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adams_myths-old-greece_1900.xml
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<title>Myths of old Greece in story and song</title>
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<bibl><title>Myths of Old Greece in Story and Song (Lakeside Literature Series. Book III)</title>, Edited by William Adams, <pubPlace>New York</pubPlace>, <pubPlace>Cincinnati</pubPlace>, <pubPlace>Chicago</pubPlace>, <publisher>American Book Company</publisher>, <date>1900</date>, <biblScope>256 p</biblScope>. Source : <ref target="https://archive.org/details/lamythologiecomp01tres">Internet</ref> <ref target="https://archive.org/details/mythsoldgreecei00adamgoog">Archive</ref>.</bibl>
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<div>
<head>Preface.</head>
<p>The first two books of this Series were devoted to fables and fairy tales as the simplest forms of story. The present volume, No. III., is intended as a child’s introduction to classical mythology. In writing it, two points were kept constantly in mind: first, that it should present the stories essentially according to the traditions; next, that it should have some of the spirit of the old Greek and Latin myths.</p>
<p>At the same time, care has been taken not to burden the pupils. The book is distinctively a reader. It demands no committing to memory, and there is very little to be carried on from story to story. Unessential names and incidents, though necessary in a compendium, are here omitted, and it is thought that the stories will require little more mental labor than that of the mere reading.</p>
<p>In the telling, an attempt has been made to approach the original tales as they may have existed in the mouths of the people. Embellishments have been introduced after the manner of the fairy-tale, and the plots have been shortened and simplified. There have been some omissions, also, to suit the immaturity of the pupils, but none have been made without careful consideration, and it is believed that the effect of the stories is never inconsistent with the fuller originals of literature.</p>
<p>The Greek accounts of the early history of the world, like the Roman ones, are incomplete and contradictory among themselves, and if in any detail of our rendering we have invented a significance whose existence it would not be easy to warrant as classic, it is hoped that the judicious will still not disapprove of the use made of the material on the subject.</p>
<p>The poetry selected for this, as for the other books of the series, is suitable to the prose. As far as it was practicable, the poems are given in full, but a few fragmentary passages of beauty and interest are also included.</p>
<p>After consideration, it seemed best not to indicate pronunciation in the body of the book. Instead, an index of the proper names has been placed at the end.</p>
<p>For copyright selections in this volume, acknowledgements are due as follows: to Messrs. D. Appleton & Co., publishers of
<author key="Bryant W.">Bryant’s</author> complete works, for permission to use the selection from “<title>The Greek Boy</title>”; to Messrs. Houghton, Mifflin & Co., the only authorized publishers of
<author key="Longfellow">Longfellow’s</author> works, for permission to use the selection from “<title>Pegasus in Pound</title>.”</p>
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<div>
<head>The Gods.</head>
<figure>
<graphic url="http://obvil.github.io/mythographie/images/adams_myths-old-greece_1900_img009.png"/>
</figure>
<p>Far away across the sea from us lies the pleasant land of Greece. It is a beautiful country, full of wooded hills and green valleys; and the blue sea comes far inland, up the valleys between the hills, and meets the little rivers and the noisy brooks. Many of our garden flowers grow wild on the Grecian meadows, for the air is fresh and moist, and even the winters are not cold.</p>
<p>A long while ago there lived in that land the happiest and brightest nation that the world has known. In those days men did not think of things as we do. The Greeks felt that everything was alive. The air was full of fairies and gods; the spring of fresh water gurgled because it was happy; and each river had in it a great, quiet water-god. When the farmer sowed the seeds in the field, it was a goddess that made the green stalks come up and be fruitful. The trees of the forest also had each a fair spirit; and to one who understood, the rustling of the leaves spoke with meaning. Even the old Earth was not dead. The earthquakes proved that she could move, if she would.</p>
<p>Down under the earth, where the sun never shines, the Greeks thought that there was another world. It, too, had its gods and its spirits. Dreams lived there, and the ghosts of men who had died, or who had not yet been born.</p>
<p>But the gods the Greeks loved most were the gods of the sky. They were beautiful and happy and kind. When the Sun drove his flaming chariot from his palace in the East, the Greeks seemed to hear the Earth and the Waters laugh with joy.</p>
<p>It was a god of the sky who brought the rain in great bags, called clouds, to pour it upon the thirsty Earth. It was these gods, too, who helped men to do whatever was beautiful and brave and useful. They made men merry and mischievous and clever and happy.</p>
<p>The king and father of the gods of the sky was Jupiter. It was he who gave fair weather and foul. It was he who came in the thundercloud and hurled the lightning down upon those who had done him wrong. The eagle which soared above the clouds was his bird, and sometimes was seen carrying his thunderbolts.</p>
<p>If Jupiter but nodded his head, all creation shook with a muttering of thunder; yet, great as he was, he would sometimes come down from the sky and walk on earth as a man. He wished to see and enjoy things himself. At any moment, however, he might disappear to return to Olympus, where the gods of heaven lived.</p>
<p>He was not the only one who was thus seen. All of the gods and goddesses showed themselves at times on earth, and they were very much like men and women, even on Olympus. They ate, and drank, and were married, like people of the earth, and we are told that they often quarreled outrageously among themselves.</p>
<p>They had few cares. They would even leave Olympus for days together, to make a visit somewhere, and the world would move on without them, just as usual. Happy, beautiful, careless Olympus!</p>
<div>
<head>Hellas.</head>
<quote>
<l>Land of bards and heroes, hail!</l>
<l> Land of gods and godlike men,</l>
<l>Thine were hearts that could not quail, —</l>
<l> Earth was glorious then;</l>
<l>Thine were souls that dared be free;</l>
<l>Power, and fame, and liberty.</l>
<l/>
<l>Land where every vale and mountain</l>
<l> Echoes to immortal strains,</l>
<l>Light is round thy stream and fountain,</l>
<l> Light on all thy plains.</l>
<l>Never shall thy glory set;</l>
<l>Thou shalt be our beacon yet.</l>
</quote>
<bibl>
<author key="Percival">James Gates Percival</author>.</bibl>
<quote>
<l>Gone are the glorious Greeks of old,</l>
<l> Glorious in mien and mind;</l>
<l>Their bones are mingled with the mould,</l>
<l> Their dust is on the wind;</l>
<l>The forms they hewed from living stone</l>
<l>Survive the waste of years, alone,</l>
<l>And, scattered with their ashes, show</l>
<l>What greatness perished long ago.</l>
</quote>
<bibl>
<author key="Bryant W.">William Cullen Bryant</author>. <lb/></bibl>
<p>Permission of D. Appleton & Co., publishers of Bryant’s complete works.</p>
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<div>
<head>Proserpina.</head>
<figure>
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<p>Jupiter was called the father of the gods, but he was not the father of them all. He had a brother, Neptune, who ruled the ocean, and another brother, Pluto, who ruled the underworld; and Ceres was one of his sisters. She was the stately and beautiful goddess who made the fields grow green and yield their crops.</p>
<p>Nowadays, men must work hard and take much care if they will have large harvests, but we are told that in early times this was not so. Ceres kept the earth fertile, and there was no winter. When one crop was taken in, another began to sprout.</p>
<p>Ceres took care also to have the flowers always blooming. This she did because she had a fair young daughter, Proserpina, who loved them. Never was a mother happier than Ceres as she watched Proserpina wandering through the fields with blossoms tucked in her golden hair and in the folds of her white gown, and with her hands and arms full of violets and lilies.</p>
<p>Of all places in the world, Proserpina loved most the valley of Enna. Here there was a clear lake, and about it green meadows and cool groves. Upon the lake floated white swans; in the groves sang choirs of birds, all day long; and above the meadows soared the lark.</p>
<p>While Ceres went about the world from end to end, looking after the fields of wheat and rye and barley, Proserpina would spend the day wandering in the valley of Enna, watching the swans, listening to the birds, and gathering flowers with her friends the water-nymphs.</p>
<p>It happened that upon a certain day there was strife between Jupiter and some great earth creatures called Titans. The noise of fighting was so loud that it disturbed even the world under the earth.</p>
<p>When the strife was at an end, Pluto, the king of the underworld, came up to see what damage had been done; for he feared that the earth might have been so harmed that the sun would shine through into his kingdom.</p>
<p>As he drove along the earth in his black chariot, he passed the valley of Enna and saw Proserpina playing in the meadow with the nymphs. Pluto hated the light and was blinking his eyes a good deal, but he had no need to see well to make out that Proserpina was fair and charming. He stopped his four terrible black horses and looked again. He had never seen anything so beautiful in heaven, or on earth, or under the earth. The grim, rough old god was in love with gentle Proserpina. He turned his black horses and drove slowly down the valley toward her.</p>
<p>The maidens did not see him until he was near. Then one of the nymphs glanced up and gave a great shriek. All turned and saw the four great black horses and the black chariot, and the dark face of Pluto who drove.</p>
<p>The nymphs fled and disappeared in the lake; but Proserpina, with her arms full of flowers, stood looking with wonder at the approaching god. Before she could even turn, the chariot was beside her. Without drawing rein, Pluto caught her up in his arms, and in a moment they were driving like mad across the fields. Then, indeed, Proserpina was frightened. She shrieked and called for her mother, but Ceres was far away, in Spain, caring for the crops of rye and barley and seeing that they ripened as they should.</p>
<p>Gruff old Pluto tried to comfort the goddess-child. He told her that she should be his bride and queen; that she should have all the underworld bow down before her, and that no one should treat her unkindly, since he loved her. He told her that the underworld was black and beautiful, like the night, and that it was rich with sparkling gold and jewels. But Proserpina was afraid of his dark face. She kept weeping, and would not be comforted.</p>
<p>All this time they were rushing over hills and valleys and across rivers and lakes. The terrible black horses hardly touched the earth or the waters. At last, when they came near the fountain of Arethusa, Pluto struck the earth with his spear. A great hole gaped before them, and, with a cry, Proserpina felt herself sinking, and falling down into the dark.</p>
<p>When they reached solid ground again, they were in a new world. The air was cool and close, and all the light they had was so faint that it was scarcely light at all.</p>
<p>Proserpina could see nothing at first, but Pluto gave a sigh of contentment, for his eyes were used only to this. Soon the poor little goddess, who was to be queen of this awful kingdom, began to see better. High above, she could make out something like a cloudy sky arched over the whole region. It was the earth, through which they had come; for the sun never shines in the underworld, and there are no stars there. Far away, across the plain, she could see great masses of towers and palaces; but there was not a plant nor a tree in all that land, and the only flowers were the few faded ones she had not let fall when the grim god seized her.</p>
<p>“I hope you will like it here,” said Pluto, as they drove on. “It is very pleasant, and you shall have all the gold and jewels you wish. You shall sit beside me on my throne, and wear a crown sparkling with diamonds.”</p>
<p>“But I don’t want to live here in the dark,” cried Proserpina, weeping afresh.</p>
<p>Then Pluto looked sullen, and said that most persons were not unwilling to be queens and wear crowns of diamonds. He thought she was foolish to make such an ado about the darkness. To his mind, sunlight was unbearable, and he felt sure that it was very bad, indeed, for the eyes.</p>
<p>Just then they passed a great river, and Proserpina listened to hear the music of the water, for that was a sound she loved. But the murmur was not like that of earthly rivers. Somehow it made her shudder and shrink back, for it seemed to be all of sighs and groans.</p>
<p>“That is the river Styx,” said Pluto. “All who die must pass it. Look!” Proserpina looked, and saw upon the torpid stream a boat. It was laden down with the souls of men. In the stern she could make out Charon, the grim ferryman, with his long, white beard and hair, and in his hand the great oar with which he was rowing the boat across.</p>
<p>It was a sad sight, and Proserpina was relieved when Pluto said: —</p>
<p>“Come, now we shall see Cerberus, my dog.”</p>
<p>Even as he spoke, they heard a barking that seemed to echo through the whole underworld. It was such a noise that Proserpina thought it must be a pack of monsters, all howling; but soon she saw Cerberus himself. He was larger than any horse, and he had three heads, all of which were barking at once. Proserpina shuddered, but Pluto stopped to pat the great beast on its three heads.</p>
<p>“Do not be afraid of him,” said Pluto, smiling. “He will harm no one who has the right to pass him.”</p>
<p>But Proserpina could not even look at him.</p>
<p>So they passed on. All the land was full of gloom, and was as quiet as a land of ghosts must be. Even Elysium, the place where men lived who had been brave and good on earth, Proserpina thought was sad. All the jewels and riches of the world could not make this little goddess happy without sunshine and flowers and fresh air and the blue sky.</p>
<p>At last, they reached Pluto’s palace. It was rich beyond anything ever seen on earth.</p>
