ightiest became weak as the hands of a
little child, because the secret spell, in which lay the strength of
the undying gods, guarded the city of Nisos. And so it came to pass
that, as day by day they fought in vain against the walls of Megara,
the spirit of the men of Crete waxed feeble, and many said that they
came not thither to fight against the deathless gods.

But each day as Minos led his men against the city, the daughter of
Nisos had looked forth from her turret, and she saw his face,
beautiful as in the days when she had sojourned in his house at
Gnossos, and flushed with the pride and eagerness of the war. Then the
heart of Skylla was filled with a strange love, and she spake musingly
within herself, "To what end is this strife of armed men? Love is
beyond all treasures, and brighter for me than the love of others
would be one kindly look from the bright son of Europa. I know the
spell which keeps the city of the Megarians, and where is the evil of
the deed, if I take the purple lock of hair which the gods have given
to my father as a pledge that so long as it remains untouched, no harm
shall befall his people? If I give it to Minos the struggle is ended,
and it may be that I shall win his love."

So when the darkness of night fell again upon the earth, and all the
sons of men were buried in a deep sleep, Skylla entered stealthily
into her father's chamber, and shore off the purple lock in which lay
his strength and the strength of his people. Then, as the tints of
early morning stole across the dark heavens, the watchmen of the
Cretans beheld the form of a woman as she drew nigh to them and bade
them lead her to the tent of King Minos. When she was brought before
him, with downcast face she bowed herself to the earth, and said, "I
have sojourned in thy halls in the days that are gone, when there was
peace between thee and the house of my father, Nisos. O Minos, peace
is better than war, and of all treasures the most precious is love.
Look on me, then, gently as in former days, for at a great price do I
seek thy kindness. In this purple lock is the strength of my father
and his people." Then a strange smile passed over the face of Minos,
as he said, "The gifts of fair maidens must not be lightly cast aside;
the requital shall be made when the turmoil of strife is ended."

With a mighty shout the Cretan warriors went forth to the onset as the
fiery horses of Helios rose up with his chariot into the kindled