lowing is the legendary account of the founding of Thebes:--

After the abduction of his daughter Europa by Zeus, Agenor, king of
Phoenicia, unable to reconcile himself to her loss, despatched his son
Cadmus in search of her, desiring him not to return without his sister.

For many years Cadmus pursued his search through various countries, but
without success. Not daring to return home without her, he consulted the
oracle of Apollo at Delphi; and the reply was that he must desist from his
task, and take upon himself a new duty, _i.e._ that of founding a city, the
site of which would be indicated to him by a heifer which had never borne
the yoke, and which would lie down on the spot whereon the city was to be
built.

Scarcely had Cadmus left the sacred fane, when he observed a heifer who
bore no marks of servitude on her neck, walking slowly in front of him. He
followed the animal for a considerable distance, until at length, on the
site where Thebes afterwards stood, she looked towards heaven and, gently
lowing, lay down in the long grass. Grateful for this mark of divine
favour, Cadmus resolved to offer up the animal as a sacrifice, and
accordingly sent his followers to fetch water for the libation from a
neighbouring spring. This spring, which was sacred to Ares, was situated in
a wood, and guarded by a fierce dragon, who, at the approach of the
retainers of Cadmus, suddenly pounced upon them and killed them.

After waiting some time for the return of his servants {204} Cadmus grew
impatient, and hastily arming himself with his lance and spear, set out to
seek them. On reaching the spot, the mangled remains of his unfortunate
followers met his view, and near them he beheld the frightful monster,
dripping with the blood of his victims. Seizing a huge rock, the hero
hurled it with all his might upon the dragon; but protected by his tough
black skin and steely scales as by a coat of mail, he remained unhurt.
Cadmus now tried his lance, and with more success, for it pierced the side
of the beast, who, furious with pain, sprang at his adversary, when Cadmus,
leaping aside, succeeded in fixing the point of his spear within his jaws,
which final stroke put an end to the encounter.

While Cadmus stood surveying his vanquished foe Pallas-Athene appeared to
him, and commanded him to sow the teeth of the dead dragon in the ground.
He obeyed; and out of the furrows there arose a band of armed men, who at
once commenced to figh