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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Three Golden Apples + +Author: Nathaniel Hawthorne + + +Release Date: November, 2005 [EBook #9257] +First Posted: September 25, 2003 +Last Updated: December 15, 2016 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE THREE GOLDEN APPLES *** + + + + +Produced by David Widger and Al Haines + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h4> + A WONDER-BOOK FOR GIRLS AND BOYS<br /> + </h4> + <h3> + By Nathaniel Hawthorne<br /> + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + THE THREE GOLDEN APPLES<br /> + </h2> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> + </p> + <p class="noindent"> + CONTENTS: <br /><br /> <a href="#fireside">TANGLEWOOD FIRESIDE—Introductory + to “The Three Golden Apples"</a><br /> <a href="#apples">THE THREE GOLDEN + APPLES</a><br /> <a href="#after">TANGLEWOOD FIRESIDE—After the Story</a><br /> + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="fireside"></a> + </p> + <h3> + INTRODUCTORY TO “THE THREE GOLDEN APPLES” + </h3> + <p> + The snow-storm lasted another day; but what became of it afterwards, I + cannot possibly imagine. At any rate, it entirely cleared away, during the + night; and when the sun arose, the next morning, it shone brightly down on + as bleak a tract of hill-country, here in Berkshire, as could be seen + anywhere in the world. The frost-work had so covered the windowpanes that + it was hardly possible to get a glimpse at the scenery outside. But, while + waiting for breakfast, the small populace of Tanglewood had scratched + peepholes with their finger-nails, and saw with vast delight that—unless + it were one or two bare patches on a precipitous hillside, or the gray + effect of the snow, intermingled with the black pine forest—all + nature was as white as a sheet. How exceedingly pleasant! And, to make it + all the better, it was cold enough to nip one’s nose short off! If people + have but life enough in them to bear it, there is nothing that so raises + the spirits, and makes the blood ripple and dance so nimbly, like a brook + down the slope of a hill, as a bright, hard frost. + </p> + <p> + No sooner was breakfast over, than the whole party, well muffled in furs + and woollens, floundered forth into the midst of the snow. Well, what a + day of frosty sport was this! They slid down hill into the valley, a + hundred times, nobody knows how far; and, to make it all the merrier, + upsetting their sledges, and tumbling head over heels, quite as often as + they came safely to the bottom. And, once, Eustace Bright took Periwinkle, + Sweet Fern, and Squash-blossom, on the sledge with him, by way of insuring + a safe passage; and down they went, full speed. But, behold, half-way + down, the sledge hit against a hidden stump, and flung all four of its + passengers into a heap; and, on gathering themselves up, there was no + little Squash-blossom to be found! Why, what could have become of the + child? And while they were wondering and staring about, up started + Squash-blossom out of a snow-bank, with the reddest face you ever saw, and + looking as if a large scarlet flower had suddenly sprouted up in + midwinter. Then there was a great laugh. + </p> + <p> + When they had grown tired of sliding down hill, Eustace set the children + to digging a cave in the biggest snow-drift that they could find. + Unluckily, just as it was completed, and the party had squeezed themselves + into the hollow, down came the roof upon their heads, and buried every + soul of them alive! The next moment, up popped all their little heads out + of the ruins, and the tall student’s head in the midst of them, looking + hoary and venerable with the snow-dust that had got amongst his brown + curls. And then, to punish Cousin Eustace for advising them to dig such a + tumble-down cavern, the children attacked him in a body, and so bepelted + him with snowballs that he was fain to take to his heels. + </p> + <p> + So he ran away, and went into the woods, and thence to the margin of + Shadow Brook, where he could hear the streamlet grumbling along, under + great overhanging banks of snow and ice, which would scarcely let it see + the light of day. There were adamantine icicles glittering around all its + little cascades. Thence be strolled to the shore of the lake, and beheld a + white, untrodden plain before him, stretching from his own feet to the + foot of Monument Mountain. And, it being now almost sunset, Eustace + thought that he had never beheld anything so fresh and beautiful as the + scene. He was glad that the children were not with him; for their lively + spirits and tumble-about activity would quite have chased away his higher + and graver mood, so that he would merely have been merry (as he had + already been, the whole day long), and would not have known the loveliness + of the winter sunset among the hills. + </p> + <p> + When the sun was fairly down, our friend Eustace went home to eat his + supper. After the meal was over, he betook himself to the study, with a + purpose, I rather imagine, to write an ode, or two or three sonnets, or + verses of some kind or other, in praise of the purple and golden clouds + which he had seen around the setting sun. But, before he had hammered out + the very first rhyme, the door opened, and Primrose and Periwinkle made + their appearance. + </p> + <p> + “Go away, children! I can’t be troubled with you now!” cried the student, + looking over his shoulder, with the pen between his fingers. “What in the + world do you want here? I thought you were all in bed!” + </p> + <p> + “Hear him, Periwinkle, trying to talk like a grown man!” said Primrose. + “And he seems to forget that I am now thirteen years old, and may sit up + almost as late as I please. But, Cousin Eustace, you must put off your + airs, and come with us to the drawing-room. The children have talked so + much about your stories, that my father wishes to hear one of them, in + order to judge whether they are likely to do any mischief.” + </p> + <p> + “Poh, poh, Primrose!” exclaimed the student, rather vexed. “I don’t + believe I can tell one of my stories in the presence of grown people. + Besides, your father is a classical scholar; not that I am much afraid of + his scholarship, neither, for I doubt not it is as rusty as an old + case-knife, by this time. But then he will be sure to quarrel with the + admirable nonsense that I put into these stories, out of my own head, and + which makes the great charm of the matter for children, like yourself. No + man of fifty, who has read the classical myths in his youth, can possibly + understand my merit as a re-inventor and improver of them.” + </p> + <p> + “All this may be very true,” said Primrose, “but come you must! My father + will not open his book, nor will mamma open the piano, till you have given + us some of your nonsense, as you very correctly call it. So be a good boy, + and come along.” + </p> + <p> + Whatever he might pretend, the student was rather glad than