,andotherswithbundlesofhay,andallmannerofrubbish,withwhichtheyintendedtopluguphismouthandnostrils,sothathemightperishforlackofbreath.Theselast,however,couldbynomeansperformtheirappointedduty;inasmuch as the enemy's breath rushed out of his nose in an obstreperoushurricane andwhirlwind,which blew the Pygmies away as fast as they camenigh. It was found necessary, therefore, to hit upon some other method ofcarryingonthewar.

Afterholdingacouncil,thecaptainsorderedtheirtroopstocollectsticks,straws,dryweeds,andwhatevercombustiblestufftheycouldfind,andmakeapileofit,heapingithigharoundtheheadofHercules.AsagreatmanythousandPygmieswere employed in this task, they soon brought together several bushels ofinflammatorymatter, and raised so tall a heap, that,mounting on its summit,theywere quite upon a levelwith the sleeper's face. The archers,meanwhile,werestationedwithinbow-shot,withorderstoletflyatHerculestheinstantthathestirred.Everythingbeinginreadiness,atorchwasappliedtothepile,whichimmediatelyburst intoflames,andsoonwaxedhotenoughtoroast theenemy,hadhebutchosentoliestill.APygmy,youknow,thoughsoverysmall,mightsettheworldonfire,justaseasilyasaGiantcould;sothatthiswascertainlytheverybestwayofdealingwiththeirfoe,providedtheycouldhavekepthimquietwhiletheconflagrationwasgoingforward.

But no sooner didHercules begin to be scorched, thanuphe started,withhishairinaredblaze.

"What'sallthis?"hecried,bewilderedwithsleep,andstaringabouthimasifhe

expectedtoseeanotherGiant.

At thatmoment thetwentythousandarchers twangedtheirbowstrings,andthearrowscamewhizzing, likesomanywingedmosquitoes, right into thefaceofHercules. But I doubtwhethermore than half a dozen of them punctured theskin,whichwasremarkablytough,asyouknowtheskinofaherohasgoodneedtobe.

"Villain!"shoutedall thePygmiesatonce."YouhavekilledtheGiantAntæus,ourgreatbrother,andtheallyofournation.Wedeclarebloodywaragainstyouandwillslayyouonthespot."

Surprisedattheshrillpipingofsomanylittlevoices,Hercules,afterputtingoutthe conflagration of his hair, gazed all round about, but could see nothing.Atlast, however, looking narrowly on the ground, he espied the innumerableassemblageofPygmiesathisfeet.Hestoopeddown,andtakingupthenearestonebetweenhisthumbandfinger,sethimonthepalmofhislefthand,andheldhim at a proper distance for examination. It chanced to be the very identicalPygmywhohadspokenfromthetopofthetoadstool,andhadofferedhimselfasachampiontomeetHerculesinsinglecombat.

"Whatintheworld,mylittlefellow,"ejaculatedHercules,"mayyoube?"

"Iamyourenemy,"answeredthevaliantPygmy,inhismightiestsqueak."YouhaveslaintheenormousAntæus,ourbrotherbythemother'sside,andforagesthefaithfulallyofourillustriousnation.Wearedeterminedtoputyoutodeath;andformyownpart,Ichallengeyoutoinstantbattle,onequalground."

HerculeswassotickledwiththePygmy'sbigwordsandwarlikegestures,thatheburstintoagreatexplosionoflaughter,andalmostdroppedthepoorlittlemiteofacreatureoffthepalmofhishand,throughtheecstasyandconvulsionofhismerriment.

"Upon my word," cried he, "I thought I had seen wonders before to-day,—hydraswithnineheads,stagswithgoldenhorns,six-leggedmen, three-headeddogs,giantswith furnaces in their stomachs, andnobodyknowswhatbesides.Buthere,onthepalmofmyhand,standsawonderthatoutdoesthemall!Yourbody,mylittlefriend,isaboutthesizeofanordinaryman'sfinger.Pray,howbigmayyoursoulbe?"

"Asbigasyourown!"saidthePygmy.

Herculeswastouchedwiththelittleman'sdauntlesscourage,andcouldnothelpacknowledgingsuchabrotherhoodwithhimasoneherofeelsforanother.

"Mygood littlepeople," saidhe,makinga lowobeisance to thegrandnation,"notforall theworldwouldIdoanintentionalinjurytosuchbravefellowsasyou!Yourheartsseemtomesoexceedinglygreat,that,uponmyhonor,Imarvelhowyoursmallbodiescancontainthem.Isueforpeace,and,asaconditionofit,willtakefivestrides,andbeoutofyourkingdomatthesixth.Good-by.Ishallpickmy steps carefully, for fear of treading upon some fifty of you, withoutknowing it.Ha, ha, ha!Ho, ho, ho!For once,Hercules acknowledgeshimselfvanquished."

Somewriters say, thatHerculesgatheredup thewhole raceofPygmies inhislion's skin, and carried them home to Greece, for the children of KingEurystheustoplaywith.Butthisisamistake.Heleftthem,oneandall,withintheirownterritory,where,foraughtIcantell,theirdescendantsarealivetothepresent day, building their little houses, cultivating their little fields, spankingtheirlittlechildren,wagingtheirlittlewarfarewiththecranes,doingtheirlittlebusiness,whateveritmaybe,andreadingtheirlittlehistoriesofancienttimes.Inthosehistories,perhaps,itstandsrecorded,that,agreatmanycenturiesago,thevaliant Pygmies avenged the death of the Giant Antæus by scaring away themightyHercules.

TheDragon'sTeeth

Cadmus,Phœnix,andCilix,thethreesonsofKingAgenor,andtheirlittlesisterEuropa (who was a very beautiful child) were at play together, near the sea-shore,intheirfather'skingdomofPhœnicia.Theyhadrambledtosomedistancefromthepalacewheretheirparentsdwelt,andwerenowinaverdantmeadow,ononesideofwhichlaythesea,allsparklinganddimplinginthesunshine,andmurmuringgentlyagainstthebeach.Thethreeboyswereveryhappy,gatheringflowers, and twining them into garlands, with which they adorned the littleEuropa.Seatedonthegrass,thechildwasalmosthiddenunderanabundanceofbudsandblossoms,whenceher rosy facepeepedmerrilyout, and, asCadmussaid,wastheprettiestofalltheflowers.

Just then, there came a splendid butterfly, fluttering along the meadow; andCadmus,Phœnix,andCilixsetoffinpursuitofit,cryingoutthatitwasaflowerwithwings.Europa,whowasalittleweariedwithplayingalldaylong,didnotchase thebutterflywithher brothers, but sat stillwhere theyhad left her, andclosed her eyes. For a while, she listened to the pleasant murmur of the sea,which was like a voice saying "Hush!" and bidding her go to sleep. But theprettychild,ifshesleptatall,couldnothavesleptmorethanamoment,whensheheardsomethingtrampleonthegrass,notfarfromher,andpeepingoutfromtheheapofflowers,beheldasnow-whitebull.

Andwhencecouldthisbullhavecome?Europaandherbrothershadbeenalongtimeplayinginthemeadow,andhadseennocattle,norotherlivingthing,eitherthereorontheneighboringhills.

CADMUSSOWINGTHEDRAGON'STEETH

"BrotherCadmus!"criedEuropa, startingupoutof themidstof the rosesandlilies."Phœnix!Cilix!Whereareyouall?Help!Help!Comeanddriveawaythis

bull!"

But her brothers were too far off to hear; especially as the fright took awayEuropa'svoice, andhinderedher fromcallingvery loudly.So there she stood,with her prettymouthwide open, as pale as thewhite lilies thatwere twistedamongtheotherflowersinhergarlands.

Nevertheless, it was the suddenness with which she had perceived the bull,rather than anything frightful in his appearance, that caused Europa so muchalarm. On looking at him more attentively, she began to see that he was abeautifulanimal,andevenfanciedaparticularlyamiableexpressioninhisface.Asforhisbreath,—thebreathofcattle,youknow, isalwayssweet,—itwasasfragrantasifhehadbeengrazingonnootherfoodthanrosebuds,or,atleast,themostdelicateofclover-blossoms.Neverbeforedidabullhavesuchbrightandtendereyes,andsuchsmoothhornsofivory,asthisone.Andthebullranlittleraces,andcaperedsportivelyaroundthechild;sothatshequiteforgothowbigandstronghewas,and,fromthegentlenessandplayfulnessofhisactions,sooncametoconsiderhimasinnocentacreatureasapetlamb.

Thus, frightened as she at first was, you might by and by have seen Europastroking thebull's foreheadwithhersmallwhitehand,and taking thegarlandsoffherownheadtohangthemonhisneckandivoryhorns.Thenshepulledupsomebladesofgrass,andheatethemoutofherhand,notasifhewerehungry,butbecausehewantedtobefriendswiththechild,andtookpleasureineatingwhatshehadtouched.Well,mystars!wasthereeversuchagentle,sweet,pretty,andamiablecreatureasthisbull,andeversuchaniceplaymateforalittlegirl?

When the animal saw (for the bull had so much intelligence that it is reallywonderfultothinkof),whenhesawthatEuropawasnolongerafraidofhim,hegrewoverjoyed,andcouldhardlycontainhimselffordelight.Hefriskedaboutthemeadow,nowhere,nowthere,makingsprightlyleaps,withaslittleeffortasabirdexpendsinhoppingfromtwigtotwig.Indeed,hismotionwasaslightasifhewereflyingthroughtheair,andhishoofsseemedhardlytoleavetheirprintin the grassy soil over which he trod.With his spotless hue, he resembled asnow-drift,waftedalongbythewind.OncebegallopedsofarawaythatEuropafearedlestshemightneverseehimagain;so,settingupherchildishvoice,shecalledhimback.

"Comeback,prettycreature!"shecried."Hereisaniceclover-blossom."

Andthenitwasdelightfultowitnessthegratitudeofthisamiablebull,andhow

hewassofullofjoyandthankfulnessthathecaperedhigherthanever.Hecamerunning, and bowed his head before Europa, as if he knew her to be a king'sdaughter,or else recognized the important truth that a littlegirl is everybody'squeen.Andnotonlydidthebullbendhisneck,heabsolutelykneltdownatherfeet, andmade such intelligent nods, and other inviting gestures, that Europaunderstoodwhathemeantjustaswellasifhehadputitinsomanywords.

"Come,dearchild,"waswhathewantedtosay,"letmegiveyouarideonmyback."

Atthefirstthoughtofsuchathing,Europadrewback.Butthensheconsideredin herwise little head that there could be no possible harm in taking just onegallopon thebackof thisdocile and friendlyanimal,whowouldcertainly setherdowntheveryinstantshedesiredit.Andhowitwouldsurpriseherbrothersto seeher riding across thegreenmeadow!Andwhatmerry times theymighthave, either taking turns for agallop,or clamberingon thegentle creature, allfourchildrentogether,andcareeringroundthefieldwithshoutsoflaughterthatwouldbeheardasfaroffasKingAgenor'spalace!

"IthinkIwilldoit,"saidthechildtoherself.

And, indeed, why not? She cast a glance around, and caught a glimpse ofCadmus,Phœnix,andCilix,whowerestillinpursuitofthebutterfly,almostattheotherendofthemeadow.Itwouldbethequickestwayofrejoiningthem,togetuponthewhitebull'sback.Shecameastepnearertohim,therefore;and—sociable creature that he was—he showed so much joy at this mark of herconfidence, that the child could not find it in her heart to hesitate any longer.Makingonebound(forthislittleprincesswasasactiveasasquirrel),theresatEuropaonthebeautifulbull,holdinganivoryhornineachhand,lestsheshouldfalloff.

"Softly,prettybull,softly!"shesaid,ratherfrightenedatwhatshehaddone."Donotgalloptoofast."

Havinggotthechildonhisback,theanimalgavealeapintotheair,andcamedown so like a feather that Europa did not knowwhen his hoofs touched theground.He thenbegana race to thatpartof the floweryplainwhereher threebrotherswere, andwhere theyhad just caught their splendidbutterfly.Europascreamed with delight; and Phœnix, Cilix, and Cadmus stood gaping at thespectacle of their sistermounted on a white bull, not knowingwhether to befrightened or to wish the same good luck for themselves. The gentle and

innocentcreature(forwhocouldpossiblydoubtthathewasso?)prancedroundamongthechildrenassportivelyasakitten.Europaall thewhilelookeddownuponherbrothers,noddingandlaughing,butyetwithasortofstatelinessinherrosy little face. As the bull wheeled about to take another gallop across themeadow, the childwaved her hand, and said, "Good-by," playfully pretendingthat shewas now bound on a distant journey, andmight not see her brothersagainfornobodycouldtellhowlong.

"Good-by,"shoutedCadmus,Phœnix,andCilix,allinonebreath.

But,togetherwithherenjoymentofthesport,therewasstillalittleremnantoffearinthechild'sheart;sothatherlastlookatthethreeboyswasatroubledone,andmadethemfeelasiftheirdearsisterwerereallyleavingthemforever.Andwhatdoyouthinkthesnowybulldidnext?Why,hesetoff,asswiftasthewind,straightdowntothesea-shore,scamperedacrossthesand,tookanairyleap,andplungedright inamongthefoamingbillows.ThewhitesprayroseinashoweroverhimandlittleEuropa,andfellspatteringdownuponthewater.

Thenwhatascreamof terrordid thepoorchildsendforth!The threebrothersscreamedmanfully, likewise, and ran to the shore as fast as their legs wouldcarrythem,withCadmusattheirhead.Butitwastoolate.Whentheyreachedthemarginofthesand,thetreacherousanimalwasalreadyfarawayinthewideblue sea, with only his snowy head and tail emerging, and poor little Europabetween them, stretching out one hand towards her dear brothers, while shegraspedthebull's ivoryhornwith theother.AndtherestoodCadmus,Phœnix,andCilix, gazing at this sad spectacle, through their tears, until they couldnolonger distinguish the bull's snowy head from the white-capped billows thatseemed toboilupoutof the sea'sdepths aroundhim.Nothingmorewaseverseenofthewhitebull,—nothingmoreofthebeautifulchild.

Thiswas amournful story, as youmaywell think, for the threeboys to carryhome to their parents. King Agenor, their father, was the ruler of the wholecountry;buthelovedhislittledaughterEuropabetterthanhiskingdom,orthanall his other children, or than anything else in the world. Therefore, whenCadmusandhistwobrotherscamecryinghome,andtoldhimhowthatawhitebullhadcarriedoff their sister, and swamwithherover the sea, thekingwasquitebesidehimselfwithgriefandrage.Althoughitwasnowtwilight,andfastgrowingdark,hebadethemsetoutinstantlyinsearchofher.

"Never shallyou seemy faceagain,"hecried, "unlessyoubringmebackmy

littleEuropa, togladdenmewithher smilesandherprettyways.Begone,andentermypresencenomore,tillyoucomeleadingherbythehand."

AsKingAgenor said this, his eyes flashed fire (for hewas a very passionateking),andhelookedsoterriblyangrythatthepoorboysdidnotevenventuretoaskfortheirsuppers,butslunkawayoutofthepalace,andonlypausedonthestepsamomenttoconsultwhithertheyshouldgofirst.Whiletheywerestandingthereallindismay,theirmother,QueenTelephassa(whohappenednottobebywhentheytoldthestorytotheking),camehurryingafterthem,andsaidthatshetoowouldgoinquestofherdaughter.

"Ohno,mother!" cried the boys. "The night is dark, and there is no knowingwhattroublesandperilswemaymeetwith."

"Alas!my dear children," answered poor Queen Telephassa, weeping bitterly,"thatisonlyanotherreasonwhyIshouldgowithyou.IfIshouldloseyou,too,aswellasmylittleEuropa,whatwouldbecomeofme?"

"And letmego likewise!" said their playfellowThasus,who came running tojointhem.

Thasus was the son of a sea-faring person in the neighborhood; he had beenbrought up with the young princes, and was their intimate friend, and lovedEuropa very much; so they consented that he should accompany them. Thewhole party, therefore, set forth together; Cadmus, Phœnix, Cilix, and ThasusclusteredroundQueenTelephassa,graspingherskirts,andbeggingher to leanupontheirshoulderswhenevershefeltweary.Inthismannertheywentdownthepalacesteps,andbeganajourneywhichturnedouttobeagreatdeallongerthantheydreamedof.The last that theysawofKingAgenor,hecame to thedoor,with a servant holding a torch beside him, and called after them into thegatheringdarkness:—

"Remember!Neverascendthesestepsagainwithoutthechild!"

"Never!"sobbedQueenTelephassa;andthethreebrothersandThasusanswered,"Never!Never!Never!Never!"

Andtheykepttheirword.YearafteryearKingAgenorsatinthesolitudeofhisbeautifulpalace,listeninginvainfortheirreturningfootsteps,hopingtohearthefamiliarvoiceofthequeen,andthecheerfultalkofhissonsandtheirplayfellowThasus, entering the door together, and the sweet, childish accents of little

Europainthemidstofthem.Butsolongatimewentby,that,atlast,iftheyhadreally come, the king would not have known that this was the voice ofTelephassa,andthesetheyoungervoices thatusedtomakesuchjoyfulechoeswhen the children were playing about the palace. We must now leave KingAgenortositonhisthrone,andmustgoalongwithQueenTelephassaandherfouryouthfulcompanions.

Theywentonandon,andtravelledalongway,andpassedovermountainsandrivers, and sailed over seas. Here, and there, and everywhere, they madecontinualinquiryifanypersoncouldtellthemwhathadbecomeofEuropa.Therusticpeople,ofwhomtheyaskedthisquestion,pausedalittlewhilefromtheirlabors in thefield,and lookedverymuchsurprised.They thought it strange tobehold a woman in the garb of a queen (for Telephassa, in her haste, hadforgottentotakeoffhercrownandherroyalrobes),roamingaboutthecountry,withfour ladsaroundher,onsuchanerrandas thisseemedtobe.ButnobodycouldgivethemanytidingsofEuropa;nobodyhadseenalittlegirldressedlikeaprincess,andmountedonasnow-whitebull,whichgallopedasswiftlyasthewind.

IcannottellyouhowlongQueenTelephassa,andCadmus,Phœnix,andCilix,herthreesons,andThasus,theirplayfellow,wentwanderingalongthehighwaysandbypaths, or through thepathlesswildernessesof the earth, in thismanner.But certain it is, that, before they reached any place of rest, their splendidgarmentswere quiteworn out. They all looked verymuch travel-stained, andwouldhavehadthedustofmanycountriesontheirshoes,ifthestreams,throughwhichtheyhadwaded,hadnotwasheditallaway.Whentheyhadbeengoneayear,Telephassathrewawayhercrown,becauseitchafedherforehead.

"Ithasgivenmemanyaheadache,"saidthepoorqueen,"anditcannotcuremyheartache."

As fast as their princely robes got torn and tattered, they exchanged them forsuchmeanattireasordinarypeoplewore.Byandbytheycametohaveawildand homeless aspect; so that you would sooner have taken them for a gypsyfamily thanaqueenand threeprincesandayoungnobleman,whohadonceapalacefortheirhome,andatrainofservantstodotheirbidding.Thefourboysgrewup tobe tall youngmen,with sunburnt faces.Eachof themgirdedon asword, to defend themselves against the perils of the way. When thehusbandmen, at whose farm-houses they sought hospitality, needed theirassistance in the harvest-field, they gave it willingly; and Queen Telephassa

(who had done nowork in her palace, save to braid silk threadswith goldenones)camebehindthemtobindthesheaves.Ifpaymentwasoffered,theyshooktheirheads,andonlyaskedfortidingsofEuropa.

"Therearebullsenoughinmypasture,"theoldfarmerwouldreply;"butIneverheardofonelikethisyoutellmeof.Asnow-whitebullwithalittleprincessonhisback!Ho!ho!Iaskyourpardon,goodfolks;buttherewasneversuchasightseenhereabouts."

Atlast,whenhisupperlipbegantohavethedownonit,Phœnixgrewwearyoframblinghitherandthithertonopurpose.So,oneday,whentheyhappenedtobepassingthroughapleasantandsolitarytractofcountry,hesathimselfdownonaheapofmoss.

"Icangonofarther,"saidPhœnix."Itisamerefoolishwasteoflife,tospendit,aswedo,inalwayswanderingupanddown,andnevercomingtoanyhomeatnightfall.Oursisterislost,andneverwillbefound.Sheprobablyperishedinthesea;or,towhatevershorethewhitebullmayhavecarriedher;itisnowsomanyyearsago,thattherewouldbeneitherlovenoracquaintancebetweenusshouldwemeetagain.Myfatherhasforbiddenustoreturntohispalace;soIshallbuildmeahutofbranches,anddwellhere."

"Well,sonPhœnix,"saidTelephassa,sorrowfully,"youhavegrowntobeaman,andmustdoasyou judgebest.But, formypart, Iwill stillgo inquestofmypoorchild."

"And we three will go along with you!" cried Cadmus and Cilix, and theirfaithfulfriendThasus.

But, before setting out, they all helped Phœnix to build a habitation. Whencompleted, itwasa sweet ruralbower, roofedoverheadwithanarchof livingboughs.Insidethereweretwopleasantrooms,oneofwhichhadasoftheapofmossforabed,whiletheotherwasfurnishedwitharusticseatortwo,curiouslyfashionedoutofthecrookedrootsoftrees.Socomfortableandhomelikediditseem,thatTelephassaandherthreecompanionscouldnothelpsighing,tothinkthattheymuststillroamabouttheworld,insteadofspendingtheremainderoftheirlivesinsomesuchcheerfulabodeastheyhadherebuiltforPhœnix.But,whentheybadehimfarewell,Phœnixshedtears,andprobablyregrettedthathewasnolongertokeepthemcompany.

However,hehadfixeduponanadmirableplacetodwellin.Andbyandbythere

cameotherpeople,whochancedtohavenohomes;and,seeinghowpleasantaspot it was, they built themselves huts in the neighborhood of Phœnix'shabitation.Thus,beforemanyyearswentby,acityhadgrownupthere, in thecentre of which was seen a stately palace of marble, wherein dwelt Phœnix,clothed in a purple robe, andwearing a golden crown upon his head. For theinhabitants of the new city, finding that he had royal blood in his veins, hadchosenhimtobe theirking.TheveryfirstdecreeofstatewhichKingPhœnixissuedwas, that ifamaidenhappened toarrive in thekingdom,mountedonasnow-whitebull, and callingherselfEuropa, his subjects should treat herwiththegreatestkindnessandrespect,andimmediatelybringhertothepalace.Youmaysee,bythis,thatPhœnix'sconscienceneverquiteceasedtotroublehim,forgivingupthequestofhisdearsister,andsittinghimselfdowntobecomfortable,whilehismotherandhercompanionswentonward.

Butoftenandoften, at the closeof awearyday's journey,didTelephassa andCadmus,Cilix andThasus, remember thepleasant spot inwhich theyhad leftPhœnix. It was a sorrowful prospect for thesewanderers, that on themorrowtheymustagainsetforth,andthat,aftermanynightfalls,theywouldperhapsbenonearerthecloseoftheirtoilsomepilgrimagethannow.Thesethoughtsmadethemallmelancholyattimes,butappearedtotormentCilixmorethantherestoftheparty.Atlength,onemorning,whentheyweretakingtheirstaffsinhandtosetout,hethusaddressedthem:—

"My dear mother, and you good brother Cadmus, and my friend Thasus,methinkswearelikepeopleinadream.Thereisnosubstanceinthelifewhichweareleading.ItissuchadrearylengthoftimesincethewhitebullcarriedoffmysisterEuropa, that Ihavequite forgottenhowshe looked,and the tonesofhervoice,and, indeed,almostdoubtwhethersucha littlegirlever livedin theworld.Andwhether she once lived or no, I am convinced that she no longersurvives, and that therefore it is the merest folly to waste our own lives andhappiness in seeking her. Were we to find her, she would now be a womangrown,andwouldlookuponusallasstrangers.So,totellyouthetruth,Ihaveresolvedtotakeupmyabodehere;andIentreatyou,mother,brother,andfriend,tofollowmyexample."

"NotI,forone,"saidTelephassa;althoughthepoorqueen,firmlyasshespoke,wassotravel-wornthatshecouldhardlyputherfoottotheground,—"notI,forone! In the depths ofmyheart, littleEuropa is still the rosy childwho ran togather flowers so many years ago. She has not grown to womanhood, norforgotten me. At noon, at night, journeying onward, sitting down to rest, her

childish voice is always inmy ears, calling, 'Mother!mother!' Stop herewhomay,thereisnoreposeforme."

"Norforme,"saidCadmus,"whilemydearmotherpleasestogoonward."

And the faithful Thasus, too, was resolved to bear them company. Theyremained with Cilix a few days, however, and helped him to build a rusticbower,resemblingtheonewhichtheyhadformerlybuiltforPhœnix.

Whentheywerebiddinghimfarewell,Cilixburstintotears,andtoldhismotherthat it seemed just asmelancholy a dream to stay there, in solitude, as to goonward.IfshereallybelievedthattheywouldeverfindEuropa,hewaswillingto continue the searchwith them, even now.ButTelephassa bade him remainthere,andbehappy, ifhisownheartwould lethim.So thepilgrims tooktheirleave of him, and departed, and were hardly out of sight before some otherwandering people came along that way, and saw Cilix's habitation, and weregreatly delightedwith the appearance of the place. There being abundance ofunoccupied ground in the neighborhood, these strangers built huts forthemselves, andwere soon joinedby amultitudeofnew settlers,whoquicklyformed a city. In the middle of it was seen a magnificent palace of coloredmarble, on the balcony of which, every noontide, appeared Cilix, in a longpurplerobe,andwithajewelledcrownuponhishead;fortheinhabitants,whentheyfoundoutthathewasaking'sson,hadconsideredhimthefittestofallmentobeakinghimself.

OneofthefirstactsofKingCilix'sgovernmentwastosendoutanexpedition,consistingofagraveambassadorandanescortofboldandhardyyoungmen,withorders tovisit theprincipalkingdomsof theearth, and inquirewhether ayoungmaiden had passed through those regions, galloping swiftly on awhitebull. It is, therefore, plain tomymind, that Cilix secretly blamed himself forgivingupthesearchforEuropa,aslongashewasabletoputonefootbeforetheother.

AsforTelephassa,andCadmus,andthegoodThasus,itgrievesmetothinkofthem,stillkeepingupthatwearypilgrimage.Thetwoyoungmendidtheirbestforthepoorqueen,helpingherovertheroughplacesoftencarryingheracrossrivuletsintheirfaithfularms,andseekingtoshelterheratnightfall,evenwhentheythemselveslayontheground.Sad,saditwastohearthemaskingofeverypasser-by if he had seen Europa, so long after the white bull had carried heraway. But, though the gray years thrust themselves between, and made the

child'sfiguredimintheirremembrance,neitherofthesetrue-heartedthreeeverdreamedofgivingupthesearch.

Onemorning,however,poorThasusfound thathehadsprainedhisankle,andcouldnotpossiblygoastepfarther.

"Afterafewdays,tobesure,"saidhe,mournfully,"Imightmakeshifttohobblealongwithastick.Butthatwouldonlydelayyou,andperhapshinderyoufromfindingdear littleEuropa,afterallyourpainsandtrouble.Doyougoforward,therefore,mybelovedcompanions,andleavemetofollowasImay."

"Thouhastbeenatruefriend,dearThasus,"saidQueenTelephassa,kissinghisforehead."Beingneithermyson,nor thebrotherofour lostEuropa, thouhastshownthyselftruertomeandherthanPhœnixandCilixdid,whomwehaveleftbehindus.Withoutthylovinghelp,andthatofmysonCadmus,mylimbscouldnothavebornemehalfsofarasthis.Now,takethyrest,andbeatpeace.For—anditisthefirsttimeIhaveownedittomyself—Ibegintoquestionwhetherweshalleverfindmybeloveddaughterinthisworld."

Saying this, the poor queen shed tears, because it was a grievous trial to themother's heart to confess that her hopes were growing faint. From that dayforward,Cadmusnoticedthatshenevertravelledwiththesamealacrityofspiritthathadheretoforesupportedher.Herweightwasheavieruponhisarm.

Before setting out, Cadmus helped Thasus build a bower; while Telephassa,beingtooinfirmtogiveanygreatassistance,advisedthemhowtofititupandfurnishit,sothatitmightbeascomfortableasahutofbranchescould.Thasus,however,didnotspendallhisdaysinthisgreenbower.Forithappenedtohim,astoPhœnixandCilix,thatotherhomelesspeoplevisitedthespotandlikedit,andbuiltthemselveshabitationsintheneighborhood.Sohere,inthecourseofafewyears,wasanotherthrivingcitywitharedfreestonepalaceinthecentreofit,whereThasus sat upon a throne, doing justice to the people,with a purplerobeoverhisshoulders,asceptreinhishand,andacrownuponhishead.Theinhabitantshadmadehimking,notforthesakeofanyroyalblood(fornonewasinhisveins),butbecauseThasuswasanupright, true-hearted,andcourageousman,andthereforefittorule.

But,whentheaffairsofhiskingdomwereallsettled,KingThasuslaidasidehispurple robe, and crown, and sceptre, and bade hisworthiest subject distributejustice to the people in his stead. Then, grasping the pilgrim's staff that hadsupported him so long, he set forth again, hoping still to discover somehoof-

markofthesnow-whitebull,sometraceofthevanishedchild.Hereturned,afteralengthenedabsence,andsatdownwearilyuponhisthrone.Tohislatesthour,nevertheless,KingThasusshowedhistrue-heartedremembranceofEuropa,byordering that a fire should always be kept burning in his palace, and a bathsteaminghot,andfoodreadytobeservedup,andabedwithsnow-whitesheets,in case the maiden should arrive, and require immediate refreshment. AndthoughEuropanevercame, thegoodThasushad theblessingsofmanyapoortraveller,whoprofitedbythefoodandlodgingwhichweremeantfor the littleplaymateoftheking'sboyhood.

TelephassaandCadmuswerenowpursuingtheirwearyway,withnocompanionbut each other. The queen leaned heavily upon her son's arm, and couldwalkonlyafewmilesaday.Butforallherweaknessandweariness,shewouldnotbepersuaded to give up the search. Itwas enough to bring tears into the eyes ofbearded men to hear the melancholy tone with which she inquired of everystrangerwhetherhecouldtellheranynewsofthelostchild.

"Haveyou seena littlegirl—no,no, Imeanayoungmaidenof fullgrowth—passingbythisway,mountedonasnow-whitebull,whichgallopsasswiftlyasthewind?"

"Wehaveseennosuchwondroussight,"thepeoplewouldreply;andveryoften,taking Cadmus aside, they whispered to him, "Is this stately and sad-lookingwomanyourmother?Surelysheisnotinherrightmind;andyououghttotakeherhome,andmakehercomfortable,anddoyourbesttogetthisdreamoutofherfancy."

"Itisnodream,"saidCadmus."Everythingelseisadream,savethat."

But,oneday,Telephassaseemedfeeblerthanusual,andleanedalmostherwholeweightonthearmofCadmus,andwalkedmoreslowlythaneverbefore.Atlasttheyreachedasolitaryspot,whereshetoldhersonthatshemustneedsliedown,andtakeagood,longrest.

