But Perseus laughed, and said, 'A sea-monster? I have fought with
worse than him: I would have faced Immortals for your sake; how
much more a beast of the sea?'

Then Andromeda looked up at him, and new hope was kindled in her
breast, so proud and fair did he stand, with one hand round her,
and in the other the glittering sword. But she only sighed, and
wept the more, and cried -

'Why will you die, young as you are? Is there not death and sorrow
enough in the world already? It is noble for me to die, that I may
save the lives of a whole people; but you, better than them all,
why should I slay you too? Go you your way; I must go mine.'

But Perseus cried, 'Not so; for the Lords of Olympus, whom I serve,
are the friends of the heroes, and help them on to noble deeds.
Led by them, I slew the Gorgon, the beautiful horror; and not
without them do I come hither, to slay this monster with that same
Gorgon's head. Yet hide your eyes when I leave you, lest the sight
of it freeze you too to stone.'

But the maiden answered nothing, for she could not believe his
words. And then, suddenly looking up, she pointed to the sea, and
shrieked -

'There he comes, with the sunrise, as they promised. I must die
now. How shall I endure it? Oh, go! Is it not dreadful enough to
be torn piecemeal, without having you to look on?' And she tried
to thrust him away.