46 THE GORGON’S HEAD.

though the story tells nothing about any such), they stayed
quietly at home, minding their own business, and taking
care of their little children. Most of the inhabitants, at
all events, ran as fast as they could to the palace, and
shoved, and pushed, and elbowed one another, in their
eagerness to get near a balcony, on which Perseus
showed himself, holding the embroidered wallet in his
hand.

On a platform, within full view of the balcony, sat the
mighty King Polydectes, amid his evil counsellors, and.
with his flattering courtiers in a semicircle round about
him. Monarch, counsellors, courtiers, and subjects, all
gazed eagerly towards Perseus.

“Show us the head! Show us the head!” shouted
the people; and there was a fierceness in their cry as if
they would tear Perseus to pieces, unless he should sat-
isfy them with what he had to show. ‘Show us the
head of Medusa with the snaky locks! ”

A feeling of sorrow and pity came over the youthful
Perseus.

‘“‘O King Polydectes,” cried he, “and ye many peo-
ple, I am very loath to show you the Gorgon’s head ! ”

“ Ah, the villain and coward!” yelled the people, more
fiercely than before. ‘He is making game of us! He
has no Gorgon’s head! Show us the head, if you have
it, or we will take your own head for a football! ”

The evil counsellors whispered bad advice in the king’s
ear; the courtiers murmured, with one consent, that Per-
seus had shown disrespect to their royal lord and master ;
and the great King Polydectes himself waved his hand,