To make my story short , the poor captives were awakened , and , hardly knowing whether it was not a joyful dream , were told of what Theseus had done , and that they must set sail for Athens before daybreak . Hastening down to the vessel , they all clambered on board , except Prince Theseus , who lingered behind them on the strand , holding Ariadne 's hand clasped in his own . `` Dear maiden , '' said he , `` thou wilt surely go with us . Thou art too gentle and sweet a child for such an iron-hearted father as King Minos . He cares no more for thee than a granite rock cares for the little flower that grows in one of its crevices . But my father , King Aegeus , and my dear mother , Aethra , and all the fathers and mothers in Athens , and all the sons and daughters too , will love and honor thee as their benefactress . Come with us , then ; for King Minos will be very angry when he knows what thou hast done . '' Now , some low-minded people , who pretend to tell the story of Theseus and Ariadne , have the face to say that this royal and honorable maiden did really flee away , under cover of the night , with the young stranger whose life she had preserved . They say , too , that Prince Theseus -LRB- who would have died sooner than wrong the meanest creature in the world -RRB- ungratefully deserted Ariadne , on a solitary island , where the vessel touched on its voyage to Athens . But , had the noble Theseus heard these falsehoods , he would have served their slanderous authors as he served the Minotaur ! Here is what Ariadne answered , when the brave prince of Athens besought her to accompany him : `` No , Theseus , '' the maiden said , pressing his hand , and then drawing back a step or two , `` I can not go with you . My father is old , and has nobody but myself to love him . Hard as you think his heart is , it would break to lose me . At first , King Minos will be angry ; but he will soon forgive his only child ; and , by and by , he will rejoice , I know , that no more youths and maidens must come from Athens to be devoured by the Minotaur . I have saved you , Theseus , as much for my father 's sake as for your own . Farewell ! Heaven bless you ! '' All this was so true , and so maiden-like , and was spoken with so sweet a dignity , that Theseus would have blushed to urge her any longer . Nothing remained for him , therefore , but to bid Ariadne an affectionate farewell , and to go on board the vessel , and set sail . In a few moments the white foam was boiling up before their prow , as Prince Theseus and his companions sailed out of the harbor , with a whistling breeze behind them .
Talus , the brazen giant , XXXXX his never-ceasing sentinel 's march , happened to be approaching that part of the coast ; and they saw him , by the glimmering of the moonbeams on his polished surface , while he was yet a great way off .
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