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+The Project Gutenberg eBook, Young Folks Treasury, Volume 2 (of 12), by
+Various, Edited by Hamilton Wright Mabie
+
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+
+
+
+Title: Young Folks Treasury, Volume 2 (of 12)
+
+Author: Various
+
+Release Date: February 28, 2005  [eBook #15202]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK YOUNG FOLKS TREASURY, VOLUME 2 (OF
+12)***
+
+
+E-text prepared by Juliet Sutherland, Sandra Brown, and the Project
+Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team
+
+
+
+Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this
+      file which includes the original illustrations.
+      See 15202-h.htm or 15202-h.zip:
+      (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/5/2/0/15202/15202-h/15202-h.htm)
+      or
+      (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/5/2/0/15202/15202-h.zip)
+
+
+
+
+
+YOUNG FOLKS' TREASURY
+
+In 12 Volumes
+
+HAMILTON WRIGHT MABIE, Editor
+
+EDWARD EVERETT HALE, Associate Editor
+
+VOLUME II: MYTHS AND LEGENDARY HEROES
+
+HAMILTON WRIGHT MABIE, Editor
+
+New York
+The University Society Inc.
+Publishers
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: JASON SNATCHED OFF HIS HELMET AND HURLED IT.]
+
+
+
+
+PARTIAL LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS, ASSISTANT EDITORS AND ADVISERS
+
+
+HAMILTON WRIGHT MABIE
+Editor
+
+EDWARD EVERETT HALE
+Associate Editor
+
+NICHOLAS MURRAY BUTLER, President Columbia University.
+
+WILLIAM R. HARPER, Late President Chicago University.
+
+HON. THEODORE ROOSEVELT, Ex-President of the United States.
+
+HON. GROVER CLEVELAND, Late President of the United States.
+
+JAMES CARDINAL GIBBONS, American Roman Catholic prelate.
+
+ROBERT C. OGDEN, Partner of John Wanamaker.
+
+HON. GEORGE F. HOAR, Late Senator from Massachusetts.
+
+EDWARD W. BOK, Editor "Ladies' Home Journal."
+
+HENRY VAN DYKE, Author, Poet, and Professor of English
+
+Literature, Princeton University.
+
+LYMAN ABBOTT, Author, Editor of "The Outlook."
+
+CHARLES G.D. ROBERTS, Writer of Animal Stories.
+
+JACOB A. RIIS, Author and Journalist.
+
+EDWARD EVERETT HALE, Jr., English Professor at Union College.
+
+JOEL CHANDLER HARRIS, Late Author and Creator of "Uncle Remus."
+
+GEORGE GARY EGGLESTON, Novelist and Journalist.
+
+RAY STANNARD BAKER, Author and Journalist.
+
+WILLIAM BLAIKIE, Author of "How to Get Strong and How to Stay So."
+
+WILLIAM DAVENPORT HULBERT, Writer of Animal Stories.
+
+JOSEPH JACOBS, Folklore Writer and Editor of the "Jewish
+Encyclopedia."
+
+MRS. VIRGINIA TERHUNE ("Marion Harland"), Author of "Common Sense in
+the Household," etc.
+
+MARGARET E. SANGSTER, Author of "The Art of Home-Making," etc.
+
+SARAH K. BOLTON, Biographical Writer.
+
+ELLEN VELVIN, Writer of Animal Stories.
+
+REV. THEODORE WOOD, F.E.S., Writer on Natural History.
+
+W.J. BALTZELL, Editor of "The Musician."
+
+HERBERT T. WADE, Editor and Writer on Physics.
+
+JOHN H. CLIFFORD, Editor and Writer.
+
+ERNEST INGERSOLL, Naturalist and Author.
+
+DANIEL E. WHEELER, Editor and Writer.
+
+IDA PRENTICE WHITCOMB, Author of "Young People's Story of Music,"
+"Heroes of History," etc.
+
+MARK HAMBOURG, Pianist and Composer.
+
+MME. BLANCHE MARCHESI, Opera Singer and Teacher.
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+Introduction
+
+
+MYTHS OF GREECE AND ROME
+
+Baucis and Philemon
+ Adapted by C.E. Smith
+
+Pandora
+ Adapted by C.E. Smith
+
+Midas
+ Adapted by C.E. Smith
+
+Cadmus
+ Adapted by C.E. Smith
+
+Proserpina
+ Adapted by C.E. Smith
+
+The Story of Atalanta
+ Adapted by Anna Klingensmith
+
+Pyramus and Thisbe
+ Adapted by Alice Zimmern
+
+Orpheus
+ Adapted by Alice Zimmern
+
+
+MYTHS OF SCANDINAVIA
+
+Baldur
+ Adapted from A. and E. Keary's version
+
+Thor's Adventure among the Jotuns
+ Adapted by Julia Goddard
+
+The Apples of Idun
+ Adapted by Hamilton Wright Mabie
+
+The Gifts of the Dwarfs
+
+The Punishment of Loki
+ Adapted from A. and E. Keary's version
+
+
+MYTHS OF INDIA
+
+The Blind Man, The Deaf Man, and the Donkey
+ Adapted by M. Frere
+
+Harisarman
+
+Why the Fish Laughed
+
+Muchie Lal
+ Adapted by M. Frere
+
+How the Rajah's Son Won the Princess Labam
+ Adapted by Joseph Jacobs
+
+
+MYTHS OF JAPAN
+
+The Jellyfish and the Monkey
+ Adapted by Yei Theodora Ozaki
+
+The Old Man and-the Devils
+
+Autumn and Spring
+ Adapted by Frank Kinder
+
+The Vision of Tsunu
+ Adapted by Frank Kinder
+
+The Star-Lovers
+ Adapted by Frank Kinder
+
+
+
+MYTHS OF THE SLAVS
+
+The Two Brothers
+ Adapted by Alexander Chodsko
+
+The Twelve Months
+ Adapted by Alexander Chodsko
+
+The Sun; or, the Three Golden Hairs of the Old Man
+ Vésèvde
+ Adapted by Alexander Chodsko
+
+
+A MYTH OF AMERICA
+
+Hiawatha
+ Adapted from H.R. Schoolcraft's version
+
+
+HEROES OF GREECE AND ROME
+
+Perseus
+ Adapted by Mary Macgregor
+
+Odysseus
+ Adapted by Jeanie Lang
+
+The Argonauts
+ Adapted by Mary Macgregor
+
+Theseus
+ Adapted by Mary Macgregor
+
+Hercules
+ Adapted by Thomas Cartwright
+
+The Perilous Voyage of Æneas
+ Adapted by Alice Zimmern
+
+How Horatius Held the Bridge
+ Adapted by Alfred J. Church
+
+How Cincinnatus Saved Rome
+ Adapted by Alfred J. Church
+
+
+HEROES OF GREAT BRITAIN
+
+Beowulf
+ Adapted by H.E. Marshall
+
+How King Arthur Conquered Rome
+ Adapted by E. Edwardson
+
+Sir Galahad and the Sacred Cup
+ Adapted by Mary Macgregor
+
+The Passing of Arthur
+ Adapted by Mary Macgregor
+
+Robin Hood
+ Adapted by H.E. Marshall
+
+Guy of Warwick
+ Adapted by H.E. Marshall
+
+Whittington and His Cat
+ Adapted by Ernest Rhys
+
+Tom Hickathrift
+ Adapted by Ernest Rhys
+
+
+HEROES OF SCANDINAVIA
+
+The Story of Frithiof
+ Adapted by Julia Goddard
+
+Havelok
+ Adapted by George W. Cox and E.H. Jones
+
+The Vikings
+ Adapted by Mary Macgregor
+
+
+HERO OF GERMANY
+
+Siegfried
+ Adapted by Mary Macgregor
+
+
+HERO OF FRANCE
+
+Roland
+ Adapted by H.E. Marshall
+
+
+HERO OF SPAIN
+
+The Cid
+ Adapted by Robert Southey
+
+
+HERO OF SWITZERLAND
+
+William Tell
+ Adapted by H.E. Marshall
+
+
+HERO OF PERSIA
+
+Rustem
+ Adapted by Alfred J. Church
+
+
+
+
+ILLUSTRATIONS
+
+JASON SNATCHED OFF HIS HELMET AND HURLED IT (Frontispiece)
+
+OUT FLEW A BRIGHT, SMILING FAIRY
+
+HE CAUGHT HER IN HIS ARMS AND SPRANG INTO THE CHARIOT
+
+ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE
+
+THE PUNISHMENT OF LOKI
+
+THE PRINCESS LABAM ... SHINES SO THAT SHE LIGHTS
+ UP ALL THE COUNTRY
+
+HIAWATHA IN HIS CANOE
+
+SO DANAE WAS COMFORTED AND WENT HOME WITH DICTYS
+
+ORPHEUS SANG TILL HIS VOICE DROWNED THE SONG OF THE SIRENS
+
+THEY LEAPT ACROSS THE POOL AND CAME TO HIM
+
+THESEUS LOOKED UP INTO HER FAIR FACE
+
+SIR GALAHAD
+
+ROBIN HOOD IN AN ENCOUNTER
+
+THE HERO'S SHINING SWORD PIERCED THE HEART OF THE MONSTER
+
+WILLIAM TELL AND HIS FRIENDS
+
+(Many of the illustrations in this volume are reproduced by special
+permission of E.P. Dutton & Company, owners of American rights.)
+
+
+
+
+
+INTRODUCTION
+
+
+With such a table of contents in front of this little foreword, I am
+quite sure that few will pause to consider my prosy effort. Nor can I
+blame any readers who jump over my head, when they may sit beside kind
+old Baucis, and drink out of her miraculous milk-pitcher, and hear
+noble Philemon talk; or join hands with Pandora and Epimetheus in
+their play before the fatal box was opened; or, in fact, be in the
+company of even the most awe-inspiring of our heroes and heroines.
+
+For ages the various characters told about in the following pages have
+charmed, delighted, and inspired the people of the world. Like fairy
+tales, these stories of gods, demigods, and wonderful men were
+the natural offspring of imaginative races, and from generation
+to generation they were repeated by father and mother to son and
+daughter. And if a brave man had done a big deed he was immediately
+celebrated in song and story, and quite as a matter of course, the
+deed grew with repetition of these. Minstrels, gleemen, poets, and
+skalds (a Scandinavian term for poets) took up these rich themes and
+elaborated them. Thus, if a hero had killed a serpent, in time it
+became a fiery dragon, and if he won a great battle, the enthusiastic
+reciters of it had him do prodigious feats--feats beyond belief. But
+do not fancy from this that the heroes were every-day persons. Indeed,
+they were quite extraordinary and deserved highest praise of their
+fellow-men.
+
+So, in ancient and medieval Europe the wandering poet or minstrel
+went from place to place repeating his wondrous narratives, adding
+new verses to his tales, changing his episodes to suit locality or
+occasion, and always skilfully shaping his fascinating romances. In
+court and cottage he was listened to with breathless attention. He
+might be compared to a living novel circulating about the country, for
+in those days books were few or entirely unknown. Oriental countries,
+too, had their professional story-spinners, while our American Indians
+heard of the daring exploits of their heroes from the lips of old men
+steeped in tradition. My youngest reader can then appreciate how myths
+and legends were multiplied and their incidents magnified. We all know
+how almost unconsciously we color and change the stories we repeat,
+and naturally so did our gentle and gallant singers through the
+long-gone centuries of chivalry and simple faith.
+
+Every reader can feel the deep significance underlying the myths we
+present--the poetry and imperishable beauty of the Greek, the strange
+and powerful conceptions of the Scandinavian mind, the oddity and
+fantasy of the Japanese, Slavs, and East Indians, and finally the
+queer imaginings of our own American Indians. Who, for instance, could
+ever forget poor Proserpina and the six pomegranate seeds, the death
+of beautiful Baldur, the luminous Princess Labam, the stupid jellyfish
+and shrewd monkey, and the funny way in which Hiawatha remade the
+earth after it had been destroyed by flood?
+
+Then take our legendary heroes: was ever a better or braver company
+brought together--Perseus, Hercules, Siegfried, Roland, Galahad,
+Robin Hood, and a dozen others? But stop, I am using too many
+question-marks. There is no need to query heroes known and admired the
+world over.
+
+As true latter-day story-tellers, both Hawthorne and Kingsley retold
+many of these myths and legends, and from their classic pages we have
+adapted a number of our tales, and made them somewhat simpler and
+shorter in form. By way of apology for this liberty (if some should
+so consider it), we humbly offer a paragraph from a preface to the
+"Wonder Book" written by its author:
+
+"A great freedom of treatment was necessary but it will be observed
+by every one who attempts to render these legends malleable in his
+intellectual furnace, that they are marvelously independent of all
+temporary modes and circumstances. They remain essentially the same,
+after changes that would affect the identity of almost anything else."
+
+Now to those who have not jumped over my head, or to those who, having
+done so, may jump back to this foreword, I trust my few remarks will
+have given some additional interest in our myths and heroes of lands
+far and near.
+
+DANIEL EDWIN WHEELER
+
+
+
+
+
+
+MYTHS OF MANY COUNTRIES
+
+
+
+
+MYTHS OF GREECE AND ROME
+
+
+
+BAUCIS AND PHILEMON
+
+ADAPTED BY C.E. SMITH
+
+
+One evening, in times long ago, old Philemon and his wife Baucis sat
+at their cottage door watching the sunset. They had eaten their supper
+and were enjoying a quiet talk about their garden, and their cow, and
+the fruit trees on which the pears and apples were beginning to ripen.
+But their talk was very much disturbed by rude shouts and laughter
+from the village children, and by the fierce barking of dogs.
+
+"I fear," said Philemon, "that some poor traveler is asking for a bed
+in the village, and that these rough people have set the dogs on him."
+
+"Well, I never," answered old Baucis. "I do wish the neighbors would
+be kinder to poor wanderers; I feel that some terrible punishment will
+happen to this village if the people are so wicked as to make fun of
+those who are tired and hungry. As for you and me, so long as we have
+a crust of bread, let us always be willing to give half of it to any
+poor homeless stranger who may come along."
+
+"Indeed, that we will," said Philemon.
+
+These old folks, you must know, were very poor, and had to work hard
+for a living. They seldom had anything to eat except bread and milk,
+and vegetables, with sometimes a little honey from their beehives, or
+a few ripe pears and apples from their little garden. But they were
+two of the kindest old people in the world, and would have gone
+without their dinner any day, rather than refuse a slice of bread or a
+cupful of milk to the weary traveler who might stop at the door.
+
+Their cottage stood on a little hill a short way from the village,
+which lay in a valley; such a pretty valley, shaped like a cup, with
+plenty of green fields and gardens, and fruit trees; it was a pleasure
+just to look at it. But the people who lived in this lovely place
+were selfish and hard-hearted; they had no pity for the poor, and were
+unkind to those who had no home, and they only laughed when Philemon
+said it was right to be gentle to people who were sad and friendless.
+
+These wicked villagers taught their children to be as bad as
+themselves. They used to clap their hands and make fun of poor
+travelers who were tramping wearily from one village to another, and
+they even taught the dogs to snarl and bark at strangers if their
+clothes were shabby. So the village was known far and near as an
+unfriendly place, where neither help nor pity was to be found.
+
+What made it worse, too, was that when rich people came in their
+carriages, or riding on fine horses, with servants to attend to them,
+the village people would take off their hats and be very polite and
+attentive: and if the children were rude they got their ears boxed;
+as to the dogs--if a single dog dared to growl at a rich man he was
+beaten and then tied up without any supper.
+
+So now you can understand why old Philemon spoke sadly when he heard
+the shouts of the children, and the barking of the dogs, at the far
+end of the village street.
+
+He and Baucis sat shaking their heads while the noise came nearer and
+nearer, until they saw two travelers coming along the road on foot.
+A crowd of rude children were following them, shouting and throwing
+stones, and several dogs were snarling at the travelers' heels.
+
+They were both very plainly dressed, and looked as if they might not
+have enough money to pay for a night's lodging.
+
+"Come, wife," said Philemon, "let us go and meet these poor people and
+offer them shelter."
+
+"You go," said Baucis, "while I make ready some supper," and she
+hastened indoors.
+
+Philemon went down the road, and holding out his hand to the two men,
+he said, "Welcome, strangers, welcome."
+
+"Thank you," answered the younger of the two travelers. "Yours is a
+kind welcome, very different from the one we got in the village; pray
+why do you live in such a bad place?"
+
+"I think," answered Philemon, "that Providence put me here just to
+make up as best I can for other people's unkindness."
+
+The traveler laughed heartily, and Philemon was glad to see him in
+such good spirits. He took a good look at him and his companion. The
+younger man was very thin, and was dressed in an odd kind of way.
+Though it was a summer evening, he wore a cloak which was wrapped
+tightly about him; and he had a cap on his head, the brim of which
+stuck out over both ears. There was something queer too about his
+shoes, but as it was getting dark, Philemon could not see exactly what
+they were like.
+
+One thing struck Philemon very much, the traveler was so wonderfully
+light and active that it seemed as if his feet were only kept close to
+the ground with difficulty. He had a staff in his hand which was the
+oddest-looking staff Philemon had seen. It was made of wood and had a
+little pair of wings near the top. Two snakes cut into the wood were
+twisted round the staff, and these were so well carved that Philemon
+almost thought he could see them wriggling.
+
+The older man was very tall, and walked calmly along, taking no notice
+either of naughty children or yelping dogs.
+
+When they reached the cottage gate, Philemon said, "We are very poor
+folk, but you are welcome to whatever we have in the cupboard. My wife
+Baucis has gone to see what you can have for supper."
+
+They sat down on the bench, and the younger stranger let his staff
+fall as he threw himself down on the grass, and then a strange thing
+happened. The staff seemed to get up from the ground of its own
+accord, and it opened a little pair of wings and half-hopped,
+half-flew and leaned itself against the wall of the cottage.
+
+Philemon was so amazed that he feared he had been dreaming, but before
+he could ask any questions, the elder stranger said: "Was there not a
+lake long ago covering the spot where the village now stands?"
+
+"Never in my day," said old Philemon, "nor in my father's, nor my
+grandfather's: there were always fields and meadows just as there are
+now, and I suppose there always will be."
+
+"That I am not so sure of," replied the stranger. "Since the people in
+that village have forgotten how to be loving and gentle, maybe it were
+better that the lake should be rippling over the cottages again," and
+he looked very sad and stern.
+
+He was a very important-looking man, Philemon felt, even though his
+clothes were old and shabby; maybe he was some great learned stranger
+who did not care at all for money or clothes, and was wandering about
+the world seeking wisdom and knowledge. Philemon was quite sure he
+was not a common person. But he talked so kindly to Philemon, and
+the younger traveler made such funny remarks, that they were all
+constantly laughing.
+
+"Pray, my young friend, what is your name?" Philemon asked.
+
+"Well," answered the younger man, "I am called Mercury, because I am
+so quick."
+
+"What a strange name!" said Philemon; "and your friend, what is he
+called?"
+
+"You must ask the thunder to tell you that," said Mercury, "no other
+voice is loud enough."
+
+Philemon was a little confused at this answer, but the stranger looked
+so kind and friendly that he began to tell them about his good old
+wife, and what fine butter and cheese she made, and how happy they
+were in their little garden; and how they loved each other very dearly
+and hoped they might live together till they died. And the stern
+stranger listened with a sweet smile on his face.
+
+Baucis had now got supper ready; not very much of a supper, she told
+them. There was only half a brown loaf and a bit of cheese, a pitcher
+with some milk, a little honey, and a bunch of purple grapes. But she
+said, "Had we only known you were coming, my goodman and I would have
+gone without anything in order to give you a better supper."
+
+"Do not trouble," said the elder stranger kindly. "A hearty welcome
+is better than the finest of food, and we are so hungry that what you
+have to offer us seems a feast." Then they all went into the cottage.
+
+And now I must tell you something that will make your eyes open. You
+remember that Mercury's staff was leaning against the cottage wall?
+Well, when its owner went in at the door, what should this wonderful
+staff do but spread its little wings and go hop-hop, flutter-flutter
+up the steps; then it went tap-tap across the kitchen floor and did
+not stop till it stood close behind Mercury's chair. No one noticed
+this, as Baucis and her husband were too busy attending to their
+guests.
+
+Baucis filled up two bowls of milk from the pitcher, while her husband
+cut the loaf and the cheese. "What delightful milk, Mother Baucis,"
+said Mercury, "may I have some more? This has been such a hot day that
+I am very thirsty."
+
+"Oh dear, I am so sorry and ashamed," answered Baucis, "but the truth
+is there is hardly another drop of milk in the pitcher."
+
+"Let me see," said Mercury, starting up and catching hold of the
+handles, "why here is certainly more milk in the pitcher." He poured
+out a bowlful for himself and another for his companion. Baucis could
+scarcely believe her eyes. "I suppose I must have made a mistake," she
+thought, "at any rate the pitcher must be empty now after filling both
+bowls twice over."
+
+"Excuse me, my kind hostess," said Mercury in a little while, "but
+your milk is so good that I should very much like another bowlful."
+
+Now Baucis was perfectly sure that the pitcher was empty, and in order
+to show Mercury that there was not another drop in it, she held it
+upside down over his bowl. What was her surprise when a stream of
+fresh milk fell bubbling into the bowl and overflowed on to the table,
+and the two snakes that were twisted round Mercury's staff stretched
+out their heads and began to lap it up.
+
+"And now, a slice of your brown loaf, pray Mother Baucis, and a little
+honey," asked Mercury.
+
+Baucis handed the loaf, and though it had been rather a hard and dry
+loaf when she and her husband ate some at tea-time, it was now as soft
+and new as if it had just come from the oven. As to the honey, it had
+become the color of new gold and had the scent of a thousand flowers,
+and the small grapes in the bunch had grown larger and richer, and
+each one seemed bursting with ripe juice.
+
+Although Baucis was a very simple old woman, she could not help
+thinking that there was something rather strange going on. She sat
+down beside Philemon and told him in a whisper what she had seen.
+
+"Did you ever hear anything so wonderful?" she asked.
+
+"No, I never did," answered Philemon, with a smile. "I fear you have
+been in a dream, my dear old wife."
+
+He knew Baucis could not say what was untrue, but he thought that she
+had not noticed how much milk there had really been in the pitcher
+at first. So when Mercury once more asked for a little milk, Philemon
+rose and lifted the pitcher himself. He peeped in and saw that there
+was not a drop in it; then all at once a little white fountain gushed
+up from the bottom, and the pitcher was soon filled to the brim
+with delicious milk.
+
+Philemon was so amazed that he nearly let the jug fall. "Who are ye,
+wonder-working strangers?" he cried.
+
+"Your guests, good Philemon, and your friends," answered the elder
+traveler, "and may the pitcher never be empty for kind Baucis and
+yourself any more than for the hungry traveler."
+
+The old people did not like to ask any more questions; they gave the
+guests their own sleeping-room, and then they lay down on the hard
+floor in the kitchen. It was long before they fell asleep, not because
+they thought how hard their bed was, but because there was so much to
+whisper to each other about the wonderful strangers and what they had
+done.
+
+They all rose with the sun next morning. Philemon begged the visitors
+to stay a little till Baucis should milk the cow and bake some bread
+for breakfast. But the travelers seemed to be in a hurry and wished
+to start at once, and they asked Baucis and Philemon to go with them a
+short distance to show them the way.
+
+So they all four set out together, and Mercury was so full of fun and
+laughter, and made them feel so happy and bright, that they would have
+been glad to keep him in their cottage every day and all day long.
+
+"Ah me," said Philemon, "if only our neighbors knew what a pleasure
+it was to be kind to strangers, they would tie up all their dogs and
+never allow the children to fling another stone."
+
+"It is a sin and shame for them to behave so," said Baucis, "and I
+mean to go this very day and tell some of them how wicked they are."
+
+"I fear," said Mercury, smiling, "that you will not find any of them
+at home."
+
+The old people looked at the elder traveler and his face had grown
+very grave and stern. "When men do not feel towards the poorest
+stranger as if he were a brother," he said, in a deep, grave voice,
+"they are not worthy to remain on the earth, which was made just to be
+the home for the whole family of the human race of men and women and
+children."
+
+"And, by the bye," said Mercury, with a look of fun and mischief in
+his eyes, "where is this village you talk about? I do not see anything
+of it."
+
+Philemon and his wife turned towards the valley, where at sunset only
+the day before they had seen the trees and gardens, and the houses,
+and the streets with the children playing in them. But there was no
+longer any sign of the village. There was not even a valley. Instead,
+they saw a broad lake which filled all the great basin from brim to
+brim, and whose waters glistened and sparkled in the morning sun.
+
+The village that had been there only yesterday was now gone!
+
+"Alas! what has become of our poor neighbors?" cried the kind-hearted
+old people.
+
+"They are not men and women any longer," answered the elder traveler,
+in a deep voice like distant thunder. "There was no beauty and no use
+in lives such as theirs, for they had no love for one another, and no
+pity in their hearts for those who were poor and weary. Therefore the
+lake that was here in the old, old days has flowed over them, and they
+will be men and women no more."
+
+"Yes," said Mercury, with his mischievous smile, "these foolish people
+have all been changed into fishes because they had cold blood which
+never warmed their hearts, just as the fishes have."
+
+"As for you, good Philemon, and you, kind Baucis," said the elder
+traveler, "you, indeed, gave a hearty welcome to the homeless
+strangers. You have done well, my dear old friends, and whatever wish
+you have most at heart will be granted."
+
+Philemon and Baucis looked at one another, and then I do not know
+which spoke, but it seemed as if the voice came from them both. "Let
+us live together while we live, and let us die together, at the same
+time, for we have always loved one another."
+
+"Be it so," said the elder stranger, and he held out his hands as if
+to bless them. The old couple bent their heads and fell on their knees
+to thank him, and when they lifted their eyes again, neither Mercury
+nor his companion was to be seen.
+
+So Philemon and Baucis returned to the cottage, and to every traveler
+who passed that way they offered a drink of milk from the wonderful
+pitcher, and if the guest was a kind, gentle soul, he found the milk
+the sweetest and most refreshing he had ever tasted. But if a cross,
+bad-tempered fellow took even a sip, he found the pitcher full of sour
+milk, which made him twist his face with dislike and disappointment.
+
+Baucis and Philemon lived a great, great many years and grew very
+old. And one summer morning when their friends came to share their
+breakfast, neither Baucis nor Philemon was to be found!
+
+The guests looked everywhere, and all in vain. Then suddenly one of
+them noticed two beautiful trees in the garden, just in front of
+the door. One was an oak tree and the other a linden tree, and their
+branches were twisted together so that they seemed to be embracing.
+
+No one had ever seen these trees before, and while they were all
+wondering how such fine trees could possibly have grown up in a single
+night, there came a gentle wind which set the branches moving, and
+then a mysterious voice was heard coming from the oak tree. "I am
+old Philemon," it said; and again another voice whispered, "And I am
+Baucis." And the people knew that the good old couple would live for a
+hundred years or more in the heart of these lovely trees. And oh, what
+a pleasant shade they flung around! Some kind soul built a seat under
+the branches, and whenever a traveler sat down to rest he heard a
+pleasant whisper of the leaves over his head, and he wondered why the
+sound should seem to say, "Welcome, dear traveler, welcome."
+
+
+
+
+PANDORA
+
+ADAPTED BY C.E. SMITH
+
+
+Long, long ago, when this old world was still very young, there lived
+a child named Epimetheus. He had neither father nor mother, and to
+keep him company, a little girl, who was fatherless and motherless
+like himself, was sent from a far country to live with him and be his
+playfellow. This child's name was Pandora.
+
+The first thing that Pandora saw, when she came to the cottage where
+Epimetheus lived, was a great wooden box. "What have you in that box,
+Epimetheus?" she asked.
+
+"That is a secret," answered Epimetheus, "and you must not ask any
+questions about it; the box was left here for safety, and I do not
+know what is in it."
+
+"But who gave it you?" asked Pandora, "and where did it come from?"
+
+"That is a secret too," answered Epimetheus.
+
+"How tiresome!" exclaimed Pandora, pouting her lip. "I wish the great
+ugly box were out of the way;" and she looked very cross.
+
+"Come along, and let us play games," said Epimetheus; "do not let
+us think any more about it;" and they ran out to play with the other
+children, and for a while Pandora forgot all about the box.
+
+But when she came back to the cottage, there it was in front of her,
+and instead of paying no heed to it, she began to say to herself:
+"Whatever can be inside it? I wish I just knew who brought it! Dear
+Epimetheus, do tell me; I know I cannot be happy till you tell me all
+about it."
+
+Then Epimetheus grew a little angry. "How can I tell you, Pandora?" he
+said, "I do not know any more than you do."
+
+"Well, you could open it," said Pandora, "and we could see for
+ourselves!"
+
+But Epimetheus looked so shocked at the very idea of opening a box
+that had been given to him in trust, that Pandora saw she had better
+not suggest such a thing again.
+
+"At least you can tell me how it came here," she said.
+
+"It was left at the door," answered Epimetheus, "just before you came,
+by a queer person dressed in a very strange cloak; he had a cap that
+seemed to be partly made of feathers; it looked exactly as if he had
+wings."
+
+"What kind of a staff had he?" asked Pandora.
+
+"Oh, the most curious staff you ever saw," cried Epimetheus: "it
+seemed like two serpents twisted round a stick."
+
+"I know him," said Pandora thoughtfully. "It was Mercury, and he
+brought me here as well as the box. I am sure he meant the box for me,
+and perhaps there are pretty clothes in it for us to wear, and toys
+for us both to play with."
+
+"It may be so," answered Epimetheus, turning away; "but until Mercury
+comes back and tells us that we may open it, neither of us has any
+right to lift the lid;" and he went out of the cottage.
+
+"What a stupid boy he is!" muttered Pandora, "I do wish he had a
+little more spirit." Then she stood gazing at the box. She had called
+it ugly a hundred times, but it was really a very handsome box, and
+would have been an ornament in any room.
+
+It was made of beautiful dark wood, so dark and so highly polished
+that Pandora could see her face in it. The edges and the corners were
+wonderfully carved. On these were faces of lovely women, and of the
+prettiest children, who seemed to be playing among the leaves and
+flowers. But the most beautiful face of all was one which had a wreath
+of flowers about its brow. All around it was the dark, smooth-polished
+wood with this strange face looking out from it, and some days Pandora
+thought it was laughing at her, while at other times it had a very
+grave look which made her rather afraid.
+
+The box was not fastened with a lock and key like most boxes, but with
+a strange knot of gold cord. There never was a knot so queerly
+tied; it seemed to have no end and no beginning, but was twisted so
+cunningly, with so many ins and outs, that not even the cleverest
+fingers could undo it.
+
+Pandora began to examine the knot just to see how it was made. "I
+really believe," she said to herself, "that I begin to see how it is
+done. I am sure I could tie it up again after undoing it. There could
+be no harm in that; I need not open the box even if I undo the knot."
+And the longer she looked at it, the more she wanted just to try.
+
+So she took the gold cord in her fingers and examined it very
+closely. Then she raised her head, and happening to glance at the
+flower-wreathed face, she thought it was grinning at her. "I wonder
+whether it is smiling because I am doing wrong," thought Pandora, "I
+have a good mind to leave the box alone and run away."
+
+But just at that moment, as if by accident, she gave the knot a little
+shake, and the gold cord untwisted itself as if by magic, and there
+was the box without any fastening.
+
+"This is the strangest thing I have ever known," said Pandora, rather
+frightened, "What will Epimetheus say? How can I possibly tie it up
+again?"
+
+She tried once or twice, but the knot would not come right. It had
+untied itself so suddenly she could not remember in the least how the
+cord had been twisted together. So there was nothing to be done but to
+let the box remain unfastened until Epimetheus should come home.
+
+"But," thought Pandora; "when he finds the knot untied he will know
+that I have done it; how shall I ever make him believe that I have not
+looked into the box?" And then the naughty thought came into her head
+that, as Epimetheus would believe that she had looked into the box,
+she might just as well have a little peep.
+
+She looked at the face with the wreath, and it seemed to smile at her
+invitingly, as much as to say: "Do not be afraid, what harm can there
+possibly be in raising the lid for a moment?" And then she thought
+she heard voices inside, tiny voices that whispered: "Let us out, dear
+Pandora, do let us out; we want very much to play with you if you will
+only let us out?"
+
+"What can it be?" said Pandora. "Is there something alive in the box?
+Yes, I must just see, only one little peep and the lid will be shut
+down as safely as ever. There cannot really be any harm in just one
+little peep."
+
+All this time Epimetheus had been playing with the other children in
+the fields, but he did not feel happy. This was the first time he had
+played without Pandora, and he was so cross and discontented that the
+other children could not think what was the matter with him. You see,
+up to this time everybody in the world had always been happy, no one
+had ever been ill, or naughty, or miserable; the world was new and
+beautiful, and the people who lived in it did not know what trouble
+meant. So Epimetheus could not understand what was the matter with
+himself, and he stopped trying to play games and went back to Pandora.
+
+On the way home he gathered a bunch of lovely roses, and lilies, and
+orange-blossoms, and with these he made a wreath to give Pandora, who
+was very fond of flowers. He noticed there was a great black cloud in
+the sky, which was creeping nearer and nearer to the sun, and just as
+Ejpimetheus reached the cottage door the cloud went right over the sun
+and made everything look dark and sad.
+
+Epimetheus went in quietly, for he wanted to surprise Pandora with the
+wreath of flowers. And what do you think he saw? The naughty little
+girl had put her hand on the lid of the box and was just going to open
+it. Epimetheus saw this quite well, and if he had cried out at once it
+would have given Pandora such a fright she would have let go the lid.
+But Epimetheus was very naughty too. Although he had said very little
+about the box, he was just as curious as Pandora was to see what was
+inside: if they really found anything pretty or valuable in it, he
+meant to take half of it for himself; so that he was just as naughty,
+and nearly as much to blame as his companion.
+
+When Pandora raised the lid, the cottage had grown very dark, for the
+black cloud now covered the sun entirely and a heavy peal of thunder
+was heard. But Pandora was too busy and excited to notice this: she
+lifted the lid right up, and at once a swarm of creatures with wings
+flew out of the box, and a minute after she heard Epimetheus crying
+loudly: "Oh, I am stung, I am stung! You naughty Pandora, why did you
+open this wicked box?"
+
+Pandora let the lid fall with a crash and started up to find out what
+had happened to her playmate. The thunder-cloud had made the room so
+dark that she could scarcely see, but she heard a loud buzz-buzzing,
+as if a great many huge flies had flown in, and soon she saw a crowd
+of ugly little shapes darting about, with wings like bats and with
+terribly long stings in their tails. It was one of these that had
+stung Epimetheus, and it was not long before Pandora began to
+scream with pain and fear. An ugly little monster had settled on
+her forehead, and would have stung her badly had not Epimetheus run
+forward and brushed it away.
+
+Now I must tell you that these ugly creatures with stings, which had
+escaped from the box, were the whole family of earthly troubles. There
+were evil tempers, and a great many kinds of cares: and there were
+more than a hundred and fifty sorrows, and there were diseases in many
+painful shapes. In fact all the sorrows and worries that hurt people
+in the world to-day had been shut up in the magic-box, and given
+to Epimetheus and Pandora to keep safely, in order that the happy
+children in the world might never be troubled by them. If only these
+two had obeyed Mercury and had left the box alone as he told them, all
+would have gone well.
+
+But you see what mischief they had done. The winged troubles flew out
+at the window and went all over the world: and they made people so
+unhappy that no one smiled for a great many days. It was very strange,
+too, that from this day flowers began to fade, and after a short time
+they died, whereas in the old times, before Pandora opened the box,
+they had been always fresh and beautiful.
+
+Meanwhile Pandora and Epimetheus remained in the cottage: they were
+very miserable and in great pain, which made them both exceedingly
+cross. Epimetheus sat down sullenly in a corner with his back to
+Pandora, while Pandora flung herself on the floor and cried bitterly,
+resting her head on the lid of the fatal box.
+
+Suddenly, she heard a gentle tap-tap inside. "What can that be?" said
+Pandora, raising her head; and again came the tap, tap. It sounded
+like the knuckles of a tiny hand knocking lightly on the inside of the
+box.
+
+"Who are you?" asked Pandora.
+
+A sweet little voice came from inside: "Only lift the lid and you will
+see."
+
+But Pandora was afraid to lift the lid again. She looked across
+to Epimetheus, but he was so cross that he took no notice. Pandora
+sobbed: "No, no, I am afraid; there are so many troubles with stings
+flying about that we do not want any more?"
+
+"Ah, but I am not one of these," the sweet voice said, "they are no
+relations of mine. Come, come, dear Pandora, I am sure you will let me
+out."
+
+The voice sounded so kind and cheery that it made Pandora feel better
+even to listen to it. Epimetheus too had heard the voice. He stopped
+crying. Then he came forward, and said: "Let me help you, Pandora, as
+the lid is very heavy."
+
+So this time both the children opened the box, and out flew a bright,
+smiling little fairy, who brought light and sunshine with her. She
+flew to Epimetheus and with her finger touched his brow where the
+trouble had stung him, and immediately the pain was gone.
+
+Then she kissed Pandora, and her hurt was better at once.
+
+[Illustration: OUT FLEW A BRIGHT SMILING LITTLE FAIRY.]
+
+"Pray who are you, kind fairy?" Pandora asked.
+
+"I am called Hope," answered the sunshiny figure. "I was shut up in
+the box so that I might be ready to comfort people when the family of
+troubles got loose in the world."
+
+"What lovely wings you have! They are just like a rainbow. And will
+you stay with us," asked Epimetheus, "for ever and ever?"
+
+"Yes," said Hope, "I shall stay with you as long as you live.
+Sometimes you will not be able to see me, and you may think I am dead,
+but you will find that I come back again and again when you have given
+up expecting me, and you must always trust my promise that I will
+never really leave you."
+
+"Yes, we do trust you," cried both children. And all the rest of their
+lives when the troubles came back and buzzed about their heads and
+left bitter stings of pain, Pandora and Epimetheus would remember
+whose fault it was that the troubles had ever come into the world
+at all, and they would then wait patiently till the fairy with the
+rainbow wings came back to heal and comfort them.
+
+
+
+
+MIDAS
+
+ADAPTED BY C.E. SMITH
+
+
+Once upon a time there lived a very rich King whose name was Midas,
+and he had a little daughter whom he loved very dearly. This King was
+fonder of gold than of anything else in the whole world: or if he did
+love anything better, it was the one little daughter who played so
+merrily beside her father's footstool.
+
+But the more Midas loved his daughter, the more he wished to be rich
+for her sake. He thought, foolish man, that the best thing he could do
+for his child was to leave her the biggest pile of yellow glittering
+gold that had ever been heaped together since the world began. So he
+gave all his thoughts and all his time to this purpose.
+
+When he worked in his garden, he used to wish that the roses had
+leaves made of gold, and once when his little daughter brought him
+a handful of yellow buttercups, he exclaimed, "Now if these had only
+been real gold they would have been worth gathering." He very soon
+forgot how beautiful the flowers, and the grass, and the trees were,
+and at the time my story begins Midas could scarcely bear to see or to
+touch anything that was not made of gold.
+
+Every day he used to spend a great many hours in a dark, ugly room
+underground: it was here that he kept all his money, and whenever
+Midas wanted to be very happy he would lock himself into this
+miserable room and would spend hours and hours pouring the glittering
+coins out of his money-bags. Or he would count again and again the
+bars of gold which were kept in a big oak chest with a great iron lock
+in the lid, and sometimes he would carry a boxful of gold dust from
+the dark corner where it lay, and would look at the shining heap by
+the light that came from a tiny window.
+
+To his greedy eyes there never seemed to be half enough; he was quite
+discontented. "What a happy man I should be," he said one day, "if
+only the whole world could be made of gold, and if it all belonged to
+me!"
+
+Just then a shadow fell across the golden pile, and when Midas looked
+up he saw a young man with a cheery rosy face standing in the thin
+strip of sunshine that came through the little window. Midas was
+certain that he had carefully locked the door before he opened his
+money-bags, so he knew that no one, unless he were more than a mortal,
+could get in beside him. The stranger seemed so friendly and pleasant
+that Midas was not in the least afraid.
+
+"You are a rich man, friend Midas," the visitor said. "I doubt if any
+other room in the whole world has as much gold in it as this."
+
+"May be," said Midas in a discontented voice, "but I wish it were much
+more; and think how many years it has taken me to gather it all! If
+only I could live for a thousand years, then I might be really rich.
+
+"Then you are not satisfied?" asked the stranger. Midas shook his
+head.
+
+"What would satisfy you?" the stranger said.
+
+Midas looked at his visitor for a minute, and then said, "I am tired
+of getting money with so much trouble. I should like everything I
+touch to be changed into gold."
+
+The stranger smiled, and his smile seemed to fill the room like a
+flood of sunshine. "Are you quite sure, Midas, that you would never be
+sorry if your wish were granted?" he asked.
+
+"Quite sure," said Midas: "I ask nothing more to make me perfectly
+happy."
+
+"Be it as you wish, then," said the stranger: "from to-morrow at
+sunrise you will have your desire--everything you touch will be
+changed into gold."
+
+The figure of the stranger then grew brighter and brighter, so that
+Midas had to close his eyes, and when he opened them again he saw
+only a yellow sunbeam in the room, and all around him glittered the
+precious gold which he had spent his life in gathering.
+
+How Midas longed for the next day to come! He scarcely slept that
+night, and as soon as it was light he laid his hand on the chair
+beside his bed; then he nearly cried when he saw that nothing
+happened: the chair remained just as it was. "Could the stranger have
+made a mistake," he wondered, "or had it been a dream?"
+
+He lay still, getting angrier and angrier each minute until at
+last the sun rose, and the first rays shone through his window and
+brightened the room. It seemed to Midas that the bright yellow sunbeam
+was reflected very curiously from the covering of his bed, and he sat
+up and looked more closely.
+
+What was his delight when he saw that the bedcover on which his hands
+rested had become a woven cloth of the purest and brightest gold!
+He started up and caught hold of the bed-post--instantly it became a
+golden pillar. He pulled aside the window-curtain and the tassel grew
+heavy in his hand--it was a mass of gold! He took up a book from
+the table, and at his first touch it became a bundle of thin golden
+leaves, in which no reading could be seen.
+
+Midas was delighted with his good fortune. He took his spectacles from
+his pocket and put them on, so that he might see more distinctly what
+he was about. But to his surprise he could not possibly see through
+them: the clear glasses had turned into gold, and, of course, though
+they were worth a great deal of money, they were of no more use as
+spectacles.
+
+Midas thought this was rather troublesome, but he soon forgot all
+about it. He went downstairs, and how he laughed with pleasure when he
+noticed that the railing became a bar of shining gold as he rested his
+hand on it; even the rusty iron latch of the garden door turned yellow
+as soon as his fingers pressed it.
+
+How lovely the garden was! In the old days Midas had been very fond of
+flowers, and had spent a great deal of money in getting rare trees and
+flowers with which to make his garden beautiful.
+
+Red roses in full bloom scented the air: purple and white violets
+nestled under the rose-bushes, and birds were singing happily in the
+cherry-trees, which were covered with snow-white blossoms. But since
+Midas had become so fond of gold he had lost all pleasure in his
+garden: this morning he did not even see how beautiful it was.
+
+He was thinking of nothing but the wonderful gift the stranger had
+brought him, and he was sure he could make the garden of far more
+value than it had ever been. So he went from bush to bush and touched
+the flowers. And the beautiful pink and red color faded from the
+roses: the violets became stiff, and then glittered among bunches of
+hard yellow leaves: and showers of snow-white blossoms no longer fell
+from the cherry-trees; the tiny petals were all changed into flakes
+of solid gold, which glittered so brightly in the sunbeams that Midas
+could not bear to look at them.
+
+But he was quite satisfied with his morning's work, and went back to
+the palace for breakfast feeling very happy.
+
+Just then he heard his little daughter crying bitterly, and she came
+running into the room sobbing as if her heart would break. "How
+now, little lady," he said, "pray what is the matter with you this
+morning?"
+
+"Oh dear, oh dear, such a dreadful thing has happened!" answered the
+child. "I went to the garden to gather you some roses, and they are
+all spoiled; they have grown quite ugly, and stiff, and yellow, and
+they have no scent. What can be the matter?" and she cried bitterly.
+
+Midas was ashamed to confess that he was to blame, so he said nothing,
+and they sat down at the table. The King was very hungry, and he
+poured out a cup of coffee and helped himself to some fish, but the
+instant his lips touched the coffee it became the color of gold, and
+the next moment it hardened into a solid lump. "Oh dear me!" exclaimed
+the King, rather surprised.
+
+"What is the matter, father?" asked his little daughter.
+
+"Nothing, child, nothing," he answered; "eat your bread and milk
+before it gets cold."
+
+Then he looked at the nice little fish on his plate, and he gently
+touched its tail with his finger. To his horror it at once changed
+into gold. He took one of the delicious hot cakes, and he had scarcely
+broken it when the white flour changed into yellow crumbs which shone
+like grains of hard sea-sand.
+
+"I do not see how I am going to get any breakfast," he said to
+himself, and he looked with envy at his little daughter, who had dried
+her tears and was eating her bread and milk hungrily. "I wonder if it
+will be the same at dinner," he thought, "and if so, how am I going to
+live if all my food is to be turned into gold?"
+
+Midas began to get very anxious and to think about many things he
+had never thought of before. Here was the very richest breakfast that
+could be set before a King, and yet there was nothing that he could
+eat! The poorest workman sitting down to a crust of bread and a cup of
+water was better off than King Midas, whose dainty food was worth its
+weight in gold.
+
+He began to doubt whether, after all, riches were the only good thing
+in the world, and he was so hungry that he gave a groan.
+
+His little daughter noticed that her father ate nothing, and at first
+she sat still looking at him and trying to find out what was the
+matter. Then she got down from her chair, and running to her father,
+she threw her arms lovingly round his knees.
+
+Midas bent down and kissed her. He felt that his little daughter's
+love was a thousand times more precious than all the gold he had
+gained since the stranger came to visit him. "My precious, precious
+little girl!" he said, but there was no answer.
+
+Alas! what had he done? The moment that his lips had touched his
+child's forehead, a change took place. Her sweet, rosy face, so full
+of love and happiness, hardened and became a glittering yellow color;
+her beautiful brown curls hung like wires of gold from the small head,
+and her soft, tender little figure grew stiff in his arms.
+
+Midas had often said to people that his little daughter was worth her
+weight in gold, and it had become really true. Now when it was too
+late, he felt how much more precious was the warm tender heart that
+loved him than all the gold that could be piled up between the earth
+and sky.
+
+He began to wring his hands and to wish that he was the poorest man in
+the wide world, if the loss of all his money might bring back the rosy
+color to his dear child's face.
+
+While he was in despair he suddenly saw a stranger standing near the
+door, the same visitor he had seen yesterday for the first time in his
+treasure-room, and who had granted his wish.
+
+"Well, friend Midas," he said, "pray how are you enjoying your new
+power?"
+
+Midas shook his head. "I am very miserable," he said.
+
+"Very miserable, are you?" exclaimed the stranger. "And how does that
+happen: have I not faithfully kept my promise; have you not everything
+that your heart desired?"
+
+"Gold is not everything," answered Midas, "and I have lost all that my
+heart really cared for."
+
+"Ah!" said the stranger, "I see you have made some discoveries since
+yesterday. Tell me truly, which of these things do you really think
+is most worth--a cup of clear cold water and a crust of bread, or
+the power of turning everything you touch into gold; your own little
+daughter, alive and loving, or that solid statue of a child which
+would be valued at thousands of dollars?"
+
+"O my child, my child!" sobbed Midas, wringing his hands. "I would not
+have given one of her curls for the power of changing all the world
+into gold, and I would give all I possess for a cup of cold water and
+a crust of bread."
+
+"You are wiser than you were, King Midas," said the stranger. "Tell
+me, do you really wish to get rid of your fatal gift?"
+
+"Yes," said Midas, "it is hateful to me."
+
+"Go then," said the stranger, "and plunge into the river that flows at
+the bottom of the garden: take also a pitcher of the same water, and
+sprinkle it over anything that you wish to change back again from gold
+to its former substance."
+
+King Midas bowed low, and when he lifted his head the stranger was
+nowhere to be seen.
+
+You may easily believe that King Midas lost no time in getting a
+big pitcher, then he ran towards the river. On reaching the water
+he jumped in without even waiting to take off his shoes. "How
+delightful!" he said, as he came out with his hair all dripping, "this
+is really a most refreshing bath, and surely it must have washed away
+the magic gift."
+
+Then he dipped the pitcher into the water, and how glad he was to see
+that it became just a common earthen pitcher and not a golden one as
+it had been five minutes before! He was conscious, also of a change in
+himself: a cold, heavy weight seemed to have gone, and he felt light,
+and happy, and human once more. Maybe his heart had been changing into
+gold too, though he could not see it, and now it had softened again
+and become gentle and kind.
+
+Midas hurried back to the palace with the pitcher of water, and the
+first thing he did was to sprinkle it by handfuls all over the golden
+figure of his little daughter. You would have laughed to see how the
+rosy color came back to her cheeks, and how she began to sneeze and
+choke, and how surprised she was to find herself dripping wet and her
+father still throwing water over her.
+
+You see she did not know that she had been a little golden statue, for
+she could not remember anything from the moment when she ran to kiss
+her father.
+
+King Midas then led his daughter into the garden, where he sprinkled
+all the rest of the water over the rose-bushes, and the grass, and the
+trees; and in a minute they were blooming as freshly as ever, and the
+air was laden with the scent of the flowers.
+
+There were two things left, which, as long as he lived, used to remind
+King Midas of the stranger's fatal gift. One was that the sands at
+the bottom of the river always sparkled like grains of gold: and the
+other, that his little daughter's curls were no longer brown. They had
+a golden tinge which had not been there before that miserable day when
+he had received the fatal gift, and when his kiss had changed them
+into gold.
+
+
+
+
+CADMUS
+
+ADAPTED BY C.E. SMITH
+
+
+Cadmus, Phoenix, and Cilix, the three sons of King Agenor, were
+playing near the seashore in their father's kingdom of Phoenicia, and
+their little sister Europa was beside them.
+
+They had wandered to some distance from the King's palace and were now
+in a green field, on one side of which lay the sea, sparkling brightly
+in the sunshine, and with little waves breaking on the shore.
+
+The three boys were very happy gathering flowers and making wreaths
+for their sister Europa. The little girl was almost hidden under the
+flowers and leaves, and her rosy face peeped merrily out among them.
+She was really the prettiest flower of them all.
+
+While they were busy and happy, a beautiful butterfly came flying
+past, and the three boys, crying out that it was a flower with wings,
+set off to try to catch it.
+
+Europa did not run after them. She was a little tired with playing all
+day long, so she sat still on the green grass and very soon she closed
+her eyes.
+
+For a time she listened to the sea, which sounded, she thought, just
+like a voice saying, "Hush, hush," and telling her to go to sleep. But
+if she slept at all it was only for a minute. Then she heard something
+tramping on the grass and, when she looked up, there was a snow-white
+bull quite close to her!
+
+Where could he have come from? Europa was very frightened, and she
+started up from among the tulips and lilies and cried out, "Cadmus,
+brother Cadmus, where are you? Come and drive this bull away." But her
+brother was too far off to hear her, and Europa was so frightened that
+her voice did not sound very loud; so there she stood with her blue
+eyes big with fear, and her pretty red mouth wide open, and her face
+as pale as the lilies that were lying on her golden hair.
+
+As the bull did not touch her she began to peep at him, and she saw
+that he was a very beautiful animal; she even fancied he looked quite
+a kind bull. He had soft, tender, brown eyes, and horns as smooth
+and white as ivory: and when he breathed you could feel the scent of
+rosebuds and clover blossoms in the air.
+
+The bull ran little races round Europa and allowed her to stroke his
+forehead with her small hands, and to hang wreaths of flowers on his
+horns. He was just like a pet lamb, and very soon Europa quite forgot
+how big and strong he really was and how frightened she had been.
+She pulled some grass and he ate it out of her hand and seemed quite
+pleased to be friends. He ran up and down the field as lightly as a
+bird hopping in a tree; his hoofs scarcely seemed to touch the grass,
+and once when he galloped a good long way Europa was afraid she would
+not see him again, and she called out, "Come back, you dear bull, I
+have got you a pink clover-blossom." Then he came running and bowed
+his head before Europa as if he knew she was a King's daughter, and
+knelt down at her feet, inviting her to get on his back and have a
+ride.
+
+At first Europa was afraid: then she thought there could surely be no
+danger in having just one ride on the back of such a gentle animal,
+and the more she thought about it, the more she wanted to go.
+
+What a surprise it would be to Cadmus, and Phoenix, and Cilix if they
+met her riding across the green field, and what fun it would be if
+they could all four ride round and round the field on the back of this
+beautiful white bull that was so tame and kind!
+
+"I think I will do it," she said, and she looked round the field.
+Cadmus and his brothers were still chasing the butterfly away at the
+far end. "If I got on the bull's back I should soon be beside them,"
+she thought. So she moved nearer, and the gentle white creature looked
+so pleased, and so kind, she could not resist any longer, and with a
+light bound she sprang up on his back: and there she sat holding an
+ivory horn in each hand to keep her steady.
+
+"Go very gently, good bull," she said, and the animal gave a little
+leap in the air and came down as lightly as a feather. Then he began a
+race to that part of the field where the brothers were, and where they
+had just caught the splendid butterfly. Europa shouted with delight,
+and how surprised the brothers were to see their sister mounted on the
+back of a white bull!
+
+They stood with their mouths wide open, not sure whether to be
+frightened or not. But the bull played round them as gently as a
+kitten, and Europa looked down all rosy and laughing, and they were
+quite envious. Then when he turned to take another gallop round the
+field, Europa waved her hand and called out "Good-by," as if she was
+off for a journey, and Cadmus, Phoenix, and Cilix shouted "Good-by"
+all in one breath. They all thought it such good fun.
+
+And then, what do you think happened? The white bull set off as
+quickly as before, and ran straight down to the seashore. He scampered
+across the sand, then he took a big leap and plunged right in among
+the waves. The white spray rose in a shower all over him and Europa,
+and the poor child screamed with fright. The brothers ran as fast as
+they could to the edge of the water, but it was too late.
+
+The white bull swam very fast and was soon far away in the wide blue
+sea, with only his snowy head and tail showing above the water. Poor
+Europa was holding on with one hand to the ivory horn and stretching
+the other back towards her dear brothers.
+
+And there stood Cadmus and Phoenix and Cilix looking after her and
+crying bitterly, until they could no longer see the white head among
+the waves that sparkled in the sunshine.
+
+Nothing more could be seen of the white bull, and nothing more of
+their beautiful sister.
+
+This was a sad tale for the three boys to carry back to their parents.
+King Agenor loved his little girl Europa more than his kingdom or
+anything else in the world, and when Cadmus came home crying and told
+how a white bull had carried off his sister, the King was very angry
+and full of grief.
+
+"You shall never see my face again," he cried, "unless you bring back
+my little Europa. Begone, and enter my presence no more till you come
+leading her by the hand;" and his eyes flashed fire and he looked so
+terribly angry that the poor boys did not even wait for supper, but
+stole out of the palace wondering where they should go first.
+
+While they were standing at the gate, the Queen came hurrying after
+them. "Dear children," she said, "I will come with you."
+
+"Oh no, mother," the boys answered, "it is a dark night, and there is
+no knowing what troubles we may meet with; the blame is ours, and we
+had better go alone."
+
+"Alas!" said the poor Queen, weeping, "Europa is lost, and if I should
+lose my three sons as well, what would become of me? I must go with my
+children."
+
+The boys tried to persuade her to stay at home, but the Queen cried so
+bitterly that they had to let her go with them.
+
+Just as they were about to start, their playfellow Theseus came
+running to join them. He loved Europa very much, and longed to search
+for her too. So the five set off together: the Queen, and Cadmus,
+and Phoenix, and Cilix, and Theseus, and the last they heard was King
+Agenor's angry voice saying, "Remember this, never may you come up
+these steps again, till you bring back my little daughter."
+
+The Queen and her young companions traveled many a weary mile: the
+days grew to months, and the months became years, and still they found
+no trace of the lost Princess. Their clothes were worn and shabby, and
+the peasant people looked curiously at them when they asked, "Have you
+seen a snow-white bull with a little Princess on its back, riding as
+swiftly as the wind?"
+
+And the farmers would answer, "We have many bulls in our fields, but
+none that would allow a little Princess to ride on its back: we have
+never seen such a sight."
+
+At last Phoenix grew weary of the search. "I do not believe Europa
+will ever be found, and I shall stay here," he said one day when they
+came to a pleasant spot. So the others helped him to build a small hut
+to live in, then they said good-by and went on without him.
+
+Then Cilix grew tired too. "It is so many years now since Europa was
+carried away that she would not know me if I found her. I shall wait
+here," he said. So Cadmus and Theseus built a hut for him too, and
+then said good-by.
+
+After many long months Theseus broke his ankle, and he too had to
+be left behind, and once more the Queen and Cadmus wandered on to
+continue the search.
+
+The poor Queen was worn and sad, and she leaned very heavily on her
+son's arm. "Cadmus," she said one day, "I must stay and rest."
+
+"Why, yes, mother, of course you shall, a long, long rest you must
+have, and I will sit beside you and watch."
+
+But the Queen knew she could go no further. "Cadmus," she said, "you
+must leave me here, and, go to the wise woman at Delphi and ask her
+what you must do next. Promise me you will go!"
+
+And Cadmus promised. The tired Queen lay down to rest, and in the
+morning Cadmus found that she was dead, and he must journey on alone.
+
+He wandered for many days till he came in sight of a high mountain
+which the people told him was called Parnassus, and on the steep
+side of this mountain was the famous city of Delphi for which he was
+looking. The wise woman lived far up the mountain-side, in a hut like
+those he had helped his brothers to build by the roadside.
+
+When he pushed aside the branches he found himself in a low cave, with
+a hole in the wall through which a strong wind was blowing. He bent
+down and put his mouth to the hole and said, "O sacred goddess, tell
+me where I must look now for my dear sister Europa, who was carried
+off so long ago by a bull?"
+
+At first there was no answer. Then a voice said softly, three times,
+"Seek her no more, seek her no more, seek her no more."
+
+"What shall I do, then?" said Cadmus. And the answer came, in a hoarse
+voice, "Follow the cow, follow the cow, follow the cow."
+
+"But what cow," cried Cadmus, "and where shall I follow?"
+
+And once more the voice came, "Where the stray cow lies down, there is
+your home;" and then there was silence.
+
+"Have I been dreaming?" Cadmus thought, "or did I really hear a
+voice?" and he went away thinking he was very little wiser for having
+done as the Queen had told him.
+
+I do not know how far he had gone when just before him he saw a
+brindled cow. She was lying down by the wayside, and as Cadmus came
+along she got up and began to move slowly along the path, stopping now
+and then to crop a mouthful of grass.
+
+Cadmus wondered if this could be the cow he was to follow, and he
+thought he would look at her more closely, so he walked a little
+faster; but so did the cow. "Stop, cow," he cried, "hey brindle,
+stop," and he began to run; and much to his surprise so did the cow,
+and though he ran as hard as possible, he could not overtake her.
+
+So he gave it up. "I do believe this may be the cow I was told about,"
+he thought. "Any way, I may as well follow her and surely she will lie
+down somewhere."
+
+On and on they went. Cadmus thought the cow would never stop, and
+other people who had heard the strange story began to follow too, and
+they were all very tired and very far away from home when at last the
+cow lay down. His companions were delighted and began to cut down wood
+to make a fire, and some ran to a stream to get water. Cadmus lay
+down to rest close beside the cow. He was wishing that his mother
+and brothers and Theseus had been with him now, when suddenly he was
+startled by cries and shouts and screams.
+
+He ran towards the stream, and there he saw the head of a big serpent
+or dragon, with fiery eyes and with wide open jaws which showed rows
+and rows of horrible sharp teeth. Before Cadmus could reach it, the
+monster had killed all his poor companions and was busy devouring
+them. The stream was an enchanted one, and the dragon had been told to
+guard it so that no mortal might ever touch the water, and the people
+round about knew this, so that for a hundred years none of them had
+ever come near the spot.
+
+The dragon had been asleep and was very hungry, and when he saw Cadmus
+he opened his huge jaws again, ready to devour him too. But Cadmus was
+very angry at the death of all his companions, and drawing his sword
+he rushed at the monster. With one big bound he leaped right into the
+dragon's mouth, so far down that the two rows of terrible teeth could
+not close on him or do him any harm. The dragon lashed with his tail
+furiously, but Cadmus stabbed him again and again, and in a short time
+the great monster lay dead.
+
+"What shall I do now?" he said aloud. All his companions were dead,
+and he was alone once more. "Cadmus," said a voice, "pluck out the
+dragon's teeth and plant them in the earth."
+
+Cadmus looked round and there was nobody to be seen. But he set to
+work and cut out the huge teeth with his sword, and then he made
+little holes in the ground and planted the teeth. In a few minutes the
+earth was covered with rows of armed men, fierce-looking soldiers with
+swords and helmets who stood looking at Cadmus in silence.
+
+"Throw a stone among these men," came the voice again, and Cadmus
+obeyed. At once all the men began to fight, and they cut and stabbed
+each other so furiously that in a short time only five remained alive
+out of all the hundreds that had stood before him. "Cadmus," said
+the voice once more, "tell these men to stop fighting and help you
+to build a palace." And as soon as Cadmus spoke, the five big men
+sheathed their swords, and they began to carry stones, and to carve
+these for Cadmus, as if they had never thought of such a thing as
+fighting each other!
+
+They built a house for each of themselves, and there was a beautiful
+palace for Cadmus made of marble, and of fine kinds of red and green
+stone, and there was a high tower with a flag floating from a tall
+gold flag-post.
+
+When everything was ready, Cadmus went to take possession of his new
+house, and, as he entered the great hall, he saw a lady coming slowly
+towards him. She was very lovely and she wore a royal robe which shone
+like sunbeams, with a crown of stars on her golden hair, and round her
+neck was a string of the fairest pearls.
+
+Cadmus was full of delight. Could this be his long lost sister Europa
+coming to make him happy after all these weary years of searching and
+wandering?
+
+How much he had to tell her about Phoenix, and Cilix, and dear Theseus
+and of the poor Queen's lonely grave in the wilderness! But as he went
+forward to meet the beautiful lady he saw she was a stranger. He
+was thinking what he should say to her, when once again he heard the
+unknown voice speak.
+
+"No, Cadmus," it said, "this is not your dear sister whom you have
+sought so faithfully all over the wide world. This is Harmonia,
+a daughter of the sky, who is given to you instead of sister and
+brother, and friend and mother. She is your Queen, and will make happy
+the home which you have won by so much suffering."
+
+So King Cadmus lived in the palace with his beautiful Queen, and
+before many years passed there were rosy little children playing in
+the great hall, and on the marble steps of the palace, and running
+joyfully to meet King Cadmus as he came home from looking after his
+soldiers and his workmen.
+
+And the five old soldiers that sprang from the dragon's teeth grew
+very fond of these little children, and they were never tired of
+showing them how to play with wooden swords and to blow on a penny
+trumpet, and beat a drum and march like soldiers to battle.
+
+
+
+
+PROSERPINA
+
+ADAPTED BY C.E. SMITH
+
+
+Mother Ceres was very fond of her little daughter Proserpina. She did
+not of ten let her go alone into the fields for fear she should be
+lost. But just at the time when my story begins she was very busy.
+She had to look after the wheat and the corn, and the apples and the
+pears, all over the world, and as the weather had been bad day after
+day she was afraid none of them would be ripe when harvest-time came.
+
+So this morning Mother Ceres put on her turban made of scarlet poppies
+and got into her car. This car was drawn by a pair of winged dragons
+which went very fast, and Mother Ceres was just ready to start, when
+Proserpina said, "Dear mother, I shall be very lonely while you are
+away, may I run down to the sands, and ask some of the sea-children to
+come out of the water to play with me?"
+
+"Yes, child, you may," answered Mother Ceres, "but you must take care
+not to stray away from them, and you are not to play in the fields by
+yourself with no one to take care of you."
+
+Proserpina promised to remember what her mother said, and by the time
+the dragons with their big wings had whirled the car out of sight she
+was already on the shore, calling to the sea-children to come to play
+with her.
+
+They knew Proserpina's voice and came at once: pretty children with
+wavy sea-green hair and shining faces, and they sat down on the wet
+sand where the waves could still break over them, and began to make a
+necklace for Proserpina of beautiful shells brought from their home at
+the bottom of the sea.
+
+Proserpina was so delighted when they hung the necklace round her neck
+that she wanted to give them something in return. "Will you come with
+me into the fields," she asked, "and I will gather flowers and make
+you each a wreath?"
+
+"Oh no, dear Proserpina," said the sea-children, "we may not go with
+you on the dry land. We must keep close beside the sea and let the
+waves wash over us every minute or two. If it were not for the salt
+water we should soon look like bunches of dried sea-weed instead of
+sea-children."
+
+"That is a great pity," said Proserpina, "but if you wait for me
+here, I will run to the fields and be back again with my apron full
+of flowers before the waves have broken over you ten times. I long
+to make you some wreaths as beautiful as this necklace with all its
+colored shells."
+
+"We will wait, then," said the sea-children: "we will lie under
+the water and pop up our heads every few minutes to see if you are
+coming."
+
+Proserpina ran quickly to a field where only the day before she had
+seen a great many flowers; but the first she came to seemed rather
+faded, and forgetting what Mother Ceres had told her, she strayed
+a little farther into the fields. Never before had she found such
+beautiful flowers! Large sweet-scented violets, purple and white; deep
+pink roses; hyacinths with the biggest of blue bells; as well as many
+others she did not know. They seemed to grow up under her feet, and
+soon her apron was so full that the flowers were falling out of the
+corners.
+
+Proserpina was just going to turn back to the sands to make the
+wreaths for the sea-children, when she cried out with delight. Before
+her was a bush covered with the most wonderful flowers in the world.
+"What beauties!" said Proserpina, and then she thought, "How strange!
+I looked at that spot only a moment ago; why did I not see the
+flowers?"
+
+They were such lovely ones too. More than a hundred different kinds
+grew on the one bush: the brightest, gayest flowers Proserpina had
+ever seen. But there was a shiny look about them and about the leaves
+which she did not quite like. Somehow it made her wonder if this was
+a poison plant, and to tell the truth she was half inclined to turn
+round and run away.
+
+"How silly I am!" she thought, taking courage: "it is really the most
+beautiful bush I ever saw. I will pull it up by the roots and carry it
+home to plant in mother's garden."
+
+Holding her apron full of flowers with one hand, Proserpina seized the
+large shrub with the other and pulled and pulled.
+
+What deep roots that bush had! She pulled again with all her might,
+and the earth round the roots began to stir and crack, so she gave
+another big pull, and then she let go. She thought there was a
+rumbling noise right below her feet, and she wondered if the roots
+went down to some dragon's cave. Then she tried once again, and up
+came the bush so quickly that Proserpina nearly fell backwards. There
+she stood, holding the stem in her hand and looking at the big hole
+which its roots had left in the earth.
+
+To her surprise this hole began to grow wider and wider, and deeper
+and deeper, and a rumbling noise came out of it. Louder and louder it
+grew, nearer and nearer it came, just like the tramp of horses' feet
+and the rattling of wheels.
+
+Proserpina was too frightened now to run away, and soon she saw a
+wonderful thing. Two black horses, with smoke coming out of their
+nostrils and with long black tails and flowing black manes, came
+tearing their way out of the earth, and a splendid golden chariot was
+rattling at their heels.
+
+The horses leaped out of the hole, chariot and all, and came close to
+the spot where Proserpina stood.
+
+Then she saw there was a man in the chariot. He was very richly
+dressed, with a crown on his head all made of diamonds which sparkled
+like fire. He was a very handsome man, but looked rather cross and
+discontented, and he kept rubbing his eyes and covering them with his
+hand, as if he did not care much for the bright sunshine.
+
+As soon as he saw Proserpina, the man waved to her to come a little
+nearer. "Do not be afraid," he said. "Come! would you not like to ride
+a little way with me in my beautiful chariot?"
+
+But Proserpina was very frightened, and no wonder. The stranger did
+not look a very kind or pleasant man. His voice was so gruff and deep,
+and sounded just like the rumbling Proserpina had heard underneath the
+earth.
+
+She at once began to cry out, "Mother, mother! O Mother Ceres, come
+quickly and save me!"
+
+[Illustration: HE CAUGHT HER IN HIS ARMS AND SPRANG INTO THE CHARIOT.]
+
+But her voice was very shaky and too faint for Mother Ceres to hear,
+for by this time she was many thousands of miles away making the corn
+grow in another country.
+
+No sooner did Proserpina begin to cry out than the strange man leaped
+to the ground; he caught her in his arms and sprang into the chariot,
+then he shook the reins and shouted to the two black horses to set
+off. They began to gallop so fast that it was just like flying, and in
+less than a minute Proserpina had lost sight of the sunny fields where
+she and her mother had always lived.
+
+She screamed and screamed and all the beautiful flowers fell out of
+her apron to the ground.
+
+But Mother Ceres was too far away to know what was happening to her
+little daughter.
+
+"Why are you so frightened, my little girl?" said the strange man, and
+he tried to soften his rough voice. "I promise not to do you any harm.
+I see you have been gathering flowers? Wait till we come to my palace
+and I will give you a garden full of prettier flowers than these, all
+made of diamonds and pearls and rubies. Can you guess who I am? They
+call me Pluto, and I am the King of the mines where all the diamonds
+and rubies and all the gold and silver are found: they all belong to
+me. Do you see this lovely crown on my head? I will let you have it
+to play with. Oh, I think we are going to be very good friends when we
+get out of this troublesome sunshine."
+
+"Let me go home," sobbed Proserpina, "let me go home."
+
+"My home is better than your mother's," said King Pluto. "It is a
+palace made of gold, with crystal windows and with diamond lamps
+instead of sunshine; and there is a splendid throne; if you like
+you may sit on it and be my little Queen, and I will sit on the
+footstool."
+
+"I do not care for golden palaces and thrones," sobbed Proserpina. "O
+mother, mother! Take me back to my mother."
+
+But King Pluto only shouted to his horses to go faster.
+
+"You are very foolish, Proserpina," he said, rather crossly. "I am
+doing all I can to make you happy, and I want very much to have a
+merry little girl to run upstairs and downstairs in my palace and make
+it brighter with her laughter. This is all I ask you to do for King
+Pluto."
+
+"Never" answered Proserpina, looking very miserable. "I shall never
+laugh again, till you take me back to my mother's cottage."
+
+And the horses galloped on, and the wind whistled past the chariot,
+and Proserpina cried and cried till her poor little voice was almost
+cried away, and nothing was left but a whisper.
+
+The road now began to get very dull and gloomy. On each side were
+black rocks and very thick trees and bushes that looked as if they
+never got any sunshine. It got darker and darker, as if night was
+coming, and still the black horses rushed on leaving the sunny home of
+Mother Ceres far behind.
+
+But the darker it grew, the happier King Pluto seemed to be.
+Proserpina began to peep at him, she thought he might not be such a
+wicked man after all.
+
+"Is it much further," she asked, "and will you carry me back when I
+have seen your palace?"
+
+"We will talk of that by and by," answered Pluto. "Do you see these
+big gates? When we pass these we are at home; and look! there is my
+faithful dog at the door! Cerberus; Cerberus, come here, good dog."
+
+Pluto pulled the horses' reins, and the chariot stopped between two
+big tall pillars. The dog got up and stood on his hind legs, so that
+he could put his paws on the chariot wheel. What a strange dog he was!
+A big, rough, ugly-looking monster, with three heads each fiercer than
+the other.
+
+King Pluto patted his heads and the dog wagged his tail with delight.
+Proserpina was much afraid when she saw that his tail was a live
+dragon, with fiery eyes and big poisonous teeth.
+
+"Will the dog bite me?" she asked, creeping closer to King Pluto. "How
+very ugly he is."
+
+"Oh, never fear," Pluto answered; "he never bites people unless they
+try to come in here when I do not want them. Down, Cerberus. Now,
+Proserpina, we will drive on."
+
+The black horses started again and King Pluto seemed very happy to
+find himself once more at home.
+
+All along the road Proserpina could see diamonds, and rubies and
+precious stones sparkling, and there were bits of real gold among the
+rocks. It was a very rich place.
+
+Not far from the gateway they came to an iron bridge. Pluto stopped
+the chariot and told Proserpina to look at the river which ran
+underneath. It was very black and muddy, and flowed slowly, very
+slowly, as if it had quite forgotten which way it wanted to go, and
+was in no hurry to flow anywhere.
+
+"This is the river Lethe," said King Pluto; "do you not think it a
+very pleasant stream?"
+
+"I think it is very dismal," said Proserpina.
+
+"Well, I like it," answered Pluto, who got rather cross when any one
+did not agree with him. "It is a strange kind of river. If you drink
+only a little sip of the water, you will at once forget all your care
+and sorrow. When we reach the palace, you shall have some in a golden
+cup, and then you will not cry any more for your mother, and will be
+perfectly happy with me."
+
+"Oh no, oh no!" said Proserpina, sobbing again. "O mother, mother,
+I will never forget you; I do not want to be happy by forgetting all
+about you."
+
+"We shall see," said King Pluto; "you do not know what good times we
+will have in my palace. Here we are, just at the gate. Look at the big
+pillars; they are all made of solid gold."
+
+He got out of the chariot and carried Proserpina in his arms up a long
+stair into the great hall of the palace. It was beautifully lit by
+hundreds of diamonds and rubies which shone like lamps. It was very
+rich and splendid to look at, but it was cold and lonely and Pluto
+must have longed for some one to keep him company; perhaps that was
+why he had stolen Proserpina from her sunny home.
+
+King Pluto sent for his servants and told them to get ready a grand
+supper with all kinds of dainty food and sweet things such as children
+like. "And be sure not to forget a golden cup filled with the water of
+Lethe," he said to the servant.
+
+"I will not eat anything," said Proserpina, "nor drink a single drop,
+even if you keep me for ever in your palace."
+
+"I should be sorry for that," replied King Pluto. He really wished to
+be kind if he had only known how. "Wait till you see the nice things
+my cook will make for you, and then you will be hungry."
+
+Now King Pluto had a secret reason why he wanted Proserpina to eat
+some food. You must understand that when people are carried off to the
+land of magic, if once they taste any food they can never go back to
+their friends.
+
+If King Pluto had offered Proserpina some bread and milk she would
+very likely have taken it as soon as she was hungry, but all the
+cook's fine pastries and sweets were things she had never seen at
+home, and, instead of making her hungry, she was afraid to touch them.
+
+But now my story must leave King Pluto's palace, and we must see what
+Mother Ceres has been about.
+
+You remember she had gone off in her chariot with the winged dragons
+to the other side of the world to see how the corn and fruit were
+growing. And while she was busy in a field she thought she heard
+Proserpina's voice calling her. She was sure her little daughter
+could not possibly be anywhere near, but the idea troubled her: and
+presently she left the fields before her work was half done and,
+ordering her dragons with the chariot, she drove off.
+
+In less than an hour Mother Ceres got down at the door of her cottage.
+It was empty! At first she thought "Oh, Proserpina will still be
+playing on the shore with the sea-children." So she went to find her.
+
+"Where is Proserpina, you naughty sea-children?" she asked; "tell me,
+have you taken her to your home under the sea?"
+
+"Oh no, Mother Ceres," they said, "she left us early in the day to
+gather flowers for a wreath, and we have seen nothing of her since."
+
+Ceres hurried off to ask all the neighbors. A poor fisherman had seen
+her little footprints in the sand as he went home with his basket of
+fish.
+
+A man in the fields had noticed her gathering flowers.
+
+Several persons had heard the rattling of chariot wheels or the
+rumbling of distant thunder: and one old woman had heard a scream, but
+supposed it was only merriment, and had not even looked up.
+
+None of the neighbors knew where Proserpina was, and Mother Ceres
+decided she must seek her daughter further from home.
+
+By this time it was night, so she lit a torch and set off, telling the
+neighbors she would never come back till Proserpina was found. In
+her hurry she quite forgot her chariot with the dragons; may be she
+thought she could search better on foot.
+
+So she started on her sad journey, holding her torch in front of her,
+and looking carefully along every road and round every corner.
+
+She had not gone very far before she found one of the wonderful
+flowers which Proserpina had pulled from the poison bush.
+
+"Ha!" said Mother Ceres, examining it carefully, "there is mischief in
+this flower: it did not grow in the earth by any help of mine; it is
+the work of magic, and perhaps it has poisoned my poor child." And she
+hid it in her bosom.
+
+All night long Ceres sought for her daughter. She knocked at the doors
+of farm-houses where the people were all asleep, and they came to see
+who was there, rubbing their eyes and yawning. They were very sorry
+for the poor mother when they heard her tale--but they knew nothing
+about Proserpina.
+
+At every palace door, too, she knocked, so loudly that the servants
+ran quickly, expecting to find a great queen, and when they saw only
+a sad lonely woman with a burning torch in her hand, and a wreath of
+withered poppies on her head, they were angry and drove her rudely
+away.
+
+But nobody had seen Proserpina, and Mother Ceres wandered about till
+the night was passed, without sitting down to rest, and without taking
+any food. She did not even remember to put out her torch, and it
+looked very pale and small in the bright morning sunshine.
+
+It must have been a magic torch, for it burned dimly all day, and then
+when night came it shone with a beautiful red light, and neither the
+wind nor the rain put it out through all these weary days while Ceres
+sought for Proserpina.
+
+It was not only men and women that Mother Ceres questioned about her
+daughter. In the woods and by the streams she met other creatures
+whose way of talking she could understand, and who knew many things
+that we have never learned.
+
+Sometimes she tapped with her finger against an oak tree, and at once
+its rough bark would open and a beautiful maiden would appear: she was
+the spirit of the oak, living inside it, and as happy as could be when
+its green leaves danced in the breeze.
+
+Then another time Ceres would find a spring bubbling out of a little
+hole in the earth, and she would play with her fingers in the water.
+Immediately up through the sandy bed a nymph with dripping hair would
+rise and float half out of the water, looking at Mother Ceres, and
+swaying up and down with the water bubbles.
+
+But when the mother asked whether her poor lost child had stopped to
+drink of the fountain, the nymph with weeping eyes would answer
+"No," in a murmuring voice which was just like the sound of a running
+stream.
+
+Often, too, she met fauns. These were little people with brown faces
+who looked as if they had played a great deal in the sun. They had
+hairy ears and little horns on their brows, and their legs were like
+goats' legs on which they danced merrily about the woods and fields.
+They were very kind creatures, and were very sorry for Mother Ceres
+when they heard that her daughter was lost.
+
+And once she met a rude band of satyrs who had faces like monkeys
+and who had horses' tails behind; they were dancing and shouting in
+a rough, noisy manner, and they only laughed when Ceres told them how
+unhappy she was.
+
+One day while she was crossing a lonely sheep-field she saw the god
+Pan: he was sitting at the foot of a tall rock, making music on a
+shepherd's flute. He too had horns on his brow, and hairy ears, and
+goat's feet. He knew Mother Ceres and answered her questions kindly,
+and he gave her some milk and honey to drink out of a wooden bowl. But
+he knew nothing of Proserpina.
+
+And so Mother Ceres went wandering about for nine long days and
+nights. Now and then she found a withered flower, and these she picked
+up and put in her bosom, because she fancied they might have fallen
+from her daughter's hand. All day she went on through the hot
+sunshine, and at night the flame of her torch would gleam on the
+pathway, and she would continue her weary search without ever sitting
+down to rest.
+
+On the tenth day she came to the mouth of a cave. It was dark inside,
+but a torch was burning dimly and lit up half of the gloomy place.
+Ceres peeped in and held up her own torch before her, and then she saw
+what looked like a woman, sitting on a heap of withered leaves, which
+the wind had blown into the cave. She was a very strange-looking
+woman: her head was shaped like a dog's, and round it she had a wreath
+of snakes.
+
+As soon as she saw her, Mother Ceres knew that this was a queer kind
+of person who was always grumbling and unhappy. Her name was Hecate,
+and she would never say a word to other people unless they were
+unhappy too. "I am sad enough," thought poor Ceres, "to talk with
+Hecate:" so she stepped into the cave and sat down on the withered
+leaves beside the dog-headed woman.
+
+"O Hecate," she said, "if ever you lose a daughter you will know
+what sorrow is. Tell me, for pity's sake, have you seen my poor child
+Proserpina pass by the mouth of your cave?"
+
+"No, Mother Ceres," answered Hecate. "I have seen nothing of your
+daughter. But my ears, you know, are made so that all cries of
+distress or fright all over the world are heard by them. And nine days
+ago, as I sat in my cave, I heard the voice of a young girl sobbing
+as if in great distress. As well as I could judge, some dragon was
+carrying her away."
+
+"You kill me by saying so," cried Mother Ceres, almost ready to faint;
+"where was the sound, and which way did it seem to go?"
+
+"It passed along very quickly," said Hecate, "and there was a rumbling
+of wheels to the eastward. I cannot tell you any more. I advise
+you just to come and live here with me, and we will be the two most
+unhappy women in all the world."
+
+"Not yet, dark Hecate," replied Ceres. "Will you first come with your
+torch and help me to seek for my child. When there is no more hope
+of finding her, then I will come back with you to your dark cave. But
+till I know that Proserpina is dead, I will not allow myself time to
+sorrow."
+
+Hecate did not much like the idea of going abroad into the sunshine,
+but at last she agreed to go, and they set out together, each carrying
+a torch, although it was broad daylight and the sun was shining. Any
+people they met ran away without waiting to be spoken to, as soon as
+they caught sight of Hecate's wreath of snakes.
+
+As the sad pair wandered on, a thought struck Ceres. "There is one
+person," she exclaimed, "who must have seen my child and can tell
+me what has become of her. Why did I not think of him sooner? It is
+Phoebus."
+
+"What!" said Hecate, "the youth that always sits in the sunshine! Oh!
+pray do not think of going near him: he is a gay young fellow that
+will only smile in your face. And, besides, there is such a glare of
+sunshine about him that he will quite blind my poor eyes, which are
+weak with so much weeping."
+
+"You have promised to be my companion," answered Ceres. "Come, let us
+make haste, or the sunshine will be gone and Phoebus along with it."
+
+So they set off in search of Phoebus, both sighing a great deal,
+and after a long journey they came to the sunniest spot in the whole
+world. There they saw a young man with curly golden hair which seemed
+to be made of sunbeams.
+
+His clothes were like light summer clouds, and the smile on his face
+was so bright that Hecate held her hands before her eyes and muttered
+that she wished he would wear a veil! Phoebus had a lyre in his hands
+and was playing very sweet music, at the same time singing a merry
+song.
+
+As Ceres and her dismal companion came near, Phoebus smiled on them
+so cheerfully that Hecate's wreath of snakes gave a spiteful hiss and
+Hecate wished she was back in her dark cave.
+
+But Ceres was too unhappy to know whether Phoebus smiled or looked
+angry.
+
+"Phoebus" she said, "I am in great trouble and have come to you
+for help. Can you tell me what has become of my little daughter
+Proserpina?"
+
+"Proserpina, Proserpina did you call her?" answered Phoebus, trying to
+remember. He had so many pleasant ideas in his head that he sometimes
+forgot what had happened no longer ago than yesterday.
+
+"Ah yes! I remember now--a very lovely little girl. I am happy to tell
+you that I did see Proserpina not many days ago. You may be quite easy
+about her. She is safe and in good hands."
+
+"Oh, where is my dear child?" cried Ceres, clasping her hands and
+flinging herself at his feet.
+
+"Why," replied Phoebus, "as the little girl was gathering flowers she
+was snatched up by King Pluto and carried off to his kingdom. I have
+never been there myself, but I am told the royal palace is splendidly
+built. Proserpina will have gold and silver and diamonds to play with,
+and I am sure even although there is no sunshine, she will have a very
+happy life."
+
+"Hush! do not say such a thing," said Ceres. "What has she got to
+love? What are all these splendors if she has no one to care for? I
+must have her back. Good Phoebus, will you come with me to demand my
+daughter from this wicked Pluto?"
+
+"Pray excuse me," answered Phoebus, with a bow. "I certainly wish you
+success, and I am sorry I am too busy to go with you. Besides, King
+Pluto does not care much for me. To tell you the truth, his dog with
+the three heads would never let me pass the gateway. I always carry
+a handful of sunbeams with me, and those, you know, are not allowed
+within King Pluto's kingdom."
+
+So the poor mother said good-by and hastened away along with Hecate.
+
+Ceres had now found out what had become of her daughter, but she was
+not any happier than before. Indeed, her trouble seemed worse than
+ever. So long as Proserpina was above-ground there was some hope of
+getting her home again. But now that the poor child was shut up behind
+King Pluto's iron gates, with the three-headed Cerberus on guard
+beside them, there seemed no hope of her escape.
+
+The dismal Hecate, who always looked on the darkest side of things,
+told Ceres she had better come back with her to the cave and spend the
+rest of her life in being miserable. But Ceres answered that Hecate
+could go back if she wished, but that for her part she would wander
+about all the world looking for the entrance to King Pluto's kingdom.
+So Hecate hurried off alone to her beloved cave, frightening a great
+many little children with her dog's face as she went.
+
+Poor Mother Ceres! It is sad to think of her all alone, holding up her
+never-dying torch and wandering up and down the wide, wide world. So
+much did she suffer that in a very short time she began to look quite
+old. She wandered about with her hair hanging down her back, and she
+looked so wild that people took her for some poor mad woman, and never
+thought that this was Mother Ceres who took care of every seed which
+was sown in the ground and of all the fruit and flowers.
+
+Now she gave herself no trouble about seedtime or harvest; there was
+nothing in which she seemed to feel any interest, except the children
+she saw at play or gathering flowers by the wayside. Then, indeed, she
+would stand and look at them with tears in her eyes.
+
+And the children seemed to understand her sorrow and would gather in
+a little group about her knees and look up lovingly into her face, and
+Ceres, after giving them a kiss all round, would lead them home and
+advise their mothers never to let them stray out of sight. "For if
+they do," said she, "it may happen to you as it has happened to me:
+the iron-hearted King Pluto may take a liking to your darlings and
+carry them away in his golden chariot."
+
+At last, in her despair, Ceres made up her mind that not a stalk
+of grain, nor a blade of grass, not a potato, nor a turnip, nor any
+vegetable that is good for man or beast, should be allowed to grow
+till her daughter was sent back. She was so unhappy that she even
+forbade the flowers to bloom.
+
+Now you can see what a terrible misfortune had fallen on the earth.
+The farmer plowed the ground and planted his seed, as usual, and
+there lay the black earth without a single green blade to be seen. The
+fields looked as brown in the sunny months of spring as ever they did
+in winter. The rich man's garden and the flower-plot in front of the
+laborer's cottage were both empty; even the children's gardens showed
+nothing but withered stalks. It was very sad to see the poor starving
+sheep and cattle that followed behind Ceres, bleating and lowing as if
+they knew that she could help them.
+
+All the people begged her at least to let the grass grow, but Mother
+Ceres was too miserable to care for any one's trouble. "Never," she
+said. "If the earth is ever to be green again, it must grow along the
+path by which my daughter comes back to me."
+
+At last, as there seemed to be no other way out of it, Mercury, the
+favorite messenger of the gods, was sent to King Pluto in the hope
+that he would set everything right again by giving up Proserpina.
+
+Mercury went as quickly as he could to the great iron gates, and with
+the help of the wings on his shoes, he took a flying leap right over
+Cerberus with his three heads, and very soon he stood at the door of
+King Pluto's palace.
+
+The servants all knew him, as he had often been there in his short
+cloak, and cap, and shoes with the wings, and with his curious staff
+which had two snakes twisted round it.
+
+He asked to see the King immediately, and Pluto, who had heard his
+voice from the top of the stairs, called out to him to come up at
+once, for he was always glad to listen to Mercury's cheery talk.
+
+And while they are laughing together we must find out what Proserpina
+had been doing since we last heard about her.
+
+You will remember that Proserpina had said she would not taste food so
+long as she was kept a prisoner in King Pluto's palace.
+
+It was now six months since she had been carried off from her home,
+and not a mouthful had she eaten, not even when the cook had made all
+kinds of sweet things and had ordered all the dainties which children
+usually like best.
+
+Proserpina was naturally a bright, merry little girl, and all this
+time she was not so unhappy as you may have thought.
+
+In the big palace were a thousand rooms, and each was full of
+wonderful and beautiful things. It is true there was never any
+sunshine in these rooms, and Proserpina used to fancy that the shadowy
+light which came from the jeweled lamps was alive: it seemed to float
+before her as she walked between the golden pillars, and to close
+softly behind her in the echo of her footsteps.
+
+And Proserpina knew that all the glitter of these precious stones was
+not worth a single sunbeam, nor could the rubies and emeralds which
+she played with ever be as dear to her as the daisies and buttercups
+she had gathered among the soft green grass.
+
+King Pluto felt how much happier his palace was since Proserpina came,
+and so did all his servants. They loved to hear her childish voice
+laughing as she ran from room to room, and they felt less old and
+tired when they saw again how glad little children can be.
+
+"My own little Proserpina," King Pluto used to say, "I wish you would
+like me a little better. Although I look rather a sad man, I am really
+fond of children, and if you would stay here with me always, it would
+make me happier than having hundreds of palaces like this."
+
+"Ah," said Proserpina, "you should have tried to make me like you
+first before carrying me off, and now the best thing you can do is to
+let me go again; then I might remember you sometimes and think that
+you were as kind as you knew how to be. Perhaps I might come back to
+pay you a visit one day."
+
+"No, no," answered Pluto, with his gloomy smile, "I will not trust
+you for that. You are too fond of living in the sunshine and gathering
+flowers. What an idle, childish thing to do! Do you not think that
+these diamonds which I have had dug out of the mine for you are far
+prettier than violets?"
+
+"No, oh no! not half so pretty," said Proserpina, snatching them from
+Pluto's hand, and flinging them to the other end of the room. "O my
+sweet purple violets, shall I ever see you again?" and she began to
+cry bitterly.
+
+But like most children, she soon stopped crying, and in a short time
+she was running up and down the rooms as when she had played on the
+sands with the sea-children. And King Pluto, sad and lonely, watched
+her and wished that he too was a child, and when Proserpina turned and
+saw the great King standing alone in his splendid hall, so grand and
+so lonely, with no one to love him, she felt sorry for him. She ran
+back and for the first time in all those six months she put her small
+hand in his. "I love you a little," she whispered, looking up into his
+face.
+
+"Do you really, dear child?" cried Pluto, bending down his dark face
+to kiss her. But Proserpina was a little afraid, he was so dark and
+severe-looking, and she shrank back.
+
+"Well," said Pluto, "it is just what I deserve after keeping you
+a prisoner all these months, and starving you besides. Are you not
+dreadfully hungry, is there nothing I can get you to eat?"
+
+In asking this Pluto was very cunning, as you will remember that if
+Proserpina once tasted any food in his kingdom, she would never again
+be able to go home.
+
+"No, indeed," said Proserpina. "Your poor fat little cook is always
+making me all kinds of good things which I do not want. The one thing
+I should like to eat would be a slice of bread baked by my own mother,
+and a pear out of her garden."
+
+When Pluto heard this he began to see that he had made a mistake in
+his way of trying to tempt Proserpina to eat. He wondered why he had
+never thought of this before, and he at once sent a servant with a
+large basket to get some of the finest and juiciest pears in the whole
+world.
+
+But this was just at the time when, as we know, Mother Ceres in her
+despair had forbidden any flowers or fruit to grow on the earth, and
+the only thing King Pluto's servant could find, after seeking all
+over the world was a single dried-up pomegranate, so dried up as to
+be hardly worth eating. Still, since there was no better to be had, he
+brought it back to the palace, put it on a magnificent gold plate, and
+carried it to Proserpina.
+
+Now it just happened that as the servant was bringing the pomegranate
+in at the back door of the palace, Mercury had gone up to the front
+steps with his message to King Pluto about Proserpina.
+
+As soon as Proserpina saw the pomegranate on the golden plate, she
+told the servant to take it away again. "I shall not touch it, I can
+assure you," she said. "If I were ever so hungry, I should not think
+of eating such a dried-up miserable pomegranate as that."
+
+"It is the only one in the world," said the servant, and he set down
+the plate and went away.
+
+When he had gone, Proserpina could not help coming close to the table
+and looking at the dried-up pomegranate with eagerness. To tell the
+truth, when she saw something that really suited her taste, she felt
+all her six months' hunger come back at once.
+
+To be sure it was a very poor-looking pomegranate, with no more juice
+in it than in an oyster-shell. But there was no choice of such things
+in King Pluto's palace, and this was the first fresh fruit Proserpina
+had ever seen there, and the last she was ever likely to see, and
+unless she ate it up at once, it would only get drier and drier and be
+quite unfit to eat.
+
+"At least I may smell it," she thought, so she took up the pomegranate
+and held it to her nose, and somehow, being quite near to her mouth,
+the fruit found its way into that little red cave.
+
+Before Proserpina knew what she was about, her teeth had actually
+bitten it of their own accord.
+
+Just as this fatal deed was done, the door of the hall opened and King
+Pluto came in, followed by Mercury, who had been begging him to let
+his little prisoner go.
+
+At the first noise of their coming, Proserpina took the pomegranate
+from her mouth.
+
+Mercury, who saw things very quickly, noticed that Proserpina looked
+a little uncomfortable, and when he saw the gold plate empty, he was
+sure she had been eating something.
+
+As for King Pluto, he never guessed the secret.
+
+"My dear little Proserpina," said the King, sitting down and drawing
+her gently between his knees, "here is Mercury, who tells me that a
+great many sad things have happened to innocent people because I have
+kept you a prisoner down here. And to confess the truth I have been
+thinking myself that I really had no right to take you away from your
+mother. It was very stupid of me, but I thought this palace was so
+dull, and that I should be much happier if I just had a merry little
+girl to play in it, and I hoped you would take my crown for a toy and
+let me be your playmate. It was very foolish of me, I know."
+
+"No, it was not foolish," said Proserpina, "you have been very kind to
+me, and I have often been quite happy here with you."
+
+"Thank you, dear," said King Pluto, "but I cannot help seeing that you
+think my palace a dark prison and me the hard-hearted jailor, and I
+should, indeed, be hard-hearted if I were to keep you longer than six
+months. So I give you your liberty. Go back, dear, with Mercury, to
+your mother."
+
+Now, although you might not think so, Proserpina found it impossible
+to say good-by to King Pluto without being sorry, and she felt she
+ought to tell him about tasting the pomegranate. She even cried a
+little when she thought how lonely and dull the great palace with its
+jeweled lamps would be after she had left.
+
+She would like to have thanked him many times, but Mercury hurried
+her away. "Come along quickly," he said, "as King Pluto may change his
+mind, and take care above all things that you say nothing about the
+pomegranate which the servant brought you on the gold plate."
+
+In a short time they had passed the great gateway with the golden
+pillars, leaving Cerberus barking and growling with all his three
+heads at once, and beating his dragon tail on the ground. Along the
+dark, rocky road they went very quickly, and soon they reached the
+upper world again.
+
+You can guess how excited and happy Proserpina was to see the bright
+sunshine. She noticed how green the grass grew on the path behind and
+on each side of her. Wherever she set her foot at once there rose a
+flower: violets and roses bloomed along the wayside; the grass and the
+corn began to grow with ten times their usual quickness to make up for
+the dreary months when Mother Ceres had forbidden them to appear above
+ground.
+
+The hungry cattle began to eat, and went on eating all day after their
+long fast. And, I can assure you, it was a busy time with all the
+farmers when they found that summer was coming with a rush.
+
+As to the birds, they hopped about from tree to tree among the fresh,
+sweet blossoms, and sang for joy that the dreary days were over and
+the world was green and young again.
+
+Mother Ceres had gone back to her empty cottage, and was sitting very
+sadly on the doorstep with her burning torch in her hand. She had been
+looking wearily at the flame for some moments, when all at once it
+flickered and went out.
+
+"What does this mean?" she thought. "It was a magic torch, and should
+have gone on burning till Proserpina was found."
+
+She looked up, and was surprised to see the bare brown fields suddenly
+turning green, just as you sometimes see them turn golden when the sun
+comes from behind a dark cloud.
+
+"Does the Earth dare to disobey me?" exclaimed Mother Ceres angrily.
+"Did I not forbid it to be green until my child should be sent back to
+me?"
+
+"Then open your arms, mother dear," cried a well-known voice, "and
+take me back again." And Proserpina came running along the pathway and
+flung herself on her mother's bosom.
+
+It would be impossible to tell how happy they were; so happy that they
+cried a little, for people cry when they are very glad as well as when
+they are unhappy.
+
+After a little while Mother Ceres looked anxiously at Proserpina.
+"My child," she said, "did you taste any food while you were in King
+Pluto's palace?"
+
+"Dearest mother," answered Proserpina, "I will tell you the whole
+truth. Until this morning not a morsel of food had passed my lips.
+But a servant brought me a pomegranate on a golden-plate, a very dry
+pomegranate, with no juice inside, nothing but seeds and skin; and I
+was so hungry, and had not tasted any food for such a long time, that
+I took just one bite. The moment I tasted it King Pluto and Mercury
+came into the room. I had not swallowed a morsel, but O mother! I
+hope it was no harm, six pomegranate seeds remained in my mouth and I
+swallowed them."
+
+"O miserable me!" said Mother Ceres. "For each of these six
+pomegranate seeds you must spend a month every year in King Pluto's
+palace. You are only half restored to me; you will be six months with
+me and then six months with the King of Darkness!"
+
+"Do not be so vexed, mother dear," said Proserpina. "It was very
+unkind of King Pluto to carry me off, but then, as he says, it was
+such a dismal life for him to lead in that great palace all alone: and
+he says he has been much happier since he had me to run about the big
+rooms and to play beside him. If only he will let me spend six months
+every year with you, I think I can bear to spend the other six months
+beside him. After all, he was as kind as he knew how to be, but I am
+very glad he cannot keep me the whole year round."
+
+
+
+
+THE STORY OF ATALANTA
+
+ADAPTED BY ANNA KLINGENSMITH
+
+
+Atalanta was a maiden whose face you might truly say was boyish for a
+girl, yet too girlish for a boy. Her fortune had been told, and it was
+to this effect: "Atalanta, do not marry; marriage will be your ruin."
+Terrified by this oracle, she fled the society of men, and devoted
+herself to the sports of the chase. To all suitors (for she had many)
+she imposed a condition which was generally effectual in relieving her
+of their persecutions, "I will be the prize of him who shall conquer
+me in the race; but death must be the penalty of all who try and
+fail." In spite of this hard condition some would try. Hippomenes was
+to be judge of the race. "Can it be possible that any will be so rash
+as to risk so much for a wife?" said he. But when he saw her ravishing
+beauty as she prepared for the race, he changed his mind, and said,
+"Pardon me, youths, I knew not the prize you were competing for." As
+he surveyed them he wished them all to be beaten, and swelled with
+envy of anyone that seemed at all likely to win. While such were
+his thoughts, the virgin darted forward. As she ran she looked more
+beautiful than ever. The breezes seemed to give wings to her feet;
+her hair flew over her shoulders, and the gay fringe of her garment
+fluttered behind her. A ruddy hue tinged the whiteness of her skin,
+such as a crimson curtain casts on a marble wall. All her competitors
+were distanced, and were put to death without mercy. Hippomenes, not
+daunted by this result, fixing his eyes on the virgin, said, "Why
+boast of beating those laggards? I offer myself for the contest."
+Atalanta looked at him with a pitying countenance, and hardly knew
+whether she would rather conquer him or not. "What god can tempt one
+so young and handsome to throw himself away? I pity him, not for his
+beauty (yet he is beautiful), but for his youth. I wish he would give
+up the race, or if he will be so mad, I hope he may outrun me." While
+she hesitates, revolving these thoughts, the spectators grow impatient
+for the race, and her father prompts her to prepare. Then Hippomenes
+addressed a prayer to Venus: "Help me, Venus, for you have led me on."
+Venus heard and was propitious.
+
+In the garden of her temple, in her own island of Cyprus, is a tree
+with yellow leaves and yellow branches and golden fruit. Hence she
+gathered three golden apples, and, unseen by any one else, gave them
+to Hippomenes, and told him how to use them. The signal is given; each
+starts from the goal and skims over the sand. So light their tread,
+you would almost have thought they might run over the river surface
+or over the waving grain without sinking. The cries of the spectators
+cheered Hippomenes,--"Now, now, do your best! haste, haste! you gain
+on her! relax not! one more effort!" It was doubtful whether the youth
+or the maiden heard these cries with the greater pleasure. But his
+breath began to fail him, his throat was dry, the goal yet far off. At
+that moment he threw down one of the golden apples. The virgin was all
+amazement. She stopped to pick it up. Hippomenes shot ahead. Shouts
+burst forth from all sides. She redoubled her efforts, and soon
+overtook him. Again he threw an apple. She stopped again, but again
+came up with him. The goal was near; one chance only remained. "Now,
+goddess," said he, "prosper your gift!" and threw the last apple off
+at one side. She looked at it, and hesitated; Venus impelled her to
+turn aside for it. She did so, and was vanquished. The youth carried
+off his prize.
+
+
+
+
+PYRAMUS AND THISBE
+
+ADAPTED BY ALICE ZIMMERN
+
+
+In Babylon, the great and wonderful city on the Euphrates, there lived
+in two adjoining houses a youth and a maiden named Pyramus and Thisbe.
+Hardly a day passed without their meeting, and at last they came to
+know and love one another. But when Pyramus sought Thisbe in marriage,
+the parents would not hear of it, and even forbade the lovers to meet
+or speak to each other any more. But though they could no longer be
+openly together, they saw each other at a distance and sent messages
+by signs and tokens.
+
+One day to their great delight they discovered a tiny crack in the
+wall between the two houses, through which they could hear each other
+speak. But a few words whispered through a chink in the wall could not
+satisfy two ardent lovers, and they tried to arrange a meeting. They
+would slip away one night unnoticed and meet somewhere outside the
+city. A spot near the tomb of Ninus was chosen, where a mulberry tree
+grew near a pleasant spring of water.
+
+At nightfall Thisbe put on a thick veil, slipped out of the house
+unobserved and made her way in haste to the city gates. She was first
+at the trysting-place and sat down under the tree to wait for her
+lover. A strange noise made her look up, and she saw by the clear
+moonlight a lioness with bloody jaws coming to drink at the spring.
+Thisbe sprang up, and dropping her cloak in her haste ran to hide
+herself in a neighboring cave. The lioness, who had already eaten,
+did not care to pursue her, but finding the cloak lying on the ground,
+pulled it to bits and left the marks of blood on the torn mantle. Now
+Pyramus in his turn came to the place and found no Thisbe, but only
+her torn and bloodstained cloak. "Surely," he thought, "some beast
+must have devoured her, for here lies her cloak, all mangled and
+bloodstained. Alas, that I came too late! Her love for me led Thisbe
+to brave the perils of night and danger, and I was not here to protect
+and save her. She dies a victim to her love, but she shall not perish
+alone. One same night will see the end of both lovers. Come, ye lions,
+and devour me too, 'tis my one prayer. Yet 'tis a coward's part to
+pray for death when his own hands can give it."
+
+With these words he drew Thisbe's cloak towards him, and covered it
+with kisses. "My blood too shall stain you," he cried, and plunged his
+sword with true aim in his breast. The blood spouted forth as from a
+fountain and stained the white fruit of the mulberry overhead.
+
+While Pyramus lay dying under the tree, Thisbe had recovered from her
+fright, and now stole forth from her hiding-place, hoping that her
+lover might be at hand. What was her dismay when she saw Pyramus
+stretched lifeless on the ground. Kneeling down beside him, she washed
+his wound with her tears, and kissed his cold lips, calling on him in
+vain to speak. "Speak to me, Pyramus," she cried, "'tis your beloved
+Thisbe that calls."
+
+At the sound of her voice Pyramus opened his failing eyes, and gave
+his love one last look, then he closed them for ever. When Thisbe saw
+her own cloak and the empty sheath, she guessed that, thinking her
+dead, he had sought death himself.
+
+"'Twas by your own hand you fell," she cried, "a victim to love, and
+love will give my hand strength to do the like. Since those who were
+parted in life are united in death, perhaps our sorrowing parents will
+grant us the boon of a common tomb. May we rest side by side, even as
+we have fallen, and may this tree, which has witnessed our despair and
+our death, bear the traces for evermore. Let its fruit be clothed in
+mourning garb for the death of two hapless lovers."
+
+With these words she threw herself on the sword of Pyramus. Her last
+prayer was granted, for one urn held the ashes of the faithful pair.
+And since that night the mulberry tree bears purple fruit to recall to
+all generations of lovers the cruel fate of Pyramus and Thisbe.
+
+
+
+
+ORPHEUS
+
+ADAPTED BY ALICE ZIMMERN
+
+
+Orpheus, the Thracian singer, was the most famous of all the musicians
+of Greece. Apollo himself had given him his golden harp, and on it he
+played music of such wondrous power and beauty that rocks, trees
+and beasts would follow to hear him. Jason had persuaded Orpheus
+to accompany the Argonauts when they went to fetch back the golden
+fleece, for he knew that the perils of the way would be lightened by
+song. To the sound of his lyre the Argo had floated down to the sea,
+and he played so sweetly when they passed the rocks of the Sirens that
+the dreadful monsters sang their most alluring strains in vain.
+
+Orpheus wedded the fair nymph Eurydice, whom he loved dearly, and who
+returned his love. But at their marriage the omens were not favorable.
+Hymen, the marriage god, came to it with a gloomy countenance and the
+wedding torches smoked and would not give forth a cheerful flame.
+
+Indeed the happiness of Orpheus and Eurydice was to be but
+short-lived. For as the new-made bride wandered through the woods with
+the other nymphs a poisonous serpent stung her heel, and no remedy
+availed to save her. Orpheus was thrown into most passionate grief at
+his wife's death. He could not believe that he had lost her for ever,
+but prayed day and night without ceasing to the gods above to restore
+her to him. When they would not listen, he resolved to make one last
+effort to win her back. He would go down to the Lower World and seek
+her among the dead, and try whether any prayer or persuasion could
+move Pluto to restore his beloved.
+
+Near Tænarum, in Laconia, was a cave among dark and gloomy rocks,
+through which led one of the entrances to the Lower World. This
+was the road by which Hercules descended when he went to carry off
+Cerberus, the three-headed dog that guards the threshold of Pluto.
+Undaunted by the terrors of the place, Orpheus passed through this
+gate and down a dark and dismal road to the kingdom of the dead. Here
+he came in safety through the crowd of ghosts and phantoms, and stood
+at last before the throne of Pluto and Proserpina. Then he touched the
+chords of his lyre and chanted these words:
+
+"Great lords of the world below the earth, to which all we mortals
+must one day come, grant me to tell a simple tale and declare unto
+you the truth. Not to look upon the blackness of Tartarus have I come
+hither, nor yet to bind in chains the snaky heads on Cerberus. It is
+my wife I seek. A viper's sting has robbed her of the years that were
+her due. I should have borne my loss, indeed I tried to bear it, but I
+was overcome by Love, a god well known in the world above, and I think
+not without honor in your kingdom, unless the story of Proserpina's
+theft be a lying tale. I beseech you, by the realms of the dead, by
+mighty Chaos and the silence of your vast kingdom, revoke the untimely
+doom of Eurydice. All our lives are forfeit to you. 'Tis but a short
+delay, and late or soon we all hasten towards one goal. Hither all our
+footsteps tend. This is our last home, yours is the sole enduring rule
+over mankind. She too, when she shall have lived her allotted term of
+years, will surely come under your sway. Till then, I implore you,
+let her be mine. But if the Fates refuse a husband's prayers, I am
+resolved never to return hence. My death shall give you a double
+boon."
+
+[Illustration: ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE.]
+
+Thus he prayed and touched his harp in tune with his words. All around
+him the lifeless ghosts came flocking, and as they heard they wept.
+Tantalus forgot his hunger and thirst. Ixion's wheel stood still, the
+Danaids set aside their leaky urns and Sisyphus sat on his stone to
+listen. Never yet had such sweet strains been heard in the world of
+gloom. Then, for the first time, tears moistened the cheeks of the
+Furies, and even the king and queen of the dead were moved to pity.
+They summoned Eurydice, and she came, yet halting from her recent
+wound.
+
+"Take her," says Pluto, "and lead her back to the light. But she must
+follow you at a distance, nor must you once turn round to look upon
+her till you have passed beyond these realms. Else the boon we grant
+you will be but vain."
+
+A steep path led upward from the realm of darkness, and the way was
+hard to find through the gloom. In silence Orpheus led on, till the
+goal was close at hand and the welcoming light of the upper air began
+to penetrate the darkness. Then a sudden fear struck his heart. Had
+Eurydice really followed his steps, or had she turned back, and was
+all his toil in vain? Tom with anxiety and longing, he turned to gaze
+on his beloved. Dimly he saw her, but for the last time, for a power
+she could not resist drew her back. Orpheus stretched out his arms and
+tried to seize her, but he only clasped the empty air. "Farewell, a
+last farewell," she murmured, and vanished from his sight.
+
+In vain Orpheus tried to follow her, in vain he besought Charon to
+carry him a second time across the waters of Acheron. Seven days he
+sat on the further bank without food or drink, nourished by his tears
+and grief. Then at last he knew that the gods below were pitiless; and
+full of sorrow he returned to the upper earth.
+
+For three years he wandered among the mountains of Thrace, finding his
+only consolation in the music of his lyre, for he shunned all men and
+women and would have no bride after Eurydice.
+
+One day he sat down to rest on a grassy hill in the sunshine, and
+played and sang to beguile his sorrow. As he played, the coolness of
+shady branches seemed all about him, and looking up he found himself
+in the midst of a wood. Oak, poplar, lime, beech, laurel, ash, pine,
+plane and maple and many another tree had gathered together here,
+drawn from their distant forest homes by the sounds of Orpheus's lyre.
+Yes, and the beasts and the birds of the field came too, and Orpheus
+sat in their midst and sang and played the tunes of sorrow.
+
+Suddenly a great noise was heard of laughter and shouting and
+merry-making. For this was one of the feasts of Bacchus, and the women
+were celebrating his rites, wandering over the mountains with dance
+and revel. When they saw Orpheus they set up a shout of derision.
+"See," they cried, "the wretched singer who mocks at women and will
+have no bride but the dead. Come, let us kill him, and show that no
+man shall despise us unpunished."
+
+With these words they began to throw wands and stones at him, but even
+the lifeless objects were softened by the music, and fell harmlessly
+to the ground. Then the women raised a wild shout and made such a
+clamor with trumpets and cymbals, that the soft tones of the harp were
+drowned by the noise. Now at last the shots took effect, and in their
+fury the women fell upon him, dealing blow on blow. Orpheus fell
+lifeless to the ground.
+
+But he was not to die unwept. The little birds of the forest mourned
+for him, even the stony rocks wept, the trees shed their leaves with
+grief, and the dryads and naiads tore their hair and put on the garb
+of sorrow. Only the pitiless revelers knew no remorse. They seized the
+singer's head and threw it with his lyre into the river Hebrus. There
+it floated down stream and, strange to tell, the chords gave forth a
+lament, and the lifeless tongue uttered words. "Eurydice, Eurydice,"
+it cried, till head and lyre were carried down to the sea, and on
+to Lesbos, the isle of sweet song, where in after years Alcaeus and
+Sappho tuned afresh the lyre of Orpheus.
+
+But the shade of the dead singer went down to Hades, and found
+entrance at last. Thus Orpheus and Eurydice were re-united, and won in
+death the bliss that was denied them in life.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+MYTHS OF SCANDINAVIA
+
+
+
+
+BALDUR
+
+ADAPTED FROM A, AND E. KEARY'S VERSION
+
+
+
+
+I
+
+THE DREAM
+
+
+Upon a summer's afternoon it happened that Baldur the Bright and Bold,
+beloved of men and the gods, found himself alone in his palace of
+Broadblink. Thor was walking among the valleys, his brow heavy
+with summer heat; Frey and Gerda sported on still waters in their
+cloud-leaf ship; Odin, for once, slept on the top of Air Throne; a
+noon-day stillness pervaded the whole earth; and Baldur in Broadblink,
+most sunlit of palaces, dreamed a dream.
+
+The dream of Baldur was troubled. He knew not whence nor why; but when
+he awoke he found that a new and weighty care was within him. It was
+so heavy that Baldur could scarcely carry it, and yet he pressed it
+closely to his heart and said, "Lie there, and do not fall on any one
+but me." Then he rose up and walked out from the splendor of his
+hall, that he might seek his own mother, Frigga, and tell her what had
+happened. He found her in her crystal saloon, calm and kind, and ready
+to sympathize; so he walked up to her, his hands pressed closely on
+his heart, and lay down at her feet sighing.
+
+"What is the matter, dear Baldur?" asked Frigga, gently.
+
+"I do not know, mother," answered he. "I do not know what the matter
+is; but I have a shadow in my heart."
+
+"Take it out, then, my son, and let me look at it," replied Frigga.
+
+"But I fear, mother, that if I do it will cover the whole earth."
+
+Then Frigga laid her hand upon the heart of her son that she might
+feel the shadow's shape. Her brow became clouded as she felt it; her
+parted lips grew pale, and she cried out, "Oh! Baldur, my beloved son!
+the shadow is the shadow of death!"
+
+Then said Baldur, "I will die bravely, my mother."
+
+But Frigga answered, "You shall not die at all; for I will not sleep
+to-night until everything on earth has sworn to me that it will
+neither kill nor harm you."
+
+So Frigga stood up, and called to her everything on earth that had
+power to hurt or slay. First she called all metals to her; and heavy
+iron-ore came lumbering up the hill into the crystal hall, brass and
+gold, copper, silver, lead, and steel, and stood before the Queen, who
+lifted her right hand high in the air, saying, "Swear to me that you
+will not injure Baldur"; and they all swore, and went. Then she called
+to her all stones; and huge granite came with crumbling sandstone, and
+white lime, and the round, smooth stones of the seashore, and Frigga
+raised her arm, saying, "Swear that you will not injure Baldur";
+and they swore, and went. Then Frigga called to her the trees; and
+wide-spreading oak trees, with tall ash and sombre firs, came rushing
+up the hill, and Frigga raised her hand, and said, "Swear that you
+will not hurt Baldur"; and they said, "We swear," and went. After this
+Frigga called to her the diseases, who came blown by poisonous
+winds on wings of pain to the sound of moaning. Frigga said to them,
+"Swear"; and they sighed, "We swear," then flew away. Then Frigga
+called to her all beasts, birds, and venomous snakes, who came to her
+and swore, and disappeared. Then she stretched out her hand to Baldur,
+while a smile spread over her face, saying, "Now, my son, you cannot
+die."
+
+Just then Odin came in, and when he had heard from Frigga the whole
+story, he looked even more mournful than she had done; neither did the
+cloud pass from his face when he was told of the oaths that had been
+taken.
+
+"Why do you look so grave, my lord?" demanded Frigga at last. "Baldur
+cannot die now."
+
+But Odin asked very gravely, "Is the shadow gone out of our son's
+heart, or is it still there?"
+
+"It cannot be there," said Frigga, turning away her head resolutely,
+and folding her hands before her.
+
+But Odin looked at Baldur, and saw how it was. The hands pressed to
+the heavy heart, the beautiful brow grown dim. Then immediately he
+arose, saddled Sleipnir, his eight-footed steed, mounted him, and,
+turning to Frigga, said, "I know of a dead prophetess, Frigga, who,
+when she was alive, could tell what was going to happen; her grave
+lies on the east side of Helheim, and I am going there to awake her,
+and ask whether any terrible grief is really coming upon us."
+
+So saying Odin shook the bridle in his hand, and the eight-footed,
+with a bound, leaped forth, rushed like a whirlwind down the mountain
+of Asgard, and then dashed into a narrow defile between rocks.
+
+Sleipnir went on through the defile a long way, until he came to a
+place where the earth opened her mouth. There Odin rode in and down a
+broad, steep, slanting road which led him to the cavern Gnipa, and the
+mouth of the cavern Gnipa yawned upon Niflheim. Then thought Odin to
+himself, "My journey is already done." But just as Sleipnir was about
+to leap through the jaws of the pit, Garm, the voracious dog who was
+chained to the rock, sprang forward, and tried to fasten himself upon
+Odin. Three times Odin shook him off, and still Garm, as fierce as
+ever, went on with the fight. At last Sleipnir leaped, and Odin thrust
+just at the same moment; then horse and rider cleared the entrance,
+and turned eastward towards the dead prophetess's grave, dripping
+blood along the road as they went; while the beaten Garm stood baying
+in the cavern's mouth.
+
+When Odin came to the grave he got off his horse, and stood with his
+face northward, looking through barred enclosures into the city of
+Helheim itself. The servants of Hela were very busy there making
+preparations for some new guest--hanging gilded couches with curtains
+of anguish and splendid misery upon the walls. Then Odin's heart died
+within him, and he began to repeat mournful runes in a low tone.
+
+The dead prophetess turned heavily in her grave at the sound of his
+voice, and sat bolt upright. "What man is this," she asked, "who dares
+disturb my sleep?"
+
+Then Odin, for the first time in his life, said what was not true; the
+shadow of Baldur dead fell upon his lips, and he made answer, "My name
+is Vegtam, the son of Valtam."
+
+"And what do you want of me?" asked the prophetess.
+
+"I want to know," replied Odin, "for whom Hela is making ready that
+gilded couch in Helheim?"
+
+"That is for Baldur the Beloved," answered the prophetess. "Now go
+away and let me sleep again, for my eyes are heavy."
+
+But Odin said, "Only one word more. Is Baldur going to Helheim?"
+
+"Yes, I've told you that he is," was the answer.
+
+"Will he never come back to Asgard again?"
+
+"If everything on earth should weep for him," said she, "he will go
+back; if not, he will remain in Helheim."
+
+Then Odin covered his face with his hands and looked into darkness.
+
+"Do go away," said the prophetess, "I'm so sleepy; I cannot keep my
+eyes open any longer."
+
+But Odin raised his head and said again, "Only tell me one thing.
+Just now, as I looked into darkness, it seemed to me that I saw one on
+earth who would not weep for Baldur. Who was it?"
+
+At this she grew very angry and said, "How couldst _thou_ see in
+darkness? I know of only one who, by giving away his eye, gained
+light. No Vegtam art thou but Odin, chief of men."
+
+At her angry words Odin became angry, too, and called out as loudly
+as he could, "No prophetess nor wise woman, but rather the mother of
+three giants."
+
+"Go, go!" answered the prophetess, falling back in her grave; "no man
+shall waken me again until Loki have burst his chains and the Twilight
+of the Gods be come." After this Odin mounted the eight-footed once
+more and rode thoughtfully home.
+
+
+
+
+II
+
+THE PEACESTEAD
+
+
+When Odin came back to Asgard, Hermod took the bridle from his
+father's hand and told him that the rest of the gods were gone to the
+Peacestead--a broad, green plain which lay just outside the city. This
+was the playground of the gods, where they practised trials of skill
+and held tournaments and sham fights. These last were always conducted
+in the gentlest and most honorable manner; for the strongest law of
+the Peacestead was, that no angry blow should be struck, or spiteful
+word spoken, upon the sacred field; and for this reason some have
+thought it might be well if children also had a Peacestead to play in.
+
+Odin was too tired from his journey to go to the Peacestead that
+afternoon; so he turned away and shut himself up in his palace of
+Gladsheim. But when he was gone, Loki came into the city by another
+way, and hearing from Hermod where the gods were, set off to join
+them.
+
+When he got to the Peacestead, Loki found that the gods were standing
+round in a circle shooting at something, and he peeped between the
+shoulders of two of them to find out what it was. To his surprise he
+saw Baldur standing in the midst, erect and calm, whilst his friends
+and brothers were aiming their weapons at him. Some hewed at him with
+their swords,--others threw stones at him--some shot arrows pointed
+with steel, and Thor continually swung his great hammer at his head.
+"Well," said Loki to himself, "if this is the sport of Asgard, what
+must that of Jötunheim be? I wonder what Father Odin and Mother Frigga
+would say if they were here?" But as Loki still looked, he became even
+more surprised, for the sport went on, and Baldur was not hurt. Arrows
+aimed at his very heart glanced back again untinged with blood. The
+stones fell down from his broad, bright brow, and left no bruises
+there. Swords clave, but did not wound him; Thor's hammer struck him,
+and he was not crushed. At this Loki grew perfectly furious with envy
+and hatred. "And why is Baldur to be so honored," said he "that even
+steel and stone shall not hurt him?" Then Loki changed himself into a
+little, dark, bent old woman, with a stick, and hobbled away from the
+Peacestead to Frigga's crystal saloon. At the door he knocked with the
+stick.
+
+"Come in!" said the kind voice of Frigga, and Loki lifted the latch.
+
+Now when Frigga saw, from the other end of the hall, a little, bent,
+crippled old woman come hobbling up her crystal floor, she got up with
+true queenliness and met her halfway, holding out her hand and saying
+in the kindest manner, "Pray sit down, my poor old friend; for it
+seems to me that you have come from a great distance."
+
+"That I have, indeed," answered Loki in a tremulous, squeaking voice.
+
+"And did you happen to see anything of the gods," asked Frigga, "as
+you came?"
+
+"Just now I passed by the Peacestead and saw them at play."
+
+"What were they doing?"
+
+"Shooting at Baldur."
+
+Then Frigga bent over her work with a pleased smile on her face. "And
+nothing hurt him?"
+
+"Nothing," answered Loki, looking keenly at her.
+
+"No, no thing," murmured Frigga, still looking down and speaking half
+musingly to herself; "for all things have sworn to me that they will
+not."
+
+"Sworn!" exclaimed Loki, eagerly; "what is that you say? Has
+everything sworn then?"
+
+"Everything," answered she, "excepting the little shrub mistletoe,
+which grows, you know, on the west side of Valhalla, and to which I
+said nothing, because I thought it was too young to swear."
+
+"Excellent!" thought Loki, and then he got up.
+
+"You're not going yet, are you?" said Frigga, stretching out her hand
+and looking up at last into the eyes of the old woman.
+
+"I'm quite rested now, thank you," answered Loki in his squeaky voice,
+and then he hobbled out at the door, which clapped after him, and
+sent a cold gust into the room. Frigga shuddered, and thought that a
+serpent was gliding down the back of her neck.
+
+When Loki had left the presence of Frigga, he changed himself back to
+his proper shape and went straight to the west side of Valhalla,
+where the mistletoe grew. Then he opened his knife and cut off a large
+bunch, saying these words, "Too young for Frigga's oaths, but not too
+weak for Loki's work." After which he set off for the Peacestead once
+more, the mistletoe in his hand. When he got there he found that
+the gods were still at their sport, standing round, taking aim, and
+talking eagerly, and Baldur did not seem tired.
+
+But there was one who stood alone, leaning against a tree, and who
+took no part in what was going on. This was Hödur, Baldur's blind
+twin-brother; he stood with his head bent downwards, silent while the
+others were speaking, doing nothing when they were most eager; and
+Loki thought that there was a discontented expression on his face,
+just as if he were saying to himself, "Nobody takes any notice of me."
+So Loki went up to him and put his hand upon his shoulder.
+
+"And why are you standing here all alone, my brave friend?" said he.
+"Why don't _you_ throw something at Baldur? Hew at him with a sword,
+or show him some attention of that sort."
+
+"I haven't a sword," answered Hödur, with an impatient gesture; "and
+you know as well as I do, Loki, that Father Odin does not approve of
+my wearing warlike weapons, or joining in sham fights, because I am
+blind."
+
+"Oh! is that it?" said Loki. Well, I only know _I_ shouldn't like to
+be left out of everything. However, I've got a twig of mistletoe here
+which I'll lend you if you like; a harmless little twig enough, but
+I shall be happy to guide your arm if you would like to throw it, and
+Baldur might take it as a compliment from his twin-brother."
+
+"Let me feel it," said Hödur, stretching out his groping hands.
+
+"This way, this way, my dear friend," said Loki, giving him the twig.
+"Now, as hard as ever you can, to do _him honor_; throw!"
+
+Hödur threw--Baldur fell, and the shadow of death covered the whole
+earth.
+
+
+
+
+III
+
+BALDUR DEAD
+
+
+One after another they turned and left the Peacestead, the friends and
+brothers of the slain. One after another they turned and went towards
+the city; crushed hearts, heavy footsteps, no word amongst them, a
+shadow upon all. The shadow was in Asgard, too--had walked through
+Frigga's hall and seated itself upon the threshold of Gladsheim. Odin
+had just come out to look at it, and Frigga stood by in mute despair
+as the gods came up.
+
+"Loki did it! Loki did it!" they said at last in confused, hoarse
+whispers, and they looked from one to another,--upon Odin, upon
+Frigga, upon the shadow which they saw before them, and which they
+felt within. "Loki did it! Loki, Loki!" they went on saying; but it
+was of no use to repeat the name of Loki over and over again when
+there was another name they were too sad to utter but which filled all
+their hearts--Baldur. Frigga said it first, and then they all went to
+look at him lying down so peacefully on the grass--dead, dead.
+
+"Carry him to the funeral pyre!" said Odin, at length; and four of the
+gods stooped down and lifted their dead brother.
+
+Noiselessly they carried the body tenderly to the seashore and laid
+it upon the deck of the majestic ship, Ringhorn, which had been _his_.
+Then they stood waiting to see who would come to the funeral. Odin
+came, and on his shoulders sat his two ravens, whose croaking drew
+clouds down over the Asa's face, for Thought and Memory sang the same
+sad song that day. Frigga came,--Frey, Gerda, Freyja, Thor, Hoenir,
+Bragi, and Idun. Heimdall came sweeping over the tops of the mountains
+on Golden Mane, his swift, bright steed. Ægir the Old groaned from
+under the deep, and sent his daughters up to mourn around the dead.
+Frost-giants and mountain-giants came crowding round the rimy shores
+of Jötunheim to look across the sea upon the funeral of an Asa. Nanna
+came, Baldur's fair young wife; but when she saw the dead body of her
+husband, her own heart broke with grief, and the gods laid her beside
+him on the stately ship. After this Odin stepped forward and placed a
+ring on the breast of his son, whispering something at the same
+time in his ear; but when he and the rest of the gods tried to push
+Ringhorn into the sea before setting fire to it, they found their
+hearts too heavy to do it. So they beckoned to the giantess Hyrrokin
+to come over from Jötunheim and help them. She, with a single push,
+set the ship floating, and then, whilst Thor stood up holding his
+hammer high in the air, Odin lighted the funeral pile of Baldur and of
+Nanna.
+
+So Ringhorn went floating towards the deep sea and the funeral fire
+burnt on. Its broad red flame burst forth heavenward, but when the
+smoke would have gone upward too, the winds came sobbing and carried
+it away.
+
+
+
+
+IV
+
+HELHEIM
+
+
+When at last the ship Ringhorn had floated out so far to sea that it
+looked like a dull red lamp on the horizon, Frigga turned round and
+said, "Will any one of you, my children, perform a noble action and
+win my love forever?"
+
+"I will," cried Hermod, before any one else had time to open his lips.
+
+"Go, then, Hermod," answered Frigga, "saddle Sleipnir with all speed
+and ride down to Helheim; there seek out Hela, the stern mistress of
+the dead, and entreat her to send our beloved back to us again."
+
+Hermod was gone in the twinkling of an eye, not in at the mouth of the
+earth and through the steep cavern down which Odin went to the dead
+prophetess's grave; he chose another way, though not a better one;
+for, go to Helheim as you will, the best is but a downward road, and
+so Hermod found it--downward, slanting, slippery, dark, and very cold.
+At last he came to the Giallar Bru--that sounding river which flows
+between the living and the dead, and to the bridge over it which is
+paved with stones of glittering gold. Hermod was surprised to see
+gold in such a place; but as he rode over the bridge, and looked down
+carefully at the stones, he saw that they were only tears which had
+been shed round the beds of the dying--only tears, and yet they made
+the way seem brighter. But when Hermod reached the other end of the
+bridge, he found the courageous woman who, for ages and ages, had been
+sitting there to watch the dead go by, and she stopped him saying:
+
+"What a noise you make! Who are you? Yesterday five troops of dead men
+went over the Giallar Bridge and did not shake it so much as you have
+done. Besides," she added, looking more closely at Hermod, "you are
+not a dead man at all. Your lips are neither cold nor blue. Why, then,
+do you ride on the way to Helheim?"
+
+"I seek Baldur," answered Hermod. "Tell me, have you seen him pass?"
+
+"Baldur," she said, "has ridden over the bridge; but there below,
+towards the north, lies the way to the Abodes of Death."
+
+So Hermod went on the way until he came to the barred gates of Helheim
+itself. There he alighted, tightened his saddle-girths, remounted,
+clapped both spurs to his horse, and cleared the gate by one
+tremendous leap. Then Hermod found himself in a place where no living
+man had ever been before--the City of the Dead. Perhaps you think
+there is a great silence there, but you are mistaken. Hermod thought
+he had never in his life heard so much noise; for the echoes of all
+words were speaking together--words, some newly uttered and some ages
+old; but the dead men did not hear who flitted up and down the dark
+streets, for their ears had been stunned and become cold long since.
+Hermod rode on through the city until he came to the palace of
+Hela, which stood in the midst. Precipice was its threshold, the
+entrance-hall, Wide Storm, and yet Hermod was not too much afraid to
+seek the innermost rooms; so he went on to the banqueting hall, where
+Hela sat at the head of her table serving her new guests. Baldur,
+alas! sat at her right hand, and on her left his pale young wife. When
+Hela saw Hermod coming up the hall she smiled grimly, but beckoned to
+him at the same time to sit down, and told him that he might sup that
+night with her. It was a strange supper for a living man to sit down
+to. Hunger was the table; Starvation, Hela's knife; Delay, her man;
+Slowness, her maid; and Burning Thirst, her wine. After supper Hela
+led the way to the sleeping apartments. "You see," she said, turning
+to Hermod, "I am very anxious about the comfort of my guests. Here are
+beds of unrest provided for all, hung with curtains of Weariness, and
+look how all the walls are furnished with Despair."
+
+So saying she strode away, leaving Hermod and Baldur together. The
+whole night they sat on those unquiet couches and talked. Hermod could
+speak of nothing but the past, and as he looked anxiously round the
+room his eyes became dim with tears. But Baldur seemed to see a light
+far off, and he spoke of what was to come.
+
+The next morning Hermod went to Hela, and entreated her to let Baldur
+return to Asgard. He even offered to take his place in Helheim if she
+pleased; but Hela only laughed at this and said: "You talk a great
+deal about Baldur, and boast how much every one loves him; I will
+prove now if what you have told me be true. Let everything on earth,
+living or dead, weep for Baldur, and he shall go home again; but if
+_one_ thing only refuse to weep, then let Helheim hold its own; he
+shall _not_ go."
+
+"Every one will weep willingly," said Hermod, as he mounted Sleipnir
+and rode towards the entrance of the city. Baldur went with him as far
+as the gate and began to send messages to all his friends in Asgard,
+but Hermod would not listen to many of them.
+
+"You will soon come back to us," he said, "there is no use in sending
+messages."
+
+So Hermod darted homewards, and Baldur watched him through the bars of
+Helheim's gateway as he flew along.
+
+"Not soon, not soon," said the dead Asa; but still he saw the light
+far off, and thought of what was to come.
+
+
+
+
+V
+
+WEEPING
+
+
+"Well, Hermod, what did she say?" asked the gods from the top of the
+hill as they saw him coming; "make haste and tell us what she said."
+And Hermod came up.
+
+"Oh! is that all?" they cried, as soon as he had delivered his
+message. "Nothing can be more easy," and then they all hurried off to
+tell Frigga. She was weeping already, and in five minutes there was
+not a tearless eye in Asgard.
+
+"But this is not enough," said Odin; "the whole earth must know of our
+grief that it may weep with us."
+
+Then the father of the gods called to him his messenger maidens--the
+beautiful Valkyries--and sent them out into all worlds with these
+three words on their lips, "Baldur is dead!" But the words were so
+dreadful that at first the messenger maidens could only whisper them
+in low tones as they went along, "Baldur is dead!" The dull, sad
+sounds flowed back on Asgard like a new river of grief, and it seemed
+to the gods as if they now wept for the first time--"Baldur is dead!"
+
+"What is that the Valkyries are saying?" asked the men and women in
+all the country round, and when they heard rightly, men left their
+labor and lay down to weep--women dropped the buckets they were
+carrying to the well, and, leaning their faces over them, filled them
+with tears. The children crowded upon the doorsteps, or sat down at
+the corners of the streets, crying as if their own mothers were dead.
+
+The Valkyries passed on. "Baldur is dead!" they said to the empty
+fields; and straightway the grass and the wild field-flowers shed
+tears.
+
+"Baldur is dead!" said the messenger maidens to the rocks and stones;
+and the very stones began to weep. "Baldur is dead!" the Valkyries
+cried; and even the old mammoth's bones which had lain for centuries
+under the hills, burst into tears, so that small rivers gushed forth
+from every mountain's side. "Baldur is dead!" said the messenger
+maidens as they swept over silent sands; and all the shells wept
+pearls. "Baldur is dead!" they cried to the sea, and to Jötunheim
+across the sea; and when the giants understood it, even they wept,
+while the sea rained spray to heaven. After this the Valkyries stepped
+from one stone to another until they reached a rock that stood alone
+in the middle of the sea; then, all together, they bent forward over
+the edge of it, stooped down and peeped over, that they might tell
+the monsters of the deep. "Baldur is dead!" they said, and the sea
+monsters and the fish wept. Then the messenger maidens looked at one
+another and said, "Surely our work is done." So they twined their
+arms round one another's waists, and set forth on the downward road to
+Helheim, there to claim Baldur from among the dead.
+
+After he had sent forth his messenger maidens, Odin had seated himself
+on the top of Air Throne that he might see how the earth received his
+message. At first he watched the Valkyries as they stepped forth north
+and south, and east and west; but soon the whole earth's steaming
+tears rose up like a great cloud and hid everything from him. Then
+he looked down through the cloud and said, "Are you all weeping?" The
+Valkyries heard the sound of his voice as they went all together down
+the slippery road, and they turned round, stretching out their arms
+towards Air Throne, their long hair falling back, while, with choked
+voices and streaming eyes, they answered, "The world weeps, Father
+Odin; the world and we."
+
+After this they went on their way until they came to the end of the
+cave Gnipa, where Garm was chained, and which yawned over Niflheim.
+"The world weeps," they said one to another by way of encouragement,
+for here the road was so dreadful; but just as they were about to
+pass through the mouth of Gnipa they came upon a haggard witch named
+Thaukt, who sat in the entrance with her back to them, and her face
+toward the abyss. "Baldur is dead! Weep, weep!" said the messenger
+maidens, as they tried to pass her; but Thaukt made answer:
+
+  "What she doth hold,
+    Let Hela keep;
+  For naught care I,
+    Though the world weep,
+      O'er Baldur's bale.
+  Live he or die
+  With tearless eye,
+      Old Thaukt shall wail."
+
+And with these words leaped into Niflheim with a yell of triumph.
+
+"Surely that cry was the cry of Loki," said one of the maidens; but
+another pointed towards the city of Helheim, and there they saw the
+stern face of Hela looking over the wall.
+
+"One has not wept," said the grim Queen, "and Helheim holds its own."
+So saying she motioned the maidens away with her long, cold hand.
+
+Then the Valkyries turned and fled up the steep way to the foot of
+Odin's throne, like a pale snowdrift that flies before the storm.
+
+
+
+
+THOR'S ADVENTURES AMONG THE JÖTUNS
+
+ADAPTED BY JULIA GODDARD
+
+
+Once upon a time Thor set out upon his travels, taking Loki with
+him, for despite Loki's spirit of mischief he often aided Thor, who
+doubtless, in the present expedition, felt that Loki might be of use
+to him.
+
+So they set off together in Thor's chariot, drawn by its two strong
+he-goats, and as night drew nigh, stopped at the hut of a peasant,
+where they asked food and shelter.
+
+"Food I have none to give you," said the peasant. "I am a poor man and
+not able even to give supper to my children, but if you like to rest
+under my roof you are welcome to do so."
+
+"Never mind the food; I can manage that," said Thor, dismounting from
+the chariot and entering the hut.
+
+It was a poor place, and not at all fitted to receive one of the Asi,
+but Thor was glad enough to meet with it, wretched as it was.
+
+"You can kill the goats," said he; "they will make us an excellent
+meal."
+
+The peasant could not help thinking that it was a pity to kill two
+such fine animals; but wisely thinking that this was no affair of his,
+and that the stranger had a right to do as he pleased with his own, he
+set himself to obey Thor's orders, and with the help of his daughter
+Raska soon spread a savory repast before the hungry god and his
+attendant.
+
+"Sit down, all of you," said Thor; "there is enough and to spare."
+
+So they all sat down, and the peasant and his children shared a more
+plentiful meal than had fallen to their lot lately. Thor and Loki
+also did ample justice to the food, and when supper was over the
+thunder-god bade the peasant gather the bones and place them in the
+goatskins, and making them into a bundle he left them on the floor
+until the next morning.
+
+When the morning came and the early sun shone in through the crevices,
+Thor raised his hammer, and instead of the bundle of bones the peasant
+and his son and daughter saw the two goats standing as fresh and
+lively as if nothing had happened to them, saving that one of them
+halted a little in his walk.
+
+When they sought to learn why this should be, it was found that
+Thialfe, the boy, in getting the marrow out of one of the bones, had
+broken it, and it was this that caused the goat to go lame.
+
+Thor was very angry, and was very near killing not only Thialfe but
+also the peasant and his daughter Raska, but they begged so hard for
+their lives that he consented to spare them on condition that the boy
+and girl should follow him in his travels.
+
+To this they agreed, and Thor, leaving the chariot and goats in the
+peasant's care, went on his journey, giving Thialfe, who was a very
+swift runner, his wallet to carry.
+
+On and on they journeyed until they came to a great sea.
+
+"How are we to get over this?" asked Loki.
+
+"Swim across it," replied Thor.
+
+And in they all plunged, for Thialfe and Raska were used to a hardy
+life, and so were able to swim with scarcely more weariness than Thor
+and Loki, and were not long in reaching the opposite shore.
+
+"The country does not improve," said Loki, looking round upon the
+desolate plain that lay outstretched between them and the borders of a
+dark forest, which they could just see in the far distance. One or
+two huge rocks thrust their jagged points high into the air, and great
+blocks of stone were scattered about, but there was no sign of herbage
+and not a tree to be seen nearer than the forest belt bounding the
+horizon. Heavy gray clouds were drawing nearer and nearer to the
+dreary earth, and twilight was fast approaching. "It looks not well,"
+answered Thor, "but we must push on and perhaps may find it better
+as we go onward. Besides, night is drawing nigh, and as there are no
+dwellings to be seen we must try to gain the shelter of the forest
+before it is too dark to see where we are going."
+
+So they pushed on, and though they looked to the right hand and to the
+left, soon found that they were in a land where no men lived. There
+was, therefore, nothing to be done but to quicken their speed, in
+order to reach the shelter of the forest. But though they strove
+to the utmost, the twilight deepened into darkness and the darkness
+became so deep by the time they reached the forest, that they only
+knew they had arrived there by Loki's striking his head against a low
+branch, and soon after this Thor cried out:
+
+"Good luck! I have found a house. Follow close after me and we will
+make ourselves comfortable for the night."
+
+For Thor in groping along had come to what he supposed to be a wall of
+solid masonry.
+
+"Where are you?" asked Loki, "for it is so dark that I cannot see
+you."
+
+"Here," answered Thor, stretching out his hand; "take hold and follow
+me."
+
+So Loki clutched Thor's arm, and Thialfe in turn seized the arm of
+Loki, whilst Raska clung to her brother and wished herself safe at
+home in her father's hut.
+
+And thus they groped their way along the wall, seeking to find an
+entrance to the house.
+
+At last Thor found a huge entrance opening into a wide, hall, and
+passing through this they turned to the left into a large room which
+was quite empty, and here, after eating some food, they stretched
+themselves upon the hard floor and wearied out with the day's march,
+soon fell asleep.
+
+But they did not sleep long. Their slumbers were broken by a rumbling
+sound as of a coming earthquake; the walls of the house shook, and
+peals of thunder echoed through the lofty chamber.
+
+Thor sprang up. "We are scarcely safe here," he said; "let us seek
+some other room." Loki jumped up speedily, as did also Thialfe and
+Raska, who were in a great fright, wondering what dreadful thing was
+going to happen to them. They willingly followed Thor, hoping to find
+a safer place.
+
+To the right they saw another room like a long gallery with a huge
+doorway, and into this Loki, Thialfe, and Raska crept, choosing the
+farthest corner of it; but Thor took his stand at the doorway to be on
+the watch if any fresh danger should threaten them.
+
+After a somewhat uncomfortable rest, Loki, Thialfe, and Raska were not
+sorry to find that the day had dawned, though as there were no windows
+in the house, they only knew it by hearing the cock crow.
+
+Thor was better off, for the doorway was so wide that the sunlight
+came pouring in without hindrance. Indeed the huge size of the doorway
+made Thor think that the builder must have given up all hope of ever
+finding a door large enough to fit into it.
+
+He strolled away from the house, and the first thing that he saw was
+a huge giant fast asleep upon the greensward; and now he knew that the
+thunder that had so frightened them in the night had been nothing more
+or less than the loud snoring of the giant.
+
+So wroth was Thor at the thought that such a thing should have made
+him afraid, that he fastened on his belt of strength and drew his
+sword and made towards the giant as though he would kill him on the
+spot.
+
+But the giant, opening his great round eyes, stared so steadily at
+Thor that the god became mazed and could do nothing but stare in
+return.
+
+At last, however, he found voice to ask, "What is your name?"
+
+"My name," said the giant, raising himself on one elbow, thereby
+causing his head to rise so high into the air that Thor thought it was
+taking flight altogether, "is Skrymner; you, I believe, are the god
+Thor?"
+
+"I am," answered the god.
+
+"Do you happen to have picked up my glove?" asked the giant
+carelessly.
+
+Then Thor knew that what he and his companions had taken for a large
+house was only the giant's glove, and from this we may judge how huge
+a giant Skrymner must have been.
+
+Thor made no answer, and Skrymner next asked whither Thor was
+traveling; and when he found that he was journeying to Utgard, offered
+to bear him company, as he too was going to the same place.
+
+Thor accepted the giant's offer, and after eating a hearty meal, all
+were ready for another day's march.
+
+Skrymner showed himself a kindly giant, and insisted upon carrying
+Thor's bag of meal, putting it into his own wallet, which he slung
+across his broad shoulders.
+
+It must have been a strange sight, indeed, to see the great giant
+stalking along with his smaller companions at his heels; and we may
+well marvel how they managed to keep pace with him, or how Thor was
+able to raise his voice to such a pitch as to reach the giant's ears.
+
+Nevertheless all went well, and they trudged cheerfully along, never
+flagging in their talk.
+
+Once Skrymner took Raska on his shoulder, but the height made her so
+giddy that she was glad to come down again and walk quietly by the
+side of Thialfe.
+
+When night overtook them they encamped under one of the great
+oak-trees, for they were not yet out of the bounds of the forest.
+Skrymner, to judge by his loud snoring, fell asleep the moment he lay
+down upon the ground, but Thor and his comrades were not so tired
+as to forget that they had tasted nothing since breakfast time.
+Accordingly they set to work to open the wallet that Skrymner had
+given into their hands before closing his eyes.
+
+But it was no easy task, and with all their efforts they failed to
+open it. Not a knot could they untie, and their fingers were chafed
+and aching.
+
+Neither were they more able to awaken Skyrmner, and Thor's anger waxed
+exceedingly fierce. "You shall pay for this," said he, flinging his
+hammer at the giant.
+
+Skrymner half opened the eye nearest to Thor, and said in a very
+sleepy voice, "Why will the leaves drop off the trees?" And then he
+snored as loudly as before.
+
+Thor picked up his hammer, and approaching nearer drove it into the
+hinder part of the giant's head, who again, half waking up, muttered,
+"How troublesome the dust is!"
+
+Thor was exceedingly astonished at this, but thought nevertheless
+that he would once more make trial of his power; so coming up close
+to Skrymner he struck with such force as to drive the hammer up to the
+handle in the giant's cheek.
+
+Then Skrymner opened both eyes, and lazily lifting his finger to his
+face said, "I suppose there are birds about, for I fancied I felt a
+feather fall."
+
+Now was Thor fairly disconcerted; and the next morning, when the giant
+told him that they must now part, as his road led him another way, he
+was by no means ill-pleased, and he let Skrymner go without so much as
+bidding him "good speed." Skrymner, however, seemed not to notice
+that Thor was glad to be quit of his company, and gave him some very
+friendly advice before he left him.
+
+"If you will take my advice," said the giant, "you will give up this
+thought of visiting Utgard. The people there are all giants of greater
+stature even than I, and they make nothing of little men, such as
+you are. Nay, more, you yourself are likely to fare but badly amongst
+them, for I see that you are rather apt to think too much of yourself
+and to take too much upon you. Be wise while there is time, think of
+what I say, and don't go near the city."
+
+"But I will go there," shouted Thor, almost choked with rage; "I will
+go in spite of all the Jötuns of Jötunheim. None shall hinder me, and
+the giants shall see and wonder at the mighty power of the god Thor."
+
+And as he spoke the rising sun fell full upon the city of Utgard,
+whose huge brazen gates glittered in the sunlight. Even though they
+were so far away, Thor could see how high they were; and as he drew
+nearer, their vast size filled him with amazement; but when he reached
+them his wonder was beyond all words, for he and his companions seemed
+no larger than grasshoppers, in comparison with their height.
+
+The gates were not open, for it was yet early; so Thor and his
+comrades crept through the bars, and entered the city. As they passed
+along the streets the houses were so tall that it was only by crossing
+to the opposite side of the broad road that they were able to see the
+windows in the topmost stories. And the streets were so wide that it
+was quite a journey across them.
+
+Once a mouse darted out of a hole, and Raska screamed, for she thought
+it was a grisly bear. The mouse also shrieked and made much more noise
+than Raska, as well it might, for a cat so huge that Thialfe half
+thought it must be the monster of Midgard seized it, and giving it a
+pat with one of its paws laid it dead on the pavement.
+
+As for the horses, their hoofs were terrible to look at, and Thialfe
+and Raska must have climbed up ladders if they wished to see their
+heads.
+
+The people were quite as large as Skrymner had described and Thor and
+his companions were obliged to be very careful lest they should get
+trodden upon, as it was very doubtful if the people even saw them.
+
+Still Thor walked along with the proud consciousness that he was the
+god Thor; and feeling that though he was so small he was yet a person
+of some importance, made his way to the palace, and desired to see the
+King.
+
+After some little time he and his fellow travelers were ushered into
+the presence of Utgarda Loke, the King of the country. And Utgarda
+Loke, hearing the door open, raised his eyes, thinking to see some
+great courtier enter, but he knew nothing of the bows and greetings of
+Thor, until happening to cast his eyes to the ground, he saw a little
+man with his companions saluting him with much ceremony.
+
+The King had never seen such small men before, and there was something
+so absurd to him in the sight, that he burst out laughing.
+
+And then all the courtiers laughed also, pretending that they had not
+seen the little creatures before.
+
+It was some time before they all left off laughing, but at length
+there was a pause, and Thor essayed to make himself heard.
+
+"Though we are but small in comparison with the Jötuns," said he
+angrily, "we are by no means to be despised, but are gifted with
+powers that may surprise you."
+
+"Really!" answered Utgarda Loke, raising his eyebrows. And then he and
+his courtiers laughed louder than before.
+
+At last there was another pause in their merriment, and the King
+added: "However, we are willing to give the strangers a fair trial in
+order to prove the truth of what their spokesman, whom I take to be
+the god Thor, says. How say you? What can this one do?" And he pointed
+to Loki.
+
+"Please your Majesty, I am very great at eating," returned Loki.
+
+"Nay," answered Utgarda Loke, "you must grow a little before you are
+great at anything."
+
+At which speech the courtiers again shouted with laughter; but Utgarda
+Loke, turning to his servants, bade them make trial of Loki's powers.
+So they brought a great trough full of food, and Loki was placed at
+one end, and a courtier named Loge at the other. They both fell to
+work to devour what was before them, and met at the middle of the
+trough. But it was found that while Loki had eaten the flesh of his
+portion, Loge had eaten, not only the flesh, but the bones also.
+Therefore Loki, was, of course, vanquished.
+
+Then Utgarda Loke turned to Thialfe. "And pray, in what may this youth
+be specially skilled?" he asked.
+
+"I am a swift skater," answered Thialfe.
+
+"Try him," said the King.
+
+And Thialfe was led to a plain of ice, as smooth as glass, and one
+named Hugr was set to run against him. But though Thialfe was the
+swiftest skater ever known in the world, yet Hugr glided past him so
+fleetly that he had returned to the starting-post before Thialfe had
+done more than a quarter of the distance.
+
+Three times did Thialfe match his speed against Hugr, and, three times
+beaten, withdrew from the contest as disconsolate as Loki.
+
+"And now may I ask what you can do yourself?" said the King to Thor.
+
+"I can drain a wine-cup with any one," replied the god.
+
+"Try him," said Utgarda Loke.
+
+And forthwith the royal cupbearer presented a drinking-horn to Thor.
+
+"If you are as great as you pretend to be," said the King, "you will
+drain it at one draught. Some people take two pulls at it, but the
+weakest among us can manage it in three."
+
+Thor took up the horn, and, being very thirsty, took a steady pull at
+it. He thought he had done very well, but on removing it from his lips
+he marveled to see how little had gone.
+
+A second time he took a draught, but the horn was far from being
+emptied.
+
+Again a third time he essayed to drain it, but it was full almost to
+the brim.
+
+Therefore he set it down in despair, and confessed himself unable to
+drain it.
+
+"I am disappointed in you," said Utgarda Loke; "you are not half the
+man I took you for. I see it is no use asking you to do warrior's
+feats; I must try you in a simpler way, in a child's play that we have
+amongst us. You shall try to lift my cat from the ground."
+
+Thor turned quite scarlet, and then became white with rage.
+
+"Are you afraid?" asked Utgarde Loke; "you look so pale."
+
+And a large gray cat came leaping along, and planted itself firmly
+before Thor, showing its sharp claws, and glaring upon him with its
+fiery eyes.
+
+Thor seized it, but in spite of all his efforts he was only able to
+raise one of the cat's paws from the ground.
+
+"Pooh! pooh!" exclaimed Utgarda Loke, "you are a mere baby, fit only
+for the nursery. I believe that my old nurse Hela would be more than a
+match for you. Here, Hela, come and wrestle with the mighty god Thor."
+
+And Utgarda Loke laughed disdainfully.
+
+Forth stepped a decrepit old woman, with lank cheeks and toothless
+jaws. Her eyes were sunken, her brow furrowed, and her scanty locks
+were white as snow.
+
+She advanced towards Thor, and tried to throw him to the ground;
+but though he put forth his whole strength to withstand her, he was
+surprised to find how powerful she was, and that it needed all his
+efforts to keep his feet. For a long time he was successful, but at
+length she brought him down upon one knee, and Thor was obliged to
+acknowledge himself conquered.
+
+Ashamed and mortified, he and his companions withdrew to a lodging
+for the night, and in the morning were making ready to leave the city
+quietly, when Utgarda Loke sent for them.
+
+He made them a splendid feast, and afterwards went with them beyond
+the city gates.
+
+"Now tell me honestly," said he to Thor, "what do you think of your
+success?"
+
+"I am beyond measure astounded and ashamed," replied the god.
+
+"Ha! ha!" laughed Utgarda Loke. "I knew that you were. However, as
+we are well out of the city I don't mind telling you a secret or two.
+Doubtless you will receive a little comfort from my doing so, as you
+confess that your coming hither has been to no purpose.
+
+"In the first place, you have been deceived by enchantments ever since
+you came within the borders of Jötunheim. I am the giant you met with
+on your way hither, and if I had known as much of your power then as
+I do now, you would never have found your way within the walls of
+Utgard.
+
+"Certainly I had had some slight experience of it, for the three blows
+you gave me would have killed me had they fallen upon me. But it was
+not I, but a huge mountain that you struck at; and if you visit it
+again, you will find three valleys cleft in the rocks by the strokes
+of your hammer.
+
+"As for the wallet, I had fastened it with a magic chain, so that you
+need not wonder that you could not open it.
+
+"Loge, with whom Loki strove, was no courtier, but a subtle devouring
+flame that consumed all before it."
+
+Here Loki uttered an exclamation of delight, but Thor bade him be
+silent, and Utgarda Loke went on:
+
+"Thialfe's enemy was Hugr, or Thought, and let man work away as hard
+as he pleases, Thought will still outrun him.
+
+"As for yourself, the end of the drinking-horn, though you did not see
+it, reached the sea, and as fast as you emptied it, it filled again,
+so that you never could have drained it dry. But the next time that
+you stand upon the seashore, you will find how much less the ocean is
+by your draughts.
+
+"The gray cat was no cat, but the great Serpent of Midgard, that
+twines round the world, and you lifted him so high that we were all
+quite frightened.
+
+"But your last feat was the most wonderful of all, for Hela was none
+other than Death. And never did I see any one before over whom Death
+had so little power.
+
+"And now, my friend, go your way, and don't come near my city again,
+for I tell you plainly I do not want you there, and I shall use all
+kinds of enchantment to keep you out of it."
+
+As he ended his speech, Thor raised his hammer, but Utgarda Loke had
+vanished.
+
+"I will return to the city, and be avenged," said Thor.
+
+But lo! the giant city was nowhere to be seen. A fair pasture-land
+spread itself out around him, and through its midst a broad river
+flowed peacefully along.
+
+So Thor and his companions, musing upon their wonderful adventures,
+turned their steps homewards.
+
+
+
+
+THE APPLES OF IDUN
+
+ADAPTED BY HAMILTON WRIGHT MABIE
+
+
+Once upon a time Odin, Loki, and Hoenir started on a journey. They had
+often traveled together before on all sorts of errands, for they had
+a great many things to look after, and more than once they had fallen
+into trouble through the prying, meddlesome, malicious spirit of Loki,
+who was never so happy as when he was doing wrong. When the gods went
+on a journey they traveled fast and hard, for they were strong, active
+spirits who loved nothing so much as hard work, hard blows, storm,
+peril, and struggle. There were no roads through the country over
+which they made their way, only high mountains to be climbed by rocky
+paths, deep valleys into which the sun hardly looked during half the
+year, and swift-rushing streams, cold as ice, and treacherous to the
+surest foot and the strongest arm. Not a bird flew through the air,
+not an animal sprang through the trees. It was as still as a desert.
+The gods walked on and on, getting more tired and hungry at every
+step. The sun was sinking low over the steep, pine-crested mountains,
+and the travelers had neither breakfasted nor dined. Even Odin was
+beginning to feel the pangs of hunger, like the most ordinary mortal,
+when suddenly, entering a little valley, the famished gods came upon a
+herd of cattle. It was the work of a minute to kill a great ox and to
+have the carcass swinging in a huge pot over a roaring fire.
+
+But never were gods so unlucky before! In spite of their hunger, the
+pot would not boil. They piled on the wood until the great flames
+crackled and licked the pot with their fiery tongues, but every time
+the cover was lifted there was the meat just as raw as when it was
+put in. It is easy to imagine that the travelers were not in very good
+humor. As they were talking about it, and wondering how it could be,
+a voice called out from the branches of the oak overhead, "If you will
+give me my fill, I'll make the pot boil."
+
+The gods looked first at each other and then into the tree, and there
+they discovered a great eagle. They were glad enough to get their
+supper on almost any terms, so they told the eagle he might have what
+he wanted if he would only get the meat cooked. The bird was as good
+as his word, and in less time than it takes to tell it supper was
+ready. Then the eagle flew down and picked out both shoulders and both
+legs. This was a pretty large share, it must be confessed, and Loki,
+who was always angry when anybody got more than he, no sooner saw what
+the eagle had taken, than he seized a great pole and began to beat the
+rapacious bird unmercifully. Whereupon a very singular thing happened,
+as singular things always used to happen when the gods were concerned:
+the pole stuck fast in the huge talons of the eagle at one end, and
+Loki stuck fast at the other end. Struggle as he might, he could not
+get loose, and as the great bird sailed away over the tops of the
+trees, Loki went pounding along on the ground, striking against rocks
+and branches until he was bruised half to death.
+
+The eagle was not an ordinary bird by any means, as Loki soon found
+when he begged for mercy. The giant Thjasse happened to be flying
+abroad in his eagle plumage when the hungry travelers came under the
+oak and tried to cook the ox. It was into his hands that Loki had
+fallen, and he was not to get away until he had promised to pay
+roundly for his freedom.
+
+If there was one thing which the gods prized above their other
+treasures in Asgard, it was the beautiful fruit of Idun, kept by the
+goddess in a golden casket and given to the gods to keep them forever
+young and fair. Without these Apples all their power could not have
+kept them from getting old like the meanest of mortals. Without these
+Apples of Idun, Asgard itself would have lost its charm; for what
+would heaven be without youth and beauty forever shining through it?
+
+Thjasse told Loki that he could not go unless he would promise to
+bring the Apples of Idun. Loki was wicked enough for anything;
+but when it came to robbing the gods of their immortality, even he
+hesitated. And while he hesitated the eagle dashed hither and thither,
+flinging him against the sides of the mountains and dragging him
+through the great tough boughs of the oaks until his courage gave out
+entirely, and he promised to steal the Apples out of Asgard and give
+them to the giant.
+
+Loki was bruised and sore enough when he got on his feet again to hate
+the giant who handled him so roughly, with all his heart, but he was
+not unwilling to keep his promise to steal the Apples, if only for
+the sake of tormenting the other gods. But how was it to be done? Idun
+guarded the golden fruit of immortality with sleepless watchfulness.
+No one ever touched it but herself, and a beautiful sight it was to
+see her fair hands spread it forth for the morning feasts in Asgard.
+The power which Loki possessed lay not so much in his own strength,
+although he had a smooth way of deceiving people, as in the goodness
+of others who had no thought of his doing wrong because they never did
+wrong themselves.
+
+Not long after all this happened, Loki came carelessly up to Idun as
+she was gathering her Apples to put them away in the beautiful carven
+box which held them.
+
+"Good morning, goddess," said he. "How fair and golden your Apples
+are!
+
+"Yes," answered Idun; "the bloom of youth keeps them always
+beautiful."
+
+"I never saw anything like them," continued Loki slowly, as if he were
+talking about a matter of no importance, "until the other day."
+
+Idun looked up at once with the greatest interest and curiosity in her
+face. She was very proud of her Apples, and she knew no earthly trees,
+however large and fair, bore the immortal fruit.
+
+"Where have you seen any Apples like them?" she asked.
+
+"Oh, just outside the gates," said Loki indifferently. "If you care to
+see them I'll take you there. It will keep you but a moment. The tree
+is only a little way off."
+
+Idun was anxious to go at once.
+
+"Better take your Apples with you, to compare them with the others,"
+said the wily god, as she prepared to go.
+
+Idun gathered up the golden Apples and went out of Asgard, carrying
+with her all that made it heaven. No sooner was she beyond the gates
+than a mighty rushing sound was heard, like the coming of a tempest,
+and before she could think or act, the giant Thjasse, in his eagle
+plumage, was bearing her swiftly away through the air to his desolate,
+icy home in Thrymheim, where, after vainly trying to persuade her to
+let him eat the Apples and be forever young like the gods, he kept her
+a lonely prisoner.
+
+Loki, after keeping his promise and delivering Idun into the hands of
+the giant, strayed back into Asgard as if nothing had happened. The
+next morning, when the gods assembled for their feast, there was no
+Idun. Day after day went past, and still the beautiful goddess did not
+come. Little by little the light of youth and beauty faded from the
+home of the gods, and they themselves became old and haggard. Their
+strong, young faces were lined with care and furrowed by age, their
+raven locks passed from gray to white, and their flashing eyes became
+dim and hollow. Bragi, the god of poetry, could make no music while
+his beautiful wife was gone he knew not whither.
+
+Morning after morning the faded light broke on paler and ever paler
+faces, until even in heaven the eternal light of youth seemed to be
+going out forever.
+
+Finally the gods could bear the loss of power and joy no longer. They
+made rigorous inquiry. They tracked Loki on that fair morning when he
+led Idun beyond the gates; they seized him and brought him into solemn
+council, and when he read in their haggard faces the deadly hate which
+flamed in all their hearts against his treachery, his courage failed,
+and he promised to bring Idun back to Asgard if the goddess Freyja
+would lend him her falcon guise. No sooner said than done; and with
+eager gaze the gods watched him as he flew away, becoming at last only
+a dark moving speck against the sky.
+
+After long and weary flight Loki came to Thrymheim, and was glad
+enough to find Thjassa gone to sea and Idun alone in his dreary house.
+He changed her instantly into a nut, and taking her thus disguised in
+his talons, flew away as fast as his falcon wings could carry him. And
+he had need of all his speed, for Thjasse, coming suddenly home and
+finding Idun and her precious fruit gone, guessed what had happened,
+and, putting on his eagle plumage, flew forth in a mighty rage, with
+vengeance in his heart. Like the rushing wings of a tempest, his
+mighty pinions beat the air and bore him swiftly onward. From mountain
+peak to mountain peak he measured his wide course, almost grazing at
+times the murmuring pine forests, and then sweeping high in mid-air
+with nothing above but the arching sky, and nothing beneath but the
+tossing sea.
+
+At last he sees the falcon far ahead, and now his flight becomes like
+the flash of the lightning for swiftness, and like the rushing of
+clouds for uproar. The haggard faces of the gods line the walls
+of Asgard and watch the race with tremulous eagerness. Youth and
+immortality are staked upon the winning of Loki. He is weary enough
+and frightened enough, too, as the eagle sweeps on close behind him;
+but he makes desperate efforts to widen the distance between them.
+Little by little the eagle gains on the falcon. The gods grow white
+with fear; they rush off and prepare great fires upon the walls. With
+fainting, drooping wing the falcon passes over and drops exhausted
+by the wall. In an instant the fires have been lighted, and the great
+flames roar to heaven. The eagle sweeps across the fiery line a second
+later and falls, maimed and burned to the ground; where a dozen fierce
+hands smite the life out of him, and the great giant Thjasse perishes
+among his foes.
+
+Idun resumes her natural form as Bragi rushes to meet her. The gods
+crowd round her. She spreads the feast, the golden Apples gleaming
+with unspeakable lustre in the eyes of the gods. They eat; and once
+more their faces glow with the beauty of immortal youth, their eyes
+flash with the radiance of divine power, and, while Idun stands like
+a star for beauty among the throng, the song of Bragi is heard once
+more; for poetry and immortality are wedded again.
+
+
+
+
+THE GIFTS OF THE DWARFS
+
+
+Thor was, you may know, the strongest and noblest of the great giants
+of the north. He was tall in stature and had fiery brown eyes, from
+which the light flashed like lightning, while his long red beard
+waved through the sky as he drove in his goat-drawn chariot. Brilliant
+sparks flew from the hoofs and teeth of the two goats, while a crown
+of bright stars shone above Thor's head. When he was angered the
+wheels of his chariot rumbled and crashed their passage through the
+air, until men trembled and hid, telling each other that Thor had gone
+to battle with the Rime-giants or other of his enemies.
+
+Now Thor's wife was named Sib, and she was most beautiful to look
+upon. Her soft, browny-gold hair was so long and thick that it would
+cover her from the crown of her head to her little feet, and her deep
+brown eyes looked into the faces of her friends as those of a mother
+look into the face of her child. Loki, the mischief-maker among the
+giants, often looked at Sib and longed to do her some evil, for he was
+jealous, thinking that it was not right that she should be praised and
+loved by everyone; go where he would he could find no one who did not
+speak well of her.
+
+It happened one day when the summer was nearly gone that Loki found
+Sib alone and sleeping on a bank near the river, so he drew his knife,
+and creeping softly nearer and nearer, cut off her beautiful flowing
+hair quite close to her head. Then he joyfully rushed away and strewed
+it far and wide over the whole earth, so that it became no longer
+living and golden but faded and turned a dull color as the winds blew
+it about and the rains beat upon it, and crushed it in between the
+rocks and stones. When Sib awoke and was about to push the hair from
+her face, she felt that something was wrong. Wonderingly she ran to
+the water and looking at her reflection in the clear depths, saw that
+nothing but a short stubble stood up all over her head. All her lovely
+hair was gone! Only one would have dared to treat her so badly, and in
+her grief and anger she called upon Thor to come to her aid.
+
+Loki had of course fled and was hiding far away in another country
+among the rocks when he heard the distant rumblings of thunder, and
+tried to shrink deeper into the crevices between the great stones, but
+the awful sound grew louder, and at last the angry flash from Thor's
+eyes darted to the very spot where the mischievous one lay. Then Thor
+pulled him out and shook him from side to side in his enormous hands,
+and would have crushed his bones upon the hard rocks had not Loki
+in great terror asked what good his death would do, for it certainly
+would not bring Sib's hair back. Then Thor set the mischief-maker on
+his feet, though still keeping a tight hold on him, and asked what he
+would do to repair the evil which he had done. Loki promptly answered
+that he would go down into the mountains to the dwarfs, and get
+Iwald's sons to make some golden hair for Sib, as good as that which
+he had destroyed. Now Iwald had had seven sons, and these all
+lived deep below the earth in the great caverns which lie below the
+mountains, and these sons were small and dark; they did not like the
+daylight for they were dwarfs who could see best without the sun to
+dazzle their eyes; they knew where gold and silver grew, and they
+could tell where to find beautiful shining stones, which were red, and
+white, and yellow, and green; they knew the way all over the world by
+running through caverns and passages under the mountains, and wherever
+they could find precious stones or metals they built a furnace, and
+made an anvil, and hammer and bellows, and everything that was wanted
+in a smithy; for they knew how to fashion the most wonderful things
+from gold and iron and stone, and they had knowledge which made them
+more powerful than the people who lived above the ground.
+
+Thor let the mischief-maker go to get the help of the dwarfs to repair
+the wrong which he had done, and Loki sought about the mountain-side
+until he found a hole which would lead him into Iwald's cave, and then
+he promptly dropped into it. There in a dark cave gleaming with many
+sparkling lights he went to the two cleverest dwarfs who were named
+Sindri and Brok, and told them what it was he wanted, adding that he
+would be in sore trouble with Thor if they could not help him. Now
+Sindri and Brok knew all about Loki perfectly well; they knew all
+about his mischievous ways and the evil he so often wrought, but as
+they liked Thor and Sib they were willing to give the help which was
+asked of them. Thus without more ado, for these dwarfs never wasted
+their words, Sindri and Brok began their work.
+
+Huge blocks of earth-brown stone were cast into the furnace until they
+were in a white heat, when drop by drop red gold trickled from them
+into the ashes. This was all gathered together, and the glistening
+heap taken to the dwarf women, who, crushing it in their hands before
+it had hardened, drew it out upon their wheels, and spun it into
+fine soft hair. While they were doing this Brok sought amongst his
+treasures until he found the blue of the ocean and the tough inner
+pith of an underground tree; these, with other things, were cast into
+the furnace, and afterwards beaten with his hammer. As the rhythmic
+strokes fell, the women sang a song which was like the voice of a
+strong, steady wind. Then when this work was finished, the smith drew
+forth a little ship, which was carefully placed on one side. The third
+time the dwarf went to a dark corner, and brought out an ugly bent bar
+of iron, and this, with two feathers from the wings of the wind,
+was heated to melting whiteness, and wrought with great cunning and
+extreme care, for it was to be a spear for Odin himself, the greatest
+of all the heroes.
+
+Then Brok and Sindri called Loki to them and giving him these three
+things bade him hasten back to the gods at Asgard and appease their
+wrath. Loki, however, was already beginning to feel sorry that he had
+been so successful; he liked teasing folk but he did not like having
+to atone for his mischief afterwards. He turned the marvelous gifts
+over scornfully in his hands, and said that he did not see anything
+very wonderful in _them;_ then, looking at Sindri he added, "However,
+Brok has hammered them very skilfully, and I will wager my head that
+you could not make anything better."
+
+Now the brother dwarfs had not by any means expected gratitude,
+but neither had they expected any such rudeness as this, so Sindri
+determined to give Loki a lesson. Going to one corner of the smithy
+he picked up a pig-skin and taking the hammer in his hands, told
+his brother to blow steadily, neither to falter nor to fail until
+he passed the word that the work was done. Then with strength and
+gentleness he wrought with his tools, having cast nothing into the
+heat but the pig-skin; with mighty blows and delicate touches he
+brought thickness and substance into it, until a board looked at him
+from the flames. Loki, fearing for his head, changed himself into an
+enormous forest fly, and settling upon Brok's hand, stung with vicious
+fury; but the dwarf would not trouble to brush the fly away, and
+steadily moved the bellows until his brother called to him to stop,
+when they drew forth a strong flexible boar whose bristles were of the
+finest gold.
+
+Then without saying anything or paying any attention to the spiteful
+words which Loki kept uttering, Sindri chose from a heap of gold the
+most solid lump he could find and flung it into the white flames.
+Thrice it was heated and cooled, and the dark elf turned it and worked
+it with wonderful skill, and in the glow Loki saw a broad red ring,
+which seemed to live and move. Again he tried to spoil the work as a
+fly, and bit deeply into Brok's neck, but Brok would not so much as
+raise his hand to rid him of the pain. When the ring was finally laid
+to cool, so marvelously had it been wrought that from it each ninth
+night would fall eight rings as beautiful as itself.
+
+Now came the last test of Sindri's cunning. He cast into the furnace
+a piece of fine iron, and told Brok his hand must neither tremble
+nor stay, or the whole of their work would be useless. Then with wild
+songs of strength upon his lips he hammered and tapped, until those
+who were in the cave felt that they were out among the roaring waves;
+they could hear the ice mountains grind and crash to pieces, and
+the thunder of Thor's chariot wheels rushing through the heavens. A
+frenzied horror seized upon Loki's mind. If these wretched dwarfs were
+going to make anything to add to Thor's strength he knew that it would
+be his own ruin. So, changing himself to a hornet, he sprang upon the
+forehead of Brok, and dug so fiercely into his eyelids that the blood
+trickled down and blinded him. Then the dwarf let go of the bellows
+for one moment to clear his eyes, and Sindri cried out that what lay
+in the furnace came near to being spoiled, and with that he took
+a red-hot hammer up with his tongs. It was neither pretty, nor
+particularly large, while the handle was an inch too short because of
+Loki's spite.
+
+Then Brok and Loki set out for Asgard, Loki carrying the three
+wonderful things which had been given to him, while Brok carried the
+three marvels which Sindri had so cunningly wrought and accompanied
+the mischief-maker, that the gods might judge who had won the wager
+so rashly offered by Loki. When they reached Asgard the gods seated
+themselves on their high seats agreeing among themselves that Odin,
+Thor and Frey should be judges in this case.
+
+First, Loki offered to Odin the spear Gungner which was so wonderfully
+made that it never failed to hit the thing at which it was thrown, and
+it always sped back to the hand which had thrown it. Later, when Odin
+carried this spear in battle, if he shook it over his enemies they
+became so frightened that they all wanted to run away, but if he shook
+it over his friends they were so filled with courage that they could
+not be conquered. Then Thor received the hair, and when it was placed
+upon Sib's head it grew to her like living tresses, curling and waving
+in the wind. To Frey the ship was given, and though it was so small
+that it could be folded and carried in his pocket, when it was placed
+upon the waves it would grow large enough to hold an army of warriors
+with all their war gear; besides, as soon as the sails were hoisted,
+the wind would blow it whithersoever it was desired that the ship
+should go.
+
+Brok then made his offerings, and to Odin he gave the ring Drapnir
+which had been made with such magic skill that every ninth night eight
+other rings dropped off it, though no one could see how they came;
+this the greatest of the gods ever wore upon his arm, until the death
+of his beautiful son Baldur, when, as token of his great love he
+placed it upon the dead youth's breast as he lay on his funeral pyre.
+To Frey was given the golden boar, which would run faster than any
+horse, over the sea or through the air, and wherever it went, there it
+would be light, because the bristles shone so brightly. To Thor Brok
+gave the dull-looking hammer, saying, that whatever he struck with it
+would be destroyed; that no blow could be hard enough to hurt it; that
+if he threw it, it would return to him so that he could never lose it;
+and that as he wished so would its size be--yet there was one fault
+about it, and that was that the handle was an inch too short.
+
+It was with great joy that Thor took this treasure, knowing that in it
+he had something to help him in fighting the evil Rime-giants who were
+always trying to get the whole world for themselves until driven back
+by him.
+
+Then the gods decided that of all the gifts the hammer was the best,
+and that, therefore, Loki had lost his wager and must lose his head.
+Loki offered to give all sorts of things to save himself, but the
+dwarf would not listen to any of them. "Catch me, then!" cried the
+mischievous one; but when Brok stretched his hand upon him Loki had
+gone, for he wore shoes which would carry him over the sea or through
+the air.
+
+"Catch him!" cried the ugly little dwarf piteously to Thor, and in an
+instant Loki stood before them, trembling in Thor's strong grasp.
+Then the clever one argued that it was his head only which had been
+wagered, and that not one little tiny bit of his neck might be taken,
+or the dwarf would have more than his bargain. At this Brok cried
+impatiently that the head of a wicked person was of no use to him, all
+that he wanted was to stop Loki's tongue so that he could work less
+evil, and he took a knife and thread and tried to pierce holes in
+Loki's lips, but Loki bewitched the knife so that it would not cut.
+
+"If only I had Sindri's awl," sighed the dwarf, and instantly his
+brother's awl was in his hand. Swiftly it pierced the lips of the
+mischief-maker, and swiftly Brok sewed them together and broke off the
+thread at the end of the sewing.
+
+Then the gods gave presents for the dwarfs in return for their
+wonderful things, and Brok returned to his cave. As for Loki, it
+was not long before he loosed his lips and returned to his
+mischief-making.
+
+
+
+
+THE PUNISHMENT OF LOKI
+
+ADAPTED FROM A. AND E. KEARY'S VERSION
+
+
+After the death of Baldur, Loki never again ventured to intrude
+himself into the presence of the gods. He knew well enough that he had
+now done what could never be forgiven him, and that, for the future,
+he must bend all his cunning and vigilance to the task of hiding
+himself from the gaze of those whom he had so injured, and escaping
+the just punishment he had brought upon himself.
+
+"The world is large, and I am very clever," said Loki to himself, as
+he turned his back upon Asgard, and wandered out into Manheim; "there
+is no end to the thick woods, and no measure for the deep waters;
+neither is there any possibility of counting the various forms under
+which I shall disguise myself. Odin will never be able to find me; I
+have no cause to fear." But though Loki repeated this over and over
+again to himself, he _was_ afraid.
+
+He wandered far into the thick woods, and covered himself with the
+deep waters; he climbed to the tops of misty hills, and crouched in
+the dark of hollow caves; but above the wood, and through the water,
+and down into the darkness, a single ray of calm, clear light seemed
+always to follow him, and he knew that it came from the eye of Odin
+who was watching him from Air Throne.
+
+Then he tried to escape the watchful eye by disguising himself under
+various shapes. Sometimes he was an eagle on a lonely mountain-crag;
+sometimes he hid himself as one among a troop of timid reindeer;
+sometimes he lay in the nest of a wood-pigeon; sometimes he swam, a
+bright-spotted fish, in the sea; but, wherever he was, among living
+creatures, or alone with dead nature, everything seemed to know him,
+and to find a voice in which to say to him, "You are Loki, and you
+have killed Baldur." Air, earth, or water, there was no rest for him
+anywhere.
+
+Tired at last of seeking what he could nowhere find, Loki built
+himself a house near a narrow, glittering river which, lower down
+flashed from a high rock into the sea below. He took care that his
+house should have four doors in it, that he might look out on every
+side and catch the first glimpse of the gods when they came, as he
+knew they would come, to take him away. Here his wife, Siguna, and his
+two sons, Ali and Nari, came to live with him.
+
+Siguna was a kind woman, far too good and kind for Loki. She felt
+sorry for him now that she saw he was in great fear, and that every
+living thing had turned against him, and she would have hidden him
+from the just anger of the gods if she could; but the two sons cared
+little about their father's dread and danger; they spent all their
+time in quarreling with each other; and their loud, angry voices,
+sounding above the waterfall, would speedily have betrayed the
+hiding-place, even if Odin's piercing eye had not already found it
+out.
+
+At last, one day when he was sitting in the middle of his house
+looking alternately out of all the four doors and amusing himself as
+well as he could by making a fishing-net, he spied in the distance
+the whole company of the gods approaching his house. The sight of them
+coming all together--beautiful, and noble, and free--pierced Loki
+with a pang that was worse than death. He rose without daring to look
+again, threw his net on a fire that burned on the floor, and, rushing
+to the side of the little river, he turned himself into a salmon,
+swam down to the deepest, stillest pool at the bottom, and hid himself
+between two stones. The gods entered the house, and looked all round
+in vain for Loki, till Kvasir, one of Odin's sons, famous for his keen
+sight, spied out the remains of the fishing-net in the fire; then Odin
+knew at once that there was a river near, and that it was there where
+Loki had hidden himself. He ordered his sons to make a new net, and to
+cast it into the water, and drag out whatever living thing they could
+find there. It was done as he desired. Thor held one end of the net,
+and all the rest of the gods drew the other through the water. When
+they pulled it up the first time, however, it was empty, and they
+would have gone away disappointed had not Kvasir, looking earnestly at
+the meshes of the net, saw that something living had certainly touched
+them. They then added a weight to the net, and threw it with such
+force that it reached the bottom of the river, and dragged up the
+stones in the pool.
+
+Loki now saw the danger he was in of being caught in the net, and, as
+there was no other way of escape, he rose to the surface, swam down
+the river as quickly as he could, and leaped over the net into the
+waterfall. He swam and leaped quick as a flash of lightning, but not
+so quickly but that the gods saw him, knew him through his disguise,
+and resolved that he should no longer escape. They themselves divided
+into two bands. Thor waded down the river to the waterfall; the other
+gods stood in a group below. Loki swam backwards and forwards between
+them. First he thought he would dart out into the sea, and then that
+he would spring over the net back again into the river. This last
+seemed the easiest way of escape, and with the greatest speed he
+attempted it. Thor, however, was watching for him, and as soon as Loki
+leaped out of the water he stretched out his hand and caught him
+while he was yet turning in the air. Loki wriggled his slippery, slimy
+length through Thor's fingers; but the Thunderer grasped him tightly
+by the tail, and, holding him in this manner in this hand, waded
+to the shore. There Father Odin and the other gods met him; and, at
+Odin's first searching look, Loki was obliged to drop his disguise,
+and, cowering and frightened, to assume his proper shape before the
+assembled lords. One by one they turned their faces from him; for, in
+looking at him, they seemed to see over again the death of Baldur the
+Beloved.
+
+You were told that there were high rocks looking over the sea near
+Loki's house. One of these, higher than the rest, had midway four
+projecting stones, and to these the gods resolved to bind Loki so that
+he should never again be able to torment the inhabitants of Manheim or
+Asgard by his evil-doings. Thor proposed to return to Asgard, to bring
+a chain with which to bind the prisoner; but Odin assured him that
+he had no need to take such a journey. "Loki," he said, "has already
+forged for himself a chain stronger than any you can make. While
+we have been occupied in catching him, his two sons, Ali and Nari,
+transformed into wolves by their evil passions, have fought with and
+destroyed each other. With their sinews we must make a chain to bind
+their father, and from that he can never escape."
+
+It was done as Asa Odin said. A rope was made of the dead wolves'
+sinews, and as soon as it touched Loki's body it turned into bands of
+iron and bound him immovably to the rock. Secured in this manner the
+gods left him.
+
+[Illustration: THE PUNISHMENT OF LOKI.]
+
+But his punishment did not end here. A snake, whose fangs dropped
+poison, glided to the top of the rock and leaned his head over to peer
+at Loki. The eyes of the two met and fixed each other. The serpent
+could never move away afterwards; but every moment a burning drop from
+his tongue fell down on Loki's shuddering face.
+
+In all the world there was only one who pitied him. His kind wife ever
+afterwards stood beside him and held a cup over his head to catch the
+poison. When the cup was full, she was obliged to turn away to empty
+it, and the deadly drops fell again on Loki's face. He shuddered and
+shrank from them, and the whole earth trembled. So will he lie bound
+till the Twilight of the Gods be here.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+MYTHS OF INDIA
+
+
+
+
+THE BLIND MAN, THE DEAF MAN, AND THE DONKEY
+
+ADAPTED BY M. FRERE
+
+
+A Blind Man and a Deaf Man once entered into partnership. The Deaf Man
+was to see for the Blind Man, and the Blind Man was to hear for the
+Deaf Man.
+
+One day they went together to an entertainment where there was music
+and dancing. The Deaf Man said: "The dancing is very good, but the
+music is not worth listening to"; and the Blind Man said: "On the
+contrary, I think the music very good, but the dancing is not worth
+looking at."
+
+After this they went together for a walk in the jungle, and there
+found a washerman's Donkey that had strayed away from its owner, and a
+great big kettle (such as washermen boil clothes in), which the Donkey
+was carrying with him.
+
+The Deaf Man said to the Blind Man: "Brother, here are a Donkey and
+a washerman's great big kettle, with nobody to own them! Let us take
+them with us--they may be useful to us some day." "Very well," said
+the Blind Man; "we will take them with us." So the Blind Man and the
+Deaf Man went on their way, taking the Donkey and the great big kettle
+with them. A little farther on they came to an ant's nest, and the
+Deaf Man said to the Blind Man: "Here are a number of very fine black
+ants, much larger than any I ever saw before. Let us take some of them
+home to show our friends." "Very well," answered the Blind Man; "we
+will take them as a present to our friends." So the Deaf Man took a
+silver snuff-box out of his pocket, and put four or five of the finest
+black ants into it; which done, they continued their journey.
+
+But before they had gone very far a terrible storm came on. It
+thundered and lightened and rained and blew with such fury that it
+seemed as if the whole heavens' and earth were at war. "Oh dear! oh
+dear!" cried the Deaf Man, "how dreadful this lightning is! Let us
+make haste and get to some place of shelter." "I don't see that it's
+dreadful at all," answered the blind Man; "but the thunder is very
+terrible; we had better certainly seek some place of shelter."
+
+Now, not far off was a lofty building, which looked exactly like a
+fine temple. The Deaf Man saw it, and he and the Blind Man resolved to
+spend the night there; and having reached the place, they went in and
+shut the door, taking the Donkey and the great big kettle with them.
+But this building, which they mistook for a temple was in truth no
+temple at all, but the house of a very powerful Rakshas or ogre; and
+hardly had the Blind Man, the Deaf Man, and the Donkey got inside and
+fastened the door, than the Rakshas, who had been out, returned home.
+To his surprise, he found the door fastened and heard people moving
+about inside his house. "Ho! ho!" cried he to himself, "some men have
+got in here, have they? I'll soon make mince-meat of them." So he
+began to roar in a voice louder than the thunder, and to cry: "Let me
+into my house this minute, you wretches; let me in, let me in, I say,"
+and to kick the door and batter it with his great fists. But though
+his voice was very powerful, his appearance was still more alarming,
+insomuch that the Deaf Man, who was peeping at him through a chink in
+the wall, felt so frightened that he did not know what to do. But the
+Blind Man was very brave (because he couldn't see), and went up to
+the door and called out: "Who are you, and what do you mean by coming
+battering at the door in this way at this time of night?"
+
+"I'm a Rakshas," answered the Rakshas angrily, "and this is my house.
+Let me in this instant or I'll kill you." All this time the Deaf Man,
+who was watching the Rakshas, was shivering and shaking in a terrible
+fright, but the Blind Man was very brave (because he couldn't see),
+and he called out again: "Oh, you're a Rakshas, are you? Well, if
+you're Rakshas, I'm Bakshas; and Bakshas is as good as Rakshas."
+
+"Bakshas!" roared the Rakshas. "Bakshas! Bakshas! What nonsense is
+this? There is no such creature as a Bakshas!" "Go away," replied the
+Blind Man, "and don't dare to make any further disturbance, lest I
+punish you with a vengeance; for know that I'm Bakshas, and Bakshas
+is Rakshas's father." "My father?" answered the Rakshas. "Heavens and
+earth! Bakshas, and my father! I never heard such an extraordinary
+thing in my life. You my father; and in there! I never knew my father
+was called Bakshas!"
+
+"Yes," replied the Blind Man; "go away instantly, I command you, for
+I am your father Bakshas." "Very well," answered the Rakshas (for he
+began to get puzzled and frightened); "but if you are my father, let
+me first see your face." (For he thought: "Perhaps they are deceiving
+me.") The Blind Man and the Deaf Man didn't know what to do; but at
+last they opened the door a very tiny chink and poked the Donkey's
+nose out. When the Rakshas saw it he thought to himself: "Bless me,
+what a terribly ugly face my father Bakshas has!" He then called out:
+"O father Bakshas, you have a very big, fierce face; but people have
+sometimes very big heads and very little bodies. Pray let me see your
+body as well as head before I go away." Then the Blind Man and the
+Deaf Man rolled the washerman's great big kettle with a thundering
+noise past the chink in the door, and the Rakshas, who was watching
+attentively, was very much surprised when he saw this great black
+thing rolling along the floor, and he thought: "In truth, my father
+Bakshas has a very big body as well as a big head. He's big enough to
+eat me up altogether. I'd better go away." But still he could not help
+being a little doubtful, so he cried: "O Bakshas, father Bakshas! you
+have indeed got a very big head and a very big body; but do, before
+I go away, let me hear you scream," for all Rakshas scream fearfully.
+Then the cunning Deaf Man (who was getting less frightened) pulled the
+silver snuff-box out of his pocket, and took the black ants out of it,
+and put one black ant in the Donkey's right ear, and another black ant
+in the Donkey's left ear, and another and another. The ants pinched
+the poor Donkey's ears dreadfully, and the Donkey was so hurt and
+frightened he began to bellow as loud as he could: "Eh augh! eh augh!
+eh augh! augh! augh!" and at this terrible noise the Rakshas fled away
+in a great fright, saying: "Enough, enough, father Bakshas! the sound
+of your voice would make the most refractory obedient." And no sooner
+had he gone than the Deaf Man took the ants out of the Donkey's ears,
+and he and the Blind Man spent the rest of the night in peace and
+comfort.
+
+Next morning the Deaf Man woke the Blind Man early, saying: "Awake,
+brother, awake: here we are indeed in luck! The whole floor is covered
+with heaps of gold and silver and precious stones." And so it was, for
+the Rakshas owned a vast amount of treasure, and the whole house was
+full of it. "That is a good thing," said the Blind Man. "Show me where
+it is and I will help you to collect it." So they collected as much
+treasure as possible and made four great bundles of it. The Blind Man
+took one great bundle, the Deaf Man took another, and, putting the
+other two great bundles on the Donkey, they started off to return
+home. But the Rakshas, whom they had frightened away the night before,
+had not gone very far off, and was waiting to see what his father
+Bakshas might look like by daylight. He saw the door of his house open
+and watched attentively, when out walked--only a Blind Man, a Deaf
+Man, and a Donkey, who were all three laden with large bundles of
+his treasure. The Blind Man carried one bundle, the Deaf Man carried
+another bundle, and two bundles were on the Donkey.
+
+The Rakshas was extremely angry, and immediately called six of his
+friends to help him kill the Blind Man, the Deaf Man, and the Donkey,
+and recover the treasure.
+
+The Deaf Man saw them coming (seven great Rakshas, with hair a yard
+long and tusks like an elephant's), and was dreadfully frightened;
+but the Blind Man was very brave (because he couldn't see), and said:
+"Brother, why do you lag behind in that way?" "Oh!" answered the Deaf
+Man, "there are seven great Rakshas with tusks like an elephant's
+coming to kill us! What can we do?" "Let us hide the treasure in the
+bushes," said the Blind Man; "and do you lead me to a tree; then I
+will climb up first, and you shall climb up afterward, and so we shall
+be out of their way." The Deaf Man thought this good advice; so he
+pushed the Donkey and the bundles of treasure into the bushes, and led
+the Blind Man to a high soparee-tree that grew close by; but he was a
+very cunning man, this Deaf Man, and instead of letting the Blind Man
+climb up first and following him, he got up first and let the Blind
+Man clamber after, so that he was farther out of harm's way than his
+friend.
+
+When the Rakshas arrived at the place and saw them both perched out of
+reach in the soparee-tree, he said to his friends: "Let us get on each
+other's shoulders; we shall then be high enough to pull them down." So
+one Rakshas stooped down, and the second got on his shoulders, and
+the third on his, and the fourth on his, and the fifth on his, and the
+sixth on his; and the seventh and the last Rakshas (who had invited
+all the others) was just climbing up when the Deaf Man (who was
+looking over the Blind Man's shoulder) got so frightened that in his
+alarm he caught hold of his friend's arm, crying: "They're coming,
+they're coming!" The Blind Man was not in a very secure position, and
+was sitting at his ease, not knowing how close the Rakshas were. The
+consequence was, that when the Deaf Man gave him this unexpected push,
+he lost his balance and tumbled down on to the neck of the seventh
+Rakshas, who was just then climbing up. The Blind Man had no idea
+where he was, but thought he had got on to the branch of some other
+tree; and, stretching out his hand for something to catch hold of,
+caught hold of the Rakshas's two great ears, and pinched them very
+hard in his surprise and fright. The Rakshas couldn't think what it
+was that had come tumbling down upon him; and the weight of the Blind
+Man upsetting his balance, down he also fell to the ground, knocking
+down in their turn the sixth, fifth, fourth, third, second, and first
+Rakshas, who all rolled one over another, and lay in a confused heap
+at the foot of the tree together.
+
+Meanwhile the Blind Man called out to his friend: "Where am I? What
+has happened? Where am I? Where am I?" The Deaf Man (who was safe up
+in the tree) answered: "Well done, brother! never fear! never fear!
+You're all right, only hold on tight. I'm coming down to help you."
+But he had not the least intention of leaving his place of safety.
+However, he continued to call out: "Never mind, brother; hold on as
+tight as you can. I'm coming, I'm coming," and the more he called out,
+the harder the Blind Man pinched the Rakshas's ears, which he mistook
+for some kind of palm branches.
+
+The six other Rakshas, who had succeeded, after a good deal of
+kicking, in extricating themselves from their unpleasant position,
+thought they had had quite enough of helping their friend, and ran
+away as fast as they could; and the seventh, thinking from their going
+that the danger must be greater than he imagined, and being, moreover,
+very much afraid of the mysterious creature that sat on his shoulders,
+put his hands to the back of his ears and pushed off the Blind Man,
+and then, (without staying to see who or what he was) followed his six
+companions as fast as he could.
+
+As soon as all the Rakshas were out of sight, the Deaf Man came down
+from the tree, and, picking up the Blind Man, embraced him, saying:
+"I could not have done better myself. You have frightened away all our
+enemies, but you see I came to help you as fast as possible." He then
+dragged the Donkey and the bundles of treasure out of the bushes, gave
+the Blind Man one bundle to carry, took the second himself, and put
+the remaining two on the Donkey, as before. This done, the whole party
+set off to return home. But when they had got nearly out of the jungle
+the Deaf Man said to the Blind Man: "We are now close to the village;
+but if we take all this treasure home with us, we shall run great risk
+of being robbed. I think our best plan would be to divide it equally;
+then you can take care of your half and I will take care of mine, and
+each one can hide his share here in the jungle, or wherever pleases
+him best." "Very well," said the Blind Man; "do you divide what we
+have in the bundles into two equal portions, keeping one half yourself
+and giving me the other." The cunning Deaf Man, however, had no
+intention of giving up half of the treasure to the Blind Man; so he
+first took his own bundle of treasure and hid it in the bushes,
+and then he took the two bundles off the Donkey and hid them in the
+bushes; and he took a good deal of treasure out of the Blind Man's
+bundle, which he also hid. Then, taking the small quantity that
+remained, he divided it into two equal portions, and placing half
+before the Blind Man and half in front of himself, said: "There,
+brother, is your share to do what you please with." The Blind Man put
+out his hand, but when he felt what a very little heap of treasure
+it was, he got very angry, and cried: "This is not fair--you are
+deceiving me; you have kept almost all the treasure for yourself and
+only given me a very little." "Oh, oh! how can you think so?" answered
+the Deaf Man; "but if you will not believe me, feel for yourself. See,
+my heap of treasure is no larger than yours."
+
+The Blind Man put out his hands again to feel how much his friend
+had kept; but in front of the Deaf Man lay only a very small heap, no
+larger than what he had himself received. At this he got very cross,
+and said: "Come, come, this won't do. You think you can cheat me in
+this way because I am blind; but I'm not so stupid as all that, I
+carried a great bundle of treasure, you carried a great bundle of
+treasure, and there were two great bundles on the Donkey. Do you mean
+to pretend that all that made no more treasure than these two little
+heaps! No, indeed; I know better than that." "Stuff and nonsense!"
+answered the Deaf Man. "Stuff or no stuff," continued the other, "you
+are trying to take me in, and I won't be taken in by you." "No, I'm
+not," said the Deaf Man. "Yes, you are," said the Blind Man; and so
+they went on bickering, scolding, growling, contradicting, until the
+Blind Man got so enraged that he gave the Deaf Man a tremendous box on
+the ear. The blow was so violent that it made the Deaf Man hear! The
+Deaf Man, very angry, gave his neighbor in return so hard a blow in
+the face that it opened the Blind Man's eyes!
+
+So the Deaf Man could hear as well as see, and the Blind Man could see
+as well as hear! This astonished them both so much that they became
+good friends at once. The Deaf Man confessed to have hidden the bulk
+of the treasure, which he thereupon dragged forth from its place of
+concealment, and having divided it equally, they went home and enjoyed
+themselves.
+
+
+
+
+HARISARMAN
+
+
+There was in a certain village, a certain Brahman named Harisarman.
+He was poor and foolish and unhappy for want of employment, and he had
+very many children. He wandered about begging with his family, and
+at last he reached a certain city, and entered the service of a
+rich householder called Sthuladatta. His sons became keepers of
+Sthuladatta's cows and other property, and his wife a servant to
+him, and he himself lived near his house, performing the duty of an
+attendant. One day there was a feast on account of the marriage of
+the daughter of Sthuladatta, largely attended by many friends of the
+bridegroom and merry-makers. Harisarman hoped that he would be able to
+fill himself up to the throat with oil and flesh and other dainties,
+and get the same for his family, in the house of his patron. While he
+was anxiously expecting to be fed, no one thought of him.
+
+Then he was distressed at getting nothing to eat, and he said to his
+wife at night: "It is owing to my poverty and stupidity that I am
+treated with such disrespect here; so I will pretend by means of an
+artifice to possess a knowledge of magic, so that I may become
+an object of respect to this Sthuladatta; so, when you get an
+opportunity, tell him that I possess magical knowledge." He said this
+to her, and after turning the matter over in his mind, while people
+were asleep he took away from the house of Sthuladatta a horse on
+which his master's son-in-law rode. He placed it in concealment at
+some distance, and in the morning the friends of the bridegroom could
+not find the horse, though they searched in every direction. Then,
+while Sthuladatta was distressed at the evil omen, and searching for
+the thieves who had carried off the horse, the wife of Harisarman came
+and said to him: "My husband is a wise man, skilled in astrology and
+magical sciences; he can get the horse back for you--why do you not
+ask him?" When Sthuladatta heard that, he called Harisarman, who said,
+"Yesterday I was forgotten, but to-day, now the horse is stolen, I
+am called to mind;" and Sthuladatta then propitiated the Brahman with
+these words: "I forgot you, forgive me," and asked him to tell him
+who had taken away their horse. Then Harisarman drew all kinds of
+pretended diagrams, and said: "The horse has been placed by thieves
+on the boundary line south from this place. It is concealed there, and
+before it is carried off to a distance, as it will be at close of
+day, go quickly and bring it." When they heard that, many men ran and
+brought the horse quickly, praising the discernment of Harisarman.
+Then Harisarman was honored by all men as a sage, and dwelt there in
+happiness, honored by Sthuladatta.
+
+Now, as days went on, much treasure, both of gold and jewels, had been
+stolen by a thief from the palace of the King. As the thief was
+not known, the King quickly summoned Harisarman on account of his
+reputation for knowledge of magic. And he, when summoned, tried to
+gain time, and said: "I will tell you to-morrow," and then he was
+placed in a chamber by the King and carefully guarded. And he was sad
+because he had pretended to have knowledge. Now, in that palace there
+was a maid named Jihva (which means Tongue), who, with the assistance
+of her brother, had stolen that treasure from the interior of the
+palace. She, being alarmed at Harisarman's knowledge, went at night
+and applied her ear to the door of that chamber in order to find out
+what he was about. And Harisarman, who was alone inside, was at that
+very moment blaming his own tongue, that had made a vain assumption
+of knowledge. He said: "Oh, tongue, what is this that you have done
+through your greediness? Wicked one, you will soon receive punishment
+in full." When Jihva heard this, she thought, in her terror, that she
+had been discovered by this wise man, and she managed to get in where
+he was, and, falling at his feet, she said to the supposed wizard:
+"Brahman, here I am, that Jihva whom you have discovered to be the
+thief of the treasure, and after I took it I buried it in the earth in
+a garden behind the palace, under a pomegranate tree. So spare me, and
+receive the small quantity of gold which is in my possession."
+
+When Harisarman heard that, he said to her proudly: "Depart, I
+know all this; I know the past, present, and future, but I will not
+denounce you, a miserable creature that has implored my protection.
+But whatever gold is in your possession you must give back to me."
+When he said this to the maid, she consented, and departed quickly.
+But Harisarman reflected in his astonishment: "Fate brings about, as
+if in sport, things impossible; for, when calamity was so near, who
+would have thought chance would have brought us success? While I was
+blaming my jihva, the thief Jihva suddenly flung herself at my feet.
+Secret crimes manifest themselves by means of fear." Thus thinking, he
+passed the night happily in the chamber. And in the morning he brought
+the King, by some skilful parade of pretended knowledge, into the
+garden and led him up to the treasure, which was buried under the
+pomegranate tree, and said the thief had escaped with a part of it.
+Then the King was pleased, and gave him the revenue of many villages.
+
+But the minister, named Devajnanin, whispered in the King's ear: "How
+can a man possess such knowledge unattainable by men without having
+studied the books of magic? You may be certain that this is a specimen
+of the way he makes a dishonest livelihood, by having a secret
+intelligence with thieves. It will be much better to test him by
+some new artifice." Then the King of his own accord brought a covered
+pitcher into which he had thrown a frog, and said to Harisarman:
+"Brahman, if you can guess what there is in this pitcher, I will do
+you great honor to-day." When the Brahman Harisarman heard that, he
+thought that his last hour had come, and he called to mind the pet
+name of "Froggie," which his father had given him in his childhood in
+sport; and, impelled by luck, he called to himself by his pet name,
+lamenting his hard fate, and suddenly called out: "This is a fine
+pitcher for you, Froggie; it will soon become the swift destroyer of
+your helpless self." The people there, when they heard him say that,
+raised a shout of applause, because his speech chimed in so well with
+the object presented to him, and murmured: "Ah! a great sage; he knows
+even about the frog!" Then the King, thinking that this was all due to
+knowledge of divination, was highly delighted, and gave Harisarman the
+revenue of more villages, with gold, an umbrella, and state carriages
+of all kinds. So Harisarman prospered in the world.
+
+
+
+
+WHY THE FISH LAUGHED
+
+
+As a certain fisherwoman passed by a palace crying her fish, the Queen
+appeared at one of the windows and beckoned her to come near and
+show what she had. At that moment a very big fish jumped about in the
+bottom of the basket.
+
+"Is it a he or a she?" inquired the Queen. "I wish to purchase a
+she-fish."
+
+On hearing this the fish laughed aloud.
+
+"It's a he," replied the fisherwoman, and proceeded on her rounds.
+
+The Queen returned to her room in a great rage; and on coming to see
+her in the evening, the King noticed that something had disturbed her.
+
+"Are you indisposed?" he said.
+
+"No; but I am very much annoyed at the strange behavior of a fish. A
+woman brought me one to-day, and on my inquiring whether it was a male
+or female, the fish laughed most rudely."
+
+"A fish laugh! Impossible! You must be dreaming."
+
+"I am not a fool. I speak of what I have seen with my own eyes and
+have heard with my own ears."
+
+"Passing strange! Be it so. I will inquire concerning it."
+
+On the morrow the King repeated to his vizier what his wife had
+told him, and bade him investigate the matter, and be ready with a
+satisfactory answer within six months, on pain of death. The vizier
+promised to do his best, though he felt almost certain of failure. For
+five months he labored indefatigably to find a reason for the laughter
+of the fish. He sought everywhere and from every one. The wise and
+learned, and they who were skilled in magic and in all manner of
+trickery, were consulted. Nobody, however, could explain the matter;
+and so he returned broken-hearted to his house, and began to arrange
+his affairs in prospect of certain death, for he had had sufficient
+experience of the King to know that his Majesty would not go back from
+his threat. Among other things, he advised his son to travel for a
+time, until the King's anger should have somewhat cooled.
+
+The young fellow, who was both clever and handsome, started off
+whithersoever fate might lead him. He had been gone some days, when
+he fell in with an old farmer, who also was on a journey to a certain
+village. Finding the old man very pleasant, he asked him if he might
+accompany him, professing to be on a visit to the same place. The old
+farmer agreed, and they walked along together. The day was hot, and
+the way was long and weary.
+
+"Don't you think it would be pleasanter if you and I sometimes gave
+each other a lift?" said the youth.
+
+"What a fool the man is!" thought the old farmer.
+
+Presently they passed through a field of corn ready for the sickle,
+and looking like a sea of gold as it waved to and fro in the breeze.
+
+"Is this eaten or not?" said the young man.
+
+Not understanding his meaning, the old man replied, "I don't know."
+
+After a little while the two travelers arrived at a big village, where
+the young man gave his companion a clasp-knife, and said, "Take this,
+friend, and get two horses with it; but mind and bring it back, for it
+is very precious."
+
+The old man, looking half amused and half angry, pushed back the
+knife, muttering something to the effect that his friend was either a
+fool himself, or else trying to play the fool with him. The young man
+pretended not to notice his reply, and remained almost silent till
+they reached the city, a short distance outside which was the old
+farmer's house. They walked about the bazaar and went to the mosque,
+but nobody saluted them or invited them to come in and rest.
+
+"What a large cemetery!" exclaimed the young man.
+
+"What does the man mean," thought the old farmer, "calling this
+largely populated city a cemetery?"
+
+On leaving the city their way led through a graveyard where a few
+people were praying beside a tomb and distributing _chapatis_ and
+_kulchas_ to passers-by, in the name of their beloved dead. They
+beckoned to the two travelers and gave them as much as they would.
+
+"What a splendid city this is!" said the young man.
+
+"Now, the man must surely be demented!" thought the old farmer. "I
+wonder what he will do next? He will be calling the land water, and
+the water land; and be speaking of light where there is darkness,
+and of darkness when it is light." However, he kept his thoughts to
+himself.
+
+Presently they had to wade through a stream that ran along the edge
+of the cemetery. The water was rather deep, so the old farmer took
+off his shoes and pajamas and crossed over; but the young man waded
+through it with his shoes and pajamas on.
+
+"Well! I never did see such a perfect fool, both in word and in deed,"
+said the old man to himself.
+
+However, he liked the fellow; and thinking that he would amuse his
+wife and daughter, he invited him to come and stay at his house as
+long as he had occasion to remain in the village.
+
+"Thank you very much," the young man replied; "but let me first
+inquire, if you please, whether the beam of your house is strong."
+
+The old farmer left him in despair, and entered his house laughing.
+
+"There is a man in yonder field," he said, after returning their
+greetings. "He has come the greater part of the way with me, and I
+wanted him to put up here as long as he had to stay in this village.
+But the fellow is such a fool that I cannot make anything out of him.
+He wants to know if the beam of this house is all right. The man must
+be mad!" and saying this, he burst into a fit of laughter.
+
+"Father," said the farmer's daughter, who was a very sharp and wise
+girl, "this man, whosoever he is, is no fool, as you deem him. He only
+wishes to know if you can afford to entertain him."
+
+"Oh, of course," replied the farmer. "I see. Well, perhaps you can
+help me to solve some of his other mysteries. While we were walking
+together he asked whether he should carry me or I should carry him, as
+he thought that would be a pleasanter mode of proceeding."
+
+"Most assuredly," said the girl; "he meant that one of you should tell
+a story to beguile the time."
+
+"Oh yes. Well, we were passing through a corn-field, when he asked me
+whether it was eaten or not."
+
+"And didn't you know the meaning of this, father? He simply wished to
+know if the man was in debt or not; because, if the owner of the field
+was in debt, then the produce of the field was as good as eaten to
+him; that is, it would have to go to his creditors."
+
+"Yes, yes, yes, of course! Then, on entering a certain village, he
+bade me take his clasp-knife and get two horses with it, and bring
+back the knife to him."
+
+"Are not two stout sticks as good as two horses for helping one
+along on the road? He only asked you to cut a couple of sticks and be
+careful not to lose his knife."
+
+"I see," said the farmer. "While we were walking over the city we
+did not see anybody that we knew, and not a soul gave us a scrap of
+anything to eat, till we were passing the cemetery; but there some
+people called to us and put into our hands some _chapatis_ and
+_kulchas_, so my companion called the city a cemetery, and the
+cemetery a city."
+
+"This also is to be understood, father, if one thinks of the city
+as the place where everything is to be obtained, and of inhospitable
+people as worse than the dead. The city, though crowded with people,
+was as if dead, as far as you were concerned; while, in the cemetery,
+which is crowded with the dead, you were saluted by kind friends and
+provided with bread."
+
+"True, true!" said the astonished farmer. "Then, just now, when we
+were crossing the stream, he waded through it without taking off his
+shoes and pajamas."
+
+"I admire his wisdom," replied the girl. "I have often thought how
+stupid people were to venture into that swiftly flowing stream and
+over those sharp stones with bare feet. The slightest stumble and they
+would fall, and be wetted from head to foot. This friend of yours is a
+most wise man. I should like to see him and speak to him."
+
+"Very well," said the farmer; "I will go and find him, and bring him
+in."
+
+"Tell him, father, that our beams are strong enough, and then he will
+come in. I'll send on ahead a present to the man, to show him that we
+can afford to have him for our guest."
+
+Accordingly she called a servant and sent him to the young man with
+a present of a basin of _ghee_, twelve _chapatis_, and a jar of milk,
+and the following message: "O friend, the moon is full; twelve months
+make a year, and the sea is overflowing with water."
+
+Half-way the bearer of this present and message met his little son,
+who, seeing what was in the basket, begged his father to give him some
+of the food. His father foolishly complied. Presently he saw the young
+man, and gave him the rest of the present and the message.
+
+"Give your mistress my salaam," he replied, "and tell her that the
+moon is new, and that I can find only eleven months in the year, and
+the sea is by no means full."
+
+Not understanding the meaning of these words, the servant repeated
+them word for word, as he had heard them, to his mistress; and thus
+his theft was discovered, and he was severely punished. After a little
+while the young man appeared with the old farmer. Great attention was
+shown to him, and he was treated in every way as if he were the son of
+a great man, although his humble host knew nothing of his origin. At
+length he told them everything--about the laughing of the fish, his
+father's threatened execution, and his own banishment--and asked their
+advice as to what he should do.
+
+"The laughing of the fish," said the girl, "which seems to have been
+the cause of all this trouble, indicates that there is a man in the
+palace who is plotting against the King's life."
+
+"Joy, joy!" exclaimed the vizier's son. "There is yet time for me to
+return and save my father from an ignominious and unjust death, and
+the King from danger."
+
+The following day he hastened back to his own country, taking with him
+the farmer's daughter. Immediately on arrival he ran to the palace and
+informed his father of what he had heard. The poor vizier, now almost
+dead from the expectation of death, was at once carried to the King,
+to whom he repeated the news that his son had just brought.
+
+"Never!" said the King.
+
+"But it must be so, your Majesty," replied the vizier; "and in order
+to prove the truth of what I have heard, I pray you to call together
+all the maids in your palace and order them to jump over a pit, which
+must be dug. We'll soon find out whether there is any man there."
+
+The King had the pit dug, and commanded all the maids belonging to
+the palace to try to jump over it. All of them tried, but only one
+succeeded. That one was found to be a man!
+
+Thus was the Queen satisfied, and the faithful old vizier saved.
+
+Afterward, as soon as could be, the vizier's son married the old
+farmer's daughter; and a most happy marriage it was.
+
+
+
+
+MUCHIE LAL
+
+ADAPTED BY M. FRERE
+
+
+Once upon a time there were a Rajah and Ranee who had no children.
+Long had they wished and prayed that the gods would send them a son,
+but it was all in vain--their prayers were not granted. One day a
+number of fish were brought into the royal kitchen to be cooked for
+the Rajah's dinner, and amongst them was one little fish that was not
+dead, but all the rest were dead. One of the palace maid-servants,
+seeing this, took the little fish and put him in a basin of water.
+Shortly afterward the Ranee saw him, and thinking him very pretty,
+kept him as a pet; and because she had no children she lavished all
+her affection on the fish and loved him as a son; and the people
+called him Muchie Rajah (the Fish Prince).
+
+In a little while Muchie Rajah had grown too long to live in the small
+basin, so they put him into a larger one, and then (when he grew too
+long for that) into a big tub. In time, however, Muchie Rajah became
+too large for even the big tub to hold him; so the Ranee had a tank
+made for him, in which he lived very happily, and twice a day she fed
+him with boiled rice. Now, though the people fancied Muchie Rajah was
+only a fish, this was not the case. He was, in truth, a young Rajah
+who had angered the gods, and been by them turned into a fish and
+thrown into the river as a punishment.
+
+One morning, when the Ranee brought him his daily meal of boiled rice,
+Muchie Rajah called out to her and said, "Queen Mother, Queen Mother,
+I am so lonely here all by myself! Cannot you get me a wife?" The
+Ranee promised to try, and sent messengers to all the people she knew,
+to ask if they would allow one of their children to marry her son, the
+Fish Prince. But they all answered: "We cannot give one of our dear
+little daughters to be devoured by a great fish, even though he is the
+Muchie Rajah and so high in your Majesty's favor."
+
+At news of this the Ranee did not know what to do. She was so
+foolishly fond of Muchie Rajah, however, that she resolved to get him
+a wife at any cost. Again she sent out messengers, but this time she
+gave them a great bag containing a lac of gold mohurs, and said to
+them: "Go into every land until you find a wife for my Muchie Rajah,
+and to whoever will give you a child to be the Muchie Ranee you shall
+give this bag of gold mohurs." The messengers started on their search,
+but for some time they were unsuccessful; not even the beggars were to
+be tempted to sell their children, fearing the great fish would devour
+them. At last one day the messengers came to a village where there
+lived a Fakeer, who had lost his first wife and married again. His
+first wife had had one little daughter, and his second wife also had
+a daughter. As it happened, the Fakeer's second wife hated her little
+stepdaughter, always gave her the hardest work to do and the least
+food to eat, and tried by every means in her power to get her out of
+the way, in order that the child might not rival her own daughter.
+When she heard of the errand on which the messengers had come, she
+sent for them when the Fakeer was out, and said to them: "Give me the
+bag of gold mohurs, and you shall take my little daughter to marry the
+Muchie Rajah." ("For," she thought to herself, "the great fish will
+certainly eat the girl, and she will thus trouble us no more.") Then,
+turning to her stepdaughter, she said: "Go down to the river and wash
+your _saree_, that you may be fit to go with these people, who will
+take you to the Ranee's court." At these words the poor girl went down
+to the river very sorrowful, for she saw no hope of escape, as her
+father was from home. As she knelt by the river-side, washing her
+_saree_ and crying bitterly, some of her tears fell into the hole of
+an old Seven-headed Cobra, who lived on the river-bank. This Cobra was
+a very wise animal, and seeing the maiden, he put his head out of his
+hole, and said to her: "Little girl, why do you cry?" "Oh, sir,"
+she answered, "I am very unhappy; for my father is from home, and my
+stepmother has sold me to the Ranee's people to be the wife of the
+Muchie Rajah, that great fish, and I know he will eat me up." "Do
+not be afraid, my daughter," said the Cobra; "but take with you these
+three stones and tie them up in the corner of your _saree_;" and so
+saying, he gave her three little round pebbles. "The Muchie Rajah,
+whose wife you are to be, is not really a fish, but a Rajah who has
+been enchanted. Your home will be a little room which the Ranee has
+had built in the tank wall. When you are taken there, wait and be sure
+you don't go to sleep, or the Muchie Rajah will certainly come and
+eat you up. But as you hear him coming rushing through the water, be
+prepared, and as soon as you see him, throw this first stone at him;
+he will then sink to the bottom of the tank. The second time he comes,
+throw the second stone, when the same thing will happen. The third
+time he comes, throw this third stone, and he will immediately resume
+his human shape." So saying, the old Cobra dived down again into his
+hole. The Fakeer's daughter took the stones and determined to do as
+the Cobra had told her, though she hardly believed it would have the
+desired effect.
+
+When she reached the palace the Ranee spoke kindly to her, and said to
+the messengers: "You have done your errand well; this is a dear little
+girl." Then she ordered that she should be let down the side of the
+tank in a basket to a little room which had been prepared for her.
+When the Fakeer's daughter got there, she thought she had never seen
+such a pretty place in her life (for the Ranee had caused the little
+room to be very nicely decorated for the wife of her favorite); and
+she would have felt very happy away from her cruel stepmother and all
+the hard work she had been made to do, had it not been for the dark
+water that lay black and unfathomable below the door and the fear of
+the terrible Muchie Rajah.
+
+After waiting some time she heard a rushing sound, and little waves
+came dashing against the threshold; faster they came and faster, and
+the noise got louder and louder, until she saw a great fish's head
+above the water--Muchie Rajah was coming toward her open-mouthed. The
+Fakeer's daughter seized one of the stones that the Cobra had given
+her and threw it at him, and down he sank to the bottom of the tank;
+a second time he rose and came toward her, and she threw the second
+stone at him, and he again sank down; a third time he came more
+fiercely than before, when, seizing a third stone, she threw it with
+all her force. No sooner did it touch him than the spell was broken,
+and there, instead of a fish, stood a handsome young Prince. The poor
+little Fakeer's daughter was so startled that she began to cry. But
+the Prince said to her: "Pretty maiden, do not be frightened. You have
+rescued me from a horrible thraldom, and I can never thank you enough;
+but if you will be the Muchie Ranee, we will be married to-morrow."
+Then he sat down on the doorstep, thinking over his strange fate and
+watching for the dawn.
+
+Next morning early several inquisitive people came to see if the
+Muchie Rajah had eaten up his poor little wife, as they feared he
+would; what was their astonishment, on looking over the tank wall,
+to see, not the Muchie Rajah, but a magnificent Prince! The news soon
+spread to the palace. Down came the Rajah, down came the Ranee, down
+came all their attendants, and dragged Muchie Rajah and the Fakeer's
+daughter up the side of the tank in a basket; and when they heard
+their story there were great and unparalleled rejoicings. The Ranee
+said, "So I have indeed found a son at last!" And the people were so
+delighted, so happy and so proud of the new Prince and Princess, that
+they covered all their path with damask from the tank to the palace,
+and cried to their fellows, "Come and see our new Prince and Princess!
+Were ever any so divinely beautiful? Come see a right royal couple,--a
+pair of mortals like the gods!" And when they reached the palace the
+prince was married to the Fakeer's daughter.
+
+There they lived very happily for some time. The Muchie Ranee's
+stepmother, hearing what had happened, came often to see her
+stepdaughter, and pretended to be delighted at her good fortune; and
+the Ranee was so good that she quite forgave all her stepmother's
+former cruelty, and always received her very kindly. At last, one day,
+the Muchie Ranee said to her husband, "It is a weary while since I saw
+my father. If you will give me leave, I should much like to visit my
+native village and see him again." "Very well," he replied, "you may
+go. But do not stay away long; for there can be no happiness for me
+till you return." So she went, and her father was delighted to see
+her; but her stepmother, though she pretended to be very kind, was in
+reality only glad to think she had got the Ranee into her power, and
+determined, if possible, never to allow her to return to the palace
+again. One day, therefore, she said to her own daughter, "It is hard
+that your stepsister should have become Ranee of all the land instead
+of being eaten up by the great fish, while we gained no more than a
+lac of gold mohurs. Do now as I bid you, that you may become Ranee in
+her stead." She then went on to instruct her that she must invite the
+Ranee down to the river-bank, and there beg her to let her try on her
+jewels, and while putting them on give her a push and drown her in the
+river.
+
+The girl consented, and standing by the river-bank, said to her
+stepsister, "Sister, may I try on your jewels?--how pretty they are!"
+"Yes," said the Ranee, "and we shall be able to see in the river how
+they look." So, undoing her necklaces, she clasped them round the
+other's neck. But while she was doing so her stepsister gave her a
+push, and she fell backward into the water. The girl watched to
+see that the body did not rise, and then, running back, said to her
+mother, "Mother, here are all the jewels, and she will trouble us no
+more." But it happened that just when her stepsister pushed the Ranee
+into the river her old friend the Seven-headed Cobra chanced to be
+swimming across it, and seeing the little Ranee likely to be drowned,
+he carried her on his back until he reached his hole, into which he
+took her safely. Now this hole, in which the Cobra and his wife and
+all his little ones lived, had two entrances,--the one under the water
+and leading to the river, and the other above water, leading out into
+the open fields. To this upper end of his hole the Cobra took the
+Muchie Ranee, where he and his wife took care of her; and there she
+lived with them for some time. Meanwhile, the wicked Fakeer's wife,
+having dressed up her own daughter in all the Ranee's jewels, took her
+to the palace, and said to the Muchie Rajah, "See, I have brought your
+wife, my dear daughter, back safe and well." The Rajah looked at her,
+and thought, "This does not look like my wife." However, the room was
+dark and the girl was cleverly disguised, and he thought he might be
+mistaken. Next day he said again: "My wife must be sadly changed or
+this cannot be she, for she was always bright and cheerful. She had
+pretty loving ways and merry words, while this woman never opens
+her lips." Still, he did not like to seem to mistrust his wife, and
+comforted himself by saying, "Perhaps she is tired with the long
+journey." On the third day, however, he could bear the uncertainty
+no longer, and tearing off her jewels, saw, not the face of his own
+little wife, but another woman. Then he was very angry and turned her
+out of doors, saying, "Begone; since you are but the wretched tool of
+others, I spare your life." But of the Fakeer's wife he said to his
+guards, "Fetch that woman here instantly; for unless she can tell me
+where my wife is, I will have her hanged." It chanced, however, that
+the Fakeer's wife had heard of the Muchie Rajah having turned her
+daughter out of doors; so, fearing his anger, she hid herself, and was
+not to be found.
+
+Meantime, the Muchie Ranee, not knowing how to get home, continued to
+live in the great Seven-headed Cobra's hole, and he and his wife and
+all his family were very kind to her, and loved her as if she had been
+one of them; and there her little son was born, and she called him
+Muchie Lal, after the Muchie Rajah, his father. Muchie Lal was a
+lovely child, merry and brave, and his playmates all day long were the
+young Cobras. When he was about three years old a bangle-seller came
+by that way, and the Muchie Ranee bought some bangles from him and put
+them on her boy's wrists and ankles; but by the next day, in playing,
+he had broke them all. Then, seeing the bangle-seller, the Ranee
+called him again and bought some more, and so on every day until the
+bangle-seller got quite rich from selling so many bangles for the
+Muchie Lal; for the Cobra's hole was full of treasure, and he gave the
+Muchie Ranee as much money to spend every day as she liked. There was
+nothing she wished for he did not give her, only he would not let her
+try to get home to her husband, which she wished more than all.
+When she asked him he would say: "No, I will not let you go. If your
+husband comes here and fetches you, it is well; but I will not allow
+you to wander in search of him through the land alone."
+
+And so she was obliged to stay where she was.
+
+All this time the poor Muchie Rajah was hunting in every part of the
+country for his wife, but he could learn no tidings of her. For
+grief and sorrow at losing her he had gone almost distracted, and did
+nothing but wander from place to place, crying, "She is gone! she is
+gone!" Then, when he had long inquired without avail of all the people
+in her native village about her, he one day met a bangle-seller and
+said to him, "Whence do you come?" The bangle-seller answered, "I have
+just been selling bangles to some people who live in a Cobra's hole
+in the river-bank." "People! What people?" asked the Rajah. "Why,"
+answered the bangle-seller, "a woman and a child; the child is the
+most beautiful I ever saw. He is about three years old, and of course,
+running about, is always breaking his bangles and his mother buys him
+new ones every day." "Do you know what the child's name is?" said the
+Rajah. "Yes," answered the bangle-seller carelessly, "for the lady
+always calls him her Muchie Lal." "Ah," thought the Muchie
+Rajah, "this must be my wife." Then he said to him again, "Good
+bangle-seller, I would see these strange people of whom you speak;
+cannot you take me there?" "Not to-night," replied the bangle-seller;
+"daylight has gone, and we should only frighten them; but I shall be
+going there again to-morrow, and then you may come too. Meanwhile,
+come and rest at my house for the night, for you look faint and
+weary." The Rajah consented. Next morning, however, very early, he
+woke the bangle-seller, saying, "Pray let us go now and see the people
+you spoke about yesterday." "Stay," said the bangle-seller; "it is
+much too early. I never go till after breakfast." So the Rajah had to
+wait till the bangle-seller was ready to go. At last they started off,
+and when they reached the Cobra's hole the first thing the Rajah saw
+was a fine little boy playing with the young Cobras.
+
+As the bangle-seller came along, jingling his bangles, a gentle voice
+from inside the hole called out, "Come here, my Muchie Lal, and try
+on your bangles." Then the Muchie Rajah, kneeling down at the mouth
+of the hole, said, "Oh, lady, show your beautiful face to me." At the
+sound of his voice the Ranee ran out, crying, "Husband, husband! have
+you found me again?" And she told him how her sister had tried to
+drown her, and how the good Cobra had saved her life and taken care of
+her and her child. Then he said, "And will you now come home with me?"
+And she told him how the Cobra would never let her go, and said, "I
+will first tell him of your coming; for he has been a father to me."
+So she called out, "Father Cobra, father Cobra, my husband has come
+to fetch me; will you let me go?" "Yes," he said, "if your husband
+has come to fetch you, you may go." And his wife said, "Farewell, dear
+lady, we are loath to lose you, for we have loved you as a daughter."
+And all the little Cobras were very sorrowful to think that they
+must lose their playfellow, the young Prince. Then the Cobra gave the
+Muchie Rajah and the Muchie Ranee and Muchie Lal all the most costly
+gifts he could find in his treasure-house; and so they went home,
+where they lived very happy ever after.
+
+
+
+
+HOW THE RAJAH'S SON WON THE PRINCESS LABAM
+
+ADAPTED BY JOSEPH JACOBS
+
+
+In a country there was a Rajah who had an only son who every day went
+out to hunt. One day the Ranee his mother, said to him, "You can hunt
+wherever you like on these three sides; but you must never go to the
+fourth side." This she said because she knew if he went on the fourth
+side he would hear of the beautiful Princess Labam, and that then he
+would leave his father and mother and seek for the Princess.
+
+The young Prince listened to his mother, and obeyed her for some
+time; but one day, when he was hunting on the three sides where he was
+allowed to go, he remembered what she had said to him about the fourth
+side, and he determined to go and see why she had forbidden him to
+hunt on that side. When he got there, he found himself in a jungle,
+and nothing in the jungle but a quantity of parrots, who lived in it.
+The young Rajah shot at some of them, and at once they all flew away
+up to the sky. All, that is, but one, and this was their Rajah, who
+was called Hiraman parrot.
+
+When Hiraman parrot found himself left alone, he called out to the
+other parrots, "Don't fly away and leave me alone when the Rajah's son
+shoots. If you desert me like this, I will tell the Princess Labam."
+
+Then the parrots all flew back to their Rajah, chattering. The Prince
+was greatly surprised, and said, "Why, these birds can talk!" Then he
+said to the parrots, "Who is the Princess Labam? Where does she live?"
+But the parrots would not tell him where she lived. "You can never get
+to the Princess Labam's country." That is all they would say.
+
+The Prince grew very sad when they would not tell him anything more;
+and he threw his gun away and went home. When he got home, he would
+not speak or eat, but lay on his bed for four or five days, and seemed
+very ill.
+
+At last he told his father and mother that he wanted to go and see the
+Princess Labam. "I must go," he said; "I must see what she is like.
+Tell me where her country is."
+
+"We do not know where it is," answered his father and mother.
+
+"Then I must go and look for it," said the Prince.
+
+"No, no," they said, "you must not leave us. You are our only son.
+Stay with us. You will never find the Princess Labam."
+
+"I must try and find her," said the Prince. "Perhaps God will show
+me the way. If I live and I find her, I will come back to you; but
+perhaps I shall die, and then I shall never see you again. Still I
+must go."
+
+So they had to let him go, though they cried very much at parting with
+him. His father gave him fine clothes to wear, and a fine horse.
+And he took his gun, and his bow and arrows, and a great many other
+weapons; "for," he said, "I may want them." His father, too, gave him
+plenty of rupees.
+
+Then he himself got his horse all ready for the journey, and he said
+good-by to his father and mother; and his mother took her handkerchief
+and wrapped some sweetmeats in it, and gave it to her son. "My child,"
+she said to him, "when you are hungry eat some of these sweetmeats."
+
+He then set out on his journey, and rode on and on till he came to a
+jungle in which were a tank and shady trees. He bathed himself and his
+horse in the tank, and then sat down under a tree. "Now," he said to
+himself, "I will eat some of the sweetmeats my mother gave me, and I
+will drink some water, and then I will continue my journey." He opened
+his handkerchief and took out a sweetmeat. He found an ant in it. He
+took out another. There was an ant in that one too. So he laid the two
+sweetmeats on the ground, and he took out another, and another, and
+another, until he had taken them all out; but in each he found an ant.
+"Never mind," he said, "I won't eat the sweetmeats; the ants shall
+eat them." Then the Ant-Rajah came and stood before him and said, "You
+have been good to us. If ever you are in trouble, think of me and we
+will come to you."
+
+The Rajah's son thanked him, mounted his horse and continued his
+journey. He rode on and on until he came to another jungle, and there
+he saw a tiger who had a thorn in his foot, and was roaring loudly
+from the pain.
+
+"Why do you roar like that?" said the young Rajah. "What is the matter
+with you?"
+
+"I have had a thorn in my foot for twelve years," answered the tiger,
+"and it hurts me so; that is why I roar."
+
+"Well," said the Rajah's son, "I will take it out for you. But
+perhaps, as you are a tiger, when I have made you well, you will eat
+me?"
+
+"Oh no," said the tiger, "I won't eat you. Do make me well."
+
+Then the Prince took a little knife from his pocket and cut the thorn
+out of the tiger's foot; but when he cut, the tiger roared louder than
+ever--so loud that his wife heard him in the next jungle, and came
+bounding along to see what was the matter. The tiger saw her coming,
+and hid the Prince in the jungle, so that she should not see him.
+
+"What man hurt you that you roared so loud?" said the wife.
+
+"No one hurt me," answered the husband; "but a Rajah's son came and
+took the thorn out of my foot."
+
+"Where is he? Show him to me," said his wife.
+
+"If you promise not to kill him, I will call him," said the tiger.
+
+"I won't kill him; only let me see him," answered his wife.
+
+Then the tiger called the Rajah's son, and when he came the tiger
+and his wife made him a great many salaams. Then they gave him a good
+dinner, and he stayed with them for three days. Every day he looked at
+the tiger's foot, and the third day it was quite healed. Then he said
+good-by to the tigers, and the tiger said to him, "If ever you are in
+trouble, think of me, and we will come to you."
+
+The Rajah's son rode on and on till he came to a third jungle. Here
+he found four fakeers whose teacher and master had died, and had left
+four things,--a bed, which carried whoever sat on it whithersoever he
+wished to go; a bag, that gave its owner whatever he wanted, jewels,
+food or clothes; a stone bowl that gave its owner as much water as
+he wanted, no matter how far he might be from a tank; and a stick and
+rope, to which its owner had only to say, if any one came to make war
+on him, "Stick, beat as many men and soldiers as are here," and the
+stick would beat them and the rope would tie them up.
+
+The four fakeers were quarreling over these four things. One said, "I
+want this;" another said, "You cannot have it, for I want it;" and so
+on.
+
+The Rajah's son said to them, "Do not quarrel for these things. I will
+shoot four arrows in four different directions. Whichever of you gets
+to my first arrow, shall have the first thing--the bed. Whosoever gets
+to the second arrow, shall have the second thing--the bag. He who gets
+to the third arrow, shall have the third thing--the bowl. And he who
+gets to the fourth arrow, shall have the last things--the stick and
+rope." To this they agreed. And the Prince shot off his first arrow.
+Away raced the fakeers to get it. When they brought it back to him he
+shot off the second, and when they had found and brought it to him he
+shot off his third, and when they had brought him the third he shot
+off the fourth.
+
+While they were away looking for the fourth arrow the Rajah's son let
+his horse loose in the jungle and sat on the bed, taking the bowl, the
+stick and rope, and the bag with him. Then he said, "Bed, I wish to
+go to the Princess Labam's country." The little bed instantly rose up
+into the air and began to fly, and it flew and flew till it came to
+the Princess Labam's country, where it settled on the ground. The
+Rajah's son asked some men he saw, "Whose country is this?"
+
+"The Princess Labam's country," they answered. Then the Prince went on
+till he came to a house where he saw an old woman.
+
+"Who are you?" she said. "Where do you come from?"
+
+"I come from a far country," he said; "do let me stay with you
+to-night."
+
+"No," she answered, "I cannot let you stay with me; for our King has
+ordered that men from other countries may not stay in his country. You
+cannot stay in my house."
+
+"You are my aunty," said the Prince; "let me remain with you for this
+one night. You see it is evening, and if I go into the jungle, then
+the wild beasts will eat me."
+
+"Well," said that old woman, "you may stay here to-night; but
+to-morrow morning you must go away, for if the King hears you have
+passed the night in my house, he will have me seized and put into
+prison."
+
+Then she took him into her house, and the Rajah's son was very glad.
+The old woman began preparing dinner, but he stopped her. "Aunty," he
+said, "I will give you food." He put his hand into his bag, saying,
+"Bag, I want some dinner," and the bag gave him instantly a delicious
+dinner, served up on two gold plates. The old woman and the Rajah's
+son then dined together.
+
+When they had finished eating, the old woman said, "Now I will fetch
+some water."
+
+"Don't go," said the Prince. "You shall have plenty of water
+directly." So he took his bowl and said to it, "Bowl, I want some
+water," and then it filled with water. When it was full, the Prince
+cried out, "Stop, bowl!" and the bowl stopped filling. "See, aunty,"
+he said, "with this bowl I can always get as much water as I want."
+
+By this time night had come. "Aunty," said the Rajah's son, "why don't
+you light a lamp?"
+
+"There is no need," she said. "Our king has forbidden the people
+in his country to light any lamps; for, as soon as it is dark, his
+daughter, the Princess Labam, comes and sits on her roof, and she
+shines so that she lights up all the country and our houses, and we
+can see to do our work as if it were day."
+
+When it was quite black night the Princess got up. She dressed herself
+in her rich clothes and jewels, and rolled up her hair, and across her
+head she put a band of diamonds and pearls. Then she shone like the
+moon and her beauty made night day. She came out of her room and sat
+on the roof of her palace. In the daytime she never came out of her
+house; she only came out at night. All the people in her father's
+country then went about their work and finished it.
+
+The Rajah's son, watched the Princess quietly, and was very happy. He
+said to himself, "How lovely she is!"
+
+At midnight, when everybody had gone to bed, the Princess came down
+from her roof and went to her room; and when she was in bed and
+asleep, the Rajah's son got up softly and sat on his bed. "Bed," he
+said to it, "I want to go to the Princess Labam's bed-room." So the
+little bed carried him to the room where she lay fast asleep.
+
+The young Rajah took his bag and said, "I want a great deal of
+betel-leaf," and it at once gave him quantities of betel-leaf. This he
+laid near the Princess's bed, and then his little bed carried him back
+to the old woman's house.
+
+Next morning all the Princess's servants found the betel-leaf, and
+began to eat it. "Where did you get all that betel-leaf?" asked the
+Princess.
+
+"We found it near your bed," answered the servants. Nobody knew the
+Prince had come in the night and put it all there.
+
+In the morning the old woman came to the Rajah's son. "Now it is
+morning," she said, "and you must go; for if the King finds out all I
+have done for you, he will seize me."
+
+"I am ill to-day, dear aunty," said the Prince; "do let me stay till
+to-morrow morning."
+
+"Good," said the old woman. So he stayed, and they took their dinner
+out of the bag, and the bowl gave them water.
+
+[Illustration: THE PRINCESS LABAM ... SHINES SO THAT SHE LIGHTS UP ALL
+THE COUNTRY.]
+
+When night came the Princess got up and sat on her roof, and at twelve
+o'clock, when every one was in bed, she went to her bed-room, and was
+soon fast asleep. Then the Rajah's son sat on his bed, and it carried
+him to the Princess. He took his bag and said, "Bag, I want a most
+lovely shawl." It gave him a splendid shawl, and he spread it over the
+Princess as she lay asleep. Then he went back to the old woman's house
+and slept till morning.
+
+In the morning, when the Princess saw the shawl she was delighted.
+"See, mother," she said; "Khuda must have given me this shawl, it is
+so beautiful." Her mother was very glad too.
+
+"Yes, my child," she said; "Khuda must have given you this splendid
+shawl."
+
+When it was morning the old woman said to the Rajah's son, "Now you
+must really go."
+
+"Aunty," he answered, "I am not well enough yet. Let me stay a few
+days longer. I will remain hidden in your house, so that no one may
+see me." So the old woman let him stay.
+
+When it was black night, the Princess put on her lovely clothes and
+jewels and sat on her roof. At midnight she went to her room and
+went to sleep. Then the Rajah's son sat on his bed and flew to
+her bed-room. There he said to his bag, "Bag, I want a very, very
+beautiful ring." The bag gave him a glorious ring. Then he took the
+Princess Labam's hand gently to put on the ring, and she started up
+very much frightened.
+
+"Who are you?" she said to the Prince. "Where do you come from? Why do
+you come to my room?"
+
+"Do not be afraid, Princess," he said; "I am no thief. I am a great
+Rajah's son. Hiraman parrot, who lives in the jungle where I went to
+hunt, told me your name, and then I left my father and mother and came
+to see you."
+
+"Well," said the Princess, "as you are the son of such a great Rajah,
+I will not have you killed, and I will tell my father and mother that
+I wish to marry you."
+
+The Prince then returned to the old woman's house; and when morning
+came the Princess said to her mother, "The son of a great Rajah has
+come to this country, and I wish to marry him." Her mother told this
+to the King.
+
+"Good," said the King; "but if this Rajah's son wishes to marry my
+daughter, he must first do whatever I bid him. If he fails I will kill
+him. I will give him eighty pounds weight of mustard seed, and out of
+this he must crush the oil in one day. If he cannot do this he shall
+die."
+
+In the morning the Rajah's son told the old woman that he intended
+to marry the Princess. "Oh," said the old woman, "go away from this
+country, and do not think of marrying her. A great many Rajahs and
+Rajahs' sons have come here to marry her, and her father has had them
+all killed. He says whoever wishes to marry his daughter must first do
+whatever he bids him. If he can, then he shall marry the Princess; if
+he cannot, the King will have him killed. But no one can do the things
+the King tells him to do; so all the Rajahs and Rajahs' sons who have
+tried have been put to death. You will be killed too, if you try. Do
+go away." But the Prince would not listen to anything she said.
+
+The King sent for the Prince to the old woman's house, and his
+servants brought the Rajah's son to the King's court-house to the
+King. There the King gave him eighty pounds of mustard seed, and told
+him to crush all the oil out of it that day, and bring it next morning
+to him to the court-house. "Whoever wishes to marry my daughter," he
+said to the Prince, "must first do all I tell him. If he cannot, then
+I have him killed. So if you cannot crush all the oil out of this
+mustard seed you will die."
+
+The Prince was very sorry when he heard this. "How can I crush the oil
+out of all this mustard seed in one day?" he said to himself; "and if
+I do not, the King will kill me." He took the mustard seed to the old
+woman's house, and did not know what to do. At last he remembered the
+Ant-Rajah, and the moment he did so, the Ant-Rajah and his ants came
+to him. "Why do you look so sad?" said the Ant-Rajah.
+
+The Prince showed him the mustard seed, and said to him, "How can I
+crush the oil out of all this mustard seed in one day? And if I do not
+take the oil to the King to-morrow morning, he will kill me."
+
+"Be happy," said the Ant-Rajah; "lie down and sleep; we will crush all
+the oil out for you during the day, and to-morrow morning you shall
+take it to the King." The Rajah's son lay down and slept, and the ants
+crushed out the oil for him. The Prince was very glad when he saw the
+oil.
+
+The next morning he took it to the court-house to the King. But the
+King said, "You cannot yet marry my daughter. If you wish to do so,
+you must fight with my two demons, and kill them." The King a long
+time ago had caught two demons, and then, as he did not know what to
+do with them, he had shut them up in a cage. He was afraid to let them
+loose for fear they would eat up all the people in his country; and he
+did not know how to kill them. So all the Rajahs and Rajahs' sons who
+wanted to marry the Princess Labam had to fight with these demons;
+"for," said the King to himself, "perhaps the demons may be killed,
+and then I shall be rid of them."
+
+When he heard of the demons the Rajah's son was very sad. "What can I
+do?" he said to himself. "How can I fight with these two demons?" Then
+he thought of his tiger: and the tiger and his wife came to him and
+said, "Why are you so sad?" The Rajah's son answered, "The King has
+ordered me to fight with his two demons and kill them. How can I do
+this?" "Do not be frightened," said the tiger. "Be happy. I and my
+wife will fight with them for you."
+
+Then the Rajah's son took out of his bag two splendid coats. They were
+all gold and silver, and covered with pearls and diamonds. These he
+put on the tigers to make them beautiful, and he took them to the
+King, and said to him, "May these tigers fight your demons for me?"
+"Yes," said the King, who did not care in the least who killed his
+demons, provided they were killed. "Then call your demons," said the
+Rajah's son, "and these tigers will fight them." The King did so,
+and the tigers and the demons fought and fought until the tigers had
+killed the demons.
+
+"That is good," said the King. "But you must do something else before
+I give you my daughter. Up in the sky I have a kettle-drum. You must
+go and beat it. If you cannot do this, I will kill you."
+
+The Rajah's son thought of his little bed; so he went to the old
+woman's house and sat on his bed. "Little bed," he said, "up in the
+sky is the King's kettle-drum. I want to go to it." The bed flew up
+with him, and the Rajah's son beat the drum, and the King heard him.
+Still, when he came down, the King would not give him his daughter.
+"You have," he said to the Prince, "done the three things I told you
+to do; but you must do one thing more." "If I can, I will," said the
+Rajah's son.
+
+Then the King showed him the trunk of a tree that was lying near his
+court-house. It was a very, very thick trunk. He gave the Prince a wax
+hatchet, and said, "To-morrow morning you must cut this trunk in two
+with this wax hatchet."
+
+The Rajah's son went back to the old woman's house. He was very sad,
+and thought that now the Rajah would certainly kill him. "I had his
+oil crushed out by the ants," he said to himself. "I had his demons
+killed by the tigers. My bed helped to beat this kettle-drum. But now
+what can I do? How can I cut that thick tree-trunk in two with a wax
+hatchet?"
+
+At night he went on his bed to see the Princess. "To-morrow," he said
+to her, "your father will kill me." "Why?" asked the Princess.
+
+"He has told me to cut a thick tree-trunk in two with a wax hatchet.
+How can I ever do that?" said the Rajah's son. "Do not be afraid,"
+said the Princess; "do as I bid you, and you will cut it in two quite
+easily."
+
+Then she pulled out a hair from her head and gave it to the Prince.
+"To-morrow," she said, "when no one is near you, you must say to the
+tree-trunk, 'The Princess Labam commands you to let yourself be cut
+in two by this hair.' Then stretch the hair down the edge of the wax
+hatchet's blade."
+
+The Prince next day did exactly as the Princess had told him; and the
+minute the hair that was stretched down the edge of the hatchet blade
+touched the tree-trunk it split into two pieces.
+
+The King said, "Now you can marry my daughter." Then the wedding took
+place. All the Rajahs and Kings of the countries round were asked
+to come to it, and there were great rejoicings. After a few days the
+bridegroom said to his bride "Let us go to my father's country." The
+Princess Labam's father gave them a quantity of camels and horses and
+rupees and servants; and they traveled in great state to the distant
+country, where they lived happily.
+
+The prince always kept his bag, bowl, bed, stick and rope; only, as no
+one ever came to make war on him, he never needed to use the stick or
+rope.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+MYTHS OF JAPAN
+
+
+
+
+THE JELLYFISH AND THE MONKEY
+
+ADAPTED BY YEI THEODORA OZAKI
+
+
+Long, long ago, in old Japan, the Kingdom of the Sea was governed by a
+wonderful King. He was called Rin Jin, or the Dragon King of the Sea.
+His power was immense, for he was the ruler of all sea creatures both
+great and small, and in his keeping were the Jewels of the Ebb and
+Flow of the Tide. The Jewel of the Ebbing Tide when thrown into the
+ocean caused the sea to recede from the land, and the Jewel of the
+Flowing Tide made the waves to rise mountains high and to flow in upon
+the shore like a tidal wave.
+
+The palace of Rin Jin was at the bottom of the sea, and was so
+beautiful that no one has ever seen anything like it even in dreams.
+The walls were of coral, the roof of jadestone and chalcedony, and
+the floors were of the finest mother-of-pearl. But the Dragon King, in
+spite of his wide-spreading kingdom, his beautiful palace and all its
+wonders, and his power, which none disputed throughout the whole sea,
+was not at all happy, for he reigned alone. At last he thought that if
+he married he would not only be happier, but also more powerful. So
+he decided to take a wife. Calling all his fish retainers together,
+he chose several of them as ambassadors to go through the sea and seek
+for a young Dragon Princess who would be his bride.
+
+At last they returned to the palace bringing with them a lovely young
+dragon. Her scales were of a glittering green like the wings of summer
+beetles, her eyes threw out glances of fire, and she was dressed in
+gorgeous robes. All the jewels of the sea worked in with embroidery
+adorned them.
+
+The King fell in love with her at once, and the wedding ceremony was
+celebrated with great splendor. Every living thing in the sea, from
+the great whales down to the little shrimps, came in shoals to offer
+their congratulations to the bride and bridegroom and to wish them a
+long and prosperous life. Never had there been such an assemblage or
+such gay festivities in the Fish-World before. The train of bearers
+who carried the bride's possessions to her new home seemed to reach
+across the waves from one end of the sea to the other. Each fish
+carried a phosphorescent lantern and was dressed in ceremonial robes,
+gleaming blue and pink and silver; and the waves as they rose and fell
+and broke that night seemed to be rolling masses of white and green
+fire, for the phosphorus shone with double brilliancy in honor of the
+event.
+
+Now for a time the Dragon King and his bride lived very happily. They
+loved each other dearly, and the bridegroom day after day took delight
+in showing his bride all the wonders and treasures of his coral
+palace, and she was never tired of wandering with him through its vast
+halls and gardens. Life seemed to them both like a long summer's day.
+
+Two months passed in this happy way, and then the Dragon Queen fell
+ill and was obliged to stay in bed. The King was sorely troubled when
+he saw his precious bride so ill, and at once sent for the fish doctor
+to come and give her some medicine. He gave special orders to the
+servants to nurse her carefully and to wait upon her with diligence,
+but in spite of all the nurses' assiduous care and the medicine that
+the doctor prescribed, the young Queen showed no signs of recovery,
+but grew daily worse.
+
+Then the Dragon King interviewed the doctor and blamed him for
+not curing the Queen. The doctor was alarmed at Rin Jin's evident
+displeasure, and excused his want of skill by saying that although he
+knew the right kind of medicine to give the invalid, it was impossible
+to find it in the sea.
+
+"Do you mean to tell me that you can't get the medicine here?" asked
+the Dragon King.
+
+"It is just as you say!" said the doctor.
+
+"Tell me what it is you want for the Queen?" demanded Rin Jin.
+
+"I want the liver of a live monkey!" answered the doctor.
+
+"The liver of a live monkey! Of course that will be most difficult to
+get," said the King.
+
+"If we could only get that for the Queen, her Majesty would soon
+recover," said the doctor.
+
+"Very well, that decides it; we _must_ get it somehow or other. But
+where are we most likely to find a monkey?" asked the King.
+
+Then the doctor told the Dragon King that some distance to the south
+there was a Monkey Island where a great many monkeys lived.
+
+"If only you could capture one of those monkeys?" said the doctor.
+
+"How can any of my people capture a monkey?" said the Dragon King,
+greatly puzzled. "The monkeys live on dry land, while we live in the
+water; and out of our element we are quite powerless! I don't see what
+we can do!"
+
+"That has been my difficulty too," said the doctor. "But amongst your
+innumerable servants, you surely can find one who can go on shore for
+that express purpose!"
+
+"Something must be done," said the King, and calling his chief steward
+he consulted him on the matter.
+
+The chief steward thought for some time, and then, as if struck by a
+sudden thought, said joyfully:
+
+"I know what we must do! There is the _kurage_ (jellyfish). He is
+certainly ugly to look at, but he is proud of being able to walk on
+land with his four legs like a tortoise. Let us send him to the Island
+of Monkeys to catch one."
+
+The jellyfish was then summoned to the King's presence, and was told
+by his Majesty what was required of him.
+
+The jellyfish, on being told of the unexpected mission which was to
+be entrusted to him, looked very troubled, and said that he had never
+been to the island in question, and as he had never had any experience
+in catching monkeys he was afraid that he would not be able to get
+one.
+
+"Well," said the chief steward, "if you depend on your strength or
+dexterity you will never catch a monkey. The only way is to play a
+trick on one!"
+
+"How can I play a trick on a monkey? I don't know how to do it," said
+the perplexed jellyfish.
+
+"This is what you must do," said the wily chief steward. "When you
+approach the Island of Monkeys and meet some of them, you must try
+to get very friendly with one. Tell him that you are a servant of the
+Dragon King, and invite him to come and visit you and see the Dragon
+King's palace. Try and describe to him as vividly as you can the
+grandeur of the palace and the wonders of the sea so as to arouse his
+curiosity and make him long to see it all!"
+
+"But how am I to get the monkey here? You know monkeys don't swim!"
+said the reluctant jellyfish.
+
+"You must carry him on your back. What is the use of your shell if you
+can't do that!" said the chief steward.
+
+"Won't he be very heavy?" queried _kurage_ again.
+
+"You mustn't mind that, for you are working for the Dragon King!"
+replied the chief steward.
+
+"I will do my best then," said the jellyfish, and he swam away from
+the palace and started off towards the Monkey Island. Swimming
+swiftly he reached his destination in a few hours, and was landed by a
+convenient wave upon the shore. On looking round he saw not far away a
+big pine-tree with drooping branches and on one of those branches was
+just what he was looking for--a live monkey.
+
+"I'm in luck!" thought the jellyfish. "Now I must flatter the creature
+and try to entice him to come back with me to the palace, and my part
+will be done!"
+
+So the jellyfish slowly walked towards the pine-tree. In those ancient
+days the jellyfish had four legs and a hard shell like a tortoise.
+When he got to the pine-tree he raised his voice and said:
+
+"How do you do, Mr. Monkey? Isn't it a lovely day?"
+
+"A very fine day," answered the monkey from the tree. "I have never
+seen you in this part of the world before. Where have you come from
+and what is your name?"
+
+"My name is _kurage_ or jellyfish. I am one of the servants of the
+Dragon King. I have heard so much of your beautiful island that I have
+come on purpose to see it," answered the jellyfish.
+
+"I am very glad to see you," said the monkey.
+
+"By-the-bye," said the jellyfish, "have you ever seen the palace of
+the Dragon King of the Sea where I live?"
+
+"I have often heard of it, but I have never seen it!" answered the
+monkey.
+
+"Then you ought most surely to come. It is a great pity for you to go
+through life without seeing it. The beauty of the palace is beyond all
+description--it is certainly to my mind the most lovely place in the
+world," said the jellyfish.
+
+"Is it so beautiful as all that?" asked the monkey in astonishment.
+
+Then the jellyfish saw his chance, and went on describing to the best
+of his ability the beauty and grandeur of the Sea King's palace, and
+the wonders of the garden with its curious trees of white, pink and
+red coral, and the still more curious fruits like great jewels hanging
+on the branches. The monkey grew more and more interested, and as he
+listened he came down the tree step by step so as not to lose a word
+of the wonderful story.
+
+"I have got him at last!" thought the jellyfish, but aloud he said:
+
+"Mr. Monkey, I must now go back. As you have never seen the palace of
+the Dragon King, won't you avail yourself of this splendid opportunity
+by coming with me? I shall then be able to act as guide and show you
+all the sights of the sea, which will be even more wonderful to you--a
+land-lubber."
+
+"I should love to go," said the monkey, "but how am I to cross the
+water? I can't swim, as you surely know!"
+
+"There is no difficulty about that. I can carry you on my back."
+
+"That will be troubling you too much," said the monkey.
+
+"I can do it quite easily. I am stronger than I look, so you needn't
+hesitate," said the jellyfish, and taking the monkey on his back he
+stepped into the sea.
+
+"Keep very still, Mr. Monkey," said the jellyfish. "You mustn't fall
+into the sea; I am responsible for your safe arrival at the King's
+palace."
+
+"Please don't go so fast, or I am sure I shall fall off," said the
+monkey.
+
+Thus they went along, the jellyfish skimming through the waves with
+the monkey sitting on his back. When they were about halfway, the
+jellyfish, who knew very little of anatomy, began to wonder if the
+monkey had his liver with him or not!
+
+"Mr. Monkey, tell me, have you such a thing as a liver with you?"
+
+The monkey was very much surprised at this queer question, and asked
+what the jellyfish wanted with a liver.
+
+"That is the most important thing of all," said the stupid jellyfish,
+"so as soon as I recollected it, I asked you if you had yours with
+you?"
+
+"Why is my liver so important to you?" asked the monkey.
+
+"Oh! you will learn the reason later," said the jellyfish.
+
+The monkey grew more and more curious and suspicious, and urged the
+jellyfish to tell him for what his liver was wanted, and ended up by
+appealing to his hearer's feelings by saying that he was very troubled
+at what he had been told.
+
+Then the jellyfish, seeing how anxious the monkey looked, was sorry
+for him, and told everything. How the Dragon Queen had fallen ill,
+and how the doctor had said that only the liver of a live monkey would
+cure her, and how the Dragon King had sent him to find one.
+
+"Now I have done as I was told, and as soon as we arrive at the palace
+the doctor will want your liver, so I feel sorry for you!" said the
+silly jellyfish.
+
+The poor monkey was horrified when he learnt all this, and very angry
+at the trick played upon him. He trembled with fear at the thought of
+what was in store for him.
+
+But the monkey was a clever animal, and he thought it the wisest plan
+not to show any sign of the fear he felt, so he tried to calm himself
+and to think of some way by which he might escape.
+
+"The doctor means to cut me open and then take my liver out! Why I
+shall die!" thought the monkey. At last a bright thought struck him,
+so he said quite cheerfully to the jellyfish:
+
+"What a pity it was, Mr. Jellyfish, that you did not speak of this
+before we left the island!"
+
+"If I had told you why I wanted you to accompany me you would
+certainly have refused to come," answered the jellyfish.
+
+"You are quite mistaken," said the monkey. "Monkeys can very well
+spare a liver or two, especially when it is wanted for the Dragon
+Queen of the Sea. If I had only guessed of what you were in need, I
+should have presented you with one without waiting to be asked. I have
+several livers. But the greatest pity is, that as you did not speak in
+time, I have left all my livers hanging on the pine-tree."
+
+"Have you left your liver behind you?" asked the jellyfish.
+
+"Yes," said the cunning monkey, "during the daytime I usually leave
+my liver hanging up on the branch of a tree, as it is very much in the
+way when I am climbing about from tree to tree. To-day, listening to
+your interesting conversation, I quite forgot it, and left it behind
+when I came off with you. If only you had spoken in time I should have
+remembered it, and should have brought it along with me!"
+
+The jellyfish was very disappointed when he heard this, for he
+believed every word the monkey said. The monkey was of no good without
+a liver. Finally the jellyfish stopped and told the monkey so.
+
+"Well," said the monkey, "that is soon remedied. I am really sorry to
+think of all your trouble; but if you will only take me back to the
+place where you found me, I shall soon be able to get my liver."
+
+The jellyfish did not at all like the idea of going all the way back
+to the island again; but the monkey assured him that if he would be so
+kind as to take him back he would get his very best liver, and bring
+it with him the next time. Thus persuaded, the jellyfish turned his
+course towards the Monkey Island once more.
+
+No sooner had the jellyfish reached the shore than the sly monkey
+landed, and getting up into the pine-tree where the jellyfish had
+first seen him, he cut several capers amongst the branches with joy at
+being safe home again, and then looking down at the jellyfish said:
+
+"So many thanks for all the trouble you have taken! Please present my
+compliments to the Dragon King on your return!"
+
+The jellyfish wondered at this speech and the mocking tone in which
+it was uttered. Then he asked the monkey if it wasn't his intention to
+come with him at once after getting his liver.
+
+The monkey replied laughingly that he couldn't afford to lose his
+liver; it was too precious.
+
+"But remember your promise!" pleaded the jellyfish, now very
+discouraged.
+
+"That promise was false, and anyhow it is now broken!" answered the
+monkey. Then he began to jeer at the jellyfish and told him that he
+had been deceiving him the whole time; that he had no wish to lose
+his life, which he certainly would have done had he gone on to the Sea
+King's Palace to the old doctor waiting for him, instead of persuading
+the jellyfish to return under false pretences.
+
+"Of course, I won't _give_ you my liver, but come and get it if you
+can!" added the monkey mockingly from the tree.
+
+There was nothing for the jellyfish to do now but to repent of his
+stupidity, and return to the Dragon King of the Sea and confess his
+failure, so he started sadly and slowly to swim back. The last thing
+he heard as he glided away, leaving the island behind him, was the
+monkey laughing at him.
+
+Meanwhile the Dragon King, the doctor, the chief steward, and all the
+servants were waiting impatiently for the return of the jellyfish.
+When they caught sight of him approaching the palace, they hailed him
+with delight. They began to thank him profusely for all the trouble he
+had taken in going to Monkey Island, and then they asked him where the
+monkey was.
+
+Now the day of reckoning had come for the jellyfish. He quaked all
+over as he told his story. How he had brought the monkey half way over
+the sea, and then had stupidly let out the secret of his commission;
+how the monkey had deceived him by making him believe that he had left
+his liver behind him.
+
+The Dragon King's wrath was great, and he at once gave orders that the
+jellyfish was to be severely punished. The punishment was a horrible
+one. All the bones were to be drawn out from his living body, and he
+was to be beaten with sticks.
+
+The poor jellyfish, humiliated and horrified beyond all words, cried
+out for pardon. But the Dragon King's order had to be obeyed.
+The servants of the palace forthwith each brought out a stick and
+surrounded the jellyfish, and after pulling out his bones they beat
+him to a flat pulp, and then took him out beyond the palace gates and
+threw him into the water. Here he was left to suffer and repent
+his foolish chattering, and to grow accustomed to his new state of
+bonelessness.
+
+From this story it is evident that in former times the jellyfish once
+had a shell and bones something like a tortoise, but, ever since the
+Dragon King's sentence was carried out on the ancestor of the jelly
+fishes, his descendants have all been soft and boneless just as you
+see them to-day thrown up by the waves high upon the shores of Japan.
+
+
+
+
+THE OLD MAN AND THE DEVILS
+
+
+A long time ago there was an old man who had a big lump on the right
+side of his face. One day he went into the mountain to cut wood, when
+the rain began to pour and the wind to blow so very hard that, finding
+it impossible to return home, and filled with fear, he took refuge in
+the hollow of an old tree. While sitting there doubled up and unable
+to sleep, he heard the confused sound of many voices in the distance
+gradually approaching to where he was. He said to himself: "How
+strange! I thought I was all alone in the mountain, but I hear the
+voices of many people." So, taking courage, he peeped out, and saw a
+great crowd of strange-looking beings. Some were red, and dressed in
+green clothes; others were black, and dressed in red clothes; some had
+only one eye; others had no mouth; indeed, it is quite impossible to
+describe their varied and strange looks. They kindled a fire, so that
+it became as light as day. They sat down in two cross-rows, and began
+to drink wine and make merry just like human beings. They passed the
+wine cup around so often that many of them soon drank too much. One of
+the young devils got up and began to sing a merry song and to dance;
+so also many others; some danced well, others badly. One said: "We
+have had uncommon fun to-night, but I would like to see something
+new."
+
+Then the old man, losing all fear, thought he would like to dance,
+and saying, "Let come what will, if I die for it, I will have a dance,
+too," crept out of the hollow tree and, with his cap slipped over his
+nose and his ax sticking in his belt, began to dance. The devils
+in great surprise jumped up, saying, "Who is this?" but the old man
+advancing and receding, swaying to and fro, and posturing this way and
+that way, the whole crowd laughed and enjoyed the fun, saying: "How
+well the old man dances! You must always come and join us in our
+sport; but, for fear you might not come, you must give us a pledge
+that you will." So the devils consulted together, and, agreeing that
+the lump on his face, which was a token of wealth, was what he valued
+most highly, demanded that it should be taken. The old man replied: "I
+have had this lump many years, and would not without good reason part
+with it; but you may have it, or an eye, or my nose either if you
+wish." So the devils laid hold of it, twisting and pulling, and took
+it off without giving him any pain, and put it away as a pledge that
+he would come back. Just then the day began to dawn, and the birds to
+sing, so the devils hurried away.
+
+The old man felt his face and found it quite smooth, and not a trace
+of the lump left. He forgot all about cutting wood, and hastened home.
+His wife, seeing him, exclaimed in great surprise, "What has happened
+to you?" So he told her all that had befallen him.
+
+Now, among the neighbors there was another old man who had a big lump
+on the left side of his face. Hearing all about how the first old man
+had got rid of his misfortune, he determined that he would also try
+the same plan. So he went and crept into the hollow tree, and waited
+for the devils to come. Sure enough, they came just as he was told,
+and they sat down, drank wine, and made merry just as they did before.
+The second old man, afraid and trembling, crept out of the hollow
+tree. The devils welcomed him, saying: "The old man has come; now let
+us see him dance." This old fellow was awkward, and did not dance as
+well as the other, so the devils cried out: "You dance badly, and are
+getting worse and worse; we will give you back the lump which we took
+from you as a pledge." Upon this, one of the devils brought the lump,
+and stuck it on the other side of his face; so the poor old fellow
+returned home with a lump on each side.
+
+
+
+
+AUTUMN AND SPRING
+
+ADAPTED BY FRANK HINDER
+
+
+A fair maiden lay asleep in a rice field. The sun was at its height,
+and she was weary. Now a god looked down upon the rice field. He knew
+that the beauty of the maiden came from within, that it mirrored the
+beauty of heavenly dreams. He knew that even now, as she smiled, she
+held converse with the spirit of the wind or the flowers.
+
+The god descended and asked the dream-maiden to be his bride. She
+rejoiced, and they were wed. A wonderful red jewel came of their
+happiness.
+
+Long, long afterwards, the stone was found by a farmer, who saw that
+it was a very rare jewel. He prized it highly, and always carried it
+about with him. Sometimes, as he looked at it in the pale light of
+the moon, it seemed to him that he could discern eyes in its depths.
+Again, in the stillness of the night, he would awaken and think that a
+clear soft voice called him by name.
+
+One day, the farmer had to carry the midday meal to his workers in
+the field. The sun was very hot, so he loaded a cow with the bowls of
+rice, the millet dumplings, and the beans. Suddenly, Prince Ama-boko
+stood in the path. He was angry, for he thought that the farmer was
+about to kill the cow. The Prince would hear no word of denial; his
+wrath increased. The farmer became more and more terrified, and,
+finally, took the precious stone from his pocket and presented it as
+a peace-offering to the powerful Prince. Ama-boko marveled at the
+brilliancy of the jewel, and allowed the man to continue his journey.
+
+The Prince returned to his home. He drew forth the treasure, and it
+was immediately transformed into a goddess of surpassing beauty. Even
+as she rose before him, he loved her, and ere the moon waned they were
+wed. The goddess ministered to his every want. She prepared delicate
+dishes, the secret of which is known only to the gods. She made wine
+from the juice of a myriad herbs, wine such as mortals never taste.
+
+But, after a time, the Prince became proud and overbearing. He began
+to treat his faithful wife with cruel contempt. The goddess was sad,
+and said: "You are not worthy of my love. I will leave you and go
+to my father." Ama-boko paid no heed to these words, for he did not
+believe that the threat would be fulfilled. But the beautiful goddess
+was in earnest. She escaped from the palace and fled to Naniwa, where
+she is still honored as Akaru-hime, the Goddess of Light.
+
+Now the Prince was wroth when he heard that the goddess had left him,
+and set out in pursuit of her. But when he neared Naniwa, the gods
+would not allow his vessel to enter the haven. Then he knew that
+his priceless red jewel was lost to him forever. He steered his ship
+towards the north coast of Japan, and landed at Tajima. Here he was
+well received, and highly esteemed on account of the treasures which
+he brought with him. He had costly strings of pearls, girdles of
+precious stones, and a mirror which the wind and the waves obeyed.
+Prince Ama-boko remained at Tajima, and was the father of a mighty
+race.
+
+Among his children's children was a Princess so renowned for her
+beauty that eighty suitors sought her hand. One after the other
+returned sorrowfully home, for none found favor in her eyes. At last,
+two brothers came before her, the young God of the Autumn, and the
+young God of the Spring. The elder of the two, the God of Autumn,
+first urged his suit. But the Princess refused him. He went to his
+younger brother and said, "The Princess does not love me, neither will
+you be able to win her heart."
+
+But the Spring God was full of hope, and replied, "I will give you a
+cask of rice wine if I do not win her, but if she consents to be my
+bride, you shall give a cask of _saké_ to me."
+
+Now the God of Spring went to his mother, and told her all. She
+promised to aid him. Thereupon she wove, in a single night, a robe and
+sandals from the unopened buds of the lilac and white wistaria. Out of
+the same delicate flowers she fashioned a bow and arrows. Thus clad,
+the God of Spring made his way to the beautiful Princess.
+
+As he stepped before the maiden, every bud unfolded, and from the
+heart of each blossom came a fragrance that filled the air. The
+Princess was overjoyed, and gave her hand to the God of Spring.
+
+The elder brother, the God of Autumn, was filled with rage when he
+heard how his brother had obtained the wondrous robe. He refused to
+give the promised cask of _saké_. When the mother learned that the
+god had broken his word, she placed stones and salt in the hollow of
+a bamboo cane, wrapped it round with bamboo leaves, and hung it in the
+smoke. Then she uttered a curse upon her first-born: "As the leaves
+wither and fade, so must you. As the salt sea ebbs, so must you. As
+the stone sinks, so must you."
+
+The terrible curse fell upon her son. While the God of Spring remains
+ever young, ever fragrant, ever full of mirth, the God of Autumn is
+old, and withered, and sad.
+
+
+
+
+THE VISION OF TSUNU
+
+ADAPTED BY FRANK RINDER
+
+
+When the five tall pine-trees on the windy heights of Mionoseki were
+but tiny shoots, there lived in the Kingdom of the Islands a pious
+man. His home was in a remote hamlet surrounded by mountains and great
+forests of pine. Tsunu had a wife and sons and daughters. He was a
+woodman, and his days were spent in the forest and on the hillsides.
+In summer he was up at cock-crow, and worked patiently, in the soft
+light under the pines, until nightfall. Then, with his burden of logs
+and branches, he went slowly homeward. After the evening meal, he
+would tell some old story or legend. Tsunu was never weary of relating
+the wondrous tales of the Land of the Gods. Best of all he loved to
+speak of Fuji-yama, the mountain that stood so near his home.
+
+In times gone by, there was no mountain where now the sacred peak
+reaches up to the sky; only a far-stretching plain bathed in sunlight
+all day. The peasants in the district were astonished, one morning,
+to behold a mighty hill where before had been the open plain. It had
+sprung up in a single night, while they slept. Flames and huge stones
+were hurled from its summit; the peasants feared that the demons from
+the under-world had come to wreak vengeance upon them. But for many
+generations there have been peace and silence on the heights. The good
+Sun-Goddess loves Fuji-yama. Every evening she lingers on his summit,
+and when at last she leaves him, his lofty crest is bathed in soft
+purple light. In the evening the Matchless Mountain seems to rise
+higher and higher into the skies, until no mortal can tell the place
+of his rest. Golden clouds enfold Fuji-yama in the early morning.
+Pilgrims come from far and near, to gain blessing and health for
+themselves and their families from the sacred mountain.
+
+On the self-same night that Fuji-yama rose out of the earth, a strange
+thing happened in the mountainous district near Kyoto. The inhabitants
+were awakened by a terrible roar, which continued throughout the
+night. In the morning every mountain had disappeared; not one of the
+hills that they loved was to be seen. A blue lake lay before them. It
+was none other than the lute-shaped Lake Biwa. The mountains had, in
+truth, traveled under the earth for more than a hundred miles, and now
+form the sacred Fuji-yama.
+
+As Tsunu stepped out of his hut in the morning, his eyes sought the
+Mountain of the Gods. He saw the golden clouds, and the beautiful
+story was in his mind as he went to his work.
+
+One day the woodman wandered farther than usual into the forest. At
+noon he was in a very lonely spot. The air was soft and sweet, the sky
+so blue that he looked long at it, and then took a deep breath. Tsunu
+was happy.
+
+Now his eye fell on a little fox who watched him curiously from the
+bushes. The creature ran away when it saw that the man's attention had
+been attracted. Tsunu thought, "I will follow the little fox and see
+where she goes." Off he started in pursuit. He soon came to a bamboo
+thicket. The smooth, slender stems waved dreamily, the pale green
+leaves still sparkled with the morning dew. But it was not this which
+caused the woodman to stand spellbound. On a plot of mossy grass
+beyond the thicket, sat two maidens of surpassing beauty. They were
+partly shaded by the waving bamboos, but their faces were lit up by
+the sunlight. Not a word came from their lips, yet Tsunu knew that
+the voices of both must be sweet as the cooing of the wild dove. The
+maidens were graceful as the slender willow, they were fair as the
+blossom of the cherry-tree. Slowly they moved the chessmen which
+lay before them on the grass. Tsunu hardly dared to breathe, lest he
+should disturb them. The breeze caught their long hair, the sunlight
+played upon it.... The sun still shone.... The chessmen were still
+slowly moved to and fro.... The woodman gazed enraptured.
+
+"But now," thought Tsunu, "I must return, and tell those at home of
+the beautiful maidens." Alas, his knees were stiff and weak. "Surely
+I have stood here for many hours," he said. He leaned for support upon
+his axe; it crumbled into dust. Looking down he saw that a flowing
+white beard hung from his chin.
+
+For many hours the poor woodman tried in vain to reach his home.
+Fatigued and wearied, he came at last to a hut. But all was changed.
+Strange faces peered curiously at him. The speech of the people was
+unfamiliar. "Where are my wife and my children?" he cried. But no one
+knew his name.
+
+Finally, the poor woodman came to understand that seven generations
+had passed since he bade farewell to his dear ones in the early
+morning. While he had gazed at the beautiful maidens, his wife, his
+children, and his children's children had lived and died.
+
+The few remaining years of Tsunu's life were spent as a pious pilgrim
+to Fuji-yama, his well-loved mountain.
+
+Since his death he has been honored as a saint who brings prosperity
+to the people of his native country.
+
+
+
+
+THE STAR-LOVERS
+
+ADAPTED BY FRANK RINDER
+
+
+Shokujo, daughter of the Sun, dwelt with her father on the banks of
+the Silver River of Heaven, which we call the Milky Way. She was a
+lovely maiden, graceful and winsome, and her eyes were tender as the
+eyes of a dove. Her loving father, the Sun, was much troubled because
+Shokujo did not share in the youthful pleasures of the daughters of
+the air. A soft melancholy seemed to brood over her, but she never
+wearied of working for the good of others, and especially did she
+busy herself at her loom; indeed she came to be called the Weaving
+Princess.
+
+The Sun bethought him that if he could give his daughter in marriage,
+all would be well; her dormant love would be kindled into a flame that
+would illumine her whole being and drive out the pensive spirit which
+oppressed her. Now there lived, hard by, a right honest herdsman,
+named Kingen, who tended his cows on the borders of the Heavenly
+Stream. The Sun-King proposed to bestow his daughter on Kingen,
+thinking in this way to provide for her happiness and at the same time
+keep her near him. Every star beamed approval, and there was joy in
+the heavens.
+
+The love that bound Shokujo and Kingen to one another was a great
+love. With its awakening, Shokujo forsook her former occupations, nor
+did she any longer labor industriously at the loom, but laughed, and
+danced, and sang, and made merry from morn till night. The Sun-King
+was sorely grieved, for he had not foreseen so great a change. Anger
+was in his eyes, and he said, "Kingen is surely the cause of this,
+therefore I will banish him to the other side of the River of Stars."
+
+When Shokujo and Kingen heard that they were to be parted, and could
+thenceforth, in accordance with the King's decree, meet but once a
+year, and that upon the seventh night of the seventh month, their
+hearts were heavy. The leave-taking between them was a sad one,
+and great tears stood in Shokujo's eyes as she bade farewell to her
+lover-husband. In answer to the behest of the Sun-King, myriads of
+magpies flocked together, and, outspreading their wings, formed a
+bridge on which Kingen crossed the River of Heaven. The moment that
+his foot touched the opposite bank, the birds dispersed with noisy
+chatter, leaving poor Kingen a solitary exile. He looked wistfully
+towards the weeping figure of Shokujo, who stood on the threshold of
+her now desolate home.
+
+Long and weary were the succeeding days, spent as they were by Kingen
+in guiding his oxen and by Shokujo in plying her shuttle. The Sun-King
+was gladdened by his daughter's industry. When night fell and the
+heavens were bright with countless lights, the lovers were wont,
+standing on the banks of the celestial stream, to waft across it sweet
+and tender messages, while each uttered a prayer for the speedy coming
+of the wondrous night.
+
+The long-hoped-for month and day drew nigh, and the hearts of the
+lovers were troubled lest rain should fall; for the Silver River, full
+at all times, is at that season often in flood, and the bird-bridge
+might be swept away.
+
+The day broke cloudlessly bright. It waxed and waned, and one by one
+the lamps of heaven were lighted. At nightfall the magpies assembled,
+and Shokujo, quivering with delight, crossed the slender bridge and
+fell into the arms of her lover. Their transport of joy was as the joy
+of the parched flower, when the raindrop falls upon it; but the moment
+of parting soon came, and Shokujo sorrowfully retraced her steps.
+
+Year follows year, and the lovers still meet in that far-off land on
+the seventh night of the seventh month, save when rain has swelled
+the Silver River and rendered the crossing impossible. The hope of a
+permanent reunion still fills the hearts of the Star-Lovers, and is to
+them as a sweet fragrance and a beautiful vision.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+MYTHS OF THE SLAVS
+
+
+
+
+THE TWO BROTHERS
+
+ADAPTED BY ALEXANDER CHODSKO
+
+
+Once upon a time there were two brothers whose father had left them
+but a small fortune. The eldest grew very rich, but at the same time
+cruel and wicked, whereas there was nowhere a more honest or kinder
+man than the younger. But he remained poor, and had many children, so
+that at times they could scarcely get bread to eat. At last, one day
+there was not even this in the house, so he went to his rich brother
+and asked him for a loaf of bread. Waste of time! His rich brother
+only called him beggar and vagabond, and slammed the door in his face.
+
+The poor fellow, after this brutal reception, did not know which way
+to turn. Hungry, scantily clad, shivering with cold, his legs could
+scarcely carry him along. He had not the heart to go home, with
+nothing for the children, so he went towards the mountain forest. But
+all he found there were some wild pears that had fallen to the ground.
+He had to content himself with eating these, though they set his teeth
+on edge. But what was he to do to warm himself, for the east wind with
+its chill blast pierced him through and through. "Where shall I go?"
+he said; "what will become of us in the cottage? There is neither food
+nor fire, and my brother has driven me from his door." It was just
+then he remembered having heard that the top of the mountain in front
+of him was made of crystal, and had a fire forever burning upon it. "I
+will try and find it," he said, "and then I may be able to warm myself
+a little." So he went on climbing higher and higher till he reached
+the top, when he was startled to see twelve strange beings sitting
+round a huge fire. He stopped for a moment, but then said to himself,
+"What have I to lose? Why should I fear? God is with me. Courage!"
+
+So he advanced towards the fire, and bowing respectfully, said: "Good
+people, take pity on my distress. I am very poor, no one cares for me,
+I have not even a fire in my cottage; will you let me warm myself at
+yours?" They all looked kindly at him, and one of them said: "My son,
+come sit down with us and warm yourself."
+
+So he sat down, and felt warm directly he was near them. But he dared
+not speak while they were silent. What astonished him most was that
+they changed seats one after another, and in such a way that each one
+passed round the fire and came back to his own place. When he drew
+near the fire an old man with long white beard and bald head arose
+from the flames and spoke to him thus:
+
+"Man, waste not thy life here; return to thy cottage, work, and live
+honestly. Take as many embers as thou wilt, we have more than we
+need."
+
+And having said this he disappeared. Then the twelve filled a large
+sack with embers, and, putting it on the poor man's shoulders, advised
+him to hasten home.
+
+Humbly thanking them, he set off. As he went he wondered why the
+embers did not feel hot, and why they should weigh no more than a sack
+of paper. He was thankful that he should be able to have a fire, but
+imagine his astonishment when on arriving home he found the sack to
+contain as many gold pieces as there had been embers; he almost went
+out of his mind with joy at the possession of so much money. With all
+his heart he thanked those who had been so ready to help him in his
+need.
+
+He was now rich, and rejoiced to be able to provide for his family.
+Being curious to find out how many gold pieces there were, and not
+knowing how to count, he sent his wife to his rich brother for the
+loan of a quart measure.
+
+This time the brother was in a better temper, so he lent what was
+asked of him, but said mockingly, "What can such beggars as you have
+to measure?"
+
+The wife replied, "Our neighbor owes us some wheat; we want to be sure
+he returns us the right quantity."
+
+The rich brother was puzzled, and suspecting something he, unknown
+to his sister-in-law, put some grease inside the measure. The trick
+succeeded, for on getting it back he found a piece of gold sticking
+to it. Filled with astonishment, he could only suppose his brother had
+joined a band of robbers: so he hurried to his brother's cottage, and
+threatened to bring him before the justice of the peace if he did
+not confess where the gold came from. The poor man was troubled, and,
+dreading to offend his brother, told the story of his journey to the
+Crystal Mountain.
+
+Now the elder brother had plenty of money for himself, yet he was
+envious of the brother's good fortune, and became greatly displeased
+when he found that his brother won every one's esteem by the good use
+he made of his wealth. At last, he too determined to visit the Crystal
+Mountain.
+
+"I may meet with as good luck as my brother," said he to himself.
+
+Upon reaching the Crystal Mountain he found the twelve seated round
+the fire as before, and thus addressed them:
+
+"I beg of you, good people, to let me warm myself, for it is bitterly
+cold, and I am poor and homeless."
+
+But one of them replied: "My son, the hour of thy birth was favorable;
+thou art rich, but a miser; thou art wicked, for thou hast dared to
+lie to us. Well dost thou deserve thy punishment."
+
+Amazed and terrified he stood silent, not daring to speak. Meanwhile
+the twelve changed places one after another, each at last returning
+to his own seat. Then from the midst of the flames arose the
+white-bearded old man and spoke thus sternly to the rich man:
+
+"Woe unto the willful! Thy brother is virtuous, therefore have I
+blessed him. As for thee, thou are wicked, and so shalt not escape our
+vengeance."
+
+At these words the twelve arose. The first seized the unfortunate man,
+struck him, and passed him on to the second; the second also struck
+him and passed him on to the third; and so did they all in their turn,
+until he was given up to the old man, who disappeared with him into
+the fire.
+
+Days, weeks, months went by, but the rich man never returned, and none
+knew what had become of him. I think, between you and me, the younger
+brother had his suspicions but he very wisely kept them to himself.
+
+
+
+
+THE TWELVE MONTHS
+
+ADAPTED BY ALEXANDER CHODSKO
+
+
+There was once a widow who had two daughters, Helen, her own child by
+her dead husband, and Marouckla, his daughter by his first wife. She
+loved Helen, but hated the poor orphan, because she was far prettier
+than her own daughter. Marouckla did not think about her good looks,
+and could not understand why her stepmother should be angry at the
+sight of her. The hardest work fell to her share; she cleaned out the
+rooms, cooked, washed, sewed, spun, wove, brought in the hay, milked
+the cow, and all this without any help. Helen, meanwhile, did nothing
+but dress herself in her best clothes and go to one amusement after
+another. But Marouckla never complained; she bore the scoldings and
+bad temper of mother and sister with a smile on her lips, and the
+patience of a lamb. But this angelic behavior did not soften them.
+They became even more tyrannical and grumpy, for Marouckla grew daily
+more beautiful while Helen's ugliness increased. So the stepmother
+determined to get rid of Marouckla, for she knew that while she
+remained her own daughter would have no suitors. Hunger, every kind
+of privation, abuse, every means was used to make the girl's life
+miserable. The most wicked of men could not have been more mercilessly
+cruel than these two vixens. But in spite of it all Marouckla grew
+ever sweeter and more charming.
+
+One day in the middle of winter Helen wanted some wood-violets.
+
+"Listen," cried she to Marouckla; "you must go up the mountain and
+find me some violets, I want some to put in my gown; they must be
+fresh and sweet-scented--do you hear?"
+
+"But, my dear sister, who ever heard of violets blooming in the snow?"
+said the poor orphan.
+
+"You wretched creature! Do you dare to disobey me?" said Helen. "Not
+another word; off with you. If you do not bring me some violets from
+the mountain forest, I will kill you."
+
+The stepmother also added her threats to those of Helen, and with
+vigorous blows they pushed Marouckla outside and shut the door upon
+her. The weeping girl made her way to the mountain. The snow lay deep,
+and there was no trace of any human being. Long she wandered hither
+and thither, and lost herself in the wood. She was hungry, and
+shivered with cold, and prayed to die. Suddenly she saw a light in
+the distance, and climbed towards it, till she reached the top of
+the mountain. Upon the highest peak burnt a large fire, surrounded by
+twelve blocks of stone, on which sat twelve strange beings. Of these
+the first three had white hair, three were not quite so old, three
+were young and handsome, and the rest still younger.
+
+There they all sat silently looking at the fire. They were the twelve
+months of the year. The great Setchène (January) was placed higher
+than the others; his hair and mustache were white as snow, and in his
+hand he held a wand. At first Marouckla was afraid, but after a while
+her courage returned and drawing near she said:
+
+"Men of God, may I warm myself at your fire? I am chilled by the
+winter cold."
+
+The great Setchène raised his head and answered:
+
+"What brings thee here, my daughter? What dost thou seek?"
+
+"I am looking for violets," replied the maiden.
+
+"This is not the season for violets; dost thou not see the snow
+everywhere?" said Setchène.
+
+"I know well, but my sister Helen and my stepmother have ordered me to
+bring them violets from your mountain: if I return without them they
+will kill me. I pray you, good shepherds, tell me where they may be
+found?"
+
+Here the great Setchène arose and went over to the youngest of the
+months, and placing his wand in his hand, said:
+
+"Brother Brezène (March), do thou take the highest place."
+
+Brezène obeyed, at the same time waving his wand over the fire.
+Immediately the flames rose towards the sky, the snow began to melt
+and the tress and shrubs to bud; the grass became green, and from
+between its blades peeped the pale primrose. It was Spring, and the
+meadows were blue with violets.
+
+"Gather them quickly, Marouckla," said Brezène.
+
+Joyfully she hastened to pick the flowers, and having soon a large
+bunch she thanked them and ran home. Helen and the stepmother were
+amazed at the sight of the flowers, the scent of which filled the
+house.
+
+"Where did you find them?" asked Helen.
+
+"Under the trees on the mountain slope," said Marouckla.
+
+Helen kept the flowers for herself and her mother; she did not even
+thank her stepsister for the trouble she had taken. The next day she
+desired Marouckla to fetch her strawberries.
+
+"Run," said she, "and fetch me strawberries from the mountain: they
+must be very sweet and ripe."
+
+"But who ever heard of strawberries ripening in the snow?" exclaimed
+Marouckla.
+
+"Hold your tongue, worm; don't answer me; if I don't have my
+strawberries I will kill you."
+
+Then the stepmother pushed her into the yard and bolted the door. The
+unhappy girl made her way towards the mountain and to the large fire
+round which sat the twelve months. The great Setchène occupied the
+highest place.
+
+"Men of God, may I warm myself at your fire? The winter cold chills
+me," said she, drawing near.
+
+The great Setchène raised his head and asked:
+
+"Why comest thou here? What dost thou seek?"
+
+"I am looking for strawberries," said she.
+
+"We are in the midst of winter," replied Setchène; strawberries do not
+grow in the snow."
+
+"I know," said the girl sadly, "but my sister and stepmother have
+ordered me to bring them strawberries; if I do not they will kill me.
+Pray, good shepherds, tell me where to find them."
+
+The great Setchène arose, crossed over to the month opposite him, and
+putting the wand into his hand, said:
+
+"Brother Tchervène (June), do thou take the highest place."
+
+Tchervène obeyed, and as he waved his wand over the fire the flames
+leapt towards the sky. Instantly the snow melted, the earth was
+covered with verdure, trees were clothed with leaves, birds began
+to sing, and various flowers blossomed in the forest. It was summer.
+Under the bushes masses of star-shaped flowers changed into ripening
+strawberries. Before Marouckla had time to cross herself they covered
+the glade, making it look like a sea of blood.
+
+"Gather them quickly, Marouckla," said Tchervène.
+
+Joyfully she thanked the months, and having filled her apron
+ran happily home. Helen and her mother wondered at seeing the
+strawberries, which filled the house with their delicious fragrance.
+
+"Wherever did you find them?" asked Helen crossly.
+
+"Right up among the mountains; those from under the beech trees are
+not bad."
+
+Helen gave a few to her mother and ate the rest herself; not one did
+she offer to her stepsister. Being tired of strawberries, on the third
+day she took a fancy for some fresh red apples.
+
+"Run, Marouckla," said she, "and fetch me fresh red apples from the
+mountain."
+
+"Apples in winter, sister? why, the trees have neither leaves nor
+fruit."
+
+"Idle creature, go this minute," said Helen; "unless you bring back
+apples we will kill you."
+
+As before, the stepmother seized her roughly and turned her out of
+the house. The poor girl went weeping up the mountain, across the deep
+snow upon which lay no human footprint, and on towards the fire round
+which were the twelve months. Motionless sat they, and on the highest
+stone was the great Setchène.
+
+"Men of God, may I warm myself at your fire? The winter cold chills
+me," said she, drawing near.
+
+The great Setchène raised his head.
+
+"Why com'st thou here? What dost thou seek?" asked he.
+
+"I am come to look for red apples," replied Marouckla.
+
+"But this is winter, and not the season for red apples," observed the
+great Setchène.
+
+"I know," answered the girl, "but my sister and stepmother, sent me to
+fetch red apples from the mountain; if I return without them they will
+kill me."
+
+Thereupon the great Setchène arose and went over to one of the elderly
+months, to whom he handed the wand, saying:
+
+"Brother Zarè (September), do thou take the highest place."
+
+Zarè moved to the highest stone and waved his wand over the fire.
+There was a flare of red flames, the snow disappeared, but the fading
+leaves which trembled on the trees were sent by a cold northeast
+wind in yellow masses to the glade. Only a few flowers of autumn were
+visible, such as the fleabane and red gillyflower, autumn colchicums
+in the ravine, and under the beeches bracken and tufts of northern
+heather. At first Marouckla looked in vain for red apples. Then she
+espied a tree which grew at a great height, and from the branches
+of this hung the bright red fruit. Zarè ordered her to gather some
+quickly. The girl was delighted and shook the tree. First one apple
+fell, then another.
+
+"That is enough," said Zarè, "hurry home."
+
+Thanking the months, she returned joyfully. Helen marveled and the
+stepmother wondered at seeing the fruit.
+
+"Where did you gather them?" asked the stepsister.
+
+"There are more on the mountain top," answered Marouckla.
+
+"Then why did you not bring more?" said Helen angrily; "you must have
+eaten them on your way back, you wicked girl."
+
+"No, dear sister, I have not even tasted them," said Marouckla. "I
+shook the tree twice; one apple fell each time. I was not allowed to
+shake it again, but was told to return home."
+
+"May God smite you with his thunderbolt," said Helen, striking her.
+
+Marouckla prayed to die rather than suffer such ill-treatment. Weeping
+bitterly, she took refuge in the kitchen. Helen and her mother found
+the apples more delicious than any they had ever tasted, and when they
+had eaten both longed for more.
+
+"Listen, mother," said Helen. "Give me my cloak; I will fetch some
+more apples myself, or else that good-for-nothing wretch will eat them
+all on the way. I shall be able to find the mountain and the tree. The
+shepherds may cry 'Stop,' but I shall not leave go till I have shaken
+down all the apples."
+
+In spite of her mother's advice she put on her cloak, covered her head
+with a warm hood, and took the road to the mountain. The mother stood
+and watched her till she was lost in the distance.
+
+Snow covered everything, not a human footprint was to be seen on its
+surface. Helen lost herself and wandered hither and thither. After
+a while she saw a light above her, and following in its direction
+reached the mountain top. There was the flaming fire, the twelve
+blocks of stone, and the twelve months. At first she was frightened
+and hesitated; then she came nearer and warmed her hands. She did not
+ask permission, nor did she speak one polite word.
+
+"What has brought thee here? What dost thou seek?" said the great
+Setchène severely.
+
+"I am not obliged to tell you, old graybeard; what business is it of
+yours?" she replied disdainfully, turning her back on the fire and
+going towards the forest.
+
+The great Setchène frowned, and waved his wand over his head.
+Instantly the sky became covered with clouds, the fire went down, snow
+fell in large flakes, an icy wind howled round the mountain. Amid the
+fury of the storm Helen added curses against her stepsister. The cloak
+failed to warm her benumbed limbs. The mother kept on waiting for her;
+she looked from the window, she watched from the doorstep, but her
+daughter came not. The hours passed slowly, but Helen did not return.
+
+"Can it be that the apples have charmed her from her home?" thought
+the mother. Then she clad herself in hood and shawl and went in search
+of her daughter. Snow fell in huge masses; it covered all things, it
+lay untouched by human footsteps. For long she wandered hither and
+thither; the icy northeast wind whistled in the mountain, but no voice
+answered her cries.
+
+Day after day Marouckla worked and prayed, and waited; but neither
+stepmother nor sister returned, they had been frozen to death on the
+mountain. The inheritance of a small house, a field, and a cow fell to
+Marouckla. In course of time an honest farmer came to share them with
+her, and their lives were happy and peaceful.
+
+
+
+
+THE SUN; OR, THE THREE GOLDEN HAIRS OF THE OLD MAN VSÉVÈDE
+
+ADAPTED BY ALEXANDER CHODSKO
+
+
+Can this be a true story? It is said that once there was a King who
+was exceedingly fond of hunting the wild beasts in his forests. One
+day he followed a stag so far and so long that he lost his way. Alone
+and overtaken by night, he was glad to find himself near a small
+thatched cottage in which lived a charcoal-burner.
+
+"Will you kindly show me the way to the highroad? You shall be
+handsomely rewarded."
+
+"I would willingly," said the charcoal-burner, "But God is going to
+send my wife a little child, and I cannot leave her alone. Will you
+pass the night under our roof? There is a truss of sweet hay in the
+loft where you may rest, and to-morrow morning I will be your guide."
+
+The King accepted the invitation and went to bed in the loft. Shortly
+after a son was born to the charcoal-burner's wife. But the King
+could not sleep. At midnight he heard noises in the house, and looking
+through a crack in the flooring he saw the charcoal-burner asleep, his
+wife almost in a faint, and by the side of the newly-born babe three
+old women dressed in white, each holding a lighted taper in her hand,
+and all talking together. Now these were the three Soudiché or Fates,
+you must know.
+
+The first said, "On this boy I bestow the gift of confronting great
+dangers."
+
+The second said, "I bestow the power of happily escaping all these
+dangers, and of living to a good old age."
+
+The third said, "I bestow upon him for wife the Princess born at the
+self-same hour as he, and daughter of the very King sleeping above in
+the loft."
+
+At these words the lights went out and silence reigned around.
+
+Now the King was greatly troubled, and wondered exceedingly; he felt
+as if he had received a sword-thrust in the chest. He lay awake all
+night thinking how to prevent the words of the Fates from coming true.
+
+With the first glimmer of morning light the baby began to cry. The
+charcoal-burner, on going over to it, found that his wife was dead.
+
+"Poor little orphan," he said sadly, "what will become of thee without
+a mother's care?"
+
+"Confide this child to me," said the King, "I will look after it. He
+shall be well provided for. You shall be given a sum of money large
+enough to keep you without having to burn charcoal."
+
+The poor man gladly agreed, and the King went away promising to send
+some one for the child. The Queen and the courtiers thought it would
+be an agreeable surprise for the King to hear that a charming little
+Princess had been born on the night he was away. But instead of being
+pleased he frowned and calling one of his servants, said to him, "Go
+to the charcoal-burner's cottage in the, forest, and give the man this
+purse in exchange for a new-born infant. On your way back drown
+the child. See well that he is drowned, for if he should in any way
+escape, you yourself shall suffer in his place."
+
+The servant was given the child in a basket, and on reaching the
+center of a narrow bridge that stretched across a wide and deep river,
+he threw both basket and baby into the water.
+
+"A prosperous journey to you, Mr. Son-in-Law," said the King, on
+hearing the servant's story; for he fully believed the child was
+drowned. But it was far from being the case; the little one was
+floating happily along in its basket cradle, and slumbering as
+sweetly as if his mother had sung him to sleep. Now it happened that
+a fisherman, who was mending his nets before his cottage door, saw
+the basket floating down the river. He jumped at once into his boat,
+picked it up, and ran to tell his wife the good news.
+
+"Look," said he, "you have always longed for a son; here is a
+beautiful little boy the river has sent us."
+
+The woman was delighted, and took the infant and loved it as her own
+child. They named him _Plavacek_ (the floater), because he had come to
+them floating on the water.
+
+The river flowed on. Years passed away. The little baby grew into a
+handsome youth; in all the villages round there were none to compare
+with him. Now it happened that one summer day the King was riding
+unattended, and the heat being very great he reined in his horse
+before the fisherman's door to ask for a drink of water. Plavacek
+brought the water. The King looked at him attentively, then turning to
+the fisherman, said, "That is a good-looking lad; is he your son?"
+
+"He is and he isn't," replied the fisherman. "I found him, when he was
+quite a tiny baby, floating down the stream in a basket. So we adopted
+him and brought him up as our own son."
+
+The King turned as pale as death, for he guessed that he was the same
+child he had ordered to be drowned. Then recovering himself he got
+down from his horse and said: "I want a trusty messenger to take a
+message to the palace, could you send him with it?"
+
+"With pleasure! Your Majesty may be sure of its safe delivery."
+
+Thereupon the King wrote to the Queen as follows:
+
+"The man who brings you this letter is the most dangerous of all my
+enemies. Have his head cut off at once; no delay, no pity, he must be
+executed before my return. Such is my will and pleasure."
+
+This he carefully folded and sealed with the royal seal.
+
+Plavacek took the letter and set off immediately. But the forest
+through which he had to pass was so large, and the trees so thick,
+that he missed the path and was overtaken by the darkness before the
+journey was nearly over. In the midst of his trouble he met an old
+woman who said, "Where are you going, Plavacek? Where are you going?"
+
+"I am the bearer of a letter from the King to the Queen, but have
+missed the path to the palace. Could you, good mother, put me on the
+right road?"
+
+"Impossible to-day, my child; it is getting dark, and you would not
+have time to get there. Stay with me to-night. You will not be with
+strangers, for I am your godmother."
+
+Plavacek agreed. Thereupon they entered a pretty little cottage that
+seemed suddenly to sink into the earth. Now while he slept the old
+woman changed his letter for another, which ran thus:
+
+"Immediately upon the receipt of this letter introduce the bearer
+to the Princess our daughter, I have chosen this young man for my
+son-in-law, and it is my wish they should be married before my return
+to the palace. Such is my pleasure."
+
+The letter was duly delivered, and when the Queen had read it, she
+ordered everything to be prepared for the wedding. Both she and her
+daughter greatly enjoyed Plavacek's society, and nothing disturbed the
+happiness of the newly married pair.
+
+Within a few days the King returned, and on hearing what had taken
+place was very angry with the Queen.
+
+"But you expressly bade me have the wedding before your return. Come,
+read your letter again, here it is," said she.
+
+He closely examined the letter; the paper, handwriting, seal--all were
+undoubtedly his. He then called his son-in-law, and questioned him
+about his journey. Plavacek hid nothing: he told how he had lost his
+way, and how he had passed the night in a cottage in the forest.
+
+"What was the old woman like?" asked the King.
+
+From Plavacek's description the King knew it was the very same who,
+twenty years before, had foretold the marriage of the Princess with
+the charcoal-burner's son. After some moments' thought the King
+said: "What is done is done. But you will not become my son-in-law
+so easily. No, i' faith! As a wedding present you must bring me three
+golden hairs from the head of Dède-Vsévède."
+
+In this way he thought to get rid of his son-in-law, whose very
+presence was distasteful to him. The young fellow took leave of his
+wife and set off. "I know not which way to go," said he to himself,
+"but my godmother the witch will surely help me."
+
+But he found the way easily enough. He walked on and on and on for
+a long time over mountain, valley, and river, until he reached the
+shores of the Black Sea. There he found a boat and boatman.
+
+"May God bless you, old boatman," said he.
+
+"And you, too, my young traveler. Where are you going?"
+
+"To Dède-Vsévède's castle for three of his golden hairs."
+
+"Ah, then you are very welcome. For a long weary while I have been
+waiting for such a messenger as you. I have been ferrying passengers
+across for these twenty years, and not one of them has done anything
+to help me. If you will promise to ask Dède-Vsévède when I shall be
+released from my toil I will row you across."
+
+Plavacek promised, and was rowed to the opposite bank. He continued
+his journey on foot until he came in sight of a large town half in
+ruins, near which was passing a funeral procession. The King of that
+country was following his father's coffin, and with the tears running
+down his cheeks.
+
+"May God comfort you in your distress," said Plavacek.
+
+"Thank you, good traveler. Where are you going?"
+
+"To the house of Dède-Vsévède in quest of three of his golden hairs."
+
+"To the house of Dède-Vsévède? Indeed! What a pity you did not come
+sooner, we have long been expecting such a messenger as you. Come and
+see me by-and-by."
+
+When Plavacek presented himself at court the King said to him:
+
+"We understand you are on your way to the house of Dède-Vsévède! Now
+we have an apple-tree here that bears the fruit of everlasting youth.
+One of these apples eaten by a man, even though he be dying, will cure
+him and make him young again. For the last twenty years neither fruit
+nor flower has been found on this tree. Will you ask Dède-Vsévède the
+cause of it?"
+
+"That I will, with pleasure."
+
+Then Plavacek continued his journey, and as he went he came to a large
+and beautiful city where all was sad and silent. Near the gate was an
+old man who leaned on a stick and walked with difficulty.
+
+"May God bless you, good old man."
+
+"And you, too, my handsome young traveler. Where are you going?"
+
+"To Dède-Vsévède's palace in search of three of his golden hairs."
+
+"Ah, you are the very messenger I have so long waited for. Allow me to
+take you to my master the King."
+
+On their arrival at the palace, the King said, "I hear you are an
+ambassador to Dède-Vsévède. We have here a well, the water of
+which renews itself. So wonderful are its effects that invalids are
+immediately cured on drinking it, while a few drops sprinkled on a
+corpse will bring it to life again. For the past twenty years this
+well has remained dry: if you will ask old Dède-Vsévède how the flow
+of water may be restored I will reward you royally."
+
+Plavacek promised to do so, and was dismissed with good wishes. He
+then traveled through deep dark forests, in the midst of which might
+be seen a large meadow: out of it grew lovely flowers, and in the
+center stood a castle built of gold. It was the home of Dède-Vsévède.
+So brilliant with light was it that it seemed to be built of fire.
+When he entered there was no one there but an old woman spinning.
+
+"Greeting, Plavacek, I am well pleased to see you."
+
+She was his godmother, who had given him shelter in her cottage when
+he was the bearer of the King's letter.
+
+"Tell me what brings you here from such a distance," she went on.
+
+"The King would not have me for his son-in-law, unless I first got him
+three golden hairs from the head of Dède-Vsévède. So he sent me here
+to fetch them."
+
+The Fate laughed. "Dède-Vsévède indeed! Why, I am his mother, it is
+the shining sun himself. He is a child at morning time, a grown man
+at midday, a decrepit old man, looking as if he had lived a hundred
+years, at eventide. But I will see that you have the three hairs from
+his head; I am not your godmother for nothing. All the same you must
+not remain here. My son is a good lad, but when he comes home he
+is hungry, and would very probably order you to be roasted for his
+supper. Now I will turn this empty bucket upside down, and you shall
+hide underneath it."
+
+Plavacek begged the Fate to obtain from Dède-Vsévède the answers to
+the three questions he had been asked.
+
+"I will do so certainly, but you must listen to what he says."
+
+Suddenly a blast of wind howled round the palace, and the Sun entered
+by a western window. He was an old man with golden hair.
+
+"I smell human flesh," cried he, "I am sure of it. Mother, you have
+some one here."
+
+"Star of day," she replied, "whom could I have here that you would not
+see sooner than I? The fact is that in your daily journeys the scent
+of human flesh is always with you, so when you come home at evening it
+clings to you still."
+
+The old man said nothing, and sat down to supper. When he had finished
+he laid his golden head on the Fate's lap and went to sleep. Then she
+pulled out a hair and threw it on the ground. It fell with a metallic
+sound like the vibration of a guitar string.
+
+"What do you want, mother?" asked he.
+
+"Nothing, my son; I was sleeping, and had a strange dream."
+
+"What was it, mother?"
+
+"I thought I was in a place where there was a well, and the well was
+fed from a spring, the water of which cured all diseases. Even the
+dying were restored to health on drinking that water, and the dead who
+were sprinkled with it came to life again. For the last twenty years
+the well has run dry. What must be done to restore the flow of water?"
+
+"That is very simple. A frog has lodged itself in the opening of the
+spring, this prevents the flow of water. Kill the frog, and the water
+will return to the well."
+
+He slept again, and the old woman pulled out another golden hair, and
+threw it on the ground.
+
+"Mother, what do you want?"
+
+"Nothing, my son, nothing; I was dreaming. In my dream I saw a large
+town, the name of which I have forgotten. And there grew an apple-tree
+the fruit of which had the power to make the old young again. A single
+apple eaten by an old man would restore to him the vigor and freshness
+of youth. For twenty years this tree has not borne fruit. What can be
+done to make it fruitful?"
+
+"The means are not difficult. A snake hidden among the roots destroys
+the sap. Kill the snake, transplant the tree, and the fruit will grow
+as before."
+
+He again fell asleep, and the old woman pulled out another golden
+hair.
+
+"Now mother, why will you not let me sleep?" said the old man, really
+vexed; and he would have got up.
+
+"Lie down, my darling son, do not disturb yourself. I am sorry I
+awoke you, but I have had a very strange dream. It seemed that I saw a
+boatman on the shores of the Black Sea, and he complained that he had
+been toiling at the ferry for twenty years without any one having come
+to take his place. For how much longer must this poor old man continue
+to row?"
+
+"He is a silly fellow. He has but to place his oars in the hands
+of the first comer and jump ashore. Who ever receives the oars will
+replace him as ferryman. But leave me in peace now, mother, and do not
+wake me again. I have to rise very early, and must first dry the eyes
+of a Princess. The poor thing spends all night weeping for her husband
+who has been sent by the King to get three of my golden hairs."
+
+Next morning the wind whistled round Dède-Vsévède's palace, and
+instead of an old man, a beautiful child with golden hair awoke on
+the old woman's lap. It was the glorious sun. He bade her good-by, and
+flew out of the eastern window. The old woman turned up the bucket and
+said to Plavacek: "Look, here are the three golden hairs. You now
+know the answers to your questions. May God direct you and send you
+a prosperous journey. You will not see me again, for you will have no
+further need of me."
+
+He thanked her gratefully and left her. On arriving at the town with
+the dried-up well, he was questioned by the King as to what news he
+had brought.
+
+"Have the well carefully cleaned out," said he, "kill the frog that
+obstructs the spring, and the wonderful water will flow again."
+
+The King did as he was advised, and rejoiced to see the water return.
+He gave Plavacek twelve swan-white horses, and as much gold and silver
+as they could carry.
+
+On reaching the second town and being asked by the King what news he
+had brought, he replied, "Excellent; one could not wish for better.
+Dig up your apple-tree, kill the snake that lies among the roots,
+transplant the tree, and it will produce apples like those of former
+times."
+
+And all turned out as he had said, for no sooner was the tree
+replanted than it was covered with blossoms that gave it the
+appearance of a sea of roses. The delighted King gave him twelve
+raven-black horses, laden with as much wealth as they could carry.
+He then journeyed to the shores of the Black Sea. There the boatman
+questioned him as to what news he had brought respecting his release.
+Plavacek first crossed with his twenty-four horses to the opposite
+bank, and then replied that the boatman might gain his freedom by
+placing the oars in the hands of the first traveler who wished to be
+ferried over.
+
+Plavacek's royal father-in-law could not believe his eyes when he
+saw Dède-Vsévède's three golden hairs. As for the Princess, his young
+wife, she wept tears, but of joy, not sadness, to see her dear one
+again, and she said to him, "How did you get such splendid horses and
+so much wealth, dear husband?"
+
+And he answered her, "All this represents the price paid for the
+weariness of spirit I have felt; it is the ready money for hardships
+endured and services given. Thus, I showed one King how to regain
+possession of the Apples of Youth: to another I told the secret of
+reopening the spring of water that gives health and life."
+
+"Apples of Youth! Water of Life!" interrupted the King. "I will
+certainly go and find these treasures for myself. Ah, what joy! having
+eaten of these apples I shall become young again; having drunk of the
+Water of Immortality, I shall live forever."
+
+And he started off in search of these treasures. But he has not yet
+returned from his search.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+A MYTH OF AMERICA
+
+
+
+
+HIAWATHA
+
+ADAPTED FROM H.R. SCHOOLCRAFT's VERSION
+
+
+Hiawatha was living with his grandmother near the edge of a wide
+prairie. On this prairie he first saw animals and birds of every
+kind. He there also saw exhibitions of divine power in the sweeping
+tempests, in the thunder and lightning, and the various shades of
+light and darkness which form a never ending scene for observation.
+Every new sight he beheld in the heavens was a subject of remark;
+every new animal or bird an object of deep interest; and every sound
+uttered by the animal creation a new lesson, which he was expected to
+learn. He often trembled at what he heard and saw. To this scene his
+grandmother sent him at an early age to watch. The first sound he
+heard was that of an owl, at which he was greatly terrified, and
+quickly descending the tree he had climbed, he ran with alarm to the
+lodge. "Noko! Noko!" (grandma) he cried, "I have heard a momendo." She
+laughed at his fears, and asked him what kind of a noise it made. He
+answered, "It makes a noise like this: Ko-ko-ko-ho." She told him
+that he was young and foolish; that what he had heard was only a bird,
+deriving its name from the noise it made.
+
+He went back and continued his watch. While there, he thought to
+himself, "It is singular that I am so simple, and my grandmother so
+wise, and that I have neither father nor mother. I have never heard a
+word about them. I must ask and find out." He went home and sat down
+silent and dejected. At length his grandmother asked him, "Hiawatha,
+what is the matter with you?" He answered, "I wish you would tell me
+whether I have any parents living and who my relatives are." Knowing
+that he was of a wicked and revengeful disposition, she dreaded
+telling him the story of his parentage, but he insisted on her
+compliance. "Yes," she said, "you have a father and three brothers
+living. Your mother is dead. She was taken without the consent of her
+parents by your father the West. Your brothers are the North, East,
+and South, and, being older than yourself, your father has given them
+great power with the winds, according to their names. You are the
+youngest of his children. I have nourished you from your infancy, for
+your mother died in giving you birth, owing to the ill-treatment of
+your father. I have no relations besides you this side of the planet
+on which I was born, and from which I was precipitated by female
+jealousy. Your mother was my only child, and you are my only hope."
+
+He appeared to be rejoiced to hear that his father was living, for
+he had already thought in his heart to try and kill him. He told his
+grandmother he should set out in the morning to visit him. She said it
+was a long distance to the place where The West lived. But that had
+no effect to stop him for he had now attained manhood, possessed a
+giant's height, and was endowed by nature with a giant's strength and
+power. He set out and soon reached the place, for every step he took
+covered a large surface of ground. The meeting took place on a high
+mountain in the West. His father appeared very happy to see him. They
+spent some days in talking with each other.
+
+One evening Hiawatha asked his father what he was most afraid of on
+earth. He replied, "Nothing." "But is there not something you dread
+here? Tell me." At last his father said, yielding, "Yes, there is a
+black stone found in such a place. It is the only earthly thing I am
+afraid of; for if it should hit me, or any part of my body, it would
+injure me very much." He said this as a secret, and in return asked
+his son the same question. Knowing each other's power, although the
+son's was limited, the father feared him on account of his great
+strength. Hiawatha answered, "Nothing!" intending to avoid the
+question, or to refer to some harmless object as the one of which he
+was afraid. He was asked again, and again, and answered, "Nothing!"
+But the West said, "There must be something you are afraid of." "Well!
+I will tell you," said Hiawatha, "what it is." But, before he would
+pronounce the word, he affected great dread. "_Ie-ee_--_Ie-ee_--it
+is--it is," said he, "yeo! yeo! I cannot name it; I am seized with a
+dread." The West told him to banish his fears. He commenced again, in
+a strain of mock sensitiveness repeating the same words; at last
+he cried out, "It is the root of the bulrush." He appeared to be
+exhausted by the effort of pronouncing the word, in all this skilfully
+acting a studied part.
+
+Some time after he observed, "I will get some of the black rock;"
+the West said, "Far be it from you; do not so, my son." He still
+persisted. "Well," said the father, "I will also get the bulrush root."
+Hiawatha immediately cried out, "Do not--do not," affecting as before,
+to be in great dread of it, but really wishing, by this course, to
+urge on the West to procure it, that he might draw him into combat. He
+went out and got a large piece of the black rock, and brought it home.
+The West also took care to bring the dreaded root.
+
+In the course of conversation he asked his father whether he had been
+the cause of his mother's death. The answer was "Yes!" He then took
+up the rock and struck him. Blow led to blow, and here commenced an
+obstinate and furious combat, which continued several days. Fragments
+of the rock, broken off under Hiawatha's blows, can be seen in various
+places to this day. The root did not prove as mortal a weapon as his
+well-acted fears had led his father to expect, although he suffered
+severely from the blows. This battle commenced on the mountains. The
+West was forced to give ground. Hiawatha drove him across rivers, and
+over mountains and lakes, and at last he came to the brink of this
+world.
+
+"Hold!" cried he, "my son; you know my power, and that it is
+impossible to kill me. Desist, and I will also portion you out with
+as much power as your brothers. The four quarters of the globe are
+already occupied; but you can go and do a great deal of good to the
+people of this earth, which is infested with large serpents, beasts,
+and monsters, who make great [Blank Page] havoc among the inhabitants.
+Go and do good. You have the power now to do so, and your fame with
+the beings of this earth will last forever. When you have finished
+your work, I will have a place provided for you. You will then go and
+sit with your brother in the north."
+
+[Illustration: FROM THE "COSMOPOLITAN MAGAZINE" BY PERMISSION.
+
+HIAWATHA IN HIS CANOE.]
+
+Hiawatha was pacified. He returned to his lodge, where he was confined
+by the wounds he had received. But owing to his grandmother's skill in
+medicine he was soon recovered. She told him that his grandfather,
+who had come to the earth in search of her, had been killed by
+Meg-gis-sog-won, who lived on the opposite side of the great lake.
+"When he was alive," she continued, "I was never without oil to put on
+my head, but now my hair is fast falling off for the want of it."
+
+"Well!" said he, "Noko, get cedar bark and make me a line, while I
+make a canoe." When all was ready, he went out to the middle of the
+lake to fish. He put his line down, saying, "Me-she-nah-ma-gwai (the
+name of the kingfish), take hold of my bait." He kept repeating this
+for some time. At last the king of the fishes said, "Hiawatha troubles
+me. Here, Trout, take hold of his line," which was very heavy, so
+that his canoe stood nearly perpendicular; but he kept crying out,
+"Wha-ee-he! wha-ee-he!" till he could see the trout. As soon as he saw
+him, he spoke to him. "Why did you take hold of my hook? Shame, shame
+you ugly fish." The trout, being thus rebuked, let go.
+
+Hiawatha put his line again in the water, saying, "King of fishes,
+take hold of my line." But the king of fishes told a monstrous sunfish
+to take hold of it; for Hiawatha was tiring him with his incessant
+calls. He again drew up his line with difficulty, saying as before,
+"Wha-ee-he! wha-ee-he!" while his canoe was turning in swift circles.
+When he saw the sunfish, he cried, "Shame, shame you odious fish! why
+did you dirty my hook by taking it in your mouth? Let go, I say, let
+go." The sunfish did so, and told the king of fishes what Hiawatha
+said. Just at that moment the bait came near the king, and hearing
+Hiawatha continually crying out, "Me-she-nah-ma-gwai, take hold of my
+hook," at last he did so, and allowed himself to be drawn up to the
+surface, which he had no sooner reached than, at one mouthful, he took
+Hiawatha and his canoe down. When he came to himself, he found that
+he was in the fish's belly, and also his canoe. He now turned his
+thoughts to the way of making his escape. Looking in his canoe, he saw
+his war-club, with which he immediately struck the heart of the
+fish. He then felt a sudden motion, as if he were moving with great
+velocity. The fish observed to the others, "I am sick at stomach for
+having swallowed this dirty fellow, Hiawatha." Just at this moment he
+received another severe blow on the heart. Hiawatha thought, "If I
+am thrown up in the middle of the lake, I shall be drowned; so I must
+prevent it." He drew his canoe and placed it across the fish's throat,
+and just as he had finished the fish commenced vomiting, but to no
+effect. In this he was aided by a squirrel, who had accompanied him
+unperceived until that moment. This animal had taken an active part in
+helping him to place his canoe across the fish's throat. For this
+act he named him, saying, "For the future, boys shall always call you
+Ajidaumo [Upside Down]!"
+
+He then renewed his attack upon the fish's heart, and succeeded, by
+repeated blows, in killing him, which he first knew by the loss of
+motion, and by the sound of the beating of the body against the
+shore. He waited a day longer to see what would happen. He heard birds
+scratching on the body, and all at once the rays of light broke in. He
+could see the heads of gulls, who were looking in by the opening they
+had made. "Oh!" cried Hiawatha, "my younger brothers, make the opening
+larger, so that I can get out." They told each other that their
+brother Hiawatha was inside of the fish. They immediately set about
+enlarging the orifice, and in a short time liberated him. After he got
+out he said to the gulls, "For the future you shall be called Kayoshk
+[Noble Scratchers]!"
+
+The spot where the fish happened to be driven ashore was near his
+lodge. He went up and told his grandmother to go and prepare as much
+oil as she wanted. All besides, he informed her, he should keep for
+himself.
+
+Some time after this, he commenced making preparations for a war
+excursion against the Pearl Feather, the Manito who lived on the
+opposite side of the great lake, who had killed his grandfather. The
+abode of his spirit was defended, first, by fiery serpents, who hissed
+fire so that no one could pass them; and, in the second place, by a
+large mass of gummy matter lying on the water, so soft and adhesive,
+that whoever attempted to pass, or whatever came in contact with it,
+was sure to stick there.
+
+He continued making bows and arrows without number, but he had no
+heads for his arrows. At last Noko told him that an old man who lived
+at some distance could make them. He sent her to get some. She soon
+returned with her conaus, or wrapper, full. Still he told her he had
+not enough, and sent her again. She returned with as many more. He
+thought to himself, "I must find out the way of making these heads."
+Cunning and curiosity prompted him to make the discovery. But he
+deemed it necessary to deceive his grandmother in so doing. "Noko,"
+said he, "while I take my drum and rattle, and sing my war-songs,
+go and try to get me some larger heads for my arrows, for those you
+brought me are all of the same size. Go and see whether the old
+man cannot make some a little larger." He followed her as she went,
+keeping at a distance, and saw the old artificer at work, and so
+discovered his process. He also beheld the old man's daughter, and
+perceived that she was very beautiful. He felt his breast beat with
+a new emotion, but said nothing. He took care to get home before his
+grandmother, and commenced singing as if he had never left his lodge.
+When the old woman came near, she heard his drum and rattle, without
+any suspicion that he had followed her. She delivered him the
+arrow-heads.
+
+One evening the old woman said, "My son, you ought to fast before you
+go to war, as your brothers frequently do, to find out whether
+you will be successful or not." He said he had no objection, and
+immediately commenced a fast for several days. He would retire
+every day from the lodge so far as to be out of the reach of his
+grandmother's voice.
+
+After having finished his term of fasting and sung his war-song from
+which the Indians of the present day derive their custom--he embarked
+in his canoe, fully prepared for war. In addition to the usual
+implements, he had a plentiful supply of oil. He traveled rapidly
+night and day, for he had only to will or speak, and the canoe went.
+At length he arrived in sight of the fiery serpents. He stopped to
+view them. He saw they were some distance apart, and that the flame
+only which issued from them reached across the pass. He commenced
+talking as a friend to them; but they answered, "We know you,
+Hiawatha, you cannot pass." He then thought of some expedient to
+deceive them, and hit upon this. He pushed his canoe as near as
+possible. All at once he cried out, with a loud and terrified voice,
+"What is that behind you?" The serpents instantly turned their heads,
+when, at a single word, he passed them. "Well!" said he, placidly,
+after he had got by, "how do you like my exploit?" He then took up his
+bow and arrows, and with deliberate aim shot them, which was easily
+done, for the serpents were stationary, and could not move beyond a
+certain spot. They were of enormous length and of a bright color.
+
+Having overcome the sentinel serpents, he went on in his magic canoe
+till he came to a soft gummy portion of the lake, called Pigiu-wagumee
+or Pitchwater. He took the oil and rubbed it on his canoe, and then
+pushed into it. The oil softened the surface and enabled him to slip
+through it with ease, although it required frequent rubbing, and
+a constant re-application of the oil. Just as his oil failed, he
+extricated himself from this impediment, and was the first person who
+ever succeeded in overcoming it.
+
+He now came in view of land, on which he debarked in safety, and could
+see the lodge of the Shining Manito, situated on a hill. He commenced
+preparing for the fight, putting his arrows and clubs in order, and
+just at the dawn of day began his attack, yelling and shouting, and
+crying with triple voices, "Surround him! surround him! run up! run
+up!" making it appear that he had many followers. He advanced crying
+out, "It was you that killed my grandfather," and with this shot his
+arrows.
+
+The combat continued all day. Hiawatha's arrows had no effect, for his
+antagonist was clothed with pure wampum. He was now reduced to three
+arrows, and it was only by extraordinary agility that he could escape
+the blows which the Manito kept making at him. At that moment a large
+woodpecker (the ma-ma) flew past, and lit on a tree. "Hiawatha" he
+cried, "your adversary has a vulnerable point; shoot at the lock of
+hair on the crown of his head." He shot his first arrow so as only to
+draw blood from that part. The Manito made one or two unsteady steps,
+but recovered himself. He began to parley, but, in the act, received a
+second arrow, which brought him to his knees. But he again recovered.
+In so doing, however, he exposed his head, and gave his adversary a
+chance to fire his third arrow, which penetrated deep, and brought him
+a lifeless corpse to the ground. Hiawatha uttered his saw-saw-quan,
+and taking his scalp as a trophy, he called the woodpecker to come and
+receive a reward for his information. He took the blood of the Manito
+and rubbed it on the woodpecker's head, the feathers of which are red
+to this day.
+
+After this victory he returned home, singing songs of triumph and
+beating his drum. When his grandmother heard him, she came to the
+shore and welcomed him with songs and dancing. Glory fired his mind.
+He displayed the trophies he had brought in the most conspicuous
+manner, and felt an unconquerable desire for other adventures. He
+felt himself urged by the consciousness of his power to new trials of
+bravery, skill, and necromantic prowess. He had destroyed the Manito
+of Wealth, and killed his guardian serpents, and eluded all his
+charms. He did not long remain inactive.
+
+His next adventure was upon the water, and proved him the prince of
+fishermen. He captured a fish of such a monstrous size, that the fat
+and oil he obtained from it formed a small lake. He therefore invited
+all the animals and fowls to a banquet, and he made the order in which
+they partook of this repast the measure of their fatness. As fast as
+they arrived, he told them to plunge in. The bear came first, and was
+followed by the deer, opossum, and such other animals as are noted for
+their peculiar fatness at certain seasons. The moose and bison
+came tardily. The partridge looked on till the reservoir was nearly
+exhausted. The hare and marten came last, and these animals have
+consequently no fat.
+
+When this ceremony was over, he told the assembled animals and birds
+to dance, taking up his drum and crying, "New songs from the south,
+come, brothers, dance." He directed them to pass in a circle around
+him, and to shut their eyes. They did so. When he saw a fat fowl pass
+by him, he adroitly wrung off its head, at the same time beating his
+drum and singing with greater vehemence, to drown the noise of the
+fluttering, and crying out, in a tone of admiration, "That's the way,
+my brothers, _that's_ the way." At last a small duck [the diver],
+thinking there was something wrong, opened one eye and saw what he was
+doing. Giving a spring and crying, "Ha-ha-a! Hiawatha is killing us,"
+he made for the water. Hiawatha followed him, and, just as the duck
+was getting into the water, gave him a kick, which is the cause of his
+back being flattened and his legs being straightened out backward, so
+that when he gets on land he cannot walk, and his tail feathers are
+few. Meantime the other birds flew off, and the animals ran into the
+woods.
+
+After this Hiawatha, set out to travel. He wished to outdo all
+others, and to see new countries. But after walking over America and
+encountering many adventures he became satisfied as well as fatigued.
+He had heard of great feats in hunting, and felt a desire to try his
+power in that way. One evening, as he was walking along the shores of
+a great lake, weary and hungry, he encountered a great magician in
+the form of an old wolf, with six young ones, coming towards him. The
+wolf, as soon as he saw him, told his whelps to keep out of the way
+of Hiawatha, "for I know," continued he, "that it is he that we
+see yonder." The young wolves were in the act of running off, when
+Hiawatha cried out, "My grandchildren, where are you going? Stop, and
+I will go with you." He appeared rejoiced to see the old wolf, and
+asked him whither he was journeying. Being told that they were looking
+for a place where they could find most game, and where they might pass
+the winter, he said he would like to go with them, and addressed the
+old wolf in the following words: "Brother, I have a passion for the
+chase; are you willing to change me into a wolf?" He was answered
+favorably, and his transformation immediately effected.
+
+Hiawatha was fond of novelty. He found himself a wolf corresponding in
+size with the others, but he was not quite satisfied with the change,
+crying out, "Oh, make me a little larger." They did so. "A little
+larger still," he exclaimed. They said, "Let us humor him," and
+granted his request. "Well," said he, "_that_ will do." He looked at
+his tail. "Oh!" cried he, "do make my tail a little longer and more
+bushy." They did so. They then all started off in company, dashing
+up a ravine. After getting into the woods some distance, they fell in
+with the tracks of moose. The young ones went after them, Hiawatha and
+the old wolf following at their leisure. "Well," said the wolf, "whom
+do you think is the fastest of the boys? Can you tell by the jumps
+they take?" "Why," he replied, "that one that takes such long jumps,
+he is the fastest, to be sure." "Ha! ha! you are mistaken," said the
+old wolf. "He makes a good start, but he will be the first to tire
+out; this one who appears to be behind, will be the one to kill the
+game."
+
+They then came to the place where the boys had started in chase. One
+had dropped his small bundle. "Take that, Hiawatha," said the old
+wolf. "Esa," he replied, "what will I do with a dirty dogskin?" The
+wolf took it up; it was a beautiful robe. "Oh, I will carry it now,"
+said Hiawatha. "Oh no," replied the wolf, who at the moment exerted
+his magic power; "it is a robe of pearls!" And from this moment he
+omitted no occasion to display his superiority, both in the art of
+the hunter and the magician above his conceited companion. Coming to
+a place where the moose had lain down, they saw that the young wolves
+had made a fresh start after their prey. "Why," said the wolf, "this
+moose is poor. I know by the tracks, for I can always tell whether
+they are fat or not." They next came to a place where one of the
+wolves had bit at the moose, and had broken one of his teeth on a
+tree. "Hiawatha," said the wolf, "one of your grandchildren has shot
+at the game. Take his arrow; there it is." "No," he replied; "what
+will I do with a dirty dog's tooth!" The old wolf took it up, and
+behold! it was a beautiful silver arrow. When they overtook the
+youngsters, they had killed a very fat moose.
+
+Hiawatha was extremely hungry; but, alas! such is the power of
+enchantment, he saw nothing but the bones picked quite clean. He
+thought to himself, "Just as I expected, dirty, greedy fellows!"
+However, he sat down without saying a word. At length the old wolf
+spoke to one of the young ones, saying, "Give some meat to your
+grandfather." One of them obeyed, and, coming near to Hiawatha, opened
+his mouth as if he was about to snarl. Hiawatha jumped up saying, "You
+filthy dog, you have eaten so much that your stomach refuses to hold
+it. Get you gone into some other place." The old wolf, hearing the
+abuse, went a little to one side to see, and behold, a heap of fresh
+ruddy meat, with the fat lying all ready prepared. He was followed
+by Hiawatha, who, having the enchantment instantly removed, put on
+a smiling face. "Amazement!" said he; "how fine the meat is." "Yes,"
+replied the wolf; "it is always so with us; we know our work, and
+always get the best. It is not a long tail that makes a hunter."
+Hiawatha bit his lip.
+
+They then commenced fixing their winter quarters, while the youngsters
+went out in search of game, and soon brought in a large supply.
+One day, during the absence of the young wolves, the old one amused
+himself in cracking the large bones of a moose. "Hiawatha," said he,
+"cover your head with the robe, and do not look at me while I am at
+these bones, for a piece may fly in your eye." He did as he was told;
+but, looking through a rent that was in the robe, he saw what the
+other was about. Just at that moment a piece flew off and hit him on
+the eye. He cried out, "Tyau, why do you strike me, you old dog?" The
+wolf said, "You must have been looking at me." But deception commonly
+leads to falsehood. "No, no," he said, "why should I want to look at
+you?" "Hiawatha," said the wolf, "you _must_ have been looking, or you
+would not have been hurt." "No, no," he replied again, "I was not. I
+will repay the saucy wolf this," thought he to himself. So, next day,
+taking up a bone to obtain the marrow, he said to the wolf, "Cover
+your head and don't look at me, for I fear a piece may fly in your
+eye." The wolf did so. He then took the leg-bone of the moose, and
+looking first to see if the wolf was well covered, he hit him a blow
+with all his might. The wolf jumped up, cried out, and fell prostrate
+from the effects of the blow. "Why," said he, "do you strike me so?"
+"Strike you!" he replied; "no, you must have been looking at me."
+"No," answered the wolf, "I say I have not." But he persisted in the
+assertion, and the poor magician had to give up.
+
+Hiawatha was an expert hunter when he earnestly tried to be. He went
+out one day and killed a fat moose. He was very hungry, and sat down
+to eat. But immediately he fell into great doubts as to the proper
+point to begin. "Well," said he, "I do not know where to begin. At the
+head? No! People will laugh, and say 'he ate him backwards!'" He went
+to the side. "No!" said he, "they will say I ate him sideways." He
+then went to the hind-quarter. "No!" said he, "they will say I ate him
+toward the head. I will begin _here_, say what they will." He took
+a delicate piece from the rump, and was just ready to put it in his
+mouth, when a tree close by made a creaking sound, caused by the
+rubbing of one large branch against another. This annoyed him. "Why!"
+he exclaimed, "I cannot eat while I hear such a noise. Stop! stop!"
+said he to the tree. He was putting the morsel again to his mouth,
+when the noise was repeated. He put it down, exclaiming, "I _cannot
+eat_ in such confusion," and immediately left the meat, although very
+hungry, to go and put a stop to the racket. He climbed the tree and
+was pulling at the limb, when his arm was caught between two branches
+so that he could not extricate himself. While thus held fast, he saw a
+pack of wolves coming in the direction towards his meat. "Go that way!
+go that way!" he cried out; "why do you come here?" The wolves talked
+among themselves and said, "Hiawatha must have something here, or he
+would not tell us to go another way." "I begin to know him," said an
+old wolf, "and all his tricks. Let us go forward and see." They came
+on and finding the moose, soon made away with the whole carcass.
+Hiawatha looked on wistfully to see them eat till they were fully
+satisfied, and they left him nothing but the bare bones. The next
+heavy blast of wind opened the branches and liberated him. He went
+home, thinking to himself, "See the effect of meddling with frivolous
+things when I already had valuable possessions."
+
+Next day the old wolf addressed him thus: "My brother, I am going to
+separate from you, but I will leave behind me one of the young
+wolves to be your hunter." He then departed. In this act Hiawatha was
+disenchanted, and again resumed his mortal shape. He was sorrowful and
+dejected, but soon resumed his wonted air of cheerfulness. The young
+wolf that was left with him was a good hunter, and never failed to
+keep the lodge well supplied with meat. One day he addressed him
+as follows: "My grandson, I had a dream last night, and it does not
+portend good. It is of the large lake which lies in _that_ direction.
+You must be careful never to cross it, even if the ice should appear
+good. If you should come to it at night weary or hungry, you must make
+the circuit of it." Spring commenced, and the snow was melting fast
+before the rays of the sun, when one evening the wolf came to the
+lake weary with the day's chase. He disliked the journey of making its
+circuit. "Hwooh!" he exclaimed, "there can be no great harm in trying
+the ice, as it appears to be sound. Nesho, my grandfather, is over
+cautious on this point." He had gone but half way across when the ice
+gave way, and falling in, he was immediately seized by the serpents,
+who knowing he was Hiawatha's grandson, were thirsting for revenge
+upon him. Meanwhile Hiawatha sat pensively in his lodge.
+
+Night came on, but no grandson returned. The second and third night
+passed, but he did not appear. Hiawatha became very desolate and
+sorrowful. "Ah!" said he, "he must have disobeyed me, and has lost his
+life in that lake I told him of. Well!" said he at last, "I must mourn
+for him." So he took coal and blackened his face. But he was much
+perplexed as to the right mode of mourning. "I wonder," said he, "how
+I must do it? I will cry 'Oh! my grandson! Oh! my grandson!'" He burst
+out laughing. "No! no! that won't do. I will try 'Oh! my heart! Oh! my
+heart! ha! ha! ha!' That won't do either. I will cry, 'Oh my drowned
+grandson.'"
+
+This satisfied him, and he remained in his lodge and fasted, till his
+days of mourning were over. "Now," said he, "I will go in search of
+him." He set out and traveled till he came to the great lake. He then
+raised the lamentation for his grandson which had pleased him,
+sitting down near a small brook that emptied itself into the lake, and
+repeating his cries. Soon a bird called Ke-ske-mun-i-see came near to
+him. The bird inquired, "What are you doing here?" "Nothing," Hiawatha
+replied; "but can you tell me whether any one lives in this lake, and
+what brings you here yourself?" "Yes!" responded the bird; "the Prince
+of Serpents lives here, and I am watching to see whether the body of
+Hiawatha's grandson will not drift ashore, for he was killed by the
+serpents last spring. But are you not Hiawatha himself?" "No," was the
+reply, with his usual deceit; "how do you think _he_ could get to this
+place? But tell me, do the serpents ever appear? When? Where? Tell
+me all about their habits." "Do you see that beautiful white sandy
+beach?" said the bird. "Yes!" he answered. "It is there," continued
+the bird, "that they bask in the sun. Before they come out, the lake
+will appear perfectly calm; not even a ripple will appear. After
+midday you will see them."
+
+"Thank you," he replied; "I am Hiawatha. I have come in search of the
+body of my grandson, and to seek my revenge. Come near me that I may
+put a medal round your neck as a reward for your information." The
+bird unsuspectingly came near, and received a white medal, which can
+be seen to this day. While bestowing the medal, he attempted slyly to
+wring the bird's head off, but it escaped him, with only a disturbance
+of the crown feathers of its head, which are rumpled backward. He
+had found out all he wanted to know, and then desired to conceal the
+knowledge obtained by killing his informant.
+
+He went to the sandy beach indicated, and transformed himself into an
+oak stump. He had not been there long before the lake became perfectly
+calm. Soon hundreds of monstrous serpents came crawling on the beach.
+One of the number was beautifully white. He was the Prince. The others
+were red and yellow. The Prince spoke to those about him as follows:
+"I never saw that black stump standing there before. It may be
+Hiawatha. There is no knowing but that he may be somewhere about here.
+He has the power of an evil genius, and we should be on our guard
+against his wiles." One of the large serpents immediately went and
+twisted himself around it to the top, and pressed it very hard. The
+greatest pressure happened to be on his throat; he was just ready to
+cry out when the serpent let go. Eight of them went in succession and
+did the like, but always let go at the moment he was ready to cry out.
+"It cannot be he," they said. "He is too great a weak-heart for that."
+They then coiled themselves in a circle about their Prince. It was a
+long time before they fell asleep. When they did so, Hiawatha, took
+his bow and arrows, and cautiously stepping over the serpents till he
+came to the Prince, drew up his arrow with the full strength of his
+arm, and shot him in the left side. He then gave a saw-saw-quan and
+ran off at full speed.
+
+The sound uttered by the snakes on seeing their Prince mortally
+wounded, was horrible. They cried, "Hiawatha has killed our Prince;
+go in chase of him." Meantime he ran over hill and valley, to gain the
+interior of the country, with all his strength and speed, treading a
+mile at a step. But his pursuers were also spirits, and he could
+hear that something was approaching him fast. He made for the highest
+mountain, and climbed the highest tree on its summit, when, dreadful
+to behold, the whole lower country was seen to be overflowed, and the
+water was gaining rapidly on the highlands. He saw it reach to the
+foot of the mountains, and at length it came up to the foot of the
+tree, but there was no abatement.
+
+The flood rose steadily and perceptibly. He soon felt the lower part
+of his body to be immersed in it. He addressed the tree; "Grandfather,
+stretch yourself." The tree did so. But the waters still rose. He
+repeated his request, and was again obeyed. He asked a third time, and
+was again obeyed; but the tree replied, "It is the last time; I cannot
+get any higher." The waters continued to rise till they reached up
+to his chin, at which point they stood, and soon began to abate. Hope
+revived in his heart. He then cast his eyes around the illimitable
+expanse, and spied a loon. "Dive down, my brother," he said to him,
+"and fetch up some earth, so that I can make a new earth." The bird
+obeyed, but rose up to the surface a lifeless form. He then saw a
+muskrat. "Dive!" said he, "and if you succeed, you may hereafter live
+either on land or water, as you please; or I will give you a chain of
+beautiful little lakes, surrounded with rushes, to inhabit." He dove
+down, but floated up senseless. He took the body and breathed in
+his nostrils, which restored him to life. "Try again," said he. The
+muskrat did so. He came up senseless the second time, but clutched a
+little earth in one of his paws, from which, together with the carcass
+of the dead loon, he created a new earth as large as the former had
+been, with all living animals, fowls, and plants.
+
+As he was walking to survey the new earth, he heard some one singing.
+He went to the place, and found a female spirit, in the disguise of an
+old woman, singing these words, and crying at every pause:
+
+  "Ma nau bo sho, O dó zheem un,
+  Ogeem au wun, Onis sa waun,
+  Hee-Ub bub ub bub (crying).
+  Dread Hiawatha in revenge,
+  For his grandson lost--
+  Has killed the chief--the king."
+
+"Noko," said he, "what is the matter?" "Matter!" said she, "where have
+you been, that you have not heard how Hiawatha shot my son, the Prince
+of serpents, in revenge for the loss of his grandson, and how the
+earth was overflowed, and created anew? So I brought my son here, that
+he might kill and destroy the inhabitants, as he did on the former
+earth. But," she continued, casting a scrutinizing glance, "N'yau!
+indego Hiawatha! hub! ub! ub! ub! Oh, I am afraid you are Hiawatha!"
+He burst out into a laugh to quiet her fears. "Ha! ha! ha! how can
+that be? Has not the old world perished, and all that was in it?"
+"Impossible! impossible!" "But, Noko," he continued, "what do you
+intend doing with all that cedar cord on your back?" "Why," said she,
+"I am fixing a snare for Hiawatha, if he should be on this earth; and,
+in the mean time, I am looking for herbs to heal my son. I am the only
+person that can do him any good. He always gets better when I sing:
+
+  "'Hiawatha a ne we guawk,
+  Koan dan mau wah, ne we guawk,
+  Koan dan mau wah, ne we guawk,
+     It is Hiawatha's dart,
+  I try my magic power to withdraw."
+
+Having found out, by conversation with her, all he wished, he put her
+to death. He then took off her skin, and assuming this disguise, took
+the cedar cord on his back, and limped away singing her songs. He
+completely aped the gait and voice of the old woman. He was met by one
+who told him to make haste; that the Prince was worse. At the lodge,
+limping and muttering, he took notice that they had his grandson's
+hide to hang over the door. "Oh dogs!" said he; "the evil dogs!" He
+sat down near the door, and commenced sobbing like an aged woman. One
+observed, "Why don't you attend the sick, and not sit there making
+such a noise?" He took up the poker and laid it on them, mimicking the
+voice of the old woman. "Dogs that you are! why do you laugh at me?
+You know very well that I am so sorry that I am nearly out of my
+head."
+
+With that he approached the Prince, singing the songs of the old
+woman, without exciting any suspicion. He saw that his arrow had gone
+in about one half its length. He pretended to make preparations for
+extracting it, but only made ready to finish his victim; and giving
+the dart a sudden thrust, he put a period to the Prince's life. He
+performed this act with the power of a giant, bursting the old woman's
+skin, and at the same moment rushing through the door, the serpents
+following him, hissing and crying out, "Perfidy! murder! vengeance! it
+is Hiawatha." He immediately transformed himself into a wolf, and ran
+over the plain with all his speed, aided by his father the West Wind.
+When he got to the mountains he saw a badger. "Brother," said he,
+"make a hole quick, for the serpents are after me." The badger obeyed.
+They both went in, and the badger threw all the earth backward, so
+that it filled up the way behind.
+
+The serpents came to the badger's burrow, and decided to watch, "We
+will starve him out," said they; so they continue watching. Hiawatha
+told the badger to make an opening on the other side of the mountain,
+from which he could go out and hunt, and bring meat in. Thus they
+lived some time. One day the badger came in his way and displeased
+him. He immediately put him to death, and threw out his carcass,
+saying, "I don't like you to be getting in my way so often."
+
+After living in this confinement for some time alone, he decided to
+go out. He immediately did so; and after making the circuit of the
+mountain, came to the corpse of the Prince, who had been deserted by
+the serpents to pursue his destroyer. He went to work and skinned him.
+He then drew on his skin, in which there were great virtues, took up
+his war-club, and set out for the place where he first went in the
+ground. He found the serpents still watching. When they saw the form
+of their dead Prince advancing towards them, fear and dread took hold
+of them. Some fled. Those who remained Hiawatha killed. Those who fled
+went towards the South.
+
+Having accomplished the victory over the reptiles, Hiawatha returned
+to his former place of dwelling and married the arrow-maker's
+daughter.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+LEGENDARY HEROES OF MANY COUNTRIES
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+HEROES OF GREECE AND ROME
+
+
+
+
+PERSEUS
+
+ADAPTED BY MARY MACGREGOR
+
+
+
+
+I
+
+PERSEUS AND HIS MOTHER
+
+
+Once upon a time there were two Princes who were twins. They lived
+in a pleasant vale far away in Hellas. They had fruitful meadows and
+vineyards, sheep and oxen, great herds of horses, and all that men
+could need to make them blest. And yet they were wretched, because
+they were jealous of each other.
+
+From the moment they were born they began to quarrel, and when they
+grew up, each tried to take away the other's share of the kingdom and
+keep all for himself.
+
+And there came a prophet to one of the hard-hearted Princes and said,
+"Because you have risen up against your own family, your own family
+shall rise up against you. Because you have sinned against your
+kindred, by your kindred shall you be punished. Your daughter Danæ
+shall bear a son, and by that son's hands you shall die. So the gods
+have said, and it shall surely come to pass."
+
+At that the hard-hearted Prince was very much afraid, but he did not
+mend his ways. For when he became King, he shut up his fair daughter
+Danæ in a cavern underground, lined with brass, that no one might come
+near her. So he fancied himself more cunning than the gods.
+
+Now it came to pass that in time Danæ bore a son, so beautiful a babe
+that any but the King would have had pity on it. But he had no pity,
+for he took Danæ and her babe down to the seashore, and put them into
+a great chest and thrust them out to sea, that the winds and the waves
+might carry them whithersoever they would.
+
+And away and out to sea before the northwest wind floated the mother
+and her babe, while all who watched them wept, save that cruel King.
+
+So they floated on and on, and the chest danced up and down upon the
+billows, and the babe slept in its mother's arms. But the poor mother
+could not sleep, but watched and wept, and she sang to her babe as
+they floated.
+
+Now they are past the last blue headland and in the open sea. There is
+nothing round them but waves, and the sky and the wind. But the waves
+are gentle and the sky is clear, and the breeze is tender and low.
+
+So a night passed and a day, and a long day it was to Danæ, and
+another night and day beside, till Danæ was faint with hunger and
+weeping, and yet no land appeared.
+
+And all the while the babe slept quietly, and at last poor Danæ
+drooped her head and fell asleep likewise, with her cheek against her
+babe's.
+
+After a while she was awakened suddenly, for the chest was jarring and
+grinding, and the air was full of sound. She looked up, and over her
+head were mighty cliffs, and around her rocks and breakers and flying
+flakes of foam.
+
+She clasped her hands together and shrieked aloud for help. And when
+she cried, help met her, for now there came over the rocks a tall and
+stately man, and looked down wondering upon poor Danæ, tossing about
+in the chest among the waves.
+
+He wore a rough cloak, and on his head a broad hat to shade his face,
+and in his hand he carried a trident, which is a three-pronged fork
+for spearing fish, and over his shoulder was a casting net.
+
+[Illustration: SO DANAE WAS COMFORTED AND WENT HOME WITH DICTYS.]
+
+But Danæ could see that he was no common man by his height and his
+walk, and his flowing golden hair and beard, and by the two servants
+who came behind him carrying baskets for his fish.
+
+She had hardly time to look at him, before he had laid aside his
+trident and leapt down the rocks, and thrown his casting net so surely
+over Danæ and the chest, that he drew it and her and the babe safe
+upon a ledge of rock.
+
+Then the fisherman took Danæ by the hand and lifted her out of the
+chest and said, "O beautiful damsel, what strange chance has brought
+you to this island in so frail a ship? Who are you, and whence? Surely
+you are some king's daughter, and this boy belongs to the gods."
+And as he spoke he pointed to the babe, for its face shone like the
+morning star.
+
+But Danæ only held down her head and sobbed out, "Tell me to what land
+I have come, and among what men I have fallen."
+
+And he said, "Polydectes is King of this isle, and he is my brother.
+Men call me Dictys the Netter, because I catch the fish of the shore."
+
+Then Danæ fell down at his feet and embraced his knees and cried, "O
+Sir, have pity upon a stranger, whom cruel doom has driven to your
+land, and let me live in your house as a servant. But treat me
+honorably, for I was once a king's daughter, and this my boy is of
+no common race. I will not be a charge to you, or eat the bread of
+idleness, for I am more skilful in weaving and embroidery than all the
+maidens of my land."
+
+And she was going on, but Dictys stopped her and raised her up and
+said, "My daughter, I am old, and my hairs are growing gray, while I
+have no children to make my home cheerful. Come with me, then, and you
+shall be a daughter to me and to my wife, and this babe shall be our
+grandchild."
+
+So Danæ was comforted and went home with Dictys, the good fisherman,
+and was a daughter to him and to his wife, till fifteen years were
+past.
+
+
+
+
+II
+
+HOW PERSEUS VOWED A RASH VOW
+
+
+Fifteen years were past and gone, and the babe was now grown to be a
+tall lad and a sailor.
+
+His mother called him Perseus, but all the people in the isle called
+him the King of the Immortals.
+
+For though he was but fifteen, Perseus was taller by a head than
+any man in the island. And he was brave and truthful, and gentle and
+courteous, for good old Dictys had trained him well, and well it was
+for Perseus that he had done so. For now Danæ and her son fell into
+great danger, and Perseus had need of all his strength to defend his
+mother and himself.
+
+Polydectes, the King of the island, was not a good man like his
+brother Dictys, but he was greedy and cunning and cruel.
+
+And when he saw fair Danæ, he wanted to marry her. But she would not,
+for she did not love him, and cared for no one but her boy.
+
+At last Polydectes became furious, and while Perseus was away at sea,
+he took poor Danæ away from Dictys, saying, "If you will not be my
+wife, you shall be my slave."
+
+So Danæ was made a slave, and had to fetch water from the well, and
+grind in the mill.
+
+But Perseus was far away over the seas, little thinking that his
+mother was in great grief and sorrow.
+
+Now one day, while the ship was lading, Perseus wandered into a
+pleasant wood to get out of the sun, and sat down on the turf and fell
+asleep. And as he slept a strange dream came to him, the strangest
+dream he had ever had in his life.
+
+There came a lady to him through the wood, taller than he, or any
+mortal man, but beautiful exceedingly, with great gray eyes, clear and
+piercing, but strangely soft and mild. On her head was a helmet, and
+in her hand a spear. And over her shoulder, above her long blue robes,
+hung a goat-skin, which bore up a mighty shield of brass, polished
+like a mirror.
+
+She stood and looked at him with her clear gray eyes. And Perseus
+dropped his eyes, trembling and blushing, as the wonderful lady spoke.
+"Perseus, you must do an errand for me."
+
+"Who are you, lady? And how do you know my name?"
+
+Then the strange lady, whose name was Athene, laughed, and held up
+her brazen shield, and cried, "See here, Perseus, dare you face such
+a monster as this and slay it, that I may place its head upon this
+shield?"
+
+And in the mirror of the shield there appeared a face, and as Perseus
+looked on it his blood ran cold. It was the face of a beautiful woman,
+but her cheeks were pale, and her lips were thin. Instead of hair,
+vipers wreathed about her temples and shot out their forked tongues,
+and she had claws of brass.
+
+Perseus looked awhile and then said, "If there is anything so fierce
+and ugly on earth, it were a noble deed to kill it. Where can I find
+the monster?"
+
+Then the strange lady smiled again and said, "You are too young, for
+this is Medusa the Gorgon. Return to your home, and when you have done
+the work that awaits you there, you may be worthy to go in search of
+the monster."
+
+Perseus would have spoken, but the strange lady vanished, and he
+awoke, and behold it was a dream.
+
+So he returned home, and the first thing he heard was that his mother
+was a slave in the house of Polydectes.
+
+Grinding his teeth with rage, he went out, and away to the King's
+palace, and through the men's rooms and the women's rooms, and so
+through all the house, till he found his mother sitting on the floor
+turning the stone hand-mill, and weeping as she turned it.
+
+And he lifted her up and kissed her, and bade her follow him forth.
+But before they could pass out of the room Polydectes came in.
+
+When Perseus saw the King, he flew upon him and cried, "Tyrant! is
+this thy mercy to strangers and widows? Thou shalt die." And because
+he had no sword he caught up the stone hand-mill, and lifted it to
+dash out Polydectes's brains.
+
+But his mother clung to him, shrieking, and good Dictys too entreated
+him to remember that the cruel King was his brother.
+
+Then Perseus lowered his hand, and Polydectes, who had been trembling
+all this while like a coward, let Perseus and his mother pass.
+
+So Perseus took his mother to the temple of Athené, and there the
+priestess made her one of the temple sweepers. And there they knew
+that she would be safe, for not even Polydectes would dare to drag her
+out of the temple. And there Perseus and the good Dictys and his wife
+came to visit her every day.
+
+As for Polydectes, not being able to get Danæ by force, he cast about
+how he might get her by cunning. He was sure he could never get back
+Danæ as long as Perseus was in the island, so he made a plot to get
+rid of him. First he pretended to have forgiven Perseus, and to
+have forgotten Danæ, so that for a while all went smoothly. Next he
+proclaimed a great feast and invited to it all the chiefs and the
+young men of the island, and among them Perseus, that they might all
+do him homage as their King, and eat of his banquet in his hall.
+
+On the appointed day they all came, and as the custom was then, each
+guest brought with him a present for the King. One brought a horse,
+another a shawl, or a ring, or a sword, and some brought baskets of
+grapes, but Perseus brought nothing, for he had nothing to bring,
+being only a poor sailor lad.
+
+He was ashamed, however, to go into the King's presence without a
+gift. So he stood at the door, sorrowfully watching the rich men go
+in, and his face grew very red as they pointed at him and smiled and
+whispered, "And what has Perseus to give?"
+
+Perseus blushed and stammered, while all the proud men round laughed
+and mocked, till the lad grew mad with shame, and hardly knowing what
+he said, cried out:
+
+"A present! See if I do not bring a nobler one than all of yours
+together!"
+
+"Hear the boaster! What is the present to be?" cried they all,
+laughing louder than ever.
+
+Then Perseus remembered his strange dream, and he cried aloud, "The
+head of Medusa the Gorgon!"
+
+He was half afraid after he had said the words, for all laughed louder
+than ever, and Polydectes loudest of all, while he said:
+
+"You have promised to bring me the Gorgon's head. Then never appear
+again in this island without it. Go!"
+
+Perseus saw that he had fallen into a trap, but he went out without a
+word.
+
+Down to the cliffs he went, and looked across the broad blue sea, and
+wondered if his dream were true.
+
+"Athene, was my dream true? Shall I slay the Gorgon?" he prayed.
+"Rashly and angrily I promised, but wisely and patiently will I
+perform."
+
+But there was no answer nor sign, not even a cloud in the sky.
+
+Three times Perseus called, weeping, "Rashly and angrily I promised,
+but wisely and patiently will I perform."
+
+Then he saw afar off a small white cloud, as bright as silver. And
+as it touched the cliffs, it broke and parted, and within it appeared
+Athene, and beside her a young man, whose eyes were like sparks of
+fire.
+
+And they came swiftly towards Perseus, and he fell down and worshiped,
+for he knew they were more than mortal.
+
+But Athene spoke gently to him and bade him have no fear. "Perseus,"
+she said, "you have braved Polydectes, and done manfully. Dare you
+brave Medusa the Gorgon?"
+
+Perseus answered, "Try me, for since you spoke to me, new courage has
+come into my soul."
+
+And Athene said, "Perseus, this deed requires a seven years' journey,
+in which you cannot turn back nor escape. If your heart fails, you
+must die, and no man will ever find your bones."
+
+And Perseus said, "Tell me, O fair and wise Athene, how I can do but
+this one thing, and then, if need be, die."
+
+Then Athene smiled and said, "Be patient and listen. You must go
+northward till you find the Three Gray Sisters, who have but one eye
+and one tooth amongst them. Ask them the way to the daughters of the
+Evening Star, for they will tell you the way to the Gorgon, that you
+may slay her. But beware! for her eyes are so terrible that whosoever
+looks on them is turned to stone."
+
+"How am I to escape her eyes?" said Perseus; "will she not freeze me
+too?"
+
+"You shall take this polished shield," said Athene, "and look, not
+at her herself, but at her image in the shield, so you may strike her
+safely. And when you have struck off her head, wrap it, with your face
+turned away, in the folds of the goat-skin on which the shield hangs.
+So you bring it safely back to me and win yourself renown and a place
+among heroes."
+
+Then said Perseus, "I will go, though I die in going. But how shall I
+cross the seas without a ship? And who will show me the way? And how
+shall I slay her, if her scales be iron and brass?"
+
+But the young man who was with Athene spoke, "These sandals of mine
+will bear you across the seas, and over hill and dale like a bird, as
+they bear me all day long. The sandals themselves will guide you on
+the road, for they are divine and cannot stray, and this sword itself
+will kill her, for it is divine and needs no second stroke. Arise and
+gird them on, and go forth."
+
+So Perseus arose, and girded on the sandals and the sword.
+
+And Athene cried, "Now leap from the cliff and be gone!"
+
+Then Perseus looked down the cliff and shuddered, but he was ashamed
+to show his dread, and he leaped into the empty air.
+
+And behold! instead of falling, he floated, and stood, and ran along
+the sky.
+
+
+
+
+III
+
+HOW PERSEUS SLEW THE GORGON
+
+
+So Perseus started on his journey, going dryshod over land and sea,
+and his heart was high and joyful, for the sandals bore him each day a
+seven days' journey.
+
+And at last by the shore of a freezing sea, beneath the cold winter
+moon, he found the Three Gray Sisters. There was no living thing
+around them, not a fly, not a moss upon the rocks.
+
+They passed their one eye each to the other, but for all that they
+could not see, and they passed the one tooth from one to the other,
+but for all that they could not eat, and they sat in the full glare of
+the moon, but they were none the warmer for her beams.
+
+And Perseus said, "Tell me, O Venerable Mothers, the path to the
+daughters of the Evening Star."
+
+They heard his voice, and then one cried, "Give me the eye that I may
+see him," and another, "Give me the tooth that I may bite him," but
+they had no answer for his question.
+
+Then Perseus stepped close to them, and watched as they passed the eye
+from hand to hand. And as they groped about, he held out his own hand
+gently, till one of them put the eye into it, fancying that it was the
+hand of her sister.
+
+At that Perseus sprang back and laughed and cried, "Cruel old women,
+I have your eye, and I will throw it into the sea, unless you tell me
+the path to the daughters of the Evening Star and swear to me that you
+tell me right."
+
+Then they wept and chattered and scolded, but all in vain. They were
+forced to tell the truth, though when they told it, Perseus could
+hardly make out the way. But he gave them back the eye and leaped away
+to the southward, leaving the snow and ice behind.
+
+At last he heard sweet voices singing, and he guessed that he was come
+to the garden of the daughters of the Evening Star.
+
+When they saw him they trembled and said, "Are you come to rob our
+garden and carry off our golden fruit?"
+
+But Perseus answered, "I want none of your golden fruit. Tell me the
+way which leads to the Gorgon that I may go on my way and slay her."
+
+"Not yet, not yet, fair boy," they answered, "come dance with us
+around the trees in the garden."
+
+"I cannot dance with you, fair maidens, so tell me the way to the
+Gorgon, lest I wander and perish in the waves."
+
+Then they sighed and wept, and answered, "The Gorgon! She will freeze
+you into stone."
+
+But Perseus said, "The gods have lent me weapons, and will give me
+wisdom to use them."
+
+Then the fair maidens told him that the Gorgon lived on an island
+far away, but that whoever went near the island must wear the hat of
+darkness, so that he could not himself be seen. And one of the fair
+maidens held in her hand the magic hat.
+
+While all the maidens kissed Perseus and wept over him, he was only
+impatient to be gone. So at last they put the magic hat upon his head,
+and he vanished out of their sight.
+
+And Perseus went on boldly, past many an ugly sight, till he heard
+the rustle of the Gorgons' wings and saw the glitter of their brazen
+claws. Then he knew that it was time to halt, lest Medusa should
+freeze him into stone.
+
+He thought awhile with himself and remembered Athene's words. Then he
+rose into the air, and held the shield above his head and looked up
+into it, that he might see all that was below him.
+
+And he saw three Gorgons sleeping, as huge as elephants. He knew that
+they could not see him, because the hat of darkness hid him, and yet
+he trembled as he sank down near them, so terrible were those brazen
+claws.
+
+Medusa tossed to and fro restlessly in her sleep. Her long neck
+gleamed so white in the mirror that Perseus had not the heart to
+strike. But as he looked, from among her tresses the vipers' heads
+awoke and peeped up, with their bright dry eyes, and showed their
+fangs and hissed. And Medusa as she tossed showed her brazen claws,
+and Perseus saw that for all her beauty she was as ugly as the others.
+
+Then he came down and stepped to her boldly, and looked steadfastly
+on his mirror, and struck with his sword stoutly once, and he did not
+need to strike again.
+
+He wrapped the head in the goat-skin, turning away his eyes, and
+sprang into the air aloft, faster than he ever sprang before.
+
+And well his brave sandals bore him through cloud and sunshine across
+the shoreless sea, till he came again to the gardens of the fair
+maidens.
+
+Then he asked them, "By what road shall I go homeward again?"
+
+And they wept and cried, "Go home no more, but stay and play with us,
+the lonely maidens."
+
+But Perseus refused and leapt down the mountain, and went on like a
+sea-gull, away and out to sea.
+
+
+
+
+IV
+
+HOW PERSEUS MET ANDROMEDA
+
+
+So Perseus flitted onward to the north-east, over many a league of
+sea, till he came to the rolling sandhills of the desert.
+
+Over the sands he went, he never knew how far nor how long, hoping all
+day to see the blue sparkling Mediterranean, that he might fly across
+it to his home.
+
+But now came down a mighty wind, and swept him back southward toward
+the desert. All day long he strove against it, but even the sandals
+could not prevail. And when morning came there was nothing to be seen,
+save the same old hateful waste of sand.
+
+At last the gale fell, and he tried to go northward again, but again
+down came the sandstorms and swept him back into the desert; and then
+all was calm and cloudless as before.
+
+Then he cried to Athene, "Shall I never see my mother more, and the
+blue ripple of the sea and the sunny hills of Hellas?"
+
+So he prayed, and after he had prayed there was a great silence.
+
+And Perseus stood still awhile and waited, and said, "Surely I am not
+here but by the will of the gods, for Athené will not lie. Were not
+these sandals to lead me in the right road?"
+
+Then suddenly his ears were opened and he heard the sound of running
+water. And Perseus laughed for joy, and leapt down the cliff and drank
+of the cool water, and ate of the dates, and slept on the turf, and
+leapt up and went forward again, but not toward the north this time.
+
+For he said, "Surely Athene hath sent me hither, and will not have me
+go homeward yet. What if there be another noble deed to be done before
+I see the sunny hills of Hellas?"
+
+So Perseus flew along the shore above the sea, and at the dawn of a
+day he looked towards the cliffs. At the water's edge, under a black
+rock, he saw a white image stand.
+
+"This," thought he, "must surely be the statue of some sea-god. I will
+go near and see."
+
+And he came near, but when he came it was no statue he found, but a
+maiden of flesh and blood, for he could see her tresses streaming in
+the breeze. And as he came closer still, he could see how she shrank
+and shivered when the waves sprinkled her with cold salt spray.
+
+Her arms were spread above her head and fastened to the rock with
+chains of brass, and her head drooped either with sleep or weariness
+or grief. But now and then she looked up and wailed, and called her
+mother.
+
+Yet she did not see Perseus, for the cap of darkness was on his head.
+
+In his heart pity and indignation, Perseus drew near and looked upon
+the maid. Her cheeks were darker than his, and her hair was blue-black
+like a hyacinth.
+
+Perseus thought, "I have never seen so beautiful a maiden, no, not in
+all our isles. Surely she is a king's daughter. She is too fair, at
+least, to have done any wrong. I will speak to her," and, lifting the
+magic hat from his head, he flashed into her sight. She shrieked with
+terror, but Perseus cried, "Do not fear me, fair one. What cruel men
+have bound you? But first I will set you free."
+
+And he tore at the fetters, but they were too strong for him, while
+the maiden cried, "Touch me not. I am a victim for the sea-gods. They
+will slay you if you dare to set me free."
+
+"Let them try," said Perseus, and drawing his sword he cut through the
+brass as if it had been flax.
+
+"Now," he said, "you belong to me, and not to these sea-gods,
+whosoever they may be."
+
+But she only called the more on her mother. Then he clasped her in his
+arms, and cried, "Where are these sea-gods, cruel and unjust, who doom
+fair maids to death? Let them measure their strength against mine. But
+tell me, maiden, who you are, and what dark fate brought you here."
+
+And she answered, weeping, "I am the daughter of a King, and my mother
+is the Queen with the beautiful tresses, and they call me Andromeda.
+I stand here to atone for my mother's sin, for she boasted of me once
+that I was fairer than the Queen of the Fishes. So she in her wrath
+sent the sea-floods and wasted all the land. And now I must be
+devoured by a sea-monster to atone for a sin which I never committed."
+
+But Perseus laughed and said, "A sea-monster! I have fought with worse
+than he."
+
+Andromeda looked up at him, and new hope was kindled in her heart, so
+proud and fair did he stand, with one hand round her, and in the other
+the glittering sword.
+
+But still she sighed and said, "Why will you die, young as you are? Go
+you your way, I must go mine."
+
+Perseus cried, "Not so: I slew the Gorgon by the help of the gods, and
+not without them do I come hither to slay this monster, with that same
+Gorgon's head. Yet hide your eyes when I leave you, lest the sight of
+it freeze you too to stone."
+
+But the maiden answered nothing, for she could not believe his words.
+
+Then suddenly looking up, she pointed to the sea and shrieked, "There
+he comes with the sunrise as they said. I must die now. Oh go!" And
+she tried to thrust him away.
+
+And Perseus said, "I go, yet promise me one thing ere I go,--that if
+I slay this beast you will be my wife and come back with me to my
+kingdom, for I am a King's son. Promise me, and seal it with a kiss."
+
+Then she lifted up her face and kissed him, and Perseus laughed for
+joy and flew upward, while Andromeda crouched trembling on the rock.
+
+On came the great sea-monster, lazily breasting the ripple and
+stopping at times by creek or headland. His great sides were fringed
+with clustering shells and seaweeds, and the water gurgled in and out
+of his wide jaws as he rolled along. At last he saw Andromeda and shot
+forward to take his prey.
+
+Then down from the height of the air fell Perseus like a shooting
+star, down to the crests of the waves, while Andromeda hid her face as
+he shouted, and then there was silence for a while.
+
+When at last she looked up trembling, Andromeda saw Perseus springing
+towards her, and instead of the monster, a long black rock, with the
+sea rippling quietly round it.
+
+Who then so proud as Perseus, as he leapt back to the rock and lifted
+his fair Andromeda in his arms and flew with her to the cliff-top, as
+a falcon carries a dove! Who so proud as Perseus, and who so joyful as
+the people of the land!
+
+And the King and the Queen came, and all the people came with songs
+and dances to receive Andromeda back again, as one alive from the
+dead.
+
+Then the King said to Perseus, "Hero of the Hellens, stay here with me
+and be my son-in-law, and I will give you the half of my kingdom."
+
+"I will be your son-in-law," said Perseus, "but of your kingdom will I
+have none, for I long after the pleasant land of Greece, and my mother
+who waits for me at home."
+
+Then said the King, "You must not take my daughter away at once, for
+she is to us as one alive from the dead. Stay with us here a year, and
+after that you shall return with honor."
+
+And Perseus consented, but before he went to the palace he bade the
+people bring stones and wood and build an altar to Athené, and there
+he offered bullocks and rams. Then they made a great wedding feast,
+which lasted seven whole days.
+
+But on the eighth night Perseus dreamed a dream. He saw standing
+beside him Athené as he had seen her seven long years before, and she
+stood and called him by name, and said, "Perseus, you have played
+the man, and see, you have your reward. Now give me the sword and the
+sandals, and the hat of darkness, that I may give them back to those
+to whom they belong. But the Gorgon's head you shall keep a while, for
+you will need it in your land of Hellas."
+
+And Perseus rose to give her the sword, and the cap, and the sandals,
+but he woke and his dream vanished away. Yet it was not altogether a
+dream, for the goat-skin with the head was in its place, but the sword
+and the cap and the sandals were gone, and Perseus never saw them
+more.
+
+
+
+
+V
+
+HOW PERSEUS CAME HOME AGAIN
+
+
+When a year was ended, Perseus rowed away in a noble galley, and in
+it he put Andromeda and all her dowry of jewels and rich shawls and
+spices from the East, and great was the weeping when they rowed away.
+
+And when Perseus reached the land, of Hellas he left his galley on the
+beach, and went up as of old. He embraced his mother and Dictys, and
+they wept over each other, for it was seven years and more since they
+had parted.
+
+Then Perseus went out and up to the hall of Polydectes, and underneath
+the goat-skin he bore the Gorgon's head.
+
+When he came to the hall, Polydectes sat at the table, and all his
+nobles on either side, feasting on fish and goats' flesh, and drinking
+blood-red wine.
+
+Perseus stood upon the threshold and called to the King by name. But
+none of the guests knew the stranger, for he was changed by his long
+journey. He had gone out a boy, and he was come home a hero.
+
+But Polydectes the Wicked, knew him, and scornfully he called, "Ah,
+foundling! have you found it more easy to promise than to fulfil?"
+
+"Those whom the gods help fulfil their promises," said Perseus, as
+he drew back the goat-skin and held aloft the Gorgon's head, saying,
+"Behold!"
+
+Pale grew Polydectes and his guests as they looked upon that dreadful
+face. They tried to rise from their seats, but from their seats they
+never rose, but stiffened, each man where he sat, into a ring of cold
+gray stones.
+
+Then Perseus turned and left them, and went down to his galley in
+the bay. He gave the kingdom to good Dictys, and sailed away with his
+mother and his bride. And Perseus rowed westward till he came to his
+old home, and there he found that his grandfather had fled.
+
+The heart of Perseus yearned after his grandfather, and he said,
+"Surely he will love me now that I am come home with honor. I will go
+and find him and bring him back, and we will reign together in peace."
+
+So Perseus sailed away, and at last he came to the land where his
+grandfather dwelt, and all the people were in the fields, and there
+was feasting and all kinds of games.
+
+Then Perseus did not tell his name, but went up to the games unknown,
+for he said, "If I carry away the prize in the games, my grandfather's
+heart will be softened towards me."
+
+And when the games began, Perseus was the best of all at running and
+leaping, and wrestling and throwing. And he won four crowns and took
+them.
+
+Then he said to himself, "There is a fifth crown to be won. I will win
+that also, and lay them all upon the knees of my grandfather."
+
+So he took the stones and hurled them five fathoms beyond all the
+rest. And the people shouted, "There has never been such a hurler in
+this land!"
+
+Again Perseus put out all his strength and hurled. But a gust of wind
+came from the sea and carried the quoit aside, far beyond all the
+rest. And it fell on the foot of his grandfather, and he swooned away
+with the pain.
+
+Perseus shrieked and ran up to him, but when they lifted the old man
+up, he was dead. Then Perseus rent his clothes and cast dust on his
+head, and wept a long while for his grandfather.
+
+At last he rose and called to all people aloud and said, "The gods are
+true: what they have ordained must be; I am Perseus the grandson
+of this dead man." Then he told them how a prophet had said that he
+should kill his grandfather.
+
+So they made great mourning for the old King, and burnt him on a right
+rich pile.
