第 4 节
作者:
水王 更新:2021-12-07 09:35 字数:9322
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
should be glad to tell you of Medea's fiery chariot; drawn by winged
dragons; in which the enchantress used often to take an airing among the
clouds。 This chariot; in fact; was the vehicle that first brought her to
Athens; where she had done nothing but mischief ever since her arrival。
But these and many other wonders must be left untold; and it is enough to
say; that Medea; amongst a thousand other bad things; knew how to
prepare a poison; that was instantly fatal to whomsoever might so much as
touch it with his lips。
So; when the king asked what he should do with Theseus; this naughty
woman had an answer ready at her tongue's end。
〃Leave that to me; please your majesty;〃 she replied。 〃Only admit this
evil…minded young man to your presence; treat him civilly; and invite him
to drink a goblet of wine。 Your majesty is well aware that I sometimes
amuse myself by distilling very powerful medicines。 Here is one of them
in this small phial。 As to what it is made of; that is one of my secrets of
state。 Do but let me put a single drop into the goblet; and let the young
man taste it; and I will answer for it; he shall quite lay aside the bad
designs with which he comes hither。〃
As she said this; Medea smiled; but; for all her smiling face; she meant
nothing less than to poison the poor innocent Theseus; before his father's
eyes。 And King Aegeus; like most other kings; thought any punishment
mild enough for a person who was accused of plotting against his life。 He
therefore made little or no objection 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 scepter in his
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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 his
own youthful strength; and to cheer him up with the alacrity of his loving
spirit。 When a son takes a father into his warm heart it renews the old
man's youth in a better way than by the heat of Medea's magic caldron。
And this was what Theseus resolved to do。 He could scarcely wait to see
whether King Aegeus would recognize him; so eager was he to throw
himself into his arms。
Advancing to the foot of the throne; he attempted to make a little
speech; which he had been thinking about; as he came up the stairs。 But he
was almost choked by a great many tender feelings that gushed out of his
heart and swelled into his throat; all struggling to find utterance together。
And therefore; unless he could have laid his full; over… brimming heart
into the king's hand; poor Theseus knew not what to do or say。 T