<p>There were columns, all of gold, and statues of rare beauty, made each of one precious stone; there were flowers made of jewels, and birds which seemed to fly: but all was dead, and the only sweet live creature in the palace was the poor little goddess Proserpina, who seemed like a sunbeam gone astray; and, indeed, for all his talk, Pluto thought her look and the light she brought with her worth more than all the treasures of his underworld; and from that day, though she was always a little sad, and though she would eat nothing and often wept for her mother, Proserpina made the grim old palace seem a very different place, and Pluto grew almost cheerful.</p>
<p/>
<p>Meanwhile, Ceres came back to the valley of Enna with its sunny meadows. It was a lonely place that day when she returned. The birds had stopped singing since Proserpina was gone, and the only sound Ceres heard was a faint sobbing from the edge of the lake, where one of the poor little nymphs lay weeping for her lost playmate. She was terrified as she heard the footsteps of the great goddess. Yet she was able to tell the news. Proserpina had been carried off by some one in a black chariot. The nymphs had all cried out, but there was no help at hand and they had seen their beautiful goddess friend no more.</p>
<p>When Ceres heard that, her face grew very stern and terrible. She set out at once to find her child and to punish him who had dared to do such a deed. But, although she moved swiftly, she saw no trace of the lost maiden until, at nightfall, she picked up a rose which had fallen from the hands of the poor frightened goddess and which was already faded.</p>
<p>The world soon grew dark, but Ceres would not rest. She took two great pine trees, bound them together, and lit them at the volcano of Ætna. With this tremendous torch to light her way, she wandered all through the night, seeking and calling in vain. As often as she met a spirit of sleep, or of dreams, she would stop it and ask, “Have you seen my daughter, Proserpina?” But none of the spirits of night had seen her.</p>
<figure>
<graphic url="http://obvil.github.io/mythographie/images/adams_myths-old-greece_1900_img025.png"/>
</figure>
<p>When morning came, she still went on without rest. At each river she would stop and call. Very soon the river-god would raise his great, dripping head above the water and look at her with gentle, majestic eyes, and she would ask, “Have you seen my daughter, Proserpina?” But none of the river-gods had seen her.</p>
<p>Once, when she came to a hilly forest, she called, “Pan! Pan!” and Pan, the god of the animals, came skipping to meet her. He was like a man, but he had hoofs in place of feet, and his ears were pointed and furry. Besides that, he had two little stubby horns upon his forehead. When he spoke, his voice was like the whinny of a horse, or the cry of some wild creature; and yet it was a man’s voice. Altogether it was a strange, uncanny sound, and when Pan shouted, he could make a whole army of brave men run helter-skelter without any other cause.</p>
<p>Truly, a wild being was Pan; but when. Ceres called, he hurried to meet her, stamping with his hard little hoofs, and bounding over the rocks and the streams of water. But though Pan was a great god, he could not tell what had become of Proserpina.</p>
<p>A day passed, and another, and another; still Ceres could not find her child. She traveled over the earth from end to end, in vain. Of Proserpina she found not another trace.</p>
<p>During all this time, she had not once thought of her usual cares. None of the newly-planted fields were sprouting, and the crops which had begun to grow were withering. Then all the farmers called, on the goddess for help, praying to her to pity the land and care for its vegetation. But Ceres thought only of her lost child, and day by day the land grew more bare. The leaves fell from the trees, and the hills became yellow and barren. Then the North Wind rushed down upon the country, bringing hail and frost and snow; for Ceres said, “Not one blade of grass, nor a leaf nor flower, shall the Earth yield until my daughter is found.” So the farmers stayed within doors, and shivered and waited. Sometimes, in the nights, they could see in the sky the glow of her great torch, where the mighty goddess wandered alone, searching; and, when the storms were worst, they could sometimes hear her voice calling, “Proserpina.”</p>
<p>Many weeks passed thus, but at last, when the goddess was near to despair, she came to the fountain of Arethusa. This fountain came up from the very bottom of the earth, and Arethusa, the nymph who lived in it, could go down when she pleased and look into the underworld.</p>
<p>It was a chilly day. There was a rim of ice about the edge of the water, and Arethusa was far down in the earth below. But at the call of Ceres she came up quickly and raised her beautiful face and dripping hair above the surface.</p>
<p>“Have you seen my daughter, Proserpina?” asked Ceres. She had asked that question many, many times, in vain, during these last months.</p>
<p>“Was she young, and slender, and beautiful? Were her eyes blue, and her locks golden? And did she wear violets and lilies in her hair and dress?”</p>
<p>“Tell me what you know of her!” cried Ceres.</p>
<p>Then Arethusa told of the black horses and chariot and the grim driver she had seen; and how the fierce, dark god had struck the earth with his spear, and how the earth had opened and swallowed him up, chariot, black horses, maiden, and all.</p>
<p>“And to-day, in the underworld, I saw her again. She was seated upon a great black throne, beside the dark-faced god. Upon her head was a glittering crown of diamonds and rubies, and she wore the dark robe of royalty. All the ghosts of those who are dead, and all the monsters and terrible spirits of the underworld came and bowed before her and were her subjects; but her face was pale, and they say she has never been known to smile, nor will she eat anything.”</p>
<p>When Ceres heard that, she covered her face, and for a whole day sat speechless with grief, for she knew that the dark god was Pluto, the ruler of the underworld, and that she could do nothing against his mighty power.</p>
<p>At last, she uncovered her face and rose, and went slowly up the path of stars to Olympus, where the gods of heaven dwell; for, she said, “My brother Jupiter, alone, can help me now.”</p>
<p>When she came to Olympus, the great gates opened to her of themselves; and when she entered the glorious hall, the gods and goddesses of heaven rose in courtesy to her, for Ceres was reverenced by all. Then they sat down again at the long table, where they were eating and drinking. Ah, but it was a beautiful sight! A glow of light and joy was over all of them, and their faces shone with happiness and power.</p>
<p>At the head of the table sat Jupiter, father of gods and of men. His face was thoughtful and calm; but whether he smiled or frowned, it was always beautiful and majestic, like the sky. At his right sat Juno, the stately goddess-queen, in a robe of dazzling white, and with golden sandals; at his left sat Minerva, goddess of truth and wisdom, clear-eyed and quiet and terribly strong. It was to these three that Ceres looked; and as she moved across the glorious hall, the gods ceased their smiling and became earnest, for they saw how the great earth-goddess was grieving.</p>
<p>But Ceres spoke aloud to Jupiter and said, “O Jupiter, Father of Gods and Men, grant me justice! Compel Pluto to give me my daughter again, for he took her from me by force.”</p>
<p>Then Jupiter bowed his head in thought, and Minerva, the goddess of wisdom, said, “If Proserpina has eaten anything in the underworld, she cannot return; but if not, Jupiter may right the wrong.”</p>
<p>Then Ceres said, “Nothing shall grow upon the earth — neither tree, nor flower, nor blade of grass — until Proserpina comes back. Choose what you will do!”</p>
<p>When she had said this, Ceres turned and left Olympus. She went back to the earth and sat silent and alone, with covered head, mourning for her daughter.</p>
<p>But on Olympus Jupiter sat long in thought. At last he called his messenger, the god Mercury, who is quickest and cleverest among the dwellers of Olympus. Him he sent down to the underworld with messages to Pluto.</p>
<p>Now Mercury has winged sandals on his feet and a winged cap upon his head, and he sails through the air more swiftly than any bird. Besides, he has a magic wand with two snakes twisted about it, and with this wand he can control even the ghosts of the underworld.</p>
<p>When Mercury had received the order of Jupiter, he hurried out of Olympus and came swiftly down to earth. The earth opened at touch of the magic wand, and the messenger of Jupiter went through it without stopping, straight down to the palace of Pluto.</p>
<p/>
<p>That day, as Ceres was sitting alone in her grief, she heard a sound that startled her. It was a little bird in the tree above her, singing a few clear notes of joy.</p>
<p>“What does this mean?” thought Ceres.</p>
<p>Then she looked across the fields and saw that all the trees were putting forth their leaves, and the grass was sprouting up, making the meadows green.</p>
<p>“Have I not said that nothing shall grow upon the earth?” said Ceres, in wonder. “Who has done this?”</p>
<p>Then suddenly the meadows seemed to burst into flower, and grow beautiful with blossoms of crocus and hyacinth and anemone and narcissus; and whole choirs of birds broke out into jubilant songs in the groves.</p>
<p>Then Ceres saw some one coming toward her across the meadows — a slender, beautiful goddess, with flowers in her golden hair and in the folds of her fair, white gown; and this young goddess had a smile on her lips, and her eyes were as bright and blue as the skies in spring. It was Proserpina, coming to meet her mother. And Ceres, in her joy, wept and laughed at the same time, as she took her daughter in her arms. That day the reign of happiness began again over all the earth.</p>
<p>Yet Proserpina could not stay with her mother always. While she was in the underworld she had tasted a pomegranate which Pluto had offered her. Because of this, she had to spend a part of each year ever after with her grim lover in the underworld.</p>
<p>But Ceres always mourns until Proserpina returns. And she allows nothing to grow upon the earth until the fair young goddess comes back. The men of earth have given the evil season a name, and have called it Winter; but Pluto and the other dwellers in the underworld think it the best of all seasons, for only during those months do they have their beautiful queen in their midst.</p>
<figure>
<graphic url="http://obvil.github.io/mythographie/images/adams_myths-old-greece_1900_img035.png"/>
</figure>
<div>
<head>Persephone.</head>
<quote>
<l>She stepped upon Sicilian grass,</l>
<l> Demeter’s daughter, fresh and fair,</l>
<l>A child of light, a radiant lass,</l>
<l> And gamesome as the morning air.</l>
<l> The daffodils were fair to see,</l>
<l> They nodded lightly on the lea,</l>
<l> Persephone — Persephone!</l>
<l/>
<l>Lo! one she marked of rarer growth</l>
<l> Than orchis or anemone:</l>
<l>For it the maiden left them both,</l>
<l> And parted from her company.</l>
<l> Drawn nigh she deemed it fairer still,</l>
<l> And stooped to gather by the rill</l>
<l> The daffodil, the daffodil.</l>
<l/>
<l>What ailed the meadow that it shook?</l>
<l> What ailed the air of Sicily?</l>
<l>She wondered by the brattling brook</l>
<l> And trembled with the trembling lea.</l>
<l> “The coal-black horses rise — they rise.</l>
<l> O mother, mother!” low she cries —</l>
<l> Persephone — Persephone!</l>
<l/>
<l>“O light, light, light!” she cries, “farewell;</l>
<l> The coal-black horses wait for me.</l>
<l>O shade of shades, where I must dwell,</l>
<l> Demeter, mother, far from thee!</l>
<l> Ah, fated doom that I fulfill!</l>
<l> Ah, fateful flower beside the rill!</l>
<l> The daffodil, the daffodil!”</l>
<l/>
<l>What ails her that she comes not home?</l>
<l> Demeter seeks her far and wide,</l>
<l>And gloomy-browed doth ceaseless roam</l>
<l> From many a morn till eventide.</l>
<l> “My life, immortal though it be,</l>
<l> Is naught,” she cries, “for want of thee,</l>
<l> Persephone — Persephone!</l>
<l/>
<l>“Meadows of Enna, let the rain</l>
<l> No longer drop to feed your rills,</l>
<l>Nor dew refresh the fields again,</l>
<l> With all their nodding daffodils!</l>
<l> Fade, fade and droop, o lilied lea,</l>
<l> Where thou, dear heart, were reft from me —</l>
<l> Persephone — Persephone!”</l>
<l/>
<l>She reigns upon her dusky throne,</l>
<l> ’Mid shades of heroes dread to see;</l>
<l>Among the dead she breathes alone,</l>
<l> Persephone — Persephone!</l>
<l> Or seated on the Elysian hill</l>
<l> She dreams of earthly daylight still,</l>
<l> And murmurs of the daffodil.</l>
<l/>
<l>A voice in Hades soundeth clear,</l>
<l> The shadows mourn and flit below;</l>
<l>It cries — “Thou Lord of Hades, hear,</l>
<l> And let Demeter’s daughter go.</l>
<l> The tender corn upon the lea</l>
<l> Droops in her goddess gloom when she</l>
<l> Cries for her lost Persephone.</l>
<l/>
<l>“From land to land she raging flies,</l>
<l> The green fruit falleth in her wake,</l>
<l>And harvest fields beneath her eyes</l>
<l> To earth the grain unripened shake.</l>
<l> Arise, and set the maiden free;</l>
<l> Why should the world such sorrow dree</l>
<l> By reason of Persephone?”</l>
<l/>
<l>He takes the cleft pomegranate seeds:</l>
<l> “Love, eat with me this parting day</l>
<l>Then bids them fetch the coal-black steeds —</l>
<l> “ Demeter’s daughter, wouldst away?”</l>
<l> The gates of Hades set her free;</l>
<l> “She will return full soon,” saith he —</l>
<l> “My wife, my wife Persephone.”</l>
<l/>
<l>Low laughs the dark king on his throne —</l>
<l> “I gave her of pomegranate seeds.”</l>
<l>Demeter’s daughter stands alone</l>
<l> Upon the fair Eleusian meads.</l>
<l> Her mother meets her. “Hail!” saith she;</l>
<l> “And doth our daylight dazzle thee</l>
<l> My love, my child Persephone?</l>
<l/>
<l>“What moved thee, daughter, to forsake</l>
<l> Thy fellow-maids that fatal morn,</l>
<l>And give thy dark lord power to take</l>
<l> Thee living to his realm forlorn?”</l>
<l> Her lips reply without her will,</l>
<l> As one addressed who slumbereth still —</l>
<l> “The daffodil, the daffodil!”</l>
<l/>
<l>Her eyelids droop with light oppressed,</l>
<l> And sunny wafts that round her stir,</l>
<l>Her cheek upon her mother’s breast —</l>
<l> Demeter’s kisses comfort her.</l>
<l> Calm Queen of Hades, art thou she</l>
<l> Who stepped so lightly on the lea —</l>
<l> Persephone, Persephone?</l>
<l/>
<l>When, in her destined course, the moon</l>
<l> Meets the deep shadow of this world,</l>
<l>And laboring on doth seem to swoon</l>
<l> Through awful wastes of dimness whirled —</l>
<l> Emerged at length, no trace hath she</l>
<l> Of that dark hour of destiny,</l>
<l> Still silvery sweet — Persephone.</l>
<l/>
<l>The greater world may near the less,</l>
<l> And draw it through her weltering shade,</l>
<l>But not one biding trace impress</l>
<l> Of all the darkness that she made;</l>
