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Lives of Alcyone

Lives of Alcyone

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<strong>Alcyone</strong> answered: “ I have done nothing, O King; but the<br />

power <strong>of</strong> the deity has manifested itself, and thou hast been freed<br />

from the prison in which this man had immured thee.”<br />

And Ulysses replied, speaking to his courtiers: “ Verily this<br />

which he says is true, for I feel as though I had escaped from some<br />

dark dungeon, and I know that whereas before I was bound, now I<br />

am free.”<br />

Turning to <strong>Alcyone</strong> he continued: “ You, who have done this<br />

great thing for me—I transfer to you by this act all the revenues <strong>of</strong><br />

him whose wiles you have conquered, and I ask you to instruct me<br />

further in a magic so powerful as to defeat so easily the greatest<br />

magician whom I have known.”<br />

“ There is no magic here, O King,” replied <strong>Alcyone</strong>, “ but<br />

that <strong>of</strong> a strong will, a pure heart and a sense <strong>of</strong> right; yet I thank<br />

thee for thy gift, and if it be thy will I will gladly help thee to undo the<br />

wrong that has been done. But first let me call my brother.”<br />

With a look he called Mizar to his side. Mizar came willingly<br />

enough, for the fall <strong>of</strong> his quondam chief had caused a shock which<br />

had enabled him to throw <strong>of</strong>f the hypnotic influence, and now he felt<br />

not the slightest attraction to the darker magic which before had<br />

meant so much to him. Now he too saw before, him the face <strong>of</strong> their<br />

mother. And he gladly attached himself to <strong>Alcyone</strong>, unable to<br />

comprehend how he could ever have even temporarily left him.<br />

Ulysses dismissed the assembly and, calling <strong>Alcyone</strong> to him, began<br />

at once to arrange for a series <strong>of</strong> instructions from him. From that<br />

moment he transferred all his interest and support to the great<br />

temple over which <strong>Alcyone</strong> presided; and; with the advice <strong>of</strong> his<br />

mother, <strong>Alcyone</strong> was gradually able to lead him from love <strong>of</strong> magical<br />

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