And they came swiftly towards Perseus, and he fell down and worshiped,
for he knew they were more than mortal.

But Athene spoke gently to him and bade him have no fear. "Perseus,"
she said, "you have braved Polydectes, and done manfully. Dare you
brave Medusa the Gorgon?"

Perseus answered, "Try me, for since you spoke to me, new courage has
come into my soul."

And Athene said, "Perseus, this deed requires a seven years' journey,
in which you cannot turn back nor escape. If your heart fails, you
must die, and no man will ever find your bones."

And Perseus said, "Tell me, O fair and wise Athene, how I can do but
this one thing, and then, if need be, die."

Then Athene smiled and said, "Be patient and listen. You must go
northward till you find the Three Gray Sisters, who have but one eye
and one tooth amongst them. Ask them the way to the daughters of the
Evening Star, for they will tell you the way to the Gorgon, that you
may slay her. But beware! for her eyes are so terrible that whosoever
looks on them is turned to stone."

"How am I to escape her eyes?" said Perseus; "will she not freeze me
too?"

"You shall take this polished shield," said Athene, "and look, not
at her herself, but at her image in the shield, so you may strike her
safely. And when you have struck off her head, wrap it, with your face