otherwise, on + second thoughts, to catch at the opportunity of proving to Mr. Pringle + what an excellent faculty he had in modernizing the myths of ancient + times. Until twenty years of age, a young man may, indeed, be rather + bashful about showing his poetry and his prose; but, for all that, he is + pretty apt to think that these very productions would place him at the + tip-top of literature, if once they could be known. Accordingly, without + much more resistance, Eustace suffered Primrose and Periwinkle to drag him + into the drawing-room. + </p> + <p> + It was a large handsome apartment, with a semicircular window at one end, + in the recess of which stood a marble copy of Greenough’s Angel and Child. + On one side of the fireplace there were many shelves of books, gravely but + richly bound. The white light of the astrallamp, and the red glow of the + bright coal-fire, made the room brilliant and cheerful; and before the + fire, in a deep arm-chair, sat Mr. Pringle, looking just fit to be seated + in such a chair, and in such a room. He was a tall and quite a handsome + gentleman, with a bald brow; and was always so nicely dressed, that even + Eustace Bright never liked to enter his presence, without at least pausing + at the threshold to settle his shirt-collar. But now, as Primrose had hold + of one of his hands, and Periwinkle of the other, he was forced to make + his appearance with a rough-and-tumble sort of look, as if he had been + rolling all day in a snow-bank. And so he had. + </p> + <p> + Mr. Pringle turned towards the student, benignly enough, but in a way that + made him feel how uncombed and unbrushed he was, and how uncombed and + unbrushed, likewise, were his mind and thoughts. + </p> + <p> + “Eustace,” said Mr. Pringle, with a smile, “I find that you are producing + a great sensation among the little public of Tanglewood, by the exercise + of your gifts of narrative. Primrose here, as the little folks choose to + call her, and the rest of the children, have been so loud in praise of + your stories, that Mrs. Pringle and myself are really curious to hear a + specimen. It would be so much the more gratifying to myself, as the + stories appear to be an attempt to render the fables of classical + antiquity into the idiom of modern fancy and feeling. At least, so I judge + from a few of the incidents, which have come to me at second hand.” + </p> + <p> + “You are not exactly the auditor that I should have chosen, sir,” observed + the student, “for fantasies of this nature.” + </p> + <p> + “Possibly not,” replied Mr. Pringle. “I suspect, however, that a young + author’s most useful critic is precisely the one whom he would be least + apt to choose. Pray oblige me, therefore.” + </p> + <p> + “Sympathy, methinks, should have some little share in the critic’s + qualifications,” murmured Eustace Bright. “However, sir, if you will find + patience, I will find stories. But be kind enough to remember that I am + addressing myself to the imagination and sympathies of the children, not + to your own.” + </p> + <p> + Accordingly, the student snatched hold of the first theme which presented + itself. It was suggested by a plate of apples that he happened to spy on + the mantel-piece. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="apples"></a> + </p> + <h3> + THE THREE GOLDEN APPLES. + </h3> + <p> + Did you ever hear of the golden apples, that grew in the garden of the + Hesperides? Ah, those were such apples as would bring a great price, by + the bushel, if any of them could be found growing in the orchards of + nowadays! But there is not, I suppose, a graft of that wonderful fruit on + a single tree in the wide world. Not so much as a seed of those apples + exists any longer. + </p> + <p> + And, even in the old, old, half-forgotten times, before the garden of the + Hesperides was overrun with weeds, a great many people doubted whether + there could be real trees that bore apples of solid gold upon their + branches. All had heard of them, but nobody remembered to have seen any. + Children, nevertheless, used to listen, open-mouthed, to stories of the + golden apple-tree, and resolved to discover it, when they should be big + enough. Adventurous young men, who desired to do a braver thing than any + of their fellows, set out in quest of this fruit. Many of them returned no + more; none of them brought back the apples. No wonder that they found it + impossible to gather them! It is said that there was a dragon beneath the + tree, with a hundred terrible heads, fifty of which were always on the + watch, while the other fifty slept. + </p> + <p> + In my opinion it was hardly worth running so much risk for the sake of a + solid golden apple. Had the apples been sweet, mellow, and juicy, indeed + that would be another matter. There might then have been some sense in + trying to get at them, in spite of the hundred-headed dragon. + </p> + <p> + But, as I have already told you, it was quite a common thing with young + persons, when tired of too much peace and rest, to go in search of the + garden of the Hesperides. And once the adventure was undertaken by a hero + who had enjoyed very little peace or rest since he came into the world. At + the time of which I am going to speak, he was wandering through the + pleasant land of Italy, with a mighty club in his hand, and a bow and + quiver slung across his shoulders. He was wrapt in the skin of the biggest + and fiercest lion that ever had been seen, and which he himself had + killed; and though, on the whole, he was kind, and generous, and noble, + there was a good deal of the lion’s fierceness in his heart. As he went on + his way, he continually inquired whether that were the right road to the + famous garden. But none of the country people knew anything about the + matter, and many looked as if they would have laughed at the question, if + the stranger had not carried so very big a club. + </p> + <p> + So he journeyed on and on, still making the same inquiry, until, at last, + he came to the brink of a river where some beautiful young women sat + twining wreaths of flowers. + </p> + <p> + “Can you tell me, pretty maidens,” asked the stranger, “whether this is + the right way to the garden of the Hesperides?” + </p> + <p> + The young women had been having a fine time together, weaving the flowers + into wreaths, and crowning one another’s heads. And there seemed to be a + kind of magic in the touch of their fingers, that made the flowers more + fresh and dewy, and of brighter lines, and sweeter fragrance, while they + played with them, than even when they had been growing on their native + stems. But, on hearing the stranger’s question, they dropped all their + flowers on the grass, and gazed at him with astonishment. + </p> + <p> + “The garden of the Hesperides!” cried one. “We thought mortals had been + weary of seeking it, after so many disappointments. And pray, adventurous + traveller, what do you want there?” + </p> + <p> + “A certain king, who is my cousin,” replied he, “has ordered me to get him + three of the golden apples.” + </p> + <p> + “Most of the young men who go in quest of these apples,” observed another + of the damsels, “desire to obtain them for themselves, or to present them + to some fair maiden whom they love. Do you, then, love this king, your + cousin, so very much?” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps not,” replied the stranger, sighing. “He has often been severe + and cruel to me. But it is my destiny to obey him.” + </p> + <p> + “And do you know,” asked the damsel who had first spoken, “that a terrible + dragon, with a hundred heads, keeps watch under the golden apple-tree?” + </p> + <p> + “I know it well,” answered the stranger, calmly. “But, from my cradle + upwards, it has been my business, and almost my pastime, to deal with + serpents and dragons.” + </p> + <p> + The young women looked at his massive club, and at the shaggy lion’s skin + which he wore, and likewise at his heroic limbs and figure; and they + whispered to each other that the stranger appeared to be one who might + reasonably expect to perform deeds far beyond the might of other men. But, + then, the dragon with a hundred heads! What mortal, even if he possessed a + hundred lives, could hope to escape the fangs of such a monster? So + kind-hearted were the maidens, that they could not bear to see this brave + and, handsome traveller attempt what was so very dangerous, and devote + himself, most probably, to become a meal for the dragon’s hundred ravenous + mouths. + </p> + <p> + “Go back,” cried they all,—“go back to your own home! Your mother, + beholding you safe and sound, will shed tears of joy; and what can she do + more, should you win ever so great a victory? No matter for the golden + apples! No matter for the king, your cruel cousin! We do not wish the + dragon with the hundred heads to eat you up!” + </p> + <p> + The stranger seemed to grow impatient at these remonstrances. He + carelessly lifted his mighty club, and let it fall upon a rock that lay + half buried in the earth, near by. With the force of that idle blow, the + great rock was shattered all to pieces. It cost the stranger no more + effort to achieve this feat of a giant’s strength than for one of the + young maidens to touch her sister’s rosy cheek with a flower. + </p> + <p> + “Do you not believe,” said he, looking at the damsels with a smile, “that + such a blow would have crushed one of the dragon’s hundred heads?” + </p> + <p> + Then he sat down on the grass, and told them the story of his life, or as + much of it as he could remember, from the day when he was first cradled in + a warrior’s brazen shield. While he lay there, two immense serpents came + gliding over the floor, and opened their hideous jaws to devour him; and + he, a baby of a few months old, had griped one of the fierce snakes in + each of his little fists, and strangled them to death. When he was but a + stripling, he had killed a huge lion, almost as big as the one whose vast + and shaggy hide he now wore upon his shoulders. The next thing that he had + done was to fight a battle with an ugly sort of monster, called a hydra, + which had no less than nine heads, and exceedingly sharp teeth in every + one of them. + </p> + <p> + “But the dragon of the Hesperides, you know,” observed one of the damsels, + “has a hundred heads!” + </p> + <p> + “Nevertheless,” replied the stranger, “I would rather fight two such + dragons than a single hydra. For, as fast as I cut off a head, two others + grew in its place; and, besides, there was one of the heads that could not + possibly be killed, but kept biting as fiercely as ever, long after it was + cut off. So I was forced to bury it under a stone, where it is doubtless + alive, to this vary day. But the hydra’s body, and its eight other heads, + will never do any further mischief.” + </p> + <p> + The damsels, judging that the story was likely to last a good while, had + been preparing a repast of bread and grapes, that the stranger might + refresh himself in the intervals of his talk. They took pleasure in + helping him to this simple food; and, now and then, one of them would put + a sweet grape between her rosy lips, lest it should make him bashful to + eat alone. + </p> + <p> + The traveller proceeded to tell how he had chased a very swift stag, for a + twelve-month together, without ever stopping to take breath, and had at + last caught it by the antlers, and carried it home alive. And he had + fought with a very odd race of people, half horses and half men, and had + put them all to death, from a sense of duty, in order that their ugly + figures might never be seen any more. Besides all this, he took to himself + great credit for having cleaned out a stable. + </p> + <p> + “Do you call that a wonderful exploit?” asked one of the young maidens, + with a smile. “Any clown in the country has done as much!” + </p> + <p> + “Had it been an ordinary stable,” replied the stranger, “I should not have + mentioned it. But this was so gigantic a task that it would have taken me + all my life to perform it, if I had not luckily thought of turning the + channel of a river through the stable-door. That did the business in a + very short time!” + </p> + <p> + Seeing how earnestly his fair auditors listened, he next told them how he + had shot some monstrous birds, and had caught a wild bull alive, and let + him go again, and had tamed a number of very wild horses, and had + conquered Hippolyta, the warlike queen of the Amazons. He mentioned, + likewise, that he had taken off Hippolyta’s enchanted girdle, and had + given it to the daughter of his cousin, the king. + </p> + <p> + “Was it the girdle of Venus,” inquired the prettiest of the damsels, + “which makes women beautiful?” + </p> + <p> + “No,” answered the stranger. “It had formerly been the sword-belt of Mars; + and it can only make the wearer valiant and courageous.” + </p> + <p> + “An old sword-belt!” cried the damsel, tossing her head. “Then I should + not care about having it!” + </p> + <p> + “You are right,” said the stranger. + </p> + <p> + Going on with his wonderful narrative, he informed the maidens that as + strange an adventure as ever happened was when he fought with Geryon, the + six-legged man. This was a very odd and frightful sort of figure, as you + may well believe. Any person, looking at his tracks in the sand or snow, + would suppose that three sociable companions had been walking along + together. On hearing his footsteps at, a little distance, it was no more + than reasonable to judge that several people must be coming. But it was + only the strange man Geryon clattering onward, with his six legs! + </p> + <p> + Six legs, and one gigantic body! Certainly, he must have been a very queer + monster to look at; and, my stars, what a waste of shoe-leather! + </p> + <p> + When the stranger had finished the story of his adventures, he looked + around at the attentive faces of the maidens. + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps you may have heard of me before,” said he, modestly. “My name is + Hercules!” + </p> + <p> + “We had already guessed it,” replied the maidens; “for your wonderful + deeds are known all over the world. We do not think it strange, any + longer, that you should set out in quest of the golden apples of the + Hesperides. Come, sisters, let us crown the hero with flowers!” + </p> + <p> + Then they flung beautiful wreaths over his stately head and mighty + shoulders, so that the lion’s skin was almost entirely covered with roses. + They took possession of his ponderous club, and so entwined it about with + the brightest, softest, and most fragrant blossoms, that not a finger’s + breadth of its oaken substance could be seen. It looked all like a huge + bunch of flowers. Lastly, they joined hands, and danced around him, + chanting words which became poetry of their own accord, and grew into a + choral song, in honor of the illustrious Hercules. + </p> + <p> + And Hercules was rejoiced, as any other hero would have been, to know that + these fair young girls had heard of the valiant deeds which it had cost + him so much toil and danger to achieve. But, still, he was not satisfied. + He could not think that what he had already done was worthy of so much + honor, while there remained any bold or difficult adventure to be + undertaken. + </p> + <p> + “Dear maidens,” said he, when they paused to take breath, “now that you + know my name, will you not tell me how I am to reach the garden of the + Hesperides?” + </p> + <p> + “Ah! must you go so soon?” they exclaimed. “You—that have performed + so many wonders, and spent such a toilsome life—cannot you content + yourself to repose a little while on the margin of this peaceful river?” + </p> + <p> + Hercules shook his head. + </p> + <p> + “I must depart now,” said he. + </p> + <p> + “We will then give you the best directions we can,” replied the damsels. + “You must go to the sea-shore, and find out the Old One, and compel him to + inform you where the golden apples are to be found.” + </p> + <p> + “The Old One!” repeated Hercules, laughing at this odd name. “And, pray, + who may the Old One be?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, the Old Man of the Sea, to be sure!” answered one of the damsels. + “He has fifty daughters, whom some people call very beautiful; but we do + not think it proper to be acquainted with them, because they have + sea-green hair, and taper away like fishes. You must talk with this Old + Man of the Sea. He is a sea-faring person, and knows all about the garden + of the Hesperides; for it is situated in an island which he is often in + the habit of visiting.” + </p> + <p> + Hercules then asked whereabouts the Old One was most likely to be met + with. When the damsels had informed him, he thanked them for all their + kindness,—for the bread and grapes with which they had fed him, the + lovely flowers with which they had crowned him, and the songs and dances + wherewith they had done him honor,—and he thanked them, most of all, + for telling him the right way,—and immediately set forth upon his + Journey. + </p> + <p> + But, before he was out of hearing, one of the maidens called after him. + </p> + <p> + “Keep fast hold of the Old-One, when you catch him!” cried she, smiling, + and lifting her finger to make the caution more impressive. “Do not be + astonished at anything that may happen. Only hold him fast, and he will + tell you what you wish to know.” + </p> + <p> + Hercules again thanked her, and pursued his way, while the maidens resumed + their pleasant labor of making flower-wreaths. They talked about the hero, + long after he was gone. + </p> + <p> + “We will crown him with the loveliest of our garlands,” said they, “when + he returns hither with the three golden apples, after slaying the dragon + with a hundred heads.” + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile, Hercules travelled constantly onward, over hill and dale, and + through the solitary woods. Sometimes he swung his club aloft, and + splintered a mighty oak with a downright blow. His mind was so full of the + giants and monsters with whom it was the business of his life to fight, + that perhaps he mistook the great tree for a giant or a monster. And so + eager was Hercules to achieve what he had undertaken, that he almost + regretted to have spent so much time with the damsels, wasting idle breath + upon the story of his adventures. But thus it always is with persons who + are destined to perform great things. What they have already done seems + less than nothing. What they have taken in hand to do seems worth toil, + danger, and life itself. + </p> + <p> + Persons who happened to be passing through the forest must have been + affrighted to see him smite the trees with his great club. With but a + single blow, the trunk was riven as by the stroke of lightning, and the + broad boughs came rustling and crashing down. + </p> + <p> + Hastening forward, without ever pausing or looking behind, he by and by + heard the sea roaring at a distance. At this sound, he increased his + speed, and soon came to a beach, where the great surf-waves tumbled + themselves upon the hard sand, in a long line of snowy foam. At one end of + the beach, however, there was a pleasant spot, where some green shrubbery + clambered up a cliff, making its rocky face look soft and beautiful. A + carpet of verdant grass, largely intermixed with sweet-smelling clover, + covered the narrow space between the bottom of the cliff and the sea. And + what should Hercules espy there, but an old man, fast asleep! + </p> + <p> + But was it really and truly an old man? Certainly, at first sight, it + looked very like one; but, on closer inspection, it rather seemed to be + some kind of a creature that lived in the sea. For, on his legs and arms + there were scales, such as fishes have; he was web-footed and + web-fingered, after the fashion of a duck; and his long beard, being of a + greenish tinge, had more the appearance of a tuft of sea-weed than of an + ordinary beard. Have you never seen a stick of timber, that has been long + tossed about by the waves, and has got all overgrown with barnacles, and, + at last drifting ashore, seems to have been thrown up from the very + deepest bottom of the sea? Well, the old man would have put you in mind of + just such a wave-tost spar! But Hercules, the instant he set eyes on this + strange figure, was convinced that it could be no other than the Old One, + who was to direct him on his way. + </p> + <p> + Yes; it was the selfsame Old Man of the Sea, whom the hospitable maidens + had talked to him about. Thanking his stars for the lucky accident of + finding the old fellow asleep, Hercules stole on tiptoe towards him, and + caught him by the arm and leg. + </p> + <p> + “Tell me,” cried he, before the Old One was well awake, “which is the way + to the garden of the Hesperides?” + </p> + <p> + As you may easily imagine, the Old Man of the Sea awoke in a fright. But + his astonishment could hardly have been greater than was that of Hercules, + the next moment. For, all of a sudden, the Old One seemed