'
And Theseus promised, and went out, and to the market-place where
the herald stood, while they drew lots for the youths and maidens,
who were to sail in that doleful crew. And the people stood
wailing and weeping, as the lot fell on this one and on that; but
Theseus strode into the midst, and cried--'Here is a youth who
needs no lot. I myself will be one of the seven.'
And the herald asked in wonder, 'Fair youth, know you whither you
are going?'
And Theseus said, 'I know. Let us go down to the black-sailed
ship.'
So they went down to the black-sailed ship, seven maidens, and
seven youths, and Theseus before them all, and the people following
them lamenting. But Theseus whispered to his companions, 'Have
hope, for the monster is not immortal. Where are Periphetes, and
Sinis, and Sciron, and all whom I have slain?' Then their hearts
were comforted a little; but they wept as they went on board, and
the cliffs of Sunium rang, and all the isles of the AEgean Sea,
with the voice of their lamentation, as they sailed on toward their
deaths in Crete.
PART III--HOW THESEUS SLEW THE MINOTAUR
And at last they came to Crete, and to Cnossus, beneath the peaks
of Ida, and to the palace of Minos the great king, to whom Zeus
himself taught laws. So he was the wisest of all mortal kings, and
conquered all the AEgean isles; and his ships were as many as the
sea-gulls, and his palace like a marble hill.
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