Page:Gesta Romanorum - Swan - Wright - 2.djvu/307

Rh Athanagoras, fearing lest another might demand her in marriage, threw himself at the king's feet, and modestly intimating how instrumental he had been in promoting their happy re-union, besought him to bestow his child upon him. "I cannot deny you," returned Apollonius, "for you have alleviated her sorrows, and been the means of my present and future happiness. Take her. But deeply shall Leno feel my vengeance." Athanagoras immmediately [sic] returned to the city, and convoked an assembly of the people. "Let not our city perish," said he, addressing them, "for the crimes of one impious wretch. I know that king Apollonius, the father of the beautiful Tharsia, has arrived. Behold where his navy rides. He threatens us with instant destruction, unless Leno, who would have prostituted his daughter, be given up to him." Scarcely had he spoken, when the whole population, men and women, hurried off to implore the king's clemency. Seizing the execrable Leno, they tied his hands to his back, and carried him along to the presence of offended majesty. Apollonius, clad in royal