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diff --git a/976-h/976-h.htm b/976-h/976-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..ba81a38 --- /dev/null +++ b/976-h/976-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,7488 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="us-ascii"?> + +<!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> + Tanglewood Tales by Nathaniel Hawthorne, + </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;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Tanglewood Tales, by Nathaniel Hawthorne + +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: Tanglewood Tales + +Author: Nathaniel Hawthorne + +Release Date: August 6, 2008 [EBook #976] +Last Updated: January 30, 2015 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TANGLEWOOD TALES *** + + + + +Produced by Dianne Bean, and David Widger + + + + + +</pre> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <h1> + TANGLEWOOD TALES + </h1> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h2> + by Nathaniel Hawthorne + </h2> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <h2> + Contents + </h2> + <table summary="" style="margin-right: auto; margin-left: auto"> + <tr> + <td> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0001"> THE WAYSIDE. INTRODUCTORY. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0002"> THE MINOTAUR. </a> + </p> +<p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_pyg"> THE PYGMIES. </a> + </p> +<p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_dragon"> THE DRAGON'S TEETH. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0003"> CIRCE'S PALACE. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0004"> THE POMEGRANATE SEEDS. </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0005"> THE GOLDEN FLEECE. </a> + </p> + </td> + </tr> + </table> + <p> + <br /> <br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /> <br /> <a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <h2> + THE WAYSIDE. INTRODUCTORY. + </h2> + <p> + A short time ago, I was favored with a flying visit from my young friend + Eustace Bright, whom I had not before met with since quitting the breezy + mountains of Berkshire. It being the winter vacation at his college, + Eustace was allowing himself a little relaxation, in the hope, he told me, + of repairing the inroads which severe application to study had made upon + his health; and I was happy to conclude, from the excellent physical + condition in which I saw him, that the remedy had already been attended + with very desirable success. He had now run up from Boston by the noon + train, partly impelled by the friendly regard with which he is pleased to + honor me, and partly, as I soon found, on a matter of literary business. + </p> + <p> + It delighted me to receive Mr. Bright, for the first time, under a roof, + though a very humble one, which I could really call my own. Nor did I fail + (as is the custom of landed proprietors all about the world) to parade the + poor fellow up and down over my half a dozen acres; secretly rejoicing, + nevertheless, that the disarray of the inclement season, and particularly + the six inches of snow then upon the ground, prevented him from observing + the ragged neglect of soil and shrubbery into which the place had lapsed. + It was idle, however, to imagine that an airy guest from Monument + Mountain, Bald Summit, and old Graylock, shaggy with primeval forests, + could see anything to admire in my poor little hillside, with its growth + of frail and insect-eaten locust trees. Eustace very frankly called the + view from my hill top tame; and so, no doubt, it was, after rough, broken, + rugged, headlong Berkshire, and especially the northern parts of the + county, with which his college residence had made him familiar. But to me + there is a peculiar, quiet charm in these broad meadows and gentle + eminences. They are better than mountains, because they do not stamp and + stereotype themselves into the brain, and thus grow wearisome with the + same strong impression, repeated day after day. A few summer weeks among + mountains, a lifetime among green meadows and placid slopes, with outlines + forever new, because continually fading out of the memory—such would + be my sober choice. + </p> + <p> + I doubt whether Eustace did not internally pronounce the whole thing a + bore, until I led him to my predecessor's little ruined, rustic summer + house, midway on the hillside. It is a mere skeleton of slender, decaying + tree trunks, with neither walls nor a roof; nothing but a tracery of + branches and twigs, which the next wintry blast will be very likely to + scatter in fragments along the terrace. It looks, and is, as evanescent as + a dream; and yet, in its rustic network of boughs, it has somehow enclosed + a hint of spiritual beauty, and has become a true emblem of the subtile + and ethereal mind that planned it. I made Eustace Bright sit down on a + snow bank, which had heaped itself over the mossy seat, and gazing through + the arched windows opposite, he acknowledged that the scene at once grew + picturesque. + </p> + <p> + "Simple as it looks," said he, "this little edifice seems to be the work + of magic. It is full of suggestiveness, and, in its way, is as good as a + cathedral. Ah, it would be just the spot for one to sit in, of a summer + afternoon, and tell the children some more of those wild stories from the + classic myths!" + </p> + <p> + "It would, indeed," answered I. "The summer house itself, so airy and so + broken, is like one of those old tales, imperfectly remembered; and these + living branches of the Baldwin apple tree, thrusting so rudely in, are + like your unwarrantable interpolations. But, by the by, have you added any + more legends to the series, since the publication of the 'Wonder-Book'?" + </p> + <p> + "Many more," said Eustace; "Primrose, Periwinkle, and the rest of them, + allow me no comfort of my life unless I tell them a story every day or + two. I have run away from home partly to escape the importunity of these + little wretches! But I have written out six of the new stories, and have + brought them for you to look over." + </p> + <p> + "Are they as good as the first?" I inquired. + </p> + <p> + "Better chosen, and better handled," replied Eustace Bright. "You will say + so when you read them." + </p> + <p> + "Possibly not," I remarked. "I know from my own experience, that an + author's last work is always his best one, in his own estimate, until it + quite loses the red heat of composition. After that, it falls into its + true place, quietly enough. But let us adjourn to my study, and examine + these new stories. It would hardly be doing yourself justice, were you to + bring me acquainted with them, sitting here on this snow bank!" + </p> + <p> + So we descended the hill to my small, old cottage, and shut ourselves up + in the south-eastern room, where the sunshine comes in, warmly and + brightly, through the better half of a winter's day. Eustace put his + bundle of manuscript into my hands; and I skimmed through it pretty + rapidly, trying to find out its merits and demerits by the touch of my + fingers, as a veteran story-teller ought to know how to do. + </p> + <p> + It will be remembered that Mr. Bright condescended to avail himself of my + literary experience by constituting me editor of the "Wonder-Book." As he + had no reason to complain of the reception of that erudite work by the + public, he was now disposed to retain me in a similar position with + respect to the present volume, which he entitled TANGLEWOOD TALES. Not, as + Eustace hinted, that there was any real necessity for my services as + introducer, inasmuch as his own name had become established in some good + degree of favor with the literary world. But the connection with myself, + he was kind enough to say, had been highly agreeable; nor was he by any + means desirous, as most people are, of kicking away the ladder that had + perhaps helped him to reach his present elevation. My young friend was + willing, in short, that the fresh verdure of his growing reputation should + spread over my straggling and half-naked boughs; even as I have sometimes + thought of training a vine, with its broad leafiness, and purple fruitage, + over the worm-eaten posts and rafters of the rustic summer house. I was + not insensible to the advantages of his proposal, and gladly assured him + of my acceptance. + </p> + <p> + Merely from the title of the stories I saw at once that the subjects were + not less rich than those of the former volume; nor did I at all doubt that + Mr. Bright's audacity (so far as that endowment might avail) had enabled + him to take full advantage of whatever capabilities they offered. Yet, in + spite of my experience of his free way of handling them, I did not quite + see, I confess, how he could have obviated all the difficulties in the way + of rendering them presentable to children. These old legends, so brimming + over with everything that is most abhorrent to our Christianized moral + sense some of them so hideous, others so melancholy and miserable, amid + which the Greek tragedians sought their themes, and moulded them into the + sternest forms of grief that ever the world saw; was such material the + stuff that children's playthings should be made of! How were they to be + purified? How was the blessed sunshine to be thrown into them? + </p> + <p> + But Eustace told me that these myths were the most singular things in the + world, and that he was invariably astonished, whenever he began to relate + one, by the readiness with which it adapted itself to the childish purity + of his auditors. The objectionable characteristics seem to be a + parasitical growth, having no essential connection with the original + fable. They fall away, and are thought of no more, the instant he puts his + imagination in sympathy with the innocent little circle, whose wide-open + eyes are fixed so eagerly upon him. Thus the stories (not by any strained + effort of the narrator's, but in harmony with their inherent germ) + transform themselves, and re-assume the shapes which they might be + supposed to possess in the pure childhood of the world. When the first + poet or romancer told these marvellous legends (such is Eustace Bright's + opinion), it was still the Golden Age. Evil had never yet existed; and + sorrow, misfortune, crime, were mere shadows which the mind fancifully + created for itself, as a shelter against too sunny realities; or, at most, + but prophetic dreams to which the dreamer himself did not yield a waking + credence. Children are now the only representatives of the men and women + of that happy era; and therefore it is that we must raise the intellect + and fancy to the level of childhood, in order to re-create the original + myths. + </p> + <p> + I let the youthful author talk as much and as extravagantly as he pleased, + and was glad to see him commencing life with such confidence in himself + and his performances. A few years will do all that is necessary towards + showing him the truth in both respects. Meanwhile, it is but right to say, + he does really appear to have overcome the moral objections against these + fables, although at the expense of such liberties with their structure as + must be left to plead their own excuse, without any help from me. Indeed, + except that there was a necessity for it—and that the inner life of + the legends cannot be come at save by making them entirely one's own + property—there is no defense to be made. + </p> + <p> + Eustace informed me that he had told his stories to the children in + various situations—in the woods, on the shore of the lake, in the + dell of Shadow Brook, in the playroom, at Tanglewood fireside, and in a + magnificent palace of snow, with ice windows, which he helped his little + friends to build. His auditors were even more delighted with the contents + of the present volume than with the specimens which have already been + given to the world. The classically learned Mr. Pringle, too, had listened + to two or three of the tales, and censured them even more bitterly than he + did THE THREE GOLDEN APPLES; so that, what with praise, and what with + criticism, Eustace Bright thinks that there is good hope of at least as + much success with the public as in the case of the "WonderBook." + </p> + <p> + I made all sorts of inquiries about the children, not doubting that there + would be great eagerness to hear of their welfare, among some good little + folks who have written to me, to ask for another volume of myths. They are + all, I am happy to say (unless we except Clover), in excellent health and + spirits. Primrose is now almost a young lady, and, Eustace tells me, is + just as saucy as ever. She pretends to consider herself quite beyond the + age to be interested by such idle stories as these; but, for all that, + whenever a story is to be told, Primrose never fails to be one of the + listeners, and to make fun of it when finished. Periwinkle is very much + grown, and is expected to shut up her baby house and throw away her doll + in a month or two more. Sweet Fern has learned to read and write, and has + put on a jacket and pair of pantaloons—all of which improvements I + am sorry for. Squash Blossom, Blue Eye, Plantain, and Buttercup have had + the scarlet fever, but came easily through it. Huckleberry, Milkweed, and + Dandelion were attacked with the whooping cough, but bore it bravely, and + kept out of doors whenever the sun shone. Cowslip, during the autumn, had + either the measles, or some eruption that looked very much like it, but + was hardly sick a day. Poor Clover has been a good deal troubled with her + second teeth, which have made her meagre in aspect and rather fractious in + temper; nor, even when she smiles, is the matter much mended, since it + discloses a gap just within her lips, almost as wide as the barn door. But + all this will pass over, and it is predicted that she will turn out a very + pretty girl. + </p> + <p> + As for Mr. Bright himself, he is now in his senior year at Williams + College, and has a prospect of graduating with some degree of honorable + distinction at the next Commencement. In his oration for the bachelor's + degree, he gives me to understand, he will treat of the classical myths, + viewed in the aspect of baby stories, and has a great mind to discuss the + expediency of using up the whole of ancient history, for the same purpose. + I do not know what he means to do with himself after leaving college, but + trust that, by dabbling so early with the dangerous and seductive business + of authorship, he will not be tempted to become an author by profession. + If so I shall be very sorry for the little that I have had to do with the + matter, in encouraging these first beginnings. + </p> + <p> + I wish there were any likelihood of my soon seeing Primrose, Periwinkle, + Dandelion, Sweet Fern, Clover Plantain, Huckleberry, Milkweed, Cowslip, + Buttercup, Blue Eye, and Squash Blossom again. But as I do not know when I + shall re-visit Tanglewood, and as Eustace Bright probably will not ask me + to edit a third "WonderBook," the public of little folks must not expect + to hear any more about those dear children from me. Heaven bless them, and + everybody else, whether grown people or children! + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0002" id="link2H_4_0002"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE MINOTAUR. + </h2> + <p> + In the old city of Troezene, at the foot of a lofty mountain, there lived, + a very long time ago, a little boy named Theseus. His grandfather, King + Pittheus, was the sovereign of that country, and was reckoned a very wise + man; so that Theseus, being brought up in the royal palace, and being + naturally a bright lad, could hardly fail of profiting by the old king's + instructions. His mother's name was Aethra. As for his father, the boy had + never seen him. But, from his earliest remembrance, Aethra used to go with + little Theseus into a wood, and sit down upon a moss-grown rock, which was + deeply sunken into the earth. Here she often talked with her son about his + father, and said that he was called Aegeus, and that he was a great king, + and ruled over Attica, and dwelt at Athens, which was as famous a city as + any in the world. Theseus was very fond of hearing about King Aegeus, and + often asked his good mother Aethra why he did not come and live with them + at Troezene. + </p> + <p> + "Ah, my dear son," answered Aethra, with a sigh, "a monarch has his people + to take care of. The men and women over whom he rules are in the place of + children to him; and he can seldom spare time to love his own children as + other parents do. Your father will never be able to leave his kingdom for + the sake of seeing his little boy." + </p> + <p> + "Well, but, dear mother," asked the boy, "why cannot I go to this famous + city of Athens, and tell King Aegeus that I am his son?" + </p> + <p> + "That may happen by and by," said Aethra. "Be patient, and we shall see. + You are not yet big and strong enough to set out on such an errand." + </p> + <p> + "And how soon shall I be strong enough?" Theseus persisted in inquiring. + </p> + <p> + "You are but a tiny boy as yet," replied his mother. "See if you can lift + this rock on which we are sitting?" + </p> + <p> + The little fellow had a great opinion of his own strength. So, grasping + the rough protuberances of the rock, he tugged and toiled amain, and got + himself quite out of breath, without being able to stir the heavy stone. + It seemed to be rooted into the ground. No wonder he could not move it; + for it would have taken all the force of a very strong man to lift it out + of its earthy bed. + </p> + <p> + His mother stood looking on, with a sad kind of a smile on her lips and in + her eyes, to see the zealous and yet puny efforts of her little boy. She + could not help being sorrowful at finding him already so impatient to + begin his adventures in the world. + </p> + <p> + "You see how it is, my dear Theseus," said she. "You must possess far more + strength than now before I can trust you to go to Athens, and tell King + Aegeus that you are his son. But when you can lift this rock, and show me + what is hidden beneath it, I promise you my permission to depart." + </p> + <p> + Often and often, after this, did Theseus ask his mother whether it was yet + time for him to go to Athens; and still his mother pointed to the rock, + and told him that, for years to come, he could not be strong enough to + move it. And again and again the rosy-checked and curly-headed boy would + tug and strain at the huge mass of stone, striving, child as he was, to do + what a giant could hardly have done without taking both of his great hands + to the task. Meanwhile the rock seemed to be sinking farther and farther + into the ground. The moss grew over it thicker and thicker, until at last + it looked almost like a soft green seat, with only a few gray knobs of + granite peeping out. The overhanging trees, also, shed their brown leaves + upon it, as often as the autumn came; and at its base grew ferns and wild + flowers, some of which crept quite over its surface. To all appearance, + the rock was as firmly fastened as any other portion of the earth's + substance. + </p> + <p> + But, difficult as the matter looked, Theseus was now growing up to be such + a vigorous youth, that, in his own opinion, the time would quickly come + when he might hope to get the upper hand of this ponderous lump of stone. + </p> + <p> + "Mother, I do believe it has started!" cried he, after one of his + attempts. "The earth around it is certainly a little cracked!" + </p> + <p> + "No, no, child!" his mother hastily answered. "It is not possible you can + have moved it, such a boy as you still are!" + </p> + <p> + Nor would she be convinced, although Theseus showed her the place where he + fancied that the stem of a flower had been partly uprooted by the movement + of the rock. But Aethra sighed, and looked disquieted; for, no doubt, she + began to be conscious that her son was no longer a child, and that, in a + little while hence, she must send him forth among the perils and troubles + of the world. + </p> + <p> + It was not more than a year afterwards when they were again sitting on the + moss-covered stone. Aethra had once more told him the oft-repeated story + of his father, and how gladly he would receive Theseus at his stately + palace, and how he would present him to his courtiers and the people, and + tell them that here was the heir of his dominions. The eyes of Theseus + glowed with enthusiasm, and he would hardly sit still to hear his mother + speak. + </p> + <p> + "Dear mother Aethra," he exclaimed, "I never felt half so strong as now! I + am no longer a child, nor a boy, nor a mere youth! I feel myself a man! It + is now time to make one earnest trial to remove the stone." + </p> + <p> + "Ah, my dearest Theseus," replied his mother "not yet! not yet!" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, mother," said he, resolutely, "the time has come!" + </p> + <p> + Then Theseus bent himself in good earnest to the task, and strained every + sinew, with manly strength and resolution. He put his whole brave heart + into the effort. He wrestled with the big and sluggish stone, as if it had + been a living enemy. He heaved, he lifted, he resolved now to succeed, or + else to perish there, and let the rock be his monument forever! Aethra + stood gazing at him, and clasped her hands, partly with a mother's pride, + and partly with a mother's sorrow. The great rock stirred! Yes, it was + raised slowly from the bedded moss and earth, uprooting the shrubs and + flowers along with it, and was turned upon its side. Theseus had + conquered! + </p> + <p> + While taking breath, he looked joyfully at his mother, and she smiled upon + him through her tears. + </p> + <p> + "Yes, Theseus," she said, "the time has come, and you must stay no longer + at my side! See what King Aegeus, your royal father, left for you beneath + the stone, when he lifted it in his mighty arms, and laid it on the spot + whence you have now removed it." + </p> + <p> + Theseus looked, and saw that the rock had been placed over another slab of + stone, containing a cavity within it; so that it somewhat resembled a + roughly-made chest or coffer, of which the upper mass had served as the + lid. Within the cavity lay a sword, with a golden hilt, and a pair of + sandals. + </p> + <p> + "That was your father's sword," said Aethra, "and those were his sandals. + When he went to be king of Athens, he bade me treat you as a child until + you should prove yourself a man by lifting this heavy stone. That task + being accomplished, you are to put on his sandals, in order to follow in + your father's footsteps, and to gird on his sword, so that you may fight + giants and dragons, as King Aegeus did in his youth." + </p> + <p> + "I will set out for Athens this very day!" cried Theseus. + </p> + <p> + But his mother persuaded him to stay a day or two longer, while she got + ready some necessary articles for his journey. When his grandfather, the + wise King Pittheus, heard that Theseus intended to present himself at his + father's palace, he earnestly advised him to get on board of a vessel, and + go by sea; because he might thus arrive within fifteen miles of Athens, + without either fatigue or danger. + </p> + <p> + "The roads are very bad by land," quoth the venerable king; "and they are + terribly infested with robbers and monsters. A mere lad, like Theseus, is + not fit to be trusted on such a perilous journey, all by himself. No, no; + let him go by sea." + </p> + <p> + But when Theseus heard of robbers and monsters, he pricked up his ears, + and was so much the more eager to take the road along which they were to + be met with. On the third day, therefore, he bade a respectful farewell to + his grandfather, thanking him for all his kindness; and, after + affectionately embracing his mother, he set forth with a good many of her + tears glistening on his cheeks, and some, if the truth must be told, that + had gushed out of his own eyes. But he let the sun and wind dry them, and + walked stoutly on, playing with the golden hilt of his sword, and taking + very manly strides in his father's sandals. + </p> + <p> + I cannot stop to tell you hardly any of the adventures that befell Theseus + on the road to Athens. It is enough to say, that he quite cleared that + part of the country of the robbers about whom King Pittheus had been so + much alarmed. One of these bad people was named Procrustes; and he was + indeed a terrible fellow, and had an ugly way of making fun of the poor + travelers who happened to fall into his clutches. In his cavern he had a + bed, on which, with great pretense of hospitality, he invited his guests + to lie down; but, if they happened to be shorter than the bed, this wicked + villain stretched them out by main force; or, if they were too tall, he + lopped off their heads or feet, and laughed at what he had done, as an + excellent joke. Thus, however weary a man might be, he never liked to lie + in the bed of Procrustes. Another of these robbers, named Scinis, must + likewise have been a very great scoundrel. He was in the habit of flinging + his victims off a high cliff into the sea; and, in order to give him + exactly his deserts, Theseus tossed him off the very same place. But if + you will believe me, the sea would not pollute itself by receiving such a + bad person into its bosom; neither would the earth, having once got rid of + him, consent to take him back; so that, between the cliff and the sea, + Scinis stuck fast in the air, which was forced to bear the burden of his + naughtiness. + </p> + <p> + After these memorable deeds, Theseus heard of an enormous sow, which ran + wild, and was the terror of all the farmers round about; and, as he did + not consider himself above doing any good thing that came in his way, he + killed this monstrous creature, and gave the carcass to the poor people + for bacon. The great sow had been an awful beast, while ramping about the + woods and fields, but was a pleasant object enough when cut up into + joints, and smoking on I know not how many dinner tables. + </p> + <p> + Thus, by the time he reached his journey's end, Theseus had done many + valiant feats with his father's golden-hilted sword, and had gained the + renown of being one of the bravest young men of the day. His fame traveled + faster than he did, and reached Athens before him. As he entered the city, + he heard the inhabitants talking at the street corners, and saying that + Hercules was brave, and Jason too, and Castor and Pollux likewise, but + that Theseus, the son of their own king, would turn out as great a hero as + the best of them. Theseus took longer strides on hearing this, and fancied + himself sure of a magnificent reception at his father's court, since he + came thither with Fame to blow her trumpet before him, and cry to King + Aegeus, "Behold your son!" + </p> + <p> + He little suspected, innocent youth that he was, that here, in this very + Athens, where his father reigned, a greater danger awaited him than any + which he had encountered on the road. Yet this was the truth. You must + understand that the father of Theseus, though not very old in years, was + almost worn out with the cares of government, and had thus grown aged + before his time. His nephews, not expecting him to live a very great + while, intended to get all the power of the kingdom into their own hands. + But when they heard that Theseus had arrived in Athens, and learned what a + gallant young man he was, they saw that he would not be at all the kind of + a person to let them steal away his father's crown and scepter, which + ought to be his own by right of inheritance. Thus these bad-hearted + nephews of King Aegeus, who were the own cousins of Theseus, at once + became his enemies. A still more dangerous enemy was Medea, the wicked + enchantress; for she was now the king's wife, and wanted to give the + kingdom to her son Medus, instead of letting it be given to the son of + Aethra, whom she hated. + </p> + <p> + It so happened that the king's nephews met Theseus, and found out who he + was, just as he reached the entrance of the royal palace. With all their + evil designs against him, they pretended to be their cousin's best + friends, and expressed great joy at making his acquaintance. They proposed + to him that he should come into the king's presence as a stranger, in + order to try whether Aegeus would discover in the young man's features any + likeness either to himself or his mother Aethra, and thus recognize him + for a son. Theseus consented; for he fancied that his father would know + him in a moment, by the love that was in his heart. But, while he waited + at the door, the nephews ran and told King Aegeus that a young man had + arrived in Athens, who, to their certain knowledge, intended to put him to + death, and get possession of his royal crown. + </p> + <p> + "And he is now waiting for admission to your majesty's presence," added + they. + </p> + <p> + "Aha!" cried the old king, on hearing this. "Why, he must be a very wicked + young fellow indeed! Pray, what would you advise me to do with him?" + </p> + <p> + In reply to this question, the wicked Medea put in her word. As I have + already told you, she was a famous enchantress. According to some stories, + she was in the habit of boiling old people in a large caldron, under + pretense of making them young again; but King Aegeus, I suppose, did not + fancy such an uncomfortable way of growing young, or perhaps was contented + to be old, and therefore would never let himself be popped into the + caldron. If there were time to spare from more important matters, I should + be glad to tell you of Medea's fiery chariot, drawn by winged dragons, in + which the enchantress used often to take an airing among the clouds. This + chariot, in fact, was the vehicle that first brought her to Athens, where + she had done nothing but mischief ever since her arrival. But these and + many other wonders must be left untold; and it is enough to say, that + Medea, amongst a thousand other bad things, knew how to prepare a poison, + that was instantly fatal to whomsoever might so much as touch it with his + lips. + </p> + <p> + So, when the king asked what he should do with Theseus, this naughty woman + had an answer ready at her tongue's end. + </p> + <p> + "Leave that to me, please your majesty," she replied. "Only admit this + evil-minded young man to your presence, treat him civilly, and invite him + to drink a goblet of wine. Your majesty is well aware that I sometimes + amuse myself by distilling very powerful medicines. Here is one of them in + this small phial. As to what it is made of, that is one of my secrets of + state. Do but let me put a single drop into the goblet, and let the young + man taste it; and I will answer for it, he shall quite lay aside the bad + designs with which he comes hither." + </p> + <p> + As she said this, Medea smiled; but, for all her smiling face, she meant + nothing less than to poison the poor innocent Theseus, before his father's + eyes. And King Aegeus, like most other kings, thought any punishment mild + enough for a person who was accused of plotting against his life. He + therefore made little or no objection to Medea's scheme, and as soon as + the poisonous wine was ready, gave orders that the young stranger should + be admitted into his presence. + </p> + <p> + The goblet was set on a table beside the king's throne; and a fly, meaning + just to sip a little from the brim, immediately tumbled into it, dead. + Observing this, Medea looked round at the nephews, and smiled again. + </p> + <p> + When Theseus was ushered into the royal apartment, the only object that he + seemed to behold was the white-bearded old king. There he sat on his + magnificent throne, a dazzling crown on his head, and a scepter in his + hand. His aspect was stately and majestic, although his years and + infirmities weighed heavily upon him, as if each year were a lump of lead, + and each infirmity a ponderous stone, and all were bundled up together, + and laid upon his weary shoulders. The tears both of joy and sorrow sprang + into the young man's eyes; for he thought how sad it was to see his dear + father so infirm, and how sweet it would be to support him with his own + youthful strength, and to cheer him up with the alacrity of his loving + spirit. When a son takes a father into his warm heart it renews the old + man's youth in a better way than by the heat of Medea's magic caldron. And + this was what Theseus resolved to do. He could scarcely wait to see + whether King Aegeus would recognize him, so eager was he to throw himself + into his arms. + </p> + <p> + Advancing to the foot of the throne, he attempted to make a little speech, + which he had been thinking about, as he came up the stairs. But he was + almost choked by a great many tender feelings that gushed out of his heart + and swelled into his throat, all struggling to find utterance together. + And therefore, unless he could have laid his full, over-brimming heart + into the king's hand, poor Theseus knew not what to do or say. The cunning + Medea observed what was passing in the young man's mind. She was more + wicked at that moment than ever she had been before; for (and it makes me + tremble to tell you of it) she did her worst to turn all this unspeakable + love with which Theseus was agitated to his own ruin and destruction. + </p> + <p> + "Does your majesty see his confusion?" she whispered in the king's ear. + "He is so conscious of guilt, that he trembles and cannot speak. The + wretch lives too long! Quick! offer him the wine!" + </p> + <p> + Now King Aegeus had been gazing earnestly at the young stranger, as he + drew near the throne. There was something, he knew not what, either in his + white brow, or in the fine expression of his mouth, or in his beautiful + and tender eyes, that made him indistinctly feel as if he had seen this + youth before; as if, indeed, he had trotted him on his knee when a baby, + and had beheld him growing to be a stalwart man, while he himself grew + old. But Medea guessed how the king felt, and would not suffer him to + yield to these natural sensibilities; although they were the voice of his + deepest heart, telling him as plainly as it could speak, that here was our + dear son, and Aethra's son, coming to claim him for a father. The + enchantress again whispered in the king's ear, and compelled him, by her + witchcraft, to see everything under a false aspect. + </p> + <p> + He made up his mind, therefore, to let Theseus drink off the poisoned + wine. + </p> + <p> + "Young man," said he, "you are welcome! I am proud to show hospitality to + so heroic a youth. Do me the favor to drink the contents of this goblet. + It is brimming over, as you see, with delicious wine, such as I bestow + only on those who are worthy of it! None is more worthy to quaff it than + yourself!" + </p> + <p> + So saying, King Aegeus took the golden goblet from the table, and was + about to offer it to Theseus. But, partly through his infirmities, and + partly because it seemed so sad a thing to take away this young man's + life, however wicked he might be, and partly, no doubt, because his heart + was wiser than his head, and quaked within him at the thought of what he + was going to do—for all these reasons, the king's hand trembled so + much that a great deal of the wine slopped over. In order to strengthen + his purpose, and fearing lest the whole of the precious poison should be + wasted, one of his nephews now whispered to him: + </p> + <p> + "Has your Majesty any doubt of this stranger's guilt? This is the very + sword with which he meant to slay you. How sharp, and bright, and terrible + it is! Quick!—let him taste the wine; or perhaps he may do the deed + even yet." + </p> + <p> + At these words, Aegeus drove every thought and feeling out of his breast, + except the one idea of how justly the young man deserved to be put to + death. He sat erect on his throne, and held out the goblet of wine with a + steady hand, and bent on Theseus a frown of kingly severity; for, after + all, he had too noble a spirit to murder even a treacherous enemy with a + deceitful smile upon his face. + </p> + <p> + "Drink!" said he, in the stern tone with which he was wont to condemn a + criminal to be beheaded. "You have well deserved of me such wine as this!" + </p> + <p> + Theseus held out his hand to take the wine. But, before he touched it, + King Aegeus trembled again. His eyes had fallen on the gold-hilted sword + that hung at the young man's side. He drew back the goblet. + </p> + <p> + "That sword!" he exclaimed: "how came you by it?" + </p> + <p> + "It was my father's sword," replied Theseus, with a tremulous voice. + "These were his sandals. My dear mother (her name is Aethra) told me his + story while I was yet a little child. But it is only a month since I grew + strong enough to lift the heavy stone, and take the sword and sandals from + beneath it, and come to Athens to seek my father." + </p> + <p> + "My son! my son!" cried King Aegeus, flinging away the fatal goblet, and + tottering down from the throne to fall into the arms of Theseus. "Yes, + these are Aethra's eyes. It is my son." + </p> + <p> + I have quite forgotten what became of the king's nephews. But when the + wicked Medea saw this new turn of affairs, she hurried out of the room, + and going to her private chamber, lost no time to setting her enchantments + to work. In a few moments, she heard a great noise of hissing snakes + outside of the chamber window; and behold! there was her fiery chariot, + and four huge winged serpents, wriggling and twisting in the air, + flourishing their tails higher than the top of the palace, and all ready + to set off on an aerial journey. Medea staid only long enough to take her + son with her, and to steal the crown jewels, together with the king's best + robes, and whatever other valuable things she could lay hands on; and + getting into the chariot, she whipped up the snakes, and ascended high + over the city. + </p> + <p> + The king, hearing the hiss of the serpents, scrambled as fast as he could + to the window, and bawled out to the abominable enchantress never to come + back. The whole people of Athens, too, who had run out of doors to see + this wonderful spectacle, set up a shout of joy at the prospect of getting + rid of her. Medea, almost bursting with rage, uttered precisely such a + hiss as one of her own snakes, only ten times more venomous and spiteful; + and glaring fiercely out of the blaze of the chariot, she shook her hands + over the multitude below, as if she were scattering a million of curses + among them. In so doing, however, she unintentionally let fall about five + hundred diamonds of the first water, together with a thousand great + pearls, and two thousand emeralds, rubies, sapphires, opals, and topazes, + to which she had helped herself out of the king's strong box. All these + came pelting down, like a shower of many-colored hailstones, upon the + heads of grown people and children, who forthwith gathered them up, and + carried them back to the palace. But King Aegeus told them that they were + welcome to the whole, and to twice as many more, if he had them, for the + sake of his delight at finding his son, and losing the wicked Medea. And, + indeed, if you had seen how hateful was her last look, as the flaming + chariot flew upward, you would not have wondered that both king and people + should think her departure a good riddance. + </p> + <p> + And now Prince Theseus was taken into great favor by his royal father. The + old king was never weary of having him sit beside him on his throne (which + was quite wide enough for two), and of hearing him tell about his dear + mother, and his childhood, and his many boyish efforts to lift the + ponderous stone. Theseus, however, was much too brave and active a young + man to be willing to spend all his time in relating things which had + already happened. His ambition was to perform other and more heroic deeds, + which should be better worth telling in prose and verse. Nor had he been + long in Athens before he caught and chained a terrible mad bull, and made + a public show of him, greatly to the wonder and admiration of good King + Aegeus and his subjects. But pretty soon, he undertook an affair that made + all his foregone adventures seem like mere boy's play. The occasion of it + was as follows: + </p> + <p> + One morning, when Prince Theseus awoke, he fancied that he must have had a + very sorrowful dream, and that it was still running in his mind, even now + that his eyes were opened. For it appeared as if the air was full of a + melancholy wail; and when he listened more attentively, he could hear + sobs, and groans, and screams of woe, mingled with deep, quiet sighs, + which came from the king's palace, and from the streets, and from the + temples, and from every habitation in the city. And all these mournful + noises, issuing out of thousands of separate hearts, united themselves + into one great sound of affliction, which had startled Theseus from + slumber. He put on his clothes as quickly as he could (not forgetting his + sandals and gold-hilted sword), and, hastening to the king, inquired what + it all meant. + </p> + <p> + "Alas! my son," quoth King Aegeus, heaving a long sigh, "here is a very + lamentable matter in hand! This is the wofulest anniversary in the whole + year. It is the day when we annually draw lots to see which of the youths + and maids of Athens shall go to be devoured by the horrible Minotaur!" + </p> + <p> + "The Minotaur!" exclaimed Prince Theseus; and like a brave young prince as + he was, he put his hand to the hilt of his sword. "What kind of a monster + may that be? Is it not possible, at the risk of one's life, to slay him?" + </p> + <p> + But King Aegeus shook his venerable head, and to convince Theseus that it + was quite a hopeless case, he gave him an explanation of the whole affair. + It seems that in the island of Crete there lived a certain dreadful + monster, called a Minotaur, which was shaped partly like a man and partly + like a bull, and was altogether such a hideous sort of a creature that it + is really disagreeable to think of him. If he were suffered to exist at + all, it should have been on some desert island, or in the duskiness of + some deep cavern, where nobody would ever be tormented by his abominable + aspect. But King Minos, who reigned over Crete, laid out a vast deal of + money in building a habitation for the Minotaur, and took great care of + his health and comfort, merely for mischief's sake. A few years before + this time, there had been a war between the city of Athens and the island + of Crete, in which the Athenians were beaten, and compelled to beg for + peace. No peace could they obtain, however, except on condition that they + should send seven young men and seven maidens, every year, to be devoured + by the pet monster of the cruel King Minos. For three years past, this + grievous calamity had been borne. And the sobs, and groans, and shrieks, + with which the city was now filled, were caused by the people's woe, + because the fatal day had come again, when the fourteen victims were to be + chosen by lot; and the old people feared lest their sons or daughters + might be taken, and the youths and damsels dreaded lest they themselves + might be destined to glut the ravenous maw of that detestable man-brute. + </p> + <p> + But when Theseus heard the story, he straightened himself up, so that he + seemed taller than ever before; and as for his face it was indignant, + despiteful, bold, tender, and compassionate, all in one look. + </p> + <p> + "Let the people of Athens this year draw lots for only six young men, + instead of seven," said he, "I will myself be the seventh; and let the + Minotaur devour me if he can!" + </p> + <p> + "O my dear son," cried King Aegeus, "why should you expose yourself to + this horrible fate? You are a royal prince, and have a right to hold + yourself above the destinies of common men." + </p> + <p> + "It is because I am a prince, your son, and the rightful heir of your + kingdom, that I freely take upon me the calamity of your subjects," + answered Theseus, "And you, my father, being king over these people, and + answerable to Heaven for their welfare, are bound to sacrifice what is + dearest to you, rather than that the son or daughter of the poorest + citizen should come to any harm." + </p> + <p> + The old king shed tears, and besought Theseus not to leave him desolate in + his old age, more especially as he had but just begun to know the + happiness of possessing a good and valiant son. Theseus, however, felt + that he was in the right, and therefore would not give up his resolution. + But he assured his father that he did not intend to be eaten up, + unresistingly, like a sheep, and that, if the Minotaur devoured him, it + should not be without a battle for his dinner. And finally, since he could + not help it, King Aegeus consented to let him go. So a vessel was got + ready, and rigged with black sails; and Theseus, with six other young men, + and seven tender and beautiful damsels, came down to the harbor to embark. + A sorrowful multitude accompanied them to the shore. There was the poor + old king, too, leaning on his son's arm, and looking as if his single + heart held all the grief of Athens. + </p> + <p> + Just as Prince Theseus was going on board, his father bethought himself of + one last word to say. + </p> + <p> + "My beloved son," said he, grasping the Prince's hand, "you observe that + the sails of this vessel are black; as indeed they ought to be, since it + goes upon a voyage of sorrow and despair. Now, being weighed down with + infirmities, I know not whether I can survive till the vessel shall + return. But, as long as I do live, I shall creep daily to the top of + yonder cliff, to watch if there be a sail upon the sea. And, dearest + Theseus, if by some happy chance, you should escape the jaws of the + Minotaur, then tear down those dismal sails, and hoist others that shall + be bright as the sunshine. Beholding them on the horizon, myself and all + the people will know that you are coming back victorious, and will welcome + you with such a festal uproar as Athens never heard before." + </p> + <p> + Theseus promised that he would do so. Then going on board, the mariners + trimmed the vessel's black sails to the wind, which blew faintly off the + shore, being pretty much made up of the sighs that everybody kept pouring + forth on this melancholy occasion. But by and by, when they had got fairly + out to sea, there came a stiff breeze from the north-west, and drove them + along as merrily over the white-capped waves as if they had been going on + the most delightful errand imaginable. And though it was a sad business + enough, I rather question whether fourteen young people, without any old + persons to keep them in order, could continue to spend the whole time of + the voyage in being miserable. There had been some few dances upon the + undulating deck, I suspect, and some hearty bursts of laughter, and other + such unseasonable merriment among the victims, before the high blue + mountains of Crete began to show themselves among the far-off clouds. That + sight, to be sure, made them all very