Page:The Anglo-Saxon version of the story of Apollonius of Tyre.djvu/78

 questions he had put, informed the prince that their lord was in great affliction, and wished to die; they added that he had lost a wife and a daughter in a foreign country. "I will give you two pieces of gold," said Athanagoras to Ardalius, one of his servants, "if you will go and say to him that the prince of this city desires a conference." "Two gold pieces," answered the person he spoke to, "will not repair my broken legs. I pray you send another; for he has determined thus to punish any one who approaches him." "He made this law for you," returned the prince, "but not, I think, for me: I will descend myself; tell me his name." They told him, Apollonius. "Apollonius!" said he to himself; "so Tharsia calls her father."

He hastened into his presence, and beheld a forlorn and desolate person. His beard was matted, and his head in the wildest disorder. In a low, subdued tone of voice, he said: "Hail, Apollonius!" Apollonius, supposing it to be one of his own people, fixed on him a furious look; but seeing an honourable and handsome man, he leaped from his seat. "You are doubtless surprised," said the prince, "at my intrusion. I am called Athanagoras, and am prince of this city. Observing your fleet riding at anchor from the shore, I was attracted by it; and, amongst other things, being struck with the superior structure of this vessel, your sailors invited me on board. I inquired