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and being kind to them； he went on to be more cruel than ever： for he
shut up his fair daughter Danae in a cavern underground； lined with
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brass； that no one might come near her。 So he fancied himself more
cunning than the Gods： but you will see presently whether he was able
to escape them。
Now it came to pass that in time Danae bore a son； so beautiful a
babe that any but King Acrisius would have had pity on it。 But he had
no pity； for he took Danae and her babe down to the seashore； and put
them into a great chest and thrust them out to sea； for the winds and the
waves to carry them whithersoever they would。
The north…west wind blew freshly out of the blue mountains； and
down the pleasant vale of Argos； and away and out to sea。 And away
and out to sea before it floated the mother and her babe； while all who
watched them wept； save that cruel father； King Acrisius。
So they floated on and on； and the chest danced up and down upon
the billows； and the baby slept upon its mother's breast： but the poor
mother could not sleep； but watched and wept； and she sang to her baby
as they floated； and the song which she sang you shall learn yourselves
some day。
And now they are past the last blue headland； and in the open sea；
and there is nothing round them but the waves； and the sky； and the wind。
But the waves are gentle； and the sky is clear； and the breeze is tender
and low； for these are the days when Halcyone and Ceyx build their
nests； and no storms ever ruffle the pleasant summer sea。
And who were Halcyone and Ceyx？ You shall hear while the chest
floats on。 Halcyone was a fairy maiden； the daughter of the beach and
of the wind。 And she loved a sailor…boy； and married him； and none on
earth were so happy as they。 But at last Ceyx was wrecked； and before
he could swim to the shore the billows swallowed him up。 And
Halcyone saw him drowning； and leapt into the sea to him； but in vain。
Then the Immortals took pity on them both； and changed them into
two fair sea…birds； and now they build a floating nest every year； and sail
up and down happily for ever upon the pleasant seas of Greece。
So a night passed； and a day； and a long day it was for Danae； and
another night and day beside； till Danae was faint with hunger and
weeping； and yet no land appeared。 And all the while the babe slept
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quietly； and at last poor Danae drooped her head and fell asleep likewise
with her cheek against the babe's。
After a while she was awakened suddenly； for the chest was jarring
and grinding； and the air was full of sound。 She looked up； and over
her head were mighty cliffs； all red in the setting sun； and around her
rocks and breakers； and flying flakes of foam。 She clasped her hands
together； and shrieked aloud for help。 And when she cried； help met
her： for now there came over the rocks a tall and stately man； and
looked down wondering upon poor Danae tossing about in the chest
among the waves。
He wore a rough cloak of frieze； and on his head a broad hat to shade
his face； in his hand he carried a trident for spearing fish； and over his
shoulder was a casting…net； but Danae could see that he was no common
man by his stature； and his walk； and his flowing golden hair and beard；
and by the two servants who came behind him； carrying baskets for his
fish。 But she had hardly time to look at him； before he had laid aside
his trident and leapt down the rocks； and thrown his casting…net so surely
over Danae and the chest； that he drew it； and her； and the baby； safe
upon a ledge of rock。
Then the fisherman took Danae by the hand； and lifted her out of the
chest； and said …
'O beautiful damsel； what strange chance has brought you to this
island in so flail a ship？ Who are you； and whence？ Surely you are
some king's daughter； and this boy has somewhat more than mortal。'
And as he spoke he pointed to the babe； for its face shone like the
morning star。
But Danae only held down her head； and sobbed out …
'Tell me to what land I have come； unhappy that I am； and among
what men I have fallen！'
And he said； 'This isle is called Seriphos； and I am a Hellen； and
dwell in it。 I am the brother of Polydectes the king； and men call me
Dictys the netter； because I catch the fish of the shore。'
Then Danae fell down at his feet； and embraced his knees； and cried
…
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'Oh； sir； have pity upon a stranger； whom a cruel doom has driven to
your land； and let me live in your house as a servant； but treat me
honourably； for I was once a king's daughter； and this my boy （as you
have truly said） is of no common race。 I will not be a charge to you； or
eat the bread of idleness； for I am more skilful in weaving and
embroidery than all the maidens of my land。'
And she was going on； but Dictys stopped her； and raised her up； and
said …
'My daughter； I am old； and my hairs are growing gray； while I have
no children to make my home cheerful。 Come with me then； and you
shall be a daughter to me and to my wife； and this babe shall be our
grandchild。 For I fear the Gods； and show hospitality to all strangers；
knowing that good deeds； like evil ones； always return to those who do
them。'
So Danae was comforted； and went home with Dictys the good
fisherman； and was a daughter to him and to his wife； till fifteen years
were past。
PART II … HOW PERSEUS VOWED A RASH
VOW
FIFTEEN years were past and gone； and the babe was now grown
to be a tall lad and a sailor； and went many voyages after merchandise to
the islands round。 His mother called him Perseus； but all the people in
Seriphos said that he was not the son of mortal man； and called him the
son of Zeus； the king of the Immortals。 For though he was but fifteen；
he was taller by a head than any man in the island； and he was the
most skilful of all in running and wrestling and boxing； and in throwing
the quoit and the javelin； and in rowing with the oar； and in playing on
the harp； and in all which befits a man。 And he was brave and truthful；
gentle and courteous； for good old Dictys had trained him well； and well
it was for Perseus that he had done so。 For now Danae and her son fell
into great danger； and Perseus had need of all his wit to defend his
mother and himself。
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I said that Dictys' brother was Polydectes； king of the island。 He
was not a righteous man； like Dictys； but greedy； and cunning； and cruel。
And when he saw fair Danae； he wanted to marry her。 But she would
not； for she did not love him； and cared for no one but her boy； and her
boy's father； whom she never hoped to see again。 At last Polydectes
became furious； and while Perseus was away at sea he took poor Danae
away from Dictys； saying； 'If you will not be my wife