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diff --git a/9313-h/9313-h.htm b/9313-h/9313-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e5414ed --- /dev/null +++ b/9313-h/9313-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,4252 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="iso-8859-1"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + Old Greek Folk Stories Told Anew, by Josephine Preston Peabody + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + .side { float: right; font-size: 75%; width: 25%; padding-left: 0.8em; + border-left: dashed thin; margin-left: 0.8em; text-align: left; + text-indent: 0; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; + font-weight: bold; color: black; background: #eeeeee; border: solid 1px;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Old Greek Folk Stories Told Anew, by +Josephine Preston Peabody + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. 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: Old Greek Folk Stories Told Anew + +Author: Josephine Preston Peabody + + +Release Date: November, 2005 [EBook #9313] +This file was first posted on September 20, 2003 +Last Updated: May 10, 2013 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OLD GREEK FOLK STORIES TOLD ANEW *** + + + + +Text file produced by Juliet Sutherland, Tonya Allen, and Project +Gutenberg Distributed Proofreaders + +HTML file produced by David Widger + + + + +</pre> + + <div style="height: 8em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h1> + OLD GREEK FOLK STORIES TOLD ANEW + </h1> + <h2> + By Josephine Preston Peabody + </h2> + <h3> + 1897 + </h3> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + PUBLISHERS' NOTE. + </h2> + <p> + Hawthorne, in his <i>Wonder-Book</i> and <i>Tanglewood Tales</i>, has + told, in a manner familiar to multitudes of American children and to many + more who once were children, a dozen of the old Greek folk stories. They + have served to render the persons and scenes known as no classical + dictionary would make them known. But Hawthorne chose a few out of the + many myths which are constantly appealing to the reader not only of + ancient but of modern literature. The group contained in the collection + which follows will help to fill out the list; it is designed to serve as a + complement to the <i>Wonder-Book</i> and <i>Tanglewood Tales</i>, so that + the references to the stories in those collections are brief and allusive + only. In order to make the entire series more useful, the index added to + this number of the <i>Riverside Literature Series</i> is made to include + also the stories contained in the other numbers of the series which + contain Hawthorne's two books. Thus the index serves as a tolerably full + clue to the best-known characters in Greek mythology. + </p> + <p> + <i>Once upon a time, men made friends with the Earth. They listened to all + that woods and waters might say; their eyes were keen to see wonders in + silent country places and in the living creatures that had not learned to + be afraid. To this wise world outside the people took their joy and + sorrow; and because they loved the Earth, she answered them.</i> + </p> + <p> + <i>It was not strange that Pan himself sometimes brought home a shepherd's + stray lamb. It was not strange, if one broke the branches of a tree, that + some fair life within wept at the hurt. Even now, the Earth is glad with + us in springtime, and we grieve for her when the leaves go. But in the old + days there was a closer union, clearer speech between men and all other + creatures, Earth and the stars about her.</i> + </p> + <p> + <i>Out of the life that they lived together, there have come down to us + these wonderful tales; and, whether they be told well or ill, they are too + good to be forgotten.</i> + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + <b>CONTENTS</b> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0001"> PUBLISHERS' NOTE. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_TOC"> DETAILED CONTENTS. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0002"> THE WOOD-FOLK. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0003"> THE JUDGMENT OF MIDAS </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0004"> PROMETHEUS. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0005"> THE DELUGE. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0006"> ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0007"> ICARUS AND DAEDALUS. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0008"> PHAETHON. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0009"> NIOBE. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0010"> ADMETUS AND THE SHEPHERD. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0011"> ALCESTIS. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0012"> APOLLO'S SISTER. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0013"> THE CALYDONIAN HUNT. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0014"> ATALANTA'S RACE. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0015"> ARACHNE. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0016"> PYRAMUS AND THISBE. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0017"> PYGMALION AND GALATEA. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0018"> OEDIPUS. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0019"> CUPID AND PSYCHE. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0020"> THE TRIAL OF PSYCHE. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0021"> STORIES OF THE TROJAN WAR. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0022"> THE HOUSE OF AGAMEMNON. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0023"> THE ADVENTURES OF ODYSSEUS. </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_TOC" id="link2H_TOC"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <p> + <b>DETAILED CONTENTS.</b> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0002"> THE WOOD-FOLK </a> + </p> + <p> + THE WOOD-FOLK <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0003"> THE JUDGMENT OF MIDAS </a> + </p> + <p> + THE JUDGMENT OF MIDAS <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0004"> PROMETHEUS </a> + </p> + <p> + PROMETHEUS <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0005"> THE DELUGE </a> + </p> + <p> + THE DELUGE <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0006"> ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE </a> + </p> + <p> + ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0007"> ICARUS AND DAEDALUS </a> + </p> + <p> + ICARUS AND DAEDALUS <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0008"> PHAETHON </a> + </p> + <p> + PHAETHON <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0009"> NIOBE </a> + </p> + <p> + NIOBE <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0010"> ADMETUS AND THE SHEPHERD </a> + </p> + <p> + ADMETUS AND THE SHEPHERD <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0011"> ALCESTIS </a> + </p> + <p> + ALCESTIS <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0012"> APOLLO'S SISTER </a> + </p> + <p> + APOLLO'S SISTER <br /> I. DIANA AND ACTAEON <br /> II. DIANA AND ENDYMION + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0013"> THE CALYDONIAN HUNT </a> + </p> + <p> + THE CALYDONIAN HUNT <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0014"> ATALANTA'S RACE </a> + </p> + <p> + ATALANTA'S RACE <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0015"> ARACHNE </a> + </p> + <p> + ARACHNE <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0016"> PYRAMUS AND THISBE </a> + </p> + <p> + PYRAMUS AND THISBE <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0017"> PYGMALION AND GALATEA </a> + </p> + <p> + PYGMALION AND GALATEA <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0018"> OEDIPUS </a> + </p> + <p> + OEDIPUS <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0019"> CUPID AND PSYCHE </a> + </p> + <p> + CUPID AND PSYCHE <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0020"> THE TRIAL OF PSYCHE </a> + </p> + <p> + THE TRIAL OF PSYCHE <br /> STORIES OP THE TROJAN WAR <br /> I. THE APPLE OF + DISCORD <br /> II. THE ROUSING OF THE HEROES <br /> III. THE WOODEN HORSE + <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0022"> THE HOUSE OF AGAMEMNON </a> + </p> + <p> + THE HOUSE OF AGAMEMNON <br /> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0023"> THE ADVENTURES OF ODYSSEUS </a> + </p> + <p> + I. THE CURSE OF POLYPHEMUS <br /> II. THE WANDERING OF ODYSSEUS <br /> III. + THE HOME-COMING <br /> <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0002" id="link2H_4_0002"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE WOOD-FOLK. + </h2> + <p> + Pan led a merrier life than all the other gods together. He was beloved + alike by shepherds and countrymen, and by the fauns and satyrs, birds and + beasts, of his own kingdom. The care of flocks and herds was his, and for + home he had all the world of woods and waters; he was lord of everything + out-of-doors! Yet he felt the burden of it no more than he felt the shadow + of a leaf when he danced, but spent the days in laughter and music among + his fellows. Like him, the fauns and satyrs had furry, pointed ears, and + little horns that sprouted above their brows; in fact, they were all + enough like wild creatures to seem no strangers to anything untamed. They + slept in the sun, piped in the shade, and lived on wild grapes and the + nuts that every squirrel was ready to share with them. + </p> + <p> + The woods were never lonely. A man might wander away into those solitudes + and think himself friendless; but here and there a river knew, and a tree + could tell, a story of its own. Beautiful creatures they were, that for + one reason or another had left off human shape. Some had been transformed + against their will, that they might do no more harm to their fellow-men. + Some were changed through the pity of the gods, that they might share the + simple life of Pan, mindless of mortal cares, glad in rain and sunshine, + and always close to the heart of the Earth. + </p> + <p> + There was Dryope, for instance, the lotus-tree. Once a careless, happy + woman, walking among the trees with her sister Iole and her own baby, she + had broken a lotus that held a live nymph hidden, and blood dripped from + the wounded plant. Too late, Dryope saw her heedlessness; and there her + steps had taken root, and there she had said good-by to her child, and + prayed Iole to bring him sometimes to play beneath her shadow. Poor + mother-tree! Perhaps she took comfort with the birds and gave a kindly + shelter to some nest. + </p> + <p> + There, too, was Echo, once a wood-nymph who angered the goddess Juno with + her waste of words, and was compelled now to wait till others spoke, and + then to say nothing but their last word, like any mocking-bird. One day + she saw and loved the youth Narcissus, who was searching the woods for his + hunting companions. "Come hither!" he called, and Echo cried "Hither!" + eager to speak at last. "Here am I,—come!" he repeated, looking + about for the voice. "I come," said Echo, and she stood before him. But + the youth, angry at such mimicry, only stared at her and hastened away. + From that time she faded to a voice, and to this day she lurks hidden and + silent till you call. + </p> + <p> + But Narcissus himself was destined to fall in love with a shadow. For, + leaning over the edge of a brook one day, he saw his own beautiful face + looking up at him like a water-nymph. He leaned nearer, and the face rose + towards him, but when he touched the surface it was gone in a hundred + ripples. Day after day he besought the lovely creature to have pity and to + speak; but it mocked him with his own tears and smiles, and he forgot all + else, until he changed into a flower that leans over to see its image in + the pool. + </p> + <p> + There, too, was the sunflower Clytie, once a maiden who thought nothing so + beautiful as the sun-god Phoebus Apollo. All the day long she used to look + after him as he journeyed across the heavens in his golden chariot, until + she came to be a fair rooted plant that ever turns its head to watch the + sun. + </p> + <p> + Many like were there. Daphne the laurel, Hyacinthus (once a beautiful + youth, slain by mischance), who lives and renews his bloom as a flower,—these + and a hundred others. The very weeds were friendly.... + </p> + <p> + But there were wise, immortal voices in certain caves and trees. Men + called them Oracles; for here the gods spoke in answer to the prayers of + folk in sorrow or bewilderment. Sometimes they built a temple around such + a befriending voice, and kings would journey far to hear it speak. + </p> + <p> + As for Pan, only one grief had he, and in the end a glad thing came of it. + </p> + <p> + One day, when he was loitering in Arcadia, he saw the beautiful wood-nymph + Syrinx. She was hastening to join Diana at the chase, and she herself was + as swift and lovely as any bright bird that one longs to capture. So Pan + thought, and he hurried after to tell her. But Syrinx turned, caught one + glimpse of the god's shaggy locks and bright eyes, and the two little + horns on his head (he was much like a wild thing, at a look), and she + sprang away down the path in terror. + </p> + <p> + Begging her to listen, Pan followed; and Syrinx, more and more frightened + by the patter of his hoofs, never heeded him, but went as fast as light + till she came to the brink of the river. Only then she paused, praying her + friends, the water-nymphs, for some way of escape. The gentle, bewildered + creatures, looking up through the water, could think of but one device. + </p> + <p> + Just as the god overtook Syrinx and stretched out his arms to her, she + vanished like a mist, and he found himself grasping a cluster of tall + reeds. Poor Pan! + </p> + <p> + The breeze that sighed whenever he did—and oftener—shook the + reeds and made a sweet little sound,—a sudden music. Pan heard it, + half consoled. + </p> + <p> + "Is it your voice, Syrinx?" he said. "Shall we sing together?" + </p> + <p> + He bound a number of the reeds side by side; to this day, shepherds know + how. He blew across the hollow pipes and they made music! + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0003" id="link2H_4_0003"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE JUDGMENT OF MIDAS + </h2> + <p> + Pan came at length to be such a wonderful piper with his syrinx (for so he + named his flute) that he challenged Apollo to make better music if he + could. Now the sun-god was also the greatest of divine musicians, and he + resolved to punish the vanity of the country-god, and so consented to the + test. For judge they chose the mountain Tmolus, since no one is so old and + wise as the hills. And, since Tmolus could not leave his home, to him went + Pan and Apollo, each with his followers, oreads and dryads, fauns, satyrs, + and centaurs. + </p> + <p> + Among the worshippers of Pan was a certain Midas, who had a strange story. + Once a king of great wealth, he had chanced to befriend Dionysus, god of + the vine; and when he was asked to choose some good gift in return, he + prayed that everything he touched might be turned into gold. Dionysus + smiled a little when he heard this foolish prayer, but he granted it. + Within two days, King Midas learned the secret of that smile, and begged + the god to take away the gift that was a curse. He had touched everything + that belonged to him, and little joy did he have of his possessions! His + palace was as yellow a home as a dandelion to a bee, but not half so + sweet. Row upon row of stiff golden trees stood in his garden; they no + longer knew a breeze when they heard it. When he sat down to eat, his + feast turned to treasure uneatable. He learned that a king may starve, and + he came to see that gold cannot replace the live, warm gifts of the Earth. + Kindly Dionysus took back the charm, but from that day King Midas so hated + gold that he chose to live far from luxury, among the woods and fields. + Even here he was not to go free from misadventure. + </p> + <p> + Tmolus gave the word, and Pan uprose with his syrinx, and blew upon the + reeds a melody so wild and yet so coaxing that the squirrels came, as if + at a call, and the birds hopped down in rows. The trees swayed with a + longing to dance, and the fauns looked at one another and laughed for joy. + To their furry little ears, it was the sweetest music that could be. + </p> + <p> + But Tmolus bowed before Apollo, and the sun-god rose with his golden lyre + in his hands. As he moved, light shook out of his radiant hair as + raindrops are showered from the leaves. His trailing robes were purple, + like the clouds that temper the glory of a sunset, so that one may look + upon it. He touched the strings of his lyre, and all things were silent + with joy. He made music, and the woods dreamed. The fauns and satyrs were + quite still; and the wild creatures crouched, blinking, under a charm of + light that they could not understand. To hear such a music cease was like + bidding farewell to father and mother. + </p> + <p> + With one accord they fell at the feet of Apollo, and Tmolus proclaimed the + victory his. Only one voice disputed that award. + </p> + <p> + Midas refused to acknowledge Apollo lord of music,—perhaps because + the looks of the god dazzled his eyes unpleasantly, and put him in mind of + his foolish wish years before. For him there was no music in a golden + lyre! + </p> + <p> + But Apollo would not leave such dull ears unpunished. At a word from him + they grew long, pointed, furry, and able to turn this way and that (like a + poplar leaf),—a plain warning to musicians. Midas had the ears of an + ass, for every one to see! + </p> + <p> + For a long time the poor man hid this oddity with such skill that we might + never have heard of it. But one of his servants learned the secret, and + suffered so much from keeping it to himself that he had to unburden his + mind at last. Out into the meadows he went, hollowed a little place in the + turf, whispered the strange news into it quite softly, and heaped the + earth over again. Alas! a bed of reeds sprang up there before long, and + whispered in turn to the grass-blades. Year after year they grew again, + ever gossipping among themselves; and to this day, with every wind that + sets them nodding together, they murmur, laughing, "<i>Midas has the ears + of an ass: Oh, hush, hush!</i>" + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0004" id="link2H_4_0004"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + PROMETHEUS. + </h2> + <p> + In the early days of the universe, there was a great struggle for empire + between Zeus and the Titans. The Titans, giant powers of heaven and earth, + were for seizing whatever they wanted, with no more ado than a whirlwind. + Prometheus, the wisest of all their race, long tried to persuade them that + good counsel would avail more than violence; but they refused to listen. + Then, seeing that such rulers would soon turn heaven and earth into chaos + again, Prometheus left them to their own devices, and went over to Zeus, + whom he aided so well that the Titans were utterly overthrown. Down into + Tartarus they went, to live among the hidden fires of the earth; and there + they spent a long term of bondage, muttering like storm, and shaking the + roots of mountains. One of them was Enceladus, who lay bound under Aetna; + and one, Atlas, was made to stand and bear up the weight of the sky on his + giant shoulders. + </p> + <p> + Zeus was left King of gods and men. Like any young ruler, he was eager to + work great changes with his new power. Among other plans, he proposed to + destroy the race of men then living, and to replace it with some new order + of creatures. Prometheus alone heard this scheme with indignation. Not + only did he plead for the life of man and save it, but ever after he spent + his giant efforts to civilize the race, and to endow it with a wit near to + that of gods. + </p> + <p> + In the Golden Age, men had lived free of care. They took no heed of daily + wants, since Zeus gave them all things needful, and the earth brought + forth fruitage and harvest without asking the toil of husbandmen. If + mortals were light of heart, however, their minds were empty of great + enterprise. They did not know how to build or plant or weave; their + thoughts never flew far, and they had no wish to cross the sea. + </p> + <p> + But Prometheus loved earthly folk, and thought that they had been children + long enough. He was a mighty workman, with the whole world for a workshop; + and little by little he taught men knowledge that is wonderful to know, so + that they grew out of their childhood, and began to take thought for + themselves. Some people even say that he knew how to make men,—as we + make shapes out of clay,—and set their five wits going. However that + may be, he was certainly a cunning workman. He taught men first to build + huts out of clay, and to thatch roofs with straw. He showed them how to + make bricks and hew marble. He taught them numbers and letters, the signs + of the seasons, and the coming and going of the stars. He showed them how + to use for their healing the simple herbs that once had no care save to + grow and be fragrant. He taught them how to till the fields; how to tame + the beasts, and set them also to work; how to build ships that ride the + water, and to put wings upon them that they may go faster, like birds. + </p> + <p> + With every new gift, men desired more and more. They set out to see + unknown lands, and their ambitions grew with their knowledge. They were + like a race of poor gods gifted with dreams of great glory and the power + to fashion marvellous things; and, though they had no endless youth to + spend, the gods were troubled. + </p> + <p> + Last of all, Prometheus went up secretly to heaven after the treasure of + the immortals. He lighted a reed at the flame of the sun, and brought down + the holy fire which is dearest to the