Part II - How Theseus Slew The Devourers Of Men

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'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 Pallantids 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 neighbour 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 of Troezene is here, and asks to be his guest awhile.'

A servant ran and told AEgeus, where he sat in his chamber within, by Medeia the dark witch-woman, watching her eye and hand. And when AEgeus heard of Troezene he turned pale and red again, and rose from his seat trembling, while Medeia watched him like a snake.

'What is Troezene 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; but that he came from Troezene, I never heard before. I must go out and welcome him.'

So AEgeus came out 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 said, '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.'

And old AEgeus looked on him, and loved him, as what fond heart would not have done? But he only sighed, and said -

'It is little that I can give you, noble lad, and nothing that is worthy of you; for surely you are no mortal man, or at least no mortal's son.'

'All I ask,' said Theseus, 'is to eat and drink at your table.'

'That I can give you,' said AEgeus, 'if at least I am master in my own hall.'

Then he bade them put a seat for Theseus, and set before him the best of the feast; and Theseus sat and ate so much, that all the company wondered at him: but always he kept his club by his side.