'GREAT KING,' HE SAID, 'I AM A STRANGER IN ATHENS.'
"Yes, girl-faced stranger," said another, "what do you want here?"
"I am here," said Theseus, "to ask that hospitality which men of our race never refuse to give."
"Nor do we refuse," cried they. "Come in, and eat and drink and be our guest."
"I will come in," said Theseus, "but I will be the guest of the king. Where is he?"
"Never mind the king," said one of his cousins. "He is taking his ease, and we reign in his stead."
But Theseus strode boldly through the feast hall and went about the palace asking for the king. At last he found AEgeus, lonely and sorrowful, sitting in an inner chamber. The heart of Theseus was very sad as he saw the lines of care upon the old man's face, and marked his trembling, halting ways.
"Great king," he said, "I am a stranger in Athens, and I have come to you to ask food and shelter and friendship such as I know you never deny to those of noble rank and of your own race."
"And who are you, young man?" said the king.
"I am Theseus," was the answer.