April 4, 2025 • 44 mins
Perseus outsmarts fate and monsters in this classic Greek myth of heroism, divine intervention, and destiny. A young hero embarks on an impossible quest to obtain the head of Medusa, facing challenges that require both courage and cunning to overcome. So snuggle up in your blankets and have sweet dreams.
The music in this episode is Libra by Sayuri Hayashi Egnell.
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Dreamful is produced and hosted by Jordan Blair. Edited by Katie Sokolovska. Theme song by Joshua Snodgrass. Cover art by Jordan Blair. ©️ Dreamful LLC
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:21):
Welcome to Dreamful Podcast Bedtime stories for
slumber.
I would like to start off thisepisode by thanking our newest
supporters, haley Dunn andLindsay Bognor.
Thank you both so much, and Ihope you have the sweetest of
dreams.
If you'd like to be just likeHaley and Lindsay and support
(00:43):
the show and gain access tosubscriber-only episodes while
receiving a shout out, visitdreamfullstoriescom and, on the
support page, find the link tobecome a Buzzsprout supporter or
subscribe to your supercast.
If you listen on Spotify, yoursupport goes towards things like
equipment, music licensing,paying for my website and, of
(01:03):
course, paying for my amazingeditor, katie.
This spring, I've been on a bitof a personal health journey,
and something that has becomereally important in this is
eating and drinking healthier.
So I've been consuming a lot ofwater and thank goodness I've
got an AquaTrue water purifier,because it has made such a
(01:24):
difference.
I bought an AquaTrue waterpurifier because it has made
such a difference.
Aquatrue purifiers use afour-stage reverse osmosis
purification process thatremoves 15 times more
contaminants than ordinarypitcher filters, including PFAs,
also known as forever chemicals, which are found in nearly half
of US tap water.
You just plug it in and startenjoying clean, delicious water
(01:44):
instantly.
They even have purifiers forevery home, from countertop
models like I have to under-sinkoptions, which I am probably
going to be getting, and evenWi-Fi connected purifiers with
mineral boost features.
I've had my AquaTrue for over ayear and it's, hands down, our
favorite appliance.
We've gotten rid of every otherfilter because nothing else
(02:06):
compares.
The water tastes so pure, mykids drink more of it and even
my cats prefer it.
Plus, the filters last betweensix months to two years, saving
us money and reducing plasticwaste, because just one set of
filters from their classicpurifier makes the equivalent of
4,500 bottles of water.
(02:27):
Aquatrue comes with a 30-daymoney-back guarantee and even
makes a great gift.
Today, my listeners receive 20%off any AquaTrue purifier.
Just go to AquaTruecom that'sA-Q-U-A-T-R-U dot com and enter
code DREAMFALL at checkout.
(02:48):
That's 20% off any AquaTruewater purifier when you go to
AquaTruecom and use codeDREAMFALL.
Many of you have been askingfor more Greek mythology, and I
love Greek mythology, so I ammore than happy to oblige.
This is the legend of Perseusand Medusa, so snuggle up your
(03:15):
blankets and have sweet dreams ©BF-WATCH TV 2021.
(04:01):
Ocrisius was king in Argos.
It was once foretold that hewould be killed by the son of
his daughter, dani.
Thereupon he shut up hisdaughter and her son, perseus by
name, in a chest and threw itinto a raging flood.
The gods pitied the innocentones and directed it to the
(04:27):
island of Seraphos.
The kings of the island, dictysand Polydectes, were one day
drawing a net from the sea.
Great was their astonishmentwhen they found a chest in the
net and heard sorrowful moaningsin its interior.
They opened it and the nobleDany stepped out with her
(04:53):
beautiful son.
Dictys took them home with himand cared for them as if they
had been his own brother andsister, as if they had been his
own brother and sister.
When Perseus reached his youngmanhood, he surpassed everyone
(05:13):
in skill and dexterity inmartial sports.
Polydectes conceived evildesigns against the innocent
Dany and, as he feared Perseus,he decided to send him out of
the country.
He soon found the opportunity.
He gave a banquet to theleading men of the island, at
(05:37):
which he announced that he wasgoing to take a wife.
He also required each one ofthem to procure a beautiful
horse for a wedding gift.
In his youthfulpresumptuousness, perseus said
Whatever you wish I promise todo.
Even should you request thehead of the Gorgon, I would
(06:01):
procure it for you.
The king replied Bring me thegorgon's head, but know this if
you do not keep your word, yourmother, dany, shall make
compensation.
(06:24):
Troubled in mind, perseus wentto the seashore and confided his
tears to the waves.
Hermes, the divine messenger,at once appeared and promised
his assistance.
Assistance.
