— she is surely
innocent
!
Universal Anthology - v07
"
Arsace was heard by the inhabitants of Memphis with pleasure, and her proposal was received with their unanimous applause. They suspected the wickedness and treachery of Petosiris, and were pleased with the prospect of transferring to his single person the sudden danger which threatened the whole community. But the bands of Bessa did not so readily agree ; they were at first very averse to expose their leader to peril in their behalf, until Thyamis at length persuaded them to consent ; representing to them the weakness and unskillful- ness of Petosiris, whereas he should engage in the combat with every possible advantage on his side. This reflection probably influenced Arsace in proposing the single combat. She hoped to obtain by it her real aim, revenge upon Petosiris, exposing him to fight with one so much his superior in skill and courage.
The preparations for the encounter were now made with all celerity ; Thyamis, with the utmost alacrity, hastening to put
on what still he wanted to complete his armor.
encouraging him, securely buckled on his arms, and placed,
lastly, a helmet on his head, flashing with gold, and with a
lofty crest. . . . " " Have you any commands for me ?
said Theagenes. " The combat I am going to engage in," said Thyamis, "is a mere trifle, fit to be despised; but since Fortune sometimes sports with mortals, and strange accidents happen, I will just say, that if I prove victor, you shall accompany me into the city, live with me, and partake equally with myself, of everything which my fortune and station can afford. But contrary to my expectation, should be vanquished, you shall command the bands of Bessa, with whom you are in great favor, and shall lead for time the life of freebooter, till the Deity shall place
you in more prosperous circumstances. " Having said this, they
Theagenes,
a
I a
if,
248 ARSACE'S LOVE AND CHARICLEA'S ESCAPE.
embraced each other with great affection ; and Theagenes sat down to observe the issue of the fight.
In this situation he unconsciously afforded Arsace an oppor tunity of feeding herself upon his presence, as she surveyed his person, and gratified at least her eyes. . . .
Arsace at length departed, unwillingly, and often turning back, under pretense of greater respect to the goddess ; at last, however, she did depart, casting back her eyes as long as possible upon Theagenes.
As soon as she arrived at her palace, she hurried to her cham ber, and, throwing herself upon the bed, in the habit she had on, lay there a long time speechless. She was a woman ever in clined to passion ; and was now inflamed above measure by the beauties and grace of Theagenes, which excelled any she had ever beheld. She continued restless and agitated all night, turn ing from one side to the other, fetching deep and frequent sighs; now rising up, and again falling back on her couch ; now tear ing off her clothes, and then again throwing herself upon her bed ; calling in her maids without cause, and dismissing them without orders. In short, her unrestrained love would certainly have driven her into frenzy, had not an old crone, Cybele by name, her bedchamber woman, well acquainted with her secrets, and who had ministered to her amours, hurried into the chamber.
Nothing had escaped her notice, and she now came to add fuel to the flame ; thus addressing her : " What ails you, my dear mistress ? What new passion tortures you ? Whose coun tenance has raised such a flame in my nursling's soul ? Is there any one foolish or insolent enough to overlook or contemn ad vances from you? Can any mortal see your charms unmoved, and not esteem your favors as a most supreme felicity ? Con ceal nothing from me, my sweet child. He must be made of adamant, indeed, whom my arts cannot soften. Only tell me your wishes, and I will answer for the success of them. You have more than once made trial of my skill and fidelity. " With these and such like insinuating persuasions, and falling at the feet of Arsace, she entreated her to disclose the cause of her suf ferings and agitations. The princess at last, composing herself a little, said : —
I have received a deeper wound than I have
" Good nurse !
ever yet felt ; and though I have frequently, on similar occa sions, successfully experienced your abilities, I doubt whether they can avail me now. The war which threatened our walls
ARSACE'S LOVE AND CHARICLEA'S ESCAPE. 249
yesterday has ended without bloodshed, and has settled into peace ; but it has been the cause of raising a more cruel war within my bosom, and of inflicting a deep wound, not on any part of my body, but on my very soul, by offering to my view, in a luckless hour, that foreign youth who ran near Thyamis during the single combat. You must know whom I mean, for his beauty shone so transcendently among them all, as to be con spicuous to the rudest and most insensible to love, much more to one of your matured experience. Wherefore, my dearest nurse, now that you know my wound, employ all your skill to heal it ; call up every art, work with every spell and will which years have taught you, if you would have your mistress survive ; for it is in vain for me to think of living, if I do not enjoy this young man. "
" I believe I know the youth of whom you speak," replied the old woman ; " his chest and shoulders were broad ; his neck, straight and noble ; his stature, raised above his fellows ; and he outshone, in short, every one around him, — his eyes spark ling with animation, yet their fire tempered with sweetness ; his beautiful locks clustered on his shoulders ; and the first down of youth appeared upon his cheek. An outlandish wench, not with out beauty, but of uncommon impudence, ran suddenly up to him, embraced him, and hung upon his neck. Is not this the man you mean ? "
" It is indeed," replied Arsace ; " I well remember the last circumstance you mention ; and that strolling hussy, whose home spun made-up charms have nothing more in them than common, but are, alas ! much more fortunate than mine, since they have obtained for her such a lover. "
The old woman smiled at this, and said: "Be of good cheer, my child ; the stranger just now, perhaps, thinks his pres ent mistress handsome ; but if I can make him possessor of your beauties he will find himself to have exchanged brass for gold, and will look with disdain upon that conceited and saucy strum pet. " " Only do this, my dearest Cybele, and you will cure, at once, two dreadful distempers — love and "jealousy ; you will free me from one, and satisfy the other. " Be it my care," re plied the nurse, " to bring this about ; do you, in the meantime, compose yourself ; take a little rest ; do not despair before the trial, but cherish soothing hope. " Having said this, she took up the lamp, and, shutting the door of the chamber, went away. . . .
250 ARSACE'S LOVE AND CHARICLEA-S ESCAPE.
Arsace was urgent with Cybele to lose no time, but to bring about, as soon as possible, what she had so much at heart ; for her passion was now too strong for her endurance. Cybele, accordingly, was to relax none of her endeavors, but was to circumvent Theagenes with all her arts. She did not openly explain the wishes of her mistress, but gave him to guess at them by hints and circumlocutions. She magnified her good will towards him — took every occasion to extol the beauties of her person, as well those which appeared to every beholder as those which her attire kept concealed; she commended her graceful manners and amiable disposition, and assured him that a brave and handsome youth was certain of finding favor with her. All this while she endeavored in what she said to sound his temper, whether it were amorous and easily inflamed.
Theagenes thanked her for her good inclinations towards the Greeks, and professed himself obliged by the peculiar kind ness and benevolence with which she had treated him. But all her innuendoes relating to other matters he passed over, and appeared as though he did not understand them. This was a vast annoyance to the old beldam, and her heart began almost to fail her ; for she had penetration enough to see that Theag enes understood very well the end she aimed at, but was averse to, and determined to repel, all her overtures. She knew that Arsace could not brook a much longer delay. She had already experienced the violence of her temper, which was now inflamed by the ardor of her present passion. She was daily demanding the fulfillment of her promise, which Cybele put off on various pretenses; sometimes saying, that the youth's inclinations towards her were chilled by his timidity — at others, feigning that some indisposition had attacked him. At length, when
nearly a week had ineffectually elapsed, and the princess had admitted Chariclea to more than one interview, when, out of regard to her pretended brother, she had treated her with the greatest kindness and respect, Cybele was at length obliged to speak out more plainly to Theagenes, and make an unvar nished declaration of her mistress's love to him.
She blamed his backwardness, and promised that his com pliance should be followed by the most splendid rewards. " Why," said she, " are you so averse to love ? Is it not strange that one of your age should overlook the advances of a woman like Arsace — young, and beautiful as yourself — and should not esteem her favors as so much treasure-trove,
espe
ARSACE'S LOVE AND CHARICLEA'S ESCAPE. 251
cially when you may indulge your inclinations without the smallest apprehension of danger — her husband being at a distance, and her nurse the confidant of her secrets, and en tirely devoted to her service, being here, ready to manage and conceal your interviews ? There are no obstacles in your way. You have neither a wife nor a betrothed; although in such circumstances, even these relations have been overlooked by many men of sense, who have considered that they should not really hurt their families, but should gain wealth and pleasure to themselves. " She began to hint at last that there might be danger in his refusal. "Women," says she, "tender-hearted and ardent in their desires, are enraged at a repulse, and seldom fail to revenge themselves upon those who overlook their ad vances. Reflect, moreover, that my mistress is a Persian, of
the royal family, and has ample means in her hands of reward ing those whom she favors, and punishing those whom she thinks have injured her. You are a stranger, destitute, and with no one to defend you. Spare yourself danger, and spare Arsace a disappointment ; she is worthy of some regard from you, who has shown and feels such intensity of passion for you : beware of a loving woman's anger, and dread that revenge which follows neglected love. I have known more than one repent of his coldness. These gray hairs have had longer experience in love affairs than you, yet have I never seen any one so unimpressible and harsh as you are. "
Addressing herself then to Chariclea (for, urged"by necessity, she ventured to hold this discourse before her), Do you, my child," says she, " join your exhortations to mine ; endeavor to bend this brother of yours, to whom I know not what name to
If you succeed, you shall find the advantage great to your self ; you will not lose his love and you will gain more honor ; riches will shower down upon you, and a splendid match will await you. These are enviable circumstances to any the chief- est of the natives ; how much more to foreigners who are in poverty ! " Chariclea, with a bitter smile, replied : —
give.
" It were to be wished that the breast of the most excellent lady, Arsace, had felt no such passion ; or that, having felt she had had fortitude sufficient to bear and to repress it. But
the weakness of her nature has sunk under the force of love, would counsel my brother no longer to refuse responding to it, may be done with any degree of security — may be possible to avoid the dangers which see impending from the
I
if it
if it
I if
it,
252 ARSACE'S LOVE AND CHARICLEA'S ESCAPE.
viceroy's wrath, should he become acquainted with the dishon orable affair which is going on. "
At these words Cybele sprang forward, and, embracing and kissing Chariclea, "How I love you, my dear child," she ex claimed, " for the compassion you show for the sufferings of one of your own sex, and your solicitude for the safety of your brother. But here you may be perfectly at ease — the very sun shall know nothing of what passes. "
" Cease for the present," replied Theagenes, seriously, " and give me time for consideration. " — " "
Cybele upon this went out, and O Theagenes ! said Chariclea, " the evil genius who persecutes us has given us a specious appearance of good fortune, with which there is really intermixed more of evil ; but since things have so turned out, it is a great part of wisdom to draw some good, if possible, from each untoward accident. Whether you are determined to com ply with the proposal which has been made to you, it is not for me to say. Perhaps, if our preservation depended upon your compliance, I might reconcile myself to it ; but if your spirit revolts at the complaisance which is expected from you, feign at least that you consent, and feed with promises the barbaric woman's passion. By these means you will prevent her from
immediately determining anything harshly against us : lead her on by hope, which will soften her mind, and hinder her anger from breaking out ; thus we shall gain time, and in the interval some happy accident, or some propitious deity, may deliver us from the perplexities with which we are surrounded. But be ware, my dear Theagenes, that by dwelling in thought upon the matter you do not fall into the sin in deed. "
Theagenes, smiling, replied, "No misfortunes, I see, no embarrassments, can cure a woman of the innate disease of jeal ousy ; but be comforted, I am incapable of even feigning what you advise. In my mind, it is alike unbecoming to do or to say an unworthy thing ; and there will be one advantage in driving Arsace to despair — that she will give us no farther trouble on this subject; and whatever else I am destined to suffer, my bent of mind and my bitter experience have but too well prepared me to bear. " Chariclea having said, " I fear you are bringing ruin upon our heads," held her peace.
While this conversation employed the lovers, Cybele went to Arsace, and encouraged her to hope for a favorable issue to her desires, for that Theagenes had intimated as much.
