Jason and Cadmus in Myth :: essays research papers

Cadmus in Myth Zeus, under the disguise of a bull, had carried away Europa, the female child of Agenor, the King of Phoenicia. Agenor commanded his son Cadmus to go in search of his sister, and non to outlet without her. Cadmus went and sought long and far for his sister, but could not find her, and not daring to devote unsuccessful, consulted the oracle of Apollo to know what country he should return in. The oracle informed him that he should find a cow in the field, and should follow her wherever she might wander, and where she stopped, should build a city and bring down it Thebes. Cadmus had hardly left the Castalian cave, from which the oracle was delivered, when he saw a fresh cow slowly walking before him. He followed her close, offering at the same time his prayers to Apollo. The cow went on till she passed the shallow deal of Cephisus and came out into the plain of Panope. There she stood still, and raising her broad forehead to the sky, fill the air with her lowing s. Cadmus gave thanks and, stooping down, kissed the foreign soil, then lifting his eyes, greeted the surrounding mountains. lack to offer a sacrifice to Zeus, he sent his servants to seek staring(a) water for a libation. Nearby there stood an ancient grove which had neer been profaned by the axe, in the midst of which was a cave, thick cover with the growth of bushes, its roof forming a low arch, from beneath which burst ahead a fountain of purest water. In the cave lurked a horrid ophidian with a crested head and scales glittering interchangeable gold. His eyes shone like fire, his body was swollen with venom, he vibrated a trio tongue, and showed a triple row of teeth. No sooner had the Tyrians dipped their pitchers in the fountain, and the ingushing waters make a sound, than the glittering serpent raised his head out of the cave and uttered a fearful hiss. The vessels fell from their hands, the blood left their cheeks, they trembled in every limb.The serpent, twisting his scaly body in a massive coil, raised his head so as to overtop the tallest trees, and while the Tyrians from alarm could neither fight nor fly, slew some with his fangs, others with his folds, and other with his poisonous breath. Cadmus, having waited for the return of his men till midday, went in search of them.