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 with which he was wont to condemn a criminal to be beheaded . `` You have well deserved of me such wine as this ! '' Theseus held out his hand to take the wine . But , before he touched it , King Aegeus trembled again . His eyes had fallen on the gold-hilted sword that hung at the young man 's side . He drew back the goblet . `` That sword ! '' he exclaimed : `` how came you by it ? ''
`` It was my father 's sword , '' replied Theseus , XXXXX a tremulous voice .
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