No More Learning

At last he
said, "Does she not know herself that the malady is a mental one--that
it is, in one word, love? Do you not see how her swelled eyes, her
unsettled look, her pale countenance, betray the wounded heart? Her
thoughts wander, her discourse is unconnected, she gets no sleep, and
visibly falls away; some relief must be sought for, but he alone for
whom she pines can, I think, afford it. " Having so said, he took his
leave. I hastened to you, as to a god and preserver, who alone have
it in your power, as both I and my daughter acknowledge, to do us
good. For when I was pressing her, in the most affectionate manner, to
discover to me the cause of her complaint, she answered that she knew
not what was the matter with her; this only she knew, that Calasiris
alone could heal her, and besought me to call you to her; from which I
perceive that she has the greatest opinion of, and confidence in, your
wisdom. '

"'Since you have found out that she is in love,' I replied, 'can you
conjecture with whom? ' 'No, by Apollo,' said he; 'how should I discover
that? I wish with all my heart it may be with Alcamenes, my sister's
son. I have long destined him for her spouse, if my wishes can have
weight with her. ' I told him it was easy to make the experiment, by
bringing the young man into her presence. He seemed to approve of this
and went away.

"Soon after I met him in the market-place. 'I have very disagreeable
news,' said he, 'my daughter is certainly possessed, she behaves in
so strange a manner. I introduced Alcamenes to her, as you desired;
and he had taken care about his personal appearance, but she, as if
she had seen the Gorgon's head, or anything more frightful, gave a
piercing shriek, turned her face aside, and, grasping her neck with
both her hands, protested that she would strangle herself, if we did
not instantly leave the room. This, you may imagine, we hastened to do
upon seeing such monstrously strange conduct. And we again entreat you
to save her life, and to fulfil, if possible, our wishes. '

"'O Charicles,' I replied, 'you were not mistaken in saying your
daughter was possessed. She is, indeed, beset by those powers which
I was obliged to employ against her. They are very potent, and are
compelling her to that from which her nature and constitution is
averse. But it seems to me that some opposing deity counteracts my
measures, and is fighting against my ministers; wherefore it is
necessary that I should see the fillet which you told me was exposed
with your daughter, and which you had preserved with the other tokens:
I fear it may contain some witcheries and magic which work upon her
mind, the contrivance of an enemy, who wishes her to continue all her
life single, childless, and averse to love. ' Charicles assented to what
Ϊ said, and presently brought me the fillet. I begged and obtained
time to consider it. I took it eagerly with me to my apartment, and
began immediately to read what was written on it. The characters
were Ethiopian;[6] not the common ones, but such as those of royal
birth make use of, which are the same as the sacred writings of the
Egyptians; and this was the tenor of the inscription:--

"'Persina, Queen of Ethiopia, inscribes this, her lament, as a last
gift to an unfortunate daughter, who has not yet obtained a name, and
is known to her only by the pangs she cost. '

"I shuddered, Cnemon, when I read the name of Persina; however, I read
on as follows:---

"'I call the Sun to witness, the author of my race, that I do not
expose you, my child, and withdraw you from the sight of your father
Hydaspes, on account of any crime of mine. Yet I would willingly
excuse myself to you, if you should happen to survive, and to him who
shall take you up, if propitious providence vouchsafes to send you a
preserver, and relate to the world the cause of my exposing you.

"'Of the gods we count the Sun and Bacchus among our ancestors; of
the heroes, Perseus, Andromeda, and Memnon. Our kings, at various
times, have adorned the royal apartments with pictures of them and
their exploits; some ornamented the porticoes and men's apartments:
our bed-chamber was painted with the story of Perseus and Andromeda.
There, in the tenth year after our marriage, when as yet we had no
child, I retired to repose myself during the scorching heat of noon;
and here your father, Hydaspes, visited me, being warned to do so by
a dream. In consequence of this visit I became pregnant. The whole
time of my pregnancy was a continual feast, a course of sacrifices and
thanksgivings to the gods, for the near prospect, long wished for, of
a successor to the kingdom. [7] But when at last I brought you forth,
a white infant, so different from the Ethiopian hue, I was at no loss
to explain the cause, since, in the embraces of your father,[8] I
had kept my eyes fixed on the picture of Andromeda, whom the painter
had represented just unchained from the rock, and my imagination had
communicated her complexion to my unhappy offspring. But this, though
satisfactory to me, might not have been so to any one else. I dreaded
the being accused of adultery, and the punishment which awaits that
crime: I committed you, therefore, to the wide world and to fortune.
I thought this better even for you than death, or the disgrace of
being called a bastard, one of which fates must have awaited you had
I preserved you at home. I told my husband that my child was dead,
and exposed you privately, placing as many valuables with you as I
could collect, by way of reward for whoever should find and bring you
up. Among other ornaments I put this fillet upon you, stained with my
own blood and containing this melancholy account, which I have traced
out in the midst of tears and sorrows, when I first brought you into
the world, and was overwhelmed with grief and consternation. And, oh
my sweet, yet soon lost daughter, if you should survive, remember
the noble race from which you spring; honour and cultivate virtue
and modesty, the chief recommendations of a woman, and ornaments of
a queen. But, among the jewels which are exposed with you, remember
to inquire after, and claim for yourself a ring which your father
gave me when he sought me in marriage. The circle of it is inscribed
with royal characters, and in its bezil[9] the stone Pantarbè, which
possesses occult and powerful virtue. I have given you this account
in writing, since cruel fortune denies me the happiness of doing it
in person; my pains may have been taken to no purpose, but they may
be of use to you; the designs of fate are inscrutable by mortals.
These words (oh vainly beautiful, and bringing, by your beauty, an
imputation on her who bore you), if you should be preserved, may serve
as a token to discover your race; if otherwise (which may I never
hear! ) they will be the funeral lament of an afflicted mother. '

"When I read this, Cnemon, I acknowledged and wondered at the
dispensations of the deities. I felt both pleasure and pain by a new
kind of sensation; I rejoiced and wept at the same time. I was glad
to have discovered what I was before ignorant of, together with the
meaning of the oracle: but I was apprehensive for the event of the
design I was engaged in; and lamented the instability and uncertainty,
the changes and the chances of human life, of which the fortunes of
Chariclea afforded so remarkable an instance. I recollected that, with
her high birth, heiress of the royal family of Ethiopia, she was now
banished to a vast distance from her native country, and reputed as
a bastard. I continued a considerable time in these contemplations,
deploring her present situation, and hardly daring to flatter myself
with better hopes for the future. At length I collected my scattered
spirits, and determined that something must be done, and that quickly.
I went, therefore, to Chariclea; I found her alone, almost overcome by
what she suffered: her mind willing to bear up against her malady; but
her body labouring, yielding, and unable to resist its attacks. When
I had sent out her attendants, and given orders that no one should
disturb us, on pretence that I had some prayers and invocations to make
use of over her, I thus addressed her:

