A FIRST LATIN READER
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80. MEDEA KILLS HER SONS
Vix vestem induerat Glaucé cum dolórem gravem per omnia membra
sénsit, et
pauló post crúdélí cruciátú adfecta é
vítá excessit. Hís rébus gestís
Médéa furóre atque ámentiá impulsa fíliós
suós necávit; tum mágnum sibi
fore perículum arbitráta sí in Thessaliá manéret, ex
eá regióne fugere
cónstituit. Hóc cónstitútó sólem
órávit ut in tantó perículó auxilium
sibi praebéret. Sól autem hís precibus commótus currum
mísit cui erant
iúnctí dracónés álís
ínstrúctí. Médéa nón omittendam tantam
occásiónem
arbitráta currum ascendit, itaque per áera vecta incolumis ad urbem
Athénás pervénit. Iásón ipse breví tempore
míró modó occísus est. Accidit
síve cású síve cónsilió deórum ut sub
umbrá návis suae, quae in lítus
subducta erat, dormíret. Mox návis, quae adhúc érécta
steterat, in eam
partem ubi Iásón iacébat subitó délapsa virum
ínfélícem oppressit.
[Illustration: MEDEA MEDITATING THE MURDER OF HER SONS]
ULYSSES
Ulysses, a famous Greek hero, took a prominent part in the long siege of
Troy. After the fall of the city, he set out with his followers on his
homeward voyage to Ithaca, an island of which he was king; but being
driven out of his course by northerly winds, he was compelled to touch at
the country of the Lotus-eaters, who are supposed to have lived on the
north coast of Africa. Some of his comrades were so delighted with the
lotus fruit that they wished to remain in the country, but Ulysses
compelled them to embark again and continued his voyage. He next came to
the island of Sicily, and fell into the hands of the giant Polyphémus,
one of the Cyclópes. After several of his comrades had been killed by
this monster, Ulysses made his escape by stratagem and reached the
country of the winds. Here he received the help of Aeolus, king of the
winds, and having set sail again, arrived within sight of Ithaca; but
owing to the folly of his companions, the winds became suddenly adverse
and he was again driven back. He then touched at an island which was the
home of Circe, a powerful enchantress, who exercised her charms on his
companions and turned them into swine. By the help of the god Mercury,
Ulysses not only escaped this fate himself, but also forced Circe to
restore her victims to human shape. After staying a year with Circe, he
again set out and eventually reached his home.
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