Myths of Greece and Rome Part 14

[Ill.u.s.tration: HERCULES AT THE FEET OF OMPHALE.--Gleyre.]

However unworthy these effeminate tasks may seem for such a hero, they proved very agreeable indeed to Hercules, who, having fallen in love with his new mistress, seemed to wish nothing better than to remain her slave forever, and end his days in idleness and pleasure. Great labors were awaiting his mighty arm, however; and the G.o.ds, at the appointed time, freed him from his bondage to the Lydian queen, and bade him go forth and do all the good in his power.

[Sidenote: Hercules and Deianeira]

In the course of his wanderings, Hercules next met Deianeira, daughter of Oeneus, and, having fallen in love with her, expressed a desire to marry her. But unfortunately another suitor, the river G.o.d Achelous, had already won the father's consent.

"Achelous came, The river G.o.d, to ask a father's voice, And s.n.a.t.c.hed me to his arms."

Sophocles (Francklin's tr.).

So sure was this suitor of his attractions, that he did not even deem it necessary to secure the maiden's good graces; and when Hercules made known his love, she immediately promised to marry him, if he would only free her from the lover her father would fain force upon her. Delighted to be able to win his bride and punish his rival at the same time, Hercules challenged Achelous; and now began a wrestling match, the fame of which has come down to us through all the intervening centuries.

Achelous was an opponent worthy of Hercules, and, besides, took advantage of his power to change his form at will, further to perplex and hara.s.s the st.u.r.dy hero. At last he a.s.sumed the shape of a bull, and with lowered horns rushed toward Hercules, intending to toss him aside. The hero, skillfully avoiding his first onset, seized him by one of his great thickset horns, and held it so firmly that all the bull's efforts to free himself from his powerful grasp were vain, until the horn broke.

The G.o.ddess of Plenty, the Attican Fortuna, a witness of this strange combat, appropriated the broken horn, stuffed her treasures in its hollow, and was so well pleased with the effect, that she decreed it should henceforth be one of her attributes. The fight, only temporarily suspended, was now resumed with redoubled ardor, for each of the lovers was intent upon winning the hand of the fair Deianeira.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FORTUNA. (Vatican, Rome.)]

"Warm, and more warm the conflict grows: Dire was the noise of rattling bows, Of front to front opposed, and hand to hand: Deep was the animated strife For love, for conquest, and for life."

Sophocles (Francklin's tr.).

The victory, though long uncertain, finally rested with Hercules, who triumphantly departed with his hard-won bride, for his destiny would not permit him to tarry long in any place. Instead of wandering alone now, with none to cheer or sympathize, Hercules had Deianeira ever at his side; and after many days they came to the river Evenus, whose usually shallow and peaceful waters were swollen and turbid, for violent rainstorms had recently swept over that portion of the country.

[Sidenote: Story of Nessus.]

Hercules paused for a moment to contemplate the stream, and glanced about for some safe mode to transport Deianeira across. While he was thus considering, a Centaur by the name of Nessus came to his a.s.sistance, and proposed to carry the fair young bride to the other sh.o.r.e in complete safety, if she would but consent to mount upon his broad back.

"The h.o.a.ry centaur, who was wont for hire To bear the traveler o'er the rapid flood Of deep Evenus: not with oars or sail He stemm'd the torrent, but with nervous arm Opposed and pa.s.s'd it; me, when first a bride, I left my father's hospitable roof With my Alcides, in his arms he bore Athwart the current."

Sophocles (Francklin's tr.).

Hercules, only too glad to avail himself of the Centaur's kind offer of a.s.sistance, quickly helped Deianeira to mount, saw them descend into the water, and prepared to follow, holding his bow and arrows aloft in one hand, and breasting the waves with the other.

Now, the Centaur Nessus did not often have the good fortune to carry such a pretty pa.s.senger as Deianeira over the river, and as he swam he made up his mind to gallop off with her as soon as he reached the opposite sh.o.r.e. All his strength and energy, therefore, were called into requisition; and when he reached the sh.o.r.e, instead of pausing to allow his fair burden to dismount, he set off as fast as he could run.