He conducted him to the houseof night, in the extreme limits
(06:46):
of the earth, where there isneither the gold light of the
sun nor the mild luster of themoon.
In that grey place, thedaughters of Forcus lived all
grey themselves and withered asan old age.
They were strange creaturesindeed, most of all because they
(07:11):
had but one eye for the three,which it was their custom to
take turns with, each removingit from her forehead when she
had it for a time and handing itto another.
All this, hermes told Perseus,and then he unfolded his plan he
(07:33):
would himself guide Perseus tothem Once there.
Perseus must keep hidden untilhe saw one of them take the eye
out of her forehead to pass it.
At that moment, when none of thethree could see, he must rush
forward and seize the eye andrefuse to give it back until
(07:57):
they told him how to reach thenymphs of the north, he himself,
hermes said, would give him asword to attack Medusa with
which could not be bent orbroken by the Gorgon scales.
This was a wonderful gift, nodoubt.
(08:17):
And yet of what use was a swordwhen the creature to be struck
by it could turn the swordsmaninto stone before he was within
striking distance?
But another great deity was athand to help.
Athena took off the shield ofpolished bronze which covered
(08:43):
her breast and held it out tohim.
Look into this.
When you attack the Gorgon, shesaid, you will be able to see
her in it as a mirror and soavoid her deadly power.
(09:06):
The journey to the twilight landwas long, over the stream of
ocean and on to the very borderof the black country.
They found the grey women atlast, looking in the wavering
light.
Like grey birds, for they hadthe shape of swans, but their
(09:26):
heads were human, and beneaththeir wings they had arms and
hands.
Perseus did just as Hermes hadsaid he held back until he saw
one take the eye out of herforehead.
Then, before she could give itto her sister, he snatched it
(09:50):
out of her hand, perseus spokeout and told them he had taken
it and that it would be theirsagain.
Only when they showed him howto find the nymphs of the north,
they gave him full directionsat once.
He returned it to them and wenton the way they had pointed out
(10:11):
to him.
He was bound, although he didnot know it, to the blessed
country of the Hyperbians at theback of the north wind, of
which, it said Neither by shipnor yet by land shall one find
(10:33):
the wondrous road to thegathering place of the
Hyperboreans.
But Perseus had Hermes with him, so that the road lay open to
him and he reached that host ofhappy people who were always
banqueting and holding joyfulrevelry.
They showed him great kindness,they welcomed him to their
(10:57):
feast and the maidens, dancingto the sound of flute and lyre,
paused to get for him the giftshe sought.
These were three winged sandals, a magic wallet which would
always become the right size forwhatever was to be carried in
it and, most important of all,the cloak of Pluto which made
(11:24):
them wear invisible.
With these and Athena's shieldand Hermes' sword, perseus was
ready for the Gorgons.
Hermes knew where they lived and, leaving the happy land, the
two flew back across ocean andover sea to the terrible
(11:47):
sisters' land.
There dwelt the sisters, theterrible gorgons whose heads
were covered with snakes.
The chill of death struck thosewho looked upon them.
Their breath left them and theyturned to stone.
(12:09):
By happy fate, the monstersslept with their faces turned
downwards.
As Perseus courageouslyapproached with his drawn sword,
hermes and Athena stood at hisside, instructing him how to
begin so as to keep his word.
(12:31):
Advance so you do not see thefaces, said they, lest they turn
you to stone.
Draw your sword only againstthe middle one of the Gorgons,
the Medusa, for she alone ismortal.
When you have recognized her,raise this gleaming shield in
(12:56):
which her face will be mirrored.
After these words, theimmortals left Perseus.
After these words, theimmortals left Perseus.
Approaching near, he saw thefigure of the gorgon on his
shield.
He raised his sword and struckoff her head.
(13:19):
He then seized it by the snakyhair, placed it into the magic
wallet and hurried away.
The two living Gorgons awokeand swept the air with their
wings, but could not catch theyouth, as the cloak of Pluto hid
him from their sight.
(13:43):
On his way back, perseus came toEthiopia.
The people there were in greattrouble, for a dreadful calamity
had happened to them.
The water of the sea was inflood and had brought with it a
(14:05):
monster which devoured men andanimals.
The oracle was consulted,consulted and gave this answer
Only when Andromeda, the king'sdaughter, is given to the sea
monster for food will the floodabate.
Although the noble maiden wasgreatly beloved, there was a
(14:30):
universal demand to offer her up, save the country.
Andromeda was thereupon takento a rock and securely bound to
it.
Flying through the air, perseussaw the maiden.
He immediately descended andascertained her fate.
Fate.
Then he hastened to the kingand asked him if he would give
(14:51):
his daughter to him for wife ifhe freed the country from the
monster.
