PREFACE
MYDEARCHILDREN,SomeofyouhaveheardalreadyoftheoldGreeks;andallofyou,asyougrowup,willhearmoreandmoreofthem。Thoseofyouwhoareboyswill,perhaps,spendagreatdealoftimeinreadingGreekbooks;andthegirls,thoughtheymaynotlearnGreek,willbesuretocomeacrossagreatmanystoriestakenfromGreekhistory,andtosee,Imaysayeveryday,thingswhichweshouldnothavehadifithadnotbeenfortheseoldGreeks。Youcanhardlyfindawell-writtenbookwhichhasnotinitGreeknames,andwords,andproverbs;youcannotwalkthroughagreattownwithoutpassingGreekbuildings;youcannotgointoawell-furnishedroomwithoutseeingGreekstatuesandornaments,evenGreekpatternsoffurnitureandpaper;sostrangelyhavetheseoldGreekslefttheirmarkbehindthemuponthismodernworldinwhichwenowlive。Andasyougrowup,andreadmoreandmore,youwillfindthatweowetotheseoldGreeksthebeginnersofallourmathematicsandgeometry-thatis,thescienceandknowledgeofnumbers,andoftheshapesofthings,andoftheforceswhichmakethingsmoveandstandatrest;andthebeginningsofourgeographyandastronomy;andofourlaws,andfreedom,andpolitics-thatis,thescienceofhowtoruleacountry,andmakeitpeacefulandstrong。Andweowetothem,too,thebeginningofourlogic-thatis,thestudyofwordsandofreasoning;andofourmetaphysics-thatis,thestudyofourownthoughtsandsouls。Andlastofall,theymadetheirlanguagesobeautifulthatforeignersusedtotaketoitinsteadoftheirown;andatlastGreekbecamethecommonlanguageofeducatedpeopleallovertheoldworld,fromPersiaandEgypteventoSpainandBritain。AndthereforeitwasthattheNewTestamentwaswritteninGreek,thatitmightbereadandunderstoodbyallthenationsoftheRomanempire;sothat,nexttotheJews,andtheBiblewhichtheJewshandeddowntous,weowemoretotheseoldGreeksthantoanypeopleuponearth。
Nowyoumustrememberonething-that’Greeks’wasnottheirrealname。Theycalledthemselvesalways’Hellens,’buttheRomansmiscalledthemGreeks;andwehavetakenthatwrongnamefromtheRomans-itwouldtakealongtimetotellyouwhy。Theyweremadeupofmanytribesandmanysmallseparatestates;andwhenyouhearinthisbookofMinuai,andAthenians,andothersuchnames,youmustrememberthattheywerealldifferenttribesandpeoplesoftheonegreatHellenrace,wholivedinwhatwenowcallGreece,intheislandsoftheArchipelago,andalongthecoastofAsiaMinor(Ionia,astheycallit),fromtheHellesponttoRhodes,andhadafterwardscoloniesandcitiesinSicily,andSouthItaly(whichwascalledGreatGreece),andalongtheshoresoftheBlackSeaatSinope,andKertch,andatSevastopol。Andafterthat,again,theyspreadunderAlexandertheGreat,andconqueredEgypt,andSyria,andPersia,andthewholeEast。
Butthatwasmanyhundredyearsaftermystories;forthentherewerenoGreeksontheBlackSeashores,norinSicily,orItaly,oranywherebutinGreeceandinIonia。Andifyouarepuzzledbythenamesofplacesinthisbook,youmusttakethemapsandfindthemout。Itwillbeapleasanterwayoflearninggeographythanoutofadulllesson-book。
Now,IlovetheseoldHellensheartily;andIshouldbeveryungratefultothemifIdidnot,consideringallthattheyhavetaughtme;andtheyseemtomelikebrothers,thoughtheyhaveallbeendeadandgonemanyhundredyearsago。Soasyoumustlearnaboutthem,whetheryouchooseornot,I
wishtobethefirsttointroduceyoutothem,andtosay,’Comehither,children,atthisblessedChristmastime,whenallGod’screaturesshouldrejoicetogether,andblessHimwhoredeemedthemall。Comeandseeoldfriendsofmine,whomIknewlongereyouwereborn。TheyarecometovisitusatChristmas,outoftheworldwherealllivetoGod;andtotellyousomeoftheiroldfairytales,whichtheylovedwhentheywereyounglikeyou。’
Fornationsbeginatfirstbybeingchildrenlikeyou,thoughtheyaremadeupofgrownmen。Theyarechildrenatfirstlikeyou-menandwomenwithchildren’shearts;frank,andaffectionate,andfulloftrust,andteachable,andlovingtoseeandlearnallthewondersroundthem;andgreedyalso,toooften,andpassionateandsilly,aschildrenare。
ThustheseoldGreekswereteachable,andlearntfromallthenationsround。FromthePhoenicianstheylearntshipbuilding,andsomesaylettersbeside;andfromtheAssyrianstheylearntpainting,andcarving,andbuildinginwoodandstone;andfromtheEgyptianstheylearntastronomy,andmanythingswhichyouwouldnotunderstand。InthistheywerelikeourownforefatherstheNorthmen,ofwhomyoulovetohear,who,thoughtheywerewildandroughthemselves,werehumble,andgladtolearnfromeveryone。ThereforeGodrewardedtheseGreeks,asHerewardedourforefathers,andmadethemwiserthanthepeoplewhotaughtthemineverythingtheylearnt;forHelovestoseemenandchildrenopen-
hearted,andwillingtobetaught;andtohimwhouseswhathehasgot,Hegivesmoreandmoredaybyday。SotheseGreeksgrewwiseandpowerful,andwrotepoemswhichwilllivetilltheworld’send,whichyoumustreadforyourselvessomeday,inEnglishatleast,ifnotinGreek。Andtheylearnttocarvestatues,andbuildtemples,whicharestillamongthewondersoftheworld;andmanyanotherwondrousthingGodtaughtthem,forwhichwearethewiserthisday。
Foryoumustnotfancy,children,thatbecausetheseoldGreekswereheathens,thereforeGoddidnotcareforthem,andtaughtthemnothing。
TheBibletellsusthatitwasnotso,butthatGod’smercyisoverallHisworks,andthatHeunderstandstheheartsofallpeople,andfashionsalltheirworks。AndSt。PaultoldtheseoldGreeksinaftertimes,whentheyhadgrownwickedandfallenlow,thattheyoughttohaveknownbetter,becausetheywereGod’soffspring,astheirownpoetshadsaid;andthatthegoodGodhadputthemwheretheywere,toseektheLord,andfeelafterHim,andfindHim,thoughHewasnotfarfromanyoneofthem。AndClementofAlexandria,agreatFatheroftheChurch,whowasaswiseashewasgood,saidthatGodhadsentdownPhilosophytotheGreeksfromheaven,asHesentdowntheGospeltotheJews。
ForJesusChrist,remember,istheLightwholightseverymanwhocomesintotheworld。Andnoonecanthinkarightthought,orfeelarightfeeling,orunderstandtherealtruthofanythinginearthandheaven,unlessthegoodLordJesusteacheshimbyHisSpirit,whichgivesmanunderstanding。
ButtheseGreeks,asSt。Paultoldthem,forgotwhatGodhadtaughtthem,and,thoughtheywereGod’soffspring,worshippedidolsofwoodandstone,andfellatlastintosinandshame,andthen,ofcourse,intocowardiceandslavery,tilltheyperishedoutofthatbeautifullandwhichGodhadgiventhemforsomanyyears。
For,likeallnationswhohaveleftanythingbehindthem,besidemeremoundsofearth,theybelievedatfirstintheOneTrueGodwhomadeallheavenandearth。Butafterawhile,likeallothernations,theybegantoworshipothergods,orratherangelsandspirits,who(sotheyfancied)
livedabouttheirland。Zeus,theFatherofgodsandmen(whowassomedimremembranceoftheblessedtrueGod),andHerahiswife,andPhoebusApollotheSun-god,andPallasAthenewhotaughtmenwisdomandusefularts,andAphroditetheQueenofBeauty,andPoseidontheRuleroftheSea,andHephaistostheKingoftheFire,whotaughtmentoworkinmetals。AndtheyhonouredtheGodsoftheRivers,andtheNymph-maids,whotheyfanciedlivedinthecaves,andthefountains,andtheglensoftheforest,andallbeautifulwildplaces。AndtheyhonouredtheErinnues,thedreadfulsisters,who,theythought,hauntedguiltymenuntiltheirsinswerepurgedaway。Andmanyotherdreamstheyhad,whichpartedtheOneGodintomany;andtheysaid,too,thatthesegodsdidthingswhichwouldbeashameandsinforanymantodo。Andwhentheirphilosophersarose,andtoldthemthatGodwasOne,theywouldnotlisten,butlovedtheiridols,andtheirwickedidolfeasts,tilltheyallcametoruin。
Butwewilltalkofsuchsadthingsnomore。