"A good, long rest!" she repeated, looking Cadmus tenderly in the face,"—agood,longrest,thoudearestone!"

"Aslongasyouplease,dearmother,"answeredCadmus.

Telephassabadehimsitdownontheturfbesideher,andthenshetookhishand.

"Myson,"saidshe,fixingherdimeyesmostlovinglyuponhim,"thisrestthatI

speak ofwill be very long indeed!Youmust notwait till it is finished.DearCadmus,youdonotcomprehendme.Youmustmakeagravehere,andlayyourmother'swearyframeintoit.Mypilgrimageisover."

Cadmus burst into tears, and, for a long time, refused to believe that his dearmotherwasnowtobetakenfromhim.ButTelephassareasonedwithhim,andkissedhim,andatlengthmadehimdiscernthatitwasbetterforherspirittopassaway out of the toil, the weariness, the grief, and disappointment which hadburdenedheronearth,eversincethechildwaslost.Hethereforerepressedhissorrowandlistenedtoherlastwords.

"DearestCadmus,"saidshe,"thouhastbeenthetruestsonthatmothereverhad,andfaithfultothelast.Whoelsewouldhavebornewithmyinfirmitiesasthouhast!Itisowingtothycare,thoutenderestchild,thatmygravewasnotduglongyearsago,insomevalley,oronsomehill-side,thatliesfar,farbehindus.Itisenough.Thoushaltwandernomoreonthishopelesssearch.Butwhenthouhastlaidthymotherintheearth,thengo,myson,toDelphi,andinquireoftheoraclewhatthoushaltdonext."

"Omother,mother,"criedCadmus,"couldstthoubuthaveseenmysisterbeforethishour!"

"It matters little now," answered Telephassa, and there was a smile upon herface."Igotothebetterworld,and,soonerorlater,shallfindmydaughterthere."

Iwill not sadden you,my little hearers,with telling howTelephassa died andwas buried, but will only say, that her dying smile grew brighter, instead ofvanishing fromher dead face; so thatCadmus felt convinced that, at her veryfirst step into thebetterworld, shehadcaughtEuropa inherarms.Heplantedsomeflowersonhismother'sgrave,andleftthemtogrowthere,andmaketheplacebeautiful,whenheshouldbefaraway.

Afterperforming this lastsorrowfulduty,heset forthalone,and took theroadtowardsthefamousoracleofDelphi,asTelephassahadadvisedhim.Onhiswaythither, he still inquired ofmost people whom hemet whether they had seenEuropa; for, to say the truth, Cadmus had grown so accustomed to ask thequestion, that it came tohis lips as readily as a remark about theweather.Hereceivedvariousanswers.Sometoldhimone thing,andsomeanother.Amongtherest,amarineraffirmed,that,manyyearsbefore,inadistantcountry,hehadheardarumoraboutawhitebull,whichcameswimmingacrosstheseawithachildonhisback,dressedupinflowersthatwereblightedbythesea-water.He

didnotknowwhathadbecomeofthechildorthebull;andCadmussuspected,indeed,byaqueertwinkleinthemariner'seyes,thathewasputtingajokeuponhim,andhadneverreallyheardanythingaboutthematter.

PoorCadmusfounditmorewearisometotravelalonethantobearallhisdearmother's weight while she had kept him company. His heart, you willunderstand,wasnowsoheavythatitseemedimpossible,sometimes,tocarryitany farther. But his limbs were strong and active, and well accustomed toexercise. He walked swiftly along, thinking of King Agenor and QueenTelephassa, andhisbrothers, and the friendlyThasus, allofwhomhehad leftbehindhim,atonepointofhispilgrimageoranother,andneverexpectedtoseethem anymore. Full of these remembrances, he came within sight of a loftymountain,which thepeople thereabouts toldhimwascalledParnassus.On theslopeofMountParnassuswasthefamousDelphi,whitherCadmuswasgoing.

ThisDelphiwassupposedtobetheverymidmostspotofthewholeworld.Theplaceoftheoraclewasacertaincavityinthemountain-side,overwhich,whenCadmus came thither, he found a rudebowerof branches. It remindedhimofthosewhich he had helped to build for Phœnix and Cilix, and afterwards forThasus.Inlatertimes,whenmultitudesofpeoplecamefromgreatdistancestoput questions to the oracle, a spacious temple ofmarblewas erected over thespot.But in thedaysofCadmus,asIhave toldyou, therewasonly this rusticbower,withitsabundanceofgreenfoliage,andatuftofshrubbery,thatranwildoverthemysteriousholeinthehill-side.

WhenCadmushad thrust apassage through the tangledboughs, andmadehiswayintothebower,hedidnotatfirstdiscernthehalf-hiddencavity.Butsoonhefeltacoldstreamofair rushingoutof it,withsomuchforce that itshooktheringletsonhischeek.Pullingawaytheshrubberywhichclusteredoverthehole,he bent forward, and spoke in a distinct but reverential tone, as if addressingsomeunseenpersonageinsideofthemountain.

"SacredoracleofDelphi,"saidhe,"whithershallIgonextinquestofmydearsisterEuropa?"

Therewasatfirstadeepsilence,andthenarushingsound,oranoiselikealongsigh,proceedingoutoftheinterioroftheearth.Thiscavity,youmustknow,waslooked upon as a sort of fountain of truth, which sometimes gushed out inaudiblewords;although,forthemostpart, thesewordsweresuchariddlethattheymightjustaswellhavestayedatthebottomofthehole.ButCadmuswas

morefortunatethanmanyotherswhowenttoDelphiinsearchoftruth.Byandby, the rushingnoisebegan to sound likearticulate language. It repeated,overandoveragain, the followingsentence,which,afterall,was so like thevaguewhistleofablastofair,thatCadmusreallydidnotquiteknowwhetheritmeantanythingornot:—

"Seekhernomore!Seekhernomore!Seekhernomore!"

"What,then,shallIdo?"askedCadmus.

For,eversincehewasachild,youknow,ithadbeenthegreatobjectofhislifeto findhissister.Fromtheveryhour thathe left following thebutterfly in themeadow, near his father's palace, he haddonehis best to followEuropa, overlandandsea.Andnow,ifhemustgiveupthesearch,heseemedtohavenomorebusinessintheworld.

Butagainthesighinggustofairgrewintosomethinglikeahoarsevoice.

"Followthecow!"itsaid."Followthecow!Followthecow!"

And when these words had been repeated until Cadmus was tired of hearingthem (especially as he could not imaginewhat cow itwas, orwhy hewas tofollowher),thegustyholegaveventtoanothersentence.

"Wherethestraycowliesdown,thereisyourhome."

Thesewordswerepronouncedbutasingletime,anddiedawayintoawhisperbeforeCadmuswasfullysatisfiedthathehadcaughtthemeaning.Heputotherquestions,butreceivednoanswer;onlythegustofwindsighedcontinuallyoutofthecavity,andblewthewitheredleavesrustlingalongthegroundbeforeit.

"Didtherereallycomeanywordsoutofthehole?"thoughtCadmus;"orhaveIbeendreamingallthiswhile?"

He turned away from the oracle, and thought himself nowiser thanwhen hecamethither.Caringlittlewhatmighthappentohim,hetookthefirstpaththatoffereditself,andwentalongatasluggishpace;for,havingnoobjectinview,noranyreason togoonewaymore thananother, itwouldcertainlyhavebeenfoolish tomake haste.Whenever hemet anybody, the old questionwas at histongue'send:—

"Haveyouseenabeautifulmaiden,dressedlikeaking'sdaughter,andmounted

onasnow-whitebull,thatgallopsasswiftlyasthewind?"

But,rememberingwhattheoraclehadsaid,heonlyhalfutteredthewords,andthenmumbled the rest indistinctly; and from his confusion, peoplemust haveimaginedthatthishandsomeyoungmanhadlosthiswits.

IknownothowfarCadmushadgone,norcouldhehimselfhavetoldyou,when,atnogreatdistancebeforehim,hebeheldabrindledcow.Shewaslyingdownbythewayside,andquietlychewinghercud;nordidshetakeanynoticeoftheyoungmanuntilhehadapproachedprettynigh.Then,gettingleisurelyuponherfeet,andgivingherheadagentletoss,shebegantomovealongatamoderatepace, often pausing just long enough to crop a mouthful of grass. Cadmusloiteredbehind,whistling idly to himself, and scarcely noticing the cow; untilthe thoughtoccurred tohim,whether thiscouldpossiblybe theanimalwhich,accordingtotheoracle'sresponse,wastoservehimforaguide.Buthesmiledathimselfforfancyingsuchathing.Hecouldnotseriouslythinkthatthiswasthecow, because she went along so quietly, behaving just like any other cow.EvidentlysheneitherknewnorcaredsomuchasawispofhayaboutCadmus,and was only thinking how to get her living along the wayside, where theherbagewasgreenandfresh.Perhapsshewasgoinghometobemilked.

"Cow,cow,cow!"criedCadmus."Hey,Brindle,hey!Stop,mygoodcow."

Hewantedtocomeupwiththecow,soastoexamineher,andseeifshewouldappear toknowhim,orwhether therewereanypeculiarities todistinguishherfrom a thousand other cows,whose only business is to fill themilk-pail, andsometimeskickitover.Butstillthebrindledcowtrudgedon,whiskinghertailtokeepthefliesaway,andtakingaslittlenoticeofCadmusasshewellcould.Ifhewalked slowly, so did the cow, and seized the opportunity to graze. If hequickened his pace, the cow went just so much the faster; and once, whenCadmus tried to catch her by running, she threw out her heels, stuck her tailstraightonend,andsetoffatagallop,lookingasqueerlyascowsgenerallydo,whileputtingthemselvestotheirspeed.

WhenCadmus saw that itwas impossible to comeupwith her, hewalkedonmoderately,asbefore.Thecow,too,wentleisurelyon,withoutlookingbehind.Whereverthegrasswasgreenest,thereshenibbledamouthfulortwo.Whereabrook glistened brightly across the path, there the cow drank, and breathed acomfortable sigh, and drank again, and trudged onward at the pace that bestsuitedherselfandCadmus.

"Idobelieve,"thoughtCadmus,"thatthismaybethecowthatwasforetoldme.Ifitbetheone,Isupposeshewillliedownsomewherehereabouts."

Whetheritweretheoracularcoworsomeotherone,itdidnotseemreasonablethat she should travel a great way farther. So, whenever they reached aparticularlypleasantspotonabreezyhill-side,orinashelteredvale,orflowerymeadow, on the shore of a calm lake, or along the bank of a clear stream,Cadmuslookedeagerlyaroundtoseeifthesituationwouldsuithimforahome.Butstill,whetherhelikedtheplaceorno,thebrindledcowneverofferedtoliedown.Onshewentatthequietpaceofacowgoinghomewardtothebarn-yard;and, every moment, Cadmus expected to see a milkmaid approaching with apail,oraherdsmanrunningtoheadthestrayanimal,andturnherbacktowardsthepasture.Butnomilkmaidcame;noherdsmandroveherback;andCadmusfollowedthestrayBrindletillhewasalmostreadytodropdownwithfatigue.

"Obrindledcow,"criedhe,inatoneofdespair,"doyounevermeantostop?"

He had now grown too intent on following her to think of lagging behind,howeverlongtheway,andwhatevermightbehisfatigue.Indeed,itseemedasiftherewere somethingabout theanimal thatbewitchedpeople.Severalpersonswhohappenedtoseethebrindledcow,andCadmusfollowingbehind,begantotrudgeafterher,preciselyashedid.Cadmuswasgladofsomebodytoconversewith,andthereforetalkedveryfreelytothesegoodpeople.Hetoldthemallhisadventures,andhowhehadleftKingAgenorinhispalace,andPhœnixatoneplace, andCilix at another, andThasus at a third, andhis dearmother,QueenTelephassa,underaflowerysod;sothatnowhewasquitealone,bothfriendlessandhomeless.Hementioned,likewise,thattheoraclehadbiddenhimbeguidedbyacow,andinquiredofthestrangerswhethertheysupposedthatthisbrindledanimalcouldbetheone.

"Why,'tisaverywonderfulaffair,"answeredoneofhisnewcompanions."Iamprettywellacquaintedwith thewaysofcattle,andIneverknewacow,ofherownaccord,togosofarwithoutstopping.Ifmylegswillletme,I'llneverleavefollowingthebeasttillsheliesdown."

"NorI!"saidasecond.

"NorI!"criedathird."Ifshegoesahundredmilesfarther,I'mdeterminedtoseetheendofit."

Thesecretof itwas,youmustknow, that thecowwasanenchantedcow,and

that,withouttheirbeingconsciousofit,shethrewsomeofherenchantmentovereverybody that tooksomuchashalfadozenstepsbehindher.Theycouldnotpossiblyhelpfollowingher,though,allthetime,theyfanciedthemselvesdoingitoftheirownaccord.Thecowwasbynomeansveryniceinchoosingherpath;so that sometimes theyhad to scrambleover rocks, orwade throughmudandmire,andwereallinaterriblybedraggledcondition,andtiredtodeath,andveryhungry,intothebargain.Whatawearybusinessitwas!

But still they kept trudging stoutly forward, and talking as they went. Thestrangers grew very fond ofCadmus, and resolved never to leave him, but tohelphimbuildacitywhereverthecowmightliedown.Inthecentreofitthereshouldbeanoblepalace,inwhichCadmusmightdwell,andbetheirking,witha throne, a crown and sceptre, a purple robe, and everything else that a kingoughttohave;forinhimtherewastheroyalblood,andtheroyalheart,andtheheadthatknewhowtorule.

Whiletheyweretalkingoftheseschemes,andbeguilingthetediousnessofthewaywith layingout theplanof thenewcity,oneof thecompanyhappenedtolookatthecow.

"Joy!joy!"criedhe,clappinghishands."Brindleisgoingtoliedown."

They all looked; and, sure enough, the cow had stopped, and was staringleisurely about her, as other cows do when on the point of lying down. Andslowly, slowly did she recline herself on the soft grass, first bending her forelegs,andthencrouchingherhindones.WhenCadmusandhiscompanionscameupwithher, therewas thebrindledcowtakingherease,chewinghercud,andlookingthemquietlyintheface;asifthiswasjustthespotshehadbeenseekingfor,andasifitwereallamatterofcourse.

"This,then,"saidCadmus,gazingaroundhim,"thisistobemyhome."

It was a fertile and lovely plain, with great trees flinging their sun-speckledshadows over it, and hills fencing it in from the rough weather. At no greatdistance,theybeheldarivergleaminginthesunshine.AhomefeelingstoleintotheheartofpoorCadmus.Hewasverygladtoknowthatherehemightawakeinthe morning, without the necessity of pulling on his dusty sandals to travelfartherandfarther.Thedaysand theyearswouldpassoverhim,andfindhimstill in this pleasant spot. If he could have had his brotherswith him, and hisfriendThasus,andcouldhaveseenhisdearmotherunderaroofofhisown,hemightherehavebeenhappy,afteralltheirdisappointments.Somedayorother,

too, his sister Europa might have come quietly to the door of his home, andsmiled roundupon the familiar faces.But, indeed, since therewasnohopeofregaining the friends of his boyhood, or ever seeing his dear sister again,Cadmusresolvedtomakehimselfhappywiththesenewcompanions,whohadgrownsofondofhimwhilefollowingthecow.

"Yes,myfriends,"saidhetothem,"thisistobeourhome.Herewewillbuildourhabitations.Thebrindledcow,whichhas ledushither,willsupplyuswithmilk.Wewill cultivate the neighboring soil, and lead an innocent and happylife."

Hiscompanionsjoyfullyassentedtothisplan;and,inthefirstplace,beingveryhungry and thirsty, they looked about them for the means of providing acomfortablemeal.Notfaroff,theysawatuftoftrees,whichappearedasiftheremight be a spring of water beneath them. They went thither to fetch some,leavingCadmusstretchedonthegroundalongwiththebrindledcow;for,nowthat he had found a place of rest, it seemed as if all the weariness of hispilgrimage,eversinceheleftKingAgenor'spalace,hadfallenuponhimatonce.Buthisnewfriendshadnotlongbeengone,whenhewassuddenlystartledbycries,shouts,andscreams,andthenoiseofaterriblestruggle,andinthemidstof it all, amost awful hissing,whichwent right throughhis ears like a roughsaw.

Running towards the tuft of trees, he beheld the head and fiery eyes of animmenseserpentordragon,withthewidestjawsthateveradragonhad,andavastmanyrowsofhorriblysharpteeth.BeforeCadmuscouldreachthespot,thispitilessreptilehadkilledhispoorcompanions,andwasbusilydevouringthem,makingbutamouthfulofeachman.

Itappearsthatthefountainofwaterwasenchanted,andthatthedragonhadbeenset to guard it, so that no mortal might ever quench his thirst there. As theneighboringinhabitantscarefullyavoidedthespot,itwasnowalongtime(notlessthanahundredyears,orthereabouts)sincethemonsterhadbrokenhisfast;and,aswasnaturalenough,hisappetitehadgrowntobeenormous,andwasnothalf satisfiedby thepoorpeoplewhomhehad just eatenup.Whenhe caughtsightofCadmus, therefore,he setupanotherabominablehiss, and flungbackhisimmensejaws,untilhismouthlookedlikeagreatredcavern,atthefartherendofwhichwereseenthelegsofhislastvictim,whomhehadhardlyhadtimetoswallow.

But Cadmus was so enraged at the destruction of his friends, that he caredneither for the size of the dragon's jaws nor for his hundreds of sharp teeth.Drawing his sword, he rushed at themonster, and flung himself right into hiscavernous mouth. This bold method of attacking him took the dragon bysurprise; for, in fact, Cadmus had leaped so far down into his throat, that therowsofterribleteethcouldnotcloseuponhim,nordohimtheleastharmintheworld.Thus,thoughthestrugglewasatremendousone,andthoughthedragonshattered the tuftof trees into small splintersby the lashingofhis tail, yet, asCadmuswasallthewhileslashingandstabbingathisveryvitals,itwasnotlongbeforethescalywretchbethoughthimselfofslippingaway.Hehadnotgonehislength,however,whenthebraveCadmusgavehimasword-thrustthatfinishedthe battle; and, creeping out of the gateway of the creature's jaws, there hebeheld him still wriggling his vast bulk, although there was no longer lifeenoughinhimtoharmalittlechild.

But do not you suppose that it made Cadmus sorrowful to think of themelancholy fate which had befallen those poor, friendly people, who hadfollowed the cow along with him? It seemed as if he were doomed to loseeverybodywhomhe loved, or to see themperish in oneway or another.Andherehewas,afterallhistoilsandtroubles,inasolitaryplace,withnotasinglehumanbeingtohelphimbuildahut.

"WhatshallIdo?"criedhealoud."Itwerebetterformetohavebeendevouredbythedragon,asmypoorcompanionswere."

"Cadmus," said a voice,—but whether it came from above or below him, orwhether it spoke within his own breast, the young man could not tell,—"Cadmus,pluckoutthedragon'steeth,andplantthemintheearth."

Thiswasastrangethingtodo;norwasitveryeasy,Ishouldimagine,todigoutallthosedeep-rootedfangsfromthedeaddragon'sjaws.ButCadmustoiledandtugged, and after pounding themonstrous head almost to pieces with a greatstone,heatlastcollectedasmanyteethasmighthavefilledabushelortwo.Thenext thing was to plant them. This, likewise, was a tedious piece of work,especially as Cadmus was already exhausted with killing the dragon andknockinghisheadtopieces,andhadnothingtodigtheearthwith,thatIknowof,unlessitwerehissword-blade.Finally,however,asufficientlylargetractofgroundwasturnedup,andsownwiththisnewkindofseed;althoughhalfofthedragon'steethstillremainedtobeplantedsomeotherday.

Cadmus,quiteoutofbreath,stoodleaninguponhissword,andwonderingwhatwastohappennext.Hehadwaitedbutafewmoments,whenhebegantoseeasight,whichwasasgreatamarvelasthemostmarvellousthingIevertoldyouabout.

Thesunwasshiningslantwiseoverthefield,andshowedallthemoist,darksoiljustlikeanyothernewlyplantedpieceofground.Allatonce,Cadmusfanciedhesawsomethingglistenverybrightly,firstatonespot,thenatanother,andthenat ahundred and a thousand spots together.Soonheperceived them tobe thesteelheadsofspears,sproutingupeverywherelikesomanystalksofgrain,andcontinually growing taller and taller. Next appeared a vast number of brightsword-blades, thrusting themselvesup in the sameway.Amomentafterwards,thewholesurfaceofthegroundwasbrokenupbyamultitudeofpolishedbrasshelmets, coming up like a crop of enormous beans. So rapidly did they grow,thatCadmusnowdiscernedthefiercecountenanceofamanbeneatheveryone.Inshort,beforehehadtimetothinkwhatawonderfulaffairitwas,hebeheldanabundant harvest of what looked like human beings, armedwith helmets andbreastplates, shields, swords and spears; and before theywerewell out of theearth, they brandished their weapons, and clashed them one against another,seeming to think, little while as they had yet lived, that they had wasted toomuch of lifewithout a battle. Every tooth of the dragon had produced one ofthesesonsofdeadlymischief.

Upsprouted,also, agreatmany trumpeters; andwith the firstbreath that theydrew,theyputtheirbrazentrumpetstotheirlips,andsoundedatremendousandear-shattering blast; so that the whole space, just now so quiet and solitary,reverberatedwiththeclashandclangofarms,thebrayofwarlikemusic,andtheshoutsofangrymen.Soenrageddidtheyall look, thatCadmusfullyexpectedthemtoputthewholeworldtothesword.Howfortunatewoulditbeforagreatconqueror,ifhecouldgetabushelofthedragon'steethtosow!

"Cadmus,"saidthesamevoicewhichhehadbeforeheard,"throwastoneintothemidstofthearmedmen."

So Cadmus seized a large stone, and, flinging it into the middle of the eartharmy, saw it strike the breastplate of a gigantic and fierce-looking warrior.Immediatelyonfeelingtheblow,heseemedtotakeitforgrantedthatsomebodyhad struckhim; and, upliftinghisweapon, he smote his next neighbor a blowthat cleft his helmet asunder, and stretched him on the ground. In an instant,thosenearestthefallenwarriorbegantostrikeatoneanotherwiththeirswords

and stab with their spears. The confusion spread wider and wider. Each mansmote downhis brother, andwas himself smitten downbefore he had time toexult inhisvictory.Thetrumpeters,all thewhile,blewtheirblastsshrillerandshriller;eachsoldiershoutedabattle-cryandoftenfellwithitonhislips.Itwasthestrangestspectacleofcauselesswrath,andofmischieffornogoodend,thathad ever been witnessed; but, after all, it was neither more foolish nor morewickedthanathousandbattlesthathavesincebeenfought,inwhichmenhaveslain their brothers with just as little reason as these children of the dragon'steeth. It ought to be considered, too, that the dragon people were made fornothingelse;whereasothermortalswereborntoloveandhelponeanother.

Well,thismemorablebattlecontinuedtorageuntilthegroundwasstrewnwithhelmetedheadsthathadbeencutoff.Ofallthethousandsthatbeganthefight,therewereonlyfiveleftstanding.Thesenowrushedfromdifferentpartsofthefield,and,meetinginthemiddleofit,clashedtheirswords,andstruckateachother'sheartsasfiercelyasever.

"Cadmus," said the voice again, "bid those fivewarriors sheathe their swords.Theywillhelpyoutobuildthecity."

Withouthesitatinganinstant,Cadmussteppedforward,withtheaspectofakingand a leader, and extending his drawn sword amongst them, spoke to thewarriorsinasternandcommandingvoice.

"Sheatheyourweapons!"saidhe.

Andforthwith,feelingthemselvesboundtoobeyhim,thefiveremainingsonsofthedragon'steethmadehimamilitarysalutewiththeirswords,returnedthemtothe scabbards, and stoodbeforeCadmus in a rank, eyeinghimas soldiers eyetheircaptain,whileawaitingthewordofcommand.

Thesefivemenhadprobablysprungfromthebiggestofthedragon'steeth,andwere the boldest and strongest of the whole army. They were almost giants,indeed,andhadgoodneedtobeso,elsetheynevercouldhavelivedthroughsoterribleafight.Theystillhadaveryfuriouslook,and, ifCadmushappenedtoglanceaside,wouldglareatoneanother,withfireflashingoutof theireyes.Itwas strange, too, to observe how the earth, out of which they had so latelygrown, was incrusted, here and there, on their bright breastplates, and evenbegrimedtheirfaces,justasyoumayhaveseenitclingingtobeetsandcarrotswhenpulledoutof theirnative soil.Cadmushardlyknewwhether toconsiderthem as men, or some odd kind of vegetable; although, on the whole, heconcluded that therewashumannature in them,because theywere so fondoftrumpetsandweapons,andsoreadytoshedblood.

Theylookedhimearnestlyintheface,waitingforhisnextorder,andevidentlydesiring no other employment than to follow him from one battle-field toanother, allover thewideworld.ButCadmuswaswiser than theseearth-borncreatures,withthedragon'sfiercenessinthem,andknewbetterhowtousetheirstrengthandhardihood.

"Come!"saidhe."Youaresturdyfellows.Makeyourselvesuseful!Quarrysomestoneswiththosegreatswordsofyours,andhelpmetobuildacity."

The five soldiers grumbled a little, andmuttered that it was their business tooverthrowcities,nottobuildthemup.ButCadmuslookedatthemwithasterneye, and spoke to them in a toneof authority, so that theyknewhim for theirmaster,andneveragainthoughtofdisobeyinghiscommands.Theysettoworkingoodearnest,andtoiledsodiligently,that,inaveryshorttime,acitybegantomake its appearance.At first, to be sure, theworkmen showed a quarrelsomedisposition.Likesavagebeasts, theywoulddoubtlesshavedoneoneanotheramischief, if Cadmus had not keptwatch over them and quelled the fierce oldserpent that lurked in their hearts, when he saw it gleaming out of their wildeyes.But,incourseoftime,theygotaccustomedtohonestlabor,andhadsenseenoughtofeelthattherewasmoretrueenjoymentinlivinginpeace,anddoing

goodtoone'sneighbor,thaninstrikingathimwithatwo-edgedsword.Itmaynotbetoomuchtohopethat therestofmankindwillbyandbygrowaswiseand peaceable as these five earth-begrimed warriors, who sprang from thedragon'steeth.

Andnowthecitywasbuilt,andtherewasahomeinitforeachoftheworkmen.But thepalaceofCadmuswasnotyeterected,because theyhad left it till thelast,meaningtointroduceallthenewimprovementsofarchitecture,andmakeitvery commodious, as well as stately and beautiful. After finishing the rest oftheir labors, they all went to bed betimes, in order to rise in the gray of themorning,andgetatleastthefoundationoftheedificelaidbeforenightfall.But,whenCadmusarose,andtookhiswaytowardthesitewherethepalacewastobebuilt,followedbyhisfivesturdyworkmenmarchingallinarow,whatdoyouthinkhesaw?

Whatshoulditbebutthemostmagnificentpalacethathadeverbeenseenintheworld?Itwasbuiltofmarbleandotherbeautifulkindsofstone,androsehighintotheair,withasplendiddomeandporticoalongthefront,andcarvedpillars,andeverythingelsethatbefittedthehabitationofamightyking.Ithadgrownupoutoftheearthinalmostasshortatimeasithadtakenthearmedhosttospringfromthedragon'steeth;andwhatmadethemattermorestrange,noseedofthisstatelyedificehadeverbeenplanted.

Whenthefiveworkmenbeheldthedome,withthemorningsunshinemakingitlookgoldenandglorious,theygaveagreatshout.

"LongliveKingCadmus,"theycried,"inhisbeautifulpalace."

Andthenewking,withhisfivefaithfulfollowersathisheels,shoulderingtheirpickaxesandmarchinginarank(fortheystillhadasoldier-likesortofbehavior,as their nature was), ascended the palace steps. Halting at the entrance, theygazedthroughalongvistaofloftypillarsthatwererangedfromendtoendofagreathall.Atthefartherextremityofthishall,approachingslowlytowardshim,Cadmusbeheldafemalefigure,wonderfullybeautiful,andadornedwitharoyalrobe,andacrownofdiamondsoverhergoldenringlets,andtherichestnecklacethateveraqueenwore.Hisheartthrilledwithdelight.Hefanciedithislong-lostsister Europa, nowgrown towomanhood, coming tomake him happy, and torepayhim,withher sweet sisterlyaffection, forall thosewearywanderings inquestofhersinceheleftKingAgenor'spalace,—forthetearsthathehadshed,onpartingwithPhœnix,andCilix,andThasus,—fortheheart-breakingsthathad

madethewholeworldseemdismaltohimoverhisdearmother'sgrave.

But,asCadmusadvancedtomeetthebeautifulstranger,hesawthatherfeatureswereunknowntohim,although,inthelittletimethatitrequiredtotreadalongthehall,hehadalreadyfeltasympathytwixthimselfandher.

"No,Cadmus," said the samevoice that had spoken tohim in the fieldof thearmed men, "this is not that dear sister Europa whom you have sought sofaithfullyalloverthewideworld.ThisisHarmonia,adaughterofthesky,whoisgivenyouinsteadofsister,andbrothers,andfriend,andmother.Youwillfindallthosedearonesinheralone."

SoKingCadmusdweltinthepalace,withhisnewfriendHarmonia,andfoundagreatdealofcomfortinhismagnificentabode,butwoulddoubtlesshavefoundasmuch,ifnotmore,inthehumblestcottagebythewayside.Beforemanyyearswentby,therewasagroupofrosylittlechildren(buthowtheycamethitherhasalwaysbeenamysterytome)sportinginthegreathall,andonthemarblestepsof thepalace,andrunning joyfully tomeetKingCadmuswhenaffairsofstateleft him at leisure to play with them. They called him father, and QueenHarmoniamother.Thefiveoldsoldiersofthedragon'steethgrewveryfondofthese small urchins, andwere neverweary of showing them how to shouldersticks, flourishwooden swords, andmarch inmilitary order, blowing a pennytrumpet,orbeatinganabominablerub-a-dubuponalittledrum.

ButKingCadmus, lest there should be toomuch of the dragon's tooth in hischildren'sdisposition,usedtofindtimefromhiskinglydutiestoteachthemtheirABC,—whichheinventedfortheirbenefit,andforwhichmanylittlepeople,Iamafraid,arenothalfsogratefultohimastheyoughttobe.

Circe'sPalace

Someofyouhaveheard,nodoubt,ofthewiseKingUlysses,andhowhewentto thesiegeofTroy,andhow,after that famouscitywas takenandburned,hespent ten long years in trying to get back again to his own little kingdom ofIthaca.Atone time in thecourseof thiswearyvoyage,hearrivedatan islandthatlookedverygreenandpleasant,butthenameofwhichwasunknowntohim.For, only a little while before he came thither, he had met with a terriblehurricane, or rather a greatmany hurricanes at once,which drove his fleet ofvessels into a strange part of the sea, where neither himself nor any of hismariners had ever sailed. This misfortune was entirely owing to the foolishcuriosityofhisshipmates,who,whileUlysseslayasleep,haduntiedsomeverybulkyleathernbags,inwhichtheysupposedavaluabletreasuretobeconcealed.Butineachofthesestoutbags,KingÆolus,therulerofthewinds,hadtiedupatempest,andhadgivenittoUlyssestokeep,inorderthathemightbesureofafavorable passage homeward to Ithaca; and when the strings were loosened,forthrushedthewhistlingblasts, likeairoutofablownbladder,whiteningtheseawithfoam,andscatteringthevesselsnobodycouldtellwhither.

Immediatelyafterescapingfromthisperil,astillgreateronehadbefallenhim.Scudding before the hurricane, he reached a place, which, as he afterwardsfound,wascalledLæstrygonia,wheresomemonstrousgiantshadeatenupmanyofhiscompanions,andhadsunkeveryoneofhisvessels,exceptthatinwhichhehimselfsailed,byflinginggreatmassesofrockatthem,fromthecliffsalongthe shore.After going through such troubles as these, you cannotwonder thatKingUlysseswasglad tomoorhis tempest-beatenbark inaquietcoveof thegreen island,whichIbeganwith tellingyouabout.Buthehadencounteredsomanydangersfromgiants,andone-eyedCyclopes,andmonstersoftheseaandland, thathecouldnothelpdreadingsomemischief, even in thispleasantandseemingly solitary spot. For two days, therefore, the poor weather-wornvoyagerskeptquiet,andeitherstayedonboardof theirvessel,ormerelycreptalongundercliffsthatborderedtheshore;andtokeepthemselvesalive,theydugshell-fishoutofthesand,andsoughtforanylittlerilloffreshwaterthatmightberunningtowardsthesea.

Beforethetwodayswerespent,theygrewverywearyofthiskindoflife;forthefollowers of King Ulysses, as you will find it important to remember, were

terrible gormandizers, and pretty sure to grumble if theymissed their regularmeals, and their irregular ones besides. Their stock of provisions was quiteexhausted,andeventheshell-fishbegantogetscarce,sothat theyhadnowtochoose between starving to death or venturing into the interior of the island,where,perhaps,somehugethree-headeddragon,orotherhorriblemonster,hadhis den. Such misshapen creatures were very numerous in those days; andnobodyeverexpectedtomakeavoyage,ortakeajourney,withoutrunningmoreorlessriskofbeingdevouredbythem.

ButKingUlysseswas a boldman aswell as a prudent one; and on the thirdmorning he determined to discover what sort of a place the island was, andwhetheritwerepossibletoobtainasupplyoffoodforthehungrymouthsofhiscompanions. So, taking a spear in his hand, he clambered to the summit of acliff,andgazedroundabouthim.Atadistance,towardsthecentreoftheisland,hebeheldthestatelytowersofwhatseemedtobeapalace,builtofsnow-whitemarble,andrisingin themidstofagroveof lofty trees.Thethickbranchesofthesetreesstretchedacrossthefrontoftheedifice,andmorethanhalfconcealedit,although,fromtheportionwhichhesaw,Ulyssesjudgedittobespaciousandexceedingly beautiful, and probably the residence of some great nobleman orprince. A blue smokewent curling up from the chimney, andwas almost thepleasantest part of the spectacle to Ulysses. For, from the abundance of thissmoke, itwasreasonabletoconcludethat therewasagoodfireinthekitchen,andthat,atdinner-time,aplentifulbanquetwouldbeserveduptotheinhabitantsofthepalace,andtowhateverguestsmighthappentodropin.

CIRCE'SPALACE

Withsoagreeableaprospectbeforehim,Ulysses fancied thathecouldnotdobetter than togostraight to thepalacegate,and tell themasterof it that therewasacrewofpoorshipwreckedmariners,notfaroff,whohadeatennothingforadayortwosaveafewclamsandoysters,andwouldthereforebethankfulforalittlefood.Andtheprinceornoblemanmustbeaverystingycurmudgeon,tobesure,if,atleast,whenhisowndinnerwasover,hewouldnotbidthemwelcometothebrokenvictualsfromthetable.

Pleasing himself with this idea, King Ulysses had made a few steps in thedirectionofthepalace,whentherewasagreattwitteringandchirpingfromthebranchofaneighboringtree.Amomentafterwards,abirdcameflyingtowardshim,andhoveredintheair,soasalmosttobrushhisfacewithitswings.Itwasaveryprettylittlebird,withpurplewingsandbody,andyellowlegs,andacircleofgoldenfeathers roundhisneck,andon itsheadagolden tuft,which lookedlikeaking'scrowninminiature.Ulyssestriedtocatchthebird.Butitflutterednimblyoutofhisreach,stillchirpinginapiteoustone,asifitcouldhavetoldalamentable story, had it only been giftedwith human language.Andwhen heattempted todrive itaway, thebird flewno farther than theboughof thenexttree,andagaincameflutteringabouthishead,withitsdolefulchirp,assoonasheshowedapurposeofgoingforward.

"Haveyouanythingtotellme,littlebird?"askedUlysses.

Andhewasreadytolistenattentivelytowhateverthebirdmightcommunicate;foratthesiegeofTroy,andelsewhere,hehadknownsuchoddthingstohappen,thathewouldnothaveconsidereditmuchoutofthecommonrunhadthislittlefeatheredcreaturetalkedasplainlyashimself.

"Peep!" said thebird, "peep,peep,pe—weep!"Andnothingelsewould it say,butonly,"Peep,peep,pe—weep!"inamelancholycadence,overandoverandoveragain.AsoftenasUlyssesmoved forward,however, thebirdshowed thegreatestalarm,anddiditsbesttodrivehimback,withtheanxiousflutterofitspurplewings. Its unaccountable behaviormade him conclude, at last, that thebird knew of some danger that awaited him, and which must needs be veryterrible,beyondallquestion,sinceitmovedevenalittlefowltofeelcompassionforahumanbeing.Soheresolved, for thepresent, toreturn to thevessel,andtellhiscompanionswhathehadseen.

Thisappearedtosatisfythebird.AssoonasUlyssesturnedback,itranupthetrunkofatree,andbegantopickinsectsoutofthebarkwithitslong,sharpbill;foritwasakindofwood-pecker,youmustknow,andhadtogetitslivinginthesamemannerasotherbirdsofthatspecies.Buteverylittlewhile,asitpeckedatthebarkofthetree,thepurplebirdbethoughtitselfofsomesecretsorrow,andrepeateditsplaintivenoteof"Peep,peep,pe—weep!"

On his way to the shore, Ulysses had the good luck to kill a large stag bythrusting his spear into its back. Taking it on his shoulders (for he was aremarkablystrongman),heluggeditalongwithhim,andflungitdownbefore

hishungrycompanions.IhavealreadyhintedtoyouwhatgormandizerssomeofthecomradesofKingUlysseswere.Fromwhatisrelatedofthem,Ireckonthattheirfavoritedietwaspork,andthattheyhadliveduponituntilagoodpartoftheir physical substancewas swine's flesh, and their tempers and dispositionswere very much akin to the hog. A dish of venison, however, was nounacceptable meal to them, especially after feeding so long on oysters andclams.So,beholding thedeadstag, theyfeltof its ribs inaknowingway,andlostnotimeinkindlingafire,ofdrift-wood,tocookit.Therestofthedaywasspentinfeasting;andiftheseenormouseatersgotupfromtableatsunset,itwasonlybecausetheycouldnotscrapeanothermorseloffthepooranimal'sbones.

Thenextmorningtheirappetiteswereassharpasever.TheylookedatUlysses,as if they expected him to clamber up the cliff again, and come back withanother fat deer upon his shoulders. Instead of setting out, however, hesummonedthewholecrewtogether,andtoldthemitwasinvaintohopethathecould kill a stag every day for their dinner, and therefore it was advisable tothinkofsomeothermodeofsatisfyingtheirhunger.

"Now,"saidhe,"whenIwasonthecliffyesterday,Idiscoveredthatthisislandis inhabited.At a considerable distance from the shore stood amarble palace,whichappearedtobeveryspacious,andhadagreatdealofsmokecurlingoutofoneofitschimneys."

"Aha!"mutteredsomeofhiscompanions,smackingtheirlips."Thatsmokemusthavecome from thekitchen fire.Therewasagooddinneron the spit; andnodoubttherewillbeasgoodaoneto-day."

"But,"continued thewiseUlysses,"youmust remember,mygoodfriends,ourmisadventureinthecavernofone-eyedPolyphemus,theCyclops!Insteadofhisordinarymilkdiet,didhenoteatuptwoofourcomradesforhissupper,andacouplemoreforbreakfast,andtwoathissupperagain?MethinksIseehimyet,the hideousmonster, scanninguswith that great red eye, in themiddle of hisforehead, tosingleout thefattest.Andthenagainonlyafewdaysago,didwenot fall into thehandsof thekingof theLæstrygons, and thoseotherhorriblegiants,hissubjects,whodevouredagreatmanymoreofusthanarenowleft?Totellyou the truth, ifwego toyonderpalace, therecanbenoquestion thatweshallmakeourappearanceat thedinner-table;butwhetherseatedasguests,orservedupasfood,isapointtobeseriouslyconsidered."

"Eitherway,"murmuredsomeofthehungriestofthecrew,"itwillbebetterthan

starvation;particularly if one couldbe sureofbeingwell fattenedbeforehand,anddaintilycookedafterwards."

"Thatisamatteroftaste,"saidKingUlysses,"and,formyownpart,neitherthemostcarefulfatteningnorthedaintiestofcookerywouldreconcilemetobeingdishedatlast.Myproposalis,therefore,thatwedivideourselvesintotwoequalparties,andascertain,bydrawinglots,whichofthetwoshallgotothepalace,andbegforfoodandassistance.Ifthesecanbeobtained,alliswell.Ifnot,andifthe inhabitants prove as inhospitable as Polyphemus, or the Læstrygons, thentherewillbuthalfofusperish,andtheremaindermaysetsailandescape."

Asnobodyobjectedtothisscheme,Ulyssesproceededtocountthewholeband,andfoundthattherewereforty-sixmenincludinghimself.Hethennumberedofftwenty-twoofthem,andputEurylochus(whowasoneofhischiefofficers,andsecondonlytohimselfinsagacity)attheirhead.Ulyssestookcommandoftheremaining twenty-twomen, inperson.Then, takingoffhishelmet,heput twoshells into it, on one of which was written, "Go," and on the other "Stay."Another person now held the helmet,whileUlysses andEurylochus drew outeachashell;andtheword"Go"wasfoundwrittenonthatwhichEurylochushaddrawn.Inthismanner,itwasdecidedthatUlyssesandhistwenty-twomenweretoremainattheseasideuntiltheotherpartyshouldhavefoundoutwhatsortoftreatmenttheymightexpectatthemysteriouspalace.Astherewasnohelpforit,Eurylochusimmediatelysetforthat theheadofhis twenty-twofollowers,whowentoffinaverymelancholystateofmind,leavingtheirfriendsinhardlybetterspiritsthanthemselves.

Nosoonerhad theyclamberedup thecliff, than theydiscerned the tallmarbletowers of the palace, ascending, as white as snow, out of the lovely greenshadowofthetreeswhichsurroundedit.Agushofsmokecamefromachimneyin the rear of the edifice.This vapor rosehigh in the air, and,meetingwith abreeze, was wafted seaward, and made to pass over the heads of the hungrymariners.When people's appetites are keen, they have a very quick scent foranythingsavoryinthewind.

"Thatsmokecomesfromthekitchen!"criedoneofthem,turninguphisnoseashigh as he could, and snuffing eagerly. "And, as sure as I'm a half-starvedvagabond,Ismellroastmeatinit."

"Pig,roastpig!"saidanother."Ah,thedaintylittleporker!Mymouthwatersforhim."

"Let us make haste," cried the others, "or we shall be too late for the goodcheer!"

Butscarcelyhadtheymadehalfadozenstepsfromtheedgeofthecliff,whenabird came fluttering tomeet them. Itwas the same pretty little bird,with thepurplewingsandbody,theyellowlegs,thegoldencollarrounditsneck,andthecrown-liketuftuponitshead,whosebehaviorhadsomuchsurprisedUlysses.IthoveredaboutEurylochus,andalmostbrushedhisfacewithitswings.

"Peep,peep,pe—weep!"chirpedthebird.

Soplaintively intelligentwas the sound, that it seemed as if the little creatureweregoingtobreakitsheartwithsomemightysecretthatithadtotell,andonlythisonepoornotetotellitwith.

"Myprettybird,"saidEurylochus,—forhewasawaryperson,andletnotokenofharmescapehisnotice,—"myprettybird,whosentyouhither?Andwhatisthemessagewhichyoubring?"

"Peep,peep,pe—weep!"repliedthebird,verysorrowfully.

Then it flew towards the edge of the cliff, and looked round at them, as ifexceedinglyanxiousthattheyshouldreturnwhencetheycame.Eurylochusandafewof theotherswere inclined to turnback.Theycouldnothelpsuspectingthat thepurplebirdmustbeawareofsomethingmischievousthatwouldbefallthem at the palace, and the knowledge ofwhich affected its airy spiritwith ahumansympathyandsorrow.Buttherestofthevoyagers,snuffingupthesmokefrom the palace kitchen, ridiculed the idea of returning to the vessel. One ofthem(morebrutal thanhis fellows,and themostnotoriousgormandizer in thewholecrew)saidsuchacruelandwickedthing,thatIwonderthemerethoughtdidnotturnhimintoawildbeastinshape,ashealreadywasinhisnature.

"Thistroublesomeandimpertinentlittlefowl,"saidhe,"wouldmakeadelicatetitbit to begin dinnerwith. Just one plumpmorsel,melting away between theteeth. If he comeswithinmy reach, I'll catchhim, andgivehim to thepalacecooktoberoastedonaskewer."

The words were hardly out of his mouth, before the purple bird flew away,crying"Peep,peep,pe—weep,"moredolorouslythanever.

"Thatbird,"remarkedEurylochus,"knowsmorethanwedoaboutwhatawaitsusatthepalace."

"Comeon,then,"criedhiscomrades,"andwe'llsoonknowasmuchashedoes."

The party, accordingly, went onward through the green and pleasant wood.Everylittlewhiletheycaughtnewglimpsesofthemarblepalace,whichlookedmore and more beautiful the nearer they approached it. They soon entered abroadpathway,whichseemedtobeveryneatlykept,andwhichwentwindingalongwith streaks of sunshine falling across it, and specks of light quiveringamong thedeepest shadows that fell fromthe lofty trees. Itwasbordered, too,withagreatmanysweet-smellingflowers,suchasthemarinershadneverseenbefore.Sorichandbeautiful theywere, that, if theshrubsgrewwildhere,andwerenativeinthesoil,thenthisislandwassurelytheflower-gardenofthewholeearth; or, if transplanted from some other clime, it must have been from theHappyIslandsthatlaytowardsthegoldensunset.

"There has been a great deal of pains foolishly wasted on these flowers,"observedoneofthecompany;andItellyouwhathesaid,thatyoumaykeepinmindwhat gormandizers theywere. "Formy part, if I were the owner of thepalace,Iwouldbidmygardenercultivatenothingbutsavorypotherbstomakeastuffingforroastmeat,ortoflavorastewwith."

"Wellsaid!"criedtheothers."ButI'llwarrantyouthere'sakitchen-gardenintherearofthepalace."

Atoneplacetheycametoacrystalspring,andpausedtodrinkatitforwantofliquorwhich they liked better. Looking into its bosom, they beheld their ownfacesdimlyreflected,butsoextravagantlydistortedbythegushandmotionofthewater, thateachoneofthemappearedtobelaughingathimselfandallhiscompanions. So ridiculouswere these images of themselves, indeed, that theydidreallylaughaloud,andcouldhardlybegraveagainassoonastheywished.Andaftertheyhaddrank,theygrewstillmerrierthanbefore.

"Ithasatwangofthewine-caskinit,"saidone,smackinghislips.

"Make haste!" cried his fellows; "we'll find thewine-cask itself at the palace;andthatwillbebetterthanahundredcrystalfountains."

Thentheyquickenedtheirpace,andcaperedforjoyatthethoughtofthesavorybanquetatwhichtheyhopedtobeguests.ButEurylochustoldthemthathefeltasifhewerewalkinginadream.

"IfIamreallyawake,"continuedhe,"then,inmyopinion,weareonthepointof

meeting with some stranger adventure than any that befell us in the cave ofPolyphemus, or among the gigantic man-eating Læstrygons, or in the windypalace of KingÆolus, which stands on a brazen-walled island. This kind ofdreamyfeelingalwayscomesovermebeforeanywonderfuloccurrence.Ifyoutakemyadvice,youwillturnback."

"No,no,"answeredhiscomrades,snuffingtheair, inwhichthescentfromthepalacekitchenwasnowveryperceptible."Wewouldnotturnback, thoughwewerecertainthatthekingoftheLæstrygons,asbigasamountain,wouldsitattheheadofthetable,andhugePolyphemus,theone-eyedCyclops,atitsfoot."

At length they camewithin full sight of the palace, which proved to be verylargeand lofty,withagreatnumberofairypinnaclesupon its roof.Though itwasnowmidday,andthesunshonebrightlyoverthemarblefront,yetitssnowywhiteness, and its fantastic style of architecture,made it look unreal, like thefrostworkonawindow-pane,orliketheshapesofcastleswhichoneseesamongthecloudsbymoonlight.But,justthen,apuffofwindbroughtdownthesmokeofthekitchenchimneyamongthem,andcausedeachmantosmelltheodorofthe dish that he liked best; and, after scenting it, they thought everything elsemoonshine, and nothing real save this palace, and save the banquet that wasevidentlyreadytobeservedupinit.

Sotheyhastenedtheirstepstowardstheportal,buthadnotgothalf-wayacrossthewidelawn,whenapackoflions,tigers,andwolvescameboundingtomeetthem.Theterrifiedmarinersstartedback,expectingnobetterfatethantobetornto pieces and devoured. To their surprise and joy, however, thesewild beastsmerely capered around them, wagging their tails, offering their heads to bestrokedandpatted,andbehavingjustlikesomanywell-bredhouse-dogs,whenthey wish to express their delight at meeting their master, or their master'sfriends.ThebiggestlionlickedthefeetofEurylochus;andeveryotherlion,andeverywolfandtiger,singledoutoneofhistwo-and-twentyfollowers,whomthebeastfondledasifhelovedhimbetterthanabeef-bone.

But,forall that,Eurylochusimaginedthathesawsomethingfierceandsavageintheireyes;norwouldhehavebeensurprised,atanymoment,tofeelthebiglion's terribleclaws,or toseeeachof the tigersmakeadeadlyspring,oreachwolfleapatthethroatofthemanwhomhehadfondled.Theirmildnessseemedunreal,andamerefreak;but theirsavagenaturewasas trueas their teethandclaws.

Nevertheless,themenwentsafelyacrossthelawnwiththewildbeastsfriskingaboutthem,anddoingnomannerofharm;although,astheymountedthestepsofthepalace,youmightpossiblyhaveheardalowgrowl,particularlyfromthewolves;asiftheythoughtitapity,afterall,toletthestrangerspasswithoutsomuchastastingwhattheyweremadeof.

Eurylochus and his followers now passed under a lofty portal, and lookedthroughtheopendoorwayintotheinteriorofthepalace.Thefirstthingthattheysawwasaspacioushall,andafountaininthemiddleofit,gushinguptowardstheceilingoutofamarblebasin,andfallingbackintoitwithacontinualplash.The water of this fountain, as it spouted upward, was constantly taking newshapes,notverydistinctly,butplainlyenough foranimble fancy to recognizewhat they were. Now it was the shape of a man in a long robe, the fleecywhitenessofwhichwasmadeoutofthefountain'sspray;nowitwasalion,oratiger,orawolf,oranass,or,asoftenasanythingelse,ahog,wallowinginthemarble basin as if it were his sty. It was either magic or some very curiousmachinery that caused the gushingwaterspout to assume all these forms.But,before the strangers had time to look closely at this wonderful sight, theirattentionwasdrawnoffbyaverysweetandagreeablesound.Awoman'svoicewassingingmelodiouslyinanotherroomofthepalace,andwithhervoicewasmingledthenoiseofaloom,atwhichshewasprobablyseated,weavingarichtextureofcloth,andintertwiningthehighandlowsweetnessofhervoiceintoarichtissueofharmony.

By andby, the song came to an end; and then, all at once, therewere severalfemininevoices,talkingairilyandcheerfully,withnowandthenamerryburstoflaughter,suchasyoumayalwayshearwhenthreeorfouryoungwomensitatworktogether.

"Whatasweetsongthatwas!"exclaimedoneofthevoyagers.

"Toosweet,indeed,"answeredEurylochus,shakinghishead."YetitwasnotsosweetasthesongoftheSirens,thosebirdlikedamselswhowantedtotemptusontherocks,sothatourvesselmightbewrecked,andourbonesleftwhiteningalongtheshore."

"But just listen to the pleasant voices of thosemaidens, and that buzz of theloom,astheshuttlepassestoandfro,"saidanothercomrade."Whatadomestic,household,homelikesounditis!Ah,beforethatwearysiegeofTroy,Iusedtohearthebuzzingloomandthewomen'svoicesundermyownroof.ShallInever

hearthemagain?nortastethosenicelittlesavorydisheswhichmydearestwifeknewhowtoserveup?"

"Tush! we shall fare better here," said another. "But how innocently thosewomen are babbling together, without guessing that we overhear them! Andmark that richestvoiceofall,sopleasantandfamiliar,butwhichyetseemstohave the authority of amistress among them. Let us show ourselves at once.What harm can the lady of the palace and her maidens do to mariners andwarriorslikeus?"

"Remember,"saidEurylochus,"thatitwasayoungmaidenwhobeguiledthreeofourfriendsintothepalaceofthekingoftheLæstrygons,whoateuponeoftheminthetwinklingofaneye."

Nowarning or persuasion, however, had any effect on his companions. Theywentup toapairof folding-doorsat the fartherendof thehall, and, throwingthemwideopen,passedintothenextroom.Eurylochus,meanwhile,hadsteppedbehindapillar.Intheshortmomentwhilethefolding-doorsopenedandclosedagain,hecaughtaglimpseofaverybeautifulwomanrisingfromtheloom,andcomingtomeetthepoorweather-beatenwanderers,withahospitablesmile,andherhandstretchedout inwelcome.Therewere fourotheryoungwomen,whojoinedtheirhandsanddancedmerrilyforward,makinggesturesofobeisancetothestrangers.Theywereonlylessbeautifulthantheladywhoseemedtobetheirmistress.YetEurylochus fancied thatoneof themhadsea-greenhair, and thattheclose-fittingbodiceofasecondlookedlikethebarkofatree,andthatboththe others had something odd in their aspect, although he could not quitedeterminewhatitwas,inthelittlewhilethathehadtoexaminethem.

Thefolding-doorsswungquicklyback,andlefthimstandingbehindthepillar,inthesolitudeoftheouterhall.ThereEurylochuswaiteduntilhewasquiteweary,andlistenedeagerlytoeverysound,butwithouthearinganythingthatcouldhelphimtoguesswhathadbecomeofhisfriends.Footsteps,itistrue,seemedtobepassing and repassing in other parts of thepalace.Then therewas a clatter ofsilverdishes,orgoldenones,whichmadehimimaginearichfeastinasplendidbanqueting-hall.Butbyandbyhehearda tremendousgruntingandsquealing,andthenasuddenscampering,likethatofsmall,hardhoofsoveramarblefloor,while thevoicesof themistress andher fourhandmaidenswere screamingalltogether,intonesofangerandderision.Eurylochuscouldnotconceivewhathadhappened,unlessadroveofswinehadbroken into thepalace,attractedby thesmellofthefeast.Chancingtocasthiseyesatthefountain,hesawthatitdidnot

shiftitsshape,asformerly,norlookedeitherlikealong-robedman,oralion,atiger,awolf,oranass.Itlookedlikenothingbutahog,whichlaywallowinginthemarblebasin,andfilleditfrombrimtobrim.

ButwemustleavetheprudentEurylochuswaitingintheouterhall,andfollowhisfriendsintotheinnersecrecyofthepalace.Assoonasthebeautifulwomansaw them, she arose from the loom, as I have told you, and came forward,smiling,andstretchingoutherhand.Shetookthehandoftheforemostamongthem,andbadehimandthewholepartywelcome.

"Youhavebeenlongexpected,mygoodfriends,"saidshe."Iandmymaidensarewellacquaintedwithyou,althoughyoudonotappeartorecognizeus.Lookatthispieceoftapestry,andjudgeifyourfacesmustnothavebeenfamiliartous."

Sothevoyagersexaminedthewebofclothwhichthebeautifulwomanhadbeenweavinginherloom;and,totheirvastastonishmenttheysawtheirownfiguresperfectlyrepresentedindifferentcoloredthreads.Itwasalifelikepictureoftheirrecentadventures,showingtheminthecaveofPolyphemus,andhowtheyhadputouthisonegreatmoonyeye;whileinanotherpartofthetapestrytheywereuntying the leathernbags,puffedoutwithcontrarywinds;andfartheron, theybeheld themselvesscamperingawayfromthegigantickingof theLæstrygons,whohadcaughtoneof themby the leg.Lastly, there theywere, sittingon thedesolateshoreofthisveryisland,hungryanddowncast,andlookingruefullyatthebarebonesofthestagwhichtheydevouredyesterday.Thiswasasfarastheworkhadyetproceeded;butwhenthebeautifulwomanshouldagainsitdownatherloom,shewouldprobablymakeapictureofwhathadsincehappenedtothestrangers,andofwhatwasnowgoingtohappen.

"Yousee,"shesaid,"thatIknowallaboutyourtroubles;andyoucannotdoubtthatIdesiretomakeyouhappyforaslongatimeasyoumayremainwithme.For thispurpose,myhonoredguests, Ihaveorderedabanquet tobeprepared.Fish,fowl,andflesh,roasted,andinlusciousstews,andseasoned,Itrust,toallyourtastes,arereadytobeservedup.Ifyourappetitestellyouitisdinner-time,thencomewithmetothefestalsaloon."

At this kind invitation, the hungrymarinerswere quite overjoyed; and one ofthem,takinguponhimselftobespokesman,assuredtheirhospitablehostessthatanyhourofthedaywasdinner-timewiththem,whenevertheycouldgetfleshtoputinthepot,andfiretoboilitwith.Sothebeautifulwomanledtheway;and

thefourmaidens(oneofthemhadsea-greenhair,anotherabodiceofoakbark,athird sprinkled a shower ofwater-drops fromher fingers' ends, and the fourthhadsomeotheroddity,whichIhaveforgotten),all thesefollowedbehind,andhurriedtheguestsalong,untiltheyenteredamagnificentsaloon.Itwasbuiltinaperfect oval, and lighted from a crystal dome above. Around the walls wererangedtwo-and-twentythrones,overhungbycanopiesofcrimsonandgold,andprovidedwiththesoftestofcushions,whichweretasselledandfringedwithgoldcord.Eachof the strangerswas invited to sitdown;and there theywere, two-and-twentystorm-beatenmariners,inwornandtatteredgarb,sittingontwo-and-twenty canopied thrones, so rich and gorgeous that the proudestmonarch hadnothingmoresplendidinhisstateliesthall.

Then you might have seen the guests nodding, winking with one eye, andleaningfromonethronetoanother, tocommunicatetheirsatisfactioninhoarsewhispers.

"Ourgoodhostesshasmadekingsofus all," saidone. "Ha!doyou smell thefeast?I'llengageitwillbefittosetbeforetwo-and-twentykings."

"I hope," said another, "it will be, mainly, good substantial joints, sirloins,spareribs, and hinder quarters, without too many kickshaws. If I thought thegoodladywouldnottakeitamiss,Ishouldcallforafatsliceoffriedbacontobeginwith."

Ah,thegluttonsandgormandizers!Youseehowitwaswiththem.Intheloftiestseatsofdignity,on royal thrones, theycould thinkofnothingbut theirgreedyappetite,whichwastheportionoftheirnaturethattheysharedwithwolvesandswine; so that they resembled those vilest of animals far more than they didkings,—if,indeed,kingswerewhattheyoughttobe.

Butthebeautifulwomannowclappedherhands;andimmediatelythereentereda trainof two-and-twenty serving-men, bringingdishesof the richest food, allhotfromthekitchenfire,andsendingupsuchasteamthatithunglikeacloudbelow the crystal domeof the saloon.An equal number of attendants broughtgreatflagonsofwine,ofvariouskinds,someofwhichsparkledasitwaspouredout,andwentbubblingdownthethroat;while,ofothersorts,thepurpleliquorwassoclearthatyoucouldseethewroughtfiguresatthebottomofthegoblet.Whiletheservantssuppliedthetwo-and-twentyguestswithfoodanddrink,thehostessandherfourmaidenswentfromonethronetoanother,exhortingthemtoeattheirfill,andtoquaffwineabundantly,andthustorecompensethemselves,

atthisonebanquet,forthemanydayswhentheyhadgonewithoutadinner.But,wheneverthemarinerswerenotlookingatthem(whichwasprettyoften,astheylookedchieflyintothebasinsandplatters),thebeautifulwomanandherdamselsturnedasideand laughed.Even theservants,as theykneltdowntopresent thedishes, might be seen to grin and sneer, while the guests were helpingthemselvestotheoffereddainties.

And,onceinawhile,thestrangersseemedtotastesomethingthattheydidnotlike.

"Hereisanoddkindofaspiceinthisdish,"saidone."Ican'tsayitquitesuitsmypalate.Downitgoes,however."

"Sendagooddraughtofwinedownyourthroat,"saidhiscomradeonthenextthrone."Thatisthestufftomakethissortofcookeryrelishwell.ThoughImustneedssay,thewinehasaqueertastetoo.ButthemoreIdrinkofitthebetterIliketheflavor."

Whatever little fault they might find with the dishes, they sat at dinner aprodigiouslylongwhile;anditwouldreallyhavemadeyouashamedtoseehowthey swilled down the liquor and gobbled up the food. They sat on goldenthrones,tobesure;buttheybehavedlikepigsinasty;and,iftheyhadhadtheirwits about them, they might have guessed that this was the opinion of theirbeautifulhostessandhermaidens.Itbringsablushintomyfacetoreckonup,inmyownmind,whatmountainsofmeatandpudding,andwhatgallonsofwine,thesetwo-and-twentyguzzlersandgormandizersateanddrank.Theyforgotallabout their homes, and their wives and children, and all about Ulysses, andeverything else, except this banquet, at which they wanted to keep feastingforever.Butatlengththeybegantogiveover,frommereincapacitytoholdanymore.

"Thatlastbitoffatistoomuchforme,"saidone.

"And I have not room for anothermorsel," said his next neighbor, heaving asigh."Whatapity!Myappetiteisassharpasever."

In short, theyall leftoff eating, and leanedbackon their thrones,with suchastupidandhelplessaspectasmadethemridiculoustobehold.Whentheirhostesssawthis,shelaughedaloud;sodidherfourdamsels;sodidthetwo-and-twentyservingmenthatborethedishes,andtheir two-and-twentyfellowsthatpouredoutthewine.Andtheloudertheyalllaughed,themorestupidandhelplessdid

thetwo-and-twentygormandizerslook.Thenthebeautifulwomantookherstandinthemiddleofthesaloon,andstretchingoutaslenderrod(ithadbeenallthewhileinherhand,althoughtheynevernoticedittillthismoment),sheturneditfromoneguesttoanother,untileachhadfeltitpointedathimself.Beautifulasher facewas,and though therewasasmileon it, it looked justaswickedandmischievous as the ugliest serpent that ever was seen; and fat-witted as thevoyagershadmade themselves, theybegan tosuspect that theyhad fallen intothepowerofanevil-mindedenchantress.