ARSACE'S LOVE AND CHARICLEA'S ESCAPE. 268
She returned to her own apartments. She said no more that evening ; but having in the night earnestly besought Chariclea, who shared her bed, to cooperate with her, in the morning she again attacked Theagenes, and inquired what he had resolved upon ; when he uttered a plain downright refusal and absolutely forbade her expecting any complaisance from him of the sort she wished. She returned disappointed and sorrowful to her mis tress ; who, as soon as she was made acquainted with the stern refusal of Theagenes, ordering the old woman to be ejected head long out of the palace, entered into her chamber, and, throw ing herself upon the bed, began to tear her hair and beat her breast. . . .
When Cybele approached her, she thus began: "What shall I do, nurse? How can I ease the torments which oppress me. My love is as intense as ever; nay, I think it burns more violently; but this youth, so far from being softened by kindness and favors, becomes more stubborn and intrac table? Some time ago he could bring himself to soothe me by fallacious promises, but now he seems openly and mani festly averse to my desires ;
cause of Achaemenes' absence, and that this has made him more timorous. It is his disappearance, indeed, which gives me most
I fear he suspects, as I do, the
I cannot help thinking that he is gone to Oroon-
uneasiness ;
dates, and perhaps will wholly or in part succeed in persuading him of the truth of what he says. Could I but see Oroondates, he would not withstand one tear or caress of mine ; a woman's well-known features exert a mighty magic over men. It will be a grievous thing, before I have enjoyed Theagenes, to be informed against, nay, perhaps put to death, should his mind be poisoned before I have the means of seeing and conversing with him ; wherefore, my dear Cybele, leave no stone unturned, strain every engine ; you see how pressing and critical the business now becomes ; and you may well believe, if I myself am driven to despair, I shall not easily spare others. You will be the first to rue the machinations of your son ; and how you can be ignorant of them I cannot conceive. "
" The event," replied Cybele, " will prove the injustice of your suspicions, both with regard to my son and me ; but when you are yourself so supine in the prosecution of your love, why do you lay the fault on others ? You are flattering this youth like a slave, when you should command him as a mistress. This indulgent mildness might be proper at first, for fear of
254 ARSACE'S LOVE AND CHARICLEA'S ESCAPE.
alarming his tender and inexperienced mind ; but when kind ness is ineffectual, assume a tone of more severity ; let punish ments, and even stripes, force from him that compliance which favors have failed in doing. It is inborn in youth to despise those who court, to yield to those who curb them ; try this method, and you will find him give to force that which he refused to mildness. "
" Perhaps you may be right," replied Arsace ; " but how can I bear to see that delicate body, which I dote on to distrac tion, torn with whips, and suffering under tortures ? "
" Again you are relapsing into your unreasonable tender ness," said Cybele ; " a few turns of the rack will bring about all you desire, and for a little uneasiness which you may feel, you will soon obtain the full accomplishment of your wishes. You may spare your eyes the pain of seeing his sufferings — deliver him to the chief eunuch, Euphrates ; order him to correct him, for some fault which you may feign he has committed — our ears are duller, you know, in admitting pity, than are our eyes. On the first symptoms of compliance, you may free him from his restraint. "
Arsace suffered herself to be persuaded ; for love, rejected and despairing, pities not even its object, and disappointment seeks revenge. She sent for the chief eunuch, and gave him directions for the purpose which had been suggested to her. He received them with a savage joy, rankling with the envy natural to his race, and, from what he saw and suspected, particularly angry with Theagenes. He put him immediately in chains, cast him into a deep dungeon, and punished him with hunger and stripes : keeping all the while a sullen silence ; answering none of the miserable youth's inquiries, who pretended (though he well knew the cause) to be ignorant of the reason why he was thus hardly treated. He increased his sufferings every day, far beyond what Arsace knew of or commanded, permitting no one but Cybele to see him ; for such, indeed, were his orders.
She visited him every day, under pretence of comforting, of bringing him nourishment ; and of pitying him, because of their former acquaintance ; in reality, to observe and report what ef fect his punishment had upon him, and whether it had mollified his stubborn heart ; but his spirit was still unconquered, and seemed to acquire fresh force from the duration of his trials. His body, indeed, was torn with tortures, but his soul was ex alted by the consciousness of having preserved its purity and
ARSACE'S LOVE AND CHARICLEA'S ESCAPE. 255
honor. He gloried that while fortune was thus persecuting him, she was conferring a boon upon his nobler part — the soul. Rejoicing in this opportunity of showing his fidelity to Chari- clea, and hoping only she would one day become acquainted with his sufferings for her sake, he was perpetually calling upon her name, and styling her his light ! his life ! his soul !
Cybele (who had urged Euphrates to increase the severity of his treatment, contrary to the intentions of Arsace, whose ob ject was by moderate chastisement to bend but not to kill him) saw it was all to no purpose, and began to perceive the peril in which she stood. She feared punishment from Oroondates if Achaemenes should incautiously discover too much of the share she had in the business ; she feared lest her mistress should lay violent hands upon herself, either stung by the disappointment or dreading the discovery of her amour. She determined, there fore, to make a bold attempt to avoid the danger which awaited her, by bringing about what Arsace desired, or to remove all concerned in and privy to the matter, by involving them in one common destruction. — "
We are losing our la bor," she said. " This stubborn youth, instead of being softened, grows every day more self-willed ; he has Chariclea continually
in his mouth, and by calling upon her alone, consoles himself in his misfortunes. Let us then, as a last experiment, cut the cable, as the proverb says, and rid ourselves of this impediment to our wishes. Perhaps when he shall hear that she is no more, he may despair of obtaining her, and surrender himself to your desires. "
Going, therefore, to the princess
Arsace eagerly seized upon this idea : her rage and jealousy had but too well prepared her for embracing the cruel expedi
ent. " You advise well," she replied ; "
have this wretch removed out of your way. " "
" But who will you get to put your design into execution ? said Cybele ; " for though your power here is great, the laws forbid you to put any one to death without the sentence of the judges. You must undergo, therefore, some trouble and delay in framing a fictitious charge against this maiden ; and there will, besides, be some difficulty in proving it. To save you the pain and hazard of this proceeding, I am ready to dare and suffer anything. I will, if you think fit, do the deed with poison, and by means of a medicated cup remove our adver sary. "
I will take care to
256 ARSACE'S LOVE AND CHARICLEA'S ESCAPE.
Arsace approved, and bade her execute her purpose. She lost no time, but went to the unhappy Chariclea, whom she found in tears and revolving how she could escape from life, of which she was now weary, suspecting as she did the suffer ings and imprisonment of Theagenes, though Cybele had en deavored to conceal them from her, and had invented various excuses for his unusual absence. "
The beldam thus addressed her :
yourself in continual, and now causeless, lamentations ? The agenes is free, and will be with you here this evening. His mistress, angry at some fault which he had committed in her service, ordered him into a slight confinement ; but has this day given directions for his release, in honor of a feast which she is preparing to celebrate, and in compliance with my en treaties. Arise, therefore, compose yourself, and refresh your spirits with a slight refection. " "
" How shall I believe you ? replied the afflicted maiden. " You have deceived me so often that I know not how to credit what you say. "
" I swear to you by all the gods," said Cybele, " all your troubles shall have an end this day ; all your anxiety shall be removed, only do not first kill yourself by abstaining obsti nately, as you do, from food. Taste, then, the repast which I have provided. "
Chariclea was with difficulty persuaded, though she very naturally entertained suspicions; the protestations of the old woman, however, and the pleasing hopes suggested, prevailed at length (for what the mind desires it believes), and they sat down to the repast.
Cybele motioned to Abra, the slave who waited upon them, to give the cup, after she had mixed the wine, first to Chari clea ; she then took another herself and drank. She had not swallowed all that was presented to her, when she appeared seized with dizziness ; and throwing what remained in the cup upon the ground, and casting a fierce look upon the attendant, her body was attacked with violent spasms and convulsions. Chariclea, and all who were in the room, were struck with hor ror, and attempted to raise and assist her ; but the poison, po tent enough to destroy a young and vigorous person, wrought more quickly than can be expressed upon her old and wornout body. It seized the vitals ; she was consumed by inward fire ; her limbs, which were at first convulsed, became at length stiff
Why will you consume
ARSACE'S LOVE AND CHARICLEA'S ESCAPE.
257
and motionless, and a black color spread itself over her skin. But the malice of her soul was more malignant even than the poison, and Cybele, even in death, did not give over her wicked arts ; but by signs and broken accents, gave the assistants to understand that she was poisoned by the contrivance of Chari- clea. No sooner did she expire than the innocent maiden was bound, and carried before Arsace.
When the princess asked her if she had prepared the fatal draught, and threatened her, if she would not confess the whole truth, that torments should force it from her, her be havior astonished all the beholders. She did not cast down her eyes ; she betrayed no fear ; she even smiled and treated the affair with scorn, disregarding, in conscious innocence, the incredible accusation, and rejoicing in the imputation of the guilt, if through the agency of others it should bring her to a death which Theagenes had already undergone. " If Theag- enes be alive," said she, " I am totally guiltless of this crime ; but if he has fallen a victim to your most virtuous practices, it needs no tortures to extract a confession from me : then am I the poisoner of your incomparable nurse ; treat me as if I were guilty, and by taking my life, gratify him who loathed your unhallowed wishes. "
Arsace was stung into fury by this ; she ordered her to be smitten on the face, and then said: "Take this wretch, bound as she is, and show her her precious lover suffering as he has well deserved ; then load every limb with fetters and deliver her to Euphrates ; bid him confine her in a dungeon till to morrow, when she will receive from the Persian magistrates the sentence of death. "
While they were leading her away, the girl who had poured out the wine at the fatal repast, who was an Ionian by nation, and the same who was sent at first by Arsace to wait upon her Grecian guests (whether out of compassion for Chariclea, whom nobody could attend and not love, or moved by a sudden impulse from heaven), burst into tears, and cried out, " O most unhappy and guiltless maiden ! " The bystanders won dering at this exclamation and pressing her to explain its meaning, she confessed that it was she who had given the poison to Cybele, from whom she had received it, in order that it might be administered to Chariclea. She declared that, either overcome by trepidation at the enormity of the action,
or confused at the signs made by Cybele, to present the goblet VOL. VII. 17
258 ARSACE'S LOVE AND CHARICLEA'S ESCAPE.
first to the young stranger, she had, in her hurry, changed the cups, and given that containing the poison to the old woman.
She was immediately taken before Arsace, every one heartily wishing that Chariclea might be found innocent; for beauty and nobleness of demeanor can move compassion even in the minds of barbarians.
The slave repeated before her mistress all she had said before, but it was of no avail towards clearing the innocent maiden, and served only to involve herself in the same punish ment ; for Arsace, saying she was an accomplice, commanded her to be bound, thrown into prison, and reserved with the other for trial ; and she sent directly to the magistrates, who formed the Supreme Council, and to whom it belonged to try criminals and to pronounce their sentence, ordering them to assemble on the morrow.
At the appointed time, when the court was met, Arsace stated the case, and accused Chariclea of the poisoning ; lamenting, with many tears, the loss she had sustained in a faithful and affectionate old servant, whom no treasures could replace ; calling the judges themselves to witness the ingrati tude with which she had been treated, in that, after she had received and entertained the strangers with the greatest kind ness and humanity, she had met with such a base return : in short, her tone was throughout bitter and malignant.
Chariclea made no defense, but confessed the crime, admit ting that she had administered the poison, and declaring that, had she not been prevented, she would have given another potion to Arsace ; whom she attacked in good set terms ; pro voking, in short, by every means in her power, the sentence of the judges.
