This was a mournful story , as you may well think , for the three boys to carry home to their parents . King Agenor , their father , was the ruler of the whole country ; but he loved his little daughter Europa better than his kingdom , or than all his other children , or than anything else in the world . Therefore , when Cadmus and his two brothers came crying home , and told him how that a white bull had carried off their sister , and swam with her over the sea , the king was quite beside himself with grief and rage . Although it was now twilight , and fast growing dark , he bade them set out instantly in search of her . `` Never shall you see my face again , '' he cried , `` unless you bring me back my little Europa , to gladden me with her smiles and her pretty ways . Begone , and enter my presence no more , till you come leading her by the hand . '' As King Agenor said this , his eyes flashed fire -LRB- for he was a very passionate king -RRB- , and he looked so terribly angry that the poor boys did not even venture to ask for their suppers , but slunk away out of the palace , and only paused on the steps a moment to consult whither they should go first . While they were standing there , all in dismay , their mother , Queen Telephassa -LRB- who happened not to be by when they told the story to the king -RRB- , came hurrying after them , and said that she too would go in quest of her daughter . `` O , no , mother ! '' cried the boys . `` The night is dark , and there is no knowing what troubles and perils we may meet with . '' `` Alas ! my dear children , '' answered poor Queen Telephassa ; weeping bitterly , `` that is only another reason why I should go with you . If I should lose you , too , as well as my little Europa , what would become of me ! '' `` And let me go likewise ! '' said their playfellow Thasus , who came running to join them . Thasus was the son of a seafaring person in the neighborhood ; he had been brought up with the young princes , and was their intimate friend , and loved Europa very much ; so they consented that he should accompany them . The whole party , therefore , set forth together . Cadmus , Phoenix , Cilix , and Thasus clustered round Queen Telephassa , grasping her skirts , and begging her to lean upon their shoulders whenever she felt weary . In this manner they went down the palace steps , and began a journey , which turned out to be a great deal longer than they dreamed of .
The last XXXXX they saw of King Agenor , he came to the door , with a servant holding a torch beside him , and called after them into the gathering darkness : `` Remember !
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