lots for only six young men, instead of seven,"
said he. "I will myself be the seventh; and
let the Minotaur devour me, if he can!"

"O my dear son," cried King jiEgeus, "why
should you expose yourself to this horrible fate?
You are a royal prince, and have a right to hold
yourself above the destinies of common men."

"It is because I am a prince, your son, and
the rightful heir of your kingdom, that I freely
take upon me the calamity of your subjects,"
answered Theseus. "And you, my father, being
king over this people, and answerable to Heaven
for their welfare, are bound to sacrifice what is
dearest to you, rather than that the son or
daughter of the poorest citizen should come to
any harm."

The old king shed tears, and besought Theseus
not to leave him desolate in his old age, more
especially as he had but just begun to know the
happiness of possessing a good and valiant son.
Theseus, however, felt that he was in the right,
and therefore would not give up his resolution.
But he assured his father that he did not intend
to be eaten up, unresistingly, like a sheep, and
that, if the Minotaur devoured him, it should

[[44]]

p043 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p044w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p045

v?