ng year went round, until at last the mighty Herakles
passed the borders of the shadowy land and set the captive free.

And so it was that, when the heroes had passed to the home of Zeus and
the banquet of the gods, the glory of Theseus was as the glory of the
brave son of Alkmene who toiled for the false Eurystheus; and ever in
the days of feasting, the minstrels linked together the names of
Herakles and Theseus.

ARIADNE.

The soft western breeze was bearing a ship from the Athenian land to
the fair haven of Gnossos, and the waters played merrily round the
ship as it sped along the paths of the sea. But on board there were
mournful hearts and weeping eyes, for the youths and maidens which
that ship was bearing to Crete were to be the prey of the savage
Minotauros. As they came near the harbor gates, they saw the people
of King Minos crowded on the shore, and they wept aloud because they
should no more look on the earth and on the sun as he journeyed
through the heaven.

In that throng stood Ariadne, the daughter of the King, and as she
gazed on the youths and maidens who came out of the tribute ship,
there passed before her one taller and fairer than all, and she saw
that his eye alone was bright and his step firm, as he moved from the
shore to go to the house of Minos. Presently they all stood before the
King, and he saw that one alone gazed steadfastly upon him, while the
eyes of the rest were dim with many tears. Then he said, "What is thy
name?" The young man answered, "I am Theseus, the son of King Aigeus,
and I have come as one of the tribute children, but I part not with my
life till I have battled for it with all my strength. Wherefore send
me first, I pray thee, that I may fight with Minotauros; for if I be
the conqueror, then shall all these go back with me in peace to our
own land." Then Minos said, "Thou shalt indeed go first to meet
Minotauros; but think not to conquer him in the fight, for the flame
from his mouth will scorch thee, and no mortal man may withstand his
strength." And Theseus answered, "It is for man to do what best he
may; the gods know for whom remains the victory."

But the gentle heart of Ariadne was moved with love and pity as she
looked on his fair face and his bright and fearless eye, and she said
within herself, "I can not kill the Minotauros or rob him of his
strength, but I will guide Theseus so that he may reach the monster
while sleep lies heavy upon him."

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