But,atthetimeofwhichthislittlebookspeaks,theyhadnotfallenaslowasthat。Theyworshippednoidols,asfarasIcanfind;andtheystillbelievedinthelastsixofthetencommandments,andknewwellwhatwasrightandwhatwaswrong。Andtheybelieved(andthatwaswhatgavethemcourage)thatthegodslovedmen,andtaughtthem,andthatwithoutthegodsmenweresuretocometoruin。Andinthattheywererightenough,asweknow-morerighteventhantheythought;forwithoutGodwecandonothing,andallwisdomcomesfromHim。
Now,youmustnotthinkoftheminthisbookaslearnedmen,livingingreatcities,suchastheywereafterwards,whentheywroughtalltheirbeautifulworks,butascountrypeople,livinginfarmsandwalledvillages,inasimple,hard-workingway;sothatthegreatestkingsandheroescookedtheirownmeals,andthoughtitnoshame,andmadetheirownshipsandweapons,andfedandharnessedtheirownhorses;andthequeensworkedwiththeirmaid-servants,anddidallthebusinessofthehouse,andspun,andwove,andembroidered,andmadetheirhusbands’clothesandtheirown。
Sothatamanwashonouredamongthem,notbecausehehappenedtoberich,butaccordingtohisskill,andhisstrength,andcourage,andthenumberofthingswhichhecoulddo。Fortheywerebutgrown-upchildren,thoughtheywererightnoblechildrentoo;anditwaswiththemasitisnowatschool-thestrongestandcleverestboy,thoughhebepoor,leadsalltherest。
Now,whiletheywereyoungandsimpletheylovedfairytales,asyoudonow。Allnationsdosowhentheyareyoung:ouroldforefathersdid,andcalledtheirstories’Sagas。’I
willreadyousomeofthemsomeday-someoftheEddas,andtheVolusp?andBeowulf,andthenobleoldRomances。TheoldArabs,again,hadtheirtales,whichwenowcallthe’ArabianNights。’TheoldRomanshadtheirs,andtheycalledthem’Fabulae,’fromwhichourword’fable’comes;buttheoldHellenscalledtheirs’Muthoi,’fromwhichournewword’myth’istaken。ButnexttothoseoldRomances,whichwerewrittenintheChristianmiddleage,therearenofairytalesliketheseoldGreekones,forbeauty,andwisdom,andtruth,andformakingchildrenlovenobledeeds,andtrustinGodtohelpthemthrough。
Now,whyhaveIcalledthisbook’TheHeroes’?BecausethatwasthenamewhichtheHellensgavetomenwhowerebraveandskilful,anddaredomorethanothermen。Atfirst,Ithink,thatwasallitmeant:butafteratimeitcametomeansomethingmore;itcametomeanmenwhohelpedtheircountry;
meninthoseoldtimes,whenthecountrywashalf-wild,whokilledfiercebeastsandevilmen,anddrainedswamps,andfoundedtowns,andthereforeaftertheyweredead,werehonoured,becausetheyhadlefttheircountrybetterthantheyfoundit。AndwecallsuchamanaheroinEnglishtothisday,andcallita’heroic’thingtosufferpainandgrief,thatwemaydogoodtoourfellow-men。Wemayalldothat,mychildren,boysandgirlsalike;andweoughttodoit,foritiseasiernowthanever,andsafer,andthepathmoreclear。ButyoushallhearhowtheHellenssaidtheirheroesworked,threethousandyearsago。Thestoriesarenotalltrue,ofcourse,norhalfofthem;youarenotsimpleenoughtofancythat;butthemeaningofthemistrue,andtrueforever,andthatis-Doright,andGodwillhelpyou。’
FARLEYCOURT,ADVENT,1855。
STORYI-PERSEUS
PARTI-HOWPERSEUSANDHISMOTHERCAMETOSERIPHOS
ONCEuponatimethereweretwoprinceswhoweretwins。
TheirnameswereAcrisiusandProetus,andtheylivedinthepleasantvaleofArgos,farawayinHellas。Theyhadfruitfulmeadowsandvineyards,sheepandoxen,greatherdsofhorsesfeedingdowninLernaFen,andallthatmencouldneedtomakethemblest:andyettheywerewretched,becausetheywerejealousofeachother。Fromthemomenttheywereborntheybegantoquarrel;andwhentheygrewupeachtriedtotakeawaytheother’sshareofthekingdom,andkeepallforhimself。SofirstAcrisiusdroveoutProetus;andhewentacrosstheseas,andbroughthomeaforeignprincessforhiswife,andforeignwarriorstohelphim,whowerecalledCyclopes;anddroveoutAcrisiusinhisturn;andthentheyfoughtalongwhileupanddowntheland,tillthequarrelwassettled,andAcrisiustookArgosandonehalftheland,andProetustookTirynsandtheotherhalf。AndProetusandhisCyclopesbuiltaroundTirynsgreatwallsofunhewnstone,whicharestandingtothisday。
Buttherecameaprophettothathard-heartedAcrisiusandprophesiedagainsthim,andsaid,’Becauseyouhaverisenupagainstyourownblood,yourownbloodshallriseupagainstyou;becauseyouhavesinnedagainstyourkindred,byyourkindredyoushallbepunished。YourdaughterDanaeshallbearason,andbythatson’shandsyoushalldie。SotheGodshaveordained,anditwillsurelycometopass。’
AndatthatAcrisiuswasverymuchafraid;buthedidnotmendhisways。Hehadbeencrueltohisownfamily,and,insteadofrepentingandbeingkindtothem,hewentontobemorecruelthanever:forheshutuphisfairdaughterDanaeinacavernunderground,linedwithbrass,thatnoonemightcomenearher。SohefanciedhimselfmorecunningthantheGods:butyouwillseepresentlywhetherhewasabletoescapethem。
NowitcametopassthatintimeDanaeboreason;sobeautifulababethatanybutKingAcrisiuswouldhavehadpityonit。Buthehadnopity;forhetookDanaeandherbabedowntotheseashore,andputthemintoagreatchestandthrustthemouttosea,forthewindsandthewavestocarrythemwhithersoevertheywould。
Thenorth-westwindblewfreshlyoutofthebluemountains,anddownthepleasantvaleofArgos,andawayandouttosea。
Andawayandouttoseabeforeitfloatedthemotherandherbabe,whileallwhowatchedthemwept,savethatcruelfather,KingAcrisius。
Sotheyfloatedonandon,andthechestdancedupanddownuponthebillows,andthebabysleptuponitsmother’sbreast:butthepoormothercouldnotsleep,butwatchedandwept,andshesangtoherbabyastheyfloated;andthesongwhichshesangyoushalllearnyourselvessomeday。
Andnowtheyarepastthelastblueheadland,andintheopensea;andthereisnothingroundthembutthewaves,andthesky,andthewind。Butthewavesaregentle,andtheskyisclear,andthebreezeistenderandlow;forthesearethedayswhenHalcyoneandCeyxbuildtheirnests,andnostormseverrufflethepleasantsummersea。
AndwhowereHalcyoneandCeyx?Youshallhearwhilethechestfloatson。Halcyonewasafairymaiden,thedaughterofthebeachandofthewind。Andshelovedasailor-boy,andmarriedhim;andnoneonearthweresohappyasthey。
ButatlastCeyxwaswrecked;andbeforehecouldswimtotheshorethebillowsswallowedhimup。AndHalcyonesawhimdrowning,andleaptintotheseatohim;butinvain。ThentheImmortalstookpityonthemboth,andchangedthemintotwofairsea-birds;andnowtheybuildafloatingnesteveryyear,andsailupanddownhappilyforeveruponthepleasantseasofGreece。
Soanightpassed,andaday,andalongdayitwasforDanae;andanothernightanddaybeside,tillDanaewasfaintwithhungerandweeping,andyetnolandappeared。Andallthewhilethebabesleptquietly;andatlastpoorDanaedroopedherheadandfellasleeplikewisewithhercheekagainstthebabe’s。
Afterawhileshewasawakenedsuddenly;forthechestwasjarringandgrinding,andtheairwasfullofsound。Shelookedup,andoverherheadweremightycliffs,allredinthesettingsun,andaroundherrocksandbreakers,andflyingflakesoffoam。Sheclaspedherhandstogether,andshriekedaloudforhelp。Andwhenshecried,helpmether:
fornowtherecameovertherocksatallandstatelyman,andlookeddownwonderinguponpoorDanaetossingaboutinthechestamongthewaves。
Heworearoughcloakoffrieze,andonhisheadabroadhattoshadehisface;inhishandhecarriedatridentforspearingfish,andoverhisshoulderwasacasting-net;butDanaecouldseethathewasnocommonmanbyhisstature,andhiswalk,andhisflowinggoldenhairandbeard;andbythetwoservantswhocamebehindhim,carryingbasketsforhisfish。Butshehadhardlytimetolookathim,beforehehadlaidasidehistridentandleaptdowntherocks,andthrownhiscasting-netsosurelyoverDanaeandthechest,thathedrewit,andher,andthebaby,safeuponaledgeofrock。
ThenthefishermantookDanaebythehand,andliftedheroutofthechest,andsaid-
’Obeautifuldamsel,whatstrangechancehasbroughtyoutothisislandinsoflailaship?Whoareyou,andwhence?
