"
Then the old man looked back to his companions; and one sighed and
another smiled; at last he said: "I will tell you, lest you rush upon
your ruin unawares. The oracle in Delphi has said, that a man wearing
one sandal should take the kingdom from Pelias, and keep it for
himself. Therefore beware how you go up to his palace, for he is the
fiercest and most cunning of all kings."
Then Jason laughed a great laugh, like a war horse in his pride: "Good
news, good father, both for you and me. For that very end I came into
the town."
Then he strode on toward the palace of Pelias, while all the people
wondered at his bearing.
And he stood in the doorway and cried, "Come out, come out, Pelias the
valiant, and fight for your kingdom like a man."
Pelias came out wondering, and "Who are you, bold youth?" he cried.
"I am Jason, the son of AEson, the heir of all this land."
Then Pelias lifted up his hands and eyes, and wept, or seemed to weep;
and blessed the heavens which had brought his nephew to him, never to
leave him more. "For," said he, "I have but three daughters, and no son
to be my heir. You shall be my heir then, and rule the kingdom after me,
and marry whichsoever of my daughters you shall choose; though a sad
kingdom you will find it, and whosoever rules it a miserable man. But
come in, come in, and feast."
So he drew Jason in, whether he would or not, and spoke to him so
lovingly and feasted him so well, that Jason's anger passed; and after
supper his three cousins came into the hall, and Jason thought that he
should like well enough to have one of them for his wife.
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