A WONDER-BOOK
entirely covered with roses. They took possession of his ponderous club, and so entwined it about with the brightest, softest, and most fragrant blossoms, that not a finger’s breadth of its oaken substance could be seen. It looked all like a huge bunch of flowers. Lastly, they joined hands, and danced around him, chanting words which became poetry of their own accord, and grew into a choral song, in honour of the illustrious Hercules.
And Hercules was rejoiced, as any other hero would have been, to know that these fair young girls had heard of the valiant deeds which it had cost him so much toil and danger to achieve. But, still, he was not satisfied. He could not think that what he had already done was worthy of so much honour, while there remained any bold or difficult adventure to be undertaken.
‘Dear maidens,’ said he, when they paused to take breath, ‘now that you know my name, will you not tell me how I am to reach the garden of the Hesperides?’
‘Ah! must you go so soon?’ they exclaimed. ‘You–that have performed so many wonders, and spent such a toilsome life–cannot you content yourself to repose a little while on the margin of this peaceful river?’
Hercules shook his head.
‘I must depart now,’ said he.
‘We will then give you the best directions we can,’ replied the damsels. ‘You must go to the sea-shore, and find out the Old One, and compel him to inform you where the golden apples are to be found.’
‘The Old One!’ repeated Hercules, laughing at this odd name. ‘And, pray, who may the Old One be?’
‘Why, the Old Man of the Sea, to be sure!’ answered
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