This behavior was the consequence of a plan concerted between her and Theagenes the night before, in the prison, where they had agreed that she should voluntarily meet the doom with which she was threatened, and quit a wandering and wretched life, now become intolerable by the implacable pursuits of adverse fortune. After which they took a last melancholy embrace ; and she bound about her body the jewels which had been exposed with her, which she always carried about her, concealing them under her garments to serve as attendants upon her obsequies ; and she now undauntedly avowed every crime which was laid to her charge, and added others which her accusers had not thought of ; so that the
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judges, without any hesitation, were very near awarding her the most cruel punishment, usual in such cases among the Per sians. At last, however, moved perhaps by her youth, her beauty, and noble air, they condemned her to be burnt alive.
She was dragged directly out of the court, and led by the executioners without the walls, the crier proclaiming that a prisoner was going to suffer for the crime of poisoning ; and a vast multitude nocking together, and following her, poured out of the city.
Among the spectators upon the walls Arsace had the cru elty to present herself, that she might satiate her revenge, and obtain a savage consolation for her disappointment, in viewing the sufferings of her to whom she imputed it. The ministers of justice now made ready and lighted an immense pile; and were preparing to place the innocent victim upon it, when she begged a delay of a few moments, promising that she would herself voluntarily ascend it — and now turning towards the rising sun, and lifting up her eyes and hands to heaven, she exclaimed : " O sun ! O earth ! O celestial and infernal deities
I call upon
who view and punish the actions of the wicked !
you to witness how innocent I am of the crime of which I am accused. Receive me propitiously, who am now preparing to undergo a voluntary death, unable to support any longer the cruel and unrelenting attacks of adverse fortune ; — but may your speedy vengeance overtake that worker of evil, the ac cursed and adulterous Arsace; the disappointment of whose profligate designs upon Theagenes has urged her thus to wreak her fury upon me. " This appeal, and these protestations, caused a murmur in the assembly. Some said the matter ought to undergo a further examination; some wished to hinder, others advanced to prevent her mounting the pile : but she put them all aside, and ascended it intrepidly.
She placed herself in the midst of it, and remained for a considerable time unhurt, the flames playing harmlessly around her, rather than approaching her, not injuring her in the least, but receding whithersoever she turned herself ; so that their only effect seemed to be to give light and splendor to her charms, as she lay like a bride upon a fiery nuptial couch.
She shifted herself from one side of the pile to another, marveling as much as any one else at what happened, and seeking for destruction, but still without effect; for the fire ever retreated, and seemed to shun her approach. The execu
260 ARSACE'S LOVE AND CHARICLEA'S ESCAPE.
tioners on their part were not idle, but threw on more fuel (Arsace by signs inciting them), dry wood, and reeds, and everything that was likely to raise and feed the flame ; yet all was to no purpose ; and now a murmur growing into a tumult began to run through the assembly : they cried out, " This is a divine interposition ! — the maiden is unjustly ac cused !
— she is surely innocent ! " and advancing towards the pile, they drove away the ministers of justice, Thyamis, whom the uproar had roused from his retirement, now appearing at their head, and calling on the people for assistance. They were eager to deliver Chariclea, but durst not approach too near. They earnestly desired her, therefore, to come down herself from the pile ; for there could be no danger in passing through the flames to one who appeared even to be untouched by them. Chariclea seeing and hearing this, and believing too that some divinity was really interposing to preserve her, deemed that she ought not to appear ungrateful, or reject the mercy, and leapt lightly from the pile; at which sight the whole city raised a sudden shout of wonder, joy, and thanks giving to the gods.
Arsace, too, beheld this prodigy with astonishment, but with very different sensations. She could not contain her rage. She left the ramparts, hurried through a postern gate, attended by her guards and the Persian nobles, and herself laid violent hands on Chariclea. Casting a furious glance at the people — "Are ye not ashamed," she cried, "to assist in withdrawing from punishment a wretched creature detected in the very fact of poisoning, and confessing it ? Do ye not consider, that while showing a blamable compassion to this wicked woman, ye are putting yourselves in opposition to the laws of the Persians — to the judges, the peers, the viceroys, and to the Great King him self? The fact of her not burning has perhaps moved you, and ye attribute it to the interposition of the gods, not considering
that this yet more fully proves her guilt. Such is her knowl edge of charms and witchcraft, that she is enabled to resist even the force of fire. Come all of you to-morrow to the ex amination which shall be held in public, and you shall not only hear her confess her crimes herself, but shall find her convicted also by her accomplices whom I have in custody. "
She then commanded Chariclea to be led away, still keeping her hold upon her neck, and ordering her guards to disperse the crowd, who were with difficulty prevented from interfering for her rescue.
CLITOPHO AND LEUCIPPE. 261
CLITOPHO AND LEUCIPPE. By ACHILLES TATIUS.
[Nothing whatever is known of the author ; the work is believed to be slightly posterior to the two romances foregoing. ]
Clitopho has eloped with Leucippe ; she is carried off by pirates and sold to Sosthenes, bailiff of the rich Ephesian merchant and landowner Thersander, who meantime is reported lost at sea, and his widow Melitta meets, loves, and marries Clitopho; but he refuses to consummate the marriage, first out of mourning for Leucippe, then, rinding her alive, claims a release alto gether. Next Thersander turns up alive, prosecutes Clitopho for adultery, and has him imprisoned meantime ; and his bailiff having shown him the new slave (Leucippe), falls violently in love with her and attempts to gain her.
The sight of Leucippe inflamed his mind ; she appeared more charming than ever, and her presence acted as fuel to the fire of love which had been burning in his breast all night. He with difficulty restrained himself from at once folding her in his arms, and sitting down beside her began to talk of vari ous unconnected trifles, as lovers are wont to do when in com pany of their mistresses. At such times the soul is centered upon the object of its love, reason no longer guides their speech, and the tongue mechanically utters words. In the course of his address, he put his arm round her neck with the view of kissing her, and she aware of his intention hung down her head upon her bosom ; he used all his endeavors to raise her face, and she with equal perseverance continued to conceal it the more and more; when this mutual struggle had con tinued for some time, Thersander, under the influence of amorous obstinacy, slipped his left hand under her chin, and seizing her hair with his right, compelled her to raise her head. When at length he gave over, either from succeeding in his object, or failing, or from being weary of the sport, Leucippe said to him indignantly, "Your conduct is unfitting and ungentlemanly, though fit enough for the slave Sosthenes ; the master and his man are worthy of each other ; but spare your self any farther trouble, you will never succeed unless you become a second Clitopho. "
Distracted between anger and desire, Thersander was at a loss what to do. These passions are like two fires in the soul ;
262 CLITOPHO AND LEUCIPPE.
they differ in nature, but resemble each other in intensity ; the former urges to hatred, the latter to love ; the sources also of their respective flames are near to one another, anger having its seat in the heart, the liver being the abode of love. When, therefore, a person is attacked by these two passions, his soul becomes the scales in which the intensity of either flame is weighed. Each tries to depress its respective scale, and love, when it obtains its object, is generally successful ; but should it be slighted, then it summons its neighbor, anger, to its aid, and both of them combine their flame. When once anger has gained the mastery, and has driven love from its seat, being implacable by nature, instead of assisting it to gain its end, it rules like a tyrant, and will not allow it (however anxious) to become reconciled with its beloved. Pressed down by the weight of anger, love is no longer free, and vainly endeavors to recover its dominion, and so is compelled to hate what once it doted upon. But, again, when the tempest of anger has reached its height, and its fury has frothed away, it becomes weary from satiety, and its efforts cease ; then love, armed by desire, revives, comes to the rescue, and attacks anger sleeping on his post; and calling to mind the injuries done to the be loved during its frenzy, it grieves and sues for pardon, and invites to reconciliation, and promises to make amends in future. If after this it meets with full success, then it continues to be all smiles and gentleness ; but if again repulsed and scorned, then
its old neighbor, anger, is once more called in, who revives his slumbering fires, and regains his former power. Thersander, so long as he was buoyed up with hopes of succeeding in his suit, had been Leucippe's humble servant ; but when he found all his expectations dashed to the ground, love gave way to wrath, and he smote her upon the face. "Wretched slave! " he exclaimed, " I have heard your love-sick lamentations, and know all ; instead of taking it as a compliment that I should speak to you, and regarding a kiss from your master as an honor, you must, forsooth, coquet and give yourself airs; for my part, I believe you to be a strumpet, for an adulterer is your love ! However, since you refuse to accept me as a lover, you shall feel my power as a master. "
Leucippe meekly replied, " Use me as harshly as you please ; I will submit to everything except the loss of chastity ; " and turning to Sosthenes, " you can bear witness to my powers of endurance ; for I have received at your hands harder measure
CLITOPHO AND LEUCIPPE. 263
even than this ! " Ashamed at having his conduct brought to light, " This wench," said he, " deserves to be flayed with the scourge and to be put upon the rack, in order to teach her better manners towards her master. " "
" By all means follow his advice !
Thersander, " he gives good counsel ; do the worst which your malice can suggest ; extend my hands upon the wheel ; bare my back to the scourge ; burn my body in the fire ; smite off my head with the sword ; it will be a novel sight to see one weak woman contend against all your tortures, victorious against all ! You brand Clitopho as an adulterer, and yet you yourself would commit adultery ! Have you no reverence for your tutelary goddess Diana? Would you ravish a virgin in the very city sacred to a virgin ? O goddess, why do not thy shafts avenge the insult ? "
" You a virgin, forsooth ! " replied Thersander, contemptu ously ; " you who passed whole days and nights among the pirates ! Prythee were they eunuchs, or given only to platonic love, or were they blind? "
resumed Leucippe to
" Ask Sosthenes," said she, " whether or not I preserved my chastity against his attempts ; none of the freebooters behaved to me so brutally as you have done ; it is you who deserve the name of pirate, since you feel no shame in perpetrating deeds which they abstained from doing. You little think how your unblushing cruelty will redound hereafter to my praise ; you may kill me in your fury, and my encomium will be this : ' Leucippe preserved her chastity despite of buccaneers, despite of Chaereas, despite of Sosthenes, and crown of all (for this would be but trifling commendation), she remained chaste despite even of Thersander, more lascivious than the most lustful pirate ; and he who could not despoil her of her honor, robbed her of her life. ' Again, therefore, I say, bring into action all your engines and implements of torture, and employ the aid of Sosthenes, your right trusty counselor. I stand before you a feeble woman, naked and alone, having but one weapon of defense, my free spirit, which is proof against sword and fire and scourge. Burn me, if you will; you shall find that there be things over which even the fire is powerless ! "
The scornful reproaches of Leucippe stirred up a tumult of conflicting passions in Thersander's mind ; he was incensed by her taunts, vexed at his ill success, and perplexed how to secure the accomplishment of his desires. Without saying
264 CLITOPHO AND LEUCIPPE.
another word he rushed out of the house to give vent to the storm and tempest of his soul. Shortly after, having conferred with Sosthenes, he went to the jailer, and endeavored to per suade him to administer a dose of poison to me ; this, however, the jailer refused to do, his predecessor having suffered death for taking off a prisoner in this manner. Failing in this, he obtained his consent to introduce a man (who was to pass for a criminal) into my cell, under pretense of wishing to extract some secrets out of me through him. The man had been pre viously tutored by Thersander, and was casually to introduce Leucippe's name, and to say that she had been murdered by the contrivance of Melitta. Thersander's object in persuading me of her death was to hinder me (in case I obtained a verdict of acquittal) from instituting any further search for her recov ery ; and Melitta's name was introduced in order that after learning Leucippe's death I might not entertain any thoughts of marrying her, and so by settling at Ephesus interrupt Ther sander in the prosecution of his schemes, but on the contrary might be induced to quit the city without delay, from hatred to Melitta for having contrived the death of my beloved.