"Wretches,"criedshe,"youhaveabusedalady'shospitality;andinthisprincelysaloon your behavior has been suited to a hogpen. You are already swine ineverythingbutthehumanform,whichyoudisgrace,andwhichImyselfshouldbeashamedtokeepamomentlonger,wereyoutoshareitwithme.Butitwillrequireonlytheslightestexerciseofmagictomaketheexteriorconformtothehoggishdisposition.Assumeyourproper shapes,gormandizers, andbegone tothesty!"

Uttering these last words, she waved her wand; and stamping her footimperiously, each of the guestswas struck aghast at beholding, instead of hiscomrades inhumanshape,one-and-twentyhogssittingon thesamenumberofgoldenthrones.Eachman(ashestillsupposedhimselftobe)essayedtogiveacryofsurprise,butfoundthathecouldmerelygrunt,andthat,inaword,hewasjustsuchanotherbeastashiscompanions.Itlookedsointolerablyabsurdtoseehogsoncushionedthrones,thattheymadehastetowallowdownuponallfours,likeother swine.They tried togroanandbeg formercy,but forthwithemittedthemost awful grunting and squealing that ever came out of swinish throats.Theywouldhavewrungtheirhandsindespair,but,attemptingtodoso,grewallthemoredesperateforseeingthemselvessquattedontheirhams,andpawingtheairwith their fore trotters.Dearme!whatpendulousears theyhad!what littleredeyes,halfburiedinfat!andwhatlongsnouts,insteadofGreciannoses!

Butbrutesastheycertainlywere,theyyethadenoughofhumannatureinthemtobeshockedattheirownhideousness;and,stillintendingtogroan,theyutteredavilergruntandsqueal thanbefore.Soharshandear-piercingitwas, thatyouwouldhavefanciedabutcherwasstickinghisknifeintoeachoftheirthroats,or,attheveryleast,thatsomebodywaspullingeveryhogbyhisfunnylittletwistofatail.

"Begone to your sty!" cried the enchantress, giving them some smart strokeswithherwand;andthensheturnedtotheserving-men,"Driveouttheseswine,

andthrowdownsomeacornsforthemtoeat."

Thedoorofthesaloonbeingflungopen,thedroveofhogsraninalldirectionssavetherightone,inaccordancewiththeirhoggishperversity,butwerefinallydriven into thebackyardof thepalace. Itwasa sight tobring tears intoone'seyes(andIhopenoneofyouwillbecruelenoughtolaughatit),toseethepoorcreaturesgosnuffingalong,pickinguphereacabbage leafand therea turnip-top,androotingtheirnosesintheearthforwhatevertheycouldfind.Intheirsty,moreover,theybehavedmorepiggishlythanthepigsthathadbeenbornso;fortheybitandsnortedatoneanother,puttheirfeetinthetrough,andgobbleduptheirvictualsinaridiculoushurry;and,whentherewasnothingmoretobehad,theymade agreat pile of themselves among someunclean straw, and fell fastasleep. If they had any human reason left, it was just enough to keep themwondering when they should be slaughtered, and what quality of bacon theyshouldmake.

Meantime,asItoldyoubefore,Eurylochushadwaited,andwaited,andwaited,in theentrance-hallof thepalace,withoutbeingable tocomprehendwhathadbefallen his friends. At last, when the swinish uproar resounded through thepalace,andwhenhesawtheimageofahoginthemarblebasin,hethought itbest to hasten back to the vessel, and inform the wise Ulysses of thesemarvellousoccurrences.Soheranasfastashecoulddownthesteps,andneverstoppedtodrawbreathtillhereachedtheshore.

"Whydoyoucomealone?"askedKingUlysses,assoonashesawhim."Whereareyourtwo-and-twentycomrades?"

Atthesequestions,Eurylochusburstintotears.

"Alas!"criedhe,"Igreatlyfearthatweshallneverseeoneoftheirfacesagain."

ThenhetoldUlyssesallthathadhappened,asfarasheknewit,andaddedthathe suspected the beautiful woman to be a vile enchantress, and the marblepalace,magnificentasitlooked,tobeonlyadismalcaverninreality.Asforhiscompanions, he couldnot imaginewhat hadbecomeof them,unless theyhadbeen given to the swine to be devoured alive. At this intelligence all thevoyagers were greatly affrighted. But Ulysses lost no time in girding on hissword,andhanginghisbowandquiveroverhisshoulders,andtakinghisspearin his right hand. When his followers saw their wise leader making thesepreparations, they inquiredwhither hewas going, and earnestly besought himnottoleavethem.

"Youareourking,"criedthey;"andwhatismore,youarethewisestmaninthewholeworld,andnothingbutyourwisdomandcouragecangetusoutof thisdanger.Ifyoudesertus,andgototheenchantedpalace,youwillsufferthesamefateasourpoorcompanions,andnotasoulofuswilleverseeourdearIthacaagain."

"As I am your king," answered Ulysses, "and wiser than any of you, it isthereforethemoremydutytoseewhathasbefallenourcomrades,andwhetheranythingcanyetbedonetorescuethem.Waitformehereuntilto-morrow.IfIdo not then return, youmust hoist sail, and endeavor to find yourway to ournative land.Formypart, I amanswerable for the fateof thesepoormariners,whohave stood bymy side in battle, and been so often drenched to the skin,alongwithme,by the same tempestuous surges. Iwill eitherbring thembackwithmeorperish."

Had his followers dared, they would have detained him by force. But KingUlyssesfrownedsternlyonthem,andshookhisspear,andbadethemstophimat theirperil.Seeinghimsodetermined, they lethimgo,andsatdownon thesand, as disconsolate a set of people as could be,waiting and praying for hisreturn.

IthappenedtoUlysses,justasbefore,that,whenhehadgoneafewstepsfromtheedgeofthecliff,thepurplebirdcameflutteringtowardshim,crying,"Peep,peep,pe—weep!"andusingalltheartitcouldtopersuadehimtogonofarther.

"What mean you, little bird?" cried Ulysses. "You are arrayed like a king inpurpleandgold,andwearagoldencrownuponyourhead.IsitbecauseItooamaking,thatyoudesiresoearnestlytospeakwithme?Ifyoucantalkinhumanlanguage,saywhatyouwouldhavemedo."

"Peep!"answeredthepurplebird,verydolorously."Peep,peep,pe—we—ep!"

Certainly there lay some heavy anguish at the little bird's heart; and it was asorrowfulpredicamentthathecouldnot,atleast,havetheconsolationoftellingwhatitwas.ButUlysseshadnotimetowasteintryingtogetatthemystery.Hethereforequickenedhispace,andhadgoneagoodwayalongthepleasantwood-path,whentheremethimayoungmanofverybriskandintelligentaspect,andclad in a rather singular garb. He wore a short cloak, and a sort of cap thatseemedtobefurnishedwithapairofwings;andfromthelightnessofhisstep,you would have supposed that theremight likewise be wings on his feet. Toenablehimtowalkstillbetter(forhewasalwaysononejourneyoranother),he

carriedawingedstaff,aroundwhichtwoserpentswerewrigglingandtwisting.In short, I have said enough to make you guess that it was Quicksilver; andUlysses(whoknewhimofold,andhadlearnedagreatdealofhiswisdomfromhim)recognizedhiminamoment.

"Whitherareyougoinginsuchahurry,wiseUlysses?"askedQuicksilver."Doyou not know that this island is enchanted? The wicked enchantress (whosenameisCirce,thesisterofKingÆetes)dwellsinthemarblepalacewhichyouseeyonderamongthetrees.Byhermagicarts,shechangeseveryhumanbeingintothebrute,beast,orfowlwhomhehappensmosttoresemble."

"Thatlittlebird,whichmetmeattheedgeofthecliff,"exclaimedUlysses;"washeahumanbeingonce?"

"Yes," answeredQuicksilver. "Hewas once a king, namedPicus, and a prettygoodsortofakingtoo,onlyrathertooproudofhispurplerobe,andhiscrown,and the golden chain about his neck; so hewas forced to take the shape of agaudy-featheredbird.Thelions,andwolves,andtigers,whowillcomerunningto meet you, in front of the palace, were formerly fierce and cruel men,resemblingintheirdispositionsthewildbeastswhoseformstheynowrightfullywear."

"And my poor companions," said Ulysses. "Have they undergone a similarchange,throughtheartsofthiswickedCirce?"

"Youwellknowwhatgormandizerstheywere,"repliedQuicksilver;and,roguethathewas,hecouldnothelplaughingatthejoke."Soyouwillnotbesurprisedto hear that they have all taken the shapes of swine! IfCirce had never doneanythingworse,Ireallyshouldnotthinkhersoverymuchtoblame."

"ButcanIdonothingtohelpthem?"inquiredUlysses.

"Itwillrequireallyourwisdom,"saidQuicksilver,"andalittleofmyownintothebargain,tokeepyourroyalandsagaciousselffrombeingtransformedintoafox.ButdoasIbidyou;andthemattermayendbetterthanithasbegun."

While hewas speaking,Quicksilver seemed to be in search of something; hewentstoopingalongtheground,andsoonlaidhishandona littleplantwithasnow-whiteflower,whichhepluckedandsmeltof.Ulysseshadbeenlookingatthatvery spotonly justbefore;and it appeared tohim that theplanthadburstintofullflowertheinstantwhenQuicksilvertoucheditwithhisfingers.

"Takethisflower,KingUlysses,"saidhe."Guarditasyoudoyoureyesight;forI can assure you it is exceedingly rare and precious, and youmight seek thewholeearthoverwithouteverfindinganotherlikeit.Keepitinyourhand,andsmellofitfrequentlyafteryouenterthepalace,andwhileyouaretalkingwiththeenchantress.Especiallywhensheoffersyoufood,oradraughtofwineoutofher goblet, be careful to fill your nostrils with the flower's fragrance. Followthesedirections,andyoumaydefyhermagicartstochangeyouintoafox."

Quicksilverthengavehimsomefurtheradvicehowtobehave,and,biddinghimbeboldandprudent, againassuredhim that,powerfulasCircewas,hewouldhaveafairprospectofcomingsafelyoutofherenchantedpalace.Afterlisteningattentively,Ulysses thankedhisgood friend,and resumedhisway.Buthehadtakenonlyafewsteps,when,recollectingsomeotherquestionswhichhewishedtoask,heturnedroundagain,andbeheldnobodyonthespotwhereQuicksilverhadstood;forthatwingedcapofhis,andthosewingedshoes,withthehelpofthewingedstaff,hadcarriedhimquicklyoutofsight.

WhenUlyssesreachedthelawn,infrontofthepalace,thelionsandothersavageanimals came bounding to meet him, and would have fawned upon him andlickedhisfeet.Butthewisekingstruckatthemwithhislongspear,andsternlybade them begone out of his path; for he knew that they had once beenbloodthirstymen,andwouldnowtearhimlimbfromlimb, insteadoffawninguponhim,could theydo themischief thatwas in theirhearts.Thewildbeastsyelpedandglaredathim,andstoodatadistancewhileheascendedthepalacesteps.

Onenteringthehall,Ulyssessawthemagicfountaininthecentreofit.Theup-gushingwaterhadnowagaintakentheshapeofamaninalong,white,fleecyrobe,whoappearedtobemakinggesturesofwelcome.Thekinglikewiseheardthe noise of the shuttle in the loom, and the sweet melody of the beautifulwoman's song, and then the pleasant voices of herself and the four maidenstalking together,with peals ofmerry laughter intermixed.ButUlysses did notwastemuch time in listening to the laughter or the song.He leaned his spearagainstoneof thepillarsof thehall,andthen,after looseninghisswordinthescabbard, steppedboldly forward,and threw the folding-doorswideopen.Themoment she beheld his stately figure standing in the doorway, the beautifulwomanrosefromtheloom,andrantomeethimwithagladsmilethrowingitssunshineoverherface,andbothherhandsextended.

"Welcome,bravestranger!"criedshe."Wewereexpectingyou."

Andthenymphwiththesea-greenhairmadeacourtesydowntotheground,andlikewisebadehimwelcome;sodidhersisterwiththebodiceofoakenbark,andshe that sprinkled dew-drops from her fingers' ends, and the fourth one withsomeodditywhichIcannotremember.AndCirce,asthebeautifulenchantresswascalled (whohaddeludedsomanypersons that shedidnotdoubtofbeingabletodeludeUlysses,notimagininghowwisehewas),againaddressedhim.

"Yourcompanions,"saidshe,"havealreadybeenreceived intomypalace,andhaveenjoyedthehospitabletreatmenttowhichtheproprietyoftheirbehaviorsowell entitles them. If such be your pleasure, you shall first take somerefreshment, and then join them in the elegant apartment which they nowoccupy.See,Iandmymaidenshavebeenweavingtheirfiguresintothispieceoftapestry."

She pointed to theweb of beautifullywoven cloth in the loom.Circe and thefour nymphs must have been very diligently at work since the arrival of themariners:foragreatmanyyardsoftapestryhadnowbeenwrought,inadditiontowhat I before described. In this new part, Ulysses saw his two-and-twentyfriends represented as sitting on cushioned and canopied thrones, greedilydevouring dainties and quaffing deep draughts ofwine.Thework had not yetgone any further. Oh no, indeed. The enchantress was far too cunning to letUlysses see the mischief which her magic arts had since brought upon thegormandizers.

"Asforyourself,valiantsir,"saidCirce,"judgingbythedignityofyouraspect,Itakeyou tobenothing less thanaking.Deign to followme,andyoushallbetreatedasbefitsyourrank."

So Ulysses followed her into the oval saloon, where his two-and-twentycomradeshaddevouredthebanquet,whichendedsodisastrouslyforthemselves.But, all this while, he had held the snow-white flower in his hand, and hadconstantlysmeltofitwhileCircewasspeaking;andashecrossedthethresholdof the saloon, he took good care to inhale several long and deep snuffs of itsfragrance. Instead of two-and-twenty thrones, which had before been rangedaround the wall, there was now only a single throne, in the centre of theapartment.Butthiswassurelythemostmagnificentseatthateverakingoranemperorreposedhimselfupon,allmadeofchasedgold,studdedwithpreciousstones,withacushionthatlookedlikeasoftheapoflivingroses,andoverhungby a canopy of sunlight which Circe knew how to weave into drapery. TheenchantresstookUlyssesbythehand,andmadehimsitdownuponthisdazzling

throne.Then,clappingherhands,shesummonedthechiefbutler.

"Bringhither," said she, "the goblet that is set apart for kings to drinkout of.And fill itwith the samedeliciouswinewhichmy royal brother,KingÆetes,praised sohighly,whenhe last visitedmewithmy fair daughterMedea.Thatgood and amiable child!Were she now here, it would delight her to see meofferingthiswinetomyhonoredguest."

ButUlysses,whilethebutlerwasgoneforthewine,heldthesnow-whiteflowertohisnose.

"Isitawholesomewine?"heasked.

At this the four maidens tittered; whereupon the enchantress looked round atthem,withanaspectofseverity.

"Itisthewholesomestjuicethateverwassqueezedoutofthegrape,"saidshe;"for,insteadofdisguisingaman,asotherliquorisapttodo,itbringshimtohistrueself,andshowshimasheoughttobe."

The chief butler liked nothing better than to see people turned into swine, ormakinganykindofabeastof themselves;sohemadehaste tobringtheroyalgoblet,filledwithaliquidasbrightasgold,andwhichkeptsparklingupward,andthrowingasunnysprayoverthebrim.But,delightfullyasthewinelooked,it was mingled with the most potent enchantments that Circe knew how toconcoct.Foreverydropofthepuregrape-juicethereweretwodropsofthepuremischief;andthedangerofthethingwas,thatthemischiefmadeittasteallthebetter.Themeresmellofthebubbles,whicheffervescedatthebrim,wasenoughtoturnaman'sbeardintopig'sbristles,ormakealion'sclawsgrowoutofhisfingers,orafox'sbrushbehindhim.

"Drink, my noble guest," said Circe, smiling as she presented him with thegoblet."Youwillfindinthisdraughtasolaceforallyourtroubles."

KingUlyssestookthegobletwithhisrighthand,whilewithhisleftheheldthesnow-white flower to his nostrils, and drew in so long a breath that his lungswerequite filledwith itspureand simple fragrance.Then,drinkingoff all thewine,helookedtheenchantresscalmlyintheface.

"Wretch,"criedCirce,givinghimasmartstrokewithherwand,"howdareyoukeepyourhumanshapeamomentlonger?Taketheformofthebrutewhomyoumostresemble.Ifahog,gojoinyourfellow-swineinthesty;ifalion,awolf,a

tiger,gohowlwiththewildbeastsonthelawn;ifafox,goexerciseyourcraftinstealingpoultry.Thouhastquaffedoffmywine,andcanstbemannolonger."

But,suchwas thevirtueof thesnow-white flower, insteadofwallowingdownfromhisthroneinswinishshape,ortakinganyotherbrutalform,Ulysseslookedevenmoremanlyandking-likethanbefore.Hegavethemagicgobletatoss,andsent it clashing over themarble floor, to the farthest end of the saloon.Then,drawinghissword,heseizedtheenchantressbyherbeautifulringlets,andmadeagestureasifhemeanttostrikeoffherheadatoneblow.

"WickedCirce,"criedhe,inaterriblevoice,"thisswordshallputanendtothyenchantments.Thoushaltdie,vilewretch,anddonomoremischiefintheworld,bytemptinghumanbeingsintotheviceswhichmakebeastsofthem."

ThetoneandcountenanceofUlyssesweresoawful,andhisswordgleamedsobrightly,andseemedtohavesointolerablykeenanedge,thatCircewasalmostkilledbythemerefright,withoutwaitingforablow.Thechiefbutlerscrambledoutofthesaloon,pickingupthegoldengobletashewent;andtheenchantressandthefourmaidensfellontheirknees,wringingtheirhands,andscreamingformercy.

"Spareme!"criedCirce,—"spareme,royalandwiseUlysses.FornowIknowthat thou art he of whom Quicksilver forewarned me, the most prudent ofmortals, against whom no enchantments can prevail. Thou only couldst haveconqueredCirce.Spareme,wisestofmen.Iwillshowtheetruehospitality,andevengivemyself tobe thyslave,and thismagnificentpalace tobehenceforththyhome."

Thefournymphs,meanwhile,weremakingamostpiteousado;andespeciallytheocean-nymph,withthesea-greenhair,weptagreatdealofsaltwater,andthefountain-nymph, besides scattering dew-drops from her fingers' ends, nearlymeltedawayintotears.ButUlysseswouldnotbepacifieduntilCircehadtakenasolemnoathtochangebackhiscompanions,andasmanyothersasheshoulddirect,fromtheirpresentformsofbeastorbirdintotheirformershapesofmen.

"Ontheseconditions,"saidhe,"Iconsenttospareyourlife.Otherwiseyoumustdieuponthespot."

With a drawn sword hanging over her, the enchantress would readily haveconsentedtodoasmuchgoodasshehadhithertodonemischief,howeverlittleshe might like such employment. She therefore led Ulysses out of the back

entranceofthepalace,andshowedhimtheswineintheirsty.Therewereaboutfiftyoftheseuncleanbeastsinthewholeherd;andthoughthegreaterpartwerehogsbybirthandeducation, therewaswonderfully littledifference tobeseenbetwixtthemandtheirnewbrethrenwhohadsorecentlywornthehumanshape.To speak critically, indeed, the latter rather carried the thing to excess, andseemedtomakeitapointtowallowinthemiriestpartofthesty,andotherwisetooutdotheoriginalswineintheirownnaturalvocation.Whenmenonceturntobrutes,thetrifleofman'switthatremainsinthemaddstenfoldtotheirbrutality.

The comrades of Ulysses, however, had not quite lost the remembrance ofhaving formerly stood erect. When he approached the sty, two-and-twentyenormous swine separated themselves from the herd, and scampered towardshim,withsuchachorusofhorriblesquealingasmadehimclapbothhandstohisears.Andyet theydidnot seem toknowwhat theywanted, norwhether theyweremerelyhungry,ormiserablefromsomeothercause.Itwascurious,inthemidst of their distress, to observe them thrusting their noses into themire, inquestofsomethingtoeat.Thenymphwiththebodiceofoakenbark(shewasthehamadryadofanoak)threwahandfulofacornsamongthem;andthetwo-and-twentyhogsscrambledandfoughtfortheprize,asiftheyhadtastednotsomuchasanogginofsourmilkforatwelvemonth.

"These must certainly be my comrades," said Ulysses. "I recognize theirdispositions.Theyarehardlyworththetroubleofchangingthemintothehumanform again.Nevertheless,wewill have it done, lest their bad example shouldcorrupt the other hogs. Let them take their original shapes, therefore, DameCirce,ifyourskillisequaltothetask.Itwillrequiregreatermagic,Itrow,thanitdidtomakeswineofthem."

SoCircewavedherwandagain,andrepeatedafewmagicwords,atthesoundof which the two-and-twenty hogs pricked up their pendulous ears. It was awonder tobeholdhow their snoutsgrew shorter and shorter, and theirmouths(which they seemed to be sorry for, because they could not gobble soexpeditiously) smaller and smaller, and how one and another began to standupon his hind legs, and scratch his nose with his fore trotters. At first thespectatorshardlyknewwhethertocallthemhogsormen,butbyandbycametothe conclusion that they rather resembled the latter. Finally, there stood thetwenty-two comrades ofUlysses, looking prettymuch the same aswhen theyleftthevessel.

Youmustnotimagine,however,thattheswinishqualityhadentirelygoneoutof

them.When once it fastens itself into a person's character, it is very difficultgetting rid of it. This was proved by the hamadryad, who, being exceedinglyfondofmischief,threwanotherhandfulofacornsbeforethetwenty-twonewlyrestored people; whereupon down they wallowed, in a moment, and gobbledthemupinaveryshamefulway.Then,recollectingthemselves,theyscrambledtotheirfeet,andlookedmorethancommonlyfoolish.

"Thanks,nobleUlysses!"theycried."Frombrutebeastsyouhaverestoredustotheconditionofmenagain."

"Donotputyourselvestothetroubleofthankingme,"saidthewiseking."IfearIhavedonebutlittleforyou."

Tosaythetruth,therewasasuspiciouskindofagruntintheirvoices,andforalongtimeafterwardstheyspokegruffly,andwereapttosetupasqueal.

"Itmustdependonyourownfuturebehavior,"addedUlysses,"whetheryoudonotfindyourwaybacktothesty."

At thismoment, the note of a bird sounded from the branch of a neighboringtree.

"Peep,peep,pe—wee—ep!"

It was the purple bird, who, all this while, had been sitting over their heads,watching what was going forward, and hoping that Ulysses would rememberhowhehaddonehisutmost tokeephimandhis followersoutofharm'sway.UlyssesorderedCirceinstantlytomakeakingofthisgoodlittlefowl,andleavehim exactly as she found him.Hardlywere thewords spoken, and before thebird had time to utter another "Pe—weep,"King Picus leaped down from theboughofthetree,asmajesticasovereignasanyintheworld,dressedinalongpurple robe and gorgeous yellow stockings, with a splendidly wrought collarabout his neck, and a golden crown upon his head. He and King Ulyssesexchangedwithoneanotherthecourtesieswhichbelongtotheirelevatedrank.Butfromthattimeforth,KingPicuswasnolongerproudofhiscrownandhistrappingsofroyalty,norofthefactofhisbeingaking;hefelthimselfmerelytheupperservantofhispeople,andthatitmustbehislifelonglabortomakethembetterandhappier.

Asforthelions, tigers,andwolves(thoughCircewouldhaverestoredthemtotheirformershapesathisslightestword),Ulyssesthoughtitadvisablethatthey

should remain as they now were, and thus give warning of their crueldispositions, insteadofgoingaboutunder theguiseofmen, andpretending tohumansympathies,whiletheirheartshadtheblood-thirstinessofwildbeasts.Soheletthemhowlasmuchastheyliked,butnevertroubledhisheadaboutthem.And,wheneverythingwassettledaccordingtohispleasure,hesenttosummontheremainderofhiscomrades,whomhehadleftat thesea-shore.Thesebeingarrived, with the prudent Eurylochus at their head, they all made themselvescomfortableinCirce'senchantedpalace,untilquiterestedandrefreshedfromthetoilsandhardshipsoftheirvoyage.

ThePomegranateSeeds

MotherCereswasexceedinglyfondofherdaughterProserpina,andseldomlethergoaloneintothefields.But,justatthetimewhenmystorybegins,thegoodladywasverybusy,becauseshehadthecareofthewheat,andtheIndiancorn,and the rye and barley, and, in short, of the crops of every kind, all over theearth; and as the season had thus far been uncommonly backward, it wasnecessarytomaketheharvestripenmorespeedilythanusual.Sosheputonherturban, made of poppies (a kind of flower which she was always noted forwearing),andgotintohercardrawnbyapairofwingeddragons,andwasjustreadytosetoff.

"Dearmother,"saidProserpina,"Ishallbeverylonelywhileyouareaway.MayInotrundowntotheshore,andasksomeofthesea-nymphstocomeupoutofthewavesandplaywithme?"

"Yes,child,"answeredMotherCeres."Thesea-nymphsaregoodcreatures,andwill never lead you into any harm.But youmust take care not to stray awayfromthem,norgowanderingaboutthefieldsbyyourself.Younggirls,withouttheirmotherstotakecareofthem,areveryapttogetintomischief."

Thechildpromisedtobeasprudentasifshewereagrown-upwoman,and,bythetimethewingeddragonshadwhirledthecaroutofsight,shewasalreadyonthe shore, calling to the sea-nymphs to come and play with her. They knewProserpina'svoice,andwerenotlonginshowingtheirglisteningfacesandsea-greenhairabovethewater,atthebottomofwhichwastheirhome.Theybroughtalongwith themagreatmanybeautiful shells; and, sittingdownon themoistsand,wherethesurfwavebrokeoverthem,theybusiedthemselvesinmakinganecklace, which they hung round Proserpina's neck. By way of showing hergratitude,thechildbesoughtthemtogowithheralittlewayintothefields,sothattheymightgatherabundanceofflowers,withwhichshewouldmakeeachofherkindplaymatesawreath.

PROSERPINA

(FromtheoriginalinthecollectionofMrs.WilliamB.DinsmoreStaatsburg,NewYork)

"Ohno,dearProserpina,"criedthesea-nymphs;"wedarenotgowithyouuponthedryland.Weareapttogrowfaint,unlessateverybreathwecansnuffupthesalt breezeof theocean.Anddon't you seehowcarefulwe are to let the surfwavebreakoveruseverymomentortwo,soastokeepourselvescomfortablymoist?Ifitwerenotforthat,weshouldsoonlooklikebunchesofuprootedsea-weeddriedinthesun."

"Itisagreatpity,"saidProserpina."Butdoyouwaitformehere,andIwillrunandgathermyapronfullofflowers,andbebackagainbeforethesurfwavehasbroken ten times over you. I long tomake you somewreaths that shall be aslovelyasthisnecklaceofmany-coloredshells."

"Wewillwait, then," answered the sea-nymphs. "Butwhile you are gone,wemayaswellliedownonabankofsoftsponge,underthewater.Theairto-dayisalittletoodryforourcomfort.Butwewillpopupourheadseveryfewminutestoseeifyouarecoming."

TheyoungProserpinaranquicklytoaspotwhere,onlythedaybefore,shehadseenagreatmanyflowers.These,however,werenowalittlepasttheirbloom;andwishingtogiveherfriendsthefreshestandloveliestblossoms,shestrayedfartherintothefields,andfoundsomethatmadeherscreamwithdelight.Neverhadshemetwithsuchexquisiteflowersbefore,—violets,solargeandfragrant,—roses, with so rich and delicate a blush,—such superb hyacinths and sucharomaticpinks,—andmanyothers,someofwhichseemedtobeofnewshapesandcolors.Twoorthreetimes,moreover,shecouldnothelpthinkingthatatuftofmostsplendidflowershadsuddenlysproutedoutoftheearthbeforeherveryeyes,as ifonpurpose to tempthera fewsteps farther.Proserpina'sapronwassoonfilledandbrimmingoverwithdelightfulblossoms.Shewasonthepointofturningback inorder torejoin thesea-nymphs,andsitwith themonthemoistsands, all twining wreaths together. But, a little farther on, what should shebehold? It was a large shrub, completely covered with the most magnificentflowersintheworld.

"Thedarlings!"criedProserpina;andthenshethoughttoherself,"Iwaslooking

atthatspotonlyamomentago.HowstrangeitisthatIdidnotseetheflowers!"

The nearer she approached the shrub, the more attractive it looked, until shecamequiteclosetoit;andthen,althoughitsbeautywasricherthanwordscantell,shehardlyknewwhethertolikeitornot.Itboreaboveahundredflowersofthemostbrillianthues,andeachdifferentfromtheothers,butallhavingakindof resemblance among themselves,which showed them to be sister blossoms.Buttherewasadeep,glossylustreontheleavesoftheshrub,andonthepetalsoftheflowers,thatmadeProserpinadoubtwhethertheymightnotbepoisonous.Totellyouthetruth,foolishasitmayseem,shewashalfinclinedtoturnroundandrunaway.

"What a silly child I am!" thought she, taking courage. "It is really themostbeautifulshrubthateversprangoutoftheearth.Iwillpullitupbytheroots,andcarryithome,andplantitinmymother'sgarden."

Holdingupher apron full of flowerswithher left hand,Proserpina seized thelargeshrubwiththeother,andpulledandpulled,butwashardlyabletoloosenthesoilabout its roots.Whatadeep-rootedplant itwas!Again thegirlpulledwithallhermight,andobservedthat theearthbegantostirandcracktosomedistancearoundthestem.Shegaveanotherpull,butrelaxedherhold,fancyingthat there was a rumbling sound right beneath her feet. Did the roots extenddown into some enchanted cavern?Then, laughing at herself for so childish anotion, shemade another effort; up came the shrub, and Proserpina staggeredback, holding the stem triumphantly in her hand, and gazing at the deep holewhichitsrootshadleftinthesoil.

Much to her astonishment, this hole kept spreading wider and wider, andgrowingdeeperanddeeper,untilitreallyseemedtohavenobottom;andallthewhile, there came a rumbling noise out of its depths, louder and louder, andnearerandnearer,andsoundinglikethetrampofhorses'hoofsandtherattlingofwheels.Toomuchfrightenedtorunaway,shestoodstraininghereyesintothiswonderfulcavity,andsoonsawateamoffoursablehorses,snortingsmokeoutof their nostrils, and tearing theirwayout of the earthwith a splendidgoldenchariotwhirlingat theirheels.They leapedoutof thebottomlesshole, chariotandall; and there theywere, tossing theirblackmanes, flourishing theirblacktails,andcurvettingwitheveryoneoftheirhoofsoffthegroundatonce,closebythespotwhereProserpinastood.Inthechariotsatthefigureofaman,richlydressed,withacrownonhishead,allflamingwithdiamonds.Hewasofanobleaspect, and rather handsome, but looked sullen and discontented; and he kept

rubbinghiseyesandshadingthemwithhishand,asifhedidnotliveenoughinthesunshinetobeveryfondofitslight.