<l> The greater soul that draweth thee</l>
<l> Hath left his shadow plain to see</l>
<l> On thy fair face, Persephone!</l>
<l/>
<l>Demeter sighs, but sure'tis well</l>
<l> The wife should love her destiny:</l>
<l>They part, and yet, as legends tell,</l>
<l> She mourns her lost Persephone;</l>
<l> While chant the maids of Enna still —</l>
<l> “O fateful flower beside the rill —</l>
<l> The daffodil, the daffodil.”</l>
</quote>
<bibl>
<author key="Ingelow">Jean Ingelow</author>.</bibl>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<head>Prometheus and Epimetheus.</head>
<figure>
<graphic url="http://obvil.github.io/mythographie/images/adams_myths-old-greece_1900_img041.png"/>
</figure>
<p>From the time when Proserpina was carried off, the world began to be less happy than it had been. In the winter men shivered and froze, and even the summer had its cares, for in the warmest and fairest days men were busy saving stores for the winter which was to come.</p>
<p>In those days there lived in the world a race of great creatures called Titans. They were children of old Mother Earth, who is so quiet under our feet, and they were bold and strong. They did not fear Jupiter himself, and once they piled mountain upon mountain and tried to force a way into Olympus, to cast the king of the gods out of it. Jupiter, with all his thunderbolts, was not entirely secure at that time.</p>
<p>Among the Titans, two were special friends of man — Prometheus and his brother, Epimetheus. Prometheus was the braver and stronger of the two. When he saw men suffer in the winter months, he at once began to consider what could be done for them. First he taught them to build houses and barns, and to store up grain for their own use and fodder for their flocks. Then he taught them to watch the stars, for by the stars the coming of winter can be foretold and men can be ready for it.</p>
<p>After that men were more comfortable, but up to this time they knew nothing of the uses of fire and they shivered sadly on cold days. Prometheus was wiser than they. He had seen the eternal fire burning in the great hall of Olympus, where the gods of heaven dwell, and he knew how it cheers and warms those who have it. He knew also that the fire was sacred, and that Jupiter did not wish it to be touched, but Prometheus was a Titan and feared not Jupiter, nor obeyed him.</p>
<p>One night, when the gods of heaven were all asleep and the hall of Olympus was empty, Prometheus climbed quietly up the star-road to the home of the gods, and slipped three burning coals of the fire into a hollow reed he had brought with him. Then he strode out, laughing and stamping his feet in defiance.</p>
<p>When Jupiter saw the smoke rising from cozy homes all over the world, and heard men singing rough chants in honor of Prometheus, who had stolen fire from heaven, he grew very stern.</p>
<p>“Prometheus is brave, but he has done wrong to steal the sacred fire,” said Jupiter, “and he must be punished.”</p>
<p>Then Jupiter sent two monstrous servants of his, who took Prometheus and bound him to the side of a great cliff. There the great Titan hung, with the storm and the sunshine beating upon him. Every day an eagle came and fed upon him, and every night his body was healed again, but with great pain, and his suffering was always terrible.</p>
<p>He saw, too, that the fire he had stolen was not entirely a blessing. Though it was warming and useful, it seemed to make men proud and angry of temper. They had begun to fight one another. At times they burned each other’s houses and crops with the sacred fire, and they melted ores in it to make swords of steel and armor of brass to use against one another. Men were more comfortable, but they were not happier than before, for after that day when Prometheus brought down the fire, the world was never again quite at peace.</p>
<p>All this Epimetheus saw, and it grieved him deeply. At last, one day, an idea came to him and he went to the cliff where Prometheus hung.</p>
<p>“Listen, brother,” he said to the great suffering Titan. “For all your pains and mine, men are little better off than they were.”</p>
<p>“I know it well,” said Prometheus in his suffering. “Even here the noise and clash of war comes to my ears. Men are strong and brave and proud, but how can they ever be happy?”</p>
<p>Then Epimetheus said, “I will help them. I will go to Jupiter and be friends with him. Not by force, but by gentleness, will I bring down the joy of Olympus; and men shall have it.”</p>
<p>But Prometheus said, “Do it not. Happiness is for the gods. The gifts of Olympus will harm men. Let the world alone.”</p>
<p>Epimetheus said no more, but his mind was not changed. Next day he went up the star-road and into the great hall of Olympus, where the gods of heaven were feasting. The air was sweet with the fragrance of the ambrosia they eat and the nectar they drink. Music was sounding, and there was a warm radiance filling the hall with happy daylight.</p>
<p>Epimetheus was dazzled for a moment. Then he went forward and knelt at the feet of Jupiter.</p>
<p>“O King of Gods and. of Men,” he said, “let there be peace between the Titans and you. Help us, and help mankind, who suffer.”</p>
<p>“Speak,” said Jupiter. “What is it that you wish?”</p>
<p>“Give me some gift for men, O Jupiter!” answered Epimetheus, bravely. “Let them have some of the joy of Olympus.”</p>
<p>Jupiter thought long, but at last he spoke.</p>
<p>“It is an unwise wish, O Epimetheus! And yet it may be done. Go back to earth. Tomorrow the gift shall be yours.”</p>
<p>So Epimetheus left Olympus, glad and thankful at heart.</p>
<p>Then Jupiter turned to Vulcan and said: —</p>
<p>“Make a box to hold the gift, and make for me a bearer to carry it.”</p>
<p>Now Vulcan is the workman of the gods. He is lame, but skillful, and with his hands he makes wondrous things. So when Jupiter had said these words, the lame god hobbled away to his workshop.</p>
<p>Soon he came back with a rich and wonderful box, as Jupiter had ordered; and when each god of heaven had put within it a gift, he closed the lid and shut the rare blessings safely in.</p>
<p>Then he took clay and formed of it a woman, warm and alive and human. He called to his aid Venus, the goddess of love, to add beauty to the form, and Minerva, the wise goddess, to make the woman intelligent, and thus each of the gods, in turn, gave her something, so that Pandora, as she was called, was perfect beyond all women born on earth, though she was only an earthly woman after all.</p>
<p>When this was done, Jupiter smiled and said to Mercury, the messenger of the gods: —</p>
<p>“Take this woman and this box. They are gifts of the gods to Epimetheus, and to mankind; but the box must never be opened. Let them take heed, for the joys of heaven will work evil if they are set free on earth.”</p>
<p>So Mercury put on his winged sandals and his winged hat, took Pandora by the hand, and led her away.</p>
<p>Next morning Epimetheus heard a knock at his door. He knew that it was the messenger of the gods, but he was slow to open, for he thought of what Prometheus had said of the danger. He almost made up his mind not to take the gift; then he opened the door.</p>
<p>There stood Pandora, more beautiful than any woman of earth and in her arm rested the box, which shone and sparkled as if it were a living thing. And whether it was Pandora, or the box, it seemed to Epimetheus that there was the music and fragrance and light of heaven come to his door, and he welcomed them eagerly, forgetting the danger.</p>
<p>So Mercury led Pandora in; but before he left, he warned Pandora and Epimetheus not to open the sacred box. “The gifts of heaven must not be set free on earth,” he said, “for men are not strong enough to receive them.” Then, with a wave of his snake-wand and a whir of the wings on his feet and head, he disappeared.</p>
<p>Then came happy days. Epimetheus invited every one to come to get good of the divine gift, and men came from all parts of the earth. Some were young and some were old; but all those who saw Pandora and came near to the wondrous box, felt a change in themselves. When they left the house of Epimetheus, they were surprised to find how beautiful the sky was, with its white clouds; they wondered at the songs of the birds, which seemed new and strange; and they felt ready to die for what is good and true. Ah, the wonderful box!</p>
<figure>
<graphic url="http://obvil.github.io/mythographie/images/adams_myths-old-greece_1900_img050.png"/>
</figure>
<p>Then, first, men began to sing and to dance, to paint and to make beautiful statues, and to write stories and poems in praise of the gods, and of the heroes who fought to kill monsters and savage beasts. All mankind seemed then, for the first time, to be free and happy. Even Jupiter and the gods of heaven had more joy as they saw how the earth prospered and how their altars were smoking with sacrifices.</p>
<p>And of all the world, the spot most blessed was the home of Epimetheus. There stood the wonderful box, and Pandora would sit by the hour with her ear against it, listening to the faint music that seemed to come from within it, taking in all the glory and joy which poured through the sparkling sides and top. “What a marvelous box!” she would say to herself. “What joy it has brought the world! I wonder — I wonder what it is that the gods put into it to give it such power.”</p>
<p>One day she said to Epimetheus, “Would it be wrong, do you think, to raise the lid, just for a moment, to see what is inside? What do you suppose can make those strange, sweet sounds we hear in it sometimes?”</p>
<p>But Epimetheus answered, sternly, “Do not dare to open it, Pandora, for the gods have forbidden it!”</p>
<p>Pandora was silent, but she could not help thinking, of the box. It was in her mind day and night. “If it does so much good to mankind when it is closed, who knows what will happen if it is opened?” she thought to herself. “Maybe the blessing will be doubled. Who knows?”</p>
<p>Day by day she grew to love the beautiful box more, and day by day she was more eager to know what was in it! “Maybe there is some god imprisoned there, waiting for some one who will be brave enough to raise the lid,” she would think. “What evil can there be in so blessed a box? It has made the whole world happy. It must be good.”</p>
<p>Then she would think that even though she should raise the lid just a little — just enough to look in — there could be no great harm done. She wanted only a glimpse. She would close it again so quickly that nothing could escape.</p>
<p>At last, one day, the charm was too great to resist, and she found herself grasping the lid with both hands, ready to raise it. Then she came to her senses and let it go. “I must not do it,” she thought. And then she knelt down beside the box and began to raise up the cover, with eyes eager to look in as soon as the crack should be wide enough.</p>
<p>Suddenly it opened and something struck her in the face and burned like a spark of fire. Pandora started back with a cry, and in a moment the lid of the box opened wide, of itself, and a cloud of black and golden creatures came swarming out and away.</p>
<p>In another moment Pandora had hold of the lid and was trying to close it, but it was of no use. The little creatures were stronger than she. At last she sprang upon the cover, with her whole weight. That closed it, but it was too late then.</p>
<p>When Epimetheus came hack he found her there, kneeling upon the lid of the box and weeping. It was long before she could tell what had happened. Then, for many hours, they sat without a word to say. What good could come of talking? The evil was done.</p>
<p>Next day it was even worse, for men came from the cities round about and told how things were going wrong. Almost everyone was in some trouble. Sickness and crime had broken out on every side, and had changed happy cities into places of utter misery.</p>
<p>“What has caused all this woe?” they would ask Epimetheus; and Pandora would answer, “I have done it, for I let out the spirits from the box.”</p>
<p>“Can nothing be done?” they would ask. “It would be better not to live, than to live in this misery.”</p>
<p>But as they talked and could find no help, suddenly Pandora gave a cry of joy.</p>
<p>“They are not all gone!” she said, eagerly, putting her ear to the box. “Listen!”</p>
<p>Sure enough, from within the box came a sound of the sweetest, softest music. It was the spirit that was called Hope. Those who heard it felt that life was good after all, for with all their troubles they could be brave and strong while hope remained.</p>
<p>After that Pandora never opened the box again, but life on earth was not simple or easy. The world was full of evil and sickness and sorrow; yet men came from all parts of the earth, and when they heard the music of that imprisoned spirit, they took heart and lived better.</p>
<div>
<head>Song of a Hyperborean.</head>
<quote>
<l>I come from a land in the sun-bright deep,</l>
<l> Where golden gardens grow;</l>
<l>Where the winds of the north, becalm’d in sleep,</l>
<l> Their conch-shells never blow.</l>
<l/>
<l>So near the track of the stars are we,</l>
<l> That oft, on night’s pale beams,</l>
<l>The distant sounds of their harmony</l>
<l> Come to our ears, like dreams.</l>
<l/>
<l>The Moon, too, brings her world so nigh,</l>
<l> That when the night-seer looks</l>
<l>To that shadowless orb, in a vernal sky</l>
<l> He can number its hills and brooks.</l>
<l/>
<l>To the Sun-god all our hearts and lyres</l>
<l> By day, by night, belong;</l>
<l>And the breath we draw from his living fires,</l>
<l> We give him back in song.</l>
<l/>
<l>From us descends the maid who brings</l>
<l> To Delos gifts divine;</l>
<l>And our wild bees lend their rainbow wings</l>
<l> To glitter on Delphi’s shrine.</l>
</quote>
<bibl>
<author key="Moore Th.">Thomas Moore</author>.</bibl>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<head>Apollo and Daphne.</head>
<figure>
<graphic url="http://obvil.github.io/mythographie/images/adams_myths-old-greece_1900_img057.png"/>
</figure>
<p>One beautiful morning Cupid, the little winged god of love, sat busily polishing his bow and his arrows. Some of his arrows were tipped with gold, and some with lead, but he polished all alike and saw to it that they were neatly winged with white dove-feathers. Then he put them back into his quiver, taking care not to prick himself, for the golden arrows would make even a god fall in love and the leaden ones caused hate. Next, Cupid took up his little bow and saw that the string was unworn and the golden arch bright and elastic and strong.</p>
<p>At that moment Apollo, the god of light and song, came by. He was just from the earth, where he had done a great service to mankind. For the swamps of Greece had produced a monstrous serpent, called Python, which laid waste, the land and slew the people of it. In vain did heroes fight against Python. All were destroyed, and at last the whole land prayed to the gods for aid in its peril. Then Apollo took his mighty and terrible bow and with his arrows slew the beast. Now as he was returning, he saw Cupid polishing and preparing his tiny arms. He stopped, and watched the little god with contempt.</p>