+
+And Perseus went to the temple and was purified from the guilt of his
+death, because he had done it unknowingly.
+
+Then he went home and reigned well with Andromeda, and they had four
+sons and three daughters.
+
+And when they died, the ancients say that Athené took them up to the
+sky. All night long Perseus and Andromeda shine as a beacon for
+wandering sailors, but all day long they feast with the gods, on the
+still blue peaks in the home of the Immortals.
+
+
+
+
+ODYSSEUS
+
+ADAPTED BY JEANIE LANG
+
+
+
+
+I
+
+HOW ODYSSEUS LEFT TROYLAND AND SAILED FOR HIS KINGDOM PAST THE LAND OF
+THE LOTUS EATERS
+
+
+In the days of long ago there reigned over Ithaca, a rugged little
+island in the sea to the west of Greece, a King whose name was
+Odysseus.
+
+Odysseus feared no man. Stronger and braver than other men was he,
+wiser, and more full of clever devices. Far and wide he was known as
+Odysseus of the many counsels. Wise, also, was his Queen, Penelope,
+and she was as fair as she was wise, and as good as she was fair.
+
+While their only child, a boy named Telemachus, was still a baby,
+there was a very great war in Troyland, a country far across the sea.
+
+The brother of the overlord of all Greece beseiged Troy, and the kings
+and princes of his land came to help him. Many came from afar, but
+none from a more distant kingdom than Odysseus. Wife and child and old
+father he left behind him and sailed away with his black-prowed ships
+to fight in Troyland.
+
+For ten years the siege of Troy went on, and of the heroes who fought
+there, none was braver than Odysseus. Clad as a beggar he went into
+the city and found out much to help the Greek armies. With his long
+sword he fought his way out again, and left many of the men of Troy
+lying dead behind him. And many other brave feats did Odysseus do.
+
+After long years of fighting, Troy at last was taken. With much rich
+plunder the besiegers sailed homewards, and Odysseus set sail for his
+rocky island, with its great mountain, and its forests of trembling
+leaves.
+
+Of gladness and of longing his heart was full. With a great love he
+loved his fair wife and little son and old father, and his little
+kingdom by the sea was very dear to him.
+
+"I can see nought beside sweeter than a man's own country," he said.
+Very soon he hoped to see his dear land again, but many a long and
+weary day was to pass ere Odysseus came home.
+
+Odysseus was a warrior, and always he would choose to fight rather
+than to be at peace.
+
+As he sailed on his homeward way, winds drove his ships near the
+shore. He and his company landed, sacked the nearest city, and slew
+the people. Much rich plunder they took, but ere they could return to
+their ships, a host of people came from inland. In the early morning,
+thick as leaves and flowers in the spring they came, and fell upon
+Odysseus and his men.
+
+All day they fought, but as the sun went down the people of the land
+won the fight. Back to their ships went Odysseus and his men. Out of
+each ship were six men slain. While they were yet sad at heart and
+weary from the fight, a terrible tempest arose.
+
+Land and sea were blotted out, the ships were driven headlong, and
+their sails were torn to shreds by the might of the storm. For two
+days and two nights the ships were at the mercy of the tempests. At
+dawn on the third day, the storm passed away, and Odysseus and his men
+set up their masts and hoisted their white sails, and drove homeward
+before the wind.
+
+So he would have come safely to his own country, but a strong current
+and a fierce north wind swept the ships from their course. For nine
+days were they driven far from their homeland, across the deep sea.
+
+On the tenth day they reached the Land of the Lotus Eaters. The
+dwellers in that land fed on the honey-sweet fruit of the lotus
+flower. Those who ate the lotus ceased to remember that there was a
+past or a future. All duties they forgot, and all sadness. All day
+long they would sit and dream and dream idle, happy dreams that never
+ended.
+
+Here Odysseus and his men landed and drew water. Three of his warriors
+Odysseus sent into the country to see what manner of men dwelt there.
+To them the Lotus Eaters gave their honey-sweet food, and no sooner
+had each man eaten than he had no wish ever to return to the ships. He
+longed for ever to stay in that pleasant land, eating the lotus fruit,
+and dreaming the happy hours away.
+
+Back to the ships Odysseus dragged the unwilling men, weeping that
+they must leave so much joy behind. Beneath the benches of his ship he
+tightly bound them, and swiftly he made his ships sail from the shore,
+lest yet others of his company might eat of the lotus and forget their
+homes and their kindred.
+
+Soon they had all embarked, and, with heavy hearts, the men of Ithaca
+smote the gray sea-water with their long oars, and sped away from the
+land of forgetfulness and of sweet day-dreams.
+
+
+
+
+II
+
+HOW ODYSSEUS CAME TO THE LAND OF THE CYCLÔPES, AND HIS ADVENTURES
+THERE
+
+
+On and on across the waves sailed the dark-prowed ships of Odysseus,
+until again they came to land.
+
+It was the Land of the Cyclôpes, a savage and lawless people, who
+never planted, nor plowed, nor sowed, and whose fields yet gave them
+rich harvests of wheat and of barley, and vines with heavy clusters of
+grapes. In deep caves, high up on the hills, these people dwelt, and
+each man ruled his own wife and children, but himself knew no ruler.
+
+Outside the harbor of the Land of the Cyclôpes lay a thickly wooded
+island. No hunters went there, for the Cyclôpes owned neither ships
+nor boats, so that many goats roamed unharmed through the woods and
+cropped the fresh green grass.
+
+It was a green and pleasant land. Rich meadows stretched down to the
+sea, the vines grew strong and fruitful, and there was a fair harbor
+where ships might be run right on to the beach. At the head of the
+harbor was a well of clear water flowing out of a cave, and with
+poplars growing around it. Thither Odysseus directed his ships. It was
+dark night, with no moon to guide, and mist lay deep on either side,
+yet they passed the breakers and rolling surf without knowing it, and
+anchored safely on the beach.
+
+All night they slept, and when rosy dawn came they explored the island
+and slew with their bows and long spears many of the wild goats of the
+woods.
+
+All the livelong day Odysseus and his men sat and feasted. As they ate
+and drank, they looked across the water at the Land of the Cyclôpes,
+where the smoke of wood fires curled up to the sky, and from whence
+they could hear the sound of men's voices and the bleating of
+sheep and goats. When darkness fell, they lay down to sleep on the
+sea-beach, and when morning dawned Odysseus called his men together
+and said to them: "Stay here, all the rest of you, my dear companions,
+but I will go with my own ship and my ship's company and see what kind
+of men are those who dwell in this land across the harbor."
+
+So saying, he climbed into his ship, and his men rowed him across to
+the Land of the Cyclôpes. When they were near the shore they saw a
+great cave by the sea. It was roofed in with green laurel boughs and
+seemed to be meant for a fold to shelter sheep and goats. Round about
+it a high outer wall was firmly built with stones, and with tall and
+leafy pines and oak-trees.
+
+In this cave, all alone with his flocks and herds, dwelt a huge and
+hideous one-eyed giant. Polyphemus was his name, and his father was
+Poseidon, god of the sea.
+
+Taking twelve of his best men with him, Odysseus left the others to
+guard the ship and sallied forth to the giant's cave. With him he
+carried a goat-skin full of precious wine, dark red, and sweet and
+strong, and a large sack of corn.
+
+Soon they came to the cave, but Polyphemus was not there. He had taken
+off his flocks to graze in the green meadows, leaving behind him in
+the cave folds full of lambs and kids. The walls of the cave were
+lined with cheeses, and there were great pans full of whey, and giant
+bowls full of milk.
+
+"Let us first of all take the cheeses," said the men of Odysseus to
+their King, "and carry them to the ships. Then let us return and drive
+all the kids and lambs from their folds down to the shore, and sail
+with them in our swift ships homeward over the sea."
+
+But Odysseus would not listen to what they said. He was too great
+hearted to steal into the cave like a thief and take away the giant's
+goods without first seeing whether Polyphemus might not treat him as
+a friend, receiving from him the corn and wine he had brought, and
+giving him gifts in return.
+
+So they kindled a fire, and dined on some of the cheeses, and sat
+waiting for the giant to return.
+
+Towards evening he came, driving his flocks before him, and carrying
+on his back a huge load of firewood, which he cast down on the floor
+with such a thunderous noise that Odysseus and his men fled in fear
+and hid themselves in the darkest corners of the cave. When he had
+driven his sheep inside, Polyphemus lifted from the ground a rock so
+huge that two-and-twenty four-wheeled wagons could not have borne it,
+and with it blocked the doorway. Then, sitting down, he milked the
+ewes and bleating goats, and placed the lambs and kids each beside its
+own mother.
+
+Half of the milk he curdled and placed in wicker baskets to make into
+cheeses, and the other half he left in great pails to drink when he
+should have supper. When all this was done, he kindled a fire, and
+when the flames had lit up the dark-walled cave he spied Odysseus and
+his men.
+
+"Strangers, who are ye?" he asked, in his great, rumbling voice.
+"Whence sail ye over the watery ways? Are ye merchants? or are ye
+sea-robbers who rove over the sea, risking your own lives and bringing
+evil to other men?"
+
+The sound of the giant's voice, and his hideous face filled the hearts
+of the men with terror, but Odysseus made answer: "From Troy we
+come, seeking our home, but driven hither by winds and waves. Men of
+Agamemnon, the renowned and most mightily victorious Greek general,
+are we, yet to thee we come and humbly beg for friendship."
+
+At this the giant, who had nothing but cruelty in his heart, mocked at
+Odysseus.
+
+"Thou art a fool," said he, "and I shall not spare either thee or thy
+company. But tell me where thou didst leave thy good ship? Was it near
+here, or at the far end of the island?"
+
+But Odysseus of the many counsels knew that the giant asked the
+question only to bring evil on the men who stayed by the ship, and so
+he answered: "My ship was broken in pieces by the storm and cast up on
+the rocks on the shore, but I, with these my men, escaped from death."
+
+Not one word said Polyphemus in reply, but sprang up, clutched hold of
+two of the men, and dashed their brains out on the stone floor. Then
+he cut them up, and made ready his supper, eating the two men, bones
+and all, as if he had been a starving lion, and taking great draughts
+of the milk from the giant pails. When his meal was done, he stretched
+himself on the ground beside his sheep and goats, and slept.
+
+In helpless horror Odysseus and his men had watched the dreadful
+sight, but when the monster slept they began to make plans for their
+escape. At first Odysseus thought it might be best to take his sharp
+sword and stab Polyphemus in the breast. But then he knew that even
+were he thus to slay the giant, he and his men must die. For strength
+was not left them to roll away the rock from the cave's mouth, and so
+they must perish like rats in a trap.
+
+All night they thought what they should do, but could think of nought
+that would avail, and so they could only moan in their bitterness of
+heart and wait for the dawn. When dawn's rosy fingers touched the sky,
+Polyphemus awoke. He kindled a fire, and milked his flocks, and gave
+each ewe her lamb. When this work was done he snatched yet other two
+men, dashed their brains out, and made of them his morning meal. After
+the meal, he lifted the stone from the door, drove the flocks out, and
+set the stone back again. Then, with a loud shout, he turned his sheep
+and goats towards the hills and left Odysseus and his remaining eight
+men imprisoned in the cave, plotting and planning how to get away, and
+how to avenge the death of their comrades.
+
+At last Odysseus thought of a plan. By the sheepfold there lay a huge
+club of green olive wood that Polyphemus had cut and was keeping
+until it should be dry enough to use as a staff. So huge was it
+that Odysseus and his men likened it to the mast of a great merchant
+vessel. From this club Odysseus cut a large piece and gave it to his
+men to fine down and make even. While they did this, Odysseus himself
+sharpened it to a point and hardened the point in the fire. When it
+was ready, they hid it amongst the rubbish on the floor of the cave.
+Then Odysseus made his men draw lots who should help him to lift this
+bar and drive it into the eye of the giant as he slept, and the lot
+fell upon the four men that Odysseus would himself have chosen.
+
+In the evening Polyphemus came down from the hills with his flocks and
+drove them all inside the cave. Then he lifted the great doorstone and
+blocked the doorway, milked the ewes and goats, and gave each lamb and
+kid to its mother. This done, he seized other two of the men, dashed
+out their brains, and made ready his supper.
+
+From the shadows of the cave Odysseus now stepped forward, bearing in
+his hands an ivy bowl, full of the dark red wine.
+
+"Drink wine after thy feast of men's flesh," said Odysseus, "and see
+what manner of drink this was that our ship held."
+
+Polyphemus grasped the bowl, gulped down the strong wine, and smacked
+his great lips over its sweetness.
+
+"Give me more," he cried, "and tell me thy name straightway, that I
+may give thee a gift. Mighty clusters of grapes do the vines of our
+land bear for us, but this is a rill of very nectar and ambrosia."
+
+Again Odysseus gave him the bowl full of wine, and yet again, until
+the strong wine went to the giant's head and made him stupid.
+
+Then said Odysseus: "Thou didst ask me my name, and didst say that
+thou wouldst give me a gift. Noman is my name, and Noman they call me,
+my father and mother and all my fellows."
+
+Then answered the giant out of his pitiless heart: "I will eat thy
+fellows first, Noman, and thee the last of all. That shall be thy
+gift."
+
+Soon the wine made him so sleepy that he sank backwards with his great
+face upturned and fell fast asleep.
+
+As soon as the giant slept, Odysseus thrust into the fire the stake he
+had prepared, and made it red hot, all the while speaking cheerfully
+and comfortingly to his men. When it was so hot that the wood, green
+though it was, began to blaze, they drew it out and thrust it into
+the giant's eye. Round and round they whirled the fiery pike, as a
+man bores a hole in a plank, until the blood gushed out, and the eye
+frizzled and hissed, and the flames singed and burned the eyelids, and
+the eye was burned out. With a great and terrible cry the giant sprang
+to his feet, and Odysseus and the others fled from before him. From
+his eye he dragged the blazing pike, all dripping with his blood, and
+dashed it to the ground. Then, maddened with pain, he called with a
+great and terrible cry on the other Cyclôpes, who dwelt in their caves
+on the hill-tops round which the wind swept. The giants, hearing his
+horrid yells, rushed to help him.
+
+"What ails thee, Polyphemus?" they asked. "Why dost thou cry aloud
+in the night and awake us from our sleep? Surely no one stealeth thy
+flocks? None slayeth thee by force or by craft."
+
+From the other side of the great stone moaned Polyphemus: "Noman is
+slaying me by craft."
+
+Then the Cyclôpes said: "If no man is hurting thee, then indeed it
+must be a sickness that makes thee cry so loud, and this thou must
+bear, for we cannot help."
+
+With that they strode away from the cave and left the blind giant
+groaning and raging with pain. Groping with his hands, he found the
+great stone that blocked the door, lifted it away, and sat himself
+down in the mouth of the cave, with his arms stretched out, hoping
+to catch Odysseus and his men if they should try to escape. Sitting
+there, he fell asleep, and, as soon as he slept, Odysseus planned and
+plotted how best to win freedom.
+
+The rams of the giant's flocks were great strong beasts, with fleeces
+thick and woolly, and as dark as the violet. With twisted slips of
+willow Odysseus lashed every three of them together, and under the
+middle ram of each three he bound one of his men. For himself he
+kept the best ram of the flock, young and strong, and with a fleece
+wonderfully thick and shaggy. Underneath this ram Odysseus curled
+himself, and clung, face upwards, firmly grasping the wool with his
+hands. In this wise did he and his men wait patiently for the dawn.
+
+When rosy dawn came, the ewes in the pens bleated to be milked and the
+rams hastened out to the hills and green meadows. As each sheep passed
+him, Polyphemus felt along its back, but never guessed that the six
+remaining men of Odysseus were bound beneath the thick-fleeced rams.
+Last of all came the young ram to which Odysseus clung, moving slowly,
+for his fleece was heavy, and Odysseus whom he bore was heavier still.
+On the ram's back Polyphemus laid his great hands. "Dear ram," said
+he, "once wert thou the very first to lead the flocks from the cave,
+the first to nibble the tender buds of the pasture, the first to find
+out the running streams, and the first to come home when evening fell.
+But to-day thou art the very last to go. Surely thou art sorrowful
+because the wicked Noman hath destroyed my eye. I would thou couldst
+speak and tell me where Noman is hidden. Then should I seize him and
+gladly dash out his brains on the floor of the cave."
+
+Very, very still lay Odysseus while the giant spoke, but the ram
+slowly walked on past the savage giant, towards the meadows near the
+sea. Soon it was far enough from the cave for Odysseus to let go his
+hold and to stand up. Quickly he loosened the bonds of the others, and
+swiftly then they drove the rams down to the shore where their ship
+lay. Often they looked round, expecting to see Polyphemus following
+them, but they safely reached the ship and got a glad welcome from
+their friends, who rejoiced over them, but would have wept over the
+men that the cannibal giant had slain.
+
+"There is no time to weep," said Odysseus, and he made his men hasten
+on board the ship, driving the sheep before them.
+
+Soon they were all on board, and the gray sea-water was rushing off
+their oars, as they sailed away from the land of the Cyclôpes.
+
+But before they were out of sight of land, the bold Odysseus lifted up
+his voice and shouted across the water:
+
+"Hear me, Polyphemus, thou cruel monster! Thine evil deeds were very
+sure to find thee out. Thou hast been punished because thou hadst no
+shame to eat the strangers who came to thee as thy guests!"
+
+The voice of Odysseus rang across the waves, and reached Polyphemus as
+he sat in pain at the mouth of his cave.
+
+In a fury the giant sprang up, broke off the peak of a great hill
+and cast it into the sea, where it fell just in front of the ship of
+Odysseus.
+
+So huge a splash did the vast rock give, that the sea heaved up and
+the backwash of the water drove the ship right to the shore.
+
+Odysseus snatched up a long pole and pushed the ship off once more.
+Silently he motioned to the men to row hard, and save themselves and
+their ship from the angry giant. When they were once more out at sea,
+Odysseus wished again to mock Polyphemus.
+
+In vain his men begged him not to provoke a monster so mighty that he
+could crush their heads and the timbers of their ship with one cast of
+a stone. Once more Odysseus shouted across the water:
+
+"Polyphemus, if any one shall ask thee who blinded thee, tell them it
+was Odysseus of Ithaca."
+
+Then moaned the giant:
+
+"Once, long ago, a soothsayer told me that Odysseus should make me
+blind. But ever I looked for the coming of a great and gallant hero,
+and now there hath come a poor feeble, little dwarf, who made me weak
+with wine before he dared to touch me."
+
+Then he begged Odysseus to come back, and said he would treat him
+kindly, and told him that he knew that his own father, the god of the
+sea, would give him his sight again.
+
+"Never more wilt thou have thy sight," mocked Odysseus; "thy father
+will never heal thee."
+
+Then Polyphemus, stretching out his hands, and looking up with his
+sightless eye to the starry sky, called aloud to Poseidon, god of the
+sea, to punish Odysseus.
+
+"If he ever reaches his own country," he cried, "let him come late
+and in an evil case, with all his own company lost, and in the ship of
+strangers, and let him find sorrows in his own house."
+
+No answer came from Poseidon, but the god of the sea heard his son's
+prayer.
+
+With all his mighty force Polyphemus then cast at the ship a rock far
+greater than the first. It all but struck the end of the rudder, but
+the huge waves that surged up from it bore on the ship, and carried it
+to the further shore.
+
+There they found the men with the other ships waiting in sorrow and
+dread, for they feared that the giants had killed Odysseus and his
+company. Gladly they drove the rams of Polyphemus on to the land, and
+there feasted together until the sun went down.
+
+All night they slept on the sea beach, and at rosy dawn Odysseus
+called to his men to get into their ships and loose the hawsers.
+Soon they had pushed off, and were thrusting their oars into the gray
+sea-water.
+
+Their hearts were sore, because they had lost six gallant men of their
+company, yet they were glad as men saved from death.
+
+
+
+
+III
+
+HOW ODYSSEUS MET WITH CIRCE, THE SIRENS, AND CALYPSO
+
+
+Across the seas sailed Odysseus and his men till they came to an
+island where lived Æolus the keeper of the winds. When Odysseus again
+set sail, Æolus gave him a great leather bag in which he had placed
+all the winds except the wind of the west. His men thought the bag to
+be full of gold and silver, so, while Odysseus slept they loosened the
+silver thong, and, with a mighty gust all the winds rushed out driving
+the ship far away from their homeland.
+
+Ere long they reached another island, where dwelt a great enchantress,
+Circe of the golden tresses, whose palace Eurylochus discovered.
+Within they heard Circe singing, so they called to her and she came
+forth and bade them enter. Heedlessly they followed her, all but
+Eurylochus. Then Circe smote them with her magic wand and they were
+turned into swine.
+
+When Odysseus heard what had befallen his men he was very angry and
+would have slain her with his sword. But Circe cried: "Sheathe thy
+sword, I pray thee, Odysseus, and let us be at peace." Then said
+Odysseus: "How can I be at peace with thee, Circe? How can I trust
+thee?" Then Circe promised to do Odysseus no harm, and to let him
+return in safety to his home.
+
+Then she opened the doors of the sty and waved her wand. And the swine
+became men again even handsomer and stronger than before.
+
+For a whole year Odysseus and his men stayed in the palace, feasting
+and resting. When they at last set sail again the sorceress told
+Odysseus of many dangers he would meet on his homeward voyage, and
+warned him how to escape from them.
+
+In an island in the blue sea through which the ship of Odysseus would
+sail toward home, lived some beautiful mermaids called Sirens. Even
+more beautiful than the Sirens' faces were their lovely voices by
+which they lured men to go on shore and there slew them. In the
+flowery meadows were the bones of the foolish sailors who had seen
+only the lovely faces and long, golden hair of the Sirens, and had
+lost their hearts to them.
+
+Against these mermaids Circe had warned Odysseus, and he repeated her
+warnings to his men.
+
+Following her advice he filled the ears of the men with wax and bade
+them bind him hand and foot to the mast.
+
+Past the island drove the ship, and the Sirens seeing it began their
+sweet song. "Come hither, come hither, brave Odysseus," they sang.
+Then Odysseus tried to make his men unbind him, but Eurylochus and
+another bound him yet more tightly to the mast.
+
+When the island was left behind, the men took the wax from their ears
+and unbound their captain. After passing the Wandering Rocks with
+their terrible sights and sounds the ship came to a place of great
+peril. Beyond them were yet two huge rocks between which the sea
+swept.
+
+One of these ran up to the sky, and in this cliff was a dark cave in
+which lived Scylla a horrible monster, who, as the ship passed seized
+six of the men with her six dreadful heads.
+
+In the cliff opposite lived another terrible creature called Charybdis
+who stirred the sea to a fierce whirlpool.
+
+By a strong wind the ship was driven into this whirlpool, but Odysseus
+escaped on a broken piece of wreckage to the shores of an island.
+
+On this island lived Calypso of the braided tresses, a goddess feared
+by all men. But, to Odysseus she was very kind and he soon became as
+strong as ever.
+
+"Stay with me, and thou shalt never grow old and never die," said
+Calypso.
+
+A great homesickness had seized Odysseus, but no escape came for eight
+years. Then Athene begged the gods to help him. They called on Hermes,
+who commanded Calypso to let him go. She wanted him to stay with her
+but promised to send him away. She told him to make a raft which she
+would furnish with food and clothing for his need.
+
+He set out and in eighteen days saw the land of the Phæacians appear.
+But when safety seemed near, Poseidon, the sea-god, returned from his
+wanderings and would have destroyed him had it not been that a fair
+sea-nymph gave him her veil to wind around his body. This he did and
+finally reached the shore.
+
+
+
+
+IV
+
+HOW ODYSSEUS MET WITH NAUSICAA
+
+
+In the land of the Phæacians there dwelt no more beautiful, nor any
+sweeter maiden, than the King's own daughter. Nausicaa was her name,
+and she was so kind and gentle that every one loved her.
+
+To the land of the Phæacians the north wind had driven Odysseus, and
+while he lay asleep in his bed of leaves under the olive-trees, the
+goddess Athene went to the room in the palace where Nausicaa slept,
+and spoke to her in her dreams.
+
+"Some day thou wilt marry, Nausicaa," she said, "and it is time
+for thee to wash all the fair raiment that is one day to be thine.
+To-morrow thou must ask the King, thy father, for mules and for a
+wagon, and drive from the city to a place where all the rich clothing
+may be washed and dried."
+
+When morning came Nausicaa remembered her dream, and went to tell her
+father.
+
+Her mother was sitting spinning yarn of sea-purple stain, and her
+father was just going to a council meeting.
+
+"Father, dear," said the Princess, "couldst thou lend me a high wagon
+with strong wheels, that I may take all my fair linen to the river
+to wash. All yours, too, I shall take, so that thou shalt go to the
+council in linen that is snowy clean, and I know that my five brothers
+will also be glad if I wash their fine clothing for them."
+
+This she said, for she felt too shy to tell her father what Athene had
+said about her getting married.
+
+But the King knew well why she asked. "I do not grudge thee mules,
+nor anything else, my child," he said. "Go, bid the servants prepare a
+wagon."
+
+The servants quickly got ready the finest wagon that the King had, and
+harnessed the best of the mules. And Nausicaa's mother filled a basket
+with all the dainties that she knew her daughter liked best, so that
+Nausicaa and her maidens might feast together. The fine clothes were
+piled into the wagon, the basket of food was placed carefully beside
+them, and Nausicaa climbed in, took the whip and shining reins, and
+touched the mules. Then with clatter of hoofs they started.
+
+When they were come to the beautiful, clear river, amongst whose reeds
+Odysseus had knelt the day before, they unharnessed the mules and
+drove them along the banks of the river to graze where the clover
+grew rich and fragrant. Then they washed the clothes, working hard
+and well, and spread them out to dry on the clean pebbles down by the
+seashore.
+
+Then they bathed, and when they had bathed they took their midday meal
+by the bank of the rippling river.
+
+When they had finished, the sun had not yet dried the clothes, so
+Nausicaa and her maidens began to play ball. As they played they sang
+a song that the girls of that land would always sing as they threw the
+ball to one another. All the maidens were fair, but Nausicaa of the
+white arms was the fairest of all.
+
+From hand to hand they threw the ball, growing always the merrier,
+until, when it was nearly time for them to gather the clothes together
+and go home, Nausicaa threw it very hard to one of the others. The
+girl missed the catch. The ball flew into the river, and, as it was
+swept away to the sea, the Princess and all her maidens screamed
+aloud.
+
+Their cries awoke Odysseus, as he lay asleep in his bed of leaves.
+
+"I must be near the houses of men," he said; "those are the cries of
+girls at play."
+
+With that he crept out from the shelter of the olive-trees. He had no
+clothes, for he had thrown them all into the sea before he began his
+terrible swim for life. But he broke off some leafy branches and held
+them round him, and walked down to where Nausicaa and her maidens
+were.
+
+Like a wild man of the woods he looked, and when they saw him coming
+the girls shrieked and ran away. Some of them hid behind the rocks on
+the shore, and some ran out to the shoals of yellow sand that jutted
+into the sea.
+
+But although his face was marred with the sea-foam that had crusted on
+it, and he looked a terrible, fierce, great creature, Nausicaa was too
+brave to run away.
+
+Shaking she stood there, and watched him as he came forward, and stood
+still a little way off. Then Odysseus spoke to her, gently and kindly,
+that he might take away her fear.
+
+He told her of his shipwreck, and begged her to show him the way to
+the town, and give him some old garment, or any old wrap in which she
+had brought the linen, so that he might have something besides leaves
+with which to cover himself.
+
+"I have never seen any maiden half so beautiful as thou art," he said.
+"Have pity on me, and may the gods grant thee all thy heart's desire."
+
+Then said Nausicaa: "Thou seemest no evil man, stranger, and I will
+gladly give thee clothing and show thee the way to town. This is the
+land of the Phæacians, and my father is the King."
+
+To her maidens then she called:
+
+"Why do ye run away at the sight of a man? Dost thou take him for
+an enemy? He is only a poor shipwrecked man. Come, give him food and
+drink, and fetch him clothing."
+
+The maidens came back from their hiding-places, and fetched some of
+the garments of Nausicaa's brothers which they had brought to wash,
+and laid them beside Odysseus.
+
+Odysseus gratefully took the clothes away, and went off to the river.
+There he plunged into the clear water, and washed the salt crust from
+off his face and limbs and body, and the crusted foam from his hair.
+Then he put on the beautiful garments that belonged to one of the
+Princes, and walked down to the shore where Nausicaa and her maidens
+were waiting.
+
+So tall and handsome and strong did Odysseus look, with his hair
+curling like hyacinth flowers around his head, that Nausicaa said to
+her maidens: "This man, who seemed to us so dreadful so short a time
+ago, now looks like a god. I would that my husband, if ever I have
+one, should be as he."
+
+Then she and her maidens brought him food and wine, and he ate
+hungrily, for it was many days since he had eaten.
+
+When he had finished, they packed the linen into the wagon, and yoked
+the mules, and Nausicaa climbed into her place.
+
+"So long as we are passing through the fields," she said to Odysseus,
+"follow behind with my maidens, and I will lead the way. But when we
+come near the town with its high walls and towers, and harbors full
+of ships, the rough sailors will stare and say, 'Hath Nausicaa gone to
+find herself a husband because she scorns the men of Phæacia who would
+wed her? Hath she picked up a shipwrecked stranger, or is this one of
+the gods who has come to make her his wife?' Therefore come not with
+us, I pray thee, for the sailors to jest at. There is a fair poplar
+grove near the city, with a meadow lying round it. Sit there until
+thou thinkest that we have had time to reach the palace. Then seek the
+palace--any child can show thee the way--and when thou art come to the
+outer court pass quickly into the room where my mother sits. Thou wilt
+find her weaving yarn of sea-purple stain by the light of the fire.
+She will be leaning her head back against a pillar, and her maidens
+will be standing round her. My father's throne is close to hers,
+but pass him by, and cast thyself at my mother's knees. If she feels
+kindly towards thee and is sorry for thee, then my father is sure to
+help thee to get safely back to thine own land."
+
+Then Nausicaa smote her mules with the whip, and they trotted quickly
+off, and soon left behind them the silver river with its whispering
+reeds, and the beach with its yellow sand.
+
+Odysseus and the maidens followed the wagon, and just as the sun was
+setting they reached the poplar grove in the meadow.
+
+There Odysseus stayed until Nausicaa should have had time to reach
+the palace. When she got there, she stopped at the gateway, and her
+brothers came out and lifted down the linen, and unharnessed the
+mules. Nausicaa went up to her room, and her old nurse kindled a fire
+for her and got ready her supper.
+
+When Odysseus thought it was time to follow, he went to the city.
+He marveled at the great walls and at the many gallant ships in the
+harbors. But when he reached the King's palace, he wondered still
+more. Its walls were of brass, so that from without, when the doors
+stood open, it looked as if the sun or moon were shining within. A
+frieze of blue ran round the walls. All the doors were made of gold,
+the doorposts were of silver, the thresholds of brass, and the hook of
+the door was of gold. In the halls were golden figures of animals, and
+of men who held in their hands lighted torches. Outside the courtyard
+was a great garden filled with blossoming pear-trees and pomegranates,
+and apple-trees with shining fruit, and figs, and olives. All the year
+round there was fruit in that garden. There were grapes in blossom,
+and grapes purple and ready to eat, and there were great masses of
+snowy pear-blossom, and pink apple-blossom, and golden ripe pears, and
+rosy apples.
+
+At all of those wonders Odysseus stood and gazed, but it was not for
+long; for he hastened through the halls to where the Queen sat in the
+firelight, spinning her purple yarn. He fell at her knees, and silence
+came on all those in the room when they looked at him, so brave and so
+handsome did he seem.
+
+"Through many and great troubles have I come hither, Queen," said he;
+"speed, I pray you, my parting right quickly, that I may come to mine
+own country. Too long have I suffered great sorrows far away from my
+own friends."
+
+Then he sat down amongst the ashes by the fire, and for a little space
+no one spoke.
+
+At last a wise old courtier said to the King: "Truly it is not right
+that this stranger should sit in the ashes by the fire. Bid him arise,
+and give him meat and drink."
+
+At this the King took Odysseus by the hand and asked him to rise. He
+made one of his sons give up his silver inlaid chair, and bade his
+servants fetch a silver basin and a golden ewer that Odysseus might
+wash his hands. All kinds of dainties to eat and drink he also made
+them bring, and the lords and the courtiers who were there feasted
+along with Odysseus, until it was time for them to go to their own
+homes.
+
+Before they went the King promised Odysseus a safe convoy back to his
+own land.
+
+When he was left alone with the King and Queen, the latter said to
+him: "Tell us who thou art. I myself made the clothing that thou
+wearest. From whence didst thou get it?"
+
+Then Odysseus told her of his imprisonment in the island of Calypso,
+of his escape, of the terrible storm that shattered his raft, and of
+how at length he reached the shore and met with Nausicaa.
+
+"It was wrong of my daughter not to bring thee to the palace when she
+came with her maids," said the King.
+
+But Odysseus told him why it was that Nausicaa had bade him stay
+behind.
+
+"Be not vexed with this blameless maiden," he said. "Truly she is the
+sweetest and the fairest maiden I ever saw."
+
+Then Odysseus went to the bed that the servants had prepared for him.
+They had spread fair purple blankets over it, and when it was ready
+they stood beside it with their torches blazing, golden and red.
+
+"Up now, stranger, get thee to sleep," said they. "Thy bed is made."
+
+Sleep was very sweet to Odysseus that night as he lay in the soft bed
+with warm blankets over him. He was no longer tossed and beaten by
+angry seas, no longer wet and cold and hungry. The roar of furious
+waves did not beat in his ears, for all was still in the great halls
+where the flickering firelight played on the frieze of blue, and
+turned the brass walls into gold.
+
+Next day the King gave a great entertainment for Odysseus. There were
+boxing and wrestling and leaping and running, and in all of these the
+brothers of Nausicaa were better than all others who tried.
+
+But when they came to throw the weight, and begged Odysseus to try, he
+cast a stone heavier than all others, far beyond where the Phæacians
+had thrown.
+
+That night there was feasting in the royal halls, and the King's
+minstrels played and sang songs of the taking of Troy, and of the
+bravery of the great Odysseus. And Odysseus listened until his heart
+could bear no more, and tears trickled down his cheeks. Only the King
+saw him weep. He wondered much why Odysseus wept, and at last he asked
+him.
+
+So Odysseus told the King his name, and the whole story of his
+adventures since he had sailed away from Troyland.
+
+Then the King and Queen and their courtiers gave rich gifts to
+Odysseus. A beautiful silver-studded sword was the King's gift to him.
+
+Nausicaa gave him nothing, but she stood and gazed at him in his
+purple robes and felt more sure than ever that he was the handsomest
+and the greatest hero she had ever seen.
+
+"Farewell, stranger," she said to him when the hour came for her to go
+to bed, for she knew she would not see him on the morrow. "Farewell,
+stranger. Sometimes think of me when thou art in thine own land."
+
+Then said Odysseus: "All the days of my life I shall remember thee,
+Nausicaa, for thou hast given me my life."
+
+Next day a company of the Phæacians went down to a ship that lay by
+the seashore, and with them went Odysseus. They carried the treasures
+that had been given to him and put them on board, and spread a rug on
+the deck for him. There Odysseus lay down, and as soon as the splash
+of the oars in the water and the rush and gush of the water from the
+bow of the boat told him that the ship was sailing speedily to his
+dear land of Ithaca, he fell into a sound sleep. Onward went the ship,
+so swiftly that not even a hawk flying after its prey could have kept
+pace with her. When the bright morning stars arose, they were close to
+Ithaca. The sailors quickly ran their vessel ashore and gently carried
+the sleeping Odysseus, wrapped round in his rug of bright purple, to
+where a great olive-tree bent its gray leaves over the sand. They laid
+him under the tree, put his treasures beside him, and left him, still
+heavy with slumber. Then they climbed into their ship and sailed away.
+
+While Odysseus slept the goddess Athene shed a thick mist round him.
+When he awoke, the sheltering heavens, the long paths, and the trees
+in bloom all looked strange to him when seen through the grayness of
+the mist.
+
+"Woe is me!" he groaned. "The Phæacians promised to bring me to
+Ithaca, but they have brought me to a land of strangers, who will
+surely attack me and steal my treasures."
+
+But while he was wondering what he should do, the goddess Athene came
+to him. She was tall and fair and noble to look upon, and she smiled
+upon Odysseus with her kind gray eyes.
+
+Under the olive-tree she sat down beside him, and told him all that
+had happened in Ithaca while he was away, and all that he must do to
+win back his kingdom and his Queen.
+
+
+
+
+THE ARGONAUTS
+
+ADAPTED BY MARY MACGREGOR
+
+
+
+
+I
+
+HOW THE CENTAUR TRAINED THE HEROES
+
+
+Now I have a tale to tell of heroes who sailed away into a distant
+land, to win themselves renown for ever in the adventures of the
+Golden Fleece.
+
+And what was the Golden Fleece?
+
+It was the fleece of the wondrous ram who bore a boy called Phrixus
+and a girl called Helle across the sea; and the old Greeks said that
+it hung nailed to a beech-tree in the War-god's wood.
+
+For when a famine came upon the land, their cruel stepmother wished to
+kill Phrixus and Helle, that her own children might reign.
+
+She said Phrixus and Helle must be sacrificed on an altar, to turn
+away the anger of the gods, who sent the famine.
+
+So the poor children were brought to the altar, and the priest stood
+ready with his knife, when out of the clouds came the Golden Ram, and
+took them on his back and vanished.
+
+And the ram carried the two children far away, over land and sea,
+till at a narrow strait Helle fell off into the sea, and those narrow
+straits are called "Hellespont" after her, and they bear that name
+until this day.
+
+Then the ram flew on with Phrixus to the northeast, across the sea
+which we call the Black Sea, and at last he stopped at Colchis, on the
+steep sea-coast.
+
+And Phrixus married the King's daughter there, and offered the ram in
+sacrifice, and then it was that the ram's fleece was nailed to a beech
+in the wood of the War-god.
+
+After a while Phrixus died, but his spirit had no rest, for he was
+buried far from his native land and the pleasant hills of Hellas.
+
+So he came in dreams to the heroes of his country, and called sadly
+by their beds, "Come and set my spirit free, that I may go home to my
+fathers and to my kinsfolk."
+
+And they asked, "How shall we set your spirit free?"
+
+"You must sail over the sea to Colchis, and bring home the Golden
+Fleece. Then my spirit will come back with it, and I shall sleep with
+my fathers and have rest."
+
+He came thus, and called to them often, but when they woke they looked
+at each other and said, "Who dare sail to Colchis or bring home the
+Golden Fleece?"
+
+And in all the country none was brave enough to try, for the man and
+the time were not come.
+
+Now Phrixus had a cousin called Æson, who was King in Iolcos by the
+sea. And a fierce and lawless stepbrother drove Æson out of Iolcos by
+the sea, and took the kingdom to himself and ruled over it.
+
+When Æson was driven out, he went sadly away out of the town, leading
+his little son by the hand. And he said to himself, "I must hide the
+child in the mountains, or my stepbrother will surely kill him because
+he is the heir."
+
+So he went up from the sea, across the valley, through the vineyards
+and the olive groves, and across the river, toward Pelion, the ancient
+mountain, whose brows are white with snow.
+
+He went up and up into the mountain, over marsh, and crag, and down,
+till the boy was tired and footsore, and Æson had to bear him in his
+arms till he came to the mouth of a lonely cave, at the foot of a
+mighty cliff.
+
+Above the cliff the snow-wreaths hung, dripping and cracking in the
+sun. But at its foot, around the cave's mouth, grew all fair flowers
+and herbs, as if in a garden. There they grew gaily in the sunshine
+and in the spray of the torrent from above, while from the cave came
+the sound of music, and a man's voice singing to the harp.
+
+Then Æson put down the lad, and whispered, "Fear not, but go in, and
+whomsoever you shall find, lay your hands upon his knees and say, 'In
+the name of Zeus, the father of gods and men, I am your guest from
+this day forth.'"
+
+So the lad went in without trembling, for he too was a hero's son, but
+when he was within, he stopped in wonder to listen to that magic song.
+
+And there he saw the singer, lying upon bear-skins and fragrant
+boughs, Cheiron the ancient Centaur, the wisest of all beneath the
+sky.
+
+Down to the waist he was a man, but below he was a noble horse. His
+white hair rolled down over his broad shoulders, and his white beard
+over his broad brown chest. His eyes were wise and mild, and his
+forehead like a mountain-wall. In his hands he held a harp of gold,
+and he struck it with a golden key. And as he struck, he sang till his
+eyes glittered and filled all the cave with light.
+
+As he sang the boy listened wide-eyed, and forgot his errand in the
+song. At the last old Cheiron was silent, and called the lad with a
+soft voice.
+
+And the lad ran trembling to him, and would have laid his hands upon
+his knees.
+
+But Cheiron smiled, and drew the lad to him, and laid his hand upon
+his golden locks, and said, "Are you afraid of my horse's hoofs, fair
+boy, or will you be my pupil from this day?"
+
+"I would gladly have horse's hoofs like you, if I could sing such
+songs as yours," said the lad.
+
+And Cheiron laughed and said, "Sit here till sundown, when your
+playfellows will come home, and you shall learn like them to be a
+king, worthy to rule over gallant men."
+
+Then he turned to Æson, who had followed his son into the cave, and
+said, "Go back in peace. This boy shall not cross the river again till
+he has become a glory to you and to your house."
+
+And Æson wept over his son and went away, but the boy did not weep, so
+full was his fancy of that strange cave, and the Centaur and his song,
+and the playfellows whom he was to see.
+
+Then Cheiron put the lyre into his hands, and taught him how to play
+it, till the sun sank low behind the cliff, and a shout was heard
+outside.
+
+And then in came the sons of the heroes, and great Cheiron leapt up
+joyfully, and his hoofs made the cave resound as the lads shouted,
+"Come out, Father Cheiron, and see our game!"
+
+One cried, "I have killed two deer," and another, "I took a wild cat
+among the crags," and another shouted, "I have dragged a wild goat by
+its horns," and another carried under each arm a bear-cub. And Cheiron
+praised them all, each as he deserved.
+
+Then the lads brought in wood and split it, and lighted a blazing
+fire. Others skinned the deer and quartered them, and set them to
+roast before the flames.
+
+While the venison was cooking, they bathed in the snow-torrent and
+washed away the dust.
+
+And then all ate till they could eat no more, for they had tasted
+nothing since the dawn, and drank of the clear spring water, for wine
+is not fit for growing lads.
+
+When the remnants of the meal were put away, they all lay down upon
+the skins and leaves about the fire, and each took the lyre in turn,
+and sang and played with all his heart.
+
+After a while they all went out to a plot of grass at the cave's
+mouth, and there they boxed and ran and wrestled and laughed till the
+stones fell from the cliffs.
+
+Then Cheiron took his lyre, and all the lads joined hands, and as he
+played they danced to his measure, in and out and round and round.
+
+There they danced hand in hand, till the night fell over land and sea,
+while the black glen shone with the gleam of their golden hair.
+
+And the lad danced with them, delighted, and then slept a wholesome
+sleep, upon fragrant leaves of bay and myrtle and flowers of thyme.
+
+He rose at the dawn and bathed in the torrent, and became a
+schoolfellow to the heroes' sons, and forgot Iolcos by the sea, and
+his father and all his former life.
+
+But he grew strong and brave and cunning, upon the pleasant downs of
+Pelion, in the keen, hungry mountain-air.
+
+And he learned to wrestle, to box and to hunt, and to play upon the
+harp. Next he learned to ride, for old Cheiron used to mount him on
+his back. He learned too the virtue of all herbs, and how to cure all
+wounds, and Cheiron called him Jason the Healer, and that is his name
+until this day.
+
+
+
+
+II
+
+HOW JASON LOST HIS SANDAL
+
+
+And ten years came and went, and Jason was grown to be a mighty man.
+
+Now it happened one day that Jason stood on the mountain, and looked
+north and south and east and west. And Cheiron stood by him and
+watched him, for he knew that the time was come.
+
+When Jason looked south, he saw a pleasant land, with white-walled
+towns and farms nestling along the shore of a land-locked bay, while
+the smoke rose blue among the trees, and he knew it for Iolcos by the
+sea.
+
+Then he sighed and asked, "Is it true what the heroes tell me--that I
+am heir of that fair land?"
+
+"And what good would it be to you, Jason, if you were heir of that
+fair land?"
+
+"I would take it and keep it."
+
+"A strong man has taken it and kept it long. Are you stronger than
+your uncle Pelias the Terrible?"
+
+"I can try my strength with his," said Jason.
+
+But Cheiron sighed and said, "You have many a danger to go through
+before you rule in Iolcos by the sea, many a danger and many a woe,
+and strange troubles in strange lands, such as man never saw before."
+
+"The happier I," said Jason, "to see what man never saw before!"
+
+Cheiron sighed and said, "Will you go to Iolcos by the sea? Then
+promise me two things before you go! Speak harshly to no soul whom you
+may meet, and stand by the word which you shall speak."
+
+Jason promised. Then he leapt down the mountain, to take his fortune
+like a man.
+
+He went down through the thickets and across the downs of thyme, till
+he came to the vineyard walls, and the olives in the glen. And among
+the olives roared the river, foaming with a summer flood.
+
+And on the bank of the river sat a woman, all wrinkled, gray and old.
+Her head shook with old age, and her hands shook on her knees.
+
+When she saw Jason, she spoke, whining, "Who will carry me across the
+flood?"
+
+But Jason, heeding her not, went towards the waters. Yet he thought
+twice before he leapt, so loud roared the torrent all brown from the
+mountain rains.
+
+The old woman whined again, "I am weak and old, fair youth. For Hera's
+sake, the Queen of the Immortals, carry me over the torrent."
+
+Jason was going to answer her scornfully, when Cheiron's words, "Speak
+harshly to no soul whom you may meet," came to his mind.
+
+So he said, "For Hera's sake, the Queen of the Immortals, I will carry
+you over the torrent, unless we both are drowned midway."
+
+Then the old dame leapt upon his back as nimbly as a goat. Jason
+staggered in, wondering, and the first step was up to his knees.
+
+The first step was up to his knees, and the second step was up to his
+waist. The stones rolled about his feet, and his feet slipped about
+the stones. So he went on, staggering and panting, while the old woman
+cried upon his back, "Fool, you have wet my mantle! Do you mock at
+poor old souls like me?"
+
+Jason had half a mind to drop her and let her get through the torrent
+alone, but Cheiron's words were in his mind, and he said only,
+"Patience, mother, the best horse may stumble some day."
+
+At last he staggered to the shore and set her down upon the bank. He
+lay himself panting awhile, and then leapt up to go upon his journey,
+but he first cast one look at the old woman, for he thought, "She
+should thank me once at least."
+
+And as he looked, she grew fairer than all women and taller than all
+men on earth.
+
+Her garments shone like the summer sea, and her jewels like the stars
+of heaven. And she looked down on him with great soft eyes, with great
+eyes, mild and awful, which filled all the glen with light. Jason fell
+upon his knees and hid his face between his hands.
+
+And she spoke: "I am Hera, the Queen of Olympus. As thou hast done to
+me, so will I do to thee. Call on me in the hour of need, and try if
+the Immortals can forget!"
+
+When Jason looked up, she rose from off the earth, like a pillar of
+tall white cloud, and floated away across the mountain peaks, towards
+Olympus, the holy hill.
+
+Then a great fear fell on Jason, but after a while he grew light
+of heart. He blessed old Cheiron and said, "Surely the Centaur is a
+prophet and knew what would come to pass when he bade me speak harshly
+to no soul whom I might meet."
+
+Then he went down towards Iolcos, and as he walked he found that he
+had lost one of his sandals in the flood.
+
+And as he went through the streets the people came out to look at him,
+so tall and fair he was. But some of the elders whispered together,
+and at last one of them stopped Jason and called to him, "Fair lad,
+who are you and whence come you, and what is your errand in the town?"
+
+"My name, good father, is Jason, and I come from Pelion up above. My
+errand is to Pelias your King. Tell me, then, where his palace is."
+
+But the old man said, "I will tell you, lest you rush upon your ruin
+unawares. The oracle has said that a man wearing one sandal should
+take the kingdom from Pelias and keep it for himself. Therefore beware
+how you go up to his palace, for he is fiercest and most cunning of
+all kings." Jason laughed a great laugh in his pride. "Good news, good
+father, both for you and me. For that very end, to take his kingdom, I
+came into the town."
+
+Then he strode on toward the palace of Pelias his uncle, while all
+the people wondered at the stranger. And he stood in the doorway and
+cried, "Come out, come out, Pelias the Valiant, and fight for your
+kingdom like a man."
+
+Pelias came out, wondering. "Who are you, bold youth?" he cried.
+
+"I am Jason, the son of Æson, the heir of all the land."
+
+Then Pelias lifted up his hands and eyes and wept, or seemed to weep,
+and blessed the gods who had brought his nephew to him, never to leave
+him more. "For," said he, "I have but three daughters, and no son
+to be my heir. You shall marry whichsoever of my daughters you shall
+choose. But come, come in and feast."
+
+So he drew Jason in and spoke to him so lovingly, and feasted him so
+well, that Jason's anger passed.
+
+When supper was ended his three cousins came into the hall, and Jason
+thought he would like well to have one of them for his wife.
+
+But soon he looked at Pelias, and when he saw that he still wept, he
+said, "Why do you look so sad, my uncle?"
+
+Then Pelias sighed heavily again and again, like a man who had to tell
+some dreadful story, and was afraid to begin.
+
+At last he said, "For seven long years and more have I never known a
+quiet night, and no more will he who comes after me, till the Golden
+Fleece be brought home."
+
+Then he told Jason the story of Phrixus and of the Golden Fleece, and
+told him what was a lie, that Phrixus' spirit tormented him day and
+night. And his daughters came and told the same tale, and wept and
+said, "Oh, who will bring home the Golden Fleece, that the spirit
+of Phrixus may rest, and that we may rest also, for he never lets us
+sleep in peace?"
+
+Jason sat awhile, sad and silent, for he had often heard of that
+Golden Fleece, but he looked on it as a thing hopeless and impossible
+for any mortal man to win.
+
+When Pelias saw him silent he began to talk of other things. "One
+thing there is," said Pelias, "on which I need your advice, for,
+though you are young, I see in you a wisdom beyond your years. There
+is one neighbor of mine whom I dread more than all men on earth. I am
+stronger than he now and can command him, but I know that if he stay
+among us, he will work my ruin in the end. Can you give me a plan,
+Jason, by which I can rid myself of that man?"
+
+After a while, Jason answered half-laughing, "Were I you, I would send
+him to fetch that same Golden Fleece, for if he once set forth after
+it, you would never be troubled with him more."
+
+At that a little smile came across the lips of Pelias, and a flash of
+wicked joy into his eyes. Jason saw it and started, and he remembered
+the warning of the old man, and his own one sandal and the oracle, and
+he saw that he was taken in a trap.
+
+But Pelias only answered gently, "My son, he shall be sent forthwith."
+
+"You mean me!" cried Jason, starting up, "because I came here with one
+sandal," and he lifted his fist angrily, while Pelias stood up to
+him like a wolf at bay. Whether of the two was the stronger and the
+fiercer it would be hard to tell.
+
+But after a moment Pelias spoke gently, "Why so rash, my son? I have
+not harmed you. You will go, and that gladly, for you have a hero's
+heart within you, and the love of glory."
+
+Jason knew that he was entrapped, but he cried aloud, "You have well
+spoken, cunning uncle of mine, I love glory. I will go and fetch the
+Golden Fleece. Promise me but this in return, and keep your word as I
+keep mine. Treat my father lovingly while I am gone, for the sake of
+the all-seeing Zeus, and give me up the kingdom for my own on the day
+that I bring back the Golden Fleece."
+
+Then Pelias looked at him and almost loved him, in the midst of all
+his hate, and he said, "I promise, and I will perform. It will be no
+shame to give up my kingdom to the man who wins that fleece."
+
+So they both went and lay down to sleep. But Jason could not sleep for
+thinking how he was to win the Golden Fleece. Sometimes Phrixus seemed
+to call him in a thin voice, faint and low, as if it came from far
+across the sea. Sometimes he seemed to see the eyes of Hera, and to
+hear her words again, "Call on me in the hour of need, and see if the
+Immortals can forget."
+
+On the morrow Jason went to Pelias and said, "Give me a lamb, that
+I may sacrifice to Hera." And as he stood by the altar Hera sent a
+thought into his mind. And he went back to Pelias and said, "If you
+are indeed in earnest, give me two heralds that they may go round to
+all the Princes, who were pupils of the Centaur with me. Then together
+we will fit out a ship, and take what shall befall."
+
+At that Pelias praised his wisdom and hastened to send the heralds
+out, for he said in his heart, "Let all the Princes go with Jason,
+and, like him, never return, so shall I be lord of the land and the
+greatest king in Hellas."
+
+
+
+
+III
+
+HOW THEY BUILT THE SHIP ARGO
+
+
+So the heralds went out and cried to all the heroes, "Who dare come to
+the adventures of the Golden Fleece?"
+
+And Hera stirred the hearts of all the Princes, and they came from all
+their valleys to the yellow sand of Iolcos by the sea.
+
+All the city came out to meet them, and the men were never tired with
+looking at their heights and their beauty and the glitter of their
+arms.
+
+But the women sighed over them and whispered, "Alas, they are all
+going to their death!"
+
+Then the heroes felled the mountain pines and shaped them with the
+axe, and Argus the famed shipbuilder taught them to build a galley,
+the first long ship which ever sailed the seas. They named her Argo,
+after Argus the shipbuilder, and worked at her all day long.
+
+But Jason went away into a far-off land, till he found Orpheus the
+prince of minstrels, where he dwelt in his cave.
+
+And he asked him, "Will you leave your mountains, Orpheus, my
+playfellow in old times, and sail with the heroes to bring home the
+Golden Fleece? And will you charm for us all men and all monsters with
+your magic harp and song?"
+
+Then Orpheus sighed, "Have I not had enough of toil and of weary
+wandering far and wide, since I lived in Cheiron's cave, above Iolcos
+by the sea? And now must I go out again, to the ends of all the
+earth, far away into the misty darkness? But a friend's demand must be
+obeyed."
+
+So Orpheus rose up sighing, and took his harp. He led Jason to the
+holy oak, and he bade him cut down a bough and sacrifice to Hera. And
+they took the bough and came to Iolcos, and nailed it to the prow of
+the ship.
+
+And at last the ship was finished, and they tried to launch her down
+the beach; but she was too heavy for them to move her, and her keel
+sank deep into the sand.
+
+Then all the heroes looked at each other blushing, but Jason spoke
+and said, "Let us ask the magic bough; perhaps it can help us in our
+need."
+
+And a voice came from the bough, and Jason heard the words it said,
+and bade Orpheus play upon the harp, while the heroes waited round,
+holding the pine-trunk rollers to help the Argo toward the sea.
+
+Then Orpheus took his harp and began his magic song. And the good ship
+Argo heard him and longed to be away and out at sea, till she stirred
+in every timber, and heaved from stem to stern, and leapt up from the
+sand upon the rollers, and plunged onward like a gallant horse till
+she rushed into the whispering sea.
+
+And they stored her well with food and water, and settled themselves
+each man to his oar, keeping time to the harp of Orpheus.
+
+Then away across the bay they rowed southward, while the people lined
+the cliffs. But the women wept while the men shouted at the starting
+of that gallant crew.
+
+
+
+
+IV
+
+HOW THE ARGONAUTS WON THE GOLDEN FLEECE
+
+
+The heroes rowed across the bay, and while they waited there for a
+southwest wind, they chose themselves a captain from their crew. And
+some called for the strongest and hugest to be their captain, but more
+called for Jason, because he was the wisest of them all.
+
+So Jason was chosen captain, and each hero vowed to stand by him
+faithfully in the adventure of the Golden Fleece.
+
+They sailed onward and northward to Pelion. And their hearts yearned
+for the dear old mountain, as they thought of the days gone by, of the
+sports of their boyhood, and their hunting, and their lessons in the
+cave beneath the cliff. Then at last they said, "Let us land here and
+climb the dear old hill once more. We are going on a fearful journey.
+Who knows if we shall see Pelion again? Let us go up to Cheiron our
+master, and ask his blessing ere we start."
+
+So the helmsman steered them to the shore, under the crags of Pelion,
+and they went up through the dark pine-forests toward the Centaur's
+cave.
+
+Then, as Cheiron saw them, he leapt up and welcomed them every one,
+and set a feast of venison before them. And after supper all the
+heroes clapped their hands and called on Orpheus to sing, but he
+refused, and said, "How can I, who am the younger, sing before our
+ancient host?"
+
+So they called on Cheiron to sing. And he sang of heroes who fought
+with fists and teeth, and how they tore up the pine-trees in their
+fury, and hurled great crags of stone, while the mountains thundered
+with the battle, and the land was wasted far and wide.
+
+And the heroes praised his song right heartily, for some of them had
+helped in that great fight.
+
+Then Orpheus took the lyre and sang of the making of the wondrous
+world. And as he sang, his voice rose from the cave above the crags,
+and through the tree-tops. The trees bowed their heads when they heard
+it, and the forest beasts crept close to listen, and the birds forsook
+their nests and hovered near. And old Cheiron clapped his hands
+together and beat his hoofs upon the ground, for wonder at that magic
+song.
+
+Now the heroes came down to the ship, and Cheiron came down with
+them, weeping, and kissed them one by one, and promised to them great
+renown.
+
+And the heroes wept when they left him, till their great hearts could
+weep no more, for he was kind and just, and wiser than all beasts and
+men.
+
+Then Cheiron went up to a cliff and prayed for them, that they might
+come home safe and well, while the heroes rowed away and watched
+him standing on his cliff above the sea, with his great hands raised
+toward heaven, and his white locks waving in the wind. They strained
+their eyes to watch him to the last, for they felt that they should
+look on him no more.
+
+So they rowed on over the long swell of the sea eastward, and out into
+the open sea which we now call the Black Sea.
+
+All feared that dreadful sea, and its rocks and fogs and bitter
+storms, and the heroes trembled for all their courage, as they came
+into that wild Black Sea, and saw it stretching out before them,
+without a shore, as far as eye could see.
+
+Then Orpheus spoke and warned them that they must come now to the
+wandering blue rocks.
+
+Soon they saw them, and their blue peaks shone like spires and castles
+of gray glass, while an ice-cold wind blew from them and chilled all
+the heroes' hearts.
+
+As they neared them, they could see the rocks heaving, as they rolled
+upon the long sea-waves, crashing and grinding together, till the roar
+went up to heaven.
+
+The heroes' hearts sank within them, and they lay upon their oars in
+fear, but Orpheus called to the helmsman, "Between the blue rocks we
+must pass, so look for an opening, and be brave, for Hera is with us."
+
+The cunning helmsman stood silent, clenching his teeth, till he saw a
+heron come flying mast-high toward the rocks, and hover awhile before
+them, as if looking for a passage through. Then he cried, "Hera has
+sent us a pilot; let us follow the bird."
+
+The heron flapped to and fro a moment till he saw a hidden gap, and
+into it he rushed like an arrow, while the heroes watched what would
+befall.
+
+And the blue rocks dashed together as the bird fled swiftly through,
+but they struck but one feather from his tail, and then rebounded at
+the shock.
+
+Then the helmsman cheered the heroes, and they shouted, while the
+oars bent beneath their strokes as they rushed between those toppling
+ice-crags. But ere the rocks could meet again they had passed them,
+and were safe out in the open sea.
+
+After that they sailed on wearily along the coast, past many a mighty
+river's mouth, and past many a barbarous tribe. And at day dawn they
+looked eastward, till, shining above the tree-tops, they saw the
+golden roofs of King Aietes, the Child of the Sun.
+
+Then out spoke the helmsman, "We are come to our goal at last, for
+there are the roofs of Aietes, and the woods where all poisons grow.
+But who can tell us where among them is hid the Golden Fleece?"
+
+But Jason cheered the heroes, for his heart was high and bold, and he
+said, "I will go alone to Aietes, and win him with soft words. Better
+so than to go altogether and to come to blows at once." But the heroes
+would not stay behind so they rowed boldly up the stream.
+
+And a dream came to Aietes and filled his heart with fear. Then he
+leapt up and bade his servants bring his chariot, that he might go
+down to the river-side, and appease the nymphs and the heroes whose
+spirits haunt the bank.
+
+So he went down in his golden chariot, and his daughters by his side,
+Medeia, the fair witch-maiden, and Chalciope, who had been Phrixus'
+wife, and behind him a crowd of servants and soldiers, for he was a
+rich and mighty prince.
+
+And as he drove down by the reedy river, he saw the Argo sliding up
+beneath the bank, and many a hero in her, like Immortals for beauty
+and strength. But Jason was the noblest of all, for Hera, who loved
+him, gave him beauty and height and terrible manhood.
+
+When they came near together and looked into each other's eyes, the
+heroes were awed before Aietes as he shone in his chariot like his
+father, the glorious Sun. For his robes were of rich gold tissue, and
+the rays of his diadem flashed fire. And in his hand he bore a jeweled
+scepter, which glittered like the stars.
+
+Sternly Aietes looked at the heroes, and sternly he spoke and loud,
+"Who are you, and what want you here that you come to our shore? Know
+this is my kingdom and these are my people who serve me. Never yet
+grew they tired in battle, and well they know how to face a foe."
+
+And the heroes sat silent awhile before the face of that ancient King.
+But Hera, the awful goddess, put courage into Jason's heart, and he
+rose and shouted loudly in answer to the King.
+
+"We are no lawless men. We come, not to plunder or carry away slaves
+from your land, but we have come on a quest to bring home the Golden
+Fleece. And these too, my bold comrades, they are no nameless men, for
+some are the sons of Immortals, and some of heroes far renowned. We
+too never tire in battle, and know well how to give blows and to
+take. Yet we wish to be guests at your table; it will be better so for
+both."
+
+Then Aietes' rage rushed up like a whirlwind, and his eyes flashed
+fire as he heard; but he crushed his anger down in his heart and spoke
+mildly.
+
+"If you will fight, then many a man must die. But if you will be ruled
+by me you will find it better far to choose the best man among you,
+and let him fulfil the labors which I demand. Then I will give him the
+Golden Fleece for a prize and a glory to you all."
+
+So he said, and then turned his horses and drove back in silence to
+the town.
+
+The heroes sat dumb with sorrow, for there was no facing the thousands
+of King Aietes' men and the fearful chance of war.
+
+But Chalciope, the widow of Phrixus, went weeping to the town, for she
+remembered her husband and all the pleasures of her youth while she
+watched the fair face of his kinsmen and their long locks of golden
+hair.
+
+And she whispered to Medeia, her sister, "Why should all these brave
+men die? Why does not my father give up the fleece, that my husband's
+spirit may have rest?"
+
+Medeia's heart pitied the heroes, and Jason most of all, and she
+answered, "Our father is stern and terrible, and who can win the
+Golden Fleece?"
+
+But Chalciope said, "These men are not like our men; there is nothing
+which they cannot dare nor do."
+
+Then Medeia thought of Jason and his brave countenance, and said, "If
+there was one among them who knew no fear, I could show him how to win
+the fleece."
+
+So in the dusk of the evening they went down to the river-side,
+Chalciope and Medeia the witch-maiden, and with them a lad. And the
+lad crept forward, among the beds of reeds, till he came to where
+Jason kept ward on shore, leaning upon his lance, full of thought.
+
+And the lad said, "Chalciope waits for you, to talk about the Golden
+Fleece."
+
+Then Jason went boldly with the boy and found the two Princesses. When
+Chalciope saw him, she wept and took his hands and cried, "O cousin of
+my beloved Phrixus, go home before you die!"
+
+"It would be base to go home now, fair Princess, and to have sailed
+all these seas in vain."
+
+Then both the Princesses besought him, but Jason said, "It is too late
+to return!"
+
+"But you know not," said Medeia, "what he must do who would win
+the fleece. He must tame the two brazen-footed bulls, which breathe
+devouring flame, and with them he must plow ere nightfall four acres
+in a field. He must sow the acres with serpents' teeth, of which each
+tooth springs up into an armed man. Then he must fight with all these
+warriors. And little will it profit him to conquer them, for the
+fleece is guarded by a serpent more huge than any mountain pine. Over
+his body you must step if you would reach the Golden Fleece."
+
+Then Jason laughed bitterly: "Unjustly is that fleece kept here, and
+by an unjust and lawless King, and unjustly shall I die in my youth,
+for I will attempt it ere another sun be set."
+
+Medeia trembled and said, "No mortal man can reach that fleece unless
+I guide him through."
+
+But Jason cried, "No wall so high but it may be climbed at last, and
+no wood so thick but it may be crawled through. No serpent so wary
+but he may be charmed, and I may yet win the Golden Fleece, if a wise
+maiden help bold men."
+
+And he looked at Medeia with his glittering eye, till she blushed and
+trembled and said, "Who can face the fire of the bulls' breath and
+fight ten thousand armed men?"
+
+"He whom you help," said Jason, flattering her, "for your fame is
+spread over all the earth."
+
+And Medeia said slowly, "Why should you die? I have an ointment here.
+I made it from the magic ice-flower. Anoint yourself with that, and
+you shall have in you the strength of seven, and anoint your shield
+with it, and neither fire nor sword shall harm you. Anoint your helmet
+with it, before you sow the serpents' teeth, and when the sons of
+earth spring up, cast your helmet among them, and every man of them
+shall perish."
+
+Then Jason fell on his knees before her, and thanked her and kissed
+her hands, and she gave him the vase of ointment, and fled trembling
+through the reeds.
+
+And Jason told his comrades what had happened, and showed them the box
+of ointment.
+
+So at sunrise Jason went and bathed and anointed himself from head to
+foot, and his shield and his helmet and his weapons. And when the sun
+had risen, Jason sent two of his heroes to tell Aietes that he was
+ready for the fight.
+
+Up among the marble walls they went, and beneath the roofs of gold,
+and stood in the hall of Aietes, while he grew pale with rage.
+
+"Fulfil your promise to us, Child of the blazing Sun," the heroes
+cried to King Aietes. "Give us the serpents' teeth, and let loose the
+fiery bulls, for we have found a champion among us, who can win the
+Golden Fleece!"
+
+Aietes grew more pale with rage, for he had fancied that they had fled
+away by night, but he could not break his promise, so he gave them the
+serpents' teeth. Then he called his chariot and his horses, and sent
+heralds through all the town, and all the people went out with him to
+the dreadful War-god's field.
+
+There Aietes sat upon his throne, with his warriors on each hand,
+thousands and tens of thousands clothed from head to foot in steel
+chain mail. And the people and women crowded to every window and bank
+and wall, while the heroes stood together, a mere handful in the midst
+of that great host.
+
+Chalciope was there, and Medeia, wrapped closely in her veil; but
+Aietes did not know that she was muttering cunning spells between her
+lips.
+
+Then Jason cried, "Fulfil your promise, and let your fiery bulls come
+forth!"
+
+Aietes bade open the gates, and the magic bulls leapt out. Their
+brazen hoofs rang upon the ground as they rushed with lowered heads
+upon Jason, but he never flinched a step. The flame of their breath
+swept round him, but it singed not a hair of his head. And the bulls
+stopped short and trembled when Medeia began her spell.
+
+Then Jason sprang upon the nearest, and seized him by the horns, and
+up and down they wrestled, till the bull fell groveling on his knees.
+For the heart of the bull died within him, beneath the steadfast eye
+of that dark witch-maiden and the magic whisper of her lips.
+
+So both the bulls were tamed and yoked, and Jason bound them to the
+plow and goaded them onward with his lance, till he had plowed the
+sacred field. And all the heroes shouted, but Aietes bit his lips with
+rage, for half of Jason's work was done.
+
+Then Jason took the serpents' teeth and sowed them, and waited what
+would befall.
+
+And Medeia looked at him and at his helmet, lest he should forget the
+lesson she had taught him.
+
+Now every furrow heaved and bubbled, and out of every clod arose a
+man. Out of the earth they arose by thousands, each clad from head
+to foot in steel, and drew their swords and rushed on Jason where he
+stood in the midst alone.
+
+The heroes grew pale with fear for him, but Aietes laughed an angry
+laugh.
+
+Then Jason snatched off his helmet and hurled it into the thickest of
+the throng. And hate and fear and suspicion came upon them, and one
+cried to his fellows, "Thou didst strike me," and another, "Thou art
+Jason, thou shalt die," and each turned his hand against the rest,
+and they fought and were never weary, till they all lay dead upon the
+ground.
+
+And the magic furrows opened, and the kind earth took them home again,
+and Jason's work was done.
+
+Then the heroes rose and shouted, and Jason cried to the King, "Lead
+me to the Golden Fleece this moment before the sun goes down."
+
+But Aietes thought, "Who is this, who is proof against all magic? He
+may kill the serpent yet!" So he delayed, and sat taking counsel with
+his princes. Afterwards he bade a herald cry, "To-morrow we will meet
+these heroes and speak about the Golden Fleece!"
+
+Then he turned and looked at Medeia. "This is your doing, false
+witch-maid," he said; "you have helped these yellow-haired strangers."
+
+Medeia shrank and trembled, and her face grew pale with fear, and
+Aietes knew that she was guilty, and he whispered, "If they win the
+fleece, you die."
+
+Now the heroes went marching toward their ship, growling, like lions
+cheated of their prey. "Let us go together to the grove and take
+the fleece by force," they said. But Jason held them back, while he
+praised them for brave heroes, for he hoped for Medeia's help.
+
+And after a time she came trembling, and wept a long while before she
+spoke. At last she said, "I must die, for my father has found out that
+I have helped you."
+
+But all the heroes cried, "If you die we die with you, for without you
+we cannot win the fleece, and home we will never go without it."
+
+"You need not die," said Jason to the witch-maiden. "Flee home with
+us across the sea. Show us but how to win the fleece, and come with us
+and you shall be my queen, and rule over the rich princes in Iolcos by
+the sea."
+
+And all the heroes pressed round and vowed to her that she should be
+their queen.
+
+Medeia wept and hid her face in her hands. "Must I leave my home and
+my people?" she sobbed. "But the lot is cast: I will show you how to
+win the Golden Fleece. Bring up your ship to the woodside, and moor
+her there against the bank. And let Jason come up at midnight and one
+brave comrade with him, and meet me beneath the wall."
+
+Then all the heroes cried together, "I will go--and I--and I!"
+
+But Medeia calmed them and said, "Orpheus shall go with Jason, and
+take his magic harp."
+
+And Orpheus laughed for joy and clapped his hands, because the choice
+had fallen on him.
+
+So at midnight they went up the bank and found Medeia, and she brought
+them to a thicket beside the War-god's gate.
+
+And the base of the gate fell down and the brazen doors flew wide,
+and Medeia and the heroes ran forward, and hurried through the poison
+wood, guided by the gleam of the Golden Fleece, until they saw it
+hanging on one vast tree in the midst.
+
+Jason would have sprung to seize it, but Medeia held him back and
+pointed to the tree-foot, where a mighty serpent lay, coiled in and
+out among the roots.
+
+When the serpent saw them coming, he lifted up his head and watched
+them with his small bright eyes, and flashed his forked tongue.
+
+But Medeia called gently to him, and he stretched out his long spotted
+neck, and licked her hand. Then she made a sign to Orpheus, and he
+began his magic song.
+
+And as he sung, the forest grew calm, and the leaves on every tree
+hung still, and the serpent's head sank down and his coils grew limp,
+and his glittering eyes closed lazily, till he breathed as gently as a
+child.
+
+Jason leapt forward warily and stept across that mighty snake, and
+tore the fleece from off the tree-trunk. Then the witch-maiden with
+Jason and Orpheus turned and rushed down to the bank where the Argo
+lay.
+
+There was silence for a moment, when Jason held the Golden Fleece on
+high. Then he cried, "Go now, good Argo, swift and steady, if ever you
+would see Pelion more."
+
+And she went, as the heroes drove her, grim and silent all, with
+muffled oars. On and on, beneath the dewy darkness, they fled swiftly
+down the swirling stream, on and on till they heard the merry music of
+the surge.
+
+Into the surge they rushed, and the Argo leapt the breakers like a
+horse, till the heroes stopped, all panting, each man upon his oar, as
+she slid into the broad sea.
+
+Then Orpheus took his harp and sang a song of praise, till the heroes'
+hearts rose high again, and they rowed on, stoutly and steadfastly,
+away into the darkness of the West.
+
+
+
+
+V
+
+HOW THE ARGONAUTS REACHED HOME
+
+
+So the heroes fled away in haste, but Aietes manned his fleet and
+followed them.
+
+Then Medeia, the dark witch-maiden, laid a cruel plot, for she killed
+her young brother who had come with her, and cast him into the sea,
+and said, "Ere my father can take up his body and bury it, he must
+wait long and be left far behind."
+
+And all the heroes shuddered, and looked one at the other in shame.
+When Aietes came to the place he stopped a long while and bewailed his
+son, and took him up and went home.
+
+So the heroes escaped for a time, but Zeus saw that evil deed, and out
+of the heavens he sent a storm and swept the Argo far from her course.
+And at last she struck on a shoal, and the waves rolled over her and
+through her, and the heroes lost all hope of life.
+
+Then out spoke the magic bough, which stood upon the Argo's prow, "For
+your guilt, you must sail a weary way to where Circe, Medeia's sister,
+dwells among the islands of the West; she shall cleanse you of your
+guilt."
+
+Whither they went I cannot tell, nor how they came to Circe's isle,
+but at last they reached the fairy island of the West.
+
+And Jason bid them land, and as they went ashore they met Circe coming
+down toward the ship, and they trembled when they saw her, for her
+hair and face and robes shone flame.
+
+Then Circe cried to Medeia, "Ah, wretched girl, have you forgotten
+your sins that you come hither, where the flowers bloom all the year
+round? Where is your aged father, and the brother whom you killed? I
+will send you food and wine, but your ship must not stay here, for she
+is black with your wickedness."
+
+And the heroes prayed, but in vain, and cried, "Cleanse us from our
+guilt!" but she sent them away and said, "Go eastward, that you may be
+cleansed, and after that you may go home."
+
+Slowly and wearily they sailed on, till one summer's eve they came to
+a flowery island, and as they neared it they heard sweet songs.
+
+[Illustration: ORPHEUS SANG TILL HIS VOICE DROWNED THE SONG OF THE
+SIRENS.]
+
+Medeia started when she heard, and cried, "Beware, O heroes, for here
+are the rocks of the Sirens. You must pass close by them, but those
+who listen to that song are lost."
+
+Then Orpheus spoke, he, the king of all minstrels, "Let them match
+their song against mine;" so he caught up his lyre and began his magic
+song.
+
+Now they could see the Sirens. Three fair maidens, sitting on the
+beach, beneath a rock red in the setting sun.
+
+Slowly they sung and sleepily, and as the heroes listened the oars
+fell from their hands, and their heads dropped, and they closed their
+heavy eyes, and all their toil seemed foolishness, and they thought of
+their renown no more.
+
+Then Medeia clapped her hands together and cried, "Sing louder,
+Orpheus, sing louder."
+
+And Orpheus sang till his voice drowned the song of the Sirens, and
+the heroes caught their oars again and cried, "We will be men, and we
+will dare and suffer to the last."
+
+And as Orpheus sang, they dashed their oars into the sea and kept
+time to his music as they fled fast away, and the Sirens' voices died
+behind them, in the hissing of the foam.
+
+But when the Sirens saw that they were conquered, they shrieked for
+envy and rage and leapt into the sea, and were changed into rocks.
+
+Then, as the Argonauts rowed on, they came to a fearful whirlpool, and
+they could neither go back nor forward, for the waves caught them and
+spun them round and round. While they struggled in the whirlpool,
+they saw near them on the other side of the strait a rock stand in the
+water--a rock smooth and slippery, and half way up a misty cave.
+
+When Orpheus saw the rock he groaned. "Little will it help us," he
+cried, "to escape the jaws of the whirlpool. For in that cave lives a
+sea-hag, and from her cave she fishes for all things that pass by, and
+never ship's crew boasted that they came safe past her rock."
+
+Then out of the depths came Thetis, the silver-footed bride of one of
+the heroes. She came with all her nymphs around her, and they played
+like snow-white dolphins, diving in from wave to wave before the ship,
+and in her wake and beside her, as dolphins play. And they caught the
+ship and guided her, and passed her on from hand to hand, and tossed
+her through the billows, as maidens do the ball.
+
+And when the sea-hag stooped to seize the ship, they struck her, and
+she shrank back into her cave affrighted, and the Argo leapt safe past
+her, while a fair breeze rose behind.
+
+Then Thetis and her nymphs sank down to their coral caves beneath the
+sea, and their gardens of green and purple, where flowers bloom all
+the year round, while the heroes went on rejoicing, yet dreading what
+might come next.
+
+They rowed away for many a weary day till their water was spent and
+their food eaten, but at last they saw a long steep island.
+
+"We will land here," they cried, "and fill our water casks upon the
+shore."
+
+But when they came nearer to the island they saw a wondrous sight. For
+on the cliffs stood a giant, taller than any mountain pine.
+
+When he saw the Argo and her crew he came toward them, more swiftly
+than the swiftest horse, and he shouted to them, "You are pirates, you
+are robbers! If you land you shall die the death."
+
+Then the heroes lay on their oars in fear, but Medeia spoke: "I know
+this giant. If strangers land he leaps into his furnace, which flames
+there among the hills, and when he is red-hot he rushes on them, and
+burns them in his brazen hands. But he has but one vein in all his
+body filled with liquid fire, and this vein is closed with a nail. I
+will find out where the nail is placed, and when I have got it into my
+hands you shall water your ship in peace."
+
+So they took the witch-maiden and left her alone on the shore. And she
+stood there all alone in her beauty till the giant strode back red-hot
+from head to heel.
+
+When he saw the maiden he stopped. And she looked boldly up into his
+face and sang a magic song, and she held up a flash of crystal and
+said, "I am Medeia, the witch-maiden. My sister Circe gave me this and
+said, 'Go, reward Talus, the faithful giant, for his fame is gone out
+into all lands.' So come and I will pour this into your veins, that
+you may live for ever young."
+
+And he listened to her false words, that simple Talus, and came near.
+
+But Medeia said, "Dip yourself in the sea first and cool yourself,
+lest you burn my tender hands. Then show me the nail in your vein, and
+in that will I pour the liquid from the crystal flask."
+
+Then that simple Talus dipped himself in the sea, and came and knelt
+before Medeia and showed the secret nail.
+
+And she drew the nail out gently, but she poured nothing in, and
+instead the liquid fire streamed forth.
+
+Talus tried to leap up, crying, "You have betrayed me, false
+witch-maiden."
+
+But she lifted up her hands before him and sang, till he sank beneath
+her spell.
+
+And as he sank, the earth groaned beneath his weight and the liquid
+fire ran from his heel, like a stream of lava, to the sea.
+
+Then Medeia laughed and called to the heroes, "Come and water your
+ship in peace."
+
+So they came and found the giant lying dead, and they fell down and
+kissed Medeia's feet, and watered their ship, and took sheep and oxen,
+and so left that inhospitable shore.
+
+At the next island they went ashore and offered sacrifices, and
+Orpheus purged them from their guilt.
+
+And at last, after many weary days and nights, all worn and tired, the
+heroes saw once more Pelion and Iolcos by the sea.
+
+They ran the ship ashore, but they had no strength left to haul her
+up the beach, and they crawled out on the pebbles and wept, till they
+could weep no more.
+
+For the houses and the trees were all altered, and all the faces they
+saw were strange, so that their joy was swallowed up in sorrow.
+
+The people crowded round and asked them, "Who are you, that you sit
+weeping here?"
+
+"We are the sons of your princes, who sailed in search of the Golden
+Fleece, and we have brought it home. Give us news of our fathers and
+mothers, if any of them be left alive on earth."
+
+Then there was shouting and laughing and weeping, and all the kings
+came to the shore, and they led away the heroes to their homes, and
+bewailed the valiant dead.
+
+And Jason went up with Medeia to the palace of his uncle Pelias. And
+when he came in, Pelias and Æson, Jason's father, sat by the fire, two
+old men, whose heads shook together as they tried to warm themselves
+before the fire.
+
+Jason fell down at his father's knee and wept and said, "I am your own
+son Jason, and I have brought home the Golden Fleece and a Princess of
+the Sun's race for my bride."
+
+Then his father clung to him like a child, and wept, and would not let
+him go, and cried, "Promise never to leave me till I die."
+
+And Jason turned to his uncle Pelias, "Now give me up the kingdom and
+fulfil your promise, as I have fulfilled mine." And his uncle gave him
+his kingdom.
+
+So Jason stayed at Iolcos by the sea.
+
+
+
+
+THESEUS
+
+ADAPTED BY MARY MACGREGOR
+
+
+
+
+I
+
+HOW THESEUS LIFTED THE STONE
+
+
+Once upon a time there was a Princess called Aithra. She had one fair
+son named Theseus, the bravest lad in all the land. And Aithra never
+smiled but when she looked at him, for her husband had forgotten her,
+and lived far away.
+
+Aithra used to go up to the temple of the gods, and sit there all day,
+looking out across the bay, over the purple peaks of the mountains to
+the Attic shore beyond.
+
+When Theseus was full fifteen years old, she took him up with her to
+the temple, and into the thickets which grew in the temple yard. She
+led him to a tall plane-tree, and there she sighed and said, "Theseus,
+my son, go into that thicket and you will find at the plane-tree foot
+a great flat stone. Lift it, and bring me what lies underneath."
+
+Then Theseus pushed his way in through the thick bushes, and searching
+among their roots he found a great flat stone, all overgrown with ivy
+and moss.
+
+He tried to lift it, but he could not. And he tried till the sweat ran
+down his brow from the heat, and the tears from his eyes for shame,
+but all was of no avail. And at last he came back to his mother and
+said, "I have found the stone, but I cannot lift it, nor do I think
+that any man could, in all the land."
+
+Then she sighed and said, "The day may come when you will be a
+stronger man than lives in all the land." And she took him by the hand
+and went into the temple and prayed, and came down again with Theseus
+to her home.
+
+And when a full year was past, she led Theseus up again to the temple
+and bade him lift the stone, but he could not.
+
+Then she sighed again and said the same words again, and went down and
+came again next year. But Theseus could not lift the stone then, nor
+the year after.
+
+He longed to ask his mother the meaning of that stone, and what might
+be underneath it, but her face was so sad that he had not the heart to
+ask.
+
+So he said to himself, "The day shall surely come when I will lift
+that stone."
+
+And in order to grow strong he spent all his days in wrestling and
+boxing, and hunting the boar and the bull and the deer among rocks,
+till upon all the mountains there was no hunter so swift as Theseus,
+and all the people said, "Surely the gods are with the lad!"
+
+When his eighteenth year was past, Aithra led him up again to the
+temple and said, "Theseus, lift the stone this day, or never know who
+you are."
+
+And Theseus went into the thicket and stood over the stone and tugged
+at it, and it moved.
+
+Then he said, "If I break my heart in my body it shall come up." And
+he tugged at it once more, and lifted it, and rolled it over with a
+shout.
+
+When he looked beneath it, on the ground lay a sword of bronze, with a
+hilt of glittering gold, and beside it a pair of golden sandals.
+
+Theseus caught them up and burst through the bushes and leapt to his
+mother, holding them high above his head.
+
+But when she saw them she wept long in silence, hiding her fair face
+in her shawl. And Theseus stood by her and wept also, he knew not why.
+
+When she was tired of weeping Aithra lifted up her head and laid her
+finger on her lips, and said, "Hide them in your cloak, Theseus, my
+son, and come with me where we can look down upon the sea."
+
+They went outside the sacred wall and looked down over the bright blue
+sea, and Aithra said, "Do you see the land at our feet?"
+
+And Theseus said, "Yes, this is where I was born and bred."
+
+And she asked, "Do you see the land beyond?"
+
+And the lad answered, "Yes, that is Attica, where the Athenian people
+live!"
+
+"That is a fair land and large, Theseus, my son, and it looks towards
+the sunny south. There the hills are sweet with thyme, and the meadows
+with violet, and the nightingales sing all day in the thickets. There
+are twelve towns well peopled, the homes of an ancient race. What
+would you do, Theseus, if you were king of such a land?"
+
+Theseus stood astonished, as he looked across the broad bright sea
+and saw the fair Attic shore. His heart grew great within him, and he
+said, "If I were king of such a land, I would rule it wisely and well,
+in wisdom and in might."
+
+And Aithra smiled and said, "Take, then, the sword and the sandals and
+go to thy father Ægeus, King of Athens, and say to him, 'The stone is
+lifted!' Then show him the sword and the sandals, and take what the
+gods shall send."
+
+But Theseus wept, "Shall I leave you, O my mother?"
+
+She answered, "Weep not for me." Then she kissed Theseus and wept over
+him, and went into the temple, and Theseus saw her no more.
+
+
+
+
+II
+
+HOW THESEUS SLEW THE CLUB-BEARER AND THE PINE-BENDER
+
+
+So Theseus stood there alone, with his mind full of many hopes. And
+first he thought of going down to the harbor and hiring a swift ship
+and sailing across the bay to Athens. But even that seemed too slow
+for him, and he longed for wings to fly across the sea and find his
+father.
+
+After a while his heart began to fail him, and he sighed and said
+within himself, "What if my father have other sons around him, whom he
+loves? What if he will not receive me? He has forgotten me ever since
+I was born. Why should he welcome me now?"
+
+Then he thought a long while sadly, but at last he cried aloud, "Yes,
+I will make him love me. I will win honor, and do such deeds that
+Ægeus shall be proud of me though he had fifty other sons."
+
+"I will go by land and into the mountains, and so round to Athens.
+Perhaps there I may hear of brave adventures, and do something which
+shall win my father's love."
+
+So Theseus went by land and away into the mountains, with his father's
+sword upon his thigh. And he went up into the gloomy glens, up and up,
+till the lowland grew blue beneath his feet, and the clouds drove damp
+about his head. But he went up and up, ever toiling on through bog and
+brake, till he came to a pile of stones.
+
+On the stones a man was sitting wrapped in a cloak of bear-skin. When
+he saw Theseus, he rose, and laughed till the glens rattled.
+
+"Who art thou, fair fly, who hast walked into the spider's web?"
+
+Theseus walked on steadily, and made no answer, but he thought, "Is
+this some robber? Has an adventure come to me already?"
+
+But the strange man laughed louder than ever and said, "Bold fly, know
+thou not these glens are the web from which no fly ever finds his way
+out again, and I am the spider who eats the flies? Come hither and let
+me feast upon you. It is of no use to run away, for these glens in the
+mountain make so cunning a web, that through it no man can find his
+way home."
+
+Still Theseus came steadily on, and he asked, "And what is your name,
+bold spider, and where are your spider's fangs?"
+
+The strange man laughed again. "Men call me the Club-bearer, and here
+is my spider's fang," and he lifted off from the stones at his side a
+mighty club of bronze. "With this I pound all proud flies," he said.
+"So give me up that gay sword of yours, and your mantle, and your
+golden sandals, lest I pound you and by ill-luck you die!"
+
+But Theseus wrapped his mantle round his left arm quickly, in hard
+folds, and drew his sword, and rushed upon the Club-bearer, and the
+Club-bearer rushed on him.
+
+Thrice he struck at Theseus and made him bend under the blows like
+a sapling. And thrice Theseus sprang upright after the blow, and he
+stabbed at the Club-bearer with his sword, but the loose folds of the
+bear-skin saved him.
+
+Then Theseus grew angry and closed with him, and caught him by the
+throat, and they fell and rolled over together. But when Theseus rose
+up from the ground the Club-bearer lay still at his feet.
+
+So Theseus took the strange man's club and his bear-skin and went upon
+his journey down the glens, till he came to a broad green valley, and
+he saw flocks and herds sleeping beneath the trees. And by the side
+of a pleasant fountain were nymphs and shepherds dancing, but no one
+piped to them as they danced.
+
+[Illustration: THEY LEAPT ACROSS THE POOL AND CAME TO HIM.]
+
+When they saw Theseus they shrieked, and the shepherds ran off and
+drove away their flocks, while the nymphs dived into the fountain and
+vanished.
+
+Theseus wondered and laughed, "What strange fancies have folks here,
+who run away from strangers, and have no music when they dance." But
+he was tired and dusty and thirsty, so he thought no more of them,
+but drank and bathed in the clear pool, and then lay down in the shade
+under a plane-tree, while the water sang him to sleep as it trickled
+down from stone to stone.
+
+And when he woke he heard a whispering, and saw the nymphs peeping at
+him across the fountain from the dark mouth of a cave, where they
+sat on green cushions of moss. One said, "Surely he is not the
+Club-bearer," and another, "He looks no robber, but a fair and gentle
+youth."
+
+Then Theseus smiled and called them. "Fair nymphs, I am not the
+Club-bearer. He sleeps among the kites and crows, but I have brought
+away his bear-skin and his club."
+
+They leapt across the pool, and came to him, and called the shepherds
+back. And Theseus told them how he had slain the Club-bearer, and the
+shepherds kissed his feet and sang, "Now we shall feed our flocks in
+peace, and not be afraid to have music when we dance. For the cruel
+Club-bearer has met his match, and he will listen for our pipes no
+more."
+
+Then the shepherds brought him kids' flesh and wine, and the nymphs
+brought him honey from the rocks.
+
+And Theseus ate and drank with them, and they begged him to stay, but
+he would not.
+
+"I have a great work to do;" he said, "I must go towards Athens."
+
+And the shepherds said, "You must look warily about you, lest you meet
+the robber, called the Pine-bender. For he bends down two pine-trees
+and binds all travelers hand and foot between them, and when he lets
+the trees go their bodies are torn in sunder."
+
+But Theseus went on swiftly, for his heart burned to meet that cruel
+robber. And in a pine-wood at last he met him, where the road ran
+between high rocks.
+
+There the robber sat upon a stone by the wayside, with a young
+fir-tree for a club across his knees, and a cord laid ready by his
+side, and over his head, upon the fir-top, hung the bones of murdered
+men.
+
+Then Theseus shouted to him, "Holla, thou valiant Pine-bender, hast
+thou two fir-trees left for me?"
+
+The robber leapt to his feet and answered, pointing to the bones above
+his head, "My larder has grown empty lately, so I have two fir-trees
+ready for thee."
+
+He rushed on Theseus, lifting his club, and Theseus rushed upon him,
+and they fought together till the greenwoods rang.
+
+Then Theseus heaved up a mighty stroke and smote the Pine-bearer down
+upon his face, and knelt upon his back, and bound him with his own
+cord, and said, "As thou hast done to others, so shall it be done
+to thee." And he bent down two young fir-trees and bound the robber
+between them for all his struggling and his prayers, and as he let the
+trees go the robber perished, and Theseus went on, leaving him to the
+hawks and crows.
+
+Clearing the land of monsters as he went, Theseus saw at last the
+plain of Athens before him.
+
+And as he went up through Athens all the people ran out to see him,
+for his fame had gone before him, and every one knew of his mighty
+deeds, and they shouted, "Here comes the hero!"
+
+But Theseus went on sadly and steadfastly, for his heart yearned after
+his father. He went up the holy stairs to the spot where the palace
+of Ægeus stood. He went straight into the hall and stood upon the
+threshold and looked round.
+
+He saw his cousins sitting at the table, and loud they laughed and
+fast they passed the wine-cup round, but no Ægeus sat among them.
+
+They saw Theseus and called to him, "Holla, tall stranger at the door,
+what is your will to-day?"
+
+"I come to ask for hospitality."
+
+"Then take it and welcome. You look like a hero and a bold warrior,
+and we like such to drink with us."
+
+"I ask no hospitality of you; I ask it of Ægeus the King, the master
+of this house."
+
+At that some growled, and some laughed and shouted, "Heyday! we are
+all masters here."
+
+"Then I am master as much as the rest of you," said Theseus, and he
+strode past the table up the hall, and looked around for Ægeus, but he
+was nowhere to be seen.
+
+The revelers looked at him and then at each other, and each whispered
+to the man next him, "This is a forward fellow; he ought to be thrust
+out at the door."
+
+But each man's neighbor whispered in return, "His shoulders are broad;
+will you rise and put him out?" So they all sat still where they were.
+
+Then Theseus called to the servants and said, "Go tell King Ægeus,
+your master, that Theseus is here and asks to be his guest awhile."
+
+A servant ran and told Ægeus, where he sat in his chamber with Medeia,
+the dark witch-woman, watching her eye and hand.
+
+And when Ægeus heard of Theseus he turned pale and again red, and rose
+from his seat trembling, while Medeia, the witch, watched him like a
+snake.
+
+"What is Theseus to you?" she asked.
+
+But he said hastily, "Do you not know who this Theseus is? The hero
+who has cleared the country from all monsters. I must go out and
+welcome him."
+
+So Ægeus came into the hall, and when Theseus saw him his heart leapt
+into his mouth, and he longed to fall on his neck and welcome him.
+But he controlled himself and thought, "My father may not wish for me,
+after all. I will try him before I discover myself." And he bowed low
+before Ægeus and said, "I have delivered the King's realm from many
+monsters, therefore I am come to ask a reward of the King."
+
+Old Ægeus looked on him and loved him, but he only sighed and said,
+"It is little that I can give you, noble lad, and nothing that is
+worthy of you."
+
+"All I ask," said Theseus, "is to eat and drink at your table."
+
+"That I can give you," said Ægeus, "if at least I am master in my own
+hall."
+
+Then he bade them put a seat for Theseus, and set before him the best
+of the feast, and Theseus sat and ate so much that all the company
+wondered at him, but always he kept his club by his side.
+
+But Medeia, the dark witch-maiden, was watching all the while, and she
+saw how the heart of Ægeus opened to Theseus, and she said to herself,
+"This youth will be master here, unless I hinder it."
+
+Then she went back modestly to her chamber, while Theseus ate and
+drank, and all the servants whispered, "This, then, is the man who
+killed the monsters! How noble are his looks, and how huge his size!
+Ah, would he were our master's son!"
+
+Presently Medeia came forth, decked in all her jewels and her rich
+Eastern robes, and looking more beautiful than the day, so that all
+the guests could look at nothing else. And in her right hand she held
+a golden cup, and in her left a flask of gold. She came up to Theseus,
+and spoke in a sweet and winning voice, "Hail to the hero! drink of my
+charmed cup, which gives rest after every toil and heals all wounds;"
+and as she spoke she poured sparkling wine into the cup.
+
+Theseus looked up into her fair face and into her deep dark eyes, and
+as he looked he shrank and shuddered, for they were dry eyes like the
+eyes of a snake.
+
+Then he rose and said, "The wine is rich, and the wine-bearer fair.
+Let her pledge me first herself in the cup that the wine may be
+sweeter."
+
+Medeia turned pale and stammered, "Forgive me, fair hero, but I am ill
+and dare drink no wine."
+
+Theseus looked again into her eyes and cried, "Thou shalt pledge me in
+that cup or die!"
+
+Then Medeia shrieked and dashed the cup to the ground and fled, for
+there was strong poison in that wine.
+
+And Medeia called her dragon chariot, and sprang into it, and fled
+aloft, away over land and sea, and no man saw her more.
+
+[Illustration: THESEUS LOOKED UP INTO HER FAIR FACE.]
+
+Ægeus cried, "What have you done?"
+
+But Theseus said, "I have rid the land of one enchantment, now I will
+rid it of one more."
+
+And he came close to Ægeus and drew from his cloak the sword and the
+sandals, and said the words which his mother bade him, "The stone is
+lifted."
+
+Ægeus stepped back a pace and looked at the lad till his eyes grew
+dim, and then he cast himself on his neck and wept, and Theseus wept,
+till they had no strength left to weep more.
+
+Then Ægeus turned to all the people and cried, "Behold my son!"
+
+But the cousins were angry and drew their swords against Theseus.
+Twenty against one they fought, and yet Theseus beat them all, till at
+last he was left alone in the palace with his new-found father.
+
+But before nightfall all the town came up, with dances and songs,
+because the King had found an heir to his royal house.
+
+So Theseus stayed with his father all the winter through, and when
+spring drew near, he saw all the people of Athens grow sad and silent.
+And he asked the reason of the silence and the sadness, but no one
+would answer him a word.
+
+Then he went to his father and asked him, but Ægeus turned away his
+face and wept.
+
+But when spring had come, a herald stood in the market-place and
+cried, "O people and King of Athens, where is your yearly tribute?"
+Then a great lamentation arose throughout the city.
+
+But Theseus stood up before the herald and cried, "I am a stranger
+here. Tell me, then, why you come?"
+
+"To fetch the tribute which King Ægeus promised to King Minos. Blood
+was shed here unjustly, and King Minos came to avenge it, and would
+not leave Athens till the land had promised him tribute--seven youths
+and seven maidens every year, who go with me in a black-sailed ship."
+
+Then Theseus groaned inwardly and said, "I will go myself with these
+youths and maidens, and kill King Minos upon his royal throne."
+
+But Ægeus shrieked and cried, "You shall not go, my son, you shall not
+go to die horribly, as those youths and maidens die. For Minos thrusts
+them into a labyrinth, and no one can escape from its winding ways,
+before they meet the Minotaur, the monster who feeds upon the flesh
+of men. There he devours them horribly, and they never see this land
+again."
+
+And Theseus said, "Therefore all the more will I go with them, and
+slay the accursed Minotaur."
+
+Then Ægeus clung to his knees, but Theseus would not stay, and at
+last he let him go, weeping bitterly, and saying only this last word,
+"Promise me but this, if you return in peace, though that may hardly
+be. Take down the black sail of the ship, for I shall watch for it all
+day upon the cliffs, and hoist instead a white sail, that I may know
+afar off that you are safe."
+
+And Theseus promised, and went out, and to the market-place, where the
+herald stood and drew lots for the youths and maidens who were to sail
+in that sad ship.
+
+The people stood wailing and weeping as the lot fell on this one and
+on that, but Theseus strode into the midst and cried, "Here is one who
+needs no lot. I myself will be one of the seven."
+
+And the herald asked in wonder, "Fair youth, do you know whither you
+are going?"
+
+"I know," answered Theseus boldly; "let us go down to the black-sailed
+ship."
+
+So they went down to the black-sailed ship, seven maidens and seven
+youths, and Theseus before them all. And the people followed them,
+lamenting. But Theseus whispered to his companions, "Have hope, for
+the monster is not immortal."
+
+Then their hearts were comforted a little, but they wept as they went
+on board; and the cliffs rang with the voice of their weeping.
+
+
+
+
+III
+
+HOW THESEUS SLEW THE MINOTAUR
+
+
+And the ship sailed slowly on, till at last it reached the land of
+Crete, and Theseus stood before King Minos, and they looked each other
+in the face.
+
+Minos bade take the youths and the maidens to prison, and cast them to
+the Minotaur one by one.
+
+Then Theseus cried, "A boon, O Minos! Let me be thrown first to the
+monster. For I came hither, for that very purpose, of my own will and
+not by lot."
+
+"Who art thou, thou brave youth?" asked the King.
+
+"I am the son of Ægeus, the King of Athens, and I am come here to end
+the yearly tribute."
+
+And Minos pondered a while, looking steadfastly at him, and he
+thought, "The lad means to atone by his own death for his father's
+sin;" and he answered mildly, "Go back in peace, my son. It is a pity
+that one so brave should die."
+
+But Theseus said, "I have sworn that I will not go back till I have
+seen the monster face to face."
+
+At that Minos frowned and said, "Then thou shalt see him."
+
+And they led Theseus away into the prison, with the other youths and
+maidens.
+
+Now Ariadne, the daughter of Minos, saw Theseus as she came out of her
+white stone hall, and she loved him for his courage and his beauty,
+and she said, "It is shameful that such a youth should die." And by
+night she went down to the prison and told him all her heart, and
+said, "Flee down to your ship at once, for I have bribed the guards
+before the door. Flee, you and all your friends, and go back in peace,
+and take me with you. For I dare not stay after you are gone. My
+father will kill me miserably, if he knows what I have done."
+
+And Theseus stood silent awhile, for he was astonished and confounded
+by her beauty.
+
+But at last he said, "I cannot go home in peace till I have seen and
+slain this Minotaur, and put an end to the terrors of my land."
+
+"And will you kill the Minotaur? How then will you do it?" asked
+Ariadne in wonder.
+
+"I know not, nor do I care, but he must be strong if he be too strong
+for me," said Theseus.
+
+Then she loved him all the more and said, "But when you have killed
+him, how will you find your way out of the labyrinth?"
+
+"I know not, neither do I care, but it must be a strange road if I do
+not find it out before I have eaten up the monster's carcass."
+
+Then Ariadne loved him yet more, and said, "Fair youth, you are too
+bold, but I can help you, weak as I am. I will give you a sword, and
+with that perhaps you may slay the monster, and a clue of thread, and
+by that perhaps you may find your way out again. Only promise me that
+if you escape you will take me home with you."
+
+Then Theseus laughed and said, "Am I not safe enough now?" And he hid
+his sword, and rolled up the clue in his hand, and then he fell down
+before Ariadne and kissed her hands and her feet, while she wept over
+him a long while. Then the Princess went away, and Theseus lay down
+and slept sweetly.
+
+When evening came the guards led him away to the labyrinth. And he
+went down into that doleful gulf, and he turned on the left hand and
+on the right hand, and went up and down till his head was dizzy, but
+all the while he held the clue. For when he went in he fastened it to
+a stone and left it to unroll out of his hand as he went on, and
+it lasted till he met the Minotaur in a narrow chasm between black
+cliffs.
+
+And when he saw the Minotaur, he stopped a while, for he had never
+seen so strange a monster. His body was a man's, but his head was the
+head of a bull, and his teeth were the teeth of a lion. When he saw
+Theseus, he roared and put his head down and rushed right at him.
+
+But Theseus stepped aside nimbly, and as the monster passed by, cut
+him in the knee, and ere he could turn in the narrow path, he followed
+him, and stabbed him again and again from behind, till the monster
+fled, bellowing wildly.
+
+Theseus followed him, holding the clue of thread in his left hand, and
+at last he came up with him, where he lay panting, and caught him by
+the horns, and forced his head back, and drove the keen sword through
+his throat.
+
+Then Theseus turned and went back, limping and weary, feeling his
+way by the clue of thread, till he came to the mouth of that doleful
+place, and saw waiting for him--whom but Ariadne?
+
+And he whispered, "It is done," and showed her the sword. Then she
+laid her finger on her lips, and led him to the prison and opened the
+doors, and set all the prisoners free, while the guards lay sleeping
+heavily, for Ariadne had drugged them with wine.
+
+So they fled to their ship together, and leapt on board and hoisted up
+the sail, and the night lay dark around them, so that they escaped all
+safe, and Ariadne became the wife of Theseus.
+
+But that fair Ariadne never came to Athens with her husband. Some say
+that, as she lay sleeping on the shore, one of the gods found her
+and took her up into the sky, and some say that the gods drove away
+Theseus, and took Ariadne from him by force. But, however that may be,
+in his haste or his grief, Theseus forgot to put up the white sail.
+
+Now Ægeus his father sat on the cliffs and watched day after day, and
+strained his old eyes across the waters to see the ship afar. And when
+he saw the black sail he gave up Theseus for dead, and in his grief he
+fell into the sea and was drowned, and it is called the Ægean Sea to
+this day.
+
+Then Theseus was King of Athens, and he guarded it and ruled it well,
+and many wise things he did, so that his people honored him after he
+was dead, for many a hundred years, as the father of their freedom and
+of their laws.
+
+
+
+
+HERCULES
+
+ADAPTED BY THOMAS CARTWRIGHT
+
+
+
+
+I
+
+THE TWELVE LABORS OF HERCULES
+
+
+Hercules, the hero of strength and courage, was the son of Jupiter and
+Alcmene. His life was one long series of wonders.
+
+As soon as he was born, Juno, who hated Alcmene with an exceeding
+great hatred, went to the Fates and begged them to make the life of
+the newly-born babe hard and perilous.
+
+The Fates were three, namely, Clotho who spun the thread of life,
+Lachesis who settled the lot of gods and mortals in life, and Atropos
+who cut the thread of life spun by Clotho.
+
+When once the Fates had decided what the lot of any being, whether god
+or man, was to be, Jupiter himself could not alter their decision.
+
+It was to these fateful three, then, that Juno made her prayer
+concerning the infant Hercules. She could not, however, prevent him
+from having an honorable career, since it was written that he should
+triumph over all dangers and difficulties that might beset him.
+
+All that was conceded to her was that Hercules should be put under the
+dominion of Eurystheus, King of Thebes, his eldest brother, a harsh
+and pitiless man. This only half satisfied the hatred of Juno, but it
+made the life of Hercules exceedingly bitter.
+
+In fact, Hercules was but a child, when Juno sent two enormous
+serpents against him. These serpents, gliding into his cradle, were on
+the point of biting the child when he, with his own hands, seized them
+and strangled the life out of their slimy bodies.
+
+Having grown up to man's estate, Hercules did many mighty deeds of
+valor that need not be recounted here. But the hatred of Juno always
+pursued him. At length, when he had been married several years, she
+made him mad and impelled him in his madness to kill his own beloved
+children!
+
+When he came again to his sober senses, and learnt that he was the
+murderer of his own offspring he was filled with horror, and betook
+himself into exile so that he might hide his face from his fellow men.
+After a time he went to the oracle at Delphi to ask what he should do
+in atonement for his dreadful deed.
+
+He was ordered to serve his brother Eurystheus--who, by the help of
+Juno, had robbed him of his kingdom--for twelve years. After this he
+was to become one of the Immortals. Eurystheus feared that Hercules
+might use his great strength and courage against him, in punishment
+for the evil that he had done. He therefore resolved to banish him
+and to impose such tasks upon him as must certainly bring about his
+destruction. Hence arose the famous twelve labors of Hercules.
+
+Eurystheus first set Hercules to keep his sheep at Nemea and to
+kill the lion that ofttimes carried off the sheep, and sometimes the
+shepherd also.
+
+The man-eater lurked in a wood that was hard by the sheep-run.
+Hercules would not wait to be attacked by him. Arming himself with a
+heavy club and with a bow and arrows, he went in search of the lion's
+lair and soon found it.
+
+Finding that arrows and club made no impression upon the thick skin of
+the lion, the hero was constrained to trust entirely to his own thews
+and sinews. Seizing the lion with both hands, he put forth all his
+mighty strength and strangled the beast just as he had strangled the
+serpents in his cradle. Then, having despoiled the dead man-eater of
+his skin, Hercules henceforth wore this trophy as a garment, and as a
+shield and buckler.
+
+In those days, there was in Greece a monstrous serpent known as the
+Hydra of Lerna, because it haunted a marsh of that name whence it
+issued in search of prey. As his second labor, Hercules was sent to
+slay this creature.
+
+This reptile had nine heads of which the midmost was immortal. When
+Hercules struck off one of these heads with his club, two others
+at once appeared in its place. By the help of his servant, Hercules
+burned off the nine heads, and buried the immortal one beneath a huge
+rock.
+
+The blood of the Hydra was a poison so subtle that Hercules, by
+dipping the points of his arrows therein, made them so deadly that no
+mortal could hope to recover from a wound inflicted by them. We shall
+see later that Hercules himself died from the poison of one of these
+self-same arrows.
+
+The third labor imposed upon Hercules by Eurystheus was the capture of
+the Arcadian Stag. This remarkable beast had brazen feet and antlers
+of solid gold. Hercules was to carry the stag alive to Eurystheus.
+
+It proved no easy task to do this. The stag was so fleet of foot that
+no one had been able to approach it. For more than a year, over hill
+and dale, Hercules pursued the beast without ever finding a chance of
+capturing it without killing it.
+
+At length he shot at it and wounded it with an arrow--not, you may
+be sure, with one of the poisoned ones--and, having caught it thus
+wounded, he carried it on his shoulder to his brother and thus
+completed the third of his labors.
+
+In the neighborhood of Mount Erymanthus, in Arcadia, there lived, in
+those far-off days, a savage boar that was in the habit of sallying
+forth from his lair and laying waste the country round about, nor had
+any man been able to capture or restrain him. To free the country from
+the ravages of this monster was the fourth labor of Hercules.
+
+Having tracked the animal to his lurking place after chasing him
+through the deep snow, Hercules caught him in a net and bore him away
+in triumph on his shoulders to the feet of the amazed Eurystheus.
+
+Augeas, King of Elis, in Greece, not far from Mount Olympus, owned a
+herd of oxen 3,000 in number. They were stabled in stables that had
+not been cleaned out for thirty years. The stench was terrible and
+greatly troubled the health of the land. Eurystheus set Hercules the
+task of cleaning out these Augean stables in a single day!
+
+But the wit of the hero was equal to the occasion. With his great
+strength he diverted the flow of two rivers that ran their courses
+near the stables and made them flow right through the stables
+themselves, and lo! the nuisance that had been growing for thirty
+years was no more! Such was the fifth labor of Hercules.
+
+On an island in a lake near Stymphalus, in Arcadia, there nested in
+those days some remarkable and terrible birds--remarkable because
+their claws, wings and beaks were brazen, and terrible because they
+fed on human flesh and attacked with their terrible beaks and claws
+all who came near the lake. To kill these dreadful birds was the sixth
+labor.
+
+Minerva supplied Hercules with a brazen rattle with which he roused
+the birds from their nests, and then slew them with his poisoned
+arrows while they were on the wing.
+
+This victory made Hercules popular throughout the whole of Greece, and
+Eurystheus saw that nothing he could devise was too hard for the hero
+to accomplish.
+
+The seventh labor was to capture a mad bull that the Sea-god Neptune
+had let loose in the island of Crete, of which island Minos was at
+that time King.
+
+This ferocious creature breathed out from his nostrils a whirlwind of
+flaming fire. But Hercules was, as you no doubt have guessed, too much
+for the brazen bull.
+
+He not only caught the monster, but tamed him, and bore him aloft on
+his shoulders, into the presence of the affrighted Eurystheus, who was
+at a loss to find a task impossible for Hercules to perform.
+
+The taking of the mares of Diomedes was the eighth labor. These horses
+were not ordinary horses, living on corn. They were flesh eaters, and
+moreover, they devoured human beings, and so were hateful to mankind.
+
+On this occasion Hercules was not alone. He organised a hunt and,
+by the help of a few friends, caught the horses and led them to
+Eurystheus. The scene of this labor was Thrace, an extensive region
+lying between the Ægean Sea, the Euxine or Black Sea, and the Danube.
+
+Seizing the girdle of Hippolyte was the next feat set for the hero.
+This labor was due to the desire of the daughter of Eurystheus for the
+girdle of Hippolyte, Queen of the Amazons--a tribe of female warriors.
+It is said that the girls had their right breasts cut off in order
+that they might use the bow with greater ease in battle! This, indeed,
+is the meaning of the term Amazon, which signifies "breastless."
+
+After a troublesome journey Hercules arrived safely at the Court of
+Hippolyte, who received him kindly; and this labor might, perchance,
+have been a bloodless one had not his old enemy Juno stirred up the
+female warriors against him.
+
+In the fight that followed, Hercules killed Hippolyte--a feat scarcely
+to be proud of--and carried off her girdle, and thus the vanity of the
+daughter of Eurystheus was gratified.
+
+To capture the oxen of Geryon was the tenth labor of Hercules. In the
+person of Geryon we meet another of those strange beings in which
+the makers of myths and fairy tales seem to revel. Geryon was
+a three-bodied monster whose cattle were kept by a giant and a
+two-headed dog!
+
+It is said that Hercules, on his way to the performance of this tenth
+labor, formed the Pillars of Hercules--those two rocky steeps
+that guard the entrance to the Straits of Gibraltar, i.e., Calpa
+(Gibraltar) and Abyla (Ceuta)--by rending asunder the one mountain
+these two rocks are said to have formed, although now they are
+eighteen miles apart.
+
+Hercules slew the giant, the two-headed dog and Geryon himself, and in
+due course brought the oxen to Eurystheus.
+
+Sometime afterwards, Eurystheus, having heard rumors of a wonderful
+tree which, in some unknown land, yielded golden apples, was moved
+with great greed to have some of this remarkable fruit. Hence he
+commanded Hercules to make the quest of this tree his eleventh labor.
+The hero had no notion where the tree grew, but he was bound by his
+bond to obey the King, so he set out and after a time reached the
+kingdom of Atlas, King of Africa. He had been told that Atlas could
+give him news of the tree.
+
+I must tell you that King Atlas, having in the olden time helped the
+Titans in their wars against the gods, was undergoing punishment for
+this offence, his penance being to hold up the starry vault of heaven
+upon his shoulders. This means, perhaps, that in the kingdom of Atlas
+there were some mountains so high that their summits seemed to touch
+the sky.
+
+Hercules offered to relieve Atlas of his load for a time, if he would
+but tell him where the famous tree was, upon which grew the golden
+fruit. Atlas consented, and for some days Hercules supported the earth
+and the starry vault of heaven upon his shoulders.
+
+Then Atlas opened the gate of the Garden of the Hesperides to
+Hercules. These Hesperides were none other than the three daughters of
+Atlas, and it was their duty, in which they were helped by a dragon,
+to guard the golden apples.
+
+Hercules killed the dragon and carried off the apples, but they were
+afterwards restored to their place by Minerva.
+
+Cerberus, as perhaps you know, was the triple-headed dog that guarded
+the entrance to the nether world. To bring up this three-headed
+monster from the land of the dead was the last of the twelve labors.
+It was also the hardest.
+
+Pluto, the god of the nether world, told Hercules he might carry
+off the dog if he could take him without using club or spear--never
+dreaming that the hero could perform such a difficult feat.
+
+Hercules penetrated to the entrance of Pluto's gloomy regions, and,
+putting forth his strength succeeded, not only in seizing Cerberus,
+but also in carrying him to Eurystheus, and so brought the twelve
+labors to an end, and was released from his servitude to his cruel
+brother.
+
+These exploits of strength and endurance do not by any means complete
+the tale of the wonderful doings of the great Greek hero. He continued
+his deeds of daring to the end of his life.
+
+One of the last of his exploits was to kill the eagle that daily
+devoured the liver of Prometheus, whose story is both curious and
+interesting.
+
+He is said to have been the great friend of mankind, and was chained
+to a rock on Mount Caucasus because he stole fire from heaven and gave
+it as a gift to the sons of man.
+
+While in chains an eagle was sent by Jupiter daily to feed on
+Prometheus's liver, which Jupiter made to grow again each night. From
+this continuous torture he was released by Hercules, who slew the
+eagle and burst asunder the bonds of this friend of man.
+
+
+
+
+II
+
+HERCULES IN THE NETHER WORLD
+
+
+Theseus and Pirithous were two Athenians, who, after having been at
+enmity for a long time at last became the very best of friends. They,
+like Hercules, had passed their youth in doing doughty deeds for the
+benefit of mankind, and their fame had spread abroad throughout the
+land of Greece. This did not prevent them from forming a very foolish
+project. They actually planned to go down to Hades and carry off
+Pluto's wife, Proserpina, whom Pirithous himself wished to marry.
+
+This rashness brought about their ruin, for they were seized by
+Pluto and chained to a rock. All this Hercules, who was the friend
+of Theseus, learnt while on one of his journeys, and he resolved to
+rescue Theseus from his eternal punishment.
+
+As for Pirithous, the prime mover in the attempted outrage, him
+Hercules meant to leave to his fate.
+
+Hercules had been warned to take a black dog to sacrifice to Hecate
+and a cake to mollify Cerberus, as was usual; but he would not listen
+to such tales and meant to force his way to Theseus. When he found
+himself face to face with Cerberus he seized him, threw him down and
+chained him with strong chains.
+
+The next difficulty in the way was black and muddy Acheron, the first
+of the seven rivers that ran round Hades, and formed a barrier between
+the living and the departed.
+
+This river had not always run under the vaults of Hades. Formerly its
+course was upon the earth. But when the Titans attempted to scale
+the heaven, this river had the ill luck to quench their thirst,
+and Jupiter to punish even the waters of the river for abetting his
+enemies, turned its course aside into the under world where its waves,
+slow-moving and filthy, lost themselves in Styx, the largest of all
+the rivers of Hades, which ran round Pluto's gloomy kingdom no less
+than nine times.
+
+On reaching the banks of Styx, Hercules was surprised to see flying
+around him a crowd of disconsolate spirits, whom Charon the Ferryman
+refused to row across Styx, because they could not pay him his fee of
+an obol, a Greek coin worth about three cents of our money, which the
+Greeks were accustomed to place in the mouths of their dead for the
+purpose, as they thought, of paying Charon his ferry fee.
+
+Fierce Charon frowned when he beheld Hercules for he feared his light
+boat of bark would sink under his weight, it being only adapted for
+the light and airy spirits of the dead; but when the son of Jupiter
+told him his name he was mollified and allowed the hero to take his
+place at his side.
+
+As soon as the boat had touched the shore, Hercules went towards the
+gloomy palace of Pluto where he with difficulty, on account of the
+darkness, saw Pluto seated upon an ebony throne by the side of his
+beloved Proserpina.
+
+Pluto was not at all pleased to see the hero, as he hated the living
+and had interest only in the shades of the dead. When Hercules
+announced himself, however, he gave him a permit to go round his
+kingdom and, in addition, acceded to his prayer for the release of
+Theseus.
+
+At the foot of Pluto's throne Hercules saw Death the Reaper. He was
+clothed in a black robe spotted with stars and his fleshless hand
+held the sharp sickle with which he is said to cut down mortals as the
+reaper cuts down corn.
+
+Our hero was glad to escape from this dismal palace and as he did not
+know exactly where to find Theseus he began to make the circuit of
+Hades. During his progress he saw the shades of many people of whom,
+on earth, he had heard much talk.
+
+He had been wandering about some time when, in a gloomy chamber, he
+saw three old sisters, wan and worn, spinning by the feeble light of
+a lamp. They were the Fates, deities whose duty it was to thread the
+days of all mortals who appeared on earth, were it but for an instant.
+
+Clotho, the spinner of the thread of life, was the eldest of the
+three. She held in her hand a distaff, wound with black and white
+woollen yarn, with which were sparingly intermixed strands of silk and
+gold. The wool stood for the humdrum everyday life of man: the silk
+and gold marked the days of mirth and gladness, always, alas! too few
+in number.
+
+Lachesis, the second of the Fates, was quickly turning with her left
+hand a spindle, while her right hand was leading a fine thread which
+the third sister, Atropos by name, used to cut with a pair of sharp
+shears at the death of each mortal.
+
+You may imagine how hard these three sisters worked when you remember
+that the thread of life of every mortal had to pass through their
+fateful fingers. Hercules would have liked them to tell him how long
+they had yet to spin for him, but they had no time to answer questions
+and so the hero passed on.
+
+Some steps farther he stopped before three venerable looking old men,
+seated upon a judgment seat, judging, as it seemed, a man newly come
+to Pluto's kingdom.
+
+They were Minos, Æacus and Rhadamanthus, the three judges of Hades,
+whose duty it was to punish the guilty by casting them into a dismal
+gulf, Tartarus, whence none might ever emerge, and to reward the
+innocent by transporting them to the Elysian Fields where delight
+followed delight in endless pleasure.
+
+These judges could never be mistaken because Themis, the Goddess of
+Justice, held in front of them a pair of scales in which she weighed
+the actions of men. Their decrees were instantly carried out by a
+pitiless goddess, Nemesis, or Vengeance by name, armed with a whip red
+with the gore of her sinful victims.
+
+
+
+
+III
+
+BLACK TARTARUS AND THE ELYSIAN FIELDS
+
+
+Immediately on quitting the presence of the three judges, Hercules saw
+them open out before him an immense gulf whence arose thick clouds of
+black smoke. This smoke hid from view a river of fire that rolled its
+fiery waves onwards with a deafening din.
+
+Not far remote from this rolled Cocytus, another endless stream, fed
+by the tears of the wretches doomed to Black Tartarus, in which place
+of eternal torment Hercules now found himself.
+
+The rulers of these mournful regions were the Furies who, with unkempt
+hair and armed with whips, tormented the condemned without mercy by
+showing them continually in mirrors the images of their former crimes.
+
+Into Tartarus were thrown, never to come out again, the shades or
+manes of traitors, ingrates, perjurers, unnatural children, murderers
+and hypocrites who had during their lives pretended to be upright and
+honorable in order to deceive the just.
+
+But these wretches were not the only denizens of Black Tartarus. There
+were to be seen great scoundrels who had startled the world with their
+frightful crimes. For these Pluto and the Furies had invented special
+tortures.
+
+Among the criminals so justly overtaken by the divine vengeance
+Hercules noticed Salmoneus, whom he had formerly met upon earth. This
+madman, whose pride had overturned his reason, thought himself to be a
+god equal to the Thunderer himself.
+
+In order to imitate remotely the rolling of thunder, he used to be
+driven at night, over a brazen bridge, in a chariot, whence he hurled
+lighted torches upon his unhappy slaves who were crowded on the bridge
+and whom his guards knocked down in imitation of Jove's thunder-bolts.
+
+Indignant at the pride and cruelty of the tyrant, Jupiter struck him
+with lightning in deadly earnest and then cast him into the outer
+darkness of Tartarus, where he was for ever burning without being
+consumed.
+
+Sisyphus, the brother of Salmoneus, was no better than he. When on
+earth, he had been the terror of Attica, where, as a brigand, he had
+robbed and murdered with relentless cruelty.
+
+Theseus, whom Hercules was bent on freeing from his torment, had met
+and killed this robber-assassin, and Jupiter, for his sins, decreed
+that the malefactor should continually be rolling up a hill in
+Tartarus a heavy stone which, when with incredible pains he had
+brought nearly to the top, always rolled back again, and he had to
+begin over and over again the heart-breaking ascent.
+
+Some distance from Sisyphus Hercules came upon Tantalus, who, in the
+flesh, had been King of Phrygia, but who now, weak from hunger and
+parched with thirst, was made to stand to his chin in water with
+branches of tempting luscious fruit hanging ripe over his head. When
+he essayed to drink the water it always went from him, and when he
+stretched out his hand to pluck the fruit, back the branches sprang
+out of reach.
+
+In addition an immense rock, hung over his head, threatened every
+moment to crush him.
+
+It is said that Tantalus, when in the flesh, had betrayed the secrets
+of the gods and also committed other great crimes. For this he was
+"tantalized" with food and drink, which, seeming always to be within
+his reach, ever mocked his hopes by eluding his grasp.
+
+The groans of a crowd of disheveled women next attracted the
+affrighted attention of Hercules. They were forty-nine of the fifty
+daughters of Danaus, King of Argos, who, at the instigation of their
+father, had killed their husbands because Danaus thought they were
+conspiring to depose him.
+
+One only of the fifty, to wit Hypermnestra, had the courage to disobey
+this unlawful command and so saved the life of Lynceus, her husband,
+with whom she fled. Later on Lynceus returned and slew the cruel King
+in battle.
+
+To punish the forty-nine Danaides, Jupiter cast them into the outer
+darkness of Black Tartarus, where they were ever engaged in the
+hopeless task of pouring water into a sieve. Hypermnestra, on the
+contrary, was honored while alive, and also after her death, for
+loving goodness even more than she loved her father.
+
+Glutted with horror Hercules at length quitted gloomy Tartarus and
+beheld in front of him still another river. This was Lethe. Whoso
+drank the waters of this river, which separated the place of torment
+from the abode of the blest, lost memory of all that had been
+aforetime in his mind, and so was no longer troubled by even the
+remembrance of human misery.
+
+Across Lethe stretched the Elysian Fields where the shades of the
+blest dwelt in bliss without alloy. An enchanting greenness made the
+sweet-smelling groves as pleasant to the eye as they were to the sense
+of smell. Sunlit, yet never parched with torrid heat, everywhere their
+verdure charmed the delighted eye, and all things conspired to make
+the shades of the good and wise, who were privileged to dwell in these
+Elysian Fields, delightfully happy.
+
+Hercules saw, in these shady regions of the blest, a crowd of kings,
+heroes and men and women of lower degree who, while on earth, had
+loved and served their fellow men.
+
+Having at length found and released Theseus, Hercules set out with him
+for the upper world. The two left Hades by an ivory door, the key of
+which Pluto had confided to their care.
+
+What awesome tales they had to recount to their wondering friends of
+the marvels of Black Tartarus and of Radiant Elysium!
+
+
+
+
+IV
+
+THE TUNIC OF NESSUS THE CENTAUR
+
+
+There abode in Thessaly, in the days of Hercules, a strange race of
+men who had the head and arms of a man together with the body of a
+horse. They were called Centaurs, or Bull-Slayers.
+
+One of them named Cheiron, famous for his knowledge of medicine,
+music and botany, had been the teacher of Hercules. But many of them,
+although learned, were not good. Hercules and Theseus had waged war on
+them and had killed many, so that their numbers were greatly lessened.
+
+Having married Deianira, the daughter of a powerful King of Calydon,
+in Greece, Hercules was traveling home with her when he came to
+the banks of a river and was at a loss how to cross it. Seeing his
+perplexity, Nessus, one of the Centaurs, offered to take Deianira on
+his back and carry her over the stream. This offer Hercules gladly
+accepted.
+
+No sooner, however, did the crafty Centaur obtain possession of
+Deianira than he made off with her, intending to have her as his own
+wife. You can easily imagine how angry this outrage made Hercules. He
+shot one of his poisoned arrows with so much force that it went right
+through the traitor Centaur, and wounded him even unto death.
+
+But, before dying, Nessus had time to tell Deianira that if she wanted
+to keep Hercules always true to her she had but to take his shirt,
+and, when her husband's love was waning, prevail on him to wear it.
+
+Deianira took the shirt, and shortly afterwards, being afraid that her
+husband was ceasing to love her, she sent it to him as a present.
+
+Now, you will remember that Hercules had shot through the shirt of
+Nessus one of his poisoned arrows, and you will not be surprised
+to hear that some of the poison had remained in the shirt. So when
+Hercules put it on, which he did immediately upon receiving it, he was
+seized with frenzy and, in his madness, he uttered terrible cries and
+did dreadful deeds.
+
+With his powerful hands he broke off huge pieces of rock, tore up
+pine-trees by their roots and hurled them with resounding din into the
+valley.
+
+He could not take off the fatal shirt, and as he tore off portions of
+it he tore, at the same time, his quivering flesh.
+
+The servant of Deianira who had carried him the fatal shirt, and who
+wished to solace him in his pain, he seized as she approached him and
+flung headlong into the sea, where she was changed into a rock that
+long, so runs the legend, kept its human form.
+
+But at length the majesty and the courage of the hero asserted
+themselves, and, although still in agony, his madness left him.
+
+Calling to his side his friend Philoctetes, he wished to embrace
+him once more before dying; but fearful lest he should, in so doing,
+infect his friend with the deadly poison that was consuming him, he
+cried in his agony: "Alas, I am not even permitted to embrace thee!"
+
+Then he gathered together the trees he had uprooted and made a huge
+funeral pyre, such as was used by the ancients in burning their dead.
+Climbing to the top of the heap, he spread out the skin of the Nemean
+lion, and, supporting himself upon his club, gave the signal for
+Philoctetes to kindle the fire that was to reduce him to ashes.
+
+In return for this service he gave Philoctetes a quiver full of those
+deadly arrows that had been dipped in the blood of the Hydra of Lerna.
+
+He further enjoined his friend to let no man know of his departure
+from life, to the intent that the fear of his approach might prevent
+fresh monsters and new robbers from ravaging the earth.
+
+Thus died Hercules, and after his death he was received as a god
+amongst the Immortals on Mount Olympus, where he married Hebe, Jove's
+cupbearer. In his honor mortals were commanded to build altars and to
+raise temples.
+
+
+
+
+THE PERILOUS VOYAGE OF ÆNEAS
+
+ADAPTED BY ALICE ZIMMEKN
+
+
+Once upon a time, nearly three thousand years ago, the city of Troy
+in Asia Minor was at the height of its prosperity. It was built on a
+fortified hill on the southern slopes of the Hellespont, and encircled
+by strong walls that the gods had helped to build. Through their
+favor Troy became so strong and powerful that she subdued many of
+the neighboring states and forced them to fight for her and do her
+bidding. Thus it happened that when the Greeks came to Asia with an
+army of 100,000 men, Troy was able to hold out against them for nine
+years, and in the tenth was only taken by a trick.
+
+In the "Iliad" of Homer you may read all about the quarrel between the
+Trojans and Greeks, the fighting before Troy and the brave deeds done
+by Hector and Achilles, and many other heroes. You will see there how
+the gods took part in the quarrel, and how Juno, who was the wife of
+Jupiter and queen of heaven, hated Troy because Paris had given the
+golden apple to Venus as the fairest among goddesses. Juno never
+forgave this insult to her beauty, and vowed that she would not rest
+till the hated city was destroyed and its very name wiped from the
+face of the earth. You shall now hear how she carried out her threat,
+and overwhelmed Æneas with disasters.
+
+After a siege that lasted ten years Troy was taken at last by means
+of the wooden horse, which the Trojans foolishly dragged into the city
+with their own hands. Inside it were hidden a number of Greeks, who
+were thus carried into the heart of the enemy's city. The Trojans
+celebrated the departure of the Greeks by feasting and drinking far
+into the night; but when at last they retired to rest, the Greeks
+stole out of their hiding-place, and opened the gates to their army,
+which had only pretended to withdraw. Before the Trojans had recovered
+their wits the town was full of enemies, who threw blazing torches on
+the houses and killed every citizen who fell into their hands.
+
+Among the many noble princes who fought against the Greeks none was
+braver and handsomer than Æneas. His mother was the goddess Venus, and
+his father a brave and powerful Prince named Anchises, while Creusa,
+his wife, was one of King Priam's daughters. On that dreadful night,
+when the Greeks were burning and killing in the very streets of Troy,
+Æneas lay sleeping in his palace when there appeared to him a strange
+vision. He thought that Hector stood before him carrying the images of
+the Trojan gods and bade him arise and leave the doomed city. "To you
+Troy entrusts her gods and her fortunes. Take these images, and go
+forth beyond the seas, and with their auspices found a new Troy on
+foreign shores."
+
+Roused from his slumbers Æneas sprang up in haste, put on his armor
+and rushed into the fray. He was joined by a few comrades, and
+together they made their way through the enemy, killing all who
+blocked their path. But when they reached the royal palace and found
+that the Greeks had already forced their way in and killed the aged
+man by his own hearth, Æneas remembered his father and his wife and
+his little son Ascanius. Since he could not hope to save the city he
+might at least take thought for his own kin. While he still hesitated
+whether to retire or continue the fight, his goddess mother appeared
+and bade him go and succor his household. "Your efforts to save the
+city are vain," she said. "The gods themselves make war on Troy. Juno
+stands by the gate urging on the Greeks, Jupiter supplies them with
+hope and courage, and Neptune is breaking down with his trident the
+walls he helped to raise. Fly, my son, fly. I will bring you safely to
+your own threshold."
+
+Guided by her protecting hand, Æneas came in safety to his palace,
+and bade his family prepare in all haste for flight. But his father
+refused to stir a step. "Let me die here at the enemy's hands," he
+implored. "Better thus than to go into exile in my old age. Do you go,
+my son, whither the gods summon you, and leave me to my fate." In
+vain Æneas reasoned and pleaded, in vain he refused to go without his
+father; neither prayers nor entreaties would move Anchises till the
+gods sent him a sign. Suddenly the child's hair burst into flames.
+The father and mother were terrified, but Anchises recognised the good
+omen, and prayed the gods to show whether his interpretation was the
+true one. In answer there came a clap of thunder and a star flashed
+across the sky and disappeared among the woods on Mount Ida. Then
+Anchises was sure that the token was a true one. "Delay no more!" he
+cried. "I will accompany you, and go in hope wheresoever the gods of
+my country shall lead me. This is a sign from heaven, and the gods, if
+it be their will, may yet preserve our city."
+
+"Come then, father!" cried Æneas joyfully. "Let me take you on my
+back, for your feeble limbs would move too slowly for the present
+danger. You shall hold the images of the gods, since it would be
+sacrilege for me to touch them with my blood-stained hands. Little
+Ascanius shall take my hand, and Creusa will follow us closely."
+
+He now ordered the servants to collect all the most valuable
+possessions, and bring them to him at the temple of Ceres, just
+outside the city. Then he set out with father, wife and son, and they
+groped their way through the city by the light of burning homesteads.
+Thus they passed at last through the midst of the enemy, and reached
+the temple of Ceres. There, to his dismay, Æneas missed Creusa. He
+rushed back to the city and made his way to his own house. He found it
+in flames, and the enemy were sacking the ruins. Nowhere could he find
+a trace of his wife. Wild with grief and anxiety he wandered at random
+through the city till suddenly he fancied he saw Creusa. But it was
+her ghost, not her living self. She spoke to her distracted husband
+and bade him grieve no more. "Think not," she said, "that this has
+befallen without the will of the gods. The Fates have decided that
+Creusa shall not follow you to your new home. There are long and weary
+wanderings before you, and you must traverse many stormy seas before
+you come to the western land where the river Tiber pours its gentle
+stream through the fertile pastures of Italy. There shall you find
+a kingdom and a royal bride. Cease then to mourn for Creusa." Æneas
+tried to clasp her in his arms, but in vain, for he only grasped the
+empty air. Then he understood that the gods desired him to go forth
+into the world alone.
+
+While Æneas was seeking Creusa a group of Trojans who had escaped
+the enemy and the flames had collected at the temple of Ceres, and he
+found them ready and willing to join him and follow his fortunes. The
+first rays of the sun were touching the peaks of Ida when Aeneas
+and his comrades turned their backs on the ill-fated city, and went
+towards the rising sun and the new hope.
+
+For several months Æneas and his little band of followers lived as
+refugees among the hills of Ida, and their numbers grew as now one,
+now another, came to join them. All through the winter they were hard
+at work cutting down trees and building ships, which were to carry
+them across the seas. When spring came the fleet was ready, and the
+little band set sail. First they merely crossed the Hellespont to
+Thrace, for Aeneas hoped to found a city here and revive the name of
+Troy. But bad omens came to frighten the Trojans and drive them back
+to their ships.
+
+They now took a southward course, and sailed on without stopping till
+they reached Delos, the sacred isle of Apollo. Here Aeneas entered the
+temple and offered prayer to the lord of prophecy. "Grant us a home,
+Apollo, grant us an abiding city. Preserve a second Troy for the
+scanty remnant that escaped the swords of the Greeks and the wrath
+of cruel Achilles. Tell us whom to follow, whither to turn, where to
+found our city."
+
+His prayer was not offered in vain, for a voice spoke in answer. "Ye
+hardy sons of Dardanus, the land that erst sent forth your ancestral
+race shall welcome you back to its fertile fields. Go and seek your
+ancient mother. There shall the offspring of Æneas rule over all the
+lands, and their children's children unto the furthest generations."
+
+When he had heard this oracle, Anchises said, "In the middle of the
+sea lies an island called Crete, which is sacred to Jupiter. There
+we shall find an older Mount Ida, and beside it the cradle of our
+race. Thence, if tradition speaks truth, our great ancestor Teucrus
+set sail for Asia and there he founded his kingdom, and named our
+mountain Ida. Let us steer our course therefore to Crete, and if
+Jupiter be propitious, the third dawn will bring us to its shores."
+
+Accordingly they set out again full of hope, and passed in and out
+again among the gleaming islands of the Ægean, till at last they
+came to Crete. There they disembarked, and began to build a city.
+The houses were rising, the citadel was almost ready, the fields were
+planted and sown, and the young men were seeking wives, when suddenly
+the crops were stricken by a blight and the men by a pestilence.
+Surely, they thought, this could not be the home promised them by
+Apollo. In this distress Anchises bade his son return to Delos and
+implore the gods to vouchsafe further counsel.
+
+At night Æneas lay down to rest, troubled by many anxieties, when
+suddenly he was roused by the moonlight streaming through the window
+and illuminating the images of the Trojan gods. It seemed as though
+they opened their lips and spoke to him. "All that Apollo would have
+told you at Delos, we may declare to you here, for he has given us a
+message to you. We followed your arms after the burning of Troy,
+and traversed the ocean under your guidance, and we shall raise your
+descendants to the stars and give dominion to their city. But do not
+seek it here. These are not the shores that Apollo assigns you, nor
+may Crete be your abiding place. Far to the west lies the land which
+the Greeks called Hesperia, but which now bears the name of Italy.
+There is our destined home; thence came Dardanus, our great ancestor
+and the father of our race."
+
+Amazed at this vision, Æneas sprang up and lifted his hands to heaven
+in prayer. Then he hastened to tell Anchises of this strange event.
+They resolved to tarry no longer, but turning their backs on the
+rising walls they drew their ships down to the sea again, and once
+more set forth in search of a new country.
+
+Now they sailed towards the west, and rounded the south of Greece into
+the Ionian Sea. But a storm drove them out of their course, and the
+darkness was so thick that they could not tell night from day, and the
+helmsman, Palinurus, knew not whither he was steering. Thus they were
+tossed about aimlessly for three days and nights, till at last they
+saw land ahead and, lowering their sails, rowed safely into a quiet
+harbor. Not a human being was in sight, but herds of cattle grazed on
+the pastures, and goats sported untended on the rocks. Here was even
+food in plenty for hungry men. They killed oxen and goats, and made
+ready a feast for themselves, and a sacrifice for the gods. The repast
+was prepared, and Æneas and his comrades were about to enjoy it,
+when a sound of rustling wings was heard all round them. Horrible
+creatures, half birds, half women, with long talons and cruel beaks,
+swooped down on the tables and carried off the food before the eyes
+of the terrified banqueters. These were the Harpies, who had once been
+sent to plague King Phineus, and when they were driven away by two of
+the Argonauts, Zetes and Calais, took refuge in these islands. In vain
+the Trojans attacked them with their swords, for the monsters would
+fly out of reach, and then dart back again on a sudden, and pounce
+once more on the food, while Celæno, chief of the Harpies, perched on
+a rock and chanted in hoarse tones a prophecy of ill omen. "You that
+kill our oxen and seek to drive us from our rightful home, hearken to
+my words, which Jupiter declared to Apollo, and Apollo told even to
+me. You are sailing to Italy, and you shall reach Italy and enter its
+harbors. But you are not destined to surround your city with a wall,
+till cruel hunger and vengeance for the wrong you have done us force
+you to gnaw your very tables with your teeth."
+
+When the Trojans heard this terrible prophecy their hearts sank within
+them, and Anchises, lifting his hands to heaven, besought the gods to
+avert this grievous doom. Thus, full of sad forebodings, they returned
+to their ships.
+
+Their way now lay along the western coast of Greece, and they were
+glad to slip unnoticed past the rocky island of Ithaca, the home of
+Ulysses the wily. For they did not know that he was still held captive
+by the nymph Calypso, and that many years were to pass before he
+should be restored to his kingdom. They next cast anchor off Leucadia,
+and passed the winter in these regions. In spring they sailed north
+again, and landed in Epirus, and here to their surprise they found
+Helenus, one of the sons of Priam, ruling over a Greek people. He
+welcomed his kinsman joyfully and, having the gift of prophecy from
+Apollo, foretold the course of his wanderings. "Italy, which you deem
+so near, is a far-distant land, and many adventures await you before
+you reach that shore where lies your destined home. Before you reach
+it, you will visit Sicily, and the realms of the dead and the
+island of Circe. But I will give you a sign whereby you may know the
+appointed place. When by the banks of a secluded stream you shall
+see a huge white sow with her thirty young ones, then shall you have
+reached the limit of your wanderings. Be sure to avoid the eastern
+coast of Italy opposite these shores. Wicked Greek tribes have their
+dwelling there, and it is safer to pass at once to the western coast.
+On your left, you will hear in the Strait the thundering roar of
+Charybdis, and on the right grim Scylla sits scowling in her cave
+ready to spring on the unwary traveler. Better take a long circuit
+round Sicily than come even within sight and sound of Scylla. As soon
+as you touch the western shores of Italy, go to the city of Cumæ and
+the Sibyl's cavern. Try to win her favor, and she will tell you of the
+nations of Italy and the wars yet to come, and how you may avoid each
+peril and accomplish every labor. One warning would I give you and
+enjoin it with all my power. If you desire to reach your journey's end
+in safety, forget not to do homage to Juno. Offer up prayers to her
+divinity, load her altars with gifts. Then, and then only, may you
+hope for a happy issue from all your troubles!"
+
+So once more the Trojans set sail, and obedient to the warnings of
+Helenus they avoided the eastern coast of Italy, and struck southward
+towards Sicily. Far up the channel they heard the roar of Charybdis
+and hastened their speed in fear. Soon the snowy cone of Etna came
+into view with its column of smoke rising heavenward. As they lay at
+anchor hard by, a ragged, half-starved wretch ran out of the woods
+calling loudly on Æneas for succor. This was one of the comrades of
+Ulysses, who had been left behind by mistake, and lived in perpetual
+dread of the savage Cyclôpes. Æneas was moved to pity, and though the
+man was a Greek and an enemy, he took him on board and gave him
+food and succor. Before they left this place they had a glimpse of
+Polyphemus himself. The blind giant came down the cliff with his
+flock, feeling his way with a huge staff of pine-trunk. He even
+stepped into the sea, and walked far out without wetting his thighs.
+The Trojans hastily slipped their cables, and made away. Polyphemus
+heard the sound of their oars, and called his brother Cyclôpes to
+come and seize the strangers, but they were too late to overtake the
+fugitives.
+
+After this they continued their southward course, passing the island
+where Syracuse now stands, and rounding the southern coast of Sicily.
+Then they sailed past the tall rock of Acragas and palm-loving
+Selinus, and so came to the western corner, where the harbor of
+Drepanun gave them shelter. Here a sorrow overtook Æneas, that neither
+the harpy nor the seer had foretold. Anchises, weary with wandering
+and sick of long-deferred hope, fell ill and died. Sadly Æneas sailed
+from hence without his trusted friend and counselor, and steered his
+course for Italy.
+
+At last the goal seemed at hand and the dangers of the narrow strait
+had been escaped. But Æneas had a far more dangerous enemy than Scylla
+and Charybdis, for Juno's wrath was not yet appeased. He had offered
+prayer and sacrifice, as Helenus bade him, but her long-standing
+grudge was not so easily forgotten. She hated Troy and the
+Trojans with an undying hatred, and would not suffer even these
+few-storm-tossed wanderers to seek their new home in peace. She knew
+too that it was appointed by the Fates that a descendant of this
+fugitive Trojan should one day found a city destined to eclipse in
+wealth and glory her favorite city of Carthage. This she desired to
+avert at all costs, and if even the queen of heaven was not strong
+enough to overrule fate, at least she resolved that the Trojans
+should not enter into their inheritance without many and grievous
+tribulations.
+
+Off the northerncoast of Sicily lies a group of small islands, still
+called the Æolian Isles, after Æolus, king of the winds, whose palace
+stood upon the largest. Here he lived in a rock-bound castle, and kept
+the boisterous winds fast bound in strong dungeons, that they might
+not go forth unbidden to work havoc and destruction. But for his
+restraining hand they would have burst forth and swept away land and
+sea in their fury. To this rocky fortress Juno came with a request
+to Æolus. "Men of a race hateful to me are now crossing the sea. I
+beseech you, therefore, send a storm to scatter the ships and drown
+the men in the waves. As a reward I will give you one of my fairest
+nymphs in marriage." Thus she urged, and at her bidding Æolus struck
+the rock and the prison gates were opened. The winds at once rushed
+forth in all directions. The clouds gathered and blotted out sky
+and daylight, thunder roared and lightning flashed, and the Trojans
+thought their last hour had come. Even Æneas lost heart, and envied
+the lot of those who fell before Troy by the sword of Diomede. Soon
+a violent gust struck his ship, the oars were broken, and the prow
+turned round and exposed the side to the waves. The water closed
+over it, then opened again, and drew down the vessel, leaving the men
+floating on the water. Three ships were dashed against sunken rocks,
+three were driven among the shallows and blocked with a mound of
+sand. Another was struck from stem to stern, then sucked down into a
+whirlpool. One after another the rest succumbed, and it seemed as if
+each moment must see their utter destruction.
+
+Meantime Neptune in his palace at the bottom of the sea had noticed
+the sudden disturbance of the waters, and now put out his head above
+the waves to learn the cause of this commotion. When he saw the
+shattered Trojan ships he guessed that this was Juno's work. Instantly
+he summoned the winds and chid them for daring to disturb the waters
+without his leave. "Begone," he said, "and tell your master Æolus that
+the dominion of the sea is mine, not his. Let him be content to keep
+guard over you and see that you do not escape from your prison." While
+he spoke Neptune was busy calming the waters, and it was not long
+before he put the clouds to flight and brought back the sunshine.
+Nymphs came to push the ships off the rocks, and Neptune himself
+opened a way out of the shallows. Then he returned to his chariot, and
+his white horses carried him lightly across the calm waters.
+
+Thankful to have saved a few of his ships, all shattered and leaking
+as they were, Æneas bade the helmsman steer for the nearest land. What
+was their joy to see within easy reach a quiet harbor closed in by
+a sheltering island. The entrance was guarded by twin cliffs, and a
+forest background closed in the scene. Once within this shelter the
+weary vessels needed no anchor to secure them. Here at last Æneas
+and his comrades could stretch their aching limbs on dry land. They
+kindled a fire of leaves with a flint, and dried their sodden corn for
+a scanty meal.
+
+Æneas now climbed one of the hills to see whether he might catch a
+glimpse of any of the missing ships. Not a sail was in sight, but in
+the valley below he spied a herd of deer grazing. Here was better food
+for hungry men. Drawing an arrow from his quiver, he fitted it to his
+bow, let fly, and a mighty stag fell to his aim. Six others shared
+its fate, then Æneas returned with his booty and bade his friends make
+merry with venison and Sicilian wine from the ships. As they ate and
+drank, he tried to hearten the Trojans. "Endure a little longer," he
+urged. "Think of the perils through which we have passed, remember the
+dreadful Cyclôpes and cruel Scylla. Despair not now, for one day the
+memory of past sufferings shall delight your hours of ease. Through
+toils and hardships we are making our way to Latium, where the gods
+have promised us a peaceful home and a new and glorious Troy. Hold out
+a little while, and wait for the happy days in store."
+
+
+
+
+HOW HORATIUS HELD THE BRIDGE
+
+ADAPTED BY ALFRED J. CHURCH
+
+
+King Tarquin[1] and his son Lucius (for he only remained to him of the
+three) fled to Lars Porsenna, King of Clusium, and besought him that
+he would help them. "Suffer not," they said, "that we, who are Tuscans
+by birth, should remain any more in poverty and exile. And take heed
+also to thyself and thine own kingdom if thou permit this new fashion
+of driving forth kings to go unpunished. For surely there is that in
+freedom which men greatly desire, and if they that be kings defend not
+their dignity as stoutly as others seek to overthrow it, then shall
+the highest be made even as the lowest, and there shall be an end of
+kingship, than which there is nothing more honorable under heaven."
+With these words they persuaded King Porsenna, who judging it well for
+the Etrurians that there should be a king at Rome, and that king an
+Etrurian by birth, gathered together a great army and came up against
+Rome. But when men heard of his coming, so mighty a city was Clusium
+in those days, and so great the fame of King Porsenna, there was such
+fear as had never been before. Nevertheless they were steadfastly
+purposed to hold out. And first all that were in the country fled into
+the city, and round about the city they set guards to keep it, part
+thereof being defended by walls, and part, for so it seemed,
+being made safe by the river. But here a great peril had well-nigh
+over-taken the city; for there was a wooden bridge on the river by
+which the enemy had crossed but for the courage of a certain Horatius
+Cocles. The matter fell out in this wise.
+
+[Footnote 1: King Tarquin had been driven from Rome because of his
+tyranny.]
+
+There was a certain hill which men called Janiculum on the side of the
+river, and this hill King Porsenna took by a sudden attack. Which when
+Horatius saw (for he chanced to have been set to guard the bridge, and
+saw also how the enemy were running at full speed to the place, and
+how the Romans were fleeing in confusion and threw away their arms
+as they ran), he cried with a loud voice, "Men of Rome, it is to no
+purpose that ye thus leave your post and flee, for if ye leave this
+bridge behind you for men to pass over, ye shall soon find that ye
+have more enemies in your city than in Janiculum. Do ye therefore
+break it down with axe and fire as best ye can. In the meanwhile I,
+so far as one man may do, will stay the enemy." And as he spake he ran
+forward to the farther end of the bridge and made ready to keep the
+way against the enemy. Nevertheless there stood two with him, Lartius
+and Herminius by name, men of noble birth both of them and of great
+renown in arms. So these three for a while stayed the first onset of
+the enemy; and the men of Rome meanwhile brake down the bridge. And
+when there was but a small part remaining, and they that brake it down
+called to the three that they should come back, Horatius bade Lartius
+and Herminius return, but he himself remained on the farther side,
+turning his eyes full of wrath in threatening fashion on the princes
+of the Etrurians, and crying, "Dare ye now to fight with me? or why
+are ye thus come at the bidding of your master, King Porsenna, to rob
+others of the freedom that ye care not to have for yourselves?" For a
+while they delayed, looking each man to his neighbor, who should first
+deal with this champion of the Romans. Then, for very shame, they all
+ran forward, and raising a great shout, threw their javelins at him.
+These all he took upon his shield, nor stood the less firmly in his
+place on the bridge, from which when they would have thrust him by
+force, of a sudden the men of Rome raised a great shout, for the
+bridge was now altogether broken down, and fell with a great crash
+into the river. And as the enemy stayed a while for fear, Horatius
+turned him to the river and said, "O Father Tiber, I beseech thee this
+day with all reverence that thou kindly receive this soldier and his
+arms." And as he spake he leapt with all his arms into the river and
+swam across to his own people, and though many javelins of the enemy
+fell about him, he was not one whit hurt. Nor did such valor fail to
+receive due honor from the city. For the citizens set up a statue of
+Horatius in the market-place; and they gave him of the public land so
+much as he could plow about in one day. Also there was this honor paid
+him, that each citizen took somewhat of his own store and gave it to
+him, for food was scarce in the city by reason of the siege.
+
+
+
+
+HOW CINCINNATUS SAVED ROME
+
+ADAPTED BY ALFRED J. CHURCH
+
+
+It came to pass that the Æquians brake the treaty of peace which they
+had made with Rome, and, taking one Gacchus Cloelius for their leader,
+marched into the land of Tusculum; and when they had plundered the
+country there-abouts, and had gathered together much booty, they
+pitched their camp on Mount Ægidus. To them the Romans sent three
+ambassadors, who should complain of the wrong done and seek redress.
+But when they would have fulfilled their errand, Gracchus the Æquin
+spake, saying, "If ye have any message from the Senate of Rome, tell
+it to this oak, for I have other business to do;" for it chanced that
+there was a great oak that stood hard by, and made a shadow over the
+general's tent. Then one of the ambassadors, as he turned to depart,
+made reply, "Yes, let this sacred oak and all the gods that are in
+heaven hear how ye have wrongfully broken the treaty of peace; and let
+them that hear help us also in the day of battle, when we shall avenge
+on you the laws both of gods and of men that ye set at nought."
+
+When the ambassadors had returned to Rome the Senate commanded that
+there should be levied two armies; and that Minucius the Consul should
+march with the one against the Æquians on Mount Ægidus, and that the
+other should hinder the enemy from their plundering. This levying the
+tribunes of the Commons sought to hinder; and perchance had done so,
+but there also came well-nigh to the walls of the city a great host of
+the Sabines plundering all the country. Thereupon the people willingly
+offered themselves and there were levied forthwith two great armies.
+Nevertheless when the Consul Minucius had marched to Mount Ægidus, and
+had pitched his camp not far from the Æquians, he did nought for fear
+of the enemy, but kept himself within his entrenchments. And when the
+enemy perceived that he was afraid, growing the bolder for his lack of
+courage, they drew lines about him, keeping him in on every side. Yet
+before that he was altogether shut up there escaped from his camp five
+horsemen, that bare tidings to Rome how that the Consul, together with
+his army, was besieged. The people were sorely dismayed to hear such
+tidings; nor, when they cast about for help, saw they any man that
+might be sufficient for such peril, save only Cincinnatus. By common
+consent, therefore, he was made Dictator for six months, a thing that
+may well be noted by those who hold that nothing is to be accounted of
+in comparison of riches, and that no man may win great honor or show
+forth singular virtue unless he be well furnished with wealth. For
+here in this great peril of the Roman people there was no hope of
+safety but in one who was cultivating with his own hand a little plot
+of scarcely three acres of ground. For when the messengers of the
+people came to him they found him plowing, or, as some say, digging a
+ditch. When they had greeted each other, the messengers said, "May the
+Gods prosper this thing to the Roman people and to thee. Put on thy
+robe and hear the words of the people." Then said Cincinnatus, being
+not a little astonished, "Is all well?" and at the same time he called
+to his wife Racilia that she should bring forth his robe from the
+cottage. So she brought it forth, and the man wiped from him the dust
+and the sweat, and clad himself in his robe, and stood before the
+messengers. These said to him, "The people of Rome make thee Dictator,
+and bid thee come forthwith to the city." And at the same time they
+told how the Consul and his army were besieged by the Æquians. So
+Cincinnatus departed to Rome; and when he came to the other side of
+the Tiber there met him first his three sons, and next many of his
+kinsfolk and friends, and after them a numerous company of the nobles.
+These all conducted him to his house, the lictors, four and twenty
+in number, marching before him. There was also assembled a very great
+concourse of the people, fearing much how the Dictator might deal with
+them, for they knew what manner of man he was, and that there was no
+limit to his power, nor any appeal from him.
+
+The next day, before dawn, the Dictator came into the market-place,
+and appointed one Lucius Tarquinius to be Master of the Horse. This
+Tarquinius was held by common consent to excel all other men in
+exercises of war; only, though, being a noble by birth, he should have
+been among the horsemen, he had served for lack of means, as a foot
+soldier. This done he called an assembly of the people and commanded
+that all the shops in the city should be shut; that no man should
+concern himself with any private business, but all that were of an age
+to go to the war should be present before sunset in the Field of Mars,
+each man having with him provisions of cooked food for five days, and
+twelve stakes. As for them that were past the age, they should prepare
+the food while the young men made ready their arms and sought for
+the stakes. These last they took as they found them, no man hindering
+them; and when the time appointed by the Dictator was come, all were
+assembled, ready, as occasion might serve, either to march or to give
+battle. Forthwith they set out, the Dictator leading the foot soldiers
+by their legions, and Tarquinius the horsemen, and each bidding them
+that followed make all haste. "We must needs come," they said, "to our
+journey's end while it is yet night. Remember that the Consul and his
+army have been besieged now for three days, and that no man knows what
+a day or a night may bring forth." The soldiers themselves also were
+zealous to obey, crying out to the standard-bearers that they should
+quicken their steps, and to their fellows that they should not lag
+behind. Thus they came at midnight to Mount Ædigus, and when they
+perceived that the enemy was at hand they halted the standards. Then
+the Dictator rode forward to see, so far as the darkness would suffer
+him, how great was the camp of the Æquians and after what fashion
+it was pitched. This done he commanded that the baggage should be
+gathered together into a heap, and that the soldiers should stand
+every man in his own place. After this he compassed about the whole
+army of the enemy with his own army, and commanded that at a set
+signal every man should shout, and when they had shouted should dig a
+trench and set up therein the stakes. This the soldiers did, and the
+noise of the shouting passed over the camp of the enemy and came into
+the city, causing therein great joy, even as it caused great fear
+in the camp. For the Romans cried, "These be our countrymen and they
+bring us help." Then said the Consul, "We must make no delay. By that
+shout is signified, not that they are come only, but that they are
+already dealing with the enemy. Doubtless the camp of the Æquians is
+even now assailed from without. Take ye your arms and follow me." So
+the legion went forth, it being yet night, to the battle, and as they
+went they shouted, that the Dictator might be aware. Now the Æquians
+had set themselves to hinder the making of a ditch and rampart which
+should shut them in; but when the Romans from the camp fell upon them,
+fearing lest these should make their way through the midst of their
+camp, they left them that were with Cincinnatus to finish their
+entrenching, and fought with the Consul. And when it was now light,
+lo! they were already shut in, and the Romans, having finished their
+entrenching, began to trouble them. And when the Æquians perceived
+that the battle was now on either side of them, they could withstand
+no longer, but sent ambassadors praying for peace, and saying, "Ye
+have prevailed; slay us not, but rather permit us to depart, leaving
+our arms behind us." Then said the Dictator, "I care not to have the
+blood of the Æquians. Ye may depart, but ye shall depart passing under
+the yoke, that ye may thus acknowledge to all men that ye are indeed
+vanquished." Now the yoke is thus made. There are set up in the ground
+two spears, and over them is bound by ropes a third spear. So the
+Æquians passed under the yoke.
+
+In the camp of the enemy there was found abundance of spoil. This the
+Dictator gave wholly to his own soldiers. "Ye were well-nigh a spoil
+to the enemy," said he to the army of the Consul, "therefore ye shall
+have no share in the spoiling of them. As for thee, Minucius, be
+thou a lieutenant only till thou hast learnt how to bear thyself as a
+consul." Meanwhile at Rome there was held a meeting of the Senate,
+at which it was commanded that Cincinnatus should enter the city in
+triumph, his soldiers following him in order of march. Before his
+chariot there were led the generals of the enemy; also the standards
+were carried in the front; and after these came the army, every man
+laden with spoil. That day there was great rejoicing in the city,
+every man setting forth a banquet before his doors in the street.
+
+After this, Virginius, that had borne false witness against Cæso, was
+found guilty of perjury, and went into exile. And when Cincinnatus
+saw that justice had been done to this evildoer, he resigned his
+dictatorship, having held it for sixteen days only.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+HEROES OF GREAT BRITAIN
+
+
+
+
+BEOWULF
+
+ADAPTED BY H.E. MARSHALL
+
+
+
+
+I
+
+HOW BEOWULF OVERCAME THE OGRE AND THE WATER-WITCH
+
+
+Long ago, there lived in Daneland a King, beloved of all, called
+Hrothgar. He was valiant and mighty in war, overcoming all his foes
+and taking from them much spoil. Looking upon his great treasure, King
+Hrothgar said, "I will build me a great hall. It shall be vast and
+wide, adorned within and without with gold and ivory, with gems and
+carved work. It shall be a hall of joy and feasting."
+
+Then King Hrothgar called his workmen and gave them commandment to
+build the hall. They set to work, and becoming each day more fair, the
+hall was at length finished. It stood upon a height, vast and stately,
+and as it was adorned with the horns of deer, King Hrothgar named it
+Hart Hall. The King made a great feast. To it his warriors young and
+old were called, and he divided his treasure, giving to each rings
+of gold. And so in the hall there was laughter and song and great
+merriment. Every evening when the shadows fell, and the land grew dark
+without, the knights and warriors gathered in the hall to feast. And
+when the feast was over, and the great fire roared upon the hearth,
+the minstrel took his harp and sang. Far over dreary fen and moorland
+the light glowed cheerfully, and the sound of song and harp awoke the
+deep silence of the night. Within the hall was light and gladness, but
+without there was wrath and hate. For far on the moor there lived
+a wicked giant named Grendel, prowling at night to see what evil he
+might do.
+
+Very terrible was this ogre Grendel to look upon. Thick black hair
+hung about his face, and his teeth were long and sharp, like the tusks
+of an animal. His huge body and great hairy arms had the strength of
+ten men. He wore no armor, for his skin was tougher than any coat
+of mail that man or giant might weld. His nails were like steel and
+sharper than daggers, and by his side there hung a great pouch in
+which he carried off those whom he was ready to devour. Day by day the
+music of harp and song was a torture to him and made him more and more
+mad with jealous hate.
+
+At length he crept through the darkness to Hart Hall where the
+warriors slept after feast and song. Arms and armor had been thrown
+aside, so with ease the ogre slew thirty of the bravest. Howling with
+wicked joy he carried them off and devoured them. The next night,
+again the wicked one crept stealthily through the darkening moorland
+until he reached Hart Hall, stretched forth his hand, and seized the
+bravest of the warriors. In the morning each man swore that he would
+not again sleep beneath the roof of the hall. For twelve years it
+stood thus, no man daring, except in the light of day, to enter it.
+
+And now it came to pass that across the sea in far Gothland the tale
+of Grendel and his wrath was carried to Beowulf the Goth, who said he
+would go to King Hrothgar to help him. Taking with him fifteen good
+comrades, he set sail for Daneland.
+
+When Hrothgar was told that Beowulf had come to help him, he said,
+"I knew him when he was yet a lad. His father and his mother have I
+known. Truly he hath sought a friend. I have heard that he is much
+renowned in war, and hath the strength of thirty men in the grip of
+his hand. I pray Heaven he hath been sent to free us from the horror
+of Grendel. Bid Beowulf and his warriors to enter."
+
+Guided by the Danish knight, Beowulf and his men went into Hart Hall
+and stood before the aged Hrothgar. After friendly words of greeting
+Beowulf said, "And now will I fight against Grendel, bearing neither
+sword nor shield. With my hands alone will I grapple with the fiend,
+and foe to foe we will fight for victory."
+
+That night Beowulf's comrades slept in Hart Hall. Beowulf alone
+remained awake. Out of the mists of the moorland the Evil Thing
+strode. Loud he laughed as he gazed upon the sleeping warriors.
+Beowulf, watchful and angry, curbed his wrath. Grendel seized one of
+the men, drank his blood, crushed his bones, and swallowed his horrid
+feast. Then Beowulf caught the monster and fought till the noise of
+the contest was as of thunder. The knights awoke and tried to plunge
+their swords into the hide of Grendel, but in vain. By enchantments he
+had made himself safe. At length the fight came to an end. The sinews
+in Grendel's shoulder burst, the bones cracked. The ogre tore himself
+free, leaving his arm in Beowulf's mighty grip.
+
+Sobbing forth his death-song, Grendel fled till he reached his
+dwelling in the lake of the water-dragons, and there plunged in. The
+dark waves closed over him and he sank to his home. Loud were the
+songs of triumph in Hart Hall, great the rejoicing, for Beowulf had
+made good his boast. He had cleansed the hall of the ogre. A splendid
+feast was made and much treasure given to Beowulf by the King and
+Queen.
+
+Again did the Dane lords sleep in the great hall, but far away in the
+water-dragons' lake the mother of Grendel wept over the dead body
+of her son, desiring revenge. Very terrible to look upon was this
+water-witch. As the darkness fell she crept across the moorland to
+Hart Hall. In she rushed eager for slaughter. A wild cry rang through
+the hall. The water-witch fled, but in doing so carried off the best
+beloved of all the King's warriors.
+
+Quickly was Beowulf called and he rode forth to the dark lake. Down
+and down he dived till he came to the cave of the water-witch whom he
+killed after a desperate struggle. Hard by on a couch lay the body of
+Grendel. Drawing his sword he smote off the ogre's head. Swimming up
+with it he reached the surface and sprang to land, and was greeted by
+his faithful thanes. Four of them were needed to carry the huge head
+back to Hart Hall.
+
+His task being done Beowulf made haste to return to his own land that
+he might seek his own King, Hygelac, and lay before him the treasures
+that Hrothgar had given him. With gracious words the old King thanked
+the young warrior, and bade him to come again right speedily. Hygelac
+listened with wonder and delight to all that had happened in Daneland
+and graciously received the splendid gifts.
+
+For many years Beowulf lived beloved of all, and when it befell that
+Hygelac died in battle, the broad realm of Gothland was given unto
+Beowulf to rule. And there for fifty years he reigned a well-loved
+King.
+
+
+
+
+II
+
+HOW THE FIRE DRAGON WARRED WITH THE GOTH FOLK
+
+
+And now when many years had come and gone and the realm had long time
+been at peace, sorrow came upon the people of the Goths. And thus it
+was that the evil came.
+
+It fell upon a time that a slave by his misdeeds roused his master's
+wrath, and when his lord would have punished him he fled in terror.
+And as he fled trembling to hide himself, he came by chance into a
+great cave.
+
+There the slave hid, thankful for refuge. But soon he had cause to
+tremble in worse fear than before, for in the darkness of the cave
+he saw that a fearful dragon lay asleep. Then as the slave gazed
+in terror at the awful beast, he saw that it lay guarding a mighty
+treasure.
+
+Never had he seen such a mass of wealth. Swords and armor inlaid with
+gold, cups and vessels of gold and silver set with precious stones,
+rings and bracelets lay piled around in glittering heaps.
+
+For hundreds of years this treasure had lain there in secret. A great
+prince had buried it in sorrow for his dead warriors. In his land
+there had been much fighting until he alone of all his people was
+left. Then in bitter grief he gathered all his treasure and hid it in
+this cave.
+
+"Take, O earth," he cried, "what the heroes might not keep. Lo! good
+men and true once before earned it from thee. Now a warlike death hath
+taken away every man of my people. There is none now to bear the sword
+or receive the cup. There is no more joy in the battle-field or in the
+hall of peace. So here shall the gold-adorned helmet molder, here the
+coat of mail rust and the wine-cup lie empty."
+
+Thus the sad prince mourned. Beside his treasure he sat weeping both
+day and night until death took him also, and of all his people there
+was none left.
+
+So the treasure lay hidden and secret for many a day.
+
+Then upon a time it happened that a great dragon, fiery-eyed and
+fearful, as it flew by night and prowled seeking mischief, came upon
+the buried hoard.
+
+As men well know, a dragon ever loveth gold. So to guard his new-found
+wealth lest any should come to rob him of it, he laid him down there
+and the cave became his dwelling. Thus for three hundred years he lay
+gloating over his treasure, no man disturbing him.
+
+But now at length it chanced that the fleeing slave lighted upon the
+hoard. His eyes were dazzled by the shining heap. Upon it lay a cup of
+gold, wondrously chased and adorned.
+
+"If I can but gain that cup," said the slave to himself, "I will
+return with it to my master, and for the sake of the gold he will
+surely forgive me."
+
+So while the dragon slept, trembling and fearful the slave crept
+nearer and nearer to the glittering mass. When he came quite near he
+reached forth his hand and seized the cup. Then with it he fled back
+to his master.
+
+It befell then as the slave had foreseen. For the sake of the wondrous
+cup his misdeeds were forgiven him.
+
+But when the dragon awoke his fury was great. Well knew he that mortal
+man had trod his cave and stolen of his hoard.
+
+Round and round about he sniffed and searched until he discovered the
+footprints of his foe. Eagerly then all over the ground he sought
+to find the man who, while he slept, had done him this ill. Hot
+and fierce of mood he went backwards and forwards round about his
+treasure-heaps. All within the cave he searched in vain. Then coming
+forth he searched without. All round the hill in which his cave was
+he prowled, but no man could he find, nor in all the wilds around was
+there any man.
+
+Again the old dragon returned, again he searched among his
+treasure-heap for the precious cup. Nowhere was it to be found. It was
+too surely gone.
+
+But the dragon, as well as loving gold, loved war. So now in angry
+mood he lay couched in his lair. Scarce could he wait until darkness
+fell, such was his wrath. With fire he was resolved to repay the loss
+of his dear drinking-cup.
+
+At last, to the joy of the great winged beast, the sun sank. Then
+forth from his cave he came, flaming fire.
+
+Spreading his mighty wings, he flew through the air until he came to
+the houses of men. Then spitting forth flame, he set fire to many a
+happy homestead. Wherever the lightning of his tongue struck, there
+fire flamed forth, until where the fair homes of men had been there
+was naught but blackened ruins. Here and there, this way and that,
+through all the land he sped, and wherever he passed fire flamed
+aloft.
+
+The warfare of the dragon was seen from far. The malice of the worm
+was known from north to south, from east to west. All men knew how the
+fearful foe hated and ruined the Goth folk.
+
+Then having worked mischief and desolation all night through, the
+fire-dragon turned back; to his secret cave he slunk again ere break
+of day. Behind him he left the land wasted and desolate.
+
+The dragon had no fear of the revenge of man. In his fiery warfare he
+trusted to find shelter in his hill, and in his secret cave. But in
+that trust he was misled.
+
+Speedily to King Beowulf were the tidings of the dragon and his
+spoiling carried. For alas! even his own fair palace was wrapped in
+flame. Before his eyes he saw the fiery tongues lick up his treasures.
+Even the Gift-seat of the Goths melted in fire.
+
+Then was the good King sorrowful. His heart boiled within him with
+angry thoughts. The fire-dragon had utterly destroyed the pleasant
+homes of his people. For this the war-prince greatly desired to punish
+him.
+
+Therefore did Beowulf command that a great shield should be made for
+him, all of iron. He knew well that a shield of wood could not help
+him in this need. Wood against fire! Nay, that were useless. His
+shield must be all of iron.
+
+Too proud, too, was Beowulf, the hero of old time, to seek the winged
+beast with a troop of soldiers. Not thus would he overcome him. He
+feared not for himself, nor did he dread the dragon's war-craft. For
+with his valor and his skill Beowulf had succeeded many a time. He had
+been victorious in many a tumult of battle since that day when a young
+man and a warrior prosperous in victory, he had cleansed Hart Hall by
+grappling with Grendel and his kin.
+
+And now when the great iron shield was ready, he chose eleven of his
+best thanes and set out to seek the dragon. Very wrathful was the old
+King, very desirous that death should take his fiery foe. He hoped,
+too, to win the great treasure of gold which the fell beast guarded.
+For already Beowulf had learned whence the feud arose, whence came the
+anger which had been so hurtful to his people. And the precious cup,
+the cause of all the quarrel, had been brought to him.
+
+With the band of warriors went the slave who had stolen the cup. He
+it was who must be their guide to the cave, for he alone of all
+men living knew the way thither. Loth he was to be their guide. But
+captive and bound he was forced to lead the way over the plain to the
+dragon's hill.
+
+Unwillingly he went with lagging footsteps until at length he came
+to the cave hard by the seashore. There by the sounding waves lay the
+savage guardian of the treasure. Ready for war and fierce was he. It
+was no easy battle that was there prepared for any man, brave though
+he might be.
+
+And now on the rocky point above the sea King Beowulf sat himself
+down. Here he would bid farewell to all his thanes ere he began the
+combat. For what man might tell which from that fight should come
+forth victorious?
+
+Beowulf's mind was sad. He was now old. His hair was white, his face
+was wrinkled and gray. But still his arm was strong as that of a young
+man. Yet something within him warned him that death was not far off.
+
+So upon the rocky point he sat and bade farewell to his dear comrades.
+
+"In my youth," said the aged King, "many battles have I dared, and
+yet must I, the guardian of my people, though I be full of years, seek
+still another feud. And again will I win glory if the wicked spoiler
+of my land will but come forth from his lair."
+
+Much he spoke. With loving words he bade farewell to each one of his
+men, greeting his dear comrades for the last time.
+
+"I would not bear a sword or weapon against the winged beast," he said
+at length, "if I knew how else I might grapple with the wretch, as of
+old I did with Grendel. But I ween this war-fire is hot, fierce, and
+poisonous. Therefore I have clad me in a coat of mail, and bear this
+shield all of iron. I will not flee a single step from the guardian of
+the treasure. But to us upon this rampart it shall be as fate will.
+
+"Now let me make no more vaunting speech. Ready to fight am I. Let me
+forth against the winged beast. Await ye here on the mount, clad in
+your coats of mail, your arms ready. Abide ye here until ye see which
+of us twain in safety cometh forth from the clash of battle.
+
+"It is no enterprise for you, or for any common man. It is mine alone.
+Alone I needs must go against the wretch and prove myself a warrior.
+I must with courage win the gold, or else deadly, baleful war shall
+fiercely snatch me, your lord, from life."
+
+Then Beowulf arose. He was all clad in shining armor, his gold-decked
+helmet was upon his head, and taking his shield in hand he strode
+under the stony cliffs towards the cavern's mouth. In the strength of
+his single arm he trusted against the fiery dragon.
+
+No enterprise this for a coward.
+
+
+
+
+III
+
+HOW BEOWULF OVERCAME THE DRAGON
+
+
+Beowulf left his comrades upon the rocky point jutting out into the
+sea, and alone he strode onward until he spied a great stone arch.
+From beneath the arch, from out the hillside, flowed a stream seething
+with fierce, hot fire. In this way the dragon guarded his lair, for it
+was impossible to pass such a barrier unhurt.
+
+So upon the edge of this burning river Beowulf stood and called aloud
+in anger. Stout of heart and wroth against the winged beast was he.
+
+The King's voice echoed like a war-cry through the cavern. The dragon
+heard it and was aroused to fresh hate of man. For the guardian of the
+treasure-hoard knew well the sound of mortal voice. Now was there no
+long pause ere battle raged.
+
+First from out the cavern flamed forth the breath of the winged
+beast. Hot sweat of battle rose from out the rock. The earth shook and
+growling thunder trembled through the air.
+
+The dragon, ringed around with many-colored scales, was now hot for
+battle, and, as the hideous beast crept forth, Beowulf raised his
+mighty shield and rushed against him.
+
+Already the King had drawn his sword. It was an ancient heirloom, keen
+of edge and bright. Many a time it had been dyed in blood; many a time
+it had won glory and victory.
+
+But ere they closed, the mighty foes paused. Each knew the hate and
+deadly power of the other.
+
+The mighty Prince, firm and watchful, stood guarded by his shield. The
+dragon, crouching as in ambush, awaited him.
+
+Then suddenly like a flaming arch the dragon bent and towered, and
+dashed upon the Lord of the Goths. Up swung the arm of the hero, and
+dealt a mighty blow to the grisly, many-colored beast. But the famous
+sword was all too weak against such a foe. The edge turned and bit
+less strongly than its great king had need, for he was sore pressed.
+His shield, too, proved no strong shelter from the wrathful dragon.
+
+The warlike blow made greater still the anger of the fiery foe. Now he
+belched forth flaming fire. All around fierce lightnings darted.
+
+Beowulf no longer hoped for glorious victory. His sword had failed
+him. The edge was turned and blunted upon the scaly foe. He had never
+thought the famous steel would so ill serve him. Yet he fought on
+ready to lose his life in such good contest.
+
+Again the battle paused, again the King and dragon closed in fight.
+
+The dragon-guardian of the treasure had renewed his courage. His heart
+heaved and boiled with fire, and fresh strength breathed from him.
+Beowulf was wrapped in flame. Dire was his need.
+
+Yet of all his comrades none came near to help. Nay, as they watched
+the conflict they were filled with base fear, and fled to the wood
+hard by for refuge.
+
+Only one among them sorrowed for his master, and as he watched his
+heart was wrung with grief.
+
+Wiglaf was this knight called, and he was Beowulf's kinsman. Now when
+he saw his liege lord hard pressed in battle he remembered all the
+favors Beowulf had heaped upon him. He remembered all the honors
+and the wealth which he owed to his King. Then could he no longer be
+still. Shield and spear he seized, but ere he sped to aid his King he
+turned to his comrades.
+
+"When our lord and King gave us swords and armor," he cried, "did we
+not promise to follow him in battle whenever he had need? When he of
+his own will chose us for this expedition he reminded us of our fame.
+He said he knew us to be good warriors, bold helmet-wearers. And
+although indeed our liege lord thought to do this work of valor alone,
+without us, because more than any man he hath done glorious and rash
+deeds, lo! now is the day come that hath need of strength and of good
+warriors. Come, let us go to him. Let us help our chieftain although
+the grim terror of fire be hot.
+
+"Heaven knoweth I would rather the flame would blast my body than his
+who gave me gold. It seemeth not fitting to me that we should bear
+back our shields to our homes unless we may first fell the foe and
+defend the life of our King. Nay, it is not of the old custom of the
+Goths that the King alone should suffer, that he alone should sink in
+battle. Our lord should be repaid for his gifts to us, and so he shall
+be by me even if death take us twain."
+
+But none would hearken to Wiglaf. So alone he sped through the deadly
+smoke and flame, till to his master's side he came offering aid.
+
+"My lord Beowulf," he cried, "fight on as thou didst in thy
+youth-time. Erstwhile didst thou say that thou wouldst not let thy
+greatness sink so long as life lasteth. Defend thou thy life with all
+might. I will support thee to the utmost."
+
+When the dragon heard these words his fury was doubled. The fell
+wicked beast came on again belching forth fire, such was his hatred of
+men. The flame-waves caught Wiglaf's shield, for it was but of wood.
+It was burned utterly, so that only the stud of steel remained. His
+coat of mail alone was not enough to guard the young warrior from
+the fiery enemy. But right valiantly he went on fighting beneath the
+shelter of Beowulf's shield now that his own was consumed to ashes by
+the flames.
+
+Then again the warlike King called to mind his ancient glories, again
+he struck with main strength with his good sword upon the monstrous
+head. Hate sped the blow.
+
+But alas! as it descended the famous sword Nægling snapped asunder.
+Beowulf's sword had failed him in the conflict, although it was an old
+and well-wrought blade. To him it was not granted that weapons should
+help him in battle. The hand that swung the sword was too strong. His
+might overtaxed every blade however wondrously the smith had welded
+it.
+
+And now a third time the fell fire-dragon was roused to wrath. He
+rushed upon the King. Hot, and fiercely grim the great beast seized
+Beowulf's neck in his horrid teeth. The hero's life-blood gushed
+forth, the crimson stream darkly dyed his bright armor.
+
+Then in the great King's need his warrior showed skill and courage.
+Heeding not the flames from the awful mouth, Wiglaf struck the dragon
+below the neck. His hand was burned with the fire, but his sword dived
+deep into the monster's body and from that moment the flames began to
+abate.
+
+The horrid teeth relaxed their hold, and Beowulf, quickly recovering
+himself, drew his deadly knife. Battle-sharp and keen it was, and with
+it the hero gashed the dragon right in the middle.
+
+The foe was conquered. Glowing in death he fell. They twain had
+destroyed the winged beast. Such should a warrior be, such a thane in
+need.
+
+To the King it was a victorious moment. It was the crown of all his
+deeds.
+
+Then began the wound which the fire-dragon had wrought him to burn and
+to swell. Beowulf soon found that baleful poison boiled in his heart.
+Well knew he that the end was nigh. Lost in deep thought he sat upon
+the mound and gazed wondering at the cave. Pillared and arched with
+stone-work it was within, wrought by giants and dwarfs of old time.
+
+And to him came Wiglaf his dear warrior and tenderly bathed his wound
+with water.
+
+Then spake Beowulf, in spite of his deadly wound he spake, and all his
+words were of the ending of his life, for he knew that his days of joy
+upon this earth were past.
+
+"Had a son been granted to me, to him I should have left my
+war-garments. Fifty years have I ruled this people, and there has been
+no king of all the nations round who durst meet me in battle. I have
+known joys and sorrows, but no man have I betrayed, nor many false
+oaths have I sworn. For all this may I rejoice, though I be now sick
+with mortal wounds. The Ruler of Men may not upbraid me with treachery
+or murder of kinsmen when my soul shall depart from its body.
+
+"But now, dear Wiglaf, go thou quickly to the hoard of gold which
+lieth under the hoary rock. The dragon lieth dead; now sleepeth he
+for ever, sorely wounded and bereft of his treasure. Then haste thee,
+Wiglaf, for I would see the ancient wealth, the gold treasure, the
+jewels, the curious gems. Haste thee to bring it hither; then after
+that I have seen it, I shall the more contentedly give up my life and
+the kingship that I so long have held."
+
+Quickly Wiglaf obeyed his wounded lord. Into the dark cave he
+descended, and there outspread before him was a wondrous sight.
+Treasure of jewels, many glittering and golden, lay upon the ground.
+Wondrous vessels of old time with broken ornaments were scattered
+round. Here, too, lay old and rusty helmets, mingled with bracelets
+and collars cunningly wrought.
+
+Upon the walls hung golden flags. From one a light shone forth by
+which the whole cavern was made clear. And all within was silent. No
+sign was there of any guardian, for without lay the dragon, sleeping
+death's sleep.
+
+Quickly Wiglaf gathered of the treasures all that he could carry.
+Dishes and cups he took, a golden ensign and a sword curiously
+wrought. In haste he returned, for he knew not if he should find his
+lord in life where he had left him.
+
+And when Wiglaf came again to where Beowulf sat he poured the treasure
+at his feet. But he found his lord in a deep swoon. Again the brave
+warrior bathed Beowulf's wound and laved the stricken countenance of
+his lord, until once more he came to himself.
+
+Then spake the King: "For this treasure I give thanks to the Lord of
+All. Not in vain have I given my life, for it shall be of great good
+to my people in need. And now leave me, for on this earth longer I may
+not stay. Say to my warriors that they shall raise a mound upon the
+rocky point which jutteth seaward. High shall it stand as a memorial
+to my people. Let it soar upward so that they who steer their slender
+barks over the tossing waves shall call it Beowulf's mound."
+
+The King then took from his neck the golden collar. To Wiglaf, his
+young thane and kinsman, he gave it. He gave also his helmet adorned
+with gold, his ring and coat of mail, and bade the warrior use them
+well.
+
+"Thou art the last of our race," he said. "Fate hath swept away all my
+kinsmen, all the mighty earls. Now I too must follow them."
+
+That was the last word of the aged King. From his bosom the soul fled
+to seek the dwellings of the just. At Wiglaf's feet he lay quiet and
+still.
+
+
+
+
+HOW KING ARTHUR CONQUERED ROME
+
+ADAPTED BY E. EDWARDSON
+
+
+King Arthur had just brought a great war to an end, and in honor of
+his victory he was holding a royal feast with the kings and princes
+that were his vassals and all the knights of the Round Table, when
+twelve grave and ancient men entered the banquet-hall where he sat
+at table. They bore each an olive-branch in his hand, to signify that
+they were ambassadors from Lucius the Emperor of Rome, and after they
+had reverently made obeisance to King Arthur, they delivered their
+message as follows:
+
+"The high and mighty Emperor Lucius sends you greeting, O King of
+Britain, and he commands you to acknowledge him as your lord, and
+to pay the tribute which is due from this realm, and which, it is
+recorded, was paid by your father and others who came before him.
+Yet you rebelliously withhold it and keep it back, in defiance of
+the statutes and decrees made by the first Emperor of Rome, the noble
+Julius Caesar, who conquered this country. And be assured that if you
+disobey this command, the Emperor Lucius will come in his might and
+make war against you and your kingdom, and will inflict upon you a
+chastisement that shall serve for ever as a warning to all kings and
+princes not to withhold the tribute due to that noble empire to which
+belongs dominion over the whole world."
+
+Thus they spoke, and King Arthur having heard their request, bade
+them withdraw, saying that he would take the advice of his counselors
+before giving them his answer; but some of the younger knights that
+were in the hall declared that it was a disgrace to all who were
+at the feast that such language should be used to the King in their
+hearing, and they would fain have fallen upon the ambassadors and
+slain them. But King Arthur, hearing their murmurs, declared that any
+insult or wrong suffered by the ambassadors should be punished with
+death. Then he sent them to their quarters, escorted by one of his
+knights, who was ordered to provide them with whatever they wanted.
+
+"Let nothing be grudged these men of Rome," said the King "though the
+demand they make is an affront alike to me and to you who are of my
+court. I should be dishonored were the ambassadors not treated with
+the respect due to them, seeing that they are great lords in their own
+land."
+
+As soon as the ambassadors had left the hall, King Arthur asked his
+knights and lords what was their advice and counsel in the matter. The
+first to give his opinion was Sir Cador of Cornwall.
+
+"Sir," said Sir Cador, "the message brought by these lords is most
+welcome to me. We have spent full many days at rest and in idleness,
+and now my hope is that you will wage war against the Romans. In that
+war we shall, I have little doubt, win great honor."
+
+"I am sure," answered King Arthur, "that this affair is welcome to
+you, but I seek, above all, your aid in devising a grave and suitable
+answer to the demand they have made. And let no man doubt that I hold
+that demand to be a grievous insult. The tribute they claim, in my
+opinion, not only is not due, but cannot be due; for more than one
+British knight having been Emperor of Rome, it is, I hold, the duty of
+Rome to acknowledge the lordship of Britain, rather than of Britain to
+acknowledge that of Rome. What think ye?"
+
+"Sir," replied King Anguish of Scotland, "you ought of right to be
+lord over all other kings, for throughout Christendom there is neither
+knight nor man of high estate worthy to be compared with you. My
+advice is, never yield to the Romans. When they reigned over us, they
+oppressed our principal men, and laid heavy and extortionate burdens
+upon the land. For that cause I, standing here, solemnly vow vengeance
+upon them for the evil they then did, and, to support you in your
+quarrel, I will at my own cost furnish twenty thousand good fighting
+men. This force I will command in person, and I will bring it to your
+aid whenever you choose to summon me."
+
+In like manner, the King of Little Britain, as Brittany was called
+in those days, undertook to furnish thirty thousand men; and all the
+others who were present agreed to fight on King Arthur's side, and to
+assist him to the utmost of their power. So he, having thanked
+them heartily for the courage and good will towards him that they
+displayed, had the ambassadors summoned back into the banquet-hall and
+addressed them thus:
+
+"I would have you go back to him who sent you, and I would have you
+say to him that I will pay no heed to any orders or demands that may
+be brought from him; and as for tribute so far am I from allowing
+that there is any tribute due from me or to any other man or prince
+upon earth, be he heathen or Christian, that I claim lordship over
+the empire he now has. And say further to him, that I have determined
+and resolved to go to Rome with my army, to take possession of the
+empire and to subdue all that behave themselves rebelliously.
+Therefore, let your master and all the other men of Rome get
+themselves ready to do homage to me, and to acknowledge me as their
+emperor and governor, and let them know that if they refuse, they
+will be punished befittingly."
+
+Then King Arthur bade his treasurer give handsome gifts to the
+ambassadors, and repay in full the cost of their journey, and he
+assigned Sir Cador as their escort to see them safely out of the
+country. So they took their leave, and going to Sandwich, sailed
+thence, and passed through Flanders and Germany over the Alps into
+Italy to the court of the Emperor.
+
+When the Emperor heard what message King Arthur had entrusted to
+them, and understood that this was indeed the reply to his demand for
+tribute, he was grievously angry.
+
+"Of truth," he said, "I never doubted that King Arthur would obey my
+commands and submit, as it befits him and all other kings to submit
+themselves to me."
+
+"Sir," answered one of the ambassadors, "I beseech you not to speak
+thus boastfully. In very truth my companions and myself were dismayed
+when we saw King Arthur face to face, and my fear is that you have
+made a rod for your own back, for his intention is to become lord over
+this empire. His threats, I warn you, are no idle talk. He is a very
+different man from what you hoped he was, and his court is the most
+noble upon earth. Never had any one of us beheld such magnificence
+as we beheld there on New Year's Day, when nine kings, besides other
+princes, lords, and knights, sat at table with King Arthur. Nor do
+I believe that there could be found anywhere another band of knights
+worthy to be matched with the knights who sit at his Round Table, nor
+a more manly man than the King himself. And since I verily believe
+his ambition is such that he would not be satisfied though he had
+conquered the whole world, my advice is that you have careful watch
+kept upon the borders of your lands and upon the ways over the
+mountains, for I am certain that you would do wisely to guard yourself
+well against him."
+
+"Well," answered Lucius, "my intention is before Easter to cross the
+Alps and to descend into France and seize the lands that belong to
+him there. With me I shall take my mighty warriors from Tuscany and
+Lombardy, and all the subjects and allies I have shall be summoned to
+my aid."
+
+Then the Emperor picked out wise old knights and sent them east and
+west throughout Asia, Africa, and Europe, to summon his allies from
+Turkey, Syria, Portugal, and the other distant lands that were subject
+to him; and in the meantime he assembled his forces from Rome,
+and from the countries between Rome and Flanders, and he collected
+together as his bodyguard fifty giants who were sons of evil spirits.
+Putting himself at the head of this mighty host, Lucius departed from
+Rome, and marching through Savoy, crossed the mountains, meaning to
+lay waste the lands King Arthur had conquered. He besieged and took
+a castle near Cologne, which he garrisoned with Saracens and
+unbelievers. Then he passed on, plundering and pillaging the country,
+till he entered Burgundy, where he halted to collect the whole of
+his army before invading and laying utterly waste the land of Little
+Britain.
+
+In the meantime preparations were being made on the side of the
+British. A parliament was held at York, and there it was resolved that
+all the navy of the kingdom should be got ready and assembled
+within fifteen days at Sandwich. Sir Baudewaine of Britain, and Sir
+Constantine, the son of Sir Cador of Cornwall, were chosen by the King
+to be his viceroys during his absence; and to them, in the presence
+of all his lords, he confided the care of his kingdom, and he also
+entrusted to them Queen Guinevere. She, when the time drew near for
+the departure of her lord, wept and lamented so piteously that at last
+she swooned, and was carried away to her chamber by the ladies that
+attended upon her. Then King Arthur mounted his horse, and, putting
+himself at the head of his troops, made proclamation in a loud voice
+that should death befall him during this expedition, his wish was
+that Sir Constantine, who was his heir by blood, should succeed to his
+possessions and to his throne.
+
+So King Arthur and his army came to Sandwich, where they found
+awaiting them a great multitude of galleys and vessels of all sorts,
+on which they embarked and set out to sea. That night, as the King lay
+asleep in his cabin, he dreamed a marvelous dream. A dreadful dragon
+appeared, flying out of the west. Its head was all enameled with azure
+enamel. Its wings and its claws glistened like gold. Its feet were
+black as jet. Its body was sheathed in scales that shone as armor
+shines after it has been polished, and it had a very great and
+remarkable tail. Then there came a cloud out of the east. The grimmest
+beast man ever saw rode upon this cloud; it was a wild boar, roaring
+and growling so hideously that it was terrifying to hear it. The
+dragon flew down the wind like a falcon and struck at this boar; but
+it defended itself with its grisly tusks, and wounded the dragon
+in the breast so severely that its blood, pouring into the sea in
+torrents, made all the waves red. Then the dragon turned and flew
+away, and having mounted up to a great height, again swooped down
+upon the boar and fastened its claws in the beast's back. The boar
+struggled, and raged, and writhed, but all in vain. It was at the
+mercy of its foe, and so merciless was the dragon that it never
+loosened its grip till it had torn the boar limb from limb and bone
+from bone, and scattered it piecemeal upon the surface of the sea.
+
+Then King Arthur awoke, and, starting up in great dismay, sent for a
+wise man that was on board the ship and bade him interpret the dream.
+
+"Sir," the wise man said, "the dragon which you saw in your dream
+surely betokens your own self, its golden wings signifying the
+countries you have won with your sword, and its marvelous tail the
+knights of the Round Table. As for the boar that was slain, that may
+betoken either a tyrant that torments his people, or some hideous
+and abominable giant with whom you are about to fight. And the dream
+foreshadows victory for you. Therefore, though it was very dreadful,
+you should take comfort from it and be of a good heart."
+
+Before long the sailors sighted land, and the army disembarked at a
+port in Flanders, where many great lords were awaiting the arrival
+of King Arthur, as had been ordained. And to him, soon after he had
+arrived, there came a husbandman bringing grievous news. A monstrous
+giant had for years infested the country on the borders of Little
+Britain, and had slain many people and devoured such numbers of
+children that there were none left for him to prey upon. And being in
+search of victims, and coming upon the Duchess of Little Britain as
+she rode with her knights, he had laid hands upon her and carried
+her off to his den in a mountain. Five hundred men that followed the
+duchess could not rescue her, but they heard such heartrending cries
+and shrieks that they had little doubt she had been put to death.
+
+"Now," said the husbandman, "as you are a great and noble King and a
+valiant conqueror, and as this lady was wife to Sir Howel, who is your
+own cousin, take pity on her and on all of us, and avenge us upon this
+vile giant."
+
+"Alas," King Arthur replied, "this is a grievous and an evil matter.
+I would give all my kingdom to have been at hand, so that I might have
+saved that fair lady."
+
+Then he asked the husbandman whether he could show him the place where
+the giant would be found, and the man said that was easy to do, for
+there were always two fires burning outside the den he haunted. In
+that den, the husbandman believed, was stored more treasure than the
+whole realm of France contained.
+
+Then the King took Sir Kay and Sir Bedivere apart privately into his
+tent, and bade them secretly get ready their horses and armor, and his
+own, for it was his intention that night, after evensong, to set out
+on a pilgrimage to St. Michael's Mount with them, and nobody besides
+them was to accompany him. So when evening came, the King, and Sir
+Kay, and Sir Bedivere armed themselves, and taking their horses, rode
+as fast as they could to the foot of St. Michael's Mount. There the
+King alighted and bade his knights stay where they were, while he
+himself ascended the mount.
+
+He went up the hillside till he came to a huge fire. Close to it was a
+newly made grave, by which was sitting a sorrowful widow wringing
+her hands and making great lamentation. King Arthur saluted her
+courteously, and asked for whom she was weeping. She prayed him to
+speak softly, for "Yonder," said she, "is a monstrous giant that
+will come and destroy you should your voice reach his ears. Luckless
+wretch, what brings you to this mountain?" asked the widow. "Fifty
+such knights as you could not hold their ground against the monster."
+
+"Lady," he replied, "the mighty conqueror King Arthur has sent me
+as his ambassador to this giant, to inquire why he ventures thus to
+misuse and maltreat the people of the land."
+
+"A useless embassy in very truth!" she said. "Little does he care for
+King Arthur, or for any other man. Not many days have passed since
+he murdered the fairest lady in the world, the wife of Sir Howel of
+Little Britain; and had you brought with you King Arthur's own wife,
+Queen Guinevere, he would not be afraid to murder her. Yet, if you
+must needs speak with him, you will find him yonder over the crest of
+the hill."
+
+"This is a fearful warning you give me," said the King. "Yet none the
+less, believe me, will I accomplish the task that has been allotted
+me."
+
+Having climbed up to the crest of the hill, King Arthur looked down,
+and close below him he saw the giant basking at his ease by the side
+of a great fire.
+
+"Thou villain!" cried the King--"thou villain! short shall be thy life
+and shameful shall be thy death. Rise and defend yourself. My sword
+shall avenge that fair duchess whom you murdered."
+
+Starting from the ground, the giant snatched up his great iron club,
+and aiming a swinging blow at King Arthur's head, swept the crest off
+his helmet. Then the King flew at him, and they wrestled and wrestled
+till they fell, and as they struggled on the ground King Arthur again
+and again smote the giant with his dagger, and they rolled and tumbled
+down the hill till they reached the sea-beach at its foot, where Sir
+Kay and Sir Bedivere were waiting their lord's return. Rushing to his
+aid, the two knights at once set their master free, for they found
+that the giant, in whose arms he was locked, was already dead.
+
+Then King Arthur sent Sir Kay and Sir Bedivere up the hill to fetch
+the sword and shield that he had let fall and left there, and also the
+giant's iron club and cloak, and he told them they might keep whatever
+treasure they found in his den, for he desired nothing besides the
+club and the cloak. So they went and did as they were bidden, and
+brought away as much treasure as they desired.
+
+When the news of the oppressor's death was spread abroad, the people
+came in throngs to thank the King, who had delivered them; but he bade
+them rather give thanks to Heaven. Then, having distributed among
+them the treasure his knights had not needed, and having commanded Sir
+Howel to build upon the hill which the giant had haunted a chapel in
+honor of St. Michael, he returned to his army, and led it into the
+country of Champagne, where he pitched his camp in a valley.
+
+That evening two men, of whom one was the Marshal of France, came into
+the pavilion where King Arthur sat at table. They brought news that
+the Emperor was in Burgundy, burning and sacking towns and villages,
+so that, unless King Arthur came quickly to their succor, the men of
+those parts would be forced to surrender themselves and their goods to
+Rome.
+
+Hearing this, King Arthur summoned four of his knights--Sir Gawaine,
+Sir Bors, Sir Lionel, and Sir Badouine--and ordered them to go with
+all speed to the Emperor's camp, and all upon him either to leave the
+land at once or make ready for battle, since King Arthur would not
+suffer the people to be harried any longer. These four knights,
+accordingly, rode off with their followers, and before very long they
+came to a meadow, where, pitched by the side of a stream, they saw
+many stately tents, and in the middle of them one which, it was plain,
+must be the Emperor's, for above it floated a banner on which was an
+eagle.
+
+Then they halted and took counsel what it would be best to do, and it
+was agreed that the rest of the party should remain in ambush in
+the wood while Sir Gawaine and Sir Bors delivered the message they
+brought. Having heard it, the Emperor Lucius said they had better
+return and advise King Arthur to make preparations for being subdued
+by Rome and losing all his possessions. To this taunt Sir Gawaine and
+Sir Bors made angry replies, whereupon Sir Gainus, a knight who was
+near of kin to the Emperor, laughed, and said that British knights
+behaved as if the whole world rested on their shoulders. Sir Gawaine
+was infuriated beyond all measure by these words, and he and Sir Bors
+fled as fast as their horses could put legs to the ground, dashing
+headlong through woods and across streams, till they came to the spot
+where they had left their comrades in ambush.
+
+The Romans followed in hot pursuit, and pressed them hard all the way.
+One knight, indeed, had almost overtaken them, when Sir Bors turned
+and ran him through with his spear. Then Sir Lionel and Sir Badouine
+came to their assistance, and there was a great and fierce encounter,
+and such was the bravery of the British that they routed the Romans
+and chased them right up to their tents. There the enemy made a stand,
+and Sir Bors was taken prisoner; but Sir Gawaine, drawing his good
+sword, vowed that he would either rescue his comrade or never look
+King Arthur in the face again, and falling upon the men that had
+captured Sir Bors, he delivered him out of their hands.
+
+Then the fight waxed hotter and hotter, and the British knights were
+in such jeopardy that Sir Gawaine dispatched a messenger to bring him
+help as quickly as it could be sent, for he was wounded and sorely
+hurt. King Arthur, having received the message, instantly mustered his
+army; but before he could set out, into the camp rode Sir Gawaine and
+his companions, bringing with them many prisoners. And the only one
+of the band who had suffered any hurt was Sir Gawaine, whom the king
+consoled as best he could, bidding his surgeon at once attend to his
+wounds.
+
+Thus ended the first battle between the Britons and the Romans. That
+night there was great rejoicing in the camp of King Arthur; and on the
+next day all the prisoners were sent to Paris, with Sir Launcelot du
+Lake and Sir Cador, and many other knights to guard them. On the way,
+passing through a wood, they were beset by a force the Emperor Lucius
+had placed there in ambush. Then Sir Launcelot, though the enemy had
+six men for every one he had with him, fought with such fury that no
+one could stand up against him; and at last, in dread of his prowess
+and might, the Romans and their allies the Saracens turned and fled as
+though they had been sheep and Sir Launcelot a wolf or a lion. But
+the skirmish had lasted so long that tidings of it had reached King
+Arthur, who arrayed himself and hurried to the aid of his knights.
+Finding them already victorious, he embraced them one by one, saying
+that they were indeed worthy of whatever honors had been granted them
+in the past, and that no other king had ever had such noble knights as
+he had.
+
+To this Sir Cador answered that they might one and all claim at least
+the merit of not having deserted their posts, but that the honor of
+the day belonged to Sir Launcelot, for it passed man's wit to describe
+all the feats of arms he had performed. Then Sir Cador told the King
+that certain of his knights were slain, and who they were, whereupon
+King Arthur wept bitterly.
+
+"Truly," he said, "your valor nearly was the destruction of you all.
+Yet you would not have been disgraced in my eyes had you retreated.
+To me it seems a rash and foolhardy thing for knights to stand their
+ground when they find themselves overmatched."
+
+"Nay," replied Sir Launcelot, "I think otherwise; for a knight who has
+once been put to shame may never recover the honor he has forfeited."
+
+There was among the Romans who escaped from that battle a senator.
+He went to the Emperor Lucius and said, "Sir, my advice is that you
+withdraw your army, for this day has proved that grievous blows are
+all we shall win here. There is not one of King Arthur's knights that
+has not proved himself worth a hundred of ours."
+
+"Alas," cried Lucius, "that is coward's talk and to hear it grieves me
+more than all the losses I have sustained this day."
+
+Then he ordered one of his most trusty allies to take a great
+force and advance as fast as he possibly could, the Emperor himself
+intending to follow in all haste. Warning of this having been brought
+secretly to the British camp, King Arthur sent part of his forces
+to Sessoigne to occupy the towns and castles before the Romans could
+reach him. The rest he posted up and down the country, so as to cut
+off every way by which the enemy might escape.
+
+Before long the Emperor entered the valley of Sessoigne, and found
+himself face to face with King Arthur's men, drawn up in battle
+array. Seeing that retreat was impossible--for he was hemmed in by his
+enemies, and had either to fight his way through them or surrender--he
+made an oration to his followers, praying them to quit themselves like
+men that day, and to remember that to allow the Britons to hold their
+ground would bring disgrace upon Rome, the mistress of the world.
+
+Then, at the Emperor's command, his trumpeters sounded their trumpets
+so defiantly that the very earth trembled and shook; and the two hosts
+joined battle, rushing at one another with mighty shouts. Many knights
+fought nobly that day, but none more nobly than King Arthur. Riding up
+and down the battle-field, he exhorted his knights to bear themselves
+bravely; and wherever the fray was thickest, and his people most
+sorely pressed, he dashed to the rescue and hewed down the Romans with
+his good sword Excalibur. Among those he slew was a marvelous great
+giant called Galapus. First of all, King Arthur smote off this giant's
+legs by the knees, saying that made him a more convenient size to deal
+with, and then he smote off his head. Such was the hugeness of the
+body of Galapus, that, as it fell, it crushed six Saracens to death.
+
+But though King Arthur fought thus fiercely, and Sir Gawaine and all
+the other knights of the Round Table did nobly, the host of their
+enemies was so great that it seemed as if the battle would never come
+to an end, the Britons having the advantage at one moment and the
+Romans at another.
+
+Now, among the Romans, no man fought more bravely than the Emperor
+Lucius. King Arthur, spying the marvelous feats of arms he performed,
+rode up and challenged him to a single combat. They exchanged many a
+mighty blow, and at last Lucius struck King Arthur across the face,
+and inflicted a grievous wound. Feeling the smart of it, King Arthur
+dealt back such a stroke that his sword Excalibur clove the Emperor's
+helmet in half, and splitting his skull, passed right down to his
+breast-bone.
+
+Thus Lucius, the Emperor of the Romans, lost his life; and when it
+was known that he was slain, his whole army turned and fled, and King
+Arthur and his knights chased them, slaying all they could overtake.
+Of the host that followed Lucius, more than a hundred thousand men
+fell that day.
+
+King Arthur, after he had won the great battle in which the Emperor
+Lucius was slain, marched into Lorraine, and so on through Brabant
+and Flanders into Germany, and across the mountains into Lombardy, and
+thence into Tuscany, and at last came to Rome, and on Christmas Day he
+was crowned emperor by the Pope with great state and solemnity. And
+he stayed in Rome a little while, setting in order the affairs of
+his possession, and distributing among his knights posts of honor and
+dignity, and also great estates, as rewards for their services.
+
+After these affairs had been duly arranged, all the British lords and
+knights assembled in the presence of the King, and said to him:
+
+"Noble Emperor, now that, Heaven be thanked for it, this great war is
+over, and your enemies so utterly vanquished that henceforward, as we
+believe, no man, however great or mighty he may be, will dare to stand
+up against you, we beseech you to grant us leave to return to our
+wives and our homes, that there we may rest ourselves."
+
+This request King Arthur granted, saying that it would be wise, seeing
+they had met with such good fortune so far, to be content with it and
+to return home. Also he gave orders that there should be no plundering
+or pillaging of the country through which they had to pass on their
+way back, but that they should, on pain of death, pay the full price
+for victuals or whatever else they took.
+
+So King Arthur and his host set off from Rome and came over the sea
+and landed at Sandwich, where Queen Guinevere came to meet her lord.
+And at Sandwich and throughout the land there were great festivities,
+and noble gifts were presented to the King; for his people rejoiced
+mightily both because he had returned safely home, and because of the
+great victories he had achieved.
+
+
+
+
+SIR GALAHAD AND THE SACRED CUP
+
+ADAPTED BY MARY MACGREGOR
+
+
+  "My strength is as the strength of ten,
+  Because my heart is pure,"
+
+sang Galahad gladly. He was only a boy, but he had just been made a
+knight by Sir Lancelot, and the old abbey, where he had lived all his
+life, rang with the echo of his song.
+
+Sir Lancelot heard the boy's clear voice singing in triumph. As he
+stopped to listen, he caught the words,
+
+  "My strength is as the strength of ten,
+  Because my heart is pure,"
+
+and the great knight wished he were a boy again, and could sing that
+song too.
+
+[Illustration: SIR GALAHAD.]
+
+Twelve nuns lived in the quiet abbey, and they had taught Galahad
+lovingly and carefully, ever since he had come to them as a beautiful
+little child. And the boy had dwelt happily with them there in the
+still old abbey, and he would be sorry to leave them, but he was a
+knight now. He would fight for the King he reverenced so greatly, and
+for the country he loved so well.
+
+Yet when Sir Lancelot left the abbey the next day, Galahad did not go
+with him. He would stay in his old home a little longer, he thought.
+He would not grieve the nuns by a hurried farewell.
+
+Sir Lancelot left the abbey alone, but as he rode along he met two
+knights, and together they reached Camelot, where the King was holding
+a great festival.
+
+King Arthur welcomed Sir Lancelot and the two knights. "Now all the
+seats at our table will be filled," he said gladly. For it pleased the
+King when the circle of his knights was unbroken.
+
+Then all the King's household went to service at the minster, and when
+they came back to the palace they saw a strange sight.
+
+In the dining-hall the Round Table at which the King and his knights
+always sat seemed strangely bright.
+
+The King looked more closely, and saw that at one place on this
+Round Table were large letters. And he read, "This is the seat of
+Sir Galahad, the Pure-hearted." But only Sir Lancelot knew that Sir
+Galahad was the boy-knight he had left behind him in the quiet old
+abbey.
+
+"We will cover the letters till the Knight of the Pure Heart comes,"
+said Sir Lancelot; and he took silk and laid it over the glittering
+letters.
+
+Then as they sat down to table they were disturbed by Sir Kay, the
+steward of the King's kitchen.
+
+"You do not sit down to eat at this festival," Sir Kay reminded the
+King, "till you have seen or heard some great adventure." And the
+King told his steward that the writing in gold had made him forget his
+usual custom.
+
+As they waited a squire came hastily into the hall. "I have a strange
+tale to tell," he said. "As I walked along the bank of the river I saw
+a great stone, and it floated on the top of the water, and into the
+stone there has been thrust a sword."
+
+Then the King and all his knights went down to the river, and they
+saw the stone, and it was like red marble. And the sword that had
+been thrust into the stone was strong and fair. The handle of it was
+studded with precious stones, and among the stones there were letters
+of gold.
+
+The King stepped forward, and bending over the sword read these
+words: "No one shall take me away save him to whom I belong. I will
+hang only by the side of the best knight in the world."
+
+The King turned to Sir Lancelot. "The sword is yours, for surely there
+lives no truer knight."
+
+But Sir Lancelot answered gravely, "The sword is not mine. It will
+never hang by my side, for I dare not try to take it."
+
+The King was sorry that his great knight's courage failed, but he
+turned to Sir Gawaine and asked him to try to take the sword.
+
+And at first Sir Gawaine hesitated. But when he looked again at the
+precious stones that sparkled on the handle, he hesitated no longer.
+But he no sooner touched the sword than it wounded him, so that he
+could not use his arm for many days.
+
+Then the King turned to Sir Percivale. And because Arthur wished it,
+Sir Percivale tried to take the sword; but he could not move it. And
+after that no other knight dared to touch the fair sword; so they
+turned and went back to the palace.
+
+In the dining-hall the King and his knights sat down once more at the
+Round Table, and each knight knew his own chair. And all the seats
+were filled except the chair opposite the writing in gold.
+
+It had been a day full of surprise, but now the most wonderful thing
+of all happened. For as they sat down, suddenly all the doors of the
+palace shut with a loud noise, but no one had touched the doors. And
+all the windows were softly closed, but no one saw the hands that
+closed them.
+
+Then one of the doors opened, and there came in a very old man dressed
+all in white, and no one knew whence he came.
+
+By his side was a young man in red armor. He had neither sword nor
+shield, but hanging by his side was an empty sheath.
+
+There was a great silence in the hall as the old man said, slowly and
+solemnly, "I bring you the young knight Sir Galahad, who is descended
+from a king. He shall do many great deeds, and he shall see the Holy
+Grail."
+
+"He shall see the Holy Grail," the knights repeated, with awe on their
+faces.
+
+For far back, in the days of their boyhood, they had heard the story
+of the Holy Grail. It was the Sacred Cup out of which their Lord had
+drunk before He died.
+
+And they had been told how sometimes it was seen carried by angels,
+and how at other times in a gleam of light. But in whatever way it
+appeared, it was seen only by those who were pure in heart.
+
+And as the old man's words, "He shall see the Holy Grail," fell on
+their ears, the knights thought of the story they had heard so long
+ago, and they were sorry, for they had never seen the Sacred Cup, and
+they knew that it was unseen only by those who had done wrong.
+
+But the old man was telling the boy-knight to follow him. He led
+him to the empty chair, and lifted the silk that covered the golden
+letters. "This is the seat of Sir Galahad, the Pure-hearted," he read
+aloud. And the young knight sat in the empty seat that belonged to
+him.
+
+Then the old man left the palace, and twenty noble squires met him,
+and took him back to his own country.
+
+When dinner was ended, the King went over to the chair where his
+boy-knight sat, and welcomed him to the circle of the Round Table.
+Afterwards he took Sir Galahad's hand, and led him out of the palace
+to show him the strange red stone that floated on the river. When
+Sir Galahad heard how the knights could not draw the sword out of the
+stone, he knew that this adventure was his.
+
+"I will try to take the sword," said the boy-knight, "and place it in
+my sheath, for it is empty," and he pointed to his side. Then he laid
+his hand on the wonderful sword, and easily drew it out of the stone,
+and placed it in his sheath.
+
+"God has sent you the sword, now He will send you a shield as well,"
+said King Arthur.
+
+Then the King proclaimed that the next day there would be a tournament
+in the meadows of Camelot. For before his knights went out to new
+adventures, he would see Sir Galahad proved.
+
+And in the morning the meadows lay bright in the sunshine. And the
+boy-knight rode bravely to his first combat, and over-threw many men;
+but Sir Lancelot and Sir Percivale he could not overthrow.
+
+When the tournament was over the King and his knights went home to
+supper, and each sat in his own seat at the Round Table.
+
+All at once there was a loud crashing noise, a noise that was louder
+than any peal of thunder. Was the King's wonderful palace falling to
+pieces?
+
+But while the noise still sounded a marvelous light stole into the
+room, a light brighter than any sunbeam.
+
+As the knights looked at one another, each seemed to the other to have
+a new glory and a new beauty in his face.
+
+And down the sunbeam glided the Holy Grail. It was the Sacred Cup they
+had all longed to see. But no one saw it, for it was invisible to all
+but the pure-hearted Sir Galahad.
+
+As the strange light faded away, King Arthur heard his knights vowing
+that they would go in search of the Holy Grail, and never give up the
+quest till they had found it.
+
+And the boy-knight knew that he too would go over land and sea, till
+he saw again the wonderful vision.
+
+That night the King could not sleep, for his sorrow was great. His
+knights would wander into far-off countries, and many of them would
+forget that they were in search of the Holy Grail. Would they not have
+found the Sacred Cup one day if they had stayed with their King and
+helped to clear the country of its enemies?
+
+In the morning the streets of Camelot were crowded with rich and poor.
+And the people wept as they watched the knights ride away on their
+strange quest. And the King wept too, for he knew that now there would
+be many empty chairs at the Round Table.
+
+The knights rode together to a strange city and stayed there all
+night. The next day they separated, each going a different way.
+
+Sir Galahad rode on for four days without adventure. At last he came
+to a white abbey, where he was received very kindly. And he found two
+knights there, and one was a king.
+
+"What adventure has brought you here?" asked the boy-knight.
+
+Then they told him that in this abbey there was a shield. And if any
+man tried to carry it, he was either wounded or dead within three
+days.
+
+"But to-morrow I shall try to bear it," said the king.
+
+"In the name of God, let me take the shield," said Sir Galahad
+gravely.
+
+"If I fail, you shall try to bear it," said the king. And Galahad was
+glad, for he had still no shield of his own.
+
+Then a monk took the king and the young knight behind the altar, and
+showed them where the shield hung. It was as white as snow, but in the
+middle there was a red cross.
+
+"The shield can be borne only by the worthiest knight in the world,"
+the monk warned the king.
+
+"I will try to bear it, though I am no worthy knight," insisted the
+king; and he took the shield and rode down into the valley.
+
+And Galahad waited at the abbey, for the king had said he would send
+his squire to tell the young knight how the shield had protected him.
+
+For two miles the king rode through the valley, till he reached a
+hermitage. And he saw a warrior there, dressed in white armor, and
+sitting on a white horse.
+
+The warrior rode quickly towards the king, and struck him so hard that
+he broke his armor. Then he thrust his spear through the king's right
+shoulder, as though he held no shield.
+
+"The shield can be borne only by a peerless knight. It does not belong
+to you," said the warrior, as he gave it to the squire, telling him
+to carry it back to the abbey and to give it to Sir Galahad with his
+greeting.
+
+"Then tell me your name," said the squire.
+
+"I will tell neither you nor any one on earth," said the warrior. And
+he disappeared, and the squire saw him no more.
+
+"I will take the wounded King to an abbey, that his wounds may be
+dressed," thought the squire.
+
+And with great difficulty the King and his squire reached an abbey.
+And the monks thought his life could not be saved, but after many days
+he was cured.
+
+Then the squire rode back to the abbey where Galahad waited. "The
+warrior who wounded the King bids you bear this shield," he said.
+
+Galahad hung the shield round his neck joyfully, and rode into the
+valley to seek the warrior dressed in white.
+
+And when they met they saluted each other courteously. And the warrior
+told Sir Galahad strange tales of the white shield, till the knight
+thanked God that now it was his. And all his life long the white
+shield with the red cross was one of his great treasures.
+
+Now Galahad rode back to the abbey, and the monks were glad to see him
+again. "We have need of a pure knight," they said, as they took Sir
+Galahad to a tomb in the churchyard.
+
+A pitiful noise was heard, and a voice from the tomb cried, "Galahad,
+servant of God, do not come near me." But the young knight went
+towards the tomb and raised the stone.
+
+Then a thick smoke was seen, and through the smoke a figure uglier
+than any man leaped from the tomb, shouting, "Angels are round thee,
+Galahad, servant of God. I can do you no harm."
+
+The knight stooped down and saw a body all dressed in armor lying
+there, and a sword lay by its side.
+
+"This was a false knight," said Sir Galahad. "Let us carry his body
+away from this place."
+
+"You will stay in the abbey and live with us," entreated the monks.
+But the boy-knight could not rest. Would he see the light that was
+brighter than any sunbeam again? Would his adventures bring him at
+last to the Holy Grail?
+
+Sir Galahad rode on many days, till at last he reached a mountain. On
+the mountain he found an old chapel. It was empty and very desolate.
+Galahad knelt alone before the altar, and asked God to tell him what
+to do next.
+
+And as he prayed a voice said, "Thou brave knight, go to the Castle of
+Maidens and rescue them."
+
+Galahad rose, and gladly journeyed on to the Castle of Maidens.
+
+There he found seven knights, who long ago had seized the castle from
+a maiden to whom it belonged. And these knights had imprisoned her and
+many other maidens.
+
+When the seven knights saw Sir Galahad they came out of the castle.
+"We will take this young knight captive, and keep him in prison," they
+said to each other, as they fell upon him.
+
+But Sir Galahad smote the first knight to the ground, so that he
+almost broke his neck. And as his wonderful sword flashed in the
+light, sudden fear fell on the six knights that were left and they
+turned and fled.
+
+Then an old man took the keys of the castle to Galahad. And the knight
+opened the gates of the castle, and set free many prisoners. He gave
+the castle back to the maiden to whom it belonged, and sent for all
+the knights in the country round about to do her homage.
+
+Then once again Sir Galahad rode on in search of the Holy Grail. And
+the way seemed long, yet on and on he rode, till at last he reached
+the sea.
+
+There, on the shore, stood a maiden, and when she saw Sir Galahad, she
+led him to a ship and told him to enter.
+
+The wind rose and drove the ship, with Sir Galahad on board, between
+two rocks. But when the ship could not pass that way, the knight left
+it, and entered a smaller one that awaited him.
+
+In this ship was a table, and on the table, covered with a red cloth,
+was the Holy Grail. Reverently Sir Galahad sank on his knees. But
+still the Sacred Cup was covered.
+
+At last the ship reached a strange city, and on the shore sat a
+crippled man. Sir Galahad asked his help to lift the table from the
+ship.
+
+"For ten years I have not walked without crutches," said the man.
+
+"Show that you are willing, and come to me," urged the knight.
+
+And the cripple got up, and when he found that he was cured, he ran
+to Sir Galahad, and together they carried the wonderful table to the
+shore.
+
+Then all the city was astonished, and the people talked only of the
+great marvel. "The man that was a cripple for ten years can walk,"
+each said to the other.
+
+The king of the city heard the wonderful tale, but he was a cruel king
+and a tyrant. "The knight is not a good man," he said to his people,
+and he commanded that Galahad should be put in prison. And the prison
+was underneath the palace, and it was dark and cold there.
+
+But down into the darkness streamed the light that had made Galahad so
+glad long ago at Camelot. And in the light Galahad saw the Holy Grail.
+
+A year passed and the cruel king was very ill, and he thought he would
+die. Then he remembered the knight he had treated so unkindly, and who
+was still in the dark, cold prison. "I will send for him, and ask him
+to forgive me," murmured the king.
+
+And when Galahad was brought to the palace, he willingly forgave the
+tyrant who had put him in prison.
+
+Then the king died, and there was great dismay in the city, for where
+would they find a good ruler to sit on the throne?
+
+As they wondered, they heard a voice that told them to make Sir
+Galahad their king, and in great joy the knight was crowned.
+
+Then the new king ordered a box of gold and precious stones to be
+made, and in this box he placed the wonderful table he had carried
+away from the ship. "And every morning I and my people will come here
+to pray," he said.
+
+For a year Sir Galahad ruled the country well and wisely.
+
+"A year ago they crowned me king," thought Galahad gravely, as he woke
+one morning. He would get up early, and go to pray at the precious
+table.
+
+But before the king reached the table he paused. It was early. Surely
+all the city was asleep. Yet some one was already there, kneeling
+before the table on which, uncovered, stood the Sacred Cup.
+
+The man kneeling there looked holy as the saints look. Surrounding him
+was a circle of angels. Was it a saint who kneeled, or was it the Lord
+Himself?
+
+When the man saw Sir Galahad, he said, "Come near, thou servant of
+Jesus Christ, and thou shalt see what thou hast so much longed to
+see."
+
+And with joy Sir Galahad saw again the Holy Grail. Then as he kneeled
+before it in prayer, his soul left his body and was carried into
+heaven.
+
+
+
+
+THE PASSING OF ARTHUR
+
+ADAPTED BY MARY MACGREGOR
+
+
+It was not to win renown that King Arthur had gone far across the sea,
+for he loved his own country so well, that to gain glory at home made
+him happiest of all.
+
+But a false knight with his followers was laying waste the country
+across the sea, and Arthur had gone to wage war against him.
+
+"And you, Sir Modred, will rule the country while I am gone," the King
+had said. And the knight smiled as he thought of the power that would
+be his.
+
+At first the people missed their great King Arthur, but as the months
+passed they began to forget him, and to talk only of Sir Modred and
+his ways.
+
+And he, that he might gain the people's praise, made easier laws than
+ever Arthur had done, till by and by there were many in the country
+who wished that the King would never come back.
+
+When Modred knew what the people wished, he was glad, and he made up
+his mind to do a cruel deed.
+
+He would cause letters to be written from beyond the sea, and the
+letters would tell that the great King Arthur had been slain in
+battle.
+
+And when the letters came the people read, "King Arthur is dead," and
+they believed the news was true.
+
+And there were some who wept because the noble King was slain, but
+some had no time to weep. "We must find a new king," they said. And
+because his laws were easy, these chose Sir Modred to rule over them.
+
+The wicked knight was pleased that the people wished him to be their
+king. "They shall take me to Canterbury to crown me," he said proudly.
+And the nobles took him there, and amid shouts and rejoicings he was
+crowned.
+
+But it was not very long till other letters came from across the sea,
+saying that King Arthur had not been slain, and that he was coming
+back to rule over his own country once more.
+
+When Sir Modred heard that King Arthur was on his way home, he
+collected a great army and went to Dover to try to keep the King from
+landing.
+
+But no army would have been strong enough to keep Arthur and his
+knights away from the country they loved so well. They fought fiercely
+till they got on shore and scattered all Sir Modred's men.
+
+Then the knight gathered another army, and chose a new battle-field.
+
+But King Arthur fought so bravely that he and his men were again
+victorious, and Sir Modred fled to Canterbury.
+
+Many of the people began to forsake the false knight now, and saying
+that he was a traitor, they went back to King Arthur.
+
+But still Sir Modred wished to conquer the King. He would go through
+the counties of Kent and Surrey and raise a new army.
+
+Now King Arthur had dreamed that if he fought with Sir Modred again
+he would be slain. So when he heard that the knight had raised another
+army, he thought, "I will meet this traitor who has betrayed me.
+When he looks in my face, he will be ashamed and remember his vow of
+obedience."
+
+And he sent two bishops to Sir Modred. "Say to the knight that the
+King would speak with him alone," said Arthur.
+
+And the traitor thought, "The King wishes to give me gold or great
+power, if I send my army away without fighting," "I will meet King
+Arthur," he said to the bishops.
+
+But because he did not altogether trust the King he said he would take
+fourteen men with him to the meeting-place, "and the King must have
+fourteen men with him too," said Sir Modred. "And our armies shall
+keep watch when we meet, and if a sword is lifted it shall be the
+signal for battle."
+
+Then King Arthur arranged a feast for Sir Modred and his men. And as
+they feasted all went merrily till an adder glided out of a little
+bush and stung one of the knight's men. And the pain was so great,
+that the man quickly drew his sword to kill the adder.
+
+And when the armies saw the sword flash in the light, they sprang to
+their feet and began to fight, "for this is the signal for battle,"
+they thought.
+
+And when evening came there were many thousand slain and wounded, and
+Sir Modred was left alone. But Arthur had still two knights with him,
+Sir Lucan and Sir Bedivere.
+
+When King Arthur saw that his army was lost and all his knights slain
+but two, he said, "Would to God I could find Sir Modred, who has
+caused all this trouble."
+
+"He is yonder," said Sir Lucan, "but remember your dream, and go not
+near him."
+
+"Whether I die or live," said the King, "he shall not escape." And
+seizing his spear he ran to Sir Modred, crying, "Now you shall die."
+
+And Arthur smote him under the shield, and the spear passed through
+his body, and he died.
+
+Then, wounded and exhausted, the King fainted, and his knights lifted
+him and took him to a little chapel not far from a lake.
+
+As the King lay there, he heard cries of fear and pain from the
+distant battle-field.
+
+"What causes these cries?" said the King wearily. And to soothe the
+sick King, Sir Lucan said he would go to see.
+
+And when he reached the battle-field, he saw in the moonlight that
+robbers were on the field stooping over the slain, and taking from
+them their rings and their gold. And those that were only wounded, the
+robbers slew, that they might take their jewels too.
+
+Sir Lucan hastened back, and told the King what he had seen.
+
+"We will carry you farther off, lest the robbers find us here,"
+said the knights. And Sir Lucan lifted the King on one side and Sir
+Bedivere lifted him on the other.
+
+But Sir Lucan had been wounded in the battle, and as he lifted the
+King he fell back and died.
+
+Then Arthur and Sir Bedivere wept for the fallen knight.
+
+Now the King felt so ill that he thought he would not live much
+longer, and he turned to Sir Bedivere: "Take Excalibur, my good
+sword," he said, "and go with it to the lake, and throw it into its
+waters. Then come quickly and tell me what you see."
+
+Sir Bedivere took the sword and went down to the lake. But as he
+looked at the handle with its sparkling gems and the richness of
+the sword, he thought he could not throw it away. "I will hide it
+carefully here among the rushes," thought the knight. And when he had
+hidden it, he went slowly to the King and told him he had thrown the
+sword into the lake.
+
+"What did you see?" asked the King eagerly.
+
+"Nothing but the ripple of the waves as they broke on the beach," said
+Sir Bedivere.
+
+"You have not told me the truth," said the King. "If you love me, go
+again to the lake, and throw my sword into the water."
+
+Again the knight went to the water's edge. He drew the sword from its
+hiding-place. He would do the King's will, for he loved him. But again
+the beauty of the sword made him pause. "It is a noble sword; I will
+not throw it away," he murmured, as once more he hid it among the
+rushes. Then he went back more slowly, and told the King that he had
+done his will.
+
+"What did you see?" asked the King.
+
+"Nothing but the ripples of the waves as they broke on the beach,"
+repeated the knight.
+
+"You have betrayed me twice," said the King sadly, "and yet you are
+a noble knight! Go again to the lake, and do not betray me for a rich
+sword."
+
+Then for the third time Sir Bedivere went to the water's edge, and
+drawing the sword from among the rushes, he flung it as far as he
+could into the lake.
+
+And as the knight watched, an arm and a hand appeared above the
+surface of the lake. He saw the hand seize the sword, and shaking it
+three times, disappear again under the water. Then Sir Bedivere went
+back quickly to the King, and told him what he had seen.
+
+"Carry me to the lake," entreated Arthur, "for I have been here too
+long."
+
+And the knight carried the King on his shoulders down to the water's
+side. There they found a barge lying, and seated in it were three
+queens, and each queen wore a black hood. And when they saw King
+Arthur they wept.
+
+"Lay me in the barge," said the King. And when Sir Bedivere had laid
+him there, King Arthur rested his head on the lap of the fairest
+queen. And they rowed from land.
+
+Sir Bedivere, left alone, watched the barge as it drifted out of
+sight, and then he went sorrowfully on his way, till he reached a
+hermitage. And he lived there as a hermit for the rest of his life.
+
+And the barge was rowed to a vale where the King was healed of his
+wound.
+
+And some say that now he is dead, but others say that King Arthur will
+come again, and clear the country of its foes.
+
+
+
+
+ROBIN HOOD
+
+ADAPTED BY H.E. MARSHALL
+
+
+
+
+I
+
+HOW ROBIN HOOD CAME TO LIVE IN THE GREEN WOOD
+
+
+Very many years ago there ruled over England a king, who was called
+Richard Coeur de Lion. Coeur de Lion is French and means lion-hearted.
+It seems strange that an English king should have a French name. But
+more than a hundred years before this king reigned, a French duke
+named William came to England, defeated the English in a great battle,
+and declared himself king of all that southern part of Britain called
+England.
+
+He brought with him a great many Frenchmen, or Normans, as they were
+called from the name of the part of France over which this duke ruled.
+These Normans were all poor though they were very proud and haughty.
+They came with Duke William to help him to fight because he promised
+to give them money and lands as a reward. Now Duke William had not a
+great deal of money nor many lands of his own. So when he had beaten
+the English, or Saxons, as they were called in those days, he stole
+lands and houses, money and cattle from the Saxon nobles and gave them
+to the Normans. The Saxon nobles themselves had very often to become
+the servants of these proud Normans. Thus it came about that two races
+lived in England, each speaking their own language, and each hating
+the other.
+
+This state of things lasted for a very long time. Even when Richard
+became king, more than a hundred years after the coming of Duke
+William, there was still a great deal of hatred between the two races.
+
+Richard Coeur de Lion, as his name tells you, was a brave and noble
+man. He loved danger; he loved brave men and noble deeds. He hated all
+mean and cruel acts, and the cowards who did them. He was ever ready
+to help the weak against the strong, and had he stayed in England
+after he became king he might have done much good. He might have
+taught the proud Norman nobles that true nobility rests in being kind
+and gentle to those less strong and less fortunate than ourselves, and
+not in fierceness and cruelty.
+
+Yet Richard himself was neither meek nor gentle. He was indeed very
+fierce and terrible in battle. He loved to fight with people who were
+stronger or better armed than himself. He would have been ashamed to
+hurt the weak and feeble.
+
+But Richard did not stay in England. Far, far over the seas there is
+a country called Palestine. There our Lord was born, lived, and died.
+Christian people in all ages must think tenderly and gratefully of
+that far-off country. But at this time it had fallen into the hands of
+the heathen. It seemed to Christian people in those days that it would
+be a terrible sin to allow wicked heathen to live in the Holy Land. So
+they gathered together great armies of brave men from every country in
+the world and sent them to try to win it back. Many brave deeds
+were done, many terrible battles fought, but still the heathen kept
+possession.
+
+Then brave King Richard of England said he too would fight for the
+city of our Lord. So he gathered together as much money as he could
+find, and as many brave men as would follow him, and set out for the
+Holy Land. Before he went away he called two bishops who he thought
+were good and wise men, and said to them: "Take care of England while
+I am gone. Rule my people wisely and well, and I will reward you
+when I return." The bishops promised to do as he asked. Then he said
+farewell and sailed away.
+
+Now King Richard had a brother who was called Prince John. Prince John
+was quite different from King Richard in every way. He was not at all
+a nice man. He was jealous of Richard because he was king, and angry
+because he himself had not been chosen to rule while Richard was in
+Palestine. As soon as his brother had gone, John went to the bishops
+and said, "You must let me rule while the King is away." And the
+bishops allowed him to do so. Deep down in his wicked heart John meant
+to make himself king altogether, and never let Richard come back any
+more.
+
+A very sad time now began for the Saxons. John tried to please the
+haughty Normans because they were great and powerful, and he hoped
+they would help to make him king. He thought the best way to please
+them was to give them land and money. So as he had none of his own (he
+was indeed called John Lackland) he took it from the Saxons and gave
+it to the Normans. Thus many of the Saxons once more became homeless
+beggars, and lived a wild life in the forests, which covered a great
+part of England at this time.
+
+Now among the few Saxon nobles who still remained, and who had not
+been robbed of their lands and money, there was one called Robert,
+Earl of Huntingdon. He had one son also named Robert, but people
+called him Robin. He was a favorite with every one. Tall, strong,
+handsome, and full of fun, he kept his father's house bright with
+songs and laughter. He was brave and fearless too, and there was no
+better archer in all the countryside. And with it all he was gentle
+and tender, never hurting the weak nor scorning the poor.
+
+But Robert of Huntingdon had a bitter enemy. One day this enemy came
+with many soldiers behind him, determined to kill the earl and take
+all his goods and lands. There was a fierce and terrible fight, but
+in the end Robert and all his men were killed. His house was burned
+to the ground and all his money stolen. Only Robin was saved, because
+he was such a splendid archer that no soldier would go near him,
+either to kill him or take him prisoner. He fought bravely till the
+last, but when he saw that his father was dead and his home in
+flames, he had no heart to fight any longer. So taking his bow and
+arrows, he fled to the great forest of Sherwood.
+
+Very fast he had to run, for Prince John's men were close behind him.
+Soon he reached the edge of the forest, but he did not stop there.
+On and on he went, plunging deeper and deeper under the shadow of the
+trees. At last he threw himself down beneath a great oak, burying his
+face in the cool, green grass.
+
+His heart felt hot and bitter. He was full of rage and fierce thoughts
+of revenge. Cruel men in one day had robbed him of everything. His
+father, his home, servants, cattle, land, money, his name even, all
+were gone. He was bruised, hungry, and weary. Yet as he lay pressing
+his face against the cool, green grass, and clutching the soft, damp
+moss with his hands, it was not sorrow or pain he felt, but only a
+bitter longing for revenge.
+
+[Illustration: ROBIN HOOD IN AN ENCOUNTER.]
+
+The great, solemn trees waved gently overhead in the summer breeze,
+the setting sun sent shafts of golden light into the cool, blue
+shadows, birds sang their evening songs, deer rustled softly through
+the underwood, and bright-eyed squirrels leaped noiselessly from
+branch to branch. Everywhere there was calm and peace except in poor
+Robin's angry heart.
+
+Robin loved the forest. He loved the sights and scents, and the sounds
+and deep silences of it. He felt as if it were a tender mother who
+opened her wide arms to him. Soon it comforted him, and at last the
+tears came hot and fast, and sobs shook him as he lay on the grass.
+The bitterness and anger had all melted out of his heart; only sorrow
+was left.
+
+In the dim evening light Robin knelt bareheaded on the green grass
+to say his prayers. Then, still bareheaded, he stood up and swore an
+oath. This was the oath:
+
+  "I swear to honor God and the King,
+  To help the weak and fight the strong,
+  To take from the rich and give to the poor,
+  So God will help, me with His power."
+
+Then he lay down on the grass under the trees with his good longbow
+beside him, and fell fast asleep.
+
+And this is how Robin Hood first came to live in the Green Wood and
+have all his wonderful adventures.
+
+
+
+
+II
+
+THE MEETING OF ROBIN HOOD AND LITTLE JOHN
+
+
+When Robin first came to live in Sherwood Forest he was rather sad,
+for he could not at once forget all he had lost. But he was not long
+lonely. When it became known that he had gone to live in the Green
+Wood, other poor men, who had been driven out of their homes by the
+Normans, joined him. They soon formed a band and were known as the
+"Merry Men."
+
+Robin was no longer called Robin of Huntingdon, but Robin of Sherwood
+Forest. Very soon people shortened Sherwood into Hood, though some
+people say he was called Hood from the green hoods he and his men
+wore. How he came to have his name does not matter very much. People
+almost forgot that he was really an earl, and he became known, not
+only all over England, but in many far countries, as Robin Hood.
+
+Robin was captain of the band of Merry Men. Next to him came Little
+John. He was called Little John because he was so tall, just as Midge
+the miller's son was called Much because he was so small.
+
+Robin loved Little John best of all his friends. Little John loved
+Robin better than any one else in all the world. Yet the first time
+they met they fought and knocked each other about dreadfully.
+
+  "How they came acquainted, I'll tell you in brief,
+     If you will but listen a while;
+   For this very jest, among all the rest,
+     I think it may cause you to smile."
+
+It happened on a bright sunshiny day in early spring. All through the
+winter Robin and his men had had a very dull time. Nearly all their
+fun and adventures happened with people traveling through the forest.
+As there were no trains, people had to travel on horseback. In winter
+the roads were bad, and the weather so cold and wet, that most people
+stayed at home. So it was rather a quiet time for Robin and his men.
+They lived in great caves during the winter, and spent their time
+making stores of bows and arrows, and mending their boots and clothes.
+
+This bright sunshiny morning Robin felt dull and restless, so he took
+his bow and arrows, and started off through the forest in search of
+adventure.
+
+He wandered on for some time without meeting any one. Presently he
+came to a river. It was wide and deep, swollen by the winter rains.
+It was crossed by a very slender, shaky bridge, so narrow, that if two
+people tried to pass each other on it, one would certainly fall into
+the water.
+
+Robin began to cross the bridge, before he noticed that a great, tall
+man, the very tallest man he had ever seen, was crossing too from the
+other side.
+
+"Go back and wait until I have come over," he called out as soon as he
+noticed the stranger.
+
+The stranger laughed, and called out in reply, "I have as good a right
+to the bridge as you. _You_ can go back till _I_ get across."
+
+This made Robin very angry. He was so accustomed to being obeyed that
+he was very much astonished too. Between anger and astonishment he
+hardly knew what he did.
+
+He drew an arrow from his quiver, and fitting it to his bow, called
+out again, "If you don't go back I'll shoot."
+
+"If you do, I'll beat you till you are black and blue," replied the
+stranger.
+
+  "Quoth bold Robin Hood, 'Thou dost prate like an ass,
+    For, were I to bend my bow,
+  I could send a dart quite through thy proud heart,
+    Before thou couldst strike a blow.'"
+
+"If I talk like an ass you talk like a coward," replied the stranger.
+"Do you call it fair to stand with your bow and arrow ready to shoot
+at me when I have only a stick to defend myself with? I tell you, you
+are a coward. You are afraid of the beating I would give you."
+
+Robin was not a coward, and he was not afraid. So he threw his bow and
+arrows on the bank behind him.
+
+"You are a big, boastful bully," he said. "Just wait there until I get
+a stick. I hope I may give you as good a beating as you deserve."
+
+The stranger laughed. "I won't run away; don't be afraid," he said.
+
+Robin Hood stepped to a thicket of trees and cut himself a good, thick
+oak stick. While he was doing this, he looked at the stranger, and saw
+that he was not only taller but much stronger than himself.
+
+However, that did not frighten Robin in the least. He was rather glad
+of it indeed. The stranger had said he was a coward. He meant to prove
+to him that he was not.
+
+Back he came with a fine big stick in his hand and a smile on his
+face. The idea of a real good fight had made his bad temper fly away,
+for, like King Richard, Robin Hood was rather fond of a fight.
+
+"We will fight on the bridge," said he, "and whoever first falls into
+the river has lost the battle."
+
+"All right," said the stranger. "Whatever you like. I'm not afraid."
+
+Then they fell to, with right good will.
+
+It was very difficult to fight standing on such a narrow bridge. They
+kept swaying backwards and forwards trying to keep their balance. With
+every stroke the bridge bent and trembled beneath them as if it would
+break. All the same they managed to give each other some tremendous
+blows. First Robin gave the stranger such a bang that his very bones
+seemed to ring.
+
+"Aha!" said he, "I'll give you as good as I get," and crack he went at
+Robin's crown.
+
+Bang, smash, crack, bang, they went at each other. Their blows fell
+fast and thick as if they had been threshing corn.
+
+  "The stranger gave Robin a knock on the crown,
+     Which caused the blood to appear,
+  Then Robin enraged, more fiercely engaged,
+     And followed with blows more severe.
+
+  "So thick and so fast did he lay it on him,
+     With a passionate fury and ire,
+  At every stroke he made him to smoke,
+     As if he had been all on fire."
+
+When Robin's blows came so fast and furious, the stranger felt he
+could not stand it much longer. Gathering all his strength, with one
+mighty blow he sent Robin backwards, right into the river. Head over
+heels he went, and disappeared under the water.
+
+The stranger very nearly fell in after him. He was so astonished at
+Robin's sudden disappearance that he could not think for a minute or
+two where he had vanished to. He knelt down on the bridge, and stared
+into the water. "Hallo, my good man," he called. "Hallo, where are
+you?"
+
+He thought he had drowned Robin, and he had not meant to do that. All
+the same he could not help laughing. Robin had looked so funny as he
+tumbled into the water.
+
+"I'm here," called Robin, from far down the river. "I'm all right. I'm
+just swimming with the tide."
+
+The current was very strong and had carried him down the river a good
+way. He was, however, gradually making for the bank. Soon he caught
+hold of the overhanging branches of a tree and pulled himself out. The
+stranger came running to help him too.
+
+"You are not an easy man to beat or to drown either," he said with a
+laugh, as he helped Robin on to dry land again.
+
+"Well," said Robin, laughing too, "I must own that you are a brave man
+and a good fighter. It was a fair fight, and you have won the battle.
+I don't want to quarrel with you any more. Will you shake hands and be
+friends with me?"
+
+"With all my heart," said the stranger. "It is a long time since I
+have met any one who could use a stick as you can."
+
+So they shook hands like the best of friends, and quite forgot that a
+few minutes before they had been banging and battering each other as
+hard as they could.
+
+Then Robin put his bugle-horn to his mouth, and blew a loud, loud
+blast.
+
+  "The echoes of which through the valleys did ring,
+     At which his stout bowmen appeared,
+   And clothed in green, most gay to be seen,
+     So up to their master they steered."
+
+When the stranger saw all these fine men, dressed in green, and
+carrying bows and arrows, come running to Robin he was very much
+astonished. "O master dear, what has happened?" cried Will Stutely,
+the leader, as he ran up. "You have a great cut in your forehead,
+and you are soaked through and through," he added, laying his hand on
+Robin's arm.
+
+"It is nothing," laughed Robin. "This young fellow and I have been
+having a fight. He cracked my crown and then tumbled me into the
+river."
+
+When they heard that, Robin's men were very angry. "If he has tumbled
+our master into the river, we will tumble him in," said they; "we will
+see how he likes that." And they seized him, and would have dragged
+him to the water to drown him, but Robin called out, "Stop, stop!
+it was a fair fight. He is a brave man, and we are very good friends
+now."
+
+Then turning to the stranger, Robin bowed politely to him, saying, "I
+beg you to forgive my men. They will not harm you now they know that
+you are my friend, for I am Robin Hood."
+
+The stranger was very much astonished when he heard that he had
+actually been fighting with bold Robin Hood, of whom he had heard so
+many tales.
+
+"If you will come and live with me and my Merry Men," went on Robin,
+"I will give you a suit of Lincoln green. I will teach you how to use
+bow and arrows as well as you use your good stick."
+
+"I should like nothing better," replied the stranger. "My name is John
+Little, and I promise to serve you faithfully."
+
+"John Little!" said Will Stutely laughing. "John Little! what a name
+for a man that height! John Little! why he is seven feet tall if he is
+an inch!"
+
+Will laughed and laughed, till the tears ran down his face. He thought
+it was such a funny name for so big a man.
+
+Robin laughed because Will laughed. Then John Little laughed because
+Robin laughed. Soon they were all laughing as hard as they could. The
+wind carried the sound of it away, till the folk in the villages round
+about said, "Hark! how Robin Hood and his Merry Men do laugh!"
+
+"Well," said Robin at last, "I have heard it said, 'Laugh and grow
+fat,' but if we don't get some dinner soon I think we will all grow
+very lean. Come along, my little John, I'm sure you must be hungry
+too."
+
+"Little John," said Will Stutely, "that's the very name for him. We
+must christen him again, and I will be his godfather."
+
+Back to their forest home they all went, laughing and talking as
+merrily as possible, taking John Little along with them. Dinner
+was waiting for them when they arrived. The head cook was looking
+anxiously through the trees, saying, "I do wish Master Robin would
+come, or the roast venison will be too much cooked and the rabbits
+will be stewed to rags."
+
+Just at that moment they appeared. The cook was struck dumb at the
+sight of the giant, stalking along beside Robin. "Where has master
+gotten that Maypole?" he said, laughing to himself, as he ran away to
+dish the dinner.
+
+They had a very merry dinner. Robin found that John was not only a
+good fighter but that he had a wise head and a witty tongue. He was
+more and more delighted with his new companion.
+
+But Will and the others had not forgotten that he was to be christened
+again. Seven of them came behind him, and in spite of all his kicking
+and struggling wrapped him up in a long, green cloak, pretending he
+was a baby.
+
+It was a very noisy christening. The men all shouted and laughed. John
+Little laughed and screamed in turn, and kicked and struggled all the
+time.
+
+"Hush, baby, hush," they said. But the seven-foot baby wouldn't hush.
+
+Then Will stepped up beside him and began to speak.
+
+  "This infant was called John Little, quoth he,
+    Which name shall be changed anon,
+  The words we'll transpose, so wherever he goes,
+    His name shall be called Little John."
+
+They had some buckets of water ready. These they poured over poor
+Little John till he was as wet as Robin had been after he fell into
+the river. The men roared with laughter. Little John looked so funny
+as he rolled about on the grass, trying to get out of his long, wet,
+green robe. He looked just like a huge green caterpillar.
+
+Robin laughed as much as any one. At last he said, "Now, Will, don't
+you think that is enough?"
+
+"Not a bit," said Will. "You wouldn't let us duck him in the river
+when we had him there so we have brought the river to him."
+
+At last all the buckets were empty, and the christening was over. Then
+all the men stood round in a ring and gave three cheers for Little
+John, Robin's new man.
+
+  "Then Robin he took the sweet pretty babe,
+     And clothed him from top to toe
+   In garments of green, most gay to be seen,
+     And gave him a curious longbow."
+
+After that they sang, danced and played the whole afternoon. Then when
+the sun sank and the long, cool shadows fell across the grass they all
+said "good night" and went off into their caves to sleep.
+
+From that day Little John always lived with Robin. They became very,
+very great friends and Little John was next to Robin in command of the
+men.
+
+  "And so ever after as long as he lived,
+     Although he was proper and tall,
+   Yet, nevertheless, the truth to express,
+     Still Little John they did him call."
+
+
+
+
+III
+
+ROBIN HOOD AND THE BUTCHER
+
+
+The Sheriff of Nottingham hated Robin and would have been very glad if
+any one had killed him.
+
+The Sheriff was a very unkind man. He treated the poor Saxons very
+badly. He often took away all their money, and their houses and left
+them to starve. Sometimes, for a very little fault, he would cut off
+their ears or fingers. The poor people used to go into the wood, and
+Robin would give them food and money. Sometimes they went home again,
+but very often they stayed with him, and became his men.
+
+The Sheriff knew this, so he hated Robin all the more, and he was
+never so happy as when he had caught one of Robin's men and locked him
+up in prison.
+
+But try how he might, he could not catch Robin. All the same Robin
+used to go to Nottingham very often, but he was always so well
+disguised that the Sheriff never knew him. So he always escaped.
+
+The Sheriff was too much afraid of him to go into the forest to try
+to take him. He knew his men were no match for Robin's. Robin's men
+served him and fought for him because they loved him. The Sheriff's
+men only served him because they feared him.
+
+One day Robin was walking through the forest when he met a butcher.
+
+This butcher was riding gaily along to the market at Nottingham. He
+was dressed in a blue linen coat, with leather belt. On either side of
+his strong gray pony hung a basket full of meat.
+
+In these days as there were no trains, everything had to be sent by
+road. The roads were so bad that even carts could not go along them
+very much, for the wheels stuck in the mud. Everything was carried on
+horseback, in sacks or baskets called panniers.
+
+The butcher rode gaily along, whistling as he went. Suddenly Robin
+stepped from under the trees and stopped him.
+
+"What have you there, my man?" he asked.
+
+"Butcher's meat," replied the man. "Fine prime beef and mutton for
+Nottingham market. Do you want to buy some?"
+
+"Yes, I do," said Robin. "I'll buy it all and your pony too. How much
+do you want for it? I should like to go to Nottingham and see what
+kind of a butcher I will make:"
+
+So the butcher sold his pony and all his meat to Robin. Then Robin
+changed clothes with him. He put on the butcher's blue clothes and
+leather belt, and the butcher went off in Robin's suit of Lincoln
+green, feeling very grand indeed.
+
+Then Robin mounted his pony and off he went to Nottingham to sell his
+meat at the market.
+
+When he arrived he found the whole town in a bustle. In those days
+there were very few shops, so every one used to go to market to buy
+and sell. The country people brought butter and eggs and honey to
+sell. With the money they got they bought platters and mugs, pots and
+pans, or whatever they wanted, and took it back to the country with
+them.
+
+All sorts of people came to buy: fine ladies and poor women, rich
+knights and gentlemen, and humble workers, every one pushing and
+crowding together. Robin found it quite difficult to drive his pony
+through the crowd to the corner of the market-place where the butchers
+had their stalls.
+
+He got there at last, however, laid out his meat, and began to cry
+with the best of them.
+
+"Prime meat, ladies. Come and buy. Cheapest meat in all the market,
+ladies. Come buy, come buy. Twopence a pound, ladies. Twopence a
+pound. Come buy. Come buy."
+
+"What!" said every one, "beef at twopence a pound! I never heard of
+such a thing. Why it is generally tenpence."
+
+You see Robin knew nothing at all about selling meat, as he never
+bought any. He and his men used to live on what they shot in the
+forest.
+
+When it became known that there was a new butcher, who was selling
+his meat for twopence a pound, every one came crowding round his stall
+eager to buy. All the other butchers stood idle until Robin had no
+more beef and mutton left to sell.
+
+As these butchers had nothing to do, they began to talk among
+themselves and say, "Who is this man? He has never been here before."
+
+"Do you think he has stolen the meat?"
+
+"Perhaps his father has just died and left him a business."
+
+"Well, his money won't last long at this rate."
+
+"The sooner he loses it all, the better for us. We will never be able
+to sell anything as long as he comes here giving away beef at twopence
+a pound."
+
+"It is perfectly ridiculous," said one old man, who seemed to be the
+chief butcher. "These fifty years have I come and gone to Nottingham
+market, and I have never seen the like of it--never. He is ruining the
+trade, that's what he is doing."
+
+They stood at their stalls sulky and cross, while all their customers
+crowded round Robin.
+
+Shouts of laughter came from his corner, for he was not only selling
+beef and mutton, but making jokes about it all the time.
+
+"I tell you what," said the old butcher, "it is no use standing here
+doing nothing. We had better go and talk to him, and find out, if we
+can, who he is. We must ask him to come and have dinner with us and
+the Sheriff in the town hall to-day." For on market days the butchers
+used to have dinner all together in the town hall, after market was
+over, and the sheriff used to come and have dinner with them.
+
+  "So, the butchers stepped up to jolly Robin,
+    Acquainted with him for to be;
+  Come, butcher, one said, we be all of one trade,
+    Come, will you go dine with me?"
+
+"Thank you," said Robin, "I should like nothing better. I have had a
+busy morning and am very hungry and thirsty."
+
+"Come along, then," said the butchers.
+
+The old man led the way with Robin, and the others followed two by
+two.
+
+As they walked along, the old butcher began asking Robin questions, to
+try and find out something about him.
+
+"You have not been here before?" he said.
+
+"Have I not?" replied Robin.
+
+"I have not seen you, at least."
+
+"Have you not?"
+
+"You are new to the business?"
+
+"Am I?"
+
+"Well, you seem to be," said the old butcher, getting rather cross.
+
+"Do I?" replied Robin, laughing.
+
+At last they came to the town hall, and though they had talked all the
+time the old butcher had got nothing out of Robin, and was not a bit
+the wiser.
+
+The Sheriff's house was close to the town hall, so as dinner was
+not quite ready all the butchers went to say "How do you do?" to the
+Sheriff's wife.
+
+She received them very kindly, and was quite interested in Robin
+when she heard that he was the new butcher who had been selling such
+wonderfully cheap meat. Robin had such pleasant manners too, that she
+thought he was a very nice man indeed. She was quite sorry when the
+Sheriff came and took him away, saying dinner was ready.
+
+"I hope to see you again, kind sir," she said when saying good-by.
+"Come to see me next time you have meat to sell."
+
+"Thank you, lady, I will not forget your kindness," replied Robin,
+bowing low.
+
+At dinner the Sheriff sat at one end of the table and the old butcher
+at the other. Robin, as the greatest stranger, had the place of honor
+on the Sheriff's right hand.
+
+At first the dinner was very dull. All the butchers were sulky and
+cross, only Robin was merry. He could not help laughing to himself at
+the idea of dining with his great enemy the Sheriff of Nottingham.
+And not only dining with him, but sitting on his right hand, and being
+treated as an honored guest.
+
+If the Sheriff had only known, poor Robin would very soon have been
+locked up in a dark dungeon, eating dry bread instead of apple-pie and
+custard and all the fine things they were having for dinner.
+
+However, Robin was so merry, that very soon the butchers forgot to be
+cross and sulky. Before the end of dinner all were laughing till their
+sides ached.
+
+Only the Sheriff was grave and thinking hard. He was a greedy old man,
+and he was saying to himself, "This silly young fellow evidently does
+not know the value of things. If he has any cattle I might buy them
+from him for very little. I could sell them again to the butchers for
+a good price. In that way I should make a lot of money."
+
+After dinner he took Robin by the arm and led him aside.
+
+"See here, young man," he said, "I like your looks. But you seem new
+to this business. Now, don't you trust these men," pointing to the
+butchers. "They are all as ready as can be to cheat you. You take my
+advice. If you have any cattle to sell, come to me. I'll give you a
+good price."
+
+"Thank you," said Robin, "it is most kind of you."
+
+  "Hast thou any horned beasts, the Sheriff then said,
+     Good fellow, to sell to me?
+   Yes, that I have, good master Sheriff,
+     I have hundreds two or three.
+
+  "And a hundred acres of good free land,
+     If you please it for to see;
+  And I'll make you as good assurance of it,
+     As ever my father did me."
+
+The Sheriff nearly danced for joy when he heard that Robin had so many
+horned cattle for sale. He had quite made up his mind that it would be
+very easy to cheat this silly young fellow. Already he began to count
+the money he would make. He was such a greedy old man. But there was a
+wicked twinkle in Robin's eye.
+
+"Now, young man, when can I see these horned beasts of yours?" asked
+the Sheriff. "I can't buy a pig in a poke, you know. I must see them
+first. And the land too, and the land too," he added, rubbing his
+hands, and jumping about in excitement.
+
+"The sooner the better," said Robin. "I start for home to-morrow
+morning. If you like to ride with me I will show you the horned beasts
+and the land too."
+
+"Capital, capital," said the Sheriff. "To-morrow morning then, after
+breakfast, I go with you. And see here, young man," he added, catching
+hold of Robin's coat-tails as he was going away, "you won't go and
+sell to any one else in the meantime? It is a bargain, isn't it?"
+
+"Oh, certainly. I won't even speak of it to any one," replied Robin;
+and he went away, laughing heartily to himself.
+
+That night the Sheriff went into his counting-house and counted out
+three hundred pounds in gold. He tied it up in three bags, one hundred
+pounds in each bag.
+
+"It's a lot of money," he said to himself, "a lot of money. Still, I
+suppose, I must pay him something for his cattle. But it is a lot of
+money to part with," and he heaved a big sigh.
+
+He put the gold underneath his pillow in case any one should steal it
+during the night. Then he went to bed and tried to sleep. But he was
+too excited; besides the gold under his pillow made it so hard and
+knobby that it was most uncomfortable.
+
+At last the night passed, and in the morning.
+
+  "The Sheriff he saddled his good palfrey,
+     And with three hundred pounds in gold
+   Away he went with bold Robin Hood,
+     His horned beasts to behold."
+
+The sun shone and the birds sang as they merrily rode along. When
+the Sheriff saw that they were taking the road to Sherwood Forest, he
+began to feel a little nervous.
+
+"There is a bold, bad man in these woods," he said. "He is called
+Robin Hood. He robs people, he--do you think we will meet him?"
+
+"I am quite sure we won't meet him," replied Robin with a laugh.
+
+"Well, I hope not, I am sure," said the Sheriff. "I never dare to ride
+through the forest unless I have my soldiers with me. He is a bold,
+bad man."
+
+Robin only laughed, and they rode on right into the forest.
+
+  "But when a little farther they came,
+     Bold Robin he chanced to spy
+   An hundred head of good fat deer
+     Come tripping the Sheriff full nigh."
+
+"Look there," he cried, "look! What do you think of my horned beasts?"
+
+"I think," said the Sheriff, in a trembling voice, "I think I should
+like to go back to Nottingham."
+
+"What! and not buy any horned cattle? What is the matter with them?
+Are they not fine and fat? Are they not a beautiful color? Come, come,
+Sheriff, when you have brought the money for them too."
+
+At the mention of money the Sheriff turned quite pale and clutched
+hold of his bags. "Young man," he said, "I don't like you at all. I
+tell you I want to go back to Nottingham. This isn't money I have in
+my bags, it is only pebble-stones."
+
+  "Then Robin put his horn to his mouth,
+     And blew out blasts three;
+   Then quickly and anon there came Little John,
+     And all his company."
+
+"Good morning, Little John," said Robin.
+
+"Good morning, Master Robin," he replied. "What orders have you for
+to-day?"
+
+"Well, in the first place I hope you have something nice for dinner,
+because I have brought the Sheriff of Nottingham to dine with us,"
+answered Robin.
+
+"Yes," said Little John, "the cooks are busy already as we thought you
+might bring some one back with you. But we hardly expected so fine
+a guest as the Sheriff of Nottingham," he added, making a low bow to
+him. "I hope he intends to pay honestly."
+
+For that was Robin Hood's way. He always gave a very fine dinner to
+these naughty men who had stolen money from poor people, and then he
+made them pay a great deal of money for it.
+
+The Sheriff was very much afraid when he knew that he had really
+fallen into the hands of Robin Hood. He was angry too when he thought
+that he had actually had Robin in his own house the day before, and
+could so easily have caught and put him in prison, if he had only
+known.
+
+They had a very fine dinner, and the Sheriff began to feel quite
+comfortable and to think he was going to get off easily, when Robin
+said, "Now, Master Sheriff, you must pay for your dinner."
+
+"Oh! indeed I am a poor man," said the Sheriff, "I have no money."
+
+"No money! What have you in your saddle-bags, then?" asked Robin.
+
+"Only pebbles, nothing but pebbles, as I told you before," replied the
+frightened Sheriff.
+
+"Little John, go and search the Sheriff's saddle-bags," said Robin.
+
+Little John did as he was told, and counted out three hundred pounds
+upon the ground.
+
+"Sheriff," said Robin sternly, "I shall keep all this money and divide
+it among my men. It is not half as much as you have stolen from them.
+If you had told me the truth about it, I might have given you some
+back. But I always punish people who tell lies. You have done so many
+evil deeds," he went on, "that you deserve to be hanged."
+
+The poor Sheriff shook in his shoes.
+
+"Hanged you should be," continued Robin, "but your good wife was kind
+to me yesterday. For her sake, I let you go. But if you are not kinder
+to my people I will not let you off so easily another time." And Robin
+called for the Sheriff's pony.
+
+  "Then Robin he brought him through the wood,
+    And set him on his dapple gray:
+  Oh, have me commended to your wife at home,
+    So Robin went laughing away."
+
+
+
+
+GUY OF WARWICK
+
+ADAPTED BY H.E. MARSHALL
+
+
+
+
+I
+
+GUY'S EARLY ADVENTURES AND HIS FIGHT WITH THE DUN COW
+
+
+Long ago England was divided into several kingdoms, each having a
+king. In a great battle the King of Northumbria was defeated and one
+of his lords, Gordian, lost all he owned. He and his wife Brunhilda
+journeyed forth to seek a new home and at last reached Warwick, where
+Gordian was made the steward of Lord Rohand.
+
+Not long after Brunhilda and Gordian went to live in Warwick, their
+little son Guy was born. As he grew older he became a great favorite
+and was often invited to the castle.
+
+Lord Rohand heard of Guy and asked him to a great dinner at Warwick
+Castle and afterwards to join in a tournament. To Guy was given a seat
+quite near the earl and opposite his lovely daughter Phyllis. She was
+the most beautiful lady in the kingdom and Guy longed to show her how
+well he could fight. Never did Guy fight so well; he conquered every
+one of the knights, and won the prize. Phyllis crowned him with roses
+and put the chain of gold around his neck.
+
+After this Phyllis and Guy were much together and at last Guy said
+suddenly, "Phyllis, I love thee. I cannot help it." In great anger she
+sent him away. Guy grew very sad and Phyllis very lonely and at length
+she sent for Guy and said, "Go away and make thyself famous, then will
+I marry thee."
+
+Guy rode gaily away and sailed over to Germany. There he heard of
+a great tournament. Whoever fought best was to marry the Emperor's
+daughter Blanche, which means white. Besides marrying the Princess,
+the bravest knight was to receive a pure white horse, two white
+hounds, and a white falcon. So it was called the White Tournament.
+
+When Guy told the herald that he was the son of Lord Gordian he was
+admitted. All the lords and ladies looked at him scornfully because he
+wore plain black armor with nothing painted upon his shield. As he had
+not worn spurs, he was not yet a knight. Guy entered the lists and
+met and conquered Prince Philaner, the Emperor's son, Duke Otto, Duke
+Ranier, and Duke Louvain.
+
+Guy took the prize offered with the exception of the hand of Blanche.
+"For my fair Phyllis alone I keep my love," he said.
+
+Guy went back to England and heard that a terrible dun-colored cow had
+appeared in Warwickshire. It was twelve feet high and eighteen feet
+long. Its horns were thicker than an elephant's tusks curled and
+twisted. The King said that whoever would kill the Dun Cow should be
+made a knight and receive a great deal of land and money. Guy went out
+to meet him and after a fearful encounter was able to deal a deathblow
+with his battle-axe behind the beast's ear.
+
+Then the King gave the new knight a pair of golden spurs, and Lady
+Phyllis fastened them on. In memory of Guy's deed one rib of the Dun
+Cow was hung up at the gate of Coventry and another in the Castle of
+Warwick.
+
+
+
+
+II
+
+TRAVELS AND DEEDS IN MANY LANDS
+
+
+Guy next went to France, where he was wounded at a tournament. His
+enemy, Duke Otto, bribed fifteen villains to lie in wait, take him and
+cast him into prison. With the help of his friend Heraud, Guy was able
+to slay them all, but one of the traitor men smote Heraud so hard that
+he fell to the ground as if dead.
+
+One day news was brought to Guy that Ledgwin of Louvain was shut up
+in his city of Arrascoun sore beset by the Emperor. Gathering his
+soldiers and knights together he set out to help his friend and was
+overjoyed to find Heraud in the guise of a pilgrim sitting by the
+roadside. Heraud had been nursed back to health by a kind hermit. At
+once he put on armor and rode forth with Guy to the city of Arrascoun
+to release Ledgwin. There was a great battle but the Almains who
+surrounded the city were defeated and the Emperor yielded and forgave
+Ledgwin.
+
+While in Greece, Guy went out hunting and came upon a most wonderful
+sight, a conflict between a lion and a dragon. Just when the dragon
+was about to crush the lion Guy drew his sword, and setting spurs
+to his horse, sprang upon the dragon. The fight was then between
+the dragon and Guy. It seemed at first that the dragon would be the
+victor, but, like a flash, Guy leaped from his horse and plunged his
+sword deep into the brute's side. For a moment his speckled crest
+quivered, then all was still.
+
+Guy thought he would have to kill the lion too, but as it came near
+it licked Guy's feet and fawned upon him, purring softly like a great
+pussy-cat. When Guy rode back the lion trotted after him and lived
+with him every day.
+
+Guy had an enemy at court, Morgadour, who hated the brave knight and
+said, "I cannot kill thee, Guy of Warwick, but I will grieve thee. I
+will kill thy lion." This he did in secret. The King was angry when
+the deed was discovered and told Guy to meet him in combat, which he
+did, and slew Morgadour.
+
+Laden with riches, Guy reached home again, this time to marry the
+beautiful Phyllis. There was a great and splendid wedding. For fifteen
+days the feasting and merriment lasted.
+
+For some time Guy and Phyllis lived happily together. Then one sad day
+Earl Rohand died and Guy became Earl of Warwick.
+
+As the new earl was one day thinking of his past life, it seemed to
+him that he had caused much bloodshed. Thereupon he decided to go to
+the Holy Land, and there, at the Sepulcher of our Lord, do penance for
+his sins. Phyllis begged him to stay; but Guy said, "I must go." So,
+dressed in pilgrim robes, with staff in hand he set out on his long
+journey.
+
+One day as he walked he came upon an old man who was sad because the
+giant Ameraunt was keeping his daughter and fifteen sons in a strong
+castle. "I am Earl Jonas of Durras," he said, "and I seek Guy of
+Warwick to help me."
+
+Guy said if the earl would give him meat and drink, weapons and armor,
+he would see what he could do.
+
+A splendid coat of mail was brought with shield and sword. Guy called
+to the giant to come forth. "That will I," replied the giant, "and
+make short work with thee."
+
+Ameraunt stalked forth and the fight began. All day it lasted before
+Guy with his sword cut the giant's head off.
+
+Taking the keys of the castle, which lay on the ground, he immediately
+released Earl of Jonas's children and other noble knights and brave
+ladies.
+
+Putting off his armor, he dressed himself once more in his pilgrim's
+robe, and with his staff in his hand set out again upon his journey.
+
+
+
+
+III
+
+HOW GUY FOUGHT WITH THE GIANT COLBRAND
+
+
+For some time after Guy went away Phyllis was very sorrowful. She wept
+and mourned, and was so sad that she longed to die. At times she even
+thought of killing herself. She would draw out Guy's great sword,
+which he had left behind, and think how easy it would be to run
+it through her heart. But she remembered that the good fairies had
+promised to send her a little son, and so she made up her mind to live
+until he came. When the good fairies brought the baby she called
+him Reinbroun, and he was so pretty and so dear that Phyllis was
+comforted.
+
+Then, because her lord was far away, and could not attend to his great
+lands nor to the ruling of his many servants, Phyllis did so for
+him. She ruled and ordered her household well; she made new roads and
+rebuilt bridges which had been broken down. She journeyed through all
+the land, seeing that wrong was made right and evildoers punished.
+She fed the poor, tended the sick, and comforted those in sorrow, and,
+besides all this, she built great churches and abbeys.
+
+So year after year passed, but still Guy did not return. All day
+Phyllis was busy and had no time for grief, but when evening came she
+would go to pace up and down the path (which to this day is called
+"Fair Phyllis's Walk") where she and Guy had often walked together.
+Now as she wandered there alone, the hot, slow tears would come, and
+she would feel miserable and forsaken.
+
+At last, after many years full of adventures and travel, Guy reached
+England once more. He was now an old man. His beard was long, his
+hair had grown white, and in the weather-beaten pilgrim none could
+recognize the gallant knight and earl, Guy of Warwick.
+
+When Guy landed in England he found the whole country in sore dread.
+For Anlaf, King of Denmark, had invaded England with a great army.
+With fire and sword he had wasted the land, sparing neither tower nor
+town, man, woman, nor child, but destroying all that came in his path.
+Fight how they might, the English could not drive out the Danes.
+
+Now they were in deep despair, for the enemy lay before the King's
+city of Winchester. With them was a terrible giant called Colbrand,
+and Anlaf had sent a message to King Athelstane, as the King who now
+reigned over all England was called, demanding that he should either
+find a champion to fight with Colbrand or deliver over his kingdom.
+
+So the King had sent messengers north, south, east, and west, but in
+all the land no knight could be found who was brave enough to face the
+awful giant. And now within the great church of Winchester the King
+with his priests and people knelt, praying God to send a champion.
+
+"Where, then, is Heraud?" asked Guy of the man who told this tale.
+"Where is Heraud, who never yet forsook man in need?"
+
+"Alas! he has gone far beyond the seas," replied the man, "and so has
+Guy of Warwick. We know not where they are."
+
+Then Guy took his staff and turned his steps toward Winchester. Coming
+there, he found the King sitting among his wise men. "I bid you," he
+was saying to them, "give me some counsel how I may defend my country
+against the Danes. Is there any knight among you who will fight this
+giant? Half my kingdom he shall have, and that gladly, if he conquer."
+
+But all the wise men, knights and nobles, stood silent and looked upon
+the ground.
+
+"Oh, we is me!" then cried the King, "that I rule over such cowards.
+To what have my English come that I may not find one knight among
+them bold enough to do battle for his King and country? Oh that Guy of
+Warwick were here!"
+
+Then through the bright crowd of steel-clad nobles there came a tall
+old man, dressed in a worn, dark, pilgrim's robe, with bare feet and
+head, and a staff in his hand.
+
+"My Lord King," he said, "I will fight for thee."
+
+"Thou," said the King in astonishment, "thou seemest more fit to pray
+than to fight for us."
+
+"Believe me, my Lord King," said Guy, for of course it was he, "this
+hand has often held a sword, and never yet have I been worsted in
+fight."
+
+"Then since there is none other," said the King, "fight, and God
+strengthen thee."
+
+Now Guy was very tall, and no armor could be found anywhere to fit
+him. "Send to the Countess of Warwick," said Guy at last. "Ask her to
+lend the earl's weapons and armor for the saving of England."
+
+"That is well thought of," said the King.
+
+So a swift messenger was sent to Warwick Castle, and he presently
+returned with Guy's armor. He at once put it on, and the people
+marveled that it should fit him so well, for none knew, or guessed,
+that the pilgrim was Guy himself.
+
+Guy went then out to meet the giant, and all the people crowded to the
+walls of Winchester to watch their champion fight.
+
+Colbrand came forth. He was so huge that no horse could carry him,
+and he wore a whole wagon-load of weapons. His armor was pitch-black
+except his shield, which was blood-red and had a white owl painted
+upon it. He was a fearsome sight to look upon, and as he strode along
+shaking his spear every one trembled for Guy.
+
+It was a terrible and unequal fight. Tall though Guy was, he could
+reach no higher than the giant's shoulder with his spear, but yet he
+wounded him again and again.
+
+"I have never fought with any like thee," cried Colbrand. "Yield,
+and I will ask King Anlaf to make thee a general in the Danish army.
+Castle and tower shalt thou have, and everything that thou canst
+desire, if thou but do as I counsel thee."
+
+"Better death than that," replied Guy, and still fought on. At last,
+taking his battle-axe in both hands, he gave Colbrand such a blow that
+his sword dropped to the ground. As the giant reeled under the stroke,
+Guy raised his battle-axe once more.
+
+  "His good axe he reared on high
+  With both hands full mightily;
+  He smote him in the neck so well,
+  That the head flew that very deal.
+  The giant dead on the earth lay;
+  The Danes made great sorrow that day."
+
+Seeing their champion fall, the Danes fled to their ships. England was
+saved.
+
+Then out of the city came all the people with the priests and King in
+great procession, and singing hymns of praise as they went, they led
+Guy back.
+
+The King brought Guy to his palace and offered him splendid robes and
+great rewards, even to the half of the kingdom. But Guy would have
+none of them. "Give me my pilgrim's dress again," he said. And, in
+spite of all the King could say, he put off his fine armor and dressed
+himself again in his dark pilgrim's robe.
+
+"Tell me at least thy name," said the King, "so that the minstrels
+may sing of thy great deeds, and that in years to come the people may
+remember and bless thee."
+
+"Bless God, not me," replied Guy. "He it was gave me strength and
+power against the giant."
+
+"Then if thou wilt not that the people know," said the King, "tell thy
+name to me alone."
+
+"So be it," said Guy. "Walk with me half a mile out of the city, thou
+and I alone. Then will I tell thee my name."
+
+So the King in his royal robes, and the pilgrim in his dull, dark
+gown, passed together out of the city gate. When they had gone half a
+mile, Guy stood still. "Sire," he said, "thou wouldst know my name. I
+am Guy of Warwick, thine own knight. Once thou didst love me well, now
+I am as thou dost see me."
+
+At first the King could hardly believe that this poor man was really
+the great Earl of Warwick, but when he became sure of it he threw his
+arms round Guy and kissed him. "Dear friend, we have long mourned for
+thee as dead," he cried. "Now thou wilt come with me and help me to
+rule, and I will honor thee above all men."
+
+But Guy would not go back. He made the King promise to tell no man who
+he was. This he did for the sake of the oath which he had sworn, that
+he would never again fight for glory but only for a righteous cause.
+Then once more they kissed, and each turned his own way, the King
+going sadly back to Winchester.
+
+As he entered the gates the people crowded round him, eager to know
+who the pilgrim was. But King Athelstane held up his hand. "Peace," he
+said, "I indeed know, but I may not tell you. Go to your homes, thank
+God for your deliverance, and pray for him who overcame the giant."
+
+
+
+
+IV
+
+HOW AT LAST GUY WENT HOME
+
+
+After Guy left the King, he journeyed on towards Warwick. And when he
+came to the town over which he was lord and master no one knew him. So
+he mixed with the poor men who came every morning to the castle gates
+to receive food from the countess.
+
+Guy listened to what those round him said. He heard them praise and
+bless Phyllis, calling her the best woman that had ever lived, and his
+heart was glad.
+
+Pale and trembling, Guy bent before his wife, to receive food from her
+hands. He was so changed that even she did not know him, but she felt
+very sorry for the poor man who seemed so thin and worn, so she spoke
+kindly to him and gave him more food than the others, and told him to
+come every day as long as he lived.
+
+Guy thanked her, and turned slowly away. He remembered that a hermit
+lived in a cave not far off, and to him he went. But when he reached
+the cave he found it empty. The hermit had been dead many years.
+
+Guy then made up his mind to live in the cave. Every morning he went
+to the castle to receive food from Phyllis. But he would only take
+the simplest things, often eating nothing but bread and drinking water
+from the spring which flowed near.
+
+Every evening Guy could hear Phyllis as she paced to and fro, for
+her walk was not far from the hermit's cave. But still some strange
+enchantment, as it were, held him dumb, and although he still loved
+her, although he knew that she sorrowed and longed for him to return
+home, he could not say, "I am here."
+
+At last one day Guy became very ill. He had no longer strength to go
+to the castle, so calling a passing countryman to him, he gave him a
+ring. It was the ring which Phyllis had given him, and which he had
+kept ever with him through all his pilgrimage. "Take this," he said
+to the countryman, "and carry it to Fair Phyllis, the Countess of
+Warwick."
+
+But the countryman was afraid. "I have never spoken to a great lady,
+and I do not know how to address her," he said. "Besides she may be
+angry with me, and I shall get into trouble if I carry a ring to the
+earl's wife."
+
+"Do not fear," said Guy, "the countess will not be angry; rather will
+she reward thee. Tell her to come hastily or I die."
+
+So the countryman took the ring, and, coming to the countess fell upon
+his knees. "Lady," he said, "a pilgrim who lives yonder in the forest
+sends thee this ring."
+
+Phyllis took the ring, and, as she looked at it, a strange light
+came into her eyes. Like one in a dream she passed her hand over
+her forehead. "It is mine own lord, Sir Guy," she cried, and fell
+senseless to the ground.
+
+The countryman was much frightened, but her ladies ran to the countess
+and raised her, and soon she opened her eyes.
+
+"Friend," she said to the countryman, "tell me where is he who gave
+thee this ring?"
+
+"He is in the hermit's cave," replied the man, "and he bade me to say
+that thou must hasten ere he die."
+
+Right glad was Phyllis at the thought of seeing Guy again, yet
+sorrowful lest she should find him dead. So, calling for her mule,
+she mounted and rode speedily towards the cave, the countryman running
+before to show the way.
+
+And when they came to the cave Phyllis went in, and kneeling beside
+Guy, put her arms round him, crying bitterly. "Dear," he said, "weep
+not, for I go where sorrows end." Then
+
+  "He kissed her fair and courteously,
+  With that he died hastily."
+
+There was sorrow through all the land when it was known that Guy, the
+great hero, was dead. He was buried with much pomp and ceremony, the
+King and Queen, and all the greatest nobles of the land, coming to
+the funeral. And Phyllis, not caring to live longer, now that she knew
+that Guy was indeed dead, died too, and they were both buried in the
+same grave.
+
+Then minstrels sang of Guy's valiant deeds, and of how he had slain
+giants and dragons, and of how he might have been an emperor and
+a king over many lands, and how he was ever a gentle and courteous
+knight.
+
+  "Thus endeth the tale of Sir Guy:
+     God, on his soul have mercy,
+  And on ours when we be dead,
+     And grant us in heaven to have stead."
+
+If you ever go to Warwick you will see, in the castle there, Guy's
+sword and armor. Wise people will tell you that they never belonged
+to Guy, but to some other men who lived much later. Well, perhaps they
+are right.
+
+Then, when you are at Warwick, you must go to Guy's Cliff, which is
+about a mile and a half away. There, in the chapel, is a statue of
+Guy, very old and broken.
+
+You will also see there Fair Phyllis's Walk, the spring from which Guy
+used to drink, still called Guy's Well, and the cave where he lived as
+a hermit, and where he died.
+
+Upon the walls of the cave is some writing. You will not be able to
+read it, for it is Saxon, but it means, "Cast out, Thou Christ, from
+Thy servant this burden."
+
+Did Guy, I wonder, or some other, in days of loneliness and despair,
+carve these words?
+
+If you ask why Guy did these things--why, when he was happy and had
+everything he could desire, he threw away that happiness, and wandered
+out into the world to endure hunger, and weariness, and suffering--or
+why, when at last he came back and found his beautiful wife waiting
+and longing for his return, he did not go to her and be happy again,
+I cannot tell you certainly. But perhaps it may be explained in this
+way. In those far-off days there was nothing for great men to do but
+fight. What they had they had won by the sword, and they kept it
+by the sword. So they went swaggering over the world, fighting and
+shedding blood, and the more men a knight killed, the more blood he
+shed, the greater was his fame. It was impossible for a man to live in
+the world and be at peace with his fellows. So when he desired peace
+he had to cut himself off from the world and all who lived in it, and
+go to live like a hermit in some lonely cave, or wander as a pilgrim
+in desolate places. And so it was with Guy.
+
+
+
+
+WHITTINGTON AND HIS CAT
+
+ADAPTED BY ERNEST RHYS
+
+
+In the reign of the famous King Edward III. there was a little boy
+called Dick Whittington, whose father and mother died when he was very
+young, so that he remembered nothing at all about them, and was left
+a ragged little fellow, running about a country village. As poor Dick
+was not old enough to work, he was very badly off; he got but little
+for his dinner, and sometimes nothing at all for his breakfast; for
+the people who lived in the village were very poor indeed, and could
+not spare him much more than the parings of potatoes, and now and then
+a hard crust of bread.
+
+For all this Dick Whittington was a very sharp boy, and was always
+listening to what everybody talked about. On Sunday he was sure to
+get near the farmers, as they sat talking on the tombstones in the
+churchyard, before the parson came; and once a week you might see
+little Dick leaning against the sign-post of the village alehouse,
+where people stopped to drink as they came from the next market town;
+and when the barber's shop door was open, Dick listened to all the
+news that his customers told one another.
+
+In this manner Dick heard a great many very strange things about the
+great city called London; for the foolish country people at that time
+thought that folks in London were all fine gentlemen and ladies; and
+that there was singing and music there all day long; and that the
+streets were all paved with gold.
+
+One day a large wagon and eight horses, all with bells at their heads,
+drove through the village while Dick was standing by the sign-post. He
+thought that this wagon must be going to the fine town of London; so
+he took courage, and asked the wagoner to let him walk with him by the
+side of the wagon. As soon as the wagoner heard that poor Dick had no
+father or mother, and saw by his ragged clothes that he could not be
+worse off than he was, he told him he might go if he would, so they
+set off together.
+
+I could never find out how little Dick contrived to get meat and drink
+on the road; nor how he could walk so far, for it was a long way; nor
+what he did at night for a place to lie down to sleep in. Perhaps some
+good-natured people in the towns that he passed through, when they
+saw he was a poor little ragged boy, gave him something to eat; and
+perhaps the wagoner let him get into the wagon at night, and take a
+nap upon one of the boxes or large parcels in the wagon.
+
+Dick, however, got safe to London, and was in such a hurry to see the
+fine streets paved all over with gold, that I am afraid he did not
+even stay to thank the kind wagoner; but ran off as fast as his legs
+would carry him, through many of the streets, thinking every moment
+to come to those that were paved with gold; for Dick had seen a guinea
+three times in his own little village, and remembered what a deal of
+money it brought in change; so he thought he had nothing to do but to
+take up some little bits of the pavement, and should then have as much
+money as he could wish for.
+
+Poor Dick ran till he was tired, and had quite forgot his friend the
+wagoner; but at last, finding it grow dark, and that every way he
+turned he saw nothing but dirt instead of gold, he sat down in a dark
+corner and cried himself to sleep.
+
+Little Dick was all night in the streets; and next morning, being very
+hungry, he got up and walked about, and asked everybody he met to give
+him a halfpenny to keep him from starving; but nobody stayed to answer
+him, and only two or three gave him a halfpenny; so that the poor boy
+was soon quite weak and faint for the want of victuals.
+
+At last a good-natured looking gentleman saw how hungry he looked.
+"Why don't you go to work, my lad?" said he to Dick. "That I would,
+but I do not know how to get any," answered Dick. "If you are willing,
+come along with me," said the gentleman, and took him to a hay-field,
+where Dick worked briskly, and lived merrily till the hay was made.
+
+After this he found himself as badly off as before; and being almost
+starved again, he laid himself down at the door of Mr. Fitzwarren,
+a rich merchant. Here he was soon seen by the cook, who was an
+ill-tempered creature, and happened just then to be very busy
+preparing dinner for her master and mistress; so she called out to
+poor Dick: "What business have you there, you lazy rogue? there is
+nothing else but beggars; if you do not take yourself away, we will
+see how you will like a sousing of some dish-water; I have some here
+hot enough to make you jump."
+
+Just at that time Mr. Fitzwarren himself came home to dinner; and when
+he saw a dirty ragged boy lying at the door, he said to him: "Why do
+you lie there, my boy? You seem old enough to work; I am afraid you
+are inclined to be lazy."
+
+"No, indeed, sir," said Dick to him, "that is not the case, for I
+would work with all my heart, but I do not know anybody, and I believe
+I am very sick for the want of food."
+
+"Poor fellow, get up; let me see what ails you."
+
+Dick now tried to rise, but was obliged to lie down again, being too
+weak to stand, for he had not eaten any food for three days, and
+was no longer able to run about and beg a halfpenny of people in the
+street. So the kind merchant ordered him to be taken into the house,
+and have a good dinner given him, and be kept to do what dirty work he
+was able to do for the cook.
+
+Little Dick would have lived very happy in this good family if it had
+not been for the ill-natured cook, who was finding fault and scolding
+him from morning to night, and besides, she was so fond of basting,
+that when she had no meat to baste, she would baste poor Dick's head
+and shoulders with a broom, or anything else that happened to fall
+in her way. At last her ill-usage of him was told to Alice, Mr.
+Fitzwarren's daughter, who told the cook she should be turned away if
+she did not treat him kinder.
+
+The ill-humor of the cook was now a little amended; but besides this
+Dick had another hardship to get over. His bed stood in a garret,
+where there were so many holes in the floor and the walls that every
+night he was tormented with rats and mice. A gentleman having given
+Dick a penny for cleaning his shoes, he thought he would buy a cat
+with it. The next day he saw a girl with a cat, and asked her if she
+would let him have it for a penny. The girl said she would, and at the
+same time told him the cat was an excellent mouser.
+
+Dick hid his cat in the garret, and always took care to carry a part
+of his dinner to her; and in a short time he had no more trouble with
+the rats and mice, but slept quite sound every night.
+
+Soon after this, his master had a ship ready to sail; and as he
+thought it right that all his servants should have some chance for
+good fortune as well as himself, he called them all into the parlor
+and asked them what they would send out.
+
+They all had something that they were willing to venture except
+poor Dick, who had neither money nor goods, and therefore could send
+nothing.
+
+For this reason he did not come into the parlor with the rest; but
+Miss Alice guessed what was the matter, and ordered him to be called
+in. She then said she would lay down some money for him, from her
+own purse; but the father told her this would not do, for it must be
+something of his own.
+
+When poor Dick heard this, he said he had nothing but a cat which he
+bought for a penny some time since of a little girl.
+
+"Fetch your cat then, my good boy," said Mr. Fitzwarren, "and let her
+go."
+
+Dick went upstairs and brought down poor puss, with tears in his eyes,
+and gave her to the captain; for he said he should now be kept awake
+again all night by the rats and mice.
+
+All the company laughed at Dick's odd venture; and Miss Alice, who
+felt pity for the poor boy, gave him some money to buy another cat.
+
+This, and many other marks of kindness shown him by Miss Alice made
+the ill-tempered cook jealous of poor Dick, and she began to use him
+more cruelly than ever, and always made game of him for sending his
+cat to sea. She asked him if he thought his cat would sell for as much
+money as would buy a stick to beat him.
+
+At last poor Dick could not bear this usage any longer, and he thought
+he would run away from his place; so he packed up his few things, and
+started very early in the morning, on All-hallow's, which is the first
+of November. He walked as far as Holloway; and there sat down on a
+stone, which to this day is called Whittington's stone, and began to
+think to himself which road he should take as he went onwards.
+
+While he was thinking what he should do, the bells of Bow Church,
+which at that time had only six, began to ring, and he fancied their
+sound seemed to say to him:
+
+  "Turn again, Whittington,
+   Lord Mayor of London."
+
+"Lord Mayor of London!" said he to himself. "Why, to be sure, I would
+put up with almost anything now, to be Lord Mayor of London, and ride
+in a fine coach, when I grow to be a man! Well, I will go back, and
+think nothing of the cuffing and scolding of the old cook, if I am to
+be Lord Mayor of London at last."
+
+Dick went back, and was lucky enough to get into the house, and set
+about his work, before the old cook came downstairs.
+
+The ship, with the cat on board, was a long time at sea; and was at
+last driven by the winds on a part of the coast of Barbary, where the
+only people were the Moors, that the English had never known before.
+
+The people then came in great numbers to see the sailors, who were
+of different color to themselves, and treated them very civilly; and,
+when they became better acquainted, were very eager to buy the fine
+things that the ship was loaded with.
+
+When the captain saw this, he sent patterns of the best things he had
+to the King of the country; who was so much pleased with them, that
+he sent for the captain to the palace. Here they were placed, as it is
+the custom of the country, on rich carpets marked with gold and silver
+flowers. The King and Queen were seated at the upper end of the room;
+and a number of dishes were brought in for dinner. They had not
+sat long, when a vast number of rats and mice rushed in, helping
+themselves from almost every dish. The captain wondered at this, and
+asked if these vermin were not very unpleasant.
+
+"Oh, yes," said they, "very destructive; and the King would give
+half his treasure to be freed of them, for they not only destroy his
+dinner, as you see, but they assault him in his chamber and even in
+bed, so that he is obliged to be watched while he is sleeping for fear
+of them."
+
+The captain jumped for joy; he remembered poor Whittington and his
+cat, and told the King he had a creature on board the ship that would
+despatch all these vermin immediately. The King's heart heaved so high
+at the joy which this news gave him that his turban dropped off his
+head. "Bring this creature to me," says he; "vermin are dreadful in
+a court, and if she will perform what you say, I will load your ship
+with gold and jewels in exchange for her." The captain, who knew his
+business, took this opportunity to set forth the merits of Mrs Puss.
+He told his majesty that it would be inconvenient to part with her,
+as, when she was gone, the rats and mice might destroy the goods in
+the ship--but to oblige his Majesty he would fetch her. "Run, run!"
+said the Queen; "I am impatient to see the dear creature."
+
+Away went the captain to the ship, while another dinner was got ready.
+He put puss under his arm, and arrived at the place soon enough to see
+the table full of rats.
+
+When the cat saw them, she did not wait for bidding, but jumped out of
+the captain's arms, and in a few minutes laid almost all the rats and
+mice dead at her feet. The rest of them in their fright scampered away
+to their holes.
+
+The King and Queen were quite charmed to get so easily rid of such
+plagues, and desired that the creature who had done them so great
+a kindness might be brought to them for inspection. Upon which the
+captain called: "Pussy, pussy, pussy!" and she came to him. He then
+presented her to the queen, who started back, and was afraid to touch
+a creature who had made such a havoc among the rats and mice. However,
+when the captain stroked the cat and called: "Pussy, pussy," the Queen
+also touched her and cried "Putty, putty," for she had not learned
+English. He then put her down on the queen's lap, where she, purring,
+played with her Majesty's hand, and then sung herself to sleep.
+
+The King, having seen the exploits of Mrs. Puss, and being informed
+that her kittens would stock the whole country, bargained with the
+captain for the whole ship's cargo, and then gave him ten times as
+much for the cat as all the rest amounted to.
+
+The captain then took leave of the royal party, and set sail with
+a fair wind for England, and after a happy voyage arrived safe in
+London.
+
+One morning Mr. Fitzwarren had just come to his counting-house and
+seated himself at the desk, when somebody came tap, tap, at the door.
+"Who's there?" said Mr. Fitzwarren. "A friend," answered the other;
+"I come to bring you good news of your ship Unicorn." The merchant,
+bustling up instantly, opened the door, and who should be seen waiting
+but the captain and factor, with a cabinet of jewels, and a bill of
+lading, for which the merchant lifted up his eyes and thanked heaven
+for sending him such a prosperous voyage.
+
+They then told the story of the cat, and showed the rich present
+that the king and queen had sent for her to poor Dick. As soon as the
+merchant heard this, he called out to his servants,
+
+  "Go fetch him--we will tell him of the same;
+   Pray call him Mr. Whittington by name."
+
+Mr. Fitzwarren now showed himself to be a good man; for when some
+of his servants said so great a treasure was too much for Dick, he
+answered: "God forbid I should deprive him of the value of a single
+penny."
+
+He then sent for Dick, who at that time was scouring pots for the
+cook, and was quite dirty.
+
+Mr. Fitzwarren ordered a chair to be set for him, and so he began to
+think they were making game of him, at the same time begging them not
+to play tricks with a poor simple boy, but to let him go down again,
+if they pleased, to his work.
+
+"Indeed, Mr. Whittington," said the merchant, "we are all quite
+in earnest with you, and I most heartily rejoice in the news these
+gentlemen have brought you; for the captain has sold your cat to the
+King of Barbary, and brought you in return for her more riches than I
+possess in the whole world; and I wish you may long enjoy them!"
+
+Mr. Fitzwarren then told the men to open the great treasure they had
+brought with him; and said: "Mr. Whittington has nothing to do but to
+put it in some place of safety."
+
+Poor Dick hardly knew how to behave himself for joy. He begged his
+master to take what part of it he pleased, since he owed it all to his
+kindness. "No, no," answered Mr. Fitzwarren, "this is all your own;
+and I have no doubt but you will use it well."
+
+Dick next asked his mistress, and then Miss Alice, to accept a part
+of his good fortune; but they would not, and at the same time told him
+they felt great joy at his good success. But this poor fellow was too
+kind-hearted to keep it all to himself; so he made a present to the
+captain, the mate, and the rest of Mr. Fitzwarren's servants; and even
+to the ill-natured old cook.
+
+After this Mr. Fitzwarren advised him to send for a proper tradesman
+and get himself dressed like a gentleman; and told him he was welcome
+to live in his house till he could provide himself with a better.
+
+When Whittington's face was washed, his hair curled, his hat cocked,
+and he was dressed in a nice suit of clothes, he was as handsome and
+genteel as any young man who visited at Mr. Fitzwarren's; so that Miss
+Alice, who had once been so kind to him, and thought of him with pity,
+now looked upon him as fit to be her sweetheart; and the more so, no
+doubt, because Whittington was now always thinking what he could do to
+oblige her, and making her the prettiest presents that could be.
+
+Mr. Fitzwarren soon saw their love for each other, and proposed to
+join them in marriage; and to this they both readily agreed. A day for
+the wedding was soon fixed; and they were attended to church by the
+Lord Mayor, the court aldermen, the sheriffs, and a great number of
+the richest merchants in London, whom they afterwards treated with a
+very rich feast.
+
+History tells us that Mr. Whittington and his lady lived in great
+splendor, and were very happy. They had several children. He was
+Sheriff of London, also Mayor, and received the honor of knighthood by
+Henry V.
+
+The figure of Sir Richard Whittington with his cat in his arms, carved
+in stone, was to be seen till the year 1780 over the archway of the
+old prison of Newgate, that stood across Newgate Street.
+
+
+
+
+TOM HICKATHRIFT
+
+ADAPTED BY ERNEST RHYS
+
+
+Long before William the Conqueror, there dwelt a man in the Isle of
+Ely, named Thomas Hickathrift, a poor laboring man, but so strong that
+he was able to do in one day the ordinary work of two. He had an only
+son, whom he christened Thomas, after his own name. The old man put
+his son to good learning, but he would take none, for he was none of
+the wisest, but something soft, and had no docility at all in him.
+God calling this good man, the father, to his rest, his mother, being
+tender of him, kept him by her hard labor as well as she could;
+but this was no easy matter, for Tom would sit all day in the
+chimney-corner, instead of doing anything to help her, and although at
+the time we were speaking of he was only ten years old, he would eat
+more than four or five ordinary men, and was five feet and a half
+in height, and two feet and a half broad. His hand was more like a
+shoulder of mutton than a boy's hand, and he was altogether like a
+little monster; but yet his great strength was not known.
+
+Tom's strength came to be known in this manner: his mother, it seems,
+as well as himself, for they lived in the days of merry old England,
+slept upon straw. Now, being a tidy old creature, she must every now
+and then have a new bed, and one day having been promised a bottle of
+straw by a neighboring farmer, after much begging she got her son to
+fetch it. Tom, however, made her borrow a cart-rope first, before he
+would budge a step, without saying what he wanted it for; but the poor
+woman, too glad to gain his help upon any terms, let him have it at
+once. Tom, swinging the rope round his shoulder went to the farmer's,
+and found him with two men threshing in a barn. Having told what he
+wanted, the farmer said he might take as much straw as he could carry.
+Tom at once took him at his word, and, placing the rope in a right
+position, rapidly made up a bundle containing at least a cartload, the
+men jeering at him all the while. Their merriment, however, did not
+last long, for Tom flung the enormous bundle over his shoulders, and
+walked away with it without any difficulty, and left them all gaping
+after him.
+
+After this exploit Tom was no longer allowed to be idle. Every one
+tried to secure his services, and we are told many tales of his mighty
+strength. On one occasion, having been offered as great a bundle of
+fire wood as he could carry, he marched off with one of the largest
+trees in the forest. Tom was also extremely fond of attending fairs;
+and in cudgeling, wrestling, or throwing the hammer, there was no
+one who could compete with him. He thought nothing of flinging a huge
+hammer into the middle of a river a mile off, and, in fact, performed
+such extraordinary feats, that the folk began to have a fear of him.
+
+At length a brewer at Lynn, who required a strong lusty fellow to
+carry his beer to the Marsh and to Wisbeach, after much persuasion,
+and promising him a new suit of clothes and as much as he liked to
+eat and drink, secured Tom for his business. The distance he daily
+traveled with the beer was upwards of twenty miles, for although there
+was a shorter cut through the Marsh, no one durst go that way for fear
+of a monstrous giant, who was lord of a portion of the district, and
+who killed or made slaves of every one he could lay his hands upon.
+
+Now, in the course of time, Tom was thoroughly tired of going such a
+roundabout way, and without telling his plans to any one, he resolved
+to pass through the giant's domain, or lose his life in the attempt.
+This was a bold undertaking, but good living had so increased Tom's
+strength and courage, that venturesome as he was before, his hardiness
+was so much increased that he would have faced a still greater danger.
+He accordingly drove his cart in the forbidden direction, flinging the
+gates wide open, as if for the purpose of making his daring more plain
+to be seen.
+
+At length he was espied by the giant, who was in a rage at his
+boldness, but consoled himself by thinking that Tom and the beer
+would soon become his prey. "Sir," said the monster, "who gave you
+permission to come this way? Do you not know how I make all stand in
+fear of me? and you, like an impudent rogue, must come and fling my
+gates open at your pleasure! Are you careless of your life? Do not you
+care what you do? But I will make you an example for all rogues under
+the sun! Dost thou not see how many thousand heads hang upon yonder
+tree--heads of those who have offended against my laws? But thy head
+shall hang higher than all the rest for an example!" But Tom made
+him answer: "You shall not find me to be one of them." "No!" said the
+giant, in astonishment and indignation; "and what a fool you must be
+if you come to fight with such a one as I am, and bring never a weapon
+to defend yourself!" Quoth Tom, "I have a weapon here that will make
+you know you are a traitorous rogue." This speech highly incensed the
+giant, who immediately ran to his cave for his club, intending to
+dash out Tom's brains at one blow. Tom was now much distressed for a
+weapon, as by some chance he had forgot one, and he began to reflect
+how very little his whip would help him against a monster twelve feet
+in height and six feet round the waist. But while the giant was gone
+for his club, Tom bethought himself, and turning his cart upside down,
+adroitly took out the axletree, which would serve him for a staff, and
+removing a wheel, fitted it to his arm instead of a shield--very good
+weapons indeed in time of trouble, and worthy of Tom's wit. When the
+monster returned with his club, he was amazed to see the weapons with
+which Tom had armed himself; but uttering a word of defiance, he bore
+down upon the poor fellow with such heavy strokes that it was as much
+as Tom could do to defend himself with his wheel. Tom, however, at
+length cut the giant such a blow with the axletree on the side of his
+head, that he nearly reeled over. "What!" said Tom, "have you drunk
+of my strong beer already?" This inquiry did not, as we may suppose,
+mollify the giant, who laid on his blows so sharply and heavily
+that Tom was obliged to defend himself. By-and-by, not making any
+impression on the wheel, the giant grew tired, and was obliged to ask
+Tom if he would let him drink a little, and then he would fight again.
+"No," said Tom, "my mother did not teach me that wit: who would be
+fool then?" The end may readily be imagined; Tom having beaten
+the giant, cut off his head, and entered the cave, which he found
+completely filled with gold and silver.
+
+The news of this victory rapidly spread throughout the country, for
+the giant had been a common enemy to the people about. They made
+bonfires for joy, and showed their respect to Tom by every means in
+their power. A few days afterwards Tom took possession of the cave
+and all the giant's treasure. He pulled down the former, and built
+a magnificent house on the spot; but as for the land stolen by the
+giant, part of it he gave to the poor for their common, merely keeping
+enough for himself and his good old mother, Jane Hickathrift.
+
+Tom was now a great man and a hero with all the country folk, so that
+when any one was in danger or difficulty, it was to Tom Hickathrift
+he must turn. It chanced that about this time many idle and rebellious
+persons drew themselves together in and about the Isle of Ely, and set
+themselves to defy the king and all his men.
+
+By this time, you must know, Tom Hickathrift had secured to himself a
+trusty friend and comrade, almost his equal in strength and courage,
+for though he was but a tinker, yet he was a great and lusty one. Now
+the sheriff of the country came to Tom, under cover of night, full
+of fear and trembling, and begged his aid and protection against the
+rebels, "else," said he, "we be all dead men!" Tom, nothing loth,
+called his friend the tinker, and as soon as it was day, led by the
+sheriff, they went out armed with their clubs to the place where the
+rebels were gathered together. When they were got thither, Tom and the
+tinker marched up to the leaders of the band, and asked them why they
+were set upon breaking the king's peace. To this they answered loudly,
+"Our will is our law, and by that alone we will be governed!" "Nay,"
+quoth Tom, "if it be so, these trusty clubs are our weapons, and by
+them alone you shall be chastised." These words were no sooner uttered
+than they madly rushed on the throng of men, bearing all before them,
+and laying twenty or thirty sprawling with every blow. The tinker
+struck off heads with such violence that they flew like balls for
+miles about, and when Tom had slain hundreds and so broken his trusty
+club, he laid hold of a lusty raw-boned miller and made use of him as
+a weapon till he had quite cleared the field.
+
+If Tom Hickathrift had been a hero before, he was twice a hero now.
+When the king heard of it all, he sent for him to be knighted, and
+when he was Sir Thomas Hickathrift nothing would serve him but that he
+must be married to a great lady of the country.
+
+So married he was, and a fine wedding they had of it. There was a
+great feast given, to which all the poor widows for miles round were
+invited, because of Tom's mother, and rich and poor feasted together.
+Among the poor widows who came was an old woman called Stumbelup, who
+with much ingratitude stole from the great table a silver tankard. But
+she had not got safe away before she was caught and the people were
+so enraged at her wickedness that they nearly hanged her. However,
+Sir Tom had her rescued, and commanded that she should be drawn on
+a wheelbarrow through the streets and lanes of Cambridge, holding a
+placard in her hand on which was written--
+
+  "I am the naughty Stumbelup,
+   Who tried to steal the silver cup."
+
+
+
+
+
+
+HEROES OF SCANDINAVIA
+
+
+
+
+THE STORY OF FRITHIOF
+
+ADAPTED BY JULIA GODDARD
+
+
+
+
+I
+
+
+In a cottage overshadowed by wide-spreading oaks, and surrounded by a
+garden in which bloomed the sweetest flowers of summer, lived an aged
+peasant named Hilding.
+
+Two children might be seen playing about the garden from sunrise to
+sunset, but they were not old Hilding's children. The handsome boy
+was the son of the thane Thorsten Vikingsson; the little girl, with
+dove-like eyes and silken tresses, was the daughter of good King Belé.
+
+Together the little ones played through the long pleasant days in
+their foster-father's garden, or wandered through the woods, or
+climbed the hills that sheltered them from the northern winds. The boy
+would seek treasures from the birds' nests for his fair companion,
+not even fearing to rob the mountain eagle, so that he might bring the
+spoil to Ingebjorg. He would also take her far out on the blue sea in
+his little boat, and Ingebjorg never felt afraid as long as Frithiof
+was with her.
+
+As Frithiof grew older, he became a great hunter, and once he slew
+without weapons a fierce bear, which he brought home in triumph and
+laid at Ingebjorg's feet.
+
+During the winter evenings, they sat by the blazing logs on the
+hearth, and Hilding told them wonderful stories of Asgard and all its
+glories, of Odin the king of the gods, and of the beautiful Frigga.
+
+But Frithiof thought she could not be half so beautiful as Ingebjorg.
+And once he said so to her, and it pleased her exceedingly. And he
+said, moreover, that when he was a man, Ingebjorg should be his wife.
+This also she was glad to hear, for she loved Frithiof better than any
+one in the world.
+
+But Old Hilding told them not to talk nonsense, for Ingebjorg was a
+king's daughter, and Frithiof but the son of a thane.
+
+
+
+
+II
+
+
+In a room of his palace stood King Belé. He was leaning on his sword,
+musing over all that was past, and thinking of the future. He was an
+old man, and he felt that his strength was failing him.
+
+With him was his faithful friend Thorsten Vikingsson. They had grown
+up to manhood together, they had fought in many a battle side by side.
+They had been companions at many a feast and revel; and now, when old
+age had fallen upon them, they drew closer to one another, feeling
+that the hand of death was raised to summon them into another world.
+
+"The end of life is near," said the King; "the shadow of death is cast
+upon me. No longer do I care for all that men call pleasure. The chase
+hath lost its charm, the helmet sits heavy upon my brow, and the mead
+hath lost its flavor. I would that my sons were here so that I might
+give them my blessing."
+
+Then the servants summoned to King Belé's presence his two sons, Helgi
+and Halfdan. Dark was the countenance of Helgi, and there was
+blood upon his hands, for he had just been assisting at the midday
+sacrifice. But the face of Halfdan was bright as the early morning,
+and he was as light and joyous as his brother was dark and gloomy.
+
+Frithiof also came, for the thane Thorsten Vikingsson desired to see
+him, that he too might bless his son when King Belé blessed the royal
+princes.
+
+And the two old friends spoke words of wisdom to their children, and
+prayed that the gods might be with them in peace and war, in joy and
+sorrow, and grant them a long life and a glorious death.
+
+And when their counsels and prayers were ended, King Belé said, "And
+now, O sons, I bid you remember, in that day when death shall claim
+me and my faithful friend, that ye lay our bones side by side near the
+shore of the great ocean."
+
+
+
+
+III
+
+
+In due time, King Belé died, and Helgi and Halfdan shared his kingdom
+between them.
+
+Thorsten Vikingsson died also, and Frithiof became lord of his
+ancestral home of Framnäs.
+
+Rich treasures did that home contain, three of them of magic power.
+
+The first was the sword of Angurvadel. Blood-red it shone in time of
+war, and wo to him who contended with its owner on the battle-field.
+
+Next was an arm-ring of pure gold, made by the god Völund, and given
+by him to one of Thorsten Vikingsson's forefathers. Once it was stolen
+and carried to England by the viking Soté, but Thorsten and his friend
+King Belé pursued the robber. Over the sea they sailed after the
+viking, and landed at a lonely place where the rocks reared up their
+sharp points and made the coast dangerous.
+
+There were deep caverns which the waters filled when the tide was up,
+so lone and dark that men were almost afraid to go into them.
+
+But Thorsten Vikingsson and the King his master were not daunted.
+Hither had they come after the pirate, and here it was that he had
+last been heard of; and they searched along the shore and in the
+caves, and peered into every hole and cranny, until their eyes grew
+strained and heavy, but no viking Soté was to be seen.
+
+They had almost given up hope of finding him, when, looking through a
+chink that had hitherto escaped their notice, a fearful sight was seen
+by the valiant thane.
+
+Within a mighty vault, forming a still, cold tomb, there lay a vessel
+all complete, with masts and spars and anchor; and on the deck there
+sat a grim skeleton clad in a robe of flame, and on his skinless arm
+glittered the golden arm-ring wrought by Völund. The figure held in
+his left hand a blood-stained sword, from which he was trying to scour
+away the stains.
+
+"It is my arm-ring," said Thorsten Vikingsson; "it is the spirit of
+the viking Soté."
+
+And forthwith he forced his way into the tomb, and, after a deadly
+conflict with the specter, regained his treasure.
+
+And the two friends sailed home in triumph.
+
+The third great thing that Frithiof inherited was the dragon-ship
+"Ellide," which his forefathers had won in the following manner:
+
+One of them, a rough, rude viking, with a tender heart, was out at
+sea, and on a wreck that was fast sinking saw an old man with green
+locks sitting disconsolately.
+
+The good-natured viking picked him up, took him home, gave him of the
+best of food and of sparkling mead, and would have lodged him in his
+house; but the green-haired man said he could not tarry, for he had
+many miles to sail that night.
+
+"But when the sun comes up in the east," added the stranger, "look for
+a thank-gift on the wild seashore."
+
+And behold, as morning dawned, the viking saw a goodly vessel making
+gallant headway. As she drew near the land with streamer flying and
+broad sails flapping in the wind, the viking saw that there was no
+soul on board of her; and yet, without steersman to guide her, the
+vessel avoided the shoals and held her way straight to the spot where
+he was standing.
+
+Her prow was a dragon's head, a dragon's tail formed her stern, and
+dragon's wings bore her along swifter than an eagle before the storm.
+
+The green-haired stranger was a sea-god, and the dragon-ship "Ellide"
+was his thank-gift.
+
+Thus Frithiof, though only the son of a thane, had treasures that
+might have been coveted by kings and princes. He sat in his father's
+halls, surrounded by his companions; upon his right was seated his
+bosom friend Bjorn, and twelve bold champions clad in steel were
+ranged around the board. And they drank in silence to the memory of
+Thorsten Vikingsson.
+
+But suddenly the harps struck up, and the skalds poured forth their
+songs in honor of the dead thane.
+
+And Frithiof's eyes filled with tears as he listened to his father's
+praises.
+
+
+
+
+IV
+
+
+In spite of Frithiof's wealth, Helgi and Halfdan looked with disdain
+upon the son of their father's friend; and when Frithiof asked to have
+Ingebjorg for his wife, Helgi scornfully answered, "My sister shall
+not wed the son of a thane. If you like to be our serf, we will make
+room for you among our servants."
+
+Then went Frithiof away in wrath.
+
+There was another suitor for the hand of Ingebjorg, good old King
+Ring, who, having lost his wife, thought that the Lily of the North
+would make a tender mother for his little son.
+
+And he sent to Helgi and Halfdan to ask for Ingebjorg in marriage,
+but the brothers treated him as they had treated Frithiof; and the old
+King was roused, and he swore he would revenge himself.
+
+Helgi and Halfdan were afraid when they found that Ring was really
+making ready for war. They began to get their army into order, and
+placed Ingebjorg for safety in the temple of Baldur, and in their
+distress they even sent to Frithiof to ask him to come and help them.
+
+They chose wisely in the messenger they sent to plead for them, for it
+was none other than old Hilding, who had been so kind to Frithiof in
+his childhood.
+
+Frithiof was playing at chess with Bjorn when Hilding arrived. He
+pretended not to hear the message, and went on with his game.
+
+"Shall the pawn save the king?" he asked of Bjorn.
+
+And after a time he added: "There is no other way to save the queen."
+Which showed that he had been all the time occupied with Hilding's
+errand.
+
+Therefore he returned with the old peasant, and contrived to see
+Ingebjorg in the temple of Baldur, and found that she still loved him
+as much as he loved her, and did not wish to marry any one else.
+
+And again he asked Helgi and Halfdan if they were willing that
+Ingebjorg should be his wife.
+
+And again the brothers said, Nay, with scorn, and told him that he
+had profaned the temple of Baldur by speaking to Ingebjorg within its
+walls.
+
+"For such a misdeed," said Helgi, "death or banishment is the doom,
+and thou art in our power. Nevertheless, we are willing, as we wish
+to make thee useful to us, to forego the penalty. Thou shalt therefore
+sail forth to the distant Orkney Isles, and compel Jarl Angantyr to
+pay the tribute that he owes us."
+
+Frithiof would have refused to go, but Ingebjorg persuaded him to
+undertake the mission; for she was afraid of her brothers, and knew
+that Frithiof would be safer on the wild seas than in their hands.
+
+At last Frithiof consented, and he took leave of Ingebjorg, and placed
+the golden bracelet that Völund had made upon her arm, praying her to
+keep it for his sake.
+
+And then he sailed away over the heaving waters, and Ingebjorg mourned
+that her lover was gone.
+
+
+
+
+V
+
+
+Over the sea. It was calm enough when Frithiof started; the
+storm-winds were asleep, and the waters heaved gently as though they
+would fain help speed the dragon-ship peacefully on her way.
+
+But King Helgi standing on a rock repented that he had suffered the
+noble Frithiof to escape his malice; and as he watched the good ship
+"Ellide" riding over the sea, he prayed loudly to the ocean-fiends
+that they would trouble the waters and raise a fierce tempest to
+swallow up Frithiof and the dragon-ship.
+
+All at once, the sparkling sea turned leaden gray, and the billows
+began to roll, the skies grew dark, and the howl of the driving wind
+was answered by a sullen roar from the depths beneath. Suddenly,
+a blinding flash of lightning played around the vessel, and as it
+vanished the pealing thunder burst from the clouds. The raging sea
+foamed, and seethed, and tossed the vessel like a feather upon its
+angry waves, and deeper sounded the thunder, and more fiercely flashed
+the lightning round the masts.
+
+Wilder, wilder, wilder grew the storm. Alas, for Frithiof!
+
+"Ho! take the tiller in hand," shouted Frithiof to Bjorn. "and I will
+mount to the topmost mast and look out for danger'"
+
+And when he looked out, he saw the storm-fiends riding on a whale. One
+was in form like to a great white bear, the other like unto a terrible
+eagle.
+
+"Now help me, O gift of the sea-god! Help me, my gallant 'Ellide'!"
+cried Frithiof.
+
+And the dragon-ship heard her master's voice, and with her keel
+she smote the whale; so he died, and sank to the bottom of the sea,
+leaving the storm-fiends tossing upon the waves.
+
+"Ho, spears and lances, help me in my need!" shouted Frithiof, as he
+took aim at the monsters.
+
+And he transfixed the shrieking storm-fiends, and left them entangled
+in the huge coils of seaweed which the storm had uprooted.
+
+"Ho, ho!" laughed rugged Bjorn, "they are trapped in their own nets."
+
+And so they were; and they were so much taken up with trying to free
+themselves from the seaweed and from Frithiof's long darts, that they
+were unable to give any heed to the storm, which therefore went down,
+and Frithiof and his crew sailed on, and reached the Orkney Isles in
+safety.
+
+"Here comes Frithiof," said the viking Atlé. "I know him by his
+dragon-ship."
+
+And forthwith the viking rose and went forth; he had heard of the
+strength of Frithiof, and wished to match himself against him.
+
+He did not wait to see whether Frithiof came in enmity or friendship.
+Fighting was the first thing he thought of, and what he most cared
+for.
+
+However, the viking had the worst of it in the battle.
+
+"There is witchcraft in thy sword," said he to Frithiof.
+
+So Frithiof threw his sword aside, and they wrestled together,
+unarmed, until Atlé was brought to the ground.
+
+Then spake Frithiof: "And if I had my sword thou wouldst not long be a
+living man."
+
+"Fetch it, then," replied Atlé. "I swear by the gods that I will not
+move until thou dost return."
+
+So Frithiof fetched his sword, but when he saw the conquered viking
+still upon the ground, he could not bring himself to slay so honorable
+a man.
+
+"Thou art too true and brave to die," said Frithiof. "Rise, let us be
+friends."
+
+And the two combatants went hand in hand to the banquet hall of
+Angantyr, Jarl (earl) of the Orkney Islands.
+
+A splendid hall it was, and a rare company of heroes was there; and
+all listened eagerly as Frithiof told his story, and wherefore he had
+come.
+
+"I never paid tribute to King Belé, though he was an old friend of
+mine," said the jarl, as Frithiof ended his speech, "nor will I to his
+sons. If they want aught of me, let them come and take it."
+
+"It was by no choice of my own that I came upon such an errand,"
+returned Frithiof, "and I shall be well content to carry back your
+answer."
+
+"Take also this purse of gold in token of friendship," continued the
+jarl, "and remain with us, for I knew thy father."
+
+Thus Frithiof and the jarl became good friends, and Frithiof consented
+to stay for a while in the Orkney Islands; but after a time he ordered
+out his good ship "Ellide," and set sail for his native land.
+
+
+
+
+VI
+
+
+But fearful things had come to pass since he had left his home!
+Framnäas, the dwelling of his fathers, was a heap of ruins, and the
+land was waste and desolate.
+
+And as he stood upon the well-loved spot, striving to find some traces
+of the past, his faithful hound bounded forth to greet him, and licked
+his master's hand. And then his favorite steed drew near, and thrust
+his nose into Frithiof's hand, hoping to find therein a piece of
+bread, as in the days of old. His favorite falcon perched upon
+his shoulder, and this was Frithiof's welcome to the home of his
+ancestors.
+
+There had been a fierce battle, for King Ring with his army had come
+against Helgi and Halfdan, and the country had been laid waste, and
+many warriors slain.
+
+And when all chance of withstanding him was at an end, the brothers,
+rather than lose their kingdom, had consented that Ingebjorg should be
+the wife of Ring.
+
+Ingebjorg was married! Frithiof's heart was full of deep sorrow, and
+he turned his steps towards the temple of Baldur, hoping that at the
+altar of the god he might meet with consolation.
+
+In the temple he found King Helgi, and the sorrow that was weighing
+down Frithiof's heart gave place to hatred and revenge.
+
+Caring nothing for the sacred place, he rushed madly forward. "Here,
+take thy tribute," said he, and he threw the purse that Jarl Angantyr
+had given him with such force against the face of the King that Helgi
+fell down senseless on the steps of the altar.
+
+Next, seeing his arm-ring on the arm of the statue, for Helgi had
+taken it from Ingebjorg and placed it there, he tried to tear it off,
+and, lo! the image tottered and fell upon the fire that was burning
+with sweet perfumes before it.
+
+Scarcely had it touched the fire when it was ablaze, and the
+flames spreading rapidly on every side, the whole temple was soon a
+smoldering heap of ruins.
+
+Then Frithiof sought his ship. He vowed that he would lead a viking's
+life, and leave forever a land where he had suffered so much sorrow.
+And he put out to sea.
+
+But no sooner were his sails spread than he saw ten vessels in chase
+of him, and on the deck of one stood Helgi, who had been rescued from
+the burning temple, and had come in chase of him.
+
+Yet Frithiof was rescued from the danger as if by miracle; for one by
+one the ships sank down as though some water-giant had stretched out
+his strong arm, and dragged them below, and Helgi only saved himself
+by swimming ashore.
+
+Loud laughed Bjorn.
+
+"I bored holes in the ships last night," said he; "it is a rare ending
+to Helgi's fleet."
+
+"And now," said Frithiof, "I will forever lead a viking's life. I care
+not for aught upon the land. The sea shall be my home. And I will seek
+climes far away from here."
+
+So he steered the good ship "Ellide" southward, and among the isles of
+Greece strove to forget the memories of bygone days.
+
+
+
+
+VII
+
+
+In and out of the sunny islands that lay like studs of emerald on a
+silver shield sailed Frithiof, and on the deck of the dragon-ship
+he rested through the summer nights, looking up at the moon, and
+wondering what she could tell him of the northern land.
+
+Sometimes he dreamed of his home as it was before the wartime.
+Sometimes he dreamed of the days when he and Ingebjorg roamed through
+the fields and woods together, or listened to old Hilding's stories by
+the blazing hearth; and then he would wake up with a start and stroke
+his faithful hound, who was ever near him, saying, "Thou alone knowest
+no change; to thee all is alike, so long as thy master is with thee."
+
+One night, however, as Frithiof was musing on the deck of his vessel,
+gazing into the cloudless sky, a vision of the past rose up before
+him: old familiar faces crowded round him, and in their midst he
+marked one, best beloved of all, pale, sad, with sorrowful eyes; and
+her lips moved, and he seemed to hear her say, "I am very sad without
+thee, Frithiof."
+
+Then a great longing came upon Frithiof to see Ingebjorg once more.
+He would go northward, even to the country of King Ring; he must see
+Ingebjorg. What did he care for danger? He must go.
+
+To the cold, dark north.
+
+Yet he dared not go openly, for King Ring looked upon him as an enemy,
+and would seize him at once, and if he did not kill him would shut him
+up in prison, so that either way he would not see the beautiful Queen.
+
+Frithiof. therefore disguised himself as an old man, and wrapped in
+bearskins, presented himself at the palace.
+
+The old King sat upon his throne, and at his side was Ingebjorg the
+Fair, looking like spring by the side of fading autumn.
+
+As the strangely dressed figure passed along, the courtiers jeered,
+and Frithiof, thrown off his guard, angrily seized one of them, and
+twirled him round with but little effort.
+
+"Ho!" said the King, "thou art a strong old man, O stranger! Whence
+art thou?"
+
+"I was reared in anguish and want," returned Frithiof; "sorrow has
+filled a bitter cup for me, and I have almost drunk it to the dregs.
+Once I rode upon a dragon, but now it lies dead upon the seashore, and
+I am left in my old age to burn salt upon the strand."
+
+"Thou art not old," answered the wise King; "thy voice is clear, and
+thy grasp is strong. Throw off thy rude disguise, that we may know our
+guest."
+
+Then Frithiof threw aside his bearskin, and appeared clad in a mantle
+of blue embroidered velvet, and his hair fell like a golden wave upon
+his shoulder.
+
+Ring did not know him, but Ingebjorg did; and when she handed the
+goblet for him to drink, her color went and came "like to the northern
+light on a field of snow."
+
+And Frithiof stayed at the court, until the year came round again, and
+spring once more put forth its early blossoms.
+
+One day a gay hunting train went forth, but old King Ring, not being
+strong, as in former years, lay down to rest upon the mossy turf
+beneath some arching pines, while the hunters rode on.
+
+Then Frithiof drew near, and in his heart wild thoughts arose. One
+blow of his sword, and Ingebjorg was free to be his wife.
+
+But as he looked upon the sleeping King, there came a whisper from a
+better voice, "It is cowardly to strike a sleeping foe."
+
+And Frithiof shuddered, for he was too brave a man to commit murder.
+
+"Sleep on, old man," he muttered gently to himself.
+
+But Ring's sleep was over. He started up. "O Frithiof why hast thou
+come hither to steal an old man's bride?"
+
+"I came not hither for so dark a purpose," answered Frithiof; "I came
+but to look on the face of my loved Ingebjorg once more."
+
+"I know it," replied the King; "I have tried thee, I have proved thee,
+and true as tried steel hast thou passed through the furnace. Stay
+with us yet a little longer, the old man soon will be gathered to his
+fathers, then shall his kingdom and his wife be thine."
+
+But Frithiof replied that he had already remained too long, and that
+on the morrow he must depart.
+
+Yet he went not; for death had visited the palace, and old King
+Ring was stretched upon his bier, while the bards around sang of his
+wisdom.
+
+Then arose a cry among the people, "We must choose a king!"
+
+And Frithiof raised aloft upon his shield the little son of Ring.
+
+"Here is your king," he said, "the son of wise old Ring."
+
+The blue-eyed child laughed and clapped his hands as he beheld the
+glittering helmets and glancing spears of the warriors. Then tired of
+his high place, he sprang down into the midst of them.
+
+Loud uprose the shout, "The child shall be our king, and the Jarl
+Frithiof regent. Hail to the young King of the Northmen!"
+
+
+
+
+VIII
+
+
+But Frithiof in the hour of his good fortune did not forget that he
+had offended the gods. He must make atonement to Baldur for having
+caused the ruin of his temple. He must turn his steps once more
+homeward.
+
+Home! Home! And on his father's grave he sank down with a softened
+heart, and grieved over the passion and revenge that had swayed his
+deeds. And as he mourned, the voices of unseen spirits answered him,
+and whispered that he was forgiven.
+
+And to his wondering eyes a vision was vouchsafed, and the temple of
+Baldur appeared before him, rebuilt in more than its ancient splendor,
+and deep peace sank into the soul of Frithiof.
+
+"Rise up, rise up, Frithiof, and journey onward."
+
+The words came clear as a command to Frithiof, and he obeyed them.
+He rose up, and journeyed to the place where he had left the temple a
+heap of blackened ruins.
+
+And, lo! the vision that had appeared to him was accomplished, for
+there stood the beautiful building, stately and fair to look upon. So
+beautiful, that, as he gazed, his thoughts were of Valhalla.
+
+He entered, and the white-robed, silver-bearded priest welcomed the
+long-absent viking, and told him that Helgi was dead, and Halfdan
+reigned alone.
+
+"And know, O Frithiof," said the aged man, "that Baldur is better
+pleased when the heart grows soft and injuries are forgiven, than with
+the most costly sacrifices. Lay aside forever all thoughts of hatred
+and revenge, and stretch out to Halfdan the hand of friendship."
+
+Joy had softened all Frithiofs feelings of anger, and, advancing to
+Halfdan, who was standing near the altar, he spoke out manfully.
+
+"Halfdan," he said, "let us forget the years that have gone by. Let
+all past evil and injury be buried in the grave. Henceforth let us
+be as brothers, and once more I ask thee, give me Ingebjorg to be my
+wife."
+
+And Halfdan made answer, "Thou shalt be my brother."
+
+And as he spoke, an inner door flew open, and a sweet chorus of
+youthful voices was heard. A band of maidens issued forth, and at
+their head walked Ingebjorg, fairer than ever.
+
+Then Halfdan, leading her to Frithiof, placed her hand within that of
+the viking.
+
+"Behold thy wife," said Halfdan. "Well hast thou won her. May the gods
+attend upon your bridal."
+
+So Ingebjorg became the wife of Frithiof at last.
+
+Thus steps of sorrow had but led them to a height of happiness that
+poets love to sing. Paths thick with thorns had blossomed into roses,
+and wreaths of everlasting flowers had crowned the winter snows. And
+midst the lights and shadows of the old Northland, their lives flowed
+on like to two united streams that roll through quiet pastures to the
+ocean of eternity.
+
+
+
+
+HAVELOK
+
+ADAPTED BY GEORGE W. COX AND E.H. JONES
+
+
+There was once a King of England named Athelwold. Earl, baron, thane,
+knight, and bondsman, all loved him; for he set on high the wise and
+the just man, and put down the spoiler and the robber. At that time a
+man might carry gold about with him, as much as fifty pounds, and not
+fear loss. Traders and merchants bought and sold at their ease without
+danger of plunder. But it was bad for the evil person and for such
+as wrought shame, for they had to lurk and hide away from the King's
+wrath; yet was it unavailing, for he searched out the evil-doer and
+punished him, wherever he might be. The fatherless and the widow found
+a sure friend in the King; he turned not away from the complaint of
+the helpless, but avenged them against the oppressor, were he never
+so strong. Kind was he to the poor, neither at any time thought he the
+fine bread upon his own table too good to give to the hungry.
+
+But a death-sickness fell on King Athelwold, and when he knew that his
+end was near he was greatly troubled, for he had one little daughter
+of tender age, named Goldborough, and he grieved to leave her.
+
+"O my little daughter, heir to all the land, yet so young thou canst
+not walk upon it; so helpless that thou canst not tell thy wants and
+yet hast need to give commandment like a queen! For myself I would not
+care, being old and not afraid to die. But I had hoped to live till
+thou shouldst be of age to wield the kingdom; to see thee ride on
+horseback through the land, and round about a thousand knights to do
+thy bidding. Alas, my little child, what will become of thee when I am
+gone?"
+
+Then King Athelwold summoned his earls and barons, from Roxborough to
+Dover, to come and take counsel with him as he lay a-dying on his bed
+at Winchester. And when they all wept sore at seeing the King so near
+his end, he said, "Weep not, good friends, for since I am brought to
+death's door your tears can in nowise deliver me; but rather give me
+your counsel. My little daughter that after me shall be your queen;
+tell me in whose charge I may safely leave both her and England till
+she be grown of age to rule?"
+
+And with one accord they answered him, "In the charge of Earl Godrich
+of Cornwall, for he is a right wise and a just man, and held in fear
+of all the land. Let him be ruler till our queen be grown."
+
+Then the King sent for a fair linen cloth, and thereon having laid the
+mass-book and the chalice and the paton, he made Earl Godrich swear
+upon the holy bread and wine to be a true and faithful guardian of his
+child, without blame or reproach, tenderly to entreat her, and justly
+to govern the realm till she should be twenty winters old; then to
+seek out the best, the bravest, and the strongest man as husband for
+her and deliver up the kingdom to her hand. And when Earl Godrich
+had so sworn, the King shrived him clean of all his sins. Then having
+received his Saviour he folded his hands, saying, "Domine, in manus
+tuas;" and so he died.
+
+There was sorrow and mourning among all the people for the death
+of good King Athelwold. Many the mass that was sung for him and the
+psalter that was said for his soul's rest. The bells tolled and the
+priests sang, and the people wept; and they gave him a kingly burial.
+
+Then Earl Godrich began to govern the kingdom; and all the nobles and
+all the churls, both free and thrall, came and did allegiance to him.
+He set in all the castles strong knights in whom he could trust, and
+appointed justices and sheriffs and peace-sergeants in all the shires.
+So he ruled the country with a firm hand, and not a single wight dare
+disobey his word, for all England feared him. Thus, as the years went
+on, the earl waxed wonderly strong and very rich.
+
+Goldborough, the King's daughter, throve and grew up the fairest woman
+in all the land, and she was wise in all manner of wisdom that is good
+and to be desired. But when the time drew on that Earl Godrich should
+give up the kingdom to her, he began to think within himself--"Shall
+I, that have ruled so long, give up the kingdom to a girl, and let her
+be queen and lady over me? And to what end? All these strong earls and
+barons, governed by a weaker hand than mine, would throw off the yolk
+and split up England into little baronies, evermore fighting betwixt
+themselves for mastery. There would cease to be a kingdom, and so
+there would cease to be a queen. She cannot rule it, and she shall not
+have it. Besides, I have a son. Him will I teach to rule and make him
+king."
+
+So the earl let his oath go for nothing, and went to Winchester where
+the maiden was, and fetched her away and carried her off to Dover to a
+castle that is by the seashore. Therein he shut her up and dressed her
+in poor clothes, and fed her on scanty fare; neither would he let any
+of her friends come near her.
+
+Now there was in Denmark a certain King called Birkabeyn, who had
+three children, two daughters and a son. And Birkabeyn fell sick, and
+knowing that death had stricken him, he called for Godard, whom
+he thought his truest friend, and said, "Godard, here I commend my
+children to thee. Care for them, I pray thee, and bring them up as
+befits the children of a king. When the boy is grown and can bear a
+helm upon his head and wield a spear, I charge thee to make him king
+of Denmark. Till then hold my estate and royalty in charge for him."
+And Godard swore to guard the children zealously, and to give up the
+kingdom to the boy. Then Birkabeyn died and was buried. But no sooner
+was the King laid in his grave than Godard despised his oath; for he
+took the children, Havelok and his two little sisters, Swanborough and
+Helfled, and shut them up in a castle with barely clothes to cover
+them. And Havelok, the eldest, was scarce three years old.
+
+One day Godard came to see the children, and found them all crying
+of hunger and cold; and he said angrily, "How now! What is all this
+crying about?" The boy Havelok answered him, "We are very hungry, for
+we get scarce anything to eat. Is there no more corn, that men cannot
+make bread and give us? We are very hungry." But his little sisters
+only sat shivering with the cold, and sobbing, for they were too young
+to be able to speak. The cruel Godard cared not. He went to where the
+little girls sat, and drew his knife, and took them one after another
+and cut their throats. Havelok, seeing this sorry sight, was terribly
+afraid, and fell down on his knees begging Godard to spare his life.
+So earnestly he pleaded that Godard was fain to listen: and listening
+he looked upon the knife, red with the children's blood; and when he
+saw the still, dead faces of the little ones he had slain, and looked
+upon their brother's tearful face praying for life, his cruel courage
+failed him quite. He laid down the knife. He would that Havelok were
+dead, but feared to slay him for the silence that would come. So the
+boy pleaded on; and Godard stared at him as though his wits were gone;
+then turned upon his heel and came out from the castle. "Yet," he
+thought, "if I should let him go, one day he may wreak me mischief and
+perchance seize the crown. But if he dies, my children will be lords
+of Denmark after me." Then Godard sent for a fisherman whose name
+was Grim, and he said, "Grim, you know you are my bondsman. Do now my
+bidding, and to-morrow I shall make thee free and give thee gold and
+land. Take this child with thee to-night when thou goest a fishing,
+and at moonrise cast him in the sea, with a good anchor fast about
+his neck to keep him down. To-day I am thy master and the sin is mine.
+To-morrow thou art free."
+
+Then Grim took up the child and bound him fast, and having thrust a
+gag into his mouth so that he could not speak, he put him in a bag and
+took him on his back and carried him home. When Grim got home his wife
+took the bag from off his shoulders and cast it upon the ground within
+doors; and Grim told her of his errand. Now as it drew to midnight he
+said, "Rise up, wife, and blow up the fire to light a candle, and get
+me my clothes, for I must be stirring." But when the woman came into
+the room where Havelok lay, she saw a bright light round the boy's
+head, like a sunbeam, and she called to her husband to come and see.
+And when he came they both marveled at the light and what it might
+mean, for it was very bright and shining. Then they unbound Havelok
+and took away the gag, and turning down his shirt they found a
+king-mark fair and plain upon his right shoulder. "God help us, wife,"
+said Grim, "but this is surely the heir of Denmark, son of Birkabeyn
+our King! Ay, and he shall be King in spite of Godard." Then Grim fell
+down at the boy's feet and said, "Forgive me, my King, that I knew thee
+not. We are thy subjects and henceforth will feed and clothe thee till
+thou art grown a man and can bear shield and spear. Then deal thou
+kindly by me and mine, as I shall deal with thee. But fear not Godard.
+He shall never know, and I shall be a bondsman still, for I will never
+be free till thou, my King, shall set me free."
+
+Then was Havelok very glad, and he sat up and begged for bread. And
+they hastened and fetched bread and cheese and butter and milk; and
+for very hunger the boy ate up the whole loaf, for he was well-nigh
+famished. And after he had eaten, Grim made a fair bed and undressed
+Havelok and laid him down to rest, saying, "Sleep, my son; sleep fast
+and sound and have no care, for nought shall harm thee."
+
+On the morrow Grim went to Godard, and telling him he had drowned the
+boy, asked for his reward. But Godard bade him go home and remain a
+bondsman, and be thankful that he was not hanged for so wicked a deed.
+After a while Grim, beginning to fear that both himself and Havelok
+might be slain, sold all his goods, his corn, and cattle, and fowls,
+and made ready his little ship, tarring and pitching it till not a
+seam nor a crack could be found, and setting a good mast and sail
+therein. Then with his wife, his three sons, his two daughters, and
+Havelok, he entered into the ship and sailed away from Denmark; and a
+strong north wind arose and drove the vessel to England, and carried
+it up the Humber so far as Lindesay, where it grounded on the sands.
+Grim got out of the boat with his wife and children and Havelok, and
+then drew it ashore.
+
+On the shore he built a house of earth and dwelt therein, and from
+that time the place was called Grimsby, after Grim.
+
+Grim did not want for food, for he was a good fisherman both with
+net and hook, and he would go out in his boat and catch all manner of
+fish--sturgeons, turbot, salmon, cod, herrings, mackerel, flounders,
+and lampreys, and he never came home empty-handed. He had four baskets
+made for himself and his sons, and in these they used to carry the
+fish to Lincoln, to sell them, coming home laden with meat and meal,
+and hemp and rope to make new nets and lines. Thus they lived for
+twelve years. But Havelok saw that Grim worked very hard, and being
+now grown a strong lad, he bethought him "I eat more than Grim and all
+his five children together, and yet do nothing to earn the bread. I
+will no longer be idle, for it is a shame for a man not to work." So
+he got Grim to let him have a basket like the rest, and next day took
+it out heaped with fish, and sold them well, bringing home silver
+money for them. After that he never stopped at home idle. But soon
+there arose a great dearth, and corn grew so dear that they could not
+take fish enough to buy bread for all. Then Havelok, since he needed
+so much to eat, determined that he would no longer be a burden to
+the fisherman. So Grim made him a coat of a piece of an old sail, and
+Havelok set off to Lincoln barefoot to seek for work.
+
+It so befell that Earl Godrich's cook, Bertram, wanted a scullion, and
+took Havelok into his service. There was plenty to eat and plenty to
+do. Havelok drew water and chopped wood, and brought twigs to make
+fires, and carried heavy tubs and dishes, but was always merry and
+blythe. Little children loved to play with him; and grown knights and
+nobles would stop to talk and laugh with him, although he wore nothing
+but rags of old sail-cloth which scarcely covered his great limbs, and
+all admired how fair and strong a man God had made him. The cook liked
+Havelok so much that he bought him new clothes, with shoes and hose;
+and when Havelok put them on, no man in the kingdom seemed his peer
+for strength and beauty. He was the tallest man in Lincoln, and the
+strongest in England.
+
+Earl Godrich assembled a Parliament in Lincoln, and afterward held
+games. Strong men and youths came to try for mastery at the game of
+putting the stone. It was a mighty stone, the weight of an heifer. He
+was a stalwart man who could lift it to his knee, and few could stir
+it from the ground. So they strove together, and he who put the stone
+an inch farther than the rest was to be made champion. But Havelok,
+though he had never seen the like before, took up the heavy stone, and
+put it twelve feet beyond the rest, and after that none would contend
+with him. Now this matter being greatly talked about, it came to the
+ears of Earl Godrich, who bethought him--"Did not Athelwold bid me
+marry his daughter to the strongest man alive? In truth, I will marry
+her to this cook's scullion. That will abase her pride; and when she
+is wedded to a bondsman she will be powerless to injure me. That will
+be better than shutting her up; better than killing her." So he sent
+and brought Goldborough to Lincoln, and set the bells ringing, and
+pretended great joy, for he said, "Goldborough, I am going to marry
+thee to the fairest and stalwartest man living." But Goldborough
+answered she would never wed any one but a king. "Ay, ay, my girl;
+and so thou wouldst be queen and lady over me? But thy father made
+me swear to give thee to the strongest man in England, and that is
+Havelok, the cook's scullion; so willing or not willing to-morrow thou
+shalt wed." Then the earl sent for Havelok and said, "Master, will you
+marry?" "Not I," said Havelok; "for I cannot feed nor clothe a wife.
+I have no house, no cloth, no victuals. The very clothes I wear do not
+belong to me, but to Bertram the cook, as I do." "So much the better,"
+said the earl; "but thou shalt either wed her that I shall bring
+thee, or else hang from a tree. So choose." Then Havelok said he would
+sooner wed. Earl Godrich went back to Goldborough and threatened
+her with burning at the stake unless she yielded to his bidding. So,
+thinking it God's will, the maid consented. And on the morrow
+they were wed by the Archbishop of York, who had come down to the
+Parliament, and the earl told money out upon the mass-book for her
+dower.
+
+Now after he was wed, Havelok knew not what to do, for he saw how
+greatly Earl Godrich hated him. He thought he would go and see Grim.
+When he got to Grimsby he found that Grim was dead, but his children
+welcomed Havelok and begged him bring his wife thither, since they
+had gold and silver and cattle. And when Goldborough came, they made
+a feast, sparing neither flesh nor fowl, wine nor ale. And Grim's sons
+and daughters served Havelok and Goldborough.
+
+Sorrowfully Goldborough lay down at night, for her heart was heavy
+at thinking she had wedded a bondsman. But as she fretted she saw a
+light, very bright like a blaze of fire, which came out of Havelok's
+mouth. And she thought, "Of a truth but he must be nobly born." Then
+she looked on his shoulder, and saw the king mark, like a fair cross
+of red gold, and at the same time she heard an angel say--
+
+"Goldborough, leave sorrowing, for Havelok is a king's son, and shall
+be king of England and of Denmark, and thou queen."
+
+Then was Goldborough glad, and kissed Havelok, who, straightway
+waking, said, "I have had a strange dream. I dreamed I was on a high
+hill, whence I could see all Denmark; and I thought as I looked that
+it was all mine. Then I was taken up and carried over the salt sea to
+England, and methought I took all the country and shut it within my
+hand." And Goldborough said, "What a good dream is this! Rejoice, for
+it means that thou shalt be king of England and of Denmark. Take now
+my counsel and get Grim's sons to go with thee to Denmark."
+
+In the morning Havelok went to the church and prayed to God to speed
+him in his undertaking. Then he came home and found Grim's three
+sons just going off fishing. Their names were Robert the Red, William
+Wendut, and Hugh Raven. He told them who he was, how Godard had slain
+his sisters, and delivered him over to Grim to be drowned, and how
+Grim had fled with him to England. Then Havelok asked them to go with
+him to Denmark, promising to make them rich men. To this they gladly
+agreed, and having got ready their ship and victualed it, they set
+sail with Havelok and his wife for Denmark. The place of their landing
+was hard by the castle of a Danish earl named Ubbe, who had been a
+faithful friend to King Birkabeyn. Havelok went to Earl Ubbe, with a
+gold ring for a present, asking leave to buy and sell goods from
+town to town in that part of the country. Ubbe, beholding the tall,
+broad-shouldered, thick-chested man, so strong and cleanly made,
+thought him more fit for a knight than for a peddler. He bade Havelok
+bring his wife and come and eat with him at his table. So Havelok went
+to fetch Goldborough, and Robert the Red and William Wendut led her
+between them till they came to the castle, where Ubbe, with a great
+company of knights, welcomed them gladly. Havelok stood a head taller
+than any of the knights, and when they sat at table Ubbe's wife ate
+with him, and Goldborough with Ubbe. It was a great feast, and after
+the feast Ubbe sent Havelok and his friends to Bernard Brown, bidding
+him take care of them till next day. So Bernard received the guests
+and gave them a fine supper.
+
+Now in the night there came sixty-one thieves to Bernard's house. Each
+had a drawn sword and a long knife, and they called to Bernard to undo
+the door. He started up and armed himself, and told them to go away.
+But the thieves defied him, and with a great boulder broke down the
+door. Then Havelok, hearing the din, rose up, and seizing the bar of
+the door stood on the threshold and threw the door wide open, saying,
+"Come in, I am ready for you!" First came three against him with their
+swords, but Havelok slew these with the door bar at a single blow; the
+fourth man's crown he broke; he smote the fifth upon the shoulders,
+the sixth athwart the neck, and the seventh on the breast; so they
+fell dead. Then the rest drew back and began to fling their swords
+like darts at Havelok, till they had wounded him in twenty places. In
+spite of that, in a little while he had killed a score of the thieves.
+Then Hugh Raven, waking up, called Robert and William Wendut. One
+seized a staff, each of the others a piece of timber as big as his
+thigh, and Bernard his axe, and all three ran out to help Havelok.
+So well did Havelok and his fellows fight, breaking ribs and arms and
+shanks, and cracking crowns, that not a thief of all the sixty-one was
+left alive. Next morning, when Ubbe rode past and saw the sixty-one
+dead bodies, and heard what Havelok had done, he sent and brought both
+him and Goldborough to his own castle, and fetched a leech to tend his
+wounds, and would not hear of his going away; for, said he, "This man
+is better than a thousand knights."
+
+Now that same night, after he had gone to bed, Ubbe awoke about
+midnight and saw a great light shining from the chamber where Havelok
+and Goldborough lay. He went softly to the door and peeped in to
+see what it meant. They were lying fast asleep, and the light was
+streaming from Havelok's mouth. Ubbe went and called his knights, and
+they also came in and saw this marvel. It was brighter than a hundred
+burning tapers; bright enough to count money by. Havelok lay on his
+left side with his back towards them, uncovered to the waist; and they
+saw the king-mark on his right shoulder sparkle like shining gold and
+carbuncle. Then knew they that it was King Birkabeyn's son, and seeing
+how like he was to his father, they wept for joy. Thereupon Havelok
+awoke, and all fell down and did him homage, saying he should be their
+king. On the morrow Ubbe sent far and wide and gathered together earl
+and baron, dreng [servant] and thane, clerk, knight and burgess, and
+told them all the treason of Godard, and how Havelok had been nurtured
+and brought up by Grim in England. Then he showed them their King, and
+the people shouted for joy at having so fair and strong a man to rule
+them. And first Ubbe sware fealty to Havelok, and after him the others
+both great and small. And the sheriffs and constables and all that
+held castles in town or burg came out and promised to be faithful to
+him. Then Ubbe drew his sword and dubbed Havelok a knight, and set a
+crown upon his head and made him King. And at the crowning they held
+merry sports--jousting with sharp spears, tilting at the shield,
+wrestling, and putting the shot. There were harpers and pipers and
+gleemen with their tabors; and for forty days a feast was held with
+rich meats in plenty and the wine flowed like water. And first the
+King made Robert and William Wendut and Hugh Raven barons, and gave
+them land and fee. Then when the feast was done, he set out with
+a thousand knights and five thousand sergeants to seek for Godard.
+Godard was a-hunting with a great company of men, and Robert riding on
+a good steed found him and bade him to come to the King. Godard smote
+him and set on his knights to fight with Robert and the King's men.
+They fought till ten of Godard's men were slain; the rest began to
+flee. "Turn again, O knights!" cried Godard; "I have fed you and shall
+feed you yet. Forsake me not in such a plight." So they turned about
+and fought again. But the King's men slew every one of them, and took
+Godard and bound him and brought him to Havelok. Then King Havelok
+summoned all his nobles to sit in judgment and say what should be done
+to such a traitor. And they said, "Let him be dragged to the gallows
+at the mare's tail, and hanged by the heels in fetters, with this
+writing over him: 'This is he that drove the King out of the land, and
+took the life of the King's sisters.'" So Godard suffered his doom,
+and none pitied him.
+
+Then Havelok gave his scepter into Earl Ubbe's hand to rule Denmark
+on his behalf, and after that took ship and came to Grimsby, where
+he built a priory for black monks to pray evermore for the peace of
+Grim's soul. But when Earl Godrich understood that Havelok and his
+wife were come to England, he gathered together a great army at
+Lincoln on the 17th of March, and came to Grimsby to fight with
+Havelok and his knights. It was a great battle, wherein more than
+a thousand knights were slain. The field was covered with pools of
+blood. Hugh Raven and his brothers, Robert and William, did valiantly
+and slew many earls; but terrible was Earl Godrich to the Danes, for
+his sword was swift and deadly. Havelok came to him and reminding him
+of the oath he sware to Athelwold that Goldborough should be queen,
+bade him yield the land. But Godrich defied him, and running forward
+with his heavy sword cut Havelok's shield in two. Then Havelok smote
+him to the earth with a blow upon the helm; but Godrich arose and
+wounded him upon the shoulder, and Havelok, smarting with the cut, ran
+upon his enemy and hewed off his right hand. Then he took Earl Godrich
+and bound him and sent him to the Queen. And when the English knew
+that Goldborough was the heir of Athelwold, they laid by their swords
+and came and asked pardon of the Queen. And with one accord they took
+Earl Godrich and bound him to a stake and burned him to ashes, for the
+great outrage he had done.
+
+Then all the English nobles came and sware fealty to Havelok and
+crowned him King in London. Of Grim's two daughters, Havelok wedded
+Gunild, the elder, to Earl Reyner of Chester; and Levive, the younger,
+fair as a new rose blossom opening to the sun, he married to Bertram,
+the cook, whom he made Earl of Cornwall in the room of Godrich.
+
+Sixty years reigned Havelok and Goldborough in England, and they had
+fifteen children, who all became kings and queens. All the world spake
+of the great love that was between them. Apart, neither knew joy or
+happiness. They never grew weary of each other, for their love was
+ever new; and not a word of anger passed between them all their lives.
+
+
+
+
+THE VIKINGS
+
+ADAPTED BY MARY MACGREGOR
+
+
+
+
+I
+
+CHARACTERS OF THE VIKINGS
+
+
+In Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, in all the villages and towns around
+the shores of the Baltic, the viking race was born.
+
+It has been said that the name "vikings" was first given to those
+Northmen who dwelt in a part of Denmark called Viken. However that
+may be, it was the name given to all the Northmen who took to a wild,
+sea-roving life, because they would often seek shelter with their
+boats in one or another of the numerous bays which abounded along
+their coasts.
+
+Thus the vikings were not by any means all kings, as you might think
+from their name; yet among them were many chiefs of royal descent.
+These, although they had neither subjects nor kingdoms over which to
+rule, no sooner stepped on board a viking's boat to take command of
+the crew, than they were given title of king.
+
+The Northmen did not, however, spend all their lives in harrying and
+burning other countries. When the seas were quiet in the long,
+summer days, they would go off, as I have told you, on their wild
+expeditions. But when summer was over, and the seas began to grow
+rough and stormy, the viking bands would go home with their booty and
+stay there, to build their houses, reap their fields, and, when spring
+had come again, to sow their grain in the hope of a plenteous harvest.
+
+There was thus much that the viking lad had to learn beyond the art
+of wielding the battle-axe, poising the spear, and shooting an arrow
+straight to its mark. Even a free-born yeoman's son had to work, work
+as hard as had the slaves or thralls who were under him.
+
+The old history books, or Sagas, as the Norseman called them, have,
+among other songs, this one about the duties of a well-born lad:
+
+  "He now learnt
+  To tame oxen
+  And till the ground,
+  To timber houses
+  And build barns,
+  To make carts
+  And form plows."
+
+Indeed, it would have surprised you to see the fierce warriors and
+mighty chiefs themselves laying aside their weapons and working in the
+fields side by side with their thralls, sowing, reaping, threshing.
+Yet this they did.
+
+Even kings were often to be seen in the fields during the busy harvest
+season. They would help their men to cut the golden grain, and with
+their own royal hands help to fill the barn when the field was reaped.
+To king and yeomen alike, work, well done, was an honorable deed.
+
+Long before the Sagas were written down, the stories of the heroes
+were sung in halls and on battle-fields by the poets of the nation.
+These poets were named skalds, and their rank among the Northmen was
+high.
+
+Sometimes the Sagas were sung in prose, at other times in verse.
+Sometimes they were tales which had been handed down from father to
+son for so many years that it was hard to tell how much of them was
+history, how much fable. At other times the Sagas were true accounts
+of the deeds of the Norse kings. For the skalds were ofttimes to be
+seen on the battle-fields or battleships of the vikings, and then
+their songs were of the brave deeds which they had themselves seen
+done, of the victories and defeats at which they themselves had been
+present.
+
+The battles which the vikings fought were fought on the sea more
+frequently than on the land.
+
+Their warships were called long-ships and were half-decked The rowers
+sat in the center of the boat, which was low, so that their oars could
+reach the water. Sails were used, either red or painted in different
+stripes, red, blue, yellow, green. These square, brightly colored
+sails gave the boats a gay appearance which was increased by the
+round shields which were hung outside the gunwale and which were
+also painted red, black, or white. At the prow there was usually a
+beautifully carved and gorgeously painted figurehead. The stem and
+stern of the ships were high. In the stern there was an upper deck,
+but in the forepart of the vessel there was nothing but loose planks
+on which the sailors could step. When a storm was raging or a battle
+was being fought, the loose planks did not, as you may imagine, offer
+a very firm foothold.
+
+The boats were usually built long and pointed for the sake of speed,
+and had seats for thirty rowers. Besides the rowers, the long-boats
+could hold from sixty to one hundred and fifty sailors.
+
+
+
+
+II
+
+HARALD FAIRHAIR
+
+Harald Fairhair was one of the foremost of the kings of Norway. He was
+so brave a Northman that he became king over the whole of Norway.
+In eight hundred and sixty-one, when he began to reign, Norway was
+divided into thirty-one little kingdoms, over each of which ruled a
+little king. Harald Fairhair began his reign by being one of these
+little kings.
+
+Harald was only a boy, ten years of age, when he succeeded his father;
+but as he grew up he became a very strong and handsome man, as well as
+a very wise and prudent one. Indeed he grew so strong that he fought
+with and vanquished five great kings in one battle.
+
+After this victory, Harald sent, so the old chronicles of the kings
+of Norway say, some of his men to a princess named Gyda, bidding them
+tell her that he wished to make her his queen.
+
+But Gyda wished to marry a king who ruled over a whole country,
+rather than one who owned but a small part of Norway, and this was the
+message she sent back to Harald:
+
+"Tell Harald," said the maiden, "that I will agree to be his wife if
+he will first, for my sake, subdue all Norway to himself, for only
+thus methinks can he be called the king of a people."
+
+The messengers thought Gyda's words too bold, but when King Harald
+heard them, he said, "It is wonderful that I did not think of this
+before. And now I make a solemn vow and take God to witness, who made
+me and rules over all things, that never shall I clip or comb my hair
+until I have subdued the whole of Norway with scat [land taxes], and
+duties, and domains."
+
+Then, without delay, Harald assembled a great force and prepared to
+conquer all the other little kings who were ruling over the different
+parts of Norway.
+
+In many districts the kings had no warning of Harald's approach, and
+before they could collect an army they were vanquished.
+
+When their ruler was defeated, many of his subjects fled from the
+country, manned their ships and sailed away on viking expeditions.
+Others made peace with King Harald and became his men.
+
+Over each district, as he conquered it, Harald placed a jarl or earl,
+that he might judge and do justice, and also that he might collect the
+scat and fines which Harald had imposed upon the conquered people. As
+the earls were given a third part of the money they thus collected,
+they were well pleased to take service with King Harald. And indeed
+they grew richer, and more powerful too, than they had ever been
+before.
+
+It took King Harald ten long years to do as he had vowed, and make all
+Norway his own. During these years a great many new bands of vikings
+were formed, and led by their chief or king they left the country, not
+choosing to become King Harald's men.
+
+These viking bands went west, over the sea, to Shetland and Orkney, to
+the Hebrides, and also to England, Scotland, and Ireland.
+
+During the winter they made their home in these lands, but in summer
+they sailed to the coast of Norway and did much damage to the towns
+that lay along the coast. Then, growing bolder, they ventured inland,
+and because of their hatred against King Harald, they plundered and
+burned both towns and villages.
+
+Meanwhile Harald, having fulfilled his vow, had his hair combed and
+cut. It had grown so rough and tangled during these ten years that his
+people had named him Harald Sufa, which meant "Shock-headed Harald."
+Now, however, after his long, yellow hair was combed and clipped, he
+was named Harald Fairhair, and by this name he was ever after known.
+Nor did the King forget Gyda, for whose sake he had made his vow. He
+sent for her, and she, as she had promised, came to marry the King of
+all Norway.
+
+Now the raids of the vikings along the coasts of Norway angered the
+King, and he determined that they should end. He therefore set out
+with a large fleet in search of his rebellious subjects.
+
+These, when they heard of his approach, fled to their long-ships and
+sailed out to sea. But Harald reached Shetland and slew those vikings
+who had not fled, then, landing on the Orkney Isles, he burned and
+plundered, sparing no Northman who crossed his path. On the Hebrides
+King Harald met with worthy foes, for here were many who had once
+themselves been kings in Norway. In all the battles that he fought
+Harald was victorious and gained much booty.
+
+When he went back to Norway the King left one of his jarls to carry on
+war against the inhabitants of Scotland. Caithness and Sutherland were
+conquered by this jarl for Harald, and thereafter many chiefs, both
+Norsemen and Danes, settled there. While Harald Fairhair was ruling
+in Norway, a grandson of Alfred the Great became king in England. His
+name was Athelstan the Victorious. Now Athelstan liked to think that
+he was a greater king than Harald Fairhair. It pleased him, too, to
+play what seemed to him a clever trick on his rival across the sea.
+
+He sent a beautiful sword to Harald. Its hilt was covered with gold
+and silver, and set with precious gems. When Athelstan's messenger
+stood before the King of Norway he held out the hilt of the sword
+toward him, saying "Here is a sword that King Athelstan doth send to
+thee." Harald at once seized it by the hilt. Then the messenger smiled
+and said, "Now shalt thou be subject to the King of England, for thou
+hast taken the sword by the hilt as he desired thee." To take a sword
+thus was in those olden days a sign of submission.
+
+Then Harald was very angry, for he knew that Athelstan had sent this
+gift only that he might mock him. He wished to punish the messenger
+whom Athelstan had sent with the sword. Nevertheless he remembered
+his habit whenever he got angry, to first keep quiet and let his anger
+subside, and then look at the matter calmly. By the time the prudent
+King had done this, his anger had cooled, and Athelstan's messenger
+departed unharmed.
+
+But with Athelstan Harald still hoped to be equal.
+
+The following summer he sent a ship to England. It was commanded by
+Hauk, and into his hands Harald intrusted his young son Hakon, whom he
+was sending to King Athelstan. For what purpose you shall hear.
+
+Hauk reached England safely, and found the King in London at a feast.
+The captain boldly entered the hall where the feasters sat, followed
+by thirty of his men, each one of whom had his shield hidden under his
+cloak.
+
+Carrying Prince Hakon, who was a child, in his arms, Hauk stepped
+before the King and saluted him. Then before Athelstan knew what he
+meant to do, Hauk, had placed the little prince on the King's knee.
+
+"Why hast thou done this?" said Athelstan to the bold Northman.
+
+"Harald of Norway asks thee to foster his child," answered Hauk. But
+well he knew that his words would make the King of England wroth. For
+one who became foster-father to a child was usually of lower rank than
+the real father. This, you see, was Harald's way of thanking Athelstan
+for his gift of the sword.
+
+Well, as Hauk expected, the King was very angry when he heard why the
+little prince had been placed on his knee. He drew his sword as though
+he would slay the child.
+
+Hauk, however, was quite undisturbed, and said, "Thou hast borne the
+child on thy knee, and thou canst murder him if thou wilt, but thou
+canst not make an end of all King Harald's sons by so doing."
+
+Then the viking, with his men, left the hall and strode down to the
+river, where they embarked, and at once set sail for Norway.
+
+When Hauk reached Norway and told the King all that he had done,
+Harald was well content, for the King of England had been forced to
+become the foster-father of his little son.
+
+Athelstan's anger against his royal foster-child was soon forgotten,
+and ere long he loved him better than any of his own kin.
+
+He ordered the priest to baptize the little prince, and to teach him
+the true faith.
+
+
+
+
+III
+
+THE SEA-FIGHT OF THE JOMSVIKINGS
+
+
+While King Harald was reigning in Denmark, he built on the shores of
+the Baltic a fortress which he called Jomsburg. In this fortress dwelt
+a famous band of vikings named the Jomsvikings. It is one of their
+most famous sea-fights that I am going to tell you now.
+
+The leader of the band was Earl Sigvald, and a bold and fearless
+leader he had proved himself.
+
+It was at a great feast that Sigvald made the rash vow which led to
+this mighty battle. After the horn of mead had been handed round not
+once or twice only, Sigvald arose and vowed that, before three winters
+had passed, he and his band would go to Norway and either kill or
+chase Earl Hakon out of the country.
+
+In the morning Sigvald and his Jomsvikings perhaps felt that they had
+vowed more than they were able to perform, yet it was not possible
+to withdraw from the enterprise unless they were willing to be called
+cowards. They therefore thought it would be well to start without
+delay, that they might, if possible, take Earl Hakon unawares.
+
+In a short time therefore the Jomsviking fleet was ready, and sixty
+warships sailed away toward Norway. No sooner did they reach Earl
+Hakon's realms than they began to plunder and burn along the coast.
+But while they gained booty, they lost time. For Hakon, hearing of
+their doings, at once split a war-arrow and sent it all over the
+realm.
+
+It was in this way that Hakon heard that the Jomsvikings were in his
+land. In one village the vikings had, as they thought, killed all the
+inhabitants. But unknown to them a man had escaped with the loss of
+his hand, and hastening to the shore he sailed away in a light boat in
+search of the earl.
+
+Hakon was at dinner when the fugitive stood before him.
+
+"Art thou sure that thou didst see the Jomsvikings?" asked Hakon, when
+he had listened to the man's tidings.
+
+For answer, the peasant stretched out the arm from which the hand had
+been sundered, saying, "Here is the token that the Jomsvikings are in
+the land."
+
+It was then that Hakon sent the war-arrow throughout the land and
+speedily gathered together a great force. Eric one of his sons, also
+collected troops, but though the preparations for war went on apace,
+the Jomsvikings heard nothing of them, and still thought that they
+would take Earl Hakon by surprise.
+
+At length the vikings sailed into a harbor about twenty miles north
+of a town called Stad. As they were in want of food some of the band
+landed, and marched to the nearest village. Here they slaughtered the
+men who could bear arms, burned the houses, and drove all the cattle
+they could find before them toward the shore.
+
+On the way to their ships, however, they met a peasant who said to
+them, "Ye are not doing like true warriors, to be driving cows and
+calves down to the strand, while ye should be giving chase to the
+bear, since ye are come near to the bear's den." By the bear the
+peasant meant Earl Hakon, as the vikings well knew.
+
+"What says the man?" they all cried, together; "can he tell us about
+Earl Hakon?"
+
+"Yesternight he lay inside the island that you can see yonder," said
+the peasant; "and you can slay him when you like, for he is waiting
+for his men."
+
+"Thou shalt have all this cattle," cried one of the vikings, "if thou
+wilt show us the way to the jarl."
+
+Then the peasant went on board the vikings' boat, and they hastened to
+Sigvald to tell him that the earl lay in a bay but a little way off.
+
+The Jomsvikings armed themselves as if they were going to meet a large
+army, which the peasant said was unnecessary, as the earl had but few
+ships and men.
+
+But no sooner had the Jomsvikings come within sight of the bay than
+they knew that the peasant had deceived them. Before them lay more
+than three hundred war-ships.
+
+When the peasant saw that his trick was discovered he jumped
+overboard, hoping to swim to shore. But one of the vikings flung a
+spear after him, and the peasant sank and was seen no more.
+
+Now though the vikings had fewer ships than Earl Hakon, they were
+larger and higher, and Sigvald hoped that this would help them to gain
+the victory.
+
+Slowly the fleets drew together and a fierce battle began. At first
+Hakon's men fell in great numbers, for the Jomsvikings fought with all
+their wonted strength. So many spears also were aimed at Hakon himself
+that his armor was split asunder and he threw it aside.
+
+When the earl saw that the battle was going against him, he called his
+sons together and said, "I dislike to fight against these men, for I
+believe that none are their equals, and I see that it will fare ill
+with us unless we hit upon some plan. Stay here with the host and I
+will go ashore and see what can be done."
+
+Then the jarl went into the depths of a forest, and, sinking on his
+knees, he prayed to the goddess Thorgerd. But when no answer came
+to his cry, Hakon thought she was angry, and to appease her wrath he
+sacrificed many precious things to her. Yet still the goddess hid her
+face.
+
+In his despair Hakon then promised to offer human sacrifices, but no
+sign was given to him that his offering would be accepted.
+
+"Thou shalt have my son, my youngest son Erling!" cried the King,
+and then at length, so it seemed to Hakon, Thorgerd was satisfied. He
+therefore gave his son, who was but seven years old, to his thrall,
+and bade him offer the child as a sacrifice to the goddess.
+
+Then Hakon went back to his ships, and lo! as the battle raged, the
+sky began to grow dark though it was but noon, and a storm arose and
+a heavy shower of hail fell. The hail was driven by the wind in the
+faces of the vikings, and flashes of lightning blinded them and
+loud peals of thunder made them afraid. But a short time before the
+warriors had flung aside their garments because of the heat; now the
+cold was so intense that they could scarce hold their weapons.
+
+While the storm raged, Hakon praised the gods and encouraged his men
+to fight more fiercely. Then, as the battle went against them, the
+Jomsvikings saw in the clouds a troll, or fiend. In each finger the
+troll held an arrow, which, as it seemed to them, always hit and
+killed a man.
+
+Sigvald saw that his men were growing fearful, and he, too; felt that
+the gods were against them. "It seems to me," he said, "that it is
+not men whom we have to fight to-day but fiends, and it requires some
+manliness to go boldly against them."
+
+But now the storm abated, and once more the vikings began to conquer.
+Then the earl cried again to Thorgerd, saying that now he deserved
+victory, for he had sacrificed to her his youngest son.
+
+Then once more the storm-cloud crept over the sky and a terrific storm
+of hail beat upon the vikings, and now they saw, not in the clouds,
+but in Hakon's ship, two trolls, and they were speeding arrows among
+the enemies of Hakon.
+
+Even Sigvald, the renowned leader of the Jomsvikings, could not stand
+before these unknown powers. He called to his men to flee, for, said
+he, "we did not vow to fight against fiends, but against men."
+
+But though Sigvald sailed away with thirty-five ships, there were some
+of his men who scorned to flee even from fiends. Twenty-five ships
+stayed behind to continue the fight.
+
+The viking Bui was commander of one of these. His ship was boarded by
+Hakon's men, whereupon he took one of his treasures-chests in either
+hand and jumped into the sea. As he jumped he cried, "Overboard, all
+Bui's men," and neither he nor those who followed him were ever seen
+again.
+
+Before the day was ended, Sigvald's brother had also sailed away with
+twenty-four boats, so that there was left but one boat out of all the
+Jomsvikings' fleet. It was commanded by the viking Vagn.
+
+Earl Hakon sent his son Eric to board this boat, and after a brave
+fight it was captured, for Vagn's men were stiff and weary with their
+wounds, and could scarce wield their battle-axes or spears.
+
+With thirty-six of his men Vagn was taken prisoner and brought to
+land, and thus Earl Hakon had defeated the famous vikings of Jomsburg.
+The victory was due, as Hakon at least believed, to the aid of the
+goddess Thorgerd.
+
+When the weapons and other booty which they had taken had been divided
+among the men, Earl Hakon and his chiefs sat down in their warbooths
+and appointed a man named Thorkel to behead the prisoners.
+
+Eighteen were beheaded ere the headsman came to Vagn. Now, as he had a
+dislike to this brave viking, Thorkel rushed at him, holding his sword
+in both hands. But Vagn threw himself suddenly at Thorkel's feet,
+whereupon the headsman tripped over him. In a moment Vagn was on his
+feet, Thorkel's sword in his hand, and before any one could stop him
+he had slain his enemy.
+
+Then Earl Eric, Hakon's son, who loved brave men, said, "Vagn, wilt
+thou accept life?"
+
+"That I will," said the bold viking, "if thou give it to all of us who
+are still alive."
+
+"Loose the prisoners!" cried the young earl, and it was done. Thus of
+the famous band of Jomsvikings twelve yet lived to do many a valiant
+deed in days to come.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+HERO OF GERMANY
+
+
+
+
+SIEGFRIED
+
+ADAPTED BY MARY MACGREGOR
+
+
+
+
+I
+
+MIMER THE BLACKSMITH
+
+
+Siegfried was born a prince and grew to be a hero, a hero with a heart
+of gold. Though he could fight, and was as strong as any lion, yet he
+could love too and be as gentle as a child.
+
+The father and mother of the hero-boy lived in a strong castle near
+the banks of the great Rhine river. Siegmund, his father, was a rich
+king, Sieglinde, his mother, a beautiful queen, and dearly did they
+love their little son Siegfried.
+
+The courtiers and the high-born maidens who dwelt in the castle
+honored the little Prince, and thought him the fairest child in all
+the land, as indeed he was.
+
+Sieglinde, his queen-mother, would oftimes dress her little son in
+costly garments and lead him by the hand before the proud, strong
+men-at-arms who stood before the castle walls. Naught had they but
+smiles and gentle words for their little Prince.
+
+When he grew older, Siegfried would ride into the country, yet always
+would he be attended by King Siegmund's most trusted warriors.
+
+Then one day armed men entered the Netherlands, the country over which
+the King Siegmund ruled, and the little Prince was sent away from the
+castle, lest by any evil chance he should fall into the hands of the
+foe.
+
+Siegfried was hidden away safe in the thickets of a great forest, and
+dwelt there under the care of a blacksmith, named Mimer.
+
+Mimer was a dwarf, belonging to a strange race of little folk called
+Nibelungs. The Nibelungs lived for the most part in a dark little town
+beneath the ground. Nibelheim was the name of this little town and
+many of the tiny men who dwelt there were smiths. All the livelong
+day they would hammer on their little anvils, but all through the long
+night they would dance and play with tiny little Nibelung women.
+
+It was not in the little dark town of Nibelung that Mimer had his
+forge, but under the trees of the great forest to which Siegfried had
+been sent.
+
+As Mimer or his pupils wielded their tools the wild beasts would start
+from their lair, and the swift birds would wing their flight through
+the mazes of the wood, lest danger lay in those heavy, resounding
+strokes.
