按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
they had on dresses of gleaming material that were tight at the waists and
bell…shaped； the hair that streamed on their shoulders was made wavy；
they had on high shoes of a substance that shone like glass。 Never had
Theseus looked upon maidens who were so strange。
They spoke to the king in the strange Cretan language； then Minos's
daughter made reverence to her father； and they went from the chamber。
Theseus watched them as they went through a long passage； walking
slowly on their high…heeled shoes。
Through the same passage the youths and maidens of Athens were
afterward brought。 They came into a great hall。 The walls were red and on
them were paintings in blackpictures of great bulls with girls and slender
youths struggling with them。 It was a place for games and shows； and
Theseus stood with the youths and maidens of Athens and with the people
of the palace and watched what was happening。
They saw women charming snakes； then they saw a boxing match； and
afterward they all looked on a bout of wrestling。 Theseus looked past the
wrestlers and he saw； at the other end of the hall； the daughter of King
Minos and her two attendant maidens。
One broad…shouldered and bearded manoverthrew all the wrestlers
136
… Page 137…
THE GOLDEN FLEECE AND THE HEROES WHO LIVED BEFORE ACHILLES
who came to grips with him。 He stood there boastfully； and Theseus was
made angry by the man's arrogance。 Then； when no other wrestler would
come against him； he turned to leave the arena。
But Theseus stood in his way and pushed him back。 The boastful man
laid hands upon him and pulled him into the arena。 He strove to throw
Theseus as he had thrown the others； but he soon found that the youth
from Greece was a wrestler； too； and that he would have to strive hard to
overthrow him。
More eagerly than they had watched anything else the people of the
palace and the youths and maidens of Athens watched the bout between
Theseus and the lordly wrestler。 Those from Athens who looked upon him
now thought that they had never seen Theseus look so tall and so
conquering before； beside the slender； dark…haired people of Crete he
looked like a statue of one of the gods。
Very adroit was the Cretan wrestler； and Theseus had to use all his
strength to keep upon his feet； but soon he mastered the tricks that the
wrestler was using against him。 Then the Cretan left aside his tricks and
began to use all his strength to throw Theseus。
Steadily Theseus stood and the Cretan wrestler was spent and gasping
in the effort to throw him。 Then Theseus made him feel his grip。 He bent
him backward； and then； using all his strength suddenly； forced him to the
ground。 All were filled with wonder at the strength and power of this
youth from overseas。
Food and wine were given the youths and maidens of Athens； and they
with Theseus were let wander through the grounds of the palace。 But they
could make no escape； for guards followed them and the way to the ships
was filled with strangers who would not let them pass。 They talked to each
other about the Minotaur； and there was fear in every word they said。 But
Theseus went from one to the other； telling them that perhaps there was a
way by which he could come to the monster and destroy it。 And the youths
and maidens； remembering how he had overthrown the lordly wrestler；
were comforted a little； thinking that Theseus might indeed be able to
destroy the Minotaur and so save all of them。
137
… Page 138…
THE GOLDEN FLEECE AND THE HEROES WHO LIVED BEFORE ACHILLES
IV
Theseus was awakened by some one touching him。 He arose and he
saw a dark…faced servant； who beckoned to him。 He left the little chamber
where he had been sleeping； and then he saw outside one who wore the
strange dress of the Cretans。
When Theseus looked full upon her he saw that she was none other
than the daughter of King Minos。 〃I am Ariadne；〃 she said； 〃and； O youth
from Greece； I have come to save you from the dread Minotaur。〃
He looked upon Ariadne's strange face with its long； dark eyes； and he
wondered how this girl could think that she could save him and save the
youths and maidens of Athens from the Minotaur。 Her hand rested upon
his arm； and she led him into the chamber where Minos had sat。 It was
lighted now by many little lamps。
〃I will show the way of escape to you；〃 said Ariadne。
Then Theseus looked around； and he saw that none of the other youths
and maidens were near them； and he looked on Ariadne again； and he saw
that the strange princess had been won to help him； and to help him only。
〃Who will show the way of escape to the others？〃 asked Theseus。
〃Ah；〃 said the Princess Ariadne； 〃for the others there is no way of
escape。〃
〃Then；〃 said Theseus； 〃I will not leave the youths and maidens of
Athens who came with me to Crete to be devoured by the Minotaur。〃
〃Ah； Theseus；〃 said Ariadne； 〃they cannot escape the Minotaur。 One
only may escape； and I want you to be that one。 I saw you when you
wrestled with Deucalion； our great wrestler； and since then I have longed
to save you。〃
〃I have come to slay the Minotaur；〃 said Theseus； 〃and I cannot hold
my life as my own until I have slain it。〃
Said Ariadne； 〃If you could see the Minotaur； Theseus； and if you
could measure its power； you would know that you are not the one to slay
it。 I think that only Talos； that giant who was all of bronze； could have
slain the Minotaur。〃
〃Princess；〃 said Theseus； 〃can you help me to come to the Minotaur
138
… Page 139…
THE GOLDEN FLEECE AND THE HEROES WHO LIVED BEFORE ACHILLES
and look upon it so that I can know for certainty whether this hand of mine
can slay the monster？〃
〃I can help you to come to the Minotaur and look upon it；〃 said
Ariadne。
〃Then help me； princess；〃 cried Theseus； 〃help me to come to the
Minotaur and look upon it； and help me； too； to get back the sword that I
brought with me to Crete。〃
〃Your sword will not avail you against the Min