But herein he too thought in ignorance, and knew not how his own pride and stubbornness lived again in Atalanta, so that she would abide by her word, though it brought grief to herself and death to others. So he published abroad among the suitors the condition she had made. When they heard it there was great consternation among them, and they consulted together as to what they should do, and some sent a deputation to her to find out the meaning of her words. "Lady," they asked, "when thou speakest of death thou speakest perchance in parables. Those who run in the race with thee and are outstripped must give up all hope of thee, and look upon thy face no more. And this would be death indeed to them that love thee." But she laughed in their faces. "If you would hear parables," she said, "go to the oracle at Delphi. I am no raving priestess to utter words that walk two ways at once. He who courts death may race with me at daybreak, and at sunset he shall drink the poison-cup without fail, and look neither on my face again nor the face of any living thing. Have I spoken plainly now?" The next day there was great confusion in the halls of King Schoenus. There was shouting and bustling, and attendants ran this way and that. Chariots clattered through the gateway and drew up in the court, and baggage was piled high behind the horses. And Atalanta laughed aloud at the success of her scheme; for suitor after suitor came and kissed her hand and bade her farewell. They loved her much, but they loved life better, and were content to go home and find mates who, though less fair, were less ferocious, and were like to look upon their lords with eyes more lowly and obedient than Atalanta. That night the gathering about the board was scantier than it had been for many a long day. Yet a few of the suitors remained, and seemed in no haste to be gone. Day after day passed by, and each night Atalanta said within herself, "To-morrow they will surely go. They dwell in distant towns, and they are waiting for a favourable day for their journey." But favourable days came and went, and still they stayed in the halls of King Schoenus. At last Atalanta could hide the dread in her heart no longer. "How long will it be, my father," she asked, "ere we are troubled no more with strangers in our halls?" "If thou wilt wed one of them, we shall be troubled with the rest no more," he replied. "They know full well I can wed no man of them, because of the condition I have made," she said. "They are waiting for thee to fulfil thy condition," said the king. Then Atalanta herself went and pleaded with them, "My friends," she said, "I pray you to be guided by me. The gods have not fashioned me after the manner of womenkind, and I cannot give myself nor my love to any man. Look upon me as one of yourselves, I pray you, and think not to win me in marriage." But they replied, "Lady, thou hast given the condition of thy marrying, and we are waiting to fulfil it."