Page:Stories from Old English Poetry-1899.djvu/113

Rh her for his bride. But she, fearing such a suitor, and remembering her love for Marinell, which she still cherished in despite of the story of his cruel death, told Proteus she could wed none but an earthly knight.

Proteus, who can take as many shapes as there are fancies, took at once the image of a mortal gentleman; and finding the maiden still averse, he tried in turn all different shapes, striving in each to win her heart.

At length, finding her always unwilling, he grew angry and threw her into a dreadful black and noisome dungeon underneath the bellowing waves.

This dungeon was built beneath a jagged rock, and was inclosed by no walls. But all about it swam fearful monsters whose wide mouths gaped to swallow whosoever should venture outside the limits of the rock. Here Florimel languished many weary days and nights, praying for death, and filling the waves with sound of her cries and groans.

In the mean time, by the great skill of Tryphon, Marinell had been restored to life and health. All the daughters of Nereus held great rejoicing, and Cymoent attended a great feast under the waters, where all the sea-gods were present at the festivities. Of this feast Marinell could not partake, because, being a son of