As soon as this personage saw the affrighted Proserpina, he beckoned her tocomealittlenearer.

"Donotbeafraid,"saidhe,withascheerfulasmileasheknewhowtoputon."Come!Willnotyouliketoridealittlewaywithme,inmybeautifulchariot?"

ButProserpinawassoalarmed,thatshewishedfornothingbuttogetoutofhisreach.Andnowonder.The stranger did not look remarkably good-natured, inspite of his smile; and as for his voice, its tones were deep and stern, andsoundedasmuchliketherumblingofanearthquakeundergroundasanythingelse.As is always the casewith children in trouble, Proserpina's first thoughtwastocallforhermother.

"Mother,Mother Ceres!" cried she, all in a tremble. "Come quickly and saveme."

Buthervoicewas too faint forhermother tohear. Indeed, it ismostprobablethatCereswas then a thousandmiles off,making the corn grow in some far-distantcountry.Norcouldithaveavailedherpoordaughter,evenhadshebeenwithinhearing;fornosoonerdidProserpinabegintocryout,thanthestrangerleaped to the ground, caught the child in his arms, and again mounting thechariot, shook the reins, and shouted to the four black horses to set off.Theyimmediatelybrokeintososwiftagallopthatitseemedratherlikeflyingthroughtheair than runningalong the earth. In amoment,Proserpina lost sightof thepleasantvaleofEnna,inwhichshehadalwaysdwelt.Anotherinstant,andeventhesummitofMountÆtnahadbecomesoblue in thedistance, thatshecouldscarcelydistinguishitfromthesmokethatgushedoutofitscrater.Butstillthepoorchildscreamed,andscatteredherapronfullofflowersalongtheway,andleft a longcry trailingbehind the chariot; andmanymothers, towhoseears itcame,ranquicklytoseeifanymischiefhadbefallentheirchildren.ButMotherCereswasagreatwayoff,andcouldnothearthecry.

Astheyrodeon,thestrangerdidhisbesttosootheher.

"Whyshouldyoubesofrightened,myprettychild?"saidhe,tryingtosoftenhisroughvoice."Ipromisenottodoyouanyharm.What!Youhavebeengatheringflowers?Wait tillwe come tomypalace, and Iwill giveyou agarden full ofprettier flowers than those, allmade of pearls, and diamonds, and rubies.Can

youguesswhoIam?TheycallmynamePluto,andIamthekingofdiamondsandallotherpreciousstones.Everyatomof thegoldandsilver that liesundertheearthbelongstome,tosaynothingofthecopperandiron,andofthecoal-mines,whichsupplymewithabundanceoffuel.Doyouseethissplendidcrownuponmy head? Youmay have it for a plaything. Oh, we shall be very goodfriends,andyouwillfindmemoreagreeablethanyouexpect,whenoncewegetoutofthistroublesomesunshine."

"Letmegohome!"criedProserpina,—"letmegohome!"

"Myhomeisbetterthanyourmother's,"answeredKingPluto."Itisapalace,allmadeofgold,withcrystalwindows;andbecause there is littleorno sunshinethereabouts,theapartmentsareilluminatedwithdiamondlamps.Youneversawanythinghalfsomagnificentasmythrone.Ifyoulike,youmaysitdownonit,andbemylittlequeen,andIwillsitonthefootstool."

"I don't care for golden palaces and thrones," sobbed Proserpina. "Oh, mymother,mymother!Carrymebacktomymother!"

ButKingPluto,ashecalledhimself,onlyshoutedtohissteedstogofaster.

"Praydonotbefoolish,Proserpina,"saidhe,inratherasullentone."Iofferyoumypalace andmy crown, and all the riches that are under the earth; and youtreatmeasifIweredoingyouaninjury.Theonethingwhichmypalaceneedsisamerrylittlemaid,torunupstairsanddown,andcheeruptheroomswithhersmile.AndthisiswhatyoumustdoforKingPluto."

"Never!"answeredProserpina,lookingasmiserableasshecould."Ishallneversmileagaintillyousetmedownatmymother'sdoor."

Butshemight justaswellhavetalkedtothewindthatwhistledpast them;forPlutourgedonhishorses,andwentfasterthanever.Proserpinacontinuedtocryout, and screamed so longand so loudly, thatherpoor littlevoicewasalmostscreamedaway;andwhenitwasnothingbutawhisper,shehappenedtocasthereyes over a great, broad field of waving grain—and whom do you think shesaw?Who,butMotherCeres,makingthecorngrow,andtoobusytonoticethegoldenchariotasitwentrattlingalong.Thechildmusteredallherstrength,andgaveonemore scream,butwasoutof sightbeforeCereshad time to turnherhead.

KingPlutohad takena roadwhichnowbegan togrowexcessivelygloomy. It

was bordered on each side with rocks and precipices, between which therumbling of the chariot-wheels was reverberated with a noise like rollingthunder. The trees and bushes that grew in the crevices of the rocks had verydismal foliage; and by and by, although it was hardly noon, the air becameobscuredwithagraytwilight.Theblackhorseshadrushedalongsoswiftly,thattheywerealreadybeyondthelimitsofthesunshine.Buttheduskieritgrew,themoredidPluto'svisageassumeanairofsatisfaction.Afterall,hewasnotanill-lookingperson,especiallywhenheleftofftwistinghisfeaturesintoasmilethatdidnotbelongtothem.Proserpinapeepedathisfacethroughthegatheringdusk,andhopedthathemightnotbesoverywickedassheatfirstthoughthim.

"Ah,thistwilightistrulyrefreshing,"saidKingPluto,"afterbeingsotormentedwith that ugly and impertinent glare of the sun.Howmuchmore agreeable islamplightortorchlight,moreparticularlywhenreflectedfromdiamonds!Itwillbeamagnificentsightwhenwegettomypalace."

"Isitmuchfarther?"askedProserpina."AndwillyoucarrymebackwhenIhaveseenit?"

"We will talk of that by and by," answered Pluto. "We are just entering mydominions.Doyouseethattallgatewaybeforeus?Whenwepassthosegates,we are at home.And there liesmy faithfulmastiff at the threshold.Cerberus!Cerberus!Comehither,mygooddog!"

Sosaying,Plutopulledat thereins,andstoppedthecharriot rightbetween thetall,massivepillarsofthegateway.Themastiffofwhichhehadspokengotupfromthethreshold,andstoodonhishinderlegs,soastoputhisforepawsonthechariot-wheel. But, my stars, what a strange dog it was!Why, he was a big,rough,ugly-lookingmonster,withthreeseparateheads,andeachofthemfiercerthan the two others; but, fierce as they were, King Pluto patted them all. Heseemedasfondofhis three-headeddogas if ithadbeenasweet littlespaniel,with silken ears and curly hair. Cerberus, on the other hand, was evidentlyrejoiced to see hismaster, and expressed his attachment, as other dogs do, bywagginghistailatagreatrate.Proserpina'seyesbeingdrawntoitbyitsbriskmotion,shesawthatthistailwasneithermorenorlessthanalivedragon,withfiery eyes, and fangs that had a very poisonous aspect. And while the three-headedCerberuswasfawningsolovinglyonKingPluto, therewasthedragontail wagging against its will, and looking as cross and ill-natured as you canimagine,onitsownseparateaccount.

"Will thedogbiteme?"askedProserpina, shrinkingcloser toPluto. "What anuglycreatureheis!"

"Oh,neverfear,"answeredhercompanion."Heneverharmspeople,unlesstheytrytoentermydominionswithoutbeingsentfor,ortogetawaywhenIwishtokeepthemhere.Down,Cerberus!Now,myprettyProserpina,wewilldriveon."

Onwentthechariot,andKingPlutoseemedgreatlypleasedtofindhimselfoncemore in his ownkingdom.He drewProserpina's attention to the rich veins ofgoldthatweretobeseenamongtherocks,andpointedtoseveralplaceswhereonestrokeofapickaxewouldloosenabushelofdiamonds.Allalongtheroad,indeed,thereweresparklinggems,whichwouldhavebeenofinestimablevalueabove ground, but which were here reckoned of the meaner sort, and hardlyworthabeggar'sstoopingfor.

Not far from thegateway, theycame toabridge,which seemed tobebuilt ofiron. Pluto stopped the chariot, and bade Proserpina look at the streamwhichwasglidingso lazilybeneath it.Never inher lifehadshebeheld so torpid, soblack, somuddy-looking a stream: itswaters reflected no images of anythingthatwas on the banks, and itmoved as sluggishly as if it had quite forgottenwhichwayitoughttoflow,andhadratherstagnatethanfloweitheronewayortheother.

"ThisistheriverLethe,"observedKingPluto."Isitnotaverypleasantstream?"

"Ithinkitisaverydismalone,"saidProserpina.

"It suitsmy taste, however," answered Pluto, whowas apt to be sullenwhenanybody disagreed with him. "At all events, its water has one very excellentquality;forasingledraughtofitmakespeopleforgeteverycareandsorrowthathashithertotormentedthem.Onlysipalittleofit,mydearProserpina,andyouwill instantly cease to grieve for your mother, and will have nothing in yourmemory thatcanpreventyourbeingperfectlyhappy inmypalace. Iwill sendforsome,inagoldengoblet,themomentwearrive."

"Ohno,no,no!"criedProserpina,weepingafresh."Ihadathousandtimesratherbemiserablewithrememberingmymother,thanbehappyinforgettingher.Thatdear,dearmother!Inever,neverwillforgether."

"Weshallsee,"saidKingPluto."Youdonotknowwhatfinetimeswewillhaveinmypalace.Herewearejustattheportal.Thesepillarsaresolidgold,Iassure

you."

Healightedfromthechariot,andtakingProserpinainhisarms,carriedherupaloftyflightofstepsintothegreathallofthepalace.Itwassplendidlyilluminatedbymeansoflargepreciousstones,ofvarioushues,whichseemedtoburnlikesomany lamps, and glowed with a hundred-fold radiance all through the vastapartment.And yet therewas a kind of gloom in themidst of this enchantedlight;norwasthereasingleobjectinthehallthatwasreallyagreeabletobehold,exceptthelittleProserpinaherself,alovelychild,withoneearthlyflowerwhichshe had not let fall fromher hand. It ismy opinion that evenKingPluto hadnever been happy in his palace, and that thiswas the true reasonwhy he hadstolenawayProserpina,inorderthathemighthavesomethingtolove,insteadofcheatinghisheartany longerwith this tiresomemagnificence.And, thoughhepretendedtodislikethesunshineoftheupperworld,yettheeffectofthechild'spresence, bedimmed as she was by her tears, was as if a faint and waterysunbeamhadsomehoworotherfounditswayintotheenchantedhall.

Plutonowsummonedhisdomestics,andbadethemlosenotimeinpreparingamost sumptuous banquet, and above all things, not to fail of setting a goldenbeakerofthewaterofLethebyProserpina'splate.

"Iwillneitherdrinkthatnoranythingelse,"saidProserpina."NorwillItasteamorseloffood,evenifyoukeepmeforeverinyourpalace."

"Ishouldbesorryforthat,"repliedKingPluto,pattinghercheek;forhereallywished to be kind, if he had only known how. "You are a spoiled child, Iperceive,mylittleProserpina;butwhenyouseethenicethingswhichmycookwillmakeforyou,yourappetitewillquicklycomeagain."

Then,sendingfortheheadcook,hegavestrictordersthatallsortsofdelicacies,suchasyoungpeopleareusually fondof, shouldbesetbeforeProserpina.Hehad a secretmotive in this; for, you are to understand, it is a fixed law, that,whenpersons are carriedoff to the landofmagic, if theyonce taste any foodthere, they can never get back to their friends. Now, if King Pluto had beencunningenoughtoofferProserpinasomefruit,orbreadandmilk(whichwasthesimplefaretowhichthechildhadalwaysbeenaccustomed),itisveryprobablethatshewouldsoonhavebeentemptedtoeatit.Butheleftthematterentirelytohiscook,who, likeallothercooks,considerednothingfit toeatunless itwererich pastry, or highly seasoned meat, or spiced sweet cakes,—things whichProserpina'smotherhadnevergivenher,andthesmellofwhichquitetookaway

herappetite,insteadofsharpeningit.

Butmy storymust now clamber out ofKingPluto's dominions, and seewhatMotherCeres has been about, since shewas bereft of her daughter.Wehad aglimpseofher,asyouremember,halfhiddenamongthewavinggrain,whilethefourblacksteedswereswiftlywhirlingalong thechariot inwhichherbelovedProserpinawassounwillinglyborneaway.Yourecollect, too, the loudscreamwhichProserpinagave,justwhenthechariotwasoutofsight.

Ofallthechild'soutcries,thislastshriekwastheonlyonethatreachedtheearsofMotherCeres.Shehadmistakentherumblingofthechariot-wheelsforapealofthunder,andimaginedthatashowerwascomingup,andthatitwouldassistherinmakingthecorngrow.But,atthesoundofProserpina'sshriek,shestarted,and looked about in everydirection, not knowingwhence it came, but feelingalmost certain that it was her daughter's voice. It seemed so unaccountable,however, that thegirlshouldhavestrayedoversomanylandsandseas(whichsheherselfcouldnothavetraversedwithouttheaidofherwingeddragons),thatthegoodCerestriedtobelievethatitmustbethechildofsomeotherparent,andnot her own darling Proserpina, who had uttered this lamentable cry.Nevertheless,ittroubledherwithavastmanytenderfears,suchasarereadytobestirthemselvesineverymother'sheart,whenshefindsitnecessarytogoawayfromherdearchildrenwithoutleavingthemunderthecareofsomemaidenaunt,or other such faithful guardian.So she quickly left the field inwhich she hadbeensobusy;and,asherworkwasnothalfdone,thegrainlooked,nextday,asif it needed both sun and rain, and as if it were blighted in the ear, and hadsomethingthematterwithitsroots.

Thepairofdragonsmusthavehadverynimblewings;for,inlessthananhour,Mother Ceres had alighted at the door of her home, and found it empty.Knowing, however, that the child was fond of sporting on the sea-shore, shehastenedthitherasfastasshecould,andtherebeheldthewetfacesofthepoorsea-nymphs peeping over awave.All thiswhile, the good creatures had beenwaitingonthebankofsponge,and,onceeveryhalf-minuteorso,hadpoppeduptheir four heads above water, to see if their playmate were yet coming back.WhentheysawMotherCeres,theysatdownonthecrestofthesurfwave,andletittossthemashoreatherfeet.

"WhereisProserpina?"criedCeres."Whereismychild?Tellme,younaughtysea-nymphs,haveyouenticedherunderthesea?"

"Ohno,goodMotherCeres,"said the innocentsea-nymphs, tossingback theirgreen ringlets, and lookingher in the face. "Wenever shoulddreamof suchathing.Proserpinahasbeenatplaywithus,itistrue;butsheleftusalongwhileago,meaningonlytorunalittlewayuponthedryland,andgathersomeflowersforawreath.Thiswasearlyintheday,andwehaveseennothingofhersince."

Ceresscarcelywaitedtohearwhatthenymphshadtosay,beforeshehurriedofftomake inquiries all through the neighborhood.But nobody told her anythingthatcouldenable thepoormother toguesswhathadbecomeofProserpina.Afisherman, it is true, had noticed her little footprints in the sand, as he wenthomeward along the beach with a basket of fish; a rustic had seen the childstooping to gather flowers; several persons had heard either the rattling ofchariot-wheels, or the rumbling of distant thunder; and one oldwoman,whileplucking vervain and catnip, had heard a scream, but supposed it to be somechildishnonsense,andthereforedidnottakethetroubletolookup.Thestupidpeople!Ittookthemsuchatediouswhiletotellthenothingthattheyknew,thatitwasdarknightbeforeMotherCeresfoundoutthatshemustseekherdaughterelsewhere. So she lighted a torch, and set forth resolving never to come backuntilProserpinawasdiscovered.

In her haste and trouble of mind, she quite forgot her car and the wingeddragons; or, itmay be, she thought that she could follow up the searchmorethoroughly on foot. At all events, this was the way in which she began hersorrowful journey,holdingher torchbeforeher, and lookingcarefullyateveryobjectalongthepath.Andasithappened,shehadnotgonefarbeforeshefoundone of the magnificent flowers which grew on the shrub that Proserpina hadpulledup.

"Ha!"thoughtMotherCeres,examiningitbytorchlight."Hereismischiefinthisflower!Theearthdidnotproduceitbyanyhelpofmine,norofitsownaccord.It is thework of enchantment, and is therefore poisonous; and perhaps it haspoisonedmypoorchild."

Butsheputthepoisonousflowerinherbosom,notknowingwhethershemighteverfindanyothermemorialofProserpina.

Allnightlong,atthedoorofeverycottageandfarm-house,Ceresknocked,andcalledupthewearylaborerstoinquireiftheyhadseenherchild;andtheystood,gaping and half asleep, at the threshold, and answered her pityingly, andbesoughthertocomeinandrest.Attheportalofeverypalace,too,shemadeso

loudasummonsthatthemenialshurriedtothrowopenthegate,thinkingthatitmustbesomegreatkingorqueen,whowoulddemandabanquetforsupperanda stately chamber to repose in. And when they saw only a sad and anxiouswoman,withatorchinherhandandawreathofwitheredpoppiesonherhead,they spoke rudely, and sometimes threatened to set the dogs upon her. ButnobodyhadseenProserpina,norcouldgiveMotherCeres the leasthintwhichway to seek her. Thus passed the night; and still she continued her searchwithoutsittingdown to rest,orstopping to take food,orevenremembering toput out the torch; although first the rosy dawn, and then the glad light of themorningsun,madeitsredflamelookthinandpale.ButIwonderwhatsortofstuffthistorchwasmadeof;foritburneddimlythroughtheday,and,atnight,wasasbrightasever,andneverwasextinguishedbytherainorwind,inallthewearydaysandnightswhileCereswasseekingforProserpina.

Itwasnotmerelyofhumanbeingsthatsheaskedtidingsofherdaughter.Inthewoods and by the streams, shemet creatures of another nature, who used, inthoseoldtimes,tohauntthepleasantandsolitaryplaces,andwereverysociablewithpersonswhounderstoodtheirlanguageandcustoms,asMotherCeresdid.Sometimes,forinstance,shetappedwithherfingeragainsttheknottedtrunkofamajesticoak;and immediately its rudebarkwouldcleaveasunder,and forthwould step a beautiful maiden, who was the hamadryad of the oak, dwellinginsideofit,andsharingitslonglife,andrejoicingwhenitsgreenleavessportedwiththebreeze.ButnotoneoftheseleafydamselshadseenProserpina.Then,goingalittlefarther,Cereswould,perhaps,cometoafountain,gushingoutofapebblyhollowintheearth,andwoulddabblewithherhandinthewater.Behold,up through its sandy and pebbly bed, alongwith the fountain's gush, a youngwomanwithdrippinghairwouldarise,andstandgazingatMotherCeres,halfoutofthewater,andundulatingupanddownwithitsever-restlessmotion.Butwhenthemotheraskedwhetherherpoorlostchildhadstoppedtodrinkoutofthefountain,thenaiad,withweepingeyes(forthesewater-nymphshadtearstospareforeverybody'sgrief),wouldanswer,"No!"inamurmuringvoice,whichwasjustlikethemurmurofthestream.

Often, likewise, she encountered fauns, who looked like sunburnt countrypeople,exceptthattheyhadhairyears,andlittlehornsupontheirforeheads,andthehinderlegsofgoats,onwhichtheygambolledmerrilyaboutthewoodsandfields.Theywereafrolicsomekindofcreature,butgrewassadastheircheerfuldispositionswouldallowwhenCeresinquiredforherdaughter,andtheyhadnogoodnewstotell.Butsometimesshecamesuddenlyuponarudegangofsatyrs,

who had faces like monkeys and horses' tails behind them, and who weregenerally dancing in a very boisterousmanner, with shouts of noisy laughter.Whenshestoppedtoquestionthem,theywouldonlylaughthelouder,andmakenew merriment out of the lone woman's distress. How unkind of those uglysatyrs!Andonce,whilecrossingasolitarysheep-pasture,shesawapersonagenamedPan,seatedatthefootofatallrock,andmakingmusiconashepherd'sflute.He, too,hadhorns,andhairyears,andgoat's feet;but,beingacquaintedwithMotherCeres, he answered her question as civilly as he knew how, andinvited her to taste somemilk and honey out of a wooden bowl. But neithercould Pan tell herwhat had become of Proserpina, any better than the rest ofthesewildpeople.

And thusMother Cereswentwandering about for nine long days and nights,findingno traceofProserpina,unless itwerenowand thenawithered flower;and these she picked up and put in her bosom, because she fancied that theymight have fallen from her poor child's hand. All day she travelled onwardthroughthehotsun;andatnight,again,theflameofthetorchwouldreddenandgleamalongthepathway,andshecontinuedhersearchbyitslight,withouteversittingdowntorest.

On the tenth day, she chanced to espy the mouth of a cavern, within which(thoughitwasbrightnooneverywhereelse)therewouldhavebeenonlyaduskytwilight; but it so happened that a torch was burning there. It flickered, andstruggledwiththeduskiness,butcouldnothalflightupthegloomycavernwithall its melancholy glimmer. Ceres was resolved to leave no spot without asearch; so she peeped into the entrance of the cave, and lighted it up a littlemore,byholdingherowntorchbeforeher.Insodoing,shecaughtaglimpseofwhatseemed tobeawoman,sittingon thebrownleavesof the lastautumn,agreatheapofwhichhadbeensweptintothecavebythewind.Thiswoman(ifwomanitwere)wasbynomeanssobeautifulasmanyofhersex;forherhead,theytellme,wasshapedverymuchlikeadog's,and,bywayofornament,sheworeawreathofsnakesaroundit.ButMotherCeres,themomentshesawher,knewthatthiswasanoddkindofaperson,whoputallherenjoymentinbeingmiserable,andneverwouldhaveawordtosaytootherpeople,unlesstheywereasmelancholyandwretchedassheherselfdelightedtobe.

"Iamwretchedenoughnow,"thoughtpoorCeres,"totalkwiththismelancholyHecate,wereshetentimessadderthanevershewasyet."

Soshesteppedinto thecave,andsatdownonthewitheredleavesbythedog-

headedwoman'sside.Inall theworld,sinceherdaughter'sloss,shehadfoundnoothercompanion.

"OHecate,"saidshe,"ifeveryouloseadaughter,youwillknowwhatsorrowis.Tellme, for pity's sake, have you seenmy poor child Proserpina pass by themouthofyourcavern?"

"No,"answeredHecate, inacrackedvoice,andsighingbetwixteverywordortwo,—"no,MotherCeres, I have seen nothing of your daughter.Butmy ears,youmustknow,aremadeinsuchawaythatallcriesofdistressandaffright,allovertheworld,areprettysuretofindtheirwaytothem;andninedaysago,asIsatinmycave,makingmyselfverymiserable,Iheardthevoiceofayounggirl,shrieking as if in great distress. Something terrible has happened to the child,youmay restassured.Aswellas I could judge,adragon,or someothercruelmonster,wascarryingheraway."

"Youkillmebysayingso,"criedCeres,almostreadytofaint."Wherewasthesound,andwhichwaydiditseemtogo?"

"Itpassedveryswiftlyalong,"saidHecate,"and,atthesametime,therewasaheavy rumbling ofwheels towards the eastward. I can tell you nothingmore,exceptthat,inmyhonestopinion,youwillneverseeyourdaughteragain.ThebestadviceIcangiveyouis,totakeupyourabodeinthiscavern,wherewewillbethetwomostwretchedwomenintheworld."

"Notyet,darkHecate," repliedCeres."Butdoyoufirstcomewithyour torch,andhelpmetoseekformylostchild.Andwhenthereshallbenomorehopeoffindingher(ifthatblackdayisordainedtocome)then,ifyouwillgivemeroomtoflingmyselfdown,eitheronthesewitheredleavesoronthenakedrock,Iwillshowyouwhatitistobemiserable.But,untilIknowthatshehasperishedfromthefaceoftheearth,Iwillnotallowmyselfspaceeventogrieve."

The dismalHecate did notmuch like the idea of going abroad into the sunnyworld.ButthenshereflectedthatthesorrowofthedisconsolateCereswouldbelikeagloomytwilightroundaboutthemboth,letthesunshineeversobrightly,andthatthereforeshemightenjoyherbadspiritsquiteaswellasifsheweretostayinthecave.Soshefinallyconsentedtogo,andtheysetouttogether,bothcarrying torches, although it was broad daylight and clear sunshine. Thetorchlightseemedtomakeagloom;sothatthepeoplewhomtheymetalongtheroadcouldnotverydistinctlyseetheirfigures;and,indeed,iftheyoncecaughtaglimpseofHecate,withthewreathofsnakesroundherforehead,theygenerally

thoughtitprudenttorunaway,withoutwaitingforasecondglance.

Asthepairtravelledalonginthiswoe-begonemanner,athoughtstruckCeres.

"Thereisoneperson,"sheexclaimed,"whomusthaveseenmypoorchild,andcandoubtlesstellwhathasbecomeofher.WhydidnotIthinkofhimbefore?ItisPhœbus."

"What,"saidHecate,"theyoungmanthatalwayssitsinthesunshine?Oh,praydonot thinkofgoingnearhim.He isagay, light, frivolousyoungfellow,andwillonlysmileinyourface.Andbesides,thereissuchaglareofthesunabouthim, that he will quite blind my poor eyes, which I have almost wept awayalready."

"Youhavepromisedtobemycompanion,"answeredCeres."Come,letusmakehaste,orthesunshinewillbegone,andPhœbusalongwithit."

Accordingly, they went along in quest of Phœbus, both of them sighinggrievously,andHecate,tosaythetruth,makingagreatdealworselamentationthanCeres;forall thepleasureshehad,youknow,layinbeingmiserable,andtherefore shemade themostof it.Byandby, after apretty long journey, theyarrived at the sunniest spot in thewholeworld.There they beheld a beautifulyoung man, with long, curling ringlets, which seemed to be made of goldensunbeams;hisgarmentswerelikelightsummerclouds;andtheexpressionofhisface was so exceedingly vivid, that Hecate held her hands before her eyes,muttering that he ought to wear a black veil. Phœbus (for this was the verypersonwhom theywere seeking) had a lyre in his hands, andwasmaking itschords tremble with sweet music; at the same time singing a most exquisitesong, which he had recently composed. For, besides a great many otheraccomplishments,thisyoungmanwasrenownedforhisadmirablepoetry.

AsCeresandherdismalcompanionapproachedhim,Phœbussmiledonthemsocheerfully that Hecate's wreath of snakes gave a spiteful hiss, and Hecateheartilywishedherselfbackinhercave.ButasforCeres,shewastooearnestinhergriefeithertoknoworcarewhetherPhœbussmiledorfrowned.

"Phœbus!" exclaimed she, "I am in great trouble, and have come to you forassistance.CanyoutellmewhathasbecomeofmydearchildProserpina?"

"Proserpina!Proserpina,didyoucallhername?"answeredPhœbus,endeavoringtorecollect;fortherewassuchacontinualflowofpleasantideasinhismindthat

hewasapttoforgetwhathadhappenednolongeragothanyesterday."Ah,yes,Irememberhernow.Averylovelychild,indeed.Iamhappytotellyou,mydearmadam, that Idid see the littleProserpinanotmanydaysago.Youmaymakeyourselfperfectlyeasyabouther.Sheissafe,andinexcellenthands."

"Oh, where is my dear child?" cried Ceres, clasping her hands and flingingherselfathisfeet.

"Why,"saidPhœbus,—andashespoke,hekepttouchinghislyresoastomakea threadofmusic run in andout amonghiswords,—"as the little damselwasgatheringflowers(andshehasreallyaveryexquisitetasteforflowers)shewassuddenly snatched up byKingPluto, and carried off to his dominions. I haveneverbeeninthatpartoftheuniverse;buttheroyalpalace,Iamtold,isbuiltinaverynoblestyleofarchitecture,andofthemostsplendidandcostlymaterials.Gold, diamonds, pearls, and all manner of precious stones will be yourdaughter's ordinary playthings. I recommend to you, my dear lady, to giveyourselfnouneasiness.Proserpina'ssenseofbeautywillbedulygratified,and,eveninspiteofthelackofsunshine,shewillleadaveryenviablelife."

"Hush! Say not such aword!" answeredCeres, indignantly. "What is there togratifyherheart?Whatareall thesplendorsyouspeakof,withoutaffection?Imust have her back again. Will you go with me, Phœbus, to demand mydaughterofthiswickedPluto?"

"Prayexcuseme,"repliedPhœbus,withanelegantobeisance."Icertainlywishyousuccess,and regret thatmyownaffairsare so immediatelypressing that Icannothave thepleasureof attendingyou.Besides, I amnotupon thebest ofterms with King Pluto. To tell you the truth, his three-headed mastiff wouldnever let me pass the gateway; for I should be compelled to take a sheaf ofsunbeamsalongwithme,and those,youknow,are forbidden things inPluto'skingdom."

"Ah,Phœbus,"saidCeres,withbittermeaning inherwords,"youhaveaharpinsteadofaheart.Farewell."

"Willnotyoustayamoment,"askedPhœbus,"andhearmeturntheprettyandtouchingstoryofProserpinaintoextemporaryverses?"

ButCeresshookherhead,andhastenedaway,alongwithHecate.Phœbus(who,asIhavetoldyou,wasanexquisitepoet)forthwithbegantomakeanodeaboutthe poor mother's grief; and, if we were to judge of his sensibility by this

beautifulproduction,hemusthavebeenendowedwithaverytenderheart.Butwhenapoetgetsintothehabitofusinghisheart-stringstomakechordsforhislyre, hemay thrum upon them asmuch as hewill, without any great pain tohimself.Accordingly,thoughPhœbussangaverysadsong,hewasasmerryallthewhileaswerethesunbeamsamidwhichhedwelt.

PoorMotherCeres had now found outwhat had become of her daughter, butwas not a whit happier than before. Her case, on the contrary, looked moredesperate thanever.AslongasProserpinawasabovegroundtheremighthavebeenhopesofregainingher.Butnowthatthepoorchildwasshutupwithintheirongatesofthekingofthemines,atthethresholdofwhichlaythethree-headedCerberus,thereseemednopossibilityofherevermakingherescape.ThedismalHecate,who loved to take the darkest viewof things, toldCeres that she hadbetter come with her to the cavern, and spend the rest of her life in beingmiserable.CeresansweredthatHecatewaswelcometogobackthitherherself,butthat,forherpart,shewouldwanderabouttheearthinquestoftheentrancetoKingPluto'sdominions.AndHecatetookheratherword,andhurriedbacktoherbelovedcave,frighteningagreatmanylittlechildrenwithaglimpseofherdog'sface,asshewent.