The king promised that he would.
Perseus betook himself to theshore and awaited the appearance
of the monster.
He soon emerged from the watermade for the rocks to devour the
(15:14):
maiden.
Perseus attacked and killed it.
After a hard fight, the wavesof the sea at once receded and
the country was freed from thepest.
The king gave the victor hisdaughter for wife, and a great
festival was held in his honor.
(15:36):
After some time it elapsed,perseus bethought himself of the
promise he had made KingPolydectes to bring him the
Gorgon's head and therefore madehis way with his wife to the
(15:56):
island of Seraphis, wherePolydectes ruled in common with
his brother.
How astonished Polydectes waswhen he saw the hero returning
whose death he had wished.
Perseus held the head of Medusabefore the king, and the sight
(16:18):
of it turned him to stoneinstantly.
When Polydectes had thus beenpunished, perseus gave the
Medusa's head to Athena, whofastened it in the middle of her
breastplate.
The cloak, wallet and shoes hegave to Hermes, who returned
(16:41):
them to the Nymphs.
Perseus now went back to Argos,his homeland.
When Acrisius heard he wasapproaching the castle, he fled
to the Pelasians.
Perseus followed him and foundhim there.
(17:04):
He implored him to return withhim to Argos and promised that
he would do him no harm.
This reassured Acrisius and heagreed to follow him.
On the day fixed for theirdeparture, a contest was
(17:25):
arranged by the Pelasians inwhich Perseus took part.
He engaged in disc throwing,and Perseus struck his
grandfather upon the foot withthe disc, which led to his
illness and death.
Thus the prophecy was fulfilled.
(17:46):
Perseus lived long and happilywith his wife Andromeda, who
bore him six sons and twodaughters.
(18:07):
Acrisius was king in Argos.
It was once foretold that hewould be killed by the son of
his daughter, dany.
Thereupon he shut up hisdaughter and her son, perseus by
name, in a chest and threw itinto a raging flood.
(18:27):
The gods pitied the innocentones and directed it to the
island of Seraphos.
The kings of the island, dictysand Polydectys, were one day
drawing a net from the sea.
Great was their astonishmentwhen they found a chest in the
(18:50):
net and heard sorrowful moaningsin its interior.
They opened it and the nobleDany stepped out with her
beautiful son.
Dictys took them home with himand cared for them as if they
had been his own brother andsister.
(19:23):
When Perseus reached his youngmanhood, he surpassed everyone
in skill and dexterity inmartial sports.
Polydectes conceived evildesigns against the innocent
Dany and as he feared Perseus,he decided to send him out of
the country.
He soon found the opportunity.
He gave a banquet to theleading men of the island at
(19:43):
which he announced that he wasgoing to take a wife.
He also required each one ofthem to procure a beautiful
horse for a wedding gift.
In his youthfulpresumptuousness, perseus said
Whatever you wish, I promise todo.
Even should you request thehead of the Gorgon, I would
(20:07):
procure it for you.
The king replied Bring me theGorgon's head.
But know this if you do notkeep your word, your mother,
dany, shall make compensation.
(20:38):
In his mind, perseus went to theseashore and confided his tears
to the waves.
Hermes, the divine messenger,at once appeared and promised
his assistance.
He conducted him to the houseof night, in the extreme limits
of the earth, where there isneither the gold light of the
sun nor the mild luster of themoon.
(21:03):
In that grey place, thedaughters of Forcus lived all
grey themselves and withered asan old age.
They were strange creaturesindeed, most of all because they
had but one eye for the three,which it was their custom to
(21:27):
take turns with, each removingit from her forehead when she
had it for a time and handing itto another.
All this Hermes told Perseus,and then he unfolded his plan he
would himself guide Perseus tothem.
Once there, perseus must keephidden until he saw one of them
(21:48):
take the eye out of her foreheadto pass it.
At that moment, when none ofthe three could see, he must
(22:08):
rush forward and seize the eyeand refuse to give it back.
Until they told him how toreach the nymphs of the north,
he said would give him a swordto attack Medusa with which
could not be bent or broken bythe Gorgon scales.
This was a wonderful gift, nodoubt.
And yet of what use was a swordwhen the creature to be struck
(22:30):
by it could turn the swordsmaninto stone before he was within
striking distance?
But another great deity was athand to help.
Athena took off the shield ofpolished bronze which covered
her breast and held it out tohim.
(22:52):
Look into this.
When you attack the Gorgon, shesaid, you will be able to see
her in it as a mirror and soavoid her deadly power.