<p>“Are bows and arrows fit weapons for children?” he said. “Leave such weapons to me, who know how to use them. I have slain Python with my darts, but what can you do with yours?”</p>
<p>The little god did not like the words of the great archer.</p>
<p>“I can shoot you, Apollo,” said he, “and I will, too.”</p>
<p>But Apollo laughed scornfully.</p>
<p>“You had better lay aside the bow, lest some evil befall you, child. Stick to your lamp, with which you fry the hearts of foolish mortals.”</p>
<p>With these words he walked away, leaving Cupid almost in tears with rage.</p>
<p>Next day, as Apollo was wandering through the forests of Arcadia, he chanced to see the beautiful nymph Daphne, who was about to set out for the hunt. Daphne was a daughter of the river-god Peneüs, and though she was as fair as the moon on a summer evening, she had never had a lover. She worshipped Diana, the goddess of maidenhood and hunting, and spent all her days chasing the deer. As Apollo saw her moving gracefully and swiftly among the trees, he said to himself that he had never seen a lighter step or a more winning face.</p>
<p>At that very moment Cupid was stringing his bow behind the shelter of a neighboring thicket. He took two shining arrows from his quiver, one tipped with gold and one with lead. First he drew the golden arrow to its head; the bow gave a vicious little twang, and in a moment the arrow had sunk deep into the breast of Apollo. The god felt the pang and put his hand to his heart, but it was too late: he was madly in love with beautiful Daphne. He called to her,” Stay, Daphne.”</p>
<p>But as Daphne turned to see who called, Cupid sent the leaden arrow with unerring aim fairly into her heart, and as she saw Apollo, she hated and feared him as she had never before feared or hated anyone. Without a word, she turned and fled.</p>
<p>Apollo followed, and tried to soothe her with gentle pleading.</p>
<p>“Why do you flee from me, Daphne?” he called. “Am I a wild beast — a lion or fierce tiger? Stop, for I will do you no harm. I am Apollo, the god of beauty and sonar, and I love you, Daphne. All the world worships me, and you shall have all that the world can give. Do but stop and hear me.”</p>
<p>But Daphne would not listen. She fled only the more swiftly, and Apollo, with all his speed, could hardly keep in sight of her fair swift feet and her shining white shoulders and flowing golden hair.</p>
<p>Then he redoubled his, pace and began to gain upon her; but the nearer he came, the more terrified was poor Daphne. It was as if she were a hunted hare and Apollo the hound baying close behind, for each word of Apollo’s voice, sweet and flattering though it was, scared her anew.</p>
<p>Suddenly, before her, she saw the glint of water. It was the river Peneüs.</p>
<p>“O my father,” she cried, “help me! Save me from him I hate. Change my form, or let the earth swallow me up. Quick, for he is here.”</p>
<p>Apollo also had seen the river, and he thought, “Now I have her. She can flee no further.”</p>
<figure>
<graphic url="http://obvil.github.io/mythographie/images/adams_myths-old-greece_1900_img062.png"/>
</figure>
<p>As he came out upon the river bank, there stood Daphne, so quiet that he thought she had yielded. He went quickly to her and caught her in his arms.</p>
<p>But even as he touched her, he felt her change. Her body grew hard and fixed and wooden, her hands and arms sprouted out with shining leaves, and instead of her fair face there was a great cluster of beautiful pink and white flowers. Daphne had become a laurel tree.</p>
<p>Apollo kissed the flowers, which seemed even then to draw back from his touch.</p>
<p>“Though you would not be my bride, Daphne,” he said, “you shall be my tree, and the tree of all poets among men forever.”</p>
<p>Then he turned sadly away, but for a long, long time afterward, the world was for him a very lonely place.</p>
<p>And as for Cupid, we do not hear that Apollo ever again treated him with scorn, for he had felt his power.</p>
<div>
<head>Cupid and the Bee.</head>
<quote>
<l>Cupid once upon a bed</l>
<l>Of roses laid his weary head;</l>
<l>Luckless urchin, not to see</l>
<l>Within the leaves a slumbering bee!</l>
<l>The bee awak’d — with anger wild</l>
<l>The bee awak’d, and stung the child.</l>
<l>Loud and piteous are his cries;</l>
<l>To Venus quick he runs, he flies;</l>
<l>“Oh mother I — I am wounded through —</l>
<l>I die with pain — in sooth I do!</l>
<l>Stung by some little angry thing,</l>
<l>Some serpent on a tiny wing —</l>
<l>A bee it was — for once, I know</l>
<l>I heard a rustic call it so.”</l>
<l>Thus he spoke, and she the while</l>
<l>Heard him with a soothing smile;</l>
<l>Then said, “My infant, if so much</l>
<l>Thou feel the little wild-bee’s touch,</l>
<l>How must the heart, ah, Cupid! be,</l>
<l>The hapless heart that’s stung by thee!”</l>
</quote>
<bibl>
<author key="Moore Th.">Thomas Moore</author>.</bibl>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<head>Orpheus and Eurydice.</head>
<figure>
<graphic url="http://obvil.github.io/mythographie/images/adams_myths-old-greece_1900_img065.png"/>
</figure>
<p>There once lived in Thrace a wonderful young musician named Orpheus, son of the muse Calliope. He understood all music. When the birds sang, when the trees murmured and whispered, when the waters gurgled, Orpheus knew what was meant. When the storms roared and winds shrieked and thunders muttered and rolled, he seemed to hear in them the very voices of the gods.</p>
<p>And he himself could sing. Apollo, god of light and song, loved him and gave him his own divine harp, which the Greeks called a lyre. Upon this lyre Orpheus would play as he sang. Never since Apollo tended the flocks of King Admetus had such music been heard upon earth. The birds would cease singing, for they preferred his songs to their own; the spirits in the trees would hush the murmur of their leaves to hear him; and the gentle gods of the rivers, and Neptune himself, god of old ocean, would quiet their waters to listen. Even the beasts of the wood — the lions and bears and slender, spotted deer — would come from their hiding places and lie down peacefully about him as he played the lyre and sang. Thus Orpheus had many friends.</p>
<p>But the one who loved him most was the beautiful goddess-born Eurydice, and Orpheus returned her love with all his heart. Their wedding was soon celebrated, and the guests agreed that never upon earth had been seen a nobler or a happier pair, for Orpheus and his bride were fair and tall, and looked as though they were two of the sunny gods of Olympus.</p>
<p>At the end of a Grecian wedding, great marriage-torches were lit; the smoke of the burning was rich and fragrant, and rose as incense to Hymen, the marriage god. When the torches were lit at the wedding of Orpheus and Eurydice, the smoke would not rise, but sank to the ground; then the flames began to sputter and go out, nor could the torches by any effort be made to burn well.</p>
<p>“Bring other torches,” cried Orpheus, for the guests were dismayed at the evil omen.</p>
<p>But the other torches burned no better. The guests talked in whispers. Orpheus and Eurydice alone were unchanged. It seemed to them no very great matter whether the torches burned or not.</p>
<p>Yet an evil fate was waiting, and it came quickly. Next day, as Eurydice was walking through the grass, she trod upon a poisonous serpent, which turned and bit her in the ankle. Within an hour the beautiful young wife was dead and her spirit had gone down to the underworld, to the dark kingdom of Pluto and Proserpina.</p>
<p>Orpheus was heartbroken. He sang of his grief to the gods of the streams and to the spirits of the trees, but they could not help him. He sang of it to the people of Thrace, but they could only weep with him. He besought with song the gods of Olympus, but though the gods loved him, they could not control the grim god Death, nor make him send back Eurydice.</p>
<p>Then Orpheus said, “I will seek her where she is,” and he rose and went to the promontory of Tænarus.</p>
<p>Here there was a long cave which led down into the underworld. Orpheus knew well that none but Hercules had ever returned along that road, but he went in, leaving behind him the world of light and life. Down and down it led him, but at last it became less steep and, with a turn, led him out into the kingdom of Pluto.</p>
<p>The moment he appeared, a host of monsters made a rush at him. As they came near, Orpheus began to play and to sing. At that sound the creatures grew calm and did him no harm, but listening, followed him down to the edge of the river Styx.</p>
<p>Charon, the ferryman, saw him coming and pushed his boat far out into the stream. There he stopped.</p>
<p>But when he heard the sweet, sad music, he came slowly toward the shore and let the grieving musician step into his boat. It nearly sank with the weight of a live person. As the boat was moving across the stream, Orpheus sang of Eurydice, and it is said that the tears flowed down the cheeks even of grim old pitiless Charon.</p>
<p>On the farther side of Styx stood Cerberus, barking savagely. Yet he, too, let Orpheus pass unharmed and forgot his fierceness at the sound of that wondrous lyre and voice.</p>
<p>After that the way was straight. The spirits of men who were dead came about Orpheus in great crowds, but no one did him harm, and he passed through them without stopping, his thoughts being all of Eurydice. Thus he reached the great palace of Pluto, passed through the iron gates, and came into the presence of the dread god himself, sitting upon his throne with Proserpina at his side. All about the hall stood the lesser gods and spirits of the world of shadows.</p>
<p>The time had come for Orpheus to plead his cause. He struck upon the strings of his lyre and began.</p>
<p>In his song, he told how he had loved Eurydice, and she him, how they were happily married, and how, without cause, she had been snatched from him in an hour. He told how he had tried to endure her loss, and how he had felt it more and more until at last he had been driven to come down into the underworld, not searching for glory or fame, nor to show his power or strength, but to beg for the spirit of Eurydice, whom the underworld would never miss from its hosts of inhabitants.</p>
<p>“I pray you, let her go,” he sang to the dark ruler. “She will come back at the end of her life. You do but lend her to me, not lose her. Think, O Pluto, what pain you suffer while Proserpina is away from you each year — but my sorrow is greater, for Eurydice is lost to me all the year. Think, O Proserpina, great queen, what woe you suffered when you thought never again to see the face of majestic Ceres, your mother — such is my woe, and greater, for I had rather be here with her than there alone, and if Eurydice may not go, I, too, will return no more to light and life.”</p>
<figure>
<graphic url="http://obvil.github.io/mythographie/images/adams_myths-old-greece_1900_img072.png"/>
</figure>
<p>So sweet had been the music of Orpheus that when he ended, dark Pluto was moved and Proserpina’s cheeks were bathed in tears. All through the underworld the charm was felt. It is said even that the bad spirits in punishment were freed from their everlasting tortures while Orpheus sang.</p>
<p>“Grant him Eurydice, O King,” said Proserpina; and Pluto, nodding, said: —</p>
<p>“Let her be called.”</p>
<p>In a few moments Eurydice came in, tall and fair arid beautiful as a goddess of Olympus.</p>
<p>“Take her, sweet singer,” said Pluto, “for you have deserved her well; but have a care. If before you reach the upper world you look back to see her, you must lose her. Follow him, Eurydice.”</p>
<p>Then Orpheus turned and went out, and Eurydice followed close behind him, but beside her walked the Olympian god Mercury, without whom no spirit can leave the underworld. On through the dark land they went, through hosts of spirits, by Cerberus with his three terrible heads, across Styx in Charon’s boat, and up the other shore to the foot of the road leading to the world above.</p>
<p>All the way Orpheus was thinking, “Is she behind me? Have they really let her come? Are we really to begin life again and be happy once more?” He walked softly, so as to hear her footsteps. There was not a sound. “Is she really following?” he asked himself, but he dared not turn to see. Yet Eurydice was there, and by her walked Mercury, who alone could lead her out.</p>
<p>Then began the upward climb. The descent into the world of death is easy, but the return — this is the work, this the labor. Orpheus, with all his eagerness, mounted but slowly, and always the doubt tormented him — “Is she really following? Is it possible that they intend to give her back to me?” He could not believe that it was true. He listened to hear her step — her breath — for he himself was breathing hard. There was not a sound. He called, softly, “Eurydice!” There was no reply. But he dared not turn to look. He must not lose her, after all. Yet Eurydice was always following, though her voice could not be heard and her footstep was as yet only the noiseless tread of a spirit.</p>
<p>But at last the end was in sight. The light of day began to show faintly in the cave. A few steps more and they would be out.</p>
<p>Again Orpheus walked softly and asked himself: —</p>
<p>“Is she really following? Have the gods of the underworld really let her go?” He dared not believe it. Then, suddenly, he heard her. That was her step behind him. He could hear her gentle breathing. The joy and delight made him forget all else.</p>
<p>“It is true, after all,” he cried. “They have really given you back, O my Eurydice!” and he turned round.</p>
<p>There stood Eurydice in the faint light, tall and beautiful and real. Orpheus took her by the hand — and it seemed to melt into nothing in his.</p>
<p>“O Orpheus,” she said; and then, “Goodbye! goodbye!” The last word was only a whisper, and she was gone. Mercury alone stood before him in the faint light of the cavern.</p>
<p>Orpheus stood dazed; then he would have rushed after her, but the god stood in his way.</p>
<p>“You can do nothing,” he said.</p>
<p>And Orpheus, stupid with grief at his second loss, turned and went out into the fresh, bright air, where the careless sun was shining and the birds were singing, where the grass and the trees were green and the blue sea was breaking in long waves at the foot of the promontory of Tænarus.</p>
<p>It is said that the sweet and wondrous singer lived seven long months of grief before the god Death came at last to take him down to his Eurydice. When he died, Jupiter put the lyre which had so charmed gods and men up in the northern sky. There it still shines, set with brilliant stars.</p>
