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noises； issuing out of thousands of separate hearts； united themselves into
one great sound of affliction； which had startled Theseus from slumber。 He
put on his clothes as quickly as he could （not forgetting his sandals and
gold…hilted sword）； and； hastening to the king； inquired what it all meant。
〃Alas！ my son；〃 quoth King Aegeus； heaving a long sigh； 〃here is a
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very lamentable matter in hand！ This is the wofulest anniversary in the
whole year。 It is the day when we annually draw lots to see which of the
youths and maids of Athens shall go to be devoured by the horrible
Minotaur！〃
〃The Minotaur！〃 exclaimed Prince Theseus； and like a brave young
prince as he was； he put his hand to the hilt of his sword。 〃What kind of a
monster may that be？ Is it not possible； at the risk of one's life； to slay
him？〃
But King Aegeus shook his venerable head； and to convince Theseus
that it was quite a hopeless case； he gave him an explanation of the whole
affair。 It seems that in the island of Crete there lived a certain dreadful
monster； called a Minotaur； which was shaped partly like a man and partly
like a bull； and was altogether such a hideous sort of a creature that it is
really disagreeable to think of him。 If he were suffered to exist at all； it
should have been on some desert island； or in the duskiness of some deep
cavern； where nobody would ever be tormented by his abominable aspect。
But King Minos； who reigned over Crete； laid out a vast deal of money in
building a habitation for the Minotaur； and took great care of his health
and comfort； merely for mischief's sake。 A few years before this time；
there had been a war between the city of Athens and the island of Crete； in
which the Athenians were beaten； and compelled to beg for peace。 No
peace could they obtain； however； except on condition that they should
send seven young men and seven maidens； every year； to be devoured by
the pet monster of the cruel King Minos。 For three years past； this
grievous calamity had been borne。 And the sobs； and groans； and shrieks；
with which the city was now filled； were caused by the people's woe；
because the fatal day had come again； when the fourteen victims were to
be chosen by lot； and the old people feared lest their sons or daughters
might be taken； and the youths and damsels dreaded lest they themselves
might be destined to glut the ravenous maw of that detestable man…brute。
But when Theseus heard the story； he straightened himself up； so that
he seemed taller than ever before； and as for his face it was indignant；
despiteful； bold； tender； and compassionate； all in one look。
〃Let the people of Athens this year draw lots for only six young men；
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instead of seven；〃 said he； 〃I will myself be the seventh； and let the
Minotaur devour me if he can！〃
〃O my dear son；〃 cried King Aegeus； 〃why should you expose yourself
to this horrible fate？ You are a royal prince； and have a right to hold
yourself above the destinies of common men。〃
〃It is because I am a prince； your son； and the rightful heir of your
kingdom； that I freely take upon me the calamity of your subjects；〃
answered Theseus； 〃 And you； my father； being king over these people；
and answerable to Heaven for their welfare； are bound to sacrifice what is
dearest to you； rather than that the son or daughter of the poorest citizen
should come to any harm。〃
The old king shed tears； and besought Theseus not to leave him
desolate in his old age； more especially as he had but just begun to know
the happiness of possessing a good and valiant son。 Theseus； however； felt
that he was in the right； and therefore would not give up his resolution。
But he assured his father that he did not intend to be eaten up；
unresistingly； like a sheep； and that； if the Minotaur devoured him； it
should not be without a battle for his dinner。 And finally； since he could
not help it； King Aegeus consented to let him go。 So a vessel was got
ready； and rigged with black sails； and Theseus； with six other young men；
and seven tender and beautiful damsels； came down to the harbor to
embark。 A sorrowful multitude accompanied them to the shore。 There was
the poor old king； too； leaning on his son's arm； and looking as if his
single heart held all the grief of Athens。
Just as Prince Theseus was going on board； his father bethought
himself of one last word to say。
〃My beloved son；〃 said he； grasping the Prince's hand； 〃you observe
that the sails of this vessel are black； as indeed they ought to be； since it
goes upon a voyage of sorrow and despair。 Now； being weighed down
with infirmities； I know not whether I can survive till the vessel shall
return。 But； as long as I do live； I shall creep daily to the top of yonder
cliff； to watch if there be a sail upon the sea。 And； dearest Theseus； if by
some happy chance； you should escape the jaws of the Minotaur； then tear
down those dismal sails； and hoist others that shall be bright as the
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sunshine。 Beholding them on the horizon； myself and all the people will
know that you are coming back victorious； and will welcome you with
such a festal uproar as Athens never heard before。〃
Theseus promised that he would do so。 Then going on board； the
mariners trimmed the vessel's black sails to the wind； which blew faintly
off the shore； being pretty much made up of the sighs that everybody kept
pouring forth on this melancholy occasion。 But by and by； when they had
got fairly out to sea； there came a stiff breeze from the north…west； and
drove them along as merrily over the white…capped waves as if they had
been going on the most delightful errand imaginable。 And though it was a
sad business enough； I rather question whether fourteen young people；
without any old persons to keep them in order； could continue to spend the
whole time of the voyage in being miserable。 There had been some few
dances upon the undulating deck； I suspect； and some hearty bursts of
laughter； and other such unseasonable merriment among the victims；
before the high blue mountains of Crete began to show themselves among
the far…off clouds。 That sight； to be sure； made them all very grave again。
Theseus stood among the sailors； gazing eagerly towards the land；
although； as yet； it seemed hardly more substantial than the clouds； amidst
which the mountains were looming up。 Once or twice； he fancied that he
saw a glare of some bright object； a long way off； flinging a gleam across
the waves。
〃Did you see that flash of light？〃 he inquired of the master of the
vessel。
〃No； prince； but I have seen it before；〃 answered the master。 〃It came
from Talus； I suppose。〃
As the breeze came fresher just then； the master was busy with
trimming his sails； and had no more time to answer questions。 But while
the vessel flew faster and faster towards Crete； Theseus was astonished to
behold a human figure； gigantic in size； which appeared to be striding；
with a measured movement； along the margin of the island。 It stepped
from cliff to cliff； and sometimes from one headland to another； while the
sea foamed and thundered on the shore beneath； and dashed its jets of
spray over the giant's feet。 What was still more remarkable； whenever the
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sun shone on this huge figure； it flickered and glimmered； its