+
+But Siegfried, the hero-boy, would laugh for glee, and seizing the
+heaviest hammer he could see he would swing it with such force upon
+the anvil that it would be splintered into a thousand pieces.
+
+Then Mimer the blacksmith would scold the lad, who was now the
+strongest of all the lads under his care; but little heeding his
+rebukes, Siegfried would fling himself merrily out of the smithy and
+hasten with great strides into the gladsome wood. For now the Prince
+was growing a big lad, and his strength was even as the strength of
+ten.
+
+To-day Siegfried was in a merry mood. He would repay Mimer's rebukes
+in right good fashion. He would frighten the little blacksmith dwarf
+until he was forced to cry for mercy.
+
+Clad in his forest dress of deerskins, with his hair as burnished gold
+blowing around his shoulders, Siegfried wandered away into the depths
+of the woodland.
+
+There he seized the silver horn which hung from his girdle and raised
+it to his lips. A long, clear note he blew, and ere the sound had died
+away the boy saw a sight which pleased him well. Here was good prey
+indeed! A bear, a great big shaggy bear was peering at him out of a
+bush, and as he gazed the beast opened its jaws and growled, a fierce
+and angry growl. Not a whit afraid was Siegfried. Quick as lightning
+he had caught the great creature in his arms, and ere it could turn
+upon him, it was muzzled, and was being led quietly along toward the
+smithy.
+
+Mimer was busy at his forge sharpening a sword when Siegfried reached
+the doorway.
+
+At the sound of laughter the little dwarf raised his head. It was the
+Prince who laughed. Then Mimer saw the bear, and letting the sword he
+held drop to the ground with a clang, he ran to hide himself in the
+darkest corner of the smithy.
+
+Then Siegfried laughed again. He was no hero-boy to-day, for next
+he made the big bear hunt the little Nibelung dwarf from corner to
+corner, nor could the frightened little man escape or hide himself
+in darkness. Again and again as he crouched in a shadowed corner,
+Siegfried would stir up the embers of the forge until all the smithy
+was lighted with a ruddy glow.
+
+At length the Prince tired of his game, and unmuzzling the bear he
+chased the bewildered beast back into the shelter of the woodland.
+
+Mimer, poor little dwarf, all a-tremble with his fear, cried angrily,
+"Thou mayest go shoot if so it please thee, and bring home thy dead
+prey. Dead bears thou mayest bring hither if thou wilt, but live
+bears shalt thou leave to crouch in their lair or to roam through the
+forest." But Siegfried, the naughty Prince, only laughed at the little
+Nibelung's frightened face and harsh, croaking voice.
+
+Now as the days passed, Mimer the blacksmith began to wish that
+Siegfried had never come to dwell with him in his smithy. The
+Prince was growing too strong, too brave to please the little dwarf;
+moreover, many were the mischievous tricks his pupil played on him.
+
+Prince though he was, Mimer would see if he could not get rid of his
+tormentor. For indeed though, as I have told you, Siegfried had a
+heart of gold, at this time the gold seemed to have grown dim and
+tarnished. Perhaps that was because the Prince had learned to distrust
+and to dislike, nay, more, to hate the little, cunning dwarf.
+
+However that may be, it is certain that Siegfried played many pranks
+upon the little Nibelung, and he, Mimer, determined to get rid of the
+quick-tempered, strong-handed Prince.
+
+One day, therefore, it happened that the little dwarf told Siegfried
+to go deep into the forest to bring home charcoal for the forge. And
+this Mimer did, though he knew that in the very part of the forest
+to which he was sending the lad there dwelt a terrible dragon, named
+Regin. Indeed Regin was a brother of the little blacksmith, and would
+be lying in wait for the Prince. It would be but the work of a moment
+for the monster to seize the lad and greedily to devour him.
+
+To Siegfried it was always joy to wander afar through the woodland.
+Ofttimes had he thrown himself down on the soft, moss-covered ground
+and lain there hour after hour, listening to the wood-bird's song.
+Sometimes he would even find a reed and try to pipe a tune as sweet
+as did the birds, but that was all in vain, as the lad soon found.
+No tiny songster would linger to hearken to the shrill piping of his
+grassy reed, and the Prince himself was soon ready to fling it far
+away.
+
+It was no hardship then to Siegfried to leave the forge and the hated
+little Nibelung, therefore it was that with right good will he set out
+in search of charcoal for Mimer the blacksmith.
+
+As he loitered there where the trees grew thickest, Siegfried took his
+horn and blew it lustily. If he could not pipe on a grassy reed, at
+least he could blow a rousing note on his silver horn.
+
+Suddenly, as Siegfried blew, the trees seemed to sway, the earth to
+give out fire. Regin, the dragon, had roused himself at the blast, and
+was even now drawing near to the Prince.
+
+It was at the mighty strides of the monster that the trees had seemed
+to tremble, it was as he opened his terrible jaws that the earth had
+seemed to belch out fire.
+
+For a little while Siegfried watched the dragon in silence. Then he
+laughed aloud, and a brave, gay laugh it was. Alone in the forest,
+with a sword, buckled to his side, the hero was afraid of naught, not
+even of Regin. The ugly monster was sitting now on a little hillock,
+looking down upon the lad, his victim as he thought.
+
+Then Siegfried called boldly to the dragon, "I will kill thee, for in
+truth thou art an ugly monster."
+
+At those words Regin opened his great jaws, and showed his terrible
+fangs. Yet still the boy Prince mocked at the hideous dragon.
+
+And now Regin in his fury crept closer and closer to the lad, swinging
+his great tail, until he well-nigh swept Siegfried from his feet.
+
+[Illustration: THE HERO'S SHINING SWORD PIERCED THE HEART OF THE
+MONSTER.]
+
+Swiftly then the Prince drew his sword, well tempered as he knew, for
+had not he himself wrought it in the forge of Mimer the blacksmith?
+Swiftly he drew his sword, and with one bound he sprang upon the
+dragon's back, and as he reared himself, down came the hero's
+shining sword and pierced into the very heart of the monster. Thus
+as Siegfried leaped nimbly to the ground, the dragon fell back dead.
+Regin was no longer to be feared.
+
+Then Siegfried did a curious thing. He had heard the little Nibelung
+men who came to the smithy to talk with Mimer, he had heard them
+say that whoever should bathe in the blood of Regin the dragon would
+henceforth be safe from every foe. For his skin would grow so tough
+and horny that it would be to him as an armor through which no sword
+could ever pierce.
+
+Thinking of the little Nibelungs' harsh voices and wrinkled little
+faces as they had sat talking thus around Mimer's glowing forge,
+Siegfried now flung aside his deerskin dress and bathed himself from
+top to toe in the dragon's blood.
+
+But as he bathed, a leaf from off a linden tree was blown upon his
+shoulders, and on the spot where it rested Siegfried's skin was still
+soft and tender as when he was a little child. It was only a tiny spot
+which was covered by the linden leaf, but should a spear thrust, or an
+arrow pierce that tiny spot, Siegfried would be wounded as easily as
+any other man.
+
+The dragon was dead, the bath was over, and clad once more in his
+deerskin, Siegfried set out for the smithy. He brought no charcoal for
+the forge; all that he carried with him was a heart afire with anger,
+a sword quivering to take the life of the Nibelung, Mimer.
+
+For now Siegfried knew that the dwarf had wished to send him forth to
+death, when he bade him go seek charcoal in the depths of the forest.
+
+Into the dusky glow of the smithy plunged the hero, and swiftly he
+slew the traitor Mimer. Then gaily, for he had but slain evil ones of
+whom the world was well rid, then gaily Siegfried fared through the
+forest in quest of adventure.
+
+
+
+
+II
+
+SIEGFRIED WINS THE TREASURE
+
+
+Now this is what befell the Prince.
+
+In his wanderings he reached the country called Isenland, where the
+warlike but beautiful Queen Brunhild reigned. He gazed with wonder
+at her castle, so strong it stood on the edge of the sea, guarded by
+seven great gates. Her marble palaces also made him marvel, so white
+they glittered in the sun.
+
+But most of all he marveled at this haughty Queen, who refused to
+marry any knight unless he could vanquish her in every contest to
+which she summoned him.
+
+Brunhild from the castle window saw the fair face and the strong limbs
+of the hero, and demanded that he should be brought into her presence,
+and as a sign of her favor she showed the young Prince her magic horse
+Gana.
+
+Yet Siegfried had no wish to conquer the warrior-queen and gain her
+hand and her broad dominions for his own. Siegfried thought only of a
+wonder-maiden, unknown, unseen as yet, though in his heart he hid an
+image of her as he dreamed that she would be.
+
+It is true that Siegfried had no love for the haughty Brunhild. It is
+also true that he wished to prove to her that he alone was a match
+for all her boldest warriors, and had even power to bewitch her magic
+steed, Gana, if so he willed, and steal it from her side.
+
+And so one day a spirit of mischief urged the Prince on to a gay
+prank, as also a wayward spirit urged him no longer to brook Queen
+Brunhild's mien.
+
+Before he left Isenland, therefore, Siegfried in a merry mood threw
+to the ground the seven great gates that guarded the Queen's strong
+castle. Then he called to Gana, the magic steed, to follow him into
+the world, and this the charger did with a right good will.
+
+Whether Siegfried sent Gana back to Isenland or not I do not know, but
+I know that in the days to come Queen Brunhild never forgave the hero
+for his daring feat.
+
+When the Prince had left Isenland he rode on and on until he came to
+a great mountain. Here near a cave he found two little dwarfish
+Nibelungs, surrounded by twelve foolish giants. The two little
+Nibelungs were princes, the giants were their counselors.
+
+Now the King of the Nibelungs had but just died in the dark little
+underground town of Nibelheim, and the two tiny princes were the sons
+of the dead King.
+
+But they had not come to the mountain-side to mourn for their royal
+father. Not so indeed had they come, but to divide the great hoard of
+treasure which the King had bequeathed to them at his death.
+
+Already they had begun to quarrel over the treasure, and the twelve
+foolish giants looked on, but did not know what to say or do, so they
+did nothing, and never spoke at all.
+
+The dwarfs had themselves carried the hoard out of the cave where
+usually it was hidden, and they had spread it on the mountain-side.
+
+There it lay, gold as far as the eye could see, and farther. Jewels,
+too, were there, more than twelve wagons could carry away in four days
+and nights, each going three journeys.
+
+Indeed, however much you took from this marvelous treasure, never did
+it seem to grow less.
+
+But more precious even than the gold or the jewels of the hoard was a
+wonderful sword which it possessed. It was named Balmung, and had been
+tempered by the Nibelungs in their glowing forges underneath the glad
+green earth.
+
+Before the magic strength of Balmung's stroke, the strongest warrior
+must fall, nor could his armor save him, however close its links had
+been welded by some doughty smith.
+
+As Siegfried rode towards the two little dwarfs, they turned and saw
+him, with his bright, fair face, and flowing locks.
+
+Nimble as little hares they darted to his side, and begged that he
+would come and divide their treasure. He should have the good sword
+Balmung as reward, they cried.
+
+Siegfried dismounted, well pleased to do these ugly little men a
+kindness.
+
+But alas! ere long the dwarfs began to mock at the hero with their
+harsh voices, and to wag their horrid little heads at him, while
+they screamed in a fury that he was not dividing the treasure as they
+wished.
+
+Then Siegfried grew angry with the tiny princes, and seizing the magic
+sword, he cut off their heads. The twelve foolish giants also he slew,
+and thus became himself master of the marvelous hoard as well as of
+the good sword Balmung.
+
+Seven hundred valiant champions, hearing the blast of the hero's horn,
+now gather together to defend the country from this strange young
+warrior. But he vanquished them all, and forced them to promise that
+they would henceforth serve no other lord save him alone. And this
+they did, being proud of his great might.
+
+Now tidings of the slaughter of the two tiny princes had reached
+Nibelheim, and great was the wrath of the little men and little women
+who dwelt in the dark town beneath the earth.
+
+Alberich, the mightiest of all the dwarfs, gathered together his army
+of little gnomes to avenge the death of the two dwarf princes and
+also, for Alberich was a greedy man, to gain for himself the great
+hoard.
+
+When Siegfried saw Alberich at the head of his army of little men
+he laughed aloud, and with a light heart he chased them all into the
+great cave on the mountain-side.
+
+From off the mighty dwarf, Alberich, he stripped his famous Cloak of
+Darkness, which made him who wore it not only invisible, but strong
+as twelve strong men. He snatched also from the dwarf's fingers his
+wishing-rod, which was a Magic Wand. And last of all he made Alberich
+and his thousands of tiny warriors take an oath, binding them evermore
+to serve him alone. Then hiding the treasure in the cave with the
+seven hundred champions whom he had conquered, he left Alberich and
+his army of little men to guard it, until he came again. And Alberich
+and his dwarfs were faithful to the hero who had shorn them of their
+treasure, and served him for evermore.
+
+Siegfried, the magic sword Balmung by his side, the Cloak of Darkness
+thrown over his arm, the Magic Wand in his strong right hand, went
+over the mountain, across the plains, nor did he tarry until he came
+again to the castle built on the banks of the river Rhine in his own
+low-lying country of the Netherlands.
+
+
+
+
+III
+
+SIEGFRIED COMES HOME
+
+
+The walls of the old castle rang. King Siegmund, his knights and
+liegemen, all were welcoming Prince Siegfried home. They had not seen
+their hero-prince since he had been sent long years before to be under
+the charge of Mimer the blacksmith.
+
+He had grown but more fair, more noble, they thought, as they gazed
+upon his stalwart limbs, his fearless eyes.
+
+And what tales of prowess clustered around his name! Already their
+Prince had done great deeds as he had ridden from land to land.
+
+The King and his liegemen had heard of the slaughter of the terrible
+dragon, of the capture of the great treasure, of the defiance of the
+warlike and beautiful Brunhild. They could wish for no more renowned
+prince than their own Prince Siegfried.
+
+Thus Siegmund and his subjects rejoiced that the heir to the throne
+was once again in his own country.
+
+In the Queen's bower, too, there was great joy. Sieglinde wept, but
+her tears were not those of sadness. Sieglinde wept for very gladness
+that her son had come home safe from his wonderful adventures.
+
+Now Siegmund wished to give a great feast in honor of his son. It
+should be on his birthday which was very near, the birthday on which
+the young Prince would be twenty-one years of age.
+
+Far and wide throughout the Netherlands and into distant realms
+tidings of the feast were borne. Kinsmen and strangers, lords and
+ladies, all were asked to the banquet in the great castle hall where
+Siegmund reigned supreme.
+
+It was the merry month of June when the feast was held, and the sun
+shone bright on maidens in fair raiment, on knights in burnished
+armor.
+
+Siegfried was to be knighted on this June day along with four hundred
+young squires of his father's realm. The Prince was clad in gorgeous
+armor, and on the cloak flung around his shoulders jewels were seen to
+sparkle in the sunlight, jewels made fast with gold embroidery worked
+by the white hands of the Queen and her fair damsels.
+
+In games and merry pastimes the hours of the day sped fast away, until
+the great bell of the Minster pealed, calling the gay company to the
+house of God for evensong. Siegfried and the four hundred squires
+knelt before the altar, ere they were knighted by the royal hand of
+Siegmund the King.
+
+The solemn service ended, the new-made knights hastened back to the
+castle, and there in the great hall a mighty tournament was held.
+Knights who had grown gray in service tilted with those who but that
+day had been given the grace of knighthood. Lances splintered, shields
+fell before the mighty onslaughts of the gallant warriors, until King
+Siegmund bade the tilting cease.
+
+Then in the great hall feasting and song held sway until daylight
+faded and the stars shone bright.
+
+Yet no weariness knew the merrymakers. The next morning, and for six
+long summer days, they tilted, they sang, they feasted.
+
+When at length the great festival drew to a close, Siegmund in the
+presence of his guests gave to his dear son Siegfried many lands and
+strong castles over which he might be lord.
+
+To all his son's comrades, too, the King gave steeds and costly
+raiment, while Queen Sieglinde bestowed upon them freely coins of
+gold. Such abundant gifts had never before been dreamed of as were
+thus lavished by Siegmund and Sieglinde on their guests.
+
+As the rich nobles looked upon the brave young Prince Siegfried, there
+were some who whispered among themselves that they would fain have him
+to rule in the land.
+
+Siegfried heard their whispers, but in no wise did he give heed to the
+wish of the nobles.
+
+Never, he thought while his beautiful mother and his bounteous father
+lived, would he wear the crown.
+
+Indeed Siegfried had no wish to sit upon a throne, he wished but to
+subdue the evil-doers in the land. Or better still, he wished to go
+forth in search of new adventure. And this right soon he did.
+
+
+
+
+IV
+
+SIEGFRIED AT THE COURT OF WORMS
+
+
+At the Court of Worms in Burgundy dwelt the Princess Kriemhild, whose
+fame for beauty and kindness had spread to many a far-off land. She
+lived with her mother Queen Uté and her three brothers King Gunther,
+King Gernot, and King Giselher. Her father had long been dead. Gunther
+sat upon the throne and had for chief counselor his cruel uncle Hagen.
+
+One night Kriemhild dreamed that a beautiful wild hawk with feathers
+of gold came and perched upon her wrist. It grew so tame that she
+took it with her to the hunt. Upward it soared when loosed toward the
+bright blue sky. Then the dream-maiden saw two mighty eagles swoop
+down upon her petted hawk and tear it to pieces.
+
+The Princess told her dream to her mother, who said, "The hawk, my
+daughter, is a noble knight who shall be thy husband, but, alas,
+unless God defend him from his foes, thou shalt lose him ere he has
+long been thine." Kriemhild replied, "O lady mother, I wish no knight
+to woo me from thy side." "Nay," said the Queen, "Speak not thus, for
+God will send to thee a noble knight and strong."
+
+Hearing of the Princess, Siegfried, who lived in the Netherlands,
+began to think that she was strangely like the unknown maiden whose
+image he carried in his heart. So he set out to go into Burgundy to
+see the beautiful Kriemhild who had sent many knights away.
+
+Siegfried's father wished to send an army with him but Siegfried said,
+"Nay, give me only, I pray thee, eleven stalwart warriors."
+
+Tidings had reached King Gunther of the band of strangers who had so
+boldly entered the royal city. He sent for Hagen, chief counselor,
+who said they must needs be princes or ambassadors. "One knight, the
+fairest and the boldest, is, methinks, the wondrous hero Siegfried,
+who has won great treasure from the Nibelungs, and has killed two
+little princely dwarfs, their twelve giants, and seven hundred great
+champions of the neighboring country with his good sword Balmung."
+Graciously then did the King welcome Siegfried.
+
+"I beseech thee, noble knight," said the King, "tell me why thou hast
+journeyed to this our royal city?"
+
+Now Siegfried was not ready to speak of the fair Princess, so he told
+the King that he had come to see the splendor of the court and to do
+great deeds, even to wrest from him the broad realm of Burgundy and
+likewise all his castles. "Unless thou dost conquer me I shall rule in
+my great might in this realm."
+
+"We do well to be angry at the words of this bold stripling," said
+Hagen. A quarrel arose, but King Gernot, Gunther's brother, made peace
+and Siegfried began to think of the wonderlady of his dreams and grew
+ashamed of his boasting.
+
+Then all Burgundy began to hear of Siegfried. At the end of the year
+Burgundy was threatened with invasion. King Ludegast and King Ludeger
+threatened mighty wars.
+
+When Siegfried heard of this he said, "If trouble hath come to thee,
+my arm is strong to bring thee aid. If thy foes were as many as
+thirty thousand, yet with one thousand warriors would I destroy them.
+Therefore, leave the battle in my hands."
+
+When the rude kings heard that Siegfried would fight for Burgundy
+their hearts failed for fear and in great haste they gathered their
+armies. King Gunther meanwhile had assembled his men and the chief
+command was given to Hagen, but Siegfried rode forward to seek the
+foe.
+
+In advance of their warriors stood Ludegast and Ludeger ready for the
+fray. Grasping his good sword Balmung, Siegfried first met Ludegast
+piercing him through his steel harness with an ugly thrust till he lay
+helpless at his feet. Thirty of the King's warriors rode up and beset
+the hero, but Siegfried slaughtered all save one. He was spared to
+carry the dire tidings of the capture of Ludegast to his army.
+
+Ludeger had seen the capture of his brother and met the onslaught that
+Siegfried soon made upon him. But with a great blow Siegfried struck
+the shield from Ludeger's hold, and in a moment more he had him at his
+mercy. For the second time that day the Prince was victor over a king.
+
+When Uté, the mother of Kriemhild, heard that a grand festival
+celebrating the prowess of Prince Siegfried was to be held at court,
+she made up her mind that she and her daughter would lend their
+gracious presence. Many noble guests were there gathered and when the
+knights entered the lists the King sent a hundred of his liegemen to
+bring the Queen and the Princess to the great hall. When Siegfried saw
+the Princess he knew that she was indeed more beautiful than he had
+ever dreamed. A messenger was sent by the King bidding him greet the
+Princess. "Be welcome here, Sir Siegfried, for thou art a good and
+noble knight," said the maiden softly, "for right well hast thou
+served my royal brother."
+
+"Thee will I serve for ever," cried the happy hero, "thee will I serve
+for ever, and thy wishes shall ever be my will!"
+
+Then for twelve glad days were Siegfried and Kriemhild ofttimes side
+by side.
+
+
+
+
+V.
+
+SIEGFRIED GOES TO ISENLAND
+
+
+Whitsuntide had come and gone when tidings from beyond the Rhine
+reached the court at Worms.
+
+No dread tidings were these, but glad and good to hear, of a matchless
+Queen named Brunhild who dwelt in Isenland. King Gunther listened with
+right good will to the tales of this warlike maiden, for if she were
+beautiful she was also strong as any warrior. Wayward, too, she was,
+yet Gunther would fain have her as his queen to sit beside him on his
+throne.
+
+One day the King sent for Siegfried to tell him that he would fain
+journey to Isenland to wed Queen Brunhild.
+
+Now Siegfried, as you know, had been in Isenland and knew some of the
+customs of this wayward Queen. So he answered the King right gravely
+that it would be a dangerous journey across the sea to Isenland,
+nor would he win the Queen unless he were able to vanquish her great
+strength.
+
+He told the King how Brunhild would challenge him to three contests,
+or games, as she would call them. And if she were the victor, as
+indeed she had been over many a royal suitor, then his life would be
+forfeited.
+
+At her own desire kings and princes had hurled the spear at the
+stalwart Queen, and it had but glanced harmless off her shield, while
+she would pierce the armor of these valiant knights with her first
+thrust. This was one of the Queen's games.
+
+Then the knights would hasten to the ring and throw the stone from
+them as far as might be, yet ever Queen Brunhild threw it farther. For
+this was another game of the warrior-queen.
+
+The third game was to leap beyond the stone which they had thrown, but
+ever to their dismay the knights saw this marvelous maiden far outleap
+them all.
+
+These valorous knights, thus beaten in the three contests, had been
+beheaded, and therefore it was that Siegfried spoke so gravely to King
+Gunther.
+
+But Gunther, so he said, was willing to risk his life to win so brave
+a bride.
+
+Now Hagen had drawn near to the King, and as he listened to
+Siegfried's words, the grim warrior said, "Sire, since the Prince
+knows the customs of Isenland, let him go with thee on thy journey,
+to share thy dangers, and to aid thee in the presence of this warlike
+Queen."
+
+And Hagen, for he hated the hero, hoped that he might never return
+alive from Isenland.
+
+But the King was pleased with his counselor's words. "Sir Siegfried,"
+he said, "wilt thou help me to win the matchless maiden Brunhild for
+my queen?"
+
+"That right gladly will I do," answered the Prince, "if thou wilt
+promise to give me thy sister Kriemhild as my bride, should I bring
+thee back safe from Isenland, the bold Queen at thy side."
+
+Then the King promised that on the same day that he wedded Brunhild,
+his sister should wed Prince Siegfried, and with this promise the hero
+was well content.
+
+"Thirty thousand warriors will I summon to go with us to Isenland,"
+cried King Gunther gaily.
+
+"Nay," said the Prince, "thy warriors would but be the victims of
+this haughty Queen. As plain knight-errants will we go, taking with us
+none, save Hagen the keen-eyed and his brother Dankwart."
+
+Then King Gunther, his face aglow with pleasure, went with Sir
+Siegfried to his sister's bower, and begged her to provide rich
+garments in which he and his knights might appear before the beauteous
+Queen Brunhild.
+
+"Thou shalt not beg this service from me," cried the gentle Princess,
+"rather shalt thou command that which thou dost wish. See, here have I
+silk in plenty. Send thou the gems from off thy bucklers, and I and my
+maidens will work them with gold embroideries into the silk."
+
+Thus the sweet maiden dismissed her brother, and sending for her
+thirty maidens who were skilled in needlework she bade them sew their
+daintiest stitches, for here were robes to be made for the King and
+Sir Siegfried ere they went to bring Queen Brunhild into Rhineland.
+
+For seven weeks Kriemhild and her maidens were busy in their bower.
+Silk white as new-fallen snow, silk green as the leaves in spring
+did they shape into garments worthy to be worn by the King and Sir
+Siegfried, and amid the gold embroideries glittered many a radiant
+gem.
+
+Meanwhile down by the banks of the Rhine a vessel was being built to
+carry the King across the sea to Isenland.
+
+When all was ready the King and Sir Siegfried went to the bower of the
+Princess. They would put on the silken robes and the beautiful cloaks
+Kriemhild and her maidens had sewed to see that they were neither too
+long nor too short. But indeed the skilful hands of the Princess had
+not erred. No more graceful or more beautiful garments had ever before
+been seen by the King or the Prince.
+
+"Sir Siegfried," said the gentle Kriemhild, "care for my royal brother
+lest danger befall him in the bold Queen's country. Bring him home
+both safe and sound I beseech thee."
+
+The hero bowed his head and promised to shield the King from danger,
+then they said farewell to the maiden, and embarked in the little ship
+that awaited them on the banks of the Rhine. Nor did Siegfried forget
+to take with him his Cloak of Darkness and his good sword Balmung.
+
+Now none was there on the ship save King Gunther, Siegfried, Hagen,
+and Dankwart, but Siegfried with his Cloak of Darkness had the
+strength of twelve men as well as his own strong right hand.
+
+Merrily sailed the little ship, steered by Sir Siegfried himself. Soon
+the Rhine river was left behind and they were out on the sea, a strong
+wind filling their sails. Ere evening, full twenty miles had the good
+ship made.
+
+For twelve days they sailed onward, until before them rose the grim
+fortress that guarded Isenland.
+
+"What towers are these?" cried King Gunther, as he gazed upon the
+turreted castle which looked as a grim sentinel guarding the land.
+
+"These," answered the hero, "are Queen Brunhild's towers and this is
+the country over which she rules."
+
+Then turning to Hagen and Dankwart Siegfried begged them to let him
+be spokesman to the Queen, for he knew her wayward moods. "And King
+Gunther shall be my king," said the Prince, "and I but his vassal
+until we leave Isenland."
+
+And Hagen and Dankwart, proud men though they were, obeyed in all
+things the words of the young Prince of the Netherlands.
+
+
+
+
+VI
+
+SIEGFRIED SUBDUES BRUNHILD
+
+
+The little ship had sailed on now close beneath the castle, so
+close indeed that as the King looked up to the window he could catch
+glimpses of beautiful maidens passing to and fro.
+
+Sir Siegfried also looked and laughed aloud for glee. It would be but
+a little while until Brunhild was won and he was free to return to his
+winsome lady Kriemhild.
+
+By this time the maidens in the castle had caught sight of the ship,
+and many bright eyes were peering down upon King Gunther and his three
+brave comrades.
+
+"Look well at the fair maidens, sire," said Siegfried to the King.
+"Among them all show me her whom thou wouldst choose most gladly as
+your bride."
+
+"Seest thou the fairest of the band," cried the King, "she who is clad
+in a white garment? It is she and no other whom I would wed."
+
+Right merrily then laughed Siegfried. "The maiden," said he gaily, "is
+in truth none other than Queen Brunhild herself."
+
+The King and his warriors now moored their vessel and leaped ashore,
+Siegfried leading with him the King's charger. For each knight had
+brought his steed with him from the fair land of Burgundy.
+
+More bright than ever beamed the bright eyes of the ladies at the
+castle window. So fair, so gallant a knight never had they seen,
+thought the damsels as they gazed upon Sir Siegfried. And all the
+while King Gunther dreamed their glances were bent on no other than
+himself.
+
+Siegfried held the noble steed until King Gunther had mounted, and
+this he did that Queen Brunhild might not know that he was the Prince
+of the Netherlands, owing service to no man. Then going back to the
+ship the hero brought his own horse to land, mounted, and rode with
+the King toward the castle gate.
+
+King and Prince were clad alike. Their steeds as well as their
+garments were white as snow, their saddles were bedecked with jewels,
+and on the harness hung bells, all of bright red gold. Their shields
+shone as the sun, their spears they wore before them, their swords
+hung by their sides.
+
+Behind them followed Hagen and Dankwart, their armor black as the
+plumage of the wild raven, their shields strong and mighty.
+
+As they approached the castle gates were flung wide open, and the
+liegemen of the great Queen came out to greet the strangers with words
+of welcome. They bid their hirelings also take the shields and
+chargers from their guests.
+
+But when a squire demanded that the strangers should also yield their
+swords, grim Hagen smiled his grimmest, and cried, "Nay, our swords
+will we e'en keep lest we have need of them." Nor was he too well
+pleased when Siegfried told him that the custom in Isenland was
+that no guest should enter the castle carrying a weapon. It was but
+sullenly that he let his sword be taken away along with his mighty
+shield.
+
+After the strangers had been refreshed with wine, her liegemen sent to
+the Queen to tell her that strange guests had arrived.
+
+"Who are the strangers who come thus unheralded to my land?" haughtily
+demanded Brunhild.
+
+But no one could tell her who the warriors were, though some murmured
+that the tallest and fairest might be the great hero Siegfried.
+
+It may be that the Queen thought that if the knight were indeed
+Siegfried she would revenge herself on him now for the mischievous
+pranks he had played the last time he was in her kingdom. In any case
+she said, "If the hero is here he shall enter into contest with me,
+and he shall pay for his boldness with his life, for I shall be the
+victor."
+
+Then with five hundred warriors, each with his sword in hand, Brunhild
+came down to the knights from Burgundy.
+
+"Be welcome, Siegfried," she cried, "yet wherefore hast thou come
+again to Isenland?"
+
+"I thank thee for thy greeting, lady," said the Prince, "but thou
+hast welcomed me before my lord. He, King Gunther, ruler over the fair
+realms of Burgundy, hath come hither to wed with thee."
+
+Brunhild was displeased that the mighty hero should not himself seek
+to win her as a bride, yet since for all his prowess he seemed but a
+vassal of the King, she answered, "If thy master can vanquish me in
+the contests to which I bid him, then I will be his wife, but if I
+conquer thy master, his life, and the lives of his followers will be
+forfeited."
+
+"What dost thou demand of my master?" asked Hagen.
+
+"He must hurl the spear with me, throw the stone from the ring, and
+leap to where it has fallen," said the Queen.
+
+Now while Brunhild was speaking, Siegfried whispered to the King to
+fear nothing, but to accept the Queen's challenge. "I will be near
+though no one will see me, to aid thee in the struggle," he whispered.
+
+Gunther had such trust in the Prince that he at once cried boldly,
+"Queen Brunhild, I do not fear even to risk my life that I may win
+thee for my bride."
+
+Then the bold maiden called for her armor, but when Gunther saw her
+shield, "three spans thick with gold and iron, which four chamberlains
+could hardly bear," his courage began to fail.
+
+While the Queen donned her silken fighting doublet, which could turn
+aside the sharpest spear, Siegfried slipped away unnoticed to the
+ship, and swiftly flung around him his Cloak of Darkness. Then unseen
+by all, he hastened back to King Gunther's side.
+
+A great javelin was then given to the Queen, and she began to fight
+with her suitor, and so hard were her thrusts that but for Siegfried
+the King would have lost his life.
+
+"Give me thy shield," whispered the invisible hero in the King's ear,
+"and tell no one that I am here." Then as the maiden hurled her spear
+with all her force against the shield which she thought was held by
+the King, the shock well-nigh drove both Gunther and his unseen friend
+to their knees.
+
+But in a moment Siegfried's hand had dealt the Queen such a blow with
+the handle of his spear (he would not use the sharp point against a
+woman) that the maiden cried aloud, "King Gunther, thou hast won this
+fray." For as she could not see Siegfried because of his Cloak of
+Darkness, she could not but believe that it was the King who had
+vanquished her.
+
+In her wrath the Queen now sped to the ring, where lay a stone so
+heavy that it could scarce be lifted by twelve strong men.
+
+But Brunhild lifted it with ease, and threw it twelve arms' length
+beyond the spot on which she stood. Then, leaping after it, she
+alighted even farther than she had thrown the stone.
+
+Gunther now stood in the ring, and lifted the stone which had again
+been placed within it. He lifted it with an effort, but at once
+Siegfried's unseen hand grasped it and threw it with such strength
+that it dropped even beyond the spot to which it had been flung by the
+Queen. Lifting King Gunther with him Siegfried next jumped far
+beyond the spot on which the Queen had alighted. And all the warriors
+marveled to see their Queen thus vanquished by the strange King. For
+you must remember that not one of them could see that it was Siegfried
+who had done these deeds of prowess.
+
+Now in the contest, still unseen, Siegfried had taken from the Queen
+her ring and her favorite girdle.
+
+With angry gestures Brunhild called to her liegemen to come and lay
+their weapons down at King Gunther's feet to do him homage. Henceforth
+they must be his thralls and own him as their lord.
+
+As soon as the contests were over, Siegfried had slipped back to the
+ship and hidden his Cloak of Darkness. Then boldly he came back to the
+great hall, and pretending to know nothing of the games begged to be
+told who had been the victor, if indeed they had already taken place.
+
+When he had heard that Queen Brunhild had been vanquished, the hero
+laughed, and cried gaily, "Then, noble maiden, thou must go with us to
+Rhineland to wed King Gunther."
+
+"A strange way for a vassal to speak," thought the angry Queen, and
+she answered with a proud glance at the knight, "Nay, that will I not
+do until I have summoned my kinsmen and my good lieges. For I will
+myself say farewell to them ere ever I will go to Rhineland."
+
+Thus heralds were sent throughout Brunhild's realms, and soon from
+morn to eve her kinsmen and her liegemen rode into the castle, until
+it seemed as though a mighty army were assembling.
+
+"Does the maiden mean to wage war against us," said Hagen grimly. "I
+like not the number of her warriors."
+
+Then said Siegfried, "I will leave thee for a little while and go
+across the sea, and soon will I return with a thousand brave warriors,
+so that no evil may befall us."
+
+So the Prince went down alone to the little ship and set sail across
+the sea.
+
+
+
+
+VII
+
+SIEGFRIED AND THE PRINCESS
+
+
+The ship in which Siegfried set sail drifted on before the wind, while
+those in Queen Brunhild's castle marveled, for no one was to be seen
+on board. This was because the hero had again donned his Cloak of
+Darkness.
+
+On and on sailed the little ship until at length it drew near to
+the land of the Nibelungs. Then Siegfried left his vessel and again
+climbed the mountain-side, where long before he had cut off the heads
+of the little Nibelung princes.
+
+He reached the cave into which he had thrust the treasure, and knocked
+loudly at the door. The cave was the entrance to Nibelheim the dark,
+little town beneath the glad, green grass.
+
+Siegfried might have entered the cave, but he knocked that he might
+see if the treasure were well guarded.
+
+Then the porter, who was a great giant, when he heard the knock
+buckled on his armor and opened the door. Seeing, as he thought in his
+haste, a strange knight standing before him he fell upon him with a
+bar of iron. So strong was the giant that it was with difficulty that
+the Prince overcame him and bound him hand and foot.
+
+Alberich meanwhile had heard the mighty blows, which indeed had shaken
+Nibelheim to its foundations.
+
+Now the dwarf had sworn fealty to Siegfried, and when he, as the giant
+had done, mistook the Prince for a stranger, he seized a heavy whip
+with a gold handle and rushed upon him, smiting his shield with the
+knotted whip until it fell to pieces.
+
+Too pleased that his treasures were so well defended to be angry,
+Siegfried now seized the little dwarf by his beard, and pulled it
+so long and so hard that Alberich was forced to cry for mercy. Then
+Siegfried bound him hand and foot as he had done the giant.
+
+Alberich, poor little dwarf, gnashed his teeth with rage. Who would
+guard the treasure now, and who would warn his master that a strong
+man had found his way to Nibelheim?
+
+But in the midst of his fears he heard the stranger's merry laugh.
+Nay, it was no stranger, none but the hero-prince could laugh thus
+merrily.
+
+"I am Siegfried your master," then said the Prince. "I did but test
+thy faithfulness, Alberich," and laughing still, the hero undid the
+cords with which he had bound the giant and the dwarf.
+
+"Call me here quickly the Nibelung warriors," cried Siegfried, "for I
+have need of them." And soon thirty thousand warriors stood before him
+in shining armor.
+
+Choosing one thousand of the strongest and biggest, the Prince marched
+with them down to the seashore. There they embarked in ships and
+sailed away to Isenland.
+
+Now it chanced that Queen Brunhild was walking on the terrace of her
+sea-guarded castle with King Gunther when she saw a number of sails
+approaching.
+
+"Whose can these ships be?" she cried in quick alarm.
+
+"These are my warriors who have followed me from Burgundy," answered
+the King, for thus had Siegfried bidden him speak.
+
+"We will go to welcome the fleet," said Brunhild, and together they
+met the brave Nibelung army and lodged them in Isenland.
+
+"Now will I give of my silver and my gold to my liegemen and to
+Gunther's warriors," said Queen Brunhild, and she held out the keys
+of her treasury to Dankwart that he might do her will. But so lavishly
+did the knight bestow her gold and her costly gems and her rich
+raiment upon the warriors that the Queen grew angry.
+
+"Naught shall I have left to take with me to Rhineland," she cried
+aloud in her vexation.
+
+"In Burgundy," answered Hagen, "there is gold enough and to spare.
+Thou wilt not need the treasures of Isenland."
+
+But these words did not content the Queen. She would certainly take at
+least twenty coffers of gold as well as jewels and silks with her to
+King Gunther's land.
+
+At length, leaving Isenland to the care of her brother, Queen
+Brunhild, with twenty hundred of her own warriors as a bodyguard,
+with eighty-six dames and one hundred maidens, set out for the royal
+city of Worms.
+
+For nine days the great company journeyed homeward, and then King
+Gunther entreated Siegfried to be his herald to Worms.
+
+"Beg Queen Uté and the Princess Kriemhild," said the King, "beg them
+to ride forth to meet my bride and to prepare to hold high festival in
+honor of the wedding-feast."
+
+Thus Siegfried with four-and-twenty knights sailed on more swiftly
+than the other ships, and landing at the mouth of the river Rhine,
+rode hastily toward the royal city.
+
+The Queen and her daughter, clad in their robes of state, received the
+hero, and his heart was glad, for once again he stood in the presence
+of his dear lady, Kriemhild.
+
+"Be welcome, my Lord Siegfried," she cried, "thou worthy knight,
+be welcome. But where is my brother? Has he been vanquished by the
+warrior-queen? Oh, woe is me if he is lost, wo is me that ever I
+was born," and the tears rolled down the maiden's cheeks.
+
+"Nay, now," said the Prince, "thy brother is well and of good cheer.
+I have come, a herald of glad tidings. For even now the King is on his
+way to Worms, bringing with him his hard-won bride."
+
+Then the Princess dried her tears, and graciously did she bid the hero
+to sit by her side.
+
+"I would I might give thee a reward for thy services," said the gentle
+maiden, "but too rich art thou to receive my gold."
+
+"A gift from thy hands would gladden my heart," said the gallant
+Prince.
+
+Blithely then did Kriemhild send for four-and-twenty buckles, all
+inlaid with precious stones, and these did she give to Siegfried.
+
+Siegfried bent low before the lady Kriemhild, for well did he love the
+gracious giver, yet would he not keep for himself her gifts, but gave
+them, in his courtesy, to her four-and-twenty maidens.
+
+Then the Prince told Queen Uté that the King begged her and the
+Princess to ride forth from Worms to greet his bride, and to prepare
+to hold high festival in the royal city.
+
+"It shall be done even as the King desires," said the Queen, while
+Kriemhild sat silent, smiling with gladness, because her knight Sir
+Siegfried had come home.
+
+In joy and merriment the days flew by, while the court at Worms
+prepared to hold high festival in honor of King Gunther's matchless
+bride.
+
+As the royal ships drew near, Queen Uté and the Princess Kriemhild,
+accompanied by many a gallant knight, rode along the banks of the
+Rhine to greet Queen Brunhild.
+
+Already the King had disembarked, and was leading his bride toward his
+gracious mother. Courteously did Queen Uté welcome the stranger, while
+Kriemhild kissed her and clasped her in her arms.
+
+Some, as they gazed upon the lovely maidens, said that the warlike
+Queen Brunhild was more beautiful than the gentle Princess Kriemhild,
+but others, and these were the wiser, said that none could excel the
+peerless sister of the King.
+
+In the great plain of Worms silk tents and gay pavilions had been
+placed. And there the ladies took shelter from the heat, while before
+them knights and warriors held a gay tournament. Then, in the cool of
+the evening, a gallant train of lords and ladies, they rode toward the
+castle at Worms.
+
+Queen Uté and her daughter went to their own apartments, while the
+King with Brunhild went into the banquet-hall where the wedding-feast
+was spread.
+
+But ere the feast had begun, Siegfried came and stood before the King.
+
+"Sire," he said, "hast thou forgotten thy promise, that when Brunhild
+entered the royal city thy lady sister should be my bride?"
+
+"Nay," cried the King, "my royal word do I ever keep," and going out
+into the hall he sent for the Princess.
+
+"Dear sister," said Gunther, as she bowed before him, "I have pledged
+my word to a warrior that thou wilt become his bride, wilt thou help
+me to keep my promise?" Now Siegfried was standing by the King's side
+as he spoke.
+
+Then the gentle maiden answered meekly, "Thy will, dear brother,
+is ever mine. I will take as lord him to whom thou hast promised my
+hand." And she glanced shyly at Siegfried, for surely this was the
+warrior to whom her royal brother had pledged his word.
+
+Right glad then was the King, and Siegfried grew rosy with delight
+as he received the lady's troth. Then together they went to
+the banquet-hall, and on a throne next to King Gunther sat the
+hero-prince, the lady Kriemhild by his side.
+
+When the banquet was ended, the King was wedded to Queen Brunhild, and
+Siegfried to the maiden whom he loved so well, and though he had no
+crown to place upon her brow, the Princess was well content.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+HERO OF FRANCE
+
+
+
+
+ROLAND
+
+ADAPTED BY H.E. MARSHALL
+
+
+
+
+I
+
+BLANCANDRIN'S MISSION
+
+
+For seven long years the great Emperor Charlemagne had been fighting
+in Spain against the Saracens; Saragossa alone remained unconquered,
+but word had gone forth that it, too, was doomed.
+
+King Marsil, not knowing how to save his city from the conqueror,
+called a council of his wise men. Blancandrin, a knight of great
+valor, was chosen with ten others to set out with olive-branches in
+their hands, followed by a great train of slaves bearing presents, to
+seek the court of the great Christian King and sue for peace.
+
+Bending low before Charlemagne, Blancandrin promised for King Marsil
+vassalage to the Emperor and baptism in the name of the Holy Christ.
+To assure the truth of his words, he said "We will give thee hostages,
+I will even send my own son if we keep not faith with thee."
+
+In the morning Charlemagne called his wise men and told them the
+message of Blancandrin.
+
+Then Roland, one of the twelve chosen knights and the nephew of
+Charlemagne, rose flushed with anger and cried, "Believe not this
+Marsil, he was ever a traitor. Carry the war to Saragossa. War! I say
+war!"
+
+Ganelon a knight, who hated Roland, strode to the foot of the throne,
+saying, "Listen not to the counsel of fools but accept King Marsil's
+gifts and promises."
+
+Following the counsel of Duke Naimes the wisest of the court,
+Charlemagne declared that some one should be sent to King Marsil and
+asked the lords whom he should send.
+
+"Send me," cried Roland. "Nay," said Oliver, "let me go rather." But
+the Emperor said, "Not a step shall ye go, either one or other of
+you."
+
+"Ah!" said Roland, "if I may not go, then send Ganelon my stepfather."
+"Good!" replied the great Emperor, "Ganelon it shall be."
+
+Ganelon trembled with passion and said, "this is Roland's work," for
+he knew he would never return alive to his wife and child. The quarrel
+between Roland and Ganelon was bitter indeed. "I hate thee," Ganelon
+hissed at last. "I hate thee!" Then, struggling to be calm, he turned
+to the Emperor and said, "I am ready to do thy will."
+
+"Fair Sir Ganelon," said Charlemagne, "this is my message to the
+heathen King Marsil. Say to him that he shall bend the knee to gentle
+Christ and be baptized in His name. Then will I give him full half of
+Spain to hold in fief. Over the other half Count Roland, my nephew,
+well beloved, shall reign."
+
+Without a word of farewell Ganelon went to his own house. There he
+clad himself in his finest armor. Commending his wife and child to the
+care of the knights who pressed round to bid him Godspeed, Ganelon,
+with bent head, turned slowly from their sight and rode to join the
+heathen Blancandrin.
+
+
+
+
+II
+
+GANELON'S TREASON
+
+
+As Ganelon and Blancandrin rode along together beneath the olive-trees
+and through the fruitful vineyards of sunny Spain, the heathen began
+to talk cunningly. "What a wonderful knight is thy Emperor," he said.
+"He hath conquered the world from sea to sea. But why cometh he within
+our borders? Why left he us not in peace?"
+
+"It was his will," replied Ganelon. "There is no man in all the world
+so great as he. None may stand against him."
+
+"You Franks are gallant men indeed," said Blancandrin, "but your dukes
+and counts deserve blame when they counsel the Emperor to fight with
+us now."
+
+"There is none deserveth that blame save Roland," said Ganelon. "Such
+pride as his ought to be punished. Oh, that some one would slay him!"
+he cried fiercely. "Then should we have peace."
+
+"This Roland is very cruel," said Blancandrin, "to wish to conquer all
+the world as he does. But in whom does he trust for help?"
+
+"In the Franks," said Ganelon. "They love him with such a great love
+that they think he can do no wrong. He giveth them gold and silver,
+jewels and armor, so they serve him. Even to the Emperor himself he
+maketh rich presents. He will not rest until he hath conquered all the
+world, from east to west."
+
+The Saracen looked at Ganelon out of the corner of his eye. He was a
+noble knight, but now that his face was dark with wrath and jealousy,
+he looked like a felon.
+
+"Listen thou to me," said Blancandrin softly. "Dost wish to be avenged
+upon Roland? Then, by Mahomet! deliver him into our hands. King Marsil
+is very generous; for such a kindness he will willingly give unto thee
+of his countless treasure."
+
+Ganelon heard the tempter's voice, but he rode onward as if unheeding,
+his chin sunken upon his breast, his eyes dark with hatred.
+
+But long ere the ride was ended and Saragossa reached, the heathen
+lord and Christian knight had plotted together for the ruin of Roland.
+
+At length the journey was over, and Ganelon lighted down before King
+Marsil, who awaited him beneath the shadow of his orchard-trees,
+seated upon a marble throne covered with rich silken rugs. Around
+him crowded his nobles, silent and eager to learn how Blancandrin had
+fared upon his errand.
+
+Bowing low, Blancandrin approached the throne, leading Ganelon by the
+hand. "Greeting," he said, "in the name of Mahomet. Well, O Marsil,
+have I done thy behest to the mighty Christian King. But save that he
+raised his hands to heaven and gave thanks to his God, no answer did
+he render to me. But unto thee he sendeth one of his nobles, a very
+powerful man in France. From him shalt thou learn if thou shalt have
+peace or war."
+
+"Let him speak," said King Marsil. "We will listen."
+
+"Greeting," said Ganelon, "in the name of God--the God of glory whom
+we ought all to adore. Listen ye to the command of Charlemagne: Thou,
+O King, shalt receive the Christian faith, then half of Spain will he
+leave to thee to hold in fief. The other half shall be given to Count
+Roland--a haughty companion thou wilt have there. If thou wilt not
+agree to this, Charlemagne will besiege Saragossa, and thou shalt be
+led captive to Aix, there to die a vile and shameful death."
+
+King Marsil shook with anger and turned pale. In his hand he held an
+arrow fledged with gold. Now, springing from his throne, he raised his
+arm as if he would strike Ganelon. But the knight laid his hand upon
+his sword and drew it half out of the scabbard. "Sword," he cried,
+"thou art bright and beautiful; oft have I carried thee at the court
+of my King. It shall never be said of me that I died alone in a
+foreign land, among fierce foes, ere thou wert dipped in the blood of
+their bravest and best."
+
+For a few moments the heathen King and the Christian knight eyed each
+other in deep silence. Then the air was filled with shouts. "Part
+them, part them!" cried the Saracens.
+
+The noblest of the Saracens rushed between their King and Ganelon. "It
+was a foolish trick to raise thy hand against the Christian knight,"
+said Marsil's calif, seating him once more upon his throne. "'Twere
+well to listen to what he hath to say."
+
+"Sir," said Ganelon proudly, "thinkest thou for all the threats in the
+wide world I will be silent and not speak the message which the mighty
+Charlemagne sendeth to his mortal enemy? Nay, I would speak, if ye
+were all against me." And keeping his right hand still upon the golden
+pommel of his sword, with his left he unclasped his cloak of fur and
+silk and cast it upon the steps of the throne. There, in his strength
+and splendor, he stood defying them all.
+
+"'Tis a noble knight!" cried the heathen in admiration.
+
+Then once more turning to King Marsil, Ganelon gave him the Emperor's
+letter. As he broke the seal and read, Marsil's brow grew black with
+anger. "Listen, my lords," he cried; "because I slew yonder insolent
+Christian knights, the Emperor Charlemagne bids me beware his wrath.
+He commands that I shall send unto him as hostage mine uncle the
+calif."
+
+"This is some madness of Ganelon!" cried a heathen knight. "He is only
+worthy of death. Give him unto me, and I will see that justice is done
+upon him." So saying, he laid his hand upon his sword.
+
+Like a flash of lightning Ganelon's good blade Murglies sprang from
+its sheath, and with his back against a tree, the Christian knight
+prepared to defend himself to the last. But once again the fight was
+stopped, and this time Blancandrin led Ganelon away.
+
+Then, walking alone with the King, Blancandrin told of all that he
+had done, and of how even upon the way hither, Ganelon had promised
+to betray Roland, who was Charlemagne's greatest warrior. "And if he
+die," said Blancandrin, "then is our peace sure."
+
+"Bring hither the Christian knight to me," cried King Marsil.
+
+So Blancandrin went, and once more leading Ganelon by the hand,
+brought him before the King.
+
+"Fair Sir Ganelon," said the wily heathen, "I did a rash and foolish
+thing when in anger I raised my hand to strike at thee. As a token
+that thou wilt forget it, accept this cloak of sable. It is worth five
+hundred pieces of gold." And lifting a rich cloak, he clasped it about
+the neck of Ganelon.
+
+"I may not refuse it," said the knight, looking down. "May Heaven
+reward thee!"
+
+"Trust me, Sir Ganelon," said King Marsil, "I love thee well. But keep
+thou our counsels secret. I would hear thee talk of Charlemagne. He is
+very old, is he not?--more than two hundred years old. He must be worn
+out and weary, for he hath fought so many battles and humbled so many
+kings in the dust. He ought to rest now from his labors in his city of
+Aix."
+
+Ganelon shook his head. "Nay," he said, "such is not Charlemagne. All
+those who have seen him know that our Emperor is a true warrior. I
+know not how to praise him enough before you, for there is nowhere a
+man so full of valor and of goodness. I would rather die than leave
+his service."
+
+"In truth," said Marsil, "I marvel greatly. I had thought that
+Charlemagne had been old and worn. Then if it is not so, when will he
+cease his wars?"
+
+"Ah," said Ganelon, "that he will never do so long as his nephew
+Roland lives. Under the arch of heaven there bides no baron so
+splendid or so proud. Oliver, his friend, also is full of prowess and
+of valor. With them and his peers beside him, Charlemagne feareth no
+man."
+
+"Fair Sir Ganelon," said King Marsil boldly, knowing his hatred, "tell
+me, how shall I slay Roland?"
+
+"That I can tell thee," said Ganelon. "Promise thou the Emperor all
+that he asketh of thee. Send hostages and presents to him. He will
+then return to France. His army will pass through the valley of
+Roncesvalles. I will see to it that Roland and his friend Oliver lead
+the rear-guard. They will lag behind the rest of the army, then there
+shalt thou fall upon them with all thy mighty men. I say not but that
+thou shalt lose many a knight, for Roland and his peers will fight
+right manfully. But in the end, being so many more than they, thou
+shalt conquer. Roland shall lie dead, and slaying him thou wilt cut
+off the right arm of Charlemagne. Then farewell to the wondrous army
+of France. Never again shall Charlemagne gather such a company, and
+within the borders of Spain there shall be peace for evermore."
+
+When Ganelon had finished speaking, the King threw his arms about his
+neck and kissed him. Then turning to his slaves, he commanded them to
+bring great treasure of gold, and silver and precious stones, and lay
+it at the feet of the knight.
+
+"But swear to me," said Marsil, "that Roland shall be in the
+rear-guard, and swear to me his death."
+
+And Ganelon, laying his hand upon his sword Murglies, swore by the
+holy relics therein, that he would bring Roland to death.
+
+Then came a heathen knight who gave to Ganelon a sword, the hilt of
+which glittered with gems so that the eyes were dazzled in looking
+upon it. "Let but Roland be in the rear-guard," he said, "and it is
+thine." Then he kissed Ganelon on both cheeks.
+
+Soon another heathen knight followed him, laughing joyfully. "Here is
+my helmet," he cried. "It is the richest and best ever beaten out
+of steel. It is thine so that thou truly bring Roland to death and
+shame." And he, too, kissed Ganelon.
+
+Next came Bramimonde, Marsil's queen. She was very beautiful. Her dark
+hair was strung with pearls, and her robes of silk and gold swept
+the ground. Her hands were full of glittering gems. Bracelets and
+necklaces of gold, rubies and sapphires fell from her white fingers.
+"Take these," she said, "to thy fair lady. Tell her that Queen
+Bramimonde sends them to her because of the great service thou hast
+done." And bowing low, she poured the sparkling jewels into Ganelon's
+hands. Thus did the heathen reward Ganelon for his treachery.
+
+"Ho there!" called King Marsil to his treasurer, "are my gifts for the
+Emperor ready?"
+
+"Yea, Sire," answered the treasurer, "seven hundred camels' load of
+silver and gold and twenty hostages, the noblest of the land; all are
+ready."
+
+Then King Marsil leant his hand on Ganelon's shoulder. "Wise art thou
+and brave," he said, "but in the name of all thou holdest sacred,
+forget not thy promise unto me. See, I give thee ten mules laden with
+richest treasure, and every year I will send to thee as much again.
+Now take the keys of my city gates, take the treasure and the hostages
+made ready for thine Emperor. Give them all to him, tell him that I
+yield to him all that he asks, but forget not thy promise that Roland
+shall ride in the rear-guard."
+
+Impatient to be gone, Ganelon shook the King's hand from his shoulder.
+"Let me tarry no longer," he cried. Then springing to horse he rode
+swiftly away.
+
+Meanwhile Charlemagne lay encamped, awaiting Marsil's answer. And
+as one morning he sat beside his tent, with his lords and mighty men
+around him, a great cavalcade appeared in the distance. And presently
+Ganelon, the traitor, drew rein before him. Softly and smoothly he
+began his treacherous tale. "God keep you," he cried; "here I bring
+the keys of Saragossa, with treasure rich and rare, seven hundred
+camels' load of silver and gold and twenty hostages of the noblest of
+the heathen host. And King Marsil bids me say, thou shalt not blame
+him that his uncle the calif comes not too, for he is dead. I myself
+saw him as he set forth with three hundred thousand armed men upon the
+sea. Their vessels sank ere they had gone far from the land, and he
+and they were swallowed in the waves." Thus Ganelon told his lying
+tale.
+
+"Now praised be Heaven!" cried Charlemagne. "And thanks, my trusty
+Ganelon, for well hast thou sped. At length my wars are done, and home
+to gentle France we ride."
+
+So the trumpets were sounded, and soon the great army, with pennons
+waving and armor glittering in the sunshine, was rolling onward
+through the land, like a gleaming mighty river.
+
+But following the Christian army, through valleys deep and dark, by
+pathways secret and unknown, crept the heathen host. They were clad
+in shining steel from head to foot, swords were by their sides, lances
+were in their hands, and bitter hatred in their hearts. Four hundred
+thousand strong they marched in stealthy silence. And, alas! the
+Franks knew it not.
+
+When night came the Franks encamped upon the plain. And high upon the
+mountain-sides, in a dark forest the heathen kept watch upon them.
+
+In the midst of his army King Charlemagne lay, and as he slept he
+dreamed he stood alone in the valley of Roncesvalles, spear in hand.
+There to him came Ganelon, who seized his spear and broke it in pieces
+before his eyes, and the noise of the breaking was as the noise of
+thunder. In his sleep Charlemagne stirred uneasily, but he did not
+wake. The vision passed, and again he dreamed. It seemed to him
+that he was now in his own city of Aix. Suddenly from out a forest a
+leopard sprang upon him. But even as its fangs closed upon his arm,
+a faithful hound came bounding from his hall and fell upon the
+savage beast with fury. Fiercely the hound grappled with the leopard.
+Snarling and growling they rolled over and over. Now the hound was
+uppermost, now the leopard. "Tis a splendid fight!" cried the Franks
+who watched. But who should win, the Emperor knew not, for the vision
+faded, and still he slept.
+
+The night passed and dawn came. A thousand trumpets sounded, the camp
+was all astir, and the Franks made ready once more to march.
+
+But Charlemagne was grave and thoughtful, musing on the dream that he
+had dreamed. "My knights and barons," he said, "mark well the country
+through which we pass. These valleys are steep and straight. It would
+go ill with us did the false Saracen forget his oath, and fall upon us
+as we pass. To whom therefore shall I trust the rear-guard that we may
+march in surety?"
+
+"Give the command to my stepson, Roland, there is none so brave as
+he," said Ganelon.
+
+As Charlemagne listened he looked at Ganelon darkly. "Thou art a very
+demon," he said. "What rage possesseth thee? And if I give command of
+the rear to Roland, who, then, shall lead the van?"
+
+"There is Ogier the Dane," said Ganelon quickly, "who better?"
+
+Still Charlemagne looked darkly at him. He would not that Roland
+should hear, for well he knew his adventurous spirit.
+
+But already Roland had heard. "I ought to love thee well, Sir
+Stepsire," he cried, "for this day hast thou named me for honor. I
+will take good heed that our Emperor lose not the least of his men,
+nor charger, palfrey, nor mule that is not paid for by stroke of
+sword."
+
+"That know I right well," replied Ganelon, "therefore have I named
+thee."
+
+Then to Charlemagne Roland turned, "Give me the bow of office, Sire,
+and let me take command," he said.
+
+But the Emperor sat with bowed head. In and out of his long white
+beard he twisted his fingers. Tears stood in his eyes, and he kept
+silence. Such was his love for Roland and fear lest evil should befall
+him.
+
+Then spoke Duke Naimes, "Give the command unto Roland, Sire; there is
+none better."
+
+So, silently, Charlemagne held out the bow of office, and kneeling,
+Roland took it.
+
+Then was Ganelon's wicked heart glad.
+
+"Nephew," said Charlemagne, "half my host I leave with thee."
+
+"Nay, Sire," answered Roland proudly, "twenty thousand only shall
+remain with me. The rest of ye may pass onward in all surety, for
+while I live ye have naught to fear."
+
+Then in his heart Ganelon laughed.
+
+So the mighty army passed onward through the vale of Roncesvalles
+without doubt or dread, for did not Roland the brave guard the rear?
+With him remained Oliver his friend, Turpin, the bold Archbishop of
+Rheims, all the peers, and twenty thousand more of the bravest knights
+of France.
+
+As the great army wound along, the hearts of the men were glad. For
+seven long years they had been far from home, and now soon they would
+see their dear ones again. But the Emperor rode among them sadly with
+bowed head. His fingers again twined themselves in his long white
+beard, tears once more stood in his eyes. Beside him rode Duke Naimes.
+"Tell me, Sire," he said, "what grief oppresseth thee?"
+
+"Alas," said Charlemagne, "by Ganelon France is betrayed. This night I
+dreamed I saw him break my lance in twain. And this same Ganelon it
+is that puts my nephew in the rear-guard. And I, I have left him in a
+strange land. If he die, where shall I find such another?"
+
+It was in vain that Duke Naimes tried to comfort the Emperor. He would
+not be comforted, and all the hearts of that great company were filled
+with fearful, boding dread for Roland.
+
+
+
+
+III
+
+ROLAND'S PRIDE
+
+
+Meanwhile King Marsil was gathering all his host. From far and near
+came the heathen knights, all impatient to fight, each one eager to
+have the honor of slaying Roland with his own hand, each swearing that
+none of the twelve peers should ever again see France.
+
+Among them was a great champion called Chernuble. He was huge and ugly
+and his strength was such that he could lift with ease a burden which
+four mules could scarcely carry. His face was inky black, his lips
+thick and hideous, and his coarse long hair reached the ground. It was
+said that in the land from whence he came, the sun never shone, the
+rain never fell, and the very stones were black as coal. He too,
+swearing that the Franks should die and that France should perish,
+joined the heathen host.
+
+Very splendid were the Saracens as they moved along in the gleaming
+sunshine. Gold and silver shone upon their armor, pennons of white and
+purple floated over them, and from a thousand trumpets sounded their
+battle-song.
+
+To the ears of the Frankish knights the sound was borne as they rode
+through the valley of Roncesvalles.
+
+"Sir Comrade," said Oliver, "it seemeth me there is battle at hand
+with the Saracen foe."
+
+"Please Heaven it may be so," said Roland. "Our duty is to hold this
+post for our Emperor. Let us strike mighty blows, that nothing be said
+or sung of us in scorn. Let us fight these heathen for our country and
+our faith."
+
+As Oliver heard the sounds of battle come nearer, he climbed to the
+top of the hill, so that he could see far over the country. There
+before him he saw the Saracens marching in pride. Their helmets,
+inlaid with gold, gleamed in the sun. Gaily painted shields, hauberks
+of shining steel, spears and pennons waved and shone, rank upon rank
+in countless numbers.
+
+Quickly Oliver came down from the hill, and went back to the Frankish
+army. "I have seen the heathen," he said to Roland. "Never on earth
+hath such a host been gathered. They march upon us many hundred
+thousand strong, with shield and spear and sword. Such battle as
+awaiteth us have we never fought before."
+
+"Let him be accursed who fleeth!" cried the Franks. "There be few
+among us who fear death."
+
+"It is Ganelon the felon, who hath betrayed us," said Oliver, "let him
+be accursed."
+
+"Hush thee, Oliver," said Roland; "he is my stepsire. Let us hear no
+evil of him."
+
+"The heathen are in fearful force," said Oliver, "and our Franks are
+but few. Friend Roland, sound upon thy horn. Then will Charlemagne
+hear and return with all his host to help us."
+
+For round Roland's neck there hung a magic horn of carved ivory. If he
+blew upon this in case of need, the sound of it would be carried over
+hill and dale, far, far onward. If he sounded it now, Charlemagne
+would very surely hear, and return from his homeward march.
+
+But Roland would not listen to Oliver. "Nay," he said, "I should
+indeed be mad to sound upon my horn. If I call for help, I, Roland, I
+should lose my fame in all fair France. Nay, I will not sound, but
+I shall strike such blows with my good sword Durindal that the blade
+shall be red to the gold of the hilt. Our Franks, too, shall strike
+such blows that the heathen shall rue the day. I tell thee, they be
+all dead men."
+
+"Oh Roland, friend, wind thy horn," pleaded Oliver. "To the ear of
+Charlemagne shall the sound be borne, and he and all his knights will
+return to help us."
+
+"Now Heaven forbid that my kin should ever be pointed at in scorn
+because of me," said Roland, "or that fair France should fall to such
+dishonor. No! I will not sound upon my horn, but I shall strike such
+blows with my sword Durindal that the blade shall be dyed red in the
+blood of the heathen."
+
+In vain Oliver implored. "I see no dishonor shouldst thou wind thy
+horn," he said, "for I have beheld the Saracen host. The valleys and
+the hills and all the plains are covered with them. They are many and
+great, and we are but a little company."
+
+"So much the better," cried Roland, "my desire to fight them grows
+the greater. All the angels of heaven forbid that France, through me,
+should lose one jot of fame. Death is better than dishonor. Let us
+strike such blows as our Emperor loveth to see."
+
+Roland was rash as Oliver was wise, but both were knights of wondrous
+courage, and now Oliver pleaded no more. "Look," he cried, "look where
+the heathen come! Thou hast scorned, Roland, to sound thy horn, and
+our noble men will this day do their last deeds of bravery."
+
+"Hush!" cried Roland, "shame to him who weareth a coward's heart."
+
+And now Archbishop Turpin spurred his horse to a little hill in
+front of the army. "My lords and barons," he cried, turning to them,
+"Charlemagne hath left us here to guard the homeward march of his
+army. He is our King, and we are bound to die for him, if so need be.
+But now, before ye fight, confess your sins, and pray God to forgive
+them. If ye die, ye die as martyrs. In God's great paradise your
+places await you."
+
+Then the Franks leapt from their horses and kneeled upon the ground
+while the archbishop blessed them, and absolved them from all their
+sins. "For penance I command that ye strike the heathen full sore," he
+said.
+
+Then springing from their knees the Franks leapt again into their
+saddles, ready now to fight and die.
+
+"Friend," said Roland, turning to Oliver, "thou wert right. It is
+Ganelon who is the traitor. But the Emperor will avenge us upon him.
+As for Marsil, he deemeth that he hath bought us, and that Ganelon
+hath sold us unto him. But he will find it is with our swords that we
+will pay him."
+
+And now the battle began. "Montjoie!" shouted the Franks. It was the
+Emperor's own battle-cry. It means "My joy," and came from the name of
+his famous sword Joyeuse or joyous. This sword was the most wonderful
+ever seen. Thirty times a day the shimmering light with which it
+glowed changed. In the gold of the hilt was encased the head of the
+spear with which the side of Christ had been pierced. And because of
+this great honor the Emperor called his sword Joyeuse, and from that
+the Franks took their battle-cry "Montjoie." Now shouting it, and
+plunging spurs into their horses' sides, they dashed upon the foe.
+Never before had been such pride of chivalry, such splendor of
+knightly grace.
+
+With boasting words, King Marsil's nephew came riding in front of the
+battle. "Ho, felon Franks!" he cried, "ye are met at last. Betrayed
+and sold are ye by your King. This day hath France lost her fair fame,
+and from Charlemagne is his right hand torn."
+
+Roland heard him. With spur in side and slackened rein, he dashed upon
+the heathen, mad with rage. Through shield and hauberk pierced his
+spear, and the Saracen fell dead ere his scoffing words were done.
+"Thou dastard!" cried Roland, "no traitor is Charlemagne, but a right
+noble king and cavalier."
+
+King Marsil's brother, sick at heart to see his nephew fall, rode out
+with mocking words upon his lips. "This day is the honor of France
+lost," he sneered.
+
+But Oliver struck his golden spurs into his steed's side! "Caitiff,
+thy taunts are little worth," he cried, and, pierced through shield
+and buckler, the heathen fell.
+
+Bishop Turpin, too, wielded both sword and lance. "Thou lying coward,
+be silent evermore!" he cried, as a scoffing heathen king fell beneath
+his blows. "Charlemagne our lord is true and good, and no Frank shall
+flee this day."
+
+"Montjoie! Montjoie!" sounded high above the clang of battle, as
+heathen after heathen was laid low. Limbs were lopped, armor flew in
+splinters. Many a heathen knight was cloven from brow to saddle bow.
+The plain was strewn with the dying and the dead.
+
+In Roland's hand his lance was shivered to the haft. Throwing the
+splintered wood away, he drew his famous Durindal. The naked blade
+shone in the sun and fell upon the helmet of Chernuble, Marsil's
+mighty champion. The sparkling gems with which it shone were scattered
+on the grass. Through cheek and chine, through flesh and bone, drove
+the shining steel, and Chernuble fell upon the ground, a black and
+hideous heap. "Lie there, caitiff!" cried Roland, "thy Mahomet cannot
+save thee. Not unto such as thou is the victory."
+
+On through the press rode Roland. Durindal flashed and fell and
+flashed again, and many a heathen bit the dust. Oliver, too, did
+marvelous deeds. His spear, as Roland's, was shivered into atoms. But
+scarcely knowing what he did, he fought still with the broken shaft,
+and with it brought many a heathen to his death.
+
+"Comrade, what dost thou?" said Roland. "Is it now the time to fight
+with staves? Where is thy sword called Hauteclere with its crystal
+pommel and golden guard?"
+
+"I lacked time in which to draw it," replied Oliver, "there was such
+need to strike blows fast and hard."
+
+But now he drew his shining Hauteclere from its scabbard, and with it
+he dealt such blows that Roland cried, "My brother art thou, Oliver,
+from henceforth. Ah! such blows our Emperor would dearly love to see."
+
+Furious and more furious waxed the fight. On all sides might be heard
+the cry of "Montjoie! Montjoie!" and many a blow did Frank and heathen
+give and take. But although thousands of Saracens lay dead, the Franks
+too had lost many of their bravest knights. Shield and spear, banner
+and pennon, broken, bloodstained and trampled, strewed the field.
+
+Fiercer, wilder still, the battle grew. Roland, Oliver, Archbishop
+Turpin and all the twelve peers of France fought in the thickest of
+the press. Many of the heathen fled, but even in flight they were cut
+down.
+
+Meanwhile over France burst a fearful storm. Thunder rolled, lightning
+flashed, the very earth shook and trembled. There was not a town in
+all the land but the walls of it were cracked and riven. The sky grew
+black at midday, rain and hail in torrents swept the land. "It is the
+end of the world," the people whispered in trembling fear.
+
+Alas, they knew not! It was the earth's great mourning for the death
+of Roland, which was nigh.
+
+The battle waxed horrible. The Saracens fled, and the Franks pursued
+till of that great heathen host but one was left. Of the Saracen army
+which had set out in such splendor, four hundred thousand strong, one
+heathen king alone remained. And he, King Margaris, sorely wounded,
+his spear broken, his shield pierced and battered, fled with the
+direful news to King Marsil.
+
+The Franks had won the day, and now mournfully over the plain they
+moved, seeking their dead and dying comrades. Weary men and worn were
+they, sad at the death of many brother knights, yet glad at the might
+and victory of France.
+
+
+
+
+IV
+
+ROLAND SOUNDS HIS HORN
+
+
+Alone, King Margaris fled, weary and wounded, until he reached King
+Marsil, and fell panting at his feet.
+
+"Ride! ride! Sire," he cried, "thy army is shattered, thy knights to
+the last man lie dead upon the field; but thou wilt find the Franks
+in evil plight. Full half of them also lie dead. The rest are sore
+wounded and weary. Their armor is broken, their swords and spears are
+shattered. They have naught wherewith to defend themselves. To avenge
+the death of thy knights were now easy. Ride! oh, ride!"
+
+In terrible wrath and sorrow King Marsil gathered a new army. In
+twenty columns through the valleys they came marching. The sun shone
+upon the gems and goldwork of their helmets, upon lances and pennons,
+upon buckler and embroidered surcoat. Seven thousand trumpets sounded
+to the charge, and the wind carried the clamor afar.
+
+"Oliver, my comrade," said Roland, when he heard it, "Oliver, my
+brother, the traitor Ganelon hath sworn our death. Here his treachery
+is plainly to be seen. But the Emperor will bring upon him a terrible
+vengeance. As for us, we must fight again a battle fierce and keen.
+I will strike with my trusty Durindal and thou with thy Hauteclere
+bright. We have already carried them with honor in many battles. With
+them we have won many a victory. No man may say scorn of us."
+
+And so once again the Franks made ready for battle.
+
+But King Marsil was a wily foe. "Hearken, my barons all," he cried,
+"Roland is a prince of wondrous strength. Two battles are not enough
+to vanquish him. He shall have three. Half of ye shall go forward now,
+and half remain with me until the Franks are utterly exhausted. Then
+shall ye attack them. Then shall we see the day when the might of
+Charlemagne shall fall and France shall perish in shame."
+
+So King Marsil stayed upon the hillside while half of his knights
+marched upon the Franks with battle-cry and trumpet-call.
+
+"Oh Heaven, what cometh now!" cried the Franks as they heard the
+sound. "Wo, wo, that ever we saw Ganelon the felon."
+
+Then spoke the brave archbishop to them. "Now it is certain that we
+shall die. But it is better to die sword in hand than in slothful
+ease. Now is the day when ye shall receive great honor. Now is the
+day that ye shall win your crown of flowers. The gates of paradise are
+glorious, but therein no coward shall enter."
+
+"We will not fail to enter," cried the Franks. "It is true that we are
+but few, but we are bold and stanch," and striking their golden spurs
+into their chargers' flanks, they rode to meet the foe.
+
+Once more the noise and dust of battle rose. Once more the plain was
+strewn with dead, and the green grass was crimson-dyed, and scattered
+wide were jewels and gold, splintered weapons, and shattered armor.
+
+Fearful was the slaughter, mighty the deeds of valor done, until at
+last the heathen broke and fled amain. After them in hot pursuit rode
+the Franks. Their bright swords flashed and fell again and again, and
+all the way was marked with dead.
+
+At length the heathen cries of despair reached even to where King
+Marsil stayed upon the hillside. "Marsil, oh our King! ride, ride, we
+have need of thee!" they cried.
+
+Even to the King's feet the Franks pursued the fleeing foe, slaying
+them before his face.
+
+Then Marsil, mounting upon his horse, led his last knights against the
+fearful foe.
+
+The Franks were nigh exhausted, but still three hundred swords
+flashed in the sunlight, three hundred hearts still beat with hope and
+courage.
+
+As Roland watched Oliver ever in the thickest of the fight, dealing
+blow upon blow unceasingly, his heart swelled anew with love for him.
+"Oh, my comrade leal and true," he cried, "alas! this day shall end
+our love. Alas! this day we shall part on earth for ever."
+
+Oliver heard him and through the press of fighting he urged his horse
+to Roland's side. "Friend," he said, "keep near to me. So it please
+God we shall at least die together."
+
+On went the fight, fiercer and fiercer yet, till but sixty weary
+Franks were left. Then, sadly gazing upon the stricken field, Roland
+turned to Oliver. "Behold! our bravest lie dead," he cried. "Well may
+France weep, for she is shorn of all her most valiant knights. Oh my
+Emperor, my friend, alas, why wert thou not here? Oliver, my brother,
+how shall we speed him now our mournful news?"
+
+"I know not," said Oliver sadly, "rather come death now than any
+craven deed."
+
+"I will sound upon my horn," said Roland, all his pride broken and
+gone. "I will sound upon my horn. Charlemagne will hear it and the
+Franks will return to our aid."
+
+"Shame would that be," cried Oliver. "Our kin would blush for us and
+be dishonored all their days. When I prayed of thee thou wouldst not
+sound thy horn, and now it is not I who will consent to it. Sound
+upon thy horn! No! there is no courage, no wisdom in that now. Had the
+Emperor been here we had been saved. But now it is too late, for all
+is lost. Nay," he cried in rising wrath, "if ever I see again my fair
+sister Aude, I swear to thee thou shalt never hold her in thine
+arms. Never shall she be bride of thine." For Roland loved Oliver's
+beautiful sister Aude and was loved by her, and when Roland would
+return to France she had promised to be his bride.
+
+"Ah, Oliver, why dost thou speak to me with so much anger and hate,"
+cried Roland sadly.
+
+"Because it is thy fault that so many Franks lie dead this day,"
+answered Oliver. "It is thy folly that hath slain them. Hadst thou
+done as I prayed thee our master Charlemagne had been here. This
+battle had been fought and won. Marsil had been taken and slain. Thy
+madness it is, Roland, that hath wrought our fate. Henceforward we
+can serve Charlemagne never more. And now here endeth our loyal
+friendship. Oh, bitter the parting this night shall see."
+
+With terrible grief in his heart, stricken dumb with misery and pain,
+Roland gazed upon his friend. But Archbishop Turpin had heard the
+strife between the two, and setting spurs to his horse he rode swiftly
+towards them. "Sir Roland, and you, Sir Oliver," he cried, "I pray you
+strive not thus. See! we all must die, and thy horn, Roland, can avail
+nothing now. Great Karl is too far and would return too late. Yet it
+were well to sound it. For the Emperor when he hears it will come to
+avenge our fall, and the heathen will not return joyously to their
+homes. When the Franks come, they will alight from their horses, they
+will find our bodies, and will bury them with mourning and with tears,
+so we shall rest in hallowed graves, and the beasts of the field shall
+not tear our bones asunder."
+
+"It is well said," cried Roland.
+
+Then to his lips he laid his horn, and taking a deep breath he blew
+mightily upon it. With all the strength left in his weary body he
+blew.
+
+Full, and clear, and high the horn sounded. From mountain peak to
+mountain peak the note was echoed, till to the camp of Charlemagne,
+full thirty leagues away, it came.
+
+Then as he heard it, sweet and faint, borne upon the summer wind, the
+Emperor drew rein, and bent his ear to listen. "Our men give battle;
+it is the horn of Roland," he cried.
+
+"Nay," laughed Ganelon scornfully, "nay, Sire, had any man but thee
+said it I had deemed he lied."
+
+So slowly and sad at heart, with many a backward glance, the Emperor
+rode on.
+
+Again Roland put his horn to his mouth. He was weary now and faint.
+Blood was upon his pale lips, the blue veins in his temples stood out
+like cords. Very mournfully he blew upon his horn, but the sound of it
+was carried far, very far, although it was so feeble and so low.
+
+Again to the soft, sweet note Charlemagne bent his ear. Duke Naimes,
+too, and all the Frankish knights, paused at the sound. "It is the
+horn of Roland," cried the Emperor, "and very surely had there been no
+battle, he had not sounded it."
+
+"There is no battle," said Ganelon in fretful tones. "Thou art grown
+old and fearful. Thou talkest as a frightened child. Well thou knowest
+the pride of Roland, the strong, bold, great and boastful Roland, that
+God hath suffered so long upon His earth. For one hare Roland would
+sound his horn all day long. Doubtless now he laughs among his peers.
+And besides, who would dare to attack Roland? Who so bold? Of a truth
+there is none. Ride on, Sire, ride on. Why halt? Our fair land is
+still very far in front."
+
+So again, yet more unwillingly, the Emperor rode on.
+
+Crimson-stained were the lips of Roland. His cheeks were sunken and
+white, yet once again he raised his horn. Faintly now, in sadness and
+in anguish, once again he blew. The soft, sweet notes took on a tone
+so pitiful, they wrung the very heart of Charlemagne, where, full
+thirty leagues afar, he onward rode.
+
+"That horn is very long of breath," he sighed, looking backward
+anxiously.
+
+"It is Roland," cried Duke Naimes. "It is Roland who suffers yonder.
+On my soul, I swear, there is battle. Some one hath betrayed him. If I
+mistake not, it is he who now deceives thee. Arm, Sire, arm! Sound
+the trumpets of war. Long enough hast thou hearkened to the plaint of
+Roland."
+
+Quickly the Emperor gave command. Quickly the army turned about, and
+came marching backward. The evening sunshine fell upon their pennons
+of crimson, gold and blue, it gleamed upon helmet and corslet, upon
+lance and shield. Fiercely rode the knights. "Oh, if we but reach
+Roland before he die," they cried, "oh, what blows we will strike for
+him."
+
+Alas! alas! they are late, too late!
+
+The evening darkened, night came, yet on they rode. Through all the
+night they rode, and when at length the rising sun gleamed like
+flame upon helmet, and hauberk and flowing pennon, they still pressed
+onward.
+
+Foremost the Emperor rode, sunk in sad thought, his fingers twisted
+in his long white beard which flowed over his cuirass, his eyes filled
+with tears. Behind him galloped his knights--strong men though they
+were, every one of them with a sob in his throat, a prayer in his
+heart, for Roland, Roland the brave and fearless.
+
+One knight only had anger in his heart. That knight was Ganelon. And
+he by order of the Emperor had been given over to the keeping of the
+kitchen knaves. Calling the chief among them, "Guard me well this
+felon," said Charlemagne, "guard him as a traitor, who hath sold all
+mine house to death."
+
+Then the chief scullion and a hundred of his fellows surrounded
+Ganelon. They plucked him by the hair and buffeted him, each man
+giving him four sounding blows. Around his neck they then fastened a
+heavy chain, and leading him as one might lead a dancing bear, they
+set him upon a common baggage-horse. Thus they kept him until the time
+should come that Charlemagne would ask again for the felon knight.
+
+
+
+
+V
+
+THE RETURN OF CHARLEMAGNE
+
+
+Roland was dead and bright angels had already carried his soul to
+heaven, when Charlemagne and all his host at last rode into the valley
+of Roncesvalles. What a dreadful sight was there! Not a path nor
+track, not a yard nor foot of ground but was covered with slain Franks
+and heathen lying side by side in death.
+
+Charlemagne gazed upon the scene with grief and horror. "Where art
+thou, Roland?" he called. "The archbishop, where is he? Oliver, where
+art thou?" All the twelve peers he called by name. But none answered.
+The wind moaned over the field, fluttering here and there a fallen
+banner, but voice to answer there was none.
+
+"Alas," sighed Charlemagne, "what sorrow is mine that I was not here
+ere this battle was fought!"
+
+In and out of his long white beard his fingers twisted, and tears of
+grief and anger stood in his eyes. Behind him, rank upon rank, crowded
+his knights and barons full of wrath and sorrow. Not one among them
+but had lost a son or brother, a friend or comrade. For a time they
+stood dumb with grief and horror.
+
+Then spoke Duke Naimes. Wise in counsel, brave in battle was he.
+"Look, Sire," he cried, "look where two leagues from us the dust
+arises upon the great highway. There is gathered the army of the
+heathen. Ride, Sire, ride and avenge our wrongs."
+
+And so it was, for those who had fled from the battle-field were
+gathered together and were now crowding onward to Saragossa.
+
+"Alas!" said Charlemagne, "they are already far away. Yet they have
+taken from me the very flower of France, so for the sake of right and
+honor I will do as thou desirest."
+
+Then the Emperor called to him four of his chief barons. "Rest here,"
+he said, "guard the field, the valleys and the hills. Leave the dead
+lying as they are, but watch well that neither lion nor any other
+savage beast come nigh to them. Neither shall any servant or squire
+touch them. I forbid ye to let man lay hand upon them till we return."
+
+"Sire we will do thy will," answered the four.
+
+Then, leaving a thousand knights to be with them, Charlemagne sounded
+his war trumpets, and the army set forth upon the pursuit of the
+heathen. Furiously they rode and fast, but already the foe was far.
+Anxiously the Emperor looked to the sun as it slowly went down toward
+the west. Night was at hand and the enemy still afar.
+
+Then, alighting from his horse, Charlemagne kneeled upon the green
+grass. "Oh Lord, I pray thee," he cried, "make the sun to stop. Say
+thou to the night, 'wait.' Say thou to the day, 'remain.'" And as the
+Emperor prayed, his guardian angel stooped down and whispered to him,
+"Ride onward, Charlemagne! Light shall not fail thee. Thou hast lost
+the flower of France. The Lord knoweth it right well. But thou canst
+now avenge thee upon the wicked. Ride!"
+
+Hearing these words, Charlemagne sprang once more to horse and rode
+onward.
+
+And truly a miracle was done for him. The sun stood motionless in
+the sky, the heathen fled, the Franks pursued, until in the Valley of
+Darkness they fell upon them and beat them with great slaughter. The
+heathen still fled, but the Franks surrounded them, closing every
+path, and in front flowed the river Ebro wide and deep. Across it
+there was no bridge, upon it no boat, no barge. Calling upon their
+gods Tervagan and Apollin and upon Mahomet to save them, the heathen
+threw themselves into the water. But there no safety they found.
+Many, weighted with their heavy armor, sank beneath the waves. Others,
+carried by the tide, were swept away, and all were drowned, King
+Marsil alone fleeing towards Saragossa.
+
+When Charlemagne saw that all his enemies were slain, he leapt from
+his horse, and, kneeling upon the ground, gave thanks to Heaven. And
+even as he rose from his knees the sun went down and all the land was
+dim in twilight.
+
+"Now is the hour of rest," said the Emperor. "It is too late to return
+to Roncesvalles, for our steeds are weary and exhausted. Take off
+their saddles and their bridles, and let them refresh themselves upon
+the field."
+
+"Sire, it is well said," replied the Franks.
+
+So the knights, leaping from their horses, took saddle and bridle
+from them, and let them wander free upon the green meadows by the
+river-side. Then, being very weary, the Franks lay down upon the
+grass, all dressed as they were in their armor, and with their swords
+girded to their sides, and slept. So worn were they with battle and
+with grief, that none that night kept watch, but all alike slept.
+
+The Emperor too slept upon the ground among his knights and barons.
+Like them he lay in his armor. And his good sword Joyeuse was girt
+about him.
+
+The night was clear and the moon shone brightly. And Charlemagne,
+lying on the grass, thought bitterly of Roland and of Oliver, and
+of all the twelve peers of France who lay dead upon the field of
+Roncesvalles. But at last, overcome with grief and weariness, he fell
+asleep.
+
+As the Emperor slept, he dreamed. He thought he saw the sky grow black
+with thunder-clouds, then jagged lightning flashed and flamed, hail
+fell and wild winds howled. Such a storm the earth had never seen,
+and suddenly in all its fury it burst upon his army. Their lances
+were wrapped in flame, their shields of gold were melted, hauberks
+and helmets were crushed to pieces. Then bears and wolves from out
+the forests sprang upon the dismayed knights, devouring them.
+Monsters untold, serpents, fiery fiends, and more than thirty thousand
+griffins, all rushed upon the Franks with greedy, gaping jaws.
+
+"Arm! arm! Sire," they cried to him. And Charlemagne, in his dream,
+struggled to reach his knights. But something, he knew not what, held
+him bound and helpless. Then from out the depths of the forest a lion
+rushed upon him. It was a fierce, terrible, and proud beast. It seized
+upon the Emperor, and together they struggled, he fighting with his
+naked hands. Who would win, who would be beaten, none knew, for the
+dream passed and the Emperor still slept.
+
+Again Charlemagne dreamed. He stood, he thought, upon the marble steps
+of his great palace of Aix holding a bear by a double chain. Suddenly
+out of the forest there came thirty other bears to the foot of the
+steps where Charlemagne stood. They all had tongues and spoke like
+men. "Give him back to us, Sire," they said, "he is our kinsman, and
+we must help him. It is not right that thou shouldest keep him so long
+from us."
+
+Then from out the palace there came a hound. Bounding among the savage
+beasts he threw himself upon the largest of them. Over and over upon
+the grass they rolled, fighting terribly. Who would be the victor, who
+the vanquished? Charlemagne could not tell. The vision passed, and he
+slept till daybreak.
+
+As the first dim light of dawn crept across the sky, Charlemagne
+awoke. Soon all the camp was astir, and before the sun rose high the
+knights were riding back over the wide roads to Roncesvalles.
+
+When once again they reached the dreadful field, Charlemagne wandered
+over all the plain until he came where Roland lay. Then taking him in
+his arms he made great moan. "My friend, my Roland, who shall now lead
+my army? My nephew, beautiful and brave, my pride, my glory, all are
+gone. Alas the day! alas!" Thus with tears and cries he mourned his
+loss.
+
+Then said one, "Sire, grieve not overmuch. Command rather that we
+search the plain and gather together all our men who have been slain
+by the heathen. Then let us bury them with chant, and song and solemn
+ceremony, as befits such heroes."
+
+"Yea," said Charlemagne, "it is well said. Sound your trumpets!"
+
+So the trumpets were sounded, and over all the field the Franks
+searched, gathering their slain brothers and comrades.
+
+With the army there were many bishops, abbots and monks, and so with
+chant and hymn, with prayer and incense, the Franks were laid to rest.
+With great honor they were buried. Then, for they could do no more,
+their comrades left them.
+
+Only the bodies of Roland, Oliver and Archbishop Turpin, they did
+not lay in Spanish ground. In three white marble coffins covered with
+silken cloths they were placed on chariots, ready to be carried back
+to the fair land of France.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+HERO OF SPAIN
+
+
+
+
+THE CID
+
+ADAPTED BY ROBERT SOUTHEY
+
+
+
+
+I
+
+RODRIGO AND THE LEPER
+
+
+Rodrigo forthwith set out upon the road, and took with him twenty
+knights. And as he went he did great good, and gave alms, feeding the
+poor and needy. And upon the way they found a leper, struggling in a
+quagmire, who cried out to them with a loud voice to help him for the
+love of God; and when Rodrigo heard this, he alighted from his beast
+and helped him, and placed him upon the beast before him, and carried
+him with him in this manner to the inn where he took up his lodging
+that night. At this were his knights little pleased.
+
+When supper was ready he bade his knights take their seats, and he
+took the leper by the hand, and seated him next himself, and ate with
+him out of the same dish. The knights were greatly offended at this
+foul sight, insomuch that they rose up and left the chamber. But
+Rodrigo ordered a bed to be made ready for himself and for the leper,
+and they twain slept together. When it was midnight and Rodrigo was
+fast asleep, the leper breathed against him between his shoulders, and
+that breath was so strong that it passed through him, even through his
+breast; and he awoke, being astounded, and felt for the leper by him,
+and found him not; and he began to call him, but there was no reply.
+Then he arose in fear, and called for a light, and it was brought him;
+and he looked for the leper and could see nothing; so he returned
+into the bed, leaving the light burning. And he began to think within
+himself what had happened, and of that breath which had passed through
+him, and how the leper was not there. After a while, as he was thus
+musing, there appeared before him one in white garments, who said
+unto him, "Sleepest thou or wakest thou, Rodrigo?" and he answered and
+said, "I do not sleep: but who art thou that bringest with thee such
+brightness and so sweet an odor?" Said he, "I am Saint Lazarus, and
+know that I was a leper to whom thou didst so much good and so great
+honor for the love of God; and because thou didst this for his sake
+hath God now granted thee a great gift; for whensoever that breath
+which thou hast felt shall come upon thee, whatever thing thou
+desirest to do, and shalt then begin, that shalt thou accomplish to
+thy heart's desire, whether it be in battle or aught else, so that thy
+honor shall go on increasing from day to day; and thou shalt be feared
+both by Moors and Christians, and thy enemies shall never prevail
+against thee, and thou shalt die an honorable death in thine own
+house, and in thy renown, for God hath blessed thee therefore go
+thou on, and evermore persevere in doing good;" and with that he
+disappeared. And Rodrigo arose and prayed to our lady and intercessor
+St. Mary, that she would pray to her blessed son for him to watch over
+his body and soul in all his undertakings; and he continued in prayer
+till the day broke. Then he proceeded on his way, and performed his
+pilgrimage, doing much good for the love of God and of St. Mary.
+
+
+
+
+II
+
+THE KNIGHTING OF RODRIGO
+
+
+Now it came to pass that while the King lay before Coimbra, there came
+a pilgrim from the land of Greece on pilgrimage to Santiago; his name
+was Estiano, and he was a bishop. And as he was praying in the church
+he heard certain of the townsmen and of the pilgrims saying that
+Santiago was wont to appear in battle like a knight, in aid of the
+Christians. And when he heard this, it nothing pleased him, and
+he said unto them, "Friends, call him not a knight, but rather a
+fisherman." Upon this it pleased God that he should fall asleep,
+and in his sleep Santiago appeared to him with a good and cheerful
+countenance, holding in his hand a bunch of keys, and said unto him,
+"Thou thinkest it a fable that they should call me a knight, and
+sayest that I am not so: for this reason am I come unto thee that
+thou never more mayest doubt concerning my knighthood; for a knight of
+Jesus Christ I am, and a helper of the Christians against the Moors."
+
+Then a horse was brought him the which was exceeding white, and the
+apostle Santiago mounted upon it, being well clad in bright and fair
+armor, after the manner of a knight. And he said to Estiano, "I go
+to help King Don Ferrando, who has lain these seven months before
+Coimbra, and to-morrow, with these keys which thou seest, will I open
+the gates of the city unto him at the third hour, and deliver it into
+his hand." Having said this, he departed. And the bishop, when he woke
+in the morning, called together the clergy and people of Compostella,
+and told them what he had seen and heard. And as he said, even so did
+it come to pass; for tidings came, that on that day, and at the third
+hour, the gates of the city had been opened.
+
+King Don Ferrando then assembled his counts and chief captains, and
+told them all that the monks of Lorvam had done, in bringing him to
+besiege the city, and in supplying his army in their time of need: and
+the counts and chief captains made answer and said, "Certes, O King,
+if the monks had not given us the stores of their monastery, thou
+couldest not have taken the city at this time." The King then called
+for the abbot and the brethren, for they were with him in the host,
+and said the hours to him daily, and mass in St. Andre's, and buried
+there and in their monastery as many as had died during the siege,
+either of arrow-wounds or by lances, or of their own infirmities. So
+they came before him and gave him joy of his conquest; and he said
+unto them, "Take ye now of this city as much as ye desire, since by
+God's favor and your counsel I have won it." But they made answer,
+"Thanks be to God and to you, and to your forefathers, we have enough
+and shall have, if so be that we have your favor and dwell among
+Christians. Only for the love of God, and for the remedy of your own
+soul, give us one church with its dwelling-houses within the city,
+and confirm unto us the gifts made to us in old times by your
+forefathers."
+
+With that the King turned to his sons and his soldiers, and said, "Of
+a truth, by our Creator, they who desire so little are men of God. I
+would have given them half the city, and they will have only a single
+church! Now therefore, since they require but this, on the part of
+God Almighty let us grant and confirm unto them what they ask, to
+the honor of God and St. Mamede." And the brethren brought him their
+charters of King Ramiro, and King Bermudo, and King Alfonso, and
+of Gonzalo Moniz, who was a knight and married a daughter of King
+Bermudo, and of other good men. And the King confirmed them, and he
+bade them make a writing of all which had passed between him and them
+at the siege of Coimbra; and when they brought him the writing, they
+brought him also a crown of silver and of gold, which had been King
+Bermudo's, and which Gonzalo Moniz had given to the monastery in honor
+of God and St. Mamede.
+
+The King saw the crown, set with precious stones, and said, "To what
+end bring ye hither this crown?" And they said, "That you should
+take it, sire, in return for the good which you have done us." But he
+answered, "Far be it from me that I should take from your monastery
+what the good men before me have given to it! Take ye back the crown,
+and take also ten marks of silver, and make with the money a good
+cross, to remain with you forever. And he who shall befriend you, may
+God befriend him; but he who shall disturb you or your monastery, may
+he be cursed by the living God and by his saints." So the King signed
+the writing which he had commanded to be made, and his sons and chief
+captains signed it also, and in the writing he enjoined his children
+and his children's children, as many as should come after him, to
+honor and protect the monastery of Lorvam; upon his blessing he
+charged them so to do, because he had found the brethren better than
+all the other monks in his dominions.
+
+Then King Don Ferrando knighted Rodrigo of Bivar in the great mosque
+of Coimbra, which he dedicated to St. Mary. And the ceremony was after
+this manner: the King girded on his sword, and gave him the kiss, but
+not the blow. To do him honor the Queen gave him his horse, and the
+Infanta Dona Urraca fastened on his spurs; and from that day forth he
+was called Ruydiez. Then the King commanded him to knight nine noble
+squires with his own hand; and he took his sword before the altar,
+and knighted them. The King then gave Coimbra to the keeping of
+Don Sisnando, Bishop of Iria; a man who, having more hardihood than
+religion, had by reason of his misdeeds gone over to the Moors, and
+sorely infested the Christians in Portugal. But during the siege he
+had come to the King's service, and bestirred himself well against the
+Moors; and therefore the King took him into his favor, and gave him
+the city to keep, which he kept, and did much evil to the Moors till
+the day of his death. And the King departed and went to Compostella,
+to return thanks to Santiago.
+
+But then Benalfagi, who was the lord of many lands in Estremadura,
+gathered together a great power of the Moors and built up the walls of
+Montemor, and from thence waged war against Coimbra, so that they of
+Coimbra called upon the King for help. And the King came up against
+the town, and fought against it, and took it. Great honor did Ruydiez
+win at that siege; for having to protect the foragers, the enemy came
+out upon him, and thrice in one day was he beset by them; but he,
+though sorely pressed by them, and in great peril, nevertheless
+would not send to the camp for succor, but put forth his manhood and
+defeated them. And from that day che King gave more power into his
+hands, and made him head over all his household.
+
+Now the men of Leon besought the King that he should repeople Zamora,
+which had lain desolate since it was destroyed by Almanzor. And he
+went thither and peopled the city, and gave to it good privileges.
+And while he was there came messengers from the five kings who were
+vassals to Ruydiez of Bivar, bringing him their tribute; and they came
+to him, he being with the King, and called him Cid, which signifieth
+lord, and would have kissed his hands, but he would not give them his
+hand till they had kissed the hand of the King. And Ruydiez took the
+tribute and offered the fifth thereof to the King, in token of his
+sovereignty; and the King thanked him, but would not receive it;
+and from that time he ordered that Ruydiez should be called the Cid,
+because the Moors had so called him.
+
+
+
+
+III
+
+HOW THE CID MADE A COWARD INTO A BRAVE MAN
+
+
+At this time Martin Pelaez the Asturian came with a convoy of laden
+beasts, carrying provisions to the host of the Cid; and as he passed
+near the town the Moors sallied out in great numbers against him; but
+he, though he had few with him, defended the convoy right well, and
+did great hurt to the Moors, slaying many of them, and drove them into
+the town. This Martin Pelaez who is here spoken of, did the Cid make
+a right good knight, of a coward, as ye shall hear. When the Cid first
+began to lay seige to the city of Valencia, this Martin Pelaez came
+unto him; he was a knight, a native of Santillana in Asturias, a
+hidalgo, great of body and strong of limb, a well-made man and of
+goodly semblance, but withal a right coward at heart, which he had
+shown in many places when he was among feats of arms. And the Cid
+was sorry when he came unto him, though he would not let him perceive
+this; for he knew he was not fit to be of his company. Howbeit he
+thought that since he was come, he would make him brave, whether he
+would or not.
+
+When the Cid began to war upon the town, and sent parties against it
+twice and thrice a day, for the Cid was alway upon the alert, there
+was fighting and tourneying every day. One day it fell out that the
+Cid and his kinsmen and friends and vassals were engaged in a great
+encounter, and this Martin Pelaez was well armed; and when he saw that
+the Moors and Christians were at it, he fled and betook himself to his
+lodging, and there hid himself till the Cid returned to dinner. And
+the Cid saw what Martin Pelaez did, and when he had conquered the
+Moors he returned to his lodging to dinner. Now it was the custom of
+the Cid to eat at a high table, seated on his bench, at the head. And
+Don Alvar Fañez, and Pero Bermudez, and other precious knights, ate in
+another part, at high tables, full honorably, and none other knights
+whatsoever dared take their seats with them, unless they were such as
+deserved to be there; and the others who were not so approved in arms
+ate upon _estrados_, at tables with cushions. This was the order in
+the house of the Cid, and every one knew the place where he was to
+sit at meat, and every one strove all he could to gain the honor
+of sitting at the table of Don Alvar Fañez and his companions, by
+strenuously behaving himself in all feats of arms; and thus the honor
+of the Cid was advanced.
+
+Martin Pelaez, thinking none had seen his badness, washed his hands
+in turn with the other knights, and would have taken his place among
+them. And the Cid went unto him, and took him by the hand and said,
+"You are not such a one as deserves to sit with these, for they are
+worth more than you or than me; but I will have you with me:" and he
+seated him with himself at table. And he, for lack of understanding,
+thought that the Cid did this to honor him above all the others. On
+the morrow the Cid and his company rode towards Valencia, and the
+Moors came out to the tourney; and Martin Pelaez went out well armed,
+and was among the foremost who charged the Moors, and when he was in
+among them he turned the reins, and went back to his lodging; and
+the Cid took heed to all that he did, and saw that though he had done
+badly he had done better than the first day. And when the Cid had
+driven the Moors into the town he returned to his lodging, and as he
+sat down to meat he took this Martin Pelaez by the hand, and seated
+him with himself, and bade him eat with him in the same dish, for he
+had deserved more that day than he had the first. And the knight
+gave heed to that saying, and was abashed; howbeit he did as the Cid
+commanded him: and after he had dined he went to his lodging and began
+to think upon what the Cid had said unto him, and perceived that he
+had seen all the baseness which he had done; and then he understood
+that for this cause he would not let him sit at board with the other
+knights who were precious in arms, but had seated him with himself,
+more to affront him than to do him honor, for there were other knights
+there better than he, and he did not show them that honor. Then
+resolved he in his heart to do better than he had done heretofore.
+
+Another day it happened that the Cid and his company, along with
+Martin Pelaez, rode toward Valencia, and the Moors came out to the
+tourney full resolutely, and Martin Pelaez was among the first, and
+charged them right boldly; and he smote down and slew presently a good
+knight, and he lost there all the bad fear which he had had, and was
+that day one of the best knights there: and as long as the tourney
+lasted there he remained, smiting and slaying and overthrowing the
+Moors, till they were driven within the gates, in such manner that the
+Moors marveled at him, and asked where that devil came from, for they
+had never seen him before. And the Cid was in a place where he could
+see all that was going on, and he gave good heed to him, and had great
+pleasure in beholding him, to see how well he had forgotten the great
+fear which he was wont to have. And when the Moors were shut up within
+the town, the Cid and all his people returned to their lodging, and
+Martin Pelaez full leisurely and quietly went to his lodging also,
+like a good knight. And when it was the hour of eating, the Cid waited
+for Martin Pelaez; and when he came, and they had washed, the Cid
+took him by the hand and said, "My friend, you are not such a one as
+deserves to sit with me from henceforth; but sit you here with Don
+Alvar Fañez, and with these other good knights, for the good feats
+which you have done this day have made you a companion for them;" and
+from that day forward he was placed in the company of the good.
+
+The history saith that from that day forward this knight Martin Pelaez
+was a right good one, and a right valiant, and a right precious, in
+all places where he chanced among feats of arms, and he lived alway
+with the Cid, and served him right well and truly. And the history
+saith, that after the Cid had won the city of Valencia, on the day
+when they conquered and discomfited the King of Seville, this Martin
+Pelaez was so good a one, that setting aside the body of the Cid
+himself, there was no such good knight there, nor one who bore such
+part, as well in the battle as in the pursuit. And so great was
+the mortality which he made among the Moors that day, that when he
+returned from the business the sleeves of his mail were clotted with
+blood, up to the elbow; insomuch that for what he did that day his
+name is written in this history, that it may never die. And when the
+Cid saw him come in that guise, he did him great honor, such as he
+never had done to any knight before that day, and from thenceforward
+gave him a place in all his actions and in all his secrets, and he
+was his great friend. In this knight Martin Pelaez was fulfilled the
+example which saith, that he who betaketh himself to a good tree, hath
+good shade, and he who serves a good lord winneth good guerdon; for by
+reason of the good service which he did the Cid, he came to such good
+state that he was spoken of as ye have heard: for the Cid knew how to
+make a good knight, as a good groom knows how to make a good horse.
+
+
+
+
+IV
+
+HOW THE CID RULED VALENCIA
+
+
+On the following day after the Christians had taken possession of the
+town, the Cid entered it with a great company, and he ascended the
+highest tower of the wall and beheld all the city; and the Moors came
+unto him, and kissed his hand, saying he was welcome. And the Cid did
+great honor unto them. And then he gave order that all the windows of
+the towers which looked in upon the town should be closed up, that the
+Christians might not see what the Moors did in their houses; and the
+Moors thanked him for this greatly. And he commanded and requested the
+Christians that they should show great honor to the Moors, and respect
+them, and greet them when they met: and the Moors thanked the Cid
+greatly for the honor which the Christians did them, saying that they
+had never seen so good a man, nor one so honorable, nor one who had
+his people under such obedience.
+
+Now Abeniaf thought to have the love of the Cid; and calling to mind
+the wrath with which he had formerly been received, because he had
+not taken a gift with him, he took now great riches which he had taken
+from those who sold bread for so great a price during the siege of
+Valencia, and this he carried to the Cid as a present. Among those
+who had sold it were some men from the islands of Majorca, and he
+took from them all that they had. This the Cid knew, and he would not
+accept his gifts. And the Cid caused proclamation to be made in the
+town and throughout the whole district thereof, that the honorable men
+and knights and castellans should assemble together in the garden of
+Villa Nueva, where the Cid at that time sojourned. And when they were
+all assembled, he went out unto them, to a place which was made ready
+with carpets and with mats, and he made them take their seats before
+him full honorable, and began to speak unto them, saying: "I am a
+man who have never possessed a kingdom, neither I nor any man of my
+lineage. But the day when I first beheld this city I was well pleased
+therewith, and coveted it that I might be its lord; and I besought the
+Lord our God that he would give it me. See now what his power is, for
+the day when I sat down before Juballa I had no more than four loaves
+of bread, and now by God's mercy I have won Valencia.
+
+"If I administer right and justice here, God will let me enjoy it; if
+I do evil, and demean myself proudly and wrongfully, I know that he
+will take it away. Now then, let every one go to his own lands, and
+possess them even as he was wont to have and to hold them. He who
+shall find his field, or his vineyard, or his garden, desert, let him
+incontinently enter thereon; and he who shall find his husbanded, let
+him pay him that hath cultivated it the cost of his labor, and of
+the seed which he hath sown therein, and remain with his heritage,
+according to the law of the Moors. Moreover, I have given order that
+they who collect my dues take from you no more than the tenth, because
+so it is appointed by the custom of the Moors, and it is what ye
+have been wont to pay. And I have resolved in my heart to hear your
+complaints two days in the week, on the Monday and the Thursday; but
+if causes should arise which require haste, come to me when ye will
+and I will give judgment, for I do not retire with women to sing and
+to drink, as your lords have done, so that ye could obtain no justice,
+but will myself see to these things, and watch over ye as friend
+over his friend, and kinsman over his kinsman. And I will be cadi and
+guazil, and when dispute happens among ye I will decide it." When
+he had said these things, they all replied that they prayed God
+to preserve him through long and happy years; and four of the most
+honorable among them arose and kissed his hands, and the Cid bade them
+take their seats again.
+
+Then the Cid spake unto them and said: "It is told me that Abeniaf
+hath done much evil, and committed great wrong toward some of ye, in
+that he hath taken great riches from ye to present them to me, saying,
+that this he did because ye sold food for a great price during the
+siege. But I will accept no such gift; for if I were minded to have
+your riches, I could take them, and need not ask them neither from
+him, nor from any other; but thing so unseemly as to take that which
+is his from any one, without just cause, I will not do. They who have
+gotten wealth thus, God hath given it them; let them go to Abeniaf,
+and take back what he hath forced from them, for I will order him to
+restore the whole." Then he said, "Ye see the riches which I took from
+the messengers who went to Murcia; it is mine by right, for I took it
+in war because they brake the covenant which they had made, and would
+have deceived me: nevertheless I will restore it to the uttermost
+centesimo, that nothing thereof shall be lost. And ye shall do homage
+to me that ye will not withdraw yourselves, but will abide here, and
+do my bidding in all things, and never depart from the covenant which
+ye make with me; for I love ye, and am grieved to think of the great
+evil and misery which ye endured from the great famine, and of the
+mortality which there was. And if ye had done that before which ye
+have done now, ye would not have been brought to these sufferings
+and have bought the _cafiz_ of wheat at a thousand _maravedis_; but I
+trust in God to bring it to one _maravedi_. Be ye now secure in your
+lands, and till your fields, and rear cattle; for I have given order
+to my men that they offer ye no wrong, neither enter into the town to
+buy nor to sell; but that they carry on all their dealings in Alcudia,
+and this I do that ye may receive no displeasure. Moreover I command
+them not to take any captive into the town, but if this should be
+done, lay ye hands on the captive and set him free, without fear, and
+if any one should resist, kill him and fear not. I myself will not
+enter your city nor dwell therein, but I will build me a place beside
+the bridge of Alcantara, where I may go and disport myself at times,
+and repair when it is needful." When he had said these things he bade
+them go their way.
+
+Well pleased were the Moors when they departed from him, and they
+marveled at the greatness of his promises, and they set their hearts
+at rest, and put away the fear which they had had, thinking all their
+troubles were over; for in all the promises which the Cid had made
+unto them, they believed that he spake truth; but he said these things
+only to quiet them, and to make them come to what he wished, even as
+came to pass. And when he had done, he sent his Almoxarife, Abdalla
+Adiz, to the custom-house, and made him appoint men to collect the
+rents of the town for him, which was done accordingly. And when the
+Cid had given order concerning his own affairs at his pleasure, the
+Moors would fain have entered again into possession of their heritages
+as he told them; but they found it all otherwise, for of all the
+fields which the Christians had husbanded, they would not yield up
+one; albeit they let them enter upon such as were left waste: some
+said that the Cid had given them the lands that year, instead of their
+pay, and other some that they rented them and had paid rent for the
+year.
+
+The Moors waited till Thursday, when the Cid was to hear complaints,
+as he had said unto them. When Thursday came all the honorable men
+went to the garden, but the Cid sent to say unto them that he could
+not come out that day, because of other causes which he had to
+determine; and he desired that they would go their way for that time,
+and come again on the Monday: this was to show his mastery. And when
+it was Monday they assembled again in the garden, and the Cid came
+out to them, and took his seat upon the _estrado_, and the Moors
+made their complaint. And when he had heard them he began to make
+similitudes, and offer reasons which were not like those which he had
+spoken the first day; for he said to them, "I ask of ye, whether it is
+well that I should be left without men? or if I were without them, I
+should be like unto one who hath lost his right arm, or to a bird that
+hath no wings, or to one who should do battle and hath neither
+spear nor sword. The first thing which I have to look to is to the
+well-being of my people, that they may live in wealth and honor, so
+that they may be able to serve me, and defend my honor: for since it
+has pleased God to give me the city of Valencia, I will not that there
+be any other lord here than me. Therefore I say unto you and command
+you, if you would be well with me, and would that I should show favor
+unto you, that ye see how to deliver that traitor Abeniaf into my
+hands. Ye all know the great treason which he committed upon King
+Yahia, his lord and yours, how he slew him, and the misery which he
+brought upon you in the siege; and since it is not fitting that a
+traitor who hath slain his lord should live among you, and that his
+treason should be confounded with your loyalty, see to the obeyment of
+my command."
+
+When the honorable Moors heard this, they were dismayed; verily
+they knew that he spake truth touching the death of the King, but it
+troubled them that he departed form the promise which he had made; and
+they made answer that they would take counsel concerning what he had
+said, and then reply. Then five of the best and most honorable among
+them withdrew, and went to Abdalla Adiz, and said unto him, "Give us
+thy counsel now the best and truest that thou canst, for thou art of
+our law, and oughtest to do this: and the reason why we ask counsel of
+thee is this. The Cid promised us many things, and now behold he says
+nothing to us of what he said before, but moveth other new reasons, at
+which great dismay hath seized us. And because thou better knowest his
+ways, tell us now what is his pleasure, for albeit we might wish to
+do otherwise, this is not a time wherein anything but what he shall
+command can be done." When the Almoxarife heard this he made answer,
+"Good men, it is easy to understand what he would have, and to do what
+should be done. We all know the great treason which Abeniaf committed
+against ye all in killing your lord the King; for albeit at that time
+ye felt the burden of the Christians, yet was it nothing so great as
+after he had killed him, neither did ye suffer such misery. And since
+God hath brought him who was the cause to this state, see now by all
+means how ye may deliver him into the hands of the Cid; and fear
+not, neither take thought for the rest; for though the Cid may do his
+pleasure in some things, better is it to have him for lord than this
+traitor who hath brought so much evil upon ye. Moreover the things
+of this world soon pass away, and my heart tells me that we shall ere
+long come out of the bondage of the Cid, and of the Christians; for
+the Cid is well-nigh at the full of his days, and we who remain alive
+after his death shall then be masters of our city."
+
+The good men thanked him much, and held themselves to be well advised,
+and said that they would do willingly what he bade them; and they
+returned forthwith to the Cid, and said unto him that they would
+fulfill his commandment. Incontinently did the good men dispeed
+themselves of the Cid, and they went into the city, and gathered
+together a great posse of armed men, and went to the place where
+Abeniaf dwelt; and they assaulted the house and brake the doors, and
+entered in and laid hands on him, and his son, and all his company,
+and carried them before the Cid. And the Cid ordered Abeniaf to be
+cast into prison, and all those who had taken counsel with him for the
+death of King Yahia.
+
+When this was done, the Cid said unto the good men, "Now that ye have
+fulfilled my bidding, I hold it good to show favor unto you in that
+which ye yourselves shall understand to be fitting for me to grant.
+Say therefore what ye would have, and I will do that which I think
+behooveth me: but in this manner, that my dwelling-place be within the
+city of Valencia, in the Alcazar, and that my Christian men have all
+the fortresses in the city." And when the good men heard this, they
+were greatly troubled; howbeit they dissembled the sorrow which they
+resented, and said unto him, "Sir Cid, order it as you think good,
+and we consent thereto." Then said he unto them that he would observe
+towards them all the uses and customs of their law, and that he would
+have the power, and be lord of all; and they should till their fields
+and feed their flocks and herds, and give him his tenth, and he would
+take no more.
+
+When the Moors heard this they were pleased; and since they were to
+remain in the town, and in their houses and their inheritances, and
+with their uses and customs, and that their mosques were to be left
+them, they held themselves not to be badly off. Then they asked the
+Cid to let their guazil be the same as he had first appointed, and
+that he would give them for their cadi the Alfaqui Alhagi, and let
+him appoint whom he would to assist him in distributing justice to the
+Moors; and thus he himself would be relieved of the wearisomeness of
+hearing them, save only when any great occasion might befall. And the
+Cid granted this which they required, and they kissed his hand,
+and returned into the town. Nine months did the Cid hold Valencia
+besieged, and at the end of that time it fell into his power, and he
+obtained possession of the walls, as ye have heard. And one month
+he was practising with the Moors that he might keep them quiet,
+till Abeniaf was delivered into his hands; and thus ten months were
+fulfilled, and they were fulfilled on Thursday, the last day of June,
+in the year of the era one thousand one hundred and thirty and one,
+which was in the year one thousand ninety and three of the incarnation
+of our Lord Jesus Christ. And when the Cid had finished all his
+dealings with the Moors, on this day he took horse with all his
+company in good array, his banner being carried before him, and his
+arms behind; and in this guise, with great rejoicings he entered the
+city of Valencia. And he alighted at the Alcazar, and gave order to
+lodge all his men round about it; and he bade them plant his banner
+upon the highest tower of the Alcazar. Glad was the Campeador, and
+all they who were with him, when they saw his banner planted in
+that place. And from that day forth was the Cid possessed of all the
+castles and fortresses which were in the kingdom of Valencia, and
+established in what God had given him, and he and all his people
+rejoiced.
+
+
+
+
+V
+
+THE CID'S LAST VICTORY
+
+
+Three days after the Cid had died King Bucar came into the port of
+Valencia, and landed with all his power, which was so great that there
+is not a man in the world who could give account of the Moors whom he
+brought. And there came with him thirty and six kings, and one
+Moorish queen, who was a negress, and she brought with her two hundred
+horsewomen, all negresses like herself, all having their hair shorn
+save a tuft on the top, and this was in token that they came as if
+upon a pilgrimage, and to obtain the remission of their sins; and
+they were all armed in coats of mail and with Turkish bows. King Bucar
+ordered his tents to be pitched round about Valencia, and Abenalfarax,
+who wrote this history in Arabic, saith that there were full fifteen
+thousand tents; and he bade that Moorish negress with her archers
+to take their station near the city. And on the morrow they began to
+attack the city, and they fought against it three days strenuously;
+and the Moors received great loss, for they came blindly up to the
+walls and were slain there. And the Christians defended themselves
+right well; and every time that they went upon the walls, they sounded
+trumpets and tambours, and made great rejoicings, as the Cid had
+commanded. This continued for eight days or nine, till the companions
+of the Cid had made ready everything for their departure, as he had
+commanded. And King Bucar and his people thought that the Cid dared
+not come out against them; and they were the more encouraged, and
+began to think of making bastiles and engines wherewith to combat the
+city, for certes they weened that the Cid Ruydiez dared not come out
+against them, seeing that he tarried so long.
+
+All this while the company of the Cid were preparing all things to go
+into Castile, as he had commanded before his death; and his trusty Gil
+Diaz did nothing else but labor at this. And the body of the Cid was
+thus prepared: first it was embalmed and anointed, and the virtue of
+the balsam and myrrh was such that the flesh remained firm and fair,
+having its natural color, and his countenance as it was wont to be,
+and the eyes open, and his long beard in order, so that there was not
+a man who would have thought him dead if he had seen him and not known
+it. And on the second day after he had departed, Gil Diaz placed the
+body upon a right noble saddle, and this saddle with the body upon
+it he put upon a frame; and he dressed the body in a _gambax_ of fine
+sendal, next the skin. And he took two boards and fitted them to the
+body, one to the breast and the other to the shoulders; these were so
+hollowed out and fitted that they met at the sides and under the arms,
+and the hind one came up to the pole, and the other up to the beard.
+These boards were fastened into the saddle, so that the body could not
+move.
+
+All this was done by the morning of the twelfth day; and all that day
+the people of the Cid were busied in making ready their arms, and in
+loading beasts with all that they had, so that they left nothing of
+any price in the whole city of Valencia, save only the empty houses.
+When it was midnight they took the body of the Cid, fastened to the
+saddle as it was, and placed it upon his horse Bavieca, and fastened
+the saddle well; and the body sat so upright and well that it seemed
+as if he was alive. And it had on painted hose of black and white, so
+cunningly painted that no man who saw them would have thought but that
+they were greaves and cuishes, unless he had laid his hand upon them;
+and they put on it a surcoat of green sendal, having his arms blazoned
+thereon, and a helmet of parchment, which was cunningly painted that
+every one might have believed it to be iron; and his shield was hung
+round his neck, and they placed the sword Tizona in his hand, and they
+raised his arm, and fastened it up so subtilely that it was a marvel
+to see how upright he held the sword. And the Bishop Don Hieronymo
+went on one side of him, and the trusty Gil Diaz on the other, and he
+led the horse Bavieca, as the Cid had commanded him. And when all this
+had been made ready, they went out from Valencia at midnight, through
+the gate of Roseros, which is towards Castile. Pero Bermudez went
+first with the banner of the Cid, and with him five hundred knights
+who guarded it, all well appointed. And after these came all the
+baggage. Then came the body of the Cid, with an hundred knights, all
+chosen men, and behind them Dona Ximena with all her company, and six
+hundred knights in the rear. All these went out so silently, and with
+such a measured pace, that it seemed as if there were only a score.
+And by the time that they had all gone out it was broad day.
+
+Now Alvar Fañez Minaya had set the host in order, and while the Bishop
+Don Hieronymo and Gil Diaz led away the body of the Cid, and Dona
+Ximena, and the baggage, he fell upon the Moors. First he attacked the
+tents of that Moorish queen the negress, who lay nearest to the city;
+and this onset was so sudden, that they killed full a hundred and
+fifty Moors before they had time to take arms or go to horse. But that
+Moorish negress was so skilful in drawing the Turkish bow, that it
+was held for a marvel; and it is said that they called her in Arabic
+_Nugueymat Turya_, which is to say, the Star of the Archers. And she
+was the first that got on horseback, and with some fifty that were
+with her, did some hurt to the company of the Cid; but in fine they
+slew her, and her people fled to the camp. And so great was the uproar
+and confusion, that few there were who took arms, but instead thereof
+they turned their backs and fled toward the sea. And when King Bucar
+and his kings saw this, they were astonished. And it seemed to them
+that there came against them on the part of the Christians full
+seventy thousand knights, all as white as snow: and before them a
+knight of great stature upon a white horse with a bloody cross, who
+bore in one hand a white banner, and in the other a sword which seemed
+to be of fire, and he made a great mortality among the Moors who were
+flying. And King Bucar and the other kings were so greatly dismayed
+that they never checked the reins till they had ridden into the sea;
+and the company of the Cid rode after them, smiting and slaying
+and giving them no respite; and they smote down so many that it
+was marvelous, for the Moors did not turn their heads to defend
+themselves. And when they came to the sea, so great was the press
+among them to get to the ships, that more than ten thousand died in
+the water. And of the six and thirty kings, twenty and two were slain.
+And King Bucar and they who escaped with him hoisted sails and went
+their way, and never more turned their heads.
+
+Alvar Fañez and his people, when they had discomfited the Moors,
+spoiled the field, and the spoil thereof was so great that they could
+not carry it away. And they loaded camels and horses with the noblest
+things which they found, and went after the Bishop Don Hieronymo and
+Gil Diaz, who, with the body of the Cid, and Doña Ximena, and the
+baggage, had gone on till they were clear of the host, and then waited
+for those who were gone against the Moors. And so great was the spoil
+of that day, that there was no end to it: and they took up gold, and
+silver, and other precious things as they rode through the camp, so
+that the poorest man among the Christians, horseman or on foot, became
+rich with what he won that day.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+HERO OF SWITZERLAND
+
+
+
+
+WILLIAM TELL
+
+ADAPTED BY H.E. MARSHALL
+
+
+
+
+I
+
+GESSLER'S TYRANNY
+
+
+Far away in the heart of Europe there lies a little country called
+Switzerland. It seems wonderful that when great and powerful kings
+and princes swept over the world, fighting and conquering, little
+Switzerland should not have been conquered and swallowed up by one
+or other of the great countries which lay around. But the Swiss have
+always been a brave and fearless people.
+
+At one time one of the great princes of Europe tried to conquer
+Switzerland and take away the freedom of its people. But the people
+fought so bravely that instead of being conquered they conquered the
+tyrants and drove them away.
+
+In those far-off times the greatest ruler in Europe was the Emperor,
+and his empire was divided into many states, over each of which ruled
+a prince or king who acknowledged the Emperor as overlord. When an
+Emperor died the kings and princes met together and chose another
+Emperor from among their number.
+
+Switzerland was one of the countries which owned the Emperor as
+overlord. But the Swiss were a free people. They had no king or prince
+over them, but a governor only, who was appointed by the Emperor.
+
+Austria was another of the states of the great empire, and at one time
+a Duke of Austria was made ruler of Switzerland. Because of its great
+beauty, this duke cast greedy eyes upon Switzerland and longed to
+possess it for his very own.
+
+But the Swiss would not give up their freedom; and three cantons, as
+the divisions of Switzerland are called, joined together, and swore to
+stand by each other, and never to submit to Austria.
+
+Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden were the names of these three cantons. A
+little later another canton joined the three. These four cantons lie
+round a lake which is called the Lake of the four Forest Cantons. When
+Albrecht, Duke of Austria was chosen Emperor he said to himself that
+now truly he would be lord and master of Switzerland. So he sent two
+nobles to the Swiss to talk to them, and persuade them to own him as
+their king.
+
+Some of the people of Switzerland were persuaded to belong to Austria,
+but all the people of the free cantons replied that they wished to
+remain free.
+
+So the messengers went back to Albrecht and told him what the
+people said. When he heard the message he was very angry. "The proud
+peasants," he cried, "they will not yield. Then I will bend and break
+them. They will be soft and yielding enough when I have done with
+them."
+
+Months went by and the Emperor appointed no ruler over Switzerland.
+At last the people, feeling that they must have a governor, sent
+messengers to the Emperor, begging him to appoint a ruler, as all
+the Emperors before him had done. "A governor you shall have." said
+Albrecht. "Go home and await his coming. Whom I send to you, him you
+must obey in all things."
+
+When they had gone, Albrecht smiled grimly to himself. "They will not
+yield," he said, "but I will oppress them and ill-treat them until I
+force them to rebel. Then I will fight against them and conquer them,
+and at last Switzerland will be mine."
+
+A few days later Albrecht made his friends Hermann Gessler and
+Beringer of Landenberg governors over the free cantons, telling them
+to take soldiers with them to enforce the law and to tax the people in
+order to pay the soldiers. "You will punish all wrong-doers severely,"
+he said, "I will endure no rebels within my empire."
+
+Hard and bitter days began when Gessler and Landenberg settled there.
+They delighted in oppressing the people. They loaded them with taxes;
+nothing could be either bought or sold but the governors claimed a
+great part of the money; the slightest fault was punished with long
+imprisonment and heavy fines. The people became sad and downcast, but
+still they would not yield to Austria.
+
+Gessler lived in a great castle at Küssnacht in Schwyz. In it were
+dreadful dungeons where he imprisoned the people and tortured them
+according to his wicked will. But he was not pleased to have only one
+castle, and he made up his mind to build another in Uri. So he began
+to build one near the little town of Altorf, which lay at the other
+end of the Lake of the Forest Cantons. Gessler forced the men of Uri
+to build this castle, and he meant to use it not only as a house for
+himself, but as a prison for the people.
+
+"What will you call your castle?" asked a friend one day, as they
+stood to watch the building. "I will call it the Curb of Uri," said
+Gessler, with a cruel laugh, "for with it I will curb the proud spirit
+of these peasants." After watching the work for some time, Gessler and
+his friend rode away. "My friend," said Gessler, as he rode, "we will
+go back to Kiissnacht by another way. I have heard that an insolent
+peasant called Werner Stauffacher has built himself a new house. I
+wish to see it. There is no end to the impudence of these peasants."
+"But what will you do?" asked his friend. "Do" said Gessler, "why,
+turn him out, to be sure. What need have these peasants for great
+houses?" So they rode on to Stauffacher's house. "Whose house is
+this?" he demanded. Stauffacher answered quietly, "My lord, this house
+belongs to the Emperor, and is yours and mine in fief to hold and use
+for his service." "I rule this land," said Gessler, "in the name of
+the Emperor, and I will not allow peasants to build houses without
+asking leave. I will have you understand that." And he rode from the
+doorway. Stauffacher told his wife what had happened and she advised
+him to call a secret meeting of his friends to plan to free themselves
+from the governor's rule.
+
+Werner Stauffacher spent some days in going from village to village,
+trying to find out how the peasants and common people felt, and
+everywhere heard complaints and groans. Coming to Altorf, where his
+friend Walter Fürst lived, he heard in the market-place a great noise
+of shouting and trampling of feet.
+
+Down the street a party of Austrian soldiers came marching. One of
+them carried a long pole, and another a red cap with a peacock's
+feather in it. Then the pole with the red cap on the top of it was
+firmly planted in the ground.
+
+As soon as the pole was set up a herald stepped out, blew his trumpet
+and cried, "Se ye this cap here set up? It is his Majesty's will and
+commandment that ye do all bow the knee and bend the head as ye do
+pass it by."
+
+This was a new insult to a free people. Stauffacher went to the house
+of Walter Fürst, where he met Arnold of Melchthal, who had suffered
+much from Landenberg. Calling upon God and his saints, these three men
+swore a solemn oath to protect each other and promised to meet in a
+little meadow called the Rütli, the Wednesday before Martinmas.
+
+Three weeks passed, and in the darkness and quiet the men stole to the
+place of meeting with other friends of freedom whom they had brought.
+Near Walter Fürst stood a young man straight and tall with clear and
+honest eyes. "William Tell," said Arnold, "and the best shot in all
+Switzerland. I have seen him shoot an apple from a tree a hundred
+paces off."
+
+Then they swore never to betray each other, to be true to the Emperor,
+but to drive the Austrian governor, his friends, his servants, and his
+soldiers out of the land.
+
+
+
+
+II
+
+WILLIAM TELL AND HIS GREAT SHOT
+
+
+William Tell did not live in Altorf, but in another village some
+way off, called Bürglen. His wife, who was called Hedwig, was Walter
+Fürst's daughter. Tell and Hedwig had two sons, William and Walter.
+Walter, the younger, was about six years old.
+
+William Tell loved his wife and his children very much, and they all
+lived happily together in a pretty little cottage at Bürglen.
+
+"Hedwig," said Tell one morning, some days after the meeting mentioned
+above, "I am going into Altorf to see your father."
+
+Hedwig looked troubled. "Do be careful, William," she said. "Must you
+really go? You know the governor is there just now, and he hates you."
+
+"Oh, I am quite safe," said Tell; "I have done nothing for which he
+could punish me. But I will keep out of his way," and he lifted his
+crossbow and prepared to go.
+
+"Do not take your bow," said Hedwig, still feeling uneasy. "Leave it
+here."
+
+"Why, Hedwig, how you trouble yourself for nothing," said Tell,
+smiling at her. "Why should I leave my bow behind? I feel lost without
+it."
+
+"O father, where are you going?" said Walter, running into the room at
+this minute.
+
+"I am going to Altorf to see grandfather. Would you like to come?"
+
+"Oh, may I? May I, mother?"
+
+"Yes, dear, if you like," said Hedwig. "And you will be careful, won't
+you?" she added, turning to Tell.
+
+"Yes, I will," he replied, and Walter, throwing his arms round her
+neck, said, "It's all right, mother, I will take care of father." Then
+they set off merrily together.
+
+It was a great thing to go to Altorf with father, and Walter was
+so happy that he chattered all the way, asking questions about
+everything.
+
+"How far can you shoot, father?"
+
+"Oh, a good long way."
+
+"As high as the sun?" asked Walter, looking up at it.
+
+"Oh dear, no, not nearly so high as that."
+
+"Well, how high? As high as the snow-mountains?"
+
+"Oh no."
+
+"Why is there always snow on the mountains, father?" asked Walter,
+thinking of something else. And so he went on, asking questions
+about one thing after another, until his father was quite tired of
+answering.
+
+Walter was chattering so much that Tell forgot all about the hat upon
+the pole, and, instead of going round by another way to avoid it, as
+he had meant to do, he went straight through the market-place to reach
+Walter Fürst's house.
+
+"Father, look," said Walter, "look, how funny! there is a hat stuck up
+on a pole. What is it for?"
+
+"Don't look, Walter," said Tell, "the hat has nothing to do with us,
+don't look at it." And taking Walter by the hand, he led him hurriedly
+away.
+
+But it was too late. The soldier, who stood beside the pole to guard
+it and see that people bowed in passing, pointed his spear at Tell and
+bade him stop. "Stand, in the Emperor's name," he cried.
+
+"Let be, friend," said Tell, "let me past."
+
+"Not till you obey the Emperor's command. Not till you bow to the
+hat."
+
+"It is no command of the Emperor," said Tell. "It is Gessler's folly
+and tyranny. Let me go."
+
+"Nay, but you must not speak of my lord the governor in such terms.
+And past you shall not go until you bow to the cap. And, if you bow
+not, to prison I will lead you. Such is my lord's command."
+
+"Why should I bow to a cap?" said Tell, his voice shaking with rage.
+"Were the Emperor himself here, then would I bend the knee and bow my
+head to him with all reverence. But to a hat! Never!" and he tried
+to force his way past Heinz the soldier. But Heinz would not let him
+pass, and kept his spear pointed at Tell.
+
+Hearing loud and angry voices, many people gathered to see what the
+cause might be. Soon there was quite a crowd around the two. Every one
+talked at once, and the noise and confusion were great. Heinz tried
+to take Tell prisoner, and the people tried to take him away. "Help!
+help!" shouted Heinz, hoping that some of his fellow-soldiers would
+hear him and come to his aid,--"Help, help! treason, treason!"
+
+Then over all the noise of the shouting there sounded the tramp of
+horses' hoofs and the clang and jangle of swords and armor.
+
+"Room for the governor. Room, I say," cried a herald.
+
+The shouting ceased and the crowd silently parted, as Gessler, richly
+dressed, haughty and gloomy, rode through it, followed by a gay
+company of his friends and soldiers. He checked his horse and, gazing
+angrily round the crowd, "What is this rioting?" he asked.
+
+"My lord," said Heinz, stepping forward, "this scoundrel here will not
+bow to the cap, according to your lordship's command."
+
+"Eh, what?" said Gessler, his dark face growing more dark and angry
+still. "Who dares to disobey my orders?"
+
+"'Tis William Tell of Bürglen, my lord."
+
+"Tell?" said Gessler, turning in his saddle and looking at Tell as he
+stood among the people, holding little Walter by the hand.
+
+There was silence for a few minutes while Gessler gazed at Tell in
+anger.
+
+"I hear you are a great shot, Tell," said Gessler at last, laughing
+scornfully, "they say you never miss."
+
+"That is quite true," said little Walter eagerly, for he was very
+proud of his father's shooting. "He can hit an apple on a tree a
+hundred yards off."
+
+"Is that your boy?" said Gessler, looking at him with an ugly smile.
+
+"Yes, my lord."
+
+"Have you other children?"
+
+"Another boy, my lord."
+
+"You are very fond of your children, Tell?"
+
+"Yes, my lord."
+
+"Which of them do you love best?"
+
+Tell hesitated. He looked down at little Walter with his rosy cheeks
+and curly hair. Then he thought of William at home with his pretty
+loving ways. "I love them both alike, my lord," he said at last.
+
+"Ah," said Gessler, and thought a minute. "Well, Tell," he said after
+a pause. "I have heard so much of this boast of yours about hitting
+apples, that I should like to see something of it. You shall shoot an
+apple off your boy's head at a hundred yards' distance. That will be
+easier than shooting off a tree."
+
+"My lord," said Tell, turning pale, "you do not mean that? It is
+horrible. I will do anything rather than that."
+
+"You will shoot an apple off your boy's head," repeated Gessler in a
+slow and scornful voice. "I want to see your wonderful skill, and I
+command you to do it at once. You have your crossbow there. Do it."
+
+"I will die first," said Tell.
+
+"Very well," said Gessler, "but you need not think in that way to save
+your boy. He shall die with you. Shoot, or die both of you. And, mark
+you, Tell, see that you aim well, for if you miss you will pay for it
+with your life."
+
+Tell turned pale. His voice trembled as he replied, "My lord, it was
+but thoughtlessness. Forgive me this once, and I will always bow to
+the cap in future." Proud and brave although he was, Tell could not
+bear the thought that he might kill his own child.
+
+"Have done with this delay," said Gessler, growing yet more angry.
+"You break the laws, and when, instead of punishing you as you
+deserve, I give you a chance of escape, you grumble and think yourself
+hardly used. Were peasants ever more unruly and discontented? Have
+done, I say. Heinz, bring me an apple."
+
+The soldier hurried away.
+
+"Bind the boy to that tree," said Gessler, pointing to a tall
+lime-tree near by.
+
+Two soldiers seized Walter and bound him fast to the tree. He was
+not in the least afraid, but stood up against the trunk straight and
+quiet. Then, when the apple was brought, Gessler rode up to him and,
+bending from the saddle, himself placed the apple upon his head.
+
+All this time the people crowded round silent and wondering, and Tell
+stood among them as if in a dream, watching everything with a look of
+horror in his eyes.
+
+"Clear a path there," shouted Gessler, and the soldiers charged among
+the people, scattering them right and left.
+
+When a path had been cleared, two soldiers, starting from the tree to
+which Walter was bound, marched over the ground, measuring one hundred
+paces, and halted. "One hundred paces, my lord," they said, turning to
+Gessler.
+
+Gessler rode to the spot, calling out, "Come, Tell, from here you
+shall shoot."
+
+Tell took his place. He drew an arrow from his quiver, examined it
+carefully, and then, instead of fitting it to his bow, he stuck it in
+his belt. Then, still carefully, he chose another arrow and fitted it
+to his bow.
+
+A deep silence fell upon every one as Tell took one step forward. He
+raised his bow. A mist was before his eyes, his arm trembled, his bow
+dropped from his hand. He could not shoot. The fear that he might kill
+his boy took away all his skill and courage.
+
+A groan broke from the people as they watched. Then from far away
+under the lime-tree came Walter's voice, "Shoot, father, I am not
+afraid. You cannot miss."
+
+Once more Tell raised his bow. The silence seemed deeper than ever.
+The people of Altorf knew and loved Tell, and Fürst, and little
+Walter. And so they watched and waited with heavy hearts and anxious
+faces.
+
+"Ping!" went the bowstring. The arrow seemed to sing through the
+frosty air, and, a second later, the silence was broken by cheer after
+cheer. The apple lay upon the ground pierced right through the center.
+
+One man sprang forward and cut the rope with which Walter was bound to
+the tree; another picked up the apple and ran with it to Gessler. But
+Tell stood still, his bow clutched in his hand, his body bent forward,
+his eyes wild and staring, as if he were trying to follow the flight
+of the arrow. Yet he saw nothing, heard nothing.
+
+"He has really done it!" exclaimed Gessler in astonishment, as he
+turned the apple round and round in his hand. "Who would have thought
+it? Right in the center, too."
+
+Little Walter, quite delighted, came running to his father. "Father,"
+he cried, "I knew you could do it. I knew you could, and I was not a
+bit afraid. Was it not splendid?" and he laughed and pressed his curly
+head against his father.
+
+Then suddenly Tell seemed to wake out of his dream, and taking Walter
+in his arms he held him close, kissing him again and again. "You are
+safe, my boy. You are safe," was all he said. But strong man though
+he was his eyes were full of tears, and he was saying to himself, "I
+might have killed him. I might have killed my own boy."
+
+Meanwhile Gessler sat upon his horse watching them with a cruel smile
+upon his wicked face. "Tell," he said at last, "that was a fine shot,
+but for what was the other arrow?"
+
+Tell put Walter down and, holding his hand, turned to Gessler, "It is
+always an archer's custom, my lord, to have a second arrow ready," he
+said.
+
+"Nay, nay," said Gessler, "that answer will not do, Tell. Speak the
+truth."
+
+Tell was silent.
+
+"Speak, man," said Gessler, "and if you speak the truth, whatever it
+may be, I promise you your life."
+
+"Then," said Tell, throwing his shoulders back and looking straight at
+Gessler, "since you promise me my life, hear the truth, if that first
+arrow had struck my child, the second one was meant for you, and be
+sure I had not missed my mark a second time."
+
+Gessler's face grew dark with rage. For a moment or two he could not
+speak. When at last he did speak, his voice was low and terrible, "You
+dare," he said, "you dare to tell me this! I promised you your life
+indeed. Your life you shall have, but you shall pass it in a dark and
+lonely prison, where neither sun nor moon shall send the least glimmer
+of light. There you shall lie, so that I may be safe from you. Ah,
+my fine archer, your bows and arrows will be of little use to you
+henceforth. Seize him, men, and bind him, lest he do murder even now."
+
+In a moment the soldiers sprang forward, and Tell was seized and
+bound.
+
+As Gessler sat watching them, he looked round at all the angry faces
+of the crowd. "Tell has too many friends here," he said to himself.
+"If I imprison him in the Curb of Uri, they may find some way to help
+him to escape. I will take him with me in my boat to Klissnacht. There
+he can have no friends. There he will be quite safe." Then aloud he
+said, "Follow me, my men. Bring him to the boat."
+
+As he said these words, there was a loud murmur from the crowd. "That
+is against the law," cried many voices.
+
+"Law, law?" growled Gessler. "Who makes the law, you or I?"
+
+Walter Fürst had been standing among the crowd silent and anxious. Now
+he stepped forward and spoke boldly. "My lord," he said, "it has ever
+been a law among the Swiss that no one shall be imprisoned out of his
+own canton. If my son-in-law, William Tell, has done wrong, let him be
+tried and imprisoned here, in Uri, in Altorf. If you do otherwise you
+wrong our ancient freedom and rights."
+
+"Your freedom! your rights!" said Gessler roughly. "I tell you, you
+are here to obey the laws, not to teach me how I shall rule." Then
+turning his horse and calling out, "On, men, to the boat with him," he
+rode towards the lake, where, at a little place called Fliielen, his
+boat was waiting for him.
+
+But Walter clung to his father, crying bitterly. Tell could not take
+him in his arms to comfort him, for his hands were tied. But he bent
+over him to kiss him, saying, "Little Walter, little Walter, be brave.
+Go with thy grandfather and comfort thy mother."
+
+So Tell was led to Gessler's boat, followed by the sorrowing people.
+Their hearts were full of hot anger against the tyrant. Yet what could
+they do? He was too strong for them.
+
+Tell was roughly pushed into the boat, where he sat closely guarded on
+either side by soldiers. His bow and arrows, which had been taken from
+him, were thrown upon a bench beside the steersman.
+
+Gessler took his seat. The boat started, and was soon out on the blue
+water of the lake. As the people of Altorf watched Tell go, their
+hearts sank. They had not known, until they saw him bound and a
+prisoner, how much they had trusted and loved him.
+
+
+
+
+III
+
+THE ESCAPE OF WILLIAM TELL
+
+
+On the lakes of Switzerland storms of wind arise very quickly. The
+Swiss used to dread these storms so much that they gave names to the
+winds as if they were people. The south wind, which is the fiercest,
+they called the Föhn. There used to be a law that when the Föhn arose,
+all fires were to be put out. For the wind whistled and blew down the
+wide chimneys like great bellows, till the fires flared up so fiercely
+that the houses, which were built of wood, were in danger of being
+burned to the ground. Now one of these fierce storms arose.
+
+No one noticed when Gessler's boat pushed off from the shore how dark
+the sky had grown nor how keenly the wind was blowing. But before the
+boat had gone very far the waves began to rise, and the wind to blow
+fiercer and fiercer.
+
+Soon the little boat was tossing wildly on great white-crested waves.
+The rowers bent to the oars and rowed with all their might. But in
+spite of all they could do, the waves broke over the boat, filling
+it with water. They were tossed here and there, until it seemed every
+minute that they would sink.
+
+Pale with fear, the captain stood at the helm. He was an Austrian who
+knew nothing of the Swiss lakes, and he had never before been in such
+a storm. He was helpless, and he knew that very soon the boat would be
+a wreck.
+
+Wrapped in his mantle, Gessler sat silent and still, watching the
+storm. He, too, knew the danger.
+
+As the waves dashed over him, one of Gessler's servants staggered to
+his master's feet. "My lord," he said, "you see our need and danger,
+yet methinks there is one man on board who could save us."
+
+"Who is that?" asked Gessler.
+
+"William Tell, your prisoner," replied the man. "He is known to be one
+of the best sailors on this lake. He knows every inch of it. If any
+one can save the boat, he can."
+
+"Bring him here," said Gessler.
+
+"It seems you are a sailor as well as an archer, Tell," said Gessler,
+when his prisoner had been brought before him. "Can you save the boat
+and bring us to land?"
+
+"Yes," said Tell.
+
+"Unbind him, then," said Gessler to the soldier, "but mark you, Tell,
+you go not free. Even although you save us, you are still my prisoner.
+Do not think to have any reward."
+
+The rope which bound Tell's hands was cut, and he took his place at
+the helm.
+
+The waves still dashed high, the wind still howled, but under Tell's
+firm hand the boat seemed to steady itself, and the rowers bent to
+their work with new courage and strength in answer to his commanding
+voice.
+
+Tell, leaning forward, peered through the darkness and the spray.
+There was one place where he knew it would be possible to land--where
+a bold and desperate man at least might land. He was looking for that
+place. Nearer and nearer to the shore he steered. At last he was quite
+close to it. He glanced quickly round. His bow and arrows lay beside
+him. He bent and seized them. Then with one great leap he sprang
+ashore, and as he leaped he gave the boat a backward push with his
+foot, sending it out again into the stormy waters of the lake.
+
+There was a wild outcry from the sailors, but Tell was free, for no
+one dared to follow him. Quickly clambering up the mountain-side, he
+disappeared among the trees.
+
+As Tell vanished, Gessler stood up and shouted in anger, but the
+little boat, rocking and tossing on the waves, drifted out into the
+lake, and the Austrian sailors, to whom the shore was unknown, dared
+not row near to it again, lest they should be dashed to pieces upon
+the rocks. Even as it was, they expected every moment that the boat
+would sink, and that all would be drowned. But despair seemed to
+give the sailors fresh strength, and soon the wind fell and the waves
+became quieter. A few hours later, wet, weary, but safe, Gessler and
+his company landed on the shore of Schwyz.
+
+[Illustration: WILLIAM TELL AND HIS FRIENDS.]
+
+
+
+
+IV
+
+TELL'S SECOND SHOT
+
+
+As soon as Gessler landed, he called for his horse, and silent and
+gloomy, his heart full of bitter hate against Tell and all the Swiss,
+he mounted and rode towards his castle at Küssnacht.
+
+But Tell's heart, too, was full of hate and anger. That morning he had
+been a gentle, peace-loving man. Now all was changed. Gessler's cruel
+jest had made him hard and angry. He could not forget that he might
+have killed his own boy. He seemed to see always before him Walter
+bound to the tree with the apple on his head. Tell made up his mind
+that Gessler should never make any one else suffer so much. There was
+only one thing to do. That was to kill Gessler, and that Tell meant to
+do.
+
+If Gessler escaped from the storm, Tell was sure that he would go
+straight to his castle at Küssnacht. There was only one road which led
+from the lake to the castle, and at a place called the Hollow Way
+it became very narrow, and the banks rose steep and rugged on either
+side. There Tell made up his mind to wait for Gessler. There he meant
+to free his country from the cruel tyrant.
+
+Without stopping for food or rest, Tell hurried through the woods
+until he came to the Hollow Way. There he waited and watched. Many
+people passed along the road. There were herds with their flocks, and
+travelers of all kinds, among them a poor woman whose husband had
+been put in prison by Gessler, so that now she had no home, and had to
+wander about with her children begging. She stopped and spoke to Tell,
+and the story she told of Gessler's cruelty made Tell's heart burn
+with anger, and made him more sure than ever that the deed he meant to
+do was just and right.
+
+The day went on, and still Gessler did not come, and still Tell
+waited. At last he heard the distant tramp of feet and the sound of
+voices. Surely he had come at last. But as the sounds came nearer,
+Tell knew that it could not be Gessler, for he heard music and
+laughter, and through the Hollow Way came a gaily dressed crowd. It
+was a wedding-party. Laughing and merry, the bride and bridegroom
+with their friends passed along. When they were out of sight the wind
+brought back the sound of their merry voices to Tell, as he waited
+upon the bank. They, at least, had for a time forgotten Gessler.
+
+At last, as the sun was setting, Tell heard the tramp of horses, and a
+herald dashed along the road, shouting, "Room for the governor. Room,
+I say."
+
+As Gessler came slowly on behind, Tell could hear him talking in a
+loud and angry voice to a friend. "Obedience I will have," he was
+saying. "I have been far too mild a ruler over this people. They grow
+too proud. But I will break their pride. Let them prate of freedom,
+indeed. I will crush--" The sentence was never finished. An arrow
+whizzed through the air, and with a groan Gessler fell, dead.
+
+Tell's second arrow had found its mark.
+
+Immediately everything was in confusion. Gessler's soldiers crowded
+round, trying to do something for their master. But it was useless. He
+was dead. Tell's aim had been true.
+
+"Who has done this foul murder?" cried one of Gessler's friends,
+looking round.
+
+"The shot was mine," answered Tell, from where he stood on the high
+bank. "But no murder have I done. I have but freed an unoffending
+people from a base and cowardly tyrant. My cause is just, let God be
+the judge."
+
+At the sound of his voice every one turned to look at Tell, as he
+stood above them calm and unafraid.
+
+"Seize him!" cried the man who had already spoken, as soon as he
+recovered from his astonishment. "Seize him, it is Tell the archer."
+
+Five or six men scrambled up the steep bank as fast as they could. But
+Tell slipped quietly through the bushes, and when they reached the top
+he was nowhere to be found.
+
+The short winter's day was closing in fast, and Tell found it easy to
+escape in the darkness from Gessler's soldiers. They soon gave up the
+chase, and, returning to the road, took up their master's dead body
+and carried it to his castle at Küssnacht There was little sorrow
+for him, for he had been a hard master. The Austrian soldiers did not
+grieve, and the Swiss, wherever they heard the news, rejoiced.
+
+As soon as he was free of the soldiers, Tell turned and made for
+Stauffacher's house. All through the night he walked, until he came
+to the pretty house with its red roofs and many windows which had made
+Gessler so angry.
+
+Now there was no light in any of the windows, and all was still and
+quiet. But Tell knew in which of the rooms Stauffacher slept, and he
+knocked softly upon the window until he had aroused his friend.
+
+"William Tell!" said Stauffacher in astonishment. "I heard from Walter
+Fürst that you were a prisoner. Thank Heaven that you are free again."
+
+"I am free," said Tell; "you, too, are free. Gessler is dead."
+
+"Gessler dead!" exclaimed Stauffacher. "Now indeed have we cause for
+thankfulness. Tell me, how did it happen?" and he drew William Tell
+into the house.
+
+Tell soon told all his story. Then Stauffacher, seeing how weary he
+was, gave him food and made him rest.
+
+That night Tell slept well. All next day he remained hidden in
+Stauffacher's house. "You must not go," said his friend, "Gessler's
+soldiers will be searching for you." But when evening came Tell crept
+out into the dark again, and kind friends rowed him across the
+lake back to Flüelen. There, where a few days before he had been a
+prisoner, he landed, now free.
+
+Tell went at once to Walter Fürst's house, and soon messengers
+were hurrying all through the land to gather together again the
+Confederates, as those who had met on that eventful night were called.
+
+This time they gathered with less fear and less secrecy, for was
+not the dreaded governor dead? Not one but was glad, yet some of the
+Confederates blamed Tell, for they had all promised to wait until the
+first of January before doing anything. "I know," said Tell, "but he
+drove me to it." And every man there who had left a little boy at home
+felt that he too might have done the same thing.
+
+Now that Tell had struck the first blow, some of the Confederates
+wished to rise at once. But others said, "No, it is only a few weeks
+now until New Year's Day. Let us wait."
+
+So they waited, and everything seemed quiet and peaceful in the land,
+for the Emperor sent no governor to take Gessler's place, as he was
+far away in Austria, too busy fighting and quarreling there to think
+of Switzerland in the meantime. "When I have finished this war," he
+said, "it will be time enough to crush these Swiss rebels."
+
+
+
+
+
+
+HERO OF PERSIA
+
+
+
+
+RUSTEM
+
+ADAPTED BY ALFRED J. CHURCH
+
+
+
+
+I
+
+THE SEVEN ADVENTURES OF RUSTEM
+
+
+King Keïkobad died, and his son Kaoüs sat upon his throne. At first
+he was a moderate and prudent prince; but finding his riches increase,
+and his armies grow more and more numerous, he began to believe that
+there was no one equal to him in the whole world, and that he could
+do what he would. One day as he sat drinking in one of the chambers
+of his palace, and boasting after his custom, a Genius, disguised as
+a minstrel, came to the King's chamberlain, and desired to be admitted
+to the royal presence. "I came," he said, "from the country of the
+Genii, and I am a sweet singer. Maybe the King, if he were to hear me,
+would give me a post in his court."
+
+The chamberlain went to the King, and said, "There is a minstrel at
+the gate; he has a harp in his hand, and his voice is marvelously
+sweet."
+
+"Bring him up," said the King.
+
+So they brought him in, and gave him a place among the musicians,
+and commanded that he should give them a trial of his powers. So the
+minstrel, after playing a prelude on his harp, sang a song of the land
+of the Genii.
+
+"There is no land in all the world" this was the substance of his
+song--"like Mazanderan, the land of the Genii. All the year round the
+rose blooms in its gardens and the hyacinth on its hills. It knows no
+heat nor cold, only an eternal spring. The nightingales sing in its
+thicket, and through its valleys wander the deer, and the water of its
+stream is as the water of roses, delighting the soul with its perfume.
+Of its treasures there is no end; the whole country is covered with
+gold and embroidery and jewels. No man can say that he is happy unless
+he has seen Mazanderan."
+
+When the King heard this song, he immediately conceived the thought
+of marching against this wonderful country. Turning, therefore, to his
+warriors, he said: "We are given over to feasting; but the brave must
+not suffer himself to rest in idleness. I am wealthier and, I doubt
+not, stronger than all the kings that have gone before me; it becomes
+me also to surpass them in my achievements. We will conquer the land
+of Genii."
+
+The warriors of the King were little pleased to hear such talk from
+his lips. No one ventured to speak, but their hearts were full of
+trouble and fear, for they had no desire to fight against the Genii.
+
+"We are your subjects, O King," they said, "and will do as you
+desire." But when they were by themselves, and could speak openly,
+they said one to another, "What a trouble is this that has come of
+our prosperous fortune! Unless by good fortune the King forgets this
+purpose of his, we and the whole country are lost. Jemshid, whom the
+Genii and the Peris and the very birds of the air used to obey, never
+ventured to talk in this fashion of Mazanderan, or to seek war against
+the Genii; and Feridun, though he was the wisest of kings, and skilful
+in all magical arts, never cherished such a plan." So they sat,
+overwhelmed with anxiety.
+
+At last one of them said, "My friends, there is only one way of
+escaping from this danger. Let us send a swift dromedary to Zal of the
+white hair, with this message: 'Though your head be covered with dust,
+do not stay to wash it, but come.' Perhaps Zal will give the King
+wise advice, and, telling him that this plan of his is nothing but a
+counsel of Satan, will persuade him to change his purpose. Otherwise
+we are lost, small and great."
+
+The nobles listened to this advice, and sent a messenger to Zal,
+mounted on a swift dromedary.
+
+When Zal heard what had happened, he said:
+
+"The King is self-willed. He has not yet felt either the cold or the
+heat of the world. He thinks that all men, great and small, tremble
+at his sword, and it must needs be that he learn better by experience.
+However, I will go; I will give him the best advice that I can. If he
+will be persuaded by me, it will be well; but if not, the way is open,
+and Rustem shall go with his army." All night long he revolved these
+matters in his heart. The next morning he went his way, and arrived at
+the court of the King.
+
+The King received him with all honor, bade him sit by his side, and
+inquired how he had borne the fatigue of his journey, and of the
+welfare of Rustem, his son. Then Zal spoke:
+
+"I have heard, my lord, that you are forming plans against the land of
+the Genii. Will it please you to listen to me? There have been mighty
+kings before you, but never during all my years, which now are many,
+has any one of them conceived in his heart such a design as this. This
+land is inhabited by Genii that are skilful in all magical arts. They
+can lay such bonds upon men that no one is able to hurt them. No sword
+is keen enough to cut them through; riches and wisdom and valor are
+alike powerless against them. I implore you, therefore, not to waste
+your riches, and the riches of your country and the blood of your
+warriors, on so hopeless an enterprise."
+
+The King answered, "Doubtless it is true that the kings my
+predecessors never ventured to entertain such a plan. But am I not
+superior to them in courage, in power and wealth? Had they such
+warriors as you, and Rustem your son? Do not think to turn me from my
+purpose. I will go against the country of these accursed magicians,
+and verily I will not leave one single soul alive in it, for they are
+an evil race. If you do not care to come with me, at least refrain
+from advising me to sit idle upon my throne."
+
+When Zal heard this answer, he said: "You are the King, and we are
+your slaves. Whatever you ordain is right and just, and it is only by
+thy good pleasure that we breathe and move. I have said what was in my
+heart. All that remains now is to obey, and to pray that the Ruler of
+the world may prosper your counsels."
+
+When he had thus spoken, Zal took leave of the King, and departed for
+his own country.
+
+The very next day the King set out with his army for the land of the
+Genii, and, after marching for several days, pitched his tent at the
+foot of Mount Asprus, and held a great revel all the night long with
+his chiefs. The next morning he said, "Choose me two thousand men who
+will break down the gates of Mazanderan with their clubs. And take
+care that when you have taken the city you spare neither young nor
+old, for I will rid the world of these magicians." They did as the
+King commanded, and in a short space of time the city, which was
+before the richest and most beautiful in the whole world, was made
+into a desert.
+
+When the King of Mazanderan heard of these things he called a
+messenger, and said: "Go to the White Genius and say to him, 'The
+Persians have come with a great army and are destroying everything.
+Make haste and help me, or there will be nothing left to preserve.'"
+
+The White Genius said, "Tell the King not to be troubled; I will see
+to these Persians."
+
+That same night the whole army of King Kaoüs was covered with a
+wonderful cloud. The sky was dark as pitch, and there fell from it
+such a terrible storm of hailstones that no one could stand against
+them. When the next morning came, lo! the King and all that had
+not fled--for many fled to their own country--or been killed by
+the hailstones, were blind. Seven days they remained terrified and
+helpless. On the eighth day they heard the voice, loud as a clap of
+thunder, of the White Genius.
+
+"King," said he, "you coveted the land of Mazanderan, you entered the
+city, you slew and took prisoners many of the people; but you did not
+know what I could do. And now, see, you have your desire. Your lot is
+of your own contriving."
+
+The White Genius then gave over the King and his companions to the
+charge of an army of twelve thousand Genii, and commanded that they
+should be kept in prison, and have just so much food given them as
+should keep them alive from day to day. Kaoüs, however, contrived to
+send by one of his warriors a message to Zal the White-haired, telling
+him of all the troubles that had come upon him. When Zal heard the
+news he was cut to the heart, and sent without delay for Rustem.
+"Rustem," said he, "this is no time for a man to eat and drink and
+take his pleasure. The King is in the hands of Satan, and we must
+deliver him. As for me, I am old and feeble; but you are of the age
+for war. Saddle Raksh, your horse, and set forth without a moment's
+delay. The White Genius must not escape the punishment of his misdeeds
+at your hands."
+
+"The way is long," said Rustem; "how shall I go?"
+
+"There are two ways," answered Zal, "and both are difficult and
+dangerous. The King went by the longer way. The other is by far the
+shorter, a two-weeks' march and no more; but it is full of lions and
+evil Genii, and it is surrounded by darkness. Still, I would have you
+go by it. God will be your helper; and difficult as the way may be, it
+will have an end, and your good horse Raksh will accomplish it. And if
+it be the will of Heaven that you should fall by the hand of the White
+Genius, who can change the ordering of destiny? Sooner or later we
+must all depart, and death should be no trouble to him who has filled
+the earth with his glory."
+
+"My father, I am ready to do your bidding," said Rustem.
+"Nevertheless, the heroes of old cared not to go of their own accord
+into the land of death; and it is only he who is weary of life that
+throws himself in the way of a roaring lion. Still I go, and I ask for
+no help but from the justice of God. With that on my side I will break
+the charm of the magicians. The White Genius himself shall not escape
+me."
+
+Rustem armed himself, and went on his way.
+
+Rustem made such speed that he accomplished two days' journey in one.
+But at last, finding himself hungry and weary, and seeing that there
+were herds of wild asses in the plain which he was traversing, he
+thought that he would catch one of them for his meal, and rest for the
+night. So pressing his knees into his horse's side, he pursued one
+of them. There was no escape for the swiftest beast when Rustem was
+mounted on Raksh, and in a very short time a wild ass was caught with
+the lasso. Rustem struck a light with a flintstone, and making a fire
+with brambles and branches of trees, roasted the ass and ate it for
+his meal. This done he took the bridle from his horse, let him loose
+to graze upon the plain, and prepared himself to sleep in a bed of
+rushes. Now in the middle of this bed of rushes was a lion's lair, and
+at the end of the first watch the lion came back, and was astonished
+to see lying asleep on the rushes a man as tall as an elephant, with a
+horse standing near him. The lion said to himself, "I must first tear
+the horse, and then the rider will be mine whenever I please." So he
+leaped at Raksh; but the horse darted at him like a flash of fire, and
+struck him on the head with his fore feet. Then he seized him by the
+back with his teeth, and battered him to pieces on the earth. When
+Rustem awoke and saw the dead lion, which indeed was of a monstrous
+size, he said to Raksh, "Wise beast, who bade you fight with a lion?
+If you had fallen under his claws, how should I have carried to
+Mazanderan this cuirass and helmet, this lasso, my bow and my sword?"
+Then he went to sleep again; but awaking at sunrise, saddled Raksh and
+went on his way.
+
+He had now to accomplish the most difficult part of his journey,
+across a waterless desert, so hot that the very birds could not
+live in it. Horse and rider were both dying of thirst, and Rustem,
+dismounting, could scarcely struggle along while he supported his
+steps by his spear. When he had almost given up all hope, he saw
+a well-nourished ram pass by. "Where," said he to himself, "is the
+reservoir from which this creature drinks?" Accordingly he followed
+the ram's footsteps, holding his horse's bridle in one hand and his
+sword in the other, and the ram led him to a spring. Then Rustem
+lifted up his eyes to heaven and thanked God for his mercies;
+afterwards he blessed the ram, saying, "No harm come to thee forever!
+May the grass of the valleys and the desert be always green for thee,
+and may the bow of him that would hunt thee be broken, for thou hast
+saved Rustem; verily, without thee he would have been torn to pieces
+by the wild beasts of the desert."
+
+After this he caught another wild ass, and roasted him for his meal.
+Then having bathed in the spring, he lay down to sleep; but before
+he lay down, he said to Raksh, his horse: "Do not seek quarrel or
+friendship with any. If an enemy come, run to me; and do not fight
+either with Genius or lion."
+
+After this he slept; and Raksh now grazed, and now galloped over the
+plain.
+
+Now it so happened that there was a great dragon that had its bed in
+this part of the desert. So mighty a beast was it, that not even a
+Genius had dared to pass by that way. The dragon was astonished to see
+a man asleep and a horse by his side, and began to make its way to
+the horse. Raksh did as he had been bidden, and running towards his
+master, stamped with his feet upon the ground. Rustem awoke, and
+seeing nothing when he looked about him--for the dragon meanwhile had
+disappeared--was not a little angry. He rebuked Raksh, and went to
+sleep again. Then the dragon came once more out of the darkness, and
+the horse ran with all speed to his master, tearing up the ground and
+kicking. A second time the sleeper awoke, but as he saw nothing but
+darkness round him, he was greatly enraged, and said to his faithful
+horse:
+
+"Why do you disturb me? If it wearies you to see me asleep, yet you
+cannot bring the night to an end. I said that if a lion came to attack
+you, I would protect you; but I did not tell you to trouble me in this
+way. Verily, if you make such a noise again, I will cut off your head
+and go on foot, carrying all my arms and armor with me to Mazanderan."
+
+A third time Rustem slept, and a third time the dragon came. This
+time Raksh, who did not venture to come near his master, fled over the
+plain; he was equally afraid of the dragon and of Rustem. Still his
+love for his master did not suffer him to rest. He neighed and tore
+up the earth, till Rustem woke up again in a rage. But this time
+God would not suffer the dragon to hide himself, and Rustem saw him
+through the darkness, and, drawing his sword, rushed at him.
+
+But first he said, "Tell me your name; my hand must not tear your soul
+from your body before I know your name."
+
+The dragon said, "No man can ever save himself from my claws; I have
+dwelt in this desert for ages, and the very eagles have not dared to
+fly across. Tell me then your name, bold man. Unhappy is the mother
+that bore you."
+
+"I am Rustem, son of Zal of the white hair," said the hero, "and there
+is nothing on earth that I fear."
+
+Then the dragon threw itself upon Rustem. But the horse Raksh laid
+back his ears, and began to tear the dragon's back with his teeth,
+just as a lion might have torn it.
+
+The hero stood astonished for a while; then, drawing his sword,
+severed the monster's head from his body. Then, having first bathed,
+he returned thanks to God, and mounting on Raksh, went his way.
+
+All that day he traveled across the plain, and came at sunset to the
+land of the magicians. Just as the daylight was disappearing, he spied
+a delightful spot for his night's encampment. There were trees and
+grass, and a spring of water. And beside the spring there was a flagon
+of red wine, and a roast kid, with bread and salt and confectionery
+neatly arranged. Rustem dismounted, unsaddled his horse, and looked
+with astonishment at the provisions thus prepared. It was the meal of
+certain magicians, who had vanished when they saw him approach.
+
+Of this he knew nothing, but sitting down without question, filled a
+cup with wine, and taking a harp which he found lying by the side of
+the flagon, sang:
+
+  "The scourge of the wicked am I,
+  And my days still in battle go by;
+  Not for me is the red wine that glows
+  In the reveler's cup, nor the rose
+  That blooms in the land of delight;
+  But with monsters and demons to fight."
+
+The music and the voice of the singer reached the ears of a witch that
+was in those parts. Forthwith, by her art, she made her face as fair
+as spring, and, approaching Rustem, asked him how he fared, and sat
+down by his side. The hero thanked Heaven that he had thus found in
+the desert such good fare and excellent company; for he did not know
+that the lovely visitor was a witch. He welcomed her, and handed her
+a cup of wine; but, as he handed it, he named the name of God, and at
+the sound her color changed, and she became as black as charcoal.
+
+When Rustem saw this, quick as the wind he threw his lasso over her
+head.
+
+"Confess who you are," he cried; "show yourself in your true shape."
+
+Then the witch was changed into a decrepit, wrinkled old woman. Rustem
+cut her in halves with a blow of his sword.
+
+The next day he continued his journey with all the speed that he could
+use, and came to a place where it was utterly dark. Neither sun, nor
+moon, nor stars could be seen; and all that the hero could do was to
+let the reins fall on his horse's neck, and ride on as chance might
+direct.
+
+In time he came to a most delightful country, where the sun was
+shining brightly, and where the ground was covered with green. Rustem
+took off his cuirass of leopard-skin, and his helmet, and let Raksh
+find pasture where he could in the fertile fields, and lay down to
+sleep. When the keeper of the fields saw the horse straying among
+them and feeding, he was filled with rage; and running up to the hero,
+dealt him with his stick a great blow upon the feet.
+
+Rustem awoke.
+
+"Son of Satan," said the keeper, "why do you let your horse stray in
+the cornfields?"
+
+Rustem leaped upon the man, and without uttering a word good or bad,
+wrenched his ears from his head.
+
+Now the owner of this fertile country was a young warrior of renown
+named Aulad. The keeper ran up to him with his ears in his hand, and
+said:
+
+"There has come to this place a son of Satan, clad in a cuirass of
+leopard-skin, with an iron helmet. I was going to drive his horse out
+of the cornfields, when he leaped upon me, tore my ears from my head
+without saying a single word, and then lay down to sleep again."
+
+Aulad was about to go hunting with his chiefs; but when he heard the
+keeper's story he altered his plan, and set out to the place where
+he heard that Rustem had been seen. Rustem, as soon as he saw him
+approach, and a great company with him, ran to Raksh, leaped on his
+back, and rode forward. Aulad said to him, "Who are you? What are you
+doing here? Why did you pluck off my keeper's ears and let your horse
+feed in the cornfields?"
+
+"If you were to hear my name," said Rustem, "it would freeze the blood
+in your heart."
+
+So saying he drew his sword, and fastening his lasso to the bow of his
+saddle, rushed as a lion rushes into the midst of a herd of oxen. With
+every blow of his sword he cut off a warrior's head, till the whole
+of Aulad's company was either slain or scattered. Aulad himself he did
+not kill, but throwing his lasso, caught him by the neck, dragged him
+from his horse, and bound his hands. "Now," said he, "if you will tell
+me the truth, and, without attempting to deceive, will show me where
+the White Genius dwells, and will guide me to where King Kaoüs is kept
+prisoner, then I will make you king of Mazanderan. But if you speak a
+word of falsehood you die."
+
+"It is well," said Aulad; "I will do what you desire. I will show
+you where the King is imprisoned. It is four hundred miles from this
+place; and four hundred miles farther, a difficult and dangerous way,
+is the dwelling of the White Genius. It is a cavern so deep that no
+man has ever sounded it, and it lies between two mountains. Twelve
+thousand Genii watch it during the night, for the White Genius is the
+chief and master of all his tribe. You will find him a terrible enemy,
+and, for all your strong arms and hands, your keen sword, your lance
+and your club, you will scarcely be able to conquer him; and when you
+have conquered him, there will still be much to be done. In the city
+of the King of Mazanderan there are thousands of warriors, and not
+a coward among them; and besides these, there are two hundred
+war-elephants. Were you made of iron, could you venture to deal alone
+with these sons of Satan?"
+
+Rustem smiled when he heard this, and said, "Come with me, and you
+will see what a single man, who puts his trust in God, can do. And now
+show me first the way to the King's prison."
+
+Rustem mounted on Raksh, and rode gaily forward, and Aulad ran in
+front of him. For a whole day and night he ran, nor ever grew tired,
+till they reached the foot of Mount Asprus, where King Kaoüs had
+fallen into the power of the Genii. About midnight they heard a great
+beating of drums, and saw many fires blaze up.
+
+Rustem said to Aulad, "What mean these fires that are blazing up to
+right and left of us?"
+
+Aulad answered, "This is the way into Mazanderan. The great Genius
+Arzeng must be there."
+
+Then Rustem went to sleep; and when he woke in the morning he took
+his lasso and fastened Aulad to the trunk of a tree. Then hanging his
+grandfather's club to his saddlebow, he rode on.
+
+His conflict with Arzeng, the chief of the army of the Genii, was
+soon finished. As he approached the camp he raised his battle-cry.
+His shout was loud enough, one would have said, to split the very
+mountains; and Arzeng, when he heard it, rushed out of his tent.
+Rustem set spurs to his horse, and galloping up to the Genius, caught
+him by the head, tore it from the body, and threw it into the midst
+of the army. When the Genii saw it, and caught sight also of the great
+club, they fled in the wildest confusion, fathers trampling upon their
+sons in their eagerness to escape. The hero put the whole herd of them
+to the sword, and then returned as fast as he could to the place where
+he had left Aulad bound to the tree. He unloosed the knots of the
+lasso, and bidding him lead the way to the prison-house of the King,
+set spurs to Raksh, Aulad running in front as before.
+
+When they entered the town, Raksh neighed. His voice was as loud as
+thunder, and the King heard it, and in a moment understood all that
+had happened. "That is the voice of Raksh," he said to the Persians
+that were with him; "our evil days are over. This was the way in which
+he neighed in King Kobad's time, when he made war on the Scythians."
+
+The Persians said to themselves, "Our poor King has lost his senses,
+or he is dreaming. There is no help for us." But they had hardly
+finished speaking when the hero appeared, and did homage to the King.
+Kaoüs embraced him, and then said: "If you are to help me, you must
+go before the Genii know of your coming. So soon as the White Genius
+shall hear of the fall of Arzeng, he will assemble such an army of his
+fellows as shall make all your pains and labor lost. But you must know
+that you have great difficulties to overcome. First, you must cross
+seven mountains, all of them occupied by troops of Genii; then you
+will see before you a terrible cavern--more terrible, I have heard
+say, than any other place in the world. The entrance to it is guarded
+by warrior Genii, and in it dwells the White Genius himself. He is
+both the terror and the hope of his army. Conquer him, and all will be
+well. A wise physician tells me that the only remedy for my blindness
+is to drop into my eyes three drops of the White Genius's blood. Go
+and conquer, if you would save your King."
+
+Without any delay Rustem set forth, Raksh carrying him like the wind.
+When he reached the great cavern, he said to Aulad, who had guided him
+on his way as before, "The time of conflict is come. Show me the way."
+
+Aulad answered, "When the sun shall grow hot, the Genii will go to
+sleep. That will be your time to conquer them."
+
+Rustem waited till the sun was at its highest, and then went forth to
+battle. The Genii that were on guard fled at the sound of his voice,
+and he went on without finding any to resist him till he came to the
+great cavern of which the King had spoken. It was a terrible place
+to see, and he stood for a while with his sword in his hand, doubting
+what he should do. No one would choose such a spot for battle; and as
+for escaping from it, that was beyond all hope. Long he looked into
+the darkness, and at last he saw a monstrous shape, which seemed to
+reach across the whole breadth of the cave. It was the White Genius
+that was lying asleep. Rustem did not attempt to surprise him in his
+sleep, but woke him by shouting his battle-cry. When the White Genius
+saw him, he rushed at once to do battle with him. First he caught up
+from the ground a stone as big as a millstone and hurled it at him.
+For the first time Rustem felt a thrill of fear, so terrible was his
+enemy. Nevertheless, gathering all his strength, he struck at him a
+great blow with his sword and cut off one of his feet. The monster,
+though having but one foot, leaped upon him like a wild elephant, and
+seized him by the breast and arms, hoping to throw him to the ground,
+and tore from his body great pieces of flesh, so that the whole place
+was covered with blood. Rustem said to himself, "If I escape to-day
+I shall live forever;" and the White Genius thought, "Even if I
+do deliver myself from the claws of this dragon, I shall never see
+Mazanderan again." Still he did not lose courage, but continued to
+struggle against the hero with all his might.
+
+So the two fought together, the blood and sweat running from them in
+great streams. At last Rustem caught the Genius round the body, and,
+putting out all his strength, hurled him to the ground with such force
+that his soul was driven out of his body. Then he plunged his poinard
+into the creature's heart, and tore the liver out of his body. This
+done he returned to Aulad, whom he had left bound with his lasso,
+loosed him, and set out for the place where he had left the King. But
+first Aulad said to him, "I have the marks of your bonds upon me; my
+body is bruised with the knots of your lasso; I beseech you to respect
+the promise which you made me of a reward. A hero is bound to keep his
+word."
+
+Rustem said: "I promised that you should be King of Mazanderan, and
+King you shall be. But I have much to do before my word can be kept. I
+have a great battle to fight, in which I may be conquered, and I must
+rid this country of the magicians with whom it is encumbered. But be
+sure that, when all is done, I will not fail of the promises which I
+have made."
+
+So Rustem returned to King Kaoüs, and, dropping the blood of the White
+Genius into his eyes, gave him back his sight. Seven days the King
+and his nobles feasted together, Rustem having the chief place. On the
+eighth day they set out to clear the country of the accursed race of
+magicians. When they had done this, the King said, "The guilty have
+now been punished. Let no others suffer. And now I will send a letter
+to the King of Mazanderan."
+
+So the King wrote a letter in these words: "You see how God has
+punished the wrong-doers--how he has brought to naught the Genii and
+the magicians. Quit then your town, and come here to pay homage and
+tribute to me. If you will not, then your life shall be as the life of
+Arzeng and the White Genius."
+
+This letter was carried to the King by a certain chief named Ferbad.
+When the King had read it, he was greatly troubled. Three days he kept
+Ferbad as his guest, and then sent back by him this answer: "Shall the
+water of the sea be equal to wine? Am I one to whom you can say, 'Come
+down from your throne, and present yourself before me?' Make ready
+to do battle with me, for verily I will bring upon the land of Persia
+such destruction that no man shall be able to say what is high and
+what is low."
+
+Ferbad hastened back to the King of Persia. "The man," he said, "is
+resolved not to yield." Then the King sent to Rustem. And Rustem said,
+"Send me with a letter that shall be as keen as a sword and a message
+like a thunder-cloud." So the King sent for a scribe, who, making
+the point of his reed as fine as an arrowhead, wrote thus: "These
+are foolish words, and do not become a man of sense. Put away your
+arrogance, and be obedient to my words. If you refuse, I will bring
+such an army against you as shall cover your land from one sea to the
+other; and the ghost of the White Genius shall call the vultures to
+feast on your brains."
+
+The King set his seal to this letter, and Rustem departed with it,
+with his club hanging to his saddlebow. When the King of Mazanderan
+heard of his coming, he sent some of his nobles to meet him. When
+Rustem saw them, he caught a huge tree that was by the wayside in his
+hands, twisted it with all his might, and tore it up, roots and all.
+Then he poised it in his hand as if it were a javelin. One of the
+nobles, the strongest of them all, rode up to him, caught one of his
+hands, and pressed it with all his might. Rustem only smiled; but
+when in his turn he caught the noble's hand in his, he crushed all the
+veins and bones, so that the man fell fainting from his horse.
+
+When the King heard what had been done, he called one of his warriors,
+Kalahour by name, the strongest man in his dominions, and said to him,
+"Go and meet this messenger; show him your prowess, and cover his face
+with shame." So Kalahour rode to meet Rustem, and, taking him by the
+hand, wrung it with all the strength of an elephant. The hand turned
+blue with the pain, but the hero did not flinch or give any sign of
+pain. But when in his turn he wrung the hand of Kalahour, the nails
+dropped from it as the leaves drop from a tree. Kalahour rode back,
+his hand hanging down, and said to the King, "It will be better for
+you to make peace than to fight with this lion, whose strength is such
+that no man can stand against him. Pay this tribute, and we will make
+it good to you. Otherwise we are lost."
+
+At this moment Rustem rode up. The King gave him a place at his right
+hand, and asked him of his welfare. Rustem, for answer, gave him
+the letter of Kei-Kaöus. When the King had read the letter, his face
+became black as thunder. Then he said, "Carry back this answer to your
+master: 'You are lord of Persia, and I of Mazanderan. Be content; seek
+not that which is not yours. Otherwise your pride will lead you to
+your fall.'"
+
+The King would have given Rustem royal gifts, robes of honor, and
+horses, and gold. But the hero would have none of them, but went away
+in anger. When he had returned to the King of Persia, he said to him,
+"Fear nothing, but make ready for battle. As for the warriors of this
+land of Mazanderan, they are nothing; I count them no better than a
+grain of dust."
+
+Meanwhile the king of the magicians prepared for war. He gathered an
+army, horsemen and foot-soldiers and elephants, that covered the face
+of the earth, and approached the borders of Persia; and, on the other
+hand, King Kaoüs marshaled his men of war and went out to encounter
+him. The King himself took his place in the center of the line of
+battle, and in front of all stood the great Rustem.
+
+One of the nobles of Mazanderan came out of their line, with a great
+club in his hands, and approaching the Persian army, cried in a loud
+voice, "Who is ready to fight with me? He should be one who is able to
+change water into dust."
+
+None of the Persian nobles answered him, and King Kaoüs said, "Why
+is it, ye men of war, that your faces are troubled, and your tongues
+silent before this Genius?"
+
+But still the nobles made no answer. Then Rustem caught the rein of
+his horse, and, putting the point of his lance over his shoulder, rode
+up to the King, and said, "Will the King give me permission to fight
+with this Genius?"
+
+The King said, "The task is worthy of you, for none of the Persians
+dare to meet this warrior. Go and prosper!"
+
+So Rustem set spurs to Raksh, and rode against the warrior who had
+challenged the Persians.
+
+"Hear," he said, as soon as he came near, "your name is blotted out of
+the list of the living; for the moment is come when you shall suffer
+the recompense of all your misdeeds."
+
+The warrior answered, "Boast not yourself so proudly. My sword makes
+mothers childless."
+
+When Rustem heard this, he cried with a voice of thunder, "I am
+Rustem!" and the warrior, who had no desire to fight the champion
+of the world, turned his back and fled. But Rustem pursued him, and
+thrust at him with his lance where the belt joins the coat of mail,
+and pierced him through, for the armor could not turn the point of the
+great spear. Then he lifted him out of his saddle, and raised him up
+in the air, as if he were a bird which a man had run through with a
+spit. This done, he dashed him down dead upon the ground, and all the
+nobles of Mazanderan stood astonished at the sight.
+
+After this the two armies joined battle. The air grew dark, and the
+flashing of the swords and clubs flew like the lightning out of
+a thunder-cloud, and the mountains trembled with the cries of the
+combatants. Never had any living man seen so fierce a fight before.
+
+For seven days the battle raged, and neither the one side nor the
+other could claim the victory. On the eighth day King Kaoüs bowed
+himself before God, taking his crown from his head, and prayed with
+his face to the ground, saying, "O Lord God, give me, I beseech thee,
+the victory over the Genii who fear thee not."
+
+Then he set his helmet on his head, and put himself at the head of his
+army. First of all Rustem began the attack, charging the center of the
+enemy's army. He directed his course straight to the place where the
+King of Mazanderan stood, surrounded with his chiefs and a great
+host of elephants. When the King saw the shine of his lance, he lost
+courage, and would have fled. But Rustem, with a cry like a lion's
+roar, charged him, and struck him on the girdle with his spear. The
+spear pierced the steel, and would have slain the King, but that by
+his magic art he changed himself, before the eyes of all the Persian
+army, into a mass of rock. Rustem stood astonished to see such a
+marvel.
+
+When King Kaoüs came up with his warriors, he said to Rustem, "What is
+it? What ails you that you tarry here, doing no thing?"
+
+"My lord," answered Rustem, "I charged the King of Mazanderan, spear
+in hand; I struck him on the girdle, but when I thought to see him
+fall from his saddle, he changed himself into a rock before my eyes,
+and now he feels nothing that I can do."
+
+Then King Kaoüs commanded that they should take up the rock and put
+it before his throne. But when the strongest men in the army came
+to handle the rock, or sought to draw it with cords, they could do
+nothing; it remained immovable. Rustem, however, without any one to
+help him, lifted it from the earth, and carrying it into the camp,
+threw it down before the King's tent, and said, "Give up these
+cowardly tricks and the art of magic, else I will break this rock into
+pieces."
+
+When the King of Mazanderan heard this, he made himself visible, black
+as a thunder-cloud, with a helmet of steel upon his head and a coat of
+mail upon his breast. Rustem laughed, and caught him by the hand, and
+brought him before the King.
+
+"See," said he, "this lump of rock, who, for fear of the hatchet has
+given himself up to me!"
+
+When Kaoüs looked at him and observed how savage of aspect he was,
+with the neck and tusks of a wild boar, he saw that he was not worthy
+to sit upon a throne, and bade the executioner take him away and cut
+him in pieces. This done, he sent to the enemies' camp, and commanded
+that all the spoil, the King's throne, and his crown and girdle,
+the horses and the armor, the swords and jewels, should be gathered
+together. Then he called up his army, and distributed to them rewards
+in proportion to what they had done and suffered. After this he spent
+seven days in prayer, humbling himself before God, and offering up
+thanksgiving. On the eighth day he seated himself on his throne, and
+opened his treasures, and gave to all that had need. Thus he spent
+another seven days. On the fifteenth day, he called for wine and cups
+of amber and rubies, and sat for seven days on his throne, with the
+wine-cup in his hand.
+
+He sent for Rustem, and said, "It is of your doing, by your strength
+and courage, that I have recovered my throne."
+
+Rustem answered, "A man must do his duty. As for the honors that you
+would give me, I owe them all to Aulad, who has always guided me on
+the right way. He hopes to be made king of Mazanderan. Let the King,
+therefore, if it please him, invest him with the crown."
+
+And this the King did.
+
+The next day Kaoüs and his army set out to return to the land of
+Persia. When he had reached his palace, he seated himself upon his
+throne, and sending for Rustem, put him at his side.
+
+Rustem said, "My lord, permit me to go back to the old man Zal, my
+father."
+
+The King commanded that they should bring splendid presents for the
+hero. The presents were these: A throne of turquoise, adorned with
+rams' heads; a royal crown set about with jewels; a robe of brocade of
+gold, such as is worn by the King of kings; a bracelet and a chain of
+gold; a hundred maidens, with faces fair as the full moon, and girdles
+of gold; a hundred youths, whose hair was fragrant with musk; a
+hundred horses, harnessed with gold and silver; a hundred mules with
+black hair, with loads of brocade that came from the land of Room and
+from Persia. After these they brought and laid at the hero's feet a
+hundred purses filled with gold pieces; a cup of rubies, filled with
+pure musk; another cup of turquoise, filled with attar of roses; and,
+last of all, a letter written on pages of silk, in ink made of wine
+and aloes and amber and the black of lamps. By this letter the King of
+kings gave anew to Rustem the kingdom of the south. Then Kaoüs blessed
+him, and said: "May you live as long as men shall see the sun and the
+moon in heaven! May the great of the earth join themselves to you! May
+your own soul be full of modesty and tenderness!"
+
+Rustem prostrated himself on the earth, and kissed the throne; and so
+took his departure.
+
+
+
+
+LIST OF BEST BOOKS OF MYTHS AND LEGENDS
+
+ASHTON, T. _Romances of Chivalry_
+
+BALDWIN, J. _The Story of Siegfried_
+
+BALDWIN, J. _The Story of Roland_
+
+BARING-GOULD, S. _Curious Myths of the Middle Ages_
+
+BROOKS, E. _The Story of the Æneid_
+
+BROOKS, E. _The Story of the Odyssey_
+
+BULFINCH, T. _The Age of Chivalry_
+
+BULFINCH, T. _Legends of Charlemagne_
+
+BURNS, J. _Popular Tales and Legends_
+
+CLODD, E. _The Birth and Growth of Myths_
+
+CLODD, E. _The Childhood of Religions_
+
+COOKER, F.J. _Nature Myths and Stories_
+
+COX, G.W. _Tales of Ancient Greece_
+
+COX, G.W. _Popular Romances of the Middle Ages_
+
+CRANE, F.T. _Italian Popular Tales_
+
+CROMMELIN, MARY _Famous Legends_
+
+CURTIN, J. _Myths and Folk Tales of the Russians_
+
+DRAKE, S.A. _North-East Legends_
+
+DU MAURIER, GEORGE. _Legend of Camelot_
+
+EDWARDSON, E. _The Courteous Knight_
+
+EMMERSON, ELLEN RUSSELL _Indian Myths_
+
+FISK, JOHN. _Myths and Myth Makers_
+
+FRANCILLON, R.E. _Gods and Heroes_
+
+GAYLEY, F. _Classic Myths_
+
+GRINNEL, G.B. _Blackfoot Lodge Tales_
+
+GUERBER, H.A. _Myths of Northern Lands_
+
+GUERBER, H.A. _Myths of Greece and Rome_
+
+HALL, J. _Legends of the West_
+
+HAWTHORNE, NATHANIEL _Tanglewood Tales_
+
+HAWTHORNE, NATHANIEL _The Wonder Book_
+
+HEARN, LAFCADIO _Some Chinese Ghosts_
+
+HOLBROOK, F. _The Book of Nature's Myths_
+
+HULME, F.E. _Mythland_
+
+HUNT, R. _Popular Romances of the West of England_
+
+IRVING, WASHINGTON _The Legend of Sleepy Hollow_
+
+JACOBS, JOSEPH _The Book of Wonder Voyages_
+
+KENNEDY, PATRICK _Legendary Fictions of the Irish Celts_
+
+KINGSLEY, CHARLES. _Greek Heroes_
+
+KUPLER, GRACE H._Stories of Long Ago_
+
+LANG, ANDREW _Modern Mythology_
+
+LANIER, SYDNEY _The Boy's King Arthur_
+
+LANIER, SYDNEY _The Boy's Mabinogion_
+
+LANIER, SYDNEY _The Boy's Percy_
+
+LANIER, SYDNEY _The Boy's Froissart_
+
+LEITZ, A.F. _Legends and Stories_
+
+LOVER, SAMUEL _Legends and Stories of Ireland_
+
+MABIE, H.W. _Norse Tales_
+
+MABIE, H.W. (ED.) _Myths that Every Child should Know_
+
+MACAULAY, LORD _Lays of Ancient Rome_
+
+MACDONALD, GEORGE _The Light Princess_
+
+MAGNUSSON AND MORRIS _The Saga Library_
+
+MITCHELL, S.W. _Prince Little Boy_
+
+NUTT, ALFRED _Folk Lore_
+
+PRATT-CHADWICK, M.L. _Legends of the Red Children_
+
+PYLE, HOWARD. _Story of King Arthur_
+
+RALSTON, W.R.S._Russian Folk Tales_
+
+SAINTINE, X.B. _Myths of the Rhine_
+
+SCHRAMMEM, J. _Legends of German Heroes of the Middle Ages_
+
+SCUDDER, H.E. _The Book of Legends_
+
+SCUDDER, H.E. _The Children's Book_
+
+SCUDDER, H.E. _The Book of Folk Stories_
+
+SKINNER, C.M. _Myths and Legends_
+
+SOUTHEY, R. _Chronicles of the Cid_
+
+TANNER, D. _Legends from the Red Man's Forest_
+
+TAPPAN, E.M. _Robin Hood: His Book_
+
+WILDE, LADY _Ancient Legends_
+
+
+
+***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK YOUNG FOLKS TREASURY, VOLUME 2 (OF
+12)***
+
+
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+<body>
+<h1>The Project Gutenberg eBook, Young Folks Treasury, Volume 2 (of 12), by
+Various, Edited by Hamilton Wright Mabie</h1>
+<pre>
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at <a href = "https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre>
+<p>Title: Young Folks Treasury, Volume 2 (of 12)</p>
+<p>Author: Various</p>
+<p>Release Date: February 28, 2005  [eBook #15202]</p>
+<p>Language: English</p>
+<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p>
+<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK YOUNG FOLKS TREASURY, VOLUME 2 (OF 12)***</p>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<h4>E-text prepared by Juliet Sutherland, Sandra Brown,<br />
+    and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team</h4>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+<hr class="full" />
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+    <div class="figcenter"
+         style="width:100%;">
+        <a href="images/frontis.jpg"
+             name="figfrontis"
+             id="figfrontis"><img width="250"
+             src="images/frontis-t.jpg"
+             alt="JASON SNATCHED OFF HIS HELMET AND HURLED IT." />
+             </a>
+
+        <p>&nbsp;</p>JASON SNATCHED OFF HIS HELMET AND HURLED IT.
+    </div><span class="pagenum"><a name="pageiii"
+       id="pageiii"></a>[pg iii]</span>
+
+    <h2>YOUNG FOLKS' TREASURY</h2>
+
+    <h3>In 12 Volumes</h3>
+
+    <h3>HAMILTON WRIGHT MABIE<br />
+    <i>Editor</i></h3>
+
+    <h3>EDWARD EVERETT HALE<br />
+    <i>Associate Editor</i></h3>
+
+    <p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+    <h2>Myths and Legendary Heroes</h2>
+
+    <h3>HAMILTON WRIGHT MABIE<br />
+    <i>Editor</i></h3>
+
+    <h2>VOLUME II</h2>
+
+    <p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+    <p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+    <h4>NEW YORK</h4>
+
+    <h4>THE UNIVERSITY SOCIETY INC.</h4>
+
+    <h4><i>Publishers</i></h4>
+
+    <p>&nbsp;</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="pageiv"
+       id="pageiv"></a>[pg iv]</span>
+
+    <div class="figcenter"
+         style="width:100%;">
+        <a href="images/title.png"
+             name="figtitle"
+             id="figtitle"><img width="400"
+             src="images/title.png"
+             alt="Title Page" /></a>
+    </div><span class="pagenum"><a name="pagev"
+       id="pagev"></a>[pg v]</span>
+
+    <p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+    <p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+    <h3>PARTIAL LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS, ASSISTANT EDITORS AND
+    ADVISERS</h3>
+    <hr class="short" />
+
+    <h4>HAMILTON WRIGHT MABIE<br />
+    <i>Editor</i></h4>
+
+    <h4>EDWARD EVERETT HALE<br />
+    <i>Associate Editor</i></h4>
+    <hr class="short" />
+
+    <div class="toc">
+        <p>NICHOLAS MURRAY BUTLER, President Columbia
+        University.</p>
+
+        <p>WILLIAM R. HARPER, Late President Chicago
+        University.</p>
+
+        <p>HON. THEODORE ROOSEVELT, Ex-President of the United
+        States.</p>
+
+        <p>HON. GROVER CLEVELAND, Late President of the United
+        States.</p>
+
+        <p>JAMES CARDINAL GIBBONS, American Roman Catholic
+        prelate.</p>
+
+        <p>ROBERT C. OGDEN, Partner of John Wanamaker.</p>
+
+        <p>HON. GEORGE F. HOAR, Late Senator from
+        Massachusetts.</p>
+
+        <p>EDWARD W. BOK, Editor "Ladies' Home Journal."</p>
+
+        <p>HENRY VAN DYKE, Author, Poet, and Professor of English
+        Literature, Princeton University.</p>
+
+        <p>LYMAN ABBOTT, Author, Editor of "The Outlook."</p>
+
+        <p>CHARLES G.D. ROBERTS, Writer of Animal Stories.</p>
+
+        <p>JACOB A. RIIS, Author and Journalist.</p>
+
+        <p>EDWARD EVERETT HALE, Jr., English Professor at Union
+        College.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="pagevi"
+           id="pagevi"></a>[pg vi]</span>
+
+        <p>JOEL CHANDLER HARRIS, Late Author and Creator of "Uncle
+        Remus."</p>
+
+        <p>GEORGE GARY EGGLESTON, Novelist and Journalist.</p>
+
+        <p>RAY STANNARD BAKER, Author and Journalist.</p>
+
+        <p>WILLIAM BLAIKIE, Author of "How to Get Strong and How to
+        Stay So."</p>
+
+        <p>WILLIAM DAVENPORT HULBERT, Writer of Animal Stories.</p>
+
+        <p>JOSEPH JACOBS, Folklore Writer and Editor of the "Jewish
+        Encyclopedia."</p>
+
+        <p>MRS. VIRGINIA TERHUNE ("Marion Harland"), Author of
+        "Common Sense in the Household," etc.</p>
+
+        <p>MARGARET E. SANGSTER, Author of "The Art of
+        Home-Making," etc.</p>
+
+        <p>SARAH K. BOLTON, Biographical Writer.</p>
+
+        <p>ELLEN VELVIN, Writer of Animal Stories.</p>
+
+        <p>REV. THEODORE WOOD, F.E.S., Writer on Natural
+        History.</p>
+
+        <p>W.J. BALTZELL, Editor of "The Musician."</p>
+
+        <p>HERBERT T. WADE, Editor and Writer on Physics.</p>
+
+        <p>JOHN H. CLIFFORD, Editor and Writer.</p>
+
+        <p>ERNEST INGERSOLL, Naturalist and Author.</p>
+
+        <p>DANIEL E. WHEELER, Editor and Writer.</p>
+
+        <p>IDA PRENTICE WHITCOMB, Author of "Young People's Story
+        of Music," "Heroes of History," etc.</p>
+
+        <p>MARK HAMBOURG, Pianist and Composer.</p>
+
+        <p>MME. BLANCHE MARCHESI, Opera Singer and Teacher.</p>
+    </div><span class="pagenum"><a name="pagevii"
+       id="pagevii"></a>[pg vii]</span>
+    <hr />
+
+    <h3>CONTENTS</h3>
+
+    <div class="toc">
+        <p>INTRODUCTION <a href="#pagexiii">xiii</a></p>
+
+        <h5>MYTHS OF GREECE AND ROME</h5>
+
+        <p>Baucis and Philemon <a href="#page1">1</a></p>
+
+        <p class="i4">Adapted by C.E. Smith</p>
+
+        <p>Pandora <a href="#page9">9</a></p>
+
+        <p class="i4">Adapted by C.E. Smith</p>
+
+        <p>Midas <a href="#page15">15</a></p>
+
+        <p class="i4">Adapted by C.E. Smith</p>
+
+        <p>Cadmus <a href="#page22">22</a></p>
+
+        <p class="i4">Adapted by C.E. Smith</p>
+
+        <p>Proserpina <a href="#page30">30</a></p>
+
+        <p class="i4">Adapted by C.E. Smith</p>
+
+        <p>The Story of Atalanta <a href="#page49">49</a></p>
+
+        <p class="i4">Adapted by Anna Klingensmith</p>
+
+        <p>Pyramus and Thisbe <a href="#page51">51</a></p>
+
+        <p class="i4">Adapted by Alice Zimmern</p>
+
+        <p>Orpheus <a href="#page53">53</a></p>
+
+        <p class="i4">Adapted by Alice Zimmern</p>
+
+        <h5>MYTHS OF SCANDINAVIA</h5>
+
+        <p>Baldur <a href="#page57">57</a></p>
+
+        <p class="i4">Adapted from A. and E. Keary's version</p>
+
+        <p>Thor's Adventure among the Jotuns
+        <a href="#page80">80</a></p>
+
+        <p class="i4">Adapted by Hamilton Wright Mabie</p>
+
+        <p>The Gifts of the Dwarfs <a href="#page85">85</a></p>
+
+        <p>The Punishment of Loki <a href="#page91">91</a></p>
+
+        <p class="i4">Adapted from A. and E. Keary's
+        version</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="pageviii"
+           id="pageviii"></a>[pg viii]</span>
+
+        <h5>MYTHS OF INDIA</h5>
+
+        <p>The Blind Man, The Deaf Man, and the Donkey
+        <a href="#page96">96</a></p>
+
+        <p class="i4">Adapted by M. Frere</p>
+
+        <p>Harisarman <a href="#page103">103</a></p>
+
+        <p>Why the Fish Laughed <a href="#page106">106</a></p>
+
+        <p>Muchie Lal <a href="#page111">111</a></p>
+
+        <p class="i4">Adapted by M. Frere</p>
+
+        <p>How the Rajah's Son Won the Princess Labam
+        <a href="#page119">119</a></p>
+
+        <p class="i4">Adapted by Joseph Jacobs</p>
+
+        <h5>MYTHS OF JAPAN</h5>
+
+        <p>The Jellyfish and the Monkey
+        <a href="#page129">129</a></p>
+
+        <p class="i4">Adapted by Yei Theodora Ozaki</p>
+
+        <p>The Old Man and-the Devils
+        <a href="#page137">137</a></p>
+
+        <p>Autumn and Spring <a href="#page139">139</a></p>
+
+        <p class="i4">Adapted by Frank Kinder</p>
+
+        <p>The Vision of Tsunu <a href="#page142">142</a></p>
+
+        <p class="i4">Adapted by Frank Kinder</p>
+
+        <p>The Star-Lovers <a href="#page144">144</a></p>
+
+        <p class="i4">Adapted by Frank Kinder</p>
+
+        <h5>MYTHS OF THE SLAVS</h5>
+
+        <p>The Two Brothers <a href="#page147">147</a></p>
+
+        <p class="i4">Adapted by Alexander Chodsko</p>
+
+        <p>The Twelve Months <a href="#page150">150</a></p>
+
+        <p class="i4">Adapted by Alexander Chodsko</p>
+
+        <p>The Sun; or, the Three Golden Hairs of the Old Man
+        V&eacute;s&egrave;vde <a href="#page156">156</a></p>
+
+        <p class="i4">Adapted by Alexander Chodsko</p>
+
+        <h5>A MYTH OF AMERICA</h5>
+
+        <p>Hiawatha <a href="#page166">166</a></p>
+
+        <p class="i4">Adapted from H.R. Schoolcraft's
+        version</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="pageix"
+           id="pageix"></a>[pg ix]</span>
+
+        <h5>HEROES OF GREECE AND ROME</h5>
+
+        <p>Perseus <a href="#page187">187</a></p>
+
+        <p class="i4">Adapted by Mary Macgregor</p>
+
+        <p>Odysseus <a href="#page202">202</a></p>
+
+        <p class="i4">Adapted by Jeanie Lang</p>
+
+        <p>The Argonauts <a href="#page222">222</a></p>
+
+        <p class="i4">Adapted by Mary Macgregor</p>
+
+        <p>Theseus <a href="#page246">246</a></p>
+
+        <p class="i4">Adapted by Mary Macgregor</p>
+
+        <p>Hercules <a href="#page259">259</a></p>
+
+        <p class="i4">Adapted by Thomas Cartwright</p>
+
+        <p>The Perilous Voyage of &AElig;neas
+        <a href="#page273">273</a></p>
+
+        <p class="i4">Adapted by Alice Zimmern</p>
+
+        <p>How Horatius Held the Bridge
+        <a href="#page282">282</a></p>
+
+        <p class="i4">Adapted by Alfred J. Church</p>
+
+        <p>How Cincinnatus Saved Rome
+        <a href="#page284">284</a></p>
+
+        <p class="i4">Adapted by Alfred J. Church</p>
+
+        <h5>HEROES OF GREAT BRITAIN</h5>
+
+        <p>Beowulf <a href="#page289">289</a></p>
+
+        <p class="i4">Adapted by H.E. Marshall</p>
+
+        <p>How King Arthur Conquered Rome
+        <a href="#page302">302</a></p>
+
+        <p class="i4">Adapted by E. Edwardson</p>
+
+        <p>Sir Galahad and the Sacred Cup
+        <a href="#page314">314</a></p>
+
+        <p class="i4">Adapted by Mary Macgregor</p>
+
+        <p>The Passing of Arthur <a href="#page323">323</a></p>
+
+        <p class="i4">Adapted by Mary Macgregor</p>
+
+        <p>Robin Hood <a href="#page328">328</a></p>
+
+        <p class="i4">Adapted by H.E. Marshall</p>
+
+        <p>Guy of Warwick <a href="#page346">346</a></p>
+
+        <p class="i4">Adapted by H.E. Marshall</p>
+
+        <p>Whittington and His Cat <a href="#page356">356</a></p>
+
+        <p class="i4">Adapted by Ernest Rhys</p>
+
+        <p>Tom Hickathrift <a href="#page364">364</a></p>
+
+        <p class="i4">Adapted by Ernest
+        Rhys</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="pagex"
+           id="pagex"></a>[pg x]</span>
+
+        <h5>HEROES OF SCANDINAVIA</h5>
+
+        <p>The Story of Frithiof <a href="#page370">370</a></p>
+
+        <p class="i4">Adapted by Julia Goddard</p>
+
+        <p>Havelok <a href="#page383">383</a></p>
+
+        <p class="i4">Adapted by George W. Cox and E.H. Jones</p>
+
+        <p>The Vikings <a href="#page394">394</a></p>
+
+        <p class="i4">Adapted by Mary Macgregor</p>
+
+        <h5>HERO OF GERMANY</h5>
+
+        <p>Siegfried <a href="#page405">405</a></p>
+
+        <p class="i4">Adapted by Mary Macgregor</p>
+
+        <h5>HERO OF FRANCE</h5>
+
+        <p>Roland <a href="#page429">429</a></p>
+
+        <p class="i4">Adapted by H.E. Marshall</p>
+
+        <h5>HERO OF SPAIN</h5>
+
+        <p>The Cid <a href="#page455">455</a></p>
+
+        <p class="i4">Adapted by Robert Southey</p>
+
+        <h5>HERO OF SWITZERLAND</h5>
+
+        <p>William Tell <a href="#page474">474</a></p>
+
+        <p class="i4">Adapted by H.E. Marshall</p>
+
+        <h5>HERO OF PERSIA</h5>
+
+        <p>Rustem <a href="#page491">491</a></p>
+
+        <p class="i4">Adapted by Alfred J. Church</p>
+    </div>
+    <hr />
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="pagexi"
+       id="pagexi"></a>[pg xi]</span>
+
+    <h3>ILLUSTRATIONS</h3>
+
+    <p class="illustrations"><a href="#figfrontis">Jason Snatched
+    off his Helmet and Hurled it.</a></p>
+
+    <p class="illustrations"><a href="#fig562">Out Flew a Bright,
+    Smiling Fairy.</a></p>
+
+    <p class="illustrations"><a href="#fig566">Orpheus and
+    Eurydice.</a></p>
+
+    <p class="illustrations"><a href="#fig568">The Punishment of
+    Loki.</a></p>
+
+    <p class="illustrations"><a href="#fig570">The Princess Labam
+    ... Shines so that She Lights Up all the Country.</a></p>
+
+    <p class="illustrations"><a href="#fig572">Hiawatha in His
+    Canoe.</a></p>
+
+    <p class="illustrations"><a href="#fig574">So Danae was
+    Comforted and Went Home With Dictys.</a></p>
+
+    <p class="illustrations"><a href="#fig576">Orpheus Sang Till
+    His Voice Drowned the Song of the Sirens.</a></p>
+
+    <p class="illustrations"><a href="#fig578">They Leapt Across
+    the Pool and came to Him.</a></p>
+
+    <p class="illustrations"><a href="#fig580">Theseus Looked up
+    into Her Fair Face.</a></p>
+
+    <p class="illustrations"><a href="#fig582">Sir Galahad.</a></p>
+
+    <p class="illustrations"><a href="#fig584">Robin Hood in an
+    Encounter.</a></p>
+
+    <p class="illustrations"><a href="#fig586">The Hero's Shining
+    Sword Pierced the Heart of the Monster.</a></p>
+
+    <p class="illustrations"><a href="#fig588">William Tell and His
+    Friends.</a></p>
+
+    <p class="illustrations"><a href="#fig590">Book Cover</a></p>
+
+    <p>(<i>Many of the illustrations in this volume are reproduced
+    by special permission of E.P. Dutton &amp; Company, owners of
+    American rights.</i>)</p>
+    <hr />
+    <!--page xii blank-->
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="pagexiii"
+       id="pagexiii"></a>[pg xiii]</span>
+
+    <p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+    <h3>INTRODUCTION</h3>
+
+    <p>With such a table of contents in front of this little
+    foreword, I am quite sure that few will pause to consider my
+    prosy effort. Nor can I blame any readers who jump over my
+    head, when they may sit beside kind old Baucis, and drink out
+    of her miraculous milk-pitcher, and hear noble Philemon talk;
+    or join hands with Pandora and Epimetheus in their play before
+    the fatal box was opened; or, in fact, be in the company of
+    even the most awe-inspiring of our heroes and heroines.</p>
+
+    <p>For ages the various characters told about in the following
+    pages have charmed, delighted, and inspired the people of the
+    world. Like fairy tales, these stories of gods, demigods, and
+    wonderful men were the natural offspring of imaginative races,
+    and from generation to generation they were repeated by father
+    and mother to son and daughter. And if a brave man had done a
+    big deed he was immediately celebrated in song and story, and
+    quite as a matter of course, the deed grew with repetition of
+    these. Minstrels, gleemen, poets, and skalds (a Scandinavian
+    term for poets) took up these rich themes and elaborated them.
+    Thus, if a hero had killed a serpent, in time it became a fiery
+    dragon, and if he won a great battle, the enthusiastic reciters
+    of it had him do prodigious feats&mdash;feats beyond belief.
+    But do not fancy from this that the heroes were every-day
+    persons. Indeed, they were quite extraordinary and deserved
+    highest praise of their fellow-men.</p>
+
+    <p>So, in ancient and medieval Europe the wandering poet or
+    minstrel went from place to place repeating his wondrous
+    narratives, adding new verses to his tales, changing his
+    episodes to suit locality or occasion, and always skilfully
+    shaping his fascinating romances. In court and cottage he was
+    listened to <span class="pagenum"><a name="pagexiv"
+       id="pagexiv"></a>[pg xiv]</span> with breathless attention.
+       He might be compared to a living novel circulating about the
+       country, for in those days books were few or entirely
+       unknown. Oriental countries, too, had their professional
+       story-spinners, while our American Indians heard of the
+       daring exploits of their heroes from the lips of old men
+       steeped in tradition. My youngest reader can then appreciate
+       how myths and legends were multiplied and their incidents
+       magnified. We all know how almost unconsciously we color and
+       change the stories we repeat, and naturally so did our
+       gentle and gallant singers through the long-gone centuries
+       of chivalry and simple faith.</p>
+
+    <p>Every reader can feel the deep significance underlying the
+    myths we present&mdash;the poetry and imperishable beauty of
+    the Greek, the strange and powerful conceptions of the
+    Scandinavian mind, the oddity and fantasy of the Japanese,
+    Slavs, and East Indians, and finally the queer imaginings of
+    our own American Indians. Who, for instance, could ever forget
+    poor Proserpina and the six pomegranate seeds, the death of
+    beautiful Baldur, the luminous Princess Labam, the stupid
+    jellyfish and shrewd monkey, and the funny way in which
+    Hiawatha remade the earth after it had been destroyed by
+    flood?</p>
+
+    <p>Then take our legendary heroes: was ever a better or braver
+    company brought together&mdash;Perseus, Hercules, Siegfried,
+    Roland, Galahad, Robin Hood, and a dozen others? But stop, I am
+    using too many question-marks. There is no need to query heroes
+    known and admired the world over.</p>
+
+    <p>As true latter-day story-tellers, both Hawthorne and
+    Kingsley retold many of these myths and legends, and from their
+    classic pages we have adapted a number of our tales, and made
+    them somewhat simpler and shorter in form. By way of apology
+    for this liberty (if some should so consider it), we humbly
+    offer a paragraph from a preface to the "Wonder Book" written
+    by its author:</p>
+
+    <p>"A great freedom of treatment was necessary but it will be
+    observed by every one who attempts to render these legends
+    malleable in his intellectual furnace, that they are
+    marvelously independent of all temporary modes and
+    circumstances. They <span class="pagenum"><a name="pagexv"
+       id="pagexv"></a>[pg xv]</span> remain essentially the same,
+       after changes that would affect the identity of almost
+       anything else."</p>
+
+    <p>Now to those who have not jumped over my head, or to those
+    who, having done so, may jump back to this foreword, I trust my
+    few remarks will have given some additional interest in our
+    myths and heroes of lands far and near.</p>
+
+    <p class="author">Daniel Edwin Wheeler</p><span class="pagenum">
+    <a name="page1" id="page1"></a>[pg 1]</span>
+
+    <p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+    <p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+    <h1>MYTHS OF MANY COUNTRIES</h1>
+    <hr class="short" />
+
+    <h2>MYTHS OF GREECE AND ROME</h2>
+    <hr class="short" />
+
+    <h3>BAUCIS AND PHILEMON</h3>
+
+    <h4>ADAPTED BY C.E. SMITH</h4>
+
+    <p>One evening, in times long ago, old Philemon and his wife
+    Baucis sat at their cottage door watching the sunset. They had
+    eaten their supper and were enjoying a quiet talk about their
+    garden, and their cow, and the fruit trees on which the pears
+    and apples were beginning to ripen. But their talk was very
+    much disturbed by rude shouts and laughter from the village
+    children, and by the fierce barking of dogs.</p>
+
+    <p>"I fear," said Philemon, "that some poor traveler is asking
+    for a bed in the village, and that these rough people have set
+    the dogs on him."</p>
+
+    <p>"Well, I never," answered old Baucis. "I do wish the
+    neighbors would be kinder to poor wanderers; I feel that some
+    terrible punishment will happen to this village if the people
+    are so wicked as to make fun of those who are tired and hungry.
+    As for you and me, so long as we have a crust of bread, let us
+    always be willing to give half of it to any poor homeless
+    stranger who may come along."</p>
+
+    <p>"Indeed, that we will," said Philemon.</p>
+
+    <p>These old folks, you must know, were very poor, and had to
+    work hard for a living. They seldom had anything to eat except
+    bread and milk, and vegetables, with sometimes a little honey
+    from their beehives, or a few ripe pears and apples from their
+    little garden. But they were two of the kindest old people in
+    the world, and would have gone without their dinner
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page2"
+       id="page2"></a>[pg 2]</span> any day, rather than refuse a
+       slice of bread or a cupful of milk to the weary traveler who
+       might stop at the door.</p>
+
+    <p>Their cottage stood on a little hill a short way from the
+    village, which lay in a valley; such a pretty valley, shaped
+    like a cup, with plenty of green fields and gardens, and fruit
+    trees; it was a pleasure just to look at it. But the people who
+    lived in this lovely place were selfish and hard-hearted; they
+    had no pity for the poor, and were unkind to those who had no
+    home, and they only laughed when Philemon said it was right to
+    be gentle to people who were sad and friendless.</p>
+
+    <p>These wicked villagers taught their children to be as bad as
+    themselves. They used to clap their hands and make fun of poor
+    travelers who were tramping wearily from one village to
+    another, and they even taught the dogs to snarl and bark at
+    strangers if their clothes were shabby. So the village was
+    known far and near as an unfriendly place, where neither help
+    nor pity was to be found.</p>
+
+    <p>What made it worse, too, was that when rich people came in
+    their carriages, or riding on fine horses, with servants to
+    attend to them, the village people would take off their hats
+    and be very polite and attentive: and if the children were rude
+    they got their ears boxed; as to the dogs&mdash;if a single dog
+    dared to growl at a rich man he was beaten and then tied up
+    without any supper.</p>
+
+    <p>So now you can understand why old Philemon spoke sadly when
+    he heard the shouts of the children, and the barking of the
+    dogs, at the far end of the village street.</p>
+
+    <p>He and Baucis sat shaking their heads while the noise came
+    nearer and nearer, until they saw two travelers coming along
+    the road on foot. A crowd of rude children were following them,
+    shouting and throwing stones, and several dogs were snarling at
+    the travelers' heels.</p>
+
+    <p>They were both very plainly dressed, and looked as if they
+    might not have enough money to pay for a night's lodging.</p>
+
+    <p>"Come, wife," said Philemon, "let us go and meet these poor
+    people and offer them shelter."</p>
+
+    <p>"You go," said Baucis, "while I make ready some supper," and
+    she hastened indoors.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page3"
+       id="page3"></a>[pg 3]</span>
+
+    <p>Philemon went down the road, and holding out his hand to the
+    two men, he said, "Welcome, strangers, welcome."</p>
+
+    <p>"Thank you," answered the younger of the two travelers.
+    "Yours is a kind welcome, very different from the one we got in
+    the village; pray why do you live in such a bad place?"</p>
+
+    <p>"I think," answered Philemon, "that Providence put me here
+    just to make up as best I can for other people's
+    unkindness."</p>
+
+    <p>The traveler laughed heartily, and Philemon was glad to see
+    him in such good spirits. He took a good look at him and his
+    companion. The younger man was very thin, and was dressed in an
+    odd kind of way. Though it was a summer evening, he wore a
+    cloak which was wrapped tightly about him; and he had a cap on
+    his head, the brim of which stuck out over both ears. There was
+    something queer too about his shoes, but as it was getting
+    dark, Philemon could not see exactly what they were like.</p>
+
+    <p>One thing struck Philemon very much, the traveler was so
+    wonderfully light and active that it seemed as if his feet were
+    only kept close to the ground with difficulty. He had a staff
+    in his hand which was the oddest-looking staff Philemon had
+    seen. It was made of wood and had a little pair of wings near
+    the top. Two snakes cut into the wood were twisted round the
+    staff, and these were so well carved that Philemon almost
+    thought he could see them wriggling.</p>
+
+    <p>The older man was very tall, and walked calmly along, taking
+    no notice either of naughty children or yelping dogs.</p>
+
+    <p>When they reached the cottage gate, Philemon said, "We are
+    very poor folk, but you are welcome to whatever we have in the
+    cupboard. My wife Baucis has gone to see what you can have for
+    supper."</p>
+
+    <p>They sat down on the bench, and the younger stranger let his
+    staff fall as he threw himself down on the grass, and then a
+    strange thing happened. The staff seemed to get up from the
+    ground of its own accord, and it opened a little pair of wings
+    and half-hopped, half-flew and leaned itself against the wall
+    of the cottage.</p>
+
+    <p>Philemon was so amazed that he feared he had been dreaming,
+    but before he could ask any questions, the elder stranger
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page4"
+       id="page4"></a>[pg 4]</span> said: "Was there not a lake
+       long ago covering the spot where the village now
+       stands?"</p>
+
+    <p>"Never in my day," said old Philemon, "nor in my father's,
+    nor my grandfather's: there were always fields and meadows just
+    as there are now, and I suppose there always will be."</p>
+
+    <p>"That I am not so sure of," replied the stranger. "Since the
+    people in that village have forgotten how to be loving and
+    gentle, maybe it were better that the lake should be rippling
+    over the cottages again," and he looked very sad and stern.</p>
+
+    <p>He was a very important-looking man, Philemon felt, even
+    though his clothes were old and shabby; maybe he was some great
+    learned stranger who did not care at all for money or clothes,
+    and was wandering about the world seeking wisdom and knowledge.
+    Philemon was quite sure he was not a common person. But he
+    talked so kindly to Philemon, and the younger traveler made
+    such funny remarks, that they were all constantly laughing.</p>
+
+    <p>"Pray, my young friend, what is your name?" Philemon
+    asked.</p>
+
+    <p>"Well," answered the younger man, "I am called Mercury,
+    because I am so quick."</p>
+
+    <p>"What a strange name!" said Philemon; "and your friend, what
+    is he called?"</p>
+
+    <p>"You must ask the thunder to tell you that," said Mercury,
+    "no other voice is loud enough."</p>
+
+    <p>Philemon was a little confused at this answer, but the
+    stranger looked so kind and friendly that he began to tell them
+    about his good old wife, and what fine butter and cheese she
+    made, and how happy they were in their little garden; and how
+    they loved each other very dearly and hoped they might live
+    together till they died. And the stern stranger listened with a
+    sweet smile on his face.</p>
+
+    <p>Baucis had now got supper ready; not very much of a supper,
+    she told them. There was only half a brown loaf and a bit of
+    cheese, a pitcher with some milk, a little honey, and a bunch
+    of purple grapes. But she said, "Had we only known you were
+    coming, my goodman and I would have gone without anything in
+    order to give you a better
+    supper."</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page5"
+       id="page5"></a>[pg 5]</span>
+
+    <p>"Do not trouble," said the elder stranger kindly. "A hearty
+    welcome is better than the finest of food, and we are so hungry
+    that what you have to offer us seems a feast." Then they all
+    went into the cottage.</p>
+
+    <p>And now I must tell you something that will make your eyes
+    open. You remember that Mercury's staff was leaning against the
+    cottage wall? Well, when its owner went in at the door, what
+    should this wonderful staff do but spread its little wings and
+    go hop-hop, flutter-flutter up the steps; then it went tap-tap
+    across the kitchen floor and did not stop till it stood close
+    behind Mercury's chair. No one noticed this, as Baucis and her
+    husband were too busy attending to their guests.</p>
+
+    <p>Baucis filled up two bowls of milk from the pitcher, while
+    her husband cut the loaf and the cheese. "What delightful milk,
+    Mother Baucis," said Mercury, "may I have some more? This has
+    been such a hot day that I am very thirsty."</p>
+
+    <p>"Oh dear, I am so sorry and ashamed," answered Baucis, "but
+    the truth is there is hardly another drop of milk in the
+    pitcher."</p>
+
+    <p>"Let me see," said Mercury, starting up and catching hold of
+    the handles, "why here is certainly more milk in the pitcher."
+    He poured out a bowlful for himself and another for his
+    companion. Baucis could scarcely believe her eyes. "I suppose I
+    must have made a mistake," she thought, "at any rate the
+    pitcher must be empty now after filling both bowls twice
+    over."</p>
+
+    <p>"Excuse me, my kind hostess," said Mercury in a little
+    while, "but your milk is so good that I should very much like
+    another bowlful."</p>
+
+    <p>Now Baucis was perfectly sure that the pitcher was empty,
+    and in order to show Mercury that there was not another drop in
+    it, she held it upside down over his bowl. What was her
+    surprise when a stream of fresh milk fell bubbling into the
+    bowl and overflowed on to the table, and the two snakes that
+    were twisted round Mercury's staff stretched out their heads
+    and began to lap it up.</p>
+
+    <p>"And now, a slice of your brown loaf, pray Mother Baucis,
+    and a little honey," asked Mercury.</p>
+
+    <p>Baucis handed the loaf, and though it had been rather a
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page6"
+       id="page6"></a>[pg 6]</span> hard and dry loaf when she and
+       her husband ate some at tea-time, it was now as soft and new
+       as if it had just come from the oven. As to the honey, it
+       had become the color of new gold and had the scent of a
+       thousand flowers, and the small grapes in the bunch had
+       grown larger and richer, and each one seemed bursting with
+       ripe juice.</p>
+
+    <p>Although Baucis was a very simple old woman, she could not
+    help thinking that there was something rather strange going on.
+    She sat down beside Philemon and told him in a whisper what she
+    had seen.</p>
+
+    <p>"Did you ever hear anything so wonderful?" she asked.</p>
+
+    <p>"No, I never did," answered Philemon, with a smile. "I fear
+    you have been in a dream, my dear old wife."</p>
+
+    <p>He knew Baucis could not say what was untrue, but he thought
+    that she had not noticed how much milk there had really been in
+    the pitcher at first. So when Mercury once more asked for a
+    little milk, Philemon rose and lifted the pitcher himself. He
+    peeped in and saw that there was not a drop in it; then all at
+    once a little white fountain gushed up from the bottom, and the
+    pitcher was soon filled to the brim with delicious milk.</p>
+
+    <p>Philemon was so amazed that he nearly let the jug fall. "Who
+    are ye, wonder-working strangers?" he cried.</p>
+
+    <p>"Your guests, good Philemon, and your friends," answered the
+    elder traveler, "and may the pitcher never be empty for kind
+    Baucis and yourself any more than for the hungry traveler."</p>
+
+    <p>The old people did not like to ask any more questions; they
+    gave the guests their own sleeping-room, and then they lay down
+    on the hard floor in the kitchen. It was long before they fell
+    asleep, not because they thought how hard their bed was, but
+    because there was so much to whisper to each other about the
+    wonderful strangers and what they had done.</p>
+
+    <p>They all rose with the sun next morning. Philemon begged the
+    visitors to stay a little till Baucis should milk the cow and
+    bake some bread for breakfast. But the travelers seemed to be
+    in a hurry and wished to start at once, and they asked Baucis
+    and Philemon to go with them a short distance to show them the
+    way.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page7"
+       id="page7"></a>[pg 7]</span>
+
+    <p>So they all four set out together, and Mercury was so full
+    of fun and laughter, and made them feel so happy and bright,
+    that they would have been glad to keep him in their cottage
+    every day and all day long.</p>
+
+    <p>"Ah me," said Philemon, "if only our neighbors knew what a
+    pleasure it was to be kind to strangers, they would tie up all
+    their dogs and never allow the children to fling another
+    stone."</p>
+
+    <p>"It is a sin and shame for them to behave so," said Baucis,
+    "and I mean to go this very day and tell some of them how
+    wicked they are."</p>
+
+    <p>"I fear," said Mercury, smiling, "that you will not find any
+    of them at home."</p>
+
+    <p>The old people looked at the elder traveler and his face had
+    grown very grave and stern. "When men do not feel towards the
+    poorest stranger as if he were a brother," he said, in a deep,
+    grave voice, "they are not worthy to remain on the earth, which
+    was made just to be the home for the whole family of the human
+    race of men and women and children."</p>
+
+    <p>"And, by the bye," said Mercury, with a look of fun and
+    mischief in his eyes, "where is this village you talk about? I
+    do not see anything of it."</p>
+
+    <p>Philemon and his wife turned towards the valley, where at
+    sunset only the day before they had seen the trees and gardens,
+    and the houses, and the streets with the children playing in
+    them. But there was no longer any sign of the village. There
+    was not even a valley. Instead, they saw a broad lake which
+    filled all the great basin from brim to brim, and whose waters
+    glistened and sparkled in the morning sun.</p>
+
+    <p>The village that had been there only yesterday was now
+    gone!</p>
+
+    <p>"Alas! what has become of our poor neighbors?" cried the
+    kind-hearted old people.</p>
+
+    <p>"They are not men and women any longer," answered the elder
+    traveler, in a deep voice like distant thunder. "There was no
+    beauty and no use in lives such as theirs, for they had no love
+    for one another, and no pity in their hearts for those who were
+    poor and weary. Therefore the lake that was here
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page8"
+       id="page8"></a>[pg 8]</span> in the old, old days has flowed
+       over them, and they will be men and women no more."</p>
+
+    <p>"Yes," said Mercury, with his mischievous smile, "these
+    foolish people have all been changed into fishes because they
+    had cold blood which never warmed their hearts, just as the
+    fishes have."</p>
+
+    <p>"As for you, good Philemon, and you, kind Baucis," said the
+    elder traveler, "you, indeed, gave a hearty welcome to the
+    homeless strangers. You have done well, my dear old friends,
+    and whatever wish you have most at heart will be granted."</p>
+
+    <p>Philemon and Baucis looked at one another, and then I do not
+    know which spoke, but it seemed as if the voice came from them
+    both. "Let us live together while we live, and let us die
+    together, at the same time, for we have always loved one
+    another."</p>
+
+    <p>"Be it so," said the elder stranger, and he held out his
+    hands as if to bless them. The old couple bent their heads and
+    fell on their knees to thank him, and when they lifted their
+    eyes again, neither Mercury nor his companion was to be
+    seen.</p>
+
+    <p>So Philemon and Baucis returned to the cottage, and to every
+    traveler who passed that way they offered a drink of milk from
+    the wonderful pitcher, and if the guest was a kind, gentle
+    soul, he found the milk the sweetest and most refreshing he had
+    ever tasted. But if a cross, bad-tempered fellow took even a
+    sip, he found the pitcher full of sour milk, which made him
+    twist his face with dislike and disappointment.</p>
+
+    <p>Baucis and Philemon lived a great, great many years and grew
+    very old. And one summer morning when their friends came to
+    share their breakfast, neither Baucis nor Philemon was to be
+    found!</p>
+
+    <p>The guests looked everywhere, and all in vain. Then suddenly
+    one of them noticed two beautiful trees in the garden, just in
+    front of the door. One was an oak tree and the other a linden
+    tree, and their branches were twisted together so that they
+    seemed to be embracing.</p>
+
+    <p>No one had ever seen these trees before, and while they were
+    all wondering how such fine trees could possibly have grown up
+    in a single night, there came a gentle wind which
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page9"
+       id="page9"></a>[pg 9]</span> set the branches moving, and
+       then a mysterious voice was heard coming from the oak tree.
+       "I am old Philemon," it said; and again another voice
+       whispered, "And I am Baucis." And the people knew that the
+       good old couple would live for a hundred years or more in
+       the heart of these lovely trees. And oh, what a pleasant
+       shade they flung around! Some kind soul built a seat under
+       the branches, and whenever a traveler sat down to rest he
+       heard a pleasant whisper of the leaves over his head, and he
+       wondered why the sound should seem to say, "Welcome, dear
+       traveler, welcome."</p>
+
+    <h3>PANDORA</h3>
+
+    <h4>ADAPTED BY C.E. SMITH</h4>
+
+    <p>Long, long ago, when this old world was still very young,
+    there lived a child named Epimetheus. He had neither father nor
+    mother, and to keep him company, a little girl, who was
+    fatherless and motherless like himself, was sent from a far
+    country to live with him and be his playfellow. This child's
+    name was Pandora.</p>
+
+    <p>The first thing that Pandora saw, when she came to the
+    cottage where Epimetheus lived, was a great wooden box. "What
+    have you in that box, Epimetheus?" she asked.</p>
+
+    <p>"That is a secret," answered Epimetheus, "and you must not
+    ask any questions about it; the box was left here for safety,
+    and I do not know what is in it."</p>
+
+    <p>"But who gave it you?" asked Pandora, "and where did it come
+    from?"</p>
+
+    <p>"That is a secret too," answered Epimetheus.</p>
+
+    <p>"How tiresome!" exclaimed Pandora, pouting her lip. "I wish
+    the great ugly box were out of the way;" and she looked very
+    cross.</p>
+
+    <p>"Come along, and let us play games," said Epimetheus; "do
+    not let us think any more about it;" and they ran out to
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page10"
+       id="page10"></a>[pg 10]</span> play with the other children,
+       and for a while Pandora forgot all about the box.</p>
+
+    <p>But when she came back to the cottage, there it was in front
+    of her, and instead of paying no heed to it, she began to say
+    to herself: "Whatever can be inside it? I wish I just knew who
+    brought it! Dear Epimetheus, do tell me; I know I cannot be
+    happy till you tell me all about it."</p>
+
+    <p>Then Epimetheus grew a little angry. "How can I tell you,
+    Pandora?" he said, "I do not know any more than you do."</p>
+
+    <p>"Well, you could open it," said Pandora, "and we could see
+    for ourselves!"</p>
+
+    <p>But Epimetheus looked so shocked at the very idea of opening
+    a box that had been given to him in trust, that Pandora saw she
+    had better not suggest such a thing again.</p>
+
+    <p>"At least you can tell me how it came here," she said.</p>
+
+    <p>"It was left at the door," answered Epimetheus, "just before
+    you came, by a queer person dressed in a very strange cloak; he
+    had a cap that seemed to be partly made of feathers; it looked
+    exactly as if he had wings."</p>
+
+    <p>"What kind of a staff had he?" asked Pandora.</p>
+
+    <p>"Oh, the most curious staff you ever saw," cried Epimetheus:
+    "it seemed like two serpents twisted round a stick."</p>
+
+    <p>"I know him," said Pandora thoughtfully. "It was Mercury,
+    and he brought me here as well as the box. I am sure he meant
+    the box for me, and perhaps there are pretty clothes in it for
+    us to wear, and toys for us both to play with."</p>
+
+    <p>"It may be so," answered Epimetheus, turning away; "but
+    until Mercury comes back and tells us that we may open it,
+    neither of us has any right to lift the lid;" and he went out
+    of the cottage.</p>
+
+    <p>"What a stupid boy he is!" muttered Pandora, "I do wish he
+    had a little more spirit." Then she stood gazing at the box.
+    She had called it ugly a hundred times, but it was really a
+    very handsome box, and would have been an ornament in any
+    room.</p>
+
+    <p>It was made of beautiful dark wood, so dark and so highly
+    polished that Pandora could see her face in it. The edges and
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page11"
+       id="page11"></a>[pg 11]</span> the corners were wonderfully
+       carved. On these were faces of lovely women, and of the
+       prettiest children, who seemed to be playing among the
+       leaves and flowers. But the most beautiful face of all was
+       one which had a wreath of flowers about its brow. All around
+       it was the dark, smooth-polished wood with this strange face
+       looking out from it, and some days Pandora thought it was
+       laughing at her, while at other times it had a very grave
+       look which made her rather afraid.</p>
+
+    <p>The box was not fastened with a lock and key like most
+    boxes, but with a strange knot of gold cord. There never was a
+    knot so queerly tied; it seemed to have no end and no
+    beginning, but was twisted so cunningly, with so many ins and
+    outs, that not even the cleverest fingers could undo it.</p>
+
+    <p>Pandora began to examine the knot just to see how it was
+    made. "I really believe," she said to herself, "that I begin to
+    see how it is done. I am sure I could tie it up again after
+    undoing it. There could be no harm in that; I need not open the
+    box even if I undo the knot." And the longer she looked at it,
+    the more she wanted just to try.</p>
+
+    <p>So she took the gold cord in her fingers and examined it
+    very closely. Then she raised her head, and happening to glance
+    at the flower-wreathed face, she thought it was grinning at
+    her. "I wonder whether it is smiling because I am doing wrong,"
+    thought Pandora, "I have a good mind to leave the box alone and
+    run away."</p>
+
+    <p>But just at that moment, as if by accident, she gave the
+    knot a little shake, and the gold cord untwisted itself as if
+    by magic, and there was the box without any fastening.</p>
+
+    <p>"This is the strangest thing I have ever known," said
+    Pandora, rather frightened, "What will Epimetheus say? How can
+    I possibly tie it up again?"</p>
+
+    <p>She tried once or twice, but the knot would not come right.
+    It had untied itself so suddenly she could not remember in the
+    least how the cord had been twisted together. So there was
+    nothing to be done but to let the box remain unfastened until
+    Epimetheus should come home.</p>
+
+    <p>"But," thought Pandora; "when he finds the knot untied he
+    will know that I have done it; how shall I ever make him
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page12"
+       id="page12"></a>[pg 12]</span> believe that I have not
+       looked into the box?" And then the naughty thought came into
+       her head that, as Epimetheus would believe that she had
+       looked into the box, she might just as well have a little
+       peep.</p>
+
+    <p>She looked at the face with the wreath, and it seemed to
+    smile at her invitingly, as much as to say: "Do not be afraid,
+    what harm can there possibly be in raising the lid for a
+    moment?" And then she thought she heard voices inside, tiny
+    voices that whispered: "Let us out, dear Pandora, do let us
+    out; we want very much to play with you if you will only let us
+    out?"</p>
+
+    <p>"What can it be?" said Pandora. "Is there something alive in
+    the box? Yes, I must just see, only one little peep and the lid
+    will be shut down as safely as ever. There cannot really be any
+    harm in just one little peep."</p>
+
+    <p>All this time Epimetheus had been playing with the other
+    children in the fields, but he did not feel happy. This was the
+    first time he had played without Pandora, and he was so cross
+    and discontented that the other children could not think what
+    was the matter with him. You see, up to this time everybody in
+    the world had always been happy, no one had ever been ill, or
+    naughty, or miserable; the world was new and beautiful, and the
+    people who lived in it did not know what trouble meant. So
+    Epimetheus could not understand what was the matter with
+    himself, and he stopped trying to play games and went back to
+    Pandora.</p>
+
+    <p>On the way home he gathered a bunch of lovely roses, and
+    lilies, and orange-blossoms, and with these he made a wreath to
+    give Pandora, who was very fond of flowers. He noticed there
+    was a great black cloud in the sky, which was creeping nearer
+    and nearer to the sun, and just as Ejpimetheus reached the
+    cottage door the cloud went right over the sun and made
+    everything look dark and sad.</p>
+
+    <p>Epimetheus went in quietly, for he wanted to surprise
+    Pandora with the wreath of flowers. And what do you think he
+    saw? The naughty little girl had put her hand on the lid of the
+    box and was just going to open it. Epimetheus saw this quite
+    well, and if he had cried out at once it would have given
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page13"
+       id="page13"></a>[pg 13]</span> Pandora such a fright she
+       would have let go the lid. But Epimetheus was very naughty
+       too. Although he had said very little about the box, he was
+       just as curious as Pandora was to see what was inside: if
+       they really found anything pretty or valuable in it, he
+       meant to take half of it for himself; so that he was just as
+       naughty, and nearly as much to blame as his companion.</p>
+
+    <p>When Pandora raised the lid, the cottage had grown very
+    dark, for the black cloud now covered the sun entirely and a
+    heavy peal of thunder was heard. But Pandora was too busy and
+    excited to notice this: she lifted the lid right up, and at
+    once a swarm of creatures with wings flew out of the box, and a
+    minute after she heard Epimetheus crying loudly: "Oh, I am
+    stung, I am stung! You naughty Pandora, why did you open this
+    wicked box?"</p>
+
+    <p>Pandora let the lid fall with a crash and started up to find
+    out what had happened to her playmate. The thunder-cloud had
+    made the room so dark that she could scarcely see, but she
+    heard a loud buzz-buzzing, as if a great many huge flies had
+    flown in, and soon she saw a crowd of ugly little shapes
+    darting about, with wings like bats and with terribly long
+    stings in their tails. It was one of these that had stung
+    Epimetheus, and it was not long before Pandora began to scream
+    with pain and fear. An ugly little monster had settled on her
+    forehead, and would have stung her badly had not Epimetheus run
+    forward and brushed it away.</p>
+
+    <p>Now I must tell you that these ugly creatures with stings,
+    which had escaped from the box, were the whole family of
+    earthly troubles. There were evil tempers, and a great many
+    kinds of cares: and there were more than a hundred and fifty
+    sorrows, and there were diseases in many painful shapes. In
+    fact all the sorrows and worries that hurt people in the world
+    to-day had been shut up in the magic-box, and given to
+    Epimetheus and Pandora to keep safely, in order that the happy
+    children in the world might never be troubled by them. If only
+    these two had obeyed Mercury and had left the box alone as he
+    told them, all would have gone well.</p>
+
+    <p>But you see what mischief they had done. The winged
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page14"
+       id="page14"></a>[pg 14]</span> troubles flew out at the
+       window and went all over the world: and they made people so
+       unhappy that no one smiled for a great many days. It was
+       very strange, too, that from this day flowers began to fade,
+       and after a short time they died, whereas in the old times,
+       before Pandora opened the box, they had been always fresh
+       and beautiful.</p>
+
+    <p>Meanwhile Pandora and Epimetheus remained in the cottage:
+    they were very miserable and in great pain, which made them
+    both exceedingly cross. Epimetheus sat down sullenly in a
+    corner with his back to Pandora, while Pandora flung herself on
+    the floor and cried bitterly, resting her head on the lid of
+    the fatal box.</p>
+
+    <p>Suddenly, she heard a gentle tap-tap inside. "What can that
+    be?" said Pandora, raising her head; and again came the tap,
+    tap. It sounded like the knuckles of a tiny hand knocking
+    lightly on the inside of the box.</p>
+
+    <p>"Who are you?" asked Pandora.</p>
+
+    <p>A sweet little voice came from inside: "Only lift the lid
+    and you will see."</p>
+
+    <p>But Pandora was afraid to lift the lid again. She looked
+    across to Epimetheus, but he was so cross that he took no
+    notice. Pandora sobbed: "No, no, I am afraid; there are so many
+    troubles with stings flying about that we do not want any
+    more?"</p>
+
+    <p>"Ah, but I am not one of these," the sweet voice said, "they
+    are no relations of mine. Come, come, dear Pandora, I am sure
+    you will let me out."</p>
+
+    <p>The voice sounded so kind and cheery that it made Pandora
+    feel better even to listen to it. Epimetheus too had heard the
+    voice. He stopped crying. Then he came forward, and said: "Let
+    me help you, Pandora, as the lid is very heavy."</p>
+
+    <p>So this time both the children opened the box, and out flew
+    a bright, smiling little fairy, who brought light and sunshine
+    with her. She flew to Epimetheus and with her finger touched
+    his brow where the trouble had stung him, and immediately the
+    pain was gone.</p>
+
+    <p>Then she kissed Pandora, and her hurt was better at
+    once.</p>
+
+    <div class="figcenter">
+        <a href="images/562.jpg"
+             name="fig562"
+             id="fig562"><img width="250"
+             src="images/562-t.jpg"
+             alt="OUT FLEW A BRIGHT SMILING LITTLE FAIRY." /></a>
+
+        <p>&nbsp;</p>OUT FLEW A BRIGHT SMILING LITTLE FAIRY.
+    </div>
+
+    <p>"Pray who are you, kind fairy?" Pandora
+    asked.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page15"
+       id="page15"></a>[pg 15]</span>
+
+    <p>"I am called Hope," answered the sunshiny figure. "I was
+    shut up in the box so that I might be ready to comfort people
+    when the family of troubles got loose in the world."</p>
+
+    <p>"What lovely wings you have! They are just like a rainbow.
+    And will you stay with us," asked Epimetheus, "for ever and
+    ever?"</p>
+
+    <p>"Yes," said Hope, "I shall stay with you as long as you
+    live. Sometimes you will not be able to see me, and you may
+    think I am dead, but you will find that I come back again and
+    again when you have given up expecting me, and you must always
+    trust my promise that I will never really leave you."</p>
+
+    <p>"Yes, we do trust you," cried both children. And all the
+    rest of their lives when the troubles came back and buzzed
+    about their heads and left bitter stings of pain, Pandora and
+    Epimetheus would remember whose fault it was that the troubles
+    had ever come into the world at all, and they would then wait
+    patiently till the fairy with the rainbow wings came back to
+    heal and comfort them.</p>
+
+    <h3>MIDAS</h3>
+
+    <h4>ADAPTED BY C.E. SMITH</h4>
+
+    <p>Once upon a time there lived a very rich King whose name was
+    Midas, and he had a little daughter whom he loved very dearly.
+    This King was fonder of gold than of anything else in the whole
+    world: or if he did love anything better, it was the one little
+    daughter who played so merrily beside her father's
+    footstool.</p>
+
+    <p>But the more Midas loved his daughter, the more he wished to
+    be rich for her sake. He thought, foolish man, that the best
+    thing he could do for his child was to leave her the biggest
+    pile of yellow glittering gold that had ever been heaped
+    together since the world began. So he gave all his thoughts and
+    all his time to this purpose.</p>
+
+    <p>When he worked in his garden, he used to wish that the
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page16"
+       id="page16"></a>[pg 16]</span> roses had leaves made of
+       gold, and once when his little daughter brought him a
+       handful of yellow buttercups, he exclaimed, "Now if these
+       had only been real gold they would have been worth
+       gathering." He very soon forgot how beautiful the flowers,
+       and the grass, and the trees were, and at the time my story
+       begins Midas could scarcely bear to see or to touch anything
+       that was not made of gold.</p>
+
+    <p>Every day he used to spend a great many hours in a dark,
+    ugly room underground: it was here that he kept all his money,
+    and whenever Midas wanted to be very happy he would lock
+    himself into this miserable room and would spend hours and
+    hours pouring the glittering coins out of his money-bags. Or he
+    would count again and again the bars of gold which were kept in
+    a big oak chest with a great iron lock in the lid, and
+    sometimes he would carry a boxful of gold dust from the dark
+    corner where it lay, and would look at the shining heap by the
+    light that came from a tiny window.</p>
+
+    <p>To his greedy eyes there never seemed to be half enough; he
+    was quite discontented. "What a happy man I should be," he said
+    one day, "if only the whole world could be made of gold, and if
+    it all belonged to me!"</p>
+
+    <p>Just then a shadow fell across the golden pile, and when
+    Midas looked up he saw a young man with a cheery rosy face
+    standing in the thin strip of sunshine that came through the
+    little window. Midas was certain that he had carefully locked
+    the door before he opened his money-bags, so he knew that no
+    one, unless he were more than a mortal, could get in beside
+    him. The stranger seemed so friendly and pleasant that Midas
+    was not in the least afraid.</p>
+
+    <p>"You are a rich man, friend Midas," the visitor said. "I
+    doubt if any other room in the whole world has as much gold in
+    it as this."</p>
+
+    <p>"May be," said Midas in a discontented voice, "but I wish it
+    were much more; and think how many years it has taken me to
+    gather it all! If only I could live for a thousand years, then
+    I might be really rich.</p>
+
+    <p>"Then you are not satisfied?" asked the stranger. Midas
+    shook his head.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page17"
+       id="page17"></a>[pg 17]</span>
+
+    <p>"What would satisfy you?" the stranger said.</p>
+
+    <p>Midas looked at his visitor for a minute, and then said, "I
+    am tired of getting money with so much trouble. I should like
+    everything I touch to be changed into gold."</p>
+
+    <p>The stranger smiled, and his smile seemed to fill the room
+    like a flood of sunshine. "Are you quite sure, Midas, that you
+    would never be sorry if your wish were granted?" he asked.</p>
+
+    <p>"Quite sure," said Midas: "I ask nothing more to make me
+    perfectly happy."</p>
+
+    <p>"Be it as you wish, then," said the stranger: "from
+    to-morrow at sunrise you will have your desire&mdash;everything
+    you touch will be changed into gold."</p>
+
+    <p>The figure of the stranger then grew brighter and brighter,
+    so that Midas had to close his eyes, and when he opened them
+    again he saw only a yellow sunbeam in the room, and all around
+    him glittered the precious gold which he had spent his life in
+    gathering.</p>
+
+    <p>How Midas longed for the next day to come! He scarcely slept
+    that night, and as soon as it was light he laid his hand on the
+    chair beside his bed; then he nearly cried when he saw that
+    nothing happened: the chair remained just as it was. "Could the
+    stranger have made a mistake," he wondered, "or had it been a
+    dream?"</p>
+
+    <p>He lay still, getting angrier and angrier each minute until
+    at last the sun rose, and the first rays shone through his
+    window and brightened the room. It seemed to Midas that the
+    bright yellow sunbeam was reflected very curiously from the
+    covering of his bed, and he sat up and looked more closely.</p>
+
+    <p>What was his delight when he saw that the bedcover on which
+    his hands rested had become a woven cloth of the purest and
+    brightest gold! He started up and caught hold of the
+    bed-post&mdash;instantly it became a golden pillar. He pulled
+    aside the window-curtain and the tassel grew heavy in his
+    hand&mdash;it was a mass of gold! He took up a book from the
+    table, and at his first touch it became a bundle of thin golden
+    leaves, in which no reading could be seen.</p>
+
+    <p>Midas was delighted with his good fortune. He took his
+    spectacles from his pocket and put them on, so that he might
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page18"
+       id="page18"></a>[pg 18]</span> see more distinctly what he
+       was about. But to his surprise he could not possibly see
+       through them: the clear glasses had turned into gold, and,
+       of course, though they were worth a great deal of money,
+       they were of no more use as spectacles.</p>
+
+    <p>Midas thought this was rather troublesome, but he soon
+    forgot all about it. He went downstairs, and how he laughed
+    with pleasure when he noticed that the railing became a bar of
+    shining gold as he rested his hand on it; even the rusty iron
+    latch of the garden door turned yellow as soon as his fingers
+    pressed it.</p>
+
+    <p>How lovely the garden was! In the old days Midas had been
+    very fond of flowers, and had spent a great deal of money in
+    getting rare trees and flowers with which to make his garden
+    beautiful.</p>
+
+    <p>Red roses in full bloom scented the air: purple and white
+    violets nestled under the rose-bushes, and birds were singing
+    happily in the cherry-trees, which were covered with snow-white
+    blossoms. But since Midas had become so fond of gold he had
+    lost all pleasure in his garden: this morning he did not even
+    see how beautiful it was.</p>
+
+    <p>He was thinking of nothing but the wonderful gift the
+    stranger had brought him, and he was sure he could make the
+    garden of far more value than it had ever been. So he went from
+    bush to bush and touched the flowers. And the beautiful pink
+    and red color faded from the roses: the violets became stiff,
+    and then glittered among bunches of hard yellow leaves: and
+    showers of snow-white blossoms no longer fell from the
+    cherry-trees; the tiny petals were all changed into flakes of
+    solid gold, which glittered so brightly in the sunbeams that
+    Midas could not bear to look at them.</p>
+
+    <p>But he was quite satisfied with his morning's work, and went
+    back to the palace for breakfast feeling very happy.</p>
+
+    <p>Just then he heard his little daughter crying bitterly, and
+    she came running into the room sobbing as if her heart would
+    break. "How now, little lady," he said, "pray what is the
+    matter with you this morning?"</p>
+
+    <p>"Oh dear, oh dear, such a dreadful thing has happened!"
+    answered the child. "I went to the garden to gather you
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page19"
+       id="page19"></a>[pg 19]</span> some roses, and they are all
+       spoiled; they have grown quite ugly, and stiff, and yellow,
+       and they have no scent. What can be the matter?" and she
+       cried bitterly.</p>
+
+    <p>Midas was ashamed to confess that he was to blame, so he
+    said nothing, and they sat down at the table. The King was very
+    hungry, and he poured out a cup of coffee and helped himself to
+    some fish, but the instant his lips touched the coffee it
+    became the color of gold, and the next moment it hardened into
+    a solid lump. "Oh dear me!" exclaimed the King, rather
+    surprised.</p>
+
+    <p>"What is the matter, father?" asked his little daughter.</p>
+
+    <p>"Nothing, child, nothing," he answered; "eat your bread and
+    milk before it gets cold."</p>
+
+    <p>Then he looked at the nice little fish on his plate, and he
+    gently touched its tail with his finger. To his horror it at
+    once changed into gold. He took one of the delicious hot cakes,
+    and he had scarcely broken it when the white flour changed into
+    yellow crumbs which shone like grains of hard sea-sand.</p>
+
+    <p>"I do not see how I am going to get any breakfast," he said
+    to himself, and he looked with envy at his little daughter, who
+    had dried her tears and was eating her bread and milk hungrily.
+    "I wonder if it will be the same at dinner," he thought, "and
+    if so, how am I going to live if all my food is to be turned
+    into gold?"</p>
+
+    <p>Midas began to get very anxious and to think about many
+    things he had never thought of before. Here was the very
+    richest breakfast that could be set before a King, and yet
+    there was nothing that he could eat! The poorest workman
+    sitting down to a crust of bread and a cup of water was better
+    off than King Midas, whose dainty food was worth its weight in
+    gold.</p>
+
+    <p>He began to doubt whether, after all, riches were the only
+    good thing in the world, and he was so hungry that he gave a
+    groan.</p>
+
+    <p>His little daughter noticed that her father ate nothing, and
+    at first she sat still looking at him and trying to find out
+    what was the matter. Then she got down from her chair, and
+    running to her father, she threw her arms lovingly round his
+    knees.</p>
+
+    <p>Midas bent down and kissed her. He felt that his little
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page20"
+       id="page20"></a>[pg 20]</span> daughter's love was a
+       thousand times more precious than all the gold he had gained
+       since the stranger came to visit him. "My precious, precious
+       little girl!" he said, but there was no answer.</p>
+
+    <p>Alas! what had he done? The moment that his lips had touched
+    his child's forehead, a change took place. Her sweet, rosy
+    face, so full of love and happiness, hardened and became a
+    glittering yellow color; her beautiful brown curls hung like
+    wires of gold from the small head, and her soft, tender little
+    figure grew stiff in his arms.</p>
+
+    <p>Midas had often said to people that his little daughter was
+    worth her weight in gold, and it had become really true. Now
+    when it was too late, he felt how much more precious was the
+    warm tender heart that loved him than all the gold that could
+    be piled up between the earth and sky.</p>
+
+    <p>He began to wring his hands and to wish that he was the
+    poorest man in the wide world, if the loss of all his money
+    might bring back the rosy color to his dear child's face.</p>
+
+    <p>While he was in despair he suddenly saw a stranger standing
+    near the door, the same visitor he had seen yesterday for the
+    first time in his treasure-room, and who had granted his
+    wish.</p>
+
+    <p>"Well, friend Midas," he said, "pray how are you enjoying
+    your new power?"</p>
+
+    <p>Midas shook his head. "I am very miserable," he said.</p>
+
+    <p>"Very miserable, are you?" exclaimed the stranger. "And how
+    does that happen: have I not faithfully kept my promise; have
+    you not everything that your heart desired?"</p>
+
+    <p>"Gold is not everything," answered Midas, "and I have lost
+    all that my heart really cared for."</p>
+
+    <p>"Ah!" said the stranger, "I see you have made some
+    discoveries since yesterday. Tell me truly, which of these
+    things do you really think is most worth&mdash;a cup of clear
+    cold water and a crust of bread, or the power of turning
+    everything you touch into gold; your own little daughter, alive
+    and loving, or that solid statue of a child which would be
+    valued at thousands of dollars?"</p>
+
+    <p>"O my child, my child!" sobbed Midas, wringing his hands. "I
+    would not have given one of her curls for the power of
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page21"
+       id="page21"></a>[pg 21]</span> changing all the world into
+       gold, and I would give all I possess for a cup of cold water
+       and a crust of bread."</p>
+
+    <p>"You are wiser than you were, King Midas," said the
+    stranger. "Tell me, do you really wish to get rid of your fatal
+    gift?"</p>
+
+    <p>"Yes," said Midas, "it is hateful to me."</p>
+
+    <p>"Go then," said the stranger, "and plunge into the river
+    that flows at the bottom of the garden: take also a pitcher of
+    the same water, and sprinkle it over anything that you wish to
+    change back again from gold to its former substance."</p>
+
+    <p>King Midas bowed low, and when he lifted his head the
+    stranger was nowhere to be seen.</p>
+
+    <p>You may easily believe that King Midas lost no time in
+    getting a big pitcher, then he ran towards the river. On
+    reaching the water he jumped in without even waiting to take
+    off his shoes. "How delightful!" he said, as he came out with
+    his hair all dripping, "this is really a most refreshing bath,
+    and surely it must have washed away the magic gift."</p>
+
+    <p>Then he dipped the pitcher into the water, and how glad he
+    was to see that it became just a common earthen pitcher and not
+    a golden one as it had been five minutes before! He was
+    conscious, also of a change in himself: a cold, heavy weight
+    seemed to have gone, and he felt light, and happy, and human
+    once more. Maybe his heart had been changing into gold too,
+    though he could not see it, and now it had softened again and
+    become gentle and kind.</p>
+
+    <p>Midas hurried back to the palace with the pitcher of water,
+    and the first thing he did was to sprinkle it by handfuls all
+    over the golden figure of his little daughter. You would have
+    laughed to see how the rosy color came back to her cheeks, and
+    how she began to sneeze and choke, and how surprised she was to
+    find herself dripping wet and her father still throwing water
+    over her.</p>
+
+    <p>You see she did not know that she had been a little golden
+    statue, for she could not remember anything from the moment
+    when she ran to kiss her father.</p>
+
+    <p>King Midas then led his daughter into the garden, where he
+    sprinkled all the rest of the water over the rose-bushes, and
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page22"
+       id="page22"></a>[pg 22]</span> the grass, and the trees; and
+       in a minute they were blooming as freshly as ever, and the
+       air was laden with the scent of the flowers.</p>
+
+    <p>There were two things left, which, as long as he lived, used
+    to remind King Midas of the stranger's fatal gift. One was that
+    the sands at the bottom of the river always sparkled like
+    grains of gold: and the other, that his little daughter's curls
+    were no longer brown. They had a golden tinge which had not
+    been there before that miserable day when he had received the
+    fatal gift, and when his kiss had changed them into gold.</p>
+
+    <h3>CADMUS</h3>
+
+    <h4>ADAPTED BY C.E. SMITH</h4>
+
+    <p>Cadmus, Phoenix, and Cilix, the three sons of King Agenor,
+    were playing near the seashore in their father's kingdom of
+    Phoenicia, and their little sister Europa was beside them.</p>
+
+    <p>They had wandered to some distance from the King's palace
+    and were now in a green field, on one side of which lay the
+    sea, sparkling brightly in the sunshine, and with little waves
+    breaking on the shore.</p>
+
+    <p>The three boys were very happy gathering flowers and making
+    wreaths for their sister Europa. The little girl was almost
+    hidden under the flowers and leaves, and her rosy face peeped
+    merrily out among them. She was really the prettiest flower of
+    them all.</p>
+
+    <p>While they were busy and happy, a beautiful butterfly came
+    flying past, and the three boys, crying out that it was a
+    flower with wings, set off to try to catch it.</p>
+
+    <p>Europa did not run after them. She was a little tired with
+    playing all day long, so she sat still on the green grass and
+    very soon she closed her eyes.</p>
+
+    <p>For a time she listened to the sea, which sounded, she
+    thought, just like a voice saying, "Hush, hush," and telling
+    her to go to <span class="pagenum"><a name="page23"
+       id="page23"></a>[pg 23]</span> sleep. But if she slept at
+       all it was only for a minute. Then she heard something
+       tramping on the grass and, when she looked up, there was a
+       snow-white bull quite close to her!</p>
+
+    <p>Where could he have come from? Europa was very frightened,
+    and she started up from among the tulips and lilies and cried
+    out, "Cadmus, brother Cadmus, where are you? Come and drive
+    this bull away." But her brother was too far off to hear her,
+    and Europa was so frightened that her voice did not sound very
+    loud; so there she stood with her blue eyes big with fear, and
+    her pretty red mouth wide open, and her face as pale as the
+    lilies that were lying on her golden hair.</p>
+
+    <p>As the bull did not touch her she began to peep at him, and
+    she saw that he was a very beautiful animal; she even fancied
+    he looked quite a kind bull. He had soft, tender, brown eyes,
+    and horns as smooth and white as ivory: and when he breathed
+    you could feel the scent of rosebuds and clover blossoms in the
+    air.</p>
+
+    <p>The bull ran little races round Europa and allowed her to
+    stroke his forehead with her small hands, and to hang wreaths
+    of flowers on his horns. He was just like a pet lamb, and very
+    soon Europa quite forgot how big and strong he really was and
+    how frightened she had been. She pulled some grass and he ate
+    it out of her hand and seemed quite pleased to be friends. He
+    ran up and down the field as lightly as a bird hopping in a
+    tree; his hoofs scarcely seemed to touch the grass, and once
+    when he galloped a good long way Europa was afraid she would
+    not see him again, and she called out, "Come back, you dear
+    bull, I have got you a pink clover-blossom." Then he came
+    running and bowed his head before Europa as if he knew she was
+    a King's daughter, and knelt down at her feet, inviting her to
+    get on his back and have a ride.</p>
+
+    <p>At first Europa was afraid: then she thought there could
+    surely be no danger in having just one ride on the back of such
+    a gentle animal, and the more she thought about it, the more
+    she wanted to go.</p>
+
+    <p>What a surprise it would be to Cadmus, and Phoenix, and
+    Cilix if they met her riding across the green field, and what
+    fun it would be if they could all four ride round and round the
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page24"
+       id="page24"></a>[pg 24]</span> field on the back of this
+       beautiful white bull that was so tame and kind!</p>
+
+    <p>"I think I will do it," she said, and she looked round the
+    field. Cadmus and his brothers were still chasing the butterfly
+    away at the far end. "If I got on the bull's back I should soon
+    be beside them," she thought. So she moved nearer, and the
+    gentle white creature looked so pleased, and so kind, she could
+    not resist any longer, and with a light bound she sprang up on
+    his back: and there she sat holding an ivory horn in each hand
+    to keep her steady.</p>
+
+    <p>"Go very gently, good bull," she said, and the animal gave a
+    little leap in the air and came down as lightly as a feather.
+    Then he began a race to that part of the field where the
+    brothers were, and where they had just caught the splendid
+    butterfly. Europa shouted with delight, and how surprised the
+    brothers were to see their sister mounted on the back of a
+    white bull!</p>
+
+    <p>They stood with their mouths wide open, not sure whether to
+    be frightened or not. But the bull played round them as gently
+    as a kitten, and Europa looked down all rosy and laughing, and
+    they were quite envious. Then when he turned to take another
+    gallop round the field, Europa waved her hand and called out
+    "Good-by," as if she was off for a journey, and Cadmus,
+    Phoenix, and Cilix shouted "Good-by" all in one breath. They
+    all thought it such good fun.</p>
+
+    <p>And then, what do you think happened? The white bull set off
+    as quickly as before, and ran straight down to the seashore. He
+    scampered across the sand, then he took a big leap and plunged
+    right in among the waves. The white spray rose in a shower all
+    over him and Europa, and the poor child screamed with fright.
+    The brothers ran as fast as they could to the edge of the
+    water, but it was too late.</p>
+
+    <p>The white bull swam very fast and was soon far away in the
+    wide blue sea, with only his snowy head and tail showing above
+    the water. Poor Europa was holding on with one hand to the
+    ivory horn and stretching the other back towards her dear
+    brothers.</p>
+
+    <p>And there stood Cadmus and Phoenix and Cilix looking
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page25"
+       id="page25"></a>[pg 25]</span> after her and crying
+       bitterly, until they could no longer see the white head
+       among the waves that sparkled in the sunshine.</p>
+
+    <p>Nothing more could be seen of the white bull, and nothing
+    more of their beautiful sister.</p>
+
+    <p>This was a sad tale for the three boys to carry back to
+    their parents. King Agenor loved his little girl Europa more
+    than his kingdom or anything else in the world, and when Cadmus
+    came home crying and told how a white bull had carried off his
+    sister, the King was very angry and full of grief.</p>
+
+    <p>"You shall never see my face again," he cried, "unless you
+    bring back my little Europa. Begone, and enter my presence no
+    more till you come leading her by the hand;" and his eyes
+    flashed fire and he looked so terribly angry that the poor boys
+    did not even wait for supper, but stole out of the palace
+    wondering where they should go first.</p>
+
+    <p>While they were standing at the gate, the Queen came
+    hurrying after them. "Dear children," she said, "I will come
+    with you."</p>
+
+    <p>"Oh no, mother," the boys answered, "it is a dark night, and
+    there is no knowing what troubles we may meet with; the blame
+    is ours, and we had better go alone."</p>
+
+    <p>"Alas!" said the poor Queen, weeping, "Europa is lost, and
+    if I should lose my three sons as well, what would become of
+    me? I must go with my children."</p>
+
+    <p>The boys tried to persuade her to stay at home, but the
+    Queen cried so bitterly that they had to let her go with
+    them.</p>
+
+    <p>Just as they were about to start, their playfellow Theseus
+    came running to join them. He loved Europa very much, and
+    longed to search for her too. So the five set off together: the
+    Queen, and Cadmus, and Phoenix, and Cilix, and Theseus, and the
+    last they heard was King Agenor's angry voice saying, "Remember
+    this, never may you come up these steps again, till you bring
+    back my little daughter."</p>
+
+    <p>The Queen and her young companions traveled many a weary
+    mile: the days grew to months, and the months became years, and
+    still they found no trace of the lost Princess. Their clothes
+    were worn and shabby, and the peasant people looked curiously
+    at them when they asked, "Have you seen a snow-white
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page26"
+       id="page26"></a>[pg 26]</span> bull with a little Princess
+       on its back, riding as swiftly as the wind?"</p>
+
+    <p>And the farmers would answer, "We have many bulls in our
+    fields, but none that would allow a little Princess to ride on
+    its back: we have never seen such a sight."</p>
+
+    <p>At last Phoenix grew weary of the search. "I do not believe
+    Europa will ever be found, and I shall stay here," he said one
+    day when they came to a pleasant spot. So the others helped him
+    to build a small hut to live in, then they said good-by and
+    went on without him.</p>
+
+    <p>Then Cilix grew tired too. "It is so many years now since
+    Europa was carried away that she would not know me if I found
+    her. I shall wait here," he said. So Cadmus and Theseus built a
+    hut for him too, and then said good-by.</p>
+
+    <p>After many long months Theseus broke his ankle, and he too
+    had to be left behind, and once more the Queen and Cadmus
+    wandered on to continue the search.</p>
+
+    <p>The poor Queen was worn and sad, and she leaned very heavily
+    on her son's arm. "Cadmus," she said one day, "I must stay and
+    rest."</p>
+
+    <p>"Why, yes, mother, of course you shall, a long, long rest
+    you must have, and I will sit beside you and watch."</p>
+
+    <p>But the Queen knew she could go no further. "Cadmus," she
+    said, "you must leave me here, and, go to the wise woman at
+    Delphi and ask her what you must do next. Promise me you will
+    go!"</p>
+
+    <p>And Cadmus promised. The tired Queen lay down to rest, and
+    in the morning Cadmus found that she was dead, and he must
+    journey on alone.</p>
+
+    <p>He wandered for many days till he came in sight of a high
+    mountain which the people told him was called Parnassus, and on
+    the steep side of this mountain was the famous city of Delphi
+    for which he was looking. The wise woman lived far up the
+    mountain-side, in a hut like those he had helped his brothers
+    to build by the roadside.</p>
+
+    <p>When he pushed aside the branches he found himself in a low
+    cave, with a hole in the wall through which a strong wind was
+    blowing. He bent down and put his mouth to the
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page27"
+       id="page27"></a>[pg 27]</span> hole and said, "O sacred
+       goddess, tell me where I must look now for my dear sister
+       Europa, who was carried off so long ago by a bull?"</p>
+
+    <p>At first there was no answer. Then a voice said softly,
+    three times, "Seek her no more, seek her no more, seek her no
+    more."</p>
+
+    <p>"What shall I do, then?" said Cadmus. And the answer came,
+    in a hoarse voice, "Follow the cow, follow the cow, follow the
+    cow."</p>
+
+    <p>"But what cow," cried Cadmus, "and where shall I
+    follow?"</p>
+
+    <p>And once more the voice came, "Where the stray cow lies
+    down, there is your home;" and then there was silence.</p>
+
+    <p>"Have I been dreaming?" Cadmus thought, "or did I really
+    hear a voice?" and he went away thinking he was very little
+    wiser for having done as the Queen had told him.</p>
+
+    <p>I do not know how far he had gone when just before him he
+    saw a brindled cow. She was lying down by the wayside, and as
+    Cadmus came along she got up and began to move slowly along the
+    path, stopping now and then to crop a mouthful of grass.</p>
+
+    <p>Cadmus wondered if this could be the cow he was to follow,
+    and he thought he would look at her more closely, so he walked
+    a little faster; but so did the cow. "Stop, cow," he cried,
+    "hey brindle, stop," and he began to run; and much to his
+    surprise so did the cow, and though he ran as hard as possible,
+    he could not overtake her.</p>
+
+    <p>So he gave it up. "I do believe this may be the cow I was
+    told about," he thought. "Any way, I may as well follow her and
+    surely she will lie down somewhere."</p>
+
+    <p>On and on they went. Cadmus thought the cow would never
+    stop, and other people who had heard the strange story began to
+    follow too, and they were all very tired and very far away from
+    home when at last the cow lay down. His companions were
+    delighted and began to cut down wood to make a fire, and some
+    ran to a stream to get water. Cadmus lay down to rest close
+    beside the cow. He was wishing that his mother and brothers and
+    Theseus had been with him now,
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page28"
+       id="page28"></a>[pg 28]</span> when suddenly he was startled
+       by cries and shouts and screams.</p>
+
+    <p>He ran towards the stream, and there he saw the head of a
+    big serpent or dragon, with fiery eyes and with wide open jaws
+    which showed rows and rows of horrible sharp teeth. Before
+    Cadmus could reach it, the monster had killed all his poor
+    companions and was busy devouring them. The stream was an
+    enchanted one, and the dragon had been told to guard it so that
+    no mortal might ever touch the water, and the people round
+    about knew this, so that for a hundred years none of them had
+    ever come near the spot.</p>
+
+    <p>The dragon had been asleep and was very hungry, and when he
+    saw Cadmus he opened his huge jaws again, ready to devour him
+    too. But Cadmus was very angry at the death of all his
+    companions, and drawing his sword he rushed at the monster.
+    With one big bound he leaped right into the dragon's mouth, so
+    far down that the two rows of terrible teeth could not close on
+    him or do him any harm. The dragon lashed with his tail
+    furiously, but Cadmus stabbed him again and again, and in a
+    short time the great monster lay dead.</p>
+
+    <p>"What shall I do now?" he said aloud. All his companions
+    were dead, and he was alone once more. "Cadmus," said a voice,
+    "pluck out the dragon's teeth and plant them in the earth."</p>
+
+    <p>Cadmus looked round and there was nobody to be seen. But he
+    set to work and cut out the huge teeth with his sword, and then
+    he made little holes in the ground and planted the teeth. In a
+    few minutes the earth was covered with rows of armed men,
+    fierce-looking soldiers with swords and helmets who stood
+    looking at Cadmus in silence.</p>
+
+    <p>"Throw a stone among these men," came the voice again, and
+    Cadmus obeyed. At once all the men began to fight, and they cut
+    and stabbed each other so furiously that in a short time only
+    five remained alive out of all the hundreds that had stood
+    before him. "Cadmus," said the voice once more, "tell these men
+    to stop fighting and help you to build a palace." And as soon
+    as Cadmus spoke, the five big men sheathed their swords, and
+    they began to carry stones, and to carve these for
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page29"
+       id="page29"></a>[pg 29]</span> Cadmus, as if they had never
+       thought of such a thing as fighting each other!</p>
+
+    <p>They built a house for each of themselves, and there was a
+    beautiful palace for Cadmus made of marble, and of fine kinds
+    of red and green stone, and there was a high tower with a flag
+    floating from a tall gold flag-post.</p>
+
+    <p>When everything was ready, Cadmus went to take possession of
+    his new house, and, as he entered the great hall, he saw a lady
+    coming slowly towards him. She was very lovely and she wore a
+    royal robe which shone like sunbeams, with a crown of stars on
+    her golden hair, and round her neck was a string of the fairest
+    pearls.</p>
+
+    <p>Cadmus was full of delight. Could this be his long lost
+    sister Europa coming to make him happy after all these weary
+    years of searching and wandering?</p>
+
+    <p>How much he had to tell her about Phoenix, and Cilix, and
+    dear Theseus and of the poor Queen's lonely grave in the
+    wilderness! But as he went forward to meet the beautiful lady
+    he saw she was a stranger. He was thinking what he should say
+    to her, when once again he heard the unknown voice speak.</p>
+
+    <p>"No, Cadmus," it said, "this is not your dear sister whom
+    you have sought so faithfully all over the wide world. This is
+    Harmonia, a daughter of the sky, who is given to you instead of
+    sister and brother, and friend and mother. She is your Queen,
+    and will make happy the home which you have won by so much
+    suffering."</p>
+
+    <p>So King Cadmus lived in the palace with his beautiful Queen,
+    and before many years passed there were rosy little children
+    playing in the great hall, and on the marble steps of the
+    palace, and running joyfully to meet King Cadmus as he came
+    home from looking after his soldiers and his workmen.</p>
+
+    <p>And the five old soldiers that sprang from the dragon's
+    teeth grew very fond of these little children, and they were
+    never tired of showing them how to play with wooden swords and
+    to blow on a penny trumpet, and beat a drum and march like
+    soldiers to battle.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page30"
+       id="page30"></a>[pg 30]</span>
+
+    <h3>PROSERPINA</h3>
+
+    <h4>ADAPTED BY C.E. SMITH</h4>
+
+    <p>Mother Ceres was very fond of her little daughter
+    Proserpina. She did not of ten let her go alone into the fields
+    for fear she should be lost. But just at the time when my story
+    begins she was very busy. She had to look after the wheat and
+    the corn, and the apples and the pears, all over the world, and
+    as the weather had been bad day after day she was afraid none
+    of them would be ripe when harvest-time came.</p>
+
+    <p>So this morning Mother Ceres put on her turban made of
+    scarlet poppies and got into her car. This car was drawn by a
+    pair of winged dragons which went very fast, and Mother Ceres
+    was just ready to start, when Proserpina said, "Dear mother, I
+    shall be very lonely while you are away, may I run down to the
+    sands, and ask some of the sea-children to come out of the
+    water to play with me?"</p>
+
+    <p>"Yes, child, you may," answered Mother Ceres, "but you must
+    take care not to stray away from them, and you are not to play
+    in the fields by yourself with no one to take care of you."</p>
+
+    <p>Proserpina promised to remember what her mother said, and by
+    the time the dragons with their big wings had whirled the car
+    out of sight she was already on the shore, calling to the
+    sea-children to come to play with her.</p>
+
+    <p>They knew Proserpina's voice and came at once: pretty
+    children with wavy sea-green hair and shining faces, and they
+    sat down on the wet sand where the waves could still break over
+    them, and began to make a necklace for Proserpina of beautiful
+    shells brought from their home at the bottom of the sea.</p>
+
+    <p>Proserpina was so delighted when they hung the necklace
+    round her neck that she wanted to give them something in
+    return. "Will you come with me into the fields," she asked,
+    "and I will gather flowers and make you each a wreath?"</p>
+
+    <p>"Oh no, dear Proserpina," said the sea-children, "we may
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page31"
+       id="page31"></a>[pg 31]</span> not go with you on the dry
+       land. We must keep close beside the sea and let the waves
+       wash over us every minute or two. If it were not for the
+       salt water we should soon look like bunches of dried
+       sea-weed instead of sea-children."</p>
+
+    <p>"That is a great pity," said Proserpina, "but if you wait
+    for me here, I will run to the fields and be back again with my
+    apron full of flowers before the waves have broken over you ten
+    times. I long to make you some wreaths as beautiful as this
+    necklace with all its colored shells."</p>
+
+    <p>"We will wait, then," said the sea-children: "we will lie
+    under the water and pop up our heads every few minutes to see
+    if you are coming."</p>
+
+    <p>Proserpina ran quickly to a field where only the day before
+    she had seen a great many flowers; but the first she came to
+    seemed rather faded, and forgetting what Mother Ceres had told
+    her, she strayed a little farther into the fields. Never before
+    had she found such beautiful flowers! Large sweet-scented
+    violets, purple and white; deep pink roses; hyacinths with the
+    biggest of blue bells; as well as many others she did not know.
+    They seemed to grow up under her feet, and soon her apron was
+    so full that the flowers were falling out of the corners.</p>
+
+    <p>Proserpina was just going to turn back to the sands to make
+    the wreaths for the sea-children, when she cried out with
+    delight. Before her was a bush covered with the most wonderful
+    flowers in the world. "What beauties!" said Proserpina, and
+    then she thought, "How strange! I looked at that spot only a
+    moment ago; why did I not see the flowers?"</p>
+
+    <p>They were such lovely ones too. More than a hundred
+    different kinds grew on the one bush: the brightest, gayest
+    flowers Proserpina had ever seen. But there was a shiny look
+    about them and about the leaves which she did not quite like.
+    Somehow it made her wonder if this was a poison plant, and to
+    tell the truth she was half inclined to turn round and run
+    away.</p>
+
+    <p>"How silly I am!" she thought, taking courage: "it is really
+    the most beautiful bush I ever saw. I will pull it up by the
+    roots and carry it home to plant in mother's
+    garden."</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page32"
+       id="page32"></a>[pg 32]</span>
+
+    <p>Holding her apron full of flowers with one hand, Proserpina
+    seized the large shrub with the other and pulled and
+    pulled.</p>
+
+    <p>What deep roots that bush had! She pulled again with all her
+    might, and the earth round the roots began to stir and crack,
+    so she gave another big pull, and then she let go. She thought
+    there was a rumbling noise right below her feet, and she
+    wondered if the roots went down to some dragon's cave. Then she
+    tried once again, and up came the bush so quickly that
+    Proserpina nearly fell backwards. There she stood, holding the
+    stem in her hand and looking at the big hole which its roots
+    had left in the earth.</p>
+
+    <p>To her surprise this hole began to grow wider and wider, and
+    deeper and deeper, and a rumbling noise came out of it. Louder
+    and louder it grew, nearer and nearer it came, just like the
+    tramp of horses' feet and the rattling of wheels.</p>
+
+    <p>Proserpina was too frightened now to run away, and soon she
+    saw a wonderful thing. Two black horses, with smoke coming out
+    of their nostrils and with long black tails and flowing black
+    manes, came tearing their way out of the earth, and a splendid
+    golden chariot was rattling at their heels.</p>
+
+    <p>The horses leaped out of the hole, chariot and all, and came
+    close to the spot where Proserpina stood.</p>
+
+    <p>Then she saw there was a man in the chariot. He was very
+    richly dressed, with a crown on his head all made of diamonds
+    which sparkled like fire. He was a very handsome man, but
+    looked rather cross and discontented, and he kept rubbing his
+    eyes and covering them with his hand, as if he did not care
+    much for the bright sunshine.</p>
+
+    <p>As soon as he saw Proserpina, the man waved to her to come a
+    little nearer. "Do not be afraid," he said. "Come! would you
+    not like to ride a little way with me in my beautiful
+    chariot?"</p>
+
+    <p>But Proserpina was very frightened, and no wonder. The
+    stranger did not look a very kind or pleasant man. His voice
+    was so gruff and deep, and sounded just like the rumbling
+    Proserpina had heard underneath the earth.</p>
+
+    <p>She at once began to cry out, "Mother, mother! O Mother
+    Ceres, come quickly and save me!"</p>
+
+    <div class="figcenter"
+         style="width:100%;">
+        <a href="images/564.jpg"
+             name="fig564"
+             id="fig564"><img width="250"
+             src="images/564-t.jpg"
+             alt="HE CAUGHT HER IN HIS ARMS AND SPRANG INTO THE CHARIOT." />
+        </a>
+
+        <p>&nbsp;</p>HE CAUGHT HER IN HIS ARMS AND SPRANG INTO THE
+        CHARIOT.
+    </div><span class="pagenum"><a name="page33"
+       id="page33"></a>[pg 33]</span>
+
+    <p>But her voice was very shaky and too faint for Mother Ceres
+    to hear, for by this time she was many thousands of miles away
+    making the corn grow in another country.</p>
+
+    <p>No sooner did Proserpina begin to cry out than the strange
+    man leaped to the ground; he caught her in his arms and sprang
+    into the chariot, then he shook the reins and shouted to the
+    two black horses to set off. They began to gallop so fast that
+    it was just like flying, and in less than a minute Proserpina
+    had lost sight of the sunny fields where she and her mother had
+    always lived.</p>
+
+    <p>She screamed and screamed and all the beautiful flowers fell
+    out of her apron to the ground.</p>
+
+    <p>But Mother Ceres was too far away to know what was happening
+    to her little daughter.</p>
+
+    <p>"Why are you so frightened, my little girl?" said the
+    strange man, and he tried to soften his rough voice. "I promise
+    not to do you any harm. I see you have been gathering flowers?
+    Wait till we come to my palace and I will give you a garden
+    full of prettier flowers than these, all made of diamonds and
+    pearls and rubies. Can you guess who I am? They call me Pluto,
+    and I am the King of the mines where all the diamonds and
+    rubies and all the gold and silver are found: they all belong
+    to me. Do you see this lovely crown on my head? I will let you
+    have it to play with. Oh, I think we are going to be very good
+    friends when we get out of this troublesome sunshine."</p>
+
+    <p>"Let me go home," sobbed Proserpina, "let me go home."</p>
+
+    <p>"My home is better than your mother's," said King Pluto. "It
+    is a palace made of gold, with crystal windows and with diamond
+    lamps instead of sunshine; and there is a splendid throne; if
+    you like you may sit on it and be my little Queen, and I will
+    sit on the footstool."</p>
+
+    <p>"I do not care for golden palaces and thrones," sobbed
+    Proserpina. "O mother, mother! Take me back to my mother."</p>
+
+    <p>But King Pluto only shouted to his horses to go faster.</p>
+
+    <p>"You are very foolish, Proserpina," he said, rather crossly.
+    "I am doing all I can to make you happy, and I want very
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page34"
+       id="page34"></a>[pg 34]</span> much to have a merry little
+       girl to run upstairs and downstairs in my palace and make it
+       brighter with her laughter. This is all I ask you to do for
+       King Pluto."</p>
+
+    <p>"Never" answered Proserpina, looking very miserable. "I
+    shall never laugh again, till you take me back to my mother's
+    cottage."</p>
+
+    <p>And the horses galloped on, and the wind whistled past the
+    chariot, and Proserpina cried and cried till her poor little
+    voice was almost cried away, and nothing was left but a
+    whisper.</p>
+
+    <p>The road now began to get very dull and gloomy. On each side
+    were black rocks and very thick trees and bushes that looked as
+    if they never got any sunshine. It got darker and darker, as if
+    night was coming, and still the black horses rushed on leaving
+    the sunny home of Mother Ceres far behind.</p>
+
+    <p>But the darker it grew, the happier King Pluto seemed to be.
+    Proserpina began to peep at him, she thought he might not be
+    such a wicked man after all.</p>
+
+    <p>"Is it much further," she asked, "and will you carry me back
+    when I have seen your palace?"</p>
+
+    <p>"We will talk of that by and by," answered Pluto. "Do you
+    see these big gates? When we pass these we are at home; and
+    look! there is my faithful dog at the door! Cerberus; Cerberus,
+    come here, good dog."</p>
+
+    <p>Pluto pulled the horses' reins, and the chariot stopped
+    between two big tall pillars. The dog got up and stood on his
+    hind legs, so that he could put his paws on the chariot wheel.
+    What a strange dog he was! A big, rough, ugly-looking monster,
+    with three heads each fiercer than the other.</p>
+
+    <p>King Pluto patted his heads and the dog wagged his tail with
+    delight. Proserpina was much afraid when she saw that his tail
+    was a live dragon, with fiery eyes and big poisonous teeth.</p>
+
+    <p>"Will the dog bite me?" she asked, creeping closer to King
+    Pluto. "How very ugly he is."</p>
+
+    <p>"Oh, never fear," Pluto answered; "he never bites people
+    unless they try to come in here when I do not want them. Down,
+    Cerberus. Now, Proserpina, we will drive on."</p>
+
+    <p>The black horses started again and King Pluto seemed very
+    happy to find himself once more at
+    home.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page35"
+       id="page35"></a>[pg 35]</span>
+
+    <p>All along the road Proserpina could see diamonds, and rubies
+    and precious stones sparkling, and there were bits of real gold
+    among the rocks. It was a very rich place.</p>
+
+    <p>Not far from the gateway they came to an iron bridge. Pluto
+    stopped the chariot and told Proserpina to look at the river
+    which ran underneath. It was very black and muddy, and flowed
+    slowly, very slowly, as if it had quite forgotten which way it
+    wanted to go, and was in no hurry to flow anywhere.</p>
+
+    <p>"This is the river Lethe," said King Pluto; "do you not
+    think it a very pleasant stream?"</p>
+
+    <p>"I think it is very dismal," said Proserpina.</p>
+
+    <p>"Well, I like it," answered Pluto, who got rather cross when
+    any one did not agree with him. "It is a strange kind of river.
+    If you drink only a little sip of the water, you will at once
+    forget all your care and sorrow. When we reach the palace, you
+    shall have some in a golden cup, and then you will not cry any
+    more for your mother, and will be perfectly happy with me."</p>
+
+    <p>"Oh no, oh no!" said Proserpina, sobbing again. "O mother,
+    mother, I will never forget you; I do not want to be happy by
+    forgetting all about you."</p>
+
+    <p>"We shall see," said King Pluto; "you do not know what good
+    times we will have in my palace. Here we are, just at the gate.
+    Look at the big pillars; they are all made of solid gold."</p>
+
+    <p>He got out of the chariot and carried Proserpina in his arms
+    up a long stair into the great hall of the palace. It was
+    beautifully lit by hundreds of diamonds and rubies which shone
+    like lamps. It was very rich and splendid to look at, but it
+    was cold and lonely and Pluto must have longed for some one to
+    keep him company; perhaps that was why he had stolen Proserpina
+    from her sunny home.</p>
+
+    <p>King Pluto sent for his servants and told them to get ready
+    a grand supper with all kinds of dainty food and sweet things
+    such as children like. "And be sure not to forget a golden cup
+    filled with the water of Lethe," he said to the servant.</p>
+
+    <p>"I will not eat anything," said Proserpina, "nor drink a
+    single drop, even if you keep me for ever in your
+    palace."</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page36"
+       id="page36"></a>[pg 36]</span>
+
+    <p>"I should be sorry for that," replied King Pluto. He really
+    wished to be kind if he had only known how. "Wait till you see
+    the nice things my cook will make for you, and then you will be
+    hungry."</p>
+
+    <p>Now King Pluto had a secret reason why he wanted Proserpina
+    to eat some food. You must understand that when people are
+    carried off to the land of magic, if once they taste any food
+    they can never go back to their friends.</p>
+
+    <p>If King Pluto had offered Proserpina some bread and milk she
+    would very likely have taken it as soon as she was hungry, but
+    all the cook's fine pastries and sweets were things she had
+    never seen at home, and, instead of making her hungry, she was
+    afraid to touch them.</p>
+
+    <p>But now my story must leave King Pluto's palace, and we must
+    see what Mother Ceres has been about.</p>
+
+    <p>You remember she had gone off in her chariot with the winged
+    dragons to the other side of the world to see how the corn and
+    fruit were growing. And while she was busy in a field she
+    thought she heard Proserpina's voice calling her. She was sure
+    her little daughter could not possibly be anywhere near, but
+    the idea troubled her: and presently she left the fields before
+    her work was half done and, ordering her dragons with the
+    chariot, she drove off.</p>
+
+    <p>In less than an hour Mother Ceres got down at the door of
+    her cottage. It was empty! At first she thought "Oh, Proserpina
+    will still be playing on the shore with the sea-children." So
+    she went to find her.</p>
+
+    <p>"Where is Proserpina, you naughty sea-children?" she asked;
+    "tell me, have you taken her to your home under the sea?"</p>
+
+    <p>"Oh no, Mother Ceres," they said, "she left us early in the
+    day to gather flowers for a wreath, and we have seen nothing of
+    her since."</p>
+
+    <p>Ceres hurried off to ask all the neighbors. A poor fisherman
+    had seen her little footprints in the sand as he went home with
+    his basket of fish.</p>
+
+    <p>A man in the fields had noticed her gathering flowers.</p>
+
+    <p>Several persons had heard the rattling of chariot wheels
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page37"
+       id="page37"></a>[pg 37]</span> or the rumbling of distant
+       thunder: and one old woman had heard a scream, but supposed
+       it was only merriment, and had not even looked up.</p>
+
+    <p>None of the neighbors knew where Proserpina was, and Mother
+    Ceres decided she must seek her daughter further from home.</p>
+
+    <p>By this time it was night, so she lit a torch and set off,
+    telling the neighbors she would never come back till Proserpina
+    was found. In her hurry she quite forgot her chariot with the
+    dragons; may be she thought she could search better on
+    foot.</p>
+
+    <p>So she started on her sad journey, holding her torch in
+    front of her, and looking carefully along every road and round
+    every corner.</p>
+
+    <p>She had not gone very far before she found one of the
+    wonderful flowers which Proserpina had pulled from the poison
+    bush.</p>
+
+    <p>"Ha!" said Mother Ceres, examining it carefully, "there is
+    mischief in this flower: it did not grow in the earth by any
+    help of mine; it is the work of magic, and perhaps it has
+    poisoned my poor child." And she hid it in her bosom.</p>
+
+    <p>All night long Ceres sought for her daughter. She knocked at
+    the doors of farm-houses where the people were all asleep, and
+    they came to see who was there, rubbing their eyes and yawning.
+    They were very sorry for the poor mother when they heard her
+    tale&mdash;but they knew nothing about Proserpina.</p>
+
+    <p>At every palace door, too, she knocked, so loudly that the
+    servants ran quickly, expecting to find a great queen, and when
+    they saw only a sad lonely woman with a burning torch in her
+    hand, and a wreath of withered poppies on her head, they were
+    angry and drove her rudely away.</p>
+
+    <p>But nobody had seen Proserpina, and Mother Ceres wandered
+    about till the night was passed, without sitting down to rest,
+    and without taking any food. She did not even remember to put
+    out her torch, and it looked very pale and small in the bright
+    morning sunshine.</p>
+
+    <p>It must have been a magic torch, for it burned dimly all
+    day, and then when night came it shone with a beautiful red
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page38"
+       id="page38"></a>[pg 38]</span> light, and neither the wind
+       nor the rain put it out through all these weary days while
+       Ceres sought for Proserpina.</p>
+
+    <p>It was not only men and women that Mother Ceres questioned
+    about her daughter. In the woods and by the streams she met
+    other creatures whose way of talking she could understand, and
+    who knew many things that we have never learned.</p>
+
+    <p>Sometimes she tapped with her finger against an oak tree,
+    and at once its rough bark would open and a beautiful maiden
+    would appear: she was the spirit of the oak, living inside it,
+    and as happy as could be when its green leaves danced in the
+    breeze.</p>
+
+    <p>Then another time Ceres would find a spring bubbling out of
+    a little hole in the earth, and she would play with her fingers
+    in the water. Immediately up through the sandy bed a nymph with
+    dripping hair would rise and float half out of the water,
+    looking at Mother Ceres, and swaying up and down with the water
+    bubbles.</p>
+
+    <p>But when the mother asked whether her poor lost child had
+    stopped to drink of the fountain, the nymph with weeping eyes
+    would answer "No," in a murmuring voice which was just like the
+    sound of a running stream.</p>
+
+    <p>Often, too, she met fauns. These were little people with
+    brown faces who looked as if they had played a great deal in
+    the sun. They had hairy ears and little horns on their brows,
+    and their legs were like goats' legs on which they danced
+    merrily about the woods and fields. They were very kind
+    creatures, and were very sorry for Mother Ceres when they heard
+    that her daughter was lost.</p>
+
+    <p>And once she met a rude band of satyrs who had faces like
+    monkeys and who had horses' tails behind; they were dancing and
+    shouting in a rough, noisy manner, and they only laughed when
+    Ceres told them how unhappy she was.</p>
+
+    <p>One day while she was crossing a lonely sheep-field she saw
+    the god Pan: he was sitting at the foot of a tall rock, making
+    music on a shepherd's flute. He too had horns on his brow, and
+    hairy ears, and goat's feet. He knew Mother Ceres and answered
+    her questions kindly, and he gave her some milk and honey to
+    drink out of a wooden bowl. But he knew nothing of
+    Proserpina.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page39"
+       id="page39"></a>[pg 39]</span>
+
+    <p>And so Mother Ceres went wandering about for nine long days
+    and nights. Now and then she found a withered flower, and these
+    she picked up and put in her bosom, because she fancied they
+    might have fallen from her daughter's hand. All day she went on
+    through the hot sunshine, and at night the flame of her torch
+    would gleam on the pathway, and she would continue her weary
+    search without ever sitting down to rest.</p>
+
+    <p>On the tenth day she came to the mouth of a cave. It was
+    dark inside, but a torch was burning dimly and lit up half of
+    the gloomy place. Ceres peeped in and held up her own torch
+    before her, and then she saw what looked like a woman, sitting
+    on a heap of withered leaves, which the wind had blown into the
+    cave. She was a very strange-looking woman: her head was shaped
+    like a dog's, and round it she had a wreath of snakes.</p>
+
+    <p>As soon as she saw her, Mother Ceres knew that this was a
+    queer kind of person who was always grumbling and unhappy. Her
+    name was Hecate, and she would never say a word to other people
+    unless they were unhappy too. "I am sad enough," thought poor
+    Ceres, "to talk with Hecate:" so she stepped into the cave and
+    sat down on the withered leaves beside the dog-headed
+    woman.</p>
+
+    <p>"O Hecate," she said, "if ever you lose a daughter you will
+    know what sorrow is. Tell me, for pity's sake, have you seen my
+    poor child Proserpina pass by the mouth of your cave?"</p>
+
+    <p>"No, Mother Ceres," answered Hecate. "I have seen nothing of
+    your daughter. But my ears, you know, are made so that all
+    cries of distress or fright all over the world are heard by
+    them. And nine days ago, as I sat in my cave, I heard the voice
+    of a young girl sobbing as if in great distress. As well as I
+    could judge, some dragon was carrying her away."</p>
+
+    <p>"You kill me by saying so," cried Mother Ceres, almost ready
+    to faint; "where was the sound, and which way did it seem to
+    go?"</p>
+
+    <p>"It passed along very quickly," said Hecate, "and there was
+    a rumbling of wheels to the eastward. I cannot tell you any
+    more. I advise you just to come and live here with me, and we
+    will be the two most unhappy women in all the
+    world."</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page40"
+       id="page40"></a>[pg 40]</span>
+
+    <p>"Not yet, dark Hecate," replied Ceres. "Will you first come
+    with your torch and help me to seek for my child. When there is
+    no more hope of finding her, then I will come back with you to
+    your dark cave. But till I know that Proserpina is dead, I will
+    not allow myself time to sorrow."</p>
+
+    <p>Hecate did not much like the idea of going abroad into the
+    sunshine, but at last she agreed to go, and they set out
+    together, each carrying a torch, although it was broad daylight
+    and the sun was shining. Any people they met ran away without
+    waiting to be spoken to, as soon as they caught sight of
+    Hecate's wreath of snakes.</p>
+
+    <p>As the sad pair wandered on, a thought struck Ceres. "There
+    is one person," she exclaimed, "who must have seen my child and
+    can tell me what has become of her. Why did I not think of him
+    sooner? It is Phoebus."</p>
+
+    <p>"What!" said Hecate, "the youth that always sits in the
+    sunshine! Oh! pray do not think of going near him: he is a gay
+    young fellow that will only smile in your face. And, besides,
+    there is such a glare of sunshine about him that he will quite
+    blind my poor eyes, which are weak with so much weeping."</p>
+
+    <p>"You have promised to be my companion," answered Ceres.
+    "Come, let us make haste, or the sunshine will be gone and
+    Phoebus along with it."</p>
+
+    <p>So they set off in search of Phoebus, both sighing a great
+    deal, and after a long journey they came to the sunniest spot
+    in the whole world. There they saw a young man with curly
+    golden hair which seemed to be made of sunbeams.</p>
+
+    <p>His clothes were like light summer clouds, and the smile on
+    his face was so bright that Hecate held her hands before her
+    eyes and muttered that she wished he would wear a veil! Phoebus
+    had a lyre in his hands and was playing very sweet music, at
+    the same time singing a merry song.</p>
+
+    <p>As Ceres and her dismal companion came near, Phoebus smiled
+    on them so cheerfully that Hecate's wreath of snakes gave a
+    spiteful hiss and Hecate wished she was back in her dark
+    cave.</p>
+
+    <p>But Ceres was too unhappy to know whether Phoebus smiled or
+    looked angry.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page41"
+       id="page41"></a>[pg 41]</span>
+
+    <p>"Phoebus" she said, "I am in great trouble and have come to
+    you for help. Can you tell me what has become of my little
+    daughter Proserpina?"</p>
+
+    <p>"Proserpina, Proserpina did you call her?" answered Phoebus,
+    trying to remember. He had so many pleasant ideas in his head
+    that he sometimes forgot what had happened no longer ago than
+    yesterday.</p>
+
+    <p>"Ah yes! I remember now&mdash;a very lovely little girl. I
+    am happy to tell you that I did see Proserpina not many days
+    ago. You may be quite easy about her. She is safe and in good
+    hands."</p>
+
+    <p>"Oh, where is my dear child?" cried Ceres, clasping her
+    hands and flinging herself at his feet.</p>
+
+    <p>"Why," replied Phoebus, "as the little girl was gathering
+    flowers she was snatched up by King Pluto and carried off to
+    his kingdom. I have never been there myself, but I am told the
+    royal palace is splendidly built. Proserpina will have gold and
+    silver and diamonds to play with, and I am sure even although
+    there is no sunshine, she will have a very happy life."</p>
+
+    <p>"Hush! do not say such a thing," said Ceres. "What has she
+    got to love? What are all these splendors if she has no one to
+    care for? I must have her back. Good Phoebus, will you come
+    with me to demand my daughter from this wicked Pluto?"</p>
+
+    <p>"Pray excuse me," answered Phoebus, with a bow. "I certainly
+    wish you success, and I am sorry I am too busy to go with you.
+    Besides, King Pluto does not care much for me. To tell you the
+    truth, his dog with the three heads would never let me pass the
+    gateway. I always carry a handful of sunbeams with me, and
+    those, you know, are not allowed within King Pluto's
+    kingdom."</p>
+
+    <p>So the poor mother said good-by and hastened away along with
+    Hecate.</p>
+
+    <p>Ceres had now found out what had become of her daughter, but
+    she was not any happier than before. Indeed, her trouble seemed
+    worse than ever. So long as Proserpina was above-ground there
+    was some hope of getting her home again. But now that the poor
+    child was shut up behind King Pluto's iron
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page42"
+       id="page42"></a>[pg 42]</span> gates, with the three-headed
+       Cerberus on guard beside them, there seemed no hope of her
+       escape.</p>
+
+    <p>The dismal Hecate, who always looked on the darkest side of
+    things, told Ceres she had better come back with her to the
+    cave and spend the rest of her life in being miserable. But
+    Ceres answered that Hecate could go back if she wished, but
+    that for her part she would wander about all the world looking
+    for the entrance to King Pluto's kingdom. So Hecate hurried off
+    alone to her beloved cave, frightening a great many little
+    children with her dog's face as she went.</p>
+
+    <p>Poor Mother Ceres! It is sad to think of her all alone,
+    holding up her never-dying torch and wandering up and down the
+    wide, wide world. So much did she suffer that in a very short
+    time she began to look quite old. She wandered about with her
+    hair hanging down her back, and she looked so wild that people
+    took her for some poor mad woman, and never thought that this
+    was Mother Ceres who took care of every seed which was sown in
+    the ground and of all the fruit and flowers.</p>
+
+    <p>Now she gave herself no trouble about seedtime or harvest;
+    there was nothing in which she seemed to feel any interest,
+    except the children she saw at play or gathering flowers by the
+    wayside. Then, indeed, she would stand and look at them with
+    tears in her eyes.</p>
+
+    <p>And the children seemed to understand her sorrow and would
+    gather in a little group about her knees and look up lovingly
+    into her face, and Ceres, after giving them a kiss all round,
+    would lead them home and advise their mothers never to let them
+    stray out of sight. "For if they do," said she, "it may happen
+    to you as it has happened to me: the iron-hearted King Pluto
+    may take a liking to your darlings and carry them away in his
+    golden chariot."</p>
+
+    <p>At last, in her despair, Ceres made up her mind that not a
+    stalk of grain, nor a blade of grass, not a potato, nor a
+    turnip, nor any vegetable that is good for man or beast, should
+    be allowed to grow till her daughter was sent back. She was so
+    unhappy that she even forbade the flowers to bloom.</p>
+
+    <p>Now you can see what a terrible misfortune had fallen on
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page43"
+       id="page43"></a>[pg 43]</span> the earth. The farmer plowed
+       the ground and planted his seed, as usual, and there lay the
+       black earth without a single green blade to be seen. The
+       fields looked as brown in the sunny months of spring as ever
+       they did in winter. The rich man's garden and the
+       flower-plot in front of the laborer's cottage were both
+       empty; even the children's gardens showed nothing but
+       withered stalks. It was very sad to see the poor starving
+       sheep and cattle that followed behind Ceres, bleating and
+       lowing as if they knew that she could help them.</p>
+
+    <p>All the people begged her at least to let the grass grow,
+    but Mother Ceres was too miserable to care for any one's
+    trouble. "Never," she said. "If the earth is ever to be green
+    again, it must grow along the path by which my daughter comes
+    back to me."</p>
+
+    <p>At last, as there seemed to be no other way out of it,
+    Mercury, the favorite messenger of the gods, was sent to King
+    Pluto in the hope that he would set everything right again by
+    giving up Proserpina.</p>
+
+    <p>Mercury went as quickly as he could to the great iron gates,
+    and with the help of the wings on his shoes, he took a flying
+    leap right over Cerberus with his three heads, and very soon he
+    stood at the door of King Pluto's palace.</p>
+
+    <p>The servants all knew him, as he had often been there in his
+    short cloak, and cap, and shoes with the wings, and with his
+    curious staff which had two snakes twisted round it.</p>
+
+    <p>He asked to see the King immediately, and Pluto, who had
+    heard his voice from the top of the stairs, called out to him
+    to come up at once, for he was always glad to listen to
+    Mercury's cheery talk.</p>
+
+    <p>And while they are laughing together we must find out what
+    Proserpina had been doing since we last heard about her.</p>
+
+    <p>You will remember that Proserpina had said she would not
+    taste food so long as she was kept a prisoner in King Pluto's
+    palace.</p>
+
+    <p>It was now six months since she had been carried off from
+    her home, and not a mouthful had she eaten, not even when the
+    cook had made all kinds of sweet things and had ordered all the
+    dainties which children usually like
+    best.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page44"
+       id="page44"></a>[pg 44]</span>
+
+    <p>Proserpina was naturally a bright, merry little girl, and
+    all this time she was not so unhappy as you may have
+    thought.</p>
+
+    <p>In the big palace were a thousand rooms, and each was full
+    of wonderful and beautiful things. It is true there was never
+    any sunshine in these rooms, and Proserpina used to fancy that
+    the shadowy light which came from the jeweled lamps was alive:
+    it seemed to float before her as she walked between the golden
+    pillars, and to close softly behind her in the echo of her
+    footsteps.</p>
+
+    <p>And Proserpina knew that all the glitter of these precious
+    stones was not worth a single sunbeam, nor could the rubies and
+    emeralds which she played with ever be as dear to her as the
+    daisies and buttercups she had gathered among the soft green
+    grass.</p>
+
+    <p>King Pluto felt how much happier his palace was since
+    Proserpina came, and so did all his servants. They loved to
+    hear her childish voice laughing as she ran from room to room,
+    and they felt less old and tired when they saw again how glad
+    little children can be.</p>
+
+    <p>"My own little Proserpina," King Pluto used to say, "I wish
+    you would like me a little better. Although I look rather a sad
+    man, I am really fond of children, and if you would stay here
+    with me always, it would make me happier than having hundreds
+    of palaces like this."</p>
+
+    <p>"Ah," said Proserpina, "you should have tried to make me
+    like you first before carrying me off, and now the best thing
+    you can do is to let me go again; then I might remember you
+    sometimes and think that you were as kind as you knew how to
+    be. Perhaps I might come back to pay you a visit one day."</p>
+
+    <p>"No, no," answered Pluto, with his gloomy smile, "I will not
+    trust you for that. You are too fond of living in the sunshine
+    and gathering flowers. What an idle, childish thing to do! Do
+    you not think that these diamonds which I have had dug out of
+    the mine for you are far prettier than violets?"</p>
+
+    <p>"No, oh no! not half so pretty," said Proserpina, snatching
+    them from Pluto's hand, and flinging them to the other end of
+    the room. "O my sweet purple violets, shall I ever see you
+    again?" and she began to cry
+    bitterly.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page45"
+       id="page45"></a>[pg 45]</span>
+
+    <p>But like most children, she soon stopped crying, and in a
+    short time she was running up and down the rooms as when she
+    had played on the sands with the sea-children. And King Pluto,
+    sad and lonely, watched her and wished that he too was a child,
+    and when Proserpina turned and saw the great King standing
+    alone in his splendid hall, so grand and so lonely, with no one
+    to love him, she felt sorry for him. She ran back and for the
+    first time in all those six months she put her small hand in
+    his. "I love you a little," she whispered, looking up into his
+    face.</p>
+
+    <p>"Do you really, dear child?" cried Pluto, bending down his
+    dark face to kiss her. But Proserpina was a little afraid, he
+    was so dark and severe-looking, and she shrank back.</p>
+
+    <p>"Well," said Pluto, "it is just what I deserve after keeping
+    you a prisoner all these months, and starving you besides. Are
+    you not dreadfully hungry, is there nothing I can get you to
+    eat?"</p>
+
+    <p>In asking this Pluto was very cunning, as you will remember
+    that if Proserpina once tasted any food in his kingdom, she
+    would never again be able to go home.</p>
+
+    <p>"No, indeed," said Proserpina. "Your poor fat little cook is
+    always making me all kinds of good things which I do not want.
+    The one thing I should like to eat would be a slice of bread
+    baked by my own mother, and a pear out of her garden."</p>
+
+    <p>When Pluto heard this he began to see that he had made a
+    mistake in his way of trying to tempt Proserpina to eat. He
+    wondered why he had never thought of this before, and he at
+    once sent a servant with a large basket to get some of the
+    finest and juiciest pears in the whole world.</p>
+
+    <p>But this was just at the time when, as we know, Mother Ceres
+    in her despair had forbidden any flowers or fruit to grow on
+    the earth, and the only thing King Pluto's servant could find,
+    after seeking all over the world was a single dried-up
+    pomegranate, so dried up as to be hardly worth eating. Still,
+    since there was no better to be had, he brought it back to the
+    palace, put it on a magnificent gold plate, and carried it to
+    Proserpina.</p>
+
+    <p>Now it just happened that as the servant was bringing the
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page46"
+       id="page46"></a>[pg 46]</span> pomegranate in at the back
+       door of the palace, Mercury had gone up to the front steps
+       with his message to King Pluto about Proserpina.</p>
+
+    <p>As soon as Proserpina saw the pomegranate on the golden
+    plate, she told the servant to take it away again. "I shall not
+    touch it, I can assure you," she said. "If I were ever so
+    hungry, I should not think of eating such a dried-up miserable
+    pomegranate as that."</p>
+
+    <p>"It is the only one in the world," said the servant, and he
+    set down the plate and went away.</p>
+
+    <p>When he had gone, Proserpina could not help coming close to
+    the table and looking at the dried-up pomegranate with
+    eagerness. To tell the truth, when she saw something that
+    really suited her taste, she felt all her six months' hunger
+    come back at once.</p>
+
+    <p>To be sure it was a very poor-looking pomegranate, with no
+    more juice in it than in an oyster-shell. But there was no
+    choice of such things in King Pluto's palace, and this was the
+    first fresh fruit Proserpina had ever seen there, and the last
+    she was ever likely to see, and unless she ate it up at once,
+    it would only get drier and drier and be quite unfit to
+    eat.</p>
+
+    <p>"At least I may smell it," she thought, so she took up the
+    pomegranate and held it to her nose, and somehow, being quite
+    near to her mouth, the fruit found its way into that little red
+    cave.</p>
+
+    <p>Before Proserpina knew what she was about, her teeth had
+    actually bitten it of their own accord.</p>
+
+    <p>Just as this fatal deed was done, the door of the hall
+    opened and King Pluto came in, followed by Mercury, who had
+    been begging him to let his little prisoner go.</p>
+
+    <p>At the first noise of their coming, Proserpina took the
+    pomegranate from her mouth.</p>
+
+    <p>Mercury, who saw things very quickly, noticed that
+    Proserpina looked a little uncomfortable, and when he saw the
+    gold plate empty, he was sure she had been eating
+    something.</p>
+
+    <p>As for King Pluto, he never guessed the secret.</p>
+
+    <p>"My dear little Proserpina," said the King, sitting down and
+    drawing her gently between his knees, "here is Mercury,
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page47"
+       id="page47"></a>[pg 47]</span> who tells me that a great
+       many sad things have happened to innocent people because I
+       have kept you a prisoner down here. And to confess the truth
+       I have been thinking myself that I really had no right to
+       take you away from your mother. It was very stupid of me,
+       but I thought this palace was so dull, and that I should be
+       much happier if I just had a merry little girl to play in
+       it, and I hoped you would take my crown for a toy and let me
+       be your playmate. It was very foolish of me, I know."</p>
+
+    <p>"No, it was not foolish," said Proserpina, "you have been
+    very kind to me, and I have often been quite happy here with
+    you."</p>
+
+    <p>"Thank you, dear," said King Pluto, "but I cannot help
+    seeing that you think my palace a dark prison and me the
+    hard-hearted jailor, and I should, indeed, be hard-hearted if I
+    were to keep you longer than six months. So I give you your
+    liberty. Go back, dear, with Mercury, to your mother."</p>
+
+    <p>Now, although you might not think so, Proserpina found it
+    impossible to say good-by to King Pluto without being sorry,
+    and she felt she ought to tell him about tasting the
+    pomegranate. She even cried a little when she thought how
+    lonely and dull the great palace with its jeweled lamps would
+    be after she had left.</p>
+
+    <p>She would like to have thanked him many times, but Mercury
+    hurried her away. "Come along quickly," he said, "as King Pluto
+    may change his mind, and take care above all things that you
+    say nothing about the pomegranate which the servant brought you
+    on the gold plate."</p>
+
+    <p>In a short time they had passed the great gateway with the
+    golden pillars, leaving Cerberus barking and growling with all
+    his three heads at once, and beating his dragon tail on the
+    ground. Along the dark, rocky road they went very quickly, and
+    soon they reached the upper world again.</p>
+
+    <p>You can guess how excited and happy Proserpina was to see
+    the bright sunshine. She noticed how green the grass grew on
+    the path behind and on each side of her. Wherever she set her
+    foot at once there rose a flower: violets and roses bloomed
+    along the wayside; the grass and the corn began to
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page48"
+       id="page48"></a>[pg 48]</span> grow with ten times their
+       usual quickness to make up for the dreary months when Mother
+       Ceres had forbidden them to appear above ground.</p>
+
+    <p>The hungry cattle began to eat, and went on eating all day
+    after their long fast. And, I can assure you, it was a busy
+    time with all the farmers when they found that summer was
+    coming with a rush.</p>
+
+    <p>As to the birds, they hopped about from tree to tree among
+    the fresh, sweet blossoms, and sang for joy that the dreary
+    days were over and the world was green and young again.</p>
+
+    <p>Mother Ceres had gone back to her empty cottage, and was
+    sitting very sadly on the doorstep with her burning torch in
+    her hand. She had been looking wearily at the flame for some
+    moments, when all at once it flickered and went out.</p>
+
+    <p>"What does this mean?" she thought. "It was a magic torch,
+    and should have gone on burning till Proserpina was found."</p>
+
+    <p>She looked up, and was surprised to see the bare brown
+    fields suddenly turning green, just as you sometimes see them
+    turn golden when the sun comes from behind a dark cloud.</p>
+
+    <p>"Does the Earth dare to disobey me?" exclaimed Mother Ceres
+    angrily. "Did I not forbid it to be green until my child should
+    be sent back to me?"</p>
+
+    <p>"Then open your arms, mother dear," cried a well-known
+    voice, "and take me back again." And Proserpina came running
+    along the pathway and flung herself on her mother's bosom.</p>
+
+    <p>It would be impossible to tell how happy they were; so happy
+    that they cried a little, for people cry when they are very
+    glad as well as when they are unhappy.</p>
+
+    <p>After a little while Mother Ceres looked anxiously at
+    Proserpina. "My child," she said, "did you taste any food while
+    you were in King Pluto's palace?"</p>
+
+    <p>"Dearest mother," answered Proserpina, "I will tell you the
+    whole truth. Until this morning not a morsel of food had passed
+    my lips. But a servant brought me a pomegranate on a
+    golden-plate, a very dry pomegranate, with no juice inside,
+    nothing but seeds and skin; and I was so hungry, and had not
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page49"
+       id="page49"></a>[pg 49]</span> tasted any food for such a
+       long time, that I took just one bite. The moment I tasted it
+       King Pluto and Mercury came into the room. I had not
+       swallowed a morsel, but O mother! I hope it was no harm, six
+       pomegranate seeds remained in my mouth and I swallowed
+       them."</p>
+
+    <p>"O miserable me!" said Mother Ceres. "For each of these six
+    pomegranate seeds you must spend a month every year in King
+    Pluto's palace. You are only half restored to me; you will be
+    six months with me and then six months with the King of
+    Darkness!"</p>
+
+    <p>"Do not be so vexed, mother dear," said Proserpina. "It was
+    very unkind of King Pluto to carry me off, but then, as he
+    says, it was such a dismal life for him to lead in that great
+    palace all alone: and he says he has been much happier since he
+    had me to run about the big rooms and to play beside him. If
+    only he will let me spend six months every year with you, I
+    think I can bear to spend the other six months beside him.
+    After all, he was as kind as he knew how to be, but I am very
+    glad he cannot keep me the whole year round."</p>
+
+    <h3>THE STORY OF ATALANTA</h3>
+
+    <h4>ADAPTED BY ANNA KLINGENSMITH</h4>
+
+    <p>Atalanta was a maiden whose face you might truly say was
+    boyish for a girl, yet too girlish for a boy. Her fortune had
+    been told, and it was to this effect: "Atalanta, do not marry;
+    marriage will be your ruin." Terrified by this oracle, she fled
+    the society of men, and devoted herself to the sports of the
+    chase. To all suitors (for she had many) she imposed a
+    condition which was generally effectual in relieving her of
+    their persecutions, "I will be the prize of him who shall
+    conquer me in the race; but death must be the penalty of all
+    who try and fail." In spite of this hard condition some would
+    try. Hippomenes was to be judge of the race. "Can
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page50"
+       id="page50"></a>[pg 50]</span> it be possible that any will
+       be so rash as to risk so much for a wife?" said he. But when
+       he saw her ravishing beauty as she prepared for the race, he
+       changed his mind, and said, "Pardon me, youths, I knew not
+       the prize you were competing for." As he surveyed them he
+       wished them all to be beaten, and swelled with envy of
+       anyone that seemed at all likely to win. While such were his
+       thoughts, the virgin darted forward. As she ran she looked
+       more beautiful than ever. The breezes seemed to give wings
+       to her feet; her hair flew over her shoulders, and the gay
+       fringe of her garment fluttered behind her. A ruddy hue
+       tinged the whiteness of her skin, such as a crimson curtain
+       casts on a marble wall. All her competitors were distanced,
+       and were put to death without mercy. Hippomenes, not daunted
+       by this result, fixing his eyes on the virgin, said, "Why
+       boast of beating those laggards? I offer myself for the
+       contest." Atalanta looked at him with a pitying countenance,
+       and hardly knew whether she would rather conquer him or not.
+       "What god can tempt one so young and handsome to throw
+       himself away? I pity him, not for his beauty (yet he is
+       beautiful), but for his youth. I wish he would give up the
+       race, or if he will be so mad, I hope he may outrun me."
+       While she hesitates, revolving these thoughts, the
+       spectators grow impatient for the race, and her father
+       prompts her to prepare. Then Hippomenes addressed a prayer
+       to Venus: "Help me, Venus, for you have led me on." Venus
+       heard and was propitious.</p>
+
+    <p>In the garden of her temple, in her own island of Cyprus, is
+    a tree with yellow leaves and yellow branches and golden fruit.
+    Hence she gathered three golden apples, and, unseen by any one
+    else, gave them to Hippomenes, and told him how to use them.
+    The signal is given; each starts from the goal and skims over
+    the sand. So light their tread, you would almost have thought
+    they might run over the river surface or over the waving grain
+    without sinking. The cries of the spectators cheered
+    Hippomenes,&mdash;"Now, now, do your best! haste, haste! you
+    gain on her! relax not! one more effort!" It was doubtful
+    whether the youth or the maiden heard these cries with the
+    greater pleasure. But his breath began to fail him, his throat
+    was dry, the goal yet far off. At that moment he
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page51"
+       id="page51"></a>[pg 51]</span> threw down one of the golden
+       apples. The virgin was all amazement. She stopped to pick it
+       up. Hippomenes shot ahead. Shouts burst forth from all
+       sides. She redoubled her efforts, and soon overtook him.
+       Again he threw an apple. She stopped again, but again came
+       up with him. The goal was near; one chance only remained.
+       "Now, goddess," said he, "prosper your gift!" and threw the
+       last apple off at one side. She looked at it, and hesitated;
+       Venus impelled her to turn aside for it. She did so, and was
+       vanquished. The youth carried off his prize.</p>
+
+    <h3>PYRAMUS AND THISBE</h3>
+
+    <h4>ADAPTED BY ALICE ZIMMERN</h4>
+
+    <p>In Babylon, the great and wonderful city on the Euphrates,
+    there lived in two adjoining houses a youth and a maiden named
+    Pyramus and Thisbe. Hardly a day passed without their meeting,
+    and at last they came to know and love one another. But when
+    Pyramus sought Thisbe in marriage, the parents would not hear
+    of it, and even forbade the lovers to meet or speak to each
+    other any more. But though they could no longer be openly
+    together, they saw each other at a distance and sent messages
+    by signs and tokens.</p>
+
+    <p>One day to their great delight they discovered a tiny crack
+    in the wall between the two houses, through which they could
+    hear each other speak. But a few words whispered through a
+    chink in the wall could not satisfy two ardent lovers, and they
+    tried to arrange a meeting. They would slip away one night
+    unnoticed and meet somewhere outside the city. A spot near the
+    tomb of Ninus was chosen, where a mulberry tree grew near a
+    pleasant spring of water.</p>
+
+    <p>At nightfall Thisbe put on a thick veil, slipped out of the
+    house unobserved and made her way in haste to the city gates.
+    She was first at the trysting-place and sat down under the tree
+    to wait for her lover. A strange noise made her look up, and
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page52"
+       id="page52"></a>[pg 52]</span> she saw by the clear
+       moonlight a lioness with bloody jaws coming to drink at the
+       spring. Thisbe sprang up, and dropping her cloak in her
+       haste ran to hide herself in a neighboring cave. The
+       lioness, who had already eaten, did not care to pursue her,
+       but finding the cloak lying on the ground, pulled it to bits
+       and left the marks of blood on the torn mantle. Now Pyramus
+       in his turn came to the place and found no Thisbe, but only
+       her torn and bloodstained cloak. "Surely," he thought, "some
+       beast must have devoured her, for here lies her cloak, all
+       mangled and bloodstained. Alas, that I came too late! Her
+       love for me led Thisbe to brave the perils of night and
+       danger, and I was not here to protect and save her. She dies
+       a victim to her love, but she shall not perish alone. One
+       same night will see the end of both lovers. Come, ye lions,
+       and devour me too, 'tis my one prayer. Yet 'tis a coward's
+       part to pray for death when his own hands can give it."</p>
+
+    <p>With these words he drew Thisbe's cloak towards him, and
+    covered it with kisses. "My blood too shall stain you," he
+    cried, and plunged his sword with true aim in his breast. The
+    blood spouted forth as from a fountain and stained the white
+    fruit of the mulberry overhead.</p>
+
+    <p>While Pyramus lay dying under the tree, Thisbe had recovered
+    from her fright, and now stole forth from her hiding-place,
+    hoping that her lover might be at hand. What was her dismay
+    when she saw Pyramus stretched lifeless on the ground. Kneeling
+    down beside him, she washed his wound with her tears, and
+    kissed his cold lips, calling on him in vain to speak. "Speak
+    to me, Pyramus," she cried, "'tis your beloved Thisbe that
+    calls."</p>
+
+    <p>At the sound of her voice Pyramus opened his failing eyes,
+    and gave his love one last look, then he closed them for ever.
+    When Thisbe saw her own cloak and the empty sheath, she guessed
+    that, thinking her dead, he had sought death himself.</p>
+
+    <p>"'Twas by your own hand you fell," she cried, "a victim to
+    love, and love will give my hand strength to do the like. Since
+    those who were parted in life are united in death, perhaps our
+    sorrowing parents will grant us the boon of a common tomb. May
+    we rest side by side, even as we have fallen, and may this
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page53"
+       id="page53"></a>[pg 53]</span> tree, which has witnessed our
+       despair and our death, bear the traces for evermore. Let its
+       fruit be clothed in mourning garb for the death of two
+       hapless lovers."</p>
+
+    <p>With these words she threw herself on the sword of Pyramus.
+    Her last prayer was granted, for one urn held the ashes of the
+    faithful pair. And since that night the mulberry tree bears
+    purple fruit to recall to all generations of lovers the cruel
+    fate of Pyramus and Thisbe.</p>
+
+    <h3>ORPHEUS</h3>
+
+    <h4>ADAPTED BY ALICE ZIMMERN</h4>
+
+    <p>Orpheus, the Thracian singer, was the most famous of all the
+    musicians of Greece. Apollo himself had given him his golden
+    harp, and on it he played music of such wondrous power and
+    beauty that rocks, trees and beasts would follow to hear him.
+    Jason had persuaded Orpheus to accompany the Argonauts when
+    they went to fetch back the golden fleece, for he knew that the
+    perils of the way would be lightened by song. To the sound of
+    his lyre the Argo had floated down to the sea, and he played so
+    sweetly when they passed the rocks of the Sirens that the
+    dreadful monsters sang their most alluring strains in vain.</p>
+
+    <p>Orpheus wedded the fair nymph Eurydice, whom he loved
+    dearly, and who returned his love. But at their marriage the
+    omens were not favorable. Hymen, the marriage god, came to it
+    with a gloomy countenance and the wedding torches smoked and
+    would not give forth a cheerful flame.</p>
+
+    <p>Indeed the happiness of Orpheus and Eurydice was to be but
+    short-lived. For as the new-made bride wandered through the
+    woods with the other nymphs a poisonous serpent stung her heel,
+    and no remedy availed to save her. Orpheus was thrown into most
+    passionate grief at his wife's death. He could not believe that
+    he had lost her for ever, but prayed day and
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page54"
+       id="page54"></a>[pg 54]</span> night without ceasing to the
+       gods above to restore her to him. When they would not
+       listen, he resolved to make one last effort to win her back.
+       He would go down to the Lower World and seek her among the
+       dead, and try whether any prayer or persuasion could move
+       Pluto to restore his beloved.</p>
+
+    <p>Near T&aelig;narum, in Laconia, was a cave among dark and
+    gloomy rocks, through which led one of the entrances to the
+    Lower World. This was the road by which Hercules descended when
+    he went to carry off Cerberus, the three-headed dog that guards
+    the threshold of Pluto. Undaunted by the terrors of the place,
+    Orpheus passed through this gate and down a dark and dismal
+    road to the kingdom of the dead. Here he came in safety through
+    the crowd of ghosts and phantoms, and stood at last before the
+    throne of Pluto and Proserpina. Then he touched the chords of
+    his lyre and chanted these words:</p>
+
+    <p>"Great lords of the world below the earth, to which all we
+    mortals must one day come, grant me to tell a simple tale and
+    declare unto you the truth. Not to look upon the blackness of
+    Tartarus have I come hither, nor yet to bind in chains the
+    snaky heads on Cerberus. It is my wife I seek. A viper's sting
+    has robbed her of the years that were her due. I should have
+    borne my loss, indeed I tried to bear it, but I was overcome by
+    Love, a god well known in the world above, and I think not
+    without honor in your kingdom, unless the story of Proserpina's
+    theft be a lying tale. I beseech you, by the realms of the
+    dead, by mighty Chaos and the silence of your vast kingdom,
+    revoke the untimely doom of Eurydice. All our lives are forfeit
+    to you. 'Tis but a short delay, and late or soon we all hasten
+    towards one goal. Hither all our footsteps tend. This is our
+    last home, yours is the sole enduring rule over mankind. She
+    too, when she shall have lived her allotted term of years, will
+    surely come under your sway. Till then, I implore you, let her
+    be mine. But if the Fates refuse a husband's prayers, I am
+    resolved never to return hence. My death shall give you a
+    double boon."</p>
+
+    <div class="figcenter"
+         style="width:100%;">
+        <a href="images/566.jpg"
+             name="fig566"
+             id="fig566"><img width="250"
+             src="images/566-t.jpg"
+             alt="ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE." /></a>
+
+        <p>&nbsp;</p>ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE.
+    </div>
+
+    <p>Thus he prayed and touched his harp in tune with his words.
+    All around him the lifeless ghosts came flocking, and
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page55"
+       id="page55"></a>[pg 55]</span> as they heard they wept.
+       Tantalus forgot his hunger and thirst. Ixion's wheel stood
+       still, the Danaids set aside their leaky urns and Sisyphus
+       sat on his stone to listen. Never yet had such sweet strains
+       been heard in the world of gloom. Then, for the first time,
+       tears moistened the cheeks of the Furies, and even the king
+       and queen of the dead were moved to pity. They summoned
+       Eurydice, and she came, yet halting from her recent
+       wound.</p>
+
+    <p>"Take her," says Pluto, "and lead her back to the light. But
+    she must follow you at a distance, nor must you once turn round
+    to look upon her till you have passed beyond these realms. Else
+    the boon we grant you will be but vain."</p>
+
+    <p>A steep path led upward from the realm of darkness, and the
+    way was hard to find through the gloom. In silence Orpheus led
+    on, till the goal was close at hand and the welcoming light of
+    the upper air began to penetrate the darkness. Then a sudden
+    fear struck his heart. Had Eurydice really followed his steps,
+    or had she turned back, and was all his toil in vain? Tom with
+    anxiety and longing, he turned to gaze on his beloved. Dimly he
+    saw her, but for the last time, for a power she could not
+    resist drew her back. Orpheus stretched out his arms and tried
+    to seize her, but he only clasped the empty air. "Farewell, a
+    last farewell," she murmured, and vanished from his sight.</p>
+
+    <p>In vain Orpheus tried to follow her, in vain he besought
+    Charon to carry him a second time across the waters of Acheron.
+    Seven days he sat on the further bank without food or drink,
+    nourished by his tears and grief. Then at last he knew that the
+    gods below were pitiless; and full of sorrow he returned to the
+    upper earth.</p>
+
+    <p>For three years he wandered among the mountains of Thrace,
+    finding his only consolation in the music of his lyre, for he
+    shunned all men and women and would have no bride after
+    Eurydice.</p>
+
+    <p>One day he sat down to rest on a grassy hill in the
+    sunshine, and played and sang to beguile his sorrow. As he
+    played, the coolness of shady branches seemed all about him,
+    and looking up he found himself in the midst of a wood. Oak,
+    poplar, lime, beech, laurel, ash, pine, plane and maple and
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page56"
+       id="page56"></a>[pg 56]</span> many another tree had
+       gathered together here, drawn from their distant forest
+       homes by the sounds of Orpheus's lyre. Yes, and the beasts
+       and the birds of the field came too, and Orpheus sat in
+       their midst and sang and played the tunes of sorrow.</p>
+
+    <p>Suddenly a great noise was heard of laughter and shouting
+    and merry-making. For this was one of the feasts of Bacchus,
+    and the women were celebrating his rites, wandering over the
+    mountains with dance and revel. When they saw Orpheus they set
+    up a shout of derision. "See," they cried, "the wretched singer
+    who mocks at women and will have no bride but the dead. Come,
+    let us kill him, and show that no man shall despise us
+    unpunished."</p>
+
+    <p>With these words they began to throw wands and stones at
+    him, but even the lifeless objects were softened by the music,
+    and fell harmlessly to the ground. Then the women raised a wild
+    shout and made such a clamor with trumpets and cymbals, that
+    the soft tones of the harp were drowned by the noise. Now at
+    last the shots took effect, and in their fury the women fell
+    upon him, dealing blow on blow. Orpheus fell lifeless to the
+    ground.</p>
+
+    <p>But he was not to die unwept. The little birds of the forest
+    mourned for him, even the stony rocks wept, the trees shed
+    their leaves with grief, and the dryads and naiads tore their
+    hair and put on the garb of sorrow. Only the pitiless revelers
+    knew no remorse. They seized the singer's head and threw it
+    with his lyre into the river Hebrus. There it floated down
+    stream and, strange to tell, the chords gave forth a lament,
+    and the lifeless tongue uttered words. "Eurydice, Eurydice," it
+    cried, till head and lyre were carried down to the sea, and on
+    to Lesbos, the isle of sweet song, where in after years Alcaeus
+    and Sappho tuned afresh the lyre of Orpheus.</p>
+
+    <p>But the shade of the dead singer went down to Hades, and
+    found entrance at last. Thus Orpheus and Eurydice were
+    re-united, and won in death the bliss that was denied them in
+    life.</p>
+
+    <p>&nbsp;</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page57"
+       id="page57"></a>[pg 57]</span>
+
+    <h2>MYTHS OF SCANDINAVIA</h2>
+
+    <h3>BALDUR</h3>
+
+    <h4>ADAPTED FROM A, AND E. KEARY'S VERSION</h4>
+
+    <h3>I</h3>
+
+    <h3>THE DREAM</h3>
+
+    <p>Upon a summer's afternoon it happened that Baldur the Bright
+    and Bold, beloved of men and the gods, found himself alone in
+    his palace of Broadblink. Thor was walking among the valleys,
+    his brow heavy with summer heat; Frey and Gerda sported on
+    still waters in their cloud-leaf ship; Odin, for once, slept on
+    the top of Air Throne; a noon-day stillness pervaded the whole
+    earth; and Baldur in Broadblink, most sunlit of palaces,
+    dreamed a dream.</p>
+
+    <p>The dream of Baldur was troubled. He knew not whence nor
+    why; but when he awoke he found that a new and weighty care was
+    within him. It was so heavy that Baldur could scarcely carry
+    it, and yet he pressed it closely to his heart and said, "Lie
+    there, and do not fall on any one but me." Then he rose up and
+    walked out from the splendor of his hall, that he might seek
+    his own mother, Frigga, and tell her what had happened. He
+    found her in her crystal saloon, calm and kind, and ready to
+    sympathize; so he walked up to her, his hands pressed closely
+    on his heart, and lay down at her feet sighing.</p>
+
+    <p>"What is the matter, dear Baldur?" asked Frigga, gently.</p>
+
+    <p>"I do not know, mother," answered he. "I do not know what
+    the matter is; but I have a shadow in my heart."</p>
+
+    <p>"Take it out, then, my son, and let me look at it," replied
+    Frigga.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page58"
+       id="page58"></a>[pg 58]</span>
+
+    <p>"But I fear, mother, that if I do it will cover the whole
+    earth."</p>
+
+    <p>Then Frigga laid her hand upon the heart of her son that she
+    might feel the shadow's shape. Her brow became clouded as she
+    felt it; her parted lips grew pale, and she cried out, "Oh!
+    Baldur, my beloved son! the shadow is the shadow of death!"</p>
+
+    <p>Then said Baldur, "I will die bravely, my mother."</p>
+
+    <p>But Frigga answered, "You shall not die at all; for I will
+    not sleep to-night until everything on earth has sworn to me
+    that it will neither kill nor harm you."</p>
+
+    <p>So Frigga stood up, and called to her everything on earth
+    that had power to hurt or slay. First she called all metals to
+    her; and heavy iron-ore came lumbering up the hill into the
+    crystal hall, brass and gold, copper, silver, lead, and steel,
+    and stood before the Queen, who lifted her right hand high in
+    the air, saying, "Swear to me that you will not injure Baldur";
+    and they all swore, and went. Then she called to her all
+    stones; and huge granite came with crumbling sandstone, and
+    white lime, and the round, smooth stones of the seashore, and
+    Frigga raised her arm, saying, "Swear that you will not injure
+    Baldur"; and they swore, and went. Then Frigga called to her
+    the trees; and wide-spreading oak trees, with tall ash and
+    sombre firs, came rushing up the hill, and Frigga raised her
+    hand, and said, "Swear that you will not hurt Baldur"; and they
+    said, "We swear," and went. After this Frigga called to her the
+    diseases, who came blown by poisonous winds on wings of pain to
+    the sound of moaning. Frigga said to them, "Swear"; and they
+    sighed, "We swear," then flew away. Then Frigga called to her
+    all beasts, birds, and venomous snakes, who came to her and
+    swore, and disappeared. Then she stretched out her hand to
+    Baldur, while a smile spread over her face, saying, "Now, my
+    son, you cannot die."</p>
+
+    <p>Just then Odin came in, and when he had heard from Frigga
+    the whole story, he looked even more mournful than she had
+    done; neither did the cloud pass from his face when he was told
+    of the oaths that had been taken.</p>
+
+    <p>"Why do you look so grave, my lord?" demanded Frigga at
+    last. "Baldur cannot die
+    now."</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page59"
+       id="page59"></a>[pg 59]</span>
+
+    <p>But Odin asked very gravely, "Is the shadow gone out of our
+    son's heart, or is it still there?"</p>
+
+    <p>"It cannot be there," said Frigga, turning away her head
+    resolutely, and folding her hands before her.</p>
+
+    <p>But Odin looked at Baldur, and saw how it was. The hands
+    pressed to the heavy heart, the beautiful brow grown dim. Then
+    immediately he arose, saddled Sleipnir, his eight-footed steed,
+    mounted him, and, turning to Frigga, said, "I know of a dead
+    prophetess, Frigga, who, when she was alive, could tell what
+    was going to happen; her grave lies on the east side of
+    Helheim, and I am going there to awake her, and ask whether any
+    terrible grief is really coming upon us."</p>
+
+    <p>So saying Odin shook the bridle in his hand, and the
+    eight-footed, with a bound, leaped forth, rushed like a
+    whirlwind down the mountain of Asgard, and then dashed into a
+    narrow defile between rocks.</p>
+
+    <p>Sleipnir went on through the defile a long way, until he
+    came to a place where the earth opened her mouth. There Odin
+    rode in and down a broad, steep, slanting road which led him to
+    the cavern Gnipa, and the mouth of the cavern Gnipa yawned upon
+    Niflheim. Then thought Odin to himself, "My journey is already
+    done." But just as Sleipnir was about to leap through the jaws
+    of the pit, Garm, the voracious dog who was chained to the
+    rock, sprang forward, and tried to fasten himself upon Odin.
+    Three times Odin shook him off, and still Garm, as fierce as
+    ever, went on with the fight. At last Sleipnir leaped, and Odin
+    thrust just at the same moment; then horse and rider cleared
+    the entrance, and turned eastward towards the dead prophetess's
+    grave, dripping blood along the road as they went; while the
+    beaten Garm stood baying in the cavern's mouth.</p>
+
+    <p>When Odin came to the grave he got off his horse, and stood
+    with his face northward, looking through barred enclosures into
+    the city of Helheim itself. The servants of Hela were very busy
+    there making preparations for some new guest&mdash;hanging
+    gilded couches with curtains of anguish and splendid misery
+    upon the walls. Then Odin's heart died within him, and he began
+    to repeat mournful runes in a low
+    tone.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page60"
+       id="page60"></a>[pg 60]</span>
+
+    <p>The dead prophetess turned heavily in her grave at the sound
+    of his voice, and sat bolt upright. "What man is this," she
+    asked, "who dares disturb my sleep?"</p>
+
+    <p>Then Odin, for the first time in his life, said what was not
+    true; the shadow of Baldur dead fell upon his lips, and he made
+    answer, "My name is Vegtam, the son of Valtam."</p>
+
+    <p>"And what do you want of me?" asked the prophetess.</p>
+
+    <p>"I want to know," replied Odin, "for whom Hela is making
+    ready that gilded couch in Helheim?"</p>
+
+    <p>"That is for Baldur the Beloved," answered the prophetess.
+    "Now go away and let me sleep again, for my eyes are
+    heavy."</p>
+
+    <p>But Odin said, "Only one word more. Is Baldur going to
+    Helheim?"</p>
+
+    <p>"Yes, I've told you that he is," was the answer.</p>
+
+    <p>"Will he never come back to Asgard again?"</p>
+
+    <p>"If everything on earth should weep for him," said she, "he
+    will go back; if not, he will remain in Helheim."</p>
+
+    <p>Then Odin covered his face with his hands and looked into
+    darkness.</p>
+
+    <p>"Do go away," said the prophetess, "I'm so sleepy; I cannot
+    keep my eyes open any longer."</p>
+
+    <p>But Odin raised his head and said again, "Only tell me one
+    thing. Just now, as I looked into darkness, it seemed to me
+    that I saw one on earth who would not weep for Baldur. Who was
+    it?"</p>
+
+    <p>At this she grew very angry and said, "How couldst
+    <i>thou</i> see in darkness? I know of only one who, by giving
+    away his eye, gained light. No Vegtam art thou but Odin, chief
+    of men."</p>
+
+    <p>At her angry words Odin became angry, too, and called out as
+    loudly as he could, "No prophetess nor wise woman, but rather
+    the mother of three giants."</p>
+
+    <p>"Go, go!" answered the prophetess, falling back in her
+    grave; "no man shall waken me again until Loki have burst his
+    chains and the Twilight of the Gods be come." After this Odin
+    mounted the eight-footed once more and rode thoughtfully
+    home.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page61"
+       id="page61"></a>[pg 61]</span>
+
+    <h3>II</h3>
+
+    <h3>THE PEACESTEAD</h3>
+
+    <p>When Odin came back to Asgard, Hermod took the bridle from
+    his father's hand and told him that the rest of the gods were
+    gone to the Peacestead&mdash;a broad, green plain which lay
+    just outside the city. This was the playground of the gods,
+    where they practised trials of skill and held tournaments and
+    sham fights. These last were always conducted in the gentlest
+    and most honorable manner; for the strongest law of the
+    Peacestead was, that no angry blow should be struck, or
+    spiteful word spoken, upon the sacred field; and for this
+    reason some have thought it might be well if children also had
+    a Peacestead to play in.</p>
+
+    <p>Odin was too tired from his journey to go to the Peacestead
+    that afternoon; so he turned away and shut himself up in his
+    palace of Gladsheim. But when he was gone, Loki came into the
+    city by another way, and hearing from Hermod where the gods
+    were, set off to join them.</p>
+
+    <p>When he got to the Peacestead, Loki found that the gods were
+    standing round in a circle shooting at something, and he peeped
+    between the shoulders of two of them to find out what it was.
+    To his surprise he saw Baldur standing in the midst, erect and
+    calm, whilst his friends and brothers were aiming their weapons
+    at him. Some hewed at him with their swords,&mdash;others threw
+    stones at him&mdash;some shot arrows pointed with steel, and
+    Thor continually swung his great hammer at his head. "Well,"
+    said Loki to himself, "if this is the sport of Asgard, what
+    must that of J&ouml;tunheim be? I wonder what Father Odin and
+    Mother Frigga would say if they were here?" But as Loki still
+    looked, he became even more surprised, for the sport went on,
+    and Baldur was not hurt. Arrows aimed at his very heart glanced
+    back again untinged with blood. The stones fell down from his
+    broad, bright brow, and left no bruises there. Swords clave,
+    but did not wound him; Thor's hammer struck him, and he was not
+    crushed. At this Loki grew perfectly furious with envy and
+    hatred. "And why is Baldur to be so honored," said
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page62"
+       id="page62"></a>[pg 62]</span> he "that even steel and stone
+       shall not hurt him?" Then Loki changed himself into a
+       little, dark, bent old woman, with a stick, and hobbled away
+       from the Peacestead to Frigga's crystal saloon. At the door
+       he knocked with the stick.</p>
+
+    <p>"Come in!" said the kind voice of Frigga, and Loki lifted
+    the latch.</p>
+
+    <p>Now when Frigga saw, from the other end of the hall, a
+    little, bent, crippled old woman come hobbling up her crystal
+    floor, she got up with true queenliness and met her halfway,
+    holding out her hand and saying in the kindest manner, "Pray
+    sit down, my poor old friend; for it seems to me that you have
+    come from a great distance."</p>
+
+    <p>"That I have, indeed," answered Loki in a tremulous,
+    squeaking voice.</p>
+
+    <p>"And did you happen to see anything of the gods," asked
+    Frigga, "as you came?"</p>
+
+    <p>"Just now I passed by the Peacestead and saw them at
+    play."</p>
+
+    <p>"What were they doing?"</p>
+
+    <p>"Shooting at Baldur."</p>
+
+    <p>Then Frigga bent over her work with a pleased smile on her
+    face. "And nothing hurt him?"</p>
+
+    <p>"Nothing," answered Loki, looking keenly at her.</p>
+
+    <p>"No, no thing," murmured Frigga, still looking down and
+    speaking half musingly to herself; "for all things have sworn
+    to me that they will not."</p>
+
+    <p>"Sworn!" exclaimed Loki, eagerly; "what is that you say? Has
+    everything sworn then?"</p>
+
+    <p>"Everything," answered she, "excepting the little shrub
+    mistletoe, which grows, you know, on the west side of Valhalla,
+    and to which I said nothing, because I thought it was too young
+    to swear."</p>
+
+    <p>"Excellent!" thought Loki, and then he got up.</p>
+
+    <p>"You're not going yet, are you?" said Frigga, stretching out
+    her hand and looking up at last into the eyes of the old
+    woman.</p>
+
+    <p>"I'm quite rested now, thank you," answered Loki in his
+    squeaky voice, and then he hobbled out at the door, which
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page63"
+       id="page63"></a>[pg 63]</span> clapped after him, and sent a
+       cold gust into the room. Frigga shuddered, and thought that
+       a serpent was gliding down the back of her neck.</p>
+
+    <p>When Loki had left the presence of Frigga, he changed
+    himself back to his proper shape and went straight to the west
+    side of Valhalla, where the mistletoe grew. Then he opened his
+    knife and cut off a large bunch, saying these words, "Too young
+    for Frigga's oaths, but not too weak for Loki's work." After
+    which he set off for the Peacestead once more, the mistletoe in
+    his hand. When he got there he found that the gods were still
+    at their sport, standing round, taking aim, and talking
+    eagerly, and Baldur did not seem tired.</p>
+
+    <p>But there was one who stood alone, leaning against a tree,
+    and who took no part in what was going on. This was H&ouml;dur,
+    Baldur's blind twin-brother; he stood with his head bent
+    downwards, silent while the others were speaking, doing nothing
+    when they were most eager; and Loki thought that there was a
+    discontented expression on his face, just as if he were saying
+    to himself, "Nobody takes any notice of me." So Loki went up to
+    him and put his hand upon his shoulder.</p>
+
+    <p>"And why are you standing here all alone, my brave friend?"
+    said he. "Why don't <i>you</i> throw something at Baldur? Hew
+    at him with a sword, or show him some attention of that
+    sort."</p>
+
+    <p>"I haven't a sword," answered H&ouml;dur, with an impatient
+    gesture; "and you know as well as I do, Loki, that Father Odin
+    does not approve of my wearing warlike weapons, or joining in
+    sham fights, because I am blind."</p>
+
+    <p>"Oh! is that it?" said Loki. Well, I only know <i>I</i>
+    shouldn't like to be left out of everything. However, I've got
+    a twig of mistletoe here which I'll lend you if you like; a
+    harmless little twig enough, but I shall be happy to guide your
+    arm if you would like to throw it, and Baldur might take it as
+    a compliment from his twin-brother."</p>
+
+    <p>"Let me feel it," said H&ouml;dur, stretching out his
+    groping hands.</p>
+
+    <p>"This way, this way, my dear friend," said Loki, giving him
+    the twig. "Now, as hard as ever you can, to do <i>him
+    honor</i>; throw!"</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page64"
+       id="page64"></a>[pg 64]</span>
+
+    <p>H&ouml;dur threw&mdash;Baldur fell, and the shadow of death
+    covered the whole earth.</p>
+
+    <h3>III</h3>
+
+    <h3>BALDUR DEAD</h3>
+
+    <p>One after another they turned and left the Peacestead, the
+    friends and brothers of the slain. One after another they
+    turned and went towards the city; crushed hearts, heavy
+    footsteps, no word amongst them, a shadow upon all. The shadow
+    was in Asgard, too&mdash;had walked through Frigga's hall and
+    seated itself upon the threshold of Gladsheim. Odin had just
+    come out to look at it, and Frigga stood by in mute despair as
+    the gods came up.</p>
+
+    <p>"Loki did it! Loki did it!" they said at last in confused,
+    hoarse whispers, and they looked from one to
+    another,&mdash;upon Odin, upon Frigga, upon the shadow which
+    they saw before them, and which they felt within. "Loki did it!
+    Loki, Loki!" they went on saying; but it was of no use to
+    repeat the name of Loki over and over again when there was
+    another name they were too sad to utter but which filled all
+    their hearts&mdash;Baldur. Frigga said it first, and then they
+    all went to look at him lying down so peacefully on the
+    grass&mdash;dead, dead.</p>
+
+    <p>"Carry him to the funeral pyre!" said Odin, at length; and
+    four of the gods stooped down and lifted their dead
+    brother.</p>
+
+    <p>Noiselessly they carried the body tenderly to the seashore
+    and laid it upon the deck of the majestic ship, Ringhorn, which
+    had been <i>his</i>. Then they stood waiting to see who would
+    come to the funeral. Odin came, and on his shoulders sat his
+    two ravens, whose croaking drew clouds down over the Asa's
+    face, for Thought and Memory sang the same sad song that day.
+    Frigga came,&mdash;Frey, Gerda, Freyja, Thor, Hoenir, Bragi,
+    and Idun. Heimdall came sweeping over the tops of the mountains
+    on Golden Mane, his swift, bright steed. &AElig;gir the Old
+    groaned from under the deep, and sent his daughters up to mourn
+    around the dead. Frost-giants and mountain-giants came crowding
+    round the rimy shores of J&ouml;tunheim to look
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page65"
+       id="page65"></a>[pg 65]</span> across the sea upon the
+       funeral of an Asa. Nanna came, Baldur's fair young wife; but
+       when she saw the dead body of her husband, her own heart
+       broke with grief, and the gods laid her beside him on the
+       stately ship. After this Odin stepped forward and placed a
+       ring on the breast of his son, whispering something at the
+       same time in his ear; but when he and the rest of the gods
+       tried to push Ringhorn into the sea before setting fire to
+       it, they found their hearts too heavy to do it. So they
+       beckoned to the giantess Hyrrokin to come over from
+       J&ouml;tunheim and help them. She, with a single push, set
+       the ship floating, and then, whilst Thor stood up holding
+       his hammer high in the air, Odin lighted the funeral pile of
+       Baldur and of Nanna.</p>
+
+    <p>So Ringhorn went floating towards the deep sea and the
+    funeral fire burnt on. Its broad red flame burst forth
+    heavenward, but when the smoke would have gone upward too, the
+    winds came sobbing and carried it away.</p>
+
+    <h3>IV</h3>
+
+    <h3>HELHEIM</h3>
+
+    <p>When at last the ship Ringhorn had floated out so far to sea
+    that it looked like a dull red lamp on the horizon, Frigga
+    turned round and said, "Will any one of you, my children,
+    perform a noble action and win my love forever?"</p>
+
+    <p>"I will," cried Hermod, before any one else had time to open
+    his lips.</p>
+
+    <p>"Go, then, Hermod," answered Frigga, "saddle Sleipnir with
+    all speed and ride down to Helheim; there seek out Hela, the
+    stern mistress of the dead, and entreat her to send our beloved
+    back to us again."</p>
+
+    <p>Hermod was gone in the twinkling of an eye, not in at the
+    mouth of the earth and through the steep cavern down which Odin
+    went to the dead prophetess's grave; he chose another way,
+    though not a better one; for, go to Helheim as you will, the
+    best is but a downward road, and so Hermod found
+    it&mdash;downward, slanting, slippery, dark, and very cold. At
+    last he came to <span class="pagenum"><a name="page66"
+       id="page66"></a>[pg 66]</span> the Giallar Bru&mdash;that
+       sounding river which flows between the living and the dead,
+       and to the bridge over it which is paved with stones of
+       glittering gold. Hermod was surprised to see gold in such a
+       place; but as he rode over the bridge, and looked down
+       carefully at the stones, he saw that they were only tears
+       which had been shed round the beds of the dying&mdash;only
+       tears, and yet they made the way seem brighter. But when
+       Hermod reached the other end of the bridge, he found the
+       courageous woman who, for ages and ages, had been sitting
+       there to watch the dead go by, and she stopped him
+       saying:</p>
+
+    <p>"What a noise you make! Who are you? Yesterday five troops
+    of dead men went over the Giallar Bridge and did not shake it
+    so much as you have done. Besides," she added, looking more
+    closely at Hermod, "you are not a dead man at all. Your lips
+    are neither cold nor blue. Why, then, do you ride on the way to
+    Helheim?"</p>
+
+    <p>"I seek Baldur," answered Hermod. "Tell me, have you seen
+    him pass?"</p>
+
+    <p>"Baldur," she said, "has ridden over the bridge; but there
+    below, towards the north, lies the way to the Abodes of
+    Death."</p>
+
+    <p>So Hermod went on the way until he came to the barred gates
+    of Helheim itself. There he alighted, tightened his
+    saddle-girths, remounted, clapped both spurs to his horse, and
+    cleared the gate by one tremendous leap. Then Hermod found
+    himself in a place where no living man had ever been
+    before&mdash;the City of the Dead. Perhaps you think there is a
+    great silence there, but you are mistaken. Hermod thought he
+    had never in his life heard so much noise; for the echoes of
+    all words were speaking together&mdash;words, some newly
+    uttered and some ages old; but the dead men did not hear who
+    flitted up and down the dark streets, for their ears had been
+    stunned and become cold long since. Hermod rode on through the
+    city until he came to the palace of Hela, which stood in the
+    midst. Precipice was its threshold, the entrance-hall, Wide
+    Storm, and yet Hermod was not too much afraid to seek the
+    innermost rooms; so he went on to the banqueting hall, where
+    Hela sat at the head of her table serving her new guests.
+    Baldur, alas! sat <span class="pagenum"><a name="page67"
+       id="page67"></a>[pg 67]</span> at her right hand, and on her
+       left his pale young wife. When Hela saw Hermod coming up the
+       hall she smiled grimly, but beckoned to him at the same time
+       to sit down, and told him that he might sup that night with
+       her. It was a strange supper for a living man to sit down
+       to. Hunger was the table; Starvation, Hela's knife; Delay,
+       her man; Slowness, her maid; and Burning Thirst, her wine.
+       After supper Hela led the way to the sleeping apartments.
+       "You see," she said, turning to Hermod, "I am very anxious
+       about the comfort of my guests. Here are beds of unrest
+       provided for all, hung with curtains of Weariness, and look
+       how all the walls are furnished with Despair."</p>
+
+    <p>So saying she strode away, leaving Hermod and Baldur
+    together. The whole night they sat on those unquiet couches and
+    talked. Hermod could speak of nothing but the past, and as he
+    looked anxiously round the room his eyes became dim with tears.
+    But Baldur seemed to see a light far off, and he spoke of what
+    was to come.</p>
+
+    <p>The next morning Hermod went to Hela, and entreated her to
+    let Baldur return to Asgard. He even offered to take his place
+    in Helheim if she pleased; but Hela only laughed at this and
+    said: "You talk a great deal about Baldur, and boast how much
+    every one loves him; I will prove now if what you have told me
+    be true. Let everything on earth, living or dead, weep for
+    Baldur, and he shall go home again; but if <i>one</i> thing
+    only refuse to weep, then let Helheim hold its own; he shall
+    <i>not</i> go."</p>
+
+    <p>"Every one will weep willingly," said Hermod, as he mounted
+    Sleipnir and rode towards the entrance of the city. Baldur went
+    with him as far as the gate and began to send messages to all
+    his friends in Asgard, but Hermod would not listen to many of
+    them.</p>
+
+    <p>"You will soon come back to us," he said, "there is no use
+    in sending messages."</p>
+
+    <p>So Hermod darted homewards, and Baldur watched him through
+    the bars of Helheim's gateway as he flew along.</p>
+
+    <p>"Not soon, not soon," said the dead Asa; but still he saw
+    the light far off, and thought of what was to
+    come.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page68"
+       id="page68"></a>[pg 68]</span>
+
+    <h3>V</h3>
+
+    <h3>WEEPING</h3>
+
+    <p>"Well, Hermod, what did she say?" asked the gods from the
+    top of the hill as they saw him coming; "make haste and tell us
+    what she said." And Hermod came up.</p>
+
+    <p>"Oh! is that all?" they cried, as soon as he had delivered
+    his message. "Nothing can be more easy," and then they all
+    hurried off to tell Frigga. She was weeping already, and in
+    five minutes there was not a tearless eye in Asgard.</p>
+
+    <p>"But this is not enough," said Odin; "the whole earth must
+    know of our grief that it may weep with us."</p>
+
+    <p>Then the father of the gods called to him his messenger
+    maidens&mdash;the beautiful Valkyries&mdash;and sent them out
+    into all worlds with these three words on their lips, "Baldur
+    is dead!" But the words were so dreadful that at first the
+    messenger maidens could only whisper them in low tones as they
+    went along, "Baldur is dead!" The dull, sad sounds flowed back
+    on Asgard like a new river of grief, and it seemed to the gods
+    as if they now wept for the first time&mdash;"Baldur is
+    dead!"</p>
+
+    <p>"What is that the Valkyries are saying?" asked the men and
+    women in all the country round, and when they heard rightly,
+    men left their labor and lay down to weep&mdash;women dropped
+    the buckets they were carrying to the well, and, leaning their
+    faces over them, filled them with tears. The children crowded
+    upon the doorsteps, or sat down at the corners of the streets,
+    crying as if their own mothers were dead.</p>
+
+    <p>The Valkyries passed on. "Baldur is dead!" they said to the
+    empty fields; and straightway the grass and the wild
+    field-flowers shed tears.</p>
+
+    <p>"Baldur is dead!" said the messenger maidens to the rocks
+    and stones; and the very stones began to weep. "Baldur is
+    dead!" the Valkyries cried; and even the old mammoth's bones
+    which had lain for centuries under the hills, burst into tears,
+    so that small rivers gushed forth from every mountain's side.
+    "Baldur is dead!" said the messenger maidens as they swept over
+    silent sands; and all the shells wept pearls. "Baldur is dead!"
+    they cried to the sea, and to J&ouml;tunheim across the sea;
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page69"
+       id="page69"></a>[pg 69]</span> and when the giants
+       understood it, even they wept, while the sea rained spray to
+       heaven. After this the Valkyries stepped from one stone to
+       another until they reached a rock that stood alone in the
+       middle of the sea; then, all together, they bent forward
+       over the edge of it, stooped down and peeped over, that they
+       might tell the monsters of the deep. "Baldur is dead!" they
+       said, and the sea monsters and the fish wept. Then the
+       messenger maidens looked at one another and said, "Surely
+       our work is done." So they twined their arms round one
+       another's waists, and set forth on the downward road to
+       Helheim, there to claim Baldur from among the dead.</p>
+
+    <p>After he had sent forth his messenger maidens, Odin had
+    seated himself on the top of Air Throne that he might see how
+    the earth received his message. At first he watched the
+    Valkyries as they stepped forth north and south, and east and
+    west; but soon the whole earth's steaming tears rose up like a
+    great cloud and hid everything from him. Then he looked down
+    through the cloud and said, "Are you all weeping?" The
+    Valkyries heard the sound of his voice as they went all
+    together down the slippery road, and they turned round,
+    stretching out their arms towards Air Throne, their long hair
+    falling back, while, with choked voices and streaming eyes,
+    they answered, "The world weeps, Father Odin; the world and
+    we."</p>
+
+    <p>After this they went on their way until they came to the end
+    of the cave Gnipa, where Garm was chained, and which yawned
+    over Niflheim. "The world weeps," they said one to another by
+    way of encouragement, for here the road was so dreadful; but
+    just as they were about to pass through the mouth of Gnipa they
+    came upon a haggard witch named Thaukt, who sat in the entrance
+    with her back to them, and her face toward the abyss. "Baldur
+    is dead! Weep, weep!" said the messenger maidens, as they tried
+    to pass her; but Thaukt made answer:</p>
+
+    <div class="poem">
+        <div class="stanza">
+            <p>"What she doth hold,</p>
+
+            <p class="i2">Let Hela keep;</p>
+
+            <p>For naught care I,</p>
+
+            <p class="i2">Though the world weep,</p>
+
+            <p class="i4">O'er Baldur's bale.</p>
+
+            <p>Live he or die</p>
+
+            <p>With tearless eye,</p>
+
+            <p class="i4">Old Thaukt shall wail."</p>
+        </div>
+    </div><span class="pagenum"><a name="page70"
+       id="page70"></a>[pg 70]</span>
+
+    <p>And with these words leaped into Niflheim with a yell of
+    triumph.</p>
+
+    <p>"Surely that cry was the cry of Loki," said one of the
+    maidens; but another pointed towards the city of Helheim, and
+    there they saw the stern face of Hela looking over the
+    wall.</p>
+
+    <p>"One has not wept," said the grim Queen, "and Helheim holds
+    its own." So saying she motioned the maidens away with her
+    long, cold hand.</p>
+
+    <p>Then the Valkyries turned and fled up the steep way to the
+    foot of Odin's throne, like a pale snowdrift that flies before
+    the storm.</p>
+
+    <h3>THOR'S ADVENTURES AMONG THE J&Ouml;TUNS</h3>
+
+    <h4>ADAPTED BY JULIA GODDARD</h4>
+
+    <p>Once upon a time Thor set out upon his travels, taking Loki
+    with him, for despite Loki's spirit of mischief he often aided
+    Thor, who doubtless, in the present expedition, felt that Loki
+    might be of use to him.</p>
+
+    <p>So they set off together in Thor's chariot, drawn by its two
+    strong he-goats, and as night drew nigh, stopped at the hut of
+    a peasant, where they asked food and shelter.</p>
+
+    <p>"Food I have none to give you," said the peasant. "I am a
+    poor man and not able even to give supper to my children, but
+    if you like to rest under my roof you are welcome to do
+    so."</p>
+
+    <p>"Never mind the food; I can manage that," said Thor,
+    dismounting from the chariot and entering the hut.</p>
+
+    <p>It was a poor place, and not at all fitted to receive one of
+    the Asi, but Thor was glad enough to meet with it, wretched as
+    it was.</p>
+
+    <p>"You can kill the goats," said he; "they will make us an
+    excellent meal."</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page71"
+       id="page71"></a>[pg 71]</span>
+
+    <p>The peasant could not help thinking that it was a pity to
+    kill two such fine animals; but wisely thinking that this was
+    no affair of his, and that the stranger had a right to do as he
+    pleased with his own, he set himself to obey Thor's orders, and
+    with the help of his daughter Raska soon spread a savory repast
+    before the hungry god and his attendant.</p>
+
+    <p>"Sit down, all of you," said Thor; "there is enough and to
+    spare."</p>
+
+    <p>So they all sat down, and the peasant and his children
+    shared a more plentiful meal than had fallen to their lot
+    lately. Thor and Loki also did ample justice to the food, and
+    when supper was over the thunder-god bade the peasant gather
+    the bones and place them in the goatskins, and making them into
+    a bundle he left them on the floor until the next morning.</p>
+
+    <p>When the morning came and the early sun shone in through the
+    crevices, Thor raised his hammer, and instead of the bundle of
+    bones the peasant and his son and daughter saw the two goats
+    standing as fresh and lively as if nothing had happened to
+    them, saving that one of them halted a little in his walk.</p>
+
+    <p>When they sought to learn why this should be, it was found
+    that Thialfe, the boy, in getting the marrow out of one of the
+    bones, had broken it, and it was this that caused the goat to
+    go lame.</p>
+
+    <p>Thor was very angry, and was very near killing not only
+    Thialfe but also the peasant and his daughter Raska, but they
+    begged so hard for their lives that he consented to spare them
+    on condition that the boy and girl should follow him in his
+    travels.</p>
+
+    <p>To this they agreed, and Thor, leaving the chariot and goats
+    in the peasant's care, went on his journey, giving Thialfe, who
+    was a very swift runner, his wallet to carry.</p>
+
+    <p>On and on they journeyed until they came to a great sea.</p>
+
+    <p>"How are we to get over this?" asked Loki.</p>
+
+    <p>"Swim across it," replied Thor.</p>
+
+    <p>And in they all plunged, for Thialfe and Raska were used to
+    a hardy life, and so were able to swim with scarcely more
+    weariness than Thor and Loki, and were not long in reaching the
+    opposite shore.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page72"
+       id="page72"></a>[pg 72]</span>
+
+    <p>"The country does not improve," said Loki, looking round
+    upon the desolate plain that lay outstretched between them and
+    the borders of a dark forest, which they could just see in the
+    far distance. One or two huge rocks thrust their jagged points
+    high into the air, and great blocks of stone were scattered
+    about, but there was no sign of herbage and not a tree to be
+    seen nearer than the forest belt bounding the horizon. Heavy
+    gray clouds were drawing nearer and nearer to the dreary earth,
+    and twilight was fast approaching. "It looks not well,"
+    answered Thor, "but we must push on and perhaps may find it
+    better as we go onward. Besides, night is drawing nigh, and as
+    there are no dwellings to be seen we must try to gain the
+    shelter of the forest before it is too dark to see where we are
+    going."</p>
+
+    <p>So they pushed on, and though they looked to the right hand
+    and to the left, soon found that they were in a land where no
+    men lived. There was, therefore, nothing to be done but to
+    quicken their speed, in order to reach the shelter of the
+    forest. But though they strove to the utmost, the twilight
+    deepened into darkness and the darkness became so deep by the
+    time they reached the forest, that they only knew they had
+    arrived there by Loki's striking his head against a low branch,
+    and soon after this Thor cried out:</p>
+
+    <p>"Good luck! I have found a house. Follow close after me and
+    we will make ourselves comfortable for the night."</p>
+
+    <p>For Thor in groping along had come to what he supposed to be
+    a wall of solid masonry.</p>
+
+    <p>"Where are you?" asked Loki, "for it is so dark that I
+    cannot see you."</p>
+
+    <p>"Here," answered Thor, stretching out his hand; "take hold
+    and follow me."</p>
+
+    <p>So Loki clutched Thor's arm, and Thialfe in turn seized the
+    arm of Loki, whilst Raska clung to her brother and wished
+    herself safe at home in her father's hut.</p>
+
+    <p>And thus they groped their way along the wall, seeking to
+    find an entrance to the house.</p>
+
+    <p>At last Thor found a huge entrance opening into a wide,
+    hall, and passing through this they turned to the left into a
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page73"
+       id="page73"></a>[pg 73]</span> large room which was quite
+       empty, and here, after eating some food, they stretched
+       themselves upon the hard floor and wearied out with the
+       day's march, soon fell asleep.</p>
+
+    <p>But they did not sleep long. Their slumbers were broken by a
+    rumbling sound as of a coming earthquake; the walls of the
+    house shook, and peals of thunder echoed through the lofty
+    chamber.</p>
+
+    <p>Thor sprang up. "We are scarcely safe here," he said; "let
+    us seek some other room." Loki jumped up speedily, as did also
+    Thialfe and Raska, who were in a great fright, wondering what
+    dreadful thing was going to happen to them. They willingly
+    followed Thor, hoping to find a safer place.</p>
+
+    <p>To the right they saw another room like a long gallery with
+    a huge doorway, and into this Loki, Thialfe, and Raska crept,
+    choosing the farthest corner of it; but Thor took his stand at
+    the doorway to be on the watch if any fresh danger should
+    threaten them.</p>
+
+    <p>After a somewhat uncomfortable rest, Loki, Thialfe, and
+    Raska were not sorry to find that the day had dawned, though as
+    there were no windows in the house, they only knew it by
+    hearing the cock crow.</p>
+
+    <p>Thor was better off, for the doorway was so wide that the
+    sunlight came pouring in without hindrance. Indeed the huge
+    size of the doorway made Thor think that the builder must have
+    given up all hope of ever finding a door large enough to fit
+    into it.</p>
+
+    <p>He strolled away from the house, and the first thing that he
+    saw was a huge giant fast asleep upon the greensward; and now
+    he knew that the thunder that had so frightened them in the
+    night had been nothing more or less than the loud snoring of
+    the giant.</p>
+
+    <p>So wroth was Thor at the thought that such a thing should
+    have made him afraid, that he fastened on his belt of strength
+    and drew his sword and made towards the giant as though he
+    would kill him on the spot.</p>
+
+    <p>But the giant, opening his great round eyes, stared so
+    steadily at Thor that the god became mazed and could do nothing
+    but stare in return.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page74"
+       id="page74"></a>[pg 74]</span>
+
+    <p>At last, however, he found voice to ask, "What is your
+    name?"</p>
+
+    <p>"My name," said the giant, raising himself on one elbow,
+    thereby causing his head to rise so high into the air that Thor
+    thought it was taking flight altogether, "is Skrymner; you, I
+    believe, are the god Thor?"</p>
+
+    <p>"I am," answered the god.</p>
+
+    <p>"Do you happen to have picked up my glove?" asked the giant
+    carelessly.</p>
+
+    <p>Then Thor knew that what he and his companions had taken for
+    a large house was only the giant's glove, and from this we may
+    judge how huge a giant Skrymner must have been.</p>
+
+    <p>Thor made no answer, and Skrymner next asked whither Thor
+    was traveling; and when he found that he was journeying to
+    Utgard, offered to bear him company, as he too was going to the
+    same place.</p>
+
+    <p>Thor accepted the giant's offer, and after eating a hearty
+    meal, all were ready for another day's march.</p>
+
+    <p>Skrymner showed himself a kindly giant, and insisted upon
+    carrying Thor's bag of meal, putting it into his own wallet,
+    which he slung across his broad shoulders.</p>
+
+    <p>It must have been a strange sight, indeed, to see the great
+    giant stalking along with his smaller companions at his heels;
+    and we may well marvel how they managed to keep pace with him,
+    or how Thor was able to raise his voice to such a pitch as to
+    reach the giant's ears.</p>
+
+    <p>Nevertheless all went well, and they trudged cheerfully
+    along, never flagging in their talk.</p>
+
+    <p>Once Skrymner took Raska on his shoulder, but the height
+    made her so giddy that she was glad to come down again and walk
+    quietly by the side of Thialfe.</p>
+
+    <p>When night overtook them they encamped under one of the
+    great oak-trees, for they were not yet out of the bounds of the
+    forest. Skrymner, to judge by his loud snoring, fell asleep the
+    moment he lay down upon the ground, but Thor and his comrades
+    were not so tired as to forget that they had tasted nothing
+    since breakfast time. Accordingly they set to work
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page75"
+       id="page75"></a>[pg 75]</span> to open the wallet that
+       Skrymner had given into their hands before closing his
+       eyes.</p>
+
+    <p>But it was no easy task, and with all their efforts they
+    failed to open it. Not a knot could they untie, and their
+    fingers were chafed and aching.</p>
+
+    <p>Neither were they more able to awaken Skyrmner, and Thor's
+    anger waxed exceedingly fierce. "You shall pay for this," said
+    he, flinging his hammer at the giant.</p>
+
+    <p>Skrymner half opened the eye nearest to Thor, and said in a
+    very sleepy voice, "Why will the leaves drop off the trees?"
+    And then he snored as loudly as before.</p>
+
+    <p>Thor picked up his hammer, and approaching nearer drove it
+    into the hinder part of the giant's head, who again, half
+    waking up, muttered, "How troublesome the dust is!"</p>
+
+    <p>Thor was exceedingly astonished at this, but thought
+    nevertheless that he would once more make trial of his power;
+    so coming up close to Skrymner he struck with such force as to
+    drive the hammer up to the handle in the giant's cheek.</p>
+
+    <p>Then Skrymner opened both eyes, and lazily lifting his
+    finger to his face said, "I suppose there are birds about, for
+    I fancied I felt a feather fall."</p>
+
+    <p>Now was Thor fairly disconcerted; and the next morning, when
+    the giant told him that they must now part, as his road led him
+    another way, he was by no means ill-pleased, and he let
+    Skrymner go without so much as bidding him "good speed."
+    Skrymner, however, seemed not to notice that Thor was glad to
+    be quit of his company, and gave him some very friendly advice
+    before he left him.</p>
+
+    <p>"If you will take my advice," said the giant, "you will give
+    up this thought of visiting Utgard. The people there are all
+    giants of greater stature even than I, and they make nothing of
+    little men, such as you are. Nay, more, you yourself are likely
+    to fare but badly amongst them, for I see that you are rather
+    apt to think too much of yourself and to take too much upon
+    you. Be wise while there is time, think of what I say, and
+    don't go near the city."</p>
+
+    <p>"But I will go there," shouted Thor, almost choked with
+    rage; "I will go in spite of all the J&ouml;tuns of
+    J&ouml;tunheim. None <span class="pagenum"><a name="page76"
+       id="page76"></a>[pg 76]</span> shall hinder me, and the
+       giants shall see and wonder at the mighty power of the god
+       Thor."</p>
+
+    <p>And as he spoke the rising sun fell full upon the city of
+    Utgard, whose huge brazen gates glittered in the sunlight. Even
+    though they were so far away, Thor could see how high they
+    were; and as he drew nearer, their vast size filled him with
+    amazement; but when he reached them his wonder was beyond all
+    words, for he and his companions seemed no larger than
+    grasshoppers, in comparison with their height.</p>
+
+    <p>The gates were not open, for it was yet early; so Thor and
+    his comrades crept through the bars, and entered the city. As
+    they passed along the streets the houses were so tall that it
+    was only by crossing to the opposite side of the broad road
+    that they were able to see the windows in the topmost stories.