<div>
<head>Orpheus with his Lute.</head>
<quote>
<l>Orpheus, with his lute, made trees,</l>
<l>And the mountain-tops that freeze,</l>
<l> Bow themselves, when he did sing:</l>
<l>To his music, plants and flowers</l>
<l>Ever sprung, as sun and showers</l>
<l> There had made a lasting spring.</l>
<l/>
<l>Everything that heard him play,</l>
<l>Even the billows of the sea,</l>
<l> Hung their heads, and then lay by.</l>
<l>In sweet music is such art,</l>
<l>Killing care and grief of heart</l>
<l> Fall asleep, or, hearing, die.</l>
</quote>
<bibl>
<author key="Shakespeare">William Shakespeare</author>.</bibl>
<figure>
<graphic url="http://obvil.github.io/mythographie/images/adams_myths-old-greece_1900_img077.png"/>
</figure>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<head>Hercules.</head>
<figure>
<graphic url="http://obvil.github.io/mythographie/images/adams_myths-old-greece_1900_img078.png"/>
</figure>
<p>Some men are born to a great deal of trouble, yet bear it with so light a heart that they never seem to have a care in the world. This was the case with Hercules. His troubles began early, and they never ceased until the day he died, but he was always cheerful and strong.</p>
<p>When he was a mere babe of a few months, he met his first great danger. His mother, Alcmena, had put him to bed one night with his twin brother, Iphicles. Their cradle was the inside of a bronze shield. The babes were healthy, and they had been given a good warm bath and plenty of milk before they were tucked in, so they were asleep in a moment.</p>
<p>Toward midnight two huge snakes came crawling into the nursery. Marvelous snakes they were, and their eyes shone with a light which filled the room with its glare. They came gliding swiftly toward the cradle, and there might then have been an end of both of its little occupants, but at that moment the children awoke. Iphicles, like any other baby, was terribly frightened and began to cry with all his lungs, but Hercules did not seem in the least afraid. When the snakes came close to him, he seized them both about the necks and squeezed them with all his might.</p>
<p>Then Alcmena, who had heard the crying, came running in, and what a fright she had! There was Iphicles screaming with terror, and there was Hercules squeezing the serpents, whose eyes were still flashing fire. But Hercules soon put her fears to rest, for he tightened his grip, and laughing as if it were all a great joke, he held up the snakes and dropped them dead to the floor.</p>
<p>Alcmena gazed in wonder. She was even a little afraid, for it was clear that her son was no ordinary baby. She sent for the aged seer Tiresias, and asked him what it all meant, for Tiresias could tell future events.</p>
<p>“Alcmena,” said the seer, “your son has power that is more than human. He will be a great sufferer and a great hero, for he will pass his whole life ridding the world of plagues and monsters. Yes, and he will be more than a hero, for I foresee that when he comes to die, Jupiter will take him up to Olympus and make him one of the gods of heaven.”</p>
<p>Alcmena was a good mother, and after hearing that, she did all that was possible for her son. The boy was very carefully and sternly reared. Linus, son of the god Apollo, taught him his letters, and he had other teachers such as mortals seldom have. He learned to box and wrestle, to shoot with the bow, and to drive his chariot close round the goal post without ever touching. He learned to live on simple fare, to endure heat and cold, and to face danger without fear. So he grew strong and wise and brave.</p>
<p>Now when Hercules came to be a young man, he had to meet a great temptation and make a very serious choice.</p>
<p>One day, as he was walking along a quiet woodland path, he saw two beautiful goddesses sitting beside the way where it forked. Goddesses they really were, though they seemed more like beautiful women. One of them, when she saw Hercules, came running toward him, as if she were afraid the other would reach him first.</p>
<p>“Hercules,” she said, “I see that you are in doubt which path you will choose.</p>
<p>If you will follow me, I will lead you along the smoothest way, and the pleasantest. You shall taste of every joy, you shall never meet with any sorrow, you shall never have to worry about any troubles, you shall never know hunger or thirst; best of all, you shall never have to fight in battle.”</p>
<p>“A gentle woman, and a gentle story,” said Hercules to himself; but to her he said, “Pray, what is your name, fair one?”</p>
<p>And she answered, “Men call me Happiness.”</p>
<p>“Surely,” thought Hercules, “the path of Happiness is as if strewn with roses.” Then the other goddess drew near. She was taller than Happiness, and even fairer to look upon, for the beauty of her face had a nobleness and strength that Happiness lacked. She read the thought of Hercules, and in a voice full of kindness and pity, she said: —</p>
<p>“Yes, Hercules, the path of Happiness indeed seems strewn with roses, but in spite of that, 'come with me. You shall know hunger and thirst, pain and sorrow, toil, and the din of battle; but you shall learn to master them all, and you shall find a joy deeper than earthly pleasure. The gifts that Happiness offers you will perish, but my gifts will not perish.”</p>
<p>These words filled Hercules’ heart with sadness, yet he found a deep delight in them. He looked up, and all he said was, “Fair one, what do men call you?”</p>
<p>And she answered, “Men and gods alike call me Virtue.”</p>
<p>Then the goddesses went away, and left him debating, in his great heart. He remembered what Tiresias had said, for his mother, Alcmena, had told him. Then, lifting his head, he chose the path of the fair, stern goddess who is called, by men and by the gods, Virtue.</p>
<p>After this, Hercules, by order of the gods, gave himself up to the service of King Eurystheus.</p>
<p>Eurystheus was said to be the most ignoble ruler in all the world. From this time, he spent his days and nights inventing the hardest tasks he could for Hercules. The truth is that he was jealous of the hero, and very much afraid of him. He even feared that Hercules might try to take his kingdom from him, though he knew, as everybody did, that the oracle in the temple at Delphi had commanded Hercules to submit to his service, and he knew that Hercules was not the sort of man to disobey an oracle. However, Eurystheus trusted no one. He sought out one mighty task after another, hoping each time that Hercules would not return alive.</p>
<p>First he sent him to slay the Nemean lion, a fierce beast that had killed many men and was ravaging the land far and wide.</p>
<p>Armed with his bow and arrows, and with a club that he himself had made of a wild olive tree which he tore up by the roots at the foot of the sacred mountain of Helicon, Hercules set out. He soon found the creature, and, first of all, let fly an arrow at him. The arrow never so much as scratched the lion’s skin. Then Hercules tried his club. He hit the lion with all his might upon the head. It was a crushing blow, but the lion only paused an instant. Then he sprang at the young hero. There was no use for weapons now. Hercules caught the monster by the neck, and though the struggle was long and terrible, in the end he served him as he had served the snakes in his baby days, for he squeezed the life quite out of the beast. Ever afterward Hercules wore the lion’s skin and carried with him the terrible club.</p>
<p>After he had killed the lion, Hercules had to perform eleven other mighty labors for Eurystheus. These twelve tasks were called the “Twelve Labors of Hercules.” In most of them he had to conquer some fierce beast. He had even to bring up for a day the great three-headed dog, Cerberus, from the underworld, that Eurystheus might have a look at it.</p>
<p>But perhaps the hardest labor of all was to get the golden apples of the Hesperides.</p>
<p>Hercules knew something about these apples. The old goddess Earth had brought them as a bridal gift at the wedding of Juno and Jupiter. Juno had been so pleased with them that she had asked Earth to plant them in the magic gardens of the Hesperides. There they were watched by three beautiful maidens, daughters of Evening. In the gardens, too, was a hundred-headed serpent, a guard that never slept.</p>
<p>Little would Hercules care about a hundred-headed serpent. Little would he care about magic maidens. But where were the gardens of the Hesperides? How should he get to them? These were the questions which puzzled him.</p>
<p>Finally he bethought him to go to consult the river-nymphs of Eridanus, who were said to be very wise in such matters. That was a good thought, but the nymphs could not tell him. They advised him to seek out Nereus, the old man of the sea, for he could surely tell where the gardens were.</p>
<p>Then Hercules wandered far and wide looking for Nereus. He almost despaired of ever finding him, when, one day, as the hero was walking along the sea beach, he came upon him whom he sought.</p>
<p>There, asleep on the warm sand, lay hosts of strange creatures of the deep. There were sea-horses, and sea-lions, and sea-boars, and beautiful sea-nymphs that looked half human, all lying side by side and all fast asleep; and in the midst lay the aged sea-god Nereus himself, with his long white beard and hair.</p>
<p>Hercules drew near as quietly as he could and clasped him tightly about the waist, for Nereus must be conquered before he will talk. The aged god awoke with a cry, and, at the sound of his voice, all the sea-creatures shuffled and slid off to the water as fast as they could, leaving Nereus to take care of himself.</p>
<figure>
<graphic url="http://obvil.github.io/mythographie/images/adams_myths-old-greece_1900_img088.png"/>
</figure>
<p>Then began the struggle, Nereus doing everything in his power to escape, Hercules doing everything to hold the slippery god. Suddenly Nereus changed himself to a leopard, but Hercules seized him by the neck and choked him as he had the Nemean lion. Then he changed to a bear, but Hercules still held him fast. Then he became a little bird, but before he could flit away, Hercules had his hand about him. Then he was a fly, and Hercules all but crushed him. Then he turned into an eel, but he could not wriggle loose. Then he became a torrent of rushing water, but Hercules would not let it flow away. Then he changed to a snake, and Hercules almost strangled him. Last of all he became a huge flame of fire, but Hercules still managed to hold him, and even to smother him almost out.</p>
<p>Then Nereus changed back to the form of an old man. He had been handled roughly, but he admired the courage of Hercules, and though he grumbled, he was secretly glad that it was in his power to help the hero.</p>
<p>“Insolent man,” he cried out, in seeming rage, “let me go! Seek the giant Atlas, who holds the earth and sky apart. He will tell you where the gardens of the Hesperides are, and will help you to get the golden apples; but let me go, I say!” Then Hercules let the old man loose, and in a twinkling the god had disappeared in the depth of the sea.</p>
<p>The search for Atlas was long and hard, and Hercules met with many strange adventures. In Libya he fought with the cruel giant Antæus, whose strength was invincible as long as he touched the earth. That was a hard fight, but Hercules finally came off victorious, for he held Antæus high in the air, and so strangled him.</p>
<p>Then Hercules wandered through Egypt, and then far northward, until he came to Mount Caucasus. There he found Prometheus, bound to a cliff, as he had been for ages, exposed to wind and snow and rain, and to the blazing heat of the sun, because he had stolen fire from heaven. Hercules boldly set Prometheus free, and Prometheus, in gratitude, told him where Atlas could be found.</p>
<p>Far to the west, over land and sea, Hercules had now to travel, but at last, in the uttermost part of Africa, he found the Titan, standing enormous and supporting the sky on his head with his mighty arms. A solemn old giant was Atlas, for it was not a joyous task to hold the earth and sky apart for thousands and thousands of years; but he was kindly, and was glad to see Hercules, and glad to listen to his story.</p>
<p>“You wish to get the apples of Hesperides, do you?” said Atlas. “You will do better to let me go after them for you. I know just where the gardens are, and besides, I am much taller than you and can get over the ground much more quickly. If you will hold the sky up for me, I will bring the golden apples in a few minutes. You look strong, and you will not mind it. I will come back directly.”</p>
<p>So Hercules took the sky upon his shoulders, but his task was not half so easy as he had expected. He wondered how so airy a thing as the sky could be so heavy. He wished he had gone after the apples himself.</p>
<p>As for Atlas, he was glad to be rid of his burden, even for a little while. He stretched his great, cramped limbs to their full length, then setting out, in a few moments disappeared in the distance. The minutes, and even the seconds, soon began to seem very long to Hercules.</p>
<p>“Will that fellow ever come back?” he thought.</p>
<p>Indeed he was half inclined to let the sky fall, but before a great while he saw Atlas trudging toward him, and as he came nearer, Hercules could see that he had in his hand a branch with the beautiful apples of gold upon it.</p>
<p>Hercules wasted no time in questions. He saw that Atlas had the apples. What he wished now was to get the sky off his shoulders and begin his journey home. He thanked Atlas very heartily, and thought that would be the end of it.</p>
<p>But Atlas took a different view of the matter. He found it very pleasant to be able to move about and swing his arms and bend over when he pleased. He did not in the least fancy taking up his burden again.</p>
<p>“Suppose you let me take the apples to Eurystheus,” he said to Hercules with a grin.</p>
<p>“Very well,” said Hercules, without a moment’s hesitation; “but take up the sky just a moment, while I put this lion’s skin over my shoulders.”</p>
<p>When, however, Atlas, without thinking, had taken his old load once more, Hercules picked up the apples and said: —</p>
<p>“After all, I think I will take the apples to Eurystheus myself.”</p>
<p>“Come back here at once, and take the sky again,” shouted the Titan. But the hero only laughed and walked away, for <hi rend="i">his</hi> work in the world was to perform the labors commanded by Eurystheus, and it was <hi rend="i">Atlas’</hi> work to hold up the sky.</p>
<p>Hercules found his home journey easy. Without an adventure he reached the court and delivered up the golden fruit.</p>
<p>Eurystheus feared and hated him more than ever after this, but Hercules continued to be patient and brave, doing great deeds for others to the very end of his life.</p>
<p>Then Jupiter, who loves heroes, took him up to Olympus and made him divine, and he became the special protector and helper of heroic champions.</p>
