which was as famous a city as any in the world.
Theseus was very fond of hearing about King
Aegeus, and often asked his good mother Aethra
why he did not come and live with them at
Troezene.

"Ah, my dear son," answered Aethra, with a
sigh, "a monarch has his people to take care of.
The men and women over whom he rules are
in the place of children to him; and he can sel-
dom spare time to love his own children as other
parents do. Your father will never be able to
leave his kingdom for the sake of seeing his
little boy."

"Well, but, dear mother," asked the boy, "why
cannot I go to this famous city of Athens, and
tell King Aegeus that I am his son?"

"That may happen by and by," said Aethra.
"Be patient, and we shall see. You are not yet
big and strong enough to set out on such an
errand."

"And how soon shall I be strong enough?"
Theseus persisted in inquiring.

"You are but a tiny boy as yet," replied his
mother. "See if you can lift this rock on which
we are sitting?"

[[20]]

p019 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p020w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p021

v?