The occasion of it was as follows : One morning , when Prince Theseus awoke , he fancied that he must have had a very sorrowful dream , and that it was still running in his mind , even now that his eyes were opened . For it appeared as if the air was full of a melancholy wail ; and when he listened more attentively , he could hear sobs , and groans , and screams of woe , mingled with deep , quiet sighs , which came from the king 's palace , and from the streets , and from the temples , and from every habitation in the city . And all these mournful noises , issuing out of thousands of separate hearts , united themselves into one great sound of affliction , which had startled Theseus from slumber . He put on his clothes as quickly as he could -LRB- not forgetting his sandals and gold-hilted sword -RRB- , and , hastening to the king , inquired what it all meant . `` Alas ! my son , '' quoth King Aegeus , heaving a long sigh , `` here is a very lamentable matter in hand ! This is the wofulest anniversary in the whole year . It is the day when we annually draw lots to see which of the youths and maids of Athens shall go to be devoured by the horrible Minotaur ! '' `` The Minotaur ! '' exclaimed Prince Theseus ; and like a brave young prince as he was , he put his hand to the hilt of his sword . `` What kind of a monster may that be ? Is it not possible , at the risk of one 's life , to slay him ? '' But King Aegeus shook his venerable head , and to convince Theseus that it was quite a hopeless case , he gave him an explanation of the whole affair . It seems that in the island of Crete there lived a certain dreadful monster , called a Minotaur , which was shaped partly like a man and partly like a bull , and was altogether such a hideous sort of a creature that it is really disagreeable to think of him . If he were suffered to exist at all , it should have been on some desert island , or in the duskiness of some deep cavern , where nobody would ever be tormented by his abominable aspect . But King Minos , who reigned over Crete , laid out a vast deal of money in building a habitation for the Minotaur , and took great care of his health and comfort , merely for mischief 's sake . A few years before this time , there had been a war between the city of Athens and the island of Crete , in which the Athenians were beaten , and compelled to beg for peace . No peace could they obtain , however , except on condition that they should send seven young men and seven maidens , every year , to be devoured by the pet monster of the cruel King Minos . For three years past , this grievous calamity had been borne . And the sobs , and groans , and shrieks , with which the city was now filled , were caused by the people 's woe , because the fatal day had come again , when the fourteen victims were to be chosen by lot ; and the old people feared lest their sons or daughters might be taken , and the youths and damsels dreaded lest they themselves might be destined to glut the ravenous maw of that detestable man-brute .
But when Theseus heard the story , he straightened himself up , so XXXXX he seemed taller than ever before ; and as for his face it was indignant , despiteful , bold , tender , and compassionate , all in one look .
If at because in like of quoth that to with