If there were any better people in the island -LRB- as I really hope there may have been , although the story tells nothing about any such -RRB- , they stayed quietly at home , minding their own business , and taking care of their little children . Most of the inhabitants , at all events , ran as fast as they could to the palace , and shoved , and pushed , and elbowed one another , in their eagerness to get near a balcony , on which Perseus showed himself , holding the embroidered wallet in his hand . On a platform , within full view of the balcony , sat the mighty King Polydectes , amid his evil counsellors , and with his flattering courtiers in a semicircle round about him . Monarch , counsellors , courtiers , and subjects , all gazed eagerly towards Perseus . `` Show us the head ! Show us the head ! '' shouted the people ; and there was a fierceness in their cry as if they would tear Perseus to pieces , unless he should satisfy them with what he had to show . `` Show us the head of Medusa with the snaky locks ! '' A feeling of sorrow and pity came over the youthful Perseus . `` O King Polydectes , '' cried he , `` and ye many people , I am very loath to show you the Gorgon 's head ! '' `` Ah , the villain and coward ! '' yelled the people , more fiercely than before . `` He is making game of us ! He has no Gorgon 's head ! Show us the head , if you have it , or we will take your own head for a football ! '' The evil counsellors whispered bad advice in the king 's ear ; the courtiers murmured , with one consent , that Perseus had shown disrespect to their royal lord and master ; and the great King Polydectes himself waved his hand , and ordered him , with the stern , deep voice of authority , on his peril , to produce the bead . `` Show me the Gorgon 's head , or I will cut off your own ! '' And Perseus sighed . `` This instant , '' repeated Polydectes , `` or you die ! '' `` Behold it , then ! ''
cried Perseus , in a voice like the blast XXXXX a trumpet .
If On about although as at of over to with