And now Hercules began to consider what he should do , in case Atlas should be drowned in the sea , or if he were to be stung to death by the dragon with the hundred beads , which guarded the golden apples of the Hesperides . If any such misfortune were to happen , how could he ever get rid of the sky ? And , by the by , its weight began already to be a little irksome to his head and shoulders . `` I really pity the poor giant , '' thought Hercules . `` If it wearies me so much in ten minutes , how must it have wearied him in a thousand years ! '' O my sweet little people , you have no idea what a weight there was in that same blue sky , which looks so soft and aerial above our heads ! And there , too , was the bluster of the wind , and the chill and watery clouds , and the blazing sun , all taking their turns to make Hercules uncomfortable ! He began to be afraid that the giant would never come back . He gazed wistfully at the world beneath him , and acknowledged to himself that it was a far happier kind of life to be a shepherd at the foot of a mountain , than to stand on its dizzy summit , and bear up the firmament with his might and main . For , of course , as you will easily understand , Hercules had an immense responsibility on his mind , as well as a weight on his head and shoulders . Why , if he did not stand perfectly still , and keep the sky immovable , the sun would perhaps be put ajar ! Or , after nightfall , a great many of the stars might be loosened from their places , and shower down , like fiery rain , upon the people 's heads ! And how ashamed would the hero be , if , owing to his unsteadiness beneath its weight , the sky should crack , and show a great fissure quite across it ! I know not how long it was before , to his unspeakable joy , he beheld the huge shape of the giant , like a cloud , on the far-off edge of the sea . At his nearer approach , Atlas held up his hand , in which Hercules could perceive three magnificent golden apples , as big as pumpkins , all banging from one branch . `` I am glad to see you again , '' shouted Hercules , when the giant was within hearing . `` So you have got the golden apples ? '' `` Certainly , certainly , '' answered Atlas ; `` and very fair apples they are . I took the finest that grew on the tree , I assure you . Ah !
it is a beautiful spot , that garden XXXXX the Hesperides .
across beneath by from in nearer of on to within