tanglewood tales(探戈林故事)-第4章
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fight giants and dragons； as King Aegeus did in his youth。〃
〃I will set out for Athens this very day！〃 cried Theseus。
But his mother persuaded him to stay a day or two longer； while she
got ready some necessary articles for his journey。 When his grandfather；
the wise King Pittheus； heard that Theseus intended to present himself at
his father's palace； he earnestly advised him to get on board of a vessel；
and go by sea； because he might thus arrive within fifteen miles of Athens；
without either fatigue or danger。
〃The roads are very bad by land；〃 quoth the venerable king； 〃and they
are terribly infested with robbers and monsters。 A mere lad； like Theseus；
is not fit to be trusted on such a perilous journey； all by himself。 No； no；
let him go by sea。〃
But when Theseus heard of robbers and monsters； he pricked up his
ears； and was so much the more eager to take the road along which they
were to be met with。 On the third day； therefore； he bade a respectful
farewell to his grandfather； thanking him for all his kindness； and； after
affectionately embracing his mother； he set forth with a good many of her
tears glistening on his cheeks； and some； if the truth must be told； that had
gushed out of his own eyes。 But he let the sun and wind dry them； and
walked stoutly on； playing with the golden hilt of his sword； and taking
very manly strides in his father's sandals。
I cannot stop to tell you hardly any of the adventures that befell
Theseus on the road to Athens。 It is enough to say； that he quite cleared
that part of the country of the robbers about whom King Pittheus had been
so much alarmed。 One of these bad people was named Procrustes； and he
was indeed a terrible fellow； and had an ugly way of making fun of the
poor travelers who happened to fall into his clutches。 In his cavern he had
a bed； on which； with great pretense of hospitality； he invited his guests to
lie down； but； if they happened to be shorter than the bed； this wicked
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villain stretched them out by main force； or； if they were too tall； he
lopped off their heads or feet； and laughed at what he had done； as an
excellent joke。 Thus； however weary a man might be； he never liked to lie
in the bed of Procrustes。 Another of these robbers； named Scinis； must
likewise have been a very great scoundrel。 He was in the habit of flinging
his victims off a high cliff into the sea； and； in order to give him exactly
his deserts； Theseus tossed him off the very same place。 But if you will
believe me； the sea would not pollute itself by receiving such a bad person
into its bosom； neither would the earth； having once got rid of him；
consent to take him back； so that； between the cliff and the sea； Scinis
stuck fast in the air； which was forced to bear the burden of his
naughtiness。
After these memorable deeds； Theseus heard of an enormous sow；
which ran wild； and was the terror of all the farmers round about； and； as
he did not consider himself above doing any good thing that came in his
way； he killed this monstrous creature； and gave the carcass to the poor
people for bacon。 The great sow had been an awful beast； while ramping
about the woods and fields； but was a pleasant object enough when cut up
into joints； and smoking on I know not how many dinner tables。
Thus； by the time he reached his journey's end； Theseus had done
many valiant feats with his father's golden…hilled sword； and had gained
the renown of being one of the bravest young men of the day。 His fame
traveled faster than he did； and reached Athens before him。 As he entered
the city； he heard the inhabitants talking at the street corners； and saying
that Hercules was brave； and Jason too； and Castor and Pollux likewise；
but that Theseus； the son of their own king； would turn out as great a hero
as the best of them。 Theseus took longer strides on hearing this； and
fancied himself sure of a magnificent reception at his father's court； since
he came thither with Fame to blow her trumpet before him； and cry to
King Aegeus； 〃Behold your son！〃
He little suspected； innocent youth that he was； that here； in this very
Athens； where his father reigned； a greater danger awaited him than any
which he had encountered on the road。 Yet this was the truth。 You must
understand that the father of Theseus； though not very old in years； was
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almost worn out with the cares of government； and had thus grown aged
before his time。 His nephews； not expecting him to live a very great while；
intended to get all the power of the kingdom into their own hands。 But
when they heard that Theseus had arrived in Athens； and learned what a
gallant young man he was； they saw that he would not be at all the kind of
a person to let them steal away his father's crown and scepter； which ought
to be his own by right of inheritance。 Thus these bad…hearted nephews of
King Aegeus； who were the own cousins of Theseus； at once became his
enemies。 A still more dangerous enemy was Medea； the wicked
enchantress； for she was now the king's wife； and wanted to give the
kingdom to her son Medus； instead of letting it be given to the son of
Aethra； whom she hated。
It so happened that the king's nephews met Theseus； and found out
who he was； just as he reached the entrance of the royal palace。 With all
their evil designs against him； they pretended to be their cousin's best
friends； and expressed great joy at making his。acquaintance。 They
proposed to him that he should come into the king's presence as a stranger；
in order to try whether Aegeus would discover in the young man's features
any likeness either to himself or his mother Aethra； and thus recognize
him for a son。 Theseus consented； for he fancied that his father would
know him in a moment； by the love that was in his heart。 But； while he
waited at the door； the nephews ran and told King Aegeus that a young
man had arrived in Athens； who； to their certain knowledge； intended to
put him to death； and get possession of his royal crown。
〃And he is now waiting for admission to your majesty's presence；〃
added they。
〃Aha！〃 cried the old king； on hearing this。 〃Why； he must be a very
wicked young fellow indeed！ Pray； what would you advise me to do with
him？ 〃
In reply to this question； the wicked Medea put in her word。 As I have
already told you； she was a famous enchantress。 According to some stories；
she was in the habit of boiling old people in a large caldron； under
pretense of making them young again； but King Aegeus； I suppose； did not
fancy such an uncomfortable way of growing young； or perhaps was
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contented to be old； and therefore would never let himself be popped into
the caldron。 If there were time to spare from more important matters； I
