wailed, and called her mother; yet she did not see Perseus, for the
cap of darkness was on his head.

Full of pity and indignation, Perseus drew near and looked upon the
maid. Her cheeks were darker than his were, and her hair was blue-
black like a hyacinth; but Perseus thought, 'I have never seen so
beautiful a maiden; no, not in all our isles. Surely she is a
king's daughter. Do barbarians treat their kings' daughters thus?
She is too fair, at least, to have done any wrong I will speak to
her.'

And, lifting the hat from his head, he flashed into her sight. She
shrieked with terror, and tried to hide her face with her hair, for
she could not with her hands; but Perseus cried -

'Do not fear me, fair one; I am a Hellen, and no barbarian. What
cruel men have bound you? But first I will set you free.'

And he tore at the fetters, but they were too strong for him; while
the maiden cried -

'Touch me not; I am accursed, devoted as a victim to the sea-Gods.
They will slay you, if you dare to set me free.'

'Let them try,' said Perseus; and drawing, Herpe from his thigh, he
cut through the brass as if it had been flax.

'Now,' he said, 'you belong to me, and not to these sea-Gods,
whosoever they may be!' But she only called the more on her
mother.