the heroes(英雄们)-第43章
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one strong people； while before they were all parted and weak： and
many another wise thing he did； so that his people honoured him after he
was dead； for many a hundred years； as the father of their freedom and
their laws。 And six hundred years after his death； in the famous fight at
Marathon； men said that they saw the ghost of Theseus； with his mighty
brazen club； fighting in the van of battle against the invading Persians；
for the country which he loved。 And twenty years after Marathon his
bones （they say） were found in Scuros； an isle beyond the sea； and they
were bigger than the bones of mortal man。 So the Athenians brought
them home in triumph； and all the people came out to welcome them；
and they built over them a noble temple； and adorned it with sculptures
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and paintings in which we are told all the noble deeds of Theseus； and
the Centaurs； and the Lapithai； and the Amazons； and the ruins of it are
standing still。
But why did they find his bones in Scuros？ Why did he not die in
peace at Athens； and sleep by his father's side？ Because after his
triumph he grew proud； and broke the laws of God and man。 And one
thing worst of all he did； which brought him to his grave with sorrow。
For he went down （they say beneath the earth） with that bold Peirithoos
his friend to help him to carry off Persephone； the queen of the world
below。 But Peirithoos was killed miserably； in the dark fire…kingdoms
under ground； and Theseus was chained to a rock in everlasting pain。
And there he sat for years； till Heracles the mighty came down to bring
up the three…headed dog who sits at Pluto's gate。 So Heracles loosed
him from his chain； and brought him up to the light once more。
But when he came back his people had forgotten him； and Castor
and Polydeuces； the sons of the wondrous Swan； had invaded his land；
and carried off his mother Aithra for a slave； in revenge for a grievous
wrong。
So the fair land of Athens was wasted； and another king ruled it； who
drove out Theseus shamefully； and he fled across the sea to Scuros。
And there he lived in sadness； in the house of Lucomedes the king； till
Lucomedes killed him by treachery； and there was an end of all his
labours。
So it is still； my children； and so it will be to the end。 In those old
Greeks； and in us also； all strength and virtue come from God。 But if
men grow proud and self…willed； and misuse God's fair gifts； He lets
them go their own ways； and fall pitifully； that the glory may be His
alone。 God help us all； and give us wisdom； and courage to do noble
deeds！ but God keep pride from us when we have done them； lest we fall；
and come to shame！
Footnotes：
（1） In the Elgin Marbles。 （2） The Danube。 （3） Between the Crimaea
and Circassia。 （4） The Sea of Azov。 （5） The Ural Mountains？ （6） The
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Baltic？ （7） Britain？ （8） The Azores？
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