to disappear out + of his grasp, and he found himself holding a stag by the fore and hind + leg! But still he kept fast hold. Then the stag disappeared, and in its + stead there was a sea-bird, fluttering and screaming, while Hercules + clutched it by the wing and claw! But the bird could not get away. + Immediately afterwards, there was an ugly three-headed dog, which growled + and barked at Hercules, and snapped fiercely at the hands by which he held + him! But Hercules would not let him go. In another minute, instead of the + three-headed dog, what should appear but Geryon, the six-legged + man-monster, kicking at Hercules with five of his legs, in order to get + the remaining one at liberty! But Hercules held on. By and by, no Geryou + was there, but a huge snake, like one of those which Hercules had + strangled in his babyhood, only a hundred times as big, and it twisted and + twined about the hero’s neck and body, and threw its tail high into the + air, and opened its deadly jaws as if to devour him outright; so that it + was really a very terrible spectacle! But Hercules was no whit + disheartened, and squeezed the great snake so tightly that he soon began + to hiss with pain. + </p> + <p> + You must understand that the Old Man of the Sea, though he generally + looked so much like the wave-beaten figure-head of a vessel, had the power + of assuming any shape he pleased. When he found himself so roughly seized + by Hercules, he had been in hopes of putting him into such surprise and + terror, by these magical transformations, that the hero would be glad to + let him go. If Hercules had relaxed his grasp, the Old One would certainly + have plunged down to the very bottom of the sea, whence he would not soon + have given himself the trouble of coming up, in order to answer any + impertinent questions. Ninety-nine people out of a hundred, I suppose, + would have been frightened out of their wits by the very first of his ugly + shapes, and would have taken to their heels at once. For, one of the + hardest things in this world is, to see the difference between real + dangers and imaginary ones. + </p> + <p> + But, as Hercules held on so stubbornly, and only squeezed the Old One so + much the tighter at every change of shape, and really put him to no small + torture, he finally thought it best to reappear in his own figure. So + there he was again, a fishy, scaly, webfooted sort of personage, with + something like a tuft of sea-weed at his chin. + </p> + <p> + “Pray, what do you want with me?” cried the Old One, as soon as he could + take breath; for it is quite a tiresome affair to go through so many false + shapes. “Why do you squeeze me so hard? Let me go, this moment, or I shall + begin to consider you an extremely uncivil person!” + </p> + <p> + “My name is Hercules!” roared the mighty stranger. “And you will never get + out of my clutch, until you tell me the nearest way to the garden of the + Hesperides!” + </p> + <p> + When the old fellow heard who it was that had caught him, he saw, with + half an eye, that it would be necessary to tell him everything that he + wanted to know. The Old One was an inhabitant of the sea, you must + recollect, and roamed about everywhere, like other sea-faring people. Of + course, he had often heard of the fame of Hercules, and of the wonderful + things that he was constantly performing, in various parts of the earth, + and how determined he always was to accomplish whatever he undertook. He + therefore made no more attempts to escape, but told the hero how to find + the garden of the Hesperides, and likewise warned him of many difficulties + which must be overcome, before he could arrive thither. + </p> + <p> + “You must go on, thus and thus,” said the Old Man of the Sea, after taking + the points of the compass, “till you come in sight of a very tall giant, + who holds the sky on his shoulders. And the giant, if he happens to be in + the humor, will tell you exactly where the garden of the Hesperides lies.” + </p> + <p> + “And if the giant happens not to be in the humor,” remarked Hercules, + balancing his club on the tip of his finger, “perhaps I shall find means + to persuade him!” + </p> + <p> + Thanking the Old Man of the Sea, and begging his pardon for having + squeezed him so roughly, the hero resumed his journey. He met with a great + many strange adventures, which would be well worth your hearing, if I had + leisure to narrate them as minutely as they deserve. + </p> + <p> + It was in this journey, if I mistake not, that he encountered a prodigious + giant, who was so wonderfully contrived by nature, that, every time he + touched the earth, he became ten times as strong as ever he had been + before. His name was Antreus. You may see, plainly enough, that it was a + very difficult business to fight with such a fellow; for, as often as he + got a knock-down blow, up he started again, stronger, fiercer, and abler + to use his weapons, than if his enemy had let him alone, Thus, the harder + Hercules pounded the giant with his club, the further be seemed from + winning the victory. I have sometimes argued with such people, but never + fought with one. The only way in which Hercules found it possible to + finish the battle, was by lifting Antaeus off his feet into the air, and + squeezing, and squeezing, and squeezing him, until, finally, the strength + was quite squeezed out of his enormous body. + </p> + <p> + When this affair was finished, Hercules continued his travels, and went to + the land of Egypt, where he was taken prisoner, and would have been put to + death, if he had not slain the king of the country, and made his escape. + Passing through the deserts of Africa, and going as fast as he could, he + arrived at last on the shore of the great ocean. And here, unless he could + walk on the crests of the billows, it seemed as if his journey must needs + be at an end. + </p> + <p> + Nothing was before him, save the foaming, dashing, measureless ocean. But, + suddenly, as he looked towards the horizon, he saw something, a great way + off, which he had not seen the moment before. It gleamed very brightly, + almost as you may have beheld the round, golden disk of the sun, when it + rises or sets over the edge of the world. It evidently drew nearer; for, + at every instant, this wonderful object became larger and more lustrous. + At length, it had come so nigh that Hercules discovered it to be an + immense cup or bowl, made either of gold or burnished brass. How it had + got afloat upon the sea, is more than I can tell you. There it was, at all + events, rolling on the tumultuous billows, which tossed it up and down, + and heaved their foamy tops against its sides, but without ever throwing + their spray over the brim. + </p> + <p> + “I have seen many giants, in my time,” thought Hercules, “but never one + that would need to drink his wine out of a cup like this!” + </p> + <p> + And, true enough, what a cup it must have been! It was as large—as + large—but, in short, I am afraid to say how immeasurably large it + was. To