grave again. + </p> + <p> + Theseus stood among the sailors, gazing eagerly towards the land; + although, as yet, it seemed hardly more substantial than the clouds, + amidst which the mountains were looming up. Once or twice, he fancied that + he saw a glare of some bright object, a long way off, flinging a gleam + across the waves. + </p> + <p> + "Did you see that flash of light?" he inquired of the master of the + vessel. + </p> + <p> + "No, prince; but I have seen it before," answered the master. "It came + from Talus, I suppose." + </p> + <p> + As the breeze came fresher just then, the master was busy with trimming + his sails, and had no more time to answer questions. But while the vessel + flew faster and faster towards Crete, Theseus was astonished to behold a + human figure, gigantic in size, which appeared to be striding, with a + measured movement, along the margin of the island. It stepped from cliff + to cliff, and sometimes from one headland to another, while the sea foamed + and thundered on the shore beneath, and dashed its jets of spray over the + giant's feet. What was still more remarkable, whenever the sun shone on + this huge figure, it flickered and glimmered; its vast countenance, too, + had a metallic lustre, and threw great flashes of splendor through the + air. The folds of its garments, moreover, instead of waving in the wind, + fell heavily over its limbs, as if woven of some kind of metal. + </p> + <p> + The nigher the vessel came, the more Theseus wondered what this immense + giant could be, and whether it actually had life or no. For, though it + walked, and made other lifelike motions, there yet was a kind of jerk in + its gait, which, together with its brazen aspect, caused the young prince + to suspect that it was no true giant, but only a wonderful piece of + machinery. The figure looked all the more terrible because it carried an + enormous brass club on its shoulder. + </p> + <p> + "What is this wonder?" Theseus asked of the master of the vessel, who was + now at leisure to answer him. + </p> + <p> + "It is Talus, the Man of Brass," said the master. + </p> + <p> + "And is he a live giant, or a brazen image?" asked Theseus. + </p> + <p> + "That, truly," replied the master, "is the point which has always + perplexed me. Some say, indeed, that this Talus was hammered out for King + Minos by Vulcan himself, the skilfullest of all workers in metal. But who + ever saw a brazen image that had sense enough to walk round an island + three times a day, as this giant walks round the island of Crete, + challenging every vessel that comes nigh the shore? And, on the other + hand, what living thing, unless his sinews were made of brass, would not + be weary of marching eighteen hundred miles in the twenty-four hours, as + Talus does, without ever sitting down to rest? He is a puzzler, take him + how you will." + </p> + <p> + Still the vessel went bounding onward; and now Theseus could hear the + brazen clangor of the giant's footsteps, as he trod heavily upon the + sea-beaten rocks, some of which were seen to crack and crumble into the + foaming waves beneath his weight. As they approached the entrance of the + port, the giant straddled clear across it, with a foot firmly planted on + each headland, and uplifting his club to such a height that its butt-end + was hidden in the cloud, he stood in that formidable posture, with the sun + gleaming all over his metallic surface. There seemed nothing else to be + expected but that, the next moment, he would fetch his great club down, + slam bang, and smash the vessel into a thousand pieces, without heeding + how many innocent people he might destroy; for there is seldom any mercy + in a giant, you know, and quite as little in a piece of brass clockwork. + But just when Theseus and his companions thought the blow was coming, the + brazen lips unclosed themselves, and the figure spoke. + </p> + <p> + "Whence come you, strangers?" + </p> + <p> + And when the ringing voice ceased, there was just such a reverberation as + you may have heard within a great church bell, for a moment or two after + the stroke of the hammer. + </p> + <p> + "From Athens!" shouted the master in reply. + </p> + <p> + "On what errand?" thundered the Man of Brass. + </p> + <p> + And he whirled his club aloft more threateningly than ever, as if he were + about to smite them with a thunderstroke right amidships, because Athens, + so little while ago, had been at war with Crete. + </p> + <p> + "We bring the seven youths and the seven maidens," answered the master, + "to be devoured by the Minotaur!" + </p> + <p> + "Pass!" cried the brazen giant. + </p> + <p> + That one loud word rolled all about the sky, while again there was a + booming reverberation within the figure's breast. The vessel glided + between the headlands of the port, and the giant resumed his march. In a + few moments, this wondrous sentinel was far away, flashing in the distant + sunshine, and revolving with immense strides round the island of Crete, as + it was his never-ceasing task to do. + </p> + <p> + No sooner had they entered the harbor than a party of the guards of King + Minos came down to the water side, and took charge of the fourteen young + men and damsels. Surrounded by these armed warriors, Prince Theseus and + his companions were led to the king's palace, and ushered into his + presence. Now, Minos was a stern and pitiless king. If the figure that + guarded Crete was made of brass, then the monarch, who ruled over it, + might be thought to have a still harder metal in his breast, and might + have been called a man of iron. He bent his shaggy brows upon the poor + Athenian victims. Any other mortal, beholding their fresh and tender + beauty, and their innocent looks, would have felt himself sitting on + thorns until he had made every soul of them happy by bidding them go free + as the summer wind. But this immitigable Minos cared only to examine + whether they were plump enough to satisfy the Minotaur's appetite. For my + part, I wish he himself had been the only victim; and the monster would + have found him a pretty tough one. + </p> + <p> + One after another, King Minos called these pale, frightened youths and + sobbing maidens to his footstool, gave them each a poke in the ribs with + his sceptre (to try whether they were in good flesh or no), and dismissed + them with a nod to his guards. But when his eyes rested on Theseus, the + king looked at him more attentively, because his face was calm and brave. + </p> + <p> + "Young man," asked he, with his stern voice, "are you not appalled at the + certainty of being devoured by this terrible Minotaur?" + </p> + <p> + "I have offered my life in a good cause," answered Theseus, "and therefore + I give it freely and gladly. But thou, King Minos, art thou not thyself + appalled, who, year after year, hast perpetrated this dreadful wrong, by + giving seven innocent youths and as many maidens to be devoured by a + monster? Dost thou not tremble, wicked king, to turn yhine eyes inward on + thine own heart? Sitting there on thy golden throne, and in thy robes of + majesty, I tell thee to thy face, King Minos, thou art a more hideous + monster than the Minotaur himself!" + </p> + <p> + "Aha! do you think me so?" cried the king, laughing in his cruel way. + "To-morrow, at breakfast time, you shall have an opportunity of judging + which is the greater monster, the Minotaur or the king! Take them away, + guards; and let this free-spoken youth be the Minotaur's first morsel." + </p> + <p> + Near the king's throne (though I had no time to tell you so before) stood + his daughter Ariadne. She was a beautiful and tender-hearted maiden, and + looked at these poor doomed captives with very different feelings from + those of the iron-breasted King Minos. She really wept indeed, at the idea + of how much human happiness would be needlessly thrown away, by giving so + many young people, in the first bloom and rose blossom of their lives, to + be eaten up by a creature who, no doubt, would have preferred a fat ox, or + even a large pig, to the plumpest of them. And when she beheld the brave, + spirited figure of Prince Theseus bearing himself so calmly in his + terrible peril, she grew a hundred times more pitiful than before. As the + guards were taking him away, she flung herself at the king's feet, and + besought him to set all the captives free, and especially this one young + man. + </p> + <p> + "Peace, foolish girl!" answered King Minos. + </p> + <p> + "What hast thou to do with an affair like this? It is a matter of state + policy, and therefore quite beyond thy weak comprehension. Go water thy + flowers, and think no more of these Athenian caitiffs, whom the Minotaur + shall as certainly eat up for breakfast as I will eat a partridge for my + supper." + </p> + <p> + So saying, the king looked cruel enough to devour Theseus and all the rest + of the captives himself, had there been no Minotaur to save him the + trouble. As he would hear not another word in their favor, the prisoners + were now led away, and clapped into a dungeon, where the jailer advised + them to go to sleep as soon as possible, because the Minotaur was in the + habit of calling for breakfast early. The seven maidens and six of the + young men soon sobbed themselves to slumber. But Theseus was not like + them. He felt conscious that he was wiser, and braver, and stronger than + his companions, and that therefore he had the responsibility of all their + lives upon him, and must consider whether there was no way to save them, + even in this last extremity. So he kept himself awake, and paced to and + fro across the gloomy dungeon in which they were shut up. + </p> + <p> + Just before midnight, the door was softly unbarred, and the gentle Ariadne + showed herself, with a torch in her hand. + </p> + <p> + "Are you awake, Prince Theseus?" she whispered. + </p> + <p> + "Yes," answered Theseus. "With so little time to live, I do not choose to + waste any of it in sleep." + </p> + <p> + "Then follow me," said Ariadne, "and tread softly." + </p> + <p> + What had become of the jailer and the guards, Theseus never knew. But, + however that might be, Ariadne opened all the doors, and led him forth + from the darksome prison into the pleasant moonlight. + </p> + <p> + "Theseus," said the maiden, "you can now get on board your vessel, and + sail away for Athens." + </p> + <p> + "No," answered the young man; "I will never leave Crete unless I can first + slay the Minotaur, and save my poor companions, and deliver Athens from + this cruel tribute." + </p> + <p> + "I knew that this would be your resolution," said Ariadne. "Come, then, + with me, brave Theseus. Here is your own sword, which the guards deprived + you of. You will need it; and pray Heaven you may use it well." + </p> + <p> + Then she led Theseus along by the hand until they came to a dark, shadowy + grove, where the moonlight wasted itself on the tops of the trees, without + shedding hardly so much as a glimmering beam upon their pathway. After + going a good way through this obscurity, they reached a high marble wall, + which was overgrown with creeping plants, that made it shaggy with their + verdure. The wall seemed to have no door, nor any windows, but rose up, + lofty, and massive, and mysterious, and was neither to be clambered over, + nor, as far as Theseus could perceive, to be passed through. Nevertheless, + Ariadne did but press one of her soft little fingers against a particular + block of marble and, though it looked as solid as any other part of the + wall, it yielded to her touch, disclosing an entrance just wide enough to + admit them They crept through, and the marble stone swung back into its + place. + </p> + <p> + "We are now," said Ariadne, "in the famous labyrinth which Daedalus built + before he made himself a pair of wings, and flew away from our island like + a bird. That Daedalus was a very cunning workman; but of all his artful + contrivances, this labyrinth is the most wondrous. Were we to take but a + few steps from the doorway, we might wander about all our lifetime, and + never find it again. Yet in the very center of this labyrinth is the + Minotaur; and, Theseus, you must go thither to seek him." + </p> + <p> + "But how shall I ever find him," asked Theseus, "if the labyrinth so + bewilders me as you say it will?" + </p> + <p> + Just as he spoke, they heard a rough and very disagreeable roar, which + greatly resembled the lowing of a fierce bull, but yet had some sort of + sound like the human voice. Theseus even fancied a rude articulation in + it, as if the creature that uttered it were trying to shape his hoarse + breath into words. It was at some distance, however, and he really could + not tell whether it sounded most like a bull's roar or a man's harsh + voice. + </p> + <p> + "That is the Minotaur's noise," whispered Ariadne, closely grasping the + hand of Theseus, and pressing one of her own hands to her heart, which was + all in a tremble. "You must follow that sound through the windings of the + labyrinth, and, by and by, you will find him. Stay! take the end of this + silken string; I will hold the other end; and then, if you win the + victory, it will lead you again to this spot. Farewell, brave Theseus." + </p> + <p> + So the young man took the end of the silken string in his left hand, and + his gold-hilted sword, ready drawn from its scabbard, in the other, and + trod boldly into the inscrutable labyrinth. How this labyrinth was built + is more than I can tell you. But so cunningly contrived a mizmaze was + never seen in the world, before nor since. There can be nothing else so + intricate, unless it were the brain of a man like Daedalus, who planned + it, or the heart of any ordinary man; which last, to be sure, is ten times + as great a mystery as the labyrinth of Crete. Theseus had not taken five + steps before he lost sight of Ariadne; and in five more his head was + growing dizzy. But still he went on, now creeping through a low arch, now + ascending a flight of steps, now in one crooked passage and now in + another, with here a door opening before him, and there one banging + behind, until it really seemed as if the walls spun round, and whirled him + round along with them. And all the while, through these hollow avenues, + now nearer, now farther off again, resounded the cry of the Minotaur; and + the sound was so fierce, so cruel, so ugly, so like a bull's roar, and + withal so like a human voice, and yet like neither of them, that the brave + heart of Theseus grew sterner and angrier at every step; for he felt it an + insult to the moon and sky, and to our affectionate and simple Mother + Earth, that such a monster should have the audacity to exist. + </p> + <p> + As he passed onward, the clouds gathered over the moon, and the labyrinth + grew so dusky that Theseus could no longer discern the bewilderment + through which he was passing. He would have left quite lost, and utterly + hopeless of ever again walking in a straight path, if, every little while, + he had not been conscious of a gentle twitch at the silken cord. Then he + knew that the tender-hearted Ariadne was still holding the other end, and + that she was fearing for him, and hoping for him, and giving him just as + much of her sympathy as if she were close by his side. O, indeed, I can + assure you, there was a vast deal of human sympathy running along that + slender thread of silk. But still he followed the dreadful roar of the + Minotaur, which now grew louder and louder, and finally so very loud that + Theseus fully expected to come close upon him, at every new zizgag and + wriggle of the path. And at last, in an open space, at the very center of + the labyrinth, he did discern the hideous creature. + </p> + <p> + Sure enough, what an ugly monster it was! Only his horned head belonged to + a bull; and yet, somehow or other, he looked like a bull all over, + preposterously waddling on his hind legs; or, if you happened to view him + in another way, he seemed wholly a man, and all the more monstrous for + being so. And there he was, the wretched thing, with no society, no + companion, no kind of a mate, living only to do mischief, and incapable of + knowing what affection means. Theseus hated him, and shuddered at him, and + yet could not but be sensible of some sort of pity; and all the more, the + uglier and more detestable the creature was. For he kept striding to and + fro, in a solitary frenzy of rage, continually emitting a hoarse roar, + which was oddly mixed up with half-shaped words; and, after listening a + while, Theseus understood that the Minotaur was saying to himself how + miserable he was, and how hungry, and how he hated everybody, and how he + longed to eat up the human race alive. + </p> + <p> + Ah! the bull-headed villain! And O, my good little people, you will + perhaps see, one of these days, as I do now, that every human being who + suffers any thing evil to get into his nature, or to remain there, is a + kind of Minotaur, an enemy of his fellow-creatures, and separated from all + good companionship, as this poor monster was. + </p> + <p> + Was Theseus afraid? By no means, my dear auditors. What! a hero like + Theseus afraid! Not had the Minotaur had twenty bull-heads instead of one. + Bold as he was, however, I rather fancy that it strengthened his valiant + heart, just at this crisis, to feel a tremulous twitch at the silken cord, + which he was still holding in his left hand. It was as if Ariadne were + giving him all her might and courage; and much as he already had, and + little as she had to give, it made his own seem twice as much. And to + confess the honest truth, he needed the whole; for now the Minotaur, + turning suddenly about, caught sight of Theseus, and instantly lowered his + horribly sharp horns, exactly as a mad bull does when he means to rush + against an enemy. At the same time, he belched forth a tremendous roar, in + which there was something like the words of human language, but all + disjointed and shaken to pieces by passing through the gullet of a + miserably enraged brute. + </p> + <p> + Theseus could only guess what the creature intended to say, and that + rather by his gestures than his words; for the Minotaur's horns were + sharper than his wits, and of a great deal more service to him than his + tongue. But probably this was the sense of what he uttered: + </p> + <p> + "Ah, wretch of a human being! I'll stick my horns through you, and toss + you fifty feet high, and eat you up the moment you come down." + </p> + <p> + "Come on, then, and try it!" was all that Theseus deigned to reply; for he + was far too magnanimous to assault his enemy with insolent language. + </p> + <p> + Without more words on either side, there ensued the most awful fight + between Theseus and the Minotaur that ever happened beneath the sun or + moon. I really know not how it might have turned out, if the monster, in + his first headlong rush against Theseus, had not missed him, by a hair's + breadth, and broken one of his horns short off against the stone wall. On + this mishap, he bellowed so intolerably that a part of the labyrinth + tumbled down, and all the inhabitants of Crete mistook the noise for an + uncommonly heavy thunder storm. Smarting with the pain, he galloped around + the open space in so ridiculous a way that Theseus laughed at it, long + afterwards, though not precisely at the moment. After this, the two + antagonists stood valiantly up to one another, and fought, sword to horn, + for a long while. At last, the Minotaur made a run at Theseus, grazed his + left side with his horn, and flung him down; and thinking that he had + stabbed him to the heart, he cut a great caper in the air, opened his bull + mouth from ear to ear, and prepared to snap his head off. But Theseus by + this time had leaped up, and caught the monster off his guard. Fetching a + sword stroke at him with all his force, he hit him fair upon the neck, and + made his bull head skip six yards from his human body, which fell down + flat upon the ground. + </p> + <p> + So now the battle was ended. Immediately the moon shone out as brightly as + if all the troubles of the world, and all the wickedness and the ugliness + that infest human life, were past and gone forever. And Theseus, as he + leaned on his sword, taking breath, felt another twitch of the silken + cord; for all through the terrible encounter, he had held it fast in his + left hand. Eager to let Ariadne know of his success, he followed the + guidance of the thread, and soon found himself at the entrance of the + labyrinth. + </p> + <p> + "Thou hast slain the monster," cried Ariadne, clasping her hands. + </p> + <p> + "Thanks to thee, dear Ariadne," answered Theseus, "I return victorious." + </p> + <p> + "Then," said Ariadne, "we must quickly summon thy friends, and get them + and thyself on board the vessel before dawn. If morning finds thee here, + my father will avenge the Minotaur." + </p> + <p> + To make my story short, the poor captives were awakened, and, hardly + knowing whether it was not a joyful dream, were told of what Theseus had + done, and that they must set sail for Athens before daybreak. Hastening + down to the vessel, they all clambered on board, except Prince Theseus, + who lingered behind them on the strand, holding Ariadne's hand clasped in + his own. + </p> + <p> + "Dear maiden," said he, "thou wilt surely go with us. Thou art too gentle + and sweet a child for such an iron-hearted father as King Minos. He cares + no more for thee than a granite rock cares for the little flower that + grows in one of its crevices. But my father, King Aegeus, and my dear + mother, Aethra, and all the fathers and mothers in Athens, and all the + sons and daughters too, will love and honor thee as their benefactress. + Come with us, then; for King Minos will be very angry when he knows what + thou hast done." + </p> + <p> + Now, some low-minded people, who pretend to tell the story of Theseus and + Ariadne, have the face to say that this royal and honorable maiden did + really flee away, under cover of the night, with the young stranger whose + life she had preserved. They say, too, that Prince Theseus (who would have + died sooner than wrong the meanest creature in the world) ungratefully + deserted Ariadne, on a solitary island, where the vessel touched on its + voyage to Athens. But, had the noble Theseus heard these falsehoods, he + would have served their slanderous authors as he served the Minotaur! Here + is what Ariadne answered, when the brave prince of Athens besought her to + accompany him: + </p> + <p> + "No, Theseus," the maiden said, pressing his hand, and then drawing back a + step or two, "I cannot go with you. My father is old, and has nobody but + myself to love him. Hard as you think his heart is, it would break to lose + me. At first, King Minos will be angry; but he will soon forgive his only + child; and, by and by, he will rejoice, I know, that no more youths and + maidens must come from Athens to be devoured by the Minotaur. I have saved + you, Theseus, as much for my father's sake as for your own. Farewell! + Heaven bless you!" + </p> + <p> + All this was so true, and so maiden-like, and was spoken with so sweet a + dignity, that Theseus would have blushed to urge her any longer. Nothing + remained for him, therefore, but to bid Ariadne an affectionate farewell, + and to go on board the vessel, and set sail. + </p> + <p> + In a few moments the white foam was boiling up before their prow, as + Prince Theseus and his companions sailed out of the harbor, with a + whistling breeze behind them. Talus, the brazen giant, on his + never-ceasing sentinel's march, happened to be approaching that part of + the coast; and they saw him, by the glimmering of the moonbeams on his + polished surface, while he was yet a great way off. As the figure moved + like clockwork, however, and could neither hasten his enormous strides nor + retard them, he arrived at the port when they were just beyond the reach + of his club. Nevertheless, straddling from headland to headland, as his + custom was, Talus attempted to strike a blow at the vessel, and, + overreaching himself, tumbled at full length into the sea, which splashed + high over his gigantic shape, as when an iceberg turns a somerset. There + he lies yet; and whoever desires to enrich himself by means of brass had + better go thither with a diving bell, and fish up Talus. + </p> + <p> + On the homeward voyage, the fourteen youths and damsels were in excellent + spirits, as you will easily suppose. They spent most of their time in + dancing, unless when the sidelong breeze made the deck slope too much. In + due season, they came within sight of the coast of Attica, which was their + native country. But here, I am grieved to tell you, happened a sad + misfortune. + </p> + <p> + You will remember (what Theseus unfortunately forgot) that his father, + King Aegeus, had enjoined it upon him to hoist sunshiny sails, instead of + black ones, in case he should overcome the Minotaur, and return + victorious. In the joy of their success, however, and amidst the sports, + dancing, and other merriment, with which these young folks wore away the + time, they never once thought whether their sails were black, white, or + rainbow colored, and, indeed, left it entirely to the mariners whether + they had any sails at all. Thus the vessel returned, like a raven, with + the same sable wings that had wafted her away. But poor King Aegeus, day + after day, infirm as he was, had clambered to the summit of a cliff that + overhung the sea, and there sat watching for Prince Theseus, homeward + bound; and no sooner did he behold the fatal blackness of the sails, than + he concluded that his dear son, whom he loved so much, and felt so proud + of, had been eaten by the Minotaur. He could not bear the thought of + living any longer; so, first flinging his crown and sceptre into the sea + (useless baubles that they were to him now), King Aegeus merely stooped + forward, and fell headlong over the cliff, and was drowned, poor soul, in + the waves that foamed at its base! + </p> + <p> + This was melancholy news for Prince Theseus, who, when he stepped ashore, + found himself king of all the country, whether he would or no; and such a + turn of fortune was enough to make any young man feel very much out of + spirits. However, he sent for his dear mother to Athens, and, by taking + her advice in matters of state, became a very excellent monarch, and was + greatly beloved by his people. + </p> + +<p> + <a name="link2H_4_pyg" id="link2H_4_pyg"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + + + <h2> + THE PYGMIES. + </h2> + <p> + A great while ago, when the world was full of wonders, there lived an + earth-born Giant, named Antaeus, and a million or more of curious little + earth-born people, who were called Pygmies. This Giant and these Pygmies + being children of the same mother (that is to say, our good old + Grandmother Earth), were all brethren, and dwelt together in a very + friendly and affectionate manner, far, far off, in the middle of hot + Africa. The Pygmies were so small, and there were so many sandy deserts + and such high mountains between them and the rest of mankind, that nobody + could get a peep at them oftener than once in a hundred years. As for the + Giant, being of a very lofty stature, it was easy enough to see him, but + safest to keep out of his sight. + </p> + <p> + Among the Pygmies, I suppose, if one of them grew to the height of six or + eight inches, he was reckoned a prodigiously tall man. It must have been + very pretty to behold their little cities, with streets two or three feet + wide, paved with the smallest pebbles, and bordered by habitations about + as big as a squirrel's cage. The king's palace attained to the stupendous + magnitude of Periwinkle's baby house, and stood in the center of a + spacious square, which could hardly have been covered by our hearth-rug. + Their principal temple, or cathedral, was as lofty as yonder bureau, and + was looked upon as a wonderfully sublime and magnificent edifice. All + these structures were built neither of stone nor wood. They were neatly + plastered together by the Pygmy workmen, pretty much like birds' nests, + out of straw, feathers, egg shells, and other small bits of stuff, with + stiff clay instead of mortar; and when the hot sun had dried them, they + were just as snug and comfortable as a Pygmy could desire. + </p> + <p> + The country round about was conveniently laid out in fields, the largest + of which was nearly of the same extent as one of Sweet Fern's flower beds. + Here the Pygmies used to plant wheat and other kinds of grain, which, when + it grew up and ripened, overshadowed these tiny people as the pines, and + the oaks, and the walnut and chestnut trees overshadow you and me, when we + walk in our own tracts of woodland. At harvest time, they were forced to + go with their little axes and cut down the grain, exactly as a woodcutter + makes a clearing in the forest; and when a stalk of wheat, with its + overburdened top, chanced to come crashing down upon an unfortunate Pygmy, + it was apt to be a very sad affair. If it did not smash him all to pieces, + at least, I am sure, it must have made the poor little fellow's head ache. + And O, my stars! if the fathers and mothers were so small, what must the + children and babies have been? A whole family of them might have been put + to bed in a shoe, or have crept into an old glove, and played at + hide-and-seek in its thumb and fingers. You might have hidden a year-old + baby under a thimble. + </p> + <p> + Now these funny Pygmies, as I told you before, had a Giant for their + neighbor and brother, who was bigger, if possible, than they were little. + He was so very tall that he carried a pine tree, which was eight feet + through the butt, for a walking stick. It took a far-sighted Pygmy, I can + assure you, to discern his summit without the help of a telescope; and + sometimes, in misty weather, they could not see his upper half, but only + his long legs, which seemed to be striding about by themselves. But at + noonday in a clear atmosphere, when the sun shone brightly over him, the + Giant Antaeus presented a very grand spectacle. There he used to stand, a + perfect mountain of a man, with his great countenance smiling down upon + his little brothers, and his one vast eye (which was as big as a cart + wheel, and placed right in the center of his forehead) giving a friendly + wink to the whole nation at once. + </p> + <p> + The Pygmies loved to talk with Antaeus; and fifty times a day, one or + another of them would turn up his head, and shout through the hollow of + his fists, "Halloo, brother Antaeus! How are you, my good fellow?" And + when the small distant squeak of their voices reached his ear, the Giant + would make answer, "Pretty well, brother Pygmy, I thank you," in a + thunderous roar that would have shaken down the walls of their strongest + temple, only that it came from so far aloft. + </p> + <p> + It was a happy circumstance that Antaeus was the Pygmy people's friend; + for there was more strength in his little finger than in ten million of + such bodies as this. If he had been as ill-natured to them as he was to + everybody else, he might have beaten down their biggest city at one kick, + and hardly have known that he did it. With the tornado of his breath, he + could have stripped the roofs from a hundred dwellings and sent thousands + of the inhabitants whirling through the air. He might have set his immense + foot upon a multitude; and when he took it up again, there would have been + a pitiful sight, to be sure. But, being the son of Mother Earth, as they + likewise were, the Giant gave them his brotherly kindness, and loved them + with as big a love as it was possible to feel for creatures so very small. + And, on their parts, the Pygmies loved Antaeus with as much affection as + their tiny hearts could hold. He was always ready to do them any good + offices that lay in his power; as for example, when they wanted a breeze + to turn their windmills, the Giant would set all the sails a-going with + the mere natural respiration of his lungs. When the sun was too hot, he + often sat himself down, and let his shadow fall over the kingdom, from one + frontier to the other; and as for matters in general, he was wise enough + to let them alone, and leave the Pygmies to manage their own affairs—which, + after all, is about the best thing that great people can do for little + ones. + </p> + <p> + In short, as I said before, Antaeus loved the Pygmies, and the Pygmies + loved Antaeus. The Giant's life being as long as his body was large, while + the lifetime of a Pygmy was but a span, this friendly intercourse had been + going on for innumerable generations and ages. It was written about in the + Pygmy histories, and talked about in their ancient traditions. The most + venerable and white-bearded Pygmy had never heard of a time, even in his + greatest of grandfathers' days, when the Giant was not their enormous + friend. Once, to be sure (as was recorded on an obelisk, three feet high, + erected on the place of the catastrophe), Antaeus sat down upon about five + thousand Pygmies, who were assembled at a military review. But this was + one of those unlucky accidents for which nobody is to blame; so that the + small folks never took it to heart, and only requested the Giant to be + careful forever afterwards to examine the acre of ground where he intended + to squat himself. + </p> + <p> + It is a very pleasant picture to imagine Antaeus standing among the + Pygmies, like the spire of the tallest cathedral that ever was built, + while they ran about like pismires at his feet; and to think that, in + spite of their difference in size, there were affection and sympathy + between them and him! Indeed, it has always seemed to me that the Giant + needed the little people more than the Pygmies needed the Giant. For, + unless they had been his neighbors and well wishers, and, as we may say, + his playfellows, Antaeus would not have had a single friend in the world. + No other being like himself had ever been created. No creature of his own + size had ever talked with him, in thunder-like accents, face to face. When + he stood with his head among the clouds, he was quite alone, and had been + so for hundreds of years, and would be so forever. Even if he had met + another Giant, Antaeus would have fancied the world not big enough for two + such vast personages, and, instead of being friends with him, would have + fought him till one of the two was killed. But with the Pygmies he was the + most sportive and humorous, and merry-hearted, and sweet-tempered old + Giant that ever washed his face in a wet cloud. + </p> + <p> + His little friends, like all other small people, had a great opinion of + their own importance, and used to assume quite a patronizing air towards + the Giant. + </p> + <p> + "Poor creature!" they said one to another. "He has a very dull time of it, + all by himself; and we ought not to grudge wasting a little of our + precious time to amuse him. He is not half so bright as we are, to be + sure; and, for that reason, he needs us to look after his comfort and + happiness. Let us be kind to the old fellow. Why, if Mother Earth had not + been very kind to ourselves, we might all have been Giants too." + </p> + <p> + On all their holidays, the Pygmies had excellent sport with Antaeus. He + often stretched himself out at full length on the ground, where he looked + like the long ridge of a hill; and it was a good hour's walk, no doubt, + for a short-legged Pygmy to journey from head to foot of the Giant. He + would lay down his great hand flat on the grass, and challenge the tallest + of them to clamber upon it, and straddle from finger to finger. So + fearless were they, that they made nothing of creeping in among the folds + of his garments. When his head lay sidewise on the earth, they would march + boldly up, and peep into the great cavern of his mouth, and take it all as + a joke (as indeed it was meant) when Antaeus gave a sudden snap of his + jaws, as if he were going to swallow fifty of them at once. You would have + laughed to see the children dodging in and out among his hair, or swinging + from his beard. It is impossible to tell half of the funny tricks that + they played with their huge comrade; but I do not know that anything was + more curious than when a party of boys were seen running races on his + forehead, to try which of them could get first round the circle of his one + great eye. It was another favorite feat with them to march along the + bridge of his nose, and jump down upon his upper lip. + </p> + <p> + If the truth must be told, they were sometimes as troublesome to the Giant + as a swarm of ants or mosquitoes, especially as they had a fondness for + mischief, and liked to prick his skin with their little swords and lances, + to see how thick and tough it was. But Antaeus took it all kindly enough; + although, once in a while, when he happened to be sleepy, he would grumble + out a peevish word or two, like the muttering of a tempest, and ask them + to have done with their nonsense. A great deal oftener, however, he + watched their merriment and gambols until his huge, heavy, clumsy wits + were completely stirred up by them; and then would he roar out such a + tremendous volume of immeasurable laughter, that the whole nation of + Pygmies had to put their hands to their ears, else it would certainly have + deafened them. + </p> + <p> + "Ho! ho! ho!" quoth the Giant, shaking his mountainous sides. "What a + funny thing it is to be little! If I were not Antaeus, I should like to be + a Pygmy, just for the joke's sake." + </p> + <p> + The Pygmies had but one thing to trouble them in the world. They were + constantly at war with the cranes, and had always been so, ever since the + long-lived Giant could remember. From time to time, very terrible battles + had been fought in which sometimes the little men won the victory, and + sometimes the cranes. According to some historians, the Pygmies used to go + to the battle, mounted on the backs of goats and rams; but such animals as + these must have been far too big for Pygmies to ride upon; so that, I + rather suppose, they rode on squirrel-back, or rabbit-back, or rat-back, + or perhaps got upon hedgehogs, whose prickly quills would be very terrible + to the enemy. However this might be, and whatever creatures the Pygmies + rode upon, I do not doubt that they made a formidable appearance, armed + with sword and spear, and bow and arrow, blowing their tiny trumpet, and + shouting their little war cry. They never failed to exhort one another to + fight bravely, and recollect that the world had its eyes upon them; + although, in simple truth, the only spectator was the Giant Antaeus, with + his one, great, stupid eye in the middle of his forehead. + </p> + <p> + When the two armies joined battle, the cranes would rush forward, flapping + their wings and stretching out their necks, and would perhaps snatch up + some of the Pygmies crosswise in their beaks. Whenever this happened, it + was truly an awful spectacle to see those little men of might kicking and + sprawling in the air, and at last disappearing down the crane's long, + crooked throat, swallowed up alive. A hero, you know, must hold himself in + readiness for any kind of fate; and doubtless the glory of the thing was a + consolation to him, even in the crane's gizzard. If Antaeus observed that + the battle was going hard against his little allies, he generally stopped + laughing, and ran with mile-long strides to their assistance, flourishing + his club aloft and shouting at the cranes, who quacked and croaked, and + retreated as fast as they could. Then the Pygmy army would march homeward + in triumph, attributing the victory entirely to their own valor, and to + the warlike skill and strategy of whomsoever happened to be captain + general; and for a tedious while afterwards, nothing would be heard of but + grand processions, and public banquets, and brilliant illuminations, and + shows of wax-work, with likenesses of the distinguished officers, as small + as life. + </p> + <p> + In the above-described warfare, if a Pygmy chanced to pluck out a crane's + tail feather, it proved a very great feather in his cap. Once or twice, if + you will believe me, a little man was made chief ruler of the nation for + no other merit in the world than bringing home such a feather. + </p> + <p> + But I have now said enough to let you see what a gallant little people + these were, and how happily they and their forefathers, for nobody knows + how many generations, had lived with the immeasurable Giant Antaeus. In + the remaining part of the story, I shall tell you of a far more + astonishing battle than any that was fought between the Pygmies and the + cranes. + </p> + <p> + One day the mighty Antaeus was lolling at full length among his little + friends. His pine-tree walking stick lay on the ground, close by his side. + His head was in one part of the kingdom, and his feet extended across the + boundaries of another part; and he was taking whatever comfort he could + get, while the Pygmies scrambled over him, and peeped into his cavernous + mouth, and played among his hair. Sometimes, for a minute or two, the + Giant dropped asleep, and snored like the rush of a whirlwind. During one + of these little bits of slumber, a Pygmy chanced to climb upon his + shoulder, and took a view around the horizon, as from the summit of a + hill; and he beheld something, a long way off, which made him rub the + bright specks of his eyes, and look sharper than before. At first he + mistook it for a mountain, and wondered how it had grown up so suddenly + out of the earth. But soon he saw the mountain move. As it came nearer and + nearer, what should it turn out to be but a human shape, not so big as + Antaeus, it is true, although a very enormous figure, in comparison with + Pygmies, and a vast deal bigger than the men we see nowadays. + </p> + <p> + When the Pygmy was quite satisfied that his eyes had not deceived him, he + scampered, as fast as his legs would carry him, to the Giant's ear, and + stooping over its cavity, shouted lustily into it: + </p> + <p> + "Halloo, brother Antaeus! Get up this minute, and take your pine-tree + walking stick in your hand. Here comes another Giant to have a tussle with + you." + </p> + <p> + "Poh, poh!" grumbled Antaeus, only half awake. "None of your nonsense, my + little fellow! Don't you see I'm sleepy? There is not a Giant on earth for + whom I would take the trouble to get up." + </p> + <p> + But the Pygmy looked again, and now perceived that the stranger was coming + directly towards the prostrate form of Antaeus. With every step, he looked + less like a blue mountain, and more like an immensely large man. He was + soon so nigh, that there could be no possible mistake about the matter. + There he was, with the sun flaming on his golden helmet, and flashing from + his polished breastplate; he had a sword by his side, and a lion's skin + over his back, and on his right shoulder he carried a club, which looked + bulkier and heavier than the pine-tree walking stick of Antaeus. + </p> + <p> + By this time, the whole nation of the Pygmies had seen the new wonder, and + a million of them set up a shout all together; so that it really made + quite an audible squeak. + </p> + <p> + "Get up, Antaeus! Bestir yourself, you lazy old Giant! Here comes another + Giant, as strong as you are, to fight with you." + </p> + <p> + "Nonsense, nonsense!" growled the sleepy Giant. "I'll have my nap out, + come who may." + </p> + <p> + Still the stranger drew nearer; and now the Pygmies could plainly discern + that, if his stature were less lofty than the Giant's, yet his shoulders + were even broader. And, in truth, what a pair of shoulders they must have + been! As I told you, a long while ago, they once upheld the sky. The + Pygmies, being ten times as vivacious as their great numskull of a + brother, could not abide the Giant's slow movements, and were determined + to have him on his feet. So they kept shouting to him, and even went so + far as to prick him with their swords. + </p> + <p> + "Get up, get up, get up," they cried. "Up with you, lazy bones! The + strange Giant's club is bigger than your own, his shoulders are the + broadest, and we think him the stronger of the two." + </p> + <p> + Antaeus could not endure to have it said that any mortal was half so + mighty as himself. This latter remark of the Pygmies pricked him deeper + than their swords; and, sitting up, in rather a sulky humor, he gave a + gape of several yards wide, rubbed his eyes, and finally turned his stupid + head in the direction whither his little friends were eagerly pointing. + </p> + <p> + No sooner did he set eyes on the stranger, than, leaping on his feet, and + seizing his walking stick, he strode a mile or two to meet him; all the + while brandishing the sturdy pine tree, so that it whistled through the + air. + </p> + <p> + "Who are you?" thundered the Giant. "And what do you want in my + dominions?" + </p> + <p> + There was one strange thing about Antaeus, of which I have not yet told + you, lest, hearing of so many wonders all in a lump, you might not believe + much more than half of them. You are to know, then, that whenever this + redoubtable Giant touched the ground, either with his hand, his foot, or + any other part of his body, he grew stronger than ever he had been before. + The Earth, you remember, was his mother, and was very fond of him, as + being almost the biggest of her children; and so she took this method of + keeping him always in full vigor. Some persons affirm that he grew ten + times stronger at every touch; others say that it was only twice as + strong. But only think of it! Whenever Antaeus took a walk, supposing it + were but ten miles, and that he stepped a hundred yards at a stride, you + may try to cipher out how much mightier he was, on sitting down again, + than when he first started. And whenever he flung himself on the earth to + take a little repose, even if he got up the very next instant, he would be + as strong as exactly ten just such giants as his former self. It was well + for the world that Antaeus happened to be of a sluggish disposition and + liked ease better than exercise; for, if he had frisked about like the + Pygmies, and touched the earth as often as they did, he would long ago + have been strong enough to pull down the sky about people's ears. But + these great lubberly fellows resemble mountains, not only in bulk, but in + their disinclination to move. + </p> + <p> + Any other mortal man, except the very one whom Antaeus had now + encountered, would have been half frightened to death by the Giant's + ferocious aspect and terrible voice. But the stranger did not seem at all + disturbed. He carelessly lifted his club, and balanced it in his hand, + measuring Antaeus with his eye, from head to foot, not as if + wonder-smitten at his stature, but as if he had seen a great many Giants + before, and this was by no means the biggest of them. In fact, if the + Giant had been no bigger than the Pygmies (who stood pricking up their + ears, and looking and listening to what was going forward), the stranger + could not have been less afraid of him. + </p> + <p> + "Who are you, I say?" roared Antaeus again. "What's your name? Why do you + come hither? Speak, you vagabond, or I'll try the thickness of your skull + with my walking-stick!" + </p> + <p> + "You are a very discourteous Giant," answered the stranger quietly, "and I + shall probably have to teach you a little civility, before we part. As for + my name, it is Hercules. I have come hither because this is my most + convenient road to the garden of the Hesperides, whither I am going to get + three of the golden apples for King Eurystheus." + </p> + <p> + "Caitiff, you shall go no farther!" bellowed Antaeus, putting on a grimmer + look than before; for he had heard of the mighty Hercules, and hated him + because he was said to be so strong. "Neither shall you go back whence you + came!" + </p> + <p> + "How will you prevent me," asked Hercules, "from going whither I please?" + </p> + <p> + "By hitting you a rap with this pine tree here," shouted Antaeus, scowling + so that he made himself the ugliest monster in Africa. "I am fifty times + stronger than you; and now that I stamp my foot upon the ground, I am five + hundred times stronger! I am ashamed to kill such a puny little dwarf as + you seem to be. I will make a slave of you, and you shall likewise be the + slave of my brethren here, the Pygmies. So throw down your club and your + other weapons; and as for that lion's skin, I intend to have a pair of + gloves made of it." + </p> + <p> + "Come and take it off my shoulders, then," answered Hercules, lifting his + club. + </p> + <p> + Then the Giant, grinning with rage, strode tower-like towards the stranger + (ten times strengthened at every step), and fetched a monstrous blow at + him with his pine tree, which Hercules caught upon his club; and being + more skilful than Antaeus, he paid him back such a rap upon the sconce, + that down tumbled the great lumbering man-mountain, flat upon the ground. + The poor little Pygmies (who really never dreamed that anybody in the + world was half so strong as their brother Antaeus) were a good deal + dismayed at this. But no sooner was the Giant down, than up he bounced + again, with tenfold might, and such a furious visage as was horrible to + behold. He aimed another blow at Hercules, but struck awry, being blinded + with wrath, and only hit his poor innocent Mother Earth, who groaned and + trembled at the stroke. His pine tree went so deep into the ground, and + stuck there so fast, that, before Antaeus could get it out, Hercules + brought down his club across his shoulders with a mighty thwack, which + made the Giant roar as if all sorts of intolerable noises had come + screeching and rumbling out of his immeasurable lungs in that one cry. + Away it went, over mountains and valleys, and, for aught I know, was heard + on the other side of the African deserts. + </p> + <p> + As for the Pygmies, their capital city was laid in ruins by the concussion + and vibration of the air; and, though there was uproar enough without + their help, they all set up a shriek out of three millions of little + throats, fancying, no doubt, that they swelled the Giant's bellow by at + least ten times as much. Meanwhile, Antaeus had scrambled upon his feet + again, and pulled his pine tree out of the earth; and, all aflame with + fury, and more outrageously strong than ever, he ran at Hercules, and + brought down another blow. + </p> + <p> + "This time, rascal," shouted he, "you shall not escape me." + </p> + <p> + But once more Hercules warded off the stroke with his club, and the + Giant's pine tree was shattered into a thousand splinters, most of which + flew among the Pygmies, and did them more mischief than I like to think + about. Before Antaeus could get out of the way, Hercules let drive again, + and gave him another knock-down blow, which sent him heels over head, but + served only to increase his already enormous and insufferable strength. As + for his rage, there is no telling what a fiery furnace it had now got to + be. His one eye was nothing but a circle of red flame. Having now no + weapons but his fists, he doubled them up (each bigger than a hogshead), + smote one against the other, and danced up and down with absolute frenzy, + flourishing his immense arms about, as if he meant not merely to kill + Hercules, but to smash the whole world to pieces. + </p> + <p> + "Come on!" roared this thundering Giant. "Let me hit you but one box on + the ear, and you'll never have the headache again." + </p> + <p> + Now Hercules (though strong enough, as you already know, to hold the sky + up) began to be sensible that he should never win the victory, if he kept + on knocking Antaeus down; for, by and by, if he hit him such hard blows, + the Giant would inevitably, by the help of his Mother Earth, become + stronger than the mighty Hercules himself. So, throwing down his club, + with which he had fought so many dreadful battles, the hero stood ready to + receive his antagonist with naked arms. + </p> + <p> + "Step forward," cried he. "Since I've broken your pine tree, we'll try + which is the better man at a wrestling match." + </p> + <p> + "Aha! then I'll soon satisfy you," shouted the Giant; for, if there was + one thing on which he prided himself more than another, it was his skill + in wrestling. "Villain, I'll fling you where you can never pick yourself + up again." + </p> + <p> + On came Antaeus, hopping and capering with the scorching heat of his rage, + and getting new vigor wherewith to wreak his passion, every time he + hopped. + </p> + <p> + But Hercules, you must understand, was wiser than this numskull of a + Giant, and had thought of a way to fight him—huge, earth-born + monster that he was—and to conquer him too, in spite of all that his + Mother Earth could do for him. Watching his opportunity, as the mad Giant + made a rush at him, Hercules caught him round the middle with both hands, + lifted him high into the air, and held him aloft overhead. + </p> + <p> + Just imagine it, my dear little friends. What a spectacle it must have + been, to see this monstrous fellow sprawling in the air, face downwards, + kicking out his long legs and wriggling his whole vast body, like a baby + when its father holds it at arm's length towards the ceiling. + </p> + <p> + But the most wonderful thing was, that, as soon as Antaeus was fairly off + the earth, he began to lose the vigor which he had gained by touching it. + Hercules very soon perceived that his troublesome enemy was growing + weaker, both because he struggled and kicked with less violence, and + because the thunder of his big voice subsided into a grumble. The truth + was that unless the Giant touched Mother Earth as often as once in five + minutes, not only his overgrown strength, but the very breath of his life, + would depart from him. Hercules had guessed this secret; and it may be + well for us all to remember it, in case we should ever have to fight a + battle with a fellow like Antaeus. For these earth-born creatures are only + difficult to conquer on their own ground, but may easily be managed if we + can contrive to lift them into a loftier and purer region. So it proved + with the poor Giant, whom I am really a little sorry for, notwithstanding + his uncivil way of treating strangers who came to visit him. + </p> + <p> + When his strength and breath were quite gone, Hercules gave his huge body + a toss, and flung it about a mile off, where it fell heavily, and lay with + no more motion than a sand hill. It was too late for the Giant's Mother + Earth to help him now; and I should not wonder if his ponderous bones were + lying on the same spot to this very day, and were mistaken for those of an + uncommonly large elephant. + </p> + <p> + But, alas me! What a wailing did the poor little Pygmies set up when they + saw their enormous brother treated in this terrible manner! If Hercules + heard their shrieks, however, he took no notice, and perhaps fancied them + only the shrill, plaintive twittering of small birds that had been + frightened from their nests by the uproar of the battle between himself + and Antaeus. Indeed, his thoughts had been so much taken up with the + Giant, that he had never once looked at the Pygmies, nor even knew that + there was such a funny little nation in the world. And now, as he had + traveled a good way, and was also rather weary with his exertions in the + fight, he spread out his lion's skin on the ground, and, reclining himself + upon it, fell fast asleep. + </p> + <p> + As soon as the Pygmies saw Hercules preparing for a nap, they nodded their + little heads at one another, and winked with their little eyes. And when + his deep, regular breathing gave them notice that he was asleep, they + assembled together in an immense crowd, spreading over a space of about + twenty-seven feet square. One of their most eloquent orators (and a + valiant warrior enough, besides, though hardly so good at any other weapon + as he was with his tongue) climbed upon a toadstool, and, from that + elevated position, addressed the multitude. His sentiments were pretty + much as follows; or, at all events, something like this was probably the + upshot of his speech: + </p> + <p> + "Tall Pygmies and mighty little men! You and all of us have seen what a + public calamity has been brought to pass, and what an insult has here been + offered to the majesty of our nation. Yonder lies Antaeus, our great + friend and brother, slain, within our territory, by a miscreant who took + him at disadvantage, and fought him (if fighting it can be called) in a + way that neither man, nor Giant, nor Pygmy ever dreamed of fighting, until + this hour. And, adding a grievous contumely to the wrong already done us, + the miscreant has now fallen asleep as quietly as if nothing were to be + dreaded from our wrath! It behooves you, fellow-countrymen, to consider in + what aspect we shall stand before the world, and what will be the verdict + of impartial history, should we suffer these accumulated outrages to go + unavenged. + </p> + <p> + "Antaeus was our brother, born of that same beloved parent to whom we owe + the thews and sinews, as well as the courageous hearts, which made him + proud of our relationship. He was our faithful ally, and fell fighting as + much for our national rights and immunities as for his own personal ones. + We and our forefathers have dwelt in friendship with him, and held + affectionate intercourse as man to man, through immemorial generations. + You remember how often our entire people have reposed in his great shadow, + and how our little ones have played at hide-and-seek in the tangles of his + hair, and how his mighty footsteps have familiarly gone to and fro among + us, and never trodden upon any of our toes. And there lies this dear + brother—this sweet and amiable friend—this brave and faithful + ally—-this virtuous Giant—this blameless and excellent Antaeus—dead! + Dead! Silent! Powerless! A mere mountain of clay! Forgive my tears! Nay, I + behold your own. Were we to drown the world with them, could the world + blame us? + </p> + <p> + "But to resume: Shall we, my countrymen, suffer this wicked stranger to + depart unharmed, and triumph in his treacherous victory, among distant + communities of the earth? Shall we not rather compel him to leave his + bones here on our soil, by the side of our slain brother's bones? So that, + while one skeleton shall remain as the everlasting monument of our sorrow, + the other shall endure as long, exhibiting to the whole human race a + terrible example of Pygmy vengeance! Such is the question. I put it to you + in full confidence of a response that shall be worthy of our national + character, and calculated to increase, rather than diminish, the glory + which our ancestors have transmitted to us, and which we ourselves have + proudly vindicated in our warfare with the cranes." + </p> + <p> + The orator was here interrupted by a burst of irrepressible enthusiasm; + every individual Pygmy crying out that the national honor must be + preserved at all hazards. He bowed, and, making a gesture for silence, + wound up his harangue in the following admirable manner: + </p> + <p> + "It only remains for us, then, to decide whether we shall carry on the war + in our national capacity—one united people against a common enemy—or + whether some champion, famous in former fights, shall be selected to defy + the slayer of our brother Antaeus to single combat. In the latter case, + though not unconscious that there may be taller men among you, I hereby + offer myself for that enviable duty. And believe me, dear countrymen, + whether I live or die, the honor of this great country, and the fame + bequeathed us by our heroic progenitors, shall suffer no diminution in my + hands. Never, while I can wield this sword, of which I now fling away the + scabbard—never, never, never, even if the crimson hand that slew the + great Antaeus shall lay me prostrate, like him, on the soil which I give + my life to defend." + </p> + <p> + So saying, this valiant Pygmy drew out his weapon (which was terrible to + behold, being as long as the blade of a penknife), and sent the scabbard + whirling over the heads of the multitude. His speech was followed by an + uproar of applause, as its patriotism and self-devotion unquestionably + deserved; and the shouts and clapping of hands would have been greatly + prolonged, had they not been rendered quite inaudible by a deep + respiration, vulgarly called a snore, from the sleeping Hercules. + </p> + <p> + It was finally decided that the whole nation of Pygmies should set to work + to destroy Hercules; not, be it understood, from any doubt that a single + champion would be capable of putting him to the sword, but because he was + a public enemy, and all were desirous of sharing in the glory of his + defeat. There was a debate whether the national honor did not demand that + a herald should be sent with a trumpet, to stand over the ear of Hercules, + and after blowing a blast right into it, to defy him to the combat by + formal proclamation. But two or three venerable and sagacious Pygmies, + well versed in state affairs, gave it as their opinion that war already + existed, and that it was their rightful privilege to take the enemy by + surprise. Moreover, if awakened, and allowed to get upon his feet, + Hercules might happen to do them a mischief before he could be beaten down + again. For, as these sage counselors remarked, the stranger's club was + really very big, and had rattled like a thunderbolt against the skull of + Antaeus. So the Pygmies resolved to set aside all foolish punctilios, and + assail their antagonist at once. + </p> + <p> + Accordingly, all the fighting men of the nation took their weapons, and + went boldly up to Hercules, who still lay fast asleep, little dreaming of + the harm which the Pygmies meant to do him. A body of twenty thousand + archers marched in front, with their little bows all ready, and the arrows + on the string. The same number were ordered to clamber upon Hercules, some + with spades to dig his eyes out, and others with bundles of hay, and all + manner of rubbish with which they intended to plug up his mouth and + nostrils, so that he might perish for lack of breath. These last, however, + could by no means perform their appointed duty; inasmuch as the enemy's + breath rushed out of his nose in an obstreperous hurricane and whirlwind, + which blew the Pygmies away as fast as they came nigh. It was found + necessary, therefore, to hit upon some other method of carrying on the + war. + </p> + <p> + After holding a council, the captains ordered their troops to collect + sticks, straws, dry weeds, and whatever combustible stuff they could find, + and make a pile of it, heaping it high around the head of Hercules. As a + great many thousand Pygmies were employed in this task, they soon brought + together several bushels of inflammatory matter, and raised so tall a + heap, that, mounting on its summit, they were quite upon a level with the + sleeper's face. The archers, meanwhile, were stationed within bow shot, + with orders to let fly at Hercules the instant that he stirred. Everything + being in readiness, a torch was applied to the pile, which immediately + burst into flames, and soon waxed hot enough to roast the enemy, had he + but chosen to lie still. A Pygmy, you know, though so very small, might + set the world on fire, just as easily as a Giant could; so that this was + certainly the very best way of dealing with their foe, provided they could + have kept him quiet while the conflagration was going forward. + </p> + <p> + But no sooner did Hercules begin to be scorched, than up he started, with + his hair in a red blaze. + </p> + <p> + "What's all this?" he cried, bewildered with sleep, and staring about him + as if he expected to see another Giant. + </p> + <p> + At that moment the twenty thousand archers twanged their bowstrings, and + the arrows came whizzing, like so many winged mosquitoes, right into the + face of Hercules. But I doubt whether more than half a dozen of them + punctured the skin, which was remarkably tough, as you know the skin of a + hero has good need to be. + </p> + <p> + "Villain!" shouted all the Pygmies at once. "You have killed the Giant + Antaeus, our great brother, and the ally of our nation. We declare bloody + war against you, and will slay you on the spot." + </p> + <p> + Surprised at the shrill piping of so many little voices, Hercules, after + putting out the conflagration of his hair, gazed all round about, but + could see nothing. At last, however, looking narrowly on the ground, he + espied the innumerable assemblage of Pygmies at his feet. He stooped down, + and taking up the nearest one between his thumb and finger, set him on the + palm of his left hand, and held him at a proper distance for examination. + It chanced to be the very identical Pygmy who had spoken from the top of + the toadstool, and had offered himself as a champion to meet Hercules in + single combat. + </p> + <p> + "What in the world, my little fellow," ejaculated Hercules, "may you be?" + </p> + <p> + "I am your enemy," answered the valiant Pygmy, in his mightiest squeak. + "You have slain the enormous Antaeus, our brother by the mother's side, + and for ages the faithful ally of our illustrious nation. We are + determined to put you to death; and for my own part, I challenge you to + instant battle, on equal ground." + </p> + <p> + Hercules was so tickled with the Pygmy's big words and warlike gestures, + that he burst into a great explosion of laughter, and almost dropped the + poor little mite of a creature off the palm of his hand, through the + ecstasy and convulsion of his merriment. + </p> + <p> + "Upon my word," cried he, "I thought I had seen wonders before to-day—hydras + with nine heads, stags with golden horns, six-legged men, three-headed + dogs, giants with furnaces in their stomachs, and nobody knows what + besides. But here, on the palm of my hand, stands a wonder that outdoes + them all! Your body, my little friend, is about the size of an ordinary + man's finger. Pray, how big may your soul be?" + </p> + <p> + "As big as your own!" said the Pygmy. + </p> + <p> + Hercules was touched with the little man's dauntless courage, and could + not help acknowledging such a brotherhood with him as one hero feels for + another. + </p> + <p> + "My good little people," said he, making a low obeisance to the grand + nation, "not for all the world would I do an intentional injury to such + brave fellows as you! Your hearts seem to me so exceedingly great, that, + upon my honor, I marvel how your small bodies can contain them. I sue for + peace, and, as a condition of it, will take five strides, and be out of + your kingdom at the sixth. Good-bye. I shall pick my steps carefully, for + fear of treading upon some fifty of you, without knowing it. Ha, ha, ha! + Ho, ho, ho! For once, Hercules acknowledges himself vanquished." + </p> + <p> + Some writers say, that Hercules gathered up the whole race of Pygmies in + his lion's skin, and carried them home to Greece, for the children of King + Eurystheus to play with. But this is a mistake. He left them, one and all, + within their own territory, where, for aught I can tell, their descendants + are alive to the present day, building their little houses, cultivating + their little fields, spanking their little children, waging their little + warfare with the cranes, doing their little business, whatever it may be, + and reading their little histories of ancient times. In those histories, + perhaps, it stands recorded, that, a great many centuries ago, the valiant + Pygmies avenged the death of the Giant Antaeus by scaring away the mighty + Hercules. + </p> +<p> + <a name="link2H_4_dragon" id="link2H_4_dragon"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + + + <h2> + THE DRAGON'S TEETH. + </h2> + <p> + Cadmus, Phoenix, and Cilix, the three sons of King Agenor, and their + little sister Europa (who was a very beautiful child), were at play + together near the seashore in their father's kingdom of Phoenicia. They + had rambled to some distance from the palace where their parents dwelt, + and were now in a verdant meadow, on one side of which lay the sea, all + sparkling and dimpling in the sunshine, and murmuring gently against the + beach. The three boys were very happy, gathering flowers, and twining them + into garlands, with which they adorned the little Europa. Seated on the + grass, the child was almost hidden under an abundance of buds and + blossoms, whence her rosy face peeped merrily out, and, as Cadmus said, + was the prettiest of all the flowers. + </p> + <p> + Just then, there came a splendid butterfly, fluttering along the meadow; + and Cadmus, Phoenix, and Cilix set off in pursuit of it, crying out that + it was a flower with wings. Europa, who was a little wearied with playing + all day long, did not chase the butterfly with her brothers, but sat still + where they had left her, and closed her eyes. For a while, she listened to + the pleasant murmur of the sea, which was like a voice saying "Hush!" and + bidding her go to sleep. But the pretty child, if she slept at all, could + not have slept more than a moment, when she heard something trample on the + grass, not far from her, and, peeping out from the heap of flowers, beheld + a snow-white bull. + </p> + <p> + And whence could this bull have come? Europa and her brothers had been a + long time playing in the meadow, and had seen no cattle, nor other living + thing, either there or on the neighboring hills. + </p> + <p> + "Brother Cadmus!" cried Europa, starting up out of the midst of the roses + and lilies. "Phoenix! Cilix! Where are you all? Help! Help! Come and drive + away this bull!" + </p> + <p> + But her brothers were too far off to hear; especially as the fright took + away Europa's voice, and hindered her from calling very loudly. So there + she stood, with her pretty mouth wide open, as pale as the white lilies + that were twisted among the other flowers in her garlands. + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless, it was the suddenness with which she had perceived the bull, + rather than anything frightful in his appearance, that caused Europa so + much alarm. On looking at him more attentively, she began to see that he + was a beautiful animal, and even fancied a particularly amiable expression + in his face. As for his breath—the breath of cattle, you know, is + always sweet—it was as fragrant as if he had been grazing on no + other food than rosebuds, or at least, the most delicate of clover + blossoms. Never before did a bull have such bright and tender eyes, and + such smooth horns of ivory, as this one. And the bull ran little races, + and capered sportively around the child; so that she quite forgot how big + and strong he was, and, from the gentleness and playfulness of his + actions, soon came to consider him as innocent a creature as a pet lamb. + </p> + <p> + Thus, frightened as she at first was, you might by and by have seen Europa + stroking the bull's forehead with her small white hand, and taking the + garlands off her own head to hang them on his neck and ivory horns. Then + she pulled up some blades of grass, and he ate them out of her hand, not + as if he were hungry, but because he wanted to be friends with the child, + and took pleasure in eating what she had touched. Well, my stars! was + there ever such a gentle, sweet, pretty, and amiable creature as this + bull, and ever such a nice playmate for a little girl? + </p> + <p> + When the animal saw (for the bull had so much intelligence that it is + really wonderful to think of), when he saw that Europa was no longer + afraid of him, he grew overjoyed, and could hardly contain himself for + delight. He frisked about the meadow, now here, now there, making + sprightly leaps, with as little effort as a bird expends in hopping from + twig to twig. Indeed, his motion was as light as if he were flying through + the air, and his hoofs seemed hardly to leave their print in the grassy + soil over which he trod. With his spotless hue, he resembled a snow drift, + wafted along by the wind. Once he galloped so far away that Europa feared + lest she might never see him again; so, setting up her childish voice, + called him back. + </p> + <p> + "Come back, pretty creature!" she cried. "Here is a nice clover blossom." + </p> + <p> + And then it was delightful to witness the gratitude of this amiable bull, + and how he was so full of joy and thankfulness that he capered higher than + ever. He came running, and bowed his head before Europa, as if he knew her + to be a king's daughter, or else recognized the important truth that a + little girl is everybody's queen. And not only did the bull bend his neck, + he absolutely knelt down at her feet, and made such intelligent nods, and + other inviting gestures, that Europa understood what he meant just as well + as if he had put it in so many words. + </p> + <p> + "Come, dear child," was what he wanted to say, "let me give you a ride on + my back." + </p> + <p> + At the first thought of such a thing, Europa drew back. But then she + considered in her wise little head that there could be no possible harm in + taking just one gallop on the back of this docile and friendly animal, who + would certainly set her down the very instant she desired it. And how it + would surprise her brothers to see her riding across the green meadow! And + what merry times they might have, either taking turns for a gallop, or + clambering on the gentle creature, all four children together, and + careering round the field with shouts of laughter that would be heard as + far off as King Agenor's palace! + </p> + <p> + "I think I will do it," said the child to herself. + </p> + <p> + And, indeed, why not? She cast a glance around, and caught a glimpse of + Cadmus, Phoenix, and Cilix, who were still in pursuit of the butterfly, + almost at the other end of the meadow. It would be the quickest way of + rejoining them, to get upon the white bull's back. She came a step nearer + to him therefore; and—sociable creature that he was—he showed + so much joy at this mark of her confidence, that the child could not find + in her heart to hesitate any longer. Making one bound (for this little + princess was as active as a squirrel), there sat Europa on the beautiful + bull, holding an ivory horn in each hand, lest she should fall off. + </p> + <p> + "Softly, pretty bull, softly!" she said, rather frightened at what she had + done. "Do not gallop too fast." + </p> + <p> + Having got the child on his back, the animal gave a leap into the air, and + came down so like a feather that Europa did not know when his hoofs + touched the ground. He then began a race to that part of the flowery plain + where her three brothers were, and where they had just caught their + splendid butterfly. Europa screamed with delight; and Phoenix, Cilix, and + Cadmus stood gaping at the spectacle of their sister mounted on a white + bull, not knowing whether to be frightened or to wish the same good luck + for themselves. The gentle and innocent creature (for who could possibly + doubt that he was so?) pranced round among the children as sportively as a + kitten. Europa all the while looked down upon her brothers, nodding and + laughing, but yet with a sort of stateliness in her rosy little face. As + the bull wheeled about to take another gallop across the meadow, the child + waved her hand, and said, "Good-bye," playfully pretending that she was + now bound on a distant journey, and might not see her brothers again for + nobody could tell how long. + </p> + <p> + "Good-bye," shouted Cadmus, Phoenix, and Cilix, all in one breath. + </p> + <p> + But, together with her enjoyment of the sport, there was still a little + remnant of fear in the child's heart; so that her last look at the three + boys was a troubled one, and made them feel as if their dear sister were + really leaving them forever. And what do you think the snowy bull did + next? Why, he set off, as swift as the wind, straight down to the + seashore, scampered across the sand, took an airy leap, and plunged right + in among the foaming billows. The white spray rose in a shower over him + and little Europa, and fell spattering down upon the water. + </p> + <p> + Then what a scream of terror did the poor child send forth! The three + brothers screamed manfully, likewise, and ran to the shore as fast as + their legs would carry them, with Cadmus at their head. But it was too + late. When they reached the margin of the sand, the treacherous animal was + already far away in the wide blue sea, with only his snowy head and tail + emerging, and poor little Europa between them, stretching out one hand + towards her dear brothers, while she grasped the bull's ivory horn with + the other. And there stood Cadmus, Phoenix, and Cilix, gazing at this sad + spectacle, through their tears, until they could no longer distinguish the + bull's snowy head from the white-capped billows that seemed to boil up out + of the sea's depths around him. Nothing more was ever seen of the white + bull—nothing more of the beautiful child. + </p> + <p> + This was a mournful story, as you may well think, for the three boys to + carry home to their parents. King Agenor, their father, was the ruler of + the whole country; but he loved his little daughter Europa better than his + kingdom, or than all his other children, or than anything else in the + world. Therefore, when Cadmus and his two brothers came crying home, and + told him how that a white bull had carried off their sister, and swam with + her over the sea, the king was quite beside himself with grief and rage. + Although it was now twilight, and fast growing dark, he bade them set out + instantly in search of her. + </p> + <p> + "Never shall you see my face again," he cried, "unless you bring me back + my little Europa, to gladden me with her smiles and her pretty ways. + Begone, and enter my presence no more, till you come leading her by the + hand." + </p> + <p> + As King Agenor said this, his eyes flashed fire (for he was a very + passionate king), and he looked so terribly angry that the poor boys did + not even venture to ask for their suppers, but slunk away out of the + palace, and only paused on the steps a moment to consult whither they + should go first. While they were standing there, all in dismay, their + mother, Queen Telephassa (who happened not to be by when they told the + story to the king), came hurrying after them, and said that she too would + go in quest of her daughter. + </p> + <p> + "O, no, mother!" cried the boys. "The night is dark, and there is no + knowing what troubles and perils we may meet with." + </p> + <p> + "Alas! my dear children," answered poor Queen Telephassa; weeping + bitterly, "that is only another reason why I should go with you. If I + should lose you, too, as well as my little Europa, what would become of + me!" + </p> + <p> + "And let me go likewise!" said their playfellow Thasus, who came running + to join them. + </p> + <p> + Thasus was the son of a seafaring person in the neighborhood; he had been + brought up with the young princes, and was their intimate friend, and + loved Europa very much; so they consented that he should accompany them. + The whole party, therefore, set forth together. Cadmus, Phoenix, Cilix, + and Thasus clustered round Queen Telephassa, grasping her skirts, and + begging her to lean upon their shoulders whenever she felt weary. In this + manner they went down the palace steps, and began a journey, which turned + out to be a great deal longer than they dreamed of. The last that they saw + of King Agenor, he came to the door, with a servant holding a torch beside + him, and called after them into the gathering darkness: + </p> + <p> + "Remember! Never ascend these steps again without the child!" + </p> + <p> + "Never!" sobbed Queen Telephassa; and the three brothers and Thasus + answered, "Never! Never! Never! Never!" + </p> + <p> + And they kept their word. Year after year, King Agenor sat in the solitude + of his beautiful palace, listening in vain for their returning footsteps, + hoping to hear the familiar voice of the queen, and the cheerful talk of + his sons and their playfellow Thasus, entering the door together, and the + sweet, childish accents of little Europa in the midst of them. But so long + a time went by, that, at last, if they had really come, the king would not + have known that this was the voice of Telephassa, and these the younger + voices that used to make such joyful echoes, when the children were + playing about the palace. We must now leave King Agenor to sit on his + throne, and must go along with Queen Telephassa, and her four youthful + companions. + </p> + <p> + They went on and on, and traveled a long way, and passed over mountains + and rivers, and sailed over seas. Here, and there, and everywhere, they + made continual inquiry if any person could tell them what had become of + Europa. The rustic people, of whom they asked this question, paused a + little while from their labors in the field, and looked very much + surprised. They thought it strange to behold a woman in the garb of a + queen (for Telephassa in her haste had forgotten to take off her crown and + her royal robes), roaming about the country, with four lads around her, on + such an errand as this seemed to be. But nobody could give them any + tidings of Europa; nobody had seen a little girl dressed like a princess, + and mounted on a snow-white bull, which galloped as swiftly as the wind. + </p> + <p> + I cannot tell you how long Queen Telephassa, and Cadmus, Phoenix, and + Cilix, her three sons, and Thasus, their playfellow, went wandering along + the highways and bypaths, or through the pathless wildernesses of the + earth, in this manner. But certain it is, that, before they reached any + place of rest, their splendid garments were quite worn out. They all + looked very much travel-stained, and would have had the dust of many + countries on their shoes, if the streams, through which they waded, had + not washed it all away. When they had been gone a year, Telephassa threw + away her crown, because it chafed her forehead. + </p> + <p> + "It has given me many a headache," said the poor queen, "and it cannot + cure my heartache." + </p> + <p> + As fast as their princely robes got torn and tattered, they exchanged them + for such mean attire as ordinary people wore. By and by, they come to have + a wild and homeless aspect; so that you would much sooner have taken them + for a gypsy family than a queen and three princes, and a young nobleman, + who had once a palace for a home, and a train of servants to do their + bidding. The four boys grew up to be tall young men, with sunburnt faces. + Each of them girded on a sword, to defend themselves against the perils of + the way. When the husbandmen, at whose farmhouses they sought hospitality, + needed their assistance in the harvest field, they gave it willingly; and + Queen Telephassa (who had done no work in her palace, save to braid silk + threads with golden ones) came behind them to bind the sheaves. If payment + was offered, they shook their heads, and only asked for tidings of Europa. + </p> + <p> + "There are bulls enough in my pasture," the old farmers would reply; "but + I never heard of one like this you tell me of. A snow-white bull with a + little princess on his back! Ho! ho! I ask your pardon, good folks; but + there never such a sight seen hereabouts." + </p> + <p> + At last, when his upper lip began to have the down on it, Phoenix grew + weary of rambling hither and thither to no purpose. So one day, when they + happened to be passing through a pleasant and solitary tract of country, + he sat himself down on a heap of moss. + </p> + <p> + "I can go no farther," said Phoenix. "It is a mere foolish waste of life, + to spend it as we do, always wandering up and down, and never coming to + any home at nightfall. Our sister is lost, and never will be found. She + probably perished in the sea; or, to whatever shore the white bull may + have carried her, it is now so many years ago, that there would be neither + love nor acquaintance between us, should we meet again. My father has + forbidden us to return to his palace, so I shall build me a hut of + branches, and dwell here." + </p> + <p> + "Well, son Phoenix," said Telephassa, sorrowfully, "you have grown to be a + man, and must do as you judge best. But, for my part, I will still go in + quest of my poor child." + </p> + <p> + "And we three will go along with you!" cried Cadmus and Cilix, and their + faithful friend Thasus. + </p> + <p> + But, before setting out, they all helped Phoenix to build a habitation. + When completed, it was a sweet rural bower, roofed overhead with an arch + of living boughs. Inside there were two pleasant rooms, one of which had a + soft heap of moss for a bed, while the other was furnished with a rustic + seat or two, curiously fashioned out of the crooked roots of trees. So + comfortable and home-like did it seem, that Telephassa and her three + companions could not help sighing, to think that they must still roam + about the world, instead of spending the remainder of their lives in some + such cheerful abode as they had here built for Phoenix. But, when they + bade him farewell, Phoenix shed tears, and probably regretted that he was + no longer to keep them company. + </p> + <p> + However, he had fixed upon an admirable place to dwell in. And by and by + there came other people, who chanced to have no homes; and, seeing how + pleasant a spot it was, they built themselves huts in the neighborhood of + Phoenix's habitation. Thus, before many years went by, a city had grown up + there, in the center of which was seen a stately palace of marble, wherein + dwelt Phoenix, clothed in a purple robe, and wearing a golden crown upon + his head. For the inhabitants of the new city, finding that he had royal + blood in his veins, had chosen him to be their king. The very first decree + of state which King Phoenix issued was, that, if a maiden happened to + arrive in the kingdom, mounted on a snow-white bull, and calling herself + Europa, his subjects should treat her with the greatest kindness and + respect, and immediately bring her to the palace. You may see, by this, + that Phoenix's conscience never quite ceased to trouble him, for giving up + the quest of his dear sister, and sitting himself down to be comfortable, + while his mother and her companions went onward. + </p> + <p> + But often and often, at the close of a weary day's journey, did Telephassa + and Cadmus, Cilix, and Thasus, remember the pleasant spot in which they + had left Phoenix. It was a sorrowful prospect for these wanderers, that on + the morrow they must again set forth, and that, after many nightfalls, + they would perhaps be no nearer the close of their toilsome pilgrimage + than now. These thoughts made them all melancholy at times, but appeared + to torment Cilix more than the rest of the party. At length, one morning, + when they were taking their staffs in hand to set out, he thus addressed + them: + </p> + <p> + "My dear mother, and you, good brother Cadmus, and my friend Thasus, + methinks we are like people in a dream. There is no substance in the life + which we are leading. It is such a dreary length of time since the white + bull carried off my sister Europa, that I have quite forgotten how she + looked, and the tones of her voice, and, indeed, almost doubt whether such + a little girl ever lived in the world. And whether she once lived or no, I + am convinced that she no longer survives, and that therefore it is the + merest folly to waste our own lives and happiness in seeking her. Were we + to find her, she would now be a woman grown, and would look upon us all as + strangers. So, to tell you the truth, I have resolved to take up my abode + here; and I entreat you, mother, brother, and friend, to follow my + example." + </p> + <p> + "Not I, for one," said Telephassa; although the poor queen, firmly as she + spoke, was so travel-worn that she could hardly put her foot to the + ground. "Not I, for one! In the depths of my heart, little Europa is still + the rosy child who ran to gather flowers so many years ago. She has not + grown to womanhood, nor forgotten me. At noon, at night, journeying + onward, sitting down to rest, her childish voice is always in my ears, + calling, 'Mother! mother!' Stop here who may, there is no repose for me." + </p> + <p> + "Nor for me," said Cadmus, "while my dear mother pleases to go onward." + </p> + <p> + And the faithful Thasus, too, was resolved to bear them company. They + remained with Cilix a few days, however, and helped him to build a rustic + bower, resembling the one which they had formerly built for Phoenix. + </p> + <p> + When they were bidding him farewell Cilix burst into tears, and told his + mother that it seemed just as melancholy a dream to stay there, in + solitude, as to go onward. If she really believed that they would ever + find Europa, he was willing to continue the search with them, even now. + But Telephassa bade him remain there, and be happy, if his own heart would + let him. So the pilgrims took their leave of him, and departed, and were + hardly out of sight before some other wandering people came along that + way, and saw Cilix's habitation, and were greatly delighted with the + appearance of the place. There being abundance of unoccupied ground in the + neighborhood, these strangers built huts for themselves, and were soon + joined by a multitude of new settlers, who quickly formed a city. In the + middle of it was seen a magnificent palace of colored marble, on the + balcony of which, every noontide, appeared Cilix, in a long purple robe, + and with a jeweled crown upon his head; for the inhabitants, when they + found out that he was a king's son, had considered him the fittest of all + men to be a king himself. + </p> + <p> + One of the first acts of King Cilix's government was to send out an + expedition, consisting of a grave ambassador, and an escort of bold and + hardy young men, with orders to visit the principal kingdoms of the earth, + and inquire whether a young maiden had passed through those regions, + galloping swiftly on a white bull. It is, therefore, plain to my mind, + that Cilix secretly blamed himself for giving up the search for Europa, as + long as he was able to put one foot before the other. + </p> + <p> + As for Telephassa, and Cadmus, and the good Thasus, it grieves me to think + of them, still keeping up that weary pilgrimage. The two young men did + their best for the poor queen, helping her over the rough places, often + carrying her across rivulets in their faithful arms and seeking to shelter + her at nightfall, even when they themselves lay on the ground. Sad, sad it + was to hear them asking of every passer-by if he had seen Europa, so long + after the white bull had carried her away. But, though the gray years + thrust themselves between, and made the child's figure dim in their + remembrance, neither of these true-hearted three ever dreamed of giving up + the search. + </p> + <p> + One morning, however, poor Thasus found that he had sprained his ankle, + and could not possibly go a step farther. + </p> + <p> + "After a few days, to be sure," said he, mournfully, "I might make shift + to hobble along with a stick. But that would only delay you, and perhaps + hinder you from finding dear little Europa, after all your pains and + trouble. Do you go forward, therefore, my beloved companions, and leave me + to follow as I may." + </p> + <p> + "Thou hast been a true friend, dear Thasus," said Queen Telephassa, + kissing his forehead. "Being neither my son, nor the brother of our lost + Europa, thou hast shown thyself truer to me and her than Phoenix and Cilix + did, whom we have left behind us. Without thy loving help, and that of my + son Cadmus, my limbs could not have borne me half so far as this. Now, + take thy rest, and be at peace. For—and it is the first time I have + owned it to myself—I begin to question whether we shall ever find my + beloved daughter in this world." + </p> + <p> + Saying this, the poor queen shed tears, because it was a grievous trial to + the mother's heart to confess that her hopes were growing faint. From that + day forward, Cadmus noticed that she never traveled with the same alacrity + of spirit that had heretofore supported her. Her weight was heavier upon + his arm. + </p> + <p> + Before setting out, Cadmus helped Thasus build a bower; while Telephassa, + being too infirm to give any great assistance, advised them how to fit it + up and furnish it, so that it might be as comfortable as a hut of branches + could. Thasus, however, did not spend all his days in this green bower. + For it happened to him, as to Phoenix and Cilix, that other homeless + people visited the spot, and liked it, and built themselves habitations in + the neighborhood. So here, in the course of a few years, was another + thriving city, with a red freestone palace in the center of it, where + Thasus sat upon a throne, doing justice to the people, with a purple robe + over his shoulders, a sceptre in his hand, and a crown upon his head. The + inhabitants had made him king, not for the sake of any royal blood (for + none was in his veins), but because Thasus was an upright, true-hearted, + and courageous man, and therefore fit to rule. + </p> + <p> + But when the affairs of his kingdom were all settled, King Thasus laid + aside his purple robe and crown, and sceptre, and bade his worthiest + subjects distribute justice to the people in his stead. Then, grasping the + pilgrim's staff that had supported him so long, he set forth again, hoping + still to discover some hoof-mark of the snow-white bull, some trace of the + vanished child. He returned after a lengthened absence, and sat down + wearily upon his throne. To his latest hour, nevertheless, King Thasus + showed his true-hearted remembrance of Europa, by ordering that a fire + should always be kept burning in his palace, and a bath steaming hot, and + food ready to be served up, and a bed with snow-white sheets, in case the + maiden should arrive, and require immediate refreshment. And, though + Europa never came, the good Thasus had the blessings of many a poor + traveler, who profited by the food and lodging which were meant for the + little playmate of the king's boyhood. + </p> + <p> + Telephassa and Cadmus were now pursuing their weary way, with no companion + but each other. The queen