+    And the streets were so wide that it was quite a journey across
+    them.</p>
+
+    <p>Once a mouse darted out of a hole, and Raska screamed, for
+    she thought it was a grisly bear. The mouse also shrieked and
+    made much more noise than Raska, as well it might, for a cat so
+    huge that Thialfe half thought it must be the monster of
+    Midgard seized it, and giving it a pat with one of its paws
+    laid it dead on the pavement.</p>
+
+    <p>As for the horses, their hoofs were terrible to look at, and
+    Thialfe and Raska must have climbed up ladders if they wished
+    to see their heads.</p>
+
+    <p>The people were quite as large as Skrymner had described and
+    Thor and his companions were obliged to be very careful lest
+    they should get trodden upon, as it was very doubtful if the
+    people even saw them.</p>
+
+    <p>Still Thor walked along with the proud consciousness that he
+    was the god Thor; and feeling that though he was so small he
+    was yet a person of some importance, made his way to the
+    palace, and desired to see the King.</p>
+
+    <p>After some little time he and his fellow travelers were
+    ushered into the presence of Utgarda Loke, the King of the
+    country. And Utgarda Loke, hearing the door open, raised his
+    eyes, thinking to see some great courtier enter, but he knew
+    nothing of the bows and greetings of Thor, until happening to
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page77"
+       id="page77"></a>[pg 77]</span> cast his eyes to the ground,
+       he saw a little man with his companions saluting him with
+       much ceremony.</p>
+
+    <p>The King had never seen such small men before, and there was
+    something so absurd to him in the sight, that he burst out
+    laughing.</p>
+
+    <p>And then all the courtiers laughed also, pretending that
+    they had not seen the little creatures before.</p>
+
+    <p>It was some time before they all left off laughing, but at
+    length there was a pause, and Thor essayed to make himself
+    heard.</p>
+
+    <p>"Though we are but small in comparison with the
+    J&ouml;tuns," said he angrily, "we are by no means to be
+    despised, but are gifted with powers that may surprise
+    you."</p>
+
+    <p>"Really!" answered Utgarda Loke, raising his eyebrows. And
+    then he and his courtiers laughed louder than before.</p>
+
+    <p>At last there was another pause in their merriment, and the
+    King added: "However, we are willing to give the strangers a
+    fair trial in order to prove the truth of what their spokesman,
+    whom I take to be the god Thor, says. How say you? What can
+    this one do?" And he pointed to Loki.</p>
+
+    <p>"Please your Majesty, I am very great at eating," returned
+    Loki.</p>
+
+    <p>"Nay," answered Utgarda Loke, "you must grow a little before
+    you are great at anything."</p>
+
+    <p>At which speech the courtiers again shouted with laughter;
+    but Utgarda Loke, turning to his servants, bade them make trial
+    of Loki's powers. So they brought a great trough full of food,
+    and Loki was placed at one end, and a courtier named Loge at
+    the other. They both fell to work to devour what was before
+    them, and met at the middle of the trough. But it was found
+    that while Loki had eaten the flesh of his portion, Loge had
+    eaten, not only the flesh, but the bones also. Therefore Loki,
+    was, of course, vanquished.</p>
+
+    <p>Then Utgarda Loke turned to Thialfe. "And pray, in what may
+    this youth be specially skilled?" he asked.</p>
+
+    <p>"I am a swift skater," answered Thialfe.</p>
+
+    <p>"Try him," said the King.</p>
+
+    <p>And Thialfe was led to a plain of ice, as smooth as glass,
+    and one named Hugr was set to run against him. But though
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page78"
+       id="page78"></a>[pg 78]</span> Thialfe was the swiftest
+       skater ever known in the world, yet Hugr glided past him so
+       fleetly that he had returned to the starting-post before
+       Thialfe had done more than a quarter of the distance.</p>
+
+    <p>Three times did Thialfe match his speed against Hugr, and,
+    three times beaten, withdrew from the contest as disconsolate
+    as Loki.</p>
+
+    <p>"And now may I ask what you can do yourself?" said the King
+    to Thor.</p>
+
+    <p>"I can drain a wine-cup with any one," replied the god.</p>
+
+    <p>"Try him," said Utgarda Loke.</p>
+
+    <p>And forthwith the royal cupbearer presented a drinking-horn
+    to Thor.</p>
+
+    <p>"If you are as great as you pretend to be," said the King,
+    "you will drain it at one draught. Some people take two pulls
+    at it, but the weakest among us can manage it in three."</p>
+
+    <p>Thor took up the horn, and, being very thirsty, took a
+    steady pull at it. He thought he had done very well, but on
+    removing it from his lips he marveled to see how little had
+    gone.</p>
+
+    <p>A second time he took a draught, but the horn was far from
+    being emptied.</p>
+
+    <p>Again a third time he essayed to drain it, but it was full
+    almost to the brim.</p>
+
+    <p>Therefore he set it down in despair, and confessed himself
+    unable to drain it.</p>
+
+    <p>"I am disappointed in you," said Utgarda Loke; "you are not
+    half the man I took you for. I see it is no use asking you to
+    do warrior's feats; I must try you in a simpler way, in a
+    child's play that we have amongst us. You shall try to lift my
+    cat from the ground."</p>
+
+    <p>Thor turned quite scarlet, and then became white with
+    rage.</p>
+
+    <p>"Are you afraid?" asked Utgarde Loke; "you look so
+    pale."</p>
+
+    <p>And a large gray cat came leaping along, and planted itself
+    firmly before Thor, showing its sharp claws, and glaring upon
+    him with its fiery eyes.</p>
+
+    <p>Thor seized it, but in spite of all his efforts he was only
+    able to raise one of the cat's paws from the ground.</p>
+
+    <p>"Pooh! pooh!" exclaimed Utgarda Loke, "you are a mere baby,
+    fit only for the nursery. I believe that my old nurse
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page79"
+       id="page79"></a>[pg 79]</span> Hela would be more than a
+       match for you. Here, Hela, come and wrestle with the mighty
+       god Thor."</p>
+
+    <p>And Utgarda Loke laughed disdainfully.</p>
+
+    <p>Forth stepped a decrepit old woman, with lank cheeks and
+    toothless jaws. Her eyes were sunken, her brow furrowed, and
+    her scanty locks were white as snow.</p>
+
+    <p>She advanced towards Thor, and tried to throw him to the
+    ground; but though he put forth his whole strength to withstand
+    her, he was surprised to find how powerful she was, and that it
+    needed all his efforts to keep his feet. For a long time he was
+    successful, but at length she brought him down upon one knee,
+    and Thor was obliged to acknowledge himself conquered.</p>
+
+    <p>Ashamed and mortified, he and his companions withdrew to a
+    lodging for the night, and in the morning were making ready to
+    leave the city quietly, when Utgarda Loke sent for them.</p>
+
+    <p>He made them a splendid feast, and afterwards went with them
+    beyond the city gates.</p>
+
+    <p>"Now tell me honestly," said he to Thor, "what do you think
+    of your success?"</p>
+
+    <p>"I am beyond measure astounded and ashamed," replied the
+    god.</p>
+
+    <p>"Ha! ha!" laughed Utgarda Loke. "I knew that you were.
+    However, as we are well out of the city I don't mind telling
+    you a secret or two. Doubtless you will receive a little
+    comfort from my doing so, as you confess that your coming
+    hither has been to no purpose.</p>
+
+    <p>"In the first place, you have been deceived by enchantments
+    ever since you came within the borders of J&ouml;tunheim. I am
+    the giant you met with on your way hither, and if I had known
+    as much of your power then as I do now, you would never have
+    found your way within the walls of Utgard.</p>
+
+    <p>"Certainly I had had some slight experience of it, for the
+    three blows you gave me would have killed me had they fallen
+    upon me. But it was not I, but a huge mountain that you struck
+    at; and if you visit it again, you will find three valleys
+    cleft in the rocks by the strokes of your hammer.</p>
+
+    <p>"As for the wallet, I had fastened it with a magic chain, so
+    that you need not wonder that you could not open
+    it.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page80"
+       id="page80"></a>[pg 80]</span>
+
+    <p>"Loge, with whom Loki strove, was no courtier, but a subtle
+    devouring flame that consumed all before it."</p>
+
+    <p>Here Loki uttered an exclamation of delight, but Thor bade
+    him be silent, and Utgarda Loke went on:</p>
+
+    <p>"Thialfe's enemy was Hugr, or Thought, and let man work away
+    as hard as he pleases, Thought will still outrun him.</p>
+
+    <p>"As for yourself, the end of the drinking-horn, though you
+    did not see it, reached the sea, and as fast as you emptied it,
+    it filled again, so that you never could have drained it dry.
+    But the next time that you stand upon the seashore, you will
+    find how much less the ocean is by your draughts.</p>
+
+    <p>"The gray cat was no cat, but the great Serpent of Midgard,
+    that twines round the world, and you lifted him so high that we
+    were all quite frightened.</p>
+
+    <p>"But your last feat was the most wonderful of all, for Hela
+    was none other than Death. And never did I see any one before
+    over whom Death had so little power.</p>
+
+    <p>"And now, my friend, go your way, and don't come near my
+    city again, for I tell you plainly I do not want you there, and
+    I shall use all kinds of enchantment to keep you out of
+    it."</p>
+
+    <p>As he ended his speech, Thor raised his hammer, but Utgarda
+    Loke had vanished.</p>
+
+    <p>"I will return to the city, and be avenged," said Thor.</p>
+
+    <p>But lo! the giant city was nowhere to be seen. A fair
+    pasture-land spread itself out around him, and through its
+    midst a broad river flowed peacefully along.</p>
+
+    <p>So Thor and his companions, musing upon their wonderful
+    adventures, turned their steps homewards.</p>
+
+    <h3>THE APPLES OF IDUN</h3>
+
+    <h4>ADAPTED BY HAMILTON WRIGHT MABIE</h4>
+
+    <p>Once upon a time Odin, Loki, and Hoenir started on a
+    journey. They had often traveled together before on all sorts
+    of errands, for they had a great many things to look
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page81"
+       id="page81"></a>[pg 81]</span> after, and more than once
+       they had fallen into trouble through the prying, meddlesome,
+       malicious spirit of Loki, who was never so happy as when he
+       was doing wrong. When the gods went on a journey they
+       traveled fast and hard, for they were strong, active spirits
+       who loved nothing so much as hard work, hard blows, storm,
+       peril, and struggle. There were no roads through the country
+       over which they made their way, only high mountains to be
+       climbed by rocky paths, deep valleys into which the sun
+       hardly looked during half the year, and swift-rushing
+       streams, cold as ice, and treacherous to the surest foot and
+       the strongest arm. Not a bird flew through the air, not an
+       animal sprang through the trees. It was as still as a
+       desert. The gods walked on and on, getting more tired and
+       hungry at every step. The sun was sinking low over the
+       steep, pine-crested mountains, and the travelers had neither
+       breakfasted nor dined. Even Odin was beginning to feel the
+       pangs of hunger, like the most ordinary mortal, when
+       suddenly, entering a little valley, the famished gods came
+       upon a herd of cattle. It was the work of a minute to kill a
+       great ox and to have the carcass swinging in a huge pot over
+       a roaring fire.</p>
+
+    <p>But never were gods so unlucky before! In spite of their
+    hunger, the pot would not boil. They piled on the wood until
+    the great flames crackled and licked the pot with their fiery
+    tongues, but every time the cover was lifted there was the meat
+    just as raw as when it was put in. It is easy to imagine that
+    the travelers were not in very good humor. As they were talking
+    about it, and wondering how it could be, a voice called out
+    from the branches of the oak overhead, "If you will give me my
+    fill, I'll make the pot boil."</p>
+
+    <p>The gods looked first at each other and then into the tree,
+    and there they discovered a great eagle. They were glad enough
+    to get their supper on almost any terms, so they told the eagle
+    he might have what he wanted if he would only get the meat
+    cooked. The bird was as good as his word, and in less time than
+    it takes to tell it supper was ready. Then the eagle flew down
+    and picked out both shoulders and both legs. This was a pretty
+    large share, it must be confessed, and Loki, who was always
+    angry when anybody got more than he, no sooner saw
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page82"
+       id="page82"></a>[pg 82]</span> what the eagle had taken,
+       than he seized a great pole and began to beat the rapacious
+       bird unmercifully. Whereupon a very singular thing happened,
+       as singular things always used to happen when the gods were
+       concerned: the pole stuck fast in the huge talons of the
+       eagle at one end, and Loki stuck fast at the other end.
+       Struggle as he might, he could not get loose, and as the
+       great bird sailed away over the tops of the trees, Loki went
+       pounding along on the ground, striking against rocks and
+       branches until he was bruised half to death.</p>
+
+    <p>The eagle was not an ordinary bird by any means, as Loki
+    soon found when he begged for mercy. The giant Thjasse happened
+    to be flying abroad in his eagle plumage when the hungry
+    travelers came under the oak and tried to cook the ox. It was
+    into his hands that Loki had fallen, and he was not to get away
+    until he had promised to pay roundly for his freedom.</p>
+
+    <p>If there was one thing which the gods prized above their
+    other treasures in Asgard, it was the beautiful fruit of Idun,
+    kept by the goddess in a golden casket and given to the gods to
+    keep them forever young and fair. Without these Apples all
+    their power could not have kept them from getting old like the
+    meanest of mortals. Without these Apples of Idun, Asgard itself
+    would have lost its charm; for what would heaven be without
+    youth and beauty forever shining through it?</p>
+
+    <p>Thjasse told Loki that he could not go unless he would
+    promise to bring the Apples of Idun. Loki was wicked enough for
+    anything; but when it came to robbing the gods of their
+    immortality, even he hesitated. And while he hesitated the
+    eagle dashed hither and thither, flinging him against the sides
+    of the mountains and dragging him through the great tough
+    boughs of the oaks until his courage gave out entirely, and he
+    promised to steal the Apples out of Asgard and give them to the
+    giant.</p>
+
+    <p>Loki was bruised and sore enough when he got on his feet
+    again to hate the giant who handled him so roughly, with all
+    his heart, but he was not unwilling to keep his promise to
+    steal the Apples, if only for the sake of tormenting the other
+    gods. But how was it to be done? Idun guarded the golden fruit
+    of immortality with sleepless watchfulness. No one ever touched
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page83"
+       id="page83"></a>[pg 83]</span> it but herself, and a
+       beautiful sight it was to see her fair hands spread it forth
+       for the morning feasts in Asgard. The power which Loki
+       possessed lay not so much in his own strength, although he
+       had a smooth way of deceiving people, as in the goodness of
+       others who had no thought of his doing wrong because they
+       never did wrong themselves.</p>
+
+    <p>Not long after all this happened, Loki came carelessly up to
+    Idun as she was gathering her Apples to put them away in the
+    beautiful carven box which held them.</p>
+
+    <p>"Good morning, goddess," said he. "How fair and golden your
+    Apples are!</p>
+
+    <p>"Yes," answered Idun; "the bloom of youth keeps them always
+    beautiful."</p>
+
+    <p>"I never saw anything like them," continued Loki slowly, as
+    if he were talking about a matter of no importance, "until the
+    other day."</p>
+
+    <p>Idun looked up at once with the greatest interest and
+    curiosity in her face. She was very proud of her Apples, and
+    she knew no earthly trees, however large and fair, bore the
+    immortal fruit.</p>
+
+    <p>"Where have you seen any Apples like them?" she asked.</p>
+
+    <p>"Oh, just outside the gates," said Loki indifferently. "If
+    you care to see them I'll take you there. It will keep you but
+    a moment. The tree is only a little way off."</p>
+
+    <p>Idun was anxious to go at once.</p>
+
+    <p>"Better take your Apples with you, to compare them with the
+    others," said the wily god, as she prepared to go.</p>
+
+    <p>Idun gathered up the golden Apples and went out of Asgard,
+    carrying with her all that made it heaven. No sooner was she
+    beyond the gates than a mighty rushing sound was heard, like
+    the coming of a tempest, and before she could think or act, the
+    giant Thjasse, in his eagle plumage, was bearing her swiftly
+    away through the air to his desolate, icy home in Thrymheim,
+    where, after vainly trying to persuade her to let him eat the
+    Apples and be forever young like the gods, he kept her a lonely
+    prisoner.</p>
+
+    <p>Loki, after keeping his promise and delivering Idun into the
+    hands of the giant, strayed back into Asgard as if nothing
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page84"
+       id="page84"></a>[pg 84]</span> had happened. The next
+       morning, when the gods assembled for their feast, there was
+       no Idun. Day after day went past, and still the beautiful
+       goddess did not come. Little by little the light of youth
+       and beauty faded from the home of the gods, and they
+       themselves became old and haggard. Their strong, young faces
+       were lined with care and furrowed by age, their raven locks
+       passed from gray to white, and their flashing eyes became
+       dim and hollow. Bragi, the god of poetry, could make no
+       music while his beautiful wife was gone he knew not
+       whither.</p>
+
+    <p>Morning after morning the faded light broke on paler and
+    ever paler faces, until even in heaven the eternal light of
+    youth seemed to be going out forever.</p>
+
+    <p>Finally the gods could bear the loss of power and joy no
+    longer. They made rigorous inquiry. They tracked Loki on that
+    fair morning when he led Idun beyond the gates; they seized him
+    and brought him into solemn council, and when he read in their
+    haggard faces the deadly hate which flamed in all their hearts
+    against his treachery, his courage failed, and he promised to
+    bring Idun back to Asgard if the goddess Freyja would lend him
+    her falcon guise. No sooner said than done; and with eager gaze
+    the gods watched him as he flew away, becoming at last only a
+    dark moving speck against the sky.</p>
+
+    <p>After long and weary flight Loki came to Thrymheim, and was
+    glad enough to find Thjassa gone to sea and Idun alone in his
+    dreary house. He changed her instantly into a nut, and taking
+    her thus disguised in his talons, flew away as fast as his
+    falcon wings could carry him. And he had need of all his speed,
+    for Thjasse, coming suddenly home and finding Idun and her
+    precious fruit gone, guessed what had happened, and, putting on
+    his eagle plumage, flew forth in a mighty rage, with vengeance
+    in his heart. Like the rushing wings of a tempest, his mighty
+    pinions beat the air and bore him swiftly onward. From mountain
+    peak to mountain peak he measured his wide course, almost
+    grazing at times the murmuring pine forests, and then sweeping
+    high in mid-air with nothing above but the arching sky, and
+    nothing beneath but the tossing sea.</p>
+
+    <p>At last he sees the falcon far ahead, and now his flight
+    becomes like the flash of the lightning for swiftness, and like
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page85"
+       id="page85"></a>[pg 85]</span> the rushing of clouds for
+       uproar. The haggard faces of the gods line the walls of
+       Asgard and watch the race with tremulous eagerness. Youth
+       and immortality are staked upon the winning of Loki. He is
+       weary enough and frightened enough, too, as the eagle sweeps
+       on close behind him; but he makes desperate efforts to widen
+       the distance between them. Little by little the eagle gains
+       on the falcon. The gods grow white with fear; they rush off
+       and prepare great fires upon the walls. With fainting,
+       drooping wing the falcon passes over and drops exhausted by
+       the wall. In an instant the fires have been lighted, and the
+       great flames roar to heaven. The eagle sweeps across the
+       fiery line a second later and falls, maimed and burned to
+       the ground; where a dozen fierce hands smite the life out of
+       him, and the great giant Thjasse perishes among his
+       foes.</p>
+
+    <p>Idun resumes her natural form as Bragi rushes to meet her.
+    The gods crowd round her. She spreads the feast, the golden
+    Apples gleaming with unspeakable lustre in the eyes of the
+    gods. They eat; and once more their faces glow with the beauty
+    of immortal youth, their eyes flash with the radiance of divine
+    power, and, while Idun stands like a star for beauty among the
+    throng, the song of Bragi is heard once more; for poetry and
+    immortality are wedded again.</p>
+
+    <h3>THE GIFTS OF THE DWARFS</h3>
+
+    <p>Thor was, you may know, the strongest and noblest of the
+    great giants of the north. He was tall in stature and had fiery
+    brown eyes, from which the light flashed like lightning, while
+    his long red beard waved through the sky as he drove in his
+    goat-drawn chariot. Brilliant sparks flew from the hoofs and
+    teeth of the two goats, while a crown of bright stars shone
+    above Thor's head. When he was angered the wheels of his
+    chariot rumbled and crashed their passage through the air,
+    until men trembled and hid, telling each other that
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page86"
+       id="page86"></a>[pg 86]</span> Thor had gone to battle with
+       the Rime-giants or other of his enemies.</p>
+
+    <p>Now Thor's wife was named Sib, and she was most beautiful to
+    look upon. Her soft, browny-gold hair was so long and thick
+    that it would cover her from the crown of her head to her
+    little feet, and her deep brown eyes looked into the faces of
+    her friends as those of a mother look into the face of her
+    child. Loki, the mischief-maker among the giants, often looked
+    at Sib and longed to do her some evil, for he was jealous,
+    thinking that it was not right that she should be praised and
+    loved by everyone; go where he would he could find no one who
+    did not speak well of her.</p>
+
+    <p>It happened one day when the summer was nearly gone that
+    Loki found Sib alone and sleeping on a bank near the river, so
+    he drew his knife, and creeping softly nearer and nearer, cut
+    off her beautiful flowing hair quite close to her head. Then he
+    joyfully rushed away and strewed it far and wide over the whole
+    earth, so that it became no longer living and golden but faded
+    and turned a dull color as the winds blew it about and the
+    rains beat upon it, and crushed it in between the rocks and
+    stones. When Sib awoke and was about to push the hair from her
+    face, she felt that something was wrong. Wonderingly she ran to
+    the water and looking at her reflection in the clear depths,
+    saw that nothing but a short stubble stood up all over her
+    head. All her lovely hair was gone! Only one would have dared
+    to treat her so badly, and in her grief and anger she called
+    upon Thor to come to her aid.</p>
+
+    <p>Loki had of course fled and was hiding far away in another
+    country among the rocks when he heard the distant rumblings of
+    thunder, and tried to shrink deeper into the crevices between
+    the great stones, but the awful sound grew louder, and at last
+    the angry flash from Thor's eyes darted to the very spot where
+    the mischievous one lay. Then Thor pulled him out and shook him
+    from side to side in his enormous hands, and would have crushed
+    his bones upon the hard rocks had not Loki in great terror
+    asked what good his death would do, for it certainly would not
+    bring Sib's hair back. Then Thor set the mischief-maker on his
+    feet, though still keeping a tight hold
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page87"
+       id="page87"></a>[pg 87]</span> on him, and asked what he
+       would do to repair the evil which he had done. Loki promptly
+       answered that he would go down into the mountains to the
+       dwarfs, and get Iwald's sons to make some golden hair for
+       Sib, as good as that which he had destroyed. Now Iwald had
+       had seven sons, and these all lived deep below the earth in
+       the great caverns which lie below the mountains, and these
+       sons were small and dark; they did not like the daylight for
+       they were dwarfs who could see best without the sun to
+       dazzle their eyes; they knew where gold and silver grew, and
+       they could tell where to find beautiful shining stones,
+       which were red, and white, and yellow, and green; they knew
+       the way all over the world by running through caverns and
+       passages under the mountains, and wherever they could find
+       precious stones or metals they built a furnace, and made an
+       anvil, and hammer and bellows, and everything that was
+       wanted in a smithy; for they knew how to fashion the most
+       wonderful things from gold and iron and stone, and they had
+       knowledge which made them more powerful than the people who
+       lived above the ground.</p>
+
+    <p>Thor let the mischief-maker go to get the help of the dwarfs
+    to repair the wrong which he had done, and Loki sought about
+    the mountain-side until he found a hole which would lead him
+    into Iwald's cave, and then he promptly dropped into it. There
+    in a dark cave gleaming with many sparkling lights he went to
+    the two cleverest dwarfs who were named Sindri and Brok, and
+    told them what it was he wanted, adding that he would be in
+    sore trouble with Thor if they could not help him. Now Sindri
+    and Brok knew all about Loki perfectly well; they knew all
+    about his mischievous ways and the evil he so often wrought,
+    but as they liked Thor and Sib they were willing to give the
+    help which was asked of them. Thus without more ado, for these
+    dwarfs never wasted their words, Sindri and Brok began their
+    work.</p>
+
+    <p>Huge blocks of earth-brown stone were cast into the furnace
+    until they were in a white heat, when drop by drop red gold
+    trickled from them into the ashes. This was all gathered
+    together, and the glistening heap taken to the dwarf women,
+    who, crushing it in their hands before it had hardened, drew it
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page88"
+       id="page88"></a>[pg 88]</span> out upon their wheels, and
+       spun it into fine soft hair. While they were doing this Brok
+       sought amongst his treasures until he found the blue of the
+       ocean and the tough inner pith of an underground tree;
+       these, with other things, were cast into the furnace, and
+       afterwards beaten with his hammer. As the rhythmic strokes
+       fell, the women sang a song which was like the voice of a
+       strong, steady wind. Then when this work was finished, the
+       smith drew forth a little ship, which was carefully placed
+       on one side. The third time the dwarf went to a dark corner,
+       and brought out an ugly bent bar of iron, and this, with two
+       feathers from the wings of the wind, was heated to melting
+       whiteness, and wrought with great cunning and extreme care,
+       for it was to be a spear for Odin himself, the greatest of
+       all the heroes.</p>
+
+    <p>Then Brok and Sindri called Loki to them and giving him
+    these three things bade him hasten back to the gods at Asgard
+    and appease their wrath. Loki, however, was already beginning
+    to feel sorry that he had been so successful; he liked teasing
+    folk but he did not like having to atone for his mischief
+    afterwards. He turned the marvelous gifts over scornfully in
+    his hands, and said that he did not see anything very wonderful
+    in <i>them;</i> then, looking at Sindri he added, "However,
+    Brok has hammered them very skilfully, and I will wager my head
+    that you could not make anything better."</p>
+
+    <p>Now the brother dwarfs had not by any means expected
+    gratitude, but neither had they expected any such rudeness as
+    this, so Sindri determined to give Loki a lesson. Going to one
+    corner of the smithy he picked up a pig-skin and taking the
+    hammer in his hands, told his brother to blow steadily, neither
+    to falter nor to fail until he passed the word that the work
+    was done. Then with strength and gentleness he wrought with his
+    tools, having cast nothing into the heat but the pig-skin; with
+    mighty blows and delicate touches he brought thickness and
+    substance into it, until a board looked at him from the flames.
+    Loki, fearing for his head, changed himself into an enormous
+    forest fly, and settling upon Brok's hand, stung with vicious
+    fury; but the dwarf would not trouble to brush the fly away,
+    and steadily moved the bellows until his brother called
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page89"
+       id="page89"></a>[pg 89]</span> to him to stop, when they
+       drew forth a strong flexible boar whose bristles were of the
+       finest gold.</p>
+
+    <p>Then without saying anything or paying any attention to the
+    spiteful words which Loki kept uttering, Sindri chose from a
+    heap of gold the most solid lump he could find and flung it
+    into the white flames. Thrice it was heated and cooled, and the
+    dark elf turned it and worked it with wonderful skill, and in
+    the glow Loki saw a broad red ring, which seemed to live and
+    move. Again he tried to spoil the work as a fly, and bit deeply
+    into Brok's neck, but Brok would not so much as raise his hand
+    to rid him of the pain. When the ring was finally laid to cool,
+    so marvelously had it been wrought that from it each ninth
+    night would fall eight rings as beautiful as itself.</p>
+
+    <p>Now came the last test of Sindri's cunning. He cast into the
+    furnace a piece of fine iron, and told Brok his hand must
+    neither tremble nor stay, or the whole of their work would be
+    useless. Then with wild songs of strength upon his lips he
+    hammered and tapped, until those who were in the cave felt that
+    they were out among the roaring waves; they could hear the ice
+    mountains grind and crash to pieces, and the thunder of Thor's
+    chariot wheels rushing through the heavens. A frenzied horror
+    seized upon Loki's mind. If these wretched dwarfs were going to
+    make anything to add to Thor's strength he knew that it would
+    be his own ruin. So, changing himself to a hornet, he sprang
+    upon the forehead of Brok, and dug so fiercely into his eyelids
+    that the blood trickled down and blinded him. Then the dwarf
+    let go of the bellows for one moment to clear his eyes, and
+    Sindri cried out that what lay in the furnace came near to
+    being spoiled, and with that he took a red-hot hammer up with
+    his tongs. It was neither pretty, nor particularly large, while
+    the handle was an inch too short because of Loki's spite.</p>
+
+    <p>Then Brok and Loki set out for Asgard, Loki carrying the
+    three wonderful things which had been given to him, while Brok
+    carried the three marvels which Sindri had so cunningly wrought
+    and accompanied the mischief-maker, that the gods might judge
+    who had won the wager so rashly offered by
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page90"
+       id="page90"></a>[pg 90]</span> Loki. When they reached
+       Asgard the gods seated themselves on their high seats
+       agreeing among themselves that Odin, Thor and Frey should be
+       judges in this case.</p>
+
+    <p>First, Loki offered to Odin the spear Gungner which was so
+    wonderfully made that it never failed to hit the thing at which
+    it was thrown, and it always sped back to the hand which had
+    thrown it. Later, when Odin carried this spear in battle, if he
+    shook it over his enemies they became so frightened that they
+    all wanted to run away, but if he shook it over his friends
+    they were so filled with courage that they could not be
+    conquered. Then Thor received the hair, and when it was placed
+    upon Sib's head it grew to her like living tresses, curling and
+    waving in the wind. To Frey the ship was given, and though it
+    was so small that it could be folded and carried in his pocket,
+    when it was placed upon the waves it would grow large enough to
+    hold an army of warriors with all their war gear; besides, as
+    soon as the sails were hoisted, the wind would blow it
+    whithersoever it was desired that the ship should go.</p>
+
+    <p>Brok then made his offerings, and to Odin he gave the ring
+    Drapnir which had been made with such magic skill that every
+    ninth night eight other rings dropped off it, though no one
+    could see how they came; this the greatest of the gods ever
+    wore upon his arm, until the death of his beautiful son Baldur,
+    when, as token of his great love he placed it upon the dead
+    youth's breast as he lay on his funeral pyre. To Frey was given
+    the golden boar, which would run faster than any horse, over
+    the sea or through the air, and wherever it went, there it
+    would be light, because the bristles shone so brightly. To Thor
+    Brok gave the dull-looking hammer, saying, that whatever he
+    struck with it would be destroyed; that no blow could be hard
+    enough to hurt it; that if he threw it, it would return to him
+    so that he could never lose it; and that as he wished so would
+    its size be&mdash;yet there was one fault about it, and that
+    was that the handle was an inch too short.</p>
+
+    <p>It was with great joy that Thor took this treasure, knowing
+    that in it he had something to help him in fighting the evil
+    Rime-giants who were always trying to get the whole world for
+    themselves until driven back by
+    him.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page91"
+       id="page91"></a>[pg 91]</span>
+
+    <p>Then the gods decided that of all the gifts the hammer was
+    the best, and that, therefore, Loki had lost his wager and must
+    lose his head. Loki offered to give all sorts of things to save
+    himself, but the dwarf would not listen to any of them. "Catch
+    me, then!" cried the mischievous one; but when Brok stretched
+    his hand upon him Loki had gone, for he wore shoes which would
+    carry him over the sea or through the air.</p>
+
+    <p>"Catch him!" cried the ugly little dwarf piteously to Thor,
+    and in an instant Loki stood before them, trembling in Thor's
+    strong grasp. Then the clever one argued that it was his head
+    only which had been wagered, and that not one little tiny bit
+    of his neck might be taken, or the dwarf would have more than
+    his bargain. At this Brok cried impatiently that the head of a
+    wicked person was of no use to him, all that he wanted was to
+    stop Loki's tongue so that he could work less evil, and he took
+    a knife and thread and tried to pierce holes in Loki's lips,
+    but Loki bewitched the knife so that it would not cut.</p>
+
+    <p>"If only I had Sindri's awl," sighed the dwarf, and
+    instantly his brother's awl was in his hand. Swiftly it pierced
+    the lips of the mischief-maker, and swiftly Brok sewed them
+    together and broke off the thread at the end of the sewing.</p>
+
+    <p>Then the gods gave presents for the dwarfs in return for
+    their wonderful things, and Brok returned to his cave. As for
+    Loki, it was not long before he loosed his lips and returned to
+    his mischief-making.</p>
+
+    <h3>THE PUNISHMENT OF LOKI</h3>
+
+    <h4>ADAPTED FROM A. AND E. KEARY'S VERSION</h4>
+
+    <p>After the death of Baldur, Loki never again ventured to
+    intrude himself into the presence of the gods. He knew well
+    enough that he had now done what could never be forgiven him,
+    and that, for the future, he must bend all his cunning and
+    vigilance to the task of hiding himself from the
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page92"
+       id="page92"></a>[pg 92]</span> gaze of those whom he had so
+       injured, and escaping the just punishment he had brought
+       upon himself.</p>
+
+    <p>"The world is large, and I am very clever," said Loki to
+    himself, as he turned his back upon Asgard, and wandered out
+    into Manheim; "there is no end to the thick woods, and no
+    measure for the deep waters; neither is there any possibility
+    of counting the various forms under which I shall disguise
+    myself. Odin will never be able to find me; I have no cause to
+    fear." But though Loki repeated this over and over again to
+    himself, he <i>was</i> afraid.</p>
+
+    <p>He wandered far into the thick woods, and covered himself
+    with the deep waters; he climbed to the tops of misty hills,
+    and crouched in the dark of hollow caves; but above the wood,
+    and through the water, and down into the darkness, a single ray
+    of calm, clear light seemed always to follow him, and he knew
+    that it came from the eye of Odin who was watching him from Air
+    Throne.</p>
+
+    <p>Then he tried to escape the watchful eye by disguising
+    himself under various shapes. Sometimes he was an eagle on a
+    lonely mountain-crag; sometimes he hid himself as one among a
+    troop of timid reindeer; sometimes he lay in the nest of a
+    wood-pigeon; sometimes he swam, a bright-spotted fish, in the
+    sea; but, wherever he was, among living creatures, or alone
+    with dead nature, everything seemed to know him, and to find a
+    voice in which to say to him, "You are Loki, and you have
+    killed Baldur." Air, earth, or water, there was no rest for him
+    anywhere.</p>
+
+    <p>Tired at last of seeking what he could nowhere find, Loki
+    built himself a house near a narrow, glittering river which,
+    lower down flashed from a high rock into the sea below. He took
+    care that his house should have four doors in it, that he might
+    look out on every side and catch the first glimpse of the gods
+    when they came, as he knew they would come, to take him away.
+    Here his wife, Siguna, and his two sons, Ali and Nari, came to
+    live with him.</p>
+
+    <p>Siguna was a kind woman, far too good and kind for Loki. She
+    felt sorry for him now that she saw he was in great fear, and
+    that every living thing had turned against him, and she would
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page93"
+       id="page93"></a>[pg 93]</span> have hidden him from the just
+       anger of the gods if she could; but the two sons cared
+       little about their father's dread and danger; they spent all
+       their time in quarreling with each other; and their loud,
+       angry voices, sounding above the waterfall, would speedily
+       have betrayed the hiding-place, even if Odin's piercing eye
+       had not already found it out.</p>
+
+    <p>At last, one day when he was sitting in the middle of his
+    house looking alternately out of all the four doors and amusing
+    himself as well as he could by making a fishing-net, he spied
+    in the distance the whole company of the gods approaching his
+    house. The sight of them coming all together&mdash;beautiful,
+    and noble, and free&mdash;pierced Loki with a pang that was
+    worse than death. He rose without daring to look again, threw
+    his net on a fire that burned on the floor, and, rushing to the
+    side of the little river, he turned himself into a salmon, swam
+    down to the deepest, stillest pool at the bottom, and hid
+    himself between two stones. The gods entered the house, and
+    looked all round in vain for Loki, till Kvasir, one of Odin's
+    sons, famous for his keen sight, spied out the remains of the
+    fishing-net in the fire; then Odin knew at once that there was
+    a river near, and that it was there where Loki had hidden
+    himself. He ordered his sons to make a new net, and to cast it
+    into the water, and drag out whatever living thing they could
+    find there. It was done as he desired. Thor held one end of the
+    net, and all the rest of the gods drew the other through the
+    water. When they pulled it up the first time, however, it was
+    empty, and they would have gone away disappointed had not
+    Kvasir, looking earnestly at the meshes of the net, saw that
+    something living had certainly touched them. They then added a
+    weight to the net, and threw it with such force that it reached
+    the bottom of the river, and dragged up the stones in the
+    pool.</p>
+
+    <p>Loki now saw the danger he was in of being caught in the
+    net, and, as there was no other way of escape, he rose to the
+    surface, swam down the river as quickly as he could, and leaped
+    over the net into the waterfall. He swam and leaped quick as a
+    flash of lightning, but not so quickly but that the gods saw
+    him, knew him through his disguise, and resolved that he should
+    no longer escape. They themselves divided into two bands.
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page94"
+       id="page94"></a>[pg 94]</span> Thor waded down the river to
+       the waterfall; the other gods stood in a group below. Loki
+       swam backwards and forwards between them. First he thought
+       he would dart out into the sea, and then that he would
+       spring over the net back again into the river. This last
+       seemed the easiest way of escape, and with the greatest
+       speed he attempted it. Thor, however, was watching for him,
+       and as soon as Loki leaped out of the water he stretched out
+       his hand and caught him while he was yet turning in the air.
+       Loki wriggled his slippery, slimy length through Thor's
+       fingers; but the Thunderer grasped him tightly by the tail,
+       and, holding him in this manner in this hand, waded to the
+       shore. There Father Odin and the other gods met him; and, at
+       Odin's first searching look, Loki was obliged to drop his
+       disguise, and, cowering and frightened, to assume his proper
+       shape before the assembled lords. One by one they turned
+       their faces from him; for, in looking at him, they seemed to
+       see over again the death of Baldur the Beloved.</p>
+
+    <p>You were told that there were high rocks looking over the
+    sea near Loki's house. One of these, higher than the rest, had
+    midway four projecting stones, and to these the gods resolved
+    to bind Loki so that he should never again be able to torment
+    the inhabitants of Manheim or Asgard by his evil-doings. Thor
+    proposed to return to Asgard, to bring a chain with which to
+    bind the prisoner; but Odin assured him that he had no need to
+    take such a journey. "Loki," he said, "has already forged for
+    himself a chain stronger than any you can make. While we have
+    been occupied in catching him, his two sons, Ali and Nari,
+    transformed into wolves by their evil passions, have fought
+    with and destroyed each other. With their sinews we must make a
+    chain to bind their father, and from that he can never
+    escape."</p>
+
+    <p>It was done as Asa Odin said. A rope was made of the dead
+    wolves' sinews, and as soon as it touched Loki's body it turned
+    into bands of iron and bound him immovably to the rock. Secured
+    in this manner the gods left him.</p>
+
+    <div class="figcenter"
+         style="width:100%;">
+        <a href="images/568.jpg"
+             name="fig568"
+             id="fig568"><img width="250"
+             src="images/568-t.jpg"
+             alt="THE PUNISHMENT OF LOKI." /></a>
+
+        <p>&nbsp;</p>THE PUNISHMENT OF LOKI.
+    </div>
+
+    <p>But his punishment did not end here. A snake, whose fangs
+    dropped poison, glided to the top of the rock and leaned his
+    head over to peer at Loki. The eyes of the two met and
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page95"
+       id="page95"></a>[pg 95]</span> fixed each other. The serpent
+       could never move away afterwards; but every moment a burning
+       drop from his tongue fell down on Loki's shuddering
+       face.</p>
+
+    <p>In all the world there was only one who pitied him. His kind
+    wife ever afterwards stood beside him and held a cup over his
+    head to catch the poison. When the cup was full, she was
+    obliged to turn away to empty it, and the deadly drops fell
+    again on Loki's face. He shuddered and shrank from them, and
+    the whole earth trembled. So will he lie bound till the
+    Twilight of the Gods be here.</p>
+
+    <p>&nbsp;</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page96"
+       id="page96"></a>[pg 96]</span>
+
+    <h2>MYTHS OF INDIA</h2>
+
+    <h3>THE BLIND MAN, THE DEAF MAN, AND THE DONKEY</h3>
+
+    <h4>ADAPTED BY M. FRERE</h4>
+
+    <p>A Blind Man and a Deaf Man once entered into partnership.
+    The Deaf Man was to see for the Blind Man, and the Blind Man
+    was to hear for the Deaf Man.</p>
+
+    <p>One day they went together to an entertainment where there
+    was music and dancing. The Deaf Man said: "The dancing is very
+    good, but the music is not worth listening to"; and the Blind
+    Man said: "On the contrary, I think the music very good, but
+    the dancing is not worth looking at."</p>
+
+    <p>After this they went together for a walk in the jungle, and
+    there found a washerman's Donkey that had strayed away from its
+    owner, and a great big kettle (such as washermen boil clothes
+    in), which the Donkey was carrying with him.</p>
+
+    <p>The Deaf Man said to the Blind Man: "Brother, here are a
+    Donkey and a washerman's great big kettle, with nobody to own
+    them! Let us take them with us&mdash;they may be useful to us
+    some day." "Very well," said the Blind Man; "we will take them
+    with us." So the Blind Man and the Deaf Man went on their way,
+    taking the Donkey and the great big kettle with them. A little
+    farther on they came to an ant's nest, and the Deaf Man said to
+    the Blind Man: "Here are a number of very fine black ants, much
+    larger than any I ever saw before. Let us take some of them
+    home to show our friends." "Very well," answered the Blind Man;
+    "we will take them as a present to our friends." So the Deaf
+    Man took a silver snuff-box out of his pocket, and put four or
+    five of the finest black ants into it; which done, they
+    continued their
+    journey.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page97"
+       id="page97"></a>[pg 97]</span>
+
+    <p>But before they had gone very far a terrible storm came on.
+    It thundered and lightened and rained and blew with such fury
+    that it seemed as if the whole heavens' and earth were at war.
+    "Oh dear! oh dear!" cried the Deaf Man, "how dreadful this
+    lightning is! Let us make haste and get to some place of
+    shelter." "I don't see that it's dreadful at all," answered the
+    blind Man; "but the thunder is very terrible; we had better
+    certainly seek some place of shelter."</p>
+
+    <p>Now, not far off was a lofty building, which looked exactly
+    like a fine temple. The Deaf Man saw it, and he and the Blind
+    Man resolved to spend the night there; and having reached the
+    place, they went in and shut the door, taking the Donkey and
+    the great big kettle with them. But this building, which they
+    mistook for a temple was in truth no temple at all, but the
+    house of a very powerful Rakshas or ogre; and hardly had the
+    Blind Man, the Deaf Man, and the Donkey got inside and fastened
+    the door, than the Rakshas, who had been out, returned home. To
+    his surprise, he found the door fastened and heard people
+    moving about inside his house. "Ho! ho!" cried he to himself,
+    "some men have got in here, have they? I'll soon make
+    mince-meat of them." So he began to roar in a voice louder than
+    the thunder, and to cry: "Let me into my house this minute, you
+    wretches; let me in, let me in, I say," and to kick the door
+    and batter it with his great fists. But though his voice was
+    very powerful, his appearance was still more alarming, insomuch
+    that the Deaf Man, who was peeping at him through a chink in
+    the wall, felt so frightened that he did not know what to do.
+    But the Blind Man was very brave (because he couldn't see), and
+    went up to the door and called out: "Who are you, and what do
+    you mean by coming battering at the door in this way at this
+    time of night?"</p>
+
+    <p>"I'm a Rakshas," answered the Rakshas angrily, "and this is
+    my house. Let me in this instant or I'll kill you." All this
+    time the Deaf Man, who was watching the Rakshas, was shivering
+    and shaking in a terrible fright, but the Blind Man was very
+    brave (because he couldn't see), and he called out again: "Oh,
+    you're a Rakshas, are you? Well, if you're Rakshas, I'm
+    Bakshas; and Bakshas is as good as
+    Rakshas."</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page98"
+       id="page98"></a>[pg 98]</span>
+
+    <p>"Bakshas!" roared the Rakshas. "Bakshas! Bakshas! What
+    nonsense is this? There is no such creature as a Bakshas!" "Go
+    away," replied the Blind Man, "and don't dare to make any
+    further disturbance, lest I punish you with a vengeance; for
+    know that I'm Bakshas, and Bakshas is Rakshas's father." "My
+    father?" answered the Rakshas. "Heavens and earth! Bakshas, and
+    my father! I never heard such an extraordinary thing in my
+    life. You my father; and in there! I never knew my father was
+    called Bakshas!"</p>
+
+    <p>"Yes," replied the Blind Man; "go away instantly, I command
+    you, for I am your father Bakshas." "Very well," answered the
+    Rakshas (for he began to get puzzled and frightened); "but if
+    you are my father, let me first see your face." (For he
+    thought: "Perhaps they are deceiving me.") The Blind Man and
+    the Deaf Man didn't know what to do; but at last they opened
+    the door a very tiny chink and poked the Donkey's nose out.
+    When the Rakshas saw it he thought to himself: "Bless me, what
+    a terribly ugly face my father Bakshas has!" He then called
+    out: "O father Bakshas, you have a very big, fierce face; but
+    people have sometimes very big heads and very little bodies.
+    Pray let me see your body as well as head before I go away."
+    Then the Blind Man and the Deaf Man rolled the washerman's
+    great big kettle with a thundering noise past the chink in the
+    door, and the Rakshas, who was watching attentively, was very
+    much surprised when he saw this great black thing rolling along
+    the floor, and he thought: "In truth, my father Bakshas has a
+    very big body as well as a big head. He's big enough to eat me
+    up altogether. I'd better go away." But still he could not help
+    being a little doubtful, so he cried: "O Bakshas, father
+    Bakshas! you have indeed got a very big head and a very big
+    body; but do, before I go away, let me hear you scream," for
+    all Rakshas scream fearfully. Then the cunning Deaf Man (who
+    was getting less frightened) pulled the silver snuff-box out of
+    his pocket, and took the black ants out of it, and put one
+    black ant in the Donkey's right ear, and another black ant in
+    the Donkey's left ear, and another and another. The ants
+    pinched the poor Donkey's ears dreadfully, and the Donkey was
+    so hurt and frightened he began to
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page99"
+       id="page99"></a>[pg 99]</span> bellow as loud as he could:
+       "Eh augh! eh augh! eh augh! augh! augh!" and at this
+       terrible noise the Rakshas fled away in a great fright,
+       saying: "Enough, enough, father Bakshas! the sound of your
+       voice would make the most refractory obedient." And no
+       sooner had he gone than the Deaf Man took the ants out of
+       the Donkey's ears, and he and the Blind Man spent the rest
+       of the night in peace and comfort.</p>
+
+    <p>Next morning the Deaf Man woke the Blind Man early, saying:
+    "Awake, brother, awake: here we are indeed in luck! The whole
+    floor is covered with heaps of gold and silver and precious
+    stones." And so it was, for the Rakshas owned a vast amount of
+    treasure, and the whole house was full of it. "That is a good
+    thing," said the Blind Man. "Show me where it is and I will
+    help you to collect it." So they collected as much treasure as
+    possible and made four great bundles of it. The Blind Man took
+    one great bundle, the Deaf Man took another, and, putting the
+    other two great bundles on the Donkey, they started off to
+    return home. But the Rakshas, whom they had frightened away the
+    night before, had not gone very far off, and was waiting to see
+    what his father Bakshas might look like by daylight. He saw the
+    door of his house open and watched attentively, when out
+    walked&mdash;only a Blind Man, a Deaf Man, and a Donkey, who
+    were all three laden with large bundles of his treasure. The
+    Blind Man carried one bundle, the Deaf Man carried another
+    bundle, and two bundles were on the Donkey.</p>
+
+    <p>The Rakshas was extremely angry, and immediately called six
+    of his friends to help him kill the Blind Man, the Deaf Man,
+    and the Donkey, and recover the treasure.</p>
+
+    <p>The Deaf Man saw them coming (seven great Rakshas, with hair
+    a yard long and tusks like an elephant's), and was dreadfully
+    frightened; but the Blind Man was very brave (because he
+    couldn't see), and said: "Brother, why do you lag behind in
+    that way?" "Oh!" answered the Deaf Man, "there are seven great
+    Rakshas with tusks like an elephant's coming to kill us! What
+    can we do?" "Let us hide the treasure in the bushes," said the
+    Blind Man; "and do you lead me to a tree; then I will climb up
+    first, and you shall climb up afterward, and
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page100"
+       id="page100"></a>[pg 100]</span> so we shall be out of their
+       way." The Deaf Man thought this good advice; so he pushed
+       the Donkey and the bundles of treasure into the bushes, and
+       led the Blind Man to a high soparee-tree that grew close by;
+       but he was a very cunning man, this Deaf Man, and instead of
+       letting the Blind Man climb up first and following him, he
+       got up first and let the Blind Man clamber after, so that he
+       was farther out of harm's way than his friend.</p>
+
+    <p>When the Rakshas arrived at the place and saw them both
+    perched out of reach in the soparee-tree, he said to his
+    friends: "Let us get on each other's shoulders; we shall then
+    be high enough to pull them down." So one Rakshas stooped down,
+    and the second got on his shoulders, and the third on his, and
+    the fourth on his, and the fifth on his, and the sixth on his;
+    and the seventh and the last Rakshas (who had invited all the
+    others) was just climbing up when the Deaf Man (who was looking
+    over the Blind Man's shoulder) got so frightened that in his
+    alarm he caught hold of his friend's arm, crying: "They're
+    coming, they're coming!" The Blind Man was not in a very secure
+    position, and was sitting at his ease, not knowing how close
+    the Rakshas were. The consequence was, that when the Deaf Man
+    gave him this unexpected push, he lost his balance and tumbled
+    down on to the neck of the seventh Rakshas, who was just then
+    climbing up. The Blind Man had no idea where he was, but
+    thought he had got on to the branch of some other tree; and,
+    stretching out his hand for something to catch hold of, caught
+    hold of the Rakshas's two great ears, and pinched them very
+    hard in his surprise and fright. The Rakshas couldn't think
+    what it was that had come tumbling down upon him; and the
+    weight of the Blind Man upsetting his balance, down he also
+    fell to the ground, knocking down in their turn the sixth,
+    fifth, fourth, third, second, and first Rakshas, who all rolled
+    one over another, and lay in a confused heap at the foot of the
+    tree together.</p>
+
+    <p>Meanwhile the Blind Man called out to his friend: "Where am
+    I? What has happened? Where am I? Where am I?" The Deaf Man
+    (who was safe up in the tree) answered: "Well done, brother!
+    never fear! never fear! You're all right, only
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page101"
+       id="page101"></a>[pg 101]</span> hold on tight. I'm coming
+       down to help you." But he had not the least intention of
+       leaving his place of safety. However, he continued to call
+       out: "Never mind, brother; hold on as tight as you can. I'm
+       coming, I'm coming," and the more he called out, the harder
+       the Blind Man pinched the Rakshas's ears, which he mistook
+       for some kind of palm branches.</p>
+
+    <p>The six other Rakshas, who had succeeded, after a good deal
+    of kicking, in extricating themselves from their unpleasant
+    position, thought they had had quite enough of helping their
+    friend, and ran away as fast as they could; and the seventh,
+    thinking from their going that the danger must be greater than
+    he imagined, and being, moreover, very much afraid of the
+    mysterious creature that sat on his shoulders, put his hands to
+    the back of his ears and pushed off the Blind Man, and then,
+    (without staying to see who or what he was) followed his six
+    companions as fast as he could.</p>
+
+    <p>As soon as all the Rakshas were out of sight, the Deaf Man
+    came down from the tree, and, picking up the Blind Man,
+    embraced him, saying: "I could not have done better myself. You
+    have frightened away all our enemies, but you see I came to
+    help you as fast as possible." He then dragged the Donkey and
+    the bundles of treasure out of the bushes, gave the Blind Man
+    one bundle to carry, took the second himself, and put the
+    remaining two on the Donkey, as before. This done, the whole
+    party set off to return home. But when they had got nearly out
+    of the jungle the Deaf Man said to the Blind Man: "We are now
+    close to the village; but if we take all this treasure home
+    with us, we shall run great risk of being robbed. I think our
+    best plan would be to divide it equally; then you can take care
+    of your half and I will take care of mine, and each one can
+    hide his share here in the jungle, or wherever pleases him
+    best." "Very well," said the Blind Man; "do you divide what we
+    have in the bundles into two equal portions, keeping one half
+    yourself and giving me the other." The cunning Deaf Man,
+    however, had no intention of giving up half of the treasure to
+    the Blind Man; so he first took his own bundle of treasure and
+    hid it in the bushes, and then he took the two bundles off the
+    Donkey and hid them in the
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page102"
+       id="page102"></a>[pg 102]</span> bushes; and he took a good
+       deal of treasure out of the Blind Man's bundle, which he
+       also hid. Then, taking the small quantity that remained, he
+       divided it into two equal portions, and placing half before
+       the Blind Man and half in front of himself, said: "There,
+       brother, is your share to do what you please with." The
+       Blind Man put out his hand, but when he felt what a very
+       little heap of treasure it was, he got very angry, and
+       cried: "This is not fair&mdash;you are deceiving me; you
+       have kept almost all the treasure for yourself and only
+       given me a very little." "Oh, oh! how can you think so?"
+       answered the Deaf Man; "but if you will not believe me, feel
+       for yourself. See, my heap of treasure is no larger than
+       yours."</p>
+
+    <p>The Blind Man put out his hands again to feel how much his
+    friend had kept; but in front of the Deaf Man lay only a very
+    small heap, no larger than what he had himself received. At
+    this he got very cross, and said: "Come, come, this won't do.
+    You think you can cheat me in this way because I am blind; but
+    I'm not so stupid as all that, I carried a great bundle of
+    treasure, you carried a great bundle of treasure, and there
+    were two great bundles on the Donkey. Do you mean to pretend
+    that all that made no more treasure than these two little
+    heaps! No, indeed; I know better than that." "Stuff and
+    nonsense!" answered the Deaf Man. "Stuff or no stuff,"
+    continued the other, "you are trying to take me in, and I won't
+    be taken in by you." "No, I'm not," said the Deaf Man. "Yes,
+    you are," said the Blind Man; and so they went on bickering,
+    scolding, growling, contradicting, until the Blind Man got so
+    enraged that he gave the Deaf Man a tremendous box on the ear.
+    The blow was so violent that it made the Deaf Man hear! The
+    Deaf Man, very angry, gave his neighbor in return so hard a
+    blow in the face that it opened the Blind Man's eyes!</p>
+
+    <p>So the Deaf Man could hear as well as see, and the Blind Man
+    could see as well as hear! This astonished them both so much
+    that they became good friends at once. The Deaf Man confessed
+    to have hidden the bulk of the treasure, which he thereupon
+    dragged forth from its place of concealment,
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page103"
+       id="page103"></a>[pg 103]</span> and having divided it
+       equally, they went home and enjoyed themselves.</p>
+
+    <h3>HARISARMAN</h3>
+
+    <p>There was in a certain village, a certain Brahman named
+    Harisarman. He was poor and foolish and unhappy for want of
+    employment, and he had very many children. He wandered about
+    begging with his family, and at last he reached a certain city,
+    and entered the service of a rich householder called
+    Sthuladatta. His sons became keepers of Sthuladatta's cows and
+    other property, and his wife a servant to him, and he himself
+    lived near his house, performing the duty of an attendant. One
+    day there was a feast on account of the marriage of the
+    daughter of Sthuladatta, largely attended by many friends of
+    the bridegroom and merry-makers. Harisarman hoped that he would
+    be able to fill himself up to the throat with oil and flesh and
+    other dainties, and get the same for his family, in the house
+    of his patron. While he was anxiously expecting to be fed, no
+    one thought of him.</p>
+
+    <p>Then he was distressed at getting nothing to eat, and he
+    said to his wife at night: "It is owing to my poverty and
+    stupidity that I am treated with such disrespect here; so I
+    will pretend by means of an artifice to possess a knowledge of
+    magic, so that I may become an object of respect to this
+    Sthuladatta; so, when you get an opportunity, tell him that I
+    possess magical knowledge." He said this to her, and after
+    turning the matter over in his mind, while people were asleep
+    he took away from the house of Sthuladatta a horse on which his
+    master's son-in-law rode. He placed it in concealment at some
+    distance, and in the morning the friends of the bridegroom
+    could not find the horse, though they searched in every
+    direction. Then, while Sthuladatta was distressed at the evil
+    omen, and searching for the thieves who had carried off the
+    horse, the wife of Harisarman came and said to him: "My husband
+    is a wise man, skilled in astrology and magical
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page104"
+       id="page104"></a>[pg 104]</span> sciences; he can get the
+       horse back for you&mdash;why do you not ask him?" When
+       Sthuladatta heard that, he called Harisarman, who said,
+       "Yesterday I was forgotten, but to-day, now the horse is
+       stolen, I am called to mind;" and Sthuladatta then
+       propitiated the Brahman with these words: "I forgot you,
+       forgive me," and asked him to tell him who had taken away
+       their horse. Then Harisarman drew all kinds of pretended
+       diagrams, and said: "The horse has been placed by thieves on
+       the boundary line south from this place. It is concealed
+       there, and before it is carried off to a distance, as it
+       will be at close of day, go quickly and bring it." When they
+       heard that, many men ran and brought the horse quickly,
+       praising the discernment of Harisarman. Then Harisarman was
+       honored by all men as a sage, and dwelt there in happiness,
+       honored by Sthuladatta.</p>
+
+    <p>Now, as days went on, much treasure, both of gold and
+    jewels, had been stolen by a thief from the palace of the King.
+    As the thief was not known, the King quickly summoned
+    Harisarman on account of his reputation for knowledge of magic.
+    And he, when summoned, tried to gain time, and said: "I will
+    tell you to-morrow," and then he was placed in a chamber by the
+    King and carefully guarded. And he was sad because he had
+    pretended to have knowledge. Now, in that palace there was a
+    maid named Jihva (which means Tongue), who, with the assistance
+    of her brother, had stolen that treasure from the interior of
+    the palace. She, being alarmed at Harisarman's knowledge, went
+    at night and applied her ear to the door of that chamber in
+    order to find out what he was about. And Harisarman, who was
+    alone inside, was at that very moment blaming his own tongue,
+    that had made a vain assumption of knowledge. He said: "Oh,
+    tongue, what is this that you have done through your
+    greediness? Wicked one, you will soon receive punishment in
+    full." When Jihva heard this, she thought, in her terror, that
+    she had been discovered by this wise man, and she managed to
+    get in where he was, and, falling at his feet, she said to the
+    supposed wizard: "Brahman, here I am, that Jihva whom you have
+    discovered to be the thief of the treasure, and after I took it
+    I buried it in <span class="pagenum"><a name="page105"
+       id="page105"></a>[pg 105]</span> the earth in a garden
+       behind the palace, under a pomegranate tree. So spare me,
+       and receive the small quantity of gold which is in my
+       possession."</p>
+
+    <p>When Harisarman heard that, he said to her proudly: "Depart,
+    I know all this; I know the past, present, and future, but I
+    will not denounce you, a miserable creature that has implored
+    my protection. But whatever gold is in your possession you must
+    give back to me." When he said this to the maid, she consented,
+    and departed quickly. But Harisarman reflected in his
+    astonishment: "Fate brings about, as if in sport, things
+    impossible; for, when calamity was so near, who would have
+    thought chance would have brought us success? While I was
+    blaming my jihva, the thief Jihva suddenly flung herself at my
+    feet. Secret crimes manifest themselves by means of fear." Thus
+    thinking, he passed the night happily in the chamber. And in
+    the morning he brought the King, by some skilful parade of
+    pretended knowledge, into the garden and led him up to the
+    treasure, which was buried under the pomegranate tree, and said
+    the thief had escaped with a part of it. Then the King was
+    pleased, and gave him the revenue of many villages.</p>
+
+    <p>But the minister, named Devajnanin, whispered in the King's
+    ear: "How can a man possess such knowledge unattainable by men
+    without having studied the books of magic? You may be certain
+    that this is a specimen of the way he makes a dishonest
+    livelihood, by having a secret intelligence with thieves. It
+    will be much better to test him by some new artifice." Then the
+    King of his own accord brought a covered pitcher into which he
+    had thrown a frog, and said to Harisarman: "Brahman, if you can
+    guess what there is in this pitcher, I will do you great honor
+    to-day." When the Brahman Harisarman heard that, he thought
+    that his last hour had come, and he called to mind the pet name
+    of "Froggie," which his father had given him in his childhood
+    in sport; and, impelled by luck, he called to himself by his
+    pet name, lamenting his hard fate, and suddenly called out:
+    "This is a fine pitcher for you, Froggie; it will soon become
+    the swift destroyer of your helpless self." The people there,
+    when they heard him say that, raised a shout of applause,
+    because his speech chimed in so
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page106"
+       id="page106"></a>[pg 106]</span> well with the object
+       presented to him, and murmured: "Ah! a great sage; he knows
+       even about the frog!" Then the King, thinking that this was
+       all due to knowledge of divination, was highly delighted,
+       and gave Harisarman the revenue of more villages, with gold,
+       an umbrella, and state carriages of all kinds. So Harisarman
+       prospered in the world.</p>
+
+    <h3>WHY THE FISH LAUGHED</h3>
+
+    <p>As a certain fisherwoman passed by a palace crying her fish,
+    the Queen appeared at one of the windows and beckoned her to
+    come near and show what she had. At that moment a very big fish
+    jumped about in the bottom of the basket.</p>
+
+    <p>"Is it a he or a she?" inquired the Queen. "I wish to
+    purchase a she-fish."</p>
+
+    <p>On hearing this the fish laughed aloud.</p>
+
+    <p>"It's a he," replied the fisherwoman, and proceeded on her
+    rounds.</p>
+
+    <p>The Queen returned to her room in a great rage; and on
+    coming to see her in the evening, the King noticed that
+    something had disturbed her.</p>
+
+    <p>"Are you indisposed?" he said.</p>
+
+    <p>"No; but I am very much annoyed at the strange behavior of a
+    fish. A woman brought me one to-day, and on my inquiring
+    whether it was a male or female, the fish laughed most
+    rudely."</p>
+
+    <p>"A fish laugh! Impossible! You must be dreaming."</p>
+
+    <p>"I am not a fool. I speak of what I have seen with my own
+    eyes and have heard with my own ears."</p>
+
+    <p>"Passing strange! Be it so. I will inquire concerning
+    it."</p>
+
+    <p>On the morrow the King repeated to his vizier what his wife
+    had told him, and bade him investigate the matter, and be ready
+    with a satisfactory answer within six months, on pain of death.
+    The vizier promised to do his best, though he felt
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page107"
+       id="page107"></a>[pg 107]</span> almost certain of failure.
+       For five months he labored indefatigably to find a reason
+       for the laughter of the fish. He sought everywhere and from
+       every one. The wise and learned, and they who were skilled
+       in magic and in all manner of trickery, were consulted.
+       Nobody, however, could explain the matter; and so he
+       returned broken-hearted to his house, and began to arrange
+       his affairs in prospect of certain death, for he had had
+       sufficient experience of the King to know that his Majesty
+       would not go back from his threat. Among other things, he
+       advised his son to travel for a time, until the King's anger
+       should have somewhat cooled.</p>
+
+    <p>The young fellow, who was both clever and handsome, started
+    off whithersoever fate might lead him. He had been gone some
+    days, when he fell in with an old farmer, who also was on a
+    journey to a certain village. Finding the old man very
+    pleasant, he asked him if he might accompany him, professing to
+    be on a visit to the same place. The old farmer agreed, and
+    they walked along together. The day was hot, and the way was
+    long and weary.</p>
+
+    <p>"Don't you think it would be pleasanter if you and I
+    sometimes gave each other a lift?" said the youth.</p>
+
+    <p>"What a fool the man is!" thought the old farmer.</p>
+
+    <p>Presently they passed through a field of corn ready for the
+    sickle, and looking like a sea of gold as it waved to and fro
+    in the breeze.</p>
+
+    <p>"Is this eaten or not?" said the young man.</p>
+
+    <p>Not understanding his meaning, the old man replied, "I don't
+    know."</p>
+
+    <p>After a little while the two travelers arrived at a big
+    village, where the young man gave his companion a clasp-knife,
+    and said, "Take this, friend, and get two horses with it; but
+    mind and bring it back, for it is very precious."</p>
+
+    <p>The old man, looking half amused and half angry, pushed back
+    the knife, muttering something to the effect that his friend
+    was either a fool himself, or else trying to play the fool with
+    him. The young man pretended not to notice his reply, and
+    remained almost silent till they reached the city, a short
+    distance outside which was the old farmer's house. They walked
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page108"
+       id="page108"></a>[pg 108]</span> about the bazaar and went
+       to the mosque, but nobody saluted them or invited them to
+       come in and rest.</p>
+
+    <p>"What a large cemetery!" exclaimed the young man.</p>
+
+    <p>"What does the man mean," thought the old farmer, "calling
+    this largely populated city a cemetery?"</p>
+
+    <p>On leaving the city their way led through a graveyard where
+    a few people were praying beside a tomb and distributing
+    <i>chapatis</i> and <i>kulchas</i> to passers-by, in the name
+    of their beloved dead. They beckoned to the two travelers and
+    gave them as much as they would.</p>
+
+    <p>"What a splendid city this is!" said the young man.</p>
+
+    <p>"Now, the man must surely be demented!" thought the old
+    farmer. "I wonder what he will do next? He will be calling the
+    land water, and the water land; and be speaking of light where
+    there is darkness, and of darkness when it is light." However,
+    he kept his thoughts to himself.</p>
+
+    <p>Presently they had to wade through a stream that ran along
+    the edge of the cemetery. The water was rather deep, so the old
+    farmer took off his shoes and pajamas and crossed over; but the
+    young man waded through it with his shoes and pajamas on.</p>
+
+    <p>"Well! I never did see such a perfect fool, both in word and
+    in deed," said the old man to himself.</p>
+
+    <p>However, he liked the fellow; and thinking that he would
+    amuse his wife and daughter, he invited him to come and stay at
+    his house as long as he had occasion to remain in the
+    village.</p>
+
+    <p>"Thank you very much," the young man replied; "but let me
+    first inquire, if you please, whether the beam of your house is
+    strong."</p>
+
+    <p>The old farmer left him in despair, and entered his house
+    laughing.</p>
+
+    <p>"There is a man in yonder field," he said, after returning
+    their greetings. "He has come the greater part of the way with
+    me, and I wanted him to put up here as long as he had to stay
+    in this village. But the fellow is such a fool that I cannot
+    make anything out of him. He wants to know if the beam of this
+    house is all right. The man must be mad!" and saying this, he
+    burst into a fit of
+    laughter.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page109"
+       id="page109"></a>[pg 109]</span>
+
+    <p>"Father," said the farmer's daughter, who was a very sharp
+    and wise girl, "this man, whosoever he is, is no fool, as you
+    deem him. He only wishes to know if you can afford to entertain
+    him."</p>
+
+    <p>"Oh, of course," replied the farmer. "I see. Well, perhaps
+    you can help me to solve some of his other mysteries. While we
+    were walking together he asked whether he should carry me or I
+    should carry him, as he thought that would be a pleasanter mode
+    of proceeding."</p>
+
+    <p>"Most assuredly," said the girl; "he meant that one of you
+    should tell a story to beguile the time."</p>
+
+    <p>"Oh yes. Well, we were passing through a corn-field, when he
+    asked me whether it was eaten or not."</p>
+
+    <p>"And didn't you know the meaning of this, father? He simply
+    wished to know if the man was in debt or not; because, if the
+    owner of the field was in debt, then the produce of the field
+    was as good as eaten to him; that is, it would have to go to
+    his creditors."</p>
+
+    <p>"Yes, yes, yes, of course! Then, on entering a certain
+    village, he bade me take his clasp-knife and get two horses
+    with it, and bring back the knife to him."</p>
+
+    <p>"Are not two stout sticks as good as two horses for helping
+    one along on the road? He only asked you to cut a couple of
+    sticks and be careful not to lose his knife."</p>
+
+    <p>"I see," said the farmer. "While we were walking over the
+    city we did not see anybody that we knew, and not a soul gave
+    us a scrap of anything to eat, till we were passing the
+    cemetery; but there some people called to us and put into our
+    hands some <i>chapatis</i> and <i>kulchas</i>, so my companion
+    called the city a cemetery, and the cemetery a city."</p>
+
+    <p>"This also is to be understood, father, if one thinks of the
+    city as the place where everything is to be obtained, and of
+    inhospitable people as worse than the dead. The city, though
+    crowded with people, was as if dead, as far as you were
+    concerned; while, in the cemetery, which is crowded with the
+    dead, you were saluted by kind friends and provided with
+    bread."</p>
+
+    <p>"True, true!" said the astonished farmer. "Then, just
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page110"
+       id="page110"></a>[pg 110]</span> now, when we were crossing
+       the stream, he waded through it without taking off his shoes
+       and pajamas."</p>
+
+    <p>"I admire his wisdom," replied the girl. "I have often
+    thought how stupid people were to venture into that swiftly
+    flowing stream and over those sharp stones with bare feet. The
+    slightest stumble and they would fall, and be wetted from head
+    to foot. This friend of yours is a most wise man. I should like
+    to see him and speak to him."</p>
+
+    <p>"Very well," said the farmer; "I will go and find him, and
+    bring him in."</p>
+
+    <p>"Tell him, father, that our beams are strong enough, and
+    then he will come in. I'll send on ahead a present to the man,
+    to show him that we can afford to have him for our guest."</p>
+
+    <p>Accordingly she called a servant and sent him to the young
+    man with a present of a basin of <i>ghee</i>, twelve
+    <i>chapatis</i>, and a jar of milk, and the following message:
+    "O friend, the moon is full; twelve months make a year, and the
+    sea is overflowing with water."</p>
+
+    <p>Half-way the bearer of this present and message met his
+    little son, who, seeing what was in the basket, begged his
+    father to give him some of the food. His father foolishly
+    complied. Presently he saw the young man, and gave him the rest
+    of the present and the message.</p>
+
+    <p>"Give your mistress my salaam," he replied, "and tell her
+    that the moon is new, and that I can find only eleven months in
+    the year, and the sea is by no means full."</p>
+
+    <p>Not understanding the meaning of these words, the servant
+    repeated them word for word, as he had heard them, to his
+    mistress; and thus his theft was discovered, and he was
+    severely punished. After a little while the young man appeared
+    with the old farmer. Great attention was shown to him, and he
+    was treated in every way as if he were the son of a great man,
+    although his humble host knew nothing of his origin. At length
+    he told them everything&mdash;about the laughing of the fish,
+    his father's threatened execution, and his own
+    banishment&mdash;and asked their advice as to what he should
+    do.</p>
+
+    <p>"The laughing of the fish," said the girl, "which seems to
+    have been the cause of all this trouble, indicates that there
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page111"
+       id="page111"></a>[pg 111]</span> is a man in the palace who
+       is plotting against the King's life."</p>
+
+    <p>"Joy, joy!" exclaimed the vizier's son. "There is yet time
+    for me to return and save my father from an ignominious and
+    unjust death, and the King from danger."</p>
+
+    <p>The following day he hastened back to his own country,
+    taking with him the farmer's daughter. Immediately on arrival
+    he ran to the palace and informed his father of what he had
+    heard. The poor vizier, now almost dead from the expectation of
+    death, was at once carried to the King, to whom he repeated the
+    news that his son had just brought.</p>
+
+    <p>"Never!" said the King.</p>
+
+    <p>"But it must be so, your Majesty," replied the vizier; "and
+    in order to prove the truth of what I have heard, I pray you to
+    call together all the maids in your palace and order them to
+    jump over a pit, which must be dug. We'll soon find out whether
+    there is any man there."</p>
+
+    <p>The King had the pit dug, and commanded all the maids
+    belonging to the palace to try to jump over it. All of them
+    tried, but only one succeeded. That one was found to be a
+    man!</p>
+
+    <p>Thus was the Queen satisfied, and the faithful old vizier
+    saved.</p>
+
+    <p>Afterward, as soon as could be, the vizier's son married the
+    old farmer's daughter; and a most happy marriage it was.</p>
+
+    <h3>MUCHIE LAL</h3>
+
+    <h4>ADAPTED BY M. FRERE</h4>
+
+    <p>Once upon a time there were a Rajah and Ranee who had no
+    children. Long had they wished and prayed that the gods would
+    send them a son, but it was all in vain&mdash;their prayers
+    were not granted. One day a number of fish were brought into
+    the royal kitchen to be cooked for the Rajah's dinner, and
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page112"
+       id="page112"></a>[pg 112]</span> amongst them was one little
+       fish that was not dead, but all the rest were dead. One of
+       the palace maid-servants, seeing this, took the little fish
+       and put him in a basin of water. Shortly afterward the Ranee
+       saw him, and thinking him very pretty, kept him as a pet;
+       and because she had no children she lavished all her
+       affection on the fish and loved him as a son; and the people
+       called him Muchie Rajah (the Fish Prince).</p>
+
+    <p>In a little while Muchie Rajah had grown too long to live in
+    the small basin, so they put him into a larger one, and then
+    (when he grew too long for that) into a big tub. In time,
+    however, Muchie Rajah became too large for even the big tub to
+    hold him; so the Ranee had a tank made for him, in which he
+    lived very happily, and twice a day she fed him with boiled
+    rice. Now, though the people fancied Muchie Rajah was only a
+    fish, this was not the case. He was, in truth, a young Rajah
+    who had angered the gods, and been by them turned into a fish
+    and thrown into the river as a punishment.</p>
+
+    <p>One morning, when the Ranee brought him his daily meal of
+    boiled rice, Muchie Rajah called out to her and said, "Queen
+    Mother, Queen Mother, I am so lonely here all by myself! Cannot
+    you get me a wife?" The Ranee promised to try, and sent
+    messengers to all the people she knew, to ask if they would
+    allow one of their children to marry her son, the Fish Prince.
+    But they all answered: "We cannot give one of our dear little
+    daughters to be devoured by a great fish, even though he is the
+    Muchie Rajah and so high in your Majesty's favor."</p>
+
+    <p>At news of this the Ranee did not know what to do. She was
+    so foolishly fond of Muchie Rajah, however, that she resolved
+    to get him a wife at any cost. Again she sent out messengers,
+    but this time she gave them a great bag containing a lac of
+    gold mohurs, and said to them: "Go into every land until you
+    find a wife for my Muchie Rajah, and to whoever will give you a
+    child to be the Muchie Ranee you shall give this bag of gold
+    mohurs." The messengers started on their search, but for some
+    time they were unsuccessful; not even the beggars were to be
+    tempted to sell their children, fearing the great fish would
+    devour them. At last one day the messengers came to a village
+    where there lived a Fakeer, who had lost his first wife
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page113"
+       id="page113"></a>[pg 113]</span> and married again. His
+       first wife had had one little daughter, and his second wife
+       also had a daughter. As it happened, the Fakeer's second
+       wife hated her little stepdaughter, always gave her the
+       hardest work to do and the least food to eat, and tried by
+       every means in her power to get her out of the way, in order
+       that the child might not rival her own daughter. When she
+       heard of the errand on which the messengers had come, she
+       sent for them when the Fakeer was out, and said to them:
+       "Give me the bag of gold mohurs, and you shall take my
+       little daughter to marry the Muchie Rajah." ("For," she
+       thought to herself, "the great fish will certainly eat the
+       girl, and she will thus trouble us no more.") Then, turning
+       to her stepdaughter, she said: "Go down to the river and
+       wash your <i>saree</i>, that you may be fit to go with these
+       people, who will take you to the Ranee's court." At these
+       words the poor girl went down to the river very sorrowful,
+       for she saw no hope of escape, as her father was from home.
+       As she knelt by the river-side, washing her <i>saree</i> and
+       crying bitterly, some of her tears fell into the hole of an
+       old Seven-headed Cobra, who lived on the river-bank. This
+       Cobra was a very wise animal, and seeing the maiden, he put
+       his head out of his hole, and said to her: "Little girl, why
+       do you cry?" "Oh, sir," she answered, "I am very unhappy;
+       for my father is from home, and my stepmother has sold me to
+       the Ranee's people to be the wife of the Muchie Rajah, that
+       great fish, and I know he will eat me up." "Do not be
+       afraid, my daughter," said the Cobra; "but take with you
+       these three stones and tie them up in the corner of your
+       <i>saree</i>;" and so saying, he gave her three little round
+       pebbles. "The Muchie Rajah, whose wife you are to be, is not
+       really a fish, but a Rajah who has been enchanted. Your home
+       will be a little room which the Ranee has had built in the
+       tank wall. When you are taken there, wait and be sure you
+       don't go to sleep, or the Muchie Rajah will certainly come
+       and eat you up. But as you hear him coming rushing through
+       the water, be prepared, and as soon as you see him, throw
+       this first stone at him; he will then sink to the bottom of
+       the tank. The second time he comes, throw the second stone,
+       when the same thing will happen. The third time he comes,
+       throw this third stone,
+       <span class="pagenum"><a name="page114"
+       id="page114"></a>[pg 114]</span> and he will immediately
+       resume his human shape." So saying, the old Cobra dived down
+       again into his hole. The Fakeer's daughter took the stones
+       and determined to do as the Cobra had told her, though she
+       hardly believed it would have the desired effect.</p>
+
+    <p>When she reached the palace the Ranee spoke kindly to her,
+    and said to the messengers: "You have done your errand well;
+    this is a dear little girl." Then she ordered that she should
+    be let down the side of the tank in a basket to a little room
+    which had been prepared for her. When the Fakeer's daughter got
+    there, she thought she had never seen such a pretty place in
+    her life (for the Ranee had caused the little room to be very
+    nicely decorated for the wife of her favorite); and she would
+    have felt very happy away from her cruel stepmother and all the
+    hard work she had been made to do, had it not been for the dark
+    water that lay black and unfathomable below the door and the
+    fear of the terrible Muchie Rajah.</p>
+
+    <p>After waiting some time she heard a rushing sound, and
+    little waves came dashing against the threshold; faster they
+    came and faster, and the noise got louder and louder, until she
+    saw a great fish's head above the water&mdash;Muchie Rajah was
+    coming toward her open-mouthed. The Fakeer's daughter seized
+    one of the stones that the Cobra had given her and threw it at
+    him, and down he sank to the bottom of the tank; a second time
+    he rose and came toward her, and she threw the second stone at
+    him, and he again sank down; a third time he came more fiercely
+    than before, when, seizing a third stone, she threw it with all
+    her force. No sooner did it touch him than the spell was
+    broken, and there, instead of a fish, stood a handsome young
+    Prince. The poor little Fakeer's daughter was so startled that
+    she began to cry. But the Prince said to her: "Pretty maiden,
+    do not be frightened. You have rescued me from a horrible
+    thraldom, and I can never thank you enough; but if you will be
+    the Muchie Ranee, we will be married to-morrow." Then he sat
+    down on the doorstep, thinking over his strange fate and
+    watching for the dawn.</p>
+
+    <p>Next morning early several inquisitive people came to see if
+    the Muchie Rajah had eaten up his poor little wife, as they
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page115"
+       id="page115"></a>[pg 115]</span> feared he would; what was
+       their astonishment, on looking over the tank wall, to see,
+       not the Muchie Rajah, but a magnificent Prince! The news
+       soon spread to the palace. Down came the Rajah, down came
+       the Ranee, down came all their attendants, and dragged
+       Muchie Rajah and the Fakeer's daughter up the side of the
+       tank in a basket; and when they heard their story there were
+       great and unparalleled rejoicings. The Ranee said, "So I
+       have indeed found a son at last!" And the people were so
+       delighted, so happy and so proud of the new Prince and
+       Princess, that they covered all their path with damask from
+       the tank to the palace, and cried to their fellows, "Come
+       and see our new Prince and Princess! Were ever any so
+       divinely beautiful? Come see a right royal couple,&mdash;a
+       pair of mortals like the gods!" And when they reached the
+       palace the prince was married to the Fakeer's daughter.</p>
+
+    <p>There they lived very happily for some time. The Muchie
+    Ranee's stepmother, hearing what had happened, came often to
+    see her stepdaughter, and pretended to be delighted at her good
+    fortune; and the Ranee was so good that she quite forgave all
+    her stepmother's former cruelty, and always received her very
+    kindly. At last, one day, the Muchie Ranee said to her husband,
+    "It is a weary while since I saw my father. If you will give me
+    leave, I should much like to visit my native village and see
+    him again." "Very well," he replied, "you may go. But do not
+    stay away long; for there can be no happiness for me till you
+    return." So she went, and her father was delighted to see her;
+    but her stepmother, though she pretended to be very kind, was
+    in reality only glad to think she had got the Ranee into her
+    power, and determined, if possible, never to allow her to
+    return to the palace again. One day, therefore, she said to her
+    own daughter, "It is hard that your stepsister should have
+    become Ranee of all the land instead of being eaten up by the
+    great fish, while we gained no more than a lac of gold mohurs.
+    Do now as I bid you, that you may become Ranee in her stead."
+    She then went on to instruct her that she must invite the Ranee
+    down to the river-bank, and there beg her to let her try on her
+    jewels, and while putting them on give her a push and drown her
+    in the river.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page116"
+       id="page116"></a>[pg 116]</span>
+
+    <p>The girl consented, and standing by the river-bank, said to
+    her stepsister, "Sister, may I try on your jewels?&mdash;how
+    pretty they are!" "Yes," said the Ranee, "and we shall be able
+    to see in the river how they look." So, undoing her necklaces,
+    she clasped them round the other's neck. But while she was
+    doing so her stepsister gave her a push, and she fell backward
+    into the water. The girl watched to see that the body did not
+    rise, and then, running back, said to her mother, "Mother, here
+    are all the jewels, and she will trouble us no more." But it
+    happened that just when her stepsister pushed the Ranee into
+    the river her old friend the Seven-headed Cobra chanced to be
+    swimming across it, and seeing the little Ranee likely to be
+    drowned, he carried her on his back until he reached his hole,
+    into which he took her safely. Now this hole, in which the
+    Cobra and his wife and all his little ones lived, had two
+    entrances,&mdash;the one under the water and leading to the
+    river, and the other above water, leading out into the open
+    fields. To this upper end of his hole the Cobra took the Muchie
+    Ranee, where he and his wife took care of her; and there she
+    lived with them for some time. Meanwhile, the wicked Fakeer's
+    wife, having dressed up her own daughter in all the Ranee's
+    jewels, took her to the palace, and said to the Muchie Rajah,
+    "See, I have brought your wife, my dear daughter, back safe and
+    well." The Rajah looked at her, and thought, "This does not
+    look like my wife." However, the room was dark and the girl was
+    cleverly disguised, and he thought he might be mistaken. Next
+    day he said again: "My wife must be sadly changed or this
+    cannot be she, for she was always bright and cheerful. She had
+    pretty loving ways and merry words, while this woman never
+    opens her lips." Still, he did not like to seem to mistrust his
+    wife, and comforted himself by saying, "Perhaps she is tired
+    with the long journey." On the third day, however, he could
+    bear the uncertainty no longer, and tearing off her jewels,
+    saw, not the face of his own little wife, but another woman.
+    Then he was very angry and turned her out of doors, saying,
+    "Begone; since you are but the wretched tool of others, I spare
+    your life." But of the Fakeer's wife he said to his guards,
+    "Fetch that woman here instantly; for
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page117"
+       id="page117"></a>[pg 117]</span> unless she can tell me
+       where my wife is, I will have her hanged." It chanced,
+       however, that the Fakeer's wife had heard of the Muchie
+       Rajah having turned her daughter out of doors; so, fearing
+       his anger, she hid herself, and was not to be found.</p>
+
+    <p>Meantime, the Muchie Ranee, not knowing how to get home,
+    continued to live in the great Seven-headed Cobra's hole, and
+    he and his wife and all his family were very kind to her, and
+    loved her as if she had been one of them; and there her little
+    son was born, and she called him Muchie Lal, after the Muchie
+    Rajah, his father. Muchie Lal was a lovely child, merry and
+    brave, and his playmates all day long were the young Cobras.
+    When he was about three years old a bangle-seller came by that
+    way, and the Muchie Ranee bought some bangles from him and put
+    them on her boy's wrists and ankles; but by the next day, in
+    playing, he had broke them all. Then, seeing the bangle-seller,
+    the Ranee called him again and bought some more, and so on
+    every day until the bangle-seller got quite rich from selling
+    so many bangles for the Muchie Lal; for the Cobra's hole was
+    full of treasure, and he gave the Muchie Ranee as much money to
+    spend every day as she liked. There was nothing she wished for
+    he did not give her, only he would not let her try to get home
+    to her husband, which she wished more than all. When she asked
+    him he would say: "No, I will not let you go. If your husband
+    comes here and fetches you, it is well; but I will not allow
+    you to wander in search of him through the land alone."</p>
+
+    <p>And so she was obliged to stay where she was.</p>
+
+    <p>All this time the poor Muchie Rajah was hunting in every
+    part of the country for his wife, but he could learn no tidings
+    of her. For grief and sorrow at losing her he had gone almost
+    distracted, and did nothing but wander from place to place,
+    crying, "She is gone! she is gone!" Then, when he had long
+    inquired without avail of all the people in her native village
+    about her, he one day met a bangle-seller and said to him,
+    "Whence do you come?" The bangle-seller answered, "I have just
+    been selling bangles to some people who live in a Cobra's hole
+    in the river-bank." "People! What people?" asked the Rajah.
+    "Why," answered the bangle-seller, "a
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page118"
+       id="page118"></a>[pg 118]</span> woman and a child; the
+       child is the most beautiful I ever saw. He is about three
+       years old, and of course, running about, is always breaking
+       his bangles and his mother buys him new ones every day." "Do
+       you know what the child's name is?" said the Rajah. "Yes,"
+       answered the bangle-seller carelessly, "for the lady always
+       calls him her Muchie Lal." "Ah," thought the Muchie Rajah,
+       "this must be my wife." Then he said to him again, "Good
+       bangle-seller, I would see these strange people of whom you
+       speak; cannot you take me there?" "Not to-night," replied
+       the bangle-seller; "daylight has gone, and we should only
+       frighten them; but I shall be going there again to-morrow,
+       and then you may come too. Meanwhile, come and rest at my
+       house for the night, for you look faint and weary." The
+       Rajah consented. Next morning, however, very early, he woke
+       the bangle-seller, saying, "Pray let us go now and see the
+       people you spoke about yesterday." "Stay," said the
+       bangle-seller; "it is much too early. I never go till after
+       breakfast." So the Rajah had to wait till the bangle-seller
+       was ready to go. At last they started off, and when they
+       reached the Cobra's hole the first thing the Rajah saw was a
+       fine little boy playing with the young Cobras.</p>
+
+    <p>As the bangle-seller came along, jingling his bangles, a
+    gentle voice from inside the hole called out, "Come here, my
+    Muchie Lal, and try on your bangles." Then the Muchie Rajah,
+    kneeling down at the mouth of the hole, said, "Oh, lady, show
+    your beautiful face to me." At the sound of his voice the Ranee
+    ran out, crying, "Husband, husband! have you found me again?"
+    And she told him how her sister had tried to drown her, and how
+    the good Cobra had saved her life and taken care of her and her
+    child. Then he said, "And will you now come home with me?" And
+    she told him how the Cobra would never let her go, and said, "I
+    will first tell him of your coming; for he has been a father to
+    me." So she called out, "Father Cobra, father Cobra, my husband
+    has come to fetch me; will you let me go?" "Yes," he said, "if
+    your husband has come to fetch you, you may go." And his wife
+    said, "Farewell, dear lady, we are loath to lose you, for we
+    have loved you as a daughter." And all the little Cobras were
+    very <span class="pagenum"><a name="page119"
+       id="page119"></a>[pg 119]</span> sorrowful to think that
+       they must lose their playfellow, the young Prince. Then the
+       Cobra gave the Muchie Rajah and the Muchie Ranee and Muchie
+       Lal all the most costly gifts he could find in his
+       treasure-house; and so they went home, where they lived very
+       happy ever after.</p>
+
+    <h3>HOW THE RAJAH'S SON WON THE PRINCESS LABAM</h3>
+
+    <h4>ADAPTED BY JOSEPH JACOBS</h4>
+
+    <p>In a country there was a Rajah who had an only son who every
+    day went out to hunt. One day the Ranee his mother, said to
+    him, "You can hunt wherever you like on these three sides; but
+    you must never go to the fourth side." This she said because
+    she knew if he went on the fourth side he would hear of the
+    beautiful Princess Labam, and that then he would leave his
+    father and mother and seek for the Princess.</p>
+
+    <p>The young Prince listened to his mother, and obeyed her for
+    some time; but one day, when he was hunting on the three sides
+    where he was allowed to go, he remembered what she had said to
+    him about the fourth side, and he determined to go and see why
+    she had forbidden him to hunt on that side. When he got there,
+    he found himself in a jungle, and nothing in the jungle but a
+    quantity of parrots, who lived in it. The young Rajah shot at
+    some of them, and at once they all flew away up to the sky.
+    All, that is, but one, and this was their Rajah, who was called
+    Hiraman parrot.</p>
+
+    <p>When Hiraman parrot found himself left alone, he called out
+    to the other parrots, "Don't fly away and leave me alone when
+    the Rajah's son shoots. If you desert me like this, I will tell
+    the Princess Labam."</p>
+
+    <p>Then the parrots all flew back to their Rajah, chattering.
+    The Prince was greatly surprised, and said, "Why, these birds
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page120"
+       id="page120"></a>[pg 120]</span> can talk!" Then he said to
+       the parrots, "Who is the Princess Labam? Where does she
+       live?" But the parrots would not tell him where she lived.
+       "You can never get to the Princess Labam's country." That is
+       all they would say.</p>
+
+    <p>The Prince grew very sad when they would not tell him
+    anything more; and he threw his gun away and went home. When he
+    got home, he would not speak or eat, but lay on his bed for
+    four or five days, and seemed very ill.</p>
+
+    <p>At last he told his father and mother that he wanted to go
+    and see the Princess Labam. "I must go," he said; "I must see
+    what she is like. Tell me where her country is."</p>
+
+    <p>"We do not know where it is," answered his father and
+    mother.</p>
+
+    <p>"Then I must go and look for it," said the Prince.</p>
+
+    <p>"No, no," they said, "you must not leave us. You are our
+    only son. Stay with us. You will never find the Princess
+    Labam."</p>
+
+    <p>"I must try and find her," said the Prince. "Perhaps God
+    will show me the way. If I live and I find her, I will come
+    back to you; but perhaps I shall die, and then I shall never
+    see you again. Still I must go."</p>
+
+    <p>So they had to let him go, though they cried very much at
+    parting with him. His father gave him fine clothes to wear, and
+    a fine horse. And he took his gun, and his bow and arrows, and
+    a great many other weapons; "for," he said, "I may want them."
+    His father, too, gave him plenty of rupees.</p>
+
+    <p>Then he himself got his horse all ready for the journey, and
+    he said good-by to his father and mother; and his mother took
+    her handkerchief and wrapped some sweetmeats in it, and gave it
+    to her son. "My child," she said to him, "when you are hungry
+    eat some of these sweetmeats."</p>
+
+    <p>He then set out on his journey, and rode on and on till he
+    came to a jungle in which were a tank and shady trees. He
+    bathed himself and his horse in the tank, and then sat down
+    under a tree. "Now," he said to himself, "I will eat some of
+    the sweetmeats my mother gave me, and I will drink some water,
+    and then I will continue my journey." He opened his
+    handkerchief and took out a sweetmeat. He found an ant in
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page121"
+       id="page121"></a>[pg 121]</span> it. He took out another.
+       There was an ant in that one too. So he laid the two
+       sweetmeats on the ground, and he took out another, and
+       another, and another, until he had taken them all out; but
+       in each he found an ant. "Never mind," he said, "I won't eat
+       the sweetmeats; the ants shall eat them." Then the Ant-Rajah
+       came and stood before him and said, "You have been good to
+       us. If ever you are in trouble, think of me and we will come
+       to you."</p>
+
+    <p>The Rajah's son thanked him, mounted his horse and continued
+    his journey. He rode on and on until he came to another jungle,
+    and there he saw a tiger who had a thorn in his foot, and was
+    roaring loudly from the pain.</p>
+
+    <p>"Why do you roar like that?" said the young Rajah. "What is
+    the matter with you?"</p>
+
+    <p>"I have had a thorn in my foot for twelve years," answered
+    the tiger, "and it hurts me so; that is why I roar."</p>
+
+    <p>"Well," said the Rajah's son, "I will take it out for you.
+    But perhaps, as you are a tiger, when I have made you well, you
+    will eat me?"</p>
+
+    <p>"Oh no," said the tiger, "I won't eat you. Do make me
+    well."</p>
+
+    <p>Then the Prince took a little knife from his pocket and cut
+    the thorn out of the tiger's foot; but when he cut, the tiger
+    roared louder than ever&mdash;so loud that his wife heard him
+    in the next jungle, and came bounding along to see what was the
+    matter. The tiger saw her coming, and hid the Prince in the
+    jungle, so that she should not see him.</p>
+
+    <p>"What man hurt you that you roared so loud?" said the
+    wife.</p>
+
+    <p>"No one hurt me," answered the husband; "but a Rajah's son
+    came and took the thorn out of my foot."</p>
+
+    <p>"Where is he? Show him to me," said his wife.</p>
+
+    <p>"If you promise not to kill him, I will call him," said the
+    tiger.</p>
+
+    <p>"I won't kill him; only let me see him," answered his
+    wife.</p>
+
+    <p>Then the tiger called the Rajah's son, and when he came the
+    tiger and his wife made him a great many salaams. Then they
+    gave him a good dinner, and he stayed with them for
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page122"
+       id="page122"></a>[pg 122]</span> three days. Every day he
+       looked at the tiger's foot, and the third day it was quite
+       healed. Then he said good-by to the tigers, and the tiger
+       said to him, "If ever you are in trouble, think of me, and
+       we will come to you."</p>
+
+    <p>The Rajah's son rode on and on till he came to a third
+    jungle. Here he found four fakeers whose teacher and master had
+    died, and had left four things,&mdash;a bed, which carried
+    whoever sat on it whithersoever he wished to go; a bag, that
+    gave its owner whatever he wanted, jewels, food or clothes; a
+    stone bowl that gave its owner as much water as he wanted, no
+    matter how far he might be from a tank; and a stick and rope,
+    to which its owner had only to say, if any one came to make war
+    on him, "Stick, beat as many men and soldiers as are here," and
+    the stick would beat them and the rope would tie them up.</p>
+
+    <p>The four fakeers were quarreling over these four things. One
+    said, "I want this;" another said, "You cannot have it, for I
+    want it;" and so on.</p>
+
+    <p>The Rajah's son said to them, "Do not quarrel for these
+    things. I will shoot four arrows in four different directions.
+    Whichever of you gets to my first arrow, shall have the first
+    thing&mdash;the bed. Whosoever gets to the second arrow, shall
+    have the second thing&mdash;the bag. He who gets to the third
+    arrow, shall have the third thing&mdash;the bowl. And he who
+    gets to the fourth arrow, shall have the last things&mdash;the
+    stick and rope." To this they agreed. And the Prince shot off
+    his first arrow. Away raced the fakeers to get it. When they
+    brought it back to him he shot off the second, and when they
+    had found and brought it to him he shot off his third, and when
+    they had brought him the third he shot off the fourth.</p>
+
+    <p>While they were away looking for the fourth arrow the
+    Rajah's son let his horse loose in the jungle and sat on the
+    bed, taking the bowl, the stick and rope, and the bag with him.
+    Then he said, "Bed, I wish to go to the Princess Labam's
+    country." The little bed instantly rose up into the air and
+    began to fly, and it flew and flew till it came to the Princess
+    Labam's country, where it settled on the ground. The Rajah's
+    son asked some men he saw, "Whose country is this?"</p>
+
+    <p>"The Princess Labam's country," they answered. Then
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page123"
+       id="page123"></a>[pg 123]</span> the Prince went on till he
+       came to a house where he saw an old woman.</p>
+
+    <p>"Who are you?" she said. "Where do you come from?"</p>
+
+    <p>"I come from a far country," he said; "do let me stay with
+    you to-night."</p>
+
+    <p>"No," she answered, "I cannot let you stay with me; for our
+    King has ordered that men from other countries may not stay in
+    his country. You cannot stay in my house."</p>
+
+    <p>"You are my aunty," said the Prince; "let me remain with you
+    for this one night. You see it is evening, and if I go into the
+    jungle, then the wild beasts will eat me."</p>
+
+    <p>"Well," said that old woman, "you may stay here to-night;
+    but to-morrow morning you must go away, for if the King hears
+    you have passed the night in my house, he will have me seized
+    and put into prison."</p>
+
+    <p>Then she took him into her house, and the Rajah's son was
+    very glad. The old woman began preparing dinner, but he stopped
+    her. "Aunty," he said, "I will give you food." He put his hand
+    into his bag, saying, "Bag, I want some dinner," and the bag
+    gave him instantly a delicious dinner, served up on two gold
+    plates. The old woman and the Rajah's son then dined
+    together.</p>
+
+    <p>When they had finished eating, the old woman said, "Now I
+    will fetch some water."</p>
+
+    <p>"Don't go," said the Prince. "You shall have plenty of water
+    directly." So he took his bowl and said to it, "Bowl, I want
+    some water," and then it filled with water. When it was full,
+    the Prince cried out, "Stop, bowl!" and the bowl stopped
+    filling. "See, aunty," he said, "with this bowl I can always
+    get as much water as I want."</p>
+
+    <p>By this time night had come. "Aunty," said the Rajah's son,
+    "why don't you light a lamp?"</p>
+
+    <p>"There is no need," she said. "Our king has forbidden the
+    people in his country to light any lamps; for, as soon as it is
+    dark, his daughter, the Princess Labam, comes and sits on her
+    roof, and she shines so that she lights up all the country and
+    our houses, and we can see to do our work as if it were
+    day."</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page124"
+       id="page124"></a>[pg 124]</span>
+
+    <p>When it was quite black night the Princess got up. She
+    dressed herself in her rich clothes and jewels, and rolled up
+    her hair, and across her head she put a band of diamonds and
+    pearls. Then she shone like the moon and her beauty made night
+    day. She came out of her room and sat on the roof of her
+    palace. In the daytime she never came out of her house; she
+    only came out at night. All the people in her father's country
+    then went about their work and finished it.</p>
+
+    <p>The Rajah's son, watched the Princess quietly, and was very
+    happy. He said to himself, "How lovely she is!"</p>
+
+    <p>At midnight, when everybody had gone to bed, the Princess
+    came down from her roof and went to her room; and when she was
+    in bed and asleep, the Rajah's son got up softly and sat on his
+    bed. "Bed," he said to it, "I want to go to the Princess
+    Labam's bed-room." So the little bed carried him to the room
+    where she lay fast asleep.</p>
+
+    <p>The young Rajah took his bag and said, "I want a great deal
+    of betel-leaf," and it at once gave him quantities of
+    betel-leaf. This he laid near the Princess's bed, and then his
+    little bed carried him back to the old woman's house.</p>
+
+    <p>Next morning all the Princess's servants found the
+    betel-leaf, and began to eat it. "Where did you get all that
+    betel-leaf?" asked the Princess.</p>
+
+    <p>"We found it near your bed," answered the servants. Nobody
+    knew the Prince had come in the night and put it all there.</p>
+
+    <p>In the morning the old woman came to the Rajah's son. "Now
+    it is morning," she said, "and you must go; for if the King
+    finds out all I have done for you, he will seize me."</p>
+
+    <p>"I am ill to-day, dear aunty," said the Prince; "do let me
+    stay till to-morrow morning."</p>
+
+    <p>"Good," said the old woman. So he stayed, and they took
+    their dinner out of the bag, and the bowl gave them water.</p>
+
+    <div class="figcenter"
+         style="width:100%;">
+        <a href="images/570.jpg"
+             name="fig570"
+             id="fig570"><img width="250"
+             src="images/570-t.jpg"
+             alt="THE PRINCESS LABAM ... SHINES SO THAT SHE LIGHTS UP ALL THE COUNTRY." />
+        </a>
+
+        <p>&nbsp;</p>THE PRINCESS LABAM ... SHINES SO THAT SHE
+        LIGHTS UP ALL THE COUNTRY.
+    </div>
+
+    <p>When night came the Princess got up and sat on her roof, and
+    at twelve o'clock, when every one was in bed, she went to her
+    bed-room, and was soon fast asleep. Then the Rajah's son sat on
+    his bed, and it carried him to the Princess. He took his bag
+    and said, "Bag, I want a most lovely shawl." It
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page125"
+       id="page125"></a>[pg 125]</span> gave him a splendid shawl,
+       and he spread it over the Princess as she lay asleep. Then
+       he went back to the old woman's house and slept till
+       morning.</p>
+
+    <p>In the morning, when the Princess saw the shawl she was
+    delighted. "See, mother," she said; "Khuda must have given me
+    this shawl, it is so beautiful." Her mother was very glad
+    too.</p>
+
+    <p>"Yes, my child," she said; "Khuda must have given you this
+    splendid shawl."</p>
+
+    <p>When it was morning the old woman said to the Rajah's son,
+    "Now you must really go."</p>
+
+    <p>"Aunty," he answered, "I am not well enough yet. Let me stay
+    a few days longer. I will remain hidden in your house, so that
+    no one may see me." So the old woman let him stay.</p>
+
+    <p>When it was black night, the Princess put on her lovely
+    clothes and jewels and sat on her roof. At midnight she went to
+    her room and went to sleep. Then the Rajah's son sat on his bed
+    and flew to her bed-room. There he said to his bag, "Bag, I
+    want a very, very beautiful ring." The bag gave him a glorious
+    ring. Then he took the Princess Labam's hand gently to put on
+    the ring, and she started up very much frightened.</p>
+
+    <p>"Who are you?" she said to the Prince. "Where do you come
+    from? Why do you come to my room?"</p>
+
+    <p>"Do not be afraid, Princess," he said; "I am no thief. I am
+    a great Rajah's son. Hiraman parrot, who lives in the jungle
+    where I went to hunt, told me your name, and then I left my
+    father and mother and came to see you."</p>
+
+    <p>"Well," said the Princess, "as you are the son of such a
+    great Rajah, I will not have you killed, and I will tell my
+    father and mother that I wish to marry you."</p>
+
+    <p>The Prince then returned to the old woman's house; and when
+    morning came the Princess said to her mother, "The son of a
+    great Rajah has come to this country, and I wish to marry him."
+    Her mother told this to the King.</p>
+
+    <p>"Good," said the King; "but if this Rajah's son wishes to
+    marry my daughter, he must first do whatever I bid him. If he
+    fails I will kill him. I will give him eighty pounds weight of
+    mustard seed, and out of this he must crush the oil in one day.
+    If he cannot do this he shall
+    die."</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page126"
+       id="page126"></a>[pg 126]</span>
+
+    <p>In the morning the Rajah's son told the old woman that he
+    intended to marry the Princess. "Oh," said the old woman, "go
+    away from this country, and do not think of marrying her. A
+    great many Rajahs and Rajahs' sons have come here to marry her,
+    and her father has had them all killed. He says whoever wishes
+    to marry his daughter must first do whatever he bids him. If he
+    can, then he shall marry the Princess; if he cannot, the King
+    will have him killed. But no one can do the things the King
+    tells him to do; so all the Rajahs and Rajahs' sons who have
+    tried have been put to death. You will be killed too, if you
+    try. Do go away." But the Prince would not listen to anything
+    she said.</p>
+
+    <p>The King sent for the Prince to the old woman's house, and
+    his servants brought the Rajah's son to the King's court-house
+    to the King. There the King gave him eighty pounds of mustard
+    seed, and told him to crush all the oil out of it that day, and
+    bring it next morning to him to the court-house. "Whoever
+    wishes to marry my daughter," he said to the Prince, "must
+    first do all I tell him. If he cannot, then I have him killed.
+    So if you cannot crush all the oil out of this mustard seed you
+    will die."</p>
+
+    <p>The Prince was very sorry when he heard this. "How can I
+    crush the oil out of all this mustard seed in one day?" he said
+    to himself; "and if I do not, the King will kill me." He took
+    the mustard seed to the old woman's house, and did not know
+    what to do. At last he remembered the Ant-Rajah, and the moment
+    he did so, the Ant-Rajah and his ants came to him. "Why do you
+    look so sad?" said the Ant-Rajah.</p>
+
+    <p>The Prince showed him the mustard seed, and said to him,
+    "How can I crush the oil out of all this mustard seed in one
+    day? And if I do not take the oil to the King to-morrow
+    morning, he will kill me."</p>
+
+    <p>"Be happy," said the Ant-Rajah; "lie down and sleep; we will
+    crush all the oil out for you during the day, and to-morrow
+    morning you shall take it to the King." The Rajah's son lay
+    down and slept, and the ants crushed out the oil for him. The
+    Prince was very glad when he saw the oil.</p>
+
+    <p>The next morning he took it to the court-house to the King.
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page127"
+       id="page127"></a>[pg 127]</span> But the King said, "You
+       cannot yet marry my daughter. If you wish to do so, you must
+       fight with my two demons, and kill them." The King a long
+       time ago had caught two demons, and then, as he did not know
+       what to do with them, he had shut them up in a cage. He was
+       afraid to let them loose for fear they would eat up all the
+       people in his country; and he did not know how to kill them.
+       So all the Rajahs and Rajahs' sons who wanted to marry the
+       Princess Labam had to fight with these demons; "for," said
+       the King to himself, "perhaps the demons may be killed, and
+       then I shall be rid of them."</p>
+
+    <p>When he heard of the demons the Rajah's son was very sad.
+    "What can I do?" he said to himself. "How can I fight with
+    these two demons?" Then he thought of his tiger: and the tiger
+    and his wife came to him and said, "Why are you so sad?" The
+    Rajah's son answered, "The King has ordered me to fight with
+    his two demons and kill them. How can I do this?" "Do not be
+    frightened," said the tiger. "Be happy. I and my wife will
+    fight with them for you."</p>
+
+    <p>Then the Rajah's son took out of his bag two splendid coats.
+    They were all gold and silver, and covered with pearls and
+    diamonds. These he put on the tigers to make them beautiful,
+    and he took them to the King, and said to him, "May these
+    tigers fight your demons for me?" "Yes," said the King, who did
+    not care in the least who killed his demons, provided they were
+    killed. "Then call your demons," said the Rajah's son, "and
+    these tigers will fight them." The King did so, and the tigers
+    and the demons fought and fought until the tigers had killed
+    the demons.</p>
+
+    <p>"That is good," said the King. "But you must do something
+    else before I give you my daughter. Up in the sky I have a
+    kettle-drum. You must go and beat it. If you cannot do this, I
+    will kill you."</p>
+
+    <p>The Rajah's son thought of his little bed; so he went to the
+    old woman's house and sat on his bed. "Little bed," he said,
+    "up in the sky is the King's kettle-drum. I want to go to it."
+    The bed flew up with him, and the Rajah's son beat the drum,
+    and the King heard him. Still, when he came down, the King
+    would not give him his daughter. "You have," he said to the
+    Prince, <span class="pagenum"><a name="page128"
+       id="page128"></a>[pg 128]</span> "done the three things I
+       told you to do; but you must do one thing more." "If I can,
+       I will," said the Rajah's son.</p>
+
+    <p>Then the King showed him the trunk of a tree that was lying
+    near his court-house. It was a very, very thick trunk. He gave
+    the Prince a wax hatchet, and said, "To-morrow morning you must
+    cut this trunk in two with this wax hatchet."</p>
+
+    <p>The Rajah's son went back to the old woman's house. He was
+    very sad, and thought that now the Rajah would certainly kill
+    him. "I had his oil crushed out by the ants," he said to
+    himself. "I had his demons killed by the tigers. My bed helped
+    to beat this kettle-drum. But now what can I do? How can I cut
+    that thick tree-trunk in two with a wax hatchet?"</p>
+
+    <p>At night he went on his bed to see the Princess.
+    "To-morrow," he said to her, "your father will kill me." "Why?"
+    asked the Princess.</p>
+
+    <p>"He has told me to cut a thick tree-trunk in two with a wax
+    hatchet. How can I ever do that?" said the Rajah's son. "Do not
+    be afraid," said the Princess; "do as I bid you, and you will
+    cut it in two quite easily."</p>
+
+    <p>Then she pulled out a hair from her head and gave it to the
+    Prince. "To-morrow," she said, "when no one is near you, you
+    must say to the tree-trunk, 'The Princess Labam commands you to
+    let yourself be cut in two by this hair.' Then stretch the hair
+    down the edge of the wax hatchet's blade."</p>
+
+    <p>The Prince next day did exactly as the Princess had told
+    him; and the minute the hair that was stretched down the edge
+    of the hatchet blade touched the tree-trunk it split into two
+    pieces.</p>
+
+    <p>The King said, "Now you can marry my daughter." Then the
+    wedding took place. All the Rajahs and Kings of the countries
+    round were asked to come to it, and there were great
+    rejoicings. After a few days the bridegroom said to his bride
+    "Let us go to my father's country." The Princess Labam's father
+    gave them a quantity of camels and horses and rupees and
+    servants; and they traveled in great state to the distant
+    country, where they lived happily.</p>
+
+    <p>The prince always kept his bag, bowl, bed, stick and rope;
+    only, as no one ever came to make war on him, he never needed
+    to use the stick or rope.</p>
+
+    <p>&nbsp;</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page129"
+       id="page129"></a>[pg 129]</span>
+
+    <h2>MYTHS OF JAPAN</h2>
+
+    <h3>THE JELLYFISH AND THE MONKEY</h3>
+
+    <h4>ADAPTED BY YEI THEODORA OZAKI</h4>
+
+    <p>Long, long ago, in old Japan, the Kingdom of the Sea was
+    governed by a wonderful King. He was called Rin Jin, or the
+    Dragon King of the Sea. His power was immense, for he was the
+    ruler of all sea creatures both great and small, and in his
+    keeping were the Jewels of the Ebb and Flow of the Tide. The
+    Jewel of the Ebbing Tide when thrown into the ocean caused the
+    sea to recede from the land, and the Jewel of the Flowing Tide
+    made the waves to rise mountains high and to flow in upon the
+    shore like a tidal wave.</p>
+
+    <p>The palace of Rin Jin was at the bottom of the sea, and was
+    so beautiful that no one has ever seen anything like it even in
+    dreams. The walls were of coral, the roof of jadestone and
+    chalcedony, and the floors were of the finest mother-of-pearl.
+    But the Dragon King, in spite of his wide-spreading kingdom,
+    his beautiful palace and all its wonders, and his power, which
+    none disputed throughout the whole sea, was not at all happy,
+    for he reigned alone. At last he thought that if he married he
+    would not only be happier, but also more powerful. So he
+    decided to take a wife. Calling all his fish retainers
+    together, he chose several of them as ambassadors to go through
+    the sea and seek for a young Dragon Princess who would be his
+    bride.</p>
+
+    <p>At last they returned to the palace bringing with them a
+    lovely young dragon. Her scales were of a glittering green like
+    the wings of summer beetles, her eyes threw out glances of
+    fire, and she was dressed in gorgeous robes. All the jewels of
+    the sea worked in with embroidery adorned them.</p>
+
+    <p>The King fell in love with her at once, and the wedding
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page130"
+       id="page130"></a>[pg 130]</span> ceremony was celebrated
+       with great splendor. Every living thing in the sea, from the
+       great whales down to the little shrimps, came in shoals to
+       offer their congratulations to the bride and bridegroom and
+       to wish them a long and prosperous life. Never had there
+       been such an assemblage or such gay festivities in the
+       Fish-World before. The train of bearers who carried the
+       bride's possessions to her new home seemed to reach across
+       the waves from one end of the sea to the other. Each fish
+       carried a phosphorescent lantern and was dressed in
+       ceremonial robes, gleaming blue and pink and silver; and the
+       waves as they rose and fell and broke that night seemed to
+       be rolling masses of white and green fire, for the
+       phosphorus shone with double brilliancy in honor of the
+       event.</p>
+
+    <p>Now for a time the Dragon King and his bride lived very
+    happily. They loved each other dearly, and the bridegroom day
+    after day took delight in showing his bride all the wonders and
+    treasures of his coral palace, and she was never tired of
+    wandering with him through its vast halls and gardens. Life
+    seemed to them both like a long summer's day.</p>
+
+    <p>Two months passed in this happy way, and then the Dragon
+    Queen fell ill and was obliged to stay in bed. The King was
+    sorely troubled when he saw his precious bride so ill, and at
+    once sent for the fish doctor to come and give her some
+    medicine. He gave special orders to the servants to nurse her
+    carefully and to wait upon her with diligence, but in spite of
+    all the nurses' assiduous care and the medicine that the doctor
+    prescribed, the young Queen showed no signs of recovery, but
+    grew daily worse.</p>
+
+    <p>Then the Dragon King interviewed the doctor and blamed him
+    for not curing the Queen. The doctor was alarmed at Rin Jin's
+    evident displeasure, and excused his want of skill by saying
+    that although he knew the right kind of medicine to give the
+    invalid, it was impossible to find it in the sea.</p>
+
+    <p>"Do you mean to tell me that you can't get the medicine
+    here?" asked the Dragon King.</p>
+
+    <p>"It is just as you say!" said the doctor.</p>
+
+    <p>"Tell me what it is you want for the Queen?" demanded Rin
+    Jin.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page131"
+       id="page131"></a>[pg 131]</span>
+
+    <p>"I want the liver of a live monkey!" answered the
+    doctor.</p>
+
+    <p>"The liver of a live monkey! Of course that will be most
+    difficult to get," said the King.</p>
+
+    <p>"If we could only get that for the Queen, her Majesty would
+    soon recover," said the doctor.</p>
+
+    <p>"Very well, that decides it; we <i>must</i> get it somehow
+    or other. But where are we most likely to find a monkey?" asked
+    the King.</p>
+
+    <p>Then the doctor told the Dragon King that some distance to
+    the south there was a Monkey Island where a great many monkeys
+    lived.</p>
+
+    <p>"If only you could capture one of those monkeys?" said the
+    doctor.</p>
+
+    <p>"How can any of my people capture a monkey?" said the Dragon
+    King, greatly puzzled. "The monkeys live on dry land, while we
+    live in the water; and out of our element we are quite
+    powerless! I don't see what we can do!"</p>
+
+    <p>"That has been my difficulty too," said the doctor. "But
+    amongst your innumerable servants, you surely can find one who
+    can go on shore for that express purpose!"</p>
+
+    <p>"Something must be done," said the King, and calling his
+    chief steward he consulted him on the matter.</p>
+
+    <p>The chief steward thought for some time, and then, as if
+    struck by a sudden thought, said joyfully:</p>
+
+    <p>"I know what we must do! There is the <i>kurage</i>
+    (jellyfish). He is certainly ugly to look at, but he is proud
+    of being able to walk on land with his four legs like a
+    tortoise. Let us send him to the Island of Monkeys to catch
+    one."</p>
+
+    <p>The jellyfish was then summoned to the King's presence, and
+    was told by his Majesty what was required of him.</p>
+
+    <p>The jellyfish, on being told of the unexpected mission which
+    was to be entrusted to him, looked very troubled, and said that
+    he had never been to the island in question, and as he had
+    never had any experience in catching monkeys he was afraid that
+    he would not be able to get one.</p>
+
+    <p>"Well," said the chief steward, "if you depend on your
+    strength or dexterity you will never catch a monkey. The only
+    way is to play a trick on
+    one!"</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page132"
+       id="page132"></a>[pg 132]</span>
+
+    <p>"How can I play a trick on a monkey? I don't know how to do
+    it," said the perplexed jellyfish.</p>
+
+    <p>"This is what you must do," said the wily chief steward.
+    "When you approach the Island of Monkeys and meet some of them,
+    you must try to get very friendly with one. Tell him that you
+    are a servant of the Dragon King, and invite him to come and
+    visit you and see the Dragon King's palace. Try and describe to
+    him as vividly as you can the grandeur of the palace and the
+    wonders of the sea so as to arouse his curiosity and make him
+    long to see it all!"</p>
+
+    <p>"But how am I to get the monkey here? You know monkeys don't
+    swim!" said the reluctant jellyfish.</p>
+
+    <p>"You must carry him on your back. What is the use of your
+    shell if you can't do that!" said the chief steward.</p>
+
+    <p>"Won't he be very heavy?" queried <i>kurage</i> again.</p>
+
+    <p>"You mustn't mind that, for you are working for the Dragon
+    King!" replied the chief steward.</p>
+
+    <p>"I will do my best then," said the jellyfish, and he swam
+    away from the palace and started off towards the Monkey Island.
+    Swimming swiftly he reached his destination in a few hours, and
+    was landed by a convenient wave upon the shore. On looking
+    round he saw not far away a big pine-tree with drooping
+    branches and on one of those branches was just what he was
+    looking for&mdash;a live monkey.</p>
+
+    <p>"I'm in luck!" thought the jellyfish. "Now I must flatter
+    the creature and try to entice him to come back with me to the
+    palace, and my part will be done!"</p>
+
+    <p>So the jellyfish slowly walked towards the pine-tree. In
+    those ancient days the jellyfish had four legs and a hard shell
+    like a tortoise. When he got to the pine-tree he raised his
+    voice and said:</p>
+
+    <p>"How do you do, Mr. Monkey? Isn't it a lovely day?"</p>
+
+    <p>"A very fine day," answered the monkey from the tree. "I
+    have never seen you in this part of the world before. Where
+    have you come from and what is your name?"</p>
+
+    <p>"My name is <i>kurage</i> or jellyfish. I am one of the
+    servants of the Dragon King. I have heard so much of your
+    beautiful island that I have come on purpose to see it,"
+    answered the
+    jellyfish.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page133"
+       id="page133"></a>[pg 133]</span>
+
+    <p>"I am very glad to see you," said the monkey.</p>
+
+    <p>"By-the-bye," said the jellyfish, "have you ever seen the
+    palace of the Dragon King of the Sea where I live?"</p>
+
+    <p>"I have often heard of it, but I have never seen it!"
+    answered the monkey.</p>
+
+    <p>"Then you ought most surely to come. It is a great pity for
+    you to go through life without seeing it. The beauty of the
+    palace is beyond all description&mdash;it is certainly to my
+    mind the most lovely place in the world," said the
+    jellyfish.</p>
+
+    <p>"Is it so beautiful as all that?" asked the monkey in
+    astonishment.</p>
+
+    <p>Then the jellyfish saw his chance, and went on describing to
+    the best of his ability the beauty and grandeur of the Sea
+    King's palace, and the wonders of the garden with its curious
+    trees of white, pink and red coral, and the still more curious
+    fruits like great jewels hanging on the branches. The monkey
+    grew more and more interested, and as he listened he came down
+    the tree step by step so as not to lose a word of the wonderful
+    story.</p>
+
+    <p>"I have got him at last!" thought the jellyfish, but aloud
+    he said:</p>
+
+    <p>"Mr. Monkey, I must now go back. As you have never seen the
+    palace of the Dragon King, won't you avail yourself of this
+    splendid opportunity by coming with me? I shall then be able to
+    act as guide and show you all the sights of the sea, which will
+    be even more wonderful to you&mdash;a land-lubber."</p>
+
+    <p>"I should love to go," said the monkey, "but how am I to
+    cross the water? I can't swim, as you surely know!"</p>
+
+    <p>"There is no difficulty about that. I can carry you on my
+    back."</p>
+
+    <p>"That will be troubling you too much," said the monkey.</p>
+
+    <p>"I can do it quite easily. I am stronger than I look, so you
+    needn't hesitate," said the jellyfish, and taking the monkey on
+    his back he stepped into the sea.</p>
+
+    <p>"Keep very still, Mr. Monkey," said the jellyfish. "You
+    mustn't fall into the sea; I am responsible for your safe
+    arrival at the King's
+    palace."</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page134"
+       id="page134"></a>[pg 134]</span>
+
+    <p>"Please don't go so fast, or I am sure I shall fall off,"
+    said the monkey.</p>
+
+    <p>Thus they went along, the jellyfish skimming through the
+    waves with the monkey sitting on his back. When they were about
+    halfway, the jellyfish, who knew very little of anatomy, began
+    to wonder if the monkey had his liver with him or not!</p>
+
+    <p>"Mr. Monkey, tell me, have you such a thing as a liver with
+    you?"</p>
+
+    <p>The monkey was very much surprised at this queer question,
+    and asked what the jellyfish wanted with a liver.</p>
+
+    <p>"That is the most important thing of all," said the stupid
+    jellyfish, "so as soon as I recollected it, I asked you if you
+    had yours with you?"</p>
+
+    <p>"Why is my liver so important to you?" asked the monkey.</p>
+
+    <p>"Oh! you will learn the reason later," said the
+    jellyfish.</p>
+
+    <p>The monkey grew more and more curious and suspicious, and
+    urged the jellyfish to tell him for what his liver was wanted,
+    and ended up by appealing to his hearer's feelings by saying
+    that he was very troubled at what he had been told.</p>
+
+    <p>Then the jellyfish, seeing how anxious the monkey looked,
+    was sorry for him, and told everything. How the Dragon Queen
+    had fallen ill, and how the doctor had said that only the liver
+    of a live monkey would cure her, and how the Dragon King had
+    sent him to find one.</p>
+
+    <p>"Now I have done as I was told, and as soon as we arrive at
+    the palace the doctor will want your liver, so I feel sorry for
+    you!" said the silly jellyfish.</p>
+
+    <p>The poor monkey was horrified when he learnt all this, and
+    very angry at the trick played upon him. He trembled with fear
+    at the thought of what was in store for him.</p>
+
+    <p>But the monkey was a clever animal, and he thought it the
+    wisest plan not to show any sign of the fear he felt, so he
+    tried to calm himself and to think of some way by which he
+    might escape.</p>
+
+    <p>"The doctor means to cut me open and then take my liver out!
+    Why I shall die!" thought the monkey. At last a bright thought
+    struck him, so he said quite cheerfully to the
+    jellyfish:</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page135"
+       id="page135"></a>[pg 135]</span>
+
+    <p>"What a pity it was, Mr. Jellyfish, that you did not speak
+    of this before we left the island!"</p>
+
+    <p>"If I had told you why I wanted you to accompany me you
+    would certainly have refused to come," answered the
+    jellyfish.</p>
+
+    <p>"You are quite mistaken," said the monkey. "Monkeys can very
+    well spare a liver or two, especially when it is wanted for the
+    Dragon Queen of the Sea. If I had only guessed of what you were
+    in need, I should have presented you with one without waiting
+    to be asked. I have several livers. But the greatest pity is,
+    that as you did not speak in time, I have left all my livers
+    hanging on the pine-tree."</p>
+
+    <p>"Have you left your liver behind you?" asked the
+    jellyfish.</p>
+
+    <p>"Yes," said the cunning monkey, "during the daytime I
+    usually leave my liver hanging up on the branch of a tree, as
+    it is very much in the way when I am climbing about from tree
+    to tree. To-day, listening to your interesting conversation, I
+    quite forgot it, and left it behind when I came off with you.
+    If only you had spoken in time I should have remembered it, and
+    should have brought it along with me!"</p>
+
+    <p>The jellyfish was very disappointed when he heard this, for
+    he believed every word the monkey said. The monkey was of no
+    good without a liver. Finally the jellyfish stopped and told
+    the monkey so.</p>
+
+    <p>"Well," said the monkey, "that is soon remedied. I am really
+    sorry to think of all your trouble; but if you will only take
+    me back to the place where you found me, I shall soon be able
+    to get my liver."</p>
+
+    <p>The jellyfish did not at all like the idea of going all the
+    way back to the island again; but the monkey assured him that
+    if he would be so kind as to take him back he would get his
+    very best liver, and bring it with him the next time. Thus
+    persuaded, the jellyfish turned his course towards the Monkey
+    Island once more.</p>
+
+    <p>No sooner had the jellyfish reached the shore than the sly
+    monkey landed, and getting up into the pine-tree where the
+    jellyfish had first seen him, he cut several capers amongst
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page136"
+       id="page136"></a>[pg 136]</span> the branches with joy at
+       being safe home again, and then looking down at the
+       jellyfish said:</p>
+
+    <p>"So many thanks for all the trouble you have taken! Please
+    present my compliments to the Dragon King on your return!"</p>
+
+    <p>The jellyfish wondered at this speech and the mocking tone
+    in which it was uttered. Then he asked the monkey if it wasn't
+    his intention to come with him at once after getting his
+    liver.</p>
+
+    <p>The monkey replied laughingly that he couldn't afford to
+    lose his liver; it was too precious.</p>
+
+    <p>"But remember your promise!" pleaded the jellyfish, now very
+    discouraged.</p>
+
+    <p>"That promise was false, and anyhow it is now broken!"
+    answered the monkey. Then he began to jeer at the jellyfish and
+    told him that he had been deceiving him the whole time; that he
+    had no wish to lose his life, which he certainly would have
+    done had he gone on to the Sea King's Palace to the old doctor
+    waiting for him, instead of persuading the jellyfish to return
+    under false pretences.</p>
+
+    <p>"Of course, I won't <i>give</i> you my liver, but come and
+    get it if you can!" added the monkey mockingly from the
+    tree.</p>
+
+    <p>There was nothing for the jellyfish to do now but to repent
+    of his stupidity, and return to the Dragon King of the Sea and
+    confess his failure, so he started sadly and slowly to swim
+    back. The last thing he heard as he glided away, leaving the
+    island behind him, was the monkey laughing at him.</p>
+
+    <p>Meanwhile the Dragon King, the doctor, the chief steward,
+    and all the servants were waiting impatiently for the return of
+    the jellyfish. When they caught sight of him approaching the
+    palace, they hailed him with delight. They began to thank him
+    profusely for all the trouble he had taken in going to Monkey
+    Island, and then they asked him where the monkey was.</p>
+
+    <p>Now the day of reckoning had come for the jellyfish. He
+    quaked all over as he told his story. How he had brought the
+    monkey half way over the sea, and then had stupidly let out the
+    secret of his commission; how the monkey had deceived him by
+    making him believe that he had left his liver behind
+    him.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page137"
+       id="page137"></a>[pg 137]</span>
+
+    <p>The Dragon King's wrath was great, and he at once gave
+    orders that the jellyfish was to be severely punished. The
+    punishment was a horrible one. All the bones were to be drawn
+    out from his living body, and he was to be beaten with
+    sticks.</p>
+
+    <p>The poor jellyfish, humiliated and horrified beyond all
+    words, cried out for pardon. But the Dragon King's order had to
+    be obeyed. The servants of the palace forthwith each brought
+    out a stick and surrounded the jellyfish, and after pulling out
+    his bones they beat him to a flat pulp, and then took him out
+    beyond the palace gates and threw him into the water. Here he
+    was left to suffer and repent his foolish chattering, and to
+    grow accustomed to his new state of bonelessness.</p>
+
+    <p>From this story it is evident that in former times the
+    jellyfish once had a shell and bones something like a tortoise,
+    but, ever since the Dragon King's sentence was carried out on
+    the ancestor of the jelly fishes, his descendants have all been
+    soft and boneless just as you see them to-day thrown up by the
+    waves high upon the shores of Japan.</p>
+
+    <h3>THE OLD MAN AND THE DEVILS</h3>
+
+    <p>A long time ago there was an old man who had a big lump on
+    the right side of his face. One day he went into the mountain
+    to cut wood, when the rain began to pour and the wind to blow
+    so very hard that, finding it impossible to return home, and
+    filled with fear, he took refuge in the hollow of an old tree.
+    While sitting there doubled up and unable to sleep, he heard
+    the confused sound of many voices in the distance gradually
+    approaching to where he was. He said to himself: "How strange!
+    I thought I was all alone in the mountain, but I hear the
+    voices of many people." So, taking courage, he peeped out, and
+    saw a great crowd of strange-looking
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page138"
+       id="page138"></a>[pg 138]</span> beings. Some were red, and
+       dressed in green clothes; others were black, and dressed in
+       red clothes; some had only one eye; others had no mouth;
+       indeed, it is quite impossible to describe their varied and
+       strange looks. They kindled a fire, so that it became as
+       light as day. They sat down in two cross-rows, and began to
+       drink wine and make merry just like human beings. They
+       passed the wine cup around so often that many of them soon
+       drank too much. One of the young devils got up and began to
+       sing a merry song and to dance; so also many others; some
+       danced well, others badly. One said: "We have had uncommon
+       fun to-night, but I would like to see something new."</p>
+
+    <p>Then the old man, losing all fear, thought he would like to
+    dance, and saying, "Let come what will, if I die for it, I will
+    have a dance, too," crept out of the hollow tree and, with his
+    cap slipped over his nose and his ax sticking in his belt,
+    began to dance. The devils in great surprise jumped up, saying,
+    "Who is this?" but the old man advancing and receding, swaying
+    to and fro, and posturing this way and that way, the whole
+    crowd laughed and enjoyed the fun, saying: "How well the old
+    man dances! You must always come and join us in our sport; but,
+    for fear you might not come, you must give us a pledge that you
+    will." So the devils consulted together, and, agreeing that the
+    lump on his face, which was a token of wealth, was what he
+    valued most highly, demanded that it should be taken. The old
+    man replied: "I have had this lump many years, and would not
+    without good reason part with it; but you may have it, or an
+    eye, or my nose either if you wish." So the devils laid hold of
+    it, twisting and pulling, and took it off without giving him
+    any pain, and put it away as a pledge that he would come back.
+    Just then the day began to dawn, and the birds to sing, so the
+    devils hurried away.</p>
+
+    <p>The old man felt his face and found it quite smooth, and not
+    a trace of the lump left. He forgot all about cutting wood, and
+    hastened home. His wife, seeing him, exclaimed in great
+    surprise, "What has happened to you?" So he told her all that
+    had befallen him.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page139"
+       id="page139"></a>[pg 139]</span>
+
+    <p>Now, among the neighbors there was another old man who had a
+    big lump on the left side of his face. Hearing all about how
+    the first old man had got rid of his misfortune, he determined
+    that he would also try the same plan. So he went and crept into
+    the hollow tree, and waited for the devils to come. Sure
+    enough, they came just as he was told, and they sat down, drank
+    wine, and made merry just as they did before. The second old
+    man, afraid and trembling, crept out of the hollow tree. The
+    devils welcomed him, saying: "The old man has come; now let us
+    see him dance." This old fellow was awkward, and did not dance
+    as well as the other, so the devils cried out: "You dance
+    badly, and are getting worse and worse; we will give you back
+    the lump which we took from you as a pledge." Upon this, one of
+    the devils brought the lump, and stuck it on the other side of
+    his face; so the poor old fellow returned home with a lump on
+    each side.</p>
+
+    <h3>AUTUMN AND SPRING</h3>
+
+    <h4>ADAPTED BY FRANK HINDER</h4>
+
+    <p>A fair maiden lay asleep in a rice field. The sun was at its
+    height, and she was weary. Now a god looked down upon the rice
+    field. He knew that the beauty of the maiden came from within,
+    that it mirrored the beauty of heavenly dreams. He knew that
+    even now, as she smiled, she held converse with the spirit of
+    the wind or the flowers.</p>
+
+    <p>The god descended and asked the dream-maiden to be his
+    bride. She rejoiced, and they were wed. A wonderful red jewel
+    came of their happiness.</p>
+
+    <p>Long, long afterwards, the stone was found by a farmer, who
+    saw that it was a very rare jewel. He prized it highly, and
+    always carried it about with him. Sometimes, as he looked at it
+    in the pale light of the moon, it seemed to him that he could
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page140"
+       id="page140"></a>[pg 140]</span> discern eyes in its depths.
+       Again, in the stillness of the night, he would awaken and
+       think that a clear soft voice called him by name.</p>
+
+    <p>One day, the farmer had to carry the midday meal to his
+    workers in the field. The sun was very hot, so he loaded a cow
+    with the bowls of rice, the millet dumplings, and the beans.
+    Suddenly, Prince Ama-boko stood in the path. He was angry, for
+    he thought that the farmer was about to kill the cow. The
+    Prince would hear no word of denial; his wrath increased. The
+    farmer became more and more terrified, and, finally, took the
+    precious stone from his pocket and presented it as a
+    peace-offering to the powerful Prince. Ama-boko marveled at the
+    brilliancy of the jewel, and allowed the man to continue his
+    journey.</p>
+
+    <p>The Prince returned to his home. He drew forth the treasure,
+    and it was immediately transformed into a goddess of surpassing
+    beauty. Even as she rose before him, he loved her, and ere the
+    moon waned they were wed. The goddess ministered to his every
+    want. She prepared delicate dishes, the secret of which is
+    known only to the gods. She made wine from the juice of a
+    myriad herbs, wine such as mortals never taste.</p>
+
+    <p>But, after a time, the Prince became proud and overbearing.
+    He began to treat his faithful wife with cruel contempt. The
+    goddess was sad, and said: "You are not worthy of my love. I
+    will leave you and go to my father." Ama-boko paid no heed to
+    these words, for he did not believe that the threat would be
+    fulfilled. But the beautiful goddess was in earnest. She
+    escaped from the palace and fled to Naniwa, where she is still
+    honored as Akaru-hime, the Goddess of Light.</p>
+
+    <p>Now the Prince was wroth when he heard that the goddess had
+    left him, and set out in pursuit of her. But when he neared
+    Naniwa, the gods would not allow his vessel to enter the haven.
+    Then he knew that his priceless red jewel was lost to him
+    forever. He steered his ship towards the north coast of Japan,
+    and landed at Tajima. Here he was well received, and highly
+    esteemed on account of the treasures which he brought with
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page141"
+       id="page141"></a>[pg 141]</span> him. He had costly strings
+       of pearls, girdles of precious stones, and a mirror which
+       the wind and the waves obeyed. Prince Ama-boko remained at
+       Tajima, and was the father of a mighty race.</p>
+
+    <p>Among his children's children was a Princess so renowned for
+    her beauty that eighty suitors sought her hand. One after the
+    other returned sorrowfully home, for none found favor in her
+    eyes. At last, two brothers came before her, the young God of
+    the Autumn, and the young God of the Spring. The elder of the
+    two, the God of Autumn, first urged his suit. But the Princess
+    refused him. He went to his younger brother and said, "The
+    Princess does not love me, neither will you be able to win her
+    heart."</p>
+
+    <p>But the Spring God was full of hope, and replied, "I will
+    give you a cask of rice wine if I do not win her, but if she
+    consents to be my bride, you shall give a cask of
+    <i>sak&eacute;</i> to me."</p>
+
+    <p>Now the God of Spring went to his mother, and told her all.
+    She promised to aid him. Thereupon she wove, in a single night,
+    a robe and sandals from the unopened buds of the lilac and
+    white wistaria. Out of the same delicate flowers she fashioned
+    a bow and arrows. Thus clad, the God of Spring made his way to
+    the beautiful Princess.</p>
+
+    <p>As he stepped before the maiden, every bud unfolded, and
+    from the heart of each blossom came a fragrance that filled the
+    air. The Princess was overjoyed, and gave her hand to the God
+    of Spring.</p>
+
+    <p>The elder brother, the God of Autumn, was filled with rage
+    when he heard how his brother had obtained the wondrous robe.
+    He refused to give the promised cask of <i>sak&eacute;</i>.
+    When the mother learned that the god had broken his word, she
+    placed stones and salt in the hollow of a bamboo cane, wrapped
+    it round with bamboo leaves, and hung it in the smoke. Then she
+    uttered a curse upon her first-born: "As the leaves wither and
+    fade, so must you. As the salt sea ebbs, so must you. As the
+    stone sinks, so must you."</p>
+
+    <p>The terrible curse fell upon her son. While the God of
+    Spring remains ever young, ever fragrant, ever full of mirth,
+    the God of Autumn is old, and withered, and
+    sad.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page142"
+       id="page142"></a>[pg 142]</span>
+
+    <h3>THE VISION OF TSUNU</h3>
+
+    <h4>ADAPTED BY FRANK RINDER</h4>
+
+    <p>When the five tall pine-trees on the windy heights of
+    Mionoseki were but tiny shoots, there lived in the Kingdom of
+    the Islands a pious man. His home was in a remote hamlet
+    surrounded by mountains and great forests of pine. Tsunu had a
+    wife and sons and daughters. He was a woodman, and his days
+    were spent in the forest and on the hillsides. In summer he was
+    up at cock-crow, and worked patiently, in the soft light under
+    the pines, until nightfall. Then, with his burden of logs and
+    branches, he went slowly homeward. After the evening meal, he
+    would tell some old story or legend. Tsunu was never weary of
+    relating the wondrous tales of the Land of the Gods. Best of
+    all he loved to speak of Fuji-yama, the mountain that stood so
+    near his home.</p>
+
+    <p>In times gone by, there was no mountain where now the sacred
+    peak reaches up to the sky; only a far-stretching plain bathed
+    in sunlight all day. The peasants in the district were
+    astonished, one morning, to behold a mighty hill where before
+    had been the open plain. It had sprung up in a single night,
+    while they slept. Flames and huge stones were hurled from its
+    summit; the peasants feared that the demons from the
+    under-world had come to wreak vengeance upon them. But for many
+    generations there have been peace and silence on the heights.
+    The good Sun-Goddess loves Fuji-yama. Every evening she lingers
+    on his summit, and when at last she leaves him, his lofty crest
+    is bathed in soft purple light. In the evening the Matchless
+    Mountain seems to rise higher and higher into the skies, until
+    no mortal can tell the place of his rest. Golden clouds enfold
+    Fuji-yama in the early morning. Pilgrims come from far and
+    near, to gain blessing and health for themselves and their
+    families from the sacred mountain.</p>
+
+    <p>On the self-same night that Fuji-yama rose out of the earth,
+    a strange thing happened in the mountainous district near
+    Kyoto. The inhabitants were awakened by a terrible roar,
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page143"
+       id="page143"></a>[pg 143]</span> which continued throughout
+       the night. In the morning every mountain had disappeared;
+       not one of the hills that they loved was to be seen. A blue
+       lake lay before them. It was none other than the lute-shaped
+       Lake Biwa. The mountains had, in truth, traveled under the
+       earth for more than a hundred miles, and now form the sacred
+       Fuji-yama.</p>
+
+    <p>As Tsunu stepped out of his hut in the morning, his eyes
+    sought the Mountain of the Gods. He saw the golden clouds, and
+    the beautiful story was in his mind as he went to his work.</p>
+
+    <p>One day the woodman wandered farther than usual into the
+    forest. At noon he was in a very lonely spot. The air was soft
+    and sweet, the sky so blue that he looked long at it, and then
+    took a deep breath. Tsunu was happy.</p>
+
+    <p>Now his eye fell on a little fox who watched him curiously
+    from the bushes. The creature ran away when it saw that the
+    man's attention had been attracted. Tsunu thought, "I will
+    follow the little fox and see where she goes." Off he started
+    in pursuit. He soon came to a bamboo thicket. The smooth,
+    slender stems waved dreamily, the pale green leaves still
+    sparkled with the morning dew. But it was not this which caused
+    the woodman to stand spellbound. On a plot of mossy grass
+    beyond the thicket, sat two maidens of surpassing beauty. They
+    were partly shaded by the waving bamboos, but their faces were
+    lit up by the sunlight. Not a word came from their lips, yet
+    Tsunu knew that the voices of both must be sweet as the cooing
+    of the wild dove. The maidens were graceful as the slender
+    willow, they were fair as the blossom of the cherry-tree.
+    Slowly they moved the chessmen which lay before them on the
+    grass. Tsunu hardly dared to breathe, lest he should disturb
+    them. The breeze caught their long hair, the sunlight played
+    upon it.... The sun still shone.... The chessmen were still
+    slowly moved to and fro.... The woodman gazed enraptured.</p>
+
+    <p>"But now," thought Tsunu, "I must return, and tell those at
+    home of the beautiful maidens." Alas, his knees were stiff and
+    weak. "Surely I have stood here for many hours," he said. He
+    leaned for support upon his axe; it crumbled into dust. Looking
+    down he saw that a flowing white beard hung from his
+    chin.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page144"
+       id="page144"></a>[pg 144]</span>
+
+    <p>For many hours the poor woodman tried in vain to reach his
+    home. Fatigued and wearied, he came at last to a hut. But all
+    was changed. Strange faces peered curiously at him. The speech
+    of the people was unfamiliar. "Where are my wife and my
+    children?" he cried. But no one knew his name.</p>
+
+    <p>Finally, the poor woodman came to understand that seven
+    generations had passed since he bade farewell to his dear ones
+    in the early morning. While he had gazed at the beautiful
+    maidens, his wife, his children, and his children's children
+    had lived and died.</p>
+
+    <p>The few remaining years of Tsunu's life were spent as a
+    pious pilgrim to Fuji-yama, his well-loved mountain.</p>
+
+    <p>Since his death he has been honored as a saint who brings
+    prosperity to the people of his native country.</p>
+
+    <h3>THE STAR-LOVERS</h3>
+
+    <h4>ADAPTED BY FRANK RINDER</h4>
+
+    <p>Shokujo, daughter of the Sun, dwelt with her father on the
+    banks of the Silver River of Heaven, which we call the Milky
+    Way. She was a lovely maiden, graceful and winsome, and her
+    eyes were tender as the eyes of a dove. Her loving father, the
+    Sun, was much troubled because Shokujo did not share in the
+    youthful pleasures of the daughters of the air. A soft
+    melancholy seemed to brood over her, but she never wearied of
+    working for the good of others, and especially did she busy
+    herself at her loom; indeed she came to be called the Weaving
+    Princess.</p>
+
+    <p>The Sun bethought him that if he could give his daughter in
+    marriage, all would be well; her dormant love would be kindled
+    into a flame that would illumine her whole being and drive out
+    the pensive spirit which oppressed her. Now there lived, hard
+    by, a right honest herdsman, named Kingen, who
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page145"
+       id="page145"></a>[pg 145]</span> tended his cows on the
+       borders of the Heavenly Stream. The Sun-King proposed to
+       bestow his daughter on Kingen, thinking in this way to
+       provide for her happiness and at the same time keep her near
+       him. Every star beamed approval, and there was joy in the
+       heavens.</p>
+
+    <p>The love that bound Shokujo and Kingen to one another was a
+    great love. With its awakening, Shokujo forsook her former
+    occupations, nor did she any longer labor industriously at the
+    loom, but laughed, and danced, and sang, and made merry from
+    morn till night. The Sun-King was sorely grieved, for he had
+    not foreseen so great a change. Anger was in his eyes, and he
+    said, "Kingen is surely the cause of this, therefore I will
+    banish him to the other side of the River of Stars."</p>
+
+    <p>When Shokujo and Kingen heard that they were to be parted,
+    and could thenceforth, in accordance with the King's decree,
+    meet but once a year, and that upon the seventh night of the
+    seventh month, their hearts were heavy. The leave-taking
+    between them was a sad one, and great tears stood in Shokujo's
+    eyes as she bade farewell to her lover-husband. In answer to
+    the behest of the Sun-King, myriads of magpies flocked
+    together, and, outspreading their wings, formed a bridge on
+    which Kingen crossed the River of Heaven. The moment that his
+    foot touched the opposite bank, the birds dispersed with noisy
+    chatter, leaving poor Kingen a solitary exile. He looked
+    wistfully towards the weeping figure of Shokujo, who stood on
+    the threshold of her now desolate home.</p>
+
+    <p>Long and weary were the succeeding days, spent as they were
+    by Kingen in guiding his oxen and by Shokujo in plying her
+    shuttle. The Sun-King was gladdened by his daughter's industry.
+    When night fell and the heavens were bright with countless
+    lights, the lovers were wont, standing on the banks of the
+    celestial stream, to waft across it sweet and tender messages,
+    while each uttered a prayer for the speedy coming of the
+    wondrous night.</p>
+
+    <p>The long-hoped-for month and day drew nigh, and the hearts
+    of the lovers were troubled lest rain should fall; for the
+    Silver River, full at all times, is at that season often in
+    flood, and the bird-bridge might be swept
+    away.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page146"
+       id="page146"></a>[pg 146]</span>
+
+    <p>The day broke cloudlessly bright. It waxed and waned, and
+    one by one the lamps of heaven were lighted. At nightfall the
+    magpies assembled, and Shokujo, quivering with delight, crossed
+    the slender bridge and fell into the arms of her lover. Their
+    transport of joy was as the joy of the parched flower, when the
+    raindrop falls upon it; but the moment of parting soon came,
+    and Shokujo sorrowfully retraced her steps.</p>
+
+    <p>Year follows year, and the lovers still meet in that far-off
+    land on the seventh night of the seventh month, save when rain
+    has swelled the Silver River and rendered the crossing
+    impossible. The hope of a permanent reunion still fills the
+    hearts of the Star-Lovers, and is to them as a sweet fragrance
+    and a beautiful vision.</p>
+
+    <p>&nbsp;</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page147"
+       id="page147"></a>[pg 147]</span>
+
+    <h2>MYTHS OF THE SLAVS</h2>
+
+    <h3>THE TWO BROTHERS</h3>
+
+    <h4>ADAPTED BY ALEXANDER CHODSKO</h4>
+
+    <p>Once upon a time there were two brothers whose father had
+    left them but a small fortune. The eldest grew very rich, but
+    at the same time cruel and wicked, whereas there was nowhere a
+    more honest or kinder man than the younger. But he remained
+    poor, and had many children, so that at times they could
+    scarcely get bread to eat. At last, one day there was not even
+    this in the house, so he went to his rich brother and asked him
+    for a loaf of bread. Waste of time! His rich brother only
+    called him beggar and vagabond, and slammed the door in his
+    face.</p>
+
+    <p>The poor fellow, after this brutal reception, did not know
+    which way to turn. Hungry, scantily clad, shivering with cold,
+    his legs could scarcely carry him along. He had not the heart
+    to go home, with nothing for the children, so he went towards
+    the mountain forest. But all he found there were some wild
+    pears that had fallen to the ground. He had to content himself
+    with eating these, though they set his teeth on edge. But what
+    was he to do to warm himself, for the east wind with its chill
+    blast pierced him through and through. "Where shall I go?" he
+    said; "what will become of us in the cottage? There is neither
+    food nor fire, and my brother has driven me from his door." It
+    was just then he remembered having heard that the top of the
+    mountain in front of him was made of crystal, and had a fire
+    forever burning upon it. "I will try and find it," he said,
+    "and then I may be able to warm myself a little." So he went on
+    climbing higher and higher till he reached the top, when he was
+    startled to see twelve <span class="pagenum"><a name="page148"
+       id="page148"></a>[pg 148]</span> strange beings sitting
+       round a huge fire. He stopped for a moment, but then said to
+       himself, "What have I to lose? Why should I fear? God is
+       with me. Courage!"</p>
+
+    <p>So he advanced towards the fire, and bowing respectfully,
+    said: "Good people, take pity on my distress. I am very poor,
+    no one cares for me, I have not even a fire in my cottage; will
+    you let me warm myself at yours?" They all looked kindly at
+    him, and one of them said: "My son, come sit down with us and
+    warm yourself."</p>
+
+    <p>So he sat down, and felt warm directly he was near them. But
+    he dared not speak while they were silent. What astonished him
+    most was that they changed seats one after another, and in such
+    a way that each one passed round the fire and came back to his
+    own place. When he drew near the fire an old man with long
+    white beard and bald head arose from the flames and spoke to
+    him thus:</p>
+
+    <p>"Man, waste not thy life here; return to thy cottage, work,
+    and live honestly. Take as many embers as thou wilt, we have
+    more than we need."</p>
+
+    <p>And having said this he disappeared. Then the twelve filled
+    a large sack with embers, and, putting it on the poor man's
+    shoulders, advised him to hasten home.</p>
+
+    <p>Humbly thanking them, he set off. As he went he wondered why
+    the embers did not feel hot, and why they should weigh no more
+    than a sack of paper. He was thankful that he should be able to
+    have a fire, but imagine his astonishment when on arriving home
+    he found the sack to contain as many gold pieces as there had
+    been embers; he almost went out of his mind with joy at the
+    possession of so much money. With all his heart he thanked
+    those who had been so ready to help him in his need.</p>
+
+    <p>He was now rich, and rejoiced to be able to provide for his
+    family. Being curious to find out how many gold pieces there
+    were, and not knowing how to count, he sent his wife to his
+    rich brother for the loan of a quart measure.</p>
+
+    <p>This time the brother was in a better temper, so he lent
+    what was asked of him, but said mockingly, "What can such
+    beggars as you have to
+    measure?"</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page149"
+       id="page149"></a>[pg 149]</span>
+
+    <p>The wife replied, "Our neighbor owes us some wheat; we want
+    to be sure he returns us the right quantity."</p>
+
+    <p>The rich brother was puzzled, and suspecting something he,
+    unknown to his sister-in-law, put some grease inside the
+    measure. The trick succeeded, for on getting it back he found a
+    piece of gold sticking to it. Filled with astonishment, he
+    could only suppose his brother had joined a band of robbers: so
+    he hurried to his brother's cottage, and threatened to bring
+    him before the justice of the peace if he did not confess where
+    the gold came from. The poor man was troubled, and, dreading to
+    offend his brother, told the story of his journey to the
+    Crystal Mountain.</p>
+
+    <p>Now the elder brother had plenty of money for himself, yet
+    he was envious of the brother's good fortune, and became
+    greatly displeased when he found that his brother won every
+    one's esteem by the good use he made of his wealth. At last, he
+    too determined to visit the Crystal Mountain.</p>
+
+    <p>"I may meet with as good luck as my brother," said he to
+    himself.</p>
+
+    <p>Upon reaching the Crystal Mountain he found the twelve
+    seated round the fire as before, and thus addressed them:</p>
+
+    <p>"I beg of you, good people, to let me warm myself, for it is
+    bitterly cold, and I am poor and homeless."</p>
+
+    <p>But one of them replied: "My son, the hour of thy birth was
+    favorable; thou art rich, but a miser; thou art wicked, for
+    thou hast dared to lie to us. Well dost thou deserve thy
+    punishment."</p>
+
+    <p>Amazed and terrified he stood silent, not daring to speak.
+    Meanwhile the twelve changed places one after another, each at
+    last returning to his own seat. Then from the midst of the
+    flames arose the white-bearded old man and spoke thus sternly
+    to the rich man:</p>
+
+    <p>"Woe unto the willful! Thy brother is virtuous, therefore
+    have I blessed him. As for thee, thou are wicked, and so shalt
+    not escape our vengeance."</p>
+
+    <p>At these words the twelve arose. The first seized the
+    unfortunate man, struck him, and passed him on to the second;
+    the second also struck him and passed him on to the third;
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page150"
+       id="page150"></a>[pg 150]</span> and so did they all in
+       their turn, until he was given up to the old man, who
+       disappeared with him into the fire.</p>
+
+    <p>Days, weeks, months went by, but the rich man never
+    returned, and none knew what had become of him. I think,
+    between you and me, the younger brother had his suspicions but
+    he very wisely kept them to himself.</p>
+
+    <h3>THE TWELVE MONTHS</h3>
+
+    <h4>ADAPTED BY ALEXANDER CHODSKO</h4>
+
+    <p>There was once a widow who had two daughters, Helen, her own
+    child by her dead husband, and Marouckla, his daughter by his
+    first wife. She loved Helen, but hated the poor orphan, because
+    she was far prettier than her own daughter. Marouckla did not
+    think about her good looks, and could not understand why her
+    stepmother should be angry at the sight of her. The hardest
+    work fell to her share; she cleaned out the rooms, cooked,
+    washed, sewed, spun, wove, brought in the hay, milked the cow,
+    and all this without any help. Helen, meanwhile, did nothing
+    but dress herself in her best clothes and go to one amusement
+    after another. But Marouckla never complained; she bore the
+    scoldings and bad temper of mother and sister with a smile on
+    her lips, and the patience of a lamb. But this angelic behavior
+    did not soften them. They became even more tyrannical and
+    grumpy, for Marouckla grew daily more beautiful while Helen's
+    ugliness increased. So the stepmother determined to get rid of
+    Marouckla, for she knew that while she remained her own
+    daughter would have no suitors. Hunger, every kind of
+    privation, abuse, every means was used to make the girl's life
+    miserable. The most wicked of men could not have been more
+    mercilessly cruel than these two vixens. But in spite of it all
+    Marouckla grew ever sweeter and more
+    charming.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page151"
+       id="page151"></a>[pg 151]</span>
+
+    <p>One day in the middle of winter Helen wanted some
+    wood-violets.</p>
+
+    <p>"Listen," cried she to Marouckla; "you must go up the
+    mountain and find me some violets, I want some to put in my
+    gown; they must be fresh and sweet-scented&mdash;do you
+    hear?"</p>
+
+    <p>"But, my dear sister, who ever heard of violets blooming in
+    the snow?" said the poor orphan.</p>
+
+    <p>"You wretched creature! Do you dare to disobey me?" said
+    Helen. "Not another word; off with you. If you do not bring me
+    some violets from the mountain forest, I will kill you."</p>
+
+    <p>The stepmother also added her threats to those of Helen, and
+    with vigorous blows they pushed Marouckla outside and shut the
+    door upon her. The weeping girl made her way to the mountain.
+    The snow lay deep, and there was no trace of any human being.
+    Long she wandered hither and thither, and lost herself in the
+    wood. She was hungry, and shivered with cold, and prayed to
+    die. Suddenly she saw a light in the distance, and climbed
+    towards it, till she reached the top of the mountain. Upon the
+    highest peak burnt a large fire, surrounded by twelve blocks of
+    stone, on which sat twelve strange beings. Of these the first
+    three had white hair, three were not quite so old, three were
+    young and handsome, and the rest still younger.</p>
+
+    <p>There they all sat silently looking at the fire. They were
+    the twelve months of the year. The great Setch&egrave;ne
+    (January) was placed higher than the others; his hair and
+    mustache were white as snow, and in his hand he held a wand. At
+    first Marouckla was afraid, but after a while her courage
+    returned and drawing near she said:</p>
+
+    <p>"Men of God, may I warm myself at your fire? I am chilled by
+    the winter cold."</p>
+
+    <p>The great Setch&egrave;ne raised his head and answered:</p>
+
+    <p>"What brings thee here, my daughter? What dost thou
+    seek?"</p>
+
+    <p>"I am looking for violets," replied the maiden.</p>
+
+    <p>"This is not the season for violets; dost thou not see the
+    snow everywhere?" said Setch&egrave;ne.</p>
+
+    <p>"I know well, but my sister Helen and my stepmother
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page152"
+       id="page152"></a>[pg 152]</span> have ordered me to bring
+       them violets from your mountain: if I return without them
+       they will kill me. I pray you, good shepherds, tell me where
+       they may be found?"</p>
+
+    <p>Here the great Setch&egrave;ne arose and went over to the
+    youngest of the months, and placing his wand in his hand,
+    said:</p>
+
+    <p>"Brother Brez&egrave;ne (March), do thou take the highest
+    place."</p>
+
+    <p>Brez&egrave;ne obeyed, at the same time waving his wand over
+    the fire. Immediately the flames rose towards the sky, the snow
+    began to melt and the tress and shrubs to bud; the grass became
+    green, and from between its blades peeped the pale primrose. It
+    was Spring, and the meadows were blue with violets.</p>
+
+    <p>"Gather them quickly, Marouckla," said Brez&egrave;ne.</p>
+
+    <p>Joyfully she hastened to pick the flowers, and having soon a
+    large bunch she thanked them and ran home. Helen and the
+    stepmother were amazed at the sight of the flowers, the scent
+    of which filled the house.</p>
+
+    <p>"Where did you find them?" asked Helen.</p>
+
+    <p>"Under the trees on the mountain slope," said Marouckla.</p>
+
+    <p>Helen kept the flowers for herself and her mother; she did
+    not even thank her stepsister for the trouble she had taken.
+    The next day she desired Marouckla to fetch her
+    strawberries.</p>
+
+    <p>"Run," said she, "and fetch me strawberries from the
+    mountain: they must be very sweet and ripe."</p>
+
+    <p>"But who ever heard of strawberries ripening in the snow?"
+    exclaimed Marouckla.</p>
+
+    <p>"Hold your tongue, worm; don't answer me; if I don't have my
+    strawberries I will kill you."</p>
+
+    <p>Then the stepmother pushed her into the yard and bolted the
+    door. The unhappy girl made her way towards the mountain and to
+    the large fire round which sat the twelve months. The great
+    Setch&egrave;ne occupied the highest place.</p>
+
+    <p>"Men of God, may I warm myself at your fire? The winter cold
+    chills me," said she, drawing near.</p>
+
+    <p>The great Setch&egrave;ne raised his head and asked:</p>
+
+    <p>"Why comest thou here? What dost thou seek?"</p>
+
+    <p>"I am looking for strawberries," said she.</p>
+
+    <p>"We are in the midst of winter," replied Setch&egrave;ne;
+    strawberries do not grow in the
+    snow."</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page153"
+       id="page153"></a>[pg 153]</span>
+
+    <p>"I know," said the girl sadly, "but my sister and stepmother
+    have ordered me to bring them strawberries; if I do not they
+    will kill me. Pray, good shepherds, tell me where to find
+    them."</p>
+
+    <p>The great Setch&egrave;ne arose, crossed over to the month
+    opposite him, and putting the wand into his hand, said:</p>
+
+    <p>"Brother Tcherv&egrave;ne (June), do thou take the highest
+    place."</p>
+
+    <p>Tcherv&egrave;ne obeyed, and as he waved his wand over the
+    fire the flames leapt towards the sky. Instantly the snow
+    melted, the earth was covered with verdure, trees were clothed
+    with leaves, birds began to sing, and various flowers blossomed
+    in the forest. It was summer. Under the bushes masses of
+    star-shaped flowers changed into ripening strawberries. Before
+    Marouckla had time to cross herself they covered the glade,
+    making it look like a sea of blood.</p>
+
+    <p>"Gather them quickly, Marouckla," said Tcherv&egrave;ne.</p>
+
+    <p>Joyfully she thanked the months, and having filled her apron
+    ran happily home. Helen and her mother wondered at seeing the
+    strawberries, which filled the house with their delicious
+    fragrance.</p>
+
+    <p>"Wherever did you find them?" asked Helen crossly.</p>
+
+    <p>"Right up among the mountains; those from under the beech
+    trees are not bad."</p>
+
+    <p>Helen gave a few to her mother and ate the rest herself; not
+    one did she offer to her stepsister. Being tired of
+    strawberries, on the third day she took a fancy for some fresh
+    red apples.</p>
+
+    <p>"Run, Marouckla," said she, "and fetch me fresh red apples
+    from the mountain."</p>
+
+    <p>"Apples in winter, sister? why, the trees have neither
+    leaves nor fruit."</p>
+
+    <p>"Idle creature, go this minute," said Helen; "unless you
+    bring back apples we will kill you."</p>
+
+    <p>As before, the stepmother seized her roughly and turned her
+    out of the house. The poor girl went weeping up the mountain,
+    across the deep snow upon which lay no human footprint, and on
+    towards the fire round which were the twelve
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page154"
+       id="page154"></a>[pg 154]</span> months. Motionless sat
+       they, and on the highest stone was the great
+       Setch&egrave;ne.</p>
+
+    <p>"Men of God, may I warm myself at your fire? The winter cold
+    chills me," said she, drawing near.</p>
+
+    <p>The great Setch&egrave;ne raised his head.</p>
+
+    <p>"Why com'st thou here? What dost thou seek?" asked he.</p>
+
+    <p>"I am come to look for red apples," replied Marouckla.</p>
+
+    <p>"But this is winter, and not the season for red apples,"
+    observed the great Setch&egrave;ne.</p>
+
+    <p>"I know," answered the girl, "but my sister and stepmother,
+    sent me to fetch red apples from the mountain; if I return
+    without them they will kill me."</p>
+
+    <p>Thereupon the great Setch&egrave;ne arose and went over to
+    one of the elderly months, to whom he handed the wand,
+    saying:</p>
+
+    <p>"Brother Zar&egrave; (September), do thou take the highest
+    place."</p>
+
+    <p>Zar&egrave; moved to the highest stone and waved his wand
+    over the fire. There was a flare of red flames, the snow
+    disappeared, but the fading leaves which trembled on the trees
+    were sent by a cold northeast wind in yellow masses to the
+    glade. Only a few flowers of autumn were visible, such as the
+    fleabane and red gillyflower, autumn colchicums in the ravine,
+    and under the beeches bracken and tufts of northern heather. At
+    first Marouckla looked in vain for red apples. Then she espied
+    a tree which grew at a great height, and from the branches of
+    this hung the bright red fruit. Zar&egrave; ordered her to
+    gather some quickly. The girl was delighted and shook the tree.
+    First one apple fell, then another.</p>
+
+    <p>"That is enough," said Zar&egrave;, "hurry home."</p>
+
+    <p>Thanking the months, she returned joyfully. Helen marveled
+    and the stepmother wondered at seeing the fruit.</p>
+
+    <p>"Where did you gather them?" asked the stepsister.</p>
+
+    <p>"There are more on the mountain top," answered
+    Marouckla.</p>
+
+    <p>"Then why did you not bring more?" said Helen angrily; "you
+    must have eaten them on your way back, you wicked girl."</p>
+
+    <p>"No, dear sister, I have not even tasted them," said
+    Marouckla. <span class="pagenum"><a name="page155"
+       id="page155"></a>[pg 155]</span> "I shook the tree twice;
+       one apple fell each time. I was not allowed to shake it
+       again, but was told to return home."</p>
+
+    <p>"May God smite you with his thunderbolt," said Helen,
+    striking her.</p>
+
+    <p>Marouckla prayed to die rather than suffer such
+    ill-treatment. Weeping bitterly, she took refuge in the
+    kitchen. Helen and her mother found the apples more delicious
+    than any they had ever tasted, and when they had eaten both
+    longed for more.</p>
+
+    <p>"Listen, mother," said Helen. "Give me my cloak; I will
+    fetch some more apples myself, or else that good-for-nothing
+    wretch will eat them all on the way. I shall be able to find
+    the mountain and the tree. The shepherds may cry 'Stop,' but I
+    shall not leave go till I have shaken down all the apples."</p>
+
+    <p>In spite of her mother's advice she put on her cloak,
+    covered her head with a warm hood, and took the road to the
+    mountain. The mother stood and watched her till she was lost in
+    the distance.</p>
+
+    <p>Snow covered everything, not a human footprint was to be
+    seen on its surface. Helen lost herself and wandered hither and
+    thither. After a while she saw a light above her, and following
+    in its direction reached the mountain top. There was the
+    flaming fire, the twelve blocks of stone, and the twelve
+    months. At first she was frightened and hesitated; then she
+    came nearer and warmed her hands. She did not ask permission,
+    nor did she speak one polite word.</p>
+
+    <p>"What has brought thee here? What dost thou seek?" said the
+    great Setch&egrave;ne severely.</p>
+
+    <p>"I am not obliged to tell you, old graybeard; what business
+    is it of yours?" she replied disdainfully, turning her back on
+    the fire and going towards the forest.</p>
+
+    <p>The great Setch&egrave;ne frowned, and waved his wand over
+    his head. Instantly the sky became covered with clouds, the
+    fire went down, snow fell in large flakes, an icy wind howled
+    round the mountain. Amid the fury of the storm Helen added
+    curses against her stepsister. The cloak failed to warm her
+    benumbed limbs. The mother kept on waiting for her; she
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page156"
+       id="page156"></a>[pg 156]</span> looked from the window, she
+       watched from the doorstep, but her daughter came not. The
+       hours passed slowly, but Helen did not return.</p>
+
+    <p>"Can it be that the apples have charmed her from her home?"
+    thought the mother. Then she clad herself in hood and shawl and
+    went in search of her daughter. Snow fell in huge masses; it
+    covered all things, it lay untouched by human footsteps. For
+    long she wandered hither and thither; the icy northeast wind
+    whistled in the mountain, but no voice answered her cries.</p>
+
+    <p>Day after day Marouckla worked and prayed, and waited; but
+    neither stepmother nor sister returned, they had been frozen to
+    death on the mountain. The inheritance of a small house, a
+    field, and a cow fell to Marouckla. In course of time an honest
+    farmer came to share them with her, and their lives were happy
+    and peaceful.</p>
+
+    <h3>THE SUN; OR, THE THREE GOLDEN HAIRS OF THE OLD MAN
+    VS&Eacute;V&Egrave;DE</h3>
+
+    <h4>ADAPTED BY ALEXANDER CHODSKO</h4>
+
+    <p>Can this be a true story? It is said that once there was a
+    King who was exceedingly fond of hunting the wild beasts in his
+    forests. One day he followed a stag so far and so long that he
+    lost his way. Alone and overtaken by night, he was glad to find
+    himself near a small thatched cottage in which lived a
+    charcoal-burner.</p>
+
+    <p>"Will you kindly show me the way to the highroad? You shall
+    be handsomely rewarded."</p>
+
+    <p>"I would willingly," said the charcoal-burner, "But God is
+    going to send my wife a little child, and I cannot leave her
+    alone. Will you pass the night under our roof? There is a truss
+    of sweet hay in the loft where you may rest, and to-morrow
+    morning I will be your
+    guide."</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page157"
+       id="page157"></a>[pg 157]</span>
+
+    <p>The King accepted the invitation and went to bed in the
+    loft. Shortly after a son was born to the charcoal-burner's
+    wife. But the King could not sleep. At midnight he heard noises
+    in the house, and looking through a crack in the flooring he
+    saw the charcoal-burner asleep, his wife almost in a faint, and
+    by the side of the newly-born babe three old women dressed in
+    white, each holding a lighted taper in her hand, and all
+    talking together. Now these were the three Soudich&eacute; or
+    Fates, you must know.</p>
+
+    <p>The first said, "On this boy I bestow the gift of
+    confronting great dangers."</p>
+
+    <p>The second said, "I bestow the power of happily escaping all
+    these dangers, and of living to a good old age."</p>
+
+    <p>The third said, "I bestow upon him for wife the Princess
+    born at the self-same hour as he, and daughter of the very King
+    sleeping above in the loft."</p>
+
+    <p>At these words the lights went out and silence reigned
+    around.</p>
+
+    <p>Now the King was greatly troubled, and wondered exceedingly;
+    he felt as if he had received a sword-thrust in the chest. He
+    lay awake all night thinking how to prevent the words of the
+    Fates from coming true.</p>
+
+    <p>With the first glimmer of morning light the baby began to
+    cry. The charcoal-burner, on going over to it, found that his
+    wife was dead.</p>
+
+    <p>"Poor little orphan," he said sadly, "what will become of
+    thee without a mother's care?"</p>
+
+    <p>"Confide this child to me," said the King, "I will look
+    after it. He shall be well provided for. You shall be given a
+    sum of money large enough to keep you without having to burn
+    charcoal."</p>
+
+    <p>The poor man gladly agreed, and the King went away promising
+    to send some one for the child. The Queen and the courtiers
+    thought it would be an agreeable surprise for the King to hear
+    that a charming little Princess had been born on the night he
+    was away. But instead of being pleased he frowned and calling
+    one of his servants, said to him, "Go to the charcoal-burner's
+    cottage in the, forest, and give the man this purse in exchange
+    for a new-born infant. On your way back drown
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page158"
+       id="page158"></a>[pg 158]</span> the child. See well that he
+       is drowned, for if he should in any way escape, you yourself
+       shall suffer in his place."</p>
+
+    <p>The servant was given the child in a basket, and on reaching
+    the center of a narrow bridge that stretched across a wide and
+    deep river, he threw both basket and baby into the water.</p>
+
+    <p>"A prosperous journey to you, Mr. Son-in-Law," said the
+    King, on hearing the servant's story; for he fully believed the
+    child was drowned. But it was far from being the case; the
+    little one was floating happily along in its basket cradle, and
+    slumbering as sweetly as if his mother had sung him to sleep.
+    Now it happened that a fisherman, who was mending his nets
+    before his cottage door, saw the basket floating down the
+    river. He jumped at once into his boat, picked it up, and ran
+    to tell his wife the good news.</p>
+
+    <p>"Look," said he, "you have always longed for a son; here is
+    a beautiful little boy the river has sent us."</p>
+
+    <p>The woman was delighted, and took the infant and loved it as
+    her own child. They named him <i>Plavacek</i> (the floater),
+    because he had come to them floating on the water.</p>
+
+    <p>The river flowed on. Years passed away. The little baby grew
+    into a handsome youth; in all the villages round there were
+    none to compare with him. Now it happened that one summer day
+    the King was riding unattended, and the heat being very great
+    he reined in his horse before the fisherman's door to ask for a
+    drink of water. Plavacek brought the water. The King looked at
+    him attentively, then turning to the fisherman, said, "That is
+    a good-looking lad; is he your son?"</p>
+
+    <p>"He is and he isn't," replied the fisherman. "I found him,
+    when he was quite a tiny baby, floating down the stream in a
+    basket. So we adopted him and brought him up as our own
+    son."</p>
+
+    <p>The King turned as pale as death, for he guessed that he was
+    the same child he had ordered to be drowned. Then recovering
+    himself he got down from his horse and said: "I want a trusty
+    messenger to take a message to the palace, could you send him
+    with it?"</p>
+
+    <p>"With pleasure! Your Majesty may be sure of its safe
+    delivery."</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page159"
+       id="page159"></a>[pg 159]</span>
+
+    <p>Thereupon the King wrote to the Queen as follows:</p>
+
+    <p>"The man who brings you this letter is the most dangerous of
+    all my enemies. Have his head cut off at once; no delay, no
+    pity, he must be executed before my return. Such is my will and
+    pleasure."</p>
+
+    <p>This he carefully folded and sealed with the royal seal.</p>
+
+    <p>Plavacek took the letter and set off immediately. But the
+    forest through which he had to pass was so large, and the trees
+    so thick, that he missed the path and was overtaken by the
+    darkness before the journey was nearly over. In the midst of
+    his trouble he met an old woman who said, "Where are you going,
+    Plavacek? Where are you going?"</p>
+
+    <p>"I am the bearer of a letter from the King to the Queen, but
+    have missed the path to the palace. Could you, good mother, put
+    me on the right road?"</p>
+
+    <p>"Impossible to-day, my child; it is getting dark, and you
+    would not have time to get there. Stay with me to-night. You
+    will not be with strangers, for I am your godmother."</p>
+
+    <p>Plavacek agreed. Thereupon they entered a pretty little
+    cottage that seemed suddenly to sink into the earth. Now while
+    he slept the old woman changed his letter for another, which
+    ran thus:</p>
+
+    <p>"Immediately upon the receipt of this letter introduce the
+    bearer to the Princess our daughter, I have chosen this young
+    man for my son-in-law, and it is my wish they should be married
+    before my return to the palace. Such is my pleasure."</p>
+
+    <p>The letter was duly delivered, and when the Queen had read
+    it, she ordered everything to be prepared for the wedding. Both
+    she and her daughter greatly enjoyed Plavacek's society, and
+    nothing disturbed the happiness of the newly married pair.</p>
+
+    <p>Within a few days the King returned, and on hearing what had
+    taken place was very angry with the Queen.</p>
+
+    <p>"But you expressly bade me have the wedding before your
+    return. Come, read your letter again, here it is," said
+    she.</p>
+
+    <p>He closely examined the letter; the paper, handwriting,
+    seal&mdash;all were undoubtedly his. He then called his
+    son-in-law, and questioned him about his journey. Plavacek hid
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page160"
+       id="page160"></a>[pg 160]</span> nothing: he told how he had
+       lost his way, and how he had passed the night in a cottage
+       in the forest.</p>
+
+    <p>"What was the old woman like?" asked the King.</p>
+
+    <p>From Plavacek's description the King knew it was the very
+    same who, twenty years before, had foretold the marriage of the
+    Princess with the charcoal-burner's son. After some moments'
+    thought the King said: "What is done is done. But you will not
+    become my son-in-law so easily. No, i' faith! As a wedding
+    present you must bring me three golden hairs from the head of
+    D&egrave;de-Vs&eacute;v&egrave;de."</p>
+
+    <p>In this way he thought to get rid of his son-in-law, whose
+    very presence was distasteful to him. The young fellow took
+    leave of his wife and set off. "I know not which way to go,"
+    said he to himself, "but my godmother the witch will surely
+    help me."</p>
+
+    <p>But he found the way easily enough. He walked on and on and
+    on for a long time over mountain, valley, and river, until he
+    reached the shores of the Black Sea. There he found a boat and
+    boatman.</p>
+
+    <p>"May God bless you, old boatman," said he.</p>
+
+    <p>"And you, too, my young traveler. Where are you going?"</p>
+
+    <p>"To D&egrave;de-Vs&eacute;v&egrave;de's castle for three of
+    his golden hairs."</p>
+
+    <p>"Ah, then you are very welcome. For a long weary while I
+    have been waiting for such a messenger as you. I have been
+    ferrying passengers across for these twenty years, and not one
+    of them has done anything to help me. If you will promise to
+    ask D&egrave;de-Vs&eacute;v&egrave;de when I shall be released
+    from my toil I will row you across."</p>
+
+    <p>Plavacek promised, and was rowed to the opposite bank. He
+    continued his journey on foot until he came in sight of a large
+    town half in ruins, near which was passing a funeral
+    procession. The King of that country was following his father's
+    coffin, and with the tears running down his cheeks.</p>
+
+    <p>"May God comfort you in your distress," said Plavacek.</p>
+
+    <p>"Thank you, good traveler. Where are you going?"</p>
+
+    <p>"To the house of D&egrave;de-Vs&eacute;v&egrave;de in quest
+    of three of his golden hairs."</p>
+
+    <p>"To the house of D&egrave;de-Vs&eacute;v&egrave;de? Indeed!
+    What a pity <span class="pagenum"><a name="page161"
+       id="page161"></a>[pg 161]</span> you did not come sooner, we
+       have long been expecting such a messenger as you. Come and
+       see me by-and-by."</p>
+
+    <p>When Plavacek presented himself at court the King said to
+    him:</p>
+
+    <p>"We understand you are on your way to the house of
+    D&egrave;de-Vs&eacute;v&egrave;de! Now we have an apple-tree
+    here that bears the fruit of everlasting youth. One of these
+    apples eaten by a man, even though he be dying, will cure him
+    and make him young again. For the last twenty years neither
+    fruit nor flower has been found on this tree. Will you ask
+    D&egrave;de-Vs&eacute;v&egrave;de the cause of it?"</p>
+
+    <p>"That I will, with pleasure."</p>
+
+    <p>Then Plavacek continued his journey, and as he went he came
+    to a large and beautiful city where all was sad and silent.
+    Near the gate was an old man who leaned on a stick and walked
+    with difficulty.</p>
+
+    <p>"May God bless you, good old man."</p>
+
+    <p>"And you, too, my handsome young traveler. Where are you
+    going?"</p>
+
+    <p>"To D&egrave;de-Vs&eacute;v&egrave;de's palace in search of
+    three of his golden hairs."</p>
+
+    <p>"Ah, you are the very messenger I have so long waited for.
+    Allow me to take you to my master the King."</p>
+
+    <p>On their arrival at the palace, the King said, "I hear you
+    are an ambassador to D&egrave;de-Vs&eacute;v&egrave;de. We have
+    here a well, the water of which renews itself. So wonderful are
+    its effects that invalids are immediately cured on drinking it,
+    while a few drops sprinkled on a corpse will bring it to life
+    again. For the past twenty years this well has remained dry: if
+    you will ask old D&egrave;de-Vs&eacute;v&egrave;de how the flow
+    of water may be restored I will reward you royally."</p>
+
+    <p>Plavacek promised to do so, and was dismissed with good
+    wishes. He then traveled through deep dark forests, in the
+    midst of which might be seen a large meadow: out of it grew
+    lovely flowers, and in the center stood a castle built of gold.
+    It was the home of D&egrave;de-Vs&eacute;v&egrave;de. So
+    brilliant with light was it that it seemed to be built of fire.
+    When he entered there was no one there but an old woman
+    spinning.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page162"
+       id="page162"></a>[pg 162]</span>
+
+    <p>"Greeting, Plavacek, I am well pleased to see you."</p>
+
+    <p>She was his godmother, who had given him shelter in her
+    cottage when he was the bearer of the King's letter.</p>
+
+    <p>"Tell me what brings you here from such a distance," she
+    went on.</p>
+
+    <p>"The King would not have me for his son-in-law, unless I
+    first got him three golden hairs from the head of
+    D&egrave;de-Vs&eacute;v&egrave;de. So he sent me here to fetch
+    them."</p>
+
+    <p>The Fate laughed. "D&egrave;de-Vs&eacute;v&egrave;de indeed!
+    Why, I am his mother, it is the shining sun himself. He is a
+    child at morning time, a grown man at midday, a decrepit old
+    man, looking as if he had lived a hundred years, at eventide.
+    But I will see that you have the three hairs from his head; I
+    am not your godmother for nothing. All the same you must not
+    remain here. My son is a good lad, but when he comes home he is
+    hungry, and would very probably order you to be roasted for his
+    supper. Now I will turn this empty bucket upside down, and you
+    shall hide underneath it."</p>
+
+    <p>Plavacek begged the Fate to obtain from
+    D&egrave;de-Vs&eacute;v&egrave;de the answers to the three
+    questions he had been asked.</p>
+
+    <p>"I will do so certainly, but you must listen to what he
+    says."</p>
+
+    <p>Suddenly a blast of wind howled round the palace, and the
+    Sun entered by a western window. He was an old man with golden
+    hair.</p>
+
+    <p>"I smell human flesh," cried he, "I am sure of it. Mother,
+    you have some one here."</p>
+
+    <p>"Star of day," she replied, "whom could I have here that you
+    would not see sooner than I? The fact is that in your daily
+    journeys the scent of human flesh is always with you, so when
+    you come home at evening it clings to you still."</p>
+
+    <p>The old man said nothing, and sat down to supper. When he
+    had finished he laid his golden head on the Fate's lap and went
+    to sleep. Then she pulled out a hair and threw it on the
+    ground. It fell with a metallic sound like the vibration of a
+    guitar string.</p>
+
+    <p>"What do you want, mother?" asked he.</p>
+
+    <p>"Nothing, my son; I was sleeping, and had a strange
+    dream."</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page163"
+       id="page163"></a>[pg 163]</span>
+
+    <p>"What was it, mother?"</p>
+
+    <p>"I thought I was in a place where there was a well, and the
+    well was fed from a spring, the water of which cured all
+    diseases. Even the dying were restored to health on drinking
+    that water, and the dead who were sprinkled with it came to
+    life again. For the last twenty years the well has run dry.
+    What must be done to restore the flow of water?"</p>
+
+    <p>"That is very simple. A frog has lodged itself in the
+    opening of the spring, this prevents the flow of water. Kill
+    the frog, and the water will return to the well."</p>
+
+    <p>He slept again, and the old woman pulled out another golden
+    hair, and threw it on the ground.</p>
+
+    <p>"Mother, what do you want?"</p>
+
+    <p>"Nothing, my son, nothing; I was dreaming. In my dream I saw
+    a large town, the name of which I have forgotten. And there
+    grew an apple-tree the fruit of which had the power to make the
+    old young again. A single apple eaten by an old man would
+    restore to him the vigor and freshness of youth. For twenty
+    years this tree has not borne fruit. What can be done to make
+    it fruitful?"</p>
+
+    <p>"The means are not difficult. A snake hidden among the roots
+    destroys the sap. Kill the snake, transplant the tree, and the
+    fruit will grow as before."</p>
+
+    <p>He again fell asleep, and the old woman pulled out another
+    golden hair.</p>
+
+    <p>"Now mother, why will you not let me sleep?" said the old
+    man, really vexed; and he would have got up.</p>
+
+    <p>"Lie down, my darling son, do not disturb yourself. I am
+    sorry I awoke you, but I have had a very strange dream. It
+    seemed that I saw a boatman on the shores of the Black Sea, and
+    he complained that he had been toiling at the ferry for twenty
+    years without any one having come to take his place. For how
+    much longer must this poor old man continue to row?"</p>
+
+    <p>"He is a silly fellow. He has but to place his oars in the
+    hands of the first comer and jump ashore. Who ever receives the
+    oars will replace him as ferryman. But leave me in peace now,
+    mother, and do not wake me again. I have to rise very
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page164"
+       id="page164"></a>[pg 164]</span> early, and must first dry
+       the eyes of a Princess. The poor thing spends all night
+       weeping for her husband who has been sent by the King to get
+       three of my golden hairs."</p>
+
+    <p>Next morning the wind whistled round
+    D&egrave;de-Vs&eacute;v&egrave;de's palace, and instead of an
+    old man, a beautiful child with golden hair awoke on the old
+    woman's lap. It was the glorious sun. He bade her good-by, and
+    flew out of the eastern window. The old woman turned up the
+    bucket and said to Plavacek: "Look, here are the three golden
+    hairs. You now know the answers to your questions. May God
+    direct you and send you a prosperous journey. You will not see
+    me again, for you will have no further need of me."</p>
+
+    <p>He thanked her gratefully and left her. On arriving at the
+    town with the dried-up well, he was questioned by the King as
+    to what news he had brought.</p>
+
+    <p>"Have the well carefully cleaned out," said he, "kill the
+    frog that obstructs the spring, and the wonderful water will
+    flow again."</p>
+
+    <p>The King did as he was advised, and rejoiced to see the
+    water return. He gave Plavacek twelve swan-white horses, and as
+    much gold and silver as they could carry.</p>
+
+    <p>On reaching the second town and being asked by the King what
+    news he had brought, he replied, "Excellent; one could not wish
+    for better. Dig up your apple-tree, kill the snake that lies
+    among the roots, transplant the tree, and it will produce
+    apples like those of former times."</p>
+
+    <p>And all turned out as he had said, for no sooner was the
+    tree replanted than it was covered with blossoms that gave it
+    the appearance of a sea of roses. The delighted King gave him
+    twelve raven-black horses, laden with as much wealth as they
+    could carry. He then journeyed to the shores of the Black Sea.
+    There the boatman questioned him as to what news he had brought
+    respecting his release. Plavacek first crossed with his
+    twenty-four horses to the opposite bank, and then replied that
+    the boatman might gain his freedom by placing the oars in the
+    hands of the first traveler who wished to be ferried over.</p>
+
+    <p>Plavacek's royal father-in-law could not believe his eyes
+    when he saw D&egrave;de-Vs&eacute;v&egrave;de's three golden
+    hairs. As for the <span class="pagenum"><a name="page165"
+       id="page165"></a>[pg 165]</span> Princess, his young wife,
+       she wept tears, but of joy, not sadness, to see her dear one
+       again, and she said to him, "How did you get such splendid
+       horses and so much wealth, dear husband?"</p>
+
+    <p>And he answered her, "All this represents the price paid for
+    the weariness of spirit I have felt; it is the ready money for
+    hardships endured and services given. Thus, I showed one King
+    how to regain possession of the Apples of Youth: to another I
+    told the secret of reopening the spring of water that gives
+    health and life."</p>
+
+    <p>"Apples of Youth! Water of Life!" interrupted the King. "I
+    will certainly go and find these treasures for myself. Ah, what
+    joy! having eaten of these apples I shall become young again;
+    having drunk of the Water of Immortality, I shall live
+    forever."</p>
+
+    <p>And he started off in search of these treasures. But he has
+    not yet returned from his search.</p>
+
+    <p>&nbsp;</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page166"
+       id="page166"></a>[pg 166]</span>
+
+    <h2>A MYTH OF AMERICA</h2>
+
+    <h3>HIAWATHA</h3>
+
+    <h4>ADAPTED FROM H.R. SCHOOLCRAFT's VERSION</h4>
+
+    <p>Hiawatha was living with his grandmother near the edge of a
+    wide prairie. On this prairie he first saw animals and birds of
+    every kind. He there also saw exhibitions of divine power in
+    the sweeping tempests, in the thunder and lightning, and the
+    various shades of light and darkness which form a never ending
+    scene for observation. Every new sight he beheld in the heavens
+    was a subject of remark; every new animal or bird an object of
+    deep interest; and every sound uttered by the animal creation a
+    new lesson, which he was expected to learn. He often trembled
+    at what he heard and saw. To this scene his grandmother sent
+    him at an early age to watch. The first sound he heard was that
+    of an owl, at which he was greatly terrified, and quickly
+    descending the tree he had climbed, he ran with alarm to the
+    lodge. "Noko! Noko!" (grandma) he cried, "I have heard a
+    momendo." She laughed at his fears, and asked him what kind of
+    a noise it made. He answered, "It makes a noise like this:
+    Ko-ko-ko-ho." She told him that he was young and foolish; that
+    what he had heard was only a bird, deriving its name from the
+    noise it made.</p>
+
+    <p>He went back and continued his watch. While there, he
+    thought to himself, "It is singular that I am so simple, and my
+    grandmother so wise, and that I have neither father nor mother.
+    I have never heard a word about them. I must ask and find out."
+    He went home and sat down silent and dejected. At length his
+    grandmother asked him, "Hiawatha, what is the matter
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page167"
+       id="page167"></a>[pg 167]</span> with you?" He answered, "I
+       wish you would tell me whether I have any parents living and
+       who my relatives are." Knowing that he was of a wicked and
+       revengeful disposition, she dreaded telling him the story of
+       his parentage, but he insisted on her compliance. "Yes," she
+       said, "you have a father and three brothers living. Your
+       mother is dead. She was taken without the consent of her
+       parents by your father the West. Your brothers are the
+       North, East, and South, and, being older than yourself, your
+       father has given them great power with the winds, according
+       to their names. You are the youngest of his children. I have
+       nourished you from your infancy, for your mother died in
+       giving you birth, owing to the ill-treatment of your father.
+       I have no relations besides you this side of the planet on
+       which I was born, and from which I was precipitated by
+       female jealousy. Your mother was my only child, and you are
+       my only hope."</p>
+
+    <p>He appeared to be rejoiced to hear that his father was
+    living, for he had already thought in his heart to try and kill
+    him. He told his grandmother he should set out in the morning
+    to visit him. She said it was a long distance to the place
+    where The West lived. But that had no effect to stop him for he
+    had now attained manhood, possessed a giant's height, and was
+    endowed by nature with a giant's strength and power. He set out
+    and soon reached the place, for every step he took covered a
+    large surface of ground. The meeting took place on a high
+    mountain in the West. His father appeared very happy to see
+    him. They spent some days in talking with each other.</p>
+
+    <p>One evening Hiawatha asked his father what he was most
+    afraid of on earth. He replied, "Nothing." "But is there not
+    something you dread here? Tell me." At last his father said,
+    yielding, "Yes, there is a black stone found in such a place.
+    It is the only earthly thing I am afraid of; for if it should
+    hit me, or any part of my body, it would injure me very much."
+    He said this as a secret, and in return asked his son the same
+    question. Knowing each other's power, although the son's was
+    limited, the father feared him on account of his great
+    strength. Hiawatha answered, "Nothing!" intending to avoid the
+    question, or to refer to some harmless object
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page168"
+       id="page168"></a>[pg 168]</span> as the one of which he was
+       afraid. He was asked again, and again, and answered,
+       "Nothing!" But the West said, "There must be something you
+       are afraid of." "Well! I will tell you," said Hiawatha,
+       "what it is." But, before he would pronounce the word, he
+       affected great dread.
+       "<i>Ie-ee</i>&mdash;<i>Ie-ee</i>&mdash;it is&mdash;it is,"
+       said he, "yeo! yeo! I cannot name it; I am seized with a
+       dread." The West told him to banish his fears. He commenced
+       again, in a strain of mock sensitiveness repeating the same
+       words; at last he cried out, "It is the root of the
+       bulrush." He appeared to be exhausted by the effort of
+       pronouncing the word, in all this skilfully acting a studied
+       part.</p>
+
+    <p>Some time after he observed, "I will get some of the black
+    rock;" the West said, "Far be it from you; do not so, my son."
+    He still persisted. "Well," said the father, "I will also get
+    the bulrush root." Hiawatha immediately cried out, "Do
+    not&mdash;do not," affecting as before, to be in great dread of
+    it, but really wishing, by this course, to urge on the West to
+    procure it, that he might draw him into combat. He went out and
+    got a large piece of the black rock, and brought it home. The
+    West also took care to bring the dreaded root.</p>
+
+    <p>In the course of conversation he asked his father whether he
+    had been the cause of his mother's death. The answer was "Yes!"
+    He then took up the rock and struck him. Blow led to blow, and
+    here commenced an obstinate and furious combat, which continued
+    several days. Fragments of the rock, broken off under
+    Hiawatha's blows, can be seen in various places to this day.
+    The root did not prove as mortal a weapon as his well-acted
+    fears had led his father to expect, although he suffered
+    severely from the blows. This battle commenced on the
+    mountains. The West was forced to give ground. Hiawatha drove
+    him across rivers, and over mountains and lakes, and at last he
+    came to the brink of this world.</p>
+
+    <p>"Hold!" cried he, "my son; you know my power, and that it is
+    impossible to kill me. Desist, and I will also portion you out
+    with as much power as your brothers. The four quarters of the
+    globe are already occupied; but you can go and do a great deal
+    of good to the people of this earth, which is infested with
+    large serpents, beasts, and monsters, who make great
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page169"
+       id="page169"></a>[pg 169]</span> havoc among the
+       inhabitants. Go and do good. You have the power now to do
+       so, and your fame with the beings of this earth will last
+       forever. When you have finished your work, I will have a
+       place provided for you. You will then go and sit with your
+       brother in the north."</p>
+
+    <div class="figcenter"
+         style="width:100%;">
+        <a href="images/572.jpg"
+             name="fig572"
+             id="fig572"><img width="175"
+             src="images/572-t.jpg"
+             alt="HIAWATHA IN HIS CANOE." /></a><br />
+        From The "Cosmopolitan Magazine" By Permission.
+
+        <p>&nbsp;</p>HIAWATHA IN HIS CANOE.
+    </div>
+
+    <p>Hiawatha was pacified. He returned to his lodge, where he
+    was confined by the wounds he had received. But owing to his
+    grandmother's skill in medicine he was soon recovered. She told
+    him that his grandfather, who had come to the earth in search
+    of her, had been killed by Meg-gis-sog-won, who lived on the
+    opposite side of the great lake. "When he was alive," she
+    continued, "I was never without oil to put on my head, but now
+    my hair is fast falling off for the want of it."</p>
+
+    <p>"Well!" said he, "Noko, get cedar bark and make me a line,
+    while I make a canoe." When all was ready, he went out to the
+    middle of the lake to fish. He put his line down, saying,
+    "Me-she-nah-ma-gwai (the name of the kingfish), take hold of my
+    bait." He kept repeating this for some time. At last the king
+    of the fishes said, "Hiawatha troubles me. Here, Trout, take
+    hold of his line," which was very heavy, so that his canoe
+    stood nearly perpendicular; but he kept crying out, "Wha-ee-he!
+    wha-ee-he!" till he could see the trout. As soon as he saw him,
+    he spoke to him. "Why did you take hold of my hook? Shame,
+    shame you ugly fish." The trout, being thus rebuked, let
+    go.</p>
+
+    <p>Hiawatha put his line again in the water, saying, "King of
+    fishes, take hold of my line." But the king of fishes told a
+    monstrous sunfish to take hold of it; for Hiawatha was tiring
+    him with his incessant calls. He again drew up his line with
+    difficulty, saying as before, "Wha-ee-he! wha-ee-he!" while his
+    canoe was turning in swift circles. When he saw the sunfish, he
+    cried, "Shame, shame you odious fish! why did you dirty my hook
+    by taking it in your mouth? Let go, I say, let go." The sunfish
+    did so, and told the king of fishes what Hiawatha said. Just at
+    that moment the bait came near the king, and hearing Hiawatha
+    continually crying out, "Me-she-nah-ma-gwai, take hold of my
+    hook," at last he did so, and allowed himself to be drawn up to
+    the surface, which he had no sooner
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page170"
+       id="page170"></a>[pg 170]</span> reached than, at one
+       mouthful, he took Hiawatha and his canoe down. When he came
+       to himself, he found that he was in the fish's belly, and
+       also his canoe. He now turned his thoughts to the way of
+       making his escape. Looking in his canoe, he saw his
+       war-club, with which he immediately struck the heart of the
+       fish. He then felt a sudden motion, as if he were moving
+       with great velocity. The fish observed to the others, "I am
+       sick at stomach for having swallowed this dirty fellow,
+       Hiawatha." Just at this moment he received another severe
+       blow on the heart. Hiawatha thought, "If I am thrown up in
+       the middle of the lake, I shall be drowned; so I must
+       prevent it." He drew his canoe and placed it across the
+       fish's throat, and just as he had finished the fish
+       commenced vomiting, but to no effect. In this he was aided
+       by a squirrel, who had accompanied him unperceived until
+       that moment. This animal had taken an active part in helping
+       him to place his canoe across the fish's throat. For this
+       act he named him, saying, "For the future, boys shall always
+       call you Ajidaumo [Upside Down]!"</p>
+
+    <p>He then renewed his attack upon the fish's heart, and
+    succeeded, by repeated blows, in killing him, which he first
+    knew by the loss of motion, and by the sound of the beating of
+    the body against the shore. He waited a day longer to see what
+    would happen. He heard birds scratching on the body, and all at
+    once the rays of light broke in. He could see the heads of
+    gulls, who were looking in by the opening they had made. "Oh!"
+    cried Hiawatha, "my younger brothers, make the opening larger,
+    so that I can get out." They told each other that their brother
+    Hiawatha was inside of the fish. They immediately set about
+    enlarging the orifice, and in a short time liberated him. After
+    he got out he said to the gulls, "For the future you shall be
+    called Kayoshk [Noble Scratchers]!"</p>
+
+    <p>The spot where the fish happened to be driven ashore was
+    near his lodge. He went up and told his grandmother to go and
+    prepare as much oil as she wanted. All besides, he informed
+    her, he should keep for himself.</p>
+
+    <p>Some time after this, he commenced making preparations
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page171"
+       id="page171"></a>[pg 171]</span> for a war excursion against
+       the Pearl Feather, the Manito who lived on the opposite side
+       of the great lake, who had killed his grandfather. The abode
+       of his spirit was defended, first, by fiery serpents, who
+       hissed fire so that no one could pass them; and, in the
+       second place, by a large mass of gummy matter lying on the
+       water, so soft and adhesive, that whoever attempted to pass,
+       or whatever came in contact with it, was sure to stick
+       there.</p>
+
+    <p>He continued making bows and arrows without number, but he
+    had no heads for his arrows. At last Noko told him that an old
+    man who lived at some distance could make them. He sent her to
+    get some. She soon returned with her conaus, or wrapper, full.
+    Still he told her he had not enough, and sent her again. She
+    returned with as many more. He thought to himself, "I must find
+    out the way of making these heads." Cunning and curiosity
+    prompted him to make the discovery. But he deemed it necessary
+    to deceive his grandmother in so doing. "Noko," said he, "while
+    I take my drum and rattle, and sing my war-songs, go and try to
+    get me some larger heads for my arrows, for those you brought
+    me are all of the same size. Go and see whether the old man
+    cannot make some a little larger." He followed her as she went,
+    keeping at a distance, and saw the old artificer at work, and
+    so discovered his process. He also beheld the old man's
+    daughter, and perceived that she was very beautiful. He felt
+    his breast beat with a new emotion, but said nothing. He took
+    care to get home before his grandmother, and commenced singing
+    as if he had never left his lodge. When the old woman came
+    near, she heard his drum and rattle, without any suspicion that
+    he had followed her. She delivered him the arrow-heads.</p>
+
+    <p>One evening the old woman said, "My son, you ought to fast
+    before you go to war, as your brothers frequently do, to find
+    out whether you will be successful or not." He said he had no
+    objection, and immediately commenced a fast for several days.
+    He would retire every day from the lodge so far as to be out of
+    the reach of his grandmother's voice.</p>
+
+    <p>After having finished his term of fasting and sung his
+    war-song from which the Indians of the present day derive their
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page172"
+       id="page172"></a>[pg 172]</span> custom&mdash;he embarked in
+       his canoe, fully prepared for war. In addition to the usual
+       implements, he had a plentiful supply of oil. He traveled
+       rapidly night and day, for he had only to will or speak, and
+       the canoe went. At length he arrived in sight of the fiery
+       serpents. He stopped to view them. He saw they were some
+       distance apart, and that the flame only which issued from
+       them reached across the pass. He commenced talking as a
+       friend to them; but they answered, "We know you, Hiawatha,
+       you cannot pass." He then thought of some expedient to
+       deceive them, and hit upon this. He pushed his canoe as near
+       as possible. All at once he cried out, with a loud and
+       terrified voice, "What is that behind you?" The serpents
+       instantly turned their heads, when, at a single word, he
+       passed them. "Well!" said he, placidly, after he had got by,
+       "how do you like my exploit?" He then took up his bow and
+       arrows, and with deliberate aim shot them, which was easily
+       done, for the serpents were stationary, and could not move
+       beyond a certain spot. They were of enormous length and of a
+       bright color.</p>
+
+    <p>Having overcome the sentinel serpents, he went on in his
+    magic canoe till he came to a soft gummy portion of the lake,
+    called Pigiu-wagumee or Pitchwater. He took the oil and rubbed
+    it on his canoe, and then pushed into it. The oil softened the
+    surface and enabled him to slip through it with ease, although
+    it required frequent rubbing, and a constant re-application of
+    the oil. Just as his oil failed, he extricated himself from
+    this impediment, and was the first person who ever succeeded in
+    overcoming it.</p>
+
+    <p>He now came in view of land, on which he debarked in safety,
+    and could see the lodge of the Shining Manito, situated on a
+    hill. He commenced preparing for the fight, putting his arrows
+    and clubs in order, and just at the dawn of day began his
+    attack, yelling and shouting, and crying with triple voices,
+    "Surround him! surround him! run up! run up!" making it appear
+    that he had many followers. He advanced crying out, "It was you
+    that killed my grandfather," and with this shot his arrows.</p>
+
+    <p>The combat continued all day. Hiawatha's arrows had
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page173"
+       id="page173"></a>[pg 173]</span> no effect, for his
+       antagonist was clothed with pure wampum. He was now reduced
+       to three arrows, and it was only by extraordinary agility
+       that he could escape the blows which the Manito kept making
+       at him. At that moment a large woodpecker (the ma-ma) flew
+       past, and lit on a tree. "Hiawatha" he cried, "your
+       adversary has a vulnerable point; shoot at the lock of hair
+       on the crown of his head." He shot his first arrow so as
+       only to draw blood from that part. The Manito made one or
+       two unsteady steps, but recovered himself. He began to
+       parley, but, in the act, received a second arrow, which
+       brought him to his knees. But he again recovered. In so
+       doing, however, he exposed his head, and gave his adversary
+       a chance to fire his third arrow, which penetrated deep, and
+       brought him a lifeless corpse to the ground. Hiawatha
+       uttered his saw-saw-quan, and taking his scalp as a trophy,
+       he called the woodpecker to come and receive a reward for
+       his information. He took the blood of the Manito and rubbed
+       it on the woodpecker's head, the feathers of which are red
+       to this day.</p>
+
+    <p>After this victory he returned home, singing songs of
+    triumph and beating his drum. When his grandmother heard him,
+    she came to the shore and welcomed him with songs and dancing.
+    Glory fired his mind. He displayed the trophies he had brought
+    in the most conspicuous manner, and felt an unconquerable
+    desire for other adventures. He felt himself urged by the
+    consciousness of his power to new trials of bravery, skill, and
+    necromantic prowess. He had destroyed the Manito of Wealth, and
+    killed his guardian serpents, and eluded all his charms. He did
+    not long remain inactive.</p>
+
+    <p>His next adventure was upon the water, and proved him the
+    prince of fishermen. He captured a fish of such a monstrous
+    size, that the fat and oil he obtained from it formed a small
+    lake. He therefore invited all the animals and fowls to a
+    banquet, and he made the order in which they partook of this
+    repast the measure of their fatness. As fast as they arrived,
+    he told them to plunge in. The bear came first, and was
+    followed by the deer, opossum, and such other animals as are
+    noted for their peculiar fatness at certain seasons. The moose
+    and bison came tardily. The partridge looked on till
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page174"
+       id="page174"></a>[pg 174]</span> the reservoir was nearly
+       exhausted. The hare and marten came last, and these animals
+       have consequently no fat.</p>
+
+    <p>When this ceremony was over, he told the assembled animals
+    and birds to dance, taking up his drum and crying, "New songs
+    from the south, come, brothers, dance." He directed them to
+    pass in a circle around him, and to shut their eyes. They did
+    so. When he saw a fat fowl pass by him, he adroitly wrung off
+    its head, at the same time beating his drum and singing with
+    greater vehemence, to drown the noise of the fluttering, and
+    crying out, in a tone of admiration, "That's the way, my
+    brothers, <i>that's</i> the way." At last a small duck [the
+    diver], thinking there was something wrong, opened one eye and
+    saw what he was doing. Giving a spring and crying, "Ha-ha-a!
+    Hiawatha is killing us," he made for the water. Hiawatha
+    followed him, and, just as the duck was getting into the water,
+    gave him a kick, which is the cause of his back being flattened
+    and his legs being straightened out backward, so that when he
+    gets on land he cannot walk, and his tail feathers are few.
+    Meantime the other birds flew off, and the animals ran into the
+    woods.</p>
+
+    <p>After this Hiawatha, set out to travel. He wished to outdo
+    all others, and to see new countries. But after walking over
+    America and encountering many adventures he became satisfied as
+    well as fatigued. He had heard of great feats in hunting, and
+    felt a desire to try his power in that way. One evening, as he
+    was walking along the shores of a great lake, weary and hungry,
+    he encountered a great magician in the form of an old wolf,
+    with six young ones, coming towards him. The wolf, as soon as
+    he saw him, told his whelps to keep out of the way of Hiawatha,
+    "for I know," continued he, "that it is he that we see yonder."
+    The young wolves were in the act of running off, when Hiawatha
+    cried out, "My grandchildren, where are you going? Stop, and I
+    will go with you." He appeared rejoiced to see the old wolf,
+    and asked him whither he was journeying. Being told that they
+    were looking for a place where they could find most game, and
+    where they might pass the winter, he said he would like to go
+    with them, and addressed the old wolf in the following words:
+    "Brother, I have a passion
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page175"
+       id="page175"></a>[pg 175]</span> for the chase; are you
+       willing to change me into a wolf?" He was answered
+       favorably, and his transformation immediately effected.</p>
+
+    <p>Hiawatha was fond of novelty. He found himself a wolf
+    corresponding in size with the others, but he was not quite
+    satisfied with the change, crying out, "Oh, make me a little
+    larger." They did so. "A little larger still," he exclaimed.
+    They said, "Let us humor him," and granted his request. "Well,"
+    said he, "<i>that</i> will do." He looked at his tail. "Oh!"
+    cried he, "do make my tail a little longer and more bushy."
+    They did so. They then all started off in company, dashing up a
+    ravine. After getting into the woods some distance, they fell
+    in with the tracks of moose. The young ones went after them,
+    Hiawatha and the old wolf following at their leisure. "Well,"
+    said the wolf, "whom do you think is the fastest of the boys?
+    Can you tell by the jumps they take?" "Why," he replied, "that
+    one that takes such long jumps, he is the fastest, to be sure."
+    "Ha! ha! you are mistaken," said the old wolf. "He makes a good
+    start, but he will be the first to tire out; this one who
+    appears to be behind, will be the one to kill the game."</p>
+
+    <p>They then came to the place where the boys had started in
+    chase. One had dropped his small bundle. "Take that, Hiawatha,"
+    said the old wolf. "Esa," he replied, "what will I do with a
+    dirty dogskin?" The wolf took it up; it was a beautiful robe.
+    "Oh, I will carry it now," said Hiawatha. "Oh no," replied the
+    wolf, who at the moment exerted his magic power; "it is a robe
+    of pearls!" And from this moment he omitted no occasion to
+    display his superiority, both in the art of the hunter and the
+    magician above his conceited companion. Coming to a place where
+    the moose had lain down, they saw that the young wolves had
+    made a fresh start after their prey. "Why," said the wolf,
+    "this moose is poor. I know by the tracks, for I can always
+    tell whether they are fat or not." They next came to a place
+    where one of the wolves had bit at the moose, and had broken
+    one of his teeth on a tree. "Hiawatha," said the wolf, "one of
+    your grandchildren has shot at the game. Take his arrow; there
+    it is." "No," he replied; "what will I do with a dirty dog's
+    tooth!" The old wolf took it up, and
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page176"
+       id="page176"></a>[pg 176]</span> behold! it was a beautiful
+       silver arrow. When they overtook the youngsters, they had
+       killed a very fat moose.</p>
+
+    <p>Hiawatha was extremely hungry; but, alas! such is the power
+    of enchantment, he saw nothing but the bones picked quite
+    clean. He thought to himself, "Just as I expected, dirty,
+    greedy fellows!" However, he sat down without saying a word. At
+    length the old wolf spoke to one of the young ones, saying,
+    "Give some meat to your grandfather." One of them obeyed, and,
+    coming near to Hiawatha, opened his mouth as if he was about to
+    snarl. Hiawatha jumped up saying, "You filthy dog, you have
+    eaten so much that your stomach refuses to hold it. Get you
+    gone into some other place." The old wolf, hearing the abuse,
+    went a little to one side to see, and behold, a heap of fresh
+    ruddy meat, with the fat lying all ready prepared. He was
+    followed by Hiawatha, who, having the enchantment instantly
+    removed, put on a smiling face. "Amazement!" said he; "how fine
+    the meat is." "Yes," replied the wolf; "it is always so with
+    us; we know our work, and always get the best. It is not a long
+    tail that makes a hunter." Hiawatha bit his lip.</p>
+
+    <p>They then commenced fixing their winter quarters, while the
+    youngsters went out in search of game, and soon brought in a
+    large supply. One day, during the absence of the young wolves,
+    the old one amused himself in cracking the large bones of a
+    moose. "Hiawatha," said he, "cover your head with the robe, and
+    do not look at me while I am at these bones, for a piece may
+    fly in your eye." He did as he was told; but, looking through a
+    rent that was in the robe, he saw what the other was about.
+    Just at that moment a piece flew off and hit him on the eye. He
+    cried out, "Tyau, why do you strike me, you old dog?" The wolf
+    said, "You must have been looking at me." But deception
+    commonly leads to falsehood. "No, no," he said, "why should I
+    want to look at you?" "Hiawatha," said the wolf, "you
+    <i>must</i> have been looking, or you would not have been
+    hurt." "No, no," he replied again, "I was not. I will repay the
+    saucy wolf this," thought he to himself. So, next day, taking
+    up a bone to obtain the marrow, he said to the wolf, "Cover
+    your head and don't look at me, for I fear
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page177"
+       id="page177"></a>[pg 177]</span> a piece may fly in your
+       eye." The wolf did so. He then took the leg-bone of the
+       moose, and looking first to see if the wolf was well
+       covered, he hit him a blow with all his might. The wolf
+       jumped up, cried out, and fell prostrate from the effects of
+       the blow. "Why," said he, "do you strike me so?" "Strike
+       you!" he replied; "no, you must have been looking at me."
+       "No," answered the wolf, "I say I have not." But he
+       persisted in the assertion, and the poor magician had to
+       give up.</p>
+
+    <p>Hiawatha was an expert hunter when he earnestly tried to be.
+    He went out one day and killed a fat moose. He was very hungry,
+    and sat down to eat. But immediately he fell into great doubts
+    as to the proper point to begin. "Well," said he, "I do not
+    know where to begin. At the head? No! People will laugh, and
+    say 'he ate him backwards!'" He went to the side. "No!" said
+    he, "they will say I ate him sideways." He then went to the
+    hind-quarter. "No!" said he, "they will say I ate him toward
+    the head. I will begin <i>here</i>, say what they will." He
+    took a delicate piece from the rump, and was just ready to put
+    it in his mouth, when a tree close by made a creaking sound,
+    caused by the rubbing of one large branch against another. This
+    annoyed him. "Why!" he exclaimed, "I cannot eat while I hear
+    such a noise. Stop! stop!" said he to the tree. He was putting
+    the morsel again to his mouth, when the noise was repeated. He
+    put it down, exclaiming, "I <i>cannot eat</i> in such
+    confusion," and immediately left the meat, although very
+    hungry, to go and put a stop to the racket. He climbed the tree
+    and was pulling at the limb, when his arm was caught between
+    two branches so that he could not extricate himself. While thus
+    held fast, he saw a pack of wolves coming in the direction
+    towards his meat. "Go that way! go that way!" he cried out;
+    "why do you come here?" The wolves talked among themselves and
+    said, "Hiawatha must have something here, or he would not tell
+    us to go another way." "I begin to know him," said an old wolf,
+    "and all his tricks. Let us go forward and see." They came on
+    and finding the moose, soon made away with the whole carcass.
+    Hiawatha looked on wistfully to see them eat till they were
+    fully satisfied, and they left him nothing but the bare bones.
+    The next heavy blast <span class="pagenum"><a name="page178"
+       id="page178"></a>[pg 178]</span> of wind opened the branches
+       and liberated him. He went home, thinking to himself, "See
+       the effect of meddling with frivolous things when I already
+       had valuable possessions."</p>
+
+    <p>Next day the old wolf addressed him thus: "My brother, I am
+    going to separate from you, but I will leave behind me one of
+    the young wolves to be your hunter." He then departed. In this
+    act Hiawatha was disenchanted, and again resumed his mortal
+    shape. He was sorrowful and dejected, but soon resumed his
+    wonted air of cheerfulness. The young wolf that was left with
+    him was a good hunter, and never failed to keep the lodge well
+    supplied with meat. One day he addressed him as follows: "My
+    grandson, I had a dream last night, and it does not portend
+    good. It is of the large lake which lies in <i>that</i>
+    direction. You must be careful never to cross it, even if the
+    ice should appear good. If you should come to it at night weary
+    or hungry, you must make the circuit of it." Spring commenced,
+    and the snow was melting fast before the rays of the sun, when
+    one evening the wolf came to the lake weary with the day's
+    chase. He disliked the journey of making its circuit. "Hwooh!"
+    he exclaimed, "there can be no great harm in trying the ice, as
+    it appears to be sound. Nesho, my grandfather, is over cautious
+    on this point." He had gone but half way across when the ice
+    gave way, and falling in, he was immediately seized by the
+    serpents, who knowing he was Hiawatha's grandson, were
+    thirsting for revenge upon him. Meanwhile Hiawatha sat
+    pensively in his lodge.</p>
+
+    <p>Night came on, but no grandson returned. The second and
+    third night passed, but he did not appear. Hiawatha became very
+    desolate and sorrowful. "Ah!" said he, "he must have disobeyed
+    me, and has lost his life in that lake I told him of. Well!"
+    said he at last, "I must mourn for him." So he took coal and
+    blackened his face. But he was much perplexed as to the right
+    mode of mourning. "I wonder," said he, "how I must do it? I
+    will cry 'Oh! my grandson! Oh! my grandson!'" He burst out
+    laughing. "No! no! that won't do. I will try 'Oh! my heart! Oh!
+    my heart! ha! ha! ha!' That won't do either. I will cry, 'Oh my
+    drowned grandson.'"</p>
+
+    <p>This satisfied him, and he remained in his lodge and fasted,
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page179"
+       id="page179"></a>[pg 179]</span> till his days of mourning
+       were over. "Now," said he, "I will go in search of him." He
+       set out and traveled till he came to the great lake. He then
+       raised the lamentation for his grandson which had pleased
+       him, sitting down near a small brook that emptied itself
+       into the lake, and repeating his cries. Soon a bird called
+       Ke-ske-mun-i-see came near to him. The bird inquired, "What
+       are you doing here?" "Nothing," Hiawatha replied; "but can
+       you tell me whether any one lives in this lake, and what
+       brings you here yourself?" "Yes!" responded the bird; "the
+       Prince of Serpents lives here, and I am watching to see
+       whether the body of Hiawatha's grandson will not drift
+       ashore, for he was killed by the serpents last spring. But
+       are you not Hiawatha himself?" "No," was the reply, with his
+       usual deceit; "how do you think <i>he</i> could get to this
+       place? But tell me, do the serpents ever appear? When?
+       Where? Tell me all about their habits." "Do you see that
+       beautiful white sandy beach?" said the bird. "Yes!" he
+       answered. "It is there," continued the bird, "that they bask
+       in the sun. Before they come out, the lake will appear
+       perfectly calm; not even a ripple will appear. After midday
+       you will see them."</p>
+
+    <p>"Thank you," he replied; "I am Hiawatha. I have come in
+    search of the body of my grandson, and to seek my revenge. Come
+    near me that I may put a medal round your neck as a reward for
+    your information." The bird unsuspectingly came near, and
+    received a white medal, which can be seen to this day. While
+    bestowing the medal, he attempted slyly to wring the bird's
+    head off, but it escaped him, with only a disturbance of the
+    crown feathers of its head, which are rumpled backward. He had
+    found out all he wanted to know, and then desired to conceal
+    the knowledge obtained by killing his informant.</p>
+
+    <p>He went to the sandy beach indicated, and transformed
+    himself into an oak stump. He had not been there long before
+    the lake became perfectly calm. Soon hundreds of monstrous
+    serpents came crawling on the beach. One of the number was
+    beautifully white. He was the Prince. The others were red and
+    yellow. The Prince spoke to those about him as follows: "I
+    never saw that black stump standing there before.
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page180"
+       id="page180"></a>[pg 180]</span> It may be Hiawatha. There
+       is no knowing but that he may be somewhere about here. He
+       has the power of an evil genius, and we should be on our
+       guard against his wiles." One of the large serpents
+       immediately went and twisted himself around it to the top,
+       and pressed it very hard. The greatest pressure happened to
+       be on his throat; he was just ready to cry out when the
+       serpent let go. Eight of them went in succession and did the
+       like, but always let go at the moment he was ready to cry
+       out. "It cannot be he," they said. "He is too great a
+       weak-heart for that." They then coiled themselves in a
+       circle about their Prince. It was a long time before they
+       fell asleep. When they did so, Hiawatha, took his bow and
+       arrows, and cautiously stepping over the serpents till he
+       came to the Prince, drew up his arrow with the full strength
+       of his arm, and shot him in the left side. He then gave a
+       saw-saw-quan and ran off at full speed.</p>
+
+    <p>The sound uttered by the snakes on seeing their Prince
+    mortally wounded, was horrible. They cried, "Hiawatha has
+    killed our Prince; go in chase of him." Meantime he ran over
+    hill and valley, to gain the interior of the country, with all
+    his strength and speed, treading a mile at a step. But his
+    pursuers were also spirits, and he could hear that something
+    was approaching him fast. He made for the highest mountain, and
+    climbed the highest tree on its summit, when, dreadful to
+    behold, the whole lower country was seen to be overflowed, and
+    the water was gaining rapidly on the highlands. He saw it reach
+    to the foot of the mountains, and at length it came up to the
+    foot of the tree, but there was no abatement.</p>
+
+    <p>The flood rose steadily and perceptibly. He soon felt the
+    lower part of his body to be immersed in it. He addressed the
+    tree; "Grandfather, stretch yourself." The tree did so. But the
+    waters still rose. He repeated his request, and was again
+    obeyed. He asked a third time, and was again obeyed; but the
+    tree replied, "It is the last time; I cannot get any higher."
+    The waters continued to rise till they reached up to his chin,
+    at which point they stood, and soon began to abate. Hope
+    revived in his heart. He then cast his eyes around the
+    illimitable expanse, and spied a loon. "Dive down, my brother,"
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page181"
+       id="page181"></a>[pg 181]</span> he said to him, "and fetch
+       up some earth, so that I can make a new earth." The bird
+       obeyed, but rose up to the surface a lifeless form. He then
+       saw a muskrat. "Dive!" said he, "and if you succeed, you may
+       hereafter live either on land or water, as you please; or I
+       will give you a chain of beautiful little lakes, surrounded
+       with rushes, to inhabit." He dove down, but floated up
+       senseless. He took the body and breathed in his nostrils,
+       which restored him to life. "Try again," said he. The
+       muskrat did so. He came up senseless the second time, but
+       clutched a little earth in one of his paws, from which,
+       together with the carcass of the dead loon, he created a new
+       earth as large as the former had been, with all living
+       animals, fowls, and plants.</p>
+
+    <p>As he was walking to survey the new earth, he heard some one
+    singing. He went to the place, and found a female spirit, in
+    the disguise of an old woman, singing these words, and crying
+    at every pause:</p>
+
+    <div class="poem">
+        <div class="stanza">
+            <p>"Ma nau bo sho, O d&oacute; zheem un,</p>
+
+            <p>Ogeem au wun, Onis sa waun,</p>
+
+            <p>Hee-Ub bub ub bub (crying).</p>
+
+            <p>Dread Hiawatha in revenge,</p>
+
+            <p>For his grandson lost&mdash;</p>
+
+            <p>Has killed the chief&mdash;the king."</p>
+        </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <p>"Noko," said he, "what is the matter?" "Matter!" said she,
+    "where have you been, that you have not heard how Hiawatha shot
+    my son, the Prince of serpents, in revenge for the loss of his
+    grandson, and how the earth was overflowed, and created anew?
+    So I brought my son here, that he might kill and destroy the
+    inhabitants, as he did on the former earth. But," she
+    continued, casting a scrutinizing glance, "N'yau! indego
+    Hiawatha! hub! ub! ub! ub! Oh, I am afraid you are Hiawatha!"
+    He burst out into a laugh to quiet her fears. "Ha! ha! ha! how
+    can that be? Has not the old world perished, and all that was
+    in it?" "Impossible! impossible!" "But, Noko," he continued,
+    "what do you intend doing with all that cedar cord on your
+    back?" "Why," said she, "I am fixing a snare for Hiawatha, if
+    he should be on this earth; and, in the mean time, I am looking
+    for herbs to heal my son. I am the only
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page182"
+       id="page182"></a>[pg 182]</span> person that can do him any
+       good. He always gets better when I sing:</p>
+
+    <div class="poem">
+        <div class="stanza">
+            <p>"'Hiawatha a ne we guawk,</p>
+
+            <p>Koan dan mau wah, ne we guawk,</p>
+
+            <p>Koan dan mau wah, ne we guawk,</p>
+
+            <p class="i2">It is Hiawatha's dart,</p>
+
+            <p>I try my magic power to withdraw."</p>
+        </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <p>Having found out, by conversation with her, all he wished,
+    he put her to death. He then took off her skin, and assuming
+    this disguise, took the cedar cord on his back, and limped away
+    singing her songs. He completely aped the gait and voice of the
+    old woman. He was met by one who told him to make haste; that
+    the Prince was worse. At the lodge, limping and muttering, he
+    took notice that they had his grandson's hide to hang over the
+    door. "Oh dogs!" said he; "the evil dogs!" He sat down near the
+    door, and commenced sobbing like an aged woman. One observed,
+    "Why don't you attend the sick, and not sit there making such a
+    noise?" He took up the poker and laid it on them, mimicking the
+    voice of the old woman. "Dogs that you are! why do you laugh at
+    me? You know very well that I am so sorry that I am nearly out
+    of my head."</p>
+
+    <p>With that he approached the Prince, singing the songs of the
+    old woman, without exciting any suspicion. He saw that his
+    arrow had gone in about one half its length. He pretended to
+    make preparations for extracting it, but only made ready to
+    finish his victim; and giving the dart a sudden thrust, he put
+    a period to the Prince's life. He performed this act with the
+    power of a giant, bursting the old woman's skin, and at the
+    same moment rushing through the door, the serpents following
+    him, hissing and crying out, "Perfidy! murder! vengeance! it is
+    Hiawatha." He immediately transformed himself into a wolf, and
+    ran over the plain with all his speed, aided by his father the
+    West Wind. When he got to the mountains he saw a badger.
+    "Brother," said he, "make a hole quick, for the serpents are
+    after me." The badger obeyed. They both went in, and the badger
+    threw all the earth backward, so that it filled up the way
+    behind.</p>
+
+    <p>The serpents came to the badger's burrow, and decided to
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page183"
+       id="page183"></a>[pg 183]</span> watch, "We will starve him
+       out," said they; so they continue watching. Hiawatha told
+       the badger to make an opening on the other side of the
+       mountain, from which he could go out and hunt, and bring
+       meat in. Thus they lived some time. One day the badger came
+       in his way and displeased him. He immediately put him to
+       death, and threw out his carcass, saying, "I don't like you
+       to be getting in my way so often."</p>
+
+    <p>After living in this confinement for some time alone, he
+    decided to go out. He immediately did so; and after making the
+    circuit of the mountain, came to the corpse of the Prince, who
+    had been deserted by the serpents to pursue his destroyer. He
+    went to work and skinned him. He then drew on his skin, in
+    which there were great virtues, took up his war-club, and set
+    out for the place where he first went in the ground. He found
+    the serpents still watching. When they saw the form of their
+    dead Prince advancing towards them, fear and dread took hold of
+    them. Some fled. Those who remained Hiawatha killed. Those who
+    fled went towards the South.</p>
+
+    <p>Having accomplished the victory over the reptiles, Hiawatha
+    returned to his former place of dwelling and married the
+    arrow-maker's daughter.</p><!--pages 184-187 blank-->
+
+    <p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+    <p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+    <p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+    <p>&nbsp;</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page187"
+       id="page187"></a>[pg 187]</span>
+
+    <h1>LEGENDARY HEROES OF MANY COUNTRIES</h1>
+
+    <h2>HEROES OF GREECE AND ROME</h2>
+
+    <h3>PERSEUS</h3>
+
+    <h4>ADAPTED BY MARY MACGREGOR</h4>
+
+    <h3>I</h3>
+
+    <h3>PERSEUS AND HIS MOTHER</h3>
+
+    <p>Once upon a time there were two Princes who were twins. They
+    lived in a pleasant vale far away in Hellas. They had fruitful
+    meadows and vineyards, sheep and oxen, great herds of horses,
+    and all that men could need to make them blest. And yet they
+    were wretched, because they were jealous of each other.</p>
+
+    <p>From the moment they were born they began to quarrel, and
+    when they grew up, each tried to take away the other's share of
+    the kingdom and keep all for himself.</p>
+
+    <p>And there came a prophet to one of the hard-hearted Princes
+    and said, "Because you have risen up against your own family,
+    your own family shall rise up against you. Because you have
+    sinned against your kindred, by your kindred shall you be
+    punished. Your daughter Dan&aelig; shall bear a son, and by
+    that son's hands you shall die. So the gods have said, and it
+    shall surely come to pass."</p>
+
+    <p>At that the hard-hearted Prince was very much afraid, but he
+    did not mend his ways. For when he became King, he shut up his
+    fair daughter Dan&aelig; in a cavern underground, lined
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page188"
+       id="page188"></a>[pg 188]</span> with brass, that no one
+       might come near her. So he fancied himself more cunning than
+       the gods.</p>
+
+    <p>Now it came to pass that in time Dan&aelig; bore a son, so
+    beautiful a babe that any but the King would have had pity on
+    it. But he had no pity, for he took Dan&aelig; and her babe
+    down to the seashore, and put them into a great chest and
+    thrust them out to sea, that the winds and the waves might
+    carry them whithersoever they would.</p>
+
+    <p>And away and out to sea before the northwest wind floated
+    the mother and her babe, while all who watched them wept, save
+    that cruel King.</p>
+
+    <p>So they floated on and on, and the chest danced up and down
+    upon the billows, and the babe slept in its mother's arms. But
+    the poor mother could not sleep, but watched and wept, and she
+    sang to her babe as they floated.</p>
+
+    <p>Now they are past the last blue headland and in the open
+    sea. There is nothing round them but waves, and the sky and the
+    wind. But the waves are gentle and the sky is clear, and the
+    breeze is tender and low.</p>
+
+    <p>So a night passed and a day, and a long day it was to
+    Dan&aelig;, and another night and day beside, till Dan&aelig;
+    was faint with hunger and weeping, and yet no land
+    appeared.</p>
+
+    <p>And all the while the babe slept quietly, and at last poor
+    Dan&aelig; drooped her head and fell asleep likewise, with her
+    cheek against her babe's.</p>
+
+    <p>After a while she was awakened suddenly, for the chest was
+    jarring and grinding, and the air was full of sound. She looked
+    up, and over her head were mighty cliffs, and around her rocks
+    and breakers and flying flakes of foam.</p>
+
+    <p>She clasped her hands together and shrieked aloud for help.
+    And when she cried, help met her, for now there came over the
+    rocks a tall and stately man, and looked down wondering upon
+    poor Dan&aelig;, tossing about in the chest among the
+    waves.</p>
+
+    <p>He wore a rough cloak, and on his head a broad hat to shade
+    his face, and in his hand he carried a trident, which is a
+    three-pronged fork for spearing fish, and over his shoulder was
+    a casting net.</p>
+
+    <div class="figcenter"
+         style="width:100%;">
+        <a href="images/574.jpg"
+             name="fig574"
+             id="fig574"><img width="250"
+             src="images/574-t.jpg"
+             alt="SO DANAE WAS COMFORTED AND WENT HOME WITH DICTYS." />
+             </a>
+
+        <p>&nbsp;</p>SO DANAE WAS COMFORTED AND WENT HOME WITH
+        DICTYS.
+    </div>
+
+    <p>But Dan&aelig; could see that he was no common man by his
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page189"
+       id="page189"></a>[pg 189]</span> height and his walk, and
+       his flowing golden hair and beard, and by the two servants
+       who came behind him carrying baskets for his fish.</p>
+
+    <p>She had hardly time to look at him, before he had laid aside
+    his trident and leapt down the rocks, and thrown his casting
+    net so surely over Dan&aelig; and the chest, that he drew it
+    and her and the babe safe upon a ledge of rock.</p>
+
+    <p>Then the fisherman took Dan&aelig; by the hand and lifted
+    her out of the chest and said, "O beautiful damsel, what
+    strange chance has brought you to this island in so frail a
+    ship? Who are you, and whence? Surely you are some king's
+    daughter, and this boy belongs to the gods." And as he spoke he
+    pointed to the babe, for its face shone like the morning
+    star.</p>
+
+    <p>But Dan&aelig; only held down her head and sobbed out, "Tell
+    me to what land I have come, and among what men I have
+    fallen."</p>
+
+    <p>And he said, "Polydectes is King of this isle, and he is my
+    brother. Men call me Dictys the Netter, because I catch the
+    fish of the shore."</p>
+
+    <p>Then Dan&aelig; fell down at his feet and embraced his knees
+    and cried, "O Sir, have pity upon a stranger, whom cruel doom
+    has driven to your land, and let me live in your house as a
+    servant. But treat me honorably, for I was once a king's
+    daughter, and this my boy is of no common race. I will not be a
+    charge to you, or eat the bread of idleness, for I am more
+    skilful in weaving and embroidery than all the maidens of my
+    land."</p>
+
+    <p>And she was going on, but Dictys stopped her and raised her
+    up and said, "My daughter, I am old, and my hairs are growing
+    gray, while I have no children to make my home cheerful. Come
+    with me, then, and you shall be a daughter to me and to my
+    wife, and this babe shall be our grandchild."</p>
+
+    <p>So Dan&aelig; was comforted and went home with Dictys, the
+    good fisherman, and was a daughter to him and to his wife, till
+    fifteen years were past.</p>
+
+    <h3>II</h3>
+
+    <h3>HOW PERSEUS VOWED A RASH VOW</h3>
+
+    <p>Fifteen years were past and gone, and the babe was now grown
+    to be a tall lad and a
+    sailor.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page190"
+       id="page190"></a>[pg 190]</span>
+
+    <p>His mother called him Perseus, but all the people in the
+    isle called him the King of the Immortals.</p>
+
+    <p>For though he was but fifteen, Perseus was taller by a head
+    than any man in the island. And he was brave and truthful, and
+    gentle and courteous, for good old Dictys had trained him well,
+    and well it was for Perseus that he had done so. For now
+    Dan&aelig; and her son fell into great danger, and Perseus had
+    need of all his strength to defend his mother and himself.</p>
+
+    <p>Polydectes, the King of the island, was not a good man like
+    his brother Dictys, but he was greedy and cunning and
+    cruel.</p>
+
+    <p>And when he saw fair Dan&aelig;, he wanted to marry her. But
+    she would not, for she did not love him, and cared for no one
+    but her boy.</p>
+
+    <p>At last Polydectes became furious, and while Perseus was
+    away at sea, he took poor Dan&aelig; away from Dictys, saying,
+    "If you will not be my wife, you shall be my slave."</p>
+
+    <p>So Dan&aelig; was made a slave, and had to fetch water from
+    the well, and grind in the mill.</p>
+
+    <p>But Perseus was far away over the seas, little thinking that
+    his mother was in great grief and sorrow.</p>
+
+    <p>Now one day, while the ship was lading, Perseus wandered
+    into a pleasant wood to get out of the sun, and sat down on the
+    turf and fell asleep. And as he slept a strange dream came to
+    him, the strangest dream he had ever had in his life.</p>
+
+    <p>There came a lady to him through the wood, taller than he,
+    or any mortal man, but beautiful exceedingly, with great gray
+    eyes, clear and piercing, but strangely soft and mild. On her
+    head was a helmet, and in her hand a spear. And over her
+    shoulder, above her long blue robes, hung a goat-skin, which
+    bore up a mighty shield of brass, polished like a mirror.</p>
+
+    <p>She stood and looked at him with her clear gray eyes. And
+    Perseus dropped his eyes, trembling and blushing, as the
+    wonderful lady spoke. "Perseus, you must do an errand for
+    me."</p>
+
+    <p>"Who are you, lady? And how do you know my name?"</p>
+
+    <p>Then the strange lady, whose name was Athene, laughed, and
+    held up her brazen shield, and cried, "See here, Perseus, dare
+    you face such a monster as this and slay it, that I may place
+    its head upon this
+    shield?"</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page191"
+       id="page191"></a>[pg 191]</span>
+
+    <p>And in the mirror of the shield there appeared a face, and
+    as Perseus looked on it his blood ran cold. It was the face of
+    a beautiful woman, but her cheeks were pale, and her lips were
+    thin. Instead of hair, vipers wreathed about her temples and
+    shot out their forked tongues, and she had claws of brass.</p>
+
+    <p>Perseus looked awhile and then said, "If there is anything
+    so fierce and ugly on earth, it were a noble deed to kill it.
+    Where can I find the monster?"</p>
+
+    <p>Then the strange lady smiled again and said, "You are too
+    young, for this is Medusa the Gorgon. Return to your home, and
+    when you have done the work that awaits you there, you may be
+    worthy to go in search of the monster."</p>
+
+    <p>Perseus would have spoken, but the strange lady vanished,
+    and he awoke, and behold it was a dream.</p>
+
+    <p>So he returned home, and the first thing he heard was that
+    his mother was a slave in the house of Polydectes.</p>
+
+    <p>Grinding his teeth with rage, he went out, and away to the
+    King's palace, and through the men's rooms and the women's
+    rooms, and so through all the house, till he found his mother
+    sitting on the floor turning the stone hand-mill, and weeping
+    as she turned it.</p>
+
+    <p>And he lifted her up and kissed her, and bade her follow him
+    forth. But before they could pass out of the room Polydectes
+    came in.</p>
+
+    <p>When Perseus saw the King, he flew upon him and cried,
+    "Tyrant! is this thy mercy to strangers and widows? Thou shalt
+    die." And because he had no sword he caught up the stone
+    hand-mill, and lifted it to dash out Polydectes's brains.</p>
+
+    <p>But his mother clung to him, shrieking, and good Dictys too
+    entreated him to remember that the cruel King was his
+    brother.</p>
+
+    <p>Then Perseus lowered his hand, and Polydectes, who had been
+    trembling all this while like a coward, let Perseus and his
+    mother pass.</p>
+
+    <p>So Perseus took his mother to the temple of Athen&eacute;,
+    and there the priestess made her one of the temple sweepers.
+    And there they knew that she would be safe, for not even
+    Polydectes would dare to drag her out of the temple. And there
+    Perseus <span class="pagenum"><a name="page192"
+       id="page192"></a>[pg 192]</span> and the good Dictys and his
+       wife came to visit her every day.</p>
+
+    <p>As for Polydectes, not being able to get Dan&aelig; by
+    force, he cast about how he might get her by cunning. He was
+    sure he could never get back Dan&aelig; as long as Perseus was
+    in the island, so he made a plot to get rid of him. First he
+    pretended to have forgiven Perseus, and to have forgotten
+    Dan&aelig;, so that for a while all went smoothly. Next he
+    proclaimed a great feast and invited to it all the chiefs and
+    the young men of the island, and among them Perseus, that they
+    might all do him homage as their King, and eat of his banquet
+    in his hall.</p>
+
+    <p>On the appointed day they all came, and as the custom was
+    then, each guest brought with him a present for the King. One
+    brought a horse, another a shawl, or a ring, or a sword, and
+    some brought baskets of grapes, but Perseus brought nothing,
+    for he had nothing to bring, being only a poor sailor lad.</p>
+
+    <p>He was ashamed, however, to go into the King's presence
+    without a gift. So he stood at the door, sorrowfully watching
+    the rich men go in, and his face grew very red as they pointed
+    at him and smiled and whispered, "And what has Perseus to
+    give?"</p>
+
+    <p>Perseus blushed and stammered, while all the proud men round
+    laughed and mocked, till the lad grew mad with shame, and
+    hardly knowing what he said, cried out:</p>
+
+    <p>"A present! See if I do not bring a nobler one than all of
+    yours together!"</p>
+
+    <p>"Hear the boaster! What is the present to be?" cried they
+    all, laughing louder than ever.</p>
+
+    <p>Then Perseus remembered his strange dream, and he cried
+    aloud, "The head of Medusa the Gorgon!"</p>
+
+    <p>He was half afraid after he had said the words, for all
+    laughed louder than ever, and Polydectes loudest of all, while
+    he said:</p>
+
+    <p>"You have promised to bring me the Gorgon's head. Then never
+    appear again in this island without it. Go!"</p>
+
+    <p>Perseus saw that he had fallen into a trap, but he went out
+    without a word.</p>
+
+    <p>Down to the cliffs he went, and looked across the broad blue
+    sea, and wondered if his dream were
+    true.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page193"
+       id="page193"></a>[pg 193]</span>
+
+    <p>"Athene, was my dream true? Shall I slay the Gorgon?" he
+    prayed. "Rashly and angrily I promised, but wisely and
+    patiently will I perform."</p>
+
+    <p>But there was no answer nor sign, not even a cloud in the
+    sky.</p>
+
+    <p>Three times Perseus called, weeping, "Rashly and angrily I
+    promised, but wisely and patiently will I perform."</p>
+
+    <p>Then he saw afar off a small white cloud, as bright as
+    silver. And as it touched the cliffs, it broke and parted, and
+    within it appeared Athene, and beside her a young man, whose
+    eyes were like sparks of fire.</p>
+
+    <p>And they came swiftly towards Perseus, and he fell down and
+    worshiped, for he knew they were more than mortal.</p>
+
+    <p>But Athene spoke gently to him and bade him have no fear.
+    "Perseus," she said, "you have braved Polydectes, and done
+    manfully. Dare you brave Medusa the Gorgon?"</p>
+
+    <p>Perseus answered, "Try me, for since you spoke to me, new
+    courage has come into my soul."</p>
+
+    <p>And Athene said, "Perseus, this deed requires a seven years'
+    journey, in which you cannot turn back nor escape. If your
+    heart fails, you must die, and no man will ever find your
+    bones."</p>
+
+    <p>And Perseus said, "Tell me, O fair and wise Athene, how I
+    can do but this one thing, and then, if need be, die."</p>
+
+    <p>Then Athene smiled and said, "Be patient and listen. You
+    must go northward till you find the Three Gray Sisters, who
+    have but one eye and one tooth amongst them. Ask them the way
+    to the daughters of the Evening Star, for they will tell you
+    the way to the Gorgon, that you may slay her. But beware! for
+    her eyes are so terrible that whosoever looks on them is turned
+    to stone."</p>
+
+    <p>"How am I to escape her eyes?" said Perseus; "will she not
+    freeze me too?"</p>
+
+    <p>"You shall take this polished shield," said Athene, "and
+    look, not at her herself, but at her image in the shield, so
+    you may strike her safely. And when you have struck off her
+    head, wrap it, with your face turned away, in the folds of the
+    goat-skin on which the shield hangs. So you bring it safely
+    back to me and win yourself renown and a place among
+    heroes."</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page194"
+       id="page194"></a>[pg 194]</span>
+
+    <p>Then said Perseus, "I will go, though I die in going. But
+    how shall I cross the seas without a ship? And who will show me
+    the way? And how shall I slay her, if her scales be iron and
+    brass?"</p>
+
+    <p>But the young man who was with Athene spoke, "These sandals
+    of mine will bear you across the seas, and over hill and dale
+    like a bird, as they bear me all day long. The sandals
+    themselves will guide you on the road, for they are divine and
+    cannot stray, and this sword itself will kill her, for it is
+    divine and needs no second stroke. Arise and gird them on, and
+    go forth."</p>
+
+    <p>So Perseus arose, and girded on the sandals and the
+    sword.</p>
+
+    <p>And Athene cried, "Now leap from the cliff and be gone!"</p>
+
+    <p>Then Perseus looked down the cliff and shuddered, but he was
+    ashamed to show his dread, and he leaped into the empty
+    air.</p>
+
+    <p>And behold! instead of falling, he floated, and stood, and
+    ran along the sky.</p>
+
+    <h3>III</h3>
+
+    <h3>HOW PERSEUS SLEW THE GORGON</h3>
+
+    <p>So Perseus started on his journey, going dryshod over land
+    and sea, and his heart was high and joyful, for the sandals
+    bore him each day a seven days' journey.</p>
+
+    <p>And at last by the shore of a freezing sea, beneath the cold
+    winter moon, he found the Three Gray Sisters. There was no
+    living thing around them, not a fly, not a moss upon the
+    rocks.</p>
+
+    <p>They passed their one eye each to the other, but for all
+    that they could not see, and they passed the one tooth from one
+    to the other, but for all that they could not eat, and they sat
+    in the full glare of the moon, but they were none the warmer
+    for her beams.</p>
+
+    <p>And Perseus said, "Tell me, O Venerable Mothers, the path to
+    the daughters of the Evening Star."</p>
+
+    <p>They heard his voice, and then one cried, "Give me the eye
+    that I may see him," and another, "Give me the tooth that
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page195"
+       id="page195"></a>[pg 195]</span> I may bite him," but they
+       had no answer for his question.</p>
+
+    <p>Then Perseus stepped close to them, and watched as they
+    passed the eye from hand to hand. And as they groped about, he
+    held out his own hand gently, till one of them put the eye into
+    it, fancying that it was the hand of her sister.</p>
+
+    <p>At that Perseus sprang back and laughed and cried, "Cruel
+    old women, I have your eye, and I will throw it into the sea,
+    unless you tell me the path to the daughters of the Evening
+    Star and swear to me that you tell me right."</p>
+
+    <p>Then they wept and chattered and scolded, but all in vain.
+    They were forced to tell the truth, though when they told it,
+    Perseus could hardly make out the way. But he gave them back
+    the eye and leaped away to the southward, leaving the snow and
+    ice behind.</p>
+
+    <p>At last he heard sweet voices singing, and he guessed that
+    he was come to the garden of the daughters of the Evening
+    Star.</p>
+
+    <p>When they saw him they trembled and said, "Are you come to
+    rob our garden and carry off our golden fruit?"</p>
+
+    <p>But Perseus answered, "I want none of your golden fruit.
+    Tell me the way which leads to the Gorgon that I may go on my
+    way and slay her."</p>
+
+    <p>"Not yet, not yet, fair boy," they answered, "come dance
+    with us around the trees in the garden."</p>
+
+    <p>"I cannot dance with you, fair maidens, so tell me the way
+    to the Gorgon, lest I wander and perish in the waves."</p>
+
+    <p>Then they sighed and wept, and answered, "The Gorgon! She
+    will freeze you into stone."</p>
+
+    <p>But Perseus said, "The gods have lent me weapons, and will
+    give me wisdom to use them."</p>
+
+    <p>Then the fair maidens told him that the Gorgon lived on an
+    island far away, but that whoever went near the island must
+    wear the hat of darkness, so that he could not himself be seen.
+    And one of the fair maidens held in her hand the magic hat.</p>
+
+    <p>While all the maidens kissed Perseus and wept over him, he
+    was only impatient to be gone. So at last they put the magic
+    hat upon his head, and he vanished out of their sight.</p>
+
+    <p>And Perseus went on boldly, past many an ugly sight, till he
+    heard the rustle of the Gorgons' wings and saw the glitter
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page196"
+       id="page196"></a>[pg 196]</span> of their brazen claws. Then
+       he knew that it was time to halt, lest Medusa should freeze
+       him into stone.</p>
+
+    <p>He thought awhile with himself and remembered Athene's
+    words. Then he rose into the air, and held the shield above his
+    head and looked up into it, that he might see all that was
+    below him.</p>
+
+    <p>And he saw three Gorgons sleeping, as huge as elephants. He
+    knew that they could not see him, because the hat of darkness
+    hid him, and yet he trembled as he sank down near them, so
+    terrible were those brazen claws.</p>
+
+    <p>Medusa tossed to and fro restlessly in her sleep. Her long
+    neck gleamed so white in the mirror that Perseus had not the
+    heart to strike. But as he looked, from among her tresses the
+    vipers' heads awoke and peeped up, with their bright dry eyes,
+    and showed their fangs and hissed. And Medusa as she tossed
+    showed her brazen claws, and Perseus saw that for all her
+    beauty she was as ugly as the others.</p>
+
+    <p>Then he came down and stepped to her boldly, and looked
+    steadfastly on his mirror, and struck with his sword stoutly
+    once, and he did not need to strike again.</p>
+
+    <p>He wrapped the head in the goat-skin, turning away his eyes,
+    and sprang into the air aloft, faster than he ever sprang
+    before.</p>
+
+    <p>And well his brave sandals bore him through cloud and
+    sunshine across the shoreless sea, till he came again to the
+    gardens of the fair maidens.</p>
+
+    <p>Then he asked them, "By what road shall I go homeward
+    again?"</p>
+
+    <p>And they wept and cried, "Go home no more, but stay and play
+    with us, the lonely maidens."</p>
+
+    <p>But Perseus refused and leapt down the mountain, and went on
+    like a sea-gull, away and out to sea.</p>
+
+    <h3>IV</h3>
+
+    <h3>HOW PERSEUS MET ANDROMEDA</h3>
+
+    <p>So Perseus flitted onward to the north-east, over many a
+    league of sea, till he came to the rolling sandhills of the
+    desert.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page197"
+       id="page197"></a>[pg 197]</span>
+
+    <p>Over the sands he went, he never knew how far nor how long,
+    hoping all day to see the blue sparkling Mediterranean, that he
+    might fly across it to his home.</p>
+
+    <p>But now came down a mighty wind, and swept him back
+    southward toward the desert. All day long he strove against it,
+    but even the sandals could not prevail. And when morning came
+    there was nothing to be seen, save the same old hateful waste
+    of sand.</p>
+
+    <p>At last the gale fell, and he tried to go northward again,
+    but again down came the sandstorms and swept him back into the
+    desert; and then all was calm and cloudless as before.</p>
+
+    <p>Then he cried to Athene, "Shall I never see my mother more,
+    and the blue ripple of the sea and the sunny hills of
+    Hellas?"</p>
+
+    <p>So he prayed, and after he had prayed there was a great
+    silence.</p>
+
+    <p>And Perseus stood still awhile and waited, and said, "Surely
+    I am not here but by the will of the gods, for Athen&eacute;
+    will not lie. Were not these sandals to lead me in the right
+    road?"</p>
+
+    <p>Then suddenly his ears were opened and he heard the sound of
+    running water. And Perseus laughed for joy, and leapt down the
+    cliff and drank of the cool water, and ate of the dates, and
+    slept on the turf, and leapt up and went forward again, but not
+    toward the north this time.</p>
+
+    <p>For he said, "Surely Athene hath sent me hither, and will
+    not have me go homeward yet. What if there be another noble
+    deed to be done before I see the sunny hills of Hellas?"</p>
+
+    <p>So Perseus flew along the shore above the sea, and at the
+    dawn of a day he looked towards the cliffs. At the water's
+    edge, under a black rock, he saw a white image stand.</p>
+
+    <p>"This," thought he, "must surely be the statue of some
+    sea-god. I will go near and see."</p>
+
+    <p>And he came near, but when he came it was no statue he
+    found, but a maiden of flesh and blood, for he could see her
+    tresses streaming in the breeze. And as he came closer still,
+    he could see how she shrank and shivered when the waves
+    sprinkled her with cold salt spray.</p>
+
+    <p>Her arms were spread above her head and fastened to the rock
+    with chains of brass, and her head drooped either with
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page198"
+       id="page198"></a>[pg 198]</span> sleep or weariness or
+       grief. But now and then she looked up and wailed, and called
+       her mother.</p>
+
+    <p>Yet she did not see Perseus, for the cap of darkness was on
+    his head.</p>
+
+    <p>In his heart pity and indignation, Perseus drew near and
+    looked upon the maid. Her cheeks were darker than his, and her
+    hair was blue-black like a hyacinth.</p>
+
+    <p>Perseus thought, "I have never seen so beautiful a maiden,
+    no, not in all our isles. Surely she is a king's daughter. She
+    is too fair, at least, to have done any wrong. I will speak to
+    her," and, lifting the magic hat from his head, he flashed into
+    her sight. She shrieked with terror, but Perseus cried, "Do not
+    fear me, fair one. What cruel men have bound you? But first I
+    will set you free."</p>
+
+    <p>And he tore at the fetters, but they were too strong for
+    him, while the maiden cried, "Touch me not. I am a victim for
+    the sea-gods. They will slay you if you dare to set me
+    free."</p>
+
+    <p>"Let them try," said Perseus, and drawing his sword he cut
+    through the brass as if it had been flax.</p>
+
+    <p>"Now," he said, "you belong to me, and not to these
+    sea-gods, whosoever they may be."</p>
+
+    <p>But she only called the more on her mother. Then he clasped
+    her in his arms, and cried, "Where are these sea-gods, cruel
+    and unjust, who doom fair maids to death? Let them measure
+    their strength against mine. But tell me, maiden, who you are,
+    and what dark fate brought you here."</p>
+
+    <p>And she answered, weeping, "I am the daughter of a King, and
+    my mother is the Queen with the beautiful tresses, and they
+    call me Andromeda. I stand here to atone for my mother's sin,
+    for she boasted of me once that I was fairer than the Queen of
+    the Fishes. So she in her wrath sent the sea-floods and wasted
+    all the land. And now I must be devoured by a sea-monster to
+    atone for a sin which I never committed."</p>
+
+    <p>But Perseus laughed and said, "A sea-monster! I have fought
+    with worse than he."</p>
+
+    <p>Andromeda looked up at him, and new hope was kindled in her
+    heart, so proud and fair did he stand, with one hand round her,
+    and in the other the glittering
+    sword.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page199"
+       id="page199"></a>[pg 199]</span>
+
+    <p>But still she sighed and said, "Why will you die, young as
+    you are? Go you your way, I must go mine."</p>
+
+    <p>Perseus cried, "Not so: I slew the Gorgon by the help of the
+    gods, and not without them do I come hither to slay this
+    monster, with that same Gorgon's head. Yet hide your eyes when
+    I leave you, lest the sight of it freeze you too to stone."</p>
+
+    <p>But the maiden answered nothing, for she could not believe
+    his words.</p>
+
+    <p>Then suddenly looking up, she pointed to the sea and
+    shrieked, "There he comes with the sunrise as they said. I must
+    die now. Oh go!" And she tried to thrust him away.</p>
+
+    <p>And Perseus said, "I go, yet promise me one thing ere I
+    go,&mdash;that if I slay this beast you will be my wife and
+    come back with me to my kingdom, for I am a King's son. Promise
+    me, and seal it with a kiss."</p>
+
+    <p>Then she lifted up her face and kissed him, and Perseus
+    laughed for joy and flew upward, while Andromeda crouched
+    trembling on the rock.</p>
+
+    <p>On came the great sea-monster, lazily breasting the ripple
+    and stopping at times by creek or headland. His great sides
+    were fringed with clustering shells and seaweeds, and the water
+    gurgled in and out of his wide jaws as he rolled along. At last
+    he saw Andromeda and shot forward to take his prey.</p>
+
+    <p>Then down from the height of the air fell Perseus like a
+    shooting star, down to the crests of the waves, while Andromeda
+    hid her face as he shouted, and then there was silence for a
+    while.</p>
+
+    <p>When at last she looked up trembling, Andromeda saw Perseus
+    springing towards her, and instead of the monster, a long black
+    rock, with the sea rippling quietly round it.</p>
+
+    <p>Who then so proud as Perseus, as he leapt back to the rock
+    and lifted his fair Andromeda in his arms and flew with her to
+    the cliff-top, as a falcon carries a dove! Who so proud as
+    Perseus, and who so joyful as the people of the land!</p>
+
+    <p>And the King and the Queen came, and all the people came
+    with songs and dances to receive Andromeda back again, as one
+    alive from the dead.</p>
+
+    <p>Then the King said to Perseus, "Hero of the Hellens, stay
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page200"
+       id="page200"></a>[pg 200]</span> here with me and be my
+       son-in-law, and I will give you the half of my kingdom."</p>
+
+    <p>"I will be your son-in-law," said Perseus, "but of your
+    kingdom will I have none, for I long after the pleasant land of
+    Greece, and my mother who waits for me at home."</p>
+
+    <p>Then said the King, "You must not take my daughter away at
+    once, for she is to us as one alive from the dead. Stay with us
+    here a year, and after that you shall return with honor."</p>
+
+    <p>And Perseus consented, but before he went to the palace he
+    bade the people bring stones and wood and build an altar to
+    Athen&eacute;, and there he offered bullocks and rams. Then
+    they made a great wedding feast, which lasted seven whole
+    days.</p>
+
+    <p>But on the eighth night Perseus dreamed a dream. He saw
+    standing beside him Athen&eacute; as he had seen her seven long
+    years before, and she stood and called him by name, and said,
+    "Perseus, you have played the man, and see, you have your
+    reward. Now give me the sword and the sandals, and the hat of
+    darkness, that I may give them back to those to whom they
+    belong. But the Gorgon's head you shall keep a while, for you
+    will need it in your land of Hellas."</p>
+
+    <p>And Perseus rose to give her the sword, and the cap, and the
+    sandals, but he woke and his dream vanished away. Yet it was
+    not altogether a dream, for the goat-skin with the head was in
+    its place, but the sword and the cap and the sandals were gone,
+    and Perseus never saw them more.</p>
+
+    <h3>V</h3>
+
+    <h3>HOW PERSEUS CAME HOME AGAIN</h3>
+
+    <p>When a year was ended, Perseus rowed away in a noble galley,
+    and in it he put Andromeda and all her dowry of jewels and rich
+    shawls and spices from the East, and great was the weeping when
+    they rowed away.</p>
+
+    <p>And when Perseus reached the land, of Hellas he left his
+    galley on the beach, and went up as of old. He embraced his
+    mother and Dictys, and they wept over each other, for it was
+    seven years and more since they had
+    parted.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page201"
+       id="page201"></a>[pg 201]</span>
+
+    <p>Then Perseus went out and up to the hall of Polydectes, and
+    underneath the goat-skin he bore the Gorgon's head.</p>
+
+    <p>When he came to the hall, Polydectes sat at the table, and
+    all his nobles on either side, feasting on fish and goats'
+    flesh, and drinking blood-red wine.</p>
+
+    <p>Perseus stood upon the threshold and called to the King by
+    name. But none of the guests knew the stranger, for he was
+    changed by his long journey. He had gone out a boy, and he was
+    come home a hero.</p>
+
+    <p>But Polydectes the Wicked, knew him, and scornfully he
+    called, "Ah, foundling! have you found it more easy to promise
+    than to fulfil?"</p>
+
+    <p>"Those whom the gods help fulfil their promises," said
+    Perseus, as he drew back the goat-skin and held aloft the
+    Gorgon's head, saying, "Behold!"</p>
+
+    <p>Pale grew Polydectes and his guests as they looked upon that
+    dreadful face. They tried to rise from their seats, but from
+    their seats they never rose, but stiffened, each man where he
+    sat, into a ring of cold gray stones.</p>
+
+    <p>Then Perseus turned and left them, and went down to his
+    galley in the bay. He gave the kingdom to good Dictys, and
+    sailed away with his mother and his bride. And Perseus rowed
+    westward till he came to his old home, and there he found that
+    his grandfather had fled.</p>
+
+    <p>The heart of Perseus yearned after his grandfather, and he
+    said, "Surely he will love me now that I am come home with
+    honor. I will go and find him and bring him back, and we will
+    reign together in peace."</p>
+
+    <p>So Perseus sailed away, and at last he came to the land
+    where his grandfather dwelt, and all the people were in the
+    fields, and there was feasting and all kinds of games.</p>
+
+    <p>Then Perseus did not tell his name, but went up to the games
+    unknown, for he said, "If I carry away the prize in the games,
+    my grandfather's heart will be softened towards me."</p>
+
+    <p>And when the games began, Perseus was the best of all at
+    running and leaping, and wrestling and throwing. And he won
+    four crowns and took them.</p>
+
+    <p>Then he said to himself, "There is a fifth crown to be won.
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page202"
+       id="page202"></a>[pg 202]</span> I will win that also, and
+       lay them all upon the knees of my grandfather."</p>
+
+    <p>So he took the stones and hurled them five fathoms beyond
+    all the rest. And the people shouted, "There has never been
+    such a hurler in this land!"</p>
+
+    <p>Again Perseus put out all his strength and hurled. But a
+    gust of wind came from the sea and carried the quoit aside, far
+    beyond all the rest. And it fell on the foot of his
+    grandfather, and he swooned away with the pain.</p>
+
+    <p>Perseus shrieked and ran up to him, but when they lifted the
+    old man up, he was dead. Then Perseus rent his clothes and cast
+    dust on his head, and wept a long while for his
+    grandfather.</p>
+
+    <p>At last he rose and called to all people aloud and said,
+    "The gods are true: what they have ordained must be; I am
+    Perseus the grandson of this dead man." Then he told them how a
+    prophet had said that he should kill his grandfather.</p>
+
+    <p>So they made great mourning for the old King, and burnt him
+    on a right rich pile.</p>
+
+    <p>And Perseus went to the temple and was purified from the
+    guilt of his death, because he had done it unknowingly.</p>
+
+    <p>Then he went home and reigned well with Andromeda, and they
+    had four sons and three daughters.</p>
+
+    <p>And when they died, the ancients say that Athen&eacute; took
+    them up to the sky. All night long Perseus and Andromeda shine
+    as a beacon for wandering sailors, but all day long they feast
+    with the gods, on the still blue peaks in the home of the
+    Immortals.</p>
+
+    <h3>ODYSSEUS</h3>
+
+    <h4>ADAPTED BY JEANIE LANG</h4>
+
+    <h3>I</h3>
+
+    <h3>HOW ODYSSEUS LEFT TROYLAND AND SAILED FOR HIS KINGDOM PAST
+    THE LAND OF THE LOTUS EATERS</h3>
+
+    <p>In the days of long ago there reigned over Ithaca, a rugged
+    little island in the sea to the west of Greece, a King whose
+    name was Odysseus.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page203"
+       id="page203"></a>[pg 203]</span>
+
+    <p>Odysseus feared no man. Stronger and braver than other men
+    was he, wiser, and more full of clever devices. Far and wide he
+    was known as Odysseus of the many counsels. Wise, also, was his
+    Queen, Penelope, and she was as fair as she was wise, and as
+    good as she was fair.</p>
+
+    <p>While their only child, a boy named Telemachus, was still a
+    baby, there was a very great war in Troyland, a country far
+    across the sea.</p>
+
+    <p>The brother of the overlord of all Greece beseiged Troy, and
+    the kings and princes of his land came to help him. Many came
+    from afar, but none from a more distant kingdom than Odysseus.
+    Wife and child and old father he left behind him and sailed
+    away with his black-prowed ships to fight in Troyland.</p>
+
+    <p>For ten years the siege of Troy went on, and of the heroes
+    who fought there, none was braver than Odysseus. Clad as a
+    beggar he went into the city and found out much to help the
+    Greek armies. With his long sword he fought his way out again,
+    and left many of the men of Troy lying dead behind him. And
+    many other brave feats did Odysseus do.</p>
+
+    <p>After long years of fighting, Troy at last was taken. With
+    much rich plunder the besiegers sailed homewards, and Odysseus
+    set sail for his rocky island, with its great mountain, and its
+    forests of trembling leaves.</p>
+
+    <p>Of gladness and of longing his heart was full. With a great
+    love he loved his fair wife and little son and old father, and
+    his little kingdom by the sea was very dear to him.</p>
+
+    <p>"I can see nought beside sweeter than a man's own country,"
+    he said. Very soon he hoped to see his dear land again, but
+    many a long and weary day was to pass ere Odysseus came
+    home.</p>
+
+    <p>Odysseus was a warrior, and always he would choose to fight
+    rather than to be at peace.</p>
+
+    <p>As he sailed on his homeward way, winds drove his ships near
+    the shore. He and his company landed, sacked the nearest city,
+    and slew the people. Much rich plunder they took, but ere they
+    could return to their ships, a host of people came from inland.
+    In the early morning, thick as leaves and flowers in the spring
+    they came, and fell upon Odysseus and his
+    men.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page204"
+       id="page204"></a>[pg 204]</span>
+
+    <p>All day they fought, but as the sun went down the people of
+    the land won the fight. Back to their ships went Odysseus and
+    his men. Out of each ship were six men slain. While they were
+    yet sad at heart and weary from the fight, a terrible tempest
+    arose.</p>
+
+    <p>Land and sea were blotted out, the ships were driven
+    headlong, and their sails were torn to shreds by the might of
+    the storm. For two days and two nights the ships were at the
+    mercy of the tempests. At dawn on the third day, the storm
+    passed away, and Odysseus and his men set up their masts and
+    hoisted their white sails, and drove homeward before the
+    wind.</p>
+
+    <p>So he would have come safely to his own country, but a
+    strong current and a fierce north wind swept the ships from
+    their course. For nine days were they driven far from their
+    homeland, across the deep sea.</p>
+
+    <p>On the tenth day they reached the Land of the Lotus Eaters.
+    The dwellers in that land fed on the honey-sweet fruit of the
+    lotus flower. Those who ate the lotus ceased to remember that
+    there was a past or a future. All duties they forgot, and all
+    sadness. All day long they would sit and dream and dream idle,
+    happy dreams that never ended.</p>
+
+    <p>Here Odysseus and his men landed and drew water. Three of
+    his warriors Odysseus sent into the country to see what manner
+    of men dwelt there. To them the Lotus Eaters gave their
+    honey-sweet food, and no sooner had each man eaten than he had
+    no wish ever to return to the ships. He longed for ever to stay
+    in that pleasant land, eating the lotus fruit, and dreaming the
+    happy hours away.</p>
+
+    <p>Back to the ships Odysseus dragged the unwilling men,
+    weeping that they must leave so much joy behind. Beneath the
+    benches of his ship he tightly bound them, and swiftly he made
+    his ships sail from the shore, lest yet others of his company
+    might eat of the lotus and forget their homes and their
+    kindred.</p>
+
+    <p>Soon they had all embarked, and, with heavy hearts, the men
+    of Ithaca smote the gray sea-water with their long oars, and
+    sped away from the land of forgetfulness and of sweet
+    day-dreams.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page205"
+       id="page205"></a>[pg 205]</span>
+
+    <h3>II</h3>
+
+    <h3>HOW ODYSSEUS CAME TO THE LAND OF THE CYCL&Ocirc;PES, AND
+    HIS ADVENTURES THERE</h3>
+
+    <p>On and on across the waves sailed the dark-prowed ships of
+    Odysseus, until again they came to land.</p>
+
+    <p>It was the Land of the Cycl&ocirc;pes, a savage and lawless
+    people, who never planted, nor plowed, nor sowed, and whose
+    fields yet gave them rich harvests of wheat and of barley, and
+    vines with heavy clusters of grapes. In deep caves, high up on
+    the hills, these people dwelt, and each man ruled his own wife
+    and children, but himself knew no ruler.</p>
+
+    <p>Outside the harbor of the Land of the Cycl&ocirc;pes lay a
+    thickly wooded island. No hunters went there, for the
+    Cycl&ocirc;pes owned neither ships nor boats, so that many
+    goats roamed unharmed through the woods and cropped the fresh
+    green grass.</p>
+
+    <p>It was a green and pleasant land. Rich meadows stretched
+    down to the sea, the vines grew strong and fruitful, and there
+    was a fair harbor where ships might be run right on to the
+    beach. At the head of the harbor was a well of clear water
+    flowing out of a cave, and with poplars growing around it.
+    Thither Odysseus directed his ships. It was dark night, with no
+    moon to guide, and mist lay deep on either side, yet they
+    passed the breakers and rolling surf without knowing it, and
+    anchored safely on the beach.</p>
+
+    <p>All night they slept, and when rosy dawn came they explored
+    the island and slew with their bows and long spears many of the
+    wild goats of the woods.</p>
+
+    <p>All the livelong day Odysseus and his men sat and feasted.
+    As they ate and drank, they looked across the water at the Land
+    of the Cycl&ocirc;pes, where the smoke of wood fires curled up
+    to the sky, and from whence they could hear the sound of men's
+    voices and the bleating of sheep and goats. When darkness fell,
+    they lay down to sleep on the sea-beach, and when morning
+    dawned Odysseus called his men together and said to them: "Stay
+    here, all the rest of you, my dear companions, but I will go
+    with my own ship and my ship's company and see what kind of men
+    are those who dwell in this land across the
+    harbor."</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page206"
+       id="page206"></a>[pg 206]</span>
+
+    <p>So saying, he climbed into his ship, and his men rowed him
+    across to the Land of the Cycl&ocirc;pes. When they were near
+    the shore they saw a great cave by the sea. It was roofed in
+    with green laurel boughs and seemed to be meant for a fold to
+    shelter sheep and goats. Round about it a high outer wall was
+    firmly built with stones, and with tall and leafy pines and
+    oak-trees.</p>
+
+    <p>In this cave, all alone with his flocks and herds, dwelt a
+    huge and hideous one-eyed giant. Polyphemus was his name, and
+    his father was Poseidon, god of the sea.</p>
+
+    <p>Taking twelve of his best men with him, Odysseus left the
+    others to guard the ship and sallied forth to the giant's cave.
+    With him he carried a goat-skin full of precious wine, dark
+    red, and sweet and strong, and a large sack of corn.</p>
+
+    <p>Soon they came to the cave, but Polyphemus was not there. He
+    had taken off his flocks to graze in the green meadows, leaving
+    behind him in the cave folds full of lambs and kids. The walls
+    of the cave were lined with cheeses, and there were great pans
+    full of whey, and giant bowls full of milk.</p>
+
+    <p>"Let us first of all take the cheeses," said the men of
+    Odysseus to their King, "and carry them to the ships. Then let
+    us return and drive all the kids and lambs from their folds
+    down to the shore, and sail with them in our swift ships
+    homeward over the sea."</p>
+
+    <p>But Odysseus would not listen to what they said. He was too
+    great hearted to steal into the cave like a thief and take away
+    the giant's goods without first seeing whether Polyphemus might
+    not treat him as a friend, receiving from him the corn and wine
+    he had brought, and giving him gifts in return.</p>
+
+    <p>So they kindled a fire, and dined on some of the cheeses,
+    and sat waiting for the giant to return.</p>
+
+    <p>Towards evening he came, driving his flocks before him, and
+    carrying on his back a huge load of firewood, which he cast
+    down on the floor with such a thunderous noise that Odysseus
+    and his men fled in fear and hid themselves in the darkest
+    corners of the cave. When he had driven his sheep inside,
+    Polyphemus lifted from the ground a rock so huge that
+    two-and-twenty four-wheeled wagons could not have borne it, and
+    with it blocked the doorway. Then, sitting down, he milked
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page207"
+       id="page207"></a>[pg 207]</span> the ewes and bleating
+       goats, and placed the lambs and kids each beside its own
+       mother.</p>
+
+    <p>Half of the milk he curdled and placed in wicker baskets to
+    make into cheeses, and the other half he left in great pails to
+    drink when he should have supper. When all this was done, he
+    kindled a fire, and when the flames had lit up the dark-walled
+    cave he spied Odysseus and his men.</p>
+
+    <p>"Strangers, who are ye?" he asked, in his great, rumbling
+    voice. "Whence sail ye over the watery ways? Are ye merchants?
+    or are ye sea-robbers who rove over the sea, risking your own
+    lives and bringing evil to other men?"</p>
+
+    <p>The sound of the giant's voice, and his hideous face filled
+    the hearts of the men with terror, but Odysseus made answer:
+    "From Troy we come, seeking our home, but driven hither by
+    winds and waves. Men of Agamemnon, the renowned and most
+    mightily victorious Greek general, are we, yet to thee we come
+    and humbly beg for friendship."</p>
+
+    <p>At this the giant, who had nothing but cruelty in his heart,
+    mocked at Odysseus.</p>
+
+    <p>"Thou art a fool," said he, "and I shall not spare either
+    thee or thy company. But tell me where thou didst leave thy
+    good ship? Was it near here, or at the far end of the
+    island?"</p>
+
+    <p>But Odysseus of the many counsels knew that the giant asked
+    the question only to bring evil on the men who stayed by the
+    ship, and so he answered: "My ship was broken in pieces by the
+    storm and cast up on the rocks on the shore, but I, with these
+    my men, escaped from death."</p>
+
+    <p>Not one word said Polyphemus in reply, but sprang up,
+    clutched hold of two of the men, and dashed their brains out on
+    the stone floor. Then he cut them up, and made ready his
+    supper, eating the two men, bones and all, as if he had been a
+    starving lion, and taking great draughts of the milk from the
+    giant pails. When his meal was done, he stretched himself on
+    the ground beside his sheep and goats, and slept.</p>
+
+    <p>In helpless horror Odysseus and his men had watched the
+    dreadful sight, but when the monster slept they began to make
+    plans for their escape. At first Odysseus thought it might be
+    best to take his sharp sword and stab Polyphemus in the breast.
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page208"
+       id="page208"></a>[pg 208]</span> But then he knew that even
+       were he thus to slay the giant, he and his men must die. For
+       strength was not left them to roll away the rock from the
+       cave's mouth, and so they must perish like rats in a
+       trap.</p>
+
+    <p>All night they thought what they should do, but could think
+    of nought that would avail, and so they could only moan in
+    their bitterness of heart and wait for the dawn. When dawn's
+    rosy fingers touched the sky, Polyphemus awoke. He kindled a
+    fire, and milked his flocks, and gave each ewe her lamb. When
+    this work was done he snatched yet other two men, dashed their
+    brains out, and made of them his morning meal. After the meal,
+    he lifted the stone from the door, drove the flocks out, and
+    set the stone back again. Then, with a loud shout, he turned
+    his sheep and goats towards the hills and left Odysseus and his
+    remaining eight men imprisoned in the cave, plotting and
+    planning how to get away, and how to avenge the death of their
+    comrades.</p>
+
+    <p>At last Odysseus thought of a plan. By the sheepfold there
+    lay a huge club of green olive wood that Polyphemus had cut and
+    was keeping until it should be dry enough to use as a staff. So
+    huge was it that Odysseus and his men likened it to the mast of
+    a great merchant vessel. From this club Odysseus cut a large
+    piece and gave it to his men to fine down and make even. While
+    they did this, Odysseus himself sharpened it to a point and
+    hardened the point in the fire. When it was ready, they hid it
+    amongst the rubbish on the floor of the cave. Then Odysseus
+    made his men draw lots who should help him to lift this bar and
+    drive it into the eye of the giant as he slept, and the lot
+    fell upon the four men that Odysseus would himself have
+    chosen.</p>
+
+    <p>In the evening Polyphemus came down from the hills with his
+    flocks and drove them all inside the cave. Then he lifted the
+    great doorstone and blocked the doorway, milked the ewes and
+    goats, and gave each lamb and kid to its mother. This done, he
+    seized other two of the men, dashed out their brains, and made
+    ready his supper.</p>
+
+    <p>From the shadows of the cave Odysseus now stepped forward,
+    bearing in his hands an ivy bowl, full of the dark red
+    wine.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page209"
+       id="page209"></a>[pg 209]</span>
+
+    <p>"Drink wine after thy feast of men's flesh," said Odysseus,
+    "and see what manner of drink this was that our ship held."</p>
+
+    <p>Polyphemus grasped the bowl, gulped down the strong wine,
+    and smacked his great lips over its sweetness.</p>
+
+    <p>"Give me more," he cried, "and tell me thy name straightway,
+    that I may give thee a gift. Mighty clusters of grapes do the
+    vines of our land bear for us, but this is a rill of very
+    nectar and ambrosia."</p>
+
+    <p>Again Odysseus gave him the bowl full of wine, and yet
+    again, until the strong wine went to the giant's head and made
+    him stupid.</p>
+
+    <p>Then said Odysseus: "Thou didst ask me my name, and didst
+    say that thou wouldst give me a gift. Noman is my name, and
+    Noman they call me, my father and mother and all my
+    fellows."</p>
+
+    <p>Then answered the giant out of his pitiless heart: "I will
+    eat thy fellows first, Noman, and thee the last of all. That
+    shall be thy gift."</p>
+
+    <p>Soon the wine made him so sleepy that he sank backwards with
+    his great face upturned and fell fast asleep.</p>
+
+    <p>As soon as the giant slept, Odysseus thrust into the fire
+    the stake he had prepared, and made it red hot, all the while
+    speaking cheerfully and comfortingly to his men. When it was so
+    hot that the wood, green though it was, began to blaze, they
+    drew it out and thrust it into the giant's eye. Round and round
+    they whirled the fiery pike, as a man bores a hole in a plank,
+    until the blood gushed out, and the eye frizzled and hissed,
+    and the flames singed and burned the eyelids, and the eye was
+    burned out. With a great and terrible cry the giant sprang to
+    his feet, and Odysseus and the others fled from before him.
+    From his eye he dragged the blazing pike, all dripping with his
+    blood, and dashed it to the ground. Then, maddened with pain,
+    he called with a great and terrible cry on the other
+    Cycl&ocirc;pes, who dwelt in their caves on the hill-tops round
+    which the wind swept. The giants, hearing his horrid yells,
+    rushed to help him.</p>
+
+    <p>"What ails thee, Polyphemus?" they asked. "Why dost thou cry
+    aloud in the night and awake us from our sleep?
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page210"
+       id="page210"></a>[pg 210]</span> Surely no one stealeth thy
+       flocks? None slayeth thee by force or by craft."</p>
+
+    <p>From the other side of the great stone moaned Polyphemus:
+    "Noman is slaying me by craft."</p>
+
+    <p>Then the Cycl&ocirc;pes said: "If no man is hurting thee,
+    then indeed it must be a sickness that makes thee cry so loud,
+    and this thou must bear, for we cannot help."</p>
+
+    <p>With that they strode away from the cave and left the blind
+    giant groaning and raging with pain. Groping with his hands, he
+    found the great stone that blocked the door, lifted it away,
+    and sat himself down in the mouth of the cave, with his arms
+    stretched out, hoping to catch Odysseus and his men if they
+    should try to escape. Sitting there, he fell asleep, and, as
+    soon as he slept, Odysseus planned and plotted how best to win
+    freedom.</p>
+
+    <p>The rams of the giant's flocks were great strong beasts,
+    with fleeces thick and woolly, and as dark as the violet. With
+    twisted slips of willow Odysseus lashed every three of them
+    together, and under the middle ram of each three he bound one
+    of his men. For himself he kept the best ram of the flock,
+    young and strong, and with a fleece wonderfully thick and
+    shaggy. Underneath this ram Odysseus curled himself, and clung,
+    face upwards, firmly grasping the wool with his hands. In this
+    wise did he and his men wait patiently for the dawn.</p>
+
+    <p>When rosy dawn came, the ewes in the pens bleated to be
+    milked and the rams hastened out to the hills and green
+    meadows. As each sheep passed him, Polyphemus felt along its
+    back, but never guessed that the six remaining men of Odysseus
+    were bound beneath the thick-fleeced rams. Last of all came the
+    young ram to which Odysseus clung, moving slowly, for his
+    fleece was heavy, and Odysseus whom he bore was heavier still.
+    On the ram's back Polyphemus laid his great hands. "Dear ram,"
+    said he, "once wert thou the very first to lead the flocks from
+    the cave, the first to nibble the tender buds of the pasture,
+    the first to find out the running streams, and the first to
+    come home when evening fell. But to-day thou art the very last
+    to go. Surely thou art sorrowful because the wicked Noman hath
+    destroyed my eye. I would thou couldst speak and tell
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page211"
+       id="page211"></a>[pg 211]</span> me where Noman is hidden.
+       Then should I seize him and gladly dash out his brains on
+       the floor of the cave."</p>
+
+    <p>Very, very still lay Odysseus while the giant spoke, but the
+    ram slowly walked on past the savage giant, towards the meadows
+    near the sea. Soon it was far enough from the cave for Odysseus
+    to let go his hold and to stand up. Quickly he loosened the
+    bonds of the others, and swiftly then they drove the rams down
+    to the shore where their ship lay. Often they looked round,
+    expecting to see Polyphemus following them, but they safely
+    reached the ship and got a glad welcome from their friends, who
+    rejoiced over them, but would have wept over the men that the
+    cannibal giant had slain.</p>
+
+    <p>"There is no time to weep," said Odysseus, and he made his
+    men hasten on board the ship, driving the sheep before
+    them.</p>
+
+    <p>Soon they were all on board, and the gray sea-water was
+    rushing off their oars, as they sailed away from the land of
+    the Cycl&ocirc;pes.</p>
+
+    <p>But before they were out of sight of land, the bold Odysseus
+    lifted up his voice and shouted across the water:</p>
+
+    <p>"Hear me, Polyphemus, thou cruel monster! Thine evil deeds
+    were very sure to find thee out. Thou hast been punished
+    because thou hadst no shame to eat the strangers who came to
+    thee as thy guests!"</p>
+
+    <p>The voice of Odysseus rang across the waves, and reached
+    Polyphemus as he sat in pain at the mouth of his cave.</p>
+
+    <p>In a fury the giant sprang up, broke off the peak of a great
+    hill and cast it into the sea, where it fell just in front of
+    the ship of Odysseus.</p>
+
+    <p>So huge a splash did the vast rock give, that the sea heaved
+    up and the backwash of the water drove the ship right to the
+    shore.</p>
+
+    <p>Odysseus snatched up a long pole and pushed the ship off
+    once more. Silently he motioned to the men to row hard, and
+    save themselves and their ship from the angry giant. When they
+    were once more out at sea, Odysseus wished again to mock
+    Polyphemus.</p>
+
+    <p>In vain his men begged him not to provoke a monster so
+    mighty that he could crush their heads and the timbers of their
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page212"
+       id="page212"></a>[pg 212]</span> ship with one cast of a
+       stone. Once more Odysseus shouted across the water:</p>
+
+    <p>"Polyphemus, if any one shall ask thee who blinded thee,
+    tell them it was Odysseus of Ithaca."</p>
+
+    <p>Then moaned the giant:</p>
+
+    <p>"Once, long ago, a soothsayer told me that Odysseus should
+    make me blind. But ever I looked for the coming of a great and
+    gallant hero, and now there hath come a poor feeble, little
+    dwarf, who made me weak with wine before he dared to touch
+    me."</p>
+
+    <p>Then he begged Odysseus to come back, and said he would
+    treat him kindly, and told him that he knew that his own
+    father, the god of the sea, would give him his sight again.</p>
+
+    <p>"Never more wilt thou have thy sight," mocked Odysseus; "thy
+    father will never heal thee."</p>
+
+    <p>Then Polyphemus, stretching out his hands, and looking up
+    with his sightless eye to the starry sky, called aloud to
+    Poseidon, god of the sea, to punish Odysseus.</p>
+
+    <p>"If he ever reaches his own country," he cried, "let him
+    come late and in an evil case, with all his own company lost,
+    and in the ship of strangers, and let him find sorrows in his
+    own house."</p>
+
+    <p>No answer came from Poseidon, but the god of the sea heard
+    his son's prayer.</p>
+
+    <p>With all his mighty force Polyphemus then cast at the ship a
+    rock far greater than the first. It all but struck the end of
+    the rudder, but the huge waves that surged up from it bore on
+    the ship, and carried it to the further shore.</p>
+
+    <p>There they found the men with the other ships waiting in
+    sorrow and dread, for they feared that the giants had killed
+    Odysseus and his company. Gladly they drove the rams of
+    Polyphemus on to the land, and there feasted together until the
+    sun went down.</p>
+
+    <p>All night they slept on the sea beach, and at rosy dawn
+    Odysseus called to his men to get into their ships and loose
+    the hawsers. Soon they had pushed off, and were thrusting their
+    oars into the gray sea-water.</p>
+
+    <p>Their hearts were sore, because they had lost six gallant
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page213"
+       id="page213"></a>[pg 213]</span> men of their company, yet
+       they were glad as men saved from death.</p>
+
+    <h3>III</h3>
+
+    <h3>HOW ODYSSEUS MET WITH CIRCE, THE SIRENS, AND CALYPSO</h3>
+
+    <p>Across the seas sailed Odysseus and his men till they came
+    to an island where lived &AElig;olus the keeper of the winds.
+    When Odysseus again set sail, &AElig;olus gave him a great
+    leather bag in which he had placed all the winds except the
+    wind of the west. His men thought the bag to be full of gold
+    and silver, so, while Odysseus slept they loosened the silver
+    thong, and, with a mighty gust all the winds rushed out driving
+    the ship far away from their homeland.</p>
+
+    <p>Ere long they reached another island, where dwelt a great
+    enchantress, Circe of the golden tresses, whose palace
+    Eurylochus discovered. Within they heard Circe singing, so they
+    called to her and she came forth and bade them enter.
+    Heedlessly they followed her, all but Eurylochus. Then Circe
+    smote them with her magic wand and they were turned into
+    swine.</p>
+
+    <p>When Odysseus heard what had befallen his men he was very
+    angry and would have slain her with his sword. But Circe cried:
+    "Sheathe thy sword, I pray thee, Odysseus, and let us be at
+    peace." Then said Odysseus: "How can I be at peace with thee,
+    Circe? How can I trust thee?" Then Circe promised to do
+    Odysseus no harm, and to let him return in safety to his
+    home.</p>
+
+    <p>Then she opened the doors of the sty and waved her wand. And
+    the swine became men again even handsomer and stronger than
+    before.</p>
+
+    <p>For a whole year Odysseus and his men stayed in the palace,
+    feasting and resting. When they at last set sail again the
+    sorceress told Odysseus of many dangers he would meet on his
+    homeward voyage, and warned him how to escape from them.</p>
+
+    <p>In an island in the blue sea through which the ship of
+    Odysseus would sail toward home, lived some beautiful mermaids
+    called Sirens. Even more beautiful than the Sirens' faces were
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page214"
+       id="page214"></a>[pg 214]</span> their lovely voices by
+       which they lured men to go on shore and there slew them. In
+       the flowery meadows were the bones of the foolish sailors
+       who had seen only the lovely faces and long, golden hair of
+       the Sirens, and had lost their hearts to them.</p>
+
+    <p>Against these mermaids Circe had warned Odysseus, and he
+    repeated her warnings to his men.</p>
+
+    <p>Following her advice he filled the ears of the men with wax
+    and bade them bind him hand and foot to the mast.</p>
+
+    <p>Past the island drove the ship, and the Sirens seeing it
+    began their sweet song. "Come hither, come hither, brave
+    Odysseus," they sang. Then Odysseus tried to make his men
+    unbind him, but Eurylochus and another bound him yet more
+    tightly to the mast.</p>
+
+    <p>When the island was left behind, the men took the wax from
+    their ears and unbound their captain. After passing the
+    Wandering Rocks with their terrible sights and sounds the ship
+    came to a place of great peril. Beyond them were yet two huge
+    rocks between which the sea swept.</p>
+
+    <p>One of these ran up to the sky, and in this cliff was a dark
+    cave in which lived Scylla a horrible monster, who, as the ship
+    passed seized six of the men with her six dreadful heads.</p>
+
+    <p>In the cliff opposite lived another terrible creature called
+    Charybdis who stirred the sea to a fierce whirlpool.</p>
+
+    <p>By a strong wind the ship was driven into this whirlpool,
+    but Odysseus escaped on a broken piece of wreckage to the
+    shores of an island.</p>
+
+    <p>On this island lived Calypso of the braided tresses, a
+    goddess feared by all men. But, to Odysseus she was very kind
+    and he soon became as strong as ever.</p>
+
+    <p>"Stay with me, and thou shalt never grow old and never die,"
+    said Calypso.</p>
+
+    <p>A great homesickness had seized Odysseus, but no escape came
+    for eight years. Then Athene begged the gods to help him. They
+    called on Hermes, who commanded Calypso to let him go. She
+    wanted him to stay with her but promised to send him away. She
+    told him to make a raft which she would furnish with food and
+    clothing for his need.</p>
+
+    <p>He set out and in eighteen days saw the land of the
+    Ph&aelig;acians <span class="pagenum"><a name="page215"
+       id="page215"></a>[pg 215]</span> appear. But when safety
+       seemed near, Poseidon, the sea-god, returned from his
+       wanderings and would have destroyed him had it not been that
+       a fair sea-nymph gave him her veil to wind around his body.
+       This he did and finally reached the shore.</p>
+
+    <h3>IV</h3>
+
+    <h3>HOW ODYSSEUS MET WITH NAUSICAA</h3>
+
+    <p>In the land of the Ph&aelig;acians there dwelt no more
+    beautiful, nor any sweeter maiden, than the King's own
+    daughter. Nausicaa was her name, and she was so kind and gentle
+    that every one loved her.</p>
+
+    <p>To the land of the Ph&aelig;acians the north wind had driven
+    Odysseus, and while he lay asleep in his bed of leaves under
+    the olive-trees, the goddess Athene went to the room in the
+    palace where Nausicaa slept, and spoke to her in her
+    dreams.</p>
+
+    <p>"Some day thou wilt marry, Nausicaa," she said, "and it is
+    time for thee to wash all the fair raiment that is one day to
+    be thine. To-morrow thou must ask the King, thy father, for
+    mules and for a wagon, and drive from the city to a place where
+    all the rich clothing may be washed and dried."</p>
+
+    <p>When morning came Nausicaa remembered her dream, and went to
+    tell her father.</p>
+
+    <p>Her mother was sitting spinning yarn of sea-purple stain,
+    and her father was just going to a council meeting.</p>
+
+    <p>"Father, dear," said the Princess, "couldst thou lend me a
+    high wagon with strong wheels, that I may take all my fair
+    linen to the river to wash. All yours, too, I shall take, so
+    that thou shalt go to the council in linen that is snowy clean,
+    and I know that my five brothers will also be glad if I wash
+    their fine clothing for them."</p>
+
+    <p>This she said, for she felt too shy to tell her father what
+    Athene had said about her getting married.</p>
+
+    <p>But the King knew well why she asked. "I do not grudge thee
+    mules, nor anything else, my child," he said. "Go, bid the
+    servants prepare a wagon."</p>
+
+    <p>The servants quickly got ready the finest wagon that the
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page216"
+       id="page216"></a>[pg 216]</span> King had, and harnessed the
+       best of the mules. And Nausicaa's mother filled a basket
+       with all the dainties that she knew her daughter liked best,
+       so that Nausicaa and her maidens might feast together. The
+       fine clothes were piled into the wagon, the basket of food
+       was placed carefully beside them, and Nausicaa climbed in,
+       took the whip and shining reins, and touched the mules. Then
+       with clatter of hoofs they started.</p>
+
+    <p>When they were come to the beautiful, clear river, amongst
+    whose reeds Odysseus had knelt the day before, they unharnessed
+    the mules and drove them along the banks of the river to graze
+    where the clover grew rich and fragrant. Then they washed the
+    clothes, working hard and well, and spread them out to dry on
+    the clean pebbles down by the seashore.</p>
+
+    <p>Then they bathed, and when they had bathed they took their
+    midday meal by the bank of the rippling river.</p>
+
+    <p>When they had finished, the sun had not yet dried the
+    clothes, so Nausicaa and her maidens began to play ball. As
+    they played they sang a song that the girls of that land would
+    always sing as they threw the ball to one another. All the
+    maidens were fair, but Nausicaa of the white arms was the
+    fairest of all.</p>
+
+    <p>From hand to hand they threw the ball, growing always the
+    merrier, until, when it was nearly time for them to gather the
+    clothes together and go home, Nausicaa threw it very hard to
+    one of the others. The girl missed the catch. The ball flew
+    into the river, and, as it was swept away to the sea, the
+    Princess and all her maidens screamed aloud.</p>
+
+    <p>Their cries awoke Odysseus, as he lay asleep in his bed of
+    leaves.</p>
+
+    <p>"I must be near the houses of men," he said; "those are the
+    cries of girls at play."</p>
+
+    <p>With that he crept out from the shelter of the olive-trees.
+    He had no clothes, for he had thrown them all into the sea
+    before he began his terrible swim for life. But he broke off
+    some leafy branches and held them round him, and walked down to
+    where Nausicaa and her maidens were.</p>
+
+    <p>Like a wild man of the woods he looked, and when they saw
+    him coming the girls shrieked and ran away. Some of them
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page217"
+       id="page217"></a>[pg 217]</span> hid behind the rocks on the
+       shore, and some ran out to the shoals of yellow sand that
+       jutted into the sea.</p>
+
+    <p>But although his face was marred with the sea-foam that had
+    crusted on it, and he looked a terrible, fierce, great
+    creature, Nausicaa was too brave to run away.</p>
+
+    <p>Shaking she stood there, and watched him as he came forward,
+    and stood still a little way off. Then Odysseus spoke to her,
+    gently and kindly, that he might take away her fear.</p>
+
+    <p>He told her of his shipwreck, and begged her to show him the
+    way to the town, and give him some old garment, or any old wrap
+    in which she had brought the linen, so that he might have
+    something besides leaves with which to cover himself.</p>
+
+    <p>"I have never seen any maiden half so beautiful as thou
+    art," he said. "Have pity on me, and may the gods grant thee
+    all thy heart's desire."</p>
+
+    <p>Then said Nausicaa: "Thou seemest no evil man, stranger, and
+    I will gladly give thee clothing and show thee the way to town.
+    This is the land of the Ph&aelig;acians, and my father is the
+    King."</p>
+
+    <p>To her maidens then she called:</p>
+
+    <p>"Why do ye run away at the sight of a man? Dost thou take
+    him for an enemy? He is only a poor shipwrecked man. Come, give
+    him food and drink, and fetch him clothing."</p>
+
+    <p>The maidens came back from their hiding-places, and fetched
+    some of the garments of Nausicaa's brothers which they had
+    brought to wash, and laid them beside Odysseus.</p>
+
+    <p>Odysseus gratefully took the clothes away, and went off to
+    the river. There he plunged into the clear water, and washed
+    the salt crust from off his face and limbs and body, and the
+    crusted foam from his hair. Then he put on the beautiful
+    garments that belonged to one of the Princes, and walked down
+    to the shore where Nausicaa and her maidens were waiting.</p>
+
+    <p>So tall and handsome and strong did Odysseus look, with his
+    hair curling like hyacinth flowers around his head, that
+    Nausicaa said to her maidens: "This man, who seemed to us so
+    dreadful so short a time ago, now looks like a god. I would
+    that my husband, if ever I have one, should be as
+    he."</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page218"
+       id="page218"></a>[pg 218]</span>
+
+    <p>Then she and her maidens brought him food and wine, and he
+    ate hungrily, for it was many days since he had eaten.</p>
+
+    <p>When he had finished, they packed the linen into the wagon,
+    and yoked the mules, and Nausicaa climbed into her place.</p>
+
+    <p>"So long as we are passing through the fields," she said to
+    Odysseus, "follow behind with my maidens, and I will lead the
+    way. But when we come near the town with its high walls and
+    towers, and harbors full of ships, the rough sailors will stare
+    and say, 'Hath Nausicaa gone to find herself a husband because
+    she scorns the men of Ph&aelig;acia who would wed her? Hath she
+    picked up a shipwrecked stranger, or is this one of the gods
+    who has come to make her his wife?' Therefore come not with us,
+    I pray thee, for the sailors to jest at. There is a fair poplar
+    grove near the city, with a meadow lying round it. Sit there
+    until thou thinkest that we have had time to reach the palace.
+    Then seek the palace&mdash;any child can show thee the
+    way&mdash;and when thou art come to the outer court pass
+    quickly into the room where my mother sits. Thou wilt find her
+    weaving yarn of sea-purple stain by the light of the fire. She
+    will be leaning her head back against a pillar, and her maidens
+    will be standing round her. My father's throne is close to
+    hers, but pass him by, and cast thyself at my mother's knees.
+    If she feels kindly towards thee and is sorry for thee, then my
+    father is sure to help thee to get safely back to thine own
+    land."</p>
+
+    <p>Then Nausicaa smote her mules with the whip, and they
+    trotted quickly off, and soon left behind them the silver river
+    with its whispering reeds, and the beach with its yellow
+    sand.</p>
+
+    <p>Odysseus and the maidens followed the wagon, and just as the
+    sun was setting they reached the poplar grove in the
+    meadow.</p>
+
+    <p>There Odysseus stayed until Nausicaa should have had time to
+    reach the palace. When she got there, she stopped at the
+    gateway, and her brothers came out and lifted down the linen,
+    and unharnessed the mules. Nausicaa went up to her room, and
+    her old nurse kindled a fire for her and got ready her
+    supper.</p>
+
+    <p>When Odysseus thought it was time to follow, he went to the
+    city. He marveled at the great walls and at the many gallant
+    ships in the harbors. But when he reached the King's
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page219"
+       id="page219"></a>[pg 219]</span> palace, he wondered still
+       more. Its walls were of brass, so that from without, when
+       the doors stood open, it looked as if the sun or moon were
+       shining within. A frieze of blue ran round the walls. All
+       the doors were made of gold, the doorposts were of silver,
+       the thresholds of brass, and the hook of the door was of
+       gold. In the halls were golden figures of animals, and of
+       men who held in their hands lighted torches. Outside the
+       courtyard was a great garden filled with blossoming
+       pear-trees and pomegranates, and apple-trees with shining
+       fruit, and figs, and olives. All the year round there was
+       fruit in that garden. There were grapes in blossom, and
+       grapes purple and ready to eat, and there were great masses
+       of snowy pear-blossom, and pink apple-blossom, and golden
+       ripe pears, and rosy apples.</p>
+
+    <p>At all of those wonders Odysseus stood and gazed, but it was
+    not for long; for he hastened through the halls to where the
+    Queen sat in the firelight, spinning her purple yarn. He fell
+    at her knees, and silence came on all those in the room when
+    they looked at him, so brave and so handsome did he seem.</p>
+
+    <p>"Through many and great troubles have I come hither, Queen,"
+    said he; "speed, I pray you, my parting right quickly, that I
+    may come to mine own country. Too long have I suffered great
+    sorrows far away from my own friends."</p>
+
+    <p>Then he sat down amongst the ashes by the fire, and for a
+    little space no one spoke.</p>
+
+    <p>At last a wise old courtier said to the King: "Truly it is
+    not right that this stranger should sit in the ashes by the
+    fire. Bid him arise, and give him meat and drink."</p>
+
+    <p>At this the King took Odysseus by the hand and asked him to
+    rise. He made one of his sons give up his silver inlaid chair,
+    and bade his servants fetch a silver basin and a golden ewer
+    that Odysseus might wash his hands. All kinds of dainties to
+    eat and drink he also made them bring, and the lords and the
+    courtiers who were there feasted along with Odysseus, until it
+    was time for them to go to their own homes.</p>
+
+    <p>Before they went the King promised Odysseus a safe convoy
+    back to his own land.</p>
+
+    <p>When he was left alone with the King and Queen, the latter
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page220"
+       id="page220"></a>[pg 220]</span> said to him: "Tell us who
+       thou art. I myself made the clothing that thou wearest. From
+       whence didst thou get it?"</p>
+
+    <p>Then Odysseus told her of his imprisonment in the island of
+    Calypso, of his escape, of the terrible storm that shattered
+    his raft, and of how at length he reached the shore and met
+    with Nausicaa.</p>
+
+    <p>"It was wrong of my daughter not to bring thee to the palace
+    when she came with her maids," said the King.</p>
+
+    <p>But Odysseus told him why it was that Nausicaa had bade him
+    stay behind.</p>
+
+    <p>"Be not vexed with this blameless maiden," he said. "Truly
+    she is the sweetest and the fairest maiden I ever saw."</p>
+
+    <p>Then Odysseus went to the bed that the servants had prepared
+    for him. They had spread fair purple blankets over it, and when
+    it was ready they stood beside it with their torches blazing,
+    golden and red.</p>
+
+    <p>"Up now, stranger, get thee to sleep," said they. "Thy bed
+    is made."</p>
+
+    <p>Sleep was very sweet to Odysseus that night as he lay in the
+    soft bed with warm blankets over him. He was no longer tossed
+    and beaten by angry seas, no longer wet and cold and hungry.
+    The roar of furious waves did not beat in his ears, for all was
+    still in the great halls where the flickering firelight played
+    on the frieze of blue, and turned the brass walls into
+    gold.</p>
+
+    <p>Next day the King gave a great entertainment for Odysseus.
+    There were boxing and wrestling and leaping and running, and in
+    all of these the brothers of Nausicaa were better than all
+    others who tried.</p>
+
+    <p>But when they came to throw the weight, and begged Odysseus
+    to try, he cast a stone heavier than all others, far beyond
+    where the Ph&aelig;acians had thrown.</p>
+
+    <p>That night there was feasting in the royal halls, and the
+    King's minstrels played and sang songs of the taking of Troy,
+    and of the bravery of the great Odysseus. And Odysseus listened
+    until his heart could bear no more, and tears trickled down his
+    cheeks. Only the King saw him weep. He wondered much why
+    Odysseus wept, and at last he asked
+    him.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page221"
+       id="page221"></a>[pg 221]</span>
+
+    <p>So Odysseus told the King his name, and the whole story of
+    his adventures since he had sailed away from Troyland.</p>
+
+    <p>Then the King and Queen and their courtiers gave rich gifts
+    to Odysseus. A beautiful silver-studded sword was the King's
+    gift to him.</p>
+
+    <p>Nausicaa gave him nothing, but she stood and gazed at him in
+    his purple robes and felt more sure than ever that he was the
+    handsomest and the greatest hero she had ever seen.</p>
+
+    <p>"Farewell, stranger," she said to him when the hour came for
+    her to go to bed, for she knew she would not see him on the
+    morrow. "Farewell, stranger. Sometimes think of me when thou
+    art in thine own land."</p>
+
+    <p>Then said Odysseus: "All the days of my life I shall
+    remember thee, Nausicaa, for thou hast given me my life."</p>
+
+    <p>Next day a company of the Ph&aelig;acians went down to a
+    ship that lay by the seashore, and with them went Odysseus.
+    They carried the treasures that had been given to him and put
+    them on board, and spread a rug on the deck for him. There
+    Odysseus lay down, and as soon as the splash of the oars in the
+    water and the rush and gush of the water from the bow of the
+    boat told him that the ship was sailing speedily to his dear
+    land of Ithaca, he fell into a sound sleep. Onward went the
+    ship, so swiftly that not even a hawk flying after its prey
+    could have kept pace with her. When the bright morning stars
+    arose, they were close to Ithaca. The sailors quickly ran their
+    vessel ashore and gently carried the sleeping Odysseus, wrapped
+    round in his rug of bright purple, to where a great olive-tree
+    bent its gray leaves over the sand. They laid him under the
+    tree, put his treasures beside him, and left him, still heavy
+    with slumber. Then they climbed into their ship and sailed
+    away.</p>
+
+    <p>While Odysseus slept the goddess Athene shed a thick mist
+    round him. When he awoke, the sheltering heavens, the long
+    paths, and the trees in bloom all looked strange to him when
+    seen through the grayness of the mist.</p>
+
+    <p>"Woe is me!" he groaned. "The Ph&aelig;acians promised to
+    bring me to Ithaca, but they have brought me to a land of
+    strangers, who will surely attack me and steal my
+    treasures."</p>
+
+    <p>But while he was wondering what he should do, the goddess
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page222"
+       id="page222"></a>[pg 222]</span> Athene came to him. She was
+       tall and fair and noble to look upon, and she smiled upon
+       Odysseus with her kind gray eyes.</p>
+
+    <p>Under the olive-tree she sat down beside him, and told him
+    all that had happened in Ithaca while he was away, and all that
+    he must do to win back his kingdom and his Queen.</p>
+
+    <h3>THE ARGONAUTS</h3>
+
+    <h4>ADAPTED BY MARY MACGREGOR</h4>
+
+    <h3>I</h3>
+
+    <h3>HOW THE CENTAUR TRAINED THE HEROES</h3>
+
+    <p>Now I have a tale to tell of heroes who sailed away into a
+    distant land, to win themselves renown for ever in the
+    adventures of the Golden Fleece.</p>
+
+    <p>And what was the Golden Fleece?</p>
+
+    <p>It was the fleece of the wondrous ram who bore a boy called
+    Phrixus and a girl called Helle across the sea; and the old
+    Greeks said that it hung nailed to a beech-tree in the
+    War-god's wood.</p>
+
+    <p>For when a famine came upon the land, their cruel stepmother
+    wished to kill Phrixus and Helle, that her own children might
+    reign.</p>
+
+    <p>She said Phrixus and Helle must be sacrificed on an altar,
+    to turn away the anger of the gods, who sent the famine.</p>
+
+    <p>So the poor children were brought to the altar, and the
+    priest stood ready with his knife, when out of the clouds came
+    the Golden Ram, and took them on his back and vanished.</p>
+
+    <p>And the ram carried the two children far away, over land and
+    sea, till at a narrow strait Helle fell off into the sea, and
+    those narrow straits are called "Hellespont" after her, and
+    they bear that name until this day.</p>
+
+    <p>Then the ram flew on with Phrixus to the northeast,
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page223"
+       id="page223"></a>[pg 223]</span> across the sea which we
+       call the Black Sea, and at last he stopped at Colchis, on
+       the steep sea-coast.</p>
+
+    <p>And Phrixus married the King's daughter there, and offered
+    the ram in sacrifice, and then it was that the ram's fleece was
+    nailed to a beech in the wood of the War-god.</p>
+
+    <p>After a while Phrixus died, but his spirit had no rest, for
+    he was buried far from his native land and the pleasant hills
+    of Hellas.</p>
+
+    <p>So he came in dreams to the heroes of his country, and
+    called sadly by their beds, "Come and set my spirit free, that
+    I may go home to my fathers and to my kinsfolk."</p>
+
+    <p>And they asked, "How shall we set your spirit free?"</p>
+
+    <p>"You must sail over the sea to Colchis, and bring home the
+    Golden Fleece. Then my spirit will come back with it, and I
+    shall sleep with my fathers and have rest."</p>
+
+    <p>He came thus, and called to them often, but when they woke
+    they looked at each other and said, "Who dare sail to Colchis
+    or bring home the Golden Fleece?"</p>
+
+    <p>And in all the country none was brave enough to try, for the
+    man and the time were not come.</p>
+
+    <p>Now Phrixus had a cousin called &AElig;son, who was King in
+    Iolcos by the sea. And a fierce and lawless stepbrother drove
+    &AElig;son out of Iolcos by the sea, and took the kingdom to
+    himself and ruled over it.</p>
+
+    <p>When &AElig;son was driven out, he went sadly away out of
+    the town, leading his little son by the hand. And he said to
+    himself, "I must hide the child in the mountains, or my
+    stepbrother will surely kill him because he is the heir."</p>
+
+    <p>So he went up from the sea, across the valley, through the
+    vineyards and the olive groves, and across the river, toward
+    Pelion, the ancient mountain, whose brows are white with
+    snow.</p>
+
+    <p>He went up and up into the mountain, over marsh, and crag,
+    and down, till the boy was tired and footsore, and &AElig;son
+    had to bear him in his arms till he came to the mouth of a
+    lonely cave, at the foot of a mighty cliff.</p>
+
+    <p>Above the cliff the snow-wreaths hung, dripping and cracking
+    in the sun. But at its foot, around the cave's mouth, grew all
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page224"
+       id="page224"></a>[pg 224]</span> fair flowers and herbs, as
+       if in a garden. There they grew gaily in the sunshine and in
+       the spray of the torrent from above, while from the cave
+       came the sound of music, and a man's voice singing to the
+       harp.</p>
+
+    <p>Then &AElig;son put down the lad, and whispered, "Fear not,
+    but go in, and whomsoever you shall find, lay your hands upon
+    his knees and say, 'In the name of Zeus, the father of gods and
+    men, I am your guest from this day forth.'"</p>
+
+    <p>So the lad went in without trembling, for he too was a
+    hero's son, but when he was within, he stopped in wonder to
+    listen to that magic song.</p>
+
+    <p>And there he saw the singer, lying upon bear-skins and
+    fragrant boughs, Cheiron the ancient Centaur, the wisest of all
+    beneath the sky.</p>
+
+    <p>Down to the waist he was a man, but below he was a noble
+    horse. His white hair rolled down over his broad shoulders, and
+    his white beard over his broad brown chest. His eyes were wise
+    and mild, and his forehead like a mountain-wall. In his hands
+    he held a harp of gold, and he struck it with a golden key. And
+    as he struck, he sang till his eyes glittered and filled all
+    the cave with light.</p>
+
+    <p>As he sang the boy listened wide-eyed, and forgot his errand
+    in the song. At the last old Cheiron was silent, and called the
+    lad with a soft voice.</p>
+
+    <p>And the lad ran trembling to him, and would have laid his
+    hands upon his knees.</p>
+
+    <p>But Cheiron smiled, and drew the lad to him, and laid his
+    hand upon his golden locks, and said, "Are you afraid of my
+    horse's hoofs, fair boy, or will you be my pupil from this
+    day?"</p>
+
+    <p>"I would gladly have horse's hoofs like you, if I could sing
+    such songs as yours," said the lad.</p>
+
+    <p>And Cheiron laughed and said, "Sit here till sundown, when
+    your playfellows will come home, and you shall learn like them
+    to be a king, worthy to rule over gallant men."</p>
+
+    <p>Then he turned to &AElig;son, who had followed his son into
+    the cave, and said, "Go back in peace. This boy shall not cross
+    the river again till he has become a glory to you and to your
+    house."</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page225"
+       id="page225"></a>[pg 225]</span>
+
+    <p>And &AElig;son wept over his son and went away, but the boy
+    did not weep, so full was his fancy of that strange cave, and
+    the Centaur and his song, and the playfellows whom he was to
+    see.</p>
+
+    <p>Then Cheiron put the lyre into his hands, and taught him how
+    to play it, till the sun sank low behind the cliff, and a shout
+    was heard outside.</p>
+
+    <p>And then in came the sons of the heroes, and great Cheiron
+    leapt up joyfully, and his hoofs made the cave resound as the
+    lads shouted, "Come out, Father Cheiron, and see our game!"</p>
+
+    <p>One cried, "I have killed two deer," and another, "I took a
+    wild cat among the crags," and another shouted, "I have dragged
+    a wild goat by its horns," and another carried under each arm a
+    bear-cub. And Cheiron praised them all, each as he
+    deserved.</p>
+
+    <p>Then the lads brought in wood and split it, and lighted a
+    blazing fire. Others skinned the deer and quartered them, and
+    set them to roast before the flames.</p>
+
+    <p>While the venison was cooking, they bathed in the
+    snow-torrent and washed away the dust.</p>
+
+    <p>And then all ate till they could eat no more, for they had
+    tasted nothing since the dawn, and drank of the clear spring
+    water, for wine is not fit for growing lads.</p>
+
+    <p>When the remnants of the meal were put away, they all lay
+    down upon the skins and leaves about the fire, and each took
+    the lyre in turn, and sang and played with all his heart.</p>
+
+    <p>After a while they all went out to a plot of grass at the
+    cave's mouth, and there they boxed and ran and wrestled and
+    laughed till the stones fell from the cliffs.</p>
+
+    <p>Then Cheiron took his lyre, and all the lads joined hands,
+    and as he played they danced to his measure, in and out and
+    round and round.</p>
+
+    <p>There they danced hand in hand, till the night fell over
+    land and sea, while the black glen shone with the gleam of
+    their golden hair.</p>
+
+    <p>And the lad danced with them, delighted, and then slept a
+    wholesome sleep, upon fragrant leaves of bay and myrtle and
+    flowers of thyme.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page226"
+       id="page226"></a>[pg 226]</span>
+
+    <p>He rose at the dawn and bathed in the torrent, and became a
+    schoolfellow to the heroes' sons, and forgot Iolcos by the sea,
+    and his father and all his former life.</p>
+
+    <p>But he grew strong and brave and cunning, upon the pleasant
+    downs of Pelion, in the keen, hungry mountain-air.</p>
+
+    <p>And he learned to wrestle, to box and to hunt, and to play
+    upon the harp. Next he learned to ride, for old Cheiron used to
+    mount him on his back. He learned too the virtue of all herbs,
+    and how to cure all wounds, and Cheiron called him Jason the
+    Healer, and that is his name until this day.</p>
+
+    <h3>II</h3>
+
+    <h3>HOW JASON LOST HIS SANDAL</h3>
+
+    <p>And ten years came and went, and Jason was grown to be a
+    mighty man.</p>
+
+    <p>Now it happened one day that Jason stood on the mountain,
+    and looked north and south and east and west. And Cheiron stood
+    by him and watched him, for he knew that the time was come.</p>
+
+    <p>When Jason looked south, he saw a pleasant land, with
+    white-walled towns and farms nestling along the shore of a
+    land-locked bay, while the smoke rose blue among the trees, and
+    he knew it for Iolcos by the sea.</p>
+
+    <p>Then he sighed and asked, "Is it true what the heroes tell
+    me&mdash;that I am heir of that fair land?"</p>
+
+    <p>"And what good would it be to you, Jason, if you were heir
+    of that fair land?"</p>
+
+    <p>"I would take it and keep it."</p>
+
+    <p>"A strong man has taken it and kept it long. Are you
+    stronger than your uncle Pelias the Terrible?"</p>
+
+    <p>"I can try my strength with his," said Jason.</p>
+
+    <p>But Cheiron sighed and said, "You have many a danger to go
+    through before you rule in Iolcos by the sea, many a danger and
+    many a woe, and strange troubles in strange lands, such as man
+    never saw before."</p>
+
+    <p>"The happier I," said Jason, "to see what man never saw
+    before!"</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page227"
+       id="page227"></a>[pg 227]</span>
+
+    <p>Cheiron sighed and said, "Will you go to Iolcos by the sea?
+    Then promise me two things before you go! Speak harshly to no
+    soul whom you may meet, and stand by the word which you shall
+    speak."</p>
+
+    <p>Jason promised. Then he leapt down the mountain, to take his
+    fortune like a man.</p>
+
+    <p>He went down through the thickets and across the downs of
+    thyme, till he came to the vineyard walls, and the olives in
+    the glen. And among the olives roared the river, foaming with a
+    summer flood.</p>
+
+    <p>And on the bank of the river sat a woman, all wrinkled, gray
+    and old. Her head shook with old age, and her hands shook on
+    her knees.</p>
+
+    <p>When she saw Jason, she spoke, whining, "Who will carry me
+    across the flood?"</p>
+
+    <p>But Jason, heeding her not, went towards the waters. Yet he
+    thought twice before he leapt, so loud roared the torrent all
+    brown from the mountain rains.</p>
+
+    <p>The old woman whined again, "I am weak and old, fair youth.
+    For Hera's sake, the Queen of the Immortals, carry me over the
+    torrent."</p>
+
+    <p>Jason was going to answer her scornfully, when Cheiron's
+    words, "Speak harshly to no soul whom you may meet," came to
+    his mind.</p>
+
+    <p>So he said, "For Hera's sake, the Queen of the Immortals, I
+    will carry you over the torrent, unless we both are drowned
+    midway."</p>
+
+    <p>Then the old dame leapt upon his back as nimbly as a goat.
+    Jason staggered in, wondering, and the first step was up to his
+    knees.</p>
+
+    <p>The first step was up to his knees, and the second step was
+    up to his waist. The stones rolled about his feet, and his feet
+    slipped about the stones. So he went on, staggering and
+    panting, while the old woman cried upon his back, "Fool, you
+    have wet my mantle! Do you mock at poor old souls like me?"</p>
+
+    <p>Jason had half a mind to drop her and let her get through
+    the torrent alone, but Cheiron's words were in his mind, and he
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page228"
+       id="page228"></a>[pg 228]</span> said only, "Patience,
+       mother, the best horse may stumble some day."</p>
+
+    <p>At last he staggered to the shore and set her down upon the
+    bank. He lay himself panting awhile, and then leapt up to go
+    upon his journey, but he first cast one look at the old woman,
+    for he thought, "She should thank me once at least."</p>
+
+    <p>And as he looked, she grew fairer than all women and taller
+    than all men on earth.</p>
+
+    <p>Her garments shone like the summer sea, and her jewels like
+    the stars of heaven. And she looked down on him with great soft
+    eyes, with great eyes, mild and awful, which filled all the
+    glen with light. Jason fell upon his knees and hid his face
+    between his hands.</p>
+
+    <p>And she spoke: "I am Hera, the Queen of Olympus. As thou
+    hast done to me, so will I do to thee. Call on me in the hour
+    of need, and try if the Immortals can forget!"</p>
+
+    <p>When Jason looked up, she rose from off the earth, like a
+    pillar of tall white cloud, and floated away across the
+    mountain peaks, towards Olympus, the holy hill.</p>
+
+    <p>Then a great fear fell on Jason, but after a while he grew
+    light of heart. He blessed old Cheiron and said, "Surely the
+    Centaur is a prophet and knew what would come to pass when he
+    bade me speak harshly to no soul whom I might meet."</p>
+
+    <p>Then he went down towards Iolcos, and as he walked he found
+    that he had lost one of his sandals in the flood.</p>
+
+    <p>And as he went through the streets the people came out to
+    look at him, so tall and fair he was. But some of the elders
+    whispered together, and at last one of them stopped Jason and
+    called to him, "Fair lad, who are you and whence come you, and
+    what is your errand in the town?"</p>
+
+    <p>"My name, good father, is Jason, and I come from Pelion up
+    above. My errand is to Pelias your King. Tell me, then, where
+    his palace is."</p>
+
+    <p>But the old man said, "I will tell you, lest you rush upon
+    your ruin unawares. The oracle has said that a man wearing one
+    sandal should take the kingdom from Pelias and keep it for
+    himself. Therefore beware how you go up to his palace, for he
+    is fiercest and most cunning of all kings."
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page229"
+       id="page229"></a>[pg 229]</span> Jason laughed a great laugh
+       in his pride. "Good news, good father, both for you and me.
+       For that very end, to take his kingdom, I came into the
+       town."</p>
+
+    <p>Then he strode on toward the palace of Pelias his uncle,
+    while all the people wondered at the stranger. And he stood in
+    the doorway and cried, "Come out, come out, Pelias the Valiant,
+    and fight for your kingdom like a man."</p>
+
+    <p>Pelias came out, wondering. "Who are you, bold youth?" he
+    cried.</p>
+
+    <p>"I am Jason, the son of &AElig;son, the heir of all the
+    land."</p>
+
+    <p>Then Pelias lifted up his hands and eyes and wept, or seemed
+    to weep, and blessed the gods who had brought his nephew to
+    him, never to leave him more. "For," said he, "I have but three
+    daughters, and no son to be my heir. You shall marry
+    whichsoever of my daughters you shall choose. But come, come in
+    and feast."</p>
+
+    <p>So he drew Jason in and spoke to him so lovingly, and
+    feasted him so well, that Jason's anger passed.</p>
+
+    <p>When supper was ended his three cousins came into the hall,
+    and Jason thought he would like well to have one of them for
+    his wife.</p>
+
+    <p>But soon he looked at Pelias, and when he saw that he still
+    wept, he said, "Why do you look so sad, my uncle?"</p>
+
+    <p>Then Pelias sighed heavily again and again, like a man who
+    had to tell some dreadful story, and was afraid to begin.</p>
+
+    <p>At last he said, "For seven long years and more have I never
+    known a quiet night, and no more will he who comes after me,
+    till the Golden Fleece be brought home."</p>
+
+    <p>Then he told Jason the story of Phrixus and of the Golden
+    Fleece, and told him what was a lie, that Phrixus' spirit
+    tormented him day and night. And his daughters came and told
+    the same tale, and wept and said, "Oh, who will bring home the
+    Golden Fleece, that the spirit of Phrixus may rest, and that we
+    may rest also, for he never lets us sleep in peace?"</p>
+
+    <p>Jason sat awhile, sad and silent, for he had often heard of
+    that Golden Fleece, but he looked on it as a thing hopeless and
+    impossible for any mortal man to win.</p>
+
+    <p>When Pelias saw him silent he began to talk of other things.
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page230"
+       id="page230"></a>[pg 230]</span> "One thing there is," said
+       Pelias, "on which I need your advice, for, though you are
+       young, I see in you a wisdom beyond your years. There is one
+       neighbor of mine whom I dread more than all men on earth. I
+       am stronger than he now and can command him, but I know that
+       if he stay among us, he will work my ruin in the end. Can
+       you give me a plan, Jason, by which I can rid myself of that
+       man?"</p>
+
+    <p>After a while, Jason answered half-laughing, "Were I you, I
+    would send him to fetch that same Golden Fleece, for if he once
+    set forth after it, you would never be troubled with him
+    more."</p>
+
+    <p>At that a little smile came across the lips of Pelias, and a
+    flash of wicked joy into his eyes. Jason saw it and started,
+    and he remembered the warning of the old man, and his own one
+    sandal and the oracle, and he saw that he was taken in a
+    trap.</p>
+
+    <p>But Pelias only answered gently, "My son, he shall be sent
+    forthwith."</p>
+
+    <p>"You mean me!" cried Jason, starting up, "because I came
+    here with one sandal," and he lifted his fist angrily, while
+    Pelias stood up to him like a wolf at bay. Whether of the two
+    was the stronger and the fiercer it would be hard to tell.</p>
+
+    <p>But after a moment Pelias spoke gently, "Why so rash, my
+    son? I have not harmed you. You will go, and that gladly, for
+    you have a hero's heart within you, and the love of glory."</p>
+
+    <p>Jason knew that he was entrapped, but he cried aloud, "You
+    have well spoken, cunning uncle of mine, I love glory. I will
+    go and fetch the Golden Fleece. Promise me but this in return,
+    and keep your word as I keep mine. Treat my father lovingly
+    while I am gone, for the sake of the all-seeing Zeus, and give
+    me up the kingdom for my own on the day that I bring back the
+    Golden Fleece."</p>
+
+    <p>Then Pelias looked at him and almost loved him, in the midst
+    of all his hate, and he said, "I promise, and I will perform.
+    It will be no shame to give up my kingdom to the man who wins
+    that fleece."</p>
+
+    <p>So they both went and lay down to sleep. But Jason could not
+    sleep for thinking how he was to win the Golden Fleece.
+    Sometimes Phrixus seemed to call him in a thin
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page231"
+       id="page231"></a>[pg 231]</span> voice, faint and low, as if
+       it came from far across the sea. Sometimes he seemed to see
+       the eyes of Hera, and to hear her words again, "Call on me
+       in the hour of need, and see if the Immortals can
+       forget."</p>
+
+    <p>On the morrow Jason went to Pelias and said, "Give me a
+    lamb, that I may sacrifice to Hera." And as he stood by the
+    altar Hera sent a thought into his mind. And he went back to
+    Pelias and said, "If you are indeed in earnest, give me two
+    heralds that they may go round to all the Princes, who were
+    pupils of the Centaur with me. Then together we will fit out a
+    ship, and take what shall befall."</p>
+
+    <p>At that Pelias praised his wisdom and hastened to send the
+    heralds out, for he said in his heart, "Let all the Princes go
+    with Jason, and, like him, never return, so shall I be lord of
+    the land and the greatest king in Hellas."</p>
+
+    <h3>III</h3>
+
+    <h3>HOW THEY BUILT THE SHIP ARGO</h3>
+
+    <p>So the heralds went out and cried to all the heroes, "Who
+    dare come to the adventures of the Golden Fleece?"</p>
+
+    <p>And Hera stirred the hearts of all the Princes, and they
+    came from all their valleys to the yellow sand of Iolcos by the
+    sea.</p>
+
+    <p>All the city came out to meet them, and the men were never
+    tired with looking at their heights and their beauty and the
+    glitter of their arms.</p>
+
+    <p>But the women sighed over them and whispered, "Alas, they
+    are all going to their death!"</p>
+
+    <p>Then the heroes felled the mountain pines and shaped them
+    with the axe, and Argus the famed shipbuilder taught them to
+    build a galley, the first long ship which ever sailed the seas.
+    They named her Argo, after Argus the shipbuilder, and worked at
+    her all day long.</p>
+
+    <p>But Jason went away into a far-off land, till he found
+    Orpheus the prince of minstrels, where he dwelt in his
+    cave.</p>
+
+    <p>And he asked him, "Will you leave your mountains, Orpheus,
+    my playfellow in old times, and sail with the heroes to bring
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page232"
+       id="page232"></a>[pg 232]</span> home the Golden Fleece? And
+       will you charm for us all men and all monsters with your
+       magic harp and song?"</p>
+
+    <p>Then Orpheus sighed, "Have I not had enough of toil and of
+    weary wandering far and wide, since I lived in Cheiron's cave,
+    above Iolcos by the sea? And now must I go out again, to the
+    ends of all the earth, far away into the misty darkness? But a
+    friend's demand must be obeyed."</p>
+
+    <p>So Orpheus rose up sighing, and took his harp. He led Jason
+    to the holy oak, and he bade him cut down a bough and sacrifice
+    to Hera. And they took the bough and came to Iolcos, and nailed
+    it to the prow of the ship.</p>
+
+    <p>And at last the ship was finished, and they tried to launch
+    her down the beach; but she was too heavy for them to move her,
+    and her keel sank deep into the sand.</p>
+
+    <p>Then all the heroes looked at each other blushing, but Jason
+    spoke and said, "Let us ask the magic bough; perhaps it can
+    help us in our need."</p>
+
+    <p>And a voice came from the bough, and Jason heard the words
+    it said, and bade Orpheus play upon the harp, while the heroes
+    waited round, holding the pine-trunk rollers to help the Argo
+    toward the sea.</p>
+
+    <p>Then Orpheus took his harp and began his magic song. And the
+    good ship Argo heard him and longed to be away and out at sea,
+    till she stirred in every timber, and heaved from stem to
+    stern, and leapt up from the sand upon the rollers, and plunged
+    onward like a gallant horse till she rushed into the whispering
+    sea.</p>
+
+    <p>And they stored her well with food and water, and settled
+    themselves each man to his oar, keeping time to the harp of
+    Orpheus.</p>
+
+    <p>Then away across the bay they rowed southward, while the
+    people lined the cliffs. But the women wept while the men
+    shouted at the starting of that gallant crew.</p>
+
+    <h3>IV</h3>
+
+    <h3>HOW THE ARGONAUTS WON THE GOLDEN FLEECE</h3>
+
+    <p>The heroes rowed across the bay, and while they waited there
+    for a southwest wind, they chose themselves a captain
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page233"
+       id="page233"></a>[pg 233]</span> from their crew. And some
+       called for the strongest and hugest to be their captain, but
+       more called for Jason, because he was the wisest of them
+       all.</p>
+
+    <p>So Jason was chosen captain, and each hero vowed to stand by
+    him faithfully in the adventure of the Golden Fleece.</p>
+
+    <p>They sailed onward and northward to Pelion. And their hearts
+    yearned for the dear old mountain, as they thought of the days
+    gone by, of the sports of their boyhood, and their hunting, and
+    their lessons in the cave beneath the cliff. Then at last they
+    said, "Let us land here and climb the dear old hill once more.
+    We are going on a fearful journey. Who knows if we shall see
+    Pelion again? Let us go up to Cheiron our master, and ask his
+    blessing ere we start."</p>
+
+    <p>So the helmsman steered them to the shore, under the crags
+    of Pelion, and they went up through the dark pine-forests
+    toward the Centaur's cave.</p>
+
+    <p>Then, as Cheiron saw them, he leapt up and welcomed them
+    every one, and set a feast of venison before them. And after
+    supper all the heroes clapped their hands and called on Orpheus
+    to sing, but he refused, and said, "How can I, who am the
+    younger, sing before our ancient host?"</p>
+
+    <p>So they called on Cheiron to sing. And he sang of heroes who
+    fought with fists and teeth, and how they tore up the
+    pine-trees in their fury, and hurled great crags of stone,
+    while the mountains thundered with the battle, and the land was
+    wasted far and wide.</p>
+
+    <p>And the heroes praised his song right heartily, for some of
+    them had helped in that great fight.</p>
+
+    <p>Then Orpheus took the lyre and sang of the making of the
+    wondrous world. And as he sang, his voice rose from the cave
+    above the crags, and through the tree-tops. The trees bowed
+    their heads when they heard it, and the forest beasts crept
+    close to listen, and the birds forsook their nests and hovered
+    near. And old Cheiron clapped his hands together and beat his
+    hoofs upon the ground, for wonder at that magic song.</p>
+
+    <p>Now the heroes came down to the ship, and Cheiron came down
+    with them, weeping, and kissed them one by one, and promised to
+    them great renown.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page234"
+       id="page234"></a>[pg 234]</span>
+
+    <p>And the heroes wept when they left him, till their great
+    hearts could weep no more, for he was kind and just, and wiser
+    than all beasts and men.</p>
+
+    <p>Then Cheiron went up to a cliff and prayed for them, that
+    they might come home safe and well, while the heroes rowed away
+    and watched him standing on his cliff above the sea, with his
+    great hands raised toward heaven, and his white locks waving in
+    the wind. They strained their eyes to watch him to the last,
+    for they felt that they should look on him no more.</p>
+
+    <p>So they rowed on over the long swell of the sea eastward,
+    and out into the open sea which we now call the Black Sea.</p>
+
+    <p>All feared that dreadful sea, and its rocks and fogs and
+    bitter storms, and the heroes trembled for all their courage,
+    as they came into that wild Black Sea, and saw it stretching
+    out before them, without a shore, as far as eye could see.</p>
+
+    <p>Then Orpheus spoke and warned them that they must come now
+    to the wandering blue rocks.</p>
+
+    <p>Soon they saw them, and their blue peaks shone like spires
+    and castles of gray glass, while an ice-cold wind blew from
+    them and chilled all the heroes' hearts.</p>
+
+    <p>As they neared them, they could see the rocks heaving, as
+    they rolled upon the long sea-waves, crashing and grinding
+    together, till the roar went up to heaven.</p>
+
+    <p>The heroes' hearts sank within them, and they lay upon their
+    oars in fear, but Orpheus called to the helmsman, "Between the
+    blue rocks we must pass, so look for an opening, and be brave,
+    for Hera is with us."</p>
+
+    <p>The cunning helmsman stood silent, clenching his teeth, till
+    he saw a heron come flying mast-high toward the rocks, and
+    hover awhile before them, as if looking for a passage through.
+    Then he cried, "Hera has sent us a pilot; let us follow the
+    bird."</p>
+
+    <p>The heron flapped to and fro a moment till he saw a hidden
+    gap, and into it he rushed like an arrow, while the heroes
+    watched what would befall.</p>
+
+    <p>And the blue rocks dashed together as the bird fled swiftly
+    through, but they struck but one feather from his tail, and
+    then rebounded at the
+    shock.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page235"
+       id="page235"></a>[pg 235]</span>
+
+    <p>Then the helmsman cheered the heroes, and they shouted,
+    while the oars bent beneath their strokes as they rushed
+    between those toppling ice-crags. But ere the rocks could meet
+    again they had passed them, and were safe out in the open
+    sea.</p>
+
+    <p>After that they sailed on wearily along the coast, past many
+    a mighty river's mouth, and past many a barbarous tribe. And at
+    day dawn they looked eastward, till, shining above the
+    tree-tops, they saw the golden roofs of King Aietes, the Child
+    of the Sun.</p>
+
+    <p>Then out spoke the helmsman, "We are come to our goal at
+    last, for there are the roofs of Aietes, and the woods where
+    all poisons grow. But who can tell us where among them is hid
+    the Golden Fleece?"</p>
+
+    <p>But Jason cheered the heroes, for his heart was high and
+    bold, and he said, "I will go alone to Aietes, and win him with
+    soft words. Better so than to go altogether and to come to
+    blows at once." But the heroes would not stay behind so they
+    rowed boldly up the stream.</p>
+
+    <p>And a dream came to Aietes and filled his heart with fear.
+    Then he leapt up and bade his servants bring his chariot, that
+    he might go down to the river-side, and appease the nymphs and
+    the heroes whose spirits haunt the bank.</p>
+
+    <p>So he went down in his golden chariot, and his daughters by
+    his side, Medeia, the fair witch-maiden, and Chalciope, who had
+    been Phrixus' wife, and behind him a crowd of servants and
+    soldiers, for he was a rich and mighty prince.</p>
+
+    <p>And as he drove down by the reedy river, he saw the Argo
+    sliding up beneath the bank, and many a hero in her, like
+    Immortals for beauty and strength. But Jason was the noblest of
+    all, for Hera, who loved him, gave him beauty and height and
+    terrible manhood.</p>
+
+    <p>When they came near together and looked into each other's
+    eyes, the heroes were awed before Aietes as he shone in his
+    chariot like his father, the glorious Sun. For his robes were
+    of rich gold tissue, and the rays of his diadem flashed fire.
+    And in his hand he bore a jeweled scepter, which glittered like
+    the stars.</p>
+
+    <p>Sternly Aietes looked at the heroes, and sternly he spoke
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page236"
+       id="page236"></a>[pg 236]</span> and loud, "Who are you, and
+       what want you here that you come to our shore? Know this is
+       my kingdom and these are my people who serve me. Never yet
+       grew they tired in battle, and well they know how to face a
+       foe."</p>
+
+    <p>And the heroes sat silent awhile before the face of that
+    ancient King. But Hera, the awful goddess, put courage into
+    Jason's heart, and he rose and shouted loudly in answer to the
+    King.</p>
+
+    <p>"We are no lawless men. We come, not to plunder or carry
+    away slaves from your land, but we have come on a quest to
+    bring home the Golden Fleece. And these too, my bold comrades,
+    they are no nameless men, for some are the sons of Immortals,
+    and some of heroes far renowned. We too never tire in battle,
+    and know well how to give blows and to take. Yet we wish to be
+    guests at your table; it will be better so for both."</p>
+
+    <p>Then Aietes' rage rushed up like a whirlwind, and his eyes
+    flashed fire as he heard; but he crushed his anger down in his
+    heart and spoke mildly.</p>
+
+    <p>"If you will fight, then many a man must die. But if you
+    will be ruled by me you will find it better far to choose the
+    best man among you, and let him fulfil the labors which I
+    demand. Then I will give him the Golden Fleece for a prize and
+    a glory to you all."</p>
+
+    <p>So he said, and then turned his horses and drove back in
+    silence to the town.</p>
+
+    <p>The heroes sat dumb with sorrow, for there was no facing the
+    thousands of King Aietes' men and the fearful chance of
+    war.</p>
+
+    <p>But Chalciope, the widow of Phrixus, went weeping to the
+    town, for she remembered her husband and all the pleasures of
+    her youth while she watched the fair face of his kinsmen and
+    their long locks of golden hair.</p>
+
+    <p>And she whispered to Medeia, her sister, "Why should all
+    these brave men die? Why does not my father give up the fleece,
+    that my husband's spirit may have rest?"</p>
+
+    <p>Medeia's heart pitied the heroes, and Jason most of all, and
+    she answered, "Our father is stern and terrible, and who can
+    win the Golden
+    Fleece?"</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page237"
+       id="page237"></a>[pg 237]</span>
+
+    <p>But Chalciope said, "These men are not like our men; there
+    is nothing which they cannot dare nor do."</p>
+
+    <p>Then Medeia thought of Jason and his brave countenance, and
+    said, "If there was one among them who knew no fear, I could
+    show him how to win the fleece."</p>
+
+    <p>So in the dusk of the evening they went down to the
+    river-side, Chalciope and Medeia the witch-maiden, and with
+    them a lad. And the lad crept forward, among the beds of reeds,
+    till he came to where Jason kept ward on shore, leaning upon
+    his lance, full of thought.</p>
+
+    <p>And the lad said, "Chalciope waits for you, to talk about
+    the Golden Fleece."</p>
+
+    <p>Then Jason went boldly with the boy and found the two
+    Princesses. When Chalciope saw him, she wept and took his hands
+    and cried, "O cousin of my beloved Phrixus, go home before you
+    die!"</p>
+
+    <p>"It would be base to go home now, fair Princess, and to have
+    sailed all these seas in vain."</p>
+
+    <p>Then both the Princesses besought him, but Jason said, "It
+    is too late to return!"</p>
+
+    <p>"But you know not," said Medeia, "what he must do who would
+    win the fleece. He must tame the two brazen-footed bulls, which
+    breathe devouring flame, and with them he must plow ere
+    nightfall four acres in a field. He must sow the acres with
+    serpents' teeth, of which each tooth springs up into an armed
+    man. Then he must fight with all these warriors. And little
+    will it profit him to conquer them, for the fleece is guarded
+    by a serpent more huge than any mountain pine. Over his body
+    you must step if you would reach the Golden Fleece."</p>
+
+    <p>Then Jason laughed bitterly: "Unjustly is that fleece kept
+    here, and by an unjust and lawless King, and unjustly shall I
+    die in my youth, for I will attempt it ere another sun be
+    set."</p>
+
+    <p>Medeia trembled and said, "No mortal man can reach that
+    fleece unless I guide him through."</p>
+
+    <p>But Jason cried, "No wall so high but it may be climbed at
+    last, and no wood so thick but it may be crawled through. No
+    serpent so wary but he may be charmed, and I may yet win the
+    Golden Fleece, if a wise maiden help bold
+    men."</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page238"
+       id="page238"></a>[pg 238]</span>
+
+    <p>And he looked at Medeia with his glittering eye, till she
+    blushed and trembled and said, "Who can face the fire of the
+    bulls' breath and fight ten thousand armed men?"</p>
+
+    <p>"He whom you help," said Jason, flattering her, "for your
+    fame is spread over all the earth."</p>
+
+    <p>And Medeia said slowly, "Why should you die? I have an
+    ointment here. I made it from the magic ice-flower. Anoint
+    yourself with that, and you shall have in you the strength of
+    seven, and anoint your shield with it, and neither fire nor
+    sword shall harm you. Anoint your helmet with it, before you
+    sow the serpents' teeth, and when the sons of earth spring up,
+    cast your helmet among them, and every man of them shall
+    perish."</p>
+
+    <p>Then Jason fell on his knees before her, and thanked her and
+    kissed her hands, and she gave him the vase of ointment, and
+    fled trembling through the reeds.</p>
+
+    <p>And Jason told his comrades what had happened, and showed
+    them the box of ointment.</p>
+
+    <p>So at sunrise Jason went and bathed and anointed himself
+    from head to foot, and his shield and his helmet and his
+    weapons. And when the sun had risen, Jason sent two of his
+    heroes to tell Aietes that he was ready for the fight.</p>
+
+    <p>Up among the marble walls they went, and beneath the roofs
+    of gold, and stood in the hall of Aietes, while he grew pale
+    with rage.</p>
+
+    <p>"Fulfil your promise to us, Child of the blazing Sun," the
+    heroes cried to King Aietes. "Give us the serpents' teeth, and
+    let loose the fiery bulls, for we have found a champion among
+    us, who can win the Golden Fleece!"</p>
+
+    <p>Aietes grew more pale with rage, for he had fancied that
+    they had fled away by night, but he could not break his
+    promise, so he gave them the serpents' teeth. Then he called
+    his chariot and his horses, and sent heralds through all the
+    town, and all the people went out with him to the dreadful
+    War-god's field.</p>
+
+    <p>There Aietes sat upon his throne, with his warriors on each
+    hand, thousands and tens of thousands clothed from head to foot
+    in steel chain mail. And the people and women crowded to every
+    window and bank and wall, while the heroes stood together, a
+    mere handful in the midst of that great
+    host.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page239"
+       id="page239"></a>[pg 239]</span>
+
+    <p>Chalciope was there, and Medeia, wrapped closely in her
+    veil; but Aietes did not know that she was muttering cunning
+    spells between her lips.</p>
+
+    <p>Then Jason cried, "Fulfil your promise, and let your fiery
+    bulls come forth!"</p>
+
+    <p>Aietes bade open the gates, and the magic bulls leapt out.
+    Their brazen hoofs rang upon the ground as they rushed with
+    lowered heads upon Jason, but he never flinched a step. The
+    flame of their breath swept round him, but it singed not a hair
+    of his head. And the bulls stopped short and trembled when
+    Medeia began her spell.</p>
+
+    <p>Then Jason sprang upon the nearest, and seized him by the
+    horns, and up and down they wrestled, till the bull fell
+    groveling on his knees. For the heart of the bull died within
+    him, beneath the steadfast eye of that dark witch-maiden and
+    the magic whisper of her lips.</p>
+
+    <p>So both the bulls were tamed and yoked, and Jason bound them
+    to the plow and goaded them onward with his lance, till he had
+    plowed the sacred field. And all the heroes shouted, but Aietes
+    bit his lips with rage, for half of Jason's work was done.</p>
+
+    <p>Then Jason took the serpents' teeth and sowed them, and
+    waited what would befall.</p>
+
+    <p>And Medeia looked at him and at his helmet, lest he should
+    forget the lesson she had taught him.</p>
+
+    <p>Now every furrow heaved and bubbled, and out of every clod
+    arose a man. Out of the earth they arose by thousands, each
+    clad from head to foot in steel, and drew their swords and
+    rushed on Jason where he stood in the midst alone.</p>
+
+    <p>The heroes grew pale with fear for him, but Aietes laughed
+    an angry laugh.</p>
+
+    <p>Then Jason snatched off his helmet and hurled it into the
+    thickest of the throng. And hate and fear and suspicion came
+    upon them, and one cried to his fellows, "Thou didst strike
+    me," and another, "Thou art Jason, thou shalt die," and each
+    turned his hand against the rest, and they fought and were
+    never weary, till they all lay dead upon the ground.</p>
+
+    <p>And the magic furrows opened, and the kind earth took them
+    home again, and Jason's work was
+    done.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page240"
+       id="page240"></a>[pg 240]</span>
+
+    <p>Then the heroes rose and shouted, and Jason cried to the
+    King, "Lead me to the Golden Fleece this moment before the sun
+    goes down."</p>
+
+    <p>But Aietes thought, "Who is this, who is proof against all
+    magic? He may kill the serpent yet!" So he delayed, and sat
+    taking counsel with his princes. Afterwards he bade a herald
+    cry, "To-morrow we will meet these heroes and speak about the
+    Golden Fleece!"</p>
+
+    <p>Then he turned and looked at Medeia. "This is your doing,
+    false witch-maid," he said; "you have helped these
+    yellow-haired strangers."</p>
+
+    <p>Medeia shrank and trembled, and her face grew pale with
+    fear, and Aietes knew that she was guilty, and he whispered,
+    "If they win the fleece, you die."</p>
+
+    <p>Now the heroes went marching toward their ship, growling,
+    like lions cheated of their prey. "Let us go together to the
+    grove and take the fleece by force," they said. But Jason held
+    them back, while he praised them for brave heroes, for he hoped
+    for Medeia's help.</p>
+
+    <p>And after a time she came trembling, and wept a long while
+    before she spoke. At last she said, "I must die, for my father
+    has found out that I have helped you."</p>
+
+    <p>But all the heroes cried, "If you die we die with you, for
+    without you we cannot win the fleece, and home we will never go
+    without it."</p>
+
+    <p>"You need not die," said Jason to the witch-maiden. "Flee
+    home with us across the sea. Show us but how to win the fleece,
+    and come with us and you shall be my queen, and rule over the
+    rich princes in Iolcos by the sea."</p>
+
+    <p>And all the heroes pressed round and vowed to her that she
+    should be their queen.</p>
+
+    <p>Medeia wept and hid her face in her hands. "Must I leave my
+    home and my people?" she sobbed. "But the lot is cast: I will
+    show you how to win the Golden Fleece. Bring up your ship to
+    the woodside, and moor her there against the bank. And let
+    Jason come up at midnight and one brave comrade with him, and
+    meet me beneath the wall."</p>
+
+    <p>Then all the heroes cried together, "I will go&mdash;and
+    I&mdash;and I!"</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page241"
+       id="page241"></a>[pg 241]</span>
+
+    <p>But Medeia calmed them and said, "Orpheus shall go with
+    Jason, and take his magic harp."</p>
+
+    <p>And Orpheus laughed for joy and clapped his hands, because
+    the choice had fallen on him.</p>
+
+    <p>So at midnight they went up the bank and found Medeia, and
+    she brought them to a thicket beside the War-god's gate.</p>
+
+    <p>And the base of the gate fell down and the brazen doors flew
+    wide, and Medeia and the heroes ran forward, and hurried
+    through the poison wood, guided by the gleam of the Golden
+    Fleece, until they saw it hanging on one vast tree in the
+    midst.</p>
+
+    <p>Jason would have sprung to seize it, but Medeia held him
+    back and pointed to the tree-foot, where a mighty serpent lay,
+    coiled in and out among the roots.</p>
+
+    <p>When the serpent saw them coming, he lifted up his head and
+    watched them with his small bright eyes, and flashed his forked
+    tongue.</p>
+
+    <p>But Medeia called gently to him, and he stretched out his
+    long spotted neck, and licked her hand. Then she made a sign to
+    Orpheus, and he began his magic song.</p>
+
+    <p>And as he sung, the forest grew calm, and the leaves on
+    every tree hung still, and the serpent's head sank down and his
+    coils grew limp, and his glittering eyes closed lazily, till he
+    breathed as gently as a child.</p>
+
+    <p>Jason leapt forward warily and stept across that mighty
+    snake, and tore the fleece from off the tree-trunk. Then the
+    witch-maiden with Jason and Orpheus turned and rushed down to
+    the bank where the Argo lay.</p>
+
+    <p>There was silence for a moment, when Jason held the Golden
+    Fleece on high. Then he cried, "Go now, good Argo, swift and
+    steady, if ever you would see Pelion more."</p>
+
+    <p>And she went, as the heroes drove her, grim and silent all,
+    with muffled oars. On and on, beneath the dewy darkness, they
+    fled swiftly down the swirling stream, on and on till they
+    heard the merry music of the surge.</p>
+
+    <p>Into the surge they rushed, and the Argo leapt the breakers
+    like a horse, till the heroes stopped, all panting, each man
+    upon his oar, as she slid into the broad sea.</p>
+
+    <p>Then Orpheus took his harp and sang a song of praise,
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page242"
+       id="page242"></a>[pg 242]</span> till the heroes' hearts
+       rose high again, and they rowed on, stoutly and steadfastly,
+       away into the darkness of the West.</p>
+
+    <h3>V</h3>
+
+    <h3>HOW THE ARGONAUTS REACHED HOME</h3>
+
+    <p>So the heroes fled away in haste, but Aietes manned his
+    fleet and followed them.</p>
+
+    <p>Then Medeia, the dark witch-maiden, laid a cruel plot, for
+    she killed her young brother who had come with her, and cast
+    him into the sea, and said, "Ere my father can take up his body
+    and bury it, he must wait long and be left far behind."</p>
+
+    <p>And all the heroes shuddered, and looked one at the other in
+    shame. When Aietes came to the place he stopped a long while
+    and bewailed his son, and took him up and went home.</p>
+
+    <p>So the heroes escaped for a time, but Zeus saw that evil
+    deed, and out of the heavens he sent a storm and swept the Argo
+    far from her course. And at last she struck on a shoal, and the
+    waves rolled over her and through her, and the heroes lost all
+    hope of life.</p>
+
+    <p>Then out spoke the magic bough, which stood upon the Argo's
+    prow, "For your guilt, you must sail a weary way to where
+    Circe, Medeia's sister, dwells among the islands of the West;
+    she shall cleanse you of your guilt."</p>
+
+    <p>Whither they went I cannot tell, nor how they came to
+    Circe's isle, but at last they reached the fairy island of the
+    West.</p>
+
+    <p>And Jason bid them land, and as they went ashore they met
+    Circe coming down toward the ship, and they trembled when they
+    saw her, for her hair and face and robes shone flame.</p>
+
+    <p>Then Circe cried to Medeia, "Ah, wretched girl, have you
+    forgotten your sins that you come hither, where the flowers
+    bloom all the year round? Where is your aged father, and the
+    brother whom you killed? I will send you food and wine, but
+    your ship must not stay here, for she is black with your
+    wickedness."</p>
+
+    <p>And the heroes prayed, but in vain, and cried, "Cleanse
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page243"
+       id="page243"></a>[pg 243]</span> us from our guilt!" but she
+       sent them away and said, "Go eastward, that you may be
+       cleansed, and after that you may go home."</p>
+
+    <p>Slowly and wearily they sailed on, till one summer's eve
+    they came to a flowery island, and as they neared it they heard
+    sweet songs.</p>
+
+    <div class="figcenter"
+         style="width:100%;">
+        <a href="images/576.jpg"
+             name="fig576"
+             id="fig576"><img width="250"
+             src="images/576.jpg"
+             alt="ORPHEUS SANG TILL HIS VOICE DROWNED THE SONG OF THE SIRENS." />
+        </a>
+
+        <p>&nbsp;</p>ORPHEUS SANG TILL HIS VOICE DROWNED THE SONG
+        OF THE SIRENS.
+    </div>
+
+    <p>Medeia started when she heard, and cried, "Beware, O heroes,
+    for here are the rocks of the Sirens. You must pass close by
+    them, but those who listen to that song are lost."</p>
+
+    <p>Then Orpheus spoke, he, the king of all minstrels, "Let them
+    match their song against mine;" so he caught up his lyre and
+    began his magic song.</p>
+
+    <p>Now they could see the Sirens. Three fair maidens, sitting
+    on the beach, beneath a rock red in the setting sun.</p>
+
+    <p>Slowly they sung and sleepily, and as the heroes listened
+    the oars fell from their hands, and their heads dropped, and
+    they closed their heavy eyes, and all their toil seemed
+    foolishness, and they thought of their renown no more.</p>
+
+    <p>Then Medeia clapped her hands together and cried, "Sing
+    louder, Orpheus, sing louder."</p>
+
+    <p>And Orpheus sang till his voice drowned the song of the
+    Sirens, and the heroes caught their oars again and cried, "We
+    will be men, and we will dare and suffer to the last."</p>
+
+    <p>And as Orpheus sang, they dashed their oars into the sea and
+    kept time to his music as they fled fast away, and the Sirens'
+    voices died behind them, in the hissing of the foam.</p>
+
+    <p>But when the Sirens saw that they were conquered, they
+    shrieked for envy and rage and leapt into the sea, and were
+    changed into rocks.</p>
+
+    <p>Then, as the Argonauts rowed on, they came to a fearful
+    whirlpool, and they could neither go back nor forward, for the
+    waves caught them and spun them round and round. While they
+    struggled in the whirlpool, they saw near them on the other
+    side of the strait a rock stand in the water&mdash;a rock
+    smooth and slippery, and half way up a misty cave.</p>
+
+    <p>When Orpheus saw the rock he groaned. "Little will it help
+    us," he cried, "to escape the jaws of the whirlpool. For
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page244"
+       id="page244"></a>[pg 244]</span> in that cave lives a
+       sea-hag, and from her cave she fishes for all things that
+       pass by, and never ship's crew boasted that they came safe
+       past her rock."</p>
+
+    <p>Then out of the depths came Thetis, the silver-footed bride
+    of one of the heroes. She came with all her nymphs around her,
+    and they played like snow-white dolphins, diving in from wave
+    to wave before the ship, and in her wake and beside her, as
+    dolphins play. And they caught the ship and guided her, and
+    passed her on from hand to hand, and tossed her through the
+    billows, as maidens do the ball.</p>
+
+    <p>And when the sea-hag stooped to seize the ship, they struck
+    her, and she shrank back into her cave affrighted, and the Argo
+    leapt safe past her, while a fair breeze rose behind.</p>
+
+    <p>Then Thetis and her nymphs sank down to their coral caves
+    beneath the sea, and their gardens of green and purple, where
+    flowers bloom all the year round, while the heroes went on
+    rejoicing, yet dreading what might come next.</p>
+
+    <p>They rowed away for many a weary day till their water was
+    spent and their food eaten, but at last they saw a long steep
+    island.</p>
+
+    <p>"We will land here," they cried, "and fill our water casks
+    upon the shore."</p>
+
+    <p>But when they came nearer to the island they saw a wondrous
+    sight. For on the cliffs stood a giant, taller than any
+    mountain pine.</p>
+
+    <p>When he saw the Argo and her crew he came toward them, more
+    swiftly than the swiftest horse, and he shouted to them, "You
+    are pirates, you are robbers! If you land you shall die the
+    death."</p>
+
+    <p>Then the heroes lay on their oars in fear, but Medeia spoke:
+    "I know this giant. If strangers land he leaps into his
+    furnace, which flames there among the hills, and when he is
+    red-hot he rushes on them, and burns them in his brazen hands.
+    But he has but one vein in all his body filled with liquid
+    fire, and this vein is closed with a nail. I will find out
+    where the nail is placed, and when I have got it into my hands
+    you shall water your ship in peace."</p>
+
+    <p>So they took the witch-maiden and left her alone on the
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page245"
+       id="page245"></a>[pg 245]</span> shore. And she stood there
+       all alone in her beauty till the giant strode back red-hot
+       from head to heel.</p>
+
+    <p>When he saw the maiden he stopped. And she looked boldly up
+    into his face and sang a magic song, and she held up a flash of
+    crystal and said, "I am Medeia, the witch-maiden. My sister
+    Circe gave me this and said, 'Go, reward Talus, the faithful
+    giant, for his fame is gone out into all lands.' So come and I
+    will pour this into your veins, that you may live for ever
+    young."</p>
+
+    <p>And he listened to her false words, that simple Talus, and
+    came near.</p>
+
+    <p>But Medeia said, "Dip yourself in the sea first and cool
+    yourself, lest you burn my tender hands. Then show me the nail
+    in your vein, and in that will I pour the liquid from the
+    crystal flask."</p>
+
+    <p>Then that simple Talus dipped himself in the sea, and came
+    and knelt before Medeia and showed the secret nail.</p>
+
+    <p>And she drew the nail out gently, but she poured nothing in,
+    and instead the liquid fire streamed forth.</p>
+
+    <p>Talus tried to leap up, crying, "You have betrayed me, false
+    witch-maiden."</p>
+
+    <p>But she lifted up her hands before him and sang, till he
+    sank beneath her spell.</p>
+
+    <p>And as he sank, the earth groaned beneath his weight and the
+    liquid fire ran from his heel, like a stream of lava, to the
+    sea.</p>
+
+    <p>Then Medeia laughed and called to the heroes, "Come and
+    water your ship in peace."</p>
+
+    <p>So they came and found the giant lying dead, and they fell
+    down and kissed Medeia's feet, and watered their ship, and took
+    sheep and oxen, and so left that inhospitable shore.</p>
+
+    <p>At the next island they went ashore and offered sacrifices,
+    and Orpheus purged them from their guilt.</p>
+
+    <p>And at last, after many weary days and nights, all worn and
+    tired, the heroes saw once more Pelion and Iolcos by the
+    sea.</p>
+
+    <p>They ran the ship ashore, but they had no strength left to
+    haul her up the beach, and they crawled out on the pebbles and
+    wept, till they could weep no
+    more.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page246"
+       id="page246"></a>[pg 246]</span>
+
+    <p>For the houses and the trees were all altered, and all the
+    faces they saw were strange, so that their joy was swallowed up
+    in sorrow.</p>
+
+    <p>The people crowded round and asked them, "Who are you, that
+    you sit weeping here?"</p>
+
+    <p>"We are the sons of your princes, who sailed in search of
+    the Golden Fleece, and we have brought it home. Give us news of
+    our fathers and mothers, if any of them be left alive on
+    earth."</p>
+
+    <p>Then there was shouting and laughing and weeping, and all
+    the kings came to the shore, and they led away the heroes to
+    their homes, and bewailed the valiant dead.</p>
+
+    <p>And Jason went up with Medeia to the palace of his uncle
+    Pelias. And when he came in, Pelias and &AElig;son, Jason's
+    father, sat by the fire, two old men, whose heads shook
+    together as they tried to warm themselves before the fire.</p>
+
+    <p>Jason fell down at his father's knee and wept and said, "I
+    am your own son Jason, and I have brought home the Golden
+    Fleece and a Princess of the Sun's race for my bride."</p>
+
+    <p>Then his father clung to him like a child, and wept, and
+    would not let him go, and cried, "Promise never to leave me
+    till I die."</p>
+
+    <p>And Jason turned to his uncle Pelias, "Now give me up the
+    kingdom and fulfil your promise, as I have fulfilled mine." And
+    his uncle gave him his kingdom.</p>
+
+    <p>So Jason stayed at Iolcos by the sea.</p>
+
+    <h3>THESEUS</h3>
+
+    <h4>ADAPTED BY MARY MACGREGOR</h4>
+
+    <h3>I</h3>
+
+    <h3>HOW THESEUS LIFTED THE STONE</h3>
+
+    <p>Once upon a time there was a Princess called Aithra. She had
+    one fair son named Theseus, the bravest lad in all the land.
+    And Aithra never smiled but when she looked at him, for her
+    husband had forgotten her, and lived far
+    away.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page247"
+       id="page247"></a>[pg 247]</span>
+
+    <p>Aithra used to go up to the temple of the gods, and sit
+    there all day, looking out across the bay, over the purple
+    peaks of the mountains to the Attic shore beyond.</p>
+
+    <p>When Theseus was full fifteen years old, she took him up
+    with her to the temple, and into the thickets which grew in the
+    temple yard. She led him to a tall plane-tree, and there she
+    sighed and said, "Theseus, my son, go into that thicket and you
+    will find at the plane-tree foot a great flat stone. Lift it,
+    and bring me what lies underneath."</p>
+
+    <p>Then Theseus pushed his way in through the thick bushes, and
+    searching among their roots he found a great flat stone, all
+    overgrown with ivy and moss.</p>
+
+    <p>He tried to lift it, but he could not. And he tried till the
+    sweat ran down his brow from the heat, and the tears from his
+    eyes for shame, but all was of no avail. And at last he came
+    back to his mother and said, "I have found the stone, but I
+    cannot lift it, nor do I think that any man could, in all the
+    land."</p>
+
+    <p>Then she sighed and said, "The day may come when you will be
+    a stronger man than lives in all the land." And she took him by
+    the hand and went into the temple and prayed, and came down
+    again with Theseus to her home.</p>
+
+    <p>And when a full year was past, she led Theseus up again to
+    the temple and bade him lift the stone, but he could not.</p>
+
+    <p>Then she sighed again and said the same words again, and
+    went down and came again next year. But Theseus could not lift
+    the stone then, nor the year after.</p>
+
+    <p>He longed to ask his mother the meaning of that stone, and
+    what might be underneath it, but her face was so sad that he
+    had not the heart to ask.</p>
+
+    <p>So he said to himself, "The day shall surely come when I
+    will lift that stone."</p>
+
+    <p>And in order to grow strong he spent all his days in
+    wrestling and boxing, and hunting the boar and the bull and the
+    deer among rocks, till upon all the mountains there was no
+    hunter so swift as Theseus, and all the people said, "Surely
+    the gods are with the lad!"</p>
+
+    <p>When his eighteenth year was past, Aithra led him up again
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page248"
+       id="page248"></a>[pg 248]</span> to the temple and said,
+       "Theseus, lift the stone this day, or never know who you
+       are."</p>
+
+    <p>And Theseus went into the thicket and stood over the stone
+    and tugged at it, and it moved.</p>
+
+    <p>Then he said, "If I break my heart in my body it shall come
+    up." And he tugged at it once more, and lifted it, and rolled
+    it over with a shout.</p>
+
+    <p>When he looked beneath it, on the ground lay a sword of
+    bronze, with a hilt of glittering gold, and beside it a pair of
+    golden sandals.</p>
+
+    <p>Theseus caught them up and burst through the bushes and
+    leapt to his mother, holding them high above his head.</p>
+
+    <p>But when she saw them she wept long in silence, hiding her
+    fair face in her shawl. And Theseus stood by her and wept also,
+    he knew not why.</p>
+
+    <p>When she was tired of weeping Aithra lifted up her head and
+    laid her finger on her lips, and said, "Hide them in your
+    cloak, Theseus, my son, and come with me where we can look down
+    upon the sea."</p>
+
+    <p>They went outside the sacred wall and looked down over the
+    bright blue sea, and Aithra said, "Do you see the land at our
+    feet?"</p>
+
+    <p>And Theseus said, "Yes, this is where I was born and
+    bred."</p>
+
+    <p>And she asked, "Do you see the land beyond?"</p>
+
+    <p>And the lad answered, "Yes, that is Attica, where the
+    Athenian people live!"</p>
+
+    <p>"That is a fair land and large, Theseus, my son, and it
+    looks towards the sunny south. There the hills are sweet with
+    thyme, and the meadows with violet, and the nightingales sing
+    all day in the thickets. There are twelve towns well peopled,
+    the homes of an ancient race. What would you do, Theseus, if
+    you were king of such a land?"</p>
+
+    <p>Theseus stood astonished, as he looked across the broad
+    bright sea and saw the fair Attic shore. His heart grew great
+    within him, and he said, "If I were king of such a land, I
+    would rule it wisely and well, in wisdom and in might."</p>
+
+    <p>And Aithra smiled and said, "Take, then, the sword and the
+    sandals and go to thy father &AElig;geus, King of Athens, and
+    say to <span class="pagenum"><a name="page249"
+       id="page249"></a>[pg 249]</span> him, 'The stone is lifted!'
+       Then show him the sword and the sandals, and take what the
+       gods shall send."</p>
+
+    <p>But Theseus wept, "Shall I leave you, O my mother?"</p>
+
+    <p>She answered, "Weep not for me." Then she kissed Theseus and
+    wept over him, and went into the temple, and Theseus saw her no
+    more.</p>
+
+    <h3>II</h3>
+
+    <h3>HOW THESEUS SLEW THE CLUB-BEARER AND THE PINE-BENDER</h3>
+
+    <p>So Theseus stood there alone, with his mind full of many
+    hopes. And first he thought of going down to the harbor and
+    hiring a swift ship and sailing across the bay to Athens. But
+    even that seemed too slow for him, and he longed for wings to
+    fly across the sea and find his father.</p>
+
+    <p>After a while his heart began to fail him, and he sighed and
+    said within himself, "What if my father have other sons around
+    him, whom he loves? What if he will not receive me? He has
+    forgotten me ever since I was born. Why should he welcome me
+    now?"</p>
+
+    <p>Then he thought a long while sadly, but at last he cried
+    aloud, "Yes, I will make him love me. I will win honor, and do
+    such deeds that &AElig;geus shall be proud of me though he had
+    fifty other sons."</p>
+
+    <p>"I will go by land and into the mountains, and so round to
+    Athens. Perhaps there I may hear of brave adventures, and do
+    something which shall win my father's love."</p>
+
+    <p>So Theseus went by land and away into the mountains, with
+    his father's sword upon his thigh. And he went up into the
+    gloomy glens, up and up, till the lowland grew blue beneath his
+    feet, and the clouds drove damp about his head. But he went up
+    and up, ever toiling on through bog and brake, till he came to
+    a pile of stones.</p>
+
+    <p>On the stones a man was sitting wrapped in a cloak of
+    bear-skin. When he saw Theseus, he rose, and laughed till the
+    glens rattled.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page250"
+       id="page250"></a>[pg 250]</span>
+
+    <p>"Who art thou, fair fly, who hast walked into the spider's
+    web?"</p>
+
+    <p>Theseus walked on steadily, and made no answer, but he
+    thought, "Is this some robber? Has an adventure come to me
+    already?"</p>
+
+    <p>But the strange man laughed louder than ever and said, "Bold
+    fly, know thou not these glens are the web from which no fly
+    ever finds his way out again, and I am the spider who eats the
+    flies? Come hither and let me feast upon you. It is of no use
+    to run away, for these glens in the mountain make so cunning a
+    web, that through it no man can find his way home."</p>
+
+    <p>Still Theseus came steadily on, and he asked, "And what is
+    your name, bold spider, and where are your spider's fangs?"</p>
+
+    <p>The strange man laughed again. "Men call me the Club-bearer,
+    and here is my spider's fang," and he lifted off from the
+    stones at his side a mighty club of bronze. "With this I pound
+    all proud flies," he said. "So give me up that gay sword of
+    yours, and your mantle, and your golden sandals, lest I pound
+    you and by ill-luck you die!"</p>
+
+    <p>But Theseus wrapped his mantle round his left arm quickly,
+    in hard folds, and drew his sword, and rushed upon the
+    Club-bearer, and the Club-bearer rushed on him.</p>
+
+    <p>Thrice he struck at Theseus and made him bend under the
+    blows like a sapling. And thrice Theseus sprang upright after
+    the blow, and he stabbed at the Club-bearer with his sword, but
+    the loose folds of the bear-skin saved him.</p>
+
+    <p>Then Theseus grew angry and closed with him, and caught him
+    by the throat, and they fell and rolled over together. But when
+    Theseus rose up from the ground the Club-bearer lay still at
+    his feet.</p>
+
+    <p>So Theseus took the strange man's club and his bear-skin and
+    went upon his journey down the glens, till he came to a broad
+    green valley, and he saw flocks and herds sleeping beneath the
+    trees. And by the side of a pleasant fountain were nymphs and
+    shepherds dancing, but no one piped to them as they danced.</p>
+
+    <div class="figcenter"
+         style="width:100%;">
+        <a href="images/578.jpg"
+             name="fig578"
+             id="fig578"><img width="250"
+             src="images/578-t.jpg"
+             alt="THEY LEAPT ACROSS THE POOL AND CAME TO HIM." />
+             </a>
+
+        <p>&nbsp;</p>THEY LEAPT ACROSS THE POOL AND CAME TO HIM.
+    </div>
+
+    <p>When they saw Theseus they shrieked, and the shepherds
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page251"
+       id="page251"></a>[pg 251]</span> ran off and drove away
+       their flocks, while the nymphs dived into the fountain and
+       vanished.</p>
+
+    <p>Theseus wondered and laughed, "What strange fancies have
+    folks here, who run away from strangers, and have no music when
+    they dance." But he was tired and dusty and thirsty, so he
+    thought no more of them, but drank and bathed in the clear
+    pool, and then lay down in the shade under a plane-tree, while
+    the water sang him to sleep as it trickled down from stone to
+    stone.</p>
+
+    <p>And when he woke he heard a whispering, and saw the nymphs
+    peeping at him across the fountain from the dark mouth of a
+    cave, where they sat on green cushions of moss. One said,
+    "Surely he is not the Club-bearer," and another, "He looks no
+    robber, but a fair and gentle youth."</p>
+
+    <p>Then Theseus smiled and called them. "Fair nymphs, I am not
+    the Club-bearer. He sleeps among the kites and crows, but I
+    have brought away his bear-skin and his club."</p>
+
+    <p>They leapt across the pool, and came to him, and called the
+    shepherds back. And Theseus told them how he had slain the
+    Club-bearer, and the shepherds kissed his feet and sang, "Now
+    we shall feed our flocks in peace, and not be afraid to have
+    music when we dance. For the cruel Club-bearer has met his
+    match, and he will listen for our pipes no more."</p>
+
+    <p>Then the shepherds brought him kids' flesh and wine, and the
+    nymphs brought him honey from the rocks.</p>
+
+    <p>And Theseus ate and drank with them, and they begged him to
+    stay, but he would not.</p>
+
+    <p>"I have a great work to do;" he said, "I must go towards
+    Athens."</p>
+
+    <p>And the shepherds said, "You must look warily about you,
+    lest you meet the robber, called the Pine-bender. For he bends
+    down two pine-trees and binds all travelers hand and foot
+    between them, and when he lets the trees go their bodies are
+    torn in sunder."</p>
+
+    <p>But Theseus went on swiftly, for his heart burned to meet
+    that cruel robber. And in a pine-wood at last he met him, where
+    the road ran between high rocks.</p>
+
+    <p>There the robber sat upon a stone by the wayside, with a
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page252"
+       id="page252"></a>[pg 252]</span> young fir-tree for a club
+       across his knees, and a cord laid ready by his side, and
+       over his head, upon the fir-top, hung the bones of murdered
+       men.</p>
+
+    <p>Then Theseus shouted to him, "Holla, thou valiant
+    Pine-bender, hast thou two fir-trees left for me?"</p>
+
+    <p>The robber leapt to his feet and answered, pointing to the
+    bones above his head, "My larder has grown empty lately, so I
+    have two fir-trees ready for thee."</p>
+
+    <p>He rushed on Theseus, lifting his club, and Theseus rushed
+    upon him, and they fought together till the greenwoods
+    rang.</p>
+
+    <p>Then Theseus heaved up a mighty stroke and smote the
+    Pine-bearer down upon his face, and knelt upon his back, and
+    bound him with his own cord, and said, "As thou hast done to
+    others, so shall it be done to thee." And he bent down two
+    young fir-trees and bound the robber between them for all his
+    struggling and his prayers, and as he let the trees go the
+    robber perished, and Theseus went on, leaving him to the hawks
+    and crows.</p>
+
+    <p>Clearing the land of monsters as he went, Theseus saw at
+    last the plain of Athens before him.</p>
+
+    <p>And as he went up through Athens all the people ran out to
+    see him, for his fame had gone before him, and every one knew
+    of his mighty deeds, and they shouted, "Here comes the
+    hero!"</p>
+
+    <p>But Theseus went on sadly and steadfastly, for his heart
+    yearned after his father. He went up the holy stairs to the
+    spot where the palace of &AElig;geus stood. He went straight
+    into the hall and stood upon the threshold and looked
+    round.</p>
+
+    <p>He saw his cousins sitting at the table, and loud they
+    laughed and fast they passed the wine-cup round, but no
+    &AElig;geus sat among them.</p>
+
+    <p>They saw Theseus and called to him, "Holla, tall stranger at
+    the door, what is your will to-day?"</p>
+
+    <p>"I come to ask for hospitality."</p>
+
+    <p>"Then take it and welcome. You look like a hero and a bold
+    warrior, and we like such to drink with us."</p>
+
+    <p>"I ask no hospitality of you; I ask it of &AElig;geus the
+    King, the master of this
+    house."</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page253"
+       id="page253"></a>[pg 253]</span>
+
+    <p>At that some growled, and some laughed and shouted, "Heyday!
+    we are all masters here."</p>
+
+    <p>"Then I am master as much as the rest of you," said Theseus,
+    and he strode past the table up the hall, and looked around for
+    &AElig;geus, but he was nowhere to be seen.</p>
+
+    <p>The revelers looked at him and then at each other, and each
+    whispered to the man next him, "This is a forward fellow; he
+    ought to be thrust out at the door."</p>
+
+    <p>But each man's neighbor whispered in return, "His shoulders
+    are broad; will you rise and put him out?" So they all sat
+    still where they were.</p>
+
+    <p>Then Theseus called to the servants and said, "Go tell King
+    &AElig;geus, your master, that Theseus is here and asks to be
+    his guest awhile."</p>
+
+    <p>A servant ran and told &AElig;geus, where he sat in his
+    chamber with Medeia, the dark witch-woman, watching her eye and
+    hand.</p>
+
+    <p>And when &AElig;geus heard of Theseus he turned pale and
+    again red, and rose from his seat trembling, while Medeia, the
+    witch, watched him like a snake.</p>
+
+    <p>"What is Theseus to you?" she asked.</p>
+
+    <p>But he said hastily, "Do you not know who this Theseus is?
