A Book of Myths, by Jean Lang - Umnet

To Pallas Athené, goddess of craftsmen, came tidings that at Colophon
in Lydia lived a nymph whose skill rivalled that of the goddess herself,
and she, ever jealous for her own honour, took on herself the form of a
woman bent with age, and, leaning on her staff, joined the little crowd
that hung round Arachne as she plied her busy needle. With white arms
twined round each other the eager nymphs watched the flowers spring
up under her fingers, even as flowers spring from the ground on the
coming of Demeter, and Athené was fain to admire, while she
marvelled at the magic skill of the fair Arachne.
Gently she spoke to Arachne, and, with the persuasive words of a wise
old woman, warned her that she must not let her ambition soar too high.
Greater than all skilled craftswomen was the great goddess Athené, and
were Arachne, in impious vanity, to dream that one day she might
equal her, that were indeed a crime for any god to punish.
Glancing up for a moment from the picture whose perfect colours grew
fast under her slim fingers, Arachne fixed scornful eyes on the old
woman and gave a merry laugh.
"Didst say equal Athené? old mother," she said. "In good sooth thy
dwelling must be with the goat-herds in the far-off hills and thou art not
a dweller in our city. Else hadst thou not spoken to Arachne of
equalling the work of Athené; excelling were the better word."
In anger Pallas Athené made answer.
"Impious one!" she said, "to those who would make themselves higher
than the gods must ever come woe unutterable. Take heed what thou
sayest, for punishment will assuredly be thine."
Laughing still, Arachne made reply:
"I fear not, Athené, nor does my heart shake at the gloomy warning of a
foolish old crone." And turning to the nymphs who, half afraid, listened
to her daring words, she said: "Fair nymphs who watch me day by day,
well do ye know that I make no idle boast. My skill is as great as that of
Athené, and greater still it shall be. Let Athené try a contest with me if