You must know , my good Perseus , I think of getting married to the beautiful Princess Hippodamia ; and it is customary , on these occasions , to make the bride a present of some far-fetched and elegant curiosity . I have been a little perplexed , I must honestly confess , where to obtain anything likely to please a princess of her exquisite taste . But , this morning , I flatter myself , I have thought of precisely the article . '' `` And can I assist your Majesty in obtaining it ? '' cried Perseus , eagerly . `` You can , if you are as brave a youth as I believe you to be , '' replied King Polydectes , with the utmost graciousness of manner . `` The bridal gift which I have set my heart on presenting to the beautiful Hippodamia is the head of the Gorgon Medusa , with the snaky locks ; and I depend on you , my dear Perseus , to bring it to me . So , as I am anxious to settle affairs with the princess , the sooner you go in quest of the Gorgon , the better I shall be pleased . '' `` I will set out to-morrow morning , '' answered Perseus . `` Pray do so , my gallant youth , '' rejoined the king . `` And , Perseus , in cutting off the Gorgon 's head , be careful to make a clean stroke , so as not to injure its appearance . You must bring it home in the very best condition , in order to suit the exquisite taste of the beautiful Princess Hippodamia . '' Perseus left the palace , but was scarcely out of hearing before Polydectes burst into a laugh ; being greatly amused , wicked king that he was , to find how readily the young man fell into the snare . The news quickly spread abroad , that Perseus had undertaken to cut off the head of Medusa with the snaky locks . Everybody was rejoiced ; for most of the inhabitants of the island were as wicked as the king himself , and would have liked nothing better than to see some enormous mischief happen to Danae and her son . The only good man in this unfortunate island of Seriphus appears to have been the fisherman . As Perseus walked along , therefore , the people pointed after him , and made mouths , and winked to one another , and ridiculed him as loudly as they dared . `` Ho , ho ! '' cried they ; `` Medusa 's snakes will sting him soundly ! '' Now , there were three Gorgons alive , at that period ; and they were the most strange and terrible monsters that had ever been since the world was made , or that have been seen in after days , or that are likely to be seen in all time to come .
I hardly XXXXX what sort of creature or hobgoblin to call them .
bring confess depend find know pointed see settle thought walked