92 HISTORICAL TALES.

to be his wife, according to the usage and wont of
Athens.”

Megacles gladly accepted the honor thus offered
him, the marriage was solemnized with all possible
state, and the suitors dispersed,—twelve of them
happy with their silver talents, one of them happier
with his charming bride.

We have but further to say that Cleisthenes of
Athens—a great leader and law-giver, whose laws
gave origin to the democratic government of that
city—was the son of Megacles and Agaristé, and that
his grandson was the famous Pericles, the foremost
name in Athenian history.