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Heroes, or Greek Fairy Tales for My Children by Charles Kingsley
page 25 of 174 (14%)

So Perseus arose, and girded on the sandals and the sword.

And Athene cried, 'Now leap from the cliff and be gone.'

But Perseus lingered.

'May I not bid farewell to my mother and to Dictys? And may I not
offer burnt-offerings to you, and to Hermes the far-famed Argus-
slayer, and to Father Zeus above?'

'You shall not bid farewell to your mother, lest your heart relent
at her weeping. I will comfort her and Dictys until you return in
peace. Nor shall you offer burnt-offerings to the Olympians; for
your offering shall be Medusa's head. Leap, and trust in the
armour of the Immortals.'

Then Perseus looked down the cliff and shuddered; but he was
ashamed to show his dread. Then he thought of Medusa and the
renown before him, and he leaped into the empty air.

And behold, instead of falling he floated, and stood, and ran along
the sky. He looked back, but Athene had vanished, and Hermes; and
the sandals led him on northward ever, like a crane who follows the
spring toward the Ister fens.



PART III--HOW PERSEUS SLEW THE GORGON

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