Surelyyouaresomeking’sdaughter;andthisboyhassomewhatmorethanmortal。’
Andashespokehepointedtothebabe;foritsfaceshonelikethemorningstar。
ButDanaeonlyhelddownherhead,andsobbedout-
’TellmetowhatlandIhavecome,unhappythatIam;andamongwhatmenIhavefallen!’
Andhesaid,’ThisisleiscalledSeriphos,andIamaHellen,anddwellinit。IamthebrotherofPolydectestheking;andmencallmeDictysthenetter,becauseIcatchthefishoftheshore。’
ThenDanaefelldownathisfeet,andembracedhisknees,andcried-
’Oh,sir,havepityuponastranger,whomacrueldoomhasdriventoyourland;andletmeliveinyourhouseasaservant;buttreatmehonourably,forIwasonceaking’sdaughter,andthismyboy(asyouhavetrulysaid)isofnocommonrace。Iwillnotbeachargetoyou,oreatthebreadofidleness;forIammoreskilfulinweavingandembroiderythanallthemaidensofmyland。’
Andshewasgoingon;butDictysstoppedher,andraisedherup,andsaid-
’Mydaughter,Iamold,andmyhairsaregrowinggray;whileIhavenochildrentomakemyhomecheerful。Comewithmethen,andyoushallbeadaughtertomeandtomywife,andthisbabeshallbeourgrandchild。ForIfeartheGods,andshowhospitalitytoallstrangers;knowingthatgooddeeds,likeevilones,alwaysreturntothosewhodothem。’
SoDanaewascomforted,andwenthomewithDictysthegoodfisherman,andwasadaughtertohimandtohiswife,tillfifteenyearswerepast。
PARTII-HOWPERSEUSVOWEDARASHVOW
FIFTEENyearswerepastandgone,andthebabewasnowgrowntobeatallladandasailor,andwentmanyvoyagesaftermerchandisetotheislandsround。HismothercalledhimPerseus;butallthepeopleinSeriphossaidthathewasnotthesonofmortalman,andcalledhimthesonofZeus,thekingoftheImmortals。Forthoughhewasbutfifteen,hewastallerbyaheadthananymanintheisland;andhewasthemostskilfulofallinrunningandwrestlingandboxing,andinthrowingthequoitandthejavelin,andinrowingwiththeoar,andinplayingontheharp,andinallwhichbefitsaman。Andhewasbraveandtruthful,gentleandcourteous,forgoodoldDictyshadtrainedhimwell;andwellitwasforPerseusthathehaddoneso。FornowDanaeandhersonfellintogreatdanger,andPerseushadneedofallhiswittodefendhismotherandhimself。
IsaidthatDictys’brotherwasPolydectes,kingoftheisland。Hewasnotarighteousman,likeDictys;butgreedy,andcunning,andcruel。AndwhenhesawfairDanae,hewantedtomarryher。Butshewouldnot;forshedidnotlovehim,andcaredfornoonebutherboy,andherboy’sfather,whomsheneverhopedtoseeagain。AtlastPolydectesbecamefurious;andwhilePerseuswasawayatseahetookpoorDanaeawayfromDictys,saying,’Ifyouwillnotbemywife,youshallbemyslave。’SoDanaewasmadeaslave,andhadtofetchwaterfromthewell,andgrindinthemill,andperhapswasbeaten,andworeaheavychain,becauseshewouldnotmarrythatcruelking。ButPerseuswasfarawayovertheseasintheisleofSamos,littlethinkinghowhismotherwaslanguishingingrief。
NowonedayatSamos,whiletheshipwaslading,Perseuswanderedintoapleasantwoodtogetoutofthesun,andsatdownontheturfandfellasleep。Andashesleptastrangedreamcametohim-thestrangestdreamwhichhehadeverhadinhislife。
Therecamealadytohimthroughthewood,tallerthanhe,oranymortalman;butbeautifulexceedingly,withgreatgrayeyes,clearandpiercing,butstrangelysoftandmild。Onherheadwasahelmet,andinherhandaspear。Andoverhershoulder,aboveherlongbluerobes,hungagoat-skin,whichboreupamightyshieldofbrass,polishedlikeamirror。
Shestoodandlookedathimwithhercleargrayeyes;andPerseussawthathereye-lidsnevermoved,norhereyeballs,butlookedstraightthroughandthroughhim,andintohisveryheart,asifshecouldseeallthesecretsofhissoul,andknewallthathehadeverthoughtorlongedforsincethedaythathewasborn。AndPerseusdroppedhiseyes,tremblingandblushing,asthewonderfulladyspoke。
’Perseus,youmustdoanerrandforme。’
’Whoareyou,lady?Andhowdoyouknowmyname?’
’IamPallasAthene;andIknowthethoughtsofallmen’shearts,anddiscerntheirmanhoodortheirbaseness。AndfromthesoulsofclayIturnaway,andtheyareblest,butnotbyme。Theyfattenatease,likesheepinthepasture,andeatwhattheydidnotsow,likeoxeninthestall。Theygrowandspread,likethegourdalongtheground;but,likethegourd,theygivenoshadetothetraveller,andwhentheyareripedeathgathersthem,andtheygodownunlovedintohell,andtheirnamevanishesoutoftheland。
’ButtothesoulsoffireIgivemorefire,andtothosewhoaremanfulIgiveamightmorethanman’s。Thesearetheheroes,thesonsoftheImmortals,whoareblest,butnotlikethesoulsofclay。ForIdrivethemforthbystrangepaths,Perseus,thattheymayfighttheTitansandthemonsters,theenemiesofGodsandmen。Throughdoubtandneed,dangerandbattle,Idrivethem;andsomeofthemareslainintheflowerofyouth,nomanknowswhenorwhere;andsomeofthemwinnoblenames,andafairandgreenoldage;
butwhatwillbetheirlatterendIknownot,andnone,saveZeus,thefatherofGodsandmen。Tellmenow,Perseus,whichofthesetwosortsofmenseemtoyoumoreblest?’
ThenPerseusansweredboldly:’Bettertodieintheflowerofyouth,onthechanceofwinninganoblename,thantoliveateaselikethesheep,anddieunlovedandunrenowned。’
Thenthatstrangeladylaughed,andheldupherbrazenshield,andcried:’Seehere,Perseus;dareyoufacesuchamonsterasthis,andslayit,thatImayplaceitsheaduponthisshield?’
Andinthemirroroftheshieldthereappearedaface,andasPerseuslookedonithisbloodrancold。Itwasthefaceofabeautifulwoman;buthercheekswerepaleasdeath,andherbrowswereknitwitheverlastingpain,andherlipswerethinandbitterlikeasnake’s;andinsteadofhair,viperswreathedabouthertemples,andshotouttheirforkedtongues;whileroundherheadwerefoldedwingslikeaneagle’s,anduponherbosomclawsofbrass。
AndPerseuslookedawhile,andthensaid:’Ifthereisanythingsofierceandfoulonearth,itwereanobledeedtokillit。WherecanIfindthemonster?’
