Theseus consented ; for he fancied that his father would know him in a moment , by the love that was in his heart . But , while he waited at the door , the nephews ran and told King Aegeus that a young man had arrived in Athens , who , to their certain knowledge , intended to put him to death , and get possession of his royal crown . `` And he is now waiting for admission to your majesty 's presence , '' added they . `` Aha ! '' cried the old king , on hearing this . `` Why , he must be a very wicked young fellow indeed ! Pray , what would you advise me to do with him ? '' In reply to this question , the wicked Medea put in her word . As I have already told you , she was a famous enchantress . According to some stories , she was in the habit of boiling old people in a large caldron , under pretense of making them young again ; but King Aegeus , I suppose , did not fancy such an uncomfortable way of growing young , or perhaps was contented to be old , and therefore would never let himself be popped into the caldron . If there were time to spare from more important matters , I should be glad to tell you of Medea 's fiery chariot , drawn by winged dragons , in which the enchantress used often to take an airing among the clouds . This chariot , in fact , was the vehicle that first brought her to Athens , where she had done nothing but mischief ever since her arrival . But these and many other wonders must be left untold ; and it is enough to say , that Medea , amongst a thousand other bad things , knew how to prepare a poison , that was instantly fatal to whomsoever might so much as touch it with his lips . So , when the king asked what he should do with Theseus , this naughty woman had an answer ready at her tongue 's end . `` Leave that to me , please your majesty , '' she replied . `` Only admit this evil-minded young man to your presence , treat him civilly , and invite him to drink a goblet of wine . Your majesty is well aware that I sometimes amuse myself by distilling very powerful medicines . Here is one of them in this small phial . As to what it is made of , that is one of my secrets of state . Do but let me put a single drop into the goblet , and let the young man taste it ; and I will answer for it , he shall quite lay aside the bad designs with which he comes hither . ''
As she said this , Medea smiled ; but , XXXXX all her smiling face , she meant nothing less than to poison the poor innocent Theseus , before his father 's eyes .
As at by for into of since that to while