[Illustration]
This hero, one of the most celebrated of antiquity, was the son of Aegeus,
by Aethra, daughter of Pittheus, though not publicly acknowledged to be the
King of Athens, being educated at Traezene, in the house of Pittheus. When
he came to maturity, he was sent by his mother to Aegeus, and a sword which
had been hidden beneath a stone until he became of age, and by which he was
to {198} make himself known to his parent, was shown to him, and ordered to
be taken. The usual journey for travellers to his father's court, at
Athens, was by sea, but Theseus determined to signalise himself by
encountering the dangers which attended the journey on land, and which
consisted in robbers and wild beasts, rendering the road almost impassable:
however, these obstacles were all met, and destroyed by his courage. He
arrived at Athens in safety, where his reception was not so cordial as he
hoped, for Medea, who resided with Aegeus, felt that her influence with
this monarch would be destroyed, if once Theseus gained his proper footing
in his father's house, and she tried to poison him before his return was
known to the Athenians. With a refinement of cruelty, she endeavoured to
make Aegeus give a cup of poison to him, as an unknown stranger at a feast;
but the sword at his side saved Theseus, for his father recognised it, and
introduced him to the people of Athens as his son, all of whom gladly
hailed the illustrious man, who had cleansed them of robbers and pirates,
as the offspring of their monarch.
The Pallantides, however, who expected to succeed their uncle on his
throne, were enraged at the reception of Theseus, and attempted to
assassinate him; their barbarous intent recoiled upon themselves, for they
were all slain by young Theseus.
The bull of Marathon which ravaged the neighbouring country, next engaged
his attention, and taking the animal alive, he led it through the streets
of Athens, previously to sacrificing it on the altar of Minerva.
At this time, the Minotaur was receiving the annual tribute of seven of the
noblest youth of Athens, and Theseus could not fail of being ranked among
them, to be devoured by the monster.
------------"The Minotaur was fed,
With human victims for Androgeos dead.
The flower of Athens were compelled to bleed,
For thus the cruel oracle decreed,
Till Theseus; to preserve his country's blood,
Himself devoted for the public good."