speak within bounds, it was ten times larger than a great + mill-wheel; and, all of metal as it was, it floated over the heaving + surges more lightly than an acorn-cup adown the brook. The waves tumbled + it onward, until it grazed against the shore, within a short distance of + the spot where Hercules was standing. + </p> + <p> + As soon as this happened, he knew what was to be done; for he had not gone + through so many remarkable adventures without learning pretty well how to + conduct himself, whenever anything came to pass a little out of the common + rule. It was just as clear as daylight that this marvellous cup had been + set adrift by some unseen power, and guided hitherward, in order to carry + Hercules across the sea, on his way to the garden of the Hesperides. + Accordingly, without a moment’s delay, he clambered over the brim, and + slid down on the inside, where, spreading out his lion’s skin, he + proceeded to take a little repose. He had scarcely rested, until now, + since he bade farewell to the damsels on the margin of the river. The + waves dashed, with a pleasant and ringing sound, against the circumference + of the hollow cup; it rocked lightly to and fro, and the motion was so + soothing that, it speedily rocked Hercules into an agreeable slumber. + </p> + <p> + His nap had probably lasted a good while, when the cup chanced to graze + against a rock, and, in consequence, immediately resounded and + reverberated through its golden or brazen substance, a hundred times as + loudly as ever you heard a church-bell. The noise awoke Hercules, who + instantly started up and gazed around him, wondering whereabouts he was. + He was not long in discovering that the cup had floated across a great + part of the sea, and was approaching the shore of what seemed to be an + island. And, on that island, what do you think he saw? + </p> + <p> + No; you will never guess it, not if you were to try fifty thousand times! + It positively appears to me that this was the most marvellous spectacle + that had ever been seen by Hercules, in the whole course of his wonderful + travels and adventures. It was a greater marvel than the hydra with nine + heads, which kept growing twice as fast as they were cut off; greater than + the six-legged man-monster; greater than Antreus; greater than anything + that was ever beheld by anybody, before or since the days of Hercules, or + than anything that remains to be beheld, by travellers in all time to + come. It was a giant! + </p> + <p> + But such an intolerably big giant! A giant as tall as a mountain; so vast + a giant, that the clouds rested about his midst, like a girdle, and hung + like a hoary beard from his chin, and flitted before his huge eyes, so + that he could neither see Hercules nor the golden cup in which he was + voyaging. And, most wonderful of all, the giant held up his great hands + and appeared to support the sky, which, so far as Hercules could discern + through the clouds, was resting upon his head! This does really seem + almost too much to believe. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile, the bright cup continued to float onward, and finally touched + the strand. Just then a breeze wafted away the clouds from before the + giant’s visage, and Hercules beheld it, with all its enormous features; + eyes each of them as big as yonder lake, a nose a mile Long, and a mouth + of the same width. It was a countenance terrible from its enormity of + size, but disconsolate and weary, even as you may see the faces of many + people, nowadays, who are compelled to sustain burdens above their + strength. What the sky was to the giant, such are the cares of earth to + those who let themselves be weighed down by them. And whenever men + undertake what is beyond the just measure of their abilities, they + encounter precisely such a doom as had befallen this poor giant. + </p> + <p> + Poor fellow! He had evidently stood there a long while. An ancient forest + had been growing and decaying around his feet; and oak-trees, of six or + seven centuries old, had sprung from the acorn, and forced themselves + between his toes. + </p> + <p> + The giant now looked down from the far height of his great eyes, and, + perceiving Hercules, roared out, in a voice that resembled thunder, + proceeding out of the cloud that had just flitted away from his face. + </p> + <p> + “Who are you, down at my feet there? And whence do you come, in that + little cup?” + </p> + <p> + “I am Hercules!” thundered back the hero, in a voice pretty nearly or + quite as loud as the giant’s own. “And I am seeking for the garden of the + Hesperides!” + </p> + <p> + “Ho! ho! ho!” roared the giant, in a fit of immense laughter. “That is a + wise adventure, truly!” + </p> + <p> + “And why not?” cried Hercules, getting a little angry at the giant’s + mirth. “Do you think I am afraid of the dragon with a hundred heads!” + </p> + <p> + Just at this time, while they were talking together, some black clouds + gathered about the giant’s middle, and burst into a tremendous storm of + thunder and lightning, causing such a pother that Hercules found it + impossible to distinguish a word. Only the giant’s immeasurable legs were + to be seen, standing up into the obscurity of the tempest; and, now and + then, a momentary glimpse of his whole figure, mantled in a volume of + mist. He seemed to be speaking, most of the time; but his big, deep, rough + voice chimed in with the reverberations of the thunder-claps, and rolled + away over the hills, like them. Thus, by talking out of season, the + foolish giant expended an incalculable quantity of breath, to no purpose; + for the thunder spoke quite as intelligibly as he. + </p> + <p> + At last, the storm swept over, as suddenly as it had come. And there again + was the clear sky, and the weary giant holding it up, and the pleasant + sunshine beaming over his vast height, and illuminating it against the + background of the sullen thunder-clouds. So far above the shower had been + his head, that not a hair of it was moistened by the rain-drops! + </p> + <p> + When the giant could see Hercules still standing on the sea-shore, he + roared out to him anew. + </p> + <p> + “I am Atlas, the mightiest giant in the world! And I hold the sky upon my + head!” + </p> + <p> + “So I see,” answered Hercules. “But, can you show me the way to the garden + of the Hesperides?” + </p> + <p> + “What do you want there?” asked the giant. + </p> + <p> + “I want three of the golden apples,” shouted Hercules, “for my cousin, the + king.” + </p> + <p> + “There is nobody but myself,” quoth the giant, “that can go to the garden + of the Hesperides, and gather the golden apples. If it were not for this + little business of holding up the sky, I would make half a dozen steps + across the sea, and get them for you.” + </p> + <p> + “You are very kind,” replied Hercules. “And cannot you rest the sky upon a + mountain?” + </p> + <p> + “None of them are quite high enough,” said Atlas, shaking his head. “But, + if you were to take your stand on the summit of