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On waking, he went in quest of them, and, after wandering over the
whole country, came at last to the district called "the Woodland,"
where he found in a cave a strange being, between a maiden and a
serpent, whose form from the waist upwards was like that of a woman,
while all below was like a snake. He looked at her wonderingly; but
nevertheless inquired, whether she had chanced to see his strayed mares
anywhere. She answered him, "Yes, and they were now in her
keeping; but never would she consent to give them back, unless he took
her for his mistress." So Hercules, to get his mares back,
agreed; but afterwards she put him off and delayed restoring the
mares, since she wished to keep him with her as long as possible.
He, on the other hand, was only anxious to secure them and to get
away. At last, when she gave them up, she said to him, "When thy
mares strayed hither, it was I who saved them for thee: now thou hast
paid their salvage; for lo! I bear in my womb three sons of thine.
Tell me therefore when thy sons grow up, what must I do with them?
Wouldst thou wish that I should settle them here in this land,
whereof I am mistress, or shall I send them to thee?" Thus
questioned, they say, Hercules answered, "When the lads have grown
to manhood, do thus, and assuredly thou wilt not err. Watch them,
and when thou seest one of them bend this bow as I now bend it, and
gird himself with this girdle thus, choose him to remain in the land.
Those who fail in the trial, send away. Thus wilt thou at once
please thyself and obey me."
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