Thenthestrangeladysmiledagain,andsaid:’Notyet;youaretooyoung,andtoounskilled;forthisisMedusatheGorgon,themotherofamonstrousbrood。Returntoyourhome,anddotheworkwhichwaitsthereforyou。YoumustplaythemaninthatbeforeIcanthinkyouworthytogoinsearchoftheGorgon。’
ThenPerseuswouldhavespoken,butthestrangeladyvanished,andheawoke;andbehold,itwasadream。ButdayandnightPerseussawbeforehimthefaceofthatdreadfulwoman,withtheviperswrithingroundherhead。
Sohereturnedhome;andwhenhecametoSeriphos,thefirstthingwhichheheardwasthathismotherwasaslaveinthehouseofPolydectes。
Grindinghisteethwithrage,hewentout,andawaytotheking’spalace,andthroughthemen’srooms,andthewomen’srooms,andsothroughallthehouse(fornoonedaredstophim,soterribleandfairwashe),tillhefoundhismothersittingonthefloor,turningthestonehand-mill,andweepingassheturnedit。Andheliftedherup,andkissedher,andbadeherfollowhimforth。ButbeforetheycouldpassoutoftheroomPolydectescamein,raging。AndwhenPerseussawhim,heflewuponhimasthemastifffliesontheboar。’Villainandtyrant!’hecried;’isthisyourrespectfortheGods,andthymercytostrangersandwidows?Youshalldie!’Andbecausehehadnoswordhecaughtupthestonehand-mill,andliftedittodashoutPolydectes’
brains。
Buthismotherclungtohim,shrieking,’Oh,myson,wearestrangersandhelplessintheland;andifyoukilltheking,allthepeoplewillfallonus,andweshallbothdie。’
GoodDictys,too,whohadcomein,entreatedhim。’Rememberthatheismybrother。RememberhowIhavebroughtyouup,andtrainedyouasmyownson,andsparehimformysake。’
ThenPerseusloweredhishand;andPolydectes,whohadbeentremblingallthiswhilelikeacoward,becauseheknewthathewasinthewrong,letPerseusandhismotherpass。
PerseustookhismothertothetempleofAthene,andtherethepriestessmadeheroneofthetemple-sweepers;fortheretheyknewshewouldbesafe,andnotevenPolydecteswoulddaretodragherawayfromthealtar。AndtherePerseus,andthegoodDictys,andhiswife,cametovisithereveryday;
whilePolydectes,notbeingabletogetwhathewantedbyforce,castaboutinhiswickedhearthowhemightgetitbycunning。
NowhewassurethathecouldnevergetbackDanaeaslongasPerseuswasintheisland;sohemadeaplottoridhimselfofhim。AndfirsthepretendedtohaveforgivenPerseus,andtohaveforgottenDanae;sothat,forawhile,allwentassmoothlyasever。
Nextheproclaimedagreatfeast,andinvitedtoitallthechiefs,andlandowners,andtheyoungmenoftheisland,andamongthemPerseus,thattheymightalldohimhomageastheirking,andeatofhisbanquetinhishall。
Ontheappointeddaytheyallcame;andasthecustomwasthen,eachguestbroughthispresentwithhimtotheking:
oneahorse,anotherashawl,oraring,orasword;andthosewhohadnothingbetterbroughtabasketofgrapes,orofgame;butPerseusbroughtnothing,forhehadnothingtobring,beingbutapoorsailor-lad。
Hewasashamed,however,togointotheking’spresencewithouthisgift;andhewastooproudtoaskDictystolendhimone。Sohestoodatthedoorsorrowfully,watchingtherichmengoin;andhisfacegrewveryredastheypointedathim,andsmiled,andwhispered,’Whathasthatfoundlingtogive?’
NowthiswaswhatPolydecteswanted;andassoonasheheardthatPerseusstoodwithout,hebadethembringhimin,andaskedhimscornfullybeforethemall,’AmInotyourking,Perseus,andhaveInotinvitedyoutomyfeast?Whereisyourpresent,then?’
Perseusblushedandstammered,whilealltheproudmenroundlaughed,andsomeofthembeganjeeringhimopenly。’Thisfellowwasthrownashoreherelikeapieceofweedordrift-
wood,andyetheistooproudtobringagifttotheking。’
’Andthoughhedoesnotknowwhohisfatheris,heisvainenoughtolettheoldwomencallhimthesonofZeus。’
Andsoforth,tillpoorPerseusgrewmadwithshame,andhardlyknowingwhathesaid,criedout,-’Apresent!whoareyouwhotalkofpresents?SeeifIdonotbringanobleronethanallofyourstogether!’
Sohesaidboasting;andyethefeltinhisheartthathewasbraverthanallthosescoffers,andmoreabletodosomegloriousdeed。
’Hearhim!Heartheboaster!Whatisittobe?’criedtheyall,laughinglouderthanever。
ThenhisdreamatSamoscameintohismind,andhecriedaloud,’TheheadoftheGorgon。’
Hewashalfafraidafterhehadsaidthewordsforalllaughedlouderthanever,andPolydectesloudestofall。
’YouhavepromisedtobringmetheGorgon’shead?Thenneverappearagaininthisislandwithoutit。Go!’
Perseusgroundhisteethwithrage,forhesawthathehadfallenintoatrap;buthispromiselayuponhim,andhewentoutwithoutaword。
Downtothecliffshewent,andlookedacrossthebroadbluesea;andhewonderedifhisdreamweretrue,andprayedinthebitternessofhissoul。
’PallasAthene,wasmydreamtrue?andshallIslaytheGorgon?Ifthoudidstreallyshowmeherface,letmenotcometoshameasaliarandboastful。RashlyandangrilyI
promised;butcunninglyandpatientlywillIperform。’
Buttherewasnoanswer,norsign;neitherthundernoranyappearance;notevenacloudinthesky。
AndthreetimesPerseuscalledweeping,’RashlyandangrilyI
promised;butcunninglyandpatientlywillIperform。’
Thenhesawafaroffabovetheseaasmallwhitecloud,asbrightassilver。Anditcameon,nearerandnearer,tillitsbrightnessdazzledhiseyes。
Perseuswonderedatthatstrangecloud,fortherewasnoothercloudallroundthesky;andhetrembledasittouchedthecliffbelow。Andasittouched,itbroke,andparted,andwithinitappearedPallasAthene,ashehadseenheratSamosinhisdream,andbesideherayoungmanmorelight-
limbedthanthestag,whoseeyeswerelikesparksoffire。
Byhissidewasascimitarofdiamond,allofoneclearpreciousstone,andonhisfeetweregoldensandals,fromtheheelsofwhichgrewlivingwings。
TheylookeduponPerseuskeenly,andyettheynevermovedtheireyes;andtheycameupthecliffstowardshimmoreswiftlythanthesea-gull,andyettheynevermovedtheirfeet,nordidthebreezestirtherobesabouttheirlimbs;
onlythewingsoftheyouth’ssandalsquivered,likeahawk’swhenhehangsabovethecliff。AndPerseusfelldownandworshipped,forheknewthattheyweremorethanman。
ButAthenestoodbeforehimandspokegently,andbidhimhavenofear。Then-
’Perseus,’shesaid,’hewhoovercomesinonetrialmeritstherebyasharpertrialstill。YouhavebravedPolydectes,anddonemanfully。DareyoubraveMedusatheGorgon?’
AndPerseussaid,’Tryme;forsinceyouspoketomeinSamosanewsoulhascomeintomybreast,andIshouldbeashamednottodareanythingwhichIcando。Showme,then,howI
candothis!’
’Perseus,’saidAthene,’thinkwellbeforeyouattempt;forthisdeedrequiresasevenyears’journey,inwhichyoucannotrepentorturnbacknorescape;butifyourheartfailsyou,youmustdieintheUnshapenLand,wherenomanwilleverfindyourbones。’
’Bettersothanlivehere,uselessanddespised,’saidPerseus。’Tellme,then,ohtellme,fairandwiseGoddess,ofyourgreatkindnessandcondescension,howIcandobutthisonething,andthen,ifneedbe,die!’
ThenAthenesmiledandsaid-
’Bepatient,andlisten;forifyouforgetmywords,youwillindeeddie。YoumustgonorthwardtothecountryoftheHyperboreans,wholivebeyondthepole,atthesourcesofthecoldnorthwind,tillyoufindthethreeGraySisters,whohavebutoneeyeandonetoothbetweenthem。YoumustaskthemthewaytotheNymphs,thedaughtersoftheEveningStar,whodanceaboutthegoldentree,intheAtlanticislandofthewest。TheywilltellyouthewaytotheGorgon,thatyoumayslayher,myenemy,themotherofmonstrousbeasts。
Onceshewasamaidenasbeautifulasmorn,tillinherprideshesinnedasinatwhichthesunhidhisface;andfromthatdayherhairwasturnedtovipers,andherhandstoeagle’sclaws;andherheartwasfilledwithshameandrage,andherlipswithbittervenom;andhereyesbecamesoterriblethatwhosoeverlooksonthemisturnedtostone;andherchildrenarethewingedhorseandthegiantofthegoldensword;andhergrandchildrenareEchidnathewitch-adder,andGeryonthethree-headedtyrant,whofeedshisherdsbesidetheherdsofhell。SoshebecamethesisteroftheGorgons,StheinoandEurytetheabhorred,thedaughtersoftheQueenoftheSea。
Touchthemnot,fortheyareimmortal;butbringmeonlyMedusa’shead。’
’AndIwillbringit!’saidPerseus;’buthowamItoescapehereyes?Willshenotfreezemetoointostone?’
