The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1895-08-03
HELIOS AND CLYTIE.

Helios the beautiful was the sun-god,
whom the Greeks loved and honored.
He was tall and as straight as an arrow.
He had blue eyes, and hair which fell Ia
golden ourls over his shoulders His
limbs we're strong and the muscles of
his arms stood out in rounded curves
like the arms Of an athlete. The sun
god was indeed famous horseman.
Every morning he drove HE golden
chariot across the sky. This was not an
easy thing to do for the horses were as
wild as the Arabian horses of Ilderim.
All, but they were beautiful, with their
flowing names and tails, their flashing
eyes, graceful limbs, and silky coats!
Fire flashed from their nostrils as they
ran, and no horses have ever been swift
or than those which drew the golden
chariot.
Helion was proud Of them, and indeed,
he should have been very happy. But
sometimes he grew quite tired Of his
pleasant task. The Hours, Minutes and
Seconds who went with him we're often
very tiresome, because they always said
the same things. To be sure, Helios
never grew tired of his beautiful sister,
Eos, who drew aside the crimson cur
tains of the dawn. When he was ready
to start Eos babe him good.by with
pleasant smile.
At the end of the days journey, Helios
I was received by the sea nymphs, who
took care of the horses, and prepared
soft couch on which he rested until the
next day.
The beginning of the journey was very
pleasant to Hslios. The birds sang
greeting, the brooks and rivers made
music for him, and the people down up
on the green earth sang songs in his
praise. Everybody and everything
loved him. Even the little ants, toiling
away at their tiny sand mountains,
watched for his coming. Helios should
have been happy and contented at all
times; but he was not. Sometime his
discomfort darkened his bright face. so
that people on the earth we're frighten-
ed. In vain they sang their songs of
praise and inquired, Where is Helios?"
No one could tell.
Far down the gentle stream of
Ocean" lived the stern old god Oceanus
and his daughter Clytie. She was one
of the sea-nymphs who danced and sang
at evening when Helios returned. She
was bright and playful nymph. All
day long she ran laughing and dancing
through her fathers coral halls, and
made his heart soften, even in his dark
est moods; for Oceanus was very stern
and unkind at times.
Helios was never too tired to talk to
Clytie. They we're the best Of friends,
and had many pleasant times together.
Helios told her what had happened dur
ing the day. in the sky, or down upon
the earth. Sometimes his stories were
bright happy ones, but often Helios told
of terrible wars and brave warriors
killed by cruel lances; and then Clytie
would put her hands over her ears and
beg Helios to tell of other things more
pleasant.
One day Helios promised to take
Clytie with him in the chariot. IF you
are not afraid, you shall go every day."
he said. Clytie said that she would not
be afraid with such brave driver.
But Oceanus could not spare Clytie
and would not give his consent. "Ah,
we'll. Leucothea will go. even though her
father consents not" said Helios.
Helios had told Clytie about the little
princess Leucothea, whose father was
king of an eastern country. Why should
Clytie stay at home and miss the pleas
ure which Leucothea would enjoy?
Clytie made up her mind to go without
asking her father. So she called her
dolphins, and babe them bring up her
pink lined chariot; and away they
dashed through the waves and the surf
They stopped at little rock island
where the sea nYmphs played their
happy games. By and by the golden
chariot of Helios appeared far away in
the East. Clyties heart beat fast. She
watched the sun god as he drew nearer
and nearer. She was sure he would
take her as he had promised. But Helios
did not stop. Perhaps he had forgotten
Clytie. or it may be that he dared not
offend Oceanus. Helios drove right
along, not deigning even so much as
glance toward the little rock island.
Perhaps he did not know that sad and
disappointed little maiden was watching
SO patiently.
Day after day Clytie watched in vain
for the tickle sun god. "He has forgot
ten me,-he will not keep his promise"
she sobbed; and she threw herself upon