gods. For with the aid of fire all + things are possible, all arts are perfected. + </p> + <p> + This was his greatest gift to man, but it was a theft from the immortal + gods, and Zeus would endure no more. He could not take back the secret of + fire; but he had Prometheus chained to a lofty crag in the Caucasus, where + every day a vulture came to prey upon his body, and at night the wound + would heal, so that it was ever to suffer again. It was a bitter penalty + for so noble-hearted a rebel, and as time went by, and Zeus remembered his + bygone services, he would have made peace once more. He only waited till + Prometheus should bow his stubborn spirit, but this the son of Titans + would not do. Haughty as rock beneath his daily torment, believing that he + suffered for the good of mankind, he endured for years. + </p> + <p> + One secret hardened his spirit. He was sure that the empire of Zeus must + fall some day, since he knew of a danger that threatened it. For there was + a certain beautiful sea-nymph, Thetis, whom Zeus desired for his wife. + (This was before his marriage to Queen Juno.) Prometheus alone knew that + Thetis was destined to have a son who should be far greater than his + father. If she married some mortal, then, the prophecy was not so + wonderful; but if she were to marry the King of gods and men, and her son + should be greater than he, there could be no safety for the kingdom. This + knowledge Prometheus kept securely hidden; but he ever defied Zeus, and + vexed him with dark sayings about a danger that threatened his + sovereignty. No torment could wring the secret from him. Year after year, + lashed by the storms and scorched by the heat of the sun, he hung in + chains and the vulture tore his vitals, while the young Oceanides wept at + his feet, and men sorrowed over the doom of their protector. + </p> + <p> + At last that earlier enmity between the gods and the Titans came to an + end. The banished rebels were set free from Tartarus, and they themselves + came and besought their brother, Prometheus, to hear the terms of Zeus. + For the King of gods and men had promised to pardon his enemy, if he would + only reveal this one troublous secret. + </p> + <p> + In all heaven and earth there was but one thing that marred the new + harmony,—this long struggle between Zeus and Prometheus; and the + Titan relented. He spoke the prophecy, warned Zeus not to marry Thetis, + and the two were reconciled. The hero Heracles (himself an earthly son of + Zeus) slew the vulture and set Prometheus free. + </p> + <p> + But it was still needful that a life should be given to expiate that + ancient sin,—the theft of fire. It happened that Chiron, noblest of + all the Centaurs (who are half horses and half men), was wandering the + world in agony from a wound that he had received by strange mischance. + For, at a certain wedding-feast among the Lapithae of Thessaly, one of the + turbulent Centaurs had attempted to steal away the bride. A fierce + struggle followed, and in the general confusion, Chiron, blameless as he + was, had been wounded by a poisoned arrow. Ever tormented with the hurt + and never to be healed, the immortal Centaur longed for death, and begged + that he might be accepted as an atonement for Prometheus. The gods heard + his prayer and took away his pain and his immortality. He died like any + wearied man, and Zeus set him as a shining archer among the stars. + </p> + <p> + So ended a long feud. From the day of Prometheus, men spent their lives in + ceaseless enterprise, forced to take heed for food and raiment, since they + knew how, and to ply their tasks of art and handicraft, They had taken + unresting toil upon them, but they had a wondrous servant at their beck + and call,—the bright-eyed fire that is the treasure of the gods. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0005" id="link2H_4_0005"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE DELUGE. + </h2> + <p> + Even with the gifts of Prometheus, men could not rest content. As years + went by, they lost all the innocence of the early world; they grew more + and more covetous and evil-hearted. Not satisfied with the fruits of the + Earth, or with the fair work of their own hands, they delved in the ground + after gold and jewels; and for the sake of treasure nations made war upon + each other and hate sprang up in households. Murder and theft broke loose + and left nothing sacred. + </p> + <p> + At last Zeus spoke. Calling the gods together, he said: "Ye see what the + Earth has become through the baseness of men. Once they were deserving of + our protection; now they even neglect to ask it. I will destroy them with + my thunderbolts and make a new race." + </p> + <p> + But the gods withheld him from this impulse. "For," they said, "let not + the Earth, the mother of all, take fire and perish. But seek out some + means to destroy mankind and leave her unhurt." + </p> + <p> + So Zeus unloosed the waters of the world and there was a great flood. + </p> + <p> + The streams that had been pent in narrow channels, like wild steeds bound + to the ploughshare, broke away with exultation; the springs poured down + from the mountains, and the air was blind with rain. Valleys and uplands + were covered; strange countries were joined in one great sea; and where + the highest trees had towered, only a little greenery pricked through the + water, as weeds show in a brook. + </p> + <p> + Men and women perished with the flocks and herds. Wild beasts from the + forest floated away on the current with the poor sheep. Birds, left + homeless, circled and flew far and near seeking some place of rest, and, + finding none, they fell from weariness and died with human folk, that had + no wings. + </p> + <p> + Then for the first time the sea-creatures—nymphs and dolphins—ventured + far from their homes, up, up through the swollen waters, among places that + they had never seen before,—forests whose like they had not dreamed, + towns and deluged farmsteads. They went in and out of drowned palaces, and + wondered at the strange ways of men. And in and out the bright fish + darted, too, without a fear. Wonderful man was no more. His hearth was + empty; and fire, his servant, was dead on earth. + </p> + <p> + One mountain alone stood high above this ruin. It was Parnassus, sacred to + the gods; and here one man and woman had found refuge. Strangely enough, + this husband and wife were of the race of the Titans,—Deucalion, a + son of Prometheus, and Pyrrha, a child of Epimetheus, his brother; and + these alone had lived pure and true of heart. + </p> + <p> + Warned by Prometheus of the fate in store for the Earth, they had put off + from their home in a little boat, and had made the crest of Parnassus + their safe harbor. + </p> + <p> + The gods looked down on these two lonely creatures, and, beholding all + their past lives clear and just, suffered them to live on. Zeus bade the + rain cease and the floods withdraw. + </p> + <p> + Once more the rivers sought their wonted channels, and the sea-gods and + the nymphs wandered home reluctantly with the sinking seas. The sun came + out; and they hastened more eagerly to find cool depths. Little by little + the forest trees rose from the shallows as if they were growing anew. At + last the surface of the world lay clear to see, but sodden and deserted, + the fair fields covered with ooze, the houses rank with moss, the temples + cold and lightless. + </p> + <p> + Deucalion and Pyrrha saw the bright waste of water sink and grow dim and + the hills emerge, and the earth show green once more. But even their + thankfulness of heart could not make them merry. + </p> + <p> + "Are we to live on this great earth all alone?" they said. "Ah! if we had + but the wisdom and cunning of our fathers, we might make a new race of men + to bear us company. But now what remains to us? We have only each other + for all our kindred." + </p> + <p> + "Take heart, dear wife," said Deucalion at length, "and let us pray to the + gods in yonder temple." + </p> + <p> + They went thither hand in hand. It touched their hearts to see the sacred + steps soiled with the water-weeds,—the altar without fire; but they + entered reverently, and besought the Oracle to help them. + </p> + <p> + "Go forth," answered the spirit of the place, "with your faces veiled and + your robes ungirt; and cast behind you, as ye go, the bones of your + mother." + </p> + <p> + Deucalion and Pyrrha heard with amazement. The strange word was terrible + to them. + </p> + <p> + "We may never dare do this," whispered Pyrrha. "It would be impious to + strew our mother's bones along the way." + </p> + <p> + In sadness and wonder they went out together and took thought, a little + comforted by the firmness of the dry earth beneath their feet. Suddenly + Deucalion pointed to the ground. + </p> + <p> + "Behold the Earth, our mother!" said he. "Surely it was this that the + Oracle meant. And what should her bones be but the rocks that are a + foundation for the clay, and the pebbles that strew the path?" + </p> + <p> + Uncertain, but with lighter hearts, they veiled their faces, ungirt their + garments, and, gathering each an armful of the stones, flung them behind, + as the Oracle had bidden. + </p> + <p> + And, as they walked, every stone that Deucalion flung became a man; and + every one that Pyrrha threw sprang up a woman. And the hearts of these two + were filled with joy and welcome. + </p> + <p> + Down from the holy mountain they went, all those new creatures, ready to + make them homes and to go about human work. For they were strong to + endure, fresh and hardy of spirit, as men and women should be who are true + children of our Mother Earth. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0006" id="link2H_4_0006"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE. + </h2> + <p> + When gods and shepherds piped and the stars sang, that was the day of + musicians! But the triumph of Phoebus Apollo himself was not so wonderful + as the triumph of a mortal man who lived on earth, though some say that he + came of divine lineage. This was Orpheus, that best of harpers, who went + with the Grecian heroes of the great ship Argo in search of the Golden + Fleece. + </p> + <p> + After his return from the quest, he won Eurydice for his wife, and they + were as happy as people can be who love each other and every one else. The + very wild beasts loved them, and the trees clustered about their home as + if they were watered with music. But even the gods themselves were not + always free from sorrow, and one day misfortune came upon that harper + Orpheus whom all men loved to honor. + </p> + <p> + Eurydice, his lovely wife, as she was wandering with the nymphs, + unwittingly trod upon a serpent in the grass. Surely, if Orpheus had been + with her, playing upon his lyre, no creature could have harmed her. But + Orpheus came too late. She died of the sting, and was lost to him in the + Underworld. + </p> + <p> + For days he wandered from his home, singing the story of his loss and his + despair to the helpless passers-by. His grief moved the very stones in the + wilderness, and roused a dumb distress in the hearts of savage beasts. + Even the gods on Mount Olympus gave ear, but they held no power over the + darkness of Hades. + </p> + <p> + Wherever Orpheus wandered with his lyre, no one had the will to forbid him + entrance; and at length he found unguarded that very cave that leads to + the Underworld where Pluto rules the spirits of the dead. He went down + without fear. The fire in his living heart found him a way through the + gloom of that place. He crossed the Styx, the black river that the gods + name as their most sacred oath. Charon, the harsh old ferryman who takes + the Shades across, forgot to ask of him the coin that every soul must pay. + For Orpheus sang. There in the Underworld the song of Apollo would not + have moved the poor ghosts so much. It would have amazed them, like a star + far off that no one understands. But here was a human singer, and he sang + of things that grow in every human heart, youth and love and death, the + sweetness of the Earth, and the bitterness of losing aught that is dear to + us. + </p> + <p> + Now the dead, when they go to the Underworld, drink of the pool of Lethe; + and forgetfulness of all that has passed comes upon them like a sleep, and + they lose their longing for the world, they lose their memory of pain, and + live content with that cool twilight. But not the pool of Lethe itself + could withstand the song of Orpheus; and in the hearts of the Shades all + the old dreams awoke wondering. They remembered once more the life of men + on Earth, the glory of the sun and moon, the sweetness of new grass, the + warmth of their homes, all the old joy and grief that they had known. And + they wept. + </p> + <p> + Even the Furies were moved to pity. Those, too, who were suffering + punishment for evil deeds ceased to be tormented for themselves, and + grieved only for the innocent Orpheus who had lost Eurydice. Sisyphus, + that fraudulent king (who is doomed to roll a monstrous boulder uphill + forever), stopped to listen. The daughters of Danaus left off their task + of drawing water in a sieve. Tantalus forgot hunger and thirst, though + before his eyes hung magical fruits that were wont to vanish out of his + grasp, and just beyond reach bubbled the water that was a torment to his + ears; he did not hear it while Orpheus sang. + </p> + <p> + So, among a crowd of eager ghosts, Orpheus came, singing with all his + heart, before the king and queen of Hades. And the queen Proserpina wept + as she listened and grew homesick, remembering the fields of Enna and the + growing of the wheat, and her own beautiful mother, Demeter. Then Pluto + gave way. + </p> + <p> + They called Eurydice and she came, like a young guest unused to the + darkness of the Underworld. She was to return with Orpheus, but on one + condition. If he turned to look at her once before they reached the upper + air, he must lose her again and go back to the world alone. + </p> + <p> + Rapt with joy, the happy Orpheus hastened on the way, thinking only of + Eurydice, who was following him. Past Lethe, across the Styx they went, he + and his lovely wife, still silent as a Shade. But the place was full of + gloom, the silence weighed upon him, he had not seen her for so long; her + footsteps made no sound; and he could hardly believe the miracle, for + Pluto seldom relents. When the first gleam of upper daylight broke through + the cleft to the dismal world, he forgot all, save that he must know if + she still followed. He turned to see her face, and the promise was broken! + </p> + <p> + She smiled at him forgivingly, but it was too late. He stretched out his + arms to take her, but she faded from them, as the bright snow, that none + may keep, melts in our very hands. A murmur of farewell came to his ears,—no + more. She was gone. + </p> + <p> + He would have followed, but Charon, now on guard, drove him back. Seven + days he lingered there between the worlds of life and death, but after the + broken promise, Hades would not listen to his song. Back to the Earth he + wandered, though it was sweet to him no longer. He died young, singing to + the last, and round about the place where his body rested, nightingales + nested in the trees. His lyre was set among the stars; and he himself went + down to join Eurydice, unforbidden. + </p> + <p> + Those two had no need of Lethe, for their life on earth had been wholly + fair, and now that they are together they no longer own a sorrow. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0007" id="link2H_4_0007"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + ICARUS AND DAEDALUS. + </h2> + <p> + Among all those mortals who grew so wise that they learned the secrets of + the gods, none was more cunning than Daedalus. + </p> + <p> + He once built, for King Minos of Crete, a wonderful Labyrinth of winding + ways so cunningly tangled up and twisted around that, once inside, you + could never find your way out again without a magic clue. But the king's + favor veered with the wind, and one day he had his master architect + imprisoned in a tower. Daedalus managed to escape from his cell; but it + seemed impossible to leave the island, since every ship that came or went + was well guarded by order of the king. + </p> + <p> + At length, watching the sea-gulls in the air,—the only creatures + that were sure of liberty,—he thought of a plan for himself and his + young son Icarus, who was captive with him. + </p> + <p> + Little by little, he gathered a store of feathers great and small. He + fastened these together with thread, moulded them in with wax, and so + fashioned two great wings like those of a bird. When they were done, + Daedalus fitted them to his own shoulders, and after one or two efforts, + he found that by waving his arms he could winnow the air and cleave it, as + a swimmer does the sea. He held himself aloft, wavered this way and that + with the wind, and at last, like a great fledgling, he learned to fly. + </p> + <p> + Without delay, he fell to work on a pair of wings for the boy Icarus, and + taught him carefully how to use them, bidding him beware of rash + adventures among the stars. "Remember," said the father, "never to fly + very low or very high, for the fogs about the earth would weigh you down, + but the blaze of the sun will surely melt your feathers apart if you go + too near." + </p> + <p> + For Icarus, these cautions went in at one ear and out by the other. Who + could remember to be careful when he was to fly for the first time? Are + birds careful? Not they! And not an idea remained in the boy's head but + the one joy of escape. + </p> + <p> + The day came, and the fair wind that was to set them free. The father bird + put on his wings, and, while the light urged them to be gone, he waited to + see that all was well with Icarus, for the two could not fly hand in hand. + Up they rose, the boy after his father. The hateful ground of Crete sank + beneath them; and the country folk, who caught a glimpse of them when they + were high above the tree-tops, took it for a vision of the gods,—Apollo, + perhaps, with Cupid after him. + </p> + <p> + At first there was a terror in the joy. The wide vacancy of the air dazed + them,—a glance downward made their brains reel. But when a great + wind filled their wings, and Icarus felt himself sustained, like a + halcyon-bird in the hollow of a wave, like a child uplifted by his mother, + he forgot everything in the world but joy. He forgot Crete and the other + islands that he had passed over: he saw but vaguely that winged thing in + the distance before him that was his father Daedalus. He longed for one + draught of flight to quench the thirst of his captivity: he stretched out + his arms to the sky and made towards the highest heavens. + </p> + <p> + Alas for him! Warmer and warmer grew the air. Those arms, that had seemed + to uphold him, relaxed. His wings wavered, drooped. He fluttered his young + hands vainly,—he was falling,—and in that terror he + remembered. The heat of the sun had melted the wax from his wings; the + feathers were falling, one by one, like snowflakes; and there was none to + help. + </p> + <p> + He fell like a leaf tossed down the wind, down, down, with one cry that + overtook Daedalus far away. When he returned, and sought high and low for + the poor boy, he saw nothing but the bird-like feathers afloat on the + water, and he knew that Icarus was drowned. + </p> + <p> + The nearest island he named Icaria, in memory of the child; but he, in + heavy grief, went to the temple of Apollo in Sicily, and there hung up his + wings as an offering. Never again did he attempt to fly. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0008" id="link2H_4_0008"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + PHAETHON. + </h2> + <p> + Once upon a time, the reckless whim of a lad came near to destroying the + Earth and robbing the spheres of their wits. + </p> + <p> + There were two playmates, said to be of heavenly parentage. One was + Epaphus, who claimed Zeus as a father; and one was Phaethon, the earthly + child of Phoebus Apollo (or Helios, as some name the sun-god). One day + they were boasting together, each of his own father, and Epaphus, angry at + the other's fine story, dared him to go prove his kinship with the Sun. + </p> + <p> + Full of rage and humiliation, Phaethon went to his mother, Clymene, where + she sat with his young sisters, the Heliades. + </p> + <p> + "It is true, my child," she said, "I swear it in the light of yonder Sun. + If you have any doubt, go to the land whence he rises at morning and ask + of him any gift you will; he is your father, and he cannot refuse you." + </p> + <p> + As soon as might be, Phaethon set out for the country of sunrise. He + journeyed by day and by night far into the east, till he came to the + palace of the Sun. It towered high as the clouds, glorious with gold and + all manner of gems that looked like frozen fire, if that might be. The + mighty walls were wrought with images of earth and sea and sky. Vulcan, + the smith of the gods, had made them in his workshop (for Mount-Aetna is + one of his forges, and he has the central fires of the earth to help him + fashion gold and iron, as men do glass). On the doors blazed the twelve + signs of the Zodiac, in silver that shone like snow in the sunlight. + Phaethon was dazzled with the sight, but when he entered the palace hall + he could hardly bear the radiance. + </p> + <p> + In one glimpse through his half-shut eyes, he beheld a glorious being, + none other than Phoebus himself, seated upon a throne. He was clothed in + purple raiment, and round his head there shone a blinding light, that + enveloped even his courtiers upon the right and upon the left,—the + Seasons with their emblems, Day, Month, Year, and the beautiful young + Hours in a row. In one glance of those all-seeing eyes, the sun-god knew + his child; but in order to try him he asked the boy his errand. + </p> + <p> + "O my father," stammered Phaethon, "if you are my father indeed," and then + he took courage; for the god came down from his throne, put off the + glorious halo that hurt mortal eyes, and embraced him tenderly. + </p> + <p> + "Indeed, thou art my son," said he. "Ask any gift of me and it shall be + thine; I call the Styx to witness." + </p> + <p> + "Ah!" cried Phaethon rapturously. "Let me drive thy chariot for one day!" + </p> + <p> + For an instant the Sun's looks clouded. "Choose again, my child," said he. + "Thou art only a mortal, and this task is mine alone of all the gods. Not + Zeus himself dare drive the chariot of the Sun. The way is full of + terrors, both for the horses and for all the stars along the roadside, and + for the Earth, who has all blessings from me. Listen, and choose again." + And therewith he warned Phaethon of all the dangers that beset the way,—the + great steep that the steeds must climb, the numbing dizziness of the + height, the fierce constellations that breathe out fire, and that descent + in the west where the Sun seems to go headlong. + </p> + <p> + But these counsels only made the reckless boy more eager to win honor of + such a high enterprise. + </p> + <p> + "I will take care; only let me go," he begged. + </p> + <p> + Now Phoebus' had sworn by the black river Styx, an oath that none of the + gods dare break, and he was forced to keep his promise. + </p> + <p> + Already Aurora, goddess of dawn, had thrown open the gates of the east and + the stars were beginning to wane. The Hours came forth to harness the four + horses, and Phaethon looked with exultation at the splendid creatures, + whose lord he was for a day. Wild, immortal steeds they were, fed with + ambrosia, untamed as the winds; their very pet names signified flame, and + all that flame can do,—Pyrois, Eoüs, Aethon, Phlegon. + </p> + <p> + As the lad stood by, watching, Phoebus anointed his face with a philter + that should make him strong to endure the terrible heat and light, then + set the halo upon his head, with a last word of counsel. + </p> + <p> + "Follow the road," said he, "and never turn aside. Go not too high or too + low, for the sake of heavens and earth; else men and gods will suffer. The + Fates alone know whether evil is to come of this. Yet if your heart fails + you, as I hope, abide here and I will make the journey, as I am wont to + do." + </p> + <p> + But Phaethon held to his choice and bade his father farewell. He took his + place in the chariot, gathered up the reins, and the horses sprang away, + eager for the road. + </p> + <p> + As they went, they bent their splendid necks to see the meaning of the + strange hand upon the reins,—the slender weight in the chariot. They + turned their wild eyes upon Phaethon, to his secret foreboding, and + neighed one to another. This was no master-charioteer, but a mere lad, a + feather riding the wind. It was holiday for the horses of the Sun, and + away they went. + </p> + <p> + Grasping the reins that dragged him after, like an enemy, Phaethon looked + down from the fearful ascent and saw the Earth far beneath him, dim and + fair. He was blind with dizziness and bewilderment. His hold slackened and + the horses redoubled their speed, wild with new liberty. They left the old + tracks. Before he knew where he was, they had startled the constellations + and well-nigh grazed the Serpent, so that it woke from its torpor and + hissed. + </p> + <p> + The steeds took fright. This way and that they went, terrified by the + monsters they had never encountered before, shaking out of their silver + quiet the cool stars towards the north, then fleeing as far to the south + among new wonders. The heavens were full of terror. + </p> + <p> + Up, far above the clouds, they went, and down again, towards the + defenceless Earth, that could not flee from the chariot of the Sun. Great + rivers hid themselves in the ground, and mountains were consumed. Harvests + perished like a moth that is singed in a candle-flame. + </p> + <p> + In vain did Phaethon call to the horses and pull upon the reins. As in a + hideous dream, he saw his own Earth, his beautiful home and the home of + all men, his kindred, parched by the fires of this mad chariot, and + blackening beneath him. The ground cracked open and the sea shrank. + Heedless water-nymphs, who had lingered in the shallows, were left gasping + like bright fishes. The dryads shrank, and tried to cover themselves from + the scorching heat. The poor Earth lifted her withered face in a last + prayer to Zeus to save them if he might. + </p> + <p> + Then Zeus, calling all the gods to witness that there was no other means + of safety, hurled his thunderbolt; and Phaethon knew no more. + </p> + <p> + His body fell through the heavens, aflame like a shooting-star; and the + horses of the Sun dashed homeward with the empty chariot. + </p> + <p> + Poor Clymene grieved sore over the boy's death; but the young Heliades, + daughters of the Sun, refused all comfort. Day and night they wept + together about their brother's grave by the river, until the gods took + pity and changed them all into poplar-trees. And ever after that they wept + sweet tears of amber, clear as sunlight. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0009" id="link2H_4_0009"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + NIOBE. + </h2> + <p> + There are so many tales of the vanity of kings and queens that the half of + them cannot be told. + </p> + <p> + There was Cassiopaeia, queen of Aethiopia, who boasted that her beauty + outshone the beauty of all the sea-nymphs, so that in anger they sent a + horrible sea-serpent to ravage the coast. The king prayed of an Oracle to + know how the monster might be appeased, and learned that he must offer up + his own daughter, Andromeda. The maiden was therefore chained to a rock by + the sea-side, and left to her fate. But who should come to rescue her but + a certain young hero, Perseus, who was hastening homeward after a perilous + adventure with the snaky-haired Gorgons. Filled with pity at the story of + Andromeda, he waited for the dragon, met and slew him, and set the maiden + free. As for the boastful queen, the gods forgave her, and at her death + she was set among the stars. That story ended well. + </p> + <p> + But there was once a queen of Thebes, Niobe, fortunate above all women, + and yet arrogant in the face of the gods. Very beautiful she was, and + nobly born, but above all things she boasted of her children, for she had + seven sons and seven daughters. + </p> + <p> + Now there came the day when the people were wont to celebrate the feast of + Latona, mother of Apollo and Diana; and Niobe, as she stood looking upon + the worshippers on their way to the temple, was filled with overweening + pride. + </p> + <p> + "Why do you worship Latona before me?" she cried out. "What does she + possess that I have not in greater abundance? She has but two children, + while I have seven sons and as many daughters. Nay, if she robbed me out + of envy, I should still be rich. Go back to your houses; you have not eyes + to know the rightful goddess." + </p> + <p> + Such impiety was enough to frighten any one, and her subjects returned to + their daily work, awestruck and silent. + </p> + <p> + But Apollo and Diana were filled with wrath at this insult to their divine + mother. Not only was she a great goddess and a power in the heavens, but + during her life on earth she had suffered many hardships for their sake. + The serpent Python had been sent to torment her; and, driven from land to + land, under an evil spell, beset with dangers, she had found no + resting-place but the island of Delos, held sacred ever after to her and + her children. Once she had even been refused water by some churlish + peasants, who could not believe in a goddess if she appeared in humble + guise and travel-worn. But these men were all changed into frogs. + </p> + <p> + It needed no word from Latona herself to rouse her children to vengeance. + Swift as a thought, the two immortal archers, brother and sister, stood in + Thebes, upon the towers of the citadel. Near by, the youth were pursuing + their sports, while the feast of Latona went neglected. The sons of Queen + Niobe were there, and against them Apollo bent his golden bow. An arrow + crossed the air like a sunbeam, and without a word the eldest prince fell + from his horse. One by one his brothers died by the same hand, so swiftly + that they knew not what had befallen them, till all the sons of the royal + house lay slain. Only the people of Thebes, stricken with terror, bore the + news to Queen Niobe, where she sat with her seven daughters. She would not + believe in such a sorrow. + </p> + <p> + "Savage Latona," she cried, lifting her arms against the heavens, "never + think that you have conquered. I am still the greater." + </p> + <p> + At that moment one of her daughters sank beside her. Diana had sped an + arrow from her bow that is like the crescent moon. Without a cry, nay, + even as they murmured words of comfort, the sisters died, one by one. It + was all as swift and soundless as snowfall. + </p> + <p> + Only the guilty mother was left, transfixed with grief. Tears flowed from + her eyes, but she spoke not a word, her heart never softened; and at last + she turned to stone, and the tears flowed down her cold face forever. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0010" id="link2H_4_0010"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + ADMETUS AND THE SHEPHERD. + </h2> + <p> + Apollo did not live always free of care, though he was the most glorious + of the gods. One day, in anger with the Cyclopes who work at the forges of + Vulcan, he sent his arrows after them, to the wrath of all the gods, but + especially of Zeus. (For the Cyclopes always make his thunderbolts, and + make them well.) Even the divine archer could not go unpunished, and as a + penalty he was sent to serve some mortal for a year. Some say one year and + some say nine, but in those days time passed quickly; and as for the gods, + they took no heed of it. + </p> + <p> + Now there was a certain king in Thessaly, Admetus by name, and there came + to him one day a stranger, who asked leave to serve about the palace. None + knew his name, but he was very comely, and moreover, when they questioned + him he said that he had come from a position of high trust. So without + further delay they made him chief shepherd of the royal flocks. + </p> + <p> + Every day thereafter, he drove his sheep to the banks of the river + Amphrysus, and there he sat to watch them browse. The country-folk that + passed drew near to wonder at him, without daring to ask questions. He + seemed to have a knowledge of leech-craft, and knew how to cure the ills + of any wayfarer with any weed that grew near by; and he would pipe for + hours in the sun. A simple-spoken man he was, yet he seemed to know much + more than he would say, and he smiled with a kindly mirth when the people + wished him sunny weather. + </p> + <p> + Indeed, as days went by, it seemed as if summer had come to stay, and, + like the shepherd, found the place friendly. Nowhere else were the flocks + so white and fair to see, like clouds loitering along a bright sky; and + sometimes, when he chose, their keeper sang to them. Then the grasshoppers + drew near and the swans sailed close to the river banks, and the + country-men gathered about to hear wonderful tales of the slaying of the + monster Python, and of a king with ass's ears, and of a lovely maiden, + Daphne, who grew into a laurel-tree. In time the rumor of these things + drew the king himself to listen; and Admetus, who had been to see the + world in the ship Argo, knew at once that this was no earthly shepherd, + but a god. From that day, like a true king, he treated his guest with + reverence and friendliness, asking no questions; and the god was well + pleased. + </p> + <p> + Now it came to pass that Admetus fell in love with a beautiful maiden, + Alcestis, and, because of the strange condition that her father Pelias had + laid upon all suitors, he was heavy-hearted. Only that man who should come + to woo her in a chariot drawn by a wild boar and a lion might ever marry + Alcestis; and this task was enough to puzzle even a king. + </p> + <p> + As for the shepherd, when he heard of it he rose, one fine morning, and + left the sheep and went his way,—no one knew whither. If the sun had + gone out, the people could not have been more dismayed. The king himself + went, late in the day, to walk by the river Amphrysus, and wonder if his + gracious keeper of the flocks had deserted him in a time of need. But at + that very moment, whom should he see returning from the woods but the + shepherd, glorious as sunset, and leading side by side a lion and a boar, + as gentle as two sheep! The very next morning, with joy and gratitude, + Admetus set out in his chariot for the kingdom of Pelias, and there he + wooed and won Alcestis, the most loving wife that was ever heard of. + </p> + <p> + It was well for Admetus that he came home with such a comrade, for the + year was at an end, and he was to lose his shepherd. The strange man came + to take leave of the king and queen whom he had befriended. + </p> + <p> + "Blessed be your flocks, Admetus," he said, smiling. "They shall prosper + even though I leave them. And, because you can discern the gods that come + to you in the guise of wayfarers, happiness shall never go far from your + home, but ever return to be your guest. No man may live on earth forever, + but this one gift have I obtained for you. When your last hour draws near, + if any one shall be willing to meet it in your stead, he shall die, and + you shall live on, more than the mortal length of days. Such kings deserve + long life." + </p> + <p> + So ended the happy year when Apollo tended sheep. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0011" id="link2H_4_0011"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + ALCESTIS. + </h2> + <p> + For many years the remembrance of Apollo's service kept Thessaly full of + sunlight. Where a god could work, the people took heart to work also. + Flocks and herds throve, travellers were befriended, and men were happy + under the rule of a happy king and queen. + </p> + <p> + But one day Admetus fell ill, and he grew weaker and weaker until he lay + at death's door. Then, when no remedy was found to help him and the hope + of the people was failing, they remembered the promise of the Fates to + spare the king if some one else would die in his stead. This seemed a + simple matter for one whose wishes are law, and whose life is needed by + all his fellow-men. But, strange to say, the substitute did not come + forward at once. + </p> + <p> + Among the king's most faithful friends, many were afraid to die. Men said + that they would gladly give their lives in battle, but that they could not + die in bed at home like helpless old women. The wealthy had too much to + live for; and the poor, who possessed nothing but life, could not bear to + give up that. Even the aged parents of Admetus shrunk from the thought of + losing the few years that remained to them, and thought it impious that + any one should name such a sacrifice. + </p> + <p> + All this time, the three Fates were waiting to cut the thread of life, and + they could not wait longer. + </p> + <p> + Then, seeing that even the old and wretched clung to their gift of life, + who should offer herself but the young and lovely queen, Alcestis? + Sorrowful but resolute, she determined to be the victim, and made ready to + die for the sake of her husband. + </p> + <p> + She took leave of her children and commended them to the care of Admetus. + All his pleading could not change the decree of the Fates. Alcestis + prepared for death as for some consecration. She bathed and anointed her + body, and, as a mortal illness seized her, she lay down to die, robed in + fair raiment, and bade her kindred farewell. The household was filled with + mourning, but it was too late. She waned before the eyes of the king, like + daylight that must be gone. + </p> + <p> + At this grievous moment Heracles, mightiest of all men, who was journeying + on his way to new adventures, begged admittance to the palace, and + inquired the cause of such grief in that hospitable place. He was told of + the misfortune that had befallen Admetus, and, struck with pity, he + resolved to try what his strength might do for this man who had been a + friend of gods. + </p> + <p> + Already Death had come out of Hades for Alcestis, and as Heracles stood at + the door of her chamber he saw that awful form leading away the lovely + spirit of the queen, for the breath had just departed from her body. Then + the might that he had from his divine father Zeus stood by the hero. He + seized Death in his giant arms and wrestled for victory. + </p> + <p> + Now Death is a visitor that comes and goes. He may not tarry in the upper + world; its air is not for him; and at length, feeling his power give way, + he loosed his grasp of the queen, and, weak with the struggle, made escape + to his native darkness of Hades. + </p> + <p> + In the chamber where the royal kindred were weeping, the body of Alcestis + lay, fair to see, and once more the breath stirred in her heart, like a + waking bird. Back to its home came her lovely spirit, and for long years + after she lived happily with her husband, King Admetus. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0012" id="link2H_4_0012"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + APOLLO'S SISTER. + </h2> + <h3> + I. DIANA AND ACTAEON. + </h3> + <p> + Like the Sun-god, whom men dreaded as the divine archer and loved as the + divine singer, Diana, his sister, had two natures, as different as day + from night. + </p> + <p> + On earth she delighted in the wild life of the chase, keeping holiday + among the dryads, and hunting with all those nymphs that loved the boyish + pastime. She and her maidens shunned the fellowship of men and would not + hear of marriage, for they disdained all household arts; and there are + countless tales of their cruelty to suitors. + </p> + <p> + Syrinx and Atalanta were of their company, and Arethusa, who was changed + into a fountain and ever pursued by Alpheus the river-god, till at last + the two were united. There was Daphne, too, who disdained the love of + Apollo himself, and would never listen to a word of his suit, but fled + like Syrinx, and prayed like Syrinx for escape; but Daphne was changed + into a fair laurel-tree, held sacred by Apollo forever after. + </p> + <p> + All these maidens were as untamed and free of heart as the wild creatures + they loved to hunt, and whoever molested them did so at his peril. None + dared trespass in the home of Diana and her nymphs, not even the riotous + fauns and satyrs who were heedless enough to go a-swimming in the river + Styx, if they had cared to venture near such a dismal place. But the + maiden goddess laid a spell upon their unruly wits, even as the moon + controls the tides of the sea. Her precincts were holy. There was one man, + however, whose ill-timed curiosity brought heavy punishment upon him. This + was Actaeon, a grandson of the great king Cadmus. + </p> + <p> + Wearied with hunting, one noon, he left his comrades and idled through the + forest, perhaps to spy upon those woodland deities of whom he had heard. + Chance brought him to the very grove where Diana and her nymphs were wont + to bathe. He followed the bright thread of the brook, never turning aside, + though mortal reverence should have warned him that the place was for + gods. The air was wondrous clear and sweet; a throng of fair trees drooped + their branches in the way, and from a sheltered grotto beyond fell a + mingled sound of laughter and running waters. But Actaeon would not turn + back. Roughly pushing aside the laurel branches that hid the entrance of + the cave, he looked in, startling Diana and her maidens. In an instant a + splash of water shut his eyes, and the goddess, reading his churlish + thought, said: "Go now, if thou wilt, and boast of this intrusion." + </p> + <p> + He turned to go, but a stupid bewilderment had fallen upon him. He looked + back to speak, and could not. He put his hand to his head, and felt + antlers branching above his forehead. Down he fell on hands and feet; + these likewise changed. The poor offender! Crouching by the brook that he + had followed, he looked in, and saw nothing but the image of a stag, + bending to drink, as only that morning he had seen the creature they had + come out to kill. With an impulse of terror he fled away, faster than he + had ever run before, crashing through bush and bracken, the noise of his + own flight ever after him like an enemy. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly he heard the blast of a horn close by, then the baying of hounds. + His comrades, who had rested and were ready for the chase, made after him. + This time he was their prey. He tried to call and could not. His antlers + caught in the branches, his breath came with pain, and the dogs were upon + him,—his own dogs! + </p> + <p> + With all the eagerness that he had often praised in them, they fell upon + him, knowing not their own master. And so he perished, hunter and hunted. + </p> + <p> + Only the goddess of the chase could have devised so terrible a revenge. + </p> + <h3> + II. DIANA AND ENDYMION. + </h3> + <p> + But with the daylight, all of Diana's joy in the wild life of the woods + seemed to fade. By night, as goddess of the moon, she watched over the + sleep of the earth,—measured the tides of the ocean, and went across + the wide path of heaven, slow and fair to see. And although she bore her + emblem of the bow, like a silver crescent, she was never terrible, but + beneficent and lovely. + </p> + <p> + Indeed, there was once a young shepherd, Endymion, who used to lead his + flocks high up the slopes of Mount Latmos to the purer air; and there, + while the sheep browsed, he spent his days and nights dreaming on the + solitary uplands. He was a beautiful youth and very lonely. Looking down + one night from the heavens near by and as lonely as he, Diana saw him, and + her heart was moved to tenderness for his weariness and solitude. She cast + a spell of sleep upon him, with eternal youth, white and untroubled as + moonlight. And there, night after night, she watched his sheep for him, + like any peasant maid who wanders slowly through the pastures after the + flocks, spinning white flax from her distaff as she goes, alone and quite + content. + </p> + <p> + Endymion dreamed such beautiful dreams as come only to happy poets. Even + when he woke, life held no care for him, but he seemed to walk in a light + that was for him alone. And all this time, just as the Sun-god watched + over the sheep of King Admetus, Diana kept the flocks of Endymion, but it + was for love's sake. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0013" id="link2H_4_0013"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE CALYDONIAN HUNT. + </h2> + <p> + In that day of the chase, there was one enterprise renowned above all + others,—the great hunt of Calydon. Thither, in search of high + adventure, went all the heroes of Greece, just as they joined the quest of + the Golden Fleece, and, in a later day, went to the rescue of Fair Helen + in the Trojan War. + </p> + <p> + For Oeneus, king of Calydon, had neglected the temples of Diana, and she + had sent a monstrous boar to lay waste all the fields and farms in the + country. The people had never seen so terrible a beast, and they soon + wished that they had never offended the goddess who keeps the woods clear + of such monsters. No mortal device availed against it, and, after a + hundred disasters, Prince Meleager, the son of Oeneus, summoned the heroes + to join him in this perilous hunt. + </p> + <p> + The prince had a strange story. Soon after his birth, Althea, the queen, + had seen in a vision the three Fates spinning the thread of life and + crooning over their work. For Clotho spins the thread, Lachesis draws it + out, and Atropos waits to cut it off with her glittering shears. So the + queen beheld them, and heard them foretell that her baby should live no + longer than a brand that was then burning on the hearth. Horror inspired + the mother. Quick as a thought she seized the brand, put out the flame, + and laid it by in some safe and secret place where no harm could touch it. + So the child gathered strength and grew up to manhood. + </p> + <p> + He was a mighty hunter, and the other heroes came gladly to bear him + company. Many of the Argonauts were there,—Jason, Theseus, Nestor, + even Atalanta, that valorous maiden who had joined the rowers of the Argo, + a beloved charge of Diana. Boyish in her boldness for wild sports, she was + fleet of foot and very lovely to behold, altogether a bride for a princely + hunter. So Meleager thought, the moment that he saw her face. + </p> + <p> + Together they all set out for the lair of the boar, the heroes and the men + of Calydon,—Meleager and his two uncles. Phlexippus and Toxeus, + brothers of Queen Althea. + </p> + <p> + All was ready. Nets were stretched from tree to tree, and the dogs were + let loose. The heroes lay in wait. Suddenly the monster, startled by the + shouts of the company, rose hideous and unwieldy from his hiding-place and + rushed upon them. What were hounds to such as he, or nets spread for a + snare? Jason's spear missed and fell. Nestor only saved his life by + climbing the nearest tree. Several of the heroes were gored by the tusks + of the boar before they could make their escape. In the midst of this + horrible tumult, Atalanta sped an arrow at the creature and wounded him. + Meleager saw it with joy, and called upon the others to follow. One by one + they tried without success, but he, after one false thrust, drove his + spear into the side of the monster and laid him dead. + </p> + <p> + The heroes crowded to do him honor, but he turned to Atalanta, who had + first wounded the boar, and awarded her the shaggy hide that was her + fair-won trophy. This was too much for the warriors, who had been outdone + by a girl. Phlexippus and Toxeus were so enraged that they snatched the + prize from the maiden, churlishly, and denied her victory. Maddened at + this, Meleager forgot everything but the insult offered to Atalanta, and + he fell upon the two men and stabbed them. Only when they lay dead before + him did he remember that they were his own kinsmen. + </p> + <p> + In the mean time news had flown to the city that the pest was slain, and + Queen Althea was on her way to the temple to give thanks for their + deliverance. At the very gates she came upon a multitude of men + surrounding a litter, and drawing near she saw the bodies of her two + brothers. Swift upon this horror came a greater shock,—the name of + the murderer, her own son Meleager. All pity left the mother's heart when + she heard it; she thought only of revenge. In a lightning-flash she + remembered that brand which she had plucked from the fire when her son was + but a new-born babe,—the brand that was to last with his life. + </p> + <p> + She ordered a pyre to be built and lighted, and straightway she went to + that hiding-place where she had kept the precious thing all these, years, + and brought it back and stood before the flames. At the last moment her + soul was torn between love for her son and grief for her murdered + brothers. She stretched forth the brand, and plucked it again from the + tongues of fire. She cried out in despair that the honor of her house + should require such an expiation. But, covering her eyes, she flung the + brand into the flames. + </p> + <p> + At the same time, far away with his companions, and unwitting of these + things, Meleager was struck through with a sudden pang. Wondering and + helpless, the heroes gathered about, to behold him dying of some unknown + agony, while he strove to conquer his pain. Even as the brand burned in + the fire before the wretched queen, Meleager was consumed by a mysterious + death, blessing with his last breath friends and kindred, his dear + Atalanta, and the mother who had brought him to this doom, though he knew + it not. At last the brand fell into ashes, and in the forest the hero lay + dead. + </p> + <p> + The king and queen fell into such grief when all was known, that Diana + took pity upon them and changed them into birds. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0014" id="link2H_4_0014"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + ATALANTA'S RACE. + </h2> + <p> + Even if Prince Meleager had lived, it is doubtful if he could ever have + won Atalanta to be his wife. The maiden was resolved to live unwed, and at + last she devised a plan to be rid of all her suitors. She was known far + and wide as the swiftest runner of her time; and so she said that she + would only marry that man who could outstrip her in the race, but that all + who dared to try and failed must be put to death. + </p> + <p> + This threat did not dishearten all of the suitors, however, and to her + grief, for she was not cruel, they held her to her promise. On a certain + day the few bold men who were to try their fortune made ready, and chose + young Hippomenes as judge. He sat watching them before the word was given, + and sadly wondered that any brave man should risk his life merely to win a + bride. But when Atalanta stood ready for the contest, he was amazed by her + beauty. She looked like Hebe, goddess of young health, who is a glad + serving-maiden to the gods when they sit at feast. + </p> + <p> + The signal was given, and, as she and the suitors darted away, flight made + her more enchanting than ever. Just as a wind brings sparkles to the water + and laughter to the trees, haste fanned her loveliness to a glow. + </p> + <p> + Alas for the suitors! She ran as if Hermes had lent her his winged + sandals. The young men, skilled as they were, grew heavy with weariness + and despair. For all their efforts, they seemed to lag like ships in a + calm, while Atalanta flew before them in some favoring breeze—and + reached the goal! + </p> + <p> + To the sorrow of all on-lookers, the suitors were led away; but the judge + himself, Hippomenes, rose and begged leave to try his fortune. As Atalanta + listened, and looked at him, her heart was filled with pity, and she would + willingly have let him win the race to save him from defeat and death; for + he was comely and younger than the others. But her friends urged her to + rest and make ready, and she consented, with an unwilling heart. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile Hippomenes prayed within himself to Venus: "Goddess of Love, + give ear, and send me good speed. Let me be swift to win as I have been + swift to love her." + </p> + <p> + Now Venus, who was not far off,—for she had already moved the heart + of Hippomenes to love,—came to his side invisibly, slipped into his + hand three wondrous golden apples, and whispered a word of counsel in his + ear. + </p> + <p> + The signal was given; youth and maiden started over the course. They went + so like the wind that they left not a footprint. The people cheered on + Hippomenes, eager that such valor should win. But the course was long, and + soon fatigue seemed to clutch at his throat, the light shook before his + eyes, and, even as he pressed on, the maiden passed him by. + </p> + <p> + At that instant Hippomenes tossed ahead one of the golden apples. The + rolling bright thing caught Atalanta's eye, and full of wonder she stooped + to pick it up. Hippomenes ran on. As he heard the flutter of her tunic + close behind him, he flung aside another golden apple, and another moment + was lost to the girl. Who could pass by such a marvel? The goal was near + and Hippomenes was ahead, but once again Atalanta caught up with him, and + they sped side by side like two dragon-flies. For an instant his heart + failed him; then, with a last prayer to Venus, he flung down the last + apple. The maiden glanced at it, wavered, and would have left it where it + had fallen, had not Venus turned her head for a second and given her a + sudden wish to possess it. Against her will she turned to pick up the + golden apple, and Hippomenes touched the goal. + </p> + <p> + So he won that perilous maiden; and as for Atalanta, she was glad to marry + such a valorous man. By this time she understood so well what it was like + to be pursued, that she had lost a little of her pleasure in hunting. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0015" id="link2H_4_0015"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + ARACHNE. + </h2> + <p> + Not among mortals alone were there contests of skill, nor yet among the + gods, like Pan and Apollo. Many sorrows befell men because they grew + arrogant in their own devices and coveted divine honors. There was once a + great hunter, Orion, who outvied the gods themselves, till they took him + away from his hunting-grounds and set him in the heavens, with his sword + and belt, and his hound at his heels. But at length jealousy invaded even + the peaceful arts, and disaster came of spinning! + </p> + <p> + There was a certain maiden of Lydia, Arachne by name, renowned throughout + the country for her skill as a weaver. She was as nimble with her fingers + as Calypso, that nymph who kept Odysseus for seven years in her enchanted + island. She was as untiring as Penelope, the hero's wife, who wove day + after day while she watched for his return. Day in and day out, Arachne + wove too. The very nymphs would gather about her loom, naiads from the + water and dryads from the trees. + </p> + <p> + "Maiden," they would say, shaking the leaves or the foam from their hair, + in wonder, "Pallas Athena must have taught you!" + </p> + <p> + But this did not please Arachne. She would not acknowledge herself a + debtor, even to that goddess who protected all household arts, and by + whose grace alone one had any skill in them. + </p> + <p> + "I learned not of Athena," said she, "If she can weave better, let her + come and try." + </p> + <p> + The nymphs shivered at this, and an aged woman, who was looking on, turned + to Arachne. + </p> + <p> + "Be more heedful of your words, my daughter," said she. "The goddess may + pardon you if you ask forgiveness, but do not strive for honors with the + immortals." + </p> + <p> + Arachne broke her thread, and the shuttle stopped humming. + </p> + <p> + "Keep your counsel," she said. "I fear not Athena; no, nor any one else." + </p> + <p> + As she frowned at the old woman, she was amazed to see her change suddenly + into one tall, majestic, beautiful,—a maiden of gray eyes and golden + hair, crowned with a golden helmet. It was Athena herself. + </p> + <p> + The bystanders shrank in fear and reverence; only Arachne was unawed and + held to her foolish boast. + </p> + <p> + In silence the two began to weave, and the nymphs stole nearer, coaxed by + the sound of the shuttles, that seemed to be humming with delight over the + two webs,—back and forth like bees. + </p> + <p> + They gazed upon the loom where the goddess stood plying her task, and they + saw shapes and images come to bloom out of the wondrous colors, as sunset + clouds grow to be living creatures when we watch them. And they saw that + the goddess, still merciful, was spinning, as a warning for Arachne, the + pictures of her own triumph over reckless gods and mortals. + </p> + <p> + In one corner of the web she made a story of her conquest over the sea-god + Poseidon. For the first king of Athens had promised to dedicate the city + to that god who should bestow upon it the most useful gift. Poseidon gave + the horse. But Athena gave the olive,—means of livelihood,—symbol + of peace and prosperity, and the city was called after her name. Again she + pictured a vain woman of Troy, who had been turned into a crane for + disputing the palm of beauty with a goddess. Other corners of the web held + similar images, and the whole shone like a rainbow. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile Arachne, whose head was quite turned with vanity, embroidered + her web with stories against the gods, making light of Zeus himself and of + Apollo, and portraying them as birds and beasts. But she wove with + marvellous skill; the creatures seemed to breathe and speak, yet it was + all as fine as the gossamer that you find on the grass before rain. + </p> + <p> + Athena herself was amazed. Not even her wrath at the girl's insolence + could wholly overcome her wonder. For an instant she stood entranced; then + she tore the web across, and three times she touched Arachne's forehead + with her spindle. + </p> + <p> + "Live on, Arachne," she said. "And since it is your glory to weave, you + and yours must weave forever." So saying, she sprinkled upon the maiden a + certain magical potion. + </p> + <p> + Away went Arachne's beauty; then her very human form shrank to that of a + spider, and so remained. As a spider she spent all her days weaving and + weaving; and you may see something like her handiwork any day among the + rafters. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0016" id="link2H_4_0016"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + PYRAMUS AND THISBE. + </h2> + <p> + Venus did not always befriend true lovers, as she had befriended + Hippomenes, with her three golden apples. Sometimes, in the enchanted + island of Cyprus, she forgot her worshippers far away, and they called on + her in vain. + </p> + <p> + So it was in the sad story of Hero and Leander, who lived on opposite + borders of the Hellespont. Hero dwelt at Sestos, where she served as a + priestess, in the very temple of Venus; and Leander's home was in Abydos, + a town on the opposite shore. But every night this lover would swim across + the water to see Hero, guided by the light which she was wont to set in + her tower. Even such loyalty could not conquer fate. There came a great + storm, one night, that put out the beacon, and washed Leander's body up + with the waves to Hero, and she sprang into the water to rejoin him, and + so perished. + </p> + <p> + Not wholly unlike this was the fate of Halcyone, a queen of Thessaly, who + dreamed that her husband Ceyx had been drowned, and on waking hastened to + the shore to look for him. There she saw her dream come true,—his + lifeless body floating towards her on the tide; and as she flung herself + after him, mad with grief, the air upheld her and she seemed to fly. + Husband and wife were changed into birds; and there on the very water, at + certain seasons, they build a nest that floats unhurt,—a portent of + calm for many days and safe voyage for the ships. So it is that seamen + love these birds and look for halcyon weather. + </p> + <p> + But there once lived in Babylonia two lovers named Pyramus and Thisbe, who + were parted by a strange mischance. For they lived in adjoining houses; + and although their parents had forbidden them to marry, these two had + found a means of talking together through a crevice in the wall. + </p> + <p> + Here, again and again, Pyramus on his side of the wall and Thisbe on hers, + they would meet to tell each other all that had happened during the day, + and to complain of their cruel parents. At length they decided that they + would endure it no longer, but that they would leave their homes and be + married, come what might. They planned to meet, on a certain evening, by a + mulberry-tree near the tomb of King Ninus, outside the city gates. Once + safely met, they were resolved to brave fortune together. + </p> + <p> + So far all went well. At the appointed time, Thisbe, heavily veiled, + managed to escape from home unnoticed, and after a stealthy journey + through the streets of Babylon, she came to the grove of mulberries near + the tomb of Ninus. The place was deserted, and once there she put off the + veil from her face to see if Pyramus waited anywhere among the shadows. + She heard the sound of a footfall and turned to behold—not Pyramus, + but a creature unwelcome to any tryst—none other than a lioness + crouching to drink from the pool hard by. + </p> + <p> + Without a cry, Thisbe fled, dropping her veil as she ran. She found a + hiding-place among the rocks at some distance, and there she waited, not + knowing what else to do. + </p> + <p> + The lioness, having quenched her thirst (after some ferocious meal), + turned from the spring and, coming upon the veil, sniffed at it curiously, + tore and tossed it with her reddened jaws,—as she would have done + with Thisbe herself,—then dropped the plaything and crept away to + the forest once more. + </p> + <p> + It was but a little after this that Pyramus came hurrying to the + meeting-place, breathless with eagerness to find Thisbe and tell her what + had delayed him. He found no Thisbe there. For a moment he was confounded. + Then he looked about for some sign of her, some footprint by the pool. + There was the trail of a wild beast in the grass, and near by a woman's + veil, torn and stained with blood; he caught it up and knew it for + Thisbe's. + </p> + <p> + So she had come at the appointed hour, true to her word; she had waited + there for him alone and defenceless, and she had fallen a prey to some + beast from the jungle! As these thoughts rushed upon the young man's mind, + he could endure no more. + </p> + <p> + "Was it to meet me, Thisbe, that you came to such a death!" cried he. "And + I followed all too late. But I will atone. Even now I come lagging, but by + no will of mine!" + </p> + <p> + So saying, the poor youth drew his sword and fell upon it, there at the + foot of that mulberry-tree which he had named as the trysting-place, and + his life-blood ran about the roots. + </p> + <p> + During these very moments, Thisbe, hearing no sound and a little + reassured, had stolen from her hiding-place and was come to the edge of + the grove. She saw that the lioness had left the spring, and, eager to + show her lover that she had dared all things to keep faith, she came + slowly, little by little, back to the mulberry-tree. + </p> + <p> + She found Pyramus there, according to his promise. His own sword was in + his heart, the empty scabbard by his side, and in his hand he held her + veil still clasped. Thisbe saw these things as in a dream, and suddenly + the truth awoke her. She saw the piteous mischance of all; and when the + dying Pyramus opened his eyes and fixed them upon her, her heart broke. + With the same sword she stabbed herself, and the lovers died together. + </p> + <p> + There the parents found them, after a weary search, and they were buried + together in the same tomb. But the berries of the mulberry-tree turned red + that day, and red they have remained ever since. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0017" id="link2H_4_0017"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + PYGMALION AND GALATEA. + </h2> + <p> + The island of Cyprus was dear to the heart of Venus. There her temples + were kept with honor, and there, some say, she watched with the Loves and + Graces over the long enchanted sleep of Adonis. This youth, a hunter whom + she had dearly loved, had died of a wound from the tusk of a wild boar; + but the bitter grief of Venus had won over even the powers of Hades. For + six months of every year, Adonis had to live as a Shade in the world of + the dead; but for the rest of time he was free to breathe the upper air. + Here in Cyprus the people came to worship him as a god, for the sake of + Venus who loved him; and here, if any called upon her, she was like to + listen. + </p> + <p> + Now there once lived in Cyprus a young sculptor, Pygmalion by name, who + thought nothing on earth so beautiful as the white marble folk that live + without faults and never grow old. Indeed, he said that he would never + marry a mortal woman, and people began to think that his daily life among + marble creatures was hardening his heart altogether. + </p> + <p> + But it chanced that Pygmalion fell to work upon an ivory statue of a + maiden, so lovely that it must have moved to envy every breathing creature + that came to look upon it. With a happy heart the sculptor wrought day by + day, giving it all the beauty of his dreams, until, when the work was + completed, he felt powerless to leave it. He was bound to it by the tie of + his highest aspiration, his most perfect ideal, his most patient work. + </p> + <p> + Day after day the ivory maiden looked down at him silently, and he looked + back at her until he felt that he loved her more than anything else in the + world. He thought of her no longer as a statue, but as the dear companion + of his life; and the whim grew upon him like an enchantment. He named her + Galatea, and arrayed her like a princess; he hung jewels about her neck, + and made all his home beautiful and fit for such a presence. + </p> + <p> + Now the festival of Venus was at hand, and Pygmalion, like all who loved + Beauty, joined the worshippers. In the temple victims were offered, solemn + rites were held, and votaries from many lands came to pray the favor of + the goddess. At length Pygmalion himself approached the altar and made his + prayer. + </p> + <p> + "Goddess," he said, "who hast vouchsafed to me this gift of beauty, give + me a perfect love, likewise, and let me have for bride, one like my ivory + maiden." And Venus heard. + </p> + <p> + Home to his house of dreams went the sculptor, loath to be parted for a + day from his statue, Galatea. There she stood, looking down upon him + silently, and he looked back at her. Surely the sunset had shed a flush of + life upon her whiteness. + </p> + <p> + He drew near in wonder and delight, and felt, instead of the chill air + that was wont to wake him out of his spell, a gentle warmth around her, + like the breath of a plant. He touched her hand, and it yielded like the + hand of one living! Doubting his senses, yet fearing to reassure himself, + Pygmalion kissed the statue. + </p> + <p> + In an instant the maiden's face bloomed like a waking rose, her hair shone + golden as returning sunlight; she lifted her ivory eyelids and smiled at + him. The statue herself had awakened, and she stepped down from the + pedestal, into the arms of her creator, alive! + </p> + <p> + There was a dream that came true. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0018" id="link2H_4_0018"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + OEDIPUS. + </h2> + <p> + Behind the power of the gods and beyond all the efforts of men, the three + Fates sat at their spinning. + </p> + <p> + No one could tell whence these sisters were, but by some strange necessity + they spun the web of human life and made destinies without knowing why. It + was not for Clotho to decree whether the thread of a life should be stout + or fragile, nor for Lachesis to choose the fashion of the web; and Atropos + herself must sometimes have wept to cut a life short with her shears, and + let it fall unfinished. But they were like spinners for some Power that + said of life, as of a garment, <i>Thus it must be</i>. That Power neither + gods nor men could withstand. + </p> + <p> + There was once a king named Laius (a grandson of Cadmus himself), who + ruled over Thebes, with Jocasta his wife. To them an Oracle had foretold + that if a son of theirs lived to grow up, he would one day kill his father + and marry his own mother. The king and queen resolved to escape such a + doom, even at terrible cost. Accordingly Laius gave his son, who was only + a baby, to a certain herdsman, with instructions to put him to death. + </p> + <p> + This was not to be. The herdsman carried the child to a lonely + mountain-side, but once there, his heart failed him. Hardly daring to + disobey the king's command, yet shrinking from murder, he hung the little + creature by his feet to the branches of a tree, and left him there to die. + </p> + <p> + But there chanced to come that way with his flocks, a man who served King + Polybus of Corinth. He found the baby perishing in the tree, and, touched + with pity, took him home to his master. The king and queen of Corinth were + childless, and some power moved them to take this mysterious child as a + gift. They called him Oedipus (Swollen-Foot) because of the wounds they + had found upon him, and, knowing naught of his parentage, they reared him + as their own son. So the years went by. + </p> + <p> + Now, when Oedipus had come to manhood, he went to consult the Oracle at + Delphi, as all great people were wont, to learn what fortune had in store + for him. But for him the Oracle had only a sentence of doom. According to + the Fates, he would live to kill his own father and wed his mother. + </p> + <p> + Filled with dismay, and resolved in his turn to conquer fate, Oedipus fled + from Corinth; for he had never dreamed that his parents were other than + Polybus and Merope the queen. Thinking to escape crime, he took the road + towards Thebes, so hastening into the very arms of his evil destiny. + </p> + <p> + It happened that King Laius, with one attendant, was on his way to Delphi + from the city Thebes. In a narrow road he met this strange young man, also + driving in a chariot, and ordered him to quit the way. Oedipus, who had + been reared to princely honors, refused to obey; and the king's + charioteer, in great anger, killed one of the young man's horses. At this + insult Oedipus fell upon master and servant; mad with rage, he slew them + both, and went on his way, not knowing the half of what he had done. The + first saying of the Oracle was fulfilled. + </p> + <p> + But the prince was to have his day of triumph before the doom. There was a + certain wonderful creature called the Sphinx, which had been a terror to + Thebes for many days. In form half woman and half lion, she crouched + always by a precipice near the highway, and put the same mysterious + question to every passer-by. None had ever been able to answer, and none + had ever lived to warn men of the riddle; for the Sphinx fell upon every + one as he failed, and hurled him down the abyss, to be dashed in pieces. + </p> + <p> + This way came Oedipus towards the city Thebes, and the Sphinx crouched, + face to face with him, and spoke the riddle that none had been able to + guess. + </p> + <p> + "<i>What animal is that which in the morning goes on four feet, at noon on + two, and in the evening upon three?</i>" + </p> + <p> + Oedipus, hiding his dread of the terrible creature, took thought, and + answered "Man. In childhood he creeps on hands and knees, in manhood he + walks erect, but in old age he has need of a staff." + </p> + <p> + At this reply the Sphinx uttered a cry, sprang headlong from the rock into + the valley below, and perished. Oedipus had guessed the answer. When he + came to the city and told the Thebans that their torment was gone, they + hailed him as a deliverer. Not long after, they married him with great + honor to their widowed queen, Jocasta, his own mother. The destiny was + fulfilled. + </p> + <p> + For years Oedipus lived in peace, unwitting; but at length upon that + unhappy city there fell a great pestilence and famine. In his distress the + king sent to the Oracle at Delphi, to know what he or the Thebans had + done, that they should be so sorely punished. Then for the third time the + Oracle spoke his own fateful sentence; and he learned all. + </p> + <p> + Jocasta died, and Oedipus took the doom upon himself, and left Thebes. + Blinded by his own hand, he wandered away into the wilderness. Never again + did he rule over men; and he had one only comrade, his faithful daughter + Antigone. She was the truest happiness in his life of sorrow, and she + never left him till he died. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0019" id="link2H_4_0019"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CUPID AND PSYCHE. + </h2> + <p> + Once upon a time, through that Destiny that overrules the gods, Love + himself gave up his immortal heart to a mortal maiden. And thus it came to + pass. + </p> + <p> + There was a certain king who had three beautiful daughters. The two elder + married princes of great renown; but Psyche, the youngest, was so + radiantly fair that no suitor seemed worthy of her. People thronged to see + her pass through the city, and sang hymns in her praise, while strangers + took her for the very goddess of beauty herself. + </p> + <p> + This angered Venus, and she resolved to cast down her earthly rival. One + day, therefore, she called hither her son Love (Cupid, some name him), and + bade him sharpen his weapons. He is an archer more to be dreaded than + Apollo, for Apollo's arrows take life, but Love's bring joy or sorrow for + a whole life long. + </p> + <p> + "Come, Love," said Venus. "There is a mortal maid who robs me of my honors + in yonder city. Avenge your mother. Wound this precious Psyche, and let + her fall in love with some churlish creature mean in the eyes of all men." + </p> + <p> + Cupid made ready his weapons, and flew down to earth invisibly. At that + moment Psyche was asleep in her chamber; but he touched her heart with his + golden arrow of love, and she opened her eyes so suddenly that he started + (forgetting that he was invisible), and wounded himself with his own + shaft. + </p> + <p> + Heedless of the hurt, moved only by the loveliness of the maiden, he + hastened to pour over her locks the healing joy that he ever kept by him, + undoing all his work. Back to her dream the princess went, unshadowed by + any thought of love. But Cupid, not so light of heart, returned to the + heavens, saying not a word of what had passed. + </p> + <p> + Venus waited long; then, seeing that Psyche's heart had somehow escaped + love, she sent a spell upon the maiden. From that time, lovely as she was, + not a suitor came to woo; and her parents, who desired to see her a queen + at least, made a journey to the Oracle, and asked counsel. + </p> + <p> + Said the voice: "The princess Psyche shall never wed a mortal. She shall + be given to one who waits for her on yonder mountain; he overcomes gods + and men." + </p> + <p> + At this terrible sentence the poor parents were half distraught, and the + people gave themselves up to grief at the fate in store for their beloved + princess. Psyche alone bowed to her destiny. "We have angered Venus + unwittingly," she said, "and all for sake of me, heedless maiden that I + am! Give me up, therefore, dear father and mother. If I atone, it may be + that the city will prosper once more." + </p> + <p> + So she besought them, until, after many unavailing denials, the parents + consented; and with a great company of people they led Psyche up the + mountain,—as an offering to the monster of whom the Oracle had + spoken,—and left her there alone. + </p> + <p> + Full of courage, yet in a secret agony of grief, she watched her kindred + and her people wind down the mountain-path, too sad to look back, until + they were lost to sight. Then, indeed, she wept, but a sudden breeze drew + near, dried her tears, and caressed her hair, seeming to murmur comfort. + In truth, it was Zephyr, the kindly West Wind, come to befriend her; and + as she took heart, feeling some benignant presence, he lifted her in his + arms, and carried her on wings as even as a sea-gull's, over the crest of + the fateful mountain and into a valley below. There he left her, resting + on a bank of hospitable grass, and there the princess fell asleep. + </p> + <p> + When she awoke, it was near sunset. She looked about her for some sign of + the monster's approach; she wondered, then, if her grievous trial had been + but a dream. Near by she saw a sheltering forest, whose young trees seemed + to beckon as one maid beckons to another; and eager for the protection of + the dryads, she went thither. + </p> + <p> + The call of running waters drew her farther and farther, till she came out + upon an open place, where there was a wide pool. A fountain fluttered + gladly in the midst of it, and beyond there stretched a white palace + wonderful to see. Coaxed by the bright promise of the place, she drew + near, and, seeing no one, entered softly. It was all kinglier than her + father's home, and as she stood in wonder and awe, soft airs stirred about + her. Little by little the silence grew murmurous like the woods, and one + voice, sweeter than the rest, took words. "All that you see is yours, + gentle high princess," it said. "Fear nothing; only command us, for we are + here to serve you." + </p> + <p> + Full of amazement and delight, Psyche followed the voice from hall to + hall, and through the lordly rooms, beautiful with everything that could + delight a young princess. No pleasant thing was lacking. There was even a + pool, brightly tiled and fed with running waters, where she bathed her + weary limbs; and after she had put on the new and beautiful raiment that + lay ready for her, she sat down to break her fast, waited upon and sung to + by the unseen spirits. + </p> + <p> + Surely he whom the Oracle had called her husband was no monster, but some + beneficent power, invisible like all the rest. When daylight waned he + came, and his voice, the beautiful voice of a god, inspired her to trust + her strange destiny and to look and long for his return. Often she begged + him to stay with her through the day, that she might see his face; but + this he would not grant. + </p> + <p> + "Never doubt me, dearest Psyche," said he. "Perhaps you would fear if you + saw me, and love is all I ask. There is a necessity that keeps me hidden + now. Only believe." + </p> + <p> + So for many days Psyche was content; but when she grew used to happiness, + she thought once more of her parents mourning her as lost, and of her + sisters who shared the lot of mortals while she lived as a goddess. One + night she told her husband of these regrets, and begged that her sisters + at least might come to see her. He sighed, but did not refuse. + </p> + <p> + "Zephyr shall bring them hither," said he. And on the following morning, + swift as a bird, the West Wind came over the crest of the high mountain + and down into the enchanted valley, bearing her two sisters. + </p> + <p> + They greeted Psyche with joy and amazement, hardly knowing how they had + come hither. But when this fairest of the sisters led them through her + palace and showed them all the treasures that were hers, envy grew in + their hearts and choked their old love. Even while they sat at feast with + her, they grew more and more bitter; and hoping to find some little flaw + in her good fortune, they asked a thousand questions. + </p> + <p> + "Where is your husband?" said they. "And why is he not here with you?" + </p> + <p> + "Ah," stammered Psyche. "All the day long—he is gone, hunting upon + the mountains." + </p> + <p> + "But what does he look like?" they asked; and Psyche could find no answer. + </p> + <p> + When they learned that she had never seen him, they laughed her faith to + scorn. + </p> + <p> + "Poor Psyche," they said. "You are walking in a dream. Wake, before it is + too late. Have you forgotten what the Oracle decreed,—that you were + destined for a dreadful creature, the fear of gods and men? And are you + deceived by this show of kindliness? We have come to warn you. The people + told us, as we came over the mountain, that your husband is a dragon, who + feeds you well for the present, that he may feast the better, some day + soon. What is it that you trust? Good words! But only take a dagger some + night, and when the monster is asleep go, light a lamp, and look at him. + You can put him to death easily, and all his riches will be yours—and + ours." + </p> + <p> + Psyche heard this wicked plan with horror. Nevertheless, after her sisters + were gone, she brooded over what they had said, not seeing their evil + intent; and she came to find some wisdom in their words. Little by little, + suspicion ate, like a moth, into her lovely mind; and at nightfall, in + shame and fear, she hid a lamp and a dagger in her chamber. Towards + midnight, when her husband was fast asleep, up she rose, hardly daring to + breathe; and coming softly to his side, she uncovered the lamp to see some + horror. + </p> + <p> + But there the youngest of the gods lay sleeping,—most beautiful, + most irresistible of all immortals. His hair shone golden as the sun, his + face was radiant as dear Springtime, and from his shoulders sprang two + rainbow wings. + </p> + <p> + Poor Psyche was overcome with self-reproach. As she leaned towards him, + filled with worship, her trembling hands held the lamp ill, and some + burning oil fell upon Love's shoulder and awakened him. + </p> + <p> + He opened his eyes, to see at once his bride and the dark suspicion in her + heart. + </p> + <p> + "O doubting Psyche!" he exclaimed with sudden grief,—and then he + flew away, out of the window. + </p> + <p> + Wild with sorrow, Psyche tried to follow, but she fell to the ground + instead. When she recovered her senses, she stared about her. She was + alone, and the place was beautiful no longer. Garden and palace had + vanished with Love. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0020" id="link2H_4_0020"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE TRIAL OF PSYCHE. + </h2> + <p> + Over mountains and valleys Psyche journeyed alone until she came to the + city where her two envious sisters lived with the princes whom they had + married. She stayed with them only long enough to tell the story of her + unbelief and its penalty. Then she set out again to search for Love. + </p> + <p> + As she wandered one day, travel-worn but not hopeless, she saw a lofty + palace on a hill near by, and she turned her steps thither. The place + seemed deserted. Within the hall she saw no human being,—only heaps + of grain, loose ears of corn half torn from the husk, wheat and barley, + alike scattered in confusion on the floor. Without delay, she set to work + binding the sheaves together and gathering the scattered ears of corn in + seemly wise, as a princess would wish to see them. While she was in the + midst of her task, a voice startled her, and she looked up to behold + Demeter herself, the goddess of the harvest, smiling upon her with good + will. + </p> + <p> + "Dear Psyche," said Demeter, "you are worthy of happiness, and you may + find it yet. But since you have displeased Venus, go to her and ask her + favor. Perhaps your patience will win her pardon." + </p> + <p> + These motherly words gave Psyche heart, and she reverently took leave of + the goddess and set out for the temple of Venus. Most humbly she offered + up her prayer, but Venus could not look at her earthly beauty without + anger. + </p> + <p> + "Vain girl," said she, "perhaps you have come to make amends for the wound + you dealt your husband; you shall do so. Such clever people can always + find work!" + </p> + <p> + Then she led Psyche into a great chamber heaped high with mingled grain, + beans, and lintels (the food of her doves), and bade her separate them all + and have them ready in seemly fashion by night. Heracles would have been + helpless before such a vexatious task; and poor Psyche, left alone in this + desert of grain, had not courage to begin. But even as she sat there, a + moving thread of black crawled across the floor from a crevice in the + wall; and bending nearer, she saw that a great army of ants in columns had + come to her aid. The zealous little creatures worked in swarms, with such + industry over the work they like best, that, when Venus came at night, she + found the task completed. + </p> + <p> + "Deceitful girl," she cried, shaking the roses out of her hair with + impatience, "this is my son's work, not yours. But he will soon forget + you. Eat this black bread if you are hungry, and refresh your dull mind + with sleep. To-morrow you will need more wit." + </p> + <p> + Psyche wondered what new misfortune could be in store for her. But when + morning came, Venus led her to the brink of a river, and, pointing to the + wood across the water, said, "Go now to yonder grove where the sheep with + the golden fleece are wont to browse. Bring me a golden lock from every + one of them, or you must go your ways and never come back again." + </p> + <p> + This seemed not difficult, and Psyche obediently bade the goddess + farewell, and stepped into the water, ready to wade across. But as Venus + disappeared, the reeds sang louder and the nymphs of the river, looking up + sweetly, blew bubbles to the surface and murmured: "Nay, nay, have a care, + Psyche. This flock has not the gentle ways of sheep. While the sun burns + aloft, they are themselves as fierce as flame; but when the shadows are + long, they go to rest and sleep, under the trees; and you may cross the + river without fear and pick the golden fleece off the briers in the + pasture." + </p> + <p> + Thanking the water-creatures, Psyche sat down to rest near them, and when + the time came, she crossed in safety and followed their counsel. By + twilight she returned to Venus with her arms full of shining fleece. + </p> + <p> + "No mortal wit did this," said Venus angrily. "But if you care to prove + your readiness, go now, with this little box, down to Proserpina and ask + her to enclose in it some of her beauty, for I have grown pale in caring + for my wounded son." + </p> + <p> + It needed not the last taunt to sadden Psyche. She knew that it was not + for mortals to go into Hades and return alive; and feeling that Love had + forsaken her, she was minded to accept her doom as soon as might be. + </p> + <p> + But even as she hastened towards the descent, another friendly voice + detained her. "Stay, Psyche, I know your grief. Only give ear and you + shall learn a safe way through all these trials." And the voice went on to + tell her how one might avoid all the dangers of Hades and come out + unscathed. (But such a secret could not pass from mouth to mouth, with the + rest of the story.) + </p> + <p> + "And be sure," added the voice, "when Proserpina has returned the box, not + to open it, however much you may long to do so." + </p> + <p> + Psyche gave heed, and by this device, whatever it was, she found her way + into Hades safely, and made her errand known to Proserpina, and was soon + in the upper world again, wearied but hopeful. + </p> + <p> + "Surely Love has not forgotten me," she said. "But humbled as I am and + worn with toil, how shall I ever please him? Venus can never need all the + beauty in this casket; and since I use it for Love's sake, it must be + right to take some." So saying, she opened the box, heedless as Pandora! + The spells and potions of Hades are not for mortal maids, and no sooner + had she inhaled the strange aroma than she fell down like one dead, quite + overcome. + </p> + <p> + But it happened that Love himself was recovered from his wound, and he had + secretly fled from his chamber to seek out and rescue Psyche. He found her + lying by the wayside; he gathered into the casket what remained of the + philter, and awoke his beloved. + </p> + <p> + "Take comfort," he said, smiling. "Return to our mother and do her bidding + till I come again." + </p> + <p> + Away he flew; and while Psyche went cheerily homeward, he hastened up to + Olympus, where all the gods sat feasting, and begged them to intercede for + him with his angry mother. + </p> + <p> + They heard his story and their hearts were touched. Zeus himself coaxed + Venus with kind words till at last she relented, and remembered that anger + hurt her beauty, and smiled once more. All the younger gods were for + welcoming Psyche at once, and Hermes was sent to bring her hither. The + maiden came, a shy newcomer among those bright creatures. She took the cup + that Hebe held out to her, drank the divine ambrosia, and became immortal. + </p> + <p> + Light came to her face like moonrise, two radiant wings sprang from her + shoulders; and even as a butterfly bursts from its dull cocoon, so the + human Psyche blossomed into immortality. + </p> + <p> + Love took her by the hand, and they were never parted any more. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0021" id="link2H_4_0021"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + STORIES OF THE TROJAN WAR. + </h2> + <h3> + I. THE APPLE OF DISCORD. + </h3> + <p> + There was once a war so great that the sound of it has come ringing down + the centuries from singer to singer, and will never die. + </p> + <p> + The rivalries of men and gods brought about many calamities, but none so + heavy as this; and it would never have come to pass, they say, if it had + not been for jealousy among the immortals,—all because of a golden + apple! But Destiny has nurtured ominous plants from little seeds; and this + is how one evil grew great enough to overshadow heaven and earth. + </p> + <p> + The sea-nymph Thetis (whom Zeus himself had once desired for his wife) was + given in marriage to a mortal, Peleus, and there was a great wedding-feast + in heaven. Thither all the immortals were bidden, save one, Eris, the + goddess of Discord, ever an unwelcome guest. But she came unbidden. While + the wedding-guests sat at feast, she broke in upon their mirth, flung + among them a golden apple, and departed with looks that boded ill. Some + one picked up the strange missile and read its inscription: <i>For the + Fairest</i>; and at once discussion arose among the goddesses. They were + all eager to claim the prize, but only three persisted. + </p> + <p> + Venus, the very goddess of beauty, said that it was hers by right; but + Juno could not endure to own herself less fair than another, and even + Athena coveted the palm of beauty as well as of wisdom, and would not give + it up! Discord had indeed come to the wedding-feast. Not one of the gods + dared to decide so dangerous a question,—not Zeus himself,—and + the three rivals were forced to choose a judge among mortals. + </p> + <p> + Now there lived on Mount Ida, near the city of Troy, a certain young + shepherd by the name of Paris. He was as comely as Ganymede himself,—that + Trojan youth whom Zeus, in the shape of an eagle, seized and bore away to + Olympus, to be a cup-bearer to the gods. Paris, too, was a Trojan of royal + birth, but like Oedipus he had been left on the mountain in his infancy, + because the Oracle had foretold that he would be the death of his kindred + and the ruin of his country. Destiny saved and nurtured him to fulfil that + prophecy. He grew up as a shepherd and tended his flocks on the mountain, + but his beauty held the favor of all the wood-folk there and won the heart + of the nymph Oenone. + </p> + <p> + To him, at last, the three goddesses entrusted the judgment and the golden + apple. Juno first stood before him in all her glory as Queen of gods and + men, and attended by her favorite peacocks as gorgeous to see as royal + fan-bearers. + </p> + <p> + "Use but the judgment of a prince, Paris," she said, "and I will give thee + wealth and kingly power." + </p> + <p> + Such majesty and such promises would have moved the heart of any man; but + the eager Paris had at least to hear the claims of the other rivals. + Athena rose before him, a vision welcome as daylight, with her sea-gray + eyes and golden hair beneath a golden helmet. + </p> + <p> + "Be wise in honoring me, Paris," she said, "and I will give thee wisdom + that shall last forever, great glory among men, and renown in war." + </p> + <p> + Last of all, Venus shone upon him, beautiful as none can ever hope to be. + If she had come, unnamed, as any country maid, her loveliness would have + dazzled him like sea-foam in the sun; but she was girt with her magical + Cestus, a spell of beauty that no one can resist. + </p> + <p> + Without a bribe she might have conquered, and she smiled upon his dumb + amazement, saying, "Paris, thou shalt yet have for wife the fairest woman + in the world." + </p> + <p> + At these words, the happy shepherd fell on his knees and offered her the + golden apple. He took no heed of the slighted goddesses, who vanished in a + cloud that boded storm. + </p> + <p> + From that hour he sought only the counsel of Venus, and only cared to find + the highway to his new fortunes. From her he learned that he was the son + of King Priam of Troy, and with her assistance he deserted the nymph + Oenone, whom he had married, and went in search of his royal kindred. + </p> + <p> + For it chanced at that time that Priam proclaimed a contest of strength + between his sons and certain other princes, and promised as prize the most + splendid bull that could be found among the herds of Mount Ida. Thither + came the herdsmen to choose, and when they led away the pride of Paris's + heart, he followed to Troy, thinking that he would try his fortune and + perhaps win back his own. + </p> + <p> + The games took place before Priam and Hecuba and all their children, + including those noble princes Hector and Helenus, and the young Cassandra, + their sister. This poor maiden had a sad story, in spite of her royalty; + for, because she had once disdained Apollo, she was fated to foresee all + things, and ever to have her prophecies disbelieved. On this fateful day, + she alone was oppressed with strange forebodings. + </p> + <p> + But if he who was to be the ruin of his country had returned, he had come + victoriously. Paris won the contest. At the very moment of his honor, poor + Cassandra saw him with her prophetic eyes; and seeing as well all the + guilt and misery that he was to bring upon them, she broke into bitter + lamentations, and would have warned her kindred against the evil to come. + But the Trojans gave little heed; they were wont to look upon her visions + as spells of madness. Paris had come back to them a glorious youth and a + victor; and when he made known the secret of his birth, they cast the + words of the Oracle to the winds, and received the shepherd as a long-lost + prince. + </p> + <p> + Thus far all went happily. But Venus, whose promise had not yet been + fulfilled, bade Paris procure a ship and go in search of his destined + bride. The prince said nothing of this quest, but urged his kindred to let + him go; and giving out a rumor that he was to find his father's lost + sister Hesione, he set sail for Greece, and finally landed at Sparta. + </p> + <p> + There he was kindly received by Menelaus, the king, and his wife, Fair + Helen. + </p> + <p> + This queen had been reared as the daughter of Tyndarus and Queen Leda, but + some say that she was the child of an enchanted swan, and there was indeed + a strange spell about her. All the greatest heroes of Greece had wooed her + before she left her father's palace to be the wife of King Menelaus; and + Tyndarus, fearing for her peace, had bound her many suitors by an oath. + According to this pledge, they were to respect her choice, and to go to + the aid of her husband if ever she should be stolen away from him. For in + all Greece there was nothing so beautiful as the beauty of Helen. She was + the fairest woman in the world. + </p> + <p> + Now thus did Venus fulfil her promise and the shepherd win his reward with + dishonor. Paris dwelt at the court of Menelaus for a long time, treated + with a royal courtesy which he ill repaid. For at length while the king + was absent on a journey to Crete, his guest won the heart of Fair Helen, + and persuaded her to forsake her husband and sail away to Troy. + </p> + <p> + King Menelaus returned to find the nest empty of the swan. Paris and the + fairest woman in the world were well across the sea. + </p> + <h3> + II. THE ROUSING OF THE HEROES. + </h3> + <p> + When this treachery came to light, all Greece took fire with indignation. + The heroes remembered their pledge, and wrath came upon them at the wrong + done to Menelaus. But they were less angered with Fair Helen than with + Paris, for they felt assured that the queen had been lured from her + country and out of her own senses by some spell of enchantment. So they + took counsel how they might bring back Fair Helen to her home and husband. + </p> + <p> + Years had come and gone since that wedding-feast when Eris had flung the + apple of discord, like a firebrand, among the guests. But the spark of + dissension that had smouldered so long burst into flame now, and, fanned + by the enmities of men and the rivalries of the gods, it seemed like to + fire heaven and earth. + </p> + <p> + A few of the heroes answered the call to arms unwillingly. Time had + reconciled them to the loss of Fair Helen, and they were loath to leave + home and happiness for war, even in her cause. + </p> + <p> + One of these was Odysseus, king of Ithaca, who had married Penelope, and + was quite content with his kingdom and his little son Telemachus. Indeed, + he was so unwilling to leave them that he feigned madness in order to + escape service, appeared to forget his own kindred, and went ploughing the + seashore and sowing salt in the furrows. But a messenger, Palamedes, who + came with the summons to war, suspected that this sudden madness might be + a stratagem, for the king was far famed as a man of many devices. He + therefore stood by, one day (while Odysseus, pretending to take no heed of + him, went ploughing the sand), and he laid the baby Telemachus directly in + the way of the ploughshare. For once the wise man's craft deserted him. + Odysseus turned the plough sharply, caught up the little prince, and there + his fatherly wits were manifest! After this he could no longer play + madman. He had to take leave of his beloved wife Penelope and set out to + join the heroes, little dreaming that he was not to return for twenty + years. Once embarked, however, he set himself to work in the common cause + of the heroes, and was soon as ingenious as Palamedes in rousing laggard + warriors. + </p> + <p> + There remained one who was destined to be the greatest warrior of all. + This was Achilles, the son of Thetis,—foretold in the day of + Prometheus as a man who should far outstrip his own father in glory and + greatness. Years had passed since the marriage of Thetis to King Peleus, + and their son Achilles was now grown to manhood, a wonder of strength + indeed, and, moreover, invulnerable. For his mother, forewarned of his + death in the Trojan War, had dipped him in the sacred river Styx when he + was a baby, so that he could take no hurt from any weapon. From head to + foot she had plunged him in, only forgetting the little heel that she held + him by, and this alone could be wounded by any chance. But even with such + precautions Thetis was not content. Fearful at the rumors of war to be, + she had her son brought up, in woman's dress, among the daughters of King + Lycomedes of Scyros, that he might escape the notice of men and cheat his + destiny. + </p> + <p> + To this very palace, however, came Odysseus in the guise of a merchant, + and he spread his wares before the royal household,—jewels and + ivory, fine fabrics, and curiously wrought weapons. The king's daughters + chose girdles and veils and such things as women delight in; but Achilles, + heedless of the like, sought out the weapons, and handled them with such + manly pleasure that his nature stood revealed. So he, too, yielded to his + destiny and set out to join the heroes. + </p> + <p> + Everywhere men were banded together, building the ships and gathering + supplies. The allied forces of Greece (the Achaeans, as they called + themselves) chose Agamemnon for their commander-in-chief. He was a mighty + man, king of Mycenae and Argos, and the brother of the wronged Menelaus. + Second to Achilles in strength was the giant Ajax; after him Diomedes, + then wise Odysseus, and Nestor, held in great reverence because of his + experienced age and fame. These were the chief heroes. After two years of + busy preparation, they reached the port of Aulis, whence they were to sail + for Troy. + </p> + <p> + But here delay held them. Agamemnon had chanced to kill a stag which was + sacred to Diana, and the army was visited by pestilence, while a great + calm kept the ships imprisoned. At length the Oracle made known the reason + of this misfortune and demanded for atonement the maiden Iphigenia, + Agamemnon's own daughter. In helpless grief the king consented to offer + her up as a victim, and the maiden was brought ready for sacrifice. But at + the last moment Diana caught her away in a cloud, leaving a white hind in + her place, and carried her to Tauris in Scythia, there to serve as a + priestess in the temple. In the mean time, her kinsfolk, who were at a + loss to understand how she had disappeared, mourned her as dead. But Diana + had accepted their child as an offering, and healing came to the army, and + the winds blew again. So the ships set sail. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile, in Troy across the sea, the aged Priam and Hecuba gave shelter + to their son Paris and his stolen bride. They were not without misgivings + as to these guests, but they made ready to defend their kindred and the + citadel. + </p> + <p> + There were many heroes among the Trojans and their allies, brave and + upright men, who little deserved that such reproach should be brought upon + them by the guilt of Prince Paris. There were Aeneas and Deiphobus, + Glaucus and Sarpedon, and Priam's most noble son Hector, chief of all the + forces, and the very bulwark of Troy. These and many more were bitterly to + regret the day that had brought Paris back to his home. But he had taken + refuge with his own people, and the Trojans had to take up his cause + against the hostile fleet that was coming across the sea. + </p> + <p> + Even the gods took sides. Juno and Athena, who had never forgiven the + judgment of Paris, condemned all Troy with, him and favored the Greeks, as + did also Poseidon, god of the sea. But Venus, true to her favorite, + furthered the interests of the Trojans with all her power, and persuaded + the warlike Mars to do likewise. Zeus and Apollo strove to be impartial, + but they were yet to aid now one side, now another, according to the + fortunes of the heroes whom they loved. + </p> + <p> + Over the sea came the great embassy of ships, sped hither safely by the + god Poseidon; and the heroes made their camp on the plain before Troy. + First of all Odysseus and King Menelaus himself went into the city and + demanded that Fair Helen should be given back to her rightful husband. + This the Trojans refused; and so began the siege of Troy. + </p> + <h3> + III. THE WOODEN HORSE. + </h3> + <p> + Nine years the Greeks laid siege to Troy, and Troy held out against every + device. On both sides the lives of many heroes were spent, and they were + forced to acknowledge each other enemies of great valor. + </p> + <p> + Sometimes the chief warriors fought in single combat, while the armies + looked on, and the old men of Troy, with the women, came out to watch far + off from the city walls. King Priam and Queen Hecuba would come, and + Cassandra, sad with foreknowledge of their doom, and Andromache, the + lovely young wife of Hector, with her little son whom the people called <i>The + City King</i>. Sometimes Fair Helen came to look across the plain to the + fellow-countrymen whom she had forsaken; and although she was the cause of + all this war, the Trojans half forgave her when she passed by, because her + beauty was like a spell, and warmed hard hearts as the sunshine mellows + apples. So for nine years the Greeks plundered the neighboring towns, but + the city Troy stood fast, and the Grecian ships waited with folded wings. + </p> + <p> + The half of that story cannot be told here, but in the tenth year of the + war many things came to pass, and the end drew near. Of this tenth year + alone, there are a score of tales. For the Greeks fell to quarrelling + among themselves over the spoils of war, and the great Achilles left the + camp in anger and refused to fight. Nothing would induce him to return, + till his friend Patroclus was slain by Prince Hector. At that news, + indeed, Achilles rose in great might and returned to the Greeks; and he + went forth clad in armor that had been wrought for him by Vulcan, at the + prayer of Thetis. By the river Scamander, near to Troy, he met and slew + Hector, and afterwards dragged the hero's body after his chariot across + the plain. How the aged Priam went alone by night to the tent of Achilles + to ransom his son's body, and how Achilles relented, and moreover granted + a truce for the funeral honors of his enemy,—all these things have + been so nobly sung that they can never be fitly spoken. + </p> + <p> + Hector, the bulwark of Troy, had fallen, and the ruin of the city was at + hand. Achilles himself did not long survive his triumph, and, ruthless as + he was, he ill-deserved the manner of his death. He was treacherously + slain by that Paris who would never have dared to meet him in the open + field. Paris, though he had brought all this disaster upon Troy, had left + the danger to his countrymen. But he lay in wait for Achilles in a temple + sacred to Apollo, and from his hiding-place he sped a poisoned arrow at + the hero. It pierced his ankle where the water of the Styx had not charmed + him against wounds, and of that venom the great Achilles died. Paris + himself died soon after by another poisoned arrow, but that was no long + grief to anybody! + </p> + <p> + Still Troy held out, and the Greeks, who could not take it by force, + pondered how they might take it by craft. At length, with the aid of + Odysseus, they devised a plan. + </p> + <p> + A portion of the Grecian host broke up camp and set sail as if they were + homeward bound; but, once out of sight, they anchored their ships behind a + neighboring island. The rest of the army then fell to work upon a great + image of a horse. They built it of wood, fitted and carved, and with a + door so cunningly concealed that none might notice it. When it was + finished, the horse looked like a prodigious idol; but it was hollow, + skilfully pierced here and there, and so spacious that a band of men could + lie hidden within and take no harm. Into this hiding-place went Odysseus, + Menelaus, and the other chiefs, fully armed, and when the door was shut + upon them, the rest of the Grecian army broke camp and went away. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile, in Troy, the people had seen the departure of the ships, and + the news had spread like wildfire. The great enemy had lost heart,—after + ten years of war! Part of the army had gone,—the rest were going. + Already the last of the ships had set sail, and the camp was deserted. The + tents that had whitened the plain were gone like a frost before the sun. + The war was over! + </p> + <p> + The whole city went wild with joy. Like one who has been a prisoner for + many years, it flung off all restraint, and the people rose as a single + man to test the truth of new liberty. The gates were thrown wide, and the + Trojans—men, women, and children—thronged over the plain and + into the empty camp of the enemy. There stood the Wooden Horse. + </p> + <p> + No one knew what it could be. Fearful at first, they gathered around it, + as children gather around a live horse; they marvelled at its wondrous + height and girth, and were for moving it into the city as a trophy of war. + </p> + <p> + At this, one man interposed,—Laocoön, a priest of Poseidon. "Take + heed, citizens," said he. "Beware of all that comes from the Greeks. Have + you fought them for ten years without learning their devices? This is some + piece of treachery." + </p> + <p> + But there was another outcry in the crowd, and at that moment certain of + the Trojans dragged forward a wretched man who wore the garments of a + Greek. He seemed the sole remnant of the Grecian army, and as such they + consented to spare his life, if he would tell them the truth. + </p> + <p> + Sinon, for this was the spy's name, said that he had been left behind by + the malice of Odysseus, and he told them that the Greeks had built the + Wooden Horse as an offering to Athena, and that they had made it so huge + in order to keep it from being moved out of the camp, since it was + destined to bring triumph to its possessors. + </p> + <p> + At this, the joy of the Trojans was redoubled, and they set their wits to + find out how they might soonest drag the great horse across the plain and + into the city to ensure victory. While they stood talking, two immense + serpents rose out of the sea and made towards the camp. Some of the people + took flight, others were transfixed with terror; but all, near and far, + watched this new omen. Rearing their crests, the sea-serpents crossed the + shore, swift, shining, terrible as a risen water-flood that descends upon + a helpless little town. Straight through the crowd they swept, and seized + the priest Laocoön where he stood, with his two sons, and wrapped them all + round and round in fearful coils. There was no chance of escape. Father + and sons perished together; and when the monsters had devoured the three + men, into the sea they slipped again, leaving no trace of the horror. + </p> + <p> + The terrified Trojans saw an omen in this. To their minds, punishment had + come upon Laocoön for his words against the Wooden Horse. Surely, it was + sacred to the gods; he had spoken blasphemy, and had perished before their + eyes. They flung his warning to the winds. They wreathed the horse with + garlands, amid great acclaim; and then, all lending a hand, they dragged + it, little by little, out of the camp and into the city of Troy. With the + close of that victorious day, they gave up every memory of danger and made + merry after ten years of privation. + </p> + <p> + That very night Sinon the spy opened the hidden door of the Wooden Horse, + and in the darkness, Odysseus, Menelaus, and the other chiefs who had lain + hidden there crept out and gave the signal to the Grecian army. For, under + cover of night, those ships that had been moored behind the island had + sailed back again, and the Greeks were come upon Troy. + </p> + <p> + Not a Trojan was on guard. The whole city was at feast when the enemy rose + in its midst, and the warning of Laocoön was fulfilled. + </p> + <p> + Priam and his warriors fell by the sword, and their kingdom was plundered + of all its fair possessions, women and children and treasure. Last of all, + the city itself was burned to its very foundations. + </p> + <p> + Homeward sailed the Greeks, taking as royal captives poor Cassandra and + Andromache and many another Trojan. And home at last went Fair Helen, the + cause of all this sorrow, eager to be forgiven by her husband, King + Menelaus. For she had awakened from the enchantment of Venus, and even + before the death of Paris she had secretly longed for her home and + kindred. Home to Sparta she came with the king after a long and stormy + voyage, and there she lived and died the fairest of women. + </p> + <p> + But the kingdom of Troy was fallen. Nothing remained of all its glory but + the glory of its dead heroes and fair women, and the ruins of its citadel + by the river Scamander. There even now, beneath the foundations of later + homes that were built and burned, built and burned, in the wars of a + thousand years after, the ruins of ancient Troy lie hidden, like mouldered + leaves deep under the new grass. And there, to this very day, men who love + the story are delving after the dead city as you might search for a buried + treasure. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0022" id="link2H_4_0022"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE HOUSE OF AGAMEMNON. + </h2> + <p> + The Greeks had won back Fair Helen, and had burned the city of Troy behind + them, but theirs was no triumphant voyage home. Many were driven far and + wide before they saw their land again, and one who escaped such hardships + came home to find a bitter welcome. This was the chief of all the hosts, + Agamemnon, king of Mycenae and Argos. He it was who had offered his own + daughter Iphigenia to appease the wrath of Diana before the ships could + sail for Troy. An ominous leave-taking was his, and calamity was there to + greet him home again. + </p> + <p> + He had entrusted the cares of the state to his cousin Aegisthus, + commending also to his protection Queen Clytemnestra with her two + remaining children, Electra and Orestes. + </p> + <p> + Now Clytemnestra was a sister of Helen of Troy, and a beautiful woman to + see; but her heart was as evil as her face was fair. No sooner had her + husband gone to the wars than she set up Aegisthus in his place, as if + there were no other king of Argos. For years this faithless pair lived + arrogantly in the face of the people, and controlled the affairs of the + kingdom. But as time went by and the child Orestes grew to be a youth, + Aegisthus feared lest the Argives should stand by their own prince, and + drive him away as an usurper. He therefore planned the death of Orestes, + and even won the consent of the queen, who was no gentle mother! But the + princess Electra, suspecting their plot, secretly hurried her brother away + to the court of King Strophius in Phocis, and so saved his life. She was + not, however, to save a second victim. + </p> + <p> + The ten years of war went by, and the chief, Agamemnon, came home in + triumph, heralded by all the Argives, who were as exultant over the return + of their lawful king as over the fall of Troy. Into the city came the + remnant of his own men, bearing the spoils of war, and, in the midst of a + jubilant multitude, King Agamemnon sharing his chariot with the captive + princess, Cassandra. + </p> + <p> + Queen Clytemnestra went out to greet him with every show of joy and + triumph. She had a cloth of purple spread before the palace, that her + husband might come with state into his home once more; and before all + beholders she protested that the ten years of his absence had bereaved her + of all happiness. + </p> + <p> + The unsuspicious king left his chariot and entered the palace; but the + princess Cassandra hesitated and stood by in fear. Poor Cassandra! Her + kindred were slain and the doom of her city was fulfilled, but the curse + of prophecy still followed her. She felt the shadow of coming evil, and + there before the door she recoiled, and cried out that there was blood in + the air. At length, despairing of her fate, she too went in. Even while + the Argives stood about the gates, pitying her madness, the prophecy came + true. + </p> + <p> + Clytemnestra, like any anxious wife, had led the travel-worn king to a + bath; and there, when he had laid by his arms, she and Aegisthus threw a + net over him, as they would have snared any beast of prey, and slew him, + defenceless. In the same hour Cassandra, too, fell into their hands, and + they put an end to her warnings. So died the chief of the great army and + his royal captive. + </p> + <p> + The murderers proclaimed themselves king and queen before all the people, + and none dared rebel openly against such terrible authority. But Aegisthus + was still uneasy at the thought that the Prince Orestes might return some + day to avenge his father. Indeed, Electra had sent from time to time + secret messages to Phocis, entreating her brother to come and take his + rightful place, and save her from her cruel mother and Aegisthus. But + there came to Argos one day a rumor that Orestes himself had died in + Phocis, and the poor princess gave up all hope of peace; while + Clytemnestra and Aegisthus made no secret of their relief, but even + offered impious thanks in the temple, as if the gods were of their mind! + They were soon undeceived. + </p> + <p> + Two young Phocians came to the palace with news of the last days of + Orestes, so they said; and they were admitted to the presence of the king + and queen. They were, in truth, Orestes himself and his friend Pylades + (son of King Strophius), who had ventured safety and all to avenge + Agamemnon. Then and there Orestes killed Aegisthus and Clytemnestra, and + appeared before the Argives as their rightful prince. + </p> + <p> + But not even so did he find peace. In slaying Clytemnestra, wicked as she + was, he had murdered his own mother, a deed hateful to gods and men. Day + and night he was haunted by the Furies. + </p> + <p> + These dread sisters never leave Hades save to pursue and torture some + guilty conscience. They wear black raiment, like the wings of a bat; their + hair writhes with serpents fierce as remorse, and in their hands they + carry flaming torches that make all shapes look greater and more fearful + than they are. No sleep can soothe the mind of him they follow. They come + between his eyes and the daylight; at night their torches drive away all + comfortable darkness. Poor Orestes, though he had punished two murderers, + felt that he was no less a murderer himself. + </p> + <p> + From land to land he wandered in despair that grew to madness, with one + only comrade, the faithful Pylades, who was his very shadow. At length he + took refuge in Athens, under the protection of Athena, and gave himself up + to be tried by the court of the Areopagus. There he was acquitted; but not + all the Furies left him, and at last he besought the Oracle of Apollo to + befriend him. + </p> + <p> + "Go to Tauris, in Scythia," said the voice, "and bring from thence the + image of Diana which fell from the heavens." So he set out with his + Pylades and sailed to the shore of Scythia. + </p> + <p> + Now the Taurians were a savage people, who strove to honor Diana, to their + rude minds, by sacrificing all the strangers that fell into their hands. + There was a temple not far from the seaside, and its priestess was a + Grecian maiden, one Iphigenia, who had miraculously appeared there years + before, and was held in especial awe by Thoas, the king of the country + round about. Sorely against her will, she had to hallow the victims + offered at this shrine; and into her presence Orestes and Pylades were + brought by the men who had seized them. + </p> + <p> + On learning that they were Grecians and Argives (for they withheld their + names), the priestess was moved to the heart. She asked them many + questions concerning the fate of Agamemnon, Clytemnestra, and the warriors + against Troy, which they answered as best they could. At length she said + that she would help one of them to escape, if he would swear to take a + message from her to one in Argos. + </p> + <p> + "My friend shall bear it home," said Orestes. "As for me, I stay and + endure my fate." + </p> + <p> + "Nay," said Pylades; "how can I swear? for I might lose this letter by + shipwreck or some other mischance." + </p> + <p> + "Hear the message, then," said the high-priestess. "And thou wilt keep it + by thee with thy life. To Orestes, son of Agamemnon, say Iphigenia, his + sister, is dead indeed unto her parents, but not to him. Say that Diana + has had charge over her these many years since she was snatched away at + Aulis, and that she waits until her brother shall come to rescue her from + this duty of bloodshed and take her home." + </p> + <p> + At these words their amazement knew no bounds. Orestes embraced his lost + sister and told her all his story, and the three, breathless with + eagerness, planned a way of escape. + </p> + <p> + The king of Tauris had already come to witness the sacrifice. But + Iphigenia took in her hands the sacred image of Diana, and went out to + tell him that the rites must be delayed. One of the strangers, said she, + was guilty of the murder of his mother, the other sharing his crime; and + these unworthy victims must be cleansed with pure sea-water before they + could be offered to Diana. The sacred image had been desecrated by their + touch, and that, too, must be solemnly purged by no other hands than hers. + </p> + <p> + To this the king consented. He remained to burn lustral fires in the + temple; the people withdrew to their houses to escape pollution, and the + priestess with her victims reached the seaside in safety. + </p> + <p> + Once there, with the sacred image which was to bring them good fortune, + they hastened to the Grecian galley and put off from that desolate shore. + So, with his new-found sister and his new hope, Orestes went over the seas + to Argos, to rebuild the honor of the royal house. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0023" id="link2H_4_0023"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE ADVENTURES OF ODYSSEUS. + </h2> + <h3> + I. THE CURSE OF POLYPHEMUS. + </h3> + <p> + Of all the heroes that wandered far and wide before they came to their + homes again after the fall of Troy, none suffered so many hardships as + Odysseus. + </p> + <p> + There was, indeed, one other man whose adventures have been likened to + his, and this was Aeneas, a Trojan hero. He escaped from the burning city + with a band of fugitives, his countrymen; and after years of peril and + wandering he came to found a famous race in Italy. On the way, he found + one hospitable resting-place in Carthage, where Queen Dido received him + with great kindliness; and when he left her she took her own life, out of + very grief. + </p> + <p> + But there were no other hardships such as beset Odysseus, between the + burning of Troy and his return to Ithaca, west of the land of Greece. Ten + years did he fight against Troy, but it was ten years more before he came + to his home and his wife Penelope and his son Telemachus. + </p> + <p> + Now all these latter years of wandering fell to his lot because of + Poseidon's anger against him. For Poseidon had favored the Grecian cause, + and might well have sped home this man who had done so much to win the + Grecian victory. But as evil destiny would have it, Odysseus mortally + angered the god of the sea by blinding his son, the Cyclops Polyphemus. + And thus it came to pass. + </p> + <p> + Odysseus set out from Troy with twelve good ships. He touched first at + Ismarus, where his first misfortune took place, and in a skirmish with the + natives he lost a number of men from each ship's crew. A storm then drove + them to the land of the Lotus-Eaters, a wondrous people, kindly and + content, who spend their lives in a day-dream and care for nothing else + under the sun. No sooner had the sailors eaten of this magical lotus than + they lost all their wish to go home, or to see their wives and children + again. By main force, Odysseus drove them back to the ships and saved them + from the spell. + </p> + <p> + Thence they came one day to a beautiful strange island, a verdant place to + see, deep with soft grass and well watered with springs. Here they ran the + ships ashore, and took their rest and feasted for a day. But Odysseus + looked across to the mainland, where he saw flocks and herds, and smoke + going up softly from the homes of men; and he resolved to go across and + find out what manner of people lived there. Accordingly, next morning, he + took his own ship's company and they rowed across to the mainland. + </p> + <p> + Now, fair as the place was, there dwelt in it a race of giants, the + Cyclopes, great rude creatures, having each but one eye, and that in the + middle of his forehead. One of them was Polyphemus, the son of Poseidon. + He lived by himself as a shepherd, and it was to his cave that Odysseus + came, by some evil chance. It was an enormous grotto, big enough to house + the giant and all his flocks, and it had a great courtyard without. But + Odysseus, knowing nought of all this, chose out twelve men, and with a + wallet of corn and a goatskin full of wine they left the ship and made a + way to the cave, which they had seen from the water. + </p> + <p> + Much they wondered who might be the master of this strange house. + Polyphemus was away with his sheep, but many lambs and kids were penned + there, and the cavern was well stored with goodly cheeses and cream and + whey. + </p> + <p> + Without delay, the wearied men kindled a fire and sat down to eat such + things as they found, till a great shadow came dark against the doorway, + and they saw the Cyclops near at hand, returning with his flocks. In an + instant they fled into the darkest corner of the cavern. + </p> + <p> + Polyphemus drove his flocks into the place and cast off from his shoulders + a load of young trees for firewood. Then he lifted and set in the entrance + of the cave a gigantic boulder of a door-stone. Not until he had milked + the goats and ewes and stirred up the fire did his terrible one eye light + upon the strangers. + </p> + <p> + "What are ye?" he roared then, "robbers or rovers?" And Odysseus alone had + heart to answer. + </p> + <p> + "We are Achaeans of the army of Agamemnon," said he. "And by the will of + Zeus we have lost our course, and are come to you as strangers. Forget not + that Zeus has a care for such as we, strangers and suppliants." + </p> + <p> + Loud laughed the Cyclops at this. "You are a witless churl to bid me heed + the gods!" said he. "I spare or kill to please myself and none other. But + where is your cockle-shell that brought you hither?" + </p> + <p> + Then Odysseus answered craftily: "Alas, my ship is gone! Only I and my men + escaped alive from the sea." + </p> + <p> + But Polyphemus, who had been looking them over with his one eye, seized + two of the mariners and dashed them against the wall and made his evening + meal of them, while their comrades stood by helpless. This done, he + stretched himself through the cavern and slept all night long, taking no + more heed of them than if they had been flies. No sleep came to the + wretched seamen, for, even had they been able to slay him, they were + powerless to move away the boulder from the door. So all night long + Odysseus took thought how they might possibly escape. + </p> + <p> + At dawn the Cyclops woke, and his awakening was like a thunderstorm. Again + he kindled the fire, again he milked the goats and ewes, and again he + seized two of the king's comrades and served them up for his terrible + repast. Then the savage shepherd drove his flocks out of the cave, only + turning back to set the boulder in the doorway and pen up Odysseus and his + men in their dismal lodging. + </p> + <p> + But the wise king had pondered well. In the sheepfold he had seen a mighty + club of olive-wood, in size like the mast of a ship. As soon as the + Cyclops was gone, Odysseus bade his men cut off a length of this club and + sharpen it down to a point. This done, they hid it away under the earth + that heaped the floor; and they waited in fear and torment for their + chance of escape. + </p> + <p> + At sundown, home came the Cyclops. Just as he had done before, he drove in + his flocks, barred the entrance, milked the goats and ewes, and made his + meal of two more hapless men, while their fellows looked on with burning + eyes. Then Odysseus stood forth, holding a bowl of the wine that he had + brought with him; and, curbing his horror of Polyphemus, he spoke in + friendly fashion: "Drink, Cyclops, and prove our wine, such as it was, for + all was lost with our ship save this. And no other man will ever bring you + more, since you are such an ungentle host." + </p> + <p> + The Cyclops tasted the wine and laughed with delight so that the cave + shook. "Ho, this is a rare drink!" said he. "I never tasted milk so good, + nor whey, nor grape-juice either. Give me the rest, and tell me your name, + that I may thank you for it." + </p> + <p> + Twice and thrice Odysseus poured the wine and the Cyclops drank it off; + then he answered: "Since you ask it, Cyclops, my name is Noman." + </p> + <p> + "And I will give you this for your wine, Noman," said the Cyclops; "you + shall be eaten last of all!" + </p> + <p> + As he spoke his head drooped, for his wits were clouded with drink, and he + sank heavily out of his seat and lay prone, stretched along the floor of + the cavern. His great eye shut and he fell asleep. + </p> + <p> + Odysseus thrust the stake under the ashes till it was glowing hot; and his + fellows stood by him, ready to venture all. Then together they lifted the + club and drove it straight into the eye of Polyphemus and turned it around + and about. + </p> + <p> + The Cyclops gave a horrible cry, and, thrusting away the brand, he called + on all his fellow-giants near and far. Odysseus and his men hid in the + uttermost corners of the cave, but they heard the resounding steps of the + Cyclopes who were roused, and their shouts as they called, "What ails + thee, Polyphemus? Art thou slain? Who has done thee any hurt?" + </p> + <p> + "Noman!" roared the blinded Cyclops; "Noman is here to slay me by + treachery." + </p> + <p> + "Then if no man hath hurt thee," they called again, "let us sleep." And + away they went to their homes once more. + </p> + <p> + But Polyphemus lifted away the boulder from the door and sat there in the + entrance, groaning with pain and stretching forth his hands to feel if any + one were near. Then, while he sat in double darkness, with the light of + his eye gone out, Odysseus bound together the rams of the flock, three by + three, in such wise that every three should save one of his comrades. For + underneath the mid ram of each group a man clung, grasping his shaggy + fleece; and the rams on each side guarded him from discovery. Odysseus + himself chose out the greatest ram and laid hold of his fleece and clung + beneath his shaggy body, face upward. + </p> + <p> + Now, when dawn came, the rams hastened out to pasture, and Polyphemus felt + of their backs as they huddled along together; but he knew not that every + three held a man bound securely. Last of all came the kingly ram that was + dearest to his rude heart, and he bore the King of Ithaca. Once free of + the cave, Odysseus and his fellows loosed their hold and took flight, + driving the rams in haste to the ship, where, without delay, they