As soon as this fellow came near me, he began to play his appointed part, and with a knavish groan exclaimed "Alacka- day ! what a miserable thing is life ! There is no keeping out of trouble ! It stands a man in no stead to be honest ! Some cross accident is sure to overtake him! Would I could have guessed the character of"my fellow-traveler, and what work he had been engaged in ! This, and much more of the same sort, he said speaking to himself, craftily endeavoring to attract my attention, and to make me inquire what it was that ailed him. He did not succeed, however, for I was sufficiently taken up with my own troubles, and he went on with his groans and ejaculations. At length — for the unfortunate take pleasure in listening to another's griefs, finding in it a kind of medi cine for their sorrows — one of the prisoners asked, "What trick has the jade Fortune been playing you ? I suspect that, like myself, she has laid you up in limbo without deserving it. " He then proceeded to tell his own story, giving an account of what had brought him into prison ; and having finished, re quested the other to favor him with the particulars of his own misfortune. He of course readily complied.
" I left the city yesterday," said he, " to go towards Smyrna, and had proceeded about half a mile, when I was joined by a
CLITOPHO AND LEUCIPPE. 265
young man out of the country. He saluted me, and after walking with me for a few minutes, inquired whither I was going. I told him, and he said that luckily his road lay in the same direction, so that we proceeded in company, and entered into conversation. Stopping at an inn, we ordered dinner, and presently four men came in and did the same. Instead of eat ing, however, they continued watching us, and making signs to one another. I plainly enough saw that we were the objects of their notice, but was wholly at a loss to understand the meaning of their gestures. My companion gradually turned very pale, left off eating, and at last began to tremble all over. Instantly they sprang up, seized, and bound us ; one of them also dealt him a violent blow upon the face ; upon which, as if he had been already on the rack, and even without a question being asked him he cried out, ' I admit having killed the girl ! Melitta, Thersander's wife, hired me to do the deed, and gave me a hundred gold pieces for my trouble ; here they are every one — take them for yourselves ; and for heaven's sake let me off ! "
Upon hearing these names I started as if stung, and turning to him, "Who is Melitta? " I asked. "She is a lady of the first rank in this city," was his reply. " She took a fancy to a young man, said to be a native of Tyre ; he found a favorite wench of his (whom he had given up for lost), among the number of Melitta's slaves, and she, moved by jealousy, had the girl seized by the fellow whom ill luck made my fellow- traveler, and he, in obedience to Melitta's orders, has made away with her. But to return to my own story. I, who had never seen the man before, nor had dealings with him of any kind, was dragged along with him, bound, as an accomplice in his crime ; but what is harder than all, they had not gone far, before, for the sake of his hundred pieces, they let him go, but kept me in custody and carried me before the judge. "
Upon hearing this chapter of accidents, I neither uttered a sound nor shed a tear, for both voice and tears refused their office, but a general trembling seized me, my heart sunk within me, and I felt as at the point of death. After a time, recover ing in some degree from the stupor which his words had caused, " How did the ruffian "dispatch her ? " I asked, " and what has become of her body ? But having now performed the busi ness for which he was employed, by stimulating my curiosity, he became obstinately silent, and I could extract nothing more from him. In answer to my repeated questions, " Do you
266 CLITOPHO AND LEUCIPPE.
think," said he, at length, " that I had a hand in the murder ? The man told me he had killed her; he said nothing of the place and manner of her death. " Tears now came to my relief, and I gave full vent to my sorrow. It is with mental wounds as with bodily hurts ; when one has been stricken in body some time elapses before the livid bruise, the result of the blow, is seen ; and so also any one who has been pierced by the sharp tusk of a boar, looks for the wound, but without immediately discovering it, owing to its being deeply seated ; but presently a white line is perceived, the precursor of the blood, which speedily begins to flow ; in like manner, no sooner have bitter tidings been announced, than they pierce the soul, but the suddenness of the stroke prevents the wound from being visible at once, and the tooth of sorrow must for some space have gnawed the heart ere a vent is found for tears, which are to the mind what blood is to the body. . . .
While thus plunged in grief, Clinias came to visit me. I related every particular to him, and declared my determination of putting an end to my existence. He did all in his power to console me. " Consider," he said, " how often she has died and come to life again ; who knows but what she may do the same on this occasion also? Why be in such haste to kill yourself? You will have abundant leisure when the tidings of her death have been positively confirmed. "
" This is mere trifling," I replied ; " there is small need of confirmation ; my resolve is fixed, and I have decided upon a manner of death which will not permit even the hated Melitta to escape unscathed. Listen to my plan : In case of being summoned into court it was my intention to plead not guilty. I have now changed my determination, and shall plead guilty, confessing the intrigue between Melitta and myself, and saying that we mutually planned Leucippe's death ; by this means she will suffer the punishment which is her due, and I shall quit this life which I so much detest. " "Talk not thus," replied he; "can you endure to die under the base imputation of being a murderer, and, what is more, the murderer of Leucippe ? " " Nothing is base," replied I, " by which we can wreak venge ance upon our enemies. " While we were engaged in argu ment, the fellow who had communicated the tidings of the fictitious murder was removed, upon pretense of being taken before the magistrate to undergo an examination. Clinias and Satyrus exerted themselves, but ineffectually, in order to per
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suade me to alter my resolution ; and on the same day they removed into lodgings, so as to be no longer under the roof of Melitta's foster brother. The following day the case came on; Thersander had a great muster of friends and partisans, and had engaged ten advocates ; and Melitta had been equally on the alert in preparing for her defense. When the council on either side had finished speaking, I asked leave to address the court, and said, " All those who have been exerting their elo quence, either for Thersander or for Melitta, have been giving utterance to sheer nonsense ;
I will reveal the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. I was once passionately in love with a female of Byzantium named Leucippe ; she was carried off by
pirates, and I had reason to believe that she was dead. Meet ing with Melitta in Egypt, we formed a connection, and after some time we traveled together to this city, and Leucippe, whom I just now mentioned, was found working as a slave on Thersander's estate, under his bailiff, Sosthenes. By what means he obtained possession of a freeborn female, and what were his dealings with the pirates, I leave it to you to guess.
" Melitta, finding that I had recovered my former mistress, became apprehensive of her regaining her influence over my affections, and contrived a plan for putting her to death. I entered into her schemes, — for what avails it to conceal the truth ? — having received a promise that she would settle all her property upon me ; a man was found, who, for the reward of a hundred gold pieces, undertook the business. When the deed was done, he fled, and is now somewhere in concealment.
"As for myself, Love was not long in taking vengeance upon my cruelty. No sooner did I hear of the murder being perpe trated, than I bitterly repented of what had taken place, and all my former fondness revived. For this reason I have determined to turn evidence against myself, in order that you may send me whither she is gone to whom I am still so deeply attached. Life is intolerable to one who, in addition to being a murderer, loves her of whose death he has been the cause. "
Every one in court was utterly astounded at the unexpected tenor of my speech, especially Melitta. The advocates of Thersander already claimed a triumph, while those engaged in Melitta's behalf anxiously questioned her as to the truth of what I had said. She was in great confusion ; denied some points, virtually admitted others, confessed to having known Leucippe, and indeed confirmed most of what I had said, with
268 CLITOPHO AND LEUCIPPE.
the exception of the murder. This general agreement, on her part, with the facts advanced by me, created a suspicion against her, even in the minds of her own counsel, and they were at a loss what line of defense to adopt on her behalf. At this critical juncture, while the court was being a scene of great clamor, Clinias came forward and requested to be heard, for "Remember," said he, "a man's life is now in jeopardy. " Obtaining permission to speak : —
" Men of Ephesus ! " he began (his eyes filling with tears), "do not precipitately condemn to die one who eagerly longs for death, the natural refuge of the unfortunate. He has been
himself, and has taken upon him the guilt of others. Let me briefly acquaint you with what has befallen him. What he has said respecting his mistress, her being carried off by pirates, about Sosthenes, and other circumstances which happened before the pretended murder, are strictly true. The young woman has undoubtedly disappeared ; but whether she is still alive, or has been made away with, it is impossible to say ; one thing is certain, that Sosthenes conceived a passion for her, that he used her cruelly for not consenting to his desires, and that he was leagued with pirates. My friend, believing her to be murdered, is disgusted with life, and has, therefore, invented this charge against himself ; he has already confessed with his own mouth that he is anxious to die owing to grief at the loss which he has sustained. Consider, I pray you, whether it is likely that one who is really a murderer would be so desirous of dying with his victim, and would feel life so insup portable. When do we ever find murderers so tender-hearted, and hatred so compassionate? In the name of the gods, there fore, do not believe his words ; do not condemn to death a man who is much more deserving of commiseration than of punish ment. If, as he says, he really planned this murder, let him bring forward the hired assassin ; let him declare what has become of the body. If neither the one nor the other can be produced, how can any belief be attached to such a murder? ' I was in love with Melitta,' he says, ' and therefore I caused Leucippe to be killed ! ' How comes he to implicate Melitta, the object of his affection, and to be so desirous of dying for Leucippe, whose death he compassed ? Is it usual for persons to hate the object of their love, and to love the object of their hatred? Is it not much more probable that in such circum stances he would have denied the crime (even had it been
calumniating
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brought home to him) in order to save his mistress, instead of throwing away his own life afterwards, owing to a vain regret for her loss? What can possibly, therefore, be his motive for charging Melitta with a crime of which she is not guilty ? I will tell you, and in so doing do not suppose that I have any desire of inculpating this lady, — my sole wish is to make you acquainted with the real truth.
" Before this seafaring husband of hers came to life again so suddenly, Melitta took a violent fancy to this young man, and proposed marriage to him ; he on his part was not at all disposed to comply with her wishes, and his repugnance became yet greater when he discovered that his mistress, whom he had imagined dead, was in slavery, under the power of Sosthenes. Until aware who she was, Melitta, taking pity upon her, had caused her to be set at liberty, had received her into her own house, and treated her with the consideration due to a gentle woman in distress; but after becoming acquainted with her story, she was sent back into the country, and she has not been heard of since. The truth of what I say can be attested by Melitta herself and the two maids in whose company she was sent away. This was one thing which excited suspicions in my friend's mind that Leucippe had been foully dealt with through her rival's jealousy ; a circumstance which took place after he was in prison confirmed these suspicions, and has had the effect of exasperating him not only against Melitta, but against himself. One of the prisoners, in the course of lament ing his own troubles, mentioned that he had unwittingly fallen into the company of a man who had committed murder for the sake of gold ; the victim was named Leucippe, and the crime, he said, had been committed at the instigation of Melitta. Of course I cannot say whether this be true or not ; it is for you to institute inquiries. You can produce the prisoner who made mention of the hired assassin ; Sosthenes, who can declare from whom he purchased Leucippe, and the maids, who can explain her disappearance. Before you have thoroughly investigated each of these particulars, it is contrary to all law, whether human or divine, to pass sentence upon this unfortunate young man on the bare evidence of his frenzied words, for there can be no doubt that the violence of his grief has affected his intellect. "
The arguments of Clinias appeared just and reasonable to many of those present, but Thersander's counsel, together with
270 CLITOPHO AND LEUCIPPE.
his friends, called out that sentence of death ought to be pro nounced without delay upon the murderer who, by the provi dence of the gods, had been made his own accuser. Melitta brought forward her maids, and required Thersander to pro duce Sosthenes, who might probably turn out to be the mur derer. This was the challenge mainly insisted upon by her counsel. Thersander, in great alarm, secretly dispatched one of his dependants into the country, with orders to Sosthenes to get out of the way at once, before the arrival of those who were about to be sent after him.
