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 in the king 's ear , and compelled him , by her witchcraft , to see everything under a false aspect . He made up his mind , therefore , to let Theseus drink off the poisoned wine . `` Young man , '' said he , `` you are welcome ! I am proud to show hospitality to so heroic a youth . Do me the favor to drink the contents of this goblet . It is brimming over , as you see , with delicious wine , such as I bestow only on those who are worthy of it ! None is more worthy to quaff it than yourself ! '' So saying , King Aegeus took the golden goblet from the table , and was about to offer it to Theseus . But , partly through his infirmities , and partly because it seemed so sad a thing to take away this young man 's life . however wicked he might be , and partly , no doubt , because his heart was wiser than his head , and quaked within him at the thought of what he was going to do -- for all these reasons , the king 's hand trembled so much that a great deal of the wine slopped over . In order to strengthen his purpose , and fearing lest the whole of the precious poison should be wasted , one of his nephews now whispered to him : `` Has your Majesty any doubt of this stranger 's guilt ? This is the very sword with which he meant to slay you . How sharp , and bright , and terrible it is ! Quick ! -- let him taste the wine ; or perhaps he may do the deed even yet . '' At these words , Aegeus drove every thought and feeling out of his breast , except the one idea of how justly the young man deserved to be put to death . He sat erect on his throne , and held out the goblet of wine with a steady hand , and bent on Theseus a frown of kingly severity ; for , after all , he had too noble a spirit to murder even a treacherous enemy with a deceitful smile upon his face . `` Drink ! ''
said he , in the stern tone XXXXX which he was wont to condemn a criminal to be beheaded .
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