Stories of old Greece (1894) (14780708883)

Identifier: storiesofoldgree00firt (find matches)
Title: Stories of old Greece
Year: 1894 (1890s)
Authors: Firth, Emma M
Subjects: Children's literature -- Mythology
Publisher: Boston, Heath
Contributing Library: New York Public Library
Digitizing Sponsor: MSN



Text Appearing Before Image:
. Theylifted the boat upon their huge shoulders, tossing itinto dark hollows with a force and suddenness that wasappalling. The sailors thought of their dear ones athome; while the sweet face of Alcyone, tearful and sad,came like a vision to Ceyx, as he sat silent and fearfulin one end of the boat, where he had lashed himself toa spar. The storm Furies were sporting with the littlevessel, and, weary at last of so small a plaything, theycrushed it, and ran on and on, to vent their wrathagainst the rock-bound coast. Day after day the fond Alcyone went down to theseashore, straining her eyes for a glimpse of the re-turning sail. Each day she offered prayers, and ceasednot to beg for the safe return of her husband. At lastHera took pity upon her, and told her the truth in avision. Hera sent Iris, her swift messenger, to thefar Cimmerian country, where lived Somnus, the godof sleep. Iris started on her long journey, after clothing her-self in her rainbow-colored dress, which was so beauti-
Text Appearing After Image:
HERA. 86 STORIES OF OLD GREECE. ful that it left a path of brilliant colors in the skyafter she had passed. She travelled swiftly, and be-fore Helios had started upon his daily journey, shearrived at the palace of Somnus. The palace was large and silent, for no song ofbird or bee, or sound of human voice, was everheard there. Between the ebony columns lurked thedarkest shadows; for no light, save the light of themoon, ever entered. Before the door grew poppies,pink, and white, and red, exhaling a sleep-givingperfume. Whole fields of them stretched away formiles and miles; while on the silvery, placid surfaceof a lake from which flowed the river Lethe, grewdark purple lilies which caused a strange arid won-derful sleep to steal over the senses of all who breathedtheir perfume. Iris touched the great door of the palace, and itopened silently, as if by unseen hands. She glidedthrough a shadowy court, where fountains played, andwhere the branches of tall palm-trees waved gently inthe soft