METAMORPHOSESBOOK V you were, and promised husband: will you grieve, besides, that someone did save her, and will you rolb hin of his prize? If this prize seems so precious in your sight, you should have taken it from those rocks where it was chained. Now let the man who did take it, by whom I have been saved from childless- ess in my old age, keep what he has gained by his deeds and by my promise. And be ssured of this: that he has not been preferred to deserving you, but to certain death." Phineus made no reply; but, looking now on him now on Perseus, he was in doubt at which to aim his spear. Delaying a little space, he hurled it with all the strength that wrath gave at Perseus; but in vain. When the weapon struck and stood fast in the bench, then at last Perseus leapt gallantly up and hurled back the spear, which would have pierced his foeman's heart; but Phineus had already taken refuge behind the altar, and, shame ! the wretch found safety there. Still was the weapon not without effect, for it struck full in Rhoetus' face. Down he fell, and when the spear had been wrenched forth from the bone he writhed about and sprinkled the well-spread table with his blood. And now the mob was fired to wrath un- quenchable. They hurled their spears, and there were some who said that Ceplheus ought to perish with his son-in-law. But Cepheus had already with- drawn from the palace, calling to witness Justice, Faith, and the gods of hospitality that this was done against his protest. Then came warlike Pallas, pro- tecting her brother with her shield, and making and him stout of heart, There was an Indian youth, Athis by name, whon Limnaee, a nymph of Ganges' stream, is said to have 241
