So Lichas the herald departed, bearing the robe. But after no long time
the Queen ran forth from the palace in great fear, wringing her hands,
and crying to the maidens, her companions, that she was sore afraid lest
in ignorance she had done some great mischief. And when they would know
the cause of her grief and fear, she spake, saying, "A very marvellous
and terrible thing hath befallen me. There was a morsel of sheep's wool
which I dipped into the charm, even the blood of the Centaur, that I
might anoint therewith the robe which ye saw me send to my husband. Now,
this morsel of wool hath perished altogether. But that ye may understand
this thing the better, I will set it forth to you at length. Know then
that I have not forgotten aught of the things which the Centaur
commanded me when he gave me this charm, but have kept them in my heart,
even as if they were written on bronze. Now he bade me keep the thing
where neither light of the sun nor fire might touch it. And this have I
done; and when I anointed the robe, I anointed it in secret, in a
certain dark place in the palace; but the morsel of wool wherewith I
anointed it I threw, not heeding, into the sunshine. And, lo! it hath
wasted till it is like unto dust which falleth when a man saweth wood.
And from the earth whereon it lay there arise great bubbles of foam,
like to the bubbles which arise when men pour into the vats the juice of
the vine. And now I know not what I should say; for indeed, though I
thought not so of the matter before, it seemeth not a thing to be
believed that this Centaur should wish well to the man that slew him.
Haply he deceived me, that he might work him woe. For I know that this
is a very deadly poison, seeing that Chiron also suffered grievously by
reason of it, albeit he was a god. Now if this be so, as I fear, then
have I, and I only, slain my husband."

And she had scarce finished these words when Hyllus her son came in
great haste; and when he saw her, he cried, "O my mother! would that I
had found thee dead, or that thou wert not my mother, or that thou wert
of a better mind than I know thee to be of."

But she said, "What have I done, my son, that thou so abhorrest me?"

"This day thou hast done my father to death."

"What sayest thou? Who told thee this horrible thing that thou bringest
against me?"

"I saw it with mine own eyes. And if thou wilt hear the whole matter,
hearken. My father, having taken with his spear the c