Famous Tales of Fact and Fancy: Myths and Legends of the Nations of the World Retold for Boys and Girls
General
Famous Tales of Fact and Fancy: Myths and Legends of the Nations of the World Retold for Boys and Girls
Legends -- Juvenile literature; Mythology -- Juvenile literature
"That I know not, for there was no mark as of spade or pick-axe; nor was
the earth broken, nor had wagon passed thereon. We were sore dismayed
when the watchman showed the thing to us; for the body we could not see.
Buried indeed it was not, but rather covered with dust. Nor was there
any sign as of wild beast or of dog that had torn it. Then there arose a
contention among us, each blaming the other, and accusing his fellows,
and himself denying that he had done the deed or was privy to it. And
doubtless we had fallen to blows but that one spake a word which made us
all tremble for fear, knowing that it must be as he said. For he said
that the thing must be told to thee, and in no wise hidden. So we drew
lots, and by evil chance the lot fell upon me. Wherefore I am here, not
willingly, for no man loveth him that bringeth evil tidings."
Then said the chief of the old men:
"Consider, O King, for haply this thing is from the gods."
But the king cried:
"Thinkest thou that the gods care for such an one as this dead man, who
would have burnt their temples with fire, and laid waste the land which
they love; and set at naught the laws? Not so. But there are men in this
city who have long time had ill will to me, not bowing their necks to my
yoke; and they have persuaded these fellows with money to do this thing.
Surely there never was so evil a thing as money, which maketh cities
into ruinous heaps and banisheth men from their houses and turneth their
thoughts from good unto evil. But as for them that have done this deed
for hire, of a truth they shall not escape, for I say to thee, fellow,
if ye bring not here before my eyes the man that did this thing, I will
hang you up alive. So shall ye learn that ill gains bring no profit to a
man."
So the guard departed, but as he went he said to himself:
"Now may the gods grant that the man be found; but however this may be,
thou shalt not see me come again on such errand as this, for even now
have I escaped beyond all hope."
Notwithstanding, after a space he came back with one of his fellows; and
they brought with them the maiden Antigone, with her hands bound
together.
And it chanced that at the same time King Creon came forth from the
palace. Then the guard set forth the thing to him, saying:
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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