In the middle of it was seen a magnificent palace of colored marble , on the balcony of which , every noontide , appeared Cilix , in a long purple robe , and with a jeweled crown upon his head ; for the inhabitants , when they found out that he was a king 's son , had considered him the fittest of all men to be a king himself . One of the first acts of King Cilix 's government was to send out an expedition , consisting of a grave ambassador , and an escort of bold and hardy young men , with orders to visit the principal kingdoms of the earth , and inquire whether a young maiden had passed through those regions , galloping swiftly on a white bull . It is , therefore , plain to my mind , that Cilix secretly blamed himself for giving up the search for Europa , as long as he was able to put one foot before the other . As for Telephassa , and Cadmus , and the good Thasus , it grieves me to think of them , still keeping up that weary pilgrimage . The two young men did their best for the poor queen , helping her over the rough places , often carrying her across rivulets in their faithful arms and seeking to shelter her at nightfall , even when they themselves lay on the ground . Sad , sad it was to hear them asking of every passer-by if he had seen Europa , so long after the white bull had carried her away . But , though the gray years thrust themselves between , and made the child 's figure dim in their remembrance , neither of these true-hearted three ever dreamed of giving up the search . One morning , however , poor Thasus found that he had sprained his ankle , and could not possibly go a step farther . `` After a few days , to be sure , '' said he , mournfully , `` I might make shift to hobble along with a stick . But that would only delay you , and perhaps hinder you from finding dear little Europa , after all your pains and trouble . Do you go forward , therefore , my beloved companions , and leave me to follow as I may . '' `` Thou hast been a true friend , dear Thasus , '' said Queen Telephassa , kissing his forehead . `` Being neither my son , nor the brother of our lost Europa , thou hast shown thyself truer to me and her than Phoenix and Cilix did , whom we have left behind us . Without thy loving help , and that of my son Cadmus , my limbs could not have borne me half so far as this . Now , take thy rest , and be at peace . For -- and it is the first time I have owned it to myself -- I begin to question whether we shall ever find my beloved daughter in this world . '' Saying this , the poor queen shed tears , because it was a grievous trial to the mother 's heart to confess that her hopes were growing faint . From that day forward , Cadmus noticed that she never traveled with the same alacrity of spirit that had heretofore supported her . Her weight was heavier upon his arm . Before setting out , Cadmus helped Thasus build a bower ; while Telephassa , being too infirm to give any great assistance , advised them how to fit it up and furnish it , so that it might be as comfortable as a hut of branches could .
Thasus , however , did not spend all his days XXXXX this green bower .
Without at before behind from in though thyself to upon