that nearest one, your + head would be pretty nearly on a level with mine. You seem to be a fellow + of some strength. What if you should take my burden on your shoulders, + while I do your errand for you?” + </p> + <p> + Hercules, as you must be careful to remember, was a remarkably strong man; + and though it certainly requires a great deal of muscular power to uphold + the sky, yet, if any mortal could be supposed capable of such an exploit, + he was the one. Nevertheless, it seemed so difficult an undertaking, that, + for the first time in his life, he hesitated. + </p> + <p> + “Is the sky very heavy?” he inquired. + </p> + <p> + “Why, not particularly so, at first,” answered the giant, shrugging his + shoulders. “But it gets to be a little burdensome, after a thousand + years!” + </p> + <p> + “And how long a time,” asked the hero, “will it take you to get the golden + apples?” + </p> + <p> + “O, that will be done in a few moments,” cried Atlas. “I shall take ten or + fifteen miles at a stride, and be at the garden and back again before your + shoulders begin to ache.” + </p> + <p> + “Well, then,” answered Hercules, “I will climb the mountain behind you + there, and relieve you of your burden.” + </p> + <p> + The truth is, Hercules had a kind heart of his own, and considered that he + should be doing the giant a favor, by allowing him this opportunity for a + ramble. And, besides, he thought that it would be still more for his own + glory, if he could boast of upholding the sky, than merely to do so + ordinary a thing as to conquer a dragon with a hundred heads. Accordingly, + without more words, the sky was shifted from the shoulders of Atlas, and + placed upon those of Hercules. + </p> + <p> + When this was safely accomplished, the first thing that the giant did was + to stretch himself; and you may imagine what a prodigious spectacle be was + then. Next, he slowly lifted one of his feet out of the forest that had + grown up around it; then, the other. Then, all at once, he began to caper, + and leap, and dance, for joy at his freedom; flinging himself nobody knows + how high into the air, and floundering down again with a shock that made + the earth tremble. Then he laughed—Ho! ho! ho!—with a + thunderous roar that was echoed from the mountains, far and near, as if + they and the giant had been so many rejoicing brothers. When his joy had a + little subsided, he stepped into the sea; ten miles at the first stride, + which brought him mid-leg deep; and ten miles at the second, when the + water came just above his knees; and ten miles more at the third, by which + he was immersed nearly to his waist. This was the greatest depth of the + sea. + </p> + <p> + Hercules watched the giant, as he still went onward; for it was really a + wonderful sight, this immense human form, more than thirty miles off, half + hidden in the ocean, but with his upper half as tall, and misty, and blue, + as a distant mountain. At last the gigantic shape faded entirely out of + view. And now Hercules began to consider what he should do, in case Atlas + should be drowned in the sea, or if he were to be stung to death by the + dragon with the hundred beads, which guarded the golden apples of the + Hesperides. If any such misfortune were to happen, how could he ever get + rid of the sky? And, by the by, its weight began already to be a little + irksome to his head and shoulders. + </p> + <p> + “I really pity the poor giant,” thought Hercules. “If it wearies me so + much in ten minutes, how must it have wearied him in a thousand years!” + </p> + <p> + O my sweet little people, you have no idea what a weight there was in that + same blue sky, which looks so soft and aerial above our heads! And there, + too, was the bluster of the wind, and the chill and watery clouds, and the + blazing sun, all taking their turns to make Hercules uncomfortable! He + began to be afraid that the giant would never come back. He gazed + wistfully at the world beneath him, and acknowledged to himself that it + was a far happier kind of life to be a shepherd at the foot of a mountain, + than to stand on its dizzy summit, and bear up the firmament with his + might and main. For, of course, as you will easily understand, Hercules + had an immense responsibility on his mind, as well as a weight on his head + and shoulders. Why, if he did not stand perfectly still, and keep the sky + immovable, the sun would perhaps be put ajar! Or, after nightfall, a great + many of the stars might be loosened from their places, and shower down, + like fiery rain, upon the people’s heads! And how ashamed would the hero + be, if, owing to his unsteadiness beneath its weight, the sky should + crack, and show a great fissure quite across it! + </p> + <p> + I know not how long it was before, to his unspeakable joy, he beheld the + huge shape of the giant, like a cloud, on the far-off edge of the sea. At + his nearer approach, Atlas held up his hand, in which Hercules could + perceive three magnificent golden apples, as big as pumpkins, all banging + from one branch. + </p> + <p> + “I am glad to see you again,” shouted Hercules, when the giant was within + hearing. “So you have got the golden apples?” + </p> + <p> + “Certainly, certainly,” answered Atlas; “and very fair apples they are. I + took the finest that grew on the tree, I assure you. Ah! it is a beautiful + spot, that garden of the Hesperides. Yes; and the dragon with a hundred + heads is a sight worth any man’s seeing. After all, you had better have + gone for the apples yourself.” + </p> + <p> + “No matter,” replied Hercules. “You have had a pleasant ramble, and have + done the business as well as I could. I heartily thank you for your + trouble. And now, as I have a long way to go, and am rather in haste,—and + as the king, my cousin, is anxious to receive the golden apples,—will + you be kind enough to take the sky off my shoulders again?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, as to that,” said the giant, chucking the golden apples into the + air, twenty miles high, or thereabouts, and catching them as they came + down,—“as to that, my good friend, I consider you a little + unreasonable. Cannot I carry the golden apples to the king, your cousin, + much quicker than you could? As his majesty is in such a hurry to get + them, I promise you to take my longest strides. And, besides, I have no + fancy for burdening myself with the sky, just now.” + </p> + <p> + Here Hercules grew impatient, and gave a great shrug of his shoulders. It + being now twilight, you might have seen two or three stars tumble out of + their places. Everybody on earth looked upward in affright, thinking that + the sky might be going to fall next. + </p> + <p> + “O, that will never do!” cried Giant Atlas, with a great roar of laughter. + “I have not let fall so many stars within the last five centuries. By the + time you have stood there as long as I did, you will begin to learn + patience!” + </p> + <p> + “What!” shouted Hercules, very wrathfully, “do you intend to make me bear + this burden