’Youshalltakethispolishedshield,’saidAthene,’andwhenyoucomenearherlooknotatherherself,butatherimageinthebrass;soyoumaystrikehersafely。Andwhenyouhavestruckoffherhead,wrapit,withyourfaceturnedaway,inthefoldsofthegoat-skinonwhichtheshieldhangs,thehideofAmaltheie,thenurseoftheAEgis-holder。
Soyouwillbringitsafelybacktome,andwintoyourselfrenown,andaplaceamongtheheroeswhofeastwiththeImmortalsuponthepeakwherenowindsblow。’
ThenPerseussaid,’Iwillgo,thoughIdieingoing。ButhowshallIcrosstheseaswithoutaship?Andwhowillshowmemyway?AndwhenIfindher,howshallIslayher,ifherscalesbeironandbrass?’
Thentheyoungmanspoke:’Thesesandalsofminewillbearyouacrosstheseas,andoverhillanddalelikeabird,astheybearmealldaylong;forIamHermes,thefar-famedArgus-slayer,themessengeroftheImmortalswhodwellonOlympus。’
ThenPerseusfelldownandworshipped,whiletheyoungmanspokeagain:
’Thesandalsthemselveswillguideyouontheroad,fortheyaredivineandcannotstray;andthissworditself,theArgus-slayer,willkillher,foritisdivine,andneedsnosecondstroke。Arise,andgirdthemon,andgoforth。’
SoPerseusarose,andgirdedonthesandalsandthesword。
AndAthenecried,’Nowleapfromthecliffandbegone。’
ButPerseuslingered。
’MayInotbidfarewelltomymotherandtoDictys?AndmayInotofferburnt-offeringstoyou,andtoHermesthefar-
famedArgus-slayer,andtoFatherZeusabove?’
’Youshallnotbidfarewelltoyourmother,lestyourheartrelentatherweeping。IwillcomfortherandDictysuntilyoureturninpeace。Norshallyouofferburnt-offeringstotheOlympians;foryourofferingshallbeMedusa’shead。
Leap,andtrustinthearmouroftheImmortals。’
ThenPerseuslookeddownthecliffandshuddered;buthewasashamedtoshowhisdread。ThenhethoughtofMedusaandtherenownbeforehim,andheleapedintotheemptyair。
Andbehold,insteadoffallinghefloated,andstood,andranalongthesky。Helookedback,butAthenehadvanished,andHermes;andthesandalsledhimonnorthwardever,likeacranewhofollowsthespringtowardtheIsterfens。
PARTIII-HOWPERSEUSSLEWTHEGORGON
SOPerseusstartedonhisjourney,goingdry-shodoverlandandsea;andhisheartwashighandjoyful,forthewingedsandalsborehimeachdayasevendays’journey。
AndhewentbyCythnus,andbyCeos,andthepleasantCycladestoAttica;andpastAthensandThebes,andtheCopaiclake,andupthevaleofCephissus,andpastthepeaksofOEtaandPindus,andovertherichThessalianplains,tillthesunnyhillsofGreecewerebehindhim,andbeforehimwerethewildsofthenorth。ThenhepassedtheThracianmountains,andmanyabarbaroustribe,PaeonsandDardansandTriballi,tillhecametotheIsterstream,andthedrearyScythianplains。AndhewalkedacrosstheIsterdry-shod,andawaythroughthemoorsandfens,dayandnighttowardthebleaknorth-west,turningneithertotherighthandnortheleft,tillhecametotheUnshapenLand,andtheplacewhichhasnoname。
Andsevendayshewalkedthroughit,onapathwhichfewcantell;forthosewhohavetroddenitlikeleasttospeakofit,andthosewhogothereagainindreamsaregladenoughwhentheyawake;tillhecametotheedgeoftheeverlastingnight,wheretheairwasfulloffeathers,andthesoilwashardwithice;andthereatlasthefoundthethreeGraySisters,bytheshoreofthefreezingsea,noddinguponawhitelogofdrift-wood,beneaththecoldwhitewintermoon;
andtheychauntedalowsongtogether,’Whytheoldtimeswerebetterthanthenew。’
Therewasnolivingthingaroundthem,notafly,notamossupontherocks。Neithersealnorsea-gulldarecomenear,lesttheiceshouldclutchtheminitsclaws。Thesurgebrokeupinfoam,butitfellagaininflakesofsnow;anditfrostedthehairofthethreeGraySisters,andthebonesintheice-cliffabovetheirheads。Theypassedtheeyefromonetotheother,butforallthattheycouldnotsee;andtheypassedthetoothfromonetotheother,butforallthattheycouldnoteat;andtheysatinthefullglareofthemoon,buttheywerenonethewarmerforherbeams。AndPerseuspitiedthethreeGraySisters;buttheydidnotpitythemselves。
Sohesaid,’Oh,venerablemothers,wisdomisthedaughterofoldage。Youthereforeshouldknowmanythings。Tellme,ifyoucan,thepathtotheGorgon。’
Thenonecried,’Whoisthiswhoreproachesuswitholdage?’
Andanother,’Thisisthevoiceofoneofthechildrenofmen。’
Andhe,’Idonotreproach,buthonouryouroldage,andIamoneofthesonsofmenandoftheheroes。TherulersofOlympushavesentmetoyoutoaskthewaytotheGorgon。’
Thenone,’TherearenewrulersinOlympus,andallnewthingsarebad。’Andanother,’Wehateyourrulers,andtheheroes,andallthechildrenofmen。WearethekindredoftheTitans,andtheGiants,andtheGorgons,andtheancientmonstersofthedeep。’Andanother,’Whoisthisrashandinsolentmanwhopushesunbiddenintoourworld?’Andthefirst,’Thereneverwassuchaworldasours,norwillbe;ifwelethimseeit,hewillspoilitall。’
Thenonecried,’Givemetheeye,thatImayseehim;’andanother,’Givemethetooth,thatImaybitehim。’ButPerseus,whenhesawthattheywerefoolishandproud,anddidnotlovethechildrenofmen,leftoffpityingthem,andsaidtohimself,’Hungrymenmustneedsbehasty;ifIstaymakingmanywordshere,Ishallbestarved。’Thenhesteppedclosetothem,andwatchedtilltheypassedtheeyefromhandtohand。Andastheygropedaboutbetweenthemselves,heheldouthisownhandgently,tilloneofthemputtheeyeintoit,fancyingthatitwasthehandofhersister。Thenhesprangback,andlaughed,andcried-
’Cruelandproudoldwomen,Ihaveyoureye;andIwillthrowitintothesea,unlessyoutellmethepathtotheGorgon,andsweartomethatyoutellmeright。’
Thentheywept,andchattered,andscolded;butinvain。
Theywereforcedtotellthetruth,though,whentheytoldit,Perseuscouldhardlymakeouttheroad。
’Youmustgo,’theysaid,’foolishboy,tothesouthward,intotheuglyglareofthesun,tillyoucometoAtlastheGiant,whoholdstheheavenandtheearthapart。Andyoumustaskhisdaughters,theHesperides,whoareyoungandfoolishlikeyourself。Andnowgiveusbackoureye,forwehaveforgottenalltherest。’
SoPerseusgavethembacktheireye;butinsteadofusingit,theynoddedandfellfastasleep,andwereturnedintoblocksofice,tillthetidecameupandwashedthemallaway。Andnowtheyfloatupanddownlikeicebergsforever,weepingwhenevertheymeetthesunshine,andthefruitfulsummerandthewarmsouthwind,whichfillyoungheartswithjoy。
ButPerseusleapedawaytothesouthward,leavingthesnowandtheicebehind:pasttheisleoftheHyperboreans,andthetinisles,andthelongIberianshore,whilethesunrosehigherdaybydayuponabrightbluesummersea。Andtheternsandthesea-gullssweptlaughingroundhishead,andcalledtohimtostopandplay,andthedolphinsgambolledupashepassed,andofferedtocarryhimontheirbacks。Andallnightlongthesea-nymphssangsweetly,andtheTritonsblewupontheirconchs,astheyplayedroundGalataeatheirqueen,inhercarofpearledshells。Daybydaythesunrosehigher,andleapedmoreswiftlyintotheseaatnight,andmoreswiftlyoutoftheseaatdawn;whilePerseusskimmedoverthebillowslikeasea-gull,andhisfeetwereneverwetted;andleaptonfromwavetowave,andhislimbswereneverweary,tillhesawfarawayamightymountain,allrose-redinthesettingsun。Itsfeetwerewrappedinforests,anditsheadinwreathsofcloud;andPerseusknewthatitwasAtlas,whoholdstheheavensandtheearthapart。
Hecametothemountain,andleaptonshore,andwanderedupward,amongpleasantvalleysandwaterfalls,andtalltreesandstrangefernsandflowers;buttherewasnosmokerisingfromanyglen,norhouse,norsignofman。
Atlastheheardsweetvoicessinging;andheguessedthathewascometothegardenoftheNymphs,thedaughtersoftheEveningStar。
Theysanglikenightingalesamongthethickets,andPerseusstoppedtoheartheirsong;butthewordswhichtheyspokehecouldnotunderstand;no,nornomanafterhimformanyahundredyears。Sohesteppedforwardandsawthemdancing,handinhandaroundthecharmedtree,whichbentunderitsgoldenfruit;androundthetree-footwascoiledthedragon,oldLadonthesleeplesssnake,wholiesthereforever,listeningtothesongofthemaidens,blinkingandwatchingwithdrybrighteyes。
ThenPerseusstopped,notbecausehefearedthedragon,butbecausehewasbashfulbeforethosefairmaids;butwhentheysawhim,theytoostopped,andcalledtohimwithtremblingvoices-
’Whoareyou?AreyouHeraclesthemighty,whowillcometorobourgarden,andcarryoffourgoldenfruit?’Andheanswered-
’IamnotHeraclesthemighty,andIwantnoneofyourgoldenfruit。Tellme,fairNymphs,thewaywhichleadstotheGorgon,thatImaygoonmywayandslayher。’
’Notyet,notyet,fairboy;comedancewithusaroundthetreeinthegardenwhichknowsnowinter,thehomeofthesouthwindandthesun。Comehitherandplaywithusawhile;
wehavedancedalonehereforathousandyears,andourheartsarewearywithlongingforaplayfellow。Socome,come,come!’
