Page:The Anglo-Saxon version of the story of Apollonius of Tyre.djvu/53

16-17] song mingled the sound of the harp. Then began all the men to praise her for her music; and Apollonius alone was silent. Then said the king, "Apollonius, now thou dost evilly; because all men praise my daughter for her music, and thou alone findest fault by being silent." Apollonius said, "O thou good king! if thou allowest me, I will say what I feel, that truly your daughter hath failed in her music, for she hath not well learned it; but bid the harp be now given to me, then thou soon shalt know what thou yet knowest not." Arcestrates the king said, "Apollonius, I know in sooth that thou art well instructed in all things." Then the king [17] bade the harp be given to Apollonius. Apollonius then went out, and clothed himself, and set a crown upon his head, and took the harp in his hand, and went in, and so stood that the king, and all those sitting around, thought that he was not Apollonius, but that he was Apollo the god of the heathens. Then there was stillness and silence within the hall, and Apollonius took. his harp-nail, and he began with skill to move the harp-strings, and the sound of the harp mingled with pleasant song: and the king himself, and all that were there present, cried with a loud voice and praised him. After this, Apollonius left the harp, and played, and exhibited many agreeable things there, which were unknown and uncommon to the people.