that enveloped even his courtiers upon the right and upon the
left,--the Seasons with their emblems, Day, Month, Year, and the
beautiful young Hours in a row. In one glance of those all-seeing eyes,
the sun-god knew his child; but in order to try him he asked the boy
his errand.

"O my father," stammered Phaethon, "if you are my father indeed," and
then he took courage; for the god came down from his throne, put off
the glorious halo that hurt mortal eyes, and embraced him tenderly.

"Indeed, thou art my son," said he. "Ask any gift of me and it shall be
thine; I call the Styx to witness."

"Ah!" cried Phaethon rapturously. "Let me drive thy chariot for one
day!"

For an instant the Sun's looks clouded. "Choose again, my child," said
he. "Thou art only a mortal, and this task is mine alone of all the
gods. Not Zeus himself dare drive the chariot of the Sun. The way is
full of terrors, both for the horses and for all the stars along the
roadside, and for the Earth, who has all blessings from me. Listen, and
choose again." And therewith he warned Phaethon of all the dangers that
beset the way,--the great steep that the steeds must climb, the numbing
dizziness of the height, the fierce constellations that breathe out
fire, and that descent in the west where the Sun seems to go headlong.

But these counsels only made the reckless boy more eager to win honor
of such a high enterprise.

"I will take care; only let me go," he begged.