leaned heavily upon her son's arm, and could + walk only a few miles a day. But for all her weakness and weariness, she + would not be persuaded to give up the search. It was enough to bring tears + into the eyes of bearded men to hear the melancholy tone with which she + inquired of every stranger whether he could not tell her any news of the + lost child. + </p> + <p> + "Have you seen a little girl—no, no, I mean a young maiden of full + growth—passing by this way, mounted on a snow-white bull, which + gallops as swiftly as the wind?" + </p> + <p> + "We have seen no such wondrous sight," the people would reply; and very + often, taking Cadmus aside, they whispered to him, "Is this stately and + sad-looking woman your mother? Surely she is not in her right mind; and + you ought to take her home, and make her comfortable, and do your best to + get this dream out of her fancy." + </p> + <p> + "It is no dream," said Cadmus. "Everything else is a dream, save that." + </p> + <p> + But, one day, Telephassa seemed feebler than usual, and leaned almost her + whole weight on the arm of Cadmus, and walked more slowly than ever + before. At last they reached a solitary spot, where she told her son that + she must needs lie down, and take a good long rest. + </p> + <p> + "A good long rest!" she repeated, looking Cadmus tenderly in the face. "A + good long rest, thou dearest one!" + </p> + <p> + "As long as you please, dear mother," answered Cadmus. + </p> + <p> + Telephassa bade him sit down on the turf beside her, and then she took his + hand. + </p> + <p> + "My son," said she, fixing her dim eyes most lovingly upon him, "this rest + that I speak of will be very long indeed! You must not wait till it is + finished. Dear Cadmus, you do not comprehend me. You must make a grave + here, and lay your mother's weary frame into it. My pilgrimage is over." + </p> + <p> + Cadmus burst into tears, and, for a long time, refused to believe that his + dear mother was now to be taken from him. But Telephassa reasoned with + him, and kissed him, and at length made him discern that it was better for + her spirit to pass away out of the toil, the weariness, and grief, and + disappointment which had burdened her on earth, ever since the child was + lost. He therefore repressed his sorrow, and listened to her last words. + </p> + <p> + "Dearest Cadmus," said she, "thou hast been the truest son that ever + mother had, and faithful to the very last. Who else would have borne with + my infirmities as thou hast! It is owing to thy care, thou tenderest + child, that my grave was not dug long years ago, in some valley, or on + some hillside, that lies far, far behind us. It is enough. Thou shalt + wander no more on this hopeless search. But, when thou hast laid thy + mother in the earth, then go, my son, to Delphi, and inquire of the oracle + what thou shalt do next." + </p> + <p> + "O mother, mother," cried Cadmus, "couldst thou but have seen my sister + before this hour!" + </p> + <p> + "It matters little now," answered Telephassa, and there was a smile upon + her face. "I go now to the better world, and, sooner or later, shall find + my daughter there." + </p> + <p> + I will not sadden you, my little hearers, with telling how Telephassa died + and was buried, but will only say, that her dying smile grew brighter, + instead of vanishing from her dead face; so that Cadmus left convinced + that, at her very first step into the better world, she had caught Europa + in her arms. He planted some flowers on his mother's grave, and left them + to grow there, and make the place beautiful, when he should be far away. + </p> + <p> + After performing this last sorrowful duty, he set forth alone, and took + the road towards the famous oracle of Delphi, as Telephassa had advised + him. On his way thither, he still inquired of most people whom he met + whether they had seen Europa; for, to say the truth, Cadmus had grown so + accustomed to ask the question, that it came to his lips as readily as a + remark about the weather. He received various answers. Some told him one + thing, and some another. Among the rest, a mariner affirmed, that, many + years before, in a distant country, he had heard a rumor about a white + bull, which came swimming across the sea with a child on his back, dressed + up in flowers that were blighted by the sea water. He did not know what + had become of the child or the bull; and Cadmus suspected, indeed, by a + queer twinkle in the mariner's eyes, that he was putting a joke upon him, + and had never really heard anything about the matter. + </p> + <p> + Poor Cadmus found it more wearisome to travel alone than to bear all his + dear mother's weight, while she had kept him company. His heart, you will + understand, was now so heavy that it seemed impossible, sometimes, to + carry it any farther. But his limbs were strong and active, and well + accustomed to exercise. He walked swiftly along, thinking of King Agenor + and Queen Telephassa, and his brothers, and the friendly Thasus, all of + whom he had left behind him, at one point of his pilgrimage or another, + and never expected to see them any more. Full of these remembrances, he + came within sight of a lofty mountain, which the people thereabouts told + him was called Parnassus. On the slope of Mount Parnassus was the famous + Delphi, whither Cadmus was going. + </p> + <p> + This Delphi was supposed to be the very midmost spot of the whole world. + The place of the oracle was a certain cavity in the mountain side, over + which, when Cadmus came thither, he found a rude bower of branches. It + reminded him of those which he had helped to build for Phoenix and Cilix, + and afterwards for Thasus. In later times, when multitudes of people came + from great distances to put questions to the oracle, a spacious temple of + marble was erected over the spot. But in the days of Cadmus, as I have + told you, there was only this rustic bower, with its abundance of green + foliage, and a tuft of shrubbery, that ran wild over the mysterious hole + in the hillside. + </p> + <p> + When Cadmus had thrust a passage through the tangled boughs, and made his + way into the bower, he did not at first discern the half-hidden cavity. + But soon he felt a cold stream of air rushing out of it, with so much + force that it shook the ringlets on his cheek. Pulling away the shrubbery + which clustered over the hole, he bent forward, and spoke in a distinct + but reverential tone, as if addressing some unseen personage inside of the + mountain. + </p> + <p> + "Sacred oracle of Delphi," said he, "whither shall I go next in quest of + my dear sister Europa?" + </p> + <p> + There was at first a deep silence, and then a rushing sound, or a noise + like a long sigh, proceeding out of the interior of the earth. This + cavity, you must know, was looked upon as a sort of fountain of truth, + which sometimes gushed out in audible words; although, for the most part, + these words were such a riddle that they might just as well have staid at + the bottom of the hole. But Cadmus was more fortunate than many others who + went to Delphi in search of truth. By and by, the rushing noise began to + sound like articulate language. It repeated, over and over again, the + following sentence, which, after all, was so like the vague whistle of a + blast of air, that Cadmus really did not quite know whether it meant + anything or not: + </p> + <p> + "Seek her no more! Seek her no more! Seek her no more!" + </p> + <p> + "What, then, shall I do?" asked Cadmus. + </p> + <p> + For, ever since he was a child, you know, it had been the great object of + his life to find his sister. From the very hour that he left following the + butterfly in the meadow, near his father's palace, he had done his best to + follow Europa, over land and sea. And now, if he must give up the search, + he seemed to have no more business in the world. + </p> + <p> + But again the sighing gust of air grew into something like a hoarse voice. + </p> + <p> + "Follow the cow!" it said. "Follow the cow! Follow the cow!" + </p> + <p> + And when these words had been repeated until Cadmus was tired of hearing + them (especially as he could not imagine what cow it was, or why he was to + follow her), the gusty hole gave vent to another sentence. + </p> + <p> + "Where the stray cow lies down, there is your home." + </p> + <p> + These words were pronounced but a single time, and died away into a + whisper before Cadmus was fully satisfied that he had caught the meaning. + He put other questions, but received no answer; only the gust of wind + sighed continually out of the cavity, and blew the withered leaves + rustling along the ground before it. + </p> + <p> + "Did there really come any words out of the hole?" thought Cadmus; "or + have I been dreaming all this while?" + </p> + <p> + He turned away from the oracle, and thought himself no wiser than when he + came thither. Caring little what might happen to him, he took the first + path that offered itself, and went along at a sluggish pace; for, having + no object in view, nor any reason to go one way more than another, it + would certainly have been foolish to make haste. Whenever he met anybody, + the old question was at his tongue's end. + </p> + <p> + "Have you seen a beautiful maiden, dressed like a king's daughter, and + mounted on a snow-white bull, that gallops as swiftly as the wind?" + </p> + <p> + But, remembering what the oracle had said, he only half uttered the words, + and then mumbled the rest indistinctly; and from his confusion, people + must have imagined that this handsome young man had lost his wits. + </p> + <p> + I know not how far Cadmus had gone, nor could he himself have told you, + when at no great distance before him, he beheld a brindled cow. She was + lying down by the wayside, and quietly chewing her cud; nor did she take + any notice of the young man until he had approached pretty nigh. Then, + getting leisurely upon her feet, and giving her head a gentle toss, she + began to move along at a moderate pace, often pausing just long enough to + crop a mouthful of grass. Cadmus loitered behind, whistling idly to + himself, and scarcely noticing the cow; until the thought occurred to him, + whether this could possibly be the animal which, according to the oracle's + response, was to serve him for a guide. But he smiled at himself for + fancying such a thing. He could not seriously think that this was the cow, + because she went along so quietly, behaving just like any other cow. + Evidently she neither knew nor cared so much as a wisp of hay about + Cadmus, and was only thinking how to get her living along the wayside, + where the herbage was green and fresh. Perhaps she was going home to be + milked. + </p> + <p> + "Cow, cow, cow!" cried Cadmus. "Hey, Brindle, hey! Stop, my good cow!" + </p> + <p> + He wanted to come up with the cow, so as to examine her, and see if she + would appear to know him, or whether there were any peculiarities to + distinguish her from a thousand other cows, whose only business is to fill + the milk-pail, and sometimes kick it over. But still the brindled cow + trudged on, whisking her tail to keep the flies away, and taking as little + notice of Cadmus as she well could. If he walked slowly, so did the cow, + and seized the opportunity to graze. If he quickened his pace, the cow + went just so much the faster; and once, when Cadmus tried to catch her by + running, she threw out her heels, stuck her tail straight on end, and set + off at a gallop, looking as queerly as cows generally do, while putting + themselves to their speed. + </p> + <p> + When Cadmus saw that it was impossible to come up with her, he walked on + moderately, as before. The cow, too, went leisurely on, without looking + behind. Wherever the grass was greenest, there she nibbled a mouthful or + two. Where a brook glistened brightly across the path, there the cow + drank, and breathed a comfortable sigh, and drank again, and trudged + onward at the pace that best suited herself and Cadmus. + </p> + <p> + "I do believe," thought Cadmus, "that this may be the cow that was + foretold me. If it be the one, I suppose she will lie down somewhere + hereabouts." + </p> + <p> + Whether it were the oracular cow or some other one, it did not seem + reasonable that she should travel a great way farther. So, whenever they + reached a particularly pleasant spot on a breezy hillside, or in a + sheltered vale, or flowery meadow, on the shore of a calm lake, or along + the bank of a clear stream, Cadmus looked eagerly around to see if the + situation would suit him for a home. But still, whether he liked the place + or no, the brindled cow never offered to lie down. On she went at the + quiet pace of a cow going homeward to the barn yard; and, every moment, + Cadmus expected to see a milkmaid approaching with a pail, or a herdsman + running to head the stray animal, and turn her back towards the pasture. + But no milkmaid came; no herdsman drove her back; and Cadmus followed the + stray Brindle till he was almost ready to drop down with fatigue. + </p> + <p> + "O brindled cow," cried he, in a tone of despair, "do you never mean to + stop?" + </p> + <p> + He had now grown too intent on following her to think of lagging behind, + however long the way, and whatever might be his fatigue. Indeed, it seemed + as if there were something about the animal that bewitched people. Several + persons who happened to see the brindled cow, and Cadmus following behind, + began to trudge after her, precisely as he did. Cadmus was glad of + somebody to converse with, and therefore talked very freely to these good + people. He told them all his adventures, and how he had left King Agenor + in his palace, and Phoenix at one place, and Cilix at another, and Thasus + at a third, and his dear mother, Queen Telephassa, under a flowery sod; so + that now he was quite alone, both friendless and homeless. He mentioned, + likewise, that the oracle had bidden him be guided by a cow, and inquired + of the strangers whether they supposed that this brindled animal could be + the one. + </p> + <p> + "Why, 'tis a very wonderful affair," answered one of his new companions. + "I am pretty well acquainted with the ways of cattle, and I never knew a + cow, of her own accord, to go so far without stopping. If my legs will let + me, I'll never leave following the beast till she lies down." + </p> + <p> + "Nor I!" said a second. + </p> + <p> + "Nor I!" cried a third. "If she goes a hundred miles farther, I am + determined to see the end of it." + </p> + <p> + The secret of it was, you must know, that the cow was an enchanted cow, + and that, without their being conscious of it, she threw some of her + enchantment over everybody that took so much as half a dozen steps behind + her. They could not possibly help following her, though all the time they + fancied themselves doing it of their own accord. The cow was by no means + very nice in choosing her path; so that sometimes they had to scramble + over rocks, or wade through mud and mire, and all in a terribly bedraggled + condition, and tired to death, and very hungry, into the bargain. What a + weary business it was! + </p> + <p> + But still they kept trudging stoutly forward, and talking as they went. + The strangers grew very fond of Cadmus, and resolved never to leave him, + but to help him build a city wherever the cow might lie down. In the + center of it there should be a noble palace, in which Cadmus might dwell, + and be their king, with a throne, a crown, a sceptre, a purple robe, and + everything else that a king ought to have; for in him there was the royal + blood, and the royal heart, and the head that knew how to rule. + </p> + <p> + While they were talking of these schemes, and beguiling the tediousness of + the way with laying out the plan of the new city, one of the company + happened to look at the cow. + </p> + <p> + "Joy! joy!" cried he, clapping his hands. "Brindle is going to lie down." + </p> + <p> + They all looked; and, sure enough, the cow had stopped, and was staring + leisurely about her, as other cows do when on the point of lying down. And + slowly, slowly did she recline herself on the soft grass, first bending + her forelegs, and then crouching her hind ones. When Cadmus and his + companions came up with her, there was the brindled cow taking her ease, + chewing her cud, and looking them quietly in the face; as if this was just + the spot she had been seeking for, and as if it were all a matter of + course. + </p> + <p> + "This, then," said Cadmus, gazing around him, "this is to be my home." + </p> + <p> + It was a fertile and lovely plain, with great trees flinging their + sun-speckled shadows over it, and hills fencing it in from the rough + weather. At no great distance, they beheld a river gleaming in the + sunshine. A home feeling stole into the heart of poor Cadmus. He was very + glad to know that here he might awake in the morning without the necessity + of putting on his dusty sandals to travel farther and farther. The days + and the years would pass over him, and find him still in this pleasant + spot. If he could have had his brothers with him, and his friend Thasus, + and could have seen his dear mother under a roof of his own, he might here + have been happy after all their disappointments. Some day or other, too, + his sister Europa might have come quietly to the door of his home, and + smiled round upon the familiar faces. But, indeed, since there was no hope + of regaining the friends of his boyhood, or ever seeing his dear sister + again, Cadmus resolved to make himself happy with these new companions, + who had grown so fond of him while following the cow. + </p> + <p> + "Yes, my friends," said he to them, "this is to be our home. Here we will + build our habitations. The brindled cow, which has led us hither, will + supply us with milk. We will cultivate the neighboring soil and lead an + innocent and happy life." + </p> + <p> + His companions joyfully assented to this plan; and, in the first place, + being very hungry and thirsty, they looked about them for the means of + providing a comfortable meal. Not far off they saw a tuft of trees, which + appeared as if there might be a spring of water beneath them. They went + thither to fetch some, leaving Cadmus stretched on the ground along with + the brindled cow; for, now that he had found a place of rest, it seemed as + if all the weariness of his pilgrimage, ever since he left King Agenor's + palace, had fallen upon him at once. But his new friends had not long been + gone, when he was suddenly startled by cries, shouts, and screams, and the + noise of a terrible struggle, and in the midst of it all, a most awful + hissing, which went right through his ears like a rough saw. + </p> + <p> + Running towards the tuft of trees, he beheld the head and fiery eyes of an + immense serpent or dragon, with the widest jaws that ever a dragon had, + and a vast many rows of horribly sharp teeth. Before Cadmus could reach + the spot, this pitiless reptile had killed his poor companions, and was + busily devouring them, making but a mouthful of each man. + </p> + <p> + It appears that the fountain of water was enchanted, and that the dragon + had been set to guard it, so that no mortal might ever quench his thirst + there. As the neighboring inhabitants carefully avoided the spot, it was + now a long time (not less than a hundred years or thereabouts) since the + monster had broken his fast; and, as was natural enough, his appetite had + grown to be enormous, and was not half satisfied by the poor people whom + he had just eaten up. When he caught sight of Cadmus, therefore, he set up + another abominable hiss, and flung back his immense jaws, until his mouth + looked like a great red cavern, at the farther end of which were seen the + legs of his last victim, whom he had hardly had time to swallow. + </p> + <p> + But Cadmus was so enraged at the destruction of his friends that he cared + neither for the size of the dragon's jaws nor for his hundreds of sharp + teeth. Drawing his sword, he rushed at the monster, and flung himself + right into his cavernous mouth. This bold method of attacking him took the + dragon by surprise; for, in fact, Cadmus had leaped so far down into his + throat, that the rows of terrible teeth could not close upon him, nor do + him the least harm in the world. Thus, though the struggle was a + tremendous one, and though the dragon shattered the tuft of trees into + small splinters by the lashing of his tail, yet, as Cadmus was all the + while slashing and stabbing at his very vitals, it was not long before the + scaly wretch bethought himself of slipping away. He had not gone his + length, however, when the brave Cadmus gave him a sword thrust that + finished the battle; and creeping out of the gateway of the creature's + jaws, there he beheld him still wriggling his vast bulk, although there + was no longer life enough in him to harm a little child. + </p> + <p> + But do not you suppose that it made Cadmus sorrowful to think of the + melancholy fate which had befallen those poor, friendly people, who had + followed the cow along with him? It seemed as if he were doomed to lose + everybody whom he loved, or to see them perish in one way or another. And + here he was, after all his toils and troubles, in a solitary place, with + not a single human being to help him build a hut. + </p> + <p> + "What shall I do?" cried he aloud. "It were better for me to have been + devoured by the dragon, as my poor companions were." + </p> + <p> + "Cadmus," said a voice but whether it came from above or below him, or + whether it spoke within his own breast, the young man could not tell—"Cadmus, + pluck out the dragon's teeth, and plant them in the earth." + </p> + <p> + This was a strange thing to do; nor was it very easy, I should imagine, to + dig out all those deep-rooted fangs from the dead dragon's jaws. But + Cadmus toiled and tugged, and after pounding the monstrous head almost to + pieces with a great stone, he at last collected as many teeth as might + have filled a bushel or two. The next thing was to plant them. This, + likewise, was a tedious piece of work, especially as Cadmus was already + exhausted with killing the dragon and knocking his head to pieces, and had + nothing to dig the earth with, that I know of, unless it were his sword + blade. Finally, however, a sufficiently large tract of ground was turned + up, and sown with this new kind of seed; although half of the dragon's + teeth still remained to be planted some other day. + </p> + <p> + Cadmus, quite out of breath, stood leaning upon his sword, and wondering + what was to happen next. He had waited but a few moments, when he began to + see a sight, which was as great a marvel as the most marvelous thing I + ever told you about. + </p> + <p> + The sun was shining slantwise over the field, and showed all the moist, + dark soil just like any other newly-planted piece of ground. All at once, + Cadmus fancied he saw something glisten very brightly, first at one spot, + then at another, and then at a hundred and a thousand spots together. Soon + he perceived them to be the steel heads of spears, sprouting up everywhere + like so many stalks of grain, and continually growing taller and taller. + Next appeared a vast number of bright sword blades, thrusting themselves + up in the same way. A moment afterwards, the whole surface of the ground + was broken by a multitude of polished brass helmets, coming up like a crop + of enormous beans. So rapidly did they grow, that Cadmus now discerned the + fierce countenance of a man beneath every one. In short, before he had + time to think what a wonderful affair it was, he beheld an abundant + harvest of what looked like human beings, armed with helmets and + breastplates, shields, swords, and spears; and before they were well out + of the earth, they brandished their weapons, and clashed them one against + another, seeming to think, little while as they had yet lived, that they + had wasted too much of life without a battle. Every tooth of the dragon + had produced one of these sons of deadly mischief. + </p> + <p> + Up sprouted also a great many trumpeters; and with the first breath that + they drew, they put their brazen trumpets to their lips, and sounded a + tremendous and ear-shattering blast, so that the whole space, just now so + quiet and solitary, reverberated with the clash and clang of arms, the + bray of warlike music, and the shouts of angry men. So enraged did they + all look, that Cadmus fully expected them to put the whole world to the + sword. How fortunate would it be for a great conqueror, if he could get a + bushel of the dragon's teeth to sow! + </p> + <p> + "Cadmus," said the same voice which he had before heard, "throw a stone + into the midst of the armed men." + </p> + <p> + So Cadmus seized a large stone, and flinging it into the middle of the + earth army, saw it strike the breastplate of a gigantic and fierce-looking + warrior. Immediately on feeling the blow, he seemed to take it for granted + that somebody had struck him; and, uplifting his weapon, he smote his next + neighbor a blow that cleft his helmet asunder, and stretched him on the + ground. In an instant, those nearest the fallen warrior began to strike at + one another with their swords, and stab with their spears. The confusion + spread wider and wider. Each man smote down his brother, and was himself + smitten down before he had time to exult in his victory. The trumpeters, + all the while, blew their blasts shriller and shriller; each soldier + shouted a battle cry, and often fell with it on his lips. It was the + strangest spectacle of causeless wrath, and of mischief for no good end, + that had ever been witnessed; but, after all, it was neither more foolish + nor more wicked than a thousand battles that have since been fought, in + which men have slain their brothers with just as little reason as these + children of the dragon's teeth. It ought to be considered, too, that the + dragon people were made for nothing else; whereas other mortals were born + to love and help one another. + </p> + <p> + Well, this memorable battle continued to rage until the ground was strewn + with helmeted heads that had been cut off. Of all the thousands that began + the fight, there were only five left standing. These now rushed from + different parts of the field, and, meeting in the middle of it, clashed + their swords, and struck at each other's hearts as fiercely as ever. + </p> + <p> + "Cadmus," said the voice again, "bid those five warriors sheathe their + swords. They will help you to build the city." + </p> + <p> + Without hesitating an instant, Cadmus stepped forward, with the aspect of + a king and a leader, and extending his drawn sword amongst them, spoke to + the warriors in a stern and commanding voice. + </p> + <p> + "Sheathe your weapons!" said he. + </p> + <p> + And forthwith, feeling themselves bound to obey him, the five remaining + sons of the dragon's teeth made him a military salute with their swords, + returned them to the scabbards, and stood before Cadmus in a rank, eyeing + him as soldiers eye their captain, while awaiting the word of command. + </p> + <p> + These five men had probably sprung from the biggest of the dragon's teeth, + and were the boldest and strongest of the whole army. They were almost + giants indeed, and had good need to be so, else they never could have + lived through so terrible a fight. They still had a very furious look, + and, if Cadmus happened to glance aside, would glare at one another, with + fire flashing out of their eyes. It was strange, too, to observe how the + earth, out of which they had so lately grown, was incrusted, here and + there, on their bright breastplates, and even, begrimed their faces; just + as you may have seen it clinging to beets and carrots, when pulled out of + their native soil. Cadmus hardly knew whether to consider them as men, or + some odd kind of vegetable; although, on the whole, he concluded that + there was human nature in them, because they were so fond of trumpets and + weapons, and so ready to shed blood. + </p> + <p> + They looked him earnestly in the face, waiting for his next order, and + evidently desiring no other employment than to follow him from one + battlefield to another, all over the wide world. But Cadmus was wiser than + these earth-born creatures, with the dragon's fierceness in them, and knew + better how to use their strength and hardihood. + </p> + <p> + "Come!" said he. "You are sturdy fellows. Make yourselves useful! Quarry + some stones with those great swords of yours, and help me to build a + city." + </p> + <p> + The five soldiers grumbled a little, and muttered that it was their + business to overthrow cities, not to build them up. But Cadmus looked at + them with a stern eye, and spoke to them in a tone of authority, so that + they knew him for their master, and never again thought of disobeying his + commands. They set to work in good earnest, and toiled so diligently, + that, in a very short time, a city began to make its appearance. At first, + to be sure, the workmen showed a quarrelsome disposition. Like savage + beasts, they would doubtless have done one another a mischief, if Cadmus + had not kept watch over them, and quelled the fierce old serpent that + lurked in their hearts, when he saw it gleaming out of their wild eyes. + But, in course of time, they got accustomed to honest labor, and had sense + enough to feel that there was more true enjoyment in living at peace, and + doing good to one's neighbor, than in striking at him with a two-edged + sword. It may not be too much to hope that the rest of mankind will by and + by grow as wise and peaceable as these five earth-begrimed warriors, who + sprang from the dragon's teeth. + </p> + <p> + And now the city was built, and there was a home in it for each of the + workmen. But the palace of Cadmus was not yet erected, because they had + left it till the last, meaning to introduce all the new improvements of + architecture, and make it very commodious, as well as stately and + beautiful. After finishing the rest of their labors, they all went to bed + betimes, in order to rise in the gray of the morning, and get at least the + foundation of the edifice laid before nightfall. But, when Cadmus arose, + and took his way towards the site where the palace was to be built, + followed by his five sturdy workmen marching all in a row, what do you + think he saw? + </p> + <p> + What should it be but the most magnificent palace that had ever been seen + in the world. It was built of marble and other beautiful kinds of stone, + and rose high into the air, with a splendid dome and a portico along the + front, and carved pillars, and everything else that befitted the + habitation of a mighty king. It had grown up out of the earth in almost as + short a time as it had taken the armed host to spring from the dragon's + teeth; and what made the matter more strange, no seed of this stately + edifice ever had been planted. + </p> + <p> + When the five workmen beheld the dome, with the morning sunshine making it + look golden and glorious, they gave a great shout. + </p> + <p> + "Long live King Cadmus," they cried, "in his beautiful palace." + </p> + <p> + And the new king, with his five faithful followers at his heels, + shouldering their pickaxes and marching in a rank (for they still had a + soldier-like sort of behavior, as their nature was), ascended the palace + steps. Halting at the entrance, they gazed through a long vista of lofty + pillars, that were ranged from end to end of a great hall. At the farther + extremity of this hall, approaching slowly towards him, Cadmus beheld a + female figure, wonderfully beautiful, and adorned with a royal robe, and a + crown of diamonds over her golden ringlets, and the richest necklace that + ever a queen wore. His heart thrilled with delight. He fancied it his + long-lost sister Europa, now grown to womanhood, coming to make him happy, + and to repay him with her sweet sisterly affection, for all those weary + wonderings in quest of her since he left King Agenor's palace—for + the tears that he had shed, on parting with Phoenix, and Cilix, and Thasus—for + the heart-breakings that had made the whole world seem dismal to him over + his dear mother's grave. + </p> + <p> + But, as Cadmus advanced to meet the beautiful stranger, he saw that her + features were unknown to him, although, in the little time that it + required to tread along the hall, he had already felt a sympathy betwixt + himself and her. + </p> + <p> + "No, Cadmus," said the same voice that had spoken to him in the field of + the armed men, "this is not that dear sister Europa whom you have sought + so faithfully all over the wide world. This is Harmonia, a daughter of the + sky, who is given you instead of sister, and brothers, and friend, and + mother. You will find all those dear ones in her alone." + </p> + <p> + So King Cadmus dwelt in the palace, with his new friend Harmonia, and + found a great deal of comfort in his magnificent abode, but would + doubtless have found as much, if not more, in the humblest cottage by the + wayside. Before many years went by, there was a group of rosy little + children (but how they came thither has always been a mystery to me) + sporting in the great hall, and on the marble steps of the palace, and + running joyfully to meet King Cadmus when affairs of state left him at + leisure to play with them. They called him father, and Queen Harmonia + mother. The five old soldiers of the dragon's teeth grew very fond of + these small urchins, and were never weary of showing them how to shoulder + sticks, flourish wooden swords, and march in military order, blowing a + penny trumpet, or beating an abominable rub-a-dub upon a little drum. + </p> + <p> + But King Cadmus, lest there should be too much of the dragon's tooth in + his children's disposition, used to find time from his kingly duties to + teach them their A B C—which he invented for their benefit, and for + which many little people, I am afraid, are not half so grateful to him as + they ought to be. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0003" id="link2H_4_0003"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + CIRCE'S PALACE. + </h2> + <p> + Some of you have heard, no doubt, of the wise King Ulysses, and how he + went to the siege of Troy, and how, after that famous city was taken and + burned, he spent ten long years in trying to get back again to his own + little kingdom of Ithaca. At one time in the course of this weary voyage, + he arrived at an island that looked very green and pleasant, but the name + of which was unknown to him. For, only a little while before he came + thither, he had met with a terrible hurricane, or rather a great many + hurricanes at once, which drove his fleet of vessels into a strange part + of the sea, where neither himself nor any of his mariners had ever sailed. + This misfortune was entirely owing to the foolish curiosity of his + shipmates, who, while Ulysses lay asleep, had untied some very bulky + leathern bags, in which they supposed a valuable treasure to be concealed. + But in each of these stout bags, King Aeolus, the ruler of the winds, had + tied up a tempest, and had given it to Ulysses to keep in order that he + might be sure of a favorable passage homeward to Ithaca; and when the + strings were loosened, forth rushed the whistling blasts, like air out of + a blown bladder, whitening the sea with foam, and scattering the vessels + nobody could tell whither. + </p> + <p> + Immediately after escaping from this peril, a still greater one had + befallen him. Scudding before the hurricane, he reached a place, which, as + he afterwards found, was called Laestrygonia, where some monstrous giants + had eaten up many of his companions, and had sunk every one of his + vessels, except that in which he himself sailed, by flinging great masses + of rock at them, from the cliffs along the shore. After going through such + troubles as these, you cannot wonder that King Ulysses was glad to moor + his tempest-beaten bark in a quiet cove of the green island, which I began + with telling you about. But he had encountered so many dangers from + giants, and one-eyed Cyclops, and monsters of the sea and land, that he + could not help dreading some mischief, even in this pleasant and seemingly + solitary spot. For two days, therefore, the poor weather-worn voyagers + kept quiet, and either staid on board of their vessel, or merely crept + along under the cliffs that bordered the shore; and to keep themselves + alive, they dug shellfish out of the sand, and sought for any little rill + of fresh water that might be running towards the sea. + </p> + <p> + Before the two days were spent, they grew very weary of this kind of life; + for the followers of King Ulysses, as you will find it important to + remember, were terrible gormandizers, and pretty sure to grumble if they + missed their regulars meals, and their irregular ones besides. Their stock + of provisions was quite exhausted, and even the shellfish began to get + scarce, so that they had now to choose between starving to death or + venturing into the interior of the island, where perhaps some huge + three-headed dragon, or other horrible monster, had his den. Such + misshapen creatures were very numerous in those days; and nobody ever + expected to make a voyage, or take a journey, without running more or less + risk of being devoured by them. + </p> + <p> + But King Ulysses was a bold man as well as a prudent one; and on the third + morning he determined to discover what sort of a place the island was, and + whether it were possible to obtain a supply of food for the hungry mouths + of his companions. So, taking a spear in his hand, he clambered to the + summit of a cliff, and gazed round about him. At a distance, towards the + center of the island, he beheld the stately towers of what seemed to be a + palace, built of snow-white marble, and rising in the midst of a grove of + lofty trees. The thick branches of these trees stretched across the front + of the edifice, and more than half concealed it, although, from the + portion which he saw, Ulysses judged it to be spacious and exceedingly + beautiful, and probably the residence of some great nobleman or prince. A + blue smoke went curling up from the chimney, and was almost the + pleasantest part of the spectacle to Ulysses. For, from the abundance of + this smoke, it was reasonable to conclude that there was a good fire in + the kitchen, and that, at dinner-time, a plentiful banquet would be served + up to the inhabitants of the palace, and to whatever guests might happen + to drop in. + </p> + <p> + With so agreeable a prospect before him, Ulysses fancied that he could not + do better than go straight to the palace gate, and tell the master of it + that there was a crew of poor shipwrecked mariners, not far off, who had + eaten nothing for a day or two, save a few clams and oysters, and would + therefore be thankful for a little food. And the prince or nobleman must + be a very stingy curmudgeon, to be sure, if, at least, when his own dinner + was over, he would not bid them welcome to the broken victuals from the + table. + </p> + <p> + Pleasing himself with this idea, King Ulysses had made a few steps in the + direction of the palace, when there was a great twittering and chirping + from the branch of a neighboring tree. A moment afterwards, a bird came + flying towards him, and hovered in the air, so as almost to brush his face + with its wings. It was a very pretty little bird, with purple wings and + body, and yellow legs, and a circle of golden feathers round its neck, and + on its head a golden tuft, which looked like a king's crown in miniature. + Ulysses tried to catch the bird. But it fluttered nimbly out of his reach, + still chirping in a piteous tone, as if it could have told a lamentable + story, had it only been gifted with human language. And when he attempted + to drive it away, the bird flew no farther than the bough of the next + tree, and again came fluttering about his head, with its doleful chirp, as + soon as he showed a purpose of going forward. + </p> + <p> + "Have you anything to tell me, little bird?" asked Ulysses. + </p> + <p> + And he was ready to listen attentively to whatever the bird might + communicate; for, at the siege of Troy, and elsewhere, he had known such + odd things to happen, that he would not have considered it much out of the + common run had this little feathered creature talked as plainly as + himself. + </p> + <p> + "Peep!" said the bird, "peep, peep, pe—weep!" And nothing else would + it say, but only, "Peep, peep, pe—weep!" in a melancholy cadence, + and over and over and over again. As often as Ulysses moved forward, + however, the bird showed the greatest alarm, and did its best to drive him + back, with the anxious flutter of its purple wings. Its unaccountable + behavior made him conclude, at last, that the bird knew of some danger + that awaited him, and which must needs be very terrible, beyond all + question, since it moved even a little fowl to feel compassion for a human + being. So he resolved, for the present, to return to the vessel, and tell + his companions what he had seen. + </p> + <p> + This appeared to satisfy the bird. As soon as Ulysses turned back, it ran + up the trunk of a tree, and began to pick insects out of the bark with its + long, sharp bill; for it was a kind of woodpecker, you must know, and had + to get its living in the same manner as other birds of that species. But + every little while, as it pecked at the bark of the tree, the purple bird + bethought itself of some secret sorrow, and repeated its plaintive note of + "Peep, peep, pe—weep!" + </p> + <p> + On his way to the shore, Ulysses had the good luck to kill a large stag by + thrusting his spear into his back. Taking it on his shoulders (for he was + a remarkably strong man), he lugged it along with him, and flung it down + before his hungry companions. I have already hinted to you what + gormandizers some of the comrades of King Ulysses were. From what is + related of them, I reckon that their favorite diet was pork, and that they + had lived upon it until a good part of their physical substance was + swine's flesh, and their tempers and dispositions were very much akin to + the hog. A dish of venison, however, was no unacceptable meal to them, + especially after feeding so long on oysters and clams. So, beholding the + dead stag, they felt of its ribs, in a knowing way, and lost no time in + kindling a fire of driftwood, to cook it. The rest of the day was spent in + feasting; and if these enormous eaters got up from table at sunset, it was + only because they could not scrape another morsel off the poor animal's + bones. + </p> + <p> + The next morning, their appetites were as sharp as ever. They looked at + Ulysses, as if they expected him to clamber up the cliff again, and come + back with another fat deer upon his shoulders. Instead of setting out, + however, he summoned the whole crew together, and told them it was in vain + to hope that he could kill a stag every day for their dinner, and + therefore it was advisable to think of some other mode of satisfying their + hunger. + </p> + <p> + "Now," said he, "when I was on the cliff, yesterday, I discovered that + this island is inhabited. At a considerable distance from the shore stood + a marble palace, which appeared to be very spacious, and had a great deal + of smoke curling out of one of its chimneys." + </p> + <p> + "Aha!" muttered some of his companions, smacking their lips. "That smoke + must have come from the kitchen fire. There was a good dinner on the spit; + and no doubt there will be as good a one to-day." + </p> + <p> + "But," continued the wise Ulysses, "you must remember, my good friends, + our misadventure in the cavern of one-eyed Polyphemus, the Cyclops! + Instead of his ordinary milk diet, did he not eat up two of our comrades + for his supper, and a couple more for breakfast, and two at his supper + again? Methinks I see him yet, the hideous monster, scanning us with that + great red eye, in the middle of his forehead, to single out the fattest. + And then, again, only a few days ago, did we not fall into the hands of + the king of the Laestrygons, and those other horrible giants, his + subjects, who devoured a great many more of us than are now left? To tell + you the truth, if we go to yonder palace, there can be no question that we + shall make our appearance at the dinner table; but whether seated as + guests, or served up as food, is a point to be seriously considered." + </p> + <p> + "Either way," murmured some of the hungriest of the crew; "it will be + better than starvation; particularly if one could be sure of being well + fattened beforehand, and daintily cooked afterwards." + </p> + <p> + "That is a matter of taste," said King Ulysses, "and, for my own part, + neither the most careful fattening nor the daintiest of cookery would + reconcile me to being dished at last. My proposal is, therefore, that we + divide ourselves into two equal parties, and ascertain, by drawing lots, + which of the two shall go to the palace, and beg for food and assistance. + If these can be obtained, all is well. If not, and if the inhabitants + prove as inhospitable as Polyphemus, or the Laestrygons, then there will + but half of us perish, and the remainder may set sail and escape." + </p> + <p> + As nobody objected to this scheme, Ulysses proceeded to count the whole + band, and found that there were forty-six men, including himself. He then + numbered off twenty-two of them, and put Eurylochus (who was one of his + chief officers, and second only to himself in sagacity) at their head. + Ulysses took command of the remaining twenty-two men, in person. Then, + taking off his helmet, he put two shells into it, on one of which was + written, "Go," and on the other "Stay." Another person now held the + helmet, while Ulysses and Eurylochus drew out each a shell; and the word + "Go" was found written on that which Eurylochus had drawn. In this manner, + it was decided that Ulysses and his twenty-two men were to remain at the + seaside until the other party should have found out what sort of treatment + they might expect at the mysterious palace. As there was no help for it, + Eurylochus immediately set forth at the head of his twenty-two followers, + who went off in a very melancholy state of mind, leaving their friends in + hardly better spirits than themselves. + </p> + <p> + No sooner had they clambered up the cliff, than they discerned the tall + marble towers of the palace, ascending, as white as snow, out of the + lovely green shadow of the trees which surrounded it. A gush of smoke came + from a chimney in the rear of the edifice. This vapor rose high in the + air, and, meeting with a breeze, was wafted seaward, and made to pass over + the heads of the hungry mariners. When people's appetites are keen, they + have a very quick scent for anything savory in the wind. + </p> + <p> + "That smoke comes from the kitchen!" cried one of them, turning up his + nose as high as he could, and snuffing eagerly. "And, as sure as I'm a + half-starved vagabond, I smell roast meat in it." + </p> + <p> + "Pig, roast pig!" said another. "Ah, the dainty little porker. My mouth + waters for him." + </p> + <p> + "Let us make haste," cried