e me, either to enquire whatever thou wilt or to speak
thy mind. But since we have met one another with friendly hearts, in a
hallowed spot, where it is wrong to sin, speak openly and ask questions,
and beguile me not with pleasing words, for at the first thou didst
promise thy sister to give me the charms my heart desires. I implore
thee by Hecate herself, by thy parents, and by Zeus who holds his
guardian hand over strangers and suppliants; I come here to thee both a
suppliant and a stranger, bending the knee in my sore need. For without
thee and thy sister never shall I prevail in the grievous contest. And
to thee will I render thanks hereafter for thy aid, as is right and
fitting for men who dwell far off, making glorious thy name and fame;
and the rest of the heroes, returning to Hellas, will spread thy renown
and so will the heroes' wives and mothers, who now perhaps are sitting
on the shore and making moan for us; their painful affliction thou
mightest scatter to the winds. In days past the maiden Ariadne, daughter
of Minos, with kindly intent rescued Theseus from grim contests--the
maiden whom Pasiphae daughter of Helios bare. But she, when Minos had
lulled his wrath to rest, went aboard the ship with him and left her
fatherland; and her even the immortal gods loved, and, as a sign in
mid-sky, a crown of stars, which men call Ariadne's crown, rolls along
all night among the heavenly constellations. So to thee too shall be
thanks from the gods, if thou wilt save so mighty an array of
chieftains. For surely from thy lovely form thou art like to excel in
gentle courtesy."

Thus he spake, honouring her; and she cast her eyes down with a smile
divinely sweet; and her soul melted within her, uplifted by his praise,
and she gazed upon him face to face; nor did she know what word to utter
first, but was eager to pour out everything at once. And forth from her
fragrant girdle ungrudgingly she brought out the charm; and he at once
received it in his hands with joy. And she would even have drawn out all
her soul from her breast and given it to him, exulting in his desire; so
wonderfully did love flash forth a sweet flame from the golden head of
Aeson's son; and he captivated her gleaming eyes; and her heart within
grew warm, melting away as the dew melts away round roses when warmed by
the morning's light. And now both were fixing their eyes on the ground
abashed, and again were throwing glances at each other, smiling with