48 



AUTUMN STORIES AND POEMS 



When all was ready, Apollo placed the crown 

 of sunbeams on the head of Phaethon. 



He put in his hand the reins and the whip. 

 He gave him this advice : 



"Do not go too high, or you will set heaven on 

 fire. Do not go too low or you will burn the earth. 



" Keep to the middle path ; you will see the 

 deep ruts that the car has made." 



But Phaethon was in a hurry to be off. 



With a light touch of the whip and a gay 

 shout, he started. 



But the horses soon missed the strong hand 

 cf their master. 



They plunged and reared. 

 They left the beaten track. 

 They went up so high in heaven that the 

 Great Bear was scorched with heat. 



