These things sensibly affected Theseus,
who, thinking it but just not to disregard, but rather partake of,
the sufferings of his fellow citizens, offered himself for one
without any lot. All else were struck with admiration for the
nobleness, and with love for the goodness, of the act; and Aegeus,
after prayers and entreaties, finding him inflexible and not to be
persuaded, proceeded to the choosing of the rest by lot.
Hellanicus, however, tells us that the Athenians did not send the
young men and virgins by lot, but that Minos himself used to come
and make his own choice, and pitched upon Theseus before all
others; according to the conditions agreed upon between, namely,
that the Athenians should furnish them with a ship, and that the
young men who were to sail with him should carry no weapon of war;
but that if the Minotaur was destroyed the tribute should cease.
On the two former occasions of the payment of the tribute,
entertaining no hopes of safety or return, they sent out the ship
with a black sail, as to unavoidable destruction; but now, Theseus
encouraging his father and speaking greatly of himself, as
confident that he should kill the Minotaur, he gave the pilot
another sail, which was white, commanding him, as he returned, if
Theseus were safe, to make use of that; but if not, to sail with
the black one, and to hang out that sign of his misfortune.
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