"'It is now time, my dear Chariclea, to disclose to me (as you promised
yesterday) the cause of your sufferings. Hide nothing, I beseech you,
from a man who has the greatest regard for you; and whose art is
besides able to discover whatever you may obstinately endeavour to
conceal. '--She took my hand, kissed it and wept. 'Sage Calasiris,'
said she, 'permit me, I beg of you, to suffer in silence; and do
you, as you have it in your power, discover of yourself the cause
of my disease. Spare me the ignominy of confessing that which it is
shameful to feel, and still more shameful to avow. Whatever I undergo
from my disorder, I suffer more from the thought of my own weakness,
in permitting myself to be overcome by it, and not resisting it at
the beginning. It was always odious to me; the very mention of it
contaminates the chaste ears of a virgin. '

"'I acquiesce, my daughter,' I replied, 'in your silence. I do not
blame your reserve, and that for two reasons. In the first place, I
have no need to be told that which I have before discovered by my art;
and then an unwillingness to speak of a matter of this nature, becomes
well the modesty of your sex. But since you have at last felt love, and
are manifestly smitten by Theagenes (for this the gods have disclosed
to me), know that you are not the first, or the only one, who has
succumbed under this passion. It is common to you with many celebrated
women, and many maidens in other respects most irreproachable; for
love is a very powerful deity, and is said to subdue even the gods[10]
themselves. Consider then what is best to be done in your present
circumstances. If it be the greatest happiness to be free from love,
the next is, when one is taken captive, to regulate it properly: this
you have in your power to do; you can repel the imputation of mere
sensual love, and sanctify it with the honourable and sacred name of
wedlock. '

"When I said this, Cnemon, she showed much agitation, and great drops
of sweat stood on her forehead. It was plain that she rejoiced at what
she heard, but was anxious about the success of her hopes; and ashamed
and blushing at the discovery of her weakness. After a considerable
pause she said,

"'You talk of wedlock, and recommend that, as if it were evident that
my father would agree to it, or the author of my sufferings desire
it. '--'As to the young man, I have not the least doubt; he is more
deeply smitten than yourself, and suffers full as much on your account
as you can do on his. For, as it seems, your souls at their first
encountering knew that they were worthy of each other, and felt a
mutual passion; this passion, out of regard to you, I have heightened
by my art in Theagenes. But he whom you suppose your father, proposes
to give you another husband, Alcamenes, whom you well know. '--'He shall
sooner find Alcamenes a grave, than find him a wife in me,' said she;
'either Theagenes shall be my husband, or I will yield to the fate
which presses upon me. But why do you hint that Charicles is not really
my father? '

"'It is from this that I have my information,' I replied, shewing
her the fillet. --'Where did you get this? ' said she, 'or how? for
since I was brought, I hardly know how, from Egypt, Charicles has
kept it safely locked up in a chest lest any accident should happen
to it. '--'How I got it,' I returned, 'you shall hear another time; at
present tell me if you know what is written on it. '--She owned that she
was entirely ignorant of its contents. --'It discovers,' said I, 'your
family, your country, and your fortunes. '--She besought me to disclose
the purport of it; and I interpreted the whole writing to her, word for
word. When she came to know who she was, her spirit seemed to rise, in
conformity to her noble race. She asked me what was to be done at this
conjuncture. I then became more unreserved and explicit in my advice to
her.

"'I have been, my daughter,' said I, 'in Ethiopia; led by the desire
of making myself acquainted with their wisdom. I was known to your
mother Persina, for the royal palace was always open to the learned. I
acquired some reputation there, as I increased my own stock of Egyptian
knowledge by joining it to that of Ethiopia: and when I was preparing
to return home, the queen unbosomed herself to me, and disclosed
everything she knew relative to you, and your birth, exacting from me
first an oath of secrecy. She said she was afraid to confide in any
of the Ethiopian sages; and she earnestly besought me to consult the
gods as to whether you had been fortunately preserved; and if so, into
what part of the world you were: for she could hear no tidings of you
in Ethiopia, after a most diligent inquiry. The goodness of the gods
discovered by their oracles everything to me: and when I told her you
were still alive, and where you were, she was very earnest with me to
seek you out, and induce you to return to your native land; for she
had continued sorrowful and childless ever since you were exposed; and
was ready, if you should appear, to confess to her husband everything
which had happened. And she was inclined to hope that he would now
acknowledge you; having had so long experience of her virtue and good
conduct, and seeing an unexpected prospect arise of a successor to
his family. This she said, and besought me earnestly by the Sun, an
adjuration which no sage dare violate, to do what she desired of me. I
am now here, desirous to execute what I have been so strongly conjured
to do: and though another cause brought me into this country, I esteem
the pains of my wandering well repaid; and give thanks to the gods
that I have found you here, whom I have long been desirous of meeting
with. You know with what care I have cultivated your friendship--that
I concealed whatever I knew concerning you, till I could obtain
possession of this fillet, as a pledge of the truth of my relation. You
may now, if you will be persuaded, leave this country with me, before
you are obliged, by force, to do anything against your inclinations;
for I know that Charicles is taking every measure to bring about your
marriage with Alcamenes. You may return to your country, revisit your
family, and be restored to your parents accompanied by Theagenes,
your intended husband; and you may change your life of exile and
uncertainty for that of a princess, who shall hereafter reign with him
whom she most loves, if we may place confidence in the predictions of
the gods. ' I then put her in mind of the oracle of Apollo, and gave
her my explanation of it. She had heard of it before, for it was much
talked of, and its meaning inquired into. She paused at this: at last
she said, 'Since such, you think, is the will of the gods, and I am
inclined to believe your interpretation, what, Father, will be best
for me to do? '--'You must pretend,' said I, 'that you are willing to
marry Alcamenes. '--'But this is odious to me,' she replied; 'it is
disgraceful to give even a feigned promise to any but Theagenes: but
since I have given myself up to your direction, and that of the gods,
how far will this dissimulation lead me, so that I be not entangled in
any disagreeable circumstances by it? '--'The event will show you,'
said I; 'to tell you beforehand might cause some hesitation upon your
part, whereas suddenness in action will bring with it confidence and
boldness. Only follow my advice: seem, for the present, to agree to the
marriage which Charicles has so much at heart; he will not proceed in
it without my knowledge and direction. ' She wept, yet promised to be
guided by me, and I took my leave of her.

"I had scarcely got out of the chamber when I met Charicles, with a
very downcast and sorrowful air. --'You are a strange man,' said I:
'when you ought to rejoice, sacrifice, and give thanks to the gods,
for having obtained what you so long have wished for; when Chariclea
at last, with great difficulty, and the utmost exertions of my art and
wisdom, has been brought to yield to love, and to desire marriage;
you go about sad and drooping, and are ready to shed tears. What can
be the matter with you? '--'I have but too much reason for sorrow,' he
replied, 'when the delight of my eyes, before she can be married, as
you say she is inclined to be, is threatened to be hurried away from
me, if any faith is to be given to dreams, which on several nights,
and particularly on the last, have tormented me. Methought I saw an
eagle take his flight from the hand of Apollo, and stooping down
suddenly upon me, snatch my daughter, alas! out of my very bosom, and
bear her away to some extreme corner of the earth, full of dusky and
shadowy forms. I could not discover what became of them; for soon
the vast intermediate interval hid them from my sight. ' I instantly
conjectured what this dream portended; but I endeavoured to comfort
him, and to prevent his having the smallest suspicion of the real
truth. 'Considering that you are a priest,' I said, 'and are dedicated
to that deity who is most famous for oracles, you seem to me not to
have much skill in the interpretation of dreams. This darkly signifies
the approaching marriage of your child, and the eagle represents her
intended spouse: and when Apollo intimates this to you, and that it
is from his hands that your daughter is to receive a husband, you
seem displeased, and wrest the dream to an ominous interpretation.
Wherefore, my dear Charicles, let us be cautious what we say; let us
accommodate ourselves to the will of the gods, and use our utmost
endeavours to persuade the maiden. '

"'But how shall we manage,' he replied, 'to render her more
compliant? '--'Have you,' said I, 'any valuables laid up in store,
garments, or gold, or necklace? if you have, produce them, give them
to her as a marriage present, and propitiate her by gifts. Precious
stones and ornaments have a magic[11] influence upon a female mind.
You must proceed too, as fast as you can, in all your preparations
for the nuptials; there must be no delay in hastening them forward,
while that inclination, forced upon her mind by art, remains yet
undiminished. '--'Nothing shall be wanting which depends upon me,'
replied Charicles; and immediately he ran out, with alacrity and joy,
to put his words in execution. I soon found that he lost no time in
doing what I had suggested; and that he had offered to Chariclea
dresses of great price, and the Ethiopian necklace which had been
exposed with her as tokens by Persina, as if they were marriage
presents from Alcamenes. --Soon after I met Theagenes, and asked
him what was become of all those who had composed his train in the
procession. --He said the maidens had already set forward on their
journey, as they travelled slowly; and that the youths, impatient of
delay, were becoming clamorous, and pressing him to return home. When
I heard this, I instructed him what to say to them, and what he should
do himself; and bidding him observe the signals that I should give him,
both of time and opportunity, I left him.

"I bent my course towards the temple of Apollo, intending to implore
him to instruct me, by some oracle, in what manner I was to direct my
flight with my young friends. But the divinity was quicker than any
thought of mine--he assists those who act in conformity to his will,
and with unasked benevolence anticipates their prayers; as he here
anticipated my question by a voluntary oracle, and in a very evident
manner manifested his superintendence over us. For as I was hastening,
full of anxiety, to his shrine, a sudden voice stopped me--'Make what
speed you can,' it said; 'the strangers call upon you. '--A company
of people were at that time celebrating, to the sound of flutes, a
festival in honour of Hercules. I obeyed, and turned towards them,
as soon as I heard this warning, careful not to neglect the divine
call. I joined the assembly, I threw incense on the altar, and made my
libations of water. They ironically expressed their admiration at the
cost and profusion of my offerings, and invited me to partake of the
feast with them. I accepted the invitation, and having reclined on a
couch adorned with myrtle and laurel, and tasted something of what was
set before me, I said to them, 'My friends, I have partaken of a very
pleasant entertainment with you, but I am ignorant whom I am among;
wherefore it is time now for you to tell me who you are, and from
whence: for it is rude and unbecoming for those who have begun a kind
of friendship, by being partakers of the same table and sacrifice, and
of the same sacred salt, to separate without knowing at least something
of each other. '--They readily replied that they were Phœnician
merchants from Tyre--that they were sailing to Carthage with a cargo of
Ethiopian, Indian, and Phœnician merchandize--that they were at that
instant celebrating a sacrifice to the Tyrian Hercules, on account of a
victory which that young man (showing one of their company) had gained
at the Pythian games; esteeming it a great honour that a Phœnecian
should be declared a conqueror in Greece. 'This youth,' said they,
'after we had passed the Malian promontory, and were driven by contrary
winds to Cephallene, affirmed to us, swearing by this our country's
god, that it was revealed to him in a dream that he should obtain a
prize at the Pythian games; and persuaded us to turn out of our course,
and touch here. In effect, his presages have been fulfilled; and the
head of a merchant is now encircled with a victor's crown. He offers
therefore this sacrifice to the god who foretold his success, both as
a thanksgiving for the victory, and to implore his protection in the
voyage which we are about to undertake; for we propose to set sail
early to-morrow morning, if the winds favour our wishes. '

"'Is that really your intention? ' I said. --'It is indeed,' they
answered. --'You may then,' I replied, 'have me as a companion in
your voyage, if you will permit it; for I have occasion to go into
Sicily, and in your course to Africa you must necessarily sail by that
island. '--'You shall be heartily welcome,' they replied; 'for nothing
but good can happen to us from the society of a sage, a Grecian, and,
as we conjecture, a favourite of the gods. '--'I shall be very happy
to accept your offer,' I said, 'if you will allow me one day for
preparation. '--'Well,' said they, 'we will give you to-morrow; but
do not fail in the evening to be by the water-side; for the night is
favourable to our navigation; gentle breezes at that season blow from
the land, and propel the ship quietly on her way. '

"I promised them to be there without fail at the time appointed, and
exacted an oath from them that they would not sail before. And with
this I left them, still employed in their pipes and dances, which
they performed to the brisk notes of their music, something after the
Assyrian fashion; now bounding lightly on high,[12] and now sinking
to the ground on bended knees, and again whirling themselves round
with rapidity, as if hurried on by the influence of the divinity. I
found Chariclea admiring as they lay in her lap the presents which
Charicles had made her; from her I went to Theagenes: I gave each of
them instructions what they were to do, and returned to my apartment,
solicitous and intent upon the prosecution of my design; which I did
not long delay to put in execution. When it was midnight, and all
the city was buried in sleep, a band of armed youths surrounded the
habitation of Chariclea. Theagenes led on this amatory assault: his
troop consisted of those who composed his train. With shouts, and
clamour, and clashing their shields, to terrify any who might be
within hearing, they broke into the house with lighted torches;[13]
the door, which had on purpose been left slightly fastened, easily
giving way to them. They seized and hurried away Chariclea, who was
apprized of their design, and easily submitted to the seeming violence.
They took with her a quantity of valuable stuff, which she indicated
to them; and the moment they had left the house, they raised again
their warlike shouts, clashed their shields, and with an awful noise
marched through the city, to the unspeakable terror of the affrighted
inhabitants; whose alarm was the greater, as they had chosen a still
night for their purpose, and Parnassus resounded to the clang of their
brazen bucklers. In this manner they passed through Delphi, frequently
repeating to each other the name of Chariclea. As soon as they were
out of the city, they galloped as fast as they could towards Mount
Œta. Here the lovers, as had been agreed upon, withdrew themselves
privately from the Thessalians, and fled to me. They fell at my feet,
embraced my knees in great agitation, and called upon me to save them;
Chariclea blushing, with downcast eyes, at the bold step she had
taken. 'Preserve and protect,' said Theagenes, 'strangers, fugitives,
and suppliants, who have given up everything that they may gain each
other; slaves of chaste love; playthings of fortune; voluntary exiles,
yet not despairing, but placing all their hopes of safety in you. ' I
was confused and affected with this address: tears would have been a
relief to me; but I restrained myself, that I might not increase their
apprehensions. I raised and comforted them; and bidding them hope
everything which was fortunate, from a design undertaken under the
direction of the gods, I told them I must go and look after what yet
remained to be done for the execution of our project; and desiring them
to stay where they were, and to take great care that they were not seen
by any body, I prepared to leave them; but Chariclea caught hold of my
garment, and detained me.

"'Father,' she cried, 'it will be treacherous and unjust in you to
leave me already, and alone, under the care of Theagenes only. You do
not consider how faithless a guardian a lover is, when his mistress is
in his power, and no one present to impose respect upon him. He will
with difficulty restrain himself, when he sees the object of his ardent
desires defenceless before him; wherefore I insist upon your not
leaving me, till I have exacted an oath from Theagenes, that he will
not attempt to obtain any favours which I am not disposed to grant,
till I arrive in my country, and am restored to my family; or, at
least, if the gods should envy me that happiness, till I am by my own
consent become his wife. '

"I was surprised yet pleased with what she said, and agreed entirely
with her in her sentiments. I raised a flame upon the hearth in place
of an altar, threw on a few grains of frankincense, and Theagenes
took the oath, indignant at its being required of him, and that such
an obligation should deprive him of showing voluntarily that respect
to Chariclea, which he was already determined to show without any
such compulsion. He should now, he said, have no merit in it; all
the restraint he put upon himself would be imputed to the fear of
perjury. [14] He swore, however, by the Pythian Apollo, by Diana, by
Venus herself, and the Loves, that he would conform himself in every
instance to the will of Chariclea. These and other solemn vows having
been mutually taken under the auspices of the gods, I made what haste I
could to Charicles.

"I found his house full of tumult and grief, his servants having
already informed him of the rape of his daughter; his friends flocking
round him with useless consolation, and equally useless advice; himself
in tears, and totally at a loss what to do. I called out with a loud
voice, 'Knaves that you are, how long will you stand here stupid and
undetermined, as if your misfortunes had taken away your senses? Why
do you not arm instantly, pursue and take the ravishers, and revenge
the injuries you have received? ' 'It will be to no purpose,' replied
Charicles, in a languid tone; 'I see that all this is come upon me by
the wrath of heaven; the gods foretold to me that I should be deprived
of what I held most dear, since the time that I entered unseasonably
into the temple, and saw what it was not lawful for me to behold. [15]
Yet there is no reason why we should not contend, in this instance,
even against a calamity, though sent by the deities, if we knew whom
we have to pursue, and who have brought this misfortune upon us. ' 'We
do know them,' said I; 'it is Theagenes, whom you made so much of and
introduced to me, and his companions. Perhaps you may find some of them
still about the city, who may have loitered here this evening. Arise,
therefore, and call the people to council. '

"What I desired was done: the magistrates sent the herald about, to
convoke an assembly by the sound of trumpet. The people presently came
together, and a night meeting was held in the theatre. Charicles drew
tears of compassion from all, when he appeared in the midst in mourning
garments, with dust upon his face and head, and thus began:

"'Delphians, you may perhaps imagine that I have called together this
meeting, and am now addressing it solely on account of my own great
calamities; but that is not entirely the case. I suffer indeed what is
worse than death. I am left deserted, afflicted by the gods, my house
desolate, and deprived of that sweet conversation which I preferred to
all the pleasures in the world; yet hope, and the self-conceit common
to us, still sustains me, and promises me that I shall again recover my
daughter. But I am moved with indignation at the affront which has been
offered to the city, which I hope to see punished even before my own
wrongs are redressed, unless the Thessalian striplings have taken away
from us our free spirit, and just regard for our country and its gods;
for what can be more shameful than that a few youths, dancers forsooth,
and followers of an embassy, should trample under their feet the laws
and authority of the first city in Greece, and should ravish from: the
temple of Apollo its chiefest ornament, Chariclea, alas! the delight
of my eyes; How obstinate and implacable towards me has been the anger
of the gods! The life of my own daughter, as you know, was extinguished
with the light of her nuptial torches. Grief for her death brought
her mother soon to the grave, and drove me from my country; but, when
I found Chariclea, I felt myself consoled; she became my life, the
hope of succession in my family, my sweet anchor, I may say, my only
comfort. Of all these this sudden storm has bereft me, and that at the
most unlucky time possible, as if I were to be the scorn and sport of
fate, just when preparations were making for her marriage, and you were
all informed of it. '

"While he was speaking, and indulging himself in lamentations, the
chief magistrate Hegesias interrupted and stopped him. 'Let Charicles,
fellow-citizens,' said he, 'lament hereafter at his leisure; but let
not us be so hurried away, and affected by concern for his misfortunes,
as to neglect opportunity, which in all things is of great moment, and
particularly in military affairs. [16] There is some hope that we may
overtake the ravishers if we follow them instantly, for the delay which
must take place on our part will naturally make them less speedy in
their march: but if we spend our time in womanish bewailings, and by
our delays give them an opportunity to escape, what remains but that
we shall become a common laughing-stock, the laughing-stock of youths,
whom the moment we have taken we should nail to so many crosses, and
render their names, and even their families, infamous? This we may
easily effect, if we endeavour to rouse the indignation of their
countrymen against them, and interdict their descendants, and as many
of themselves as may happen to escape, from ever being present at this
annual ceremonial and sacrifice to the Manes of their hero; the expense
of which we defray out of our public treasury. ' The people approved
what he advised, and ratified it by their decree. 'Enact, also,' said
he, 'if you please, that the priestess shall never in future appear to
the armed runners; for, as I conjecture, it was the sight of her at
that time which inflamed Theagenes, and excited in him the impious
design of carrying her off; it is desirable, therefore, to guard
against anything which may give occasion to such an attempt for the
time to come. '

"When this also was unanimously agreed to, Hegesias gave the signal
to march, the trumpet sounded, the theatre was abandoned for war, and
there was a general rush from the assembly for the fight. Not only
the robust and mature followed him, but children and youths likewise,
supplying with their zeal the place of age; women, also, with a spirit
superior to their strength, snatching what arms they could meet with,
tried in vain to keep up with them, and, by the fruitless attempt,
were obliged to confess the weakness of their sex. You might see old
men struggling with their age, their mind dragging on their body, and
indignant at their physical weakness, because of the vigour of their
minds. The whole city, in short, felt so deeply the loss of Chariclea,
that, without waiting for day, and moved by a common impulse, it poured
forth in pursuit of her ravishers. "


[Footnote 1: It would seem that Chariclea stood with her palm and torch
at the end of the course the contenders were to take. ]

[Footnote 2: Iliad, B. xxi. ]

[Footnote 3: Il. xiii. 636.
"All pleasures breed satiety, sweet sleep,
Soft dalliance, music, and the grateful dance. "--Cowper.
]

[Footnote 4:

----"Honoratum si forte reponis Achillem,
Impiger, iracundus, inexorabilis, acer,
Jura neget sibi nata, nihil non arroget armis. "--Hor. A. P. 121.
]

[Footnote 5: Il. xvi. 21. ]

[Footnote 6: Γράμμασιν Αἰθιοπικoῖς oὐ δημοτικoῖς 'αλλά Βασιλικοῖς.
"This distinction," observes a reviewer, "between the royal and popular
system of hieroglyphics, as well as the etiquette of inscribing the
title of the king within a circle or oval, is borrowed from the
monuments of Egypt. "]

[Footnote 7: Tasso, c. xii. 21-40, as is well known, has introduced the
story of Chariclea under the name of Clorinda:--

"D'una pietosa istoria e di devote
Figure la sua stanza era dipinta,
Vergine bianca il bel volto, e le gote
Vermiglia, è quivi presso un drago avvinta.
. . . . . .
Ingravida frattanto, ed espon fuori
(E tu fosti colei) candida figlia. "
]

[Footnote 8: The effect of Jacob's rods will suggest itself to the
recollection of the reader. Gen. xxx. 37-41. ]

[Footnote 9: Δίθψ παντάρβη την σφενδόνην καθιέρωμενον. ]

[Footnote 10:

"His hands are tiny, but afar they throw,
E'en down to Dis and Acheron below.
. . . . . .
Small is his bow, his arrow small to sight,
But to Jove's court it wings its ready flight. "
Chapman's Trs. of Moschus.
]

[Footnote 11: ἲυγγα. Properly the bird called the "wryneck. " It was
sacred to Venus, and much used in love incantations, especially to
recall the alienated affections of a beloved object. It was employed
fastened to a wheel, by turning which, the effect was supposed to be
produced. It also means the magical wheel itself. --Hickie's Theocritus,
see Theoc. Idyll. 11. ]

[Footnote 12: Mr. Hobhouse's description of the dance of the Albanians
affords an illustration of the above. "They danced round the blaze to
their own songs with astonishing energy--one of them which detained
them more than an hour, had for the burden--'Robbers all at Parga!
Robbers all at Parga! ' and as they roared out this stave, they whirled
round the fire, dropped and rebounded from their knees, and again
whirled round as the chorus was again repeated. "--Notes to Childe
Harold, c. xi. 71. ]

[Footnote 13:

----Hic, hic ponite lucida
Funalia, et vectes et arcus
Oppositis foribus minaces. --Hor. Od. iii. xxvi. 6.
]

[Footnote 14:

"I swear to thee, by Cupid's strongest bow,
By his best arrow with the golden head,
By the simplicity of Venus' doves,
By that which knitteth souls and prospers loves,
By all the vows that ever men have broke,
In number more than ever woman spoke. "
Midsummer Night's Dream.
]

[Footnote 15: Charicles does not farther explain the nature of his
offence but the ancient thought that even an accidental, involuntary
intrusion into any ceremonies or mysteries at which it was not lawful
for the intruder to be present, was always followed by some punishment.
Quartilla in Petronius says, "Neque enim quisquam impunè quod non
licuit aspexit. "

"Inscia quod crimen viderunt lumina, plector,
Peccatumque oculos est habuisse, meum! "--Ovid.
]

[Footnote 16: See the fine Chorus in the Œdipus Coloneus,--the subject
being the pursuit after the daughters of Œdipus, carried off by Creon,
1045-1100. ]




BOOK V.


"How the city of Delphos succeeded in their pursuit, I had no
opportunity of learning; their being thus engaged, however, gave me
an excellent opportunity for the flight which I meditated. Taking,
therefore, my young companions, I led them down to the sea, and put
them aboard the Phœnician vessel, which was just ready to set sail,
for day now beginning to break, the merchants thought they had kept
the promise they had made, of waiting for me a day and a night. Seeing
us however appear, they received us with great joy, and immediately
proceeded out of the harbour, at first using their oars, then a
moderate breeze rising from the land, and a gentle swell of the
sea[1]caressing as it were the stern of our ship, they hoisted sail,
and committed the vessel to the wind.

"We passed with rapidity the Cirrhæan gulf, the promontory of
Parnassus, the Ætolian and Calydonian rocks, and the Oxian isles,
_sharp_[2] both in name and figure, and the sea of Zacynthus began to
appear as the sun sank towards the west. But why am I thus tedious? Why
do I forget you and myself, and, by extending my narration, embark you
upon a boundless ocean? Let us stop here a while, and both of us take
a little rest; for though I know you are a very patient hearer, and
strive excellently against sleep, yet I have prosecuted the account of
my troubles to so unseasonable an hour, that I think you at last begin
to give in. My age, too, and the remembrance of my sufferings, weigh
down my spirits, and require repose. "

"Stop then, Father," replied Cnemon, "not on my account, for I could
attend untired to your story many days and nights; it is to me as the
siren's strains; but I have for some time heard a tumult and noise in
the house; I was rather alarmed at it, but my great desire to hear the
remainder of your discourse prevented me from interrupting you. "

"I was not sensible of it," said Calasiris, "owing, I suppose, partly
to the dulness of my hearing, the common malady of age, and partly to
my being intent on what I was saying. But I fancy the stir you hear is
occasioned by the return of Nausicles, the master of the house; I am
impatient to know how he has succeeded. "--"In every thing as I could
wish, my dear Calasiris," said Nausicles, who entered at that moment.
"I know how solicitous you were for my success, and how your best
wishes accompanied me. I have many proofs of your good will towards
me, and among others the words which I have just heard you uttering.
But who is this stranger? "--"A Greek," said Calasiris; "what farther
regards him you shall hear another time; but pray relate to us your
success, that we may be partakers in your joy. " "You shall hear all
in the morning," replied Nausicles: "at present let it suffice you
to know, that I have obtained a fairer Thisbe than ever; for myself,
wearied with cares and fatigues, I must now take a little repose. "
Having said this, he retired to rest.

Cnemon was struct at hearing the name of Thisbe; racking his mind
with anxiety, he passed a sleepless night, nor could he at intervals
restrain his sighs and groans, which at last awakened Calasiris, who
lay near, from a sound sleep. The old man, raising himself upon his
elbow, asked him what was the matter with him, and why he vented his
complaints in that almost frantic manner. "Is it not enough to drive me
mad," replied Cnemon, "when I hear that Thisbe is alive? "--"And who is
this Thisbe? " said Calasiris, "and how came you acquainted with her?
and why are you disturbed at supposing her to be alive? "--"You shall
hear at large," returned the other, "when I relate to you my story; at
present I will only tell you that I saw her dead with these eyes, and
buried her with my own hands among the buccaneers. " "Take some rest
now," said the old man; "this mystery will soon be cleared up. "--"I
cannot sleep," he said; "do you repose yourself if you will; I shall
die if I do not find out, and that immediately, under what mistake
Nausicles is labouring; or whether among the Egyptians alone the dead
come to life again. " Calasiris smiled at his impatience, and betook
himself again to sleep.

But Cnemon arose, and, going out of his chamber, encountered all
those difficulties which it was probable a stranger would meet with,
who wanders at night, and in the dark, in an unknown house; but he
struggled with them all, such was his horror of Thisbe, and his anxiety
to clear away the apprehensions which were raised in his mind by what
fell from Nausicles. After passing and repassing many times, without
knowing it, the same passages, at last he heard the soft voice of a
woman lamenting, like a vernal nightingale pouring out her melancholy
notes at eventide. [3] Led by the sound, he advanced towards the
apartment; and putting his ear to the division of the folding doors, he
listened, and heard her thus lamenting:--

"What an unhappy fate is mine! I thought I had escaped from the hands
of the robbers, and avoided a cruel death. I flattered myself that I
should pass the remainder of my life with my beloved; wandering indeed,
and in foreign lands, but with him it would have been sweet; and every
difficulty would have been supportable. But my evil genius is not yet
satisfied; he gave me a glance of hope, and has plunged me afresh in
despair. I hoped I had escaped servitude, and am again a slave; a
prison, and am still confined. I was kept in an island, and surrounded
with darkness; my situation is not now very different, indeed,
perhaps rather worse, for he who was able and willing to console me
is separated from me. The Pirates' cave which I yesterday inhabited,
seemed indeed an avenue to the shades below; more like a charnel
house than a dwelling; but his presence in whom I delighted made it
pleasant; for he lamented my fate living, and shed tears over me when
he thought me dead. Now I am deprived of every comfort; he who partook
of and lessened the burden of my misfortunes is ravished from me; and
I, deserted and a captive, am exposed alone to the assaults of cruel
fortune; and endure to live only because I have a glimmering of hope
that my beloved still survives. But where, Ο delight of my soul, are
you? What fate has awaited you? Are you also forced to be a slave--you,
whose spirit is so free, and impatient of all slavery except that of
love? Oh, may your life be safe, at least; and may you, though late,
see again your Thisbe! for so, however unwilling, you must call me. "

When Cnemon heard this, he could no longer restrain himself, or have
patience to listen to what was to follow; but guessing from what he had
already heard, and particularly from what was last uttered, that the
complainer could be no other than Thisbe, he was ready to fall into
a swoon at the very doors; he composed himself, however, as well as
he was able, and fearing lest he should be discovered by any one (for
morning now approached, and the cock had twice crowed), he hurried back
with a tottering pace.

Now his foot stumbled; now he fell against the wall, and now against
the lintels of the door; sometimes he struck his head against utensils
hanging from the ceiling; at last, with much difficulty, and after
many wanderings, he reached his own apartment, and threw himself upon
the bed. His body trembled, and his teeth chattered, and it might have
become a very serious matter had not Calasiris, alarmed at the disorder
in which he returned, come to his assistance, and soothed and comforted
him. When he came a little to himself, he inquired into the cause of it.

"I am undone," exclaimed Cnemon; "that wretch Thisbe is really alive;"
and having said this, he sank down again and fainted away.

Calasiris having with much ado recovered him, attempted to cheer his
mind. Some envious demon, who makes human affairs his sport, was no
doubt practising his illusions upon Cnemon, not suffering him to enjoy
his good fortune unalloyed with trouble; but making that which was
afterwards to be the cause of his greatest pleasure wear at first the
appearance of calamity: either because such is the perverse disposition
of those beings, or because human nature cannot admit pure and unmixed
joy. Cnemon, at this very time, was flying from her whom he above all
things desired to meet, and frightened at that which would have been to
him the most pleasing of sights; for the lady who was thus lamenting
was not Thisbe but Chariclea. The train of accidents which brought her
into the house of Nausicles was as follows:--

After Thyamis was taken prisoner, the island set on fire, and its
pirate inhabitants expelled, Thermuthis, his lieutenant, and Cnemon
crossed over the lake in the morning to make inquiries after Thyamis.
What happened on their expedition, has been before related. Theagenes
and Chariclea were left alone in the cave, and esteemed what was to
prove only an excess of calamity, a great present blessing; since now
for the first time, being left alone, and freed from every intruding
eye, they indulged themselves in unrestrained embraces and endearments;
and forgetting all the world, and clinging together as though forming
but one body, they enjoyed the first fruits of pure and virgin love;
warm tears were mingled with their chaste kisses; chaste I say, for
if at any time human nature was about to prevail on Theagenes he was
checked by Chariclea, and put in mind of his oath; nor was it difficult
to bring him back within due bounds, for though not proof against pure
love, he was superior to mere sensual desire. But when at length they
called to mind that this was a time for consultation they ceased their
dalliance, and Theagenes began as follows:--

"That we may spend our lives together, my dearest Chariclea, and obtain
at last that union which we prefer to every earthly blessing, and for
the sake of which we have undergone so much, is my fervent prayer,
and may the gods of Greece grant it! But since every thing human is
fluctuating, and subject to change, since we have suffered much, and
have yet much to hope, as we have appointed to meet Cnemon at Chemmis,
and are uncertain what fortunes may await us there, and, in fine, as
the country to which all our wishes tend is at a great distance, let
us agree upon some token by which we may secretly hold communication
when present; and, if at any time separated, may trace out each other
in absence; for a token between friends is an excellent companion in a
wanderer's journey, and may often be the means of again bringing them
together. "

Chariclea was pleased with the proposal; and they agreed, if they were
divided, to write upon any temple, noted statue, bust of Mercury,[4]
or boundary-stone, Theagenes the word Pythicus, and Chariclea Pythias;
whether they were gone to the right or the left; to what city, town,
or people; and the day and hour of their writing. If they met in any
circumstances, or under any disguise, they depended upon their mutual
affection to discover one another, which they were certain no time
could efface, or even lessen. Chariclea, however, showed him the
ring which had been exposed with her, and Theagenes exhibited a scar
made upon his knee by a wild boar. They agreed on a watch-word: she,
_lampas_ (a lamp), he, _phoinix_ (a palm-tree). Having made these
arrangements, they again embraced each other, and again wept, pouring
out their tears as libations, and using kisses as oaths.

At last they went out of the cave, touching none of the treasures it
contained, thinking riches obtained by plunder an abomination. They
selected, however, some of the richest jewels which they themselves had
brought from Delphi, and which the pirates had taken from them, and
prepared for their journey. Chariclea changed her dress, packing up in
a bundle her necklace, her crown, and sacred garments; and, the better
to conceal them, put over them things of less value. She gave the bow
and quiver (the emblems of the god under whom he served) to Theagenes
to bear: to him a pleasant burden.

They now approached the lake, and were preparing to get into a boat,
when they saw a company of armed men passing over toward the island.
Rendered dizzy by the sight, they stood for some time astounded, as
if deprived of all feeling by the continued assaults of unwearied
evil fortune. At last, however, and just as the men were landing,
Chariclea proposed to retire again into the cave, and endeavour to
conceal themselves there; and was running towards it, when Theagenes
stopped her, and exclaimed, "Why should we vainly endeavour to fly from
that fate which pursues us every where? Let us yield to our fortune,
and meet it with fortitude: what besides should we gain but unending
troubles, a wandering life, and still renewed assaults of the evil
genius who mocks and persecutes us? Have you not experienced how he has
added, with savage eagerness, the assaults of pirates to exile, and
worse perils by land to those we suffered by sea; how he terrified us
first with fightings, afterwards threw us into the hands of buccaneers,
detained us some time in captivity, then left us solitary and deserted,
just gave us a prospect of flight and freedom, and now sends ruffians
to destroy us; plays off his warfare against us and our fortunes, and
gives them the appearance of a continually shifting scene, and sadly
varied drama? Let us put an end then to the tragedy, and give ourselves
up to those who are prepared for our destruction, lest the continued
pressure and increase of our misfortunes oblige us, at last, to lay
violent hands upon ourselves. "

Chariclea did not entirely agree with all which her lover in his
passion said. She admitted the justice of his expostulations with
fortune, but could not see the propriety of giving themselves up into
the hands of the armed men. It was not certain that they meant to
destroy them; the evil genius who pursued them would not, perhaps,
be kind enough to put so quick an end to their miseries; he probably
reserved them to experience the hardships of servitude; and was it not
worse than death to be exposed to the insults and indignities of the
barbarians? "Let us endeavour, therefore," said she, "by all means in
our power to avoid this fate. We may, from past experience, have some
hopes of success: we have frequently, already, escaped from dangers
which appeared inevitable. "

"Let us do as you please," said Theagenes; and followed her,
unwillingly, as she led the way. They could not, however, escape in
safety to the cave; for while they were looking only at the enemy in
front, they were not aware of another troop which had landed on a
different part of the island, and which was taking them from behind,
as in a net. [5] They were now utterly confounded, and stood still,
Chariclea keeping close by Theagenes, so that if they were to die they
might die together. Some of the men who approached were just preparing
to strike; but when the youthful pair, looking up, flashed upon them
the full splendour of their beauty, their hearts failed them, and
their hands grew slack; for the arm even of a barbarian reverences
the beautiful, and the fiercest eye grows milder before a lovely
countenance. They took them prisoners, therefore, and conducted them
to their leader, anxious to lay before him the first and fairest of
the spoils. It was the only booty, however, which they were likely
to obtain, for they could find nothing else, after the strictest
search throughout the island. Everything on the surface of it had been
destroyed by the late conflagration. They were ignorant of the cave
and its contents. They proceeded then towards their commander: he was
Mithranes, commandant to Oroondates, viceroy of Egypt, under the Great
King, whom Nausicles (as has been said) had induced, by a great sum of
money, to make this expedition into the island in search of Thisbe.
Upon the approach of Theagenes and Chariclea, Nausicles, with the
quick-sighted craft of a merchant, started forward, and running up,
exclaimed, "This is indeed Thisbe, the very Thisbe ravished from me by
those villain pirates, but restored by your kindness, Mithranes, and by
the gods. " He then caught hold of Chariclea, and seemed in an ecstacy
of joy; at the same time he spoke to her privately in Greek, in a low
voice, and bid her, if she valued her life, pretend that her name was
Thisbe.

This scheme succeeded. Chariclea, pleased at hearing her native
language, and flattering herself with the hopes of comfort and
assistance from the man who spoke it, did as he bid her; and when
Mithranes asked her her name, said it was Thisbe. Nausicles then ran
up to Mithranes, kissed his head, flattered the barbarian's vanity,
extolled his good fortune, and congratulated him that, besides his
many other exploits, this expedition had had such good success. He,
cajoled by these praises, and really believing the truth of what was
said (being deceived by the name), though smitten with the beauty
of the maiden, which shone out under a sorry garb, like the moon[6]
from beneath a cloud; yet, confounded by the quickness of Nausicles's
manœuvres, and having no time given to his fickle mind for change of
purpose, said, "Take, then, this maiden, whom my arms have recovered
for you;" and so saying, he delivered her into his hands, unwillingly
and frequently looking back upon her, as if he would not have parted
with her had he not thought himself pledged, by the reward he had
received, to give her up. "But as for her companion," he added,
pointing to Theagenes, "he shall be my prize. Let him follow me under
a guard; he shall be sent to Babylon: with such a figure as his, he
will become the service of the great king. " And having thus signified
his pleasure, they passed over the lake, and were separated from each
other. Nausicles took the road to Chemmis, with Chariclea; Mithranes
visited some other towns which were under his command, and very soon
sent Theagenes to Oroondates, who was then at Memphis, accompanied with
the following letter:--

"Mithranes, Commandant, to the Viceroy Oroondates.

"I have taken prisoner a Grecian youth of too noble an appearance to
continue in my service, and worthy to appear before, and serve only,
the Great King. I send him to you, that you may offer him to our
common master, as a great and inestimable present, such a one as the
royal court has never yet beheld, and probably never will again. "

Scarcely had the day dawned when eager curiosity carried Calasiris
and Cnemon to the apartment of Nausicles, to inquire farther into
his adventures. He told them all that I have related: how he arrived
at the island; how he found it deserted; the deceit he had put upon
Mithranes, in passing off another maiden upon him for Thisbe; he was
better pleased, he said, with his present prize than if he had really
found Thisbe; there was no more comparison between their several
beauties than between a mortal and a goddess; hers was unrivalled, it
was impossible for him to express how beautiful she was; but, as she
was under his roof, they might satisfy themselves with their own eyes.
When they heard this, they began to suspect a little of the truth, and
besought him to send for her immediately, as knowing that words could
not do justice to her personal appearance.

When she was introduced (with downcast eyes, and her face veiled to
her forehead), and Nausicles had besought her to be of good cheer,
she looked up a little, and saw (beyond her hopes), and was seen by,
her unexpected friends. Immediately a sudden cry was heard from all.
These exclamations burst out at once, "My father! "--"My daughter!
Chariclea herself! and not Cnemon's Thisbe. " Nausicles stood mute with
astonishment when he saw Calasiris embracing Chariclea, and weeping for
joy. He wondered what this could be which had the air of a recognition
on the stage, when Calasiris ran to him, and embracing him, cried out,
"Ο best of men, may the gods shower on you every blessing you desire,
as you have been the preserver of my daughter, and have restored to
my longing eyes the delight of my life. But, my child, my Chariclea!
where have you left Theagenes? " She wept at the question, and, pausing
a little, said, "He who delivered me to this gentleman, whoever he may
be, has led him away captive. " Calasiris besought Nausicles to discover
to him all he knew about Theagenes; under whose power he now was; and
whither they had taken him.

The merchant gave him all the information he was able, conceiving this
to be the pair about whom he had frequently heard the old man speak,
and whom he knew he was seeking in sorrow. He added, that he feared his
intelligence would not be of much service to persons in their humble
circumstances; he doubted, indeed, whether any sum of money would
induce Mithranes to part with the youth. "We are rich enough," said
Chariclea softly to Calasiris; "promise him as much as you please; I
have preserved the necklace which you know of, and have it with me. "
Calasiris recovered his spirits at hearing this; but not choosing
to let Nausicles into the secret of their wealth, replied, "My good
Nausicles, the wise man is never poor; he measures his desires by his
possessions, and receives from those who abound what it is honourable
for him to ask. Tell us then where the person is who has Theagenes in
his power; the divine goodness will not be wanting to us, but will
supply us with as much as is sufficient to satisfy the avarice of this
Persian. "

Nausicles smiled incredulously. "I shall," said he, "be persuaded that
you can suddenly grow rich, as by a miracle, when you have first paid
down to me a ransom for this maiden; you know that riches have as many
charms for a merchant as for a Persian. "--"I know it," replied the
old man, "and you shall have a ransom. But why do you not anticipate
my wishes, and, with your customary benevolence, offer, of your own
accord, to restore my daughter? Must I be forced to entreat it of
you? "--"You shall have her on proper terms," said the merchant. "I do
not grudge you her; but now (as I am going to sacrifice) let us join in
supplication to the gods, and pray that they would increase my wealth,
and bestow some on you. "--"Spare your ridicule," replied Calasiris,
"and be not incredulous; make preparations for the sacrifice, and we
will attend you when everything is ready. "

Nausicles agreed to this, and soon after sent a message to his guests
to desire their presence. They obeyed cheerfully, having before
concerted what they were to do. The men accompanied Nausicles to
the altar, with many others who were invited, for it was a public
sacrifice. Chariclea went with the merchant's daughter and some other
females, whose encouragements and entreaties had prevailed upon her to
be present at the ceremony; and they would hardly have persuaded her
had she not secretly pleased herself with the thought of taking this
opportunity to pour out her vows and prayers for Theagenes.

They came to the temple of Mercury (for him, as the god of gain and
merchants, Nausicles particularly worshipped); and when the sacred
rites were performed, Calasiris inspected the entrails of a victim,
and changing his countenance according as they portended joyful or
adverse events, at last stretched out his hand, (murmuring certain
words) and pretending to take something from among the ashes, presented
a ring of great value to Nausicles, which he had brought with him for
that purpose: "And here," said he, "the gods, by my hands, offer you
this as a ransom for Chariclea. "

The ring[7] was a perfect marvel, both for material and workmanship.
The circle was of electrum, within the bezil[8] was an Ethiopian
amethyst, of the size of a maiden's eye, finer much than those of Spain
or Britain; for these latter have a dullish tinge of purple, like a
rose just bursting from its bud, and beginning to redden under the
sun's beams; whereas the Ethiopian amethyst shines with a deeper and
more sparkling lustre; if you turn it about it scatters its rays on all
sides, not dulling but lighting up the sight.

They are besides of much greater virtue than the western ones; they
do not belie their name,[9] but will really keep those who wear them
sober amid great excesses. This property is common to all the Indian
and Ethiopian stones: but that which Calasiris now gave Nausicles far
surpassed them.