When Theseus was ushered into the royal apartment, the only object that he seemed to behold was the white-bearded old king.
And therefore, unless he could have laid his full, over- brimming heart into the king's hand, poor Theseus knew not what to do or say.
He made up his mind, therefore, to let Theseus drink off the poisoned wine.
Thus, by the time he reached his journey's end, Theseus had done many valiant feats with his father's golden-hilled sword, and had gained the renown of being one of the bravest young men of the day.
You must understand that the father of Theseus, though not very old in years, was almost worn out with the cares of government, and had thus grown aged before his time.
It so happened that the king's nephews met Theseus, and found out who he was, just as he reached the entrance of the royal palace.
So, when the king asked what he should do with Theseus, this naughty woman had an answer ready at her tongue's end.
As she said this, Medea smiled; but, for all her smiling face, she meant nothing less than to poison the poor innocent Theseus, before his father's eyes.
But when Theseus heard of robbers and monsters, he pricked up his ears, and was so much the more eager to take the road along which they were to be met with.
I cannot stop to tell you hardly any of the adventures that befell Theseus on the road to Athens.
When his grandfather, the wise King Pittheus, heard that Theseus intended to present himself at his father's palace, he earnestly advised him to get on board of a vessel, and go by sea; because he might thus arrive within fifteen miles of Athens, without either fatigue or danger.
A mere lad, like Theseus, is not fit to be trusted on such a perilous journey, all by himself.