the others, "or we shall be too late for the + good cheer!" + </p> + <p> + But scarcely had they made half a dozen steps from the edge of the cliff, + when a bird came fluttering to meet them. It was the same pretty little + bird, with the purple wings and body, the yellow legs, the golden collar + round its neck, and the crown-like tuft upon its head, whose behavior had + so much surprised Ulysses. It hovered about Eurylochus, and almost brushed + his face with its wings. + </p> + <p> + "Peep, peep, pe—weep!" chirped the bird. + </p> + <p> + So plaintively intelligent was the sound, that it seemed as if the little + creature were going to break its heart with some mighty secret that it had + to tell, and only this one poor note to tell it with. + </p> + <p> + "My pretty bird," said Eurylochus—for he was a wary person, and let + no token of harm escape his notice—"my pretty bird, who sent you + hither? And what is the message which you bring?" + </p> + <p> + "Peep, peep, pe—weep!" replied the bird, very sorrowfully. + </p> + <p> + Then it flew towards the edge of the cliff, and looked around at them, as + if exceedingly anxious that they should return whence they came. + Eurylochus and a few of the others were inclined to turn back. They could + not help suspecting that the purple bird must be aware of something + mischievous that would befall them at the palace, and the knowledge of + which affected its airy spirit with a human sympathy and sorrow. But the + rest of the voyagers, snuffing up the smoke from the palace kitchen, + ridiculed the idea of returning to the vessel. One of them (more brutal + than his fellows, and the most notorious gormandizer in the crew) said + such a cruel and wicked thing, that I wonder the mere thought did not turn + him into a wild beast, in shape, as he already was in his nature. + </p> + <p> + "This troublesome and impertinent little fowl," said he, "would make a + delicate titbit to begin dinner with. Just one plump morsel, melting away + between the teeth. If he comes within my reach, I'll catch him, and give + him to the palace cook to be roasted on a skewer." + </p> + <p> + The words were hardly out of his mouth, before the purple bird flew away, + crying, "Peep, peep, pe—weep," more dolorously than ever. + </p> + <p> + "That bird," remarked Eurylochus, "knows more than we do about what awaits + us at the palace." + </p> + <p> + "Come on, then," cried his comrades, "and we'll soon know as much as he + does." + </p> + <p> + The party, accordingly, went onward through the green and pleasant wood. + Every little while they caught new glimpses of the marble palace, which + looked more and more beautiful the nearer they approached it. They soon + entered a broad pathway, which seemed to be very neatly kept, and which + went winding along, with streaks of sunshine falling across it and specks + of light quivering among the deepest shadows that fell from the lofty + trees. It was bordered, too, with a great many sweet-smelling flowers, + such as the mariners had never seen before. So rich and beautiful they + were, that, if the shrubs grew wild here, and were native in the soil, + then this island was surely the flower garden of the whole earth; or, if + transplanted from some other clime, it must have been from the Happy + Islands that lay towards the golden sunset. + </p> + <p> + "There has been a great deal of pains foolishly wasted on these flowers," + observed one of the company; and I tell you what he said, that you may + keep in mind what gormandizers they were. "For my part, if I were the + owner of the palace, I would bid my gardener cultivate nothing but savory + pot herbs to make a stuffing for roast meat, or to flavor a stew with." + </p> + <p> + "Well said!" cried the others. "But I'll warrant you there's a kitchen + garden in the rear of the palace." + </p> + <p> + At one place they came to a crystal spring, and paused to drink at it for + want of liquor which they liked better. Looking into its bosom, they + beheld their own faces dimly reflected, but so extravagantly distorted by + the gush and motion of the water, that each one of them appeared to be + laughing at himself and all his companions. So ridiculous were these + images of themselves, indeed, that they did really laugh aloud, and could + hardly be grave again as soon as they wished. And after they had drank, + they grew still merrier than before. + </p> + <p> + "It has a twang of the wine cask in it," said one, smacking his lips. + </p> + <p> + "Make haste!" cried his fellows: "we'll find the wine cask itself at the + palace, and that will be better than a hundred crystal fountains." + </p> + <p> + Then they quickened their pace, and capered for joy at the thought of the + savory banquet at which they hoped to be guests. But Eurylochus told them + that he felt as if he were walking in a dream. + </p> + <p> + "If I am really awake," continued he, "then, in my opinion, we are on the + point of meeting with some stranger adventure than any that befell us in + the cave of Polyphemus, or among the gigantic man-eating Laestrygons, or + in the windy palace of King Aeolus, which stands on a brazen-walled + island. This kind of dreamy feeling always comes over me before any + wonderful occurrence. If you take my advice, you will turn back." + </p> + <p> + "No, no," answered his comrades, snuffing the air, in which the scent from + the palace kitchen was now very perceptible. "We would not turn back, + though we were certain that the king of the Laestrygons, as big as a + mountain, would sit at the head of the table, and huge Polyphemus, the + one-eyed Cyclops, at its foot." + </p> + <p> + At length they came within full sight of the palace, which proved to be + very large and lofty, with a great number of airy pinnacles upon its roof. + Though it was midday, and the sun shone brightly over the marble front, + yet its snowy whiteness, and its fantastic style of architecture, made it + look unreal, like the frost work on a window pane, or like the shapes of + castles which one sees among the clouds by moonlight. But, just then, a + puff of wind brought down the smoke of the kitchen chimney among them, and + caused each man to smell the odor of the dish that he liked best; and, + after scenting it, they thought everything else moonshine, and nothing + real save this palace, and save the banquet that was evidently ready to be + served up in it. + </p> + <p> + So they hastened their steps towards the portal, but had not got half way + across the wide lawn, when a pack of lions, tigers, and wolves came + bounding to meet them. The terrified mariners started back, expecting no + better fate than to be torn to pieces and devoured. To their surprise and + joy, however, these wild beasts merely capered around them, wagging their + tails, offering their heads to be stroked and patted, and behaving just + like so many well-bred house dogs, when they wish to express their delight + at meeting their master, or their master's friends. The biggest lion + licked the feet of Eurylochus; and every other lion, and every wolf and + tiger, singled out one of his two and twenty followers, whom the beast + fondled as if he loved him better than a beef bone. + </p> + <p> + But, for all that, Eurylochus imagined that he saw something fierce and + savage in their eyes; nor would he have been surprised, at any moment, to + feel the big lion's terrible claws, or to see each of the tigers make a + deadly spring, or each wolf leap at the throat of the man whom he had + fondled. Their mildness seemed unreal, and a mere freak; but their savage + nature was as true as their teeth and claws. + </p> + <p> + Nevertheless, the men went safely across the lawn with the wild beasts + frisking about them, and doing no manner of harm; although, as they + mounted the steps of the palace, you might possibly have heard a low + growl, particularly from the wolves; as if they thought it a pity, after + all, to let the strangers pass without so much as tasting what they were + made of. + </p> + <p> + Eurylochus and his followers now passed under a lofty portal, and looked + through the open doorway into the interior of the palace. The first thing + that they saw was a spacious hall, and a fountain in the middle of it, + gushing up towards the ceiling out of a marble basin, and falling back + into it with a continual plash. The water of this fountain, as it spouted + upward, was constantly taking new shapes, not very distinctly, but plainly + enough for a nimble fancy to recognize what they were. Now it was the + shape of a man in a long robe, the fleecy whiteness of which was made out + of the fountain's spray; now it was a lion, or a tiger, or a wolf, or an + ass, or, as often as anything else, a hog, wallowing in the marble basin + as if it were his sty. It was either magic or some very curious machinery + that caused the gushing waterspout to assume all these forms. But, before + the strangers had time to look closely at this wonderful sight, their + attention was drawn off by a very sweet and agreeable sound. A woman's + voice was singing melodiously in another room of the palace, and with her + voice was mingled the noise of a loom, at which she was probably seated, + weaving a rich texture of cloth, and intertwining the high and low + sweetness of her voice into a rich tissue of harmony. + </p> + <p> + By and by, the song came to an end; and then, all at once, there were + several feminine voices, talking airily and cheerfully, with now and then + a merry burst of laughter, such as you may always hear when three or four + young women sit at work together. + </p> + <p> + "What a sweet song that was!" exclaimed one of the voyagers. + </p> + <p> + "Too sweet, indeed," answered Eurylochus, shaking his head. "Yet it was + not so sweet as the song of the Sirens, those bird-like damsels who wanted + to tempt us on the rocks, so that our vessel might be wrecked, and our + bones left whitening along the shore." + </p> + <p> + "But just listen to the pleasant voices of those maidens, and that buzz of + the loom, as the shuttle passes to and fro," said another comrade. "What a + domestic, household, home-like sound it is! Ah, before that weary siege of + Troy, I used to hear the buzzing loom and the women's voices under my own + roof. Shall I never hear them again? nor taste those nice little savory + dishes which my dearest wife knew how to serve up?" + </p> + <p> + "Tush! we shall fare better here," said another. "But how innocently those + women are babbling together, without guessing that we overhear them! And + mark that richest voice of all, so pleasant and so familiar, but which yet + seems to have the authority of a mistress among them. Let us show + ourselves at once. What harm can the lady of the palace and her maidens do + to mariners and warriors like us?" + </p> + <p> + "Remember," said Eurylochus, "that it was a young maiden who beguiled + three of our friends into the palace of the king of the Laestrygons, who + ate up one of them in the twinkling of an eye." + </p> + <p> + No warning or persuasion, however, had any effect on his companions. They + went up to a pair of folding doors at the farther end of the hall, and + throwing them wide open, passed into the next room. Eurylochus, meanwhile, + had stepped behind a pillar. In the short moment while the folding doors + opened and closed again, he caught a glimpse of a very beautiful woman + rising from the loom, and coming to meet the poor weather-beaten + wanderers, with a hospitable smile, and her hand stretched out in welcome. + There were four other young women, who joined their hands and danced + merrily forward, making gestures of obeisance to the strangers. They were + only less beautiful than the lady who seemed to be their mistress. Yet + Eurylochus fancied that one of them had sea-green hair, and that the + close-fitting bodice of a second looked like the bark of a tree, and that + both the others had something odd in their aspect, although he could not + quite determine what it was, in the little while that he had to examine + them. + </p> + <p> + The folding doors swung quickly back, and left him standing behind the + pillar, in the solitude of the outer hall. There Eurylochus waited until + he was quite weary, and listened eagerly to every sound, but without + hearing anything that could help him to guess what had become of his + friends. Footsteps, it is true, seemed to be passing and repassing, in + other parts of the palace. Then there was a clatter of silver dishes, or + golden ones, which made him imagine a rich feast in a splendid banqueting + hall. But by and by he heard a tremendous grunting and squealing, and then + a sudden scampering, like that of small, hard hoofs over a marble floor, + while the voices of the mistress and her four handmaidens were screaming + all together, in tones of anger and derision. Eurylochus could not + conceive what had happened, unless a drove of swine had broken into the + palace, attracted by the smell of the feast. Chancing to cast his eyes at + the fountain, he saw that it did not shift its shape, as formerly, nor + looked either like a long-robed man, or a lion, a tiger, a wolf, or an + ass. It looked like nothing but a hog, which lay wallowing in the marble + basin, and filled it from brim to brim. + </p> + <p> + But we must leave the prudent Eurylochus waiting in the outer hall, and + follow his friends into the inner secrecy of the palace. As soon as the + beautiful woman saw them, she arose from the loom, as I have told you, and + came forward, smiling, and stretching out her hand. She took the hand of + the foremost among them, and bade him and the whole party welcome. + </p> + <p> + "You have been long expected, my good friends," said she. "I and my + maidens are well acquainted with you, although you do not appear to + recognize us. Look at this piece of tapestry, and judge if your faces must + not have been familiar to us." + </p> + <p> + So the voyagers examined the web of cloth which the beautiful woman had + been weaving in her loom; and, to their vast astonishment, they saw their + own figures perfectly represented in different colored threads. It was a + life-like picture of their recent adventures, showing them in the cave of + Polyphemus, and how they had put out his one great moony eye; while in + another part of the tapestry they were untying the leathern bags, puffed + out with contrary winds; and farther on, they beheld themselves scampering + away from the gigantic king of the Laestrygons, who had caught one of them + by the leg. Lastly, there they were, sitting on the desolate shore of this + very island, hungry and downcast, and looking ruefully at the bare bones + of the stag which they devoured yesterday. This was as far as the work had + yet proceeded; but when the beautiful woman should again sit down at her + loom, she would probably make a picture of what had since happened to the + strangers, and of what was now going to happen. + </p> + <p> + "You see," she said, "that I know all about your troubles; and you cannot + doubt that I desire to make you happy for as long a time as you may remain + with me. For this purpose, my honored guests, I have ordered a banquet to + be prepared. Fish, fowl, and flesh, roasted, and in luscious stews, and + seasoned, I trust, to all your tastes, are ready to be served up. If your + appetites tell you it is dinner time, then come with me to the festal + saloon." + </p> + <p> + At this kind invitation, the hungry mariners were quite overjoyed; and one + of them, taking upon himself to be spokesman, assured their hospitable + hostess that any hour of the day was dinner time with them, whenever they + could get flesh to put in the pot, and fire to boil it with. So the + beautiful woman led the way; and the four maidens (one of them had + sea-green hair, another a bodice of oak bark, a third sprinkled a shower + of water drops from her fingers' ends, and the fourth had some other + oddity, which I have forgotten), all these followed behind, and hurried + the guests along, until they entered a magnificent saloon. It was built in + a perfect oval, and lighted from a crystal dome above. Around the walls + were ranged two and twenty thrones, overhung by canopies of crimson and + gold, and provided with the softest of cushions, which were tasselled and + fringed with gold cord. Each of the strangers was invited to sit down; and + there they were, two and twenty storm-beaten mariners, in worn and + tattered garb, sitting on two and twenty cushioned and canopied thrones, + so rich and gorgeous that the proudest monarch had nothing more splendid + in his stateliest hall. + </p> + <p> + Then you might have seen the guests nodding, winking with one eye, and + leaning from one throne to another, to communicate their satisfaction in + hoarse whispers. + </p> + <p> + "Our good hostess has made kings of us all," said one. "Ha! do you smell + the feast? I'll engage it will be fit to set before two and twenty kings." + </p> + <p> + "I hope," said another, "it will be, mainly, good substantial joints, + sirloins, spareribs, and hinder quarters, without too many kickshaws. If I + thought the good lady would not take it amiss, I should call for a fat + slice of fried bacon to begin with." + </p> + <p> + Ah, the gluttons and gormandizers! You see how it was with them. In the + loftiest seats of dignity, on royal thrones, they could think of nothing + but their greedy appetite, which was the portion of their nature that they + shared with wolves and swine; so that they resembled those vilest of + animals far more than they did kings—if, indeed, kings were what + they ought to be. + </p> + <p> + But the beautiful woman now clapped her hands; and immediately there + entered a train of two and twenty serving men, bringing dishes of the + richest food, all hot from the kitchen fire, and sending up such a steam + that it hung like a cloud below the crystal dome of the saloon. An equal + number of attendants brought great flagons of wine, of various kinds, some + of which sparkled as it was poured out, and went bubbling down the throat; + while, of other sorts, the purple liquor was so clear that you could see + the wrought figures at the bottom of the goblet. While the servants + supplied the two and twenty guests with food and drink, the hostess and + her four maidens went from one throne to another, exhorting them to eat + their fill, and to quaff wine abundantly, and thus to recompense + themselves, at this one banquet, for the many days when they had gone + without a dinner. But whenever the mariners were not looking at them + (which was pretty often, as they looked chiefly into the basins and + platters), the beautiful woman and her damsels turned aside, and laughed. + Even the servants, as they knelt down to present the dishes, might be seen + to grin and sneer, while the guests were helping themselves to the offered + dainties. + </p> + <p> + And, once in a while, the strangers seemed to taste something that they + did not like. + </p> + <p> + "Here is an odd kind of spice in this dish," said one. "I can't say it + quite suits my palate. Down it goes, however." + </p> + <p> + "Send a good draught of wine down your throat," said his comrade on the + next throne. "That is the stuff to make this sort of cookery relish well. + Though I must needs say, the wine has a queer taste too. But the more I + drink of it, the better I like the flavor." + </p> + <p> + Whatever little fault they might find with the dishes, they sat at dinner + a prodigiously long while; and it would really have made you ashamed to + see how they swilled down the liquor and gobbled up the food. They sat on + golden thrones, to be sure; but they behaved like pigs in a sty; and, if + they had had their wits about them, they might have guessed that this was + the opinion of their beautiful hostess and her maidens. It brings a blush + into my face to reckon up, in my own mind, what mountains of meat and + pudding, and what gallons of wine, these two and twenty guzzlers and + gormandizers ate and drank. They forgot all about their homes, and their + wives and children, and all about Ulysses, and everything else, except + this banquet, at which they wanted to keep feasting forever. But at length + they began to give over, from mere incapacity to hold any more. + </p> + <p> + "That last bit of fat is too much for me," said one. + </p> + <p> + "And I have not room for another morsel," said his next neighbor, heaving + a sigh. "What a pity! My appetite is as sharp as ever." + </p> + <p> + In short, they all left off eating, and leaned back on their thrones, with + such a stupid and helpless aspect as made them ridiculous to behold. When + their hostess saw this, she laughed aloud; so did her four damsels; so did + the two and twenty serving men that bore the dishes, and their two and + twenty fellows that poured out the wine. And the louder they all laughed, + the more stupid and helpless did the two and twenty gormandizers look. + Then the beautiful woman took her stand in the middle of the saloon, and + stretching out a slender rod (it had been all the while in her hand, + although they never noticed it till this moment), she turned it from one + guest to another, until each had felt it pointed at himself. Beautiful as + her face was, and though there was a smile on it, it looked just as wicked + and mischievous as the ugliest serpent that ever was seen; and fat-witted + as the voyagers had made themselves, they began to suspect that they had + fallen into the power of an evil-minded enchantress. + </p> + <p> + "Wretches," cried she, "you have abused a lady's hospitality; and in this + princely saloon your behavior has been suited to a hog-pen. You are + already swine in everything but the human form, which you disgrace, and + which I myself should be ashamed to keep a moment longer, were you to + share it with me. But it will require only the slightest exercise of magic + to make the exterior conform to the hoggish disposition. Assume your + proper shapes, gormandizers, and begone to the sty!" + </p> + <p> + Uttering these last words, she waved her wand; and stamping her foot + imperiously, each of the guests was struck aghast at beholding, instead of + his comrades in human shape, one and twenty hogs sitting on the same + number of golden thrones. Each man (as he still supposed himself to be) + essayed to give a cry of surprise, but found that he could merely grunt, + and that, in a word, he was just such another beast as his companions. It + looked so intolerably absurd to see hogs on cushioned thrones, that they + made haste to wallow down upon all fours, like other swine. They tried to + groan and beg for mercy, but forthwith emitted the most awful grunting and + squealing that ever came out of swinish throats. They would have wrung + their hands in despair, but, attempting to do so, grew all the more + desperate for seeing themselves squatted on their hams, and pawing the air + with their fore trotters. Dear me! what pendulous ears they had! what + little red eyes, half buried in fat! and what long snouts, instead of + Grecian noses! + </p> + <p> + But brutes as they certainly were, they yet had enough of human nature in + them to be shocked at their own hideousness; and still intending to groan, + they uttered a viler grunt and squeal than before. So harsh and + ear-piercing it was, that you would have fancied a butcher was sticking + his knife into each of their throats, or, at the very least, that somebody + was pulling every hog by his funny little twist of a tail. + </p> + <p> + "Begone to your sty!" cried the enchantress, giving them some smart + strokes with her wand; and then she turned to the serving men—"Drive + out these swine, and throw down some acorns for them to eat." + </p> + <p> + The door of the saloon being flung open, the drove of hogs ran in all + directions save the right one, in accordance with their hoggish + perversity, but were finally driven into the back yard of the palace. It + was a sight to bring tears into one's eyes (and I hope none of you will be + cruel enough to laugh at it), to see the poor creatures go snuffing along, + picking up here a cabbage leaf and there a turnip top, and rooting their + noses in the earth for whatever they could find. In their sty, moreover, + they behaved more piggishly than the pigs that had been born so; for they + bit and snorted at one another, put their feet in the trough, and gobbled + up their victuals in a ridiculous hurry; and, when there was nothing more + to be had, they made a great pile of themselves among some unclean straw, + and fell fast asleep. If they had any human reason left, it was just + enough to keep them wondering when they should be slaughtered, and what + quality of bacon they should make. + </p> + <p> + Meantime, as I told you before, Eurylochus had waited, and waited, and + waited, in the entrance hall of the palace, without being able to + comprehend what had befallen his friends. At last, when the swinish uproar + resounded through the palace, and when he saw the image of a hog in the + marble basin, he thought it best to hasten back to the vessel, and inform + the wise Ulysses of these marvelous occurrences. So he ran as fast as he + could down the steps, and never stopped to draw breath till he reached the + shore. + </p> + <p> + "Why do you come alone?" asked King Ulysses, as soon as he saw him. "Where + are your two and twenty comrades?" + </p> + <p> + At these questions, Eurylochus burst into tears. + </p> + <p> + "Alas!" he cried, "I greatly fear that we shall never see one of their + faces again." + </p> + <p> + Then he told Ulysses all that had happened, as far as he knew it, and + added that he suspected the beautiful woman to be a vile enchantress, and + the marble palace, magnificent as it looked, to be only a dismal cavern in + reality. As for his companions, he could not imagine what had become of + them, unless they had been given to the swine to be devoured alive. At + this intelligence, all the voyagers were greatly affrighted. But Ulysses + lost no time in girding on his sword, and hanging his bow and quiver over + his shoulders, and taking a spear in his right hand. When his followers + saw their wise leader making these preparations, they inquired whither he + was going, and earnestly besought him not to leave them. + </p> + <p> + "You are our king," cried they; "and what is more, you are the wisest man + in the whole world, and nothing but your wisdom and courage can get us out + of this danger. If you desert us, and go to the enchanted palace, you will + suffer the same fate as our poor companions, and not a soul of us will + ever see our dear Ithaca again." + </p> + <p> + "As I am your king," answered Ulysses, "and wiser than any of you, it is + therefore the more my duty to see what has befallen our comrades, and + whether anything can yet be done to rescue them. Wait for me here until + tomorrow. If I do not then return, you must hoist sail, and endeavor to + find your way to our native land. For my part, I am answerable for the + fate of these poor mariners, who have stood by my side in battle, and been + so often drenched to the skin, along with me, by the same tempestuous + surges. I will either bring them back with me, or perish." + </p> + <p> + Had his followers dared, they would have detained him by force. But King + Ulysses frowned sternly on them, and shook his spear, and bade them stop + him at their peril. Seeing him so determined, they let him go, and sat + down on the sand, as disconsolate a set of people as could be, waiting and + praying for his return. + </p> + <p> + It happened to Ulysses, just as before, that, when he had gone a few steps + from the edge of the cliff, the purple bird came fluttering towards him, + crying, "Peep, peep, pe—weep!" and using all the art it could to + persuade him to go no farther. + </p> + <p> + "What mean you, little bird?" cried Ulysses. "You are arrayed like a king + in purple and gold, and wear a golden crown upon your head. Is it because + I too am a king, that you desire so earnestly to speak with me? If you can + talk in human language, say what you would have me do." + </p> + <p> + "Peep!" answered the purple bird, very dolorously. "Peep, peep, pe—we—e!" + </p> + <p> + Certainly there lay some heavy anguish at the little bird's heart; and it + was a sorrowful predicament that he could not, at least, have the + consolation of telling what it was. But Ulysses had no time to waste in + trying to get at the mystery. He therefore quickened his pace, and had + gone a good way along the pleasant wood path, when there met him a young + man of very brisk and intelligent aspect, and clad in a rather singular + garb. He wore a short cloak and a sort of cap that seemed to be furnished + with a pair of wings; and from the lightness of his step, you would have + supposed that there might likewise be wings on his feet. To enable him to + walk still better (for he was always on one journey or another) he carried + a winged staff, around which two serpents were wriggling and twisting. In + short, I have said enough to make you guess that it was Quicksilver; and + Ulysses (who knew him of old, and had learned a great deal of his wisdom + from him) recognized him in a moment. + </p> + <p> + "Whither are you going in such a hurry, wise Ulysses?" asked Quicksilver. + "Do you not know that this island is enchanted? The wicked enchantress + (whose name is Circe, the sister of King Aetes) dwells in the marble + palace which you see yonder among the trees. By her magic arts she changes + every human being into the brute, beast, or fowl whom he happens most to + resemble." + </p> + <p> + "That little bird, which met me at the edge of the cliff," exclaimed + Ulysses; "was he a human being once?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes," answered Quicksilver. "He was once a king, named Picus, and a + pretty good sort of a king, too, only rather too proud of his purple robe, + and his crown, and the golden chain about his neck; so he was forced to + take the shape of a gaudy-feathered bird. The lions, and wolves, and + tigers, who will come running to meet you, in front of the palace, were + formerly fierce and cruel men, resembling in their disposition the wild + beasts whose forms they now rightfully wear." + </p> + <p> + "And my poor companions," said Ulysses. "Have they undergone a similar + change, through the arts of this wicked Circe?" + </p> + <p> + "You well know what gormandizers they were," replied Quicksilver; and + rogue that he was, he could not help laughing at the joke. "So you will + not be surprised to hear that they have all taken the shapes of swine! If + Circe had never done anything worse, I really should not think her so very + much to blame." + </p> + <p> + "But can I do nothing to help them?" inquired Ulysses. + </p> + <p> + "It will require all your wisdom," said Quicksilver, "and a little of my + own into the bargain, to keep your royal and sagacious self from being + transformed into a fox. But do as I bid you; and the matter may end better + than it has begun." + </p> + <p> + While he was speaking, Quicksilver seemed to be in search of something; he + went stooping along the ground, and soon laid his hand on a little plant + with a snow-white flower, which he plucked and smelt of. Ulysses had been + looking at that very spot only just before; and it appeared to him that + the plant had burst into full flower the instant when Quicksilver touched + it with his fingers. + </p> + <p> + "Take this flower, King Ulysses," said he. "Guard it as you do your + eyesight; for I can assure you it is exceedingly rare and precious, and + you might seek the whole earth over without ever finding another like it. + Keep it in your hand, and smell of it frequently after you enter the + palace, and while you are talking with the enchantress. Especially when + she offers you food, or a draught of wine out of her goblet, be careful to + fill your nostrils with the flower's fragrance. Follow these directions, + and you may defy her magic arts to change you into a fox." + </p> + <p> + Quicksilver then gave him some further advice how to behave, and bidding + him be bold and prudent, again assured him that, powerful as Circe was, he + would have a fair prospect of coming safely out of her enchanted palace. + After listening attentively, Ulysses thanked his good friend, and resumed + his way. But he had taken only a few steps, when, recollecting some other + questions which he wished to ask, he turned round again, and beheld nobody + on the spot where Quicksilver had stood; for that winged cap of his, and + those winged shoes, with the help of the winged staff, had carried him + quickly out of sight. + </p> + <p> + When Ulysses reached the lawn, in front of the palace, the lions and other + savage animals came bounding to meet him, and would have fawned upon him + and licked his feet. But the wise king struck at them with his long spear, + and sternly bade them begone out of his path; for he knew that they had + once been bloodthirsty men, and would now tear him limb from limb, instead + of fawning upon him, could they do the mischief that was in their hearts. + The wild beasts yelped and glared at him, and stood at a distance, while + he ascended the palace steps. + </p> + <p> + On entering the hall, Ulysses saw the magic fountain in the center of it. + The up-gushing water had now again taken the shape of a man in a long, + white, fleecy robe, who appeared to be making gestures of welcome. The + king likewise heard the noise of the shuttle in the loom and the sweet + melody of the beautiful woman's song, and then the pleasant voices of + herself and the four maidens talking together, with peals of merry + laughter intermixed. But Ulysses did not waste much time in listening to + the laughter or the song. He leaned his spear against one of the pillars + of the hall, and then, after loosening his sword in the scabbard, stepped + boldly forward, and threw the folding doors wide open. The moment she + beheld his stately figure standing in the doorway, the beautiful woman + rose from the loom, and ran to meet him with a glad smile throwing its + sunshine over her face, and both her hands extended. + </p> + <p> + "Welcome, brave stranger!" cried she. "We were expecting you." + </p> + <p> + And the nymph with the sea-green hair made a courtesy down to the ground, + and likewise bade him welcome; so did her sister with the bodice of oaken + bark, and she that sprinkled dew-drops from her fingers' ends, and the + fourth one with some oddity which I cannot remember. And Circe, as the + beautiful enchantress was called (who had deluded so many persons that she + did not doubt of being able to delude Ulysses, not imagining how wise he + was), again addressed him: + </p> + <p> + "Your companions," said she, "have already been received into my palace, + and have enjoyed the hospitable treatment to which the propriety of their + behavior so well entitles them. If such be your pleasure, you shall first + take some refreshment, and then join them in the elegant apartment which + they now occupy. See, I and my maidens have been weaving their figures + into this piece of tapestry." + </p> + <p> + She pointed to the web of beautifully-woven cloth in the loom. Circe and + the four nymphs must have been very diligently at work since the arrival + of the mariners; for a great many yards of tapestry had now been wrought, + in addition to what I before described. In this new part, Ulysses saw his + two and twenty friends represented as sitting on cushions and canopied + thrones, greedily devouring dainties, and quaffing deep draughts of wine. + The work had not yet gone any further. O, no, indeed. The enchantress was + far too cunning to let Ulysses see the mischief which her magic arts had + since brought upon the gormandizers. + </p> + <p> + "As for yourself, valiant sir," said Circe, "judging by the dignity of + your aspect, I take you to be nothing less than a king. Deign to follow + me, and you shall be treated as befits your rank." + </p> + <p> + So Ulysses followed her into the oval saloon, where his two and twenty + comrades had devoured the banquet, which ended so disastrously for + themselves. But, all this while, he had held the snow-white flower in his + hand, and had constantly smelt of it while Circe was speaking; and as he + crossed the threshold of the saloon, he took good care to inhale several + long and deep snuffs of its fragrance. Instead of two and twenty thrones, + which had before been ranged around the wall, there was now only a single + throne, in the center of the apartment. But this was surely the most + magnificent seat that ever a king or an emperor reposed himself upon, all + made of chased gold, studded with precious stones, with a cushion that + looked like a soft heap of living roses, and overhung by a canopy of + sunlight which Circe knew how to weave into drapery. The enchantress took + Ulysses by the hand, and made him sit down upon this dazzling throne. + Then, clapping her hands, she summoned the chief butler. + </p> + <p> + "Bring hither," said she, "the goblet that is set apart for kings to drink + out of. And fill it with the same delicious wine which my royal brother, + King Aetes, praised so highly, when he last visited me with my fair + daughter Medea. That good and amiable child! Were she now here, it would + delight her to see me offering this wine to my honored guest." + </p> + <p> + But Ulysses, while the butler was gone for the wine, held the snow-white + flower to his nose. + </p> + <p> + "Is it a wholesome wine?" he asked. + </p> + <p> + At this the four maidens tittered; whereupon the enchantress looked round + at them, with an aspect of severity. + </p> + <p> + "It is the wholesomest juice that ever was squeezed out of the grape," + said she; "for, instead of disguising a man, as other liquor is apt to do, + it brings him to his true self, and shows him as he ought to be." + </p> + <p> + The chief butler liked nothing better than to see people turned into + swine, or making any kind of a beast of themselves; so he made haste to + bring the royal goblet, filled with a liquid as bright as gold, and which + kept sparkling upward, and throwing a sunny spray over the brim. But, + delightfully as the wine looked, it was mingled with the most potent + enchantments that Circe knew how to concoct. For every drop of the pure + grape juice there were two drops of the pure mischief; and the danger of + the thing was, that the mischief made it taste all the better. The mere + smell of the bubbles, which effervesced at the brim, was enough to turn a + man's beard into pig's bristles, or make a lion's claws grow out of his + fingers, or a fox's brush behind him. + </p> + <p> + "Drink, my noble guest," said Circe, smiling, as she presented him with + the goblet. "You will find in this draught a solace for all your + troubles." + </p> + <p> + King Ulysses took the goblet with his right hand, while with his left he + held the snow-white flower to his nostrils, and drew in so long a breath + that his lungs were quite filled with its pure and simple fragrance. Then, + drinking off all the wine, he looked the enchantress calmly in the face. + </p> + <p> + "Wretch," cried Circe, giving him a smart stroke with her wand, "how dare + you keep your human shape a moment longer! Take the form of the brute whom + you most resemble. If a hog, go join your fellow-swine in the sty; if a + lion, a wolf, a tiger, go howl with the wild beasts on the lawn; if a fox, + go exercise your craft in stealing poultry. Thou hast quaffed off my wine, + and canst be man no longer." + </p> + <p> + But, such was the virtue of the snow-white flower, instead of wallowing + down from his throne in swinish shape, or taking any other brutal form, + Ulysses looked even more manly and king-like than before. He gave the + magic goblet a toss, and sent it clashing over the marble floor to the + farthest end of the saloon. Then, drawing his sword, he seized the + enchantress by her beautiful ringlets, and made a gesture as if he meant + to strike off her head at one blow. + </p> + <p> + "Wicked Circe," cried he, in a terrible voice, "this sword shall put an + end to thy enchantments. Thou shalt die, vile wretch, and do no more + mischief in the world, by tempting human beings into the vices which make + beasts of them." + </p> + <p> + The tone and countenance of Ulysses were so awful, and his sword gleamed + so brightly, and seemed to have so intolerably keen an edge, that Circe + was almost killed by the mere fright, without waiting for a blow. The + chief butler scrambled out of the saloon, picking up the golden goblet as + he went; and the enchantress and the four maidens fell on their knees, + wringing their hands, and screaming for mercy. + </p> + <p> + "Spare me!" cried Circe. "Spare me, royal and wise Ulysses. For now I know + that thou art he of whom Quicksilver forewarned me, the most prudent of + mortals, against whom no enchantments can prevail. Thou only couldst have + conquered Circe. Spare me, wisest of men. I will show thee true + hospitality, and even give myself to be thy slave, and this magnificent + palace to be henceforth thy home." + </p> + <p> + The four nymphs, meanwhile, were making a most piteous ado; and especially + the ocean nymph, with the sea-green hair, wept a great deal of salt water, + and the fountain nymph, besides scattering dewdrops from her fingers' + ends, nearly melted away into tears. But Ulysses would not be pacified + until Circe had taken a solemn oath to change back his companions, and as + many others as he should direct, from their present forms of beast or bird + into their former shapes of men. + </p> + <p> + "On these conditions," said he, "I consent to spare your life. Otherwise + you must die upon the spot." + </p> + <p> + With a drawn sword hanging over her, the enchantress would readily have + consented to do as much good as she had hitherto done mischief, however + little she might like such employment. She therefore led Ulysses out of + the back entrance of the palace, and showed him the swine in their sty. + There were about fifty of these unclean beasts in the whole herd; and + though the greater part were hogs by birth and education, there was + wonderfully little difference to be seen betwixt them and their new + brethren, who had so recently worn the human shape. To speak critically, + indeed, the latter rather carried the thing to excess, and seemed to make + it a point to wallow in the miriest part of the sty, and otherwise to + outdo the original swine in their own natural vocation. When men once turn + to brutes, the trifle of man's wit that remains in them adds tenfold to + their brutality. + </p> + <p> + The comrades of Ulysses, however, had not quite lost the remembrance of + having formerly stood erect. When he approached the sty, two and twenty + enormous swine separated themselves from the herd, and scampered towards + him, with such a chorus of horrible squealing as made him clap both hands + to his ears. And yet they did not seem to know what they wanted, nor + whether they were merely hungry, or miserable from some other cause. It + was curious, in the midst of their distress, to observe them thrusting + their noses into the mire, in quest of something to eat. The nymph with + the bodice of oaken bark (she was the hamadryad of an oak) threw a handful + of acorns among them; and the two and twenty hogs scrambled and fought for + the prize, as if they had tasted not so much as a noggin of sour milk for + a twelvemonth. + </p> + <p> + "These must certainly be my comrades," said Ulysses. "I recognize their + dispositions. They are hardly worth the trouble of changing them into the + human form again. Nevertheless, we will have it done, lest their bad + example should corrupt the other hogs. Let them take their original + shapes, therefore, Dame Circe, if your skill is equal to the task. It will + require greater magic, I trow, than it did to make swine of them." + </p> + <p> + So Circe waved her wand again, and repeated a few magic words, at the + sound of which the two and twenty hogs pricked up their pendulous ears. It + was a wonder to behold how their snouts grew shorter and shorter, and + their mouths (which they seemed to be sorry for, because they could not + gobble so expeditiously) smaller and smaller, and how one and another + began to stand upon his hind legs, and scratch his nose with his fore + trotters. At first the spectators hardly knew whether to call them hogs or + men, but by and by came to the conclusion that they rather resembled the + latter. Finally, there stood the twenty-two comrades of Ulysses, looking + pretty much the same as when they left the vessel. + </p> + <p> + You must not imagine, however, that the swinish quality had entirely gone + out of them. When once it fastens itself into a person's character, it is + very difficult getting rid of it. This was proved by the hamadryad, who, + being exceedingly fond of mischief, threw another handful of acorns before + the twenty-two newly-restored people; whereupon down they wallowed in a + moment, and gobbled them up in a very shameful way. Then, recollecting + themselves, they scrambled to their feet, and looked more than commonly + foolish. + </p> + <p> + "Thanks, noble Ulysses!" they cried. "From brute beasts you have restored + us to the condition of men again." + </p> + <p> + "Do not put yourselves to the trouble of thanking me," said the wise king. + "I fear I have done but little for you." + </p> + <p> + To say the truth, there was a suspicious kind of a grunt in their voices, + and, for a long time afterwards, they spoke gruffly, and were apt to set + up a squeal. + </p> + <p> + "It must depend on your own future behavior," added Ulysses, "whether you + do not find your way back to the sty." + </p> + <p> + At this moment, the note of a bird sounded from the branch of a + neighboring tree. + </p> + <p> + "Peep, peep, pe—wee—e!" + </p> + <p> + It was the purple bird, who, all this while, had been sitting over their + heads, watching what was going forward, and hoping that Ulysses would + remember how he had done his utmost to keep him and his followers out of + harm's way. Ulysses ordered Circe instantly to make a king of this good + little fowl, and leave him exactly as she found him. Hardly were the words + spoken, and before the bird had time to utter another "pe—weep," + King Picus leaped down from the bough of a tree, as majestic a sovereign + as any in the world, dressed in a long purple robe and gorgeous yellow + stockings, with a splendidly wrought collar about his neck, and a golden + crown upon his head. He and King Ulysses exchanged with one another the + courtesies which belong to their elevated rank. But from that time forth, + King Picus was no longer proud of his crown and his trappings of royalty, + nor of the fact of his being a king; he felt himself merely the upper + servant of his people, and that it must be his life-long labor to make + them better and happier. + </p> + <p> + As for the lions, tigers, and wolves (though Circe would have restored + them to their former shapes at his slightest word), Ulysses thought it + advisable that they should remain as they now were, and thus give warning + of their cruel dispositions, instead of going about under the guise of + men, and pretending to human sympathies, while their hearts had the + blood-thirstiness of wild beasts. So he let them howl as much as they + liked, but never troubled his head about them. And, when everything was + settled according to his pleasure, he sent to summon the remainder of his + comrades, whom he had left at the sea-shore. These being arrived, with the + prudent Eurylochus at their head, they all made themselves comfortable in + Circe's enchanted palace, until quite rested and refreshed from the toils + and hardships of their voyage. + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0004" id="link2H_4_0004"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE POMEGRANATE SEEDS. + </h2> + <p> + Mother Ceres was exceedingly fond of her daughter Proserpina, and seldom + let her go alone into the fields. But, just at the time when my story + begins, the good lady was very busy, because she had the care of the + wheat, and the Indian corn, and the rye and barley and, in short, of the + crops of every kind, all over the earth; and as the season had thus far + been uncommonly backward, it was necessary to make the harvest ripen more + speedily than usual. So she put on her turban, made of poppies (a kind of + flower which she was always noted for wearing), and got into her car drawn + by a pair of winged dragons, and was just ready to set off. + </p> + <p> + "Dear mother," said Proserpina, "I shall be very lonely while you are + away. May I not run down to the shore, and ask some of the sea nymphs to + come up out of the waves and play with me?