+    The hero who has cleared the country from all monsters. I must
+    go out and welcome him."</p>
+
+    <p>So &AElig;geus came into the hall, and when Theseus saw him
+    his heart leapt into his mouth, and he longed to fall on his
+    neck and welcome him. But he controlled himself and thought,
+    "My father may not wish for me, after all. I will try him
+    before I discover myself." And he bowed low before &AElig;geus
+    and said, "I have delivered the King's realm from many
+    monsters, therefore I am come to ask a reward of the King."</p>
+
+    <p>Old &AElig;geus looked on him and loved him, but he only
+    sighed and said, "It is little that I can give you, noble lad,
+    and nothing that is worthy of you."</p>
+
+    <p>"All I ask," said Theseus, "is to eat and drink at your
+    table."</p>
+
+    <p>"That I can give you," said &AElig;geus, "if at least I am
+    master in my own hall."</p>
+
+    <p>Then he bade them put a seat for Theseus, and set before
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page254"
+       id="page254"></a>[pg 254]</span> him the best of the feast,
+       and Theseus sat and ate so much that all the company
+       wondered at him, but always he kept his club by his
+       side.</p>
+
+    <p>But Medeia, the dark witch-maiden, was watching all the
+    while, and she saw how the heart of &AElig;geus opened to
+    Theseus, and she said to herself, "This youth will be master
+    here, unless I hinder it."</p>
+
+    <p>Then she went back modestly to her chamber, while Theseus
+    ate and drank, and all the servants whispered, "This, then, is
+    the man who killed the monsters! How noble are his looks, and
+    how huge his size! Ah, would he were our master's son!"</p>
+
+    <p>Presently Medeia came forth, decked in all her jewels and
+    her rich Eastern robes, and looking more beautiful than the
+    day, so that all the guests could look at nothing else. And in
+    her right hand she held a golden cup, and in her left a flask
+    of gold. She came up to Theseus, and spoke in a sweet and
+    winning voice, "Hail to the hero! drink of my charmed cup,
+    which gives rest after every toil and heals all wounds;" and as
+    she spoke she poured sparkling wine into the cup.</p>
+
+    <p>Theseus looked up into her fair face and into her deep dark
+    eyes, and as he looked he shrank and shuddered, for they were
+    dry eyes like the eyes of a snake.</p>
+
+    <p>Then he rose and said, "The wine is rich, and the
+    wine-bearer fair. Let her pledge me first herself in the cup
+    that the wine may be sweeter."</p>
+
+    <p>Medeia turned pale and stammered, "Forgive me, fair hero,
+    but I am ill and dare drink no wine."</p>
+
+    <p>Theseus looked again into her eyes and cried, "Thou shalt
+    pledge me in that cup or die!"</p>
+
+    <p>Then Medeia shrieked and dashed the cup to the ground and
+    fled, for there was strong poison in that wine.</p>
+
+    <p>And Medeia called her dragon chariot, and sprang into it,
+    and fled aloft, away over land and sea, and no man saw her
+    more.</p>
+
+    <div class="figcenter"
+         style="width:100%;">
+        <a href="images/580.jpg"
+             name="fig580"
+             id="fig580"><img width="250"
+             src="images/580-t.jpg"
+             alt="THESEUS LOOKED UP INTO HER FAIR FACE." /></a>
+
+        <p>&nbsp;</p>THESEUS LOOKED UP INTO HER FAIR FACE.
+    </div>
+
+    <p>&AElig;geus cried, "What have you done?"</p>
+
+    <p>But Theseus said, "I have rid the land of one enchantment,
+    now I will rid it of one more."</p>
+
+    <p>And he came close to &AElig;geus and drew from his cloak the
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page255"
+       id="page255"></a>[pg 255]</span> sword and the sandals, and
+       said the words which his mother bade him, "The stone is
+       lifted."</p>
+
+    <p>&AElig;geus stepped back a pace and looked at the lad till
+    his eyes grew dim, and then he cast himself on his neck and
+    wept, and Theseus wept, till they had no strength left to weep
+    more.</p>
+
+    <p>Then &AElig;geus turned to all the people and cried, "Behold
+    my son!"</p>
+
+    <p>But the cousins were angry and drew their swords against
+    Theseus. Twenty against one they fought, and yet Theseus beat
+    them all, till at last he was left alone in the palace with his
+    new-found father.</p>
+
+    <p>But before nightfall all the town came up, with dances and
+    songs, because the King had found an heir to his royal
+    house.</p>
+
+    <p>So Theseus stayed with his father all the winter through,
+    and when spring drew near, he saw all the people of Athens grow
+    sad and silent. And he asked the reason of the silence and the
+    sadness, but no one would answer him a word.</p>
+
+    <p>Then he went to his father and asked him, but &AElig;geus
+    turned away his face and wept.</p>
+
+    <p>But when spring had come, a herald stood in the market-place
+    and cried, "O people and King of Athens, where is your yearly
+    tribute?" Then a great lamentation arose throughout the
+    city.</p>
+
+    <p>But Theseus stood up before the herald and cried, "I am a
+    stranger here. Tell me, then, why you come?"</p>
+
+    <p>"To fetch the tribute which King &AElig;geus promised to
+    King Minos. Blood was shed here unjustly, and King Minos came
+    to avenge it, and would not leave Athens till the land had
+    promised him tribute&mdash;seven youths and seven maidens every
+    year, who go with me in a black-sailed ship."</p>
+
+    <p>Then Theseus groaned inwardly and said, "I will go myself
+    with these youths and maidens, and kill King Minos upon his
+    royal throne."</p>
+
+    <p>But &AElig;geus shrieked and cried, "You shall not go, my
+    son, you shall not go to die horribly, as those youths and
+    maidens die. For Minos thrusts them into a labyrinth, and no
+    one can escape from its winding ways, before they meet the
+    Minotaur, the <span class="pagenum"><a name="page25693"
+       id="page25693"></a>[pg 25693]</span> monster who feeds upon
+       the flesh of men. There he devours them horribly, and they
+       never see this land again."</p>
+
+    <p>And Theseus said, "Therefore all the more will I go with
+    them, and slay the accursed Minotaur."</p>
+
+    <p>Then &AElig;geus clung to his knees, but Theseus would not
+    stay, and at last he let him go, weeping bitterly, and saying
+    only this last word, "Promise me but this, if you return in
+    peace, though that may hardly be. Take down the black sail of
+    the ship, for I shall watch for it all day upon the cliffs, and
+    hoist instead a white sail, that I may know afar off that you
+    are safe."</p>
+
+    <p>And Theseus promised, and went out, and to the market-place,
+    where the herald stood and drew lots for the youths and maidens
+    who were to sail in that sad ship.</p>
+
+    <p>The people stood wailing and weeping as the lot fell on this
+    one and on that, but Theseus strode into the midst and cried,
+    "Here is one who needs no lot. I myself will be one of the
+    seven."</p>
+
+    <p>And the herald asked in wonder, "Fair youth, do you know
+    whither you are going?"</p>
+
+    <p>"I know," answered Theseus boldly; "let us go down to the
+    black-sailed ship."</p>
+
+    <p>So they went down to the black-sailed ship, seven maidens
+    and seven youths, and Theseus before them all. And the people
+    followed them, lamenting. But Theseus whispered to his
+    companions, "Have hope, for the monster is not immortal."</p>
+
+    <p>Then their hearts were comforted a little, but they wept as
+    they went on board; and the cliffs rang with the voice of their
+    weeping.</p>
+
+    <h3>III</h3>
+
+    <h3>HOW THESEUS SLEW THE MINOTAUR</h3>
+
+    <p>And the ship sailed slowly on, till at last it reached the
+    land of Crete, and Theseus stood before King Minos, and they
+    looked each other in the face.</p>
+
+    <p>Minos bade take the youths and the maidens to prison, and
+    cast them to the Minotaur one by one.</p>
+
+    <p>Then Theseus cried, "A boon, O Minos! Let me be thrown
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page257"
+       id="page257"></a>[pg 257]</span> first to the monster. For I
+       came hither, for that very purpose, of my own will and not
+       by lot."</p>
+
+    <p>"Who art thou, thou brave youth?" asked the King.</p>
+
+    <p>"I am the son of &AElig;geus, the King of Athens, and I am
+    come here to end the yearly tribute."</p>
+
+    <p>And Minos pondered a while, looking steadfastly at him, and
+    he thought, "The lad means to atone by his own death for his
+    father's sin;" and he answered mildly, "Go back in peace, my
+    son. It is a pity that one so brave should die."</p>
+
+    <p>But Theseus said, "I have sworn that I will not go back till
+    I have seen the monster face to face."</p>
+
+    <p>At that Minos frowned and said, "Then thou shalt see
+    him."</p>
+
+    <p>And they led Theseus away into the prison, with the other
+    youths and maidens.</p>
+
+    <p>Now Ariadne, the daughter of Minos, saw Theseus as she came
+    out of her white stone hall, and she loved him for his courage
+    and his beauty, and she said, "It is shameful that such a youth
+    should die." And by night she went down to the prison and told
+    him all her heart, and said, "Flee down to your ship at once,
+    for I have bribed the guards before the door. Flee, you and all
+    your friends, and go back in peace, and take me with you. For I
+    dare not stay after you are gone. My father will kill me
+    miserably, if he knows what I have done."</p>
+
+    <p>And Theseus stood silent awhile, for he was astonished and
+    confounded by her beauty.</p>
+
+    <p>But at last he said, "I cannot go home in peace till I have
+    seen and slain this Minotaur, and put an end to the terrors of
+    my land."</p>
+
+    <p>"And will you kill the Minotaur? How then will you do it?"
+    asked Ariadne in wonder.</p>
+
+    <p>"I know not, nor do I care, but he must be strong if he be
+    too strong for me," said Theseus.</p>
+
+    <p>Then she loved him all the more and said, "But when you have
+    killed him, how will you find your way out of the
+    labyrinth?"</p>
+
+    <p>"I know not, neither do I care, but it must be a strange
+    road if I do not find it out before I have eaten up the
+    monster's carcass."</p>
+
+    <p>Then Ariadne loved him yet more, and said, "Fair youth,
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page258"
+       id="page258"></a>[pg 258]</span> you are too bold, but I can
+       help you, weak as I am. I will give you a sword, and with
+       that perhaps you may slay the monster, and a clue of thread,
+       and by that perhaps you may find your way out again. Only
+       promise me that if you escape you will take me home with
+       you."</p>
+
+    <p>Then Theseus laughed and said, "Am I not safe enough now?"
+    And he hid his sword, and rolled up the clue in his hand, and
+    then he fell down before Ariadne and kissed her hands and her
+    feet, while she wept over him a long while. Then the Princess
+    went away, and Theseus lay down and slept sweetly.</p>
+
+    <p>When evening came the guards led him away to the labyrinth.
+    And he went down into that doleful gulf, and he turned on the
+    left hand and on the right hand, and went up and down till his
+    head was dizzy, but all the while he held the clue. For when he
+    went in he fastened it to a stone and left it to unroll out of
+    his hand as he went on, and it lasted till he met the Minotaur
+    in a narrow chasm between black cliffs.</p>
+
+    <p>And when he saw the Minotaur, he stopped a while, for he had
+    never seen so strange a monster. His body was a man's, but his
+    head was the head of a bull, and his teeth were the teeth of a
+    lion. When he saw Theseus, he roared and put his head down and
+    rushed right at him.</p>
+
+    <p>But Theseus stepped aside nimbly, and as the monster passed
+    by, cut him in the knee, and ere he could turn in the narrow
+    path, he followed him, and stabbed him again and again from
+    behind, till the monster fled, bellowing wildly.</p>
+
+    <p>Theseus followed him, holding the clue of thread in his left
+    hand, and at last he came up with him, where he lay panting,
+    and caught him by the horns, and forced his head back, and
+    drove the keen sword through his throat.</p>
+
+    <p>Then Theseus turned and went back, limping and weary,
+    feeling his way by the clue of thread, till he came to the
+    mouth of that doleful place, and saw waiting for him&mdash;whom
+    but Ariadne?</p>
+
+    <p>And he whispered, "It is done," and showed her the sword.
+    Then she laid her finger on her lips, and led him to the prison
+    and opened the doors, and set all the prisoners free, while the
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page259"
+       id="page259"></a>[pg 259]</span> guards lay sleeping
+       heavily, for Ariadne had drugged them with wine.</p>
+
+    <p>So they fled to their ship together, and leapt on board and
+    hoisted up the sail, and the night lay dark around them, so
+    that they escaped all safe, and Ariadne became the wife of
+    Theseus.</p>
+
+    <p>But that fair Ariadne never came to Athens with her husband.
+    Some say that, as she lay sleeping on the shore, one of the
+    gods found her and took her up into the sky, and some say that
+    the gods drove away Theseus, and took Ariadne from him by
+    force. But, however that may be, in his haste or his grief,
+    Theseus forgot to put up the white sail.</p>
+
+    <p>Now &AElig;geus his father sat on the cliffs and watched day
+    after day, and strained his old eyes across the waters to see
+    the ship afar. And when he saw the black sail he gave up
+    Theseus for dead, and in his grief he fell into the sea and was
+    drowned, and it is called the &AElig;gean Sea to this day.</p>
+
+    <p>Then Theseus was King of Athens, and he guarded it and ruled
+    it well, and many wise things he did, so that his people
+    honored him after he was dead, for many a hundred years, as the
+    father of their freedom and of their laws.</p>
+
+    <h3>HERCULES</h3>
+
+    <h4>ADAPTED BY THOMAS CARTWRIGHT</h4>
+
+    <h3>I</h3>
+
+    <h3>THE TWELVE LABORS OF HERCULES</h3>
+
+    <p>Hercules, the hero of strength and courage, was the son of
+    Jupiter and Alcmene. His life was one long series of
+    wonders.</p>
+
+    <p>As soon as he was born, Juno, who hated Alcmene with an
+    exceeding great hatred, went to the Fates and begged them to
+    make the life of the newly-born babe hard and
+    perilous.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page260"
+       id="page260"></a>[pg 260]</span>
+
+    <p>The Fates were three, namely, Clotho who spun the thread of
+    life, Lachesis who settled the lot of gods and mortals in life,
+    and Atropos who cut the thread of life spun by Clotho.</p>
+
+    <p>When once the Fates had decided what the lot of any being,
+    whether god or man, was to be, Jupiter himself could not alter
+    their decision.</p>
+
+    <p>It was to these fateful three, then, that Juno made her
+    prayer concerning the infant Hercules. She could not, however,
+    prevent him from having an honorable career, since it was
+    written that he should triumph over all dangers and
+    difficulties that might beset him.</p>
+
+    <p>All that was conceded to her was that Hercules should be put
+    under the dominion of Eurystheus, King of Thebes, his eldest
+    brother, a harsh and pitiless man. This only half satisfied the
+    hatred of Juno, but it made the life of Hercules exceedingly
+    bitter.</p>
+
+    <p>In fact, Hercules was but a child, when Juno sent two
+    enormous serpents against him. These serpents, gliding into his
+    cradle, were on the point of biting the child when he, with his
+    own hands, seized them and strangled the life out of their
+    slimy bodies.</p>
+
+    <p>Having grown up to man's estate, Hercules did many mighty
+    deeds of valor that need not be recounted here. But the hatred
+    of Juno always pursued him. At length, when he had been married
+    several years, she made him mad and impelled him in his madness
+    to kill his own beloved children!</p>
+
+    <p>When he came again to his sober senses, and learnt that he
+    was the murderer of his own offspring he was filled with
+    horror, and betook himself into exile so that he might hide his
+    face from his fellow men. After a time he went to the oracle at
+    Delphi to ask what he should do in atonement for his dreadful
+    deed.</p>
+
+    <p>He was ordered to serve his brother Eurystheus&mdash;who, by
+    the help of Juno, had robbed him of his kingdom&mdash;for
+    twelve years. After this he was to become one of the Immortals.
+    Eurystheus feared that Hercules might use his great strength
+    and courage against him, in punishment for the evil that he had
+    done. He therefore resolved to banish him and to impose such
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page261"
+       id="page261"></a>[pg 261]</span> tasks upon him as must
+       certainly bring about his destruction. Hence arose the
+       famous twelve labors of Hercules.</p>
+
+    <p>Eurystheus first set Hercules to keep his sheep at Nemea and
+    to kill the lion that ofttimes carried off the sheep, and
+    sometimes the shepherd also.</p>
+
+    <p>The man-eater lurked in a wood that was hard by the
+    sheep-run. Hercules would not wait to be attacked by him.
+    Arming himself with a heavy club and with a bow and arrows, he
+    went in search of the lion's lair and soon found it.</p>
+
+    <p>Finding that arrows and club made no impression upon the
+    thick skin of the lion, the hero was constrained to trust
+    entirely to his own thews and sinews. Seizing the lion with
+    both hands, he put forth all his mighty strength and strangled
+    the beast just as he had strangled the serpents in his cradle.
+    Then, having despoiled the dead man-eater of his skin, Hercules
+    henceforth wore this trophy as a garment, and as a shield and
+    buckler.</p>
+
+    <p>In those days, there was in Greece a monstrous serpent known
+    as the Hydra of Lerna, because it haunted a marsh of that name
+    whence it issued in search of prey. As his second labor,
+    Hercules was sent to slay this creature.</p>
+
+    <p>This reptile had nine heads of which the midmost was
+    immortal. When Hercules struck off one of these heads with his
+    club, two others at once appeared in its place. By the help of
+    his servant, Hercules burned off the nine heads, and buried the
+    immortal one beneath a huge rock.</p>
+
+    <p>The blood of the Hydra was a poison so subtle that Hercules,
+    by dipping the points of his arrows therein, made them so
+    deadly that no mortal could hope to recover from a wound
+    inflicted by them. We shall see later that Hercules himself
+    died from the poison of one of these self-same arrows.</p>
+
+    <p>The third labor imposed upon Hercules by Eurystheus was the
+    capture of the Arcadian Stag. This remarkable beast had brazen
+    feet and antlers of solid gold. Hercules was to carry the stag
+    alive to Eurystheus.</p>
+
+    <p>It proved no easy task to do this. The stag was so fleet of
+    foot that no one had been able to approach it. For more than a
+    year, over hill and dale, Hercules pursued the beast without
+    ever finding a chance of capturing it without killing
+    it.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page262"
+       id="page262"></a>[pg 262]</span>
+
+    <p>At length he shot at it and wounded it with an
+    arrow&mdash;not, you may be sure, with one of the poisoned
+    ones&mdash;and, having caught it thus wounded, he carried it on
+    his shoulder to his brother and thus completed the third of his
+    labors.</p>
+
+    <p>In the neighborhood of Mount Erymanthus, in Arcadia, there
+    lived, in those far-off days, a savage boar that was in the
+    habit of sallying forth from his lair and laying waste the
+    country round about, nor had any man been able to capture or
+    restrain him. To free the country from the ravages of this
+    monster was the fourth labor of Hercules.</p>
+
+    <p>Having tracked the animal to his lurking place after chasing
+    him through the deep snow, Hercules caught him in a net and
+    bore him away in triumph on his shoulders to the feet of the
+    amazed Eurystheus.</p>
+
+    <p>Augeas, King of Elis, in Greece, not far from Mount Olympus,
+    owned a herd of oxen 3,000 in number. They were stabled in
+    stables that had not been cleaned out for thirty years. The
+    stench was terrible and greatly troubled the health of the
+    land. Eurystheus set Hercules the task of cleaning out these
+    Augean stables in a single day!</p>
+
+    <p>But the wit of the hero was equal to the occasion. With his
+    great strength he diverted the flow of two rivers that ran
+    their courses near the stables and made them flow right through
+    the stables themselves, and lo! the nuisance that had been
+    growing for thirty years was no more! Such was the fifth labor
+    of Hercules.</p>
+
+    <p>On an island in a lake near Stymphalus, in Arcadia, there
+    nested in those days some remarkable and terrible
+    birds&mdash;remarkable because their claws, wings and beaks
+    were brazen, and terrible because they fed on human flesh and
+    attacked with their terrible beaks and claws all who came near
+    the lake. To kill these dreadful birds was the sixth labor.</p>
+
+    <p>Minerva supplied Hercules with a brazen rattle with which he
+    roused the birds from their nests, and then slew them with his
+    poisoned arrows while they were on the wing.</p>
+
+    <p>This victory made Hercules popular throughout the whole of
+    Greece, and Eurystheus saw that nothing he could devise was too
+    hard for the hero to
+    accomplish.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page263"
+       id="page263"></a>[pg 263]</span>
+
+    <p>The seventh labor was to capture a mad bull that the Sea-god
+    Neptune had let loose in the island of Crete, of which island
+    Minos was at that time King.</p>
+
+    <p>This ferocious creature breathed out from his nostrils a
+    whirlwind of flaming fire. But Hercules was, as you no doubt
+    have guessed, too much for the brazen bull.</p>
+
+    <p>He not only caught the monster, but tamed him, and bore him
+    aloft on his shoulders, into the presence of the affrighted
+    Eurystheus, who was at a loss to find a task impossible for
+    Hercules to perform.</p>
+
+    <p>The taking of the mares of Diomedes was the eighth labor.
+    These horses were not ordinary horses, living on corn. They
+    were flesh eaters, and moreover, they devoured human beings,
+    and so were hateful to mankind.</p>
+
+    <p>On this occasion Hercules was not alone. He organised a hunt
+    and, by the help of a few friends, caught the horses and led
+    them to Eurystheus. The scene of this labor was Thrace, an
+    extensive region lying between the &AElig;gean Sea, the Euxine
+    or Black Sea, and the Danube.</p>
+
+    <p>Seizing the girdle of Hippolyte was the next feat set for
+    the hero. This labor was due to the desire of the daughter of
+    Eurystheus for the girdle of Hippolyte, Queen of the
+    Amazons&mdash;a tribe of female warriors. It is said that the
+    girls had their right breasts cut off in order that they might
+    use the bow with greater ease in battle! This, indeed, is the
+    meaning of the term Amazon, which signifies "breastless."</p>
+
+    <p>After a troublesome journey Hercules arrived safely at the
+    Court of Hippolyte, who received him kindly; and this labor
+    might, perchance, have been a bloodless one had not his old
+    enemy Juno stirred up the female warriors against him.</p>
+
+    <p>In the fight that followed, Hercules killed
+    Hippolyte&mdash;a feat scarcely to be proud of&mdash;and
+    carried off her girdle, and thus the vanity of the daughter of
+    Eurystheus was gratified.</p>
+
+    <p>To capture the oxen of Geryon was the tenth labor of
+    Hercules. In the person of Geryon we meet another of those
+    strange beings in which the makers of myths and fairy tales
+    seem to revel. Geryon was a three-bodied monster whose cattle
+    were kept by a giant and a two-headed
+    dog!</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page264"
+       id="page264"></a>[pg 264]</span>
+
+    <p>It is said that Hercules, on his way to the performance of
+    this tenth labor, formed the Pillars of Hercules&mdash;those
+    two rocky steeps that guard the entrance to the Straits of
+    Gibraltar, <i>i.e.</i>, Calpa (Gibraltar) and Abyla
+    (Ceuta)&mdash;by rending asunder the one mountain these two
+    rocks are said to have formed, although now they are eighteen
+    miles apart.</p>
+
+    <p>Hercules slew the giant, the two-headed dog and Geryon
+    himself, and in due course brought the oxen to Eurystheus.</p>
+
+    <p>Sometime afterwards, Eurystheus, having heard rumors of a
+    wonderful tree which, in some unknown land, yielded golden
+    apples, was moved with great greed to have some of this
+    remarkable fruit. Hence he commanded Hercules to make the quest
+    of this tree his eleventh labor. The hero had no notion where
+    the tree grew, but he was bound by his bond to obey the King,
+    so he set out and after a time reached the kingdom of Atlas,
+    King of Africa. He had been told that Atlas could give him news
+    of the tree.</p>
+
+    <p>I must tell you that King Atlas, having in the olden time
+    helped the Titans in their wars against the gods, was
+    undergoing punishment for this offence, his penance being to
+    hold up the starry vault of heaven upon his shoulders. This
+    means, perhaps, that in the kingdom of Atlas there were some
+    mountains so high that their summits seemed to touch the
+    sky.</p>
+
+    <p>Hercules offered to relieve Atlas of his load for a time, if
+    he would but tell him where the famous tree was, upon which
+    grew the golden fruit. Atlas consented, and for some days
+    Hercules supported the earth and the starry vault of heaven
+    upon his shoulders.</p>
+
+    <p>Then Atlas opened the gate of the Garden of the Hesperides
+    to Hercules. These Hesperides were none other than the three
+    daughters of Atlas, and it was their duty, in which they were
+    helped by a dragon, to guard the golden apples.</p>
+
+    <p>Hercules killed the dragon and carried off the apples, but
+    they were afterwards restored to their place by Minerva.</p>
+
+    <p>Cerberus, as perhaps you know, was the triple-headed dog
+    that guarded the entrance to the nether world. To bring up this
+    three-headed monster from the land of the dead was the last of
+    the twelve labors. It was also the
+    hardest.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page265"
+       id="page265"></a>[pg 265]</span>
+
+    <p>Pluto, the god of the nether world, told Hercules he might
+    carry off the dog if he could take him without using club or
+    spear&mdash;never dreaming that the hero could perform such a
+    difficult feat.</p>
+
+    <p>Hercules penetrated to the entrance of Pluto's gloomy
+    regions, and, putting forth his strength succeeded, not only in
+    seizing Cerberus, but also in carrying him to Eurystheus, and
+    so brought the twelve labors to an end, and was released from
+    his servitude to his cruel brother.</p>
+
+    <p>These exploits of strength and endurance do not by any means
+    complete the tale of the wonderful doings of the great Greek
+    hero. He continued his deeds of daring to the end of his
+    life.</p>
+
+    <p>One of the last of his exploits was to kill the eagle that
+    daily devoured the liver of Prometheus, whose story is both
+    curious and interesting.</p>
+
+    <p>He is said to have been the great friend of mankind, and was
+    chained to a rock on Mount Caucasus because he stole fire from
+    heaven and gave it as a gift to the sons of man.</p>
+
+    <p>While in chains an eagle was sent by Jupiter daily to feed
+    on Prometheus's liver, which Jupiter made to grow again each
+    night. From this continuous torture he was released by
+    Hercules, who slew the eagle and burst asunder the bonds of
+    this friend of man.</p>
+
+    <h3>II</h3>
+
+    <h3>HERCULES IN THE NETHER WORLD</h3>
+
+    <p>Theseus and Pirithous were two Athenians, who, after having
+    been at enmity for a long time at last became the very best of
+    friends. They, like Hercules, had passed their youth in doing
+    doughty deeds for the benefit of mankind, and their fame had
+    spread abroad throughout the land of Greece. This did not
+    prevent them from forming a very foolish project. They actually
+    planned to go down to Hades and carry off Pluto's wife,
+    Proserpina, whom Pirithous himself wished to marry.</p>
+
+    <p>This rashness brought about their ruin, for they were seized
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page266"
+       id="page266"></a>[pg 266]</span> by Pluto and chained to a
+       rock. All this Hercules, who was the friend of Theseus,
+       learnt while on one of his journeys, and he resolved to
+       rescue Theseus from his eternal punishment.</p>
+
+    <p>As for Pirithous, the prime mover in the attempted outrage,
+    him Hercules meant to leave to his fate.</p>
+
+    <p>Hercules had been warned to take a black dog to sacrifice to
+    Hecate and a cake to mollify Cerberus, as was usual; but he
+    would not listen to such tales and meant to force his way to
+    Theseus. When he found himself face to face with Cerberus he
+    seized him, threw him down and chained him with strong
+    chains.</p>
+
+    <p>The next difficulty in the way was black and muddy Acheron,
+    the first of the seven rivers that ran round Hades, and formed
+    a barrier between the living and the departed.</p>
+
+    <p>This river had not always run under the vaults of Hades.
+    Formerly its course was upon the earth. But when the Titans
+    attempted to scale the heaven, this river had the ill luck to
+    quench their thirst, and Jupiter to punish even the waters of
+    the river for abetting his enemies, turned its course aside
+    into the under world where its waves, slow-moving and filthy,
+    lost themselves in Styx, the largest of all the rivers of
+    Hades, which ran round Pluto's gloomy kingdom no less than nine
+    times.</p>
+
+    <p>On reaching the banks of Styx, Hercules was surprised to see
+    flying around him a crowd of disconsolate spirits, whom Charon
+    the Ferryman refused to row across Styx, because they could not
+    pay him his fee of an obol, a Greek coin worth about three
+    cents of our money, which the Greeks were accustomed to place
+    in the mouths of their dead for the purpose, as they thought,
+    of paying Charon his ferry fee.</p>
+
+    <p>Fierce Charon frowned when he beheld Hercules for he feared
+    his light boat of bark would sink under his weight, it being
+    only adapted for the light and airy spirits of the dead; but
+    when the son of Jupiter told him his name he was mollified and
+    allowed the hero to take his place at his side.</p>
+
+    <p>As soon as the boat had touched the shore, Hercules went
+    towards the gloomy palace of Pluto where he with difficulty, on
+    account of the darkness, saw Pluto seated upon an ebony throne
+    by the side of his beloved Proserpina.</p>
+
+    <p>Pluto was not at all pleased to see the hero, as he hated
+    the <span class="pagenum"><a name="page267"
+       id="page267"></a>[pg 267]</span> living and had interest
+       only in the shades of the dead. When Hercules announced
+       himself, however, he gave him a permit to go round his
+       kingdom and, in addition, acceded to his prayer for the
+       release of Theseus.</p>
+
+    <p>At the foot of Pluto's throne Hercules saw Death the Reaper.
+    He was clothed in a black robe spotted with stars and his
+    fleshless hand held the sharp sickle with which he is said to
+    cut down mortals as the reaper cuts down corn.</p>
+
+    <p>Our hero was glad to escape from this dismal palace and as
+    he did not know exactly where to find Theseus he began to make
+    the circuit of Hades. During his progress he saw the shades of
+    many people of whom, on earth, he had heard much talk.</p>
+
+    <p>He had been wandering about some time when, in a gloomy
+    chamber, he saw three old sisters, wan and worn, spinning by
+    the feeble light of a lamp. They were the Fates, deities whose
+    duty it was to thread the days of all mortals who appeared on
+    earth, were it but for an instant.</p>
+
+    <p>Clotho, the spinner of the thread of life, was the eldest of
+    the three. She held in her hand a distaff, wound with black and
+    white woollen yarn, with which were sparingly intermixed
+    strands of silk and gold. The wool stood for the humdrum
+    everyday life of man: the silk and gold marked the days of
+    mirth and gladness, always, alas! too few in number.</p>
+
+    <p>Lachesis, the second of the Fates, was quickly turning with
+    her left hand a spindle, while her right hand was leading a
+    fine thread which the third sister, Atropos by name, used to
+    cut with a pair of sharp shears at the death of each
+    mortal.</p>
+
+    <p>You may imagine how hard these three sisters worked when you
+    remember that the thread of life of every mortal had to pass
+    through their fateful fingers. Hercules would have liked them
+    to tell him how long they had yet to spin for him, but they had
+    no time to answer questions and so the hero passed on.</p>
+
+    <p>Some steps farther he stopped before three venerable looking
+    old men, seated upon a judgment seat, judging, as it seemed, a
+    man newly come to Pluto's kingdom.</p>
+
+    <p>They were Minos, &AElig;acus and Rhadamanthus, the three
+    judges of Hades, whose duty it was to punish the guilty by
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page268"
+       id="page268"></a>[pg 268]</span> casting them into a dismal
+       gulf, Tartarus, whence none might ever emerge, and to reward
+       the innocent by transporting them to the Elysian Fields
+       where delight followed delight in endless pleasure.</p>
+
+    <p>These judges could never be mistaken because Themis, the
+    Goddess of Justice, held in front of them a pair of scales in
+    which she weighed the actions of men. Their decrees were
+    instantly carried out by a pitiless goddess, Nemesis, or
+    Vengeance by name, armed with a whip red with the gore of her
+    sinful victims.</p>
+
+    <h3>III</h3>
+
+    <h3>BLACK TARTARUS AND THE ELYSIAN FIELDS</h3>
+
+    <p>Immediately on quitting the presence of the three judges,
+    Hercules saw them open out before him an immense gulf whence
+    arose thick clouds of black smoke. This smoke hid from view a
+    river of fire that rolled its fiery waves onwards with a
+    deafening din.</p>
+
+    <p>Not far remote from this rolled Cocytus, another endless
+    stream, fed by the tears of the wretches doomed to Black
+    Tartarus, in which place of eternal torment Hercules now found
+    himself.</p>
+
+    <p>The rulers of these mournful regions were the Furies who,
+    with unkempt hair and armed with whips, tormented the condemned
+    without mercy by showing them continually in mirrors the images
+    of their former crimes.</p>
+
+    <p>Into Tartarus were thrown, never to come out again, the
+    shades or manes of traitors, ingrates, perjurers, unnatural
+    children, murderers and hypocrites who had during their lives
+    pretended to be upright and honorable in order to deceive the
+    just.</p>
+
+    <p>But these wretches were not the only denizens of Black
+    Tartarus. There were to be seen great scoundrels who had
+    startled the world with their frightful crimes. For these Pluto
+    and the Furies had invented special tortures.</p>
+
+    <p>Among the criminals so justly overtaken by the divine
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page269"
+       id="page269"></a>[pg 269]</span> vengeance Hercules noticed
+       Salmoneus, whom he had formerly met upon earth. This madman,
+       whose pride had overturned his reason, thought himself to be
+       a god equal to the Thunderer himself.</p>
+
+    <p>In order to imitate remotely the rolling of thunder, he used
+    to be driven at night, over a brazen bridge, in a chariot,
+    whence he hurled lighted torches upon his unhappy slaves who
+    were crowded on the bridge and whom his guards knocked down in
+    imitation of Jove's thunder-bolts.</p>
+
+    <p>Indignant at the pride and cruelty of the tyrant, Jupiter
+    struck him with lightning in deadly earnest and then cast him
+    into the outer darkness of Tartarus, where he was for ever
+    burning without being consumed.</p>
+
+    <p>Sisyphus, the brother of Salmoneus, was no better than he.
+    When on earth, he had been the terror of Attica, where, as a
+    brigand, he had robbed and murdered with relentless
+    cruelty.</p>
+
+    <p>Theseus, whom Hercules was bent on freeing from his torment,
+    had met and killed this robber-assassin, and Jupiter, for his
+    sins, decreed that the malefactor should continually be rolling
+    up a hill in Tartarus a heavy stone which, when with incredible
+    pains he had brought nearly to the top, always rolled back
+    again, and he had to begin over and over again the
+    heart-breaking ascent.</p>
+
+    <p>Some distance from Sisyphus Hercules came upon Tantalus,
+    who, in the flesh, had been King of Phrygia, but who now, weak
+    from hunger and parched with thirst, was made to stand to his
+    chin in water with branches of tempting luscious fruit hanging
+    ripe over his head. When he essayed to drink the water it
+    always went from him, and when he stretched out his hand to
+    pluck the fruit, back the branches sprang out of reach.</p>
+
+    <p>In addition an immense rock, hung over his head, threatened
+    every moment to crush him.</p>
+
+    <p>It is said that Tantalus, when in the flesh, had betrayed
+    the secrets of the gods and also committed other great crimes.
+    For this he was "tantalized" with food and drink, which,
+    seeming always to be within his reach, ever mocked his hopes by
+    eluding his grasp.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page270"
+       id="page270"></a>[pg 270]</span>
+
+    <p>The groans of a crowd of disheveled women next attracted the
+    affrighted attention of Hercules. They were forty-nine of the
+    fifty daughters of Danaus, King of Argos, who, at the
+    instigation of their father, had killed their husbands because
+    Danaus thought they were conspiring to depose him.</p>
+
+    <p>One only of the fifty, to wit Hypermnestra, had the courage
+    to disobey this unlawful command and so saved the life of
+    Lynceus, her husband, with whom she fled. Later on Lynceus
+    returned and slew the cruel King in battle.</p>
+
+    <p>To punish the forty-nine Danaides, Jupiter cast them into
+    the outer darkness of Black Tartarus, where they were ever
+    engaged in the hopeless task of pouring water into a sieve.
+    Hypermnestra, on the contrary, was honored while alive, and
+    also after her death, for loving goodness even more than she
+    loved her father.</p>
+
+    <p>Glutted with horror Hercules at length quitted gloomy
+    Tartarus and beheld in front of him still another river. This
+    was Lethe. Whoso drank the waters of this river, which
+    separated the place of torment from the abode of the blest,
+    lost memory of all that had been aforetime in his mind, and so
+    was no longer troubled by even the remembrance of human
+    misery.</p>
+
+    <p>Across Lethe stretched the Elysian Fields where the shades
+    of the blest dwelt in bliss without alloy. An enchanting
+    greenness made the sweet-smelling groves as pleasant to the eye
+    as they were to the sense of smell. Sunlit, yet never parched
+    with torrid heat, everywhere their verdure charmed the
+    delighted eye, and all things conspired to make the shades of
+    the good and wise, who were privileged to dwell in these
+    Elysian Fields, delightfully happy.</p>
+
+    <p>Hercules saw, in these shady regions of the blest, a crowd
+    of kings, heroes and men and women of lower degree who, while
+    on earth, had loved and served their fellow men.</p>
+
+    <p>Having at length found and released Theseus, Hercules set
+    out with him for the upper world. The two left Hades by an
+    ivory door, the key of which Pluto had confided to their
+    care.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page271"
+       id="page271"></a>[pg 271]</span>
+
+    <p>What awesome tales they had to recount to their wondering
+    friends of the marvels of Black Tartarus and of Radiant
+    Elysium!</p>
+
+    <h3>IV</h3>
+
+    <h3>THE TUNIC OF NESSUS THE CENTAUR</h3>
+
+    <p>There abode in Thessaly, in the days of Hercules, a strange
+    race of men who had the head and arms of a man together with
+    the body of a horse. They were called Centaurs, or
+    Bull-Slayers.</p>
+
+    <p>One of them named Cheiron, famous for his knowledge of
+    medicine, music and botany, had been the teacher of Hercules.
+    But many of them, although learned, were not good. Hercules and
+    Theseus had waged war on them and had killed many, so that
+    their numbers were greatly lessened.</p>
+
+    <p>Having married Deianira, the daughter of a powerful King of
+    Calydon, in Greece, Hercules was traveling home with her when
+    he came to the banks of a river and was at a loss how to cross
+    it. Seeing his perplexity, Nessus, one of the Centaurs, offered
+    to take Deianira on his back and carry her over the stream.
+    This offer Hercules gladly accepted.</p>
+
+    <p>No sooner, however, did the crafty Centaur obtain possession
+    of Deianira than he made off with her, intending to have her as
+    his own wife. You can easily imagine how angry this outrage
+    made Hercules. He shot one of his poisoned arrows with so much
+    force that it went right through the traitor Centaur, and
+    wounded him even unto death.</p>
+
+    <p>But, before dying, Nessus had time to tell Deianira that if
+    she wanted to keep Hercules always true to her she had but to
+    take his shirt, and, when her husband's love was waning,
+    prevail on him to wear it.</p>
+
+    <p>Deianira took the shirt, and shortly afterwards, being
+    afraid that her husband was ceasing to love her, she sent it to
+    him as a present.</p>
+
+    <p>Now, you will remember that Hercules had shot through the
+    shirt of Nessus one of his poisoned arrows, and you will not be
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page272"
+       id="page272"></a>[pg 272]</span> surprised to hear that some
+       of the poison had remained in the shirt. So when Hercules
+       put it on, which he did immediately upon receiving it, he
+       was seized with frenzy and, in his madness, he uttered
+       terrible cries and did dreadful deeds.</p>
+
+    <p>With his powerful hands he broke off huge pieces of rock,
+    tore up pine-trees by their roots and hurled them with
+    resounding din into the valley.</p>
+
+    <p>He could not take off the fatal shirt, and as he tore off
+    portions of it he tore, at the same time, his quivering
+    flesh.</p>
+
+    <p>The servant of Deianira who had carried him the fatal shirt,
+    and who wished to solace him in his pain, he seized as she
+    approached him and flung headlong into the sea, where she was
+    changed into a rock that long, so runs the legend, kept its
+    human form.</p>
+
+    <p>But at length the majesty and the courage of the hero
+    asserted themselves, and, although still in agony, his madness
+    left him.</p>
+
+    <p>Calling to his side his friend Philoctetes, he wished to
+    embrace him once more before dying; but fearful lest he should,
+    in so doing, infect his friend with the deadly poison that was
+    consuming him, he cried in his agony: "Alas, I am not even
+    permitted to embrace thee!"</p>
+
+    <p>Then he gathered together the trees he had uprooted and made
+    a huge funeral pyre, such as was used by the ancients in
+    burning their dead. Climbing to the top of the heap, he spread
+    out the skin of the Nemean lion, and, supporting himself upon
+    his club, gave the signal for Philoctetes to kindle the fire
+    that was to reduce him to ashes.</p>
+
+    <p>In return for this service he gave Philoctetes a quiver full
+    of those deadly arrows that had been dipped in the blood of the
+    Hydra of Lerna.</p>
+
+    <p>He further enjoined his friend to let no man know of his
+    departure from life, to the intent that the fear of his
+    approach might prevent fresh monsters and new robbers from
+    ravaging the earth.</p>
+
+    <p>Thus died Hercules, and after his death he was received as a
+    god amongst the Immortals on Mount Olympus, where he married
+    Hebe, Jove's cupbearer. In his honor mortals were commanded to
+    build altars and to raise
+    temples.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page273"
+       id="page273"></a>[pg 273]</span>
+
+    <h3>THE PERILOUS VOYAGE OF &AElig;NEAS</h3>
+
+    <h3>ADAPTED BY ALICE ZIMMEKN</h3>
+
+    <p>Once upon a time, nearly three thousand years ago, the city
+    of Troy in Asia Minor was at the height of its prosperity. It
+    was built on a fortified hill on the southern slopes of the
+    Hellespont, and encircled by strong walls that the gods had
+    helped to build. Through their favor Troy became so strong and
+    powerful that she subdued many of the neighboring states and
+    forced them to fight for her and do her bidding. Thus it
+    happened that when the Greeks came to Asia with an army of
+    100,000 men, Troy was able to hold out against them for nine
+    years, and in the tenth was only taken by a trick.</p>
+
+    <p>In the "Iliad" of Homer you may read all about the quarrel
+    between the Trojans and Greeks, the fighting before Troy and
+    the brave deeds done by Hector and Achilles, and many other
+    heroes. You will see there how the gods took part in the
+    quarrel, and how Juno, who was the wife of Jupiter and queen of
+    heaven, hated Troy because Paris had given the golden apple to
+    Venus as the fairest among goddesses. Juno never forgave this
+    insult to her beauty, and vowed that she would not rest till
+    the hated city was destroyed and its very name wiped from the
+    face of the earth. You shall now hear how she carried out her
+    threat, and overwhelmed &AElig;neas with disasters.</p>
+
+    <p>After a siege that lasted ten years Troy was taken at last
+    by means of the wooden horse, which the Trojans foolishly
+    dragged into the city with their own hands. Inside it were
+    hidden a number of Greeks, who were thus carried into the heart
+    of the enemy's city. The Trojans celebrated the departure of
+    the Greeks by feasting and drinking far into the night; but
+    when at last they retired to rest, the Greeks stole out of
+    their hiding-place, and opened the gates to their army, which
+    had only pretended to withdraw. Before the Trojans had
+    recovered their wits the town was full of enemies, who threw
+    blazing torches on the houses and killed every citizen who fell
+    into their hands.</p>
+
+    <p>Among the many noble princes who fought against the
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page274"
+       id="page274"></a>[pg 274]</span> Greeks none was braver and
+       handsomer than &AElig;neas. His mother was the goddess
+       Venus, and his father a brave and powerful Prince named
+       Anchises, while Creusa, his wife, was one of King Priam's
+       daughters. On that dreadful night, when the Greeks were
+       burning and killing in the very streets of Troy, &AElig;neas
+       lay sleeping in his palace when there appeared to him a
+       strange vision. He thought that Hector stood before him
+       carrying the images of the Trojan gods and bade him arise
+       and leave the doomed city. "To you Troy entrusts her gods
+       and her fortunes. Take these images, and go forth beyond the
+       seas, and with their auspices found a new Troy on foreign
+       shores."</p>
+
+    <p>Roused from his slumbers &AElig;neas sprang up in haste, put
+    on his armor and rushed into the fray. He was joined by a few
+    comrades, and together they made their way through the enemy,
+    killing all who blocked their path. But when they reached the
+    royal palace and found that the Greeks had already forced their
+    way in and killed the aged man by his own hearth, &AElig;neas
+    remembered his father and his wife and his little son Ascanius.
+    Since he could not hope to save the city he might at least take
+    thought for his own kin. While he still hesitated whether to
+    retire or continue the fight, his goddess mother appeared and
+    bade him go and succor his household. "Your efforts to save the
+    city are vain," she said. "The gods themselves make war on
+    Troy. Juno stands by the gate urging on the Greeks, Jupiter
+    supplies them with hope and courage, and Neptune is breaking
+    down with his trident the walls he helped to raise. Fly, my
+    son, fly. I will bring you safely to your own threshold."</p>
+
+    <p>Guided by her protecting hand, &AElig;neas came in safety to
+    his palace, and bade his family prepare in all haste for
+    flight. But his father refused to stir a step. "Let me die here
+    at the enemy's hands," he implored. "Better thus than to go
+    into exile in my old age. Do you go, my son, whither the gods
+    summon you, and leave me to my fate." In vain &AElig;neas
+    reasoned and pleaded, in vain he refused to go without his
+    father; neither prayers nor entreaties would move Anchises till
+    the gods sent him a sign. Suddenly the child's hair burst into
+    flames. The father and mother were terrified, but Anchises
+    recognised the good omen,
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page275"
+       id="page275"></a>[pg 275]</span> and prayed the gods to show
+       whether his interpretation was the true one. In answer there
+       came a clap of thunder and a star flashed across the sky and
+       disappeared among the woods on Mount Ida. Then Anchises was
+       sure that the token was a true one. "Delay no more!" he
+       cried. "I will accompany you, and go in hope wheresoever the
+       gods of my country shall lead me. This is a sign from
+       heaven, and the gods, if it be their will, may yet preserve
+       our city."</p>
+
+    <p>"Come then, father!" cried &AElig;neas joyfully. "Let me
+    take you on my back, for your feeble limbs would move too
+    slowly for the present danger. You shall hold the images of the
+    gods, since it would be sacrilege for me to touch them with my
+    blood-stained hands. Little Ascanius shall take my hand, and
+    Creusa will follow us closely."</p>
+
+    <p>He now ordered the servants to collect all the most valuable
+    possessions, and bring them to him at the temple of Ceres, just
+    outside the city. Then he set out with father, wife and son,
+    and they groped their way through the city by the light of
+    burning homesteads. Thus they passed at last through the midst
+    of the enemy, and reached the temple of Ceres. There, to his
+    dismay, &AElig;neas missed Creusa. He rushed back to the city
+    and made his way to his own house. He found it in flames, and
+    the enemy were sacking the ruins. Nowhere could he find a trace
+    of his wife. Wild with grief and anxiety he wandered at random
+    through the city till suddenly he fancied he saw Creusa. But it
+    was her ghost, not her living self. She spoke to her distracted
+    husband and bade him grieve no more. "Think not," she said,
+    "that this has befallen without the will of the gods. The Fates
+    have decided that Creusa shall not follow you to your new home.
+    There are long and weary wanderings before you, and you must
+    traverse many stormy seas before you come to the western land
+    where the river Tiber pours its gentle stream through the
+    fertile pastures of Italy. There shall you find a kingdom and a
+    royal bride. Cease then to mourn for Creusa." &AElig;neas tried
+    to clasp her in his arms, but in vain, for he only grasped the
+    empty air. Then he understood that the gods desired him to go
+    forth into the world alone.</p>
+
+    <p>While &AElig;neas was seeking Creusa a group of Trojans who
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page276"
+       id="page276"></a>[pg 276]</span> had escaped the enemy and
+       the flames had collected at the temple of Ceres, and he
+       found them ready and willing to join him and follow his
+       fortunes. The first rays of the sun were touching the peaks
+       of Ida when Aeneas and his comrades turned their backs on
+       the ill-fated city, and went towards the rising sun and the
+       new hope.</p>
+
+    <p>For several months &AElig;neas and his little band of
+    followers lived as refugees among the hills of Ida, and their
+    numbers grew as now one, now another, came to join them. All
+    through the winter they were hard at work cutting down trees
+    and building ships, which were to carry them across the seas.
+    When spring came the fleet was ready, and the little band set
+    sail. First they merely crossed the Hellespont to Thrace, for
+    Aeneas hoped to found a city here and revive the name of Troy.
+    But bad omens came to frighten the Trojans and drive them back
+    to their ships.</p>
+
+    <p>They now took a southward course, and sailed on without
+    stopping till they reached Delos, the sacred isle of Apollo.
+    Here Aeneas entered the temple and offered prayer to the lord
+    of prophecy. "Grant us a home, Apollo, grant us an abiding
+    city. Preserve a second Troy for the scanty remnant that
+    escaped the swords of the Greeks and the wrath of cruel
+    Achilles. Tell us whom to follow, whither to turn, where to
+    found our city."</p>
+
+    <p>His prayer was not offered in vain, for a voice spoke in
+    answer. "Ye hardy sons of Dardanus, the land that erst sent
+    forth your ancestral race shall welcome you back to its fertile
+    fields. Go and seek your ancient mother. There shall the
+    offspring of &AElig;neas rule over all the lands, and their
+    children's children unto the furthest generations."</p>
+
+    <p>When he had heard this oracle, Anchises said, "In the middle
+    of the sea lies an island called Crete, which is sacred to
+    Jupiter. There we shall find an older Mount Ida, and beside it
+    the cradle of our race. Thence, if tradition speaks truth, our
+    great ancestor Teucrus set sail for Asia and there he founded
+    his kingdom, and named our mountain Ida. Let us steer our
+    course therefore to Crete, and if Jupiter be propitious, the
+    third dawn will bring us to its
+    shores."</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page277"
+       id="page277"></a>[pg 277]</span>
+
+    <p>Accordingly they set out again full of hope, and passed in
+    and out again among the gleaming islands of the &AElig;gean,
+    till at last they came to Crete. There they disembarked, and
+    began to build a city. The houses were rising, the citadel was
+    almost ready, the fields were planted and sown, and the young
+    men were seeking wives, when suddenly the crops were stricken
+    by a blight and the men by a pestilence. Surely, they thought,
+    this could not be the home promised them by Apollo. In this
+    distress Anchises bade his son return to Delos and implore the
+    gods to vouchsafe further counsel.</p>
+
+    <p>At night &AElig;neas lay down to rest, troubled by many
+    anxieties, when suddenly he was roused by the moonlight
+    streaming through the window and illuminating the images of the
+    Trojan gods. It seemed as though they opened their lips and
+    spoke to him. "All that Apollo would have told you at Delos, we
+    may declare to you here, for he has given us a message to you.
+    We followed your arms after the burning of Troy, and traversed
+    the ocean under your guidance, and we shall raise your
+    descendants to the stars and give dominion to their city. But
+    do not seek it here. These are not the shores that Apollo
+    assigns you, nor may Crete be your abiding place. Far to the
+    west lies the land which the Greeks called Hesperia, but which
+    now bears the name of Italy. There is our destined home; thence
+    came Dardanus, our great ancestor and the father of our
+    race."</p>
+
+    <p>Amazed at this vision, &AElig;neas sprang up and lifted his
+    hands to heaven in prayer. Then he hastened to tell Anchises of
+    this strange event. They resolved to tarry no longer, but
+    turning their backs on the rising walls they drew their ships
+    down to the sea again, and once more set forth in search of a
+    new country.</p>
+
+    <p>Now they sailed towards the west, and rounded the south of
+    Greece into the Ionian Sea. But a storm drove them out of their
+    course, and the darkness was so thick that they could not tell
+    night from day, and the helmsman, Palinurus, knew not whither
+    he was steering. Thus they were tossed about aimlessly for
+    three days and nights, till at last they saw land ahead and,
+    lowering their sails, rowed safely into a quiet harbor. Not a
+    human being was in sight, but herds of cattle grazed on the
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page278"
+       id="page278"></a>[pg 278]</span> pastures, and goats sported
+       untended on the rocks. Here was even food in plenty for
+       hungry men. They killed oxen and goats, and made ready a
+       feast for themselves, and a sacrifice for the gods. The
+       repast was prepared, and &AElig;neas and his comrades were
+       about to enjoy it, when a sound of rustling wings was heard
+       all round them. Horrible creatures, half birds, half women,
+       with long talons and cruel beaks, swooped down on the tables
+       and carried off the food before the eyes of the terrified
+       banqueters. These were the Harpies, who had once been sent
+       to plague King Phineus, and when they were driven away by
+       two of the Argonauts, Zetes and Calais, took refuge in these
+       islands. In vain the Trojans attacked them with their
+       swords, for the monsters would fly out of reach, and then
+       dart back again on a sudden, and pounce once more on the
+       food, while Cel&aelig;no, chief of the Harpies, perched on a
+       rock and chanted in hoarse tones a prophecy of ill omen.
+       "You that kill our oxen and seek to drive us from our
+       rightful home, hearken to my words, which Jupiter declared
+       to Apollo, and Apollo told even to me. You are sailing to
+       Italy, and you shall reach Italy and enter its harbors. But
+       you are not destined to surround your city with a wall, till
+       cruel hunger and vengeance for the wrong you have done us
+       force you to gnaw your very tables with your teeth."</p>
+
+    <p>When the Trojans heard this terrible prophecy their hearts
+    sank within them, and Anchises, lifting his hands to heaven,
+    besought the gods to avert this grievous doom. Thus, full of
+    sad forebodings, they returned to their ships.</p>
+
+    <p>Their way now lay along the western coast of Greece, and
+    they were glad to slip unnoticed past the rocky island of
+    Ithaca, the home of Ulysses the wily. For they did not know
+    that he was still held captive by the nymph Calypso, and that
+    many years were to pass before he should be restored to his
+    kingdom. They next cast anchor off Leucadia, and passed the
+    winter in these regions. In spring they sailed north again, and
+    landed in Epirus, and here to their surprise they found
+    Helenus, one of the sons of Priam, ruling over a Greek people.
+    He welcomed his kinsman joyfully and, having the gift of
+    prophecy from Apollo, foretold the course of his wanderings.
+    "Italy, which you deem <span class="pagenum"><a name="page279"
+       id="page279"></a>[pg 279]</span> so near, is a far-distant
+       land, and many adventures await you before you reach that
+       shore where lies your destined home. Before you reach it,
+       you will visit Sicily, and the realms of the dead and the
+       island of Circe. But I will give you a sign whereby you may
+       know the appointed place. When by the banks of a secluded
+       stream you shall see a huge white sow with her thirty young
+       ones, then shall you have reached the limit of your
+       wanderings. Be sure to avoid the eastern coast of Italy
+       opposite these shores. Wicked Greek tribes have their
+       dwelling there, and it is safer to pass at once to the
+       western coast. On your left, you will hear in the Strait the
+       thundering roar of Charybdis, and on the right grim Scylla
+       sits scowling in her cave ready to spring on the unwary
+       traveler. Better take a long circuit round Sicily than come
+       even within sight and sound of Scylla. As soon as you touch
+       the western shores of Italy, go to the city of Cum&aelig;
+       and the Sibyl's cavern. Try to win her favor, and she will
+       tell you of the nations of Italy and the wars yet to come,
+       and how you may avoid each peril and accomplish every labor.
+       One warning would I give you and enjoin it with all my
+       power. If you desire to reach your journey's end in safety,
+       forget not to do homage to Juno. Offer up prayers to her
+       divinity, load her altars with gifts. Then, and then only,
+       may you hope for a happy issue from all your troubles!"</p>
+
+    <p>So once more the Trojans set sail, and obedient to the
+    warnings of Helenus they avoided the eastern coast of Italy,
+    and struck southward towards Sicily. Far up the channel they
+    heard the roar of Charybdis and hastened their speed in fear.
+    Soon the snowy cone of Etna came into view with its column of
+    smoke rising heavenward. As they lay at anchor hard by, a
+    ragged, half-starved wretch ran out of the woods calling loudly
+    on &AElig;neas for succor. This was one of the comrades of
+    Ulysses, who had been left behind by mistake, and lived in
+    perpetual dread of the savage Cycl&ocirc;pes. &AElig;neas was
+    moved to pity, and though the man was a Greek and an enemy, he
+    took him on board and gave him food and succor. Before they
+    left this place they had a glimpse of Polyphemus himself. The
+    blind giant came down the cliff with his flock, feeling his way
+    with a huge staff of pine-trunk. He even stepped into
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page280"
+       id="page280"></a>[pg 280]</span> the sea, and walked far out
+       without wetting his thighs. The Trojans hastily slipped
+       their cables, and made away. Polyphemus heard the sound of
+       their oars, and called his brother Cycl&ocirc;pes to come
+       and seize the strangers, but they were too late to overtake
+       the fugitives.</p>
+
+    <p>After this they continued their southward course, passing
+    the island where Syracuse now stands, and rounding the southern
+    coast of Sicily. Then they sailed past the tall rock of Acragas
+    and palm-loving Selinus, and so came to the western corner,
+    where the harbor of Drepanun gave them shelter. Here a sorrow
+    overtook &AElig;neas, that neither the harpy nor the seer had
+    foretold. Anchises, weary with wandering and sick of
+    long-deferred hope, fell ill and died. Sadly &AElig;neas sailed
+    from hence without his trusted friend and counselor, and
+    steered his course for Italy.</p>
+
+    <p>At last the goal seemed at hand and the dangers of the
+    narrow strait had been escaped. But &AElig;neas had a far more
+    dangerous enemy than Scylla and Charybdis, for Juno's wrath was
+    not yet appeased. He had offered prayer and sacrifice, as
+    Helenus bade him, but her long-standing grudge was not so
+    easily forgotten. She hated Troy and the Trojans with an
+    undying hatred, and would not suffer even these
+    few-storm-tossed wanderers to seek their new home in peace. She
+    knew too that it was appointed by the Fates that a descendant
+    of this fugitive Trojan should one day found a city destined to
+    eclipse in wealth and glory her favorite city of Carthage. This
+    she desired to avert at all costs, and if even the queen of
+    heaven was not strong enough to overrule fate, at least she
+    resolved that the Trojans should not enter into their
+    inheritance without many and grievous tribulations.</p>
+
+    <p>Off the northerncoast of Sicily lies a group of small
+    islands, still called the &AElig;olian Isles, after
+    &AElig;olus, king of the winds, whose palace stood upon the
+    largest. Here he lived in a rock-bound castle, and kept the
+    boisterous winds fast bound in strong dungeons, that they might
+    not go forth unbidden to work havoc and destruction. But for
+    his restraining hand they would have burst forth and swept away
+    land and sea in their fury. To this rocky fortress Juno came
+    with a request to &AElig;olus. "Men
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page281"
+       id="page281"></a>[pg 281]</span> of a race hateful to me are
+       now crossing the sea. I beseech you, therefore, send a storm
+       to scatter the ships and drown the men in the waves. As a
+       reward I will give you one of my fairest nymphs in
+       marriage." Thus she urged, and at her bidding &AElig;olus
+       struck the rock and the prison gates were opened. The winds
+       at once rushed forth in all directions. The clouds gathered
+       and blotted out sky and daylight, thunder roared and
+       lightning flashed, and the Trojans thought their last hour
+       had come. Even &AElig;neas lost heart, and envied the lot of
+       those who fell before Troy by the sword of Diomede. Soon a
+       violent gust struck his ship, the oars were broken, and the
+       prow turned round and exposed the side to the waves. The
+       water closed over it, then opened again, and drew down the
+       vessel, leaving the men floating on the water. Three ships
+       were dashed against sunken rocks, three were driven among
+       the shallows and blocked with a mound of sand. Another was
+       struck from stem to stern, then sucked down into a
+       whirlpool. One after another the rest succumbed, and it
+       seemed as if each moment must see their utter
+       destruction.</p>
+
+    <p>Meantime Neptune in his palace at the bottom of the sea had
+    noticed the sudden disturbance of the waters, and now put out
+    his head above the waves to learn the cause of this commotion.
+    When he saw the shattered Trojan ships he guessed that this was
+    Juno's work. Instantly he summoned the winds and chid them for
+    daring to disturb the waters without his leave. "Begone," he
+    said, "and tell your master &AElig;olus that the dominion of
+    the sea is mine, not his. Let him be content to keep guard over
+    you and see that you do not escape from your prison." While he
+    spoke Neptune was busy calming the waters, and it was not long
+    before he put the clouds to flight and brought back the
+    sunshine. Nymphs came to push the ships off the rocks, and
+    Neptune himself opened a way out of the shallows. Then he
+    returned to his chariot, and his white horses carried him
+    lightly across the calm waters.</p>
+
+    <p>Thankful to have saved a few of his ships, all shattered and
+    leaking as they were, &AElig;neas bade the helmsman steer for
+    the nearest land. What was their joy to see within easy reach a
+    quiet harbor closed in by a sheltering island. The entrance
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page282"
+       id="page282"></a>[pg 282]</span> was guarded by twin cliffs,
+       and a forest background closed in the scene. Once within
+       this shelter the weary vessels needed no anchor to secure
+       them. Here at last &AElig;neas and his comrades could
+       stretch their aching limbs on dry land. They kindled a fire
+       of leaves with a flint, and dried their sodden corn for a
+       scanty meal.</p>
+
+    <p>&AElig;neas now climbed one of the hills to see whether he
+    might catch a glimpse of any of the missing ships. Not a sail
+    was in sight, but in the valley below he spied a herd of deer
+    grazing. Here was better food for hungry men. Drawing an arrow
+    from his quiver, he fitted it to his bow, let fly, and a mighty
+    stag fell to his aim. Six others shared its fate, then
+    &AElig;neas returned with his booty and bade his friends make
+    merry with venison and Sicilian wine from the ships. As they
+    ate and drank, he tried to hearten the Trojans. "Endure a
+    little longer," he urged. "Think of the perils through which we
+    have passed, remember the dreadful Cycl&ocirc;pes and cruel
+    Scylla. Despair not now, for one day the memory of past
+    sufferings shall delight your hours of ease. Through toils and
+    hardships we are making our way to Latium, where the gods have
+    promised us a peaceful home and a new and glorious Troy. Hold
+    out a little while, and wait for the happy days in store."</p>
+
+    <h3>HOW HORATIUS HELD THE BRIDGE</h3>
+
+    <h4>ADAPTED BY ALFRED J. CHURCH</h4>
+
+    <p>King Tarquin<a id="footnotetag1"
+       name="footnotetag1"></a><a href="#footnote1"><sup>1</sup></a>
+       and his son Lucius (for he only remained to him of the
+       three) fled to Lars Porsenna, King of Clusium, and besought
+       him that he would help them. "Suffer not," they said, "that
+       we, who are Tuscans by birth, should remain any more in
+       poverty and exile. And take heed also to thyself and thine
+       own kingdom if thou permit this new fashion of driving forth
+       kings to go unpunished. For surely there is
+       <span class="pagenum"><a name="page283"
+       id="page283"></a>[pg 283]</span> that in freedom which men
+       greatly desire, and if they that be kings defend not their
+       dignity as stoutly as others seek to overthrow it, then
+       shall the highest be made even as the lowest, and there
+       shall be an end of kingship, than which there is nothing
+       more honorable under heaven." With these words they
+       persuaded King Porsenna, who judging it well for the
+       Etrurians that there should be a king at Rome, and that king
+       an Etrurian by birth, gathered together a great army and
+       came up against Rome. But when men heard of his coming, so
+       mighty a city was Clusium in those days, and so great the
+       fame of King Porsenna, there was such fear as had never been
+       before. Nevertheless they were steadfastly purposed to hold
+       out. And first all that were in the country fled into the
+       city, and round about the city they set guards to keep it,
+       part thereof being defended by walls, and part, for so it
+       seemed, being made safe by the river. But here a great peril
+       had well-nigh over-taken the city; for there was a wooden
+       bridge on the river by which the enemy had crossed but for
+       the courage of a certain Horatius Cocles. The matter fell
+       out in this wise.</p>
+
+    <p>There was a certain hill which men called Janiculum on the
+    side of the river, and this hill King Porsenna took by a sudden
+    attack. Which when Horatius saw (for he chanced to have been
+    set to guard the bridge, and saw also how the enemy were
+    running at full speed to the place, and how the Romans were
+    fleeing in confusion and threw away their arms as they ran), he
+    cried with a loud voice, "Men of Rome, it is to no purpose that
+    ye thus leave your post and flee, for if ye leave this bridge
+    behind you for men to pass over, ye shall soon find that ye
+    have more enemies in your city than in Janiculum. Do ye
+    therefore break it down with axe and fire as best ye can. In
+    the meanwhile I, so far as one man may do, will stay the
+    enemy." And as he spake he ran forward to the farther end of
+    the bridge and made ready to keep the way against the enemy.
+    Nevertheless there stood two with him, Lartius and Herminius by
+    name, men of noble birth both of them and of great renown in
+    arms. So these three for a while stayed the first onset of the
+    enemy; and the men of Rome meanwhile brake down the bridge. And
+    when there was but a small part remaining,
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page284"
+       id="page284"></a>[pg 284]</span> and they that brake it down
+       called to the three that they should come back, Horatius
+       bade Lartius and Herminius return, but he himself remained
+       on the farther side, turning his eyes full of wrath in
+       threatening fashion on the princes of the Etrurians, and
+       crying, "Dare ye now to fight with me? or why are ye thus
+       come at the bidding of your master, King Porsenna, to rob
+       others of the freedom that ye care not to have for
+       yourselves?" For a while they delayed, looking each man to
+       his neighbor, who should first deal with this champion of
+       the Romans. Then, for very shame, they all ran forward, and
+       raising a great shout, threw their javelins at him. These
+       all he took upon his shield, nor stood the less firmly in
+       his place on the bridge, from which when they would have
+       thrust him by force, of a sudden the men of Rome raised a
+       great shout, for the bridge was now altogether broken down,
+       and fell with a great crash into the river. And as the enemy
+       stayed a while for fear, Horatius turned him to the river
+       and said, "O Father Tiber, I beseech thee this day with all
+       reverence that thou kindly receive this soldier and his
+       arms." And as he spake he leapt with all his arms into the
+       river and swam across to his own people, and though many
+       javelins of the enemy fell about him, he was not one whit
+       hurt. Nor did such valor fail to receive due honor from the
+       city. For the citizens set up a statue of Horatius in the
+       market-place; and they gave him of the public land so much
+       as he could plow about in one day. Also there was this honor
+       paid him, that each citizen took somewhat of his own store
+       and gave it to him, for food was scarce in the city by
+       reason of the siege.</p>
+
+    <blockquote class="footnote">
+        <a id="footnote1"
+                    name="footnote1"></a><b>Footnote 1:</b>
+                    <a href="#footnotetag1">(return)</a>
+
+        <p>King Tarquin had been driven from Rome because of his
+        tyranny.</p>
+    </blockquote>
+
+    <h3>HOW CINCINNATUS SAVED ROME</h3>
+
+    <h4>ADAPTED BY ALFRED J. CHURCH</h4>
+
+    <p>It came to pass that the &AElig;quians brake the treaty of
+    peace which they had made with Rome, and, taking one Gacchus
+    Cloelius for their leader, marched into the land of Tusculum;
+    and when they had plundered the country there-abouts,
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page285"
+       id="page285"></a>[pg 285]</span> and had gathered together
+       much booty, they pitched their camp on Mount &AElig;gidus.
+       To them the Romans sent three ambassadors, who should
+       complain of the wrong done and seek redress. But when they
+       would have fulfilled their errand, Gracchus the &AElig;quin
+       spake, saying, "If ye have any message from the Senate of
+       Rome, tell it to this oak, for I have other business to do;"
+       for it chanced that there was a great oak that stood hard
+       by, and made a shadow over the general's tent. Then one of
+       the ambassadors, as he turned to depart, made reply, "Yes,
+       let this sacred oak and all the gods that are in heaven hear
+       how ye have wrongfully broken the treaty of peace; and let
+       them that hear help us also in the day of battle, when we
+       shall avenge on you the laws both of gods and of men that ye
+       set at nought."</p>
+
+    <p>When the ambassadors had returned to Rome the Senate
+    commanded that there should be levied two armies; and that
+    Minucius the Consul should march with the one against the
+    &AElig;quians on Mount &AElig;gidus, and that the other should
+    hinder the enemy from their plundering. This levying the
+    tribunes of the Commons sought to hinder; and perchance had
+    done so, but there also came well-nigh to the walls of the city
+    a great host of the Sabines plundering all the country.
+    Thereupon the people willingly offered themselves and there
+    were levied forthwith two great armies. Nevertheless when the
+    Consul Minucius had marched to Mount &AElig;gidus, and had
+    pitched his camp not far from the &AElig;quians, he did nought
+    for fear of the enemy, but kept himself within his
+    entrenchments. And when the enemy perceived that he was afraid,
+    growing the bolder for his lack of courage, they drew lines
+    about him, keeping him in on every side. Yet before that he was
+    altogether shut up there escaped from his camp five horsemen,
+    that bare tidings to Rome how that the Consul, together with
+    his army, was besieged. The people were sorely dismayed to hear
+    such tidings; nor, when they cast about for help, saw they any
+    man that might be sufficient for such peril, save only
+    Cincinnatus. By common consent, therefore, he was made Dictator
+    for six months, a thing that may well be noted by those who
+    hold that nothing is to be accounted of in comparison of
+    riches, and that <span class="pagenum"><a name="page286"
+       id="page286"></a>[pg 286]</span> no man may win great honor
+       or show forth singular virtue unless he be well furnished
+       with wealth. For here in this great peril of the Roman
+       people there was no hope of safety but in one who was
+       cultivating with his own hand a little plot of scarcely
+       three acres of ground. For when the messengers of the people
+       came to him they found him plowing, or, as some say, digging
+       a ditch. When they had greeted each other, the messengers
+       said, "May the Gods prosper this thing to the Roman people
+       and to thee. Put on thy robe and hear the words of the
+       people." Then said Cincinnatus, being not a little
+       astonished, "Is all well?" and at the same time he called to
+       his wife Racilia that she should bring forth his robe from
+       the cottage. So she brought it forth, and the man wiped from
+       him the dust and the sweat, and clad himself in his robe,
+       and stood before the messengers. These said to him, "The
+       people of Rome make thee Dictator, and bid thee come
+       forthwith to the city." And at the same time they told how
+       the Consul and his army were besieged by the &AElig;quians.
+       So Cincinnatus departed to Rome; and when he came to the
+       other side of the Tiber there met him first his three sons,
+       and next many of his kinsfolk and friends, and after them a
+       numerous company of the nobles. These all conducted him to
+       his house, the lictors, four and twenty in number, marching
+       before him. There was also assembled a very great concourse
+       of the people, fearing much how the Dictator might deal with
+       them, for they knew what manner of man he was, and that
+       there was no limit to his power, nor any appeal from
+       him.</p>
+
+    <p>The next day, before dawn, the Dictator came into the
+    market-place, and appointed one Lucius Tarquinius to be Master
+    of the Horse. This Tarquinius was held by common consent to
+    excel all other men in exercises of war; only, though, being a
+    noble by birth, he should have been among the horsemen, he had
+    served for lack of means, as a foot soldier. This done he
+    called an assembly of the people and commanded that all the
+    shops in the city should be shut; that no man should concern
+    himself with any private business, but all that were of an age
+    to go to the war should be present before sunset in the Field
+    of Mars, each man having with him provisions of cooked food for
+    five days, and twelve stakes. As for them that were past the
+    age, they should <span class="pagenum"><a name="page287"
+       id="page287"></a>[pg 287]</span> prepare the food while the
+       young men made ready their arms and sought for the stakes.
+       These last they took as they found them, no man hindering
+       them; and when the time appointed by the Dictator was come,
+       all were assembled, ready, as occasion might serve, either
+       to march or to give battle. Forthwith they set out, the
+       Dictator leading the foot soldiers by their legions, and
+       Tarquinius the horsemen, and each bidding them that followed
+       make all haste. "We must needs come," they said, "to our
+       journey's end while it is yet night. Remember that the
+       Consul and his army have been besieged now for three days,
+       and that no man knows what a day or a night may bring
+       forth." The soldiers themselves also were zealous to obey,
+       crying out to the standard-*bearers that they should quicken
+       their steps, and to their fellows that they should not lag
+       behind. Thus they came at midnight to Mount &AElig;digus,
+       and when they perceived that the enemy was at hand they
+       halted the standards. Then the Dictator rode forward to see,
+       so far as the darkness would suffer him, how great was the
+       camp of the &AElig;quians and after what fashion it was
+       pitched. This done he commanded that the baggage should be
+       gathered together into a heap, and that the soldiers should
+       stand every man in his own place. After this he compassed
+       about the whole army of the enemy with his own army, and
+       commanded that at a set signal every man should shout, and
+       when they had shouted should dig a trench and set up therein
+       the stakes. This the soldiers did, and the noise of the
+       shouting passed over the camp of the enemy and came into the
+       city, causing therein great joy, even as it caused great
+       fear in the camp. For the Romans cried, "These be our
+       countrymen and they bring us help." Then said the Consul,
+       "We must make no delay. By that shout is signified, not that
+       they are come only, but that they are already dealing with
+       the enemy. Doubtless the camp of the &AElig;quians is even
+       now assailed from without. Take ye your arms and follow me."
+       So the legion went forth, it being yet night, to the battle,
+       and as they went they shouted, that the Dictator might be
+       aware. Now the &AElig;quians had set themselves to hinder
+       the making of a ditch and rampart which should shut them in;
+       but when the Romans from the camp fell upon them, fearing
+       lest these should make their way
+       <span class="pagenum"><a name="page288"
+       id="page288"></a>[pg 288]</span> through the midst of their
+       camp, they left them that were with Cincinnatus to finish
+       their entrenching, and fought with the Consul. And when it
+       was now light, lo! they were already shut in, and the
+       Romans, having finished their entrenching, began to trouble
+       them. And when the &AElig;quians perceived that the battle
+       was now on either side of them, they could withstand no
+       longer, but sent ambassadors praying for peace, and saying,
+       "Ye have prevailed; slay us not, but rather permit us to
+       depart, leaving our arms behind us." Then said the Dictator,
+       "I care not to have the blood of the &AElig;quians. Ye may
+       depart, but ye shall depart passing under the yoke, that ye
+       may thus acknowledge to all men that ye are indeed
+       vanquished." Now the yoke is thus made. There are set up in
+       the ground two spears, and over them is bound by ropes a
+       third spear. So the &AElig;quians passed under the yoke.</p>
+
+    <p>In the camp of the enemy there was found abundance of spoil.
+    This the Dictator gave wholly to his own soldiers. "Ye were
+    well-nigh a spoil to the enemy," said he to the army of the
+    Consul, "therefore ye shall have no share in the spoiling of
+    them. As for thee, Minucius, be thou a lieutenant only till
+    thou hast learnt how to bear thyself as a consul." Meanwhile at
+    Rome there was held a meeting of the Senate, at which it was
+    commanded that Cincinnatus should enter the city in triumph,
+    his soldiers following him in order of march. Before his
+    chariot there were led the generals of the enemy; also the
+    standards were carried in the front; and after these came the
+    army, every man laden with spoil. That day there was great
+    rejoicing in the city, every man setting forth a banquet before
+    his doors in the street.</p>
+
+    <p>After this, Virginius, that had borne false witness against
+    C&aelig;so, was found guilty of perjury, and went into exile.
+    And when Cincinnatus saw that justice had been done to this
+    evildoer, he resigned his dictatorship, having held it for
+    sixteen days only.</p>
+
+    <p>&nbsp;</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page289"
+       id="page289"></a>[pg 289]</span>
+
+    <h2>HEROES OF GREAT BRITAIN</h2>
+
+    <h3>BEOWULF</h3>
+
+    <h4>ADAPTED BY H.E. MARSHALL</h4>
+
+    <h3>I</h3>
+
+    <h3>HOW BEOWULF OVERCAME THE OGRE AND THE WATER-WITCH</h3>
+
+    <p>Long ago, there lived in Daneland a King, beloved of all,
+    called Hrothgar. He was valiant and mighty in war, overcoming
+    all his foes and taking from them much spoil. Looking upon his
+    great treasure, King Hrothgar said, "I will build me a great
+    hall. It shall be vast and wide, adorned within and without
+    with gold and ivory, with gems and carved work. It shall be a
+    hall of joy and feasting."</p>
+
+    <p>Then King Hrothgar called his workmen and gave them
+    commandment to build the hall. They set to work, and becoming
+    each day more fair, the hall was at length finished. It stood
+    upon a height, vast and stately, and as it was adorned with the
+    horns of deer, King Hrothgar named it Hart Hall. The King made
+    a great feast. To it his warriors young and old were called,
+    and he divided his treasure, giving to each rings of gold. And
+    so in the hall there was laughter and song and great merriment.
+    Every evening when the shadows fell, and the land grew dark
+    without, the knights and warriors gathered in the hall to
+    feast. And when the feast was over, and the great fire roared
+    upon the hearth, the minstrel took his harp and sang. Far over
+    dreary fen and moorland the light glowed cheerfully, and the
+    sound of song and harp awoke the deep silence of the night.
+    Within the hall was light and gladness, but without there was
+    wrath and hate. For far on the moor there lived a wicked giant
+    named Grendel, prowling at night to see what evil he might
+    do.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page290"
+       id="page290"></a>[pg 290]</span>
+
+    <p>Very terrible was this ogre Grendel to look upon. Thick
+    black hair hung about his face, and his teeth were long and
+    sharp, like the tusks of an animal. His huge body and great
+    hairy arms had the strength of ten men. He wore no armor, for
+    his skin was tougher than any coat of mail that man or giant
+    might weld. His nails were like steel and sharper than daggers,
+    and by his side there hung a great pouch in which he carried
+    off those whom he was ready to devour. Day by day the music of
+    harp and song was a torture to him and made him more and more
+    mad with jealous hate.</p>
+
+    <p>At length he crept through the darkness to Hart Hall where
+    the warriors slept after feast and song. Arms and armor had
+    been thrown aside, so with ease the ogre slew thirty of the
+    bravest. Howling with wicked joy he carried them off and
+    devoured them. The next night, again the wicked one crept
+    stealthily through the darkening moorland until he reached Hart
+    Hall, stretched forth his hand, and seized the bravest of the
+    warriors. In the morning each man swore that he would not again
+    sleep beneath the roof of the hall. For twelve years it stood
+    thus, no man daring, except in the light of day, to enter
+    it.</p>
+
+    <p>And now it came to pass that across the sea in far Gothland
+    the tale of Grendel and his wrath was carried to Beowulf the
+    Goth, who said he would go to King Hrothgar to help him. Taking
+    with him fifteen good comrades, he set sail for Daneland.</p>
+
+    <p>When Hrothgar was told that Beowulf had come to help him, he
+    said, "I knew him when he was yet a lad. His father and his
+    mother have I known. Truly he hath sought a friend. I have
+    heard that he is much renowned in war, and hath the strength of
+    thirty men in the grip of his hand. I pray Heaven he hath been
+    sent to free us from the horror of Grendel. Bid Beowulf and his
+    warriors to enter."</p>
+
+    <p>Guided by the Danish knight, Beowulf and his men went into
+    Hart Hall and stood before the aged Hrothgar. After friendly
+    words of greeting Beowulf said, "And now will I fight against
+    Grendel, bearing neither sword nor shield. With my hands alone
+    will I grapple with the fiend, and foe to foe we will fight for
+    victory."</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page291"
+       id="page291"></a>[pg 291]</span>
+
+    <p>That night Beowulf's comrades slept in Hart Hall. Beowulf
+    alone remained awake. Out of the mists of the moorland the Evil
+    Thing strode. Loud he laughed as he gazed upon the sleeping
+    warriors. Beowulf, watchful and angry, curbed his wrath.
+    Grendel seized one of the men, drank his blood, crushed his
+    bones, and swallowed his horrid feast. Then Beowulf caught the
+    monster and fought till the noise of the contest was as of
+    thunder. The knights awoke and tried to plunge their swords
+    into the hide of Grendel, but in vain. By enchantments he had
+    made himself safe. At length the fight came to an end. The
+    sinews in Grendel's shoulder burst, the bones cracked. The ogre
+    tore himself free, leaving his arm in Beowulf's mighty
+    grip.</p>
+
+    <p>Sobbing forth his death-song, Grendel fled till he reached
+    his dwelling in the lake of the water-dragons, and there
+    plunged in. The dark waves closed over him and he sank to his
+    home. Loud were the songs of triumph in Hart Hall, great the
+    rejoicing, for Beowulf had made good his boast. He had cleansed
+    the hall of the ogre. A splendid feast was made and much
+    treasure given to Beowulf by the King and Queen.</p>
+
+    <p>Again did the Dane lords sleep in the great hall, but far
+    away in the water-dragons' lake the mother of Grendel wept over
+    the dead body of her son, desiring revenge. Very terrible to
+    look upon was this water-witch. As the darkness fell she crept
+    across the moorland to Hart Hall. In she rushed eager for
+    slaughter. A wild cry rang through the hall. The water-witch
+    fled, but in doing so carried off the best beloved of all the
+    King's warriors.</p>
+
+    <p>Quickly was Beowulf called and he rode forth to the dark
+    lake. Down and down he dived till he came to the cave of the
+    water-witch whom he killed after a desperate struggle. Hard by
+    on a couch lay the body of Grendel. Drawing his sword he smote
+    off the ogre's head. Swimming up with it he reached the surface
+    and sprang to land, and was greeted by his faithful thanes.
+    Four of them were needed to carry the huge head back to Hart
+    Hall.</p>
+
+    <p>His task being done Beowulf made haste to return to his own
+    land that he might seek his own King, Hygelac, and lay
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page292"
+       id="page292"></a>[pg 292]</span> before him the treasures
+       that Hrothgar had given him. With gracious words the old
+       King thanked the young warrior, and bade him to come again
+       right speedily. Hygelac listened with wonder and delight to
+       all that had happened in Daneland and graciously received
+       the splendid gifts.</p>
+
+    <p>For many years Beowulf lived beloved of all, and when it
+    befell that Hygelac died in battle, the broad realm of Gothland
+    was given unto Beowulf to rule. And there for fifty years he
+    reigned a well-loved King.</p>
+
+    <h3>II</h3>
+
+    <h3>HOW THE FIRE DRAGON WARRED WITH THE GOTH FOLK</h3>
+
+    <p>And now when many years had come and gone and the realm had
+    long time been at peace, sorrow came upon the people of the
+    Goths. And thus it was that the evil came.</p>
+
+    <p>It fell upon a time that a slave by his misdeeds roused his
+    master's wrath, and when his lord would have punished him he
+    fled in terror. And as he fled trembling to hide himself, he
+    came by chance into a great cave.</p>
+
+    <p>There the slave hid, thankful for refuge. But soon he had
+    cause to tremble in worse fear than before, for in the darkness
+    of the cave he saw that a fearful dragon lay asleep. Then as
+    the slave gazed in terror at the awful beast, he saw that it
+    lay guarding a mighty treasure.</p>
+
+    <p>Never had he seen such a mass of wealth. Swords and armor
+    inlaid with gold, cups and vessels of gold and silver set with
+    precious stones, rings and bracelets lay piled around in
+    glittering heaps.</p>
+
+    <p>For hundreds of years this treasure had lain there in
+    secret. A great prince had buried it in sorrow for his dead
+    warriors. In his land there had been much fighting until he
+    alone of all his people was left. Then in bitter grief he
+    gathered all his treasure and hid it in this cave.</p>
+
+    <p>"Take, O earth," he cried, "what the heroes might not keep.
+    Lo! good men and true once before earned it from thee. Now a
+    warlike death hath taken away every man of my people.
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page293"
+       id="page293"></a>[pg 293]</span> There is none now to bear
+       the sword or receive the cup. There is no more joy in the
+       battle-field or in the hall of peace. So here shall the
+       gold-adorned helmet molder, here the coat of mail rust and
+       the wine-cup lie empty."</p>
+
+    <p>Thus the sad prince mourned. Beside his treasure he sat
+    weeping both day and night until death took him also, and of
+    all his people there was none left.</p>
+
+    <p>So the treasure lay hidden and secret for many a day.</p>
+
+    <p>Then upon a time it happened that a great dragon, fiery-eyed
+    and fearful, as it flew by night and prowled seeking mischief,
+    came upon the buried hoard.</p>
+
+    <p>As men well know, a dragon ever loveth gold. So to guard his
+    new-found wealth lest any should come to rob him of it, he laid
+    him down there and the cave became his dwelling. Thus for three
+    hundred years he lay gloating over his treasure, no man
+    disturbing him.</p>
+
+    <p>But now at length it chanced that the fleeing slave lighted
+    upon the hoard. His eyes were dazzled by the shining heap. Upon
+    it lay a cup of gold, wondrously chased and adorned.</p>
+
+    <p>"If I can but gain that cup," said the slave to himself, "I
+    will return with it to my master, and for the sake of the gold
+    he will surely forgive me."</p>
+
+    <p>So while the dragon slept, trembling and fearful the slave
+    crept nearer and nearer to the glittering mass. When he came
+    quite near he reached forth his hand and seized the cup. Then
+    with it he fled back to his master.</p>
+
+    <p>It befell then as the slave had foreseen. For the sake of
+    the wondrous cup his misdeeds were forgiven him.</p>
+
+    <p>But when the dragon awoke his fury was great. Well knew he
+    that mortal man had trod his cave and stolen of his hoard.</p>
+
+    <p>Round and round about he sniffed and searched until he
+    discovered the footprints of his foe. Eagerly then all over the
+    ground he sought to find the man who, while he slept, had done
+    him this ill. Hot and fierce of mood he went backwards and
+    forwards round about his treasure-heaps. All within the cave he
+    searched in vain. Then coming forth he searched without. All
+    round the hill in which his cave was he prowled, but no
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page294"
+       id="page294"></a>[pg 294]</span> man could he find, nor in
+       all the wilds around was there any man.</p>
+
+    <p>Again the old dragon returned, again he searched among his
+    treasure-heap for the precious cup. Nowhere was it to be found.
+    It was too surely gone.</p>
+
+    <p>But the dragon, as well as loving gold, loved war. So now in
+    angry mood he lay couched in his lair. Scarce could he wait
+    until darkness fell, such was his wrath. With fire he was
+    resolved to repay the loss of his dear drinking-cup.</p>
+
+    <p>At last, to the joy of the great winged beast, the sun sank.
+    Then forth from his cave he came, flaming fire.</p>
+
+    <p>Spreading his mighty wings, he flew through the air until he
+    came to the houses of men. Then spitting forth flame, he set
+    fire to many a happy homestead. Wherever the lightning of his
+    tongue struck, there fire flamed forth, until where the fair
+    homes of men had been there was naught but blackened ruins.
+    Here and there, this way and that, through all the land he
+    sped, and wherever he passed fire flamed aloft.</p>
+
+    <p>The warfare of the dragon was seen from far. The malice of
+    the worm was known from north to south, from east to west. All
+    men knew how the fearful foe hated and ruined the Goth
+    folk.</p>
+
+    <p>Then having worked mischief and desolation all night
+    through, the fire-dragon turned back; to his secret cave he
+    slunk again ere break of day. Behind him he left the land
+    wasted and desolate.</p>
+
+    <p>The dragon had no fear of the revenge of man. In his fiery
+    warfare he trusted to find shelter in his hill, and in his
+    secret cave. But in that trust he was misled.</p>
+
+    <p>Speedily to King Beowulf were the tidings of the dragon and
+    his spoiling carried. For alas! even his own fair palace was
+    wrapped in flame. Before his eyes he saw the fiery tongues lick
+    up his treasures. Even the Gift-seat of the Goths melted in
+    fire.</p>
+
+    <p>Then was the good King sorrowful. His heart boiled within
+    him with angry thoughts. The fire-dragon had utterly destroyed
+    the pleasant homes of his people. For this the war-prince
+    greatly desired to punish
+    him.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page295"
+       id="page295"></a>[pg 295]</span>
+
+    <p>Therefore did Beowulf command that a great shield should be
+    made for him, all of iron. He knew well that a shield of wood
+    could not help him in this need. Wood against fire! Nay, that
+    were useless. His shield must be all of iron.</p>
+
+    <p>Too proud, too, was Beowulf, the hero of old time, to seek
+    the winged beast with a troop of soldiers. Not thus would he
+    overcome him. He feared not for himself, nor did he dread the
+    dragon's war-craft. For with his valor and his skill Beowulf
+    had succeeded many a time. He had been victorious in many a
+    tumult of battle since that day when a young man and a warrior
+    prosperous in victory, he had cleansed Hart Hall by grappling
+    with Grendel and his kin.</p>
+
+    <p>And now when the great iron shield was ready, he chose
+    eleven of his best thanes and set out to seek the dragon. Very
+    wrathful was the old King, very desirous that death should take
+    his fiery foe. He hoped, too, to win the great treasure of gold
+    which the fell beast guarded. For already Beowulf had learned
+    whence the feud arose, whence came the anger which had been so
+    hurtful to his people. And the precious cup, the cause of all
+    the quarrel, had been brought to him.</p>
+
+    <p>With the band of warriors went the slave who had stolen the
+    cup. He it was who must be their guide to the cave, for he
+    alone of all men living knew the way thither. Loth he was to be
+    their guide. But captive and bound he was forced to lead the
+    way over the plain to the dragon's hill.</p>
+
+    <p>Unwillingly he went with lagging footsteps until at length
+    he came to the cave hard by the seashore. There by the sounding
+    waves lay the savage guardian of the treasure. Ready for war
+    and fierce was he. It was no easy battle that was there
+    prepared for any man, brave though he might be.</p>
+
+    <p>And now on the rocky point above the sea King Beowulf sat
+    himself down. Here he would bid farewell to all his thanes ere
+    he began the combat. For what man might tell which from that
+    fight should come forth victorious?</p>
+
+    <p>Beowulf's mind was sad. He was now old. His hair was white,
+    his face was wrinkled and gray. But still his arm was strong as
+    that of a young man. Yet something within him warned him that
+    death was not far
+    off.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page296"
+       id="page296"></a>[pg 296]</span>
+
+    <p>So upon the rocky point he sat and bade farewell to his dear
+    comrades.</p>
+
+    <p>"In my youth," said the aged King, "many battles have I
+    dared, and yet must I, the guardian of my people, though I be
+    full of years, seek still another feud. And again will I win
+    glory if the wicked spoiler of my land will but come forth from
+    his lair."</p>
+
+    <p>Much he spoke. With loving words he bade farewell to each
+    one of his men, greeting his dear comrades for the last
+    time.</p>
+
+    <p>"I would not bear a sword or weapon against the winged
+    beast," he said at length, "if I knew how else I might grapple
+    with the wretch, as of old I did with Grendel. But I ween this
+    war-fire is hot, fierce, and poisonous. Therefore I have clad
+    me in a coat of mail, and bear this shield all of iron. I will
+    not flee a single step from the guardian of the treasure. But
+    to us upon this rampart it shall be as fate will.</p>
+
+    <p>"Now let me make no more vaunting speech. Ready to fight am
+    I. Let me forth against the winged beast. Await ye here on the
+    mount, clad in your coats of mail, your arms ready. Abide ye
+    here until ye see which of us twain in safety cometh forth from
+    the clash of battle.</p>
+
+    <p>"It is no enterprise for you, or for any common man. It is
+    mine alone. Alone I needs must go against the wretch and prove
+    myself a warrior. I must with courage win the gold, or else
+    deadly, baleful war shall fiercely snatch me, your lord, from
+    life."</p>
+
+    <p>Then Beowulf arose. He was all clad in shining armor, his
+    gold-decked helmet was upon his head, and taking his shield in
+    hand he strode under the stony cliffs towards the cavern's
+    mouth. In the strength of his single arm he trusted against the
+    fiery dragon.</p>
+
+    <p>No enterprise this for a coward.</p>
+
+    <h3>III</h3>
+
+    <h3>HOW BEOWULF OVERCAME THE DRAGON</h3>
+
+    <p>Beowulf left his comrades upon the rocky point jutting out
+    into the sea, and alone he strode onward until he spied a great
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page297"
+       id="page297"></a>[pg 297]</span> stone arch. From beneath
+       the arch, from out the hillside, flowed a stream seething
+       with fierce, hot fire. In this way the dragon guarded his
+       lair, for it was impossible to pass such a barrier
+       unhurt.</p>
+
+    <p>So upon the edge of this burning river Beowulf stood and
+    called aloud in anger. Stout of heart and wroth against the
+    winged beast was he.</p>
+
+    <p>The King's voice echoed like a war-cry through the cavern.
+    The dragon heard it and was aroused to fresh hate of man. For
+    the guardian of the treasure-hoard knew well the sound of
+    mortal voice. Now was there no long pause ere battle raged.</p>
+
+    <p>First from out the cavern flamed forth the breath of the
+    winged beast. Hot sweat of battle rose from out the rock. The
+    earth shook and growling thunder trembled through the air.</p>
+
+    <p>The dragon, ringed around with many-colored scales, was now
+    hot for battle, and, as the hideous beast crept forth, Beowulf
+    raised his mighty shield and rushed against him.</p>
+
+    <p>Already the King had drawn his sword. It was an ancient
+    heirloom, keen of edge and bright. Many a time it had been dyed
+    in blood; many a time it had won glory and victory.</p>
+
+    <p>But ere they closed, the mighty foes paused. Each knew the
+    hate and deadly power of the other.</p>
+
+    <p>The mighty Prince, firm and watchful, stood guarded by his
+    shield. The dragon, crouching as in ambush, awaited him.</p>
+
+    <p>Then suddenly like a flaming arch the dragon bent and
+    towered, and dashed upon the Lord of the Goths. Up swung the
+    arm of the hero, and dealt a mighty blow to the grisly,
+    many-colored beast. But the famous sword was all too weak
+    against such a foe. The edge turned and bit less strongly than
+    its great king had need, for he was sore pressed. His shield,
+    too, proved no strong shelter from the wrathful dragon.</p>
+
+    <p>The warlike blow made greater still the anger of the fiery
+    foe. Now he belched forth flaming fire. All around fierce
+    lightnings darted.</p>
+
+    <p>Beowulf no longer hoped for glorious victory. His sword
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page298"
+       id="page298"></a>[pg 298]</span> had failed him. The edge
+       was turned and blunted upon the scaly foe. He had never
+       thought the famous steel would so ill serve him. Yet he
+       fought on ready to lose his life in such good contest.</p>
+
+    <p>Again the battle paused, again the King and dragon closed in
+    fight.</p>
+
+    <p>The dragon-guardian of the treasure had renewed his courage.
+    His heart heaved and boiled with fire, and fresh strength
+    breathed from him. Beowulf was wrapped in flame. Dire was his
+    need.</p>
+
+    <p>Yet of all his comrades none came near to help. Nay, as they
+    watched the conflict they were filled with base fear, and fled
+    to the wood hard by for refuge.</p>
+
+    <p>Only one among them sorrowed for his master, and as he
+    watched his heart was wrung with grief.</p>
+
+    <p>Wiglaf was this knight called, and he was Beowulf's kinsman.
+    Now when he saw his liege lord hard pressed in battle he
+    remembered all the favors Beowulf had heaped upon him. He
+    remembered all the honors and the wealth which he owed to his
+    King. Then could he no longer be still. Shield and spear he
+    seized, but ere he sped to aid his King he turned to his
+    comrades.</p>
+
+    <p>"When our lord and King gave us swords and armor," he cried,
+    "did we not promise to follow him in battle whenever he had
+    need? When he of his own will chose us for this expedition he
+    reminded us of our fame. He said he knew us to be good
+    warriors, bold helmet-wearers. And although indeed our liege
+    lord thought to do this work of valor alone, without us,
+    because more than any man he hath done glorious and rash deeds,
+    lo! now is the day come that hath need of strength and of good
+    warriors. Come, let us go to him. Let us help our chieftain
+    although the grim terror of fire be hot.</p>
+
+    <p>"Heaven knoweth I would rather the flame would blast my body
+    than his who gave me gold. It seemeth not fitting to me that we
+    should bear back our shields to our homes unless we may first
+    fell the foe and defend the life of our King. Nay, it is not of
+    the old custom of the Goths that the King alone should suffer,
+    that he alone should sink in battle. Our lord should
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page299"
+       id="page299"></a>[pg 299]</span> be repaid for his gifts to
+       us, and so he shall be by me even if death take us
+       twain."</p>
+
+    <p>But none would hearken to Wiglaf. So alone he sped through
+    the deadly smoke and flame, till to his master's side he came
+    offering aid.</p>
+
+    <p>"My lord Beowulf," he cried, "fight on as thou didst in thy
+    youth-time. Erstwhile didst thou say that thou wouldst not let
+    thy greatness sink so long as life lasteth. Defend thou thy
+    life with all might. I will support thee to the utmost."</p>
+
+    <p>When the dragon heard these words his fury was doubled. The
+    fell wicked beast came on again belching forth fire, such was
+    his hatred of men. The flame-waves caught Wiglaf's shield, for
+    it was but of wood. It was burned utterly, so that only the
+    stud of steel remained. His coat of mail alone was not enough
+    to guard the young warrior from the fiery enemy. But right
+    valiantly he went on fighting beneath the shelter of Beowulf's
+    shield now that his own was consumed to ashes by the
+    flames.</p>
+
+    <p>Then again the warlike King called to mind his ancient
+    glories, again he struck with main strength with his good sword
+    upon the monstrous head. Hate sped the blow.</p>
+
+    <p>But alas! as it descended the famous sword N&aelig;gling
+    snapped asunder. Beowulf's sword had failed him in the
+    conflict, although it was an old and well-wrought blade. To him
+    it was not granted that weapons should help him in battle. The
+    hand that swung the sword was too strong. His might overtaxed
+    every blade however wondrously the smith had welded it.</p>
+
+    <p>And now a third time the fell fire-dragon was roused to
+    wrath. He rushed upon the King. Hot, and fiercely grim the
+    great beast seized Beowulf's neck in his horrid teeth. The
+    hero's life-blood gushed forth, the crimson stream darkly dyed
+    his bright armor.</p>
+
+    <p>Then in the great King's need his warrior showed skill and
+    courage. Heeding not the flames from the awful mouth, Wiglaf
+    struck the dragon below the neck. His hand was burned with the
+    fire, but his sword dived deep into the monster's body and from
+    that moment the flames began to
+    abate.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page300"
+       id="page300"></a>[pg 300]</span>
+
+    <p>The horrid teeth relaxed their hold, and Beowulf, quickly
+    recovering himself, drew his deadly knife. Battle-sharp and
+    keen it was, and with it the hero gashed the dragon right in
+    the middle.</p>
+
+    <p>The foe was conquered. Glowing in death he fell. They twain
+    had destroyed the winged beast. Such should a warrior be, such
+    a thane in need.</p>
+
+    <p>To the King it was a victorious moment. It was the crown of
+    all his deeds.</p>
+
+    <p>Then began the wound which the fire-dragon had wrought him
+    to burn and to swell. Beowulf soon found that baleful poison
+    boiled in his heart. Well knew he that the end was nigh. Lost
+    in deep thought he sat upon the mound and gazed wondering at
+    the cave. Pillared and arched with stone-work it was within,
+    wrought by giants and dwarfs of old time.</p>
+
+    <p>And to him came Wiglaf his dear warrior and tenderly bathed
+    his wound with water.</p>
+
+    <p>Then spake Beowulf, in spite of his deadly wound he spake,
+    and all his words were of the ending of his life, for he knew
+    that his days of joy upon this earth were past.</p>
+
+    <p>"Had a son been granted to me, to him I should have left my
+    war-garments. Fifty years have I ruled this people, and there
+    has been no king of all the nations round who durst meet me in
+    battle. I have known joys and sorrows, but no man have I
+    betrayed, nor many false oaths have I sworn. For all this may I
+    rejoice, though I be now sick with mortal wounds. The Ruler of
+    Men may not upbraid me with treachery or murder of kinsmen when
+    my soul shall depart from its body.</p>
+
+    <p>"But now, dear Wiglaf, go thou quickly to the hoard of gold
+    which lieth under the hoary rock. The dragon lieth dead; now
+    sleepeth he for ever, sorely wounded and bereft of his
+    treasure. Then haste thee, Wiglaf, for I would see the ancient
+    wealth, the gold treasure, the jewels, the curious gems. Haste
+    thee to bring it hither; then after that I have seen it, I
+    shall the more contentedly give up my life and the kingship
+    that I so long have held."</p>
+
+    <p>Quickly Wiglaf obeyed his wounded lord. Into the dark
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page301"
+       id="page301"></a>[pg 301]</span> cave he descended, and
+       there outspread before him was a wondrous sight. Treasure of
+       jewels, many glittering and golden, lay upon the ground.
+       Wondrous vessels of old time with broken ornaments were
+       scattered round. Here, too, lay old and rusty helmets,
+       mingled with bracelets and collars cunningly wrought.</p>
+
+    <p>Upon the walls hung golden flags. From one a light shone
+    forth by which the whole cavern was made clear. And all within
+    was silent. No sign was there of any guardian, for without lay
+    the dragon, sleeping death's sleep.</p>
+
+    <p>Quickly Wiglaf gathered of the treasures all that he could
+    carry. Dishes and cups he took, a golden ensign and a sword
+    curiously wrought. In haste he returned, for he knew not if he
+    should find his lord in life where he had left him.</p>
+
+    <p>And when Wiglaf came again to where Beowulf sat he poured
+    the treasure at his feet. But he found his lord in a deep
+    swoon. Again the brave warrior bathed Beowulf's wound and laved
+    the stricken countenance of his lord, until once more he came
+    to himself.</p>
+
+    <p>Then spake the King: "For this treasure I give thanks to the
+    Lord of All. Not in vain have I given my life, for it shall be
+    of great good to my people in need. And now leave me, for on
+    this earth longer I may not stay. Say to my warriors that they
+    shall raise a mound upon the rocky point which jutteth seaward.
+    High shall it stand as a memorial to my people. Let it soar
+    upward so that they who steer their slender barks over the
+    tossing waves shall call it Beowulf's mound."</p>
+
+    <p>The King then took from his neck the golden collar. To
+    Wiglaf, his young thane and kinsman, he gave it. He gave also
+    his helmet adorned with gold, his ring and coat of mail, and
+    bade the warrior use them well.</p>
+
+    <p>"Thou art the last of our race," he said. "Fate hath swept
+    away all my kinsmen, all the mighty earls. Now I too must
+    follow them."</p>
+
+    <p>That was the last word of the aged King. From his bosom the
+    soul fled to seek the dwellings of the just. At Wiglaf's feet
+    he lay quiet and
+    still.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page302"
+       id="page302"></a>[pg 302]</span>
+
+    <h3>HOW KING ARTHUR CONQUERED ROME</h3>
+
+    <h4>ADAPTED BY E. EDWARDSON</h4>
+
+    <p>King Arthur had just brought a great war to an end, and in
+    honor of his victory he was holding a royal feast with the
+    kings and princes that were his vassals and all the knights of
+    the Round Table, when twelve grave and ancient men entered the
+    banquet-hall where he sat at table. They bore each an
+    olive-branch in his hand, to signify that they were ambassadors
+    from Lucius the Emperor of Rome, and after they had reverently
+    made obeisance to King Arthur, they delivered their message as
+    follows:</p>
+
+    <p>"The high and mighty Emperor Lucius sends you greeting, O
+    King of Britain, and he commands you to acknowledge him as your
+    lord, and to pay the tribute which is due from this realm, and
+    which, it is recorded, was paid by your father and others who
+    came before him. Yet you rebelliously withhold it and keep it
+    back, in defiance of the statutes and decrees made by the first
+    Emperor of Rome, the noble Julius Caesar, who conquered this
+    country. And be assured that if you disobey this command, the
+    Emperor Lucius will come in his might and make war against you
+    and your kingdom, and will inflict upon you a chastisement that
+    shall serve for ever as a warning to all kings and princes not
+    to withhold the tribute due to that noble empire to which
+    belongs dominion over the whole world."</p>
+
+    <p>Thus they spoke, and King Arthur having heard their request,
+    bade them withdraw, saying that he would take the advice of his
+    counselors before giving them his answer; but some of the
+    younger knights that were in the hall declared that it was a
+    disgrace to all who were at the feast that such language should
+    be used to the King in their hearing, and they would fain have
+    fallen upon the ambassadors and slain them. But King Arthur,
+    hearing their murmurs, declared that any insult
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page303"
+       id="page303"></a>[pg 303]</span> or wrong suffered by the
+       ambassadors should be punished with death. Then he sent them
+       to their quarters, escorted by one of his knights, who was
+       ordered to provide them with whatever they wanted.</p>
+
+    <p>"Let nothing be grudged these men of Rome," said the King
+    "though the demand they make is an affront alike to me and to
+    you who are of my court. I should be dishonored were the
+    ambassadors not treated with the respect due to them, seeing
+    that they are great lords in their own land."</p>
+
+    <p>As soon as the ambassadors had left the hall, King Arthur
+    asked his knights and lords what was their advice and counsel
+    in the matter. The first to give his opinion was Sir Cador of
+    Cornwall.</p>
+
+    <p>"Sir," said Sir Cador, "the message brought by these lords
+    is most welcome to me. We have spent full many days at rest and
+    in idleness, and now my hope is that you will wage war against
+    the Romans. In that war we shall, I have little doubt, win
+    great honor."</p>
+
+    <p>"I am sure," answered King Arthur, "that this affair is
+    welcome to you, but I seek, above all, your aid in devising a
+    grave and suitable answer to the demand they have made. And let
+    no man doubt that I hold that demand to be a grievous insult.
+    The tribute they claim, in my opinion, not only is not due, but
+    cannot be due; for more than one British knight having been
+    Emperor of Rome, it is, I hold, the duty of Rome to acknowledge
+    the lordship of Britain, rather than of Britain to acknowledge
+    that of Rome. What think ye?"</p>
+
+    <p>"Sir," replied King Anguish of Scotland, "you ought of right
+    to be lord over all other kings, for throughout Christendom
+    there is neither knight nor man of high estate worthy to be
+    compared with you. My advice is, never yield to the Romans.
+    When they reigned over us, they oppressed our principal men,
+    and laid heavy and extortionate burdens upon the land. For that
+    cause I, standing here, solemnly vow vengeance upon them for
+    the evil they then did, and, to support you in your quarrel, I
+    will at my own cost furnish twenty thousand good fighting men.
+    This force I will command in person, and I will bring it to
+    your aid whenever you choose to summon
+    me."</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page304"
+       id="page304"></a>[pg 304]</span>
+
+    <p>In like manner, the King of Little Britain, as Brittany was
+    called in those days, undertook to furnish thirty thousand men;
+    and all the others who were present agreed to fight on King
+    Arthur's side, and to assist him to the utmost of their power.
+    So he, having thanked them heartily for the courage and good
+    will towards him that they displayed, had the ambassadors
+    summoned back into the banquet-hall and addressed them
+    thus:</p>
+
+    <p>"I would have you go back to him who sent you, and I would
+    have you say to him that I will pay no heed to any orders or
+    demands that may be brought from him; and as for tribute so far
+    am I from allowing that there is any tribute due from me or to
+    any other man or prince upon earth, be he heathen or Christian,
+    that I claim lordship over the empire he now has. And say
+    further to him, that I have determined and resolved to go to
+    Rome with my army, to take possession of the empire and to
+    subdue all that behave themselves rebelliously. Therefore, let
+    your master and all the other men of Rome get themselves ready
+    to do homage to me, and to acknowledge me as their emperor and
+    governor, and let them know that if they refuse, they will be
+    punished befittingly."</p>
+
+    <p>Then King Arthur bade his treasurer give handsome gifts to
+    the ambassadors, and repay in full the cost of their journey,
+    and he assigned Sir Cador as their escort to see them safely
+    out of the country. So they took their leave, and going to
+    Sandwich, sailed thence, and passed through Flanders and
+    Germany over the Alps into Italy to the court of the
+    Emperor.</p>
+
+    <p>When the Emperor heard what message King Arthur had
+    entrusted to them, and understood that this was indeed the
+    reply to his demand for tribute, he was grievously angry.</p>
+
+    <p>"Of truth," he said, "I never doubted that King Arthur would
+    obey my commands and submit, as it befits him and all other
+    kings to submit themselves to me."</p>
+
+    <p>"Sir," answered one of the ambassadors, "I beseech you not
+    to speak thus boastfully. In very truth my companions and
+    myself were dismayed when we saw King Arthur face to face, and
+    my fear is that you have made a rod for your own back, for his
+    intention is to become lord over this empire. His
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page305"
+       id="page305"></a>[pg 305]</span> threats, I warn you, are no
+       idle talk. He is a very different man from what you hoped he
+       was, and his court is the most noble upon earth. Never had
+       any one of us beheld such magnificence as we beheld there on
+       New Year's Day, when nine kings, besides other princes,
+       lords, and knights, sat at table with King Arthur. Nor do I
+       believe that there could be found anywhere another band of
+       knights worthy to be matched with the knights who sit at his
+       Round Table, nor a more manly man than the King himself. And
+       since I verily believe his ambition is such that he would
+       not be satisfied though he had conquered the whole world, my
+       advice is that you have careful watch kept upon the borders
+       of your lands and upon the ways over the mountains, for I am
+       certain that you would do wisely to guard yourself well
+       against him."</p>
+
+    <p>"Well," answered Lucius, "my intention is before Easter to
+    cross the Alps and to descend into France and seize the lands
+    that belong to him there. With me I shall take my mighty
+    warriors from Tuscany and Lombardy, and all the subjects and
+    allies I have shall be summoned to my aid."</p>
+
+    <p>Then the Emperor picked out wise old knights and sent them
+    east and west throughout Asia, Africa, and Europe, to summon
+    his allies from Turkey, Syria, Portugal, and the other distant
+    lands that were subject to him; and in the meantime he
+    assembled his forces from Rome, and from the countries between
+    Rome and Flanders, and he collected together as his bodyguard
+    fifty giants who were sons of evil spirits. Putting himself at
+    the head of this mighty host, Lucius departed from Rome, and
+    marching through Savoy, crossed the mountains, meaning to lay
+    waste the lands King Arthur had conquered. He besieged and took
+    a castle near Cologne, which he garrisoned with Saracens and
+    unbelievers. Then he passed on, plundering and pillaging the
+    country, till he entered Burgundy, where he halted to collect
+    the whole of his army before invading and laying utterly waste
+    the land of Little Britain.</p>
+
+    <p>In the meantime preparations were being made on the side of
+    the British. A parliament was held at York, and there it was
+    resolved that all the navy of the kingdom should be got ready
+    and assembled within fifteen days at Sandwich. Sir
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page306"
+       id="page306"></a>[pg 306]</span> Baudewaine of Britain, and
+       Sir Constantine, the son of Sir Cador of Cornwall, were
+       chosen by the King to be his viceroys during his absence;
+       and to them, in the presence of all his lords, he confided
+       the care of his kingdom, and he also entrusted to them Queen
+       Guinevere. She, when the time drew near for the departure of
+       her lord, wept and lamented so piteously that at last she
+       swooned, and was carried away to her chamber by the ladies
+       that attended upon her. Then King Arthur mounted his horse,
+       and, putting himself at the head of his troops, made
+       proclamation in a loud voice that should death befall him
+       during this expedition, his wish was that Sir Constantine,
+       who was his heir by blood, should succeed to his possessions
+       and to his throne.</p>
+
+    <p>So King Arthur and his army came to Sandwich, where they
+    found awaiting them a great multitude of galleys and vessels of
+    all sorts, on which they embarked and set out to sea. That
+    night, as the King lay asleep in his cabin, he dreamed a
+    marvelous dream. A dreadful dragon appeared, flying out of the
+    west. Its head was all enameled with azure enamel. Its wings
+    and its claws glistened like gold. Its feet were black as jet.
+    Its body was sheathed in scales that shone as armor shines
+    after it has been polished, and it had a very great and
+    remarkable tail. Then there came a cloud out of the east. The
+    grimmest beast man ever saw rode upon this cloud; it was a wild
+    boar, roaring and growling so hideously that it was terrifying
+    to hear it. The dragon flew down the wind like a falcon and
+    struck at this boar; but it defended itself with its grisly
+    tusks, and wounded the dragon in the breast so severely that
+    its blood, pouring into the sea in torrents, made all the waves
+    red. Then the dragon turned and flew away, and having mounted
+    up to a great height, again swooped down upon the boar and
+    fastened its claws in the beast's back. The boar struggled, and
+    raged, and writhed, but all in vain. It was at the mercy of its
+    foe, and so merciless was the dragon that it never loosened its
+    grip till it had torn the boar limb from limb and bone from
+    bone, and scattered it piecemeal upon the surface of the
+    sea.</p>
+
+    <p>Then King Arthur awoke, and, starting up in great dismay,
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page307"
+       id="page307"></a>[pg 307]</span> sent for a wise man that
+       was on board the ship and bade him interpret the dream.</p>
+
+    <p>"Sir," the wise man said, "the dragon which you saw in your
+    dream surely betokens your own self, its golden wings
+    signifying the countries you have won with your sword, and its
+    marvelous tail the knights of the Round Table. As for the boar
+    that was slain, that may betoken either a tyrant that torments
+    his people, or some hideous and abominable giant with whom you
+    are about to fight. And the dream foreshadows victory for you.
+    Therefore, though it was very dreadful, you should take comfort
+    from it and be of a good heart."</p>
+
+    <p>Before long the sailors sighted land, and the army
+    disembarked at a port in Flanders, where many great lords were
+    awaiting the arrival of King Arthur, as had been ordained. And
+    to him, soon after he had arrived, there came a husbandman
+    bringing grievous news. A monstrous giant had for years
+    infested the country on the borders of Little Britain, and had
+    slain many people and devoured such numbers of children that
+    there were none left for him to prey upon. And being in search
+    of victims, and coming upon the Duchess of Little Britain as
+    she rode with her knights, he had laid hands upon her and
+    carried her off to his den in a mountain. Five hundred men that
+    followed the duchess could not rescue her, but they heard such
+    heartrending cries and shrieks that they had little doubt she
+    had been put to death.</p>
+
+    <p>"Now," said the husbandman, "as you are a great and noble
+    King and a valiant conqueror, and as this lady was wife to Sir
+    Howel, who is your own cousin, take pity on her and on all of
+    us, and avenge us upon this vile giant."</p>
+
+    <p>"Alas," King Arthur replied, "this is a grievous and an evil
+    matter. I would give all my kingdom to have been at hand, so
+    that I might have saved that fair lady."</p>
+
+    <p>Then he asked the husbandman whether he could show him the
+    place where the giant would be found, and the man said that was
+    easy to do, for there were always two fires burning outside the
+    den he haunted. In that den, the husbandman believed, was
+    stored more treasure than the whole realm of France
+    contained.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page308"
+       id="page308"></a>[pg 308]</span>
+
+    <p>Then the King took Sir Kay and Sir Bedivere apart privately
+    into his tent, and bade them secretly get ready their horses
+    and armor, and his own, for it was his intention that night,
+    after evensong, to set out on a pilgrimage to St. Michael's
+    Mount with them, and nobody besides them was to accompany him.
+    So when evening came, the King, and Sir Kay, and Sir Bedivere
+    armed themselves, and taking their horses, rode as fast as they
+    could to the foot of St. Michael's Mount. There the King
+    alighted and bade his knights stay where they were, while he
+    himself ascended the mount.</p>
+
+    <p>He went up the hillside till he came to a huge fire. Close
+    to it was a newly made grave, by which was sitting a sorrowful
+    widow wringing her hands and making great lamentation. King
+    Arthur saluted her courteously, and asked for whom she was
+    weeping. She prayed him to speak softly, for "Yonder," said
+    she, "is a monstrous giant that will come and destroy you
+    should your voice reach his ears. Luckless wretch, what brings
+    you to this mountain?" asked the widow. "Fifty such knights as
+    you could not hold their ground against the monster."</p>
+
+    <p>"Lady," he replied, "the mighty conqueror King Arthur has
+    sent me as his ambassador to this giant, to inquire why he
+    ventures thus to misuse and maltreat the people of the
+    land."</p>
+
+    <p>"A useless embassy in very truth!" she said. "Little does he
+    care for King Arthur, or for any other man. Not many days have
+    passed since he murdered the fairest lady in the world, the
+    wife of Sir Howel of Little Britain; and had you brought with
+    you King Arthur's own wife, Queen Guinevere, he would not be
+    afraid to murder her. Yet, if you must needs speak with him,
+    you will find him yonder over the crest of the hill."</p>
+
+    <p>"This is a fearful warning you give me," said the King. "Yet
+    none the less, believe me, will I accomplish the task that has
+    been allotted me."</p>
+
+    <p>Having climbed up to the crest of the hill, King Arthur
+    looked down, and close below him he saw the giant basking at
+    his ease by the side of a great fire.</p>
+
+    <p>"Thou villain!" cried the King&mdash;"thou villain! short
+    shall <span class="pagenum"><a name="page309"
+       id="page309"></a>[pg 309]</span> be thy life and shameful
+       shall be thy death. Rise and defend yourself. My sword shall
+       avenge that fair duchess whom you murdered."</p>
+
+    <p>Starting from the ground, the giant snatched up his great
+    iron club, and aiming a swinging blow at King Arthur's head,
+    swept the crest off his helmet. Then the King flew at him, and
+    they wrestled and wrestled till they fell, and as they
+    struggled on the ground King Arthur again and again smote the
+    giant with his dagger, and they rolled and tumbled down the
+    hill till they reached the sea-beach at its foot, where Sir Kay
+    and Sir Bedivere were waiting their lord's return. Rushing to
+    his aid, the two knights at once set their master free, for
+    they found that the giant, in whose arms he was locked, was
+    already dead.</p>
+
+    <p>Then King Arthur sent Sir Kay and Sir Bedivere up the hill
+    to fetch the sword and shield that he had let fall and left
+    there, and also the giant's iron club and cloak, and he told
+    them they might keep whatever treasure they found in his den,
+    for he desired nothing besides the club and the cloak. So they
+    went and did as they were bidden, and brought away as much
+    treasure as they desired.</p>
+
+    <p>When the news of the oppressor's death was spread abroad,
+    the people came in throngs to thank the King, who had delivered
+    them; but he bade them rather give thanks to Heaven. Then,
+    having distributed among them the treasure his knights had not
+    needed, and having commanded Sir Howel to build upon the hill
+    which the giant had haunted a chapel in honor of St. Michael,
+    he returned to his army, and led it into the country of
+    Champagne, where he pitched his camp in a valley.</p>
+
+    <p>That evening two men, of whom one was the Marshal of France,
+    came into the pavilion where King Arthur sat at table. They
+    brought news that the Emperor was in Burgundy, burning and
+    sacking towns and villages, so that, unless King Arthur came
+    quickly to their succor, the men of those parts would be forced
+    to surrender themselves and their goods to Rome.</p>
+
+    <p>Hearing this, King Arthur summoned four of his
+    knights&mdash;Sir Gawaine, Sir Bors, Sir Lionel, and Sir
+    Badouine&mdash;and <span class="pagenum"><a name="page310"
+       id="page310"></a>[pg 310]</span> ordered them to go with all
+       speed to the Emperor's camp, and all upon him either to
+       leave the land at once or make ready for battle, since King
+       Arthur would not suffer the people to be harried any longer.
+       These four knights, accordingly, rode off with their
+       followers, and before very long they came to a meadow,
+       where, pitched by the side of a stream, they saw many
+       stately tents, and in the middle of them one which, it was
+       plain, must be the Emperor's, for above it floated a banner
+       on which was an eagle.</p>
+
+    <p>Then they halted and took counsel what it would be best to
+    do, and it was agreed that the rest of the party should remain
+    in ambush in the wood while Sir Gawaine and Sir Bors delivered
+    the message they brought. Having heard it, the Emperor Lucius
+    said they had better return and advise King Arthur to make
+    preparations for being subdued by Rome and losing all his
+    possessions. To this taunt Sir Gawaine and Sir Bors made angry
+    replies, whereupon Sir Gainus, a knight who was near of kin to
+    the Emperor, laughed, and said that British knights behaved as
+    if the whole world rested on their shoulders. Sir Gawaine was
+    infuriated beyond all measure by these words, and he and Sir
+    Bors fled as fast as their horses could put legs to the ground,
+    dashing headlong through woods and across streams, till they
+    came to the spot where they had left their comrades in
+    ambush.</p>
+
+    <p>The Romans followed in hot pursuit, and pressed them hard
+    all the way. One knight, indeed, had almost overtaken them,
+    when Sir Bors turned and ran him through with his spear. Then
+    Sir Lionel and Sir Badouine came to their assistance, and there
+    was a great and fierce encounter, and such was the bravery of
+    the British that they routed the Romans and chased them right
+    up to their tents. There the enemy made a stand, and Sir Bors
+    was taken prisoner; but Sir Gawaine, drawing his good sword,
+    vowed that he would either rescue his comrade or never look
+    King Arthur in the face again, and falling upon the men that
+    had captured Sir Bors, he delivered him out of their hands.</p>
+
+    <p>Then the fight waxed hotter and hotter, and the British
+    knights were in such jeopardy that Sir Gawaine dispatched
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page311"
+       id="page311"></a>[pg 311]</span> a messenger to bring him
+       help as quickly as it could be sent, for he was wounded and
+       sorely hurt. King Arthur, having received the message,
+       instantly mustered his army; but before he could set out,
+       into the camp rode Sir Gawaine and his companions, bringing
+       with them many prisoners. And the only one of the band who
+       had suffered any hurt was Sir Gawaine, whom the king
+       consoled as best he could, bidding his surgeon at once
+       attend to his wounds.</p>
+
+    <p>Thus ended the first battle between the Britons and the
+    Romans. That night there was great rejoicing in the camp of
+    King Arthur; and on the next day all the prisoners were sent to
+    Paris, with Sir Launcelot du Lake and Sir Cador, and many other
+    knights to guard them. On the way, passing through a wood, they
+    were beset by a force the Emperor Lucius had placed there in
+    ambush. Then Sir Launcelot, though the enemy had six men for
+    every one he had with him, fought with such fury that no one
+    could stand up against him; and at last, in dread of his
+    prowess and might, the Romans and their allies the Saracens
+    turned and fled as though they had been sheep and Sir Launcelot
+    a wolf or a lion. But the skirmish had lasted so long that
+    tidings of it had reached King Arthur, who arrayed himself and
+    hurried to the aid of his knights. Finding them already
+    victorious, he embraced them one by one, saying that they were
+    indeed worthy of whatever honors had been granted them in the
+    past, and that no other king had ever had such noble knights as
+    he had.</p>
+
+    <p>To this Sir Cador answered that they might one and all claim
+    at least the merit of not having deserted their posts, but that
+    the honor of the day belonged to Sir Launcelot, for it passed
+    man's wit to describe all the feats of arms he had performed.
+    Then Sir Cador told the King that certain of his knights were
+    slain, and who they were, whereupon King Arthur wept
+    bitterly.</p>
+
+    <p>"Truly," he said, "your valor nearly was the destruction of
+    you all. Yet you would not have been disgraced in my eyes had
+    you retreated. To me it seems a rash and foolhardy thing for
+    knights to stand their ground when they find themselves
+    overmatched."</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page312"
+       id="page312"></a>[pg 312]</span>
+
+    <p>"Nay," replied Sir Launcelot, "I think otherwise; for a
+    knight who has once been put to shame may never recover the
+    honor he has forfeited."</p>
+
+    <p>There was among the Romans who escaped from that battle a
+    senator. He went to the Emperor Lucius and said, "Sir, my
+    advice is that you withdraw your army, for this day has proved
+    that grievous blows are all we shall win here. There is not one
+    of King Arthur's knights that has not proved himself worth a
+    hundred of ours."</p>
+
+    <p>"Alas," cried Lucius, "that is coward's talk and to hear it
+    grieves me more than all the losses I have sustained this
+    day."</p>
+
+    <p>Then he ordered one of his most trusty allies to take a
+    great force and advance as fast as he possibly could, the
+    Emperor himself intending to follow in all haste. Warning of
+    this having been brought secretly to the British camp, King
+    Arthur sent part of his forces to Sessoigne to occupy the towns
+    and castles before the Romans could reach him. The rest he
+    posted up and down the country, so as to cut off every way by
+    which the enemy might escape.</p>
+
+    <p>Before long the Emperor entered the valley of Sessoigne, and
+    found himself face to face with King Arthur's men, drawn up in
+    battle array. Seeing that retreat was impossible&mdash;for he
+    was hemmed in by his enemies, and had either to fight his way
+    through them or surrender&mdash;he made an oration to his
+    followers, praying them to quit themselves like men that day,
+    and to remember that to allow the Britons to hold their ground
+    would bring disgrace upon Rome, the mistress of the world.</p>
+
+    <p>Then, at the Emperor's command, his trumpeters sounded their
+    trumpets so defiantly that the very earth trembled and shook;
+    and the two hosts joined battle, rushing at one another with
+    mighty shouts. Many knights fought nobly that day, but none
+    more nobly than King Arthur. Riding up and down the
+    battle-field, he exhorted his knights to bear themselves
+    bravely; and wherever the fray was thickest, and his people
+    most sorely pressed, he dashed to the rescue and hewed down the
+    Romans with his good sword Excalibur. Among those
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page313"
+       id="page313"></a>[pg 313]</span> he slew was a marvelous
+       great giant called Galapus. First of all, King Arthur smote
+       off this giant's legs by the knees, saying that made him a
+       more convenient size to deal with, and then he smote off his
+       head. Such was the hugeness of the body of Galapus, that, as
+       it fell, it crushed six Saracens to death.</p>
+
+    <p>But though King Arthur fought thus fiercely, and Sir Gawaine
+    and all the other knights of the Round Table did nobly, the
+    host of their enemies was so great that it seemed as if the
+    battle would never come to an end, the Britons having the
+    advantage at one moment and the Romans at another.</p>
+
+    <p>Now, among the Romans, no man fought more bravely than the
+    Emperor Lucius. King Arthur, spying the marvelous feats of arms
+    he performed, rode up and challenged him to a single combat.
+    They exchanged many a mighty blow, and at last Lucius struck
+    King Arthur across the face, and inflicted a grievous wound.
+    Feeling the smart of it, King Arthur dealt back such a stroke
+    that his sword Excalibur clove the Emperor's helmet in half,
+    and splitting his skull, passed right down to his
+    breast-bone.</p>
+
+    <p>Thus Lucius, the Emperor of the Romans, lost his life; and
+    when it was known that he was slain, his whole army turned and
+    fled, and King Arthur and his knights chased them, slaying all
+    they could overtake. Of the host that followed Lucius, more
+    than a hundred thousand men fell that day.</p>
+
+    <p>King Arthur, after he had won the great battle in which the
+    Emperor Lucius was slain, marched into Lorraine, and so on
+    through Brabant and Flanders into Germany, and across the
+    mountains into Lombardy, and thence into Tuscany, and at last
+    came to Rome, and on Christmas Day he was crowned emperor by
+    the Pope with great state and solemnity. And he stayed in Rome
+    a little while, setting in order the affairs of his possession,
+    and distributing among his knights posts of honor and dignity,
+    and also great estates, as rewards for their services.</p>
+
+    <p>After these affairs had been duly arranged, all the British
+    lords and knights assembled in the presence of the King, and
+    said to him:</p>
+
+    <p>"Noble Emperor, now that, Heaven be thanked for it,
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page314"
+       id="page314"></a>[pg 314]</span> this great war is over, and
+       your enemies so utterly vanquished that henceforward, as we
+       believe, no man, however great or mighty he may be, will
+       dare to stand up against you, we beseech you to grant us
+       leave to return to our wives and our homes, that there we
+       may rest ourselves."</p>
+
+    <p>This request King Arthur granted, saying that it would be
+    wise, seeing they had met with such good fortune so far, to be
+    content with it and to return home. Also he gave orders that
+    there should be no plundering or pillaging of the country
+    through which they had to pass on their way back, but that they
+    should, on pain of death, pay the full price for victuals or
+    whatever else they took.</p>
+
+    <p>So King Arthur and his host set off from Rome and came over
+    the sea and landed at Sandwich, where Queen Guinevere came to
+    meet her lord. And at Sandwich and throughout the land there
+    were great festivities, and noble gifts were presented to the
+    King; for his people rejoiced mightily both because he had
+    returned safely home, and because of the great victories he had
+    achieved.</p>
+
+    <h3>SIR GALAHAD AND THE SACRED CUP</h3>
+
+    <h4>ADAPTED BY MARY MACGREGOR</h4>
+
+    <div class="poem">
+        <div class="stanza">
+            <p>"My strength is as the strength of ten,</p>
+
+            <p>Because my heart is pure,"</p>
+        </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <p>sang Galahad gladly. He was only a boy, but he had just been
+    made a knight by Sir Lancelot, and the old abbey, where he had
+    lived all his life, rang with the echo of his song.</p>
+
+    <p>Sir Lancelot heard the boy's clear voice singing in triumph.
+    As he stopped to listen, he caught the words,</p>
+
+    <div class="poem">
+        <div class="stanza">
+            <p>"My strength is as the strength of ten,</p>
+
+            <p>Because my heart is pure,"</p>
+        </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <p>and the great knight wished he were a boy again, and could
+    sing that song too.</p>
+
+    <div class="figcenter"
+         style="width:100%;">
+        <a href="images/582.jpg"
+             name="fig582"
+             id="fig582"><img width="225"
+             src="images/582-t.jpg"
+             alt="SIR GALAHAD." /></a>
+
+        <p>&nbsp;</p>SIR GALAHAD.
+    </div><span class="pagenum"><a name="page315"
+       id="page315"></a>[pg 315]</span>
+
+    <p>Twelve nuns lived in the quiet abbey, and they had taught
+    Galahad lovingly and carefully, ever since he had come to them
+    as a beautiful little child. And the boy had dwelt happily with
+    them there in the still old abbey, and he would be sorry to
+    leave them, but he was a knight now. He would fight for the
+    King he reverenced so greatly, and for the country he loved so
+    well.</p>
+
+    <p>Yet when Sir Lancelot left the abbey the next day, Galahad
+    did not go with him. He would stay in his old home a little
+    longer, he thought. He would not grieve the nuns by a hurried
+    farewell.</p>
+
+    <p>Sir Lancelot left the abbey alone, but as he rode along he
+    met two knights, and together they reached Camelot, where the
+    King was holding a great festival.</p>
+
+    <p>King Arthur welcomed Sir Lancelot and the two knights. "Now
+    all the seats at our table will be filled," he said gladly. For
+    it pleased the King when the circle of his knights was
+    unbroken.</p>
+
+    <p>Then all the King's household went to service at the
+    minster, and when they came back to the palace they saw a
+    strange sight.</p>
+
+    <p>In the dining-hall the Round Table at which the King and his
+    knights always sat seemed strangely bright.</p>
+
+    <p>The King looked more closely, and saw that at one place on
+    this Round Table were large letters. And he read, "This is the
+    seat of Sir Galahad, the Pure-hearted." But only Sir Lancelot
+    knew that Sir Galahad was the boy-knight he had left behind him
+    in the quiet old abbey.</p>
+
+    <p>"We will cover the letters till the Knight of the Pure Heart
+    comes," said Sir Lancelot; and he took silk and laid it over
+    the glittering letters.</p>
+
+    <p>Then as they sat down to table they were disturbed by Sir
+    Kay, the steward of the King's kitchen.</p>
+
+    <p>"You do not sit down to eat at this festival," Sir Kay
+    reminded the King, "till you have seen or heard some great
+    adventure." And the King told his steward that the writing in
+    gold had made him forget his usual custom.</p>
+
+    <p>As they waited a squire came hastily into the hall. "I
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page316"
+       id="page316"></a>[pg 316]</span> have a strange tale to
+       tell," he said. "As I walked along the bank of the river I
+       saw a great stone, and it floated on the top of the water,
+       and into the stone there has been thrust a sword."</p>
+
+    <p>Then the King and all his knights went down to the river,
+    and they saw the stone, and it was like red marble. And the
+    sword that had been thrust into the stone was strong and fair.
+    The handle of it was studded with precious stones, and among
+    the stones there were letters of gold.</p>
+
+    <p>The King stepped forward, and bending over the sword read
+    these words: "No one shall take me away save him to whom I
+    belong. I will hang only by the side of the best knight in the
+    world."</p>
+
+    <p>The King turned to Sir Lancelot. "The sword is yours, for
+    surely there lives no truer knight."</p>
+
+    <p>But Sir Lancelot answered gravely, "The sword is not mine.
+    It will never hang by my side, for I dare not try to take
+    it."</p>
+
+    <p>The King was sorry that his great knight's courage failed,
+    but he turned to Sir Gawaine and asked him to try to take the
+    sword.</p>
+
+    <p>And at first Sir Gawaine hesitated. But when he looked again
+    at the precious stones that sparkled on the handle, he
+    hesitated no longer. But he no sooner touched the sword than it
+    wounded him, so that he could not use his arm for many
+    days.</p>
+
+    <p>Then the King turned to Sir Percivale. And because Arthur
+    wished it, Sir Percivale tried to take the sword; but he could
+    not move it. And after that no other knight dared to touch the
+    fair sword; so they turned and went back to the palace.</p>
+
+    <p>In the dining-hall the King and his knights sat down once
+    more at the Round Table, and each knight knew his own chair.
+    And all the seats were filled except the chair opposite the
+    writing in gold.</p>
+
+    <p>It had been a day full of surprise, but now the most
+    wonderful thing of all happened. For as they sat down, suddenly
+    all the doors of the palace shut with a loud noise, but no one
+    had touched the doors. And all the windows were softly closed,
+    but no one saw the hands that closed
+    them.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page317"
+       id="page317"></a>[pg 317]</span>
+
+    <p>Then one of the doors opened, and there came in a very old
+    man dressed all in white, and no one knew whence he came.</p>
+
+    <p>By his side was a young man in red armor. He had neither
+    sword nor shield, but hanging by his side was an empty
+    sheath.</p>
+
+    <p>There was a great silence in the hall as the old man said,
+    slowly and solemnly, "I bring you the young knight Sir Galahad,
+    who is descended from a king. He shall do many great deeds, and
+    he shall see the Holy Grail."</p>
+
+    <p>"He shall see the Holy Grail," the knights repeated, with
+    awe on their faces.</p>
+
+    <p>For far back, in the days of their boyhood, they had heard
+    the story of the Holy Grail. It was the Sacred Cup out of which
+    their Lord had drunk before He died.</p>
+
+    <p>And they had been told how sometimes it was seen carried by
+    angels, and how at other times in a gleam of light. But in
+    whatever way it appeared, it was seen only by those who were
+    pure in heart.</p>
+
+    <p>And as the old man's words, "He shall see the Holy Grail,"
+    fell on their ears, the knights thought of the story they had
+    heard so long ago, and they were sorry, for they had never seen
+    the Sacred Cup, and they knew that it was unseen only by those
+    who had done wrong.</p>
+
+    <p>But the old man was telling the boy-knight to follow him. He
+    led him to the empty chair, and lifted the silk that covered
+    the golden letters. "This is the seat of Sir Galahad, the
+    Pure*-hearted," he read aloud. And the young knight sat in the
+    empty seat that belonged to him.</p>
+
+    <p>Then the old man left the palace, and twenty noble squires
+    met him, and took him back to his own country.</p>
+
+    <p>When dinner was ended, the King went over to the chair where
+    his boy-knight sat, and welcomed him to the circle of the Round
+    Table. Afterwards he took Sir Galahad's hand, and led him out
+    of the palace to show him the strange red stone that floated on
+    the river. When Sir Galahad heard how the knights could not
+    draw the sword out of the stone, he knew that this adventure
+    was his.</p>
+
+    <p>"I will try to take the sword," said the boy-knight, "and
+    place it in my sheath, for it is empty," and he pointed to his
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page318"
+       id="page318"></a>[pg 318]</span> side. Then he laid his hand
+       on the wonderful sword, and easily drew it out of the stone,
+       and placed it in his sheath.</p>
+
+    <p>"God has sent you the sword, now He will send you a shield
+    as well," said King Arthur.</p>
+
+    <p>Then the King proclaimed that the next day there would be a
+    tournament in the meadows of Camelot. For before his knights
+    went out to new adventures, he would see Sir Galahad
+    proved.</p>
+
+    <p>And in the morning the meadows lay bright in the sunshine.
+    And the boy-knight rode bravely to his first combat, and
+    over-threw many men; but Sir Lancelot and Sir Percivale he
+    could not overthrow.</p>
+
+    <p>When the tournament was over the King and his knights went
+    home to supper, and each sat in his own seat at the Round
+    Table.</p>
+
+    <p>All at once there was a loud crashing noise, a noise that
+    was louder than any peal of thunder. Was the King's wonderful
+    palace falling to pieces?</p>
+
+    <p>But while the noise still sounded a marvelous light stole
+    into the room, a light brighter than any sunbeam.</p>
+
+    <p>As the knights looked at one another, each seemed to the
+    other to have a new glory and a new beauty in his face.</p>
+
+    <p>And down the sunbeam glided the Holy Grail. It was the
+    Sacred Cup they had all longed to see. But no one saw it, for
+    it was invisible to all but the pure-hearted Sir Galahad.</p>
+
+    <p>As the strange light faded away, King Arthur heard his
+    knights vowing that they would go in search of the Holy Grail,
+    and never give up the quest till they had found it.</p>
+
+    <p>And the boy-knight knew that he too would go over land and
+    sea, till he saw again the wonderful vision.</p>
+
+    <p>That night the King could not sleep, for his sorrow was
+    great. His knights would wander into far-off countries, and
+    many of them would forget that they were in search of the Holy
+    Grail. Would they not have found the Sacred Cup one day if they
+    had stayed with their King and helped to clear the country of
+    its enemies?</p>
+
+    <p>In the morning the streets of Camelot were crowded with rich
+    and poor. And the people wept as they watched the knights
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page319"
+       id="page319"></a>[pg 319]</span> ride away on their strange
+       quest. And the King wept too, for he knew that now there
+       would be many empty chairs at the Round Table.</p>
+
+    <p>The knights rode together to a strange city and stayed there
+    all night. The next day they separated, each going a different
+    way.</p>
+
+    <p>Sir Galahad rode on for four days without adventure. At last
+    he came to a white abbey, where he was received very kindly.
+    And he found two knights there, and one was a king.</p>
+
+    <p>"What adventure has brought you here?" asked the
+    boy-knight.</p>
+
+    <p>Then they told him that in this abbey there was a shield.
+    And if any man tried to carry it, he was either wounded or dead
+    within three days.</p>
+
+    <p>"But to-morrow I shall try to bear it," said the king.</p>
+
+    <p>"In the name of God, let me take the shield," said Sir
+    Galahad gravely.</p>
+
+    <p>"If I fail, you shall try to bear it," said the king. And
+    Galahad was glad, for he had still no shield of his own.</p>
+
+    <p>Then a monk took the king and the young knight behind the
+    altar, and showed them where the shield hung. It was as white
+    as snow, but in the middle there was a red cross.</p>
+
+    <p>"The shield can be borne only by the worthiest knight in the
+    world," the monk warned the king.</p>
+
+    <p>"I will try to bear it, though I am no worthy knight,"
+    insisted the king; and he took the shield and rode down into
+    the valley.</p>
+
+    <p>And Galahad waited at the abbey, for the king had said he
+    would send his squire to tell the young knight how the shield
+    had protected him.</p>
+
+    <p>For two miles the king rode through the valley, till he
+    reached a hermitage. And he saw a warrior there, dressed in
+    white armor, and sitting on a white horse.</p>
+
+    <p>The warrior rode quickly towards the king, and struck him so
+    hard that he broke his armor. Then he thrust his spear through
+    the king's right shoulder, as though he held no shield.</p>
+
+    <p>"The shield can be borne only by a peerless knight. It
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page320"
+       id="page320"></a>[pg 320]</span> does not belong to you,"
+       said the warrior, as he gave it to the squire, telling him
+       to carry it back to the abbey and to give it to Sir Galahad
+       with his greeting.</p>
+
+    <p>"Then tell me your name," said the squire.</p>
+
+    <p>"I will tell neither you nor any one on earth," said the
+    warrior. And he disappeared, and the squire saw him no
+    more.</p>
+
+    <p>"I will take the wounded King to an abbey, that his wounds
+    may be dressed," thought the squire.</p>
+
+    <p>And with great difficulty the King and his squire reached an
+    abbey. And the monks thought his life could not be saved, but
+    after many days he was cured.</p>
+
+    <p>Then the squire rode back to the abbey where Galahad waited.
+    "The warrior who wounded the King bids you bear this shield,"
+    he said.</p>
+
+    <p>Galahad hung the shield round his neck joyfully, and rode
+    into the valley to seek the warrior dressed in white.</p>
+
+    <p>And when they met they saluted each other courteously. And
+    the warrior told Sir Galahad strange tales of the white shield,
+    till the knight thanked God that now it was his. And all his
+    life long the white shield with the red cross was one of his
+    great treasures.</p>
+
+    <p>Now Galahad rode back to the abbey, and the monks were glad
+    to see him again. "We have need of a pure knight," they said,
+    as they took Sir Galahad to a tomb in the churchyard.</p>
+
+    <p>A pitiful noise was heard, and a voice from the tomb cried,
+    "Galahad, servant of God, do not come near me." But the young
+    knight went towards the tomb and raised the stone.</p>
+
+    <p>Then a thick smoke was seen, and through the smoke a figure
+    uglier than any man leaped from the tomb, shouting, "Angels are
+    round thee, Galahad, servant of God. I can do you no harm."</p>
+
+    <p>The knight stooped down and saw a body all dressed in armor
+    lying there, and a sword lay by its side.</p>
+
+    <p>"This was a false knight," said Sir Galahad. "Let us carry
+    his body away from this place."</p>
+
+    <p>"You will stay in the abbey and live with us," entreated the
+    monks. But the boy-knight could not rest. Would he
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page321"
+       id="page321"></a>[pg 321]</span> see the light that was
+       brighter than any sunbeam again? Would his adventures bring
+       him at last to the Holy Grail?</p>
+
+    <p>Sir Galahad rode on many days, till at last he reached a
+    mountain. On the mountain he found an old chapel. It was empty
+    and very desolate. Galahad knelt alone before the altar, and
+    asked God to tell him what to do next.</p>
+
+    <p>And as he prayed a voice said, "Thou brave knight, go to the
+    Castle of Maidens and rescue them."</p>
+
+    <p>Galahad rose, and gladly journeyed on to the Castle of
+    Maidens.</p>
+
+    <p>There he found seven knights, who long ago had seized the
+    castle from a maiden to whom it belonged. And these knights had
+    imprisoned her and many other maidens.</p>
+
+    <p>When the seven knights saw Sir Galahad they came out of the
+    castle. "We will take this young knight captive, and keep him
+    in prison," they said to each other, as they fell upon him.</p>
+
+    <p>But Sir Galahad smote the first knight to the ground, so
+    that he almost broke his neck. And as his wonderful sword
+    flashed in the light, sudden fear fell on the six knights that
+    were left and they turned and fled.</p>
+
+    <p>Then an old man took the keys of the castle to Galahad. And
+    the knight opened the gates of the castle, and set free many
+    prisoners. He gave the castle back to the maiden to whom it
+    belonged, and sent for all the knights in the country round
+    about to do her homage.</p>
+
+    <p>Then once again Sir Galahad rode on in search of the Holy
+    Grail. And the way seemed long, yet on and on he rode, till at
+    last he reached the sea.</p>
+
+    <p>There, on the shore, stood a maiden, and when she saw Sir
+    Galahad, she led him to a ship and told him to enter.</p>
+
+    <p>The wind rose and drove the ship, with Sir Galahad on board,
+    between two rocks. But when the ship could not pass that way,
+    the knight left it, and entered a smaller one that awaited
+    him.</p>
+
+    <p>In this ship was a table, and on the table, covered with a
+    red cloth, was the Holy Grail. Reverently Sir Galahad sank on
+    his knees. But still the Sacred Cup was
+    covered.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page322"
+       id="page322"></a>[pg 322]</span>
+
+    <p>At last the ship reached a strange city, and on the shore
+    sat a crippled man. Sir Galahad asked his help to lift the
+    table from the ship.</p>
+
+    <p>"For ten years I have not walked without crutches," said the
+    man.</p>
+
+    <p>"Show that you are willing, and come to me," urged the
+    knight.</p>
+
+    <p>And the cripple got up, and when he found that he was cured,
+    he ran to Sir Galahad, and together they carried the wonderful
+    table to the shore.</p>
+
+    <p>Then all the city was astonished, and the people talked only
+    of the great marvel. "The man that was a cripple for ten years
+    can walk," each said to the other.</p>
+
+    <p>The king of the city heard the wonderful tale, but he was a
+    cruel king and a tyrant. "The knight is not a good man," he
+    said to his people, and he commanded that Galahad should be put
+    in prison. And the prison was underneath the palace, and it was
+    dark and cold there.</p>
+
+    <p>But down into the darkness streamed the light that had made
+    Galahad so glad long ago at Camelot. And in the light Galahad
+    saw the Holy Grail.</p>
+
+    <p>A year passed and the cruel king was very ill, and he
+    thought he would die. Then he remembered the knight he had
+    treated so unkindly, and who was still in the dark, cold
+    prison. "I will send for him, and ask him to forgive me,"
+    murmured the king.</p>
+
+    <p>And when Galahad was brought to the palace, he willingly
+    forgave the tyrant who had put him in prison.</p>
+
+    <p>Then the king died, and there was great dismay in the city,
+    for where would they find a good ruler to sit on the
+    throne?</p>
+
+    <p>As they wondered, they heard a voice that told them to make
+    Sir Galahad their king, and in great joy the knight was
+    crowned.</p>
+
+    <p>Then the new king ordered a box of gold and precious stones
+    to be made, and in this box he placed the wonderful table he
+    had carried away from the ship. "And every morning I and my
+    people will come here to pray," he said.</p>
+
+    <p>For a year Sir Galahad ruled the country well and
+    wisely.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page323"
+       id="page323"></a>[pg 323]</span>
+
+    <p>"A year ago they crowned me king," thought Galahad gravely,
+    as he woke one morning. He would get up early, and go to pray
+    at the precious table.</p>
+
+    <p>But before the king reached the table he paused. It was
+    early. Surely all the city was asleep. Yet some one was already
+    there, kneeling before the table on which, uncovered, stood the
+    Sacred Cup.</p>
+
+    <p>The man kneeling there looked holy as the saints look.
+    Surrounding him was a circle of angels. Was it a saint who
+    kneeled, or was it the Lord Himself?</p>
+
+    <p>When the man saw Sir Galahad, he said, "Come near, thou
+    servant of Jesus Christ, and thou shalt see what thou hast so
+    much longed to see."</p>
+
+    <p>And with joy Sir Galahad saw again the Holy Grail. Then as
+    he kneeled before it in prayer, his soul left his body and was
+    carried into heaven.</p>
+
+    <h3>THE PASSING OF ARTHUR</h3>
+
+    <h4>ADAPTED BY MARY MACGREGOR</h4>
+
+    <p>It was not to win renown that King Arthur had gone far
+    across the sea, for he loved his own country so well, that to
+    gain glory at home made him happiest of all.</p>
+
+    <p>But a false knight with his followers was laying waste the
+    country across the sea, and Arthur had gone to wage war against
+    him.</p>
+
+    <p>"And you, Sir Modred, will rule the country while I am
+    gone," the King had said. And the knight smiled as he thought
+    of the power that would be his.</p>
+
+    <p>At first the people missed their great King Arthur, but as
+    the months passed they began to forget him, and to talk only of
+    Sir Modred and his ways.</p>
+
+    <p>And he, that he might gain the people's praise, made easier
+    laws than ever Arthur had done, till by and by there were
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page324"
+       id="page324"></a>[pg 324]</span> many in the country who
+       wished that the King would never come back.</p>
+
+    <p>When Modred knew what the people wished, he was glad, and he
+    made up his mind to do a cruel deed.</p>
+
+    <p>He would cause letters to be written from beyond the sea,
+    and the letters would tell that the great King Arthur had been
+    slain in battle.</p>
+
+    <p>And when the letters came the people read, "King Arthur is
+    dead," and they believed the news was true.</p>
+
+    <p>And there were some who wept because the noble King was
+    slain, but some had no time to weep. "We must find a new king,"
+    they said. And because his laws were easy, these chose Sir
+    Modred to rule over them.</p>
+
+    <p>The wicked knight was pleased that the people wished him to
+    be their king. "They shall take me to Canterbury to crown me,"
+    he said proudly. And the nobles took him there, and amid shouts
+    and rejoicings he was crowned.</p>
+
+    <p>But it was not very long till other letters came from across
+    the sea, saying that King Arthur had not been slain, and that
+    he was coming back to rule over his own country once more.</p>
+
+    <p>When Sir Modred heard that King Arthur was on his way home,
+    he collected a great army and went to Dover to try to keep the
+    King from landing.</p>
+
+    <p>But no army would have been strong enough to keep Arthur and
+    his knights away from the country they loved so well. They
+    fought fiercely till they got on shore and scattered all Sir
+    Modred's men.</p>
+
+    <p>Then the knight gathered another army, and chose a new
+    battle-field.</p>
+
+    <p>But King Arthur fought so bravely that he and his men were
+    again victorious, and Sir Modred fled to Canterbury.</p>
+
+    <p>Many of the people began to forsake the false knight now,
+    and saying that he was a traitor, they went back to King
+    Arthur.</p>
+
+    <p>But still Sir Modred wished to conquer the King. He would go
+    through the counties of Kent and Surrey and raise a new
+    army.</p>
+
+    <p>Now King Arthur had dreamed that if he fought with Sir
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page325"
+       id="page325"></a>[pg 325]</span> Modred again he would be
+       slain. So when he heard that the knight had raised another
+       army, he thought, "I will meet this traitor who has betrayed
+       me. When he looks in my face, he will be ashamed and
+       remember his vow of obedience."</p>
+
+    <p>And he sent two bishops to Sir Modred. "Say to the knight
+    that the King would speak with him alone," said Arthur.</p>
+
+    <p>And the traitor thought, "The King wishes to give me gold or
+    great power, if I send my army away without fighting," "I will
+    meet King Arthur," he said to the bishops.</p>
+
+    <p>But because he did not altogether trust the King he said he
+    would take fourteen men with him to the meeting-place, "and the
+    King must have fourteen men with him too," said Sir Modred.
+    "And our armies shall keep watch when we meet, and if a sword
+    is lifted it shall be the signal for battle."</p>
+
+    <p>Then King Arthur arranged a feast for Sir Modred and his
+    men. And as they feasted all went merrily till an adder glided
+    out of a little bush and stung one of the knight's men. And the
+    pain was so great, that the man quickly drew his sword to kill
+    the adder.</p>
+
+    <p>And when the armies saw the sword flash in the light, they
+    sprang to their feet and began to fight, "for this is the
+    signal for battle," they thought.</p>
+
+    <p>And when evening came there were many thousand slain and
+    wounded, and Sir Modred was left alone. But Arthur had still
+    two knights with him, Sir Lucan and Sir Bedivere.</p>
+
+    <p>When King Arthur saw that his army was lost and all his
+    knights slain but two, he said, "Would to God I could find Sir
+    Modred, who has caused all this trouble."</p>
+
+    <p>"He is yonder," said Sir Lucan, "but remember your dream,
+    and go not near him."</p>
+
+    <p>"Whether I die or live," said the King, "he shall not
+    escape." And seizing his spear he ran to Sir Modred, crying,
+    "Now you shall die."</p>
+
+    <p>And Arthur smote him under the shield, and the spear passed
+    through his body, and he
+    died.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page326"
+       id="page326"></a>[pg 326]</span>
+
+    <p>Then, wounded and exhausted, the King fainted, and his
+    knights lifted him and took him to a little chapel not far from
+    a lake.</p>
+
+    <p>As the King lay there, he heard cries of fear and pain from
+    the distant battle-field.</p>
+
+    <p>"What causes these cries?" said the King wearily. And to
+    soothe the sick King, Sir Lucan said he would go to see.</p>
+
+    <p>And when he reached the battle-field, he saw in the
+    moon-*light that robbers were on the field stooping over the
+    slain, and taking from them their rings and their gold. And
+    those that were only wounded, the robbers slew, that they might
+    take their jewels too.</p>
+
+    <p>Sir Lucan hastened back, and told the King what he had
+    seen.</p>
+
+    <p>"We will carry you farther off, lest the robbers find us
+    here," said the knights. And Sir Lucan lifted the King on one
+    side and Sir Bedivere lifted him on the other.</p>
+
+    <p>But Sir Lucan had been wounded in the battle, and as he
+    lifted the King he fell back and died.</p>
+
+    <p>Then Arthur and Sir Bedivere wept for the fallen knight.</p>
+
+    <p>Now the King felt so ill that he thought he would not live
+    much longer, and he turned to Sir Bedivere: "Take Excalibur, my
+    good sword," he said, "and go with it to the lake, and throw it
+    into its waters. Then come quickly and tell me what you
+    see."</p>
+
+    <p>Sir Bedivere took the sword and went down to the lake. But
+    as he looked at the handle with its sparkling gems and the
+    richness of the sword, he thought he could not throw it away.
+    "I will hide it carefully here among the rushes," thought the
+    knight. And when he had hidden it, he went slowly to the King
+    and told him he had thrown the sword into the lake.</p>
+
+    <p>"What did you see?" asked the King eagerly.</p>
+
+    <p>"Nothing but the ripple of the waves as they broke on the
+    beach," said Sir Bedivere.</p>
+
+    <p>"You have not told me the truth," said the King. "If you
+    love me, go again to the lake, and throw my sword into the
+    water."</p>
+
+    <p>Again the knight went to the water's edge. He drew the
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page327"
+       id="page327"></a>[pg 327]</span> sword from its
+       hiding-place. He would do the King's will, for he loved him.
+       But again the beauty of the sword made him pause. "It is a
+       noble sword; I will not throw it away," he murmured, as once
+       more he hid it among the rushes. Then he went back more
+       slowly, and told the King that he had done his will.</p>
+
+    <p>"What did you see?" asked the King.</p>
+
+    <p>"Nothing but the ripples of the waves as they broke on the
+    beach," repeated the knight.</p>
+
+    <p>"You have betrayed me twice," said the King sadly, "and yet
+    you are a noble knight! Go again to the lake, and do not betray
+    me for a rich sword."</p>
+
+    <p>Then for the third time Sir Bedivere went to the water's
+    edge, and drawing the sword from among the rushes, he flung it
+    as far as he could into the lake.</p>
+
+    <p>And as the knight watched, an arm and a hand appeared above
+    the surface of the lake. He saw the hand seize the sword, and
+    shaking it three times, disappear again under the water. Then
+    Sir Bedivere went back quickly to the King, and told him what
+    he had seen.</p>
+
+    <p>"Carry me to the lake," entreated Arthur, "for I have been
+    here too long."</p>
+
+    <p>And the knight carried the King on his shoulders down to the
+    water's side. There they found a barge lying, and seated in it
+    were three queens, and each queen wore a black hood. And when
+    they saw King Arthur they wept.</p>
+
+    <p>"Lay me in the barge," said the King. And when Sir Bedivere
+    had laid him there, King Arthur rested his head on the lap of
+    the fairest queen. And they rowed from land.</p>
+
+    <p>Sir Bedivere, left alone, watched the barge as it drifted
+    out of sight, and then he went sorrowfully on his way, till he
+    reached a hermitage. And he lived there as a hermit for the
+    rest of his life.</p>
+
+    <p>And the barge was rowed to a vale where the King was healed
+    of his wound.</p>
+
+    <p>And some say that now he is dead, but others say that King
+    Arthur will come again, and clear the country of its
+    foes.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page328"
+       id="page328"></a>[pg 328]</span>
+
+    <h3>ROBIN HOOD</h3>
+
+    <h4>ADAPTED BY H.E. MARSHALL</h4>
+
+    <h3>I</h3>
+
+    <h3>HOW ROBIN HOOD CAME TO LIVE IN THE GREEN WOOD</h3>
+
+    <p>Very many years ago there ruled over England a king, who was
+    called Richard Coeur de Lion. Coeur de Lion is French and means
+    lion-hearted. It seems strange that an English king should have
+    a French name. But more than a hundred years before this king
+    reigned, a French duke named William came to England, defeated
+    the English in a great battle, and declared himself king of all
+    that southern part of Britain called England.</p>
+
+    <p>He brought with him a great many Frenchmen, or Normans, as
+    they were called from the name of the part of France over which
+    this duke ruled. These Normans were all poor though they were
+    very proud and haughty. They came with Duke William to help him
+    to fight because he promised to give them money and lands as a
+    reward. Now Duke William had not a great deal of money nor many
+    lands of his own. So when he had beaten the English, or Saxons,
+    as they were called in those days, he stole lands and houses,
+    money and cattle from the Saxon nobles and gave them to the
+    Normans. The Saxon nobles themselves had very often to become
+    the servants of these proud Normans. Thus it came about that
+    two races lived in England, each speaking their own language,
+    and each hating the other.</p>
+
+    <p>This state of things lasted for a very long time. Even when
+    Richard became king, more than a hundred years after the coming
+    of Duke William, there was still a great deal of hatred between
+    the two races.</p>
+
+    <p>Richard Coeur de Lion, as his name tells you, was a brave
+    and noble man. He loved danger; he loved brave men and noble
+    deeds. He hated all mean and cruel acts, and the cowards who
+    did them. He was ever ready to help the weak against
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page329"
+       id="page329"></a>[pg 329]</span> the strong, and had he
+       stayed in England after he became king he might have done
+       much good. He might have taught the proud Norman nobles that
+       true nobility rests in being kind and gentle to those less
+       strong and less fortunate than ourselves, and not in
+       fierceness and cruelty.</p>
+
+    <p>Yet Richard himself was neither meek nor gentle. He was
+    indeed very fierce and terrible in battle. He loved to fight
+    with people who were stronger or better armed than himself. He
+    would have been ashamed to hurt the weak and feeble.</p>
+
+    <p>But Richard did not stay in England. Far, far over the seas
+    there is a country called Palestine. There our Lord was born,
+    lived, and died. Christian people in all ages must think
+    tenderly and gratefully of that far-off country. But at this
+    time it had fallen into the hands of the heathen. It seemed to
+    Christian people in those days that it would be a terrible sin
+    to allow wicked heathen to live in the Holy Land. So they
+    gathered together great armies of brave men from every country
+    in the world and sent them to try to win it back. Many brave
+    deeds were done, many terrible battles fought, but still the
+    heathen kept possession.</p>
+
+    <p>Then brave King Richard of England said he too would fight
+    for the city of our Lord. So he gathered together as much money
+    as he could find, and as many brave men as would follow him,
+    and set out for the Holy Land. Before he went away he called
+    two bishops who he thought were good and wise men, and said to
+    them: "Take care of England while I am gone. Rule my people
+    wisely and well, and I will reward you when I return." The
+    bishops promised to do as he asked. Then he said farewell and
+    sailed away.</p>
+
+    <p>Now King Richard had a brother who was called Prince John.
+    Prince John was quite different from King Richard in every way.
+    He was not at all a nice man. He was jealous of Richard because
+    he was king, and angry because he himself had not been chosen
+    to rule while Richard was in Palestine. As soon as his brother
+    had gone, John went to the bishops and said, "You must let me
+    rule while the King is away." And the bishops allowed him to do
+    so. Deep down in his wicked heart
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page330"
+       id="page330"></a>[pg 330]</span> John meant to make himself
+       king altogether, and never let Richard come back any
+       more.</p>
+
+    <p>A very sad time now began for the Saxons. John tried to
+    please the haughty Normans because they were great and
+    powerful, and he hoped they would help to make him king. He
+    thought the best way to please them was to give them land and
+    money. So as he had none of his own (he was indeed called John
+    Lackland) he took it from the Saxons and gave it to the
+    Normans. Thus many of the Saxons once more became homeless
+    beggars, and lived a wild life in the forests, which covered a
+    great part of England at this time.</p>
+
+    <p>Now among the few Saxon nobles who still remained, and who
+    had not been robbed of their lands and money, there was one
+    called Robert, Earl of Huntingdon. He had one son also named
+    Robert, but people called him Robin. He was a favorite with
+    every one. Tall, strong, handsome, and full of fun, he kept his
+    father's house bright with songs and laughter. He was brave and
+    fearless too, and there was no better archer in all the
+    countryside. And with it all he was gentle and tender, never
+    hurting the weak nor scorning the poor.</p>
+
+    <p>But Robert of Huntingdon had a bitter enemy. One day this
+    enemy came with many soldiers behind him, determined to kill
+    the earl and take all his goods and lands. There was a fierce
+    and terrible fight, but in the end Robert and all his men were
+    killed. His house was burned to the ground and all his money
+    stolen. Only Robin was saved, because he was such a splendid
+    archer that no soldier would go near him, either to kill him or
+    take him prisoner. He fought bravely till the last, but when he
+    saw that his father was dead and his home in flames, he had no
+    heart to fight any longer. So taking his bow and arrows, he
+    fled to the great forest of Sherwood.</p>
+
+    <p>Very fast he had to run, for Prince John's men were close
+    behind him. Soon he reached the edge of the forest, but he did
+    not stop there. On and on he went, plunging deeper and deeper
+    under the shadow of the trees. At last he threw himself down
+    beneath a great oak, burying his face in the cool, green
+    grass.</p>
+
+    <p>His heart felt hot and bitter. He was full of rage and
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page331"
+       id="page331"></a>[pg 331]</span> fierce thoughts of revenge.
+       Cruel men in one day had robbed him of everything. His
+       father, his home, servants, cattle, land, money, his name
+       even, all were gone. He was bruised, hungry, and weary. Yet
+       as he lay pressing his face against the cool, green grass,
+       and clutching the soft, damp moss with his hands, it was not
+       sorrow or pain he felt, but only a bitter longing for
+       revenge.</p>
+
+    <div class="figcenter"
+         style="width:100%;">
+        <a href="images/584.jpg"
+             name="fig584"
+             id="fig584"><img width="250"
+             src="images/584-t.jpg"
+             alt="ROBIN HOOD IN AN ENCOUNTER." /></a>
+
+        <p>&nbsp;</p>ROBIN HOOD IN AN ENCOUNTER.
+    </div>
+
+    <p>The great, solemn trees waved gently overhead in the summer
+    breeze, the setting sun sent shafts of golden light into the
+    cool, blue shadows, birds sang their evening songs, deer
+    rustled softly through the underwood, and bright-eyed squirrels
+    leaped noiselessly from branch to branch. Everywhere there was
+    calm and peace except in poor Robin's angry heart.</p>
+
+    <p>Robin loved the forest. He loved the sights and scents, and
+    the sounds and deep silences of it. He felt as if it were a
+    tender mother who opened her wide arms to him. Soon it
+    comforted him, and at last the tears came hot and fast, and
+    sobs shook him as he lay on the grass. The bitterness and anger
+    had all melted out of his heart; only sorrow was left.</p>
+
+    <p>In the dim evening light Robin knelt bareheaded on the green
+    grass to say his prayers. Then, still bareheaded, he stood up
+    and swore an oath. This was the oath:</p>
+
+    <div class="poem">
+        <div class="stanza">
+            <p>"I swear to honor God and the King,</p>
+
+            <p>To help the weak and fight the strong,</p>
+
+            <p>To take from the rich and give to the poor,</p>
+
+            <p>So God will help, me with His power."</p>
+        </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <p>Then he lay down on the grass under the trees with his good
+    longbow beside him, and fell fast asleep.</p>
+
+    <p>And this is how Robin Hood first came to live in the Green
+    Wood and have all his wonderful adventures.</p>
+
+    <h3>II</h3>
+
+    <h3>THE MEETING OF ROBIN HOOD AND LITTLE JOHN</h3>
+
+    <p>When Robin first came to live in Sherwood Forest he was
+    rather sad, for he could not at once forget all he had lost.
+    But he was not long lonely. When it became known that he
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page332"
+       id="page332"></a>[pg 332]</span> had gone to live in the
+       Green Wood, other poor men, who had been driven out of their
+       homes by the Normans, joined him. They soon formed a band
+       and were known as the "Merry Men."</p>
+
+    <p>Robin was no longer called Robin of Huntingdon, but Robin of
+    Sherwood Forest. Very soon people shortened Sherwood into Hood,
+    though some people say he was called Hood from the green hoods
+    he and his men wore. How he came to have his name does not
+    matter very much. People almost forgot that he was really an
+    earl, and he became known, not only all over England, but in
+    many far countries, as Robin Hood.</p>
+
+    <p>Robin was captain of the band of Merry Men. Next to him came
+    Little John. He was called Little John because he was so tall,
+    just as Midge the miller's son was called Much because he was
+    so small.</p>
+
+    <p>Robin loved Little John best of all his friends. Little John
+    loved Robin better than any one else in all the world. Yet the
+    first time they met they fought and knocked each other about
+    dreadfully.</p>
+
+    <div class="poem">
+        <div class="stanza">
+            <p>"How they came acquainted, I'll tell you in
+            brief,</p>
+
+            <p class="i2">If you will but listen a while;</p>
+
+            <p>For this very jest, among all the rest,</p>
+
+            <p class="i2">I think it may cause you to smile."</p>
+        </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <p>It happened on a bright sunshiny day in early spring. All
+    through the winter Robin and his men had had a very dull time.
+    Nearly all their fun and adventures happened with people
+    traveling through the forest. As there were no trains, people
+    had to travel on horseback. In winter the roads were bad, and
+    the weather so cold and wet, that most people stayed at home.
+    So it was rather a quiet time for Robin and his men. They lived
+    in great caves during the winter, and spent their time making
+    stores of bows and arrows, and mending their boots and
+    clothes.</p>
+
+    <p>This bright sunshiny morning Robin felt dull and restless,
+    so he took his bow and arrows, and started off through the
+    forest in search of adventure.</p>
+
+    <p>He wandered on for some time without meeting any one.
+    Presently he came to a river. It was wide and deep, swollen by
+    the winter rains. It was crossed by a very slender, shaky
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page333"
+       id="page333"></a>[pg 333]</span> bridge, so narrow, that if
+       two people tried to pass each other on it, one would
+       certainly fall into the water.</p>
+
+    <p>Robin began to cross the bridge, before he noticed that a
+    great, tall man, the very tallest man he had ever seen, was
+    crossing too from the other side.</p>
+
+    <p>"Go back and wait until I have come over," he called out as
+    soon as he noticed the stranger.</p>
+
+    <p>The stranger laughed, and called out in reply, "I have as
+    good a right to the bridge as you. <i>You</i> can go back till
+    <i>I</i> get across."</p>
+
+    <p>This made Robin very angry. He was so accustomed to being
+    obeyed that he was very much astonished too. Between anger and
+    astonishment he hardly knew what he did.</p>
+
+    <p>He drew an arrow from his quiver, and fitting it to his bow,
+    called out again, "If you don't go back I'll shoot."</p>
+
+    <p>"If you do, I'll beat you till you are black and blue,"
+    replied the stranger.</p>
+
+    <div class="poem">
+        <div class="stanza">
+            <p>"Quoth bold Robin Hood, 'Thou dost prate like an
+            ass,</p>
+
+            <p class="i2">For, were I to bend my bow,</p>
+
+            <p>I could send a dart quite through thy proud
+            heart,</p>
+
+            <p class="i2">Before thou couldst strike a blow.'"</p>
+        </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <p>"If I talk like an ass you talk like a coward," replied the
+    stranger. "Do you call it fair to stand with your bow and arrow
+    ready to shoot at me when I have only a stick to defend myself
+    with? I tell you, you are a coward. You are afraid of the
+    beating I would give you."</p>
+
+    <p>Robin was not a coward, and he was not afraid. So he threw
+    his bow and arrows on the bank behind him.</p>
+
+    <p>"You are a big, boastful bully," he said. "Just wait there
+    until I get a stick. I hope I may give you as good a beating as
+    you deserve."</p>
+
+    <p>The stranger laughed. "I won't run away; don't be afraid,"
+    he said.</p>
+
+    <p>Robin Hood stepped to a thicket of trees and cut himself a
+    good, thick oak stick. While he was doing this, he looked at
+    the stranger, and saw that he was not only taller but much
+    stronger than himself.</p>
+
+    <p>However, that did not frighten Robin in the least. He was
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page334"
+       id="page334"></a>[pg 334]</span> rather glad of it indeed.
+       The stranger had said he was a coward. He meant to prove to
+       him that he was not.</p>
+
+    <p>Back he came with a fine big stick in his hand and a smile
+    on his face. The idea of a real good fight had made his bad
+    temper fly away, for, like King Richard, Robin Hood was rather
+    fond of a fight.</p>
+
+    <p>"We will fight on the bridge," said he, "and whoever first
+    falls into the river has lost the battle."</p>
+
+    <p>"All right," said the stranger. "Whatever you like. I'm not
+    afraid."</p>
+
+    <p>Then they fell to, with right good will.</p>
+
+    <p>It was very difficult to fight standing on such a narrow
+    bridge. They kept swaying backwards and forwards trying to keep
+    their balance. With every stroke the bridge bent and trembled
+    beneath them as if it would break. All the same they managed to
+    give each other some tremendous blows. First Robin gave the
+    stranger such a bang that his very bones seemed to ring.</p>
+
+    <p>"Aha!" said he, "I'll give you as good as I get," and crack
+    he went at Robin's crown.</p>
+
+    <p>Bang, smash, crack, bang, they went at each other. Their
+    blows fell fast and thick as if they had been threshing
+    corn.</p>
+
+    <div class="poem">
+        <div class="stanza">
+            <p>"The stranger gave Robin a knock on the crown,</p>
+
+            <p class="i2">Which caused the blood to appear,</p>
+
+            <p>Then Robin enraged, more fiercely engaged,</p>
+
+            <p class="i2">And followed with blows more severe.</p>
+        </div>
+
+        <div class="stanza">
+            <p>"So thick and so fast did he lay it on him,</p>
+
+            <p class="i2">With a passionate fury and ire,</p>
+
+            <p>At every stroke he made him to smoke,</p>
+
+            <p class="i2">As if he had been all on fire."</p>
+        </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <p>When Robin's blows came so fast and furious, the stranger
+    felt he could not stand it much longer. Gathering all his
+    strength, with one mighty blow he sent Robin backwards, right
+    into the river. Head over heels he went, and disappeared under
+    the water.</p>
+
+    <p>The stranger very nearly fell in after him. He was so
+    astonished at Robin's sudden disappearance that he could not
+    think for a minute or two where he had vanished to. He knelt
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page335"
+       id="page335"></a>[pg 335]</span> down on the bridge, and
+       stared into the water. "Hallo, my good man," he called.
+       "Hallo, where are you?"</p>
+
+    <p>He thought he had drowned Robin, and he had not meant to do
+    that. All the same he could not help laughing. Robin had looked
+    so funny as he tumbled into the water.</p>
+
+    <p>"I'm here," called Robin, from far down the river. "I'm all
+    right. I'm just swimming with the tide."</p>
+
+    <p>The current was very strong and had carried him down the
+    river a good way. He was, however, gradually making for the
+    bank. Soon he caught hold of the overhanging branches of a tree
+    and pulled himself out. The stranger came running to help him
+    too.</p>
+
+    <p>"You are not an easy man to beat or to drown either," he
+    said with a laugh, as he helped Robin on to dry land again.</p>
+
+    <p>"Well," said Robin, laughing too, "I must own that you are a
+    brave man and a good fighter. It was a fair fight, and you have
+    won the battle. I don't want to quarrel with you any more. Will
+    you shake hands and be friends with me?"</p>
+
+    <p>"With all my heart," said the stranger. "It is a long time
+    since I have met any one who could use a stick as you can."</p>
+
+    <p>So they shook hands like the best of friends, and quite
+    forgot that a few minutes before they had been banging and
+    battering each other as hard as they could.</p>
+
+    <p>Then Robin put his bugle-horn to his mouth, and blew a loud,
+    loud blast.</p>
+
+    <div class="poem">
+        <div class="stanza">
+            <p>"The echoes of which through the valleys did
+            ring,</p>
+
+            <p class="i2">At which his stout bowmen appeared,</p>
+
+            <p>And clothed in green, most gay to be seen,</p>
+
+            <p class="i2">So up to their master they steered."</p>
+        </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <p>When the stranger saw all these fine men, dressed in green,
+    and carrying bows and arrows, come running to Robin he was very
+    much astonished. "O master dear, what has happened?" cried Will
+    Stutely, the leader, as he ran up. "You have a great cut in
+    your forehead, and you are soaked through and through," he
+    added, laying his hand on Robin's arm.</p>
+
+    <p>"It is nothing," laughed Robin. "This young fellow and I
+    have been having a fight. He cracked my crown and then tumbled
+    me into the river."</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page336"
+       id="page336"></a>[pg 336]</span>
+
+    <p>When they heard that, Robin's men were very angry. "If he
+    has tumbled our master into the river, we will tumble him in,"
+    said they; "we will see how he likes that." And they seized
+    him, and would have dragged him to the water to drown him, but
+    Robin called out, "Stop, stop! it was a fair fight. He is a
+    brave man, and we are very good friends now."</p>
+
+    <p>Then turning to the stranger, Robin bowed politely to him,
+    saying, "I beg you to forgive my men. They will not harm you
+    now they know that you are my friend, for I am Robin Hood."</p>
+
+    <p>The stranger was very much astonished when he heard that he
+    had actually been fighting with bold Robin Hood, of whom he had
+    heard so many tales.</p>
+
+    <p>"If you will come and live with me and my Merry Men," went
+    on Robin, "I will give you a suit of Lincoln green. I will
+    teach you how to use bow and arrows as well as you use your
+    good stick."</p>
+
+    <p>"I should like nothing better," replied the stranger. "My
+    name is John Little, and I promise to serve you
+    faithfully."</p>
+
+    <p>"John Little!" said Will Stutely laughing. "John Little!
+    what a name for a man that height! John Little! why he is seven
+    feet tall if he is an inch!"</p>
+
+    <p>Will laughed and laughed, till the tears ran down his face.
+    He thought it was such a funny name for so big a man.</p>
+
+    <p>Robin laughed because Will laughed. Then John Little laughed
+    because Robin laughed. Soon they were all laughing as hard as
+    they could. The wind carried the sound of it away, till the
+    folk in the villages round about said, "Hark! how Robin Hood
+    and his Merry Men do laugh!"</p>
+
+    <p>"Well," said Robin at last, "I have heard it said, 'Laugh
+    and grow fat,' but if we don't get some dinner soon I think we
+    will all grow very lean. Come along, my little John, I'm sure
+    you must be hungry too."</p>
+
+    <p>"Little John," said Will Stutely, "that's the very name for
+    him. We must christen him again, and I will be his
+    godfather."</p>
+
+    <p>Back to their forest home they all went, laughing and
+    talking as merrily as possible, taking John Little along with
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page337"
+       id="page337"></a>[pg 337]</span> them. Dinner was waiting
+       for them when they arrived. The head cook was looking
+       anxiously through the trees, saying, "I do wish Master Robin
+       would come, or the roast venison will be too much cooked and
+       the rabbits will be stewed to rags."</p>
+
+    <p>Just at that moment they appeared. The cook was struck dumb
+    at the sight of the giant, stalking along beside Robin. "Where
+    has master gotten that Maypole?" he said, laughing to himself,
+    as he ran away to dish the dinner.</p>
+
+    <p>They had a very merry dinner. Robin found that John was not
+    only a good fighter but that he had a wise head and a witty
+    tongue. He was more and more delighted with his new
+    companion.</p>
+
+    <p>But Will and the others had not forgotten that he was to be
+    christened again. Seven of them came behind him, and in spite
+    of all his kicking and struggling wrapped him up in a long,
+    green cloak, pretending he was a baby.</p>
+
+    <p>It was a very noisy christening. The men all shouted and
+    laughed. John Little laughed and screamed in turn, and kicked
+    and struggled all the time.</p>
+
+    <p>"Hush, baby, hush," they said. But the seven-foot baby
+    wouldn't hush.</p>
+
+    <p>Then Will stepped up beside him and began to speak.</p>
+
+    <div class="poem">
+        <div class="stanza">
+            <p>"This infant was called John Little, quoth he,</p>
+
+            <p class="i2">Which name shall be changed anon,</p>
+
+            <p>The words we'll transpose, so wherever he goes,</p>
+
+            <p class="i2">His name shall be called Little
+            John."</p>
+        </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <p>They had some buckets of water ready. These they poured over
+    poor Little John till he was as wet as Robin had been after he
+    fell into the river. The men roared with laughter. Little John
+    looked so funny as he rolled about on the grass, trying to get
+    out of his long, wet, green robe. He looked just like a huge
+    green caterpillar.</p>
+
+    <p>Robin laughed as much as any one. At last he said, "Now,
+    Will, don't you think that is enough?"</p>
+
+    <p>"Not a bit," said Will. "You wouldn't let us duck him in the
+    river when we had him there so we have brought the river to
+    him."</p>
+
+    <p>At last all the buckets were empty, and the christening was
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page338"
+       id="page338"></a>[pg 338]</span> over. Then all the men
+       stood round in a ring and gave three cheers for Little John,
+       Robin's new man.</p>
+
+    <div class="poem">
+        <div class="stanza">
+            <p>"Then Robin he took the sweet pretty babe,</p>
+
+            <p class="i2">And clothed him from top to toe</p>
+
+            <p>In garments of green, most gay to be seen,</p>
+
+            <p class="i2">And gave him a curious longbow."</p>
+        </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <p>After that they sang, danced and played the whole afternoon.
+    Then when the sun sank and the long, cool shadows fell across
+    the grass they all said "good night" and went off into their
+    caves to sleep.</p>
+
+    <p>From that day Little John always lived with Robin. They
+    became very, very great friends and Little John was next to
+    Robin in command of the men.</p>
+
+    <div class="poem">
+        <div class="stanza">
+            <p>"And so ever after as long as he lived,</p>
+
+            <p class="i2">Although he was proper and tall,</p>
+
+            <p>Yet, nevertheless, the truth to express,</p>
+
+            <p class="i2">Still Little John they did him call."</p>
+        </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <h3>III</h3>
+
+    <h3>ROBIN HOOD AND THE BUTCHER</h3>
+
+    <p>The Sheriff of Nottingham hated Robin and would have been
+    very glad if any one had killed him.</p>
+
+    <p>The Sheriff was a very unkind man. He treated the poor
+    Saxons very badly. He often took away all their money, and
+    their houses and left them to starve. Sometimes, for a very
+    little fault, he would cut off their ears or fingers. The poor
+    people used to go into the wood, and Robin would give them food
+    and money. Sometimes they went home again, but very often they
+    stayed with him, and became his men.</p>
+
+    <p>The Sheriff knew this, so he hated Robin all the more, and
+    he was never so happy as when he had caught one of Robin's men
+    and locked him up in prison.</p>
+
+    <p>But try how he might, he could not catch Robin. All the same
+    Robin used to go to Nottingham very often, but he was always so
+    well disguised that the Sheriff never knew him. So he always
+    escaped.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page339"
+       id="page339"></a>[pg 339]</span>
+
+    <p>The Sheriff was too much afraid of him to go into the forest
+    to try to take him. He knew his men were no match for Robin's.
+    Robin's men served him and fought for him because they loved
+    him. The Sheriff's men only served him because they feared
+    him.</p>
+
+    <p>One day Robin was walking through the forest when he met a
+    butcher.</p>
+
+    <p>This butcher was riding gaily along to the market at
+    Nottingham. He was dressed in a blue linen coat, with leather
+    belt. On either side of his strong gray pony hung a basket full
+    of meat.</p>
+
+    <p>In these days as there were no trains, everything had to be
+    sent by road. The roads were so bad that even carts could not
+    go along them very much, for the wheels stuck in the mud.
+    Everything was carried on horseback, in sacks or baskets called
+    panniers.</p>
+
+    <p>The butcher rode gaily along, whistling as he went. Suddenly
+    Robin stepped from under the trees and stopped him.</p>
+
+    <p>"What have you there, my man?" he asked.</p>
+
+    <p>"Butcher's meat," replied the man. "Fine prime beef and
+    mutton for Nottingham market. Do you want to buy some?"</p>
+
+    <p>"Yes, I do," said Robin. "I'll buy it all and your pony too.
+    How much do you want for it? I should like to go to Nottingham
+    and see what kind of a butcher I will make:"</p>
+
+    <p>So the butcher sold his pony and all his meat to Robin. Then
+    Robin changed clothes with him. He put on the butcher's blue
+    clothes and leather belt, and the butcher went off in Robin's
+    suit of Lincoln green, feeling very grand indeed.</p>
+
+    <p>Then Robin mounted his pony and off he went to Nottingham to
+    sell his meat at the market.</p>
+
+    <p>When he arrived he found the whole town in a bustle. In
+    those days there were very few shops, so every one used to go
+    to market to buy and sell. The country people brought butter
+    and eggs and honey to sell. With the money they got they bought
+    platters and mugs, pots and pans, or whatever they wanted, and
+    took it back to the country with them.</p>
+
+    <p>All sorts of people came to buy: fine ladies and poor women,
+    rich knights and gentlemen, and humble workers, every one
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page340"
+       id="page340"></a>[pg 340]</span> pushing and crowding
+       together. Robin found it quite difficult to drive his pony
+       through the crowd to the corner of the market-place where
+       the butchers had their stalls.</p>
+
+    <p>He got there at last, however, laid out his meat, and began
+    to cry with the best of them.</p>
+
+    <p>"Prime meat, ladies. Come and buy. Cheapest meat in all the
+    market, ladies. Come buy, come buy. Twopence a pound, ladies.
+    Twopence a pound. Come buy. Come buy."</p>
+
+    <p>"What!" said every one, "beef at twopence a pound! I never
+    heard of such a thing. Why it is generally tenpence."</p>
+
+    <p>You see Robin knew nothing at all about selling meat, as he
+    never bought any. He and his men used to live on what they shot
+    in the forest.</p>
+
+    <p>When it became known that there was a new butcher, who was
+    selling his meat for twopence a pound, every one came crowding
+    round his stall eager to buy. All the other butchers stood idle
+    until Robin had no more beef and mutton left to sell.</p>
+
+    <p>As these butchers had nothing to do, they began to talk
+    among themselves and say, "Who is this man? He has never been
+    here before."</p>
+
+    <p>"Do you think he has stolen the meat?"</p>
+
+    <p>"Perhaps his father has just died and left him a
+    business."</p>
+
+    <p>"Well, his money won't last long at this rate."</p>
+
+    <p>"The sooner he loses it all, the better for us. We will
+    never be able to sell anything as long as he comes here giving
+    away beef at twopence a pound."</p>
+
+    <p>"It is perfectly ridiculous," said one old man, who seemed
+    to be the chief butcher. "These fifty years have I come and
+    gone to Nottingham market, and I have never seen the like of
+    it&mdash;never. He is ruining the trade, that's what he is
+    doing."</p>
+
+    <p>They stood at their stalls sulky and cross, while all their
+    customers crowded round Robin.</p>
+
+    <p>Shouts of laughter came from his corner, for he was not only
+    selling beef and mutton, but making jokes about it all the
+    time.</p>
+
+    <p>"I tell you what," said the old butcher, "it is no use
+    standing here doing nothing. We had better go and talk to him,
+    and <span class="pagenum"><a name="page341"
+       id="page341"></a>[pg 341]</span> find out, if we can, who he
+       is. We must ask him to come and have dinner with us and the
+       Sheriff in the town hall to-day." For on market days the
+       butchers used to have dinner all together in the town hall,
+       after market was over, and the sheriff used to come and have
+       dinner with them.</p>
+
+    <div class="poem">
+        <div class="stanza">
+            <p>"So, the butchers stepped up to jolly Robin,</p>
+
+            <p class="i2">Acquainted with him for to be;</p>
+
+            <p>Come, butcher, one said, we be all of one trade,</p>
+
+            <p class="i2">Come, will you go dine with me?"</p>
+        </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <p>"Thank you," said Robin, "I should like nothing better. I
+    have had a busy morning and am very hungry and thirsty."</p>
+
+    <p>"Come along, then," said the butchers.</p>
+
+    <p>The old man led the way with Robin, and the others followed
+    two by two.</p>
+
+    <p>As they walked along, the old butcher began asking Robin
+    questions, to try and find out something about him.</p>
+
+    <p>"You have not been here before?" he said.</p>
+
+    <p>"Have I not?" replied Robin.</p>
+
+    <p>"I have not seen you, at least."</p>
+
+    <p>"Have you not?"</p>
+
+    <p>"You are new to the business?"</p>
+
+    <p>"Am I?"</p>
+
+    <p>"Well, you seem to be," said the old butcher, getting rather
+    cross.</p>
+
+    <p>"Do I?" replied Robin, laughing.</p>
+
+    <p>At last they came to the town hall, and though they had
+    talked all the time the old butcher had got nothing out of
+    Robin, and was not a bit the wiser.</p>
+
+    <p>The Sheriff's house was close to the town hall, so as dinner
+    was not quite ready all the butchers went to say "How do you
+    do?" to the Sheriff's wife.</p>
+
+    <p>She received them very kindly, and was quite interested in
+    Robin when she heard that he was the new butcher who had been
+    selling such wonderfully cheap meat. Robin had such pleasant
+    manners too, that she thought he was a very nice man indeed.
+    She was quite sorry when the Sheriff came and took him away,
+    saying dinner was
+    ready.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page342"
+       id="page342"></a>[pg 342]</span>
+
+    <p>"I hope to see you again, kind sir," she said when saying
+    good-by. "Come to see me next time you have meat to sell."</p>
+
+    <p>"Thank you, lady, I will not forget your kindness," replied
+    Robin, bowing low.</p>
+
+    <p>At dinner the Sheriff sat at one end of the table and the
+    old butcher at the other. Robin, as the greatest stranger, had
+    the place of honor on the Sheriff's right hand.</p>
+
+    <p>At first the dinner was very dull. All the butchers were
+    sulky and cross, only Robin was merry. He could not help
+    laughing to himself at the idea of dining with his great enemy
+    the Sheriff of Nottingham. And not only dining with him, but
+    sitting on his right hand, and being treated as an honored
+    guest.</p>
+
+    <p>If the Sheriff had only known, poor Robin would very soon
+    have been locked up in a dark dungeon, eating dry bread instead
+    of apple-pie and custard and all the fine things they were
+    having for dinner.</p>
+
+    <p>However, Robin was so merry, that very soon the butchers
+    forgot to be cross and sulky. Before the end of dinner all were
+    laughing till their sides ached.</p>
+
+    <p>Only the Sheriff was grave and thinking hard. He was a
+    greedy old man, and he was saying to himself, "This silly young
+    fellow evidently does not know the value of things. If he has
+    any cattle I might buy them from him for very little. I could
+    sell them again to the butchers for a good price. In that way I
+    should make a lot of money."</p>
+
+    <p>After dinner he took Robin by the arm and led him aside.</p>
+
+    <p>"See here, young man," he said, "I like your looks. But you
+    seem new to this business. Now, don't you trust these men,"
+    pointing to the butchers. "They are all as ready as can be to
+    cheat you. You take my advice. If you have any cattle to sell,
+    come to me. I'll give you a good price."</p>
+
+    <p>"Thank you," said Robin, "it is most kind of you."</p>
+
+    <div class="poem">
+        <div class="stanza">
+            <p>"Hast thou any horned beasts, the Sheriff then
+            said,</p>
+
+            <p class="i2">Good fellow, to sell to me?</p>
+
+            <p>Yes, that I have, good master Sheriff,</p>
+
+            <p class="i2">I have hundreds two or
+            three.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page343"
+               id="page343"></a>[pg 343]</span>
+        </div>
+
+        <div class="stanza">
+            <p>"And a hundred acres of good free land,</p>
+
+            <p class="i2">If you please it for to see;</p>
+
+            <p>And I'll make you as good assurance of it,</p>
+
+            <p class="i2">As ever my father did me."</p>
+        </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <p>The Sheriff nearly danced for joy when he heard that Robin
+    had so many horned cattle for sale. He had quite made up his
+    mind that it would be very easy to cheat this silly young
+    fellow. Already he began to count the money he would make. He
+    was such a greedy old man. But there was a wicked twinkle in
+    Robin's eye.</p>
+
+    <p>"Now, young man, when can I see these horned beasts of
+    yours?" asked the Sheriff. "I can't buy a pig in a poke, you
+    know. I must see them first. And the land too, and the land
+    too," he added, rubbing his hands, and jumping about in
+    excitement.</p>
+
+    <p>"The sooner the better," said Robin. "I start for home
+    to-morrow morning. If you like to ride with me I will show you
+    the horned beasts and the land too."</p>
+
+    <p>"Capital, capital," said the Sheriff. "To-morrow morning
+    then, after breakfast, I go with you. And see here, young man,"
+    he added, catching hold of Robin's coat-tails as he was going
+    away, "you won't go and sell to any one else in the meantime?
+    It is a bargain, isn't it?"</p>
+
+    <p>"Oh, certainly. I won't even speak of it to any one,"
+    replied Robin; and he went away, laughing heartily to
+    himself.</p>
+
+    <p>That night the Sheriff went into his counting-house and
+    counted out three hundred pounds in gold. He tied it up in
+    three bags, one hundred pounds in each bag.</p>
+
+    <p>"It's a lot of money," he said to himself, "a lot of money.
+    Still, I suppose, I must pay him something for his cattle. But
+    it is a lot of money to part with," and he heaved a big
+    sigh.</p>
+
+    <p>He put the gold underneath his pillow in case any one should
+    steal it during the night. Then he went to bed and tried to
+    sleep. But he was too excited; besides the gold under his
+    pillow made it so hard and knobby that it was most
+    uncomfortable.</p>
+
+    <p>At last the night passed, and in the
+    morning.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page344"
+       id="page344"></a>[pg 344]</span>
+
+    <div class="poem">
+        <div class="stanza">
+            <p>"The Sheriff he saddled his good palfrey,</p>
+
+            <p class="i2">And with three hundred pounds in gold</p>
+
+            <p>Away he went with bold Robin Hood,</p>
+
+            <p class="i2">His horned beasts to behold."</p>
+        </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <p>The sun shone and the birds sang as they merrily rode along.
+    When the Sheriff saw that they were taking the road to Sherwood
+    Forest, he began to feel a little nervous.</p>
+
+    <p>"There is a bold, bad man in these woods," he said. "He is
+    called Robin Hood. He robs people, he&mdash;do you think we
+    will meet him?"</p>
+
+    <p>"I am quite sure we won't meet him," replied Robin with a
+    laugh.</p>
+
+    <p>"Well, I hope not, I am sure," said the Sheriff. "I never
+    dare to ride through the forest unless I have my soldiers with
+    me. He is a bold, bad man."</p>
+
+    <p>Robin only laughed, and they rode on right into the
+    forest.</p>
+
+    <div class="poem">
+        <div class="stanza">
+            <p>"But when a little farther they came,</p>
+
+            <p class="i2">Bold Robin he chanced to spy</p>
+
+            <p>An hundred head of good fat deer</p>
+
+            <p class="i2">Come tripping the Sheriff full nigh."</p>
+        </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <p>"Look there," he cried, "look! What do you think of my
+    horned beasts?"</p>
+
+    <p>"I think," said the Sheriff, in a trembling voice, "I think
+    I should like to go back to Nottingham."</p>
+
+    <p>"What! and not buy any horned cattle? What is the matter
+    with them? Are they not fine and fat? Are they not a beautiful
+    color? Come, come, Sheriff, when you have brought the money for
+    them too."</p>
+
+    <p>At the mention of money the Sheriff turned quite pale and
+    clutched hold of his bags. "Young man," he said, "I don't like
+    you at all. I tell you I want to go back to Nottingham. This
+    isn't money I have in my bags, it is only pebble-stones."</p>
+
+    <div class="poem">
+        <div class="stanza">
+            <p>"Then Robin put his horn to his mouth,</p>
+
+            <p class="i2">And blew out blasts three;</p>
+
+            <p>Then quickly and anon there came Little John,</p>
+
+            <p class="i2">And all his company."</p>
+        </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <p>"Good morning, Little John," said
+    Robin.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page345"
+       id="page345"></a>[pg 345]</span>
+
+    <p>"Good morning, Master Robin," he replied. "What orders have
+    you for to-day?"</p>
+
+    <p>"Well, in the first place I hope you have something nice for
+    dinner, because I have brought the Sheriff of Nottingham to
+    dine with us," answered Robin.</p>
+
+    <p>"Yes," said Little John, "the cooks are busy already as we
+    thought you might bring some one back with you. But we hardly
+    expected so fine a guest as the Sheriff of Nottingham," he
+    added, making a low bow to him. "I hope he intends to pay
+    honestly."</p>
+
+    <p>For that was Robin Hood's way. He always gave a very fine
+    dinner to these naughty men who had stolen money from poor
+    people, and then he made them pay a great deal of money for
+    it.</p>
+
+    <p>The Sheriff was very much afraid when he knew that he had
+    really fallen into the hands of Robin Hood. He was angry too
+    when he thought that he had actually had Robin in his own house
+    the day before, and could so easily have caught and put him in
+    prison, if he had only known.</p>
+
+    <p>They had a very fine dinner, and the Sheriff began to feel
+    quite comfortable and to think he was going to get off easily,
+    when Robin said, "Now, Master Sheriff, you must pay for your
+    dinner."</p>
+
+    <p>"Oh! indeed I am a poor man," said the Sheriff, "I have no
+    money."</p>
+
+    <p>"No money! What have you in your saddle-bags, then?" asked
+    Robin.</p>
+
+    <p>"Only pebbles, nothing but pebbles, as I told you before,"
+    replied the frightened Sheriff.</p>
+
+    <p>"Little John, go and search the Sheriff's saddle-bags," said
+    Robin.</p>
+
+    <p>Little John did as he was told, and counted out three
+    hundred pounds upon the ground.</p>
+
+    <p>"Sheriff," said Robin sternly, "I shall keep all this money
+    and divide it among my men. It is not half as much as you have
+    stolen from them. If you had told me the truth about it, I
+    might have given you some back. But I always punish people who
+    tell lies. You have done so many evil deeds," he went on, "that
+    you deserve to be
+    hanged."</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page346"
+       id="page346"></a>[pg 346]</span>
+
+    <p>The poor Sheriff shook in his shoes.</p>
+
+    <p>"Hanged you should be," continued Robin, "but your good wife
+    was kind to me yesterday. For her sake, I let you go. But if
+    you are not kinder to my people I will not let you off so
+    easily another time." And Robin called for the Sheriff's
+    pony.</p>
+
+    <div class="poem">
+        <div class="stanza">
+            <p>"Then Robin he brought him through the wood,</p>
+
+            <p class="i2">And set him on his dapple gray:</p>
+
+            <p>Oh, have me commended to your wife at home,</p>
+
+            <p class="i2">So Robin went laughing away."</p>
+        </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+    <h3>GUY OF WARWICK</h3>
+
+    <h4>ADAPTED BY H.E. MARSHALL</h4>
+
+    <h3>I</h3>
+
+    <h3>GUY'S EARLY ADVENTURES AND HIS FIGHT WITH THE DUN COW</h3>
+
+    <p>Long ago England was divided into several kingdoms, each
+    having a king. In a great battle the King of Northumbria was
+    defeated and one of his lords, Gordian, lost all he owned. He
+    and his wife Brunhilda journeyed forth to seek a new home and
+    at last reached Warwick, where Gordian was made the steward of
+    Lord Rohand.</p>
+
+    <p>Not long after Brunhilda and Gordian went to live in
+    Warwick, their little son Guy was born. As he grew older he
+    became a great favorite and was often invited to the
+    castle.</p>
+
+    <p>Lord Rohand heard of Guy and asked him to a great dinner at
+    Warwick Castle and afterwards to join in a tournament. To Guy
+    was given a seat quite near the earl and opposite his lovely
+    daughter Phyllis. She was the most beautiful lady in the
+    kingdom and Guy longed to show her how well he could fight.
+    Never did Guy fight so well; he conquered every one of the
+    knights, and won the prize. Phyllis crowned him with roses and
+    put the chain of gold around his neck.</p>
+
+    <p>After this Phyllis and Guy were much together and at last
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page347"
+       id="page347"></a>[pg 347]</span> Guy said suddenly,
+       "Phyllis, I love thee. I cannot help it." In great anger she
+       sent him away. Guy grew very sad and Phyllis very lonely and
+       at length she sent for Guy and said, "Go away and make
+       thyself famous, then will I marry thee."</p>
+
+    <p>Guy rode gaily away and sailed over to Germany. There he
+    heard of a great tournament. Whoever fought best was to marry
+    the Emperor's daughter Blanche, which means white. Besides
+    marrying the Princess, the bravest knight was to receive a pure
+    white horse, two white hounds, and a white falcon. So it was
+    called the White Tournament.</p>
+
+    <p>When Guy told the herald that he was the son of Lord Gordian
+    he was admitted. All the lords and ladies looked at him
+    scornfully because he wore plain black armor with nothing
+    painted upon his shield. As he had not worn spurs, he was not
+    yet a knight. Guy entered the lists and met and conquered
+    Prince Philaner, the Emperor's son, Duke Otto, Duke Ranier, and
+    Duke Louvain.</p>
+
+    <p>Guy took the prize offered with the exception of the hand of
+    Blanche. "For my fair Phyllis alone I keep my love," he
+    said.</p>
+
+    <p>Guy went back to England and heard that a terrible
+    dun-colored cow had appeared in Warwickshire. It was twelve
+    feet high and eighteen feet long. Its horns were thicker than
+    an elephant's tusks curled and twisted. The King said that
+    whoever would kill the Dun Cow should be made a knight and
+    receive a great deal of land and money. Guy went out to meet
+    him and after a fearful encounter was able to deal a deathblow
+    with his battle-axe behind the beast's ear.</p>
+
+    <p>Then the King gave the new knight a pair of golden spurs,
+    and Lady Phyllis fastened them on. In memory of Guy's deed one
+    rib of the Dun Cow was hung up at the gate of Coventry and
+    another in the Castle of Warwick.</p>
+
+    <h3>II</h3>
+
+    <h3>TRAVELS AND DEEDS IN MANY LANDS</h3>
+
+    <p>Guy next went to France, where he was wounded at a
+    tournament. His enemy, Duke Otto, bribed fifteen villains
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page348"
+       id="page348"></a>[pg 348]</span> to lie in wait, take him
+       and cast him into prison. With the help of his friend
+       Heraud, Guy was able to slay them all, but one of the
+       traitor men smote Heraud so hard that he fell to the ground
+       as if dead.</p>
+
+    <p>One day news was brought to Guy that Ledgwin of Louvain was
+    shut up in his city of Arrascoun sore beset by the Emperor.
+    Gathering his soldiers and knights together he set out to help
+    his friend and was overjoyed to find Heraud in the guise of a
+    pilgrim sitting by the roadside. Heraud had been nursed back to
+    health by a kind hermit. At once he put on armor and rode forth
+    with Guy to the city of Arrascoun to release Ledgwin. There was
+    a great battle but the Almains who surrounded the city were
+    defeated and the Emperor yielded and forgave Ledgwin.</p>
+
+    <p>While in Greece, Guy went out hunting and came upon a most
+    wonderful sight, a conflict between a lion and a dragon. Just
+    when the dragon was about to crush the lion Guy drew his sword,
+    and setting spurs to his horse, sprang upon the dragon. The
+    fight was then between the dragon and Guy. It seemed at first
+    that the dragon would be the victor, but, like a flash, Guy
+    leaped from his horse and plunged his sword deep into the
+    brute's side. For a moment his speckled crest quivered, then
+    all was still.</p>
+
+    <p>Guy thought he would have to kill the lion too, but as it
+    came near it licked Guy's feet and fawned upon him, purring
+    softly like a great pussy-cat. When Guy rode back the lion
+    trotted after him and lived with him every day.</p>
+
+    <p>Guy had an enemy at court, Morgadour, who hated the brave
+    knight and said, "I cannot kill thee, Guy of Warwick, but I
+    will grieve thee. I will kill thy lion." This he did in secret.
+    The King was angry when the deed was discovered and told Guy to
+    meet him in combat, which he did, and slew Morgadour.</p>
+
+    <p>Laden with riches, Guy reached home again, this time to
+    marry the beautiful Phyllis. There was a great and splendid
+    wedding. For fifteen days the feasting and merriment
+    lasted.</p>
+
+    <p>For some time Guy and Phyllis lived happily together. Then
+    one sad day Earl Rohand died and Guy became Earl of
+    Warwick.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page349"
+       id="page349"></a>[pg 349]</span>
+
+    <p>As the new earl was one day thinking of his past life, it
+    seemed to him that he had caused much bloodshed. Thereupon he
+    decided to go to the Holy Land, and there, at the Sepulcher of
+    our Lord, do penance for his sins. Phyllis begged him to stay;
+    but Guy said, "I must go." So, dressed in pilgrim robes, with
+    staff in hand he set out on his long journey.</p>
+
+    <p>One day as he walked he came upon an old man who was sad
+    because the giant Ameraunt was keeping his daughter and fifteen
+    sons in a strong castle. "I am Earl Jonas of Durras," he said,
+    "and I seek Guy of Warwick to help me."</p>
+
+    <p>Guy said if the earl would give him meat and drink, weapons
+    and armor, he would see what he could do.</p>
+
+    <p>A splendid coat of mail was brought with shield and sword.
+    Guy called to the giant to come forth. "That will I," replied
+    the giant, "and make short work with thee."</p>
+
+    <p>Ameraunt stalked forth and the fight began. All day it
+    lasted before Guy with his sword cut the giant's head off.</p>
+
+    <p>Taking the keys of the castle, which lay on the ground, he
+    immediately released Earl of Jonas's children and other noble
+    knights and brave ladies.</p>
+
+    <p>Putting off his armor, he dressed himself once more in his
+    pilgrim's robe, and with his staff in his hand set out again
+    upon his journey.</p>
+
+    <h3>III</h3>
+
+    <h3>HOW GUY FOUGHT WITH THE GIANT COLBRAND</h3>
+
+    <p>For some time after Guy went away Phyllis was very
+    sorrowful. She wept and mourned, and was so sad that she longed
+    to die. At times she even thought of killing herself. She would
+    draw out Guy's great sword, which he had left behind, and think
+    how easy it would be to run it through her heart. But she
+    remembered that the good fairies had promised to send her a
+    little son, and so she made up her mind to live until he came.
+    When the good fairies brought the baby she called him
+    Reinbroun, and he was so pretty and so dear that Phyllis was
+    comforted.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page350"
+       id="page350"></a>[pg 350]</span>
+
+    <p>Then, because her lord was far away, and could not attend to
+    his great lands nor to the ruling of his many servants, Phyllis
+    did so for him. She ruled and ordered her household well; she
+    made new roads and rebuilt bridges which had been broken down.
+    She journeyed through all the land, seeing that wrong was made
+    right and evildoers punished. She fed the poor, tended the
+    sick, and comforted those in sorrow, and, besides all this, she
+    built great churches and abbeys.</p>
+
+    <p>So year after year passed, but still Guy did not return. All
+    day Phyllis was busy and had no time for grief, but when
+    evening came she would go to pace up and down the path (which
+    to this day is called "Fair Phyllis's Walk") where she and Guy
+    had often walked together. Now as she wandered there alone, the
+    hot, slow tears would come, and she would feel miserable and
+    forsaken.</p>
+
+    <p>At last, after many years full of adventures and travel, Guy
+    reached England once more. He was now an old man. His beard was
+    long, his hair had grown white, and in the weather-beaten
+    pilgrim none could recognize the gallant knight and earl, Guy
+    of Warwick.</p>
+
+    <p>When Guy landed in England he found the whole country in
+    sore dread. For Anlaf, King of Denmark, had invaded England
+    with a great army. With fire and sword he had wasted the land,
+    sparing neither tower nor town, man, woman, nor child, but
+    destroying all that came in his path. Fight how they might, the
+    English could not drive out the Danes.</p>
+
+    <p>Now they were in deep despair, for the enemy lay before the
+    King's city of Winchester. With them was a terrible giant
+    called Colbrand, and Anlaf had sent a message to King
+    Athelstane, as the King who now reigned over all England was
+    called, demanding that he should either find a champion to
+    fight with Colbrand or deliver over his kingdom.</p>
+
+    <p>So the King had sent messengers north, south, east, and
+    west, but in all the land no knight could be found who was
+    brave enough to face the awful giant. And now within the great
+    church of Winchester the King with his priests and people
+    knelt, praying God to send a champion.</p>
+
+    <p>"Where, then, is Heraud?" asked Guy of the man who told
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page351"
+       id="page351"></a>[pg 351]</span> this tale. "Where is
+       Heraud, who never yet forsook man in need?"</p>
+
+    <p>"Alas! he has gone far beyond the seas," replied the man,
+    "and so has Guy of Warwick. We know not where they are."</p>
+
+    <p>Then Guy took his staff and turned his steps toward
+    Winchester. Coming there, he found the King sitting among his
+    wise men. "I bid you," he was saying to them, "give me some
+    counsel how I may defend my country against the Danes. Is there
+    any knight among you who will fight this giant? Half my kingdom
+    he shall have, and that gladly, if he conquer."</p>
+
+    <p>But all the wise men, knights and nobles, stood silent and
+    looked upon the ground.</p>
+
+    <p>"Oh, we is me!" then cried the King, "that I rule over such
+    cowards. To what have my English come that I may not find one
+    knight among them bold enough to do battle for his King and
+    country? Oh that Guy of Warwick were here!"</p>
+
+    <p>Then through the bright crowd of steel-clad nobles there
+    came a tall old man, dressed in a worn, dark, pilgrim's robe,
+    with bare feet and head, and a staff in his hand.</p>
+
+    <p>"My Lord King," he said, "I will fight for thee."</p>
+
+    <p>"Thou," said the King in astonishment, "thou seemest more
+    fit to pray than to fight for us."</p>
+
+    <p>"Believe me, my Lord King," said Guy, for of course it was
+    he, "this hand has often held a sword, and never yet have I
+    been worsted in fight."</p>
+
+    <p>"Then since there is none other," said the King, "fight, and
+    God strengthen thee."</p>
+
+    <p>Now Guy was very tall, and no armor could be found anywhere
+    to fit him. "Send to the Countess of Warwick," said Guy at
+    last. "Ask her to lend the earl's weapons and armor for the
+    saving of England."</p>
+
+    <p>"That is well thought of," said the King.</p>
+
+    <p>So a swift messenger was sent to Warwick Castle, and he
+    presently returned with Guy's armor. He at once put it on, and
+    the people marveled that it should fit him so well, for none
+    knew, or guessed, that the pilgrim was Guy himself.</p>
+
+    <p>Guy went then out to meet the giant, and all the people
+    crowded to the walls of Winchester to watch their champion
+    fight.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page352"
+       id="page352"></a>[pg 352]</span>
+
+    <p>Colbrand came forth. He was so huge that no horse could
+    carry him, and he wore a whole wagon-load of weapons. His armor
+    was pitch-black except his shield, which was blood-red and had
+    a white owl painted upon it. He was a fearsome sight to look
+    upon, and as he strode along shaking his spear every one
+    trembled for Guy.</p>
+
+    <p>It was a terrible and unequal fight. Tall though Guy was, he
+    could reach no higher than the giant's shoulder with his spear,
+    but yet he wounded him again and again.</p>
+
+    <p>"I have never fought with any like thee," cried Colbrand.
+    "Yield, and I will ask King Anlaf to make thee a general in the
+    Danish army. Castle and tower shalt thou have, and everything
+    that thou canst desire, if thou but do as I counsel thee."</p>
+
+    <p>"Better death than that," replied Guy, and still fought on.
+    At last, taking his battle-axe in both hands, he gave Colbrand
+    such a blow that his sword dropped to the ground. As the giant
+    reeled under the stroke, Guy raised his battle-axe once
+    more.</p>
+
+    <div class="poem">
+        <div class="stanza">
+            <p>"His good axe he reared on high</p>
+
+            <p>With both hands full mightily;</p>
+
+            <p>He smote him in the neck so well,</p>
+
+            <p>That the head flew that very deal.</p>
+
+            <p>The giant dead on the earth lay;</p>
+
+            <p>The Danes made great sorrow that day."</p>
+        </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <p>Seeing their champion fall, the Danes fled to their ships.
+    England was saved.</p>
+
+    <p>Then out of the city came all the people with the priests
+    and King in great procession, and singing hymns of praise as
+    they went, they led Guy back.</p>
+
+    <p>The King brought Guy to his palace and offered him splendid
+    robes and great rewards, even to the half of the kingdom. But
+    Guy would have none of them. "Give me my pilgrim's dress
+    again," he said. And, in spite of all the King could say, he
+    put off his fine armor and dressed himself again in his dark
+    pilgrim's robe.</p>
+
+    <p>"Tell me at least thy name," said the King, "so that the
+    minstrels may sing of thy great deeds, and that in years to
+    come the people may remember and bless thee."</p>
+
+    <p>"Bless God, not me," replied Guy. "He it was gave me
+    strength and power against the
+    giant."</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page353"
+       id="page353"></a>[pg 353]</span>
+
+    <p>"Then if thou wilt not that the people know," said the King,
+    "tell thy name to me alone."</p>
+
+    <p>"So be it," said Guy. "Walk with me half a mile out of the
+    city, thou and I alone. Then will I tell thee my name."</p>
+
+    <p>So the King in his royal robes, and the pilgrim in his dull,
+    dark gown, passed together out of the city gate. When they had
+    gone half a mile, Guy stood still. "Sire," he said, "thou
+    wouldst know my name. I am Guy of Warwick, thine own knight.
+    Once thou didst love me well, now I am as thou dost see
+    me."</p>
+
+    <p>At first the King could hardly believe that this poor man
+    was really the great Earl of Warwick, but when he became sure
+    of it he threw his arms round Guy and kissed him. "Dear friend,
+    we have long mourned for thee as dead," he cried. "Now thou
+    wilt come with me and help me to rule, and I will honor thee
+    above all men."</p>
+
+    <p>But Guy would not go back. He made the King promise to tell
+    no man who he was. This he did for the sake of the oath which
+    he had sworn, that he would never again fight for glory but
+    only for a righteous cause. Then once more they kissed, and
+    each turned his own way, the King going sadly back to
+    Winchester.</p>
+
+    <p>As he entered the gates the people crowded round him, eager
+    to know who the pilgrim was. But King Athelstane held up his
+    hand. "Peace," he said, "I indeed know, but I may not tell you.
+    Go to your homes, thank God for your deliverance, and pray for
+    him who overcame the giant."</p>
+
+    <h3>IV</h3>
+
+    <h3>HOW AT LAST GUY WENT HOME</h3>
+
+    <p>After Guy left the King, he journeyed on towards Warwick.
+    And when he came to the town over which he was lord and master
+    no one knew him. So he mixed with the poor men who came every
+    morning to the castle gates to receive food from the
+    countess.</p>
+
+    <p>Guy listened to what those round him said. He heard them
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page354"
+       id="page354"></a>[pg 354]</span> praise and bless Phyllis,
+       calling her the best woman that had ever lived, and his
+       heart was glad.</p>
+
+    <p>Pale and trembling, Guy bent before his wife, to receive
+    food from her hands. He was so changed that even she did not
+    know him, but she felt very sorry for the poor man who seemed
+    so thin and worn, so she spoke kindly to him and gave him more
+    food than the others, and told him to come every day as long as
+    he lived.</p>
+
+    <p>Guy thanked her, and turned slowly away. He remembered that
+    a hermit lived in a cave not far off, and to him he went. But
+    when he reached the cave he found it empty. The hermit had been
+    dead many years.</p>
+
+    <p>Guy then made up his mind to live in the cave. Every morning
+    he went to the castle to receive food from Phyllis. But he
+    would only take the simplest things, often eating nothing but
+    bread and drinking water from the spring which flowed near.</p>
+
+    <p>Every evening Guy could hear Phyllis as she paced to and
+    fro, for her walk was not far from the hermit's cave. But still
+    some strange enchantment, as it were, held him dumb, and
+    although he still loved her, although he knew that she sorrowed
+    and longed for him to return home, he could not say, "I am
+    here."</p>
+
+    <p>At last one day Guy became very ill. He had no longer
+    strength to go to the castle, so calling a passing countryman
+    to him, he gave him a ring. It was the ring which Phyllis had
+    given him, and which he had kept ever with him through all his
+    pilgrimage. "Take this," he said to the countryman, "and carry
+    it to Fair Phyllis, the Countess of Warwick."</p>
+
+    <p>But the countryman was afraid. "I have never spoken to a
+    great lady, and I do not know how to address her," he said.
+    "Besides she may be angry with me, and I shall get into trouble
+    if I carry a ring to the earl's wife."</p>
+
+    <p>"Do not fear," said Guy, "the countess will not be angry;
+    rather will she reward thee. Tell her to come hastily or I
+    die."</p>
+
+    <p>So the countryman took the ring, and, coming to the countess
+    fell upon his knees. "Lady," he said, "a pilgrim who lives
+    yonder in the forest sends thee this ring."</p>
+
+    <p>Phyllis took the ring, and, as she looked at it, a strange
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page355"
+       id="page355"></a>[pg 355]</span> light came into her eyes.
+       Like one in a dream she passed her hand over her forehead.
+       "It is mine own lord, Sir Guy," she cried, and fell
+       senseless to the ground.</p>
+
+    <p>The countryman was much frightened, but her ladies ran to
+    the countess and raised her, and soon she opened her eyes.</p>
+
+    <p>"Friend," she said to the countryman, "tell me where is he
+    who gave thee this ring?"</p>
+
+    <p>"He is in the hermit's cave," replied the man, "and he bade
+    me to say that thou must hasten ere he die."</p>
+
+    <p>Right glad was Phyllis at the thought of seeing Guy again,
+    yet sorrowful lest she should find him dead. So, calling for
+    her mule, she mounted and rode speedily towards the cave, the
+    countryman running before to show the way.</p>
+
+    <p>And when they came to the cave Phyllis went in, and kneeling
+    beside Guy, put her arms round him, crying bitterly. "Dear," he
+    said, "weep not, for I go where sorrows end." Then</p>
+
+    <div class="poem">
+        <div class="stanza">
+            <p>"He kissed her fair and courteously,</p>
+
+            <p>With that he died hastily."</p>
+        </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <p>There was sorrow through all the land when it was known that
+    Guy, the great hero, was dead. He was buried with much pomp and
+    ceremony, the King and Queen, and all the greatest nobles of
+    the land, coming to the funeral. And Phyllis, not caring to
+    live longer, now that she knew that Guy was indeed dead, died
+    too, and they were both buried in the same grave.</p>
+
+    <p>Then minstrels sang of Guy's valiant deeds, and of how he
+    had slain giants and dragons, and of how he might have been an
+    emperor and a king over many lands, and how he was ever a
+    gentle and courteous knight.</p>
+
+    <div class="poem">
+        <div class="stanza">
+            <p>"Thus endeth the tale of Sir Guy:</p>
+
+            <p class="i2">God, on his soul have mercy,</p>
+
+            <p>And on ours when we be dead,</p>
+
+            <p class="i2">And grant us in heaven to have
+            stead."</p>
+        </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <p>If you ever go to Warwick you will see, in the castle there,
+    Guy's sword and armor. Wise people will tell you that they
+    never belonged to Guy, but to some other men who lived much
+    later. Well, perhaps they are right.</p>
+
+    <p>Then, when you are at Warwick, you must go to Guy's
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page356"
+       id="page356"></a>[pg 356]</span> Cliff, which is about a
+       mile and a half away. There, in the chapel, is a statue of
+       Guy, very old and broken.</p>
+
+    <p>You will also see there Fair Phyllis's Walk, the spring from
+    which Guy used to drink, still called Guy's Well, and the cave
+    where he lived as a hermit, and where he died.</p>
+
+    <p>Upon the walls of the cave is some writing. You will not be
+    able to read it, for it is Saxon, but it means, "Cast out, Thou
+    Christ, from Thy servant this burden."</p>
+
+    <p>Did Guy, I wonder, or some other, in days of loneliness and
+    despair, carve these words?</p>
+
+    <p>If you ask why Guy did these things&mdash;why, when he was
+    happy and had everything he could desire, he threw away that
+    happiness, and wandered out into the world to endure hunger,
+    and weariness, and suffering&mdash;or why, when at last he came
+    back and found his beautiful wife waiting and longing for his
+    return, he did not go to her and be happy again, I cannot tell
+    you certainly. But perhaps it may be explained in this way. In
+    those far-off days there was nothing for great men to do but
+    fight. What they had they had won by the sword, and they kept
+    it by the sword. So they went swaggering over the world,
+    fighting and shedding blood, and the more men a knight killed,
+    the more blood he shed, the greater was his fame. It was
+    impossible for a man to live in the world and be at peace with
+    his fellows. So when he desired peace he had to cut himself off
+    from the world and all who lived in it, and go to live like a
+    hermit in some lonely cave, or wander as a pilgrim in desolate
+    places. And so it was with Guy.</p>
+
+    <h3>WHITTINGTON AND HIS CAT</h3>
+
+    <h4>ADAPTED BY ERNEST RHYS</h4>
+
+    <p>In the reign of the famous King Edward III. there was a
+    little boy called Dick Whittington, whose father and mother
+    died when he was very young, so that he remembered nothing at
+    all about them, and was left a ragged little fellow, running
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page357"
+       id="page357"></a>[pg 357]</span> about a country village. As
+       poor Dick was not old enough to work, he was very badly off;
+       he got but little for his dinner, and sometimes nothing at
+       all for his breakfast; for the people who lived in the
+       village were very poor indeed, and could not spare him much
+       more than the parings of potatoes, and now and then a hard
+       crust of bread.</p>
+
+    <p>For all this Dick Whittington was a very sharp boy, and was
+    always listening to what everybody talked about. On Sunday he
+    was sure to get near the farmers, as they sat talking on the
+    tombstones in the churchyard, before the parson came; and once
+    a week you might see little Dick leaning against the sign-post
+    of the village alehouse, where people stopped to drink as they
+    came from the next market town; and when the barber's shop door
+    was open, Dick listened to all the news that his customers told
+    one another.</p>
+
+    <p>In this manner Dick heard a great many very strange things
+    about the great city called London; for the foolish country
+    people at that time thought that folks in London were all fine
+    gentlemen and ladies; and that there was singing and music
+    there all day long; and that the streets were all paved with
+    gold.</p>
+
+    <p>One day a large wagon and eight horses, all with bells at
+    their heads, drove through the village while Dick was standing
+    by the sign-post. He thought that this wagon must be going to
+    the fine town of London; so he took courage, and asked the
+    wagoner to let him walk with him by the side of the wagon. As
+    soon as the wagoner heard that poor Dick had no father or
+    mother, and saw by his ragged clothes that he could not be
+    worse off than he was, he told him he might go if he would, so
+    they set off together.</p>
+
+    <p>I could never find out how little Dick contrived to get meat
+    and drink on the road; nor how he could walk so far, for it was
+    a long way; nor what he did at night for a place to lie down to
+    sleep in. Perhaps some good-natured people in the towns that he
+    passed through, when they saw he was a poor little ragged boy,
+    gave him something to eat; and perhaps the wagoner let him get
+    into the wagon at night, and take a nap upon one of the boxes
+    or large parcels in the
+    wagon.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page358"
+       id="page358"></a>[pg 358]</span>
+
+    <p>Dick, however, got safe to London, and was in such a hurry
+    to see the fine streets paved all over with gold, that I am
+    afraid he did not even stay to thank the kind wagoner; but ran
+    off as fast as his legs would carry him, through many of the
+    streets, thinking every moment to come to those that were paved
+    with gold; for Dick had seen a guinea three times in his own
+    little village, and remembered what a deal of money it brought
+    in change; so he thought he had nothing to do but to take up
+    some little bits of the pavement, and should then have as much
+    money as he could wish for.</p>
+
+    <p>Poor Dick ran till he was tired, and had quite forgot his
+    friend the wagoner; but at last, finding it grow dark, and that
+    every way he turned he saw nothing but dirt instead of gold, he
+    sat down in a dark corner and cried himself to sleep.</p>
+
+    <p>Little Dick was all night in the streets; and next morning,
+    being very hungry, he got up and walked about, and asked
+    everybody he met to give him a halfpenny to keep him from
+    starving; but nobody stayed to answer him, and only two or
+    three gave him a halfpenny; so that the poor boy was soon quite
+    weak and faint for the want of victuals.</p>
+
+    <p>At last a good-natured looking gentleman saw how hungry he
+    looked. "Why don't you go to work, my lad?" said he to Dick.
+    "That I would, but I do not know how to get any," answered
+    Dick. "If you are willing, come along with me," said the
+    gentleman, and took him to a hay-field, where Dick worked
+    briskly, and lived merrily till the hay was made.</p>
+
+    <p>After this he found himself as badly off as before; and
+    being almost starved again, he laid himself down at the door of
+    Mr. Fitzwarren, a rich merchant. Here he was soon seen by the
+    cook, who was an ill-tempered creature, and happened just then
+    to be very busy preparing dinner for her master and mistress;
+    so she called out to poor Dick: "What business have you there,
+    you lazy rogue? there is nothing else but beggars; if you do
+    not take yourself away, we will see how you will like a sousing
+    of some dish-water; I have some here hot enough to make you
+    jump."</p>
+
+    <p>Just at that time Mr. Fitzwarren himself came home to
+    dinner; and when he saw a dirty ragged boy lying at the door,
+    he <span class="pagenum"><a name="page359"
+       id="page359"></a>[pg 359]</span> said to him: "Why do you
+       lie there, my boy? You seem old enough to work; I am afraid
+       you are inclined to be lazy."</p>
+
+    <p>"No, indeed, sir," said Dick to him, "that is not the case,
+    for I would work with all my heart, but I do not know anybody,
+    and I believe I am very sick for the want of food."</p>
+
+    <p>"Poor fellow, get up; let me see what ails you."</p>
+
+    <p>Dick now tried to rise, but was obliged to lie down again,
+    being too weak to stand, for he had not eaten any food for
+    three days, and was no longer able to run about and beg a
+    halfpenny of people in the street. So the kind merchant ordered
+    him to be taken into the house, and have a good dinner given
+    him, and be kept to do what dirty work he was able to do for
+    the cook.</p>
+
+    <p>Little Dick would have lived very happy in this good family
+    if it had not been for the ill-natured cook, who was finding
+    fault and scolding him from morning to night, and besides, she
+    was so fond of basting, that when she had no meat to baste, she
+    would baste poor Dick's head and shoulders with a broom, or
+    anything else that happened to fall in her way. At last her
+    ill-usage of him was told to Alice, Mr. Fitzwarren's daughter,
+    who told the cook she should be turned away if she did not
+    treat him kinder.</p>
+
+    <p>The ill-humor of the cook was now a little amended; but
+    besides this Dick had another hardship to get over. His bed
+    stood in a garret, where there were so many holes in the floor
+    and the walls that every night he was tormented with rats and
+    mice. A gentleman having given Dick a penny for cleaning his
+    shoes, he thought he would buy a cat with it. The next day he
+    saw a girl with a cat, and asked her if she would let him have
+    it for a penny. The girl said she would, and at the same time
+    told him the cat was an excellent mouser.</p>
+
+    <p>Dick hid his cat in the garret, and always took care to
+    carry a part of his dinner to her; and in a short time he had
+    no more trouble with the rats and mice, but slept quite sound
+    every night.</p>
+
+    <p>Soon after this, his master had a ship ready to sail; and as
+    he thought it right that all his servants should have some
+    chance for good fortune as well as himself, he called them all
+    into the parlor and asked them what they would send
+    out.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page360"
+       id="page360"></a>[pg 360]</span>
+
+    <p>They all had something that they were willing to venture
+    except poor Dick, who had neither money nor goods, and
+    therefore could send nothing.</p>
+
+    <p>For this reason he did not come into the parlor with the
+    rest; but Miss Alice guessed what was the matter, and ordered
+    him to be called in. She then said she would lay down some
+    money for him, from her own purse; but the father told her this
+    would not do, for it must be something of his own.</p>
+
+    <p>When poor Dick heard this, he said he had nothing but a cat
+    which he bought for a penny some time since of a little
+    girl.</p>
+
+    <p>"Fetch your cat then, my good boy," said Mr. Fitzwarren,
+    "and let her go."</p>
+
+    <p>Dick went upstairs and brought down poor puss, with tears in
+    his eyes, and gave her to the captain; for he said he should
+    now be kept awake again all night by the rats and mice.</p>
+
+    <p>All the company laughed at Dick's odd venture; and Miss
+    Alice, who felt pity for the poor boy, gave him some money to
+    buy another cat.</p>
+
+    <p>This, and many other marks of kindness shown him by Miss
+    Alice made the ill-tempered cook jealous of poor Dick, and she
+    began to use him more cruelly than ever, and always made game
+    of him for sending his cat to sea. She asked him if he thought
+    his cat would sell for as much money as would buy a stick to
+    beat him.</p>
+
+    <p>At last poor Dick could not bear this usage any longer, and
+    he thought he would run away from his place; so he packed up
+    his few things, and started very early in the morning, on
+    All-hallow's, which is the first of November. He walked as far
+    as Holloway; and there sat down on a stone, which to this day
+    is called Whittington's stone, and began to think to himself
+    which road he should take as he went onwards.</p>
+
+    <p>While he was thinking what he should do, the bells of Bow
+    Church, which at that time had only six, began to ring, and he
+    fancied their sound seemed to say to him:</p>
+
+    <div class="poem">
+        <div class="stanza">
+            <p>"Turn again, Whittington,</p>
+
+            <p>Lord Mayor of London."</p>
+        </div>
+    </div><span class="pagenum"><a name="page361"
+       id="page361"></a>[pg 361]</span>
+
+    <p>"Lord Mayor of London!" said he to himself. "Why, to be
+    sure, I would put up with almost anything now, to be Lord Mayor
+    of London, and ride in a fine coach, when I grow to be a man!
+    Well, I will go back, and think nothing of the cuffing and
+    scolding of the old cook, if I am to be Lord Mayor of London at
+    last."</p>
+
+    <p>Dick went back, and was lucky enough to get into the house,
+    and set about his work, before the old cook came
+    downstairs.</p>
+
+    <p>The ship, with the cat on board, was a long time at sea; and
+    was at last driven by the winds on a part of the coast of
+    Barbary, where the only people were the Moors, that the English
+    had never known before.</p>
+
+    <p>The people then came in great numbers to see the sailors,
+    who were of different color to themselves, and treated them
+    very civilly; and, when they became better acquainted, were
+    very eager to buy the fine things that the ship was loaded
+    with.</p>
+
+    <p>When the captain saw this, he sent patterns of the best
+    things he had to the King of the country; who was so much
+    pleased with them, that he sent for the captain to the palace.
+    Here they were placed, as it is the custom of the country, on
+    rich carpets marked with gold and silver flowers. The King and
+    Queen were seated at the upper end of the room; and a number of
+    dishes were brought in for dinner. They had not sat long, when
+    a vast number of rats and mice rushed in, helping themselves
+    from almost every dish. The captain wondered at this, and asked
+    if these vermin were not very unpleasant.</p>
+
+    <p>"Oh, yes," said they, "very destructive; and the King would
+    give half his treasure to be freed of them, for they not only
+    destroy his dinner, as you see, but they assault him in his
+    chamber and even in bed, so that he is obliged to be watched
+    while he is sleeping for fear of them."</p>
+
+    <p>The captain jumped for joy; he remembered poor Whittington
+    and his cat, and told the King he had a creature on board the
+    ship that would despatch all these vermin immediately. The
+    King's heart heaved so high at the joy which this news gave him
+    that his turban dropped off his head. "Bring this creature to
+    me," says he; "vermin are dreadful in a court, and if she will
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page362"
+       id="page362"></a>[pg 362]</span> perform what you say, I
+       will load your ship with gold and jewels in exchange for
+       her." The captain, who knew his business, took this
+       opportunity to set forth the merits of Mrs Puss. He told his
+       majesty that it would be inconvenient to part with her, as,
+       when she was gone, the rats and mice might destroy the goods
+       in the ship&mdash;but to oblige his Majesty he would fetch
+       her. "Run, run!" said the Queen; "I am impatient to see the
+       dear creature."</p>
+
+    <p>Away went the captain to the ship, while another dinner was
+    got ready. He put puss under his arm, and arrived at the place
+    soon enough to see the table full of rats.</p>
+
+    <p>When the cat saw them, she did not wait for bidding, but
+    jumped out of the captain's arms, and in a few minutes laid
+    almost all the rats and mice dead at her feet. The rest of them
+    in their fright scampered away to their holes.</p>
+
+    <p>The King and Queen were quite charmed to get so easily rid
+    of such plagues, and desired that the creature who had done
+    them so great a kindness might be brought to them for
+    inspection. Upon which the captain called: "Pussy, pussy,
+    pussy!" and she came to him. He then presented her to the
+    queen, who started back, and was afraid to touch a creature who
+    had made such a havoc among the rats and mice. However, when
+    the captain stroked the cat and called: "Pussy, pussy," the
+    Queen also touched her and cried "Putty, putty," for she had
+    not learned English. He then put her down on the queen's lap,
+    where she, purring, played with her Majesty's hand, and then
+    sung herself to sleep.</p>
+
+    <p>The King, having seen the exploits of Mrs. Puss, and being
+    informed that her kittens would stock the whole country,
+    bargained with the captain for the whole ship's cargo, and then
+    gave him ten times as much for the cat as all the rest amounted
+    to.</p>
+
+    <p>The captain then took leave of the royal party, and set sail
+    with a fair wind for England, and after a happy voyage arrived
+    safe in London.</p>
+
+    <p>One morning Mr. Fitzwarren had just come to his
+    counting-house and seated himself at the desk, when somebody
+    came tap, tap, at the door. "Who's there?" said Mr. Fitzwarren.
+    "A friend," answered the other; "I come to bring you good news
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page363"
+       id="page363"></a>[pg 363]</span> of your ship Unicorn." The
+       merchant, bustling up instantly, opened the door, and who
+       should be seen waiting but the captain and factor, with a
+       cabinet of jewels, and a bill of lading, for which the
+       merchant lifted up his eyes and thanked heaven for sending
+       him such a prosperous voyage.</p>
+
+    <p>They then told the story of the cat, and showed the rich
+    present that the king and queen had sent for her to poor Dick.
+    As soon as the merchant heard this, he called out to his
+    servants,</p>
+
+    <div class="poem">
+        <div class="stanza">
+            <p>"Go fetch him&mdash;we will tell him of the
+            same;</p>
+
+            <p>Pray call him Mr. Whittington by name."</p>
+        </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <p>Mr. Fitzwarren now showed himself to be a good man; for when
+    some of his servants said so great a treasure was too much for
+    Dick, he answered: "God forbid I should deprive him of the
+    value of a single penny."</p>
+
+    <p>He then sent for Dick, who at that time was scouring pots
+    for the cook, and was quite dirty.</p>
+
+    <p>Mr. Fitzwarren ordered a chair to be set for him, and so he
+    began to think they were making game of him, at the same time
+    begging them not to play tricks with a poor simple boy, but to
+    let him go down again, if they pleased, to his work.</p>
+
+    <p>"Indeed, Mr. Whittington," said the merchant, "we are all
+    quite in earnest with you, and I most heartily rejoice in the
+    news these gentlemen have brought you; for the captain has sold
+    your cat to the King of Barbary, and brought you in return for
+    her more riches than I possess in the whole world; and I wish
+    you may long enjoy them!"</p>
+
+    <p>Mr. Fitzwarren then told the men to open the great treasure
+    they had brought with him; and said: "Mr. Whittington has
+    nothing to do but to put it in some place of safety."</p>
+
+    <p>Poor Dick hardly knew how to behave himself for joy. He
+    begged his master to take what part of it he pleased, since he
+    owed it all to his kindness. "No, no," answered Mr. Fitzwarren,
+    "this is all your own; and I have no doubt but you will use it
+    well."</p>
+
+    <p>Dick next asked his mistress, and then Miss Alice, to accept
+    a part of his good fortune; but they would not, and at the same
+    time told him they felt great joy at his good success. But
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page364"
+       id="page364"></a>[pg 364]</span> this poor fellow was too
+       kind-hearted to keep it all to himself; so he made a present
+       to the captain, the mate, and the rest of Mr. Fitzwarren's
+       servants; and even to the ill-natured old cook.</p>
+
+    <p>After this Mr. Fitzwarren advised him to send for a proper
+    tradesman and get himself dressed like a gentleman; and told
+    him he was welcome to live in his house till he could provide
+    himself with a better.</p>
+
+    <p>When Whittington's face was washed, his hair curled, his hat
+    cocked, and he was dressed in a nice suit of clothes, he was as
+    handsome and genteel as any young man who visited at Mr.
+    Fitzwarren's; so that Miss Alice, who had once been so kind to
+    him, and thought of him with pity, now looked upon him as fit
+    to be her sweetheart; and the more so, no doubt, because
+    Whittington was now always thinking what he could do to oblige
+    her, and making her the prettiest presents that could be.</p>
+
+    <p>Mr. Fitzwarren soon saw their love for each other, and
+    proposed to join them in marriage; and to this they both
+    readily agreed. A day for the wedding was soon fixed; and they
+    were attended to church by the Lord Mayor, the court aldermen,
+    the sheriffs, and a great number of the richest merchants in
+    London, whom they afterwards treated with a very rich
+    feast.</p>
+
+    <p>History tells us that Mr. Whittington and his lady lived in
+    great splendor, and were very happy. They had several children.
+    He was Sheriff of London, also Mayor, and received the honor of
+    knighthood by Henry V.</p>
+
+    <p>The figure of Sir Richard Whittington with his cat in his
+    arms, carved in stone, was to be seen till the year 1780 over
+    the archway of the old prison of Newgate, that stood across
+    Newgate Street.</p>
+
+    <h3>TOM HICKATHRIFT</h3>
+
+    <h4>ADAPTED BY ERNEST RHYS</h4>
+
+    <p>Long before William the Conqueror, there dwelt a man in the
+    Isle of Ely, named Thomas Hickathrift, a poor laboring man, but
+    so strong that he was able to do in one day
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page365"
+       id="page365"></a>[pg 365]</span> the ordinary work of two.
+       He had an only son, whom he christened Thomas, after his own
+       name. The old man put his son to good learning, but he would
+       take none, for he was none of the wisest, but something
+       soft, and had no docility at all in him. God calling this
+       good man, the father, to his rest, his mother, being tender
+       of him, kept him by her hard labor as well as she could; but
+       this was no easy matter, for Tom would sit all day in the
+       chimney-corner, instead of doing anything to help her, and
+       although at the time we were speaking of he was only ten
+       years old, he would eat more than four or five ordinary men,
+       and was five feet and a half in height, and two feet and a
+       half broad. His hand was more like a shoulder of mutton than
+       a boy's hand, and he was altogether like a little monster;
+       but yet his great strength was not known.</p>
+
+    <p>Tom's strength came to be known in this manner: his mother,
+    it seems, as well as himself, for they lived in the days of
+    merry old England, slept upon straw. Now, being a tidy old
+    creature, she must every now and then have a new bed, and one
+    day having been promised a bottle of straw by a neighboring
+    farmer, after much begging she got her son to fetch it. Tom,
+    however, made her borrow a cart-rope first, before he would
+    budge a step, without saying what he wanted it for; but the
+    poor woman, too glad to gain his help upon any terms, let him
+    have it at once. Tom, swinging the rope round his shoulder went
+    to the farmer's, and found him with two men threshing in a
+    barn. Having told what he wanted, the farmer said he might take
+    as much straw as he could carry. Tom at once took him at his
+    word, and, placing the rope in a right position, rapidly made
+    up a bundle containing at least a cartload, the men jeering at
+    him all the while. Their merriment, however, did not last long,
+    for Tom flung the enormous bundle over his shoulders, and
+    walked away with it without any difficulty, and left them all
+    gaping after him.</p>
+
+    <p>After this exploit Tom was no longer allowed to be idle.
+    Every one tried to secure his services, and we are told many
+    tales of his mighty strength. On one occasion, having been
+    offered as great a bundle of fire wood as he could carry, he
+    marched off with one of the largest trees in the forest. Tom
+    was <span class="pagenum"><a name="page366"
+       id="page366"></a>[pg 366]</span> also extremely fond of
+       attending fairs; and in cudgeling, wrestling, or throwing
+       the hammer, there was no one who could compete with him. He
+       thought nothing of flinging a huge hammer into the middle of
+       a river a mile off, and, in fact, performed such
+       extraordinary feats, that the folk began to have a fear of
+       him.</p>
+
+    <p>At length a brewer at Lynn, who required a strong lusty
+    fellow to carry his beer to the Marsh and to Wisbeach, after
+    much persuasion, and promising him a new suit of clothes and as
+    much as he liked to eat and drink, secured Tom for his
+    business. The distance he daily traveled with the beer was
+    upwards of twenty miles, for although there was a shorter cut
+    through the Marsh, no one durst go that way for fear of a
+    monstrous giant, who was lord of a portion of the district, and
+    who killed or made slaves of every one he could lay his hands
+    upon.</p>
+
+    <p>Now, in the course of time, Tom was thoroughly tired of
+    going such a roundabout way, and without telling his plans to
+    any one, he resolved to pass through the giant's domain, or
+    lose his life in the attempt. This was a bold undertaking, but
+    good living had so increased Tom's strength and courage, that
+    venturesome as he was before, his hardiness was so much
+    increased that he would have faced a still greater danger. He
+    accordingly drove his cart in the forbidden direction, flinging
+    the gates wide open, as if for the purpose of making his daring
+    more plain to be seen.</p>
+
+    <p>At length he was espied by the giant, who was in a rage at
+    his boldness, but consoled himself by thinking that Tom and the
+    beer would soon become his prey. "Sir," said the monster, "who
+    gave you permission to come this way? Do you not know how I
+    make all stand in fear of me? and you, like an impudent rogue,
+    must come and fling my gates open at your pleasure! Are you
+    careless of your life? Do not you care what you do? But I will
+    make you an example for all rogues under the sun! Dost thou not
+    see how many thousand heads hang upon yonder tree&mdash;heads
+    of those who have offended against my laws? But thy head shall
+    hang higher than all the rest for an example!" But Tom made him
+    answer: "You shall not find me to be one of them." "No!" said
+    the giant, in astonishment and indignation;
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page367"
+       id="page367"></a>[pg 367]</span> "and what a fool you must
+       be if you come to fight with such a one as I am, and bring
+       never a weapon to defend yourself!" Quoth Tom, "I have a
+       weapon here that will make you know you are a traitorous
+       rogue." This speech highly incensed the giant, who
+       immediately ran to his cave for his club, intending to dash
+       out Tom's brains at one blow. Tom was now much distressed
+       for a weapon, as by some chance he had forgot one, and he
+       began to reflect how very little his whip would help him
+       against a monster twelve feet in height and six feet round
+       the waist. But while the giant was gone for his club, Tom
+       bethought himself, and turning his cart upside down,
+       adroitly took out the axletree, which would serve him for a
+       staff, and removing a wheel, fitted it to his arm instead of
+       a shield&mdash;very good weapons indeed in time of trouble,
+       and worthy of Tom's wit. When the monster returned with his
+       club, he was amazed to see the weapons with which Tom had
+       armed himself; but uttering a word of defiance, he bore down
+       upon the poor fellow with such heavy strokes that it was as
+       much as Tom could do to defend himself with his wheel. Tom,
+       however, at length cut the giant such a blow with the
+       axletree on the side of his head, that he nearly reeled
+       over. "What!" said Tom, "have you drunk of my strong beer
+       already?" This inquiry did not, as we may suppose, mollify
+       the giant, who laid on his blows so sharply and heavily that
+       Tom was obliged to defend himself. By-and-by, not making any
+       impression on the wheel, the giant grew tired, and was
+       obliged to ask Tom if he would let him drink a little, and
+       then he would fight again. "No," said Tom, "my mother did
+       not teach me that wit: who would be fool then?" The end may
+       readily be imagined; Tom having beaten the giant, cut off
+       his head, and entered the cave, which he found completely
+       filled with gold and silver.</p>
+
+    <p>The news of this victory rapidly spread throughout the
+    country, for the giant had been a common enemy to the people
+    about. They made bonfires for joy, and showed their respect to
+    Tom by every means in their power. A few days afterwards Tom
+    took possession of the cave and all the giant's treasure. He
+    pulled down the former, and built a magnificent house on the
+    spot; but as for the land stolen by the giant, part of it he
+    gave <span class="pagenum"><a name="page368"
+       id="page368"></a>[pg 368]</span> to the poor for their
+       common, merely keeping enough for himself and his good old
+       mother, Jane Hickathrift.</p>
+
+    <p>Tom was now a great man and a hero with all the country
+    folk, so that when any one was in danger or difficulty, it was
+    to Tom Hickathrift he must turn. It chanced that about this
+    time many idle and rebellious persons drew themselves together
+    in and about the Isle of Ely, and set themselves to defy the
+    king and all his men.</p>
+
+    <p>By this time, you must know, Tom Hickathrift had secured to
+    himself a trusty friend and comrade, almost his equal in
+    strength and courage, for though he was but a tinker, yet he
+    was a great and lusty one. Now the sheriff of the country came
+    to Tom, under cover of night, full of fear and trembling, and
+    begged his aid and protection against the rebels, "else," said
+    he, "we be all dead men!" Tom, nothing loth, called his friend
+    the tinker, and as soon as it was day, led by the sheriff, they
+    went out armed with their clubs to the place where the rebels
+    were gathered together. When they were got thither, Tom and the
+    tinker marched up to the leaders of the band, and asked them
+    why they were set upon breaking the king's peace. To this they
+    answered loudly, "Our will is our law, and by that alone we
+    will be governed!" "Nay," quoth Tom, "if it be so, these trusty
+    clubs are our weapons, and by them alone you shall be
+    chastised." These words were no sooner uttered than they madly
+    rushed on the throng of men, bearing all before them, and
+    laying twenty or thirty sprawling with every blow. The tinker
+    struck off heads with such violence that they flew like balls
+    for miles about, and when Tom had slain hundreds and so broken
+    his trusty club, he laid hold of a lusty raw-boned miller and
+    made use of him as a weapon till he had quite cleared the
+    field.</p>
+
+    <p>If Tom Hickathrift had been a hero before, he was twice a
+    hero now. When the king heard of it all, he sent for him to be
+    knighted, and when he was Sir Thomas Hickathrift nothing would
+    serve him but that he must be married to a great lady of the
+    country.</p>
+
+    <p>So married he was, and a fine wedding they had of it. There
+    was a great feast given, to which all the poor widows for
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page369"
+       id="page369"></a>[pg 369]</span> miles round were invited,
+       because of Tom's mother, and rich and poor feasted together.
+       Among the poor widows who came was an old woman called
+       Stumbelup, who with much ingratitude stole from the great
+       table a silver tankard. But she had not got safe away before
+       she was caught and the people were so enraged at her
+       wickedness that they nearly hanged her. However, Sir Tom had
+       her rescued, and commanded that she should be drawn on a
+       wheelbarrow through the streets and lanes of Cambridge,
+       holding a placard in her hand on which was
+       written&mdash;</p>
+
+    <div class="poem">
+        <div class="stanza">
+            <p>"I am the naughty Stumbelup,</p>
+
+            <p>Who tried to steal the silver cup."</p>
+        </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <p>&nbsp;</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page370"
+       id="page370"></a>[pg 370]</span>
+
+    <h2>HEROES OF SCANDINAVIA</h2>
+
+    <h3>THE STORY OF FRITHIOF</h3>
+
+    <h4>ADAPTED BY JULIA GODDARD</h4>
+
+    <h3>I</h3>
+
+    <p>In a cottage overshadowed by wide-spreading oaks, and
+    surrounded by a garden in which bloomed the sweetest flowers of
+    summer, lived an aged peasant named Hilding.</p>
+
+    <p>Two children might be seen playing about the garden from
+    sunrise to sunset, but they were not old Hilding's children.
+    The handsome boy was the son of the thane Thorsten Vikingsson;
+    the little girl, with dove-like eyes and silken tresses, was
+    the daughter of good King Bel&eacute;.</p>
+
+    <p>Together the little ones played through the long pleasant
+    days in their foster-father's garden, or wandered through the
+    woods, or climbed the hills that sheltered them from the
+    northern winds. The boy would seek treasures from the birds'
+    nests for his fair companion, not even fearing to rob the
+    mountain eagle, so that he might bring the spoil to Ingebjorg.
+    He would also take her far out on the blue sea in his little
+    boat, and Ingebjorg never felt afraid as long as Frithiof was
+    with her.</p>
+
+    <p>As Frithiof grew older, he became a great hunter, and once
+    he slew without weapons a fierce bear, which he brought home in
+    triumph and laid at Ingebjorg's feet.</p>
+
+    <p>During the winter evenings, they sat by the blazing logs on
+    the hearth, and Hilding told them wonderful stories of Asgard
+    and all its glories, of Odin the king of the gods, and of the
+    beautiful Frigga.</p>
+
+    <p>But Frithiof thought she could not be half so beautiful as
+    Ingebjorg. And once he said so to her, and it pleased her
+    exceedingly. And he said, moreover, that when he was a man,
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page371"
+       id="page371"></a>[pg 371]</span> Ingebjorg should be his
+       wife. This also she was glad to hear, for she loved Frithiof
+       better than any one in the world.</p>
+
+    <p>But Old Hilding told them not to talk nonsense, for
+    Ingebjorg was a king's daughter, and Frithiof but the son of a
+    thane.</p>
+
+    <h3>II</h3>
+
+    <p>In a room of his palace stood King Bel&eacute;. He was
+    leaning on his sword, musing over all that was past, and
+    thinking of the future. He was an old man, and he felt that his
+    strength was failing him.</p>
+
+    <p>With him was his faithful friend Thorsten Vikingsson. They
+    had grown up to manhood together, they had fought in many a
+    battle side by side. They had been companions at many a feast
+    and revel; and now, when old age had fallen upon them, they
+    drew closer to one another, feeling that the hand of death was
+    raised to summon them into another world.</p>
+
+    <p>"The end of life is near," said the King; "the shadow of
+    death is cast upon me. No longer do I care for all that men
+    call pleasure. The chase hath lost its charm, the helmet sits
+    heavy upon my brow, and the mead hath lost its flavor. I would
+    that my sons were here so that I might give them my
+    blessing."</p>
+
+    <p>Then the servants summoned to King Bel&eacute;'s presence
+    his two sons, Helgi and Halfdan. Dark was the countenance of
+    Helgi, and there was blood upon his hands, for he had just been
+    assisting at the midday sacrifice. But the face of Halfdan was
+    bright as the early morning, and he was as light and joyous as
+    his brother was dark and gloomy.</p>
+
+    <p>Frithiof also came, for the thane Thorsten Vikingsson
+    desired to see him, that he too might bless his son when King
+    Bel&eacute; blessed the royal princes.</p>
+
+    <p>And the two old friends spoke words of wisdom to their
+    children, and prayed that the gods might be with them in peace
+    and war, in joy and sorrow, and grant them a long life and a
+    glorious death.</p>
+
+    <p>And when their counsels and prayers were ended, King
+    Bel&eacute; said, "And now, O sons, I bid you remember, in that
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page372"
+       id="page372"></a>[pg 372]</span> day when death shall claim
+       me and my faithful friend, that ye lay our bones side by
+       side near the shore of the great ocean."</p>
+
+    <h3>III</h3>
+
+    <p>In due time, King Bel&eacute; died, and Helgi and Halfdan
+    shared his kingdom between them.</p>
+
+    <p>Thorsten Vikingsson died also, and Frithiof became lord of
+    his ancestral home of Framn&auml;s.</p>
+
+    <p>Rich treasures did that home contain, three of them of magic
+    power.</p>
+
+    <p>The first was the sword of Angurvadel. Blood-red it shone in
+    time of war, and wo to him who contended with its owner on the
+    battle-field.</p>
+
+    <p>Next was an arm-ring of pure gold, made by the god
+    V&ouml;lund, and given by him to one of Thorsten Vikingsson's
+    forefathers. Once it was stolen and carried to England by the
+    viking Sot&eacute;, but Thorsten and his friend King
+    Bel&eacute; pursued the robber. Over the sea they sailed after
+    the viking, and landed at a lonely place where the rocks reared
+    up their sharp points and made the coast dangerous.</p>
+
+    <p>There were deep caverns which the waters filled when the
+    tide was up, so lone and dark that men were almost afraid to go
+    into them.</p>
+
+    <p>But Thorsten Vikingsson and the King his master were not
+    daunted. Hither had they come after the pirate, and here it was
+    that he had last been heard of; and they searched along the
+    shore and in the caves, and peered into every hole and cranny,
+    until their eyes grew strained and heavy, but no viking
+    Sot&eacute; was to be seen.</p>
+
+    <p>They had almost given up hope of finding him, when, looking
+    through a chink that had hitherto escaped their notice, a
+    fearful sight was seen by the valiant thane.</p>
+
+    <p>Within a mighty vault, forming a still, cold tomb, there lay
+    a vessel all complete, with masts and spars and anchor; and on
+    the deck there sat a grim skeleton clad in a robe of flame, and
+    on his skinless arm glittered the golden arm-ring wrought by
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page373"
+       id="page373"></a>[pg 373]</span> V&ouml;lund. The figure
+       held in his left hand a blood-stained sword, from which he
+       was trying to scour away the stains.</p>
+
+    <p>"It is my arm-ring," said Thorsten Vikingsson; "it is the
+    spirit of the viking Sot&eacute;."</p>
+
+    <p>And forthwith he forced his way into the tomb, and, after a
+    deadly conflict with the specter, regained his treasure.</p>
+
+    <p>And the two friends sailed home in triumph.</p>
+
+    <p>The third great thing that Frithiof inherited was the
+    dragon-ship "Ellide," which his forefathers had won in the
+    following manner:</p>
+
+    <p>One of them, a rough, rude viking, with a tender heart, was
+    out at sea, and on a wreck that was fast sinking saw an old man
+    with green locks sitting disconsolately.</p>
+
+    <p>The good-natured viking picked him up, took him home, gave
+    him of the best of food and of sparkling mead, and would have
+    lodged him in his house; but the green-haired man said he could
+    not tarry, for he had many miles to sail that night.</p>
+
+    <p>"But when the sun comes up in the east," added the stranger,
+    "look for a thank-gift on the wild seashore."</p>
+
+    <p>And behold, as morning dawned, the viking saw a goodly
+    vessel making gallant headway. As she drew near the land with
+    streamer flying and broad sails flapping in the wind, the
+    viking saw that there was no soul on board of her; and yet,
+    without steersman to guide her, the vessel avoided the shoals
+    and held her way straight to the spot where he was
+    standing.</p>
+
+    <p>Her prow was a dragon's head, a dragon's tail formed her
+    stern, and dragon's wings bore her along swifter than an eagle
+    before the storm.</p>
+
+    <p>The green-haired stranger was a sea-god, and the dragon-ship
+    "Ellide" was his thank-gift.</p>
+
+    <p>Thus Frithiof, though only the son of a thane, had treasures
+    that might have been coveted by kings and princes. He sat in
+    his father's halls, surrounded by his companions; upon his
+    right was seated his bosom friend Bjorn, and twelve bold
+    champions clad in steel were ranged around the board. And they
+    drank in silence to the memory of Thorsten Vikingsson.</p>
+
+    <p>But suddenly the harps struck up, and the skalds poured
+    forth their songs in honor of the dead
+    thane.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page374"
+       id="page374"></a>[pg 374]</span>
+
+    <p>And Frithiof's eyes filled with tears as he listened to his
+    father's praises.</p>
+
+    <h3>IV</h3>
+
+    <p>In spite of Frithiof's wealth, Helgi and Halfdan looked with
+    disdain upon the son of their father's friend; and when
+    Frithiof asked to have Ingebjorg for his wife, Helgi scornfully
+    answered, "My sister shall not wed the son of a thane. If you
+    like to be our serf, we will make room for you among our
+    servants."</p>
+
+    <p>Then went Frithiof away in wrath.</p>
+
+    <p>There was another suitor for the hand of Ingebjorg, good old
+    King Ring, who, having lost his wife, thought that the Lily of
+    the North would make a tender mother for his little son.</p>
+
+    <p>And he sent to Helgi and Halfdan to ask for Ingebjorg in
+    marriage, but the brothers treated him as they had treated
+    Frithiof; and the old King was roused, and he swore he would
+    revenge himself.</p>
+
+    <p>Helgi and Halfdan were afraid when they found that Ring was
+    really making ready for war. They began to get their army into
+    order, and placed Ingebjorg for safety in the temple of Baldur,
+    and in their distress they even sent to Frithiof to ask him to
+    come and help them.</p>
+
+    <p>They chose wisely in the messenger they sent to plead for
+    them, for it was none other than old Hilding, who had been so
+    kind to Frithiof in his childhood.</p>
+
+    <p>Frithiof was playing at chess with Bjorn when Hilding
+    arrived. He pretended not to hear the message, and went on with
+    his game.</p>
+
+    <p>"Shall the pawn save the king?" he asked of Bjorn.</p>
+
+    <p>And after a time he added: "There is no other way to save
+    the queen." Which showed that he had been all the time occupied
+    with Hilding's errand.</p>
+
+    <p>Therefore he returned with the old peasant, and contrived to
+    see Ingebjorg in the temple of Baldur, and found that she still
+    loved him as much as he loved her, and did not wish to marry
+    any one else.</p>
+
+    <p>And again he asked Helgi and Halfdan if they were willing
+    that Ingebjorg should be his
+    wife.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page375"
+       id="page375"></a>[pg 375]</span>
+
+    <p>And again the brothers said, Nay, with scorn, and told him
+    that he had profaned the temple of Baldur by speaking to
+    Ingebjorg within its walls.</p>
+
+    <p>"For such a misdeed," said Helgi, "death or banishment is
+    the doom, and thou art in our power. Nevertheless, we are
+    willing, as we wish to make thee useful to us, to forego the
+    penalty. Thou shalt therefore sail forth to the distant Orkney
+    Isles, and compel Jarl Angantyr to pay the tribute that he owes
+    us."</p>
+
+    <p>Frithiof would have refused to go, but Ingebjorg persuaded
+    him to undertake the mission; for she was afraid of her
+    brothers, and knew that Frithiof would be safer on the wild
+    seas than in their hands.</p>
+
+    <p>At last Frithiof consented, and he took leave of Ingebjorg,
+    and placed the golden bracelet that V&ouml;lund had made upon
+    her arm, praying her to keep it for his sake.</p>
+
+    <p>And then he sailed away over the heaving waters, and
+    Ingebjorg mourned that her lover was gone.</p>
+
+    <h3>V</h3>
+
+    <p>Over the sea. It was calm enough when Frithiof started; the
+    storm-winds were asleep, and the waters heaved gently as though
+    they would fain help speed the dragon-ship peacefully on her
+    way.</p>
+
+    <p>But King Helgi standing on a rock repented that he had
+    suffered the noble Frithiof to escape his malice; and as he
+    watched the good ship "Ellide" riding over the sea, he prayed
+    loudly to the ocean-fiends that they would trouble the waters
+    and raise a fierce tempest to swallow up Frithiof and the
+    dragon-ship.</p>
+
+    <p>All at once, the sparkling sea turned leaden gray, and the
+    billows began to roll, the skies grew dark, and the howl of the
+    driving wind was answered by a sullen roar from the depths
+    beneath. Suddenly, a blinding flash of lightning played around
+    the vessel, and as it vanished the pealing thunder burst from
+    the clouds. The raging sea foamed, and seethed, and tossed the
+    vessel like a feather upon its angry waves, and deeper sounded
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page376"
+       id="page376"></a>[pg 376]</span> the thunder, and more
+       fiercely flashed the lightning round the masts.</p>
+
+    <p>Wilder, wilder, wilder grew the storm. Alas, for
+    Frithiof!</p>
+
+    <p>"Ho! take the tiller in hand," shouted Frithiof to Bjorn.
+    "and I will mount to the topmost mast and look out for
+    danger'"</p>
+
+    <p>And when he looked out, he saw the storm-fiends riding on a
+    whale. One was in form like to a great white bear, the other
+    like unto a terrible eagle.</p>
+
+    <p>"Now help me, O gift of the sea-god! Help me, my gallant
+    'Ellide'!" cried Frithiof.</p>
+
+    <p>And the dragon-ship heard her master's voice, and with her
+    keel she smote the whale; so he died, and sank to the bottom of
+    the sea, leaving the storm-fiends tossing upon the waves.</p>
+
+    <p>"Ho, spears and lances, help me in my need!" shouted
+    Frithiof, as he took aim at the monsters.</p>
+
+    <p>And he transfixed the shrieking storm-fiends, and left them
+    entangled in the huge coils of seaweed which the storm had
+    uprooted.</p>
+
+    <p>"Ho, ho!" laughed rugged Bjorn, "they are trapped in their
+    own nets."</p>
+
+    <p>And so they were; and they were so much taken up with trying
+    to free themselves from the seaweed and from Frithiof's long
+    darts, that they were unable to give any heed to the storm,
+    which therefore went down, and Frithiof and his crew sailed on,
+    and reached the Orkney Isles in safety.</p>
+
+    <p>"Here comes Frithiof," said the viking Atl&eacute;. "I know
+    him by his dragon-ship."</p>
+
+    <p>And forthwith the viking rose and went forth; he had heard
+    of the strength of Frithiof, and wished to match himself
+    against him.</p>
+
+    <p>He did not wait to see whether Frithiof came in enmity or
+    friendship. Fighting was the first thing he thought of, and
+    what he most cared for.</p>
+
+    <p>However, the viking had the worst of it in the battle.</p>
+
+    <p>"There is witchcraft in thy sword," said he to Frithiof.</p>
+
+    <p>So Frithiof threw his sword aside, and they wrestled
+    together, unarmed, until Atl&eacute; was brought to the
+    ground.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page377"
+       id="page377"></a>[pg 377]</span>
+
+    <p>Then spake Frithiof: "And if I had my sword thou wouldst not
+    long be a living man."</p>
+
+    <p>"Fetch it, then," replied Atl&eacute;. "I swear by the gods
+    that I will not move until thou dost return."</p>
+
+    <p>So Frithiof fetched his sword, but when he saw the conquered
+    viking still upon the ground, he could not bring himself to
+    slay so honorable a man.</p>
+
+    <p>"Thou art too true and brave to die," said Frithiof. "Rise,
+    let us be friends."</p>
+
+    <p>And the two combatants went hand in hand to the banquet hall
+    of Angantyr, Jarl (earl) of the Orkney Islands.</p>
+
+    <p>A splendid hall it was, and a rare company of heroes was
+    there; and all listened eagerly as Frithiof told his story, and
+    wherefore he had come.</p>
+
+    <p>"I never paid tribute to King Bel&eacute;, though he was an
+    old friend of mine," said the jarl, as Frithiof ended his
+    speech, "nor will I to his sons. If they want aught of me, let
+    them come and take it."</p>
+
+    <p>"It was by no choice of my own that I came upon such an
+    errand," returned Frithiof, "and I shall be well content to
+    carry back your answer."</p>
+
+    <p>"Take also this purse of gold in token of friendship,"
+    continued the jarl, "and remain with us, for I knew thy
+    father."</p>
+
+    <p>Thus Frithiof and the jarl became good friends, and Frithiof
+    consented to stay for a while in the Orkney Islands; but after
+    a time he ordered out his good ship "Ellide," and set sail for
+    his native land.</p>
+
+    <h3>VI</h3>
+
+    <p>But fearful things had come to pass since he had left his
+    home! Framn&auml;s, the dwelling of his fathers, was a heap of
+    ruins, and the land was waste and desolate.</p>
+
+    <p>And as he stood upon the well-loved spot, striving to find
+    some traces of the past, his faithful hound bounded forth to
+    greet him, and licked his master's hand. And then his favorite
+    steed drew near, and thrust his nose into Frithiof's hand,
+    hoping <span class="pagenum"><a name="page378"
+       id="page378"></a>[pg 378]</span> to find therein a piece of
+       bread, as in the days of old. His favorite falcon perched
+       upon his shoulder, and this was Frithiof's welcome to the
+       home of his ancestors.</p>
+
+    <p>There had been a fierce battle, for King Ring with his army
+    had come against Helgi and Halfdan, and the country had been
+    laid waste, and many warriors slain.</p>
+
+    <p>And when all chance of withstanding him was at an end, the
+    brothers, rather than lose their kingdom, had consented that
+    Ingebjorg should be the wife of Ring.</p>
+
+    <p>Ingebjorg was married! Frithiof's heart was full of deep
+    sorrow, and he turned his steps towards the temple of Baldur,
+    hoping that at the altar of the god he might meet with
+    consolation.</p>
+
+    <p>In the temple he found King Helgi, and the sorrow that was
+    weighing down Frithiof's heart gave place to hatred and
+    revenge.</p>
+
+    <p>Caring nothing for the sacred place, he rushed madly
+    forward. "Here, take thy tribute," said he, and he threw the
+    purse that Jarl Angantyr had given him with such force against
+    the face of the King that Helgi fell down senseless on the
+    steps of the altar.</p>
+
+    <p>Next, seeing his arm-ring on the arm of the statue, for
+    Helgi had taken it from Ingebjorg and placed it there, he tried
+    to tear it off, and, lo! the image tottered and fell upon the
+    fire that was burning with sweet perfumes before it.</p>
+
+    <p>Scarcely had it touched the fire when it was ablaze, and the
+    flames spreading rapidly on every side, the whole temple was
+    soon a smoldering heap of ruins.</p>
+
+    <p>Then Frithiof sought his ship. He vowed that he would lead a
+    viking's life, and leave forever a land where he had suffered
+    so much sorrow. And he put out to sea.</p>
+
+    <p>But no sooner were his sails spread than he saw ten vessels
+    in chase of him, and on the deck of one stood Helgi, who had
+    been rescued from the burning temple, and had come in chase of
+    him.</p>
+
+    <p>Yet Frithiof was rescued from the danger as if by miracle;
+    for one by one the ships sank down as though some water-giant
+    had stretched out his strong arm, and dragged them below, and
+    Helgi only saved himself by swimming
+    ashore.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page379"
+       id="page379"></a>[pg 379]</span>
+
+    <p>Loud laughed Bjorn.</p>
+
+    <p>"I bored holes in the ships last night," said he; "it is a
+    rare ending to Helgi's fleet."</p>
+
+    <p>"And now," said Frithiof, "I will forever lead a viking's
+    life. I care not for aught upon the land. The sea shall be my
+    home. And I will seek climes far away from here."</p>
+
+    <p>So he steered the good ship "Ellide" southward, and among
+    the isles of Greece strove to forget the memories of bygone
+    days.</p>
+
+    <h3>VII</h3>
+
+    <p>In and out of the sunny islands that lay like studs of
+    emerald on a silver shield sailed Frithiof, and on the deck of
+    the dragon-ship he rested through the summer nights, looking up
+    at the moon, and wondering what she could tell him of the
+    northern land.</p>
+
+    <p>Sometimes he dreamed of his home as it was before the
+    wartime. Sometimes he dreamed of the days when he and Ingebjorg
+    roamed through the fields and woods together, or listened to
+    old Hilding's stories by the blazing hearth; and then he would
+    wake up with a start and stroke his faithful hound, who was
+    ever near him, saying, "Thou alone knowest no change; to thee
+    all is alike, so long as thy master is with thee."</p>
+
+    <p>One night, however, as Frithiof was musing on the deck of
+    his vessel, gazing into the cloudless sky, a vision of the past
+    rose up before him: old familiar faces crowded round him, and
+    in their midst he marked one, best beloved of all, pale, sad,
+    with sorrowful eyes; and her lips moved, and he seemed to hear
+    her say, "I am very sad without thee, Frithiof."</p>
+
+    <p>Then a great longing came upon Frithiof to see Ingebjorg
+    once more. He would go northward, even to the country of King
+    Ring; he must see Ingebjorg. What did he care for danger? He
+    must go.</p>
+
+    <p>To the cold, dark north.</p>
+
+    <p>Yet he dared not go openly, for King Ring looked upon him as
+    an enemy, and would seize him at once, and if he did not kill
+    him would shut him up in prison, so that either way he would
+    not see the beautiful
+    Queen.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page380"
+       id="page380"></a>[pg 380]</span>
+
+    <p>Frithiof. therefore disguised himself as an old man, and
+    wrapped in bearskins, presented himself at the palace.</p>
+
+    <p>The old King sat upon his throne, and at his side was
+    Ingebjorg the Fair, looking like spring by the side of fading
+    autumn.</p>
+
+    <p>As the strangely dressed figure passed along, the courtiers
+    jeered, and Frithiof, thrown off his guard, angrily seized one
+    of them, and twirled him round with but little effort.</p>
+
+    <p>"Ho!" said the King, "thou art a strong old man, O stranger!
+    Whence art thou?"</p>
+
+    <p>"I was reared in anguish and want," returned Frithiof;
+    "sorrow has filled a bitter cup for me, and I have almost drunk
+    it to the dregs. Once I rode upon a dragon, but now it lies
+    dead upon the seashore, and I am left in my old age to burn
+    salt upon the strand."</p>
+
+    <p>"Thou art not old," answered the wise King; "thy voice is
+    clear, and thy grasp is strong. Throw off thy rude disguise,
+    that we may know our guest."</p>
+
+    <p>Then Frithiof threw aside his bearskin, and appeared clad in
+    a mantle of blue embroidered velvet, and his hair fell like a
+    golden wave upon his shoulder.</p>
+
+    <p>Ring did not know him, but Ingebjorg did; and when she
+    handed the goblet for him to drink, her color went and came
+    "like to the northern light on a field of snow."</p>
+
+    <p>And Frithiof stayed at the court, until the year came round
+    again, and spring once more put forth its early blossoms.</p>
+
+    <p>One day a gay hunting train went forth, but old King Ring,
+    not being strong, as in former years, lay down to rest upon the
+    mossy turf beneath some arching pines, while the hunters rode
+    on.</p>
+
+    <p>Then Frithiof drew near, and in his heart wild thoughts
+    arose. One blow of his sword, and Ingebjorg was free to be his
+    wife.</p>
+
+    <p>But as he looked upon the sleeping King, there came a
+    whisper from a better voice, "It is cowardly to strike a
+    sleeping foe."</p>
+
+    <p>And Frithiof shuddered, for he was too brave a man to commit
+    murder.</p>
+
+    <p>"Sleep on, old man," he muttered gently to himself.</p>
+
+    <p>But Ring's sleep was over. He started up. "O Frithiof why
+    hast thou come hither to steal an old man's
+    bride?"</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page381"
+       id="page381"></a>[pg 381]</span>
+
+    <p>"I came not hither for so dark a purpose," answered
+    Frithiof; "I came but to look on the face of my loved Ingebjorg
+    once more."</p>
+
+    <p>"I know it," replied the King; "I have tried thee, I have
+    proved thee, and true as tried steel hast thou passed through
+    the furnace. Stay with us yet a little longer, the old man soon
+    will be gathered to his fathers, then shall his kingdom and his
+    wife be thine."</p>
+
+    <p>But Frithiof replied that he had already remained too long,
+    and that on the morrow he must depart.</p>
+
+    <p>Yet he went not; for death had visited the palace, and old
+    King Ring was stretched upon his bier, while the bards around
+    sang of his wisdom.</p>
+
+    <p>Then arose a cry among the people, "We must choose a
+    king!"</p>
+
+    <p>And Frithiof raised aloft upon his shield the little son of
+    Ring.</p>
+
+    <p>"Here is your king," he said, "the son of wise old
+    Ring."</p>
+
+    <p>The blue-eyed child laughed and clapped his hands as he
+    beheld the glittering helmets and glancing spears of the
+    warriors. Then tired of his high place, he sprang down into the
+    midst of them.</p>
+
+    <p>Loud uprose the shout, "The child shall be our king, and the
+    Jarl Frithiof regent. Hail to the young King of the
+    Northmen!"</p>
+
+    <h3>VIII</h3>
+
+    <p>But Frithiof in the hour of his good fortune did not forget
+    that he had offended the gods. He must make atonement to Baldur
+    for having caused the ruin of his temple. He must turn his
+    steps once more homeward.</p>
+
+    <p>Home! Home! And on his father's grave he sank down with a
+    softened heart, and grieved over the passion and revenge that
+    had swayed his deeds. And as he mourned, the voices of unseen
+    spirits answered him, and whispered that he was forgiven.</p>
+
+    <p>And to his wondering eyes a vision was vouchsafed, and the
+    temple of Baldur appeared before him, rebuilt in more than its
+    ancient splendor, and deep peace sank into the soul of
+    Frithiof.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page382"
+       id="page382"></a>[pg 382]</span>
+
+    <p>"Rise up, rise up, Frithiof, and journey onward."</p>
+
+    <p>The words came clear as a command to Frithiof, and he obeyed
+    them. He rose up, and journeyed to the place where he had left
+    the temple a heap of blackened ruins.</p>
+
+    <p>And, lo! the vision that had appeared to him was
+    accomplished, for there stood the beautiful building, stately
+    and fair to look upon. So beautiful, that, as he gazed, his
+    thoughts were of Valhalla.</p>
+
+    <p>He entered, and the white-robed, silver-bearded priest
+    welcomed the long-absent viking, and told him that Helgi was
+    dead, and Halfdan reigned alone.</p>
+
+    <p>"And know, O Frithiof," said the aged man, "that Baldur is
+    better pleased when the heart grows soft and injuries are
+    forgiven, than with the most costly sacrifices. Lay aside
+    forever all thoughts of hatred and revenge, and stretch out to
+    Halfdan the hand of friendship."</p>
+
+    <p>Joy had softened all Frithiofs feelings of anger, and,
+    advancing to Halfdan, who was standing near the altar, he spoke
+    out manfully.</p>
+
+    <p>"Halfdan," he said, "let us forget the years that have gone
+    by. Let all past evil and injury be buried in the grave.
+    Henceforth let us be as brothers, and once more I ask thee,
+    give me Ingebjorg to be my wife."</p>
+
+    <p>And Halfdan made answer, "Thou shalt be my brother."</p>
+
+    <p>And as he spoke, an inner door flew open, and a sweet chorus
+    of youthful voices was heard. A band of maidens issued forth,
+    and at their head walked Ingebjorg, fairer than ever.</p>
+
+    <p>Then Halfdan, leading her to Frithiof, placed her hand
+    within that of the viking.</p>
+
+    <p>"Behold thy wife," said Halfdan. "Well hast thou won her.
+    May the gods attend upon your bridal."</p>
+
+    <p>So Ingebjorg became the wife of Frithiof at last.</p>
+
+    <p>Thus steps of sorrow had but led them to a height of
+    happiness that poets love to sing. Paths thick with thorns had
+    blossomed into roses, and wreaths of everlasting flowers had
+    crowned the winter snows. And midst the lights and shadows of
+    the old Northland, their lives flowed on like to two united
+    streams that roll through quiet pastures to the ocean of
+    eternity.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page383"
+       id="page383"></a>[pg 383]</span>
+
+    <h3>HAVELOK</h3>
+
+    <h4>ADAPTED BY GEORGE W. COX AND E.H. JONES</h4>
+
+    <p>There was once a King of England named Athelwold. Earl,
+    baron, thane, knight, and bondsman, all loved him; for he set
+    on high the wise and the just man, and put down the spoiler and
+    the robber. At that time a man might carry gold about with him,
+    as much as fifty pounds, and not fear loss. Traders and
+    merchants bought and sold at their ease without danger of
+    plunder. But it was bad for the evil person and for such as
+    wrought shame, for they had to lurk and hide away from the
+    King's wrath; yet was it unavailing, for he searched out the
+    evil-doer and punished him, wherever he might be. The
+    fatherless and the widow found a sure friend in the King; he
+    turned not away from the complaint of the helpless, but avenged
+    them against the oppressor, were he never so strong. Kind was
+    he to the poor, neither at any time thought he the fine bread
+    upon his own table too good to give to the hungry.</p>
+
+    <p>But a death-sickness fell on King Athelwold, and when he
+    knew that his end was near he was greatly troubled, for he had
+    one little daughter of tender age, named Goldborough, and he
+    grieved to leave her.</p>
+
+    <p>"O my little daughter, heir to all the land, yet so young
+    thou canst not walk upon it; so helpless that thou canst not
+    tell thy wants and yet hast need to give commandment like a
+    queen! For myself I would not care, being old and not afraid to
+    die. But I had hoped to live till thou shouldst be of age to
+    wield the kingdom; to see thee ride on horseback through the
+    land, and round about a thousand knights to do thy bidding.
+    Alas, my little child, what will become of thee when I am
+    gone?"</p>
+
+    <p>Then King Athelwold summoned his earls and barons, from
+    Roxborough to Dover, to come and take counsel with him as he
+    lay a-dying on his bed at Winchester. And when they all wept
+    sore at seeing the King so near his end, he said, "Weep not,
+    good friends, for since I am brought to death's door your tears
+    can in nowise deliver me; but rather give me your counsel. My
+    little daughter that after me shall be your queen; tell me
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page384"
+       id="page384"></a>[pg 384]</span> in whose charge I may
+       safely leave both her and England till she be grown of age
+       to rule?"</p>
+
+    <p>And with one accord they answered him, "In the charge of
+    Earl Godrich of Cornwall, for he is a right wise and a just
+    man, and held in fear of all the land. Let him be ruler till
+    our queen be grown."</p>
+
+    <p>Then the King sent for a fair linen cloth, and thereon
+    having laid the mass-book and the chalice and the paton, he
+    made Earl Godrich swear upon the holy bread and wine to be a
+    true and faithful guardian of his child, without blame or
+    reproach, tenderly to entreat her, and justly to govern the
+    realm till she should be twenty winters old; then to seek out
+    the best, the bravest, and the strongest man as husband for her
+    and deliver up the kingdom to her hand. And when Earl Godrich
+    had so sworn, the King shrived him clean of all his sins. Then
+    having received his Saviour he folded his hands, saying,
+    "Domine, in manus tuas;" and so he died.</p>
+
+    <p>There was sorrow and mourning among all the people for the
+    death of good King Athelwold. Many the mass that was sung for
+    him and the psalter that was said for his soul's rest. The
+    bells tolled and the priests sang, and the people wept; and
+    they gave him a kingly burial.</p>
+
+    <p>Then Earl Godrich began to govern the kingdom; and all the
+    nobles and all the churls, both free and thrall, came and did
+    allegiance to him. He set in all the castles strong knights in
+    whom he could trust, and appointed justices and sheriffs and
+    peace-sergeants in all the shires. So he ruled the country with
+    a firm hand, and not a single wight dare disobey his word, for
+    all England feared him. Thus, as the years went on, the earl
+    waxed wonderly strong and very rich.</p>
+
+    <p>Goldborough, the King's daughter, throve and grew up the
+    fairest woman in all the land, and she was wise in all manner
+    of wisdom that is good and to be desired. But when the time
+    drew on that Earl Godrich should give up the kingdom to her, he
+    began to think within himself&mdash;"Shall I, that have ruled
+    so long, give up the kingdom to a girl, and let her be queen
+    and lady over me? And to what end? All these strong earls and
+    barons, governed by a weaker hand than mine, would throw off
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page385"
+       id="page385"></a>[pg 385]</span> the yolk and split up
+       England into little baronies, evermore fighting betwixt
+       themselves for mastery. There would cease to be a kingdom,
+       and so there would cease to be a queen. She cannot rule it,
+       and she shall not have it. Besides, I have a son. Him will I
+       teach to rule and make him king."</p>
+
+    <p>So the earl let his oath go for nothing, and went to
+    Winchester where the maiden was, and fetched her away and
+    carried her off to Dover to a castle that is by the seashore.
+    Therein he shut her up and dressed her in poor clothes, and fed
+    her on scanty fare; neither would he let any of her friends
+    come near her.</p>
+
+    <p>Now there was in Denmark a certain King called Birkabeyn,
+    who had three children, two daughters and a son. And Birkabeyn
+    fell sick, and knowing that death had stricken him, he called
+    for Godard, whom he thought his truest friend, and said,
+    "Godard, here I commend my children to thee. Care for them, I
+    pray thee, and bring them up as befits the children of a king.
+    When the boy is grown and can bear a helm upon his head and
+    wield a spear, I charge thee to make him king of Denmark. Till
+    then hold my estate and royalty in charge for him." And Godard
+    swore to guard the children zealously, and to give up the
+    kingdom to the boy. Then Birkabeyn died and was buried. But no
+    sooner was the King laid in his grave than Godard despised his
+    oath; for he took the children, Havelok and his two little
+    sisters, Swanborough and Helfled, and shut them up in a castle
+    with barely clothes to cover them. And Havelok, the eldest, was
+    scarce three years old.</p>
+
+    <p>One day Godard came to see the children, and found them all
+    crying of hunger and cold; and he said angrily, "How now! What
+    is all this crying about?" The boy Havelok answered him, "We
+    are very hungry, for we get scarce anything to eat. Is there no
+    more corn, that men cannot make bread and give us? We are very
+    hungry." But his little sisters only sat shivering with the
+    cold, and sobbing, for they were too young to be able to speak.
+    The cruel Godard cared not. He went to where the little girls
+    sat, and drew his knife, and took them one after another and
+    cut their throats. Havelok, seeing this sorry sight, was
+    terribly afraid, and fell down on his knees begging Godard to
+    spare his life. So earnestly he pleaded that
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page386"
+       id="page386"></a>[pg 386]</span> Godard was fain to listen:
+       and listening he looked upon the knife, red with the
+       children's blood; and when he saw the still, dead faces of
+       the little ones he had slain, and looked upon their
+       brother's tearful face praying for life, his cruel courage
+       failed him quite. He laid down the knife. He would that
+       Havelok were dead, but feared to slay him for the silence
+       that would come. So the boy pleaded on; and Godard stared at
+       him as though his wits were gone; then turned upon his heel
+       and came out from the castle. "Yet," he thought, "if I
+       should let him go, one day he may wreak me mischief and
+       perchance seize the crown. But if he dies, my children will
+       be lords of Denmark after me." Then Godard sent for a
+       fisherman whose name was Grim, and he said, "Grim, you know
+       you are my bondsman. Do now my bidding, and to-morrow I
+       shall make thee free and give thee gold and land. Take this
+       child with thee to-night when thou goest a fishing, and at
+       moonrise cast him in the sea, with a good anchor fast about
+       his neck to keep him down. To-day I am thy master and the
+       sin is mine. To-morrow thou art free."</p>
+
+    <p>Then Grim took up the child and bound him fast, and having
+    thrust a gag into his mouth so that he could not speak, he put
+    him in a bag and took him on his back and carried him home.
+    When Grim got home his wife took the bag from off his shoulders
+    and cast it upon the ground within doors; and Grim told her of
+    his errand. Now as it drew to midnight he said, "Rise up, wife,
+    and blow up the fire to light a candle, and get me my clothes,
+    for I must be stirring." But when the woman came into the room
+    where Havelok lay, she saw a bright light round the boy's head,
+    like a sunbeam, and she called to her husband to come and see.
+    And when he came they both marveled at the light and what it
+    might mean, for it was very bright and shining. Then they
+    unbound Havelok and took away the gag, and turning down his
+    shirt they found a king-mark fair and plain upon his right
+    shoulder. "God help us, wife," said Grim, "but this is surely
+    the heir of Denmark, son of Birkabeyn our King! Ay, and he
+    shall be King in spite of Godard." Then Grim fell down at the
+    boy's feet and said, "Forgive me, my King, that I knew thee
+    not. We are thy subjects and henceforth will feed and clothe
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page387"
+       id="page387"></a>[pg 387]</span> thee till thou art grown a
+       man and can bear shield and spear. Then deal thou kindly by
+       me and mine, as I shall deal with thee. But fear not Godard.
+       He shall never know, and I shall be a bondsman still, for I
+       will never be free till thou, my King, shall set me
+       free."</p>
+
+    <p>Then was Havelok very glad, and he sat up and begged for
+    bread. And they hastened and fetched bread and cheese and
+    butter and milk; and for very hunger the boy ate up the whole
+    loaf, for he was well-nigh famished. And after he had eaten,
+    Grim made a fair bed and undressed Havelok and laid him down to
+    rest, saying, "Sleep, my son; sleep fast and sound and have no
+    care, for nought shall harm thee."</p>
+
+    <p>On the morrow Grim went to Godard, and telling him he had
+    drowned the boy, asked for his reward. But Godard bade him go
+    home and remain a bondsman, and be thankful that he was not
+    hanged for so wicked a deed. After a while Grim, beginning to
+    fear that both himself and Havelok might be slain, sold all his
+    goods, his corn, and cattle, and fowls, and made ready his
+    little ship, tarring and pitching it till not a seam nor a
+    crack could be found, and setting a good mast and sail therein.
+    Then with his wife, his three sons, his two daughters, and
+    Havelok, he entered into the ship and sailed away from Denmark;
+    and a strong north wind arose and drove the vessel to England,
+    and carried it up the Humber so far as Lindesay, where it
+    grounded on the sands. Grim got out of the boat with his wife
+    and children and Havelok, and then drew it ashore.</p>
+
+    <p>On the shore he built a house of earth and dwelt therein,
+    and from that time the place was called Grimsby, after
+    Grim.</p>
+
+    <p>Grim did not want for food, for he was a good fisherman both
+    with net and hook, and he would go out in his boat and catch
+    all manner of fish&mdash;sturgeons, turbot, salmon, cod,
+    herrings, mackerel, flounders, and lampreys, and he never came
+    home empty-handed. He had four baskets made for himself and his
+    sons, and in these they used to carry the fish to Lincoln, to
+    sell them, coming home laden with meat and meal, and hemp and
+    rope to make new nets and lines. Thus they lived for twelve
+    years. But Havelok saw that Grim worked very hard, and being
+    now grown a strong lad, he bethought him "I eat more than Grim
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page388"
+       id="page388"></a>[pg 388]</span> and all his five children
+       together, and yet do nothing to earn the bread. I will no
+       longer be idle, for it is a shame for a man not to work." So
+       he got Grim to let him have a basket like the rest, and next
+       day took it out heaped with fish, and sold them well,
+       bringing home silver money for them. After that he never
+       stopped at home idle. But soon there arose a great dearth,
+       and corn grew so dear that they could not take fish enough
+       to buy bread for all. Then Havelok, since he needed so much
+       to eat, determined that he would no longer be a burden to
+       the fisherman. So Grim made him a coat of a piece of an old
+       sail, and Havelok set off to Lincoln barefoot to seek for
+       work.</p>
+
+    <p>It so befell that Earl Godrich's cook, Bertram, wanted a
+    scullion, and took Havelok into his service. There was plenty
+    to eat and plenty to do. Havelok drew water and chopped wood,
+    and brought twigs to make fires, and carried heavy tubs and
+    dishes, but was always merry and blythe. Little children loved
+    to play with him; and grown knights and nobles would stop to
+    talk and laugh with him, although he wore nothing but rags of
+    old sail-cloth which scarcely covered his great limbs, and all
+    admired how fair and strong a man God had made him. The cook
+    liked Havelok so much that he bought him new clothes, with
+    shoes and hose; and when Havelok put them on, no man in the
+    kingdom seemed his peer for strength and beauty. He was the
+    tallest man in Lincoln, and the strongest in England.</p>
+
+    <p>Earl Godrich assembled a Parliament in Lincoln, and
+    afterward held games. Strong men and youths came to try for
+    mastery at the game of putting the stone. It was a mighty
+    stone, the weight of an heifer. He was a stalwart man who could
+    lift it to his knee, and few could stir it from the ground. So
+    they strove together, and he who put the stone an inch farther
+    than the rest was to be made champion. But Havelok, though he
+    had never seen the like before, took up the heavy stone, and
+    put it twelve feet beyond the rest, and after that none would
+    contend with him. Now this matter being greatly talked about,
+    it came to the ears of Earl Godrich, who bethought
+    him&mdash;"Did not Athelwold bid me marry his daughter to the
+    strongest man alive? In truth, I will marry her to this cook's
+    scullion. That will abase her pride; and when she is wedded to
+    a bondsman she <span class="pagenum"><a name="page389"
+       id="page389"></a>[pg 389]</span> will be powerless to injure
+       me. That will be better than shutting her up; better than
+       killing her." So he sent and brought Goldborough to Lincoln,
+       and set the bells ringing, and pretended great joy, for he
+       said, "Goldborough, I am going to marry thee to the fairest
+       and stalwartest man living." But Goldborough answered she
+       would never wed any one but a king. "Ay, ay, my girl; and so
+       thou wouldst be queen and lady over me? But thy father made
+       me swear to give thee to the strongest man in England, and
+       that is Havelok, the cook's scullion; so willing or not
+       willing to-morrow thou shalt wed." Then the earl sent for
+       Havelok and said, "Master, will you marry?" "Not I," said
+       Havelok; "for I cannot feed nor clothe a wife. I have no
+       house, no cloth, no victuals. The very clothes I wear do not
+       belong to me, but to Bertram the cook, as I do." "So much
+       the better," said the earl; "but thou shalt either wed her
+       that I shall bring thee, or else hang from a tree. So
+       choose." Then Havelok said he would sooner wed. Earl Godrich
+       went back to Goldborough and threatened her with burning at
+       the stake unless she yielded to his bidding. So, thinking it
+       God's will, the maid consented. And on the morrow they were
+       wed by the Archbishop of York, who had come down to the
+       Parliament, and the earl told money out upon the mass-book
+       for her dower.</p>
+
+    <p>Now after he was wed, Havelok knew not what to do, for he
+    saw how greatly Earl Godrich hated him. He thought he would go
+    and see Grim. When he got to Grimsby he found that Grim was
+    dead, but his children welcomed Havelok and begged him bring
+    his wife thither, since they had gold and silver and cattle.
+    And when Goldborough came, they made a feast, sparing neither
+    flesh nor fowl, wine nor ale. And Grim's sons and daughters
+    served Havelok and Goldborough.</p>
+
+    <p>Sorrowfully Goldborough lay down at night, for her heart was
+    heavy at thinking she had wedded a bondsman. But as she fretted
+    she saw a light, very bright like a blaze of fire, which came
+    out of Havelok's mouth. And she thought, "Of a truth but he
+    must be nobly born." Then she looked on his shoulder, and saw
+    the king mark, like a fair cross of red gold, and at the same
+    time she heard an angel
+    say&mdash;</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page390"
+       id="page390"></a>[pg 390]</span>
+
+    <p>"Goldborough, leave sorrowing, for Havelok is a king's son,
+    and shall be king of England and of Denmark, and thou
+    queen."</p>
+
+    <p>Then was Goldborough glad, and kissed Havelok, who,
+    straightway waking, said, "I have had a strange dream. I
+    dreamed I was on a high hill, whence I could see all Denmark;
+    and I thought as I looked that it was all mine. Then I was
+    taken up and carried over the salt sea to England, and
+    methought I took all the country and shut it within my hand."
+    And Goldborough said, "What a good dream is this! Rejoice, for
+    it means that thou shalt be king of England and of Denmark.
+    Take now my counsel and get Grim's sons to go with thee to
+    Denmark."</p>
+
+    <p>In the morning Havelok went to the church and prayed to God
+    to speed him in his undertaking. Then he came home and found
+    Grim's three sons just going off fishing. Their names were
+    Robert the Red, William Wendut, and Hugh Raven. He told them
+    who he was, how Godard had slain his sisters, and delivered him
+    over to Grim to be drowned, and how Grim had fled with him to
+    England. Then Havelok asked them to go with him to Denmark,
+    promising to make them rich men. To this they gladly agreed,
+    and having got ready their ship and victualed it, they set sail
+    with Havelok and his wife for Denmark. The place of their
+    landing was hard by the castle of a Danish earl named Ubbe, who
+    had been a faithful friend to King Birkabeyn. Havelok went to
+    Earl Ubbe, with a gold ring for a present, asking leave to buy
+    and sell goods from town to town in that part of the country.
+    Ubbe, beholding the tall, broad-shouldered, thick-chested man,
+    so strong and cleanly made, thought him more fit for a knight
+    than for a peddler. He bade Havelok bring his wife and come and
+    eat with him at his table. So Havelok went to fetch
+    Goldborough, and Robert the Red and William Wendut led her
+    between them till they came to the castle, where Ubbe, with a
+    great company of knights, welcomed them gladly. Havelok stood a
+    head taller than any of the knights, and when they sat at table
+    Ubbe's wife ate with him, and Goldborough with Ubbe. It was a
+    great feast, and after the feast Ubbe sent Havelok and his
+    friends <span class="pagenum"><a name="page391"
+       id="page391"></a>[pg 391]</span> to Bernard Brown, bidding
+       him take care of them till next day. So Bernard received the
+       guests and gave them a fine supper.</p>
+
+    <p>Now in the night there came sixty-one thieves to Bernard's
+    house. Each had a drawn sword and a long knife, and they called
+    to Bernard to undo the door. He started up and armed himself,
+    and told them to go away. But the thieves defied him, and with
+    a great boulder broke down the door. Then Havelok, hearing the
+    din, rose up, and seizing the bar of the door stood on the
+    threshold and threw the door wide open, saying, "Come in, I am
+    ready for you!" First came three against him with their swords,
+    but Havelok slew these with the door bar at a single blow; the
+    fourth man's crown he broke; he smote the fifth upon the
+    shoulders, the sixth athwart the neck, and the seventh on the
+    breast; so they fell dead. Then the rest drew back and began to
+    fling their swords like darts at Havelok, till they had wounded
+    him in twenty places. In spite of that, in a little while he
+    had killed a score of the thieves. Then Hugh Raven, waking up,
+    called Robert and William Wendut. One seized a staff, each of
+    the others a piece of timber as big as his thigh, and Bernard
+    his axe, and all three ran out to help Havelok. So well did
+    Havelok and his fellows fight, breaking ribs and arms and
+    shanks, and cracking crowns, that not a thief of all the
+    sixty-one was left alive. Next morning, when Ubbe rode past and
+    saw the sixty-one dead bodies, and heard what Havelok had done,
+    he sent and brought both him and Goldborough to his own castle,
+    and fetched a leech to tend his wounds, and would not hear of
+    his going away; for, said he, "This man is better than a
+    thousand knights."</p>
+
+    <p>Now that same night, after he had gone to bed, Ubbe awoke
+    about midnight and saw a great light shining from the chamber
+    where Havelok and Goldborough lay. He went softly to the door
+    and peeped in to see what it meant. They were lying fast
+    asleep, and the light was streaming from Havelok's mouth. Ubbe
+    went and called his knights, and they also came in and saw this
+    marvel. It was brighter than a hundred burning tapers; bright
+    enough to count money by. Havelok lay on his left side with his
+    back towards them, uncovered to the waist; and
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page392"
+       id="page392"></a>[pg 392]</span> they saw the king-mark on
+       his right shoulder sparkle like shining gold and carbuncle.
+       Then knew they that it was King Birkabeyn's son, and seeing
+       how like he was to his father, they wept for joy. Thereupon
+       Havelok awoke, and all fell down and did him homage, saying
+       he should be their king. On the morrow Ubbe sent far and
+       wide and gathered together earl and baron, dreng [servant]
+       and thane, clerk, knight and burgess, and told them all the
+       treason of Godard, and how Havelok had been nurtured and
+       brought up by Grim in England. Then he showed them their
+       King, and the people shouted for joy at having so fair and
+       strong a man to rule them. And first Ubbe sware fealty to
+       Havelok, and after him the others both great and small. And
+       the sheriffs and constables and all that held castles in
+       town or burg came out and promised to be faithful to him.
+       Then Ubbe drew his sword and dubbed Havelok a knight, and
+       set a crown upon his head and made him King. And at the
+       crowning they held merry sports&mdash;jousting with sharp
+       spears, tilting at the shield, wrestling, and putting the
+       shot. There were harpers and pipers and gleemen with their
+       tabors; and for forty days a feast was held with rich meats
+       in plenty and the wine flowed like water. And first the King
+       made Robert and William Wendut and Hugh Raven barons, and
+       gave them land and fee. Then when the feast was done, he set
+       out with a thousand knights and five thousand sergeants to
+       seek for Godard. Godard was a-hunting with a great company
+       of men, and Robert riding on a good steed found him and bade
+       him to come to the King. Godard smote him and set on his
+       knights to fight with Robert and the King's men. They fought
+       till ten of Godard's men were slain; the rest began to flee.
+       "Turn again, O knights!" cried Godard; "I have fed you and
+       shall feed you yet. Forsake me not in such a plight." So
+       they turned about and fought again. But the King's men slew
+       every one of them, and took Godard and bound him and brought
+       him to Havelok. Then King Havelok summoned all his nobles to
+       sit in judgment and say what should be done to such a
+       traitor. And they said, "Let him be dragged to the gallows
+       at the mare's tail, and hanged by the heels in fetters, with
+       this writing over him: 'This is he that drove the King out
+       of the <span class="pagenum"><a name="page393"
+       id="page393"></a>[pg 393]</span> land, and took the life of
+       the King's sisters.'" So Godard suffered his doom, and none
+       pitied him.</p>
+
+    <p>Then Havelok gave his scepter into Earl Ubbe's hand to rule
+    Denmark on his behalf, and after that took ship and came to
+    Grimsby, where he built a priory for black monks to pray
+    evermore for the peace of Grim's soul. But when Earl Godrich
+    understood that Havelok and his wife were come to England, he
+    gathered together a great army at Lincoln on the 17th of March,
+    and came to Grimsby to fight with Havelok and his knights. It
+    was a great battle, wherein more than a thousand knights were
+    slain. The field was covered with pools of blood. Hugh Raven
+    and his brothers, Robert and William, did valiantly and slew
+    many earls; but terrible was Earl Godrich to the Danes, for his
+    sword was swift and deadly. Havelok came to him and reminding
+    him of the oath he sware to Athelwold that Goldborough should
+    be queen, bade him yield the land. But Godrich defied him, and
+    running forward with his heavy sword cut Havelok's shield in
+    two. Then Havelok smote him to the earth with a blow upon the
+    helm; but Godrich arose and wounded him upon the shoulder, and
+    Havelok, smarting with the cut, ran upon his enemy and hewed
+    off his right hand. Then he took Earl Godrich and bound him and
+    sent him to the Queen. And when the English knew that
+    Goldborough was the heir of Athelwold, they laid by their
+    swords and came and asked pardon of the Queen. And with one
+    accord they took Earl Godrich and bound him to a stake and
+    burned him to ashes, for the great outrage he had done.</p>
+
+    <p>Then all the English nobles came and sware fealty to Havelok
+    and crowned him King in London. Of Grim's two daughters,
+    Havelok wedded Gunild, the elder, to Earl Reyner of Chester;
+    and Levive, the younger, fair as a new rose blossom opening to
+    the sun, he married to Bertram, the cook, whom he made Earl of
+    Cornwall in the room of Godrich.</p>
+
+    <p>Sixty years reigned Havelok and Goldborough in England, and
+    they had fifteen children, who all became kings and queens. All
+    the world spake of the great love that was between them. Apart,
+    neither knew joy or happiness. They never grew weary of each
+    other, for their love was ever
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page394"
+       id="page394"></a>[pg 394]</span> new; and not a word of
+       anger passed between them all their lives.</p>
+
+    <h3>THE VIKINGS</h3>
+
+    <h4>ADAPTED BY MARY MACGREGOR</h4>
+
+    <h3>I</h3>
+
+    <h3>CHARACTERS OF THE VIKINGS</h3>
+
+    <p>In Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, in all the villages and
+    towns around the shores of the Baltic, the viking race was
+    born.</p>
+
+    <p>It has been said that the name "vikings" was first given to
+    those Northmen who dwelt in a part of Denmark called Viken.
+    However that may be, it was the name given to all the Northmen
+    who took to a wild, sea-roving life, because they would often
+    seek shelter with their boats in one or another of the numerous
+    bays which abounded along their coasts.</p>
+
+    <p>Thus the vikings were not by any means all kings, as you
+    might think from their name; yet among them were many chiefs of
+    royal descent. These, although they had neither subjects nor
+    kingdoms over which to rule, no sooner stepped on board a
+    viking's boat to take command of the crew, than they were given
+    title of king.</p>
+
+    <p>The Northmen did not, however, spend all their lives in
+    harrying and burning other countries. When the seas were quiet
+    in the long, summer days, they would go off, as I have told
+    you, on their wild expeditions. But when summer was over, and
+    the seas began to grow rough and stormy, the viking bands would
+    go home with their booty and stay there, to build their houses,
+    reap their fields, and, when spring had come again, to sow
+    their grain in the hope of a plenteous harvest.</p>
+
+    <p>There was thus much that the viking lad had to learn beyond
+    the art of wielding the battle-axe, poising the spear, and
+    shooting an arrow straight to its mark. Even a free-born
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page395"
+       id="page395"></a>[pg 395]</span> yeoman's son had to work,
+       work as hard as had the slaves or thralls who were under
+       him.</p>
+
+    <p>The old history books, or Sagas, as the Norseman called
+    them, have, among other songs, this one about the duties of a
+    well-born lad:</p>
+
+    <div class="poem">
+        <div class="stanza">
+            <p>"He now learnt</p>
+
+            <p>To tame oxen</p>
+
+            <p>And till the ground,</p>
+
+            <p>To timber houses</p>
+
+            <p>And build barns,</p>
+
+            <p>To make carts</p>
+
+            <p>And form plows."</p>
+        </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <p>Indeed, it would have surprised you to see the fierce
+    warriors and mighty chiefs themselves laying aside their
+    weapons and working in the fields side by side with their
+    thralls, sowing, reaping, threshing. Yet this they did.</p>
+
+    <p>Even kings were often to be seen in the fields during the
+    busy harvest season. They would help their men to cut the
+    golden grain, and with their own royal hands help to fill the
+    barn when the field was reaped. To king and yeomen alike, work,
+    well done, was an honorable deed.</p>
+
+    <p>Long before the Sagas were written down, the stories of the
+    heroes were sung in halls and on battle-fields by the poets of
+    the nation. These poets were named skalds, and their rank among
+    the Northmen was high.</p>
+
+    <p>Sometimes the Sagas were sung in prose, at other times in
+    verse. Sometimes they were tales which had been handed down
+    from father to son for so many years that it was hard to tell
+    how much of them was history, how much fable. At other times
+    the Sagas were true accounts of the deeds of the Norse kings.
+    For the skalds were ofttimes to be seen on the battle-fields or
+    battleships of the vikings, and then their songs were of the
+    brave deeds which they had themselves seen done, of the
+    victories and defeats at which they themselves had been
+    present.</p>
+
+    <p>The battles which the vikings fought were fought on the sea
+    more frequently than on the land.</p>
+
+    <p>Their warships were called long-ships and were half-decked
+    The rowers sat in the center of the boat, which was low, so
+    that their oars could reach the water. Sails were used, either
+    red or painted in different stripes, red, blue, yellow, green.
+    These <span class="pagenum"><a name="page396"
+       id="page396"></a>[pg 396]</span> square, brightly colored
+       sails gave the boats a gay appearance which was increased by
+       the round shields which were hung outside the gunwale and
+       which were also painted red, black, or white. At the prow
+       there was usually a beautifully carved and gorgeously
+       painted figurehead. The stem and stern of the ships were
+       high. In the stern there was an upper deck, but in the
+       forepart of the vessel there was nothing but loose planks on
+       which the sailors could step. When a storm was raging or a
+       battle was being fought, the loose planks did not, as you
+       may imagine, offer a very firm foothold.</p>
+
+    <p>The boats were usually built long and pointed for the sake
+    of speed, and had seats for thirty rowers. Besides the rowers,
+    the long-boats could hold from sixty to one hundred and fifty
+    sailors.</p>
+
+    <h3>II</h3>
+
+    <h3>HARALD FAIRHAIR</h3>
+
+    <p>Harald Fairhair was one of the foremost of the kings of
+    Norway. He was so brave a Northman that he became king over the
+    whole of Norway. In eight hundred and sixty-one, when he began
+    to reign, Norway was divided into thirty-one little kingdoms,
+    over each of which ruled a little king. Harald Fairhair began
+    his reign by being one of these little kings.</p>
+
+    <p>Harald was only a boy, ten years of age, when he succeeded
+    his father; but as he grew up he became a very strong and
+    handsome man, as well as a very wise and prudent one. Indeed he
+    grew so strong that he fought with and vanquished five great
+    kings in one battle.</p>
+
+    <p>After this victory, Harald sent, so the old chronicles of
+    the kings of Norway say, some of his men to a princess named
+    Gyda, bidding them tell her that he wished to make her his
+    queen.</p>
+
+    <p>But Gyda wished to marry a king who ruled over a whole
+    country, rather than one who owned but a small part of Norway,
+    and this was the message she sent back to Harald:</p>
+
+    <p>"Tell Harald," said the maiden, "that I will agree to be his
+    wife if he will first, for my sake, subdue all Norway to
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page397"
+       id="page397"></a>[pg 397]</span> himself, for only thus
+       methinks can he be called the king of a people."</p>
+
+    <p>The messengers thought Gyda's words too bold, but when King
+    Harald heard them, he said, "It is wonderful that I did not
+    think of this before. And now I make a solemn vow and take God
+    to witness, who made me and rules over all things, that never
+    shall I clip or comb my hair until I have subdued the whole of
+    Norway with scat [land taxes], and duties, and domains."</p>
+
+    <p>Then, without delay, Harald assembled a great force and
+    prepared to conquer all the other little kings who were ruling
+    over the different parts of Norway.</p>
+
+    <p>In many districts the kings had no warning of Harald's
+    approach, and before they could collect an army they were
+    vanquished.</p>
+
+    <p>When their ruler was defeated, many of his subjects fled
+    from the country, manned their ships and sailed away on viking
+    expeditions. Others made peace with King Harald and became his
+    men.</p>
+
+    <p>Over each district, as he conquered it, Harald placed a jarl
+    or earl, that he might judge and do justice, and also that he
+    might collect the scat and fines which Harald had imposed upon
+    the conquered people. As the earls were given a third part of
+    the money they thus collected, they were well pleased to take
+    service with King Harald. And indeed they grew richer, and more
+    powerful too, than they had ever been before.</p>
+
+    <p>It took King Harald ten long years to do as he had vowed,
+    and make all Norway his own. During these years a great many
+    new bands of vikings were formed, and led by their chief or
+    king they left the country, not choosing to become King
+    Harald's men.</p>
+
+    <p>These viking bands went west, over the sea, to Shetland and
+    Orkney, to the Hebrides, and also to England, Scotland, and
+    Ireland.</p>
+
+    <p>During the winter they made their home in these lands, but
+    in summer they sailed to the coast of Norway and did much
+    damage to the towns that lay along the coast. Then, growing
+    bolder, they ventured inland, and because of their hatred
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page398"
+       id="page398"></a>[pg 398]</span> against King Harald, they
+       plundered and burned both towns and villages.</p>
+
+    <p>Meanwhile Harald, having fulfilled his vow, had his hair
+    combed and cut. It had grown so rough and tangled during these
+    ten years that his people had named him Harald Sufa, which
+    meant "Shock-headed Harald." Now, however, after his long,
+    yellow hair was combed and clipped, he was named Harald
+    Fairhair, and by this name he was ever after known. Nor did the
+    King forget Gyda, for whose sake he had made his vow. He sent
+    for her, and she, as she had promised, came to marry the King
+    of all Norway.</p>
+
+    <p>Now the raids of the vikings along the coasts of Norway
+    angered the King, and he determined that they should end. He
+    therefore set out with a large fleet in search of his
+    rebellious subjects.</p>
+
+    <p>These, when they heard of his approach, fled to their
+    long-ships and sailed out to sea. But Harald reached Shetland
+    and slew those vikings who had not fled, then, landing on the
+    Orkney Isles, he burned and plundered, sparing no Northman who
+    crossed his path. On the Hebrides King Harald met with worthy
+    foes, for here were many who had once themselves been kings in
+    Norway. In all the battles that he fought Harald was victorious
+    and gained much booty.</p>
+
+    <p>When he went back to Norway the King left one of his jarls
+    to carry on war against the inhabitants of Scotland. Caithness
+    and Sutherland were conquered by this jarl for Harald, and
+    thereafter many chiefs, both Norsemen and Danes, settled there.
+    While Harald Fairhair was ruling in Norway, a grandson of
+    Alfred the Great became king in England. His name was Athelstan
+    the Victorious. Now Athelstan liked to think that he was a
+    greater king than Harald Fairhair. It pleased him, too, to play
+    what seemed to him a clever trick on his rival across the
+    sea.</p>
+
+    <p>He sent a beautiful sword to Harald. Its hilt was covered
+    with gold and silver, and set with precious gems. When
+    Athelstan's messenger stood before the King of Norway he held
+    out the hilt of the sword toward him, saying "Here is a sword
+    that King Athelstan doth send to thee." Harald at once seized
+    it by the hilt. Then the messenger smiled and said, "Now shalt
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page399"
+       id="page399"></a>[pg 399]</span> thou be subject to the King
+       of England, for thou hast taken the sword by the hilt as he
+       desired thee." To take a sword thus was in those olden days
+       a sign of submission.</p>
+
+    <p>Then Harald was very angry, for he knew that Athelstan had
+    sent this gift only that he might mock him. He wished to punish
+    the messenger whom Athelstan had sent with the sword.
+    Nevertheless he remembered his habit whenever he got angry, to
+    first keep quiet and let his anger subside, and then look at
+    the matter calmly. By the time the prudent King had done this,
+    his anger had cooled, and Athelstan's messenger departed
+    unharmed.</p>
+
+    <p>But with Athelstan Harald still hoped to be equal.</p>
+
+    <p>The following summer he sent a ship to England. It was
+    commanded by Hauk, and into his hands Harald intrusted his
+    young son Hakon, whom he was sending to King Athelstan. For
+    what purpose you shall hear.</p>
+
+    <p>Hauk reached England safely, and found the King in London at
+    a feast. The captain boldly entered the hall where the feasters
+    sat, followed by thirty of his men, each one of whom had his
+    shield hidden under his cloak.</p>
+
+    <p>Carrying Prince Hakon, who was a child, in his arms, Hauk
+    stepped before the King and saluted him. Then before Athelstan
+    knew what he meant to do, Hauk, had placed the little prince on
+    the King's knee.</p>
+
+    <p>"Why hast thou done this?" said Athelstan to the bold
+    Northman.</p>
+
+    <p>"Harald of Norway asks thee to foster his child," answered
+    Hauk. But well he knew that his words would make the King of
+    England wroth. For one who became foster-father to a child was
+    usually of lower rank than the real father. This, you see, was
+    Harald's way of thanking Athelstan for his gift of the
+    sword.</p>
+
+    <p>Well, as Hauk expected, the King was very angry when he
+    heard why the little prince had been placed on his knee. He
+    drew his sword as though he would slay the child.</p>
+
+    <p>Hauk, however, was quite undisturbed, and said, "Thou hast
+    borne the child on thy knee, and thou canst murder him if thou
+    wilt, but thou canst not make an end of all King Harald's sons
+    by so doing."</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page400"
+       id="page400"></a>[pg 400]</span>
+
+    <p>Then the viking, with his men, left the hall and strode down
+    to the river, where they embarked, and at once set sail for
+    Norway.</p>
+
+    <p>When Hauk reached Norway and told the King all that he had
+    done, Harald was well content, for the King of England had been
+    forced to become the foster-father of his little son.</p>
+
+    <p>Athelstan's anger against his royal foster-child was soon
+    forgotten, and ere long he loved him better than any of his own
+    kin.</p>
+
+    <p>He ordered the priest to baptize the little prince, and to
+    teach him the true faith.</p>
+
+    <h3>III</h3>
+
+    <h3>THE SEA-FIGHT OF THE JOMSVIKINGS</h3>
+
+    <p>While King Harald was reigning in Denmark, he built on the
+    shores of the Baltic a fortress which he called Jomsburg. In
+    this fortress dwelt a famous band of vikings named the
+    Jomsvikings. It is one of their most famous sea-fights that I
+    am going to tell you now.</p>
+
+    <p>The leader of the band was Earl Sigvald, and a bold and
+    fearless leader he had proved himself.</p>
+
+    <p>It was at a great feast that Sigvald made the rash vow which
+    led to this mighty battle. After the horn of mead had been
+    handed round not once or twice only, Sigvald arose and vowed
+    that, before three winters had passed, he and his band would go
+    to Norway and either kill or chase Earl Hakon out of the
+    country.</p>
+
+    <p>In the morning Sigvald and his Jomsvikings perhaps felt that
+    they had vowed more than they were able to perform, yet it was
+    not possible to withdraw from the enterprise unless they were
+    willing to be called cowards. They therefore thought it would
+    be well to start without delay, that they might, if possible,
+    take Earl Hakon unawares.</p>
+
+    <p>In a short time therefore the Jomsviking fleet was ready,
+    and sixty warships sailed away toward Norway. No sooner did
+    they reach Earl Hakon's realms than they began to plunder and
+    burn along the coast. But while they gained booty, they lost
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page401"
+       id="page401"></a>[pg 401]</span> time. For Hakon, hearing of
+       their doings, at once split a war-arrow and sent it all over
+       the realm.</p>
+
+    <p>It was in this way that Hakon heard that the Jomsvikings
+    were in his land. In one village the vikings had, as they
+    thought, killed all the inhabitants. But unknown to them a man
+    had escaped with the loss of his hand, and hastening to the
+    shore he sailed away in a light boat in search of the earl.</p>
+
+    <p>Hakon was at dinner when the fugitive stood before him.</p>
+
+    <p>"Art thou sure that thou didst see the Jomsvikings?" asked
+    Hakon, when he had listened to the man's tidings.</p>
+
+    <p>For answer, the peasant stretched out the arm from which the
+    hand had been sundered, saying, "Here is the token that the
+    Jomsvikings are in the land."</p>
+
+    <p>It was then that Hakon sent the war-arrow throughout the
+    land and speedily gathered together a great force. Eric one of
+    his sons, also collected troops, but though the preparations
+    for war went on apace, the Jomsvikings heard nothing of them,
+    and still thought that they would take Earl Hakon by
+    surprise.</p>
+
+    <p>At length the vikings sailed into a harbor about twenty
+    miles north of a town called Stad. As they were in want of food
+    some of the band landed, and marched to the nearest village.
+    Here they slaughtered the men who could bear arms, burned the
+    houses, and drove all the cattle they could find before them
+    toward the shore.</p>
+
+    <p>On the way to their ships, however, they met a peasant who
+    said to them, "Ye are not doing like true warriors, to be
+    driving cows and calves down to the strand, while ye should be
+    giving chase to the bear, since ye are come near to the bear's
+    den." By the bear the peasant meant Earl Hakon, as the vikings
+    well knew.</p>
+
+    <p>"What says the man?" they all cried, together; "can he tell
+    us about Earl Hakon?"</p>
+
+    <p>"Yesternight he lay inside the island that you can see
+    yonder," said the peasant; "and you can slay him when you like,
+    for he is waiting for his men."</p>
+
+    <p>"Thou shalt have all this cattle," cried one of the vikings,
+    "if thou wilt show us the way to the jarl."</p>
+
+    <p>Then the peasant went on board the vikings' boat, and they
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page402"
+       id="page402"></a>[pg 402]</span> hastened to Sigvald to tell
+       him that the earl lay in a bay but a little way off.</p>
+
+    <p>The Jomsvikings armed themselves as if they were going to
+    meet a large army, which the peasant said was unnecessary, as
+    the earl had but few ships and men.</p>
+
+    <p>But no sooner had the Jomsvikings come within sight of the
+    bay than they knew that the peasant had deceived them. Before
+    them lay more than three hundred war-ships.</p>
+
+    <p>When the peasant saw that his trick was discovered he jumped
+    overboard, hoping to swim to shore. But one of the vikings
+    flung a spear after him, and the peasant sank and was seen no
+    more.</p>
+
+    <p>Now though the vikings had fewer ships than Earl Hakon, they
+    were larger and higher, and Sigvald hoped that this would help
+    them to gain the victory.</p>
+
+    <p>Slowly the fleets drew together and a fierce battle began.
+    At first Hakon's men fell in great numbers, for the Jomsvikings
+    fought with all their wonted strength. So many spears also were
+    aimed at Hakon himself that his armor was split asunder and he
+    threw it aside.</p>
+
+    <p>When the earl saw that the battle was going against him, he
+    called his sons together and said, "I dislike to fight against
+    these men, for I believe that none are their equals, and I see
+    that it will fare ill with us unless we hit upon some plan.
+    Stay here with the host and I will go ashore and see what can
+    be done."</p>
+
+    <p>Then the jarl went into the depths of a forest, and, sinking
+    on his knees, he prayed to the goddess Thorgerd. But when no
+    answer came to his cry, Hakon thought she was angry, and to
+    appease her wrath he sacrificed many precious things to her.
+    Yet still the goddess hid her face.</p>
+
+    <p>In his despair Hakon then promised to offer human
+    sacrifices, but no sign was given to him that his offering
+    would be accepted.</p>
+
+    <p>"Thou shalt have my son, my youngest son Erling!" cried the
+    King, and then at length, so it seemed to Hakon, Thorgerd was
+    satisfied. He therefore gave his son, who was but seven years
+    old, to his thrall, and bade him offer the child as a sacrifice
+    to the goddess.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page403"
+       id="page403"></a>[pg 403]</span>
+
+    <p>Then Hakon went back to his ships, and lo! as the battle
+    raged, the sky began to grow dark though it was but noon, and a
+    storm arose and a heavy shower of hail fell. The hail was
+    driven by the wind in the faces of the vikings, and flashes of
+    lightning blinded them and loud peals of thunder made them
+    afraid. But a short time before the warriors had flung aside
+    their garments because of the heat; now the cold was so intense
+    that they could scarce hold their weapons.</p>
+
+    <p>While the storm raged, Hakon praised the gods and encouraged
+    his men to fight more fiercely. Then, as the battle went
+    against them, the Jomsvikings saw in the clouds a troll, or
+    fiend. In each finger the troll held an arrow, which, as it
+    seemed to them, always hit and killed a man.</p>
+
+    <p>Sigvald saw that his men were growing fearful, and he, too;
+    felt that the gods were against them. "It seems to me," he
+    said, "that it is not men whom we have to fight to-day but
+    fiends, and it requires some manliness to go boldly against
+    them."</p>
+
+    <p>But now the storm abated, and once more the vikings began to
+    conquer. Then the earl cried again to Thorgerd, saying that now
+    he deserved victory, for he had sacrificed to her his youngest
+    son.</p>
+
+    <p>Then once more the storm-cloud crept over the sky and a
+    terrific storm of hail beat upon the vikings, and now they saw,
+    not in the clouds, but in Hakon's ship, two trolls, and they
+    were speeding arrows among the enemies of Hakon.</p>
+
+    <p>Even Sigvald, the renowned leader of the Jomsvikings, could
+    not stand before these unknown powers. He called to his men to
+    flee, for, said he, "we did not vow to fight against fiends,
+    but against men."</p>
+
+    <p>But though Sigvald sailed away with thirty-five ships, there
+    were some of his men who scorned to flee even from fiends.
+    Twenty-five ships stayed behind to continue the fight.</p>
+
+    <p>The viking Bui was commander of one of these. His ship was
+    boarded by Hakon's men, whereupon he took one of his
+    treasures-chests in either hand and jumped into the sea. As he
+    jumped he cried, "Overboard, all Bui's men," and neither he nor
+    those who followed him were ever seen again.</p>
+
+    <p>Before the day was ended, Sigvald's brother had also sailed
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page404"
+       id="page404"></a>[pg 404]</span> away with twenty-four
+       boats, so that there was left but one boat out of all the
+       Jomsvikings' fleet. It was commanded by the viking Vagn.</p>
+
+    <p>Earl Hakon sent his son Eric to board this boat, and after a
+    brave fight it was captured, for Vagn's men were stiff and
+    weary with their wounds, and could scarce wield their
+    battle-axes or spears.</p>
+
+    <p>With thirty-six of his men Vagn was taken prisoner and
+    brought to land, and thus Earl Hakon had defeated the famous
+    vikings of Jomsburg. The victory was due, as Hakon at least
+    believed, to the aid of the goddess Thorgerd.</p>
+
+    <p>When the weapons and other booty which they had taken had
+    been divided among the men, Earl Hakon and his chiefs sat down
+    in their warbooths and appointed a man named Thorkel to behead
+    the prisoners.</p>
+
+    <p>Eighteen were beheaded ere the headsman came to Vagn. Now,
+    as he had a dislike to this brave viking, Thorkel rushed at
+    him, holding his sword in both hands. But Vagn threw himself
+    suddenly at Thorkel's feet, whereupon the headsman tripped over
+    him. In a moment Vagn was on his feet, Thorkel's sword in his
+    hand, and before any one could stop him he had slain his
+    enemy.</p>
+
+    <p>Then Earl Eric, Hakon's son, who loved brave men, said,
+    "Vagn, wilt thou accept life?"</p>
+
+    <p>"That I will," said the bold viking, "if thou give it to all
+    of us who are still alive."</p>
+
+    <p>"Loose the prisoners!" cried the young earl, and it was
+    done. Thus of the famous band of Jomsvikings twelve yet lived
+    to do many a valiant deed in days to come.</p>
+
+    <p>&nbsp;</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page405"
+       id="page405"></a>[pg 405]</span>
+
+    <h2>HERO OF GERMANY</h2>
+
+    <h3>SIEGFRIED</h3>
+
+    <h4>ADAPTED BY MARY MACGREGOR</h4>
+
+    <h3>I</h3>
+
+    <h3>MIMER THE BLACKSMITH</h3>
+
+    <p>Siegfried was born a prince and grew to be a hero, a hero
+    with a heart of gold. Though he could fight, and was as strong
+    as any lion, yet he could love too and be as gentle as a
+    child.</p>
+
+    <p>The father and mother of the hero-boy lived in a strong
+    castle near the banks of the great Rhine river. Siegmund, his
+    father, was a rich king, Sieglinde, his mother, a beautiful
+    queen, and dearly did they love their little son Siegfried.</p>
+
+    <p>The courtiers and the high-born maidens who dwelt in the
+    castle honored the little Prince, and thought him the fairest
+    child in all the land, as indeed he was.</p>
+
+    <p>Sieglinde, his queen-mother, would oftimes dress her little
+    son in costly garments and lead him by the hand before the
+    proud, strong men-at-arms who stood before the castle walls.
+    Naught had they but smiles and gentle words for their little
+    Prince.</p>
+
+    <p>When he grew older, Siegfried would ride into the country,
+    yet always would he be attended by King Siegmund's most trusted
+    warriors.</p>
+
+    <p>Then one day armed men entered the Netherlands, the country
+    over which the King Siegmund ruled, and the little Prince was
+    sent away from the castle, lest by any evil chance he should
+    fall into the hands of the foe.</p>
+
+    <p>Siegfried was hidden away safe in the thickets of a great
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page406"
+       id="page406"></a>[pg 406]</span> forest, and dwelt there
+       under the care of a blacksmith, named Mimer.</p>
+
+    <p>Mimer was a dwarf, belonging to a strange race of little
+    folk called Nibelungs. The Nibelungs lived for the most part in
+    a dark little town beneath the ground. Nibelheim was the name
+    of this little town and many of the tiny men who dwelt there
+    were smiths. All the livelong day they would hammer on their
+    little anvils, but all through the long night they would dance
+    and play with tiny little Nibelung women.</p>
+
+    <p>It was not in the little dark town of Nibelung that Mimer
+    had his forge, but under the trees of the great forest to which
+    Siegfried had been sent.</p>
+
+    <p>As Mimer or his pupils wielded their tools the wild beasts
+    would start from their lair, and the swift birds would wing
+    their flight through the mazes of the wood, lest danger lay in
+    those heavy, resounding strokes.</p>
+
+    <p>But Siegfried, the hero-boy, would laugh for glee, and
+    seizing the heaviest hammer he could see he would swing it with
+    such force upon the anvil that it would be splintered into a
+    thousand pieces.</p>
+
+    <p>Then Mimer the blacksmith would scold the lad, who was now
+    the strongest of all the lads under his care; but little
+    heeding his rebukes, Siegfried would fling himself merrily out
+    of the smithy and hasten with great strides into the gladsome
+    wood. For now the Prince was growing a big lad, and his
+    strength was even as the strength of ten.</p>
+
+    <p>To-day Siegfried was in a merry mood. He would repay Mimer's
+    rebukes in right good fashion. He would frighten the little
+    blacksmith dwarf until he was forced to cry for mercy.</p>
+
+    <p>Clad in his forest dress of deerskins, with his hair as
+    burnished gold blowing around his shoulders, Siegfried wandered
+    away into the depths of the woodland.</p>
+
+    <p>There he seized the silver horn which hung from his girdle
+    and raised it to his lips. A long, clear note he blew, and ere
+    the sound had died away the boy saw a sight which pleased him
+    well. Here was good prey indeed! A bear, a great big shaggy
+    bear was peering at him out of a bush, and as he gazed the
+    beast opened its jaws and growled, a fierce and angry growl.
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page407"
+       id="page407"></a>[pg 407]</span> Not a whit afraid was
+       Siegfried. Quick as lightning he had caught the great
+       creature in his arms, and ere it could turn upon him, it was
+       muzzled, and was being led quietly along toward the
+       smithy.</p>
+
+    <p>Mimer was busy at his forge sharpening a sword when
+    Siegfried reached the doorway.</p>
+
+    <p>At the sound of laughter the little dwarf raised his head.
+    It was the Prince who laughed. Then Mimer saw the bear, and
+    letting the sword he held drop to the ground with a clang, he
+    ran to hide himself in the darkest corner of the smithy.</p>
+
+    <p>Then Siegfried laughed again. He was no hero-boy to-day, for
+    next he made the big bear hunt the little Nibelung dwarf from
+    corner to corner, nor could the frightened little man escape or
+    hide himself in darkness. Again and again as he crouched in a
+    shadowed corner, Siegfried would stir up the embers of the
+    forge until all the smithy was lighted with a ruddy glow.</p>
+
+    <p>At length the Prince tired of his game, and unmuzzling the
+    bear he chased the bewildered beast back into the shelter of
+    the woodland.</p>
+
+    <p>Mimer, poor little dwarf, all a-tremble with his fear, cried
+    angrily, "Thou mayest go shoot if so it please thee, and bring
+    home thy dead prey. Dead bears thou mayest bring hither if thou
+    wilt, but live bears shalt thou leave to crouch in their lair
+    or to roam through the forest." But Siegfried, the naughty
+    Prince, only laughed at the little Nibelung's frightened face
+    and harsh, croaking voice.</p>
+
+    <p>Now as the days passed, Mimer the blacksmith began to wish
+    that Siegfried had never come to dwell with him in his smithy.
+    The Prince was growing too strong, too brave to please the
+    little dwarf; moreover, many were the mischievous tricks his
+    pupil played on him.</p>
+
+    <p>Prince though he was, Mimer would see if he could not get
+    rid of his tormentor. For indeed though, as I have told you,
+    Siegfried had a heart of gold, at this time the gold seemed to
+    have grown dim and tarnished. Perhaps that was because the
+    Prince had learned to distrust and to dislike, nay, more, to
+    hate the little, cunning dwarf.</p>
+
+    <p>However that may be, it is certain that Siegfried played
+    many <span class="pagenum"><a name="page408"
+       id="page408"></a>[pg 408]</span> pranks upon the little
+       Nibelung, and he, Mimer, determined to get rid of the
+       quick-tempered, strong-handed Prince.</p>
+
+    <p>One day, therefore, it happened that the little dwarf told
+    Siegfried to go deep into the forest to bring home charcoal for
+    the forge. And this Mimer did, though he knew that in the very
+    part of the forest to which he was sending the lad there dwelt
+    a terrible dragon, named Regin. Indeed Regin was a brother of
+    the little blacksmith, and would be lying in wait for the
+    Prince. It would be but the work of a moment for the monster to
+    seize the lad and greedily to devour him.</p>
+
+    <p>To Siegfried it was always joy to wander afar through the
+    woodland. Ofttimes had he thrown himself down on the soft,
+    moss-covered ground and lain there hour after hour, listening
+    to the wood-bird's song. Sometimes he would even find a reed
+    and try to pipe a tune as sweet as did the birds, but that was
+    all in vain, as the lad soon found. No tiny songster would
+    linger to hearken to the shrill piping of his grassy reed, and
+    the Prince himself was soon ready to fling it far away.</p>
+
+    <p>It was no hardship then to Siegfried to leave the forge and
+    the hated little Nibelung, therefore it was that with right
+    good will he set out in search of charcoal for Mimer the
+    blacksmith.</p>
+
+    <p>As he loitered there where the trees grew thickest,
+    Siegfried took his horn and blew it lustily. If he could not
+    pipe on a grassy reed, at least he could blow a rousing note on
+    his silver horn.</p>
+
+    <p>Suddenly, as Siegfried blew, the trees seemed to sway, the
+    earth to give out fire. Regin, the dragon, had roused himself
+    at the blast, and was even now drawing near to the Prince.</p>
+
+    <p>It was at the mighty strides of the monster that the trees
+    had seemed to tremble, it was as he opened his terrible jaws
+    that the earth had seemed to belch out fire.</p>
+
+    <p>For a little while Siegfried watched the dragon in silence.
+    Then he laughed aloud, and a brave, gay laugh it was. Alone in
+    the forest, with a sword, buckled to his side, the hero was
+    afraid of naught, not even of Regin. The ugly monster was
+    sitting now on a little hillock, looking down upon the lad, his
+    victim as he thought.</p>
+
+    <p>Then Siegfried called boldly to the dragon, "I will kill
+    thee, for in truth thou art an ugly
+    monster."</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page409"
+       id="page409"></a>[pg 409]</span>
+
+    <p>At those words Regin opened his great jaws, and showed his
+    terrible fangs. Yet still the boy Prince mocked at the hideous
+    dragon.</p>
+
+    <p>And now Regin in his fury crept closer and closer to the
+    lad, swinging his great tail, until he well-nigh swept
+    Siegfried from his feet.</p>
+
+    <div class="figcenter"
+         style="width:100%;">
+        <a href="images/586.jpg"
+             name="fig586"
+             id="fig586"><img width="250"
+             src="images/586-t.jpg"
+             alt="THE HERO'S SHINING SWORD PIERCED THE HEART OF THE MONSTER." />
+        </a>
+
+        <p>&nbsp;</p>THE HERO'S SHINING SWORD PIERCED THE HEART OF
+        THE MONSTER.
+    </div>
+
+    <p>Swiftly then the Prince drew his sword, well tempered as he
+    knew, for had not he himself wrought it in the forge of Mimer
+    the blacksmith? Swiftly he drew his sword, and with one bound
+    he sprang upon the dragon's back, and as he reared himself,
+    down came the hero's shining sword and pierced into the very
+    heart of the monster. Thus as Siegfried leaped nimbly to the
+    ground, the dragon fell back dead. Regin was no longer to be
+    feared.</p>
+
+    <p>Then Siegfried did a curious thing. He had heard the little
+    Nibelung men who came to the smithy to talk with Mimer, he had
+    heard them say that whoever should bathe in the blood of Regin
+    the dragon would henceforth be safe from every foe. For his
+    skin would grow so tough and horny that it would be to him as
+    an armor through which no sword could ever pierce.</p>
+
+    <p>Thinking of the little Nibelungs' harsh voices and wrinkled
+    little faces as they had sat talking thus around Mimer's
+    glowing forge, Siegfried now flung aside his deerskin dress and
+    bathed himself from top to toe in the dragon's blood.</p>
+
+    <p>But as he bathed, a leaf from off a linden tree was blown
+    upon his shoulders, and on the spot where it rested Siegfried's
+    skin was still soft and tender as when he was a little child.
+    It was only a tiny spot which was covered by the linden leaf,
+    but should a spear thrust, or an arrow pierce that tiny spot,
+    Siegfried would be wounded as easily as any other man.</p>
+
+    <p>The dragon was dead, the bath was over, and clad once more
+    in his deerskin, Siegfried set out for the smithy. He brought
+    no charcoal for the forge; all that he carried with him was a
+    heart afire with anger, a sword quivering to take the life of
+    the Nibelung, Mimer.</p>
+
+    <p>For now Siegfried knew that the dwarf had wished to send him
+    forth to death, when he bade him go seek charcoal in the depths
+    of the forest.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page410"
+       id="page410"></a>[pg 410]</span>
+
+    <p>Into the dusky glow of the smithy plunged the hero, and
+    swiftly he slew the traitor Mimer. Then gaily, for he had but
+    slain evil ones of whom the world was well rid, then gaily
+    Siegfried fared through the forest in quest of adventure.</p>
+
+    <h3>II</h3>
+
+    <h3>SIEGFRIED WINS THE TREASURE</h3>
+
+    <p>Now this is what befell the Prince.</p>
+
+    <p>In his wanderings he reached the country called Isenland,
+    where the warlike but beautiful Queen Brunhild reigned. He
+    gazed with wonder at her castle, so strong it stood on the edge
+    of the sea, guarded by seven great gates. Her marble palaces
+    also made him marvel, so white they glittered in the sun.</p>
+
+    <p>But most of all he marveled at this haughty Queen, who
+    refused to marry any knight unless he could vanquish her in
+    every contest to which she summoned him.</p>
+
+    <p>Brunhild from the castle window saw the fair face and the
+    strong limbs of the hero, and demanded that he should be
+    brought into her presence, and as a sign of her favor she
+    showed the young Prince her magic horse Gana.</p>
+
+    <p>Yet Siegfried had no wish to conquer the warrior-queen and
+    gain her hand and her broad dominions for his own. Siegfried
+    thought only of a wonder-maiden, unknown, unseen as yet, though
+    in his heart he hid an image of her as he dreamed that she
+    would be.</p>
+
+    <p>It is true that Siegfried had no love for the haughty
+    Brunhild. It is also true that he wished to prove to her that
+    he alone was a match for all her boldest warriors, and had even
+    power to bewitch her magic steed, Gana, if so he willed, and
+    steal it from her side.</p>
+
+    <p>And so one day a spirit of mischief urged the Prince on to a
+    gay prank, as also a wayward spirit urged him no longer to
+    brook Queen Brunhild's mien.</p>
+
+    <p>Before he left Isenland, therefore, Siegfried in a merry
+    mood threw to the ground the seven great gates that guarded the
+    Queen's strong castle. Then he called to Gana, the magic
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page411"
+       id="page411"></a>[pg 411]</span> steed, to follow him into
+       the world, and this the charger did with a right good
+       will.</p>
+
+    <p>Whether Siegfried sent Gana back to Isenland or not I do not
+    know, but I know that in the days to come Queen Brunhild never
+    forgave the hero for his daring feat.</p>
+
+    <p>When the Prince had left Isenland he rode on and on until he
+    came to a great mountain. Here near a cave he found two little
+    dwarfish Nibelungs, surrounded by twelve foolish giants. The
+    two little Nibelungs were princes, the giants were their
+    counselors.</p>
+
+    <p>Now the King of the Nibelungs had but just died in the dark
+    little underground town of Nibelheim, and the two tiny princes
+    were the sons of the dead King.</p>
+
+    <p>But they had not come to the mountain-side to mourn for
+    their royal father. Not so indeed had they come, but to divide
+    the great hoard of treasure which the King had bequeathed to
+    them at his death.</p>
+
+    <p>Already they had begun to quarrel over the treasure, and the
+    twelve foolish giants looked on, but did not know what to say
+    or do, so they did nothing, and never spoke at all.</p>
+
+    <p>The dwarfs had themselves carried the hoard out of the cave
+    where usually it was hidden, and they had spread it on the
+    mountain-side.</p>
+
+    <p>There it lay, gold as far as the eye could see, and farther.
+    Jewels, too, were there, more than twelve wagons could carry
+    away in four days and nights, each going three journeys.</p>
+
+    <p>Indeed, however much you took from this marvelous treasure,
+    never did it seem to grow less.</p>
+
+    <p>But more precious even than the gold or the jewels of the
+    hoard was a wonderful sword which it possessed. It was named
+    Balmung, and had been tempered by the Nibelungs in their
+    glowing forges underneath the glad green earth.</p>
+
+    <p>Before the magic strength of Balmung's stroke, the strongest
+    warrior must fall, nor could his armor save him, however close
+    its links had been welded by some doughty smith.</p>
+
+    <p>As Siegfried rode towards the two little dwarfs, they turned
+    and saw him, with his bright, fair face, and flowing locks.</p>
+
+    <p>Nimble as little hares they darted to his side, and begged
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page412"
+       id="page412"></a>[pg 412]</span> that he would come and
+       divide their treasure. He should have the good sword Balmung
+       as reward, they cried.</p>
+
+    <p>Siegfried dismounted, well pleased to do these ugly little
+    men a kindness.</p>
+
+    <p>But alas! ere long the dwarfs began to mock at the hero with
+    their harsh voices, and to wag their horrid little heads at
+    him, while they screamed in a fury that he was not dividing the
+    treasure as they wished.</p>
+
+    <p>Then Siegfried grew angry with the tiny princes, and seizing
+    the magic sword, he cut off their heads. The twelve foolish
+    giants also he slew, and thus became himself master of the
+    marvelous hoard as well as of the good sword Balmung.</p>
+
+    <p>Seven hundred valiant champions, hearing the blast of the
+    hero's horn, now gather together to defend the country from
+    this strange young warrior. But he vanquished them all, and
+    forced them to promise that they would henceforth serve no
+    other lord save him alone. And this they did, being proud of
+    his great might.</p>
+
+    <p>Now tidings of the slaughter of the two tiny princes had
+    reached Nibelheim, and great was the wrath of the little men
+    and little women who dwelt in the dark town beneath the
+    earth.</p>
+
+    <p>Alberich, the mightiest of all the dwarfs, gathered together
+    his army of little gnomes to avenge the death of the two dwarf
+    princes and also, for Alberich was a greedy man, to gain for
+    himself the great hoard.</p>
+
+    <p>When Siegfried saw Alberich at the head of his army of
+    little men he laughed aloud, and with a light heart he chased
+    them all into the great cave on the mountain-side.</p>
+
+    <p>From off the mighty dwarf, Alberich, he stripped his famous
+    Cloak of Darkness, which made him who wore it not only
+    invisible, but strong as twelve strong men. He snatched also
+    from the dwarf's fingers his wishing-rod, which was a Magic
+    Wand. And last of all he made Alberich and his thousands of
+    tiny warriors take an oath, binding them evermore to serve him
+    alone. Then hiding the treasure in the cave with the seven
+    hundred champions whom he had conquered, he left Alberich and
+    his army of little men to guard it, until he came again. And
+    Alberich and his dwarfs were faithful to the hero who
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page413"
+       id="page413"></a>[pg 413]</span> had shorn them of their
+       treasure, and served him for evermore.</p>
+
+    <p>Siegfried, the magic sword Balmung by his side, the Cloak of
+    Darkness thrown over his arm, the Magic Wand in his strong
+    right hand, went over the mountain, across the plains, nor did
+    he tarry until he came again to the castle built on the banks
+    of the river Rhine in his own low-lying country of the
+    Netherlands.</p>
+
+    <h3>III</h3>
+
+    <h3>SIEGFRIED COMES HOME</h3>
+
+    <p>The walls of the old castle rang. King Siegmund, his knights
+    and liegemen, all were welcoming Prince Siegfried home. They
+    had not seen their hero-prince since he had been sent long
+    years before to be under the charge of Mimer the
+    blacksmith.</p>
+
+    <p>He had grown but more fair, more noble, they thought, as
+    they gazed upon his stalwart limbs, his fearless eyes.</p>
+
+    <p>And what tales of prowess clustered around his name! Already
+    their Prince had done great deeds as he had ridden from land to
+    land.</p>
+
+    <p>The King and his liegemen had heard of the slaughter of the
+    terrible dragon, of the capture of the great treasure, of the
+    defiance of the warlike and beautiful Brunhild. They could wish
+    for no more renowned prince than their own Prince
+    Siegfried.</p>
+
+    <p>Thus Siegmund and his subjects rejoiced that the heir to the
+    throne was once again in his own country.</p>
+
+    <p>In the Queen's bower, too, there was great joy. Sieglinde
+    wept, but her tears were not those of sadness. Sieglinde wept
+    for very gladness that her son had come home safe from his
+    wonderful adventures.</p>
+
+    <p>Now Siegmund wished to give a great feast in honor of his
+    son. It should be on his birthday which was very near, the
+    birthday on which the young Prince would be twenty-one years of
+    age.</p>
+
+    <p>Far and wide throughout the Netherlands and into distant
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page414"
+       id="page414"></a>[pg 414]</span> realms tidings of the feast
+       were borne. Kinsmen and strangers, lords and ladies, all
+       were asked to the banquet in the great castle hall where
+       Siegmund reigned supreme.</p>
+
+    <p>It was the merry month of June when the feast was held, and
+    the sun shone bright on maidens in fair raiment, on knights in
+    burnished armor.</p>
+
+    <p>Siegfried was to be knighted on this June day along with
+    four hundred young squires of his father's realm. The Prince
+    was clad in gorgeous armor, and on the cloak flung around his
+    shoulders jewels were seen to sparkle in the sunlight, jewels
+    made fast with gold embroidery worked by the white hands of the
+    Queen and her fair damsels.</p>
+
+    <p>In games and merry pastimes the hours of the day sped fast
+    away, until the great bell of the Minster pealed, calling the
+    gay company to the house of God for evensong. Siegfried and the
+    four hundred squires knelt before the altar, ere they were
+    knighted by the royal hand of Siegmund the King.</p>
+
+    <p>The solemn service ended, the new-made knights hastened back
+    to the castle, and there in the great hall a mighty tournament
+    was held. Knights who had grown gray in service tilted with
+    those who but that day had been given the grace of knighthood.
+    Lances splintered, shields fell before the mighty onslaughts of
+    the gallant warriors, until King Siegmund bade the tilting
+    cease.</p>
+
+    <p>Then in the great hall feasting and song held sway until
+    daylight faded and the stars shone bright.</p>
+
+    <p>Yet no weariness knew the merrymakers. The next morning, and
+    for six long summer days, they tilted, they sang, they
+    feasted.</p>
+
+    <p>When at length the great festival drew to a close, Siegmund
+    in the presence of his guests gave to his dear son Siegfried
+    many lands and strong castles over which he might be lord.</p>
+
+    <p>To all his son's comrades, too, the King gave steeds and
+    costly raiment, while Queen Sieglinde bestowed upon them freely
+    coins of gold. Such abundant gifts had never before been
+    dreamed of as were thus lavished by Siegmund and Sieglinde on
+    their guests.</p>
+
+    <p>As the rich nobles looked upon the brave young Prince
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page415"
+       id="page415"></a>[pg 415]</span> Siegfried, there were some
+       who whispered among themselves that they would fain have him
+       to rule in the land.</p>
+
+    <p>Siegfried heard their whispers, but in no wise did he give
+    heed to the wish of the nobles.</p>
+
+    <p>Never, he thought while his beautiful mother and his
+    bounteous father lived, would he wear the crown.</p>
+
+    <p>Indeed Siegfried had no wish to sit upon a throne, he wished
+    but to subdue the evil-doers in the land. Or better still, he
+    wished to go forth in search of new adventure. And this right
+    soon he did.</p>
+
+    <h3>IV</h3>
+
+    <h3>SIEGFRIED AT THE COURT OF WORMS</h3>
+
+    <p>At the Court of Worms in Burgundy dwelt the Princess
+    Kriemhild, whose fame for beauty and kindness had spread to
+    many a far-off land. She lived with her mother Queen Ut&eacute;
+    and her three brothers King Gunther, King Gernot, and King
+    Giselher. Her father had long been dead. Gunther sat upon the
+    throne and had for chief counselor his cruel uncle Hagen.</p>
+
+    <p>One night Kriemhild dreamed that a beautiful wild hawk with
+    feathers of gold came and perched upon her wrist. It grew so
+    tame that she took it with her to the hunt. Upward it soared
+    when loosed toward the bright blue sky. Then the dream-maiden
+    saw two mighty eagles swoop down upon her petted hawk and tear
+    it to pieces.</p>
+
+    <p>The Princess told her dream to her mother, who said, "The
+    hawk, my daughter, is a noble knight who shall be thy husband,
+    but, alas, unless God defend him from his foes, thou shalt lose
+    him ere he has long been thine." Kriemhild replied, "O lady
+    mother, I wish no knight to woo me from thy side." "Nay," said
+    the Queen, "Speak not thus, for God will send to thee a noble
+    knight and strong."</p>
+
+    <p>Hearing of the Princess, Siegfried, who lived in the
+    Netherlands, began to think that she was strangely like the
+    unknown maiden whose image he carried in his heart. So he set
+    out to go into Burgundy to see the beautiful Kriemhild who had
+    sent many knights
+    away.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page416"
+       id="page416"></a>[pg 416]</span>
+
+    <p>Siegfried's father wished to send an army with him but
+    Siegfried said, "Nay, give me only, I pray thee, eleven
+    stalwart warriors."</p>
+
+    <p>Tidings had reached King Gunther of the band of strangers
+    who had so boldly entered the royal city. He sent for Hagen,
+    chief counselor, who said they must needs be princes or
+    ambassadors. "One knight, the fairest and the boldest, is,
+    methinks, the wondrous hero Siegfried, who has won great
+    treasure from the Nibelungs, and has killed two little princely
+    dwarfs, their twelve giants, and seven hundred great champions
+    of the neighboring country with his good sword Balmung."
+    Graciously then did the King welcome Siegfried.</p>
+
+    <p>"I beseech thee, noble knight," said the King, "tell me why
+    thou hast journeyed to this our royal city?"</p>
+
+    <p>Now Siegfried was not ready to speak of the fair Princess,
+    so he told the King that he had come to see the splendor of the
+    court and to do great deeds, even to wrest from him the broad
+    realm of Burgundy and likewise all his castles. "Unless thou
+    dost conquer me I shall rule in my great might in this
+    realm."</p>
+
+    <p>"We do well to be angry at the words of this bold
+    stripling," said Hagen. A quarrel arose, but King Gernot,
+    Gunther's brother, made peace and Siegfried began to think of
+    the wonderlady of his dreams and grew ashamed of his
+    boasting.</p>
+
+    <p>Then all Burgundy began to hear of Siegfried. At the end of
+    the year Burgundy was threatened with invasion. King Ludegast
+    and King Ludeger threatened mighty wars.</p>
+
+    <p>When Siegfried heard of this he said, "If trouble hath come
+    to thee, my arm is strong to bring thee aid. If thy foes were
+    as many as thirty thousand, yet with one thousand warriors
+    would I destroy them. Therefore, leave the battle in my
+    hands."</p>
+
+    <p>When the rude kings heard that Siegfried would fight for
+    Burgundy their hearts failed for fear and in great haste they
+    gathered their armies. King Gunther meanwhile had assembled his
+    men and the chief command was given to Hagen, but Siegfried
+    rode forward to seek the foe.</p>
+
+    <p>In advance of their warriors stood Ludegast and Ludeger
+    ready for the fray. Grasping his good sword Balmung, Siegfried
+    first met Ludegast piercing him through his steel harness with
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page417"
+       id="page417"></a>[pg 417]</span> an ugly thrust till he lay
+       helpless at his feet. Thirty of the King's warriors rode up
+       and beset the hero, but Siegfried slaughtered all save one.
+       He was spared to carry the dire tidings of the capture of
+       Ludegast to his army.</p>
+
+    <p>Ludeger had seen the capture of his brother and met the
+    onslaught that Siegfried soon made upon him. But with a great
+    blow Siegfried struck the shield from Ludeger's hold, and in a
+    moment more he had him at his mercy. For the second time that
+    day the Prince was victor over a king.</p>
+
+    <p>When Ut&eacute;, the mother of Kriemhild, heard that a grand
+    festival celebrating the prowess of Prince Siegfried was to be
+    held at court, she made up her mind that she and her daughter
+    would lend their gracious presence. Many noble guests were
+    there gathered and when the knights entered the lists the King
+    sent a hundred of his liegemen to bring the Queen and the
+    Princess to the great hall. When Siegfried saw the Princess he
+    knew that she was indeed more beautiful than he had ever
+    dreamed. A messenger was sent by the King bidding him greet the
+    Princess. "Be welcome here, Sir Siegfried, for thou art a good
+    and noble knight," said the maiden softly, "for right well hast
+    thou served my royal brother."</p>
+
+    <p>"Thee will I serve for ever," cried the happy hero, "thee
+    will I serve for ever, and thy wishes shall ever be my
+    will!"</p>
+
+    <p>Then for twelve glad days were Siegfried and Kriemhild
+    ofttimes side by side.</p>
+
+    <h3>V.</h3>
+
+    <h3>SIEGFRIED GOES TO ISENLAND</h3>
+
+    <p>Whitsuntide had come and gone when tidings from beyond the
+    Rhine reached the court at Worms.</p>
+
+    <p>No dread tidings were these, but glad and good to hear, of a
+    matchless Queen named Brunhild who dwelt in Isenland. King
+    Gunther listened with right good will to the tales of this
+    warlike maiden, for if she were beautiful she was also strong
+    as any warrior. Wayward, too, she was, yet Gunther would fain
+    have her as his queen to sit beside him on his
+    throne.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page418"
+       id="page418"></a>[pg 418]</span>
+
+    <p>One day the King sent for Siegfried to tell him that he
+    would fain journey to Isenland to wed Queen Brunhild.</p>
+
+    <p>Now Siegfried, as you know, had been in Isenland and knew
+    some of the customs of this wayward Queen. So he answered the
+    King right gravely that it would be a dangerous journey across
+    the sea to Isenland, nor would he win the Queen unless he were
+    able to vanquish her great strength.</p>
+
+    <p>He told the King how Brunhild would challenge him to three
+    contests, or games, as she would call them. And if she were the
+    victor, as indeed she had been over many a royal suitor, then
+    his life would be forfeited.</p>
+
+    <p>At her own desire kings and princes had hurled the spear at
+    the stalwart Queen, and it had but glanced harmless off her
+    shield, while she would pierce the armor of these valiant
+    knights with her first thrust. This was one of the Queen's
+    games.</p>
+
+    <p>Then the knights would hasten to the ring and throw the
+    stone from them as far as might be, yet ever Queen Brunhild
+    threw it farther. For this was another game of the
+    warrior-queen.</p>
+
+    <p>The third game was to leap beyond the stone which they had
+    thrown, but ever to their dismay the knights saw this marvelous
+    maiden far outleap them all.</p>
+
+    <p>These valorous knights, thus beaten in the three contests,
+    had been beheaded, and therefore it was that Siegfried spoke so
+    gravely to King Gunther.</p>
+
+    <p>But Gunther, so he said, was willing to risk his life to win
+    so brave a bride.</p>
+
+    <p>Now Hagen had drawn near to the King, and as he listened to
+    Siegfried's words, the grim warrior said, "Sire, since the
+    Prince knows the customs of Isenland, let him go with thee on
+    thy journey, to share thy dangers, and to aid thee in the
+    presence of this warlike Queen."</p>
+
+    <p>And Hagen, for he hated the hero, hoped that he might never
+    return alive from Isenland.</p>
+
+    <p>But the King was pleased with his counselor's words. "Sir
+    Siegfried," he said, "wilt thou help me to win the matchless
+    maiden Brunhild for my queen?"</p>
+
+    <p>"That right gladly will I do," answered the Prince, "if thou
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page419"
+       id="page419"></a>[pg 419]</span> wilt promise to give me thy
+       sister Kriemhild as my bride, should I bring thee back safe
+       from Isenland, the bold Queen at thy side."</p>
+
+    <p>Then the King promised that on the same day that he wedded
+    Brunhild, his sister should wed Prince Siegfried, and with this
+    promise the hero was well content.</p>
+
+    <p>"Thirty thousand warriors will I summon to go with us to
+    Isenland," cried King Gunther gaily.</p>
+
+    <p>"Nay," said the Prince, "thy warriors would but be the
+    victims of this haughty Queen. As plain knight-errants will we
+    go, taking with us none, save Hagen the keen-eyed and his
+    brother Dankwart."</p>
+
+    <p>Then King Gunther, his face aglow with pleasure, went with
+    Sir Siegfried to his sister's bower, and begged her to provide
+    rich garments in which he and his knights might appear before
+    the beauteous Queen Brunhild.</p>
+
+    <p>"Thou shalt not beg this service from me," cried the gentle
+    Princess, "rather shalt thou command that which thou dost wish.
+    See, here have I silk in plenty. Send thou the gems from off
+    thy bucklers, and I and my maidens will work them with gold
+    embroideries into the silk."</p>
+
+    <p>Thus the sweet maiden dismissed her brother, and sending for
+    her thirty maidens who were skilled in needlework she bade them
+    sew their daintiest stitches, for here were robes to be made
+    for the King and Sir Siegfried ere they went to bring Queen
+    Brunhild into Rhineland.</p>
+
+    <p>For seven weeks Kriemhild and her maidens were busy in their
+    bower. Silk white as new-fallen snow, silk green as the leaves
+    in spring did they shape into garments worthy to be worn by the
+    King and Sir Siegfried, and amid the gold embroideries
+    glittered many a radiant gem.</p>
+
+    <p>Meanwhile down by the banks of the Rhine a vessel was being
+    built to carry the King across the sea to Isenland.</p>
+
+    <p>When all was ready the King and Sir Siegfried went to the
+    bower of the Princess. They would put on the silken robes and
+    the beautiful cloaks Kriemhild and her maidens had sewed to see
+    that they were neither too long nor too short. But indeed the
+    skilful hands of the Princess had not erred. No
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page420"
+       id="page420"></a>[pg 420]</span> more graceful or more
+       beautiful garments had ever before been seen by the King or
+       the Prince.</p>
+
+    <p>"Sir Siegfried," said the gentle Kriemhild, "care for my
+    royal brother lest danger befall him in the bold Queen's
+    country. Bring him home both safe and sound I beseech
+    thee."</p>
+
+    <p>The hero bowed his head and promised to shield the King from
+    danger, then they said farewell to the maiden, and embarked in
+    the little ship that awaited them on the banks of the Rhine.
+    Nor did Siegfried forget to take with him his Cloak of Darkness
+    and his good sword Balmung.</p>
+
+    <p>Now none was there on the ship save King Gunther, Siegfried,
+    Hagen, and Dankwart, but Siegfried with his Cloak of Darkness
+    had the strength of twelve men as well as his own strong right
+    hand.</p>
+
+    <p>Merrily sailed the little ship, steered by Sir Siegfried
+    himself. Soon the Rhine river was left behind and they were out
+    on the sea, a strong wind filling their sails. Ere evening,
+    full twenty miles had the good ship made.</p>
+
+    <p>For twelve days they sailed onward, until before them rose
+    the grim fortress that guarded Isenland.</p>
+
+    <p>"What towers are these?" cried King Gunther, as he gazed
+    upon the turreted castle which looked as a grim sentinel
+    guarding the land.</p>
+
+    <p>"These," answered the hero, "are Queen Brunhild's towers and
+    this is the country over which she rules."</p>
+
+    <p>Then turning to Hagen and Dankwart Siegfried begged them to
+    let him be spokesman to the Queen, for he knew her wayward
+    moods. "And King Gunther shall be my king," said the Prince,
+    "and I but his vassal until we leave Isenland."</p>
+
+    <p>And Hagen and Dankwart, proud men though they were, obeyed
+    in all things the words of the young Prince of the
+    Netherlands.</p>
+
+    <h3>VI</h3>
+
+    <h3>SIEGFRIED SUBDUES BRUNHILD</h3>
+
+    <p>The little ship had sailed on now close beneath the castle,
+    so close indeed that as the King looked up to the window he
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page421"
+       id="page421"></a>[pg 421]</span> could catch glimpses of
+       beautiful maidens passing to and fro.</p>
+
+    <p>Sir Siegfried also looked and laughed aloud for glee. It
+    would be but a little while until Brunhild was won and he was
+    free to return to his winsome lady Kriemhild.</p>
+
+    <p>By this time the maidens in the castle had caught sight of
+    the ship, and many bright eyes were peering down upon King
+    Gunther and his three brave comrades.</p>
+
+    <p>"Look well at the fair maidens, sire," said Siegfried to the
+    King. "Among them all show me her whom thou wouldst choose most
+    gladly as your bride."</p>
+
+    <p>"Seest thou the fairest of the band," cried the King, "she
+    who is clad in a white garment? It is she and no other whom I
+    would wed."</p>
+
+    <p>Right merrily then laughed Siegfried. "The maiden," said he
+    gaily, "is in truth none other than Queen Brunhild
+    herself."</p>
+
+    <p>The King and his warriors now moored their vessel and leaped
+    ashore, Siegfried leading with him the King's charger. For each
+    knight had brought his steed with him from the fair land of
+    Burgundy.</p>
+
+    <p>More bright than ever beamed the bright eyes of the ladies
+    at the castle window. So fair, so gallant a knight never had
+    they seen, thought the damsels as they gazed upon Sir
+    Siegfried. And all the while King Gunther dreamed their glances
+    were bent on no other than himself.</p>
+
+    <p>Siegfried held the noble steed until King Gunther had
+    mounted, and this he did that Queen Brunhild might not know
+    that he was the Prince of the Netherlands, owing service to no
+    man. Then going back to the ship the hero brought his own horse
+    to land, mounted, and rode with the King toward the castle
+    gate.</p>
+
+    <p>King and Prince were clad alike. Their steeds as well as
+    their garments were white as snow, their saddles were bedecked
+    with jewels, and on the harness hung bells, all of bright red
+    gold. Their shields shone as the sun, their spears they wore
+    before them, their swords hung by their sides.</p>
+
+    <p>Behind them followed Hagen and Dankwart, their armor black
+    as the plumage of the wild raven, their shields strong and
+    mighty.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page422"
+       id="page422"></a>[pg 422]</span>
+
+    <p>As they approached the castle gates were flung wide open,
+    and the liegemen of the great Queen came out to greet the
+    strangers with words of welcome. They bid their hirelings also
+    take the shields and chargers from their guests.</p>
+
+    <p>But when a squire demanded that the strangers should also
+    yield their swords, grim Hagen smiled his grimmest, and cried,
+    "Nay, our swords will we e'en keep lest we have need of them."
+    Nor was he too well pleased when Siegfried told him that the
+    custom in Isenland was that no guest should enter the castle
+    carrying a weapon. It was but sullenly that he let his sword be
+    taken away along with his mighty shield.</p>
+
+    <p>After the strangers had been refreshed with wine, her
+    liegemen sent to the Queen to tell her that strange guests had
+    arrived.</p>
+
+    <p>"Who are the strangers who come thus unheralded to my land?"
+    haughtily demanded Brunhild.</p>
+
+    <p>But no one could tell her who the warriors were, though some
+    murmured that the tallest and fairest might be the great hero
+    Siegfried.</p>
+
+    <p>It may be that the Queen thought that if the knight were
+    indeed Siegfried she would revenge herself on him now for the
+    mischievous pranks he had played the last time he was in her
+    kingdom. In any case she said, "If the hero is here he shall
+    enter into contest with me, and he shall pay for his boldness
+    with his life, for I shall be the victor."</p>
+
+    <p>Then with five hundred warriors, each with his sword in
+    hand, Brunhild came down to the knights from Burgundy.</p>
+
+    <p>"Be welcome, Siegfried," she cried, "yet wherefore hast thou
+    come again to Isenland?"</p>
+
+    <p>"I thank thee for thy greeting, lady," said the Prince, "but
+    thou hast welcomed me before my lord. He, King Gunther, ruler
+    over the fair realms of Burgundy, hath come hither to wed with
+    thee."</p>
+
+    <p>Brunhild was displeased that the mighty hero should not
+    himself seek to win her as a bride, yet since for all his
+    prowess he seemed but a vassal of the King, she answered, "If
+    thy master can vanquish me in the contests to which I bid him,
+    then I will be his wife, but if I conquer thy master, his life,
+    and the lives of his followers will be
+    forfeited."</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page423"
+       id="page423"></a>[pg 423]</span>
+
+    <p>"What dost thou demand of my master?" asked Hagen.</p>
+
+    <p>"He must hurl the spear with me, throw the stone from the
+    ring, and leap to where it has fallen," said the Queen.</p>
+
+    <p>Now while Brunhild was speaking, Siegfried whispered to the
+    King to fear nothing, but to accept the Queen's challenge. "I
+    will be near though no one will see me, to aid thee in the
+    struggle," he whispered.</p>
+
+    <p>Gunther had such trust in the Prince that he at once cried
+    boldly, "Queen Brunhild, I do not fear even to risk my life
+    that I may win thee for my bride."</p>
+
+    <p>Then the bold maiden called for her armor, but when Gunther
+    saw her shield, "three spans thick with gold and iron, which
+    four chamberlains could hardly bear," his courage began to
+    fail.</p>
+
+    <p>While the Queen donned her silken fighting doublet, which
+    could turn aside the sharpest spear, Siegfried slipped away
+    unnoticed to the ship, and swiftly flung around him his Cloak
+    of Darkness. Then unseen by all, he hastened back to King
+    Gunther's side.</p>
+
+    <p>A great javelin was then given to the Queen, and she began
+    to fight with her suitor, and so hard were her thrusts that but
+    for Siegfried the King would have lost his life.</p>
+
+    <p>"Give me thy shield," whispered the invisible hero in the
+    King's ear, "and tell no one that I am here." Then as the
+    maiden hurled her spear with all her force against the shield
+    which she thought was held by the King, the shock well-nigh
+    drove both Gunther and his unseen friend to their knees.</p>
+
+    <p>But in a moment Siegfried's hand had dealt the Queen such a
+    blow with the handle of his spear (he would not use the sharp
+    point against a woman) that the maiden cried aloud, "King
+    Gunther, thou hast won this fray." For as she could not see
+    Siegfried because of his Cloak of Darkness, she could not but
+    believe that it was the King who had vanquished her.</p>
+
+    <p>In her wrath the Queen now sped to the ring, where lay a
+    stone so heavy that it could scarce be lifted by twelve strong
+    men.</p>
+
+    <p>But Brunhild lifted it with ease, and threw it twelve arms'
+    length beyond the spot on which she stood. Then, leaping after
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page424"
+       id="page424"></a>[pg 424]</span> it, she alighted even
+       farther than she had thrown the stone.</p>
+
+    <p>Gunther now stood in the ring, and lifted the stone which
+    had again been placed within it. He lifted it with an effort,
+    but at once Siegfried's unseen hand grasped it and threw it
+    with such strength that it dropped even beyond the spot to
+    which it had been flung by the Queen. Lifting King Gunther with
+    him Siegfried next jumped far beyond the spot on which the
+    Queen had alighted. And all the warriors marveled to see their
+    Queen thus vanquished by the strange King. For you must
+    remember that not one of them could see that it was Siegfried
+    who had done these deeds of prowess.</p>
+
+    <p>Now in the contest, still unseen, Siegfried had taken from
+    the Queen her ring and her favorite girdle.</p>
+
+    <p>With angry gestures Brunhild called to her liegemen to come
+    and lay their weapons down at King Gunther's feet to do him
+    homage. Henceforth they must be his thralls and own him as
+    their lord.</p>
+
+    <p>As soon as the contests were over, Siegfried had slipped
+    back to the ship and hidden his Cloak of Darkness. Then boldly
+    he came back to the great hall, and pretending to know nothing
+    of the games begged to be told who had been the victor, if
+    indeed they had already taken place.</p>
+
+    <p>When he had heard that Queen Brunhild had been vanquished,
+    the hero laughed, and cried gaily, "Then, noble maiden, thou
+    must go with us to Rhineland to wed King Gunther."</p>
+
+    <p>"A strange way for a vassal to speak," thought the angry
+    Queen, and she answered with a proud glance at the knight,
+    "Nay, that will I not do until I have summoned my kinsmen and
+    my good lieges. For I will myself say farewell to them ere ever
+    I will go to Rhineland."</p>
+
+    <p>Thus heralds were sent throughout Brunhild's realms, and
+    soon from morn to eve her kinsmen and her liegemen rode into
+    the castle, until it seemed as though a mighty army were
+    assembling.</p>
+
+    <p>"Does the maiden mean to wage war against us," said Hagen
+    grimly. "I like not the number of her warriors."</p>
+
+    <p>Then said Siegfried, "I will leave thee for a little while
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page425"
+       id="page425"></a>[pg 425]</span> and go across the sea, and
+       soon will I return with a thousand brave warriors, so that
+       no evil may befall us."</p>
+
+    <p>So the Prince went down alone to the little ship and set
+    sail across the sea.</p>
+
+    <h3>VII</h3>
+
+    <h3>SIEGFRIED AND THE PRINCESS</h3>
+
+    <p>The ship in which Siegfried set sail drifted on before the
+    wind, while those in Queen Brunhild's castle marveled, for no
+    one was to be seen on board. This was because the hero had
+    again donned his Cloak of Darkness.</p>
+
+    <p>On and on sailed the little ship until at length it drew
+    near to the land of the Nibelungs. Then Siegfried left his
+    vessel and again climbed the mountain-side, where long before
+    he had cut off the heads of the little Nibelung princes.</p>
+
+    <p>He reached the cave into which he had thrust the treasure,
+    and knocked loudly at the door. The cave was the entrance to
+    Nibelheim the dark, little town beneath the glad, green
+    grass.</p>
+
+    <p>Siegfried might have entered the cave, but he knocked that
+    he might see if the treasure were well guarded.</p>
+
+    <p>Then the porter, who was a great giant, when he heard the
+    knock buckled on his armor and opened the door. Seeing, as he
+    thought in his haste, a strange knight standing before him he
+    fell upon him with a bar of iron. So strong was the giant that
+    it was with difficulty that the Prince overcame him and bound
+    him hand and foot.</p>
+
+    <p>Alberich meanwhile had heard the mighty blows, which indeed
+    had shaken Nibelheim to its foundations.</p>
+
+    <p>Now the dwarf had sworn fealty to Siegfried, and when he, as
+    the giant had done, mistook the Prince for a stranger, he
+    seized a heavy whip with a gold handle and rushed upon him,
+    smiting his shield with the knotted whip until it fell to
+    pieces.</p>
+
+    <p>Too pleased that his treasures were so well defended to be
+    angry, Siegfried now seized the little dwarf by his beard, and
+    pulled it so long and so hard that Alberich was forced to cry
+    for mercy. Then Siegfried bound him hand and foot as he had
+    done the giant.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page426"
+       id="page426"></a>[pg 426]</span>
+
+    <p>Alberich, poor little dwarf, gnashed his teeth with rage.
+    Who would guard the treasure now, and who would warn his master
+    that a strong man had found his way to Nibelheim?</p>
+
+    <p>But in the midst of his fears he heard the stranger's merry
+    laugh. Nay, it was no stranger, none but the hero-prince could
+    laugh thus merrily.</p>
+
+    <p>"I am Siegfried your master," then said the Prince. "I did
+    but test thy faithfulness, Alberich," and laughing still, the
+    hero undid the cords with which he had bound the giant and the
+    dwarf.</p>
+
+    <p>"Call me here quickly the Nibelung warriors," cried
+    Siegfried, "for I have need of them." And soon thirty thousand
+    warriors stood before him in shining armor.</p>
+
+    <p>Choosing one thousand of the strongest and biggest, the
+    Prince marched with them down to the seashore. There they
+    embarked in ships and sailed away to Isenland.</p>
+
+    <p>Now it chanced that Queen Brunhild was walking on the
+    terrace of her sea-guarded castle with King Gunther when she
+    saw a number of sails approaching.</p>
+
+    <p>"Whose can these ships be?" she cried in quick alarm.</p>
+
+    <p>"These are my warriors who have followed me from Burgundy,"
+    answered the King, for thus had Siegfried bidden him speak.</p>
+
+    <p>"We will go to welcome the fleet," said Brunhild, and
+    together they met the brave Nibelung army and lodged them in
+    Isenland.</p>
+
+    <p>"Now will I give of my silver and my gold to my liegemen and
+    to Gunther's warriors," said Queen Brunhild, and she held out
+    the keys of her treasury to Dankwart that he might do her will.