<div>
<head>Song of Hercules to his Daughter.</head>
<figure>
<graphic url="http://obvil.github.io/mythographie/images/adams_myths-old-greece_1900_img095.png"/>
</figure>
<quote>
<l>“I’ve been, oh, sweet daughter,</l>
<l> To fountain and sea,</l>
<l>To seek in their water</l>
<l> Some bright gem for thee.</l>
<l>Where diamonds were sleeping.</l>
<l> Their sparkle I sought,</l>
<l>Where crystal was weeping,</l>
<l> Its tears I have caught.</l>
<l/>
<l>“The sea-nymph I’ve courted</l>
<l> In rich coral halls;</l>
<l>With Naiads have sported</l>
<l> By bright waterfalls.</l>
<l>But sportive or tender,</l>
<l> Still sought I around</l>
<l>That gem with whose splendor</l>
<l> Thou yet shalt be crown’d.</l>
<l/>
<l>“And see, while I’m speaking,</l>
<l> Yon soft light afar; —</l>
<l>The pearl I’ve been seeking</l>
<l> There floats like a star!</l>
<l>In the deep Indian Ocean</l>
<l> I see the gem shine,</l>
<l>And quick as light’s motion</l>
<l> Its wealth shall be thine.”</l>
<l/>
<l>Then eastward, like lightning,</l>
<l> The hero-god flew,</l>
<l>His sunny looks bright’ning</l>
<l> The air he went through.</l>
<l>And sweet was the duty,</l>
<l> And hallowed the hour,</l>
<l>Which saw thus young Beauty</l>
<l> Embellish’d by Power.</l>
</quote>
<bibl>
<author key="Moore Th.">Thomas Moore</author>.</bibl>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<head>Alcestis.</head>
<figure>
<graphic url="http://obvil.github.io/mythographie/images/adams_myths-old-greece_1900_img097.png"/>
</figure>
<p>There once lived in Thessaly a good king named Admetus. He was a gentle ruler and led his people in the ways of peace, as a shepherd leads his flock to green pastures. His kingdom prospered, for war and famine came not near his land, and the gods loved him. The hillsides were smiling with vines and gray olive trees; fleecy sheep and sleek cattle browsed contentedly in the valleys and woodlands; and his people showed the gladness of their hearts in song and joyful music and in graceful dance.</p>
<p>One day there came to the palace of Admetus a stranger. He seemed to be a beggar; but though his clothes were worn and tattered, he was fairer to look upon than any mortal man. He asked for shelter, and begged that he might tend the king’s flocks. Admetus received him gladly and granted his request.</p>
<p>So the stranger became the king’s shepherd. He would lead out the sheep, not with crook or staff, but with music, and the sheep followed him eagerly. As they browsed, he played sweet melodies, and the dappled fawn came out from the woodland to listen, and even the spotted lynx and the tawny lion; yet no wild beast ever harmed the flocks.</p>
<p>Not long after the coming of the stranger, Admetus set out to attend a festival at the court of Pelias, king of Iolcus, and there he took part in the games. He returned with many prizes, but he was sad, for he had seen Alcestis, the beautiful daughter of Pelias, and had loved her deeply at first sight. He had asked Pelias if he might sue for Alcestis’ hand; and had been told that he might, but that Alcestis should become the wife of none save him who should come to claim her in a chariot drawn by a lion and a wild boar. Pelias loved his daughter dearly, and thought by this condition to keep her with him long, for this was a task passing the power of mortal men.</p>
<p>Now when the shepherd-stranger saw the sad face of the king, he said: —</p>
<p>“Why do you despair, O King Admetus? What is it that troubles you?”</p>
<p>Then the king told him all, and said: — “Do I not of right despair, for how shall I live without Alcestis? But who can yoke to his chariot a lion and a wild boar?”</p>
<p>“Bring out the chariot before the palace gate,” said the stranger, “for it may yet be done.”</p>
<p>Then the shepherd went out into the depth of the forest, playing sweet music as he went. Sometimes the king and his courtiers heard him stop playing; then he would begin once more. After a while they heard him coming back, and soon he was in sight, still playing. But behind him, as he played, followed a lion and a wild boar, as tame as kittens. Now and then he would pause to stroke them with his hand. When he came to the gate, he harnessed them to the chariot and gave the reins to Admetus, who drove off without the least difficulty.</p>
<p>Thus it was that Admetus won his bride.</p>
<p>When he returned with her to Thessaly, the people feasted and made merry and were glad. All loved Alcestis from the first, for she was as kind and gracious as she was beautiful and queenly.</p>
<p>Only one thing occurred to mar the perfect joy. The stranger shepherd, who had now served Admetus a year, came to take leave of him. The king was downcast at the thought of such a loss, but the stranger said: —</p>
<p>“Call to me if ever you have need, for I will hear you always. I am Apollo.”</p>
<p>When Admetus heard this, he would have knelt before him, but already the gentle god of light and song and beauty had vanished. Jupiter had compelled him to serve a mortal man for one year to atone for a fault, but now his time upon earth was ended.</p>
<p>Thus Apollo departed, leaving his blessing upon all the land. Joy and peace and the fruits of peace reigned year after year. Alcestis was a loving mother to the little boy and girl that were born to her and her mother’s heart went out as well to her people. If ever Admetus was moved to anger, it was she that calmed his stormy moods. No wonder, then, that the folk of Thessaly loved her almost to the point of worship. No wonder that they thought not even the longed-for Islands of the Blessed could be better than their own native land.</p>
<p>But happiness such as this was not to last forever. One day a grim stranger, close wrapped in dark robes, came to the palace and called for the king. When Admetus came, the stranger seized him and cut from his forehead a lock of hair, and told him he must die. Then Admetus knew that the stranger was none other than the god Death, and he felt that his day of doom was come, for against Death no mortal means can help. No man can escape when once that lock of hair has been cut off. Death hearkens not to prayers; he heeds not sacrifices, but unpitying, fulfils his word.</p>
<p>No sooner had the god left than Admetus fell sick and began to waste away. Hope left him. Every hour and every minute he expected to see dark Death coming again to carry him away. Alcestis stayed by his bedside and nursed him tenderly, but to no avail. The people prayed to the heartless god to spare them their beloved king, but Death turned them a deaf ear. Then Admetus, in his despair, remembered the promise of the shepherd-god, and he called to him in supplication. Apollo heard him and came.</p>
<p>“If some one else will freely give up life for you,” said the god of light and song, “you shall be spared.”</p>
<p>With that Apollo left, but the word was spread abroad among the people.</p>
<p>“Surely,” thought Admetus, “surely some one will be found among my friends to die for me — some old man, may be, who has not long to live in any case.”</p>
<p>Yet, sweet as was Admetus’ life to them, there was no one in the land to whom his own life was not sweeter, and so Admetus came very near to death.</p>
<p>But Alcestis prayed silently to Apollo in the night, and for the love she bore her husband she offered her own life for his. She vowed that she would rather die than be spared, if he were taken from her. She thought of his people, too, and prayed that Admetus might be saved to bless them with his gentle rule.</p>
<p>From that moment Admetus grew stronger, but Alcestis began to waste away. Dreadful visions came to her. Now she would think she saw Charon, the aged ferryman of the dead, coming toward her in his boat. Now she would think she saw dark Death approaching, and brave and true as she had been, the grim, dark look of the god frightened her.</p>
<p>Plainly the fate of Admetus now rested upon Alcestis, and there was no hope for her. Deep grief fell upon all the land. The people put on dark robes of mourning, and every sign of gladness vanished.</p>
<p>In the midst of their sorrow, when Alcestis was on the verge of death, who should come to the palace but Hercules? He was on his way to Thrace, to tame the man-eating horses of Diomed and lead them to his master Eurystheus. He was stopping to find rest and refreshment with his friend Admetus.</p>
<p>When Hercules saw the signs of mourning, he asked what they meant; but Admetus kept the truth from him, for he did not wish to burden him with needless sorrow. Then Hercules wished to go on his way at once, but Admetus knew how hard was the lot of Hercules, and would not hear of that.</p>
<figure>
<graphic url="http://obvil.github.io/mythographie/images/adams_myths-old-greece_1900_img105.png"/>
</figure>
<p>Hercules yielded and stayed, though he saw that the shadow of Death was over Admetus’ house. The truth is, Hercules had faced death so often that he hardly noticed it.</p>
<p>Admetus led him to a far part of the palace, and there food and wine were set before him. The strong man even crowned his head with garlands, and made merry in the house of mourning. But while he was making merry, brave Alcestis died.</p>
<p>Then the fair, queenly body was carried forth to be laid in a tomb, and all the people followed it with lamentation and mournful dirges. Of the household of Admetus, not one remained behind but the servant at Hercules’ side. Even he was in silent prayer and sorrow, and it is no wonder if grief was written on his face. Yet he strove to hide his feelings, for Admetus had bidden him to give Hercules no hint of what had happened.</p>
<p>Very soon the strong man, looking up, noticed how sad the poor servant was, and how silent.</p>
<p>“Ho, fellow!” he cried out, “why this solemn, moody look? Servants should receive their master’s guests with beaming, cheerful faces. Why this great ado about the death of a stranger? All men must die. No one can foresee it or help it. Let us make merry, then, and put garlands on our brows while we may. So I would advise you to do, and rid yourself of your sour looks.”</p>
<p>“Ah, this is no time nor place for merrymaking,” said the servant, for he was beside himself with grief now, and was no longer able to keep silence. “This is no time for merrymaking!” he cried. “It is Alcestis who is dead.”</p>
<p>Thus the whole truth came out. Hercules was a changed man in an instant. One moment he stayed to ask the servant where Alcestis was to be buried, then he was gone.</p>
<p>He came just in time, for when he reached the place where they had buried her, there was Death carrying away his victim in his arms.</p>
<p>In a flash the mighty arms of Hercules were round the black god’s body, and then began such a struggle as was never before seen in all the world. Death had to put Alcestis down. Then the two fought for her, Hercules crushing the icy, bloodless god in his terrible arms, Death clutching Hercules with his iron hands and breathing upon him with his pestilent breath. Long they wrestled and strove; then, suddenly, with a fierce strain of all his knotted muscles, Hercules forced the grim god down upon one knee, then half back upon the ground.</p>
<p>“Let me go,” whispered Death. “Let me go; you cannot kill me!” Then Hercules loosed his great arms and stood panting, but with the joy of victory on his face, while Death fled like a shadow before the sun.</p>
<p>Alcestis was saved. She lay upon the ground, breathing and warm. In a few moments she was able to rise, and Hercules led her back to Admetus. He drew a veil over her face, however, and did not at first tell Admetus who she was. She herself spoke never a word, for 'the shadow of death still hovered over her.</p>
<p>“Take this captive of mine,” said Hercules, as he led her to the king, “and keep her, Admetus, until I come again.” “No, no!” answered Admetus. “No woman shall enter the palace, now that Alcestis is dead.”</p>
<p>Then, at last, the hero told what he had done, rebuking Admetus because of his treatment. “Friends should share griefs with friends, not hide them,” he said; and taking off the veil, he showed Alcestis, brave and gracious and beautiful as ever.</p>
<p>That day there was joy such as there had never been, even in the happy land of Thessaly, and the reign of peace and gladness returned.</p>
<p>Stout-hearted Hercules would not stay to take part in the festival of thanksgiving. He had other labors to perform, and went on his way to master the man-eating steeds of King Diomed.</p>
<div>
<head>Pygmalion’s Prayer.</head>
<quote>
<l>“O Aphrodite, kind and fair,</l>
<l> That what thou wilt canst give,</l>
<l>Oh, listen to a sculptor’s prayer,</l>
<l> And bid mine image live!</l>
<l>For me the ivory and gold</l>
<l> That clothe her cedar frame</l>
<l>Are beautiful, indeed, but cold;</l>
<l> Ah, touch them with thy flame!</l>
<l>Oh, bid her move those lips of rose,</l>
<l> Bid float that golden hair,</l>
<l>And let her choose me, as I chose</l>
<l> This fairest of the fair!</l>
<l>And then an altar in thy court</l>
<l> I’ll offer, decked with gold;</l>
<l>And there thy servants shall resort,</l>
<l> Thy doves be bought and sold!”</l>
</quote>
<ab type="ornament">* * * * * *</ab>
<quote>
<l>“O maiden, in mine image made!</l>
<l> O grace that shouldst endure!</l>
<l>While temples fall, and empires fade,</l>
<l> Immaculately pure:</l>
<l>Exchange this endless life of art</l>
<l> For beauty that must die,</l>
<l>And blossom with a beating heart,</l>
<l> Into mortality!</l>
<l>Change, golden tresses of her hair,</l>
<l> To gold that turns to gray;</l>
<l>Change, silent lips, forever fair,</l>
<l> To lips that have their day!</l>
<l>Oh, perfect arms, grow soft with life,</l>
<l> Wax warm, ere cold ye wane;</l>
<l>Wake, woman’s heart, from peace to strife,</l>
<l> To love, to joy, to pain!”</l>
</quote>
<bibl>
<author key="Lang">Andrew Lang</author>.</bibl>
<p><hi rend="sc">Note</hi>. — Pygmalion was a sculptor of the isle of Cyprus. He is said to have made an image of a maiden which was so beautiful that he fell deeply in love with it. He prayed to Venus (called by the Greeks Aphrodite) to give life to the image. By her grace, accordingly, it was made into a live woman, whom, then, Pygmalion married.</p>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<head>Phaëton.</head>
<figure>
<graphic url="http://obvil.github.io/mythographie/images/adams_myths-old-greece_1900_img112.png"/>
</figure>
<p>As Helios, the god of the sun, was once driving his flaming chariot across the sky, he saw beautiful Clymene walking in the meadows below. The god loved her, wooed her, and married her. Their only son was named Phaëton.</p>
<p>Helios could not come down often to the earth. Every morning he had to drive the sun-chariot out from the great palace in the east, and all day he had to control the fire-breathing horses as he drove them up the hard road to midday and down the steep to sunset. Every night he had to drive the chariot round from the west to the palace in the east, to be ready for sunrise.</p>
