let the
seamen be dealt with as I shall appoint!"

The king assented laughing, for he deemed the tale impossible. After some
days, however, it was announced that the ship _Nausicaa_ was in the
harbor. Periander summoned the captain and all the crew to the palace, and
asked them whether they had brought any news of his minstrel Arion. The
captain replied that men said at Tarentum that Arion was still in Italy,
traveling from place to place, and received everywhere with great honor.
The rest of the sailors confirmed the story, and one of them added that
Arion was said to prefer Italy to Greece, nor had he any intention of
returning to Corinth.

At that moment a curtain was drawn and disclosed Arion, standing in his
sacred robes and holding his lute, just as they had seen him last in the
prow of the ship. The sailors, supposing that they beheld his spirit, were
seized with terror, and fell at the king's feet, confessing all their
wickedness and begging for mercy. But Periander was filled with
indignation, and spurned them angrily. Arion interposed, urging the king
to be merciful, now that the seamen had seen their wickedness, and were
willing to make restitution. Periander, however, would not hear of mercy.

"Your compassion bears witness to your noble spirit, Arion," he replied.
"But these men have planned a most cruel and cowardly murder, and cruelly
shall they suffer for it. Seize me these men, guards, and bind them!"

The guards came forward and began to lead away the trembling wretches.

"Stay!" cried Arion. "It is I who am king. Did not your majesty stake your
crown against my lute, and can the royal word be broken? Back, guards! I
claim my wager."

Periander could not refrain from laughter, but confessed himself beaten by
this piece of strategy. "The wit of Arion," he said, "is stronger than the
tears of repentance. Release the prisoners!"

"That being so," said Arion, "and seeing that I find myself more easy with
the lute, I will restore the royal crown to Periander."

So the men were set at liberty, after having restored the property of
Arion, and departed full of gratitude, invoking blessings on his head.

And lest any man should doubt the truth of the story in time to come,
Arion erected at Taenarus a statue in bronze, representing a man riding on
a dolphin's back.

STORIES FROM LIVY

ROMULUS, FOUNDER OF ROME

Adapted by Alfred J. Church

AEneas of Troy, coming to the land of Italy, too