Page:Lovers Legends - The Gay Greek Myths.pdf/42

 LOVERS’ LEGENDS Pelops pressed on, in no time rolled up to Poseidon's temple, and offered there a white-hot prayer of thanks to his old lover. Hippodamia was his now, as was the throne of Pisa. He then mounted the golden car and headed, by way of the sea, for his new home, his bride and Myrtilus flanking him. The new king, however, was not about to lend his wife out to anyone. As soon as they left land behind, he gave Myrtilus a mighty kick, hurling him from the chariot to the bottom of the sea, drowning him in its wine-dark waters. As he slipped beneath the waves, Myrtilus laid a heavy curse upon Pelops and his house for this treachery. Hermes set his son, the charioteer, among the stars, and saw to it that his curse loomed unwavering over the house of Pelops. Disaster came upon the land of Pisa, despite the temple to Myrtilus that Pelops raised in atonement, hoping to appease that angry ghost with sacrifices over an empty tomb. Hippodamia gave her husband many children over the years, but horror after horror befell their family, for Hermes struck such discord between the sons that they shattered the law of brotherhood, and paid for blood with blood. 28