Mounting a horse without delay, the messenger rode full speed to inform the bailiff of the danger he ran of being put to the torture, if taken. Sosthenes was at that moment with Leu- cippe, doing his best to soothe her irritated feelings. Hearing himself summoned in a loud voice, he came out of the cottage ; and, upon learning the state of matters, overcome with fear, and thinking the officers were already at his heels, he got upon the horse, and rode off towards Smyrna ; after which the mes senger returned to his master. It is a true saying that fear drives away the power of recollection, for Sosthenes in his alarm for his own safety was so forgetful of everything else that he neglected to secure the door of Leucippe's cottage. Indeed slaves, generally speaking, when frightened, run into the very excess of cowardice. Melitta's advocates having given the above-mentioned challenge, Thersander came forward and said, " We have now surely had quite enough of this man's silly sto ries ; and I cannot but feel surprised at your want of sense, who, after convicting a murderer upon the strongest possible evidence, his own admission of his guilt, do not at once pass sentence of death upon him ; whereas, instead of doing this,
you suffer yourselves to be imposed upon by his plausible words and tears. For my part I believe him actuated by per sonal fears, and to be an accomplice in the murder ; nor can I see what possible need there can be for having recourse to the rack in a matter so clear already. Nay, more, I fully believe him to have had a hand in another murder ; for three days have now elapsed since I saw Sosthenes, the man whom they call upon me to bring forward ; it is not at all improbable that this is owing to their contrivance, since it was he who informed me of the act of adultery which has taken place, and having put him to death, they now craftily call upon me to produce the man, knowing it to be out of my power to do so. But
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even supposing he were alive and present, what difference could it make ? What questions would he put to him ? ' Did he ever purchase a certain female? ' 'Yes. ' 'Was this female in the power of Melitta ? ' ' Yes. ' Here would be an end of the examination, and Sosthenes would be dismissed. Let me now, however, address myself to Clitopho and Melitta.
" What have you done, I ask, with my slave ? — for a slave of mine she assuredly was, having been purchased by Sosthenes, and were she still alive, instead of having been murdered by them, my slave she would still be. " Thersander said this from mingled malice and cunning, in order that if Leucippe should turn out to be still alive, he might detain her in a state of servitude. He then continued : " Clitopho confessed that he killed her, he has therefore pronounced judgment upon him self. Melitta, on the other hand, denies the crime — her maids may be brought forward and tortured in order to refute what she says. If it should appear that they received the young woman from her, but have not brought her back again, the question will arise, What has become of her ? Why was she sent away ? And to whom was she sent ? Is it not self-evi dent that some persons had been hired to commit the murder, and that the maids were kept in ignorance of this, lest a num ber of witnesses might render discovery more probable ? No doubt they left her at some spot where a gang of ruffians were lying in concealment, so that it was out of their power to wit ness what took place. He has also trumped up some story about a prisoner who made mention of the murder. I should like to know who this prisoner is, who has not said a word on the subject to the chief magistrate, but has communicated, it seems, every particular to him, except the name of his informer. Again, I ask, will you not make an end of listening to such foolery, and taking any interest in such transparent absurdities ? Can you imagine that he would have turned a self-accuser with out the intervention of the deity ? " Thersander, after speaking to this effect, concluded by solemnly swearing that he was igno rant what had become of Sosthenes.
The presiding judge, who was of royal extraction, and who took cognizance of cases of blood, had, in accordance with the law, a certain number of assessors, men of mature age, whose province it was to assist him in judicial investigations. After conferring with them, he determined to pronounce sentence of death upon me, agreeably to a law which awarded capital pun
272 CLITOPHO AND LEUCIPPE.
Arsace was heard by the inhabitants of Memphis with pleasure, and her proposal was received with their unanimous applause. They suspected the wickedness and treachery of Petosiris, and were pleased with the prospect of transferring to his single person the sudden danger which threatened the whole community. But the bands of Bessa did not so readily agree ; they were at first very averse to expose their leader to peril in their behalf, until Thyamis at length persuaded them to consent ; representing to them the weakness and unskillful- ness of Petosiris, whereas he should engage in the combat with every possible advantage on his side. This reflection probably influenced Arsace in proposing the single combat. She hoped to obtain by it her real aim, revenge upon Petosiris, exposing him to fight with one so much his superior in skill and courage.
The preparations for the encounter were now made with all celerity ; Thyamis, with the utmost alacrity, hastening to put
on what still he wanted to complete his armor.
encouraging him, securely buckled on his arms, and placed,
lastly, a helmet on his head, flashing with gold, and with a
lofty crest. . . . " " Have you any commands for me ?
said Theagenes. " The combat I am going to engage in," said Thyamis, "is a mere trifle, fit to be despised; but since Fortune sometimes sports with mortals, and strange accidents happen, I will just say, that if I prove victor, you shall accompany me into the city, live with me, and partake equally with myself, of everything which my fortune and station can afford. But contrary to my expectation, should be vanquished, you shall command the bands of Bessa, with whom you are in great favor, and shall lead for time the life of freebooter, till the Deity shall place
you in more prosperous circumstances. " Having said this, they
Theagenes,
a
I a
if,
248 ARSACE'S LOVE AND CHARICLEA'S ESCAPE.
embraced each other with great affection ; and Theagenes sat down to observe the issue of the fight.
In this situation he unconsciously afforded Arsace an oppor tunity of feeding herself upon his presence, as she surveyed his person, and gratified at least her eyes. . . .
Arsace at length departed, unwillingly, and often turning back, under pretense of greater respect to the goddess ; at last, however, she did depart, casting back her eyes as long as possible upon Theagenes.
As soon as she arrived at her palace, she hurried to her cham ber, and, throwing herself upon the bed, in the habit she had on, lay there a long time speechless. She was a woman ever in clined to passion ; and was now inflamed above measure by the beauties and grace of Theagenes, which excelled any she had ever beheld. She continued restless and agitated all night, turn ing from one side to the other, fetching deep and frequent sighs; now rising up, and again falling back on her couch ; now tear ing off her clothes, and then again throwing herself upon her bed ; calling in her maids without cause, and dismissing them without orders. In short, her unrestrained love would certainly have driven her into frenzy, had not an old crone, Cybele by name, her bedchamber woman, well acquainted with her secrets, and who had ministered to her amours, hurried into the chamber.
Nothing had escaped her notice, and she now came to add fuel to the flame ; thus addressing her : " What ails you, my dear mistress ? What new passion tortures you ? Whose coun tenance has raised such a flame in my nursling's soul ? Is there any one foolish or insolent enough to overlook or contemn ad vances from you? Can any mortal see your charms unmoved, and not esteem your favors as a most supreme felicity ? Con ceal nothing from me, my sweet child. He must be made of adamant, indeed, whom my arts cannot soften. Only tell me your wishes, and I will answer for the success of them. You have more than once made trial of my skill and fidelity. " With these and such like insinuating persuasions, and falling at the feet of Arsace, she entreated her to disclose the cause of her suf ferings and agitations. The princess at last, composing herself a little, said : —
I have received a deeper wound than I have
" Good nurse !
ever yet felt ; and though I have frequently, on similar occa sions, successfully experienced your abilities, I doubt whether they can avail me now. The war which threatened our walls
ARSACE'S LOVE AND CHARICLEA'S ESCAPE. 249
yesterday has ended without bloodshed, and has settled into peace ; but it has been the cause of raising a more cruel war within my bosom, and of inflicting a deep wound, not on any part of my body, but on my very soul, by offering to my view, in a luckless hour, that foreign youth who ran near Thyamis during the single combat. You must know whom I mean, for his beauty shone so transcendently among them all, as to be con spicuous to the rudest and most insensible to love, much more to one of your matured experience. Wherefore, my dearest nurse, now that you know my wound, employ all your skill to heal it ; call up every art, work with every spell and will which years have taught you, if you would have your mistress survive ; for it is in vain for me to think of living, if I do not enjoy this young man. "
" I believe I know the youth of whom you speak," replied the old woman ; " his chest and shoulders were broad ; his neck, straight and noble ; his stature, raised above his fellows ; and he outshone, in short, every one around him, — his eyes spark ling with animation, yet their fire tempered with sweetness ; his beautiful locks clustered on his shoulders ; and the first down of youth appeared upon his cheek. An outlandish wench, not with out beauty, but of uncommon impudence, ran suddenly up to him, embraced him, and hung upon his neck. Is not this the man you mean ? "
" It is indeed," replied Arsace ; " I well remember the last circumstance you mention ; and that strolling hussy, whose home spun made-up charms have nothing more in them than common, but are, alas ! much more fortunate than mine, since they have obtained for her such a lover. "
The old woman smiled at this, and said: "Be of good cheer, my child ; the stranger just now, perhaps, thinks his pres ent mistress handsome ; but if I can make him possessor of your beauties he will find himself to have exchanged brass for gold, and will look with disdain upon that conceited and saucy strum pet. " " Only do this, my dearest Cybele, and you will cure, at once, two dreadful distempers — love and "jealousy ; you will free me from one, and satisfy the other. " Be it my care," re plied the nurse, " to bring this about ; do you, in the meantime, compose yourself ; take a little rest ; do not despair before the trial, but cherish soothing hope. " Having said this, she took up the lamp, and, shutting the door of the chamber, went away. . . .
250 ARSACE'S LOVE AND CHARICLEA-S ESCAPE.
Arsace was urgent with Cybele to lose no time, but to bring about, as soon as possible, what she had so much at heart ; for her passion was now too strong for her endurance. Cybele, accordingly, was to relax none of her endeavors, but was to circumvent Theagenes with all her arts. She did not openly explain the wishes of her mistress, but gave him to guess at them by hints and circumlocutions. She magnified her good will towards him — took every occasion to extol the beauties of her person, as well those which appeared to every beholder as those which her attire kept concealed; she commended her graceful manners and amiable disposition, and assured him that a brave and handsome youth was certain of finding favor with her. All this while she endeavored in what she said to sound his temper, whether it were amorous and easily inflamed.
Theagenes thanked her for her good inclinations towards the Greeks, and professed himself obliged by the peculiar kind ness and benevolence with which she had treated him. But all her innuendoes relating to other matters he passed over, and appeared as though he did not understand them. This was a vast annoyance to the old beldam, and her heart began almost to fail her ; for she had penetration enough to see that Theag enes understood very well the end she aimed at, but was averse to, and determined to repel, all her overtures. She knew that Arsace could not brook a much longer delay. She had already experienced the violence of her temper, which was now inflamed by the ardor of her present passion. She was daily demanding the fulfillment of her promise, which Cybele put off on various pretenses; sometimes saying, that the youth's inclinations towards her were chilled by his timidity — at others, feigning that some indisposition had attacked him. At length, when
nearly a week had ineffectually elapsed, and the princess had admitted Chariclea to more than one interview, when, out of regard to her pretended brother, she had treated her with the greatest kindness and respect, Cybele was at length obliged to speak out more plainly to Theagenes, and make an unvar nished declaration of her mistress's love to him.
She blamed his backwardness, and promised that his com pliance should be followed by the most splendid rewards. " Why," said she, " are you so averse to love ? Is it not strange that one of your age should overlook the advances of a woman like Arsace — young, and beautiful as yourself — and should not esteem her favors as so much treasure-trove,
espe
ARSACE'S LOVE AND CHARICLEA'S ESCAPE. 251
cially when you may indulge your inclinations without the smallest apprehension of danger — her husband being at a distance, and her nurse the confidant of her secrets, and en tirely devoted to her service, being here, ready to manage and conceal your interviews ? There are no obstacles in your way. You have neither a wife nor a betrothed; although in such circumstances, even these relations have been overlooked by many men of sense, who have considered that they should not really hurt their families, but should gain wealth and pleasure to themselves. " She began to hint at last that there might be danger in his refusal. "Women," says she, "tender-hearted and ardent in their desires, are enraged at a repulse, and seldom fail to revenge themselves upon those who overlook their ad vances. Reflect, moreover, that my mistress is a Persian, of
the royal family, and has ample means in her hands of reward ing those whom she favors, and punishing those whom she thinks have injured her. You are a stranger, destitute, and with no one to defend you. Spare yourself danger, and spare Arsace a disappointment ; she is worthy of some regard from you, who has shown and feels such intensity of passion for you : beware of a loving woman's anger, and dread that revenge which follows neglected love. I have known more than one repent of his coldness. These gray hairs have had longer experience in love affairs than you, yet have I never seen any one so unimpressible and harsh as you are. "
Addressing herself then to Chariclea (for, urged"by necessity, she ventured to hold this discourse before her), Do you, my child," says she, " join your exhortations to mine ; endeavor to bend this brother of yours, to whom I know not what name to
If you succeed, you shall find the advantage great to your self ; you will not lose his love and you will gain more honor ; riches will shower down upon you, and a splendid match will await you. These are enviable circumstances to any the chief- est of the natives ; how much more to foreigners who are in poverty ! " Chariclea, with a bitter smile, replied : —
give.