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, child," answered Mother Ceres. "The sea nymphs are good creatures, + and will never lead you into any harm. But you must take care not to stray + away from them, nor go wandering about the fields by yourself. Young + girls, without their mothers to take care of them, are very apt to get + into mischief." + </p> + <p> + The child promised to be as prudent as if she were a grown-up woman; and, + by the time the winged dragons had whirled the car out of sight, she was + already on the shore, calling to the sea nymphs to come and play with her. + They knew Proserpina's voice, and were not long in showing their + glistening faces and sea-green hair above the water, at the bottom of + which was their home. They brought along with them a great many beautiful + shells; and sitting down on the moist sand, where the surf wave broke over + them, they busied themselves in making a necklace, which they hung round + Proserpina's neck. By way of showing her gratitude, the child besought + them to go with her a little way into the fields, so that they might + gather abundance of flowers, with which she would make each of her kind + playmates a wreath. + </p> + <p> + "O no, dear Proserpina," cried the sea nymphs; "we dare not go with you + upon the dry land. We are apt to grow faint, unless at every breath we can + snuff up the salt breeze of the ocean. And don't you see how careful we + are to let the surf wave break over us every moment or two, so as to keep + ourselves comfortably moist? If it were not for that, we should look like + bunches of uprooted seaweed dried in the sun. + </p> + <p> + "It is a great pity," said Proserpina. "But do you wait for me here, and I + will run and gather my apron full of flowers, and be back again before the + surf wave has broken ten times over you. I long to make you some wreaths + that shall be as lovely as this necklace of many colored shells." + </p> + <p> + "We will wait, then," answered the sea nymphs. "But while you are gone, we + may as well lie down on a bank of soft sponge under the water. The air + to-day is a little too dry for our comfort. But we will pop up our heads + every few minutes to see if you are coming." + </p> + <p> + The young Proserpina ran quickly to a spot where, only the day before, she + had seen a great many flowers. These, however, were now a little past + their bloom; and wishing to give her friends the freshest and loveliest + blossoms, she strayed farther into the fields, and found some that made + her scream with delight. Never had she met with such exquisite flowers + before—violets so large and fragrant—roses with so rich and + delicate a blush—such superb hyacinths and such aromatic pinks—and + many others, some of which seemed to be of new shapes and colors. Two or + three times, moreover, she could not help thinking that a tuft of most + splendid flowers had suddenly sprouted out of the earth before her very + eyes, as if on purpose to tempt her a few steps farther. Proserpina's + apron was soon filled, and brimming over with delightful blossoms. She was + on the point of turning back in order to rejoin the sea nymphs, and sit + with them on the moist sands, all twining wreaths together. But, a little + farther on, what should she behold? It was a large shrub, completely + covered with the most magnificent flowers in the world. + </p> + <p> + "The darlings!" cried Proserpina; and then she thought to herself, "I was + looking at that spot only a moment ago. How strange it is that I did not + see the flowers!" + </p> + <p> + The nearer she approached the shrub, the more attractive it looked, until + she came quite close to it; and then, although its beauty was richer than + words can tell, she hardly knew whether to like it or not. It bore above a + hundred flowers of the most brilliant hues, and each different from the + others, but all having a kind of resemblance among themselves, which + showed them to be sister blossoms. But there was a deep, glossy luster on + the leaves of the shrub, and on the petals of the flowers, that made + Proserpina doubt whether they might not be poisonous. To tell you the + truth, foolish as it may seem, she was half inclined to turn round and run + away. + </p> + <p> + "What a silly child I am!" thought she, taking courage. "It is really the + most beautiful shrub that ever sprang out of the earth. I will pull it up + by the roots, and carry it home, and plant it in my mother's garden." + </p> + <p> + Holding up her apron full of flowers with her left hand, Proserpina seized + the large shrub with the other, and pulled, and pulled, but was hardly + able to loosen the soil about its roots. What a deep-rooted plant it was! + Again the girl pulled with all her might, and observed that the earth + began to stir and crack to some distance around the stem. She gave another + pull, but relaxed her hold, fancying that there was a rumbling sound right + beneath her feet. Did the roots extend down into some enchanted cavern? + Then laughing at herself for so childish a notion, she made another + effort: up came the shrub, and Proserpina staggered back, holding the stem + triumphantly in her hand, and gazing at the deep hole which its roots had + left in the soil. + </p> + <p> + Much to her astonishment, this hole kept spreading wider and wider, and + growing deeper and deeper, until it really seemed to have no bottom; and + all the while, there came a rumbling noise out of its depths, louder and + louder, and nearer and nearer, and sounding like the tramp of horses' + hoofs and the rattling of wheels. Too much frightened to run away, she + stood straining her eyes into this wonderful cavity, and soon saw a team + of four sable horses, snorting smoke out of their nostrils, and tearing + their way out of the earth with a splendid golden chariot whirling at + their heels. They leaped out of the bottomless hole, chariot and all; and + there they were, tossing their black manes, flourishing their black tails, + and curvetting with every one of their hoofs off the ground at once, close + by the spot where Proserpina stood. In the chariot sat the figure of a + man, richly dressed, with a crown on his head, all flaming with diamonds. + He was of a noble aspect, and rather handsome, but looked sullen and + discontented; and he kept rubbing his eyes and shading them with his hand, + as if he did not live enough in the sunshine to be very fond of its light. + </p> + <p> + As soon as this personage saw the affrighted Proserpina, he beckoned her + to come a little nearer. + </p> + <p> + "Do not be afraid," said he, with as cheerful a smile as he knew how to + put on. "Come! Will you not like to ride a little way with me, in my + beautiful chariot?" + </p> + <p> + But Proserpina was so alarmed, that she wished for nothing but to get out + of his reach. And no wonder. The stranger did not look remarkably + good-natured, in spite of his smile; and as for his voice, its tones were + deep and stern, and sounded as much like the rumbling of an earthquake + underground than anything else. As is always the case with children in + trouble, Proserpina's first thought was to call for her mother. + </p> + <p> + "Mother, Mother Ceres!" cried she, all in a tremble. "Come quickly and + save me." + </p> + <p> + But her voice was too faint for her mother to hear. Indeed, it is most + probable that Ceres was then a thousand miles off, making the corn grow in + some far distant country. Nor could it have availed her poor daughter, + even had she been within hearing; for no sooner did Proserpina begin to + cry out, than the stranger leaped to the ground, caught the child in his + arms, and again mounted the chariot, shook the reins, and shouted to the + four black horses to set off. They immediately broke into so swift a + gallop, that it seemed rather like flying through the air than running + along the earth. In a moment, Proserpina lost sight of the pleasant vale + of Enna, in which she had always dwelt. Another instant, and even the + summit of Mount Aetna had become so blue in the distance, that she could + scarcely distinguish it from the smoke that gushed out of its crater. But + still the poor child screamed, and scattered her apron full of flowers + along the way, and left a long cry trailing behind the chariot; and many + mothers, to whose ears it came, ran quickly to see if any mischief had + befallen their children. But Mother Ceres was a great way off, and could + not hear the cry. + </p> + <p> + As they rode on, the stranger did his best to soothe her. + </p> + <p> + "Why should you be so frightened, my pretty child?" said he, trying to + soften his rough voice. "I promise not to do you any harm. What! you have + been gathering flowers? Wait till we come to my palace, and I will give + you a garden full of prettier flowers than those, all made of pearls, and + diamonds, and rubies. Can you guess who I am? They call my name Pluto; and + I am the king of diamonds and all other precious stones. Every atom of the + gold and silver that lies under the earth belongs to me, to say nothing of + the copper and iron, and of the coal mines, which supply me with abundance + of fuel. Do you see this splendid crown upon my head? You may have it for + a plaything. O, we shall be very good friends, and you will find me more + agreeable than you expect, when once we get out of this troublesome + sunshine." + </p> + <p> + "Let me go home!" cried Proserpina. "Let me go home!" + </p> + <p> + "My home is better than your mother's," answered King Pluto. "It is a + palace, all made of gold, with crystal windows; and because there is + little or no sunshine thereabouts, the apartments are illuminated with + diamond lamps. You never saw anything half so magnificent as my throne. If + you like, you may sit down on it, and be my little queen, and I will sit + on the footstool." + </p> + <p> + "I don't care for golden palaces and thrones," sobbed Proserpina. "Oh, my + mother, my mother! Carry me back to my mother!" + </p> + <p> + But King Pluto, as he called himself, only shouted to his steeds to go + faster. + </p> + <p> + "Pray do not be foolish, Proserpina," said he, in rather a sullen tone. "I + offer you my palace and my crown, and all the riches that are under the + earth; and you treat me as if I were doing you an injury. The one thing + which my palace needs is a merry little maid, to run upstairs and down, + and cheer up the rooms with her smile. And this is what you must do for + King Pluto." + </p> + <p> + "Never!" answered Proserpina, looking as miserable as she could. "I shall + never smile again till you set me down at my mother's door." + </p> + <p> + But she might just as well have talked to the wind that whistled past + them, for Pluto urged on his horses, and went faster than ever. Proserpina + continued to cry out, and screamed so long and so loudly that her poor + little voice was almost screamed away; and when it was nothing but a + whisper, she happened to cast her eyes over a great broad field of waving + grain—and whom do you think she saw? Who, but Mother Ceres, making + the corn grow, and too busy to notice the golden chariot as it went + rattling along. The child mustered all her strength, and gave one more + scream, but was out of sight before Ceres had time to turn her head. + </p> + <p> + King Pluto had taken a road which now began to grow excessively gloomy. It + was bordered on each side with rocks and precipices, between which the + rumbling of the chariot wheels was reverberated with a noise like rolling + thunder. The trees and bushes that grew in the crevices of the rocks had + very dismal foliage; and by and by, although it was hardly noon, the air + became obscured with a gray twilight. The black horses had rushed along so + swiftly, that they were already beyond the limits of the sunshine. But the + duskier it grew, the more did Pluto's visage assume an air of + satisfaction. After all, he was not an ill-looking person, especially when + he left off twisting his features into a smile that did not belong to + them. Proserpina peeped at his face through the gathering dusk, and hoped + that he might not be so very wicked as she at first thought him. + </p> + <p> + "Ah, this twilight is truly refreshing," said King Pluto, "after being so + tormented with that ugly and impertinent glare of the sun. How much more + agreeable is lamplight or torchlight, more particularly when reflected + from diamonds! It will be a magnificent sight, when we get to my palace." + </p> + <p> + "Is it much farther?" asked Proserpina. "And will you carry me back when I + have seen it?" + </p> + <p> + "We will talk of that by and by," answered Pluto. "We are just entering my + dominions. Do you see that tall gateway before us? When we pass those + gates, we are at home. And there lies my faithful mastiff at the + threshold. Cerberus! Cerberus! Come hither, my good dog!" + </p> + <p> + So saying, Pluto pulled at the reins, and stopped the chariot right + between the tall, massive pillars of the gateway. The mastiff of which he + had spoken got up from the threshold, and stood on his hinder legs, so as + to put his fore paws on the chariot wheel. But, my stars, what a strange + dog it was! Why, he was a big, rough, ugly-looking monster, with three + separate heads, and each of them fiercer than the two others; but fierce + as they were, King Pluto patted them all. He seemed as fond of his + three-headed dog as if it had been a sweet little spaniel, with silken + ears and curly hair. Cerberus, on the other hand, was evidently rejoiced + to see his master, and expressed his attachment, as other dogs do, by + wagging his tail at a great rate. Proserpina's eyes being drawn to it by + its brisk motion, she saw that this tail was neither more nor less than a + live dragon, with fiery eyes, and fangs that had a very poisonous aspect. + And while the three-headed Cerberus was fawning so lovingly on King Pluto, + there was the dragon tail wagging against its will, and looking as cross + and ill-natured as you can imagine, on its own separate account. + </p> + <p> + "Will the dog bite me?" asked Proserpina, shrinking closer to Pluto. "What + an ugly creature he is!" + </p> + <p> + "O, never fear," answered her companion. "He never harms people, unless + they try to enter my dominions without being sent for, or to get away when + I wish to keep them here. Down, Cerberus! Now, my pretty Proserpina, we + will drive on." + </p> + <p> + On went the chariot, and King Pluto seemed greatly pleased to find himself + once more in his own kingdom. He drew Proserpina's attention to the rich + veins of gold that were to be seen among the rocks, and pointed to several + places where one stroke of a pickaxe would loosen a bushel of diamonds. + All along the road, indeed, there were sparkling gems, which would have + been of inestimable value above ground, but which here were reckoned of + the meaner sort and hardly worth a beggar's stooping for. + </p> + <p> + Not far from the gateway, they came to a bridge, which seemed to be built + of iron. Pluto stopped the chariot, and bade Proserpina look at the stream + which was gliding so lazily beneath it. Never in her life had she beheld + so torpid, so black, so muddy-looking a stream; its waters reflected no + images of anything that was on the banks, and it moved as sluggishly as if + it had quite forgotten which way it ought to flow, and had rather stagnate + than flow either one way or the other. + </p> + <p> + "This is the River Lethe," observed King Pluto. "Is it not a very pleasant + stream?" + </p> + <p> + "I think it a very dismal one," answered Proserpina. + </p> + <p> + "It suits my taste, however," answered Pluto, who was apt to be sullen + when anybody disagreed with him. "At all events, its water has one + excellent quality; for a single draught of it makes people forget every + care and sorrow that has hitherto tormented them. Only sip a little of it, + my dear Proserpina, and you will instantly cease to grieve for your + mother, and will have nothing in your memory that can prevent your being + perfectly happy in my palace. I will send for some, in a golden goblet, + the moment we arrive." + </p> + <p> + "O, no, no, no!" cried Proserpina, weeping afresh. "I had a thousand times + rather be miserable with remembering my mother, than be happy in + forgetting her. That dear, dear mother! I never, never will forget her." + </p> + <p> + "We shall see," said King Pluto. "You do not know what fine times we will + have in my palace. Here we are just at the portal. These pillars are solid + gold, I assure you." + </p> + <p> + He alighted from the chariot, and taking Proserpina in his arms, carried + her up a lofty flight of steps into the great hall of the palace. It was + splendidly illuminated by means of large precious stones, of various hues, + which seemed to burn like so many lamps, and glowed with a hundred-fold + radiance all through the vast apartment. And yet there was a kind of gloom + in the midst of this enchanted light; nor was there a single object in the + hall that was really agreeable to behold, except the little Proserpina + herself, a lovely child, with one earthly flower which she had not let + fall from her hand. It is my opinion that even King Pluto had never been + happy in his palace, and that this was the true reason why he had stolen + away Proserpina, in order that he might have something to love, instead of + cheating his heart any longer with this tiresome magnificence. And, though + he pretended to dislike the sunshine of the upper world, yet the effect of + the child's presence, bedimmed as she was by her tears, was as if a faint + and watery sunbeam had somehow or other found its way into the enchanted + hall. + </p> + <p> + Pluto now summoned his domestics, and bade them lose no time in preparing + a most sumptuous banquet, and above all things, not to fail of setting a + golden beaker of the water of Lethe by Proserpina's plate. + </p> + <p> + "I will neither drink that nor anything else," said Proserpina. "Nor will + I taste a morsel of food, even if you keep me forever in your palace." + </p> + <p> + "I should be sorry for that," replied King Pluto, patting her cheek; for + he really wished to be kind, if he had only known how. "You are a spoiled + child, I perceive, my little Proserpina; but when you see the nice things + which my cook will make for you, your appetite will quickly come again." + </p> + <p> + Then, sending for the head cook, he gave strict orders that all sorts of + delicacies, such as young people are usually fond of, should be set before + Proserpina. He had a secret motive in this; for, you are to understand, it + is a fixed law, that when persons are carried off to the land of magic, if + they once taste any food there, they can never get back to their friends. + Now, if King Pluto had been cunning enough to offer Proserpina some fruit, + or bread and milk (which was the simple fare to which the child had always + been accustomed), it is very probable that she would soon have been + tempted to eat it. But he left the matter entirely to his cook, who, like + all other cooks, considered nothing fit to eat unless it were rich pastry, + or highly-seasoned meat, or spiced sweet cakes—things which + Proserpina's mother had never given her, and the smell of which quite took + away her appetite, instead of sharpening it. + </p> + <p> + But my story must now clamber out of King Pluto's dominions, and see what + Mother Ceres had been about, since she was bereft of her daughter. We had + a glimpse of her, as you remember, half hidden among the waving grain, + while the four black steeds were swiftly whirling along the chariot, in + which her beloved Proserpina was so unwillingly borne away. You recollect, + too, the loud scream which Proserpina gave, just when the chariot was out + of sight. + </p> + <p> + Of all the child's outcries, this last shriek was the only one that + reached the ears of Mother Ceres. She had mistaken the rumbling of the + chariot wheels for a peal of thunder, and imagined that a shower was + coming up, and that it would assist her in making the corn grow. But, at + the sound of Proserpina's shriek, she started, and looked about in every + direction, not knowing whence it came, but feeling almost certain that it + was her daughter's voice. It seemed so unaccountable, however, that the + girl should have strayed over so many lands and seas (which she herself + could not have traversed without the aid of her winged dragons), that the + good Ceres tried to believe that it must be the child of some other + parent, and not her own darling Proserpina, who had uttered this + lamentable cry. Nevertheless, it troubled her with a vast many tender + fears, such as are ready to bestir themselves in every mother's heart, + when she finds it necessary to go away from her dear children without + leaving them under the care of some maiden aunt, or other such faithful + guardian. So she quickly left the field in which she had been so busy; + and, as her work was not half done, the grain looked, next day, as if it + needed both sun and rain, and as if it were blighted in the ear, and had + something the matter with its roots. + </p> + <p> + The pair of dragons must have had very nimble wings; for, in less than an + hour, Mother Ceres had alighted at the door of her home, and found it + empty. Knowing, however, that the child was fond of sporting on the + sea-shore, she hastened thither as fast as she could, and there beheld the + wet faces of the poor sea nymphs peeping over a wave. All this while, the + good creatures had been waiting on the bank of sponge, and once, every + half minute or so, had popped up their four heads above water, to see if + their playmate were yet coming back. When they saw Mother Ceres, they sat + down on the crest of the surf wave, and let it toss them ashore at her + feet. + </p> + <p> + "Where is Proserpina?" cried Ceres. "Where is my child? Tell me, you + naughty sea nymphs, have you enticed her under the sea?" + </p> + <p> + "O, no, good Mother Ceres," said the innocent sea nymphs, tossing back + their green ringlets, and looking her in the face. "We never should dream + of such a thing. Proserpina has been at play with us, it is true; but she + left us a long while ago, meaning only to run a little way upon the dry + land, and gather some flowers for a wreath. This was early in the day, and + we have seen nothing of her since." + </p> + <p> + Ceres scarcely waited to hear what the nymphs had to say, before she + hurried off to make inquiries all through the neighborhood. But nobody + told her anything that would enable the poor mother to guess what had + become of Proserpina. A fisherman, it is true, had noticed her little + footprints in the sand, as he went homeward along the beach with a basket + of fish; a rustic had seen the child stooping to gather flowers; several + persons had heard either the rattling of chariot wheels, or the rumbling + of distant thunder; and one old woman, while plucking vervain and catnip, + had heard a scream, but supposed it to be some childish nonsense, and + therefore did not take the trouble to look up. The stupid people! It took + them such a tedious while to tell the nothing that they knew, that it was + dark night before Mother Ceres found out that she must seek her daughter + elsewhere. So she lighted a torch, and set forth, resolving never to come + back until Proserpina was discovered. + </p> + <p> + In her haste and trouble of mind, she quite forgot her car and the winged + dragons; or, it may be, she thought that she could follow up the search + more thoroughly on foot. At all events, this was the way in which she + began her sorrowful journey, holding her torch before her, and looking + carefully at every object along the path. And as it happened, she had not + gone far before she found one of the magnificent flowers which grew on the + shrub that Proserpina had pulled up. + </p> + <p> + "Ha!" thought Mother Ceres, examining it by torchlight. "Here is mischief + in this flower! The earth did not produce it by any help of mine, nor of + its own accord. It is the work of enchantment, and is therefore poisonous; + and perhaps it has poisoned my poor child." + </p> + <p> + But she put the poisonous flower in her bosom, not knowing whether she + might ever find any other memorial of Proserpina. + </p> + <p> + All night long, at the door of every cottage and farm-house, Ceres + knocked, and called up the weary laborers to inquire if they had seen her + child; and they stood, gaping and half-asleep, at the threshold, and + answered her pityingly, and besought her to come in and rest. At the + portal of every palace, too, she made so loud a summons that the menials + hurried to throw open the gate, thinking that it must be some great king + or queen, who would demand a banquet for supper and a stately chamber to + repose in. And when they saw only a sad and anxious woman, with a torch in + her hand and a wreath of withered poppies on her head, they spoke rudely, + and sometimes threatened to set the dogs upon her. But nobody had seen + Proserpina, nor could give Mother Ceres the least hint which way to seek + her. Thus passed the night; and still she continued her search without + sitting down to rest, or stopping to take food, or even remembering to put + out the torch although first the rosy dawn, and then the glad light of the + morning sun, made its red flame look thin and pale. But I wonder what sort + of stuff this torch was made of; for it burned dimly through the day, and, + at night, was as bright as ever, and never was extinguished by the rain or + wind, in all the weary days and nights while Ceres was seeking for + Proserpina. + </p> + <p> + It was not merely of human beings that she asked tidings of her daughter. + In the woods and by the streams, she met creatures of another nature, who + used, in those old times, to haunt the pleasant and solitary places, and + were very sociable with persons who understood their language and customs, + as Mother Ceres did. Sometimes, for instance, she tapped with her finger + against the knotted trunk of a majestic oak; and immediately its rude bark + would cleave asunder, and forth would step a beautiful maiden, who was the + hamadryad of the oak, dwelling inside of it, and sharing its long life, + and rejoicing when its green leaves sported with the breeze. But not one + of these leafy damsels had seen Proserpina. Then, going a little farther, + Ceres would, perhaps, come to a fountain, gushing out of a pebbly hollow + in the earth, and would dabble with her hand in the water. Behold, up + through its sandy and pebbly bed, along with the fountain's gush, a young + woman with dripping hair would arise, and stand gazing at Mother Ceres, + half out of the water, and undulating up and down with its ever-restless + motion. But when the mother asked whether her poor lost child had stopped + to drink out of the fountain, the naiad, with weeping eyes (for these + water-nymphs had tears to spare for everybody's grief), would answer "No!" + in a murmuring voice, which was just like the murmur of the stream. + </p> + <p> + Often, likewise, she encountered fauns, who looked like sunburnt country + people, except that they had hairy ears, and little horns upon their + foreheads, and the hinder legs of goats, on which they gamboled merrily + about the woods and fields. They were a frolicsome kind of creature but + grew as sad as their cheerful dispositions would allow, when Ceres + inquired for her daughter, and they had no good news to tell. But + sometimes she same suddenly upon a rude gang of satyrs, who had faces like + monkeys, and horses' tails behind them, and who were generally dancing in + a very boisterous manner, with shouts of noisy laughter. When she stopped + to question them, they would only laugh the louder, and make new merriment + out of the lone woman's distress. How unkind of those ugly satyrs! And + once, while crossing a solitary sheep pasture, she saw a personage named + Pan, seated at the foot of a tall rock, and making music on a shepherd's + flute. He, too, had horns, and hairy ears, and goats' feet; but, being + acquainted with Mother Ceres, he answered her question as civilly as he + knew how, and invited her to taste some milk and honey out of a wooden + bowl. But neither could Pan tell her what had become of Proserpina, any + better than the rest of these wild people. + </p> + <p> + And thus Mother Ceres went wandering about for nine long days and nights, + finding no trace of Proserpina, unless it were now and then a withered + flower; and these she picked up and put in her bosom, because she fancied + that they might have fallen from her poor child's hand. All day she + traveled onward through the hot sun; and, at night again, the flame of the + torch would redden and gleam along the pathway, and she continued her + search by its light, without ever sitting down to rest. + </p> + <p> + On the tenth day, she chanced to espy the mouth of a cavern within which + (though it was bright noon everywhere else) there would have been only a + dusky twilight; but it so happened that a torch was burning there. It + flickered, and struggled with the duskiness, but could not half light up + the gloomy cavern with all its melancholy glimmer. Ceres was resolved to + leave no spot without a search; so she peeped into the entrance of the + cave, and lighted it up a little more, by holding her own torch before + her. In so doing, she caught a glimpse of what seemed to be a woman, + sitting on the brown leaves of the last autumn, a great heap of which had + been swept into the cave by the wind. This woman (if woman it were) was by + no means so beautiful as many of her sex; for her head, they tell me, was + shaped very much like a dog's, and, by way of ornament, she wore a wreath + of snakes around it. But Mother Ceres, the moment she saw her, knew that + this was an odd kind of a person, who put all her enjoyment in being + miserable, and never would have a word to say to other people, unless they + were as melancholy and wretched as she herself delighted to be. + </p> + <p> + "I am wretched enough now," thought poor Ceres, "to talk with this + melancholy Hecate, were she ten times sadder than ever she was yet." So + she stepped into the cave, and sat down on the withered leaves by the + dog-headed woman's side. In all the world, since her daughter's loss, she + had found no other companion. + </p> + <p> + "O Hecate," said she, "if ever you lose a daughter, you will know what + sorrow is. Tell me, for pity's sake, have you seen my poor child + Proserpina pass by the mouth of your cavern?" + </p> + <p> + "No," answered Hecate, in a cracked voice, and sighing betwixt every word + or two; "no, Mother Ceres, I have seen nothing of your daughter. But my + ears, you must know, are made in such a way, that all cries of distress + and affright all over the world are pretty sure to find their way to them; + and nine days ago, as I sat in my cave, making myself very miserable, I + heard the voice of a young girl, shrieking as if in great distress. + Something terrible has happened to the child, you may rest assured. As + well as I could judge, a dragon, or some other cruel monster, was carrying + her away." + </p> + <p> + "You kill me by saying so," cried Ceres, almost ready to faint. "Where was + the sound, and which way did it seem to go?" + </p> + <p> + "It passed very swiftly along," said Hecate, "and, at the same time, there + was a heavy rumbling of wheels towards the eastward. I can tell you + nothing more, except that, in my honest opinion, you will never see your + daughter again. The best advice I can give you is, to take up your abode + in this cavern, where we will be the two most wretched women in the + world." + </p> + <p> + "Not yet, dark Hecate," replied Ceres. "But do you first come with your + torch, and help me to seek for my lost child. And when there shall be no + more hope of finding her (if that black day is ordained to come), then, if + you will give me room to fling myself down, either on these withered + leaves or on the naked rock, I will show what it is to be miserable. But, + until I know that she has perished from the face of the earth, I will not + allow myself space even to grieve." + </p> + <p> + The dismal Hecate did not much like the idea of going abroad into the + sunny world. But then she reflected that the sorrow of the disconsolate + Ceres would be like a gloomy twilight round about them both, let the sun + shine ever so brightly, and that therefore she might enjoy her bad spirits + quite as well as if she were to stay in the cave. So she finally consented + to go, and they set out together, both carrying torches, although it was + broad daylight and clear sunshine. The torchlight seemed to make a gloom; + so that the people whom they met, along the road, could not very + distinctly see their figures; and, indeed, if they once caught a glimpse + of Hecate, with the wreath of snakes round her forehead, they generally + thought it prudent to run away, without waiting for a second glance. + </p> + <p> + As the pair traveled along in this woe-begone manner, a thought struck + Ceres. + </p> + <p> + "There is one person," she exclaimed, "who must have seen my poor child, + and can doubtless tell what has become of her. Why did not I think of him + before? It is Phoebus." + </p> + <p> + "What," said Hecate, "the young man that always sits in the sunshine? O, + pray do not think of going near him. He is a gay, light, frivolous young + fellow, and will only smile in your face. And besides, there is such a + glare of the sun about him, that he will quite blind my poor eyes, which I + have almost wept away already." + </p> + <p> + "You have promised to be my companion," answered Ceres. "Come, let us make + haste, or the sunshine will be gone, and Phoebus along with it." + </p> + <p> + Accordingly, they went along in quest of Phoebus, both of them sighing + grievously, and Hecate, to say the truth, making a great deal worse + lamentation than Ceres; for all the pleasure she had, you know, lay in + being miserable, and therefore she made the most of it. By and by, after a + pretty long journey, they arrived at the sunniest spot in the whole world. + There they beheld a beautiful young man, with long, curling ringlets, + which seemed to be made of golden sunbeams; his garments were like light + summer clouds; and the expression of his face was so exceedingly vivid, + that Hecate held her hands before her eyes, muttering that he ought to + wear a black veil. Phoebus (for this was the very person whom they were + seeking) had a lyre in his hands, and was making its chords tremble with + sweet music; at the same time singing a most exquisite song, which he had + recently composed. For, beside a great many other accomplishments, this + young man was renowned for his admirable poetry. + </p> + <p> + As Ceres and her dismal companion approached him, Phoebus smiled on them + so cheerfully that Hecate's wreath of snakes gave a spiteful hiss, and + Hecate heartily wished herself back in her cave. But as for Ceres, she was + too earnest in her grief either to know or care whether Phoebus smiled or + frowned. + </p> + <p> + "Phoebus!" exclaimed she, "I am in great trouble, and have come to you for + assistance. Can you tell me what has become of my dear child Proserpina?" + </p> + <p> + "Proserpina! Proserpina, did you call her name?" answered Phoebus, + endeavoring to recollect; for there was such a continual flow of pleasant + ideas in his mind, that he was apt to forget what had happened no longer + ago than yesterday. "Ah, yes, I remember her now. A very lovely child, + indeed. I am happy to tell you, my dear madam, that I did see the little + Proserpina not many days ago. You may make yourself perfectly easy about + her. She is safe, and in excellent hands." + </p> + <p> + "O, where is my dear child?" cried Ceres, clasping her hands, and flinging + herself at his feet. + </p> + <p> + "Why," said Phoebus—and as he spoke he kept touching his lyre so as + to make a thread of music run in and out among his words—"as the + little damsel was gathering flowers (and she has really a very exquisite + taste for flowers), she was suddenly snatched up by King Pluto, and + carried off to his dominions. I have never been in that part of the + universe; but the royal palace, I am told, is built in a very noble style + of architecture, and of the most splendid and costly materials. Gold, + diamonds, pearls, and all manner of precious stones will be your + daughter's ordinary playthings. I recommend to you, my dear lady, to give + yourself no uneasiness. Proserpina's sense of beauty will be duly + gratified, and even in spite of the lack of sunshine, she will lead a very + enviable life." + </p> + <p> + "Hush! Say not such a word!" answered Ceres, indignantly. "What is there + to gratify her heart? What are all the splendors you speak of without + affection? I must have her back again. Will you go with me you go with me, + Phoebus, to demand my daughter of this wicked Pluto?" + </p> + <p> + "Pray excuse me," replied Phoebus, with an elegant obeisance. "I certainly + wish you success, and regret that my own affairs are so immediately + pressing that I cannot have the pleasure of attending you. Besides, I am + not upon the best of terms with King Pluto. To tell you the truth, his + three-headed mastiff would never let me pass the gateway; for I should be + compelled to take a sheaf of sunbeams along with me, and those, you know, + are forbidden things in Pluto's kingdom." + </p> + <p> + "Ah, Phoebus," said Ceres, with bitter meaning in her words, "you have a + harp instead of a heart. Farewell." + </p> + <p> + "Will not you stay a moment," asked Phoebus, "and hear me turn the pretty + and touching story of Proserpina into extemporary verses?" + </p> + <p> + But Ceres shook her head, and hastened away, along with Hecate. Phoebus + (who, as I have told you, was an exquisite poet) forthwith began to make + an ode about the poor mother's grief; and, if we were to judge of his + sensibility by this beautiful production, he must have been endowed with a + very tender heart. But when a poet gets into the habit of using his + heartstrings to make chords for his lyre, he may thrum upon them as much + as he will, without any great pain to himself. Accordingly, though Phoebus + sang a very sad song, he was as merry all the while as were the sunbeams + amid which he dwelt. + </p> + <p> + Poor Mother Ceres had now found out what had become of her daughter, but + was not a whit happier than before. Her case, on the contrary, looked more + desperate than ever. As long as Proserpina was above ground, there might + have been hopes of regaining her. But now that the poor child was shut up + within the iron gates of the king of the mines, at the threshold of which + lay the three-headed Cerberus, there seemed no possibility of her ever + making her escape. The dismal Hecate, who loved to take the darkest view + of things, told Ceres that she had better come with her to the cavern, and + spend the rest of her life in being miserable. Ceres answered, that Hecate + was welcome to go back thither herself, but that, for her part, she would + wander about the earth in quest of the entrance to King Pluto's dominions. + And Hecate took her at her word, and hurried back to her beloved cave, + frightening a great many little children with a glimpse of her dog's face + as she went. + </p> + <p> + Poor Mother Ceres! It is melancholy to think of her, pursuing her toilsome + way, all alone, and holding up that never-dying torch, the flame of which + seemed an emblem of the grief and hope that burned together in her heart. + </p> + <p> + So much did she suffer, that, though her aspect had been quite youthful + when her troubles began, she grew to look like an elderly person in a very + brief time. She cared not how she was dressed, nor had she ever thought of + flinging away the wreath of withered poppies, which she put on the very + morning of Proserpina's disappearance. She roamed about in so wild a way, + and with her hair so disheveled, that people took her for some distracted + creature, and never dreamed that this was Mother Ceres, who had the + oversight of every seed which the husbandman planted. Nowadays, however, + she gave herself no trouble about seed time nor harvest, but left the + farmers to take care of their own affairs, and the crops to fade or + flourish, as the case might be. There was nothing, now, in which Ceres + seemed to feel an interest, unless when she saw children at play, or + gathering flowers along the wayside. Then, indeed, she would stand and + gaze at them with tears in her eyes. The children, too, appeared to have a + sympathy with her grief, and would cluster themselves in a little group + about her knees, and look up wistfully in her face; and Ceres, after + giving them a kiss all round, would lead them to their homes, and advise + their mothers never to let them stray out of sight. + </p> + <p> + "For if they do," said she, "it may happen to you, as it has to me, that + the iron-hearted King Pluto will take a liking to your darlings, and + snatch them up in his chariot, and carry them away." + </p> + <p> + One day, during her pilgrimage in quest of the entrance to Pluto's + kingdom, she came to the palace of King Cereus, who reigned at Eleusis. + Ascending a lofty flight of steps, she entered the portal, and found the + royal household in very great alarm about the queen's baby. The infant, it + seems, was sickly (being troubled with its teeth, I suppose), and would + take no food, and was all the time moaning with pain. The queen—her + name was Metanira—was desirous of funding a nurse; and when she + beheld a woman of matronly aspect coming up the palace steps, she thought, + in her own mind, that here was the very person whom she needed. So Queen + Metanira ran to the door, with the poor wailing baby in her arms, and + besought Ceres to take charge of it, or, at least, to tell her what would + do it good. + </p> + <p> + "Will you trust the child entirely to me?" asked Ceres. + </p> + <p> + "Yes, and gladly, too," answered the queen, "if you will devote all your + time to him. For I can see that you have been a mother." + </p> + <p> + "You are right," said Ceres. "I once had a child of my own. Well; I will + be the nurse of this poor, sickly boy. But beware, I warn you, that you do + not interfere with any kind of treatment which I may judge proper for him. + If you do so, the poor infant must suffer for his mother's folly." + </p> + <p> + Then she kissed the child, and it seemed to do him good; for he smiled and + nestled closely into her bosom. + </p> + <p> + So Mother Ceres set her torch in a corner (where it kept burning all the + while), and took up her abode in the palace of King Cereus, as nurse to + the little Prince Demophoon. She treated him as if he were her own child, + and allowed neither the king nor the queen to say whether he should be + bathed in warm or cold water, or what he should eat, or how often he + should take the air, or when he should be put to bed. You would hardly + believe me, if I were to tell how quickly the baby prince got rid of his + ailments, and grew fat, and rosy, and strong, and how he had two rows of + ivory teeth in less time than any other little fellow, before or since. + Instead of the palest, and wretchedest, and puniest imp in the world (as + his own mother confessed him to be, when Ceres first took him in charge), + he was now a strapping baby, crowing, laughing, kicking up his heels, and + rolling from one end of the room to the other. All the good women of the + neighborhood crowded to the palace, and held up their hands, in + unutterable amazement, at the beauty and wholesomeness of this darling + little prince. Their wonder was the greater, because he was never seen to + taste any food; not even so much as a cup of milk. + </p> + <p> + "Pray, nurse," the queen kept saying, "how is it that you make the child + thrive so?" + </p> + <p> + "I was a mother once," Ceres always replied; "and having nursed my own + child, I know what other children need." + </p> + <p> + But Queen Metanira, as was very natural, had a great curiosity to know + precisely what the nurse did to her child. One night, therefore, she hid + herself in the chamber where Ceres and the little prince were accustomed + to sleep. There was a fire in the chimney, and it had now crumbled into + great coals and embers, which lay glowing on the hearth, with a blaze + flickering up now and then, and flinging a warm and ruddy light upon the + walls. Ceres sat before the hearth with the child in her lap, and the + firelight making her shadow dance upon the ceiling overhead. She undressed + the little prince, and bathed him all over with some fragrant liquid out + of a vase. The next thing she did was to rake back the red embers, and + make a hollow place among them, just where the backlog had been. At last, + while the baby was crowing, and clapping its fat little hands, and + laughing in the nurse's face (just as you may have seen your little + brother or sister do before going into its warm bath), Ceres suddenly laid + him, all naked as he was, in the hollow among the red-hot embers. She then + raked the ashes over him, and turned quietly away. + </p> + <p> + You may imagine, if you can, how Queen Metanira shrieked, thinking nothing + less than that her dear child would be burned to a cinder. She burst forth + from her hiding-place, and running to the hearth, raked open the fire, and + snatched up poor little Prince Demophoon out of his bed of live coals, one + of which he was gripping in each of his fists. He immediately set up a + grievous cry, as babies are apt to do, when rudely startled out of a sound + sleep. To the queen's astonishment and joy, she could perceive no token of + the child's being injured by the hot fire in which