HELIOS's FOUR-IN-HAND 1 3 



give : it is that I may take your place to-morrow, 

 and drive your chariot through the flaming path- 

 way of the sky." 



HeHos sank back terrified at the request, and 

 for a time could not speak. 



" My child," he said at last, " you surely do 

 not mean it. No man living can ever drive my 

 steeds; and although you have kinship with the 

 immortals, you are only human. Choose, I pray 

 you, some other favor." 



Phaethon wept, and answered : " Father, there 

 are some people who do not believe that I am 

 better than mere common men, and they scorn 

 me to my face. But if they could once see me 

 driving the sun-car through mid-air, they and all 

 the world would honor me. And I can drive 

 your steeds; for have I not mastered the wildest 

 horses of the desert, and have I not driven the 

 winning chariot in the Corinthian races? By 

 long years of patient training I have fitted myself 

 for this task." 



Through all the rest of the night Helios 

 pleaded with the young man, but in vain : Phae- 

 thon would not listen to any refusal. " This fa- 

 vor I will have or none," said he. " I will drive 

 the sun-car through the heavens to-morrow, and 



