MINOS, king of Crete, made war upon Megara. Nisus
was king of Megara, and Scylla was his daughter. The siege had now lasted
six months and the city still held out, for it was decreed by fate that
it should not be taken so long as a certain purple lock, which glittered
among the hair of King Nisus, remained on his head. There was a tower on
the city walls, which overlooked the plain where Minos and his army were
encamped. To this tower Scylla used to repair, and look abroad over the
tents of the hostile army. The siege had lasted so long that she had learned
to distinguish the persons of the leaders. Minos, in particular, excited
her admiration. Arrayed in his helmet, and bearing his shield, she admired
his graceful deportment; if he threw his javelin skill seemed combined
with force in the discharge; if he drew his bow Apollo himself could not
have done it more gracefully. But when he laid aside his helmet, and in
his purple robes bestrode his white horse with its gay caparisons, and
reined in its foaming mouth, the daughter of Nisus was hardly mistress
of herself; she was almost frantic with admiration. She envied the weapon
that he grasped, the reins that he held. She felt as if she could, if it
were possible, go to him through the hostile ranks; she felt an impulse
to cast herself down from the tower into the midst of his camp, or to open
the gates to him, or to do anything else, so only it might gratify Minos.
As she sat in the tower, she talked thus with herself: "I know not whether
to rejoice or grieve at this sad war. I grieve that Minos is our enemy;
but I rejoice at any cause that brings him to my sight. Perhaps he would
be willing to grant us peace, and receive me as a hostage. I would fly
down, if I could, and alight in his camp, and tell him that we yield ourselves
to his mercy. But then, to betray my father! No! rather would I never see
Minos again. And yet no doubt it is sometimes the best thing for a city
to be conquered, when the conqueror is clement and generous. Minos certainly
has right on his side. I think we shall be conquered; and if that must
be the end of it, why should not love unbar the gates to him, instead of
leaving it to be done by war? Better spare delay and slaughter if we can.
And O if any one should wound or kill Minos! No one surely would have the
heart to do it; yet ignorantly, not knowing him, one might. I will, I will
surrender myself to him, with my country as a dowry, and so put an end
to the war. But how? The gates are guarded, and my father keeps the keys;
he only stands in my way. O that it might please the gods to take him away!
But why ask the gods to do it? Another woman, loving as I do, would remove
with her own hands whatever stood in the way of her love. And can any other
woman dare more than I? I would encounter fire and sword to gain my object;
but here there is no need of fire and sword. I only need my father's purple
lock. More precious than gold to me, that will give me all I wish."
While she thus reasoned night came on, and soon
the whole palace was buried in sleep. She entered her father's bedchamber
and cut off the fatal lock; then passed out of the city and entered the
enemy's camp. She demanded to be led to the king, and thus addressed him:
"I am Scylla, the daughter of Nisus. I surrender to you my country and
my father's house. I ask no reward but yourself: for love of you I have
done it. See here the purple lock! With this I give you my father and his
kingdom." She held out her hand with the fatal spoil. Minos shrunk back
and refused to touch it. "The gods destroy thee, infamous woman," he exclaimed;
"disgrace of our time! May neither earth nor sea yield thee a resting-place!
Surely, my Crete, where Zeus himself was cradled, shall not be polluted
with such a monster!" Thus he said, and gave orders that equitable terms
should be allowed to the conquered city, and that the fleet should immediately
sail from the island.
Scylla was frantic. "Ungrateful man," she exclaimed,
"is it thus you leave me?- me who have given you victory,- who have sacrificed
for you parent and country! I am guilty, I confess, and deserve to die,
but not by your hand." As the ships left the shore, she leaped into the
water, and seizing the rudder of the one which carried Minos, she was borne
along an unwelcome companion of their course. A sea-eagle soaring aloft,-
it was her father who had been changed into that form,- seeing her, pounced
down upon her, and struck her with his beak and claws. In terror she let
go the ship and would have fallen into the water, but some pitying deity
changed her into a bird. The sea-eagle still cherishes the old animosity;
and whenever he espies her in his lofty flight you may see him dart down
upon her, with beak and claws, to take vengeance for the ancient crime.