he had lain. She now + turned to Mother Ceres, and asked her to explain the mystery. + </p> + <p> + "Foolish woman," answered Ceres, "did you not promise to intrust this poor + infant entirely to me? You little know the mischief you have done him. Had + you left him to my care, he would have grown up like a child of celestial + birth, endowed with superhuman strength and intelligence, and would have + lived forever. Do you imagine that earthly children are to become immortal + without being tempered to it in the fiercest heat of the fire? But you + have ruined your own son. For though he will be a strong man and a hero in + his day, yet, on account of your folly, he will grow old, and finally die, + like the sons of other women. The weak tenderness of his mother has cost + the poor boy an immortality. Farewell." + </p> + <p> + Saying these words, she kissed the little Prince Demophoon, and sighed to + think what he had lost, and took her departure without heeding Queen + Metanira, who entreated her to remain, and cover up the child among the + hot embers as often as she pleased. Poor baby! He never slept so warmly + again. + </p> + <p> + While she dwelt in the king's palace, Mother Ceres had been so continually + occupied with taking care of the young prince, that her heart was a little + lightened of its grief for Proserpina. But now, having nothing else to + busy herself about, she became just as wretched as before. At length, in + her despair, she came to the dreadful resolution that not a stalk of + grain, nor a blade of grass, not a potato, nor a turnip, nor any other + vegetable that was good for man or beast to eat, should be suffered to + grow until her daughter were restored. She even forbade the flowers to + bloom, lest somebody's heart should be cheered by their beauty. + </p> + <p> + Now, as not so much as a head of asparagus ever presumed to poke itself + out of the ground, without the especial permission of Ceres, you may + conceive what a terrible calamity had here fallen upon the earth. The + husbandmen plowed and planted as usual; but there lay the rich black + furrows, all as barren as a desert of sand. The pastures looked as brown + in the sweet month of June as ever they did in chill November. The rich + man's broad acres and the cottager's small garden patch were equally + blighted. Every little girl's flower bed showed nothing but dry stalks. + The old people shook their white heads, and said that the earth had grown + aged like themselves, and was no longer capable of wearing the warm smile + of summer on its face. It was really piteous to see the poor, starving + cattle and sheep, how they followed behind Ceres, lowing and bleating, as + if their instinct taught them to expect help from her; and everybody that + was acquainted with her power besought her to have mercy on the human + race, and, at all events, to let the grass grow. But Mother Ceres, though + naturally of an affectionate disposition, was now inexorable. + </p> + <p> + "Never," said she. "If the earth is ever again to see any verdure, it must + first grow along the path which my daughter will tread in coming back to + me." + </p> + <p> + Finally, as there seemed to be no other remedy, our old friend Quicksilver + was sent post-haste to King Pluto, in hopes that he might be persuaded to + undo the mischief he had done, and to set everything right again, by + giving up Proserpina. Quicksilver accordingly made the best of his way to + the great gate, took a flying leap right over the three-headed mastiff, + and stood at the door of the palace in an inconceivably short time. The + servants knew him both by his face and garb; for his short cloak, and his + winged cap and shoes, and his snaky staff had often been seen thereabouts + in times gone by. He requested to be shown immediately into the king's + presence; and Pluto, who heard his voice from the top of the stairs, and + who loved to recreate himself with Quicksilver's merry talk, called out to + him to come up. And while they settle their business together, we must + inquire what Proserpina had been doing ever since we saw her last. + </p> + <p> + The child had declared, as you may remember, that she would not taste a + mouthful of food as long as she should be compelled to remain in King + Pluto's palace. How she contrived to maintain her resolution, and at the + same time to keep herself tolerably plump and rosy, is more than I can + explain; but some young ladies, I am given to understand, possess the + faculty of living on air, and Proserpina seems to have possessed it too. + At any rate, it was now six months since she left the outside of the + earth; and not a morsel, so far as the attendants were able to testify, + had yet passed between her teeth. This was the more creditable to + Proserpina, inasmuch as King Pluto had caused her to be tempted day by + day, with all manner of sweetmeats, and richly-preserved fruits, and + delicacies of every sort, such as young people are generally most fond of. + But her good mother had often told her of the hurtfulness of these things; + and for that reason alone, if there had been no other, she would have + resolutely refused to taste them. + </p> + <p> + All this time, being of a cheerful and active disposition, the little + damsel was not quite so unhappy as you may have supposed. The immense + palace had a thousand rooms, and was full of beautiful and wonderful + objects. There was a never-ceasing gloom, it is true, which half hid + itself among the innumerable pillars, gliding before the child as she + wandered among them, and treading stealthily behind her in the echo of her + footsteps. Neither was all the dazzle of the precious stones, which flamed + with their own light, worth one gleam of natural sunshine; nor could the + most brilliant of the many-colored gems, which Proserpina had for + playthings, vie with the simple beauty of the flowers she used to gather. + But still, whenever the girl went among those gilded halls and chambers, + it seemed as if she carried nature and sunshine along with her, and as if + she scattered dewy blossoms on her right hand and on her left. After + Proserpina came, the palace was no longer the same abode of stately + artifice and dismal magnificence that it had before been. The inhabitants + all felt this, and King Pluto more than any of them. + </p> + <p> + "My own little Proserpina," he used to say. "I wish you could like me a + little better. We gloomy and cloudy-natured persons have often as warm + hearts, at bottom, as those of a more cheerful character. If you would + only stay with me of your own accord, it would make me happier than the + possession of a hundred such palaces as this." + </p> + <p> + "Ah," said Proserpina, "you should have tried to make me like you before + carrying me off. And the best thing you can now do is, to let me go again. + Then I might remember you sometimes, and think that you were as kind as + you knew how to be. Perhaps, too, one day or other, I might come back, and + pay you a visit." + </p> + <p> + "No, no," answered Pluto, with his gloomy smile, "I will not trust you for + that. You are too fond of living in the broad daylight, and gathering + flowers. What an idle and childish taste that is! Are not these gems, + which I have ordered to be dug for you, and which are richer than any in + my crown—are they not prettier than a violet?" + </p> + <p> + "Not half so pretty," said Proserpina, snatching the gems from Pluto's + hand, and flinging them to the other end of the hall. "O my sweet violets, + shall I never see you again?" + </p> + <p> + And then she burst into tears. But young people's tears have very little + saltness or acidity in them, and do not inflame the eyes so much as those + of grown persons; so that it is not to be wondered at, if, a few moments + afterwards, Proserpina was sporting through the hall almost as merrily as + she and the four sea nymphs had sported along the edge of the surf wave. + King Pluto gazed after her, and wished that he, too, was a child. And + little Proserpina, when she turned about, and beheld this great king + standing in his splendid hall, and looking so grand, and so melancholy, + and so lonesome, was smitten with a kind of pity. She ran back to him, + and, for the first time in all her life, put her small, soft hand in his. + </p> + <p> + "I love you a little," whispered she, looking up in his face. + </p> + <p> + "Do you, indeed, my dear child?" cried Pluto, bending his dark face down + to kiss her; but Proserpina shrank away from the kiss, for, though his + features were noble, they were very dusky and grim. "Well, I have not + deserved it of you, after keeping you a prisoner for so many months, and + starving you besides. Are you not terribly hungry? Is there nothing which + I can get you to eat?" + </p> + <p> + In asking this question, the king of the mines had a very cunning purpose; + for, you will recollect, if Proserpina tasted a morsel of food in his + dominions, she would never afterwards be at liberty to quit them. + </p> + <p> + "No indeed," said Proserpina. "Your head cook is always baking, and + stewing, and roasting, and rolling out paste, and contriving one dish or + another, which he imagines may be to my liking. But he might just as well + save himself the trouble, poor, fat little man that he is. I have no + appetite for anything in the world, unless it were a slice of bread, of my + mother's own baking, or a little fruit out of her garden." + </p> + <p> + When Pluto heard this, he began to see that he had mistaken the best + method of tempting Proserpina to eat. The cook's made dishes and + artificial dainties were not half so delicious, in the good child's + opinion, as the simple fare to which Mother Ceres had accustomed her. + Wondering that he had never thought of it before, the king now sent one of + his trusty attendants with a large basket, to get some of the finest and + juiciest pears, peaches, and plums which could anywhere be found in the + upper world. Unfortunately, however, this was during the time when Ceres + had forbidden any fruits or vegetables to grow; and, after seeking all + over the earth, King Pluto's servant found only a single pomegranate, and + that so dried up as not to be worth eating. Nevertheless, since there was + no better to be had, he brought this dry, old withered pomegranate home to + the palace, put it on a magnificent golden salver, and carried it up to + Proserpina. Now, it happened, curiously enough, that, just as the servant + was bringing the pomegranate into the back door of the palace, our friend + Quicksilver had gone up the front steps, on his errand to get Proserpina + away from King Pluto. + </p> + <p> + As soon as Proserpina saw the pomegranate on the golden salver, she told + the servant he had better take it away again. + </p> + <p> + "I shall not touch it, I assure you," said she. "If I were ever so hungry, + I should never think of eating such a miserable, dry pomegranate as that." + </p> + <p> + "It is the only one in the world," said the servant. + </p> + <p> + He set down the golden salver, with the wizened pomegranate upon it, and + left the room. When he was gone, Proserpina could not help coming close to + the table, and looking at this poor specimen of dried fruit with a great + deal of eagerness; for, to say the truth, on seeing something that suited + her taste, she felt all the six months' appetite taking possession of her + at once. To be sure, it was a very wretched-looking pomegranate, and + seemed to have no more juice in it than an oyster shell. But there was no + choice of such things in King Pluto's palace. This was the first fruit she + had seen there, and the last she was ever likely to see; and unless she + ate it up immediately, it would grow drier than it already was, and be + wholly unfit to eat. + </p> + <p> + "At least, I may smell it," thought Proserpina. + </p> + <p> + So she took up the pomegranate, and applied it to her nose; and, somehow + or other, being in such close neighborhood to her mouth, the fruit found + its way into that little red cave. Dear me! what an everlasting pity! + Before Proserpina knew what she was about, her teeth had actually bitten + it, of their own accord. Just as this fatal deed was done, the door of the + apartment opened, and in came King Pluto, followed by Quicksilver, who had + been urging him to let his little prisoner go. At the first noise of their + entrance, Proserpina withdrew the pomegranate from her mouth. But + Quicksilver (whose eyes were very keen, and his wits the sharpest that + ever anybody had) perceived that the child was a little confused; and + seeing the empty salver, he suspected that she had been taking a sly + nibble of something or other. As for honest Pluto, he never guessed at the + secret. + </p> + <p> + "My little Proserpina," said the king, sitting down, and affectionately + drawing her between his knees, "here is Quicksilver, who tells me that a + great many misfortunes have befallen innocent people on account of my + detaining you in my dominions. To confess the truth, I myself had already + reflected that it was an unjustifiable act to take you away from your good + mother. But, then, you must consider, my dear child, that this vast palace + is apt to be gloomy (although the precious stones certainly shine very + bright), and that I am not of the most cheerful disposition, and that + therefore it was a natural thing enough to seek for the society of some + merrier creature than myself. I hoped you would take my crown for a + plaything, and me—ah, you laugh, naughty Proserpina—me, grim + as I am, for a playmate. It was a silly expectation." + </p> + <p> + "Not so extremely silly," whispered Proserpina. "You have really amused me + very much, sometimes." + </p> + <p> + "Thank you," said King Pluto, rather dryly. "But I can see plainly enough, + that you think my palace a dusky prison, and me the iron-hearted keeper of + it. And an iron heart I should surely have, if I could detain you here any + longer, my poor child, when it is now six months since you tasted food. I + give you your liberty. Go with Quicksilver. Hasten home to your dear + mother." + </p> + <p> + Now, although you may not have supposed it, Proserpina found it impossible + to take leave of poor King Pluto without some regrets, and a good deal of + compunction for not telling him about the pomegranate. She even shed a + tear or two, thinking how lonely and cheerless the great palace would seem + to him, with all its ugly glare of artificial light, after she herself—his + one little ray of natural sunshine, whom he had stolen, to be sure, but + only because he valued her so much—after she should have departed. I + know not how many kind things she might have said to the disconsolate king + of the mines, had not Quicksilver hurried her way. + </p> + <p> + "Come along quickly," whispered he in her ear, "or his majesty may change + his royal mind. And take care, above all things, that you say nothing of + what was brought you on the golden salver." + </p> + <p> + In a very short time, they had passed the great gateway (leaving the + three-headed Cerberus, barking, and yelping, and growling, with threefold + din, behind them), and emerged upon the surface of the earth. It was + delightful to behold, as Proserpina hastened along, how the path grew + verdant behind and on either side of her. Wherever she set her blessed + foot, there was at once a dewy flower. The violets gushed up along the + wayside. The grass and the grain began to sprout with tenfold vigor and + luxuriance, to make up for the dreary months that had been wasted in + barrenness. The starved cattle immediately set to work grazing, after + their long fast, and ate enormously, all day, and got up at midnight to + eat more. + </p> + <p> + But I can assure you it was a busy time of year with the farmers, when + they found the summer coming upon them with such a rush. Nor must I forget + to say, that all the birds in the whole world hopped about upon the + newly-blossoming trees, and sang together, in a prodigious ecstasy of joy. + </p> + <p> + Mother Ceres had returned to her deserted home, and was sitting + disconsolately on the doorstep, with her torch burning in her hand. She + had been idly watching the flame for some moments past, when, all at once, + it flickered and went out. + </p> + <p> + "What does this mean?" thought she. "It was an enchanted torch, and should + have kept burning till my child came back." + </p> + <p> + Lifting her eyes, she was surprised to see a sudden verdure flashing over + the brown and barren fields, exactly as you may have observed a golden hue + gleaming far and wide across the landscape, from the just risen sun. + </p> + <p> + "Does the earth disobey me?" exclaimed Mother Ceres, indignantly. "Does it + presume to be green, when I have bidden it be barren, until my daughter + shall be restored to my arms?" + </p> + <p> + "Then open your arms, dear mother," cried a well-known voice, "and take + your little daughter into them." + </p> + <p> + And Proserpina came running, and flung herself upon her mother's bosom. + Their mutual transport is not to be described. The grief of their + separation had caused both of them to shed a great many tears; and now + they shed a great many more, because their joy could not so well express + itself in any other way. + </p> + <p> + When their hearts had grown a little more quiet, Mother Ceres looked + anxiously at Proserpina. + </p> + <p> + "My child," said she, "did you taste any food while you were in King + Pluto's palace?" + </p> + <p> + "Dearest mother," exclaimed Proserpina, "I will tell you the whole truth. + Until this very morning, not a morsel of food had passed my lips. But + to-day, they brought me a pomegranate (a very dry one it was, and all + shriveled up, till there was little left of it but seeds and skin), and + having seen no fruit for so long a time, and being faint with hunger, I + was tempted just to bite it. The instant I tasted it, King Pluto and + Quicksilver came into the room. I had not swallowed a morsel; but—dear + mother, I hope it was no harm—but six of the pomegranate seeds, I am + afraid, remained in my mouth." + </p> + <p> + "Ah, unfortunate child, and miserable me!" exclaimed Ceres. "For each of + those six pomegranate seeds you must spend one month of every year in King + Pluto's palace. You are but half restored to your mother. Only six months + with me, and six with that good-for-nothing King of Darkness!" + </p> + <p> + "Do not speak so harshly of poor King Pluto," said Prosperina, kissing her + mother. "He has some very good qualities; and I really think I can bear to + spend six months in his palace, if he will only let me spend the other six + with you. He certainly did very wrong to carry me off; but then, as he + says, it was but a dismal sort of life for him, to live in that great + gloomy place, all alone; and it has made a wonderful change in his spirits + to have a little girl to run up stairs and down. There is some comfort in + making him so happy; and so, upon the whole, dearest mother, let us be + thankful that he is not to keep me the whole year round." + </p> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0005" id="link2H_4_0005"> + <!-- H2 anchor --> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + THE GOLDEN FLEECE. + </h2> + <p> + When Jason, the son of the dethroned King of Iolchos, was a little boy, he + was sent away from his parents, and placed under the queerest schoolmaster + that ever you heard of. This learned person was one of the people, or + quadrupeds, called Centaurs. He lived in a cavern, and had the body and + legs of a white horse, with the head and shoulders of a man. His name was + Chiron; and, in spite of his odd appearance, he was a very excellent + teacher, and had several scholars, who afterwards did him credit by making + a great figure in the world. The famous Hercules was one, and so was + Achilles, and Philoctetes likewise, and Aesculapius, who acquired immense + repute as a doctor. The good Chiron taught his pupils how to play upon the + harp, and how to cure diseases, and how to use the sword and shield, + together with various other branches of education, in which the lads of + those days used to be instructed, instead of writing and arithmetic. + </p> + <p> + I have sometimes suspected that Master Chiron was not really very + different from other people, but that, being a kind-hearted and merry old + fellow, he was in the habit of making believe that he was a horse, and + scrambling about the schoolroom on all fours, and letting the little boys + ride upon his back. And so, when his scholars had grown up, and grown old, + and were trotting their grandchildren on their knees, they told them about + the sports of their school days; and these young folks took the idea that + their grandfathers had been taught their letters by a Centaur, half man + and half horse. Little children, not quite understanding what is said to + them, often get such absurd notions into their heads, you know. + </p> + <p> + Be that as it may, it has always been told for a fact (and always will be + told, as long as the world lasts), that Chiron, with the head of a + schoolmaster, had the body and legs of a horse. Just imagine the grave old + gentleman clattering and stamping into the schoolroom on his four hoofs, + perhaps treading on some little fellow's toes, flourishing his switch tail + instead of a rod, and, now and then, trotting out of doors to eat a + mouthful of grass! I wonder what the blacksmith charged him for a set of + iron shoes? + </p> + <p> + So Jason dwelt in the cave, with this four-footed Chiron, from the time + that he was an infant, only a few months old, until he had grown to the + full height of a man. He became a very good harper, I suppose, and skilful + in the use of weapons, and tolerably acquainted with herbs and other + doctor's stuff, and, above all, an admirable horseman; for, in teaching + young people to ride, the good Chiron must have been without a rival among + schoolmasters. At length, being now a tall and athletic youth, Jason + resolved to seek his fortune in the world, without asking Chiron's advice, + or telling him anything about the matter. This was very unwise, to be + sure; and I hope none of you, my little hearers, will ever follow Jason's + example. + </p> + <p> + But, you are to understand, he had heard how that he himself was a prince + royal, and how his father, King Jason, had been deprived of the kingdom of + Iolchos by a certain Pelias, who would also have killed Jason, had he not + been hidden in the Centaur's cave. And, being come to the strength of a + man, Jason determined to set all this business to rights, and to punish + the wicked Pelias for wronging his dear father, and to cast him down from + the throne, and seat himself there instead. + </p> + <p> + With this intention, he took a spear in each hand, and threw a leopard's + skin over his shoulders, to keep off the rain, and set forth on his + travels, with his long yellow ringlets waving in the wind. The part of his + dress on which he most prided himself was a pair of sandals, that had been + his father's. They were handsomely embroidered, and were tied upon his + feet with strings of gold. But his whole attire was such as people did not + very often see; and as he passed along, the women and children ran to the + doors and windows, wondering whither this beautiful youth was journeying, + with his leopard's skin and his golden-tied sandals, and what heroic deeds + he meant to perform, with a spear in his right hand and another in his + left. + </p> + <p> + I know not how far Jason had traveled, when he came to a turbulent river, + which rushed right across his pathway, with specks of white foam among its + black eddies, hurrying tumultuously onward, and roaring angrily as it + went. Though not a very broad river in the dry seasons of the year, it was + now swollen by heavy rains and by the melting of the snow on the sides of + Mount Olympus; and it thundered so loudly, and looked so wild and + dangerous, that Jason, bold as he was, thought it prudent to pause upon + the brink. The bed of the stream seemed to be strewn with sharp and rugged + rocks, some of which thrust themselves above the water. By and by, an + uprooted tree, with shattered branches, came drifting along the current, + and got entangled among the rocks. Now and then, a drowned sheep, and once + the carcass of a cow, floated past. + </p> + <p> + In short, the swollen river had already done a great deal of mischief. It + was evidently too deep for Jason to wade, and too boisterous for him to + swim; he could see no bridge; and as for a boat, had there been any, the + rocks would have broken it to pieces in an instant. + </p> + <p> + "See the poor lad," said a cracked voice close to his side. "He must have + had but a poor education, since he does not know how to cross a little + stream like this. Or is he afraid of wetting his fine golden-stringed + sandals? It is a pity his four-footed schoolmaster is not here to carry + him safely across on his back!" + </p> + <p> + Jason looked round greatly surprised, for he did not know that anybody was + near. But beside him stood an old woman, with a ragged mantle over her + head, leaning on a staff, the top of which was carved into the shape of a + cuckoo. She looked very aged, and wrinkled, and infirm; and yet her eyes, + which were as brown as those of an ox, were so extremely large and + beautiful, that, when they were fixed on Jason's eyes, he could see + nothing else but them. The old woman had a pomegranate in her hand, + although the fruit was then quite out of season. + </p> + <p> + "Whither are you going, Jason?" she now asked. + </p> + <p> + She seemed to know his name, you will observe; and, indeed, those great + brown eyes looked as if they had a knowledge of everything, whether past + or to come. While Jason was gazing at her, a peacock strutted forward, and + took his stand at the old woman's side. + </p> + <p> + "I am going to Iolchos," answered the young man, "to bid the wicked King + Pelias come down from my father's throne, and let me reign in his stead." + </p> + <p> + "Ah, well, then," said the old woman, still with the same cracked voice, + "if that is all your business, you need not be in a very great hurry. Just + take me on your back, there's a good youth, and carry me across the river. + I and my peacock have something to do on the other side, as well as + yourself." + </p> + <p> + "Good mother," replied Jason, "your business can hardly be so important as + the pulling down a king from his throne. Besides, as you may see for + yourself, the river is very boisterous; and if I should chance to stumble, + it would sweep both of us away more easily than it has carried off yonder + uprooted tree. I would gladly help you if I could; but I doubt whether I + am strong enough to carry you across." + </p> + <p> + "Then," said she, very scornfully, "neither are you strong enough to pull + King Pelias off his throne. And, Jason, unless you will help an old woman + at her need, you ought not to be a king. What are kings made for, save to + succor the feeble and distressed? But do as you please. Either take me on + your back, or with my poor old limbs I shall try my best to struggle + across the stream." + </p> + <p> + Saying this, the old woman poked with her staff in the river, as if to + find the safest place in its rocky bed where she might make the first + step. But Jason, by this time, had grown ashamed of his reluctance to help + her. He felt that he could never forgive himself, if this poor feeble + creature should come to any harm in attempting to wrestle against the + headlong current. The good Chiron, whether half horse or no, had taught + him that the noblest use of his strength was to assist the weak; and also + that he must treat every young woman as if she were his sister, and every + old one like a mother. Remembering these maxims, the vigorous and + beautiful young man knelt down, and requested the good dame to mount upon + his back. + </p> + <p> + "The passage seems to me not very safe," he remarked. "But as your + business is so urgent, I will try to carry you across. If the river sweeps + you away, it shall take me too." + </p> + <p> + "That, no doubt, will be a great comfort to both of us," quoth the old + woman. "But never fear. We shall get safely across." + </p> + <p> + So she threw her arms around Jason's neck; and lifting her from the + ground, he stepped boldly into the raging and foaming current, and began + to stagger away from the shore. As for the peacock, it alighted on the old + dame's shoulder. Jason's two spears, one in each hand, kept him from + stumbling, and enabled him to feel his way among the hidden rocks; + although every instant, he expected that his companion and himself would + go down the stream, together with the driftwood of shattered trees, and + the carcasses of the sheep and cow. Down came the cold, snowy torrent from + the steep side of Olympus, raging and thundering as if it had a real spite + against Jason, or, at all events, were determined to snatch off his living + burden from his shoulders. When he was half way across, the uprooted tree + (which I have already told you about) broke loose from among the rocks, + and bore down upon him, with all its splintered branches sticking out like + the hundred arms of the giant Briareus. It rushed past, however, without + touching him. But the next moment his foot was caught in a crevice between + two rocks, and stuck there so fast, that, in the effort to get free, he + lost one of his golden-stringed sandals. + </p> + <p> + At this accident Jason could not help uttering a cry of vexation. + </p> + <p> + "What is the matter, Jason?" asked the old woman. + </p> + <p> + "Matter enough," said the young man. "I have lost a sandal here among the + rocks. And what sort of a figure shall I cut, at the court of King Pelias, + with a golden-stringed sandal on one foot, and the other foot bare!" + </p> + <p> + "Do not take it to heart," answered his companion cheerily. "You never met + with better fortune than in losing that sandal. It satisfies me that you + are the very person whom the Speaking Oak has been talking about." + </p> + <p> + There was no time, just then, to inquire what the Speaking Oak had said. + But the briskness of her tone encouraged the young man; and, besides, he + had never in his life felt so vigorous and mighty as since taking this old + woman on his back. Instead of being exhausted, he gathered strength as he + went on; and, struggling up against the torrent, he at last gained the + opposite shore, clambered up the bank, and set down the old dame and her + peacock safely on the grass. As soon as this was done, however, he could + not help looking rather despondently at his bare foot, with only a remnant + of the golden string of the sandal clinging round his ankle. + </p> + <p> + "You will get a handsomer pair of sandals by and by," said the old woman, + with a kindly look out of her beautiful brown eyes. "Only let King Pelias + get a glimpse of that bare foot, and you shall see him turn as pale as + ashes, I promise you. There is your path. Go along, my good Jason, and my + blessing go with you. And when you sit on your throne remember the old + woman whom you helped over the river." + </p> + <p> + With these words, she hobbled away, giving him a smile over her shoulder + as she departed. + </p> + <p> + Whether the light of her beautiful brown eyes threw a glory round about + her, or whatever the cause might be, Jason fancied that there was + something very noble and majestic in her figure, after all, and that, + though her gait seemed to be a rheumatic hobble, yet she moved with as + much grace and dignity as any queen on earth. Her peacock, which had now + fluttered down from her shoulder, strutted behind her in a prodigious + pomp, and spread out its magnificent tail on purpose for Jason to admire + it. + </p> + <p> + When the old dame and her peacock were out of sight, Jason set forward on + his journey. After traveling a pretty long distance, he came to a town + situated at the foot of a mountain, and not a great way from the shore of + the sea. On the outside of the town there was an immense crowd of people, + not only men and women, but children too, all in their best clothes, and + evidently enjoying a holiday. The crowd was thickest towards the + sea-shore; and in that direction, over the people's heads, Jason saw a + wreath of smoke curling upward to the blue sky. He inquired of one of the + multitude what town it was near by, and why so many persons were here + assembled together. + </p> + <p> + "This is the kingdom of Iolchos," answered the man, "and we are the + subjects of King Pelias. Our monarch has summoned us together, that we may + see him sacrifice a black bull to Neptune, who, they say, is his majesty's + father. Yonder is the king, where you see the smoke going up from the + altar." + </p> + <p> + While the man spoke he eyed Jason with great curiosity; for his garb was + quite unlike that of the Iolchians, and it looked very odd to see a youth + with a leopard's skin over his shoulders, and each hand grasping a spear. + Jason perceived, too, that the man stared particularly at his feet, one of + which, you remember, was bare, while the other was decorated with his + father's golden-stringed sandal. + </p> + <p> + "Look at him! only look at him!" said the man to his next neighbor. "Do + you see? He wears but one sandal!" + </p> + <p> + Upon this, first one person, and then another, began to stare at Jason, + and everybody seemed to be greatly struck with something in his aspect; + though they turned their eyes much oftener towards his feet than to any + other part of his figure. Besides, he could hear them whispering to one + another. + </p> + <p> + "One sandal! One sandal!" they kept saying. "The man with one sandal! Here + he is at last! Whence has he come? What does he mean to do? What will the + king say to the one-sandaled man?" + </p> + <p> + Poor Jason was greatly abashed, and made up his mind that the people of + Iolchos were exceedingly ill-bred, to take such public notice of an + accidental deficiency in his dress. Meanwhile, whether it were that they + hustled him forward, or that Jason, of his own accord, thrust a passage + through the crowd, it so happened that he soon found himself close to the + smoking altar, where King Pelias was sacrificing the black bull. The + murmur and hum of the multitude, in their surprise at the spectacle of + Jason with his one bare foot, grew so loud that it disturbed the + ceremonies; and the king, holding the great knife with which he was just + going to cut the bull's throat, turned angrily about, and fixed his eyes + on Jason. The people had now withdrawn from around him, so that the youth + stood in an open space, near the smoking altar, front to front with the + angry King Pelias. + </p> + <p> + "Who are you?" cried the king, with a terrible frown. "And how dare you + make this disturbance, while I am sacrificing a black bull to my father + Neptune?" + </p> + <p> + "It is no fault of mine," answered Jason. "Your majesty must blame the + rudeness of your subjects, who have raised all this tumult because one of + my feet happens to be bare." + </p> + <p> + When Jason said this, the king gave a quick startled glance down at his + feet. + </p> + <p> + "Ha!" muttered he, "here is the one-sandaled fellow, sure enough! What can + I do with him?" + </p> + <p> + And he clutched more closely the great knife in his hand, as if he were + half a mind to slay Jason, instead of the black bull. The people round + about caught up the king's words, indistinctly as they were uttered; and + first there was a murmur amongst them, and then a loud shout. + </p> + <p> + "The one-sandaled man has come! The prophecy must be fulfilled!" + </p> + <p> + For you are to know, that, many years before, King Pelias had been told by + the Speaking Oak of Dodona, that a man with one sandal should cast him + down from his throne. On this account, he had given strict orders that + nobody should ever come into his presence, unless both sandals were + securely tied upon his feet; and he kept an officer in his palace, whose + sole business it was to examine people's sandals, and to supply them with + a new pair, at the expense of the royal treasury, as soon as the old ones + began to wear out. In the whole course of the king's reign, he had never + been thrown into such a fright and agitation as by the spectacle of poor + Jason's bare foot. But, as he was naturally a bold and hard-hearted man, + he soon took courage, and began to consider in what way he might rid + himself of this terrible one-sandaled stranger. + </p> + <p> + "My good young man," said King Pelias, taking the softest tone imaginable, + in order to throw Jason off his guard, "you are excessively welcome to my + kingdom. Judging by your dress, you must have traveled a long distance, + for it is not the fashion to wear leopard skins in this part of the world. + Pray what may I call your name? and where did you receive your education?" + </p> + <p> + "My name is Jason," answered the young stranger. "Ever since my infancy, I + have dwelt in the cave of Chiron the Centaur. He was my instructor, and + taught me music, and horsemanship, and how to cure wounds, and likewise + how to inflict wounds with my weapons!" + </p> + <p> + "I have heard of Chiron the schoolmaster," replied King Pelias, "and how + that there is an immense deal of learning and wisdom in his head, although + it happens to be set on a horse's body. It gives me great delight to see + one of his scholars at my court. But to test how much you have profited + under so excellent a teacher, will you allow me to ask you a single + question?" + </p> + <p> + "I do not pretend to be very wise," said Jason. "But ask me what you + please, and I will answer to the best of my ability." + </p> + <p> + Now King Pelias meant cunningly to entrap the young man, and to make him + say something that should be the cause of mischief and distraction to + himself. So, with a crafty and evil smile upon his face, he spoke as + follows: + </p> + <p> + "What would you do, brave Jason," asked he, "if there were a man in the + world, by whom, as you had reason to believe, you were doomed to be ruined + and slain—what would you do, I say, if that man stood before you, + and in your power?" + </p> + <p> + When Jason saw the malice and wickedness which King Pelias could not + prevent from gleaming out of his eyes, he probably guessed that the king + had discovered what he came for, and that he intended to turn his own + words against himself. Still he scorned to tell a falsehood. Like an + upright and honorable prince as he was, he determined to speak out the + real truth. Since the king had chosen to ask him the question, and since + Jason had promised him an answer, there was no right way save to tell him + precisely what would be the most prudent thing to do, if he had his worst + enemy in his power. + </p> + <p> + Therefore, after a moment's consideration, he spoke up, with a firm and + manly voice. + </p> + <p> + "I would send such a man," said he, "in quest of the Golden Fleece!" + </p> + <p> + This enterprise, you will understand, was, of all others, the most + difficult and dangerous in the world. In the first place it would be + necessary to make a long voyage through unknown seas. There was hardly a + hope, or a possibility, that any young man who should undertake this + voyage would either succeed in obtaining the Golden Fleece, or would + survive to return home, and tell of the perils he had run. The eyes of + King Pelias sparkled with joy, therefore, when he heard Jason's reply. + </p> + <p> + "Well said, wise man with the one sandal!" cried he. "Go, then, and at the + peril of your life, bring me back the Golden Fleece." + </p> + <p> + "I go," answered Jason, composedly. "If I fail, you need not fear that I + will ever come back to trouble you again. But if I return to Iolchos with + the prize, then, King Pelias, you must hasten down from your lofty throne, + and give me your crown and sceptre." + </p> + <p> + "That I will," said the king, with a sneer. "Meantime, I will keep them + very safely for you." + </p> + <p> + The first thing that Jason thought of doing, after he left the king's + presence, was to go to Dodona, and inquire of the Talking Oak what course + it was best to pursue. This wonderful tree stood in the center of an + ancient wood. Its stately trunk rose up a hundred feet into the air, and + threw a broad and dense shadow over more than an acre of ground. Standing + beneath it, Jason looked up among the knotted branches and green leaves, + and into the mysterious heart of the old tree, and spoke aloud, as if he + were addressing some person who was hidden in the depths of the foliage. + </p> + <p> + "What shall I do," said he, "in order to win the Golden Fleece?" + </p> + <p> + At first there was a deep silence, not only within the shadow of the + Talking Oak, but all through the solitary wood. In a moment or two, + however, the leaves of the oak began to stir and rustle, as if a gentle + breeze were wandering amongst them, although the other trees of the wood + were perfectly still. The sound grew louder, and became like the roar of a + high wind. By and by, Jason imagined that he could distinguish words, but + very confusedly, because each separate leaf of the tree seemed to be a + tongue, and the whole myriad of tongues were babbling at once. But the + noise waxed broader and deeper, until it resembled a tornado sweeping + through the oak, and making one great utterance out of the thousand and + thousand of little murmurs which each leafy tongue had caused by its + rustling. And now, though it still had the tone of a mighty wind roaring + among the branches, it was also like a deep bass voice, speaking as + distinctly as a tree could be expected to speak, the following words: + </p> + <p> + "Go to Argus, the shipbuilder, and bid him build a galley with fifty + oars." + </p> + <p> + Then the voice melted again into the indistinct murmur of the rustling + leaves, and died gradually away. When it was quite gone, Jason felt + inclined to doubt whether he had actually heard the words, or whether his + fancy had not shaped them out of the ordinary sound made by a breeze, + while passing through the thick foliage of the tree. + </p> + <p> + But on inquiry among the people of Iolchos, he found that there was really + a man in the city, by the name of Argus, who was a very skilful builder of + vessels. This showed some intelligence in the oak; else how should it have + known that any such person existed? At Jason's request, Argus readily + consented to build him a galley so big that it should require fifty strong + men to row it; although no vessel of such a size and burden had heretofore + been seen in the world. So the head carpenter and all his journeymen and + apprentices began their work; and for a good while afterwards, there they + were, busily employed, hewing out the timbers, and making a great clatter + with their hammers; until the new ship, which was called the Argo, seemed + to be quite ready for sea. And, as the Talking Oak had already given him + such good advice, Jason thought that it would not be amiss to ask for a + little more. He visited it again, therefore, and standing beside its huge, + rough trunk, inquired what he should do next. + </p> + <p> + This time, there was no such universal quivering of the leaves, throughout + the whole tree, as there had been before. But after a while, Jason + observed that the foliage of a great branch which stretched above his head + had begun to rustle, as if the wind were stirring that one bough, while + all the other boughs of the oak were at rest. + </p> + <p> + "Cut me off!" said the branch, as soon as it could speak distinctly; "cut + me off! cut me off! and carve me into a figure-head for your galley." + </p> + <p> + Accordingly, Jason took the branch at its word, and lopped it off the + tree. A carver in the neighborhood engaged to make the figurehead. He was + a tolerably good workman, and had already carved several figure-heads, in + what he intended for feminine shapes, and looking pretty much like those + which we see nowadays stuck up under a vessel's bowsprit, with great + staring eyes, that never wink at the dash of the spray. But (what was very + strange) the carver found that his hand was guided by some unseen power, + and by a skill beyond his own, and that his tools shaped out an image + which he had never dreamed of. When the work was finished, it turned out + to be the figure of a beautiful woman, with a helmet on her head, from + beneath which the long ringlets fell down upon her shoulders. On the left + arm was a shield, and in its center appeared a lifelike representation of + the head of Medusa with the snaky locks. The right arm was extended, as if + pointing onward. The face of this wonderful statue, though not angry or + forbidding, was so grave and majestic, that perhaps you might call it + severe; and as for the mouth, it seemed just ready to unclose its lips, + and utter words of the deepest wisdom. + </p> + <p> + Jason was delighted with the oaken image, and gave the carver no rest + until it was completed, and set up where a figure-head has always stood, + from that time to this, in the vessel's prow. + </p> + <p> + "And now," cried he, as he stood gazing at the calm, majestic face of the + statue, "I must go to the Talking Oak and inquire what next to do." + </p> + <p> + "There is no need of that, Jason," said a voice which, though it was far + lower, reminded him of the mighty tones of the great oak. "When you desire + good advice, you can seek it of me." + </p> + <p> + Jason had been looking straight into the face of the image when these + words were spoken. But he could hardly believe either his ears or his + eyes. The truth was, however, that the oaken lips had moved, and, to all + appearance, the voice had proceeded from the statue's mouth. Recovering a + little from his surprise, Jason bethought himself that the image had been + carved out of the wood of the Talking Oak, and that, therefore, it was + really no great wonder, but on the contrary, the most natural thing in the + world, that it should possess the faculty of speech. It would have been + very odd, indeed, if it had not. But certainly it was a great piece of + good fortune that he should be able to carry so wise a block of wood along + with him in his perilous voyage. + </p> + <p> + "Tell me, wondrous image," exclaimed Jason,—"since you inherit the + wisdom of the Speaking Oak of Dodona, whose daughter you are,—tell + me, where shall I find fifty bold youths, who will take each of them an + oar of my galley? They must have sturdy arms to row, and brave hearts to + encounter perils, or we shall never win the Golden Fleece." + </p> + <p> + "Go," replied the oaken image, "go, summon all the heroes of Greece." + </p> + <p> + And, in fact, considering what a great deed was to be done, could any + advice be wiser than this which Jason received from the figure-head of his + vessel? He lost no time in sending messengers to all the cities, and + making known to the whole people of Greece, that Prince Jason, the son of + King Jason, was going in quest of the Fleece of Gold, and that he desired + the help of forty-nine of the bravest and strongest young