STORY OF PHAETHON 45 



bold as to think that he could drive these fiery 

 horses. 



This was Phaethon, the son of Apollo. 



He lived on the earth with his mother. He 

 saw his father only from a great distance. 



He was very proud of having so mighty a 

 father. 



But his companions jeered at him. 



" We do not believe that it is true/' they 

 said. "He never comes to see you." 



But his mother said : " Wait, my son, until 

 you are tall and strong. Then you may 

 go to find your father in the palace of sun- 

 rise." 



Day after day passed, and Phaethon grew 

 impatient. 



At last, one day, his mother said, " Go, my 

 son ; now is the time." 



All that day, and all the night, he travelled 

 to the east. Before daybreak he came to the 

 palace of Apollo. 



The great king was sitting on a throne of 

 gold and diamonds. 



He wore on his head a crown of sunbeams. 



On his right hand stood the Days, the Months, 

 the Years. 