’Icannotdancewithyou,fairmaidens;forImustdotheerrandoftheImmortals。SotellmethewaytotheGorgon,lestIwanderandperishinthewaves。’
Thentheysighedandwept;andanswered-’TheGorgon!shewillfreezeyouintostone。’
’Itisbettertodielikeaherothantolivelikeanoxinastall。TheImmortalshavelentmeweapons,andtheywillgivemewittousethem。’
Thentheysighedagainandanswered,’Fairboy,ifyouarebentonyourownruin,beitso。WeknownotthewaytotheGorgon;butwewillaskthegiantAtlas,aboveuponthemountainpeak,thebrotherofourfather,thesilverEveningStar。Hesitsaloftandseesacrosstheocean,andfarawayintotheUnshapenLand。’
SotheywentupthemountaintoAtlastheiruncle,andPerseuswentupwiththem。Andtheyfoundthegiantkneeling,asheheldtheheavensandtheearthapart。
Theyaskedhim,andheansweredmildly,pointingtothesea-
boardwithhismightyhand,’IcanseetheGorgonslyingonanislandfaraway,butthisyouthcannevercomenearthem,unlesshehasthehatofdarkness,whichwhosoeverwearscannotbeseen。’
ThencriedPerseus,’Whereisthathat,thatImayfindit?’
Butthegiantsmiled。’Nolivingmortalcanfindthathat,foritliesinthedepthsofHades,intheregionsofthedead。Butmyniecesareimmortal,andtheyshallfetchitforyou,ifyouwillpromisemeonethingandkeepyourfaith。’
ThenPerseuspromised;andthegiantsaid,’WhenyoucomebackwiththeheadofMedusa,youshallshowmethebeautifulhorror,thatImaylosemyfeelingandmybreathing,andbecomeastoneforever;foritiswearylabourformetoholdtheheavensandtheearthapart。’
ThenPerseuspromised,andtheeldestoftheNymphswentdown,andintoadarkcavernamongthecliffs,outofwhichcamesmokeandthunder,foritwasoneofthemouthsofHell。
AndPerseusandtheNymphssatdownsevendays,andwaitedtrembling,tilltheNymphcameupagain;andherfacewaspale,andhereyesdazzledwiththelight,forshehadbeenlonginthedrearydarkness;butinherhandwasthemagichat。
ThenalltheNymphskissedPerseus,andweptoverhimalongwhile;buthewasonlyimpatienttobegone。Andatlasttheyputthehatuponhishead,andhevanishedoutoftheirsight。
ButPerseuswentonboldly,pastmanyanuglysight,farawayintotheheartoftheUnshapenLand,beyondthestreamsofOcean,totheisleswherenoshipcruises,whereisneithernightnorday,wherenothingisinitsrightplace,andnothinghasaname;tillheheardtherustleoftheGorgons’
wingsandsawtheglitteroftheirbrazentalons;andthenheknewthatitwastimetohalt,lestMedusashouldfreezehimintostone。
Hethoughtawhilewithhimself,andrememberedAthene’swords。Herosealoftintotheair,andheldthemirroroftheshieldabovehishead,andlookedupintoitthathemightseeallthatwasbelowhim。
AndhesawthethreeGorgonssleepingashugeaselephants。
Heknewthattheycouldnotseehim,becausethehatofdarknesshidhim;andyethetrembledashesankdownnearthem,soterriblewerethosebrazenclaws。
TwooftheGorgonswerefoulasswine,andlaysleepingheavily,asswinesleep,withtheirmightywingsoutspread;
butMedusatossedtoandfrorestlessly,andasshetossedPerseuspitiedher,shelookedsofairandsad。Herplumagewasliketherainbow,andherfacewaslikethefaceofanymph,onlyhereyebrowswereknit,andherlipsclenched,witheverlastingcareandpain;andherlongneckgleamedsowhiteinthemirrorthatPerseushadnotthehearttostrike,andsaid,’Ah,thatithadbeeneitherofhersisters!’
Butashelooked,fromamonghertressesthevipers’headsawoke,andpeepedupwiththeirbrightdryeyes,andshowedtheirfangs,andhissed;andMedusa,asshetossed,threwbackherwingsandshowedherbrazenclaws;andPerseussawthat,forallherbeauty,shewasasfoulandvenomousastherest。
Thenhecamedownandsteppedtoherboldly,andlookedsteadfastlyonhismirror,andstruckwithHerpestoutlyonce;andhedidnotneedtostrikeagain。
Thenhewrappedtheheadinthegoat-skin,turningawayhiseyes,andsprangintotheairaloft,fasterthanheeversprangbefore。
ForMedusa’swingsandtalonsrattledasshesankdeadupontherocks;andhertwofoulsisterswoke,andsawherlyingdead。
Intotheairtheysprangyellingandlookedforhimwhohaddonethedeed。Thricetheyswungroundandround,likehawkswhobeatforapartridge;andthricetheysnuffedroundandround,likehoundswhodrawuponadeer。Atlasttheystruckuponthescentoftheblood,andtheycheckedforamomenttomakesure;andthenontheyrushedwithafearfulhowl,whilethewindrattledhoarseintheirwings。
Ontheyrushed,sweepingandflapping,likeeaglesafterahare;andPerseus’bloodrancold,forallhiscourage,ashesawthemcomehowlingonhistrack;andhecried,’Bearmewellnow,bravesandals,forthehoundsofDeathareatmyheels!’
Andwellthebravesandalsborehim,aloftthroughcloudandsunshine,acrosstheshorelesssea;andfastfollowedthehoundsofDeath,astheroaroftheirwingscamedownthewind。Buttheroarcamedownfainterandfainter,andthehowloftheirvoicesdiedaway;forthesandalsweretooswift,evenforGorgons,andbynightfalltheywerefarbehind,twoblackspecksinthesouthernsky,tillthesunsankandhesawthemnomore。
ThenhecameagaintoAtlas,andthegardenoftheNymphs;
andwhenthegiantheardhimcominghegroaned,andsaid,’Fulfilthypromisetome。’ThenPerseushelduptohimtheGorgon’shead,andhehadrestfromallhistoil;forhebecameacragofstone,whichsleepsforeverfarabovetheclouds。
ThenhethankedtheNymphs,andaskedthem,’BywhatroadshallIgohomewardagain,forIwanderedfarroundincominghither?’
