Aethra had once more told him the oft-repeated story of his father , and how gladly he would receive Theseus at his stately palace , and how he would present him to his courtiers and the people , and tell them that here was the heir of his dominions . The eyes of Theseus glowed with enthusiasm , and he would hardly sit still to hear his mother speak . `` Dear mother Aethra , '' he exclaimed , `` I never felt half so strong as now ! I am no longer a child , nor a boy , nor a mere youth ! I feel myself a man ! It is now time to make one earnest trial to remove the stone . '' `` Ah , my dearest Theseus , '' replied his mother `` not yet ! not yet ! '' `` Yes , mother , '' said he , resolutely , `` the time has come ! '' Then Theseus bent himself in good earnest to the task , and strained every sinew , with manly strength and resolution . He put his whole brave heart into the effort . He wrestled with the big and sluggish stone , as if it had been a living enemy . He heaved , he lifted , he resolved now to succeed , or else to perish there , and let the rock be his monument forever ! Aethra stood gazing at him , and clasped her hands , partly with a mother 's pride , and partly with a mother 's sorrow . The great rock stirred ! Yes , it was raised slowly from the bedded moss and earth , uprooting the shrubs and flowers along with it , and was turned upon its side . Theseus had conquered ! While taking breath , he looked joyfully at his mother , and she smiled upon him through her tears . `` Yes , Theseus , '' she said , `` the time has come , and you must stay no longer at my side ! See what King Aegeus , your royal father , left for you beneath the stone , when he lifted it in his mighty arms , and laid it on the spot whence you have now removed it . ''
Theseus XXXXX , and saw that the rock had been placed over another slab of stone , containing a cavity within it ; so that it somewhat resembled a roughly-made chest or coffer , of which the upper mass had served as the lid .
am bedded brave felt glowed looked perish receive removed told