<p>Phaëton was very proud of his divine origin and one day as he was quarreling with Epaphus, a youth of his own age, he boasted of it.</p>
<p>“And is Helios proud of such a son?” said Epaphus, with scorn. “I suppose, rather, that he often blushes at the thought.” These words hurt Phaëton deeply. When he returned home he told them to Clymene, and all that night the proud youth lay awake, thinking of the insult.</p>
<p>Next day Clymene noticed how her son was grieving, and said to him, “Go to your father. See whether he is ashamed of you. He will prove to you before the whole world that he is not.”</p>
<p>Phaëton heard these words with joy, and set out at once for the far distant east, where the sky comes down to the earth. There the palace of the sun stands blazing with burnished gold and flaming jewels. When the young man came to the palace door, he did not stop, but went boldly on and came into the presence of Helios himself. The god sat on a throne and was so dazzlingly bright that human eyes would have been blinded to look at him, and Phaëton dared not raise his head. His courage, however, did not fail. He stood waiting for his father to speak.</p>
<p>“What is it that you wish, my son?” asked Helios, gravely.</p>
<p>“Father,” the youth replied, “if I am a worthy son, give me some proof that you are not ashamed of your child.”</p>
<p>And Helios, as he looked at him, was pleased with his courage and pride. “Indeed, I am not ashamed of you,” he said. “What proof do you wish? — for you shall surely have it.”</p>
<p>Then Phaëton, without a moment’s pause, cried:“ Father, let me drive the sun’s chariot for one day.”</p>
<p>When he heard this, Helios was sorry he had promised.</p>
<p>“Ask some other proof,” he urged.</p>
<p>“No one, even of the other gods, dares to drive the chariot of the sun — no, not Jupiter himself. I alone can control it. The road is difficult. Half the day it ascends, and toward noon it is so high that even I grow sick and dizzy if I look down upon the earth beneath me. In the afternoon the way is so steep that the horses are hardly able to hold back or to keep from falling. Moreover, there are many movements in the sky itself to turn the car from its course, and there are the great creatures which men see marked by the stars — the Crab, the Scorpion, the Serpent, the Lion, the Bear, and many more. These frighten the horses, and a strong hand must hold them in. Do not make the attempt. Ask something else.”</p>
<p>Thus Helios advised him with a father’s care, but the words only stirred Phaëton’s heart to greater desire. He did not believe that he was really too weak to control the horses and he burned to be able to say that he had made the dizzy ride.</p>
<p>At last Helios led him to the hall where the great chariot stood. Vulcan, the workman of the gods, had built it. The axle and the wheels were of bright gold. The seat was all of blazing jewels. Another such chariot was not to be found in all the universe, and as he gazed at the glorious car, Phaëton’s desire to drive it grew double.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the Morning Star had gone onward with his flaming lamp, and the rosy goddess of dawn had appeared. It was almost time for the sun-chariot to set out. Helios ordered the horses to be harnessed. The splendid creatures were brought out, prancing and stamping and snorting fire. Twelve goddesses, the Hours, harnessed the eager steeds to the pole of the car, and all was ready.</p>
<p>When Helios saw that Phaëton was still firm in his wish, he wet the forehead of the youth with a divine ointment, so that he might better endure the fierce light and heat; then he put upon him the blazing crown which the sun’s driver must wear. Last of all, he said: —</p>
<p>“Hold the horses in; they will go fast enough in any case. Follow the beaten track, keeping rather to the south. Here are the reins.”</p>
<p>As he spoke, the wide silver doors of morning opened. Phaëton sprang to the chariot seat. The steeds started. The great car began to move. The day had begun. In a few moments Phaëton found himself driving up the steep road of heaven. Below him he heard the chorus of birds singing to greet the rising sun. He heard the lowing of cattle, and the voices of men going to their labor. Little by little all this grew fainter. Soon he was too high to hear anything more.</p>
<p>All this time the steeds were pulling hard at the reins. They felt that the chariot was not so heavy as usual, and they soon discovered that the hand and arm were not the iron hand and arm which usually held them in check. They increased their speed. Phaëton began to be alarmed. He pulled at the reins and called the horses by name, but they went no slower.</p>
<p>Suddenly before them the Scorpion was seen stretched enormous across the way, with its sting raised threateningly. The horses veered, and in a moment were dashing toward the north pole, where the Great Bear stood. The Bear, surprised and enraged at the unusual heat, rose fiercely, and the horses veered once more. Phaëton, now thoroughly scared, tried to turn them back to the east. He hoped to put the chariot once more into his father’s hands. But the steeds did not heed him. They were wild with fright. Then Phaëton looked down. Far beneath him he saw the earth spread out like a great map. The height made him dizzy. He dropped the reins and clung to the sides of the chariot. The horses were now free to go whither they would.</p>
<figure>
<graphic url="http://obvil.github.io/mythographie/images/adams_myths-old-greece_1900_img119.png"/>
</figure>
<p>The people of earth had been gazing up with horror at the scene. Now the sun was near the north star, now it took a sudden turn and rushed across the sky almost to the southern horizon.</p>
<p>“Helios has gone mad,” men whispered, as they watched the zigzag course of the chariot. The time wore slowly on, but sunset was as far distant as ever. When the day should have been ending, the chariot of the sun was careering toward the north, above the eastern hills, and in it sat Phaëton, now pale with fear, clinging to the golden sides and listening to the rumbling wheels and the snorting of the fire-breathing horses.</p>
<p>Every moment the flight grew wilder. Once the chariot was carried far away among the stars, then the steeds rushed down within the circle of the moon’s course. The tops of the mountains smoked. Trees began to crackle and burst into flame. The rivers steamed, and the ocean boiled. As the chariot swept by, all the north of Africa was changed to a sandy desert and the tribes that lived there became black from the glare.</p>
<p>The earth grew hot and split open in great chasms so that the underworld saw the light of day and Pluto was alarmed.</p>
<p>At last, the ancient goddess Earth raised her voice. She it was who suffered most, and in her suffering she called to Jupiter: —</p>
<p>“If it be your will that I should die, destroy me with your thunderbolts, O Jupiter! Why should I be thus tormented? If this be not your will, rouse yourself before all is lost. Save me, who am almost burned to ashes. Save Neptune, whose waters boil with the heat. Save your own kingdom, for Atlas is fainting and will soon let the very heavens fall.” Phaëton was still clinging to the chariot, stifled with the heat and smoke and ashes, sick and terrified with the fearful speed. He felt only the car bounding and tossing under him as the mad steeds rushed ahead.</p>
<p>Then Jupiter seized a thunderbolt and spoke to Helios and to the other gods of Olympus.</p>
<p>“I must act,” he said, “even though Phaëton be the son of one of us.”</p>
<p>Now, Jupiter hurls his thunderbolts from the clouds, but in the hot air at this time not a cloud was to be seen. Therefore, the god launched the bolt out of the clear heavens. Fair on the unfortunate youth it landed, and Phaëton, hurled lifeless from the car, fell, bright as a shooting-star, to the earth.</p>
<p>Then at last the horses, tired and trembling, went to their stables in the west.</p>
<p>Next day there was no light in the world, for Helios spent the time with Clymene, mourning the end of their child. A monument was set above him. Upon it were carved these words: —</p>
<quote>
<l>Here he who drove the sun’s bright chariot lies.</l>
<l>In their mad course across the astonished skies,</l>
<l>His father’s steeds he could not safely guide,</l>
<l>And in the glorious enterprise he died.</l>
</quote>
<div>
<head>Pegasus in Pound.</head>
<quote>
<l>Once unto a quiet tillage,</l>
<l> Without haste and without heed,</l>
<l>In the golden prime of morning,</l>
<l> Strayed the Poet’s winged steed.</l>
<l/>
<l>It was Autumn, and incessant</l>
<l> Piped the quails from shocks and sheaves,</l>
<l>And, like living coals, the apples</l>
<l> Burned among the withering leaves.</l>
<l/>
<l>There upon the village common</l>
<l> By the school-boys he was found —</l>
<l>And the wise men, in their wisdom,</l>
<l> Put him straightway into pound.</l>
<l/>
<l>Then the sombre village crier,</l>
<l> Ringing loud his brazen bell,</l>
<l>Wandered down the street, proclaiming</l>
<l> There was an estray to sell.</l>
<l/>
<l>And the curious country people,</l>
<l> Rich and poor, young and old —</l>
<l>Came in haste to see this wondrous</l>
<l> Winged steed with mane of gold.</l>
<l/>
<l>Thus the day passed, and the evening</l>
<l> Fell, with vapors cold and dim;</l>
<l>But it brought no food nor shelter,</l>
<l> Brought no straw nor stall, for him.</l>
<l/>
<l>Patiently, and still expectant,</l>
<l> Looked he through the wooden bars,</l>
<l>Saw the moon rise o’er the landscape,</l>
<l> Saw the patient, tranquil stars;</l>
<l/>
<l>Then, with nostrils wide distended,</l>
<l> Breaking from his iron chain</l>
<l>And unfolding far his pinions,</l>
<l> To those stars he soared again.</l>
<l/>
<l>On the morrow, When the village</l>
<l> Woke to all its toil and care,</l>
<l>Lo I the strange steed had departed</l>
<l> And they knew not when nor where.</l>
<l/>
<l>But they found upon the greensward,</l>
<l> Where his struggling hoofs had trod.</l>
<l>Pure and bright, a fountain flowing</l>
<l> From the hoof-marks in the sod.</l>
<l/>
<l>From that hour the fount unfailing</l>
<l> Gladdens the whole region round,</l>
<l>Strength’ning all who drink its waters</l>
<l> While it soothes them with its sound.</l>
</quote>
<bibl>
<author key="Longfellow">Henry W. Longfellow</author>.</bibl>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<head>Perseus.</head>
<figure>
<graphic url="http://obvil.github.io/mythographie/images/adams_myths-old-greece_1900_img125.png"/>
</figure>
<p>One morning as Dictys, a fisherman of the island of Seriphus, was going along the beach to his boat, he saw a strange sight. Upon the sand sat a woman in purest white, with a child in her arms. She was so beautiful as she sat there with the sunlight on her golden hair that Dictys thought she must be some goddess of the sea, although there was near her a small boat in which it was plain that she had come during the night.</p>
<p>When the woman saw Dictys, she rose and hastened toward him.</p>
<p>“Good sir,” she said, “help me and my child. I am a king’s daughter, though I have come to this island in such an humble manner. The enemy of my child wished to kill us both, but Jupiter has brought us here. Help us, therefore, I beseech you.”</p>
<p>Her words were queenly and gracious, and Dictys, taking her child in his strong arms, led the way to the palace of King Polydectes.</p>
<p>There the whole court gazed in wonder at the beauty of the strange princess, and King Polydectes stepped down from his throne and came to greet her.</p>
<p>“By what name shall I call you, fair princess?” he asked.</p>
<p>“My name is Danaë,” she replied, “and I am the daughter of King Acrisius of Argos. My child is called Perseus. Because of ill omens at his birth, we have been driven from home to die.” “Fear no longer,” said King Polydectes. “You shall live here as befits your rank.”</p>
<p>So a great house was prepared for Danaë and she lived for several years not unhappily. King Polydectes loved her and would have married her, but all her thoughts were of Argos and she was always hoping to return.</p>
<p>Meanwhile Perseus grew rapidly. He was tall and strong, and Minerva, the goddess of wisdom, loved him. Of all the children of the island, he was the swiftest runner, the strongest wrestler, and the bravest swimmer. He was their leader and their hero.</p>
<p>Now, when Perseus was grown to young manhood, King Polydectes grew angry at the continued refusal of Danaë to marry him, and took away all the riches that she had. Finally he decided to compel her to give her consent. This, he thought, would he easy if she were without her son Perseus, so the king made a plan to be rid of him.</p>
<p>On a certain feast-day all the great and the noble men of the island were invited to the palace of the king, and Perseus among them. At such a time it was the custom for each guest to bring a gift. Many a rich robe, many a golden cup, did King Polydectes receive that day.</p>
<p>But Perseus had not been able to bring anything, and the others mocked him because of it, so that he was much ashamed.</p>
<p>Then the king, who had noticed all, said to Perseus: “Come and sit by me, for I value you no less because you come without a gift.”</p>
<p>At this, the young man held his head up proudly and said: —</p>
<p>“O King, whatever you may command me I will do. Perhaps I may yet bring some worthy gift — some spoil won from your enemies, or from the foes of your land.”</p>
<p>“Are you so willing?” answered the treacherous king. “Bring me, then, the head of the Gorgon Medusa. That would be a great gift, for whoever looks on the Gorgon is changed at once to stone. No enemy could stand against him who had it.”</p>
<p>Then Perseus said: “If I live, O King, you shall have Medusa’s head,” and he arose and went quietly out.</p>
<p>While the king and his court were still eating and making merry, Perseus went to the aged priest of Minerva and asked concerning this monster, Medusa. But the aged priest, though very wise, could not tell him where she could be found. So Perseus went out and walked along the seashore, considering what he should do, but discovering no way to accomplish his wish.</p>
<p>Suddenly he saw before him a woman, very old and much bent with years.</p>
<p>“Why are you here, Perseus, when the king and his court are feasting?” she asked.</p>
<p>“I have promised King Polydectes the head of the Gorgon Medusa,” replied the young man, and I will not see him again until I have it.”</p>
<p>The aged woman smiled.</p>
<p>“What can you do against Medusa?” she said. “All who look upon her are turned to stone.”</p>
<p>But he answered bravely: —</p>
<p>“If with the gods’ help I find her, surely with their help I shall also conquer her.”</p>
