“Why, pray, maiden, dost thou fear me so much, all alone as I am?  Never was I one of these idle boasters such as other men are—­not even aforetime, when I dwelt in my own country.  Wherefore, maiden, be not too much abashed before me, either to enquire whatever thou wilt or to speak thy mind.  But since we have met one another with friendly hearts, in a hallowed spot, where it is wrong to sin, speak openly and ask questions, and beguile me not with pleasing words, for at the first thou didst promise thy sister to give me the charms my heart desires.  I implore thee by Hecate herself, by thy parents, and by Zeus who holds his guardian hand over strangers and suppliants; I come here to thee both a suppliant and a stranger, bending the knee in my sore need.  For without thee and thy sister never shall I prevail in the grievous contest.  And to thee will I render thanks hereafter for thy aid, as is right and fitting for men who dwell far off, making glorious thy name and fame; and the rest of the heroes, returning to Hellas, will spread thy renown and so will the heroes’ wives and mothers, who now perhaps are sitting on the shore and making moan for us; their painful affliction thou mightest scatter to the winds.  In days past the maiden Ariadne, daughter of Minos, with kindly intent rescued Theseus from grim contests—­the maiden whom Pasiphae daughter of Helios bare.  But she, when Minos had lulled his wrath to rest, went aboard the ship with him and left her fatherland; and her even the immortal gods loved, and, as a sign in mid-sky, a crown of stars, which men call Ariadne’s crown, rolls along all night among the heavenly constellations.  So to thee too shall be thanks from the gods, if thou wilt save so mighty an array of chieftains.  For surely from thy lovely form thou art like to excel in gentle courtesy.”

Thus he spake, honouring her; and she cast her eyes down with a smile divinely sweet; and her soul melted within her, uplifted by his praise, and she gazed upon him face to face; nor did she know what word to utter first, but was eager to pour out everything at once.  And forth from her fragrant girdle ungrudgingly she brought out the charm; and he at once received it in his hands with joy.  And she would even have drawn out all her soul from her breast and given it to him, exulting in his desire; so wonderfully did love flash forth a sweet flame from the golden head of Aeson’s son; and he captivated her gleaming eyes; and her heart within grew warm, melting away as the dew melts away round roses when warmed by the morning’s light.  And now both were fixing their eyes on the ground abashed, and again were throwing glances at each other, smiling with the light of love beneath their radiant brows.  And at last and scarcely then did the maiden greet him: