Page:Lovers Legends - The Gay Greek Myths.pdf/103

This page needs to be proofread.
LOVERS’ LEGENDS

to pick. They all began boasting of their skills at the same time, confusing him even more. In the end they agreed to 30 hold a competition, that way a clear winner might stand out. Apollo, however, thought it wise to rid himself of Tamyris first. He did not have to lift a finger: He simply told the Muses about the poet's boast. Furious, for they had been the ones to inspire Thamyris all along, the goddesses r ushed down and punished the poet for his pride. As his mother looked on, dumbstruck, they ripped away his voice, his sight, and all memory of music.

A great crowd gathered the next day to take in the contest, and the two remaining suitors squared off. First 40 Zephyrus let loose with a fierce blast of wind, cold an
89