[Sidenote: Nessus' robe.]

A loud shriek from Deianeira attracted Hercules' attention, and a second later one of his poisoned arrows had brought the would-be ravisher to the ground, pierced through the heart. With dying accents the Centaur Nessus professed repentance, and bade Deianeira take his robe,--but slightly stained with the blood which gushed from the wound inflicted by the poisoned arrow,--and keep it carefully, for it had magic power; and if she ever found her husband's love waning, he a.s.sured her, that, could she but induce him to put it on, all his early affection would revive, as pure and fervent as during their honeymoon.

"'Take This white robe. It is costly. See, my blood Has stained it but a little. I did wrong: I know it, and repent me. If there come A time when he grows cold--for all the race Of heroes wander, nor can any love Fix theirs for long--take it and wrap him in it, And he shall love again.'"

Lewis Morris.

Deianeira gratefully accepted the proffered gift, and promised to treasure it up carefully, although she sincerely hoped she would never be called upon to make use of it. Years pa.s.sed by. Hercules often left Deianeira to deliver the oppressed and relieve the suffering, for people came from great distances to ask for his aid; and although his absences were sometimes prolonged, he always returned to her side, as loving as ever, and she had no cause for complaint. Finally duty took him back to the court of Eurytus, where he beheld Iole, whom he had seen and loved in the beginning of his career, but whom he had been obliged to leave to fulfill his arduous tasks. She was still young and charming, and his first glance into her sweet face rekindled all his former pa.s.sion. Day after day he lingered by her side, forgetful of duty, Deianeira, and all but his first dream of love and happiness. When absent, Deianeira was wont to hear rumors of his heroic achievements; but on this occasion the only report which reached her ear was that he had returned to his allegiance to his first love, and this roused her jealousy, so long dormant.

[Sidenote: Deianeira's jealousy.]

Finally she heard that Hercules was wending his way homeward again, and her heart bounded with joy, but only to sink more heavily when told that he was accompanied by Iole and a numerous train. Then she remembered the long-forgotten gift of the Centaur. With trembling hands she sought the glittering robe, gave it to a messenger, and bade him hasten to meet Hercules, and prevail upon him to wear it for his triumphant return. The messenger, Lichas, hastened to do her bidding, and Deianeira waited with fast-beating heart for the success of her venture.

"I only wish the charm may be of power To win Alcides from this virgin's love, And bring him back to Deianeira's arms."

Sophocles (Francklin's tr.).

Lichas acquitted himself faithfully of his errand; and Hercules, viewing the costly garment, and anxious to appear to his best advantage before the bright eyes of Iole, immediately donned the richly embroidered robe.

[Sidenote: Hercules' death.]

He had no sooner put it on, than the Centaur's poisoned blood began its deadly work. First he experienced a burning, stinging sensation, which ran like fire through every vein. Vainly he tried to tear off the fatal garment. It clung to his limbs, and the poison ate its way into his flesh, until the pain was greater than he could bear.

[Ill.u.s.tration: FARNESE HERCULES. (National Museum, Naples.)]

In his rage at the trick which had been played upon him, he seized Lichas--the unfortunate bearer of the poisoned robe--by the foot, and flung him from the heights of Mount Oeta down into the sea, where he perished.

"And Lichas from the top of Oeta threw Into th' Euboic Sea."

Milton.

Then, resolved to end these unendurable torments by a death worthy of his whole life, Hercules called his servants, and bade them build his funeral pyre on the mountain peak; but they, in tears, refused to obey, for they could not bear the thought of parting with their beloved master. Commands and entreaties alike failed to move them: so Hercules climbed up the mountain side alone, tore up the huge oaks by their roots, flung them one upon the other until he had raised a mighty pile, upon which he stretched his colossal, pain-racked limbs, and bade his friend Philoctetes set fire to the stupendous ma.s.s.

At first Philoctetes also refused to do his bidding; but, bribed by the promise of the world-renowned poisoned arrows, he finally consented to do as Hercules wished, and the red flames rose higher and higher, the wood crackled and burned, and the hero was soon enveloped in sheets of flame, which purged him from all mortality.

