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 of the Hesperides . Yes ; and the dragon with a hundred heads is a sight worth any man 's seeing . After all , you had better have gone for the apples yourself . '' `` No matter , '' replied Hercules . `` You have had a pleasant ramble , and have done the business as well as I could . I heartily thank you for your trouble . And now , as I have a long way to go , and am rather in haste , -- and as the king , my cousin , is anxious to receive the golden apples , -- will you be kind enough to take the sky off my shoulders again ? '' `` Why , as to that , '' said the giant , chucking the golden apples into the air , twenty miles high , or thereabouts , and catching them as they came down , -- `` as to that , my good friend , I consider you a little unreasonable . Can not I carry the golden apples to the king , your cousin , much quicker than you could ? As his majesty is in such a hurry to get them , I promise you to take my longest strides .
And , besides , I have no fancy for burdening myself XXXXX the sky , just now . ''
across beneath for like nearer of on upon with worth