," stammered Phaethon, "if you are my father indeed"--and then
he took courage; for the god came down from his throne, put off the
glorious halo that hurt mortal eyes, and embraced him tenderly.

"Indeed, thou art my son," said he. "Ask any gift of me, and it shall be
thine; I call the Styx to witness."

"Ah!" cried Phaethon rapturously. "Let me drive thy chariot for one day!"

For an instant the Sun's looks clouded. "Choose again, my child," said he.
"Thou art only a mortal, and this task is mine alone of all the Gods. Not
Zeus himself dare drive the chariot of the Sun. The way is full of
terrors, both for the horses and for all the stars along the roadside, and
for the Earth, who has all blessings from me. Listen, and choose again."
And therewith he warned Phaethon of all the dangers that beset the
way,--the great steep that the steeds must climb, the numbing dizziness of
the height, the fierce constellations that breathe out fire, and that
descent in the west where the Sun seems to go headlong.

But these counsels only made the reckless boy more eager to win honor of
such a high enterprise.

"I will take care; only let me go," he begged.

Now Phoebus had sworn by the black river Styx, an oath that none of the
Gods dare break, and he was forced to keep his promise.

Already Aurora, goddess of dawn, had thrown open the gates of the east,
and the stars were beginning to wane. The Hours came forth to harness the
four horses, and Phaethon looked with exultation at the splendid
creatures, whose lord he was for a day. Wild, immortal steeds they were,
fed with ambrosia, untamed as the winds; their very pet names signified
flame, and all that flame can do,--Pyrois, Eoues, AEthon, Phlegon.

As the lad stood by, watching, Phoebus anointed his face with a philter
that should make him strong to endure the terrible heat and light, then
set the halo upon his head, with a last word of counsel.

"Follow the road," said he, "and never turn aside. Go not too high or too
low, for the sake of heavens and earth; else men and Gods will suffer. The
Fates alone know whether evil is to come of this. Yet if your heart fails
you, as I hope, abide here and I will make the journey, as I am wont to
do."

But Phaethon held to his choice and bade his father farewell. He took his
place in the chariot, gathered up the reins, and the horses sprang away,
eager for the road.

As they went, they bent their splendid necks to see the meaning of t