Then Jupiter came down from his glorious abode, caught the n.o.ble soul in his mighty arms, and bore it off to Olympus, there to dwell in happiness forever with Hebe, the fair G.o.ddess of youth, whose hand was given him in marriage.

"Till the G.o.d, the earthly part forsaken, From the man in flames asunder taken, Drank the heavenly ethers' purer breath. Joyous in the new, unwonted lightness, Earth's dark, heavy burden lost in death. High Olympus gives harmonious greeting To the hall where reigns his sire adored; Youth's bright G.o.ddess, with a blush at meeting, Gives the nectar to her lord."

Schiller (S. G. B.'s tr.).

[Sidenote: Wors.h.i.+p of Hercules.]

Hercules, the special divinity of athletic sports and of strength, was princ.i.p.ally wors.h.i.+ped by young men. He is generally represented in art as a tall, powerfully built man, with a small, bearded head, a lion's skin carelessly thrown over his shoulder, and leaning upon a ma.s.sive club.

"Great Alcides, stooping with his toil, Rests on his club."

Pope.

It is said that some of the games celebrated at Olympia were held in his honor, although originally inst.i.tuted by him in honor of Jupiter, his father. The Nemean Games, celebrated in the forest of Nemea, the scene of his first great labor, were the princ.i.p.al games held in Greece in commemoration of his n.o.ble deeds and early death.

CHAPTER XX.

PERSEUS.

[Sidenote: Acrisius and Danae.]

The life of Acrisius, King of Argos, had been a burden to him ever since the unfortunate day when an oracle had predicted that he would be killed by his grandson. Until then the king had been very fond of his only child, Danae, and until then, too, had thought with pride of the time when he would bestow her hand in marriage upon the n.o.blest of all who came to woo.

Now his plans were all changed, and his only wish was to keep her unmated,--a somewhat difficult task, for the maiden was very fair, and Acrisius knew that the wily G.o.d of Love would endeavor to find some way to outwit him and bring his plans to naught. After much thought, Acrisius decided to lock Danae up in a brazen tower, around which he stationed guards to prevent any one from even approaching the captive princess.

But, although safely concealed from the eyes of men, Danae was plainly seen by the everlasting G.o.ds; and Jupiter, looking down from Olympus, beheld her in all her loveliness and in all her loneliness. She was seated on top of her brazen tower, her eyes wistfully turned toward the city, where girls of her age enjoyed freedom, and were allowed to marry when they pleased.

[Sidenote: The shower of gold.]

Jupiter, pitying her isolation and admiring her beauty, resolved to go down and converse with her for a little while. To avoid being seen, he changed himself into a golden shower, and gently dropped down on the turret beside her, where his presence and spirited conversation soon won the maiden's heart.

"Danae, in a brazen tower Where no love was, loved a shower."

Sh.e.l.ley.

This first successful visit was frequently repeated, and Danae no longer felt lonely and deserted, for Jupiter spent most of his time with her, pursuing his courts.h.i.+p most diligently, and finally winning her to a secret marriage, to which no one offered the slightest objection, as no one suspected his visits, which he continued quite unmolested.

[Sidenote: Birth of Perseus.]

But one morning the guards rushed in terror to Acrisius' palace to announce that Danae, his daughter, had given birth to a son, who, on account of his beauty, was called Perseus. The king no sooner learned this astonis.h.i.+ng news, than he flew into a great rage, vowed that mother and child should perish, and dispatched the guards to fetch the unfortunate victims.

Acrisius, however, was not cruel enough to stain his own hands with his child's blood, or to witness her execution: so he ordered that she should be placed in an empty cask with her helpless infant, and exposed to the fury of the waves. These orders were speedily executed; and Danae's heart sank with terror when she felt the cask buffeted about by the great waves far out of sight of land, and out of all reach of help. Clasping her babe close to her bosom, she fervently prayed the G.o.ds to watch over them both, and bring them in safety to some hospitable sh.o.r.e.

"When round the well-fram'd ark the blowing blast Roar'd, and the heaving whirlpools of the deep With rough'ning surge seem'd threatening to o'erturn The wide-tost vessel, not with tearless cheeks The mother round her infant gently twined Her tender arm, and cried, 'Ah me! my child! What sufferings I endure! thou sleep'st the while, Inhaling in thy milky-breathing breast The balm of slumber.'"

