Page:Lovers Legends - The Gay Greek Myths.pdf/47

Rh different ways he tried to win his love, but nothing worked. Goldenhorse kept aloof.

The games were about to start, so Laius and his pupil set out from Pisa, with Pelops' blessings, for the green valleys of Nemea. To spare the boy's strength for the races, Laius took the reins. But when they reached the famous city he did not halt, he picked up the pace instead. Goldenhorse pleaded, begged, and threatened, but Laius just flogged the team on, breakneck on. He stopped his ears to the boy's cries and never curbed the horses' headlong career until the towers of Thebes loomed overhead. There Laius claimed the throne as his birthright, and strong-armed Goldenhorse to live with him as his beloved. "I know what I am doing, but nature forces me," he told the boy. The Thebans were 33