“What words hast thou spoken, my dear Phaethon!” he said. “Thou dost ask for thine own destruction. Thou dost request a thing that no one of the gods would dare to undertake, not even Zeus himself. No one but myself is able to drive my chariot.”
But Phaethon would not be persuaded. “Thou dost not love me, my father,” he said with tears. “I see that thou dost not love me. If thou didst thou wouldst let me have thy chariot in order that the whole world might see that I am indeed thy son.”
“Foolish boy,” responded Helios, “just because I love thee shall I let thee destroy thyself? Ask any other boon but this.”
“Nay, I want the chariot and nothing else,” replied Phaethon.
Helios was stricken with grief, but he had bound himself by the Great Oath of the Gods, which cannot be broken. He took Phaethon by the hand and led him to his chariot and placed him in it.
The chariot was a wonderful piece of workmanship done by Hephæstos. The seat and axle were made of gold. Golden also were the tires of the wheels and the spokes were of silver.
While Phaethon was yet gazing with wonder at the glittering chariot of his father, the rosy-fingered Dawn opened the dazzling gates of the East, the stars, one after another, set—last of all the Morning Star, and the light of the Moon died out.
Helios ordered the Hours to harness up his immortal steeds, which were always fed on nectar and ambrosia. The Hours brought the horses up from the stables and yoked them to the chariot. While this was done Helios anointed the face of his son with heavenly oil, lest he might be scorched by the fiery rays. Then he placed his radiant crown upon Phaethon’s head, and sighing bitterly, gave his son this parting advice:
“My son, do not touch the horses with the whip, but hold on to the reins with all thy might. The horses are impetuous and thou wilt find it hard to hold them. Keep them well in hand when making the ascent as well as in the descent. First thy course is steeply upward, and on the other side it descends rapidly.
“Do not go near the earth lest thou burn it, and do not rise too high or thou wilt set fire to the heavens. The twilight is waning. Go, my son, for mortals are looking for the light of Helios. At the last moment I pray thee to change thy mind and hand the reins to me.”