" It were to be wished that the breast of the most excellent lady, Arsace, had felt no such passion ; or that, having felt she had had fortitude sufficient to bear and to repress it. But
the weakness of her nature has sunk under the force of love, would counsel my brother no longer to refuse responding to it, may be done with any degree of security — may be possible to avoid the dangers which see impending from the
I
if it
if it
I if
it,
252 ARSACE'S LOVE AND CHARICLEA'S ESCAPE.
viceroy's wrath, should he become acquainted with the dishon orable affair which is going on. "
At these words Cybele sprang forward, and, embracing and kissing Chariclea, "How I love you, my dear child," she ex claimed, " for the compassion you show for the sufferings of one of your own sex, and your solicitude for the safety of your brother. But here you may be perfectly at ease — the very sun shall know nothing of what passes. "
" Cease for the present," replied Theagenes, seriously, " and give me time for consideration. " — " "
Cybele upon this went out, and O Theagenes ! said Chariclea, " the evil genius who persecutes us has given us a specious appearance of good fortune, with which there is really intermixed more of evil ; but since things have so turned out, it is a great part of wisdom to draw some good, if possible, from each untoward accident. Whether you are determined to com ply with the proposal which has been made to you, it is not for me to say. Perhaps, if our preservation depended upon your compliance, I might reconcile myself to it ; but if your spirit revolts at the complaisance which is expected from you, feign at least that you consent, and feed with promises the barbaric woman's passion. By these means you will prevent her from
immediately determining anything harshly against us : lead her on by hope, which will soften her mind, and hinder her anger from breaking out ; thus we shall gain time, and in the interval some happy accident, or some propitious deity, may deliver us from the perplexities with which we are surrounded. But be ware, my dear Theagenes, that by dwelling in thought upon the matter you do not fall into the sin in deed. "
Theagenes, smiling, replied, "No misfortunes, I see, no embarrassments, can cure a woman of the innate disease of jeal ousy ; but be comforted, I am incapable of even feigning what you advise. In my mind, it is alike unbecoming to do or to say an unworthy thing ; and there will be one advantage in driving Arsace to despair — that she will give us no farther trouble on this subject; and whatever else I am destined to suffer, my bent of mind and my bitter experience have but too well prepared me to bear. " Chariclea having said, " I fear you are bringing ruin upon our heads," held her peace.
While this conversation employed the lovers, Cybele went to Arsace, and encouraged her to hope for a favorable issue to her desires, for that Theagenes had intimated as much.
ARSACE'S LOVE AND CHARICLEA'S ESCAPE. 268
She returned to her own apartments. She said no more that evening ; but having in the night earnestly besought Chariclea, who shared her bed, to cooperate with her, in the morning she again attacked Theagenes, and inquired what he had resolved upon ; when he uttered a plain downright refusal and absolutely forbade her expecting any complaisance from him of the sort she wished. She returned disappointed and sorrowful to her mis tress ; who, as soon as she was made acquainted with the stern refusal of Theagenes, ordering the old woman to be ejected head long out of the palace, entered into her chamber, and, throw ing herself upon the bed, began to tear her hair and beat her breast. . . .
When Cybele approached her, she thus began: "What shall I do, nurse? How can I ease the torments which oppress me. My love is as intense as ever; nay, I think it burns more violently; but this youth, so far from being softened by kindness and favors, becomes more stubborn and intrac table? Some time ago he could bring himself to soothe me by fallacious promises, but now he seems openly and mani festly averse to my desires ;
cause of Achaemenes' absence, and that this has made him more timorous. It is his disappearance, indeed, which gives me most
I fear he suspects, as I do, the
I cannot help thinking that he is gone to Oroon-
uneasiness ;
dates, and perhaps will wholly or in part succeed in persuading him of the truth of what he says. Could I but see Oroondates, he would not withstand one tear or caress of mine ; a woman's well-known features exert a mighty magic over men. It will be a grievous thing, before I have enjoyed Theagenes, to be informed against, nay, perhaps put to death, should his mind be poisoned before I have the means of seeing and conversing with him ; wherefore, my dear Cybele, leave no stone unturned, strain every engine ; you see how pressing and critical the business now becomes ; and you may well believe, if I myself am driven to despair, I shall not easily spare others. You will be the first to rue the machinations of your son ; and how you can be ignorant of them I cannot conceive. "
" The event," replied Cybele, " will prove the injustice of your suspicions, both with regard to my son and me ; but when you are yourself so supine in the prosecution of your love, why do you lay the fault on others ? You are flattering this youth like a slave, when you should command him as a mistress. This indulgent mildness might be proper at first, for fear of
254 ARSACE'S LOVE AND CHARICLEA'S ESCAPE.
alarming his tender and inexperienced mind ; but when kind ness is ineffectual, assume a tone of more severity ; let punish ments, and even stripes, force from him that compliance which favors have failed in doing. It is inborn in youth to despise those who court, to yield to those who curb them ; try this method, and you will find him give to force that which he refused to mildness. "
" Perhaps you may be right," replied Arsace ; " but how can I bear to see that delicate body, which I dote on to distrac tion, torn with whips, and suffering under tortures ? "
" Again you are relapsing into your unreasonable tender ness," said Cybele ; " a few turns of the rack will bring about all you desire, and for a little uneasiness which you may feel, you will soon obtain the full accomplishment of your wishes. You may spare your eyes the pain of seeing his sufferings — deliver him to the chief eunuch, Euphrates ; order him to correct him, for some fault which you may feign he has committed — our ears are duller, you know, in admitting pity, than are our eyes. On the first symptoms of compliance, you may free him from his restraint. "
Arsace suffered herself to be persuaded ; for love, rejected and despairing, pities not even its object, and disappointment seeks revenge. She sent for the chief eunuch, and gave him directions for the purpose which had been suggested to her. He received them with a savage joy, rankling with the envy natural to his race, and, from what he saw and suspected, particularly angry with Theagenes. He put him immediately in chains, cast him into a deep dungeon, and punished him with hunger and stripes : keeping all the while a sullen silence ; answering none of the miserable youth's inquiries, who pretended (though he well knew the cause) to be ignorant of the reason why he was thus hardly treated. He increased his sufferings every day, far beyond what Arsace knew of or commanded, permitting no one but Cybele to see him ; for such, indeed, were his orders.
She visited him every day, under pretence of comforting, of bringing him nourishment ; and of pitying him, because of their former acquaintance ; in reality, to observe and report what ef fect his punishment had upon him, and whether it had mollified his stubborn heart ; but his spirit was still unconquered, and seemed to acquire fresh force from the duration of his trials. His body, indeed, was torn with tortures, but his soul was ex alted by the consciousness of having preserved its purity and
ARSACE'S LOVE AND CHARICLEA'S ESCAPE. 255
honor. He gloried that while fortune was thus persecuting him, she was conferring a boon upon his nobler part — the soul. Rejoicing in this opportunity of showing his fidelity to Chari- clea, and hoping only she would one day become acquainted with his sufferings for her sake, he was perpetually calling upon her name, and styling her his light ! his life ! his soul !
Cybele (who had urged Euphrates to increase the severity of his treatment, contrary to the intentions of Arsace, whose ob ject was by moderate chastisement to bend but not to kill him) saw it was all to no purpose, and began to perceive the peril in which she stood. She feared punishment from Oroondates if Achaemenes should incautiously discover too much of the share she had in the business ; she feared lest her mistress should lay violent hands upon herself, either stung by the disappointment or dreading the discovery of her amour. She determined, there fore, to make a bold attempt to avoid the danger which awaited her, by bringing about what Arsace desired, or to remove all concerned in and privy to the matter, by involving them in one common destruction. — "
We are losing our la bor," she said. " This stubborn youth, instead of being softened, grows every day more self-willed ; he has Chariclea continually
in his mouth, and by calling upon her alone, consoles himself in his misfortunes. Let us then, as a last experiment, cut the cable, as the proverb says, and rid ourselves of this impediment to our wishes. Perhaps when he shall hear that she is no more, he may despair of obtaining her, and surrender himself to your desires. "
Going, therefore, to the princess
Arsace eagerly seized upon this idea : her rage and jealousy had but too well prepared her for embracing the cruel expedi
ent. " You advise well," she replied ; "
have this wretch removed out of your way. " "
" But who will you get to put your design into execution ? said Cybele ; " for though your power here is great, the laws forbid you to put any one to death without the sentence of the judges. You must undergo, therefore, some trouble and delay in framing a fictitious charge against this maiden ; and there will, besides, be some difficulty in proving it. To save you the pain and hazard of this proceeding, I am ready to dare and suffer anything. I will, if you think fit, do the deed with poison, and by means of a medicated cup remove our adver sary. "
I will take care to
256 ARSACE'S LOVE AND CHARICLEA'S ESCAPE.
Arsace approved, and bade her execute her purpose. She lost no time, but went to the unhappy Chariclea, whom she found in tears and revolving how she could escape from life, of which she was now weary, suspecting as she did the suffer ings and imprisonment of Theagenes, though Cybele had en deavored to conceal them from her, and had invented various excuses for his unusual absence. "
The beldam thus addressed her :
yourself in continual, and now causeless, lamentations ? The agenes is free, and will be with you here this evening. His mistress, angry at some fault which he had committed in her service, ordered him into a slight confinement ; but has this day given directions for his release, in honor of a feast which she is preparing to celebrate, and in compliance with my en treaties. Arise, therefore, compose yourself, and refresh your spirits with a slight refection. " "
" How shall I believe you ? replied the afflicted maiden. " You have deceived me so often that I know not how to credit what you say. "
" I swear to you by all the gods," said Cybele, " all your troubles shall have an end this day ; all your anxiety shall be removed, only do not first kill yourself by abstaining obsti nately, as you do, from food. Taste, then, the repast which I have provided. "
Chariclea was with difficulty persuaded, though she very naturally entertained suspicions; the protestations of the old woman, however, and the pleasing hopes suggested, prevailed at length (for what the mind desires it believes), and they sat down to the repast.
Cybele motioned to Abra, the slave who waited upon them, to give the cup, after she had mixed the wine, first to Chari clea ; she then took another herself and drank. She had not swallowed all that was presented to her, when she appeared seized with dizziness ; and throwing what remained in the cup upon the ground, and casting a fierce look upon the attendant, her body was attacked with violent spasms and convulsions. Chariclea, and all who were in the room, were struck with hor ror, and attempted to raise and assist her ; but the poison, po tent enough to destroy a young and vigorous person, wrought more quickly than can be expressed upon her old and wornout body. It seized the vitals ; she was consumed by inward fire ; her limbs, which were at first convulsed, became at length stiff
Why will you consume
ARSACE'S LOVE AND CHARICLEA'S ESCAPE.
257
and motionless, and a black color spread itself over her skin. But the malice of her soul was more malignant even than the poison, and Cybele, even in death, did not give over her wicked arts ; but by signs and broken accents, gave the assistants to understand that she was poisoned by the contrivance of Chari- clea. No sooner did she expire than the innocent maiden was bound, and carried before Arsace.
