Oneafteranother，KingMinoscalledthesepale，frightenedyouthsandsobbingmaidenstohisfootstool，gavethemeachapokeintheribswithhissceptre（totrywhethertheywereingoodfleshorno），anddismissedthemwithanodtohisguards。
ButwhenhiseyesrestedonTheseus，thekinglookedathimmoreattentively，becausehisfacewascalmandbrave。
\"Youngman，\"askedhe，withhissternvoice，\"areyounotappalledatthecertaintyofbeingdevouredbythisterribleMinotaur？\"
\"Ihaveofferedmylifeinagoodcause，\"answeredTheseus，\"andthereforeIgiveitfreelyandgladly。Butthou，KingMinos，artthounotthyselfappalled，who，yearafteryear，hastperpetratedthisdreadfulwrong，bygivingseveninnocentyouthsandasmanymaidenstobedevouredbyamonster？Dostthounottremble，wickedking，toturnshineeyesinwardonshineownheart？Sittingthereonthygoldenthrone，andinthyrobesofmajesty，Itelltheetothyface，KingMinos，thouartamorehideousmonsterthantheMinotaurhimself！\"
\"Aha！doyouthinkmeso？\"criedtheking，laughinginhiscruelway。\"To-morrow，atbreakfasttime，youshallhaveanopportunityofjudgingwhichisthegreatermonster，theMinotaurortheking！Takethemaway，guards；andletthisfree-spokenyouthbetheMinotaur’sfirstmorsel。\"