(23:12):
The journey to the Twilight Landwas long, over the stream of
ocean and on to the very borderof the black country, they found
the grey women at last, lookingin the wavering light like grey
birds, for they had the shapeof swans, but their heads were
(23:32):
human and beneath their wingsthey had arms and hands.
Perseus did just as Hermes hadsaid he held back until he saw
one take the eye out of herforehead.
Then, before she could give itto her sister, he snatched it
(23:54):
out of her hand.
Perseus spoke out and told themhe had taken it and that it
would be theirs again.
Only when they showed him howto find the Nymphs of the North.
They gave him full directionsat once.
He returned it to them and wenton the way they had pointed out
(24:17):
to him.
He was bound, although he didnot know it, to the blessed
country of the Hyperbians, atthe back of the north wind, of
which, is said.
Neither by ship nor yet by landshall one find the wondrous
(24:39):
road to the gathering place ofthe Hyperboreans.
But Perseus had Hermes with him, so that the road lay open to
him and he reached that host ofhappy people who were always
banqueting and holding joyfulrevelry.
They showed him great kindness,they welcomed him to their
(25:03):
feast and the maidens, dancingto the sound of flute and lyre,
paused to get for him the giftshe sought.
The gifts he sought, these werethree winged sandals, a magic
wallet which would always becomethe right size for whatever was
to be carried in it and, mostimportant of all, the cloak of
(25:27):
Pluto which made them wearerinvisible.
With these and Athena's shieldand Hermes' sword, perseus was
ready for the Gorgons.
Hermes knew where they lived and, leaving the happy land, the
(25:49):
two flew back across ocean andover sea to the terrible
sisters' land.
There dwelt the sisters, theterrible gorgons whose heads
(26:10):
were covered with snakes.
The chill of death struck thosewho looked upon them.
Their breath left them and theyturned to stone.
By happy fate, the monstersslept with their faces turned
downwards.
As Perseus courageouslyapproached with his drawn sword,
hermes and Athena stood at hisside, instructing him how to
(26:34):
begin so as to keep his word.
Stood at his side instructinghim how to begin so as to keep
his word.
Advance so you do not see thefaces, said they, lest they turn
you to stone.
Draw your sword only againstthe middle one of the Gorgons,
the Medusa, for she alone ismortal.
(26:55):
When you have recognized her,raise this gleaming shield in
which her face will be mirrored.
After these words, theimmortals left Perseus
Approaching near.
He saw the figure of the Gorgonon his shield.
(27:17):
He raised his sword and struckoff her head.
He then seized it by the snakyhair, placed it into the magic
wallet and hurried away.
The two living Gorgons awokeand swept the air with their
wings, but could not catch theyouth as the cloak of Pluto hid
(27:42):
him from their sight.
On his way back, perseus came toEthiopia.
The people there were in greattrouble, for a dreadful calamity
had happened to them the waterof the sea was in flood and had
(28:04):
brought with it a monster whichdevoured men and animals.
The oracle was consulted andgave this answer Only when
Andromeda, the king's daughter,is given to the sea monster for
food will the flood abate.
(28:24):
Although the noble maiden wasgreatly beloved, there was a
universal demand to offer her upsave the country.
Andromeda was thereupon takento a rock and securely bound to
it.
Flying through the air, perseussaw the maiden.
(28:46):
He immediately descended andascertained her fate.
Then he hastened to the kingand asked him if he would give
his daughter to him for wife ifhe freed the country from the
monster.
The king promised that he would.
Perseus betook himself to theshore and awaited the appearance
(29:14):
of the monster.
He soon emerged from the water,made for the rocks to devour
the maiden, perseus attacked andkilled it.
After a hard fight.
The waves of the sea at oncereceded and the country was
freed from the pest.
The king gave the victor hisdaughter for wife, and a great
(29:40):
festival was held in his honor.
After some time it elapsed,perseus bethought himself of the
promise he had made KingPolydectes to bring him the
Gorgon's head, and thereforemade his way with his wife to
(30:02):
the island of Seraphis, wherePolydectes ruled, in common with
his brother.
How astonished Polydectes waswhen he saw the hero returning
whose death he had wished.
Perseus held the head of Medusabefore the king, and the sight
(30:24):
of it turned him to stoneinstantly.
When Polydectes had thus beenpunished, perseus gave the
Medusa's head to Athena, whofastened it in the middle of her
breastplate.
The cloak, wallet and shoes hegave to Argos, his homeland.
(30:59):
When Acrisius heard he wasapproaching the castle, he fled
to the Pelasians.
Perseus followed him and foundhim there.
He implored him to return withhim to Argos and promised that
he would do him no harm.
This reassured Acrisius and heagreed to follow him.
(31:24):
On the day fixed for theirdeparture, a contest was
arranged by the Pelasians inwhich Perseus took part.
He engaged in disc throwing andPerseus struck his grandfather
upon the foot with the disc,which led to his illness and
(31:46):
death.
Thus the prophecy was fulfilled.
Perseus lived long and happilywith his wife Andromeda, who
bore him six sons no-transcript.
Welcome to Dreamful Podcast Bedtime stories for
slumber.
I would like to start off thisepisode by thanking our newest
supporters, haley Dunn andLindsay Bognor.
Thank you both so much, and Ihope you have the sweetest of
dreams.
If you'd like to be just likeHaley and Lindsay and support
(00:43):
the show and gain access tosubscriber-only episodes while
receiving a shout out, visitdreamfullstoriescom and, on the
support page, find the link tobecome a Buzzsprout supporter or
subscribe to your supercast.
If you listen on Spotify, yoursupport goes towards things like
equipment, music licensing,paying for my website and, of
(01:03):
course, paying for my amazingeditor, katie.
This spring, I've been on a bitof a personal health journey,
and something that has becomereally important in this is
eating and drinking healthier.
So I've been consuming a lot ofwater and thank goodness I've
got an AquaTrue water purifier,because it has made such a
(01:24):
difference.
I bought an AquaTrue waterpurifier because it has made
such a difference.
Aquatrue purifiers use afour-stage reverse osmosis
purification process thatremoves 15 times more
contaminants than ordinarypitcher filters, including PFAs,
also known as forever chemicals, which are found in nearly half
of US tap water.
You just plug it in and startenjoying clean, delicious water
(01:44):
instantly.
They even have purifiers forevery home, from countertop
models like I have to under-sinkoptions, which I am probably
going to be getting, and evenWi-Fi connected purifiers with
mineral boost features.
I've had my AquaTrue for over ayear and it's, hands down, our
favorite appliance.
We've gotten rid of every otherfilter because nothing else
(02:06):
compares.
The water tastes so pure, mykids drink more of it and even
my cats prefer it.
Plus, the filters last betweensix months to two years, saving
us money and reducing plasticwaste, because just one set of
filters from their classicpurifier makes the equivalent of
4,500 bottles of water.
(02:27):
Aquatrue comes with a 30-daymoney-back guarantee and even
makes a great gift.
Today, my listeners receive 20%off any AquaTrue purifier.
Just go to AquaTruecom that'sA-Q-U-A-T-R-U dot com and enter
code DREAMFALL at checkout.
(02:48):
That's 20% off any AquaTruewater purifier when you go to
AquaTruecom and use codeDREAMFALL.
Many of you have been askingfor more Greek mythology, and I
love Greek mythology, so I ammore than happy to oblige.
This is the legend of Perseusand Medusa, so snuggle up your
(03:15):
blankets and have sweet dreams ©BF-WATCH TV 2021.
(04:01):
Ocrisius was king in Argos.
It was once foretold that hewould be killed by the son of
his daughter, dani.
Thereupon he shut up hisdaughter and her son, perseus by
name, in a chest and threw itinto a raging flood.
The gods pitied the innocentones and directed it to the
(04:27):
island of Seraphos.
The kings of the island, dictysand Polydectes, were one day
drawing a net from the sea.
Great was their astonishmentwhen they found a chest in the
net and heard sorrowful moaningsin its interior.
They opened it and the nobleDany stepped out with her
(04:53):
beautiful son.
Dictys took them home with himand cared for them as if they
had been his own brother andsister, as if they had been his
own brother and sister.
When Perseus reached his youngmanhood, he surpassed everyone
(05:13):
in skill and dexterity inmartial sports.
Polydectes conceived evildesigns against the innocent
Dany and, as he feared Perseus,he decided to send him out of
the country.
He soon found the opportunity.
He gave a banquet to theleading men of the island, at
(05:37):
which he announced that he wasgoing to take a wife.
He also required each one ofthem to procure a beautiful
horse for a wedding gift.
In his youthfulpresumptuousness, perseus said
Whatever you wish I promise todo.
Even should you request thehead of the Gorgon, I would
(06:01):
procure it for you.
The king replied Bring me thegorgon's head, but know this if
you do not keep your word, yourmother, dany, shall make
compensation.
(06:24):
Troubled in mind, perseus wentto the seashore and confided his
tears to the waves.
Hermes, the divine messenger,at once appeared and promised
his assistance.
Assistance.
He conducted him to the houseof night, in the extreme limits
(06:46):
of the earth, where there isneither the gold light of the
sun nor the mild luster of themoon.
In that grey place, thedaughters of Forcus lived all
grey themselves and withered asan old age.