Andtheyweptandcried,’Gohomenomore,butstayandplaywithus,thelonelymaidens,whodwellforeverfarawayfromGodsandmen。’
Butherefused,andtheytoldhimhisroad,andsaid,’Takewithyouthismagicfruit,which,ifyoueatonce,youwillnothungerforsevendays。Foryoumustgoeastwardandeastwardever,overthedolefulLybianshore,whichPoseidongavetoFatherZeus,whenheburstopentheBosphorusandtheHellespont,anddrownedthefairLectonianland。AndZeustookthatlandinexchange,afairbargain,muchbadgroundforalittlegood,andtothisdayitlieswasteanddesertwithshingle,androck,andsand。’
ThentheykissedPerseus,andweptoverhim,andheleaptdownthemountain,andwenton,lesseningandlesseninglikeasea-gull,awayandouttosea。
PARTIV-HOWPERSEUSCAMETOTHEAETHIOPS
SOPerseusflittedonwardtothenorth-east,overmanyaleagueofsea,tillhecametotherollingsand-hillsandthedrearyLybianshore。
Andheflittedonacrossthedesert:overrock-ledges,andbanksofshingle,andlevelwastesofsand,andshell-driftsbleachinginthesunshine,andtheskeletonsofgreatsea-
monsters,anddeadbonesofancientgiants,strewnupanddownupontheoldsea-floor。Andashewenttheblood-dropsfelltotheearthfromtheGorgon’shead,andbecamepoisonousaspsandadders,whichbreedinthedeserttothisday。
Overthesandshewent,-heneverknewhowfarorhowlong,feedingonthefruitwhichtheNymphshadgivenhim,tillhesawthehillsofthePsylli,andtheDwarfswhofoughtwithcranes。Theirspearswereofreedsandrushes,andtheirhousesoftheegg-shellsofthecranes;andPerseuslaughed,andwenthiswaytothenorth-east,hopingalldaylongtoseetheblueMediterraneansparkling,thathemightflyacrossittohishome。
Butnowcamedownamightywind,andswepthimbacksouthwardtowardthedesert。Alldaylonghestroveagainstit;buteventhewingedsandalscouldnotprevail。Sohewasforcedtofloatdownthewindallnight;andwhenthemorningdawnedtherewasnothingtobeseen,savethesameoldhatefulwasteofsand。
Andoutofthenorththesandstormsrusheduponhim,blood-
redpillarsandwreaths,blottingoutthenoondaysun;andPerseusfledbeforethem,lestheshouldbechokedbytheburningdust。Atlastthegalefellcalm,andhetriedtogonorthwardagain;butagaincamedownthesandstorms,andswepthimbackintothewaste,andthenallwascalmandcloudlessasbefore。Sevendayshestroveagainstthestorms,andsevendayshewasdrivenback,tillhewasspentwiththirstandhunger,andhistongueclovetotheroofofhismouth。Hereandtherehefanciedthathesawafairlake,andthesunbeamsshiningonthewater;butwhenhecametoititvanishedathisfeet,andtherewasnoughtbutburningsand。AndifhehadnotbeenoftheraceoftheImmortals,hewouldhaveperishedinthewaste;buthislifewasstrongwithinhim,becauseitwasmorethanman’s。
ThenhecriedtoAthene,andsaid-
’Oh,fairandpure,ifthouhearestme,wiltthouleavemeheretodieofdrought?IhavebroughttheetheGorgon’sheadatthybidding,andhithertothouhastprosperedmyjourney;dostthoudesertmeatthelast?Elsewhywillnottheseimmortalsandalsprevail,evenagainstthedesertstorms?ShallIneverseemymothermore,andthebluerippleroundSeriphos,andthesunnyhillsofHellas?’
Soheprayed;andafterhehadprayedtherewasagreatsilence。
Theheavenwasstillabovehishead,andthesandwasstillbeneathhisfeet;andPerseuslookedup,buttherewasnothingbuttheblindingsunintheblindingblue;androundhim,buttherewasnothingbuttheblindingsand。
AndPerseusstoodstillawhile,andwaited,andsaid,’SurelyIamnotherewithoutthewilloftheImmortals,forAthenewillnotlie。Werenotthesesandalstoleadmeintherightroad?ThentheroadinwhichIhavetriedtogomustbeawrongroad。’
Thensuddenlyhisearswereopened,andheheardthesoundofrunningwater。
Andatthathisheartwasliftedup,thoughhescarcelydarebelievehisears;andwearyashewas,hehurriedforward,thoughhecouldscarcelystandupright;andwithinabowshotofhimwasagleninthesand,andmarblerocks,anddate-
trees,andalawnofgaygreengrass。Andthroughthelawnastreamletsparkledandwanderedoutbeyondthetrees,andvanishedinthesand。
Thewatertrickledamongtherocks,andapleasantbreezerustledinthedrydate-branchesandPerseuslaughedforjoy,andleaptdownthecliff,anddrankofthecoolwater,andateofthedates,andsleptupontheturf,andleaptupandwentforwardagain:butnottowardthenorththistime;forhesaid,’SurelyAthenehathsentmehither,andwillnothavemegohomewardyet。Whatiftherebeanothernobledeedtobedone,beforeIseethesunnyhillsofHellas?’
Sohewenteast,andeastforever,byfreshoasesandfountains,date-palms,andlawnsofgrass,tillhesawbeforehimamightymountain-wall,allrose-redinthesettingsun。
Thenhetoweredintheairlikeaneagle,forhislimbswerestrongagain;andheflewallnightacrossthemountaintillthedaybegantodawn,androsy-fingeredEoscameblushingupthesky。Andthen,behold,beneathhimwasthelonggreengardenofEgyptandtheshiningstreamofNile。
Andhesawcitieswalleduptoheaven,andtemples,andobelisks,andpyramids,andgiantGodsofstone。Andhecamedownamidfieldsofbarley,andflax,andmillet,andclamberinggourds;andsawthepeoplecomingoutofthegatesofagreatcity,andsettingtowork,eachinhisplace,amongthewater-courses,partingthestreamsamongtheplantscunninglywiththeirfeet,accordingtothewisdomoftheEgyptians。Butwhentheysawhimtheyallstoppedtheirwork,andgatheredroundhim,andcried-
’Whoartthou,fairyouth?andwhatbearestthoubeneaththygoat-skinthere?SurelythouartoneoftheImmortals;forthyskiniswhitelikeivory,andoursisredlikeclay。Thyhairislikethreadsofgold,andoursisblackandcurled。
SurelythouartoneoftheImmortals;’andtheywouldhaveworshippedhimthenandthere;butPerseussaid-
’IamnotoneoftheImmortals;butIamaherooftheHellens。AndIhaveslaintheGorgoninthewilderness,andbearherheadwithme。Givemefood,therefore,thatImaygoforwardandfinishmywork。’
Thentheygavehimfood,andfruit,andwine;buttheywouldnotlethimgo。AndwhenthenewscameintothecitythattheGorgonwasslain,thepriestscameouttomeethim,andthemaidens,withsongsanddances,andtimbrelsandharps;
andtheywouldhavebroughthimtotheirtempleandtotheirking;butPerseusputonthehatofdarkness,andvanishedawayoutoftheirsight。
ThereforetheEgyptianslookedlongforhisreturn,butinvain,andworshippedhimasahero,andmadeastatueofhiminChemmis,whichstoodformanyahundredyears;andtheysaidthatheappearedtothemattimes,withsandalsacubitlong;andthatwheneverheappearedtheseasonwasfruitful,andtheNilerosehighthatyear。
ThenPerseuswenttotheeastward,alongtheRedSeashore;
andthen,becausehewasafraidtogointotheArabiandeserts,heturnednorthwardoncemore,andthistimenostormhinderedhim。
HewentpasttheIsthmus,andMountCasius,andthevastSerbonianbog,anduptheshoreofPalestine,wherethedark-
facedAEthiopsdwelt。
Heflewonpastpleasanthillsandvalleys,likeArgositself,orLacedaemon,orthefairValeofTempe。Butthelowlandswerealldrownedbyfloods,andthehighlandsblastedbyfire,andthehillsheavedlikeababblingcauldron,beforethewrathofKingPoseidon,theshakeroftheearth。
AndPerseusfearedtogoinland,butflewalongtheshoreabovethesea;andhewentonalltheday,andtheskywasblackwithsmoke;andhewentonallthenight,andtheskywasredwithflame。
Andatthedawnofdayhelookedtowardthecliffs;andatthewater’sedge,underablackrock,hesawawhiteimagestand。
’This,’thoughthe,’mustsurelybethestatueofsomesea-
God;IwillgonearandseewhatkindofGodsthesebarbariansworship。’
Sohecamenear;butwhenhecame,itwasnostatue,butamaidenoffleshandblood;forhecouldseehertressesstreaminginthebreeze;andashecamecloserstill,hecouldseehowsheshrankandshiveredwhenthewavessprinkledherwithcoldsaltspray。Herarmswerespreadaboveherhead,andfastenedtotherockwithchainsofbrass;andherheaddroopedonherbosom,eitherwithsleep,orweariness,orgrief。Butnowandthenshelookedupandwailed,andcalledhermother;yetshedidnotseePerseus,forthecapofdarknesswasonhishead。
