kings, thought any punishment mild enough for
a person who was accused of plotting against
his life. He therefore made little or no objec-
tion to Medea's scheme, and as soon as the
poisonous wine was ready, gave orders that the
young stranger should be admitted into his
presence. The goblet was set on a table
beside the king's throne; and a fly, meaning
just to sip a little from the brim, immediately
tumbled into it, dead. Observing this, Medea
looked round at the nephews, and smiled again.

When Theseus was ushered into the royal
apartment, the only object that he seemed to
behold was the white-bearded old king. There
he sat on his magnificent throne, a dazzling
crown on his head, and a sceptre in his hand.
His aspect was stately and majestic, although
his years and infirmities weighed heavily upon
him, as if each year were a lump of lead, and
each infirmity a ponderous stone, and all were
bundled up together, and laid upon his weary
shoulders. The tears both of joy and sorrow
sprang into the young man's eyes; for he thought
how sad it was to see his dear father so infirm,
and how sweet it would be to support him with

[[33]]

p032 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p033w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p034

v?