PoorMotherCeres!Itismelancholytothinkofher,pursuinghertoilsomewayallalone,andholdingupthatnever-dyingtorch,theflameofwhichseemedanemblemofthegriefandhopethatburnedtogetherinherheart.Somuchdidshesuffer,that,thoughheraspecthadbeenquiteyouthfulwhenhertroublesbegan,shegrewtolooklikeanelderlypersoninaverybrieftime.Shecarednothowshe was dressed, nor had she ever thought of flinging away the wreath ofwithered poppies, which she put on the very morning of Proserpina'sdisappearance. She roamed about in so wild a way, and with her hair sodishevelled, that people took her for some distracted creature, and neverdreamedthatthiswasMotherCeres,whohadtheoversightofeveryseedwhichthehusbandmanplanted.Nowadays,however,shegaveherselfnotroubleaboutseed-timenorharvest,butleftthefarmerstotakecareoftheirownaffairs,andthecrops tofadeorflourish,as thecasemightbe.Therewasnothing,now, inwhichCeresseemedtofeelaninterest,unlesswhenshesawchildrenatplay,orgatheringflowersalongthewayside.Then,indeed,shewouldstandandgazeatthemwithtearsinhereyes.Thechildren,too,appearedtohaveasympathywithher grief, andwould cluster themselves in a little group about her knees, andlook up wistfully in her face; and Ceres, after giving them a kiss all round,wouldleadthemtotheirhomes,andadvisetheirmothersnevertoletthemstray

outofsight.

"Foriftheydo,"saidshe,"itmayhappentoyou,asithastome,thattheiron-heartedKingPlutowilltakealikingtoyourdarlings,andsnatchthemupinhischariot,andcarrythemaway."

Oneday,duringherpilgrimageinquestoftheentrancetoPluto'skingdom,shecame to thepalaceofKingCeleus,who reigned atEleusis.Ascending a loftyflight of steps, she entered the portal, and found the royal household in verygreat alarm about the queen's baby. The infant, it seems, was sickly (beingtroubledwithitsteeth,Isuppose),andwouldtakenofood,andwasallthetimemoaning with pain. The queen—her name was Metanira—was desirous offindinganurse;andwhenshebeheldawomanofmatronlyaspectcomingupthepalacesteps,shethought,inherownmind,thatherewastheverypersonwhomsheneeded.SoQueenMetanira ran to thedoor,with thepoorwailingbaby inher arms, andbesoughtCeres to takechargeof it, or, at least, to tellherwhatwoulddoitgood.

"Willyoutrustthechildentirelytome?"askedCeres.

"Yes,andgladlytoo,"answeredthequeen,"ifyouwilldevoteallyourtimetohim.ForIcanseethatyouhavebeenamother."

"Youareright,"saidCeres."Ioncehadachildofmyown.Well;Iwillbethenurseofthispoor,sicklyboy.Butbeware,Iwarnyou,thatyoudonotinterferewithanykindoftreatmentwhichImayjudgeproperforhim.Ifyoudoso,thepoorinfantmustsufferforhismother'sfolly."

Then she kissed the child, and it seemed to do him good; for he smiled andnestledcloselyintoherbosom.

SoMotherCeressethertorchinacorner(whereitkeptburningallthewhile),andtookupherabodeinthepalaceofKingCeleus,asnursetothelittlePrinceDemophoön.She treatedhimas ifhewereherownchild,andallowedneitherthe king nor the queen to say whether he should be bathed in warm or coldwater, orwhathe should eat, or howoftenhe should take the air, orwhenheshouldbeputtobed.Youwouldhardlybelieveme,ifIweretotellhowquicklythebabyprincegotridofhisailments,andgrewfat,androsy,andstrong,andhow he had two rows of ivory teeth in less time than any other little fellow,before or since. Insteadof the palest, andwretchedest, andpuniest imp in theworld (as his ownmother confessed him to be when Ceres first took him in

charge),hewasnowastrappingbaby,crowing,laughing,kickinguphisheels,androlling fromoneendof the roomto theother.All thegoodwomenof theneighborhood crowded to the palace, and held up their hands, in unutterableamazement,atthebeautyandwholesomenessofthisdarlinglittleprince.Theirwonderwasthegreater,becausehewasneverseentotasteanyfood;notevensomuchasacupofmilk.

"Pray,nurse," thequeenkeptsaying,"howis it thatyoumake thechild thriveso?"

"Iwasamotheronce,"Ceresalwaysreplied;"andhavingnursedmyownchild,Iknowwhatotherchildrenneed."

ButQueenMetanira,aswasverynatural,hadagreatcuriositytoknowpreciselywhat the nurse did to her child. One night, therefore, she hid herself in thechamberwhereCeresandthelittleprincewereaccustomedtosleep.Therewasafireinthechimney,andithadnowcrumbledintogreatcoalsandembers,whichlayglowingonthehearth,withablazeflickeringupnowandthen,andflingingawarmandruddylightuponthewalls.Ceressatbeforethehearthwiththechildin her lap, and the fire-light making her shadow dance upon the ceilingoverhead. She undressed the little prince, and bathed him all over with somefragrant liquidout of a vase.Thenext thing shedidwas to rakeback the redembers,andmakeahollowplaceamongthem,justwherethebackloghadbeen.At last, while the baby was crowing, and clapping its fat little hands, andlaughing in the nurse's face (just as youmay have seen your little brother orsisterdobeforegoingintoitswarmbath),Ceressuddenlylaidhim,allnakedashewas,inthehollowamongthered-hotembers.Shethenrakedtheashesoverhim,andturnedquietlyaway.

Youmay imagine, ifyoucan,howQueenMetanira shrieked, thinkingnothingless than thatherdearchildwouldbeburned toacinder.Sheburst forth fromherhiding-place,andrunningtothehearth,rakedopenthefire,andsnatcheduppoorlittlePrinceDemophoönoutofhisbedoflivecoals,oneofwhichhewasgrippingineachofhisfists.Heimmediatelysetupagrievouscry,asbabiesareapttodowhenrudelystartledoutofasoundsleep.Tothequeen'sastonishmentandjoy,shecouldperceivenotokenofthechild'sbeinginjuredbythehotfireinwhichhehadlain.ShenowturnedtoMotherCeres,andaskedhertoexplainthemystery.

"Foolish woman," answered Ceres, "did you not promise to intrust this poor

infantentirelytome?Youlittleknowthemischiefyouhavedonehim.Hadyouleft him to my care, he would have grown up like a child of celestial birth,endowed with super-human strength and intelligence, and would have livedforever.Doyou imagine that earthly children are tobecome immortalwithoutbeing tempered to it in the fiercestheatof the fire?Butyouhave ruinedyourown son. For though he will be a strongman and a hero in his day, yet, onaccount of your folly, hewill growold, and finally die, like the sons of otherwomen.Theweaktendernessofhismotherhascostthepoorboyanimmortality.Farewell."

Sayingthesewords,shekissedthelittleprinceDemophoön,andsighedtothinkwhathehadlost,andtookherdeparturewithoutheedingQueenMetanira,whoentreatedhertoremain,andcoverupthechildamongthehotembersasoftenasshepleased.Poorbaby!Heneversleptsowarmlyagain.

While she dwelt in the king's palace, Mother Ceres had been so continuallyoccupied with taking care of the young prince, that her heart was a littlelightenedofitsgriefforProserpina.Butnow,havingnothingelsetobusyherselfabout,shebecamejustaswretchedasbefore.Atlength,inherdespair,shecameto the dreadful resolution that not a stalk of grain, nor a blade of grass, not apotato,noraturnip,noranyothervegetablethatwasgoodformanorbeast toeat, should be suffered to grow until her daughter were restored. She evenforbadetheflowerstobloom,lestsomebody'sheartshouldbecheeredbytheirbeauty.

Now,asnotsomuchasaheadofasparaguseverpresumedtopokeitselfoutoftheground,withouttheespecialpermissionofCeres,youmayconceivewhataterriblecalamityhadherefallenupontheearth.Thehusbandmenploughedandplantedasusual;buttherelaytherichblackfurrows,allasbarrenasadesertofsand.ThepastureslookedasbrowninthesweetmonthofJuneasevertheydidinchillNovember.Therichman'sbroadacresandthecottager'ssmallgarden-patchwere equally blighted. Every little girl's flower-bed showed nothing butdrystalks.Theoldpeopleshook theirwhiteheads,andsaid that theearthhadgrown aged like themselves, andwas no longer capable ofwearing thewarmsmileofsummeronitsface.Itwasreallypiteoustoseethepoor,starvingcattleand sheep, how they followed behind Ceres, lowing and bleating, as if theirinstincttaughtthemtoexpecthelpfromher;andeverybodythatwasacquaintedwithherpowerbesoughthertohavemercyonthehumanrace,and,atallevents,to let the grass grow. But Mother Ceres, though naturally of an affectionatedisposition,wasnowinexorable.

"Never,"saidshe."Iftheearthiseveragaintoseeanyverdure,itmustfirstgrowalongthepathwhichmydaughterwilltreadincomingbacktome."

Finally,as thereseemedtobenootherremedy,ouroldfriendQuicksilverwassentposthaste toKingPluto, inhopes thathemightbepersuadedtoundothemischiefhehaddone,andtoseteverythingrightagain,bygivingupProserpina.Quicksilveraccordinglymadethebestofhiswaytothegreatgate,tookaflyingleaprightoverthethree-headedmastiff,andstoodatthedoorofthepalaceinaninconceivablyshorttime.Theservantsknewhimbothbyhisfaceandgarb;forhisshortcloak,andhiswingedcapandshoes,andhissnakystaffhadoftenbeenseenthereabouts in timesgoneby.Herequested tobeshownimmediately intotheking'spresence;andPluto,whoheardhisvoicefromthetopofthestairs,andwholovedtorecreatehimselfwithQuicksilver'smerrytalk,calledouttohimtocome up.Andwhile they settle their business together,wemust inquirewhatProserpinahasbeendoingeversincewesawherlast.

The child had declared, as you may remember, that she would not taste amouthfuloffoodaslongassheshouldbecompelledtoremaininKingPluto'spalace.How she contrived tomaintainher resolution, and at the same time tokeep herself tolerably plump and rosy, is more than I can explain; but someyoungladies,Iamgiventounderstand,possessthefacultyoflivingonair,andProserpinaseems tohavepossessed it too.Atanyrate, itwasnowsixmonthssinceshelefttheoutsideoftheearth;andnotamorsel,sofarastheattendantswere able to testify, had yet passed between her teeth. This was the morecreditable toProserpina, inasmuchasKingPlutohadcausedher tobetemptedday after day,with allmanner of sweetmeats, and richly preserved fruits, anddelicaciesofeverysort, suchasyoungpeoplearegenerallymost fondof.Buthergoodmotherhadoftentoldherofthehurtfulnessofthesethings;andforthatreason alone, if therehadbeennoother, shewouldhave resolutely refused totastethem.

Allthistime,beingofacheerfulandactivedisposition,thelittledamselwasnotquite so unhappy as you may have supposed. The immense palace had athousand rooms, andwas fullofbeautiful andwonderfulobjects.Therewasanever-ceasing gloom, it is true, which half hid itself among the innumerablepillars, gliding before the child as she wandered among them, and treadingstealthilybehindher in theechoofherfootsteps.Neitherwasall thedazzleofthe precious stones, which flamed with their own light, worth one gleam ofnaturalsunshine;norcouldthemostbrilliantofthemany-coloredgems,whichProserpinahadforplaythings,viewiththesimplebeautyoftheflowerssheused

to gather. But still, wherever the girl went, among those gilded halls andchambers,itseemedasifshecarriednatureandsunshinealongwithher,andasif she scattered dewy blossoms on her right hand and on her left. AfterProserpinacame,thepalacewasnolongerthesameabodeofstatelyartificeanddismalmagnificence that it had before been. The inhabitants all felt this, andKingPlutomorethananyofthem.

"Myown little Proserpina," he used to say, "Iwish you could likeme a littlebetter. We gloomy and cloudy-natured persons have often as warm hearts atbottom,asthoseofamorecheerfulcharacter.Ifyouwouldonlystaywithmeofyourownaccord, itwouldmakemehappier than thepossessionof ahundredsuchpalacesasthis."

"Ah," said Proserpina, "you should have tried to make me like you beforecarryingmeoff.Andthebestthingyoucandonowis,toletmegoagain.ThenImightrememberyousometimes,and think thatyouwereaskindasyouknewhow to be. Perhaps, too, one dayor other, Imight comeback, andpayyou avisit."

"No,no,"answeredPluto,withhisgloomysmile,"Iwillnottrustyouforthat.Youaretoofondoflivinginthebroaddaylight,andgatheringflowers.Whatanidleandchildish taste that is!Arenot thesegems,which Ihaveordered tobedugforyou,andwhicharericherthananyinmycrown,—aretheynotprettierthanaviolet?"

"Nothalfsopretty,"saidProserpina,snatchingthegemsfromPluto'shand,andflinging themto theotherendof thehall."Oh,mysweetviolets,shall Ineverseeyouagain?"

Andthensheburstintotears.Butyoungpeople'stearshaveverylittlesaltnessoracidityinthem,anddonotinflametheeyessomuchasthoseofgrownpersons;sothatitisnottobewonderedatif,afewmomentsafterwards,Proserpinawassportingthroughthehallalmostasmerrilyassheandthefoursea-nymphshadsportedalongtheedgeofthesurfwave.KingPlutogazedafterher,andwishedthat he, too, was a child. And little Proserpina, when she turned about, andbeheldthisgreatkingstandinginhissplendidhall,andlookingsogrand,andsomelancholy,andsolonesome,wassmittenwithakindofpity.Sheranbacktohim,and,forthefirsttimeinallherlife,puthersmallsofthandinhis.

"Iloveyoualittle,"whisperedshe,lookingupinhisface.

"Doyou,indeed,mydearchild?"criedPluto,bendinghisdarkfacedowntokissher; but Proserpina shrank away from the kiss, for though his features werenoble,theywereveryduskyandgrim."Well,Ihavenotdeserveditofyou,afterkeepingyouaprisonerforsomanymonths,andstarvingyou,besides.Areyounotterriblyhungry?IstherenothingwhichIcangetyoutoeat?"

Inaskingthisquestion, thekingof themineshadaverycunningpurpose;for,youwill recollect, if Proserpina tasted amorsel of food in his dominions, shewouldneverafterwardsbeatlibertytoquitthem.

"No, indeed,"saidProserpina."Yourheadcookisalwaysbaking,andstewing,androasting,androllingoutpaste,andcontrivingonedishoranother,whichheimaginesmaybetomyliking.Buthemightjustaswellsavehimselfthetrouble,poor,fatlittlemanthatheis.Ihavenoappetiteforanythingintheworld,unlessitwere a sliceofbreadofmymother'sownbaking,or a little fruit outofhergarden."

WhenPlutoheardthis,hebegantoseethathehadmistakenthebestmethodoftemptingProserpina toeat.Thecook'smadedishesandartificialdaintieswerenot half so delicious, in the good child's opinion, as the simple fare towhichMotherCeres had accustomed her.Wondering that he had never thought of itbefore,thekingnowsentoneofhistrustyattendants,withalargebasket,togetsomeofthefinestandjuiciestpears,peaches,andplumswhichcouldanywherebe found in theupperworld.Unfortunately,however, thiswasduring the timewhenCereshadforbiddenanyfruitsorvegetablestogrow;and,afterseekingallovertheearth,KingPluto'sservantfoundonlyasinglepomegranate,andthatsodriedupastobenotwortheating.Nevertheless,sincetherewasnobettertobehad,hebroughtthisdry,old,witheredpomegranatehometothepalace,putitonamagnificentgoldensalver,andcarried itup toProserpina.Now ithappened,curiouslyenough,that,justastheservantwasbringingthepomegranateintothebackdoorofthepalace,ourfriendQuicksilverhadgoneupthefrontsteps,onhiserrandtogetProserpinaawayfromKingPluto.

As soonasProserpina saw thepomegranateon thegolden salver, she told theservanthehadbettertakeitawayagain.

"Ishallnottouchit,Iassureyou,"saidshe."IfIwereeversohungry,Ishouldneverthinkofeatingsuchamiserable,drypomegranateasthat."

"Itistheonlyoneintheworld,"saidtheservant.

Hesetdownthegoldensalver,withthewizenedpomegranateuponit,andleftthe room.When hewas gone, Proserpina could not help coming close to thetable, and looking at this poor specimen of dried fruit with a great deal ofeagerness;for,tosaythetruth,onseeingsomethingthatsuitedhertaste,shefeltallthesixmonths'appetitetakingpossessionofheratonce.Tobesure,itwasaverywretched-lookingpomegranate,andseemedtohavenomorejuiceinitthananoyster-shell.But therewasnochoiceof such things inKingPluto'spalace.Thiswasthefirstfruitshehadseenthere,andthelastshewaseverlikelytosee;andunlesssheateitupimmediately,itwouldgrowdrierthanitalreadywas,andbewhollyunfittoeat.

"Atleast,Imaysmellit,"thoughtProserpina.

So she tookup thepomegranate, and applied it tohernose; and, somehoworother,beinginsuchcloseneighborhoodtohermouth,thefruitfounditswayintothatlittleredcave.Dearme!whataneverlastingpity!BeforeProserpinaknewwhatshewasabout,herteethhadactuallybittenit,oftheirownaccord.Justasthis fataldeedwasdone, thedoorof theapartmentopened,and incameKingPluto,followedbyQuicksilver,whohadbeenurginghimtolethislittleprisonergo. At the first noise of their entrance, Proserpina withdrew the pomegranatefromhermouth.ButQuicksilver(whoseeyeswereverykeen,andhiswitsthesharpest that ever anybodyhad)perceived that the childwas a little confused;andseeingtheemptysalver,hesuspectedthatshehadbeentakingaslynibbleofsomethingorother.AsforhonestPluto,heneverguessedatthesecret.

"My little Proserpina," said the king, sitting down, and affectionately drawingher between his knees, "here is Quicksilver, who tells me that a great manymisfortuneshavebefalleninnocentpeopleonaccountofmydetainingyouinmydominions. To confess the truth, Imyself had already reflected that itwas anunjustifiableacttotakeyouawayfromyourgoodmother.But, then,youmustconsider,mydearchild, that thisvastpalaceisapt tobegloomy(althoughtheprecious stones certainly shine very bright), and that I am not of the mostcheerfuldisposition,andthatthereforeitwasanaturalthingenoughtoseekforthe society of somemerrier creature thanmyself. I hopedyouwould takemycrownforaplaything,andme—ah,youlaugh,naughtyProserpina—me,grimasIam,foraplaymate.Itwasasillyexpectation."

"Not so extremely silly," whispered Proserpina. "You have really amused meverymuch,sometimes."

"Thankyou,"saidKingPluto,ratherdryly."ButIcansee,plainlyenough,thatyouthinkmypalaceaduskyprison,andmetheiron-heartedkeeperofit.AndanironheartIshouldsurelyhave, if Icoulddetainyouhereanylonger,mypoorchild,whenitisnowsixmonthssinceyoutastedfood.Igiveyouyourliberty.GowithQuicksilver.Hastenhometoyourdearmother."

Now,althoughyoumaynothavesupposedit,Proserpinafounditimpossibletotake leave of poor King Pluto without some regrets, and a good deal ofcompunctionfornottellinghimaboutthepomegranate.Sheevenshedatearortwo,thinkinghowlonelyandcheerlessthegreatpalacewouldseemtohim,withallitsuglyglareofartificiallight,aftersheherself,—hisonelittlerayofnaturalsunshine,whom he had stolen, to be sure, but only because he valued her somuch,—aftersheshouldhavedeparted. Iknownothowmanykind thingsshemight have said to the disconsolate king of the mines, had not Quicksilverhurriedheraway.

"Comealongquickly,"whisperedheinherear,"orhisMajestymaychangehisroyalmind.And takecare,aboveall things, thatyousaynothingofwhatwasbroughtyouonthegoldensalver."

Inaveryshorttime,theyhadpassedthegreatgateway(leavingthethree-headedCerberus,barking,andyelping,andgrowling,withthreefolddin,behindthem),and emerged upon the surface of the earth. It was delightful to behold, asProserpinahastenedalong,howthepathgrewverdantbehindandoneithersideofher.Wherevershesetherblessedfoot,therewasatonceadewyflower.Theviolets gushed up along thewayside.The grass and the grain began to sproutwith tenfold vigor and luxuriance, tomake up for the drearymonths that hadbeenwastedinbarrenness.Thestarvedcattleimmediatelysettoworkgrazing,after their long fast, andateenormouslyallday,andgotupatmidnight toeatmore.But Icanassureyou itwasabusy timeofyearwith the farmers,whentheyfoundthesummercominguponthemwithsucharush.NormustIforgettosay that all the birds in the whole world hopped about upon the newlyblossomingtrees,andsangtogetherinaprodigiousecstasyofjoy.

MotherCereshadreturnedtoherdesertedhome,andwassittingdisconsolatelyonthedoorstep,withhertorchburninginherhand.Shehadbeenidlywatchingtheflameforsomemomentspast,when,allatonce,itflickeredandwentout.

"What does this mean?" thought she. "It was an enchanted torch, and shouldhavekeptburningtillmychildcameback."

Lifting her eyes, shewas surprised to see a sudden verdure flashing over thebrown and barren fields, exactly as you may have observed a golden huegleamingfarandwideacrossthelandscape,fromthejustrisensun.

"Does the earth disobey me?" exclaimedMother Ceres, indignantly. "Does itpresumetobegreen,whenIhavebiddenitbebarren,untilmydaughtershallberestoredtomyarms?"

"Thenopenyourarms,dearmother,"criedawell-knownvoice,"andtakeyourlittledaughterintothem."

AndProserpinacamerunning,andflungherselfuponhermother'sbosom.Theirmutualtransportisnottobedescribed.Thegriefoftheirseparationhadcausedbothofthemtoshedagreatmanytears;andnowtheyshedagreatmanymore,becausetheirjoycouldnotsowellexpressitselfinanyotherway.

Whentheirheartshadgrownalittlemorequiet,MotherCereslookedanxiouslyatProserpina.

"My child," said she, "did you taste any foodwhile youwere inKingPluto'spalace?"

"Dearestmother," answered Proserpina, "Iwill tell you thewhole truth.Untilthis verymorning, not amorsel of food had passedmy lips. But to-day, theybroughtmeapomegranate(averydryoneitwas,andallshrivelledup,tilltherewas little left of it but seeds and skin), andhaving seenno fruit for so longatime, and being faintwith hunger, Iwas tempted just to bite it. The instant Itastedit,KingPlutoandQuicksilvercameintotheroom.Ihadnotswallowedamorsel;but—dearmother, Ihope itwasnoharm—but sixof thepomegranateseeds,Iamafraid,remainedinmymouth."

"Ah,unfortunatechild,andmiserableme!"exclaimedCeres."ForeachofthosesixpomegranateseedsyoumustspendonemonthofeveryyearinKingPluto'spalace.Youarebuthalfrestoredtoyourmother.Onlysixmonthswithme,andsixwiththatgood-for-nothingKingofDarkness!"

"Do not speak so harshly of poor King Pluto," said Proserpina, kissing hermother."Hehassomeverygoodqualities;andIreallythinkIcanbeartospendsixmonthsinhispalace,ifhewillonlyletmespendtheothersixwithyou.Hecertainlydidverywrongtocarrymeoff;butthen,ashesays,itwasbutadismalsortoflifeforhim,toliveinthatgreatgloomyplace,allalone;andithasmadea

wonderful change in his spirits to have a little girl to run up stairs and down.Thereissomecomfortinmakinghimsohappy;andso,uponthewhole,dearestmother,letusbethankfulthatheisnottokeepmethewholeyearround."

TheGoldenFleece

WhenJason,thesonofthedethronedKingofIolchos,wasalittleboy,hewassentawayfromhisparents,andplacedunderthequeerestschoolmasterthateveryouheardof.Thislearnedpersonwasoneofthepeople,orquadrupeds,calledCentaurs.Helivedinacavern,andhadthebodyandlegsofawhitehorse,withtheheadandshouldersofaman.HisnamewasChiron;and,inspiteofhisoddappearance, he was a very excellent teacher, and had several scholars, whoafterwards did him credit bymaking a great figure in theworld. The famousHercules was one, and so was Achilles, and Philoctetes, likewise, andÆsculapius,whoacquiredimmensereputeasadoctor.ThegoodChirontaughthispupilshowtoplayupontheharp,andhowtocurediseases,andhowtousethe sword and shield, together with various other branches of education, inwhich the lads of those days used to be instructed, instead of writing andarithmetic.

I have sometimes suspected that Master Chiron was not really very differentfromotherpeople,butthat,beingakind-heartedandmerryoldfellow,hewasinthe habit of making believe that he was a horse, and scrambling about theschool-roomonallfours,andlettingthelittleboysrideuponhisback.Andso,when his scholars had grown up, and grown old, and were trotting theirgrandchildren on their knees, they told them about the sports of their school-days;andtheseyoungfolkstooktheideathattheirgrandfathershadbeentaughttheir letters by a Centaur, half man and half horse. Little children, not quiteunderstanding what is said to them, often get such absurd notions into theirheads,youknow.

Bethatasitmay,ithasalwaysbeentoldforafact(andalwayswillbetold,aslongas theworld lasts), thatChiron,with theheadof a schoolmaster,had thebody and legsof a horse. Just imagine thegraveoldgentleman clattering andstampingintotheschool-roomonhisfourhoofs,perhapstreadingonsomelittlefellow's toes, flourishing his switch tail instead of a rod, and, now and then,trottingoutofdoors toeatamouthfulofgrass! Iwonderwhat theblacksmithchargedhimforasetofironshoes.

SoJasondwelt inthecave,withthisfour-footedChiron,fromthetimethathewasaninfant,onlyafewmonthsold,untilhehadgrowntothefullheightofa

man. He became a very good harper, I suppose, and skilful in the use ofweapons, and tolerably acquainted with herbs and other doctor's stuff, and,aboveall,anadmirablehorseman;for,inteachingyoungpeopletoride,thegoodChironmusthavebeenwithout a rival among schoolmasters.At length,beingnow a tall and athletic youth, Jason resolved to seek his fortune in theworld,without askingChiron's advice, or telling him anything about thematter.Thiswasveryunwise,tobesure;andIhopenoneofyou,mylittlehearers,willeverfollow Jason's example.But, you are tounderstand, hehadheardhow that hehimselfwasaprinceroyal,andhowhisfather,KingÆson,hadbeendeprivedofthe kingdomof Iolchos by a certainPeliaswhowould also havekilled Jason,hadhenotbeenhiddenintheCentaur'scave.And,beingcometothestrengthofa man, Jason determined to set all this business to rights, and to punish thewicked Pelias for wronging his dear father, and to cast him down from thethrone,andseathimselfthereinstead.

Withthisintention,hetookaspearineachhand,andthrewaleopard'sskinoverhis shoulders, to keep off the rain, and set forth on his travels, with his longyellow ringlets waving in the wind. The part of his dress on which he mostprided himself was a pair of sandals, that had been his father's. They werehandsomelyembroidered,andweretieduponhisfeetwithstringsofgold.Buthis whole attire was such as people did not very often see; and as he passedalong,thewomenandchildrenrantothedoorsandwindows,wonderingwhitherthisbeautifulyouthwasjourneying,withhis leopard'sskinandhisgolden-tiedsandals, andwhat heroic deeds hemeant to perform,with a spear in his righthandandanotherinhisleft.

JASONANDHISTEACHER

IknownothowfarJasonhadtravelled,whenhecametoaturbulentriver,whichrushed right across his pathway, with specks of white foam among its blackeddies, hurrying tumultuously onward, and roaring angrily as itwent. Thoughnot a very broad river in the dry seasons of the year, it was now swollen byheavyrainsandbythemeltingofthesnowonthesidesofMountOlympus;anditthunderedsoloudly,andlookedsowildanddangerous,thatJason,boldashewas,thoughtitprudenttopauseuponthebrink.Thebedofthestreamseemedtobestrewnwithsharpandruggedrocks,someofwhichthrustthemselvesabovethewater.By andby, anuprooted tree,with shatteredbranches, camedriftingalongthecurrent,andgotentangledamongtherocks.Nowandthen,adrownedsheep,andoncethecarcassofacow,floatedpast.

In short, the swollen river had already done a great deal of mischief. It wasevidently too deep for Jason towade, and too boisterous for him to swim; hecouldseenobridge;andasforaboat,hadtherebeenany,therockswouldhavebrokenittopiecesinaninstant.

"Seethepoorlad,"saidacrackedvoiceclosetohisside."Hemusthavehadbutapooreducation,sincehedoesnotknowhowtocrossalittlestreamlikethis.Oris he afraid of wetting his fine golden-stringed sandals? It is a pity his four-footedschoolmasterisnotheretocarryhimsafelyacrossonhisback!"

Jason looked round greatly surprised, for he did not know that anybody wasnear.Butbesidehimstoodanoldwoman,witharaggedmantleoverherhead,leaningonastaff,thetopofwhichwascarvedintotheshapeofacuckoo.Shelooked very aged, andwrinkled, and infirm; and yet her eyes,whichwere asbrownasthoseofanox,weresoextremelylargeandbeautiful,that,whentheywerefixedonJason'seyes,hecouldseenothingelsebutthem.Theoldwomanhadapomegranateinherhand,althoughthefruitwasthenquiteoutofseason.

"Whitherareyougoing,Jason?"shenowasked.

Sheseemedtoknowhisname,youwillobserve;and,indeed,thosegreatbrowneyeslookedasiftheyhadaknowledgeofeverything,whetherpastortocome.WhileJasonwasgazingather,apeacockstruttedforwardandtookhisstandat

theoldwoman'sside.

"I am going to Iolchos," answered the young man, "to bid the wicked KingPeliascomedownfrommyfather'sthrone,andletmereigninhisstead."

"Ah,well,then,"saidtheoldwoman,stillwiththesamecrackedvoice,"ifthatisallyourbusiness,youneednotbeinaverygreathurry.Justtakemeonyourback,there'sagoodyouth,andcarrymeacrosstheriver.Iandmypeacockhavesomethingtodoontheotherside,aswellasyourself."

"Goodmother,"repliedJason,"yourbusinesscanhardlybesoimportantasthepullingdownakingfromhisthrone.Besides,asyoumayseeforyourself, theriverisveryboisterous;andifIshouldchancetostumble,itwouldsweepbothof us awaymore easily than it has carried off yonder uprooted tree. I wouldgladlyhelpyouifIcould;butIdoubtwhetherIamstrongenoughtocarryyouacross."

"Then," said she, very scornfully, "neither areyou strongenough topullKingPeliasoffhisthrone.And,Jason,unlessyouwillhelpanoldwomanatherneed,yououghtnottobeaking.Whatarekingsmadefor,savetosuccorthefeebleanddistressed?Butdoasyouplease.Eithertakemeonyourback,orwithmypooroldlimbsIshalltrymybesttostruggleacrossthestream."

Saying this, the oldwoman pokedwith her staff in the river, as if to find thesafestplaceinitsrockybedwhereshemightmakethefirststep.ButJason,bythistime,hadgrownashamedofhisreluctancetohelpher.Hefeltthathecouldnever forgivehimself, if thispoor feeblecreature shouldcome toanyharm inattempting towrestle against the headlong current. The goodChiron,whetherhalfhorseorno,hadtaughthimthatthenoblestuseofhisstrengthwastoassisttheweak; and also that hemust treat every youngwoman as if shewere hissister, and every old one like a mother. Remembering these maxims, thevigorousandbeautifulyoungmankneltdown,andrequestedthegooddametomountuponhisback.