They were strange creaturesindeed, most of all because they
(07:11):
had but one eye for the three,which it was their custom to
take turns with, each removingit from her forehead when she
had it for a time and handing itto another.
All this, hermes told Perseus,and then he unfolded his plan he
(07:33):
would himself guide Perseus tothem Once there.
Perseus must keep hidden untilhe saw one of them take the eye
out of her forehead to pass it.
At that moment, when none of thethree could see, he must rush
forward and seize the eye andrefuse to give it back until
(07:57):
they told him how to reach thenymphs of the north, he himself,
hermes said, would give him asword to attack Medusa with
which could not be bent orbroken by the Gorgon scales.
This was a wonderful gift, nodoubt.
(08:17):
And yet of what use was a swordwhen the creature to be struck
by it could turn the swordsmaninto stone before he was within
striking distance?
But another great deity was athand to help.
Athena took off the shield ofpolished bronze which covered
(08:43):
her breast and held it out tohim.
Look into this.
When you attack the Gorgon, shesaid, you will be able to see
her in it as a mirror and soavoid her deadly power.
(09:06):
The journey to the twilight landwas long, over the stream of
ocean and on to the very borderof the black country.
They found the grey women atlast, looking in the wavering
light.
Like grey birds, for they hadthe shape of swans, but their
(09:26):
heads were human, and beneaththeir wings they had arms and
hands.
Perseus did just as Hermes hadsaid he held back until he saw
one take the eye out of herforehead.
Then, before she could give itto her sister, he snatched it
(09:50):
out of her hand, perseus spokeout and told them he had taken
it and that it would be theirsagain.
Only when they showed him howto find the nymphs of the north,
they gave him full directionsat once.
He returned it to them and wenton the way they had pointed out
(10:11):
to him.
He was bound, although he didnot know it, to the blessed
country of the Hyperbians at theback of the north wind, of
which, it said Neither by shipnor yet by land shall one find
(10:33):
the wondrous road to thegathering place of the
Hyperboreans.
But Perseus had Hermes with him, so that the road lay open to
him and he reached that host ofhappy people who were always
banqueting and holding joyfulrevelry.
They showed him great kindness,they welcomed him to their
(10:57):
feast and the maidens, dancingto the sound of flute and lyre,
paused to get for him the giftshe sought.
These were three winged sandals, a magic wallet which would
always become the right size forwhatever was to be carried in
it and, most important of all,the cloak of Pluto which made
(11:24):
them wear invisible.
With these and Athena's shieldand Hermes' sword, perseus was
ready for the Gorgons.
Hermes knew where they lived and, leaving the happy land, the
two flew back across ocean andover sea to the terrible
(11:47):
sisters' land.
There dwelt the sisters, theterrible gorgons whose heads
were covered with snakes.
The chill of death struck thosewho looked upon them.
Their breath left them and theyturned to stone.
(12:09):
By happy fate, the monstersslept with their faces turned
downwards.
As Perseus courageouslyapproached with his drawn sword,
hermes and Athena stood at hisside, instructing him how to
begin so as to keep his word.
(12:31):
Advance so you do not see thefaces, said they, lest they turn
you to stone.
Draw your sword only againstthe middle one of the Gorgons,
the Medusa, for she alone ismortal.
When you have recognized her,raise this gleaming shield in
(12:56):
which her face will be mirrored.
After these words, theimmortals left Perseus.
After these words, theimmortals left Perseus.
Approaching near, he saw thefigure of the gorgon on his
shield.
He raised his sword and struckoff her head.
(13:19):
He then seized it by the snakyhair, placed it into the magic
wallet and hurried away.
The two living Gorgons awokeand swept the air with their
wings, but could not catch theyouth, as the cloak of Pluto hid
him from their sight.
(13:43):
On his way back, perseus came toEthiopia.
The people there were in greattrouble, for a dreadful calamity
had happened to them.
The water of the sea was inflood and had brought with it a
(14:05):
monster which devoured men andanimals.
The oracle was consulted,consulted and gave this answer
Only when Andromeda, the king'sdaughter, is given to the sea
monster for food will the floodabate.
Although the noble maiden wasgreatly beloved, there was a
(14:30):
universal demand to offer her up, save the country.
Andromeda was thereupon takento a rock and securely bound to
it.
Flying through the air, perseussaw the maiden.
He immediately descended andascertained her fate.
Fate.
Then he hastened to the kingand asked him if he would give
(14:51):
his daughter to him for wife ifhe freed the country from the
monster.
The king promised that he would.
Perseus betook himself to theshore and awaited the appearance
of the monster.
He soon emerged from the watermade for the rocks to devour the
(15:14):
maiden.
Perseus attacked and killed it.
After a hard fight, the wavesof the sea at once receded and
the country was freed from thepest.