<p>Then in the moonlight Perseus saw that it was no longer an old woman who stood before him, but the goddess Minerva. The light flashed upon her breastplate of gold and her plumed helmet. In her hand she held her terrible spear, but as Perseus looked into her quiet face and her clear gray eyes, he saw that she was smiling, and he felt no fear.</p>
<p>“I will be with you, Perseus,” she said; “therefore, be of good courage. Moreover I have brought you the sandals of Mercury, to help you on your way, and the helmet of Pluto, to make you invisible. Seek first the Grææ, the sisters of the Gorgons. They will tell you where Medusa is to be found.”</p>
<p>With these words the goddess disappeared, but at his feet Perseus saw the winged sandals and the magic helmet.</p>
<p>Next day at sunrise he was gone, and King Polydectes was glad at heart to think that now he should have his way. He sent a messenger to Danaë and commanded her to consent to the marriage, threatening that after ten days, if she refused, he would come with his soldiers to get her.</p>
<p>All day long Perseus was flying north upon the winged sandals of Mercury. Sometimes be sailed above the clouds, sometimes he sped along just above the hilltops. Cities and rivers and great forests passed under him all the day, but in the evening he came to the ice cliffs, where the North Wind has his home.</p>
<p>Here also live the Grææ, and Perseus soon found the three old crones sitting upon a great floe of ice. They had only one eye and one tooth among them, and they spent their time quarreling as to which should use the eye and which the tooth.</p>
<p>When Perseus came near, the one who had the eye cried out: —</p>
<p>“Sisters, a man comes! Give me the tooth, that I may bite him.”</p>
<p>But the one who had the tooth cried out: — “Sister, give me the eye, quickly, that I may see where the wretch is.”</p>
<p>Then they all began to talk and rage at each other; and as one was passing the eye to another, Perseus quietly put out his hand and took it.</p>
<p>When they discovered that the eye was lost, the poor old crazy goddesses began to weep and moan.</p>
<p>“Give us back our eye!” they said. “Give us back our eye, man!”</p>
<p>“Listen,” said Perseus. “I will give you the eye, but tell me first where I shall find the Gorgon Medusa.”</p>
<figure>
<graphic url="http://obvil.github.io/mythographie/images/adams_myths-old-greece_1900_img133.png"/>
</figure>
<p>“No, no,” they cried; “she is our sister. Give us our eye and go your own way, lest we curse you.”</p>
<p>But Perseus thought of Minerva and was not afraid, and when the crones found that he was not to be moved, they told him.</p>
<p>“Go on,” they said, “three days to the west, across the sea. There you will find the home of the Gorgons.”</p>
<p>Then Perseus set out toward the west. Three days he flew. He passed the palaces of sunset and went on into the region where the chariot of the sun is never seen. At last, in this ghostly, gloomy land, he found the palace of the Gorgons.</p>
<p>Putting on the helmet of Pluto, which made him invisible, he went in; but he walked backwards, holding up his shining shield as a mirror. Thus he might see the Gorgons without looking at them.</p>
<p>When Perseus came into the main hall, the three Gorgons were there. Two of them were terrible to look at. Their heads were flat and were covered with scales, like the heads of snakes. Their teeth were like great tusks. Their hands were of brass, and each had on her back two long, swift wings that shone like gold.</p>
<p>These two were crouched upon the floor, but the other Gorgon, Medusa, was walking to and fro, moaning in pain. She was like a fair woman, but, instead of hair, a mass of writhing snakes covered her head and surrounded her beautiful face. These snakes were a horror to her and she was pale and terror-stricken because of them. As he looked at her in his shield, Perseus felt his blood grow chill.</p>
<p>“Will he never come?” Medusa was saying. She knew that some day a hero would come to put an end to her woe. “Shall I never die?” she moaned.</p>
<p>At that very moment Perseus was by her side. Looking into his shield, he raised his sword and with one blow cut off her direful head and ended her misery.</p>
<p>To wrap the head in his mantle was the work of a second. Then he started for the door, but the other Gorgons sprang up with a shriek. “He has come!” they cried, and spreading their swift wings, they darted after him. They could not see him, but they had the scent of blood-hounds, and as he dashed out of the door, their brazen hands and terrible teeth were close to his winged feet.</p>
<p>Now the sandals of Mercury and the endurance of Perseus were tested to the utmost. On he dashed, with the furious monsters close behind him. Over the ocean he flew, and they followed. If they had but touched him, no mortal sword or strength would have been of any avail. Sometimes he rose high in the air, sometimes he darted down close to the waves, hoping to elude his pursuers; but their swift golden wings were tireless and their scent was never deceived. For two days and nights they followed him close. Only on the third day did he begin to draw away from them, and in the evening they wavered and at last turned back. The race was won.</p>
<p>Far away Perseus saw the hills of Africa. Panting and exhausted, he directed his flight toward them, and there he set his tired foot once more upon the earth. He took off his helmet and prepared to lie down to rest.</p>
<p>But a new peril awaited him. This region belonged to the giant Atlas, who did not like strangers. He ordered Perseus to leave the country at once.</p>
<p>Perseus did what he could to soothe the big fellow, but Atlas grew more and more enraged. When at last he made a move toward the hero and would have crushed him, Perseus drew from his mantle the terrible head of Medusa and held it up.</p>
<p>In a moment Atlas stood immovable — cry and covered her face with her hands. Perseus turned and looked out to sea. There, coming toward them through the waves, was the long black monster.</p>
<p>In another moment Perseus was darting toward it. Before the monster even saw him, he had plunged his sword into it up to the hilt. Then the fight began. The beast snapped at him with its great jaws and struck at him with its tail and limbs. The sea was beaten into foam and spray by its struggles. But Perseus with his winged feet was far too quick, and though he could not at once kill the creature, he plunged his sword into it again and again. At last his wings became so wet that they could hardly support him. He was forced to alight on a rock. The monster, however, was now almost exhausted. Its great hulk drifted to the hero and with one blow he put an end to its life.</p>
<p>Then Perseus flew back to Andromeda, and the two went together to the palace of her father, Cepheus. There all was in a state of deepest mourning. The king and queen sat with covered heads, and all sounds of music and of merriment were hushed.</p>
<p>In a few moments what a change! The king and queen now wept for joy. Rich sacrifices were offered to the gods of Ocean, and preparations were made for a great feast of thanksgiving. But Perseus sacrificed to Minerva, and to Venus, the goddess of love.</p>
<p>In the midst of the feast which followed, King Cepheus cried to Perseus: —</p>
<p>“What shall I give you, young hero? Ask, for you shall have it, even to the half of my kingdom.”</p>
<p>“Not the half of your kingdom do I wish,” replied Perseus; “but give me, O King, her whom I have saved — give me Andromeda.”</p>
<p>Cepheus was pleased with this request. He wished even to make Perseus his heir, but this offer the hero could not accept.</p>
<p>“I must carry the Gorgon’s head to Polydectes,” he said, “and take my mother back to her home in Argos. My home also is there.”</p>
<p>Next day the wedding of Perseus and Andromeda was celebrated with great pomp, and before nightfall the young couple had set sail in a ship laden with treasure.</p>
<p>Meanwhile all was not well on the island of Seriphus. Danaë had refused the offer of King Polydectes and was not moved by his threats. On the tenth day she went for safety to the temple of Minerva. When the king came with his soldiers to seek her, he found her there, sitting beside the altar.</p>
<p>The king, for all his anger, dared do her no harm, for he feared the great goddess of wisdom; but he left soldiers at the door of the temple to seize Danaë if she should come out. All that day the queenly woman remained there, and Dictys, the good fisherman, brought her food.</p>
<p>Next day the king returned. His wrath now knew no bounds. He ordered his soldiers to seize Danaë and carry her forth from the temple, and when they hesitated, fearing the great; goddess Minerva, he stepped forward himself to do the impious deed. Then Dictys stepped in his way and boldly commanded him to stand hack. Mad with passion, Polydectes leveled his spear at the brave fisherman, but at that moment the door opened and Perseus, strong and calm as a young god, came in.</p>
<p>“What is this?” he cried, coming forward.</p>
<p>“On, soldiers!” shrieked Polydectes. “Kill him!” and without another word he hurled his spear at the young hero.</p>
<p>The spear was well aimed, but Perseus stepped aside and it struck deep into the temple wall and remained there, quivering.</p>
<p>“King Polydectes,” said Perseus, “I have brought you the gift you wished. Here is the head of the Gorgon Medusa.”</p>
<p>With that he drew the head from under his mantle and held it up before Polydectes’ face; and the king, gazing in horror, grew stiff in every limb and stood there — stone. Thus Danaë was saved.</p>
<p>The people of the island would have made Perseus king in the place of Polydectes, but he refused. Then the people chose Dictys, the good and wise fisherman.</p>
<p>A few days afterward, the hero, with his queenly mother and his beautiful bride, set out at last for Argos and Greece, where his own kingdom awaited him, and there he gave back the winged shoes to the god Mercury, and dedicated Medusa’s head to Minerva, who had helped him so constantly. Ever after, the goddess of wisdom bore the terrible snaky head either upon her shield or upon her golden breastplate, and she granted many a happy year to Danaë and to King Perseus and fair Andromeda.</p>
<div>
<head>Cephalus and Procris.</head>
<quote>
<l>A hunter once in that grove reclined,</l>
<l> To shun the noon’s bright eye,</l>
<l>And oft he wooed the wandering wind,</l>
<l> To cool his brow with its sigh.</l>
<l>While mute lay even the wild bee’s hum,</l>
<l> Nor breath could stir the aspen’s hair,</l>
<l>His song was still “Sweet air, oh come!”</l>
<l> While Echo answered, “Come, sweet Air!”</l>
<l/>
<l>But, hark, what sounds from the thicket rise!</l>
<l> What meaneth that rustling spray?</l>
<l>“’Tis the white-horn’d doe,” the hunter cries,</l>
<l> “I have sought since break of day.”</l>
<l>Quick o’er the sunny glade he springs,</l>
<l> The arrow flies from his sounding bow,</l>
<l>“Hilliho — hilliho!” he gaily sings,</l>
<l> While Echo sighs forth “Hilliho!”</l>
<l/>
<l>Alas, ’twas not the white-horn’d doe</l>
<l> He saw in the rustling grove,</l>
<l>But the bridal veil, as pure as snow,</l>
<l> Of his own young wedded love.</l>
<l>And, ah, too sure that arrow sped,</l>
<l> For pale at his feet he sees her lie; —</l>
<l>“I die, I die,” was all she said,</l>
<l> While Echo murmur’d “I die, I die!”</l>
</quote>
<bibl>
<author key="Moore Th.">Thomas Moore</author>.</bibl>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<head>Theseus.</head>
<figure>
<graphic url="http://obvil.github.io/mythographie/images/adams_myths-old-greece_1900_img146.png"/>
</figure>
<p>Theseus was the son of Ægeus, the king of Athens. His mother, Æthra, lived in Trœzen, at her father’s palace. Now when Ægeus at length had to return to Athens, he led Æthra out into the forest to a great stone which lay there.</p>
<p>“Under this stone,” said he, “I have put a sword and a pair of sandals. I must leave you to-day, and you must care for our child alone. Keep him with you until he is able to lift the stone and get the sword and sandals, then send him to Athens to me.”</p>
<p>“But, Ægeus,” said Æthra, “can any one but a god lift such a great stone?”</p>
<p>“He must,” answered the king, “else he will not be safe at Athens. Let him bring the sword and the sandals, that I may know him.”</p>
<p>Then Ægeus left, but Æthra brought up the hoy with all a mother’s love. He was taught to be brave and generous, he learned to wrestle and box, to shoot with the bow and hurl the spear, and to control his grandfather’s splendid horses; and often, in the evenings, sitting in the great hall, he listened while strangers told of the deeds Hercules was doing throughout the world. Thus the mind of the youth was filled with heroic thoughts.</p>
<p>All this time Æthra told him never a word about his father. Theseus did not know even that his father was living. But when he was sixteen years old, Æthra, said to herself, “The time is almost come. The boy is already taller and stronger than any man in Trœzen.”</p>
<p>One day she led Theseus out into the woods. They wandered here and there, but at last they turned in the direction of the great stone.</p>
<p>“Mother,” said Theseus, “how long must I stay here idly at my grandfather’s court?”</p>
<p>“But you are still only a boy, Theseus,” replied Æthra.</p>
<p>“Hercules was famous at my age,” said Theseus, “and I wish to go out into the world.”</p>
<p>Æthra walked on without a word until they came to the stone.</p>
<p>“When you can raise this stone and get what is under it, you may go,” she said.</p>
<p>Theseus took hold of it and lifted hard, but the stone did not move. Then he braced himself and tugged still harder, but the stone was firm. Ten ordinary men could hardly have moved it. He made a third trial. The muscles of his body stood out and the perspiration rolled from him with the strain. I hen, slowly, the mighty mass rose, and with a last great effort Theseus turned it over. There lay the sandals and the shining sword.</p>
<p>Then Æthra told him the whole story of his father and these hidden things.</p>
<p>“Take the sandals and the sword,” she said, “and go to Athens to your father, King Ægeus, for the time has come when I must lose you.”</p>
<p>Next day Theseus was ready to set out. His grandfather and those of the court would have had him go by sea, for the way to Athens by land was full of dangers, but Theseus was eager to try his strength and, if possible, to rid the road of the robbers and giants who infested it. He bound on the sandals, girded on the sword, and started.</p>
<p>The journey was full of adventures. The walls of Trœzen were hardly out of sight before a giant strode into the road and blocked the way. He was a famous robber and bore a great club of iron. It was here that Theseus had his first fight, and it was a hard one; but in the end the robber, for all his iron club, lay dead upon the ground, and the young hero went on rejoicing.</p>
<quote>