+    But so lavishly did the knight bestow her gold and her costly
+    gems and her rich raiment upon the warriors that the Queen grew
+    angry.</p>
+
+    <p>"Naught shall I have left to take with me to Rhineland," she
+    cried aloud in her vexation.</p>
+
+    <p>"In Burgundy," answered Hagen, "there is gold enough and to
+    spare. Thou wilt not need the treasures of
+    Isenland."</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page427"
+       id="page427"></a>[pg 427]</span>
+
+    <p>But these words did not content the Queen. She would
+    certainly take at least twenty coffers of gold as well as
+    jewels and silks with her to King Gunther's land.</p>
+
+    <p>At length, leaving Isenland to the care of her brother,
+    Queen Brunhild, with twenty hundred of her own warriors as a
+    bodyguard, with eighty-six dames and one hundred maidens, set
+    out for the royal city of Worms.</p>
+
+    <p>For nine days the great company journeyed homeward, and then
+    King Gunther entreated Siegfried to be his herald to Worms.</p>
+
+    <p>"Beg Queen Ut&eacute; and the Princess Kriemhild," said the
+    King, "beg them to ride forth to meet my bride and to prepare
+    to hold high festival in honor of the wedding-feast."</p>
+
+    <p>Thus Siegfried with four-and-twenty knights sailed on more
+    swiftly than the other ships, and landing at the mouth of the
+    river Rhine, rode hastily toward the royal city.</p>
+
+    <p>The Queen and her daughter, clad in their robes of state,
+    received the hero, and his heart was glad, for once again he
+    stood in the presence of his dear lady, Kriemhild.</p>
+
+    <p>"Be welcome, my Lord Siegfried," she cried, "thou worthy
+    knight, be welcome. But where is my brother? Has he been
+    vanquished by the warrior-queen? Oh, wo is me if he is lost, wo
+    is me that ever I was born," and the tears rolled down the
+    maiden's cheeks.</p>
+
+    <p>"Nay, now," said the Prince, "thy brother is well and of
+    good cheer. I have come, a herald of glad tidings. For even now
+    the King is on his way to Worms, bringing with him his hard-won
+    bride."</p>
+
+    <p>Then the Princess dried her tears, and graciously did she
+    bid the hero to sit by her side.</p>
+
+    <p>"I would I might give thee a reward for thy services," said
+    the gentle maiden, "but too rich art thou to receive my
+    gold."</p>
+
+    <p>"A gift from thy hands would gladden my heart," said the
+    gallant Prince.</p>
+
+    <p>Blithely then did Kriemhild send for four-and-twenty
+    buckles, all inlaid with precious stones, and these did she
+    give to Siegfried.</p>
+
+    <p>Siegfried bent low before the lady Kriemhild, for well did
+    he love the gracious giver, yet would he not keep for himself
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page428"
+       id="page428"></a>[pg 428]</span> her gifts, but gave them,
+       in his courtesy, to her four-and-twenty maidens.</p>
+
+    <p>Then the Prince told Queen Ut&eacute; that the King begged
+    her and the Princess to ride forth from Worms to greet his
+    bride, and to prepare to hold high festival in the royal
+    city.</p>
+
+    <p>"It shall be done even as the King desires," said the Queen,
+    while Kriemhild sat silent, smiling with gladness, because her
+    knight Sir Siegfried had come home.</p>
+
+    <p>In joy and merriment the days flew by, while the court at
+    Worms prepared to hold high festival in honor of King Gunther's
+    matchless bride.</p>
+
+    <p>As the royal ships drew near, Queen Ut&eacute; and the
+    Princess Kriemhild, accompanied by many a gallant knight, rode
+    along the banks of the Rhine to greet Queen Brunhild.</p>
+
+    <p>Already the King had disembarked, and was leading his bride
+    toward his gracious mother. Courteously did Queen Ut&eacute;
+    welcome the stranger, while Kriemhild kissed her and clasped
+    her in her arms.</p>
+
+    <p>Some, as they gazed upon the lovely maidens, said that the
+    warlike Queen Brunhild was more beautiful than the gentle
+    Princess Kriemhild, but others, and these were the wiser, said
+    that none could excel the peerless sister of the King.</p>
+
+    <p>In the great plain of Worms silk tents and gay pavilions had
+    been placed. And there the ladies took shelter from the heat,
+    while before them knights and warriors held a gay tournament.
+    Then, in the cool of the evening, a gallant train of lords and
+    ladies, they rode toward the castle at Worms.</p>
+
+    <p>Queen Ut&eacute; and her daughter went to their own
+    apartments, while the King with Brunhild went into the
+    banquet-hall where the wedding-feast was spread.</p>
+
+    <p>But ere the feast had begun, Siegfried came and stood before
+    the King.</p>
+
+    <p>"Sire," he said, "hast thou forgotten thy promise, that when
+    Brunhild entered the royal city thy lady sister should be my
+    bride?"</p>
+
+    <p>"Nay," cried the King, "my royal word do I ever keep," and
+    going out into the hall he sent for the Princess.</p>
+
+    <p>"Dear sister," said Gunther, as she bowed before him, "I
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page429"
+       id="page429"></a>[pg 429]</span> have pledged my word to a
+       warrior that thou wilt become his bride, wilt thou help me
+       to keep my promise?" Now Siegfried was standing by the
+       King's side as he spoke.</p>
+
+    <p>Then the gentle maiden answered meekly, "Thy will, dear
+    brother, is ever mine. I will take as lord him to whom thou
+    hast promised my hand." And she glanced shyly at Siegfried, for
+    surely this was the warrior to whom her royal brother had
+    pledged his word.</p>
+
+    <p>Right glad then was the King, and Siegfried grew rosy with
+    delight as he received the lady's troth. Then together they
+    went to the banquet-hall, and on a throne next to King Gunther
+    sat the hero-prince, the lady Kriemhild by his side.</p>
+
+    <p>When the banquet was ended, the King was wedded to Queen
+    Brunhild, and Siegfried to the maiden whom he loved so well,
+    and though he had no crown to place upon her brow, the Princess
+    was well content.</p>
+
+    <p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+    <h2>HERO OF FRANCE</h2>
+
+    <h3>ROLAND</h3>
+
+    <h4>ADAPTED BY H.E. MARSHALL</h4>
+
+    <h3>I</h3>
+
+    <h3>BLANCANDRIN'S MISSION</h3>
+
+    <p>For seven long years the great Emperor Charlemagne had been
+    fighting in Spain against the Saracens; Saragossa alone
+    remained unconquered, but word had gone forth that it, too, was
+    doomed.</p>
+
+    <p>King Marsil, not knowing how to save his city from the
+    conqueror, called a council of his wise men. Blancandrin, a
+    knight of great valor, was chosen with ten others to set out
+    with olive-branches in their hands, followed by a great train
+    of slaves bearing presents, to seek the court of the great
+    Christian King and sue for peace.</p>
+
+    <p>Bending low before Charlemagne, Blancandrin promised for
+    King Marsil vassalage to the Emperor and baptism in the name of
+    the Holy Christ. To assure the truth of his words, he said "We
+    will give thee hostages, I will even send my own son if we keep
+    not faith with thee."</p>
+
+    <p>In the morning Charlemagne called his wise men and told them
+    the message of Blancandrin.</p>
+
+    <p>Then Roland, one of the twelve chosen knights and the nephew
+    of Charlemagne, rose flushed with anger and cried, "Believe not
+    this Marsil, he was ever a traitor. Carry the war to Saragossa.
+    War! I say war!"</p>
+
+    <p>Ganelon a knight, who hated Roland, strode to the foot of
+    the throne, saying, "Listen not to the counsel of fools but
+    accept King Marsil's gifts and
+    promises."</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page430"
+       id="page430"></a>[pg 430]</span>
+
+    <p>Following the counsel of Duke Naimes the wisest of the
+    court, Charlemagne declared that some one should be sent to
+    King Marsil and asked the lords whom he should send.</p>
+
+    <p>"Send me," cried Roland. "Nay," said Oliver, "let me go
+    rather." But the Emperor said, "Not a step shall ye go, either
+    one or other of you."</p>
+
+    <p>"Ah!" said Roland, "if I may not go, then send Ganelon my
+    stepfather." "Good!" replied the great Emperor, "Ganelon it
+    shall be."</p>
+
+    <p>Ganelon trembled with passion and said, "this is Roland's
+    work," for he knew he would never return alive to his wife and
+    child. The quarrel between Roland and Ganelon was bitter
+    indeed. "I hate thee," Ganelon hissed at last. "I hate thee!"
+    Then, struggling to be calm, he turned to the Emperor and said,
+    "I am ready to do thy will."</p>
+
+    <p>"Fair Sir Ganelon," said Charlemagne, "this is my message to
+    the heathen King Marsil. Say to him that he shall bend the knee
+    to gentle Christ and be baptized in His name. Then will I give
+    him full half of Spain to hold in fief. Over the other half
+    Count Roland, my nephew, well beloved, shall reign."</p>
+
+    <p>Without a word of farewell Ganelon went to his own house.
+    There he clad himself in his finest armor. Commending his wife
+    and child to the care of the knights who pressed round to bid
+    him Godspeed, Ganelon, with bent head, turned slowly from their
+    sight and rode to join the heathen Blancandrin.</p>
+
+    <h3>II</h3>
+
+    <h3>GANELON'S TREASON</h3>
+
+    <p>As Ganelon and Blancandrin rode along together beneath the
+    olive-trees and through the fruitful vineyards of sunny Spain,
+    the heathen began to talk cunningly. "What a wonderful knight
+    is thy Emperor," he said. "He hath conquered the world from sea
+    to sea. But why cometh he within our borders? Why left he us
+    not in peace?"</p>
+
+    <p>"It was his will," replied Ganelon. "There is no man in all
+    the world so great as he. None may stand against
+    him."</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page431"
+       id="page431"></a>[pg 431]</span>
+
+    <p>"You Franks are gallant men indeed," said Blancandrin, "but
+    your dukes and counts deserve blame when they counsel the
+    Emperor to fight with us now."</p>
+
+    <p>"There is none deserveth that blame save Roland," said
+    Ganelon. "Such pride as his ought to be punished. Oh, that some
+    one would slay him!" he cried fiercely. "Then should we have
+    peace."</p>
+
+    <p>"This Roland is very cruel," said Blancandrin, "to wish to
+    conquer all the world as he does. But in whom does he trust for
+    help?"</p>
+
+    <p>"In the Franks," said Ganelon. "They love him with such a
+    great love that they think he can do no wrong. He giveth them
+    gold and silver, jewels and armor, so they serve him. Even to
+    the Emperor himself he maketh rich presents. He will not rest
+    until he hath conquered all the world, from east to west."</p>
+
+    <p>The Saracen looked at Ganelon out of the corner of his eye.
+    He was a noble knight, but now that his face was dark with
+    wrath and jealousy, he looked like a felon.</p>
+
+    <p>"Listen thou to me," said Blancandrin softly. "Dost wish to
+    be avenged upon Roland? Then, by Mahomet! deliver him into our
+    hands. King Marsil is very generous; for such a kindness he
+    will willingly give unto thee of his countless treasure."</p>
+
+    <p>Ganelon heard the tempter's voice, but he rode onward as if
+    unheeding, his chin sunken upon his breast, his eyes dark with
+    hatred.</p>
+
+    <p>But long ere the ride was ended and Saragossa reached, the
+    heathen lord and Christian knight had plotted together for the
+    ruin of Roland.</p>
+
+    <p>At length the journey was over, and Ganelon lighted down
+    before King Marsil, who awaited him beneath the shadow of his
+    orchard-trees, seated upon a marble throne covered with rich
+    silken rugs. Around him crowded his nobles, silent and eager to
+    learn how Blancandrin had fared upon his errand.</p>
+
+    <p>Bowing low, Blancandrin approached the throne, leading
+    Ganelon by the hand. "Greeting," he said, "in the name of
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page432"
+       id="page432"></a>[pg 432]</span> Mahomet. Well, O Marsil,
+       have I done thy behest to the mighty Christian King. But
+       save that he raised his hands to heaven and gave thanks to
+       his God, no answer did he render to me. But unto thee he
+       sendeth one of his nobles, a very powerful man in France.
+       From him shalt thou learn if thou shalt have peace or
+       war."</p>
+
+    <p>"Let him speak," said King Marsil. "We will listen."</p>
+
+    <p>"Greeting," said Ganelon, "in the name of God&mdash;the God
+    of glory whom we ought all to adore. Listen ye to the command
+    of Charlemagne: Thou, O King, shalt receive the Christian
+    faith, then half of Spain will he leave to thee to hold in
+    fief. The other half shall be given to Count Roland&mdash;a
+    haughty companion thou wilt have there. If thou wilt not agree
+    to this, Charlemagne will besiege Saragossa, and thou shalt be
+    led captive to Aix, there to die a vile and shameful
+    death."</p>
+
+    <p>King Marsil shook with anger and turned pale. In his hand he
+    held an arrow fledged with gold. Now, springing from his
+    throne, he raised his arm as if he would strike Ganelon. But
+    the knight laid his hand upon his sword and drew it half out of
+    the scabbard. "Sword," he cried, "thou art bright and
+    beautiful; oft have I carried thee at the court of my King. It
+    shall never be said of me that I died alone in a foreign land,
+    among fierce foes, ere thou wert dipped in the blood of their
+    bravest and best."</p>
+
+    <p>For a few moments the heathen King and the Christian knight
+    eyed each other in deep silence. Then the air was filled with
+    shouts. "Part them, part them!" cried the Saracens.</p>
+
+    <p>The noblest of the Saracens rushed between their King and
+    Ganelon. "It was a foolish trick to raise thy hand against the
+    Christian knight," said Marsil's calif, seating him once more
+    upon his throne. "'Twere well to listen to what he hath to
+    say."</p>
+
+    <p>"Sir," said Ganelon proudly, "thinkest thou for all the
+    threats in the wide world I will be silent and not speak the
+    message which the mighty Charlemagne sendeth to his mortal
+    enemy? Nay, I would speak, if ye were all against me." And
+    keeping his right hand still upon the golden pommel of his
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page434"
+       id="page434"></a>[pg 434]</span> sword, with his left he
+       unclasped his cloak of fur and silk and cast it upon the
+       steps of the throne. There, in his strength and splendor, he
+       stood defying them all.</p>
+
+    <p>"'Tis a noble knight!" cried the heathen in admiration.</p>
+
+    <p>Then once more turning to King Marsil, Ganelon gave him the
+    Emperor's letter. As he broke the seal and read, Marsil's brow
+    grew black with anger. "Listen, my lords," he cried; "because I
+    slew yonder insolent Christian knights, the Emperor Charlemagne
+    bids me beware his wrath. He commands that I shall send unto
+    him as hostage mine uncle the calif."</p>
+
+    <p>"This is some madness of Ganelon!" cried a heathen knight.
+    "He is only worthy of death. Give him unto me, and I will see
+    that justice is done upon him." So saying, he laid his hand
+    upon his sword.</p>
+
+    <p>Like a flash of lightning Ganelon's good blade Murglies
+    sprang from its sheath, and with his back against a tree, the
+    Christian knight prepared to defend himself to the last. But
+    once again the fight was stopped, and this time Blancandrin led
+    Ganelon away.</p>
+
+    <p>Then, walking alone with the King, Blancandrin told of all
+    that he had done, and of how even upon the way hither, Ganelon
+    had promised to betray Roland, who was Charlemagne's greatest
+    warrior. "And if he die," said Blancandrin, "then is our peace
+    sure."</p>
+
+    <p>"Bring hither the Christian knight to me," cried King
+    Marsil.</p>
+
+    <p>So Blancandrin went, and once more leading Ganelon by the
+    hand, brought him before the King.</p>
+
+    <p>"Fair Sir Ganelon," said the wily heathen, "I did a rash and
+    foolish thing when in anger I raised my hand to strike at thee.
+    As a token that thou wilt forget it, accept this cloak of
+    sable. It is worth five hundred pieces of gold." And lifting a
+    rich cloak, he clasped it about the neck of Ganelon.</p>
+
+    <p>"I may not refuse it," said the knight, looking down. "May
+    Heaven reward thee!"</p>
+
+    <p>"Trust me, Sir Ganelon," said King Marsil, "I love thee
+    well. But keep thou our counsels secret. I would hear thee talk
+    of Charlemagne. He is very old, is he not?&mdash;more than
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page435"
+       id="page435"></a>[pg 435]</span> two hundred years old. He
+       must be worn out and weary, for he hath fought so many
+       battles and humbled so many kings in the dust. He ought to
+       rest now from his labors in his city of Aix."</p>
+
+    <p>Ganelon shook his head. "Nay," he said, "such is not
+    Charlemagne. All those who have seen him know that our Emperor
+    is a true warrior. I know not how to praise him enough before
+    you, for there is nowhere a man so full of valor and of
+    goodness. I would rather die than leave his service."</p>
+
+    <p>"In truth," said Marsil, "I marvel greatly. I had thought
+    that Charlemagne had been old and worn. Then if it is not so,
+    when will he cease his wars?"</p>
+
+    <p>"Ah," said Ganelon, "that he will never do so long as his
+    nephew Roland lives. Under the arch of heaven there bides no
+    baron so splendid or so proud. Oliver, his friend, also is full
+    of prowess and of valor. With them and his peers beside him,
+    Charlemagne feareth no man."</p>
+
+    <p>"Fair Sir Ganelon," said King Marsil boldly, knowing his
+    hatred, "tell me, how shall I slay Roland?"</p>
+
+    <p>"That I can tell thee," said Ganelon. "Promise thou the
+    Emperor all that he asketh of thee. Send hostages and presents
+    to him. He will then return to France. His army will pass
+    through the valley of Roncesvalles. I will see to it that
+    Roland and his friend Oliver lead the rear-guard. They will lag
+    behind the rest of the army, then there shalt thou fall upon
+    them with all thy mighty men. I say not but that thou shalt
+    lose many a knight, for Roland and his peers will fight right
+    manfully. But in the end, being so many more than they, thou
+    shalt conquer. Roland shall lie dead, and slaying him thou wilt
+    cut off the right arm of Charlemagne. Then farewell to the
+    wondrous army of France. Never again shall Charlemagne gather
+    such a company, and within the borders of Spain there shall be
+    peace for evermore."</p>
+
+    <p>When Ganelon had finished speaking, the King threw his arms
+    about his neck and kissed him. Then turning to his slaves, he
+    commanded them to bring great treasure of gold, and silver and
+    precious stones, and lay it at the feet of the
+    knight.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page436"
+       id="page436"></a>[pg 436]</span>
+
+    <p>"But swear to me," said Marsil, "that Roland shall be in the
+    rear-guard, and swear to me his death."</p>
+
+    <p>And Ganelon, laying his hand upon his sword Murglies, swore
+    by the holy relics therein, that he would bring Roland to
+    death.</p>
+
+    <p>Then came a heathen knight who gave to Ganelon a sword, the
+    hilt of which glittered with gems so that the eyes were dazzled
+    in looking upon it. "Let but Roland be in the rear-guard," he
+    said, "and it is thine." Then he kissed Ganelon on both
+    cheeks.</p>
+
+    <p>Soon another heathen knight followed him, laughing joyfully.
+    "Here is my helmet," he cried. "It is the richest and best ever
+    beaten out of steel. It is thine so that thou truly bring
+    Roland to death and shame." And he, too, kissed Ganelon.</p>
+
+    <p>Next came Bramimonde, Marsil's queen. She was very
+    beautiful. Her dark hair was strung with pearls, and her robes
+    of silk and gold swept the ground. Her hands were full of
+    glittering gems. Bracelets and necklaces of gold, rubies and
+    sapphires fell from her white fingers. "Take these," she said,
+    "to thy fair lady. Tell her that Queen Bramimonde sends them to
+    her because of the great service thou hast done." And bowing
+    low, she poured the sparkling jewels into Ganelon's hands. Thus
+    did the heathen reward Ganelon for his treachery.</p>
+
+    <p>"Ho there!" called King Marsil to his treasurer, "are my
+    gifts for the Emperor ready?"</p>
+
+    <p>"Yea, Sire," answered the treasurer, "seven hundred camels'
+    load of silver and gold and twenty hostages, the noblest of the
+    land; all are ready."</p>
+
+    <p>Then King Marsil leant his hand on Ganelon's shoulder. "Wise
+    art thou and brave," he said, "but in the name of all thou
+    holdest sacred, forget not thy promise unto me. See, I give
+    thee ten mules laden with richest treasure, and every year I
+    will send to thee as much again. Now take the keys of my city
+    gates, take the treasure and the hostages made ready for thine
+    Emperor. Give them all to him, tell him that I yield to him all
+    that he asks, but forget not thy promise that Roland shall ride
+    in the rear-guard."</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page437"
+       id="page437"></a>[pg 437]</span>
+
+    <p>Impatient to be gone, Ganelon shook the King's hand from his
+    shoulder. "Let me tarry no longer," he cried. Then springing to
+    horse he rode swiftly away.</p>
+
+    <p>Meanwhile Charlemagne lay encamped, awaiting Marsil's
+    answer. And as one morning he sat beside his tent, with his
+    lords and mighty men around him, a great cavalcade appeared in
+    the distance. And presently Ganelon, the traitor, drew rein
+    before him. Softly and smoothly he began his treacherous tale.
+    "God keep you," he cried; "here I bring the keys of Saragossa,
+    with treasure rich and rare, seven hundred camels' load of
+    silver and gold and twenty hostages of the noblest of the
+    heathen host. And King Marsil bids me say, thou shalt not blame
+    him that his uncle the calif comes not too, for he is dead. I
+    myself saw him as he set forth with three hundred thousand
+    armed men upon the sea. Their vessels sank ere they had gone
+    far from the land, and he and they were swallowed in the
+    waves." Thus Ganelon told his lying tale.</p>
+
+    <p>"Now praised be Heaven!" cried Charlemagne. "And thanks, my
+    trusty Ganelon, for well hast thou sped. At length my wars are
+    done, and home to gentle France we ride."</p>
+
+    <p>So the trumpets were sounded, and soon the great army, with
+    pennons waving and armor glittering in the sunshine, was
+    rolling onward through the land, like a gleaming mighty
+    river.</p>
+
+    <p>But following the Christian army, through valleys deep and
+    dark, by pathways secret and unknown, crept the heathen host.
+    They were clad in shining steel from head to foot, swords were
+    by their sides, lances were in their hands, and bitter hatred
+    in their hearts. Four hundred thousand strong they marched in
+    stealthy silence. And, alas! the Franks knew it not.</p>
+
+    <p>When night came the Franks encamped upon the plain. And high
+    upon the mountain-sides, in a dark forest the heathen kept
+    watch upon them.</p>
+
+    <p>In the midst of his army King Charlemagne lay, and as he
+    slept he dreamed he stood alone in the valley of Roncesvalles,
+    spear in hand. There to him came Ganelon, who seized his spear
+    and broke it in pieces before his eyes, and the noise of the
+    breaking was as the noise of thunder. In his sleep Charlemagne
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page438"
+       id="page438"></a>[pg 438]</span> stirred uneasily, but he
+       did not wake. The vision passed, and again he dreamed. It
+       seemed to him that he was now in his own city of Aix.
+       Suddenly from out a forest a leopard sprang upon him. But
+       even as its fangs closed upon his arm, a faithful hound came
+       bounding from his hall and fell upon the savage beast with
+       fury. Fiercely the hound grappled with the leopard. Snarling
+       and growling they rolled over and over. Now the hound was
+       uppermost, now the leopard. "Tis a splendid fight!" cried
+       the Franks who watched. But who should win, the Emperor knew
+       not, for the vision faded, and still he slept.</p>
+
+    <p>The night passed and dawn came. A thousand trumpets sounded,
+    the camp was all astir, and the Franks made ready once more to
+    march.</p>
+
+    <p>But Charlemagne was grave and thoughtful, musing on the
+    dream that he had dreamed. "My knights and barons," he said,
+    "mark well the country through which we pass. These valleys are
+    steep and straight. It would go ill with us did the false
+    Saracen forget his oath, and fall upon us as we pass. To whom
+    therefore shall I trust the rear-guard that we may march in
+    surety?"</p>
+
+    <p>"Give the command to my stepson, Roland, there is none so
+    brave as he," said Ganelon.</p>
+
+    <p>As Charlemagne listened he looked at Ganelon darkly. "Thou
+    art a very demon," he said. "What rage possesseth thee? And if
+    I give command of the rear to Roland, who, then, shall lead the
+    van?"</p>
+
+    <p>"There is Ogier the Dane," said Ganelon quickly, "who
+    better?"</p>
+
+    <p>Still Charlemagne looked darkly at him. He would not that
+    Roland should hear, for well he knew his adventurous
+    spirit.</p>
+
+    <p>But already Roland had heard. "I ought to love thee well,
+    Sir Stepsire," he cried, "for this day hast thou named me for
+    honor. I will take good heed that our Emperor lose not the
+    least of his men, nor charger, palfrey, nor mule that is not
+    paid for by stroke of sword."</p>
+
+    <p>"That know I right well," replied Ganelon, "therefore have I
+    named thee."</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page439"
+       id="page439"></a>[pg 439]</span>
+
+    <p>Then to Charlemagne Roland turned, "Give me the bow of
+    office, Sire, and let me take command," he said.</p>
+
+    <p>But the Emperor sat with bowed head. In and out of his long
+    white beard he twisted his fingers. Tears stood in his eyes,
+    and he kept silence. Such was his love for Roland and fear lest
+    evil should befall him.</p>
+
+    <p>Then spoke Duke Naimes, "Give the command unto Roland, Sire;
+    there is none better."</p>
+
+    <p>So, silently, Charlemagne held out the bow of office, and
+    kneeling, Roland took it.</p>
+
+    <p>Then was Ganelon's wicked heart glad.</p>
+
+    <p>"Nephew," said Charlemagne, "half my host I leave with
+    thee."</p>
+
+    <p>"Nay, Sire," answered Roland proudly, "twenty thousand only
+    shall remain with me. The rest of ye may pass onward in all
+    surety, for while I live ye have naught to fear."</p>
+
+    <p>Then in his heart Ganelon laughed.</p>
+
+    <p>So the mighty army passed onward through the vale of
+    Roncesvalles without doubt or dread, for did not Roland the
+    brave guard the rear? With him remained Oliver his friend,
+    Turpin, the bold Archbishop of Rheims, all the peers, and
+    twenty thousand more of the bravest knights of France.</p>
+
+    <p>As the great army wound along, the hearts of the men were
+    glad. For seven long years they had been far from home, and now
+    soon they would see their dear ones again. But the Emperor rode
+    among them sadly with bowed head. His fingers again twined
+    themselves in his long white beard, tears once more stood in
+    his eyes. Beside him rode Duke Naimes. "Tell me, Sire," he
+    said, "what grief oppresseth thee?"</p>
+
+    <p>"Alas," said Charlemagne, "by Ganelon France is betrayed.
+    This night I dreamed I saw him break my lance in twain. And
+    this same Ganelon it is that puts my nephew in the rear-guard.
+    And I, I have left him in a strange land. If he die, where
+    shall I find such another?"</p>
+
+    <p>It was in vain that Duke Naimes tried to comfort the
+    Emperor. He would not be comforted, and all the hearts of that
+    great company were filled with fearful, boding dread for
+    Roland.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page440"
+       id="page440"></a>[pg 440]</span>
+
+    <h3>III</h3>
+
+    <h3>ROLAND'S PRIDE</h3>
+
+    <p>Meanwhile King Marsil was gathering all his host. From far
+    and near came the heathen knights, all impatient to fight, each
+    one eager to have the honor of slaying Roland with his own
+    hand, each swearing that none of the twelve peers should ever
+    again see France.</p>
+
+    <p>Among them was a great champion called Chernuble. He was
+    huge and ugly and his strength was such that he could lift with
+    ease a burden which four mules could scarcely carry. His face
+    was inky black, his lips thick and hideous, and his coarse long
+    hair reached the ground. It was said that in the land from
+    whence he came, the sun never shone, the rain never fell, and
+    the very stones were black as coal. He too, swearing that the
+    Franks should die and that France should perish, joined the
+    heathen host.</p>
+
+    <p>Very splendid were the Saracens as they moved along in the
+    gleaming sunshine. Gold and silver shone upon their armor,
+    pennons of white and purple floated over them, and from a
+    thousand trumpets sounded their battle-song.</p>
+
+    <p>To the ears of the Frankish knights the sound was borne as
+    they rode through the valley of Roncesvalles.</p>
+
+    <p>"Sir Comrade," said Oliver, "it seemeth me there is battle
+    at hand with the Saracen foe."</p>
+
+    <p>"Please Heaven it may be so," said Roland. "Our duty is to
+    hold this post for our Emperor. Let us strike mighty blows,
+    that nothing be said or sung of us in scorn. Let us fight these
+    heathen for our country and our faith."</p>
+
+    <p>As Oliver heard the sounds of battle come nearer, he climbed
+    to the top of the hill, so that he could see far over the
+    country. There before him he saw the Saracens marching in
+    pride. Their helmets, inlaid with gold, gleamed in the sun.
+    Gaily painted shields, hauberks of shining steel, spears and
+    pennons waved and shone, rank upon rank in countless
+    numbers.</p>
+
+    <p>Quickly Oliver came down from the hill, and went back to the
+    Frankish army. "I have seen the heathen," he said to
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page441"
+       id="page441"></a>[pg 441]</span> Roland. "Never on earth
+       hath such a host been gathered. They march upon us many
+       hundred thousand strong, with shield and spear and sword.
+       Such battle as awaiteth us have we never fought before."</p>
+
+    <p>"Let him be accursed who fleeth!" cried the Franks. "There
+    be few among us who fear death."</p>
+
+    <p>"It is Ganelon the felon, who hath betrayed us," said
+    Oliver, "let him be accursed."</p>
+
+    <p>"Hush thee, Oliver," said Roland; "he is my stepsire. Let us
+    hear no evil of him."</p>
+
+    <p>"The heathen are in fearful force," said Oliver, "and our
+    Franks are but few. Friend Roland, sound upon thy horn. Then
+    will Charlemagne hear and return with all his host to help
+    us."</p>
+
+    <p>For round Roland's neck there hung a magic horn of carved
+    ivory. If he blew upon this in case of need, the sound of it
+    would be carried over hill and dale, far, far onward. If he
+    sounded it now, Charlemagne would very surely hear, and return
+    from his homeward march.</p>
+
+    <p>But Roland would not listen to Oliver. "Nay," he said, "I
+    should indeed be mad to sound upon my horn. If I call for help,
+    I, Roland, I should lose my fame in all fair France. Nay, I
+    will not sound, but I shall strike such blows with my good
+    sword Durindal that the blade shall be red to the gold of the
+    hilt. Our Franks, too, shall strike such blows that the heathen
+    shall rue the day. I tell thee, they be all dead men."</p>
+
+    <p>"Oh Roland, friend, wind thy horn," pleaded Oliver. "To the
+    ear of Charlemagne shall the sound be borne, and he and all his
+    knights will return to help us."</p>
+
+    <p>"Now Heaven forbid that my kin should ever be pointed at in
+    scorn because of me," said Roland, "or that fair France should
+    fall to such dishonor. No! I will not sound upon my horn, but I
+    shall strike such blows with my sword Durindal that the blade
+    shall be dyed red in the blood of the heathen."</p>
+
+    <p>In vain Oliver implored. "I see no dishonor shouldst thou
+    wind thy horn," he said, "for I have beheld the Saracen host.
+    The valleys and the hills and all the plains are covered
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page442"
+       id="page442"></a>[pg 442]</span> with them. They are many
+       and great, and we are but a little company."</p>
+
+    <p>"So much the better," cried Roland, "my desire to fight them
+    grows the greater. All the angels of heaven forbid that France,
+    through me, should lose one jot of fame. Death is better than
+    dishonor. Let us strike such blows as our Emperor loveth to
+    see."</p>
+
+    <p>Roland was rash as Oliver was wise, but both were knights of
+    wondrous courage, and now Oliver pleaded no more. "Look," he
+    cried, "look where the heathen come! Thou hast scorned, Roland,
+    to sound thy horn, and our noble men will this day do their
+    last deeds of bravery."</p>
+
+    <p>"Hush!" cried Roland, "shame to him who weareth a coward's
+    heart."</p>
+
+    <p>And now Archbishop Turpin spurred his horse to a little hill
+    in front of the army. "My lords and barons," he cried, turning
+    to them, "Charlemagne hath left us here to guard the homeward
+    march of his army. He is our King, and we are bound to die for
+    him, if so need be. But now, before ye fight, confess your
+    sins, and pray God to forgive them. If ye die, ye die as
+    martyrs. In God's great paradise your places await you."</p>
+
+    <p>Then the Franks leapt from their horses and kneeled upon the
+    ground while the archbishop blessed them, and absolved them
+    from all their sins. "For penance I command that ye strike the
+    heathen full sore," he said.</p>
+
+    <p>Then springing from their knees the Franks leapt again into
+    their saddles, ready now to fight and die.</p>
+
+    <p>"Friend," said Roland, turning to Oliver, "thou wert right.
+    It is Ganelon who is the traitor. But the Emperor will avenge
+    us upon him. As for Marsil, he deemeth that he hath bought us,
+    and that Ganelon hath sold us unto him. But he will find it is
+    with our swords that we will pay him."</p>
+
+    <p>And now the battle began. "Montjoie!" shouted the Franks. It
+    was the Emperor's own battle-cry. It means "My joy," and came
+    from the name of his famous sword Joyeuse or joyous. This sword
+    was the most wonderful ever seen. Thirty times a day the
+    shimmering light with which it
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page443"
+       id="page443"></a>[pg 443]</span> glowed changed. In the gold
+       of the hilt was encased the head of the spear with which the
+       side of Christ had been pierced. And because of this great
+       honor the Emperor called his sword Joyeuse, and from that
+       the Franks took their battle-cry "Montjoie." Now shouting
+       it, and plunging spurs into their horses' sides, they dashed
+       upon the foe. Never before had been such pride of chivalry,
+       such splendor of knightly grace.</p>
+
+    <p>With boasting words, King Marsil's nephew came riding in
+    front of the battle. "Ho, felon Franks!" he cried, "ye are met
+    at last. Betrayed and sold are ye by your King. This day hath
+    France lost her fair fame, and from Charlemagne is his right
+    hand torn."</p>
+
+    <p>Roland heard him. With spur in side and slackened rein, he
+    dashed upon the heathen, mad with rage. Through shield and
+    hauberk pierced his spear, and the Saracen fell dead ere his
+    scoffing words were done. "Thou dastard!" cried Roland, "no
+    traitor is Charlemagne, but a right noble king and
+    cavalier."</p>
+
+    <p>King Marsil's brother, sick at heart to see his nephew fall,
+    rode out with mocking words upon his lips. "This day is the
+    honor of France lost," he sneered.</p>
+
+    <p>But Oliver struck his golden spurs into his steed's side!
+    "Caitiff, thy taunts are little worth," he cried, and, pierced
+    through shield and buckler, the heathen fell.</p>
+
+    <p>Bishop Turpin, too, wielded both sword and lance. "Thou
+    lying coward, be silent evermore!" he cried, as a scoffing
+    heathen king fell beneath his blows. "Charlemagne our lord is
+    true and good, and no Frank shall flee this day."</p>
+
+    <p>"Montjoie! Montjoie!" sounded high above the clang of
+    battle, as heathen after heathen was laid low. Limbs were
+    lopped, armor flew in splinters. Many a heathen knight was
+    cloven from brow to saddle bow. The plain was strewn with the
+    dying and the dead.</p>
+
+    <p>In Roland's hand his lance was shivered to the haft.
+    Throwing the splintered wood away, he drew his famous Durindal.
+    The naked blade shone in the sun and fell upon the helmet of
+    Chernuble, Marsil's mighty champion. The sparkling gems with
+    which it shone were scattered on the grass. Through
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page444"
+       id="page444"></a>[pg 444]</span> cheek and chine, through
+       flesh and bone, drove the shining steel, and Chernuble fell
+       upon the ground, a black and hideous heap. "Lie there,
+       caitiff!" cried Roland, "thy Mahomet cannot save thee. Not
+       unto such as thou is the victory."</p>
+
+    <p>On through the press rode Roland. Durindal flashed and fell
+    and flashed again, and many a heathen bit the dust. Oliver,
+    too, did marvelous deeds. His spear, as Roland's, was shivered
+    into atoms. But scarcely knowing what he did, he fought still
+    with the broken shaft, and with it brought many a heathen to
+    his death.</p>
+
+    <p>"Comrade, what dost thou?" said Roland. "Is it now the time
+    to fight with staves? Where is thy sword called Hauteclere with
+    its crystal pommel and golden guard?"</p>
+
+    <p>"I lacked time in which to draw it," replied Oliver, "there
+    was such need to strike blows fast and hard."</p>
+
+    <p>But now he drew his shining Hauteclere from its scabbard,
+    and with it he dealt such blows that Roland cried, "My brother
+    art thou, Oliver, from henceforth. Ah! such blows our Emperor
+    would dearly love to see."</p>
+
+    <p>Furious and more furious waxed the fight. On all sides might
+    be heard the cry of "Montjoie! Montjoie!" and many a blow did
+    Frank and heathen give and take. But although thousands of
+    Saracens lay dead, the Franks too had lost many of their
+    bravest knights. Shield and spear, banner and pennon, broken,
+    bloodstained and trampled, strewed the field.</p>
+
+    <p>Fiercer, wilder still, the battle grew. Roland, Oliver,
+    Archbishop Turpin and all the twelve peers of France fought in
+    the thickest of the press. Many of the heathen fled, but even
+    in flight they were cut down.</p>
+
+    <p>Meanwhile over France burst a fearful storm. Thunder rolled,
+    lightning flashed, the very earth shook and trembled. There was
+    not a town in all the land but the walls of it were cracked and
+    riven. The sky grew black at midday, rain and hail in torrents
+    swept the land. "It is the end of the world," the people
+    whispered in trembling fear.</p>
+
+    <p>Alas, they knew not! It was the earth's great mourning for
+    the death of Roland, which was nigh.</p>
+
+    <p>The battle waxed horrible. The Saracens fled, and the
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page445"
+       id="page445"></a>[pg 445]</span> Franks pursued till of that
+       great heathen host but one was left. Of the Saracen army
+       which had set out in such splendor, four hundred thousand
+       strong, one heathen king alone remained. And he, King
+       Margaris, sorely wounded, his spear broken, his shield
+       pierced and battered, fled with the direful news to King
+       Marsil.</p>
+
+    <p>The Franks had won the day, and now mournfully over the
+    plain they moved, seeking their dead and dying comrades. Weary
+    men and worn were they, sad at the death of many brother
+    knights, yet glad at the might and victory of France.</p>
+
+    <h3>IV</h3>
+
+    <h3>ROLAND SOUNDS HIS HORN</h3>
+
+    <p>Alone, King Margaris fled, weary and wounded, until he
+    reached King Marsil, and fell panting at his feet.</p>
+
+    <p>"Ride! ride! Sire," he cried, "thy army is shattered, thy
+    knights to the last man lie dead upon the field; but thou wilt
+    find the Franks in evil plight. Full half of them also lie
+    dead. The rest are sore wounded and weary. Their armor is
+    broken, their swords and spears are shattered. They have naught
+    wherewith to defend themselves. To avenge the death of thy
+    knights were now easy. Ride! oh, ride!"</p>
+
+    <p>In terrible wrath and sorrow King Marsil gathered a new
+    army. In twenty columns through the valleys they came marching.
+    The sun shone upon the gems and goldwork of their helmets, upon
+    lances and pennons, upon buckler and embroidered surcoat. Seven
+    thousand trumpets sounded to the charge, and the wind carried
+    the clamor afar.</p>
+
+    <p>"Oliver, my comrade," said Roland, when he heard it,
+    "Oliver, my brother, the traitor Ganelon hath sworn our death.
+    Here his treachery is plainly to be seen. But the Emperor will
+    bring upon him a terrible vengeance. As for us, we must fight
+    again a battle fierce and keen. I will strike with my trusty
+    Durindal and thou with thy Hauteclere bright. We have already
+    carried them with honor in many battles. With them we have won
+    many a victory. No man may say scorn of
+    us."</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page446"
+       id="page446"></a>[pg 446]</span>
+
+    <p>And so once again the Franks made ready for battle.</p>
+
+    <p>But King Marsil was a wily foe. "Hearken, my barons all," he
+    cried, "Roland is a prince of wondrous strength. Two battles
+    are not enough to vanquish him. He shall have three. Half of ye
+    shall go forward now, and half remain with me until the Franks
+    are utterly exhausted. Then shall ye attack them. Then shall we
+    see the day when the might of Charlemagne shall fall and France
+    shall perish in shame."</p>
+
+    <p>So King Marsil stayed upon the hillside while half of his
+    knights marched upon the Franks with battle-cry and
+    trumpet-call.</p>
+
+    <p>"Oh Heaven, what cometh now!" cried the Franks as they heard
+    the sound. "Wo, wo, that ever we saw Ganelon the felon."</p>
+
+    <p>Then spoke the brave archbishop to them. "Now it is certain
+    that we shall die. But it is better to die sword in hand than
+    in slothful ease. Now is the day when ye shall receive great
+    honor. Now is the day that ye shall win your crown of flowers.
+    The gates of paradise are glorious, but therein no coward shall
+    enter."</p>
+
+    <p>"We will not fail to enter," cried the Franks. "It is true
+    that we are but few, but we are bold and stanch," and striking
+    their golden spurs into their chargers' flanks, they rode to
+    meet the foe.</p>
+
+    <p>Once more the noise and dust of battle rose. Once more the
+    plain was strewn with dead, and the green grass was
+    crimson-dyed, and scattered wide were jewels and gold,
+    splintered weapons, and shattered armor.</p>
+
+    <p>Fearful was the slaughter, mighty the deeds of valor done,
+    until at last the heathen broke and fled amain. After them in
+    hot pursuit rode the Franks. Their bright swords flashed and
+    fell again and again, and all the way was marked with dead.</p>
+
+    <p>At length the heathen cries of despair reached even to where
+    King Marsil stayed upon the hillside. "Marsil, oh our King!
+    ride, ride, we have need of thee!" they cried.</p>
+
+    <p>Even to the King's feet the Franks pursued the fleeing foe,
+    slaying them before his
+    face.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page447"
+       id="page447"></a>[pg 447]</span>
+
+    <p>Then Marsil, mounting upon his horse, led his last knights
+    against the fearful foe.</p>
+
+    <p>The Franks were nigh exhausted, but still three hundred
+    swords flashed in the sunlight, three hundred hearts still beat
+    with hope and courage.</p>
+
+    <p>As Roland watched Oliver ever in the thickest of the fight,
+    dealing blow upon blow unceasingly, his heart swelled anew with
+    love for him. "Oh, my comrade leal and true," he cried, "alas!
+    this day shall end our love. Alas! this day we shall part on
+    earth for ever."</p>
+
+    <p>Oliver heard him and through the press of fighting he urged
+    his horse to Roland's side. "Friend," he said, "keep near to
+    me. So it please God we shall at least die together."</p>
+
+    <p>On went the fight, fiercer and fiercer yet, till but sixty
+    weary Franks were left. Then, sadly gazing upon the stricken
+    field, Roland turned to Oliver. "Behold! our bravest lie dead,"
+    he cried. "Well may France weep, for she is shorn of all her
+    most valiant knights. Oh my Emperor, my friend, alas, why wert
+    thou not here? Oliver, my brother, how shall we speed him now
+    our mournful news?"</p>
+
+    <p>"I know not," said Oliver sadly, "rather come death now than
+    any craven deed."</p>
+
+    <p>"I will sound upon my horn," said Roland, all his pride
+    broken and gone. "I will sound upon my horn. Charlemagne will
+    hear it and the Franks will return to our aid."</p>
+
+    <p>"Shame would that be," cried Oliver. "Our kin would blush
+    for us and be dishonored all their days. When I prayed of thee
+    thou wouldst not sound thy horn, and now it is not I who will
+    consent to it. Sound upon thy horn! No! there is no courage, no
+    wisdom in that now. Had the Emperor been here we had been
+    saved. But now it is too late, for all is lost. Nay," he cried
+    in rising wrath, "if ever I see again my fair sister Aude, I
+    swear to thee thou shalt never hold her in thine arms. Never
+    shall she be bride of thine." For Roland loved Oliver's
+    beautiful sister Aude and was loved by her, and when Roland
+    would return to France she had promised to be his bride.</p>
+
+    <p>"Ah, Oliver, why dost thou speak to me with so much anger
+    and hate," cried Roland
+    sadly.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page448"
+       id="page448"></a>[pg 448]</span>
+
+    <p>"Because it is thy fault that so many Franks lie dead this
+    day," answered Oliver. "It is thy folly that hath slain them.
+    Hadst thou done as I prayed thee our master Charlemagne had
+    been here. This battle had been fought and won. Marsil had been
+    taken and slain. Thy madness it is, Roland, that hath wrought
+    our fate. Henceforward we can serve Charlemagne never more. And
+    now here endeth our loyal friendship. Oh, bitter the parting
+    this night shall see."</p>
+
+    <p>With terrible grief in his heart, stricken dumb with misery
+    and pain, Roland gazed upon his friend. But Archbishop Turpin
+    had heard the strife between the two, and setting spurs to his
+    horse he rode swiftly towards them. "Sir Roland, and you, Sir
+    Oliver," he cried, "I pray you strive not thus. See! we all
+    must die, and thy horn, Roland, can avail nothing now. Great
+    Karl is too far and would return too late. Yet it were well to
+    sound it. For the Emperor when he hears it will come to avenge
+    our fall, and the heathen will not return joyously to their
+    homes. When the Franks come, they will alight from their
+    horses, they will find our bodies, and will bury them with
+    mourning and with tears, so we shall rest in hallowed graves,
+    and the beasts of the field shall not tear our bones
+    asunder."</p>
+
+    <p>"It is well said," cried Roland.</p>
+
+    <p>Then to his lips he laid his horn, and taking a deep breath
+    he blew mightily upon it. With all the strength left in his
+    weary body he blew.</p>
+
+    <p>Full, and clear, and high the horn sounded. From mountain
+    peak to mountain peak the note was echoed, till to the camp of
+    Charlemagne, full thirty leagues away, it came.</p>
+
+    <p>Then as he heard it, sweet and faint, borne upon the summer
+    wind, the Emperor drew rein, and bent his ear to listen. "Our
+    men give battle; it is the horn of Roland," he cried.</p>
+
+    <p>"Nay," laughed Ganelon scornfully, "nay, Sire, had any man
+    but thee said it I had deemed he lied."</p>
+
+    <p>So slowly and sad at heart, with many a backward glance, the
+    Emperor rode on.</p>
+
+    <p>Again Roland put his horn to his mouth. He was weary now and
+    faint. Blood was upon his pale lips, the blue veins in his
+    temples stood out like cords. Very mournfully he blew
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page449"
+       id="page449"></a>[pg 449]</span> upon his horn, but the
+       sound of it was carried far, very far, although it was so
+       feeble and so low.</p>
+
+    <p>Again to the soft, sweet note Charlemagne bent his ear. Duke
+    Naimes, too, and all the Frankish knights, paused at the sound.
+    "It is the horn of Roland," cried the Emperor, "and very surely
+    had there been no battle, he had not sounded it."</p>
+
+    <p>"There is no battle," said Ganelon in fretful tones. "Thou
+    art grown old and fearful. Thou talkest as a frightened child.
+    Well thou knowest the pride of Roland, the strong, bold, great
+    and boastful Roland, that God hath suffered so long upon His
+    earth. For one hare Roland would sound his horn all day long.
+    Doubtless now he laughs among his peers. And besides, who would
+    dare to attack Roland? Who so bold? Of a truth there is none.
+    Ride on, Sire, ride on. Why halt? Our fair land is still very
+    far in front."</p>
+
+    <p>So again, yet more unwillingly, the Emperor rode on.</p>
+
+    <p>Crimson-stained were the lips of Roland. His cheeks were
+    sunken and white, yet once again he raised his horn. Faintly
+    now, in sadness and in anguish, once again he blew. The soft,
+    sweet notes took on a tone so pitiful, they wrung the very
+    heart of Charlemagne, where, full thirty leagues afar, he
+    onward rode.</p>
+
+    <p>"That horn is very long of breath," he sighed, looking
+    backward anxiously.</p>
+
+    <p>"It is Roland," cried Duke Naimes. "It is Roland who suffers
+    yonder. On my soul, I swear, there is battle. Some one hath
+    betrayed him. If I mistake not, it is he who now deceives thee.
+    Arm, Sire, arm! Sound the trumpets of war. Long enough hast
+    thou hearkened to the plaint of Roland."</p>
+
+    <p>Quickly the Emperor gave command. Quickly the army turned
+    about, and came marching backward. The evening sunshine fell
+    upon their pennons of crimson, gold and blue, it gleamed upon
+    helmet and corslet, upon lance and shield. Fiercely rode the
+    knights. "Oh, if we but reach Roland before he die," they
+    cried, "oh, what blows we will strike for him."</p>
+
+    <p>Alas! alas! they are late, too late!</p>
+
+    <p>The evening darkened, night came, yet on they rode.
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page450"
+       id="page450"></a>[pg 450]</span> Through all the night they
+       rode, and when at length the rising sun gleamed like flame
+       upon helmet, and hauberk and flowing pennon, they still
+       pressed onward.</p>
+
+    <p>Foremost the Emperor rode, sunk in sad thought, his fingers
+    twisted in his long white beard which flowed over his cuirass,
+    his eyes filled with tears. Behind him galloped his
+    knights&mdash;strong men though they were, every one of them
+    with a sob in his throat, a prayer in his heart, for Roland,
+    Roland the brave and fearless.</p>
+
+    <p>One knight only had anger in his heart. That knight was
+    Ganelon. And he by order of the Emperor had been given over to
+    the keeping of the kitchen knaves. Calling the chief among
+    them, "Guard me well this felon," said Charlemagne, "guard him
+    as a traitor, who hath sold all mine house to death."</p>
+
+    <p>Then the chief scullion and a hundred of his fellows
+    surrounded Ganelon. They plucked him by the hair and buffeted
+    him, each man giving him four sounding blows. Around his neck
+    they then fastened a heavy chain, and leading him as one might
+    lead a dancing bear, they set him upon a common baggage-horse.
+    Thus they kept him until the time should come that Charlemagne
+    would ask again for the felon knight.</p>
+
+    <h3>V</h3>
+
+    <h3>THE RETURN OF CHARLEMAGNE</h3>
+
+    <p>Roland was dead and bright angels had already carried his
+    soul to heaven, when Charlemagne and all his host at last rode
+    into the valley of Roncesvalles. What a dreadful sight was
+    there! Not a path nor track, not a yard nor foot of ground but
+    was covered with slain Franks and heathen lying side by side in
+    death.</p>
+
+    <p>Charlemagne gazed upon the scene with grief and horror.
+    "Where art thou, Roland?" he called. "The archbishop, where is
+    he? Oliver, where art thou?" All the twelve peers he called by
+    name. But none answered. The wind moaned over the field,
+    fluttering here and there a fallen banner, but voice to answer
+    there was none.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page451"
+       id="page451"></a>[pg 451]</span>
+
+    <p>"Alas," sighed Charlemagne, "what sorrow is mine that I was
+    not here ere this battle was fought!"</p>
+
+    <p>In and out of his long white beard his fingers twisted, and
+    tears of grief and anger stood in his eyes. Behind him, rank
+    upon rank, crowded his knights and barons full of wrath and
+    sorrow. Not one among them but had lost a son or brother, a
+    friend or comrade. For a time they stood dumb with grief and
+    horror.</p>
+
+    <p>Then spoke Duke Naimes. Wise in counsel, brave in battle was
+    he. "Look, Sire," he cried, "look where two leagues from us the
+    dust arises upon the great highway. There is gathered the army
+    of the heathen. Ride, Sire, ride and avenge our wrongs."</p>
+
+    <p>And so it was, for those who had fled from the battle-field
+    were gathered together and were now crowding onward to
+    Saragossa.</p>
+
+    <p>"Alas!" said Charlemagne, "they are already far away. Yet
+    they have taken from me the very flower of France, so for the
+    sake of right and honor I will do as thou desirest."</p>
+
+    <p>Then the Emperor called to him four of his chief barons.
+    "Rest here," he said, "guard the field, the valleys and the
+    hills. Leave the dead lying as they are, but watch well that
+    neither lion nor any other savage beast come nigh to them.
+    Neither shall any servant or squire touch them. I forbid ye to
+    let man lay hand upon them till we return."</p>
+
+    <p>"Sire we will do thy will," answered the four.</p>
+
+    <p>Then, leaving a thousand knights to be with them,
+    Charlemagne sounded his war trumpets, and the army set forth
+    upon the pursuit of the heathen. Furiously they rode and fast,
+    but already the foe was far. Anxiously the Emperor looked to
+    the sun as it slowly went down toward the west. Night was at
+    hand and the enemy still afar.</p>
+
+    <p>Then, alighting from his horse, Charlemagne kneeled upon the
+    green grass. "Oh Lord, I pray thee," he cried, "make the sun to
+    stop. Say thou to the night, 'wait.' Say thou to the day,
+    'remain.'" And as the Emperor prayed, his guardian angel
+    stooped down and whispered to him, "Ride onward, Charlemagne!
+    Light shall not fail thee. Thou hast
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page452"
+       id="page452"></a>[pg 452]</span> lost the flower of France.
+       The Lord knoweth it right well. But thou canst now avenge
+       thee upon the wicked. Ride!"</p>
+
+    <p>Hearing these words, Charlemagne sprang once more to horse
+    and rode onward.</p>
+
+    <p>And truly a miracle was done for him. The sun stood
+    motionless in the sky, the heathen fled, the Franks pursued,
+    until in the Valley of Darkness they fell upon them and beat
+    them with great slaughter. The heathen still fled, but the
+    Franks surrounded them, closing every path, and in front flowed
+    the river Ebro wide and deep. Across it there was no bridge,
+    upon it no boat, no barge. Calling upon their gods Tervagan and
+    Apollin and upon Mahomet to save them, the heathen threw
+    themselves into the water. But there no safety they found.
+    Many, weighted with their heavy armor, sank beneath the waves.
+    Others, carried by the tide, were swept away, and all were
+    drowned, King Marsil alone fleeing towards Saragossa.</p>
+
+    <p>When Charlemagne saw that all his enemies were slain, he
+    leapt from his horse, and, kneeling upon the ground, gave
+    thanks to Heaven. And even as he rose from his knees the sun
+    went down and all the land was dim in twilight.</p>
+
+    <p>"Now is the hour of rest," said the Emperor. "It is too late
+    to return to Roncesvalles, for our steeds are weary and
+    exhausted. Take off their saddles and their bridles, and let
+    them refresh themselves upon the field."</p>
+
+    <p>"Sire, it is well said," replied the Franks.</p>
+
+    <p>So the knights, leaping from their horses, took saddle and
+    bridle from them, and let them wander free upon the green
+    meadows by the river-side. Then, being very weary, the Franks
+    lay down upon the grass, all dressed as they were in their
+    armor, and with their swords girded to their sides, and slept.
+    So worn were they with battle and with grief, that none that
+    night kept watch, but all alike slept.</p>
+
+    <p>The Emperor too slept upon the ground among his knights and
+    barons. Like them he lay in his armor. And his good sword
+    Joyeuse was girt about him.</p>
+
+    <p>The night was clear and the moon shone brightly. And
+    Charlemagne, lying on the grass, thought bitterly of Roland
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page453"
+       id="page453"></a>[pg 453]</span> and of Oliver, and of all
+       the twelve peers of France who lay dead upon the field of
+       Roncesvalles. But at last, overcome with grief and
+       weariness, he fell asleep.</p>
+
+    <p>As the Emperor slept, he dreamed. He thought he saw the sky
+    grow black with thunder-clouds, then jagged lightning flashed
+    and flamed, hail fell and wild winds howled. Such a storm the
+    earth had never seen, and suddenly in all its fury it burst
+    upon his army. Their lances were wrapped in flame, their
+    shields of gold were melted, hauberks and helmets were crushed
+    to pieces. Then bears and wolves from out the forests sprang
+    upon the dismayed knights, devouring them. Monsters untold,
+    serpents, fiery fiends, and more than thirty thousand griffins,
+    all rushed upon the Franks with greedy, gaping jaws.</p>
+
+    <p>"Arm! arm! Sire," they cried to him. And Charlemagne, in his
+    dream, struggled to reach his knights. But something, he knew
+    not what, held him bound and helpless. Then from out the depths
+    of the forest a lion rushed upon him. It was a fierce,
+    terrible, and proud beast. It seized upon the Emperor, and
+    together they struggled, he fighting with his naked hands. Who
+    would win, who would be beaten, none knew, for the dream passed
+    and the Emperor still slept.</p>
+
+    <p>Again Charlemagne dreamed. He stood, he thought, upon the
+    marble steps of his great palace of Aix holding a bear by a
+    double chain. Suddenly out of the forest there came thirty
+    other bears to the foot of the steps where Charlemagne stood.
+    They all had tongues and spoke like men. "Give him back to us,
+    Sire," they said, "he is our kinsman, and we must help him. It
+    is not right that thou shouldest keep him so long from us."</p>
+
+    <p>Then from out the palace there came a hound. Bounding among
+    the savage beasts he threw himself upon the largest of them.
+    Over and over upon the grass they rolled, fighting terribly.
+    Who would be the victor, who the vanquished? Charlemagne could
+    not tell. The vision passed, and he slept till daybreak.</p>
+
+    <p>As the first dim light of dawn crept across the sky,
+    Charlemagne awoke. Soon all the camp was astir, and before the
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page454"
+       id="page454"></a>[pg 454]</span> sun rose high the knights
+       were riding back over the wide roads to Roncesvalles.</p>
+
+    <p>When once again they reached the dreadful field, Charlemagne
+    wandered over all the plain until he came where Roland lay.
+    Then taking him in his arms he made great moan. "My friend, my
+    Roland, who shall now lead my army? My nephew, beautiful and
+    brave, my pride, my glory, all are gone. Alas the day! alas!"
+    Thus with tears and cries he mourned his loss.</p>
+
+    <p>Then said one, "Sire, grieve not overmuch. Command rather
+    that we search the plain and gather together all our men who
+    have been slain by the heathen. Then let us bury them with
+    chant, and song and solemn ceremony, as befits such
+    heroes."</p>
+
+    <p>"Yea," said Charlemagne, "it is well said. Sound your
+    trumpets!"</p>
+
+    <p>So the trumpets were sounded, and over all the field the
+    Franks searched, gathering their slain brothers and
+    comrades.</p>
+
+    <p>With the army there were many bishops, abbots and monks, and
+    so with chant and hymn, with prayer and incense, the Franks
+    were laid to rest. With great honor they were buried. Then, for
+    they could do no more, their comrades left them.</p>
+
+    <p>Only the bodies of Roland, Oliver and Archbishop Turpin,
+    they did not lay in Spanish ground. In three white marble
+    coffins covered with silken cloths they were placed on
+    chariots, ready to be carried back to the fair land of
+    France.</p>
+
+    <p>&nbsp;</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page455"
+       id="page455"></a>[pg 455]</span>
+
+    <h2>HERO OF SPAIN</h2>
+
+    <h3>THE CID</h3>
+
+    <h4>ADAPTED BY ROBERT SOUTHEY</h4>
+
+    <h3>I</h3>
+
+    <h3>RODRIGO AND THE LEPER</h3>
+
+    <p>Rodrigo forthwith set out upon the road, and took with him
+    twenty knights. And as he went he did great good, and gave
+    alms, feeding the poor and needy. And upon the way they found a
+    leper, struggling in a quagmire, who cried out to them with a
+    loud voice to help him for the love of God; and when Rodrigo
+    heard this, he alighted from his beast and helped him, and
+    placed him upon the beast before him, and carried him with him
+    in this manner to the inn where he took up his lodging that
+    night. At this were his knights little pleased.</p>
+
+    <p>When supper was ready he bade his knights take their seats,
+    and he took the leper by the hand, and seated him next himself,
+    and ate with him out of the same dish. The knights were greatly
+    offended at this foul sight, insomuch that they rose up and
+    left the chamber. But Rodrigo ordered a bed to be made ready
+    for himself and for the leper, and they twain slept together.
+    When it was midnight and Rodrigo was fast asleep, the leper
+    breathed against him between his shoulders, and that breath was
+    so strong that it passed through him, even through his breast;
+    and he awoke, being astounded, and felt for the leper by him,
+    and found him not; and he began to call him, but there was no
+    reply. Then he arose in fear, and called for a light, and it
+    was brought him; and he looked for the leper and could see
+    nothing; so he returned into the bed, leaving the light
+    burning. And he began to think within himself what had
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page456"
+       id="page456"></a>[pg 456]</span> happened, and of that
+       breath which had passed through him, and how the leper was
+       not there. After a while, as he was thus musing, there
+       appeared before him one in white garments, who said unto
+       him, "Sleepest thou or wakest thou, Rodrigo?" and he
+       answered and said, "I do not sleep: but who art thou that
+       bringest with thee such brightness and so sweet an odor?"
+       Said he, "I am Saint Lazarus, and know that I was a leper to
+       whom thou didst so much good and so great honor for the love
+       of God; and because thou didst this for his sake hath God
+       now granted thee a great gift; for whensoever that breath
+       which thou hast felt shall come upon thee, whatever thing
+       thou desirest to do, and shalt then begin, that shalt thou
+       accomplish to thy heart's desire, whether it be in battle or
+       aught else, so that thy honor shall go on increasing from
+       day to day; and thou shalt be feared both by Moors and
+       Christians, and thy enemies shall never prevail against
+       thee, and thou shalt die an honorable death in thine own
+       house, and in thy renown, for God hath blessed thee
+       therefore go thou on, and evermore persevere in doing good;"
+       and with that he disappeared. And Rodrigo arose and prayed
+       to our lady and intercessor St. Mary, that she would pray to
+       her blessed son for him to watch over his body and soul in
+       all his undertakings; and he continued in prayer till the
+       day broke. Then he proceeded on his way, and performed his
+       pilgrimage, doing much good for the love of God and of St.
+       Mary.</p>
+
+    <h3>II</h3>
+
+    <h3>THE KNIGHTING OF RODRIGO</h3>
+
+    <p>Now it came to pass that while the King lay before Coimbra,
+    there came a pilgrim from the land of Greece on pilgrimage to
+    Santiago; his name was Estiano, and he was a bishop. And as he
+    was praying in the church he heard certain of the townsmen and
+    of the pilgrims saying that Santiago was wont to appear in
+    battle like a knight, in aid of the Christians. And when he
+    heard this, it nothing pleased him, and he said unto them,
+    "Friends, call him not a knight, but rather a fisherman." Upon
+    this it pleased God that he should fall asleep, and in his
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page457"
+       id="page457"></a>[pg 457]</span> sleep Santiago appeared to
+       him with a good and cheerful countenance, holding in his
+       hand a bunch of keys, and said unto him, "Thou thinkest it a
+       fable that they should call me a knight, and sayest that I
+       am not so: for this reason am I come unto thee that thou
+       never more mayest doubt concerning my knighthood; for a
+       knight of Jesus Christ I am, and a helper of the Christians
+       against the Moors."</p>
+
+    <p>Then a horse was brought him the which was exceeding white,
+    and the apostle Santiago mounted upon it, being well clad in
+    bright and fair armor, after the manner of a knight. And he
+    said to Estiano, "I go to help King Don Ferrando, who has lain
+    these seven months before Coimbra, and to-morrow, with these
+    keys which thou seest, will I open the gates of the city unto
+    him at the third hour, and deliver it into his hand." Having
+    said this, he departed. And the bishop, when he woke in the
+    morning, called together the clergy and people of Compostella,
+    and told them what he had seen and heard. And as he said, even
+    so did it come to pass; for tidings came, that on that day, and
+    at the third hour, the gates of the city had been opened.</p>
+
+    <p>King Don Ferrando then assembled his counts and chief
+    captains, and told them all that the monks of Lorvam had done,
+    in bringing him to besiege the city, and in supplying his army
+    in their time of need: and the counts and chief captains made
+    answer and said, "Certes, O King, if the monks had not given us
+    the stores of their monastery, thou couldest not have taken the
+    city at this time." The King then called for the abbot and the
+    brethren, for they were with him in the host, and said the
+    hours to him daily, and mass in St. Andre's, and buried there
+    and in their monastery as many as had died during the siege,
+    either of arrow-wounds or by lances, or of their own
+    infirmities. So they came before him and gave him joy of his
+    conquest; and he said unto them, "Take ye now of this city as
+    much as ye desire, since by God's favor and your counsel I have
+    won it." But they made answer, "Thanks be to God and to you,
+    and to your forefathers, we have enough and shall have, if so
+    be that we have your favor and dwell among Christians. Only for
+    the love of God, and for the remedy of your
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page458"
+       id="page458"></a>[pg 458]</span> own soul, give us one
+       church with its dwelling-houses within the city, and confirm
+       unto us the gifts made to us in old times by your
+       forefathers."</p>
+
+    <p>With that the King turned to his sons and his soldiers, and
+    said, "Of a truth, by our Creator, they who desire so little
+    are men of God. I would have given them half the city, and they
+    will have only a single church! Now therefore, since they
+    require but this, on the part of God Almighty let us grant and
+    confirm unto them what they ask, to the honor of God and St.
+    Mamede." And the brethren brought him their charters of King
+    Ramiro, and King Bermudo, and King Alfonso, and of Gonzalo
+    Moniz, who was a knight and married a daughter of King Bermudo,
+    and of other good men. And the King confirmed them, and he bade
+    them make a writing of all which had passed between him and
+    them at the siege of Coimbra; and when they brought him the
+    writing, they brought him also a crown of silver and of gold,
+    which had been King Bermudo's, and which Gonzalo Moniz had
+    given to the monastery in honor of God and St. Mamede.</p>
+
+    <p>The King saw the crown, set with precious stones, and said,
+    "To what end bring ye hither this crown?" And they said, "That
+    you should take it, sire, in return for the good which you have
+    done us." But he answered, "Far be it from me that I should
+    take from your monastery what the good men before me have given
+    to it! Take ye back the crown, and take also ten marks of
+    silver, and make with the money a good cross, to remain with
+    you forever. And he who shall befriend you, may God befriend
+    him; but he who shall disturb you or your monastery, may he be
+    cursed by the living God and by his saints." So the King signed
+    the writing which he had commanded to be made, and his sons and
+    chief captains signed it also, and in the writing he enjoined
+    his children and his children's children, as many as should
+    come after him, to honor and protect the monastery of Lorvam;
+    upon his blessing he charged them so to do, because he had
+    found the brethren better than all the other monks in his
+    dominions.</p>
+
+    <p>Then King Don Ferrando knighted Rodrigo of Bivar in the
+    great mosque of Coimbra, which he dedicated to St. Mary.
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page459"
+       id="page459"></a>[pg 459]</span> And the ceremony was after
+       this manner: the King girded on his sword, and gave him the
+       kiss, but not the blow. To do him honor the Queen gave him
+       his horse, and the Infanta Dona Urraca fastened on his
+       spurs; and from that day forth he was called Ruydiez. Then
+       the King commanded him to knight nine noble squires with his
+       own hand; and he took his sword before the altar, and
+       knighted them. The King then gave Coimbra to the keeping of
+       Don Sisnando, Bishop of Iria; a man who, having more
+       hardihood than religion, had by reason of his misdeeds gone
+       over to the Moors, and sorely infested the Christians in
+       Portugal. But during the siege he had come to the King's
+       service, and bestirred himself well against the Moors; and
+       therefore the King took him into his favor, and gave him the
+       city to keep, which he kept, and did much evil to the Moors
+       till the day of his death. And the King departed and went to
+       Compostella, to return thanks to Santiago.</p>
+
+    <p>But then Benalfagi, who was the lord of many lands in
+    Estremadura, gathered together a great power of the Moors and
+    built up the walls of Montemor, and from thence waged war
+    against Coimbra, so that they of Coimbra called upon the King
+    for help. And the King came up against the town, and fought
+    against it, and took it. Great honor did Ruydiez win at that
+    siege; for having to protect the foragers, the enemy came out
+    upon him, and thrice in one day was he beset by them; but he,
+    though sorely pressed by them, and in great peril, nevertheless
+    would not send to the camp for succor, but put forth his
+    manhood and defeated them. And from that day che King gave more
+    power into his hands, and made him head over all his
+    household.</p>
+
+    <p>Now the men of Leon besought the King that he should
+    repeople Zamora, which had lain desolate since it was destroyed
+    by Almanzor. And he went thither and peopled the city, and gave
+    to it good privileges. And while he was there came messengers
+    from the five kings who were vassals to Ruydiez of Bivar,
+    bringing him their tribute; and they came to him, he being with
+    the King, and called him Cid, which signifieth lord, and would
+    have kissed his hands, but he would not give them his hand till
+    they had kissed the hand of the King. And Ruydiez
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page460"
+       id="page460"></a>[pg 460]</span> took the tribute and
+       offered the fifth thereof to the King, in token of his
+       sovereignty; and the King thanked him, but would not receive
+       it; and from that time he ordered that Ruydiez should be
+       called the Cid, because the Moors had so called him.</p>
+
+    <h3>III</h3>
+
+    <h3>HOW THE CID MADE A COWARD INTO A BRAVE MAN</h3>
+
+    <p>At this time Martin Pelaez the Asturian came with a convoy
+    of laden beasts, carrying provisions to the host of the Cid;
+    and as he passed near the town the Moors sallied out in great
+    numbers against him; but he, though he had few with him,
+    defended the convoy right well, and did great hurt to the
+    Moors, slaying many of them, and drove them into the town. This
+    Martin Pelaez who is here spoken of, did the Cid make a right
+    good knight, of a coward, as ye shall hear. When the Cid first
+    began to lay seige to the city of Valencia, this Martin Pelaez
+    came unto him; he was a knight, a native of Santillana in
+    Asturias, a hidalgo, great of body and strong of limb, a
+    well-made man and of goodly semblance, but withal a right
+    coward at heart, which he had shown in many places when he was
+    among feats of arms. And the Cid was sorry when he came unto
+    him, though he would not let him perceive this; for he knew he
+    was not fit to be of his company. Howbeit he thought that since
+    he was come, he would make him brave, whether he would or
+    not.</p>
+
+    <p>When the Cid began to war upon the town, and sent parties
+    against it twice and thrice a day, for the Cid was alway upon
+    the alert, there was fighting and tourneying every day. One day
+    it fell out that the Cid and his kinsmen and friends and
+    vassals were engaged in a great encounter, and this Martin
+    Pelaez was well armed; and when he saw that the Moors and
+    Christians were at it, he fled and betook himself to his
+    lodging, and there hid himself till the Cid returned to dinner.
+    And the Cid saw what Martin Pelaez did, and when he had
+    conquered the Moors he returned to his lodging to dinner. Now
+    it was the custom of the Cid to eat at a high table, seated on
+    his bench, at the head. And Don Alvar Fa&ntilde;ez, and Pero
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page461"
+       id="page461"></a>[pg 461]</span> Bermudez, and other
+       precious knights, ate in another part, at high tables, full
+       honorably, and none other knights whatsoever dared take
+       their seats with them, unless they were such as deserved to
+       be there; and the others who were not so approved in arms
+       ate upon <i>estrados</i>, at tables with cushions. This was
+       the order in the house of the Cid, and every one knew the
+       place where he was to sit at meat, and every one strove all
+       he could to gain the honor of sitting at the table of Don
+       Alvar Fa&ntilde;ez and his companions, by strenuously
+       behaving himself in all feats of arms; and thus the honor of
+       the Cid was advanced.</p>
+
+    <p>Martin Pelaez, thinking none had seen his badness, washed
+    his hands in turn with the other knights, and would have taken
+    his place among them. And the Cid went unto him, and took him
+    by the hand and said, "You are not such a one as deserves to
+    sit with these, for they are worth more than you or than me;
+    but I will have you with me:" and he seated him with himself at
+    table. And he, for lack of understanding, thought that the Cid
+    did this to honor him above all the others. On the morrow the
+    Cid and his company rode towards Valencia, and the Moors came
+    out to the tourney; and Martin Pelaez went out well armed, and
+    was among the foremost who charged the Moors, and when he was
+    in among them he turned the reins, and went back to his
+    lodging; and the Cid took heed to all that he did, and saw that
+    though he had done badly he had done better than the first day.
+    And when the Cid had driven the Moors into the town he returned
+    to his lodging, and as he sat down to meat he took this Martin
+    Pelaez by the hand, and seated him with himself, and bade him
+    eat with him in the same dish, for he had deserved more that
+    day than he had the first. And the knight gave heed to that
+    saying, and was abashed; howbeit he did as the Cid commanded
+    him: and after he had dined he went to his lodging and began to
+    think upon what the Cid had said unto him, and perceived that
+    he had seen all the baseness which he had done; and then he
+    understood that for this cause he would not let him sit at
+    board with the other knights who were precious in arms, but had
+    seated him with himself, more to affront him than to do him
+    honor, for there were other knights there better than he, and
+    he did not show <span class="pagenum"><a name="page462"
+       id="page462"></a>[pg 462]</span> them that honor. Then
+       resolved he in his heart to do better than he had done
+       heretofore.</p>
+
+    <p>Another day it happened that the Cid and his company, along
+    with Martin Pelaez, rode toward Valencia, and the Moors came
+    out to the tourney full resolutely, and Martin Pelaez was among
+    the first, and charged them right boldly; and he smote down and
+    slew presently a good knight, and he lost there all the bad
+    fear which he had had, and was that day one of the best knights
+    there: and as long as the tourney lasted there he remained,
+    smiting and slaying and overthrowing the Moors, till they were
+    driven within the gates, in such manner that the Moors marveled
+    at him, and asked where that devil came from, for they had
+    never seen him before. And the Cid was in a place where he
+    could see all that was going on, and he gave good heed to him,
+    and had great pleasure in beholding him, to see how well he had
+    forgotten the great fear which he was wont to have. And when
+    the Moors were shut up within the town, the Cid and all his
+    people returned to their lodging, and Martin Pelaez full
+    leisurely and quietly went to his lodging also, like a good
+    knight. And when it was the hour of eating, the Cid waited for
+    Martin Pelaez; and when he came, and they had washed, the Cid
+    took him by the hand and said, "My friend, you are not such a
+    one as deserves to sit with me from henceforth; but sit you
+    here with Don Alvar Fa&ntilde;ez, and with these other good
+    knights, for the good feats which you have done this day have
+    made you a companion for them;" and from that day forward he
+    was placed in the company of the good.</p>
+
+    <p>The history saith that from that day forward this knight
+    Martin Pelaez was a right good one, and a right valiant, and a
+    right precious, in all places where he chanced among feats of
+    arms, and he lived alway with the Cid, and served him right
+    well and truly. And the history saith, that after the Cid had
+    won the city of Valencia, on the day when they conquered and
+    discomfited the King of Seville, this Martin Pelaez was so good
+    a one, that setting aside the body of the Cid himself, there
+    was no such good knight there, nor one who bore such part, as
+    well in the battle as in the pursuit. And so great was the
+    mortality which he made among the Moors that day, that when he
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page463"
+       id="page463"></a>[pg 463]</span> returned from the business
+       the sleeves of his mail were clotted with blood, up to the
+       elbow; insomuch that for what he did that day his name is
+       written in this history, that it may never die. And when the
+       Cid saw him come in that guise, he did him great honor, such
+       as he never had done to any knight before that day, and from
+       thenceforward gave him a place in all his actions and in all
+       his secrets, and he was his great friend. In this knight
+       Martin Pelaez was fulfilled the example which saith, that he
+       who betaketh himself to a good tree, hath good shade, and he
+       who serves a good lord winneth good guerdon; for by reason
+       of the good service which he did the Cid, he came to such
+       good state that he was spoken of as ye have heard: for the
+       Cid knew how to make a good knight, as a good groom knows
+       how to make a good horse.</p>
+
+    <h3>IV</h3>
+
+    <h3>HOW THE CID RULED VALENCIA</h3>
+
+    <p>On the following day after the Christians had taken
+    possession of the town, the Cid entered it with a great
+    company, and he ascended the highest tower of the wall and
+    beheld all the city; and the Moors came unto him, and kissed
+    his hand, saying he was welcome. And the Cid did great honor
+    unto them. And then he gave order that all the windows of the
+    towers which looked in upon the town should be closed up, that
+    the Christians might not see what the Moors did in their
+    houses; and the Moors thanked him for this greatly. And he
+    commanded and requested the Christians that they should show
+    great honor to the Moors, and respect them, and greet them when
+    they met: and the Moors thanked the Cid greatly for the honor
+    which the Christians did them, saying that they had never seen
+    so good a man, nor one so honorable, nor one who had his people
+    under such obedience.</p>
+
+    <p>Now Abeniaf thought to have the love of the Cid; and calling
+    to mind the wrath with which he had formerly been received,
+    because he had not taken a gift with him, he took now great
+    riches which he had taken from those who sold bread
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page464"
+       id="page464"></a>[pg 464]</span> for so great a price during
+       the siege of Valencia, and this he carried to the Cid as a
+       present. Among those who had sold it were some men from the
+       islands of Majorca, and he took from them all that they had.
+       This the Cid knew, and he would not accept his gifts. And
+       the Cid caused proclamation to be made in the town and
+       throughout the whole district thereof, that the honorable
+       men and knights and castellans should assemble together in
+       the garden of Villa Nueva, where the Cid at that time
+       sojourned. And when they were all assembled, he went out
+       unto them, to a place which was made ready with carpets and
+       with mats, and he made them take their seats before him full
+       honorable, and began to speak unto them, saying: "I am a man
+       who have never possessed a kingdom, neither I nor any man of
+       my lineage. But the day when I first beheld this city I was
+       well pleased therewith, and coveted it that I might be its
+       lord; and I besought the Lord our God that he would give it
+       me. See now what his power is, for the day when I sat down
+       before Juballa I had no more than four loaves of bread, and
+       now by God's mercy I have won Valencia.</p>
+
+    <p>"If I administer right and justice here, God will let me
+    enjoy it; if I do evil, and demean myself proudly and
+    wrongfully, I know that he will take it away. Now then, let
+    every one go to his own lands, and possess them even as he was
+    wont to have and to hold them. He who shall find his field, or
+    his vineyard, or his garden, desert, let him incontinently
+    enter thereon; and he who shall find his husbanded, let him pay
+    him that hath cultivated it the cost of his labor, and of the
+    seed which he hath sown therein, and remain with his heritage,
+    according to the law of the Moors. Moreover, I have given order
+    that they who collect my dues take from you no more than the
+    tenth, because so it is appointed by the custom of the Moors,
+    and it is what ye have been wont to pay. And I have resolved in
+    my heart to hear your complaints two days in the week, on the
+    Monday and the Thursday; but if causes should arise which
+    require haste, come to me when ye will and I will give
+    judgment, for I do not retire with women to sing and to drink,
+    as your lords have done, so that ye could obtain no justice,
+    but will myself see to these things, and watch over ye as
+    friend over his <span class="pagenum"><a name="page465"
+       id="page465"></a>[pg 465]</span> friend, and kinsman over
+       his kinsman. And I will be cadi and guazil, and when dispute
+       happens among ye I will decide it." When he had said these
+       things, they all replied that they prayed God to preserve
+       him through long and happy years; and four of the most
+       honorable among them arose and kissed his hands, and the Cid
+       bade them take their seats again.</p>
+
+    <p>Then the Cid spake unto them and said: "It is told me that
+    Abeniaf hath done much evil, and committed great wrong toward
+    some of ye, in that he hath taken great riches from ye to
+    present them to me, saying, that this he did because ye sold
+    food for a great price during the siege. But I will accept no
+    such gift; for if I were minded to have your riches, I could
+    take them, and need not ask them neither from him, nor from any
+    other; but thing so unseemly as to take that which is his from
+    any one, without just cause, I will not do. They who have
+    gotten wealth thus, God hath given it them; let them go to
+    Abeniaf, and take back what he hath forced from them, for I
+    will order him to restore the whole." Then he said, "Ye see the
+    riches which I took from the messengers who went to Murcia; it
+    is mine by right, for I took it in war because they brake the
+    covenant which they had made, and would have deceived me:
+    nevertheless I will restore it to the uttermost centesimo, that
+    nothing thereof shall be lost. And ye shall do homage to me
+    that ye will not withdraw yourselves, but will abide here, and
+    do my bidding in all things, and never depart from the covenant
+    which ye make with me; for I love ye, and am grieved to think
+    of the great evil and misery which ye endured from the great
+    famine, and of the mortality which there was. And if ye had
+    done that before which ye have done now, ye would not have been
+    brought to these sufferings and have bought the <i>cafiz</i> of
+    wheat at a thousand <i>maravedis</i>; but I trust in God to
+    bring it to one <i>maravedi</i>. Be ye now secure in your
+    lands, and till your fields, and rear cattle; for I have given
+    order to my men that they offer ye no wrong, neither enter into
+    the town to buy nor to sell; but that they carry on all their
+    dealings in Alcudia, and this I do that ye may receive no
+    displeasure. Moreover I command them not to take any captive
+    into the town, but if this should be done, lay ye hands on the
+    captive and set him <span class="pagenum"><a name="page466"
+       id="page466"></a>[pg 466]</span> free, without fear, and if
+       any one should resist, kill him and fear not. I myself will
+       not enter your city nor dwell therein, but I will build me a
+       place beside the bridge of Alcantara, where I may go and
+       disport myself at times, and repair when it is needful."
+       When he had said these things he bade them go their way.</p>
+
+    <p>Well pleased were the Moors when they departed from him, and
+    they marveled at the greatness of his promises, and they set
+    their hearts at rest, and put away the fear which they had had,
+    thinking all their troubles were over; for in all the promises
+    which the Cid had made unto them, they believed that he spake
+    truth; but he said these things only to quiet them, and to make
+    them come to what he wished, even as came to pass. And when he
+    had done, he sent his Almoxarife, Abdalla Adiz, to the
+    custom-house, and made him appoint men to collect the rents of
+    the town for him, which was done accordingly. And when the Cid
+    had given order concerning his own affairs at his pleasure, the
+    Moors would fain have entered again into possession of their
+    heritages as he told them; but they found it all otherwise, for
+    of all the fields which the Christians had husbanded, they
+    would not yield up one; albeit they let them enter upon such as
+    were left waste: some said that the Cid had given them the
+    lands that year, instead of their pay, and other some that they
+    rented them and had paid rent for the year.</p>
+
+    <p>The Moors waited till Thursday, when the Cid was to hear
+    complaints, as he had said unto them. When Thursday came all
+    the honorable men went to the garden, but the Cid sent to say
+    unto them that he could not come out that day, because of other
+    causes which he had to determine; and he desired that they
+    would go their way for that time, and come again on the Monday:
+    this was to show his mastery. And when it was Monday they
+    assembled again in the garden, and the Cid came out to them,
+    and took his seat upon the <i>estrado</i>, and the Moors made
+    their complaint. And when he had heard them he began to make
+    similitudes, and offer reasons which were not like those which
+    he had spoken the first day; for he said to them, "I ask of ye,
+    whether it is well that I should be left without men? or if I
+    were without them, I should be like unto one who hath
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page467"
+       id="page467"></a>[pg 467]</span> lost his right arm, or to a
+       bird that hath no wings, or to one who should do battle and
+       hath neither spear nor sword. The first thing which I have
+       to look to is to the well-being of my people, that they may
+       live in wealth and honor, so that they may be able to serve
+       me, and defend my honor: for since it has pleased God to
+       give me the city of Valencia, I will not that there be any
+       other lord here than me. Therefore I say unto you and
+       command you, if you would be well with me, and would that I
+       should show favor unto you, that ye see how to deliver that
+       traitor Abeniaf into my hands. Ye all know the great treason
+       which he committed upon King Yahia, his lord and yours, how
+       he slew him, and the misery which he brought upon you in the
+       siege; and since it is not fitting that a traitor who hath
+       slain his lord should live among you, and that his treason
+       should be confounded with your loyalty, see to the obeyment
+       of my command."</p>
+
+    <p>When the honorable Moors heard this, they were dismayed;
+    verily they knew that he spake truth touching the death of the
+    King, but it troubled them that he departed form the promise
+    which he had made; and they made answer that they would take
+    counsel concerning what he had said, and then reply. Then five
+    of the best and most honorable among them withdrew, and went to
+    Abdalla Adiz, and said unto him, "Give us thy counsel now the
+    best and truest that thou canst, for thou art of our law, and
+    oughtest to do this: and the reason why we ask counsel of thee
+    is this. The Cid promised us many things, and now behold he
+    says nothing to us of what he said before, but moveth other new
+    reasons, at which great dismay hath seized us. And because thou
+    better knowest his ways, tell us now what is his pleasure, for
+    albeit we might wish to do otherwise, this is not a time
+    wherein anything but what he shall command can be done." When
+    the Almoxarife heard this he made answer, "Good men, it is easy
+    to understand what he would have, and to do what should be
+    done. We all know the great treason which Abeniaf committed
+    against ye all in killing your lord the King; for albeit at
+    that time ye felt the burden of the Christians, yet was it
+    nothing so great as after he had killed him, neither did ye
+    suffer such misery. And since God
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page468"
+       id="page468"></a>[pg 468]</span> hath brought him who was
+       the cause to this state, see now by all means how ye may
+       deliver him into the hands of the Cid; and fear not, neither
+       take thought for the rest; for though the Cid may do his
+       pleasure in some things, better is it to have him for lord
+       than this traitor who hath brought so much evil upon ye.
+       Moreover the things of this world soon pass away, and my
+       heart tells me that we shall ere long come out of the
+       bondage of the Cid, and of the Christians; for the Cid is
+       well-nigh at the full of his days, and we who remain alive
+       after his death shall then be masters of our city."</p>
+
+    <p>The good men thanked him much, and held themselves to be
+    well advised, and said that they would do willingly what he
+    bade them; and they returned forthwith to the Cid, and said
+    unto him that they would fulfill his commandment. Incontinently
+    did the good men dispeed themselves of the Cid, and they went
+    into the city, and gathered together a great posse of armed
+    men, and went to the place where Abeniaf dwelt; and they
+    assaulted the house and brake the doors, and entered in and
+    laid hands on him, and his son, and all his company, and
+    carried them before the Cid. And the Cid ordered Abeniaf to be
+    cast into prison, and all those who had taken counsel with him
+    for the death of King Yahia.</p>
+
+    <p>When this was done, the Cid said unto the good men, "Now
+    that ye have fulfilled my bidding, I hold it good to show favor
+    unto you in that which ye yourselves shall understand to be
+    fitting for me to grant. Say therefore what ye would have, and
+    I will do that which I think behooveth me: but in this manner,
+    that my dwelling-place be within the city of Valencia, in the
+    Alcazar, and that my Christian men have all the fortresses in
+    the city." And when the good men heard this, they were greatly
+    troubled; howbeit they dissembled the sorrow which they
+    resented, and said unto him, "Sir Cid, order it as you think
+    good, and we consent thereto." Then said he unto them that he
+    would observe towards them all the uses and customs of their
+    law, and that he would have the power, and be lord of all; and
+    they should till their fields and feed their flocks and herds,
+    and give him his tenth, and he would take no more.</p>
+
+    <p>When the Moors heard this they were pleased; and since
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page469"
+       id="page469"></a>[pg 469]</span> they were to remain in the
+       town, and in their houses and their inheritances, and with
+       their uses and customs, and that their mosques were to be
+       left them, they held themselves not to be badly off. Then
+       they asked the Cid to let their guazil be the same as he had
+       first appointed, and that he would give them for their cadi
+       the Alfaqui Alhagi, and let him appoint whom he would to
+       assist him in distributing justice to the Moors; and thus he
+       himself would be relieved of the wearisomeness of hearing
+       them, save only when any great occasion might befall. And
+       the Cid granted this which they required, and they kissed
+       his hand, and returned into the town. Nine months did the
+       Cid hold Valencia besieged, and at the end of that time it
+       fell into his power, and he obtained possession of the
+       walls, as ye have heard. And one month he was practising
+       with the Moors that he might keep them quiet, till Abeniaf
+       was delivered into his hands; and thus ten months were
+       fulfilled, and they were fulfilled on Thursday, the last day
+       of June, in the year of the era one thousand one hundred and
+       thirty and one, which was in the year one thousand ninety
+       and three of the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. And
+       when the Cid had finished all his dealings with the Moors,
+       on this day he took horse with all his company in good
+       array, his banner being carried before him, and his arms
+       behind; and in this guise, with great rejoicings he entered
+       the city of Valencia. And he alighted at the Alcazar, and
+       gave order to lodge all his men round about it; and he bade
+       them plant his banner upon the highest tower of the Alcazar.
+       Glad was the Campeador, and all they who were with him, when
+       they saw his banner planted in that place. And from that day
+       forth was the Cid possessed of all the castles and
+       fortresses which were in the kingdom of Valencia, and
+       established in what God had given him, and he and all his
+       people rejoiced.</p>
+
+    <h3>V</h3>
+
+    <h3>THE CID'S LAST VICTORY</h3>
+
+    <p>Three days after the Cid had died King Bucar came into the
+    port of Valencia, and landed with all his power, which
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page470"
+       id="page470"></a>[pg 470]</span> was so great that there is
+       not a man in the world who could give account of the Moors
+       whom he brought. And there came with him thirty and six
+       kings, and one Moorish queen, who was a negress, and she
+       brought with her two hundred horsewomen, all negresses like
+       herself, all having their hair shorn save a tuft on the top,
+       and this was in token that they came as if upon a
+       pilgrimage, and to obtain the remission of their sins; and
+       they were all armed in coats of mail and with Turkish bows.
+       King Bucar ordered his tents to be pitched round about
+       Valencia, and Abenalfarax, who wrote this history in Arabic,
+       saith that there were full fifteen thousand tents; and he
+       bade that Moorish negress with her archers to take their
+       station near the city. And on the morrow they began to
+       attack the city, and they fought against it three days
+       strenuously; and the Moors received great loss, for they
+       came blindly up to the walls and were slain there. And the
+       Christians defended themselves right well; and every time
+       that they went upon the walls, they sounded trumpets and
+       tambours, and made great rejoicings, as the Cid had
+       commanded. This continued for eight days or nine, till the
+       companions of the Cid had made ready everything for their
+       departure, as he had commanded. And King Bucar and his
+       people thought that the Cid dared not come out against them;
+       and they were the more encouraged, and began to think of
+       making bastiles and engines wherewith to combat the city,
+       for certes they weened that the Cid Ruydiez dared not come
+       out against them, seeing that he tarried so long.</p>
+
+    <p>All this while the company of the Cid were preparing all
+    things to go into Castile, as he had commanded before his
+    death; and his trusty Gil Diaz did nothing else but labor at
+    this. And the body of the Cid was thus prepared: first it was
+    embalmed and anointed, and the virtue of the balsam and myrrh
+    was such that the flesh remained firm and fair, having its
+    natural color, and his countenance as it was wont to be, and
+    the eyes open, and his long beard in order, so that there was
+    not a man who would have thought him dead if he had seen him
+    and not known it. And on the second day after he had departed,
+    Gil Diaz placed the body upon a right noble saddle, and this
+    saddle with the body upon it
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page471"
+       id="page471"></a>[pg 471]</span> he put upon a frame; and he
+       dressed the body in a <i>gambax</i> of fine sendal, next the
+       skin. And he took two boards and fitted them to the body,
+       one to the breast and the other to the shoulders; these were
+       so hollowed out and fitted that they met at the sides and
+       under the arms, and the hind one came up to the pole, and
+       the other up to the beard. These boards were fastened into
+       the saddle, so that the body could not move.</p>
+
+    <p>All this was done by the morning of the twelfth day; and all
+    that day the people of the Cid were busied in making ready
+    their arms, and in loading beasts with all that they had, so
+    that they left nothing of any price in the whole city of
+    Valencia, save only the empty houses. When it was midnight they
+    took the body of the Cid, fastened to the saddle as it was, and
+    placed it upon his horse Bavieca, and fastened the saddle well;
+    and the body sat so upright and well that it seemed as if he
+    was alive. And it had on painted hose of black and white, so
+    cunningly painted that no man who saw them would have thought
+    but that they were greaves and cuishes, unless he had laid his
+    hand upon them; and they put on it a surcoat of green sendal,
+    having his arms blazoned thereon, and a helmet of parchment,
+    which was cunningly painted that every one might have believed
+    it to be iron; and his shield was hung round his neck, and they
+    placed the sword Tizona in his hand, and they raised his arm,
+    and fastened it up so subtilely that it was a marvel to see how
+    upright he held the sword. And the Bishop Don Hieronymo went on
+    one side of him, and the trusty Gil Diaz on the other, and he
+    led the horse Bavieca, as the Cid had commanded him. And when
+    all this had been made ready, they went out from Valencia at
+    midnight, through the gate of Roseros, which is towards
+    Castile. Pero Bermudez went first with the banner of the Cid,
+    and with him five hundred knights who guarded it, all well
+    appointed. And after these came all the baggage. Then came the
+    body of the Cid, with an hundred knights, all chosen men, and
+    behind them Dona Ximena with all her company, and six hundred
+    knights in the rear. All these went out so silently, and with
+    such a measured pace, that it seemed as if there were only a
+    score. And by the time that they had all gone out it was broad
+    day.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page472"
+       id="page472"></a>[pg 472]</span>
+
+    <p>Now Alvar Fa&ntilde;ez Minaya had set the host in order, and
+    while the Bishop Don Hieronymo and Gil Diaz led away the body
+    of the Cid, and Dona Ximena, and the baggage, he fell upon the
+    Moors. First he attacked the tents of that Moorish queen the
+    negress, who lay nearest to the city; and this onset was so
+    sudden, that they killed full a hundred and fifty Moors before
+    they had time to take arms or go to horse. But that Moorish
+    negress was so skilful in drawing the Turkish bow, that it was
+    held for a marvel; and it is said that they called her in
+    Arabic <i>Nugueymat Turya</i>, which is to say, the Star of the
+    Archers. And she was the first that got on horseback, and with
+    some fifty that were with her, did some hurt to the company of
+    the Cid; but in fine they slew her, and her people fled to the
+    camp. And so great was the uproar and confusion, that few there
+    were who took arms, but instead thereof they turned their backs
+    and fled toward the sea. And when King Bucar and his kings saw
+    this, they were astonished. And it seemed to them that there
+    came against them on the part of the Christians full seventy
+    thousand knights, all as white as snow: and before them a
+    knight of great stature upon a white horse with a bloody cross,
+    who bore in one hand a white banner, and in the other a sword
+    which seemed to be of fire, and he made a great mortality among
+    the Moors who were flying. And King Bucar and the other kings
+    were so greatly dismayed that they never checked the reins till
+    they had ridden into the sea; and the company of the Cid rode
+    after them, smiting and slaying and giving them no respite; and
+    they smote down so many that it was marvelous, for the Moors
+    did not turn their heads to defend themselves. And when they
+    came to the sea, so great was the press among them to get to
+    the ships, that more than ten thousand died in the water. And
+    of the six and thirty kings, twenty and two were slain. And
+    King Bucar and they who escaped with him hoisted sails and went
+    their way, and never more turned their heads.</p>
+
+    <p>Alvar Fa&ntilde;ez and his people, when they had discomfited
+    the Moors, spoiled the field, and the spoil thereof was so
+    great that they could not carry it away. And they loaded camels
+    and horses with the noblest things which they found, and went
+    after the Bishop Don Hieronymo and Gil Diaz, who, with the
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page473"
+       id="page473"></a>[pg 473]</span> body of the Cid, and
+       Do&ntilde;a Ximena, and the baggage, had gone on till they
+       were clear of the host, and then waited for those who were
+       gone against the Moors. And so great was the spoil of that
+       day, that there was no end to it: and they took up gold, and
+       silver, and other precious things as they rode through the
+       camp, so that the poorest man among the Christians, horseman
+       or on foot, became rich with what he won that day.</p>
+
+    <p>&nbsp;</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page474"
+       id="page474"></a>[pg 474]</span>
+
+    <h2>HERO OF SWITZERLAND</h2>
+
+    <h3>WILLIAM TELL</h3>
+
+    <h4>ADAPTED BY H.E. MARSHALL</h4>
+
+    <h3>I</h3>
+
+    <h3>GESSLER'S TYRANNY</h3>
+
+    <p>Far away in the heart of Europe there lies a little country
+    called Switzerland. It seems wonderful that when great and
+    powerful kings and princes swept over the world, fighting and
+    conquering, little Switzerland should not have been conquered
+    and swallowed up by one or other of the great countries which
+    lay around. But the Swiss have always been a brave and fearless
+    people.</p>
+
+    <p>At one time one of the great princes of Europe tried to
+    conquer Switzerland and take away the freedom of its people.
+    But the people fought so bravely that instead of being
+    conquered they conquered the tyrants and drove them away.</p>
+
+    <p>In those far-off times the greatest ruler in Europe was the
+    Emperor, and his empire was divided into many states, over each
+    of which ruled a prince or king who acknowledged the Emperor as
+    overlord. When an Emperor died the kings and princes met
+    together and chose another Emperor from among their number.</p>
+
+    <p>Switzerland was one of the countries which owned the Emperor
+    as overlord. But the Swiss were a free people. They had no king
+    or prince over them, but a governor only, who was appointed by
+    the Emperor.</p>
+
+    <p>Austria was another of the states of the great empire, and
+    at one time a Duke of Austria was made ruler of Switzerland.
+    Because of its great beauty, this duke cast greedy eyes upon
+    Switzerland and longed to possess it for his very
+    own.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page475"
+       id="page475"></a>[pg 475]</span>
+
+    <p>But the Swiss would not give up their freedom; and three
+    cantons, as the divisions of Switzerland are called, joined
+    together, and swore to stand by each other, and never to submit
+    to Austria.</p>
+
+    <p>Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden were the names of these three
+    cantons. A little later another canton joined the three. These
+    four cantons lie round a lake which is called the Lake of the
+    four Forest Cantons. When Albrecht, Duke of Austria was chosen
+    Emperor he said to himself that now truly he would be lord and
+    master of Switzerland. So he sent two nobles to the Swiss to
+    talk to them, and persuade them to own him as their king.</p>
+
+    <p>Some of the people of Switzerland were persuaded to belong
+    to Austria, but all the people of the free cantons replied that
+    they wished to remain free.</p>
+
+    <p>So the messengers went back to Albrecht and told him what
+    the people said. When he heard the message he was very angry.
+    "The proud peasants," he cried, "they will not yield. Then I
+    will bend and break them. They will be soft and yielding enough
+    when I have done with them."</p>
+
+    <p>Months went by and the Emperor appointed no ruler over
+    Switzerland. At last the people, feeling that they must have a
+    governor, sent messengers to the Emperor, begging him to
+    appoint a ruler, as all the Emperors before him had done. "A
+    governor you shall have." said Albrecht. "Go home and await his
+    coming. Whom I send to you, him you must obey in all
+    things."</p>
+
+    <p>When they had gone, Albrecht smiled grimly to himself. "They
+    will not yield," he said, "but I will oppress them and
+    ill-treat them until I force them to rebel. Then I will fight
+    against them and conquer them, and at last Switzerland will be
+    mine."</p>
+
+    <p>A few days later Albrecht made his friends Hermann Gessler
+    and Beringer of Landenberg governors over the free cantons,
+    telling them to take soldiers with them to enforce the law and
+    to tax the people in order to pay the soldiers. "You will
+    punish all wrong-doers severely," he said, "I will endure no
+    rebels within my
+    empire."</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page476"
+       id="page476"></a>[pg 476]</span>
+
+    <p>Hard and bitter days began when Gessler and Landenberg
+    settled there. They delighted in oppressing the people. They
+    loaded them with taxes; nothing could be either bought or sold
+    but the governors claimed a great part of the money; the
+    slightest fault was punished with long imprisonment and heavy
+    fines. The people became sad and downcast, but still they would
+    not yield to Austria.</p>
+
+    <p>Gessler lived in a great castle at K&uuml;ssnacht in Schwyz.
+    In it were dreadful dungeons where he imprisoned the people and
+    tortured them according to his wicked will. But he was not
+    pleased to have only one castle, and he made up his mind to
+    build another in Uri. So he began to build one near the little
+    town of Altorf, which lay at the other end of the Lake of the
+    Forest Cantons. Gessler forced the men of Uri to build this
+    castle, and he meant to use it not only as a house for himself,
+    but as a prison for the people.</p>
+
+    <p>"What will you call your castle?" asked a friend one day, as
+    they stood to watch the building. "I will call it the Curb of
+    Uri," said Gessler, with a cruel laugh, "for with it I will
+    curb the proud spirit of these peasants." After watching the
+    work for some time, Gessler and his friend rode away. "My
+    friend," said Gessler, as he rode, "we will go back to
+    Kiissnacht by another way. I have heard that an insolent
+    peasant called Werner Stauffacher has built himself a new
+    house. I wish to see it. There is no end to the impudence of
+    these peasants." "But what will you do?" asked his friend. "Do"
+    said Gessler, "why, turn him out, to be sure. What need have
+    these peasants for great houses?" So they rode on to
+    Stauffacher's house. "Whose house is this?" he demanded.
+    Stauffacher answered quietly, "My lord, this house belongs to
+    the Emperor, and is yours and mine in fief to hold and use for
+    his service." "I rule this land," said Gessler, "in the name of
+    the Emperor, and I will not allow peasants to build houses
+    without asking leave. I will have you understand that." And he
+    rode from the doorway. Stauffacher told his wife what had
+    happened and she advised him to call a secret meeting of his
+    friends to plan to free themselves from the governor's
+    rule.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page477"
+       id="page477"></a>[pg 477]</span>
+
+    <p>Werner Stauffacher spent some days in going from village to
+    village, trying to find out how the peasants and common people
+    felt, and everywhere heard complaints and groans. Coming to
+    Altorf, where his friend Walter F&uuml;rst lived, he heard in
+    the market-place a great noise of shouting and trampling of
+    feet.</p>
+
+    <p>Down the street a party of Austrian soldiers came marching.
+    One of them carried a long pole, and another a red cap with a
+    peacock's feather in it. Then the pole with the red cap on the
+    top of it was firmly planted in the ground.</p>
+
+    <p>As soon as the pole was set up a herald stepped out, blew
+    his trumpet and cried, "Se ye this cap here set up? It is his
+    Majesty's will and commandment that ye do all bow the knee and
+    bend the head as ye do pass it by."</p>
+
+    <p>This was a new insult to a free people. Stauffacher went to
+    the house of Walter F&uuml;rst, where he met Arnold of
+    Melchthal, who had suffered much from Landenberg. Calling upon
+    God and his saints, these three men swore a solemn oath to
+    protect each other and promised to meet in a little meadow
+    called the R&uuml;tli, the Wednesday before Martinmas.</p>
+
+    <p>Three weeks passed, and in the darkness and quiet the men
+    stole to the place of meeting with other friends of freedom
+    whom they had brought. Near Walter F&uuml;rst stood a young man
+    straight and tall with clear and honest eyes. "William Tell,"
+    said Arnold, "and the best shot in all Switzerland. I have seen
+    him shoot an apple from a tree a hundred paces off."</p>
+
+    <p>Then they swore never to betray each other, to be true to
+    the Emperor, but to drive the Austrian governor, his friends,
+    his servants, and his soldiers out of the land.</p>
+
+    <h3>II</h3>
+
+    <h3>WILLIAM TELL AND HIS GREAT SHOT</h3>
+
+    <p>William Tell did not live in Altorf, but in another village
+    some way off, called B&uuml;rglen. His wife, who was called
+    Hedwig, was Walter F&uuml;rst's daughter. Tell and Hedwig had
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page478"
+       id="page478"></a>[pg 478]</span> two sons, William and
+       Walter. Walter, the younger, was about six years old.</p>
+
+    <p>William Tell loved his wife and his children very much, and
+    they all lived happily together in a pretty little cottage at
+    B&uuml;rglen.</p>
+
+    <p>"Hedwig," said Tell one morning, some days after the meeting
+    mentioned above, "I am going into Altorf to see your
+    father."</p>
+
+    <p>Hedwig looked troubled. "Do be careful, William," she said.
+    "Must you really go? You know the governor is there just now,
+    and he hates you."</p>
+
+    <p>"Oh, I am quite safe," said Tell; "I have done nothing for
+    which he could punish me. But I will keep out of his way," and
+    he lifted his crossbow and prepared to go.</p>
+
+    <p>"Do not take your bow," said Hedwig, still feeling uneasy.
+    "Leave it here."</p>
+
+    <p>"Why, Hedwig, how you trouble yourself for nothing," said
+    Tell, smiling at her. "Why should I leave my bow behind? I feel
+    lost without it."</p>
+
+    <p>"O father, where are you going?" said Walter, running into
+    the room at this minute.</p>
+
+    <p>"I am going to Altorf to see grandfather. Would you like to
+    come?"</p>
+
+    <p>"Oh, may I? May I, mother?"</p>
+
+    <p>"Yes, dear, if you like," said Hedwig. "And you will be
+    careful, won't you?" she added, turning to Tell.</p>
+
+    <p>"Yes, I will," he replied, and Walter, throwing his arms
+    round her neck, said, "It's all right, mother, I will take care
+    of father." Then they set off merrily together.</p>
+
+    <p>It was a great thing to go to Altorf with father, and Walter
+    was so happy that he chattered all the way, asking questions
+    about everything.</p>
+
+    <p>"How far can you shoot, father?"</p>
+
+    <p>"Oh, a good long way."</p>
+
+    <p>"As high as the sun?" asked Walter, looking up at it.</p>
+
+    <p>"Oh dear, no, not nearly so high as that."</p>
+
+    <p>"Well, how high? As high as the snow-mountains?"</p>
+
+    <p>"Oh no."</p>
+
+    <p>"Why is there always snow on the mountains, father?"
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page479"
+       id="page479"></a>[pg 479]</span> asked Walter, thinking of
+       something else. And so he went on, asking questions about
+       one thing after another, until his father was quite tired of
+       answering.</p>
+
+    <p>Walter was chattering so much that Tell forgot all about the
+    hat upon the pole, and, instead of going round by another way
+    to avoid it, as he had meant to do, he went straight through
+    the market-place to reach Walter F&uuml;rst's house.</p>
+
+    <p>"Father, look," said Walter, "look, how funny! there is a
+    hat stuck up on a pole. What is it for?"</p>
+
+    <p>"Don't look, Walter," said Tell, "the hat has nothing to do
+    with us, don't look at it." And taking Walter by the hand, he
+    led him hurriedly away.</p>
+
+    <p>But it was too late. The soldier, who stood beside the pole
+    to guard it and see that people bowed in passing, pointed his
+    spear at Tell and bade him stop. "Stand, in the Emperor's
+    name," he cried.</p>
+
+    <p>"Let be, friend," said Tell, "let me past."</p>
+
+    <p>"Not till you obey the Emperor's command. Not till you bow
+    to the hat."</p>
+
+    <p>"It is no command of the Emperor," said Tell. "It is
+    Gessler's folly and tyranny. Let me go."</p>
+
+    <p>"Nay, but you must not speak of my lord the governor in such
+    terms. And past you shall not go until you bow to the cap. And,
+    if you bow not, to prison I will lead you. Such is my lord's
+    command."</p>
+
+    <p>"Why should I bow to a cap?" said Tell, his voice shaking
+    with rage. "Were the Emperor himself here, then would I bend
+    the knee and bow my head to him with all reverence. But to a
+    hat! Never!" and he tried to force his way past Heinz the
+    soldier. But Heinz would not let him pass, and kept his spear
+    pointed at Tell.</p>
+
+    <p>Hearing loud and angry voices, many people gathered to see
+    what the cause might be. Soon there was quite a crowd around
+    the two. Every one talked at once, and the noise and confusion
+    were great. Heinz tried to take Tell prisoner, and the people
+    tried to take him away. "Help! help!" shouted Heinz, hoping
+    that some of his fellow-soldiers would hear him and come to his
+    aid,&mdash;"Help, help! treason,
+    treason!"</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page480"
+       id="page480"></a>[pg 480]</span>
+
+    <p>Then over all the noise of the shouting there sounded the
+    tramp of horses' hoofs and the clang and jangle of swords and
+    armor.</p>
+
+    <p>"Room for the governor. Room, I say," cried a herald.</p>
+
+    <p>The shouting ceased and the crowd silently parted, as
+    Gessler, richly dressed, haughty and gloomy, rode through it,
+    followed by a gay company of his friends and soldiers. He
+    checked his horse and, gazing angrily round the crowd, "What is
+    this rioting?" he asked.</p>
+
+    <p>"My lord," said Heinz, stepping forward, "this scoundrel
+    here will not bow to the cap, according to your lordship's
+    command."</p>
+
+    <p>"Eh, what?" said Gessler, his dark face growing more dark
+    and angry still. "Who dares to disobey my orders?"</p>
+
+    <p>"'Tis William Tell of B&uuml;rglen, my lord."</p>
+
+    <p>"Tell?" said Gessler, turning in his saddle and looking at
+    Tell as he stood among the people, holding little Walter by the
+    hand.</p>
+
+    <p>There was silence for a few minutes while Gessler gazed at
+    Tell in anger.</p>
+
+    <p>"I hear you are a great shot, Tell," said Gessler at last,
+    laughing scornfully, "they say you never miss."</p>
+
+    <p>"That is quite true," said little Walter eagerly, for he was
+    very proud of his father's shooting. "He can hit an apple on a
+    tree a hundred yards off."</p>
+
+    <p>"Is that your boy?" said Gessler, looking at him with an
+    ugly smile.</p>
+
+    <p>"Yes, my lord."</p>
+
+    <p>"Have you other children?"</p>
+
+    <p>"Another boy, my lord."</p>
+
+    <p>"You are very fond of your children, Tell?"</p>
+
+    <p>"Yes, my lord."</p>
+
+    <p>"Which of them do you love best?"</p>
+
+    <p>Tell hesitated. He looked down at little Walter with his
+    rosy cheeks and curly hair. Then he thought of William at home
+    with his pretty loving ways. "I love them both alike, my lord,"
+    he said at last.</p>
+
+    <p>"Ah," said Gessler, and thought a minute. "Well, Tell,"
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page481"
+       id="page481"></a>[pg 481]</span> he said after a pause. "I
+       have heard so much of this boast of yours about hitting
+       apples, that I should like to see something of it. You shall
+       shoot an apple off your boy's head at a hundred yards'
+       distance. That will be easier than shooting off a tree."</p>
+
+    <p>"My lord," said Tell, turning pale, "you do not mean that?
+    It is horrible. I will do anything rather than that."</p>
+
+    <p>"You will shoot an apple off your boy's head," repeated
+    Gessler in a slow and scornful voice. "I want to see your
+    wonderful skill, and I command you to do it at once. You have
+    your crossbow there. Do it."</p>
+
+    <p>"I will die first," said Tell.</p>
+
+    <p>"Very well," said Gessler, "but you need not think in that
+    way to save your boy. He shall die with you. Shoot, or die both
+    of you. And, mark you, Tell, see that you aim well, for if you
+    miss you will pay for it with your life."</p>
+
+    <p>Tell turned pale. His voice trembled as he replied, "My
+    lord, it was but thoughtlessness. Forgive me this once, and I
+    will always bow to the cap in future." Proud and brave although
+    he was, Tell could not bear the thought that he might kill his
+    own child.</p>
+
+    <p>"Have done with this delay," said Gessler, growing yet more
+    angry. "You break the laws, and when, instead of punishing you
+    as you deserve, I give you a chance of escape, you grumble and
+    think yourself hardly used. Were peasants ever more unruly and
+    discontented? Have done, I say. Heinz, bring me an apple."</p>
+
+    <p>The soldier hurried away.</p>
+
+    <p>"Bind the boy to that tree," said Gessler, pointing to a
+    tall lime-tree near by.</p>
+
+    <p>Two soldiers seized Walter and bound him fast to the tree.
+    He was not in the least afraid, but stood up against the trunk
+    straight and quiet. Then, when the apple was brought, Gessler
+    rode up to him and, bending from the saddle, himself placed the
+    apple upon his head.</p>
+
+    <p>All this time the people crowded round silent and wondering,
+    and Tell stood among them as if in a dream, watching everything
+    with a look of horror in his
+    eyes.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page482"
+       id="page482"></a>[pg 482]</span>
+
+    <p>"Clear a path there," shouted Gessler, and the soldiers
+    charged among the people, scattering them right and left.</p>
+
+    <p>When a path had been cleared, two soldiers, starting from
+    the tree to which Walter was bound, marched over the ground,
+    measuring one hundred paces, and halted. "One hundred paces, my
+    lord," they said, turning to Gessler.</p>
+
+    <p>Gessler rode to the spot, calling out, "Come, Tell, from
+    here you shall shoot."</p>
+
+    <p>Tell took his place. He drew an arrow from his quiver,
+    examined it carefully, and then, instead of fitting it to his
+    bow, he stuck it in his belt. Then, still carefully, he chose
+    another arrow and fitted it to his bow.</p>
+
+    <p>A deep silence fell upon every one as Tell took one step
+    forward. He raised his bow. A mist was before his eyes, his arm
+    trembled, his bow dropped from his hand. He could not shoot.
+    The fear that he might kill his boy took away all his skill and
+    courage.</p>
+
+    <p>A groan broke from the people as they watched. Then from far
+    away under the lime-tree came Walter's voice, "Shoot, father, I
+    am not afraid. You cannot miss."</p>
+
+    <p>Once more Tell raised his bow. The silence seemed deeper
+    than ever. The people of Altorf knew and loved Tell, and
+    F&uuml;rst, and little Walter. And so they watched and waited
+    with heavy hearts and anxious faces.</p>
+
+    <p>"Ping!" went the bowstring. The arrow seemed to sing through
+    the frosty air, and, a second later, the silence was broken by
+    cheer after cheer. The apple lay upon the ground pierced right
+    through the center.</p>
+
+    <p>One man sprang forward and cut the rope with which Walter
+    was bound to the tree; another picked up the apple and ran with
+    it to Gessler. But Tell stood still, his bow clutched in his
+    hand, his body bent forward, his eyes wild and staring, as if
+    he were trying to follow the flight of the arrow. Yet he saw
+    nothing, heard nothing.</p>
+
+    <p>"He has really done it!" exclaimed Gessler in astonishment,
+    as he turned the apple round and round in his hand. "Who would
+    have thought it? Right in the center, too."</p>
+
+    <p>Little Walter, quite delighted, came running to his father.
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page483"
+       id="page483"></a>[pg 483]</span> "Father," he cried, "I knew
+       you could do it. I knew you could, and I was not a bit
+       afraid. Was it not splendid?" and he laughed and pressed his
+       curly head against his father.</p>
+
+    <p>Then suddenly Tell seemed to wake out of his dream, and
+    taking Walter in his arms he held him close, kissing him again
+    and again. "You are safe, my boy. You are safe," was all he
+    said. But strong man though he was his eyes were full of tears,
+    and he was saying to himself, "I might have killed him. I might
+    have killed my own boy."</p>
+
+    <p>Meanwhile Gessler sat upon his horse watching them with a
+    cruel smile upon his wicked face. "Tell," he said at last,
+    "that was a fine shot, but for what was the other arrow?"</p>
+
+    <p>Tell put Walter down and, holding his hand, turned to
+    Gessler, "It is always an archer's custom, my lord, to have a
+    second arrow ready," he said.</p>
+
+    <p>"Nay, nay," said Gessler, "that answer will not do, Tell.
+    Speak the truth."</p>
+
+    <p>Tell was silent.</p>
+
+    <p>"Speak, man," said Gessler, "and if you speak the truth,
+    whatever it may be, I promise you your life."</p>
+
+    <p>"Then," said Tell, throwing his shoulders back and looking
+    straight at Gessler, "since you promise me my life, hear the
+    truth, if that first arrow had struck my child, the second one
+    was meant for you, and be sure I had not missed my mark a
+    second time."</p>
+
+    <p>Gessler's face grew dark with rage. For a moment or two he
+    could not speak. When at last he did speak, his voice was low
+    and terrible, "You dare," he said, "you dare to tell me this! I
+    promised you your life indeed. Your life you shall have, but
+    you shall pass it in a dark and lonely prison, where neither
+    sun nor moon shall send the least glimmer of light. There you
+    shall lie, so that I may be safe from you. Ah, my fine archer,
+    your bows and arrows will be of little use to you henceforth.
+    Seize him, men, and bind him, lest he do murder even now."</p>
+
+    <p>In a moment the soldiers sprang forward, and Tell was seized
+    and bound.</p>
+
+    <p>As Gessler sat watching them, he looked round at all the
+    angry faces of the crowd. "Tell has too many friends here,"
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page484"
+       id="page484"></a>[pg 484]</span> he said to himself. "If I
+       imprison him in the Curb of Uri, they may find some way to
+       help him to escape. I will take him with me in my boat to
+       Klissnacht. There he can have no friends. There he will be
+       quite safe." Then aloud he said, "Follow me, my men. Bring
+       him to the boat."</p>
+
+    <p>As he said these words, there was a loud murmur from the
+    crowd. "That is against the law," cried many voices.</p>
+
+    <p>"Law, law?" growled Gessler. "Who makes the law, you or
+    I?"</p>
+
+    <p>Walter F&uuml;rst had been standing among the crowd silent
+    and anxious. Now he stepped forward and spoke boldly. "My
+    lord," he said, "it has ever been a law among the Swiss that no
+    one shall be imprisoned out of his own canton. If my
+    son-in-law, William Tell, has done wrong, let him be tried and
+    imprisoned here, in Uri, in Altorf. If you do otherwise you
+    wrong our ancient freedom and rights."</p>
+
+    <p>"Your freedom! your rights!" said Gessler roughly. "I tell
+    you, you are here to obey the laws, not to teach me how I shall
+    rule." Then turning his horse and calling out, "On, men, to the
+    boat with him," he rode towards the lake, where, at a little
+    place called Fliielen, his boat was waiting for him.</p>
+
+    <p>But Walter clung to his father, crying bitterly. Tell could
+    not take him in his arms to comfort him, for his hands were
+    tied. But he bent over him to kiss him, saying, "Little Walter,
+    little Walter, be brave. Go with thy grandfather and comfort
+    thy mother."</p>
+
+    <p>So Tell was led to Gessler's boat, followed by the sorrowing
+    people. Their hearts were full of hot anger against the tyrant.
+    Yet what could they do? He was too strong for them.</p>
+
+    <p>Tell was roughly pushed into the boat, where he sat closely
+    guarded on either side by soldiers. His bow and arrows, which
+    had been taken from him, were thrown upon a bench beside the
+    steersman.</p>
+
+    <p>Gessler took his seat. The boat started, and was soon out on
+    the blue water of the lake. As the people of Altorf watched
+    Tell go, their hearts sank. They had not known, until they saw
+    him bound and a prisoner, how much they had trusted and loved
+    him.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page485"
+       id="page485"></a>[pg 485]</span>
+
+    <h3>III</h3>
+
+    <h3>THE ESCAPE OF WILLIAM TELL</h3>
+
+    <p>On the lakes of Switzerland storms of wind arise very
+    quickly. The Swiss used to dread these storms so much that they
+    gave names to the winds as if they were people. The south wind,
+    which is the fiercest, they called the F&ouml;hn. There used to
+    be a law that when the F&ouml;hn arose, all fires were to be
+    put out. For the wind whistled and blew down the wide chimneys
+    like great bellows, till the fires flared up so fiercely that
+    the houses, which were built of wood, were in danger of being
+    burned to the ground. Now one of these fierce storms arose.</p>
+
+    <p>No one noticed when Gessler's boat pushed off from the shore
+    how dark the sky had grown nor how keenly the wind was blowing.
+    But before the boat had gone very far the waves began to rise,
+    and the wind to blow fiercer and fiercer.</p>
+
+    <p>Soon the little boat was tossing wildly on great
+    white-crested waves. The rowers bent to the oars and rowed with
+    all their might. But in spite of all they could do, the waves
+    broke over the boat, filling it with water. They were tossed
+    here and there, until it seemed every minute that they would
+    sink.</p>
+
+    <p>Pale with fear, the captain stood at the helm. He was an
+    Austrian who knew nothing of the Swiss lakes, and he had never
+    before been in such a storm. He was helpless, and he knew that
+    very soon the boat would be a wreck.</p>
+
+    <p>Wrapped in his mantle, Gessler sat silent and still,
+    watching the storm. He, too, knew the danger.</p>
+
+    <p>As the waves dashed over him, one of Gessler's servants
+    staggered to his master's feet. "My lord," he said, "you see
+    our need and danger, yet methinks there is one man on board who
+    could save us."</p>
+
+    <p>"Who is that?" asked Gessler.</p>
+
+    <p>"William Tell, your prisoner," replied the man. "He is known
+    to be one of the best sailors on this lake. He knows every inch
+    of it. If any one can save the boat, he
+    can."</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page486"
+       id="page486"></a>[pg 486]</span>
+
+    <p>"Bring him here," said Gessler.</p>
+
+    <p>"It seems you are a sailor as well as an archer, Tell," said
+    Gessler, when his prisoner had been brought before him. "Can
+    you save the boat and bring us to land?"</p>
+
+    <p>"Yes," said Tell.</p>
+
+    <p>"Unbind him, then," said Gessler to the soldier, "but mark
+    you, Tell, you go not free. Even although you save us, you are
+    still my prisoner. Do not think to have any reward."</p>
+
+    <p>The rope which bound Tell's hands was cut, and he took his
+    place at the helm.</p>
+
+    <p>The waves still dashed high, the wind still howled, but
+    under Tell's firm hand the boat seemed to steady itself, and
+    the rowers bent to their work with new courage and strength in
+    answer to his commanding voice.</p>
+
+    <p>Tell, leaning forward, peered through the darkness and the
+    spray. There was one place where he knew it would be possible
+    to land&mdash;where a bold and desperate man at least might
+    land. He was looking for that place. Nearer and nearer to the
+    shore he steered. At last he was quite close to it. He glanced
+    quickly round. His bow and arrows lay beside him. He bent and
+    seized them. Then with one great leap he sprang ashore, and as
+    he leaped he gave the boat a backward push with his foot,
+    sending it out again into the stormy waters of the lake.</p>
+
+    <p>There was a wild outcry from the sailors, but Tell was free,
+    for no one dared to follow him. Quickly clambering up the
+    mountain-side, he disappeared among the trees.</p>
+
+    <p>As Tell vanished, Gessler stood up and shouted in anger, but
+    the little boat, rocking and tossing on the waves, drifted out
+    into the lake, and the Austrian sailors, to whom the shore was
+    unknown, dared not row near to it again, lest they should be
+    dashed to pieces upon the rocks. Even as it was, they expected
+    every moment that the boat would sink, and that all would be
+    drowned. But despair seemed to give the sailors fresh strength,
+    and soon the wind fell and the waves became quieter. A few
+    hours later, wet, weary, but safe, Gessler and his company
+    landed on the shore of Schwyz.</p>
+
+    <div class="figcenter"
+         style="width:100%;">
+        <a href="images/588.jpg"
+             name="fig588"
+             id="fig588"><img width="250"
+             src="images/588-t.jpg"
+             alt="WILLIAM TELL AND HIS FRIENDS." /></a>
+
+        <p>&nbsp;</p>WILLIAM TELL AND HIS FRIENDS.
+    </div><span class="pagenum"><a name="page487"
+       id="page487"></a>[pg 487]</span>
+
+    <h3>IV</h3>
+
+    <h3>TELL'S SECOND SHOT</h3>
+
+    <p>As soon as Gessler landed, he called for his horse, and
+    silent and gloomy, his heart full of bitter hate against Tell
+    and all the Swiss, he mounted and rode towards his castle at
+    K&uuml;ssnacht.</p>
+
+    <p>But Tell's heart, too, was full of hate and anger. That
+    morning he had been a gentle, peace-loving man. Now all was
+    changed. Gessler's cruel jest had made him hard and angry. He
+    could not forget that he might have killed his own boy. He
+    seemed to see always before him Walter bound to the tree with
+    the apple on his head. Tell made up his mind that Gessler
+    should never make any one else suffer so much. There was only
+    one thing to do. That was to kill Gessler, and that Tell meant
+    to do.</p>
+
+    <p>If Gessler escaped from the storm, Tell was sure that he
+    would go straight to his castle at K&uuml;ssnacht. There was
+    only one road which led from the lake to the castle, and at a
+    place called the Hollow Way it became very narrow, and the
+    banks rose steep and rugged on either side. There Tell made up
+    his mind to wait for Gessler. There he meant to free his
+    country from the cruel tyrant.</p>
+
+    <p>Without stopping for food or rest, Tell hurried through the
+    woods until he came to the Hollow Way. There he waited and
+    watched. Many people passed along the road. There were herds
+    with their flocks, and travelers of all kinds, among them a
+    poor woman whose husband had been put in prison by Gessler, so
+    that now she had no home, and had to wander about with her
+    children begging. She stopped and spoke to Tell, and the story
+    she told of Gessler's cruelty made Tell's heart burn with
+    anger, and made him more sure than ever that the deed he meant
+    to do was just and right.</p>
+
+    <p>The day went on, and still Gessler did not come, and still
+    Tell waited. At last he heard the distant tramp of feet and the
+    sound of voices. Surely he had come at last. But as the sounds
+    came nearer, Tell knew that it could not be Gessler,
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page488"
+       id="page488"></a>[pg 488]</span> for he heard music and
+       laughter, and through the Hollow Way came a gaily dressed
+       crowd. It was a wedding-party. Laughing and merry, the bride
+       and bridegroom with their friends passed along. When they
+       were out of sight the wind brought back the sound of their
+       merry voices to Tell, as he waited upon the bank. They, at
+       least, had for a time forgotten Gessler.</p>
+
+    <p>At last, as the sun was setting, Tell heard the tramp of
+    horses, and a herald dashed along the road, shouting, "Room for
+    the governor. Room, I say."</p>
+
+    <p>As Gessler came slowly on behind, Tell could hear him
+    talking in a loud and angry voice to a friend. "Obedience I
+    will have," he was saying. "I have been far too mild a ruler
+    over this people. They grow too proud. But I will break their
+    pride. Let them prate of freedom, indeed. I will crush&mdash;"
+    The sentence was never finished. An arrow whizzed through the
+    air, and with a groan Gessler fell, dead.</p>
+
+    <p>Tell's second arrow had found its mark.</p>
+
+    <p>Immediately everything was in confusion. Gessler's soldiers
+    crowded round, trying to do something for their master. But it
+    was useless. He was dead. Tell's aim had been true.</p>
+
+    <p>"Who has done this foul murder?" cried one of Gessler's *
+    friends, looking round.</p>
+
+    <p>"The shot was mine," answered Tell, from where he stood on
+    the high bank. "But no murder have I done. I have but freed an
+    unoffending people from a base and cowardly tyrant. My cause is
+    just, let God be the judge."</p>
+
+    <p>At the sound of his voice every one turned to look at Tell,
+    as he stood above them calm and unafraid.</p>
+
+    <p>"Seize him!" cried the man who had already spoken, as soon
+    as he recovered from his astonishment. "Seize him, it is Tell
+    the archer."</p>
+
+    <p>Five or six men scrambled up the steep bank as fast as they
+    could. But Tell slipped quietly through the bushes, and when
+    they reached the top he was nowhere to be found.</p>
+
+    <p>The short winter's day was closing in fast, and Tell found
+    it easy to escape in the darkness from Gessler's soldiers. They
+    soon gave up the chase, and, returning to the road, took up
+    their master's dead body and carried it to his castle at
+    K&uuml;ssnacht <span class="pagenum"><a name="page489"
+       id="page489"></a>[pg 489]</span> There was little sorrow for
+       him, for he had been a hard master. The Austrian soldiers
+       did not grieve, and the Swiss, wherever they heard the news,
+       rejoiced.</p>
+
+    <p>As soon as he was free of the soldiers, Tell turned and made
+    for Stauffacher's house. All through the night he walked, until
+    he came to the pretty house with its red roofs and many windows
+    which had made Gessler so angry.</p>
+
+    <p>Now there was no light in any of the windows, and all was
+    still and quiet. But Tell knew in which of the rooms
+    Stauffacher slept, and he knocked softly upon the window until
+    he had aroused his friend.</p>
+
+    <p>"William Tell!" said Stauffacher in astonishment. "I heard
+    from Walter F&uuml;rst that you were a prisoner. Thank Heaven
+    that you are free again."</p>
+
+    <p>"I am free," said Tell; "you, too, are free. Gessler is
+    dead."</p>
+
+    <p>"Gessler dead!" exclaimed Stauffacher. "Now indeed have we
+    cause for thankfulness. Tell me, how did it happen?" and he
+    drew William Tell into the house.</p>
+
+    <p>Tell soon told all his story. Then Stauffacher, seeing how
+    weary he was, gave him food and made him rest.</p>
+
+    <p>That night Tell slept well. All next day he remained hidden
+    in Stauffacher's house. "You must not go," said his friend,
+    "Gessler's soldiers will be searching for you." But when
+    evening came Tell crept out into the dark again, and kind
+    friends rowed him across the lake back to Fl&uuml;elen. There,
+    where a few days before he had been a prisoner, he landed, now
+    free.</p>
+
+    <p>Tell went at once to Walter F&uuml;rst's house, and soon
+    messengers were hurrying all through the land to gather
+    together again the Confederates, as those who had met on that
+    eventful night were called.</p>
+
+    <p>This time they gathered with less fear and less secrecy, for
+    was not the dreaded governor dead? Not one but was glad, yet
+    some of the Confederates blamed Tell, for they had all promised
+    to wait until the first of January before doing anything. "I
+    know," said Tell, "but he drove me to it." And every man there
+    who had left a little boy at home felt that he too might have
+    done the same thing.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page490"
+       id="page490"></a>[pg 490]</span>
+
+    <p>Now that Tell had struck the first blow, some of the
+    Confederates wished to rise at once. But others said, "No, it
+    is only a few weeks now until New Year's Day. Let us wait."</p>
+
+    <p>So they waited, and everything seemed quiet and peaceful in
+    the land, for the Emperor sent no governor to take Gessler's
+    place, as he was far away in Austria, too busy fighting and
+    quarreling there to think of Switzerland in the meantime. "When
+    I have finished this war," he said, "it will be time enough to
+    crush these Swiss rebels."</p>
+
+    <p>&nbsp;</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page491"
+       id="page491"></a>[pg 491]</span>
+
+    <h2>HERO OF PERSIA</h2>
+
+    <h3>RUSTEM</h3>
+
+    <h4>ADAPTED BY ALFRED J. CHURCH</h4>
+
+    <h3>I</h3>
+
+    <h3>THE SEVEN ADVENTURES OF RUSTEM</h3>
+
+    <p>King Ke&iuml;kobad died, and his son Kao&uuml;s sat upon his
+    throne. At first he was a moderate and prudent prince; but
+    finding his riches increase, and his armies grow more and more
+    numerous, he began to believe that there was no one equal to
+    him in the whole world, and that he could do what he would. One
+    day as he sat drinking in one of the chambers of his palace,
+    and boasting after his custom, a Genius, disguised as a
+    minstrel, came to the King's chamberlain, and desired to be
+    admitted to the royal presence. "I came," he said, "from the
+    country of the Genii, and I am a sweet singer. Maybe the King,
+    if he were to hear me, would give me a post in his court."</p>
+
+    <p>The chamberlain went to the King, and said, "There is a
+    minstrel at the gate; he has a harp in his hand, and his voice
+    is marvelously sweet."</p>
+
+    <p>"Bring him up," said the King.</p>
+
+    <p>So they brought him in, and gave him a place among the
+    musicians, and commanded that he should give them a trial of
+    his powers. So the minstrel, after playing a prelude on his
+    harp, sang a song of the land of the Genii.</p>
+
+    <p>"There is no land in all the world" this was the substance
+    of his song&mdash;"like Mazanderan, the land of the Genii. All
+    the year round the rose blooms in its gardens and the hyacinth
+    on its hills. It knows no heat nor cold, only an eternal
+    spring. <span class="pagenum"><a name="page492"
+       id="page492"></a>[pg 492]</span> The nightingales sing in
+       its thicket, and through its valleys wander the deer, and
+       the water of its stream is as the water of roses, delighting
+       the soul with its perfume. Of its treasures there is no end;
+       the whole country is covered with gold and embroidery and
+       jewels. No man can say that he is happy unless he has seen
+       Mazanderan."</p>
+
+    <p>When the King heard this song, he immediately conceived the
+    thought of marching against this wonderful country. Turning,
+    therefore, to his warriors, he said: "We are given over to
+    feasting; but the brave must not suffer himself to rest in
+    idleness. I am wealthier and, I doubt not, stronger than all
+    the kings that have gone before me; it becomes me also to
+    surpass them in my achievements. We will conquer the land of
+    Genii."</p>
+
+    <p>The warriors of the King were little pleased to hear such
+    talk from his lips. No one ventured to speak, but their hearts
+    were full of trouble and fear, for they had no desire to fight
+    against the Genii.</p>
+
+    <p>"We are your subjects, O King," they said, "and will do as
+    you desire." But when they were by themselves, and could speak
+    openly, they said one to another, "What a trouble is this that
+    has come of our prosperous fortune! Unless by good fortune the
+    King forgets this purpose of his, we and the whole country are
+    lost. Jemshid, whom the Genii and the Peris and the very birds
+    of the air used to obey, never ventured to talk in this fashion
+    of Mazanderan, or to seek war against the Genii; and Feridun,
+    though he was the wisest of kings, and skilful in all magical
+    arts, never cherished such a plan." So they sat, overwhelmed
+    with anxiety.</p>
+
+    <p>At last one of them said, "My friends, there is only one way
+    of escaping from this danger. Let us send a swift dromedary to
+    Zal of the white hair, with this message: 'Though your head be
+    covered with dust, do not stay to wash it, but come.' Perhaps
+    Zal will give the King wise advice, and, telling him that this
+    plan of his is nothing but a counsel of Satan, will persuade
+    him to change his purpose. Otherwise we are lost, small and
+    great."</p>
+
+    <p>The nobles listened to this advice, and sent a messenger to
+    Zal, mounted on a swift
+    dromedary.</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page493"
+       id="page493"></a>[pg 493]</span>
+
+    <p>When Zal heard what had happened, he said:</p>
+
+    <p>"The King is self-willed. He has not yet felt either the
+    cold or the heat of the world. He thinks that all men, great
+    and small, tremble at his sword, and it must needs be that he
+    learn better by experience. However, I will go; I will give him
+    the best advice that I can. If he will be persuaded by me, it
+    will be well; but if not, the way is open, and Rustem shall go
+    with his army." All night long he revolved these matters in his
+    heart. The next morning he went his way, and arrived at the
+    court of the King.</p>
+
+    <p>The King received him with all honor, bade him sit by his
+    side, and inquired how he had borne the fatigue of his journey,
+    and of the welfare of Rustem, his son. Then Zal spoke:</p>
+
+    <p>"I have heard, my lord, that you are forming plans against
+    the land of the Genii. Will it please you to listen to me?
+    There have been mighty kings before you, but never during all
+    my years, which now are many, has any one of them conceived in
+    his heart such a design as this. This land is inhabited by
+    Genii that are skilful in all magical arts. They can lay such
+    bonds upon men that no one is able to hurt them. No sword is
+    keen enough to cut them through; riches and wisdom and valor
+    are alike powerless against them. I implore you, therefore, not
+    to waste your riches, and the riches of your country and the
+    blood of your warriors, on so hopeless an enterprise."</p>
+
+    <p>The King answered, "Doubtless it is true that the kings my
+    predecessors never ventured to entertain such a plan. But am I
+    not superior to them in courage, in power and wealth? Had they
+    such warriors as you, and Rustem your son? Do not think to turn
+    me from my purpose. I will go against the country of these
+    accursed magicians, and verily I will not leave one single soul
+    alive in it, for they are an evil race. If you do not care to
+    come with me, at least refrain from advising me to sit idle
+    upon my throne."</p>
+
+    <p>When Zal heard this answer, he said: "You are the King, and
+    we are your slaves. Whatever you ordain is right and just, and
+    it is only by thy good pleasure that we breathe and move. I
+    have said what was in my heart. All that remains
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page494"
+       id="page494"></a>[pg 494]</span> now is to obey, and to pray
+       that the Ruler of the world may prosper your counsels."</p>
+
+    <p>When he had thus spoken, Zal took leave of the King, and
+    departed for his own country.</p>
+
+    <p>The very next day the King set out with his army for the
+    land of the Genii, and, after marching for several days,
+    pitched his tent at the foot of Mount Asprus, and held a great
+    revel all the night long with his chiefs. The next morning he
+    said, "Choose me two thousand men who will break down the gates
+    of Mazanderan with their clubs. And take care that when you
+    have taken the city you spare neither young nor old, for I will
+    rid the world of these magicians." They did as the King
+    commanded, and in a short space of time the city, which was
+    before the richest and most beautiful in the whole world, was
+    made into a desert.</p>
+
+    <p>When the King of Mazanderan heard of these things he called
+    a messenger, and said: "Go to the White Genius and say to him,
+    'The Persians have come with a great army and are destroying
+    everything. Make haste and help me, or there will be nothing
+    left to preserve.'"</p>
+
+    <p>The White Genius said, "Tell the King not to be troubled; I
+    will see to these Persians."</p>
+
+    <p>That same night the whole army of King Kao&uuml;s was
+    covered with a wonderful cloud. The sky was dark as pitch, and
+    there fell from it such a terrible storm of hailstones that no
+    one could stand against them. When the next morning came, lo!
+    the King and all that had not fled&mdash;for many fled to their
+    own country&mdash;or been killed by the hailstones, were blind.
+    Seven days they remained terrified and helpless. On the eighth
+    day they heard the voice, loud as a clap of thunder, of the
+    White Genius.</p>
+
+    <p>"King," said he, "you coveted the land of Mazanderan, you
+    entered the city, you slew and took prisoners many of the
+    people; but you did not know what I could do. And now, see, you
+    have your desire. Your lot is of your own contriving."</p>
+
+    <p>The White Genius then gave over the King and his companions
+    to the charge of an army of twelve thousand Genii, and
+    commanded that they should be kept in prison, and have
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page495"
+       id="page495"></a>[pg 495]</span> just so much food given
+       them as should keep them alive from day to day. Kao&uuml;s,
+       however, contrived to send by one of his warriors a message
+       to Zal the White-haired, telling him of all the troubles
+       that had come upon him. When Zal heard the news he was cut
+       to the heart, and sent without delay for Rustem. "Rustem,"
+       said he, "this is no time for a man to eat and drink and
+       take his pleasure. The King is in the hands of Satan, and we
+       must deliver him. As for me, I am old and feeble; but you
+       are of the age for war. Saddle Raksh, your horse, and set
+       forth without a moment's delay. The White Genius must not
+       escape the punishment of his misdeeds at your hands."</p>
+
+    <p>"The way is long," said Rustem; "how shall I go?"</p>
+
+    <p>"There are two ways," answered Zal, "and both are difficult
+    and dangerous. The King went by the longer way. The other is by
+    far the shorter, a two-weeks' march and no more; but it is full
+    of lions and evil Genii, and it is surrounded by darkness.
+    Still, I would have you go by it. God will be your helper; and
+    difficult as the way may be, it will have an end, and your good
+    horse Raksh will accomplish it. And if it be the will of Heaven
+    that you should fall by the hand of the White Genius, who can
+    change the ordering of destiny? Sooner or later we must all
+    depart, and death should be no trouble to him who has filled
+    the earth with his glory."</p>
+
+    <p>"My father, I am ready to do your bidding," said Rustem.
+    "Nevertheless, the heroes of old cared not to go of their own
+    accord into the land of death; and it is only he who is weary
+    of life that throws himself in the way of a roaring lion. Still
+    I go, and I ask for no help but from the justice of God. With
+    that on my side I will break the charm of the magicians. The
+    White Genius himself shall not escape me."</p>
+
+    <p>Rustem armed himself, and went on his way.</p>
+
+    <p>Rustem made such speed that he accomplished two days'
+    journey in one. But at last, finding himself hungry and weary,
+    and seeing that there were herds of wild asses in the plain
+    which he was traversing, he thought that he would catch one of
+    them for his meal, and rest for the night. So pressing his
+    knees into his horse's side, he pursued one of them. There was
+    no escape for the swiftest beast when Rustem was mounted on
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page496"
+       id="page496"></a>[pg 496]</span> Raksh, and in a very short
+       time a wild ass was caught with the lasso. Rustem struck a
+       light with a flintstone, and making a fire with brambles and
+       branches of trees, roasted the ass and ate it for his meal.
+       This done he took the bridle from his horse, let him loose
+       to graze upon the plain, and prepared himself to sleep in a
+       bed of rushes. Now in the middle of this bed of rushes was a
+       lion's lair, and at the end of the first watch the lion came
+       back, and was astonished to see lying asleep on the rushes a
+       man as tall as an elephant, with a horse standing near him.
+       The lion said to himself, "I must first tear the horse, and
+       then the rider will be mine whenever I please." So he leaped
+       at Raksh; but the horse darted at him like a flash of fire,
+       and struck him on the head with his fore feet. Then he
+       seized him by the back with his teeth, and battered him to
+       pieces on the earth. When Rustem awoke and saw the dead
+       lion, which indeed was of a monstrous size, he said to
+       Raksh, "Wise beast, who bade you fight with a lion? If you
+       had fallen under his claws, how should I have carried to
+       Mazanderan this cuirass and helmet, this lasso, my bow and
+       my sword?" Then he went to sleep again; but awaking at
+       sunrise, saddled Raksh and went on his way.</p>
+
+    <p>He had now to accomplish the most difficult part of his
+    journey, across a waterless desert, so hot that the very birds
+    could not live in it. Horse and rider were both dying of
+    thirst, and Rustem, dismounting, could scarcely struggle along
+    while he supported his steps by his spear. When he had almost
+    given up all hope, he saw a well-nourished ram pass by.
+    "Where," said he to himself, "is the reservoir from which this
+    creature drinks?" Accordingly he followed the ram's footsteps,
+    holding his horse's bridle in one hand and his sword in the
+    other, and the ram led him to a spring. Then Rustem lifted up
+    his eyes to heaven and thanked God for his mercies; afterwards
+    he blessed the ram, saying, "No harm come to thee forever! May
+    the grass of the valleys and the desert be always green for
+    thee, and may the bow of him that would hunt thee be broken,
+    for thou hast saved Rustem; verily, without thee he would have
+    been torn to pieces by the wild beasts of the
+    desert."</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page497"
+       id="page497"></a>[pg 497]</span>
+
+    <p>After this he caught another wild ass, and roasted him for
+    his meal. Then having bathed in the spring, he lay down to
+    sleep; but before he lay down, he said to Raksh, his horse: "Do
+    not seek quarrel or friendship with any. If an enemy come, run
+    to me; and do not fight either with Genius or lion."</p>
+
+    <p>After this he slept; and Raksh now grazed, and now galloped
+    over the plain.</p>
+
+    <p>Now it so happened that there was a great dragon that had
+    its bed in this part of the desert. So mighty a beast was it,
+    that not even a Genius had dared to pass by that way. The
+    dragon was astonished to see a man asleep and a horse by his
+    side, and began to make its way to the horse. Raksh did as he
+    had been bidden, and running towards his master, stamped with
+    his feet upon the ground. Rustem awoke, and seeing nothing when
+    he looked about him&mdash;for the dragon meanwhile had
+    disappeared&mdash;was not a little angry. He rebuked Raksh, and
+    went to sleep again. Then the dragon came once more out of the
+    darkness, and the horse ran with all speed to his master,
+    tearing up the ground and kicking. A second time the sleeper
+    awoke, but as he saw nothing but darkness round him, he was
+    greatly enraged, and said to his faithful horse:</p>
+
+    <p>"Why do you disturb me? If it wearies you to see me asleep,
+    yet you cannot bring the night to an end. I said that if a lion
+    came to attack you, I would protect you; but I did not tell you
+    to trouble me in this way. Verily, if you make such a noise
+    again, I will cut off your head and go on foot, carrying all my
+    arms and armor with me to Mazanderan."</p>
+
+    <p>A third time Rustem slept, and a third time the dragon came.
+    This time Raksh, who did not venture to come near his master,
+    fled over the plain; he was equally afraid of the dragon and of
+    Rustem. Still his love for his master did not suffer him to
+    rest. He neighed and tore up the earth, till Rustem woke up
+    again in a rage. But this time God would not suffer the dragon
+    to hide himself, and Rustem saw him through the darkness, and,
+    drawing his sword, rushed at him.</p>
+
+    <p>But first he said, "Tell me your name; my hand must not tear
+    your soul from your body before I know your name."</p>
+
+    <p>The dragon said, "No man can ever save himself from my
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page498"
+       id="page498"></a>[pg 498]</span> claws; I have dwelt in this
+       desert for ages, and the very eagles have not dared to fly
+       across. Tell me then your name, bold man. Unhappy is the
+       mother that bore you."</p>
+
+    <p>"I am Rustem, son of Zal of the white hair," said the hero,
+    "and there is nothing on earth that I fear."</p>
+
+    <p>Then the dragon threw itself upon Rustem. But the horse
+    Raksh laid back his ears, and began to tear the dragon's back
+    with his teeth, just as a lion might have torn it.</p>
+
+    <p>The hero stood astonished for a while; then, drawing his
+    sword, severed the monster's head from his body. Then, having
+    first bathed, he returned thanks to God, and mounting on Raksh,
+    went his way.</p>
+
+    <p>All that day he traveled across the plain, and came at
+    sunset to the land of the magicians. Just as the daylight was
+    disappearing, he spied a delightful spot for his night's
+    encampment. There were trees and grass, and a spring of water.
+    And beside the spring there was a flagon of red wine, and a
+    roast kid, with bread and salt and confectionery neatly
+    arranged. Rustem dismounted, unsaddled his horse, and looked
+    with astonishment at the provisions thus prepared. It was the
+    meal of certain magicians, who had vanished when they saw him
+    approach.</p>
+
+    <p>Of this he knew nothing, but sitting down without question,
+    filled a cup with wine, and taking a harp which he found lying
+    by the side of the flagon, sang:</p>
+
+    <div class="poem">
+        <div class="stanza">
+            <p>"The scourge of the wicked am I,</p>
+
+            <p>And my days still in battle go by;</p>
+
+            <p>Not for me is the red wine that glows</p>
+
+            <p>In the reveler's cup, nor the rose</p>
+
+            <p>That blooms in the land of delight;</p>
+
+            <p>But with monsters and demons to fight."</p>
+        </div>
+    </div>
+
+    <p>The music and the voice of the singer reached the ears of a
+    witch that was in those parts. Forthwith, by her art, she made
+    her face as fair as spring, and, approaching Rustem, asked him
+    how he fared, and sat down by his side. The hero thanked Heaven
+    that he had thus found in the desert such good fare and
+    excellent company; for he did not know that the lovely visitor
+    was a witch. He welcomed her, and handed her a cup of wine;
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page499"
+       id="page499"></a>[pg 499]</span> but, as he handed it, he
+       named the name of God, and at the sound her color changed,
+       and she became as black as charcoal.</p>
+
+    <p>When Rustem saw this, quick as the wind he threw his lasso
+    over her head.</p>
+
+    <p>"Confess who you are," he cried; "show yourself in your true
+    shape."</p>
+
+    <p>Then the witch was changed into a decrepit, wrinkled old
+    woman. Rustem cut her in halves with a blow of his sword.</p>
+
+    <p>The next day he continued his journey with all the speed
+    that he could use, and came to a place where it was utterly
+    dark. Neither sun, nor moon, nor stars could be seen; and all
+    that the hero could do was to let the reins fall on his horse's
+    neck, and ride on as chance might direct.</p>
+
+    <p>In time he came to a most delightful country, where the sun
+    was shining brightly, and where the ground was covered with
+    green. Rustem took off his cuirass of leopard-skin, and his
+    helmet, and let Raksh find pasture where he could in the
+    fertile fields, and lay down to sleep. When the keeper of the
+    fields saw the horse straying among them and feeding, he was
+    filled with rage; and running up to the hero, dealt him with
+    his stick a great blow upon the feet.</p>
+
+    <p>Rustem awoke.</p>
+
+    <p>"Son of Satan," said the keeper, "why do you let your horse
+    stray in the cornfields?"</p>
+
+    <p>Rustem leaped upon the man, and without uttering a word good
+    or bad, wrenched his ears from his head.</p>
+
+    <p>Now the owner of this fertile country was a young warrior of
+    renown named Aulad. The keeper ran up to him with his ears in
+    his hand, and said:</p>
+
+    <p>"There has come to this place a son of Satan, clad in a
+    cuirass of leopard-skin, with an iron helmet. I was going to
+    drive his horse out of the cornfields, when he leaped upon me,
+    tore my ears from my head without saying a single word, and
+    then lay down to sleep again."</p>
+
+    <p>Aulad was about to go hunting with his chiefs; but when he
+    heard the keeper's story he altered his plan, and set out to
+    the place where he heard that Rustem had been seen. Rustem, as
+    soon as he saw him approach, and a great company with
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page500"
+       id="page500"></a>[pg 500]</span> him, ran to Raksh, leaped
+       on his back, and rode forward. Aulad said to him, "Who are
+       you? What are you doing here? Why did you pluck off my
+       keeper's ears and let your horse feed in the
+       cornfields?"</p>
+
+    <p>"If you were to hear my name," said Rustem, "it would freeze
+    the blood in your heart."</p>
+
+    <p>So saying he drew his sword, and fastening his lasso to the
+    bow of his saddle, rushed as a lion rushes into the midst of a
+    herd of oxen. With every blow of his sword he cut off a
+    warrior's head, till the whole of Aulad's company was either
+    slain or scattered. Aulad himself he did not kill, but throwing
+    his lasso, caught him by the neck, dragged him from his horse,
+    and bound his hands. "Now," said he, "if you will tell me the
+    truth, and, without attempting to deceive, will show me where
+    the White Genius dwells, and will guide me to where King
+    Kao&uuml;s is kept prisoner, then I will make you king of
+    Mazanderan. But if you speak a word of falsehood you die."</p>
+
+    <p>"It is well," said Aulad; "I will do what you desire. I will
+    show you where the King is imprisoned. It is four hundred miles
+    from this place; and four hundred miles farther, a difficult
+    and dangerous way, is the dwelling of the White Genius. It is a
+    cavern so deep that no man has ever sounded it, and it lies
+    between two mountains. Twelve thousand Genii watch it during
+    the night, for the White Genius is the chief and master of all
+    his tribe. You will find him a terrible enemy, and, for all
+    your strong arms and hands, your keen sword, your lance and
+    your club, you will scarcely be able to conquer him; and when
+    you have conquered him, there will still be much to be done. In
+    the city of the King of Mazanderan there are thousands of
+    warriors, and not a coward among them; and besides these, there
+    are two hundred war-elephants. Were you made of iron, could you
+    venture to deal alone with these sons of Satan?"</p>
+
+    <p>Rustem smiled when he heard this, and said, "Come with me,
+    and you will see what a single man, who puts his trust in God,
+    can do. And now show me first the way to the King's
+    prison."</p>
+
+    <p>Rustem mounted on Raksh, and rode gaily forward, and
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page501"
+       id="page501"></a>[pg 501]</span> Aulad ran in front of him.
+       For a whole day and night he ran, nor ever grew tired, till
+       they reached the foot of Mount Asprus, where King Kao&uuml;s
+       had fallen into the power of the Genii. About midnight they
+       heard a great beating of drums, and saw many fires blaze
+       up.</p>
+
+    <p>Rustem said to Aulad, "What mean these fires that are
+    blazing up to right and left of us?"</p>
+
+    <p>Aulad answered, "This is the way into Mazanderan. The great
+    Genius Arzeng must be there."</p>
+
+    <p>Then Rustem went to sleep; and when he woke in the morning
+    he took his lasso and fastened Aulad to the trunk of a tree.
+    Then hanging his grandfather's club to his saddlebow, he rode
+    on.</p>
+
+    <p>His conflict with Arzeng, the chief of the army of the
+    Genii, was soon finished. As he approached the camp he raised
+    his battle-cry. His shout was loud enough, one would have said,
+    to split the very mountains; and Arzeng, when he heard it,
+    rushed out of his tent. Rustem set spurs to his horse, and
+    galloping up to the Genius, caught him by the head, tore it
+    from the body, and threw it into the midst of the army. When
+    the Genii saw it, and caught sight also of the great club, they
+    fled in the wildest confusion, fathers trampling upon their
+    sons in their eagerness to escape. The hero put the whole herd
+    of them to the sword, and then returned as fast as he could to
+    the place where he had left Aulad bound to the tree. He
+    unloosed the knots of the lasso, and bidding him lead the way
+    to the prison-house of the King, set spurs to Raksh, Aulad
+    running in front as before.</p>
+
+    <p>When they entered the town, Raksh neighed. His voice was as
+    loud as thunder, and the King heard it, and in a moment
+    understood all that had happened. "That is the voice of Raksh,"
+    he said to the Persians that were with him; "our evil days are
+    over. This was the way in which he neighed in King Kobad's
+    time, when he made war on the Scythians."</p>
+
+    <p>The Persians said to themselves, "Our poor King has lost his
+    senses, or he is dreaming. There is no help for us." But they
+    had hardly finished speaking when the hero appeared, and did
+    homage to the King. Kao&uuml;s embraced him, and then
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page502"
+       id="page502"></a>[pg 502]</span> said: "If you are to help
+       me, you must go before the Genii know of your coming. So
+       soon as the White Genius shall hear of the fall of Arzeng,
+       he will assemble such an army of his fellows as shall make
+       all your pains and labor lost. But you must know that you
+       have great difficulties to overcome. First, you must cross
+       seven mountains, all of them occupied by troops of Genii;
+       then you will see before you a terrible cavern&mdash;more
+       terrible, I have heard say, than any other place in the
+       world. The entrance to it is guarded by warrior Genii, and
+       in it dwells the White Genius himself. He is both the terror
+       and the hope of his army. Conquer him, and all will be well.
+       A wise physician tells me that the only remedy for my
+       blindness is to drop into my eyes three drops of the White
+       Genius's blood. Go and conquer, if you would save your
+       King."</p>
+
+    <p>Without any delay Rustem set forth, Raksh carrying him like
+    the wind. When he reached the great cavern, he said to Aulad,
+    who had guided him on his way as before, "The time of conflict
+    is come. Show me the way."</p>
+
+    <p>Aulad answered, "When the sun shall grow hot, the Genii will
+    go to sleep. That will be your time to conquer them."</p>
+
+    <p>Rustem waited till the sun was at its highest, and then went
+    forth to battle. The Genii that were on guard fled at the sound
+    of his voice, and he went on without finding any to resist him
+    till he came to the great cavern of which the King had spoken.
+    It was a terrible place to see, and he stood for a while with
+    his sword in his hand, doubting what he should do. No one would
+    choose such a spot for battle; and as for escaping from it,
+    that was beyond all hope. Long he looked into the darkness, and
+    at last he saw a monstrous shape, which seemed to reach across
+    the whole breadth of the cave. It was the White Genius that was
+    lying asleep. Rustem did not attempt to surprise him in his
+    sleep, but woke him by shouting his battle-cry. When the White
+    Genius saw him, he rushed at once to do battle with him. First
+    he caught up from the ground a stone as big as a millstone and
+    hurled it at him. For the first time Rustem felt a thrill of
+    fear, so terrible was his enemy. Nevertheless, gathering all
+    his strength, he struck at him a great blow with his sword and
+    cut off one of his feet. The monster, though having
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page503"
+       id="page503"></a>[pg 503]</span> but one foot, leaped upon
+       him like a wild elephant, and seized him by the breast and
+       arms, hoping to throw him to the ground, and tore from his
+       body great pieces of flesh, so that the whole place was
+       covered with blood. Rustem said to himself, "If I escape
+       to-day I shall live forever;" and the White Genius thought,
+       "Even if I do deliver myself from the claws of this dragon,
+       I shall never see Mazanderan again." Still he did not lose
+       courage, but continued to struggle against the hero with all
+       his might.</p>
+
+    <p>So the two fought together, the blood and sweat running from
+    them in great streams. At last Rustem caught the Genius round
+    the body, and, putting out all his strength, hurled him to the
+    ground with such force that his soul was driven out of his
+    body. Then he plunged his poinard into the creature's heart,
+    and tore the liver out of his body. This done he returned to
+    Aulad, whom he had left bound with his lasso, loosed him, and
+    set out for the place where he had left the King. But first
+    Aulad said to him, "I have the marks of your bonds upon me; my
+    body is bruised with the knots of your lasso; I beseech you to
+    respect the promise which you made me of a reward. A hero is
+    bound to keep his word."</p>
+
+    <p>Rustem said: "I promised that you should be King of
+    Mazanderan, and King you shall be. But I have much to do before
+    my word can be kept. I have a great battle to fight, in which I
+    may be conquered, and I must rid this country of the magicians
+    with whom it is encumbered. But be sure that, when all is done,
+    I will not fail of the promises which I have made."</p>
+
+    <p>So Rustem returned to King Kao&uuml;s, and, dropping the
+    blood of the White Genius into his eyes, gave him back his
+    sight. Seven days the King and his nobles feasted together,
+    Rustem having the chief place. On the eighth day they set out
+    to clear the country of the accursed race of magicians. When
+    they had done this, the King said, "The guilty have now been
+    punished. Let no others suffer. And now I will send a letter to
+    the King of Mazanderan."</p>
+
+    <p>So the King wrote a letter in these words: "You see how God
+    has punished the wrong-doers&mdash;how he has brought to naught
+    the Genii and the magicians. Quit then your town,
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page504"
+       id="page504"></a>[pg 504]</span> and come here to pay homage
+       and tribute to me. If you will not, then your life shall be
+       as the life of Arzeng and the White Genius."</p>
+
+    <p>This letter was carried to the King by a certain chief named
+    Ferbad. When the King had read it, he was greatly troubled.
+    Three days he kept Ferbad as his guest, and then sent back by
+    him this answer: "Shall the water of the sea be equal to wine?
+    Am I one to whom you can say, 'Come down from your throne, and
+    present yourself before me?' Make ready to do battle with me,
+    for verily I will bring upon the land of Persia such
+    destruction that no man shall be able to say what is high and
+    what is low."</p>
+
+    <p>Ferbad hastened back to the King of Persia. "The man," he
+    said, "is resolved not to yield." Then the King sent to Rustem.
+    And Rustem said, "Send me with a letter that shall be as keen
+    as a sword and a message like a thunder-cloud." So the King
+    sent for a scribe, who, making the point of his reed as fine as
+    an arrowhead, wrote thus: "These are foolish words, and do not
+    become a man of sense. Put away your arrogance, and be obedient
+    to my words. If you refuse, I will bring such an army against
+    you as shall cover your land from one sea to the other; and the
+    ghost of the White Genius shall call the vultures to feast on
+    your brains."</p>
+
+    <p>The King set his seal to this letter, and Rustem departed
+    with it, with his club hanging to his saddlebow. When the King
+    of Mazanderan heard of his coming, he sent some of his nobles
+    to meet him. When Rustem saw them, he caught a huge tree that
+    was by the wayside in his hands, twisted it with all his might,
+    and tore it up, roots and all. Then he poised it in his hand as
+    if it were a javelin. One of the nobles, the strongest of them
+    all, rode up to him, caught one of his hands, and pressed it
+    with all his might. Rustem only smiled; but when in his turn he
+    caught the noble's hand in his, he crushed all the veins and
+    bones, so that the man fell fainting from his horse.</p>
+
+    <p>When the King heard what had been done, he called one of his
+    warriors, Kalahour by name, the strongest man in his dominions,
+    and said to him, "Go and meet this messenger;
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page505"
+       id="page505"></a>[pg 505]</span> show him your prowess, and
+       cover his face with shame." So Kalahour rode to meet Rustem,
+       and, taking him by the hand, wrung it with all the strength
+       of an elephant. The hand turned blue with the pain, but the
+       hero did not flinch or give any sign of pain. But when in
+       his turn he wrung the hand of Kalahour, the nails dropped
+       from it as the leaves drop from a tree. Kalahour rode back,
+       his hand hanging down, and said to the King, "It will be
+       better for you to make peace than to fight with this lion,
+       whose strength is such that no man can stand against him.
+       Pay this tribute, and we will make it good to you. Otherwise
+       we are lost."</p>
+
+    <p>At this moment Rustem rode up. The King gave him a place at
+    his right hand, and asked him of his welfare. Rustem, for
+    answer, gave him the letter of Kei-Ka&ouml;us. When the King
+    had read the letter, his face became black as thunder. Then he
+    said, "Carry back this answer to your master: 'You are lord of
+    Persia, and I of Mazanderan. Be content; seek not that which is
+    not yours. Otherwise your pride will lead you to your
+    fall.'"</p>
+
+    <p>The King would have given Rustem royal gifts, robes of
+    honor, and horses, and gold. But the hero would have none of
+    them, but went away in anger. When he had returned to the King
+    of Persia, he said to him, "Fear nothing, but make ready for
+    battle. As for the warriors of this land of Mazanderan, they
+    are nothing; I count them no better than a grain of dust."</p>
+
+    <p>Meanwhile the king of the magicians prepared for war. He
+    gathered an army, horsemen and foot-soldiers and elephants,
+    that covered the face of the earth, and approached the borders
+    of Persia; and, on the other hand, King Kao&uuml;s marshaled
+    his men of war and went out to encounter him. The King himself
+    took his place in the center of the line of battle, and in
+    front of all stood the great Rustem.</p>
+
+    <p>One of the nobles of Mazanderan came out of their line, with
+    a great club in his hands, and approaching the Persian army,
+    cried in a loud voice, "Who is ready to fight with me? He
+    should be one who is able to change water into dust."</p>
+
+    <p>None of the Persian nobles answered him, and King Kao&uuml;s
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page506"
+       id="page506"></a>[pg 506]</span> said, "Why is it, ye men of
+       war, that your faces are troubled, and your tongues silent
+       before this Genius?"</p>
+
+    <p>But still the nobles made no answer. Then Rustem caught the
+    rein of his horse, and, putting the point of his lance over his
+    shoulder, rode up to the King, and said, "Will the King give me
+    permission to fight with this Genius?"</p>
+
+    <p>The King said, "The task is worthy of you, for none of the
+    Persians dare to meet this warrior. Go and prosper!"</p>
+
+    <p>So Rustem set spurs to Raksh, and rode against the warrior
+    who had challenged the Persians.</p>
+
+    <p>"Hear," he said, as soon as he came near, "your name is
+    blotted out of the list of the living; for the moment is come
+    when you shall suffer the recompense of all your misdeeds."</p>
+
+    <p>The warrior answered, "Boast not yourself so proudly. My
+    sword makes mothers childless."</p>
+
+    <p>When Rustem heard this, he cried with a voice of thunder, "I
+    am Rustem!" and the warrior, who had no desire to fight the
+    champion of the world, turned his back and fled. But Rustem
+    pursued him, and thrust at him with his lance where the belt
+    joins the coat of mail, and pierced him through, for the armor
+    could not turn the point of the great spear. Then he lifted him
+    out of his saddle, and raised him up in the air, as if he were
+    a bird which a man had run through with a spit. This done, he
+    dashed him down dead upon the ground, and all the nobles of
+    Mazanderan stood astonished at the sight.</p>
+
+    <p>After this the two armies joined battle. The air grew dark,
+    and the flashing of the swords and clubs flew like the
+    lightning out of a thunder-cloud, and the mountains trembled
+    with the cries of the combatants. Never had any living man seen
+    so fierce a fight before.</p>
+
+    <p>For seven days the battle raged, and neither the one side
+    nor the other could claim the victory. On the eighth day King
+    Kao&uuml;s bowed himself before God, taking his crown from his
+    head, and prayed with his face to the ground, saying, "O Lord
+    God, give me, I beseech thee, the victory over the Genii who
+    fear thee not."</p>
+
+    <p>Then he set his helmet on his head, and put himself at the
+    head of his army. First of all Rustem began the attack,
+    charging <span class="pagenum"><a name="page507"
+       id="page507"></a>[pg 507]</span> the center of the enemy's
+       army. He directed his course straight to the place where the
+       King of Mazanderan stood, surrounded with his chiefs and a
+       great host of elephants. When the King saw the shine of his
+       lance, he lost courage, and would have fled. But Rustem,
+       with a cry like a lion's roar, charged him, and struck him
+       on the girdle with his spear. The spear pierced the steel,
+       and would have slain the King, but that by his magic art he
+       changed himself, before the eyes of all the Persian army,
+       into a mass of rock. Rustem stood astonished to see such a
+       marvel.</p>
+
+    <p>When King Kao&uuml;s came up with his warriors, he said to
+    Rustem, "What is it? What ails you that you tarry here, doing
+    no thing?"</p>
+
+    <p>"My lord," answered Rustem, "I charged the King of
+    Mazanderan, spear in hand; I struck him on the girdle, but when
+    I thought to see him fall from his saddle, he changed himself
+    into a rock before my eyes, and now he feels nothing that I can
+    do."</p>
+
+    <p>Then King Kao&uuml;s commanded that they should take up the
+    rock and put it before his throne. But when the strongest men
+    in the army came to handle the rock, or sought to draw it with
+    cords, they could do nothing; it remained immovable. Rustem,
+    however, without any one to help him, lifted it from the earth,
+    and carrying it into the camp, threw it down before the King's
+    tent, and said, "Give up these cowardly tricks and the art of
+    magic, else I will break this rock into pieces."</p>
+
+    <p>When the King of Mazanderan heard this, he made himself
+    visible, black as a thunder-cloud, with a helmet of steel upon
+    his head and a coat of mail upon his breast. Rustem laughed,
+    and caught him by the hand, and brought him before the
+    King.</p>
+
+    <p>"See," said he, "this lump of rock, who, for fear of the
+    hatchet has given himself up to me!"</p>
+
+    <p>When Kao&uuml;s looked at him and observed how savage of
+    aspect he was, with the neck and tusks of a wild boar, he saw
+    that he was not worthy to sit upon a throne, and bade the
+    executioner take him away and cut him in pieces. This done, he
+    sent to the enemies' camp, and commanded that all the
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page508"
+       id="page508"></a>[pg 508]</span> spoil, the King's throne,
+       and his crown and girdle, the horses and the armor, the
+       swords and jewels, should be gathered together. Then he
+       called up his army, and distributed to them rewards in
+       proportion to what they had done and suffered. After this he
+       spent seven days in prayer, humbling himself before God, and
+       offering up thanksgiving. On the eighth day he seated
+       himself on his throne, and opened his treasures, and gave to
+       all that had need. Thus he spent another seven days. On the
+       fifteenth day, he called for wine and cups of amber and
+       rubies, and sat for seven days on his throne, with the
+       wine-cup in his hand.</p>
+
+    <p>He sent for Rustem, and said, "It is of your doing, by your
+    strength and courage, that I have recovered my throne."</p>
+
+    <p>Rustem answered, "A man must do his duty. As for the honors
+    that you would give me, I owe them all to Aulad, who has always
+    guided me on the right way. He hopes to be made king of
+    Mazanderan. Let the King, therefore, if it please him, invest
+    him with the crown."</p>
+
+    <p>And this the King did.</p>
+
+    <p>The next day Kao&uuml;s and his army set out to return to
+    the land of Persia. When he had reached his palace, he seated
+    himself upon his throne, and sending for Rustem, put him at his
+    side.</p>
+
+    <p>Rustem said, "My lord, permit me to go back to the old man
+    Zal, my father."</p>
+
+    <p>The King commanded that they should bring splendid presents
+    for the hero. The presents were these: A throne of turquoise,
+    adorned with rams' heads; a royal crown set about with jewels;
+    a robe of brocade of gold, such as is worn by the King of
+    kings; a bracelet and a chain of gold; a hundred maidens, with
+    faces fair as the full moon, and girdles of gold; a hundred
+    youths, whose hair was fragrant with musk; a hundred horses,
+    harnessed with gold and silver; a hundred mules with black
+    hair, with loads of brocade that came from the land of Room and
+    from Persia. After these they brought and laid at the hero's
+    feet a hundred purses filled with gold pieces; a cup of rubies,
+    filled with pure musk; another cup of turquoise, filled with
+    attar of roses; and, last of all, a letter written on pages of
+    <span class="pagenum"><a name="page509"
+       id="page509"></a>[pg 509]</span> silk, in ink made of wine
+       and aloes and amber and the black of lamps. By this letter
+       the King of kings gave anew to Rustem the kingdom of the
+       south. Then Kao&uuml;s blessed him, and said: "May you live
+       as long as men shall see the sun and the moon in heaven! May
+       the great of the earth join themselves to you! May your own
+       soul be full of modesty and tenderness!"</p>
+
+    <p>Rustem prostrated himself on the earth, and kissed the
+    throne; and so took his departure.</p>
+
+    <p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+    <p>&nbsp;</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page555"
+       id="page555"></a>[pg 555]</span>
+
+    <div class="figright"
+         style="width:45%;">
+        <a href="images/592.jpg"
+             name="fig592"
+             id="fig592"><img width="250"
+             src="images/592-t.jpg"
+             alt="Back Cover" /></a>
+    </div>
+
+    <div class="figleft"
+         style="width:45%;">
+        <a href="images/590.jpg"
+             name="fig590"
+             id="fig590"><img width="250"
+             src="images/590-t.jpg"
+             alt="Front Cover" /></a>
+    </div><br clear="all" />
+
+    <p>&nbsp;</p>
+
+    <h4>LIST OF BEST BOOKS OF MYTHS AND LEGENDS</h4>
+
+    <div class="toc">
+        <p>ASHTON, T. <i>Romances of Chivalry</i></p>
+
+        <p>BALDWIN, J. <i>The Story of Siegfried</i></p>
+
+        <p>BALDWIN, J. <i>The Story of Roland</i></p>
+
+        <p>BARING-GOULD, S. <i>Curious Myths of the Middle
+        Ages</i></p>
+
+        <p>BROOKS, E. <i>The Story of the &AElig;neid</i></p>
+
+        <p>BROOKS, E. <i>The Story of the Odyssey</i></p>
+
+        <p>BULFINCH, T. <i>The Age of Chivalry</i></p>
+
+        <p>BULFINCH, T. <i>Legends of Charlemagne</i></p>
+
+        <p>BURNS, J. <i>Popular Tales and Legends</i></p>
+
+        <p>CLODD, E. <i>The Birth and Growth of Myths</i></p>
+
+        <p>CLODD, E. <i>The Childhood of Religions</i></p>
+
+        <p>COOKER, F.J. <i>Nature Myths and Stories</i></p>
+
+        <p>COX, G.W. <i>Tales of Ancient Greece</i></p>
+
+        <p>COX, G.W. <i>Popular Romances of the Middle Ages</i></p>
+
+        <p>CRANE, F.T. <i>Italian Popular Tales</i></p>
+
+        <p>CROMMELIN, MARY <i>Famous Legends</i></p>
+
+        <p>CURTIN, J. <i>Myths and Folk Tales of the
+        Russians</i></p>
+
+        <p>DRAKE, S.A. <i>North-East Legends</i></p>
+
+        <p>DU MAURIER, GEORGE. <i>Legend of Camelot</i></p>
+
+        <p>EDWARDSON, E. <i>The Courteous Knight</i></p>
+
+        <p>EMMERSON, ELLEN RUSSELL <i>Indian Myths</i></p>
+
+        <p>FISK, JOHN. <i>Myths and Myth Makers</i></p>
+
+        <p>FRANCILLON, R.E. <i>Gods and Heroes</i></p>
+
+        <p>GAYLEY, F. <i>Classic Myths</i></p>
+
+        <p>GRINNEL, G.B. <i>Blackfoot Lodge Tales</i></p>
+
+        <p>GUERBER, H.A. <i>Myths of Northern Lands</i></p>
+
+        <p>GUERBER, H.A. <i>Myths of Greece and Rome</i></p>
+
+        <p>HALL, J. <i>Legends of the
+        West</i></p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page556"
+           id="page556"></a>[pg 556]</span>
+
+        <p>HAWTHORNE, NATHANIEL <i>Tanglewood Tales</i></p>
+
+        <p>HAWTHORNE, NATHANIEL <i>The Wonder Book</i></p>
+
+        <p>HEARN, LAFCADIO <i>Some Chinese Ghosts</i></p>
+
+        <p>HOLBROOK, F. <i>The Book of Nature's Myths</i></p>
+
+        <p>HULME, F.E. <i>Mythland</i></p>
+
+        <p>HUNT, R. <i>Popular Romances of the West of
+        England</i></p>
+
+        <p>IRVING, WASHINGTON <i>The Legend of Sleepy
+        Hollow</i></p>
+
+        <p>JACOBS, JOSEPH <i>The Book of Wonder Voyages</i></p>
+
+        <p>KENNEDY, PATRICK <i>Legendary Fictions of the Irish
+        Celts</i></p>
+
+        <p>KINGSLEY, CHARLES. <i>Greek Heroes</i></p>
+
+        <p>KUPLER, GRACE H.<i>Stories of Long Ago</i></p>
+
+        <p>LANG, ANDREW <i>Modern Mythology</i></p>
+
+        <p>LANIER, SYDNEY <i>The Boy's King Arthur</i></p>
+
+        <p>LANIER, SYDNEY <i>The Boy's Mabinogion</i></p>
+
+        <p>LANIER, SYDNEY <i>The Boy's Percy</i></p>
+
+        <p>LANIER, SYDNEY <i>The Boy's Froissart</i></p>
+
+        <p>LEITZ, A.F. <i>Legends and Stories</i></p>
+
+        <p>LOVER, SAMUEL <i>Legends and Stories of Ireland</i></p>
+
+        <p>MABIE, H.W. <i>Norse Tales</i></p>
+
+        <p>MABIE, H.W. (ED.) <i>Myths that Every Child should
+        Know</i></p>
+
+        <p>MACAULAY, LORD <i>Lays of Ancient Rome</i></p>
+
+        <p>MACDONALD, GEORGE <i>The Light Princess</i></p>
+
+        <p>MAGNUSSON AND MORRIS <i>The Saga Library</i></p>
+
+        <p>MITCHELL, S.W. <i>Prince Little Boy</i></p>
+
+        <p>NUTT, ALFRED <i>Folk Lore</i></p>
+
+        <p>PRATT-CHADWICK, M.L. <i>Legends of the Red
+        Children</i></p>
+
+        <p>PYLE, HOWARD. <i>Story of King Arthur</i></p>
+
+        <p>RALSTON, W.R.S.<i>Russian Folk Tales</i></p>
+
+        <p>SAINTINE, X.B. <i>Myths of the Rhine</i></p>
+
+        <p>SCHRAMMEM, J. <i>Legends of German Heroes of the Middle
+        Ages</i></p>
+
+        <p>SCUDDER, H.E. <i>The Book of Legends</i></p>
+
+        <p>SCUDDER, H.E. <i>The Children's Book</i></p>
+
+        <p>SCUDDER, H.E. <i>The Book of Folk Stories</i></p>
+
+        <p>SKINNER, C.M. <i>Myths and Legends</i></p>
+
+        <p>SOUTHEY, R. <i>Chronicles of the Cid</i></p>
+
+        <p>TANNER, D. <i>Legends from the Red Man's Forest</i></p>
+
+        <p>TAPPAN, E.M. <i>Robin Hood: His Book</i></p>
+
+        <p>WILDE, LADY <i>Ancient Legends</i></p>
+    </div>
+<p>&nbsp;</p>
+    <hr class="full" />
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+The Project Gutenberg eBook, Young Folks Treasury, Volume 2 (of 12), by
+Various, Edited by Hamilton Wright Mabie
+
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+
+
+
+Title: Young Folks Treasury, Volume 2 (of 12)
+
+Author: Various
+
+Release Date: February 28, 2005  [eBook #15202]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII)
+
+
+***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK YOUNG FOLKS TREASURY, VOLUME 2 (OF
+12)***
+
+
+E-text prepared by Juliet Sutherland, Sandra Brown, and the Project
+Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team
+
+
+
+Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this
+      file which includes the original illustrations.
+      See 15202-h.htm or 15202-h.zip:
+      (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/5/2/0/15202/15202-h/15202-h.htm)
+      or
+      (https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/5/2/0/15202/15202-h.zip)
+
+
+
+
+
+YOUNG FOLKS' TREASURY
+
+In 12 Volumes
+
+HAMILTON WRIGHT MABIE, Editor
+
+EDWARD EVERETT HALE, Associate Editor
+
+VOLUME II: MYTHS AND LEGENDARY HEROES
+
+HAMILTON WRIGHT MABIE, Editor
+
+New York
+The University Society Inc.
+Publishers
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: JASON SNATCHED OFF HIS HELMET AND HURLED IT.]
+
+
+
+
+PARTIAL LIST OF CONTRIBUTORS, ASSISTANT EDITORS AND ADVISERS
+
+
+HAMILTON WRIGHT MABIE
+Editor
+
+EDWARD EVERETT HALE
+Associate Editor
+
+NICHOLAS MURRAY BUTLER, President Columbia University.
+
+WILLIAM R. HARPER, Late President Chicago University.
+
+HON. THEODORE ROOSEVELT, Ex-President of the United States.
+
+HON. GROVER CLEVELAND, Late President of the United States.
+
+JAMES CARDINAL GIBBONS, American Roman Catholic prelate.
+
+ROBERT C. OGDEN, Partner of John Wanamaker.
+
+HON. GEORGE F. HOAR, Late Senator from Massachusetts.
+
+EDWARD W. BOK, Editor "Ladies' Home Journal."
+
+HENRY VAN DYKE, Author, Poet, and Professor of English
+
+Literature, Princeton University.
+
+LYMAN ABBOTT, Author, Editor of "The Outlook."
+
+CHARLES G.D. ROBERTS, Writer of Animal Stories.
+
+JACOB A. RIIS, Author and Journalist.
+
+EDWARD EVERETT HALE, Jr., English Professor at Union College.
+
+JOEL CHANDLER HARRIS, Late Author and Creator of "Uncle Remus."
+
+GEORGE GARY EGGLESTON, Novelist and Journalist.
+
+RAY STANNARD BAKER, Author and Journalist.
+
+WILLIAM BLAIKIE, Author of "How to Get Strong and How to Stay So."
+
+WILLIAM DAVENPORT HULBERT, Writer of Animal Stories.
+
+JOSEPH JACOBS, Folklore Writer and Editor of the "Jewish
+Encyclopedia."
+
+MRS. VIRGINIA TERHUNE ("Marion Harland"), Author of "Common Sense in
+the Household," etc.
+
+MARGARET E. SANGSTER, Author of "The Art of Home-Making," etc.
+
+SARAH K. BOLTON, Biographical Writer.
+
+ELLEN VELVIN, Writer of Animal Stories.
+
+REV. THEODORE WOOD, F.E.S., Writer on Natural History.
+
+W.J. BALTZELL, Editor of "The Musician."
+
+HERBERT T. WADE, Editor and Writer on Physics.
+
+JOHN H. CLIFFORD, Editor and Writer.
+
+ERNEST INGERSOLL, Naturalist and Author.
+
+DANIEL E. WHEELER, Editor and Writer.
+
+IDA PRENTICE WHITCOMB, Author of "Young People's Story of Music,"
+"Heroes of History," etc.
+
+MARK HAMBOURG, Pianist and Composer.
+
+MME. BLANCHE MARCHESI, Opera Singer and Teacher.
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS
+
+
+Introduction
+
+
+MYTHS OF GREECE AND ROME
+
+Baucis and Philemon
+ Adapted by C.E. Smith
+
+Pandora
+ Adapted by C.E. Smith
+
+Midas
+ Adapted by C.E. Smith
+
+Cadmus
+ Adapted by C.E. Smith
+
+Proserpina
+ Adapted by C.E. Smith
+
+The Story of Atalanta
+ Adapted by Anna Klingensmith
+
+Pyramus and Thisbe
+ Adapted by Alice Zimmern
+
+Orpheus
+ Adapted by Alice Zimmern
+
+
+MYTHS OF SCANDINAVIA
+
+Baldur
+ Adapted from A. and E. Keary's version
+
+Thor's Adventure among the Jotuns
+ Adapted by Julia Goddard
+
+The Apples of Idun
+ Adapted by Hamilton Wright Mabie
+
+The Gifts of the Dwarfs
+
+The Punishment of Loki
+ Adapted from A. and E. Keary's version
+
+
+MYTHS OF INDIA
+
+The Blind Man, The Deaf Man, and the Donkey
+ Adapted by M. Frere
+
+Harisarman
+
+Why the Fish Laughed
+
+Muchie Lal
+ Adapted by M. Frere
+
+How the Rajah's Son Won the Princess Labam
+ Adapted by Joseph Jacobs
+
+
+MYTHS OF JAPAN
+
+The Jellyfish and the Monkey
+ Adapted by Yei Theodora Ozaki
+
+The Old Man and-the Devils
+
+Autumn and Spring
+ Adapted by Frank Kinder
+
+The Vision of Tsunu
+ Adapted by Frank Kinder
+
+The Star-Lovers
+ Adapted by Frank Kinder
+
+
+
+MYTHS OF THE SLAVS
+
+The Two Brothers
+ Adapted by Alexander Chodsko
+
+The Twelve Months
+ Adapted by Alexander Chodsko
+
+The Sun; or, the Three Golden Hairs of the Old Man
+ Vesevde
+ Adapted by Alexander Chodsko
+
+
+A MYTH OF AMERICA
+
+Hiawatha
+ Adapted from H.R. Schoolcraft's version
+
+
+HEROES OF GREECE AND ROME
+
+Perseus
+ Adapted by Mary Macgregor
+
+Odysseus
+ Adapted by Jeanie Lang
+
+The Argonauts
+ Adapted by Mary Macgregor
+
+Theseus
+ Adapted by Mary Macgregor
+
+Hercules
+ Adapted by Thomas Cartwright
+
+The Perilous Voyage of AEneas
+ Adapted by Alice Zimmern
+
+How Horatius Held the Bridge
+ Adapted by Alfred J. Church
+
+How Cincinnatus Saved Rome
+ Adapted by Alfred J. Church
+
+
+HEROES OF GREAT BRITAIN
+
+Beowulf
+ Adapted by H.E. Marshall
+
+How King Arthur Conquered Rome
+ Adapted by E. Edwardson
+
+Sir Galahad and the Sacred Cup
+ Adapted by Mary Macgregor
+
+The Passing of Arthur
+ Adapted by Mary Macgregor
+
+Robin Hood
+ Adapted by H.E. Marshall
+
+Guy of Warwick
+ Adapted by H.E. Marshall
+
+Whittington and His Cat
+ Adapted by Ernest Rhys
+
+Tom Hickathrift
+ Adapted by Ernest Rhys
+
+
+HEROES OF SCANDINAVIA
+
+The Story of Frithiof
+ Adapted by Julia Goddard
+
+Havelok
+ Adapted by George W. Cox and E.H. Jones
+
+The Vikings
+ Adapted by Mary Macgregor
+
+
+HERO OF GERMANY
+
+Siegfried
+ Adapted by Mary Macgregor
+
+
+HERO OF FRANCE
+
+Roland
+ Adapted by H.E. Marshall
+
+
+HERO OF SPAIN
+
+The Cid
+ Adapted by Robert Southey
+
+
+HERO OF SWITZERLAND
+
+William Tell
+ Adapted by H.E. Marshall
+
+
+HERO OF PERSIA
+
+Rustem
+ Adapted by Alfred J. Church
+
+
+
+
+ILLUSTRATIONS
+
+JASON SNATCHED OFF HIS HELMET AND HURLED IT (Frontispiece)
+
+OUT FLEW A BRIGHT, SMILING FAIRY
+
+HE CAUGHT HER IN HIS ARMS AND SPRANG INTO THE CHARIOT
+
+ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE
+
+THE PUNISHMENT OF LOKI
+
+THE PRINCESS LABAM ... SHINES SO THAT SHE LIGHTS
+ UP ALL THE COUNTRY
+
+HIAWATHA IN HIS CANOE
+
+SO DANAE WAS COMFORTED AND WENT HOME WITH DICTYS
+
+ORPHEUS SANG TILL HIS VOICE DROWNED THE SONG OF THE SIRENS
+
+THEY LEAPT ACROSS THE POOL AND CAME TO HIM
+
+THESEUS LOOKED UP INTO HER FAIR FACE
+
+SIR GALAHAD
+
+ROBIN HOOD IN AN ENCOUNTER
+
+THE HERO'S SHINING SWORD PIERCED THE HEART OF THE MONSTER
+
+WILLIAM TELL AND HIS FRIENDS
+
+(Many of the illustrations in this volume are reproduced by special
+permission of E.P. Dutton & Company, owners of American rights.)
+
+
+
+
+
+INTRODUCTION
+
+
+With such a table of contents in front of this little foreword, I am
+quite sure that few will pause to consider my prosy effort. Nor can I
+blame any readers who jump over my head, when they may sit beside kind
+old Baucis, and drink out of her miraculous milk-pitcher, and hear
+noble Philemon talk; or join hands with Pandora and Epimetheus in
+their play before the fatal box was opened; or, in fact, be in the
+company of even the most awe-inspiring of our heroes and heroines.
+
+For ages the various characters told about in the following pages have
+charmed, delighted, and inspired the people of the world. Like fairy
+tales, these stories of gods, demigods, and wonderful men were
+the natural offspring of imaginative races, and from generation
+to generation they were repeated by father and mother to son and
+daughter. And if a brave man had done a big deed he was immediately
+celebrated in song and story, and quite as a matter of course, the
+deed grew with repetition of these. Minstrels, gleemen, poets, and
+skalds (a Scandinavian term for poets) took up these rich themes and
+elaborated them. Thus, if a hero had killed a serpent, in time it
+became a fiery dragon, and if he won a great battle, the enthusiastic
+reciters of it had him do prodigious feats--feats beyond belief. But
+do not fancy from this that the heroes were every-day persons. Indeed,
+they were quite extraordinary and deserved highest praise of their
+fellow-men.
+
+So, in ancient and medieval Europe the wandering poet or minstrel
+went from place to place repeating his wondrous narratives, adding
+new verses to his tales, changing his episodes to suit locality or
+occasion, and always skilfully shaping his fascinating romances. In
+court and cottage he was listened to with breathless attention. He
+might be compared to a living novel circulating about the country, for
+in those days books were few or entirely unknown. Oriental countries,
+too, had their professional story-spinners, while our American Indians
+heard of the daring exploits of their heroes from the lips of old men
+steeped in tradition. My youngest reader can then appreciate how myths
+and legends were multiplied and their incidents magnified. We all know
+how almost unconsciously we color and change the stories we repeat,
+and naturally so did our gentle and gallant singers through the
+long-gone centuries of chivalry and simple faith.
+
+Every reader can feel the deep significance underlying the myths we
+present--the poetry and imperishable beauty of the Greek, the strange
+and powerful conceptions of the Scandinavian mind, the oddity and
+fantasy of the Japanese, Slavs, and East Indians, and finally the
+queer imaginings of our own American Indians. Who, for instance, could
+ever forget poor Proserpina and the six pomegranate seeds, the death
+of beautiful Baldur, the luminous Princess Labam, the stupid jellyfish
+and shrewd monkey, and the funny way in which Hiawatha remade the
+earth after it had been destroyed by flood?
+
+Then take our legendary heroes: was ever a better or braver company
+brought together--Perseus, Hercules, Siegfried, Roland, Galahad,
+Robin Hood, and a dozen others? But stop, I am using too many
+question-marks. There is no need to query heroes known and admired the
+world over.
+
+As true latter-day story-tellers, both Hawthorne and Kingsley retold
+many of these myths and legends, and from their classic pages we have
+adapted a number of our tales, and made them somewhat simpler and
+shorter in form. By way of apology for this liberty (if some should
+so consider it), we humbly offer a paragraph from a preface to the
+"Wonder Book" written by its author:
+
+"A great freedom of treatment was necessary but it will be observed
+by every one who attempts to render these legends malleable in his
+intellectual furnace, that they are marvelously independent of all
+temporary modes and circumstances. They remain essentially the same,
+after changes that would affect the identity of almost anything else."
+
+Now to those who have not jumped over my head, or to those who, having
+done so, may jump back to this foreword, I trust my few remarks will
+have given some additional interest in our myths and heroes of lands
+far and near.
+
+DANIEL EDWIN WHEELER
+
+
+
+
+
+
+MYTHS OF MANY COUNTRIES
+
+
+
+
+MYTHS OF GREECE AND ROME
+
+
+
+BAUCIS AND PHILEMON
+
+ADAPTED BY C.E. SMITH
+
+
+One evening, in times long ago, old Philemon and his wife Baucis sat
+at their cottage door watching the sunset. They had eaten their supper
+and were enjoying a quiet talk about their garden, and their cow, and
+the fruit trees on which the pears and apples were beginning to ripen.
+But their talk was very much disturbed by rude shouts and laughter
+from the village children, and by the fierce barking of dogs.
+
+"I fear," said Philemon, "that some poor traveler is asking for a bed
+in the village, and that these rough people have set the dogs on him."
+
+"Well, I never," answered old Baucis. "I do wish the neighbors would
+be kinder to poor wanderers; I feel that some terrible punishment will
+happen to this village if the people are so wicked as to make fun of
+those who are tired and hungry. As for you and me, so long as we have
+a crust of bread, let us always be willing to give half of it to any
+poor homeless stranger who may come along."
+
+"Indeed, that we will," said Philemon.
+
+These old folks, you must know, were very poor, and had to work hard
+for a living. They seldom had anything to eat except bread and milk,
+and vegetables, with sometimes a little honey from their beehives, or
+a few ripe pears and apples from their little garden. But they were
+two of the kindest old people in the world, and would have gone
+without their dinner any day, rather than refuse a slice of bread or a
+cupful of milk to the weary traveler who might stop at the door.
+
+Their cottage stood on a little hill a short way from the village,
+which lay in a valley; such a pretty valley, shaped like a cup, with
+plenty of green fields and gardens, and fruit trees; it was a pleasure
+just to look at it. But the people who lived in this lovely place
+were selfish and hard-hearted; they had no pity for the poor, and were
+unkind to those who had no home, and they only laughed when Philemon
+said it was right to be gentle to people who were sad and friendless.
+
+These wicked villagers taught their children to be as bad as
+themselves. They used to clap their hands and make fun of poor
+travelers who were tramping wearily from one village to another, and
+they even taught the dogs to snarl and bark at strangers if their
+clothes were shabby. So the village was known far and near as an
+unfriendly place, where neither help nor pity was to be found.
+
+What made it worse, too, was that when rich people came in their
+carriages, or riding on fine horses, with servants to attend to them,
+the village people would take off their hats and be very polite and
+attentive: and if the children were rude they got their ears boxed;
+as to the dogs--if a single dog dared to growl at a rich man he was
+beaten and then tied up without any supper.
+
+So now you can understand why old Philemon spoke sadly when he heard
+the shouts of the children, and the barking of the dogs, at the far
+end of the village street.
+
+He and Baucis sat shaking their heads while the noise came nearer and
+nearer, until they saw two travelers coming along the road on foot.
+A crowd of rude children were following them, shouting and throwing
+stones, and several dogs were snarling at the travelers' heels.
+
+They were both very plainly dressed, and looked as if they might not
+have enough money to pay for a night's lodging.
+
+"Come, wife," said Philemon, "let us go and meet these poor people and
+offer them shelter."
+
+"You go," said Baucis, "while I make ready some supper," and she
+hastened indoors.
+
+Philemon went down the road, and holding out his hand to the two men,
+he said, "Welcome, strangers, welcome."
+
+"Thank you," answered the younger of the two travelers. "Yours is a
+kind welcome, very different from the one we got in the village; pray
+why do you live in such a bad place?"
+
+"I think," answered Philemon, "that Providence put me here just to
+make up as best I can for other people's unkindness."
+
+The traveler laughed heartily, and Philemon was glad to see him in
+such good spirits. He took a good look at him and his companion. The
+younger man was very thin, and was dressed in an odd kind of way.
+Though it was a summer evening, he wore a cloak which was wrapped
+tightly about him; and he had a cap on his head, the brim of which
+stuck out over both ears. There was something queer too about his
+shoes, but as it was getting dark, Philemon could not see exactly what
+they were like.
+
+One thing struck Philemon very much, the traveler was so wonderfully
+light and active that it seemed as if his feet were only kept close to
+the ground with difficulty. He had a staff in his hand which was the
+oddest-looking staff Philemon had seen. It was made of wood and had a
+little pair of wings near the top. Two snakes cut into the wood were
+twisted round the staff, and these were so well carved that Philemon
+almost thought he could see them wriggling.
+
+The older man was very tall, and walked calmly along, taking no notice
+either of naughty children or yelping dogs.
+
+When they reached the cottage gate, Philemon said, "We are very poor
+folk, but you are welcome to whatever we have in the cupboard. My wife
+Baucis has gone to see what you can have for supper."
+
+They sat down on the bench, and the younger stranger let his staff
+fall as he threw himself down on the grass, and then a strange thing
+happened. The staff seemed to get up from the ground of its own
+accord, and it opened a little pair of wings and half-hopped,
+half-flew and leaned itself against the wall of the cottage.
+
+Philemon was so amazed that he feared he had been dreaming, but before
+he could ask any questions, the elder stranger said: "Was there not a
+lake long ago covering the spot where the village now stands?"
+
+"Never in my day," said old Philemon, "nor in my father's, nor my
+grandfather's: there were always fields and meadows just as there are
+now, and I suppose there always will be."
+
+"That I am not so sure of," replied the stranger. "Since the people in
+that village have forgotten how to be loving and gentle, maybe it were
+better that the lake should be rippling over the cottages again," and
+he looked very sad and stern.
+
+He was a very important-looking man, Philemon felt, even though his
+clothes were old and shabby; maybe he was some great learned stranger
+who did not care at all for money or clothes, and was wandering about
+the world seeking wisdom and knowledge. Philemon was quite sure he
+was not a common person. But he talked so kindly to Philemon, and
+the younger traveler made such funny remarks, that they were all
+constantly laughing.
+
+"Pray, my young friend, what is your name?" Philemon asked.
+
+"Well," answered the younger man, "I am called Mercury, because I am
+so quick."
+
+"What a strange name!" said Philemon; "and your friend, what is he
+called?"
+
+"You must ask the thunder to tell you that," said Mercury, "no other
+voice is loud enough."
+
+Philemon was a little confused at this answer, but the stranger looked
+so kind and friendly that he began to tell them about his good old
+wife, and what fine butter and cheese she made, and how happy they
+were in their little garden; and how they loved each other very dearly
+and hoped they might live together till they died. And the stern
+stranger listened with a sweet smile on his face.
+
+Baucis had now got supper ready; not very much of a supper, she told
+them. There was only half a brown loaf and a bit of cheese, a pitcher
+with some milk, a little honey, and a bunch of purple grapes. But she
+said, "Had we only known you were coming, my goodman and I would have
+gone without anything in order to give you a better supper."
+
+"Do not trouble," said the elder stranger kindly. "A hearty welcome
+is better than the finest of food, and we are so hungry that what you
+have to offer us seems a feast." Then they all went into the cottage.
+
+And now I must tell you something that will make your eyes open. You
+remember that Mercury's staff was leaning against the cottage wall?
+Well, when its owner went in at the door, what should this wonderful
+staff do but spread its little wings and go hop-hop, flutter-flutter
+up the steps; then it went tap-tap across the kitchen floor and did
+not stop till it stood close behind Mercury's chair. No one noticed
+this, as Baucis and her husband were too busy attending to their
+guests.
+
+Baucis filled up two bowls of milk from the pitcher, while her husband
+cut the loaf and the cheese. "What delightful milk, Mother Baucis,"
+said Mercury, "may I have some more? This has been such a hot day that
+I am very thirsty."
+
+"Oh dear, I am so sorry and ashamed," answered Baucis, "but the truth
+is there is hardly another drop of milk in the pitcher."
+
+"Let me see," said Mercury, starting up and catching hold of the
+handles, "why here is certainly more milk in the pitcher." He poured
+out a bowlful for himself and another for his companion. Baucis could
+scarcely believe her eyes. "I suppose I must have made a mistake," she
+thought, "at any rate the pitcher must be empty now after filling both
+bowls twice over."
+
+"Excuse me, my kind hostess," said Mercury in a little while, "but
+your milk is so good that I should very much like another bowlful."
+
+Now Baucis was perfectly sure that the pitcher was empty, and in order
+to show Mercury that there was not another drop in it, she held it
+upside down over his bowl. What was her surprise when a stream of
+fresh milk fell bubbling into the bowl and overflowed on to the table,
+and the two snakes that were twisted round Mercury's staff stretched
+out their heads and began to lap it up.
+
+"And now, a slice of your brown loaf, pray Mother Baucis, and a little
+honey," asked Mercury.
+
+Baucis handed the loaf, and though it had been rather a hard and dry
+loaf when she and her husband ate some at tea-time, it was now as soft
+and new as if it had just come from the oven. As to the honey, it had
+become the color of new gold and had the scent of a thousand flowers,
+and the small grapes in the bunch had grown larger and richer, and
+each one seemed bursting with ripe juice.
+
+Although Baucis was a very simple old woman, she could not help
+thinking that there was something rather strange going on. She sat
+down beside Philemon and told him in a whisper what she had seen.
+
+"Did you ever hear anything so wonderful?" she asked.
+
+"No, I never did," answered Philemon, with a smile. "I fear you have
+been in a dream, my dear old wife."
+
+He knew Baucis could not say what was untrue, but he thought that she
+had not noticed how much milk there had really been in the pitcher
+at first. So when Mercury once more asked for a little milk, Philemon
+rose and lifted the pitcher himself. He peeped in and saw that there
+was not a drop in it; then all at once a little white fountain gushed
+up from the bottom, and the pitcher was soon filled to the brim
+with delicious milk.
+
+Philemon was so amazed that he nearly let the jug fall. "Who are ye,
+wonder-working strangers?" he cried.
+
+"Your guests, good Philemon, and your friends," answered the elder
+traveler, "and may the pitcher never be empty for kind Baucis and
+yourself any more than for the hungry traveler."
+
+The old people did not like to ask any more questions; they gave the
+guests their own sleeping-room, and then they lay down on the hard
+floor in the kitchen. It was long before they fell asleep, not because
+they thought how hard their bed was, but because there was so much to
+whisper to each other about the wonderful strangers and what they had
+done.
+
+They all rose with the sun next morning. Philemon begged the visitors
+to stay a little till Baucis should milk the cow and bake some bread
+for breakfast. But the travelers seemed to be in a hurry and wished
+to start at once, and they asked Baucis and Philemon to go with them a
+short distance to show them the way.
+
+So they all four set out together, and Mercury was so full of fun and
+laughter, and made them feel so happy and bright, that they would have
+been glad to keep him in their cottage every day and all day long.
+
+"Ah me," said Philemon, "if only our neighbors knew what a pleasure
+it was to be kind to strangers, they would tie up all their dogs and
+never allow the children to fling another stone."
+
+"It is a sin and shame for them to behave so," said Baucis, "and I
+mean to go this very day and tell some of them how wicked they are."
+
+"I fear," said Mercury, smiling, "that you will not find any of them
+at home."
+
+The old people looked at the elder traveler and his face had grown
+very grave and stern. "When men do not feel towards the poorest
+stranger as if he were a brother," he said, in a deep, grave voice,
+"they are not worthy to remain on the earth, which was made just to be
+the home for the whole family of the human race of men and women and
+children."
+
+"And, by the bye," said Mercury, with a look of fun and mischief in
+his eyes, "where is this village you talk about? I do not see anything
+of it."
+
+Philemon and his wife turned towards the valley, where at sunset only
+the day before they had seen the trees and gardens, and the houses,
+and the streets with the children playing in them. But there was no
+longer any sign of the village. There was not even a valley. Instead,
+they saw a broad lake which filled all the great basin from brim to
+brim, and whose waters glistened and sparkled in the morning sun.
+
+The village that had been there only yesterday was now gone!
+
+"Alas! what has become of our poor neighbors?" cried the kind-hearted
+old people.
+
+"They are not men and women any longer," answered the elder traveler,
+in a deep voice like distant thunder. "There was no beauty and no use
+in lives such as theirs, for they had no love for one another, and no
+pity in their hearts for those who were poor and weary. Therefore the
+lake that was here in the old, old days has flowed over them, and they
+will be men and women no more."
+
+"Yes," said Mercury, with his mischievous smile, "these foolish people
+have all been changed into fishes because they had cold blood which
+never warmed their hearts, just as the fishes have."
+
+"As for you, good Philemon, and you, kind Baucis," said the elder
+traveler, "you, indeed, gave a hearty welcome to the homeless
+strangers. You have done well, my dear old friends, and whatever wish
+you have most at heart will be granted."
+
+Philemon and Baucis looked at one another, and then I do not know
+which spoke, but it seemed as if the voice came from them both. "Let
+us live together while we live, and let us die together, at the same
+time, for we have always loved one another."
+
+"Be it so," said the elder stranger, and he held out his hands as if
+to bless them. The old couple bent their heads and fell on their knees
+to thank him, and when they lifted their eyes again, neither Mercury
+nor his companion was to be seen.
+
+So Philemon and Baucis returned to the cottage, and to every traveler
+who passed that way they offered a drink of milk from the wonderful
+pitcher, and if the guest was a kind, gentle soul, he found the milk
+the sweetest and most refreshing he had ever tasted. But if a cross,
+bad-tempered fellow took even a sip, he found the pitcher full of sour
+milk, which made him twist his face with dislike and disappointment.
+
+Baucis and Philemon lived a great, great many years and grew very
+old. And one summer morning when their friends came to share their
+breakfast, neither Baucis nor Philemon was to be found!
+
+The guests looked everywhere, and all in vain. Then suddenly one of
+them noticed two beautiful trees in the garden, just in front of
+the door. One was an oak tree and the other a linden tree, and their
+branches were twisted together so that they seemed to be embracing.
+
+No one had ever seen these trees before, and while they were all
+wondering how such fine trees could possibly have grown up in a single
+night, there came a gentle wind which set the branches moving, and
+then a mysterious voice was heard coming from the oak tree. "I am
+old Philemon," it said; and again another voice whispered, "And I am
+Baucis." And the people knew that the good old couple would live for a
+hundred years or more in the heart of these lovely trees. And oh, what
+a pleasant shade they flung around! Some kind soul built a seat under
+the branches, and whenever a traveler sat down to rest he heard a
+pleasant whisper of the leaves over his head, and he wondered why the
+sound should seem to say, "Welcome, dear traveler, welcome."
+
+
+
+
+PANDORA
+
+ADAPTED BY C.E. SMITH
+
+
+Long, long ago, when this old world was still very young, there lived
+a child named Epimetheus. He had neither father nor mother, and to
+keep him company, a little girl, who was fatherless and motherless
+like himself, was sent from a far country to live with him and be his
+playfellow. This child's name was Pandora.
+
+The first thing that Pandora saw, when she came to the cottage where
+Epimetheus lived, was a great wooden box. "What have you in that box,
+Epimetheus?" she asked.
+
+"That is a secret," answered Epimetheus, "and you must not ask any
+questions about it; the box was left here for safety, and I do not
+know what is in it."
+
+"But who gave it you?" asked Pandora, "and where did it come from?"
+
+"That is a secret too," answered Epimetheus.
+
+"How tiresome!" exclaimed Pandora, pouting her lip. "I wish the great
+ugly box were out of the way;" and she looked very cross.
+
+"Come along, and let us play games," said Epimetheus; "do not let
+us think any more about it;" and they ran out to play with the other
+children, and for a while Pandora forgot all about the box.
+
+But when she came back to the cottage, there it was in front of her,
+and instead of paying no heed to it, she began to say to herself:
+"Whatever can be inside it? I wish I just knew who brought it! Dear
+Epimetheus, do tell me; I know I cannot be happy till you tell me all
+about it."
+
+Then Epimetheus grew a little angry. "How can I tell you, Pandora?" he
+said, "I do not know any more than you do."
+
+"Well, you could open it," said Pandora, "and we could see for
+ourselves!"
+
+But Epimetheus looked so shocked at the very idea of opening a box
+that had been given to him in trust, that Pandora saw she had better
+not suggest such a thing again.
+
+"At least you can tell me how it came here," she said.
+
+"It was left at the door," answered Epimetheus, "just before you came,
+by a queer person dressed in a very strange cloak; he had a cap that
+seemed to be partly made of feathers; it looked exactly as if he had
+wings."
+
+"What kind of a staff had he?" asked Pandora.
+
+"Oh, the most curious staff you ever saw," cried Epimetheus: "it
+seemed like two serpents twisted round a stick."
+
+"I know him," said Pandora thoughtfully. "It was Mercury, and he
+brought me here as well as the box. I am sure he meant the box for me,
+and perhaps there are pretty clothes in it for us to wear, and toys
+for us both to play with."
+
+"It may be so," answered Epimetheus, turning away; "but until Mercury
+comes back and tells us that we may open it, neither of us has any
+right to lift the lid;" and he went out of the cottage.
+
+"What a stupid boy he is!" muttered Pandora, "I do wish he had a
+little more spirit." Then she stood gazing at the box. She had called
+it ugly a hundred times, but it was really a very handsome box, and
+would have been an ornament in any room.
+
+It was made of beautiful dark wood, so dark and so highly polished
+that Pandora could see her face in it. The edges and the corners were
+wonderfully carved. On these were faces of lovely women, and of the
+prettiest children, who seemed to be playing among the leaves and
+flowers. But the most beautiful face of all was one which had a wreath
+of flowers about its brow. All around it was the dark, smooth-polished
+wood with this strange face looking out from it, and some days Pandora
+thought it was laughing at her, while at other times it had a very
+grave look which made her rather afraid.
+
+The box was not fastened with a lock and key like most boxes, but with
+a strange knot of gold cord. There never was a knot so queerly
+tied; it seemed to have no end and no beginning, but was twisted so
+cunningly, with so many ins and outs, that not even the cleverest
+fingers could undo it.
+
+Pandora began to examine the knot just to see how it was made. "I
+really believe," she said to herself, "that I begin to see how it is
+done. I am sure I could tie it up again after undoing it. There could
+be no harm in that; I need not open the box even if I undo the knot."
+And the longer she looked at it, the more she wanted just to try.
+
+So she took the gold cord in her fingers and examined it very
+closely. Then she raised her head, and happening to glance at the
+flower-wreathed face, she thought it was grinning at her. "I wonder
+whether it is smiling because I am doing wrong," thought Pandora, "I
+have a good mind to leave the box alone and run away."
+
+But just at that moment, as if by accident, she gave the knot a little
+shake, and the gold cord untwisted itself as if by magic, and there
+was the box without any fastening.
+
+"This is the strangest thing I have ever known," said Pandora, rather
+frightened, "What will Epimetheus say? How can I possibly tie it up
+again?"
+
+She tried once or twice, but the knot would not come right. It had
+untied itself so suddenly she could not remember in the least how the
+cord had been twisted together. So there was nothing to be done but to
+let the box remain unfastened until Epimetheus should come home.
+
+"But," thought Pandora; "when he finds the knot untied he will know
+that I have done it; how shall I ever make him believe that I have not
+looked into the box?" And then the naughty thought came into her head
+that, as Epimetheus would believe that she had looked into the box,
+she might just as well have a little peep.
+
+She looked at the face with the wreath, and it seemed to smile at her
+invitingly, as much as to say: "Do not be afraid, what harm can there
+possibly be in raising the lid for a moment?" And then she thought
+she heard voices inside, tiny voices that whispered: "Let us out, dear
+Pandora, do let us out; we want very much to play with you if you will
+only let us out?"
+
+"What can it be?" said Pandora. "Is there something alive in the box?
+Yes, I must just see, only one little peep and the lid will be shut
+down as safely as ever. There cannot really be any harm in just one
+little peep."
+
+All this time Epimetheus had been playing with the other children in
+the fields, but he did not feel happy. This was the first time he had
+played without Pandora, and he was so cross and discontented that the
+other children could not think what was the matter with him. You see,
+up to this time everybody in the world had always been happy, no one
+had ever been ill, or naughty, or miserable; the world was new and
+beautiful, and the people who lived in it did not know what trouble
+meant. So Epimetheus could not understand what was the matter with
+himself, and he stopped trying to play games and went back to Pandora.
+
+On the way home he gathered a bunch of lovely roses, and lilies, and
+orange-blossoms, and with these he made a wreath to give Pandora, who
+was very fond of flowers. He noticed there was a great black cloud in
+the sky, which was creeping nearer and nearer to the sun, and just as
+Ejpimetheus reached the cottage door the cloud went right over the sun
+and made everything look dark and sad.
+
+Epimetheus went in quietly, for he wanted to surprise Pandora with the
+wreath of flowers. And what do you think he saw? The naughty little
+girl had put her hand on the lid of the box and was just going to open
+it. Epimetheus saw this quite well, and if he had cried out at once it
+would have given Pandora such a fright she would have let go the lid.
+But Epimetheus was very naughty too. Although he had said very little
+about the box, he was just as curious as Pandora was to see what was
+inside: if they really found anything pretty or valuable in it, he
+meant to take half of it for himself; so that he was just as naughty,
+and nearly as much to blame as his companion.
+
+When Pandora raised the lid, the cottage had grown very dark, for the
+black cloud now covered the sun entirely and a heavy peal of thunder
+was heard. But Pandora was too busy and excited to notice this: she
+lifted the lid right up, and at once a swarm of creatures with wings
+flew out of the box, and a minute after she heard Epimetheus crying
+loudly: "Oh, I am stung, I am stung! You naughty Pandora, why did you
+open this wicked box?"
+
+Pandora let the lid fall with a crash and started up to find out what
+had happened to her playmate. The thunder-cloud had made the room so
+dark that she could scarcely see, but she heard a loud buzz-buzzing,
+as if a great many huge flies had flown in, and soon she saw a crowd
+of ugly little shapes darting about, with wings like bats and with
+terribly long stings in their tails. It was one of these that had
+stung Epimetheus, and it was not long before Pandora began to
+scream with pain and fear. An ugly little monster had settled on
+her forehead, and would have stung her badly had not Epimetheus run
+forward and brushed it away.
+
+Now I must tell you that these ugly creatures with stings, which had
+escaped from the box, were the whole family of earthly troubles. There
+were evil tempers, and a great many kinds of cares: and there were
+more than a hundred and fifty sorrows, and there were diseases in many
+painful shapes. In fact all the sorrows and worries that hurt people
+in the world to-day had been shut up in the magic-box, and given
+to Epimetheus and Pandora to keep safely, in order that the happy
+children in the world might never be troubled by them. If only these
+two had obeyed Mercury and had left the box alone as he told them, all
+would have gone well.
+
+But you see what mischief they had done. The winged troubles flew out
+at the window and went all over the world: and they made people so
+unhappy that no one smiled for a great many days. It was very strange,
+too, that from this day flowers began to fade, and after a short time
+they died, whereas in the old times, before Pandora opened the box,
+they had been always fresh and beautiful.
+
+Meanwhile Pandora and Epimetheus remained in the cottage: they were
+very miserable and in great pain, which made them both exceedingly
+cross. Epimetheus sat down sullenly in a corner with his back to
+Pandora, while Pandora flung herself on the floor and cried bitterly,
+resting her head on the lid of the fatal box.
+
+Suddenly, she heard a gentle tap-tap inside. "What can that be?" said
+Pandora, raising her head; and again came the tap, tap. It sounded
+like the knuckles of a tiny hand knocking lightly on the inside of the
+box.
+
+"Who are you?" asked Pandora.
+
+A sweet little voice came from inside: "Only lift the lid and you will
+see."
+
+But Pandora was afraid to lift the lid again. She looked across
+to Epimetheus, but he was so cross that he took no notice. Pandora
+sobbed: "No, no, I am afraid; there are so many troubles with stings
+flying about that we do not want any more?"
+
+"Ah, but I am not one of these," the sweet voice said, "they are no
+relations of mine. Come, come, dear Pandora, I am sure you will let me
+out."
+
+The voice sounded so kind and cheery that it made Pandora feel better
+even to listen to it. Epimetheus too had heard the voice. He stopped
+crying. Then he came forward, and said: "Let me help you, Pandora, as
+the lid is very heavy."
+
+So this time both the children opened the box, and out flew a bright,
+smiling little fairy, who brought light and sunshine with her. She
+flew to Epimetheus and with her finger touched his brow where the
+trouble had stung him, and immediately the pain was gone.
+
+Then she kissed Pandora, and her hurt was better at once.
+
+[Illustration: OUT FLEW A BRIGHT SMILING LITTLE FAIRY.]
+
+"Pray who are you, kind fairy?" Pandora asked.
+
+"I am called Hope," answered the sunshiny figure. "I was shut up in
+the box so that I might be ready to comfort people when the family of
+troubles got loose in the world."
+
+"What lovely wings you have! They are just like a rainbow. And will
+you stay with us," asked Epimetheus, "for ever and ever?"
+
+"Yes," said Hope, "I shall stay with you as long as you live.
+Sometimes you will not be able to see me, and you may think I am dead,
+but you will find that I come back again and again when you have given
+up expecting me, and you must always trust my promise that I will
+never really leave you."
+
+"Yes, we do trust you," cried both children. And all the rest of their
+lives when the troubles came back and buzzed about their heads and
+left bitter stings of pain, Pandora and Epimetheus would remember
+whose fault it was that the troubles had ever come into the world
+at all, and they would then wait patiently till the fairy with the
+rainbow wings came back to heal and comfort them.
+
+
+
+
+MIDAS
+
+ADAPTED BY C.E. SMITH
+
+
+Once upon a time there lived a very rich King whose name was Midas,
+and he had a little daughter whom he loved very dearly. This King was
+fonder of gold than of anything else in the whole world: or if he did
+love anything better, it was the one little daughter who played so
+merrily beside her father's footstool.
+
+But the more Midas loved his daughter, the more he wished to be rich
+for her sake. He thought, foolish man, that the best thing he could do
+for his child was to leave her the biggest pile of yellow glittering
+gold that had ever been heaped together since the world began. So he
+gave all his thoughts and all his time to this purpose.
+
+When he worked in his garden, he used to wish that the roses had
+leaves made of gold, and once when his little daughter brought him
+a handful of yellow buttercups, he exclaimed, "Now if these had only
+been real gold they would have been worth gathering." He very soon
+forgot how beautiful the flowers, and the grass, and the trees were,
+and at the time my story begins Midas could scarcely bear to see or to
+touch anything that was not made of gold.
+
+Every day he used to spend a great many hours in a dark, ugly room
+underground: it was here that he kept all his money, and whenever
+Midas wanted to be very happy he would lock himself into this
+miserable room and would spend hours and hours pouring the glittering
+coins out of his money-bags. Or he would count again and again the
+bars of gold which were kept in a big oak chest with a great iron lock
+in the lid, and sometimes he would carry a boxful of gold dust from
+the dark corner where it lay, and would look at the shining heap by
+the light that came from a tiny window.
+
+To his greedy eyes there never seemed to be half enough; he was quite
+discontented. "What a happy man I should be," he said one day, "if
+only the whole world could be made of gold, and if it all belonged to
+me!"
+
+Just then a shadow fell across the golden pile, and when Midas looked
+up he saw a young man with a cheery rosy face standing in the thin
+strip of sunshine that came through the little window. Midas was
+certain that he had carefully locked the door before he opened his
+money-bags, so he knew that no one, unless he were more than a mortal,
+could get in beside him. The stranger seemed so friendly and pleasant
+that Midas was not in the least afraid.
+
+"You are a rich man, friend Midas," the visitor said. "I doubt if any
+other room in the whole world has as much gold in it as this."
+
+"May be," said Midas in a discontented voice, "but I wish it were much
+more; and think how many years it has taken me to gather it all! If
+only I could live for a thousand years, then I might be really rich.
+
+"Then you are not satisfied?" asked the stranger. Midas shook his
+head.
+
+"What would satisfy you?" the stranger said.
+
+Midas looked at his visitor for a minute, and then said, "I am tired
+of getting money with so much trouble. I should like everything I
+touch to be changed into gold."
+
+The stranger smiled, and his smile seemed to fill the room like a
+flood of sunshine. "Are you quite sure, Midas, that you would never be
+sorry if your wish were granted?" he asked.
+
+"Quite sure," said Midas: "I ask nothing more to make me perfectly
+happy."
+
+"Be it as you wish, then," said the stranger: "from to-morrow at
+sunrise you will have your desire--everything you touch will be
+changed into gold."
+
+The figure of the stranger then grew brighter and brighter, so that
+Midas had to close his eyes, and when he opened them again he saw
+only a yellow sunbeam in the room, and all around him glittered the
+precious gold which he had spent his life in gathering.
+
+How Midas longed for the next day to come! He scarcely slept that
+night, and as soon as it was light he laid his hand on the chair
+beside his bed; then he nearly cried when he saw that nothing
+happened: the chair remained just as it was. "Could the stranger have
+made a mistake," he wondered, "or had it been a dream?"
+
+He lay still, getting angrier and angrier each minute until at
+last the sun rose, and the first rays shone through his window and
+brightened the room. It seemed to Midas that the bright yellow sunbeam
+was reflected very curiously from the covering of his bed, and he sat
+up and looked more closely.
+
+What was his delight when he saw that the bedcover on which his hands
+rested had become a woven cloth of the purest and brightest gold!
+He started up and caught hold of the bed-post--instantly it became a
+golden pillar. He pulled aside the window-curtain and the tassel grew
+heavy in his hand--it was a mass of gold! He took up a book from
+the table, and at his first touch it became a bundle of thin golden
+leaves, in which no reading could be seen.
+
+Midas was delighted with his good fortune. He took his spectacles from
+his pocket and put them on, so that he might see more distinctly what
+he was about. But to his surprise he could not possibly see through
+them: the clear glasses had turned into gold, and, of course, though
+they were worth a great deal of money, they were of no more use as
+spectacles.
+
+Midas thought this was rather troublesome, but he soon forgot all
+about it. He went downstairs, and how he laughed with pleasure when he
+noticed that the railing became a bar of shining gold as he rested his
+hand on it; even the rusty iron latch of the garden door turned yellow
+as soon as his fingers pressed it.
+
+How lovely the garden was! In the old days Midas had been very fond of
+flowers, and had spent a great deal of money in getting rare trees and
+flowers with which to make his garden beautiful.
+
+Red roses in full bloom scented the air: purple and white violets
+nestled under the rose-bushes, and birds were singing happily in the
+cherry-trees, which were covered with snow-white blossoms. But since
+Midas had become so fond of gold he had lost all pleasure in his
+garden: this morning he did not even see how beautiful it was.
+
+He was thinking of nothing but the wonderful gift the stranger had
+brought him, and he was sure he could make the garden of far more
+value than it had ever been. So he went from bush to bush and touched
+the flowers. And the beautiful pink and red color faded from the
+roses: the violets became stiff, and then glittered among bunches of
+hard yellow leaves: and showers of snow-white blossoms no longer fell
+from the cherry-trees; the tiny petals were all changed into flakes
+of solid gold, which glittered so brightly in the sunbeams that Midas
+could not bear to look at them.
+
+But he was quite satisfied with his morning's work, and went back to
+the palace for breakfast feeling very happy.
+
+Just then he heard his little daughter crying bitterly, and she came
+running into the room sobbing as if her heart would break. "How
+now, little lady," he said, "pray what is the matter with you this
+morning?"
+
+"Oh dear, oh dear, such a dreadful thing has happened!" answered the
+child. "I went to the garden to gather you some roses, and they are
+all spoiled; they have grown quite ugly, and stiff, and yellow, and
+they have no scent. What can be the matter?" and she cried bitterly.
+
+Midas was ashamed to confess that he was to blame, so he said nothing,
+and they sat down at the table. The King was very hungry, and he
+poured out a cup of coffee and helped himself to some fish, but the
+instant his lips touched the coffee it became the color of gold, and
+the next moment it hardened into a solid lump. "Oh dear me!" exclaimed
+the King, rather surprised.
+
+"What is the matter, father?" asked his little daughter.
+
+"Nothing, child, nothing," he answered; "eat your bread and milk
+before it gets cold."
+
+Then he looked at the nice little fish on his plate, and he gently
+touched its tail with his finger. To his horror it at once changed
+into gold. He took one of the delicious hot cakes, and he had scarcely
+broken it when the white flour changed into yellow crumbs which shone
+like grains of hard sea-sand.
+
+"I do not see how I am going to get any breakfast," he said to
+himself, and he looked with envy at his little daughter, who had dried
+her tears and was eating her bread and milk hungrily. "I wonder if it
+will be the same at dinner," he thought, "and if so, how am I going to
+live if all my food is to be turned into gold?"
+
+Midas began to get very anxious and to think about many things he
+had never thought of before. Here was the very richest breakfast that
+could be set before a King, and yet there was nothing that he could
+eat! The poorest workman sitting down to a crust of bread and a cup of
+water was better off than King Midas, whose dainty food was worth its
+weight in gold.
+
+He began to doubt whether, after all, riches were the only good thing
+in the world, and he was so hungry that he gave a groan.
+
+His little daughter noticed that her father ate nothing, and at first
+she sat still looking at him and trying to find out what was the
+matter. Then she got down from her chair, and running to her father,
+she threw her arms lovingly round his knees.
+
+Midas bent down and kissed her. He felt that his little daughter's
+love was a thousand times more precious than all the gold he had
+gained since the stranger came to visit him. "My precious, precious
+little girl!" he said, but there was no answer.
+
+Alas! what had he done? The moment that his lips had touched his
+child's forehead, a change took place. Her sweet, rosy face, so full
+of love and happiness, hardened and became a glittering yellow color;
+her beautiful brown curls hung like wires of gold from the small head,
+and her soft, tender little figure grew stiff in his arms.
+
+Midas had often said to people that his little daughter was worth her
+weight in gold, and it had become really true. Now when it was too
+late, he felt how much more precious was the warm tender heart that
+loved him than all the gold that could be piled up between the earth
+and sky.
+
+He began to wring his hands and to wish that he was the poorest man in
+the wide world, if the loss of all his money might bring back the rosy
+color to his dear child's face.
+
+While he was in despair he suddenly saw a stranger standing near the
+door, the same visitor he had seen yesterday for the first time in his
+treasure-room, and who had granted his wish.
+
+"Well, friend Midas," he said, "pray how are you enjoying your new
+power?"
+
+Midas shook his head. "I am very miserable," he said.
+
+"Very miserable, are you?" exclaimed the stranger. "And how does that
+happen: have I not faithfully kept my promise; have you not everything
+that your heart desired?"
+
+"Gold is not everything," answered Midas, "and I have lost all that my
+heart really cared for."
+
+"Ah!" said the stranger, "I see you have made some discoveries since
+yesterday. Tell me truly, which of these things do you really think
+is most worth--a cup of clear cold water and a crust of bread, or
+the power of turning everything you touch into gold; your own little
+daughter, alive and loving, or that solid statue of a child which
+would be valued at thousands of dollars?"
+
+"O my child, my child!" sobbed Midas, wringing his hands. "I would not
+have given one of her curls for the power of changing all the world
+into gold, and I would give all I possess for a cup of cold water and
+a crust of bread."
+
+"You are wiser than you were, King Midas," said the stranger. "Tell
+me, do you really wish to get rid of your fatal gift?"
+
+"Yes," said Midas, "it is hateful to me."
+
+"Go then," said the stranger, "and plunge into the river that flows at
+the bottom of the garden: take also a pitcher of the same water, and
+sprinkle it over anything that you wish to change back again from gold
+to its former substance."
+
+King Midas bowed low, and when he lifted his head the stranger was
+nowhere to be seen.
+
+You may easily believe that King Midas lost no time in getting a
+big pitcher, then he ran towards the river. On reaching the water
+he jumped in without even waiting to take off his shoes. "How
+delightful!" he said, as he came out with his hair all dripping, "this
+is really a most refreshing bath, and surely it must have washed away
+the magic gift."
+
+Then he dipped the pitcher into the water, and how glad he was to see
+that it became just a common earthen pitcher and not a golden one as
+it had been five minutes before! He was conscious, also of a change in
+himself: a cold, heavy weight seemed to have gone, and he felt light,
+and happy, and human once more. Maybe his heart had been changing into
+gold too, though he could not see it, and now it had softened again
+and become gentle and kind.
+
+Midas hurried back to the palace with the pitcher of water, and the
+first thing he did was to sprinkle it by handfuls all over the golden
+figure of his little daughter. You would have laughed to see how the
+rosy color came back to her cheeks, and how she began to sneeze and
+choke, and how surprised she was to find herself dripping wet and her
+father still throwing water over her.
+
+You see she did not know that she had been a little golden statue, for
+she could not remember anything from the moment when she ran to kiss
+her father.
+
+King Midas then led his daughter into the garden, where he sprinkled
+all the rest of the water over the rose-bushes, and the grass, and the
+trees; and in a minute they were blooming as freshly as ever, and the
+air was laden with the scent of the flowers.
+
+There were two things left, which, as long as he lived, used to remind
+King Midas of the stranger's fatal gift. One was that the sands at
+the bottom of the river always sparkled like grains of gold: and the
+other, that his little daughter's curls were no longer brown. They had
+a golden tinge which had not been there before that miserable day when
+he had received the fatal gift, and when his kiss had changed them
+into gold.
+
+
+
+
+CADMUS
+
+ADAPTED BY C.E. SMITH
+
+
+Cadmus, Phoenix, and Cilix, the three sons of King Agenor, were
+playing near the seashore in their father's kingdom of Phoenicia, and
+their little sister Europa was beside them.
+
+They had wandered to some distance from the King's palace and were now
+in a green field, on one side of which lay the sea, sparkling brightly
+in the sunshine, and with little waves breaking on the shore.
+
+The three boys were very happy gathering flowers and making wreaths
+for their sister Europa. The little girl was almost hidden under the
+flowers and leaves, and her rosy face peeped merrily out among them.
+She was really the prettiest flower of them all.
+
+While they were busy and happy, a beautiful butterfly came flying
+past, and the three boys, crying out that it was a flower with wings,
+set off to try to catch it.
+
+Europa did not run after them. She was a little tired with playing all
+day long, so she sat still on the green grass and very soon she closed
+her eyes.
+
+For a time she listened to the sea, which sounded, she thought, just
+like a voice saying, "Hush, hush," and telling her to go to sleep. But
+if she slept at all it was only for a minute. Then she heard something
+tramping on the grass and, when she looked up, there was a snow-white
+bull quite close to her!
+
+Where could he have come from? Europa was very frightened, and she
+started up from among the tulips and lilies and cried out, "Cadmus,
+brother Cadmus, where are you? Come and drive this bull away." But her
+brother was too far off to hear her, and Europa was so frightened that
+her voice did not sound very loud; so there she stood with her blue
+eyes big with fear, and her pretty red mouth wide open, and her face
+as pale as the lilies that were lying on her golden hair.
+
+As the bull did not touch her she began to peep at him, and she saw
+that he was a very beautiful animal; she even fancied he looked quite
+a kind bull. He had soft, tender, brown eyes, and horns as smooth
+and white as ivory: and when he breathed you could feel the scent of
+rosebuds and clover blossoms in the air.
+
+The bull ran little races round Europa and allowed her to stroke his
+forehead with her small hands, and to hang wreaths of flowers on his
+horns. He was just like a pet lamb, and very soon Europa quite forgot
+how big and strong he really was and how frightened she had been.
+She pulled some grass and he ate it out of her hand and seemed quite
+pleased to be friends. He ran up and down the field as lightly as a
+bird hopping in a tree; his hoofs scarcely seemed to touch the grass,
+and once when he galloped a good long way Europa was afraid she would
+not see him again, and she called out, "Come back, you dear bull, I
+have got you a pink clover-blossom." Then he came running and bowed
+his head before Europa as if he knew she was a King's daughter, and
+knelt down at her feet, inviting her to get on his back and have a
+ride.
+
+At first Europa was afraid: then she thought there could surely be no
+danger in having just one ride on the back of such a gentle animal,
+and the more she thought about it, the more she wanted to go.
+
+What a surprise it would be to Cadmus, and Phoenix, and Cilix if they
+met her riding across the green field, and what fun it would be if
+they could all four ride round and round the field on the back of this
+beautiful white bull that was so tame and kind!
+
+"I think I will do it," she said, and she looked round the field.
+Cadmus and his brothers were still chasing the butterfly away at the
+far end. "If I got on the bull's back I should soon be beside them,"
+she thought. So she moved nearer, and the gentle white creature looked
+so pleased, and so kind, she could not resist any longer, and with a
+light bound she sprang up on his back: and there she sat holding an
+ivory horn in each hand to keep her steady.
+
+"Go very gently, good bull," she said, and the animal gave a little
+leap in the air and came down as lightly as a feather. Then he began a
+race to that part of the field where the brothers were, and where they
+had just caught the splendid butterfly. Europa shouted with delight,
+and how surprised the brothers were to see their sister mounted on the
+back of a white bull!
+
+They stood with their mouths wide open, not sure whether to be
+frightened or not. But the bull played round them as gently as a
+kitten, and Europa looked down all rosy and laughing, and they were
+quite envious. Then when he turned to take another gallop round the
+field, Europa waved her hand and called out "Good-by," as if she was
+off for a journey, and Cadmus, Phoenix, and Cilix shouted "Good-by"
+all in one breath. They all thought it such good fun.
+
+And then, what do you think happened? The white bull set off as
+quickly as before, and ran straight down to the seashore. He scampered
+across the sand, then he took a big leap and plunged right in among
+the waves. The white spray rose in a shower all over him and Europa,
+and the poor child screamed with fright. The brothers ran as fast as
+they could to the edge of the water, but it was too late.
+
+The white bull swam very fast and was soon far away in the wide blue
+sea, with only his snowy head and tail showing above the water. Poor
+Europa was holding on with one hand to the ivory horn and stretching
+the other back towards her dear brothers.
+
+And there stood Cadmus and Phoenix and Cilix looking after her and
+crying bitterly, until they could no longer see the white head among
+the waves that sparkled in the sunshine.
+
+Nothing more could be seen of the white bull, and nothing more of
+their beautiful sister.
+
+This was a sad tale for the three boys to carry back to their parents.
+King Agenor loved his little girl Europa more than his kingdom or
+anything else in the world, and when Cadmus came home crying and told
+how a white bull had carried off his sister, the King was very angry
+and full of grief.
+
+"You shall never see my face again," he cried, "unless you bring back
+my little Europa. Begone, and enter my presence no more till you come
+leading her by the hand;" and his eyes flashed fire and he looked so
+terribly angry that the poor boys did not even wait for supper, but
+stole out of the palace wondering where they should go first.
+
+While they were standing at the gate, the Queen came hurrying after
+them. "Dear children," she said, "I will come with you."
+
+"Oh no, mother," the boys answered, "it is a dark night, and there is
+no knowing what troubles we may meet with; the blame is ours, and we
+had better go alone."
+
+"Alas!" said the poor Queen, weeping, "Europa is lost, and if I should
+lose my three sons as well, what would become of me? I must go with my
+children."
+
+The boys tried to persuade her to stay at home, but the Queen cried so
+bitterly that they had to let her go with them.
+
+Just as they were about to start, their playfellow Theseus came
+running to join them. He loved Europa very much, and longed to search
+for her too. So the five set off together: the Queen, and Cadmus,
+and Phoenix, and Cilix, and Theseus, and the last they heard was King
+Agenor's angry voice saying, "Remember this, never may you come up
+these steps again, till you bring back my little daughter."
+
+The Queen and her young companions traveled many a weary mile: the
+days grew to months, and the months became years, and still they found
+no trace of the lost Princess. Their clothes were worn and shabby, and
+the peasant people looked curiously at them when they asked, "Have you
+seen a snow-white bull with a little Princess on its back, riding as
+swiftly as the wind?"
+
+And the farmers would answer, "We have many bulls in our fields, but
+none that would allow a little Princess to ride on its back: we have
+never seen such a sight."
+
+At last Phoenix grew weary of the search. "I do not believe Europa
+will ever be found, and I shall stay here," he said one day when they
+came to a pleasant spot. So the others helped him to build a small hut
+to live in, then they said good-by and went on without him.
+
+Then Cilix grew tired too. "It is so many years now since Europa was
+carried away that she would not know me if I found her. I shall wait
+here," he said. So Cadmus and Theseus built a hut for him too, and
+then said good-by.
+
+After many long months Theseus broke his ankle, and he too had to
+be left behind, and once more the Queen and Cadmus wandered on to
+continue the search.
+
+The poor Queen was worn and sad, and she leaned very heavily on her
+son's arm. "Cadmus," she said one day, "I must stay and rest."
+
+"Why, yes, mother, of course you shall, a long, long rest you must
+have, and I will sit beside you and watch."
+
+But the Queen knew she could go no further. "Cadmus," she said, "you
+must leave me here, and, go to the wise woman at Delphi and ask her
+what you must do next. Promise me you will go!"
+
+And Cadmus promised. The tired Queen lay down to rest, and in the
+morning Cadmus found that she was dead, and he must journey on alone.
+
+He wandered for many days till he came in sight of a high mountain
+which the people told him was called Parnassus, and on the steep
+side of this mountain was the famous city of Delphi for which he was
+looking. The wise woman lived far up the mountain-side, in a hut like
+those he had helped his brothers to build by the roadside.
+
+When he pushed aside the branches he found himself in a low cave, with
+a hole in the wall through which a strong wind was blowing. He bent
+down and put his mouth to the hole and said, "O sacred goddess, tell
+me where I must look now for my dear sister Europa, who was carried
+off so long ago by a bull?"
+
+At first there was no answer. Then a voice said softly, three times,
+"Seek her no more, seek her no more, seek her no more."
+
+"What shall I do, then?" said Cadmus. And the answer came, in a hoarse
+voice, "Follow the cow, follow the cow, follow the cow."
+
+"But what cow," cried Cadmus, "and where shall I follow?"
+
+And once more the voice came, "Where the stray cow lies down, there is
+your home;" and then there was silence.
+
+"Have I been dreaming?" Cadmus thought, "or did I really hear a
+voice?" and he went away thinking he was very little wiser for having
+done as the Queen had told him.
+
+I do not know how far he had gone when just before him he saw a
+brindled cow. She was lying down by the wayside, and as Cadmus came
+along she got up and began to move slowly along the path, stopping now
+and then to crop a mouthful of grass.
+
+Cadmus wondered if this could be the cow he was to follow, and he
+thought he would look at her more closely, so he walked a little
+faster; but so did the cow. "Stop, cow," he cried, "hey brindle,
+stop," and he began to run; and much to his surprise so did the cow,
+and though he ran as hard as possible, he could not overtake her.
+
+So he gave it up. "I do believe this may be the cow I was told about,"
+he thought. "Any way, I may as well follow her and surely she will lie
+down somewhere."
+
+On and on they went. Cadmus thought the cow would never stop, and
+other people who had heard the strange story began to follow too, and
+they were all very tired and very far away from home when at last the
+cow lay down. His companions were delighted and began to cut down wood
+to make a fire, and some ran to a stream to get water. Cadmus lay
+down to rest close beside the cow. He was wishing that his mother
+and brothers and Theseus had been with him now, when suddenly he was
+startled by cries and shouts and screams.
+
+He ran towards the stream, and there he saw the head of a big serpent
+or dragon, with fiery eyes and with wide open jaws which showed rows
+and rows of horrible sharp teeth. Before Cadmus could reach it, the
+monster had killed all his poor companions and was busy devouring
+them. The stream was an enchanted one, and the dragon had been told to
+guard it so that no mortal might ever touch the water, and the people
+round about knew this, so that for a hundred years none of them had
+ever come near the spot.
+
+The dragon had been asleep and was very hungry, and when he saw Cadmus
+he opened his huge jaws again, ready to devour him too. But Cadmus was
+very angry at the death of all his companions, and drawing his sword
+he rushed at the monster. With one big bound he leaped right into the
+dragon's mouth, so far down that the two rows of terrible teeth could
+not close on him or do him any harm. The dragon lashed with his tail
+furiously, but Cadmus stabbed him again and again, and in a short time
+the great monster lay dead.
+
+"What shall I do now?" he said aloud. All his companions were dead,
+and he was alone once more. "Cadmus," said a voice, "pluck out the
+dragon's teeth and plant them in the earth."
+
+Cadmus looked round and there was nobody to be seen. But he set to
+work and cut out the huge teeth with his sword, and then he made
+little holes in the ground and planted the teeth. In a few minutes the
+earth was covered with rows of armed men, fierce-looking soldiers with
+swords and helmets who stood looking at Cadmus in silence.
+
+"Throw a stone among these men," came the voice again, and Cadmus
+obeyed. At once all the men began to fight, and they cut and stabbed
+each other so furiously that in a short time only five remained alive
+out of all the hundreds that had stood before him. "Cadmus," said
+the voice once more, "tell these men to stop fighting and help you
+to build a palace." And as soon as Cadmus spoke, the five big men
+sheathed their swords, and they began to carry stones, and to carve
+these for Cadmus, as if they had never thought of such a thing as
+fighting each other!
+
+They built a house for each of themselves, and there was a beautiful
+palace for Cadmus made of marble, and of fine kinds of red and green
+stone, and there was a high tower with a flag floating from a tall
+gold flag-post.
+
+When everything was ready, Cadmus went to take possession of his new
+house, and, as he entered the great hall, he saw a lady coming slowly
+towards him. She was very lovely and she wore a royal robe which shone
+like sunbeams, with a crown of stars on her golden hair, and round her
+neck was a string of the fairest pearls.
+
+Cadmus was full of delight. Could this be his long lost sister Europa
+coming to make him happy after all these weary years of searching and
+wandering?
+
+How much he had to tell her about Phoenix, and Cilix, and dear Theseus
+and of the poor Queen's lonely grave in the wilderness! But as he went
+forward to meet the beautiful lady he saw she was a stranger. He
+was thinking what he should say to her, when once again he heard the
+unknown voice speak.
+
+"No, Cadmus," it said, "this is not your dear sister whom you have
+sought so faithfully all over the wide world. This is Harmonia,
+a daughter of the sky, who is given to you instead of sister and
+brother, and friend and mother. She is your Queen, and will make happy
+the home which you have won by so much suffering."
+
+So King Cadmus lived in the palace with his beautiful Queen, and
+before many years passed there were rosy little children playing in
+the great hall, and on the marble steps of the palace, and running
+joyfully to meet King Cadmus as he came home from looking after his
+soldiers and his workmen.
+
+And the five old soldiers that sprang from the dragon's teeth grew
+very fond of these little children, and they were never tired of
+showing them how to play with wooden swords and to blow on a penny
+trumpet, and beat a drum and march like soldiers to battle.
+
+
+
+
+PROSERPINA
+
+ADAPTED BY C.E. SMITH
+
+
+Mother Ceres was very fond of her little daughter Proserpina. She did
+not of ten let her go alone into the fields for fear she should be
+lost. But just at the time when my story begins she was very busy.
+She had to look after the wheat and the corn, and the apples and the
+pears, all over the world, and as the weather had been bad day after
+day she was afraid none of them would be ripe when harvest-time came.
+
+So this morning Mother Ceres put on her turban made of scarlet poppies
+and got into her car. This car was drawn by a pair of winged dragons
+which went very fast, and Mother Ceres was just ready to start, when
+Proserpina said, "Dear mother, I shall be very lonely while you are
+away, may I run down to the sands, and ask some of the sea-children to
+come out of the water to play with me?"
+
+"Yes, child, you may," answered Mother Ceres, "but you must take care
+not to stray away from them, and you are not to play in the fields by
+yourself with no one to take care of you."
+
+Proserpina promised to remember what her mother said, and by the time
+the dragons with their big wings had whirled the car out of sight she
+was already on the shore, calling to the sea-children to come to play
+with her.
+
+They knew Proserpina's voice and came at once: pretty children with
+wavy sea-green hair and shining faces, and they sat down on the wet
+sand where the waves could still break over them, and began to make a
+necklace for Proserpina of beautiful shells brought from their home at
+the bottom of the sea.
+
+Proserpina was so delighted when they hung the necklace round her neck
+that she wanted to give them something in return. "Will you come with
+me into the fields," she asked, "and I will gather flowers and make
+you each a wreath?"
+
+"Oh no, dear Proserpina," said the sea-children, "we may not go with
+you on the dry land. We must keep close beside the sea and let the
+waves wash over us every minute or two. If it were not for the salt
+water we should soon look like bunches of dried sea-weed instead of
+sea-children."
+
+"That is a great pity," said Proserpina, "but if you wait for me
+here, I will run to the fields and be back again with my apron full
+of flowers before the waves have broken over you ten times. I long
+to make you some wreaths as beautiful as this necklace with all its
+colored shells."
+
+"We will wait, then," said the sea-children: "we will lie under
+the water and pop up our heads every few minutes to see if you are
+coming."
+
+Proserpina ran quickly to a field where only the day before she had
+seen a great many flowers; but the first she came to seemed rather
+faded, and forgetting what Mother Ceres had told her, she strayed
+a little farther into the fields. Never before had she found such
+beautiful flowers! Large sweet-scented violets, purple and white; deep
+pink roses; hyacinths with the biggest of blue bells; as well as many
+others she did not know. They seemed to grow up under her feet, and
+soon her apron was so full that the flowers were falling out of the
+corners.
+
+Proserpina was just going to turn back to the sands to make the
+wreaths for the sea-children, when she cried out with delight. Before
+her was a bush covered with the most wonderful flowers in the world.
+"What beauties!" said Proserpina, and then she thought, "How strange!
+I looked at that spot only a moment ago; why did I not see the
+flowers?"
+
+They were such lovely ones too. More than a hundred different kinds
+grew on the one bush: the brightest, gayest flowers Proserpina had
+ever seen. But there was a shiny look about them and about the leaves
+which she did not quite like. Somehow it made her wonder if this was
+a poison plant, and to tell the truth she was half inclined to turn
+round and run away.
+
+"How silly I am!" she thought, taking courage: "it is really the most
+beautiful bush I ever saw. I will pull it up by the roots and carry it
+home to plant in mother's garden."
+
+Holding her apron full of flowers with one hand, Proserpina seized the
+large shrub with the other and pulled and pulled.
+
+What deep roots that bush had! She pulled again with all her might,
+and the earth round the roots began to stir and crack, so she gave
+another big pull, and then she let go. She thought there was a
+rumbling noise right below her feet, and she wondered if the roots
+went down to some dragon's cave. Then she tried once again, and up
+came the bush so quickly that Proserpina nearly fell backwards. There
+she stood, holding the stem in her hand and looking at the big hole
+which its roots had left in the earth.
+
+To her surprise this hole began to grow wider and wider, and deeper
+and deeper, and a rumbling noise came out of it. Louder and louder it
+grew, nearer and nearer it came, just like the tramp of horses' feet
+and the rattling of wheels.
+
+Proserpina was too frightened now to run away, and soon she saw a
+wonderful thing. Two black horses, with smoke coming out of their
+nostrils and with long black tails and flowing black manes, came
+tearing their way out of the earth, and a splendid golden chariot was
+rattling at their heels.
+
+The horses leaped out of the hole, chariot and all, and came close to
+the spot where Proserpina stood.
+
+Then she saw there was a man in the chariot. He was very richly
+dressed, with a crown on his head all made of diamonds which sparkled
+like fire. He was a very handsome man, but looked rather cross and
+discontented, and he kept rubbing his eyes and covering them with his
+hand, as if he did not care much for the bright sunshine.
+
+As soon as he saw Proserpina, the man waved to her to come a little
+nearer. "Do not be afraid," he said. "Come! would you not like to ride
+a little way with me in my beautiful chariot?"
+
+But Proserpina was very frightened, and no wonder. The stranger did
+not look a very kind or pleasant man. His voice was so gruff and deep,
+and sounded just like the rumbling Proserpina had heard underneath the
+earth.
+
+She at once began to cry out, "Mother, mother! O Mother Ceres, come
+quickly and save me!"
+
+[Illustration: HE CAUGHT HER IN HIS ARMS AND SPRANG INTO THE CHARIOT.]
+
+But her voice was very shaky and too faint for Mother Ceres to hear,
+for by this time she was many thousands of miles away making the corn
+grow in another country.
+
+No sooner did Proserpina begin to cry out than the strange man leaped
+to the ground; he caught her in his arms and sprang into the chariot,
+then he shook the reins and shouted to the two black horses to set
+off. They began to gallop so fast that it was just like flying, and in
+less than a minute Proserpina had lost sight of the sunny fields where
+she and her mother had always lived.
+
+She screamed and screamed and all the beautiful flowers fell out of
+her apron to the ground.
+
+But Mother Ceres was too far away to know what was happening to her
+little daughter.
+
+"Why are you so frightened, my little girl?" said the strange man, and
+he tried to soften his rough voice. "I promise not to do you any harm.
+I see you have been gathering flowers? Wait till we come to my palace
+and I will give you a garden full of prettier flowers than these, all
+made of diamonds and pearls and rubies. Can you guess who I am? They
+call me Pluto, and I am the King of the mines where all the diamonds
+and rubies and all the gold and silver are found: they all belong to
+me. Do you see this lovely crown on my head? I will let you have it
+to play with. Oh, I think we are going to be very good friends when we
+get out of this troublesome sunshine."
+
+"Let me go home," sobbed Proserpina, "let me go home."
+
+"My home is better than your mother's," said King Pluto. "It is a
+palace made of gold, with crystal windows and with diamond lamps
+instead of sunshine; and there is a splendid throne; if you like
+you may sit on it and be my little Queen, and I will sit on the
+footstool."
+
+"I do not care for golden palaces and thrones," sobbed Proserpina. "O
+mother, mother! Take me back to my mother."
+
+But King Pluto only shouted to his horses to go faster.
+
+"You are very foolish, Proserpina," he said, rather crossly. "I am
+doing all I can to make you happy, and I want very much to have a
+merry little girl to run upstairs and downstairs in my palace and make
+it brighter with her laughter. This is all I ask you to do for King
+Pluto."
+
+"Never" answered Proserpina, looking very miserable. "I shall never
+laugh again, till you take me back to my mother's cottage."
+
+And the horses galloped on, and the wind whistled past the chariot,
+and Proserpina cried and cried till her poor little voice was almost
+cried away, and nothing was left but a whisper.
+
+The road now began to get very dull and gloomy. On each side were
+black rocks and very thick trees and bushes that looked as if they
+never got any sunshine. It got darker and darker, as if night was
+coming, and still the black horses rushed on leaving the sunny home of
+Mother Ceres far behind.
+
+But the darker it grew, the happier King Pluto seemed to be.
+Proserpina began to peep at him, she thought he might not be such a
+wicked man after all.
+
+"Is it much further," she asked, "and will you carry me back when I
+have seen your palace?"
+
+"We will talk of that by and by," answered Pluto. "Do you see these
+big gates? When we pass these we are at home; and look! there is my
+faithful dog at the door! Cerberus; Cerberus, come here, good dog."
+
+Pluto pulled the horses' reins, and the chariot stopped between two
+big tall pillars. The dog got up and stood on his hind legs, so that
+he could put his paws on the chariot wheel. What a strange dog he was!
+A big, rough, ugly-looking monster, with three heads each fiercer than
+the other.
+
+King Pluto patted his heads and the dog wagged his tail with delight.
+Proserpina was much afraid when she saw that his tail was a live
+dragon, with fiery eyes and big poisonous teeth.
+
+"Will the dog bite me?" she asked, creeping closer to King Pluto. "How
+very ugly he is."
+
+"Oh, never fear," Pluto answered; "he never bites people unless they
+try to come in here when I do not want them. Down, Cerberus. Now,
+Proserpina, we will drive on."
+
+The black horses started again and King Pluto seemed very happy to
+find himself once more at home.
+
+All along the road Proserpina could see diamonds, and rubies and
+precious stones sparkling, and there were bits of real gold among the
+rocks. It was a very rich place.
+
+Not far from the gateway they came to an iron bridge. Pluto stopped
+the chariot and told Proserpina to look at the river which ran
+underneath. It was very black and muddy, and flowed slowly, very
+slowly, as if it had quite forgotten which way it wanted to go, and
+was in no hurry to flow anywhere.
+
+"This is the river Lethe," said King Pluto; "do you not think it a
+very pleasant stream?"
+
+"I think it is very dismal," said Proserpina.
+
+"Well, I like it," answered Pluto, who got rather cross when any one
+did not agree with him. "It is a strange kind of river. If you drink
+only a little sip of the water, you will at once forget all your care
+and sorrow. When we reach the palace, you shall have some in a golden
+cup, and then you will not cry any more for your mother, and will be
+perfectly happy with me."
+
+"Oh no, oh no!" said Proserpina, sobbing again. "O mother, mother,
+I will never forget you; I do not want to be happy by forgetting all
+about you."
+
+"We shall see," said King Pluto; "you do not know what good times we
+will have in my palace. Here we are, just at the gate. Look at the big
+pillars; they are all made of solid gold."
+
+He got out of the chariot and carried Proserpina in his arms up a long
+stair into the great hall of the palace. It was beautifully lit by
+hundreds of diamonds and rubies which shone like lamps. It was very
+rich and splendid to look at, but it was cold and lonely and Pluto
+must have longed for some one to keep him company; perhaps that was
+why he had stolen Proserpina from her sunny home.
+
+King Pluto sent for his servants and told them to get ready a grand
+supper with all kinds of dainty food and sweet things such as children
+like. "And be sure not to forget a golden cup filled with the water of
+Lethe," he said to the servant.
+
+"I will not eat anything," said Proserpina, "nor drink a single drop,
+even if you keep me for ever in your palace."
+
+"I should be sorry for that," replied King Pluto. He really wished to
+be kind if he had only known how. "Wait till you see the nice things
+my cook will make for you, and then you will be hungry."
+
+Now King Pluto had a secret reason why he wanted Proserpina to eat
+some food. You must understand that when people are carried off to the
+land of magic, if once they taste any food they can never go back to
+their friends.
+
+If King Pluto had offered Proserpina some bread and milk she would
+very likely have taken it as soon as she was hungry, but all the
+cook's fine pastries and sweets were things she had never seen at
+home, and, instead of making her hungry, she was afraid to touch them.
+
+But now my story must leave King Pluto's palace, and we must see what
+Mother Ceres has been about.
+
+You remember she had gone off in her chariot with the winged dragons
+to the other side of the world to see how the corn and fruit were
+growing. And while she was busy in a field she thought she heard
+Proserpina's voice calling her. She was sure her little daughter
+could not possibly be anywhere near, but the idea troubled her: and
+presently she left the fields before her work was half done and,
+ordering her dragons with the chariot, she drove off.
+
+In less than an hour Mother Ceres got down at the door of her cottage.
+It was empty! At first she thought "Oh, Proserpina will still be
+playing on the shore with the sea-children." So she went to find her.
+
+"Where is Proserpina, you naughty sea-children?" she asked; "tell me,
+have you taken her to your home under the sea?"
+
+"Oh no, Mother Ceres," they said, "she left us early in the day to
+gather flowers for a wreath, and we have seen nothing of her since."
+
+Ceres hurried off to ask all the neighbors. A poor fisherman had seen
+her little footprints in the sand as he went home with his basket of
+fish.
+
+A man in the fields had noticed her gathering flowers.
+
+Several persons had heard the rattling of chariot wheels or the
+rumbling of distant thunder: and one old woman had heard a scream, but
+supposed it was only merriment, and had not even looked up.
+
+None of the neighbors knew where Proserpina was, and Mother Ceres
+decided she must seek her daughter further from home.
+
+By this time it was night, so she lit a torch and set off, telling the
+neighbors she would never come back till Proserpina was found. In
+her hurry she quite forgot her chariot with the dragons; may be she
+thought she could search better on foot.
+
+So she started on her sad journey, holding her torch in front of her,
+and looking carefully along every road and round every corner.
+
+She had not gone very far before she found one of the wonderful
+flowers which Proserpina had pulled from the poison bush.
+
+"Ha!" said Mother Ceres, examining it carefully, "there is mischief in
+this flower: it did not grow in the earth by any help of mine; it is
+the work of magic, and perhaps it has poisoned my poor child." And she
+hid it in her bosom.
+
+All night long Ceres sought for her daughter. She knocked at the doors
+of farm-houses where the people were all asleep, and they came to see
+who was there, rubbing their eyes and yawning. They were very sorry
+for the poor mother when they heard her tale--but they knew nothing
+about Proserpina.
+
+At every palace door, too, she knocked, so loudly that the servants
+ran quickly, expecting to find a great queen, and when they saw only
+a sad lonely woman with a burning torch in her hand, and a wreath of
+withered poppies on her head, they were angry and drove her rudely
+away.
+
+But nobody had seen Proserpina, and Mother Ceres wandered about till
+the night was passed, without sitting down to rest, and without taking
+any food. She did not even remember to put out her torch, and it
+looked very pale and small in the bright morning sunshine.
+
+It must have been a magic torch, for it burned dimly all day, and then
+when night came it shone with a beautiful red light, and neither the
+wind nor the rain put it out through all these weary days while Ceres
+sought for Proserpina.
+
+It was not only men and women that Mother Ceres questioned about her
+daughter. In the woods and by the streams she met other creatures
+whose way of talking she could understand, and who knew many things
+that we have never learned.
+
+Sometimes she tapped with her finger against an oak tree, and at once
+its rough bark would open and a beautiful maiden would appear: she was
+the spirit of the oak, living inside it, and as happy as could be when
+its green leaves danced in the breeze.
+
+Then another time Ceres would find a spring bubbling out of a little
+hole in the earth, and she would play with her fingers in the water.
+Immediately up through the sandy bed a nymph with dripping hair would
+rise and float half out of the water, looking at Mother Ceres, and
+swaying up and down with the water bubbles.
+
+But when the mother asked whether her poor lost child had stopped to
+drink of the fountain, the nymph with weeping eyes would answer
+"No," in a murmuring voice which was just like the sound of a running
+stream.
+
+Often, too, she met fauns. These were little people with brown faces
+who looked as if they had played a great deal in the sun. They had
+hairy ears and little horns on their brows, and their legs were like
+goats' legs on which they danced merrily about the woods and fields.
+They were very kind creatures, and were very sorry for Mother Ceres
+when they heard that her daughter was lost.
+
+And once she met a rude band of satyrs who had faces like monkeys
+and who had horses' tails behind; they were dancing and shouting in
+a rough, noisy manner, and they only laughed when Ceres told them how
+unhappy she was.
+
+One day while she was crossing a lonely sheep-field she saw the god
+Pan: he was sitting at the foot of a tall rock, making music on a
+shepherd's flute. He too had horns on his brow, and hairy ears, and
+goat's feet. He knew Mother Ceres and answered her questions kindly,
+and he gave her some milk and honey to drink out of a wooden bowl. But
+he knew nothing of Proserpina.
+
+And so Mother Ceres went wandering about for nine long days and
+nights. Now and then she found a withered flower, and these she picked
+up and put in her bosom, because she fancied they might have fallen
+from her daughter's hand. All day she went on through the hot
+sunshine, and at night the flame of her torch would gleam on the
+pathway, and she would continue her weary search without ever sitting
+down to rest.
+
+On the tenth day she came to the mouth of a cave. It was dark inside,
+but a torch was burning dimly and lit up half of the gloomy place.
+Ceres peeped in and held up her own torch before her, and then she saw
+what looked like a woman, sitting on a heap of withered leaves, which
+the wind had blown into the cave. She was a very strange-looking
+woman: her head was shaped like a dog's, and round it she had a wreath
+of snakes.
+
+As soon as she saw her, Mother Ceres knew that this was a queer kind
+of person who was always grumbling and unhappy. Her name was Hecate,
+and she would never say a word to other people unless they were
+unhappy too. "I am sad enough," thought poor Ceres, "to talk with
+Hecate:" so she stepped into the cave and sat down on the withered
+leaves beside the dog-headed woman.
+
+"O Hecate," she said, "if ever you lose a daughter you will know
+what sorrow is. Tell me, for pity's sake, have you seen my poor child
+Proserpina pass by the mouth of your cave?"
+
+"No, Mother Ceres," answered Hecate. "I have seen nothing of your
+daughter. But my ears, you know, are made so that all cries of
+distress or fright all over the world are heard by them. And nine days
+ago, as I sat in my cave, I heard the voice of a young girl sobbing
+as if in great distress. As well as I could judge, some dragon was
+carrying her away."
+
+"You kill me by saying so," cried Mother Ceres, almost ready to faint;
+"where was the sound, and which way did it seem to go?"
+
+"It passed along very quickly," said Hecate, "and there was a rumbling
+of wheels to the eastward. I cannot tell you any more. I advise
+you just to come and live here with me, and we will be the two most
+unhappy women in all the world."
+
+"Not yet, dark Hecate," replied Ceres. "Will you first come with your
+torch and help me to seek for my child. When there is no more hope
+of finding her, then I will come back with you to your dark cave. But
+till I know that Proserpina is dead, I will not allow myself time to
+sorrow."
+
+Hecate did not much like the idea of going abroad into the sunshine,
+but at last she agreed to go, and they set out together, each carrying
+a torch, although it was broad daylight and the sun was shining. Any
+people they met ran away without waiting to be spoken to, as soon as
+they caught sight of Hecate's wreath of snakes.
+
+As the sad pair wandered on, a thought struck Ceres. "There is one
+person," she exclaimed, "who must have seen my child and can tell
+me what has become of her. Why did I not think of him sooner? It is
+Phoebus."
+
+"What!" said Hecate, "the youth that always sits in the sunshine! Oh!
+pray do not think of going near him: he is a gay young fellow that
+will only smile in your face. And, besides, there is such a glare of
+sunshine about him that he will quite blind my poor eyes, which are
+weak with so much weeping."
+
+"You have promised to be my companion," answered Ceres. "Come, let us
+make haste, or the sunshine will be gone and Phoebus along with it."
+
+So they set off in search of Phoebus, both sighing a great deal,
+and after a long journey they came to the sunniest spot in the whole
+world. There they saw a young man with curly golden hair which seemed
+to be made of sunbeams.
+
+His clothes were like light summer clouds, and the smile on his face
+was so bright that Hecate held her hands before her eyes and muttered
+that she wished he would wear a veil! Phoebus had a lyre in his hands
+and was playing very sweet music, at the same time singing a merry
+song.
+
+As Ceres and her dismal companion came near, Phoebus smiled on them
+so cheerfully that Hecate's wreath of snakes gave a spiteful hiss and
+Hecate wished she was back in her dark cave.
+
+But Ceres was too unhappy to know whether Phoebus smiled or looked
+angry.
+
+"Phoebus" she said, "I am in great trouble and have come to you
+for help. Can you tell me what has become of my little daughter
+Proserpina?"
+
+"Proserpina, Proserpina did you call her?" answered Phoebus, trying to
+remember. He had so many pleasant ideas in his head that he sometimes
+forgot what had happened no longer ago than yesterday.
+
+"Ah yes! I remember now--a very lovely little girl. I am happy to tell
+you that I did see Proserpina not many days ago. You may be quite easy
+about her. She is safe and in good hands."
+
+"Oh, where is my dear child?" cried Ceres, clasping her hands and
+flinging herself at his feet.
+
+"Why," replied Phoebus, "as the little girl was gathering flowers she
+was snatched up by King Pluto and carried off to his kingdom. I have
+never been there myself, but I am told the royal palace is splendidly
+built. Proserpina will have gold and silver and diamonds to play with,
+and I am sure even although there is no sunshine, she will have a very
+happy life."
+
+"Hush! do not say such a thing," said Ceres. "What has she got to
+love? What are all these splendors if she has no one to care for? I
+must have her back. Good Phoebus, will you come with me to demand my
+daughter from this wicked Pluto?"
+
+"Pray excuse me," answered Phoebus, with a bow. "I certainly wish you
+success, and I am sorry I am too busy to go with you. Besides, King
+Pluto does not care much for me. To tell you the truth, his dog with
+the three heads would never let me pass the gateway. I always carry
+a handful of sunbeams with me, and those, you know, are not allowed
+within King Pluto's kingdom."
+
+So the poor mother said good-by and hastened away along with Hecate.
+
+Ceres had now found out what had become of her daughter, but she was
+not any happier than before. Indeed, her trouble seemed worse than
+ever. So long as Proserpina was above-ground there was some hope of
+getting her home again. But now that the poor child was shut up behind
+King Pluto's iron gates, with the three-headed Cerberus on guard
+beside them, there seemed no hope of her escape.
+
+The dismal Hecate, who always looked on the darkest side of things,
+told Ceres she had better come back with her to the cave and spend the
+rest of her life in being miserable. But Ceres answered that Hecate
+could go back if she wished, but that for her part she would wander
+about all the world looking for the entrance to King Pluto's kingdom.
+So Hecate hurried off alone to her beloved cave, frightening a great
+many little children with her dog's face as she went.
+
+Poor Mother Ceres! It is sad to think of her all alone, holding up her
+never-dying torch and wandering up and down the wide, wide world. So
+much did she suffer that in a very short time she began to look quite
+old. She wandered about with her hair hanging down her back, and she
+looked so wild that people took her for some poor mad woman, and never
+thought that this was Mother Ceres who took care of every seed which
+was sown in the ground and of all the fruit and flowers.
+
+Now she gave herself no trouble about seedtime or harvest; there was
+nothing in which she seemed to feel any interest, except the children
+she saw at play or gathering flowers by the wayside. Then, indeed, she
+would stand and look at them with tears in her eyes.
+
+And the children seemed to understand her sorrow and would gather in
+a little group about her knees and look up lovingly into her face, and
+Ceres, after giving them a kiss all round, would lead them home and
+advise their mothers never to let them stray out of sight. "For if
+they do," said she, "it may happen to you as it has happened to me:
+the iron-hearted King Pluto may take a liking to your darlings and
+carry them away in his golden chariot."
+
+At last, in her despair, Ceres made up her mind that not a stalk
+of grain, nor a blade of grass, not a potato, nor a turnip, nor any
+vegetable that is good for man or beast, should be allowed to grow
+till her daughter was sent back. She was so unhappy that she even
+forbade the flowers to bloom.
+
+Now you can see what a terrible misfortune had fallen on the earth.
+The farmer plowed the ground and planted his seed, as usual, and
+there lay the black earth without a single green blade to be seen. The
+fields looked as brown in the sunny months of spring as ever they did
+in winter. The rich man's garden and the flower-plot in front of the
+laborer's cottage were both empty; even the children's gardens showed
+nothing but withered stalks. It was very sad to see the poor starving
+sheep and cattle that followed behind Ceres, bleating and lowing as if
+they knew that she could help them.
+
+All the people begged her at least to let the grass grow, but Mother
+Ceres was too miserable to care for any one's trouble. "Never," she
+said. "If the earth is ever to be green again, it must grow along the
+path by which my daughter comes back to me."
+
+At last, as there seemed to be no other way out of it, Mercury, the
+favorite messenger of the gods, was sent to King Pluto in the hope
+that he would set everything right again by giving up Proserpina.
+
+Mercury went as quickly as he could to the great iron gates, and with
+the help of the wings on his shoes, he took a flying leap right over
+Cerberus with his three heads, and very soon he stood at the door of
+King Pluto's palace.
+
+The servants all knew him, as he had often been there in his short
+cloak, and cap, and shoes with the wings, and with his curious staff
+which had two snakes twisted round it.
+
+He asked to see the King immediately, and Pluto, who had heard his
+voice from the top of the stairs, called out to him to come up at
+once, for he was always glad to listen to Mercury's cheery talk.
+
+And while they are laughing together we must find out what Proserpina
+had been doing since we last heard about her.
+
+You will remember that Proserpina had said she would not taste food so
+long as she was kept a prisoner in King Pluto's palace.
+
+It was now six months since she had been carried off from her home,
+and not a mouthful had she eaten, not even when the cook had made all
+kinds of sweet things and had ordered all the dainties which children
+usually like best.
+
+Proserpina was naturally a bright, merry little girl, and all this
+time she was not so unhappy as you may have thought.
+
+In the big palace were a thousand rooms, and each was full of
+wonderful and beautiful things. It is true there was never any
+sunshine in these rooms, and Proserpina used to fancy that the shadowy
+light which came from the jeweled lamps was alive: it seemed to float
+before her as she walked between the golden pillars, and to close
+softly behind her in the echo of her footsteps.
+
+And Proserpina knew that all the glitter of these precious stones was
+not worth a single sunbeam, nor could the rubies and emeralds which
+she played with ever be as dear to her as the daisies and buttercups
+she had gathered among the soft green grass.
+
+King Pluto felt how much happier his palace was since Proserpina came,
+and so did all his servants. They loved to hear her childish voice
+laughing as she ran from room to room, and they felt less old and
+tired when they saw again how glad little children can be.
+
+"My own little Proserpina," King Pluto used to say, "I wish you would
+like me a little better. Although I look rather a sad man, I am really
+fond of children, and if you would stay here with me always, it would
+make me happier than having hundreds of palaces like this."
+
+"Ah," said Proserpina, "you should have tried to make me like you
+first before carrying me off, and now the best thing you can do is to
+let me go again; then I might remember you sometimes and think that
+you were as kind as you knew how to be. Perhaps I might come back to
+pay you a visit one day."
+
+"No, no," answered Pluto, with his gloomy smile, "I will not trust
+you for that. You are too fond of living in the sunshine and gathering
+flowers. What an idle, childish thing to do! Do you not think that
+these diamonds which I have had dug out of the mine for you are far
+prettier than violets?"
+
+"No, oh no! not half so pretty," said Proserpina, snatching them from
+Pluto's hand, and flinging them to the other end of the room. "O my
+sweet purple violets, shall I ever see you again?" and she began to
+cry bitterly.
+
+But like most children, she soon stopped crying, and in a short time
+she was running up and down the rooms as when she had played on the
+sands with the sea-children. And King Pluto, sad and lonely, watched
+her and wished that he too was a child, and when Proserpina turned and
+saw the great King standing alone in his splendid hall, so grand and
+so lonely, with no one to love him, she felt sorry for him. She ran
+back and for the first time in all those six months she put her small
+hand in his. "I love you a little," she whispered, looking up into his
+face.
+
+"Do you really, dear child?" cried Pluto, bending down his dark face
+to kiss her. But Proserpina was a little afraid, he was so dark and
+severe-looking, and she shrank back.
+
+"Well," said Pluto, "it is just what I deserve after keeping you
+a prisoner all these months, and starving you besides. Are you not
+dreadfully hungry, is there nothing I can get you to eat?"
+
+In asking this Pluto was very cunning, as you will remember that if
+Proserpina once tasted any food in his kingdom, she would never again
+be able to go home.
+
+"No, indeed," said Proserpina. "Your poor fat little cook is always
+making me all kinds of good things which I do not want. The one thing
+I should like to eat would be a slice of bread baked by my own mother,
+and a pear out of her garden."
+
+When Pluto heard this he began to see that he had made a mistake in
+his way of trying to tempt Proserpina to eat. He wondered why he had
+never thought of this before, and he at once sent a servant with a
+large basket to get some of the finest and juiciest pears in the whole
+world.
+
+But this was just at the time when, as we know, Mother Ceres in her
+despair had forbidden any flowers or fruit to grow on the earth, and
+the only thing King Pluto's servant could find, after seeking all
+over the world was a single dried-up pomegranate, so dried up as to
+be hardly worth eating. Still, since there was no better to be had, he
+brought it back to the palace, put it on a magnificent gold plate, and
+carried it to Proserpina.
+
+Now it just happened that as the servant was bringing the pomegranate
+in at the back door of the palace, Mercury had gone up to the front
+steps with his message to King Pluto about Proserpina.
+
+As soon as Proserpina saw the pomegranate on the golden plate, she
+told the servant to take it away again. "I shall not touch it, I can
+assure you," she said. "If I were ever so hungry, I should not think
+of eating such a dried-up miserable pomegranate as that."
+
+"It is the only one in the world," said the servant, and he set down
+the plate and went away.
+
+When he had gone, Proserpina could not help coming close to the table
+and looking at the dried-up pomegranate with eagerness. To tell the
+truth, when she saw something that really suited her taste, she felt
+all her six months' hunger come back at once.
+
+To be sure it was a very poor-looking pomegranate, with no more juice
+in it than in an oyster-shell. But there was no choice of such things
+in King Pluto's palace, and this was the first fresh fruit Proserpina
+had ever seen there, and the last she was ever likely to see, and
+unless she ate it up at once, it would only get drier and drier and be
+quite unfit to eat.
+
+"At least I may smell it," she thought, so she took up the pomegranate
+and held it to her nose, and somehow, being quite near to her mouth,
+the fruit found its way into that little red cave.
+
+Before Proserpina knew what she was about, her teeth had actually
+bitten it of their own accord.
+
+Just as this fatal deed was done, the door of the hall opened and King
+Pluto came in, followed by Mercury, who had been begging him to let
+his little prisoner go.
+
+At the first noise of their coming, Proserpina took the pomegranate
+from her mouth.
+
+Mercury, who saw things very quickly, noticed that Proserpina looked
+a little uncomfortable, and when he saw the gold plate empty, he was
+sure she had been eating something.
+
+As for King Pluto, he never guessed the secret.
+
+"My dear little Proserpina," said the King, sitting down and drawing
+her gently between his knees, "here is Mercury, who tells me that a
+great many sad things have happened to innocent people because I have
+kept you a prisoner down here. And to confess the truth I have been
+thinking myself that I really had no right to take you away from your
+mother. It was very stupid of me, but I thought this palace was so
+dull, and that I should be much happier if I just had a merry little
+girl to play in it, and I hoped you would take my crown for a toy and
+let me be your playmate. It was very foolish of me, I know."
+
+"No, it was not foolish," said Proserpina, "you have been very kind to
+me, and I have often been quite happy here with you."
+
+"Thank you, dear," said King Pluto, "but I cannot help seeing that you
+think my palace a dark prison and me the hard-hearted jailor, and I
+should, indeed, be hard-hearted if I were to keep you longer than six
+months. So I give you your liberty. Go back, dear, with Mercury, to
+your mother."
+
+Now, although you might not think so, Proserpina found it impossible
+to say good-by to King Pluto without being sorry, and she felt she
+ought to tell him about tasting the pomegranate. She even cried a
+little when she thought how lonely and dull the great palace with its
+jeweled lamps would be after she had left.
+
+She would like to have thanked him many times, but Mercury hurried
+her away. "Come along quickly," he said, "as King Pluto may change his
+mind, and take care above all things that you say nothing about the
+pomegranate which the servant brought you on the gold plate."
+
+In a short time they had passed the great gateway with the golden
+pillars, leaving Cerberus barking and growling with all his three
+heads at once, and beating his dragon tail on the ground. Along the
+dark, rocky road they went very quickly, and soon they reached the
+upper world again.
+
+You can guess how excited and happy Proserpina was to see the bright
+sunshine. She noticed how green the grass grew on the path behind and
+on each side of her. Wherever she set her foot at once there rose a
+flower: violets and roses bloomed along the wayside; the grass and the
+corn began to grow with ten times their usual quickness to make up for
+the dreary months when Mother Ceres had forbidden them to appear above
+ground.
+
+The hungry cattle began to eat, and went on eating all day after their
+long fast. And, I can assure you, it was a busy time with all the
+farmers when they found that summer was coming with a rush.
+
+As to the birds, they hopped about from tree to tree among the fresh,
+sweet blossoms, and sang for joy that the dreary days were over and
+the world was green and young again.
+
+Mother Ceres had gone back to her empty cottage, and was sitting very
+sadly on the doorstep with her burning torch in her hand. She had been
+looking wearily at the flame for some moments, when all at once it
+flickered and went out.
+
+"What does this mean?" she thought. "It was a magic torch, and should
+have gone on burning till Proserpina was found."
+
+She looked up, and was surprised to see the bare brown fields suddenly
+turning green, just as you sometimes see them turn golden when the sun
+comes from behind a dark cloud.
+
+"Does the Earth dare to disobey me?" exclaimed Mother Ceres angrily.
+"Did I not forbid it to be green until my child should be sent back to
+me?"
+
+"Then open your arms, mother dear," cried a well-known voice, "and
+take me back again." And Proserpina came running along the pathway and
+flung herself on her mother's bosom.
+
+It would be impossible to tell how happy they were; so happy that they
+cried a little, for people cry when they are very glad as well as when
+they are unhappy.
+
+After a little while Mother Ceres looked anxiously at Proserpina.
+"My child," she said, "did you taste any food while you were in King
+Pluto's palace?"
+
+"Dearest mother," answered Proserpina, "I will tell you the whole
+truth. Until this morning not a morsel of food had passed my lips.
+But a servant brought me a pomegranate on a golden-plate, a very dry
+pomegranate, with no juice inside, nothing but seeds and skin; and I
+was so hungry, and had not tasted any food for such a long time, that
+I took just one bite. The moment I tasted it King Pluto and Mercury
+came into the room. I had not swallowed a morsel, but O mother! I
+hope it was no harm, six pomegranate seeds remained in my mouth and I
+swallowed them."
+
+"O miserable me!" said Mother Ceres. "For each of these six
+pomegranate seeds you must spend a month every year in King Pluto's
+palace. You are only half restored to me; you will be six months with
+me and then six months with the King of Darkness!"
+
+"Do not be so vexed, mother dear," said Proserpina. "It was very
+unkind of King Pluto to carry me off, but then, as he says, it was
+such a dismal life for him to lead in that great palace all alone: and
+he says he has been much happier since he had me to run about the big
+rooms and to play beside him. If only he will let me spend six months
+every year with you, I think I can bear to spend the other six months
+beside him. After all, he was as kind as he knew how to be, but I am
+very glad he cannot keep me the whole year round."
+
+
+
+
+THE STORY OF ATALANTA
+
+ADAPTED BY ANNA KLINGENSMITH
+
+
+Atalanta was a maiden whose face you might truly say was boyish for a
+girl, yet too girlish for a boy. Her fortune had been told, and it was
+to this effect: "Atalanta, do not marry; marriage will be your ruin."
+Terrified by this oracle, she fled the society of men, and devoted
+herself to the sports of the chase. To all suitors (for she had many)
+she imposed a condition which was generally effectual in relieving her
+of their persecutions, "I will be the prize of him who shall conquer
+me in the race; but death must be the penalty of all who try and
+fail." In spite of this hard condition some would try. Hippomenes was
+to be judge of the race. "Can it be possible that any will be so rash
+as to risk so much for a wife?" said he. But when he saw her ravishing
+beauty as she prepared for the race, he changed his mind, and said,
+"Pardon me, youths, I knew not the prize you were competing for." As
+he surveyed them he wished them all to be beaten, and swelled with
+envy of anyone that seemed at all likely to win. While such were
+his thoughts, the virgin darted forward. As she ran she looked more
+beautiful than ever. The breezes seemed to give wings to her feet;
+her hair flew over her shoulders, and the gay fringe of her garment
+fluttered behind her. A ruddy hue tinged the whiteness of her skin,
+such as a crimson curtain casts on a marble wall. All her competitors
+were distanced, and were put to death without mercy. Hippomenes, not
+daunted by this result, fixing his eyes on the virgin, said, "Why
+boast of beating those laggards? I offer myself for the contest."
+Atalanta looked at him with a pitying countenance, and hardly knew
+whether she would rather conquer him or not. "What god can tempt one
+so young and handsome to throw himself away? I pity him, not for his
+beauty (yet he is beautiful), but for his youth. I wish he would give
+up the race, or if he will be so mad, I hope he may outrun me." While
+she hesitates, revolving these thoughts, the spectators grow impatient
+for the race, and her father prompts her to prepare. Then Hippomenes
+addressed a prayer to Venus: "Help me, Venus, for you have led me on."
+Venus heard and was propitious.
+
+In the garden of her temple, in her own island of Cyprus, is a tree
+with yellow leaves and yellow branches and golden fruit. Hence she
+gathered three golden apples, and, unseen by any one else, gave them
+to Hippomenes, and told him how to use them. The signal is given; each
+starts from the goal and skims over the sand. So light their tread,
+you would almost have thought they might run over the river surface
+or over the waving grain without sinking. The cries of the spectators
+cheered Hippomenes,--"Now, now, do your best! haste, haste! you gain
+on her! relax not! one more effort!" It was doubtful whether the youth
+or the maiden heard these cries with the greater pleasure. But his
+breath began to fail him, his throat was dry, the goal yet far off. At
+that moment he threw down one of the golden apples. The virgin was all
+amazement. She stopped to pick it up. Hippomenes shot ahead. Shouts
+burst forth from all sides. She redoubled her efforts, and soon
+overtook him. Again he threw an apple. She stopped again, but again
+came up with him. The goal was near; one chance only remained. "Now,
+goddess," said he, "prosper your gift!" and threw the last apple off
+at one side. She looked at it, and hesitated; Venus impelled her to
+turn aside for it. She did so, and was vanquished. The youth carried
+off his prize.
+
+
+
+
+PYRAMUS AND THISBE
+
+ADAPTED BY ALICE ZIMMERN
+
+
+In Babylon, the great and wonderful city on the Euphrates, there lived
+in two adjoining houses a youth and a maiden named Pyramus and Thisbe.
+Hardly a day passed without their meeting, and at last they came to
+know and love one another. But when Pyramus sought Thisbe in marriage,
+the parents would not hear of it, and even forbade the lovers to meet
+or speak to each other any more. But though they could no longer be
+openly together, they saw each other at a distance and sent messages
+by signs and tokens.
+
+One day to their great delight they discovered a tiny crack in the
+wall between the two houses, through which they could hear each other
+speak. But a few words whispered through a chink in the wall could not
+satisfy two ardent lovers, and they tried to arrange a meeting. They
+would slip away one night unnoticed and meet somewhere outside the
+city. A spot near the tomb of Ninus was chosen, where a mulberry tree
+grew near a pleasant spring of water.
+
+At nightfall Thisbe put on a thick veil, slipped out of the house
+unobserved and made her way in haste to the city gates. She was first
+at the trysting-place and sat down under the tree to wait for her
+lover. A strange noise made her look up, and she saw by the clear
+moonlight a lioness with bloody jaws coming to drink at the spring.
+Thisbe sprang up, and dropping her cloak in her haste ran to hide
+herself in a neighboring cave. The lioness, who had already eaten,
+did not care to pursue her, but finding the cloak lying on the ground,
+pulled it to bits and left the marks of blood on the torn mantle. Now
+Pyramus in his turn came to the place and found no Thisbe, but only
+her torn and bloodstained cloak. "Surely," he thought, "some beast
+must have devoured her, for here lies her cloak, all mangled and
+bloodstained. Alas, that I came too late! Her love for me led Thisbe
+to brave the perils of night and danger, and I was not here to protect
+and save her. She dies a victim to her love, but she shall not perish
+alone. One same night will see the end of both lovers. Come, ye lions,
+and devour me too, 'tis my one prayer. Yet 'tis a coward's part to
+pray for death when his own hands can give it."
+
+With these words he drew Thisbe's cloak towards him, and covered it
+with kisses. "My blood too shall stain you," he cried, and plunged his
+sword with true aim in his breast. The blood spouted forth as from a
+fountain and stained the white fruit of the mulberry overhead.
+
+While Pyramus lay dying under the tree, Thisbe had recovered from her
+fright, and now stole forth from her hiding-place, hoping that her
+lover might be at hand. What was her dismay when she saw Pyramus
+stretched lifeless on the ground. Kneeling down beside him, she washed
+his wound with her tears, and kissed his cold lips, calling on him in
+vain to speak. "Speak to me, Pyramus," she cried, "'tis your beloved
+Thisbe that calls."
+
+At the sound of her voice Pyramus opened his failing eyes, and gave
+his love one last look, then he closed them for ever. When Thisbe saw
+her own cloak and the empty sheath, she guessed that, thinking her
+dead, he had sought death himself.
+
+"'Twas by your own hand you fell," she cried, "a victim to love, and
+love will give my hand strength to do the like. Since those who were
+parted in life are united in death, perhaps our sorrowing parents will
+grant us the boon of a common tomb. May we rest side by side, even as
+we have fallen, and may this tree, which has witnessed our despair and
+our death, bear the traces for evermore. Let its fruit be clothed in
+mourning garb for the death of two hapless lovers."
+
+With these words she threw herself on the sword of Pyramus. Her last
+prayer was granted, for one urn held the ashes of the faithful pair.
+And since that night the mulberry tree bears purple fruit to recall to
+all generations of lovers the cruel fate of Pyramus and Thisbe.
+
+
+
+
+ORPHEUS
+
+ADAPTED BY ALICE ZIMMERN
+
+
+Orpheus, the Thracian singer, was the most famous of all the musicians
+of Greece. Apollo himself had given him his golden harp, and on it he
+played music of such wondrous power and beauty that rocks, trees
+and beasts would follow to hear him. Jason had persuaded Orpheus
+to accompany the Argonauts when they went to fetch back the golden
+fleece, for he knew that the perils of the way would be lightened by
+song. To the sound of his lyre the Argo had floated down to the sea,
+and he played so sweetly when they passed the rocks of the Sirens that
+the dreadful monsters sang their most alluring strains in vain.
+
+Orpheus wedded the fair nymph Eurydice, whom he loved dearly, and who
+returned his love. But at their marriage the omens were not favorable.
+Hymen, the marriage god, came to it with a gloomy countenance and the
+wedding torches smoked and would not give forth a cheerful flame.
+
+Indeed the happiness of Orpheus and Eurydice was to be but
+short-lived. For as the new-made bride wandered through the woods with
+the other nymphs a poisonous serpent stung her heel, and no remedy
+availed to save her. Orpheus was thrown into most passionate grief at
+his wife's death. He could not believe that he had lost her for ever,
+but prayed day and night without ceasing to the gods above to restore
+her to him. When they would not listen, he resolved to make one last
+effort to win her back. He would go down to the Lower World and seek
+her among the dead, and try whether any prayer or persuasion could
+move Pluto to restore his beloved.
+
+Near Taenarum, in Laconia, was a cave among dark and gloomy rocks,
+through which led one of the entrances to the Lower World. This
+was the road by which Hercules descended when he went to carry off
+Cerberus, the three-headed dog that guards the threshold of Pluto.
+Undaunted by the terrors of the place, Orpheus passed through this
+gate and down a dark and dismal road to the kingdom of the dead. Here
+he came in safety through the crowd of ghosts and phantoms, and stood
+at last before the throne of Pluto and Proserpina. Then he touched the
+chords of his lyre and chanted these words:
+
+"Great lords of the world below the earth, to which all we mortals
+must one day come, grant me to tell a simple tale and declare unto
+you the truth. Not to look upon the blackness of Tartarus have I come
+hither, nor yet to bind in chains the snaky heads on Cerberus. It is
+my wife I seek. A viper's sting has robbed her of the years that were
+her due. I should have borne my loss, indeed I tried to bear it, but I
+was overcome by Love, a god well known in the world above, and I think
+not without honor in your kingdom, unless the story of Proserpina's
+theft be a lying tale. I beseech you, by the realms of the dead, by
+mighty Chaos and the silence of your vast kingdom, revoke the untimely
+doom of Eurydice. All our lives are forfeit to you. 'Tis but a short
+delay, and late or soon we all hasten towards one goal. Hither all our
+footsteps tend. This is our last home, yours is the sole enduring rule
+over mankind. She too, when she shall have lived her allotted term of
+years, will surely come under your sway. Till then, I implore you,
+let her be mine. But if the Fates refuse a husband's prayers, I am
+resolved never to return hence. My death shall give you a double
+boon."
+
+[Illustration: ORPHEUS AND EURYDICE.]
+
+Thus he prayed and touched his harp in tune with his words. All around
+him the lifeless ghosts came flocking, and as they heard they wept.
+Tantalus forgot his hunger and thirst. Ixion's wheel stood still, the
+Danaids set aside their leaky urns and Sisyphus sat on his stone to
+listen. Never yet had such sweet strains been heard in the world of
+gloom. Then, for the first time, tears moistened the cheeks of the
+Furies, and even the king and queen of the dead were moved to pity.
+They summoned Eurydice, and she came, yet halting from her recent
+wound.
+
+"Take her," says Pluto, "and lead her back to the light. But she must
+follow you at a distance, nor must you once turn round to look upon
+her till you have passed beyond these realms. Else the boon we grant
+you will be but vain."
+
+A steep path led upward from the realm of darkness, and the way was
+hard to find through the gloom. In silence Orpheus led on, till the
+goal was close at hand and the welcoming light of the upper air began
+to penetrate the darkness. Then a sudden fear struck his heart. Had
+Eurydice really followed his steps, or had she turned back, and was
+all his toil in vain? Tom with anxiety and longing, he turned to gaze
+on his beloved. Dimly he saw her, but for the last time, for a power
+she could not resist drew her back. Orpheus stretched out his arms and
+tried to seize her, but he only clasped the empty air. "Farewell, a
+last farewell," she murmured, and vanished from his sight.
+
+In vain Orpheus tried to follow her, in vain he besought Charon to
+carry him a second time across the waters of Acheron. Seven days he
+sat on the further bank without food or drink, nourished by his tears
+and grief. Then at last he knew that the gods below were pitiless; and
+full of sorrow he returned to the upper earth.
+
+For three years he wandered among the mountains of Thrace, finding his
+only consolation in the music of his lyre, for he shunned all men and
+women and would have no bride after Eurydice.
+
+One day he sat down to rest on a grassy hill in the sunshine, and
+played and sang to beguile his sorrow. As he played, the coolness of
+shady branches seemed all about him, and looking up he found himself
+in the midst of a wood. Oak, poplar, lime, beech, laurel, ash, pine,
+plane and maple and many another tree had gathered together here,
+drawn from their distant forest homes by the sounds of Orpheus's lyre.
+Yes, and the beasts and the birds of the field came too, and Orpheus
+sat in their midst and sang and played the tunes of sorrow.
+
+Suddenly a great noise was heard of laughter and shouting and
+merry-making. For this was one of the feasts of Bacchus, and the women
+were celebrating his rites, wandering over the mountains with dance
+and revel. When they saw Orpheus they set up a shout of derision.
+"See," they cried, "the wretched singer who mocks at women and will
+have no bride but the dead. Come, let us kill him, and show that no
+man shall despise us unpunished."
+
+With these words they began to throw wands and stones at him, but even
+the lifeless objects were softened by the music, and fell harmlessly
+to the ground. Then the women raised a wild shout and made such a
+clamor with trumpets and cymbals, that the soft tones of the harp were
+drowned by the noise. Now at last the shots took effect, and in their
+fury the women fell upon him, dealing blow on blow. Orpheus fell
+lifeless to the ground.
+
+But he was not to die unwept. The little birds of the forest mourned
+for him, even the stony rocks wept, the trees shed their leaves with
+grief, and the dryads and naiads tore their hair and put on the garb
+of sorrow. Only the pitiless revelers knew no remorse. They seized the
+singer's head and threw it with his lyre into the river Hebrus. There
+it floated down stream and, strange to tell, the chords gave forth a
+lament, and the lifeless tongue uttered words. "Eurydice, Eurydice,"
+it cried, till head and lyre were carried down to the sea, and on
+to Lesbos, the isle of sweet song, where in after years Alcaeus and
+Sappho tuned afresh the lyre of Orpheus.
+
+But the shade of the dead singer went down to Hades, and found
+entrance at last. Thus Orpheus and Eurydice were re-united, and won in
+death the bliss that was denied them in life.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+MYTHS OF SCANDINAVIA
+
+
+
+
+BALDUR
+
+ADAPTED FROM A, AND E. KEARY'S VERSION
+
+
+
+
+I
+
+THE DREAM
+
+
+Upon a summer's afternoon it happened that Baldur the Bright and Bold,
+beloved of men and the gods, found himself alone in his palace of
+Broadblink. Thor was walking among the valleys, his brow heavy
+with summer heat; Frey and Gerda sported on still waters in their
+cloud-leaf ship; Odin, for once, slept on the top of Air Throne; a
+noon-day stillness pervaded the whole earth; and Baldur in Broadblink,
+most sunlit of palaces, dreamed a dream.
+
+The dream of Baldur was troubled. He knew not whence nor why; but when
+he awoke he found that a new and weighty care was within him. It was
+so heavy that Baldur could scarcely carry it, and yet he pressed it
+closely to his heart and said, "Lie there, and do not fall on any one
+but me." Then he rose up and walked out from the splendor of his
+hall, that he might seek his own mother, Frigga, and tell her what had
+happened. He found her in her crystal saloon, calm and kind, and ready
+to sympathize; so he walked up to her, his hands pressed closely on
+his heart, and lay down at her feet sighing.
+
+"What is the matter, dear Baldur?" asked Frigga, gently.
+
+"I do not know, mother," answered he. "I do not know what the matter
+is; but I have a shadow in my heart."
+
+"Take it out, then, my son, and let me look at it," replied Frigga.
+
+"But I fear, mother, that if I do it will cover the whole earth."
+
+Then Frigga laid her hand upon the heart of her son that she might
+feel the shadow's shape. Her brow became clouded as she felt it; her
+parted lips grew pale, and she cried out, "Oh! Baldur, my beloved son!
+the shadow is the shadow of death!"
+
+Then said Baldur, "I will die bravely, my mother."
+
+But Frigga answered, "You shall not die at all; for I will not sleep
+to-night until everything on earth has sworn to me that it will
+neither kill nor harm you."
+
+So Frigga stood up, and called to her everything on earth that had
+power to hurt or slay. First she called all metals to her; and heavy
+iron-ore came lumbering up the hill into the crystal hall, brass and
+gold, copper, silver, lead, and steel, and stood before the Queen, who
+lifted her right hand high in the air, saying, "Swear to me that you
+will not injure Baldur"; and they all swore, and went. Then she called
+to her all stones; and huge granite came with crumbling sandstone, and
+white lime, and the round, smooth stones of the seashore, and Frigga
+raised her arm, saying, "Swear that you will not injure Baldur";
+and they swore, and went. Then Frigga called to her the trees; and
+wide-spreading oak trees, with tall ash and sombre firs, came rushing
+up the hill, and Frigga raised her hand, and said, "Swear that you
+will not hurt Baldur"; and they said, "We swear," and went. After this
+Frigga called to her the diseases, who came blown by poisonous
+winds on wings of pain to the sound of moaning. Frigga said to them,
+"Swear"; and they sighed, "We swear," then flew away. Then Frigga
+called to her all beasts, birds, and venomous snakes, who came to her
+and swore, and disappeared. Then she stretched out her hand to Baldur,
+while a smile spread over her face, saying, "Now, my son, you cannot
+die."
+
+Just then Odin came in, and when he had heard from Frigga the whole
+story, he looked even more mournful than she had done; neither did the
+cloud pass from his face when he was told of the oaths that had been
+taken.
+
+"Why do you look so grave, my lord?" demanded Frigga at last. "Baldur
+cannot die now."
+
+But Odin asked very gravely, "Is the shadow gone out of our son's
+heart, or is it still there?"
+
+"It cannot be there," said Frigga, turning away her head resolutely,
+and folding her hands before her.
+
+But Odin looked at Baldur, and saw how it was. The hands pressed to
+the heavy heart, the beautiful brow grown dim. Then immediately he
+arose, saddled Sleipnir, his eight-footed steed, mounted him, and,
+turning to Frigga, said, "I know of a dead prophetess, Frigga, who,
+when she was alive, could tell what was going to happen; her grave
+lies on the east side of Helheim, and I am going there to awake her,
+and ask whether any terrible grief is really coming upon us."
+
+So saying Odin shook the bridle in his hand, and the eight-footed,
+with a bound, leaped forth, rushed like a whirlwind down the mountain
+of Asgard, and then dashed into a narrow defile between rocks.
+
+Sleipnir went on through the defile a long way, until he came to a
+place where the earth opened her mouth. There Odin rode in and down a
+broad, steep, slanting road which led him to the cavern Gnipa, and the
+mouth of the cavern Gnipa yawned upon Niflheim. Then thought Odin to
+himself, "My journey is already done." But just as Sleipnir was about
+to leap through the jaws of the pit, Garm, the voracious dog who was
+chained to the rock, sprang forward, and tried to fasten himself upon
+Odin. Three times Odin shook him off, and still Garm, as fierce as
+ever, went on with the fight. At last Sleipnir leaped, and Odin thrust
+just at the same moment; then horse and rider cleared the entrance,
+and turned eastward towards the dead prophetess's grave, dripping
+blood along the road as they went; while the beaten Garm stood baying
+in the cavern's mouth.
+
+When Odin came to the grave he got off his horse, and stood with his
+face northward, looking through barred enclosures into the city of
+Helheim itself. The servants of Hela were very busy there making
+preparations for some new guest--hanging gilded couches with curtains
+of anguish and splendid misery upon the walls. Then Odin's heart died
+within him, and he began to repeat mournful runes in a low tone.
+
+The dead prophetess turned heavily in her grave at the sound of his
+voice, and sat bolt upright. "What man is this," she asked, "who dares
+disturb my sleep?"
+
+Then Odin, for the first time in his life, said what was not true; the
+shadow of Baldur dead fell upon his lips, and he made answer, "My name
+is Vegtam, the son of Valtam."
+
+"And what do you want of me?" asked the prophetess.
+
+"I want to know," replied Odin, "for whom Hela is making ready that
+gilded couch in Helheim?"
+
+"That is for Baldur the Beloved," answered the prophetess. "Now go
+away and let me sleep again, for my eyes are heavy."
+
+But Odin said, "Only one word more. Is Baldur going to Helheim?"
+
+"Yes, I've told you that he is," was the answer.
+
+"Will he never come back to Asgard again?"
+
+"If everything on earth should weep for him," said she, "he will go
+back; if not, he will remain in Helheim."
+
+Then Odin covered his face with his hands and looked into darkness.
+
+"Do go away," said the prophetess, "I'm so sleepy; I cannot keep my
+eyes open any longer."
+
+But Odin raised his head and said again, "Only tell me one thing.
+Just now, as I looked into darkness, it seemed to me that I saw one on
+earth who would not weep for Baldur. Who was it?"
+
+At this she grew very angry and said, "How couldst _thou_ see in
+darkness? I know of only one who, by giving away his eye, gained
+light. No Vegtam art thou but Odin, chief of men."
+
+At her angry words Odin became angry, too, and called out as loudly
+as he could, "No prophetess nor wise woman, but rather the mother of
+three giants."
+
+"Go, go!" answered the prophetess, falling back in her grave; "no man
+shall waken me again until Loki have burst his chains and the Twilight
+of the Gods be come." After this Odin mounted the eight-footed once
+more and rode thoughtfully home.
+
+
+
+
+II
+
+THE PEACESTEAD
+
+
+When Odin came back to Asgard, Hermod took the bridle from his
+father's hand and told him that the rest of the gods were gone to the
+Peacestead--a broad, green plain which lay just outside the city. This
+was the playground of the gods, where they practised trials of skill
+and held tournaments and sham fights. These last were always conducted
+in the gentlest and most honorable manner; for the strongest law of
+the Peacestead was, that no angry blow should be struck, or spiteful
+word spoken, upon the sacred field; and for this reason some have
+thought it might be well if children also had a Peacestead to play in.
+
+Odin was too tired from his journey to go to the Peacestead that
+afternoon; so he turned away and shut himself up in his palace of
+Gladsheim. But when he was gone, Loki came into the city by another
+way, and hearing from Hermod where the gods were, set off to join
+them.
+
+When he got to the Peacestead, Loki found that the gods were standing
+round in a circle shooting at something, and he peeped between the
+shoulders of two of them to find out what it was. To his surprise he
+saw Baldur standing in the midst, erect and calm, whilst his friends
+and brothers were aiming their weapons at him. Some hewed at him with
+their swords,--others threw stones at him--some shot arrows pointed
+with steel, and Thor continually swung his great hammer at his head.
+"Well," said Loki to himself, "if this is the sport of Asgard, what
+must that of Joetunheim be? I wonder what Father Odin and Mother Frigga
+would say if they were here?" But as Loki still looked, he became even
+more surprised, for the sport went on, and Baldur was not hurt. Arrows
+aimed at his very heart glanced back again untinged with blood. The
+stones fell down from his broad, bright brow, and left no bruises
+there. Swords clave, but did not wound him; Thor's hammer struck him,
+and he was not crushed. At this Loki grew perfectly furious with envy
+and hatred. "And why is Baldur to be so honored," said he "that even
+steel and stone shall not hurt him?" Then Loki changed himself into a
+little, dark, bent old woman, with a stick, and hobbled away from the
+Peacestead to Frigga's crystal saloon. At the door he knocked with the
+stick.
+
+"Come in!" said the kind voice of Frigga, and Loki lifted the latch.
+
+Now when Frigga saw, from the other end of the hall, a little, bent,
+crippled old woman come hobbling up her crystal floor, she got up with
+true queenliness and met her halfway, holding out her hand and saying
+in the kindest manner, "Pray sit down, my poor old friend; for it
+seems to me that you have come from a great distance."
+
+"That I have, indeed," answered Loki in a tremulous, squeaking voice.
+
+"And did you happen to see anything of the gods," asked Frigga, "as
+you came?"
+
+"Just now I passed by the Peacestead and saw them at play."
+
+"What were they doing?"
+
+"Shooting at Baldur."
+
+Then Frigga bent over her work with a pleased smile on her face. "And
+nothing hurt him?"
+
+"Nothing," answered Loki, looking keenly at her.
+
+"No, no thing," murmured Frigga, still looking down and speaking half
+musingly to herself; "for all things have sworn to me that they will
+not."
+
+"Sworn!" exclaimed Loki, eagerly; "what is that you say? Has
+everything sworn then?"
+
+"Everything," answered she, "excepting the little shrub mistletoe,
+which grows, you know, on the west side of Valhalla, and to which I
+said nothing, because I thought it was too young to swear."
+
+"Excellent!" thought Loki, and then he got up.
+
+"You're not going yet, are you?" said Frigga, stretching out her hand
+and looking up at last into the eyes of the old woman.
+
+"I'm quite rested now, thank you," answered Loki in his squeaky voice,
+and then he hobbled out at the door, which clapped after him, and
+sent a cold gust into the room. Frigga shuddered, and thought that a
+serpent was gliding down the back of her neck.
+
+When Loki had left the presence of Frigga, he changed himself back to
+his proper shape and went straight to the west side of Valhalla,
+where the mistletoe grew. Then he opened his knife and cut off a large
+bunch, saying these words, "Too young for Frigga's oaths, but not too
+weak for Loki's work." After which he set off for the Peacestead once
+more, the mistletoe in his hand. When he got there he found that
+the gods were still at their sport, standing round, taking aim, and
+talking eagerly, and Baldur did not seem tired.
+
+But there was one who stood alone, leaning against a tree, and who
+took no part in what was going on. This was Hoedur, Baldur's blind
+twin-brother; he stood with his head bent downwards, silent while the
+others were speaking, doing nothing when they were most eager; and
+Loki thought that there was a discontented expression on his face,
+just as if he were saying to himself, "Nobody takes any notice of me."
+So Loki went up to him and put his hand upon his shoulder.
+
+"And why are you standing here all alone, my brave friend?" said he.
+"Why don't _you_ throw something at Baldur? Hew at him with a sword,
+or show him some attention of that sort."
+
+"I haven't a sword," answered Hoedur, with an impatient gesture; "and
+you know as well as I do, Loki, that Father Odin does not approve of
+my wearing warlike weapons, or joining in sham fights, because I am
+blind."
+
+"Oh! is that it?" said Loki. Well, I only know _I_ shouldn't like to
+be left out of everything. However, I've got a twig of mistletoe here
+which I'll lend you if you like; a harmless little twig enough, but
+I shall be happy to guide your arm if you would like to throw it, and
+Baldur might take it as a compliment from his twin-brother."
+
+"Let me feel it," said Hoedur, stretching out his groping hands.
+
+"This way, this way, my dear friend," said Loki, giving him the twig.
+"Now, as hard as ever you can, to do _him honor_; throw!"
+
+Hoedur threw--Baldur fell, and the shadow of death covered the whole
+earth.
+
+
+
+
+III
+
+BALDUR DEAD
+
+
+One after another they turned and left the Peacestead, the friends and
+brothers of the slain. One after another they turned and went towards
+the city; crushed hearts, heavy footsteps, no word amongst them, a
+shadow upon all. The shadow was in Asgard, too--had walked through
+Frigga's hall and seated itself upon the threshold of Gladsheim. Odin
+had just come out to look at it, and Frigga stood by in mute despair
+as the gods came up.
+
+"Loki did it! Loki did it!" they said at last in confused, hoarse
+whispers, and they looked from one to another,--upon Odin, upon
+Frigga, upon the shadow which they saw before them, and which they
+felt within. "Loki did it! Loki, Loki!" they went on saying; but it
+was of no use to repeat the name of Loki over and over again when
+there was another name they were too sad to utter but which filled all
+their hearts--Baldur. Frigga said it first, and then they all went to
+look at him lying down so peacefully on the grass--dead, dead.
+
+"Carry him to the funeral pyre!" said Odin, at length; and four of the
+gods stooped down and lifted their dead brother.
+
+Noiselessly they carried the body tenderly to the seashore and laid
+it upon the deck of the majestic ship, Ringhorn, which had been _his_.
+Then they stood waiting to see who would come to the funeral. Odin
+came, and on his shoulders sat his two ravens, whose croaking drew
+clouds down over the Asa's face, for Thought and Memory sang the same
+sad song that day. Frigga came,--Frey, Gerda, Freyja, Thor, Hoenir,
+Bragi, and Idun. Heimdall came sweeping over the tops of the mountains
+on Golden Mane, his swift, bright steed. AEgir the Old groaned from
+under the deep, and sent his daughters up to mourn around the dead.
+Frost-giants and mountain-giants came crowding round the rimy shores
+of Joetunheim to look across the sea upon the funeral of an Asa. Nanna
+came, Baldur's fair young wife; but when she saw the dead body of her
+husband, her own heart broke with grief, and the gods laid her beside
+him on the stately ship. After this Odin stepped forward and placed a
+ring on the breast of his son, whispering something at the same
+time in his ear; but when he and the rest of the gods tried to push
+Ringhorn into the sea before setting fire to it, they found their
+hearts too heavy to do it. So they beckoned to the giantess Hyrrokin
+to come over from Joetunheim and help them. She, with a single push,
+set the ship floating, and then, whilst Thor stood up holding his
+hammer high in the air, Odin lighted the funeral pile of Baldur and of
+Nanna.
+
+So Ringhorn went floating towards the deep sea and the funeral fire
+burnt on. Its broad red flame burst forth heavenward, but when the
+smoke would have gone upward too, the winds came sobbing and carried
+it away.
+
+
+
+
+IV
+
+HELHEIM
+
+
+When at last the ship Ringhorn had floated out so far to sea that it
+looked like a dull red lamp on the horizon, Frigga turned round and
+said, "Will any one of you, my children, perform a noble action and
+win my love forever?"
+
+"I will," cried Hermod, before any one else had time to open his lips.
+
+"Go, then, Hermod," answered Frigga, "saddle Sleipnir with all speed
+and ride down to Helheim; there seek out Hela, the stern mistress of
+the dead, and entreat her to send our beloved back to us again."
+
+Hermod was gone in the twinkling of an eye, not in at the mouth of the
+earth and through the steep cavern down which Odin went to the dead
+prophetess's grave; he chose another way, though not a better one;
+for, go to Helheim as you will, the best is but a downward road, and
+so Hermod found it--downward, slanting, slippery, dark, and very cold.
+At last he came to the Giallar Bru--that sounding river which flows
+between the living and the dead, and to the bridge over it which is
+paved with stones of glittering gold. Hermod was surprised to see
+gold in such a place; but as he rode over the bridge, and looked down
+carefully at the stones, he saw that they were only tears which had
+been shed round the beds of the dying--only tears, and yet they made
+the way seem brighter. But when Hermod reached the other end of the
+bridge, he found the courageous woman who, for ages and ages, had been
+sitting there to watch the dead go by, and she stopped him saying:
+
+"What a noise you make! Who are you? Yesterday five troops of dead men
+went over the Giallar Bridge and did not shake it so much as you have
+done. Besides," she added, looking more closely at Hermod, "you are
+not a dead man at all. Your lips are neither cold nor blue. Why, then,
+do you ride on the way to Helheim?"
+
+"I seek Baldur," answered Hermod. "Tell me, have you seen him pass?"
+
+"Baldur," she said, "has ridden over the bridge; but there below,
+towards the north, lies the way to the Abodes of Death."
+
+So Hermod went on the way until he came to the barred gates of Helheim
+itself. There he alighted, tightened his saddle-girths, remounted,
+clapped both spurs to his horse, and cleared the gate by one
+tremendous leap. Then Hermod found himself in a place where no living
+man had ever been before--the City of the Dead. Perhaps you think
+there is a great silence there, but you are mistaken. Hermod thought
+he had never in his life heard so much noise; for the echoes of all
+words were speaking together--words, some newly uttered and some ages
+old; but the dead men did not hear who flitted up and down the dark
+streets, for their ears had been stunned and become cold long since.
+Hermod rode on through the city until he came to the palace of
+Hela, which stood in the midst. Precipice was its threshold, the
+entrance-hall, Wide Storm, and yet Hermod was not too much afraid to
+seek the innermost rooms; so he went on to the banqueting hall, where
+Hela sat at the head of her table serving her new guests. Baldur,
+alas! sat at her right hand, and on her left his pale young wife. When
+Hela saw Hermod coming up the hall she smiled grimly, but beckoned to
+him at the same time to sit down, and told him that he might sup that
+night with her. It was a strange supper for a living man to sit down
+to. Hunger was the table; Starvation, Hela's knife; Delay, her man;
+Slowness, her maid; and Burning Thirst, her wine. After supper Hela
+led the way to the sleeping apartments. "You see," she said, turning
+to Hermod, "I am very anxious about the comfort of my guests. Here are
+beds of unrest provided for all, hung with curtains of Weariness, and
+look how all the walls are furnished with Despair."
+
+So saying she strode away, leaving Hermod and Baldur together. The
+whole night they sat on those unquiet couches and talked. Hermod could
+speak of nothing but the past, and as he looked anxiously round the
+room his eyes became dim with tears. But Baldur seemed to see a light
+far off, and he spoke of what was to come.
+
+The next morning Hermod went to Hela, and entreated her to let Baldur
+return to Asgard. He even offered to take his place in Helheim if she
+pleased; but Hela only laughed at this and said: "You talk a great
+deal about Baldur, and boast how much every one loves him; I will
+prove now if what you have told me be true. Let everything on earth,
+living or dead, weep for Baldur, and he shall go home again; but if
+_one_ thing only refuse to weep, then let Helheim hold its own; he
+shall _not_ go."
+
+"Every one will weep willingly," said Hermod, as he mounted Sleipnir
+and rode towards the entrance of the city. Baldur went with him as far
+as the gate and began to send messages to all his friends in Asgard,
+but Hermod would not listen to many of them.
+
+"You will soon come back to us," he said, "there is no use in sending
+messages."
+
+So Hermod darted homewards, and Baldur watched him through the bars of
+Helheim's gateway as he flew along.
+
+"Not soon, not soon," said the dead Asa; but still he saw the light
+far off, and thought of what was to come.
+
+
+
+
+V
+
+WEEPING
+
+
+"Well, Hermod, what did she say?" asked the gods from the top of the
+hill as they saw him coming; "make haste and tell us what she said."
+And Hermod came up.
+
+"Oh! is that all?" they cried, as soon as he had delivered his
+message. "Nothing can be more easy," and then they all hurried off to
+tell Frigga. She was weeping already, and in five minutes there was
+not a tearless eye in Asgard.
+
+"But this is not enough," said Odin; "the whole earth must know of our
+grief that it may weep with us."
+
+Then the father of the gods called to him his messenger maidens--the
+beautiful Valkyries--and sent them out into all worlds with these
+three words on their lips, "Baldur is dead!" But the words were so
+dreadful that at first the messenger maidens could only whisper them
+in low tones as they went along, "Baldur is dead!" The dull, sad
+sounds flowed back on Asgard like a new river of grief, and it seemed
+to the gods as if they now wept for the first time--"Baldur is dead!"
+
+"What is that the Valkyries are saying?" asked the men and women in
+all the country round, and when they heard rightly, men left their
+labor and lay down to weep--women dropped the buckets they were
+carrying to the well, and, leaning their faces over them, filled them
+with tears. The children crowded upon the doorsteps, or sat down at
+the corners of the streets, crying as if their own mothers were dead.
+
+The Valkyries passed on. "Baldur is dead!" they said to the empty
+fields; and straightway the grass and the wild field-flowers shed
+tears.
+
+"Baldur is dead!" said the messenger maidens to the rocks and stones;
+and the very stones began to weep. "Baldur is dead!" the Valkyries
+cried; and even the old mammoth's bones which had lain for centuries
+under the hills, burst into tears, so that small rivers gushed forth
+from every mountain's side. "Baldur is dead!" said the messenger
+maidens as they swept over silent sands; and all the shells wept
+pearls. "Baldur is dead!" they cried to the sea, and to Joetunheim
+across the sea; and when the giants understood it, even they wept,
+while the sea rained spray to heaven. After this the Valkyries stepped
+from one stone to another until they reached a rock that stood alone
+in the middle of the sea; then, all together, they bent forward over
+the edge of it, stooped down and peeped over, that they might tell
+the monsters of the deep. "Baldur is dead!" they said, and the sea
+monsters and the fish wept. Then the messenger maidens looked at one
+another and said, "Surely our work is done." So they twined their
+arms round one another's waists, and set forth on the downward road to
+Helheim, there to claim Baldur from among the dead.
+
+After he had sent forth his messenger maidens, Odin had seated himself
+on the top of Air Throne that he might see how the earth received his
+message. At first he watched the Valkyries as they stepped forth north
+and south, and east and west; but soon the whole earth's steaming
+tears rose up like a great cloud and hid everything from him. Then
+he looked down through the cloud and said, "Are you all weeping?" The
+Valkyries heard the sound of his voice as they went all together down
+the slippery road, and they turned round, stretching out their arms
+towards Air Throne, their long hair falling back, while, with choked
+voices and streaming eyes, they answered, "The world weeps, Father
+Odin; the world and we."
+
+After this they went on their way until they came to the end of the
+cave Gnipa, where Garm was chained, and which yawned over Niflheim.
+"The world weeps," they said one to another by way of encouragement,
+for here the road was so dreadful; but just as they were about to
+pass through the mouth of Gnipa they came upon a haggard witch named
+Thaukt, who sat in the entrance with her back to them, and her face
+toward the abyss. "Baldur is dead! Weep, weep!" said the messenger
+maidens, as they tried to pass her; but Thaukt made answer:
+
+  "What she doth hold,
+    Let Hela keep;
+  For naught care I,
+    Though the world weep,
+      O'er Baldur's bale.
+  Live he or die
+  With tearless eye,
+      Old Thaukt shall wail."
+
+And with these words leaped into Niflheim with a yell of triumph.
+
+"Surely that cry was the cry of Loki," said one of the maidens; but
+another pointed towards the city of Helheim, and there they saw the
+stern face of Hela looking over the wall.
+
+"One has not wept," said the grim Queen, "and Helheim holds its own."
+So saying she motioned the maidens away with her long, cold hand.
+
+Then the Valkyries turned and fled up the steep way to the foot of
+Odin's throne, like a pale snowdrift that flies before the storm.
+
+
+
+
+THOR'S ADVENTURES AMONG THE JOETUNS
+
+ADAPTED BY JULIA GODDARD
+
+
+Once upon a time Thor set out upon his travels, taking Loki with
+him, for despite Loki's spirit of mischief he often aided Thor, who
+doubtless, in the present expedition, felt that Loki might be of use
+to him.
+
+So they set off together in Thor's chariot, drawn by its two strong
+he-goats, and as night drew nigh, stopped at the hut of a peasant,
+where they asked food and shelter.
+
+"Food I have none to give you," said the peasant. "I am a poor man and
+not able even to give supper to my children, but if you like to rest
+under my roof you are welcome to do so."
+
+"Never mind the food; I can manage that," said Thor, dismounting from
+the chariot and entering the hut.
+
+It was a poor place, and not at all fitted to receive one of the Asi,
+but Thor was glad enough to meet with it, wretched as it was.
+
+"You can kill the goats," said he; "they will make us an excellent
+meal."
+
+The peasant could not help thinking that it was a pity to kill two
+such fine animals; but wisely thinking that this was no affair of his,
+and that the stranger had a right to do as he pleased with his own, he
+set himself to obey Thor's orders, and with the help of his daughter
+Raska soon spread a savory repast before the hungry god and his
+attendant.
+
+"Sit down, all of you," said Thor; "there is enough and to spare."
+
+So they all sat down, and the peasant and his children shared a more
+plentiful meal than had fallen to their lot lately. Thor and Loki
+also did ample justice to the food, and when supper was over the
+thunder-god bade the peasant gather the bones and place them in the
+goatskins, and making them into a bundle he left them on the floor
+until the next morning.
+
+When the morning came and the early sun shone in through the crevices,
+Thor raised his hammer, and instead of the bundle of bones the peasant
+and his son and daughter saw the two goats standing as fresh and
+lively as if nothing had happened to them, saving that one of them
+halted a little in his walk.
+
+When they sought to learn why this should be, it was found that
+Thialfe, the boy, in getting the marrow out of one of the bones, had
+broken it, and it was this that caused the goat to go lame.
+
+Thor was very angry, and was very near killing not only Thialfe but
+also the peasant and his daughter Raska, but they begged so hard for
+their lives that he consented to spare them on condition that the boy
+and girl should follow him in his travels.
+
+To this they agreed, and Thor, leaving the chariot and goats in the
+peasant's care, went on his journey, giving Thialfe, who was a very
+swift runner, his wallet to carry.
+
+On and on they journeyed until they came to a great sea.
+
+"How are we to get over this?" asked Loki.
+
+"Swim across it," replied Thor.
+
+And in they all plunged, for Thialfe and Raska were used to a hardy
+life, and so were able to swim with scarcely more weariness than Thor
+and Loki, and were not long in reaching the opposite shore.
+
+"The country does not improve," said Loki, looking round upon the
+desolate plain that lay outstretched between them and the borders of a
+dark forest, which they could just see in the far distance. One or
+two huge rocks thrust their jagged points high into the air, and great
+blocks of stone were scattered about, but there was no sign of herbage
+and not a tree to be seen nearer than the forest belt bounding the
+horizon. Heavy gray clouds were drawing nearer and nearer to the
+dreary earth, and twilight was fast approaching. "It looks not well,"
+answered Thor, "but we must push on and perhaps may find it better
+as we go onward. Besides, night is drawing nigh, and as there are no
+dwellings to be seen we must try to gain the shelter of the forest
+before it is too dark to see where we are going."
+
+So they pushed on, and though they looked to the right hand and to the
+left, soon found that they were in a land where no men lived. There
+was, therefore, nothing to be done but to quicken their speed, in
+order to reach the shelter of the forest. But though they strove
+to the utmost, the twilight deepened into darkness and the darkness
+became so deep by the time they reached the forest, that they only
+knew they had arrived there by Loki's striking his head against a low
+branch, and soon after this Thor cried out:
+
+"Good luck! I have found a house. Follow close after me and we will
+make ourselves comfortable for the night."
+
+For Thor in groping along had come to what he supposed to be a wall of
+solid masonry.
+
+"Where are you?" asked Loki, "for it is so dark that I cannot see
+you."
+
+"Here," answered Thor, stretching out his hand; "take hold and follow
+me."
+
+So Loki clutched Thor's arm, and Thialfe in turn seized the arm of
+Loki, whilst Raska clung to her brother and wished herself safe at
+home in her father's hut.
+
+And thus they groped their way along the wall, seeking to find an
+entrance to the house.
+
+At last Thor found a huge entrance opening into a wide, hall, and
+passing through this they turned to the left into a large room which
+was quite empty, and here, after eating some food, they stretched
+themselves upon the hard floor and wearied out with the day's march,
+soon fell asleep.
+
+But they did not sleep long. Their slumbers were broken by a rumbling
+sound as of a coming earthquake; the walls of the house shook, and
+peals of thunder echoed through the lofty chamber.
+
+Thor sprang up. "We are scarcely safe here," he said; "let us seek
+some other room." Loki jumped up speedily, as did also Thialfe and
+Raska, who were in a great fright, wondering what dreadful thing was
+going to happen to them. They willingly followed Thor, hoping to find
+a safer place.
+
+To the right they saw another room like a long gallery with a huge
+doorway, and into this Loki, Thialfe, and Raska crept, choosing the
+farthest corner of it; but Thor took his stand at the doorway to be on
+the watch if any fresh danger should threaten them.
+
+After a somewhat uncomfortable rest, Loki, Thialfe, and Raska were not
+sorry to find that the day had dawned, though as there were no windows
+in the house, they only knew it by hearing the cock crow.
+
+Thor was better off, for the doorway was so wide that the sunlight
+came pouring in without hindrance. Indeed the huge size of the doorway
+made Thor think that the builder must have given up all hope of ever
+finding a door large enough to fit into it.
+
+He strolled away from the house, and the first thing that he saw was
+a huge giant fast asleep upon the greensward; and now he knew that the
+thunder that had so frightened them in the night had been nothing more
+or less than the loud snoring of the giant.
+
+So wroth was Thor at the thought that such a thing should have made
+him afraid, that he fastened on his belt of strength and drew his
+sword and made towards the giant as though he would kill him on the
+spot.
+
+But the giant, opening his great round eyes, stared so steadily at
+Thor that the god became mazed and could do nothing but stare in
+return.
+
+At last, however, he found voice to ask, "What is your name?"
+
+"My name," said the giant, raising himself on one elbow, thereby
+causing his head to rise so high into the air that Thor thought it was
+taking flight altogether, "is Skrymner; you, I believe, are the god
+Thor?"
+
+"I am," answered the god.
+
+"Do you happen to have picked up my glove?" asked the giant
+carelessly.
+
+Then Thor knew that what he and his companions had taken for a large
+house was only the giant's glove, and from this we may judge how huge
+a giant Skrymner must have been.
+
+Thor made no answer, and Skrymner next asked whither Thor was
+traveling; and when he found that he was journeying to Utgard, offered
+to bear him company, as he too was going to the same place.
+
+Thor accepted the giant's offer, and after eating a hearty meal, all
+were ready for another day's march.
+
+Skrymner showed himself a kindly giant, and insisted upon carrying
+Thor's bag of meal, putting it into his own wallet, which he slung
+across his broad shoulders.
+
+It must have been a strange sight, indeed, to see the great giant
+stalking along with his smaller companions at his heels; and we may
+well marvel how they managed to keep pace with him, or how Thor was
+able to raise his voice to such a pitch as to reach the giant's ears.
+
+Nevertheless all went well, and they trudged cheerfully along, never
+flagging in their talk.
+
+Once Skrymner took Raska on his shoulder, but the height made her so
+giddy that she was glad to come down again and walk quietly by the
+side of Thialfe.
+
+When night overtook them they encamped under one of the great
+oak-trees, for they were not yet out of the bounds of the forest.
+Skrymner, to judge by his loud snoring, fell asleep the moment he lay
+down upon the ground, but Thor and his comrades were not so tired
+as to forget that they had tasted nothing since breakfast time.
+Accordingly they set to work to open the wallet that Skrymner had
+given into their hands before closing his eyes.
+
+But it was no easy task, and with all their efforts they failed to
+open it. Not a knot could they untie, and their fingers were chafed
+and aching.
+
+Neither were they more able to awaken Skyrmner, and Thor's anger waxed
+exceedingly fierce. "You shall pay for this," said he, flinging his
+hammer at the giant.
+
+Skrymner half opened the eye nearest to Thor, and said in a very
+sleepy voice, "Why will the leaves drop off the trees?" And then he
+snored as loudly as before.
+
+Thor picked up his hammer, and approaching nearer drove it into the
+hinder part of the giant's head, who again, half waking up, muttered,
+"How troublesome the dust is!"
+
+Thor was exceedingly astonished at this, but thought nevertheless
+that he would once more make trial of his power; so coming up close
+to Skrymner he struck with such force as to drive the hammer up to the
+handle in the giant's cheek.
+
+Then Skrymner opened both eyes, and lazily lifting his finger to his
+face said, "I suppose there are birds about, for I fancied I felt a
+feather fall."
+
+Now was Thor fairly disconcerted; and the next morning, when the giant
+told him that they must now part, as his road led him another way, he
+was by no means ill-pleased, and he let Skrymner go without so much as
+bidding him "good speed." Skrymner, however, seemed not to notice
+that Thor was glad to be quit of his company, and gave him some very
+friendly advice before he left him.
+
+"If you will take my advice," said the giant, "you will give up this
+thought of visiting Utgard. The people there are all giants of greater
+stature even than I, and they make nothing of little men, such as
+you are. Nay, more, you yourself are likely to fare but badly amongst
+them, for I see that you are rather apt to think too much of yourself
+and to take too much upon you. Be wise while there is time, think of
+what I say, and don't go near the city."
+
+"But I will go there," shouted Thor, almost choked with rage; "I will
+go in spite of all the Joetuns of Joetunheim. None shall hinder me, and
+the giants shall see and wonder at the mighty power of the god Thor."
+
+And as he spoke the rising sun fell full upon the city of Utgard,
+whose huge brazen gates glittered in the sunlight. Even though they
+were so far away, Thor could see how high they were; and as he drew
+nearer, their vast size filled him with amazement; but when he reached
+them his wonder was beyond all words, for he and his companions seemed
+no larger than grasshoppers, in comparison with their height.
+
+The gates were not open, for it was yet early; so Thor and his
+comrades crept through the bars, and entered the city. As they passed
+along the streets the houses were so tall that it was only by crossing
+to the opposite side of the broad road that they were able to see the
+windows in the topmost stories. And the streets were so wide that it
+was quite a journey across them.
+
+Once a mouse darted out of a hole, and Raska screamed, for she thought
+it was a grisly bear. The mouse also shrieked and made much more noise
+than Raska, as well it might, for a cat so huge that Thialfe half
+thought it must be the monster of Midgard seized it, and giving it a
+pat with one of its paws laid it dead on the pavement.
+
+As for the horses, their hoofs were terrible to look at, and Thialfe
+and Raska must have climbed up ladders if they wished to see their
+heads.
+
+The people were quite as large as Skrymner had described and Thor and
+his companions were obliged to be very careful lest they should get
+trodden upon, as it was very doubtful if the people even saw them.
+
+Still Thor walked along with the proud consciousness that he was the
+god Thor; and feeling that though he was so small he was yet a person
+of some importance, made his way to the palace, and desired to see the
+King.
+
+After some little time he and his fellow travelers were ushered into
+the presence of Utgarda Loke, the King of the country. And Utgarda
+Loke, hearing the door open, raised his eyes, thinking to see some
+great courtier enter, but he knew nothing of the bows and greetings of
+Thor, until happening to cast his eyes to the ground, he saw a little
+man with his companions saluting him with much ceremony.
+
+The King had never seen such small men before, and there was something
+so absurd to him in the sight, that he burst out laughing.
+
+And then all the courtiers laughed also, pretending that they had not
+seen the little creatures before.
+
+It was some time before they all left off laughing, but at length
+there was a pause, and Thor essayed to make himself heard.
+
+"Though we are but small in comparison with the Joetuns," said he
+angrily, "we are by no means to be despised, but are gifted with
+powers that may surprise you."
+
+"Really!" answered Utgarda Loke, raising his eyebrows. And then he and
+his courtiers laughed louder than before.
+
+At last there was another pause in their merriment, and the King
+added: "However, we are willing to give the strangers a fair trial in
+order to prove the truth of what their spokesman, whom I take to be
+the god Thor, says. How say you? What can this one do?" And he pointed
+to Loki.
+
+"Please your Majesty, I am very great at eating," returned Loki.
+
+"Nay," answered Utgarda Loke, "you must grow a little before you are
+great at anything."
+
+At which speech the courtiers again shouted with laughter; but Utgarda
+Loke, turning to his servants, bade them make trial of Loki's powers.
+So they brought a great trough full of food, and Loki was placed at
+one end, and a courtier named Loge at the other. They both fell to
+work to devour what was before them, and met at the middle of the
+trough. But it was found that while Loki had eaten the flesh of his
+portion, Loge had eaten, not only the flesh, but the bones also.
+Therefore Loki, was, of course, vanquished.
+
+Then Utgarda Loke turned to Thialfe. "And pray, in what may this youth
+be specially skilled?" he asked.
+
+"I am a swift skater," answered Thialfe.
+
+"Try him," said the King.
+
+And Thialfe was led to a plain of ice, as smooth as glass, and one
+named Hugr was set to run against him. But though Thialfe was the
+swiftest skater ever known in the world, yet Hugr glided past him so
+fleetly that he had returned to the starting-post before Thialfe had
+done more than a quarter of the distance.
+
+Three times did Thialfe match his speed against Hugr, and, three times
+beaten, withdrew from the contest as disconsolate as Loki.
+
+"And now may I ask what you can do yourself?" said the King to Thor.
+
+"I can drain a wine-cup with any one," replied the god.
+
+"Try him," said Utgarda Loke.
+
+And forthwith the royal cupbearer presented a drinking-horn to Thor.
+
+"If you are as great as you pretend to be," said the King, "you will
+drain it at one draught. Some people take two pulls at it, but the
+weakest among us can manage it in three."
+
+Thor took up the horn, and, being very thirsty, took a steady pull at
+it. He thought he had done very well, but on removing it from his lips
+he marveled to see how little had gone.
+
+A second time he took a draught, but the horn was far from being
+emptied.
+
+Again a third time he essayed to drain it, but it was full almost to
+the brim.
+
+Therefore he set it down in despair, and confessed himself unable to
+drain it.
+
+"I am disappointed in you," said Utgarda Loke; "you are not half the
+man I took you for. I see it is no use asking you to do warrior's
+feats; I must try you in a simpler way, in a child's play that we have
+amongst us. You shall try to lift my cat from the ground."
+
+Thor turned quite scarlet, and then became white with rage.
+
+"Are you afraid?" asked Utgarde Loke; "you look so pale."
+
+And a large gray cat came leaping along, and planted itself firmly
+before Thor, showing its sharp claws, and glaring upon him with its
+fiery eyes.
+
+Thor seized it, but in spite of all his efforts he was only able to
+raise one of the cat's paws from the ground.
+
+"Pooh! pooh!" exclaimed Utgarda Loke, "you are a mere baby, fit only
+for the nursery. I believe that my old nurse Hela would be more than a
+match for you. Here, Hela, come and wrestle with the mighty god Thor."
+
+And Utgarda Loke laughed disdainfully.
+
+Forth stepped a decrepit old woman, with lank cheeks and toothless
+jaws. Her eyes were sunken, her brow furrowed, and her scanty locks
+were white as snow.
+
+She advanced towards Thor, and tried to throw him to the ground;
+but though he put forth his whole strength to withstand her, he was
+surprised to find how powerful she was, and that it needed all his
+efforts to keep his feet. For a long time he was successful, but at
+length she brought him down upon one knee, and Thor was obliged to
+acknowledge himself conquered.
+
+Ashamed and mortified, he and his companions withdrew to a lodging
+for the night, and in the morning were making ready to leave the city
+quietly, when Utgarda Loke sent for them.
+
+He made them a splendid feast, and afterwards went with them beyond
+the city gates.
+
+"Now tell me honestly," said he to Thor, "what do you think of your
+success?"
+
+"I am beyond measure astounded and ashamed," replied the god.
+
+"Ha! ha!" laughed Utgarda Loke. "I knew that you were. However, as
+we are well out of the city I don't mind telling you a secret or two.
+Doubtless you will receive a little comfort from my doing so, as you
+confess that your coming hither has been to no purpose.
+
+"In the first place, you have been deceived by enchantments ever since
+you came within the borders of Joetunheim. I am the giant you met with
+on your way hither, and if I had known as much of your power then as
+I do now, you would never have found your way within the walls of
+Utgard.
+
+"Certainly I had had some slight experience of it, for the three blows
+you gave me would have killed me had they fallen upon me. But it was
+not I, but a huge mountain that you struck at; and if you visit it
+again, you will find three valleys cleft in the rocks by the strokes
+of your hammer.
+
+"As for the wallet, I had fastened it with a magic chain, so that you
+need not wonder that you could not open it.
+
+"Loge, with whom Loki strove, was no courtier, but a subtle devouring
+flame that consumed all before it."
+
+Here Loki uttered an exclamation of delight, but Thor bade him be
+silent, and Utgarda Loke went on:
+
+"Thialfe's enemy was Hugr, or Thought, and let man work away as hard
+as he pleases, Thought will still outrun him.
+
+"As for yourself, the end of the drinking-horn, though you did not see
+it, reached the sea, and as fast as you emptied it, it filled again,
+so that you never could have drained it dry. But the next time that
+you stand upon the seashore, you will find how much less the ocean is
+by your draughts.
+
+"The gray cat was no cat, but the great Serpent of Midgard, that
+twines round the world, and you lifted him so high that we were all
+quite frightened.
+
+"But your last feat was the most wonderful of all, for Hela was none
+other than Death. And never did I see any one before over whom Death
+had so little power.
+
+"And now, my friend, go your way, and don't come near my city again,
+for I tell you plainly I do not want you there, and I shall use all
+kinds of enchantment to keep you out of it."
+
+As he ended his speech, Thor raised his hammer, but Utgarda Loke had
+vanished.
+
+"I will return to the city, and be avenged," said Thor.
+
+But lo! the giant city was nowhere to be seen. A fair pasture-land
+spread itself out around him, and through its midst a broad river
+flowed peacefully along.
+
+So Thor and his companions, musing upon their wonderful adventures,
+turned their steps homewards.
+
+
+
+
+THE APPLES OF IDUN
+
+ADAPTED BY HAMILTON WRIGHT MABIE
+
+
+Once upon a time Odin, Loki, and Hoenir started on a journey. They had
+often traveled together before on all sorts of errands, for they had
+a great many things to look after, and more than once they had fallen
+into trouble through the prying, meddlesome, malicious spirit of Loki,
+who was never so happy as when he was doing wrong. When the gods went
+on a journey they traveled fast and hard, for they were strong, active
+spirits who loved nothing so much as hard work, hard blows, storm,
+peril, and struggle. There were no roads through the country over
+which they made their way, only high mountains to be climbed by rocky
+paths, deep valleys into which the sun hardly looked during half the
+year, and swift-rushing streams, cold as ice, and treacherous to the
+surest foot and the strongest arm. Not a bird flew through the air,
+not an animal sprang through the trees. It was as still as a desert.
+The gods walked on and on, getting more tired and hungry at every
+step. The sun was sinking low over the steep, pine-crested mountains,
+and the travelers had neither breakfasted nor dined. Even Odin was
+beginning to feel the pangs of hunger, like the most ordinary mortal,
+when suddenly, entering a little valley, the famished gods came upon a
+herd of cattle. It was the work of a minute to kill a great ox and to
+have the carcass swinging in a huge pot over a roaring fire.
+
+But never were gods so unlucky before! In spite of their hunger, the
+pot would not boil. They piled on the wood until the great flames
+crackled and licked the pot with their fiery tongues, but every time
+the cover was lifted there was the meat just as raw as when it was
+put in. It is easy to imagine that the travelers were not in very good
+humor. As they were talking about it, and wondering how it could be,
+a voice called out from the branches of the oak overhead, "If you will
+give me my fill, I'll make the pot boil."
+
+The gods looked first at each other and then into the tree, and there
+they discovered a great eagle. They were glad enough to get their
+supper on almost any terms, so they told the eagle he might have what
+he wanted if he would only get the meat cooked. The bird was as good
+as his word, and in less time than it takes to tell it supper was
+ready. Then the eagle flew down and picked out both shoulders and both
+legs. This was a pretty large share, it must be confessed, and Loki,
+who was always angry when anybody got more than he, no sooner saw what
+the eagle had taken, than he seized a great pole and began to beat the
+rapacious bird unmercifully. Whereupon a very singular thing happened,
+as singular things always used to happen when the gods were concerned:
+the pole stuck fast in the huge talons of the eagle at one end, and
+Loki stuck fast at the other end. Struggle as he might, he could not
+get loose, and as the great bird sailed away over the tops of the
+trees, Loki went pounding along on the ground, striking against rocks
+and branches until he was bruised half to death.
+
+The eagle was not an ordinary bird by any means, as Loki soon found
+when he begged for mercy. The giant Thjasse happened to be flying
+abroad in his eagle plumage when the hungry travelers came under the
+oak and tried to cook the ox. It was into his hands that Loki had
+fallen, and he was not to get away until he had promised to pay
+roundly for his freedom.
+
+If there was one thing which the gods prized above their other
+treasures in Asgard, it was the beautiful fruit of Idun, kept by the
+goddess in a golden casket and given to the gods to keep them forever
+young and fair. Without these Apples all their power could not have
+kept them from getting old like the meanest of mortals. Without these
+Apples of Idun, Asgard itself would have lost its charm; for what
+would heaven be without youth and beauty forever shining through it?
+
+Thjasse told Loki that he could not go unless he would promise to
+bring the Apples of Idun. Loki was wicked enough for anything;
+but when it came to robbing the gods of their immortality, even he
+hesitated. And while he hesitated the eagle dashed hither and thither,
+flinging him against the sides of the mountains and dragging him
+through the great tough boughs of the oaks until his courage gave out
+entirely, and he promised to steal the Apples out of Asgard and give
+them to the giant.
+
+Loki was bruised and sore enough when he got on his feet again to hate
+the giant who handled him so roughly, with all his heart, but he was
+not unwilling to keep his promise to steal the Apples, if only for
+the sake of tormenting the other gods. But how was it to be done? Idun
+guarded the golden fruit of immortality with sleepless watchfulness.
+No one ever touched it but herself, and a beautiful sight it was to
+see her fair hands spread it forth for the morning feasts in Asgard.
+The power which Loki possessed lay not so much in his own strength,
+although he had a smooth way of deceiving people, as in the goodness
+of others who had no thought of his doing wrong because they never did
+wrong themselves.
+
+Not long after all this happened, Loki came carelessly up to Idun as
+she was gathering her Apples to put them away in the beautiful carven
+box which held them.
+
+"Good morning, goddess," said he. "How fair and golden your Apples
+are!
+
+"Yes," answered Idun; "the bloom of youth keeps them always
+beautiful."
+
+"I never saw anything like them," continued Loki slowly, as if he were
+talking about a matter of no importance, "until the other day."
+
+Idun looked up at once with the greatest interest and curiosity in her
+face. She was very proud of her Apples, and she knew no earthly trees,
+however large and fair, bore the immortal fruit.
+
+"Where have you seen any Apples like them?" she asked.
+
+"Oh, just outside the gates," said Loki indifferently. "If you care to
+see them I'll take you there. It will keep you but a moment. The tree
+is only a little way off."
+
+Idun was anxious to go at once.
+
+"Better take your Apples with you, to compare them with the others,"
+said the wily god, as she prepared to go.
+
+Idun gathered up the golden Apples and went out of Asgard, carrying
+with her all that made it heaven. No sooner was she beyond the gates
+than a mighty rushing sound was heard, like the coming of a tempest,
+and before she could think or act, the giant Thjasse, in his eagle
+plumage, was bearing her swiftly away through the air to his desolate,
+icy home in Thrymheim, where, after vainly trying to persuade her to
+let him eat the Apples and be forever young like the gods, he kept her
+a lonely prisoner.
+
+Loki, after keeping his promise and delivering Idun into the hands of
+the giant, strayed back into Asgard as if nothing had happened. The
+next morning, when the gods assembled for their feast, there was no
+Idun. Day after day went past, and still the beautiful goddess did not
+come. Little by little the light of youth and beauty faded from the
+home of the gods, and they themselves became old and haggard. Their
+strong, young faces were lined with care and furrowed by age, their
+raven locks passed from gray to white, and their flashing eyes became
+dim and hollow. Bragi, the god of poetry, could make no music while
+his beautiful wife was gone he knew not whither.
+
+Morning after morning the faded light broke on paler and ever paler
+faces, until even in heaven the eternal light of youth seemed to be
+going out forever.
+
+Finally the gods could bear the loss of power and joy no longer. They
+made rigorous inquiry. They tracked Loki on that fair morning when he
+led Idun beyond the gates; they seized him and brought him into solemn
+council, and when he read in their haggard faces the deadly hate which
+flamed in all their hearts against his treachery, his courage failed,
+and he promised to bring Idun back to Asgard if the goddess Freyja
+would lend him her falcon guise. No sooner said than done; and with
+eager gaze the gods watched him as he flew away, becoming at last only
+a dark moving speck against the sky.
+
+After long and weary flight Loki came to Thrymheim, and was glad
+enough to find Thjassa gone to sea and Idun alone in his dreary house.
+He changed her instantly into a nut, and taking her thus disguised in
+his talons, flew away as fast as his falcon wings could carry him. And
+he had need of all his speed, for Thjasse, coming suddenly home and
+finding Idun and her precious fruit gone, guessed what had happened,
+and, putting on his eagle plumage, flew forth in a mighty rage, with
+vengeance in his heart. Like the rushing wings of a tempest, his
+mighty pinions beat the air and bore him swiftly onward. From mountain
+peak to mountain peak he measured his wide course, almost grazing at
+times the murmuring pine forests, and then sweeping high in mid-air
+with nothing above but the arching sky, and nothing beneath but the
+tossing sea.
+
+At last he sees the falcon far ahead, and now his flight becomes like
+the flash of the lightning for swiftness, and like the rushing of
+clouds for uproar. The haggard faces of the gods line the walls
+of Asgard and watch the race with tremulous eagerness. Youth and
+immortality are staked upon the winning of Loki. He is weary enough
+and frightened enough, too, as the eagle sweeps on close behind him;
+but he makes desperate efforts to widen the distance between them.
+Little by little the eagle gains on the falcon. The gods grow white
+with fear; they rush off and prepare great fires upon the walls. With
+fainting, drooping wing the falcon passes over and drops exhausted
+by the wall. In an instant the fires have been lighted, and the great
+flames roar to heaven. The eagle sweeps across the fiery line a second
+later and falls, maimed and burned to the ground; where a dozen fierce
+hands smite the life out of him, and the great giant Thjasse perishes
+among his foes.
+
+Idun resumes her natural form as Bragi rushes to meet her. The gods
+crowd round her. She spreads the feast, the golden Apples gleaming
+with unspeakable lustre in the eyes of the gods. They eat; and once
+more their faces glow with the beauty of immortal youth, their eyes
+flash with the radiance of divine power, and, while Idun stands like
+a star for beauty among the throng, the song of Bragi is heard once
+more; for poetry and immortality are wedded again.
+
+
+
+
+THE GIFTS OF THE DWARFS
+
+
+Thor was, you may know, the strongest and noblest of the great giants
+of the north. He was tall in stature and had fiery brown eyes, from
+which the light flashed like lightning, while his long red beard
+waved through the sky as he drove in his goat-drawn chariot. Brilliant
+sparks flew from the hoofs and teeth of the two goats, while a crown
+of bright stars shone above Thor's head. When he was angered the
+wheels of his chariot rumbled and crashed their passage through the
+air, until men trembled and hid, telling each other that Thor had gone
+to battle with the Rime-giants or other of his enemies.
+
+Now Thor's wife was named Sib, and she was most beautiful to look
+upon. Her soft, browny-gold hair was so long and thick that it would
+cover her from the crown of her head to her little feet, and her deep
+brown eyes looked into the faces of her friends as those of a mother
+look into the face of her child. Loki, the mischief-maker among the
+giants, often looked at Sib and longed to do her some evil, for he was
+jealous, thinking that it was not right that she should be praised and
+loved by everyone; go where he would he could find no one who did not
+speak well of her.
+
+It happened one day when the summer was nearly gone that Loki found
+Sib alone and sleeping on a bank near the river, so he drew his knife,
+and creeping softly nearer and nearer, cut off her beautiful flowing
+hair quite close to her head. Then he joyfully rushed away and strewed
+it far and wide over the whole earth, so that it became no longer
+living and golden but faded and turned a dull color as the winds blew
+it about and the rains beat upon it, and crushed it in between the
+rocks and stones. When Sib awoke and was about to push the hair from
+her face, she felt that something was wrong. Wonderingly she ran to
+the water and looking at her reflection in the clear depths, saw that
+nothing but a short stubble stood up all over her head. All her lovely
+hair was gone! Only one would have dared to treat her so badly, and in
+her grief and anger she called upon Thor to come to her aid.
+
+Loki had of course fled and was hiding far away in another country
+among the rocks when he heard the distant rumblings of thunder, and
+tried to shrink deeper into the crevices between the great stones, but
+the awful sound grew louder, and at last the angry flash from Thor's
+eyes darted to the very spot where the mischievous one lay. Then Thor
+pulled him out and shook him from side to side in his enormous hands,
+and would have crushed his bones upon the hard rocks had not Loki
+in great terror asked what good his death would do, for it certainly
+would not bring Sib's hair back. Then Thor set the mischief-maker on
+his feet, though still keeping a tight hold on him, and asked what he
+would do to repair the evil which he had done. Loki promptly answered
+that he would go down into the mountains to the dwarfs, and get
+Iwald's sons to make some golden hair for Sib, as good as that which
+he had destroyed. Now Iwald had had seven sons, and these all
+lived deep below the earth in the great caverns which lie below the
+mountains, and these sons were small and dark; they did not like the
+daylight for they were dwarfs who could see best without the sun to
+dazzle their eyes; they knew where gold and silver grew, and they
+could tell where to find beautiful shining stones, which were red, and
+white, and yellow, and green; they knew the way all over the world by
+running through caverns and passages under the mountains, and wherever
+they could find precious stones or metals they built a furnace, and
+made an anvil, and hammer and bellows, and everything that was wanted
+in a smithy; for they knew how to fashion the most wonderful things
+from gold and iron and stone, and they had knowledge which made them
+more powerful than the people who lived above the ground.
+
+Thor let the mischief-maker go to get the help of the dwarfs to repair
+the wrong which he had done, and Loki sought about the mountain-side
+until he found a hole which would lead him into Iwald's cave, and then
+he promptly dropped into it. There in a dark cave gleaming with many
+sparkling lights he went to the two cleverest dwarfs who were named
+Sindri and Brok, and told them what it was he wanted, adding that he
+would be in sore trouble with Thor if they could not help him. Now
+Sindri and Brok knew all about Loki perfectly well; they knew all
+about his mischievous ways and the evil he so often wrought, but as
+they liked Thor and Sib they were willing to give the help which was
+asked of them. Thus without more ado, for these dwarfs never wasted
+their words, Sindri and Brok began their work.
+
+Huge blocks of earth-brown stone were cast into the furnace until they
+were in a white heat, when drop by drop red gold trickled from them
+into the ashes. This was all gathered together, and the glistening
+heap taken to the dwarf women, who, crushing it in their hands before
+it had hardened, drew it out upon their wheels, and spun it into
+fine soft hair. While they were doing this Brok sought amongst his
+treasures until he found the blue of the ocean and the tough inner
+pith of an underground tree; these, with other things, were cast into
+the furnace, and afterwards beaten with his hammer. As the rhythmic
+strokes fell, the women sang a song which was like the voice of a
+strong, steady wind. Then when this work was finished, the smith drew
+forth a little ship, which was carefully placed on one side. The third
+time the dwarf went to a dark corner, and brought out an ugly bent bar
+of iron, and this, with two feathers from the wings of the wind,
+was heated to melting whiteness, and wrought with great cunning and
+extreme care, for it was to be a spear for Odin himself, the greatest
+of all the heroes.
+
+Then Brok and Sindri called Loki to them and giving him these three
+things bade him hasten back to the gods at Asgard and appease their
+wrath. Loki, however, was already beginning to feel sorry that he had
+been so successful; he liked teasing folk but he did not like having
+to atone for his mischief afterwards. He turned the marvelous gifts
+over scornfully in his hands, and said that he did not see anything
+very wonderful in _them;_ then, looking at Sindri he added, "However,
+Brok has hammered them very skilfully, and I will wager my head that
+you could not make anything better."
+
+Now the brother dwarfs had not by any means expected gratitude,
+but neither had they expected any such rudeness as this, so Sindri
+determined to give Loki a lesson. Going to one corner of the smithy
+he picked up a pig-skin and taking the hammer in his hands, told
+his brother to blow steadily, neither to falter nor to fail until
+he passed the word that the work was done. Then with strength and
+gentleness he wrought with his tools, having cast nothing into the
+heat but the pig-skin; with mighty blows and delicate touches he
+brought thickness and substance into it, until a board looked at him
+from the flames. Loki, fearing for his head, changed himself into an
+enormous forest fly, and settling upon Brok's hand, stung with vicious
+fury; but the dwarf would not trouble to brush the fly away, and
+steadily moved the bellows until his brother called to him to stop,
+when they drew forth a strong flexible boar whose bristles were of the
+finest gold.
+
+Then without saying anything or paying any attention to the spiteful
+words which Loki kept uttering, Sindri chose from a heap of gold the
+most solid lump he could find and flung it into the white flames.
+Thrice it was heated and cooled, and the dark elf turned it and worked
+it with wonderful skill, and in the glow Loki saw a broad red ring,
+which seemed to live and move. Again he tried to spoil the work as a
+fly, and bit deeply into Brok's neck, but Brok would not so much as
+raise his hand to rid him of the pain. When the ring was finally laid
+to cool, so marvelously had it been wrought that from it each ninth
+night would fall eight rings as beautiful as itself.
+
+Now came the last test of Sindri's cunning. He cast into the furnace
+a piece of fine iron, and told Brok his hand must neither tremble
+nor stay, or the whole of their work would be useless. Then with wild
+songs of strength upon his lips he hammered and tapped, until those
+who were in the cave felt that they were out among the roaring waves;
+they could hear the ice mountains grind and crash to pieces, and
+the thunder of Thor's chariot wheels rushing through the heavens. A
+frenzied horror seized upon Loki's mind. If these wretched dwarfs were
+going to make anything to add to Thor's strength he knew that it would
+be his own ruin. So, changing himself to a hornet, he sprang upon the
+forehead of Brok, and dug so fiercely into his eyelids that the blood
+trickled down and blinded him. Then the dwarf let go of the bellows
+for one moment to clear his eyes, and Sindri cried out that what lay
+in the furnace came near to being spoiled, and with that he took
+a red-hot hammer up with his tongs. It was neither pretty, nor
+particularly large, while the handle was an inch too short because of
+Loki's spite.
+
+Then Brok and Loki set out for Asgard, Loki carrying the three
+wonderful things which had been given to him, while Brok carried the
+three marvels which Sindri had so cunningly wrought and accompanied
+the mischief-maker, that the gods might judge who had won the wager
+so rashly offered by Loki. When they reached Asgard the gods seated
+themselves on their high seats agreeing among themselves that Odin,
+Thor and Frey should be judges in this case.
+
+First, Loki offered to Odin the spear Gungner which was so wonderfully
+made that it never failed to hit the thing at which it was thrown, and
+it always sped back to the hand which had thrown it. Later, when Odin
+carried this spear in battle, if he shook it over his enemies they
+became so frightened that they all wanted to run away, but if he shook
+it over his friends they were so filled with courage that they could
+not be conquered. Then Thor received the hair, and when it was placed
+upon Sib's head it grew to her like living tresses, curling and waving
+in the wind. To Frey the ship was given, and though it was so small
+that it could be folded and carried in his pocket, when it was placed
+upon the waves it would grow large enough to hold an army of warriors
+with all their war gear; besides, as soon as the sails were hoisted,
+the wind would blow it whithersoever it was desired that the ship
+should go.
+
+Brok then made his offerings, and to Odin he gave the ring Drapnir
+which had been made with such magic skill that every ninth night eight
+other rings dropped off it, though no one could see how they came;
+this the greatest of the gods ever wore upon his arm, until the death
+of his beautiful son Baldur, when, as token of his great love he
+placed it upon the dead youth's breast as he lay on his funeral pyre.
+To Frey was given the golden boar, which would run faster than any
+horse, over the sea or through the air, and wherever it went, there it
+would be light, because the bristles shone so brightly. To Thor Brok
+gave the dull-looking hammer, saying, that whatever he struck with it
+would be destroyed; that no blow could be hard enough to hurt it; that
+if he threw it, it would return to him so that he could never lose it;
+and that as he wished so would its size be--yet there was one fault
+about it, and that was that the handle was an inch too short.
+
+It was with great joy that Thor took this treasure, knowing that in it
+he had something to help him in fighting the evil Rime-giants who were
+always trying to get the whole world for themselves until driven back
+by him.
+
+Then the gods decided that of all the gifts the hammer was the best,
+and that, therefore, Loki had lost his wager and must lose his head.
+Loki offered to give all sorts of things to save himself, but the
+dwarf would not listen to any of them. "Catch me, then!" cried the
+mischievous one; but when Brok stretched his hand upon him Loki had
+gone, for he wore shoes which would carry him over the sea or through
+the air.
+
+"Catch him!" cried the ugly little dwarf piteously to Thor, and in an
+instant Loki stood before them, trembling in Thor's strong grasp.
+Then the clever one argued that it was his head only which had been
+wagered, and that not one little tiny bit of his neck might be taken,
+or the dwarf would have more than his bargain. At this Brok cried
+impatiently that the head of a wicked person was of no use to him, all
+that he wanted was to stop Loki's tongue so that he could work less
+evil, and he took a knife and thread and tried to pierce holes in
+Loki's lips, but Loki bewitched the knife so that it would not cut.
+
+"If only I had Sindri's awl," sighed the dwarf, and instantly his
+brother's awl was in his hand. Swiftly it pierced the lips of the
+mischief-maker, and swiftly Brok sewed them together and broke off the
+thread at the end of the sewing.
+
+Then the gods gave presents for the dwarfs in return for their
+wonderful things, and Brok returned to his cave. As for Loki, it
+was not long before he loosed his lips and returned to his
+mischief-making.
+
+
+
+
+THE PUNISHMENT OF LOKI
+
+ADAPTED FROM A. AND E. KEARY'S VERSION
+
+
+After the death of Baldur, Loki never again ventured to intrude
+himself into the presence of the gods. He knew well enough that he had
+now done what could never be forgiven him, and that, for the future,
+he must bend all his cunning and vigilance to the task of hiding
+himself from the gaze of those whom he had so injured, and escaping
+the just punishment he had brought upon himself.
+
+"The world is large, and I am very clever," said Loki to himself, as
+he turned his back upon Asgard, and wandered out into Manheim; "there
+is no end to the thick woods, and no measure for the deep waters;
+neither is there any possibility of counting the various forms under
+which I shall disguise myself. Odin will never be able to find me; I
+have no cause to fear." But though Loki repeated this over and over
+again to himself, he _was_ afraid.
+
+He wandered far into the thick woods, and covered himself with the
+deep waters; he climbed to the tops of misty hills, and crouched in
+the dark of hollow caves; but above the wood, and through the water,
+and down into the darkness, a single ray of calm, clear light seemed
+always to follow him, and he knew that it came from the eye of Odin
+who was watching him from Air Throne.
+
+Then he tried to escape the watchful eye by disguising himself under
+various shapes. Sometimes he was an eagle on a lonely mountain-crag;
+sometimes he hid himself as one among a troop of timid reindeer;
+sometimes he lay in the nest of a wood-pigeon; sometimes he swam, a
+bright-spotted fish, in the sea; but, wherever he was, among living
+creatures, or alone with dead nature, everything seemed to know him,
+and to find a voice in which to say to him, "You are Loki, and you
+have killed Baldur." Air, earth, or water, there was no rest for him
+anywhere.
+
+Tired at last of seeking what he could nowhere find, Loki built
+himself a house near a narrow, glittering river which, lower down
+flashed from a high rock into the sea below. He took care that his
+house should have four doors in it, that he might look out on every
+side and catch the first glimpse of the gods when they came, as he
+knew they would come, to take him away. Here his wife, Siguna, and his
+two sons, Ali and Nari, came to live with him.
+
+Siguna was a kind woman, far too good and kind for Loki. She felt
+sorry for him now that she saw he was in great fear, and that every
+living thing had turned against him, and she would have hidden him
+from the just anger of the gods if she could; but the two sons cared
+little about their father's dread and danger; they spent all their
+time in quarreling with each other; and their loud, angry voices,
+sounding above the waterfall, would speedily have betrayed the
+hiding-place, even if Odin's piercing eye had not already found it
+out.
+
+At last, one day when he was sitting in the middle of his house
+looking alternately out of all the four doors and amusing himself as
+well as he could by making a fishing-net, he spied in the distance
+the whole company of the gods approaching his house. The sight of them
+coming all together--beautiful, and noble, and free--pierced Loki
+with a pang that was worse than death. He rose without daring to look
+again, threw his net on a fire that burned on the floor, and, rushing
+to the side of the little river, he turned himself into a salmon,
+swam down to the deepest, stillest pool at the bottom, and hid himself
+between two stones. The gods entered the house, and looked all round
+in vain for Loki, till Kvasir, one of Odin's sons, famous for his keen
+sight, spied out the remains of the fishing-net in the fire; then Odin
+knew at once that there was a river near, and that it was there where
+Loki had hidden himself. He ordered his sons to make a new net, and to
+cast it into the water, and drag out whatever living thing they could
+find there. It was done as he desired. Thor held one end of the net,
+and all the rest of the gods drew the other through the water. When
+they pulled it up the first time, however, it was empty, and they
+would have gone away disappointed had not Kvasir, looking earnestly at
+the meshes of the net, saw that something living had certainly touched
+them. They then added a weight to the net, and threw it with such
+force that it reached the bottom of the river, and dragged up the
+stones in the pool.
+
+Loki now saw the danger he was in of being caught in the net, and, as
+there was no other way of escape, he rose to the surface, swam down
+the river as quickly as he could, and leaped over the net into the
+waterfall. He swam and leaped quick as a flash of lightning, but not
+so quickly but that the gods saw him, knew him through his disguise,
+and resolved that he should no longer escape. They themselves divided
+into two bands. Thor waded down the river to the waterfall; the other
+gods stood in a group below. Loki swam backwards and forwards between
+them. First he thought he would dart out into the sea, and then that
+he would spring over the net back again into the river. This last
+seemed the easiest way of escape, and with the greatest speed he
+attempted it. Thor, however, was watching for him, and as soon as Loki
+leaped out of the water he stretched out his hand and caught him
+while he was yet turning in the air. Loki wriggled his slippery, slimy
+length through Thor's fingers; but the Thunderer grasped him tightly
+by the tail, and, holding him in this manner in this hand, waded
+to the shore. There Father Odin and the other gods met him; and, at
+Odin's first searching look, Loki was obliged to drop his disguise,
+and, cowering and frightened, to assume his proper shape before the
+assembled lords. One by one they turned their faces from him; for, in
+looking at him, they seemed to see over again the death of Baldur the
+Beloved.
+
+You were told that there were high rocks looking over the sea near
+Loki's house. One of these, higher than the rest, had midway four
+projecting stones, and to these the gods resolved to bind Loki so that
+he should never again be able to torment the inhabitants of Manheim or
+Asgard by his evil-doings. Thor proposed to return to Asgard, to bring
+a chain with which to bind the prisoner; but Odin assured him that
+he had no need to take such a journey. "Loki," he said, "has already
+forged for himself a chain stronger than any you can make. While
+we have been occupied in catching him, his two sons, Ali and Nari,
+transformed into wolves by their evil passions, have fought with and
+destroyed each other. With their sinews we must make a chain to bind
+their father, and from that he can never escape."
+
+It was done as Asa Odin said. A rope was made of the dead wolves'
+sinews, and as soon as it touched Loki's body it turned into bands of
+iron and bound him immovably to the rock. Secured in this manner the
+gods left him.
+
+[Illustration: THE PUNISHMENT OF LOKI.]
+
+But his punishment did not end here. A snake, whose fangs dropped
+poison, glided to the top of the rock and leaned his head over to peer
+at Loki. The eyes of the two met and fixed each other. The serpent
+could never move away afterwards; but every moment a burning drop from
+his tongue fell down on Loki's shuddering face.
+
+In all the world there was only one who pitied him. His kind wife ever
+afterwards stood beside him and held a cup over his head to catch the
+poison. When the cup was full, she was obliged to turn away to empty
+it, and the deadly drops fell again on Loki's face. He shuddered and
+shrank from them, and the whole earth trembled. So will he lie bound
+till the Twilight of the Gods be here.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+MYTHS OF INDIA
+
+
+
+
+THE BLIND MAN, THE DEAF MAN, AND THE DONKEY
+
+ADAPTED BY M. FRERE
+
+
+A Blind Man and a Deaf Man once entered into partnership. The Deaf Man
+was to see for the Blind Man, and the Blind Man was to hear for the
+Deaf Man.
+
+One day they went together to an entertainment where there was music
+and dancing. The Deaf Man said: "The dancing is very good, but the
+music is not worth listening to"; and the Blind Man said: "On the
+contrary, I think the music very good, but the dancing is not worth
+looking at."
+
+After this they went together for a walk in the jungle, and there
+found a washerman's Donkey that had strayed away from its owner, and a
+great big kettle (such as washermen boil clothes in), which the Donkey
+was carrying with him.
+
+The Deaf Man said to the Blind Man: "Brother, here are a Donkey and
+a washerman's great big kettle, with nobody to own them! Let us take
+them with us--they may be useful to us some day." "Very well," said
+the Blind Man; "we will take them with us." So the Blind Man and the
+Deaf Man went on their way, taking the Donkey and the great big kettle
+with them. A little farther on they came to an ant's nest, and the
+Deaf Man said to the Blind Man: "Here are a number of very fine black
+ants, much larger than any I ever saw before. Let us take some of them
+home to show our friends." "Very well," answered the Blind Man; "we
+will take them as a present to our friends." So the Deaf Man took a
+silver snuff-box out of his pocket, and put four or five of the finest
+black ants into it; which done, they continued their journey.
+
+But before they had gone very far a terrible storm came on. It
+thundered and lightened and rained and blew with such fury that it
+seemed as if the whole heavens' and earth were at war. "Oh dear! oh
+dear!" cried the Deaf Man, "how dreadful this lightning is! Let us
+make haste and get to some place of shelter." "I don't see that it's
+dreadful at all," answered the blind Man; "but the thunder is very
+terrible; we had better certainly seek some place of shelter."
+
+Now, not far off was a lofty building, which looked exactly like a
+fine temple. The Deaf Man saw it, and he and the Blind Man resolved to
+spend the night there; and having reached the place, they went in and
+shut the door, taking the Donkey and the great big kettle with them.
+But this building, which they mistook for a temple was in truth no
+temple at all, but the house of a very powerful Rakshas or ogre; and
+hardly had the Blind Man, the Deaf Man, and the Donkey got inside and
+fastened the door, than the Rakshas, who had been out, returned home.
+To his surprise, he found the door fastened and heard people moving
+about inside his house. "Ho! ho!" cried he to himself, "some men have
+got in here, have they? I'll soon make mince-meat of them." So he
+began to roar in a voice louder than the thunder, and to cry: "Let me
+into my house this minute, you wretches; let me in, let me in, I say,"
+and to kick the door and batter it with his great fists. But though
+his voice was very powerful, his appearance was still more alarming,
+insomuch that the Deaf Man, who was peeping at him through a chink in
+the wall, felt so frightened that he did not know what to do. But the
+Blind Man was very brave (because he couldn't see), and went up to
+the door and called out: "Who are you, and what do you mean by coming
+battering at the door in this way at this time of night?"
+
+"I'm a Rakshas," answered the Rakshas angrily, "and this is my house.
+Let me in this instant or I'll kill you." All this time the Deaf Man,
+who was watching the Rakshas, was shivering and shaking in a terrible
+fright, but the Blind Man was very brave (because he couldn't see),
+and he called out again: "Oh, you're a Rakshas, are you? Well, if
+you're Rakshas, I'm Bakshas; and Bakshas is as good as Rakshas."
+
+"Bakshas!" roared the Rakshas. "Bakshas! Bakshas! What nonsense is
+this? There is no such creature as a Bakshas!" "Go away," replied the
+Blind Man, "and don't dare to make any further disturbance, lest I
+punish you with a vengeance; for know that I'm Bakshas, and Bakshas
+is Rakshas's father." "My father?" answered the Rakshas. "Heavens and
+earth! Bakshas, and my father! I never heard such an extraordinary
+thing in my life. You my father; and in there! I never knew my father
+was called Bakshas!"
+
+"Yes," replied the Blind Man; "go away instantly, I command you, for
+I am your father Bakshas." "Very well," answered the Rakshas (for he
+began to get puzzled and frightened); "but if you are my father, let
+me first see your face." (For he thought: "Perhaps they are deceiving
+me.") The Blind Man and the Deaf Man didn't know what to do; but at
+last they opened the door a very tiny chink and poked the Donkey's
+nose out. When the Rakshas saw it he thought to himself: "Bless me,
+what a terribly ugly face my father Bakshas has!" He then called out:
+"O father Bakshas, you have a very big, fierce face; but people have
+sometimes very big heads and very little bodies. Pray let me see your
+body as well as head before I go away." Then the Blind Man and the
+Deaf Man rolled the washerman's great big kettle with a thundering
+noise past the chink in the door, and the Rakshas, who was watching
+attentively, was very much surprised when he saw this great black
+thing rolling along the floor, and he thought: "In truth, my father
+Bakshas has a very big body as well as a big head. He's big enough to
+eat me up altogether. I'd better go away." But still he could not help
+being a little doubtful, so he cried: "O Bakshas, father Bakshas! you
+have indeed got a very big head and a very big body; but do, before
+I go away, let me hear you scream," for all Rakshas scream fearfully.
+Then the cunning Deaf Man (who was getting less frightened) pulled the
+silver snuff-box out of his pocket, and took the black ants out of it,
+and put one black ant in the Donkey's right ear, and another black ant
+in the Donkey's left ear, and another and another. The ants pinched
+the poor Donkey's ears dreadfully, and the Donkey was so hurt and
+frightened he began to bellow as loud as he could: "Eh augh! eh augh!
+eh augh! augh! augh!" and at this terrible noise the Rakshas fled away
+in a great fright, saying: "Enough, enough, father Bakshas! the sound
+of your voice would make the most refractory obedient." And no sooner
+had he gone than the Deaf Man took the ants out of the Donkey's ears,
+and he and the Blind Man spent the rest of the night in peace and
+comfort.
+
+Next morning the Deaf Man woke the Blind Man early, saying: "Awake,
+brother, awake: here we are indeed in luck! The whole floor is covered
+with heaps of gold and silver and precious stones." And so it was, for
+the Rakshas owned a vast amount of treasure, and the whole house was
+full of it. "That is a good thing," said the Blind Man. "Show me where
+it is and I will help you to collect it." So they collected as much
+treasure as possible and made four great bundles of it. The Blind Man
+took one great bundle, the Deaf Man took another, and, putting the
+other two great bundles on the Donkey, they started off to return
+home. But the Rakshas, whom they had frightened away the night before,
+had not gone very far off, and was waiting to see what his father
+Bakshas might look like by daylight. He saw the door of his house open
+and watched attentively, when out walked--only a Blind Man, a Deaf
+Man, and a Donkey, who were all three laden with large bundles of
+his treasure. The Blind Man carried one bundle, the Deaf Man carried
+another bundle, and two bundles were on the Donkey.
+
+The Rakshas was extremely angry, and immediately called six of his
+friends to help him kill the Blind Man, the Deaf Man, and the Donkey,
+and recover the treasure.
