Advancing to the foot of the throne , he attempted to make a little speech , which he had been thinking about , as he came up the stairs . But he was almost choked by a great many tender feelings that gushed out of his heart and swelled into his throat , all struggling to find utterance together . And therefore , unless he could have laid his full , over-brimming heart into the king 's hand , poor Theseus knew not what to do or say . The cunning Medea observed what was passing in the young man 's mind . She was more wicked at that moment than ever she had been before ; for -LRB- and it makes me tremble to tell you of it -RRB- she did her worst to turn all this unspeakable love with which Theseus was agitated to his own ruin and destruction . `` Does your majesty see his confusion ? '' she whispered in the king 's ear . `` He is so conscious of guilt , that he trembles and can not speak . The wretch lives too long ! Quick ! offer him the wine ! '' Now King Aegeus had been gazing earnestly at the young stranger , as he drew near the throne . There was something , he knew not what , either in his white brow , or in the fine expression of his mouth , or in his beautiful and tender eyes , that made him indistinctly feel as if he had seen this youth before ; as if , indeed , he had trotted him on his knee when a baby , and had beheld him growing to be a stalwart man , while he himself grew old . But Medea guessed how the king felt , and would not suffer him to yield to these natural sensibilities ; although they were the voice of his deepest heart , telling him as plainly as it could speak , that here was our dear son , and Aethra 's son , coming to claim him for a father . The enchantress again whispered in the king 's ear , and compelled him , by her witchcraft , to see everything under a false aspect . He made up his mind , therefore , to let Theseus drink off the poisoned wine . `` Young man , '' said he , `` you are welcome ! I am proud to show hospitality to so heroic a youth . Do me the favor to drink the contents of this goblet . It is brimming over , as you see , with delicious wine , such as I bestow only on those who are worthy of it !
None is more worthy XXXXX quaff it than yourself ! ''
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