To all appearance , the rock was as firmly fastened as any other portion of the earth 's substance . But , difficult as the matter looked , Theseus was now growing up to be such a vigorous youth , that , in his own opinion , the time would quickly come when he might hope to get the upper hand of this ponderous lump of stone . `` Mother , I do believe it has started ! '' cried he , after one of his attempts . `` The earth around it is certainly a little cracked ! '' `` No , no , child ! '' his mother hastily answered . `` It is not possible you can have moved it , such a boy as you still are ! '' Nor would she be convinced , although Theseus showed her the place where he fancied that the stem of a flower had been partly uprooted by the movement of the rock . But Aethra sighed , and looked disquieted ; for , no doubt , she began to be conscious that her son was no longer a child , and that , in a little while hence , she must send him forth among the perils and troubles of the world . It was not more than a year afterwards when they were again sitting on the moss-covered stone . Aethra had once more told him the oft-repeated story of his father , and how gladly he would receive Theseus at his stately palace , and how he would present him to his courtiers and the people , and tell them that here was the heir of his dominions . The eyes of Theseus glowed with enthusiasm , and he would hardly sit still to hear his mother speak . `` Dear mother Aethra , '' he exclaimed , `` I never felt half so strong as now ! I am no longer a child , nor a boy , nor a mere youth ! I feel myself a man ! It is now time to make one earnest trial to remove the stone . '' `` Ah , my dearest Theseus , '' replied his mother `` not yet ! not yet ! '' `` Yes , mother , '' said he , resolutely , `` the time has come ! ''
Then Theseus bent himself XXXXX good earnest to the task , and strained every sinew , with manly strength and resolution .
after although among as at by for in that while