The king gave the victor hisdaughter for wife, and a great
festival was held in his honor.
(15:36):
After some time it elapsed,perseus bethought himself of the
promise he had made KingPolydectes to bring him the
Gorgon's head and therefore madehis way with his wife to the
(15:56):
island of Seraphis, wherePolydectes ruled in common with
his brother.
How astonished Polydectes waswhen he saw the hero returning
whose death he had wished.
Perseus held the head of Medusabefore the king, and the sight
(16:18):
of it turned him to stoneinstantly.
When Polydectes had thus beenpunished, perseus gave the
Medusa's head to Athena, whofastened it in the middle of her
breastplate.
The cloak, wallet and shoes hegave to Hermes, who returned
(16:41):
them to the Nymphs.
Perseus now went back to Argos,his homeland.
When Acrisius heard he wasapproaching the castle, he fled
to the Pelasians.
Perseus followed him and foundhim there.
(17:04):
He implored him to return withhim to Argos and promised that
he would do him no harm.
This reassured Acrisius and heagreed to follow him.
On the day fixed for theirdeparture, a contest was
(17:25):
arranged by the Pelasians inwhich Perseus took part.
He engaged in disc throwing,and Perseus struck his
grandfather upon the foot withthe disc, which led to his
illness and death.
Thus the prophecy was fulfilled.
(17:46):
Perseus lived long and happilywith his wife Andromeda, who
bore him six sons and twodaughters.
(18:07):
Acrisius was king in Argos.
It was once foretold that hewould be killed by the son of
his daughter, dany.
Thereupon he shut up hisdaughter and her son, perseus by
name, in a chest and threw itinto a raging flood.
(18:27):
The gods pitied the innocentones and directed it to the
island of Seraphos.
The kings of the island, dictysand Polydectys, were one day
drawing a net from the sea.
Great was their astonishmentwhen they found a chest in the
(18:50):
net and heard sorrowful moaningsin its interior.
They opened it and the nobleDany stepped out with her
beautiful son.
Dictys took them home with himand cared for them as if they
had been his own brother andsister.
(19:23):
When Perseus reached his youngmanhood, he surpassed everyone
in skill and dexterity inmartial sports.
Polydectes conceived evildesigns against the innocent
Dany and as he feared Perseus,he decided to send him out of
the country.
He soon found the opportunity.
He gave a banquet to theleading men of the island at
(19:43):
which he announced that he wasgoing to take a wife.
He also required each one ofthem to procure a beautiful
horse for a wedding gift.
In his youthfulpresumptuousness, perseus said
Whatever you wish, I promise todo.
Even should you request thehead of the Gorgon, I would
(20:07):
procure it for you.
The king replied Bring me theGorgon's head.
But know this if you do notkeep your word, your mother,
dany, shall make compensation.
(20:38):
In his mind, perseus went to theseashore and confided his tears
to the waves.
Hermes, the divine messenger,at once appeared and promised
his assistance.
He conducted him to the houseof night, in the extreme limits
of the earth, where there isneither the gold light of the
sun nor the mild luster of themoon.
(21:03):
In that grey place, thedaughters of Forcus lived all
grey themselves and withered asan old age.
They were strange creaturesindeed, most of all because they
had but one eye for the three,which it was their custom to
(21:27):
take turns with, each removingit from her forehead when she
had it for a time and handing itto another.
All this Hermes told Perseus,and then he unfolded his plan he
would himself guide Perseus tothem.
Once there, perseus must keephidden until he saw one of them
(21:48):
take the eye out of her foreheadto pass it.
At that moment, when none ofthe three could see, he must
(22:08):
rush forward and seize the eyeand refuse to give it back.
Until they told him how toreach the nymphs of the north,
he said would give him a swordto attack Medusa with which
could not be bent or broken bythe Gorgon scales.
This was a wonderful gift, nodoubt.
And yet of what use was a swordwhen the creature to be struck
(22:30):
by it could turn the swordsmaninto stone before he was within
striking distance?
But another great deity was athand to help.
Athena took off the shield ofpolished bronze which covered
her breast and held it out tohim.
(22:52):
Look into this.
When you attack the Gorgon, shesaid, you will be able to see
her in it as a mirror and soavoid her deadly power.
(23:12):
The journey to the Twilight Landwas long, over the stream of
ocean and on to the very borderof the black country, they found
the grey women at last, lookingin the wavering light like grey
birds, for they had the shapeof swans, but their heads were
(23:32):
human and beneath their wingsthey had arms and hands.
Perseus did just as Hermes hadsaid he held back until he saw
one take the eye out of herforehead.