Simonides (Elton's tr.).

[Sidenote: Danae at Seriphus.]

Her piteous prayer was evidently heard, for, after much tossing, the cask was finally washed ash.o.r.e on the Island of Seriphus, where Polydectes, the king, kindly received mother and child. Here Perseus, the golden-haired, grew to manhood, and here made his first appearance in games and combats.

In the mean while, Polydectes had fallen in love with Danae, and expressed his desire to marry her; but Danae did not return his affections, and would not consent. Angry at her persistent refusal of his proposals, Polydectes wished to compel her to obey, and thereby incurred the wrath of young Perseus, who loudly declared that none should dare force his mother as long as he were there to defend her. This boast did not at all allay the monarch's wrath; and, hoping to get rid of the young boaster, he bade him go forth and slay Medusa, if he wished to convince people that his bravery was real.

[Sidenote: The Gorgons.]

This Medusa was one of the three Gorgons. Her sisters, Euryale and Stheno, although immortal, had never had any claims to beauty; but Medusa, when only a girl, had been considered very handsome indeed. Her home, in a land where the sun never shone, was very distasteful to her, so she entreated Minerva to let her go and visit the beautiful sunny south.

But when Minerva refused to grant her wish, she reviled the G.o.ddess, and declared that nothing but a conviction that mortals would no longer consider her beautiful if they but once beheld Medusa, could have prompted this denial. This presumptuous remark so incensed Minerva, that, to punish her for her vanity, she changed her beautiful curling locks into hissing, writhing serpents, and decreed that one glance into her still beautiful face would suffice to change the beholder into stone.

"Fatal Beauty! thou didst seem The phantom of some fearful dream. Extremes of horror and of love Alternate o'er our senses move, As, rapt and spellbound, we survey The horrid coils which round thee play, And mark thy wild, enduring smile, Lit by no mortal fire the while, Formed to attract all eyes to thee, And yet their withering blight to be; Thy power mysterious to congeal And from life's blood its warmth to steal, To petrify the mortal clay In its first gleam of wild dismay, Is a dread gift to one like thee, Cursed with a hateful destiny."

Mrs. St. John.

[Sidenote: Perseus' quest.]

The G.o.ds, who had carefully watched over Perseus through his childhood and youth, now decided to lend him their aid, so that he might successfully accomplish the great task of slaying Medusa. Pluto lent him a magic helmet, which made the wearer invisible at will; Mercury attached his own winged sandals to the youth's heels, to endow him with great rapidity of flight; while Minerva armed him with her own mirrorlike s.h.i.+eld, the dreadful AEgis.

"Minerva thus to Perseus lent her s.h.i.+eld; Secure of conquest, sent him to the field: The hero acted what the queen ordain'd, So was his fame complete."

Prior.

[Sidenote: The Graeae.]

Thus equipped, Perseus flew northward until he came to the land of perpetual darkness, the home of the Graeae, three horrible sisters, who possessed but one eye and one tooth, which they handed about and used in turn, and who were the only living beings cognizant of the place where Medusa dwelt.

Invisible by virtue of his magic helmet, Perseus drew near the cave without fear of detection, and intercepted the eye while on its way from one sister to another. As soon as it was safe in his possession, he spoke to them, promising to restore it if they would only give him accurate directions for finding Medusa. The sisters, eager to recover the treasured eye, immediately gave the desired information; and Perseus, having honorably fulfilled his share of the contract, departed in search of Medusa.

[Sidenote: Death of Medusa.]

Perseus at last perceived the Gorgon's home in the dim distance; and, as he was fully aware of Medusa's petrifying proclivities, he advanced very cautiously, holding his s.h.i.+eld before him at such an angle that all surrounding objects were clearly reflected on its smooth, mirrorlike surface.

He thus discovered Medusa asleep, raised his sword, and, without looking at anything but her mirrored form, severed her head from her body, seized it in one hand, and, holding it persistently behind his back, flew away in great haste, lest the two remaining Gorgons should fall upon him and attempt to avenge their sister's death.