+
+The Deaf Man saw them coming (seven great Rakshas, with hair a yard
+long and tusks like an elephant's), and was dreadfully frightened;
+but the Blind Man was very brave (because he couldn't see), and said:
+"Brother, why do you lag behind in that way?" "Oh!" answered the Deaf
+Man, "there are seven great Rakshas with tusks like an elephant's
+coming to kill us! What can we do?" "Let us hide the treasure in the
+bushes," said the Blind Man; "and do you lead me to a tree; then I
+will climb up first, and you shall climb up afterward, and so we shall
+be out of their way." The Deaf Man thought this good advice; so he
+pushed the Donkey and the bundles of treasure into the bushes, and led
+the Blind Man to a high soparee-tree that grew close by; but he was a
+very cunning man, this Deaf Man, and instead of letting the Blind Man
+climb up first and following him, he got up first and let the Blind
+Man clamber after, so that he was farther out of harm's way than his
+friend.
+
+When the Rakshas arrived at the place and saw them both perched out of
+reach in the soparee-tree, he said to his friends: "Let us get on each
+other's shoulders; we shall then be high enough to pull them down." So
+one Rakshas stooped down, and the second got on his shoulders, and
+the third on his, and the fourth on his, and the fifth on his, and the
+sixth on his; and the seventh and the last Rakshas (who had invited
+all the others) was just climbing up when the Deaf Man (who was
+looking over the Blind Man's shoulder) got so frightened that in his
+alarm he caught hold of his friend's arm, crying: "They're coming,
+they're coming!" The Blind Man was not in a very secure position, and
+was sitting at his ease, not knowing how close the Rakshas were. The
+consequence was, that when the Deaf Man gave him this unexpected push,
+he lost his balance and tumbled down on to the neck of the seventh
+Rakshas, who was just then climbing up. The Blind Man had no idea
+where he was, but thought he had got on to the branch of some other
+tree; and, stretching out his hand for something to catch hold of,
+caught hold of the Rakshas's two great ears, and pinched them very
+hard in his surprise and fright. The Rakshas couldn't think what it
+was that had come tumbling down upon him; and the weight of the Blind
+Man upsetting his balance, down he also fell to the ground, knocking
+down in their turn the sixth, fifth, fourth, third, second, and first
+Rakshas, who all rolled one over another, and lay in a confused heap
+at the foot of the tree together.
+
+Meanwhile the Blind Man called out to his friend: "Where am I? What
+has happened? Where am I? Where am I?" The Deaf Man (who was safe up
+in the tree) answered: "Well done, brother! never fear! never fear!
+You're all right, only hold on tight. I'm coming down to help you."
+But he had not the least intention of leaving his place of safety.
+However, he continued to call out: "Never mind, brother; hold on as
+tight as you can. I'm coming, I'm coming," and the more he called out,
+the harder the Blind Man pinched the Rakshas's ears, which he mistook
+for some kind of palm branches.
+
+The six other Rakshas, who had succeeded, after a good deal of
+kicking, in extricating themselves from their unpleasant position,
+thought they had had quite enough of helping their friend, and ran
+away as fast as they could; and the seventh, thinking from their going
+that the danger must be greater than he imagined, and being, moreover,
+very much afraid of the mysterious creature that sat on his shoulders,
+put his hands to the back of his ears and pushed off the Blind Man,
+and then, (without staying to see who or what he was) followed his six
+companions as fast as he could.
+
+As soon as all the Rakshas were out of sight, the Deaf Man came down
+from the tree, and, picking up the Blind Man, embraced him, saying:
+"I could not have done better myself. You have frightened away all our
+enemies, but you see I came to help you as fast as possible." He then
+dragged the Donkey and the bundles of treasure out of the bushes, gave
+the Blind Man one bundle to carry, took the second himself, and put
+the remaining two on the Donkey, as before. This done, the whole party
+set off to return home. But when they had got nearly out of the jungle
+the Deaf Man said to the Blind Man: "We are now close to the village;
+but if we take all this treasure home with us, we shall run great risk
+of being robbed. I think our best plan would be to divide it equally;
+then you can take care of your half and I will take care of mine, and
+each one can hide his share here in the jungle, or wherever pleases
+him best." "Very well," said the Blind Man; "do you divide what we
+have in the bundles into two equal portions, keeping one half yourself
+and giving me the other." The cunning Deaf Man, however, had no
+intention of giving up half of the treasure to the Blind Man; so he
+first took his own bundle of treasure and hid it in the bushes,
+and then he took the two bundles off the Donkey and hid them in the
+bushes; and he took a good deal of treasure out of the Blind Man's
+bundle, which he also hid. Then, taking the small quantity that
+remained, he divided it into two equal portions, and placing half
+before the Blind Man and half in front of himself, said: "There,
+brother, is your share to do what you please with." The Blind Man put
+out his hand, but when he felt what a very little heap of treasure
+it was, he got very angry, and cried: "This is not fair--you are
+deceiving me; you have kept almost all the treasure for yourself and
+only given me a very little." "Oh, oh! how can you think so?" answered
+the Deaf Man; "but if you will not believe me, feel for yourself. See,
+my heap of treasure is no larger than yours."
+
+The Blind Man put out his hands again to feel how much his friend
+had kept; but in front of the Deaf Man lay only a very small heap, no
+larger than what he had himself received. At this he got very cross,
+and said: "Come, come, this won't do. You think you can cheat me in
+this way because I am blind; but I'm not so stupid as all that, I
+carried a great bundle of treasure, you carried a great bundle of
+treasure, and there were two great bundles on the Donkey. Do you mean
+to pretend that all that made no more treasure than these two little
+heaps! No, indeed; I know better than that." "Stuff and nonsense!"
+answered the Deaf Man. "Stuff or no stuff," continued the other, "you
+are trying to take me in, and I won't be taken in by you." "No, I'm
+not," said the Deaf Man. "Yes, you are," said the Blind Man; and so
+they went on bickering, scolding, growling, contradicting, until the
+Blind Man got so enraged that he gave the Deaf Man a tremendous box on
+the ear. The blow was so violent that it made the Deaf Man hear! The
+Deaf Man, very angry, gave his neighbor in return so hard a blow in
+the face that it opened the Blind Man's eyes!
+
+So the Deaf Man could hear as well as see, and the Blind Man could see
+as well as hear! This astonished them both so much that they became
+good friends at once. The Deaf Man confessed to have hidden the bulk
+of the treasure, which he thereupon dragged forth from its place of
+concealment, and having divided it equally, they went home and enjoyed
+themselves.
+
+
+
+
+HARISARMAN
+
+
+There was in a certain village, a certain Brahman named Harisarman.
+He was poor and foolish and unhappy for want of employment, and he had
+very many children. He wandered about begging with his family, and
+at last he reached a certain city, and entered the service of a
+rich householder called Sthuladatta. His sons became keepers of
+Sthuladatta's cows and other property, and his wife a servant to
+him, and he himself lived near his house, performing the duty of an
+attendant. One day there was a feast on account of the marriage of
+the daughter of Sthuladatta, largely attended by many friends of the
+bridegroom and merry-makers. Harisarman hoped that he would be able to
+fill himself up to the throat with oil and flesh and other dainties,
+and get the same for his family, in the house of his patron. While he
+was anxiously expecting to be fed, no one thought of him.
+
+Then he was distressed at getting nothing to eat, and he said to his
+wife at night: "It is owing to my poverty and stupidity that I am
+treated with such disrespect here; so I will pretend by means of an
+artifice to possess a knowledge of magic, so that I may become
+an object of respect to this Sthuladatta; so, when you get an
+opportunity, tell him that I possess magical knowledge." He said this
+to her, and after turning the matter over in his mind, while people
+were asleep he took away from the house of Sthuladatta a horse on
+which his master's son-in-law rode. He placed it in concealment at
+some distance, and in the morning the friends of the bridegroom could
+not find the horse, though they searched in every direction. Then,
+while Sthuladatta was distressed at the evil omen, and searching for
+the thieves who had carried off the horse, the wife of Harisarman came
+and said to him: "My husband is a wise man, skilled in astrology and
+magical sciences; he can get the horse back for you--why do you not
+ask him?" When Sthuladatta heard that, he called Harisarman, who said,
+"Yesterday I was forgotten, but to-day, now the horse is stolen, I
+am called to mind;" and Sthuladatta then propitiated the Brahman with
+these words: "I forgot you, forgive me," and asked him to tell him
+who had taken away their horse. Then Harisarman drew all kinds of
+pretended diagrams, and said: "The horse has been placed by thieves
+on the boundary line south from this place. It is concealed there, and
+before it is carried off to a distance, as it will be at close of
+day, go quickly and bring it." When they heard that, many men ran and
+brought the horse quickly, praising the discernment of Harisarman.
+Then Harisarman was honored by all men as a sage, and dwelt there in
+happiness, honored by Sthuladatta.
+
+Now, as days went on, much treasure, both of gold and jewels, had been
+stolen by a thief from the palace of the King. As the thief was
+not known, the King quickly summoned Harisarman on account of his
+reputation for knowledge of magic. And he, when summoned, tried to
+gain time, and said: "I will tell you to-morrow," and then he was
+placed in a chamber by the King and carefully guarded. And he was sad
+because he had pretended to have knowledge. Now, in that palace there
+was a maid named Jihva (which means Tongue), who, with the assistance
+of her brother, had stolen that treasure from the interior of the
+palace. She, being alarmed at Harisarman's knowledge, went at night
+and applied her ear to the door of that chamber in order to find out
+what he was about. And Harisarman, who was alone inside, was at that
+very moment blaming his own tongue, that had made a vain assumption
+of knowledge. He said: "Oh, tongue, what is this that you have done
+through your greediness? Wicked one, you will soon receive punishment
+in full." When Jihva heard this, she thought, in her terror, that she
+had been discovered by this wise man, and she managed to get in where
+he was, and, falling at his feet, she said to the supposed wizard:
+"Brahman, here I am, that Jihva whom you have discovered to be the
+thief of the treasure, and after I took it I buried it in the earth in
+a garden behind the palace, under a pomegranate tree. So spare me, and
+receive the small quantity of gold which is in my possession."
+
+When Harisarman heard that, he said to her proudly: "Depart, I
+know all this; I know the past, present, and future, but I will not
+denounce you, a miserable creature that has implored my protection.
+But whatever gold is in your possession you must give back to me."
+When he said this to the maid, she consented, and departed quickly.
+But Harisarman reflected in his astonishment: "Fate brings about, as
+if in sport, things impossible; for, when calamity was so near, who
+would have thought chance would have brought us success? While I was
+blaming my jihva, the thief Jihva suddenly flung herself at my feet.
+Secret crimes manifest themselves by means of fear." Thus thinking, he
+passed the night happily in the chamber. And in the morning he brought
+the King, by some skilful parade of pretended knowledge, into the
+garden and led him up to the treasure, which was buried under the
+pomegranate tree, and said the thief had escaped with a part of it.
+Then the King was pleased, and gave him the revenue of many villages.
+
+But the minister, named Devajnanin, whispered in the King's ear: "How
+can a man possess such knowledge unattainable by men without having
+studied the books of magic? You may be certain that this is a specimen
+of the way he makes a dishonest livelihood, by having a secret
+intelligence with thieves. It will be much better to test him by
+some new artifice." Then the King of his own accord brought a covered
+pitcher into which he had thrown a frog, and said to Harisarman:
+"Brahman, if you can guess what there is in this pitcher, I will do
+you great honor to-day." When the Brahman Harisarman heard that, he
+thought that his last hour had come, and he called to mind the pet
+name of "Froggie," which his father had given him in his childhood in
+sport; and, impelled by luck, he called to himself by his pet name,
+lamenting his hard fate, and suddenly called out: "This is a fine
+pitcher for you, Froggie; it will soon become the swift destroyer of
+your helpless self." The people there, when they heard him say that,
+raised a shout of applause, because his speech chimed in so well with
+the object presented to him, and murmured: "Ah! a great sage; he knows
+even about the frog!" Then the King, thinking that this was all due to
+knowledge of divination, was highly delighted, and gave Harisarman the
+revenue of more villages, with gold, an umbrella, and state carriages
+of all kinds. So Harisarman prospered in the world.
+
+
+
+
+WHY THE FISH LAUGHED
+
+
+As a certain fisherwoman passed by a palace crying her fish, the Queen
+appeared at one of the windows and beckoned her to come near and
+show what she had. At that moment a very big fish jumped about in the
+bottom of the basket.
+
+"Is it a he or a she?" inquired the Queen. "I wish to purchase a
+she-fish."
+
+On hearing this the fish laughed aloud.
+
+"It's a he," replied the fisherwoman, and proceeded on her rounds.
+
+The Queen returned to her room in a great rage; and on coming to see
+her in the evening, the King noticed that something had disturbed her.
+
+"Are you indisposed?" he said.
+
+"No; but I am very much annoyed at the strange behavior of a fish. A
+woman brought me one to-day, and on my inquiring whether it was a male
+or female, the fish laughed most rudely."
+
+"A fish laugh! Impossible! You must be dreaming."
+
+"I am not a fool. I speak of what I have seen with my own eyes and
+have heard with my own ears."
+
+"Passing strange! Be it so. I will inquire concerning it."
+
+On the morrow the King repeated to his vizier what his wife had
+told him, and bade him investigate the matter, and be ready with a
+satisfactory answer within six months, on pain of death. The vizier
+promised to do his best, though he felt almost certain of failure. For
+five months he labored indefatigably to find a reason for the laughter
+of the fish. He sought everywhere and from every one. The wise and
+learned, and they who were skilled in magic and in all manner of
+trickery, were consulted. Nobody, however, could explain the matter;
+and so he returned broken-hearted to his house, and began to arrange
+his affairs in prospect of certain death, for he had had sufficient
+experience of the King to know that his Majesty would not go back from
+his threat. Among other things, he advised his son to travel for a
+time, until the King's anger should have somewhat cooled.
+
+The young fellow, who was both clever and handsome, started off
+whithersoever fate might lead him. He had been gone some days, when
+he fell in with an old farmer, who also was on a journey to a certain
+village. Finding the old man very pleasant, he asked him if he might
+accompany him, professing to be on a visit to the same place. The old
+farmer agreed, and they walked along together. The day was hot, and
+the way was long and weary.
+
+"Don't you think it would be pleasanter if you and I sometimes gave
+each other a lift?" said the youth.
+
+"What a fool the man is!" thought the old farmer.
+
+Presently they passed through a field of corn ready for the sickle,
+and looking like a sea of gold as it waved to and fro in the breeze.
+
+"Is this eaten or not?" said the young man.
+
+Not understanding his meaning, the old man replied, "I don't know."
+
+After a little while the two travelers arrived at a big village, where
+the young man gave his companion a clasp-knife, and said, "Take this,
+friend, and get two horses with it; but mind and bring it back, for it
+is very precious."
+
+The old man, looking half amused and half angry, pushed back the
+knife, muttering something to the effect that his friend was either a
+fool himself, or else trying to play the fool with him. The young man
+pretended not to notice his reply, and remained almost silent till
+they reached the city, a short distance outside which was the old
+farmer's house. They walked about the bazaar and went to the mosque,
+but nobody saluted them or invited them to come in and rest.
+
+"What a large cemetery!" exclaimed the young man.
+
+"What does the man mean," thought the old farmer, "calling this
+largely populated city a cemetery?"
+
+On leaving the city their way led through a graveyard where a few
+people were praying beside a tomb and distributing _chapatis_ and
+_kulchas_ to passers-by, in the name of their beloved dead. They
+beckoned to the two travelers and gave them as much as they would.
+
+"What a splendid city this is!" said the young man.
+
+"Now, the man must surely be demented!" thought the old farmer. "I
+wonder what he will do next? He will be calling the land water, and
+the water land; and be speaking of light where there is darkness,
+and of darkness when it is light." However, he kept his thoughts to
+himself.
+
+Presently they had to wade through a stream that ran along the edge
+of the cemetery. The water was rather deep, so the old farmer took
+off his shoes and pajamas and crossed over; but the young man waded
+through it with his shoes and pajamas on.
+
+"Well! I never did see such a perfect fool, both in word and in deed,"
+said the old man to himself.
+
+However, he liked the fellow; and thinking that he would amuse his
+wife and daughter, he invited him to come and stay at his house as
+long as he had occasion to remain in the village.
+
+"Thank you very much," the young man replied; "but let me first
+inquire, if you please, whether the beam of your house is strong."
+
+The old farmer left him in despair, and entered his house laughing.
+
+"There is a man in yonder field," he said, after returning their
+greetings. "He has come the greater part of the way with me, and I
+wanted him to put up here as long as he had to stay in this village.
+But the fellow is such a fool that I cannot make anything out of him.
+He wants to know if the beam of this house is all right. The man must
+be mad!" and saying this, he burst into a fit of laughter.
+
+"Father," said the farmer's daughter, who was a very sharp and wise
+girl, "this man, whosoever he is, is no fool, as you deem him. He only
+wishes to know if you can afford to entertain him."
+
+"Oh, of course," replied the farmer. "I see. Well, perhaps you can
+help me to solve some of his other mysteries. While we were walking
+together he asked whether he should carry me or I should carry him, as
+he thought that would be a pleasanter mode of proceeding."
+
+"Most assuredly," said the girl; "he meant that one of you should tell
+a story to beguile the time."
+
+"Oh yes. Well, we were passing through a corn-field, when he asked me
+whether it was eaten or not."
+
+"And didn't you know the meaning of this, father? He simply wished to
+know if the man was in debt or not; because, if the owner of the field
+was in debt, then the produce of the field was as good as eaten to
+him; that is, it would have to go to his creditors."
+
+"Yes, yes, yes, of course! Then, on entering a certain village, he
+bade me take his clasp-knife and get two horses with it, and bring
+back the knife to him."
+
+"Are not two stout sticks as good as two horses for helping one
+along on the road? He only asked you to cut a couple of sticks and be
+careful not to lose his knife."
+
+"I see," said the farmer. "While we were walking over the city we
+did not see anybody that we knew, and not a soul gave us a scrap of
+anything to eat, till we were passing the cemetery; but there some
+people called to us and put into our hands some _chapatis_ and
+_kulchas_, so my companion called the city a cemetery, and the
+cemetery a city."
+
+"This also is to be understood, father, if one thinks of the city
+as the place where everything is to be obtained, and of inhospitable
+people as worse than the dead. The city, though crowded with people,
+was as if dead, as far as you were concerned; while, in the cemetery,
+which is crowded with the dead, you were saluted by kind friends and
+provided with bread."
+
+"True, true!" said the astonished farmer. "Then, just now, when we
+were crossing the stream, he waded through it without taking off his
+shoes and pajamas."
+
+"I admire his wisdom," replied the girl. "I have often thought how
+stupid people were to venture into that swiftly flowing stream and
+over those sharp stones with bare feet. The slightest stumble and they
+would fall, and be wetted from head to foot. This friend of yours is a
+most wise man. I should like to see him and speak to him."
+
+"Very well," said the farmer; "I will go and find him, and bring him
+in."
+
+"Tell him, father, that our beams are strong enough, and then he will
+come in. I'll send on ahead a present to the man, to show him that we
+can afford to have him for our guest."
+
+Accordingly she called a servant and sent him to the young man with
+a present of a basin of _ghee_, twelve _chapatis_, and a jar of milk,
+and the following message: "O friend, the moon is full; twelve months
+make a year, and the sea is overflowing with water."
+
+Half-way the bearer of this present and message met his little son,
+who, seeing what was in the basket, begged his father to give him some
+of the food. His father foolishly complied. Presently he saw the young
+man, and gave him the rest of the present and the message.
+
+"Give your mistress my salaam," he replied, "and tell her that the
+moon is new, and that I can find only eleven months in the year, and
+the sea is by no means full."
+
+Not understanding the meaning of these words, the servant repeated
+them word for word, as he had heard them, to his mistress; and thus
+his theft was discovered, and he was severely punished. After a little
+while the young man appeared with the old farmer. Great attention was
+shown to him, and he was treated in every way as if he were the son of
+a great man, although his humble host knew nothing of his origin. At
+length he told them everything--about the laughing of the fish, his
+father's threatened execution, and his own banishment--and asked their
+advice as to what he should do.
+
+"The laughing of the fish," said the girl, "which seems to have been
+the cause of all this trouble, indicates that there is a man in the
+palace who is plotting against the King's life."
+
+"Joy, joy!" exclaimed the vizier's son. "There is yet time for me to
+return and save my father from an ignominious and unjust death, and
+the King from danger."
+
+The following day he hastened back to his own country, taking with him
+the farmer's daughter. Immediately on arrival he ran to the palace and
+informed his father of what he had heard. The poor vizier, now almost
+dead from the expectation of death, was at once carried to the King,
+to whom he repeated the news that his son had just brought.
+
+"Never!" said the King.
+
+"But it must be so, your Majesty," replied the vizier; "and in order
+to prove the truth of what I have heard, I pray you to call together
+all the maids in your palace and order them to jump over a pit, which
+must be dug. We'll soon find out whether there is any man there."
+
+The King had the pit dug, and commanded all the maids belonging to
+the palace to try to jump over it. All of them tried, but only one
+succeeded. That one was found to be a man!
+
+Thus was the Queen satisfied, and the faithful old vizier saved.
+
+Afterward, as soon as could be, the vizier's son married the old
+farmer's daughter; and a most happy marriage it was.
+
+
+
+
+MUCHIE LAL
+
+ADAPTED BY M. FRERE
+
+
+Once upon a time there were a Rajah and Ranee who had no children.
+Long had they wished and prayed that the gods would send them a son,
+but it was all in vain--their prayers were not granted. One day a
+number of fish were brought into the royal kitchen to be cooked for
+the Rajah's dinner, and amongst them was one little fish that was not
+dead, but all the rest were dead. One of the palace maid-servants,
+seeing this, took the little fish and put him in a basin of water.
+Shortly afterward the Ranee saw him, and thinking him very pretty,
+kept him as a pet; and because she had no children she lavished all
+her affection on the fish and loved him as a son; and the people
+called him Muchie Rajah (the Fish Prince).
+
+In a little while Muchie Rajah had grown too long to live in the small
+basin, so they put him into a larger one, and then (when he grew too
+long for that) into a big tub. In time, however, Muchie Rajah became
+too large for even the big tub to hold him; so the Ranee had a tank
+made for him, in which he lived very happily, and twice a day she fed
+him with boiled rice. Now, though the people fancied Muchie Rajah was
+only a fish, this was not the case. He was, in truth, a young Rajah
+who had angered the gods, and been by them turned into a fish and
+thrown into the river as a punishment.
+
+One morning, when the Ranee brought him his daily meal of boiled rice,
+Muchie Rajah called out to her and said, "Queen Mother, Queen Mother,
+I am so lonely here all by myself! Cannot you get me a wife?" The
+Ranee promised to try, and sent messengers to all the people she knew,
+to ask if they would allow one of their children to marry her son, the
+Fish Prince. But they all answered: "We cannot give one of our dear
+little daughters to be devoured by a great fish, even though he is the
+Muchie Rajah and so high in your Majesty's favor."
+
+At news of this the Ranee did not know what to do. She was so
+foolishly fond of Muchie Rajah, however, that she resolved to get him
+a wife at any cost. Again she sent out messengers, but this time she
+gave them a great bag containing a lac of gold mohurs, and said to
+them: "Go into every land until you find a wife for my Muchie Rajah,
+and to whoever will give you a child to be the Muchie Ranee you shall
+give this bag of gold mohurs." The messengers started on their search,
+but for some time they were unsuccessful; not even the beggars were to
+be tempted to sell their children, fearing the great fish would devour
+them. At last one day the messengers came to a village where there
+lived a Fakeer, who had lost his first wife and married again. His
+first wife had had one little daughter, and his second wife also had
+a daughter. As it happened, the Fakeer's second wife hated her little
+stepdaughter, always gave her the hardest work to do and the least
+food to eat, and tried by every means in her power to get her out of
+the way, in order that the child might not rival her own daughter.
+When she heard of the errand on which the messengers had come, she
+sent for them when the Fakeer was out, and said to them: "Give me the
+bag of gold mohurs, and you shall take my little daughter to marry the
+Muchie Rajah." ("For," she thought to herself, "the great fish will
+certainly eat the girl, and she will thus trouble us no more.") Then,
+turning to her stepdaughter, she said: "Go down to the river and wash
+your _saree_, that you may be fit to go with these people, who will
+take you to the Ranee's court." At these words the poor girl went down
+to the river very sorrowful, for she saw no hope of escape, as her
+father was from home. As she knelt by the river-side, washing her
+_saree_ and crying bitterly, some of her tears fell into the hole of
+an old Seven-headed Cobra, who lived on the river-bank. This Cobra was
+a very wise animal, and seeing the maiden, he put his head out of his
+hole, and said to her: "Little girl, why do you cry?" "Oh, sir,"
+she answered, "I am very unhappy; for my father is from home, and my
+stepmother has sold me to the Ranee's people to be the wife of the
+Muchie Rajah, that great fish, and I know he will eat me up." "Do
+not be afraid, my daughter," said the Cobra; "but take with you these
+three stones and tie them up in the corner of your _saree_;" and so
+saying, he gave her three little round pebbles. "The Muchie Rajah,
+whose wife you are to be, is not really a fish, but a Rajah who has
+been enchanted. Your home will be a little room which the Ranee has
+had built in the tank wall. When you are taken there, wait and be sure
+you don't go to sleep, or the Muchie Rajah will certainly come and
+eat you up. But as you hear him coming rushing through the water, be
+prepared, and as soon as you see him, throw this first stone at him;
+he will then sink to the bottom of the tank. The second time he comes,
+throw the second stone, when the same thing will happen. The third
+time he comes, throw this third stone, and he will immediately resume
+his human shape." So saying, the old Cobra dived down again into his
+hole. The Fakeer's daughter took the stones and determined to do as
+the Cobra had told her, though she hardly believed it would have the
+desired effect.
+
+When she reached the palace the Ranee spoke kindly to her, and said to
+the messengers: "You have done your errand well; this is a dear little
+girl." Then she ordered that she should be let down the side of the
+tank in a basket to a little room which had been prepared for her.
+When the Fakeer's daughter got there, she thought she had never seen
+such a pretty place in her life (for the Ranee had caused the little
+room to be very nicely decorated for the wife of her favorite); and
+she would have felt very happy away from her cruel stepmother and all
+the hard work she had been made to do, had it not been for the dark
+water that lay black and unfathomable below the door and the fear of
+the terrible Muchie Rajah.
+
+After waiting some time she heard a rushing sound, and little waves
+came dashing against the threshold; faster they came and faster, and
+the noise got louder and louder, until she saw a great fish's head
+above the water--Muchie Rajah was coming toward her open-mouthed. The
+Fakeer's daughter seized one of the stones that the Cobra had given
+her and threw it at him, and down he sank to the bottom of the tank;
+a second time he rose and came toward her, and she threw the second
+stone at him, and he again sank down; a third time he came more
+fiercely than before, when, seizing a third stone, she threw it with
+all her force. No sooner did it touch him than the spell was broken,
+and there, instead of a fish, stood a handsome young Prince. The poor
+little Fakeer's daughter was so startled that she began to cry. But
+the Prince said to her: "Pretty maiden, do not be frightened. You have
+rescued me from a horrible thraldom, and I can never thank you enough;
+but if you will be the Muchie Ranee, we will be married to-morrow."
+Then he sat down on the doorstep, thinking over his strange fate and
+watching for the dawn.
+
+Next morning early several inquisitive people came to see if the
+Muchie Rajah had eaten up his poor little wife, as they feared he
+would; what was their astonishment, on looking over the tank wall,
+to see, not the Muchie Rajah, but a magnificent Prince! The news soon
+spread to the palace. Down came the Rajah, down came the Ranee, down
+came all their attendants, and dragged Muchie Rajah and the Fakeer's
+daughter up the side of the tank in a basket; and when they heard
+their story there were great and unparalleled rejoicings. The Ranee
+said, "So I have indeed found a son at last!" And the people were so
+delighted, so happy and so proud of the new Prince and Princess, that
+they covered all their path with damask from the tank to the palace,
+and cried to their fellows, "Come and see our new Prince and Princess!
+Were ever any so divinely beautiful? Come see a right royal couple,--a
+pair of mortals like the gods!" And when they reached the palace the
+prince was married to the Fakeer's daughter.
+
+There they lived very happily for some time. The Muchie Ranee's
+stepmother, hearing what had happened, came often to see her
+stepdaughter, and pretended to be delighted at her good fortune; and
+the Ranee was so good that she quite forgave all her stepmother's
+former cruelty, and always received her very kindly. At last, one day,
+the Muchie Ranee said to her husband, "It is a weary while since I saw
+my father. If you will give me leave, I should much like to visit my
+native village and see him again." "Very well," he replied, "you may
+go. But do not stay away long; for there can be no happiness for me
+till you return." So she went, and her father was delighted to see
+her; but her stepmother, though she pretended to be very kind, was in
+reality only glad to think she had got the Ranee into her power, and
+determined, if possible, never to allow her to return to the palace
+again. One day, therefore, she said to her own daughter, "It is hard
+that your stepsister should have become Ranee of all the land instead
+of being eaten up by the great fish, while we gained no more than a
+lac of gold mohurs. Do now as I bid you, that you may become Ranee in
+her stead." She then went on to instruct her that she must invite the
+Ranee down to the river-bank, and there beg her to let her try on her
+jewels, and while putting them on give her a push and drown her in the
+river.
+
+The girl consented, and standing by the river-bank, said to her
+stepsister, "Sister, may I try on your jewels?--how pretty they are!"
+"Yes," said the Ranee, "and we shall be able to see in the river how
+they look." So, undoing her necklaces, she clasped them round the
+other's neck. But while she was doing so her stepsister gave her a
+push, and she fell backward into the water. The girl watched to
+see that the body did not rise, and then, running back, said to her
+mother, "Mother, here are all the jewels, and she will trouble us no
+more." But it happened that just when her stepsister pushed the Ranee
+into the river her old friend the Seven-headed Cobra chanced to be
+swimming across it, and seeing the little Ranee likely to be drowned,
+he carried her on his back until he reached his hole, into which he
+took her safely. Now this hole, in which the Cobra and his wife and
+all his little ones lived, had two entrances,--the one under the water
+and leading to the river, and the other above water, leading out into
+the open fields. To this upper end of his hole the Cobra took the
+Muchie Ranee, where he and his wife took care of her; and there she
+lived with them for some time. Meanwhile, the wicked Fakeer's wife,
+having dressed up her own daughter in all the Ranee's jewels, took her
+to the palace, and said to the Muchie Rajah, "See, I have brought your
+wife, my dear daughter, back safe and well." The Rajah looked at her,
+and thought, "This does not look like my wife." However, the room was
+dark and the girl was cleverly disguised, and he thought he might be
+mistaken. Next day he said again: "My wife must be sadly changed or
+this cannot be she, for she was always bright and cheerful. She had
+pretty loving ways and merry words, while this woman never opens
+her lips." Still, he did not like to seem to mistrust his wife, and
+comforted himself by saying, "Perhaps she is tired with the long
+journey." On the third day, however, he could bear the uncertainty
+no longer, and tearing off her jewels, saw, not the face of his own
+little wife, but another woman. Then he was very angry and turned her
+out of doors, saying, "Begone; since you are but the wretched tool of
+others, I spare your life." But of the Fakeer's wife he said to his
+guards, "Fetch that woman here instantly; for unless she can tell me
+where my wife is, I will have her hanged." It chanced, however, that
+the Fakeer's wife had heard of the Muchie Rajah having turned her
+daughter out of doors; so, fearing his anger, she hid herself, and was
+not to be found.
+
+Meantime, the Muchie Ranee, not knowing how to get home, continued to
+live in the great Seven-headed Cobra's hole, and he and his wife and
+all his family were very kind to her, and loved her as if she had been
+one of them; and there her little son was born, and she called him
+Muchie Lal, after the Muchie Rajah, his father. Muchie Lal was a
+lovely child, merry and brave, and his playmates all day long were the
+young Cobras. When he was about three years old a bangle-seller came
+by that way, and the Muchie Ranee bought some bangles from him and put
+them on her boy's wrists and ankles; but by the next day, in playing,
+he had broke them all. Then, seeing the bangle-seller, the Ranee
+called him again and bought some more, and so on every day until the
+bangle-seller got quite rich from selling so many bangles for the
+Muchie Lal; for the Cobra's hole was full of treasure, and he gave the
+Muchie Ranee as much money to spend every day as she liked. There was
+nothing she wished for he did not give her, only he would not let her
+try to get home to her husband, which she wished more than all.
+When she asked him he would say: "No, I will not let you go. If your
+husband comes here and fetches you, it is well; but I will not allow
+you to wander in search of him through the land alone."
+
+And so she was obliged to stay where she was.
+
+All this time the poor Muchie Rajah was hunting in every part of the
+country for his wife, but he could learn no tidings of her. For
+grief and sorrow at losing her he had gone almost distracted, and did
+nothing but wander from place to place, crying, "She is gone! she is
+gone!" Then, when he had long inquired without avail of all the people
+in her native village about her, he one day met a bangle-seller and
+said to him, "Whence do you come?" The bangle-seller answered, "I have
+just been selling bangles to some people who live in a Cobra's hole
+in the river-bank." "People! What people?" asked the Rajah. "Why,"
+answered the bangle-seller, "a woman and a child; the child is the
+most beautiful I ever saw. He is about three years old, and of course,
+running about, is always breaking his bangles and his mother buys him
+new ones every day." "Do you know what the child's name is?" said the
+Rajah. "Yes," answered the bangle-seller carelessly, "for the lady
+always calls him her Muchie Lal." "Ah," thought the Muchie
+Rajah, "this must be my wife." Then he said to him again, "Good
+bangle-seller, I would see these strange people of whom you speak;
+cannot you take me there?" "Not to-night," replied the bangle-seller;
+"daylight has gone, and we should only frighten them; but I shall be
+going there again to-morrow, and then you may come too. Meanwhile,
+come and rest at my house for the night, for you look faint and
+weary." The Rajah consented. Next morning, however, very early, he
+woke the bangle-seller, saying, "Pray let us go now and see the people
+you spoke about yesterday." "Stay," said the bangle-seller; "it is
+much too early. I never go till after breakfast." So the Rajah had to
+wait till the bangle-seller was ready to go. At last they started off,
+and when they reached the Cobra's hole the first thing the Rajah saw
+was a fine little boy playing with the young Cobras.
+
+As the bangle-seller came along, jingling his bangles, a gentle voice
+from inside the hole called out, "Come here, my Muchie Lal, and try
+on your bangles." Then the Muchie Rajah, kneeling down at the mouth
+of the hole, said, "Oh, lady, show your beautiful face to me." At the
+sound of his voice the Ranee ran out, crying, "Husband, husband! have
+you found me again?" And she told him how her sister had tried to
+drown her, and how the good Cobra had saved her life and taken care of
+her and her child. Then he said, "And will you now come home with me?"
+And she told him how the Cobra would never let her go, and said, "I
+will first tell him of your coming; for he has been a father to me."
+So she called out, "Father Cobra, father Cobra, my husband has come
+to fetch me; will you let me go?" "Yes," he said, "if your husband
+has come to fetch you, you may go." And his wife said, "Farewell, dear
+lady, we are loath to lose you, for we have loved you as a daughter."
+And all the little Cobras were very sorrowful to think that they
+must lose their playfellow, the young Prince. Then the Cobra gave the
+Muchie Rajah and the Muchie Ranee and Muchie Lal all the most costly
+gifts he could find in his treasure-house; and so they went home,
+where they lived very happy ever after.
+
+
+
+
+HOW THE RAJAH'S SON WON THE PRINCESS LABAM
+
+ADAPTED BY JOSEPH JACOBS
+
+
+In a country there was a Rajah who had an only son who every day went
+out to hunt. One day the Ranee his mother, said to him, "You can hunt
+wherever you like on these three sides; but you must never go to the
+fourth side." This she said because she knew if he went on the fourth
+side he would hear of the beautiful Princess Labam, and that then he
+would leave his father and mother and seek for the Princess.
+
+The young Prince listened to his mother, and obeyed her for some
+time; but one day, when he was hunting on the three sides where he was
+allowed to go, he remembered what she had said to him about the fourth
+side, and he determined to go and see why she had forbidden him to
+hunt on that side. When he got there, he found himself in a jungle,
+and nothing in the jungle but a quantity of parrots, who lived in it.
+The young Rajah shot at some of them, and at once they all flew away
+up to the sky. All, that is, but one, and this was their Rajah, who
+was called Hiraman parrot.
+
+When Hiraman parrot found himself left alone, he called out to the
+other parrots, "Don't fly away and leave me alone when the Rajah's son
+shoots. If you desert me like this, I will tell the Princess Labam."
+
+Then the parrots all flew back to their Rajah, chattering. The Prince
+was greatly surprised, and said, "Why, these birds can talk!" Then he
+said to the parrots, "Who is the Princess Labam? Where does she live?"
+But the parrots would not tell him where she lived. "You can never get
+to the Princess Labam's country." That is all they would say.
+
+The Prince grew very sad when they would not tell him anything more;
+and he threw his gun away and went home. When he got home, he would
+not speak or eat, but lay on his bed for four or five days, and seemed
+very ill.
+
+At last he told his father and mother that he wanted to go and see the
+Princess Labam. "I must go," he said; "I must see what she is like.
+Tell me where her country is."
+
+"We do not know where it is," answered his father and mother.
+
+"Then I must go and look for it," said the Prince.
+
+"No, no," they said, "you must not leave us. You are our only son.
+Stay with us. You will never find the Princess Labam."
+
+"I must try and find her," said the Prince. "Perhaps God will show
+me the way. If I live and I find her, I will come back to you; but
+perhaps I shall die, and then I shall never see you again. Still I
+must go."
+
+So they had to let him go, though they cried very much at parting with
+him. His father gave him fine clothes to wear, and a fine horse.
+And he took his gun, and his bow and arrows, and a great many other
+weapons; "for," he said, "I may want them." His father, too, gave him
+plenty of rupees.
+
+Then he himself got his horse all ready for the journey, and he said
+good-by to his father and mother; and his mother took her handkerchief
+and wrapped some sweetmeats in it, and gave it to her son. "My child,"
+she said to him, "when you are hungry eat some of these sweetmeats."
+
+He then set out on his journey, and rode on and on till he came to a
+jungle in which were a tank and shady trees. He bathed himself and his
+horse in the tank, and then sat down under a tree. "Now," he said to
+himself, "I will eat some of the sweetmeats my mother gave me, and I
+will drink some water, and then I will continue my journey." He opened
+his handkerchief and took out a sweetmeat. He found an ant in it. He
+took out another. There was an ant in that one too. So he laid the two
+sweetmeats on the ground, and he took out another, and another, and
+another, until he had taken them all out; but in each he found an ant.
+"Never mind," he said, "I won't eat the sweetmeats; the ants shall
+eat them." Then the Ant-Rajah came and stood before him and said, "You
+have been good to us. If ever you are in trouble, think of me and we
+will come to you."
+
+The Rajah's son thanked him, mounted his horse and continued his
+journey. He rode on and on until he came to another jungle, and there
+he saw a tiger who had a thorn in his foot, and was roaring loudly
+from the pain.
+
+"Why do you roar like that?" said the young Rajah. "What is the matter
+with you?"
+
+"I have had a thorn in my foot for twelve years," answered the tiger,
+"and it hurts me so; that is why I roar."
+
+"Well," said the Rajah's son, "I will take it out for you. But
+perhaps, as you are a tiger, when I have made you well, you will eat
+me?"
+
+"Oh no," said the tiger, "I won't eat you. Do make me well."
+
+Then the Prince took a little knife from his pocket and cut the thorn
+out of the tiger's foot; but when he cut, the tiger roared louder than
+ever--so loud that his wife heard him in the next jungle, and came
+bounding along to see what was the matter. The tiger saw her coming,
+and hid the Prince in the jungle, so that she should not see him.
+
+"What man hurt you that you roared so loud?" said the wife.
+
+"No one hurt me," answered the husband; "but a Rajah's son came and
+took the thorn out of my foot."
+
+"Where is he? Show him to me," said his wife.
+
+"If you promise not to kill him, I will call him," said the tiger.
+
+"I won't kill him; only let me see him," answered his wife.
+
+Then the tiger called the Rajah's son, and when he came the tiger
+and his wife made him a great many salaams. Then they gave him a good
+dinner, and he stayed with them for three days. Every day he looked at
+the tiger's foot, and the third day it was quite healed. Then he said
+good-by to the tigers, and the tiger said to him, "If ever you are in
+trouble, think of me, and we will come to you."
+
+The Rajah's son rode on and on till he came to a third jungle. Here
+he found four fakeers whose teacher and master had died, and had left
+four things,--a bed, which carried whoever sat on it whithersoever he
+wished to go; a bag, that gave its owner whatever he wanted, jewels,
+food or clothes; a stone bowl that gave its owner as much water as
+he wanted, no matter how far he might be from a tank; and a stick and
+rope, to which its owner had only to say, if any one came to make war
+on him, "Stick, beat as many men and soldiers as are here," and the
+stick would beat them and the rope would tie them up.
+
+The four fakeers were quarreling over these four things. One said, "I
+want this;" another said, "You cannot have it, for I want it;" and so
+on.
+
+The Rajah's son said to them, "Do not quarrel for these things. I will
+shoot four arrows in four different directions. Whichever of you gets
+to my first arrow, shall have the first thing--the bed. Whosoever gets
+to the second arrow, shall have the second thing--the bag. He who gets
+to the third arrow, shall have the third thing--the bowl. And he who
+gets to the fourth arrow, shall have the last things--the stick and
+rope." To this they agreed. And the Prince shot off his first arrow.
+Away raced the fakeers to get it. When they brought it back to him he
+shot off the second, and when they had found and brought it to him he
+shot off his third, and when they had brought him the third he shot
+off the fourth.
+
+While they were away looking for the fourth arrow the Rajah's son let
+his horse loose in the jungle and sat on the bed, taking the bowl, the
+stick and rope, and the bag with him. Then he said, "Bed, I wish to
+go to the Princess Labam's country." The little bed instantly rose up
+into the air and began to fly, and it flew and flew till it came to
+the Princess Labam's country, where it settled on the ground. The
+Rajah's son asked some men he saw, "Whose country is this?"
+
+"The Princess Labam's country," they answered. Then the Prince went on
+till he came to a house where he saw an old woman.
+
+"Who are you?" she said. "Where do you come from?"
+
+"I come from a far country," he said; "do let me stay with you
+to-night."
+
+"No," she answered, "I cannot let you stay with me; for our King has
+ordered that men from other countries may not stay in his country. You
+cannot stay in my house."
+
+"You are my aunty," said the Prince; "let me remain with you for this
+one night. You see it is evening, and if I go into the jungle, then
+the wild beasts will eat me."
+
+"Well," said that old woman, "you may stay here to-night; but
+to-morrow morning you must go away, for if the King hears you have
+passed the night in my house, he will have me seized and put into
+prison."
+
+Then she took him into her house, and the Rajah's son was very glad.
+The old woman began preparing dinner, but he stopped her. "Aunty," he
+said, "I will give you food." He put his hand into his bag, saying,
+"Bag, I want some dinner," and the bag gave him instantly a delicious
+dinner, served up on two gold plates. The old woman and the Rajah's
+son then dined together.
+
+When they had finished eating, the old woman said, "Now I will fetch
+some water."
+
+"Don't go," said the Prince. "You shall have plenty of water
+directly." So he took his bowl and said to it, "Bowl, I want some
+water," and then it filled with water. When it was full, the Prince
+cried out, "Stop, bowl!" and the bowl stopped filling. "See, aunty,"
+he said, "with this bowl I can always get as much water as I want."
+
+By this time night had come. "Aunty," said the Rajah's son, "why don't
+you light a lamp?"
+
+"There is no need," she said. "Our king has forbidden the people
+in his country to light any lamps; for, as soon as it is dark, his
+daughter, the Princess Labam, comes and sits on her roof, and she
+shines so that she lights up all the country and our houses, and we
+can see to do our work as if it were day."
+
+When it was quite black night the Princess got up. She dressed herself
+in her rich clothes and jewels, and rolled up her hair, and across her
+head she put a band of diamonds and pearls. Then she shone like the
+moon and her beauty made night day. She came out of her room and sat
+on the roof of her palace. In the daytime she never came out of her
+house; she only came out at night. All the people in her father's
+country then went about their work and finished it.
+
+The Rajah's son, watched the Princess quietly, and was very happy. He
+said to himself, "How lovely she is!"
+
+At midnight, when everybody had gone to bed, the Princess came down
+from her roof and went to her room; and when she was in bed and
+asleep, the Rajah's son got up softly and sat on his bed. "Bed," he
+said to it, "I want to go to the Princess Labam's bed-room." So the
+little bed carried him to the room where she lay fast asleep.
+
+The young Rajah took his bag and said, "I want a great deal of
+betel-leaf," and it at once gave him quantities of betel-leaf. This he
+laid near the Princess's bed, and then his little bed carried him back
+to the old woman's house.
+
+Next morning all the Princess's servants found the betel-leaf, and
+began to eat it. "Where did you get all that betel-leaf?" asked the
+Princess.
+
+"We found it near your bed," answered the servants. Nobody knew the
+Prince had come in the night and put it all there.
+
+In the morning the old woman came to the Rajah's son. "Now it is
+morning," she said, "and you must go; for if the King finds out all I
+have done for you, he will seize me."
+
+"I am ill to-day, dear aunty," said the Prince; "do let me stay till
+to-morrow morning."
+
+"Good," said the old woman. So he stayed, and they took their dinner
+out of the bag, and the bowl gave them water.
+
+[Illustration: THE PRINCESS LABAM ... SHINES SO THAT SHE LIGHTS UP ALL
+THE COUNTRY.]
+
+When night came the Princess got up and sat on her roof, and at twelve
+o'clock, when every one was in bed, she went to her bed-room, and was
+soon fast asleep. Then the Rajah's son sat on his bed, and it carried
+him to the Princess. He took his bag and said, "Bag, I want a most
+lovely shawl." It gave him a splendid shawl, and he spread it over the
+Princess as she lay asleep. Then he went back to the old woman's house
+and slept till morning.
+
+In the morning, when the Princess saw the shawl she was delighted.
+"See, mother," she said; "Khuda must have given me this shawl, it is
+so beautiful." Her mother was very glad too.
+
+"Yes, my child," she said; "Khuda must have given you this splendid
+shawl."
+
+When it was morning the old woman said to the Rajah's son, "Now you
+must really go."
+
+"Aunty," he answered, "I am not well enough yet. Let me stay a few
+days longer. I will remain hidden in your house, so that no one may
+see me." So the old woman let him stay.
+
+When it was black night, the Princess put on her lovely clothes and
+jewels and sat on her roof. At midnight she went to her room and
+went to sleep. Then the Rajah's son sat on his bed and flew to
+her bed-room. There he said to his bag, "Bag, I want a very, very
+beautiful ring." The bag gave him a glorious ring. Then he took the
+Princess Labam's hand gently to put on the ring, and she started up
+very much frightened.
+
+"Who are you?" she said to the Prince. "Where do you come from? Why do
+you come to my room?"
+
+"Do not be afraid, Princess," he said; "I am no thief. I am a great
+Rajah's son. Hiraman parrot, who lives in the jungle where I went to
+hunt, told me your name, and then I left my father and mother and came
+to see you."
+
+"Well," said the Princess, "as you are the son of such a great Rajah,
+I will not have you killed, and I will tell my father and mother that
+I wish to marry you."
+
+The Prince then returned to the old woman's house; and when morning
+came the Princess said to her mother, "The son of a great Rajah has
+come to this country, and I wish to marry him." Her mother told this
+to the King.
+
+"Good," said the King; "but if this Rajah's son wishes to marry my
+daughter, he must first do whatever I bid him. If he fails I will kill
+him. I will give him eighty pounds weight of mustard seed, and out of
+this he must crush the oil in one day. If he cannot do this he shall
+die."
+
+In the morning the Rajah's son told the old woman that he intended
+to marry the Princess. "Oh," said the old woman, "go away from this
+country, and do not think of marrying her. A great many Rajahs and
+Rajahs' sons have come here to marry her, and her father has had them
+all killed. He says whoever wishes to marry his daughter must first do
+whatever he bids him. If he can, then he shall marry the Princess; if
+he cannot, the King will have him killed. But no one can do the things
+the King tells him to do; so all the Rajahs and Rajahs' sons who have
+tried have been put to death. You will be killed too, if you try. Do
+go away." But the Prince would not listen to anything she said.
+
+The King sent for the Prince to the old woman's house, and his
+servants brought the Rajah's son to the King's court-house to the
+King. There the King gave him eighty pounds of mustard seed, and told
+him to crush all the oil out of it that day, and bring it next morning
+to him to the court-house. "Whoever wishes to marry my daughter," he
+said to the Prince, "must first do all I tell him. If he cannot, then
+I have him killed. So if you cannot crush all the oil out of this
+mustard seed you will die."
+
+The Prince was very sorry when he heard this. "How can I crush the oil
+out of all this mustard seed in one day?" he said to himself; "and if
+I do not, the King will kill me." He took the mustard seed to the old
+woman's house, and did not know what to do. At last he remembered the
+Ant-Rajah, and the moment he did so, the Ant-Rajah and his ants came
+to him. "Why do you look so sad?" said the Ant-Rajah.
+
+The Prince showed him the mustard seed, and said to him, "How can I
+crush the oil out of all this mustard seed in one day? And if I do not
+take the oil to the King to-morrow morning, he will kill me."
+
+"Be happy," said the Ant-Rajah; "lie down and sleep; we will crush all
+the oil out for you during the day, and to-morrow morning you shall
+take it to the King." The Rajah's son lay down and slept, and the ants
+crushed out the oil for him. The Prince was very glad when he saw the
+oil.
+
+The next morning he took it to the court-house to the King. But the
+King said, "You cannot yet marry my daughter. If you wish to do so,
+you must fight with my two demons, and kill them." The King a long
+time ago had caught two demons, and then, as he did not know what to
+do with them, he had shut them up in a cage. He was afraid to let them
+loose for fear they would eat up all the people in his country; and he
+did not know how to kill them. So all the Rajahs and Rajahs' sons who
+wanted to marry the Princess Labam had to fight with these demons;
+"for," said the King to himself, "perhaps the demons may be killed,
+and then I shall be rid of them."
+
+When he heard of the demons the Rajah's son was very sad. "What can I
+do?" he said to himself. "How can I fight with these two demons?" Then
+he thought of his tiger: and the tiger and his wife came to him and
+said, "Why are you so sad?" The Rajah's son answered, "The King has
+ordered me to fight with his two demons and kill them. How can I do
+this?" "Do not be frightened," said the tiger. "Be happy. I and my
+wife will fight with them for you."
+
+Then the Rajah's son took out of his bag two splendid coats. They were
+all gold and silver, and covered with pearls and diamonds. These he
+put on the tigers to make them beautiful, and he took them to the
+King, and said to him, "May these tigers fight your demons for me?"
+"Yes," said the King, who did not care in the least who killed his
+demons, provided they were killed. "Then call your demons," said the
+Rajah's son, "and these tigers will fight them." The King did so,
+and the tigers and the demons fought and fought until the tigers had
+killed the demons.
+
+"That is good," said the King. "But you must do something else before
+I give you my daughter. Up in the sky I have a kettle-drum. You must
+go and beat it. If you cannot do this, I will kill you."
+
+The Rajah's son thought of his little bed; so he went to the old
+woman's house and sat on his bed. "Little bed," he said, "up in the
+sky is the King's kettle-drum. I want to go to it." The bed flew up
+with him, and the Rajah's son beat the drum, and the King heard him.
+Still, when he came down, the King would not give him his daughter.
+"You have," he said to the Prince, "done the three things I told you
+to do; but you must do one thing more." "If I can, I will," said the
+Rajah's son.
+
+Then the King showed him the trunk of a tree that was lying near his
+court-house. It was a very, very thick trunk. He gave the Prince a wax
+hatchet, and said, "To-morrow morning you must cut this trunk in two
+with this wax hatchet."
+
+The Rajah's son went back to the old woman's house. He was very sad,
+and thought that now the Rajah would certainly kill him. "I had his
+oil crushed out by the ants," he said to himself. "I had his demons
+killed by the tigers. My bed helped to beat this kettle-drum. But now
+what can I do? How can I cut that thick tree-trunk in two with a wax
+hatchet?"
+
+At night he went on his bed to see the Princess. "To-morrow," he said
+to her, "your father will kill me." "Why?" asked the Princess.
+
+"He has told me to cut a thick tree-trunk in two with a wax hatchet.
+How can I ever do that?" said the Rajah's son. "Do not be afraid,"
+said the Princess; "do as I bid you, and you will cut it in two quite
+easily."
+
+Then she pulled out a hair from her head and gave it to the Prince.
+"To-morrow," she said, "when no one is near you, you must say to the
+tree-trunk, 'The Princess Labam commands you to let yourself be cut
+in two by this hair.' Then stretch the hair down the edge of the wax
+hatchet's blade."
+
+The Prince next day did exactly as the Princess had told him; and the
+minute the hair that was stretched down the edge of the hatchet blade
+touched the tree-trunk it split into two pieces.
+
+The King said, "Now you can marry my daughter." Then the wedding took
+place. All the Rajahs and Kings of the countries round were asked
+to come to it, and there were great rejoicings. After a few days the
+bridegroom said to his bride "Let us go to my father's country." The
+Princess Labam's father gave them a quantity of camels and horses and
+rupees and servants; and they traveled in great state to the distant
+country, where they lived happily.
+
+The prince always kept his bag, bowl, bed, stick and rope; only, as no
+one ever came to make war on him, he never needed to use the stick or
+rope.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+MYTHS OF JAPAN
+
+
+
+
+THE JELLYFISH AND THE MONKEY
+
+ADAPTED BY YEI THEODORA OZAKI
+
+
+Long, long ago, in old Japan, the Kingdom of the Sea was governed by a
+wonderful King. He was called Rin Jin, or the Dragon King of the Sea.
+His power was immense, for he was the ruler of all sea creatures both
+great and small, and in his keeping were the Jewels of the Ebb and
+Flow of the Tide. The Jewel of the Ebbing Tide when thrown into the
+ocean caused the sea to recede from the land, and the Jewel of the
+Flowing Tide made the waves to rise mountains high and to flow in upon
+the shore like a tidal wave.
+
+The palace of Rin Jin was at the bottom of the sea, and was so
+beautiful that no one has ever seen anything like it even in dreams.
+The walls were of coral, the roof of jadestone and chalcedony, and
+the floors were of the finest mother-of-pearl. But the Dragon King, in
+spite of his wide-spreading kingdom, his beautiful palace and all its
+wonders, and his power, which none disputed throughout the whole sea,
+was not at all happy, for he reigned alone. At last he thought that if
+he married he would not only be happier, but also more powerful. So
+he decided to take a wife. Calling all his fish retainers together,
+he chose several of them as ambassadors to go through the sea and seek
+for a young Dragon Princess who would be his bride.
+
+At last they returned to the palace bringing with them a lovely young
+dragon. Her scales were of a glittering green like the wings of summer
+beetles, her eyes threw out glances of fire, and she was dressed in
+gorgeous robes. All the jewels of the sea worked in with embroidery
+adorned them.
+
+The King fell in love with her at once, and the wedding ceremony was
+celebrated with great splendor. Every living thing in the sea, from
+the great whales down to the little shrimps, came in shoals to offer
+their congratulations to the bride and bridegroom and to wish them a
+long and prosperous life. Never had there been such an assemblage or
+such gay festivities in the Fish-World before. The train of bearers
+who carried the bride's possessions to her new home seemed to reach
+across the waves from one end of the sea to the other. Each fish
+carried a phosphorescent lantern and was dressed in ceremonial robes,
+gleaming blue and pink and silver; and the waves as they rose and fell
+and broke that night seemed to be rolling masses of white and green
+fire, for the phosphorus shone with double brilliancy in honor of the
+event.
+
+Now for a time the Dragon King and his bride lived very happily. They
+loved each other dearly, and the bridegroom day after day took delight
+in showing his bride all the wonders and treasures of his coral
+palace, and she was never tired of wandering with him through its vast
+halls and gardens. Life seemed to them both like a long summer's day.
+
+Two months passed in this happy way, and then the Dragon Queen fell
+ill and was obliged to stay in bed. The King was sorely troubled when
+he saw his precious bride so ill, and at once sent for the fish doctor
+to come and give her some medicine. He gave special orders to the
+servants to nurse her carefully and to wait upon her with diligence,
+but in spite of all the nurses' assiduous care and the medicine that
+the doctor prescribed, the young Queen showed no signs of recovery,
+but grew daily worse.
+
+Then the Dragon King interviewed the doctor and blamed him for
+not curing the Queen. The doctor was alarmed at Rin Jin's evident
+displeasure, and excused his want of skill by saying that although he
+knew the right kind of medicine to give the invalid, it was impossible
+to find it in the sea.
+
+"Do you mean to tell me that you can't get the medicine here?" asked
+the Dragon King.
+
+"It is just as you say!" said the doctor.
+
+"Tell me what it is you want for the Queen?" demanded Rin Jin.
+
+"I want the liver of a live monkey!" answered the doctor.
+
+"The liver of a live monkey! Of course that will be most difficult to
+get," said the King.
+
+"If we could only get that for the Queen, her Majesty would soon
+recover," said the doctor.
+
+"Very well, that decides it; we _must_ get it somehow or other. But
+where are we most likely to find a monkey?" asked the King.
+
+Then the doctor told the Dragon King that some distance to the south
+there was a Monkey Island where a great many monkeys lived.
+
+"If only you could capture one of those monkeys?" said the doctor.
+
+"How can any of my people capture a monkey?" said the Dragon King,
+greatly puzzled. "The monkeys live on dry land, while we live in the
+water; and out of our element we are quite powerless! I don't see what
+we can do!"
+
+"That has been my difficulty too," said the doctor. "But amongst your
+innumerable servants, you surely can find one who can go on shore for
+that express purpose!"
+
+"Something must be done," said the King, and calling his chief steward
+he consulted him on the matter.
+
+The chief steward thought for some time, and then, as if struck by a
+sudden thought, said joyfully:
+
+"I know what we must do! There is the _kurage_ (jellyfish). He is
+certainly ugly to look at, but he is proud of being able to walk on
+land with his four legs like a tortoise. Let us send him to the Island
+of Monkeys to catch one."
+
+The jellyfish was then summoned to the King's presence, and was told
+by his Majesty what was required of him.
+
+The jellyfish, on being told of the unexpected mission which was to
+be entrusted to him, looked very troubled, and said that he had never
+been to the island in question, and as he had never had any experience
+in catching monkeys he was afraid that he would not be able to get
+one.
+
+"Well," said the chief steward, "if you depend on your strength or
+dexterity you will never catch a monkey. The only way is to play a
+trick on one!"
+
+"How can I play a trick on a monkey? I don't know how to do it," said
+the perplexed jellyfish.
+
+"This is what you must do," said the wily chief steward. "When you
+approach the Island of Monkeys and meet some of them, you must try
+to get very friendly with one. Tell him that you are a servant of the
+Dragon King, and invite him to come and visit you and see the Dragon
+King's palace. Try and describe to him as vividly as you can the
+grandeur of the palace and the wonders of the sea so as to arouse his
+curiosity and make him long to see it all!"
+
+"But how am I to get the monkey here? You know monkeys don't swim!"
+said the reluctant jellyfish.
+
+"You must carry him on your back. What is the use of your shell if you
+can't do that!" said the chief steward.
+
+"Won't he be very heavy?" queried _kurage_ again.
+
+"You mustn't mind that, for you are working for the Dragon King!"
+replied the chief steward.
+
+"I will do my best then," said the jellyfish, and he swam away from
+the palace and started off towards the Monkey Island. Swimming
+swiftly he reached his destination in a few hours, and was landed by a
+convenient wave upon the shore. On looking round he saw not far away a
+big pine-tree with drooping branches and on one of those branches was
+just what he was looking for--a live monkey.
+
+"I'm in luck!" thought the jellyfish. "Now I must flatter the creature
+and try to entice him to come back with me to the palace, and my part
+will be done!"
+
+So the jellyfish slowly walked towards the pine-tree. In those ancient
+days the jellyfish had four legs and a hard shell like a tortoise.
+When he got to the pine-tree he raised his voice and said:
+
+"How do you do, Mr. Monkey? Isn't it a lovely day?"
+
+"A very fine day," answered the monkey from the tree. "I have never
+seen you in this part of the world before. Where have you come from
+and what is your name?"
+
+"My name is _kurage_ or jellyfish. I am one of the servants of the
+Dragon King. I have heard so much of your beautiful island that I have
+come on purpose to see it," answered the jellyfish.
+
+"I am very glad to see you," said the monkey.
+
+"By-the-bye," said the jellyfish, "have you ever seen the palace of
+the Dragon King of the Sea where I live?"
+
+"I have often heard of it, but I have never seen it!" answered the
+monkey.
+
+"Then you ought most surely to come. It is a great pity for you to go
+through life without seeing it. The beauty of the palace is beyond all
+description--it is certainly to my mind the most lovely place in the
+world," said the jellyfish.
+
+"Is it so beautiful as all that?" asked the monkey in astonishment.
+
+Then the jellyfish saw his chance, and went on describing to the best
+of his ability the beauty and grandeur of the Sea King's palace, and
+the wonders of the garden with its curious trees of white, pink and
+red coral, and the still more curious fruits like great jewels hanging
+on the branches. The monkey grew more and more interested, and as he
+listened he came down the tree step by step so as not to lose a word
+of the wonderful story.
+
+"I have got him at last!" thought the jellyfish, but aloud he said:
+
+"Mr. Monkey, I must now go back. As you have never seen the palace of
+the Dragon King, won't you avail yourself of this splendid opportunity
+by coming with me? I shall then be able to act as guide and show you
+all the sights of the sea, which will be even more wonderful to you--a
+land-lubber."
+
+"I should love to go," said the monkey, "but how am I to cross the
+water? I can't swim, as you surely know!"
+
+"There is no difficulty about that. I can carry you on my back."
+
+"That will be troubling you too much," said the monkey.
+
+"I can do it quite easily. I am stronger than I look, so you needn't
+hesitate," said the jellyfish, and taking the monkey on his back he
+stepped into the sea.
+
+"Keep very still, Mr. Monkey," said the jellyfish. "You mustn't fall
+into the sea; I am responsible for your safe arrival at the King's
+palace."
+
+"Please don't go so fast, or I am sure I shall fall off," said the
+monkey.
+
+Thus they went along, the jellyfish skimming through the waves with
+the monkey sitting on his back. When they were about halfway, the
+jellyfish, who knew very little of anatomy, began to wonder if the
+monkey had his liver with him or not!
+
+"Mr. Monkey, tell me, have you such a thing as a liver with you?"
+
+The monkey was very much surprised at this queer question, and asked
+what the jellyfish wanted with a liver.
+
+"That is the most important thing of all," said the stupid jellyfish,
+"so as soon as I recollected it, I asked you if you had yours with
+you?"
+
+"Why is my liver so important to you?" asked the monkey.
+
+"Oh! you will learn the reason later," said the jellyfish.
+
+The monkey grew more and more curious and suspicious, and urged the
+jellyfish to tell him for what his liver was wanted, and ended up by
+appealing to his hearer's feelings by saying that he was very troubled
+at what he had been told.
+
+Then the jellyfish, seeing how anxious the monkey looked, was sorry
+for him, and told everything. How the Dragon Queen had fallen ill,
+and how the doctor had said that only the liver of a live monkey would
+cure her, and how the Dragon King had sent him to find one.
+
+"Now I have done as I was told, and as soon as we arrive at the palace
+the doctor will want your liver, so I feel sorry for you!" said the
+silly jellyfish.
+
+The poor monkey was horrified when he learnt all this, and very angry
+at the trick played upon him. He trembled with fear at the thought of
+what was in store for him.
+
+But the monkey was a clever animal, and he thought it the wisest plan
+not to show any sign of the fear he felt, so he tried to calm himself
+and to think of some way by which he might escape.
+
+"The doctor means to cut me open and then take my liver out! Why I
+shall die!" thought the monkey. At last a bright thought struck him,
+so he said quite cheerfully to the jellyfish:
+
+"What a pity it was, Mr. Jellyfish, that you did not speak of this
+before we left the island!"
+
+"If I had told you why I wanted you to accompany me you would
+certainly have refused to come," answered the jellyfish.
+
+"You are quite mistaken," said the monkey. "Monkeys can very well
+spare a liver or two, especially when it is wanted for the Dragon
+Queen of the Sea. If I had only guessed of what you were in need, I
+should have presented you with one without waiting to be asked. I have
+several livers. But the greatest pity is, that as you did not speak in
+time, I have left all my livers hanging on the pine-tree."
+
+"Have you left your liver behind you?" asked the jellyfish.
+
+"Yes," said the cunning monkey, "during the daytime I usually leave
+my liver hanging up on the branch of a tree, as it is very much in the
+way when I am climbing about from tree to tree. To-day, listening to
+your interesting conversation, I quite forgot it, and left it behind
+when I came off with you. If only you had spoken in time I should have
+remembered it, and should have brought it along with me!"
+
+The jellyfish was very disappointed when he heard this, for he
+believed every word the monkey said. The monkey was of no good without
+a liver. Finally the jellyfish stopped and told the monkey so.
+
+"Well," said the monkey, "that is soon remedied. I am really sorry to
+think of all your trouble; but if you will only take me back to the
+place where you found me, I shall soon be able to get my liver."
+
+The jellyfish did not at all like the idea of going all the way back
+to the island again; but the monkey assured him that if he would be so
+kind as to take him back he would get his very best liver, and bring
+it with him the next time. Thus persuaded, the jellyfish turned his
+course towards the Monkey Island once more.
+
+No sooner had the jellyfish reached the shore than the sly monkey
+landed, and getting up into the pine-tree where the jellyfish had
+first seen him, he cut several capers amongst the branches with joy at
+being safe home again, and then looking down at the jellyfish said:
+
+"So many thanks for all the trouble you have taken! Please present my
+compliments to the Dragon King on your return!"
+
+The jellyfish wondered at this speech and the mocking tone in which
+it was uttered. Then he asked the monkey if it wasn't his intention to
+come with him at once after getting his liver.
+
+The monkey replied laughingly that he couldn't afford to lose his
+liver; it was too precious.
+
+"But remember your promise!" pleaded the jellyfish, now very
+discouraged.
+
+"That promise was false, and anyhow it is now broken!" answered the
+monkey. Then he began to jeer at the jellyfish and told him that he
+had been deceiving him the whole time; that he had no wish to lose
+his life, which he certainly would have done had he gone on to the Sea
+King's Palace to the old doctor waiting for him, instead of persuading
+the jellyfish to return under false pretences.
+
+"Of course, I won't _give_ you my liver, but come and get it if you
+can!" added the monkey mockingly from the tree.
+
+There was nothing for the jellyfish to do now but to repent of his
+stupidity, and return to the Dragon King of the Sea and confess his
+failure, so he started sadly and slowly to swim back. The last thing
+he heard as he glided away, leaving the island behind him, was the
+monkey laughing at him.
+
+Meanwhile the Dragon King, the doctor, the chief steward, and all the
+servants were waiting impatiently for the return of the jellyfish.
+When they caught sight of him approaching the palace, they hailed him
+with delight. They began to thank him profusely for all the trouble he
+had taken in going to Monkey Island, and then they asked him where the
+monkey was.
+
+Now the day of reckoning had come for the jellyfish. He quaked all
+over as he told his story. How he had brought the monkey half way over
+the sea, and then had stupidly let out the secret of his commission;
+how the monkey had deceived him by making him believe that he had left
+his liver behind him.
+
+The Dragon King's wrath was great, and he at once gave orders that the
+jellyfish was to be severely punished. The punishment was a horrible
+one. All the bones were to be drawn out from his living body, and he
+was to be beaten with sticks.
+
+The poor jellyfish, humiliated and horrified beyond all words, cried
+out for pardon. But the Dragon King's order had to be obeyed.
+The servants of the palace forthwith each brought out a stick and
+surrounded the jellyfish, and after pulling out his bones they beat
+him to a flat pulp, and then took him out beyond the palace gates and
+threw him into the water. Here he was left to suffer and repent
+his foolish chattering, and to grow accustomed to his new state of
+bonelessness.
+
+From this story it is evident that in former times the jellyfish once
+had a shell and bones something like a tortoise, but, ever since the
+Dragon King's sentence was carried out on the ancestor of the jelly
+fishes, his descendants have all been soft and boneless just as you
+see them to-day thrown up by the waves high upon the shores of Japan.
+
+
+
+
+THE OLD MAN AND THE DEVILS
+
+
+A long time ago there was an old man who had a big lump on the right
+side of his face. One day he went into the mountain to cut wood, when
+the rain began to pour and the wind to blow so very hard that, finding
+it impossible to return home, and filled with fear, he took refuge in
+the hollow of an old tree. While sitting there doubled up and unable
+to sleep, he heard the confused sound of many voices in the distance
+gradually approaching to where he was. He said to himself: "How
+strange! I thought I was all alone in the mountain, but I hear the
+voices of many people." So, taking courage, he peeped out, and saw a
+great crowd of strange-looking beings. Some were red, and dressed in
+green clothes; others were black, and dressed in red clothes; some had
+only one eye; others had no mouth; indeed, it is quite impossible to
+describe their varied and strange looks. They kindled a fire, so that
+it became as light as day. They sat down in two cross-rows, and began
+to drink wine and make merry just like human beings. They passed the
+wine cup around so often that many of them soon drank too much. One of
+the young devils got up and began to sing a merry song and to dance;
+so also many others; some danced well, others badly. One said: "We
+have had uncommon fun to-night, but I would like to see something
+new."
+
+Then the old man, losing all fear, thought he would like to dance,
+and saying, "Let come what will, if I die for it, I will have a dance,
+too," crept out of the hollow tree and, with his cap slipped over his
+nose and his ax sticking in his belt, began to dance. The devils
+in great surprise jumped up, saying, "Who is this?" but the old man
+advancing and receding, swaying to and fro, and posturing this way and
+that way, the whole crowd laughed and enjoyed the fun, saying: "How
+well the old man dances! You must always come and join us in our
+sport; but, for fear you might not come, you must give us a pledge
+that you will." So the devils consulted together, and, agreeing that
+the lump on his face, which was a token of wealth, was what he valued
+most highly, demanded that it should be taken. The old man replied: "I
+have had this lump many years, and would not without good reason part
+with it; but you may have it, or an eye, or my nose either if you
+wish." So the devils laid hold of it, twisting and pulling, and took
+it off without giving him any pain, and put it away as a pledge that
+he would come back. Just then the day began to dawn, and the birds to
+sing, so the devils hurried away.
+
+The old man felt his face and found it quite smooth, and not a trace
+of the lump left. He forgot all about cutting wood, and hastened home.
+His wife, seeing him, exclaimed in great surprise, "What has happened
+to you?" So he told her all that had befallen him.
+
+Now, among the neighbors there was another old man who had a big lump
+on the left side of his face. Hearing all about how the first old man
+had got rid of his misfortune, he determined that he would also try
+the same plan. So he went and crept into the hollow tree, and waited
+for the devils to come. Sure enough, they came just as he was told,
+and they sat down, drank wine, and made merry just as they did before.
+The second old man, afraid and trembling, crept out of the hollow
+tree. The devils welcomed him, saying: "The old man has come; now let
+us see him dance." This old fellow was awkward, and did not dance as
+well as the other, so the devils cried out: "You dance badly, and are
+getting worse and worse; we will give you back the lump which we took
+from you as a pledge." Upon this, one of the devils brought the lump,
+and stuck it on the other side of his face; so the poor old fellow
+returned home with a lump on each side.
+
+
+
+
+AUTUMN AND SPRING
+
+ADAPTED BY FRANK HINDER
+
+
+A fair maiden lay asleep in a rice field. The sun was at its height,
+and she was weary. Now a god looked down upon the rice field. He knew
+that the beauty of the maiden came from within, that it mirrored the
+beauty of heavenly dreams. He knew that even now, as she smiled, she
+held converse with the spirit of the wind or the flowers.
+
+The god descended and asked the dream-maiden to be his bride. She
+rejoiced, and they were wed. A wonderful red jewel came of their
+happiness.
+
+Long, long afterwards, the stone was found by a farmer, who saw that
+it was a very rare jewel. He prized it highly, and always carried it
+about with him. Sometimes, as he looked at it in the pale light of
+the moon, it seemed to him that he could discern eyes in its depths.
+Again, in the stillness of the night, he would awaken and think that a
+clear soft voice called him by name.
+
+One day, the farmer had to carry the midday meal to his workers in
+the field. The sun was very hot, so he loaded a cow with the bowls of
+rice, the millet dumplings, and the beans. Suddenly, Prince Ama-boko
+stood in the path. He was angry, for he thought that the farmer was
+about to kill the cow. The Prince would hear no word of denial; his
+wrath increased. The farmer became more and more terrified, and,
+finally, took the precious stone from his pocket and presented it as
+a peace-offering to the powerful Prince. Ama-boko marveled at the
+brilliancy of the jewel, and allowed the man to continue his journey.
+
+The Prince returned to his home. He drew forth the treasure, and it
+was immediately transformed into a goddess of surpassing beauty. Even
+as she rose before him, he loved her, and ere the moon waned they were
+wed. The goddess ministered to his every want. She prepared delicate
+dishes, the secret of which is known only to the gods. She made wine
+from the juice of a myriad herbs, wine such as mortals never taste.
+
+But, after a time, the Prince became proud and overbearing. He began
+to treat his faithful wife with cruel contempt. The goddess was sad,
+and said: "You are not worthy of my love. I will leave you and go
+to my father." Ama-boko paid no heed to these words, for he did not
+believe that the threat would be fulfilled. But the beautiful goddess
+was in earnest. She escaped from the palace and fled to Naniwa, where
+she is still honored as Akaru-hime, the Goddess of Light.
+
+Now the Prince was wroth when he heard that the goddess had left him,
+and set out in pursuit of her. But when he neared Naniwa, the gods
+would not allow his vessel to enter the haven. Then he knew that
+his priceless red jewel was lost to him forever. He steered his ship
+towards the north coast of Japan, and landed at Tajima. Here he was
+well received, and highly esteemed on account of the treasures which
+he brought with him. He had costly strings of pearls, girdles of
+precious stones, and a mirror which the wind and the waves obeyed.
+Prince Ama-boko remained at Tajima, and was the father of a mighty
+race.
+
+Among his children's children was a Princess so renowned for her
+beauty that eighty suitors sought her hand. One after the other
+returned sorrowfully home, for none found favor in her eyes. At last,
+two brothers came before her, the young God of the Autumn, and the
+young God of the Spring. The elder of the two, the God of Autumn,
+first urged his suit. But the Princess refused him. He went to his
+younger brother and said, "The Princess does not love me, neither will
+you be able to win her heart."
+
+But the Spring God was full of hope, and replied, "I will give you a
+cask of rice wine if I do not win her, but if she consents to be my
+bride, you shall give a cask of _sake_ to me."
+
+Now the God of Spring went to his mother, and told her all. She
+promised to aid him. Thereupon she wove, in a single night, a robe and
+sandals from the unopened buds of the lilac and white wistaria. Out of
+the same delicate flowers she fashioned a bow and arrows. Thus clad,
+the God of Spring made his way to the beautiful Princess.
+
+As he stepped before the maiden, every bud unfolded, and from the
+heart of each blossom came a fragrance that filled the air. The
+Princess was overjoyed, and gave her hand to the God of Spring.
+
+The elder brother, the God of Autumn, was filled with rage when he
+heard how his brother had obtained the wondrous robe. He refused to
+give the promised cask of _sake_. When the mother learned that the
+god had broken his word, she placed stones and salt in the hollow of
+a bamboo cane, wrapped it round with bamboo leaves, and hung it in the
+smoke. Then she uttered a curse upon her first-born: "As the leaves
+wither and fade, so must you. As the salt sea ebbs, so must you. As
+the stone sinks, so must you."
+
+The terrible curse fell upon her son. While the God of Spring remains
+ever young, ever fragrant, ever full of mirth, the God of Autumn is
+old, and withered, and sad.
+
+
+
+
+THE VISION OF TSUNU
+
+ADAPTED BY FRANK RINDER
+
+
+When the five tall pine-trees on the windy heights of Mionoseki were
+but tiny shoots, there lived in the Kingdom of the Islands a pious
+man. His home was in a remote hamlet surrounded by mountains and great
+forests of pine. Tsunu had a wife and sons and daughters. He was a
+woodman, and his days were spent in the forest and on the hillsides.
+In summer he was up at cock-crow, and worked patiently, in the soft
+light under the pines, until nightfall. Then, with his burden of logs
+and branches, he went slowly homeward. After the evening meal, he
+would tell some old story or legend. Tsunu was never weary of relating
+the wondrous tales of the Land of the Gods. Best of all he loved to
+speak of Fuji-yama, the mountain that stood so near his home.
+
+In times gone by, there was no mountain where now the sacred peak
+reaches up to the sky; only a far-stretching plain bathed in sunlight
+all day. The peasants in the district were astonished, one morning,
+to behold a mighty hill where before had been the open plain. It had
+sprung up in a single night, while they slept. Flames and huge stones
+were hurled from its summit; the peasants feared that the demons from
+the under-world had come to wreak vengeance upon them. But for many
+generations there have been peace and silence on the heights. The good
+Sun-Goddess loves Fuji-yama. Every evening she lingers on his summit,
+and when at last she leaves him, his lofty crest is bathed in soft
+purple light. In the evening the Matchless Mountain seems to rise
+higher and higher into the skies, until no mortal can tell the place
+of his rest. Golden clouds enfold Fuji-yama in the early morning.
+Pilgrims come from far and near, to gain blessing and health for
+themselves and their families from the sacred mountain.
+
+On the self-same night that Fuji-yama rose out of the earth, a strange
+thing happened in the mountainous district near Kyoto. The inhabitants
+were awakened by a terrible roar, which continued throughout the
+night. In the morning every mountain had disappeared; not one of the
+hills that they loved was to be seen. A blue lake lay before them. It
+was none other than the lute-shaped Lake Biwa. The mountains had, in
+truth, traveled under the earth for more than a hundred miles, and now
+form the sacred Fuji-yama.
+
+As Tsunu stepped out of his hut in the morning, his eyes sought the
+Mountain of the Gods. He saw the golden clouds, and the beautiful
+story was in his mind as he went to his work.
+
+One day the woodman wandered farther than usual into the forest. At
+noon he was in a very lonely spot. The air was soft and sweet, the sky
+so blue that he looked long at it, and then took a deep breath. Tsunu
+was happy.
+
+Now his eye fell on a little fox who watched him curiously from the
+bushes. The creature ran away when it saw that the man's attention had
+been attracted. Tsunu thought, "I will follow the little fox and see
+where she goes." Off he started in pursuit. He soon came to a bamboo
+thicket. The smooth, slender stems waved dreamily, the pale green
+leaves still sparkled with the morning dew. But it was not this which
+caused the woodman to stand spellbound. On a plot of mossy grass
+beyond the thicket, sat two maidens of surpassing beauty. They were
+partly shaded by the waving bamboos, but their faces were lit up by
+the sunlight. Not a word came from their lips, yet Tsunu knew that
+the voices of both must be sweet as the cooing of the wild dove. The
+maidens were graceful as the slender willow, they were fair as the
+blossom of the cherry-tree. Slowly they moved the chessmen which
+lay before them on the grass. Tsunu hardly dared to breathe, lest he
+should disturb them. The breeze caught their long hair, the sunlight
+played upon it.... The sun still shone.... The chessmen were still
+slowly moved to and fro.... The woodman gazed enraptured.
+
+"But now," thought Tsunu, "I must return, and tell those at home of
+the beautiful maidens." Alas, his knees were stiff and weak. "Surely
+I have stood here for many hours," he said. He leaned for support upon
+his axe; it crumbled into dust. Looking down he saw that a flowing
+white beard hung from his chin.
+
+For many hours the poor woodman tried in vain to reach his home.
+Fatigued and wearied, he came at last to a hut. But all was changed.
+Strange faces peered curiously at him. The speech of the people was
+unfamiliar. "Where are my wife and my children?" he cried. But no one
+knew his name.
+
+Finally, the poor woodman came to understand that seven generations
+had passed since he bade farewell to his dear ones in the early
+morning. While he had gazed at the beautiful maidens, his wife, his
+children, and his children's children had lived and died.
+
+The few remaining years of Tsunu's life were spent as a pious pilgrim
+to Fuji-yama, his well-loved mountain.
+
+Since his death he has been honored as a saint who brings prosperity
+to the people of his native country.
+
+
+
+
+THE STAR-LOVERS
+
+ADAPTED BY FRANK RINDER
+
+
+Shokujo, daughter of the Sun, dwelt with her father on the banks of
+the Silver River of Heaven, which we call the Milky Way. She was a
+lovely maiden, graceful and winsome, and her eyes were tender as the
+eyes of a dove. Her loving father, the Sun, was much troubled because
+Shokujo did not share in the youthful pleasures of the daughters of
+the air. A soft melancholy seemed to brood over her, but she never
+wearied of working for the good of others, and especially did she
+busy herself at her loom; indeed she came to be called the Weaving
+Princess.
+
+The Sun bethought him that if he could give his daughter in marriage,
+all would be well; her dormant love would be kindled into a flame that
+would illumine her whole being and drive out the pensive spirit which
+oppressed her. Now there lived, hard by, a right honest herdsman,
+named Kingen, who tended his cows on the borders of the Heavenly
+Stream. The Sun-King proposed to bestow his daughter on Kingen,
+thinking in this way to provide for her happiness and at the same time
+keep her near him. Every star beamed approval, and there was joy in
+the heavens.
+
+The love that bound Shokujo and Kingen to one another was a great
+love. With its awakening, Shokujo forsook her former occupations, nor
+did she any longer labor industriously at the loom, but laughed, and
+danced, and sang, and made merry from morn till night. The Sun-King
+was sorely grieved, for he had not foreseen so great a change. Anger
+was in his eyes, and he said, "Kingen is surely the cause of this,
+therefore I will banish him to the other side of the River of Stars."
+
+When Shokujo and Kingen heard that they were to be parted, and could
+thenceforth, in accordance with the King's decree, meet but once a
+year, and that upon the seventh night of the seventh month, their
+hearts were heavy. The leave-taking between them was a sad one,
+and great tears stood in Shokujo's eyes as she bade farewell to her
+lover-husband. In answer to the behest of the Sun-King, myriads of
+magpies flocked together, and, outspreading their wings, formed a
+bridge on which Kingen crossed the River of Heaven. The moment that
+his foot touched the opposite bank, the birds dispersed with noisy
+chatter, leaving poor Kingen a solitary exile. He looked wistfully
+towards the weeping figure of Shokujo, who stood on the threshold of
+her now desolate home.
+
+Long and weary were the succeeding days, spent as they were by Kingen
+in guiding his oxen and by Shokujo in plying her shuttle. The Sun-King
+was gladdened by his daughter's industry. When night fell and the
+heavens were bright with countless lights, the lovers were wont,
+standing on the banks of the celestial stream, to waft across it sweet
+and tender messages, while each uttered a prayer for the speedy coming
+of the wondrous night.
+
+The long-hoped-for month and day drew nigh, and the hearts of the
+lovers were troubled lest rain should fall; for the Silver River, full
+at all times, is at that season often in flood, and the bird-bridge
+might be swept away.
+
+The day broke cloudlessly bright. It waxed and waned, and one by one
+the lamps of heaven were lighted. At nightfall the magpies assembled,
+and Shokujo, quivering with delight, crossed the slender bridge and
+fell into the arms of her lover. Their transport of joy was as the joy
+of the parched flower, when the raindrop falls upon it; but the moment
+of parting soon came, and Shokujo sorrowfully retraced her steps.
+
+Year follows year, and the lovers still meet in that far-off land on
+the seventh night of the seventh month, save when rain has swelled
+the Silver River and rendered the crossing impossible. The hope of a
+permanent reunion still fills the hearts of the Star-Lovers, and is to
+them as a sweet fragrance and a beautiful vision.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+MYTHS OF THE SLAVS
+
+
+
+
+THE TWO BROTHERS
+
+ADAPTED BY ALEXANDER CHODSKO
+
+
+Once upon a time there were two brothers whose father had left them
+but a small fortune. The eldest grew very rich, but at the same time
+cruel and wicked, whereas there was nowhere a more honest or kinder
+man than the younger. But he remained poor, and had many children, so
+that at times they could scarcely get bread to eat. At last, one day
+there was not even this in the house, so he went to his rich brother
+and asked him for a loaf of bread. Waste of time! His rich brother
+only called him beggar and vagabond, and slammed the door in his face.
+
+The poor fellow, after this brutal reception, did not know which way
+to turn. Hungry, scantily clad, shivering with cold, his legs could
+scarcely carry him along. He had not the heart to go home, with
+nothing for the children, so he went towards the mountain forest. But
+all he found there were some wild pears that had fallen to the ground.
+He had to content himself with eating these, though they set his teeth
+on edge. But what was he to do to warm himself, for the east wind with
+its chill blast pierced him through and through. "Where shall I go?"
+he said; "what will become of us in the cottage? There is neither food
+nor fire, and my brother has driven me from his door." It was just
+then he remembered having heard that the top of the mountain in front
+of him was made of crystal, and had a fire forever burning upon it. "I
+will try and find it," he said, "and then I may be able to warm myself
+a little." So he went on climbing higher and higher till he reached
+the top, when he was startled to see twelve strange beings sitting
+round a huge fire. He stopped for a moment, but then said to himself,
+"What have I to lose? Why should I fear? God is with me. Courage!"
+
+So he advanced towards the fire, and bowing respectfully, said: "Good
+people, take pity on my distress. I am very poor, no one cares for me,
+I have not even a fire in my cottage; will you let me warm myself at
+yours?" They all looked kindly at him, and one of them said: "My son,
+come sit down with us and warm yourself."
+
+So he sat down, and felt warm directly he was near them. But he dared
+not speak while they were silent. What astonished him most was that
+they changed seats one after another, and in such a way that each one
+passed round the fire and came back to his own place. When he drew
+near the fire an old man with long white beard and bald head arose
+from the flames and spoke to him thus:
+
+"Man, waste not thy life here; return to thy cottage, work, and live
+honestly. Take as many embers as thou wilt, we have more than we
+need."
+
+And having said this he disappeared. Then the twelve filled a large
+sack with embers, and, putting it on the poor man's shoulders, advised
+him to hasten home.
+
+Humbly thanking them, he set off. As he went he wondered why the
+embers did not feel hot, and why they should weigh no more than a sack
+of paper. He was thankful that he should be able to have a fire, but
+imagine his astonishment when on arriving home he found the sack to
+contain as many gold pieces as there had been embers; he almost went
+out of his mind with joy at the possession of so much money. With all
+his heart he thanked those who had been so ready to help him in his
+need.
+
+He was now rich, and rejoiced to be able to provide for his family.
+Being curious to find out how many gold pieces there were, and not
+knowing how to count, he sent his wife to his rich brother for the
+loan of a quart measure.
+
+This time the brother was in a better temper, so he lent what was
+asked of him, but said mockingly, "What can such beggars as you have
+to measure?"
+
+The wife replied, "Our neighbor owes us some wheat; we want to be sure
+he returns us the right quantity."
+
+The rich brother was puzzled, and suspecting something he, unknown
+to his sister-in-law, put some grease inside the measure. The trick
+succeeded, for on getting it back he found a piece of gold sticking
+to it. Filled with astonishment, he could only suppose his brother had
+joined a band of robbers: so he hurried to his brother's cottage, and
+threatened to bring him before the justice of the peace if he did
+not confess where the gold came from. The poor man was troubled, and,
+dreading to offend his brother, told the story of his journey to the
+Crystal Mountain.
+
+Now the elder brother had plenty of money for himself, yet he was
+envious of the brother's good fortune, and became greatly displeased
+when he found that his brother won every one's esteem by the good use
+he made of his wealth. At last, he too determined to visit the Crystal
+Mountain.
+
+"I may meet with as good luck as my brother," said he to himself.
+
+Upon reaching the Crystal Mountain he found the twelve seated round
+the fire as before, and thus addressed them:
+
+"I beg of you, good people, to let me warm myself, for it is bitterly
+cold, and I am poor and homeless."
+
+But one of them replied: "My son, the hour of thy birth was favorable;
+thou art rich, but a miser; thou art wicked, for thou hast dared to
+lie to us. Well dost thou deserve thy punishment."
+
+Amazed and terrified he stood silent, not daring to speak. Meanwhile
+the twelve changed places one after another, each at last returning
+to his own seat. Then from the midst of the flames arose the
+white-bearded old man and spoke thus sternly to the rich man:
+
+"Woe unto the willful! Thy brother is virtuous, therefore have I
+blessed him. As for thee, thou are wicked, and so shalt not escape our
+vengeance."
+
+At these words the twelve arose. The first seized the unfortunate man,
+struck him, and passed him on to the second; the second also struck
+him and passed him on to the third; and so did they all in their turn,
+until he was given up to the old man, who disappeared with him into
+the fire.
+
+Days, weeks, months went by, but the rich man never returned, and none
+knew what had become of him. I think, between you and me, the younger
+brother had his suspicions but he very wisely kept them to himself.
+
+
+
+
+THE TWELVE MONTHS
+
+ADAPTED BY ALEXANDER CHODSKO
+
+
+There was once a widow who had two daughters, Helen, her own child by
+her dead husband, and Marouckla, his daughter by his first wife. She
+loved Helen, but hated the poor orphan, because she was far prettier
+than her own daughter. Marouckla did not think about her good looks,
+and could not understand why her stepmother should be angry at the
+sight of her. The hardest work fell to her share; she cleaned out the
+rooms, cooked, washed, sewed, spun, wove, brought in the hay, milked
+the cow, and all this without any help. Helen, meanwhile, did nothing
+but dress herself in her best clothes and go to one amusement after
+another. But Marouckla never complained; she bore the scoldings and
+bad temper of mother and sister with a smile on her lips, and the
+patience of a lamb. But this angelic behavior did not soften them.
+They became even more tyrannical and grumpy, for Marouckla grew daily
+more beautiful while Helen's ugliness increased. So the stepmother
+determined to get rid of Marouckla, for she knew that while she
+remained her own daughter would have no suitors. Hunger, every kind
+of privation, abuse, every means was used to make the girl's life
+miserable. The most wicked of men could not have been more mercilessly
+cruel than these two vixens. But in spite of it all Marouckla grew
+ever sweeter and more charming.
+
+One day in the middle of winter Helen wanted some wood-violets.
+
+"Listen," cried she to Marouckla; "you must go up the mountain and
+find me some violets, I want some to put in my gown; they must be
+fresh and sweet-scented--do you hear?"
+
+"But, my dear sister, who ever heard of violets blooming in the snow?"
+said the poor orphan.
+
+"You wretched creature! Do you dare to disobey me?" said Helen. "Not
+another word; off with you. If you do not bring me some violets from
+the mountain forest, I will kill you."
+
+The stepmother also added her threats to those of Helen, and with
+vigorous blows they pushed Marouckla outside and shut the door upon
+her. The weeping girl made her way to the mountain. The snow lay deep,
+and there was no trace of any human being. Long she wandered hither
+and thither, and lost herself in the wood. She was hungry, and
+shivered with cold, and prayed to die. Suddenly she saw a light in
+the distance, and climbed towards it, till she reached the top of
+the mountain. Upon the highest peak burnt a large fire, surrounded by
+twelve blocks of stone, on which sat twelve strange beings. Of these
+the first three had white hair, three were not quite so old, three
+were young and handsome, and the rest still younger.
+
+There they all sat silently looking at the fire. They were the twelve
+months of the year. The great Setchene (January) was placed higher
+than the others; his hair and mustache were white as snow, and in his
+hand he held a wand. At first Marouckla was afraid, but after a while
+her courage returned and drawing near she said:
+
+"Men of God, may I warm myself at your fire? I am chilled by the
+winter cold."
+
+The great Setchene raised his head and answered:
+
+"What brings thee here, my daughter? What dost thou seek?"
+
+"I am looking for violets," replied the maiden.
+
+"This is not the season for violets; dost thou not see the snow
+everywhere?" said Setchene.
+
+"I know well, but my sister Helen and my stepmother have ordered me to
+bring them violets from your mountain: if I return without them they
+will kill me. I pray you, good shepherds, tell me where they may be
+found?"
+
+Here the great Setchene arose and went over to the youngest of the
+months, and placing his wand in his hand, said:
+
+"Brother Brezene (March), do thou take the highest place."
+
+Brezene obeyed, at the same time waving his wand over the fire.
+Immediately the flames rose towards the sky, the snow began to melt
+and the tress and shrubs to bud; the grass became green, and from
+between its blades peeped the pale primrose. It was Spring, and the
+meadows were blue with violets.
+
+"Gather them quickly, Marouckla," said Brezene.
+
+Joyfully she hastened to pick the flowers, and having soon a large
+bunch she thanked them and ran home. Helen and the stepmother were
+amazed at the sight of the flowers, the scent of which filled the
+house.
+
+"Where did you find them?" asked Helen.
+
+"Under the trees on the mountain slope," said Marouckla.
+
+Helen kept the flowers for herself and her mother; she did not even
+thank her stepsister for the trouble she had taken. The next day she
+desired Marouckla to fetch her strawberries.
+
+"Run," said she, "and fetch me strawberries from the mountain: they
+must be very sweet and ripe."
+
+"But who ever heard of strawberries ripening in the snow?" exclaimed
+Marouckla.
+
+"Hold your tongue, worm; don't answer me; if I don't have my
+strawberries I will kill you."
+
+Then the stepmother pushed her into the yard and bolted the door. The
+unhappy girl made her way towards the mountain and to the large fire
+round which sat the twelve months. The great Setchene occupied the
+highest place.
+
+"Men of God, may I warm myself at your fire? The winter cold chills
+me," said she, drawing near.
+
+The great Setchene raised his head and asked:
+
+"Why comest thou here? What dost thou seek?"
+
+"I am looking for strawberries," said she.
+
+"We are in the midst of winter," replied Setchene; strawberries do not
+grow in the snow."
+
+"I know," said the girl sadly, "but my sister and stepmother have
+ordered me to bring them strawberries; if I do not they will kill me.
+Pray, good shepherds, tell me where to find them."
+
+The great Setchene arose, crossed over to the month opposite him, and
+putting the wand into his hand, said:
+
+"Brother Tchervene (June), do thou take the highest place."
+
+Tchervene obeyed, and as he waved his wand over the fire the flames
+leapt towards the sky. Instantly the snow melted, the earth was
+covered with verdure, trees were clothed with leaves, birds began
+to sing, and various flowers blossomed in the forest. It was summer.
+Under the bushes masses of star-shaped flowers changed into ripening
+strawberries. Before Marouckla had time to cross herself they covered
+the glade, making it look like a sea of blood.
+
+"Gather them quickly, Marouckla," said Tchervene.
+
+Joyfully she thanked the months, and having filled her apron
+ran happily home. Helen and her mother wondered at seeing the
+strawberries, which filled the house with their delicious fragrance.
+
+"Wherever did you find them?" asked Helen crossly.
+
+"Right up among the mountains; those from under the beech trees are
+not bad."
+
+Helen gave a few to her mother and ate the rest herself; not one did
+she offer to her stepsister. Being tired of strawberries, on the third
+day she took a fancy for some fresh red apples.
+
+"Run, Marouckla," said she, "and fetch me fresh red apples from the
+mountain."
+
+"Apples in winter, sister? why, the trees have neither leaves nor
+fruit."
+
+"Idle creature, go this minute," said Helen; "unless you bring back
+apples we will kill you."
+
+As before, the stepmother seized her roughly and turned her out of
+the house. The poor girl went weeping up the mountain, across the deep
+snow upon which lay no human footprint, and on towards the fire round
+which were the twelve months. Motionless sat they, and on the highest
+stone was the great Setchene.
+
+"Men of God, may I warm myself at your fire? The winter cold chills
+me," said she, drawing near.
+
+The great Setchene raised his head.
+
+"Why com'st thou here? What dost thou seek?" asked he.
+
+"I am come to look for red apples," replied Marouckla.
+
+"But this is winter, and not the season for red apples," observed the
+great Setchene.
+
+"I know," answered the girl, "but my sister and stepmother, sent me to
+fetch red apples from the mountain; if I return without them they will
+kill me."
+
+Thereupon the great Setchene arose and went over to one of the elderly
+months, to whom he handed the wand, saying:
+
+"Brother Zare (September), do thou take the highest place."
+
+Zare moved to the highest stone and waved his wand over the fire.
+There was a flare of red flames, the snow disappeared, but the fading
+leaves which trembled on the trees were sent by a cold northeast
+wind in yellow masses to the glade. Only a few flowers of autumn were
+visible, such as the fleabane and red gillyflower, autumn colchicums
+in the ravine, and under the beeches bracken and tufts of northern
+heather. At first Marouckla looked in vain for red apples. Then she
+espied a tree which grew at a great height, and from the branches
+of this hung the bright red fruit. Zare ordered her to gather some
+quickly. The girl was delighted and shook the tree. First one apple
+fell, then another.
+
+"That is enough," said Zare, "hurry home."
+
+Thanking the months, she returned joyfully. Helen marveled and the
+stepmother wondered at seeing the fruit.
+
+"Where did you gather them?" asked the stepsister.
+
+"There are more on the mountain top," answered Marouckla.
+
+"Then why did you not bring more?" said Helen angrily; "you must have
+eaten them on your way back, you wicked girl."
+
+"No, dear sister, I have not even tasted them," said Marouckla. "I
+shook the tree twice; one apple fell each time. I was not allowed to
+shake it again, but was told to return home."
+
+"May God smite you with his thunderbolt," said Helen, striking her.
+
+Marouckla prayed to die rather than suffer such ill-treatment. Weeping
+bitterly, she took refuge in the kitchen. Helen and her mother found
+the apples more delicious than any they had ever tasted, and when they
+had eaten both longed for more.
+
+"Listen, mother," said Helen. "Give me my cloak; I will fetch some
+more apples myself, or else that good-for-nothing wretch will eat them
+all on the way. I shall be able to find the mountain and the tree. The
+shepherds may cry 'Stop,' but I shall not leave go till I have shaken
+down all the apples."
+
+In spite of her mother's advice she put on her cloak, covered her head
+with a warm hood, and took the road to the mountain. The mother stood
+and watched her till she was lost in the distance.
+
+Snow covered everything, not a human footprint was to be seen on its
+surface. Helen lost herself and wandered hither and thither. After
+a while she saw a light above her, and following in its direction
+reached the mountain top. There was the flaming fire, the twelve
+blocks of stone, and the twelve months. At first she was frightened
+and hesitated; then she came nearer and warmed her hands. She did not
+ask permission, nor did she speak one polite word.
+
+"What has brought thee here? What dost thou seek?" said the great
+Setchene severely.
+
+"I am not obliged to tell you, old graybeard; what business is it of
+yours?" she replied disdainfully, turning her back on the fire and
+going towards the forest.
+
+The great Setchene frowned, and waved his wand over his head.
+Instantly the sky became covered with clouds, the fire went down, snow
+fell in large flakes, an icy wind howled round the mountain. Amid the
+fury of the storm Helen added curses against her stepsister. The cloak
+failed to warm her benumbed limbs. The mother kept on waiting for her;
+she looked from the window, she watched from the doorstep, but her
+daughter came not. The hours passed slowly, but Helen did not return.
+
+"Can it be that the apples have charmed her from her home?" thought
+the mother. Then she clad herself in hood and shawl and went in search
+of her daughter. Snow fell in huge masses; it covered all things, it
+lay untouched by human footsteps. For long she wandered hither and
+thither; the icy northeast wind whistled in the mountain, but no voice
+answered her cries.
+
+Day after day Marouckla worked and prayed, and waited; but neither
+stepmother nor sister returned, they had been frozen to death on the
+mountain. The inheritance of a small house, a field, and a cow fell to
+Marouckla. In course of time an honest farmer came to share them with
+her, and their lives were happy and peaceful.
+
+
+
+
+THE SUN; OR, THE THREE GOLDEN HAIRS OF THE OLD MAN VSEVEDE
+
+ADAPTED BY ALEXANDER CHODSKO
+
+
+Can this be a true story? It is said that once there was a King who
+was exceedingly fond of hunting the wild beasts in his forests. One
+day he followed a stag so far and so long that he lost his way. Alone
+and overtaken by night, he was glad to find himself near a small
+thatched cottage in which lived a charcoal-burner.
+
+"Will you kindly show me the way to the highroad? You shall be
+handsomely rewarded."
+
+"I would willingly," said the charcoal-burner, "But God is going to
+send my wife a little child, and I cannot leave her alone. Will you
+pass the night under our roof? There is a truss of sweet hay in the
+loft where you may rest, and to-morrow morning I will be your guide."
+
+The King accepted the invitation and went to bed in the loft. Shortly
+after a son was born to the charcoal-burner's wife. But the King
+could not sleep. At midnight he heard noises in the house, and looking
+through a crack in the flooring he saw the charcoal-burner asleep, his
+wife almost in a faint, and by the side of the newly-born babe three
+old women dressed in white, each holding a lighted taper in her hand,
+and all talking together. Now these were the three Soudiche or Fates,
+you must know.
+
+The first said, "On this boy I bestow the gift of confronting great
+dangers."
+
+The second said, "I bestow the power of happily escaping all these
+dangers, and of living to a good old age."
+
+The third said, "I bestow upon him for wife the Princess born at the
+self-same hour as he, and daughter of the very King sleeping above in
+the loft."
+
+At these words the lights went out and silence reigned around.
+
+Now the King was greatly troubled, and wondered exceedingly; he felt
+as if he had received a sword-thrust in the chest. He lay awake all
+night thinking how to prevent the words of the Fates from coming true.
+
+With the first glimmer of morning light the baby began to cry. The
+charcoal-burner, on going over to it, found that his wife was dead.
+
+"Poor little orphan," he said sadly, "what will become of thee without
+a mother's care?"
+
+"Confide this child to me," said the King, "I will look after it. He
+shall be well provided for. You shall be given a sum of money large
+enough to keep you without having to burn charcoal."
+
+The poor man gladly agreed, and the King went away promising to send
+some one for the child. The Queen and the courtiers thought it would
+be an agreeable surprise for the King to hear that a charming little
+Princess had been born on the night he was away. But instead of being
+pleased he frowned and calling one of his servants, said to him, "Go
+to the charcoal-burner's cottage in the, forest, and give the man this
+purse in exchange for a new-born infant. On your way back drown
+the child. See well that he is drowned, for if he should in any way
+escape, you yourself shall suffer in his place."
+
+The servant was given the child in a basket, and on reaching the
+center of a narrow bridge that stretched across a wide and deep river,
+he threw both basket and baby into the water.
+
+"A prosperous journey to you, Mr. Son-in-Law," said the King, on
+hearing the servant's story; for he fully believed the child was
+drowned. But it was far from being the case; the little one was
+floating happily along in its basket cradle, and slumbering as
+sweetly as if his mother had sung him to sleep. Now it happened that
+a fisherman, who was mending his nets before his cottage door, saw
+the basket floating down the river. He jumped at once into his boat,
+picked it up, and ran to tell his wife the good news.
+
+"Look," said he, "you have always longed for a son; here is a
+beautiful little boy the river has sent us."
+
+The woman was delighted, and took the infant and loved it as her own
+child. They named him _Plavacek_ (the floater), because he had come to
+them floating on the water.
+
+The river flowed on. Years passed away. The little baby grew into a
+handsome youth; in all the villages round there were none to compare
+with him. Now it happened that one summer day the King was riding
+unattended, and the heat being very great he reined in his horse
+before the fisherman's door to ask for a drink of water. Plavacek
+brought the water. The King looked at him attentively, then turning to
+the fisherman, said, "That is a good-looking lad; is he your son?"
+
+"He is and he isn't," replied the fisherman. "I found him, when he was
+quite a tiny baby, floating down the stream in a basket. So we adopted
+him and brought him up as our own son."
+
+The King turned as pale as death, for he guessed that he was the same
+child he had ordered to be drowned. Then recovering himself he got
+down from his horse and said: "I want a trusty messenger to take a
+message to the palace, could you send him with it?"
+
+"With pleasure! Your Majesty may be sure of its safe delivery."
+
+Thereupon the King wrote to the Queen as follows:
+
+"The man who brings you this letter is the most dangerous of all my
+enemies. Have his head cut off at once; no delay, no pity, he must be
+executed before my return. Such is my will and pleasure."
+
+This he carefully folded and sealed with the royal seal.
+
+Plavacek took the letter and set off immediately. But the forest
+through which he had to pass was so large, and the trees so thick,
+that he missed the path and was overtaken by the darkness before the
+journey was nearly over. In the midst of his trouble he met an old
+woman who said, "Where are you going, Plavacek? Where are you going?"
+
+"I am the bearer of a letter from the King to the Queen, but have
+missed the path to the palace. Could you, good mother, put me on the
+right road?"
+
+"Impossible to-day, my child; it is getting dark, and you would not
+have time to get there. Stay with me to-night. You will not be with
+strangers, for I am your godmother."
+
+Plavacek agreed. Thereupon they entered a pretty little cottage that
+seemed suddenly to sink into the earth. Now while he slept the old
+woman changed his letter for another, which ran thus:
+
+"Immediately upon the receipt of this letter introduce the bearer
+to the Princess our daughter, I have chosen this young man for my
+son-in-law, and it is my wish they should be married before my return
+to the palace. Such is my pleasure."
+
+The letter was duly delivered, and when the Queen had read it, she
+ordered everything to be prepared for the wedding. Both she and her
+daughter greatly enjoyed Plavacek's society, and nothing disturbed the
+happiness of the newly married pair.
+
+Within a few days the King returned, and on hearing what had taken
+place was very angry with the Queen.
+
+"But you expressly bade me have the wedding before your return. Come,
+read your letter again, here it is," said she.
+
+He closely examined the letter; the paper, handwriting, seal--all were
+undoubtedly his. He then called his son-in-law, and questioned him
+about his journey. Plavacek hid nothing: he told how he had lost his
+way, and how he had passed the night in a cottage in the forest.
+
+"What was the old woman like?" asked the King.
+
+From Plavacek's description the King knew it was the very same who,
+twenty years before, had foretold the marriage of the Princess with
+the charcoal-burner's son. After some moments' thought the King
+said: "What is done is done. But you will not become my son-in-law
+so easily. No, i' faith! As a wedding present you must bring me three
+golden hairs from the head of Dede-Vsevede."
+
+In this way he thought to get rid of his son-in-law, whose very
+presence was distasteful to him. The young fellow took leave of his
+wife and set off. "I know not which way to go," said he to himself,
+"but my godmother the witch will surely help me."
+
+But he found the way easily enough. He walked on and on and on for
+a long time over mountain, valley, and river, until he reached the
+shores of the Black Sea. There he found a boat and boatman.
+
+"May God bless you, old boatman," said he.
+
+"And you, too, my young traveler. Where are you going?"
+
+"To Dede-Vsevede's castle for three of his golden hairs."
+
+"Ah, then you are very welcome. For a long weary while I have been
+waiting for such a messenger as you. I have been ferrying passengers
+across for these twenty years, and not one of them has done anything
+to help me. If you will promise to ask Dede-Vsevede when I shall be
+released from my toil I will row you across."
+
+Plavacek promised, and was rowed to the opposite bank. He continued
+his journey on foot until he came in sight of a large town half in
+ruins, near which was passing a funeral procession. The King of that
+country was following his father's coffin, and with the tears running
+down his cheeks.
+
+"May God comfort you in your distress," said Plavacek.
+
+"Thank you, good traveler. Where are you going?"
+
+"To the house of Dede-Vsevede in quest of three of his golden hairs."
+
+"To the house of Dede-Vsevede? Indeed! What a pity you did not come
+sooner, we have long been expecting such a messenger as you. Come and
+see me by-and-by."
+
+When Plavacek presented himself at court the King said to him:
+
+"We understand you are on your way to the house of Dede-Vsevede! Now
+we have an apple-tree here that bears the fruit of everlasting youth.
+One of these apples eaten by a man, even though he be dying, will cure
+him and make him young again. For the last twenty years neither fruit
+nor flower has been found on this tree. Will you ask Dede-Vsevede the
+cause of it?"
+
+"That I will, with pleasure."
+
+Then Plavacek continued his journey, and as he went he came to a large
+and beautiful city where all was sad and silent. Near the gate was an
+old man who leaned on a stick and walked with difficulty.
+
+"May God bless you, good old man."
+
+"And you, too, my handsome young traveler. Where are you going?"
+
+"To Dede-Vsevede's palace in search of three of his golden hairs."
+
+"Ah, you are the very messenger I have so long waited for. Allow me to
+take you to my master the King."
+
+On their arrival at the palace, the King said, "I hear you are an
+ambassador to Dede-Vsevede. We have here a well, the water of
+which renews itself. So wonderful are its effects that invalids are
+immediately cured on drinking it, while a few drops sprinkled on a
+corpse will bring it to life again. For the past twenty years this
+well has remained dry: if you will ask old Dede-Vsevede how the flow
+of water may be restored I will reward you royally."
+
+Plavacek promised to do so, and was dismissed with good wishes. He
+then traveled through deep dark forests, in the midst of which might
+be seen a large meadow: out of it grew lovely flowers, and in the
+center stood a castle built of gold. It was the home of Dede-Vsevede.
+So brilliant with light was it that it seemed to be built of fire.
+When he entered there was no one there but an old woman spinning.
+
+"Greeting, Plavacek, I am well pleased to see you."
+
+She was his godmother, who had given him shelter in her cottage when
+he was the bearer of the King's letter.
+
+"Tell me what brings you here from such a distance," she went on.
+
+"The King would not have me for his son-in-law, unless I first got him
+three golden hairs from the head of Dede-Vsevede. So he sent me here
+to fetch them."
+
+The Fate laughed. "Dede-Vsevede indeed! Why, I am his mother, it is
+the shining sun himself. He is a child at morning time, a grown man
+at midday, a decrepit old man, looking as if he had lived a hundred
+years, at eventide. But I will see that you have the three hairs from
+his head; I am not your godmother for nothing. All the same you must
+not remain here. My son is a good lad, but when he comes home he
+is hungry, and would very probably order you to be roasted for his
+supper. Now I will turn this empty bucket upside down, and you shall
+hide underneath it."
+
+Plavacek begged the Fate to obtain from Dede-Vsevede the answers to
+the three questions he had been asked.
+
+"I will do so certainly, but you must listen to what he says."
+
+Suddenly a blast of wind howled round the palace, and the Sun entered
+by a western window. He was an old man with golden hair.
+
+"I smell human flesh," cried he, "I am sure of it. Mother, you have
+some one here."
+
+"Star of day," she replied, "whom could I have here that you would not
+see sooner than I? The fact is that in your daily journeys the scent
+of human flesh is always with you, so when you come home at evening it
+clings to you still."
+
+The old man said nothing, and sat down to supper. When he had finished
+he laid his golden head on the Fate's lap and went to sleep. Then she
+pulled out a hair and threw it on the ground. It fell with a metallic
+sound like the vibration of a guitar string.
+
+"What do you want, mother?" asked he.
+
+"Nothing, my son; I was sleeping, and had a strange dream."
+
+"What was it, mother?"
+
+"I thought I was in a place where there was a well, and the well was
+fed from a spring, the water of which cured all diseases. Even the
+dying were restored to health on drinking that water, and the dead who
+were sprinkled with it came to life again. For the last twenty years
+the well has run dry. What must be done to restore the flow of water?"
+
+"That is very simple. A frog has lodged itself in the opening of the
+spring, this prevents the flow of water. Kill the frog, and the water
+will return to the well."
+
+He slept again, and the old woman pulled out another golden hair, and
+threw it on the ground.
+
+"Mother, what do you want?"
+
+"Nothing, my son, nothing; I was dreaming. In my dream I saw a large
+town, the name of which I have forgotten. And there grew an apple-tree
+the fruit of which had the power to make the old young again. A single
+apple eaten by an old man would restore to him the vigor and freshness
+of youth. For twenty years this tree has not borne fruit. What can be
+done to make it fruitful?"
+
+"The means are not difficult. A snake hidden among the roots destroys
+the sap. Kill the snake, transplant the tree, and the fruit will grow
+as before."
+
+He again fell asleep, and the old woman pulled out another golden
+hair.
+
+"Now mother, why will you not let me sleep?" said the old man, really
+vexed; and he would have got up.
+
+"Lie down, my darling son, do not disturb yourself. I am sorry I
+awoke you, but I have had a very strange dream. It seemed that I saw a
+boatman on the shores of the Black Sea, and he complained that he had
+been toiling at the ferry for twenty years without any one having come
+to take his place. For how much longer must this poor old man continue
+to row?"
+
+"He is a silly fellow. He has but to place his oars in the hands
+of the first comer and jump ashore. Who ever receives the oars will
+replace him as ferryman. But leave me in peace now, mother, and do not
+wake me again. I have to rise very early, and must first dry the eyes
+of a Princess. The poor thing spends all night weeping for her husband
+who has been sent by the King to get three of my golden hairs."
+
+Next morning the wind whistled round Dede-Vsevede's palace, and
+instead of an old man, a beautiful child with golden hair awoke on
+the old woman's lap. It was the glorious sun. He bade her good-by, and
+flew out of the eastern window. The old woman turned up the bucket and
+said to Plavacek: "Look, here are the three golden hairs. You now
+know the answers to your questions. May God direct you and send you
+a prosperous journey. You will not see me again, for you will have no
+further need of me."
+
+He thanked her gratefully and left her. On arriving at the town with
+the dried-up well, he was questioned by the King as to what news he
+had brought.
+
+"Have the well carefully cleaned out," said he, "kill the frog that
+obstructs the spring, and the wonderful water will flow again."
+
+The King did as he was advised, and rejoiced to see the water return.
+He gave Plavacek twelve swan-white horses, and as much gold and silver
+as they could carry.
+
+On reaching the second town and being asked by the King what news he
+had brought, he replied, "Excellent; one could not wish for better.
+Dig up your apple-tree, kill the snake that lies among the roots,
+transplant the tree, and it will produce apples like those of former
+times."
+
+And all turned out as he had said, for no sooner was the tree
+replanted than it was covered with blossoms that gave it the
+appearance of a sea of roses. The delighted King gave him twelve
+raven-black horses, laden with as much wealth as they could carry.
+He then journeyed to the shores of the Black Sea. There the boatman
+questioned him as to what news he had brought respecting his release.
+Plavacek first crossed with his twenty-four horses to the opposite
+bank, and then replied that the boatman might gain his freedom by
+placing the oars in the hands of the first traveler who wished to be
+ferried over.
+
+Plavacek's royal father-in-law could not believe his eyes when he
+saw Dede-Vsevede's three golden hairs. As for the Princess, his young
+wife, she wept tears, but of joy, not sadness, to see her dear one
+again, and she said to him, "How did you get such splendid horses and
+so much wealth, dear husband?"
+
+And he answered her, "All this represents the price paid for the
+weariness of spirit I have felt; it is the ready money for hardships
+endured and services given. Thus, I showed one King how to regain
+possession of the Apples of Youth: to another I told the secret of
+reopening the spring of water that gives health and life."
+
+"Apples of Youth! Water of Life!" interrupted the King. "I will
+certainly go and find these treasures for myself. Ah, what joy! having
+eaten of these apples I shall become young again; having drunk of the
+Water of Immortality, I shall live forever."
+
+And he started off in search of these treasures. But he has not yet
+returned from his search.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+A MYTH OF AMERICA
+
+
+
+
+HIAWATHA
+
+ADAPTED FROM H.R. SCHOOLCRAFT's VERSION
+
+
+Hiawatha was living with his grandmother near the edge of a wide
+prairie. On this prairie he first saw animals and birds of every
+kind. He there also saw exhibitions of divine power in the sweeping
+tempests, in the thunder and lightning, and the various shades of
+light and darkness which form a never ending scene for observation.
+Every new sight he beheld in the heavens was a subject of remark;
+every new animal or bird an object of deep interest; and every sound
+uttered by the animal creation a new lesson, which he was expected to
+learn. He often trembled at what he heard and saw. To this scene his
+grandmother sent him at an early age to watch. The first sound he
+heard was that of an owl, at which he was greatly terrified, and
+quickly descending the tree he had climbed, he ran with alarm to the
+lodge. "Noko! Noko!" (grandma) he cried, "I have heard a momendo." She
+laughed at his fears, and asked him what kind of a noise it made. He
+answered, "It makes a noise like this: Ko-ko-ko-ho." She told him
+that he was young and foolish; that what he had heard was only a bird,
+deriving its name from the noise it made.
+
+He went back and continued his watch. While there, he thought to
+himself, "It is singular that I am so simple, and my grandmother so
+wise, and that I have neither father nor mother. I have never heard a
+word about them. I must ask and find out." He went home and sat down
+silent and dejected. At length his grandmother asked him, "Hiawatha,
+what is the matter with you?" He answered, "I wish you would tell me
+whether I have any parents living and who my relatives are." Knowing
+that he was of a wicked and revengeful disposition, she dreaded
+telling him the story of his parentage, but he insisted on her
+compliance. "Yes," she said, "you have a father and three brothers
+living. Your mother is dead. She was taken without the consent of her
+parents by your father the West. Your brothers are the North, East,
+and South, and, being older than yourself, your father has given them
+great power with the winds, according to their names. You are the
+youngest of his children. I have nourished you from your infancy, for
+your mother died in giving you birth, owing to the ill-treatment of
+your father. I have no relations besides you this side of the planet
+on which I was born, and from which I was precipitated by female
+jealousy. Your mother was my only child, and you are my only hope."
+
+He appeared to be rejoiced to hear that his father was living, for
+he had already thought in his heart to try and kill him. He told his
+grandmother he should set out in the morning to visit him. She said it
+was a long distance to the place where The West lived. But that had
+no effect to stop him for he had now attained manhood, possessed a
+giant's height, and was endowed by nature with a giant's strength and
+power. He set out and soon reached the place, for every step he took
+covered a large surface of ground. The meeting took place on a high
+mountain in the West. His father appeared very happy to see him. They
+spent some days in talking with each other.
+
+One evening Hiawatha asked his father what he was most afraid of on
+earth. He replied, "Nothing." "But is there not something you dread
+here? Tell me." At last his father said, yielding, "Yes, there is a
+black stone found in such a place. It is the only earthly thing I am
+afraid of; for if it should hit me, or any part of my body, it would
+injure me very much." He said this as a secret, and in return asked
+his son the same question. Knowing each other's power, although the
+son's was limited, the father feared him on account of his great
+strength. Hiawatha answered, "Nothing!" intending to avoid the
+question, or to refer to some harmless object as the one of which he
+was afraid. He was asked again, and again, and answered, "Nothing!"
+But the West said, "There must be something you are afraid of." "Well!
+I will tell you," said Hiawatha, "what it is." But, before he would
+pronounce the word, he affected great dread. "_Ie-ee_--_Ie-ee_--it
+is--it is," said he, "yeo! yeo! I cannot name it; I am seized with a
+dread." The West told him to banish his fears. He commenced again, in
+a strain of mock sensitiveness repeating the same words; at last
+he cried out, "It is the root of the bulrush." He appeared to be
+exhausted by the effort of pronouncing the word, in all this skilfully
+acting a studied part.
+
+Some time after he observed, "I will get some of the black rock;"
+the West said, "Far be it from you; do not so, my son." He still
+persisted. "Well," said the father, "I will also get the bulrush root."
+Hiawatha immediately cried out, "Do not--do not," affecting as before,
+to be in great dread of it, but really wishing, by this course, to
+urge on the West to procure it, that he might draw him into combat. He
+went out and got a large piece of the black rock, and brought it home.
+The West also took care to bring the dreaded root.
+
+In the course of conversation he asked his father whether he had been
+the cause of his mother's death. The answer was "Yes!" He then took
+up the rock and struck him. Blow led to blow, and here commenced an
+obstinate and furious combat, which continued several days. Fragments
+of the rock, broken off under Hiawatha's blows, can be seen in various
+places to this day. The root did not prove as mortal a weapon as his
+well-acted fears had led his father to expect, although he suffered
+severely from the blows. This battle commenced on the mountains. The
+West was forced to give ground. Hiawatha drove him across rivers, and
+over mountains and lakes, and at last he came to the brink of this
+world.
+
+"Hold!" cried he, "my son; you know my power, and that it is
+impossible to kill me. Desist, and I will also portion you out with
+as much power as your brothers. The four quarters of the globe are
+already occupied; but you can go and do a great deal of good to the
+people of this earth, which is infested with large serpents, beasts,
+and monsters, who make great [Blank Page] havoc among the inhabitants.
+Go and do good. You have the power now to do so, and your fame with
+the beings of this earth will last forever. When you have finished
+your work, I will have a place provided for you. You will then go and
+sit with your brother in the north."
+
+[Illustration: FROM THE "COSMOPOLITAN MAGAZINE" BY PERMISSION.
+
+HIAWATHA IN HIS CANOE.]
+
+Hiawatha was pacified. He returned to his lodge, where he was confined
+by the wounds he had received. But owing to his grandmother's skill in
+medicine he was soon recovered. She told him that his grandfather,
+who had come to the earth in search of her, had been killed by
+Meg-gis-sog-won, who lived on the opposite side of the great lake.
+"When he was alive," she continued, "I was never without oil to put on
+my head, but now my hair is fast falling off for the want of it."
+
+"Well!" said he, "Noko, get cedar bark and make me a line, while I
+make a canoe." When all was ready, he went out to the middle of the
+lake to fish. He put his line down, saying, "Me-she-nah-ma-gwai (the
+name of the kingfish), take hold of my bait." He kept repeating this
+for some time. At last the king of the fishes said, "Hiawatha troubles
+me. Here, Trout, take hold of his line," which was very heavy, so
+that his canoe stood nearly perpendicular; but he kept crying out,
+"Wha-ee-he! wha-ee-he!" till he could see the trout. As soon as he saw
+him, he spoke to him. "Why did you take hold of my hook? Shame, shame
+you ugly fish." The trout, being thus rebuked, let go.
+
+Hiawatha put his line again in the water, saying, "King of fishes,
+take hold of my line." But the king of fishes told a monstrous sunfish
+to take hold of it; for Hiawatha was tiring him with his incessant
+calls. He again drew up his line with difficulty, saying as before,
+"Wha-ee-he! wha-ee-he!" while his canoe was turning in swift circles.
+When he saw the sunfish, he cried, "Shame, shame you odious fish! why
+did you dirty my hook by taking it in your mouth? Let go, I say, let
+go." The sunfish did so, and told the king of fishes what Hiawatha
+said. Just at that moment the bait came near the king, and hearing
+Hiawatha continually crying out, "Me-she-nah-ma-gwai, take hold of my
+hook," at last he did so, and allowed himself to be drawn up to the
+surface, which he had no sooner reached than, at one mouthful, he took
+Hiawatha and his canoe down. When he came to himself, he found that
+he was in the fish's belly, and also his canoe. He now turned his
+thoughts to the way of making his escape. Looking in his canoe, he saw
+his war-club, with which he immediately struck the heart of the
+fish. He then felt a sudden motion, as if he were moving with great
+velocity. The fish observed to the others, "I am sick at stomach for
+having swallowed this dirty fellow, Hiawatha." Just at this moment he
+received another severe blow on the heart. Hiawatha thought, "If I
+am thrown up in the middle of the lake, I shall be drowned; so I must
+prevent it." He drew his canoe and placed it across the fish's throat,
+and just as he had finished the fish commenced vomiting, but to no
+effect. In this he was aided by a squirrel, who had accompanied him
+unperceived until that moment. This animal had taken an active part in
+helping him to place his canoe across the fish's throat. For this
+act he named him, saying, "For the future, boys shall always call you
+Ajidaumo [Upside Down]!"
+
+He then renewed his attack upon the fish's heart, and succeeded, by
+repeated blows, in killing him, which he first knew by the loss of
+motion, and by the sound of the beating of the body against the
+shore. He waited a day longer to see what would happen. He heard birds
+scratching on the body, and all at once the rays of light broke in. He
+could see the heads of gulls, who were looking in by the opening they
+had made. "Oh!" cried Hiawatha, "my younger brothers, make the opening
+larger, so that I can get out." They told each other that their
+brother Hiawatha was inside of the fish. They immediately set about
+enlarging the orifice, and in a short time liberated him. After he got
+out he said to the gulls, "For the future you shall be called Kayoshk
+[Noble Scratchers]!"
+
+The spot where the fish happened to be driven ashore was near his
+lodge. He went up and told his grandmother to go and prepare as much
+oil as she wanted. All besides, he informed her, he should keep for
+himself.
+
+Some time after this, he commenced making preparations for a war
+excursion against the Pearl Feather, the Manito who lived on the
+opposite side of the great lake, who had killed his grandfather. The
+abode of his spirit was defended, first, by fiery serpents, who hissed
+fire so that no one could pass them; and, in the second place, by a
+large mass of gummy matter lying on the water, so soft and adhesive,
+that whoever attempted to pass, or whatever came in contact with it,
+was sure to stick there.
+
+He continued making bows and arrows without number, but he had no
+heads for his arrows. At last Noko told him that an old man who lived
+at some distance could make them. He sent her to get some. She soon
+returned with her conaus, or wrapper, full. Still he told her he had
+not enough, and sent her again. She returned with as many more. He
+thought to himself, "I must find out the way of making these heads."
+Cunning and curiosity prompted him to make the discovery. But he
+deemed it necessary to deceive his grandmother in so doing. "Noko,"
+said he, "while I take my drum and rattle, and sing my war-songs,
+go and try to get me some larger heads for my arrows, for those you
+brought me are all of the same size. Go and see whether the old
+man cannot make some a little larger." He followed her as she went,
+keeping at a distance, and saw the old artificer at work, and so
+discovered his process. He also beheld the old man's daughter, and
+perceived that she was very beautiful. He felt his breast beat with
+a new emotion, but said nothing. He took care to get home before his
+grandmother, and commenced singing as if he had never left his lodge.
+When the old woman came near, she heard his drum and rattle, without
+any suspicion that he had followed her. She delivered him the
+arrow-heads.
+
+One evening the old woman said, "My son, you ought to fast before you
+go to war, as your brothers frequently do, to find out whether
+you will be successful or not." He said he had no objection, and
+immediately commenced a fast for several days. He would retire
+every day from the lodge so far as to be out of the reach of his
+grandmother's voice.
+
+After having finished his term of fasting and sung his war-song from
+which the Indians of the present day derive their custom--he embarked
+in his canoe, fully prepared for war. In addition to the usual
+implements, he had a plentiful supply of oil. He traveled rapidly
+night and day, for he had only to will or speak, and the canoe went.
+At length he arrived in sight of the fiery serpents. He stopped to
+view them. He saw they were some distance apart, and that the flame
+only which issued from them reached across the pass. He commenced
+talking as a friend to them; but they answered, "We know you,
+Hiawatha, you cannot pass." He then thought of some expedient to
+deceive them, and hit upon this. He pushed his canoe as near as
+possible. All at once he cried out, with a loud and terrified voice,
+"What is that behind you?" The serpents instantly turned their heads,
+when, at a single word, he passed them. "Well!" said he, placidly,
+after he had got by, "how do you like my exploit?" He then took up his
+bow and arrows, and with deliberate aim shot them, which was easily
+done, for the serpents were stationary, and could not move beyond a
+certain spot. They were of enormous length and of a bright color.
+
+Having overcome the sentinel serpents, he went on in his magic canoe
+till he came to a soft gummy portion of the lake, called Pigiu-wagumee
+or Pitchwater. He took the oil and rubbed it on his canoe, and then
+pushed into it. The oil softened the surface and enabled him to slip
+through it with ease, although it required frequent rubbing, and
+a constant re-application of the oil. Just as his oil failed, he
+extricated himself from this impediment, and was the first person who
+ever succeeded in overcoming it.
+
+He now came in view of land, on which he debarked in safety, and could
+see the lodge of the Shining Manito, situated on a hill. He commenced
+preparing for the fight, putting his arrows and clubs in order, and
+just at the dawn of day began his attack, yelling and shouting, and
+crying with triple voices, "Surround him! surround him! run up! run
+up!" making it appear that he had many followers. He advanced crying
+out, "It was you that killed my grandfather," and with this shot his
+arrows.
+
+The combat continued all day. Hiawatha's arrows had no effect, for his
+antagonist was clothed with pure wampum. He was now reduced to three
+arrows, and it was only by extraordinary agility that he could escape
+the blows which the Manito kept making at him. At that moment a large
+woodpecker (the ma-ma) flew past, and lit on a tree. "Hiawatha" he
+cried, "your adversary has a vulnerable point; shoot at the lock of
+hair on the crown of his head." He shot his first arrow so as only to
+draw blood from that part. The Manito made one or two unsteady steps,
+but recovered himself. He began to parley, but, in the act, received a
+second arrow, which brought him to his knees. But he again recovered.
+In so doing, however, he exposed his head, and gave his adversary a
+chance to fire his third arrow, which penetrated deep, and brought him
+a lifeless corpse to the ground. Hiawatha uttered his saw-saw-quan,
+and taking his scalp as a trophy, he called the woodpecker to come and
+receive a reward for his information. He took the blood of the Manito
+and rubbed it on the woodpecker's head, the feathers of which are red
+to this day.
+
+After this victory he returned home, singing songs of triumph and
+beating his drum. When his grandmother heard him, she came to the
+shore and welcomed him with songs and dancing. Glory fired his mind.
+He displayed the trophies he had brought in the most conspicuous
+manner, and felt an unconquerable desire for other adventures. He
+felt himself urged by the consciousness of his power to new trials of
+bravery, skill, and necromantic prowess. He had destroyed the Manito
+of Wealth, and killed his guardian serpents, and eluded all his
+charms. He did not long remain inactive.
+
+His next adventure was upon the water, and proved him the prince of
+fishermen. He captured a fish of such a monstrous size, that the fat
+and oil he obtained from it formed a small lake. He therefore invited
+all the animals and fowls to a banquet, and he made the order in which
+they partook of this repast the measure of their fatness. As fast as
+they arrived, he told them to plunge in. The bear came first, and was
+followed by the deer, opossum, and such other animals as are noted for
+their peculiar fatness at certain seasons. The moose and bison
+came tardily. The partridge looked on till the reservoir was nearly
+exhausted. The hare and marten came last, and these animals have
+consequently no fat.
+
+When this ceremony was over, he told the assembled animals and birds
+to dance, taking up his drum and crying, "New songs from the south,
+come, brothers, dance." He directed them to pass in a circle around
+him, and to shut their eyes. They did so. When he saw a fat fowl pass
+by him, he adroitly wrung off its head, at the same time beating his
+drum and singing with greater vehemence, to drown the noise of the
+fluttering, and crying out, in a tone of admiration, "That's the way,
+my brothers, _that's_ the way." At last a small duck [the diver],
+thinking there was something wrong, opened one eye and saw what he was
+doing. Giving a spring and crying, "Ha-ha-a! Hiawatha is killing us,"
+he made for the water. Hiawatha followed him, and, just as the duck
+was getting into the water, gave him a kick, which is the cause of his
+back being flattened and his legs being straightened out backward, so
+that when he gets on land he cannot walk, and his tail feathers are
+few. Meantime the other birds flew off, and the animals ran into the
+woods.
+
+After this Hiawatha, set out to travel. He wished to outdo all
+others, and to see new countries. But after walking over America and
+encountering many adventures he became satisfied as well as fatigued.
+He had heard of great feats in hunting, and felt a desire to try his
+power in that way. One evening, as he was walking along the shores of
+a great lake, weary and hungry, he encountered a great magician in
+the form of an old wolf, with six young ones, coming towards him. The
+wolf, as soon as he saw him, told his whelps to keep out of the way
+of Hiawatha, "for I know," continued he, "that it is he that we
+see yonder." The young wolves were in the act of running off, when
+Hiawatha cried out, "My grandchildren, where are you going? Stop, and
+I will go with you." He appeared rejoiced to see the old wolf, and
+asked him whither he was journeying. Being told that they were looking
+for a place where they could find most game, and where they might pass
+the winter, he said he would like to go with them, and addressed the
+old wolf in the following words: "Brother, I have a passion for the
+chase; are you willing to change me into a wolf?" He was answered
+favorably, and his transformation immediately effected.
+
+Hiawatha was fond of novelty. He found himself a wolf corresponding in
+size with the others, but he was not quite satisfied with the change,
+crying out, "Oh, make me a little larger." They did so. "A little
+larger still," he exclaimed. They said, "Let us humor him," and
+granted his request. "Well," said he, "_that_ will do." He looked at
+his tail. "Oh!" cried he, "do make my tail a little longer and more
+bushy." They did so. They then all started off in company, dashing
+up a ravine. After getting into the woods some distance, they fell in
+with the tracks of moose. The young ones went after them, Hiawatha and
+the old wolf following at their leisure. "Well," said the wolf, "whom
+do you think is the fastest of the boys? Can you tell by the jumps
+they take?" "Why," he replied, "that one that takes such long jumps,
+he is the fastest, to be sure." "Ha! ha! you are mistaken," said the
+old wolf. "He makes a good start, but he will be the first to tire
+out; this one who appears to be behind, will be the one to kill the
+game."
+
+They then came to the place where the boys had started in chase. One
+had dropped his small bundle. "Take that, Hiawatha," said the old
+wolf. "Esa," he replied, "what will I do with a dirty dogskin?" The
+wolf took it up; it was a beautiful robe. "Oh, I will carry it now,"
+said Hiawatha. "Oh no," replied the wolf, who at the moment exerted
+his magic power; "it is a robe of pearls!" And from this moment he
+omitted no occasion to display his superiority, both in the art of
+the hunter and the magician above his conceited companion. Coming to
+a place where the moose had lain down, they saw that the young wolves
+had made a fresh start after their prey. "Why," said the wolf, "this
+moose is poor. I know by the tracks, for I can always tell whether
+they are fat or not." They next came to a place where one of the
+wolves had bit at the moose, and had broken one of his teeth on a
+tree. "Hiawatha," said the wolf, "one of your grandchildren has shot
+at the game. Take his arrow; there it is." "No," he replied; "what
+will I do with a dirty dog's tooth!" The old wolf took it up, and
+behold! it was a beautiful silver arrow. When they overtook the
+youngsters, they had killed a very fat moose.
+
+Hiawatha was extremely hungry; but, alas! such is the power of
+enchantment, he saw nothing but the bones picked quite clean. He
+thought to himself, "Just as I expected, dirty, greedy fellows!"
+However, he sat down without saying a word. At length the old wolf
+spoke to one of the young ones, saying, "Give some meat to your
+grandfather." One of them obeyed, and, coming near to Hiawatha, opened
+his mouth as if he was about to snarl. Hiawatha jumped up saying, "You
+filthy dog, you have eaten so much that your stomach refuses to hold
+it. Get you gone into some other place." The old wolf, hearing the
+abuse, went a little to one side to see, and behold, a heap of fresh
+ruddy meat, with the fat lying all ready prepared. He was followed
+by Hiawatha, who, having the enchantment instantly removed, put on
+a smiling face. "Amazement!" said he; "how fine the meat is." "Yes,"
+replied the wolf; "it is always so with us; we know our work, and
+always get the best. It is not a long tail that makes a hunter."
+Hiawatha bit his lip.
+
+They then commenced fixing their winter quarters, while the youngsters
+went out in search of game, and soon brought in a large supply.
+One day, during the absence of the young wolves, the old one amused
+himself in cracking the large bones of a moose. "Hiawatha," said he,
+"cover your head with the robe, and do not look at me while I am at
+these bones, for a piece may fly in your eye." He did as he was told;
+but, looking through a rent that was in the robe, he saw what the
+other was about. Just at that moment a piece flew off and hit him on
+the eye. He cried out, "Tyau, why do you strike me, you old dog?" The
+wolf said, "You must have been looking at me." But deception commonly
+leads to falsehood. "No, no," he said, "why should I want to look at
+you?" "Hiawatha," said the wolf, "you _must_ have been looking, or you
+would not have been hurt." "No, no," he replied again, "I was not. I
+will repay the saucy wolf this," thought he to himself. So, next day,
+taking up a bone to obtain the marrow, he said to the wolf, "Cover
+your head and don't look at me, for I fear a piece may fly in your
+eye." The wolf did so. He then took the leg-bone of the moose, and
+looking first to see if the wolf was well covered, he hit him a blow
+with all his might. The wolf jumped up, cried out, and fell prostrate
+from the effects of the blow. "Why," said he, "do you strike me so?"
+"Strike you!" he replied; "no, you must have been looking at me."
+"No," answered the wolf, "I say I have not." But he persisted in the
+assertion, and the poor magician had to give up.
+
+Hiawatha was an expert hunter when he earnestly tried to be. He went
+out one day and killed a fat moose. He was very hungry, and sat down
+to eat. But immediately he fell into great doubts as to the proper
+point to begin. "Well," said he, "I do not know where to begin. At the
+head? No! People will laugh, and say 'he ate him backwards!'" He went
+to the side. "No!" said he, "they will say I ate him sideways." He
+then went to the hind-quarter. "No!" said he, "they will say I ate him
+toward the head. I will begin _here_, say what they will." He took
+a delicate piece from the rump, and was just ready to put it in his
+mouth, when a tree close by made a creaking sound, caused by the
+rubbing of one large branch against another. This annoyed him. "Why!"
+he exclaimed, "I cannot eat while I hear such a noise. Stop! stop!"
+said he to the tree. He was putting the morsel again to his mouth,
+when the noise was repeated. He put it down, exclaiming, "I _cannot
+eat_ in such confusion," and immediately left the meat, although very
+hungry, to go and put a stop to the racket. He climbed the tree and
+was pulling at the limb, when his arm was caught between two branches
+so that he could not extricate himself. While thus held fast, he saw a
+pack of wolves coming in the direction towards his meat. "Go that way!
+go that way!" he cried out; "why do you come here?" The wolves talked
+among themselves and said, "Hiawatha must have something here, or he
+would not tell us to go another way." "I begin to know him," said an
+old wolf, "and all his tricks. Let us go forward and see." They came
+on and finding the moose, soon made away with the whole carcass.
+Hiawatha looked on wistfully to see them eat till they were fully
+satisfied, and they left him nothing but the bare bones. The next
+heavy blast of wind opened the branches and liberated him. He went
+home, thinking to himself, "See the effect of meddling with frivolous
+things when I already had valuable possessions."
+
+Next day the old wolf addressed him thus: "My brother, I am going to
+separate from you, but I will leave behind me one of the young
+wolves to be your hunter." He then departed. In this act Hiawatha was
+disenchanted, and again resumed his mortal shape. He was sorrowful and
+dejected, but soon resumed his wonted air of cheerfulness. The young
+wolf that was left with him was a good hunter, and never failed to
+keep the lodge well supplied with meat. One day he addressed him
+as follows: "My grandson, I had a dream last night, and it does not
+portend good. It is of the large lake which lies in _that_ direction.
+You must be careful never to cross it, even if the ice should appear
+good. If you should come to it at night weary or hungry, you must make
+the circuit of it." Spring commenced, and the snow was melting fast
+before the rays of the sun, when one evening the wolf came to the
+lake weary with the day's chase. He disliked the journey of making its
+circuit. "Hwooh!" he exclaimed, "there can be no great harm in trying
+the ice, as it appears to be sound. Nesho, my grandfather, is over
+cautious on this point." He had gone but half way across when the ice
+gave way, and falling in, he was immediately seized by the serpents,
+who knowing he was Hiawatha's grandson, were thirsting for revenge
+upon him. Meanwhile Hiawatha sat pensively in his lodge.
+
+Night came on, but no grandson returned. The second and third night
+passed, but he did not appear. Hiawatha became very desolate and
+sorrowful. "Ah!" said he, "he must have disobeyed me, and has lost his
+life in that lake I told him of. Well!" said he at last, "I must mourn
+for him." So he took coal and blackened his face. But he was much
+perplexed as to the right mode of mourning. "I wonder," said he, "how
+I must do it? I will cry 'Oh! my grandson! Oh! my grandson!'" He burst
+out laughing. "No! no! that won't do. I will try 'Oh! my heart! Oh! my
+heart! ha! ha! ha!' That won't do either. I will cry, 'Oh my drowned
+grandson.'"
+
+This satisfied him, and he remained in his lodge and fasted, till his
+days of mourning were over. "Now," said he, "I will go in search of
+him." He set out and traveled till he came to the great lake. He then
+raised the lamentation for his grandson which had pleased him,
+sitting down near a small brook that emptied itself into the lake, and
+repeating his cries. Soon a bird called Ke-ske-mun-i-see came near to
+him. The bird inquired, "What are you doing here?" "Nothing," Hiawatha
+replied; "but can you tell me whether any one lives in this lake, and
+what brings you here yourself?" "Yes!" responded the bird; "the Prince
+of Serpents lives here, and I am watching to see whether the body of
+Hiawatha's grandson will not drift ashore, for he was killed by the
+serpents last spring. But are you not Hiawatha himself?" "No," was the
+reply, with his usual deceit; "how do you think _he_ could get to this
+place? But tell me, do the serpents ever appear? When? Where? Tell
+me all about their habits." "Do you see that beautiful white sandy
+beach?" said the bird. "Yes!" he answered. "It is there," continued
+the bird, "that they bask in the sun. Before they come out, the lake
+will appear perfectly calm; not even a ripple will appear. After
+midday you will see them."
+
+"Thank you," he replied; "I am Hiawatha. I have come in search of the
+body of my grandson, and to seek my revenge. Come near me that I may
+put a medal round your neck as a reward for your information." The
+bird unsuspectingly came near, and received a white medal, which can
+be seen to this day. While bestowing the medal, he attempted slyly to
+wring the bird's head off, but it escaped him, with only a disturbance
+of the crown feathers of its head, which are rumpled backward. He
+had found out all he wanted to know, and then desired to conceal the
+knowledge obtained by killing his informant.
+
+He went to the sandy beach indicated, and transformed himself into an
+oak stump. He had not been there long before the lake became perfectly
+calm. Soon hundreds of monstrous serpents came crawling on the beach.
+One of the number was beautifully white. He was the Prince. The others
+were red and yellow. The Prince spoke to those about him as follows:
+"I never saw that black stump standing there before. It may be
+Hiawatha. There is no knowing but that he may be somewhere about here.
+He has the power of an evil genius, and we should be on our guard
+against his wiles." One of the large serpents immediately went and
+twisted himself around it to the top, and pressed it very hard. The
+greatest pressure happened to be on his throat; he was just ready to
+cry out when the serpent let go. Eight of them went in succession and
+did the like, but always let go at the moment he was ready to cry out.
+"It cannot be he," they said. "He is too great a weak-heart for that."
+They then coiled themselves in a circle about their Prince. It was a
+long time before they fell asleep. When they did so, Hiawatha, took
+his bow and arrows, and cautiously stepping over the serpents till he
+came to the Prince, drew up his arrow with the full strength of his
+arm, and shot him in the left side. He then gave a saw-saw-quan and
+ran off at full speed.
+
+The sound uttered by the snakes on seeing their Prince mortally
+wounded, was horrible. They cried, "Hiawatha has killed our Prince;
+go in chase of him." Meantime he ran over hill and valley, to gain the
+interior of the country, with all his strength and speed, treading a
+mile at a step. But his pursuers were also spirits, and he could
+hear that something was approaching him fast. He made for the highest
+mountain, and climbed the highest tree on its summit, when, dreadful
+to behold, the whole lower country was seen to be overflowed, and the
+water was gaining rapidly on the highlands. He saw it reach to the
+foot of the mountains, and at length it came up to the foot of the
+tree, but there was no abatement.
+
+The flood rose steadily and perceptibly. He soon felt the lower part
+of his body to be immersed in it. He addressed the tree; "Grandfather,
+stretch yourself." The tree did so. But the waters still rose. He
+repeated his request, and was again obeyed. He asked a third time, and
+was again obeyed; but the tree replied, "It is the last time; I cannot
+get any higher." The waters continued to rise till they reached up
+to his chin, at which point they stood, and soon began to abate. Hope
+revived in his heart. He then cast his eyes around the illimitable
+expanse, and spied a loon. "Dive down, my brother," he said to him,
+"and fetch up some earth, so that I can make a new earth." The bird
+obeyed, but rose up to the surface a lifeless form. He then saw a
+muskrat. "Dive!" said he, "and if you succeed, you may hereafter live
+either on land or water, as you please; or I will give you a chain of
+beautiful little lakes, surrounded with rushes, to inhabit." He dove
+down, but floated up senseless. He took the body and breathed in
+his nostrils, which restored him to life. "Try again," said he. The
+muskrat did so. He came up senseless the second time, but clutched a
+little earth in one of his paws, from which, together with the carcass
+of the dead loon, he created a new earth as large as the former had
+been, with all living animals, fowls, and plants.
+
+As he was walking to survey the new earth, he heard some one singing.
+He went to the place, and found a female spirit, in the disguise of an
+old woman, singing these words, and crying at every pause:
+
+  "Ma nau bo sho, O do zheem un,
+  Ogeem au wun, Onis sa waun,
+  Hee-Ub bub ub bub (crying).
+  Dread Hiawatha in revenge,
+  For his grandson lost--
+  Has killed the chief--the king."
+
+"Noko," said he, "what is the matter?" "Matter!" said she, "where have
+you been, that you have not heard how Hiawatha shot my son, the Prince
+of serpents, in revenge for the loss of his grandson, and how the
+earth was overflowed, and created anew? So I brought my son here, that
+he might kill and destroy the inhabitants, as he did on the former
+earth. But," she continued, casting a scrutinizing glance, "N'yau!
+indego Hiawatha! hub! ub! ub! ub! Oh, I am afraid you are Hiawatha!"
+He burst out into a laugh to quiet her fears. "Ha! ha! ha! how can
+that be? Has not the old world perished, and all that was in it?"
+"Impossible! impossible!" "But, Noko," he continued, "what do you
+intend doing with all that cedar cord on your back?" "Why," said she,
+"I am fixing a snare for Hiawatha, if he should be on this earth; and,
+in the mean time, I am looking for herbs to heal my son. I am the only
+person that can do him any good. He always gets better when I sing:
+
+  "'Hiawatha a ne we guawk,
+  Koan dan mau wah, ne we guawk,
+  Koan dan mau wah, ne we guawk,
+     It is Hiawatha's dart,
+  I try my magic power to withdraw."
+
+Having found out, by conversation with her, all he wished, he put her
+to death. He then took off her skin, and assuming this disguise, took
+the cedar cord on his back, and limped away singing her songs. He
+completely aped the gait and voice of the old woman. He was met by one
+who told him to make haste; that the Prince was worse. At the lodge,
+limping and muttering, he took notice that they had his grandson's
+hide to hang over the door. "Oh dogs!" said he; "the evil dogs!" He
+sat down near the door, and commenced sobbing like an aged woman. One
+observed, "Why don't you attend the sick, and not sit there making
+such a noise?" He took up the poker and laid it on them, mimicking the
+voice of the old woman. "Dogs that you are! why do you laugh at me?
+You know very well that I am so sorry that I am nearly out of my
+head."
+
+With that he approached the Prince, singing the songs of the old
+woman, without exciting any suspicion. He saw that his arrow had gone
+in about one half its length. He pretended to make preparations for
+extracting it, but only made ready to finish his victim; and giving
+the dart a sudden thrust, he put a period to the Prince's life. He
+performed this act with the power of a giant, bursting the old woman's
+skin, and at the same moment rushing through the door, the serpents
+following him, hissing and crying out, "Perfidy! murder! vengeance! it
+is Hiawatha." He immediately transformed himself into a wolf, and ran
+over the plain with all his speed, aided by his father the West Wind.
+When he got to the mountains he saw a badger. "Brother," said he,
+"make a hole quick, for the serpents are after me." The badger obeyed.
+They both went in, and the badger threw all the earth backward, so
+that it filled up the way behind.
+
+The serpents came to the badger's burrow, and decided to watch, "We
+will starve him out," said they; so they continue watching. Hiawatha
+told the badger to make an opening on the other side of the mountain,
+from which he could go out and hunt, and bring meat in. Thus they
+lived some time. One day the badger came in his way and displeased
+him. He immediately put him to death, and threw out his carcass,
+saying, "I don't like you to be getting in my way so often."
+
+After living in this confinement for some time alone, he decided to
+go out. He immediately did so; and after making the circuit of the
+mountain, came to the corpse of the Prince, who had been deserted by
+the serpents to pursue his destroyer. He went to work and skinned him.
+He then drew on his skin, in which there were great virtues, took up
+his war-club, and set out for the place where he first went in the
+ground. He found the serpents still watching. When they saw the form
+of their dead Prince advancing towards them, fear and dread took hold
+of them. Some fled. Those who remained Hiawatha killed. Those who fled
+went towards the South.
+
+Having accomplished the victory over the reptiles, Hiawatha returned
+to his former place of dwelling and married the arrow-maker's
+daughter.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+LEGENDARY HEROES OF MANY COUNTRIES
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+HEROES OF GREECE AND ROME
+
+
+
+
+PERSEUS
+
+ADAPTED BY MARY MACGREGOR
+
+
+
+
+I
+
+PERSEUS AND HIS MOTHER
+
+
+Once upon a time there were two Princes who were twins. They lived
+in a pleasant vale far away in Hellas. They had fruitful meadows and
+vineyards, sheep and oxen, great herds of horses, and all that men
+could need to make them blest. And yet they were wretched, because
+they were jealous of each other.
+
+From the moment they were born they began to quarrel, and when they
+grew up, each tried to take away the other's share of the kingdom and
+keep all for himself.
+
+And there came a prophet to one of the hard-hearted Princes and said,
+"Because you have risen up against your own family, your own family
+shall rise up against you. Because you have sinned against your
+kindred, by your kindred shall you be punished. Your daughter Danae
+shall bear a son, and by that son's hands you shall die. So the gods
+have said, and it shall surely come to pass."
+
+At that the hard-hearted Prince was very much afraid, but he did not
+mend his ways. For when he became King, he shut up his fair daughter
+Danae in a cavern underground, lined with brass, that no one might come
+near her. So he fancied himself more cunning than the gods.
+
+Now it came to pass that in time Danae bore a son, so beautiful a babe
+that any but the King would have had pity on it. But he had no pity,
+for he took Danae and her babe down to the seashore, and put them into
+a great chest and thrust them out to sea, that the winds and the waves
+might carry them whithersoever they would.
+
+And away and out to sea before the northwest wind floated the mother
+and her babe, while all who watched them wept, save that cruel King.
+
+So they floated on and on, and the chest danced up and down upon the
+billows, and the babe slept in its mother's arms. But the poor mother
+could not sleep, but watched and wept, and she sang to her babe as
+they floated.
+
+Now they are past the last blue headland and in the open sea. There is
+nothing round them but waves, and the sky and the wind. But the waves
+are gentle and the sky is clear, and the breeze is tender and low.
+
+So a night passed and a day, and a long day it was to Danae, and
+another night and day beside, till Danae was faint with hunger and
+weeping, and yet no land appeared.
+
+And all the while the babe slept quietly, and at last poor Danae
+drooped her head and fell asleep likewise, with her cheek against her
+babe's.
+
+After a while she was awakened suddenly, for the chest was jarring and
+grinding, and the air was full of sound. She looked up, and over her
+head were mighty cliffs, and around her rocks and breakers and flying
+flakes of foam.
+
+She clasped her hands together and shrieked aloud for help. And when
+she cried, help met her, for now there came over the rocks a tall and
+stately man, and looked down wondering upon poor Danae, tossing about
+in the chest among the waves.
+
+He wore a rough cloak, and on his head a broad hat to shade his face,
+and in his hand he carried a trident, which is a three-pronged fork
+for spearing fish, and over his shoulder was a casting net.
+
+[Illustration: SO DANAE WAS COMFORTED AND WENT HOME WITH DICTYS.]
+
+But Danae could see that he was no common man by his height and his
+walk, and his flowing golden hair and beard, and by the two servants
+who came behind him carrying baskets for his fish.
+
+She had hardly time to look at him, before he had laid aside his
+trident and leapt down the rocks, and thrown his casting net so surely
+over Danae and the chest, that he drew it and her and the babe safe
+upon a ledge of rock.
+
+Then the fisherman took Danae by the hand and lifted her out of the
+chest and said, "O beautiful damsel, what strange chance has brought
+you to this island in so frail a ship? Who are you, and whence? Surely
+you are some king's daughter, and this boy belongs to the gods."
+And as he spoke he pointed to the babe, for its face shone like the
+morning star.
+
+But Danae only held down her head and sobbed out, "Tell me to what land
+I have come, and among what men I have fallen."
+
+And he said, "Polydectes is King of this isle, and he is my brother.
+Men call me Dictys the Netter, because I catch the fish of the shore."
+
+Then Danae fell down at his feet and embraced his knees and cried, "O
+Sir, have pity upon a stranger, whom cruel doom has driven to your
+land, and let me live in your house as a servant. But treat me
+honorably, for I was once a king's daughter, and this my boy is of
+no common race. I will not be a charge to you, or eat the bread of
+idleness, for I am more skilful in weaving and embroidery than all the
+maidens of my land."
+
+And she was going on, but Dictys stopped her and raised her up and
+said, "My daughter, I am old, and my hairs are growing gray, while I
+have no children to make my home cheerful. Come with me, then, and you
+shall be a daughter to me and to my wife, and this babe shall be our
+grandchild."
+
+So Danae was comforted and went home with Dictys, the good fisherman,
+and was a daughter to him and to his wife, till fifteen years were
+past.
+
+
+
+
+II
+
+HOW PERSEUS VOWED A RASH VOW
+
+
+Fifteen years were past and gone, and the babe was now grown to be a
+tall lad and a sailor.
+
+His mother called him Perseus, but all the people in the isle called
+him the King of the Immortals.
+
+For though he was but fifteen, Perseus was taller by a head than
+any man in the island. And he was brave and truthful, and gentle and
+courteous, for good old Dictys had trained him well, and well it was
+for Perseus that he had done so. For now Danae and her son fell into
+great danger, and Perseus had need of all his strength to defend his
+mother and himself.
+
+Polydectes, the King of the island, was not a good man like his
+brother Dictys, but he was greedy and cunning and cruel.
+
+And when he saw fair Danae, he wanted to marry her. But she would not,
+for she did not love him, and cared for no one but her boy.
+
+At last Polydectes became furious, and while Perseus was away at sea,
+he took poor Danae away from Dictys, saying, "If you will not be my
+wife, you shall be my slave."
+
+So Danae was made a slave, and had to fetch water from the well, and
+grind in the mill.
+
+But Perseus was far away over the seas, little thinking that his
+mother was in great grief and sorrow.
+
+Now one day, while the ship was lading, Perseus wandered into a
+pleasant wood to get out of the sun, and sat down on the turf and fell
+asleep. And as he slept a strange dream came to him, the strangest
+dream he had ever had in his life.
+
+There came a lady to him through the wood, taller than he, or any
+mortal man, but beautiful exceedingly, with great gray eyes, clear and
+piercing, but strangely soft and mild. On her head was a helmet, and
+in her hand a spear. And over her shoulder, above her long blue robes,
+hung a goat-skin, which bore up a mighty shield of brass, polished
+like a mirror.
+
+She stood and looked at him with her clear gray eyes. And Perseus
+dropped his eyes, trembling and blushing, as the wonderful lady spoke.
+"Perseus, you must do an errand for me."
+
+"Who are you, lady? And how do you know my name?"
+
+Then the strange lady, whose name was Athene, laughed, and held up
+her brazen shield, and cried, "See here, Perseus, dare you face such
+a monster as this and slay it, that I may place its head upon this
+shield?"
+
+And in the mirror of the shield there appeared a face, and as Perseus
+looked on it his blood ran cold. It was the face of a beautiful woman,
+but her cheeks were pale, and her lips were thin. Instead of hair,
+vipers wreathed about her temples and shot out their forked tongues,
+and she had claws of brass.
+
+Perseus looked awhile and then said, "If there is anything so fierce
+and ugly on earth, it were a noble deed to kill it. Where can I find
+the monster?"
+
+Then the strange lady smiled again and said, "You are too young, for
+this is Medusa the Gorgon. Return to your home, and when you have done
+the work that awaits you there, you may be worthy to go in search of
+the monster."
+
+Perseus would have spoken, but the strange lady vanished, and he
+awoke, and behold it was a dream.
+
+So he returned home, and the first thing he heard was that his mother
+was a slave in the house of Polydectes.
+
+Grinding his teeth with rage, he went out, and away to the King's
+palace, and through the men's rooms and the women's rooms, and so
+through all the house, till he found his mother sitting on the floor
+turning the stone hand-mill, and weeping as she turned it.
+
+And he lifted her up and kissed her, and bade her follow him forth.
+But before they could pass out of the room Polydectes came in.
+
+When Perseus saw the King, he flew upon him and cried, "Tyrant! is
+this thy mercy to strangers and widows? Thou shalt die." And because
+he had no sword he caught up the stone hand-mill, and lifted it to
+dash out Polydectes's brains.
+
+But his mother clung to him, shrieking, and good Dictys too entreated
+him to remember that the cruel King was his brother.
+
+Then Perseus lowered his hand, and Polydectes, who had been trembling
+all this while like a coward, let Perseus and his mother pass.
+
+So Perseus took his mother to the temple of Athene, and there the
+priestess made her one of the temple sweepers. And there they knew
+that she would be safe, for not even Polydectes would dare to drag her
+out of the temple. And there Perseus and the good Dictys and his wife
+came to visit her every day.
+
+As for Polydectes, not being able to get Danae by force, he cast about
+how he might get her by cunning. He was sure he could never get back
+Danae as long as Perseus was in the island, so he made a plot to get
+rid of him. First he pretended to have forgiven Perseus, and to
+have forgotten Danae, so that for a while all went smoothly. Next he
+proclaimed a great feast and invited to it all the chiefs and the
+young men of the island, and among them Perseus, that they might all
+do him homage as their King, and eat of his banquet in his hall.
+
+On the appointed day they all came, and as the custom was then, each
+guest brought with him a present for the King. One brought a horse,
+another a shawl, or a ring, or a sword, and some brought baskets of
+grapes, but Perseus brought nothing, for he had nothing to bring,
+being only a poor sailor lad.
+
+He was ashamed, however, to go into the King's presence without a
+gift. So he stood at the door, sorrowfully watching the rich men go
+in, and his face grew very red as they pointed at him and smiled and
+whispered, "And what has Perseus to give?"
+
+Perseus blushed and stammered, while all the proud men round laughed
+and mocked, till the lad grew mad with shame, and hardly knowing what
+he said, cried out:
+
+"A present! See if I do not bring a nobler one than all of yours
+together!"
+
+"Hear the boaster! What is the present to be?" cried they all,
+laughing louder than ever.
+
+Then Perseus remembered his strange dream, and he cried aloud, "The
+head of Medusa the Gorgon!"
+
+He was half afraid after he had said the words, for all laughed louder
+than ever, and Polydectes loudest of all, while he said:
+
+"You have promised to bring me the Gorgon's head. Then never appear
+again in this island without it. Go!"
+
+Perseus saw that he had fallen into a trap, but he went out without a
+word.
+
+Down to the cliffs he went, and looked across the broad blue sea, and
+wondered if his dream were true.
+
+"Athene, was my dream true? Shall I slay the Gorgon?" he prayed.
+"Rashly and angrily I promised, but wisely and patiently will I
+perform."
+
+But there was no answer nor sign, not even a cloud in the sky.
+
+Three times Perseus called, weeping, "Rashly and angrily I promised,
+but wisely and patiently will I perform."
+
+Then he saw afar off a small white cloud, as bright as silver. And
+as it touched the cliffs, it broke and parted, and within it appeared
+Athene, and beside her a young man, whose eyes were like sparks of
+fire.
+
+And they came swiftly towards Perseus, and he fell down and worshiped,
+for he knew they were more than mortal.
+
+But Athene spoke gently to him and bade him have no fear. "Perseus,"
+she said, "you have braved Polydectes, and done manfully. Dare you
+brave Medusa the Gorgon?"
+
+Perseus answered, "Try me, for since you spoke to me, new courage has
+come into my soul."
+
+And Athene said, "Perseus, this deed requires a seven years' journey,
+in which you cannot turn back nor escape. If your heart fails, you
+must die, and no man will ever find your bones."
+
+And Perseus said, "Tell me, O fair and wise Athene, how I can do but
+this one thing, and then, if need be, die."
+
+Then Athene smiled and said, "Be patient and listen. You must go
+northward till you find the Three Gray Sisters, who have but one eye
+and one tooth amongst them. Ask them the way to the daughters of the
+Evening Star, for they will tell you the way to the Gorgon, that you
+may slay her. But beware! for her eyes are so terrible that whosoever
+looks on them is turned to stone."
+
+"How am I to escape her eyes?" said Perseus; "will she not freeze me
+too?"
+
+"You shall take this polished shield," said Athene, "and look, not
+at her herself, but at her image in the shield, so you may strike her
+safely. And when you have struck off her head, wrap it, with your face
+turned away, in the folds of the goat-skin on which the shield hangs.
+So you bring it safely back to me and win yourself renown and a place
+among heroes."
+
+Then said Perseus, "I will go, though I die in going. But how shall I
+cross the seas without a ship? And who will show me the way? And how
+shall I slay her, if her scales be iron and brass?"
+
+But the young man who was with Athene spoke, "These sandals of mine
+will bear you across the seas, and over hill and dale like a bird, as
+they bear me all day long. The sandals themselves will guide you on
+the road, for they are divine and cannot stray, and this sword itself
+will kill her, for it is divine and needs no second stroke. Arise and
+gird them on, and go forth."
+
+So Perseus arose, and girded on the sandals and the sword.
+
+And Athene cried, "Now leap from the cliff and be gone!"
+
+Then Perseus looked down the cliff and shuddered, but he was ashamed
+to show his dread, and he leaped into the empty air.
+
+And behold! instead of falling, he floated, and stood, and ran along
+the sky.
+
+
+
+
+III
+
+HOW PERSEUS SLEW THE GORGON
+
+
+So Perseus started on his journey, going dryshod over land and sea,
+and his heart was high and joyful, for the sandals bore him each day a
+seven days' journey.
+
+And at last by the shore of a freezing sea, beneath the cold winter
+moon, he found the Three Gray Sisters. There was no living thing
+around them, not a fly, not a moss upon the rocks.
+
+They passed their one eye each to the other, but for all that they
+could not see, and they passed the one tooth from one to the other,
+but for all that they could not eat, and they sat in the full glare of
+the moon, but they were none the warmer for her beams.
+
+And Perseus said, "Tell me, O Venerable Mothers, the path to the
+daughters of the Evening Star."
+
+They heard his voice, and then one cried, "Give me the eye that I may
+see him," and another, "Give me the tooth that I may bite him," but
+they had no answer for his question.
+
+Then Perseus stepped close to them, and watched as they passed the eye
+from hand to hand. And as they groped about, he held out his own hand
+gently, till one of them put the eye into it, fancying that it was the
+hand of her sister.
+
+At that Perseus sprang back and laughed and cried, "Cruel old women,
+I have your eye, and I will throw it into the sea, unless you tell me
+the path to the daughters of the Evening Star and swear to me that you
+tell me right."
+
+Then they wept and chattered and scolded, but all in vain. They were
+forced to tell the truth, though when they told it, Perseus could
+hardly make out the way. But he gave them back the eye and leaped away
+to the southward, leaving the snow and ice behind.
+
+At last he heard sweet voices singing, and he guessed that he was come
+to the garden of the daughters of the Evening Star.
+
+When they saw him they trembled and said, "Are you come to rob our
+garden and carry off our golden fruit?"
+
+But Perseus answered, "I want none of your golden fruit. Tell me the
+way which leads to the Gorgon that I may go on my way and slay her."
+
+"Not yet, not yet, fair boy," they answered, "come dance with us
+around the trees in the garden."
+
+"I cannot dance with you, fair maidens, so tell me the way to the
+Gorgon, lest I wander and perish in the waves."
+
+Then they sighed and wept, and answered, "The Gorgon! She will freeze
+you into stone."
+
+But Perseus said, "The gods have lent me weapons, and will give me
+wisdom to use them."
+
+Then the fair maidens told him that the Gorgon lived on an island
+far away, but that whoever went near the island must wear the hat of
+darkness, so that he could not himself be seen. And one of the fair
+maidens held in her hand the magic hat.
+
+While all the maidens kissed Perseus and wept over him, he was only
+impatient to be gone. So at last they put the magic hat upon his head,
+and he vanished out of their sight.
+
+And Perseus went on boldly, past many an ugly sight, till he heard
+the rustle of the Gorgons' wings and saw the glitter of their brazen
+claws. Then he knew that it was time to halt, lest Medusa should
+freeze him into stone.
+
+He thought awhile with himself and remembered Athene's words. Then he
+rose into the air, and held the shield above his head and looked up
+into it, that he might see all that was below him.
+
+And he saw three Gorgons sleeping, as huge as elephants. He knew that
+they could not see him, because the hat of darkness hid him, and yet
+he trembled as he sank down near them, so terrible were those brazen
+claws.
+
+Medusa tossed to and fro restlessly in her sleep. Her long neck
+gleamed so white in the mirror that Perseus had not the heart to
+strike. But as he looked, from among her tresses the vipers' heads
+awoke and peeped up, with their bright dry eyes, and showed their
+fangs and hissed. And Medusa as she tossed showed her brazen claws,
+and Perseus saw that for all her beauty she was as ugly as the others.
+
+Then he came down and stepped to her boldly, and looked steadfastly
+on his mirror, and struck with his sword stoutly once, and he did not
+need to strike again.
+
+He wrapped the head in the goat-skin, turning away his eyes, and
+sprang into the air aloft, faster than he ever sprang before.
+
+And well his brave sandals bore him through cloud and sunshine across
+the shoreless sea, till he came again to the gardens of the fair
+maidens.
+
+Then he asked them, "By what road shall I go homeward again?"
+
+And they wept and cried, "Go home no more, but stay and play with us,
+the lonely maidens."
+
+But Perseus refused and leapt down the mountain, and went on like a
+sea-gull, away and out to sea.
+
+
+
+
+IV
+
+HOW PERSEUS MET ANDROMEDA
+
+
+So Perseus flitted onward to the north-east, over many a league of
+sea, till he came to the rolling sandhills of the desert.
+
+Over the sands he went, he never knew how far nor how long, hoping all
+day to see the blue sparkling Mediterranean, that he might fly across
+it to his home.
+
+But now came down a mighty wind, and swept him back southward toward
+the desert. All day long he strove against it, but even the sandals
+could not prevail. And when morning came there was nothing to be seen,
+save the same old hateful waste of sand.
+
+At last the gale fell, and he tried to go northward again, but again
+down came the sandstorms and swept him back into the desert; and then
+all was calm and cloudless as before.
+
+Then he cried to Athene, "Shall I never see my mother more, and the
+blue ripple of the sea and the sunny hills of Hellas?"
+
+So he prayed, and after he had prayed there was a great silence.
+
+And Perseus stood still awhile and waited, and said, "Surely I am not
+here but by the will of the gods, for Athene will not lie. Were not
+these sandals to lead me in the right road?"
+
+Then suddenly his ears were opened and he heard the sound of running
+water. And Perseus laughed for joy, and leapt down the cliff and drank
+of the cool water, and ate of the dates, and slept on the turf, and
+leapt up and went forward again, but not toward the north this time.
+
+For he said, "Surely Athene hath sent me hither, and will not have me
+go homeward yet. What if there be another noble deed to be done before
+I see the sunny hills of Hellas?"
+
+So Perseus flew along the shore above the sea, and at the dawn of a
+day he looked towards the cliffs. At the water's edge, under a black
+rock, he saw a white image stand.
+
+"This," thought he, "must surely be the statue of some sea-god. I will
+go near and see."
+
+And he came near, but when he came it was no statue he found, but a
+maiden of flesh and blood, for he could see her tresses streaming in
+the breeze. And as he came closer still, he could see how she shrank
+and shivered when the waves sprinkled her with cold salt spray.
+
+Her arms were spread above her head and fastened to the rock with
+chains of brass, and her head drooped either with sleep or weariness
+or grief. But now and then she looked up and wailed, and called her
+mother.
+
+Yet she did not see Perseus, for the cap of darkness was on his head.
+
+In his heart pity and indignation, Perseus drew near and looked upon
+the maid. Her cheeks were darker than his, and her hair was blue-black
+like a hyacinth.
+
+Perseus thought, "I have never seen so beautiful a maiden, no, not in
+all our isles. Surely she is a king's daughter. She is too fair, at
+least, to have done any wrong. I will speak to her," and, lifting the
+magic hat from his head, he flashed into her sight. She shrieked with
+terror, but Perseus cried, "Do not fear me, fair one. What cruel men
+have bound you? But first I will set you free."
+
+And he tore at the fetters, but they were too strong for him, while
+the maiden cried, "Touch me not. I am a victim for the sea-gods. They
+will slay you if you dare to set me free."
+
+"Let them try," said Perseus, and drawing his sword he cut through the
+brass as if it had been flax.
+
+"Now," he said, "you belong to me, and not to these sea-gods,
+whosoever they may be."
+
+But she only called the more on her mother. Then he clasped her in his
+arms, and cried, "Where are these sea-gods, cruel and unjust, who doom
+fair maids to death? Let them measure their strength against mine. But
+tell me, maiden, who you are, and what dark fate brought you here."
+
+And she answered, weeping, "I am the daughter of a King, and my mother
+is the Queen with the beautiful tresses, and they call me Andromeda.
+I stand here to atone for my mother's sin, for she boasted of me once
+that I was fairer than the Queen of the Fishes. So she in her wrath
+sent the sea-floods and wasted all the land. And now I must be
+devoured by a sea-monster to atone for a sin which I never committed."
+
+But Perseus laughed and said, "A sea-monster! I have fought with worse
+than he."
+
+Andromeda looked up at him, and new hope was kindled in her heart, so
+proud and fair did he stand, with one hand round her, and in the other
+the glittering sword.
+
+But still she sighed and said, "Why will you die, young as you are? Go
+you your way, I must go mine."
+
+Perseus cried, "Not so: I slew the Gorgon by the help of the gods, and
+not without them do I come hither to slay this monster, with that same
+Gorgon's head. Yet hide your eyes when I leave you, lest the sight of
+it freeze you too to stone."
+
+But the maiden answered nothing, for she could not believe his words.
+
+Then suddenly looking up, she pointed to the sea and shrieked, "There
+he comes with the sunrise as they said. I must die now. Oh go!" And
+she tried to thrust him away.
+
+And Perseus said, "I go, yet promise me one thing ere I go,--that if
+I slay this beast you will be my wife and come back with me to my
+kingdom, for I am a King's son. Promise me, and seal it with a kiss."
+
+Then she lifted up her face and kissed him, and Perseus laughed for
+joy and flew upward, while Andromeda crouched trembling on the rock.
+
+On came the great sea-monster, lazily breasting the ripple and
+stopping at times by creek or headland. His great sides were fringed
+with clustering shells and seaweeds, and the water gurgled in and out
+of his wide jaws as he rolled along. At last he saw Andromeda and shot
+forward to take his prey.
+
+Then down from the height of the air fell Perseus like a shooting
+star, down to the crests of the waves, while Andromeda hid her face as
+he shouted, and then there was silence for a while.
+
+When at last she looked up trembling, Andromeda saw Perseus springing
+towards her, and instead of the monster, a long black rock, with the
+sea rippling quietly round it.
+
+Who then so proud as Perseus, as he leapt back to the rock and lifted
+his fair Andromeda in his arms and flew with her to the cliff-top, as
+a falcon carries a dove! Who so proud as Perseus, and who so joyful as
+the people of the land!
+
+And the King and the Queen came, and all the people came with songs
+and dances to receive Andromeda back again, as one alive from the
+dead.
+
+Then the King said to Perseus, "Hero of the Hellens, stay here with me
+and be my son-in-law, and I will give you the half of my kingdom."
+
+"I will be your son-in-law," said Perseus, "but of your kingdom will I
+have none, for I long after the pleasant land of Greece, and my mother
+who waits for me at home."
+
+Then said the King, "You must not take my daughter away at once, for
+she is to us as one alive from the dead. Stay with us here a year, and
+after that you shall return with honor."
+
+And Perseus consented, but before he went to the palace he bade the
+people bring stones and wood and build an altar to Athene, and there
+he offered bullocks and rams. Then they made a great wedding feast,
+which lasted seven whole days.
+
+But on the eighth night Perseus dreamed a dream. He saw standing
+beside him Athene as he had seen her seven long years before, and she
+stood and called him by name, and said, "Perseus, you have played
+the man, and see, you have your reward. Now give me the sword and the
+sandals, and the hat of darkness, that I may give them back to those
+to whom they belong. But the Gorgon's head you shall keep a while, for
+you will need it in your land of Hellas."
+
+And Perseus rose to give her the sword, and the cap, and the sandals,
+but he woke and his dream vanished away. Yet it was not altogether a
+dream, for the goat-skin with the head was in its place, but the sword
+and the cap and the sandals were gone, and Perseus never saw them
+more.
+
+
+
+
+V
+
+HOW PERSEUS CAME HOME AGAIN
+
+
+When a year was ended, Perseus rowed away in a noble galley, and in
+it he put Andromeda and all her dowry of jewels and rich shawls and
+spices from the East, and great was the weeping when they rowed away.
+
+And when Perseus reached the land, of Hellas he left his galley on the
+beach, and went up as of old. He embraced his mother and Dictys, and
+they wept over each other, for it was seven years and more since they
+had parted.
+
+Then Perseus went out and up to the hall of Polydectes, and underneath
+the goat-skin he bore the Gorgon's head.
+
+When he came to the hall, Polydectes sat at the table, and all his
+nobles on either side, feasting on fish and goats' flesh, and drinking
+blood-red wine.
+
+Perseus stood upon the threshold and called to the King by name. But
+none of the guests knew the stranger, for he was changed by his long
+journey. He had gone out a boy, and he was come home a hero.
+
+But Polydectes the Wicked, knew him, and scornfully he called, "Ah,
+foundling! have you found it more easy to promise than to fulfil?"
+
+"Those whom the gods help fulfil their promises," said Perseus, as
+he drew back the goat-skin and held aloft the Gorgon's head, saying,
+"Behold!"
+
+Pale grew Polydectes and his guests as they looked upon that dreadful
+face. They tried to rise from their seats, but from their seats they
+never rose, but stiffened, each man where he sat, into a ring of cold
+gray stones.
+
+Then Perseus turned and left them, and went down to his galley in
+the bay. He gave the kingdom to good Dictys, and sailed away with his
+mother and his bride. And Perseus rowed westward till he came to his
+old home, and there he found that his grandfather had fled.
+
+The heart of Perseus yearned after his grandfather, and he said,
+"Surely he will love me now that I am come home with honor. I will go
+and find him and bring him back, and we will reign together in peace."
+
+So Perseus sailed away, and at last he came to the land where his
+grandfather dwelt, and all the people were in the fields, and there
+was feasting and all kinds of games.
+
+Then Perseus did not tell his name, but went up to the games unknown,
+for he said, "If I carry away the prize in the games, my grandfather's
+heart will be softened towards me."
+
+And when the games began, Perseus was the best of all at running and
+leaping, and wrestling and throwing. And he won four crowns and took
+them.
+
+Then he said to himself, "There is a fifth crown to be won. I will win
+that also, and lay them all upon the knees of my grandfather."
+
+So he took the stones and hurled them five fathoms beyond all the
+rest. And the people shouted, "There has never been such a hurler in
+this land!"
+
+Again Perseus put out all his strength and hurled. But a gust of wind
+came from the sea and carried the quoit aside, far beyond all the
+rest. And it fell on the foot of his grandfather, and he swooned away
+with the pain.
+
+Perseus shrieked and ran up to him, but when they lifted the old man
+up, he was dead. Then Perseus rent his clothes and cast dust on his
+head, and wept a long while for his grandfather.
+
+At last he rose and called to all people aloud and said, "The gods are
+true: what they have ordained must be; I am Perseus the grandson
+of this dead man." Then he told them how a prophet had said that he
+should kill his grandfather.
+
+So they made great mourning for the old King, and burnt him on a right
+rich pile.
+
+And Perseus went to the temple and was purified from the guilt of his
+death, because he had done it unknowingly.
+
+Then he went home and reigned well with Andromeda, and they had four
+sons and three daughters.
+
+And when they died, the ancients say that Athene took them up to the
+sky. All night long Perseus and Andromeda shine as a beacon for
+wandering sailors, but all day long they feast with the gods, on the
+still blue peaks in the home of the Immortals.
+
+
+
+
+ODYSSEUS
+
+ADAPTED BY JEANIE LANG
+
+
+
+
+I
+
+HOW ODYSSEUS LEFT TROYLAND AND SAILED FOR HIS KINGDOM PAST THE LAND OF
+THE LOTUS EATERS
+
+
+In the days of long ago there reigned over Ithaca, a rugged little
+island in the sea to the west of Greece, a King whose name was
+Odysseus.
+
+Odysseus feared no man. Stronger and braver than other men was he,
+wiser, and more full of clever devices. Far and wide he was known as
+Odysseus of the many counsels. Wise, also, was his Queen, Penelope,
+and she was as fair as she was wise, and as good as she was fair.
+
+While their only child, a boy named Telemachus, was still a baby,
+there was a very great war in Troyland, a country far across the sea.
+
+The brother of the overlord of all Greece beseiged Troy, and the kings
+and princes of his land came to help him. Many came from afar, but
+none from a more distant kingdom than Odysseus. Wife and child and old
+father he left behind him and sailed away with his black-prowed ships
+to fight in Troyland.
+
+For ten years the siege of Troy went on, and of the heroes who fought
+there, none was braver than Odysseus. Clad as a beggar he went into
+the city and found out much to help the Greek armies. With his long
+sword he fought his way out again, and left many of the men of Troy
+lying dead behind him. And many other brave feats did Odysseus do.
+
+After long years of fighting, Troy at last was taken. With much rich
+plunder the besiegers sailed homewards, and Odysseus set sail for his
+rocky island, with its great mountain, and its forests of trembling
+leaves.
+
+Of gladness and of longing his heart was full. With a great love he
+loved his fair wife and little son and old father, and his little
+kingdom by the sea was very dear to him.
+
+"I can see nought beside sweeter than a man's own country," he said.
+Very soon he hoped to see his dear land again, but many a long and
+weary day was to pass ere Odysseus came home.
+
+Odysseus was a warrior, and always he would choose to fight rather
+than to be at peace.
+
+As he sailed on his homeward way, winds drove his ships near the
+shore. He and his company landed, sacked the nearest city, and slew
+the people. Much rich plunder they took, but ere they could return to
+their ships, a host of people came from inland. In the early morning,
+thick as leaves and flowers in the spring they came, and fell upon
+Odysseus and his men.
+
+All day they fought, but as the sun went down the people of the land
+won the fight. Back to their ships went Odysseus and his men. Out of
+each ship were six men slain. While they were yet sad at heart and
+weary from the fight, a terrible tempest arose.
+
+Land and sea were blotted out, the ships were driven headlong, and
+their sails were torn to shreds by the might of the storm. For two
+days and two nights the ships were at the mercy of the tempests. At
+dawn on the third day, the storm passed away, and Odysseus and his men
+set up their masts and hoisted their white sails, and drove homeward
+before the wind.
+
+So he would have come safely to his own country, but a strong current
+and a fierce north wind swept the ships from their course. For nine
+days were they driven far from their homeland, across the deep sea.
+
+On the tenth day they reached the Land of the Lotus Eaters. The
+dwellers in that land fed on the honey-sweet fruit of the lotus
+flower. Those who ate the lotus ceased to remember that there was a
+past or a future. All duties they forgot, and all sadness. All day
+long they would sit and dream and dream idle, happy dreams that never
+ended.
+
+Here Odysseus and his men landed and drew water. Three of his warriors
+Odysseus sent into the country to see what manner of men dwelt there.
+To them the Lotus Eaters gave their honey-sweet food, and no sooner
+had each man eaten than he had no wish ever to return to the ships. He
+longed for ever to stay in that pleasant land, eating the lotus fruit,
+and dreaming the happy hours away.
+
+Back to the ships Odysseus dragged the unwilling men, weeping that
+they must leave so much joy behind. Beneath the benches of his ship he
+tightly bound them, and swiftly he made his ships sail from the shore,
+lest yet others of his company might eat of the lotus and forget their
+homes and their kindred.
+
+Soon they had all embarked, and, with heavy hearts, the men of Ithaca
+smote the gray sea-water with their long oars, and sped away from the
+land of forgetfulness and of sweet day-dreams.
+
+
+
+
+II
+
+HOW ODYSSEUS CAME TO THE LAND OF THE CYCLOPES, AND HIS ADVENTURES
+THERE
+
+
+On and on across the waves sailed the dark-prowed ships of Odysseus,
+until again they came to land.
+
+It was the Land of the Cyclopes, a savage and lawless people, who
+never planted, nor plowed, nor sowed, and whose fields yet gave them
+rich harvests of wheat and of barley, and vines with heavy clusters of
+grapes. In deep caves, high up on the hills, these people dwelt, and
+each man ruled his own wife and children, but himself knew no ruler.
+
+Outside the harbor of the Land of the Cyclopes lay a thickly wooded
+island. No hunters went there, for the Cyclopes owned neither ships
+nor boats, so that many goats roamed unharmed through the woods and
+cropped the fresh green grass.
+
+It was a green and pleasant land. Rich meadows stretched down to the
+sea, the vines grew strong and fruitful, and there was a fair harbor
+where ships might be run right on to the beach. At the head of the
+harbor was a well of clear water flowing out of a cave, and with
+poplars growing around it. Thither Odysseus directed his ships. It was
+dark night, with no moon to guide, and mist lay deep on either side,
+yet they passed the breakers and rolling surf without knowing it, and
+anchored safely on the beach.
+
+All night they slept, and when rosy dawn came they explored the island
+and slew with their bows and long spears many of the wild goats of the
+woods.
+
+All the livelong day Odysseus and his men sat and feasted. As they ate
+and drank, they looked across the water at the Land of the Cyclopes,
+where the smoke of wood fires curled up to the sky, and from whence
+they could hear the sound of men's voices and the bleating of
+sheep and goats. When darkness fell, they lay down to sleep on the
+sea-beach, and when morning dawned Odysseus called his men together
+and said to them: "Stay here, all the rest of you, my dear companions,
+but I will go with my own ship and my ship's company and see what kind
+of men are those who dwell in this land across the harbor."
+
+So saying, he climbed into his ship, and his men rowed him across to
+the Land of the Cyclopes. When they were near the shore they saw a
+great cave by the sea. It was roofed in with green laurel boughs and
+seemed to be meant for a fold to shelter sheep and goats. Round about
+it a high outer wall was firmly built with stones, and with tall and
+leafy pines and oak-trees.
+
+In this cave, all alone with his flocks and herds, dwelt a huge and
+hideous one-eyed giant. Polyphemus was his name, and his father was
+Poseidon, god of the sea.
+
+Taking twelve of his best men with him, Odysseus left the others to
+guard the ship and sallied forth to the giant's cave. With him he
+carried a goat-skin full of precious wine, dark red, and sweet and
+strong, and a large sack of corn.
+
+Soon they came to the cave, but Polyphemus was not there. He had taken
+off his flocks to graze in the green meadows, leaving behind him in
+the cave folds full of lambs and kids. The walls of the cave were
+lined with cheeses, and there were great pans full of whey, and giant
+bowls full of milk.
+
+"Let us first of all take the cheeses," said the men of Odysseus to
+their King, "and carry them to the ships. Then let us return and drive
+all the kids and lambs from their folds down to the shore, and sail
+with them in our swift ships homeward over the sea."
+
+But Odysseus would not listen to what they said. He was too great
+hearted to steal into the cave like a thief and take away the giant's
+goods without first seeing whether Polyphemus might not treat him as
+a friend, receiving from him the corn and wine he had brought, and
+giving him gifts in return.
+
+So they kindled a fire, and dined on some of the cheeses, and sat
+waiting for the giant to return.
+
+Towards evening he came, driving his flocks before him, and carrying
+on his back a huge load of firewood, which he cast down on the floor
+with such a thunderous noise that Odysseus and his men fled in fear
+and hid themselves in the darkest corners of the cave. When he had
+driven his sheep inside, Polyphemus lifted from the ground a rock so
+huge that two-and-twenty four-wheeled wagons could not have borne it,
+and with it blocked the doorway. Then, sitting down, he milked the
+ewes and bleating goats, and placed the lambs and kids each beside its
+own mother.
+
+Half of the milk he curdled and placed in wicker baskets to make into
+cheeses, and the other half he left in great pails to drink when he
+should have supper. When all this was done, he kindled a fire, and
+when the flames had lit up the dark-walled cave he spied Odysseus and
+his men.
+
+"Strangers, who are ye?" he asked, in his great, rumbling voice.
+"Whence sail ye over the watery ways? Are ye merchants? or are ye
+sea-robbers who rove over the sea, risking your own lives and bringing
+evil to other men?"
+
+The sound of the giant's voice, and his hideous face filled the hearts
+of the men with terror, but Odysseus made answer: "From Troy we
+come, seeking our home, but driven hither by winds and waves. Men of
+Agamemnon, the renowned and most mightily victorious Greek general,
+are we, yet to thee we come and humbly beg for friendship."
+
+At this the giant, who had nothing but cruelty in his heart, mocked at
+Odysseus.
+
+"Thou art a fool," said he, "and I shall not spare either thee or thy
+company. But tell me where thou didst leave thy good ship? Was it near
+here, or at the far end of the island?"
+
+But Odysseus of the many counsels knew that the giant asked the
+question only to bring evil on the men who stayed by the ship, and so
+he answered: "My ship was broken in pieces by the storm and cast up on
+the rocks on the shore, but I, with these my men, escaped from death."
+
+Not one word said Polyphemus in reply, but sprang up, clutched hold of
+two of the men, and dashed their brains out on the stone floor. Then
+he cut them up, and made ready his supper, eating the two men, bones
+and all, as if he had been a starving lion, and taking great draughts
+of the milk from the giant pails. When his meal was done, he stretched
+himself on the ground beside his sheep and goats, and slept.
+
+In helpless horror Odysseus and his men had watched the dreadful
+sight, but when the monster slept they began to make plans for their
+escape. At first Odysseus thought it might be best to take his sharp
+sword and stab Polyphemus in the breast. But then he knew that even
+were he thus to slay the giant, he and his men must die. For strength
+was not left them to roll away the rock from the cave's mouth, and so
+they must perish like rats in a trap.
+
+All night they thought what they should do, but could think of nought
+that would avail, and so they could only moan in their bitterness of
+heart and wait for the dawn. When dawn's rosy fingers touched the sky,
+Polyphemus awoke. He kindled a fire, and milked his flocks, and gave
+each ewe her lamb. When this work was done he snatched yet other two
+men, dashed their brains out, and made of them his morning meal. After
+the meal, he lifted the stone from the door, drove the flocks out, and
+set the stone back again. Then, with a loud shout, he turned his sheep
+and goats towards the hills and left Odysseus and his remaining eight
+men imprisoned in the cave, plotting and planning how to get away, and
+how to avenge the death of their comrades.
+
+At last Odysseus thought of a plan. By the sheepfold there lay a huge
+club of green olive wood that Polyphemus had cut and was keeping
+until it should be dry enough to use as a staff. So huge was it
+that Odysseus and his men likened it to the mast of a great merchant
+vessel. From this club Odysseus cut a large piece and gave it to his
+men to fine down and make even. While they did this, Odysseus himself
+sharpened it to a point and hardened the point in the fire. When it
+was ready, they hid it amongst the rubbish on the floor of the cave.
+Then Odysseus made his men draw lots who should help him to lift this
+bar and drive it into the eye of the giant as he slept, and the lot
+fell upon the four men that Odysseus would himself have chosen.
+
+In the evening Polyphemus came down from the hills with his flocks and
+drove them all inside the cave. Then he lifted the great doorstone and
+blocked the doorway, milked the ewes and goats, and gave each lamb and
+kid to its mother. This done, he seized other two of the men, dashed
+out their brains, and made ready his supper.
+
+From the shadows of the cave Odysseus now stepped forward, bearing in
+his hands an ivy bowl, full of the dark red wine.
+
+"Drink wine after thy feast of men's flesh," said Odysseus, "and see
+what manner of drink this was that our ship held."
+
+Polyphemus grasped the bowl, gulped down the strong wine, and smacked
+his great lips over its sweetness.
+
+"Give me more," he cried, "and tell me thy name straightway, that I
+may give thee a gift. Mighty clusters of grapes do the vines of our
+land bear for us, but this is a rill of very nectar and ambrosia."
+
+Again Odysseus gave him the bowl full of wine, and yet again, until
+the strong wine went to the giant's head and made him stupid.
+
+Then said Odysseus: "Thou didst ask me my name, and didst say that
+thou wouldst give me a gift. Noman is my name, and Noman they call me,
+my father and mother and all my fellows."
+
+Then answered the giant out of his pitiless heart: "I will eat thy
+fellows first, Noman, and thee the last of all. That shall be thy
+gift."
+
+Soon the wine made him so sleepy that he sank backwards with his great
+face upturned and fell fast asleep.
+
+As soon as the giant slept, Odysseus thrust into the fire the stake he
+had prepared, and made it red hot, all the while speaking cheerfully
+and comfortingly to his men. When it was so hot that the wood, green
+though it was, began to blaze, they drew it out and thrust it into
+the giant's eye. Round and round they whirled the fiery pike, as a
+man bores a hole in a plank, until the blood gushed out, and the eye
+frizzled and hissed, and the flames singed and burned the eyelids, and
+the eye was burned out. With a great and terrible cry the giant sprang
+to his feet, and Odysseus and the others fled from before him. From
+his eye he dragged the blazing pike, all dripping with his blood, and
+dashed it to the ground. Then, maddened with pain, he called with a
+great and terrible cry on the other Cyclopes, who dwelt in their caves
+on the hill-tops round which the wind swept. The giants, hearing his
+horrid yells, rushed to help him.
+
+"What ails thee, Polyphemus?" they asked. "Why dost thou cry aloud
+in the night and awake us from our sleep? Surely no one stealeth thy
+flocks? None slayeth thee by force or by craft."
+
+From the other side of the great stone moaned Polyphemus: "Noman is
+slaying me by craft."
+
+Then the Cyclopes said: "If no man is hurting thee, then indeed it
+must be a sickness that makes thee cry so loud, and this thou must
+bear, for we cannot help."
+
+With that they strode away from the cave and left the blind giant
+groaning and raging with pain. Groping with his hands, he found the
+great stone that blocked the door, lifted it away, and sat himself
+down in the mouth of the cave, with his arms stretched out, hoping
+to catch Odysseus and his men if they should try to escape. Sitting
+there, he fell asleep, and, as soon as he slept, Odysseus planned and
+plotted how best to win freedom.
+
+The rams of the giant's flocks were great strong beasts, with fleeces
+thick and woolly, and as dark as the violet. With twisted slips of
+willow Odysseus lashed every three of them together, and under the
+middle ram of each three he bound one of his men. For himself he
+kept the best ram of the flock, young and strong, and with a fleece
+wonderfully thick and shaggy. Underneath this ram Odysseus curled
+himself, and clung, face upwards, firmly grasping the wool with his
+hands. In this wise did he and his men wait patiently for the dawn.
+
+When rosy dawn came, the ewes in the pens bleated to be milked and the
+rams hastened out to the hills and green meadows. As each sheep passed
+him, Polyphemus felt along its back, but never guessed that the six
+remaining men of Odysseus were bound beneath the thick-fleeced rams.
+Last of all came the young ram to which Odysseus clung, moving slowly,
+for his fleece was heavy, and Odysseus whom he bore was heavier still.
+On the ram's back Polyphemus laid his great hands. "Dear ram," said
+he, "once wert thou the very first to lead the flocks from the cave,
+the first to nibble the tender buds of the pasture, the first to find
+out the running streams, and the first to come home when evening fell.
+But to-day thou art the very last to go. Surely thou art sorrowful
+because the wicked Noman hath destroyed my eye. I would thou couldst
+speak and tell me where Noman is hidden. Then should I seize him and
+gladly dash out his brains on the floor of the cave."
+
+Very, very still lay Odysseus while the giant spoke, but the ram
+slowly walked on past the savage giant, towards the meadows near the
+sea. Soon it was far enough from the cave for Odysseus to let go his
+hold and to stand up. Quickly he loosened the bonds of the others, and
+swiftly then they drove the rams down to the shore where their ship
+lay. Often they looked round, expecting to see Polyphemus following
+them, but they safely reached the ship and got a glad welcome from
+their friends, who rejoiced over them, but would have wept over the
+men that the cannibal giant had slain.
+
+"There is no time to weep," said Odysseus, and he made his men hasten
+on board the ship, driving the sheep before them.
+
+Soon they were all on board, and the gray sea-water was rushing off
+their oars, as they sailed away from the land of the Cyclopes.
+
+But before they were out of sight of land, the bold Odysseus lifted up
+his voice and shouted across the water:
+
+"Hear me, Polyphemus, thou cruel monster! Thine evil deeds were very
+sure to find thee out. Thou hast been punished because thou hadst no
+shame to eat the strangers who came to thee as thy guests!"
+
+The voice of Odysseus rang across the waves, and reached Polyphemus as
+he sat in pain at the mouth of his cave.
+
+In a fury the giant sprang up, broke off the peak of a great hill
+and cast it into the sea, where it fell just in front of the ship of
+Odysseus.
+
+So huge a splash did the vast rock give, that the sea heaved up and
+the backwash of the water drove the ship right to the shore.
+
+Odysseus snatched up a long pole and pushed the ship off once more.
+Silently he motioned to the men to row hard, and save themselves and
+their ship from the angry giant. When they were once more out at sea,
+Odysseus wished again to mock Polyphemus.
+
+In vain his men begged him not to provoke a monster so mighty that he
+could crush their heads and the timbers of their ship with one cast of
+a stone. Once more Odysseus shouted across the water:
+
+"Polyphemus, if any one shall ask thee who blinded thee, tell them it
+was Odysseus of Ithaca."
+
+Then moaned the giant:
+
+"Once, long ago, a soothsayer told me that Odysseus should make me
+blind. But ever I looked for the coming of a great and gallant hero,
+and now there hath come a poor feeble, little dwarf, who made me weak
+with wine before he dared to touch me."
+
+Then he begged Odysseus to come back, and said he would treat him
+kindly, and told him that he knew that his own father, the god of the
+sea, would give him his sight again.
+
+"Never more wilt thou have thy sight," mocked Odysseus; "thy father
+will never heal thee."
+
+Then Polyphemus, stretching out his hands, and looking up with his
+sightless eye to the starry sky, called aloud to Poseidon, god of the
+sea, to punish Odysseus.
+
+"If he ever reaches his own country," he cried, "let him come late
+and in an evil case, with all his own company lost, and in the ship of
+strangers, and let him find sorrows in his own house."
+
+No answer came from Poseidon, but the god of the sea heard his son's
+prayer.
+
+With all his mighty force Polyphemus then cast at the ship a rock far
+greater than the first. It all but struck the end of the rudder, but
+the huge waves that surged up from it bore on the ship, and carried it
+to the further shore.
+
+There they found the men with the other ships waiting in sorrow and
+dread, for they feared that the giants had killed Odysseus and his
+company. Gladly they drove the rams of Polyphemus on to the land, and
+there feasted together until the sun went down.
+
+All night they slept on the sea beach, and at rosy dawn Odysseus
+called to his men to get into their ships and loose the hawsers.
+Soon they had pushed off, and were thrusting their oars into the gray
+sea-water.
+
+Their hearts were sore, because they had lost six gallant men of their
+company, yet they were glad as men saved from death.
+
+
+
+
+III
+
+HOW ODYSSEUS MET WITH CIRCE, THE SIRENS, AND CALYPSO
+
+
+Across the seas sailed Odysseus and his men till they came to an
+island where lived AEolus the keeper of the winds. When Odysseus again
+set sail, AEolus gave him a great leather bag in which he had placed
+all the winds except the wind of the west. His men thought the bag to
+be full of gold and silver, so, while Odysseus slept they loosened the
+silver thong, and, with a mighty gust all the winds rushed out driving
+the ship far away from their homeland.
+
+Ere long they reached another island, where dwelt a great enchantress,
+Circe of the golden tresses, whose palace Eurylochus discovered.
+Within they heard Circe singing, so they called to her and she came
+forth and bade them enter. Heedlessly they followed her, all but
+Eurylochus. Then Circe smote them with her magic wand and they were
+turned into swine.
+
+When Odysseus heard what had befallen his men he was very angry and
+would have slain her with his sword. But Circe cried: "Sheathe thy
+sword, I pray thee, Odysseus, and let us be at peace." Then said
+Odysseus: "How can I be at peace with thee, Circe? How can I trust
+thee?" Then Circe promised to do Odysseus no harm, and to let him
+return in safety to his home.
+
+Then she opened the doors of the sty and waved her wand. And the swine
+became men again even handsomer and stronger than before.
+
+For a whole year Odysseus and his men stayed in the palace, feasting
+and resting. When they at last set sail again the sorceress told
+Odysseus of many dangers he would meet on his homeward voyage, and
+warned him how to escape from them.
+
+In an island in the blue sea through which the ship of Odysseus would
+sail toward home, lived some beautiful mermaids called Sirens. Even
+more beautiful than the Sirens' faces were their lovely voices by
+which they lured men to go on shore and there slew them. In the
+flowery meadows were the bones of the foolish sailors who had seen
+only the lovely faces and long, golden hair of the Sirens, and had
+lost their hearts to them.
+
+Against these mermaids Circe had warned Odysseus, and he repeated her
+warnings to his men.
+
+Following her advice he filled the ears of the men with wax and bade
+them bind him hand and foot to the mast.
+
+Past the island drove the ship, and the Sirens seeing it began their
+sweet song. "Come hither, come hither, brave Odysseus," they sang.
+Then Odysseus tried to make his men unbind him, but Eurylochus and
+another bound him yet more tightly to the mast.
+
+When the island was left behind, the men took the wax from their ears
+and unbound their captain. After passing the Wandering Rocks with
+their terrible sights and sounds the ship came to a place of great
+peril. Beyond them were yet two huge rocks between which the sea
+swept.
+
+One of these ran up to the sky, and in this cliff was a dark cave in
+which lived Scylla a horrible monster, who, as the ship passed seized
+six of the men with her six dreadful heads.
+
+In the cliff opposite lived another terrible creature called Charybdis
+who stirred the sea to a fierce whirlpool.
+
+By a strong wind the ship was driven into this whirlpool, but Odysseus
+escaped on a broken piece of wreckage to the shores of an island.
+
+On this island lived Calypso of the braided tresses, a goddess feared
+by all men. But, to Odysseus she was very kind and he soon became as
+strong as ever.
+
+"Stay with me, and thou shalt never grow old and never die," said
+Calypso.
+
+A great homesickness had seized Odysseus, but no escape came for eight
+years. Then Athene begged the gods to help him. They called on Hermes,
+who commanded Calypso to let him go. She wanted him to stay with her
+but promised to send him away. She told him to make a raft which she
+would furnish with food and clothing for his need.
+
+He set out and in eighteen days saw the land of the Phaeacians appear.
+But when safety seemed near, Poseidon, the sea-god, returned from his
+wanderings and would have destroyed him had it not been that a fair
+sea-nymph gave him her veil to wind around his body. This he did and
+finally reached the shore.
+
+
+
+
+IV
+
+HOW ODYSSEUS MET WITH NAUSICAA
+
+
+In the land of the Phaeacians there dwelt no more beautiful, nor any
+sweeter maiden, than the King's own daughter. Nausicaa was her name,
+and she was so kind and gentle that every one loved her.
+
+To the land of the Phaeacians the north wind had driven Odysseus, and
+while he lay asleep in his bed of leaves under the olive-trees, the
+goddess Athene went to the room in the palace where Nausicaa slept,
+and spoke to her in her dreams.
+
+"Some day thou wilt marry, Nausicaa," she said, "and it is time
+for thee to wash all the fair raiment that is one day to be thine.
+To-morrow thou must ask the King, thy father, for mules and for a
+wagon, and drive from the city to a place where all the rich clothing
+may be washed and dried."
+
+When morning came Nausicaa remembered her dream, and went to tell her
+father.
+
+Her mother was sitting spinning yarn of sea-purple stain, and her
+father was just going to a council meeting.
+
+"Father, dear," said the Princess, "couldst thou lend me a high wagon
+with strong wheels, that I may take all my fair linen to the river
+to wash. All yours, too, I shall take, so that thou shalt go to the
+council in linen that is snowy clean, and I know that my five brothers
+will also be glad if I wash their fine clothing for them."
+
+This she said, for she felt too shy to tell her father what Athene had
+said about her getting married.
+
+But the King knew well why she asked. "I do not grudge thee mules,
+nor anything else, my child," he said. "Go, bid the servants prepare a
+wagon."
+
+The servants quickly got ready the finest wagon that the King had, and
+harnessed the best of the mules. And Nausicaa's mother filled a basket
+with all the dainties that she knew her daughter liked best, so that
+Nausicaa and her maidens might feast together. The fine clothes were
+piled into the wagon, the basket of food was placed carefully beside
+them, and Nausicaa climbed in, took the whip and shining reins, and
+touched the mules. Then with clatter of hoofs they started.
+
+When they were come to the beautiful, clear river, amongst whose reeds
+Odysseus had knelt the day before, they unharnessed the mules and
+drove them along the banks of the river to graze where the clover
+grew rich and fragrant. Then they washed the clothes, working hard
+and well, and spread them out to dry on the clean pebbles down by the
+seashore.
+
+Then they bathed, and when they had bathed they took their midday meal
+by the bank of the rippling river.
+
+When they had finished, the sun had not yet dried the clothes, so
+Nausicaa and her maidens began to play ball. As they played they sang
+a song that the girls of that land would always sing as they threw the
+ball to one another. All the maidens were fair, but Nausicaa of the
+white arms was the fairest of all.
+
+From hand to hand they threw the ball, growing always the merrier,
+until, when it was nearly time for them to gather the clothes together
+and go home, Nausicaa threw it very hard to one of the others. The
+girl missed the catch. The ball flew into the river, and, as it was
+swept away to the sea, the Princess and all her maidens screamed
+aloud.
+
+Their cries awoke Odysseus, as he lay asleep in his bed of leaves.
+
+"I must be near the houses of men," he said; "those are the cries of
+girls at play."
+
+With that he crept out from the shelter of the olive-trees. He had no
+clothes, for he had thrown them all into the sea before he began his
+terrible swim for life. But he broke off some leafy branches and held
+them round him, and walked down to where Nausicaa and her maidens
+were.
+
+Like a wild man of the woods he looked, and when they saw him coming
+the girls shrieked and ran away. Some of them hid behind the rocks on
+the shore, and some ran out to the shoals of yellow sand that jutted
+into the sea.
+
+But although his face was marred with the sea-foam that had crusted on
+it, and he looked a terrible, fierce, great creature, Nausicaa was too
+brave to run away.
+
+Shaking she stood there, and watched him as he came forward, and stood
+still a little way off. Then Odysseus spoke to her, gently and kindly,
+that he might take away her fear.
+
+He told her of his shipwreck, and begged her to show him the way to
+the town, and give him some old garment, or any old wrap in which she
+had brought the linen, so that he might have something besides leaves
+with which to cover himself.
+
+"I have never seen any maiden half so beautiful as thou art," he said.
+"Have pity on me, and may the gods grant thee all thy heart's desire."
+
+Then said Nausicaa: "Thou seemest no evil man, stranger, and I will
+gladly give thee clothing and show thee the way to town. This is the
+land of the Phaeacians, and my father is the King."
+
+To her maidens then she called:
+
+"Why do ye run away at the sight of a man? Dost thou take him for
+an enemy? He is only a poor shipwrecked man. Come, give him food and
+drink, and fetch him clothing."
+
+The maidens came back from their hiding-places, and fetched some of
+the garments of Nausicaa's brothers which they had brought to wash,
+and laid them beside Odysseus.
+
+Odysseus gratefully took the clothes away, and went off to the river.
+There he plunged into the clear water, and washed the salt crust from
+off his face and limbs and body, and the crusted foam from his hair.
+Then he put on the beautiful garments that belonged to one of the
+Princes, and walked down to the shore where Nausicaa and her maidens
+were waiting.
+
+So tall and handsome and strong did Odysseus look, with his hair
+curling like hyacinth flowers around his head, that Nausicaa said to
+her maidens: "This man, who seemed to us so dreadful so short a time
+ago, now looks like a god. I would that my husband, if ever I have
+one, should be as he."
+
+Then she and her maidens brought him food and wine, and he ate
+hungrily, for it was many days since he had eaten.
+
+When he had finished, they packed the linen into the wagon, and yoked
+the mules, and Nausicaa climbed into her place.
+
+"So long as we are passing through the fields," she said to Odysseus,
+"follow behind with my maidens, and I will lead the way. But when we
+come near the town with its high walls and towers, and harbors full
+of ships, the rough sailors will stare and say, 'Hath Nausicaa gone to
+find herself a husband because she scorns the men of Phaeacia who would
+wed her? Hath she picked up a shipwrecked stranger, or is this one of
+the gods who has come to make her his wife?' Therefore come not with
+us, I pray thee, for the sailors to jest at. There is a fair poplar
+grove near the city, with a meadow lying round it. Sit there until
+thou thinkest that we have had time to reach the palace. Then seek the
+palace--any child can show thee the way--and when thou art come to the
+outer court pass quickly into the room where my mother sits. Thou wilt
+find her weaving yarn of sea-purple stain by the light of the fire.
+She will be leaning her head back against a pillar, and her maidens
+will be standing round her. My father's throne is close to hers,
+but pass him by, and cast thyself at my mother's knees. If she feels
+kindly towards thee and is sorry for thee, then my father is sure to
+help thee to get safely back to thine own land."
+
+Then Nausicaa smote her mules with the whip, and they trotted quickly
+off, and soon left behind them the silver river with its whispering
+reeds, and the beach with its yellow sand.
+
+Odysseus and the maidens followed the wagon, and just as the sun was
+setting they reached the poplar grove in the meadow.
+
+There Odysseus stayed until Nausicaa should have had time to reach
+the palace. When she got there, she stopped at the gateway, and her
+brothers came out and lifted down the linen, and unharnessed the
+mules. Nausicaa went up to her room, and her old nurse kindled a fire
+for her and got ready her supper.
+
+When Odysseus thought it was time to follow, he went to the city.
+He marveled at the great walls and at the many gallant ships in the
+harbors. But when he reached the King's palace, he wondered still
+more. Its walls were of brass, so that from without, when the doors
+stood open, it looked as if the sun or moon were shining within. A
+frieze of blue ran round the walls. All the doors were made of gold,
+the doorposts were of silver, the thresholds of brass, and the hook of
+the door was of gold. In the halls were golden figures of animals, and
+of men who held in their hands lighted torches. Outside the courtyard
+was a great garden filled with blossoming pear-trees and pomegranates,
+and apple-trees with shining fruit, and figs, and olives. All the year
+round there was fruit in that garden. There were grapes in blossom,
+and grapes purple and ready to eat, and there were great masses of
+snowy pear-blossom, and pink apple-blossom, and golden ripe pears, and
+rosy apples.
+
+At all of those wonders Odysseus stood and gazed, but it was not for
+long; for he hastened through the halls to where the Queen sat in the
+firelight, spinning her purple yarn. He fell at her knees, and silence
+came on all those in the room when they looked at him, so brave and so
+handsome did he seem.
+
+"Through many and great troubles have I come hither, Queen," said he;
+"speed, I pray you, my parting right quickly, that I may come to mine
+own country. Too long have I suffered great sorrows far away from my
+own friends."
+
+Then he sat down amongst the ashes by the fire, and for a little space
+no one spoke.
+
+At last a wise old courtier said to the King: "Truly it is not right
+that this stranger should sit in the ashes by the fire. Bid him arise,
+and give him meat and drink."
+
+At this the King took Odysseus by the hand and asked him to rise. He
+made one of his sons give up his silver inlaid chair, and bade his
+servants fetch a silver basin and a golden ewer that Odysseus might
+wash his hands. All kinds of dainties to eat and drink he also made
+them bring, and the lords and the courtiers who were there feasted
+along with Odysseus, until it was time for them to go to their own
+homes.
+
+Before they went the King promised Odysseus a safe convoy back to his
+own land.
+
+When he was left alone with the King and Queen, the latter said to
+him: "Tell us who thou art. I myself made the clothing that thou
+wearest. From whence didst thou get it?"
+
+Then Odysseus told her of his imprisonment in the island of Calypso,
+of his escape, of the terrible storm that shattered his raft, and of
+how at length he reached the shore and met with Nausicaa.
+
+"It was wrong of my daughter not to bring thee to the palace when she
+came with her maids," said the King.
+
+But Odysseus told him why it was that Nausicaa had bade him stay
+behind.
+
+"Be not vexed with this blameless maiden," he said. "Truly she is the
+sweetest and the fairest maiden I ever saw."
+
+Then Odysseus went to the bed that the servants had prepared for him.
+They had spread fair purple blankets over it, and when it was ready
+they stood beside it with their torches blazing, golden and red.
+
+"Up now, stranger, get thee to sleep," said they. "Thy bed is made."
+
+Sleep was very sweet to Odysseus that night as he lay in the soft bed
+with warm blankets over him. He was no longer tossed and beaten by
+angry seas, no longer wet and cold and hungry. The roar of furious
+waves did not beat in his ears, for all was still in the great halls
+where the flickering firelight played on the frieze of blue, and
+turned the brass walls into gold.
+
+Next day the King gave a great entertainment for Odysseus. There were
+boxing and wrestling and leaping and running, and in all of these the
+brothers of Nausicaa were better than all others who tried.
+
+But when they came to throw the weight, and begged Odysseus to try, he
+cast a stone heavier than all others, far beyond where the Phaeacians
+had thrown.
+
+That night there was feasting in the royal halls, and the King's
+minstrels played and sang songs of the taking of Troy, and of the
+bravery of the great Odysseus. And Odysseus listened until his heart
+could bear no more, and tears trickled down his cheeks. Only the King
+saw him weep. He wondered much why Odysseus wept, and at last he asked
+him.
+
+So Odysseus told the King his name, and the whole story of his
+adventures since he had sailed away from Troyland.
+
+Then the King and Queen and their courtiers gave rich gifts to
+Odysseus. A beautiful silver-studded sword was the King's gift to him.
+
+Nausicaa gave him nothing, but she stood and gazed at him in his
+purple robes and felt more sure than ever that he was the handsomest
+and the greatest hero she had ever seen.
+
+"Farewell, stranger," she said to him when the hour came for her to go
+to bed, for she knew she would not see him on the morrow. "Farewell,
+stranger. Sometimes think of me when thou art in thine own land."
+
+Then said Odysseus: "All the days of my life I shall remember thee,
+Nausicaa, for thou hast given me my life."
+
+Next day a company of the Phaeacians went down to a ship that lay by
+the seashore, and with them went Odysseus. They carried the treasures
+that had been given to him and put them on board, and spread a rug on
+the deck for him. There Odysseus lay down, and as soon as the splash
+of the oars in the water and the rush and gush of the water from the
+bow of the boat told him that the ship was sailing speedily to his
+dear land of Ithaca, he fell into a sound sleep. Onward went the ship,
+so swiftly that not even a hawk flying after its prey could have kept
+pace with her. When the bright morning stars arose, they were close to
+Ithaca. The sailors quickly ran their vessel ashore and gently carried
+the sleeping Odysseus, wrapped round in his rug of bright purple, to
+where a great olive-tree bent its gray leaves over the sand. They laid
+him under the tree, put his treasures beside him, and left him, still
+heavy with slumber. Then they climbed into their ship and sailed away.
+
+While Odysseus slept the goddess Athene shed a thick mist round him.
+When he awoke, the sheltering heavens, the long paths, and the trees
+in bloom all looked strange to him when seen through the grayness of
+the mist.
+
+"Woe is me!" he groaned. "The Phaeacians promised to bring me to
+Ithaca, but they have brought me to a land of strangers, who will
+surely attack me and steal my treasures."
+
+But while he was wondering what he should do, the goddess Athene came
+to him. She was tall and fair and noble to look upon, and she smiled
+upon Odysseus with her kind gray eyes.
+
+Under the olive-tree she sat down beside him, and told him all that
+had happened in Ithaca while he was away, and all that he must do to
+win back his kingdom and his Queen.
+
+
+
+
+THE ARGONAUTS
+
+ADAPTED BY MARY MACGREGOR
+
+
+
+
+I
+
+HOW THE CENTAUR TRAINED THE HEROES
+
+
+Now I have a tale to tell of heroes who sailed away into a distant
+land, to win themselves renown for ever in the adventures of the
+Golden Fleece.
+
+And what was the Golden Fleece?
+
+It was the fleece of the wondrous ram who bore a boy called Phrixus
+and a girl called Helle across the sea; and the old Greeks said that
+it hung nailed to a beech-tree in the War-god's wood.
+
+For when a famine came upon the land, their cruel stepmother wished to
+kill Phrixus and Helle, that her own children might reign.
+
+She said Phrixus and Helle must be sacrificed on an altar, to turn
+away the anger of the gods, who sent the famine.
+
+So the poor children were brought to the altar, and the priest stood
+ready with his knife, when out of the clouds came the Golden Ram, and
+took them on his back and vanished.
+
+And the ram carried the two children far away, over land and sea,
+till at a narrow strait Helle fell off into the sea, and those narrow
+straits are called "Hellespont" after her, and they bear that name
+until this day.
+
+Then the ram flew on with Phrixus to the northeast, across the sea
+which we call the Black Sea, and at last he stopped at Colchis, on the
+steep sea-coast.
+
+And Phrixus married the King's daughter there, and offered the ram in
+sacrifice, and then it was that the ram's fleece was nailed to a beech
+in the wood of the War-god.
+
+After a while Phrixus died, but his spirit had no rest, for he was
+buried far from his native land and the pleasant hills of Hellas.
+
+So he came in dreams to the heroes of his country, and called sadly
+by their beds, "Come and set my spirit free, that I may go home to my
+fathers and to my kinsfolk."
+
+And they asked, "How shall we set your spirit free?"
+
+"You must sail over the sea to Colchis, and bring home the Golden
+Fleece. Then my spirit will come back with it, and I shall sleep with
+my fathers and have rest."
+
+He came thus, and called to them often, but when they woke they looked
+at each other and said, "Who dare sail to Colchis or bring home the
+Golden Fleece?"
+
+And in all the country none was brave enough to try, for the man and
+the time were not come.
+
+Now Phrixus had a cousin called AEson, who was King in Iolcos by the
+sea. And a fierce and lawless stepbrother drove AEson out of Iolcos by
+the sea, and took the kingdom to himself and ruled over it.
+
+When AEson was driven out, he went sadly away out of the town, leading
+his little son by the hand. And he said to himself, "I must hide the
+child in the mountains, or my stepbrother will surely kill him because
+he is the heir."
+
+So he went up from the sea, across the valley, through the vineyards
+and the olive groves, and across the river, toward Pelion, the ancient
+mountain, whose brows are white with snow.
+
+He went up and up into the mountain, over marsh, and crag, and down,
+till the boy was tired and footsore, and AEson had to bear him in his
+arms till he came to the mouth of a lonely cave, at the foot of a
+mighty cliff.
+
+Above the cliff the snow-wreaths hung, dripping and cracking in the
+sun. But at its foot, around the cave's mouth, grew all fair flowers
+and herbs, as if in a garden. There they grew gaily in the sunshine
+and in the spray of the torrent from above, while from the cave came
+the sound of music, and a man's voice singing to the harp.
+
+Then AEson put down the lad, and whispered, "Fear not, but go in, and
+whomsoever you shall find, lay your hands upon his knees and say, 'In
+the name of Zeus, the father of gods and men, I am your guest from
+this day forth.'"
+
+So the lad went in without trembling, for he too was a hero's son, but
+when he was within, he stopped in wonder to listen to that magic song.
+
+And there he saw the singer, lying upon bear-skins and fragrant
+boughs, Cheiron the ancient Centaur, the wisest of all beneath the
+sky.
+
+Down to the waist he was a man, but below he was a noble horse. His
+white hair rolled down over his broad shoulders, and his white beard
+over his broad brown chest. His eyes were wise and mild, and his
+forehead like a mountain-wall. In his hands he held a harp of gold,
+and he struck it with a golden key. And as he struck, he sang till his
+eyes glittered and filled all the cave with light.
+
+As he sang the boy listened wide-eyed, and forgot his errand in the
+song. At the last old Cheiron was silent, and called the lad with a
+soft voice.
+
+And the lad ran trembling to him, and would have laid his hands upon
+his knees.
+
+But Cheiron smiled, and drew the lad to him, and laid his hand upon
+his golden locks, and said, "Are you afraid of my horse's hoofs, fair
+boy, or will you be my pupil from this day?"
+
+"I would gladly have horse's hoofs like you, if I could sing such
+songs as yours," said the lad.
+
+And Cheiron laughed and said, "Sit here till sundown, when your
+playfellows will come home, and you shall learn like them to be a
+king, worthy to rule over gallant men."
+
+Then he turned to AEson, who had followed his son into the cave, and
+said, "Go back in peace. This boy shall not cross the river again till
+he has become a glory to you and to your house."
+
+And AEson wept over his son and went away, but the boy did not weep, so
+full was his fancy of that strange cave, and the Centaur and his song,
+and the playfellows whom he was to see.
+
+Then Cheiron put the lyre into his hands, and taught him how to play
+it, till the sun sank low behind the cliff, and a shout was heard
+outside.
+
+And then in came the sons of the heroes, and great Cheiron leapt up
+joyfully, and his hoofs made the cave resound as the lads shouted,
+"Come out, Father Cheiron, and see our game!"
+
+One cried, "I have killed two deer," and another, "I took a wild cat
+among the crags," and another shouted, "I have dragged a wild goat by
+its horns," and another carried under each arm a bear-cub. And Cheiron
+praised them all, each as he deserved.
+
+Then the lads brought in wood and split it, and lighted a blazing
+fire. Others skinned the deer and quartered them, and set them to
+roast before the flames.
+
+While the venison was cooking, they bathed in the snow-torrent and
+washed away the dust.
+
+And then all ate till they could eat no more, for they had tasted
+nothing since the dawn, and drank of the clear spring water, for wine
+is not fit for growing lads.
+
+When the remnants of the meal were put away, they all lay down upon
+the skins and leaves about the fire, and each took the lyre in turn,
+and sang and played with all his heart.
+
+After a while they all went out to a plot of grass at the cave's
+mouth, and there they boxed and ran and wrestled and laughed till the
+stones fell from the cliffs.
+
+Then Cheiron took his lyre, and all the lads joined hands, and as he
+played they danced to his measure, in and out and round and round.
+
+There they danced hand in hand, till the night fell over land and sea,
+while the black glen shone with the gleam of their golden hair.
+
+And the lad danced with them, delighted, and then slept a wholesome
+sleep, upon fragrant leaves of bay and myrtle and flowers of thyme.
+
+He rose at the dawn and bathed in the torrent, and became a
+schoolfellow to the heroes' sons, and forgot Iolcos by the sea, and
+his father and all his former life.
+
+But he grew strong and brave and cunning, upon the pleasant downs of
+Pelion, in the keen, hungry mountain-air.
+
+And he learned to wrestle, to box and to hunt, and to play upon the
+harp. Next he learned to ride, for old Cheiron used to mount him on
+his back. He learned too the virtue of all herbs, and how to cure all
+wounds, and Cheiron called him Jason the Healer, and that is his name
+until this day.
+
+
+
+
+II
+
+HOW JASON LOST HIS SANDAL
+
+
+And ten years came and went, and Jason was grown to be a mighty man.
+
+Now it happened one day that Jason stood on the mountain, and looked
+north and south and east and west. And Cheiron stood by him and
+watched him, for he knew that the time was come.
+
+When Jason looked south, he saw a pleasant land, with white-walled
+towns and farms nestling along the shore of a land-locked bay, while
+the smoke rose blue among the trees, and he knew it for Iolcos by the
+sea.
+
+Then he sighed and asked, "Is it true what the heroes tell me--that I
+am heir of that fair land?"
+
+"And what good would it be to you, Jason, if you were heir of that
+fair land?"
+
+"I would take it and keep it."
+
+"A strong man has taken it and kept it long. Are you stronger than
+your uncle Pelias the Terrible?"
+
+"I can try my strength with his," said Jason.
+
+But Cheiron sighed and said, "You have many a danger to go through
+before you rule in Iolcos by the sea, many a danger and many a woe,
+and strange troubles in strange lands, such as man never saw before."
+
+"The happier I," said Jason, "to see what man never saw before!"
+
+Cheiron sighed and said, "Will you go to Iolcos by the sea? Then
+promise me two things before you go! Speak harshly to no soul whom you
+may meet, and stand by the word which you shall speak."
+
+Jason promised. Then he leapt down the mountain, to take his fortune
+like a man.
+
+He went down through the thickets and across the downs of thyme, till
+he came to the vineyard walls, and the olives in the glen. And among
+the olives roared the river, foaming with a summer flood.
+
+And on the bank of the river sat a woman, all wrinkled, gray and old.
+Her head shook with old age, and her hands shook on her knees.
+
+When she saw Jason, she spoke, whining, "Who will carry me across the
+flood?"
+
+But Jason, heeding her not, went towards the waters. Yet he thought
+twice before he leapt, so loud roared the torrent all brown from the
+mountain rains.
+
+The old woman whined again, "I am weak and old, fair youth. For Hera's
+sake, the Queen of the Immortals, carry me over the torrent."
+
+Jason was going to answer her scornfully, when Cheiron's words, "Speak
+harshly to no soul whom you may meet," came to his mind.
+
+So he said, "For Hera's sake, the Queen of the Immortals, I will carry
+you over the torrent, unless we both are drowned midway."
+
+Then the old dame leapt upon his back as nimbly as a goat. Jason
+staggered in, wondering, and the first step was up to his knees.
+
+The first step was up to his knees, and the second step was up to his
+waist. The stones rolled about his feet, and his feet slipped about
+the stones. So he went on, staggering and panting, while the old woman
+cried upon his back, "Fool, you have wet my mantle! Do you mock at
+poor old souls like me?"
+
+Jason had half a mind to drop her and let her get through the torrent
+alone, but Cheiron's words were in his mind, and he said only,
+"Patience, mother, the best horse may stumble some day."
+
+At last he staggered to the shore and set her down upon the bank. He
+lay himself panting awhile, and then leapt up to go upon his journey,
+but he first cast one look at the old woman, for he thought, "She
+should thank me once at least."
+
+And as he looked, she grew fairer than all women and taller than all
+men on earth.
+
+Her garments shone like the summer sea, and her jewels like the stars
+of heaven. And she looked down on him with great soft eyes, with great
+eyes, mild and awful, which filled all the glen with light. Jason fell
+upon his knees and hid his face between his hands.
+
+And she spoke: "I am Hera, the Queen of Olympus. As thou hast done to
+me, so will I do to thee. Call on me in the hour of need, and try if
+the Immortals can forget!"
+
+When Jason looked up, she rose from off the earth, like a pillar of
+tall white cloud, and floated away across the mountain peaks, towards
+Olympus, the holy hill.
+
+Then a great fear fell on Jason, but after a while he grew light
+of heart. He blessed old Cheiron and said, "Surely the Centaur is a
+prophet and knew what would come to pass when he bade me speak harshly
+to no soul whom I might meet."
+
+Then he went down towards Iolcos, and as he walked he found that he
+had lost one of his sandals in the flood.
+
+And as he went through the streets the people came out to look at him,
+so tall and fair he was. But some of the elders whispered together,
+and at last one of them stopped Jason and called to him, "Fair lad,
+who are you and whence come you, and what is your errand in the town?"
+
+"My name, good father, is Jason, and I come from Pelion up above. My
+errand is to Pelias your King. Tell me, then, where his palace is."
+
+But the old man said, "I will tell you, lest you rush upon your ruin
+unawares. The oracle has said that a man wearing one sandal should
+take the kingdom from Pelias and keep it for himself. Therefore beware
+how you go up to his palace, for he is fiercest and most cunning of
+all kings." Jason laughed a great laugh in his pride. "Good news, good
+father, both for you and me. For that very end, to take his kingdom, I
+came into the town."
+
+Then he strode on toward the palace of Pelias his uncle, while all
+the people wondered at the stranger. And he stood in the doorway and
+cried, "Come out, come out, Pelias the Valiant, and fight for your
+kingdom like a man."
+
+Pelias came out, wondering. "Who are you, bold youth?" he cried.
+
+"I am Jason, the son of AEson, the heir of all the land."
+
+Then Pelias lifted up his hands and eyes and wept, or seemed to weep,
+and blessed the gods who had brought his nephew to him, never to leave
+him more. "For," said he, "I have but three daughters, and no son
+to be my heir. You shall marry whichsoever of my daughters you shall
+choose. But come, come in and feast."
+
+So he drew Jason in and spoke to him so lovingly, and feasted him so
+well, that Jason's anger passed.
+
+When supper was ended his three cousins came into the hall, and Jason
+thought he would like well to have one of them for his wife.
+
+But soon he looked at Pelias, and when he saw that he still wept, he
+said, "Why do you look so sad, my uncle?"
+
+Then Pelias sighed heavily again and again, like a man who had to tell
+some dreadful story, and was afraid to begin.
+
+At last he said, "For seven long years and more have I never known a
+quiet night, and no more will he who comes after me, till the Golden
+Fleece be brought home."
+
+Then he told Jason the story of Phrixus and of the Golden Fleece, and
+told him what was a lie, that Phrixus' spirit tormented him day and
+night. And his daughters came and told the same tale, and wept and
+said, "Oh, who will bring home the Golden Fleece, that the spirit
+of Phrixus may rest, and that we may rest also, for he never lets us
+sleep in peace?"
+
+Jason sat awhile, sad and silent, for he had often heard of that
+Golden Fleece, but he looked on it as a thing hopeless and impossible
+for any mortal man to win.
+
+When Pelias saw him silent he began to talk of other things. "One
+thing there is," said Pelias, "on which I need your advice, for,
+though you are young, I see in you a wisdom beyond your years. There
+is one neighbor of mine whom I dread more than all men on earth. I am
+stronger than he now and can command him, but I know that if he stay
+among us, he will work my ruin in the end. Can you give me a plan,
+Jason, by which I can rid myself of that man?"
+
+After a while, Jason answered half-laughing, "Were I you, I would send
+him to fetch that same Golden Fleece, for if he once set forth after
+it, you would never be troubled with him more."
+
+At that a little smile came across the lips of Pelias, and a flash of
+wicked joy into his eyes. Jason saw it and started, and he remembered
+the warning of the old man, and his own one sandal and the oracle, and
+he saw that he was taken in a trap.
+
+But Pelias only answered gently, "My son, he shall be sent forthwith."
+
+"You mean me!" cried Jason, starting up, "because I came here with one
+sandal," and he lifted his fist angrily, while Pelias stood up to
+him like a wolf at bay. Whether of the two was the stronger and the
+fiercer it would be hard to tell.
+
+But after a moment Pelias spoke gently, "Why so rash, my son? I have
+not harmed you. You will go, and that gladly, for you have a hero's
+heart within you, and the love of glory."
+
+Jason knew that he was entrapped, but he cried aloud, "You have well
+spoken, cunning uncle of mine, I love glory. I will go and fetch the
+Golden Fleece. Promise me but this in return, and keep your word as I
+keep mine. Treat my father lovingly while I am gone, for the sake of
+the all-seeing Zeus, and give me up the kingdom for my own on the day
+that I bring back the Golden Fleece."
+
+Then Pelias looked at him and almost loved him, in the midst of all
+his hate, and he said, "I promise, and I will perform. It will be no
+shame to give up my kingdom to the man who wins that fleece."
+
+So they both went and lay down to sleep. But Jason could not sleep for
+thinking how he was to win the Golden Fleece. Sometimes Phrixus seemed
+to call him in a thin voice, faint and low, as if it came from far
+across the sea. Sometimes he seemed to see the eyes of Hera, and to
+hear her words again, "Call on me in the hour of need, and see if the
+Immortals can forget."
+
+On the morrow Jason went to Pelias and said, "Give me a lamb, that
+I may sacrifice to Hera." And as he stood by the altar Hera sent a
+thought into his mind. And he went back to Pelias and said, "If you
+are indeed in earnest, give me two heralds that they may go round to
+all the Princes, who were pupils of the Centaur with me. Then together
+we will fit out a ship, and take what shall befall."
+
+At that Pelias praised his wisdom and hastened to send the heralds
+out, for he said in his heart, "Let all the Princes go with Jason,
+and, like him, never return, so shall I be lord of the land and the
+greatest king in Hellas."
+
+
+
+
+III
+
+HOW THEY BUILT THE SHIP ARGO
+
+
+So the heralds went out and cried to all the heroes, "Who dare come to
+the adventures of the Golden Fleece?"
+
+And Hera stirred the hearts of all the Princes, and they came from all
+their valleys to the yellow sand of Iolcos by the sea.
+
+All the city came out to meet them, and the men were never tired with
+looking at their heights and their beauty and the glitter of their
+arms.
+
+But the women sighed over them and whispered, "Alas, they are all
+going to their death!"
+
+Then the heroes felled the mountain pines and shaped them with the
+axe, and Argus the famed shipbuilder taught them to build a galley,
+the first long ship which ever sailed the seas. They named her Argo,
+after Argus the shipbuilder, and worked at her all day long.
+
+But Jason went away into a far-off land, till he found Orpheus the
+prince of minstrels, where he dwelt in his cave.
+
+And he asked him, "Will you leave your mountains, Orpheus, my
+playfellow in old times, and sail with the heroes to bring home the
+Golden Fleece? And will you charm for us all men and all monsters with
+your magic harp and song?"
+
+Then Orpheus sighed, "Have I not had enough of toil and of weary
+wandering far and wide, since I lived in Cheiron's cave, above Iolcos
+by the sea? And now must I go out again, to the ends of all the
+earth, far away into the misty darkness? But a friend's demand must be
+obeyed."
+
+So Orpheus rose up sighing, and took his harp. He led Jason to the
+holy oak, and he bade him cut down a bough and sacrifice to Hera. And
+they took the bough and came to Iolcos, and nailed it to the prow of
+the ship.
+
+And at last the ship was finished, and they tried to launch her down
+the beach; but she was too heavy for them to move her, and her keel
+sank deep into the sand.
+
+Then all the heroes looked at each other blushing, but Jason spoke
+and said, "Let us ask the magic bough; perhaps it can help us in our
+need."
+
+And a voice came from the bough, and Jason heard the words it said,
+and bade Orpheus play upon the harp, while the heroes waited round,
+holding the pine-trunk rollers to help the Argo toward the sea.
+
+Then Orpheus took his harp and began his magic song. And the good ship
+Argo heard him and longed to be away and out at sea, till she stirred
+in every timber, and heaved from stem to stern, and leapt up from the
+sand upon the rollers, and plunged onward like a gallant horse till
+she rushed into the whispering sea.
+
+And they stored her well with food and water, and settled themselves
+each man to his oar, keeping time to the harp of Orpheus.
+
+Then away across the bay they rowed southward, while the people lined
+the cliffs. But the women wept while the men shouted at the starting
+of that gallant crew.
+
+
+
+
+IV
+
+HOW THE ARGONAUTS WON THE GOLDEN FLEECE
+
+
+The heroes rowed across the bay, and while they waited there for a
+southwest wind, they chose themselves a captain from their crew. And
+some called for the strongest and hugest to be their captain, but more
+called for Jason, because he was the wisest of them all.
+
+So Jason was chosen captain, and each hero vowed to stand by him
+faithfully in the adventure of the Golden Fleece.
+
+They sailed onward and northward to Pelion. And their hearts yearned
+for the dear old mountain, as they thought of the days gone by, of the
+sports of their boyhood, and their hunting, and their lessons in the
+cave beneath the cliff. Then at last they said, "Let us land here and
+climb the dear old hill once more. We are going on a fearful journey.
+Who knows if we shall see Pelion again? Let us go up to Cheiron our
+master, and ask his blessing ere we start."
+
+So the helmsman steered them to the shore, under the crags of Pelion,
+and they went up through the dark pine-forests toward the Centaur's
+cave.
+
+Then, as Cheiron saw them, he leapt up and welcomed them every one,
+and set a feast of venison before them. And after supper all the
+heroes clapped their hands and called on Orpheus to sing, but he
+refused, and said, "How can I, who am the younger, sing before our
+ancient host?"
+
+So they called on Cheiron to sing. And he sang of heroes who fought
+with fists and teeth, and how they tore up the pine-trees in their
+fury, and hurled great crags of stone, while the mountains thundered
+with the battle, and the land was wasted far and wide.
+
+And the heroes praised his song right heartily, for some of them had
+helped in that great fight.
+
+Then Orpheus took the lyre and sang of the making of the wondrous
+world. And as he sang, his voice rose from the cave above the crags,
+and through the tree-tops. The trees bowed their heads when they heard
+it, and the forest beasts crept close to listen, and the birds forsook
+their nests and hovered near. And old Cheiron clapped his hands
+together and beat his hoofs upon the ground, for wonder at that magic
+song.
+
+Now the heroes came down to the ship, and Cheiron came down with
+them, weeping, and kissed them one by one, and promised to them great
+renown.
+
+And the heroes wept when they left him, till their great hearts could
+weep no more, for he was kind and just, and wiser than all beasts and
+men.
+
+Then Cheiron went up to a cliff and prayed for them, that they might
+come home safe and well, while the heroes rowed away and watched
+him standing on his cliff above the sea, with his great hands raised
+toward heaven, and his white locks waving in the wind. They strained
+their eyes to watch him to the last, for they felt that they should
+look on him no more.
+
+So they rowed on over the long swell of the sea eastward, and out into
+the open sea which we now call the Black Sea.
+
+All feared that dreadful sea, and its rocks and fogs and bitter
+storms, and the heroes trembled for all their courage, as they came
+into that wild Black Sea, and saw it stretching out before them,
+without a shore, as far as eye could see.
+
+Then Orpheus spoke and warned them that they must come now to the
+wandering blue rocks.
+
+Soon they saw them, and their blue peaks shone like spires and castles
+of gray glass, while an ice-cold wind blew from them and chilled all
+the heroes' hearts.
+
+As they neared them, they could see the rocks heaving, as they rolled
+upon the long sea-waves, crashing and grinding together, till the roar
+went up to heaven.
+
+The heroes' hearts sank within them, and they lay upon their oars in
+fear, but Orpheus called to the helmsman, "Between the blue rocks we
+must pass, so look for an opening, and be brave, for Hera is with us."
+
+The cunning helmsman stood silent, clenching his teeth, till he saw a
+heron come flying mast-high toward the rocks, and hover awhile before
+them, as if looking for a passage through. Then he cried, "Hera has
+sent us a pilot; let us follow the bird."
+
+The heron flapped to and fro a moment till he saw a hidden gap, and
+into it he rushed like an arrow, while the heroes watched what would
+befall.
+
+And the blue rocks dashed together as the bird fled swiftly through,
+but they struck but one feather from his tail, and then rebounded at
+the shock.
+
+Then the helmsman cheered the heroes, and they shouted, while the
+oars bent beneath their strokes as they rushed between those toppling
+ice-crags. But ere the rocks could meet again they had passed them,
+and were safe out in the open sea.
+
+After that they sailed on wearily along the coast, past many a mighty
+river's mouth, and past many a barbarous tribe. And at day dawn they
+looked eastward, till, shining above the tree-tops, they saw the
+golden roofs of King Aietes, the Child of the Sun.
+
+Then out spoke the helmsman, "We are come to our goal at last, for
+there are the roofs of Aietes, and the woods where all poisons grow.
+But who can tell us where among them is hid the Golden Fleece?"
+
+But Jason cheered the heroes, for his heart was high and bold, and he
+said, "I will go alone to Aietes, and win him with soft words. Better
+so than to go altogether and to come to blows at once." But the heroes
+would not stay behind so they rowed boldly up the stream.
+
+And a dream came to Aietes and filled his heart with fear. Then he
+leapt up and bade his servants bring his chariot, that he might go
+down to the river-side, and appease the nymphs and the heroes whose
+spirits haunt the bank.
+
+So he went down in his golden chariot, and his daughters by his side,
+Medeia, the fair witch-maiden, and Chalciope, who had been Phrixus'
+wife, and behind him a crowd of servants and soldiers, for he was a
+rich and mighty prince.
+
+And as he drove down by the reedy river, he saw the Argo sliding up
+beneath the bank, and many a hero in her, like Immortals for beauty
+and strength. But Jason was the noblest of all, for Hera, who loved
+him, gave him beauty and height and terrible manhood.
+
+When they came near together and looked into each other's eyes, the
+heroes were awed before Aietes as he shone in his chariot like his
+father, the glorious Sun. For his robes were of rich gold tissue, and
+the rays of his diadem flashed fire. And in his hand he bore a jeweled
+scepter, which glittered like the stars.
+
+Sternly Aietes looked at the heroes, and sternly he spoke and loud,
+"Who are you, and what want you here that you come to our shore? Know
+this is my kingdom and these are my people who serve me. Never yet
+grew they tired in battle, and well they know how to face a foe."
+
+And the heroes sat silent awhile before the face of that ancient King.
+But Hera, the awful goddess, put courage into Jason's heart, and he
+rose and shouted loudly in answer to the King.
+
+"We are no lawless men. We come, not to plunder or carry away slaves
+from your land, but we have come on a quest to bring home the Golden
+Fleece. And these too, my bold comrades, they are no nameless men, for
+some are the sons of Immortals, and some of heroes far renowned. We
+too never tire in battle, and know well how to give blows and to
+take. Yet we wish to be guests at your table; it will be better so for
+both."
+
+Then Aietes' rage rushed up like a whirlwind, and his eyes flashed
+fire as he heard; but he crushed his anger down in his heart and spoke
+mildly.
+
+"If you will fight, then many a man must die. But if you will be ruled
+by me you will find it better far to choose the best man among you,
+and let him fulfil the labors which I demand. Then I will give him the
+Golden Fleece for a prize and a glory to you all."
+
+So he said, and then turned his horses and drove back in silence to
+the town.
+
+The heroes sat dumb with sorrow, for there was no facing the thousands
+of King Aietes' men and the fearful chance of war.
+
+But Chalciope, the widow of Phrixus, went weeping to the town, for she
+remembered her husband and all the pleasures of her youth while she
+watched the fair face of his kinsmen and their long locks of golden
+hair.
+
+And she whispered to Medeia, her sister, "Why should all these brave
+men die? Why does not my father give up the fleece, that my husband's
+spirit may have rest?"
+
+Medeia's heart pitied the heroes, and Jason most of all, and she
+answered, "Our father is stern and terrible, and who can win the
+Golden Fleece?"
+
+But Chalciope said, "These men are not like our men; there is nothing
+which they cannot dare nor do."
+
+Then Medeia thought of Jason and his brave countenance, and said, "If
+there was one among them who knew no fear, I could show him how to win
+the fleece."
+
+So in the dusk of the evening they went down to the river-side,
+Chalciope and Medeia the witch-maiden, and with them a lad. And the
+lad crept forward, among the beds of reeds, till he came to where
+Jason kept ward on shore, leaning upon his lance, full of thought.
+
+And the lad said, "Chalciope waits for you, to talk about the Golden
+Fleece."
+
+Then Jason went boldly with the boy and found the two Princesses. When
+Chalciope saw him, she wept and took his hands and cried, "O cousin of
+my beloved Phrixus, go home before you die!"
+
+"It would be base to go home now, fair Princess, and to have sailed
+all these seas in vain."
+
+Then both the Princesses besought him, but Jason said, "It is too late
+to return!"
+
+"But you know not," said Medeia, "what he must do who would win
+the fleece. He must tame the two brazen-footed bulls, which breathe
+devouring flame, and with them he must plow ere nightfall four acres
+in a field. He must sow the acres with serpents' teeth, of which each
+tooth springs up into an armed man. Then he must fight with all these
+warriors. And little will it profit him to conquer them, for the
+fleece is guarded by a serpent more huge than any mountain pine. Over
+his body you must step if you would reach the Golden Fleece."
+
+Then Jason laughed bitterly: "Unjustly is that fleece kept here, and
+by an unjust and lawless King, and unjustly shall I die in my youth,
+for I will attempt it ere another sun be set."
+
+Medeia trembled and said, "No mortal man can reach that fleece unless
+I guide him through."
+
+But Jason cried, "No wall so high but it may be climbed at last, and
+no wood so thick but it may be crawled through. No serpent so wary
+but he may be charmed, and I may yet win the Golden Fleece, if a wise
+maiden help bold men."
+
+And he looked at Medeia with his glittering eye, till she blushed and
+trembled and said, "Who can face the fire of the bulls' breath and
+fight ten thousand armed men?"
+
+"He whom you help," said Jason, flattering her, "for your fame is
+spread over all the earth."
+
+And Medeia said slowly, "Why should you die? I have an ointment here.
+I made it from the magic ice-flower. Anoint yourself with that, and
+you shall have in you the strength of seven, and anoint your shield
+with it, and neither fire nor sword shall harm you. Anoint your helmet
+with it, before you sow the serpents' teeth, and when the sons of
+earth spring up, cast your helmet among them, and every man of them
+shall perish."
+
+Then Jason fell on his knees before her, and thanked her and kissed
+her hands, and she gave him the vase of ointment, and fled trembling
+through the reeds.
+
+And Jason told his comrades what had happened, and showed them the box
+of ointment.
+
+So at sunrise Jason went and bathed and anointed himself from head to
+foot, and his shield and his helmet and his weapons. And when the sun
+had risen, Jason sent two of his heroes to tell Aietes that he was
+ready for the fight.
+
+Up among the marble walls they went, and beneath the roofs of gold,
+and stood in the hall of Aietes, while he grew pale with rage.
+
+"Fulfil your promise to us, Child of the blazing Sun," the heroes
+cried to King Aietes. "Give us the serpents' teeth, and let loose the
+fiery bulls, for we have found a champion among us, who can win the
+Golden Fleece!"
+
+Aietes grew more pale with rage, for he had fancied that they had fled
+away by night, but he could not break his promise, so he gave them the
+serpents' teeth. Then he called his chariot and his horses, and sent
+heralds through all the town, and all the people went out with him to
+the dreadful War-god's field.
+
+There Aietes sat upon his throne, with his warriors on each hand,
+thousands and tens of thousands clothed from head to foot in steel
+chain mail. And the people and women crowded to every window and bank
+and wall, while the heroes stood together, a mere handful in the midst
+of that great host.
+
+Chalciope was there, and Medeia, wrapped closely in her veil; but
+Aietes did not know that she was muttering cunning spells between her
+lips.
+
+Then Jason cried, "Fulfil your promise, and let your fiery bulls come
+forth!"
+
+Aietes bade open the gates, and the magic bulls leapt out. Their
+brazen hoofs rang upon the ground as they rushed with lowered heads
+upon Jason, but he never flinched a step. The flame of their breath
+swept round him, but it singed not a hair of his head. And the bulls
+stopped short and trembled when Medeia began her spell.
+
+Then Jason sprang upon the nearest, and seized him by the horns, and
+up and down they wrestled, till the bull fell groveling on his knees.
+For the heart of the bull died within him, beneath the steadfast eye
+of that dark witch-maiden and the magic whisper of her lips.
+
+So both the bulls were tamed and yoked, and Jason bound them to the
+plow and goaded them onward with his lance, till he had plowed the
+sacred field. And all the heroes shouted, but Aietes bit his lips with
+rage, for half of Jason's work was done.
+
+Then Jason took the serpents' teeth and sowed them, and waited what
+would befall.
+
+And Medeia looked at him and at his helmet, lest he should forget the
+lesson she had taught him.
+
+Now every furrow heaved and bubbled, and out of every clod arose a
+man. Out of the earth they arose by thousands, each clad from head
+to foot in steel, and drew their swords and rushed on Jason where he
+stood in the midst alone.
+
+The heroes grew pale with fear for him, but Aietes laughed an angry
+laugh.
+
+Then Jason snatched off his helmet and hurled it into the thickest of
+the throng. And hate and fear and suspicion came upon them, and one
+cried to his fellows, "Thou didst strike me," and another, "Thou art
+Jason, thou shalt die," and each turned his hand against the rest,
+and they fought and were never weary, till they all lay dead upon the
+ground.
+
+And the magic furrows opened, and the kind earth took them home again,
+and Jason's work was done.
+
+Then the heroes rose and shouted, and Jason cried to the King, "Lead
+me to the Golden Fleece this moment before the sun goes down."
+
+But Aietes thought, "Who is this, who is proof against all magic? He
+may kill the serpent yet!" So he delayed, and sat taking counsel with
+his princes. Afterwards he bade a herald cry, "To-morrow we will meet
+these heroes and speak about the Golden Fleece!"
+
+Then he turned and looked at Medeia. "This is your doing, false
+witch-maid," he said; "you have helped these yellow-haired strangers."
+
+Medeia shrank and trembled, and her face grew pale with fear, and
+Aietes knew that she was guilty, and he whispered, "If they win the
+fleece, you die."
+
+Now the heroes went marching toward their ship, growling, like lions
+cheated of their prey. "Let us go together to the grove and take
+the fleece by force," they said. But Jason held them back, while he
+praised them for brave heroes, for he hoped for Medeia's help.
+
+And after a time she came trembling, and wept a long while before she
+spoke. At last she said, "I must die, for my father has found out that
+I have helped you."
+
+But all the heroes cried, "If you die we die with you, for without you
+we cannot win the fleece, and home we will never go without it."
+
+"You need not die," said Jason to the witch-maiden. "Flee home with
+us across the sea. Show us but how to win the fleece, and come with us
+and you shall be my queen, and rule over the rich princes in Iolcos by
+the sea."
+
+And all the heroes pressed round and vowed to her that she should be
+their queen.
+
+Medeia wept and hid her face in her hands. "Must I leave my home and
+my people?" she sobbed. "But the lot is cast: I will show you how to
+win the Golden Fleece. Bring up your ship to the woodside, and moor
+her there against the bank. And let Jason come up at midnight and one
+brave comrade with him, and meet me beneath the wall."
+
+Then all the heroes cried together, "I will go--and I--and I!"
+
+But Medeia calmed them and said, "Orpheus shall go with Jason, and
+take his magic harp."
+
+And Orpheus laughed for joy and clapped his hands, because the choice
+had fallen on him.
+
+So at midnight they went up the bank and found Medeia, and she brought
+them to a thicket beside the War-god's gate.
+
+And the base of the gate fell down and the brazen doors flew wide,
+and Medeia and the heroes ran forward, and hurried through the poison
+wood, guided by the gleam of the Golden Fleece, until they saw it
+hanging on one vast tree in the midst.
+
+Jason would have sprung to seize it, but Medeia held him back and
+pointed to the tree-foot, where a mighty serpent lay, coiled in and
+out among the roots.
+
+When the serpent saw them coming, he lifted up his head and watched
+them with his small bright eyes, and flashed his forked tongue.
+
+But Medeia called gently to him, and he stretched out his long spotted
+neck, and licked her hand. Then she made a sign to Orpheus, and he
+began his magic song.
+
+And as he sung, the forest grew calm, and the leaves on every tree
+hung still, and the serpent's head sank down and his coils grew limp,
+and his glittering eyes closed lazily, till he breathed as gently as a
+child.
+
+Jason leapt forward warily and stept across that mighty snake, and
+tore the fleece from off the tree-trunk. Then the witch-maiden with
+Jason and Orpheus turned and rushed down to the bank where the Argo
+lay.
+
+There was silence for a moment, when Jason held the Golden Fleece on
+high. Then he cried, "Go now, good Argo, swift and steady, if ever you
+would see Pelion more."
+
+And she went, as the heroes drove her, grim and silent all, with
+muffled oars. On and on, beneath the dewy darkness, they fled swiftly
+down the swirling stream, on and on till they heard the merry music of
+the surge.
+
+Into the surge they rushed, and the Argo leapt the breakers like a
+horse, till the heroes stopped, all panting, each man upon his oar, as
+she slid into the broad sea.
+
+Then Orpheus took his harp and sang a song of praise, till the heroes'
+hearts rose high again, and they rowed on, stoutly and steadfastly,
+away into the darkness of the West.
+
+
+
+
+V
+
+HOW THE ARGONAUTS REACHED HOME
+
+
+So the heroes fled away in haste, but Aietes manned his fleet and
+followed them.
+
+Then Medeia, the dark witch-maiden, laid a cruel plot, for she killed
+her young brother who had come with her, and cast him into the sea,
+and said, "Ere my father can take up his body and bury it, he must
+wait long and be left far behind."
+
+And all the heroes shuddered, and looked one at the other in shame.
+When Aietes came to the place he stopped a long while and bewailed his
+son, and took him up and went home.
+
+So the heroes escaped for a time, but Zeus saw that evil deed, and out
+of the heavens he sent a storm and swept the Argo far from her course.
+And at last she struck on a shoal, and the waves rolled over her and
+through her, and the heroes lost all hope of life.
+
+Then out spoke the magic bough, which stood upon the Argo's prow, "For
+your guilt, you must sail a weary way to where Circe, Medeia's sister,
+dwells among the islands of the West; she shall cleanse you of your
+guilt."
+
+Whither they went I cannot tell, nor how they came to Circe's isle,
+but at last they reached the fairy island of the West.
+
+And Jason bid them land, and as they went ashore they met Circe coming
+down toward the ship, and they trembled when they saw her, for her
+hair and face and robes shone flame.
+
+Then Circe cried to Medeia, "Ah, wretched girl, have you forgotten
+your sins that you come hither, where the flowers bloom all the year
+round? Where is your aged father, and the brother whom you killed? I
+will send you food and wine, but your ship must not stay here, for she
+is black with your wickedness."
+
+And the heroes prayed, but in vain, and cried, "Cleanse us from our
+guilt!" but she sent them away and said, "Go eastward, that you may be
+cleansed, and after that you may go home."
+
+Slowly and wearily they sailed on, till one summer's eve they came to
+a flowery island, and as they neared it they heard sweet songs.
+
+[Illustration: ORPHEUS SANG TILL HIS VOICE DROWNED THE SONG OF THE
+SIRENS.]
+
+Medeia started when she heard, and cried, "Beware, O heroes, for here
+are the rocks of the Sirens. You must pass close by them, but those
+who listen to that song are lost."
+
+Then Orpheus spoke, he, the king of all minstrels, "Let them match
+their song against mine;" so he caught up his lyre and began his magic
+song.
+
+Now they could see the Sirens. Three fair maidens, sitting on the
+beach, beneath a rock red in the setting sun.
+
+Slowly they sung and sleepily, and as the heroes listened the oars
+fell from their hands, and their heads dropped, and they closed their
+heavy eyes, and all their toil seemed foolishness, and they thought of
+their renown no more.
+
+Then Medeia clapped her hands together and cried, "Sing louder,
+Orpheus, sing louder."
+
+And Orpheus sang till his voice drowned the song of the Sirens, and
+the heroes caught their oars again and cried, "We will be men, and we
+will dare and suffer to the last."
+
+And as Orpheus sang, they dashed their oars into the sea and kept
+time to his music as they fled fast away, and the Sirens' voices died
+behind them, in the hissing of the foam.
+
+But when the Sirens saw that they were conquered, they shrieked for
+envy and rage and leapt into the sea, and were changed into rocks.
+
+Then, as the Argonauts rowed on, they came to a fearful whirlpool, and
+they could neither go back nor forward, for the waves caught them and
+spun them round and round. While they struggled in the whirlpool,
+they saw near them on the other side of the strait a rock stand in the
+water--a rock smooth and slippery, and half way up a misty cave.
+
+When Orpheus saw the rock he groaned. "Little will it help us," he
+cried, "to escape the jaws of the whirlpool. For in that cave lives a
+sea-hag, and from her cave she fishes for all things that pass by, and
+never ship's crew boasted that they came safe past her rock."
+
+Then out of the depths came Thetis, the silver-footed bride of one of
+the heroes. She came with all her nymphs around her, and they played
+like snow-white dolphins, diving in from wave to wave before the ship,
+and in her wake and beside her, as dolphins play. And they caught the
+ship and guided her, and passed her on from hand to hand, and tossed
+her through the billows, as maidens do the ball.
+
+And when the sea-hag stooped to seize the ship, they struck her, and
+she shrank back into her cave affrighted, and the Argo leapt safe past
+her, while a fair breeze rose behind.
+
+Then Thetis and her nymphs sank down to their coral caves beneath the
+sea, and their gardens of green and purple, where flowers bloom all
+the year round, while the heroes went on rejoicing, yet dreading what
+might come next.
+
+They rowed away for many a weary day till their water was spent and
+their food eaten, but at last they saw a long steep island.
+
+"We will land here," they cried, "and fill our water casks upon the
+shore."
+
+But when they came nearer to the island they saw a wondrous sight. For
+on the cliffs stood a giant, taller than any mountain pine.
+
+When he saw the Argo and her crew he came toward them, more swiftly
+than the swiftest horse, and he shouted to them, "You are pirates, you
+are robbers! If you land you shall die the death."
+
+Then the heroes lay on their oars in fear, but Medeia spoke: "I know
+this giant. If strangers land he leaps into his furnace, which flames
+there among the hills, and when he is red-hot he rushes on them, and
+burns them in his brazen hands. But he has but one vein in all his
+body filled with liquid fire, and this vein is closed with a nail. I
+will find out where the nail is placed, and when I have got it into my
+hands you shall water your ship in peace."
+
+So they took the witch-maiden and left her alone on the shore. And she
+stood there all alone in her beauty till the giant strode back red-hot
+from head to heel.
+
+When he saw the maiden he stopped. And she looked boldly up into his
+face and sang a magic song, and she held up a flash of crystal and
+said, "I am Medeia, the witch-maiden. My sister Circe gave me this and
+said, 'Go, reward Talus, the faithful giant, for his fame is gone out
+into all lands.' So come and I will pour this into your veins, that
+you may live for ever young."
+
+And he listened to her false words, that simple Talus, and came near.
+
+But Medeia said, "Dip yourself in the sea first and cool yourself,
+lest you burn my tender hands. Then show me the nail in your vein, and
+in that will I pour the liquid from the crystal flask."
+
+Then that simple Talus dipped himself in the sea, and came and knelt
+before Medeia and showed the secret nail.
+
+And she drew the nail out gently, but she poured nothing in, and
+instead the liquid fire streamed forth.
+
+Talus tried to leap up, crying, "You have betrayed me, false
+witch-maiden."
+
+But she lifted up her hands before him and sang, till he sank beneath
+her spell.
+
+And as he sank, the earth groaned beneath his weight and the liquid
+fire ran from his heel, like a stream of lava, to the sea.
+
+Then Medeia laughed and called to the heroes, "Come and water your
+ship in peace."
+
+So they came and found the giant lying dead, and they fell down and
+kissed Medeia's feet, and watered their ship, and took sheep and oxen,
+and so left that inhospitable shore.
+
+At the next island they went ashore and offered sacrifices, and
+Orpheus purged them from their guilt.
+
+And at last, after many weary days and nights, all worn and tired, the
+heroes saw once more Pelion and Iolcos by the sea.
+
+They ran the ship ashore, but they had no strength left to haul her
+up the beach, and they crawled out on the pebbles and wept, till they
+could weep no more.
+
+For the houses and the trees were all altered, and all the faces they
+saw were strange, so that their joy was swallowed up in sorrow.
+
+The people crowded round and asked them, "Who are you, that you sit
+weeping here?"
+
+"We are the sons of your princes, who sailed in search of the Golden
+Fleece, and we have brought it home. Give us news of our fathers and
+mothers, if any of them be left alive on earth."
+
+Then there was shouting and laughing and weeping, and all the kings
+came to the shore, and they led away the heroes to their homes, and
+bewailed the valiant dead.
+
+And Jason went up with Medeia to the palace of his uncle Pelias. And
+when he came in, Pelias and AEson, Jason's father, sat by the fire, two
+old men, whose heads shook together as they tried to warm themselves
+before the fire.
+
+Jason fell down at his father's knee and wept and said, "I am your own
+son Jason, and I have brought home the Golden Fleece and a Princess of
+the Sun's race for my bride."
+
+Then his father clung to him like a child, and wept, and would not let
+him go, and cried, "Promise never to leave me till I die."
+
+And Jason turned to his uncle Pelias, "Now give me up the kingdom and
+fulfil your promise, as I have fulfilled mine." And his uncle gave him
+his kingdom.
+
+So Jason stayed at Iolcos by the sea.
+
+
+
+
+THESEUS
+
+ADAPTED BY MARY MACGREGOR
+
+
+
+
+I
+
+HOW THESEUS LIFTED THE STONE
+
+
+Once upon a time there was a Princess called Aithra. She had one fair
+son named Theseus, the bravest lad in all the land. And Aithra never
+smiled but when she looked at him, for her husband had forgotten her,
+and lived far away.
+
+Aithra used to go up to the temple of the gods, and sit there all day,
+looking out across the bay, over the purple peaks of the mountains to
+the Attic shore beyond.
+
+When Theseus was full fifteen years old, she took him up with her to
+the temple, and into the thickets which grew in the temple yard. She
+led him to a tall plane-tree, and there she sighed and said, "Theseus,
+my son, go into that thicket and you will find at the plane-tree foot
+a great flat stone. Lift it, and bring me what lies underneath."
+
+Then Theseus pushed his way in through the thick bushes, and searching
+among their roots he found a great flat stone, all overgrown with ivy
+and moss.
+
+He tried to lift it, but he could not. And he tried till the sweat ran
+down his brow from the heat, and the tears from his eyes for shame,
+but all was of no avail. And at last he came back to his mother and
+said, "I have found the stone, but I cannot lift it, nor do I think
+that any man could, in all the land."
+
+Then she sighed and said, "The day may come when you will be a
+stronger man than lives in all the land." And she took him by the hand
+and went into the temple and prayed, and came down again with Theseus
+to her home.
+
+And when a full year was past, she led Theseus up again to the temple
+and bade him lift the stone, but he could not.
+
+Then she sighed again and said the same words again, and went down and
+came again next year. But Theseus could not lift the stone then, nor
+the year after.
+
+He longed to ask his mother the meaning of that stone, and what might
+be underneath it, but her face was so sad that he had not the heart to
+ask.
+
+So he said to himself, "The day shall surely come when I will lift
+that stone."
+
+And in order to grow strong he spent all his days in wrestling and
+boxing, and hunting the boar and the bull and the deer among rocks,
+till upon all the mountains there was no hunter so swift as Theseus,
+and all the people said, "Surely the gods are with the lad!"
+
+When his eighteenth year was past, Aithra led him up again to the
+temple and said, "Theseus, lift the stone this day, or never know who
+you are."
+
+And Theseus went into the thicket and stood over the stone and tugged
+at it, and it moved.
+
+Then he said, "If I break my heart in my body it shall come up." And
+he tugged at it once more, and lifted it, and rolled it over with a
+shout.
+
+When he looked beneath it, on the ground lay a sword of bronze, with a
+hilt of glittering gold, and beside it a pair of golden sandals.
+
+Theseus caught them up and burst through the bushes and leapt to his
+mother, holding them high above his head.
+
+But when she saw them she wept long in silence, hiding her fair face
+in her shawl. And Theseus stood by her and wept also, he knew not why.
+
+When she was tired of weeping Aithra lifted up her head and laid her
+finger on her lips, and said, "Hide them in your cloak, Theseus, my
+son, and come with me where we can look down upon the sea."
+
+They went outside the sacred wall and looked down over the bright blue
+sea, and Aithra said, "Do you see the land at our feet?"
+
+And Theseus said, "Yes, this is where I was born and bred."
+
+And she asked, "Do you see the land beyond?"
+
+And the lad answered, "Yes, that is Attica, where the Athenian people
+live!"
+
+"That is a fair land and large, Theseus, my son, and it looks towards
+the sunny south. There the hills are sweet with thyme, and the meadows
+with violet, and the nightingales sing all day in the thickets. There
+are twelve towns well peopled, the homes of an ancient race. What
+would you do, Theseus, if you were king of such a land?"
+
+Theseus stood astonished, as he looked across the broad bright sea
+and saw the fair Attic shore. His heart grew great within him, and he
+said, "If I were king of such a land, I would rule it wisely and well,
+in wisdom and in might."
+
+And Aithra smiled and said, "Take, then, the sword and the sandals and
+go to thy father AEgeus, King of Athens, and say to him, 'The stone is
+lifted!' Then show him the sword and the sandals, and take what the
+gods shall send."
+
+But Theseus wept, "Shall I leave you, O my mother?"
+
+She answered, "Weep not for me." Then she kissed Theseus and wept over
+him, and went into the temple, and Theseus saw her no more.
+
+
+
+
+II
+
+HOW THESEUS SLEW THE CLUB-BEARER AND THE PINE-BENDER
+
+
+So Theseus stood there alone, with his mind full of many hopes. And
+first he thought of going down to the harbor and hiring a swift ship
+and sailing across the bay to Athens. But even that seemed too slow
+for him, and he longed for wings to fly across the sea and find his
+father.
+
+After a while his heart began to fail him, and he sighed and said
+within himself, "What if my father have other sons around him, whom he
+loves? What if he will not receive me? He has forgotten me ever since
+I was born. Why should he welcome me now?"
+
+Then he thought a long while sadly, but at last he cried aloud, "Yes,
+I will make him love me. I will win honor, and do such deeds that
+AEgeus shall be proud of me though he had fifty other sons."
+
+"I will go by land and into the mountains, and so round to Athens.
+Perhaps there I may hear of brave adventures, and do something which
+shall win my father's love."
+
+So Theseus went by land and away into the mountains, with his father's
+sword upon his thigh. And he went up into the gloomy glens, up and up,
+till the lowland grew blue beneath his feet, and the clouds drove damp
+about his head. But he went up and up, ever toiling on through bog and
+brake, till he came to a pile of stones.
+
+On the stones a man was sitting wrapped in a cloak of bear-skin. When
+he saw Theseus, he rose, and laughed till the glens rattled.
+
+"Who art thou, fair fly, who hast walked into the spider's web?"
+
+Theseus walked on steadily, and made no answer, but he thought, "Is
+this some robber? Has an adventure come to me already?"
+
+But the strange man laughed louder than ever and said, "Bold fly, know
+thou not these glens are the web from which no fly ever finds his way
+out again, and I am the spider who eats the flies? Come hither and let
+me feast upon you. It is of no use to run away, for these glens in the
+mountain make so cunning a web, that through it no man can find his
+way home."
+
+Still Theseus came steadily on, and he asked, "And what is your name,
+bold spider, and where are your spider's fangs?"
+
+The strange man laughed again. "Men call me the Club-bearer, and here
+is my spider's fang," and he lifted off from the stones at his side a
+mighty club of bronze. "With this I pound all proud flies," he said.
+"So give me up that gay sword of yours, and your mantle, and your
+golden sandals, lest I pound you and by ill-luck you die!"
+
+But Theseus wrapped his mantle round his left arm quickly, in hard
+folds, and drew his sword, and rushed upon the Club-bearer, and the
+Club-bearer rushed on him.
+
+Thrice he struck at Theseus and made him bend under the blows like
+a sapling. And thrice Theseus sprang upright after the blow, and he
+stabbed at the Club-bearer with his sword, but the loose folds of the
+bear-skin saved him.
+
+Then Theseus grew angry and closed with him, and caught him by the
+throat, and they fell and rolled over together. But when Theseus rose
+up from the ground the Club-bearer lay still at his feet.
+
+So Theseus took the strange man's club and his bear-skin and went upon
+his journey down the glens, till he came to a broad green valley, and
+he saw flocks and herds sleeping beneath the trees. And by the side
+of a pleasant fountain were nymphs and shepherds dancing, but no one
+piped to them as they danced.
+
+[Illustration: THEY LEAPT ACROSS THE POOL AND CAME TO HIM.]
+
+When they saw Theseus they shrieked, and the shepherds ran off and
+drove away their flocks, while the nymphs dived into the fountain and
+vanished.
+
+Theseus wondered and laughed, "What strange fancies have folks here,
+who run away from strangers, and have no music when they dance." But
+he was tired and dusty and thirsty, so he thought no more of them,
+but drank and bathed in the clear pool, and then lay down in the shade
+under a plane-tree, while the water sang him to sleep as it trickled
+down from stone to stone.
+
+And when he woke he heard a whispering, and saw the nymphs peeping at
+him across the fountain from the dark mouth of a cave, where they
+sat on green cushions of moss. One said, "Surely he is not the
+Club-bearer," and another, "He looks no robber, but a fair and gentle
+youth."
+
+Then Theseus smiled and called them. "Fair nymphs, I am not the
+Club-bearer. He sleeps among the kites and crows, but I have brought
+away his bear-skin and his club."
+
+They leapt across the pool, and came to him, and called the shepherds
+back. And Theseus told them how he had slain the Club-bearer, and the
+shepherds kissed his feet and sang, "Now we shall feed our flocks in
+peace, and not be afraid to have music when we dance. For the cruel
+Club-bearer has met his match, and he will listen for our pipes no
+more."
+
+Then the shepherds brought him kids' flesh and wine, and the nymphs
+brought him honey from the rocks.
+
+And Theseus ate and drank with them, and they begged him to stay, but
+he would not.
+
+"I have a great work to do;" he said, "I must go towards Athens."
+
+And the shepherds said, "You must look warily about you, lest you meet
+the robber, called the Pine-bender. For he bends down two pine-trees
+and binds all travelers hand and foot between them, and when he lets
+the trees go their bodies are torn in sunder."
+
+But Theseus went on swiftly, for his heart burned to meet that cruel
+robber. And in a pine-wood at last he met him, where the road ran
+between high rocks.
+
+There the robber sat upon a stone by the wayside, with a young
+fir-tree for a club across his knees, and a cord laid ready by his
+side, and over his head, upon the fir-top, hung the bones of murdered
+men.
+
+Then Theseus shouted to him, "Holla, thou valiant Pine-bender, hast
+thou two fir-trees left for me?"
+
+The robber leapt to his feet and answered, pointing to the bones above
+his head, "My larder has grown empty lately, so I have two fir-trees
+ready for thee."
+
+He rushed on Theseus, lifting his club, and Theseus rushed upon him,
+and they fought together till the greenwoods rang.
+
+Then Theseus heaved up a mighty stroke and smote the Pine-bearer down
+upon his face, and knelt upon his back, and bound him with his own
+cord, and said, "As thou hast done to others, so shall it be done
+to thee." And he bent down two young fir-trees and bound the robber
+between them for all his struggling and his prayers, and as he let the
+trees go the robber perished, and Theseus went on, leaving him to the
+hawks and crows.
+
+Clearing the land of monsters as he went, Theseus saw at last the
+plain of Athens before him.
+
+And as he went up through Athens all the people ran out to see him,
+for his fame had gone before him, and every one knew of his mighty
+deeds, and they shouted, "Here comes the hero!"
+
+But Theseus went on sadly and steadfastly, for his heart yearned after
+his father. He went up the holy stairs to the spot where the palace
+of AEgeus stood. He went straight into the hall and stood upon the
+threshold and looked round.
+
+He saw his cousins sitting at the table, and loud they laughed and
+fast they passed the wine-cup round, but no AEgeus sat among them.
+
+They saw Theseus and called to him, "Holla, tall stranger at the door,
+what is your will to-day?"
+
+"I come to ask for hospitality."
+
+"Then take it and welcome. You look like a hero and a bold warrior,
+and we like such to drink with us."
+
+"I ask no hospitality of you; I ask it of AEgeus the King, the master
+of this house."
+
+At that some growled, and some laughed and shouted, "Heyday! we are
+all masters here."
+
+"Then I am master as much as the rest of you," said Theseus, and he
+strode past the table up the hall, and looked around for AEgeus, but he
+was nowhere to be seen.
+
+The revelers looked at him and then at each other, and each whispered
+to the man next him, "This is a forward fellow; he ought to be thrust
+out at the door."
+
+But each man's neighbor whispered in return, "His shoulders are broad;
+will you rise and put him out?" So they all sat still where they were.
+
+Then Theseus called to the servants and said, "Go tell King AEgeus,
+your master, that Theseus is here and asks to be his guest awhile."
+
+A servant ran and told AEgeus, where he sat in his chamber with Medeia,
+the dark witch-woman, watching her eye and hand.
+
+And when AEgeus heard of Theseus he turned pale and again red, and rose
+from his seat trembling, while Medeia, the witch, watched him like a
+snake.
+
+"What is Theseus to you?" she asked.
+
+But he said hastily, "Do you not know who this Theseus is? The hero
+who has cleared the country from all monsters. I must go out and
+welcome him."
+
+So AEgeus came into the hall, and when Theseus saw him his heart leapt
+into his mouth, and he longed to fall on his neck and welcome him.
+But he controlled himself and thought, "My father may not wish for me,
+after all. I will try him before I discover myself." And he bowed low
+before AEgeus and said, "I have delivered the King's realm from many
+monsters, therefore I am come to ask a reward of the King."
+
+Old AEgeus looked on him and loved him, but he only sighed and said,
+"It is little that I can give you, noble lad, and nothing that is
+worthy of you."
+
+"All I ask," said Theseus, "is to eat and drink at your table."
+
+"That I can give you," said AEgeus, "if at least I am master in my own
+hall."
+
+Then he bade them put a seat for Theseus, and set before him the best
+of the feast, and Theseus sat and ate so much that all the company
+wondered at him, but always he kept his club by his side.
+
+But Medeia, the dark witch-maiden, was watching all the while, and she
+saw how the heart of AEgeus opened to Theseus, and she said to herself,
+"This youth will be master here, unless I hinder it."
+
+Then she went back modestly to her chamber, while Theseus ate and
+drank, and all the servants whispered, "This, then, is the man who
+killed the monsters! How noble are his looks, and how huge his size!
+Ah, would he were our master's son!"
+
+Presently Medeia came forth, decked in all her jewels and her rich
+Eastern robes, and looking more beautiful than the day, so that all
+the guests could look at nothing else. And in her right hand she held
+a golden cup, and in her left a flask of gold. She came up to Theseus,
+and spoke in a sweet and winning voice, "Hail to the hero! drink of my
+charmed cup, which gives rest after every toil and heals all wounds;"
+and as she spoke she poured sparkling wine into the cup.
+
+Theseus looked up into her fair face and into her deep dark eyes, and
+as he looked he shrank and shuddered, for they were dry eyes like the
+eyes of a snake.
+
+Then he rose and said, "The wine is rich, and the wine-bearer fair.
+Let her pledge me first herself in the cup that the wine may be
+sweeter."
+
+Medeia turned pale and stammered, "Forgive me, fair hero, but I am ill
+and dare drink no wine."
+
+Theseus looked again into her eyes and cried, "Thou shalt pledge me in
+that cup or die!"
+
+Then Medeia shrieked and dashed the cup to the ground and fled, for
+there was strong poison in that wine.
+
+And Medeia called her dragon chariot, and sprang into it, and fled
+aloft, away over land and sea, and no man saw her more.
+
+[Illustration: THESEUS LOOKED UP INTO HER FAIR FACE.]
+
+AEgeus cried, "What have you done?"
+
+But Theseus said, "I have rid the land of one enchantment, now I will
+rid it of one more."
+
+And he came close to AEgeus and drew from his cloak the sword and the
+sandals, and said the words which his mother bade him, "The stone is
+lifted."
+
+AEgeus stepped back a pace and looked at the lad till his eyes grew
+dim, and then he cast himself on his neck and wept, and Theseus wept,
+till they had no strength left to weep more.
+
+Then AEgeus turned to all the people and cried, "Behold my son!"
+
+But the cousins were angry and drew their swords against Theseus.
+Twenty against one they fought, and yet Theseus beat them all, till at
+last he was left alone in the palace with his new-found father.
+
+But before nightfall all the town came up, with dances and songs,
+because the King had found an heir to his royal house.
+
+So Theseus stayed with his father all the winter through, and when
+spring drew near, he saw all the people of Athens grow sad and silent.
+And he asked the reason of the silence and the sadness, but no one
+would answer him a word.
+
+Then he went to his father and asked him, but AEgeus turned away his
+face and wept.
+
+But when spring had come, a herald stood in the market-place and
+cried, "O people and King of Athens, where is your yearly tribute?"
+Then a great lamentation arose throughout the city.
+
+But Theseus stood up before the herald and cried, "I am a stranger
+here. Tell me, then, why you come?"
+
+"To fetch the tribute which King AEgeus promised to King Minos. Blood
+was shed here unjustly, and King Minos came to avenge it, and would
+not leave Athens till the land had promised him tribute--seven youths
+and seven maidens every year, who go with me in a black-sailed ship."
+
+Then Theseus groaned inwardly and said, "I will go myself with these
+youths and maidens, and kill King Minos upon his royal throne."
+
+But AEgeus shrieked and cried, "You shall not go, my son, you shall not
+go to die horribly, as those youths and maidens die. For Minos thrusts
+them into a labyrinth, and no one can escape from its winding ways,
+before they meet the Minotaur, the monster who feeds upon the flesh
+of men. There he devours them horribly, and they never see this land
+again."
+
+And Theseus said, "Therefore all the more will I go with them, and
+slay the accursed Minotaur."
+
+Then AEgeus clung to his knees, but Theseus would not stay, and at
+last he let him go, weeping bitterly, and saying only this last word,
+"Promise me but this, if you return in peace, though that may hardly
+be. Take down the black sail of the ship, for I shall watch for it all
+day upon the cliffs, and hoist instead a white sail, that I may know
+afar off that you are safe."
+
+And Theseus promised, and went out, and to the market-place, where the
+herald stood and drew lots for the youths and maidens who were to sail
+in that sad ship.
+
+The people stood wailing and weeping as the lot fell on this one and
+on that, but Theseus strode into the midst and cried, "Here is one who
+needs no lot. I myself will be one of the seven."
+
+And the herald asked in wonder, "Fair youth, do you know whither you
+are going?"
+
+"I know," answered Theseus boldly; "let us go down to the black-sailed
+ship."
+
+So they went down to the black-sailed ship, seven maidens and seven
+youths, and Theseus before them all. And the people followed them,
+lamenting. But Theseus whispered to his companions, "Have hope, for
+the monster is not immortal."
+
+Then their hearts were comforted a little, but they wept as they went
+on board; and the cliffs rang with the voice of their weeping.
+
+
+
+
+III
+
+HOW THESEUS SLEW THE MINOTAUR
+
+
+And the ship sailed slowly on, till at last it reached the land of
+Crete, and Theseus stood before King Minos, and they looked each other
+in the face.
+
+Minos bade take the youths and the maidens to prison, and cast them to
+the Minotaur one by one.
+
+Then Theseus cried, "A boon, O Minos! Let me be thrown first to the
+monster. For I came hither, for that very purpose, of my own will and
+not by lot."
+
+"Who art thou, thou brave youth?" asked the King.
+
+"I am the son of AEgeus, the King of Athens, and I am come here to end
+the yearly tribute."
+
+And Minos pondered a while, looking steadfastly at him, and he
+thought, "The lad means to atone by his own death for his father's
+sin;" and he answered mildly, "Go back in peace, my son. It is a pity
+that one so brave should die."
+
+But Theseus said, "I have sworn that I will not go back till I have
+seen the monster face to face."
+
+At that Minos frowned and said, "Then thou shalt see him."
+
+And they led Theseus away into the prison, with the other youths and
+maidens.
+
+Now Ariadne, the daughter of Minos, saw Theseus as she came out of her
+white stone hall, and she loved him for his courage and his beauty,
+and she said, "It is shameful that such a youth should die." And by
+night she went down to the prison and told him all her heart, and
+said, "Flee down to your ship at once, for I have bribed the guards
+before the door. Flee, you and all your friends, and go back in peace,
+and take me with you. For I dare not stay after you are gone. My
+father will kill me miserably, if he knows what I have done."
+
+And Theseus stood silent awhile, for he was astonished and confounded
+by her beauty.
+
+But at last he said, "I cannot go home in peace till I have seen and
+slain this Minotaur, and put an end to the terrors of my land."
+
+"And will you kill the Minotaur? How then will you do it?" asked
+Ariadne in wonder.
+
+"I know not, nor do I care, but he must be strong if he be too strong
+for me," said Theseus.
+
+Then she loved him all the more and said, "But when you have killed
+him, how will you find your way out of the labyrinth?"
+
+"I know not, neither do I care, but it must be a strange road if I do
+not find it out before I have eaten up the monster's carcass."
+
+Then Ariadne loved him yet more, and said, "Fair youth, you are too
+bold, but I can help you, weak as I am. I will give you a sword, and
+with that perhaps you may slay the monster, and a clue of thread, and
+by that perhaps you may find your way out again. Only promise me that
+if you escape you will take me home with you."
+
+Then Theseus laughed and said, "Am I not safe enough now?" And he hid
+his sword, and rolled up the clue in his hand, and then he fell down
+before Ariadne and kissed her hands and her feet, while she wept over
+him a long while. Then the Princess went away, and Theseus lay down
+and slept sweetly.
+
+When evening came the guards led him away to the labyrinth. And he
+went down into that doleful gulf, and he turned on the left hand and
+on the right hand, and went up and down till his head was dizzy, but
+all the while he held the clue. For when he went in he fastened it to
+a stone and left it to unroll out of his hand as he went on, and
+it lasted till he met the Minotaur in a narrow chasm between black
+cliffs.
+
+And when he saw the Minotaur, he stopped a while, for he had never
+seen so strange a monster. His body was a man's, but his head was the
+head of a bull, and his teeth were the teeth of a lion. When he saw
+Theseus, he roared and put his head down and rushed right at him.
+
+But Theseus stepped aside nimbly, and as the monster passed by, cut
+him in the knee, and ere he could turn in the narrow path, he followed
+him, and stabbed him again and again from behind, till the monster
+fled, bellowing wildly.
+
+Theseus followed him, holding the clue of thread in his left hand, and
+at last he came up with him, where he lay panting, and caught him by
+the horns, and forced his head back, and drove the keen sword through
+his throat.
+
+Then Theseus turned and went back, limping and weary, feeling his
+way by the clue of thread, till he came to the mouth of that doleful
+place, and saw waiting for him--whom but Ariadne?
+
+And he whispered, "It is done," and showed her the sword. Then she
+laid her finger on her lips, and led him to the prison and opened the
+doors, and set all the prisoners free, while the guards lay sleeping
+heavily, for Ariadne had drugged them with wine.
+
+So they fled to their ship together, and leapt on board and hoisted up
+the sail, and the night lay dark around them, so that they escaped all
+safe, and Ariadne became the wife of Theseus.
+
+But that fair Ariadne never came to Athens with her husband. Some say
+that, as she lay sleeping on the shore, one of the gods found her
+and took her up into the sky, and some say that the gods drove away
+Theseus, and took Ariadne from him by force. But, however that may be,
+in his haste or his grief, Theseus forgot to put up the white sail.
+
+Now AEgeus his father sat on the cliffs and watched day after day, and
+strained his old eyes across the waters to see the ship afar. And when
+he saw the black sail he gave up Theseus for dead, and in his grief he
+fell into the sea and was drowned, and it is called the AEgean Sea to
+this day.
+
+Then Theseus was King of Athens, and he guarded it and ruled it well,
+and many wise things he did, so that his people honored him after he
+was dead, for many a hundred years, as the father of their freedom and
+of their laws.
+
+
+
+
+HERCULES
+
+ADAPTED BY THOMAS CARTWRIGHT
+
+
+
+
+I
+
+THE TWELVE LABORS OF HERCULES
+
+
+Hercules, the hero of strength and courage, was the son of Jupiter and
+Alcmene. His life was one long series of wonders.
+
+As soon as he was born, Juno, who hated Alcmene with an exceeding
+great hatred, went to the Fates and begged them to make the life of
+the newly-born babe hard and perilous.
+
+The Fates were three, namely, Clotho who spun the thread of life,
+Lachesis who settled the lot of gods and mortals in life, and Atropos
+who cut the thread of life spun by Clotho.
+
+When once the Fates had decided what the lot of any being, whether god
+or man, was to be, Jupiter himself could not alter their decision.
+
+It was to these fateful three, then, that Juno made her prayer
+concerning the infant Hercules. She could not, however, prevent him
+from having an honorable career, since it was written that he should
+triumph over all dangers and difficulties that might beset him.
+
+All that was conceded to her was that Hercules should be put under the
+dominion of Eurystheus, King of Thebes, his eldest brother, a harsh
+and pitiless man. This only half satisfied the hatred of Juno, but it
+made the life of Hercules exceedingly bitter.
+
+In fact, Hercules was but a child, when Juno sent two enormous
+serpents against him. These serpents, gliding into his cradle, were on
+the point of biting the child when he, with his own hands, seized them
+and strangled the life out of their slimy bodies.
+
+Having grown up to man's estate, Hercules did many mighty deeds of
+valor that need not be recounted here. But the hatred of Juno always
+pursued him. At length, when he had been married several years, she
+made him mad and impelled him in his madness to kill his own beloved
+children!
+
+When he came again to his sober senses, and learnt that he was the
+murderer of his own offspring he was filled with horror, and betook
+himself into exile so that he might hide his face from his fellow men.
+After a time he went to the oracle at Delphi to ask what he should do
+in atonement for his dreadful deed.
+
+He was ordered to serve his brother Eurystheus--who, by the help of
+Juno, had robbed him of his kingdom--for twelve years. After this he
+was to become one of the Immortals. Eurystheus feared that Hercules
+might use his great strength and courage against him, in punishment
+for the evil that he had done. He therefore resolved to banish him
+and to impose such tasks upon him as must certainly bring about his
+destruction. Hence arose the famous twelve labors of Hercules.
+
+Eurystheus first set Hercules to keep his sheep at Nemea and to
+kill the lion that ofttimes carried off the sheep, and sometimes the
+shepherd also.
+
+The man-eater lurked in a wood that was hard by the sheep-run.
+Hercules would not wait to be attacked by him. Arming himself with a
+heavy club and with a bow and arrows, he went in search of the lion's
+lair and soon found it.
+
+Finding that arrows and club made no impression upon the thick skin of
+the lion, the hero was constrained to trust entirely to his own thews
+and sinews. Seizing the lion with both hands, he put forth all his
+mighty strength and strangled the beast just as he had strangled the
+serpents in his cradle. Then, having despoiled the dead man-eater of
+his skin, Hercules henceforth wore this trophy as a garment, and as a
+shield and buckler.
+
+In those days, there was in Greece a monstrous serpent known as the
+Hydra of Lerna, because it haunted a marsh of that name whence it
+issued in search of prey. As his second labor, Hercules was sent to
+slay this creature.
+
+This reptile had nine heads of which the midmost was immortal. When
+Hercules struck off one of these heads with his club, two others
+at once appeared in its place. By the help of his servant, Hercules
+burned off the nine heads, and buried the immortal one beneath a huge
+rock.
+
+The blood of the Hydra was a poison so subtle that Hercules, by
+dipping the points of his arrows therein, made them so deadly that no
+mortal could hope to recover from a wound inflicted by them. We shall
+see later that Hercules himself died from the poison of one of these
+self-same arrows.
+
+The third labor imposed upon Hercules by Eurystheus was the capture of
+the Arcadian Stag. This remarkable beast had brazen feet and antlers
+of solid gold. Hercules was to carry the stag alive to Eurystheus.
+
+It proved no easy task to do this. The stag was so fleet of foot that
+no one had been able to approach it. For more than a year, over hill
+and dale, Hercules pursued the beast without ever finding a chance of
+capturing it without killing it.
+
+At length he shot at it and wounded it with an arrow--not, you may
+be sure, with one of the poisoned ones--and, having caught it thus
+wounded, he carried it on his shoulder to his brother and thus
+completed the third of his labors.
+
+In the neighborhood of Mount Erymanthus, in Arcadia, there lived, in
+those far-off days, a savage boar that was in the habit of sallying
+forth from his lair and laying waste the country round about, nor had
+any man been able to capture or restrain him. To free the country from
+the ravages of this monster was the fourth labor of Hercules.
+
+Having tracked the animal to his lurking place after chasing him
+through the deep snow, Hercules caught him in a net and bore him away
+in triumph on his shoulders to the feet of the amazed Eurystheus.
+
+Augeas, King of Elis, in Greece, not far from Mount Olympus, owned a
+herd of oxen 3,000 in number. They were stabled in stables that had
+not been cleaned out for thirty years. The stench was terrible and
+greatly troubled the health of the land. Eurystheus set Hercules the
+task of cleaning out these Augean stables in a single day!
+
+But the wit of the hero was equal to the occasion. With his great
+strength he diverted the flow of two rivers that ran their courses
+near the stables and made them flow right through the stables
+themselves, and lo! the nuisance that had been growing for thirty
+years was no more! Such was the fifth labor of Hercules.
+
+On an island in a lake near Stymphalus, in Arcadia, there nested in
+those days some remarkable and terrible birds--remarkable because
+their claws, wings and beaks were brazen, and terrible because they
+fed on human flesh and attacked with their terrible beaks and claws
+all who came near the lake. To kill these dreadful birds was the sixth
+labor.
+
+Minerva supplied Hercules with a brazen rattle with which he roused
+the birds from their nests, and then slew them with his poisoned
+arrows while they were on the wing.
+
+This victory made Hercules popular throughout the whole of Greece, and
+Eurystheus saw that nothing he could devise was too hard for the hero
+to accomplish.
+
+The seventh labor was to capture a mad bull that the Sea-god Neptune
+had let loose in the island of Crete, of which island Minos was at
+that time King.
+
+This ferocious creature breathed out from his nostrils a whirlwind of
+flaming fire. But Hercules was, as you no doubt have guessed, too much
+for the brazen bull.
+
+He not only caught the monster, but tamed him, and bore him aloft on
+his shoulders, into the presence of the affrighted Eurystheus, who was
+at a loss to find a task impossible for Hercules to perform.
+
+The taking of the mares of Diomedes was the eighth labor. These horses
+were not ordinary horses, living on corn. They were flesh eaters, and
+moreover, they devoured human beings, and so were hateful to mankind.
+
+On this occasion Hercules was not alone. He organised a hunt and,
+by the help of a few friends, caught the horses and led them to
+Eurystheus. The scene of this labor was Thrace, an extensive region
+lying between the AEgean Sea, the Euxine or Black Sea, and the Danube.
+
+Seizing the girdle of Hippolyte was the next feat set for the hero.
+This labor was due to the desire of the daughter of Eurystheus for the
+girdle of Hippolyte, Queen of the Amazons--a tribe of female warriors.
+It is said that the girls had their right breasts cut off in order
+that they might use the bow with greater ease in battle! This, indeed,
+is the meaning of the term Amazon, which signifies "breastless."
+
+After a troublesome journey Hercules arrived safely at the Court of
+Hippolyte, who received him kindly; and this labor might, perchance,
+have been a bloodless one had not his old enemy Juno stirred up the
+female warriors against him.
+
+In the fight that followed, Hercules killed Hippolyte--a feat scarcely
+to be proud of--and carried off her girdle, and thus the vanity of the
+daughter of Eurystheus was gratified.
+
+To capture the oxen of Geryon was the tenth labor of Hercules. In the
+person of Geryon we meet another of those strange beings in which
+the makers of myths and fairy tales seem to revel. Geryon was
+a three-bodied monster whose cattle were kept by a giant and a
+two-headed dog!
+
+It is said that Hercules, on his way to the performance of this tenth
+labor, formed the Pillars of Hercules--those two rocky steeps
+that guard the entrance to the Straits of Gibraltar, i.e., Calpa
+(Gibraltar) and Abyla (Ceuta)--by rending asunder the one mountain
+these two rocks are said to have formed, although now they are
+eighteen miles apart.
+
+Hercules slew the giant, the two-headed dog and Geryon himself, and in
+due course brought the oxen to Eurystheus.
+
+Sometime afterwards, Eurystheus, having heard rumors of a wonderful
+tree which, in some unknown land, yielded golden apples, was moved
+with great greed to have some of this remarkable fruit. Hence he
+commanded Hercules to make the quest of this tree his eleventh labor.
+The hero had no notion where the tree grew, but he was bound by his
+bond to obey the King, so he set out and after a time reached the
+kingdom of Atlas, King of Africa. He had been told that Atlas could
+give him news of the tree.
+
+I must tell you that King Atlas, having in the olden time helped the
+Titans in their wars against the gods, was undergoing punishment for
+this offence, his penance being to hold up the starry vault of heaven
+upon his shoulders. This means, perhaps, that in the kingdom of Atlas
+there were some mountains so high that their summits seemed to touch
+the sky.
+
+Hercules offered to relieve Atlas of his load for a time, if he would
+but tell him where the famous tree was, upon which grew the golden
+fruit. Atlas consented, and for some days Hercules supported the earth
+and the starry vault of heaven upon his shoulders.
+
+Then Atlas opened the gate of the Garden of the Hesperides to
+Hercules. These Hesperides were none other than the three daughters of
+Atlas, and it was their duty, in which they were helped by a dragon,
+to guard the golden apples.
+
+Hercules killed the dragon and carried off the apples, but they were
+afterwards restored to their place by Minerva.
+
+Cerberus, as perhaps you know, was the triple-headed dog that guarded
+the entrance to the nether world. To bring up this three-headed
+monster from the land of the dead was the last of the twelve labors.
+It was also the hardest.
+
+Pluto, the god of the nether world, told Hercules he might carry
+off the dog if he could take him without using club or spear--never
+dreaming that the hero could perform such a difficult feat.
+
+Hercules penetrated to the entrance of Pluto's gloomy regions, and,
+putting forth his strength succeeded, not only in seizing Cerberus,
+but also in carrying him to Eurystheus, and so brought the twelve
+labors to an end, and was released from his servitude to his cruel
+brother.
+
+These exploits of strength and endurance do not by any means complete
+the tale of the wonderful doings of the great Greek hero. He continued
+his deeds of daring to the end of his life.
+
+One of the last of his exploits was to kill the eagle that daily
+devoured the liver of Prometheus, whose story is both curious and
+interesting.
+
+He is said to have been the great friend of mankind, and was chained
+to a rock on Mount Caucasus because he stole fire from heaven and gave
+it as a gift to the sons of man.
+
+While in chains an eagle was sent by Jupiter daily to feed on
+Prometheus's liver, which Jupiter made to grow again each night. From
+this continuous torture he was released by Hercules, who slew the
+eagle and burst asunder the bonds of this friend of man.
+
+
+
+
+II
+
+HERCULES IN THE NETHER WORLD
+
+
+Theseus and Pirithous were two Athenians, who, after having been at
+enmity for a long time at last became the very best of friends. They,
+like Hercules, had passed their youth in doing doughty deeds for the
+benefit of mankind, and their fame had spread abroad throughout the
+land of Greece. This did not prevent them from forming a very foolish
+project. They actually planned to go down to Hades and carry off
+Pluto's wife, Proserpina, whom Pirithous himself wished to marry.
+
+This rashness brought about their ruin, for they were seized by
+Pluto and chained to a rock. All this Hercules, who was the friend
+of Theseus, learnt while on one of his journeys, and he resolved to
+rescue Theseus from his eternal punishment.
+
+As for Pirithous, the prime mover in the attempted outrage, him
+Hercules meant to leave to his fate.
+
+Hercules had been warned to take a black dog to sacrifice to Hecate
+and a cake to mollify Cerberus, as was usual; but he would not listen
+to such tales and meant to force his way to Theseus. When he found
+himself face to face with Cerberus he seized him, threw him down and
+chained him with strong chains.
+
+The next difficulty in the way was black and muddy Acheron, the first
+of the seven rivers that ran round Hades, and formed a barrier between
+the living and the departed.
+
+This river had not always run under the vaults of Hades. Formerly its
+course was upon the earth. But when the Titans attempted to scale
+the heaven, this river had the ill luck to quench their thirst,
+and Jupiter to punish even the waters of the river for abetting his
+enemies, turned its course aside into the under world where its waves,
+slow-moving and filthy, lost themselves in Styx, the largest of all
+the rivers of Hades, which ran round Pluto's gloomy kingdom no less
+than nine times.
+
+On reaching the banks of Styx, Hercules was surprised to see flying
+around him a crowd of disconsolate spirits, whom Charon the Ferryman
+refused to row across Styx, because they could not pay him his fee of
+an obol, a Greek coin worth about three cents of our money, which the
+Greeks were accustomed to place in the mouths of their dead for the
+purpose, as they thought, of paying Charon his ferry fee.
+
+Fierce Charon frowned when he beheld Hercules for he feared his light
+boat of bark would sink under his weight, it being only adapted for
+the light and airy spirits of the dead; but when the son of Jupiter
+told him his name he was mollified and allowed the hero to take his
+place at his side.
+
+As soon as the boat had touched the shore, Hercules went towards the
+gloomy palace of Pluto where he with difficulty, on account of the
+darkness, saw Pluto seated upon an ebony throne by the side of his
+beloved Proserpina.
+
+Pluto was not at all pleased to see the hero, as he hated the living
+and had interest only in the shades of the dead. When Hercules
+announced himself, however, he gave him a permit to go round his
+kingdom and, in addition, acceded to his prayer for the release of
+Theseus.
+
+At the foot of Pluto's throne Hercules saw Death the Reaper. He was
+clothed in a black robe spotted with stars and his fleshless hand
+held the sharp sickle with which he is said to cut down mortals as the
+reaper cuts down corn.
+
+Our hero was glad to escape from this dismal palace and as he did not
+know exactly where to find Theseus he began to make the circuit of
+Hades. During his progress he saw the shades of many people of whom,
+on earth, he had heard much talk.
+
+He had been wandering about some time when, in a gloomy chamber, he
+saw three old sisters, wan and worn, spinning by the feeble light of
+a lamp. They were the Fates, deities whose duty it was to thread the
+days of all mortals who appeared on earth, were it but for an instant.
+
+Clotho, the spinner of the thread of life, was the eldest of the
+three. She held in her hand a distaff, wound with black and white
+woollen yarn, with which were sparingly intermixed strands of silk and
+gold. The wool stood for the humdrum everyday life of man: the silk
+and gold marked the days of mirth and gladness, always, alas! too few
+in number.
+
+Lachesis, the second of the Fates, was quickly turning with her left
+hand a spindle, while her right hand was leading a fine thread which
+the third sister, Atropos by name, used to cut with a pair of sharp
+shears at the death of each mortal.
+
+You may imagine how hard these three sisters worked when you remember
+that the thread of life of every mortal had to pass through their
+fateful fingers. Hercules would have liked them to tell him how long
+they had yet to spin for him, but they had no time to answer questions
+and so the hero passed on.
+
+Some steps farther he stopped before three venerable looking old men,
+seated upon a judgment seat, judging, as it seemed, a man newly come
+to Pluto's kingdom.
+
+They were Minos, AEacus and Rhadamanthus, the three judges of Hades,
+whose duty it was to punish the guilty by casting them into a dismal
+gulf, Tartarus, whence none might ever emerge, and to reward the
+innocent by transporting them to the Elysian Fields where delight
+followed delight in endless pleasure.
+
+These judges could never be mistaken because Themis, the Goddess of
+Justice, held in front of them a pair of scales in which she weighed
+the actions of men. Their decrees were instantly carried out by a
+pitiless goddess, Nemesis, or Vengeance by name, armed with a whip red
+with the gore of her sinful victims.
+
+
+
+
+III
+
+BLACK TARTARUS AND THE ELYSIAN FIELDS
+
+
+Immediately on quitting the presence of the three judges, Hercules saw
+them open out before him an immense gulf whence arose thick clouds of
+black smoke. This smoke hid from view a river of fire that rolled its
+fiery waves onwards with a deafening din.
+
+Not far remote from this rolled Cocytus, another endless stream, fed
+by the tears of the wretches doomed to Black Tartarus, in which place
+of eternal torment Hercules now found himself.
+
+The rulers of these mournful regions were the Furies who, with unkempt
+hair and armed with whips, tormented the condemned without mercy by
+showing them continually in mirrors the images of their former crimes.
+
+Into Tartarus were thrown, never to come out again, the shades or
+manes of traitors, ingrates, perjurers, unnatural children, murderers
+and hypocrites who had during their lives pretended to be upright and
+honorable in order to deceive the just.
+
+But these wretches were not the only denizens of Black Tartarus. There
+were to be seen great scoundrels who had startled the world with their
+frightful crimes. For these Pluto and the Furies had invented special
+tortures.
+
+Among the criminals so justly overtaken by the divine vengeance
+Hercules noticed Salmoneus, whom he had formerly met upon earth. This
+madman, whose pride had overturned his reason, thought himself to be a
+god equal to the Thunderer himself.
+
+In order to imitate remotely the rolling of thunder, he used to be
+driven at night, over a brazen bridge, in a chariot, whence he hurled
+lighted torches upon his unhappy slaves who were crowded on the bridge
+and whom his guards knocked down in imitation of Jove's thunder-bolts.
+
+Indignant at the pride and cruelty of the tyrant, Jupiter struck him
+with lightning in deadly earnest and then cast him into the outer
+darkness of Tartarus, where he was for ever burning without being
+consumed.
+
+Sisyphus, the brother of Salmoneus, was no better than he. When on
+earth, he had been the terror of Attica, where, as a brigand, he had
+robbed and murdered with relentless cruelty.
+
+Theseus, whom Hercules was bent on freeing from his torment, had met
+and killed this robber-assassin, and Jupiter, for his sins, decreed
+that the malefactor should continually be rolling up a hill in
+Tartarus a heavy stone which, when with incredible pains he had
+brought nearly to the top, always rolled back again, and he had to
+begin over and over again the heart-breaking ascent.
+
+Some distance from Sisyphus Hercules came upon Tantalus, who, in the
+flesh, had been King of Phrygia, but who now, weak from hunger and
+parched with thirst, was made to stand to his chin in water with
+branches of tempting luscious fruit hanging ripe over his head. When
+he essayed to drink the water it always went from him, and when he
+stretched out his hand to pluck the fruit, back the branches sprang
+out of reach.
+
+In addition an immense rock, hung over his head, threatened every
+moment to crush him.
+
+It is said that Tantalus, when in the flesh, had betrayed the secrets
+of the gods and also committed other great crimes. For this he was
+"tantalized" with food and drink, which, seeming always to be within
+his reach, ever mocked his hopes by eluding his grasp.
+
+The groans of a crowd of disheveled women next attracted the
+affrighted attention of Hercules. They were forty-nine of the fifty
+daughters of Danaus, King of Argos, who, at the instigation of their
+father, had killed their husbands because Danaus thought they were
+conspiring to depose him.
+
+One only of the fifty, to wit Hypermnestra, had the courage to disobey
+this unlawful command and so saved the life of Lynceus, her husband,
+with whom she fled. Later on Lynceus returned and slew the cruel King
+in battle.
+
+To punish the forty-nine Danaides, Jupiter cast them into the outer
+darkness of Black Tartarus, where they were ever engaged in the
+hopeless task of pouring water into a sieve. Hypermnestra, on the
+contrary, was honored while alive, and also after her death, for
+loving goodness even more than she loved her father.
+
+Glutted with horror Hercules at length quitted gloomy Tartarus and
+beheld in front of him still another river. This was Lethe. Whoso
+drank the waters of this river, which separated the place of torment
+from the abode of the blest, lost memory of all that had been
+aforetime in his mind, and so was no longer troubled by even the
+remembrance of human misery.
+
+Across Lethe stretched the Elysian Fields where the shades of the
+blest dwelt in bliss without alloy. An enchanting greenness made the
+sweet-smelling groves as pleasant to the eye as they were to the sense
+of smell. Sunlit, yet never parched with torrid heat, everywhere their
+verdure charmed the delighted eye, and all things conspired to make
+the shades of the good and wise, who were privileged to dwell in these
+Elysian Fields, delightfully happy.
+
+Hercules saw, in these shady regions of the blest, a crowd of kings,
+heroes and men and women of lower degree who, while on earth, had
+loved and served their fellow men.
+
+Having at length found and released Theseus, Hercules set out with him
+for the upper world. The two left Hades by an ivory door, the key of
+which Pluto had confided to their care.
+
+What awesome tales they had to recount to their wondering friends of
+the marvels of Black Tartarus and of Radiant Elysium!
+
+
+
+
+IV
+
+THE TUNIC OF NESSUS THE CENTAUR
+
+
+There abode in Thessaly, in the days of Hercules, a strange race of
+men who had the head and arms of a man together with the body of a
+horse. They were called Centaurs, or Bull-Slayers.
+
+One of them named Cheiron, famous for his knowledge of medicine,
+music and botany, had been the teacher of Hercules. But many of them,
+although learned, were not good. Hercules and Theseus had waged war on
+them and had killed many, so that their numbers were greatly lessened.
+
+Having married Deianira, the daughter of a powerful King of Calydon,
+in Greece, Hercules was traveling home with her when he came to
+the banks of a river and was at a loss how to cross it. Seeing his
+perplexity, Nessus, one of the Centaurs, offered to take Deianira on
+his back and carry her over the stream. This offer Hercules gladly
+accepted.
+
+No sooner, however, did the crafty Centaur obtain possession of
+Deianira than he made off with her, intending to have her as his own
+wife. You can easily imagine how angry this outrage made Hercules. He
+shot one of his poisoned arrows with so much force that it went right
+through the traitor Centaur, and wounded him even unto death.
+
+But, before dying, Nessus had time to tell Deianira that if she wanted
+to keep Hercules always true to her she had but to take his shirt,
+and, when her husband's love was waning, prevail on him to wear it.
+
+Deianira took the shirt, and shortly afterwards, being afraid that her
+husband was ceasing to love her, she sent it to him as a present.
+
+Now, you will remember that Hercules had shot through the shirt of
+Nessus one of his poisoned arrows, and you will not be surprised
+to hear that some of the poison had remained in the shirt. So when
+Hercules put it on, which he did immediately upon receiving it, he was
+seized with frenzy and, in his madness, he uttered terrible cries and
+did dreadful deeds.
+
+With his powerful hands he broke off huge pieces of rock, tore up
+pine-trees by their roots and hurled them with resounding din into the
+valley.
+
+He could not take off the fatal shirt, and as he tore off portions of
+it he tore, at the same time, his quivering flesh.
+
+The servant of Deianira who had carried him the fatal shirt, and who
+wished to solace him in his pain, he seized as she approached him and
+flung headlong into the sea, where she was changed into a rock that
+long, so runs the legend, kept its human form.
+
+But at length the majesty and the courage of the hero asserted
+themselves, and, although still in agony, his madness left him.
+
+Calling to his side his friend Philoctetes, he wished to embrace
+him once more before dying; but fearful lest he should, in so doing,
+infect his friend with the deadly poison that was consuming him, he
+cried in his agony: "Alas, I am not even permitted to embrace thee!"
+
+Then he gathered together the trees he had uprooted and made a huge
+funeral pyre, such as was used by the ancients in burning their dead.
+Climbing to the top of the heap, he spread out the skin of the Nemean
+lion, and, supporting himself upon his club, gave the signal for
+Philoctetes to kindle the fire that was to reduce him to ashes.
+
+In return for this service he gave Philoctetes a quiver full of those
+deadly arrows that had been dipped in the blood of the Hydra of Lerna.
+
+He further enjoined his friend to let no man know of his departure
+from life, to the intent that the fear of his approach might prevent
+fresh monsters and new robbers from ravaging the earth.
+
+Thus died Hercules, and after his death he was received as a god
+amongst the Immortals on Mount Olympus, where he married Hebe, Jove's
+cupbearer. In his honor mortals were commanded to build altars and to
+raise temples.
+
+
+
+
+THE PERILOUS VOYAGE OF AENEAS
+
+ADAPTED BY ALICE ZIMMEKN
+
+
+Once upon a time, nearly three thousand years ago, the city of Troy
+in Asia Minor was at the height of its prosperity. It was built on a
+fortified hill on the southern slopes of the Hellespont, and encircled
+by strong walls that the gods had helped to build. Through their
+favor Troy became so strong and powerful that she subdued many of
+the neighboring states and forced them to fight for her and do her
+bidding. Thus it happened that when the Greeks came to Asia with an
+army of 100,000 men, Troy was able to hold out against them for nine
+years, and in the tenth was only taken by a trick.
+
+In the "Iliad" of Homer you may read all about the quarrel between the
+Trojans and Greeks, the fighting before Troy and the brave deeds done
+by Hector and Achilles, and many other heroes. You will see there how
+the gods took part in the quarrel, and how Juno, who was the wife of
+Jupiter and queen of heaven, hated Troy because Paris had given the
+golden apple to Venus as the fairest among goddesses. Juno never
+forgave this insult to her beauty, and vowed that she would not rest
+till the hated city was destroyed and its very name wiped from the
+face of the earth. You shall now hear how she carried out her threat,
+and overwhelmed AEneas with disasters.
+
+After a siege that lasted ten years Troy was taken at last by means
+of the wooden horse, which the Trojans foolishly dragged into the city
+with their own hands. Inside it were hidden a number of Greeks, who
+were thus carried into the heart of the enemy's city. The Trojans
+celebrated the departure of the Greeks by feasting and drinking far
+into the night; but when at last they retired to rest, the Greeks
+stole out of their hiding-place, and opened the gates to their army,
+which had only pretended to withdraw. Before the Trojans had recovered
+their wits the town was full of enemies, who threw blazing torches on
+the houses and killed every citizen who fell into their hands.
+
+Among the many noble princes who fought against the Greeks none was
+braver and handsomer than AEneas. His mother was the goddess Venus, and
+his father a brave and powerful Prince named Anchises, while Creusa,
+his wife, was one of King Priam's daughters. On that dreadful night,
+when the Greeks were burning and killing in the very streets of Troy,
+AEneas lay sleeping in his palace when there appeared to him a strange
+vision. He thought that Hector stood before him carrying the images of
+the Trojan gods and bade him arise and leave the doomed city. "To you
+Troy entrusts her gods and her fortunes. Take these images, and go
+forth beyond the seas, and with their auspices found a new Troy on
+foreign shores."
+
+Roused from his slumbers AEneas sprang up in haste, put on his armor
+and rushed into the fray. He was joined by a few comrades, and
+together they made their way through the enemy, killing all who
+blocked their path. But when they reached the royal palace and found
+that the Greeks had already forced their way in and killed the aged
+man by his own hearth, AEneas remembered his father and his wife and
+his little son Ascanius. Since he could not hope to save the city he
+might at least take thought for his own kin. While he still hesitated
+whether to retire or continue the fight, his goddess mother appeared
+and bade him go and succor his household. "Your efforts to save the
+city are vain," she said. "The gods themselves make war on Troy. Juno
+stands by the gate urging on the Greeks, Jupiter supplies them with
+hope and courage, and Neptune is breaking down with his trident the
+walls he helped to raise. Fly, my son, fly. I will bring you safely to
+your own threshold."
+
+Guided by her protecting hand, AEneas came in safety to his palace,
+and bade his family prepare in all haste for flight. But his father
+refused to stir a step. "Let me die here at the enemy's hands," he
+implored. "Better thus than to go into exile in my old age. Do you go,
+my son, whither the gods summon you, and leave me to my fate." In
+vain AEneas reasoned and pleaded, in vain he refused to go without his
+father; neither prayers nor entreaties would move Anchises till the
+gods sent him a sign. Suddenly the child's hair burst into flames.
+The father and mother were terrified, but Anchises recognised the good
+omen, and prayed the gods to show whether his interpretation was the
+true one. In answer there came a clap of thunder and a star flashed
+across the sky and disappeared among the woods on Mount Ida. Then
+Anchises was sure that the token was a true one. "Delay no more!" he
+cried. "I will accompany you, and go in hope wheresoever the gods of
+my country shall lead me. This is a sign from heaven, and the gods, if
+it be their will, may yet preserve our city."
+
+"Come then, father!" cried AEneas joyfully. "Let me take you on my
+back, for your feeble limbs would move too slowly for the present
+danger. You shall hold the images of the gods, since it would be
+sacrilege for me to touch them with my blood-stained hands. Little
+Ascanius shall take my hand, and Creusa will follow us closely."
+
+He now ordered the servants to collect all the most valuable
+possessions, and bring them to him at the temple of Ceres, just
+outside the city. Then he set out with father, wife and son, and they
+groped their way through the city by the light of burning homesteads.
+Thus they passed at last through the midst of the enemy, and reached
+the temple of Ceres. There, to his dismay, AEneas missed Creusa. He
+rushed back to the city and made his way to his own house. He found it
+in flames, and the enemy were sacking the ruins. Nowhere could he find
+a trace of his wife. Wild with grief and anxiety he wandered at random
+through the city till suddenly he fancied he saw Creusa. But it was
+her ghost, not her living self. She spoke to her distracted husband
+and bade him grieve no more. "Think not," she said, "that this has
+befallen without the will of the gods. The Fates have decided that
+Creusa shall not follow you to your new home. There are long and weary
+wanderings before you, and you must traverse many stormy seas before
+you come to the western land where the river Tiber pours its gentle
+stream through the fertile pastures of Italy. There shall you find
+a kingdom and a royal bride. Cease then to mourn for Creusa." AEneas
+tried to clasp her in his arms, but in vain, for he only grasped the
+empty air. Then he understood that the gods desired him to go forth
+into the world alone.
+
+While AEneas was seeking Creusa a group of Trojans who had escaped
+the enemy and the flames had collected at the temple of Ceres, and he
+found them ready and willing to join him and follow his fortunes. The
+first rays of the sun were touching the peaks of Ida when Aeneas
+and his comrades turned their backs on the ill-fated city, and went
+towards the rising sun and the new hope.
+
+For several months AEneas and his little band of followers lived as
+refugees among the hills of Ida, and their numbers grew as now one,
+now another, came to join them. All through the winter they were hard
+at work cutting down trees and building ships, which were to carry
+them across the seas. When spring came the fleet was ready, and the
+little band set sail. First they merely crossed the Hellespont to
+Thrace, for Aeneas hoped to found a city here and revive the name of
+Troy. But bad omens came to frighten the Trojans and drive them back
+to their ships.
+
+They now took a southward course, and sailed on without stopping till
+they reached Delos, the sacred isle of Apollo. Here Aeneas entered the
+temple and offered prayer to the lord of prophecy. "Grant us a home,
+Apollo, grant us an abiding city. Preserve a second Troy for the
+scanty remnant that escaped the swords of the Greeks and the wrath
+of cruel Achilles. Tell us whom to follow, whither to turn, where to
+found our city."
+
+His prayer was not offered in vain, for a voice spoke in answer. "Ye
+hardy sons of Dardanus, the land that erst sent forth your ancestral
+race shall welcome you back to its fertile fields. Go and seek your
+ancient mother. There shall the offspring of AEneas rule over all the
+lands, and their children's children unto the furthest generations."
+
+When he had heard this oracle, Anchises said, "In the middle of the
+sea lies an island called Crete, which is sacred to Jupiter. There
+we shall find an older Mount Ida, and beside it the cradle of our
+race. Thence, if tradition speaks truth, our great ancestor Teucrus
+set sail for Asia and there he founded his kingdom, and named our
+mountain Ida. Let us steer our course therefore to Crete, and if
+Jupiter be propitious, the third dawn will bring us to its shores."
+
+Accordingly they set out again full of hope, and passed in and out
+again among the gleaming islands of the AEgean, till at last they
+came to Crete. There they disembarked, and began to build a city.
+The houses were rising, the citadel was almost ready, the fields were
+planted and sown, and the young men were seeking wives, when suddenly
+the crops were stricken by a blight and the men by a pestilence.
+Surely, they thought, this could not be the home promised them by
+Apollo. In this distress Anchises bade his son return to Delos and
+implore the gods to vouchsafe further counsel.
+
+At night AEneas lay down to rest, troubled by many anxieties, when
+suddenly he was roused by the moonlight streaming through the window
+and illuminating the images of the Trojan gods. It seemed as though
+they opened their lips and spoke to him. "All that Apollo would have
+told you at Delos, we may declare to you here, for he has given us a
+message to you. We followed your arms after the burning of Troy,
+and traversed the ocean under your guidance, and we shall raise your
+descendants to the stars and give dominion to their city. But do not
+seek it here. These are not the shores that Apollo assigns you, nor
+may Crete be your abiding place. Far to the west lies the land which
+the Greeks called Hesperia, but which now bears the name of Italy.
+There is our destined home; thence came Dardanus, our great ancestor
+and the father of our race."
+
+Amazed at this vision, AEneas sprang up and lifted his hands to heaven
+in prayer. Then he hastened to tell Anchises of this strange event.
+They resolved to tarry no longer, but turning their backs on the
+rising walls they drew their ships down to the sea again, and once
+more set forth in search of a new country.
+
+Now they sailed towards the west, and rounded the south of Greece into
+the Ionian Sea. But a storm drove them out of their course, and the
+darkness was so thick that they could not tell night from day, and the
+helmsman, Palinurus, knew not whither he was steering. Thus they were
+tossed about aimlessly for three days and nights, till at last they
+saw land ahead and, lowering their sails, rowed safely into a quiet
+harbor. Not a human being was in sight, but herds of cattle grazed on
+the pastures, and goats sported untended on the rocks. Here was even
+food in plenty for hungry men. They killed oxen and goats, and made
+ready a feast for themselves, and a sacrifice for the gods. The repast
+was prepared, and AEneas and his comrades were about to enjoy it,
+when a sound of rustling wings was heard all round them. Horrible
+creatures, half birds, half women, with long talons and cruel beaks,
+swooped down on the tables and carried off the food before the eyes
+of the terrified banqueters. These were the Harpies, who had once been
+sent to plague King Phineus, and when they were driven away by two of
+the Argonauts, Zetes and Calais, took refuge in these islands. In vain
+the Trojans attacked them with their swords, for the monsters would
+fly out of reach, and then dart back again on a sudden, and pounce
+once more on the food, while Celaeno, chief of the Harpies, perched on
+a rock and chanted in hoarse tones a prophecy of ill omen. "You that
+kill our oxen and seek to drive us from our rightful home, hearken to
+my words, which Jupiter declared to Apollo, and Apollo told even to
+me. You are sailing to Italy, and you shall reach Italy and enter its
+harbors. But you are not destined to surround your city with a wall,
+till cruel hunger and vengeance for the wrong you have done us force
+you to gnaw your very tables with your teeth."
+
+When the Trojans heard this terrible prophecy their hearts sank within
+them, and Anchises, lifting his hands to heaven, besought the gods to
+avert this grievous doom. Thus, full of sad forebodings, they returned
+to their ships.
+
+Their way now lay along the western coast of Greece, and they were
+glad to slip unnoticed past the rocky island of Ithaca, the home of
+Ulysses the wily. For they did not know that he was still held captive
+by the nymph Calypso, and that many years were to pass before he
+should be restored to his kingdom. They next cast anchor off Leucadia,
+and passed the winter in these regions. In spring they sailed north
+again, and landed in Epirus, and here to their surprise they found
+Helenus, one of the sons of Priam, ruling over a Greek people. He
+welcomed his kinsman joyfully and, having the gift of prophecy from
+Apollo, foretold the course of his wanderings. "Italy, which you deem
+so near, is a far-distant land, and many adventures await you before
+you reach that shore where lies your destined home. Before you reach
+it, you will visit Sicily, and the realms of the dead and the
+island of Circe. But I will give you a sign whereby you may know the
+appointed place. When by the banks of a secluded stream you shall
+see a huge white sow with her thirty young ones, then shall you have
+reached the limit of your wanderings. Be sure to avoid the eastern
+coast of Italy opposite these shores. Wicked Greek tribes have their
+dwelling there, and it is safer to pass at once to the western coast.
+On your left, you will hear in the Strait the thundering roar of
+Charybdis, and on the right grim Scylla sits scowling in her cave
+ready to spring on the unwary traveler. Better take a long circuit
+round Sicily than come even within sight and sound of Scylla. As soon
+as you touch the western shores of Italy, go to the city of Cumae and
+the Sibyl's cavern. Try to win her favor, and she will tell you of the
+nations of Italy and the wars yet to come, and how you may avoid each
+peril and accomplish every labor. One warning would I give you and
+enjoin it with all my power. If you desire to reach your journey's end
+in safety, forget not to do homage to Juno. Offer up prayers to her
+divinity, load her altars with gifts. Then, and then only, may you
+hope for a happy issue from all your troubles!"
+
+So once more the Trojans set sail, and obedient to the warnings of
+Helenus they avoided the eastern coast of Italy, and struck southward
+towards Sicily. Far up the channel they heard the roar of Charybdis
+and hastened their speed in fear. Soon the snowy cone of Etna came
+into view with its column of smoke rising heavenward. As they lay at
+anchor hard by, a ragged, half-starved wretch ran out of the woods
+calling loudly on AEneas for succor. This was one of the comrades of
+Ulysses, who had been left behind by mistake, and lived in perpetual
+dread of the savage Cyclopes. AEneas was moved to pity, and though the
+man was a Greek and an enemy, he took him on board and gave him
+food and succor. Before they left this place they had a glimpse of
+Polyphemus himself. The blind giant came down the cliff with his
+flock, feeling his way with a huge staff of pine-trunk. He even
+stepped into the sea, and walked far out without wetting his thighs.
+The Trojans hastily slipped their cables, and made away. Polyphemus
+heard the sound of their oars, and called his brother Cyclopes to
+come and seize the strangers, but they were too late to overtake the
+fugitives.
+
+After this they continued their southward course, passing the island
+where Syracuse now stands, and rounding the southern coast of Sicily.
+Then they sailed past the tall rock of Acragas and palm-loving
+Selinus, and so came to the western corner, where the harbor of
+Drepanun gave them shelter. Here a sorrow overtook AEneas, that neither
+the harpy nor the seer had foretold. Anchises, weary with wandering
+and sick of long-deferred hope, fell ill and died. Sadly AEneas sailed
+from hence without his trusted friend and counselor, and steered his
+course for Italy.
+
+At last the goal seemed at hand and the dangers of the narrow strait
+had been escaped. But AEneas had a far more dangerous enemy than Scylla
+and Charybdis, for Juno's wrath was not yet appeased. He had offered
+prayer and sacrifice, as Helenus bade him, but her long-standing
+grudge was not so easily forgotten. She hated Troy and the
+Trojans with an undying hatred, and would not suffer even these
+few-storm-tossed wanderers to seek their new home in peace. She knew
+too that it was appointed by the Fates that a descendant of this
+fugitive Trojan should one day found a city destined to eclipse in
+wealth and glory her favorite city of Carthage. This she desired to
+avert at all costs, and if even the queen of heaven was not strong
+enough to overrule fate, at least she resolved that the Trojans
+should not enter into their inheritance without many and grievous
+tribulations.
+
+Off the northerncoast of Sicily lies a group of small islands, still
+called the AEolian Isles, after AEolus, king of the winds, whose palace
+stood upon the largest. Here he lived in a rock-bound castle, and kept
+the boisterous winds fast bound in strong dungeons, that they might
+not go forth unbidden to work havoc and destruction. But for his
+restraining hand they would have burst forth and swept away land and
+sea in their fury. To this rocky fortress Juno came with a request
+to AEolus. "Men of a race hateful to me are now crossing the sea. I
+beseech you, therefore, send a storm to scatter the ships and drown
+the men in the waves. As a reward I will give you one of my fairest
+nymphs in marriage." Thus she urged, and at her bidding AEolus struck
+the rock and the prison gates were opened. The winds at once rushed
+forth in all directions. The clouds gathered and blotted out sky
+and daylight, thunder roared and lightning flashed, and the Trojans
+thought their last hour had come. Even AEneas lost heart, and envied
+the lot of those who fell before Troy by the sword of Diomede. Soon
+a violent gust struck his ship, the oars were broken, and the prow
+turned round and exposed the side to the waves. The water closed
+over it, then opened again, and drew down the vessel, leaving the men
+floating on the water. Three ships were dashed against sunken rocks,
+three were driven among the shallows and blocked with a mound of
+sand. Another was struck from stem to stern, then sucked down into a
+whirlpool. One after another the rest succumbed, and it seemed as if
+each moment must see their utter destruction.
+
+Meantime Neptune in his palace at the bottom of the sea had noticed
+the sudden disturbance of the waters, and now put out his head above
+the waves to learn the cause of this commotion. When he saw the
+shattered Trojan ships he guessed that this was Juno's work. Instantly
+he summoned the winds and chid them for daring to disturb the waters
+without his leave. "Begone," he said, "and tell your master AEolus that
+the dominion of the sea is mine, not his. Let him be content to keep
+guard over you and see that you do not escape from your prison." While
+he spoke Neptune was busy calming the waters, and it was not long
+before he put the clouds to flight and brought back the sunshine.
+Nymphs came to push the ships off the rocks, and Neptune himself
+opened a way out of the shallows. Then he returned to his chariot, and
+his white horses carried him lightly across the calm waters.
+
+Thankful to have saved a few of his ships, all shattered and leaking
+as they were, AEneas bade the helmsman steer for the nearest land. What
+was their joy to see within easy reach a quiet harbor closed in by
+a sheltering island. The entrance was guarded by twin cliffs, and a
+forest background closed in the scene. Once within this shelter the
+weary vessels needed no anchor to secure them. Here at last AEneas
+and his comrades could stretch their aching limbs on dry land. They
+kindled a fire of leaves with a flint, and dried their sodden corn for
+a scanty meal.
+
+AEneas now climbed one of the hills to see whether he might catch a
+glimpse of any of the missing ships. Not a sail was in sight, but in
+the valley below he spied a herd of deer grazing. Here was better food
+for hungry men. Drawing an arrow from his quiver, he fitted it to his
+bow, let fly, and a mighty stag fell to his aim. Six others shared
+its fate, then AEneas returned with his booty and bade his friends make
+merry with venison and Sicilian wine from the ships. As they ate and
+drank, he tried to hearten the Trojans. "Endure a little longer," he
+urged. "Think of the perils through which we have passed, remember the
+dreadful Cyclopes and cruel Scylla. Despair not now, for one day the
+memory of past sufferings shall delight your hours of ease. Through
+toils and hardships we are making our way to Latium, where the gods
+have promised us a peaceful home and a new and glorious Troy. Hold out
+a little while, and wait for the happy days in store."
+
+
+
+
+HOW HORATIUS HELD THE BRIDGE
+
+ADAPTED BY ALFRED J. CHURCH
+
+
+King Tarquin[1] and his son Lucius (for he only remained to him of the
+three) fled to Lars Porsenna, King of Clusium, and besought him that
+he would help them. "Suffer not," they said, "that we, who are Tuscans
+by birth, should remain any more in poverty and exile. And take heed
+also to thyself and thine own kingdom if thou permit this new fashion
+of driving forth kings to go unpunished. For surely there is that in
+freedom which men greatly desire, and if they that be kings defend not
+their dignity as stoutly as others seek to overthrow it, then shall
+the highest be made even as the lowest, and there shall be an end of
+kingship, than which there is nothing more honorable under heaven."
+With these words they persuaded King Porsenna, who judging it well for
+the Etrurians that there should be a king at Rome, and that king an
+Etrurian by birth, gathered together a great army and came up against
+Rome. But when men heard of his coming, so mighty a city was Clusium
+in those days, and so great the fame of King Porsenna, there was such
+fear as had never been before. Nevertheless they were steadfastly
+purposed to hold out. And first all that were in the country fled into
+the city, and round about the city they set guards to keep it, part
+thereof being defended by walls, and part, for so it seemed,
+being made safe by the river. But here a great peril had well-nigh
+over-taken the city; for there was a wooden bridge on the river by
+which the enemy had crossed but for the courage of a certain Horatius
+Cocles. The matter fell out in this wise.
+
+[Footnote 1: King Tarquin had been driven from Rome because of his
+tyranny.]
+
+There was a certain hill which men called Janiculum on the side of the
+river, and this hill King Porsenna took by a sudden attack. Which when
+Horatius saw (for he chanced to have been set to guard the bridge, and
+saw also how the enemy were running at full speed to the place, and
+how the Romans were fleeing in confusion and threw away their arms
+as they ran), he cried with a loud voice, "Men of Rome, it is to no
+purpose that ye thus leave your post and flee, for if ye leave this
+bridge behind you for men to pass over, ye shall soon find that ye
+have more enemies in your city than in Janiculum. Do ye therefore
+break it down with axe and fire as best ye can. In the meanwhile I,
+so far as one man may do, will stay the enemy." And as he spake he ran
+forward to the farther end of the bridge and made ready to keep the
+way against the enemy. Nevertheless there stood two with him, Lartius
+and Herminius by name, men of noble birth both of them and of great
+renown in arms. So these three for a while stayed the first onset of
+the enemy; and the men of Rome meanwhile brake down the bridge. And
+when there was but a small part remaining, and they that brake it down
+called to the three that they should come back, Horatius bade Lartius
+and Herminius return, but he himself remained on the farther side,
+turning his eyes full of wrath in threatening fashion on the princes
+of the Etrurians, and crying, "Dare ye now to fight with me? or why
+are ye thus come at the bidding of your master, King Porsenna, to rob
+others of the freedom that ye care not to have for yourselves?" For a
+while they delayed, looking each man to his neighbor, who should first
+deal with this champion of the Romans. Then, for very shame, they all
+ran forward, and raising a great shout, threw their javelins at him.
+These all he took upon his shield, nor stood the less firmly in his
+place on the bridge, from which when they would have thrust him by
+force, of a sudden the men of Rome raised a great shout, for the
+bridge was now altogether broken down, and fell with a great crash
+into the river. And as the enemy stayed a while for fear, Horatius
+turned him to the river and said, "O Father Tiber, I beseech thee this
+day with all reverence that thou kindly receive this soldier and his
+arms." And as he spake he leapt with all his arms into the river and
+swam across to his own people, and though many javelins of the enemy
+fell about him, he was not one whit hurt. Nor did such valor fail to
+receive due honor from the city. For the citizens set up a statue of
+Horatius in the market-place; and they gave him of the public land so
+much as he could plow about in one day. Also there was this honor paid
+him, that each citizen took somewhat of his own store and gave it to
+him, for food was scarce in the city by reason of the siege.
+
+
+
+
+HOW CINCINNATUS SAVED ROME
+
+ADAPTED BY ALFRED J. CHURCH
+
+
+It came to pass that the AEquians brake the treaty of peace which they
+had made with Rome, and, taking one Gacchus Cloelius for their leader,
+marched into the land of Tusculum; and when they had plundered the
+country there-abouts, and had gathered together much booty, they
+pitched their camp on Mount AEgidus. To them the Romans sent three
+ambassadors, who should complain of the wrong done and seek redress.
+But when they would have fulfilled their errand, Gracchus the AEquin
+spake, saying, "If ye have any message from the Senate of Rome, tell
+it to this oak, for I have other business to do;" for it chanced that
+there was a great oak that stood hard by, and made a shadow over the
+general's tent. Then one of the ambassadors, as he turned to depart,
+made reply, "Yes, let this sacred oak and all the gods that are in
+heaven hear how ye have wrongfully broken the treaty of peace; and let
+them that hear help us also in the day of battle, when we shall avenge
+on you the laws both of gods and of men that ye set at nought."
+
+When the ambassadors had returned to Rome the Senate commanded that
+there should be levied two armies; and that Minucius the Consul should
+march with the one against the AEquians on Mount AEgidus, and that the
+other should hinder the enemy from their plundering. This levying the
+tribunes of the Commons sought to hinder; and perchance had done so,
+but there also came well-nigh to the walls of the city a great host of
+the Sabines plundering all the country. Thereupon the people willingly
+offered themselves and there were levied forthwith two great armies.
+Nevertheless when the Consul Minucius had marched to Mount AEgidus, and
+had pitched his camp not far from the AEquians, he did nought for fear
+of the enemy, but kept himself within his entrenchments. And when the
+enemy perceived that he was afraid, growing the bolder for his lack of
+courage, they drew lines about him, keeping him in on every side. Yet
+before that he was altogether shut up there escaped from his camp five
+horsemen, that bare tidings to Rome how that the Consul, together with
+his army, was besieged. The people were sorely dismayed to hear such
+tidings; nor, when they cast about for help, saw they any man that
+might be sufficient for such peril, save only Cincinnatus. By common
+consent, therefore, he was made Dictator for six months, a thing that
+may well be noted by those who hold that nothing is to be accounted of
+in comparison of riches, and that no man may win great honor or show
+forth singular virtue unless he be well furnished with wealth. For
+here in this great peril of the Roman people there was no hope of
+safety but in one who was cultivating with his own hand a little plot
+of scarcely three acres of ground. For when the messengers of the
+people came to him they found him plowing, or, as some say, digging a
+ditch. When they had greeted each other, the messengers said, "May the
+Gods prosper this thing to the Roman people and to thee. Put on thy
+robe and hear the words of the people." Then said Cincinnatus, being
+not a little astonished, "Is all well?" and at the same time he called
+to his wife Racilia that she should bring forth his robe from the
+cottage. So she brought it forth, and the man wiped from him the dust
+and the sweat, and clad himself in his robe, and stood before the
+messengers. These said to him, "The people of Rome make thee Dictator,
+and bid thee come forthwith to the city." And at the same time they
+told how the Consul and his army were besieged by the AEquians. So
+Cincinnatus departed to Rome; and when he came to the other side of
+the Tiber there met him first his three sons, and next many of his
+kinsfolk and friends, and after them a numerous company of the nobles.
+These all conducted him to his house, the lictors, four and twenty
+in number, marching before him. There was also assembled a very great
+concourse of the people, fearing much how the Dictator might deal with
+them, for they knew what manner of man he was, and that there was no
+limit to his power, nor any appeal from him.
+
+The next day, before dawn, the Dictator came into the market-place,
+and appointed one Lucius Tarquinius to be Master of the Horse. This
+Tarquinius was held by common consent to excel all other men in
+exercises of war; only, though, being a noble by birth, he should have
+been among the horsemen, he had served for lack of means, as a foot
+soldier. This done he called an assembly of the people and commanded
+that all the shops in the city should be shut; that no man should
+concern himself with any private business, but all that were of an age
+to go to the war should be present before sunset in the Field of Mars,
+each man having with him provisions of cooked food for five days, and
+twelve stakes. As for them that were past the age, they should prepare
+the food while the young men made ready their arms and sought for
+the stakes. These last they took as they found them, no man hindering
+them; and when the time appointed by the Dictator was come, all were
+assembled, ready, as occasion might serve, either to march or to give
+battle. Forthwith they set out, the Dictator leading the foot soldiers
+by their legions, and Tarquinius the horsemen, and each bidding them
+that followed make all haste. "We must needs come," they said, "to our
+journey's end while it is yet night. Remember that the Consul and his
+army have been besieged now for three days, and that no man knows what
+a day or a night may bring forth." The soldiers themselves also were
+zealous to obey, crying out to the standard-bearers that they should
+quicken their steps, and to their fellows that they should not lag
+behind. Thus they came at midnight to Mount AEdigus, and when they
+perceived that the enemy was at hand they halted the standards. Then
+the Dictator rode forward to see, so far as the darkness would suffer
+him, how great was the camp of the AEquians and after what fashion
+it was pitched. This done he commanded that the baggage should be
+gathered together into a heap, and that the soldiers should stand
+every man in his own place. After this he compassed about the whole
+army of the enemy with his own army, and commanded that at a set
+signal every man should shout, and when they had shouted should dig a
+trench and set up therein the stakes. This the soldiers did, and the
+noise of the shouting passed over the camp of the enemy and came into
+the city, causing therein great joy, even as it caused great fear
+in the camp. For the Romans cried, "These be our countrymen and they
+bring us help." Then said the Consul, "We must make no delay. By that
+shout is signified, not that they are come only, but that they are
+already dealing with the enemy. Doubtless the camp of the AEquians is
+even now assailed from without. Take ye your arms and follow me." So
+the legion went forth, it being yet night, to the battle, and as they
+went they shouted, that the Dictator might be aware. Now the AEquians
+had set themselves to hinder the making of a ditch and rampart which
+should shut them in; but when the Romans from the camp fell upon them,
+fearing lest these should make their way through the midst of their
+camp, they left them that were with Cincinnatus to finish their
+entrenching, and fought with the Consul. And when it was now light,
+lo! they were already shut in, and the Romans, having finished their
+entrenching, began to trouble them. And when the AEquians perceived
+that the battle was now on either side of them, they could withstand
+no longer, but sent ambassadors praying for peace, and saying, "Ye
+have prevailed; slay us not, but rather permit us to depart, leaving
+our arms behind us." Then said the Dictator, "I care not to have the
+blood of the AEquians. Ye may depart, but ye shall depart passing under
+the yoke, that ye may thus acknowledge to all men that ye are indeed
+vanquished." Now the yoke is thus made. There are set up in the ground
+two spears, and over them is bound by ropes a third spear. So the
+AEquians passed under the yoke.
+
+In the camp of the enemy there was found abundance of spoil. This the
+Dictator gave wholly to his own soldiers. "Ye were well-nigh a spoil
+to the enemy," said he to the army of the Consul, "therefore ye shall
+have no share in the spoiling of them. As for thee, Minucius, be
+thou a lieutenant only till thou hast learnt how to bear thyself as a
+consul." Meanwhile at Rome there was held a meeting of the Senate,
+at which it was commanded that Cincinnatus should enter the city in
+triumph, his soldiers following him in order of march. Before his
+chariot there were led the generals of the enemy; also the standards
+were carried in the front; and after these came the army, every man
+laden with spoil. That day there was great rejoicing in the city,
+every man setting forth a banquet before his doors in the street.
+
+After this, Virginius, that had borne false witness against Caeso, was
+found guilty of perjury, and went into exile. And when Cincinnatus
+saw that justice had been done to this evildoer, he resigned his
+dictatorship, having held it for sixteen days only.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+HEROES OF GREAT BRITAIN
+
+
+
+
+BEOWULF
+
+ADAPTED BY H.E. MARSHALL
+
+
+
+
+I
+
+HOW BEOWULF OVERCAME THE OGRE AND THE WATER-WITCH
+
+
+Long ago, there lived in Daneland a King, beloved of all, called
+Hrothgar. He was valiant and mighty in war, overcoming all his foes
+and taking from them much spoil. Looking upon his great treasure, King
+Hrothgar said, "I will build me a great hall. It shall be vast and
+wide, adorned within and without with gold and ivory, with gems and
+carved work. It shall be a hall of joy and feasting."
+
+Then King Hrothgar called his workmen and gave them commandment to
+build the hall. They set to work, and becoming each day more fair, the
+hall was at length finished. It stood upon a height, vast and stately,
+and as it was adorned with the horns of deer, King Hrothgar named it
+Hart Hall. The King made a great feast. To it his warriors young and
+old were called, and he divided his treasure, giving to each rings
+of gold. And so in the hall there was laughter and song and great
+merriment. Every evening when the shadows fell, and the land grew dark
+without, the knights and warriors gathered in the hall to feast. And
+when the feast was over, and the great fire roared upon the hearth,
+the minstrel took his harp and sang. Far over dreary fen and moorland
+the light glowed cheerfully, and the sound of song and harp awoke the
+deep silence of the night. Within the hall was light and gladness, but
+without there was wrath and hate. For far on the moor there lived
+a wicked giant named Grendel, prowling at night to see what evil he
+might do.
+
+Very terrible was this ogre Grendel to look upon. Thick black hair
+hung about his face, and his teeth were long and sharp, like the tusks
+of an animal. His huge body and great hairy arms had the strength of
+ten men. He wore no armor, for his skin was tougher than any coat
+of mail that man or giant might weld. His nails were like steel and
+sharper than daggers, and by his side there hung a great pouch in
+which he carried off those whom he was ready to devour. Day by day the
+music of harp and song was a torture to him and made him more and more
+mad with jealous hate.
+
+At length he crept through the darkness to Hart Hall where the
+warriors slept after feast and song. Arms and armor had been thrown
+aside, so with ease the ogre slew thirty of the bravest. Howling with
+wicked joy he carried them off and devoured them. The next night,
+again the wicked one crept stealthily through the darkening moorland
+until he reached Hart Hall, stretched forth his hand, and seized the
+bravest of the warriors. In the morning each man swore that he would
+not again sleep beneath the roof of the hall. For twelve years it
+stood thus, no man daring, except in the light of day, to enter it.
+
+And now it came to pass that across the sea in far Gothland the tale
+of Grendel and his wrath was carried to Beowulf the Goth, who said he
+would go to King Hrothgar to help him. Taking with him fifteen good
+comrades, he set sail for Daneland.
+
+When Hrothgar was told that Beowulf had come to help him, he said,
+"I knew him when he was yet a lad. His father and his mother have I
+known. Truly he hath sought a friend. I have heard that he is much
+renowned in war, and hath the strength of thirty men in the grip of
+his hand. I pray Heaven he hath been sent to free us from the horror
+of Grendel. Bid Beowulf and his warriors to enter."
+
+Guided by the Danish knight, Beowulf and his men went into Hart Hall
+and stood before the aged Hrothgar. After friendly words of greeting
+Beowulf said, "And now will I fight against Grendel, bearing neither
+sword nor shield. With my hands alone will I grapple with the fiend,
+and foe to foe we will fight for victory."
+
+That night Beowulf's comrades slept in Hart Hall. Beowulf alone
+remained awake. Out of the mists of the moorland the Evil Thing
+strode. Loud he laughed as he gazed upon the sleeping warriors.
+Beowulf, watchful and angry, curbed his wrath. Grendel seized one of
+the men, drank his blood, crushed his bones, and swallowed his horrid
+feast. Then Beowulf caught the monster and fought till the noise of
+the contest was as of thunder. The knights awoke and tried to plunge
+their swords into the hide of Grendel, but in vain. By enchantments he
+had made himself safe. At length the fight came to an end. The sinews
+in Grendel's shoulder burst, the bones cracked. The ogre tore himself
+free, leaving his arm in Beowulf's mighty grip.
+
+Sobbing forth his death-song, Grendel fled till he reached his
+dwelling in the lake of the water-dragons, and there plunged in. The
+dark waves closed over him and he sank to his home. Loud were the
+songs of triumph in Hart Hall, great the rejoicing, for Beowulf had
+made good his boast. He had cleansed the hall of the ogre. A splendid
+feast was made and much treasure given to Beowulf by the King and
+Queen.
+
+Again did the Dane lords sleep in the great hall, but far away in the
+water-dragons' lake the mother of Grendel wept over the dead body
+of her son, desiring revenge. Very terrible to look upon was this
+water-witch. As the darkness fell she crept across the moorland to
+Hart Hall. In she rushed eager for slaughter. A wild cry rang through
+the hall. The water-witch fled, but in doing so carried off the best
+beloved of all the King's warriors.
+
+Quickly was Beowulf called and he rode forth to the dark lake. Down
+and down he dived till he came to the cave of the water-witch whom he
+killed after a desperate struggle. Hard by on a couch lay the body of
+Grendel. Drawing his sword he smote off the ogre's head. Swimming up
+with it he reached the surface and sprang to land, and was greeted by
+his faithful thanes. Four of them were needed to carry the huge head
+back to Hart Hall.
+
+His task being done Beowulf made haste to return to his own land that
+he might seek his own King, Hygelac, and lay before him the treasures
+that Hrothgar had given him. With gracious words the old King thanked
+the young warrior, and bade him to come again right speedily. Hygelac
+listened with wonder and delight to all that had happened in Daneland
+and graciously received the splendid gifts.
+
+For many years Beowulf lived beloved of all, and when it befell that
+Hygelac died in battle, the broad realm of Gothland was given unto
+Beowulf to rule. And there for fifty years he reigned a well-loved
+King.
+
+
+
+
+II
+
+HOW THE FIRE DRAGON WARRED WITH THE GOTH FOLK
+
+
+And now when many years had come and gone and the realm had long time
+been at peace, sorrow came upon the people of the Goths. And thus it
+was that the evil came.
+
+It fell upon a time that a slave by his misdeeds roused his master's
+wrath, and when his lord would have punished him he fled in terror.
+And as he fled trembling to hide himself, he came by chance into a
+great cave.
+
+There the slave hid, thankful for refuge. But soon he had cause to
+tremble in worse fear than before, for in the darkness of the cave
+he saw that a fearful dragon lay asleep. Then as the slave gazed
+in terror at the awful beast, he saw that it lay guarding a mighty
+treasure.
+
+Never had he seen such a mass of wealth. Swords and armor inlaid with
+gold, cups and vessels of gold and silver set with precious stones,
+rings and bracelets lay piled around in glittering heaps.
+
+For hundreds of years this treasure had lain there in secret. A great
+prince had buried it in sorrow for his dead warriors. In his land
+there had been much fighting until he alone of all his people was
+left. Then in bitter grief he gathered all his treasure and hid it in
+this cave.
+
+"Take, O earth," he cried, "what the heroes might not keep. Lo! good
+men and true once before earned it from thee. Now a warlike death hath
+taken away every man of my people. There is none now to bear the sword
+or receive the cup. There is no more joy in the battle-field or in the
+hall of peace. So here shall the gold-adorned helmet molder, here the
+coat of mail rust and the wine-cup lie empty."
+
+Thus the sad prince mourned. Beside his treasure he sat weeping both
+day and night until death took him also, and of all his people there
+was none left.
+
+So the treasure lay hidden and secret for many a day.
+
+Then upon a time it happened that a great dragon, fiery-eyed and
+fearful, as it flew by night and prowled seeking mischief, came upon
+the buried hoard.
+
+As men well know, a dragon ever loveth gold. So to guard his new-found
+wealth lest any should come to rob him of it, he laid him down there
+and the cave became his dwelling. Thus for three hundred years he lay
+gloating over his treasure, no man disturbing him.
+
+But now at length it chanced that the fleeing slave lighted upon the
+hoard. His eyes were dazzled by the shining heap. Upon it lay a cup of
+gold, wondrously chased and adorned.
+
+"If I can but gain that cup," said the slave to himself, "I will
+return with it to my master, and for the sake of the gold he will
+surely forgive me."
+
+So while the dragon slept, trembling and fearful the slave crept
+nearer and nearer to the glittering mass. When he came quite near he
+reached forth his hand and seized the cup. Then with it he fled back
+to his master.
+
+It befell then as the slave had foreseen. For the sake of the wondrous
+cup his misdeeds were forgiven him.
+
+But when the dragon awoke his fury was great. Well knew he that mortal
+man had trod his cave and stolen of his hoard.
+
+Round and round about he sniffed and searched until he discovered the
+footprints of his foe. Eagerly then all over the ground he sought
+to find the man who, while he slept, had done him this ill. Hot
+and fierce of mood he went backwards and forwards round about his
+treasure-heaps. All within the cave he searched in vain. Then coming
+forth he searched without. All round the hill in which his cave was
+he prowled, but no man could he find, nor in all the wilds around was
+there any man.
+
+Again the old dragon returned, again he searched among his
+treasure-heap for the precious cup. Nowhere was it to be found. It was
+too surely gone.
+
+But the dragon, as well as loving gold, loved war. So now in angry
+mood he lay couched in his lair. Scarce could he wait until darkness
+fell, such was his wrath. With fire he was resolved to repay the loss
+of his dear drinking-cup.
+
+At last, to the joy of the great winged beast, the sun sank. Then
+forth from his cave he came, flaming fire.
+
+Spreading his mighty wings, he flew through the air until he came to
+the houses of men. Then spitting forth flame, he set fire to many a
+happy homestead. Wherever the lightning of his tongue struck, there
+fire flamed forth, until where the fair homes of men had been there
+was naught but blackened ruins. Here and there, this way and that,
+through all the land he sped, and wherever he passed fire flamed
+aloft.
+
+The warfare of the dragon was seen from far. The malice of the worm
+was known from north to south, from east to west. All men knew how the
+fearful foe hated and ruined the Goth folk.
+
+Then having worked mischief and desolation all night through, the
+fire-dragon turned back; to his secret cave he slunk again ere break
+of day. Behind him he left the land wasted and desolate.
+
+The dragon had no fear of the revenge of man. In his fiery warfare he
+trusted to find shelter in his hill, and in his secret cave. But in
+that trust he was misled.
+
+Speedily to King Beowulf were the tidings of the dragon and his
+spoiling carried. For alas! even his own fair palace was wrapped in
+flame. Before his eyes he saw the fiery tongues lick up his treasures.
+Even the Gift-seat of the Goths melted in fire.
+
+Then was the good King sorrowful. His heart boiled within him with
+angry thoughts. The fire-dragon had utterly destroyed the pleasant
+homes of his people. For this the war-prince greatly desired to punish
+him.
+
+Therefore did Beowulf command that a great shield should be made for
+him, all of iron. He knew well that a shield of wood could not help
+him in this need. Wood against fire! Nay, that were useless. His
+shield must be all of iron.
+
+Too proud, too, was Beowulf, the hero of old time, to seek the winged
+beast with a troop of soldiers. Not thus would he overcome him. He
+feared not for himself, nor did he dread the dragon's war-craft. For
+with his valor and his skill Beowulf had succeeded many a time. He had
+been victorious in many a tumult of battle since that day when a young
+man and a warrior prosperous in victory, he had cleansed Hart Hall by
+grappling with Grendel and his kin.
+
+And now when the great iron shield was ready, he chose eleven of his
+best thanes and set out to seek the dragon. Very wrathful was the old
+King, very desirous that death should take his fiery foe. He hoped,
+too, to win the great treasure of gold which the fell beast guarded.
+For already Beowulf had learned whence the feud arose, whence came the
+anger which had been so hurtful to his people. And the precious cup,
+the cause of all the quarrel, had been brought to him.
+
+With the band of warriors went the slave who had stolen the cup. He
+it was who must be their guide to the cave, for he alone of all
+men living knew the way thither. Loth he was to be their guide. But
+captive and bound he was forced to lead the way over the plain to the
+dragon's hill.
+
+Unwillingly he went with lagging footsteps until at length he came
+to the cave hard by the seashore. There by the sounding waves lay the
+savage guardian of the treasure. Ready for war and fierce was he. It
+was no easy battle that was there prepared for any man, brave though
+he might be.
+
+And now on the rocky point above the sea King Beowulf sat himself
+down. Here he would bid farewell to all his thanes ere he began the
+combat. For what man might tell which from that fight should come
+forth victorious?
+
+Beowulf's mind was sad. He was now old. His hair was white, his face
+was wrinkled and gray. But still his arm was strong as that of a young
+man. Yet something within him warned him that death was not far off.
+
+So upon the rocky point he sat and bade farewell to his dear comrades.
+
+"In my youth," said the aged King, "many battles have I dared, and
+yet must I, the guardian of my people, though I be full of years, seek
+still another feud. And again will I win glory if the wicked spoiler
+of my land will but come forth from his lair."
+
+Much he spoke. With loving words he bade farewell to each one of his
+men, greeting his dear comrades for the last time.
+
+"I would not bear a sword or weapon against the winged beast," he said
+at length, "if I knew how else I might grapple with the wretch, as of
+old I did with Grendel. But I ween this war-fire is hot, fierce, and
+poisonous. Therefore I have clad me in a coat of mail, and bear this
+shield all of iron. I will not flee a single step from the guardian of
+the treasure. But to us upon this rampart it shall be as fate will.
+
+"Now let me make no more vaunting speech. Ready to fight am I. Let me
+forth against the winged beast. Await ye here on the mount, clad in
+your coats of mail, your arms ready. Abide ye here until ye see which
+of us twain in safety cometh forth from the clash of battle.
+
+"It is no enterprise for you, or for any common man. It is mine alone.
+Alone I needs must go against the wretch and prove myself a warrior.
+I must with courage win the gold, or else deadly, baleful war shall
+fiercely snatch me, your lord, from life."
+
+Then Beowulf arose. He was all clad in shining armor, his gold-decked
+helmet was upon his head, and taking his shield in hand he strode
+under the stony cliffs towards the cavern's mouth. In the strength of
+his single arm he trusted against the fiery dragon.
+
+No enterprise this for a coward.
+
+
+
+
+III
+
+HOW BEOWULF OVERCAME THE DRAGON
+
+
+Beowulf left his comrades upon the rocky point jutting out into the
+sea, and alone he strode onward until he spied a great stone arch.
+From beneath the arch, from out the hillside, flowed a stream seething
+with fierce, hot fire. In this way the dragon guarded his lair, for it
+was impossible to pass such a barrier unhurt.
+
+So upon the edge of this burning river Beowulf stood and called aloud
+in anger. Stout of heart and wroth against the winged beast was he.
+
+The King's voice echoed like a war-cry through the cavern. The dragon
+heard it and was aroused to fresh hate of man. For the guardian of the
+treasure-hoard knew well the sound of mortal voice. Now was there no
+long pause ere battle raged.
+
+First from out the cavern flamed forth the breath of the winged
+beast. Hot sweat of battle rose from out the rock. The earth shook and
+growling thunder trembled through the air.
+
+The dragon, ringed around with many-colored scales, was now hot for
+battle, and, as the hideous beast crept forth, Beowulf raised his
+mighty shield and rushed against him.
+
+Already the King had drawn his sword. It was an ancient heirloom, keen
+of edge and bright. Many a time it had been dyed in blood; many a time
+it had won glory and victory.
+
+But ere they closed, the mighty foes paused. Each knew the hate and
+deadly power of the other.
+
+The mighty Prince, firm and watchful, stood guarded by his shield. The
+dragon, crouching as in ambush, awaited him.
+
+Then suddenly like a flaming arch the dragon bent and towered, and
+dashed upon the Lord of the Goths. Up swung the arm of the hero, and
+dealt a mighty blow to the grisly, many-colored beast. But the famous
+sword was all too weak against such a foe. The edge turned and bit
+less strongly than its great king had need, for he was sore pressed.
+His shield, too, proved no strong shelter from the wrathful dragon.
+
+The warlike blow made greater still the anger of the fiery foe. Now he
+belched forth flaming fire. All around fierce lightnings darted.
+
+Beowulf no longer hoped for glorious victory. His sword had failed
+him. The edge was turned and blunted upon the scaly foe. He had never
+thought the famous steel would so ill serve him. Yet he fought on
+ready to lose his life in such good contest.
+
+Again the battle paused, again the King and dragon closed in fight.
+
+The dragon-guardian of the treasure had renewed his courage. His heart
+heaved and boiled with fire, and fresh strength breathed from him.
+Beowulf was wrapped in flame. Dire was his need.
+
+Yet of all his comrades none came near to help. Nay, as they watched
+the conflict they were filled with base fear, and fled to the wood
+hard by for refuge.
+
+Only one among them sorrowed for his master, and as he watched his
+heart was wrung with grief.
+
+Wiglaf was this knight called, and he was Beowulf's kinsman. Now when
+he saw his liege lord hard pressed in battle he remembered all the
+favors Beowulf had heaped upon him. He remembered all the honors
+and the wealth which he owed to his King. Then could he no longer be
+still. Shield and spear he seized, but ere he sped to aid his King he
+turned to his comrades.
+
+"When our lord and King gave us swords and armor," he cried, "did we
+not promise to follow him in battle whenever he had need? When he of
+his own will chose us for this expedition he reminded us of our fame.
+He said he knew us to be good warriors, bold helmet-wearers. And
+although indeed our liege lord thought to do this work of valor alone,
+without us, because more than any man he hath done glorious and rash
+deeds, lo! now is the day come that hath need of strength and of good
+warriors. Come, let us go to him. Let us help our chieftain although
+the grim terror of fire be hot.
+
+"Heaven knoweth I would rather the flame would blast my body than his
+who gave me gold. It seemeth not fitting to me that we should bear
+back our shields to our homes unless we may first fell the foe and
+defend the life of our King. Nay, it is not of the old custom of the
+Goths that the King alone should suffer, that he alone should sink in
+battle. Our lord should be repaid for his gifts to us, and so he shall
+be by me even if death take us twain."
+
+But none would hearken to Wiglaf. So alone he sped through the deadly
+smoke and flame, till to his master's side he came offering aid.
+
+"My lord Beowulf," he cried, "fight on as thou didst in thy
+youth-time. Erstwhile didst thou say that thou wouldst not let thy
+greatness sink so long as life lasteth. Defend thou thy life with all
+might. I will support thee to the utmost."
+
+When the dragon heard these words his fury was doubled. The fell
+wicked beast came on again belching forth fire, such was his hatred of
+men. The flame-waves caught Wiglaf's shield, for it was but of wood.
+It was burned utterly, so that only the stud of steel remained. His
+coat of mail alone was not enough to guard the young warrior from
+the fiery enemy. But right valiantly he went on fighting beneath the
+shelter of Beowulf's shield now that his own was consumed to ashes by
+the flames.
+
+Then again the warlike King called to mind his ancient glories, again
+he struck with main strength with his good sword upon the monstrous
+head. Hate sped the blow.
+
+But alas! as it descended the famous sword Naegling snapped asunder.
+Beowulf's sword had failed him in the conflict, although it was an old
+and well-wrought blade. To him it was not granted that weapons should
+help him in battle. The hand that swung the sword was too strong. His
+might overtaxed every blade however wondrously the smith had welded
+it.
+
+And now a third time the fell fire-dragon was roused to wrath. He
+rushed upon the King. Hot, and fiercely grim the great beast seized
+Beowulf's neck in his horrid teeth. The hero's life-blood gushed
+forth, the crimson stream darkly dyed his bright armor.
+
+Then in the great King's need his warrior showed skill and courage.
+Heeding not the flames from the awful mouth, Wiglaf struck the dragon
+below the neck. His hand was burned with the fire, but his sword dived
+deep into the monster's body and from that moment the flames began to
+abate.
+
+The horrid teeth relaxed their hold, and Beowulf, quickly recovering
+himself, drew his deadly knife. Battle-sharp and keen it was, and with
+it the hero gashed the dragon right in the middle.
+
+The foe was conquered. Glowing in death he fell. They twain had
+destroyed the winged beast. Such should a warrior be, such a thane in
+need.
+
+To the King it was a victorious moment. It was the crown of all his
+deeds.
+
+Then began the wound which the fire-dragon had wrought him to burn and
+to swell. Beowulf soon found that baleful poison boiled in his heart.
+Well knew he that the end was nigh. Lost in deep thought he sat upon
+the mound and gazed wondering at the cave. Pillared and arched with
+stone-work it was within, wrought by giants and dwarfs of old time.
+
+And to him came Wiglaf his dear warrior and tenderly bathed his wound
+with water.
+
+Then spake Beowulf, in spite of his deadly wound he spake, and all his
+words were of the ending of his life, for he knew that his days of joy
+upon this earth were past.
+
+"Had a son been granted to me, to him I should have left my
+war-garments. Fifty years have I ruled this people, and there has been
+no king of all the nations round who durst meet me in battle. I have
+known joys and sorrows, but no man have I betrayed, nor many false
+oaths have I sworn. For all this may I rejoice, though I be now sick
+with mortal wounds. The Ruler of Men may not upbraid me with treachery
+or murder of kinsmen when my soul shall depart from its body.
+
+"But now, dear Wiglaf, go thou quickly to the hoard of gold which
+lieth under the hoary rock. The dragon lieth dead; now sleepeth he
+for ever, sorely wounded and bereft of his treasure. Then haste thee,
+Wiglaf, for I would see the ancient wealth, the gold treasure, the
+jewels, the curious gems. Haste thee to bring it hither; then after
+that I have seen it, I shall the more contentedly give up my life and
+the kingship that I so long have held."
+
+Quickly Wiglaf obeyed his wounded lord. Into the dark cave he
+descended, and there outspread before him was a wondrous sight.
+Treasure of jewels, many glittering and golden, lay upon the ground.
+Wondrous vessels of old time with broken ornaments were scattered
+round. Here, too, lay old and rusty helmets, mingled with bracelets
+and collars cunningly wrought.
+
+Upon the walls hung golden flags. From one a light shone forth by
+which the whole cavern was made clear. And all within was silent. No
+sign was there of any guardian, for without lay the dragon, sleeping
+death's sleep.
+
+Quickly Wiglaf gathered of the treasures all that he could carry.
+Dishes and cups he took, a golden ensign and a sword curiously
+wrought. In haste he returned, for he knew not if he should find his
+lord in life where he had left him.
+
+And when Wiglaf came again to where Beowulf sat he poured the treasure
+at his feet. But he found his lord in a deep swoon. Again the brave
+warrior bathed Beowulf's wound and laved the stricken countenance of
+his lord, until once more he came to himself.
+
+Then spake the King: "For this treasure I give thanks to the Lord of
+All. Not in vain have I given my life, for it shall be of great good
+to my people in need. And now leave me, for on this earth longer I may
+not stay. Say to my warriors that they shall raise a mound upon the
+rocky point which jutteth seaward. High shall it stand as a memorial
+to my people. Let it soar upward so that they who steer their slender
+barks over the tossing waves shall call it Beowulf's mound."
+
+The King then took from his neck the golden collar. To Wiglaf, his
+young thane and kinsman, he gave it. He gave also his helmet adorned
+with gold, his ring and coat of mail, and bade the warrior use them
+well.
+
+"Thou art the last of our race," he said. "Fate hath swept away all my
+kinsmen, all the mighty earls. Now I too must follow them."
+
+That was the last word of the aged King. From his bosom the soul fled
+to seek the dwellings of the just. At Wiglaf's feet he lay quiet and
+still.
+
+
+
+
+HOW KING ARTHUR CONQUERED ROME
+
+ADAPTED BY E. EDWARDSON
+
+
+King Arthur had just brought a great war to an end, and in honor of
+his victory he was holding a royal feast with the kings and princes
+that were his vassals and all the knights of the Round Table, when
+twelve grave and ancient men entered the banquet-hall where he sat
+at table. They bore each an olive-branch in his hand, to signify that
+they were ambassadors from Lucius the Emperor of Rome, and after they
+had reverently made obeisance to King Arthur, they delivered their
+message as follows:
+
+"The high and mighty Emperor Lucius sends you greeting, O King of
+Britain, and he commands you to acknowledge him as your lord, and
+to pay the tribute which is due from this realm, and which, it is
+recorded, was paid by your father and others who came before him.
+Yet you rebelliously withhold it and keep it back, in defiance of
+the statutes and decrees made by the first Emperor of Rome, the noble
+Julius Caesar, who conquered this country. And be assured that if you
+disobey this command, the Emperor Lucius will come in his might and
+make war against you and your kingdom, and will inflict upon you a
+chastisement that shall serve for ever as a warning to all kings and
+princes not to withhold the tribute due to that noble empire to which
+belongs dominion over the whole world."
+
+Thus they spoke, and King Arthur having heard their request, bade
+them withdraw, saying that he would take the advice of his counselors
+before giving them his answer; but some of the younger knights that
+were in the hall declared that it was a disgrace to all who were
+at the feast that such language should be used to the King in their
+hearing, and they would fain have fallen upon the ambassadors and
+slain them. But King Arthur, hearing their murmurs, declared that any
+insult or wrong suffered by the ambassadors should be punished with
+death. Then he sent them to their quarters, escorted by one of his
+knights, who was ordered to provide them with whatever they wanted.
+
+"Let nothing be grudged these men of Rome," said the King "though the
+demand they make is an affront alike to me and to you who are of my
+court. I should be dishonored were the ambassadors not treated with
+the respect due to them, seeing that they are great lords in their own
+land."
+
+As soon as the ambassadors had left the hall, King Arthur asked his
+knights and lords what was their advice and counsel in the matter. The
+first to give his opinion was Sir Cador of Cornwall.
+
+"Sir," said Sir Cador, "the message brought by these lords is most
+welcome to me. We have spent full many days at rest and in idleness,
+and now my hope is that you will wage war against the Romans. In that
+war we shall, I have little doubt, win great honor."
+
+"I am sure," answered King Arthur, "that this affair is welcome to
+you, but I seek, above all, your aid in devising a grave and suitable
+answer to the demand they have made. And let no man doubt that I hold
+that demand to be a grievous insult. The tribute they claim, in my
+opinion, not only is not due, but cannot be due; for more than one
+British knight having been Emperor of Rome, it is, I hold, the duty of
+Rome to acknowledge the lordship of Britain, rather than of Britain to
+acknowledge that of Rome. What think ye?"
+
+"Sir," replied King Anguish of Scotland, "you ought of right to be
+lord over all other kings, for throughout Christendom there is neither
+knight nor man of high estate worthy to be compared with you. My
+advice is, never yield to the Romans. When they reigned over us, they
+oppressed our principal men, and laid heavy and extortionate burdens
+upon the land. For that cause I, standing here, solemnly vow vengeance
+upon them for the evil they then did, and, to support you in your
+quarrel, I will at my own cost furnish twenty thousand good fighting
+men. This force I will command in person, and I will bring it to your
+aid whenever you choose to summon me."
+
+In like manner, the King of Little Britain, as Brittany was called
+in those days, undertook to furnish thirty thousand men; and all the
+others who were present agreed to fight on King Arthur's side, and to
+assist him to the utmost of their power. So he, having thanked
+them heartily for the courage and good will towards him that they
+displayed, had the ambassadors summoned back into the banquet-hall and
+addressed them thus:
+
+"I would have you go back to him who sent you, and I would have you
+say to him that I will pay no heed to any orders or demands that may
+be brought from him; and as for tribute so far am I from allowing
+that there is any tribute due from me or to any other man or prince
+upon earth, be he heathen or Christian, that I claim lordship over
+the empire he now has. And say further to him, that I have determined
+and resolved to go to Rome with my army, to take possession of the
+empire and to subdue all that behave themselves rebelliously.
+Therefore, let your master and all the other men of Rome get
+themselves ready to do homage to me, and to acknowledge me as their
+emperor and governor, and let them know that if they refuse, they
+will be punished befittingly."
+
+Then King Arthur bade his treasurer give handsome gifts to the
+ambassadors, and repay in full the cost of their journey, and he
+assigned Sir Cador as their escort to see them safely out of the
+country. So they took their leave, and going to Sandwich, sailed
+thence, and passed through Flanders and Germany over the Alps into
+Italy to the court of the Emperor.
+
+When the Emperor heard what message King Arthur had entrusted to
+them, and understood that this was indeed the reply to his demand for
+tribute, he was grievously angry.
+
+"Of truth," he said, "I never doubted that King Arthur would obey my
+commands and submit, as it befits him and all other kings to submit
+themselves to me."
+
+"Sir," answered one of the ambassadors, "I beseech you not to speak
+thus boastfully. In very truth my companions and myself were dismayed
+when we saw King Arthur face to face, and my fear is that you have
+made a rod for your own back, for his intention is to become lord over
+this empire. His threats, I warn you, are no idle talk. He is a very
+different man from what you hoped he was, and his court is the most
+noble upon earth. Never had any one of us beheld such magnificence
+as we beheld there on New Year's Day, when nine kings, besides other
+princes, lords, and knights, sat at table with King Arthur. Nor do
+I believe that there could be found anywhere another band of knights
+worthy to be matched with the knights who sit at his Round Table, nor
+a more manly man than the King himself. And since I verily believe
+his ambition is such that he would not be satisfied though he had
+conquered the whole world, my advice is that you have careful watch
+kept upon the borders of your lands and upon the ways over the
+mountains, for I am certain that you would do wisely to guard yourself
+well against him."
+
+"Well," answered Lucius, "my intention is before Easter to cross the
+Alps and to descend into France and seize the lands that belong to
+him there. With me I shall take my mighty warriors from Tuscany and
+Lombardy, and all the subjects and allies I have shall be summoned to
+my aid."
+
+Then the Emperor picked out wise old knights and sent them east and
+west throughout Asia, Africa, and Europe, to summon his allies from
+Turkey, Syria, Portugal, and the other distant lands that were subject
+to him; and in the meantime he assembled his forces from Rome,
+and from the countries between Rome and Flanders, and he collected
+together as his bodyguard fifty giants who were sons of evil spirits.
+Putting himself at the head of this mighty host, Lucius departed from
+Rome, and marching through Savoy, crossed the mountains, meaning to
+lay waste the lands King Arthur had conquered. He besieged and took
+a castle near Cologne, which he garrisoned with Saracens and
+unbelievers. Then he passed on, plundering and pillaging the country,
+till he entered Burgundy, where he halted to collect the whole of
+his army before invading and laying utterly waste the land of Little
+Britain.
