Phaethon

　　Phaethon was the son of Apollo by a nymph，Clymene.When one of his playmates mocked him for believing that Apollo was really his father，Phaethon made no answer，but，coming home，asked his mother to give him some assurance of his parentage.Clymene swore to him by all that was sacred that she had told him truly，but suggested that if he was not satisfied，he should go and put the question to his father himself.

　　The boy eagerly traveled toward the sunrise，beyond the borders of earth，and came to the palace of the sun.Phoebus，dressed in a purple robe，was seated on a throne glittering with'gems.To right and left stood the Days，the Months，the Years，and the Ages.There too were the Seasons;young Spring，crowned with fresh flowers，Summer，nude but for her wreaths of grain;Autumn，stained with trodden grapes;and icy Winter，rugged and hoary-haired.Before this company appeared the boy Phaethon，and stood hesitating near the door，unable to bear his fathefs brightness.But the sun，looking at him with those eyes that see all things，greeted him kindly and asked the reason of his coming.Phaethon，encouraged by his recognition，answered:"O light of the vast world，Phoebus，my father，if that name is permitted，I pray you to give me some pledge that I may be recognized as your very son."In answer the father embraced him and promised to grant whatever he should ask;he swore it by the Styx，an oath no god might break.But when Phaethon asked for the privilege of driving for one day the chariot of the sun，Phoebus did all in his power to dissuade him，telling him the dangers of the way，and that not even Zeus，who wields the thunder，could drive that chariot.Surely it was no task for a mortal!But Phaethon was obstinate，in his demand，and Apollo had sworn by the Styx.

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