Fullofpityandindignation,Perseusdrewnearandlookeduponthemaid。Hercheeksweredarkerthanhiswere,andherhairwasblue-blacklikeahyacinth;butPerseusthought,’I
haveneverseensobeautifulamaiden;no,notinallourisles。Surelysheisaking’sdaughter。Dobarbarianstreattheirkings’daughtersthus?Sheistoofair,atleast,tohavedoneanywrongIwillspeaktoher。’
And,liftingthehatfromhishead,heflashedintohersight。Sheshriekedwithterror,andtriedtohideherfacewithherhair,forshecouldnotwithherhands;butPerseuscried-
’Donotfearme,fairone;IamaHellen,andnobarbarian。
Whatcruelmenhaveboundyou?ButfirstIwillsetyoufree。’
Andhetoreatthefetters,buttheyweretoostrongforhim;
whilethemaidencried-
’Touchmenot;Iamaccursed,devotedasavictimtothesea-
Gods。Theywillslayyou,ifyoudaretosetmefree。’
’Letthemtry,’saidPerseus;anddrawing,Herpefromhisthigh,hecutthroughthebrassasifithadbeenflax。
’Now,’hesaid,’youbelongtome,andnottothesesea-Gods,whosoevertheymaybe!’Butsheonlycalledthemoreonhermother。
’Whycallonyourmother?Shecanbenomothertohaveleftyouhere。Ifabirdisdroppedoutofthenest,itbelongstothemanwhopicksitup。Ifajeweliscastbythewayside,itishiswhodarewinitandwearit,asIwillwinyouandwillwearyou。IknownowwhyPallasAthenesentmehither。Shesentmetogainaprizeworthallmytoilandmore。’
Andheclaspedherinhisarms,andcried,’Wherearethesesea-Gods,cruelandunjust,whodoomfairmaidstodeath?I
carrytheweaponsofImmortals。Letthemmeasuretheirstrengthagainstmine!Buttellme,maiden,whoyouare,andwhatdarkfatebroughtyouhere。’
Andsheanswered,weeping-
\"IamthedaughterofCepheus,KingofIopa,andmymotherisCassiopoeiaofthebeautifultresses,andtheycalledmeAndromeda,aslongaslifewasmine。AndIstandboundhere,haplessthatIam,forthesea-monster’sfood,toatoneformymother’ssin。ForsheboastedofmeoncethatIwasfairerthanAtergatis,QueenoftheFishes;sosheinherwrathsentthesea-floods,andherbrothertheFireKingsenttheearthquakes,andwastedalltheland,andafterthefloodsamonsterbredoftheslime,whodevoursalllivingthings。Andnowhemustdevourme,guiltlessthoughIam-
mewhoneverharmedalivingthing,norsawafishupontheshorebutIgaveitlife,andthrewitbackintothesea;forinourlandweeatnofish,forfearofAtergatistheirqueen。YetthepriestssaythatnothingbutmybloodcanatoneforasinwhichInevercommitted。’
ButPerseuslaughed,andsaid,’Asea-monster?Ihavefoughtwithworsethanhim:IwouldhavefacedImmortalsforyoursake;howmuchmoreabeastofthesea?’
ThenAndromedalookedupathim,andnewhopewaskindledinherbreast,soproudandfairdidhestand,withonehandroundher,andintheothertheglitteringsword。Butsheonlysighed,andweptthemore,andcried-
’Whywillyoudie,youngasyouare?Istherenotdeathandsorrowenoughintheworldalready?Itisnobleformetodie,thatImaysavethelivesofawholepeople;butyou,betterthanthemall,whyshouldIslayyoutoo?Goyouyourway;Imustgomine。’
ButPerseuscried,’Notso;fortheLordsofOlympus,whomI
serve,arethefriendsoftheheroes,andhelpthemontonobledeeds。Ledbythem,IslewtheGorgon,thebeautifulhorror;andnotwithoutthemdoIcomehither,toslaythismonsterwiththatsameGorgon’shead。YethideyoureyeswhenIleaveyou,lestthesightofitfreezeyoutootostone。’
Butthemaidenanswerednothing,forshecouldnotbelievehiswords。Andthen,suddenlylookingup,shepointedtothesea,andshrieked-
’Therehecomes,withthesunrise,astheypromised。Imustdienow。HowshallIendureit?Oh,go!Isitnotdreadfulenoughtobetornpiece-meal,withouthavingyoutolookon?’
Andshetriedtothrusthimaway。
Buthesaid,’Igo;yetpromisemeonethingereIgo:thatifIslaythisbeastyouwillbemywife,andcomebackwithmetomykingdominfruitfulArgos,forIamaking’sheir。
Promiseme,andsealitwithakiss。’
Thensheliftedupherface,andkissedhim;andPerseuslaughedforjoy,andflewupward,whileAndromedacrouchedtremblingontherock,waitingforwhatmightbefall。
Oncamethegreatsea-monster,coastingalonglikeahugeblackgalley,lazilybreastingtheripple,andstoppingattimesbycreekorheadlandtowatchforthelaughterofgirlsattheirbleaching,orcattlepawingonthesand-hills,orboysbathingonthebeach。Hisgreatsideswerefringedwithclusteringshellsandsea-weeds,andthewatergurgledinandoutofhiswidejaws,asherolledalong,drippingandglisteninginthebeamsofthemorningsun。
AtlasthesawAndromeda,andshotforwardtotakehisprey,whilethewavesfoamedwhitebehindhim,andbeforehimthefishfledleaping。
ThendownfromtheheightoftheairfellPerseuslikeashootingstar;downtothecrestsofthewaves,whileAndromedahidherfaceasheshouted;andthentherewassilenceforawhile。
Atlastshelookeduptrembling,andsawPerseusspringingtowardher;andinsteadofthemonsteralongblackrock,withthesearipplingquietlyroundit。
WhothensoproudasPerseus,asheleaptbacktotherock,andliftedhisfairAndromedainhisarms,andflewwithhertothecliff-top,asafalconcarriesadove?
WhosoproudasPerseus,andwhosojoyfulasalltheAEthioppeople?Fortheyhadstoodwatchingthemonsterfromthecliffs,wailingforthemaiden’sfate。AndalreadyamessengerhadgonetoCepheusandCassiopoeia,wheretheysatinsackclothandashesontheground,intheinnermostpalacechambers,awaitingtheirdaughter’send。Andtheycame,andallthecitywiththem,toseethewonder,withsongsandwithdances,withcymbalsandharps,andreceivedtheirdaughterbackagain,asonealivefromthedead。
ThenCepheussaid,’HerooftheHellens,stayherewithmeandbemyson-in-law,andIwillgiveyouthehalfofmykingdom。’
’Iwillbeyourson-in-law,’saidPerseus,’butofyourkingdomIwillhavenone,forIlongafterthepleasantlandofGreece,andmymotherwhowaitsformeathome。’
ThenCepheussaid,’Youmustnottakemydaughterawayatonce,forsheistouslikeonealivefromthedead。Staywithushereayear,andafterthatyoushallreturnwithhonour。’AndPerseusconsented;butbeforehewenttothepalacehebadethepeoplebringstonesandwood,andbuiltthreealtars,onetoAthene,andonetoHermes,andonetoFatherZeus,andofferedbullocksandrams。
Andsomesaid,’Thisisapiousman;’yetthepriestssaid,’TheSeaQueenwillbeyetmorefierceagainstus,becausehermonsterisslain。’Buttheywereafraidtospeakaloud,fortheyfearedtheGorgon’shead。Sotheywentuptothepalace;andwhentheycamein,therestoodinthehallPhineus,thebrotherofCepheus,chafinglikeabearrobbedofherwhelps,andwithhimhissons,andhisservants,andmanyanarmedman;andhecriedtoCepheus-
’Youshallnotmarryyourdaughtertothisstranger,ofwhomnooneknowseventhename。WasnotAndromedabetrothedtomyson?Andnowsheissafeagain,hashenotarighttoclaimher?’
ButPerseuslaughed,andanswered,’Ifyoursonisinwantofabride,lethimsaveamaidenforhimself。Asyetheseemsbutahelplessbride-groom。Heleftthisonetodie,anddeadsheistohim。Isavedheralive,andalivesheistome,buttonooneelse。Ungratefulman!haveInotsavedyourland,andthelivesofyoursonsanddaughters,andwillyourequitemethus?Go,oritwillbeworseforyou。’Butallthemen-at-armsdrewtheirswords,andrushedonhimlikewildbeasts。
ThenheunveiledtheGorgon’shead,andsaid,’Thishasdeliveredmybridefromonewildbeast:itshalldeliverherfrommany。’AndashespokePhineusandallhismen-at-armsstoppedshort,andstiffenedeachmanashestood;andbeforePerseushaddrawnthegoat-skinoverthefaceagain,theywereallturnedintostone。
ThenPersonsbadethepeoplebringleversandrollthemout;
andwhatwasdonewiththemafterthatIcannottell。