+
+In the meantime preparations were being made on the side of the
+British. A parliament was held at York, and there it was resolved that
+all the navy of the kingdom should be got ready and assembled
+within fifteen days at Sandwich. Sir Baudewaine of Britain, and Sir
+Constantine, the son of Sir Cador of Cornwall, were chosen by the King
+to be his viceroys during his absence; and to them, in the presence
+of all his lords, he confided the care of his kingdom, and he also
+entrusted to them Queen Guinevere. She, when the time drew near for
+the departure of her lord, wept and lamented so piteously that at last
+she swooned, and was carried away to her chamber by the ladies that
+attended upon her. Then King Arthur mounted his horse, and, putting
+himself at the head of his troops, made proclamation in a loud voice
+that should death befall him during this expedition, his wish was
+that Sir Constantine, who was his heir by blood, should succeed to his
+possessions and to his throne.
+
+So King Arthur and his army came to Sandwich, where they found
+awaiting them a great multitude of galleys and vessels of all sorts,
+on which they embarked and set out to sea. That night, as the King lay
+asleep in his cabin, he dreamed a marvelous dream. A dreadful dragon
+appeared, flying out of the west. Its head was all enameled with azure
+enamel. Its wings and its claws glistened like gold. Its feet were
+black as jet. Its body was sheathed in scales that shone as armor
+shines after it has been polished, and it had a very great and
+remarkable tail. Then there came a cloud out of the east. The grimmest
+beast man ever saw rode upon this cloud; it was a wild boar, roaring
+and growling so hideously that it was terrifying to hear it. The
+dragon flew down the wind like a falcon and struck at this boar; but
+it defended itself with its grisly tusks, and wounded the dragon
+in the breast so severely that its blood, pouring into the sea in
+torrents, made all the waves red. Then the dragon turned and flew
+away, and having mounted up to a great height, again swooped down
+upon the boar and fastened its claws in the beast's back. The boar
+struggled, and raged, and writhed, but all in vain. It was at the
+mercy of its foe, and so merciless was the dragon that it never
+loosened its grip till it had torn the boar limb from limb and bone
+from bone, and scattered it piecemeal upon the surface of the sea.
+
+Then King Arthur awoke, and, starting up in great dismay, sent for a
+wise man that was on board the ship and bade him interpret the dream.
+
+"Sir," the wise man said, "the dragon which you saw in your dream
+surely betokens your own self, its golden wings signifying the
+countries you have won with your sword, and its marvelous tail the
+knights of the Round Table. As for the boar that was slain, that may
+betoken either a tyrant that torments his people, or some hideous
+and abominable giant with whom you are about to fight. And the dream
+foreshadows victory for you. Therefore, though it was very dreadful,
+you should take comfort from it and be of a good heart."
+
+Before long the sailors sighted land, and the army disembarked at a
+port in Flanders, where many great lords were awaiting the arrival
+of King Arthur, as had been ordained. And to him, soon after he had
+arrived, there came a husbandman bringing grievous news. A monstrous
+giant had for years infested the country on the borders of Little
+Britain, and had slain many people and devoured such numbers of
+children that there were none left for him to prey upon. And being in
+search of victims, and coming upon the Duchess of Little Britain as
+she rode with her knights, he had laid hands upon her and carried
+her off to his den in a mountain. Five hundred men that followed the
+duchess could not rescue her, but they heard such heartrending cries
+and shrieks that they had little doubt she had been put to death.
+
+"Now," said the husbandman, "as you are a great and noble King and a
+valiant conqueror, and as this lady was wife to Sir Howel, who is your
+own cousin, take pity on her and on all of us, and avenge us upon this
+vile giant."
+
+"Alas," King Arthur replied, "this is a grievous and an evil matter.
+I would give all my kingdom to have been at hand, so that I might have
+saved that fair lady."
+
+Then he asked the husbandman whether he could show him the place where
+the giant would be found, and the man said that was easy to do, for
+there were always two fires burning outside the den he haunted. In
+that den, the husbandman believed, was stored more treasure than the
+whole realm of France contained.
+
+Then the King took Sir Kay and Sir Bedivere apart privately into his
+tent, and bade them secretly get ready their horses and armor, and his
+own, for it was his intention that night, after evensong, to set out
+on a pilgrimage to St. Michael's Mount with them, and nobody besides
+them was to accompany him. So when evening came, the King, and Sir
+Kay, and Sir Bedivere armed themselves, and taking their horses, rode
+as fast as they could to the foot of St. Michael's Mount. There the
+King alighted and bade his knights stay where they were, while he
+himself ascended the mount.
+
+He went up the hillside till he came to a huge fire. Close to it was a
+newly made grave, by which was sitting a sorrowful widow wringing
+her hands and making great lamentation. King Arthur saluted her
+courteously, and asked for whom she was weeping. She prayed him to
+speak softly, for "Yonder," said she, "is a monstrous giant that
+will come and destroy you should your voice reach his ears. Luckless
+wretch, what brings you to this mountain?" asked the widow. "Fifty
+such knights as you could not hold their ground against the monster."
+
+"Lady," he replied, "the mighty conqueror King Arthur has sent me
+as his ambassador to this giant, to inquire why he ventures thus to
+misuse and maltreat the people of the land."
+
+"A useless embassy in very truth!" she said. "Little does he care for
+King Arthur, or for any other man. Not many days have passed since
+he murdered the fairest lady in the world, the wife of Sir Howel of
+Little Britain; and had you brought with you King Arthur's own wife,
+Queen Guinevere, he would not be afraid to murder her. Yet, if you
+must needs speak with him, you will find him yonder over the crest of
+the hill."
+
+"This is a fearful warning you give me," said the King. "Yet none the
+less, believe me, will I accomplish the task that has been allotted
+me."
+
+Having climbed up to the crest of the hill, King Arthur looked down,
+and close below him he saw the giant basking at his ease by the side
+of a great fire.
+
+"Thou villain!" cried the King--"thou villain! short shall be thy life
+and shameful shall be thy death. Rise and defend yourself. My sword
+shall avenge that fair duchess whom you murdered."
+
+Starting from the ground, the giant snatched up his great iron club,
+and aiming a swinging blow at King Arthur's head, swept the crest off
+his helmet. Then the King flew at him, and they wrestled and wrestled
+till they fell, and as they struggled on the ground King Arthur again
+and again smote the giant with his dagger, and they rolled and tumbled
+down the hill till they reached the sea-beach at its foot, where Sir
+Kay and Sir Bedivere were waiting their lord's return. Rushing to his
+aid, the two knights at once set their master free, for they found
+that the giant, in whose arms he was locked, was already dead.
+
+Then King Arthur sent Sir Kay and Sir Bedivere up the hill to fetch
+the sword and shield that he had let fall and left there, and also the
+giant's iron club and cloak, and he told them they might keep whatever
+treasure they found in his den, for he desired nothing besides the
+club and the cloak. So they went and did as they were bidden, and
+brought away as much treasure as they desired.
+
+When the news of the oppressor's death was spread abroad, the people
+came in throngs to thank the King, who had delivered them; but he bade
+them rather give thanks to Heaven. Then, having distributed among
+them the treasure his knights had not needed, and having commanded Sir
+Howel to build upon the hill which the giant had haunted a chapel in
+honor of St. Michael, he returned to his army, and led it into the
+country of Champagne, where he pitched his camp in a valley.
+
+That evening two men, of whom one was the Marshal of France, came into
+the pavilion where King Arthur sat at table. They brought news that
+the Emperor was in Burgundy, burning and sacking towns and villages,
+so that, unless King Arthur came quickly to their succor, the men of
+those parts would be forced to surrender themselves and their goods to
+Rome.
+
+Hearing this, King Arthur summoned four of his knights--Sir Gawaine,
+Sir Bors, Sir Lionel, and Sir Badouine--and ordered them to go with
+all speed to the Emperor's camp, and all upon him either to leave the
+land at once or make ready for battle, since King Arthur would not
+suffer the people to be harried any longer. These four knights,
+accordingly, rode off with their followers, and before very long they
+came to a meadow, where, pitched by the side of a stream, they saw
+many stately tents, and in the middle of them one which, it was plain,
+must be the Emperor's, for above it floated a banner on which was an
+eagle.
+
+Then they halted and took counsel what it would be best to do, and it
+was agreed that the rest of the party should remain in ambush in
+the wood while Sir Gawaine and Sir Bors delivered the message they
+brought. Having heard it, the Emperor Lucius said they had better
+return and advise King Arthur to make preparations for being subdued
+by Rome and losing all his possessions. To this taunt Sir Gawaine and
+Sir Bors made angry replies, whereupon Sir Gainus, a knight who was
+near of kin to the Emperor, laughed, and said that British knights
+behaved as if the whole world rested on their shoulders. Sir Gawaine
+was infuriated beyond all measure by these words, and he and Sir Bors
+fled as fast as their horses could put legs to the ground, dashing
+headlong through woods and across streams, till they came to the spot
+where they had left their comrades in ambush.
+
+The Romans followed in hot pursuit, and pressed them hard all the way.
+One knight, indeed, had almost overtaken them, when Sir Bors turned
+and ran him through with his spear. Then Sir Lionel and Sir Badouine
+came to their assistance, and there was a great and fierce encounter,
+and such was the bravery of the British that they routed the Romans
+and chased them right up to their tents. There the enemy made a stand,
+and Sir Bors was taken prisoner; but Sir Gawaine, drawing his good
+sword, vowed that he would either rescue his comrade or never look
+King Arthur in the face again, and falling upon the men that had
+captured Sir Bors, he delivered him out of their hands.
+
+Then the fight waxed hotter and hotter, and the British knights were
+in such jeopardy that Sir Gawaine dispatched a messenger to bring him
+help as quickly as it could be sent, for he was wounded and sorely
+hurt. King Arthur, having received the message, instantly mustered his
+army; but before he could set out, into the camp rode Sir Gawaine and
+his companions, bringing with them many prisoners. And the only one
+of the band who had suffered any hurt was Sir Gawaine, whom the king
+consoled as best he could, bidding his surgeon at once attend to his
+wounds.
+
+Thus ended the first battle between the Britons and the Romans. That
+night there was great rejoicing in the camp of King Arthur; and on the
+next day all the prisoners were sent to Paris, with Sir Launcelot du
+Lake and Sir Cador, and many other knights to guard them. On the way,
+passing through a wood, they were beset by a force the Emperor Lucius
+had placed there in ambush. Then Sir Launcelot, though the enemy had
+six men for every one he had with him, fought with such fury that no
+one could stand up against him; and at last, in dread of his prowess
+and might, the Romans and their allies the Saracens turned and fled as
+though they had been sheep and Sir Launcelot a wolf or a lion. But
+the skirmish had lasted so long that tidings of it had reached King
+Arthur, who arrayed himself and hurried to the aid of his knights.
+Finding them already victorious, he embraced them one by one, saying
+that they were indeed worthy of whatever honors had been granted them
+in the past, and that no other king had ever had such noble knights as
+he had.
+
+To this Sir Cador answered that they might one and all claim at least
+the merit of not having deserted their posts, but that the honor of
+the day belonged to Sir Launcelot, for it passed man's wit to describe
+all the feats of arms he had performed. Then Sir Cador told the King
+that certain of his knights were slain, and who they were, whereupon
+King Arthur wept bitterly.
+
+"Truly," he said, "your valor nearly was the destruction of you all.
+Yet you would not have been disgraced in my eyes had you retreated.
+To me it seems a rash and foolhardy thing for knights to stand their
+ground when they find themselves overmatched."
+
+"Nay," replied Sir Launcelot, "I think otherwise; for a knight who has
+once been put to shame may never recover the honor he has forfeited."
+
+There was among the Romans who escaped from that battle a senator.
+He went to the Emperor Lucius and said, "Sir, my advice is that you
+withdraw your army, for this day has proved that grievous blows are
+all we shall win here. There is not one of King Arthur's knights that
+has not proved himself worth a hundred of ours."
+
+"Alas," cried Lucius, "that is coward's talk and to hear it grieves me
+more than all the losses I have sustained this day."
+
+Then he ordered one of his most trusty allies to take a great
+force and advance as fast as he possibly could, the Emperor himself
+intending to follow in all haste. Warning of this having been brought
+secretly to the British camp, King Arthur sent part of his forces
+to Sessoigne to occupy the towns and castles before the Romans could
+reach him. The rest he posted up and down the country, so as to cut
+off every way by which the enemy might escape.
+
+Before long the Emperor entered the valley of Sessoigne, and found
+himself face to face with King Arthur's men, drawn up in battle
+array. Seeing that retreat was impossible--for he was hemmed in by his
+enemies, and had either to fight his way through them or surrender--he
+made an oration to his followers, praying them to quit themselves like
+men that day, and to remember that to allow the Britons to hold their
+ground would bring disgrace upon Rome, the mistress of the world.
+
+Then, at the Emperor's command, his trumpeters sounded their trumpets
+so defiantly that the very earth trembled and shook; and the two hosts
+joined battle, rushing at one another with mighty shouts. Many knights
+fought nobly that day, but none more nobly than King Arthur. Riding up
+and down the battle-field, he exhorted his knights to bear themselves
+bravely; and wherever the fray was thickest, and his people most
+sorely pressed, he dashed to the rescue and hewed down the Romans with
+his good sword Excalibur. Among those he slew was a marvelous great
+giant called Galapus. First of all, King Arthur smote off this giant's
+legs by the knees, saying that made him a more convenient size to deal
+with, and then he smote off his head. Such was the hugeness of the
+body of Galapus, that, as it fell, it crushed six Saracens to death.
+
+But though King Arthur fought thus fiercely, and Sir Gawaine and all
+the other knights of the Round Table did nobly, the host of their
+enemies was so great that it seemed as if the battle would never come
+to an end, the Britons having the advantage at one moment and the
+Romans at another.
+
+Now, among the Romans, no man fought more bravely than the Emperor
+Lucius. King Arthur, spying the marvelous feats of arms he performed,
+rode up and challenged him to a single combat. They exchanged many a
+mighty blow, and at last Lucius struck King Arthur across the face,
+and inflicted a grievous wound. Feeling the smart of it, King Arthur
+dealt back such a stroke that his sword Excalibur clove the Emperor's
+helmet in half, and splitting his skull, passed right down to his
+breast-bone.
+
+Thus Lucius, the Emperor of the Romans, lost his life; and when it
+was known that he was slain, his whole army turned and fled, and King
+Arthur and his knights chased them, slaying all they could overtake.
+Of the host that followed Lucius, more than a hundred thousand men
+fell that day.
+
+King Arthur, after he had won the great battle in which the Emperor
+Lucius was slain, marched into Lorraine, and so on through Brabant
+and Flanders into Germany, and across the mountains into Lombardy, and
+thence into Tuscany, and at last came to Rome, and on Christmas Day he
+was crowned emperor by the Pope with great state and solemnity. And
+he stayed in Rome a little while, setting in order the affairs of
+his possession, and distributing among his knights posts of honor and
+dignity, and also great estates, as rewards for their services.
+
+After these affairs had been duly arranged, all the British lords and
+knights assembled in the presence of the King, and said to him:
+
+"Noble Emperor, now that, Heaven be thanked for it, this great war is
+over, and your enemies so utterly vanquished that henceforward, as we
+believe, no man, however great or mighty he may be, will dare to stand
+up against you, we beseech you to grant us leave to return to our
+wives and our homes, that there we may rest ourselves."
+
+This request King Arthur granted, saying that it would be wise, seeing
+they had met with such good fortune so far, to be content with it and
+to return home. Also he gave orders that there should be no plundering
+or pillaging of the country through which they had to pass on their
+way back, but that they should, on pain of death, pay the full price
+for victuals or whatever else they took.
+
+So King Arthur and his host set off from Rome and came over the sea
+and landed at Sandwich, where Queen Guinevere came to meet her lord.
+And at Sandwich and throughout the land there were great festivities,
+and noble gifts were presented to the King; for his people rejoiced
+mightily both because he had returned safely home, and because of the
+great victories he had achieved.
+
+
+
+
+SIR GALAHAD AND THE SACRED CUP
+
+ADAPTED BY MARY MACGREGOR
+
+
+  "My strength is as the strength of ten,
+  Because my heart is pure,"
+
+sang Galahad gladly. He was only a boy, but he had just been made a
+knight by Sir Lancelot, and the old abbey, where he had lived all his
+life, rang with the echo of his song.
+
+Sir Lancelot heard the boy's clear voice singing in triumph. As he
+stopped to listen, he caught the words,
+
+  "My strength is as the strength of ten,
+  Because my heart is pure,"
+
+and the great knight wished he were a boy again, and could sing that
+song too.
+
+[Illustration: SIR GALAHAD.]
+
+Twelve nuns lived in the quiet abbey, and they had taught Galahad
+lovingly and carefully, ever since he had come to them as a beautiful
+little child. And the boy had dwelt happily with them there in the
+still old abbey, and he would be sorry to leave them, but he was a
+knight now. He would fight for the King he reverenced so greatly, and
+for the country he loved so well.
+
+Yet when Sir Lancelot left the abbey the next day, Galahad did not go
+with him. He would stay in his old home a little longer, he thought.
+He would not grieve the nuns by a hurried farewell.
+
+Sir Lancelot left the abbey alone, but as he rode along he met two
+knights, and together they reached Camelot, where the King was holding
+a great festival.
+
+King Arthur welcomed Sir Lancelot and the two knights. "Now all the
+seats at our table will be filled," he said gladly. For it pleased the
+King when the circle of his knights was unbroken.
+
+Then all the King's household went to service at the minster, and when
+they came back to the palace they saw a strange sight.
+
+In the dining-hall the Round Table at which the King and his knights
+always sat seemed strangely bright.
+
+The King looked more closely, and saw that at one place on this
+Round Table were large letters. And he read, "This is the seat of
+Sir Galahad, the Pure-hearted." But only Sir Lancelot knew that Sir
+Galahad was the boy-knight he had left behind him in the quiet old
+abbey.
+
+"We will cover the letters till the Knight of the Pure Heart comes,"
+said Sir Lancelot; and he took silk and laid it over the glittering
+letters.
+
+Then as they sat down to table they were disturbed by Sir Kay, the
+steward of the King's kitchen.
+
+"You do not sit down to eat at this festival," Sir Kay reminded the
+King, "till you have seen or heard some great adventure." And the
+King told his steward that the writing in gold had made him forget his
+usual custom.
+
+As they waited a squire came hastily into the hall. "I have a strange
+tale to tell," he said. "As I walked along the bank of the river I saw
+a great stone, and it floated on the top of the water, and into the
+stone there has been thrust a sword."
+
+Then the King and all his knights went down to the river, and they
+saw the stone, and it was like red marble. And the sword that had
+been thrust into the stone was strong and fair. The handle of it was
+studded with precious stones, and among the stones there were letters
+of gold.
+
+The King stepped forward, and bending over the sword read these
+words: "No one shall take me away save him to whom I belong. I will
+hang only by the side of the best knight in the world."
+
+The King turned to Sir Lancelot. "The sword is yours, for surely there
+lives no truer knight."
+
+But Sir Lancelot answered gravely, "The sword is not mine. It will
+never hang by my side, for I dare not try to take it."
+
+The King was sorry that his great knight's courage failed, but he
+turned to Sir Gawaine and asked him to try to take the sword.
+
+And at first Sir Gawaine hesitated. But when he looked again at the
+precious stones that sparkled on the handle, he hesitated no longer.
+But he no sooner touched the sword than it wounded him, so that he
+could not use his arm for many days.
+
+Then the King turned to Sir Percivale. And because Arthur wished it,
+Sir Percivale tried to take the sword; but he could not move it. And
+after that no other knight dared to touch the fair sword; so they
+turned and went back to the palace.
+
+In the dining-hall the King and his knights sat down once more at the
+Round Table, and each knight knew his own chair. And all the seats
+were filled except the chair opposite the writing in gold.
+
+It had been a day full of surprise, but now the most wonderful thing
+of all happened. For as they sat down, suddenly all the doors of the
+palace shut with a loud noise, but no one had touched the doors. And
+all the windows were softly closed, but no one saw the hands that
+closed them.
+
+Then one of the doors opened, and there came in a very old man dressed
+all in white, and no one knew whence he came.
+
+By his side was a young man in red armor. He had neither sword nor
+shield, but hanging by his side was an empty sheath.
+
+There was a great silence in the hall as the old man said, slowly and
+solemnly, "I bring you the young knight Sir Galahad, who is descended
+from a king. He shall do many great deeds, and he shall see the Holy
+Grail."
+
+"He shall see the Holy Grail," the knights repeated, with awe on their
+faces.
+
+For far back, in the days of their boyhood, they had heard the story
+of the Holy Grail. It was the Sacred Cup out of which their Lord had
+drunk before He died.
+
+And they had been told how sometimes it was seen carried by angels,
+and how at other times in a gleam of light. But in whatever way it
+appeared, it was seen only by those who were pure in heart.
+
+And as the old man's words, "He shall see the Holy Grail," fell on
+their ears, the knights thought of the story they had heard so long
+ago, and they were sorry, for they had never seen the Sacred Cup, and
+they knew that it was unseen only by those who had done wrong.
+
+But the old man was telling the boy-knight to follow him. He led
+him to the empty chair, and lifted the silk that covered the golden
+letters. "This is the seat of Sir Galahad, the Pure-hearted," he read
+aloud. And the young knight sat in the empty seat that belonged to
+him.
+
+Then the old man left the palace, and twenty noble squires met him,
+and took him back to his own country.
+
+When dinner was ended, the King went over to the chair where his
+boy-knight sat, and welcomed him to the circle of the Round Table.
+Afterwards he took Sir Galahad's hand, and led him out of the palace
+to show him the strange red stone that floated on the river. When
+Sir Galahad heard how the knights could not draw the sword out of the
+stone, he knew that this adventure was his.
+
+"I will try to take the sword," said the boy-knight, "and place it in
+my sheath, for it is empty," and he pointed to his side. Then he laid
+his hand on the wonderful sword, and easily drew it out of the stone,
+and placed it in his sheath.
+
+"God has sent you the sword, now He will send you a shield as well,"
+said King Arthur.
+
+Then the King proclaimed that the next day there would be a tournament
+in the meadows of Camelot. For before his knights went out to new
+adventures, he would see Sir Galahad proved.
+
+And in the morning the meadows lay bright in the sunshine. And the
+boy-knight rode bravely to his first combat, and over-threw many men;
+but Sir Lancelot and Sir Percivale he could not overthrow.
+
+When the tournament was over the King and his knights went home to
+supper, and each sat in his own seat at the Round Table.
+
+All at once there was a loud crashing noise, a noise that was louder
+than any peal of thunder. Was the King's wonderful palace falling to
+pieces?
+
+But while the noise still sounded a marvelous light stole into the
+room, a light brighter than any sunbeam.
+
+As the knights looked at one another, each seemed to the other to have
+a new glory and a new beauty in his face.
+
+And down the sunbeam glided the Holy Grail. It was the Sacred Cup they
+had all longed to see. But no one saw it, for it was invisible to all
+but the pure-hearted Sir Galahad.
+
+As the strange light faded away, King Arthur heard his knights vowing
+that they would go in search of the Holy Grail, and never give up the
+quest till they had found it.
+
+And the boy-knight knew that he too would go over land and sea, till
+he saw again the wonderful vision.
+
+That night the King could not sleep, for his sorrow was great. His
+knights would wander into far-off countries, and many of them would
+forget that they were in search of the Holy Grail. Would they not have
+found the Sacred Cup one day if they had stayed with their King and
+helped to clear the country of its enemies?
+
+In the morning the streets of Camelot were crowded with rich and poor.
+And the people wept as they watched the knights ride away on their
+strange quest. And the King wept too, for he knew that now there would
+be many empty chairs at the Round Table.
+
+The knights rode together to a strange city and stayed there all
+night. The next day they separated, each going a different way.
+
+Sir Galahad rode on for four days without adventure. At last he came
+to a white abbey, where he was received very kindly. And he found two
+knights there, and one was a king.
+
+"What adventure has brought you here?" asked the boy-knight.
+
+Then they told him that in this abbey there was a shield. And if any
+man tried to carry it, he was either wounded or dead within three
+days.
+
+"But to-morrow I shall try to bear it," said the king.
+
+"In the name of God, let me take the shield," said Sir Galahad
+gravely.
+
+"If I fail, you shall try to bear it," said the king. And Galahad was
+glad, for he had still no shield of his own.
+
+Then a monk took the king and the young knight behind the altar, and
+showed them where the shield hung. It was as white as snow, but in the
+middle there was a red cross.
+
+"The shield can be borne only by the worthiest knight in the world,"
+the monk warned the king.
+
+"I will try to bear it, though I am no worthy knight," insisted the
+king; and he took the shield and rode down into the valley.
+
+And Galahad waited at the abbey, for the king had said he would send
+his squire to tell the young knight how the shield had protected him.
+
+For two miles the king rode through the valley, till he reached a
+hermitage. And he saw a warrior there, dressed in white armor, and
+sitting on a white horse.
+
+The warrior rode quickly towards the king, and struck him so hard that
+he broke his armor. Then he thrust his spear through the king's right
+shoulder, as though he held no shield.
+
+"The shield can be borne only by a peerless knight. It does not belong
+to you," said the warrior, as he gave it to the squire, telling him
+to carry it back to the abbey and to give it to Sir Galahad with his
+greeting.
+
+"Then tell me your name," said the squire.
+
+"I will tell neither you nor any one on earth," said the warrior. And
+he disappeared, and the squire saw him no more.
+
+"I will take the wounded King to an abbey, that his wounds may be
+dressed," thought the squire.
+
+And with great difficulty the King and his squire reached an abbey.
+And the monks thought his life could not be saved, but after many days
+he was cured.
+
+Then the squire rode back to the abbey where Galahad waited. "The
+warrior who wounded the King bids you bear this shield," he said.
+
+Galahad hung the shield round his neck joyfully, and rode into the
+valley to seek the warrior dressed in white.
+
+And when they met they saluted each other courteously. And the warrior
+told Sir Galahad strange tales of the white shield, till the knight
+thanked God that now it was his. And all his life long the white
+shield with the red cross was one of his great treasures.
+
+Now Galahad rode back to the abbey, and the monks were glad to see him
+again. "We have need of a pure knight," they said, as they took Sir
+Galahad to a tomb in the churchyard.
+
+A pitiful noise was heard, and a voice from the tomb cried, "Galahad,
+servant of God, do not come near me." But the young knight went
+towards the tomb and raised the stone.
+
+Then a thick smoke was seen, and through the smoke a figure uglier
+than any man leaped from the tomb, shouting, "Angels are round thee,
+Galahad, servant of God. I can do you no harm."
+
+The knight stooped down and saw a body all dressed in armor lying
+there, and a sword lay by its side.
+
+"This was a false knight," said Sir Galahad. "Let us carry his body
+away from this place."
+
+"You will stay in the abbey and live with us," entreated the monks.
+But the boy-knight could not rest. Would he see the light that was
+brighter than any sunbeam again? Would his adventures bring him at
+last to the Holy Grail?
+
+Sir Galahad rode on many days, till at last he reached a mountain. On
+the mountain he found an old chapel. It was empty and very desolate.
+Galahad knelt alone before the altar, and asked God to tell him what
+to do next.
+
+And as he prayed a voice said, "Thou brave knight, go to the Castle of
+Maidens and rescue them."
+
+Galahad rose, and gladly journeyed on to the Castle of Maidens.
+
+There he found seven knights, who long ago had seized the castle from
+a maiden to whom it belonged. And these knights had imprisoned her and
+many other maidens.
+
+When the seven knights saw Sir Galahad they came out of the castle.
+"We will take this young knight captive, and keep him in prison," they
+said to each other, as they fell upon him.
+
+But Sir Galahad smote the first knight to the ground, so that he
+almost broke his neck. And as his wonderful sword flashed in the
+light, sudden fear fell on the six knights that were left and they
+turned and fled.
+
+Then an old man took the keys of the castle to Galahad. And the knight
+opened the gates of the castle, and set free many prisoners. He gave
+the castle back to the maiden to whom it belonged, and sent for all
+the knights in the country round about to do her homage.
+
+Then once again Sir Galahad rode on in search of the Holy Grail. And
+the way seemed long, yet on and on he rode, till at last he reached
+the sea.
+
+There, on the shore, stood a maiden, and when she saw Sir Galahad, she
+led him to a ship and told him to enter.
+
+The wind rose and drove the ship, with Sir Galahad on board, between
+two rocks. But when the ship could not pass that way, the knight left
+it, and entered a smaller one that awaited him.
+
+In this ship was a table, and on the table, covered with a red cloth,
+was the Holy Grail. Reverently Sir Galahad sank on his knees. But
+still the Sacred Cup was covered.
+
+At last the ship reached a strange city, and on the shore sat a
+crippled man. Sir Galahad asked his help to lift the table from the
+ship.
+
+"For ten years I have not walked without crutches," said the man.
+
+"Show that you are willing, and come to me," urged the knight.
+
+And the cripple got up, and when he found that he was cured, he ran
+to Sir Galahad, and together they carried the wonderful table to the
+shore.
+
+Then all the city was astonished, and the people talked only of the
+great marvel. "The man that was a cripple for ten years can walk,"
+each said to the other.
+
+The king of the city heard the wonderful tale, but he was a cruel king
+and a tyrant. "The knight is not a good man," he said to his people,
+and he commanded that Galahad should be put in prison. And the prison
+was underneath the palace, and it was dark and cold there.
+
+But down into the darkness streamed the light that had made Galahad so
+glad long ago at Camelot. And in the light Galahad saw the Holy Grail.
+
+A year passed and the cruel king was very ill, and he thought he would
+die. Then he remembered the knight he had treated so unkindly, and who
+was still in the dark, cold prison. "I will send for him, and ask him
+to forgive me," murmured the king.
+
+And when Galahad was brought to the palace, he willingly forgave the
+tyrant who had put him in prison.
+
+Then the king died, and there was great dismay in the city, for where
+would they find a good ruler to sit on the throne?
+
+As they wondered, they heard a voice that told them to make Sir
+Galahad their king, and in great joy the knight was crowned.
+
+Then the new king ordered a box of gold and precious stones to be
+made, and in this box he placed the wonderful table he had carried
+away from the ship. "And every morning I and my people will come here
+to pray," he said.
+
+For a year Sir Galahad ruled the country well and wisely.
+
+"A year ago they crowned me king," thought Galahad gravely, as he woke
+one morning. He would get up early, and go to pray at the precious
+table.
+
+But before the king reached the table he paused. It was early. Surely
+all the city was asleep. Yet some one was already there, kneeling
+before the table on which, uncovered, stood the Sacred Cup.
+
+The man kneeling there looked holy as the saints look. Surrounding him
+was a circle of angels. Was it a saint who kneeled, or was it the Lord
+Himself?
+
+When the man saw Sir Galahad, he said, "Come near, thou servant of
+Jesus Christ, and thou shalt see what thou hast so much longed to
+see."
+
+And with joy Sir Galahad saw again the Holy Grail. Then as he kneeled
+before it in prayer, his soul left his body and was carried into
+heaven.
+
+
+
+
+THE PASSING OF ARTHUR
+
+ADAPTED BY MARY MACGREGOR
+
+
+It was not to win renown that King Arthur had gone far across the sea,
+for he loved his own country so well, that to gain glory at home made
+him happiest of all.
+
+But a false knight with his followers was laying waste the country
+across the sea, and Arthur had gone to wage war against him.
+
+"And you, Sir Modred, will rule the country while I am gone," the King
+had said. And the knight smiled as he thought of the power that would
+be his.
+
+At first the people missed their great King Arthur, but as the months
+passed they began to forget him, and to talk only of Sir Modred and
+his ways.
+
+And he, that he might gain the people's praise, made easier laws than
+ever Arthur had done, till by and by there were many in the country
+who wished that the King would never come back.
+
+When Modred knew what the people wished, he was glad, and he made up
+his mind to do a cruel deed.
+
+He would cause letters to be written from beyond the sea, and the
+letters would tell that the great King Arthur had been slain in
+battle.
+
+And when the letters came the people read, "King Arthur is dead," and
+they believed the news was true.
+
+And there were some who wept because the noble King was slain, but
+some had no time to weep. "We must find a new king," they said. And
+because his laws were easy, these chose Sir Modred to rule over them.
+
+The wicked knight was pleased that the people wished him to be their
+king. "They shall take me to Canterbury to crown me," he said proudly.
+And the nobles took him there, and amid shouts and rejoicings he was
+crowned.
+
+But it was not very long till other letters came from across the sea,
+saying that King Arthur had not been slain, and that he was coming
+back to rule over his own country once more.
+
+When Sir Modred heard that King Arthur was on his way home, he
+collected a great army and went to Dover to try to keep the King from
+landing.
+
+But no army would have been strong enough to keep Arthur and his
+knights away from the country they loved so well. They fought fiercely
+till they got on shore and scattered all Sir Modred's men.
+
+Then the knight gathered another army, and chose a new battle-field.
+
+But King Arthur fought so bravely that he and his men were again
+victorious, and Sir Modred fled to Canterbury.
+
+Many of the people began to forsake the false knight now, and saying
+that he was a traitor, they went back to King Arthur.
+
+But still Sir Modred wished to conquer the King. He would go through
+the counties of Kent and Surrey and raise a new army.
+
+Now King Arthur had dreamed that if he fought with Sir Modred again
+he would be slain. So when he heard that the knight had raised another
+army, he thought, "I will meet this traitor who has betrayed me.
+When he looks in my face, he will be ashamed and remember his vow of
+obedience."
+
+And he sent two bishops to Sir Modred. "Say to the knight that the
+King would speak with him alone," said Arthur.
+
+And the traitor thought, "The King wishes to give me gold or great
+power, if I send my army away without fighting," "I will meet King
+Arthur," he said to the bishops.
+
+But because he did not altogether trust the King he said he would take
+fourteen men with him to the meeting-place, "and the King must have
+fourteen men with him too," said Sir Modred. "And our armies shall
+keep watch when we meet, and if a sword is lifted it shall be the
+signal for battle."
+
+Then King Arthur arranged a feast for Sir Modred and his men. And as
+they feasted all went merrily till an adder glided out of a little
+bush and stung one of the knight's men. And the pain was so great,
+that the man quickly drew his sword to kill the adder.
+
+And when the armies saw the sword flash in the light, they sprang to
+their feet and began to fight, "for this is the signal for battle,"
+they thought.
+
+And when evening came there were many thousand slain and wounded, and
+Sir Modred was left alone. But Arthur had still two knights with him,
+Sir Lucan and Sir Bedivere.
+
+When King Arthur saw that his army was lost and all his knights slain
+but two, he said, "Would to God I could find Sir Modred, who has
+caused all this trouble."
+
+"He is yonder," said Sir Lucan, "but remember your dream, and go not
+near him."
+
+"Whether I die or live," said the King, "he shall not escape." And
+seizing his spear he ran to Sir Modred, crying, "Now you shall die."
+
+And Arthur smote him under the shield, and the spear passed through
+his body, and he died.
+
+Then, wounded and exhausted, the King fainted, and his knights lifted
+him and took him to a little chapel not far from a lake.
+
+As the King lay there, he heard cries of fear and pain from the
+distant battle-field.
+
+"What causes these cries?" said the King wearily. And to soothe the
+sick King, Sir Lucan said he would go to see.
+
+And when he reached the battle-field, he saw in the moonlight that
+robbers were on the field stooping over the slain, and taking from
+them their rings and their gold. And those that were only wounded, the
+robbers slew, that they might take their jewels too.
+
+Sir Lucan hastened back, and told the King what he had seen.
+
+"We will carry you farther off, lest the robbers find us here,"
+said the knights. And Sir Lucan lifted the King on one side and Sir
+Bedivere lifted him on the other.
+
+But Sir Lucan had been wounded in the battle, and as he lifted the
+King he fell back and died.
+
+Then Arthur and Sir Bedivere wept for the fallen knight.
+
+Now the King felt so ill that he thought he would not live much
+longer, and he turned to Sir Bedivere: "Take Excalibur, my good
+sword," he said, "and go with it to the lake, and throw it into its
+waters. Then come quickly and tell me what you see."
+
+Sir Bedivere took the sword and went down to the lake. But as he
+looked at the handle with its sparkling gems and the richness of
+the sword, he thought he could not throw it away. "I will hide it
+carefully here among the rushes," thought the knight. And when he had
+hidden it, he went slowly to the King and told him he had thrown the
+sword into the lake.
+
+"What did you see?" asked the King eagerly.
+
+"Nothing but the ripple of the waves as they broke on the beach," said
+Sir Bedivere.
+
+"You have not told me the truth," said the King. "If you love me, go
+again to the lake, and throw my sword into the water."
+
+Again the knight went to the water's edge. He drew the sword from its
+hiding-place. He would do the King's will, for he loved him. But again
+the beauty of the sword made him pause. "It is a noble sword; I will
+not throw it away," he murmured, as once more he hid it among the
+rushes. Then he went back more slowly, and told the King that he had
+done his will.
+
+"What did you see?" asked the King.
+
+"Nothing but the ripples of the waves as they broke on the beach,"
+repeated the knight.
+
+"You have betrayed me twice," said the King sadly, "and yet you are
+a noble knight! Go again to the lake, and do not betray me for a rich
+sword."
+
+Then for the third time Sir Bedivere went to the water's edge, and
+drawing the sword from among the rushes, he flung it as far as he
+could into the lake.
+
+And as the knight watched, an arm and a hand appeared above the
+surface of the lake. He saw the hand seize the sword, and shaking it
+three times, disappear again under the water. Then Sir Bedivere went
+back quickly to the King, and told him what he had seen.
+
+"Carry me to the lake," entreated Arthur, "for I have been here too
+long."
+
+And the knight carried the King on his shoulders down to the water's
+side. There they found a barge lying, and seated in it were three
+queens, and each queen wore a black hood. And when they saw King
+Arthur they wept.
+
+"Lay me in the barge," said the King. And when Sir Bedivere had laid
+him there, King Arthur rested his head on the lap of the fairest
+queen. And they rowed from land.
+
+Sir Bedivere, left alone, watched the barge as it drifted out of
+sight, and then he went sorrowfully on his way, till he reached a
+hermitage. And he lived there as a hermit for the rest of his life.
+
+And the barge was rowed to a vale where the King was healed of his
+wound.
+
+And some say that now he is dead, but others say that King Arthur will
+come again, and clear the country of its foes.
+
+
+
+
+ROBIN HOOD
+
+ADAPTED BY H.E. MARSHALL
+
+
+
+
+I
+
+HOW ROBIN HOOD CAME TO LIVE IN THE GREEN WOOD
+
+
+Very many years ago there ruled over England a king, who was called
+Richard Coeur de Lion. Coeur de Lion is French and means lion-hearted.
+It seems strange that an English king should have a French name. But
+more than a hundred years before this king reigned, a French duke
+named William came to England, defeated the English in a great battle,
+and declared himself king of all that southern part of Britain called
+England.
+
+He brought with him a great many Frenchmen, or Normans, as they were
+called from the name of the part of France over which this duke ruled.
+These Normans were all poor though they were very proud and haughty.
+They came with Duke William to help him to fight because he promised
+to give them money and lands as a reward. Now Duke William had not a
+great deal of money nor many lands of his own. So when he had beaten
+the English, or Saxons, as they were called in those days, he stole
+lands and houses, money and cattle from the Saxon nobles and gave them
+to the Normans. The Saxon nobles themselves had very often to become
+the servants of these proud Normans. Thus it came about that two races
+lived in England, each speaking their own language, and each hating
+the other.
+
+This state of things lasted for a very long time. Even when Richard
+became king, more than a hundred years after the coming of Duke
+William, there was still a great deal of hatred between the two races.
+
+Richard Coeur de Lion, as his name tells you, was a brave and noble
+man. He loved danger; he loved brave men and noble deeds. He hated all
+mean and cruel acts, and the cowards who did them. He was ever ready
+to help the weak against the strong, and had he stayed in England
+after he became king he might have done much good. He might have
+taught the proud Norman nobles that true nobility rests in being kind
+and gentle to those less strong and less fortunate than ourselves, and
+not in fierceness and cruelty.
+
+Yet Richard himself was neither meek nor gentle. He was indeed very
+fierce and terrible in battle. He loved to fight with people who were
+stronger or better armed than himself. He would have been ashamed to
+hurt the weak and feeble.
+
+But Richard did not stay in England. Far, far over the seas there is
+a country called Palestine. There our Lord was born, lived, and died.
+Christian people in all ages must think tenderly and gratefully of
+that far-off country. But at this time it had fallen into the hands of
+the heathen. It seemed to Christian people in those days that it would
+be a terrible sin to allow wicked heathen to live in the Holy Land. So
+they gathered together great armies of brave men from every country in
+the world and sent them to try to win it back. Many brave deeds
+were done, many terrible battles fought, but still the heathen kept
+possession.
+
+Then brave King Richard of England said he too would fight for the
+city of our Lord. So he gathered together as much money as he could
+find, and as many brave men as would follow him, and set out for the
+Holy Land. Before he went away he called two bishops who he thought
+were good and wise men, and said to them: "Take care of England while
+I am gone. Rule my people wisely and well, and I will reward you
+when I return." The bishops promised to do as he asked. Then he said
+farewell and sailed away.
+
+Now King Richard had a brother who was called Prince John. Prince John
+was quite different from King Richard in every way. He was not at all
+a nice man. He was jealous of Richard because he was king, and angry
+because he himself had not been chosen to rule while Richard was in
+Palestine. As soon as his brother had gone, John went to the bishops
+and said, "You must let me rule while the King is away." And the
+bishops allowed him to do so. Deep down in his wicked heart John meant
+to make himself king altogether, and never let Richard come back any
+more.
+
+A very sad time now began for the Saxons. John tried to please the
+haughty Normans because they were great and powerful, and he hoped
+they would help to make him king. He thought the best way to please
+them was to give them land and money. So as he had none of his own (he
+was indeed called John Lackland) he took it from the Saxons and gave
+it to the Normans. Thus many of the Saxons once more became homeless
+beggars, and lived a wild life in the forests, which covered a great
+part of England at this time.
+
+Now among the few Saxon nobles who still remained, and who had not
+been robbed of their lands and money, there was one called Robert,
+Earl of Huntingdon. He had one son also named Robert, but people
+called him Robin. He was a favorite with every one. Tall, strong,
+handsome, and full of fun, he kept his father's house bright with
+songs and laughter. He was brave and fearless too, and there was no
+better archer in all the countryside. And with it all he was gentle
+and tender, never hurting the weak nor scorning the poor.
+
+But Robert of Huntingdon had a bitter enemy. One day this enemy came
+with many soldiers behind him, determined to kill the earl and take
+all his goods and lands. There was a fierce and terrible fight, but
+in the end Robert and all his men were killed. His house was burned
+to the ground and all his money stolen. Only Robin was saved, because
+he was such a splendid archer that no soldier would go near him,
+either to kill him or take him prisoner. He fought bravely till the
+last, but when he saw that his father was dead and his home in
+flames, he had no heart to fight any longer. So taking his bow and
+arrows, he fled to the great forest of Sherwood.
+
+Very fast he had to run, for Prince John's men were close behind him.
+Soon he reached the edge of the forest, but he did not stop there.
+On and on he went, plunging deeper and deeper under the shadow of the
+trees. At last he threw himself down beneath a great oak, burying his
+face in the cool, green grass.
+
+His heart felt hot and bitter. He was full of rage and fierce thoughts
+of revenge. Cruel men in one day had robbed him of everything. His
+father, his home, servants, cattle, land, money, his name even, all
+were gone. He was bruised, hungry, and weary. Yet as he lay pressing
+his face against the cool, green grass, and clutching the soft, damp
+moss with his hands, it was not sorrow or pain he felt, but only a
+bitter longing for revenge.
+
+[Illustration: ROBIN HOOD IN AN ENCOUNTER.]
+
+The great, solemn trees waved gently overhead in the summer breeze,
+the setting sun sent shafts of golden light into the cool, blue
+shadows, birds sang their evening songs, deer rustled softly through
+the underwood, and bright-eyed squirrels leaped noiselessly from
+branch to branch. Everywhere there was calm and peace except in poor
+Robin's angry heart.
+
+Robin loved the forest. He loved the sights and scents, and the sounds
+and deep silences of it. He felt as if it were a tender mother who
+opened her wide arms to him. Soon it comforted him, and at last the
+tears came hot and fast, and sobs shook him as he lay on the grass.
+The bitterness and anger had all melted out of his heart; only sorrow
+was left.
+
+In the dim evening light Robin knelt bareheaded on the green grass
+to say his prayers. Then, still bareheaded, he stood up and swore an
+oath. This was the oath:
+
+  "I swear to honor God and the King,
+  To help the weak and fight the strong,
+  To take from the rich and give to the poor,
+  So God will help, me with His power."
+
+Then he lay down on the grass under the trees with his good longbow
+beside him, and fell fast asleep.
+
+And this is how Robin Hood first came to live in the Green Wood and
+have all his wonderful adventures.
+
+
+
+
+II
+
+THE MEETING OF ROBIN HOOD AND LITTLE JOHN
+
+
+When Robin first came to live in Sherwood Forest he was rather sad,
+for he could not at once forget all he had lost. But he was not long
+lonely. When it became known that he had gone to live in the Green
+Wood, other poor men, who had been driven out of their homes by the
+Normans, joined him. They soon formed a band and were known as the
+"Merry Men."
+
+Robin was no longer called Robin of Huntingdon, but Robin of Sherwood
+Forest. Very soon people shortened Sherwood into Hood, though some
+people say he was called Hood from the green hoods he and his men
+wore. How he came to have his name does not matter very much. People
+almost forgot that he was really an earl, and he became known, not
+only all over England, but in many far countries, as Robin Hood.
+
+Robin was captain of the band of Merry Men. Next to him came Little
+John. He was called Little John because he was so tall, just as Midge
+the miller's son was called Much because he was so small.
+
+Robin loved Little John best of all his friends. Little John loved
+Robin better than any one else in all the world. Yet the first time
+they met they fought and knocked each other about dreadfully.
+
+  "How they came acquainted, I'll tell you in brief,
+     If you will but listen a while;
+   For this very jest, among all the rest,
+     I think it may cause you to smile."
+
+It happened on a bright sunshiny day in early spring. All through the
+winter Robin and his men had had a very dull time. Nearly all their
+fun and adventures happened with people traveling through the forest.
+As there were no trains, people had to travel on horseback. In winter
+the roads were bad, and the weather so cold and wet, that most people
+stayed at home. So it was rather a quiet time for Robin and his men.
+They lived in great caves during the winter, and spent their time
+making stores of bows and arrows, and mending their boots and clothes.
+
+This bright sunshiny morning Robin felt dull and restless, so he took
+his bow and arrows, and started off through the forest in search of
+adventure.
+
+He wandered on for some time without meeting any one. Presently he
+came to a river. It was wide and deep, swollen by the winter rains.
+It was crossed by a very slender, shaky bridge, so narrow, that if two
+people tried to pass each other on it, one would certainly fall into
+the water.
+
+Robin began to cross the bridge, before he noticed that a great, tall
+man, the very tallest man he had ever seen, was crossing too from the
+other side.
+
+"Go back and wait until I have come over," he called out as soon as he
+noticed the stranger.
+
+The stranger laughed, and called out in reply, "I have as good a right
+to the bridge as you. _You_ can go back till _I_ get across."
+
+This made Robin very angry. He was so accustomed to being obeyed that
+he was very much astonished too. Between anger and astonishment he
+hardly knew what he did.
+
+He drew an arrow from his quiver, and fitting it to his bow, called
+out again, "If you don't go back I'll shoot."
+
+"If you do, I'll beat you till you are black and blue," replied the
+stranger.
+
+  "Quoth bold Robin Hood, 'Thou dost prate like an ass,
+    For, were I to bend my bow,
+  I could send a dart quite through thy proud heart,
+    Before thou couldst strike a blow.'"
+
+"If I talk like an ass you talk like a coward," replied the stranger.
+"Do you call it fair to stand with your bow and arrow ready to shoot
+at me when I have only a stick to defend myself with? I tell you, you
+are a coward. You are afraid of the beating I would give you."
+
+Robin was not a coward, and he was not afraid. So he threw his bow and
+arrows on the bank behind him.
+
+"You are a big, boastful bully," he said. "Just wait there until I get
+a stick. I hope I may give you as good a beating as you deserve."
+
+The stranger laughed. "I won't run away; don't be afraid," he said.
+
+Robin Hood stepped to a thicket of trees and cut himself a good, thick
+oak stick. While he was doing this, he looked at the stranger, and saw
+that he was not only taller but much stronger than himself.
+
+However, that did not frighten Robin in the least. He was rather glad
+of it indeed. The stranger had said he was a coward. He meant to prove
+to him that he was not.
+
+Back he came with a fine big stick in his hand and a smile on his
+face. The idea of a real good fight had made his bad temper fly away,
+for, like King Richard, Robin Hood was rather fond of a fight.
+
+"We will fight on the bridge," said he, "and whoever first falls into
+the river has lost the battle."
+
+"All right," said the stranger. "Whatever you like. I'm not afraid."
+
+Then they fell to, with right good will.
+
+It was very difficult to fight standing on such a narrow bridge. They
+kept swaying backwards and forwards trying to keep their balance. With
+every stroke the bridge bent and trembled beneath them as if it would
+break. All the same they managed to give each other some tremendous
+blows. First Robin gave the stranger such a bang that his very bones
+seemed to ring.
+
+"Aha!" said he, "I'll give you as good as I get," and crack he went at
+Robin's crown.
+
+Bang, smash, crack, bang, they went at each other. Their blows fell
+fast and thick as if they had been threshing corn.
+
+  "The stranger gave Robin a knock on the crown,
+     Which caused the blood to appear,
+  Then Robin enraged, more fiercely engaged,
+     And followed with blows more severe.
+
+  "So thick and so fast did he lay it on him,
+     With a passionate fury and ire,
+  At every stroke he made him to smoke,
+     As if he had been all on fire."
+
+When Robin's blows came so fast and furious, the stranger felt he
+could not stand it much longer. Gathering all his strength, with one
+mighty blow he sent Robin backwards, right into the river. Head over
+heels he went, and disappeared under the water.
+
+The stranger very nearly fell in after him. He was so astonished at
+Robin's sudden disappearance that he could not think for a minute or
+two where he had vanished to. He knelt down on the bridge, and stared
+into the water. "Hallo, my good man," he called. "Hallo, where are
+you?"
+
+He thought he had drowned Robin, and he had not meant to do that. All
+the same he could not help laughing. Robin had looked so funny as he
+tumbled into the water.
+
+"I'm here," called Robin, from far down the river. "I'm all right. I'm
+just swimming with the tide."
+
+The current was very strong and had carried him down the river a good
+way. He was, however, gradually making for the bank. Soon he caught
+hold of the overhanging branches of a tree and pulled himself out. The
+stranger came running to help him too.
+
+"You are not an easy man to beat or to drown either," he said with a
+laugh, as he helped Robin on to dry land again.
+
+"Well," said Robin, laughing too, "I must own that you are a brave man
+and a good fighter. It was a fair fight, and you have won the battle.
+I don't want to quarrel with you any more. Will you shake hands and be
+friends with me?"
+
+"With all my heart," said the stranger. "It is a long time since I
+have met any one who could use a stick as you can."
+
+So they shook hands like the best of friends, and quite forgot that a
+few minutes before they had been banging and battering each other as
+hard as they could.
+
+Then Robin put his bugle-horn to his mouth, and blew a loud, loud
+blast.
+
+  "The echoes of which through the valleys did ring,
+     At which his stout bowmen appeared,
+   And clothed in green, most gay to be seen,
+     So up to their master they steered."
+
+When the stranger saw all these fine men, dressed in green, and
+carrying bows and arrows, come running to Robin he was very much
+astonished. "O master dear, what has happened?" cried Will Stutely,
+the leader, as he ran up. "You have a great cut in your forehead,
+and you are soaked through and through," he added, laying his hand on
+Robin's arm.
+
+"It is nothing," laughed Robin. "This young fellow and I have been
+having a fight. He cracked my crown and then tumbled me into the
+river."
+
+When they heard that, Robin's men were very angry. "If he has tumbled
+our master into the river, we will tumble him in," said they; "we will
+see how he likes that." And they seized him, and would have dragged
+him to the water to drown him, but Robin called out, "Stop, stop!
+it was a fair fight. He is a brave man, and we are very good friends
+now."
+
+Then turning to the stranger, Robin bowed politely to him, saying, "I
+beg you to forgive my men. They will not harm you now they know that
+you are my friend, for I am Robin Hood."
+
+The stranger was very much astonished when he heard that he had
+actually been fighting with bold Robin Hood, of whom he had heard so
+many tales.
+
+"If you will come and live with me and my Merry Men," went on Robin,
+"I will give you a suit of Lincoln green. I will teach you how to use
+bow and arrows as well as you use your good stick."
+
+"I should like nothing better," replied the stranger. "My name is John
+Little, and I promise to serve you faithfully."
+
+"John Little!" said Will Stutely laughing. "John Little! what a name
+for a man that height! John Little! why he is seven feet tall if he is
+an inch!"
+
+Will laughed and laughed, till the tears ran down his face. He thought
+it was such a funny name for so big a man.
+
+Robin laughed because Will laughed. Then John Little laughed because
+Robin laughed. Soon they were all laughing as hard as they could. The
+wind carried the sound of it away, till the folk in the villages round
+about said, "Hark! how Robin Hood and his Merry Men do laugh!"
+
+"Well," said Robin at last, "I have heard it said, 'Laugh and grow
+fat,' but if we don't get some dinner soon I think we will all grow
+very lean. Come along, my little John, I'm sure you must be hungry
+too."
+
+"Little John," said Will Stutely, "that's the very name for him. We
+must christen him again, and I will be his godfather."
+
+Back to their forest home they all went, laughing and talking as
+merrily as possible, taking John Little along with them. Dinner
+was waiting for them when they arrived. The head cook was looking
+anxiously through the trees, saying, "I do wish Master Robin would
+come, or the roast venison will be too much cooked and the rabbits
+will be stewed to rags."
+
+Just at that moment they appeared. The cook was struck dumb at the
+sight of the giant, stalking along beside Robin. "Where has master
+gotten that Maypole?" he said, laughing to himself, as he ran away to
+dish the dinner.
+
+They had a very merry dinner. Robin found that John was not only a
+good fighter but that he had a wise head and a witty tongue. He was
+more and more delighted with his new companion.
+
+But Will and the others had not forgotten that he was to be christened
+again. Seven of them came behind him, and in spite of all his kicking
+and struggling wrapped him up in a long, green cloak, pretending he
+was a baby.
+
+It was a very noisy christening. The men all shouted and laughed. John
+Little laughed and screamed in turn, and kicked and struggled all the
+time.
+
+"Hush, baby, hush," they said. But the seven-foot baby wouldn't hush.
+
+Then Will stepped up beside him and began to speak.
+
+  "This infant was called John Little, quoth he,
+    Which name shall be changed anon,
+  The words we'll transpose, so wherever he goes,
+    His name shall be called Little John."
+
+They had some buckets of water ready. These they poured over poor
+Little John till he was as wet as Robin had been after he fell into
+the river. The men roared with laughter. Little John looked so funny
+as he rolled about on the grass, trying to get out of his long, wet,
+green robe. He looked just like a huge green caterpillar.
+
+Robin laughed as much as any one. At last he said, "Now, Will, don't
+you think that is enough?"
+
+"Not a bit," said Will. "You wouldn't let us duck him in the river
+when we had him there so we have brought the river to him."
+
+At last all the buckets were empty, and the christening was over. Then
+all the men stood round in a ring and gave three cheers for Little
+John, Robin's new man.
+
+  "Then Robin he took the sweet pretty babe,
+     And clothed him from top to toe
+   In garments of green, most gay to be seen,
+     And gave him a curious longbow."
+
+After that they sang, danced and played the whole afternoon. Then when
+the sun sank and the long, cool shadows fell across the grass they all
+said "good night" and went off into their caves to sleep.
+
+From that day Little John always lived with Robin. They became very,
+very great friends and Little John was next to Robin in command of the
+men.
+
+  "And so ever after as long as he lived,
+     Although he was proper and tall,
+   Yet, nevertheless, the truth to express,
+     Still Little John they did him call."
+
+
+
+
+III
+
+ROBIN HOOD AND THE BUTCHER
+
+
+The Sheriff of Nottingham hated Robin and would have been very glad if
+any one had killed him.
+
+The Sheriff was a very unkind man. He treated the poor Saxons very
+badly. He often took away all their money, and their houses and left
+them to starve. Sometimes, for a very little fault, he would cut off
+their ears or fingers. The poor people used to go into the wood, and
+Robin would give them food and money. Sometimes they went home again,
+but very often they stayed with him, and became his men.
+
+The Sheriff knew this, so he hated Robin all the more, and he was
+never so happy as when he had caught one of Robin's men and locked him
+up in prison.
+
+But try how he might, he could not catch Robin. All the same Robin
+used to go to Nottingham very often, but he was always so well
+disguised that the Sheriff never knew him. So he always escaped.
+
+The Sheriff was too much afraid of him to go into the forest to try
+to take him. He knew his men were no match for Robin's. Robin's men
+served him and fought for him because they loved him. The Sheriff's
+men only served him because they feared him.
+
+One day Robin was walking through the forest when he met a butcher.
+
+This butcher was riding gaily along to the market at Nottingham. He
+was dressed in a blue linen coat, with leather belt. On either side of
+his strong gray pony hung a basket full of meat.
+
+In these days as there were no trains, everything had to be sent by
+road. The roads were so bad that even carts could not go along them
+very much, for the wheels stuck in the mud. Everything was carried on
+horseback, in sacks or baskets called panniers.
+
+The butcher rode gaily along, whistling as he went. Suddenly Robin
+stepped from under the trees and stopped him.
+
+"What have you there, my man?" he asked.
+
+"Butcher's meat," replied the man. "Fine prime beef and mutton for
+Nottingham market. Do you want to buy some?"
+
+"Yes, I do," said Robin. "I'll buy it all and your pony too. How much
+do you want for it? I should like to go to Nottingham and see what
+kind of a butcher I will make:"
+
+So the butcher sold his pony and all his meat to Robin. Then Robin
+changed clothes with him. He put on the butcher's blue clothes and
+leather belt, and the butcher went off in Robin's suit of Lincoln
+green, feeling very grand indeed.
+
+Then Robin mounted his pony and off he went to Nottingham to sell his
+meat at the market.
+
+When he arrived he found the whole town in a bustle. In those days
+there were very few shops, so every one used to go to market to buy
+and sell. The country people brought butter and eggs and honey to
+sell. With the money they got they bought platters and mugs, pots and
+pans, or whatever they wanted, and took it back to the country with
+them.
+
+All sorts of people came to buy: fine ladies and poor women, rich
+knights and gentlemen, and humble workers, every one pushing and
+crowding together. Robin found it quite difficult to drive his pony
+through the crowd to the corner of the market-place where the butchers
+had their stalls.
+
+He got there at last, however, laid out his meat, and began to cry
+with the best of them.
+
+"Prime meat, ladies. Come and buy. Cheapest meat in all the market,
+ladies. Come buy, come buy. Twopence a pound, ladies. Twopence a
+pound. Come buy. Come buy."
+
+"What!" said every one, "beef at twopence a pound! I never heard of
+such a thing. Why it is generally tenpence."
+
+You see Robin knew nothing at all about selling meat, as he never
+bought any. He and his men used to live on what they shot in the
+forest.
+
+When it became known that there was a new butcher, who was selling
+his meat for twopence a pound, every one came crowding round his stall
+eager to buy. All the other butchers stood idle until Robin had no
+more beef and mutton left to sell.
+
+As these butchers had nothing to do, they began to talk among
+themselves and say, "Who is this man? He has never been here before."
+
+"Do you think he has stolen the meat?"
+
+"Perhaps his father has just died and left him a business."
+
+"Well, his money won't last long at this rate."
+
+"The sooner he loses it all, the better for us. We will never be able
+to sell anything as long as he comes here giving away beef at twopence
+a pound."
+
+"It is perfectly ridiculous," said one old man, who seemed to be the
+chief butcher. "These fifty years have I come and gone to Nottingham
+market, and I have never seen the like of it--never. He is ruining the
+trade, that's what he is doing."
+
+They stood at their stalls sulky and cross, while all their customers
+crowded round Robin.
+
+Shouts of laughter came from his corner, for he was not only selling
+beef and mutton, but making jokes about it all the time.
+
+"I tell you what," said the old butcher, "it is no use standing here
+doing nothing. We had better go and talk to him, and find out, if we
+can, who he is. We must ask him to come and have dinner with us and
+the Sheriff in the town hall to-day." For on market days the butchers
+used to have dinner all together in the town hall, after market was
+over, and the sheriff used to come and have dinner with them.
+
+  "So, the butchers stepped up to jolly Robin,
+    Acquainted with him for to be;
+  Come, butcher, one said, we be all of one trade,
+    Come, will you go dine with me?"
+
+"Thank you," said Robin, "I should like nothing better. I have had a
+busy morning and am very hungry and thirsty."
+
+"Come along, then," said the butchers.
+
+The old man led the way with Robin, and the others followed two by
+two.
+
+As they walked along, the old butcher began asking Robin questions, to
+try and find out something about him.
+
+"You have not been here before?" he said.
+
+"Have I not?" replied Robin.
+
+"I have not seen you, at least."
+
+"Have you not?"
+
+"You are new to the business?"
+
+"Am I?"
+
+"Well, you seem to be," said the old butcher, getting rather cross.
+
+"Do I?" replied Robin, laughing.
+
+At last they came to the town hall, and though they had talked all the
+time the old butcher had got nothing out of Robin, and was not a bit
+the wiser.
+
+The Sheriff's house was close to the town hall, so as dinner was
+not quite ready all the butchers went to say "How do you do?" to the
+Sheriff's wife.
+
+She received them very kindly, and was quite interested in Robin
+when she heard that he was the new butcher who had been selling such
+wonderfully cheap meat. Robin had such pleasant manners too, that she
+thought he was a very nice man indeed. She was quite sorry when the
+Sheriff came and took him away, saying dinner was ready.
+
+"I hope to see you again, kind sir," she said when saying good-by.
+"Come to see me next time you have meat to sell."
+
+"Thank you, lady, I will not forget your kindness," replied Robin,
+bowing low.
+
+At dinner the Sheriff sat at one end of the table and the old butcher
+at the other. Robin, as the greatest stranger, had the place of honor
+on the Sheriff's right hand.
+
+At first the dinner was very dull. All the butchers were sulky and
+cross, only Robin was merry. He could not help laughing to himself at
+the idea of dining with his great enemy the Sheriff of Nottingham.
+And not only dining with him, but sitting on his right hand, and being
+treated as an honored guest.
+
+If the Sheriff had only known, poor Robin would very soon have been
+locked up in a dark dungeon, eating dry bread instead of apple-pie and
+custard and all the fine things they were having for dinner.
+
+However, Robin was so merry, that very soon the butchers forgot to be
+cross and sulky. Before the end of dinner all were laughing till their
+sides ached.
+
+Only the Sheriff was grave and thinking hard. He was a greedy old man,
+and he was saying to himself, "This silly young fellow evidently does
+not know the value of things. If he has any cattle I might buy them
+from him for very little. I could sell them again to the butchers for
+a good price. In that way I should make a lot of money."
+
+After dinner he took Robin by the arm and led him aside.
+
+"See here, young man," he said, "I like your looks. But you seem new
+to this business. Now, don't you trust these men," pointing to the
+butchers. "They are all as ready as can be to cheat you. You take my
+advice. If you have any cattle to sell, come to me. I'll give you a
+good price."
+
+"Thank you," said Robin, "it is most kind of you."
+
+  "Hast thou any horned beasts, the Sheriff then said,
+     Good fellow, to sell to me?
+   Yes, that I have, good master Sheriff,
+     I have hundreds two or three.
+
+  "And a hundred acres of good free land,
+     If you please it for to see;
+  And I'll make you as good assurance of it,
+     As ever my father did me."
+
+The Sheriff nearly danced for joy when he heard that Robin had so many
+horned cattle for sale. He had quite made up his mind that it would be
+very easy to cheat this silly young fellow. Already he began to count
+the money he would make. He was such a greedy old man. But there was a
+wicked twinkle in Robin's eye.
+
+"Now, young man, when can I see these horned beasts of yours?" asked
+the Sheriff. "I can't buy a pig in a poke, you know. I must see them
+first. And the land too, and the land too," he added, rubbing his
+hands, and jumping about in excitement.
+
+"The sooner the better," said Robin. "I start for home to-morrow
+morning. If you like to ride with me I will show you the horned beasts
+and the land too."
+
+"Capital, capital," said the Sheriff. "To-morrow morning then, after
+breakfast, I go with you. And see here, young man," he added, catching
+hold of Robin's coat-tails as he was going away, "you won't go and
+sell to any one else in the meantime? It is a bargain, isn't it?"
+
+"Oh, certainly. I won't even speak of it to any one," replied Robin;
+and he went away, laughing heartily to himself.
+
+That night the Sheriff went into his counting-house and counted out
+three hundred pounds in gold. He tied it up in three bags, one hundred
+pounds in each bag.
+
+"It's a lot of money," he said to himself, "a lot of money. Still, I
+suppose, I must pay him something for his cattle. But it is a lot of
+money to part with," and he heaved a big sigh.
+
+He put the gold underneath his pillow in case any one should steal it
+during the night. Then he went to bed and tried to sleep. But he was
+too excited; besides the gold under his pillow made it so hard and
+knobby that it was most uncomfortable.
+
+At last the night passed, and in the morning.
+
+  "The Sheriff he saddled his good palfrey,
+     And with three hundred pounds in gold
+   Away he went with bold Robin Hood,
+     His horned beasts to behold."
+
+The sun shone and the birds sang as they merrily rode along. When
+the Sheriff saw that they were taking the road to Sherwood Forest, he
+began to feel a little nervous.
+
+"There is a bold, bad man in these woods," he said. "He is called
+Robin Hood. He robs people, he--do you think we will meet him?"
+
+"I am quite sure we won't meet him," replied Robin with a laugh.
+
+"Well, I hope not, I am sure," said the Sheriff. "I never dare to ride
+through the forest unless I have my soldiers with me. He is a bold,
+bad man."
+
+Robin only laughed, and they rode on right into the forest.
+
+  "But when a little farther they came,
+     Bold Robin he chanced to spy
+   An hundred head of good fat deer
+     Come tripping the Sheriff full nigh."
+
+"Look there," he cried, "look! What do you think of my horned beasts?"
+
+"I think," said the Sheriff, in a trembling voice, "I think I should
+like to go back to Nottingham."
+
+"What! and not buy any horned cattle? What is the matter with them?
+Are they not fine and fat? Are they not a beautiful color? Come, come,
+Sheriff, when you have brought the money for them too."
+
+At the mention of money the Sheriff turned quite pale and clutched
+hold of his bags. "Young man," he said, "I don't like you at all. I
+tell you I want to go back to Nottingham. This isn't money I have in
+my bags, it is only pebble-stones."
+
+  "Then Robin put his horn to his mouth,
+     And blew out blasts three;
+   Then quickly and anon there came Little John,
+     And all his company."
+
+"Good morning, Little John," said Robin.
+
+"Good morning, Master Robin," he replied. "What orders have you for
+to-day?"
+
+"Well, in the first place I hope you have something nice for dinner,
+because I have brought the Sheriff of Nottingham to dine with us,"
+answered Robin.
+
+"Yes," said Little John, "the cooks are busy already as we thought you
+might bring some one back with you. But we hardly expected so fine
+a guest as the Sheriff of Nottingham," he added, making a low bow to
+him. "I hope he intends to pay honestly."
+
+For that was Robin Hood's way. He always gave a very fine dinner to
+these naughty men who had stolen money from poor people, and then he
+made them pay a great deal of money for it.
+
+The Sheriff was very much afraid when he knew that he had really
+fallen into the hands of Robin Hood. He was angry too when he thought
+that he had actually had Robin in his own house the day before, and
+could so easily have caught and put him in prison, if he had only
+known.
+
+They had a very fine dinner, and the Sheriff began to feel quite
+comfortable and to think he was going to get off easily, when Robin
+said, "Now, Master Sheriff, you must pay for your dinner."
+
+"Oh! indeed I am a poor man," said the Sheriff, "I have no money."
+
+"No money! What have you in your saddle-bags, then?" asked Robin.
+
+"Only pebbles, nothing but pebbles, as I told you before," replied the
+frightened Sheriff.
+
+"Little John, go and search the Sheriff's saddle-bags," said Robin.
+
+Little John did as he was told, and counted out three hundred pounds
+upon the ground.
+
+"Sheriff," said Robin sternly, "I shall keep all this money and divide
+it among my men. It is not half as much as you have stolen from them.
+If you had told me the truth about it, I might have given you some
+back. But I always punish people who tell lies. You have done so many
+evil deeds," he went on, "that you deserve to be hanged."
+
+The poor Sheriff shook in his shoes.
+
+"Hanged you should be," continued Robin, "but your good wife was kind
+to me yesterday. For her sake, I let you go. But if you are not kinder
+to my people I will not let you off so easily another time." And Robin
+called for the Sheriff's pony.
+
+  "Then Robin he brought him through the wood,
+    And set him on his dapple gray:
+  Oh, have me commended to your wife at home,
+    So Robin went laughing away."
+
+
+
+
+GUY OF WARWICK
+
+ADAPTED BY H.E. MARSHALL
+
+
+
+
+I
+
+GUY'S EARLY ADVENTURES AND HIS FIGHT WITH THE DUN COW
+
+
+Long ago England was divided into several kingdoms, each having a
+king. In a great battle the King of Northumbria was defeated and one
+of his lords, Gordian, lost all he owned. He and his wife Brunhilda
+journeyed forth to seek a new home and at last reached Warwick, where
+Gordian was made the steward of Lord Rohand.
+
+Not long after Brunhilda and Gordian went to live in Warwick, their
+little son Guy was born. As he grew older he became a great favorite
+and was often invited to the castle.
+
+Lord Rohand heard of Guy and asked him to a great dinner at Warwick
+Castle and afterwards to join in a tournament. To Guy was given a seat
+quite near the earl and opposite his lovely daughter Phyllis. She was
+the most beautiful lady in the kingdom and Guy longed to show her how
+well he could fight. Never did Guy fight so well; he conquered every
+one of the knights, and won the prize. Phyllis crowned him with roses
+and put the chain of gold around his neck.
+
+After this Phyllis and Guy were much together and at last Guy said
+suddenly, "Phyllis, I love thee. I cannot help it." In great anger she
+sent him away. Guy grew very sad and Phyllis very lonely and at length
+she sent for Guy and said, "Go away and make thyself famous, then will
+I marry thee."
+
+Guy rode gaily away and sailed over to Germany. There he heard of
+a great tournament. Whoever fought best was to marry the Emperor's
+daughter Blanche, which means white. Besides marrying the Princess,
+the bravest knight was to receive a pure white horse, two white
+hounds, and a white falcon. So it was called the White Tournament.
+
+When Guy told the herald that he was the son of Lord Gordian he was
+admitted. All the lords and ladies looked at him scornfully because he
+wore plain black armor with nothing painted upon his shield. As he had
+not worn spurs, he was not yet a knight. Guy entered the lists and
+met and conquered Prince Philaner, the Emperor's son, Duke Otto, Duke
+Ranier, and Duke Louvain.
+
+Guy took the prize offered with the exception of the hand of Blanche.
+"For my fair Phyllis alone I keep my love," he said.
+
+Guy went back to England and heard that a terrible dun-colored cow had
+appeared in Warwickshire. It was twelve feet high and eighteen feet
+long. Its horns were thicker than an elephant's tusks curled and
+twisted. The King said that whoever would kill the Dun Cow should be
+made a knight and receive a great deal of land and money. Guy went out
+to meet him and after a fearful encounter was able to deal a deathblow
+with his battle-axe behind the beast's ear.
+
+Then the King gave the new knight a pair of golden spurs, and Lady
+Phyllis fastened them on. In memory of Guy's deed one rib of the Dun
+Cow was hung up at the gate of Coventry and another in the Castle of
+Warwick.
+
+
+
+
+II
+
+TRAVELS AND DEEDS IN MANY LANDS
+
+
+Guy next went to France, where he was wounded at a tournament. His
+enemy, Duke Otto, bribed fifteen villains to lie in wait, take him and
+cast him into prison. With the help of his friend Heraud, Guy was able
+to slay them all, but one of the traitor men smote Heraud so hard that
+he fell to the ground as if dead.
+
+One day news was brought to Guy that Ledgwin of Louvain was shut up
+in his city of Arrascoun sore beset by the Emperor. Gathering his
+soldiers and knights together he set out to help his friend and was
+overjoyed to find Heraud in the guise of a pilgrim sitting by the
+roadside. Heraud had been nursed back to health by a kind hermit. At
+once he put on armor and rode forth with Guy to the city of Arrascoun
+to release Ledgwin. There was a great battle but the Almains who
+surrounded the city were defeated and the Emperor yielded and forgave
+Ledgwin.
+
+While in Greece, Guy went out hunting and came upon a most wonderful
+sight, a conflict between a lion and a dragon. Just when the dragon
+was about to crush the lion Guy drew his sword, and setting spurs
+to his horse, sprang upon the dragon. The fight was then between
+the dragon and Guy. It seemed at first that the dragon would be the
+victor, but, like a flash, Guy leaped from his horse and plunged his
+sword deep into the brute's side. For a moment his speckled crest
+quivered, then all was still.
+
+Guy thought he would have to kill the lion too, but as it came near
+it licked Guy's feet and fawned upon him, purring softly like a great
+pussy-cat. When Guy rode back the lion trotted after him and lived
+with him every day.
+
+Guy had an enemy at court, Morgadour, who hated the brave knight and
+said, "I cannot kill thee, Guy of Warwick, but I will grieve thee. I
+will kill thy lion." This he did in secret. The King was angry when
+the deed was discovered and told Guy to meet him in combat, which he
+did, and slew Morgadour.
+
+Laden with riches, Guy reached home again, this time to marry the
+beautiful Phyllis. There was a great and splendid wedding. For fifteen
+days the feasting and merriment lasted.
+
+For some time Guy and Phyllis lived happily together. Then one sad day
+Earl Rohand died and Guy became Earl of Warwick.
+
+As the new earl was one day thinking of his past life, it seemed to
+him that he had caused much bloodshed. Thereupon he decided to go to
+the Holy Land, and there, at the Sepulcher of our Lord, do penance for
+his sins. Phyllis begged him to stay; but Guy said, "I must go." So,
+dressed in pilgrim robes, with staff in hand he set out on his long
+journey.
+
+One day as he walked he came upon an old man who was sad because the
+giant Ameraunt was keeping his daughter and fifteen sons in a strong
+castle. "I am Earl Jonas of Durras," he said, "and I seek Guy of
+Warwick to help me."
+
+Guy said if the earl would give him meat and drink, weapons and armor,
+he would see what he could do.
+
+A splendid coat of mail was brought with shield and sword. Guy called
+to the giant to come forth. "That will I," replied the giant, "and
+make short work with thee."
+
+Ameraunt stalked forth and the fight began. All day it lasted before
+Guy with his sword cut the giant's head off.
+
+Taking the keys of the castle, which lay on the ground, he immediately
+released Earl of Jonas's children and other noble knights and brave
+ladies.
+
+Putting off his armor, he dressed himself once more in his pilgrim's
+robe, and with his staff in his hand set out again upon his journey.
+
+
+
+
+III
+
+HOW GUY FOUGHT WITH THE GIANT COLBRAND
+
+
+For some time after Guy went away Phyllis was very sorrowful. She wept
+and mourned, and was so sad that she longed to die. At times she even
+thought of killing herself. She would draw out Guy's great sword,
+which he had left behind, and think how easy it would be to run
+it through her heart. But she remembered that the good fairies had
+promised to send her a little son, and so she made up her mind to live
+until he came. When the good fairies brought the baby she called
+him Reinbroun, and he was so pretty and so dear that Phyllis was
+comforted.
+
+Then, because her lord was far away, and could not attend to his great
+lands nor to the ruling of his many servants, Phyllis did so for
+him. She ruled and ordered her household well; she made new roads and
+rebuilt bridges which had been broken down. She journeyed through all
+the land, seeing that wrong was made right and evildoers punished.
+She fed the poor, tended the sick, and comforted those in sorrow, and,
+besides all this, she built great churches and abbeys.
+
+So year after year passed, but still Guy did not return. All day
+Phyllis was busy and had no time for grief, but when evening came she
+would go to pace up and down the path (which to this day is called
+"Fair Phyllis's Walk") where she and Guy had often walked together.
+Now as she wandered there alone, the hot, slow tears would come, and
+she would feel miserable and forsaken.
+
+At last, after many years full of adventures and travel, Guy reached
+England once more. He was now an old man. His beard was long, his
+hair had grown white, and in the weather-beaten pilgrim none could
+recognize the gallant knight and earl, Guy of Warwick.
+
+When Guy landed in England he found the whole country in sore dread.
+For Anlaf, King of Denmark, had invaded England with a great army.
+With fire and sword he had wasted the land, sparing neither tower nor
+town, man, woman, nor child, but destroying all that came in his path.
+Fight how they might, the English could not drive out the Danes.
+
+Now they were in deep despair, for the enemy lay before the King's
+city of Winchester. With them was a terrible giant called Colbrand,
+and Anlaf had sent a message to King Athelstane, as the King who now
+reigned over all England was called, demanding that he should either
+find a champion to fight with Colbrand or deliver over his kingdom.
+
+So the King had sent messengers north, south, east, and west, but in
+all the land no knight could be found who was brave enough to face the
+awful giant. And now within the great church of Winchester the King
+with his priests and people knelt, praying God to send a champion.
+
+"Where, then, is Heraud?" asked Guy of the man who told this tale.
+"Where is Heraud, who never yet forsook man in need?"
+
+"Alas! he has gone far beyond the seas," replied the man, "and so has
+Guy of Warwick. We know not where they are."
+
+Then Guy took his staff and turned his steps toward Winchester. Coming
+there, he found the King sitting among his wise men. "I bid you," he
+was saying to them, "give me some counsel how I may defend my country
+against the Danes. Is there any knight among you who will fight this
+giant? Half my kingdom he shall have, and that gladly, if he conquer."
+
+But all the wise men, knights and nobles, stood silent and looked upon
+the ground.
+
+"Oh, we is me!" then cried the King, "that I rule over such cowards.
+To what have my English come that I may not find one knight among
+them bold enough to do battle for his King and country? Oh that Guy of
+Warwick were here!"
+
+Then through the bright crowd of steel-clad nobles there came a tall
+old man, dressed in a worn, dark, pilgrim's robe, with bare feet and
+head, and a staff in his hand.
+
+"My Lord King," he said, "I will fight for thee."
+
+"Thou," said the King in astonishment, "thou seemest more fit to pray
+than to fight for us."
+
+"Believe me, my Lord King," said Guy, for of course it was he, "this
+hand has often held a sword, and never yet have I been worsted in
+fight."
+
+"Then since there is none other," said the King, "fight, and God
+strengthen thee."
+
+Now Guy was very tall, and no armor could be found anywhere to fit
+him. "Send to the Countess of Warwick," said Guy at last. "Ask her to
+lend the earl's weapons and armor for the saving of England."
+
+"That is well thought of," said the King.
+
+So a swift messenger was sent to Warwick Castle, and he presently
+returned with Guy's armor. He at once put it on, and the people
+marveled that it should fit him so well, for none knew, or guessed,
+that the pilgrim was Guy himself.
+
+Guy went then out to meet the giant, and all the people crowded to the
+walls of Winchester to watch their champion fight.
+
+Colbrand came forth. He was so huge that no horse could carry him,
+and he wore a whole wagon-load of weapons. His armor was pitch-black
+except his shield, which was blood-red and had a white owl painted
+upon it. He was a fearsome sight to look upon, and as he strode along
+shaking his spear every one trembled for Guy.
+
+It was a terrible and unequal fight. Tall though Guy was, he could
+reach no higher than the giant's shoulder with his spear, but yet he
+wounded him again and again.
+
+"I have never fought with any like thee," cried Colbrand. "Yield,
+and I will ask King Anlaf to make thee a general in the Danish army.
+Castle and tower shalt thou have, and everything that thou canst
+desire, if thou but do as I counsel thee."
+
+"Better death than that," replied Guy, and still fought on. At last,
+taking his battle-axe in both hands, he gave Colbrand such a blow that
+his sword dropped to the ground. As the giant reeled under the stroke,
+Guy raised his battle-axe once more.
+
+  "His good axe he reared on high
+  With both hands full mightily;
+  He smote him in the neck so well,
+  That the head flew that very deal.
+  The giant dead on the earth lay;
+  The Danes made great sorrow that day."
+
+Seeing their champion fall, the Danes fled to their ships. England was
+saved.
+
+Then out of the city came all the people with the priests and King in
+great procession, and singing hymns of praise as they went, they led
+Guy back.
+
+The King brought Guy to his palace and offered him splendid robes and
+great rewards, even to the half of the kingdom. But Guy would have
+none of them. "Give me my pilgrim's dress again," he said. And, in
+spite of all the King could say, he put off his fine armor and dressed
+himself again in his dark pilgrim's robe.
+
+"Tell me at least thy name," said the King, "so that the minstrels
+may sing of thy great deeds, and that in years to come the people may
+remember and bless thee."
+
+"Bless God, not me," replied Guy. "He it was gave me strength and
+power against the giant."
+
+"Then if thou wilt not that the people know," said the King, "tell thy
+name to me alone."
+
+"So be it," said Guy. "Walk with me half a mile out of the city, thou
+and I alone. Then will I tell thee my name."
+
+So the King in his royal robes, and the pilgrim in his dull, dark
+gown, passed together out of the city gate. When they had gone half a
+mile, Guy stood still. "Sire," he said, "thou wouldst know my name. I
+am Guy of Warwick, thine own knight. Once thou didst love me well, now
+I am as thou dost see me."
+
+At first the King could hardly believe that this poor man was really
+the great Earl of Warwick, but when he became sure of it he threw his
+arms round Guy and kissed him. "Dear friend, we have long mourned for
+thee as dead," he cried. "Now thou wilt come with me and help me to
+rule, and I will honor thee above all men."
+
+But Guy would not go back. He made the King promise to tell no man who
+he was. This he did for the sake of the oath which he had sworn, that
+he would never again fight for glory but only for a righteous cause.
+Then once more they kissed, and each turned his own way, the King
+going sadly back to Winchester.
+
+As he entered the gates the people crowded round him, eager to know
+who the pilgrim was. But King Athelstane held up his hand. "Peace," he
+said, "I indeed know, but I may not tell you. Go to your homes, thank
+God for your deliverance, and pray for him who overcame the giant."
+
+
+
+
+IV
+
+HOW AT LAST GUY WENT HOME
+
+
+After Guy left the King, he journeyed on towards Warwick. And when he
+came to the town over which he was lord and master no one knew him. So
+he mixed with the poor men who came every morning to the castle gates
+to receive food from the countess.
+
+Guy listened to what those round him said. He heard them praise and
+bless Phyllis, calling her the best woman that had ever lived, and his
+heart was glad.
+
+Pale and trembling, Guy bent before his wife, to receive food from her
+hands. He was so changed that even she did not know him, but she felt
+very sorry for the poor man who seemed so thin and worn, so she spoke
+kindly to him and gave him more food than the others, and told him to
+come every day as long as he lived.
+
+Guy thanked her, and turned slowly away. He remembered that a hermit
+lived in a cave not far off, and to him he went. But when he reached
+the cave he found it empty. The hermit had been dead many years.
+
+Guy then made up his mind to live in the cave. Every morning he went
+to the castle to receive food from Phyllis. But he would only take
+the simplest things, often eating nothing but bread and drinking water
+from the spring which flowed near.
+
+Every evening Guy could hear Phyllis as she paced to and fro, for
+her walk was not far from the hermit's cave. But still some strange
+enchantment, as it were, held him dumb, and although he still loved
+her, although he knew that she sorrowed and longed for him to return
+home, he could not say, "I am here."
+
+At last one day Guy became very ill. He had no longer strength to go
+to the castle, so calling a passing countryman to him, he gave him a
+ring. It was the ring which Phyllis had given him, and which he had
+kept ever with him through all his pilgrimage. "Take this," he said
+to the countryman, "and carry it to Fair Phyllis, the Countess of
+Warwick."
+
+But the countryman was afraid. "I have never spoken to a great lady,
+and I do not know how to address her," he said. "Besides she may be
+angry with me, and I shall get into trouble if I carry a ring to the
+earl's wife."
+
+"Do not fear," said Guy, "the countess will not be angry; rather will
+she reward thee. Tell her to come hastily or I die."
+
+So the countryman took the ring, and, coming to the countess fell upon
+his knees. "Lady," he said, "a pilgrim who lives yonder in the forest
+sends thee this ring."
+
+Phyllis took the ring, and, as she looked at it, a strange light
+came into her eyes. Like one in a dream she passed her hand over
+her forehead. "It is mine own lord, Sir Guy," she cried, and fell
+senseless to the ground.
+
+The countryman was much frightened, but her ladies ran to the countess
+and raised her, and soon she opened her eyes.
+
+"Friend," she said to the countryman, "tell me where is he who gave
+thee this ring?"
+
+"He is in the hermit's cave," replied the man, "and he bade me to say
+that thou must hasten ere he die."
+
+Right glad was Phyllis at the thought of seeing Guy again, yet
+sorrowful lest she should find him dead. So, calling for her mule,
+she mounted and rode speedily towards the cave, the countryman running
+before to show the way.
+
+And when they came to the cave Phyllis went in, and kneeling beside
+Guy, put her arms round him, crying bitterly. "Dear," he said, "weep
+not, for I go where sorrows end." Then
+
+  "He kissed her fair and courteously,
+  With that he died hastily."
+
+There was sorrow through all the land when it was known that Guy, the
+great hero, was dead. He was buried with much pomp and ceremony, the
+King and Queen, and all the greatest nobles of the land, coming to
+the funeral. And Phyllis, not caring to live longer, now that she knew
+that Guy was indeed dead, died too, and they were both buried in the
+same grave.
+
+Then minstrels sang of Guy's valiant deeds, and of how he had slain
+giants and dragons, and of how he might have been an emperor and
+a king over many lands, and how he was ever a gentle and courteous
+knight.
+
+  "Thus endeth the tale of Sir Guy:
+     God, on his soul have mercy,
+  And on ours when we be dead,
+     And grant us in heaven to have stead."
+
+If you ever go to Warwick you will see, in the castle there, Guy's
+sword and armor. Wise people will tell you that they never belonged
+to Guy, but to some other men who lived much later. Well, perhaps they
+are right.
+
+Then, when you are at Warwick, you must go to Guy's Cliff, which is
+about a mile and a half away. There, in the chapel, is a statue of
+Guy, very old and broken.
+
+You will also see there Fair Phyllis's Walk, the spring from which Guy
+used to drink, still called Guy's Well, and the cave where he lived as
+a hermit, and where he died.
+
+Upon the walls of the cave is some writing. You will not be able to
+read it, for it is Saxon, but it means, "Cast out, Thou Christ, from
+Thy servant this burden."
+
+Did Guy, I wonder, or some other, in days of loneliness and despair,
+carve these words?
+
+If you ask why Guy did these things--why, when he was happy and had
+everything he could desire, he threw away that happiness, and wandered
+out into the world to endure hunger, and weariness, and suffering--or
+why, when at last he came back and found his beautiful wife waiting
+and longing for his return, he did not go to her and be happy again,
+I cannot tell you certainly. But perhaps it may be explained in this
+way. In those far-off days there was nothing for great men to do but
+fight. What they had they had won by the sword, and they kept it
+by the sword. So they went swaggering over the world, fighting and
+shedding blood, and the more men a knight killed, the more blood he
+shed, the greater was his fame. It was impossible for a man to live in
+the world and be at peace with his fellows. So when he desired peace
+he had to cut himself off from the world and all who lived in it, and
+go to live like a hermit in some lonely cave, or wander as a pilgrim
+in desolate places. And so it was with Guy.
+
+
+
+
+WHITTINGTON AND HIS CAT
+
+ADAPTED BY ERNEST RHYS
+
+
+In the reign of the famous King Edward III. there was a little boy
+called Dick Whittington, whose father and mother died when he was very
+young, so that he remembered nothing at all about them, and was left
+a ragged little fellow, running about a country village. As poor Dick
+was not old enough to work, he was very badly off; he got but little
+for his dinner, and sometimes nothing at all for his breakfast; for
+the people who lived in the village were very poor indeed, and could
+not spare him much more than the parings of potatoes, and now and then
+a hard crust of bread.
+
+For all this Dick Whittington was a very sharp boy, and was always
+listening to what everybody talked about. On Sunday he was sure to
+get near the farmers, as they sat talking on the tombstones in the
+churchyard, before the parson came; and once a week you might see
+little Dick leaning against the sign-post of the village alehouse,
+where people stopped to drink as they came from the next market town;
+and when the barber's shop door was open, Dick listened to all the
+news that his customers told one another.
+
+In this manner Dick heard a great many very strange things about the
+great city called London; for the foolish country people at that time
+thought that folks in London were all fine gentlemen and ladies; and
+that there was singing and music there all day long; and that the
+streets were all paved with gold.
+
+One day a large wagon and eight horses, all with bells at their heads,
+drove through the village while Dick was standing by the sign-post. He
+thought that this wagon must be going to the fine town of London; so
+he took courage, and asked the wagoner to let him walk with him by the
+side of the wagon. As soon as the wagoner heard that poor Dick had no
+father or mother, and saw by his ragged clothes that he could not be
+worse off than he was, he told him he might go if he would, so they
+set off together.
+
+I could never find out how little Dick contrived to get meat and drink
+on the road; nor how he could walk so far, for it was a long way; nor
+what he did at night for a place to lie down to sleep in. Perhaps some
+good-natured people in the towns that he passed through, when they
+saw he was a poor little ragged boy, gave him something to eat; and
+perhaps the wagoner let him get into the wagon at night, and take a
+nap upon one of the boxes or large parcels in the wagon.
+
+Dick, however, got safe to London, and was in such a hurry to see the
+fine streets paved all over with gold, that I am afraid he did not
+even stay to thank the kind wagoner; but ran off as fast as his legs
+would carry him, through many of the streets, thinking every moment
+to come to those that were paved with gold; for Dick had seen a guinea
+three times in his own little village, and remembered what a deal of
+money it brought in change; so he thought he had nothing to do but to
+take up some little bits of the pavement, and should then have as much
+money as he could wish for.
+
+Poor Dick ran till he was tired, and had quite forgot his friend the
+wagoner; but at last, finding it grow dark, and that every way he
+turned he saw nothing but dirt instead of gold, he sat down in a dark
+corner and cried himself to sleep.
+
+Little Dick was all night in the streets; and next morning, being very
+hungry, he got up and walked about, and asked everybody he met to give
+him a halfpenny to keep him from starving; but nobody stayed to answer
+him, and only two or three gave him a halfpenny; so that the poor boy
+was soon quite weak and faint for the want of victuals.
+
+At last a good-natured looking gentleman saw how hungry he looked.
+"Why don't you go to work, my lad?" said he to Dick. "That I would,
+but I do not know how to get any," answered Dick. "If you are willing,
+come along with me," said the gentleman, and took him to a hay-field,
+where Dick worked briskly, and lived merrily till the hay was made.
+
+After this he found himself as badly off as before; and being almost
+starved again, he laid himself down at the door of Mr. Fitzwarren,
+a rich merchant. Here he was soon seen by the cook, who was an
+ill-tempered creature, and happened just then to be very busy
+preparing dinner for her master and mistress; so she called out to
+poor Dick: "What business have you there, you lazy rogue? there is
+nothing else but beggars; if you do not take yourself away, we will
+see how you will like a sousing of some dish-water; I have some here
+hot enough to make you jump."
+
+Just at that time Mr. Fitzwarren himself came home to dinner; and when
+he saw a dirty ragged boy lying at the door, he said to him: "Why do
+you lie there, my boy? You seem old enough to work; I am afraid you
+are inclined to be lazy."
+
+"No, indeed, sir," said Dick to him, "that is not the case, for I
+would work with all my heart, but I do not know anybody, and I believe
+I am very sick for the want of food."
+
+"Poor fellow, get up; let me see what ails you."
+
+Dick now tried to rise, but was obliged to lie down again, being too
+weak to stand, for he had not eaten any food for three days, and
+was no longer able to run about and beg a halfpenny of people in the
+street. So the kind merchant ordered him to be taken into the house,
+and have a good dinner given him, and be kept to do what dirty work he
+was able to do for the cook.
+
+Little Dick would have lived very happy in this good family if it had
+not been for the ill-natured cook, who was finding fault and scolding
+him from morning to night, and besides, she was so fond of basting,
+that when she had no meat to baste, she would baste poor Dick's head
+and shoulders with a broom, or anything else that happened to fall
+in her way. At last her ill-usage of him was told to Alice, Mr.
+Fitzwarren's daughter, who told the cook she should be turned away if
+she did not treat him kinder.
+
+The ill-humor of the cook was now a little amended; but besides this
+Dick had another hardship to get over. His bed stood in a garret,
+where there were so many holes in the floor and the walls that every
+night he was tormented with rats and mice. A gentleman having given
+Dick a penny for cleaning his shoes, he thought he would buy a cat
+with it. The next day he saw a girl with a cat, and asked her if she
+would let him have it for a penny. The girl said she would, and at the
+same time told him the cat was an excellent mouser.
+
+Dick hid his cat in the garret, and always took care to carry a part
+of his dinner to her; and in a short time he had no more trouble with
+the rats and mice, but slept quite sound every night.
+
+Soon after this, his master had a ship ready to sail; and as he
+thought it right that all his servants should have some chance for
+good fortune as well as himself, he called them all into the parlor
+and asked them what they would send out.
+
+They all had something that they were willing to venture except
+poor Dick, who had neither money nor goods, and therefore could send
+nothing.
+
+For this reason he did not come into the parlor with the rest; but
+Miss Alice guessed what was the matter, and ordered him to be called
+in. She then said she would lay down some money for him, from her
+own purse; but the father told her this would not do, for it must be
+something of his own.
+
+When poor Dick heard this, he said he had nothing but a cat which he
+bought for a penny some time since of a little girl.
+
+"Fetch your cat then, my good boy," said Mr. Fitzwarren, "and let her
+go."
+
+Dick went upstairs and brought down poor puss, with tears in his eyes,
+and gave her to the captain; for he said he should now be kept awake
+again all night by the rats and mice.
+
+All the company laughed at Dick's odd venture; and Miss Alice, who
+felt pity for the poor boy, gave him some money to buy another cat.
+
+This, and many other marks of kindness shown him by Miss Alice made
+the ill-tempered cook jealous of poor Dick, and she began to use him
+more cruelly than ever, and always made game of him for sending his
+cat to sea. She asked him if he thought his cat would sell for as much
+money as would buy a stick to beat him.
+
+At last poor Dick could not bear this usage any longer, and he thought
+he would run away from his place; so he packed up his few things, and
+started very early in the morning, on All-hallow's, which is the first
+of November. He walked as far as Holloway; and there sat down on a
+stone, which to this day is called Whittington's stone, and began to
+think to himself which road he should take as he went onwards.
+
+While he was thinking what he should do, the bells of Bow Church,
+which at that time had only six, began to ring, and he fancied their
+sound seemed to say to him:
+
+  "Turn again, Whittington,
+   Lord Mayor of London."
+
+"Lord Mayor of London!" said he to himself. "Why, to be sure, I would
+put up with almost anything now, to be Lord Mayor of London, and ride
+in a fine coach, when I grow to be a man! Well, I will go back, and
+think nothing of the cuffing and scolding of the old cook, if I am to
+be Lord Mayor of London at last."
+
+Dick went back, and was lucky enough to get into the house, and set
+about his work, before the old cook came downstairs.
+
+The ship, with the cat on board, was a long time at sea; and was at
+last driven by the winds on a part of the coast of Barbary, where the
+only people were the Moors, that the English had never known before.
+
+The people then came in great numbers to see the sailors, who were
+of different color to themselves, and treated them very civilly; and,
+when they became better acquainted, were very eager to buy the fine
+things that the ship was loaded with.
+
+When the captain saw this, he sent patterns of the best things he had
+to the King of the country; who was so much pleased with them, that
+he sent for the captain to the palace. Here they were placed, as it is
+the custom of the country, on rich carpets marked with gold and silver
+flowers. The King and Queen were seated at the upper end of the room;
+and a number of dishes were brought in for dinner. They had not
+sat long, when a vast number of rats and mice rushed in, helping
+themselves from almost every dish. The captain wondered at this, and
+asked if these vermin were not very unpleasant.
+
+"Oh, yes," said they, "very destructive; and the King would give
+half his treasure to be freed of them, for they not only destroy his
+dinner, as you see, but they assault him in his chamber and even in
+bed, so that he is obliged to be watched while he is sleeping for fear
+of them."
+
+The captain jumped for joy; he remembered poor Whittington and his
+cat, and told the King he had a creature on board the ship that would
+despatch all these vermin immediately. The King's heart heaved so high
+at the joy which this news gave him that his turban dropped off his
+head. "Bring this creature to me," says he; "vermin are dreadful in
+a court, and if she will perform what you say, I will load your ship
+with gold and jewels in exchange for her." The captain, who knew his
+business, took this opportunity to set forth the merits of Mrs Puss.
+He told his majesty that it would be inconvenient to part with her,
+as, when she was gone, the rats and mice might destroy the goods in
+the ship--but to oblige his Majesty he would fetch her. "Run, run!"
+said the Queen; "I am impatient to see the dear creature."
+
+Away went the captain to the ship, while another dinner was got ready.
+He put puss under his arm, and arrived at the place soon enough to see
+the table full of rats.
+
+When the cat saw them, she did not wait for bidding, but jumped out of
+the captain's arms, and in a few minutes laid almost all the rats and
+mice dead at her feet. The rest of them in their fright scampered away
+to their holes.
+
+The King and Queen were quite charmed to get so easily rid of such
+plagues, and desired that the creature who had done them so great
+a kindness might be brought to them for inspection. Upon which the
+captain called: "Pussy, pussy, pussy!" and she came to him. He then
+presented her to the queen, who started back, and was afraid to touch
+a creature who had made such a havoc among the rats and mice. However,
+when the captain stroked the cat and called: "Pussy, pussy," the Queen
+also touched her and cried "Putty, putty," for she had not learned
+English. He then put her down on the queen's lap, where she, purring,
+played with her Majesty's hand, and then sung herself to sleep.
+
+The King, having seen the exploits of Mrs. Puss, and being informed
+that her kittens would stock the whole country, bargained with the
+captain for the whole ship's cargo, and then gave him ten times as
+much for the cat as all the rest amounted to.
+
+The captain then took leave of the royal party, and set sail with
+a fair wind for England, and after a happy voyage arrived safe in
+London.
+
+One morning Mr. Fitzwarren had just come to his counting-house and
+seated himself at the desk, when somebody came tap, tap, at the door.
+"Who's there?" said Mr. Fitzwarren. "A friend," answered the other;
+"I come to bring you good news of your ship Unicorn." The merchant,
+bustling up instantly, opened the door, and who should be seen waiting
+but the captain and factor, with a cabinet of jewels, and a bill of
+lading, for which the merchant lifted up his eyes and thanked heaven
+for sending him such a prosperous voyage.
+
+They then told the story of the cat, and showed the rich present
+that the king and queen had sent for her to poor Dick. As soon as the
+merchant heard this, he called out to his servants,
+
+  "Go fetch him--we will tell him of the same;
+   Pray call him Mr. Whittington by name."
+
+Mr. Fitzwarren now showed himself to be a good man; for when some
+of his servants said so great a treasure was too much for Dick, he
+answered: "God forbid I should deprive him of the value of a single
+penny."
+
+He then sent for Dick, who at that time was scouring pots for the
+cook, and was quite dirty.
+
+Mr. Fitzwarren ordered a chair to be set for him, and so he began to
+think they were making game of him, at the same time begging them not
+to play tricks with a poor simple boy, but to let him go down again,
+if they pleased, to his work.
+
+"Indeed, Mr. Whittington," said the merchant, "we are all quite
+in earnest with you, and I most heartily rejoice in the news these
+gentlemen have brought you; for the captain has sold your cat to the
+King of Barbary, and brought you in return for her more riches than I
+possess in the whole world; and I wish you may long enjoy them!"
+
+Mr. Fitzwarren then told the men to open the great treasure they had
+brought with him; and said: "Mr. Whittington has nothing to do but to
+put it in some place of safety."
+
+Poor Dick hardly knew how to behave himself for joy. He begged his
+master to take what part of it he pleased, since he owed it all to his
+kindness. "No, no," answered Mr. Fitzwarren, "this is all your own;
+and I have no doubt but you will use it well."
+
+Dick next asked his mistress, and then Miss Alice, to accept a part
+of his good fortune; but they would not, and at the same time told him
+they felt great joy at his good success. But this poor fellow was too
+kind-hearted to keep it all to himself; so he made a present to the
+captain, the mate, and the rest of Mr. Fitzwarren's servants; and even
+to the ill-natured old cook.
+
+After this Mr. Fitzwarren advised him to send for a proper tradesman
+and get himself dressed like a gentleman; and told him he was welcome
+to live in his house till he could provide himself with a better.
+
+When Whittington's face was washed, his hair curled, his hat cocked,
+and he was dressed in a nice suit of clothes, he was as handsome and
+genteel as any young man who visited at Mr. Fitzwarren's; so that Miss
+Alice, who had once been so kind to him, and thought of him with pity,
+now looked upon him as fit to be her sweetheart; and the more so, no
+doubt, because Whittington was now always thinking what he could do to
+oblige her, and making her the prettiest presents that could be.
+
+Mr. Fitzwarren soon saw their love for each other, and proposed to
+join them in marriage; and to this they both readily agreed. A day for
+the wedding was soon fixed; and they were attended to church by the
+Lord Mayor, the court aldermen, the sheriffs, and a great number of
+the richest merchants in London, whom they afterwards treated with a
+very rich feast.
+
+History tells us that Mr. Whittington and his lady lived in great
+splendor, and were very happy. They had several children. He was
+Sheriff of London, also Mayor, and received the honor of knighthood by
+Henry V.
+
+The figure of Sir Richard Whittington with his cat in his arms, carved
+in stone, was to be seen till the year 1780 over the archway of the
+old prison of Newgate, that stood across Newgate Street.
+
+
+
+
+TOM HICKATHRIFT
+
+ADAPTED BY ERNEST RHYS
+
+
+Long before William the Conqueror, there dwelt a man in the Isle of
+Ely, named Thomas Hickathrift, a poor laboring man, but so strong that
+he was able to do in one day the ordinary work of two. He had an only
+son, whom he christened Thomas, after his own name. The old man put
+his son to good learning, but he would take none, for he was none of
+the wisest, but something soft, and had no docility at all in him.
+God calling this good man, the father, to his rest, his mother, being
+tender of him, kept him by her hard labor as well as she could;
+but this was no easy matter, for Tom would sit all day in the
+chimney-corner, instead of doing anything to help her, and although at
+the time we were speaking of he was only ten years old, he would eat
+more than four or five ordinary men, and was five feet and a half
+in height, and two feet and a half broad. His hand was more like a
+shoulder of mutton than a boy's hand, and he was altogether like a
+little monster; but yet his great strength was not known.
+
+Tom's strength came to be known in this manner: his mother, it seems,
+as well as himself, for they lived in the days of merry old England,
+slept upon straw. Now, being a tidy old creature, she must every now
+and then have a new bed, and one day having been promised a bottle of
+straw by a neighboring farmer, after much begging she got her son to
+fetch it. Tom, however, made her borrow a cart-rope first, before he
+would budge a step, without saying what he wanted it for; but the poor
+woman, too glad to gain his help upon any terms, let him have it at
+once. Tom, swinging the rope round his shoulder went to the farmer's,
+and found him with two men threshing in a barn. Having told what he
+wanted, the farmer said he might take as much straw as he could carry.
+Tom at once took him at his word, and, placing the rope in a right
+position, rapidly made up a bundle containing at least a cartload, the
+men jeering at him all the while. Their merriment, however, did not
+last long, for Tom flung the enormous bundle over his shoulders, and
+walked away with it without any difficulty, and left them all gaping
+after him.
+
+After this exploit Tom was no longer allowed to be idle. Every one
+tried to secure his services, and we are told many tales of his mighty
+strength. On one occasion, having been offered as great a bundle of
+fire wood as he could carry, he marched off with one of the largest
+trees in the forest. Tom was also extremely fond of attending fairs;
+and in cudgeling, wrestling, or throwing the hammer, there was no
+one who could compete with him. He thought nothing of flinging a huge
+hammer into the middle of a river a mile off, and, in fact, performed
+such extraordinary feats, that the folk began to have a fear of him.
+
+At length a brewer at Lynn, who required a strong lusty fellow to
+carry his beer to the Marsh and to Wisbeach, after much persuasion,
+and promising him a new suit of clothes and as much as he liked to
+eat and drink, secured Tom for his business. The distance he daily
+traveled with the beer was upwards of twenty miles, for although there
+was a shorter cut through the Marsh, no one durst go that way for fear
+of a monstrous giant, who was lord of a portion of the district, and
+who killed or made slaves of every one he could lay his hands upon.
+
+Now, in the course of time, Tom was thoroughly tired of going such a
+roundabout way, and without telling his plans to any one, he resolved
+to pass through the giant's domain, or lose his life in the attempt.
+This was a bold undertaking, but good living had so increased Tom's
+strength and courage, that venturesome as he was before, his hardiness
+was so much increased that he would have faced a still greater danger.
+He accordingly drove his cart in the forbidden direction, flinging the
+gates wide open, as if for the purpose of making his daring more plain
+to be seen.
+
+At length he was espied by the giant, who was in a rage at his
+boldness, but consoled himself by thinking that Tom and the beer
+would soon become his prey. "Sir," said the monster, "who gave you
+permission to come this way? Do you not know how I make all stand in
+fear of me? and you, like an impudent rogue, must come and fling my
+gates open at your pleasure! Are you careless of your life? Do not you
+care what you do? But I will make you an example for all rogues under
+the sun! Dost thou not see how many thousand heads hang upon yonder
+tree--heads of those who have offended against my laws? But thy head
+shall hang higher than all the rest for an example!" But Tom made
+him answer: "You shall not find me to be one of them." "No!" said the
+giant, in astonishment and indignation; "and what a fool you must be
+if you come to fight with such a one as I am, and bring never a weapon
+to defend yourself!" Quoth Tom, "I have a weapon here that will make
+you know you are a traitorous rogue." This speech highly incensed the
+giant, who immediately ran to his cave for his club, intending to
+dash out Tom's brains at one blow. Tom was now much distressed for a
+weapon, as by some chance he had forgot one, and he began to reflect
+how very little his whip would help him against a monster twelve feet
+in height and six feet round the waist. But while the giant was gone
+for his club, Tom bethought himself, and turning his cart upside down,
+adroitly took out the axletree, which would serve him for a staff, and
+removing a wheel, fitted it to his arm instead of a shield--very good
+weapons indeed in time of trouble, and worthy of Tom's wit. When the
+monster returned with his club, he was amazed to see the weapons with
+which Tom had armed himself; but uttering a word of defiance, he bore
+down upon the poor fellow with such heavy strokes that it was as much
+as Tom could do to defend himself with his wheel. Tom, however, at
+length cut the giant such a blow with the axletree on the side of his
+head, that he nearly reeled over. "What!" said Tom, "have you drunk
+of my strong beer already?" This inquiry did not, as we may suppose,
+mollify the giant, who laid on his blows so sharply and heavily
+that Tom was obliged to defend himself. By-and-by, not making any
+impression on the wheel, the giant grew tired, and was obliged to ask
+Tom if he would let him drink a little, and then he would fight again.
+"No," said Tom, "my mother did not teach me that wit: who would be
+fool then?" The end may readily be imagined; Tom having beaten
+the giant, cut off his head, and entered the cave, which he found
+completely filled with gold and silver.
+
+The news of this victory rapidly spread throughout the country, for
+the giant had been a common enemy to the people about. They made
+bonfires for joy, and showed their respect to Tom by every means in
+their power. A few days afterwards Tom took possession of the cave
+and all the giant's treasure. He pulled down the former, and built
+a magnificent house on the spot; but as for the land stolen by the
+giant, part of it he gave to the poor for their common, merely keeping
+enough for himself and his good old mother, Jane Hickathrift.
+
+Tom was now a great man and a hero with all the country folk, so that
+when any one was in danger or difficulty, it was to Tom Hickathrift
+he must turn. It chanced that about this time many idle and rebellious
+persons drew themselves together in and about the Isle of Ely, and set
+themselves to defy the king and all his men.
+
+By this time, you must know, Tom Hickathrift had secured to himself a
+trusty friend and comrade, almost his equal in strength and courage,
+for though he was but a tinker, yet he was a great and lusty one. Now
+the sheriff of the country came to Tom, under cover of night, full
+of fear and trembling, and begged his aid and protection against the
+rebels, "else," said he, "we be all dead men!" Tom, nothing loth,
+called his friend the tinker, and as soon as it was day, led by the
+sheriff, they went out armed with their clubs to the place where the
+rebels were gathered together. When they were got thither, Tom and the
+tinker marched up to the leaders of the band, and asked them why they
+were set upon breaking the king's peace. To this they answered loudly,
+"Our will is our law, and by that alone we will be governed!" "Nay,"
+quoth Tom, "if it be so, these trusty clubs are our weapons, and by
+them alone you shall be chastised." These words were no sooner uttered
+than they madly rushed on the throng of men, bearing all before them,
+and laying twenty or thirty sprawling with every blow. The tinker
+struck off heads with such violence that they flew like balls for
+miles about, and when Tom had slain hundreds and so broken his trusty
+club, he laid hold of a lusty raw-boned miller and made use of him as
+a weapon till he had quite cleared the field.
+
+If Tom Hickathrift had been a hero before, he was twice a hero now.
+When the king heard of it all, he sent for him to be knighted, and
+when he was Sir Thomas Hickathrift nothing would serve him but that he
+must be married to a great lady of the country.
+
+So married he was, and a fine wedding they had of it. There was a
+great feast given, to which all the poor widows for miles round were
+invited, because of Tom's mother, and rich and poor feasted together.
+Among the poor widows who came was an old woman called Stumbelup, who
+with much ingratitude stole from the great table a silver tankard. But
+she had not got safe away before she was caught and the people were
+so enraged at her wickedness that they nearly hanged her. However,
+Sir Tom had her rescued, and commanded that she should be drawn on
+a wheelbarrow through the streets and lanes of Cambridge, holding a
+placard in her hand on which was written--
+
+  "I am the naughty Stumbelup,
+   Who tried to steal the silver cup."
+
+
+
+
+
+
+HEROES OF SCANDINAVIA
+
+
+
+
+THE STORY OF FRITHIOF
+
+ADAPTED BY JULIA GODDARD
+
+
+
+
+I
+
+
+In a cottage overshadowed by wide-spreading oaks, and surrounded by a
+garden in which bloomed the sweetest flowers of summer, lived an aged
+peasant named Hilding.
+
+Two children might be seen playing about the garden from sunrise to
+sunset, but they were not old Hilding's children. The handsome boy
+was the son of the thane Thorsten Vikingsson; the little girl, with
+dove-like eyes and silken tresses, was the daughter of good King Bele.
+
+Together the little ones played through the long pleasant days in
+their foster-father's garden, or wandered through the woods, or
+climbed the hills that sheltered them from the northern winds. The boy
+would seek treasures from the birds' nests for his fair companion,
+not even fearing to rob the mountain eagle, so that he might bring the
+spoil to Ingebjorg. He would also take her far out on the blue sea in
+his little boat, and Ingebjorg never felt afraid as long as Frithiof
+was with her.
+
+As Frithiof grew older, he became a great hunter, and once he slew
+without weapons a fierce bear, which he brought home in triumph and
+laid at Ingebjorg's feet.
+
+During the winter evenings, they sat by the blazing logs on the
+hearth, and Hilding told them wonderful stories of Asgard and all its
+glories, of Odin the king of the gods, and of the beautiful Frigga.
+
+But Frithiof thought she could not be half so beautiful as Ingebjorg.
+And once he said so to her, and it pleased her exceedingly. And he
+said, moreover, that when he was a man, Ingebjorg should be his wife.
+This also she was glad to hear, for she loved Frithiof better than any
+one in the world.
+
+But Old Hilding told them not to talk nonsense, for Ingebjorg was a
+king's daughter, and Frithiof but the son of a thane.
+
+
+
+
+II
+
+
+In a room of his palace stood King Bele. He was leaning on his sword,
+musing over all that was past, and thinking of the future. He was an
+old man, and he felt that his strength was failing him.
+
+With him was his faithful friend Thorsten Vikingsson. They had grown
+up to manhood together, they had fought in many a battle side by side.
+They had been companions at many a feast and revel; and now, when old
+age had fallen upon them, they drew closer to one another, feeling
+that the hand of death was raised to summon them into another world.
+
+"The end of life is near," said the King; "the shadow of death is cast
+upon me. No longer do I care for all that men call pleasure. The chase
+hath lost its charm, the helmet sits heavy upon my brow, and the mead
+hath lost its flavor. I would that my sons were here so that I might
+give them my blessing."
+
+Then the servants summoned to King Bele's presence his two sons, Helgi
+and Halfdan. Dark was the countenance of Helgi, and there was
+blood upon his hands, for he had just been assisting at the midday
+sacrifice. But the face of Halfdan was bright as the early morning,
+and he was as light and joyous as his brother was dark and gloomy.
+
+Frithiof also came, for the thane Thorsten Vikingsson desired to see
+him, that he too might bless his son when King Bele blessed the royal
+princes.
+
+And the two old friends spoke words of wisdom to their children, and
+prayed that the gods might be with them in peace and war, in joy and
+sorrow, and grant them a long life and a glorious death.
+
+And when their counsels and prayers were ended, King Bele said, "And
+now, O sons, I bid you remember, in that day when death shall claim
+me and my faithful friend, that ye lay our bones side by side near the
+shore of the great ocean."
+
+
+
+
+III
+
+
+In due time, King Bele died, and Helgi and Halfdan shared his kingdom
+between them.
+
+Thorsten Vikingsson died also, and Frithiof became lord of his
+ancestral home of Framnaes.
+
+Rich treasures did that home contain, three of them of magic power.
+
+The first was the sword of Angurvadel. Blood-red it shone in time of
+war, and wo to him who contended with its owner on the battle-field.
+
+Next was an arm-ring of pure gold, made by the god Voelund, and given
+by him to one of Thorsten Vikingsson's forefathers. Once it was stolen
+and carried to England by the viking Sote, but Thorsten and his friend
+King Bele pursued the robber. Over the sea they sailed after the
+viking, and landed at a lonely place where the rocks reared up their
+sharp points and made the coast dangerous.
+
+There were deep caverns which the waters filled when the tide was up,
+so lone and dark that men were almost afraid to go into them.
+
+But Thorsten Vikingsson and the King his master were not daunted.
+Hither had they come after the pirate, and here it was that he had
+last been heard of; and they searched along the shore and in the
+caves, and peered into every hole and cranny, until their eyes grew
+strained and heavy, but no viking Sote was to be seen.
+
+They had almost given up hope of finding him, when, looking through a
+chink that had hitherto escaped their notice, a fearful sight was seen
+by the valiant thane.
+
+Within a mighty vault, forming a still, cold tomb, there lay a vessel
+all complete, with masts and spars and anchor; and on the deck there
+sat a grim skeleton clad in a robe of flame, and on his skinless arm
+glittered the golden arm-ring wrought by Voelund. The figure held in
+his left hand a blood-stained sword, from which he was trying to scour
+away the stains.
+
+"It is my arm-ring," said Thorsten Vikingsson; "it is the spirit of
+the viking Sote."
+
+And forthwith he forced his way into the tomb, and, after a deadly
+conflict with the specter, regained his treasure.
+
+And the two friends sailed home in triumph.
+
+The third great thing that Frithiof inherited was the dragon-ship
+"Ellide," which his forefathers had won in the following manner:
+
+One of them, a rough, rude viking, with a tender heart, was out at
+sea, and on a wreck that was fast sinking saw an old man with green
+locks sitting disconsolately.
+
+The good-natured viking picked him up, took him home, gave him of the
+best of food and of sparkling mead, and would have lodged him in his
+house; but the green-haired man said he could not tarry, for he had
+many miles to sail that night.
+
+"But when the sun comes up in the east," added the stranger, "look for
+a thank-gift on the wild seashore."
+
+And behold, as morning dawned, the viking saw a goodly vessel making
+gallant headway. As she drew near the land with streamer flying and
+broad sails flapping in the wind, the viking saw that there was no
+soul on board of her; and yet, without steersman to guide her, the
+vessel avoided the shoals and held her way straight to the spot where
+he was standing.
+
+Her prow was a dragon's head, a dragon's tail formed her stern, and
+dragon's wings bore her along swifter than an eagle before the storm.
+
+The green-haired stranger was a sea-god, and the dragon-ship "Ellide"
+was his thank-gift.
+
+Thus Frithiof, though only the son of a thane, had treasures that
+might have been coveted by kings and princes. He sat in his father's
+halls, surrounded by his companions; upon his right was seated his
+bosom friend Bjorn, and twelve bold champions clad in steel were
+ranged around the board. And they drank in silence to the memory of
+Thorsten Vikingsson.
+
+But suddenly the harps struck up, and the skalds poured forth their
+songs in honor of the dead thane.
+
+And Frithiof's eyes filled with tears as he listened to his father's
+praises.
+
+
+
+
+IV
+
+
+In spite of Frithiof's wealth, Helgi and Halfdan looked with disdain
+upon the son of their father's friend; and when Frithiof asked to have
+Ingebjorg for his wife, Helgi scornfully answered, "My sister shall
+not wed the son of a thane. If you like to be our serf, we will make
+room for you among our servants."
+
+Then went Frithiof away in wrath.
+
+There was another suitor for the hand of Ingebjorg, good old King
+Ring, who, having lost his wife, thought that the Lily of the North
+would make a tender mother for his little son.
+
+And he sent to Helgi and Halfdan to ask for Ingebjorg in marriage,
+but the brothers treated him as they had treated Frithiof; and the old
+King was roused, and he swore he would revenge himself.
+
+Helgi and Halfdan were afraid when they found that Ring was really
+making ready for war. They began to get their army into order, and
+placed Ingebjorg for safety in the temple of Baldur, and in their
+distress they even sent to Frithiof to ask him to come and help them.
+
+They chose wisely in the messenger they sent to plead for them, for it
+was none other than old Hilding, who had been so kind to Frithiof in
+his childhood.
+
+Frithiof was playing at chess with Bjorn when Hilding arrived. He
+pretended not to hear the message, and went on with his game.
+
+"Shall the pawn save the king?" he asked of Bjorn.
+
+And after a time he added: "There is no other way to save the queen."
+Which showed that he had been all the time occupied with Hilding's
+errand.
+
+Therefore he returned with the old peasant, and contrived to see
+Ingebjorg in the temple of Baldur, and found that she still loved him
+as much as he loved her, and did not wish to marry any one else.
+
+And again he asked Helgi and Halfdan if they were willing that
+Ingebjorg should be his wife.
+
+And again the brothers said, Nay, with scorn, and told him that he
+had profaned the temple of Baldur by speaking to Ingebjorg within its
+walls.
+
+"For such a misdeed," said Helgi, "death or banishment is the doom,
+and thou art in our power. Nevertheless, we are willing, as we wish
+to make thee useful to us, to forego the penalty. Thou shalt therefore
+sail forth to the distant Orkney Isles, and compel Jarl Angantyr to
+pay the tribute that he owes us."
+
+Frithiof would have refused to go, but Ingebjorg persuaded him to
+undertake the mission; for she was afraid of her brothers, and knew
+that Frithiof would be safer on the wild seas than in their hands.
+
+At last Frithiof consented, and he took leave of Ingebjorg, and placed
+the golden bracelet that Voelund had made upon her arm, praying her to
+keep it for his sake.
+
+And then he sailed away over the heaving waters, and Ingebjorg mourned
+that her lover was gone.
+
+
+
+
+V
+
+
+Over the sea. It was calm enough when Frithiof started; the
+storm-winds were asleep, and the waters heaved gently as though they
+would fain help speed the dragon-ship peacefully on her way.
+
+But King Helgi standing on a rock repented that he had suffered the
+noble Frithiof to escape his malice; and as he watched the good ship
+"Ellide" riding over the sea, he prayed loudly to the ocean-fiends
+that they would trouble the waters and raise a fierce tempest to
+swallow up Frithiof and the dragon-ship.
+
+All at once, the sparkling sea turned leaden gray, and the billows
+began to roll, the skies grew dark, and the howl of the driving wind
+was answered by a sullen roar from the depths beneath. Suddenly,
+a blinding flash of lightning played around the vessel, and as it
+vanished the pealing thunder burst from the clouds. The raging sea
+foamed, and seethed, and tossed the vessel like a feather upon its
+angry waves, and deeper sounded the thunder, and more fiercely flashed
+the lightning round the masts.
+
+Wilder, wilder, wilder grew the storm. Alas, for Frithiof!
+
+"Ho! take the tiller in hand," shouted Frithiof to Bjorn. "and I will
+mount to the topmost mast and look out for danger'"
+
+And when he looked out, he saw the storm-fiends riding on a whale. One
+was in form like to a great white bear, the other like unto a terrible
+eagle.
+
+"Now help me, O gift of the sea-god! Help me, my gallant 'Ellide'!"
+cried Frithiof.
+
+And the dragon-ship heard her master's voice, and with her keel
+she smote the whale; so he died, and sank to the bottom of the sea,
+leaving the storm-fiends tossing upon the waves.
+
+"Ho, spears and lances, help me in my need!" shouted Frithiof, as he
+took aim at the monsters.
+
+And he transfixed the shrieking storm-fiends, and left them entangled
+in the huge coils of seaweed which the storm had uprooted.
+
+"Ho, ho!" laughed rugged Bjorn, "they are trapped in their own nets."
+
+And so they were; and they were so much taken up with trying to free
+themselves from the seaweed and from Frithiof's long darts, that they
+were unable to give any heed to the storm, which therefore went down,
+and Frithiof and his crew sailed on, and reached the Orkney Isles in
+safety.
+
+"Here comes Frithiof," said the viking Atle. "I know him by his
+dragon-ship."
+
+And forthwith the viking rose and went forth; he had heard of the
+strength of Frithiof, and wished to match himself against him.
+
+He did not wait to see whether Frithiof came in enmity or friendship.
+Fighting was the first thing he thought of, and what he most cared
+for.
+
+However, the viking had the worst of it in the battle.
+
+"There is witchcraft in thy sword," said he to Frithiof.
+
+So Frithiof threw his sword aside, and they wrestled together,
+unarmed, until Atle was brought to the ground.
+
+Then spake Frithiof: "And if I had my sword thou wouldst not long be a
+living man."
+
+"Fetch it, then," replied Atle. "I swear by the gods that I will not
+move until thou dost return."
+
+So Frithiof fetched his sword, but when he saw the conquered viking
+still upon the ground, he could not bring himself to slay so honorable
+a man.
+
+"Thou art too true and brave to die," said Frithiof. "Rise, let us be
+friends."
+
+And the two combatants went hand in hand to the banquet hall of
+Angantyr, Jarl (earl) of the Orkney Islands.
+
+A splendid hall it was, and a rare company of heroes was there; and
+all listened eagerly as Frithiof told his story, and wherefore he had
+come.
+
+"I never paid tribute to King Bele, though he was an old friend of
+mine," said the jarl, as Frithiof ended his speech, "nor will I to his
+sons. If they want aught of me, let them come and take it."
+
+"It was by no choice of my own that I came upon such an errand,"
+returned Frithiof, "and I shall be well content to carry back your
+answer."
+
+"Take also this purse of gold in token of friendship," continued the
+jarl, "and remain with us, for I knew thy father."
+
+Thus Frithiof and the jarl became good friends, and Frithiof consented
+to stay for a while in the Orkney Islands; but after a time he ordered
+out his good ship "Ellide," and set sail for his native land.
+
+
+
+
+VI
+
+
+But fearful things had come to pass since he had left his home!
+Framnaeas, the dwelling of his fathers, was a heap of ruins, and the
+land was waste and desolate.
+
+And as he stood upon the well-loved spot, striving to find some traces
+of the past, his faithful hound bounded forth to greet him, and licked
+his master's hand. And then his favorite steed drew near, and thrust
+his nose into Frithiof's hand, hoping to find therein a piece of
+bread, as in the days of old. His favorite falcon perched upon
+his shoulder, and this was Frithiof's welcome to the home of his
+ancestors.
+
+There had been a fierce battle, for King Ring with his army had come
+against Helgi and Halfdan, and the country had been laid waste, and
+many warriors slain.
+
+And when all chance of withstanding him was at an end, the brothers,
+rather than lose their kingdom, had consented that Ingebjorg should be
+the wife of Ring.
+
+Ingebjorg was married! Frithiof's heart was full of deep sorrow, and
+he turned his steps towards the temple of Baldur, hoping that at the
+altar of the god he might meet with consolation.
+
+In the temple he found King Helgi, and the sorrow that was weighing
+down Frithiof's heart gave place to hatred and revenge.
+
+Caring nothing for the sacred place, he rushed madly forward. "Here,
+take thy tribute," said he, and he threw the purse that Jarl Angantyr
+had given him with such force against the face of the King that Helgi
+fell down senseless on the steps of the altar.
+
+Next, seeing his arm-ring on the arm of the statue, for Helgi had
+taken it from Ingebjorg and placed it there, he tried to tear it off,
+and, lo! the image tottered and fell upon the fire that was burning
+with sweet perfumes before it.
+
+Scarcely had it touched the fire when it was ablaze, and the
+flames spreading rapidly on every side, the whole temple was soon a
+smoldering heap of ruins.
+
+Then Frithiof sought his ship. He vowed that he would lead a viking's
+life, and leave forever a land where he had suffered so much sorrow.
+And he put out to sea.
+
+But no sooner were his sails spread than he saw ten vessels in chase
+of him, and on the deck of one stood Helgi, who had been rescued from
+the burning temple, and had come in chase of him.
+
+Yet Frithiof was rescued from the danger as if by miracle; for one by
+one the ships sank down as though some water-giant had stretched out
+his strong arm, and dragged them below, and Helgi only saved himself
+by swimming ashore.
+
+Loud laughed Bjorn.
+
+"I bored holes in the ships last night," said he; "it is a rare ending
+to Helgi's fleet."
+
+"And now," said Frithiof, "I will forever lead a viking's life. I care
+not for aught upon the land. The sea shall be my home. And I will seek
+climes far away from here."
+
+So he steered the good ship "Ellide" southward, and among the isles of
+Greece strove to forget the memories of bygone days.
+
+
+
+
+VII
+
+
+In and out of the sunny islands that lay like studs of emerald on a
+silver shield sailed Frithiof, and on the deck of the dragon-ship
+he rested through the summer nights, looking up at the moon, and
+wondering what she could tell him of the northern land.
+
+Sometimes he dreamed of his home as it was before the wartime.
+Sometimes he dreamed of the days when he and Ingebjorg roamed through
+the fields and woods together, or listened to old Hilding's stories by
+the blazing hearth; and then he would wake up with a start and stroke
+his faithful hound, who was ever near him, saying, "Thou alone knowest
+no change; to thee all is alike, so long as thy master is with thee."
+
+One night, however, as Frithiof was musing on the deck of his vessel,
+gazing into the cloudless sky, a vision of the past rose up before
+him: old familiar faces crowded round him, and in their midst he
+marked one, best beloved of all, pale, sad, with sorrowful eyes; and
+her lips moved, and he seemed to hear her say, "I am very sad without
+thee, Frithiof."
+
+Then a great longing came upon Frithiof to see Ingebjorg once more.
+He would go northward, even to the country of King Ring; he must see
+Ingebjorg. What did he care for danger? He must go.
+
+To the cold, dark north.
+
+Yet he dared not go openly, for King Ring looked upon him as an enemy,
+and would seize him at once, and if he did not kill him would shut him
+up in prison, so that either way he would not see the beautiful Queen.
+
+Frithiof. therefore disguised himself as an old man, and wrapped in
+bearskins, presented himself at the palace.
+
+The old King sat upon his throne, and at his side was Ingebjorg the
+Fair, looking like spring by the side of fading autumn.
+
+As the strangely dressed figure passed along, the courtiers jeered,
+and Frithiof, thrown off his guard, angrily seized one of them, and
+twirled him round with but little effort.
+
+"Ho!" said the King, "thou art a strong old man, O stranger! Whence
+art thou?"
+
+"I was reared in anguish and want," returned Frithiof; "sorrow has
+filled a bitter cup for me, and I have almost drunk it to the dregs.
+Once I rode upon a dragon, but now it lies dead upon the seashore, and
+I am left in my old age to burn salt upon the strand."
+
+"Thou art not old," answered the wise King; "thy voice is clear, and
+thy grasp is strong. Throw off thy rude disguise, that we may know our
+guest."
+
+Then Frithiof threw aside his bearskin, and appeared clad in a mantle
+of blue embroidered velvet, and his hair fell like a golden wave upon
+his shoulder.
+
+Ring did not know him, but Ingebjorg did; and when she handed the
+goblet for him to drink, her color went and came "like to the northern
+light on a field of snow."
+
+And Frithiof stayed at the court, until the year came round again, and
+spring once more put forth its early blossoms.
+
+One day a gay hunting train went forth, but old King Ring, not being
+strong, as in former years, lay down to rest upon the mossy turf
+beneath some arching pines, while the hunters rode on.
+
+Then Frithiof drew near, and in his heart wild thoughts arose. One
+blow of his sword, and Ingebjorg was free to be his wife.
+
+But as he looked upon the sleeping King, there came a whisper from a
+better voice, "It is cowardly to strike a sleeping foe."
+
+And Frithiof shuddered, for he was too brave a man to commit murder.
+
+"Sleep on, old man," he muttered gently to himself.
+
+But Ring's sleep was over. He started up. "O Frithiof why hast thou
+come hither to steal an old man's bride?"
+
+"I came not hither for so dark a purpose," answered Frithiof; "I came
+but to look on the face of my loved Ingebjorg once more."
+
+"I know it," replied the King; "I have tried thee, I have proved thee,
+and true as tried steel hast thou passed through the furnace. Stay
+with us yet a little longer, the old man soon will be gathered to his
+fathers, then shall his kingdom and his wife be thine."
+
+But Frithiof replied that he had already remained too long, and that
+on the morrow he must depart.
+
+Yet he went not; for death had visited the palace, and old King
+Ring was stretched upon his bier, while the bards around sang of his
+wisdom.
+
+Then arose a cry among the people, "We must choose a king!"
+
+And Frithiof raised aloft upon his shield the little son of Ring.
+
+"Here is your king," he said, "the son of wise old Ring."
+
+The blue-eyed child laughed and clapped his hands as he beheld the
+glittering helmets and glancing spears of the warriors. Then tired of
+his high place, he sprang down into the midst of them.
+
+Loud uprose the shout, "The child shall be our king, and the Jarl
+Frithiof regent. Hail to the young King of the Northmen!"
+
+
+
+
+VIII
+
+
+But Frithiof in the hour of his good fortune did not forget that he
+had offended the gods. He must make atonement to Baldur for having
+caused the ruin of his temple. He must turn his steps once more
+homeward.
+
+Home! Home! And on his father's grave he sank down with a softened
+heart, and grieved over the passion and revenge that had swayed his
+deeds. And as he mourned, the voices of unseen spirits answered him,
+and whispered that he was forgiven.
+
+And to his wondering eyes a vision was vouchsafed, and the temple of
+Baldur appeared before him, rebuilt in more than its ancient splendor,
+and deep peace sank into the soul of Frithiof.
+
+"Rise up, rise up, Frithiof, and journey onward."
+
+The words came clear as a command to Frithiof, and he obeyed them.
+He rose up, and journeyed to the place where he had left the temple a
+heap of blackened ruins.
+
+And, lo! the vision that had appeared to him was accomplished, for
+there stood the beautiful building, stately and fair to look upon. So
+beautiful, that, as he gazed, his thoughts were of Valhalla.
+
+He entered, and the white-robed, silver-bearded priest welcomed the
+long-absent viking, and told him that Helgi was dead, and Halfdan
+reigned alone.
+
+"And know, O Frithiof," said the aged man, "that Baldur is better
+pleased when the heart grows soft and injuries are forgiven, than with
+the most costly sacrifices. Lay aside forever all thoughts of hatred
+and revenge, and stretch out to Halfdan the hand of friendship."
+
+Joy had softened all Frithiofs feelings of anger, and, advancing to
+Halfdan, who was standing near the altar, he spoke out manfully.
+
+"Halfdan," he said, "let us forget the years that have gone by. Let
+all past evil and injury be buried in the grave. Henceforth let us
+be as brothers, and once more I ask thee, give me Ingebjorg to be my
+wife."
+
+And Halfdan made answer, "Thou shalt be my brother."
+
+And as he spoke, an inner door flew open, and a sweet chorus of
+youthful voices was heard. A band of maidens issued forth, and at
+their head walked Ingebjorg, fairer than ever.
+
+Then Halfdan, leading her to Frithiof, placed her hand within that of
+the viking.
+
+"Behold thy wife," said Halfdan. "Well hast thou won her. May the gods
+attend upon your bridal."
+
+So Ingebjorg became the wife of Frithiof at last.
+
+Thus steps of sorrow had but led them to a height of happiness that
+poets love to sing. Paths thick with thorns had blossomed into roses,
+and wreaths of everlasting flowers had crowned the winter snows. And
+midst the lights and shadows of the old Northland, their lives flowed
+on like to two united streams that roll through quiet pastures to the
+ocean of eternity.
+
+
+
+
+HAVELOK
+
+ADAPTED BY GEORGE W. COX AND E.H. JONES
+
+
+There was once a King of England named Athelwold. Earl, baron, thane,
+knight, and bondsman, all loved him; for he set on high the wise and
+the just man, and put down the spoiler and the robber. At that time a
+man might carry gold about with him, as much as fifty pounds, and not
+fear loss. Traders and merchants bought and sold at their ease without
+danger of plunder. But it was bad for the evil person and for such
+as wrought shame, for they had to lurk and hide away from the King's
+wrath; yet was it unavailing, for he searched out the evil-doer and
+punished him, wherever he might be. The fatherless and the widow found
+a sure friend in the King; he turned not away from the complaint of
+the helpless, but avenged them against the oppressor, were he never
+so strong. Kind was he to the poor, neither at any time thought he the
+fine bread upon his own table too good to give to the hungry.
+
+But a death-sickness fell on King Athelwold, and when he knew that his
+end was near he was greatly troubled, for he had one little daughter
+of tender age, named Goldborough, and he grieved to leave her.
+
+"O my little daughter, heir to all the land, yet so young thou canst
+not walk upon it; so helpless that thou canst not tell thy wants and
+yet hast need to give commandment like a queen! For myself I would not
+care, being old and not afraid to die. But I had hoped to live till
+thou shouldst be of age to wield the kingdom; to see thee ride on
+horseback through the land, and round about a thousand knights to do
+thy bidding. Alas, my little child, what will become of thee when I am
+gone?"
+
+Then King Athelwold summoned his earls and barons, from Roxborough to
+Dover, to come and take counsel with him as he lay a-dying on his bed
+at Winchester. And when they all wept sore at seeing the King so near
+his end, he said, "Weep not, good friends, for since I am brought to
+death's door your tears can in nowise deliver me; but rather give me
+your counsel. My little daughter that after me shall be your queen;
+tell me in whose charge I may safely leave both her and England till
+she be grown of age to rule?"
+
+And with one accord they answered him, "In the charge of Earl Godrich
+of Cornwall, for he is a right wise and a just man, and held in fear
+of all the land. Let him be ruler till our queen be grown."
+
+Then the King sent for a fair linen cloth, and thereon having laid the
+mass-book and the chalice and the paton, he made Earl Godrich swear
+upon the holy bread and wine to be a true and faithful guardian of his
+child, without blame or reproach, tenderly to entreat her, and justly
+to govern the realm till she should be twenty winters old; then to
+seek out the best, the bravest, and the strongest man as husband for
+her and deliver up the kingdom to her hand. And when Earl Godrich
+had so sworn, the King shrived him clean of all his sins. Then having
+received his Saviour he folded his hands, saying, "Domine, in manus
+tuas;" and so he died.
+
+There was sorrow and mourning among all the people for the death
+of good King Athelwold. Many the mass that was sung for him and the
+psalter that was said for his soul's rest. The bells tolled and the
+priests sang, and the people wept; and they gave him a kingly burial.
+
+Then Earl Godrich began to govern the kingdom; and all the nobles and
+all the churls, both free and thrall, came and did allegiance to him.
+He set in all the castles strong knights in whom he could trust, and
+appointed justices and sheriffs and peace-sergeants in all the shires.
+So he ruled the country with a firm hand, and not a single wight dare
+disobey his word, for all England feared him. Thus, as the years went
+on, the earl waxed wonderly strong and very rich.
+
+Goldborough, the King's daughter, throve and grew up the fairest woman
+in all the land, and she was wise in all manner of wisdom that is good
+and to be desired. But when the time drew on that Earl Godrich should
+give up the kingdom to her, he began to think within himself--"Shall
+I, that have ruled so long, give up the kingdom to a girl, and let her
+be queen and lady over me? And to what end? All these strong earls and
+barons, governed by a weaker hand than mine, would throw off the yolk
+and split up England into little baronies, evermore fighting betwixt
+themselves for mastery. There would cease to be a kingdom, and so
+there would cease to be a queen. She cannot rule it, and she shall not
+have it. Besides, I have a son. Him will I teach to rule and make him
+king."
+
+So the earl let his oath go for nothing, and went to Winchester where
+the maiden was, and fetched her away and carried her off to Dover to a
+castle that is by the seashore. Therein he shut her up and dressed her
+in poor clothes, and fed her on scanty fare; neither would he let any
+of her friends come near her.
+
+Now there was in Denmark a certain King called Birkabeyn, who had
+three children, two daughters and a son. And Birkabeyn fell sick, and
+knowing that death had stricken him, he called for Godard, whom
+he thought his truest friend, and said, "Godard, here I commend my
+children to thee. Care for them, I pray thee, and bring them up as
+befits the children of a king. When the boy is grown and can bear a
+helm upon his head and wield a spear, I charge thee to make him king
+of Denmark. Till then hold my estate and royalty in charge for him."
+And Godard swore to guard the children zealously, and to give up the
+kingdom to the boy. Then Birkabeyn died and was buried. But no sooner
+was the King laid in his grave than Godard despised his oath; for he
+took the children, Havelok and his two little sisters, Swanborough and
+Helfled, and shut them up in a castle with barely clothes to cover
+them. And Havelok, the eldest, was scarce three years old.
+
+One day Godard came to see the children, and found them all crying
+of hunger and cold; and he said angrily, "How now! What is all this
+crying about?" The boy Havelok answered him, "We are very hungry, for
+we get scarce anything to eat. Is there no more corn, that men cannot
+make bread and give us? We are very hungry." But his little sisters
+only sat shivering with the cold, and sobbing, for they were too young
+to be able to speak. The cruel Godard cared not. He went to where the
+little girls sat, and drew his knife, and took them one after another
+and cut their throats. Havelok, seeing this sorry sight, was terribly
+afraid, and fell down on his knees begging Godard to spare his life.
+So earnestly he pleaded that Godard was fain to listen: and listening
+he looked upon the knife, red with the children's blood; and when he
+saw the still, dead faces of the little ones he had slain, and looked
+upon their brother's tearful face praying for life, his cruel courage
+failed him quite. He laid down the knife. He would that Havelok were
+dead, but feared to slay him for the silence that would come. So the
+boy pleaded on; and Godard stared at him as though his wits were gone;
+then turned upon his heel and came out from the castle. "Yet," he
+thought, "if I should let him go, one day he may wreak me mischief and
+perchance seize the crown. But if he dies, my children will be lords
+of Denmark after me." Then Godard sent for a fisherman whose name
+was Grim, and he said, "Grim, you know you are my bondsman. Do now my
+bidding, and to-morrow I shall make thee free and give thee gold and
+land. Take this child with thee to-night when thou goest a fishing,
+and at moonrise cast him in the sea, with a good anchor fast about
+his neck to keep him down. To-day I am thy master and the sin is mine.
+To-morrow thou art free."
+
+Then Grim took up the child and bound him fast, and having thrust a
+gag into his mouth so that he could not speak, he put him in a bag and
+took him on his back and carried him home. When Grim got home his wife
+took the bag from off his shoulders and cast it upon the ground within
+doors; and Grim told her of his errand. Now as it drew to midnight he
+said, "Rise up, wife, and blow up the fire to light a candle, and get
+me my clothes, for I must be stirring." But when the woman came into
+the room where Havelok lay, she saw a bright light round the boy's
+head, like a sunbeam, and she called to her husband to come and see.
+And when he came they both marveled at the light and what it might
+mean, for it was very bright and shining. Then they unbound Havelok
+and took away the gag, and turning down his shirt they found a
+king-mark fair and plain upon his right shoulder. "God help us, wife,"
+said Grim, "but this is surely the heir of Denmark, son of Birkabeyn
+our King! Ay, and he shall be King in spite of Godard." Then Grim fell
+down at the boy's feet and said, "Forgive me, my King, that I knew thee
+not. We are thy subjects and henceforth will feed and clothe thee till
+thou art grown a man and can bear shield and spear. Then deal thou
+kindly by me and mine, as I shall deal with thee. But fear not Godard.
+He shall never know, and I shall be a bondsman still, for I will never
+be free till thou, my King, shall set me free."
+
+Then was Havelok very glad, and he sat up and begged for bread. And
+they hastened and fetched bread and cheese and butter and milk; and
+for very hunger the boy ate up the whole loaf, for he was well-nigh
+famished. And after he had eaten, Grim made a fair bed and undressed
+Havelok and laid him down to rest, saying, "Sleep, my son; sleep fast
+and sound and have no care, for nought shall harm thee."
+
+On the morrow Grim went to Godard, and telling him he had drowned the
+boy, asked for his reward. But Godard bade him go home and remain a
+bondsman, and be thankful that he was not hanged for so wicked a deed.
+After a while Grim, beginning to fear that both himself and Havelok
+might be slain, sold all his goods, his corn, and cattle, and fowls,
+and made ready his little ship, tarring and pitching it till not a
+seam nor a crack could be found, and setting a good mast and sail
+therein. Then with his wife, his three sons, his two daughters, and
+Havelok, he entered into the ship and sailed away from Denmark; and a
+strong north wind arose and drove the vessel to England, and carried
+it up the Humber so far as Lindesay, where it grounded on the sands.
+Grim got out of the boat with his wife and children and Havelok, and
+then drew it ashore.
+
+On the shore he built a house of earth and dwelt therein, and from
+that time the place was called Grimsby, after Grim.
+
+Grim did not want for food, for he was a good fisherman both with
+net and hook, and he would go out in his boat and catch all manner of
+fish--sturgeons, turbot, salmon, cod, herrings, mackerel, flounders,
+and lampreys, and he never came home empty-handed. He had four baskets
+made for himself and his sons, and in these they used to carry the
+fish to Lincoln, to sell them, coming home laden with meat and meal,
+and hemp and rope to make new nets and lines. Thus they lived for
+twelve years. But Havelok saw that Grim worked very hard, and being
+now grown a strong lad, he bethought him "I eat more than Grim and all
+his five children together, and yet do nothing to earn the bread. I
+will no longer be idle, for it is a shame for a man not to work." So
+he got Grim to let him have a basket like the rest, and next day took
+it out heaped with fish, and sold them well, bringing home silver
+money for them. After that he never stopped at home idle. But soon
+there arose a great dearth, and corn grew so dear that they could not
+take fish enough to buy bread for all. Then Havelok, since he needed
+so much to eat, determined that he would no longer be a burden to
+the fisherman. So Grim made him a coat of a piece of an old sail, and
+Havelok set off to Lincoln barefoot to seek for work.
+
+It so befell that Earl Godrich's cook, Bertram, wanted a scullion, and
+took Havelok into his service. There was plenty to eat and plenty to
+do. Havelok drew water and chopped wood, and brought twigs to make
+fires, and carried heavy tubs and dishes, but was always merry and
+blythe. Little children loved to play with him; and grown knights and
+nobles would stop to talk and laugh with him, although he wore nothing
+but rags of old sail-cloth which scarcely covered his great limbs, and
+all admired how fair and strong a man God had made him. The cook liked
+Havelok so much that he bought him new clothes, with shoes and hose;
+and when Havelok put them on, no man in the kingdom seemed his peer
+for strength and beauty. He was the tallest man in Lincoln, and the
+strongest in England.
+
+Earl Godrich assembled a Parliament in Lincoln, and afterward held
+games. Strong men and youths came to try for mastery at the game of
+putting the stone. It was a mighty stone, the weight of an heifer. He
+was a stalwart man who could lift it to his knee, and few could stir
+it from the ground. So they strove together, and he who put the stone
+an inch farther than the rest was to be made champion. But Havelok,
+though he had never seen the like before, took up the heavy stone, and
+put it twelve feet beyond the rest, and after that none would contend
+with him. Now this matter being greatly talked about, it came to the
+ears of Earl Godrich, who bethought him--"Did not Athelwold bid me
+marry his daughter to the strongest man alive? In truth, I will marry
+her to this cook's scullion. That will abase her pride; and when she
+is wedded to a bondsman she will be powerless to injure me. That will
+be better than shutting her up; better than killing her." So he sent
+and brought Goldborough to Lincoln, and set the bells ringing, and
+pretended great joy, for he said, "Goldborough, I am going to marry
+thee to the fairest and stalwartest man living." But Goldborough
+answered she would never wed any one but a king. "Ay, ay, my girl;
+and so thou wouldst be queen and lady over me? But thy father made
+me swear to give thee to the strongest man in England, and that is
+Havelok, the cook's scullion; so willing or not willing to-morrow thou
+shalt wed." Then the earl sent for Havelok and said, "Master, will you
+marry?" "Not I," said Havelok; "for I cannot feed nor clothe a wife.
+I have no house, no cloth, no victuals. The very clothes I wear do not
+belong to me, but to Bertram the cook, as I do." "So much the better,"
+said the earl; "but thou shalt either wed her that I shall bring
+thee, or else hang from a tree. So choose." Then Havelok said he would
+sooner wed. Earl Godrich went back to Goldborough and threatened
+her with burning at the stake unless she yielded to his bidding. So,
+thinking it God's will, the maid consented. And on the morrow
+they were wed by the Archbishop of York, who had come down to the
+Parliament, and the earl told money out upon the mass-book for her
+dower.
+
+Now after he was wed, Havelok knew not what to do, for he saw how
+greatly Earl Godrich hated him. He thought he would go and see Grim.
+When he got to Grimsby he found that Grim was dead, but his children
+welcomed Havelok and begged him bring his wife thither, since they
+had gold and silver and cattle. And when Goldborough came, they made
+a feast, sparing neither flesh nor fowl, wine nor ale. And Grim's sons
+and daughters served Havelok and Goldborough.
+
+Sorrowfully Goldborough lay down at night, for her heart was heavy
+at thinking she had wedded a bondsman. But as she fretted she saw a
+light, very bright like a blaze of fire, which came out of Havelok's
+mouth. And she thought, "Of a truth but he must be nobly born." Then
+she looked on his shoulder, and saw the king mark, like a fair cross
+of red gold, and at the same time she heard an angel say--
+
+"Goldborough, leave sorrowing, for Havelok is a king's son, and shall
+be king of England and of Denmark, and thou queen."
+
+Then was Goldborough glad, and kissed Havelok, who, straightway
+waking, said, "I have had a strange dream. I dreamed I was on a high
+hill, whence I could see all Denmark; and I thought as I looked that
+it was all mine. Then I was taken up and carried over the salt sea to
+England, and methought I took all the country and shut it within my
+hand." And Goldborough said, "What a good dream is this! Rejoice, for
+it means that thou shalt be king of England and of Denmark. Take now
+my counsel and get Grim's sons to go with thee to Denmark."
+
+In the morning Havelok went to the church and prayed to God to speed
+him in his undertaking. Then he came home and found Grim's three
+sons just going off fishing. Their names were Robert the Red, William
+Wendut, and Hugh Raven. He told them who he was, how Godard had slain
+his sisters, and delivered him over to Grim to be drowned, and how
+Grim had fled with him to England. Then Havelok asked them to go with
+him to Denmark, promising to make them rich men. To this they gladly
+agreed, and having got ready their ship and victualed it, they set
+sail with Havelok and his wife for Denmark. The place of their landing
+was hard by the castle of a Danish earl named Ubbe, who had been a
+faithful friend to King Birkabeyn. Havelok went to Earl Ubbe, with a
+gold ring for a present, asking leave to buy and sell goods from
+town to town in that part of the country. Ubbe, beholding the tall,
+broad-shouldered, thick-chested man, so strong and cleanly made,
+thought him more fit for a knight than for a peddler. He bade Havelok
+bring his wife and come and eat with him at his table. So Havelok went
+to fetch Goldborough, and Robert the Red and William Wendut led her
+between them till they came to the castle, where Ubbe, with a great
+company of knights, welcomed them gladly. Havelok stood a head taller
+than any of the knights, and when they sat at table Ubbe's wife ate
+with him, and Goldborough with Ubbe. It was a great feast, and after
+the feast Ubbe sent Havelok and his friends to Bernard Brown, bidding
+him take care of them till next day. So Bernard received the guests
+and gave them a fine supper.
+
+Now in the night there came sixty-one thieves to Bernard's house. Each
+had a drawn sword and a long knife, and they called to Bernard to undo
+the door. He started up and armed himself, and told them to go away.
+But the thieves defied him, and with a great boulder broke down the
+door. Then Havelok, hearing the din, rose up, and seizing the bar of
+the door stood on the threshold and threw the door wide open, saying,
+"Come in, I am ready for you!" First came three against him with their
+swords, but Havelok slew these with the door bar at a single blow; the
+fourth man's crown he broke; he smote the fifth upon the shoulders,
+the sixth athwart the neck, and the seventh on the breast; so they
+fell dead. Then the rest drew back and began to fling their swords
+like darts at Havelok, till they had wounded him in twenty places. In
+spite of that, in a little while he had killed a score of the thieves.
+Then Hugh Raven, waking up, called Robert and William Wendut. One
+seized a staff, each of the others a piece of timber as big as his
+thigh, and Bernard his axe, and all three ran out to help Havelok.
+So well did Havelok and his fellows fight, breaking ribs and arms and
+shanks, and cracking crowns, that not a thief of all the sixty-one was
+left alive. Next morning, when Ubbe rode past and saw the sixty-one
+dead bodies, and heard what Havelok had done, he sent and brought both
+him and Goldborough to his own castle, and fetched a leech to tend his
+wounds, and would not hear of his going away; for, said he, "This man
+is better than a thousand knights."
+
+Now that same night, after he had gone to bed, Ubbe awoke about
+midnight and saw a great light shining from the chamber where Havelok
+and Goldborough lay. He went softly to the door and peeped in to
+see what it meant. They were lying fast asleep, and the light was
+streaming from Havelok's mouth. Ubbe went and called his knights, and
+they also came in and saw this marvel. It was brighter than a hundred
+burning tapers; bright enough to count money by. Havelok lay on his
+left side with his back towards them, uncovered to the waist; and they
+saw the king-mark on his right shoulder sparkle like shining gold and
+carbuncle. Then knew they that it was King Birkabeyn's son, and seeing
+how like he was to his father, they wept for joy. Thereupon Havelok
+awoke, and all fell down and did him homage, saying he should be their
+king. On the morrow Ubbe sent far and wide and gathered together earl
+and baron, dreng [servant] and thane, clerk, knight and burgess, and
+told them all the treason of Godard, and how Havelok had been nurtured
+and brought up by Grim in England. Then he showed them their King, and
+the people shouted for joy at having so fair and strong a man to rule
+them. And first Ubbe sware fealty to Havelok, and after him the others
+both great and small. And the sheriffs and constables and all that
+held castles in town or burg came out and promised to be faithful to
+him. Then Ubbe drew his sword and dubbed Havelok a knight, and set a
+crown upon his head and made him King. And at the crowning they held
+merry sports--jousting with sharp spears, tilting at the shield,
+wrestling, and putting the shot. There were harpers and pipers and
+gleemen with their tabors; and for forty days a feast was held with
+rich meats in plenty and the wine flowed like water. And first the
+King made Robert and William Wendut and Hugh Raven barons, and gave
+them land and fee. Then when the feast was done, he set out with
+a thousand knights and five thousand sergeants to seek for Godard.
+Godard was a-hunting with a great company of men, and Robert riding on
+a good steed found him and bade him to come to the King. Godard smote
+him and set on his knights to fight with Robert and the King's men.
+They fought till ten of Godard's men were slain; the rest began to
+flee. "Turn again, O knights!" cried Godard; "I have fed you and shall
+feed you yet. Forsake me not in such a plight." So they turned about
+and fought again. But the King's men slew every one of them, and took
+Godard and bound him and brought him to Havelok. Then King Havelok
+summoned all his nobles to sit in judgment and say what should be done
+to such a traitor. And they said, "Let him be dragged to the gallows
+at the mare's tail, and hanged by the heels in fetters, with this
+writing over him: 'This is he that drove the King out of the land, and
+took the life of the King's sisters.'" So Godard suffered his doom,
+and none pitied him.
+
+Then Havelok gave his scepter into Earl Ubbe's hand to rule Denmark
+on his behalf, and after that took ship and came to Grimsby, where
+he built a priory for black monks to pray evermore for the peace of
+Grim's soul. But when Earl Godrich understood that Havelok and his
+wife were come to England, he gathered together a great army at
+Lincoln on the 17th of March, and came to Grimsby to fight with
+Havelok and his knights. It was a great battle, wherein more than
+a thousand knights were slain. The field was covered with pools of
+blood. Hugh Raven and his brothers, Robert and William, did valiantly
+and slew many earls; but terrible was Earl Godrich to the Danes, for
+his sword was swift and deadly. Havelok came to him and reminding him
+of the oath he sware to Athelwold that Goldborough should be queen,
+bade him yield the land. But Godrich defied him, and running forward
+with his heavy sword cut Havelok's shield in two. Then Havelok smote
+him to the earth with a blow upon the helm; but Godrich arose and
+wounded him upon the shoulder, and Havelok, smarting with the cut, ran
+upon his enemy and hewed off his right hand. Then he took Earl Godrich
+and bound him and sent him to the Queen. And when the English knew
+that Goldborough was the heir of Athelwold, they laid by their swords
+and came and asked pardon of the Queen. And with one accord they took
+Earl Godrich and bound him to a stake and burned him to ashes, for the
+great outrage he had done.
+
+Then all the English nobles came and sware fealty to Havelok and
+crowned him King in London. Of Grim's two daughters, Havelok wedded
+Gunild, the elder, to Earl Reyner of Chester; and Levive, the younger,
+fair as a new rose blossom opening to the sun, he married to Bertram,
+the cook, whom he made Earl of Cornwall in the room of Godrich.
+
+Sixty years reigned Havelok and Goldborough in England, and they had
+fifteen children, who all became kings and queens. All the world spake
+of the great love that was between them. Apart, neither knew joy or
+happiness. They never grew weary of each other, for their love was
+ever new; and not a word of anger passed between them all their lives.
+
+
+
+
+THE VIKINGS
+
+ADAPTED BY MARY MACGREGOR
+
+
+
+
+I
+
+CHARACTERS OF THE VIKINGS
+
+
+In Norway, Sweden, and Denmark, in all the villages and towns around
+the shores of the Baltic, the viking race was born.
+
+It has been said that the name "vikings" was first given to those
+Northmen who dwelt in a part of Denmark called Viken. However that
+may be, it was the name given to all the Northmen who took to a wild,
+sea-roving life, because they would often seek shelter with their
+boats in one or another of the numerous bays which abounded along
+their coasts.
+
+Thus the vikings were not by any means all kings, as you might think
+from their name; yet among them were many chiefs of royal descent.
+These, although they had neither subjects nor kingdoms over which to
+rule, no sooner stepped on board a viking's boat to take command of
+the crew, than they were given title of king.
+
+The Northmen did not, however, spend all their lives in harrying and
+burning other countries. When the seas were quiet in the long,
+summer days, they would go off, as I have told you, on their wild
+expeditions. But when summer was over, and the seas began to grow
+rough and stormy, the viking bands would go home with their booty and
+stay there, to build their houses, reap their fields, and, when spring
+had come again, to sow their grain in the hope of a plenteous harvest.
+
+There was thus much that the viking lad had to learn beyond the art
+of wielding the battle-axe, poising the spear, and shooting an arrow
+straight to its mark. Even a free-born yeoman's son had to work, work
+as hard as had the slaves or thralls who were under him.
+
+The old history books, or Sagas, as the Norseman called them, have,
+among other songs, this one about the duties of a well-born lad:
+
+  "He now learnt
+  To tame oxen
+  And till the ground,
+  To timber houses
+  And build barns,
+  To make carts
+  And form plows."
+
+Indeed, it would have surprised you to see the fierce warriors and
+mighty chiefs themselves laying aside their weapons and working in the
+fields side by side with their thralls, sowing, reaping, threshing.
+Yet this they did.
+
+Even kings were often to be seen in the fields during the busy harvest
+season. They would help their men to cut the golden grain, and with
+their own royal hands help to fill the barn when the field was reaped.
+To king and yeomen alike, work, well done, was an honorable deed.
+
+Long before the Sagas were written down, the stories of the heroes
+were sung in halls and on battle-fields by the poets of the nation.
+These poets were named skalds, and their rank among the Northmen was
+high.
+
+Sometimes the Sagas were sung in prose, at other times in verse.
+Sometimes they were tales which had been handed down from father to
+son for so many years that it was hard to tell how much of them was
+history, how much fable. At other times the Sagas were true accounts
+of the deeds of the Norse kings. For the skalds were ofttimes to be
+seen on the battle-fields or battleships of the vikings, and then
+their songs were of the brave deeds which they had themselves seen
+done, of the victories and defeats at which they themselves had been
+present.
+
+The battles which the vikings fought were fought on the sea more
+frequently than on the land.
+
+Their warships were called long-ships and were half-decked The rowers
+sat in the center of the boat, which was low, so that their oars could
+reach the water. Sails were used, either red or painted in different
+stripes, red, blue, yellow, green. These square, brightly colored
+sails gave the boats a gay appearance which was increased by the
+round shields which were hung outside the gunwale and which were
+also painted red, black, or white. At the prow there was usually a
+beautifully carved and gorgeously painted figurehead. The stem and
+stern of the ships were high. In the stern there was an upper deck,
+but in the forepart of the vessel there was nothing but loose planks
+on which the sailors could step. When a storm was raging or a battle
+was being fought, the loose planks did not, as you may imagine, offer
+a very firm foothold.
+
+The boats were usually built long and pointed for the sake of speed,
+and had seats for thirty rowers. Besides the rowers, the long-boats
+could hold from sixty to one hundred and fifty sailors.
+
+
+
+
+II
+
+HARALD FAIRHAIR
+
+Harald Fairhair was one of the foremost of the kings of Norway. He was
+so brave a Northman that he became king over the whole of Norway.
+In eight hundred and sixty-one, when he began to reign, Norway was
+divided into thirty-one little kingdoms, over each of which ruled a
+little king. Harald Fairhair began his reign by being one of these
+little kings.
+
+Harald was only a boy, ten years of age, when he succeeded his father;
+but as he grew up he became a very strong and handsome man, as well as
+a very wise and prudent one. Indeed he grew so strong that he fought
+with and vanquished five great kings in one battle.
+
+After this victory, Harald sent, so the old chronicles of the kings
+of Norway say, some of his men to a princess named Gyda, bidding them
+tell her that he wished to make her his queen.
+
+But Gyda wished to marry a king who ruled over a whole country,
+rather than one who owned but a small part of Norway, and this was the
+message she sent back to Harald:
+
+"Tell Harald," said the maiden, "that I will agree to be his wife if
+he will first, for my sake, subdue all Norway to himself, for only
+thus methinks can he be called the king of a people."
+
+The messengers thought Gyda's words too bold, but when King Harald
+heard them, he said, "It is wonderful that I did not think of this
+before. And now I make a solemn vow and take God to witness, who made
+me and rules over all things, that never shall I clip or comb my hair
+until I have subdued the whole of Norway with scat [land taxes], and
+duties, and domains."
+
+Then, without delay, Harald assembled a great force and prepared to
+conquer all the other little kings who were ruling over the different
+parts of Norway.
+
+In many districts the kings had no warning of Harald's approach, and
+before they could collect an army they were vanquished.
+
+When their ruler was defeated, many of his subjects fled from the
+country, manned their ships and sailed away on viking expeditions.
+Others made peace with King Harald and became his men.
+
+Over each district, as he conquered it, Harald placed a jarl or earl,
+that he might judge and do justice, and also that he might collect the
+scat and fines which Harald had imposed upon the conquered people. As
+the earls were given a third part of the money they thus collected,
+they were well pleased to take service with King Harald. And indeed
+they grew richer, and more powerful too, than they had ever been
+before.
+
+It took King Harald ten long years to do as he had vowed, and make all
+Norway his own. During these years a great many new bands of vikings
+were formed, and led by their chief or king they left the country, not
+choosing to become King Harald's men.
+
+These viking bands went west, over the sea, to Shetland and Orkney, to
+the Hebrides, and also to England, Scotland, and Ireland.
+
+During the winter they made their home in these lands, but in summer
+they sailed to the coast of Norway and did much damage to the towns
+that lay along the coast. Then, growing bolder, they ventured inland,
+and because of their hatred against King Harald, they plundered and
+burned both towns and villages.
+
+Meanwhile Harald, having fulfilled his vow, had his hair combed and
+cut. It had grown so rough and tangled during these ten years that his
+people had named him Harald Sufa, which meant "Shock-headed Harald."
+Now, however, after his long, yellow hair was combed and clipped, he
+was named Harald Fairhair, and by this name he was ever after known.
+Nor did the King forget Gyda, for whose sake he had made his vow. He
+sent for her, and she, as she had promised, came to marry the King of
+all Norway.
+
+Now the raids of the vikings along the coasts of Norway angered the
+King, and he determined that they should end. He therefore set out
+with a large fleet in search of his rebellious subjects.
+
+These, when they heard of his approach, fled to their long-ships and
+sailed out to sea. But Harald reached Shetland and slew those vikings
+who had not fled, then, landing on the Orkney Isles, he burned and
+plundered, sparing no Northman who crossed his path. On the Hebrides
+King Harald met with worthy foes, for here were many who had once
+themselves been kings in Norway. In all the battles that he fought
+Harald was victorious and gained much booty.
+
+When he went back to Norway the King left one of his jarls to carry on
+war against the inhabitants of Scotland. Caithness and Sutherland were
+conquered by this jarl for Harald, and thereafter many chiefs, both
+Norsemen and Danes, settled there. While Harald Fairhair was ruling
+in Norway, a grandson of Alfred the Great became king in England. His
+name was Athelstan the Victorious. Now Athelstan liked to think that
+he was a greater king than Harald Fairhair. It pleased him, too, to
+play what seemed to him a clever trick on his rival across the sea.
+
+He sent a beautiful sword to Harald. Its hilt was covered with gold
+and silver, and set with precious gems. When Athelstan's messenger
+stood before the King of Norway he held out the hilt of the sword
+toward him, saying "Here is a sword that King Athelstan doth send to
+thee." Harald at once seized it by the hilt. Then the messenger smiled
+and said, "Now shalt thou be subject to the King of England, for thou
+hast taken the sword by the hilt as he desired thee." To take a sword
+thus was in those olden days a sign of submission.
+
+Then Harald was very angry, for he knew that Athelstan had sent this
+gift only that he might mock him. He wished to punish the messenger
+whom Athelstan had sent with the sword. Nevertheless he remembered
+his habit whenever he got angry, to first keep quiet and let his anger
+subside, and then look at the matter calmly. By the time the prudent
+King had done this, his anger had cooled, and Athelstan's messenger
+departed unharmed.
+
+But with Athelstan Harald still hoped to be equal.
+
+The following summer he sent a ship to England. It was commanded by
+Hauk, and into his hands Harald intrusted his young son Hakon, whom he
+was sending to King Athelstan. For what purpose you shall hear.
+
+Hauk reached England safely, and found the King in London at a feast.
+The captain boldly entered the hall where the feasters sat, followed
+by thirty of his men, each one of whom had his shield hidden under his
+cloak.
+
+Carrying Prince Hakon, who was a child, in his arms, Hauk stepped
+before the King and saluted him. Then before Athelstan knew what he
+meant to do, Hauk, had placed the little prince on the King's knee.
+
+"Why hast thou done this?" said Athelstan to the bold Northman.
+
+"Harald of Norway asks thee to foster his child," answered Hauk. But
+well he knew that his words would make the King of England wroth. For
+one who became foster-father to a child was usually of lower rank than
+the real father. This, you see, was Harald's way of thanking Athelstan
+for his gift of the sword.
+
+Well, as Hauk expected, the King was very angry when he heard why the
+little prince had been placed on his knee. He drew his sword as though
+he would slay the child.
+
+Hauk, however, was quite undisturbed, and said, "Thou hast borne the
+child on thy knee, and thou canst murder him if thou wilt, but thou
+canst not make an end of all King Harald's sons by so doing."
+
+Then the viking, with his men, left the hall and strode down to the
+river, where they embarked, and at once set sail for Norway.
+
+When Hauk reached Norway and told the King all that he had done,
+Harald was well content, for the King of England had been forced to
+become the foster-father of his little son.
+
+Athelstan's anger against his royal foster-child was soon forgotten,
+and ere long he loved him better than any of his own kin.
+
+He ordered the priest to baptize the little prince, and to teach him
+the true faith.
+
+
+
+
+III
+
+THE SEA-FIGHT OF THE JOMSVIKINGS
+
+
+While King Harald was reigning in Denmark, he built on the shores of
+the Baltic a fortress which he called Jomsburg. In this fortress dwelt
+a famous band of vikings named the Jomsvikings. It is one of their
+most famous sea-fights that I am going to tell you now.
+
+The leader of the band was Earl Sigvald, and a bold and fearless
+leader he had proved himself.
+
+It was at a great feast that Sigvald made the rash vow which led to
+this mighty battle. After the horn of mead had been handed round not
+once or twice only, Sigvald arose and vowed that, before three winters
+had passed, he and his band would go to Norway and either kill or
+chase Earl Hakon out of the country.
+
+In the morning Sigvald and his Jomsvikings perhaps felt that they had
+vowed more than they were able to perform, yet it was not possible
+to withdraw from the enterprise unless they were willing to be called
+cowards. They therefore thought it would be well to start without
+delay, that they might, if possible, take Earl Hakon unawares.
+
+In a short time therefore the Jomsviking fleet was ready, and sixty
+warships sailed away toward Norway. No sooner did they reach Earl
+Hakon's realms than they began to plunder and burn along the coast.
+But while they gained booty, they lost time. For Hakon, hearing of
+their doings, at once split a war-arrow and sent it all over the
+realm.
+
+It was in this way that Hakon heard that the Jomsvikings were in his
+land. In one village the vikings had, as they thought, killed all the
+inhabitants. But unknown to them a man had escaped with the loss of
+his hand, and hastening to the shore he sailed away in a light boat in
+search of the earl.
+
+Hakon was at dinner when the fugitive stood before him.
+
+"Art thou sure that thou didst see the Jomsvikings?" asked Hakon, when
+he had listened to the man's tidings.
+
+For answer, the peasant stretched out the arm from which the hand had
+been sundered, saying, "Here is the token that the Jomsvikings are in
+the land."
+
+It was then that Hakon sent the war-arrow throughout the land and
+speedily gathered together a great force. Eric one of his sons, also
+collected troops, but though the preparations for war went on apace,
+the Jomsvikings heard nothing of them, and still thought that they
+would take Earl Hakon by surprise.
+
+At length the vikings sailed into a harbor about twenty miles north
+of a town called Stad. As they were in want of food some of the band
+landed, and marched to the nearest village. Here they slaughtered the
+men who could bear arms, burned the houses, and drove all the cattle
+they could find before them toward the shore.
+
+On the way to their ships, however, they met a peasant who said to
+them, "Ye are not doing like true warriors, to be driving cows and
+calves down to the strand, while ye should be giving chase to the
+bear, since ye are come near to the bear's den." By the bear the
+peasant meant Earl Hakon, as the vikings well knew.
+
+"What says the man?" they all cried, together; "can he tell us about
+Earl Hakon?"
+
+"Yesternight he lay inside the island that you can see yonder," said
+the peasant; "and you can slay him when you like, for he is waiting
+for his men."
+
+"Thou shalt have all this cattle," cried one of the vikings, "if thou
+wilt show us the way to the jarl."
+
+Then the peasant went on board the vikings' boat, and they hastened to
+Sigvald to tell him that the earl lay in a bay but a little way off.
+
+The Jomsvikings armed themselves as if they were going to meet a large
+army, which the peasant said was unnecessary, as the earl had but few
+ships and men.
+
+But no sooner had the Jomsvikings come within sight of the bay than
+they knew that the peasant had deceived them. Before them lay more
+than three hundred war-ships.
+
+When the peasant saw that his trick was discovered he jumped
+overboard, hoping to swim to shore. But one of the vikings flung a
+spear after him, and the peasant sank and was seen no more.
+
+Now though the vikings had fewer ships than Earl Hakon, they were
+larger and higher, and Sigvald hoped that this would help them to gain
+the victory.
+
+Slowly the fleets drew together and a fierce battle began. At first
+Hakon's men fell in great numbers, for the Jomsvikings fought with all
+their wonted strength. So many spears also were aimed at Hakon himself
+that his armor was split asunder and he threw it aside.
+
+When the earl saw that the battle was going against him, he called his
+sons together and said, "I dislike to fight against these men, for I
+believe that none are their equals, and I see that it will fare ill
+with us unless we hit upon some plan. Stay here with the host and I
+will go ashore and see what can be done."
+
+Then the jarl went into the depths of a forest, and, sinking on his
+knees, he prayed to the goddess Thorgerd. But when no answer came
+to his cry, Hakon thought she was angry, and to appease her wrath he
+sacrificed many precious things to her. Yet still the goddess hid her
+face.
+
+In his despair Hakon then promised to offer human sacrifices, but no
+sign was given to him that his offering would be accepted.
+
+"Thou shalt have my son, my youngest son Erling!" cried the King,
+and then at length, so it seemed to Hakon, Thorgerd was satisfied. He
+therefore gave his son, who was but seven years old, to his thrall,
+and bade him offer the child as a sacrifice to the goddess.
+
+Then Hakon went back to his ships, and lo! as the battle raged, the
+sky began to grow dark though it was but noon, and a storm arose and
+a heavy shower of hail fell. The hail was driven by the wind in the
+faces of the vikings, and flashes of lightning blinded them and
+loud peals of thunder made them afraid. But a short time before the
+warriors had flung aside their garments because of the heat; now the
+cold was so intense that they could scarce hold their weapons.
+
+While the storm raged, Hakon praised the gods and encouraged his men
+to fight more fiercely. Then, as the battle went against them, the
+Jomsvikings saw in the clouds a troll, or fiend. In each finger the
+troll held an arrow, which, as it seemed to them, always hit and
+killed a man.
+
+Sigvald saw that his men were growing fearful, and he, too; felt that
+the gods were against them. "It seems to me," he said, "that it is
+not men whom we have to fight to-day but fiends, and it requires some
+manliness to go boldly against them."
+
+But now the storm abated, and once more the vikings began to conquer.
+Then the earl cried again to Thorgerd, saying that now he deserved
+victory, for he had sacrificed to her his youngest son.
+
+Then once more the storm-cloud crept over the sky and a terrific storm
+of hail beat upon the vikings, and now they saw, not in the clouds,
+but in Hakon's ship, two trolls, and they were speeding arrows among
+the enemies of Hakon.
+
+Even Sigvald, the renowned leader of the Jomsvikings, could not stand
+before these unknown powers. He called to his men to flee, for, said
+he, "we did not vow to fight against fiends, but against men."
+
+But though Sigvald sailed away with thirty-five ships, there were some
+of his men who scorned to flee even from fiends. Twenty-five ships
+stayed behind to continue the fight.
+
+The viking Bui was commander of one of these. His ship was boarded by
+Hakon's men, whereupon he took one of his treasures-chests in either
+hand and jumped into the sea. As he jumped he cried, "Overboard, all
+Bui's men," and neither he nor those who followed him were ever seen
+again.
+
+Before the day was ended, Sigvald's brother had also sailed away with
+twenty-four boats, so that there was left but one boat out of all the
+Jomsvikings' fleet. It was commanded by the viking Vagn.
+
+Earl Hakon sent his son Eric to board this boat, and after a brave
+fight it was captured, for Vagn's men were stiff and weary with their
+wounds, and could scarce wield their battle-axes or spears.
+
+With thirty-six of his men Vagn was taken prisoner and brought to
+land, and thus Earl Hakon had defeated the famous vikings of Jomsburg.
+The victory was due, as Hakon at least believed, to the aid of the
+goddess Thorgerd.
+
+When the weapons and other booty which they had taken had been divided
+among the men, Earl Hakon and his chiefs sat down in their warbooths
+and appointed a man named Thorkel to behead the prisoners.
+
+Eighteen were beheaded ere the headsman came to Vagn. Now, as he had a
+dislike to this brave viking, Thorkel rushed at him, holding his sword
+in both hands. But Vagn threw himself suddenly at Thorkel's feet,
+whereupon the headsman tripped over him. In a moment Vagn was on his
+feet, Thorkel's sword in his hand, and before any one could stop him
+he had slain his enemy.
+
+Then Earl Eric, Hakon's son, who loved brave men, said, "Vagn, wilt
+thou accept life?"
+
+"That I will," said the bold viking, "if thou give it to all of us who
+are still alive."
+
+"Loose the prisoners!" cried the young earl, and it was done. Thus of
+the famous band of Jomsvikings twelve yet lived to do many a valiant
+deed in days to come.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+HERO OF GERMANY
+
+
+
+
+SIEGFRIED
+
+ADAPTED BY MARY MACGREGOR
+
+
+
+
+I
+
+MIMER THE BLACKSMITH
+
+
+Siegfried was born a prince and grew to be a hero, a hero with a heart
+of gold. Though he could fight, and was as strong as any lion, yet he
+could love too and be as gentle as a child.
+
+The father and mother of the hero-boy lived in a strong castle near
+the banks of the great Rhine river. Siegmund, his father, was a rich
+king, Sieglinde, his mother, a beautiful queen, and dearly did they
+love their little son Siegfried.
+
+The courtiers and the high-born maidens who dwelt in the castle
+honored the little Prince, and thought him the fairest child in all
+the land, as indeed he was.
+
+Sieglinde, his queen-mother, would oftimes dress her little son in
+costly garments and lead him by the hand before the proud, strong
+men-at-arms who stood before the castle walls. Naught had they but
+smiles and gentle words for their little Prince.
+
+When he grew older, Siegfried would ride into the country, yet always
+would he be attended by King Siegmund's most trusted warriors.
+
+Then one day armed men entered the Netherlands, the country over which
+the King Siegmund ruled, and the little Prince was sent away from the
+castle, lest by any evil chance he should fall into the hands of the
+foe.
+
+Siegfried was hidden away safe in the thickets of a great forest, and
+dwelt there under the care of a blacksmith, named Mimer.
+
+Mimer was a dwarf, belonging to a strange race of little folk called
+Nibelungs. The Nibelungs lived for the most part in a dark little town
+beneath the ground. Nibelheim was the name of this little town and
+many of the tiny men who dwelt there were smiths. All the livelong
+day they would hammer on their little anvils, but all through the long
+night they would dance and play with tiny little Nibelung women.
+
+It was not in the little dark town of Nibelung that Mimer had his
+forge, but under the trees of the great forest to which Siegfried had
+been sent.
+
+As Mimer or his pupils wielded their tools the wild beasts would start
+from their lair, and the swift birds would wing their flight through
+the mazes of the wood, lest danger lay in those heavy, resounding
+strokes.
+
+But Siegfried, the hero-boy, would laugh for glee, and seizing the
+heaviest hammer he could see he would swing it with such force upon
+the anvil that it would be splintered into a thousand pieces.
+
+Then Mimer the blacksmith would scold the lad, who was now the
+strongest of all the lads under his care; but little heeding his
+rebukes, Siegfried would fling himself merrily out of the smithy and
+hasten with great strides into the gladsome wood. For now the Prince
+was growing a big lad, and his strength was even as the strength of
+ten.
+
+To-day Siegfried was in a merry mood. He would repay Mimer's rebukes
+in right good fashion. He would frighten the little blacksmith dwarf
+until he was forced to cry for mercy.
+
+Clad in his forest dress of deerskins, with his hair as burnished gold
+blowing around his shoulders, Siegfried wandered away into the depths
+of the woodland.
+
+There he seized the silver horn which hung from his girdle and raised
+it to his lips. A long, clear note he blew, and ere the sound had died
+away the boy saw a sight which pleased him well. Here was good prey
+indeed! A bear, a great big shaggy bear was peering at him out of a
+bush, and as he gazed the beast opened its jaws and growled, a fierce
+and angry growl. Not a whit afraid was Siegfried. Quick as lightning
+he had caught the great creature in his arms, and ere it could turn
+upon him, it was muzzled, and was being led quietly along toward the
+smithy.
+
+Mimer was busy at his forge sharpening a sword when Siegfried reached
+the doorway.
+
+At the sound of laughter the little dwarf raised his head. It was the
+Prince who laughed. Then Mimer saw the bear, and letting the sword he
+held drop to the ground with a clang, he ran to hide himself in the
+darkest corner of the smithy.
+
+Then Siegfried laughed again. He was no hero-boy to-day, for next
+he made the big bear hunt the little Nibelung dwarf from corner to
+corner, nor could the frightened little man escape or hide himself
+in darkness. Again and again as he crouched in a shadowed corner,
+Siegfried would stir up the embers of the forge until all the smithy
+was lighted with a ruddy glow.
+
+At length the Prince tired of his game, and unmuzzling the bear he
+chased the bewildered beast back into the shelter of the woodland.
+
+Mimer, poor little dwarf, all a-tremble with his fear, cried angrily,
+"Thou mayest go shoot if so it please thee, and bring home thy dead
+prey. Dead bears thou mayest bring hither if thou wilt, but live
+bears shalt thou leave to crouch in their lair or to roam through the
+forest." But Siegfried, the naughty Prince, only laughed at the little
+Nibelung's frightened face and harsh, croaking voice.
+
+Now as the days passed, Mimer the blacksmith began to wish that
+Siegfried had never come to dwell with him in his smithy. The
+Prince was growing too strong, too brave to please the little dwarf;
+moreover, many were the mischievous tricks his pupil played on him.
+
+Prince though he was, Mimer would see if he could not get rid of his
+tormentor. For indeed though, as I have told you, Siegfried had a
+heart of gold, at this time the gold seemed to have grown dim and
+tarnished. Perhaps that was because the Prince had learned to distrust
+and to dislike, nay, more, to hate the little, cunning dwarf.
+
+However that may be, it is certain that Siegfried played many pranks
+upon the little Nibelung, and he, Mimer, determined to get rid of the
+quick-tempered, strong-handed Prince.
+
+One day, therefore, it happened that the little dwarf told Siegfried
+to go deep into the forest to bring home charcoal for the forge. And
+this Mimer did, though he knew that in the very part of the forest
+to which he was sending the lad there dwelt a terrible dragon, named
+Regin. Indeed Regin was a brother of the little blacksmith, and would
+be lying in wait for the Prince. It would be but the work of a moment
+for the monster to seize the lad and greedily to devour him.
+
+To Siegfried it was always joy to wander afar through the woodland.
+Ofttimes had he thrown himself down on the soft, moss-covered ground
+and lain there hour after hour, listening to the wood-bird's song.
+Sometimes he would even find a reed and try to pipe a tune as sweet
+as did the birds, but that was all in vain, as the lad soon found.
+No tiny songster would linger to hearken to the shrill piping of his
+grassy reed, and the Prince himself was soon ready to fling it far
+away.
+
+It was no hardship then to Siegfried to leave the forge and the hated
+little Nibelung, therefore it was that with right good will he set out
+in search of charcoal for Mimer the blacksmith.
+
+As he loitered there where the trees grew thickest, Siegfried took his
+horn and blew it lustily. If he could not pipe on a grassy reed, at
+least he could blow a rousing note on his silver horn.
+
+Suddenly, as Siegfried blew, the trees seemed to sway, the earth to
+give out fire. Regin, the dragon, had roused himself at the blast, and
+was even now drawing near to the Prince.
+
+It was at the mighty strides of the monster that the trees had seemed
+to tremble, it was as he opened his terrible jaws that the earth had
+seemed to belch out fire.
+
+For a little while Siegfried watched the dragon in silence. Then he
+laughed aloud, and a brave, gay laugh it was. Alone in the forest,
+with a sword, buckled to his side, the hero was afraid of naught, not
+even of Regin. The ugly monster was sitting now on a little hillock,
+looking down upon the lad, his victim as he thought.
+
+Then Siegfried called boldly to the dragon, "I will kill thee, for in
+truth thou art an ugly monster."
+
+At those words Regin opened his great jaws, and showed his terrible
+fangs. Yet still the boy Prince mocked at the hideous dragon.
+
+And now Regin in his fury crept closer and closer to the lad, swinging
+his great tail, until he well-nigh swept Siegfried from his feet.
+
+[Illustration: THE HERO'S SHINING SWORD PIERCED THE HEART OF THE
+MONSTER.]
+
+Swiftly then the Prince drew his sword, well tempered as he knew, for
+had not he himself wrought it in the forge of Mimer the blacksmith?
+Swiftly he drew his sword, and with one bound he sprang upon the
+dragon's back, and as he reared himself, down came the hero's
+shining sword and pierced into the very heart of the monster. Thus
+as Siegfried leaped nimbly to the ground, the dragon fell back dead.
+Regin was no longer to be feared.
+
+Then Siegfried did a curious thing. He had heard the little Nibelung
+men who came to the smithy to talk with Mimer, he had heard them
+say that whoever should bathe in the blood of Regin the dragon would
+henceforth be safe from every foe. For his skin would grow so tough
+and horny that it would be to him as an armor through which no sword
+could ever pierce.
+
+Thinking of the little Nibelungs' harsh voices and wrinkled little
+faces as they had sat talking thus around Mimer's glowing forge,
+Siegfried now flung aside his deerskin dress and bathed himself from
+top to toe in the dragon's blood.
+
+But as he bathed, a leaf from off a linden tree was blown upon his
+shoulders, and on the spot where it rested Siegfried's skin was still
+soft and tender as when he was a little child. It was only a tiny spot
+which was covered by the linden leaf, but should a spear thrust, or an
+arrow pierce that tiny spot, Siegfried would be wounded as easily as
+any other man.
+
+The dragon was dead, the bath was over, and clad once more in his
+deerskin, Siegfried set out for the smithy. He brought no charcoal for
+the forge; all that he carried with him was a heart afire with anger,
+a sword quivering to take the life of the Nibelung, Mimer.
+
+For now Siegfried knew that the dwarf had wished to send him forth to
+death, when he bade him go seek charcoal in the depths of the forest.
+
+Into the dusky glow of the smithy plunged the hero, and swiftly he
+slew the traitor Mimer. Then gaily, for he had but slain evil ones of
+whom the world was well rid, then gaily Siegfried fared through the
+forest in quest of adventure.
+
+
+
+
+II
+
+SIEGFRIED WINS THE TREASURE
+
+
+Now this is what befell the Prince.
+
+In his wanderings he reached the country called Isenland, where the
+warlike but beautiful Queen Brunhild reigned. He gazed with wonder
+at her castle, so strong it stood on the edge of the sea, guarded by
+seven great gates. Her marble palaces also made him marvel, so white
+they glittered in the sun.
+
+But most of all he marveled at this haughty Queen, who refused to
+marry any knight unless he could vanquish her in every contest to
+which she summoned him.
+
+Brunhild from the castle window saw the fair face and the strong limbs
+of the hero, and demanded that he should be brought into her presence,
+and as a sign of her favor she showed the young Prince her magic horse
+Gana.
+
+Yet Siegfried had no wish to conquer the warrior-queen and gain her
+hand and her broad dominions for his own. Siegfried thought only of a
+wonder-maiden, unknown, unseen as yet, though in his heart he hid an
+image of her as he dreamed that she would be.
+
+It is true that Siegfried had no love for the haughty Brunhild. It is
+also true that he wished to prove to her that he alone was a match
+for all her boldest warriors, and had even power to bewitch her magic
+steed, Gana, if so he willed, and steal it from her side.
+
+And so one day a spirit of mischief urged the Prince on to a gay
+prank, as also a wayward spirit urged him no longer to brook Queen
+Brunhild's mien.
+
+Before he left Isenland, therefore, Siegfried in a merry mood threw
+to the ground the seven great gates that guarded the Queen's strong
+castle. Then he called to Gana, the magic steed, to follow him into
+the world, and this the charger did with a right good will.
+
+Whether Siegfried sent Gana back to Isenland or not I do not know, but
+I know that in the days to come Queen Brunhild never forgave the hero
+for his daring feat.
+
+When the Prince had left Isenland he rode on and on until he came to
+a great mountain. Here near a cave he found two little dwarfish
+Nibelungs, surrounded by twelve foolish giants. The two little
+Nibelungs were princes, the giants were their counselors.
+
+Now the King of the Nibelungs had but just died in the dark little
+underground town of Nibelheim, and the two tiny princes were the sons
+of the dead King.
+
+But they had not come to the mountain-side to mourn for their royal
+father. Not so indeed had they come, but to divide the great hoard of
+treasure which the King had bequeathed to them at his death.
+
+Already they had begun to quarrel over the treasure, and the twelve
+foolish giants looked on, but did not know what to say or do, so they
+did nothing, and never spoke at all.
+
+The dwarfs had themselves carried the hoard out of the cave where
+usually it was hidden, and they had spread it on the mountain-side.
+
+There it lay, gold as far as the eye could see, and farther. Jewels,
+too, were there, more than twelve wagons could carry away in four days
+and nights, each going three journeys.
+
+Indeed, however much you took from this marvelous treasure, never did
+it seem to grow less.
+
+But more precious even than the gold or the jewels of the hoard was a
+wonderful sword which it possessed. It was named Balmung, and had been
+tempered by the Nibelungs in their glowing forges underneath the glad
+green earth.
+
+Before the magic strength of Balmung's stroke, the strongest warrior
+must fall, nor could his armor save him, however close its links had
+been welded by some doughty smith.
+
+As Siegfried rode towards the two little dwarfs, they turned and saw
+him, with his bright, fair face, and flowing locks.
+
+Nimble as little hares they darted to his side, and begged that he
+would come and divide their treasure. He should have the good sword
+Balmung as reward, they cried.
+
+Siegfried dismounted, well pleased to do these ugly little men a
+kindness.
+
+But alas! ere long the dwarfs began to mock at the hero with their
+harsh voices, and to wag their horrid little heads at him, while
+they screamed in a fury that he was not dividing the treasure as they
+wished.
+
+Then Siegfried grew angry with the tiny princes, and seizing the magic
+sword, he cut off their heads. The twelve foolish giants also he slew,
+and thus became himself master of the marvelous hoard as well as of
+the good sword Balmung.
+
+Seven hundred valiant champions, hearing the blast of the hero's horn,
+now gather together to defend the country from this strange young
+warrior. But he vanquished them all, and forced them to promise that
+they would henceforth serve no other lord save him alone. And this
+they did, being proud of his great might.
+
+Now tidings of the slaughter of the two tiny princes had reached
+Nibelheim, and great was the wrath of the little men and little women
+who dwelt in the dark town beneath the earth.
+
+Alberich, the mightiest of all the dwarfs, gathered together his army
+of little gnomes to avenge the death of the two dwarf princes and
+also, for Alberich was a greedy man, to gain for himself the great
+hoard.
+
+When Siegfried saw Alberich at the head of his army of little men
+he laughed aloud, and with a light heart he chased them all into the
+great cave on the mountain-side.
+
+From off the mighty dwarf, Alberich, he stripped his famous Cloak of
+Darkness, which made him who wore it not only invisible, but strong
+as twelve strong men. He snatched also from the dwarf's fingers his
+wishing-rod, which was a Magic Wand. And last of all he made Alberich
+and his thousands of tiny warriors take an oath, binding them evermore
+to serve him alone. Then hiding the treasure in the cave with the
+seven hundred champions whom he had conquered, he left Alberich and
+his army of little men to guard it, until he came again. And Alberich
+and his dwarfs were faithful to the hero who had shorn them of their
+treasure, and served him for evermore.
+
+Siegfried, the magic sword Balmung by his side, the Cloak of Darkness
+thrown over his arm, the Magic Wand in his strong right hand, went
+over the mountain, across the plains, nor did he tarry until he came
+again to the castle built on the banks of the river Rhine in his own
+low-lying country of the Netherlands.
+
+
+
+
+III
+
+SIEGFRIED COMES HOME
+
+
+The walls of the old castle rang. King Siegmund, his knights and
+liegemen, all were welcoming Prince Siegfried home. They had not seen
+their hero-prince since he had been sent long years before to be under
+the charge of Mimer the blacksmith.
+
+He had grown but more fair, more noble, they thought, as they gazed
+upon his stalwart limbs, his fearless eyes.
+
+And what tales of prowess clustered around his name! Already their
+Prince had done great deeds as he had ridden from land to land.
+
+The King and his liegemen had heard of the slaughter of the terrible
+dragon, of the capture of the great treasure, of the defiance of the
+warlike and beautiful Brunhild. They could wish for no more renowned
+prince than their own Prince Siegfried.
+
+Thus Siegmund and his subjects rejoiced that the heir to the throne
+was once again in his own country.
+
+In the Queen's bower, too, there was great joy. Sieglinde wept, but
+her tears were not those of sadness. Sieglinde wept for very gladness
+that her son had come home safe from his wonderful adventures.
+
+Now Siegmund wished to give a great feast in honor of his son. It
+should be on his birthday which was very near, the birthday on which
+the young Prince would be twenty-one years of age.
+
+Far and wide throughout the Netherlands and into distant realms
+tidings of the feast were borne. Kinsmen and strangers, lords and
+ladies, all were asked to the banquet in the great castle hall where
+Siegmund reigned supreme.
+
+It was the merry month of June when the feast was held, and the sun
+shone bright on maidens in fair raiment, on knights in burnished
+armor.
+
+Siegfried was to be knighted on this June day along with four hundred
+young squires of his father's realm. The Prince was clad in gorgeous
+armor, and on the cloak flung around his shoulders jewels were seen to
+sparkle in the sunlight, jewels made fast with gold embroidery worked
+by the white hands of the Queen and her fair damsels.
+
+In games and merry pastimes the hours of the day sped fast away, until
+the great bell of the Minster pealed, calling the gay company to the
+house of God for evensong. Siegfried and the four hundred squires
+knelt before the altar, ere they were knighted by the royal hand of
+Siegmund the King.
+
+The solemn service ended, the new-made knights hastened back to the
+castle, and there in the great hall a mighty tournament was held.
+Knights who had grown gray in service tilted with those who but that
+day had been given the grace of knighthood. Lances splintered, shields
+fell before the mighty onslaughts of the gallant warriors, until King
+Siegmund bade the tilting cease.
+
+Then in the great hall feasting and song held sway until daylight
+faded and the stars shone bright.
+
+Yet no weariness knew the merrymakers. The next morning, and for six
+long summer days, they tilted, they sang, they feasted.
+
+When at length the great festival drew to a close, Siegmund in the
+presence of his guests gave to his dear son Siegfried many lands and
+strong castles over which he might be lord.
+
+To all his son's comrades, too, the King gave steeds and costly
+raiment, while Queen Sieglinde bestowed upon them freely coins of
+gold. Such abundant gifts had never before been dreamed of as were
+thus lavished by Siegmund and Sieglinde on their guests.
+
+As the rich nobles looked upon the brave young Prince Siegfried, there
+were some who whispered among themselves that they would fain have him
+to rule in the land.
+
+Siegfried heard their whispers, but in no wise did he give heed to the
+wish of the nobles.
+
+Never, he thought while his beautiful mother and his bounteous father
+lived, would he wear the crown.
+
+Indeed Siegfried had no wish to sit upon a throne, he wished but to
+subdue the evil-doers in the land. Or better still, he wished to go
+forth in search of new adventure. And this right soon he did.
+
+
+
+
+IV
+
+SIEGFRIED AT THE COURT OF WORMS
+
+
+At the Court of Worms in Burgundy dwelt the Princess Kriemhild, whose
+fame for beauty and kindness had spread to many a far-off land. She
+lived with her mother Queen Ute and her three brothers King Gunther,
+King Gernot, and King Giselher. Her father had long been dead. Gunther
+sat upon the throne and had for chief counselor his cruel uncle Hagen.
+
+One night Kriemhild dreamed that a beautiful wild hawk with feathers
+of gold came and perched upon her wrist. It grew so tame that she
+took it with her to the hunt. Upward it soared when loosed toward the
+bright blue sky. Then the dream-maiden saw two mighty eagles swoop
+down upon her petted hawk and tear it to pieces.
+
+The Princess told her dream to her mother, who said, "The hawk, my
+daughter, is a noble knight who shall be thy husband, but, alas,
+unless God defend him from his foes, thou shalt lose him ere he has
+long been thine." Kriemhild replied, "O lady mother, I wish no knight
+to woo me from thy side." "Nay," said the Queen, "Speak not thus, for
+God will send to thee a noble knight and strong."
+
+Hearing of the Princess, Siegfried, who lived in the Netherlands,
+began to think that she was strangely like the unknown maiden whose
+image he carried in his heart. So he set out to go into Burgundy to
+see the beautiful Kriemhild who had sent many knights away.
+
+Siegfried's father wished to send an army with him but Siegfried said,
+"Nay, give me only, I pray thee, eleven stalwart warriors."
+
+Tidings had reached King Gunther of the band of strangers who had so
+boldly entered the royal city. He sent for Hagen, chief counselor,
+who said they must needs be princes or ambassadors. "One knight, the
+fairest and the boldest, is, methinks, the wondrous hero Siegfried,
+who has won great treasure from the Nibelungs, and has killed two
+little princely dwarfs, their twelve giants, and seven hundred great
+champions of the neighboring country with his good sword Balmung."
+Graciously then did the King welcome Siegfried.
+
+"I beseech thee, noble knight," said the King, "tell me why thou hast
+journeyed to this our royal city?"
+
+Now Siegfried was not ready to speak of the fair Princess, so he told
+the King that he had come to see the splendor of the court and to do
+great deeds, even to wrest from him the broad realm of Burgundy and
+likewise all his castles. "Unless thou dost conquer me I shall rule in
+my great might in this realm."
+
+"We do well to be angry at the words of this bold stripling," said
+Hagen. A quarrel arose, but King Gernot, Gunther's brother, made peace
+and Siegfried began to think of the wonderlady of his dreams and grew
+ashamed of his boasting.
+
+Then all Burgundy began to hear of Siegfried. At the end of the year
+Burgundy was threatened with invasion. King Ludegast and King Ludeger
+threatened mighty wars.
+
+When Siegfried heard of this he said, "If trouble hath come to thee,
+my arm is strong to bring thee aid. If thy foes were as many as
+thirty thousand, yet with one thousand warriors would I destroy them.
+Therefore, leave the battle in my hands."
+
+When the rude kings heard that Siegfried would fight for Burgundy
+their hearts failed for fear and in great haste they gathered their
+armies. King Gunther meanwhile had assembled his men and the chief
+command was given to Hagen, but Siegfried rode forward to seek the
+foe.
+
+In advance of their warriors stood Ludegast and Ludeger ready for the
+fray. Grasping his good sword Balmung, Siegfried first met Ludegast
+piercing him through his steel harness with an ugly thrust till he lay
+helpless at his feet. Thirty of the King's warriors rode up and beset
+the hero, but Siegfried slaughtered all save one. He was spared to
+carry the dire tidings of the capture of Ludegast to his army.
+
+Ludeger had seen the capture of his brother and met the onslaught that
+Siegfried soon made upon him. But with a great blow Siegfried struck
+the shield from Ludeger's hold, and in a moment more he had him at his
+mercy. For the second time that day the Prince was victor over a king.
+
+When Ute, the mother of Kriemhild, heard that a grand festival
+celebrating the prowess of Prince Siegfried was to be held at court,
+she made up her mind that she and her daughter would lend their
+gracious presence. Many noble guests were there gathered and when the
+knights entered the lists the King sent a hundred of his liegemen to
+bring the Queen and the Princess to the great hall. When Siegfried saw
+the Princess he knew that she was indeed more beautiful than he had
+ever dreamed. A messenger was sent by the King bidding him greet the
+Princess. "Be welcome here, Sir Siegfried, for thou art a good and
+noble knight," said the maiden softly, "for right well hast thou
+served my royal brother."
+
+"Thee will I serve for ever," cried the happy hero, "thee will I serve
+for ever, and thy wishes shall ever be my will!"
+
+Then for twelve glad days were Siegfried and Kriemhild ofttimes side
+by side.
+
+
+
+
+V.
+
+SIEGFRIED GOES TO ISENLAND
+
+
+Whitsuntide had come and gone when tidings from beyond the Rhine
+reached the court at Worms.
+
+No dread tidings were these, but glad and good to hear, of a matchless
+Queen named Brunhild who dwelt in Isenland. King Gunther listened with
+right good will to the tales of this warlike maiden, for if she were
+beautiful she was also strong as any warrior. Wayward, too, she was,
+yet Gunther would fain have her as his queen to sit beside him on his
+throne.
+
+One day the King sent for Siegfried to tell him that he would fain
+journey to Isenland to wed Queen Brunhild.
+
+Now Siegfried, as you know, had been in Isenland and knew some of the
+customs of this wayward Queen. So he answered the King right gravely
+that it would be a dangerous journey across the sea to Isenland,
+nor would he win the Queen unless he were able to vanquish her great
+strength.
+
+He told the King how Brunhild would challenge him to three contests,
+or games, as she would call them. And if she were the victor, as
+indeed she had been over many a royal suitor, then his life would be
+forfeited.
+
+At her own desire kings and princes had hurled the spear at the
+stalwart Queen, and it had but glanced harmless off her shield, while
+she would pierce the armor of these valiant knights with her first
+thrust. This was one of the Queen's games.
+
+Then the knights would hasten to the ring and throw the stone from
+them as far as might be, yet ever Queen Brunhild threw it farther. For
+this was another game of the warrior-queen.
+
+The third game was to leap beyond the stone which they had thrown, but
+ever to their dismay the knights saw this marvelous maiden far outleap
+them all.
+
+These valorous knights, thus beaten in the three contests, had been
+beheaded, and therefore it was that Siegfried spoke so gravely to King
+Gunther.
+
+But Gunther, so he said, was willing to risk his life to win so brave
+a bride.
+
+Now Hagen had drawn near to the King, and as he listened to
+Siegfried's words, the grim warrior said, "Sire, since the Prince
+knows the customs of Isenland, let him go with thee on thy journey,
+to share thy dangers, and to aid thee in the presence of this warlike
+Queen."
+
+And Hagen, for he hated the hero, hoped that he might never return
+alive from Isenland.
+
+But the King was pleased with his counselor's words. "Sir Siegfried,"
+he said, "wilt thou help me to win the matchless maiden Brunhild for
+my queen?"
+
+"That right gladly will I do," answered the Prince, "if thou wilt
+promise to give me thy sister Kriemhild as my bride, should I bring
+thee back safe from Isenland, the bold Queen at thy side."
+
+Then the King promised that on the same day that he wedded Brunhild,
+his sister should wed Prince Siegfried, and with this promise the hero
+was well content.
+
+"Thirty thousand warriors will I summon to go with us to Isenland,"
+cried King Gunther gaily.
+
+"Nay," said the Prince, "thy warriors would but be the victims of
+this haughty Queen. As plain knight-errants will we go, taking with us
+none, save Hagen the keen-eyed and his brother Dankwart."
+
+Then King Gunther, his face aglow with pleasure, went with Sir
+Siegfried to his sister's bower, and begged her to provide rich
+garments in which he and his knights might appear before the beauteous
+Queen Brunhild.
+
+"Thou shalt not beg this service from me," cried the gentle Princess,
+"rather shalt thou command that which thou dost wish. See, here have I
+silk in plenty. Send thou the gems from off thy bucklers, and I and my
+maidens will work them with gold embroideries into the silk."
+
+Thus the sweet maiden dismissed her brother, and sending for her
+thirty maidens who were skilled in needlework she bade them sew their
+daintiest stitches, for here were robes to be made for the King and
+Sir Siegfried ere they went to bring Queen Brunhild into Rhineland.
+
+For seven weeks Kriemhild and her maidens were busy in their bower.
+Silk white as new-fallen snow, silk green as the leaves in spring
+did they shape into garments worthy to be worn by the King and Sir
+Siegfried, and amid the gold embroideries glittered many a radiant
+gem.
+
+Meanwhile down by the banks of the Rhine a vessel was being built to
+carry the King across the sea to Isenland.
+
+When all was ready the King and Sir Siegfried went to the bower of the
+Princess. They would put on the silken robes and the beautiful cloaks
+Kriemhild and her maidens had sewed to see that they were neither too
+long nor too short. But indeed the skilful hands of the Princess had
+not erred. No more graceful or more beautiful garments had ever before
+been seen by the King or the Prince.
+
+"Sir Siegfried," said the gentle Kriemhild, "care for my royal brother
+lest danger befall him in the bold Queen's country. Bring him home
+both safe and sound I beseech thee."
+
+The hero bowed his head and promised to shield the King from danger,
+then they said farewell to the maiden, and embarked in the little ship
+that awaited them on the banks of the Rhine. Nor did Siegfried forget
+to take with him his Cloak of Darkness and his good sword Balmung.
+
+Now none was there on the ship save King Gunther, Siegfried, Hagen,
+and Dankwart, but Siegfried with his Cloak of Darkness had the
+strength of twelve men as well as his own strong right hand.
+
+Merrily sailed the little ship, steered by Sir Siegfried himself. Soon
+the Rhine river was left behind and they were out on the sea, a strong
+wind filling their sails. Ere evening, full twenty miles had the good
+ship made.
+
+For twelve days they sailed onward, until before them rose the grim
+fortress that guarded Isenland.
+
+"What towers are these?" cried King Gunther, as he gazed upon the
+turreted castle which looked as a grim sentinel guarding the land.
+
+"These," answered the hero, "are Queen Brunhild's towers and this is
+the country over which she rules."
+
+Then turning to Hagen and Dankwart Siegfried begged them to let him
+be spokesman to the Queen, for he knew her wayward moods. "And King
+Gunther shall be my king," said the Prince, "and I but his vassal
+until we leave Isenland."
+
+And Hagen and Dankwart, proud men though they were, obeyed in all
+things the words of the young Prince of the Netherlands.
+
+
+
+
+VI
+
+SIEGFRIED SUBDUES BRUNHILD
+
+
+The little ship had sailed on now close beneath the castle, so
+close indeed that as the King looked up to the window he could catch
+glimpses of beautiful maidens passing to and fro.
+
+Sir Siegfried also looked and laughed aloud for glee. It would be but
+a little while until Brunhild was won and he was free to return to his
+winsome lady Kriemhild.
+
+By this time the maidens in the castle had caught sight of the ship,
+and many bright eyes were peering down upon King Gunther and his three
+brave comrades.
+
+"Look well at the fair maidens, sire," said Siegfried to the King.
+"Among them all show me her whom thou wouldst choose most gladly as
+your bride."
+
+"Seest thou the fairest of the band," cried the King, "she who is clad
+in a white garment? It is she and no other whom I would wed."
+
+Right merrily then laughed Siegfried. "The maiden," said he gaily, "is
+in truth none other than Queen Brunhild herself."
+
+The King and his warriors now moored their vessel and leaped ashore,
+Siegfried leading with him the King's charger. For each knight had
+brought his steed with him from the fair land of Burgundy.
+
+More bright than ever beamed the bright eyes of the ladies at the
+castle window. So fair, so gallant a knight never had they seen,
+thought the damsels as they gazed upon Sir Siegfried. And all the
+while King Gunther dreamed their glances were bent on no other than
+himself.
+
+Siegfried held the noble steed until King Gunther had mounted, and
+this he did that Queen Brunhild might not know that he was the Prince
+of the Netherlands, owing service to no man. Then going back to the
+ship the hero brought his own horse to land, mounted, and rode with
+the King toward the castle gate.
+
+King and Prince were clad alike. Their steeds as well as their
+garments were white as snow, their saddles were bedecked with jewels,
+and on the harness hung bells, all of bright red gold. Their shields
+shone as the sun, their spears they wore before them, their swords
+hung by their sides.
+
+Behind them followed Hagen and Dankwart, their armor black as the
+plumage of the wild raven, their shields strong and mighty.
+
+As they approached the castle gates were flung wide open, and the
+liegemen of the great Queen came out to greet the strangers with words
+of welcome. They bid their hirelings also take the shields and
+chargers from their guests.
+
+But when a squire demanded that the strangers should also yield their
+swords, grim Hagen smiled his grimmest, and cried, "Nay, our swords
+will we e'en keep lest we have need of them." Nor was he too well
+pleased when Siegfried told him that the custom in Isenland was
+that no guest should enter the castle carrying a weapon. It was but
+sullenly that he let his sword be taken away along with his mighty
+shield.
+
+After the strangers had been refreshed with wine, her liegemen sent to
+the Queen to tell her that strange guests had arrived.
+
+"Who are the strangers who come thus unheralded to my land?" haughtily
+demanded Brunhild.
+
+But no one could tell her who the warriors were, though some murmured
+that the tallest and fairest might be the great hero Siegfried.
+
+It may be that the Queen thought that if the knight were indeed
+Siegfried she would revenge herself on him now for the mischievous
+pranks he had played the last time he was in her kingdom. In any case
+she said, "If the hero is here he shall enter into contest with me,
+and he shall pay for his boldness with his life, for I shall be the
+victor."
+
+Then with five hundred warriors, each with his sword in hand, Brunhild
+came down to the knights from Burgundy.
+
+"Be welcome, Siegfried," she cried, "yet wherefore hast thou come
+again to Isenland?"
+
+"I thank thee for thy greeting, lady," said the Prince, "but thou
+hast welcomed me before my lord. He, King Gunther, ruler over the fair
+realms of Burgundy, hath come hither to wed with thee."
+
+Brunhild was displeased that the mighty hero should not himself seek
+to win her as a bride, yet since for all his prowess he seemed but a
+vassal of the King, she answered, "If thy master can vanquish me in
+the contests to which I bid him, then I will be his wife, but if I
+conquer thy master, his life, and the lives of his followers will be
+forfeited."
+
+"What dost thou demand of my master?" asked Hagen.
+
+"He must hurl the spear with me, throw the stone from the ring, and
+leap to where it has fallen," said the Queen.
+
+Now while Brunhild was speaking, Siegfried whispered to the King to
+fear nothing, but to accept the Queen's challenge. "I will be near
+though no one will see me, to aid thee in the struggle," he whispered.
+
+Gunther had such trust in the Prince that he at once cried boldly,
+"Queen Brunhild, I do not fear even to risk my life that I may win
+thee for my bride."
+
+Then the bold maiden called for her armor, but when Gunther saw her
+shield, "three spans thick with gold and iron, which four chamberlains
+could hardly bear," his courage began to fail.
+
+While the Queen donned her silken fighting doublet, which could turn
+aside the sharpest spear, Siegfried slipped away unnoticed to the
+ship, and swiftly flung around him his Cloak of Darkness. Then unseen
+by all, he hastened back to King Gunther's side.
+
+A great javelin was then given to the Queen, and she began to fight
+with her suitor, and so hard were her thrusts that but for Siegfried
+the King would have lost his life.
+
+"Give me thy shield," whispered the invisible hero in the King's ear,
+"and tell no one that I am here." Then as the maiden hurled her spear
+with all her force against the shield which she thought was held by
+the King, the shock well-nigh drove both Gunther and his unseen friend
+to their knees.
+
+But in a moment Siegfried's hand had dealt the Queen such a blow with
+the handle of his spear (he would not use the sharp point against a
+woman) that the maiden cried aloud, "King Gunther, thou hast won this
+fray." For as she could not see Siegfried because of his Cloak of
+Darkness, she could not but believe that it was the King who had
+vanquished her.
+
+In her wrath the Queen now sped to the ring, where lay a stone so
+heavy that it could scarce be lifted by twelve strong men.
+
+But Brunhild lifted it with ease, and threw it twelve arms' length
+beyond the spot on which she stood. Then, leaping after it, she
+alighted even farther than she had thrown the stone.
+
+Gunther now stood in the ring, and lifted the stone which had again
+been placed within it. He lifted it with an effort, but at once
+Siegfried's unseen hand grasped it and threw it with such strength
+that it dropped even beyond the spot to which it had been flung by the
+Queen. Lifting King Gunther with him Siegfried next jumped far
+beyond the spot on which the Queen had alighted. And all the warriors
+marveled to see their Queen thus vanquished by the strange King. For
+you must remember that not one of them could see that it was Siegfried
+who had done these deeds of prowess.
+
+Now in the contest, still unseen, Siegfried had taken from the Queen
+her ring and her favorite girdle.
+
+With angry gestures Brunhild called to her liegemen to come and lay
+their weapons down at King Gunther's feet to do him homage. Henceforth
+they must be his thralls and own him as their lord.
+
+As soon as the contests were over, Siegfried had slipped back to the
+ship and hidden his Cloak of Darkness. Then boldly he came back to the
+great hall, and pretending to know nothing of the games begged to be
+told who had been the victor, if indeed they had already taken place.
+
+When he had heard that Queen Brunhild had been vanquished, the hero
+laughed, and cried gaily, "Then, noble maiden, thou must go with us to
+Rhineland to wed King Gunther."
+
+"A strange way for a vassal to speak," thought the angry Queen, and
+she answered with a proud glance at the knight, "Nay, that will I not
+do until I have summoned my kinsmen and my good lieges. For I will
+myself say farewell to them ere ever I will go to Rhineland."
+
+Thus heralds were sent throughout Brunhild's realms, and soon from
+morn to eve her kinsmen and her liegemen rode into the castle, until
+it seemed as though a mighty army were assembling.
+
+"Does the maiden mean to wage war against us," said Hagen grimly. "I
+like not the number of her warriors."
+
+Then said Siegfried, "I will leave thee for a little while and go
+across the sea, and soon will I return with a thousand brave warriors,
+so that no evil may befall us."
+
+So the Prince went down alone to the little ship and set sail across
+the sea.
+
+
+
+
+VII
+
+SIEGFRIED AND THE PRINCESS
+
+
+The ship in which Siegfried set sail drifted on before the wind, while
+those in Queen Brunhild's castle marveled, for no one was to be seen
+on board. This was because the hero had again donned his Cloak of
+Darkness.
+
+On and on sailed the little ship until at length it drew near to
+the land of the Nibelungs. Then Siegfried left his vessel and again
+climbed the mountain-side, where long before he had cut off the heads
+of the little Nibelung princes.
+
+He reached the cave into which he had thrust the treasure, and knocked
+loudly at the door. The cave was the entrance to Nibelheim the dark,
+little town beneath the glad, green grass.
+
+Siegfried might have entered the cave, but he knocked that he might
+see if the treasure were well guarded.
+
+Then the porter, who was a great giant, when he heard the knock
+buckled on his armor and opened the door. Seeing, as he thought in his
+haste, a strange knight standing before him he fell upon him with a
+bar of iron. So strong was the giant that it was with difficulty that
+the Prince overcame him and bound him hand and foot.
+
+Alberich meanwhile had heard the mighty blows, which indeed had shaken
+Nibelheim to its foundations.
+
+Now the dwarf had sworn fealty to Siegfried, and when he, as the giant
+had done, mistook the Prince for a stranger, he seized a heavy whip
+with a gold handle and rushed upon him, smiting his shield with the
+knotted whip until it fell to pieces.
+
+Too pleased that his treasures were so well defended to be angry,
+Siegfried now seized the little dwarf by his beard, and pulled it
+so long and so hard that Alberich was forced to cry for mercy. Then
+Siegfried bound him hand and foot as he had done the giant.
+
+Alberich, poor little dwarf, gnashed his teeth with rage. Who would
+guard the treasure now, and who would warn his master that a strong
+man had found his way to Nibelheim?
+
+But in the midst of his fears he heard the stranger's merry laugh.
+Nay, it was no stranger, none but the hero-prince could laugh thus
+merrily.
+
+"I am Siegfried your master," then said the Prince. "I did but test
+thy faithfulness, Alberich," and laughing still, the hero undid the
+cords with which he had bound the giant and the dwarf.
+
+"Call me here quickly the Nibelung warriors," cried Siegfried, "for I
+have need of them." And soon thirty thousand warriors stood before him
+in shining armor.
+
+Choosing one thousand of the strongest and biggest, the Prince marched
+with them down to the seashore. There they embarked in ships and
+sailed away to Isenland.
+
+Now it chanced that Queen Brunhild was walking on the terrace of her
+sea-guarded castle with King Gunther when she saw a number of sails
+approaching.
+
+"Whose can these ships be?" she cried in quick alarm.
+
+"These are my warriors who have followed me from Burgundy," answered
+the King, for thus had Siegfried bidden him speak.
+
+"We will go to welcome the fleet," said Brunhild, and together they
+met the brave Nibelung army and lodged them in Isenland.
+
+"Now will I give of my silver and my gold to my liegemen and to
+Gunther's warriors," said Queen Brunhild, and she held out the keys
+of her treasury to Dankwart that he might do her will. But so lavishly
+did the knight bestow her gold and her costly gems and her rich
+raiment upon the warriors that the Queen grew angry.
+
+"Naught shall I have left to take with me to Rhineland," she cried
+aloud in her vexation.
+
+"In Burgundy," answered Hagen, "there is gold enough and to spare.
+Thou wilt not need the treasures of Isenland."
+
+But these words did not content the Queen. She would certainly take at
+least twenty coffers of gold as well as jewels and silks with her to
+King Gunther's land.
+
+At length, leaving Isenland to the care of her brother, Queen
+Brunhild, with twenty hundred of her own warriors as a bodyguard,
+with eighty-six dames and one hundred maidens, set out for the royal
+city of Worms.
+
+For nine days the great company journeyed homeward, and then King
+Gunther entreated Siegfried to be his herald to Worms.
+
+"Beg Queen Ute and the Princess Kriemhild," said the King, "beg them
+to ride forth to meet my bride and to prepare to hold high festival in
+honor of the wedding-feast."
+
+Thus Siegfried with four-and-twenty knights sailed on more swiftly
+than the other ships, and landing at the mouth of the river Rhine,
+rode hastily toward the royal city.
+
+The Queen and her daughter, clad in their robes of state, received the
+hero, and his heart was glad, for once again he stood in the presence
+of his dear lady, Kriemhild.
+
+"Be welcome, my Lord Siegfried," she cried, "thou worthy knight,
+be welcome. But where is my brother? Has he been vanquished by the
+warrior-queen? Oh, woe is me if he is lost, wo is me that ever I
+was born," and the tears rolled down the maiden's cheeks.
+
+"Nay, now," said the Prince, "thy brother is well and of good cheer.
+I have come, a herald of glad tidings. For even now the King is on his
+way to Worms, bringing with him his hard-won bride."
+
+Then the Princess dried her tears, and graciously did she bid the hero
+to sit by her side.
+
+"I would I might give thee a reward for thy services," said the gentle
+maiden, "but too rich art thou to receive my gold."
+
+"A gift from thy hands would gladden my heart," said the gallant
+Prince.
+
+Blithely then did Kriemhild send for four-and-twenty buckles, all
+inlaid with precious stones, and these did she give to Siegfried.
+
+Siegfried bent low before the lady Kriemhild, for well did he love the
+gracious giver, yet would he not keep for himself her gifts, but gave
+them, in his courtesy, to her four-and-twenty maidens.
+
+Then the Prince told Queen Ute that the King begged her and the
+Princess to ride forth from Worms to greet his bride, and to prepare
+to hold high festival in the royal city.
+
+"It shall be done even as the King desires," said the Queen, while
+Kriemhild sat silent, smiling with gladness, because her knight Sir
+Siegfried had come home.
+
+In joy and merriment the days flew by, while the court at Worms
+prepared to hold high festival in honor of King Gunther's matchless
+bride.
+
+As the royal ships drew near, Queen Ute and the Princess Kriemhild,
+accompanied by many a gallant knight, rode along the banks of the
+Rhine to greet Queen Brunhild.
+
+Already the King had disembarked, and was leading his bride toward his
+gracious mother. Courteously did Queen Ute welcome the stranger, while
+Kriemhild kissed her and clasped her in her arms.
+
+Some, as they gazed upon the lovely maidens, said that the warlike
+Queen Brunhild was more beautiful than the gentle Princess Kriemhild,
+but others, and these were the wiser, said that none could excel the
+peerless sister of the King.
+
+In the great plain of Worms silk tents and gay pavilions had been
+placed. And there the ladies took shelter from the heat, while before
+them knights and warriors held a gay tournament. Then, in the cool of
+the evening, a gallant train of lords and ladies, they rode toward the
+castle at Worms.
+
+Queen Ute and her daughter went to their own apartments, while the
+King with Brunhild went into the banquet-hall where the wedding-feast
+was spread.
+
+But ere the feast had begun, Siegfried came and stood before the King.
+
+"Sire," he said, "hast thou forgotten thy promise, that when Brunhild
+entered the royal city thy lady sister should be my bride?"
+
+"Nay," cried the King, "my royal word do I ever keep," and going out
+into the hall he sent for the Princess.
+
+"Dear sister," said Gunther, as she bowed before him, "I have pledged
+my word to a warrior that thou wilt become his bride, wilt thou help
+me to keep my promise?" Now Siegfried was standing by the King's side
+as he spoke.
+
+Then the gentle maiden answered meekly, "Thy will, dear brother,
+is ever mine. I will take as lord him to whom thou hast promised my
+hand." And she glanced shyly at Siegfried, for surely this was the
+warrior to whom her royal brother had pledged his word.
+
+Right glad then was the King, and Siegfried grew rosy with delight
+as he received the lady's troth. Then together they went to
+the banquet-hall, and on a throne next to King Gunther sat the
+hero-prince, the lady Kriemhild by his side.
+
+When the banquet was ended, the King was wedded to Queen Brunhild, and
+Siegfried to the maiden whom he loved so well, and though he had no
+crown to place upon her brow, the Princess was well content.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+HERO OF FRANCE
+
+
+
+
+ROLAND
+
+ADAPTED BY H.E. MARSHALL
+
+
+
+
+I
+
+BLANCANDRIN'S MISSION
+
+
+For seven long years the great Emperor Charlemagne had been fighting
+in Spain against the Saracens; Saragossa alone remained unconquered,
+but word had gone forth that it, too, was doomed.
+
+King Marsil, not knowing how to save his city from the conqueror,
+called a council of his wise men. Blancandrin, a knight of great
+valor, was chosen with ten others to set out with olive-branches in
+their hands, followed by a great train of slaves bearing presents, to
+seek the court of the great Christian King and sue for peace.
+
+Bending low before Charlemagne, Blancandrin promised for King Marsil
+vassalage to the Emperor and baptism in the name of the Holy Christ.
+To assure the truth of his words, he said "We will give thee hostages,
+I will even send my own son if we keep not faith with thee."
+
+In the morning Charlemagne called his wise men and told them the
+message of Blancandrin.
+
+Then Roland, one of the twelve chosen knights and the nephew of
+Charlemagne, rose flushed with anger and cried, "Believe not this
+Marsil, he was ever a traitor. Carry the war to Saragossa. War! I say
+war!"
+
+Ganelon a knight, who hated Roland, strode to the foot of the throne,
+saying, "Listen not to the counsel of fools but accept King Marsil's
+gifts and promises."
+
+Following the counsel of Duke Naimes the wisest of the court,
+Charlemagne declared that some one should be sent to King Marsil and
+asked the lords whom he should send.
+
+"Send me," cried Roland. "Nay," said Oliver, "let me go rather." But
+the Emperor said, "Not a step shall ye go, either one or other of
+you."
+
+"Ah!" said Roland, "if I may not go, then send Ganelon my stepfather."
+"Good!" replied the great Emperor, "Ganelon it shall be."
+
+Ganelon trembled with passion and said, "this is Roland's work," for
+he knew he would never return alive to his wife and child. The quarrel
+between Roland and Ganelon was bitter indeed. "I hate thee," Ganelon
+hissed at last. "I hate thee!" Then, struggling to be calm, he turned
+to the Emperor and said, "I am ready to do thy will."
+
+"Fair Sir Ganelon," said Charlemagne, "this is my message to the
+heathen King Marsil. Say to him that he shall bend the knee to gentle
+Christ and be baptized in His name. Then will I give him full half of
+Spain to hold in fief. Over the other half Count Roland, my nephew,
+well beloved, shall reign."
+
+Without a word of farewell Ganelon went to his own house. There he
+clad himself in his finest armor. Commending his wife and child to the
+care of the knights who pressed round to bid him Godspeed, Ganelon,
+with bent head, turned slowly from their sight and rode to join the
+heathen Blancandrin.
+
+
+
+
+II
+
+GANELON'S TREASON
+
+
+As Ganelon and Blancandrin rode along together beneath the olive-trees
+and through the fruitful vineyards of sunny Spain, the heathen began
+to talk cunningly. "What a wonderful knight is thy Emperor," he said.
+"He hath conquered the world from sea to sea. But why cometh he within
+our borders? Why left he us not in peace?"
+
+"It was his will," replied Ganelon. "There is no man in all the world
+so great as he. None may stand against him."
+
+"You Franks are gallant men indeed," said Blancandrin, "but your dukes
+and counts deserve blame when they counsel the Emperor to fight with
+us now."
+
+"There is none deserveth that blame save Roland," said Ganelon. "Such
+pride as his ought to be punished. Oh, that some one would slay him!"
+he cried fiercely. "Then should we have peace."
+
+"This Roland is very cruel," said Blancandrin, "to wish to conquer all
+the world as he does. But in whom does he trust for help?"
+
+"In the Franks," said Ganelon. "They love him with such a great love
+that they think he can do no wrong. He giveth them gold and silver,
+jewels and armor, so they serve him. Even to the Emperor himself he
+maketh rich presents. He will not rest until he hath conquered all the
+world, from east to west."
+
+The Saracen looked at Ganelon out of the corner of his eye. He was a
+noble knight, but now that his face was dark with wrath and jealousy,
+he looked like a felon.
+
+"Listen thou to me," said Blancandrin softly. "Dost wish to be avenged
+upon Roland? Then, by Mahomet! deliver him into our hands. King Marsil
+is very generous; for such a kindness he will willingly give unto thee
+of his countless treasure."
+
+Ganelon heard the tempter's voice, but he rode onward as if unheeding,
+his chin sunken upon his breast, his eyes dark with hatred.
+
+But long ere the ride was ended and Saragossa reached, the heathen
+lord and Christian knight had plotted together for the ruin of Roland.
+
+At length the journey was over, and Ganelon lighted down before King
+Marsil, who awaited him beneath the shadow of his orchard-trees,
+seated upon a marble throne covered with rich silken rugs. Around
+him crowded his nobles, silent and eager to learn how Blancandrin had
+fared upon his errand.
+
+Bowing low, Blancandrin approached the throne, leading Ganelon by the
+hand. "Greeting," he said, "in the name of Mahomet. Well, O Marsil,
+have I done thy behest to the mighty Christian King. But save that he
+raised his hands to heaven and gave thanks to his God, no answer did
+he render to me. But unto thee he sendeth one of his nobles, a very
+powerful man in France. From him shalt thou learn if thou shalt have
+peace or war."
+
+"Let him speak," said King Marsil. "We will listen."
+
+"Greeting," said Ganelon, "in the name of God--the God of glory whom
+we ought all to adore. Listen ye to the command of Charlemagne: Thou,
+O King, shalt receive the Christian faith, then half of Spain will he
+leave to thee to hold in fief. The other half shall be given to Count
+Roland--a haughty companion thou wilt have there. If thou wilt not
+agree to this, Charlemagne will besiege Saragossa, and thou shalt be
+led captive to Aix, there to die a vile and shameful death."
+
+King Marsil shook with anger and turned pale. In his hand he held an
+arrow fledged with gold. Now, springing from his throne, he raised his
+arm as if he would strike Ganelon. But the knight laid his hand upon
+his sword and drew it half out of the scabbard. "Sword," he cried,
+"thou art bright and beautiful; oft have I carried thee at the court
+of my King. It shall never be said of me that I died alone in a
+foreign land, among fierce foes, ere thou wert dipped in the blood of
+their bravest and best."
+
+For a few moments the heathen King and the Christian knight eyed each
+other in deep silence. Then the air was filled with shouts. "Part
+them, part them!" cried the Saracens.
+
+The noblest of the Saracens rushed between their King and Ganelon. "It
+was a foolish trick to raise thy hand against the Christian knight,"
+said Marsil's calif, seating him once more upon his throne. "'Twere
+well to listen to what he hath to say."
+
+"Sir," said Ganelon proudly, "thinkest thou for all the threats in the
+wide world I will be silent and not speak the message which the mighty
+Charlemagne sendeth to his mortal enemy? Nay, I would speak, if ye
+were all against me." And keeping his right hand still upon the golden
+pommel of his sword, with his left he unclasped his cloak of fur and
+silk and cast it upon the steps of the throne. There, in his strength
+and splendor, he stood defying them all.
+
+"'Tis a noble knight!" cried the heathen in admiration.
+
+Then once more turning to King Marsil, Ganelon gave him the Emperor's
+letter. As he broke the seal and read, Marsil's brow grew black with
+anger. "Listen, my lords," he cried; "because I slew yonder insolent
+Christian knights, the Emperor Charlemagne bids me beware his wrath.
+He commands that I shall send unto him as hostage mine uncle the
+calif."
+
+"This is some madness of Ganelon!" cried a heathen knight. "He is only
+worthy of death. Give him unto me, and I will see that justice is done
+upon him." So saying, he laid his hand upon his sword.
+
+Like a flash of lightning Ganelon's good blade Murglies sprang from
+its sheath, and with his back against a tree, the Christian knight
+prepared to defend himself to the last. But once again the fight was
+stopped, and this time Blancandrin led Ganelon away.
+
+Then, walking alone with the King, Blancandrin told of all that he
+had done, and of how even upon the way hither, Ganelon had promised
+to betray Roland, who was Charlemagne's greatest warrior. "And if he
+die," said Blancandrin, "then is our peace sure."
+
+"Bring hither the Christian knight to me," cried King Marsil.
+
+So Blancandrin went, and once more leading Ganelon by the hand,
+brought him before the King.
+
+"Fair Sir Ganelon," said the wily heathen, "I did a rash and foolish
+thing when in anger I raised my hand to strike at thee. As a token
+that thou wilt forget it, accept this cloak of sable. It is worth five
+hundred pieces of gold." And lifting a rich cloak, he clasped it about
+the neck of Ganelon.
+
+"I may not refuse it," said the knight, looking down. "May Heaven
+reward thee!"
+
+"Trust me, Sir Ganelon," said King Marsil, "I love thee well. But keep
+thou our counsels secret. I would hear thee talk of Charlemagne. He is
+very old, is he not?--more than two hundred years old. He must be worn
+out and weary, for he hath fought so many battles and humbled so many
+kings in the dust. He ought to rest now from his labors in his city of
+Aix."
+
+Ganelon shook his head. "Nay," he said, "such is not Charlemagne. All
+those who have seen him know that our Emperor is a true warrior. I
+know not how to praise him enough before you, for there is nowhere a
+man so full of valor and of goodness. I would rather die than leave
+his service."
+
+"In truth," said Marsil, "I marvel greatly. I had thought that
+Charlemagne had been old and worn. Then if it is not so, when will he
+cease his wars?"
+
+"Ah," said Ganelon, "that he will never do so long as his nephew
+Roland lives. Under the arch of heaven there bides no baron so
+splendid or so proud. Oliver, his friend, also is full of prowess and
+of valor. With them and his peers beside him, Charlemagne feareth no
+man."
+
+"Fair Sir Ganelon," said King Marsil boldly, knowing his hatred, "tell
+me, how shall I slay Roland?"
+
+"That I can tell thee," said Ganelon. "Promise thou the Emperor all
+that he asketh of thee. Send hostages and presents to him. He will
+then return to France. His army will pass through the valley of
+Roncesvalles. I will see to it that Roland and his friend Oliver lead
+the rear-guard. They will lag behind the rest of the army, then there
+shalt thou fall upon them with all thy mighty men. I say not but that
+thou shalt lose many a knight, for Roland and his peers will fight
+right manfully. But in the end, being so many more than they, thou
+shalt conquer. Roland shall lie dead, and slaying him thou wilt cut
+off the right arm of Charlemagne. Then farewell to the wondrous army
+of France. Never again shall Charlemagne gather such a company, and
+within the borders of Spain there shall be peace for evermore."
+
+When Ganelon had finished speaking, the King threw his arms about his
+neck and kissed him. Then turning to his slaves, he commanded them to
+bring great treasure of gold, and silver and precious stones, and lay
+it at the feet of the knight.
+
+"But swear to me," said Marsil, "that Roland shall be in the
+rear-guard, and swear to me his death."
+
+And Ganelon, laying his hand upon his sword Murglies, swore by the
+holy relics therein, that he would bring Roland to death.
+
+Then came a heathen knight who gave to Ganelon a sword, the hilt of
+which glittered with gems so that the eyes were dazzled in looking
+upon it. "Let but Roland be in the rear-guard," he said, "and it is
+thine." Then he kissed Ganelon on both cheeks.
+
+Soon another heathen knight followed him, laughing joyfully. "Here is
+my helmet," he cried. "It is the richest and best ever beaten out
+of steel. It is thine so that thou truly bring Roland to death and
+shame." And he, too, kissed Ganelon.
+
+Next came Bramimonde, Marsil's queen. She was very beautiful. Her dark
+hair was strung with pearls, and her robes of silk and gold swept
+the ground. Her hands were full of glittering gems. Bracelets and
+necklaces of gold, rubies and sapphires fell from her white fingers.
+"Take these," she said, "to thy fair lady. Tell her that Queen
+Bramimonde sends them to her because of the great service thou hast
+done." And bowing low, she poured the sparkling jewels into Ganelon's
+hands. Thus did the heathen reward Ganelon for his treachery.
+
+"Ho there!" called King Marsil to his treasurer, "are my gifts for the
+Emperor ready?"
+
+"Yea, Sire," answered the treasurer, "seven hundred camels' load of
+silver and gold and twenty hostages, the noblest of the land; all are
+ready."
+
+Then King Marsil leant his hand on Ganelon's shoulder. "Wise art thou
+and brave," he said, "but in the name of all thou holdest sacred,
+forget not thy promise unto me. See, I give thee ten mules laden with
+richest treasure, and every year I will send to thee as much again.
+Now take the keys of my city gates, take the treasure and the hostages
+made ready for thine Emperor. Give them all to him, tell him that I
+yield to him all that he asks, but forget not thy promise that Roland
+shall ride in the rear-guard."
+
+Impatient to be gone, Ganelon shook the King's hand from his shoulder.
+"Let me tarry no longer," he cried. Then springing to horse he rode
+swiftly away.
+
+Meanwhile Charlemagne lay encamped, awaiting Marsil's answer. And
+as one morning he sat beside his tent, with his lords and mighty men
+around him, a great cavalcade appeared in the distance. And presently
+Ganelon, the traitor, drew rein before him. Softly and smoothly he
+began his treacherous tale. "God keep you," he cried; "here I bring
+the keys of Saragossa, with treasure rich and rare, seven hundred
+camels' load of silver and gold and twenty hostages of the noblest of
+the heathen host. And King Marsil bids me say, thou shalt not blame
+him that his uncle the calif comes not too, for he is dead. I myself
+saw him as he set forth with three hundred thousand armed men upon the
+sea. Their vessels sank ere they had gone far from the land, and he
+and they were swallowed in the waves." Thus Ganelon told his lying
+tale.
+
+"Now praised be Heaven!" cried Charlemagne. "And thanks, my trusty
+Ganelon, for well hast thou sped. At length my wars are done, and home
+to gentle France we ride."
+
+So the trumpets were sounded, and soon the great army, with pennons
+waving and armor glittering in the sunshine, was rolling onward
+through the land, like a gleaming mighty river.
+
+But following the Christian army, through valleys deep and dark, by
+pathways secret and unknown, crept the heathen host. They were clad
+in shining steel from head to foot, swords were by their sides, lances
+were in their hands, and bitter hatred in their hearts. Four hundred
+thousand strong they marched in stealthy silence. And, alas! the
+Franks knew it not.
+
+When night came the Franks encamped upon the plain. And high upon the
+mountain-sides, in a dark forest the heathen kept watch upon them.
+
+In the midst of his army King Charlemagne lay, and as he slept he
+dreamed he stood alone in the valley of Roncesvalles, spear in hand.
+There to him came Ganelon, who seized his spear and broke it in pieces
+before his eyes, and the noise of the breaking was as the noise of
+thunder. In his sleep Charlemagne stirred uneasily, but he did not
+wake. The vision passed, and again he dreamed. It seemed to him
+that he was now in his own city of Aix. Suddenly from out a forest a
+leopard sprang upon him. But even as its fangs closed upon his arm,
+a faithful hound came bounding from his hall and fell upon the
+savage beast with fury. Fiercely the hound grappled with the leopard.
+Snarling and growling they rolled over and over. Now the hound was
+uppermost, now the leopard. "Tis a splendid fight!" cried the Franks
+who watched. But who should win, the Emperor knew not, for the vision
+faded, and still he slept.
+
+The night passed and dawn came. A thousand trumpets sounded, the camp
+was all astir, and the Franks made ready once more to march.
+
+But Charlemagne was grave and thoughtful, musing on the dream that he
+had dreamed. "My knights and barons," he said, "mark well the country
+through which we pass. These valleys are steep and straight. It would
+go ill with us did the false Saracen forget his oath, and fall upon us
+as we pass. To whom therefore shall I trust the rear-guard that we may
+march in surety?"
+
+"Give the command to my stepson, Roland, there is none so brave as
+he," said Ganelon.
+
+As Charlemagne listened he looked at Ganelon darkly. "Thou art a very
+demon," he said. "What rage possesseth thee? And if I give command of
+the rear to Roland, who, then, shall lead the van?"
+
+"There is Ogier the Dane," said Ganelon quickly, "who better?"
+
+Still Charlemagne looked darkly at him. He would not that Roland
+should hear, for well he knew his adventurous spirit.
+
+But already Roland had heard. "I ought to love thee well, Sir
+Stepsire," he cried, "for this day hast thou named me for honor. I
+will take good heed that our Emperor lose not the least of his men,
+nor charger, palfrey, nor mule that is not paid for by stroke of
+sword."
+
+"That know I right well," replied Ganelon, "therefore have I named
+thee."
+
+Then to Charlemagne Roland turned, "Give me the bow of office, Sire,
+and let me take command," he said.
+
+But the Emperor sat with bowed head. In and out of his long white
+beard he twisted his fingers. Tears stood in his eyes, and he kept
+silence. Such was his love for Roland and fear lest evil should befall
+him.
+
+Then spoke Duke Naimes, "Give the command unto Roland, Sire; there is
+none better."
+
+So, silently, Charlemagne held out the bow of office, and kneeling,
+Roland took it.
+
+Then was Ganelon's wicked heart glad.
+
+"Nephew," said Charlemagne, "half my host I leave with thee."
+
+"Nay, Sire," answered Roland proudly, "twenty thousand only shall
+remain with me. The rest of ye may pass onward in all surety, for
+while I live ye have naught to fear."
+
+Then in his heart Ganelon laughed.
+
+So the mighty army passed onward through the vale of Roncesvalles
+without doubt or dread, for did not Roland the brave guard the rear?
+With him remained Oliver his friend, Turpin, the bold Archbishop of
+Rheims, all the peers, and twenty thousand more of the bravest knights
+of France.
+
+As the great army wound along, the hearts of the men were glad. For
+seven long years they had been far from home, and now soon they would
+see their dear ones again. But the Emperor rode among them sadly with
+bowed head. His fingers again twined themselves in his long white
+beard, tears once more stood in his eyes. Beside him rode Duke Naimes.
+"Tell me, Sire," he said, "what grief oppresseth thee?"
+
+"Alas," said Charlemagne, "by Ganelon France is betrayed. This night I
+dreamed I saw him break my lance in twain. And this same Ganelon it
+is that puts my nephew in the rear-guard. And I, I have left him in a
+strange land. If he die, where shall I find such another?"
+
+It was in vain that Duke Naimes tried to comfort the Emperor. He would
+not be comforted, and all the hearts of that great company were filled
+with fearful, boding dread for Roland.
+
+
+
+
+III
+
+ROLAND'S PRIDE
+
+
+Meanwhile King Marsil was gathering all his host. From far and near
+came the heathen knights, all impatient to fight, each one eager to
+have the honor of slaying Roland with his own hand, each swearing that
+none of the twelve peers should ever again see France.
+
+Among them was a great champion called Chernuble. He was huge and ugly
+and his strength was such that he could lift with ease a burden which
+four mules could scarcely carry. His face was inky black, his lips
+thick and hideous, and his coarse long hair reached the ground. It was
+said that in the land from whence he came, the sun never shone, the
+rain never fell, and the very stones were black as coal. He too,
+swearing that the Franks should die and that France should perish,
+joined the heathen host.
+
+Very splendid were the Saracens as they moved along in the gleaming
+sunshine. Gold and silver shone upon their armor, pennons of white and
+purple floated over them, and from a thousand trumpets sounded their
+battle-song.
+
+To the ears of the Frankish knights the sound was borne as they rode
+through the valley of Roncesvalles.
+
+"Sir Comrade," said Oliver, "it seemeth me there is battle at hand
+with the Saracen foe."
+
+"Please Heaven it may be so," said Roland. "Our duty is to hold this
+post for our Emperor. Let us strike mighty blows, that nothing be said
+or sung of us in scorn. Let us fight these heathen for our country and
+our faith."
+
+As Oliver heard the sounds of battle come nearer, he climbed to the
+top of the hill, so that he could see far over the country. There
+before him he saw the Saracens marching in pride. Their helmets,
+inlaid with gold, gleamed in the sun. Gaily painted shields, hauberks
+of shining steel, spears and pennons waved and shone, rank upon rank
+in countless numbers.
+
+Quickly Oliver came down from the hill, and went back to the Frankish
+army. "I have seen the heathen," he said to Roland. "Never on earth
+hath such a host been gathered. They march upon us many hundred
+thousand strong, with shield and spear and sword. Such battle as
+awaiteth us have we never fought before."
+
+"Let him be accursed who fleeth!" cried the Franks. "There be few
+among us who fear death."
+
+"It is Ganelon the felon, who hath betrayed us," said Oliver, "let him
+be accursed."
+
+"Hush thee, Oliver," said Roland; "he is my stepsire. Let us hear no
+evil of him."
+
+"The heathen are in fearful force," said Oliver, "and our Franks are
+but few. Friend Roland, sound upon thy horn. Then will Charlemagne
+hear and return with all his host to help us."
+
+For round Roland's neck there hung a magic horn of carved ivory. If he
+blew upon this in case of need, the sound of it would be carried over
+hill and dale, far, far onward. If he sounded it now, Charlemagne
+would very surely hear, and return from his homeward march.
+
+But Roland would not listen to Oliver. "Nay," he said, "I should
+indeed be mad to sound upon my horn. If I call for help, I, Roland, I
+should lose my fame in all fair France. Nay, I will not sound, but
+I shall strike such blows with my good sword Durindal that the blade
+shall be red to the gold of the hilt. Our Franks, too, shall strike
+such blows that the heathen shall rue the day. I tell thee, they be
+all dead men."
+
+"Oh Roland, friend, wind thy horn," pleaded Oliver. "To the ear of
+Charlemagne shall the sound be borne, and he and all his knights will
+return to help us."
+
+"Now Heaven forbid that my kin should ever be pointed at in scorn
+because of me," said Roland, "or that fair France should fall to such
+dishonor. No! I will not sound upon my horn, but I shall strike such
+blows with my sword Durindal that the blade shall be dyed red in the
+blood of the heathen."
+
+In vain Oliver implored. "I see no dishonor shouldst thou wind thy
+horn," he said, "for I have beheld the Saracen host. The valleys and
+the hills and all the plains are covered with them. They are many and
+great, and we are but a little company."
+
+"So much the better," cried Roland, "my desire to fight them grows
+the greater. All the angels of heaven forbid that France, through me,
+should lose one jot of fame. Death is better than dishonor. Let us
+strike such blows as our Emperor loveth to see."
+
+Roland was rash as Oliver was wise, but both were knights of wondrous
+courage, and now Oliver pleaded no more. "Look," he cried, "look where
+the heathen come! Thou hast scorned, Roland, to sound thy horn, and
+our noble men will this day do their last deeds of bravery."
+
+"Hush!" cried Roland, "shame to him who weareth a coward's heart."
+
+And now Archbishop Turpin spurred his horse to a little hill in
+front of the army. "My lords and barons," he cried, turning to them,
+"Charlemagne hath left us here to guard the homeward march of his
+army. He is our King, and we are bound to die for him, if so need be.
+But now, before ye fight, confess your sins, and pray God to forgive
+them. If ye die, ye die as martyrs. In God's great paradise your
+places await you."
+
+Then the Franks leapt from their horses and kneeled upon the ground
+while the archbishop blessed them, and absolved them from all their
+sins. "For penance I command that ye strike the heathen full sore," he
+said.
+
+Then springing from their knees the Franks leapt again into their
+saddles, ready now to fight and die.
+
+"Friend," said Roland, turning to Oliver, "thou wert right. It is
+Ganelon who is the traitor. But the Emperor will avenge us upon him.
+As for Marsil, he deemeth that he hath bought us, and that Ganelon
+hath sold us unto him. But he will find it is with our swords that we
+will pay him."
+
+And now the battle began. "Montjoie!" shouted the Franks. It was the
+Emperor's own battle-cry. It means "My joy," and came from the name of
+his famous sword Joyeuse or joyous. This sword was the most wonderful
+ever seen. Thirty times a day the shimmering light with which it
+glowed changed. In the gold of the hilt was encased the head of the
+spear with which the side of Christ had been pierced. And because of
+this great honor the Emperor called his sword Joyeuse, and from that
+the Franks took their battle-cry "Montjoie." Now shouting it, and
+plunging spurs into their horses' sides, they dashed upon the foe.
+Never before had been such pride of chivalry, such splendor of
+knightly grace.
+
+With boasting words, King Marsil's nephew came riding in front of the
+battle. "Ho, felon Franks!" he cried, "ye are met at last. Betrayed
+and sold are ye by your King. This day hath France lost her fair fame,
+and from Charlemagne is his right hand torn."
+
+Roland heard him. With spur in side and slackened rein, he dashed upon
+the heathen, mad with rage. Through shield and hauberk pierced his
+spear, and the Saracen fell dead ere his scoffing words were done.
+"Thou dastard!" cried Roland, "no traitor is Charlemagne, but a right
+noble king and cavalier."
+
+King Marsil's brother, sick at heart to see his nephew fall, rode out
+with mocking words upon his lips. "This day is the honor of France
+lost," he sneered.
+
+But Oliver struck his golden spurs into his steed's side! "Caitiff,
+thy taunts are little worth," he cried, and, pierced through shield
+and buckler, the heathen fell.
+
+Bishop Turpin, too, wielded both sword and lance. "Thou lying coward,
+be silent evermore!" he cried, as a scoffing heathen king fell beneath
+his blows. "Charlemagne our lord is true and good, and no Frank shall
+flee this day."
+
+"Montjoie! Montjoie!" sounded high above the clang of battle, as
+heathen after heathen was laid low. Limbs were lopped, armor flew in
+splinters. Many a heathen knight was cloven from brow to saddle bow.
+The plain was strewn with the dying and the dead.
+
+In Roland's hand his lance was shivered to the haft. Throwing the
+splintered wood away, he drew his famous Durindal. The naked blade
+shone in the sun and fell upon the helmet of Chernuble, Marsil's
+mighty champion. The sparkling gems with which it shone were scattered
+on the grass. Through cheek and chine, through flesh and bone, drove
+the shining steel, and Chernuble fell upon the ground, a black and
+hideous heap. "Lie there, caitiff!" cried Roland, "thy Mahomet cannot
+save thee. Not unto such as thou is the victory."
+
+On through the press rode Roland. Durindal flashed and fell and
+flashed again, and many a heathen bit the dust. Oliver, too, did
+marvelous deeds. His spear, as Roland's, was shivered into atoms. But
+scarcely knowing what he did, he fought still with the broken shaft,
+and with it brought many a heathen to his death.
+
+"Comrade, what dost thou?" said Roland. "Is it now the time to fight
+with staves? Where is thy sword called Hauteclere with its crystal
+pommel and golden guard?"
+
+"I lacked time in which to draw it," replied Oliver, "there was such
+need to strike blows fast and hard."
+
+But now he drew his shining Hauteclere from its scabbard, and with it
+he dealt such blows that Roland cried, "My brother art thou, Oliver,
+from henceforth. Ah! such blows our Emperor would dearly love to see."
+
+Furious and more furious waxed the fight. On all sides might be heard
+the cry of "Montjoie! Montjoie!" and many a blow did Frank and heathen
+give and take. But although thousands of Saracens lay dead, the Franks
+too had lost many of their bravest knights. Shield and spear, banner
+and pennon, broken, bloodstained and trampled, strewed the field.
+
+Fiercer, wilder still, the battle grew. Roland, Oliver, Archbishop
+Turpin and all the twelve peers of France fought in the thickest of
+the press. Many of the heathen fled, but even in flight they were cut
+down.
+
+Meanwhile over France burst a fearful storm. Thunder rolled, lightning
+flashed, the very earth shook and trembled. There was not a town in
+all the land but the walls of it were cracked and riven. The sky grew
+black at midday, rain and hail in torrents swept the land. "It is the
+end of the world," the people whispered in trembling fear.
+
+Alas, they knew not! It was the earth's great mourning for the death
+of Roland, which was nigh.
+
+The battle waxed horrible. The Saracens fled, and the Franks pursued
+till of that great heathen host but one was left. Of the Saracen army
+which had set out in such splendor, four hundred thousand strong, one
+heathen king alone remained. And he, King Margaris, sorely wounded,
+his spear broken, his shield pierced and battered, fled with the
+direful news to King Marsil.
+
+The Franks had won the day, and now mournfully over the plain they
+moved, seeking their dead and dying comrades. Weary men and worn were
+they, sad at the death of many brother knights, yet glad at the might
+and victory of France.
+
+
+
+
+IV
+
+ROLAND SOUNDS HIS HORN
+
+
+Alone, King Margaris fled, weary and wounded, until he reached King
+Marsil, and fell panting at his feet.
+
+"Ride! ride! Sire," he cried, "thy army is shattered, thy knights to
+the last man lie dead upon the field; but thou wilt find the Franks
+in evil plight. Full half of them also lie dead. The rest are sore
+wounded and weary. Their armor is broken, their swords and spears are
+shattered. They have naught wherewith to defend themselves. To avenge
+the death of thy knights were now easy. Ride! oh, ride!"
+
+In terrible wrath and sorrow King Marsil gathered a new army. In
+twenty columns through the valleys they came marching. The sun shone
+upon the gems and goldwork of their helmets, upon lances and pennons,
+upon buckler and embroidered surcoat. Seven thousand trumpets sounded
+to the charge, and the wind carried the clamor afar.
+
+"Oliver, my comrade," said Roland, when he heard it, "Oliver, my
+brother, the traitor Ganelon hath sworn our death. Here his treachery
+is plainly to be seen. But the Emperor will bring upon him a terrible
+vengeance. As for us, we must fight again a battle fierce and keen.
+I will strike with my trusty Durindal and thou with thy Hauteclere
+bright. We have already carried them with honor in many battles. With
+them we have won many a victory. No man may say scorn of us."
+
+And so once again the Franks made ready for battle.
+
+But King Marsil was a wily foe. "Hearken, my barons all," he cried,
+"Roland is a prince of wondrous strength. Two battles are not enough
+to vanquish him. He shall have three. Half of ye shall go forward now,
+and half remain with me until the Franks are utterly exhausted. Then
+shall ye attack them. Then shall we see the day when the might of
+Charlemagne shall fall and France shall perish in shame."
+
+So King Marsil stayed upon the hillside while half of his knights
+marched upon the Franks with battle-cry and trumpet-call.
+
+"Oh Heaven, what cometh now!" cried the Franks as they heard the
+sound. "Wo, wo, that ever we saw Ganelon the felon."
+
+Then spoke the brave archbishop to them. "Now it is certain that we
+shall die. But it is better to die sword in hand than in slothful
+ease. Now is the day when ye shall receive great honor. Now is the
+day that ye shall win your crown of flowers. The gates of paradise are
+glorious, but therein no coward shall enter."
+
+"We will not fail to enter," cried the Franks. "It is true that we are
+but few, but we are bold and stanch," and striking their golden spurs
+into their chargers' flanks, they rode to meet the foe.
+
+Once more the noise and dust of battle rose. Once more the plain was
+strewn with dead, and the green grass was crimson-dyed, and scattered
+wide were jewels and gold, splintered weapons, and shattered armor.
+
+Fearful was the slaughter, mighty the deeds of valor done, until at
+last the heathen broke and fled amain. After them in hot pursuit rode
+the Franks. Their bright swords flashed and fell again and again, and
+all the way was marked with dead.
+
+At length the heathen cries of despair reached even to where King
+Marsil stayed upon the hillside. "Marsil, oh our King! ride, ride, we
+have need of thee!" they cried.
+
+Even to the King's feet the Franks pursued the fleeing foe, slaying
+them before his face.
+
+Then Marsil, mounting upon his horse, led his last knights against the
+fearful foe.
+
+The Franks were nigh exhausted, but still three hundred swords
+flashed in the sunlight, three hundred hearts still beat with hope and
+courage.
+
+As Roland watched Oliver ever in the thickest of the fight, dealing
+blow upon blow unceasingly, his heart swelled anew with love for him.
+"Oh, my comrade leal and true," he cried, "alas! this day shall end
+our love. Alas! this day we shall part on earth for ever."
+
+Oliver heard him and through the press of fighting he urged his horse
+to Roland's side. "Friend," he said, "keep near to me. So it please
+God we shall at least die together."
+
+On went the fight, fiercer and fiercer yet, till but sixty weary
+Franks were left. Then, sadly gazing upon the stricken field, Roland
+turned to Oliver. "Behold! our bravest lie dead," he cried. "Well may
+France weep, for she is shorn of all her most valiant knights. Oh my
+Emperor, my friend, alas, why wert thou not here? Oliver, my brother,
+how shall we speed him now our mournful news?"
+
+"I know not," said Oliver sadly, "rather come death now than any
+craven deed."
+
+"I will sound upon my horn," said Roland, all his pride broken and
+gone. "I will sound upon my horn. Charlemagne will hear it and the
+Franks will return to our aid."
+
+"Shame would that be," cried Oliver. "Our kin would blush for us and
+be dishonored all their days. When I prayed of thee thou wouldst not
+sound thy horn, and now it is not I who will consent to it. Sound
+upon thy horn! No! there is no courage, no wisdom in that now. Had the
+Emperor been here we had been saved. But now it is too late, for all
+is lost. Nay," he cried in rising wrath, "if ever I see again my fair
+sister Aude, I swear to thee thou shalt never hold her in thine
+arms. Never shall she be bride of thine." For Roland loved Oliver's
+beautiful sister Aude and was loved by her, and when Roland would
+return to France she had promised to be his bride.
+
+"Ah, Oliver, why dost thou speak to me with so much anger and hate,"
+cried Roland sadly.
+
+"Because it is thy fault that so many Franks lie dead this day,"
+answered Oliver. "It is thy folly that hath slain them. Hadst thou
+done as I prayed thee our master Charlemagne had been here. This
+battle had been fought and won. Marsil had been taken and slain. Thy
+madness it is, Roland, that hath wrought our fate. Henceforward we
+can serve Charlemagne never more. And now here endeth our loyal
+friendship. Oh, bitter the parting this night shall see."
+
+With terrible grief in his heart, stricken dumb with misery and pain,
+Roland gazed upon his friend. But Archbishop Turpin had heard the
+strife between the two, and setting spurs to his horse he rode swiftly
+towards them. "Sir Roland, and you, Sir Oliver," he cried, "I pray you
+strive not thus. See! we all must die, and thy horn, Roland, can avail
+nothing now. Great Karl is too far and would return too late. Yet it
+were well to sound it. For the Emperor when he hears it will come to
+avenge our fall, and the heathen will not return joyously to their
+homes. When the Franks come, they will alight from their horses, they
+will find our bodies, and will bury them with mourning and with tears,
+so we shall rest in hallowed graves, and the beasts of the field shall
+not tear our bones asunder."
+
+"It is well said," cried Roland.
+
+Then to his lips he laid his horn, and taking a deep breath he blew
+mightily upon it. With all the strength left in his weary body he
+blew.
+
+Full, and clear, and high the horn sounded. From mountain peak to
+mountain peak the note was echoed, till to the camp of Charlemagne,
+full thirty leagues away, it came.
+
+Then as he heard it, sweet and faint, borne upon the summer wind, the
+Emperor drew rein, and bent his ear to listen. "Our men give battle;
+it is the horn of Roland," he cried.
+
+"Nay," laughed Ganelon scornfully, "nay, Sire, had any man but thee
+said it I had deemed he lied."
+
+So slowly and sad at heart, with many a backward glance, the Emperor
+rode on.
+
+Again Roland put his horn to his mouth. He was weary now and faint.
+Blood was upon his pale lips, the blue veins in his temples stood out
+like cords. Very mournfully he blew upon his horn, but the sound of it
+was carried far, very far, although it was so feeble and so low.
+
+Again to the soft, sweet note Charlemagne bent his ear. Duke Naimes,
+too, and all the Frankish knights, paused at the sound. "It is the
+horn of Roland," cried the Emperor, "and very surely had there been no
+battle, he had not sounded it."
+
+"There is no battle," said Ganelon in fretful tones. "Thou art grown
+old and fearful. Thou talkest as a frightened child. Well thou knowest
+the pride of Roland, the strong, bold, great and boastful Roland, that
+God hath suffered so long upon His earth. For one hare Roland would
+sound his horn all day long. Doubtless now he laughs among his peers.
+And besides, who would dare to attack Roland? Who so bold? Of a truth
+there is none. Ride on, Sire, ride on. Why halt? Our fair land is
+still very far in front."
+
+So again, yet more unwillingly, the Emperor rode on.
+
+Crimson-stained were the lips of Roland. His cheeks were sunken and
+white, yet once again he raised his horn. Faintly now, in sadness and
+in anguish, once again he blew. The soft, sweet notes took on a tone
+so pitiful, they wrung the very heart of Charlemagne, where, full
+thirty leagues afar, he onward rode.
+
+"That horn is very long of breath," he sighed, looking backward
+anxiously.
+
+"It is Roland," cried Duke Naimes. "It is Roland who suffers yonder.
+On my soul, I swear, there is battle. Some one hath betrayed him. If I
+mistake not, it is he who now deceives thee. Arm, Sire, arm! Sound
+the trumpets of war. Long enough hast thou hearkened to the plaint of
+Roland."
+
+Quickly the Emperor gave command. Quickly the army turned about, and
+came marching backward. The evening sunshine fell upon their pennons
+of crimson, gold and blue, it gleamed upon helmet and corslet, upon
+lance and shield. Fiercely rode the knights. "Oh, if we but reach
+Roland before he die," they cried, "oh, what blows we will strike for
+him."
+
+Alas! alas! they are late, too late!
+
+The evening darkened, night came, yet on they rode. Through all the
+night they rode, and when at length the rising sun gleamed like
+flame upon helmet, and hauberk and flowing pennon, they still pressed
+onward.
+
+Foremost the Emperor rode, sunk in sad thought, his fingers twisted
+in his long white beard which flowed over his cuirass, his eyes filled
+with tears. Behind him galloped his knights--strong men though they
+were, every one of them with a sob in his throat, a prayer in his
+heart, for Roland, Roland the brave and fearless.
+
+One knight only had anger in his heart. That knight was Ganelon. And
+he by order of the Emperor had been given over to the keeping of the
+kitchen knaves. Calling the chief among them, "Guard me well this
+felon," said Charlemagne, "guard him as a traitor, who hath sold all
+mine house to death."
+
+Then the chief scullion and a hundred of his fellows surrounded
+Ganelon. They plucked him by the hair and buffeted him, each man
+giving him four sounding blows. Around his neck they then fastened a
+heavy chain, and leading him as one might lead a dancing bear, they
+set him upon a common baggage-horse. Thus they kept him until the time
+should come that Charlemagne would ask again for the felon knight.
+
+
+
+
+V
+
+THE RETURN OF CHARLEMAGNE
+
+
+Roland was dead and bright angels had already carried his soul to
+heaven, when Charlemagne and all his host at last rode into the valley
+of Roncesvalles. What a dreadful sight was there! Not a path nor
+track, not a yard nor foot of ground but was covered with slain Franks
+and heathen lying side by side in death.
+
+Charlemagne gazed upon the scene with grief and horror. "Where art
+thou, Roland?" he called. "The archbishop, where is he? Oliver, where
+art thou?" All the twelve peers he called by name. But none answered.
+The wind moaned over the field, fluttering here and there a fallen
+banner, but voice to answer there was none.
+
+"Alas," sighed Charlemagne, "what sorrow is mine that I was not here
+ere this battle was fought!"
+
+In and out of his long white beard his fingers twisted, and tears of
+grief and anger stood in his eyes. Behind him, rank upon rank, crowded
+his knights and barons full of wrath and sorrow. Not one among them
+but had lost a son or brother, a friend or comrade. For a time they
+stood dumb with grief and horror.
+
+Then spoke Duke Naimes. Wise in counsel, brave in battle was he.
+"Look, Sire," he cried, "look where two leagues from us the dust
+arises upon the great highway. There is gathered the army of the
+heathen. Ride, Sire, ride and avenge our wrongs."
+
+And so it was, for those who had fled from the battle-field were
+gathered together and were now crowding onward to Saragossa.
+
+"Alas!" said Charlemagne, "they are already far away. Yet they have
+taken from me the very flower of France, so for the sake of right and
+honor I will do as thou desirest."
+
+Then the Emperor called to him four of his chief barons. "Rest here,"
+he said, "guard the field, the valleys and the hills. Leave the dead
+lying as they are, but watch well that neither lion nor any other
+savage beast come nigh to them. Neither shall any servant or squire
+touch them. I forbid ye to let man lay hand upon them till we return."
+
+"Sire we will do thy will," answered the four.
+
+Then, leaving a thousand knights to be with them, Charlemagne sounded
+his war trumpets, and the army set forth upon the pursuit of the
+heathen. Furiously they rode and fast, but already the foe was far.
+Anxiously the Emperor looked to the sun as it slowly went down toward
+the west. Night was at hand and the enemy still afar.
+
+Then, alighting from his horse, Charlemagne kneeled upon the green
+grass. "Oh Lord, I pray thee," he cried, "make the sun to stop. Say
+thou to the night, 'wait.' Say thou to the day, 'remain.'" And as the
+Emperor prayed, his guardian angel stooped down and whispered to him,
+"Ride onward, Charlemagne! Light shall not fail thee. Thou hast lost
+the flower of France. The Lord knoweth it right well. But thou canst
+now avenge thee upon the wicked. Ride!"
+
+Hearing these words, Charlemagne sprang once more to horse and rode
+onward.
+
+And truly a miracle was done for him. The sun stood motionless in
+the sky, the heathen fled, the Franks pursued, until in the Valley of
+Darkness they fell upon them and beat them with great slaughter. The
+heathen still fled, but the Franks surrounded them, closing every
+path, and in front flowed the river Ebro wide and deep. Across it
+there was no bridge, upon it no boat, no barge. Calling upon their
+gods Tervagan and Apollin and upon Mahomet to save them, the heathen
+threw themselves into the water. But there no safety they found.
+Many, weighted with their heavy armor, sank beneath the waves. Others,
+carried by the tide, were swept away, and all were drowned, King
+Marsil alone fleeing towards Saragossa.
+
+When Charlemagne saw that all his enemies were slain, he leapt from
+his horse, and, kneeling upon the ground, gave thanks to Heaven. And
+even as he rose from his knees the sun went down and all the land was
+dim in twilight.
+
+"Now is the hour of rest," said the Emperor. "It is too late to return
+to Roncesvalles, for our steeds are weary and exhausted. Take off
+their saddles and their bridles, and let them refresh themselves upon
+the field."
+
+"Sire, it is well said," replied the Franks.
+
+So the knights, leaping from their horses, took saddle and bridle
+from them, and let them wander free upon the green meadows by the
+river-side. Then, being very weary, the Franks lay down upon the
+grass, all dressed as they were in their armor, and with their swords
+girded to their sides, and slept. So worn were they with battle and
+with grief, that none that night kept watch, but all alike slept.
+
+The Emperor too slept upon the ground among his knights and barons.
+Like them he lay in his armor. And his good sword Joyeuse was girt
+about him.
+
+The night was clear and the moon shone brightly. And Charlemagne,
+lying on the grass, thought bitterly of Roland and of Oliver, and
+of all the twelve peers of France who lay dead upon the field of
+Roncesvalles. But at last, overcome with grief and weariness, he fell
+asleep.
+
+As the Emperor slept, he dreamed. He thought he saw the sky grow black
+with thunder-clouds, then jagged lightning flashed and flamed, hail
+fell and wild winds howled. Such a storm the earth had never seen,
+and suddenly in all its fury it burst upon his army. Their lances
+were wrapped in flame, their shields of gold were melted, hauberks
+and helmets were crushed to pieces. Then bears and wolves from out
+the forests sprang upon the dismayed knights, devouring them.
+Monsters untold, serpents, fiery fiends, and more than thirty thousand
+griffins, all rushed upon the Franks with greedy, gaping jaws.
+
+"Arm! arm! Sire," they cried to him. And Charlemagne, in his dream,
+struggled to reach his knights. But something, he knew not what, held
+him bound and helpless. Then from out the depths of the forest a lion
+rushed upon him. It was a fierce, terrible, and proud beast. It seized
+upon the Emperor, and together they struggled, he fighting with his
+naked hands. Who would win, who would be beaten, none knew, for the
+dream passed and the Emperor still slept.
+
+Again Charlemagne dreamed. He stood, he thought, upon the marble steps
+of his great palace of Aix holding a bear by a double chain. Suddenly
+out of the forest there came thirty other bears to the foot of the
+steps where Charlemagne stood. They all had tongues and spoke like
+men. "Give him back to us, Sire," they said, "he is our kinsman, and
+we must help him. It is not right that thou shouldest keep him so long
+from us."
+
+Then from out the palace there came a hound. Bounding among the savage
+beasts he threw himself upon the largest of them. Over and over upon
+the grass they rolled, fighting terribly. Who would be the victor, who
+the vanquished? Charlemagne could not tell. The vision passed, and he
+slept till daybreak.
+
+As the first dim light of dawn crept across the sky, Charlemagne
+awoke. Soon all the camp was astir, and before the sun rose high the
+knights were riding back over the wide roads to Roncesvalles.
+
+When once again they reached the dreadful field, Charlemagne wandered
+over all the plain until he came where Roland lay. Then taking him in
+his arms he made great moan. "My friend, my Roland, who shall now lead
+my army? My nephew, beautiful and brave, my pride, my glory, all are
+gone. Alas the day! alas!" Thus with tears and cries he mourned his
+loss.
+
+Then said one, "Sire, grieve not overmuch. Command rather that we
+search the plain and gather together all our men who have been slain
+by the heathen. Then let us bury them with chant, and song and solemn
+ceremony, as befits such heroes."
+
+"Yea," said Charlemagne, "it is well said. Sound your trumpets!"
+
+So the trumpets were sounded, and over all the field the Franks
+searched, gathering their slain brothers and comrades.
+
+With the army there were many bishops, abbots and monks, and so with
+chant and hymn, with prayer and incense, the Franks were laid to rest.
+With great honor they were buried. Then, for they could do no more,
+their comrades left them.
+
+Only the bodies of Roland, Oliver and Archbishop Turpin, they did
+not lay in Spanish ground. In three white marble coffins covered with
+silken cloths they were placed on chariots, ready to be carried back
+to the fair land of France.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+HERO OF SPAIN
+
+
+
+
+THE CID
+
+ADAPTED BY ROBERT SOUTHEY
+
+
+
+
+I
+
+RODRIGO AND THE LEPER
+
+
+Rodrigo forthwith set out upon the road, and took with him twenty
+knights. And as he went he did great good, and gave alms, feeding the
+poor and needy. And upon the way they found a leper, struggling in a
+quagmire, who cried out to them with a loud voice to help him for the
+love of God; and when Rodrigo heard this, he alighted from his beast
+and helped him, and placed him upon the beast before him, and carried
+him with him in this manner to the inn where he took up his lodging
+that night. At this were his knights little pleased.
+
+When supper was ready he bade his knights take their seats, and he
+took the leper by the hand, and seated him next himself, and ate with
+him out of the same dish. The knights were greatly offended at this
+foul sight, insomuch that they rose up and left the chamber. But
+Rodrigo ordered a bed to be made ready for himself and for the leper,
+and they twain slept together. When it was midnight and Rodrigo was
+fast asleep, the leper breathed against him between his shoulders, and
+that breath was so strong that it passed through him, even through his
+breast; and he awoke, being astounded, and felt for the leper by him,
+and found him not; and he began to call him, but there was no reply.
+Then he arose in fear, and called for a light, and it was brought him;
+and he looked for the leper and could see nothing; so he returned
+into the bed, leaving the light burning. And he began to think within
+himself what had happened, and of that breath which had passed through
+him, and how the leper was not there. After a while, as he was thus
+musing, there appeared before him one in white garments, who said
+unto him, "Sleepest thou or wakest thou, Rodrigo?" and he answered and
+said, "I do not sleep: but who art thou that bringest with thee such
+brightness and so sweet an odor?" Said he, "I am Saint Lazarus, and
+know that I was a leper to whom thou didst so much good and so great
+honor for the love of God; and because thou didst this for his sake
+hath God now granted thee a great gift; for whensoever that breath
+which thou hast felt shall come upon thee, whatever thing thou
+desirest to do, and shalt then begin, that shalt thou accomplish to
+thy heart's desire, whether it be in battle or aught else, so that thy
+honor shall go on increasing from day to day; and thou shalt be feared
+both by Moors and Christians, and thy enemies shall never prevail
+against thee, and thou shalt die an honorable death in thine own
+house, and in thy renown, for God hath blessed thee therefore go
+thou on, and evermore persevere in doing good;" and with that he
+disappeared. And Rodrigo arose and prayed to our lady and intercessor
+St. Mary, that she would pray to her blessed son for him to watch over
+his body and soul in all his undertakings; and he continued in prayer
+till the day broke. Then he proceeded on his way, and performed his
+pilgrimage, doing much good for the love of God and of St. Mary.
+
+
+
+
+II
+
+THE KNIGHTING OF RODRIGO
+
+
+Now it came to pass that while the King lay before Coimbra, there came
+a pilgrim from the land of Greece on pilgrimage to Santiago; his name
+was Estiano, and he was a bishop. And as he was praying in the church
+he heard certain of the townsmen and of the pilgrims saying that
+Santiago was wont to appear in battle like a knight, in aid of the
+Christians. And when he heard this, it nothing pleased him, and
+he said unto them, "Friends, call him not a knight, but rather a
+fisherman." Upon this it pleased God that he should fall asleep,
+and in his sleep Santiago appeared to him with a good and cheerful
+countenance, holding in his hand a bunch of keys, and said unto him,
+"Thou thinkest it a fable that they should call me a knight, and
+sayest that I am not so: for this reason am I come unto thee that
+thou never more mayest doubt concerning my knighthood; for a knight of
+Jesus Christ I am, and a helper of the Christians against the Moors."
+
+Then a horse was brought him the which was exceeding white, and the
+apostle Santiago mounted upon it, being well clad in bright and fair
+armor, after the manner of a knight. And he said to Estiano, "I go
+to help King Don Ferrando, who has lain these seven months before
+Coimbra, and to-morrow, with these keys which thou seest, will I open
+the gates of the city unto him at the third hour, and deliver it into
+his hand." Having said this, he departed. And the bishop, when he woke
+in the morning, called together the clergy and people of Compostella,
+and told them what he had seen and heard. And as he said, even so did
+it come to pass; for tidings came, that on that day, and at the third
+hour, the gates of the city had been opened.
+
+King Don Ferrando then assembled his counts and chief captains, and
+told them all that the monks of Lorvam had done, in bringing him to
+besiege the city, and in supplying his army in their time of need: and
+the counts and chief captains made answer and said, "Certes, O King,
+if the monks had not given us the stores of their monastery, thou
+couldest not have taken the city at this time." The King then called
+for the abbot and the brethren, for they were with him in the host,
+and said the hours to him daily, and mass in St. Andre's, and buried
+there and in their monastery as many as had died during the siege,
+either of arrow-wounds or by lances, or of their own infirmities. So
+they came before him and gave him joy of his conquest; and he said
+unto them, "Take ye now of this city as much as ye desire, since by
+God's favor and your counsel I have won it." But they made answer,
+"Thanks be to God and to you, and to your forefathers, we have enough
+and shall have, if so be that we have your favor and dwell among
+Christians. Only for the love of God, and for the remedy of your own
+soul, give us one church with its dwelling-houses within the city,
+and confirm unto us the gifts made to us in old times by your
+forefathers."
+
+With that the King turned to his sons and his soldiers, and said, "Of
+a truth, by our Creator, they who desire so little are men of God. I
+would have given them half the city, and they will have only a single
+church! Now therefore, since they require but this, on the part of
+God Almighty let us grant and confirm unto them what they ask, to
+the honor of God and St. Mamede." And the brethren brought him their
+charters of King Ramiro, and King Bermudo, and King Alfonso, and
+of Gonzalo Moniz, who was a knight and married a daughter of King
+Bermudo, and of other good men. And the King confirmed them, and he
+bade them make a writing of all which had passed between him and them
+at the siege of Coimbra; and when they brought him the writing, they
+brought him also a crown of silver and of gold, which had been King
+Bermudo's, and which Gonzalo Moniz had given to the monastery in honor
+of God and St. Mamede.
+
+The King saw the crown, set with precious stones, and said, "To what
+end bring ye hither this crown?" And they said, "That you should
+take it, sire, in return for the good which you have done us." But he
+answered, "Far be it from me that I should take from your monastery
+what the good men before me have given to it! Take ye back the crown,
+and take also ten marks of silver, and make with the money a good
+cross, to remain with you forever. And he who shall befriend you, may
+God befriend him; but he who shall disturb you or your monastery, may
+he be cursed by the living God and by his saints." So the King signed
+the writing which he had commanded to be made, and his sons and chief
+captains signed it also, and in the writing he enjoined his children
+and his children's children, as many as should come after him, to
+honor and protect the monastery of Lorvam; upon his blessing he
+charged them so to do, because he had found the brethren better than
+all the other monks in his dominions.
+
+Then King Don Ferrando knighted Rodrigo of Bivar in the great mosque
+of Coimbra, which he dedicated to St. Mary. And the ceremony was after
+this manner: the King girded on his sword, and gave him the kiss, but
+not the blow. To do him honor the Queen gave him his horse, and the
+Infanta Dona Urraca fastened on his spurs; and from that day forth he
+was called Ruydiez. Then the King commanded him to knight nine noble
+squires with his own hand; and he took his sword before the altar,
+and knighted them. The King then gave Coimbra to the keeping of
+Don Sisnando, Bishop of Iria; a man who, having more hardihood than
+religion, had by reason of his misdeeds gone over to the Moors, and
+sorely infested the Christians in Portugal. But during the siege he
+had come to the King's service, and bestirred himself well against the
+Moors; and therefore the King took him into his favor, and gave him
+the city to keep, which he kept, and did much evil to the Moors till
+the day of his death. And the King departed and went to Compostella,
+to return thanks to Santiago.
+
+But then Benalfagi, who was the lord of many lands in Estremadura,
+gathered together a great power of the Moors and built up the walls of
+Montemor, and from thence waged war against Coimbra, so that they of
+Coimbra called upon the King for help. And the King came up against
+the town, and fought against it, and took it. Great honor did Ruydiez
+win at that siege; for having to protect the foragers, the enemy came
+out upon him, and thrice in one day was he beset by them; but he,
+though sorely pressed by them, and in great peril, nevertheless
+would not send to the camp for succor, but put forth his manhood and
+defeated them. And from that day che King gave more power into his
+hands, and made him head over all his household.
+
+Now the men of Leon besought the King that he should repeople Zamora,
+which had lain desolate since it was destroyed by Almanzor. And he
+went thither and peopled the city, and gave to it good privileges.
+And while he was there came messengers from the five kings who were
+vassals to Ruydiez of Bivar, bringing him their tribute; and they came
+to him, he being with the King, and called him Cid, which signifieth
+lord, and would have kissed his hands, but he would not give them his
+hand till they had kissed the hand of the King. And Ruydiez took the
+tribute and offered the fifth thereof to the King, in token of his
+sovereignty; and the King thanked him, but would not receive it;
+and from that time he ordered that Ruydiez should be called the Cid,
+because the Moors had so called him.
+
+
+
+
+III
+
+HOW THE CID MADE A COWARD INTO A BRAVE MAN
+
+
+At this time Martin Pelaez the Asturian came with a convoy of laden
+beasts, carrying provisions to the host of the Cid; and as he passed
+near the town the Moors sallied out in great numbers against him; but
+he, though he had few with him, defended the convoy right well, and
+did great hurt to the Moors, slaying many of them, and drove them into
+the town. This Martin Pelaez who is here spoken of, did the Cid make
+a right good knight, of a coward, as ye shall hear. When the Cid first
+began to lay seige to the city of Valencia, this Martin Pelaez came
+unto him; he was a knight, a native of Santillana in Asturias, a
+hidalgo, great of body and strong of limb, a well-made man and of
+goodly semblance, but withal a right coward at heart, which he had
+shown in many places when he was among feats of arms. And the Cid
+was sorry when he came unto him, though he would not let him perceive
+this; for he knew he was not fit to be of his company. Howbeit he
+thought that since he was come, he would make him brave, whether he
+would or not.
+
+When the Cid began to war upon the town, and sent parties against it
+twice and thrice a day, for the Cid was alway upon the alert, there
+was fighting and tourneying every day. One day it fell out that the
+Cid and his kinsmen and friends and vassals were engaged in a great
+encounter, and this Martin Pelaez was well armed; and when he saw that
+the Moors and Christians were at it, he fled and betook himself to his
+lodging, and there hid himself till the Cid returned to dinner. And
+the Cid saw what Martin Pelaez did, and when he had conquered the
+Moors he returned to his lodging to dinner. Now it was the custom of
+the Cid to eat at a high table, seated on his bench, at the head. And
+Don Alvar Fanez, and Pero Bermudez, and other precious knights, ate in
+another part, at high tables, full honorably, and none other knights
+whatsoever dared take their seats with them, unless they were such as
+deserved to be there; and the others who were not so approved in arms
+ate upon _estrados_, at tables with cushions. This was the order in
+the house of the Cid, and every one knew the place where he was to
+sit at meat, and every one strove all he could to gain the honor
+of sitting at the table of Don Alvar Fanez and his companions, by
+strenuously behaving himself in all feats of arms; and thus the honor
+of the Cid was advanced.
+
+Martin Pelaez, thinking none had seen his badness, washed his hands
+in turn with the other knights, and would have taken his place among
+them. And the Cid went unto him, and took him by the hand and said,
+"You are not such a one as deserves to sit with these, for they are
+worth more than you or than me; but I will have you with me:" and he
+seated him with himself at table. And he, for lack of understanding,
+thought that the Cid did this to honor him above all the others. On
+the morrow the Cid and his company rode towards Valencia, and the
+Moors came out to the tourney; and Martin Pelaez went out well armed,
+and was among the foremost who charged the Moors, and when he was in
+among them he turned the reins, and went back to his lodging; and
+the Cid took heed to all that he did, and saw that though he had done
+badly he had done better than the first day. And when the Cid had
+driven the Moors into the town he returned to his lodging, and as he
+sat down to meat he took this Martin Pelaez by the hand, and seated
+him with himself, and bade him eat with him in the same dish, for he
+had deserved more that day than he had the first. And the knight
+gave heed to that saying, and was abashed; howbeit he did as the Cid
+commanded him: and after he had dined he went to his lodging and began
+to think upon what the Cid had said unto him, and perceived that he
+had seen all the baseness which he had done; and then he understood
+that for this cause he would not let him sit at board with the other
+knights who were precious in arms, but had seated him with himself,
+more to affront him than to do him honor, for there were other knights
+there better than he, and he did not show them that honor. Then
+resolved he in his heart to do better than he had done heretofore.
+
+Another day it happened that the Cid and his company, along with
+Martin Pelaez, rode toward Valencia, and the Moors came out to the
+tourney full resolutely, and Martin Pelaez was among the first, and
+charged them right boldly; and he smote down and slew presently a good
+knight, and he lost there all the bad fear which he had had, and was
+that day one of the best knights there: and as long as the tourney
+lasted there he remained, smiting and slaying and overthrowing the
+Moors, till they were driven within the gates, in such manner that the
+Moors marveled at him, and asked where that devil came from, for they
+had never seen him before. And the Cid was in a place where he could
+see all that was going on, and he gave good heed to him, and had great
+pleasure in beholding him, to see how well he had forgotten the great
+fear which he was wont to have. And when the Moors were shut up within
+the town, the Cid and all his people returned to their lodging, and
+Martin Pelaez full leisurely and quietly went to his lodging also,
+like a good knight. And when it was the hour of eating, the Cid waited
+for Martin Pelaez; and when he came, and they had washed, the Cid
+took him by the hand and said, "My friend, you are not such a one as
+deserves to sit with me from henceforth; but sit you here with Don
+Alvar Fanez, and with these other good knights, for the good feats
+which you have done this day have made you a companion for them;" and
+from that day forward he was placed in the company of the good.
+
+The history saith that from that day forward this knight Martin Pelaez
+was a right good one, and a right valiant, and a right precious, in
+all places where he chanced among feats of arms, and he lived alway
+with the Cid, and served him right well and truly. And the history
+saith, that after the Cid had won the city of Valencia, on the day
+when they conquered and discomfited the King of Seville, this Martin
+Pelaez was so good a one, that setting aside the body of the Cid
+himself, there was no such good knight there, nor one who bore such
+part, as well in the battle as in the pursuit. And so great was
+the mortality which he made among the Moors that day, that when he
+returned from the business the sleeves of his mail were clotted with
+blood, up to the elbow; insomuch that for what he did that day his
+name is written in this history, that it may never die. And when the
+Cid saw him come in that guise, he did him great honor, such as he
+never had done to any knight before that day, and from thenceforward
+gave him a place in all his actions and in all his secrets, and he
+was his great friend. In this knight Martin Pelaez was fulfilled the
+example which saith, that he who betaketh himself to a good tree, hath
+good shade, and he who serves a good lord winneth good guerdon; for by
+reason of the good service which he did the Cid, he came to such good
+state that he was spoken of as ye have heard: for the Cid knew how to
+make a good knight, as a good groom knows how to make a good horse.
+
+
+
+
+IV
+
+HOW THE CID RULED VALENCIA
+
+
+On the following day after the Christians had taken possession of the
+town, the Cid entered it with a great company, and he ascended the
+highest tower of the wall and beheld all the city; and the Moors came
+unto him, and kissed his hand, saying he was welcome. And the Cid did
+great honor unto them. And then he gave order that all the windows of
+the towers which looked in upon the town should be closed up, that the
+Christians might not see what the Moors did in their houses; and the
+Moors thanked him for this greatly. And he commanded and requested the
+Christians that they should show great honor to the Moors, and respect
+them, and greet them when they met: and the Moors thanked the Cid
+greatly for the honor which the Christians did them, saying that they
+had never seen so good a man, nor one so honorable, nor one who had
+his people under such obedience.
+
+Now Abeniaf thought to have the love of the Cid; and calling to mind
+the wrath with which he had formerly been received, because he had
+not taken a gift with him, he took now great riches which he had taken
+from those who sold bread for so great a price during the siege of
+Valencia, and this he carried to the Cid as a present. Among those
+who had sold it were some men from the islands of Majorca, and he
+took from them all that they had. This the Cid knew, and he would not
+accept his gifts. And the Cid caused proclamation to be made in the
+town and throughout the whole district thereof, that the honorable men
+and knights and castellans should assemble together in the garden of
+Villa Nueva, where the Cid at that time sojourned. And when they were
+all assembled, he went out unto them, to a place which was made ready
+with carpets and with mats, and he made them take their seats before
+him full honorable, and began to speak unto them, saying: "I am a
+man who have never possessed a kingdom, neither I nor any man of my
+lineage. But the day when I first beheld this city I was well pleased
+therewith, and coveted it that I might be its lord; and I besought the
+Lord our God that he would give it me. See now what his power is, for
+the day when I sat down before Juballa I had no more than four loaves
+of bread, and now by God's mercy I have won Valencia.
+
+"If I administer right and justice here, God will let me enjoy it; if
+I do evil, and demean myself proudly and wrongfully, I know that he
+will take it away. Now then, let every one go to his own lands, and
+possess them even as he was wont to have and to hold them. He who
+shall find his field, or his vineyard, or his garden, desert, let him
+incontinently enter thereon; and he who shall find his husbanded, let
+him pay him that hath cultivated it the cost of his labor, and of
+the seed which he hath sown therein, and remain with his heritage,
+according to the law of the Moors. Moreover, I have given order that
+they who collect my dues take from you no more than the tenth, because
+so it is appointed by the custom of the Moors, and it is what ye
+have been wont to pay. And I have resolved in my heart to hear your
+complaints two days in the week, on the Monday and the Thursday; but
+if causes should arise which require haste, come to me when ye will
+and I will give judgment, for I do not retire with women to sing and
+to drink, as your lords have done, so that ye could obtain no justice,
+but will myself see to these things, and watch over ye as friend
+over his friend, and kinsman over his kinsman. And I will be cadi and
+guazil, and when dispute happens among ye I will decide it." When
+he had said these things, they all replied that they prayed God
+to preserve him through long and happy years; and four of the most
+honorable among them arose and kissed his hands, and the Cid bade them
+take their seats again.
+
+Then the Cid spake unto them and said: "It is told me that Abeniaf
+hath done much evil, and committed great wrong toward some of ye, in
+that he hath taken great riches from ye to present them to me, saying,
+that this he did because ye sold food for a great price during the
+siege. But I will accept no such gift; for if I were minded to have
+your riches, I could take them, and need not ask them neither from
+him, nor from any other; but thing so unseemly as to take that which
+is his from any one, without just cause, I will not do. They who have
+gotten wealth thus, God hath given it them; let them go to Abeniaf,
+and take back what he hath forced from them, for I will order him to
+restore the whole." Then he said, "Ye see the riches which I took from
+the messengers who went to Murcia; it is mine by right, for I took it
+in war because they brake the covenant which they had made, and would
+have deceived me: nevertheless I will restore it to the uttermost
+centesimo, that nothing thereof shall be lost. And ye shall do homage
+to me that ye will not withdraw yourselves, but will abide here, and
+do my bidding in all things, and never depart from the covenant which
+ye make with me; for I love ye, and am grieved to think of the great
+evil and misery which ye endured from the great famine, and of the
+mortality which there was. And if ye had done that before which ye
+have done now, ye would not have been brought to these sufferings
+and have bought the _cafiz_ of wheat at a thousand _maravedis_; but I
+trust in God to bring it to one _maravedi_. Be ye now secure in your
+lands, and till your fields, and rear cattle; for I have given order
+to my men that they offer ye no wrong, neither enter into the town to
+buy nor to sell; but that they carry on all their dealings in Alcudia,
+and this I do that ye may receive no displeasure. Moreover I command
+them not to take any captive into the town, but if this should be
+done, lay ye hands on the captive and set him free, without fear, and
+if any one should resist, kill him and fear not. I myself will not
+enter your city nor dwell therein, but I will build me a place beside
+the bridge of Alcantara, where I may go and disport myself at times,
+and repair when it is needful." When he had said these things he bade
+them go their way.
+
+Well pleased were the Moors when they departed from him, and they
+marveled at the greatness of his promises, and they set their hearts
+at rest, and put away the fear which they had had, thinking all their
+troubles were over; for in all the promises which the Cid had made
+unto them, they believed that he spake truth; but he said these things
+only to quiet them, and to make them come to what he wished, even as
+came to pass. And when he had done, he sent his Almoxarife, Abdalla
+Adiz, to the custom-house, and made him appoint men to collect the
+rents of the town for him, which was done accordingly. And when the
+Cid had given order concerning his own affairs at his pleasure, the
+Moors would fain have entered again into possession of their heritages
+as he told them; but they found it all otherwise, for of all the
+fields which the Christians had husbanded, they would not yield up
+one; albeit they let them enter upon such as were left waste: some
+said that the Cid had given them the lands that year, instead of their
+pay, and other some that they rented them and had paid rent for the
+year.
+
+The Moors waited till Thursday, when the Cid was to hear complaints,
+as he had said unto them. When Thursday came all the honorable men
+went to the garden, but the Cid sent to say unto them that he could
+not come out that day, because of other causes which he had to
+determine; and he desired that they would go their way for that time,
+and come again on the Monday: this was to show his mastery. And when
+it was Monday they assembled again in the garden, and the Cid came
+out to them, and took his seat upon the _estrado_, and the Moors
+made their complaint. And when he had heard them he began to make
+similitudes, and offer reasons which were not like those which he had
+spoken the first day; for he said to them, "I ask of ye, whether it is
+well that I should be left without men? or if I were without them, I
+should be like unto one who hath lost his right arm, or to a bird that
+hath no wings, or to one who should do battle and hath neither
+spear nor sword. The first thing which I have to look to is to the
+well-being of my people, that they may live in wealth and honor, so
+that they may be able to serve me, and defend my honor: for since it
+has pleased God to give me the city of Valencia, I will not that there
+be any other lord here than me. Therefore I say unto you and command
+you, if you would be well with me, and would that I should show favor
+unto you, that ye see how to deliver that traitor Abeniaf into my
+hands. Ye all know the great treason which he committed upon King
+Yahia, his lord and yours, how he slew him, and the misery which he
+brought upon you in the siege; and since it is not fitting that a
+traitor who hath slain his lord should live among you, and that his
+treason should be confounded with your loyalty, see to the obeyment of
+my command."
+
+When the honorable Moors heard this, they were dismayed; verily
+they knew that he spake truth touching the death of the King, but it
+troubled them that he departed form the promise which he had made; and
+they made answer that they would take counsel concerning what he had
+said, and then reply. Then five of the best and most honorable among
+them withdrew, and went to Abdalla Adiz, and said unto him, "Give us
+thy counsel now the best and truest that thou canst, for thou art of
+our law, and oughtest to do this: and the reason why we ask counsel of
+thee is this. The Cid promised us many things, and now behold he says
+nothing to us of what he said before, but moveth other new reasons, at
+which great dismay hath seized us. And because thou better knowest his
+ways, tell us now what is his pleasure, for albeit we might wish to
+do otherwise, this is not a time wherein anything but what he shall
+command can be done." When the Almoxarife heard this he made answer,
+"Good men, it is easy to understand what he would have, and to do what
+should be done. We all know the great treason which Abeniaf committed
+against ye all in killing your lord the King; for albeit at that time
+ye felt the burden of the Christians, yet was it nothing so great as
+after he had killed him, neither did ye suffer such misery. And since
+God hath brought him who was the cause to this state, see now by all
+means how ye may deliver him into the hands of the Cid; and fear
+not, neither take thought for the rest; for though the Cid may do his
+pleasure in some things, better is it to have him for lord than this
+traitor who hath brought so much evil upon ye. Moreover the things
+of this world soon pass away, and my heart tells me that we shall ere
+long come out of the bondage of the Cid, and of the Christians; for
+the Cid is well-nigh at the full of his days, and we who remain alive
+after his death shall then be masters of our city."
+
+The good men thanked him much, and held themselves to be well advised,
+and said that they would do willingly what he bade them; and they
+returned forthwith to the Cid, and said unto him that they would
+fulfill his commandment. Incontinently did the good men dispeed
+themselves of the Cid, and they went into the city, and gathered
+together a great posse of armed men, and went to the place where
+Abeniaf dwelt; and they assaulted the house and brake the doors, and
+entered in and laid hands on him, and his son, and all his company,
+and carried them before the Cid. And the Cid ordered Abeniaf to be
+cast into prison, and all those who had taken counsel with him for the
+death of King Yahia.
+
+When this was done, the Cid said unto the good men, "Now that ye have
+fulfilled my bidding, I hold it good to show favor unto you in that
+which ye yourselves shall understand to be fitting for me to grant.
+Say therefore what ye would have, and I will do that which I think
+behooveth me: but in this manner, that my dwelling-place be within the
+city of Valencia, in the Alcazar, and that my Christian men have all
+the fortresses in the city." And when the good men heard this, they
+were greatly troubled; howbeit they dissembled the sorrow which they
+resented, and said unto him, "Sir Cid, order it as you think good,
+and we consent thereto." Then said he unto them that he would observe
+towards them all the uses and customs of their law, and that he would
+have the power, and be lord of all; and they should till their fields
+and feed their flocks and herds, and give him his tenth, and he would
+take no more.
+
+When the Moors heard this they were pleased; and since they were to
+remain in the town, and in their houses and their inheritances, and
+with their uses and customs, and that their mosques were to be left
+them, they held themselves not to be badly off. Then they asked the
+Cid to let their guazil be the same as he had first appointed, and
+that he would give them for their cadi the Alfaqui Alhagi, and let
+him appoint whom he would to assist him in distributing justice to the
+Moors; and thus he himself would be relieved of the wearisomeness of
+hearing them, save only when any great occasion might befall. And the
+Cid granted this which they required, and they kissed his hand,
+and returned into the town. Nine months did the Cid hold Valencia
+besieged, and at the end of that time it fell into his power, and he
+obtained possession of the walls, as ye have heard. And one month
+he was practising with the Moors that he might keep them quiet,
+till Abeniaf was delivered into his hands; and thus ten months were
+fulfilled, and they were fulfilled on Thursday, the last day of June,
+in the year of the era one thousand one hundred and thirty and one,
+which was in the year one thousand ninety and three of the incarnation
+of our Lord Jesus Christ. And when the Cid had finished all his
+dealings with the Moors, on this day he took horse with all his
+company in good array, his banner being carried before him, and his
+arms behind; and in this guise, with great rejoicings he entered the
+city of Valencia. And he alighted at the Alcazar, and gave order to
+lodge all his men round about it; and he bade them plant his banner
+upon the highest tower of the Alcazar. Glad was the Campeador, and
+all they who were with him, when they saw his banner planted in
+that place. And from that day forth was the Cid possessed of all the
+castles and fortresses which were in the kingdom of Valencia, and
+established in what God had given him, and he and all his people
+rejoiced.
+
+
+
+
+V
+
+THE CID'S LAST VICTORY
+
+
+Three days after the Cid had died King Bucar came into the port of
+Valencia, and landed with all his power, which was so great that there
+is not a man in the world who could give account of the Moors whom he
+brought. And there came with him thirty and six kings, and one
+Moorish queen, who was a negress, and she brought with her two hundred
+horsewomen, all negresses like herself, all having their hair shorn
+save a tuft on the top, and this was in token that they came as if
+upon a pilgrimage, and to obtain the remission of their sins; and
+they were all armed in coats of mail and with Turkish bows. King Bucar
+ordered his tents to be pitched round about Valencia, and Abenalfarax,
+who wrote this history in Arabic, saith that there were full fifteen
+thousand tents; and he bade that Moorish negress with her archers
+to take their station near the city. And on the morrow they began to
+attack the city, and they fought against it three days strenuously;
+and the Moors received great loss, for they came blindly up to the
+walls and were slain there. And the Christians defended themselves
+right well; and every time that they went upon the walls, they sounded
+trumpets and tambours, and made great rejoicings, as the Cid had
+commanded. This continued for eight days or nine, till the companions
+of the Cid had made ready everything for their departure, as he had
+commanded. And King Bucar and his people thought that the Cid dared
+not come out against them; and they were the more encouraged, and
+began to think of making bastiles and engines wherewith to combat the
+city, for certes they weened that the Cid Ruydiez dared not come out
+against them, seeing that he tarried so long.
+
+All this while the company of the Cid were preparing all things to go
+into Castile, as he had commanded before his death; and his trusty Gil
+Diaz did nothing else but labor at this. And the body of the Cid was
+thus prepared: first it was embalmed and anointed, and the virtue of
+the balsam and myrrh was such that the flesh remained firm and fair,
+having its natural color, and his countenance as it was wont to be,
+and the eyes open, and his long beard in order, so that there was not
+a man who would have thought him dead if he had seen him and not known
+it. And on the second day after he had departed, Gil Diaz placed the
+body upon a right noble saddle, and this saddle with the body upon
+it he put upon a frame; and he dressed the body in a _gambax_ of fine
+sendal, next the skin. And he took two boards and fitted them to the
+body, one to the breast and the other to the shoulders; these were so
+hollowed out and fitted that they met at the sides and under the arms,
+and the hind one came up to the pole, and the other up to the beard.
+These boards were fastened into the saddle, so that the body could not
+move.
+
+All this was done by the morning of the twelfth day; and all that day
+the people of the Cid were busied in making ready their arms, and in
+loading beasts with all that they had, so that they left nothing of
+any price in the whole city of Valencia, save only the empty houses.
+When it was midnight they took the body of the Cid, fastened to the
+saddle as it was, and placed it upon his horse Bavieca, and fastened
+the saddle well; and the body sat so upright and well that it seemed
+as if he was alive. And it had on painted hose of black and white, so
+cunningly painted that no man who saw them would have thought but that
+they were greaves and cuishes, unless he had laid his hand upon them;
+and they put on it a surcoat of green sendal, having his arms blazoned
+thereon, and a helmet of parchment, which was cunningly painted that
+every one might have believed it to be iron; and his shield was hung
+round his neck, and they placed the sword Tizona in his hand, and they
+raised his arm, and fastened it up so subtilely that it was a marvel
+to see how upright he held the sword. And the Bishop Don Hieronymo
+went on one side of him, and the trusty Gil Diaz on the other, and he
+led the horse Bavieca, as the Cid had commanded him. And when all this
+had been made ready, they went out from Valencia at midnight, through
+the gate of Roseros, which is towards Castile. Pero Bermudez went
+first with the banner of the Cid, and with him five hundred knights
+who guarded it, all well appointed. And after these came all the
+baggage. Then came the body of the Cid, with an hundred knights, all
+chosen men, and behind them Dona Ximena with all her company, and six
+hundred knights in the rear. All these went out so silently, and with
+such a measured pace, that it seemed as if there were only a score.
+And by the time that they had all gone out it was broad day.
+
+Now Alvar Fanez Minaya had set the host in order, and while the Bishop
+Don Hieronymo and Gil Diaz led away the body of the Cid, and Dona
+Ximena, and the baggage, he fell upon the Moors. First he attacked the
+tents of that Moorish queen the negress, who lay nearest to the city;
+and this onset was so sudden, that they killed full a hundred and
+fifty Moors before they had time to take arms or go to horse. But that
+Moorish negress was so skilful in drawing the Turkish bow, that it
+was held for a marvel; and it is said that they called her in Arabic
+_Nugueymat Turya_, which is to say, the Star of the Archers. And she
+was the first that got on horseback, and with some fifty that were
+with her, did some hurt to the company of the Cid; but in fine they
+slew her, and her people fled to the camp. And so great was the uproar
+and confusion, that few there were who took arms, but instead thereof
+they turned their backs and fled toward the sea. And when King Bucar
+and his kings saw this, they were astonished. And it seemed to them
+that there came against them on the part of the Christians full
+seventy thousand knights, all as white as snow: and before them a
+knight of great stature upon a white horse with a bloody cross, who
+bore in one hand a white banner, and in the other a sword which seemed
+to be of fire, and he made a great mortality among the Moors who were
+flying. And King Bucar and the other kings were so greatly dismayed
+that they never checked the reins till they had ridden into the sea;
+and the company of the Cid rode after them, smiting and slaying
+and giving them no respite; and they smote down so many that it
+was marvelous, for the Moors did not turn their heads to defend
+themselves. And when they came to the sea, so great was the press
+among them to get to the ships, that more than ten thousand died in
+the water. And of the six and thirty kings, twenty and two were slain.
+And King Bucar and they who escaped with him hoisted sails and went
+their way, and never more turned their heads.
+
+Alvar Fanez and his people, when they had discomfited the Moors,
+spoiled the field, and the spoil thereof was so great that they could
+not carry it away. And they loaded camels and horses with the noblest
+things which they found, and went after the Bishop Don Hieronymo and
+Gil Diaz, who, with the body of the Cid, and Dona Ximena, and the
+baggage, had gone on till they were clear of the host, and then waited
+for those who were gone against the Moors. And so great was the spoil
+of that day, that there was no end to it: and they took up gold, and
+silver, and other precious things as they rode through the camp, so
+that the poorest man among the Christians, horseman or on foot, became
+rich with what he won that day.
+
+
+
+
+
+
+HERO OF SWITZERLAND
+
+
+
+
+WILLIAM TELL
+
+ADAPTED BY H.E. MARSHALL
+
+
+
+
+I
+
+GESSLER'S TYRANNY
+
+
+Far away in the heart of Europe there lies a little country called
+Switzerland. It seems wonderful that when great and powerful kings
+and princes swept over the world, fighting and conquering, little
+Switzerland should not have been conquered and swallowed up by one
+or other of the great countries which lay around. But the Swiss have
+always been a brave and fearless people.
+
+At one time one of the great princes of Europe tried to conquer
+Switzerland and take away the freedom of its people. But the people
+fought so bravely that instead of being conquered they conquered the
+tyrants and drove them away.
+
+In those far-off times the greatest ruler in Europe was the Emperor,
+and his empire was divided into many states, over each of which ruled
+a prince or king who acknowledged the Emperor as overlord. When an
+Emperor died the kings and princes met together and chose another
+Emperor from among their number.
+
+Switzerland was one of the countries which owned the Emperor as
+overlord. But the Swiss were a free people. They had no king or prince
+over them, but a governor only, who was appointed by the Emperor.
+
+Austria was another of the states of the great empire, and at one time
+a Duke of Austria was made ruler of Switzerland. Because of its great
+beauty, this duke cast greedy eyes upon Switzerland and longed to
+possess it for his very own.
+
+But the Swiss would not give up their freedom; and three cantons, as
+the divisions of Switzerland are called, joined together, and swore to
+stand by each other, and never to submit to Austria.
+
+Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden were the names of these three cantons. A
+little later another canton joined the three. These four cantons lie
+round a lake which is called the Lake of the four Forest Cantons. When
+Albrecht, Duke of Austria was chosen Emperor he said to himself that
+now truly he would be lord and master of Switzerland. So he sent two
+nobles to the Swiss to talk to them, and persuade them to own him as
+their king.
+
+Some of the people of Switzerland were persuaded to belong to Austria,
+but all the people of the free cantons replied that they wished to
+remain free.
+
+So the messengers went back to Albrecht and told him what the
+people said. When he heard the message he was very angry. "The proud
+peasants," he cried, "they will not yield. Then I will bend and break
+them. They will be soft and yielding enough when I have done with
+them."
+
+Months went by and the Emperor appointed no ruler over Switzerland.
+At last the people, feeling that they must have a governor, sent
+messengers to the Emperor, begging him to appoint a ruler, as all
+the Emperors before him had done. "A governor you shall have." said
+Albrecht. "Go home and await his coming. Whom I send to you, him you
+must obey in all things."
+
+When they had gone, Albrecht smiled grimly to himself. "They will not
+yield," he said, "but I will oppress them and ill-treat them until I
+force them to rebel. Then I will fight against them and conquer them,
+and at last Switzerland will be mine."
+
+A few days later Albrecht made his friends Hermann Gessler and
+Beringer of Landenberg governors over the free cantons, telling them
+to take soldiers with them to enforce the law and to tax the people in
+order to pay the soldiers. "You will punish all wrong-doers severely,"
+he said, "I will endure no rebels within my empire."
+
+Hard and bitter days began when Gessler and Landenberg settled there.
+They delighted in oppressing the people. They loaded them with taxes;
+nothing could be either bought or sold but the governors claimed a
+great part of the money; the slightest fault was punished with long
+imprisonment and heavy fines. The people became sad and downcast, but
+still they would not yield to Austria.
+
+Gessler lived in a great castle at Kuessnacht in Schwyz. In it were
+dreadful dungeons where he imprisoned the people and tortured them
+according to his wicked will. But he was not pleased to have only one
+castle, and he made up his mind to build another in Uri. So he began
+to build one near the little town of Altorf, which lay at the other
+end of the Lake of the Forest Cantons. Gessler forced the men of Uri
+to build this castle, and he meant to use it not only as a house for
+himself, but as a prison for the people.
+
+"What will you call your castle?" asked a friend one day, as they
+stood to watch the building. "I will call it the Curb of Uri," said
+Gessler, with a cruel laugh, "for with it I will curb the proud spirit
+of these peasants." After watching the work for some time, Gessler and
+his friend rode away. "My friend," said Gessler, as he rode, "we will
+go back to Kiissnacht by another way. I have heard that an insolent
+peasant called Werner Stauffacher has built himself a new house. I
+wish to see it. There is no end to the impudence of these peasants."
+"But what will you do?" asked his friend. "Do" said Gessler, "why,
+turn him out, to be sure. What need have these peasants for great
+houses?" So they rode on to Stauffacher's house. "Whose house is
+this?" he demanded. Stauffacher answered quietly, "My lord, this house
+belongs to the Emperor, and is yours and mine in fief to hold and use
+for his service." "I rule this land," said Gessler, "in the name of
+the Emperor, and I will not allow peasants to build houses without
+asking leave. I will have you understand that." And he rode from the
+doorway. Stauffacher told his wife what had happened and she advised
+him to call a secret meeting of his friends to plan to free themselves
+from the governor's rule.
+
+Werner Stauffacher spent some days in going from village to village,
+trying to find out how the peasants and common people felt, and
+everywhere heard complaints and groans. Coming to Altorf, where his
+friend Walter Fuerst lived, he heard in the market-place a great noise
+of shouting and trampling of feet.
+
+Down the street a party of Austrian soldiers came marching. One of
+them carried a long pole, and another a red cap with a peacock's
+feather in it. Then the pole with the red cap on the top of it was
+firmly planted in the ground.
+
+As soon as the pole was set up a herald stepped out, blew his trumpet
+and cried, "Se ye this cap here set up? It is his Majesty's will and
+commandment that ye do all bow the knee and bend the head as ye do
+pass it by."
+
+This was a new insult to a free people. Stauffacher went to the house
+of Walter Fuerst, where he met Arnold of Melchthal, who had suffered
+much from Landenberg. Calling upon God and his saints, these three men
+swore a solemn oath to protect each other and promised to meet in a
+little meadow called the Ruetli, the Wednesday before Martinmas.
+
+Three weeks passed, and in the darkness and quiet the men stole to the
+place of meeting with other friends of freedom whom they had brought.
+Near Walter Fuerst stood a young man straight and tall with clear and
+honest eyes. "William Tell," said Arnold, "and the best shot in all
+Switzerland. I have seen him shoot an apple from a tree a hundred
+paces off."
+
+Then they swore never to betray each other, to be true to the Emperor,
+but to drive the Austrian governor, his friends, his servants, and his
+soldiers out of the land.
+
+
+
+
+II
+
+WILLIAM TELL AND HIS GREAT SHOT
+
+
+William Tell did not live in Altorf, but in another village some
+way off, called Buerglen. His wife, who was called Hedwig, was Walter
+Fuerst's daughter. Tell and Hedwig had two sons, William and Walter.
+Walter, the younger, was about six years old.
+
+William Tell loved his wife and his children very much, and they all
+lived happily together in a pretty little cottage at Buerglen.
+
+"Hedwig," said Tell one morning, some days after the meeting mentioned
+above, "I am going into Altorf to see your father."
+
+Hedwig looked troubled. "Do be careful, William," she said. "Must you
+really go? You know the governor is there just now, and he hates you."
+
+"Oh, I am quite safe," said Tell; "I have done nothing for which he
+could punish me. But I will keep out of his way," and he lifted his
+crossbow and prepared to go.
+
+"Do not take your bow," said Hedwig, still feeling uneasy. "Leave it
+here."
+
+"Why, Hedwig, how you trouble yourself for nothing," said Tell,
+smiling at her. "Why should I leave my bow behind? I feel lost without
+it."
+
+"O father, where are you going?" said Walter, running into the room at
+this minute.
+
+"I am going to Altorf to see grandfather. Would you like to come?"
+
+"Oh, may I? May I, mother?"
+
+"Yes, dear, if you like," said Hedwig. "And you will be careful, won't
+you?" she added, turning to Tell.
+
+"Yes, I will," he replied, and Walter, throwing his arms round her
+neck, said, "It's all right, mother, I will take care of father." Then
+they set off merrily together.
+
+It was a great thing to go to Altorf with father, and Walter was
+so happy that he chattered all the way, asking questions about
+everything.
+
+"How far can you shoot, father?"
+
+"Oh, a good long way."
+
+"As high as the sun?" asked Walter, looking up at it.
+
+"Oh dear, no, not nearly so high as that."
+
+"Well, how high? As high as the snow-mountains?"
+
+"Oh no."
+
+"Why is there always snow on the mountains, father?" asked Walter,
+thinking of something else. And so he went on, asking questions
+about one thing after another, until his father was quite tired of
+answering.
+
+Walter was chattering so much that Tell forgot all about the hat upon
+the pole, and, instead of going round by another way to avoid it, as
+he had meant to do, he went straight through the market-place to reach
+Walter Fuerst's house.
+
+"Father, look," said Walter, "look, how funny! there is a hat stuck up
+on a pole. What is it for?"
+
+"Don't look, Walter," said Tell, "the hat has nothing to do with us,
+don't look at it." And taking Walter by the hand, he led him hurriedly
+away.
+
+But it was too late. The soldier, who stood beside the pole to guard
+it and see that people bowed in passing, pointed his spear at Tell and
+bade him stop. "Stand, in the Emperor's name," he cried.
+
+"Let be, friend," said Tell, "let me past."
+
+"Not till you obey the Emperor's command. Not till you bow to the
+hat."
+
+"It is no command of the Emperor," said Tell. "It is Gessler's folly
+and tyranny. Let me go."
+
+"Nay, but you must not speak of my lord the governor in such terms.
+And past you shall not go until you bow to the cap. And, if you bow
+not, to prison I will lead you. Such is my lord's command."
+
+"Why should I bow to a cap?" said Tell, his voice shaking with rage.
+"Were the Emperor himself here, then would I bend the knee and bow my
+head to him with all reverence. But to a hat! Never!" and he tried
+to force his way past Heinz the soldier. But Heinz would not let him
+pass, and kept his spear pointed at Tell.
+
+Hearing loud and angry voices, many people gathered to see what the
+cause might be. Soon there was quite a crowd around the two. Every one
+talked at once, and the noise and confusion were great. Heinz tried
+to take Tell prisoner, and the people tried to take him away. "Help!
+help!" shouted Heinz, hoping that some of his fellow-soldiers would
+hear him and come to his aid,--"Help, help! treason, treason!"
+
+Then over all the noise of the shouting there sounded the tramp of
+horses' hoofs and the clang and jangle of swords and armor.
+
+"Room for the governor. Room, I say," cried a herald.
+
+The shouting ceased and the crowd silently parted, as Gessler, richly
+dressed, haughty and gloomy, rode through it, followed by a gay
+company of his friends and soldiers. He checked his horse and, gazing
+angrily round the crowd, "What is this rioting?" he asked.
+
+"My lord," said Heinz, stepping forward, "this scoundrel here will not
+bow to the cap, according to your lordship's command."
+
+"Eh, what?" said Gessler, his dark face growing more dark and angry
+still. "Who dares to disobey my orders?"
+
+"'Tis William Tell of Buerglen, my lord."
+
+"Tell?" said Gessler, turning in his saddle and looking at Tell as he
+stood among the people, holding little Walter by the hand.
+
+There was silence for a few minutes while Gessler gazed at Tell in
+anger.
+
+"I hear you are a great shot, Tell," said Gessler at last, laughing
+scornfully, "they say you never miss."
+
+"That is quite true," said little Walter eagerly, for he was very
+proud of his father's shooting. "He can hit an apple on a tree a
+hundred yards off."
+
+"Is that your boy?" said Gessler, looking at him with an ugly smile.
+
+"Yes, my lord."
+
+"Have you other children?"
+
+"Another boy, my lord."
+
+"You are very fond of your children, Tell?"
+
+"Yes, my lord."
+
+"Which of them do you love best?"
+
+Tell hesitated. He looked down at little Walter with his rosy cheeks
+and curly hair. Then he thought of William at home with his pretty
+loving ways. "I love them both alike, my lord," he said at last.
+
+"Ah," said Gessler, and thought a minute. "Well, Tell," he said after
+a pause. "I have heard so much of this boast of yours about hitting
+apples, that I should like to see something of it. You shall shoot an
+apple off your boy's head at a hundred yards' distance. That will be
+easier than shooting off a tree."
+
+"My lord," said Tell, turning pale, "you do not mean that? It is
+horrible. I will do anything rather than that."
+
+"You will shoot an apple off your boy's head," repeated Gessler in a
+slow and scornful voice. "I want to see your wonderful skill, and I
+command you to do it at once. You have your crossbow there. Do it."
+
+"I will die first," said Tell.
+
+"Very well," said Gessler, "but you need not think in that way to save
+your boy. He shall die with you. Shoot, or die both of you. And, mark
+you, Tell, see that you aim well, for if you miss you will pay for it
+with your life."
+
+Tell turned pale. His voice trembled as he replied, "My lord, it was
+but thoughtlessness. Forgive me this once, and I will always bow to
+the cap in future." Proud and brave although he was, Tell could not
+bear the thought that he might kill his own child.
+
+"Have done with this delay," said Gessler, growing yet more angry.
+"You break the laws, and when, instead of punishing you as you
+deserve, I give you a chance of escape, you grumble and think yourself
+hardly used. Were peasants ever more unruly and discontented? Have
+done, I say. Heinz, bring me an apple."
+
+The soldier hurried away.
+
+"Bind the boy to that tree," said Gessler, pointing to a tall
+lime-tree near by.
+
+Two soldiers seized Walter and bound him fast to the tree. He was
+not in the least afraid, but stood up against the trunk straight and
+quiet. Then, when the apple was brought, Gessler rode up to him and,
+bending from the saddle, himself placed the apple upon his head.
+
+All this time the people crowded round silent and wondering, and Tell
+stood among them as if in a dream, watching everything with a look of
+horror in his eyes.
+
+"Clear a path there," shouted Gessler, and the soldiers charged among
+the people, scattering them right and left.
+
+When a path had been cleared, two soldiers, starting from the tree to
+which Walter was bound, marched over the ground, measuring one hundred
+paces, and halted. "One hundred paces, my lord," they said, turning to
+Gessler.
+
+Gessler rode to the spot, calling out, "Come, Tell, from here you
+shall shoot."
+
+Tell took his place. He drew an arrow from his quiver, examined it
+carefully, and then, instead of fitting it to his bow, he stuck it in
+his belt. Then, still carefully, he chose another arrow and fitted it
+to his bow.
+
+A deep silence fell upon every one as Tell took one step forward. He
+raised his bow. A mist was before his eyes, his arm trembled, his bow
+dropped from his hand. He could not shoot. The fear that he might kill
+his boy took away all his skill and courage.
+
+A groan broke from the people as they watched. Then from far away
+under the lime-tree came Walter's voice, "Shoot, father, I am not
+afraid. You cannot miss."
+
+Once more Tell raised his bow. The silence seemed deeper than ever.
+The people of Altorf knew and loved Tell, and Fuerst, and little
+Walter. And so they watched and waited with heavy hearts and anxious
+faces.
+
+"Ping!" went the bowstring. The arrow seemed to sing through the
+frosty air, and, a second later, the silence was broken by cheer after
+cheer. The apple lay upon the ground pierced right through the center.
+
+One man sprang forward and cut the rope with which Walter was bound to
+the tree; another picked up the apple and ran with it to Gessler. But
+Tell stood still, his bow clutched in his hand, his body bent forward,
+his eyes wild and staring, as if he were trying to follow the flight
+of the arrow. Yet he saw nothing, heard nothing.
+
+"He has really done it!" exclaimed Gessler in astonishment, as he
+turned the apple round and round in his hand. "Who would have thought
+it? Right in the center, too."
+
+Little Walter, quite delighted, came running to his father. "Father,"
+he cried, "I knew you could do it. I knew you could, and I was not a
+bit afraid. Was it not splendid?" and he laughed and pressed his curly
+head against his father.
+
+Then suddenly Tell seemed to wake out of his dream, and taking Walter
+in his arms he held him close, kissing him again and again. "You are
+safe, my boy. You are safe," was all he said. But strong man though
+he was his eyes were full of tears, and he was saying to himself, "I
+might have killed him. I might have killed my own boy."
+
+Meanwhile Gessler sat upon his horse watching them with a cruel smile
+upon his wicked face. "Tell," he said at last, "that was a fine shot,
+but for what was the other arrow?"
+
+Tell put Walter down and, holding his hand, turned to Gessler, "It is
+always an archer's custom, my lord, to have a second arrow ready," he
+said.
+
+"Nay, nay," said Gessler, "that answer will not do, Tell. Speak the
+truth."
+
+Tell was silent.
+
+"Speak, man," said Gessler, "and if you speak the truth, whatever it
+may be, I promise you your life."
+
+"Then," said Tell, throwing his shoulders back and looking straight at
+Gessler, "since you promise me my life, hear the truth, if that first
+arrow had struck my child, the second one was meant for you, and be
+sure I had not missed my mark a second time."
+
+Gessler's face grew dark with rage. For a moment or two he could not
+speak. When at last he did speak, his voice was low and terrible, "You
+dare," he said, "you dare to tell me this! I promised you your life
+indeed. Your life you shall have, but you shall pass it in a dark and
+lonely prison, where neither sun nor moon shall send the least glimmer
+of light. There you shall lie, so that I may be safe from you. Ah,
+my fine archer, your bows and arrows will be of little use to you
+henceforth. Seize him, men, and bind him, lest he do murder even now."
+
+In a moment the soldiers sprang forward, and Tell was seized and
+bound.
+
+As Gessler sat watching them, he looked round at all the angry faces
+of the crowd. "Tell has too many friends here," he said to himself.
+"If I imprison him in the Curb of Uri, they may find some way to help
+him to escape. I will take him with me in my boat to Klissnacht. There
+he can have no friends. There he will be quite safe." Then aloud he
+said, "Follow me, my men. Bring him to the boat."
+
+As he said these words, there was a loud murmur from the crowd. "That
+is against the law," cried many voices.
+
+"Law, law?" growled Gessler. "Who makes the law, you or I?"
+
+Walter Fuerst had been standing among the crowd silent and anxious. Now
+he stepped forward and spoke boldly. "My lord," he said, "it has ever
+been a law among the Swiss that no one shall be imprisoned out of his
+own canton. If my son-in-law, William Tell, has done wrong, let him be
+tried and imprisoned here, in Uri, in Altorf. If you do otherwise you
+wrong our ancient freedom and rights."
+
+"Your freedom! your rights!" said Gessler roughly. "I tell you, you
+are here to obey the laws, not to teach me how I shall rule." Then
+turning his horse and calling out, "On, men, to the boat with him," he
+rode towards the lake, where, at a little place called Fliielen, his
+boat was waiting for him.
+
+But Walter clung to his father, crying bitterly. Tell could not take
+him in his arms to comfort him, for his hands were tied. But he bent
+over him to kiss him, saying, "Little Walter, little Walter, be brave.
+Go with thy grandfather and comfort thy mother."
+
+So Tell was led to Gessler's boat, followed by the sorrowing people.
+Their hearts were full of hot anger against the tyrant. Yet what could
+they do? He was too strong for them.
+
+Tell was roughly pushed into the boat, where he sat closely guarded on
+either side by soldiers. His bow and arrows, which had been taken from
+him, were thrown upon a bench beside the steersman.
+
+Gessler took his seat. The boat started, and was soon out on the blue
+water of the lake. As the people of Altorf watched Tell go, their
+hearts sank. They had not known, until they saw him bound and a
+prisoner, how much they had trusted and loved him.
+
+
+
+
+III
+
+THE ESCAPE OF WILLIAM TELL
+
+
+On the lakes of Switzerland storms of wind arise very quickly. The
+Swiss used to dread these storms so much that they gave names to the
+winds as if they were people. The south wind, which is the fiercest,
+they called the Foehn. There used to be a law that when the Foehn arose,
+all fires were to be put out. For the wind whistled and blew down the
+wide chimneys like great bellows, till the fires flared up so fiercely
+that the houses, which were built of wood, were in danger of being
+burned to the ground. Now one of these fierce storms arose.
+
+No one noticed when Gessler's boat pushed off from the shore how dark
+the sky had grown nor how keenly the wind was blowing. But before the
+boat had gone very far the waves began to rise, and the wind to blow
+fiercer and fiercer.
+
+Soon the little boat was tossing wildly on great white-crested waves.
+The rowers bent to the oars and rowed with all their might. But in
+spite of all they could do, the waves broke over the boat, filling
+it with water. They were tossed here and there, until it seemed every
+minute that they would sink.
+
+Pale with fear, the captain stood at the helm. He was an Austrian who
+knew nothing of the Swiss lakes, and he had never before been in such
+a storm. He was helpless, and he knew that very soon the boat would be
+a wreck.
+
+Wrapped in his mantle, Gessler sat silent and still, watching the
+storm. He, too, knew the danger.
+
+As the waves dashed over him, one of Gessler's servants staggered to
+his master's feet. "My lord," he said, "you see our need and danger,
+yet methinks there is one man on board who could save us."
+
+"Who is that?" asked Gessler.
+
+"William Tell, your prisoner," replied the man. "He is known to be one
+of the best sailors on this lake. He knows every inch of it. If any
+one can save the boat, he can."
+
+"Bring him here," said Gessler.
+
+"It seems you are a sailor as well as an archer, Tell," said Gessler,
+when his prisoner had been brought before him. "Can you save the boat
+and bring us to land?"
+
+"Yes," said Tell.
+
+"Unbind him, then," said Gessler to the soldier, "but mark you, Tell,
+you go not free. Even although you save us, you are still my prisoner.
+Do not think to have any reward."
+
+The rope which bound Tell's hands was cut, and he took his place at
+the helm.
+
+The waves still dashed high, the wind still howled, but under Tell's
+firm hand the boat seemed to steady itself, and the rowers bent to
+their work with new courage and strength in answer to his commanding
+voice.
+
+Tell, leaning forward, peered through the darkness and the spray.
+There was one place where he knew it would be possible to land--where
+a bold and desperate man at least might land. He was looking for that
+place. Nearer and nearer to the shore he steered. At last he was quite
+close to it. He glanced quickly round. His bow and arrows lay beside
+him. He bent and seized them. Then with one great leap he sprang
+ashore, and as he leaped he gave the boat a backward push with his
+foot, sending it out again into the stormy waters of the lake.
+
+There was a wild outcry from the sailors, but Tell was free, for no
+one dared to follow him. Quickly clambering up the mountain-side, he
+disappeared among the trees.
+
+As Tell vanished, Gessler stood up and shouted in anger, but the
+little boat, rocking and tossing on the waves, drifted out into the
+lake, and the Austrian sailors, to whom the shore was unknown, dared
+not row near to it again, lest they should be dashed to pieces upon
+the rocks. Even as it was, they expected every moment that the boat
+would sink, and that all would be drowned. But despair seemed to
+give the sailors fresh strength, and soon the wind fell and the waves
+became quieter. A few hours later, wet, weary, but safe, Gessler and
+his company landed on the shore of Schwyz.
+
+[Illustration: WILLIAM TELL AND HIS FRIENDS.]
+
+
+
+
+IV
+
+TELL'S SECOND SHOT
+
+
+As soon as Gessler landed, he called for his horse, and silent and
+gloomy, his heart full of bitter hate against Tell and all the Swiss,
+he mounted and rode towards his castle at Kuessnacht.
+
+But Tell's heart, too, was full of hate and anger. That morning he had
+been a gentle, peace-loving man. Now all was changed. Gessler's cruel
+jest had made him hard and angry. He could not forget that he might
+have killed his own boy. He seemed to see always before him Walter
+bound to the tree with the apple on his head. Tell made up his mind
+that Gessler should never make any one else suffer so much. There was
+only one thing to do. That was to kill Gessler, and that Tell meant to
+do.
+
+If Gessler escaped from the storm, Tell was sure that he would go
+straight to his castle at Kuessnacht. There was only one road which led
+from the lake to the castle, and at a place called the Hollow Way
+it became very narrow, and the banks rose steep and rugged on either
+side. There Tell made up his mind to wait for Gessler. There he meant
+to free his country from the cruel tyrant.
+
+Without stopping for food or rest, Tell hurried through the woods
+until he came to the Hollow Way. There he waited and watched. Many
+people passed along the road. There were herds with their flocks, and
+travelers of all kinds, among them a poor woman whose husband had
+been put in prison by Gessler, so that now she had no home, and had to
+wander about with her children begging. She stopped and spoke to Tell,
+and the story she told of Gessler's cruelty made Tell's heart burn
+with anger, and made him more sure than ever that the deed he meant to
+do was just and right.
+
+The day went on, and still Gessler did not come, and still Tell
+waited. At last he heard the distant tramp of feet and the sound of
+voices. Surely he had come at last. But as the sounds came nearer,
+Tell knew that it could not be Gessler, for he heard music and
+laughter, and through the Hollow Way came a gaily dressed crowd. It
+was a wedding-party. Laughing and merry, the bride and bridegroom
+with their friends passed along. When they were out of sight the wind
+brought back the sound of their merry voices to Tell, as he waited
+upon the bank. They, at least, had for a time forgotten Gessler.
+
+At last, as the sun was setting, Tell heard the tramp of horses, and a
+herald dashed along the road, shouting, "Room for the governor. Room,
+I say."
+
+As Gessler came slowly on behind, Tell could hear him talking in a
+loud and angry voice to a friend. "Obedience I will have," he was
+saying. "I have been far too mild a ruler over this people. They grow
+too proud. But I will break their pride. Let them prate of freedom,
+indeed. I will crush--" The sentence was never finished. An arrow
+whizzed through the air, and with a groan Gessler fell, dead.
+
+Tell's second arrow had found its mark.
+
+Immediately everything was in confusion. Gessler's soldiers crowded
+round, trying to do something for their master. But it was useless. He
+was dead. Tell's aim had been true.
+
+"Who has done this foul murder?" cried one of Gessler's friends,
+looking round.
+
+"The shot was mine," answered Tell, from where he stood on the high
+bank. "But no murder have I done. I have but freed an unoffending
+people from a base and cowardly tyrant. My cause is just, let God be
+the judge."
+
+At the sound of his voice every one turned to look at Tell, as he
+stood above them calm and unafraid.
+
+"Seize him!" cried the man who had already spoken, as soon as he
+recovered from his astonishment. "Seize him, it is Tell the archer."
+
+Five or six men scrambled up the steep bank as fast as they could. But
+Tell slipped quietly through the bushes, and when they reached the top
+he was nowhere to be found.
+
+The short winter's day was closing in fast, and Tell found it easy to
+escape in the darkness from Gessler's soldiers. They soon gave up the
+chase, and, returning to the road, took up their master's dead body
+and carried it to his castle at Kuessnacht There was little sorrow
+for him, for he had been a hard master. The Austrian soldiers did not
+grieve, and the Swiss, wherever they heard the news, rejoiced.
+
+As soon as he was free of the soldiers, Tell turned and made for
+Stauffacher's house. All through the night he walked, until he came
+to the pretty house with its red roofs and many windows which had made
+Gessler so angry.
+
+Now there was no light in any of the windows, and all was still and
+quiet. But Tell knew in which of the rooms Stauffacher slept, and he
+knocked softly upon the window until he had aroused his friend.
+
+"William Tell!" said Stauffacher in astonishment. "I heard from Walter
+Fuerst that you were a prisoner. Thank Heaven that you are free again."
+
+"I am free," said Tell; "you, too, are free. Gessler is dead."
+
+"Gessler dead!" exclaimed Stauffacher. "Now indeed have we cause for
+thankfulness. Tell me, how did it happen?" and he drew William Tell
+into the house.
+
+Tell soon told all his story. Then Stauffacher, seeing how weary he
+was, gave him food and made him rest.
+
+That night Tell slept well. All next day he remained hidden in
+Stauffacher's house. "You must not go," said his friend, "Gessler's
+soldiers will be searching for you." But when evening came Tell crept
+out into the dark again, and kind friends rowed him across the
+lake back to Flueelen. There, where a few days before he had been a
+prisoner, he landed, now free.
+
+Tell went at once to Walter Fuerst's house, and soon messengers
+were hurrying all through the land to gather together again the
+Confederates, as those who had met on that eventful night were called.
+
+This time they gathered with less fear and less secrecy, for was
+not the dreaded governor dead? Not one but was glad, yet some of the
+Confederates blamed Tell, for they had all promised to wait until the
+first of January before doing anything. "I know," said Tell, "but he
+drove me to it." And every man there who had left a little boy at home
+felt that he too might have done the same thing.
+
+Now that Tell had struck the first blow, some of the Confederates
+wished to rise at once. But others said, "No, it is only a few weeks
+now until New Year's Day. Let us wait."
+
+So they waited, and everything seemed quiet and peaceful in the land,
+for the Emperor sent no governor to take Gessler's place, as he was
+far away in Austria, too busy fighting and quarreling there to think
+of Switzerland in the meantime. "When I have finished this war," he
+said, "it will be time enough to crush these Swiss rebels."
+
+
+
+
+
+
+HERO OF PERSIA
+
+
+
+
+RUSTEM
+
+ADAPTED BY ALFRED J. CHURCH
+
+
+
+
+I
+
+THE SEVEN ADVENTURES OF RUSTEM
+
+
+King Keikobad died, and his son Kaoues sat upon his throne. At first
+he was a moderate and prudent prince; but finding his riches increase,
+and his armies grow more and more numerous, he began to believe that
+there was no one equal to him in the whole world, and that he could
+do what he would. One day as he sat drinking in one of the chambers
+of his palace, and boasting after his custom, a Genius, disguised as
+a minstrel, came to the King's chamberlain, and desired to be admitted
+to the royal presence. "I came," he said, "from the country of the
+Genii, and I am a sweet singer. Maybe the King, if he were to hear me,
+would give me a post in his court."
+
+The chamberlain went to the King, and said, "There is a minstrel at
+the gate; he has a harp in his hand, and his voice is marvelously
+sweet."
+
+"Bring him up," said the King.
+
+So they brought him in, and gave him a place among the musicians,
+and commanded that he should give them a trial of his powers. So the
+minstrel, after playing a prelude on his harp, sang a song of the land
+of the Genii.
+
+"There is no land in all the world" this was the substance of his
+song--"like Mazanderan, the land of the Genii. All the year round the
+rose blooms in its gardens and the hyacinth on its hills. It knows no
+heat nor cold, only an eternal spring. The nightingales sing in its
+thicket, and through its valleys wander the deer, and the water of its
+stream is as the water of roses, delighting the soul with its perfume.
+Of its treasures there is no end; the whole country is covered with
+gold and embroidery and jewels. No man can say that he is happy unless
+he has seen Mazanderan."
+
+When the King heard this song, he immediately conceived the thought
+of marching against this wonderful country. Turning, therefore, to his
+warriors, he said: "We are given over to feasting; but the brave must
+not suffer himself to rest in idleness. I am wealthier and, I doubt
+not, stronger than all the kings that have gone before me; it becomes
+me also to surpass them in my achievements. We will conquer the land
+of Genii."
+
+The warriors of the King were little pleased to hear such talk from
+his lips. No one ventured to speak, but their hearts were full of
+trouble and fear, for they had no desire to fight against the Genii.
+
+"We are your subjects, O King," they said, "and will do as you
+desire." But when they were by themselves, and could speak openly,
+they said one to another, "What a trouble is this that has come of
+our prosperous fortune! Unless by good fortune the King forgets this
+purpose of his, we and the whole country are lost. Jemshid, whom the
+Genii and the Peris and the very birds of the air used to obey, never
+ventured to talk in this fashion of Mazanderan, or to seek war against
+the Genii; and Feridun, though he was the wisest of kings, and skilful
+in all magical arts, never cherished such a plan." So they sat,
+overwhelmed with anxiety.
+
+At last one of them said, "My friends, there is only one way of
+escaping from this danger. Let us send a swift dromedary to Zal of the
+white hair, with this message: 'Though your head be covered with dust,
+do not stay to wash it, but come.' Perhaps Zal will give the King
+wise advice, and, telling him that this plan of his is nothing but a
+counsel of Satan, will persuade him to change his purpose. Otherwise
+we are lost, small and great."
+
+The nobles listened to this advice, and sent a messenger to Zal,
+mounted on a swift dromedary.
+
+When Zal heard what had happened, he said:
+
+"The King is self-willed. He has not yet felt either the cold or the
+heat of the world. He thinks that all men, great and small, tremble
+at his sword, and it must needs be that he learn better by experience.
+However, I will go; I will give him the best advice that I can. If he
+will be persuaded by me, it will be well; but if not, the way is open,
+and Rustem shall go with his army." All night long he revolved these
+matters in his heart. The next morning he went his way, and arrived at
+the court of the King.
+
+The King received him with all honor, bade him sit by his side, and
+inquired how he had borne the fatigue of his journey, and of the
+welfare of Rustem, his son. Then Zal spoke:
+
+"I have heard, my lord, that you are forming plans against the land of
+the Genii. Will it please you to listen to me? There have been mighty
+kings before you, but never during all my years, which now are many,
+has any one of them conceived in his heart such a design as this. This
+land is inhabited by Genii that are skilful in all magical arts. They
+can lay such bonds upon men that no one is able to hurt them. No sword
+is keen enough to cut them through; riches and wisdom and valor are
+alike powerless against them. I implore you, therefore, not to waste
+your riches, and the riches of your country and the blood of your
+warriors, on so hopeless an enterprise."
+
+The King answered, "Doubtless it is true that the kings my
+predecessors never ventured to entertain such a plan. But am I not
+superior to them in courage, in power and wealth? Had they such
+warriors as you, and Rustem your son? Do not think to turn me from my
+purpose. I will go against the country of these accursed magicians,
+and verily I will not leave one single soul alive in it, for they are
+an evil race. If you do not care to come with me, at least refrain
+from advising me to sit idle upon my throne."
+
+When Zal heard this answer, he said: "You are the King, and we are
+your slaves. Whatever you ordain is right and just, and it is only by
+thy good pleasure that we breathe and move. I have said what was in my
+heart. All that remains now is to obey, and to pray that the Ruler of
+the world may prosper your counsels."
+
+When he had thus spoken, Zal took leave of the King, and departed for
+his own country.
+
+The very next day the King set out with his army for the land of the
+Genii, and, after marching for several days, pitched his tent at the
+foot of Mount Asprus, and held a great revel all the night long with
+his chiefs. The next morning he said, "Choose me two thousand men who
+will break down the gates of Mazanderan with their clubs. And take
+care that when you have taken the city you spare neither young nor
+old, for I will rid the world of these magicians." They did as the
+King commanded, and in a short space of time the city, which was
+before the richest and most beautiful in the whole world, was made
+into a desert.
+
+When the King of Mazanderan heard of these things he called a
+messenger, and said: "Go to the White Genius and say to him, 'The
+Persians have come with a great army and are destroying everything.
+Make haste and help me, or there will be nothing left to preserve.'"
+
+The White Genius said, "Tell the King not to be troubled; I will see
+to these Persians."
+
+That same night the whole army of King Kaoues was covered with a
+wonderful cloud. The sky was dark as pitch, and there fell from it
+such a terrible storm of hailstones that no one could stand against
+them. When the next morning came, lo! the King and all that had
+not fled--for many fled to their own country--or been killed by
+the hailstones, were blind. Seven days they remained terrified and
+helpless. On the eighth day they heard the voice, loud as a clap of
+thunder, of the White Genius.
+
+"King," said he, "you coveted the land of Mazanderan, you entered the
+city, you slew and took prisoners many of the people; but you did not
+know what I could do. And now, see, you have your desire. Your lot is
+of your own contriving."
+
+The White Genius then gave over the King and his companions to the
+charge of an army of twelve thousand Genii, and commanded that they
+should be kept in prison, and have just so much food given them as
+should keep them alive from day to day. Kaoues, however, contrived to
+send by one of his warriors a message to Zal the White-haired, telling
+him of all the troubles that had come upon him. When Zal heard the
+news he was cut to the heart, and sent without delay for Rustem.
+"Rustem," said he, "this is no time for a man to eat and drink and
+take his pleasure. The King is in the hands of Satan, and we must
+deliver him. As for me, I am old and feeble; but you are of the age
+for war. Saddle Raksh, your horse, and set forth without a moment's
+delay. The White Genius must not escape the punishment of his misdeeds
+at your hands."
+
+"The way is long," said Rustem; "how shall I go?"
+
+"There are two ways," answered Zal, "and both are difficult and
+dangerous. The King went by the longer way. The other is by far the
+shorter, a two-weeks' march and no more; but it is full of lions and
+evil Genii, and it is surrounded by darkness. Still, I would have you
+go by it. God will be your helper; and difficult as the way may be, it
+will have an end, and your good horse Raksh will accomplish it. And if
+it be the will of Heaven that you should fall by the hand of the White
+Genius, who can change the ordering of destiny? Sooner or later we
+must all depart, and death should be no trouble to him who has filled
+the earth with his glory."
+
+"My father, I am ready to do your bidding," said Rustem.
+"Nevertheless, the heroes of old cared not to go of their own accord
+into the land of death; and it is only he who is weary of life that
+throws himself in the way of a roaring lion. Still I go, and I ask for
+no help but from the justice of God. With that on my side I will break
+the charm of the magicians. The White Genius himself shall not escape
+me."
+
+Rustem armed himself, and went on his way.
+
+Rustem made such speed that he accomplished two days' journey in one.
+But at last, finding himself hungry and weary, and seeing that there
+were herds of wild asses in the plain which he was traversing, he
+thought that he would catch one of them for his meal, and rest for the
+night. So pressing his knees into his horse's side, he pursued one
+of them. There was no escape for the swiftest beast when Rustem was
+mounted on Raksh, and in a very short time a wild ass was caught with
+the lasso. Rustem struck a light with a flintstone, and making a fire
+with brambles and branches of trees, roasted the ass and ate it for
+his meal. This done he took the bridle from his horse, let him loose
+to graze upon the plain, and prepared himself to sleep in a bed of
+rushes. Now in the middle of this bed of rushes was a lion's lair, and
+at the end of the first watch the lion came back, and was astonished
+to see lying asleep on the rushes a man as tall as an elephant, with a
+horse standing near him. The lion said to himself, "I must first tear
+the horse, and then the rider will be mine whenever I please." So he
+leaped at Raksh; but the horse darted at him like a flash of fire, and
+struck him on the head with his fore feet. Then he seized him by the
+back with his teeth, and battered him to pieces on the earth. When
+Rustem awoke and saw the dead lion, which indeed was of a monstrous
+size, he said to Raksh, "Wise beast, who bade you fight with a lion?
+If you had fallen under his claws, how should I have carried to
+Mazanderan this cuirass and helmet, this lasso, my bow and my sword?"
+Then he went to sleep again; but awaking at sunrise, saddled Raksh and
+went on his way.
+
+He had now to accomplish the most difficult part of his journey,
+across a waterless desert, so hot that the very birds could not
+live in it. Horse and rider were both dying of thirst, and Rustem,
+dismounting, could scarcely struggle along while he supported his
+steps by his spear. When he had almost given up all hope, he saw
+a well-nourished ram pass by. "Where," said he to himself, "is the
+reservoir from which this creature drinks?" Accordingly he followed
+the ram's footsteps, holding his horse's bridle in one hand and his
+sword in the other, and the ram led him to a spring. Then Rustem
+lifted up his eyes to heaven and thanked God for his mercies;
+afterwards he blessed the ram, saying, "No harm come to thee forever!
+May the grass of the valleys and the desert be always green for thee,
+and may the bow of him that would hunt thee be broken, for thou hast
+saved Rustem; verily, without thee he would have been torn to pieces
+by the wild beasts of the desert."
+
+After this he caught another wild ass, and roasted him for his meal.
+Then having bathed in the spring, he lay down to sleep; but before
+he lay down, he said to Raksh, his horse: "Do not seek quarrel or
+friendship with any. If an enemy come, run to me; and do not fight
+either with Genius or lion."
+
+After this he slept; and Raksh now grazed, and now galloped over the
+plain.
+
+Now it so happened that there was a great dragon that had its bed in
+this part of the desert. So mighty a beast was it, that not even a
+Genius had dared to pass by that way. The dragon was astonished to see
+a man asleep and a horse by his side, and began to make its way to
+the horse. Raksh did as he had been bidden, and running towards his
+master, stamped with his feet upon the ground. Rustem awoke, and
+seeing nothing when he looked about him--for the dragon meanwhile had
+disappeared--was not a little angry. He rebuked Raksh, and went to
+sleep again. Then the dragon came once more out of the darkness, and
+the horse ran with all speed to his master, tearing up the ground and
+kicking. A second time the sleeper awoke, but as he saw nothing but
+darkness round him, he was greatly enraged, and said to his faithful
+horse:
+
+"Why do you disturb me? If it wearies you to see me asleep, yet you
+cannot bring the night to an end. I said that if a lion came to attack
+you, I would protect you; but I did not tell you to trouble me in this
+way. Verily, if you make such a noise again, I will cut off your head
+and go on foot, carrying all my arms and armor with me to Mazanderan."
+
+A third time Rustem slept, and a third time the dragon came. This
+time Raksh, who did not venture to come near his master, fled over the
+plain; he was equally afraid of the dragon and of Rustem. Still his
+love for his master did not suffer him to rest. He neighed and tore
+up the earth, till Rustem woke up again in a rage. But this time
+God would not suffer the dragon to hide himself, and Rustem saw him
+through the darkness, and, drawing his sword, rushed at him.
+
+But first he said, "Tell me your name; my hand must not tear your soul
+from your body before I know your name."
+
+The dragon said, "No man can ever save himself from my claws; I have
+dwelt in this desert for ages, and the very eagles have not dared to
+fly across. Tell me then your name, bold man. Unhappy is the mother
+that bore you."
+
+"I am Rustem, son of Zal of the white hair," said the hero, "and there
+is nothing on earth that I fear."
+
+Then the dragon threw itself upon Rustem. But the horse Raksh laid
+back his ears, and began to tear the dragon's back with his teeth,
+just as a lion might have torn it.
+
+The hero stood astonished for a while; then, drawing his sword,
+severed the monster's head from his body. Then, having first bathed,
+he returned thanks to God, and mounting on Raksh, went his way.
+
+All that day he traveled across the plain, and came at sunset to the
+land of the magicians. Just as the daylight was disappearing, he spied
+a delightful spot for his night's encampment. There were trees and
+grass, and a spring of water. And beside the spring there was a flagon
+of red wine, and a roast kid, with bread and salt and confectionery
+neatly arranged. Rustem dismounted, unsaddled his horse, and looked
+with astonishment at the provisions thus prepared. It was the meal of
+certain magicians, who had vanished when they saw him approach.
+
+Of this he knew nothing, but sitting down without question, filled a
+cup with wine, and taking a harp which he found lying by the side of
+the flagon, sang:
+
+  "The scourge of the wicked am I,
+  And my days still in battle go by;
+  Not for me is the red wine that glows
+  In the reveler's cup, nor the rose
+  That blooms in the land of delight;
+  But with monsters and demons to fight."
+
+The music and the voice of the singer reached the ears of a witch that
+was in those parts. Forthwith, by her art, she made her face as fair
+as spring, and, approaching Rustem, asked him how he fared, and sat
+down by his side. The hero thanked Heaven that he had thus found in
+the desert such good fare and excellent company; for he did not know
+that the lovely visitor was a witch. He welcomed her, and handed her
+a cup of wine; but, as he handed it, he named the name of God, and at
+the sound her color changed, and she became as black as charcoal.
+
+When Rustem saw this, quick as the wind he threw his lasso over her
+head.
+
+"Confess who you are," he cried; "show yourself in your true shape."
+
+Then the witch was changed into a decrepit, wrinkled old woman. Rustem
+cut her in halves with a blow of his sword.
+
+The next day he continued his journey with all the speed that he could
+use, and came to a place where it was utterly dark. Neither sun, nor
+moon, nor stars could be seen; and all that the hero could do was to
+let the reins fall on his horse's neck, and ride on as chance might
+direct.
+
+In time he came to a most delightful country, where the sun was
+shining brightly, and where the ground was covered with green. Rustem
+took off his cuirass of leopard-skin, and his helmet, and let Raksh
+find pasture where he could in the fertile fields, and lay down to
+sleep. When the keeper of the fields saw the horse straying among
+them and feeding, he was filled with rage; and running up to the hero,
+dealt him with his stick a great blow upon the feet.
+
+Rustem awoke.
+
+"Son of Satan," said the keeper, "why do you let your horse stray in
+the cornfields?"
+
+Rustem leaped upon the man, and without uttering a word good or bad,
+wrenched his ears from his head.
+
+Now the owner of this fertile country was a young warrior of renown
+named Aulad. The keeper ran up to him with his ears in his hand, and
+said:
+
+"There has come to this place a son of Satan, clad in a cuirass of
+leopard-skin, with an iron helmet. I was going to drive his horse out
+of the cornfields, when he leaped upon me, tore my ears from my head
+without saying a single word, and then lay down to sleep again."
+
+Aulad was about to go hunting with his chiefs; but when he heard the
+keeper's story he altered his plan, and set out to the place where
+he heard that Rustem had been seen. Rustem, as soon as he saw him
+approach, and a great company with him, ran to Raksh, leaped on his
+back, and rode forward. Aulad said to him, "Who are you? What are you
+doing here? Why did you pluck off my keeper's ears and let your horse
+feed in the cornfields?"
+
+"If you were to hear my name," said Rustem, "it would freeze the blood
+in your heart."
+
+So saying he drew his sword, and fastening his lasso to the bow of his
+saddle, rushed as a lion rushes into the midst of a herd of oxen. With
+every blow of his sword he cut off a warrior's head, till the whole
+of Aulad's company was either slain or scattered. Aulad himself he did
+not kill, but throwing his lasso, caught him by the neck, dragged him
+from his horse, and bound his hands. "Now," said he, "if you will tell
+me the truth, and, without attempting to deceive, will show me where
+the White Genius dwells, and will guide me to where King Kaoues is kept
+prisoner, then I will make you king of Mazanderan. But if you speak a
+word of falsehood you die."
+
+"It is well," said Aulad; "I will do what you desire. I will show
+you where the King is imprisoned. It is four hundred miles from this
+place; and four hundred miles farther, a difficult and dangerous way,
+is the dwelling of the White Genius. It is a cavern so deep that no
+man has ever sounded it, and it lies between two mountains. Twelve
+thousand Genii watch it during the night, for the White Genius is the
+chief and master of all his tribe. You will find him a terrible enemy,
+and, for all your strong arms and hands, your keen sword, your lance
+and your club, you will scarcely be able to conquer him; and when you
+have conquered him, there will still be much to be done. In the city
+of the King of Mazanderan there are thousands of warriors, and not
+a coward among them; and besides these, there are two hundred
+war-elephants. Were you made of iron, could you venture to deal alone
+with these sons of Satan?"
+
+Rustem smiled when he heard this, and said, "Come with me, and you
+will see what a single man, who puts his trust in God, can do. And now
+show me first the way to the King's prison."
+
+Rustem mounted on Raksh, and rode gaily forward, and Aulad ran in
+front of him. For a whole day and night he ran, nor ever grew tired,
+till they reached the foot of Mount Asprus, where King Kaoues had
+fallen into the power of the Genii. About midnight they heard a great
+beating of drums, and saw many fires blaze up.
+
+Rustem said to Aulad, "What mean these fires that are blazing up to
+right and left of us?"
+
+Aulad answered, "This is the way into Mazanderan. The great Genius
+Arzeng must be there."
+
+Then Rustem went to sleep; and when he woke in the morning he took
+his lasso and fastened Aulad to the trunk of a tree. Then hanging his
+grandfather's club to his saddlebow, he rode on.
+
+His conflict with Arzeng, the chief of the army of the Genii, was
+soon finished. As he approached the camp he raised his battle-cry.
+His shout was loud enough, one would have said, to split the very
+mountains; and Arzeng, when he heard it, rushed out of his tent.
+Rustem set spurs to his horse, and galloping up to the Genius, caught
+him by the head, tore it from the body, and threw it into the midst
+of the army. When the Genii saw it, and caught sight also of the great
+club, they fled in the wildest confusion, fathers trampling upon their
+sons in their eagerness to escape. The hero put the whole herd of them
+to the sword, and then returned as fast as he could to the place where
+he had left Aulad bound to the tree. He unloosed the knots of the
+lasso, and bidding him lead the way to the prison-house of the King,
+set spurs to Raksh, Aulad running in front as before.
+
+When they entered the town, Raksh neighed. His voice was as loud as
+thunder, and the King heard it, and in a moment understood all that
+had happened. "That is the voice of Raksh," he said to the Persians
+that were with him; "our evil days are over. This was the way in which
+he neighed in King Kobad's time, when he made war on the Scythians."
+
+The Persians said to themselves, "Our poor King has lost his senses,
+or he is dreaming. There is no help for us." But they had hardly
+finished speaking when the hero appeared, and did homage to the King.
+Kaoues embraced him, and then said: "If you are to help me, you must
+go before the Genii know of your coming. So soon as the White Genius
+shall hear of the fall of Arzeng, he will assemble such an army of his
+fellows as shall make all your pains and labor lost. But you must know
+that you have great difficulties to overcome. First, you must cross
+seven mountains, all of them occupied by troops of Genii; then you
+will see before you a terrible cavern--more terrible, I have heard
+say, than any other place in the world. The entrance to it is guarded
+by warrior Genii, and in it dwells the White Genius himself. He is
+both the terror and the hope of his army. Conquer him, and all will be
+well. A wise physician tells me that the only remedy for my blindness
+is to drop into my eyes three drops of the White Genius's blood. Go
+and conquer, if you would save your King."
+
+Without any delay Rustem set forth, Raksh carrying him like the wind.
+When he reached the great cavern, he said to Aulad, who had guided him
+on his way as before, "The time of conflict is come. Show me the way."
+
+Aulad answered, "When the sun shall grow hot, the Genii will go to
+sleep. That will be your time to conquer them."
+
+Rustem waited till the sun was at its highest, and then went forth to
+battle. The Genii that were on guard fled at the sound of his voice,
+and he went on without finding any to resist him till he came to the
+great cavern of which the King had spoken. It was a terrible place
+to see, and he stood for a while with his sword in his hand, doubting
+what he should do. No one would choose such a spot for battle; and as
+for escaping from it, that was beyond all hope. Long he looked into
+the darkness, and at last he saw a monstrous shape, which seemed to
+reach across the whole breadth of the cave. It was the White Genius
+that was lying asleep. Rustem did not attempt to surprise him in his
+sleep, but woke him by shouting his battle-cry. When the White Genius
+saw him, he rushed at once to do battle with him. First he caught up
+from the ground a stone as big as a millstone and hurled it at him.
+For the first time Rustem felt a thrill of fear, so terrible was his
+enemy. Nevertheless, gathering all his strength, he struck at him a
+great blow with his sword and cut off one of his feet. The monster,
+though having but one foot, leaped upon him like a wild elephant, and
+seized him by the breast and arms, hoping to throw him to the ground,
+and tore from his body great pieces of flesh, so that the whole place
+was covered with blood. Rustem said to himself, "If I escape to-day
+I shall live forever;" and the White Genius thought, "Even if I
+do deliver myself from the claws of this dragon, I shall never see
+Mazanderan again." Still he did not lose courage, but continued to
+struggle against the hero with all his might.
+
+So the two fought together, the blood and sweat running from them in
+great streams. At last Rustem caught the Genius round the body, and,
+putting out all his strength, hurled him to the ground with such force
+that his soul was driven out of his body. Then he plunged his poinard
+into the creature's heart, and tore the liver out of his body. This
+done he returned to Aulad, whom he had left bound with his lasso,
+loosed him, and set out for the place where he had left the King. But
+first Aulad said to him, "I have the marks of your bonds upon me; my
+body is bruised with the knots of your lasso; I beseech you to respect
+the promise which you made me of a reward. A hero is bound to keep his
+word."
+
+Rustem said: "I promised that you should be King of Mazanderan, and
+King you shall be. But I have much to do before my word can be kept. I
+have a great battle to fight, in which I may be conquered, and I must
+rid this country of the magicians with whom it is encumbered. But be
+sure that, when all is done, I will not fail of the promises which I
+have made."
+
+So Rustem returned to King Kaoues, and, dropping the blood of the White
+Genius into his eyes, gave him back his sight. Seven days the King
+and his nobles feasted together, Rustem having the chief place. On the
+eighth day they set out to clear the country of the accursed race of
+magicians. When they had done this, the King said, "The guilty have
+now been punished. Let no others suffer. And now I will send a letter
+to the King of Mazanderan."
+
+So the King wrote a letter in these words: "You see how God has
+punished the wrong-doers--how he has brought to naught the Genii and
+the magicians. Quit then your town, and come here to pay homage and
+tribute to me. If you will not, then your life shall be as the life of
+Arzeng and the White Genius."
+
+This letter was carried to the King by a certain chief named Ferbad.
+When the King had read it, he was greatly troubled. Three days he kept
+Ferbad as his guest, and then sent back by him this answer: "Shall the
+water of the sea be equal to wine? Am I one to whom you can say, 'Come
+down from your throne, and present yourself before me?' Make ready
+to do battle with me, for verily I will bring upon the land of Persia
+such destruction that no man shall be able to say what is high and
+what is low."
+
+Ferbad hastened back to the King of Persia. "The man," he said, "is
+resolved not to yield." Then the King sent to Rustem. And Rustem said,
+"Send me with a letter that shall be as keen as a sword and a message
+like a thunder-cloud." So the King sent for a scribe, who, making
+the point of his reed as fine as an arrowhead, wrote thus: "These
+are foolish words, and do not become a man of sense. Put away your
+arrogance, and be obedient to my words. If you refuse, I will bring
+such an army against you as shall cover your land from one sea to the
+other; and the ghost of the White Genius shall call the vultures to
+feast on your brains."
+
+The King set his seal to this letter, and Rustem departed with it,
+with his club hanging to his saddlebow. When the King of Mazanderan
+heard of his coming, he sent some of his nobles to meet him. When
+Rustem saw them, he caught a huge tree that was by the wayside in his
+hands, twisted it with all his might, and tore it up, roots and all.
+Then he poised it in his hand as if it were a javelin. One of the
+nobles, the strongest of them all, rode up to him, caught one of his
+hands, and pressed it with all his might. Rustem only smiled; but
+when in his turn he caught the noble's hand in his, he crushed all the
+veins and bones, so that the man fell fainting from his horse.
+
+When the King heard what had been done, he called one of his warriors,
+Kalahour by name, the strongest man in his dominions, and said to him,
+"Go and meet this messenger; show him your prowess, and cover his face
+with shame." So Kalahour rode to meet Rustem, and, taking him by the
+hand, wrung it with all the strength of an elephant. The hand turned
+blue with the pain, but the hero did not flinch or give any sign of
+pain. But when in his turn he wrung the hand of Kalahour, the nails
+dropped from it as the leaves drop from a tree. Kalahour rode back,
+his hand hanging down, and said to the King, "It will be better for
+you to make peace than to fight with this lion, whose strength is such
+that no man can stand against him. Pay this tribute, and we will make
+it good to you. Otherwise we are lost."
+
+At this moment Rustem rode up. The King gave him a place at his right
+hand, and asked him of his welfare. Rustem, for answer, gave him
+the letter of Kei-Kaoeus. When the King had read the letter, his face
+became black as thunder. Then he said, "Carry back this answer to your
+master: 'You are lord of Persia, and I of Mazanderan. Be content; seek
+not that which is not yours. Otherwise your pride will lead you to
+your fall.'"
+
+The King would have given Rustem royal gifts, robes of honor, and
+horses, and gold. But the hero would have none of them, but went away
+in anger. When he had returned to the King of Persia, he said to him,
+"Fear nothing, but make ready for battle. As for the warriors of this
+land of Mazanderan, they are nothing; I count them no better than a
+grain of dust."
+
+Meanwhile the king of the magicians prepared for war. He gathered an
+army, horsemen and foot-soldiers and elephants, that covered the face
+of the earth, and approached the borders of Persia; and, on the other
+hand, King Kaoues marshaled his men of war and went out to encounter
+him. The King himself took his place in the center of the line of
+battle, and in front of all stood the great Rustem.
+
+One of the nobles of Mazanderan came out of their line, with a great
+club in his hands, and approaching the Persian army, cried in a loud
+voice, "Who is ready to fight with me? He should be one who is able to
+change water into dust."
+
+None of the Persian nobles answered him, and King Kaoues said, "Why
+is it, ye men of war, that your faces are troubled, and your tongues
+silent before this Genius?"
+
+But still the nobles made no answer. Then Rustem caught the rein of
+his horse, and, putting the point of his lance over his shoulder, rode
+up to the King, and said, "Will the King give me permission to fight
+with this Genius?"
+
+The King said, "The task is worthy of you, for none of the Persians
+dare to meet this warrior. Go and prosper!"
+
+So Rustem set spurs to Raksh, and rode against the warrior who had
+challenged the Persians.
+
+"Hear," he said, as soon as he came near, "your name is blotted out of
+the list of the living; for the moment is come when you shall suffer
+the recompense of all your misdeeds."
+
+The warrior answered, "Boast not yourself so proudly. My sword makes
+mothers childless."
+
+When Rustem heard this, he cried with a voice of thunder, "I am
+Rustem!" and the warrior, who had no desire to fight the champion
+of the world, turned his back and fled. But Rustem pursued him, and
+thrust at him with his lance where the belt joins the coat of mail,
+and pierced him through, for the armor could not turn the point of the
+great spear. Then he lifted him out of his saddle, and raised him up
+in the air, as if he were a bird which a man had run through with a
+spit. This done, he dashed him down dead upon the ground, and all the
+nobles of Mazanderan stood astonished at the sight.
+
+After this the two armies joined battle. The air grew dark, and the
+flashing of the swords and clubs flew like the lightning out of
+a thunder-cloud, and the mountains trembled with the cries of the
+combatants. Never had any living man seen so fierce a fight before.
+
+For seven days the battle raged, and neither the one side nor the
+other could claim the victory. On the eighth day King Kaoues bowed
+himself before God, taking his crown from his head, and prayed with
+his face to the ground, saying, "O Lord God, give me, I beseech thee,
+the victory over the Genii who fear thee not."
+
+Then he set his helmet on his head, and put himself at the head of his
+army. First of all Rustem began the attack, charging the center of the
+enemy's army. He directed his course straight to the place where the
+King of Mazanderan stood, surrounded with his chiefs and a great
+host of elephants. When the King saw the shine of his lance, he lost
+courage, and would have fled. But Rustem, with a cry like a lion's
+roar, charged him, and struck him on the girdle with his spear. The
+spear pierced the steel, and would have slain the King, but that by
+his magic art he changed himself, before the eyes of all the Persian
+army, into a mass of rock. Rustem stood astonished to see such a
+marvel.
+
+When King Kaoues came up with his warriors, he said to Rustem, "What is
+it? What ails you that you tarry here, doing no thing?"
+
+"My lord," answered Rustem, "I charged the King of Mazanderan, spear
+in hand; I struck him on the girdle, but when I thought to see him
+fall from his saddle, he changed himself into a rock before my eyes,
+and now he feels nothing that I can do."
+
+Then King Kaoues commanded that they should take up the rock and put
+it before his throne. But when the strongest men in the army came
+to handle the rock, or sought to draw it with cords, they could do
+nothing; it remained immovable. Rustem, however, without any one to
+help him, lifted it from the earth, and carrying it into the camp,
+threw it down before the King's tent, and said, "Give up these
+cowardly tricks and the art of magic, else I will break this rock into
+pieces."
+
+When the King of Mazanderan heard this, he made himself visible, black
+as a thunder-cloud, with a helmet of steel upon his head and a coat of
+mail upon his breast. Rustem laughed, and caught him by the hand, and
+brought him before the King.
+
+"See," said he, "this lump of rock, who, for fear of the hatchet has
+given himself up to me!"
+
+When Kaoues looked at him and observed how savage of aspect he was,
+with the neck and tusks of a wild boar, he saw that he was not worthy
+to sit upon a throne, and bade the executioner take him away and cut
+him in pieces. This done, he sent to the enemies' camp, and commanded
+that all the spoil, the King's throne, and his crown and girdle,
+the horses and the armor, the swords and jewels, should be gathered
+together. Then he called up his army, and distributed to them rewards
+in proportion to what they had done and suffered. After this he spent
+seven days in prayer, humbling himself before God, and offering up
+thanksgiving. On the eighth day he seated himself on his throne, and
+opened his treasures, and gave to all that had need. Thus he spent
+another seven days. On the fifteenth day, he called for wine and cups
+of amber and rubies, and sat for seven days on his throne, with the
+wine-cup in his hand.
+
+He sent for Rustem, and said, "It is of your doing, by your strength
+and courage, that I have recovered my throne."
+
+Rustem answered, "A man must do his duty. As for the honors that you
+would give me, I owe them all to Aulad, who has always guided me on
+the right way. He hopes to be made king of Mazanderan. Let the King,
+therefore, if it please him, invest him with the crown."
+
+And this the King did.
+
+The next day Kaoues and his army set out to return to the land of
+Persia. When he had reached his palace, he seated himself upon his
+throne, and sending for Rustem, put him at his side.
+
+Rustem said, "My lord, permit me to go back to the old man Zal, my
+father."
+
+The King commanded that they should bring splendid presents for the
+hero. The presents were these: A throne of turquoise, adorned with
+rams' heads; a royal crown set about with jewels; a robe of brocade of
+gold, such as is worn by the King of kings; a bracelet and a chain of
+gold; a hundred maidens, with faces fair as the full moon, and girdles
+of gold; a hundred youths, whose hair was fragrant with musk; a
+hundred horses, harnessed with gold and silver; a hundred mules with
+black hair, with loads of brocade that came from the land of Room and
+from Persia. After these they brought and laid at the hero's feet a
+hundred purses filled with gold pieces; a cup of rubies, filled with
+pure musk; another cup of turquoise, filled with attar of roses; and,
+last of all, a letter written on pages of silk, in ink made of wine
+and aloes and amber and the black of lamps. By this letter the King of
+kings gave anew to Rustem the kingdom of the south. Then Kaoues blessed
+him, and said: "May you live as long as men shall see the sun and the
+moon in heaven! May the great of the earth join themselves to you! May
+your own soul be full of modesty and tenderness!"
+
+Rustem prostrated himself on the earth, and kissed the throne; and so
+took his departure.
+
+
+
+
+LIST OF BEST BOOKS OF MYTHS AND LEGENDS
+
+ASHTON, T. _Romances of Chivalry_
+
+BALDWIN, J. _The Story of Siegfried_
+
+BALDWIN, J. _The Story of Roland_
+
+BARING-GOULD, S. _Curious Myths of the Middle Ages_
+
+BROOKS, E. _The Story of the AEneid_
+
+BROOKS, E. _The Story of the Odyssey_
+
+BULFINCH, T. _The Age of Chivalry_
+
+BULFINCH, T. _Legends of Charlemagne_
+
+BURNS, J. _Popular Tales and Legends_
+
+CLODD, E. _The Birth and Growth of Myths_
+
+CLODD, E. _The Childhood of Religions_
+
+COOKER, F.J. _Nature Myths and Stories_
+
+COX, G.W. _Tales of Ancient Greece_
+
+COX, G.W. _Popular Romances of the Middle Ages_
+
+CRANE, F.T. _Italian Popular Tales_
+
+CROMMELIN, MARY _Famous Legends_
+
+CURTIN, J. _Myths and Folk Tales of the Russians_
+
+DRAKE, S.A. _North-East Legends_
+
+DU MAURIER, GEORGE. _Legend of Camelot_
+
+EDWARDSON, E. _The Courteous Knight_
+
+EMMERSON, ELLEN RUSSELL _Indian Myths_
+
+FISK, JOHN. _Myths and Myth Makers_
+
+FRANCILLON, R.E. _Gods and Heroes_
+
+GAYLEY, F. _Classic Myths_
+
+GRINNEL, G.B. _Blackfoot Lodge Tales_
+
+GUERBER, H.A. _Myths of Northern Lands_
+
+GUERBER, H.A. _Myths of Greece and Rome_
+
+HALL, J. _Legends of the West_
+
+HAWTHORNE, NATHANIEL _Tanglewood Tales_
+
+HAWTHORNE, NATHANIEL _The Wonder Book_
+
+HEARN, LAFCADIO _Some Chinese Ghosts_
+
+HOLBROOK, F. _The Book of Nature's Myths_
+
+HULME, F.E. _Mythland_
+
+HUNT, R. _Popular Romances of the West of England_
+
+IRVING, WASHINGTON _The Legend of Sleepy Hollow_
+
+JACOBS, JOSEPH _The Book of Wonder Voyages_
+
+KENNEDY, PATRICK _Legendary Fictions of the Irish Celts_
+
+KINGSLEY, CHARLES. _Greek Heroes_
+
+KUPLER, GRACE H._Stories of Long Ago_
+
+LANG, ANDREW _Modern Mythology_
+
+LANIER, SYDNEY _The Boy's King Arthur_
+
+LANIER, SYDNEY _The Boy's Mabinogion_
+
+LANIER, SYDNEY _The Boy's Percy_
+
+LANIER, SYDNEY _The Boy's Froissart_
+
+LEITZ, A.F. _Legends and Stories_
+
+LOVER, SAMUEL _Legends and Stories of Ireland_
+
+MABIE, H.W. _Norse Tales_
+
+MABIE, H.W. (ED.) _Myths that Every Child should Know_
+
+MACAULAY, LORD _Lays of Ancient Rome_
+
+MACDONALD, GEORGE _The Light Princess_
+
+MAGNUSSON AND MORRIS _The Saga Library_
+
+MITCHELL, S.W. _Prince Little Boy_
+
+NUTT, ALFRED _Folk Lore_
+
+PRATT-CHADWICK, M.L. _Legends of the Red Children_
+
+PYLE, HOWARD. _Story of King Arthur_
+
+RALSTON, W.R.S._Russian Folk Tales_
+
+SAINTINE, X.B. _Myths of the Rhine_
+
+SCHRAMMEM, J. _Legends of German Heroes of the Middle Ages_
+
+SCUDDER, H.E. _The Book of Legends_
+
+SCUDDER, H.E. _The Children's Book_
+
+SCUDDER, H.E. _The Book of Folk Stories_
+
+SKINNER, C.M. _Myths and Legends_
+
+SOUTHEY, R. _Chronicles of the Cid_
+
+TANNER, D. _Legends from the Red Man's Forest_
+
+TAPPAN, E.M. _Robin Hood: His Book_
+
+WILDE, LADY _Ancient Legends_
+
+
+
+***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK YOUNG FOLKS TREASURY, VOLUME 2 (OF
+12)***
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