[Sidenote: Birth of snakes.]

Perseus then swiftly winged his way over land and sea, carefully holding his ghastly trophy behind him; and as he flew, Medusa's blood trickled down on the hot African sand, where it gave birth to a race of poisonous reptiles destined to infest the region in future ages, and cause the death of many an adventurous explorer. The drops which fell into the sea were utilized by Neptune, who created from them the famous winged steed called Pegasus (p. 154).

"And the life drops from thy head On Libyan sands, by Perseus shed, Sprang a scourging race from thee-- Fell types of artful mystery."

Mrs. St. John.

The return journey was long and wearisome, and on his way the hero had many adventures. Once, when flying high above a mountainous country, he caught a glimpse of Atlas, his pale face turned up to the heavens, whose weight he had patiently borne for many a long year,--a burden which seemed all the more grievous after the short taste of freedom he had enjoyed while Hercules stood in his place (pp. 228-9),-- [Ill.u.s.tration: PERSEUS.--Cellini. (Loggia de' Lanzi, Florence.)]

"Supporting on his shoulders the vast pillar Of Heaven and Earth, a weight of c.u.mbrous grasp."

AEschylus (Potter's tr.).

[Sidenote: Atlas petrified.]

When Atlas saw Perseus flying toward him, hope revived, for he remembered that Fate had decreed that it was this hero who was to slay the Gorgon; and he thought, that, if he could but once gaze upon her stony face, he would be free from pain and weariness forever. As soon as the hero was within hearing, Atlas therefore addressed him as follows:-- "'Hasten now, Perseus, and let me look upon the Gorgon's face, for the agony of my labor is well-nigh greater than I can bear.' So Perseus hearkened unto the word of Atlas, and he unveiled before him the dead face of Medusa. Eagerly he gazed for a moment on the changeless countenance, as though beneath the blackness of great horror he yet saw the wreck of her ancient beauty and pitied her for her hopeless woe. But in an instant the straining eyes were stiff and cold; and it seemed to Perseus, as he rose again into the pale yellow air, that the gray hairs which streamed from the giant's head were like the snow which rests on the peak of a great mountain, and that in place of the trembling limbs he saw only the rents and clefts on a rough hillside."

Thus the mere sight of Medusa changed Atlas into the rugged mountains which have since borne his name; and, as their summits are lost in the clouds, the ancients supposed they sustained the full weight of the heavenly vault.

[Sidenote: Story of Andromeda.]

Thence Perseus flew on until he reached the seash.o.r.e, where a strange sight greeted him. Away down on the "rock-bound coast," so near the foaming billows that their spray continually dashed over her fair limbs, a lovely maiden was chained fast to an overhanging rock. This maiden was the Princess Andromeda. To atone for the vanity of her mother, Ca.s.siopeia, who claimed she was fairer than any of the sea nymphs, she had been exposed there as prey for a terrible sea monster sent to devastate the homes along the coast.

[Ill.u.s.tration: PERSEUS AND ANDROMEDA.--Coypel.]

An oracle, when consulted, declared that the monster would not depart until Andromeda was sacrificed to his fury; and Perseus could even now perceive the receding procession which had solemnly accompanied her to the appointed place of sacrifice, and chained her fast.

At the same time, too, he saw the waters below the maiden lashed to foam by the monster's tail, and the scales of his hideous body slowly rising up out of the water. Fascinated by this horrible sight, the maiden's eyes were fixed on the monster. She did not see the rapid approach of her deliverer, who, dauntless, drew his sword from its scabbard, and, swooping down, attacked the monster, cheered by the shouts of the people, who had seen him, and now rushed back to witness the slaying of their foe.

"On the hills a shout Of joy, and on the rocks the ring of mail; And while the hungry serpent's gloating eyes Were fixed on me, a knight in casque of gold And blazing s.h.i.+eld, who with his flas.h.i.+ng blade Fell on the monster. Long the conflict raged, Till all the rocks were red with blood and slime, And yet my champion from those horrible jaws And dreadful coils was scathless."

Lewis Morris.