answered King Minos . `` What hast thou to do with an affair like this ? It is a matter of state policy , and therefore quite beyond thy weak comprehension . Go water thy flowers , and think no more of these Athenian caitiffs , whom the Minotaur shall as certainly eat up for breakfast as I will eat a partridge for my supper . '' So saying , the king looked cruel enough to devour Theseus and all the rest of the captives himself , had there been no Minotaur to save him the trouble . As he would hear not another word in their favor , the prisoners were now led away , and clapped into a dungeon , where the jailer advised them to go to sleep as soon as possible , because the Minotaur was in the habit of calling for breakfast early . The seven maidens and six of the young men soon sobbed themselves to slumber . But Theseus was not like them . He felt conscious that he was wiser , and braver , and stronger than his companions , and that therefore he had the responsibility of all their lives upon him , and must consider whether there was no way to save them , even in this last extremity . So he kept himself awake , and paced to and fro across the gloomy dungeon in which they were shut up . Just before midnight , the door was softly unbarred , and the gentle Ariadne showed herself , with a torch in her hand . `` Are you awake , Prince Theseus ? '' she whispered . `` Yes , '' answered Theseus . `` With so little time to live , I do not choose to waste any of it in sleep . '' `` Then follow me , '' said Ariadne , `` and tread softly . '' What had become of the jailer and the guards , Theseus never knew . But , however that might be , Ariadne opened all the doors , and led him forth from the darksome prison into the pleasant moonlight . `` Theseus , '' said the maiden , `` you can now get on board your vessel , and sail away for Athens . '' `` No , '' answered the young man ; `` I will never leave Crete unless I can first slay the Minotaur , and save my poor companions , and deliver Athens from this cruel tribute . ''
`` I knew XXXXX this would be your resolution , '' said Ariadne .
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