"Thepassageseemstomenotverysafe,"heremarked."Butasyourbusinessissourgent, Iwill try to carryyouacross. If the river sweepsyouaway, it shalltakemetoo."

"That,nodoubt,willbeagreat comfort tobothofus,"quoth theoldwoman."Butneverfear.Weshallgetsafelyacross."

SoshethrewherarmsaroundJason'sneck;andliftingherfromtheground,hestepped boldly into the raging and foamy current, and began to stagger awayfrom the shore. As for the peacock, it alighted on the old dame's shoulder.Jason'stwospears,oneineachhand,kepthimfromstumbling,andenabledhimtofeelhiswayamongthehiddenrocks;although,everyinstant,heexpectedthathiscompanionandhimselfwouldgodown thestream, togetherwith thedrift-woodofshatteredtrees,andthecarcassesofthesheepandcow.Downcamethecold,snowytorrentfromthesteepsideofOlympus,ragingandthunderingasifithadarealspiteagainstJason,or,atallevents,weredeterminedtosnatchoffhislivingburdenfromhisshoulders.Whenhewashalf-wayacross,theuprootedtree (which Ihavealready toldyouabout)broke loose fromamong the rocks,andboredownuponhim,with all its splinteredbranches stickingout like thehundred arms of the giantBriareus. It rushed past, however,without touchinghim.Butthenextmoment,hisfootwascaughtinacrevicebetweentworocks,andstucktheresofast, that, intheeffort togetfree,helostoneofhisgolden-stringedsandals.

AtthisaccidentJasoncouldnothelputteringacryofvexation.

"Whatisthematter,Jason?"askedtheoldwoman.

"Matter enough," said the young man. "I have lost a sandal here among therocks.Andwhat sortofa figure shall I cutat thecourtofKingPelias,withagolden-stringedsandalononefoot,andtheotherfootbare!"

"Donottakeittoheart,"answeredhiscompanion,cheerily."Younevermetwithbetter fortune than in losing that sandal. It satisfiesme that you are the verypersonwhomtheSpeakingOakhasbeentalkingabout."

Therewasnotime,justthen,toinquirewhattheSpeakingOakhadsaid.Butthebrisknessofher toneencouraged theyoungman;andbesides,hehadnever inhislifefeltsovigorousandmightyassincetakingthisoldwomanonhisback.Insteadofbeingexhausted,hegatheredstrengthashewenton;and,strugglingup against the torrent, he at last gained the opposite shore, clambered up thebank,andsetdowntheolddameandherpeacocksafelyonthegrass.Assoonasthiswas done, however, he could not help looking rather despondently at hisbarefoot,withonlyaremnantofthegoldenstringofthesandalclingingroundhisankle.

"Youwillgetahandsomerpairofsandalsbyandby,"saidtheoldwoman,witha kindly look out of her beautiful brown eyes. "Only let King Pelias get a

glimpseofthatbarefoot,andyoushallseehimturnaspaleasashes,Ipromiseyou.Thereisyourpath.Goalong,mygoodJason,andmyblessinggowithyou.Andwhenyousitonyourthrone,remembertheoldwomanwhomyouhelpedovertheriver."

Withthesewords,shehobbledaway,givinghimasmileoverhershoulderasshedeparted.Whether the light of her beautiful brown eyes threw a glory roundabout her, or whatever the cause might be, Jason fancied that there wassomethingverynobleandmajestic inherfigure,afterall,and that, thoughhergait seemed tobe a rheumatichobble,yet shemovedwith asmuchgraceanddignityasanyqueenonearth.Herpeacock,whichhadnowfluttereddownfromher shoulder, strutted behind her in prodigious pomp, and spread out itsmagnificenttailonpurposeforJasontoadmireit.

Whentheolddameandherpeacockwereoutofsight,Jasonsetforwardonhisjourney.Aftertravellingaprettylongdistance,hecametoatownsituatedatthefootofamountain,andnotagreatwayfromtheshoreofthesea.Ontheoutsideofthetowntherewasanimmensecrowdofpeople,notonlymenandwomen,butchildren,too,allintheirbestclothes,andevidentlyenjoyingaholiday.Thecrowdwasthickesttowardsthesea-shore;andinthatdirection,overthepeople'sheads,Jasonsawawreathofsmokecurlingupwardtothebluesky.Heinquiredof one of themultitudewhat town itwas, near by, andwhy somany personswerehereassembledtogether.

"ThisisthekingdomofIolchos,"answeredtheman,"andwearethesubjectsofKing Pelias. Our monarch has summoned us together, that we may see himsacrificeablackbulltoNeptune,who,theysay,ishisMajesty'sfather.Yonderistheking,whereyouseethesmokegoingupfromthealtar."

WhilethemanspokeheeyedJasonwithgreatcuriosity;forhisgarbwasquiteunlike that of the Iolchians, and it looked very odd to see a youth with aleopard's skin over his shoulders, and each hand grasping a spear. Jasonperceived, too, that theman stared particularly at his feet, one ofwhich, youremember, was bare, while the other was decorated with his father's golden-stringedsandal.

"Look at him! only look at him!" said theman to his next neighbor. "Doyousee?Hewearsbutonesandal!"

Upon this, first one person, and then another, began to stare at Jason, andeverybodyseemedtobegreatlystruckwithsomethinginhisaspect;thoughthey

turned their eyes much oftener towards his feet than to any other part of hisfigure.Besides,hecouldhearthemwhisperingtooneanother.

"Onesandal!Onesandal!"theykeptsaying."Themanwithonesandal!Hereheisatlast!Whencehashecome?Whatdoeshemeantodo?Whatwillthekingsaytotheone-sandalledman?"

PoorJasonwasgreatlyabashed,andmadeuphismindthatthepeopleofIolchoswereexceedinglyillbred,totakesuchpublicnoticeofanaccidentaldeficiencyinhisdress.Meanwhile,whetheritwerethattheyhustledhimforward,orthatJason,ofhisownaccord,thrustapassagethroughthecrowd,itsohappenedthathe soon found himself close to the smoking altar, where King Pelias wassacrificing the black bull. The murmur and hum of the multitude, in theirsurprise at the spectacle of Jasonwith his one bare foot, grew so loud that itdisturbed the ceremonies; and theking, holding thegreat knifewithwhichhewasjustgoingtocutthebull'sthroat,turnedangrilyabout,andfixedhiseyesonJason.Thepeoplehadnowwithdrawnfromaroundhim,sothattheyouthstoodin an open space near the smoking altar, front to front with the angry KingPelias.

"Whoareyou?"criedtheking,withaterriblefrown."Andhowdareyoumakethisdisturbance,whileIamsacrificingablackbulltomyfatherNeptune?"

"Itisnofaultofmine,"answeredJason."YourMajestymustblametherudenessofyoursubjects,whohaveraisedallthistumultbecauseoneofmyfeethappenstobebare."

WhenJasonsaidthis,thekinggaveaquick,startledglancedownathisfeet.

"Ha!"mutteredhe,"hereistheone-sandalledfellow,sureenough!WhatcanIdowithhim?"

Andheclutchedmoreclosely thegreatknife inhishand,as ifhewerehalf amindtoslayJasoninsteadoftheblackbull.Thepeopleroundaboutcaughtuptheking'swordsindistinctlyastheywereuttered;andfirsttherewasamurmuramongthem,andthenaloudshout.

"Theone-sandalledmanhascome!Theprophecymustbefulfilled!"

Foryouaretoknowthat,manyyearsbefore,KingPeliashadbeentoldbytheSpeaking Oak of Dodona, that a man with one sandal should cast him downfromhisthrone.Onthisaccount,hehadgivenstrictordersthatnobodyshould

ever come into his presence, unless both sandals were securely tied upon hisfeet;andhekeptanofficerinhispalace,whosesolebusinessitwastoexaminepeople'ssandals,andtosupplythemwithanewpair,attheexpenseoftheroyaltreasury,assoonastheoldonesbegantowearout.Inthewholecourseoftheking'sreign,hehadneverbeenthrownintosuchafrightandagitationasbythespectacle of poor Jason's bare foot.But, as hewas naturally a bold and hard-heartedman,hesoontookcourage,andbegantoconsiderinwhatwayhemightridhimselfofthisterribleone-sandalledstranger.

"Mygoodyoungman,"saidKingPelias, takingthesoftest toneimaginable, inorder to throw Jason off his guard, "you are excessively welcome to mykingdom.Judgingbyyourdress,youmusthavetravelledalongdistance;foritisnotthefashiontowearleopard-skinsinthispartoftheworld.Pray,whatmayIcallyourname?andwheredidyoureceiveyoureducation?"

"My name is Jason," answered the young stranger. "Ever sincemy infancy, IhavedweltinthecaveofChirontheCentaur.Hewasmyinstructor,andtaughtmemusic, and horsemanship, and how to cure wounds, and likewise how toinflictwoundswithmyweapons!"

"IhaveheardofChiron the schoolmaster," repliedKingPelias, "andhow thatthere is an immense deal of learning and wisdom in his head, although ithappenstobesetonahorse'sbody.Itgivesmegreatdelight toseeoneofhisscholarsatmycourt.But,totesthowmuchyouhaveprofitedundersoexcellentateacher,willyouallowmetoaskyouasinglequestion?"

"Idonotpretendtobeverywise,"saidJason."Butaskmewhatyouplease,andIwillanswertothebestofmyability."

NowKingPeliasmeant cunningly to entrap theyoungman, and tomakehimsaysomething that shouldbe thecauseofmischiefanddestruction tohimself.Sowithacraftyandevilsmileuponhisface,hespokeasfollows:—

"Whatwouldyoudo,braveJason,"askedhe,"iftherewereamanintheworld,bywhom,asyouhadreasontobelieve,youweredoomedtoberuinedandslain,—whatwouldyoudo,Isay,ifthatmanstoodbeforeyou,andinyourpower?"

WhenJasonsawthemaliceandwickednesswhichKingPeliascouldnotpreventfromgleamingoutofhiseyes,heprobablyguessedthatthekinghaddiscoveredwhathecamefor,and thathe intended to turnhisownwordsagainsthimself.Stillhescornedtotellafalsehood.Likeanuprightandhonorableprince,ashe

was,hedeterminedtospeakouttherealtruth.Sincethekinghadchosentoaskhim the question, and since Jason had promised him an answer, therewas norightway,savetotellhimpreciselywhatwouldbethemostprudentthingtodo,ifhehadhisworstenemyinhispower.

Therefore,afteramoment'sconsideration,hespokeup,withafirmandmanlyvoice.

"Iwouldsendsuchaman,"saidhe,"inquestoftheGoldenFleece!"

This enterprise, youwill understand,was, of all others, themost difficult anddangerousintheworld.Inthefirstplace,itwouldbenecessarytomakealongvoyage through unknown seas. Therewas hardly a hope, or a possibility, thatany young man who should undertake this voyage would either succeed inobtaining theGoldenFleece, orwould survive to return home, and tell of theperilshehadrun.TheeyesofKingPeliassparkledwithjoy,therefore,whenheheardJason'sreply.

"Wellsaid,wisemanwiththeonesandal!"criedhe."Go,then,and,attheperilofyourlife,bringmebacktheGoldenFleece."

"Igo,"answeredJason,composedly."IfIfail,youneednotfearthatIwillevercomeback to troubleyouagain.But if I return toIolchoswith theprize, then,KingPelias, youmust hasten down fromyour lofty throne, and givemeyourcrownandsceptre."

"That I will," said the king, with a sneer. "Meantime, I will keep them verysafelyforyou."

ThefirstthingthatJasonthoughtofdoing,afterhelefttheking'spresence,wasto go to Dodona, and inquire of the Talking Oak what course it was best topursue.Thiswonderful tree stood in the centreof an ancientwood. Its statelytrunkroseupahundredfeet into theair,and threwabroadanddenseshadowovermorethananacreofground.Standingbeneathit,Jasonlookedupamongtheknottedbranchesandgreenleaves,andintothemysteriousheartoftheoldtree,andspokealoud,asifhewereaddressingsomepersonwhowashiddeninthedepthsofthefoliage.

"WhatshallIdo,"saidhe,"inordertowintheGoldenFleece?"

Atfirsttherewasadeepsilence,notonlywithintheshadowoftheTalkingOak,butallthroughthesolitarywood.Inamomentortwo,however,theleavesofthe

oakbegantostirandrustle,asifagentlebreezewerewanderingamongstthem,althoughtheothertreesofthewoodwereperfectlystill.Thesoundgrewlouder,and became like the roar of a highwind. By and by, Jason imagined that hecoulddistinguishwords,butveryconfusedly,becauseeachseparate leafof thetreeseemedtobea tongue,andthewholemyriadof tongueswerebabblingatonce. But the noise waxed broader and deeper, until it resembled a tornadosweeping through theoak,andmakingonegreatutteranceoutof the thousandand thousand of little murmurs which each leafy tongue had caused by itsrustling.Andnow,thoughitstillhadthetoneofmightywindroaringamongthebranches, it was also like a deep bass voice, speaking, as distinctly as a treecouldbeexpectedtospeak,thefollowingwords:—

"GotoArgus,theship-builder,andbidhimbuildagalleywithfiftyoars."

Then the voicemelted again into the indistinctmurmur of the rustling leaves,anddiedgraduallyaway.When itwasquitegone, Jason felt inclined todoubtwhetherhehadactuallyheard thewords,orwhetherhis fancyhadnot shapedthem out of the ordinary soundmade by a breeze, while passing through thethickfoliageofthetree.

ButoninquiryamongthepeopleofIolchos,hefoundthattherewasreallyamaninthecity,bythenameofArgus,whowasaveryskilfulbuilderofvessels.Thisshowed some intelligence in the oak; else how should it haveknown that anysuchpersonexisted?AtJason'srequest,Argusreadilyconsentedtobuildhimagalleysobigthatitshouldrequirefiftystrongmentorowit;althoughnovesselof such a size andburdenhadheretofore been seen in theworld.So the headcarpenter,andallhis journeymenandapprentices,began theirwork;and foragood while afterwards, there they were, busily employed, hewing out thetimbers, and making a great clatter with their hammers; until the new ship,whichwascalledtheArgo,seemedtobequitereadyforsea.And,astheTalkingOakhadalreadygivenhimsuchgoodadvice,Jasonthoughtthatitwouldnotbeamisstoaskforalittlemore.Hevisiteditagain,therefore,andstandingbesideitshuge,roughtrunk,inquiredwhatheshoulddonext.

This time, therewasno suchuniversalquiveringof the leaves, throughout thewholetree,astherehadbeenbefore.Butafterawhile,Jasonobservedthatthefoliageofagreatbranchwhichstretchedabovehisheadhadbeguntorustle,asif thewindwerestirring thatonebough,whileall theotherboughsof theoakwereatrest.

"Cutmeoff!"saidthebranch,assoonasitcouldspeakdistinctly,—"cutmeoff!cutmeoff!andcarvemeintoafigure-headforyourgalley."

Accordingly, Jason took the branch at its word, and lopped it off the tree. Acarverintheneighborhoodengagedtomakethefigure-head.Hewasatolerablygoodworkman,andhadalreadycarvedseveralfigure-heads,inwhatheintendedforfeminineshapes,andlookingprettymuchlikethosewhichweseenowadaysstuckupunderavessel'sbowsprit,withgreatstaringeyes,thatneverwinkatthedashofthespray.But(whatwasverystrange)thecarverfoundthathishandwasguidedbysomeunseenpower,andbyaskillbeyondhisown,andthathistoolsshaped out an image which he had never dreamed of. When the work wasfinished,itturnedouttobethefigureofabeautifulwomanwithahelmetonherhead,frombeneathwhichthelongringletsfelldownuponhershoulders.Ontheleftarmwasashield,andinitscentreappearedalifelikerepresentationof theheadofMedusawiththesnakylocks.Therightarmwasextended,asifpointingonward.Thefaceofthiswonderfulstatue,thoughnotangryorforbidding,wasso grave and majestic, that perhaps you might call it severe; and as for themouth, it seemed just ready tounclose its lips, andutterwordsof thedeepestwisdom.

Jasonwasdelightedwith theoaken image,andgave thecarverno restuntil itwascompleted,andsetupwhereafigure-headhasalwaysstood,fromthattimetothis,inthevessel'sprow.

"Andnow,"criedhe,ashestoodgazingatthecalm,majesticfaceofthestatue,"ImustgototheTalkingOak,andinquirewhatnexttodo."

"There isnoneedof that, Jason," saidavoicewhich, though itwas far lower,reminded him of the mighty tones of the great oak. "When you desire goodadvice,youcanseekitofme."

Jason had been looking straight into the face of the imagewhen thesewordswerespoken.Buthecouldhardlybelieveeitherhisearsorhiseyes.The truthwas,however, that theoakenlipshadmoved,and, toallappearance, thevoicehad proceeded from the statue's mouth. Recovering a little from his surprise,JasonbethoughthimselfthattheimagehadbeencarvedoutofthewoodoftheTalking Oak, and that, therefore, it was really no great wonder, but on thecontrary,themostnaturalthingintheworld,thatitshouldpossessthefacultyofspeech.Itwouldhavebeenveryodd,indeed,ifithadnot.Butcertainlyitwasagreatpieceofgood fortune thathe shouldbe able to carry sowise ablockof

woodalongwithhiminhisperilousvoyage.

"Tellme,wondrousimage,"exclaimedJason,—"sinceyouinheritthewisdomoftheSpeakingOakofDodona,whosedaughteryouare,—tellme,whereshall Ifind fiftyboldyouths,whowill take eachof themanoar ofmygalley?Theymusthavesturdyarmstorow,andbraveheartstoencounterperils,orweshallneverwintheGoldenFleece."

"Go,"repliedtheoakenimage,—"go,summonalltheheroesofGreece."

And,infact,consideringwhatagreatdeedwastobedone,couldanyadvicebewiserthanthiswhichJasonreceivedfromthefigure-headofhisvessel?Helostnotimeinsendingmessengerstoallthecities,andmakingknowntothewholepeopleofGreece,thatPrinceJason,thesonofKingÆson,wasgoinginquestoftheFleeceofGold,andthathedesiredthehelpofforty-nineofthebravestandstrongestyoungmenalive, torowhisvesselandsharehisdangers.AndJasonhimselfwouldbethefiftieth.

At this news, the adventurous youths, all over the country, began to bestirthemselves.Someofthemhadalreadyfoughtwithgiants,andslaindragons;andthe younger ones, who had not yet met with such good fortune, thought it ashame to have lived so long without getting astride of a flying serpent, orstickingtheirspearsintoaChimæra,or,atleast,thrustingtheirrightarmsdownamonstrous lion's throat.Therewasa fairprospect that theywouldmeetwithplenty of such adventures before finding the Golden Fleece. As soon as theycould furbish up their helmets and shields, therefore, and gird on their trustyswords,theycamethrongingtoIolchos,andclamberedonboardthenewgalley.ShakinghandswithJason,theyassuredhimthattheydidnotcareapinfortheirlives,butwouldhelp row thevessel to the remotestedgeof theworld,andasmuchfartherashemightthinkitbesttogo.

Many of these brave fellows had been educated by Chiron, the four-footedpedagogue,andwerethereforeoldschoolmatesofJason,andknewhimtobealadofspirit.ThemightyHercules,whoseshouldersafterwardsheldupthesky,wasoneofthem.AndtherewereCastorandPollux,thetwinbrothers,whowereneveraccusedofbeingchicken-hearted,althoughtheyhadbeenhatchedoutofan egg; and Theseus, who was so renowned for killing the Minotaur; andLynceus,withhiswonderfullysharpeyes,whichcouldseethroughamillstone,or lookrightdown into thedepthsof theearth,anddiscover the treasures thatwerethere;andOrpheus,theverybestofharpers,whosangandplayeduponhis

lyre so sweetly, that the brute beasts stood upon their hind legs, and caperedmerrily to the music. Yes, and at some of his more moving tunes, the rocksbestirred theirmoss-grownbulkout of theground, and agroveof forest treesuprooted themselves, and, nodding their tops to one another, performed acountrydance.

Oneoftherowerswasabeautifulyoungwoman,namedAtalanta,whohadbeennursedamongthemountainsbyabear.Solightoffootwasthisfairdamselthatshe could step fromone foamycrest of awave to the foamycrest of another,withoutwettingmore than the soleofher sandal.Shehadgrownup inaverywildway, and talkedmuch about the rights ofwomen, and lovedhunting andwarfarbetter thanherneedle.But, inmyopinion, themostremarkableof thisfamous company were two sons of the North Wind (airy youngsters, and ofratherablusteringdisposition),whohadwingsontheirshoulders,and,incaseofacalm,couldpuffout theircheeks,andblowalmostas freshabreezeas theirfather. I ought not to forget the prophets and conjurers, of whom there wereseveralinthecrew,andwhocouldforetellwhatwouldhappento-morrow,orthenextday,orahundredyearshence,butweregenerallyquiteunconsciousofwhatwaspassingatthemoment.

JasonappointedTiphystobehelmsman,becausehewasastar-gazer,andknewthepointsofthecompass.Lynceus,onaccountofhissharpsight,wasstationedasalookoutintheprow,wherehesawawholeday'ssailahead,butwasratherapttooverlookthingsthatlaydirectlyunderhisnose.Iftheseaonlyhappenedtobedeepenough,however,Lynceuscouldtellyouexactlywhatkindofrocksorsandswereatthebottomofit;andheoftencriedouttohiscompanions,thatthey were sailing over heaps of sunken treasure, which yet he was none thericherforbeholding.Toconfessthetruth,fewpeoplebelievedhimwhenhesaidit.

Well!ButwhentheArgonauts,asthesefiftybraveadventurerswerecalled,hadpreparedeverythingforthevoyage,anunforeseendifficultythreatenedtoenditbeforeitwasbegun.Thevessel,youmustunderstand,wassolong,andbroad,andponderous,thattheunitedforceofallthefiftywasinsufficienttoshoveherinto thewater.Hercules, I suppose,hadnotgrown tohis full strength, elsehemighthavesetherafloataseasilyasalittleboylauncheshisboatuponapuddle.Butherewerethesefiftyheroespushing,andstraining,andgrowingredintheface,withoutmakingtheArgostartaninch.Atlast,quiteweariedout,theysatthemselvesdownon the shore, exceedinglydisconsolate, and thinking that thevesselmustbelefttorotandfallinpieces,andthattheymusteitherswimacross

theseaorlosetheGoldenFleece.

Allatonce,Jasonbethoughthimselfofthegalley'smiraculousfigure-head.

"OdaughteroftheTalkingOak,"criedhe,"howshallwesettoworktogetourvesselintothewater?"

"Seatyourselves,"answeredtheimage(forithadknownwhatoughttobedonefrom the very first, and was only waiting for the question to be put),—"seatyourselves,andhandleyouroars,andletOrpheusplayuponhisharp."

Immediately the fifty heroes got on board, and seizing their oars, held themperpendicularlyintheair,whileOrpheus(wholikedsuchataskfarbetterthanrowing)swepthisfingersacrosstheharp.Atthefirstringingnoteofthemusic,theyfelt thevesselstir.Orpheusthrummedawaybriskly,andthegalleyslidatonce into the sea, dipping her prow so deeply that the figure-head drank thewavewithitsmarvellouslips,androseagainasbuoyantasaswan.Therowersplied their fifty oars; the white foam boiled up before the prow; the watergurgledandbubbledintheirwake;whileOrpheuscontinuedtoplaysolivelyastrain of music, that the vessel seemed to dance over the billows by way ofkeepingtimetoit.ThustriumphantlydidtheArgosailoutoftheharbor,amidstthe huzzas and goodwishes of everybody except the wicked old Pelias, whostoodonapromontory,scowlingather,andwishingthathecouldblowoutofhislungsthetempestofwraththatwasinhisheart,andsosinkthegalleywithall on board. When they had sailed above fifty miles over the sea, Lynceushappenedtocasthissharpeyesbehind,andsaidthattherewasthisbad-heartedking,stillpercheduponthepromontory,andscowlingsogloomilythatitlookedlikeablackthunder-cloudinthatquarterofthehorizon.

In order to make the time pass awaymore pleasantly during the voyage, theheroes talked about theGolden Fleece. It originally belonged, it appears, to aBœotianram,whohadtakenonhisbacktwochildren,whenindangeroftheirlives, and fled with them over land and sea, as far as Colchis. One of thechildren, whose name was Helle, fell into the sea and was drowned. But theother(alittleboy,namedPhrixus)wasbroughtsafeashorebythefaithfulram,who, however, was so exhausted that he immediately lay down and died. Inmemoryofthisgooddeed,andasatokenofhistrueheart,thefleeceofthepoordead ram was miraculously changed to gold, and became one of the mostbeautifulobjectseverseenonearth.Itwashunguponatreeinasacredgrove,where ithadnowbeenkept Iknownothowmanyyears,andwas theenvyof

mightykings,whohadnothingsomagnificentinanyoftheirpalaces.

If Iwere to tell you all the adventuresof theArgonauts, itwould takeme tillnightfall, and perhaps a great deal longer. There was no lack of wonderfulevents,asyoumayjudgefromwhatyoumayhavealreadyheard.AtacertainislandtheywerehospitablyreceivedbyKingCyzicus,itssovereign,whomadeafeast for them,and treated them likebrothers.But theArgonauts saw that thisgoodkinglookeddowncastandverymuchtroubled,andtheythereforeinquiredofhimwhatwasthematter.KingCyzicushereuponinformedthemthatheandhis subjects were greatly abused and incommoded by the inhabitants of aneighboringmountain,whomadewaruponthem,andkilledmanypeople,andravagedthecountry.Andwhiletheyweretalkingaboutit,Cyzicuspointedtothemountain,andaskedJasonandhiscompanionswhattheysawthere.

"Iseesomeverytallobjects,"answeredJason;"buttheyareatsuchadistancethat Icannotdistinctlymakeoutwhat theyare.To tellyourMajesty the truth,theylooksoverystrangelythatIaminclinedtothinkthemclouds,whichhavechancedtotakesomethinglikehumanshapes."

"Iseethemveryplainly,"remarkedLynceus,whoseeyes,youknow,wereasfar-sightedasatelescope."Theyareabandofenormousgiants,allofwhomhavesix arms apiece, and a club, a sword, or some other weapon in each of theirhands."

"Youhaveexcellenteyes,"saidKingCyzicus."Yes;theyaresix-armedgiants,asyousay,andthesearetheenemieswhomIandmysubjectshavetocontendwith."

The next day, when the Argonauts were about setting sail, down came theseterriblegiants, steppingahundredyards at a stride,brandishing their six armsapiece, and looking very formidable, so far aloft in the air. Each of thesemonsterswasabletocarryonawholewarbyhimself,forwithoneofhisarmshecouldflingimmensestones,andwieldaclubwithanother,andaswordwithathird,whilethefourthwaspokingalongspearattheenemy,andthefifthandsixthwereshootinghimwithabowandarrow.But, luckily, though thegiantsweresohuge,andhadsomanyarms,theyhadeachbutoneheart,andthatnobiggernorbraver than theheartofanordinaryman.Besides, if theyhadbeenlike the hundred-armedBriareus, the braveArgonautswould have given themtheirhandsfulloffight.Jasonandhisfriendswentboldlytomeetthem,slewagreatmany,andmadetheresttaketotheirheels,sothat,ifthegiantshadhadsix

legs apiece insteadof six arms, itwouldhave served thembetter to run awaywith.

AnotherstrangeadventurehappenedwhenthevoyagerscametoThrace,wheretheyfoundapoorblindking,namedPhineus,desertedbyhissubjects,andlivinginaverysorrowfulway,allbyhimself.OnJason'sinquiringwhethertheycoulddohimanyservice, thekinganswered thathewas terribly tormentedby threegreatwingedcreatures,calledHarpies,whichhadthefacesofwomen,andthewings,bodies,andclawsofvultures.Theseuglywretcheswerein thehabitofsnatchingawayhisdinner,andallowinghimnopeaceofhislife.Uponhearingthis,theArgonautsspreadaplentifulfeastonthesea-shore,wellknowing,fromwhattheblindkingsaidoftheirgreediness,thattheHarpieswouldsnuffupthescentofthevictuals,andquicklycometostealthemaway.Andsoitturnedout;for, hardly was the table set, before the three hideous vulture women cameflappingtheirwings,seizedthefoodintheirtalons,andflewoffasfastastheycould. But the two sons of the North Wind drew their swords, spread theirpinions,andsetoff throughtheair inpursuitof the thieves,whomtheyat lastovertook among some islands, after a chase of hundreds of miles. The twowingedyouthsblusteredterriblyattheHarpies(fortheyhadtheroughtemperoftheirfather),andsofrightenedthemwiththeirdrawnswords,thattheysolemnlypromisednevertotroubleKingPhineusagain.

Then the Argonauts sailed onward, and met with many other marvellousincidents any one of which would make a story by itself. At one time, theylandedonanisland,andwerereposingonthegrass,whentheysuddenlyfoundthemselvesassailedbywhatseemedashowerofsteel-headedarrows.Someofthem stuck in the ground, while others hit against their shields, and severalpenetratedtheirflesh.Thefiftyheroesstartedup,andlookedaboutthemforthehiddenenemy,butcouldfindnone,norseeanyspot,onthewholeisland,whereevenasinglearchercouldlieconcealed.Still,however,thesteel-headedarrowscamewhizzingamongthem;and,atlast,happeningtolookupward,theybehelda large flockofbirds,hoveringandwheelingaloft, andshooting their feathersdownupontheArgonauts.Thesefeatherswerethesteel-headedarrowsthathadsotormentedthem.Therewasnopossibilityofmakinganyresistance;andthefifty heroic Argonauts might all have been killed or wounded by a flock oftroublesomebirds,withouteversettingeyesontheGoldenFleece,ifJasonhadnotthoughtofaskingtheadviceoftheoakenimage.

THEARGONAUTSINQUESTOFTHEGOLDENFLEECE(FromtheoriginalinthecollectionofHarryPayneWhitney

Esq're,NewYork)

Soherantothegalleyasfastashislegswouldcarryhim.

"Odaughter of the SpeakingOak," cried he, all out of breath, "we need yourwisdommorethaneverbefore!Weareingreatperilfromaflockofbirds,whoareshootinguswiththeirsteel-pointedfeathers.Whatcanwedotodrivethemaway?"

"Makeaclatteronyourshields,"saidtheimage.

Onreceivingthisexcellentcounsel,Jasonhurriedbacktohiscompanions(whowerefarmoredismayedthanwhentheyfoughtwiththesix-armedgiants),andbadethemstrikewiththeirswordsupontheirbrazenshields.Forthwiththefiftyheroes set heartily to work, banging with might and main, and raised such aterribleclatterthatthebirdsmadewhathastetheycouldtogetaway;andthoughtheyhadshothalfthefeathersoutoftheirwings,theyweresoonseenskimmingamong the clouds, a longdistanceoff, and looking like a flockofwildgeese.Orpheuscelebratedthisvictorybyplayingatriumphantanthemonhisharp,andsangsomelodiouslythatJasonbeggedhimtodesist,lest,asthesteel-featheredbirdshadbeendrivenawaybyanuglysound,theymightbeenticedbackagainbyasweetone.

