animals, at sight of which the blood of a mortal will turn to ice. How can you manage these ungovernable fire steeds which I can hardly bridle, so great is their strength? Therefore, oh son, abandon your wish. There are so many things in heaven and earth better worth the asking which I can give you. The granting of your wish means your destruction.” The deity’s warnings were useless. Phaëthon repeated his request. As Apollo was bound by his vow, he led the youth to the sun-chariot, which was a gift from Hephaestus. The axles were golden, as well as the shafts and the rims of the wheels, but the spokes were of solid silver. The shafts and the harness glittered with chrysolite and other precious stones. While Phaëthon was gazing at the chariot in astonishment, Eos opened the purple door leading to the halls in which the flowers of heaven at all times bloom. The stars disappeared, the morning star, last of the gleaming choir, faded and finally was lost to view. When Selene (Luna) had sunk beneath the sea, Apollo summoned the blessing-giving Hours whose duty it was to harness the steeds to the sun-chariot. With light step the rosy divinities betook themselves to the hall, loosed the white steeds from their marble cribs, filled with ambrosia, led them to the chariot, and placed their trappings on them while Apollo besmeared his son’s face with a sacred ointment so that he should not be blinded. Then he placed the sparkling crown upon his beautiful tresses and said with a sigh: “Since I cannot dissuade you, at least take this advice to heart. Do not urge the horses with the goad, for they go swiftly enough, but hold the reins securely, try to restrain their fiery snorting and govern them safely. Avoid the South as well as the North Pole and keep to the course indicated by the ruts of the wheels. Observe further that it is necessary sky and earth should be equally warm. Go neither too high nor too low, lest you burn either the heavenly mansions or the dwellings on earth. May Fortune help you in all other things, so now take the reins and think of my advice. It would be vastly better for you to desist from your ruinous folly that I to-day, as usual, may furnish light for men and gods.”