forever?” + </p> + <p> + “We will see about that, one of these days,” answered the giant. “At all + events, you ought not to complain, if you have to bear it the next hundred + years, or perhaps the next thousand. I bore it a good while longer, in + spite of the back-ache. Well, then, after a thousand years, if I happen to + feel in the mood, we may possibly shift about again. You are certainly a + very strong man, and can never have a better opportunity to prove it. + Posterity will talk of you, I warrant it!” + </p> + <p> + “Pish! a fig for its talk!” cried Hercules, with another hitch of his + shoulders. “Just take the sky upon your head one instant, will you? I want + to make a cushion of my lion’s skin, for the weight to rest upon. It + really chafes me, and will cause unnecessary inconvenience in so many + centuries as I am to stand here.” + </p> + <p> + “That’s no more than fair, and I’ll do it!” quoth the giant; for he had no + unkind feeling towards Hercules, and was merely acting with a too selfish + consideration of his own ease. “For just five minutes, then, I’ll take + back the sky. Only for five minutes, recollect! I have no idea of spending + another thousand years as I spent the last. Variety is the spice of life, + say I.” + </p> + <p> + Ah, the thick-witted old rogue of a giant! He threw down the golden + apples, and received back the sky, from the head and shoulders of + Hercules, upon his own, where it rightly belonged. And Hercules picked up + the three golden apples, that were as big or bigger than pumpkins, and + straightway set out on his journey homeward, without paying the slightest + heed to the thundering tones of the giant, who bellowed after him to come + back. Another forest sprang up around his feet, and grew ancient there; + and again might be seen oak-trees, of six or seven centuries old, that had + waxed thus again betwixt his enormous toes. + </p> + <p> + And there stands the giant, to this day; or, at any rate, there stands a + mountain as tall as he, and which bears his name; and when the thunder + rumples about its summit, we may imagine it to be the voice of Giant + Atlas, bellowing after Hercules! + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /> <a name="after"></a> + </p> + <h3> + TANGLEWOOD FIRESIDE. + </h3> + <h4> + AFTER THE STORY. + </h4> + <p> + “Cousin Eustace,” demanded Sweet Fern, who had been sitting at the + story-teller’s feet, with his mouth wide open, “exactly how tall was this + giant?” + </p> + <p> + “O Sweet Fern, Sweet Fern!” cried the student, “do you think I was there, + to measure him with a yardstick? Well, if you must know to a + hair’s-breadth, I suppose he might be from three to fifteen miles straight + upward, and that he might have seated himself on Taconic, and had Monument + Mountain for a footstool.” + </p> + <p> + “Dear me!” ejaculated the good little boy, with a contented sort of a + grunt, “that was a giant, sure enough! And how long was his little + finger?” + </p> + <p> + “As long as from Tanglewood to the lake,” said Eustace. + </p> + <p> + “Sure enough, that was a giant!” repeated Sweet Fern, in an ecstasy at the + precision of these measurements. “And how broad, I wonder, were the + shoulders of Hercules?” + </p> + <p> + “That is what I have never been able to find out,” answered the student. + “But I think they must have been a great deal broader than mine, or than + your father’s, or than almost any shoulders which one sees nowadays.” + </p> + <p> + “I wish,” whispered Sweet Fern, with his mouth close to the student’s ear, + “that you would tell me how big were some of the oak-trees that grew + between the giant’s toes.” + </p> + <p> + “They were bigger,” said Eustace, “than the great chestnut-tree which + stands beyond Captain Smith’s house.” + </p> + <p> + “Eustace,” remarked Mr. Pringle, after some deliberation, “I find it + impossible to express such an opinion of this story as will be likely to + gratify, in the smallest degree, your pride of authorship. Pray let me + advise you never more to meddle with a classical myth. Your imagination is + altogether Gothic, and will inevitably Gothicize everything that you + touch. The effect is like bedaubing a marble statue with paint. This + giant, now! How can you have ventured to thrust his huge, disproportioned + mass among the seemly outlines of Grecian fable, the tendency of which is + to reduce even the extravagant within limits, by its pervading elegance?” + </p> + <p> + “I described the giant as he appeared to me,” replied the student, rather + piqued. “And, sir, if you would only bring your mind into such a relation + with these fables as is necessary in order to remodel them, you would see + at once that an old Greek had no more exclusive right to them than a + modern Yankee has. They are the common property of the world, and of all + time. The ancient poets remodelled them at pleasure, and held them plastic + in their hands; and why should they not be plastic in my hands, as well?” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Pringle could not forbear a smile. + </p> + <p> + “And besides,” continued Eustace, “the moment you put any warmth of heart, + any passion or affection, any human or divine morality, into a classic + mould, you make it quite another thing from what it was before. My own + opinion is, that the Greeks, by taking possession of these legends (which + were the immemorial birthright of mankind), and putting them into shapes + of indestructible beauty, indeed, but cold and heartless, have done all + subsequent ages an incalculable injury.” + </p> + <p> + “Which you, doubtless, were born to remedy,” said Mr. Pringle, laughing + outright. “Well, well, go on; but take my advice, and never put any of + your travesties on paper. And, as your next effort, what if you should try + your hand on some one of the legends of Apollo?” + </p> + <p> + “Ah, sir, you propose it as an impossibility,” observed the student, after + a moment’s meditation; “and, to be sure, at first thought, the idea of a + Gothic Apollo strikes one rather ludicrously. But I will turn over your + suggestion in my mind, and do not quite despair of success.” + </p> + <p> + During the above discussion, the children (who understood not a word of + it) had grown very sleepy, and were now sent off to bed. Their drowsy + babble was heard, ascending the staircase, while a northwest-wind roared + loudly among the tree-tops of Tanglewood, and played an anthem around the + house. Eustace Bright went back to the study, and again endeavored to + hammer out some verses, but fell asleep between two of the rhymes. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg’s The Three Golden Apples, by Nathaniel Hawthorne + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE THREE GOLDEN APPLES *** + +***** This file should be named 9257-h.htm or 9257-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/9/2/5/9257/ + +Produced by David Widger and Al Haines + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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