Page:Lovers Legends - The Gay Greek Myths.pdf/28

 LOVERS’ LEGENDS him their close-guarded mysteries. Little did they know Tantalus betrayed their trust. Despite his love for them, he stole their food from under their noses, handed it out to his people, and revealed to them the secrets of the gods.

To thank the Olympians for all the meals he had partaken of, Tantalus invited Zeus, and Poseidon, shaker of the shining trident, and the other gods on high, to his wellbuilt halls for a splendid feast. Filled with devotion, he pledged to put before them only the very best. On his way home, however, he was beset by doubts, for he had no inkling how to fulfill his promise. As he stepped through the gates of the palace, his son Pelops ran up to greet him. There and then the king realized he had nothing finer to 14