When the princess asked her if she had prepared the fatal draught, and threatened her, if she would not confess the whole truth, that torments should force it from her, her be havior astonished all the beholders. She did not cast down her eyes ; she betrayed no fear ; she even smiled and treated the affair with scorn, disregarding, in conscious innocence, the incredible accusation, and rejoicing in the imputation of the guilt, if through the agency of others it should bring her to a death which Theagenes had already undergone. " If Theag- enes be alive," said she, " I am totally guiltless of this crime ; but if he has fallen a victim to your most virtuous practices, it needs no tortures to extract a confession from me : then am I the poisoner of your incomparable nurse ; treat me as if I were guilty, and by taking my life, gratify him who loathed your unhallowed wishes. "
Arsace was stung into fury by this ; she ordered her to be smitten on the face, and then said: "Take this wretch, bound as she is, and show her her precious lover suffering as he has well deserved ; then load every limb with fetters and deliver her to Euphrates ; bid him confine her in a dungeon till to morrow, when she will receive from the Persian magistrates the sentence of death. "
While they were leading her away, the girl who had poured out the wine at the fatal repast, who was an Ionian by nation, and the same who was sent at first by Arsace to wait upon her Grecian guests (whether out of compassion for Chariclea, whom nobody could attend and not love, or moved by a sudden impulse from heaven), burst into tears, and cried out, " O most unhappy and guiltless maiden ! " The bystanders won dering at this exclamation and pressing her to explain its meaning, she confessed that it was she who had given the poison to Cybele, from whom she had received it, in order that it might be administered to Chariclea. She declared that, either overcome by trepidation at the enormity of the action,
or confused at the signs made by Cybele, to present the goblet VOL. VII. 17
258 ARSACE'S LOVE AND CHARICLEA'S ESCAPE.
first to the young stranger, she had, in her hurry, changed the cups, and given that containing the poison to the old woman.
She was immediately taken before Arsace, every one heartily wishing that Chariclea might be found innocent; for beauty and nobleness of demeanor can move compassion even in the minds of barbarians.
The slave repeated before her mistress all she had said before, but it was of no avail towards clearing the innocent maiden, and served only to involve herself in the same punish ment ; for Arsace, saying she was an accomplice, commanded her to be bound, thrown into prison, and reserved with the other for trial ; and she sent directly to the magistrates, who formed the Supreme Council, and to whom it belonged to try criminals and to pronounce their sentence, ordering them to assemble on the morrow.
At the appointed time, when the court was met, Arsace stated the case, and accused Chariclea of the poisoning ; lamenting, with many tears, the loss she had sustained in a faithful and affectionate old servant, whom no treasures could replace ; calling the judges themselves to witness the ingrati tude with which she had been treated, in that, after she had received and entertained the strangers with the greatest kind ness and humanity, she had met with such a base return : in short, her tone was throughout bitter and malignant.
Chariclea made no defense, but confessed the crime, admit ting that she had administered the poison, and declaring that, had she not been prevented, she would have given another potion to Arsace ; whom she attacked in good set terms ; pro voking, in short, by every means in her power, the sentence of the judges.
This behavior was the consequence of a plan concerted between her and Theagenes the night before, in the prison, where they had agreed that she should voluntarily meet the doom with which she was threatened, and quit a wandering and wretched life, now become intolerable by the implacable pursuits of adverse fortune. After which they took a last melancholy embrace ; and she bound about her body the jewels which had been exposed with her, which she always carried about her, concealing them under her garments to serve as attendants upon her obsequies ; and she now undauntedly avowed every crime which was laid to her charge, and added others which her accusers had not thought of ; so that the
ARSACE'S LOVE AND CHARICLEA'S ESCAPE. 259
judges, without any hesitation, were very near awarding her the most cruel punishment, usual in such cases among the Per sians. At last, however, moved perhaps by her youth, her beauty, and noble air, they condemned her to be burnt alive.
She was dragged directly out of the court, and led by the executioners without the walls, the crier proclaiming that a prisoner was going to suffer for the crime of poisoning ; and a vast multitude nocking together, and following her, poured out of the city.
Among the spectators upon the walls Arsace had the cru elty to present herself, that she might satiate her revenge, and obtain a savage consolation for her disappointment, in viewing the sufferings of her to whom she imputed it. The ministers of justice now made ready and lighted an immense pile; and were preparing to place the innocent victim upon it, when she begged a delay of a few moments, promising that she would herself voluntarily ascend it — and now turning towards the rising sun, and lifting up her eyes and hands to heaven, she exclaimed : " O sun ! O earth ! O celestial and infernal deities
I call upon
who view and punish the actions of the wicked !
you to witness how innocent I am of the crime of which I am accused. Receive me propitiously, who am now preparing to undergo a voluntary death, unable to support any longer the cruel and unrelenting attacks of adverse fortune ; — but may your speedy vengeance overtake that worker of evil, the ac cursed and adulterous Arsace; the disappointment of whose profligate designs upon Theagenes has urged her thus to wreak her fury upon me. " This appeal, and these protestations, caused a murmur in the assembly. Some said the matter ought to undergo a further examination; some wished to hinder, others advanced to prevent her mounting the pile : but she put them all aside, and ascended it intrepidly.
She placed herself in the midst of it, and remained for a considerable time unhurt, the flames playing harmlessly around her, rather than approaching her, not injuring her in the least, but receding whithersoever she turned herself ; so that their only effect seemed to be to give light and splendor to her charms, as she lay like a bride upon a fiery nuptial couch.
She shifted herself from one side of the pile to another, marveling as much as any one else at what happened, and seeking for destruction, but still without effect; for the fire ever retreated, and seemed to shun her approach. The execu
260 ARSACE'S LOVE AND CHARICLEA'S ESCAPE.
tioners on their part were not idle, but threw on more fuel (Arsace by signs inciting them), dry wood, and reeds, and everything that was likely to raise and feed the flame ; yet all was to no purpose ; and now a murmur growing into a tumult began to run through the assembly : they cried out, " This is a divine interposition ! — the maiden is unjustly ac cused !
— she is surely innocent ! " and advancing towards the pile, they drove away the ministers of justice, Thyamis, whom the uproar had roused from his retirement, now appearing at their head, and calling on the people for assistance. They were eager to deliver Chariclea, but durst not approach too near. They earnestly desired her, therefore, to come down herself from the pile ; for there could be no danger in passing through the flames to one who appeared even to be untouched by them. Chariclea seeing and hearing this, and believing too that some divinity was really interposing to preserve her, deemed that she ought not to appear ungrateful, or reject the mercy, and leapt lightly from the pile; at which sight the whole city raised a sudden shout of wonder, joy, and thanks giving to the gods.
Arsace, too, beheld this prodigy with astonishment, but with very different sensations. She could not contain her rage. She left the ramparts, hurried through a postern gate, attended by her guards and the Persian nobles, and herself laid violent hands on Chariclea. Casting a furious glance at the people — "Are ye not ashamed," she cried, "to assist in withdrawing from punishment a wretched creature detected in the very fact of poisoning, and confessing it ? Do ye not consider, that while showing a blamable compassion to this wicked woman, ye are putting yourselves in opposition to the laws of the Persians — to the judges, the peers, the viceroys, and to the Great King him self? The fact of her not burning has perhaps moved you, and ye attribute it to the interposition of the gods, not considering
that this yet more fully proves her guilt. Such is her knowl edge of charms and witchcraft, that she is enabled to resist even the force of fire. Come all of you to-morrow to the ex amination which shall be held in public, and you shall not only hear her confess her crimes herself, but shall find her convicted also by her accomplices whom I have in custody. "
She then commanded Chariclea to be led away, still keeping her hold upon her neck, and ordering her guards to disperse the crowd, who were with difficulty prevented from interfering for her rescue.
CLITOPHO AND LEUCIPPE. 261
CLITOPHO AND LEUCIPPE. By ACHILLES TATIUS.
[Nothing whatever is known of the author ; the work is believed to be slightly posterior to the two romances foregoing. ]
Clitopho has eloped with Leucippe ; she is carried off by pirates and sold to Sosthenes, bailiff of the rich Ephesian merchant and landowner Thersander, who meantime is reported lost at sea, and his widow Melitta meets, loves, and marries Clitopho; but he refuses to consummate the marriage, first out of mourning for Leucippe, then, rinding her alive, claims a release alto gether. Next Thersander turns up alive, prosecutes Clitopho for adultery, and has him imprisoned meantime ; and his bailiff having shown him the new slave (Leucippe), falls violently in love with her and attempts to gain her.
The sight of Leucippe inflamed his mind ; she appeared more charming than ever, and her presence acted as fuel to the fire of love which had been burning in his breast all night. He with difficulty restrained himself from at once folding her in his arms, and sitting down beside her began to talk of vari ous unconnected trifles, as lovers are wont to do when in com pany of their mistresses. At such times the soul is centered upon the object of its love, reason no longer guides their speech, and the tongue mechanically utters words. In the course of his address, he put his arm round her neck with the view of kissing her, and she aware of his intention hung down her head upon her bosom ; he used all his endeavors to raise her face, and she with equal perseverance continued to conceal it the more and more; when this mutual struggle had con tinued for some time, Thersander, under the influence of amorous obstinacy, slipped his left hand under her chin, and seizing her hair with his right, compelled her to raise her head. When at length he gave over, either from succeeding in his object, or failing, or from being weary of the sport, Leucippe said to him indignantly, "Your conduct is unfitting and ungentlemanly, though fit enough for the slave Sosthenes ; the master and his man are worthy of each other ; but spare your self any farther trouble, you will never succeed unless you become a second Clitopho. "
Distracted between anger and desire, Thersander was at a loss what to do. These passions are like two fires in the soul ;
262 CLITOPHO AND LEUCIPPE.
they differ in nature, but resemble each other in intensity ; the former urges to hatred, the latter to love ; the sources also of their respective flames are near to one another, anger having its seat in the heart, the liver being the abode of love. When, therefore, a person is attacked by these two passions, his soul becomes the scales in which the intensity of either flame is weighed. Each tries to depress its respective scale, and love, when it obtains its object, is generally successful ; but should it be slighted, then it summons its neighbor, anger, to its aid, and both of them combine their flame. When once anger has gained the mastery, and has driven love from its seat, being implacable by nature, instead of assisting it to gain its end, it rules like a tyrant, and will not allow it (however anxious) to become reconciled with its beloved. Pressed down by the weight of anger, love is no longer free, and vainly endeavors to recover its dominion, and so is compelled to hate what once it doted upon. But, again, when the tempest of anger has reached its height, and its fury has frothed away, it becomes weary from satiety, and its efforts cease ; then love, armed by desire, revives, comes to the rescue, and attacks anger sleeping on his post; and calling to mind the injuries done to the be loved during its frenzy, it grieves and sues for pardon, and invites to reconciliation, and promises to make amends in future. If after this it meets with full success, then it continues to be all smiles and gentleness ; but if again repulsed and scorned, then
its old neighbor, anger, is once more called in, who revives his slumbering fires, and regains his former power. Thersander, so long as he was buoyed up with hopes of succeeding in his suit, had been Leucippe's humble servant ; but when he found all his expectations dashed to the ground, love gave way to wrath, and he smote her upon the face. "Wretched slave! " he exclaimed, " I have heard your love-sick lamentations, and know all ; instead of taking it as a compliment that I should speak to you, and regarding a kiss from your master as an honor, you must, forsooth, coquet and give yourself airs; for my part, I believe you to be a strumpet, for an adulterer is your love ! However, since you refuse to accept me as a lover, you shall feel my power as a master. "
Leucippe meekly replied, " Use me as harshly as you please ; I will submit to everything except the loss of chastity ; " and turning to Sosthenes, " you can bear witness to my powers of endurance ; for I have received at your hands harder measure
CLITOPHO AND LEUCIPPE. 263
even than this ! " Ashamed at having his conduct brought to light, " This wench," said he, " deserves to be flayed with the scourge and to be put upon the rack, in order to teach her better manners towards her master. " "
" By all means follow his advice !
