Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-10-30

TaSeu ABOUT the MURDER or his son.
For his son came hither to the games,
and overcame all the Creeks in the
sports. The people honored him as a
hero, but Aegeus feared lest he should
take away the scepter from him. So
he plotted against his life, and slew
him basely, no man knows how or
where.
80 Minos came hither and avenged
him. He would not depart till this
land had promised him tribute, seven
youths and seven maidens every year.
They go with me in black-sailed ship,
till they come to hundred-citied Crete.''
And Theseus ground his teeth to-
gether, and said, Vert thou not a
herald, would kill thee, for saying
such things Of my father. But will
go to him, and know the truth
So he went to his father, and asked
him; but he turned away his head and
wept, and said, Break not my heart
in silence''
Then Theseus groned inwardly, and
said, 81 will so myself with these
youths and maidens, and kill Minos up
on his royal throne"
But Aegeus shrieked and cried,
'You shall not go, my son. the light Of
my old age. You are to rule this peo-
pie after | am dead and gone. You
shall not go, to die horribly, as those
youths and maidens die. Minos
thrusts them into a labyrinth among
the rocks. From that labyrinth no
one can escape before they meet the
Minotaur, the monster who feeds upon
the flesh of men. There he devours
them horribly, and they never see
this land again
Then Theseus grew red, and his
ears tingled, and his heart beat loud
within his bosom. And he stood
awhile like tall stone pillar, on the
At last he spoke:
Therefore all the more l will go
with them, and STAY the accused
beast. This Minotaur shall go the road
which they have gone, and Minos him
self, If he dare stay me-
But how will you STAY him, my son?
For you must leave your club and
your armor behind, and be cast to the
defenseless and naked like
the rest"
And Theseus said, care there no
stones in that labyrinth; and have I
not fists and teeth?"
Then Aegeus chung to his knees;
but he would not hear. At last he let
him go, weeping bitterly. He said
only this one word
Promise me but this. if you re
turn in peace, take down the black
sail Of the ship (for shall watch for
it all day upon the cliffs), and hoist
instead a white sail. Then may
know afar off that you are safe"
And Theseus promised.
He then went to the market place
where the herald stood. while they
drew lots for the youths and maidens,
who were to sail in that doleful crew.
And the people stood wailing and
rs the lot fell on this one
and that.
Theseus, however, strobe into the
midst, and cried:
Here is youth who needs no lot.
l will myself be one Of the seven
And the herald asked in wonder,
Fair youth, know you whittier you
are going?"
And Theseus said, Il know. Let us
go down to the black-sailed ship"
So they went down to the black-sail-
ed ship, seven maidens, and seven
youths, and Theseus before them all,
and the people following them lament
ing.
But Theseus whispered to his COM
panions, Have hope, for the monster
is not immortal ; Then their hearts
were comforted little; but they wept
as they went on board, and as they
sailed on toward their deaths in
Crete
Part w.
At last they came to Crete and to
the palace of Minos, the great king.
His ships were as many as sea gulls,
and his palace like a marble hill. And
he sat among the pillars of the hall,
upon his throne of beaten gold.
But Theseus stood before Minos, and
they looked each other in the face.
And Minos babe take them to prison,
and cast them to the monster one by
one.
Then Theseus cried:
"a boon, o Minos. Let me be
thrown first to the beast. For / came
HlIuSI LII tudt FSiy PuipoSc, VI my
own will, and not by lot
''Who art thou, then, brave YOUTH"
81 am the son of him whom of all men
thou hatest most, Aegeus, the king of
and am come here to end
this matter"
And Minos thought, 1.-THE lad means
to atone by his own death for his
fathers SIM" and he answered at
last mildly:
GO back in peace, my son. 1t is
pity that one SO brave should die
But Theseus said, Il have sworn
that will not go back till l have
seen the monster face to face
At that Minos frowned. and said,
Then thou shalt see him; take the
mailman away"
And they led Theseus away into the
prison, with the other youths and
maidens.
But Ariadne, Minos,s daughter, saw
him, as she came out of her white
stone hall She loved him for his
courage and his majesty, and said,
Shame that such youth should die!"