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