Then, before she could give itto her sister, he snatched it
(23:54):
out of her hand.
Perseus spoke out and told themhe had taken it and that it
would be theirs again.
Only when they showed him howto find the Nymphs of the North.
They gave him full directionsat once.
He returned it to them and wenton the way they had pointed out
(24:17):
to him.
He was bound, although he didnot know it, to the blessed
country of the Hyperbians, atthe back of the north wind, of
which, is said.
Neither by ship nor yet by landshall one find the wondrous
(24:39):
road to the gathering place ofthe Hyperboreans.
But Perseus had Hermes with him, so that the road lay open to
him and he reached that host ofhappy people who were always
banqueting and holding joyfulrevelry.
They showed him great kindness,they welcomed him to their
(25:03):
feast and the maidens, dancingto the sound of flute and lyre,
paused to get for him the giftshe sought.
The gifts he sought, these werethree winged sandals, a magic
wallet which would always becomethe right size for whatever was
to be carried in it and, mostimportant of all, the cloak of
(25:27):
Pluto which made them wearerinvisible.
With these and Athena's shieldand Hermes' sword, perseus was
ready for the Gorgons.
Hermes knew where they lived and, leaving the happy land, the
(25:49):
two flew back across ocean andover sea to the terrible
sisters' land.
There dwelt the sisters, theterrible gorgons whose heads
(26:10):
were covered with snakes.
The chill of death struck thosewho looked upon them.
Their breath left them and theyturned to stone.
By happy fate, the monstersslept with their faces turned
downwards.
As Perseus courageouslyapproached with his drawn sword,
hermes and Athena stood at hisside, instructing him how to
(26:34):
begin so as to keep his word.
Stood at his side instructinghim how to begin so as to keep
his word.
Advance so you do not see thefaces, said they, lest they turn
you to stone.
Draw your sword only againstthe middle one of the Gorgons,
the Medusa, for she alone ismortal.
(26:55):
When you have recognized her,raise this gleaming shield in
which her face will be mirrored.
After these words, theimmortals left Perseus
Approaching near.
He saw the figure of the Gorgonon his shield.
(27:17):
He raised his sword and struckoff her head.
He then seized it by the snakyhair, placed it into the magic
wallet and hurried away.
The two living Gorgons awokeand swept the air with their
wings, but could not catch theyouth as the cloak of Pluto hid
(27:42):
him from their sight.
On his way back, perseus came toEthiopia.
The people there were in greattrouble, for a dreadful calamity
had happened to them the waterof the sea was in flood and had
(28:04):
brought with it a monster whichdevoured men and animals.
The oracle was consulted andgave this answer Only when
Andromeda, the king's daughter,is given to the sea monster for
food will the flood abate.
(28:24):
Although the noble maiden wasgreatly beloved, there was a
universal demand to offer her upsave the country.
Andromeda was thereupon takento a rock and securely bound to
it.
Flying through the air, perseussaw the maiden.
(28:46):
He immediately descended andascertained her fate.
Then he hastened to the kingand asked him if he would give
his daughter to him for wife ifhe freed the country from the
monster.
The king promised that he would.
Perseus betook himself to theshore and awaited the appearance
(29:14):
of the monster.
He soon emerged from the water,made for the rocks to devour
the maiden, perseus attacked andkilled it.
After a hard fight.
The waves of the sea at oncereceded and the country was
freed from the pest.
The king gave the victor hisdaughter for wife, and a great
(29:40):
festival was held in his honor.
After some time it elapsed,perseus bethought himself of the
promise he had made KingPolydectes to bring him the
Gorgon's head, and thereforemade his way with his wife to
(30:02):
the island of Seraphis, wherePolydectes ruled, in common with
his brother.
How astonished Polydectes waswhen he saw the hero returning
whose death he had wished.
Perseus held the head of Medusabefore the king, and the sight
(30:24):
of it turned him to stoneinstantly.
When Polydectes had thus beenpunished, perseus gave the
Medusa's head to Athena, whofastened it in the middle of her
breastplate.
The cloak, wallet and shoes hegave to Argos, his homeland.
(30:59):
When Acrisius heard he wasapproaching the castle, he fled
to the Pelasians.
Perseus followed him and foundhim there.
He implored him to return withhim to Argos and promised that
he would do him no harm.
This reassured Acrisius and heagreed to follow him.
(31:24):
On the day fixed for theirdeparture, a contest was
arranged by the Pelasians inwhich Perseus took part.
He engaged in disc throwing andPerseus struck his grandfather
upon the foot with the disc,which led to his illness and
(31:46):
death.
Thus the prophecy was fulfilled.
Perseus lived long and happilywith his wife Andromeda, who
bore him six sons no-transcript.
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