While the Argonauts remained on this island, they saw a small vesselapproachingtheshore,inwhichweretwoyoungmenofprincelydemeanor,andexceedingly handsome, as young princes generally were in those days. Now,who do you imagine these two voyagers turned out to be?Why, if you willbelieveme,theywerethesonsofthatveryPhrixus,who,inhischildhood,hadbeencarriedtoColchisonthebackofthegolden-fleecedram.Sincethattime,Phrixus hadmarried the king's daughter; and the two young princes had beenbornandbroughtupatColchis,andhadspenttheirplay-daysintheoutskirtsofthegrove, in the centre ofwhich theGoldenFleecewashangingupon a tree.TheywerenowontheirwaytoGreece,inhopesofgettingbackakingdomthathadbeenwrongfullytakenfromtheirfather.

WhentheprincesunderstoodwhithertheArgonautsweregoing,theyofferedtoturnbackandguidethemtoColchis.Atthesametime,however,theyspokeasifitwereverydoubtfulwhetherJasonwouldsucceedingettingtheGoldenFleece.Accordingtotheiraccount,thetreeonwhichithungwasguardedbyaterribledragon,whonever failed todevour, at onemouthful, everypersonwhomightventurewithinhisreach.

"Thereareotherdifficultiesintheway,"continuedtheyoungprinces."Butisnotthisenough?Ah,braveJason,turnbackbeforeitistoolate.Itwouldgrieveusto theheart, ifyouandyournine-and-fortybravecompanionsshouldbeeatenup,atfiftymouthfuls,bythisexecrabledragon."

"Myyoungfriends,"quietlyrepliedJason,"Idonotwonder thatyouthinkthedragonveryterrible.Youhavegrownupfrominfancyinthefearofthismonster,andthereforestillregardhimwiththeawethatchildrenfeelforthebugbearsandhobgoblinswhichtheirnurseshavetalkedtothemabout.But,inmyviewofthematter, thedragonismerelyapretty largeserpent,whoisnothalfso likely tosnapmeupatonemouthfulasIamtocutoffhisuglyhead,andstriptheskinfromhisbody.Atallevents,turnbackwhomay,IwillneverseeGreeceagainunlessIcarrywithmetheGoldenFleece."

"Wewillnoneofusturnback!"criedhisnine-and-fortybravecomrades."Letusgetonboardthegalleythisinstant;andifthedragonistomakeabreakfastofus,muchgoodmayitdohim."

AndOrpheus (whose custom itwas to set everything tomusic) began to harpandsingmostgloriously,andmadeeverymother'ssonofthemfeelasifnothingin this world were so delectable as to fight dragons, and nothing so trulyhonorableastobeeatenupatonemouthful,incaseoftheworst.

After this (being now under the guidance of the two princes, who were wellacquaintedwiththeway),theyquicklysailedtoColchis.Whenthekingofthecountry,whosenamewasÆetes,heardof theirarrival,heinstantlysummonedJasontocourt.Thekingwasasternandcruel-lookingpotentate;andthoughheputonaspoliteandhospitableanexpressionashecould,JasondidnotlikehisfaceawhitbetterthanthatofthewickedKingPelias,whodethronedhisfather.

"Youarewelcome,braveJason,"saidKingÆetes."Pray,areyouonapleasurevoyage?—ordoyoumeditatethediscoveryofunknownislands?—orwhatothercausehasprocuredmethehappinessofseeingyouatmycourt?"

"Greatsir,"repliedJason,withanobeisance,—forChironhadtaughthimhowtobehavewithpropriety,whethertokingsorbeggars,—"Ihavecomehitherwithapurpose which I now beg yourMajesty's permission to execute. King Pelias,whositsonmyfather'sthrone(towhichhehasnomorerightthantotheoneonwhichyourexcellentMajestyisnowseated),hasengagedtocomedownfromit,andtogivemehiscrownandsceptre,providedIbringhimtheGoldenFleece.This,asyourMajestyisaware,isnowhangingonatreehereatColchis;andIhumblysolicityourgraciousleavetotakeitaway."

Inspiteofhimself,theking'sfacetwisteditselfintoanangryfrown;for,aboveallthingselseintheworld,heprizedtheGoldenFleece,andwasevensuspectedofhavingdoneaverywickedact, inorder toget it intohisownpossession.Itputhimintotheworstpossiblehumor,therefore,tohearthatthegallantPrinceJason, and forty-nine of the bravest young warriors of Greece, had come toColchiswiththesolepurposeoftakingawayhischieftreasure.

"Do you know," asked King Æetes, eying Jason very sternly, "what are theconditions which you must fulfil before getting possession of the GoldenFleece?"

"Ihaveheard,"rejoinedtheyouth,"thatadragonliesbeneaththetreeonwhichthe prize hangs, and that whoever approaches him runs the risk of beingdevouredatamouthful."

"True," said theking,witha smile thatdidnot lookparticularlygood-natured."Very true, youngman. But there are other things as hard, or perhaps a littleharder,tobedone,beforeyoucanevenhavetheprivilegeofbeingdevouredbythedragon.Forexample,youmustfirsttamemytwobrazen-footedandbrazen-lungedbulls,whichVulcan,thewonderfulblacksmith,madeforme.Thereisafurnace in each of their stomachs; and they breathe such hot fire out of theirmouths and nostrils, that nobody has hitherto gone nigh them without beinginstantlyburned toa small,blackcinder.Whatdoyou thinkof this,mybraveJason?"

"Imustencountertheperil,"answeredJason,composedly,"sinceitstandsinthewayofmypurpose."

"After taming the fiery bulls," continuedKingÆetes,whowas determined toscareJasonifpossible,"youmustyokethemtoaplough,andmustploughthesacredearthinthegroveofMars,andsowsomeofthesamedragon'steethfromwhichCadmusraisedacropofarmedmen.Theyareanunrulysetofreprobates,

thosesonsofthedragon'steeth;andunlessyoutreatthemsuitably,theywillfallupon you sword in hand. You and your nine-and-forty Argonauts, my boldJason, are hardlynumerousor strong enough to fightwith such a host aswillspringup."

"MymasterChiron,"repliedJason,"taughtme,longago,thestoryofCadmus.Perhaps I can manage the quarrelsome sons of the dragon's teeth as well asCadmusdid."

"Iwish the dragon had him,"mutteredKingÆetes to himself, "and the four-footedpedant,his schoolmaster, into thebargain.Why,what a foolhardy, self-conceitedcoxcombheis!We'llseewhatmyfire-breathingbullswilldoforhim.Well, Prince Jason," he continued, aloud, and as complaisantly as he could,"makeyourselfcomfortableforto-day,andto-morrowmorning,sinceyouinsistuponit,youshalltryyourskillattheplough."

WhilethekingtalkedwithJason,abeautifulyoungwomanwasstandingbehindthethrone.Shefixedhereyesearnestlyupontheyouthfulstranger,andlistenedattentively toeveryword thatwasspoken;andwhenJasonwithdrewfromtheking'spresence,thisyoungwomanfollowedhimoutoftheroom.

"Iamtheking'sdaughter,"shesaidtohim,"andmynameisMedea.Iknowagreatdealofwhichotheryoungprincessesareignorant,andcandomanythingswhichtheywouldbeafraidsomuchastodreamof.Ifyouwilltrusttome,Icaninstructyouhowtotamethefierybulls,andsowthedragon'steeth,andgettheGoldenFleece."

"Indeed,beautifulprincess,"answeredJason,"ifyouwilldome thisservice, Ipromisetobegratefultoyoumywholelifelong."

GazingatMedea,hebeheldawonderfulintelligenceinherface.Shewasoneofthosepersonswhoseeyesarefullofmystery;sothat,whilelookingintothem,youseemtoseeaverygreatway,asintoadeepwell,yetcanneverbecertainwhetheryouseeintothefarthestdepths,orwhethertherebenotsomethingelsehiddenat thebottom. If Jasonhadbeencapableof fearinganything,hewouldhavebeenafraidofmakingthisyoungprincesshisenemy;for,beautifulasshenowlooked,shemight, theverynext instant,becomeas terribleas thedragonthatkeptwatchovertheGoldenFleece.

"Princess,"heexclaimed, "youseem indeedverywiseandverypowerful.Buthow can you help me to do the things of which you speak? Are you an

enchantress?"

"Yes,PrinceJason,"answeredMedea,withasmile,"youhavehituponthetruth.Iamanenchantress.Circe,myfather'ssister, taughtmetobeone,andIcouldtell you, if I pleased, who was the old woman with the peacock, thepomegranate, and the cuckoo staff, whom you carried over the river; and,likewise,whoitisthatspeaksthroughthelipsoftheoakenimage,thatstandsinthe prow of your galley. I am acquainted with some of your secrets, youperceive. It is well for you that I am favorably inclined; for, otherwise, youwouldhardlyescapebeingsnappedupbythedragon."

"Ishouldnotsomuchcareforthedragon,"repliedJason,"ifIonlyknewhowtomanagethebrazen-footedandfiery-lungedbulls."

"Ifyouareasbraveas I thinkyou,andasyouhaveneed tobe," saidMedea,"yourownboldheartwillteachyouthatthereisbutonewayofdealingwithamadbull.What it is I leaveyou tofindout in themomentofperil.Asfor thefiery breath of these animals, I have a charmed ointment here, which willprevent you from being burned up, and cure you if you chance to be a littlescorched."

So she put a golden box into his hand, and directed him how to apply theperfumedunguentwhichitcontained,andwheretomeetheratmidnight.

"Only be brave," added she, "and before daybreak the brazen bulls shall betamed."

Theyoungmanassuredherthathisheartwouldnotfailhim.Hethenrejoinedhiscomrades,andtoldthemwhathadpassedbetweentheprincessandhimself,andwarnedthemtobeinreadinessincasetheremightbeneedoftheirhelp.

At the appointed hour hemet the beautifulMedea on themarble steps of theking'spalace.Shegavehimabasket, inwhichwere thedragon's teeth, justastheyhadbeenpulledoutofthemonster'sjawsbyCadmus,longago.Medeathenled Jasondown thepalace steps, and through the silent streetsof thecity, andinto the royal pasture-ground,where the twobrazen-footedbullswere kept. Itwasastarrynight,withabrightgleamalongtheeasternedgeofthesky,wherethe moon was soon going to show herself. After entering the pasture, theprincesspausedandlookedaround.

"Theretheyare,"saidshe,"reposingthemselvesandchewingtheirfierycudsin

thatfarthestcornerofthefield.Itwillbeexcellentsport,Iassureyou,whentheycatchaglimpseofyourfigure.Myfatherandallhiscourtdelightinnothingsomuchas toseeastranger trying toyoke them, inorder tocomeat theGoldenFleece. Itmakesaholiday inColchiswhenever sucha thinghappens.Formypart,Ienjoyit immensely.Youcannotimagineinwhatameretwinklingofaneyetheirhotbreathshrivelsayoungmanintoablackcinder."

"Areyou sure, beautifulMedea," asked Jason, "quite sure, that theunguent inthegoldboxwillprovearemedyagainstthoseterribleburns?"

"Ifyoudoubtit,ifyouareintheleastafraid,"saidtheprincess,lookinghiminthefacebythedimstarlight,"youhadbetterneverhavebeenbornthangoastepnighertothebulls."

But Jason had set his heart steadfastly on getting the Golden Fleece; and Ipositivelydoubtwhetherhewouldhavegonebackwithoutit,evenhadhebeencertain of finding himself turned into a red-hot cinder, or a handful of whiteashes,theinstanthemadeastepfarther.HethereforeletgoMedea'shand,andwalked boldly forward in the direction whither she had pointed. At somedistance before him he perceived four streams of fiery vapor, regularlyappearing, and again vanishing, after dimly lighting up the surroundingobscurity.These,youwillunderstand,werecausedby thebreathof thebrazenbulls,whichwasquietlystealingoutof theirfournostrils,as theylaychewingtheircuds.

AtthefirsttwoorthreestepswhichJasonmade,thefourfierystreamsappearedtogushout somewhatmoreplentifully; for the twobrazenbullshadheardhisfoot-tramp,andwere liftinguptheirhotnoses tosnuff theair.Hewenta littlefarther,andbythewayinwhichtheredvapornowspoutedforth,hejudgedthatthe creatures had got upon their feet. Now he could see glowing sparks, andvividjetsofflame.Atthenextstep,eachofthebullsmadethepastureechowithaterribleroar,whiletheburningbreath,whichtheythusbelchedforth,litupthewholefieldwithamomentaryflash.OneotherstridedidboldJasonmake;and,suddenly, as a streak of lightning, on came these fiery animals, roaring likethunder,andsendingoutsheetsofwhite flame,whichsokindledup thescenethattheyoungmancoulddiscerneveryobjectmoredistinctlythanbydaylight.Most distinctly of all he saw the two horrible creatures galloping right downuponhim,theirbrazenhoofsrattlingandringingovertheground,andtheirtailsstickingupstifflyintotheair,ashasalwaysbeenthefashionwithangrybulls.Theirbreathscorchedtheherbagebeforethem.Sointenselyhotitwas,indeed,

thatitcaughtadrytree,underwhichJasonwasnowstanding,andsetitallinalightblaze.ButasforJasonhimself(thankstoMedea'senchantedointment),thewhiteflamecurledaroundhisbody,without injuringhimajotmorethanifhehadbeenmadeofasbestos.

Greatly encouraged at finding himself not yet turned into a cinder, the youngmanawaitedtheattackofthebulls.Justasthebrazenbrutesfanciedthemselvessureoftossinghimintotheair,hecaughtoneofthembythehorn,andtheotherbyhisscrewed-uptail,andheldtheminagripelikethatofanironvise,onewithhis right hand, the other with his left. Well, he must have been wonderfullystronginhisarms,tobesure.Butthesecretofthematterwas, that thebrazenbullswereenchantedcreatures,andthatJasonhadbrokenthespelloftheirfieryfiercenessbyhisboldwayofhandling them.And, ever since that time, it hasbeen the favoritemethodofbravemen,whendanger assails them, todowhatthey call "taking the bull by the horns"; and to gripe him by the tail is prettymuch the same thing,—that is, to throwaside fear, andovercome the peril bydespisingit.

Itwasnoweasytoyokethebulls,andtoharnessthemtotheplough,whichhadlainrustingonthegroundforagreatmanyyearsgoneby;solongwasitbeforeanybody could be found capable of ploughing that piece of land. Jason, Isuppose,hadbeen taughthow todrawa furrowby thegoodoldChiron,who,perhaps,used toallowhimself tobeharnessed to theplough.Atany rate,ourherosucceededperfectlywell inbreakingup thegreensward;and,by the timethat themoonwas a quarter of her journey up the sky, the ploughed field laybeforehim,alargetractofblackearth,readytobesownwiththedragon'steeth.SoJasonscatteredthembroadcast,andharrowedthemintothesoilwithabrush-harrow,andtookhisstandontheedgeof thefield,anxioustoseewhatwouldhappennext.

"Must we wait long for harvest-time?" he inquired of Medea, who was nowstandingbyhisside.

"Whether sooner or later, itwill be sure to come," answered the princess. "Acropofarmedmenneverfails tospringup,whenthedragon's teethhavebeensown."

Themoonwasnowhighaloft in theheavens,and threwitsbrightbeamsovertheploughed field,whereasyet therewasnothing tobeseen.Any farmer,onviewingit,wouldhavesaidthatJasonmustwaitweeksbeforethegreenblades

wouldpeep fromamong the clods, andwholemonthsbefore theyellowgrainwould be ripened for the sickle. But by and by, all over the field, there wassomethingthatglistenedinthemoonbeams,likesparklingdropsofdew.Thesebrightobjectssproutedhigher,andprovedtobethesteelheadsofspears.Thenthere was a dazzling gleam from a vast number of polished brass helmets,beneath which, as they grew farther out of the soil, appeared the dark andbeardedvisagesofwarriors,strugglingtofreethemselvesfromtheimprisoningearth.Thefirstlookthattheygaveattheupperworldwasaglareofwrathanddefiance.Nextwereseentheirbrightbreastplates;ineveryrighthandtherewasaswordoraspear,andoneachleftarmashield;andwhenthisstrangecropofwarriors had but half grown out of the earth, they struggled,—suchwas theirimpatience of restraint,—and, as it were, tore themselves up by the roots.Whereveradragon'stoothhadfallen,therestoodamanarmedforbattle.Theymade a clangor with their swords against their shields, and eyed one anotherfiercely; for they had come into this beautiful world, and into the peacefulmoonlight,fullofrageandstormypassions,andreadytotakethelifeofeveryhumanbrother,inrecompenseoftheboonoftheirownexistence.

Therehavebeenmanyotherarmiesintheworldthatseemedtopossessthesamefiercenaturewiththeonewhichhadnowsproutedfromthedragon'steeth;butthese, in the moonlit field, were themore excusable, because they never hadwomen for theirmothers. And how it would have rejoiced any great captain,whowasbentonconqueringtheworld, likeAlexanderorNapoleon, toraiseacropofarmedsoldiersaseasilyasJasondid.

Forawhile,thewarriorsstoodflourishingtheirweapons,clashingtheirswordsagainsttheirshields,andboilingoverwiththered-hotthirstforbattle.Thentheybegantoshout,"Showus theenemy!Leadus to thecharge!Deathorvictory!Comeon,bravecomrades!Conquerordie!"andahundredotheroutcries,suchasmen always bellow forth on a battle-field, and which these dragon peopleseemed to have at their tongues' ends. At last, the front rank caught sight ofJason, who, beholding the flash of so many weapons in the moonlight, hadthoughtitbesttodrawhissword.Inamomentallthesonsofthedragon'steethappeared to take Jason for an enemy; and crying with one voice, "Guard theGolden Fleece!" they ran at him with uplifted swords and protruded spears.Jasonknewthat itwouldbe impossible towithstandthisbloodthirstybattalionwithhissinglearm,butdetermined,sincetherewasnothingbettertobedone,todieasvaliantlyasifhehimselfhadsprungfromadragon'stooth.

Medea,however,badehimsnatchupastonefromtheground.

"Throwitamongthemquickly!"criedshe."Itistheonlywaytosaveyourself."

ThearmedmenwerenowsonighthatJasoncoulddiscernthefireflashingoutoftheirenragedeyes,whenheletflythestone,andsawitstrikethehelmetofatallwarrior,whowasrushinguponhimwithhisbladealoft.Thestoneglancedfrom thisman's helmet to the shield of his nearest comrade, and thence flewrightintotheangryfaceofanother,hittinghimsmartlybetweentheeyes.Eachof the threewhohadbeenstruckby thestone took it forgranted thathisnextneighbor had given him a blow; and instead of running any farther towardsJason,theybeganafightamongthemselves.Theconfusionspreadthroughthehost,sothatitseemedscarcelyamomentbeforetheywereallhacking,hewing,andstabbingatoneanother, loppingoffarms,heads,and legs,anddoingsuchmemorable deeds that Jasonwas filledwith immense admiration; although, atthesametime,hecouldnothelplaughingtobeholdthesemightymenpunishingeachotherforanoffencewhichhehimselfhadcommitted.Inanincrediblyshortspaceoftime(almostasshort,indeed,asithadtakenthemtogrowup),allbutoneof theheroesof thedragon's teethwerestretchedlifelessonthefield.Thelast survivor, the bravest and strongest of thewhole, had just force enough towavehis crimson swordoverhishead, andgive a shoutof exultation, crying,"Victory!Victory!Immortalfame!"whenhehimselffelldown,andlayquietlyamonghisslainbrethren.

And therewas the end of the army that had sprouted from the dragons teeth.Thatfierceandfeverishfightwastheonlyenjoymentwhichtheyhadtastedonthisbeautifulearth.

"Letthemsleepinthebedofhonor,"saidthePrincessMedea,withaslysmileatJason."Theworldwillalwayshavesimpletonsenough,justlikethem,fightingand dying for they know not what, and fancying that posterity will take thetroubletoputlaurelwreathsontheirrustyandbatteredhelmets.Couldyouhelpsmiling, Prince Jason, to see the self-conceit of that last fellow, just as hetumbleddown?"

"It made me very sad," answered Jason, gravely. "And, to tell you the truth,princess, the Golden Fleece does not appear sowell worth thewinning, afterwhatIhaveherebeheld."

"You will think differently in the morning," said Medea. "True, the GoldenFleecemaynotbesovaluableasyouhavethoughtit;butthenthereisnothingbetterintheworld;andonemustneedshaveanobject,youknow.Come!Your

night's work has been well performed; and to-morrow you can inform KingÆetesthatthefirstpartofyourallottedtaskisfulfilled."

AgreeablytoMedea'sadvice,JasonwentbetimesinthemorningtothepalaceofKingÆetes.Enteringthepresence-chamber,hestoodat thefootof thethrone,andmadealowobeisance.

"Your eyes lookheavy,Prince Jason,"observed theking; "youappear tohavespentasleeplessnight.Ihopeyouhavebeenconsideringthematteralittlemorewisely, and have concluded not to get yourself scorched to a cinder, inattemptingtotamemybrazen-lungedbulls."

"Thatisalreadyaccomplished,mayitpleaseyourMajesty,"repliedJason."Thebullshavebeentamedandyoked;thefieldhasbeenploughed;thedragon'steethhave been sown broadcast, and harrowed into the soil; the crop of armedwarriorshas sprungup, and theyhave slainoneanother, to the lastman.AndnowIsolicityourMajesty'spermissiontoencounterthedragon,thatImaytakedown the Golden Fleece from the tree, and depart, with my nine-and-fortycomrades."

KingÆetes scowled, and lookedvery angry and excessively disturbed; for heknewthat,inaccordancewithhiskinglypromise,heoughtnowtopermitJasontowinthefleece,ifhiscourageandskillshouldenablehimtodoso.But,sincetheyoungmanhadmetwithsuchgoodluckinthematterofthebrazenbullsandthedragon'steeth,thekingfearedthathewouldbeequallysuccessfulinslayingthedragon.Andtherefore,thoughhewouldgladlyhaveseenJasonsnappedupat amouthful, hewas resolved (and itwas a verywrong thingof thiswickedpotentate)nottorunanyfurtherriskoflosinghisbelovedfleece.

"Youneverwouldhavesucceededinthisbusiness,youngman,"saidhe,"ifmyundutifuldaughterMedeahadnothelpedyouwithherenchantments.Hadyouactedfairly,youwouldhavebeen,atthisinstant,ablackcinder,orahandfulofwhiteashes.Iforbidyou,onpainofdeath,tomakeanymoreattemptstogettheGoldenFleece.Tospeakmymindplainly,youshallneverseteyesonsomuchasoneofitsglisteninglocks."

Jason left the king's presence in great sorrow and anger. He could think ofnothing better to be done than to summon together his forty-nine braveArgonauts,marchatoncetothegroveofMars,slaythedragon,takepossessionoftheGoldenFleece,getonboardtheArgo,andspreadallsailforIolchos.Thesuccessoftheschemedepended,itistrue,onthedoubtfulpointwhetherallthe

fiftyheroesmightnotbesnappedup,atsomanymouthfuls,bythedragon.But,as Jasonwashasteningdown thepalacesteps, thePrincessMedeacalledafterhim,andbeckonedhim to return.Herblackeyes shoneuponhimwith suchakeenintelligence,thathefeltasiftherewereaserpentpeepingoutofthem;andalthoughshehaddonehimsomuchserviceonlythenightbefore,hewasbynomeansverycertainthatshewouldnotdohimanequallygreatmischiefbeforesunset.Theseenchantresses,youmustknow,arenevertobedependedupon.

"WhatsaysKingÆetes,myroyalanduprightfather?"inquiredMedea,slightlysmiling. "Will he give you the Golden Fleece, without any further risk ortrouble?"

"On the contrary," answered Jason, "he is very angrywithme for taming thebrazenbullsandsowingthedragon'steeth.Andheforbidsmetomakeanymoreattempts,andpositivelyrefusestogiveuptheGoldenFleece,whetherIslaythedragonorno."

"Yes,Jason,"saidtheprincess,"andIcantellyoumore.UnlessyousetsailfromColchis before to-morrow's sunrise, the king means to burn your fifty-oaredgalley,andputyourselfandyourforty-ninebravecomradestothesword.Butbeofgoodcourage.TheGoldenFleeceyoushallhave,ifitlieswithinthepowerofmyenchantmentstogetitforyou.Waitformehereanhourbeforemidnight."

Attheappointedhour,youmightagainhaveseenPrinceJasonandthePrincessMedea,sidebyside,stealingthroughthestreetsofColchis,ontheirwaytothesacredgrove,inthecentreofwhichtheGoldenFleecewassuspendedtoatree.While they were crossing the pasture-ground, the brazen bulls came towardsJason, lowing, nodding their heads, and thrusting forth their snouts,which, asothercattledo,theylovedtohaverubbedandcaressedbyafriendlyhand.Theirfiercenaturewasthoroughlytamed;and,withtheirfierceness,thetwofurnacesin theirstomachshadlikewisebeenextinguished, insomuchthat theyprobablyenjoyed farmore comfort ingrazing andchewing their cuds than everbefore.Indeed,ithadheretoforebeenagreatinconveniencetothesepooranimals,that,whenevertheywishedtoeatamouthfulofgrass,thefireoutoftheirnostrilshadshrivelleditup,beforetheycouldmanagetocropit.HowtheycontrivedtokeepthemselvesaliveismorethanIcanimagine.Butnow,insteadofemittingjetsofflameandstreamsofsulphurousvapor,theybreathedtheverysweetestofcowbreath.

Afterkindlypattingthebulls,JasonfollowedMedea'sguidanceintothegroveof

Mars,where thegreatoak-trees, thathadbeengrowingforcenturies, threwsothickashadethatthemoonbeamsstruggledvainlytofindtheirwaythroughit.Onlyhereandthereaglimmerfellupontheleaf-strewnearth,ornowandthenabreezestirredtheboughsaside,andgaveJasonaglimpseofthesky,lest,inthatdeepobscurity, hemight forget that therewasone, overhead.At length,whentheyhadgonefartherandfartherintotheheartoftheduskiness,MedeasqueezedJason'shand.

"Lookyonder,"shewhispered."Doyouseeit?"

Gleaming among the venerable oaks, there was a radiance, not like themoonbeams, but rather resembling the golden glory of the setting sun. Itproceeded from an object, which appeared to be suspended at about a man'sheightfromtheground,alittlefartherwithinthewood.

"Whatisit?"askedJason.

"Haveyoucomesofartoseekit,"exclaimedMedea,"anddoyounotrecognizethemeedofallyourtoilsandperils,whenitglittersbeforeyoureyes?ItistheGoldenFleece."

Jason went onward a few steps farther, and then stopped to gaze. Oh, howbeautiful it looked,shiningwithamarvellouslightof itsown, that inestimableprize,whichsomanyheroeshadlongedtobehold,buthadperishedinthequestof it, eitherby theperilsof theirvoyage,orby the fierybreathof thebrazen-lungedbulls.

"Howgloriouslyitshines!"criedJason,inarapture."Ithassurelybeendippedintherichestgoldofsunset.Letmehastenonward,andtakeittomybosom."

"Stay,"saidMedea,holdinghimback."Haveyouforgottenwhatguardsit?"

To say the truth, in the joy of beholding the object of his desires, the terribledragon had quite slipped out of Jason's memory. Soon, however, somethingcame to pass that reminded himwhat perils were still to be encountered. Anantelope,thatprobablymistooktheyellowradianceforsunrise,cameboundingfleetly through the grove.Hewas rushing straight towards theGoldenFleece,whensuddenlytherewasafrightfulhiss,andtheimmenseheadandhalfofthescalybodyofthedragonwasthrustforth(forhewastwistedroundthetrunkofthetreeonwhichthefleecehung),andseizingthepoorantelope,swallowedhimwithonesnapofhisjaws.

After this feat, thedragonseemedsensible thatsomeother livingcreaturewaswithinreachonwhichhefeltinclinedtofinishhismeal.Invariousdirectionshekept poking his ugly snout among the trees, stretching out his neck a terriblelongway,nowhere,nowthere,andnowclosetothespotwhereJasonandtheprincesswerehidingbehindanoak.Uponmyword,as theheadcamewavingand undulating through the air, and reaching almost within arm's-length ofPrince Jason, itwas a very hideous and uncomfortable sight. The gape of hisenormousjawswasnearlyaswideasthegatewayoftheking'spalace.

"Well, Jason," whisperedMedea (for shewas ill-natured, as all enchantressesare, andwanted tomake the bold youth tremble), "what do you think nowofyourprospectofwinningtheGoldenFleece?"

Jasonansweredonlybydrawinghisswordandmakingastepforward.

"Stay, foolish youth," saidMedea, grasping his arm. "Do not you see you arelost,withoutme as your good angel? In this gold box I have amagic potion,whichwilldothedragon'sbusinessfarmoreeffectuallythanyoursword."

Thedragonhadprobablyheardthevoices;for,swiftaslightning,hisblackheadandforkedtonguecamehissingamongthetreesagain,dartingfullfortyfeetatastretch.Asitapproached,Medeatossedthecontentsofthegoldboxrightdownthe monster's wide open throat. Immediately, with an outrageous hiss and atremendouswriggle,—flinging his tail up to the tip-top of the tallest tree, andshatteringallitsbranchesasitcrashedheavilydownagain,—thedragonfellatfulllengthupontheground,andlayquitemotionless.

"Itisonlyasleepingpotion,"saidtheenchantresstoPrinceJason."Onealwaysfindsauseforthesemischievouscreatures,soonerorlater;soIdidnotwishtokillhimoutright.Quick!Snatchtheprize,andletusbegone.YouhavewontheGoldenFleece."

Jasoncaught the fleece from the tree, andhurried through thegrove, thedeepshadows of which were illuminated as he passed by the golden glory of theprecious object that he bore along.A littleway before him, he beheld the oldwomanwhomhehadhelpedoverthestream,withherpeacockbesideher.Sheclappedherhandsforjoy,andbeckoninghimtomakehaste,disappearedamongtheduskinessofthetrees.EspyingthetwowingedsonsoftheNorthWind(whowere disporting themselves in themoonlight, a few hundred feet aloft), Jasonbadethemtell therestoftheArgonautstoembarkasspeedilyaspossible.ButLynceus,withhissharpeyes,hadalreadycaughtaglimpseofhim,bringingthe

GoldenFleece,althoughseveralstone-walls,ahill,andtheblackshadowsofthegrove of Mars intervened between. By his advice, the heroes had seatedthemselves on the benches of the galley, with their oars held perpendicularly,readytoletfallintothewater.

AsJasondrewnear,heheardtheTalkingImagecallingtohimwithmorethanordinaryeagerness,initsgrave,sweetvoice:—

"Makehaste,PrinceJason!Foryourlife,makehaste!"

With one hound he leaped aboard. At sight of the glorious radiance of theGolden Fleece, the nine-and-forty heroes gave a mighty shout, and Orpheus,strikinghisharp,sangasongoftriumph,tothecadenceofwhichthegalleyflewoverthewater,homewardbound,asifcareeringalongwithwings!