greeted + their comrades and went aboard. + </p> + <p> + But as they pushed from shore, Odysseus could not refrain from hailing the + Cyclops with taunts, and at the sound of that voice Polyphemus came forth + from his cave and hurled a great rock after the ship. It missed and + upheaved the water like an earthquake. Again Odysseus called, saying: + "Cyclops, if any shall ask who blinded thine eye, say that it was + Odysseus, son of Laertes of Ithaca." + </p> + <p> + Then Polyphemus groaned and cried: "An Oracle foretold it, but I waited + for some man of might who should overcome me by his valor,—not a + weakling! And now"—he lifted his hands and prayed,—"Father + Poseidon, my father, look upon Odysseus, the son of Laertes of Ithaca, and + grant me this revenge,—let him never see Ithaca again! Yet, if he + must, may he come late, without a friend, after long wandering, to find + evil abiding by his hearth!" + </p> + <p> + So he spoke and hurled another rock after them, but the ship outstripped + it, and sped by to the island where the other good ships waited for + Odysseus. Together they put out from land and hastened on their homeward + voyage. + </p> + <p> + But Poseidon, who is lord of the sea, had heard the prayer of his son, and + that homeward voyage was to wear through ten years more, with storm and + irksome calms and misadventure. + </p> + <h3> + II. THE WANDERING OF ODYSSEUS. + </h3> + <p> + Now Odysseus and his men sailed on and on till they came to Aeolia, where + dwells the king of the winds, and here they came nigh to good fortune. + </p> + <p> + Aeolus received them kindly, and at their going he secretly gave to + Odysseus a leathern bag in which all contrary winds were tied up securely, + that only the favoring west wind might speed them to Ithaca. Nine days the + ships went gladly before the wind, and on the tenth day they had sight of + Ithaca, lying like a low cloud in the west. Then, so near his haven, the + happy Odysseus gave up to his weariness and fell asleep, for he had never + left the helm. But while he slept his men saw the leathern bag that he + kept by him, and, in the belief that it was full of treasure, they opened + it. Out rushed the ill-winds! + </p> + <p> + In an instant the sea was covered with white caps; the waves rose mountain + high; the poor ships struggled against the tyranny of the gale and gave + way. Back they were driven,—back, farther and farther; and when + Odysseus woke, Ithaca was gone from sight, as if it had indeed been only a + low cloud in the west! + </p> + <p> + Straight to the island of Aeolus they were driven once more. But when the + king learned what greed and treachery had wasted his good gift, he would + give them nothing more. "Surely thou must be a man hated of the gods, + Odysseus," he said, "for misfortune bears thee company. Depart now; I may + not help thee." + </p> + <p> + So, with a heavy heart, Odysseus and his men departed. For many days they + rowed against a dead calm, until at length they came to the land of the + Laestrygonians. And, to cut a piteous tale short, these giants destroyed + all their fleet save one ship,—that of Odysseus himself, and in this + he made escape to the island of Circe. What befell there, how the greedy + seamen were turned into swine and turned back into men, and how the + sorceress came to befriend Odysseus,—all this has been related. + </p> + <p> + There in Aeaea the voyagers stayed a year before Circe would let them go. + But at length she bade Odysseus seek the region of Hades, and ask of the + sage Tiresias how he might ever return to Ithaca. How Odysseus followed + this counsel, none may know; but by some mysterious journey, and with the + aid of a spell, he came to the borders of Hades. There he saw and spoke + with many renowned Shades, old and young, even his own friends who had + fallen on the plain of Troy. Achilles he saw, Patroclus and Ajax and + Agamemnon, still grieving over the treachery of his wife. He saw, too, the + phantom of Heracles, who lives with honor among the gods, and has for his + wife Hebe, the daughter of Zeus and Juno. But though he would have talked + with the heroes for a year and more, he sought out Tiresias. + </p> + <p> + "The anger of Poseidon follows thee," said the sage. "Wherefore, Odysseus, + thy return is yet far off. But take heed when thou art come to Thrinacia, + where the sacred kine of the Sun have their pastures. Do them no hurt, and + thou shalt yet come home. <i>But if they be harmed in any wise</i>, ruin + shall come upon thy men; and even if thou escape, thou shalt come home to + find strange men devouring thy substance and wooing thy wife." + </p> + <p> + With this word in his mind, Odysseus departed and came once more to Aeaea. + There he tarried but a little time, till Circe had told him all the + dangers that beset his way. Many a good counsel and crafty warning did she + give him against the Sirens that charm with their singing, and against the + monster Scylla and the whirlpool Charybdis, and the Clashing Rocks, and + the cattle of the Sun. So the king and his men set out from the island of + Aeaea. + </p> + <p> + Now very soon they came to the Sirens who sing so sweetly that they lure + to death every man who listens. For straightway he is mad to be with them + where they sing; and alas for the man that would fly without wings! + </p> + <p> + But when the ship drew near the Sirens' island, Odysseus did as Circe had + taught him. He bade all his shipmates stop up their ears with moulded wax, + so that they could not hear. He alone kept his hearing: but he had himself + lashed to the mast so that he could in no wise move, and he forbade them + to loose him, however he might plead, under the spell of the Sirens. + </p> + <p> + As they sailed near, his soul gave way. He heard a wild sweetness coaxing + the air, as a minstrel coaxes the harp; and there, close by, were the + Sirens sitting in a blooming meadow that hid the bones of men. Beautiful, + winning maidens they looked; and they sang, entreating Odysseus by name to + listen and abide and rest. Their voices were golden-sweet above the sound + of wind and wave, like drops of amber floating on the tide; and for all + his wisdom, Odysseus strained at his bonds and begged his men to let him + go free. But they, deaf alike to the song and the sorcery, rowed harder + than ever. At length, song and island faded in the distance. Odysseus came + to his wits once more, and his men loosed his bonds and set him free. + </p> + <p> + But they were close upon new dangers. No sooner had they avoided the + Clashing Rocks (by a device of Circe's) than they came to a perilous + strait. On one hand they saw the whirlpool where, beneath a hollow + fig-tree, Charybdis sucks down the sea horribly. And, while they sought to + escape her, on the other hand monstrous Scylla upreared from the cave, + snatched six of their company with her six long necks, and devoured them + even while they called upon Odysseus to save them. + </p> + <p> + So, with bitter peril, the ship passed by and came to the island of + Thrinacia; and here are goodly pastures for the flocks and herds of the + Sun. Odysseus, who feared lest his men might forget the warning of + Tiresias, was very loath to land. But the sailors were weary and worn to + the verge of mutiny, and they swore, moreover, that they would never lay + hands on the sacred kine. So they landed, thinking to depart next day. But + with the next day came a tempest that blew for a month without ceasing, so + that they were forced to beach the ship and live on the island with their + store of corn and wine. When that was gone they had to hunt and fish, and + it happened that, while Odysseus was absent in the woods one day, his + shipmates broke their oath. "For," said they, "when we are once more in + Ithaca we will make amends to Helios with sacrifice. But let us rather + drown than waste to death with hunger." So they drove off the best of the + cattle of the Sun and slew them. When the king returned, he found them at + their fateful banquet; but it was too late to save them from the wrath of + the gods. + </p> + <p> + As soon as they were fairly embarked once more, the Sun ceased to shine. + The sea rose high, the thunderbolt of Zeus struck that ship, and all its + company was scattered abroad upon the waters. Not one was left save + Odysseus. He clung to a fragment of his last ship, and so he drifted, + borne here and there, and lashed by wind and wave, until he was washed up + on the strand of the island Ogygia, the home of the nymph Calypso. He was + not to leave this haven for seven years. + </p> + <p> + Here, after ten years of war and two of wandering, he found a kindly + welcome. The enchanted island was full of wonders, and the nymph Calypso + was more than mortal fair, and would have been glad to marry the hero; yet + he pined for Ithaca. Nothing could win his heart away from his own country + and his own wife Penelope, nothing but Lethe itself, and that no man may + drink till he dies. + </p> + <p> + So for seven years Calypso strove to make him forget his longing with ease + and pleasant living and soft raiment. Day by day she sang to him while she + broidered her web with gold; and her voice was like a golden strand that + twines in and out of silence, making it beautiful. She even promised that + she would make him immortal, if he would stay and be content; but he was + heartsick for home. + </p> + <p> + At last his sorrow touched even the heart of Athena in heaven, for she + loved his wisdom and his many devices. So she besought Zeus and all the + other gods until they consented to shield Odysseus from the anger of + Poseidon. Hermes himself bound on his winged sandals and flew down to + Ogygia, where he found Calypso at her spinning. After many words, the + nymph consented to give up her captive, for she was kind of heart, and all + her graces had not availed to make him forget his home. With her help, + Odysseus built a raft and set out upon his lonely voyage,—the only + man remaining out of twelve good ships that had left Troy nigh unto ten + years before. + </p> + <p> + The sea roughened against him, but (to shorten a tale of great peril) + after many days, sore spent and tempest-tossed, he came to the land of the + Phaeacians, a land dear to the immortal gods, abounding in gifts of + harvest and vintage, in godlike men and lovely women. + </p> + <p> + Here the shipwrecked king met the princess Nausicaa by the seaside, as she + played ball with her maidens; and she, when she had heard of his plight, + gave him food and raiment, and bade him follow her home. So he followed + her to the palace of King Alcinous and Queen Arete, and abode with them, + kindly refreshed, and honored with feasting and games and song. But it + came to pass, as the minstrel sang before them of the Trojan War and the + Wooden Horse, that Odysseus wept over the story, it was written so deep in + his own heart. Then for the first time he told them his true name and all + his trials. + </p> + <p> + They would gladly have kept so great a man with them forever, but they had + no heart to keep him longer from his home; so they bade him farewell and + set him upon one of their magical ships, with many gifts of gold and + silver, and sent him on his way. + </p> + <p> + Wonderful seamen are the Phaeacians. The ocean is to them as air to the + bird,—the best path for a swift journey! Odysseus was glad enough to + trust the way to them, and no sooner had they set out than a sweet sleep + fell upon his eyelids. But the good ship sped like any bee that knows the + way home. In a marvellous short time they came even to the shore of the + kingdom of Ithaca. + </p> + <p> + While Odysseus was still sleeping, unconscious of his good fortune, the + Phaeacians lifted him from the ship with kindly joy and laid him upon his + own shore; and beside him they set the gifts of gold and silver and fair + work of the loom. So they departed; and thus it was that Odysseus came to + Ithaca after twenty years. + </p> + <h3> + III. THE HOME-COMING. + </h3> + <p> + Now all these twenty years, in the island of Ithaca, Penelope had watched + for her husband's return. At first with high hopes and then in doubt and + sorrow (when news of the great war came by some traveller), she had + waited, eager and constant as a young bride. But now the war was long + past; her young son Telemachus had come to manhood; and as for Odysseus, + she knew not whether he was alive or dead. + </p> + <p> + For years there had been trouble in Ithaca. It was left a kingdom without + a king, and Penelope was fair and wise. So suitors came from all the + islands round about to beg her hand in marriage, since many loved the + queen and as many more loved her possessions, and desired to rule over + them. Moreover, every one thought or said that King Odysseus must be dead. + Neither Penelope nor her aged father-in-law Laertes could rid the place of + these troublesome suitors. Some were nobles and some were adventurers, but + they all thronged the palace like a pest of crickets, and devoured the + wealth of the kingdom with feasts in honor of Penelope and themselves and + everybody else; and they besought the queen to choose a husband from their + number. + </p> + <p> + For a long time she would hear none of this; but they grew so clamorous in + their suit that she had to put them off with craft. For she saw that there + would be danger to her country, and her son, and herself, unless Odysseus + came home some day and turned the suitors out of doors. She therefore + spoke them fair, and gave them some hope of her marriage, to make peace. + </p> + <p> + "Ye princely wooers," she said, "now I believe that the king Odysseus, my + husband, must long since have perished in a strange land; and I have + bethought me once more of marriage. Have patience, therefore, till I shall + have finished the web that I am weaving. For it is a royal shroud that I + must make against the day that Laertes may die (the father of my lord and + husband). This is the way of my people," said she; "and when the web is + done, I will choose another king for Ithaca." + </p> + <p> + She had set up in the hall a great loom, and day by day she wrought there + at the web, for she was a marvellous spinner, patient as Arachne, but dear + to Athena. All day long she would weave, but every night in secret she + would unravel what she had wrought in the daytime, so that the web might + never be done. For although she believed her dear husband to be dead, yet + her hope would put forth buds again and again, just as spring, that seems + to die each year, will come again. So she ever looked to see Odysseus + coming. + </p> + <p> + Three years and more she held off the suitors with this wile, and they + never perceived it. For, being men, they knew nothing of women's + handicraft. It was all alike a marvel to them, both the beauty of the web + and this endless toil in the making! As for Penelope, all day long she + wove; but at night she would unravel her work and weep bitterly, because + she had another web to weave and another day to watch, all for nothing, + since Odysseus never came. In the fourth year, though, a faithless servant + betrayed this secret to the wooers, and there came an end to peace and the + web, too! + </p> + <p> + Matters grew worse and worse. Telemachus set out to find his father, and + the poor queen was left without husband or son. But the suitors continued + to live about the palace like so many princes, and to make merry on the + wealth of Odysseus, while he was being driven from land to land and wreck + to wreck. So it came true, that prophecy that, if the herds of the Sun + were harmed, Odysseus should reach his home alone in evil plight to find + Sorrow in his own household. But in the end he was to drive her forth. + </p> + <p> + Now, when Odysseus woke, he did not know his own country. Gone were the + Phaeacians and their ship; only the gifts beside him told him that he had + not dreamed. While he looked about, bewildered, Athena, in the guise of a + young countryman, came to his aid, and told him where he was. Then, + smiling upon his amazement and joy, she shone forth in her own form, and + warned him not to hasten home, since the palace was filled with the + insolent suitors of Penelope, whose heart waited empty for him as the nest + for the bird. + </p> + <p> + Moreover, Athena changed his shape into that of an aged pilgrim, and led + him to the hut of a certain swineherd, Eumaeus, his old and faithful + servant. This man received the king kindly, taking him for a travel-worn + wayfarer, and told him all the news of the palace, and the suitors and the + poor queen, who was ever ready to hear the idle tales of any traveller if + he had aught to tell of King Odysseus. + </p> + <p> + Now who should come to the hut at this time but the prince Telemachus, + whom Athena had hastened safely home from his quest! Eumaeus received his + young master with great joy, but the heart of Odysseus was nigh to + bursting, for he had never seen his son since he left him, an infant, for + the Trojan War. When Eumaeus left them together, he made himself known; + and for that moment Athena gave him back his kingly looks, so that + Telemachus saw him with exultation, and they two wept over each other for + joy. + </p> + <p> + By this time news of her son's return had come to Penelope, and she was + almost happy, not knowing that the suitors were plotting to kill + Telemachus. Home he came, and he hastened to assure his mother that he had + heard good news of Odysseus; though, for the safety of all, he did not + tell her that Odysseus was in Ithaca. + </p> + <p> + Meanwhile Eumaeus and his aged pilgrim came to the city and the palace + gates. They were talking to a goatherd there, when an old hound that lay + in the dust-heap near by pricked up his ears and stirred his tail feebly + as at a well-known voice. He was the faithful Argus, named after a monster + of many eyes that once served Juno as a watchman. Indeed, when the + creature was slain, Juno had his eyes set in the feathers of her pet + peacocks, and there they glisten to this day. But the end of this Argus + was very different. Once the pride of the king's heart, he was now so old + and infirm that he could barely move; but though his master had come home + in the guise of a strange beggar, he knew the voice, and he alone, after + twenty years. Odysseus, seeing him, could barely restrain his tears; but + the poor old hound, as if he had lived but to welcome his master home, + died that very same day. + </p> + <p> + Into the palace hall went the swineherd and the pilgrim, among the suitors + who were feasting there. Now how Odysseus begged a portion of meat and was + shamefully insulted by these men, how he saw his own wife and hid his joy + and sorrow, but told her news of himself as any beggar might,—all + these things are better sung than spoken. It is a long story. + </p> + <p> + But the end was near. The suitors had demanded the queen's choice, and + once more the constant Penelope tried to put it off. She took from her + safe treasure-chamber the great bow of Odysseus, and she promised that she + would marry that one of the suitors who should send his arrow through + twelve rings ranged in a line. All other weapons were taken away by the + care of Telemachus; there was nothing but the great bow and quiver. And + when all was ready, Penelope went away to her chamber to weep. + </p> + <p> + But, first of all, no one could string the bow. Suitor after suitor tried + and failed. The sturdy wood stood unbent against the strongest. Last of + all, Odysseus begged leave to try, and was laughed to scorn. Telemachus, + however, as if for courtesy's sake, gave him the bow; and the strange + beggar bent it easily, adjusted the cord, and before any could stay his + hand he sped the arrow from the string. Singing with triumph, it flew + straight through the twelve rings and quivered in the mark! + </p> + <p> + "Now for another mark!" cried Odysseus in the king's own voice. He turned + upon the most evil-hearted suitor. Another arrow hissed and struck, and + the man fell pierced. + </p> + <p> + Telemachus sprang to his father's side, Eumaeus stood by him, and the + fighting was short and bitter. One by one they slew those insolent + suitors; for the right was theirs, and Athena stood by them, and the time + was come. Every one of the false-hearted wooers they laid low, and every + corrupt servant in that house; then they made the place clean and fair + again. + </p> + <p> + But the old nurse Eurycleia hastened up to Queen Penelope, where she sat + in fear and wonder, crying, "Odysseus is returned! Come and see with thine + own eyes!" + </p> + <p> + After twenty years of false tales, the poor queen could not believe her + ears. She came down into the hall bewildered, and looked at the stranger + as one walking in a dream. Even when Athena had given him back his youth + and kingly looks, she stood in doubt, so that her own son reproached her + and Odysseus was grieved in spirit. + </p> + <p> + But when he drew near and called her by her name, entreating her by all + the tokens that she alone knew, her heart woke up and sang like a brook + set free in spring! She knew him then for her husband Odysseus, come home + at last. + </p> + <p> + Surely that was happiness enough to last them ever after. + </p> + <div style="height: 6em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Old Greek Folk Stories Told Anew, by +Josephine Preston Peabody + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK OLD GREEK FOLK STORIES TOLD ANEW *** + +***** This file should be named 9313-h.htm or 9313-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/9/3/1/9313/ + + +Text file produced by Juliet Sutherland, Tonya Allen, and Project +Gutenberg Distributed Proofreaders + +HTML file produced by David Widger + + +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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