men alive, to + row his vessel and share his dangers. And Jason himself would be the + fiftieth. + </p> + <p> + At this news, the adventurous youths, all over the country, began to + bestir themselves. Some of them had already fought with giants, and slain + dragons; and the younger ones, who had not yet met with such good fortune, + thought it a shame to have lived so long without getting astride of a + flying serpent, or sticking their spears into a Chimaera, or, at least, + thrusting their right arms down a monstrous lion's throat. There was a + fair prospect that they would meet with plenty of such adventures before + finding the Golden Fleece. As soon as they could furbish up their helmets + and shields, therefore, and gird on their trusty swords, they came + thronging to Iolchos, and clambered on board the new galley. Shaking hands + with Jason, they assured him that they did not care a pin for their lives, + but would help row the vessel to the remotest edge of the world, and as + much farther as he might think it best to go. + </p> + <p> + Many of these brave fellows had been educated by Chiron, the four-footed + pedagogue, and were therefore old schoolmates of Jason, and knew him to be + a lad of spirit. The mighty Hercules, whose shoulders afterwards upheld + the sky, was one of them. And there were Castor and Pollux, the twin + brothers, who were never accused of being chicken-hearted, although they + had been hatched out of an egg; and Theseus, who was so renowned for + killing the Minotaur, and Lynceus, with his wonderfully sharp eyes, which + could see through a millstone, or look right down into the depths of the + earth, and discover the treasures that were there; and Orpheus, the very + best of harpers, who sang and played upon his lyre so sweetly, that the + brute beasts stood upon their hind legs, and capered merrily to the music. + Yes, and at some of his more moving tunes, the rocks bestirred their + moss-grown bulk out of the ground, and a grove of forest trees uprooted + themselves, and, nodding their tops to one another, performed a country + dance. + </p> + <p> + One of the rowers was a beautiful young woman, named Atalanta, who had + been nursed among the mountains by a bear. So light of foot was this fair + damsel, that she could step from one foamy crest of a wave to the foamy + crest of another, without wetting more than the sole of her sandal. She + had grown up in a very wild way, and talked much about the rights of + women, and loved hunting and war far better than her needle. But in my + opinion, the most remarkable of this famous company were two sons of the + North Wind (airy youngsters, and of rather a blustering disposition) who + had wings on their shoulders, and, in case of a calm, could puff out their + cheeks, and blow almost as fresh a breeze as their father. I ought not to + forget the prophets and conjurors, of whom there were several in the crew, + and who could foretell what would happen to-morrow or the next day, or a + hundred years hence, but were generally quite unconscious of what was + passing at the moment. + </p> + <p> + Jason appointed Tiphys to be helmsman because he was a star-gazer, and + knew the points of the compass. Lynceus, on account of his sharp sight, + was stationed as a look-out in the prow, where he saw a whole day's sail + ahead, but was rather apt to overlook things that lay directly under his + nose. If the sea only happened to be deep enough, however, Lynceus could + tell you exactly what kind of rocks or sands were at the bottom of it; and + he often cried out to his companions, that they were sailing over heaps of + sunken treasure, which yet he was none the richer for beholding. To + confess the truth, few people believed him when he said it. + </p> + <p> + Well! But when the Argonauts, as these fifty brave adventurers were + called, had prepared everything for the voyage, an unforeseen difficulty + threatened to end it before it was begun. The vessel, you must understand, + was so long, and broad, and ponderous, that the united force of all the + fifty was insufficient to shove her into the water. Hercules, I suppose, + had not grown to his full strength, else he might have set her afloat as + easily as a little boy launches his boat upon a puddle. But here were + these fifty heroes, pushing, and straining, and growing red in the face, + without making the Argo start an inch. At last, quite wearied out, they + sat themselves down on the shore exceedingly disconsolate, and thinking + that the vessel must be left to rot and fall in pieces, and that they must + either swim across the sea or lose the Golden Fleece. + </p> + <p> + All at once, Jason bethought himself of the galley's miraculous + figure-head. + </p> + <p> + "O, daughter of the Talking Oak," cried he, "how shall we set to work to + get our vessel into the water?" + </p> + <p> + "Seat yourselves," answered the image (for it had known what had ought to + be done from the very first, and was only waiting for the question to be + put),—"seat yourselves, and handle your oars, and let Orpheus play + upon his harp." + </p> + <p> + Immediately the fifty heroes got on board, and seizing their oars, held + them perpendicularly in the air, while Orpheus (who liked such a task far + better than rowing) swept his fingers across the harp. At the first + ringing note of the music, they felt the vessel stir. Orpheus thrummed + away briskly, and the galley slid at once into the sea, dipping her prow + so deeply that the figure-head drank the wave with its marvelous lips, and + rising again as buoyant as a swan. The rowers plied their fifty oars; the + white foam boiled up before the prow; the water gurgled and bubbled in + their wake; while Orpheus continued to play so lively a strain of music, + that the vessel seemed to dance over the billows by way of keeping time to + it. Thus triumphantly did the Argo sail out of the harbor, amidst the + huzzas and good wishes of everybody except the wicked old Pelias, who + stood on a promontory, scowling at her, and wishing that he could blow out + of his lungs the tempest of wrath that was in his heart, and so sink the + galley with all on board. When they had sailed above fifty miles over the + sea, Lynceus happened to cast his sharp eyes behind, and said that there + was this bad-hearted king, still perched upon the promontory, and scowling + so gloomily that it looked like a black thunder-cloud in that quarter of + the horizon. + </p> + <p> + In order to make the time pass away more pleasantly during the voyage, the + heroes talked about the Golden Fleece. It originally belonged, it appears, + to a Boeotian ram, who had taken on his back two children, when in danger + of their lives, and fled with them over land and sea as far as Colchis. + One of the children, whose name was Helle, fell into the sea and was + drowned. But the other (a little boy, named Phrixus) was brought safe + ashore by the faithful ram, who, however, was so exhausted that he + immediately lay down and died. In memory of this good deed, and as a token + of his true heart, the fleece of the poor dead ram was miraculously + changed to gold, and became one of the most beautiful objects ever seen on + earth. It was hung upon a tree in a sacred grove, where it had now been + kept I know not how many years, and was the envy of mighty kings, who had + nothing so magnificent in any of their palaces. + </p> + <p> + If I were to tell you all the adventures of the Argonauts, it would take + me till nightfall, and perhaps a great deal longer. There was no lack of + wonderful events, as you may judge from what you have already heard. At a + certain island, they were hospitably received by King Cyzicus, its + sovereign, who made a feast for them, and treated them like brothers. But + the Argonauts saw that this good king looked downcast and very much + troubled, and they therefore inquired of him what was the matter. King + Cyzicus hereupon informed them that he and his subjects were greatly + abused and incommoded by the inhabitants of a neighboring mountain, who + made war upon them, and killed many people, and ravaged the country. And + while they were talking about it, Cyzicus pointed to the mountain, and + asked Jason and his companions what they saw there. + </p> + <p> + "I see some very tall objects," answered Jason; "but they are at such a + distance that I cannot distinctly make out what they are. To tell your + majesty the truth, they look so very strangely that I am inclined to think + them clouds, which have chanced to take something like human shapes." + </p> + <p> + "I see them very plainly," remarked Lynceus, whose eyes, you know, were as + far-sighted as a telescope. "They are a band of enormous giants, all of + whom have six arms apiece, and a club, a sword, or some other weapon in + each of their hands." + </p> + <p> + "You have excellent eyes," said King Cyzicus. "Yes; they are six-armed + giants, as you say, and these are the enemies whom I and my subjects have + to contend with." + </p> + <p> + The next day, when the Argonauts were about setting sail, down came these + terrible giants, stepping a hundred yards at a stride, brandishing their + six arms apiece, and looking formidable, so far aloft in the air. Each of + these monsters was able to carry on a whole war by himself, for with one + arm he could fling immense stones, and wield a club with another, and a + sword with a third, while the fourth was poking a long spear at the enemy, + and the fifth and sixth were shooting him with a bow and arrow. But, + luckily, though the giants were so huge, and had so many arms, they had + each but one heart, and that no bigger nor braver than the heart of an + ordinary man. Besides, if they had been like the hundred-armed Briareus, + the brave Argonauts would have given them their hands full of fight. Jason + and his friends went boldly to meet them, slew a great many, and made the + rest take to their heels, so that if the giants had had six legs apiece + instead of six arms, it would have served them better to run away with. + </p> + <p> + Another strange adventure happened when the voyagers came to Thrace, where + they found a poor blind king, named Phineus, deserted by his subjects, and + living in a very sorrowful way, all by himself. On Jason's inquiring + whether they could do him any service, the king answered that he was + terribly tormented by three great winged creatures, called Harpies, which + had the faces of women, and the wings, bodies, and claws of vultures. + These ugly wretches were in the habit of snatching away his dinner, and + allowed him no peace of his life. Upon hearing this, the Argonauts spread + a plentiful feast on the sea-shore, well knowing, from what the blind king + said of their greediness, that the Harpies would snuff up the scent of the + victuals, and quickly come to steal them away. And so it turned out; for, + hardly was the table set, before the three hideous vulture women came + flapping their wings, seized the food in their talons, and flew off as + fast as they could. But the two sons of the North Wind drew their swords, + spread their pinions, and set off through the air in pursuit of the + thieves, whom they at last overtook among some islands, after a chase of + hundreds of miles. The two winged youths blustered terribly at the Harpies + (for they had the rough temper of their father), and so frightened them + with their drawn swords, that they solemnly promised never to trouble King + Phineus again. + </p> + <p> + Then the Argonauts sailed onward and met with many other marvelous + incidents, any one of which would make a story by itself. At one time they + landed on an island, and were reposing on the grass, when they suddenly + found themselves assailed by what seemed a shower of steel-headed arrows. + Some of them stuck in the ground, while others hit against their shields, + and several penetrated their flesh. The fifty heroes started up, and + looked about them for the hidden enemy, but could find none, nor see any + spot, on the whole island, where even a single archer could lie concealed. + Still, however, the steel-headed arrows came whizzing among them; and, at + last, happening to look upward, they beheld a large flock of birds, + hovering and wheeling aloft, and shooting their feathers down upon the + Argonauts. These feathers were the steel-headed arrows that had so + tormented them. There was no possibility of making any resistance; and the + fifty heroic Argonauts might all have been killed or wounded by a flock of + troublesome birds, without ever setting eyes on the Golden Fleece, if + Jason had not thought of asking the advice of the oaken image. + </p> + <p> + So he ran to the galley as fast as his legs would carry him. + </p> + <p> + "O, daughter of the Speaking Oak," cried he, all out of breath, "we need + your wisdom more than ever before! We are in great peril from a flock of + birds, who are shooting us with their steel-pointed feathers. What can we + do to drive them away?" + </p> + <p> + "Make a clatter on your shields," said the image. + </p> + <p> + On receiving this excellent counsel, Jason hurried back to his companions + (who were far more dismayed than when they fought with the six-armed + giants), and bade them strike with their swords upon their brazen shields. + Forthwith the fifty heroes set heartily to work, banging with might and + main, and raised such a terrible clatter, that the birds made what haste + they could to get away; and though they had shot half the feathers out of + their wings, they were soon seen skimming among the clouds, a long + distance off, and looking like a flock of wild geese. Orpheus celebrated + this victory by playing a triumphant anthem on his harp, and sang so + melodiously that Jason begged him to desist, lest, as the steel-feathered + birds had been driven away by an ugly sound, they might be enticed back + again by a sweet one. + </p> + <p> + While the Argonauts remained on this island, they saw a small vessel + approaching the shore, in which were two young men of princely demeanor, + and exceedingly handsome, as young princes generally were, in those days. + Now, who do you imagine these two voyagers turned out to be? Why, if you + will believe me, they were the sons of that very Phrixus, who, in his + childhood, had been carried to Colchis on the back of the golden-fleeced + ram. Since that time, Phrixus had married the king's daughter; and the two + young princes had been born and brought up at Colchis, and had spent their + play-days in the outskirts of the grove, in the center of which the Golden + Fleece was hanging upon a tree. They were now on their way to Greece, in + hopes of getting back a kingdom that had been wrongfully taken from their + father. + </p> + <p> + When the princes understood whither the Argonauts were going, they offered + to turn back, and guide them to Colchis. At the same time, however, they + spoke as if it were very doubtful whether Jason would succeed in getting + the Golden Fleece. According to their account, the tree on which it hung + was guarded by a terrible dragon, who never failed to devour, at one + mouthful, every person who might venture within his reach. + </p> + <p> + "There are other difficulties in the way," continued the young princes. + "But is not this enough? Ah, brave Jason, turn back before it is too late. + It would grieve us to the heart, if you and your nine and forty brave + companions should be eaten up, at fifty mouthfuls, by this execrable + dragon." + </p> + <p> + "My young friends," quietly replied Jason, "I do not wonder that you think + the dragon very terrible. You have grown up from infancy in the fear of + this monster, and therefore still regard him with the awe that children + feel for the bugbears and hobgoblins which their nurses have talked to + them about. But, in my view of the matter, the dragon is merely a pretty + large serpent, who is not half so likely to snap me up at one mouthful as + I am to cut off his ugly head, and strip the skin from his body. At all + events, turn back who may, I will never see Greece again, unless I carry + with me the Golden Fleece." + </p> + <p> + "We will none of us turn back!" cried his nine and forty brave comrades. + "Let us get on board the galley this instant; and if the dragon is to make + a breakfast of us, much good may it do him." + </p> + <p> + And Orpheus (whose custom it was to set everything to music) began to harp + and sing most gloriously, and made every mother's son of them feel as if + nothing in this world were so delectable as to fight dragons, and nothing + so truly honorable as to be eaten up at one mouthful, in case of the + worst. + </p> + <p> + After this (being now under the guidance of the two princes, who were well + acquainted with the way), they quickly sailed to Colchis. When the king of + the country, whose name was Aetes, heard of their arrival, he instantly + summoned Jason to court. The king was a stern and cruel looking potentate; + and though he put on as polite and hospitable an expression as he could, + Jason did not like his face a whit better than that of the wicked King + Pelias, who dethroned his father. "You are welcome, brave Jason," said + King Aetes. "Pray, are you on a pleasure voyage?—Or do you meditate + the discovery of unknown islands?—or what other cause has procured + me the happiness of seeing you at my court?" + </p> + <p> + "Great sir," replied Jason, with an obeisance—for Chiron had taught + him how to behave with propriety, whether to kings or beggars—"I + have come hither with a purpose which I now beg your majesty's permission + to execute. King Pelias, who sits on my father's throne (to which he has + no more right than to the one on which your excellent majesty is now + seated), has engaged to come down from it, and to give me his crown and + sceptre, provided I bring him the Golden Fleece. This, as your majesty is + aware, is now hanging on a tree here at Colchis; and I humbly solicit your + gracious leave to take it away." In spite of himself, the king's face + twisted itself into an angry frown; for, above all things else in the + world, he prized the Golden Fleece, and was even suspected of having done + a very wicked act, in order to get it into his own possession. It put him + into the worst possible humor, therefore, to hear that the gallant Prince + Jason, and forty-nine of the bravest young warriors of Greece, had come to + Colchis with the sole purpose of taking away his chief treasure. + </p> + <p> + "Do you know," asked King Aetes, eyeing Jason very sternly, "what are the + conditions which you must fulfill before getting possession of the Golden + Fleece?" + </p> + <p> + "I have heard," rejoined the youth, "that a dragon lies beneath the tree + on which the prize hangs, and that whoever approaches him runs the risk of + being devoured at a mouthful." + </p> + <p> + "True," said the king, with a smile that did not look particularly + good-natured. "Very true, young man. But there are other things as hard, + or perhaps a little harder, to be done before you can even have the + privilege of being devoured by the dragon. For example, you must first + tame my two brazen-footed and brazen-lunged bulls, which Vulcan, the + wonderful blacksmith, made for me. There is a furnace in each of their + stomachs; and they breathe such hot fire out of their mouths and nostrils, + that nobody has hitherto gone nigh them without being instantly burned to + a small, black cinder. What do you think of this, my brave Jason?" + </p> + <p> + "I must encounter the peril," answered Jason, composedly, "since it stands + in the way of my purpose." + </p> + <p> + "After taming the fiery bulls," continued King Aetes, who was determined + to scare Jason if possible, "you must yoke them to a plow, and must plow + the sacred earth in the Grove of Mars, and sow some of the same dragon's + teeth from which Cadmus raised a crop of armed men. They are an unruly set + of reprobates, those sons of the dragon's teeth; and unless you treat them + suitably, they will fall upon you sword in hand. You and your nine and + forty Argonauts, my bold Jason, are hardly numerous or strong enough to + fight with such a host as will spring up." + </p> + <p> + "My master Chiron," replied Jason, "taught me, long ago, the story of + Cadmus. Perhaps I can manage the quarrelsome sons of the dragon's teeth as + well as Cadmus did." + </p> + <p> + "I wish the dragon had him," muttered King Aetes to himself, "and the + four-footed pedant, his schoolmaster, into the bargain. Why, what a + foolhardy, self-conceited coxcomb he is! We'll see what my fire-breathing + bulls will do for him. Well, Prince Jason," he continued, aloud, and as + complaisantly as he could, "make yourself comfortable for to-day, and + to-morrow morning, since you insist upon it, you shall try your skill at + the plow." + </p> + <p> + While the king talked with Jason, a beautiful young woman was standing + behind the throne. She fixed her eyes earnestly upon the youthful + stranger, and listened attentively to every word that was spoken; and when + Jason withdrew from the king's presence, this young woman followed him out + of the room. + </p> + <p> + "I am the king's daughter," she said to him, "and my name is Medea. I know + a great deal of which other young princesses are ignorant, and can do many + things which they would be afraid so much as to dream of. If you will + trust to me, I can instruct you how to tame the fiery bulls, and sow the + dragon's teeth, and get the Golden Fleece." + </p> + <p> + "Indeed, beautiful princess," answered Jason, "if you will do me this + service, I promise to be grateful to you my whole life long." + </p> + <p> +Gazing at + Medea, he beheld a wonderful intelligence in her face. She was one of + those persons whose eyes are full of mystery; so that, while looking into + them, you seem to see a very great way, as into a deep well, yet can never + be certain whether you see into the farthest depths, or whether there be + not something else hidden at the bottom. If Jason had been capable of + fearing anything, he would have been afraid of making this young princess + his enemy; for, beautiful as she now looked, she might, the very next + instant, become as terrible as the dragon that kept watch over the Golden + Fleece. + </p> + <p> + "Princess," he exclaimed, "you seem indeed very wise and very powerful. + But how can you help me to do the things of which you speak? Are you an + enchantress?" + </p> + <p> + "Yes, Prince Jason," answered Medea, with a smile, "you have hit upon the + truth. I am an enchantress. Circe, my father's sister, taught me to be + one, and I could tell you, if I pleased, who was the old woman with the + peacock, the pomegranate, and the cuckoo staff, whom you carried over the + river; and, likewise, who it is that speaks through the lips of the oaken + image, that stands in the prow of your galley. I am acquainted with some + of your secrets, you perceive. It is well for you that I am favorably + inclined; for, otherwise, you would hardly escape being snapped up by the + dragon." + </p> + <p> + "I should not so much care for the dragon," replied Jason, "if I only knew + how to manage the brazen-footed and fiery-lunged bulls." + </p> + <p> + "If you are as brave as I think you, and as you have need to be," said + Medea, "your own bold heart will teach you that there is but one way of + dealing with a mad bull. What it is I leave you to find out in the moment + of peril. As for the fiery breath of these animals, I have a charmed + ointment here, which will prevent you from being burned up, and cure you + if you chance to be a little scorched." + </p> + <p> + So she put a golden box into his hand, and directed him how to apply the + perfumed unguent which it contained, and where to meet her at midnight. + </p> + <p> + "Only be brave," added she, "and before daybreak the brazen bulls shall be + tamed." + </p> + <p> + The young man assured her that his heart would not fail him. He then + rejoined his comrades, and told them what had passed between the princess + and himself, and warned them to be in readiness in case there might be + need of their help. At the appointed hour he met the beautiful Medea on + the marble steps of the king's palace. She gave him a basket, in which + were the dragon's teeth, just as they had been pulled out of the monster's + jaws by Cadmus, long ago. Medea then led Jason down the palace steps, and + through the silent streets of the city, and into the royal pasture ground, + where the two brazen-footed bulls were kept. It was a starry night, with a + bright gleam along the eastern edge of the sky, where the moon was soon + going to show herself. After entering the pasture, the princess paused and + looked around. + </p> + <p> + "There they are," said she, "reposing themselves and chewing their fiery + cuds in that farthest corner of the field. It will be excellent sport, I + assure you, when they catch a glimpse of your figure. My father and all + his court delight in nothing so much as to see a stranger trying to yoke + them, in order to come at the Golden Fleece. It makes a holiday in Colchis + whenever such a thing happens. For my part, I enjoy it immensely. You + cannot imagine in what a mere twinkling of an eye their hot breath + shrivels a young man into a black cinder." + </p> + <p> + "Are you sure, beautiful Medea," asked Jason, "quite sure, that the + unguent in the gold box will prove a remedy against those terrible burns?" + </p> + <p> + "If you doubt, if you are in the least afraid," said the princess, looking + him in the face by the dim starlight, "you had better never have been born + than to go a step nigher to the bulls." + </p> + <p> + But Jason had set his heart steadfastly on getting the Golden Fleece; and + I positively doubt whether he would have gone back without it, even had he + been certain of finding himself turned into a red-hot cinder, or a handful + of white ashes, the instant he made a step farther. He therefore let go + Medea's hand, and walked boldly forward in the direction whither she had + pointed. At some distance before him he perceived four streams of fiery + vapor, regularly appearing and again vanishing, after dimly lighting up + the surrounding obscurity. These, you will understand, were caused by the + breath of the brazen bulls, which was quietly stealing out of their four + nostrils, as they lay chewing their cuds. + </p> + <p> + At the first two or three steps which Jason made, the four fiery streams + appeared to gush out somewhat more plentifully; for the two brazen bulls + had heard his foot tramp, and were lifting up their hot noses to snuff the + air. He went a little farther, and by the way in which the red vapor now + spouted forth, he judged that the creatures had got upon their feet. Now + he could see glowing sparks, and vivid jets of flame. At the next step, + each of the bulls made the pasture echo with a terrible roar, while the + burning breath, which they thus belched forth, lit up the whole field with + a momentary flash. One other stride did bold Jason make; and, suddenly as + a streak of lightning, on came these fiery animals, roaring like thunder, + and sending out sheets of white flame, which so kindled up the scene that + the young man could discern every object more distinctly than by daylight. + Most distinctly of all he saw the two horrible creatures galloping right + down upon him, their brazen hoofs rattling and ringing over the ground, + and their tails sticking up stiffly into the air, as has always been the + fashion with angry bulls. Their breath scorched the herbage before them. + So intensely hot it was, indeed, that it caught a dry tree under which + Jason was now standing, and set it all in a light blaze. But as for Jason + himself (thanks to Medea's enchanted ointment), the white flame curled + around his body, without injuring him a jot more than if he had been made + of asbestos. + </p> + <p> + Greatly encouraged at finding himself not yet turned into a cinder, the + young man awaited the attack of the bulls. Just as the brazen brutes + fancied themselves sure of tossing him into the air, he caught one of them + by the horn, and the other by his screwed-up tail, and held them in a + gripe like that of an iron vice, one with his right hand, the other with + his left. Well, he must have been wonderfully strong in his arms, to be + sure. But the secret of the matter was, that the brazen bulls were + enchanted creatures, and that Jason had broken the spell of their fiery + fierceness by his bold way of handling them. And, ever since that time, it + has been the favorite method of brave men, when danger assails them, to do + what they call "taking the bull by the horns"; and to gripe him by the + tail is pretty much the same thing—that is, to throw aside fear, and + overcome the peril by despising it. It was now easy to yoke the bulls, and + to harness them to the plow, which had lain rusting on the ground for a + great many years gone by; so long was it before anybody could be found + capable of plowing that piece of land. Jason, I suppose, had been taught + how to draw a furrow by the good old Chiron, who, perhaps, used to allow + himself to be harnessed to the plow. At any rate, our hero succeeded + perfectly well in breaking up the greensward; and, by the time that the + moon was a quarter of her journey up the sky, the plowed field lay before + him, a large tract of black earth, ready to be sown with the dragon's + teeth. So Jason scattered them broadcast, and harrowed them into the soil + with a brush-harrow, and took his stand on the edge of the field, anxious + to see what would happen next. + </p> + <p> + "Must we wait long for harvest time?" he inquired of Medea, who was now + standing by his side. + </p> + <p> + "Whether sooner or later, it will be sure to come," answered the princess. + "A crop of armed men never fails to spring up, when the dragon's teeth + have been sown." + </p> + <p> + The moon was now high aloft in the heavens, and threw its bright beams + over the plowed field, where as yet there was nothing to be seen. Any + farmer, on viewing it, would have said that Jason must wait weeks before + the green blades would peep from among the clods, and whole months before + the yellow grain would be ripened for the sickle. But by and by, all over + the field, there was something that glistened in the moonbeams, like + sparkling drops of dew. These bright objects sprouted higher, and proved + to be the steel heads of spears. Then there was a dazzling gleam from a + vast number of polished brass helmets, beneath which, as they grew farther + out of the soil, appeared the dark and bearded visages of warriors, + struggling to free themselves from the imprisoning earth. The first look + that they gave at the upper world was a glare of wrath and defiance. Next + were seen their bright breastplates; in every right hand there was a sword + or a spear, and on each left arm a shield; and when this strange crop of + warriors had but half grown out of the earth, they struggled—such + was their impatience of restraint—and, as it were, tore themselves + up by the roots. Wherever a dragon's tooth had fallen, there stood a man + armed for battle. They made a clangor with their swords against their + shields, and eyed one another fiercely; for they had come into this + beautiful world, and into the peaceful moonlight, full of rage and stormy + passions, and ready to take the life of every human brother, in recompense + of the boon of their own existence. + </p> + <p> + There have been many other armies in the world that seemed to possess the + same fierce nature with the one which had now sprouted from the dragon's + teeth; but these, in the moonlit field, were the more excusable, because + they never had women for their mothers. And how it would have rejoiced any + great captain, who was bent on conquering the world, like Alexander or + Napoleon, to raise a crop of armed soldiers as easily as Jason did! For a + while, the warriors stood flourishing their weapons, clashing their swords + against their shields, and boiling over with the red-hot thirst for + battle. Then they began to shout—"Show us the enemy! Lead us to the + charge! Death or victory!" "Come on, brave comrades! Conquer or die!" and + a hundred other outcries, such as men always bellow forth on a battle + field, and which these dragon people seemed to have at their tongues' + ends. At last, the front rank caught sight of Jason, who, beholding the + flash of so many weapons in the moonlight, had thought it best to draw his + sword. In a moment all the sons of the dragon's teeth appeared to take + Jason for an enemy; and crying with one voice, "Guard the Golden Fleece!" + they ran at him with uplifted swords and protruded spears. Jason knew that + it would be impossible to withstand this blood-thirsty battalion with his + single arm, but determined, since there was nothing better to be done, to + die as valiantly as if he himself had sprung from a dragon's tooth. + </p> + <p> + Medea, however, bade him snatch up a stone from the ground. + </p> + <p> + "Throw it among them quickly!" cried she. "It is the only way to save + yourself." + </p> + <p> + The armed men were now so nigh that Jason could discern the fire flashing + out of their enraged eyes, when he let fly the stone, and saw it strike + the helmet of a tall warrior, who was rushing upon him with his blade + aloft. The stone glanced from this man's helmet to the shield of his + nearest comrade, and thence flew right into the angry face of another, + hitting him smartly between the eyes. Each of the three who had been + struck by the stone took it for granted that his next neighbor had given + him a blow; and instead of running any farther towards Jason, they began + to fight among themselves. The confusion spread through the host, so that + it seemed scarcely a moment before they were all hacking, hewing, and + stabbing at one another, lopping off arms, heads, and legs and doing such + memorable deeds that Jason was filled with immense admiration; although, + at the same time, he could not help laughing to behold these mighty men + punishing each other for an offense which he himself had committed. In an + incredibly short space of time (almost as short, indeed, as it had taken + them to grow up), all but one of the heroes of the dragon's teeth were + stretched lifeless on the field. The last survivor, the bravest and + strongest of the whole, had just force enough to wave his crimson sword + over his head and give a shout of exultation, crying, "Victory! Victory! + Immortal fame!" when he himself fell down, and lay quietly among his slain + brethren. + </p> + <p> + And there was the end of the army that had sprouted from the dragon's + teeth. That fierce and feverish fight was the only enjoyment which they + had tasted on this beautiful earth. + </p> + <p> + "Let them sleep in the bed of honor," said the Princess Medea, with a sly + smile at Jason. "The world will always have simpletons enough, just like + them, fighting and dying for they know not what, and fancying that + posterity will take the trouble to put laurel wreaths on their rusty and + battered helmets. Could you help smiling, Prince Jason, to see the + self-conceit of that last fellow, just as he tumbled down?" + </p> + <p> + "It made me very sad," answered Jason, gravely. "And, to tell you the + truth, princess, the Golden Fleece does not appear so well worth the + winning, after what I have here beheld!" + </p> + <p> + "You will think differently in the morning," said Medea. "True, the Golden + Fleece may not be so valuable as you have thought it; but then there is + nothing better in the world; and one must needs have an object, you know. + Come! Your night's work has been well performed; and to-morrow you can + inform King Aetes that the first part of your allotted task is fulfilled." + </p> + <p> + Agreeably to Medea's advice, Jason went betimes in the morning to the + palace of King Aetes. Entering the presence chamber, he stood at the foot + of the throne, and made a low obeisance. + </p> + <p> + "Your eyes look heavy, Prince Jason," observed the king; "you appear to + have spent a sleepless night. I hope you have been considering the matter + a little more wisely, and have concluded not to get yourself scorched to a + cinder, in attempting to tame my brazen-lunged bulls." + </p> + <p> + "That is already accomplished, may it please your majesty," replied Jason. + "The bulls have been tamed and yoked; the field has been plowed; the + dragon's teeth have been sown broadcast, and harrowed into the soil; the + crop of armed warriors have sprung up, and they have slain one another, to + the last man. And now I solicit your majesty's permission to encounter the + dragon, that I may take down the Golden Fleece from the tree, and depart, + with my nine and forty comrades." + </p> + <p> + King Aetes scowled, and looked very angry and excessively disturbed; for + he knew that, in accordance with his kingly promise, he ought now to + permit Jason to win the Fleece, if his courage and skill should enable him + to do so. But, since the young man had met with such good luck in the + matter of the brazen bulls and the dragon's teeth, the king feared that he + would be equally successful in slaying the dragon. And therefore, though + he would gladly have seen Jason snapped up at a mouthful, he was resolved + (and it was a very wrong thing of this wicked potentate) not to run any + further risk of losing his beloved Fleece. + </p> + <p> + "You never would have succeeded in this business, young man," said he, "if + my undutiful daughter Medea had not helped you with her enchantments. Had + you acted fairly, you would have been, at this instant, a black cinder, or + a handful of white ashes. I forbid you, on pain of death, to make any more + attempts to get the Golden Fleece. To speak my mind plainly, you shall + never set eyes on so much as one of its glistening locks." + </p> + <p> + Jason left the king's presence in great sorrow and anger. He could think + of nothing better to be done than to summon together his forty-nine brave + Argonauts, march at once to the Grove of Mars, slay the dragon, take + possession of the Golden Fleece, get on board the Argo, and spread all + sail for Iolchos. The success of this scheme depended, it is true, on the + doubtful point whether all the fifty heroes might not be snapped up, at so + many mouthfuls, by the dragon. But, as Jason was hastening down the palace + steps, the Princess Medea called after him, and beckoned him to return. + Her black eyes shone upon him with such a keen intelligence, that he felt + as if there were a serpent peeping out of them; and, although she had done + him so much service only the night before, he was by no means very certain + that she would not do him an equally great mischief before sunset. These + enchantresses, you must know, are never to be depended upon. + </p> + <p> + "What says King Aetes, my royal and upright father?" inquired Medea, + slightly smiling. "Will he give you the Golden Fleece, without any further + risk or trouble?" + </p> + <p> + "On the contrary," answered Jason, "he is very angry with me for taming + the brazen bulls and sowing the dragon's teeth. And he forbids me to make + any more attempts, and positively refuses to give up the Golden Fleece, + whether I slay the dragon or no." + </p> + <p> + "Yes, Jason," said the princess, "and I can tell you more. Unless you set + sail from Colchis before to-morrow's sunrise, the king means to burn your + fifty-oared galley, and put yourself and your forty-nine brave comrades to + the sword. But be of good courage. The Golden Fleece you shall have, if it + lies within the power of my enchantments to get it for you. Wait for me + here an hour before midnight." + </p> + <p> + At the appointed hour you might again have seen Prince Jason and the + Princess Medea, side by side, stealing through the streets of Colchis, on + their way to the sacred grove, in the center of which the Golden Fleece + was suspended to a tree. While they were crossing the pasture ground, the + brazen bulls came towards Jason, lowing, nodding their heads, and + thrusting forth their snouts, which, as other cattle do, they loved to + have rubbed and caressed by a friendly hand. Their fierce nature was + thoroughly tamed; and, with their fierceness, the two furnaces in their + stomachs had likewise been extinguished, insomuch that they probably + enjoyed far more comfort in grazing and chewing their cuds than ever + before. Indeed, it had heretofore been a great inconvenience to these poor + animals, that, whenever they wished to eat a mouthful of grass, the fire + out of their nostrils had shriveled it up, before they could manage to + crop it. How they contrived to keep themselves alive is more than I can + imagine. But now, instead of emitting jets of flame and streams of + sulphurous vapor, they breathed the very sweetest of cow breath. + </p> + <p> + After kindly patting the bulls, Jason followed Medea's guidance into the + Grove of Mars, where the great oak trees, that had been growing for + centuries, threw so thick a shade that the moonbeams struggled vainly to + find their way through it. Only here and there a glimmer fell upon the + leaf-strewn earth, or now and then a breeze stirred the boughs aside, and + gave Jason a glimpse of the sky, lest, in that deep obscurity, he might + forget that there was one, overhead. At length, when they had gone farther + and farther into the heart of the duskiness, Medea squeezed Jason's hand. + </p> + <p> + "Look yonder," she whispered. "Do you see it?" + </p> + <p> + Gleaming among the venerable oaks, there was a radiance, not like the + moonbeams, but rather resembling the golden glory of the setting sun. It + proceeded from an object, which appeared to be suspended at about a man's + height from the ground, a little farther within the wood. + </p> + <p> + "What is it?" asked Jason. + </p> + <p> + "Have you come so far to seek it," exclaimed Medea, "and do you not + recognize the meed of all your toils and perils, when it glitters before + your eyes? It is the Golden Fleece." + </p> + <p> + Jason went onward a few steps farther, and then stopped to gaze. O, how + beautiful it looked, shining with a marvelous light of its own, that + inestimable prize which so many heroes had longed to behold, but had + perished in the quest of it, either by the perils of their voyage, or by + the fiery breath of the brazen-lunged bulls. + </p> + <p> + "How gloriously it shines!" cried Jason, in a rapture. "It has surely been + dipped in the richest gold of sunset. Let me hasten onward, and take it to + my bosom." + </p> + <p> + "Stay," said Medea, holding him back. "Have you forgotten what guards it?" + </p> + <p> + To say the truth, in the joy of beholding the object of his desires, the + terrible dragon had quite slipped out of Jason's memory. Soon, however, + something came to pass, that reminded him what perils were still to be + encountered. An antelope, that probably mistook the yellow radiance for + sunrise, came bounding fleetly through the grove. He was rushing straight + towards the Golden Fleece, when suddenly there was a frightful hiss, and + the immense head and half the scaly body of the dragon was thrust forth + (for he was twisted round the trunk of the tree on which the Fleece hung), + and seizing the poor antelope, swallowed him with one snap of his jaws. + </p> + <p> + After this feat, the dragon seemed sensible that some other living + creature was within reach, on which he felt inclined to finish his meal. + In various directions he kept poking his ugly snout among the trees, + stretching out his neck a terrible long way, now here, now there, and now + close to the spot where Jason and the princess were hiding behind an oak. + Upon my word, as the head came waving and undulating through the air, and + reaching almost within arm's length of Prince Jason, it was a very hideous + and uncomfortable sight. The gape of his enormous jaws was nearly as wide + as the gateway of the king's palace. + </p> + <p> + "Well, Jason," whispered Medea (for she was ill natured, as all + enchantresses are, and wanted to make the bold youth tremble), "what do + you think now of your prospect of winning the Golden Fleece?" + </p> + <p> + Jason answered only by drawing his sword, and making a step forward. + </p> + <p> + "Stay, foolish youth," said Medea, grasping his arm. "Do not you see you + are lost, without me as your good angel? In this gold box I have a magic + potion, which will do the dragon's business far more effectually than your + sword." + </p> + <p> + The dragon had probably heard the voices; for swift as lightning, his + black head and forked tongue came hissing among the trees again, darting + full forty feet at a stretch. As it approached, Medea tossed the contents + of the gold box right down the monster's wide-open throat. Immediately, + with an outrageous hiss and a tremendous wriggle—flinging his tail + up to the tip-top of the tallest tree, and shattering all its branches as + it crashed heavily down again—the dragon fell at full length upon + the ground, and lay quite motionless. + </p> + <p> + "It is only a sleeping potion," said the enchantress to Prince Jason. "One + always finds a use for these mischievous creatures, sooner or later; so I + did not wish to kill him outright. Quick! Snatch the prize, and let us + begone. You have won the Golden Fleece." + </p> + <p> + Jason caught the fleece from the tree, and hurried through the grove, the + deep shadows of which were illuminated as he passed by the golden glory of + the precious object that he bore along. A little way before him, he beheld + the old woman whom he had helped over the stream, with her peacock beside + her. She clapped her hands for joy, and beckoning him to make haste, + disappeared among the duskiness of the trees. Espying the two winged sons + of the North Wind (who were disporting themselves in the moonlight, a few + hundred feet aloft), Jason bade them tell the rest of the Argonauts to + embark as speedily as possible. But Lynceus, with his sharp eyes, had + already caught a glimpse of him, bringing the Golden Fleece, although + several stone walls, a hill, and the black shadows of the Grove of Mars, + intervened between. By his advice, the heroes had seated themselves on the + benches of the galley, with their oars held perpendicularly, ready to let + fall into the water. + </p> + <p> + As Jason drew near, he heard the Talking Image calling to him with more + than ordinary eagerness, in its grave, sweet voice: + </p> + <p> + "Make haste, Prince Jason! For your life, make haste!" + </p> + <p> + With one bound, he leaped aboard. At sight of the glorious radiance of the + Golden Fleece, the nine and forty heroes gave a mighty shout, and Orpheus, + striking his harp, sang a song of triumph, to the cadence of which the + galley flew over the water, homeward bound, as if careering along with + wings! + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Tanglewood Tales, by Nathaniel Hawthorne + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TANGLEWOOD TALES *** + +***** This file should be named 976-h.htm or 976-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/9/7/976/ + +Produced by Dianne Bean, and 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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