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diff --git a/15202-h/15202-h.htm b/15202-h/15202-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..7d4233a --- /dev/null +++ b/15202-h/15202-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,24980 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"> +<html> +<head> +<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=ISO-8859-1" /> +<title>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Young Folks Treasury, Volume 2 (of 12), by Various</title> + <style type="text/css"> + /*<![CDATA[*/ + + <!-- + body {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + p {text-align: justify;} + blockquote {text-align: justify;} + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 {text-align: center;} + + + h2 {margin-top: 2em;} + h3 {margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em} + pre {font-size: 0.7em;} + + hr {text-align: center; width: 50%;} + html>body hr {margin-right: 25%; margin-left: 25%; width: 50%;} + hr.full {width: 100%;} + html>body hr.full {margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 0%; width: 100%;} + hr.short {text-align: center; width: 20%;} + html>body hr.short {margin-right: 40%; margin-left: 40%; width: 20%;} + + .note {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} + + span.pagenum {position: absolute; left: 1%; right: 91%; font-size: 8pt;} + + .poem {margin-left:10%; margin-right:10%; margin-bottom: 1em; + text-align: left;} + .poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + .poem p {margin: 0; padding-left: 3em; text-indent: -3em;} + .poem p.i2 {margin-left: 1em;} + .poem p.i4 {margin-left: 2em;} + .poem p.i6 {margin-left: 3em;} + .poem p.i8 {margin-left: 4em;} + .poem p.i10 {margin-left: 5em;} + + .figure, .figcenter, .figright, .figleft + {padding: 1em; margin: 0; text-align: center;} + .figure img, .figcenter img, .figright img, .figleft img + {border: none;} + .figure p, .figcenter p, .figright p, .figleft p + {margin: 0; text-indent: 1em;} + .figcenter {margin: auto;} + .figright {float: right;} + .figleft {float: left;} + + .inline {border: none; vertical-align: middle;} + + .footnote {font-size: 0.9em; margin-right: 10%; margin-left: 10%;} + + div.trans-note {border-style: solid; border-width: 1px; + margin: 3em 15%; padding: 1em; text-align: center;} + + .illustrations {margin: 0.5em 5%; font-variant: small-caps;} + + .toc {margin: 0 10%; text-align: left; font-size: 0.9em;} + .toc p {margin: 0.5em 0;} + .toc p.i4 {margin-left: 2em; font-size: .9em;} + + p.author {text-align: right; margin-right: 5%; font-variant: small-caps;} + + a:link {color: blue; text-decoration: none;} + link {color: blue; text-decoration: none;} + a:visited {color: blue; text-decoration: none;} + a:hover {color: red;} + --> + /*]]>*/ + </style> +</head> +<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> </p> +<h4>E-text prepared by Juliet Sutherland, Sandra Brown,<br /> + and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team</h4> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" /> +<p> </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> </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> </p> + + <h2>Myths and Legendary Heroes</h2> + + <h3>HAMILTON WRIGHT MABIE<br /> + <i>Editor</i></h3> + + <h2>VOLUME II</h2> + + <p> </p> + + <p> </p> + + <h4>NEW YORK</h4> + + <h4>THE UNIVERSITY SOCIETY INC.</h4> + + <h4><i>Publishers</i></h4> + + <p> </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> </p> + + <p> </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 + Vésèvde <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 Æneas + <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 & Company, owners of + American rights.</i>)</p> + <hr /> + <!--page xii blank--> + <span class="pagenum"><a name="pagexiii" + id="pagexiii"></a>[pg xiii]</span> + + <p> </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—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—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—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> </p> + + <p> </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—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> </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—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—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.</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—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> </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—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—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,—"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 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:</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> </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> </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—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—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,—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 + <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 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.</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 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."</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 Hödur, 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>Hödur threw—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—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,—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.</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,—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 + <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 + 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.</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—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—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:</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—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 <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—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!"</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—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 Jötunheim 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 JÖTUNS</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 Jötuns of + Jötunheim. 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 + Jötuns," 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 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.</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—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—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.</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> </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> </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—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—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—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—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—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.</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—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—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,—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?—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 + <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—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,—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—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.</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> </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> </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—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—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—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>saké</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>saké</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> </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—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 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:</p> + + <p>"Men of God, may I warm myself at your fire? I am chilled by + the winter cold."</p> + + <p>The great Setchène 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 Setchène.</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 Setchène arose and went over to the + youngest of the months, and placing his wand in his hand, + said:</p> + + <p>"Brother Brezène (March), do thou take the highest + place."</p> + + <p>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.</p> + + <p>"Gather them quickly, Marouckla," said Brezène.</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 + Setchène 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 Setchène 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 Setchène; + 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 Setchène arose, crossed over to the month + opposite him, and putting the wand into his hand, said:</p> + + <p>"Brother Tchervène (June), do thou take the highest + place."</p> + + <p>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.</p> + + <p>"Gather them quickly, Marouckla," said Tchervène.</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 + Setchène.</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 Setchène 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 Setchène.</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 Setchène arose and went over to + one of the elderly months, to whom he handed the wand, + saying:</p> + + <p>"Brother Zarè (September), do thou take the highest + place."</p> + + <p>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.</p> + + <p>"That is enough," said Zarè, "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 Setchène 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 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 + <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 + VSÉVÈDE</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 Soudiché 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—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 + Dède-Vsévède."</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 Dède-Vsévède'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 Dède-Vsévède 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 Dède-Vsévède in quest + of three of his golden hairs."</p> + + <p>"To the house of Dède-Vsévède? 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 + 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?"</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 Dède-Vsévède'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 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."</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 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.</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 + Dède-Vsévède. So he sent me here to fetch + them."</p> + + <p>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."</p> + + <p>Plavacek begged the Fate to obtain from + Dède-Vsévède 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 + 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."</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 Dède-Vsévède'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> </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>—<i>Ie-ee</i>—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.</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—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> </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—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 dó 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—</p> + + <p>Has killed the chief—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> </p> + + <p> </p> + + <p> </p> + + <p> </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 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."</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 Danæ 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 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.</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 + Danæ, and another night and day beside, till Danæ + 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 + Danæ 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 Danæ, 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> </p>SO DANAE WAS COMFORTED AND WENT HOME WITH + DICTYS. + </div> + + <p>But Danæ 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 Danæ and the chest, that he drew it + and her and the babe safe upon a ledge of rock.</p> + + <p>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.</p> + + <p>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."</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 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."</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 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.</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 + Danæ 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 Danæ, 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 Danæ away from Dictys, saying, + "If you will not be my wife, you shall be my slave."</p> + + <p>So Danæ 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 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 <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 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.</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 Athené + 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,—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 + Athené, 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 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."</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 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.</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 CYCLÔPES, 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 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.</p> + + <p>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.</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 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."</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 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.</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 + 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.</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 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."</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 Cyclôpes.</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 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.</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 + Phæacians <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 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.</p> + + <p>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.</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 Phæacians, 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 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."</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 Phæacians 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 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.