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 six young men, instead of seven,' said he. 'I will myself be the seventh; and let the Minotaur devour me, if he can!'

'O my dear son,' cried King Ægeus, 'why should you expose yourself to this horrible fate? You are a royal prince, and have a right to hold yourself above the destinies of common men.'

'It is because I am a prince, your son, and the rightful heir of your kingdom, that I freely take upon me the calamity of your subjects,' answered Theseus. 'And you, my father, being king over this people, and answerable to Heaven for their welfare, are bound to sacrifice what is dearest to you, rather than that the son or daughter of the poorest citizen should come to any harm.'

The old king shed tears, and besought Theseus not to leave him desolate in his old age, more especially as he had but just begun to know the happiness of possessing a good and valiant son. Theseus, however, felt that he was in the right, and therefore would not give up his resolution. But he assured his father that he did not intend to be eaten up, unresistingly, like a sheep, and that, if the Minotaur devoured him, it should not be without a battle for his dinner. And finally, since he could not help it, King Ægeus consented to let him go. So a vessel was got ready, and rigged with black sails; and Theseus, with six other young men, and seven tender and beautiful damsels, came down to the harbour to embark. A sorrowful multitude accompanied them to the shore. There was the poor old king, too, 28