Telephassa bade him sit down on the turf beside her , and then she took his hand . `` My son , '' said she , fixing her dim eyes most lovingly upon him , `` this rest that I speak of will be very long indeed ! You must not wait till it is finished . Dear Cadmus , you do not comprehend me . You must make a grave here , and lay your mother 's weary frame into it . My pilgrimage is over . '' Cadmus burst into tears , and , for a long time , refused to believe that his dear mother was now to be taken from him . But Telephassa reasoned with him , and kissed him , and at length made him discern that it was better for her spirit to pass away out of the toil , the weariness , and grief , and disappointment which had burdened her on earth , ever since the child was lost . He therefore repressed his sorrow , and listened to her last words . `` Dearest Cadmus , '' said she , `` thou hast been the truest son that ever mother had , and faithful to the very last . Who else would have borne with my infirmities as thou hast ! It is owing to thy care , thou tenderest child , that my grave was not dug long years ago , in some valley , or on some hillside , that lies far , far behind us . It is enough . Thou shalt wander no more on this hopeless search . But , when thou hast laid thy mother in the earth , then go , my son , to Delphi , and inquire of the oracle what thou shalt do next . '' `` O mother , mother , '' cried Cadmus , `` couldst thou but have seen my sister before this hour ! '' `` It matters little now , '' answered Telephassa , and there was a smile upon her face . `` I go now to the better world , and , sooner or later , shall find my daughter there . '' I will not sadden you , my little hearers , with telling how Telephassa died and was buried , but will only say , that her dying smile grew brighter , instead of vanishing from her dead face ; so that Cadmus left convinced that , at her very first step into the better world , she had caught Europa in her arms . He planted some flowers on his mother 's grave , and left them to grow there , and make the place beautiful , when he should be far away .
After performing this last sorrowful duty , he set forth alone , and took the road towards the famous oracle of Delphi , as XXXXX had advised him .
Cadmus Delphi Europa Telephassa couldst faithful first hearers infirmities left