</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 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."</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 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.</p> + + <p>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."</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 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.</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 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.'"</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 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."</p><span class="pagenum"><a name="page225" + id="page225"></a>[pg 225]</span> + + <p>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.</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—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 Æson, 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—and + I—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> </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—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 Æson, 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 Ægeus, 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 Ægeus 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> </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 Ægeus 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 + Ægeus 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 Ægeus 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 + Ægeus, 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 + Ægeus, your master, that Theseus is here and asks to be + his guest awhile."</p> + + <p>A servant ran and told Ægeus, where he sat in his + chamber with Medeia, the dark witch-woman, watching her eye and + hand.</p> + + <p>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.</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 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."</p> + + <p>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."</p> + + <p>"All I ask," said Theseus, "is to eat and drink at your + table."</p> + + <p>"That I can give you," said Ægeus, "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 Ægeus 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> </p>THESEUS LOOKED UP INTO HER FAIR FACE. + </div> + + <p>Ægeus 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 Ægeus 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>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.</p> + + <p>Then Ægeus 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 Ægeus + 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 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."</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 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 <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 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."</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 Ægeus, 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—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 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.</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—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 + <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—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.</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—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 Ægean 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—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—a feat scarcely to be proud of—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—those + two rocky steeps that guard the entrance to the Straits of + Gibraltar, <i>i.e.</i>, 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.</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—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, Æacus 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 ÆNEAS</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 Æneas 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 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."</p> + + <p>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."</p> + + <p>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, + <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 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."</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, 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.</p> + + <p>While Æneas 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 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.</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 Æneas 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 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.</p> + + <p>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."</p> + + <p>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.</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 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."</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 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!"</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 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 + <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 Cyclôpes 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 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.</p> + + <p>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.</p> + + <p>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 + <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 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.</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 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.</p> + + <p>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 + <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 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.</p> + + <p>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."</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 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, + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page285" + id="page285"></a>[pg 285]</span> 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."</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 + 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 <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 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.</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 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 + <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 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.</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 + 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.</p> + + <p> </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 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.</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—"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—Sir Gawaine, Sir Bors, Sir Lionel, and Sir + Badouine—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—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.</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> </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> </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—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—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> </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—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.</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—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—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—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—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—</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> </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 Belé.</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 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.</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 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.</p> + + <p>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.</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 + Belé 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 Belé 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 Framnäs.</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 + 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.</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 + Soté 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> Völund. 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 Soté."</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 Völund 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 Atlé. "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 Atlé 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 Atlé. "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 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."</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! Framnäs, 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—"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—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—"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—</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—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> </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> </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 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.</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 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."</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 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."</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 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.</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 Uté 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 Uté + 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 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.</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> </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—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."</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?—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—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> </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 Fañez, 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 Fañez 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 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.</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 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 <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 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 + <span class="pagenum"><a name="page473" + id="page473"></a>[pg 473]</span> 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.</p> + + <p> </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 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.</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 Fürst 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 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.</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 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."</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 Bürglen. His wife, who was called + Hedwig, was Walter Fürst'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 + Bürglen.</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 Fürst'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,—"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 Bürglen, 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 + Fürst, 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 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."</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 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.</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—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> </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 + Küssnacht.</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 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.</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—" + 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 + Küssnacht <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 Fürst 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 Flüelen. There, + where a few days before he had been a prisoner, he landed, now + free.</p> + + <p>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.</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> </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 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."</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—"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 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.</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. 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."</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—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:</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 + Kaoüs 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 Kaoüs + 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. Kaoüs 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—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 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."</p> + + <p>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, + <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-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.'"</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 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.</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 Kaoüs + <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 + 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."</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 Kaoüs 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 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."</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 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 + <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 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.</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 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!"</p> + + <p>Rustem prostrated himself on the earth, and kissed the + throne; and so took his departure.</p> + + <p> </p> + + <p> </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> </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 Æneid</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> </p> + <hr class="full" /> +<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK YOUNG FOLKS TREASURY, VOLUME 2 (OF 12)***</p> +<p>******* This file should be named 15202-h.txt or 15202-h.zip *******</p> +<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br /> +<a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/5/2/0/15202">https://www.gutenberg.org/1/5/2/0/15202</a></p> +<p>Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed.</p> + +<p>Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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