The Yale expositor., 1895-09-20

knight could wish to win a fair lady's
heart.
And Scylla looked till he passed from
her view, as she had done every time
she had seen him.
Then wild thoughts coursed through
her excited brain. How cruel war
was, yet she blessed this war that
brought Minos to her sight But how
terrible If he should be killed. oh, II
only peace might be had, she would
have offered herself as hostage.
Then came the wild thought Of de-
livering the city up. She could easily
do it. but one obstacle was in her way.
The Fates had decreed that so long as
the purple lock remained on her faith
er's head, the city should stand. 1t
needed but that she should remove it
and all would be we'll; for surely Minos
would be grateful to her and she would
be happy.
And then came the thought OF that
fathers shame and degradation. but
only for moment. as one thought
after another coursed through her
mind. She felt that she could could
pass through fire and water to serve
Minos, yet that was not needed. An
other woman would dare as much, and
could any one dare more than she?
Then the victory was won, but not
on the side of duty. And only then,
when she had fully determined On her
plan, did she find peace or rest.
That night she arrayed herself in her
richest robes. Never had she looked
more beautiful. The Graces themselves
might have envied her. And Nisus
smiled a welcome to his daughter, as
she entered the banqueting hall. All
traces of her grief at the sacrifice had
disappeared and the king was glad.
Scylla suffered all his attention and
endearments. but hurried to her apart
ments as soon as she could. She feared
lest her resolution might weaken and
so her happiness be forever lost.
How may of us have stood in a like
position, with all the reasons for and
against our actions crushing us down.
our life and death in the balance, which
n breath could give or take!
It was after the midnight watch had
been called, and the palace was sunk in
slumber, that a figure. enveloped in n
dark cloak, glided through the wide
corridor to the kings apartments. AT
the door challenge rung out, but a
moment later the sentinel knelt and
the princess passed in to her father.
Nisus slept, and the daughter slowly
approached his couch. How noble ne
looked, but the girl steeled her heart
against him!
A moment later the dark figure fed
down the corridors as 1t had come, but
a CLEAN of triumph shone from the
eyes, and love and victory struggled
for mastery in the countenance. And
the king slept on. but the purple lock
had left his head forever!
So Scylla went through the dark city
and left it behind her as she passed
Swiftly she entered the camp OF the
enemy and demanded to see King
! Minos.
When the king beheld her he
thought so lovely a woman had never
before walked the earth. but when,
holding out the purple lock, she said
that she gave up her city, her father,
herself. he spurned her from him.
Shall Crete" ne cried, where Jove
himself was Graded, be polluted by
his monster? Infamous woman, be-
gone, and may neither lend nor sea
afford thee resting placer
Alas" cried Scylla. ''for thee have
given Up everything! Ay, am de-
serving OF death. but thy hand should
l. OF be the one TO deal the blow!
But MiEos would have nothing to do
with her, and, the next morning. CIV
ing orders that suitable terms should
5e allowed TO the vanquished city, he
sailed away with his feet.
AS the ships were departing Scylla
| jumped into the sea. and, grasping the
ru6der of the vessel that conveyed
! Minos. was carried along with it til
an eagle. into which her father had
been changed, darted down and pecked
at her with its beak and claws. Scylla
cried for mercy. and some plying
! deity changed her into a bird
And to this day the eagle pounces
upon the gull. ever seeking vengeance
for the old crime.