s went on sadly and steadfastly, for his heart yearned after
his father. He went up the holy stairs to the spot where the palace
of AEgeus stood. He went straight into the hall and stood upon the
threshold and looked round.

He saw his cousins sitting at the table, and loud they laughed and
fast they passed the wine-cup round, but no AEgeus sat among them.

They saw Theseus and called to him, "Holla, tall stranger at the door,
what is your will to-day?"

"I come to ask for hospitality."

"Then take it and welcome. You look like a hero and a bold warrior,
and we like such to drink with us."

"I ask no hospitality of you; I ask it of AEgeus the King, the master
of this house."

At that some growled, and some laughed and shouted, "Heyday! we are
all masters here."

"Then I am master as much as the rest of you," said Theseus, and he
strode past the table up the hall, and looked around for AEgeus, but he
was nowhere to be seen.

The revelers looked at him and then at each other, and each whispered
to the man next him, "This is a forward fellow; he ought to be thrust
out at the door."

But each man's neighbor whispered in return, "His shoulders are broad;
will you rise and put him out?" So they all sat still where they were.

Then Theseus called to the servants and said, "Go tell King AEgeus,
your master, that Theseus is here and asks to be his guest awhile."

A servant ran and told AEgeus, where he sat in his chamber with Medeia,
the dark witch-woman, watching her eye and hand.

And when AEgeus heard of Theseus he turned pale and again red, and rose
from his seat trembling, while Medeia, the witch, watched him like a
snake.

"What is Theseus to you?" she asked.

But he said hastily, "Do you not know who this Theseus is? The hero
who has cleared the country from all monsters. I must go out and
welcome him."

So AEgeus came into the hall, and when Theseus saw him his heart leapt
into his mouth, and he longed to fall on his neck and welcome him.
But he controlled himself and thought, "My father may not wish for me,
after all. I will try him before I discover myself." And he bowed low
before AEgeus and said, "I have delivered the King's realm from many
monsters, therefore I am come to ask a reward of the King."

Old AEgeus looked on him and loved him, but he only sighed and said,
"It is little that I can give you, noble lad, and nothing that is
worthy of you."

"All I ask," said Theseus, "is to eat and dri