But the splendor and beauty of his treasures so excited the avarice of the sailors, that they resolved among themselves to take him, throw him overboard, and afterwards to divide his goods with each other. Accordingly, when they were far from land, they fell upon him, and told him that he must die, because they had resolved to cast him into the sea. He begged them to spare his life in the most touching terms, offered them his treasures as a ransom, and prophesied that great misfortunes would overtake them, should they take his life. But they were not to be moved, being fearful lest he should sometime reveal their wickedness. When he saw at last that their resolution was taken, he prayed them that at least they would suffer him to play his swan song, after which he would willingly plunge into the sea, with his poor, wooden instrument, before their eyes. They knew very well that, should they once hear his magic song, their hearts would be softened and overwhelmed with repentance; therefore they granted his last request indeed, but stopped their ears, that not hearing his song, they might abide by their resolution. Thus it happened. The minstrel began a beautiful song, pathetic beyond conception. The whole ship accorded, the waters resounded, the sun and the stars appeared at once in the sky, and the inhabitants of the deep issued from the green flood about them, in dancing hosts. The people of the ship stood alone by themselves, with hostile intent waiting impatiently for the end of his song. It was soon finished. Then the minstrel plunged with serene brow down the dark abyss, carrying with him his wonder-working instrument. Scarcely had he touched the glittering wave, when a monster of the deep rose up beneath him, and quickly bore the astonished minstrel away. It swam directly to the shore whither he had been journeying, and landed him gently among the rushes. The poet sang a song of gratitude to his saviour, and joyfully went his way. Sometime after the occurrence of these events, he again visited the seashore, and lamented in sweetest tones his lost treasures, which had been dear to him as remembrances of happier hours, and as tokens of love and gratitude. While he was thus singing, his old friend came swimming joyfully through the waves, and rolled from his back upon the sand the long-lost treasures. The boatmen, after the minstrel had leaped into the sea, began immediately to divide the spoil. During the division a murderous quarrel arose between them, which cost many of them their lives. The few that remained were not able to navigate the vessel; it struck the shore and foundered. They with difficulty saved their lives, and reached the beach with torn garments and empty hands. Thus by the aid of the grateful sea-monster, who had gathered them up from the bottom of the sea, the treasures came into the hands of their original possessor." [See Note I. at the end.] CHAPTER III.