While　the　lad　stood　in　doubt　as　to　these　roads；　he　saw　two　fair　women　ing　toward　him；　each　on　a　different　road。　The　one　who　came　by　the　flowery　way　reached　him　first；　and　Hercules　saw　that　she　was　as　beautiful　as　a　summer　day。

Her　cheeks　were　red；　her　eyes　sparkled；　she　spoke　warm；　persuasive　words。　“O　noble　youth；”　she　said；　“be　no　longer　bowed　down　with　labor　and　sore　trials；　but　e　and　follow　me。　I　will　lead　you　into　pleasant　paths；　where　there　are　no　storms　to　disturb　and　no　troubles　to　annoy。　You　shall　live　in　ease；　with　one　unending　round　of　music　and　mirth；　and　you　shall　not　want　for　anything　that　makes　life　joyous—sparkling　wine；　or　soft　couches；　or　rich　robes；　or　the　loving　eyes　of　beautiful　maidens。　e　with　me；　and　life　shall　be　to　you　a　daydream　of　gladness。”

By　this　time　the　other　fair　woman　had　drawn　near；　and　she　now　spoke　to　the　lad。　“I　have　nothing　to　promise　you；”　said　she；　“save　that　which　you　shall　win　with　your　own　strength。　The　road　upon　which　I　would　lead　you　is　uneven　and　hard；　and　climbs　many　a　hill；　and　descends　into　many　a　valley　and　quagmire。　The　views　which　you　will　sometimes　get　from　the　hilltops　are　grand　and　glorious；　but　the　deep　valleys　are　dark；　and　the　ascent　from　them　is　toilsome。

赫拉克勒斯的選擇（3）

Nevertheless；　the　road　leads　to　the　blue　mountains　of　endless　fame；　which　you　see　far　away　on　the　horizon。　They　cannot　be　reached　without　labor；　in　fact；　there　is　nothing　worth　having　that　must　not　be　won　by　toil。　If　you　wou