There he sat on his magnificent throne , a dazzling crown on his head , and a scepter in his hand . His aspect was stately and majestic , although his years and infirmities weighed heavily upon him , as if each year were a lump of lead , and each infirmity a ponderous stone , and all were bundled up together , and laid upon his weary shoulders . The tears both of joy and sorrow sprang into the young man 's eyes ; for he thought how sad it was to see his dear father so infirm , and how sweet it would be to support him with his own youthful strength , and to cheer him up with the alacrity of his loving spirit . When a son takes a father into his warm heart it renews the old man 's youth in a better way than by the heat of Medea 's magic caldron . And this was what Theseus resolved to do . He could scarcely wait to see whether King Aegeus would recognize him , so eager was he to throw himself into his arms . Advancing to the foot of the throne , he attempted to make a little speech , which he had been thinking about , as he came up the stairs . But he was almost choked by a great many tender feelings that gushed out of his heart and swelled into his throat , all struggling to find utterance together . And therefore , unless he could have laid his full , over-brimming heart into the king 's hand , poor Theseus knew not what to do or say . The cunning Medea observed what was passing in the young man 's mind . She was more wicked at that moment than ever she had been before ; for -LRB- and it makes me tremble to tell you of it -RRB- she did her worst to turn all this unspeakable love with which Theseus was agitated to his own ruin and destruction . `` Does your majesty see his confusion ? '' she whispered in the king 's ear . `` He is so conscious of guilt , that he trembles and can not speak . The wretch lives too long ! Quick ! offer him the wine ! '' Now King Aegeus had been gazing earnestly at the young stranger , as he drew near the throne . There was something , he knew not what , either in his white brow , or in the fine expression of his mouth , or in his beautiful and tender eyes , that made him indistinctly feel as if he had seen this youth before ; as if , indeed , he had trotted him on his knee when a baby , and had beheld him growing to be a stalwart man , while he himself grew old . But Medea guessed how the king felt , and would not suffer him to yield to these natural sensibilities ; although they were the voice of his deepest heart , telling him as plainly as it could speak , that here was our dear son , and Aethra 's son , coming to claim him for a father .
The enchantress again whispered XXXXX the king 's ear , and compelled him , by her witchcraft , to see everything under a false aspect .
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