But Theseus stood before Minos, and they looked each other in
the face. And Minos bade take them to prison, and cast them
to the monster one by one, that the death of Androgeos might
be avenged. Then Theseus cried -
'A boon, O Minos! Let me be thrown first to the beast. For
I came hither for that very purpose, of my own will, and not
by lot.'
'Who art thou, then, brave youth?'
'I am the son of him whom of all men thou hatest most, AEgeus
the king of Athens, and I am come here to end this matter.'
And Minos pondered awhile, looking steadfastly at him, and he
thought, 'The lad means to atone by his own death for his
father's sin;' and he answered at last mildly -
'Go back in peace, my son. It is a pity that one so brave
should die.'
But Theseus said, 'I have sworn that I will not go back till
I have seen the monster face to face.'
And at that Minos frowned, and said, 'Then thou shalt see
him; take the madman away.'
And they led Theseus away into the prison, with the other
youths and maids.
But Ariadne, Minos' daughter, saw him, as she came out of her
white stone hall; and she loved him for his courage and his
majesty, and said, 'Shame that such a youth should die!' And
by night she went down to the prison, and told him all her
heart; and said -
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