Then Perseus remembered his strange dream, and he cried aloud, "The
head of Medusa the Gorgon!"

He was half afraid after he had said the words, for all laughed louder
than ever, and Polydectes loudest of all, while he said:

"You have promised to bring me the Gorgon's head. Then never appear
again in this island without it. Go!"

Perseus saw that he had fallen into a trap, but he went out without a
word.

Down to the cliffs he went, and looked across the broad blue sea, and
wondered if his dream were true.

"Athene, was my dream true? Shall I slay the Gorgon?" he prayed.
"Rashly and angrily I promised, but wisely and patiently will I
perform."

But there was no answer nor sign, not even a cloud in the sky.

Three times Perseus called, weeping, "Rashly and angrily I promised,
but wisely and patiently will I perform."

Then he saw afar off a small white cloud, as bright as silver. And
as it touched the cliffs, it broke and parted, and within it appeared
Athene, and beside her a young man, whose eyes were like sparks of
fire.