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Updated: May 23, 2025
But Polydectes the wicked knew him, and hardened his heart still more; and scornfully he called 'Ah, foundling! have you found it more easy to promise than to fulfil? 'Those whom the Gods help fulfil their promises; and those who despise them, reap as they have sown. Behold the Gorgon's head! Then Perseus drew back the goat-skin, and held aloft the Gorgon's head.
Who are you, and whence? Surely you are some king's daughter, and this boy belongs to the gods." And as he spoke he pointed to the babe, for its face shone like the morning star. But Danæ only held down her head and sobbed out, "Tell me to what land I have come, and among what men I have fallen." And he said, "Polydectes is King of this isle, and he is my brother.
But, this morning, I flatter myself, I have thought of precisely the article." "And can I assist Your Majesty in obtaining it?" cried Perseus, eagerly. "You can, if you are as brave a youth as I believe you to be," replied King Polydectes, with the utmost graciousness of manner.
At that height, when the screams of those abominable creatures sounded faintly beneath him, he made a straight course for the island of Seriphus, in order to carry Medusa's head to King Polydectes.
Long before this time King Polydectes had seen the two strangers the mother and her child who had come to his dominions in a floating chest. As he was not good and kind, like his brother the fisherman, but extremely wicked, he resolved to send Perseus on a dangerous enterprise, in which he would probably be killed, and then to do some great mischief to Danaë herself.
When he came to the hall, Polydectes sat at the table, and all his nobles on either side, feasting on fish and goats' flesh, and drinking blood-red wine. Perseus stood upon the threshold and called to the King by name. But none of the guests knew the stranger, for he was changed by his long journey. He had gone out a boy, and he was come home a hero.
"This instant," repeated Polydectes, "or you die!" "Behold it then!" cried Perseus in a voice like the blast of a trumpet. And suddenly holding up the head, not an eyelid had time to wink before the wicked King Polydectes, his evil counselors and all his fierce subjects were no longer anything but the mere images of a monarch and his people.
Show us the head!" shouted the people; and there was a fierceness in their cry as if they would tear Perseus to pieces, unless he should satisfy them with what he had to show. "Show us the head of Medusa with the snaky locks!" A feeling of sorrow and pity came over the youthful Perseus. "O King Polydectes," cried he, "and ye many people, I am very loath to show you the Gorgon's head!"
On a platform within full view of the balcony sat the mighty King Polydectes, amid his evil counselors, and with his flattering courtiers in a semi-circle round about him. Monarch, counselors, courtiers and subjects all gazed eagerly toward Perseus. "Show us the head!
And they came swiftly towards Perseus, and he fell down and worshiped, for he knew they were more than mortal. But Athene spoke gently to him and bade him have no fear. "Perseus," she said, "you have braved Polydectes, and done manfully. Dare you brave Medusa the Gorgon?" Perseus answered, "Try me, for since you spoke to me, new courage has come into my soul."
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