Thersander, " he gives good counsel ; do the worst which your malice can suggest ; extend my hands upon the wheel ; bare my back to the scourge ; burn my body in the fire ; smite off my head with the sword ; it will be a novel sight to see one weak woman contend against all your tortures, victorious against all ! You brand Clitopho as an adulterer, and yet you yourself would commit adultery ! Have you no reverence for your tutelary goddess Diana? Would you ravish a virgin in the very city sacred to a virgin ? O goddess, why do not thy shafts avenge the insult ? "
" You a virgin, forsooth ! " replied Thersander, contemptu ously ; " you who passed whole days and nights among the pirates ! Prythee were they eunuchs, or given only to platonic love, or were they blind? "
resumed Leucippe to
" Ask Sosthenes," said she, " whether or not I preserved my chastity against his attempts ; none of the freebooters behaved to me so brutally as you have done ; it is you who deserve the name of pirate, since you feel no shame in perpetrating deeds which they abstained from doing. You little think how your unblushing cruelty will redound hereafter to my praise ; you may kill me in your fury, and my encomium will be this : ' Leucippe preserved her chastity despite of buccaneers, despite of Chaereas, despite of Sosthenes, and crown of all (for this would be but trifling commendation), she remained chaste despite even of Thersander, more lascivious than the most lustful pirate ; and he who could not despoil her of her honor, robbed her of her life. ' Again, therefore, I say, bring into action all your engines and implements of torture, and employ the aid of Sosthenes, your right trusty counselor. I stand before you a feeble woman, naked and alone, having but one weapon of defense, my free spirit, which is proof against sword and fire and scourge. Burn me, if you will; you shall find that there be things over which even the fire is powerless ! "
The scornful reproaches of Leucippe stirred up a tumult of conflicting passions in Thersander's mind ; he was incensed by her taunts, vexed at his ill success, and perplexed how to secure the accomplishment of his desires. Without saying
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another word he rushed out of the house to give vent to the storm and tempest of his soul. Shortly after, having conferred with Sosthenes, he went to the jailer, and endeavored to per suade him to administer a dose of poison to me ; this, however, the jailer refused to do, his predecessor having suffered death for taking off a prisoner in this manner. Failing in this, he obtained his consent to introduce a man (who was to pass for a criminal) into my cell, under pretense of wishing to extract some secrets out of me through him. The man had been pre viously tutored by Thersander, and was casually to introduce Leucippe's name, and to say that she had been murdered by the contrivance of Melitta. Thersander's object in persuading me of her death was to hinder me (in case I obtained a verdict of acquittal) from instituting any further search for her recov ery ; and Melitta's name was introduced in order that after learning Leucippe's death I might not entertain any thoughts of marrying her, and so by settling at Ephesus interrupt Ther sander in the prosecution of his schemes, but on the contrary might be induced to quit the city without delay, from hatred to Melitta for having contrived the death of my beloved.
As soon as this fellow came near me, he began to play his appointed part, and with a knavish groan exclaimed "Alacka- day ! what a miserable thing is life ! There is no keeping out of trouble ! It stands a man in no stead to be honest ! Some cross accident is sure to overtake him! Would I could have guessed the character of"my fellow-traveler, and what work he had been engaged in ! This, and much more of the same sort, he said speaking to himself, craftily endeavoring to attract my attention, and to make me inquire what it was that ailed him. He did not succeed, however, for I was sufficiently taken up with my own troubles, and he went on with his groans and ejaculations. At length — for the unfortunate take pleasure in listening to another's griefs, finding in it a kind of medi cine for their sorrows — one of the prisoners asked, "What trick has the jade Fortune been playing you ? I suspect that, like myself, she has laid you up in limbo without deserving it. " He then proceeded to tell his own story, giving an account of what had brought him into prison ; and having finished, re quested the other to favor him with the particulars of his own misfortune. He of course readily complied.
" I left the city yesterday," said he, " to go towards Smyrna, and had proceeded about half a mile, when I was joined by a
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young man out of the country. He saluted me, and after walking with me for a few minutes, inquired whither I was going. I told him, and he said that luckily his road lay in the same direction, so that we proceeded in company, and entered into conversation. Stopping at an inn, we ordered dinner, and presently four men came in and did the same. Instead of eat ing, however, they continued watching us, and making signs to one another. I plainly enough saw that we were the objects of their notice, but was wholly at a loss to understand the meaning of their gestures. My companion gradually turned very pale, left off eating, and at last began to tremble all over. Instantly they sprang up, seized, and bound us ; one of them also dealt him a violent blow upon the face ; upon which, as if he had been already on the rack, and even without a question being asked him he cried out, ' I admit having killed the girl ! Melitta, Thersander's wife, hired me to do the deed, and gave me a hundred gold pieces for my trouble ; here they are every one — take them for yourselves ; and for heaven's sake let me off ! "
Upon hearing these names I started as if stung, and turning to him, "Who is Melitta? " I asked. "She is a lady of the first rank in this city," was his reply. " She took a fancy to a young man, said to be a native of Tyre ; he found a favorite wench of his (whom he had given up for lost), among the number of Melitta's slaves, and she, moved by jealousy, had the girl seized by the fellow whom ill luck made my fellow- traveler, and he, in obedience to Melitta's orders, has made away with her. But to return to my own story. I, who had never seen the man before, nor had dealings with him of any kind, was dragged along with him, bound, as an accomplice in his crime ; but what is harder than all, they had not gone far, before, for the sake of his hundred pieces, they let him go, but kept me in custody and carried me before the judge. "
Upon hearing this chapter of accidents, I neither uttered a sound nor shed a tear, for both voice and tears refused their office, but a general trembling seized me, my heart sunk within me, and I felt as at the point of death. After a time, recover ing in some degree from the stupor which his words had caused, " How did the ruffian "dispatch her ? " I asked, " and what has become of her body ? But having now performed the busi ness for which he was employed, by stimulating my curiosity, he became obstinately silent, and I could extract nothing more from him. In answer to my repeated questions, " Do you
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think," said he, at length, " that I had a hand in the murder ? The man told me he had killed her; he said nothing of the place and manner of her death. " Tears now came to my relief, and I gave full vent to my sorrow. It is with mental wounds as with bodily hurts ; when one has been stricken in body some time elapses before the livid bruise, the result of the blow, is seen ; and so also any one who has been pierced by the sharp tusk of a boar, looks for the wound, but without immediately discovering it, owing to its being deeply seated ; but presently a white line is perceived, the precursor of the blood, which speedily begins to flow ; in like manner, no sooner have bitter tidings been announced, than they pierce the soul, but the suddenness of the stroke prevents the wound from being visible at once, and the tooth of sorrow must for some space have gnawed the heart ere a vent is found for tears, which are to the mind what blood is to the body. . . .
While thus plunged in grief, Clinias came to visit me. I related every particular to him, and declared my determination of putting an end to my existence. He did all in his power to console me. " Consider," he said, " how often she has died and come to life again ; who knows but what she may do the same on this occasion also? Why be in such haste to kill yourself? You will have abundant leisure when the tidings of her death have been positively confirmed. "
" This is mere trifling," I replied ; " there is small need of confirmation ; my resolve is fixed, and I have decided upon a manner of death which will not permit even the hated Melitta to escape unscathed. Listen to my plan : In case of being summoned into court it was my intention to plead not guilty. I have now changed my determination, and shall plead guilty, confessing the intrigue between Melitta and myself, and saying that we mutually planned Leucippe's death ; by this means she will suffer the punishment which is her due, and I shall quit this life which I so much detest. " "Talk not thus," replied he; "can you endure to die under the base imputation of being a murderer, and, what is more, the murderer of Leucippe ? " " Nothing is base," replied I, " by which we can wreak venge ance upon our enemies. " While we were engaged in argu ment, the fellow who had communicated the tidings of the fictitious murder was removed, upon pretense of being taken before the magistrate to undergo an examination. Clinias and Satyrus exerted themselves, but ineffectually, in order to per
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suade me to alter my resolution ; and on the same day they removed into lodgings, so as to be no longer under the roof of Melitta's foster brother. The following day the case came on; Thersander had a great muster of friends and partisans, and had engaged ten advocates ; and Melitta had been equally on the alert in preparing for her defense. When the council on either side had finished speaking, I asked leave to address the court, and said, " All those who have been exerting their elo quence, either for Thersander or for Melitta, have been giving utterance to sheer nonsense ;
I will reveal the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. I was once passionately in love with a female of Byzantium named Leucippe ; she was carried off by
pirates, and I had reason to believe that she was dead. Meet ing with Melitta in Egypt, we formed a connection, and after some time we traveled together to this city, and Leucippe, whom I just now mentioned, was found working as a slave on Thersander's estate, under his bailiff, Sosthenes. By what means he obtained possession of a freeborn female, and what were his dealings with the pirates, I leave it to you to guess.
" Melitta, finding that I had recovered my former mistress, became apprehensive of her regaining her influence over my affections, and contrived a plan for putting her to death. I entered into her schemes, — for what avails it to conceal the truth ? — having received a promise that she would settle all her property upon me ; a man was found, who, for the reward of a hundred gold pieces, undertook the business. When the deed was done, he fled, and is now somewhere in concealment.
"As for myself, Love was not long in taking vengeance upon my cruelty. No sooner did I hear of the murder being perpe trated, than I bitterly repented of what had taken place, and all my former fondness revived. For this reason I have determined to turn evidence against myself, in order that you may send me whither she is gone to whom I am still so deeply attached. Life is intolerable to one who, in addition to being a murderer, loves her of whose death he has been the cause. "
Every one in court was utterly astounded at the unexpected tenor of my speech, especially Melitta. The advocates of Thersander already claimed a triumph, while those engaged in Melitta's behalf anxiously questioned her as to the truth of what I had said. She was in great confusion ; denied some points, virtually admitted others, confessed to having known Leucippe, and indeed confirmed most of what I had said, with
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the exception of the murder. This general agreement, on her part, with the facts advanced by me, created a suspicion against her, even in the minds of her own counsel, and they were at a loss what line of defense to adopt on her behalf. At this critical juncture, while the court was being a scene of great clamor, Clinias came forward and requested to be heard, for "Remember," said he, "a man's life is now in jeopardy. " Obtaining permission to speak : —
" Men of Ephesus ! " he began (his eyes filling with tears), "do not precipitately condemn to die one who eagerly longs for death, the natural refuge of the unfortunate. He has been
himself, and has taken upon him the guilt of others. Let me briefly acquaint you with what has befallen him. What he has said respecting his mistress, her being carried off by pirates, about Sosthenes, and other circumstances which happened before the pretended murder, are strictly true. The young woman has undoubtedly disappeared ; but whether she is still alive, or has been made away with, it is impossible to say ; one thing is certain, that Sosthenes conceived a passion for her, that he used her cruelly for not consenting to his desires, and that he was leagued with pirates. My friend, believing her to be murdered, is disgusted with life, and has, therefore, invented this charge against himself ; he has already confessed with his own mouth that he is anxious to die owing to grief at the loss which he has sustained. Consider, I pray you, whether it is likely that one who is really a murderer would be so desirous of dying with his victim, and would feel life so insup portable. When do we ever find murderers so tender-hearted, and hatred so compassionate? In the name of the gods, there fore, do not believe his words ; do not condemn to death a man who is much more deserving of commiseration than of punish ment. If, as he says, he really planned this murder, let him bring forward the hired assassin ; let him declare what has become of the body. If neither the one nor the other can be produced, how can any belief be attached to such a murder? ' I was in love with Melitta,' he says, ' and therefore I caused Leucippe to be killed ! ' How comes he to implicate Melitta, the object of his affection, and to be so desirous of dying for Leucippe, whose death he compassed ? Is it usual for persons to hate the object of their love, and to love the object of their hatred? Is it not much more probable that in such circum stances he would have denied the crime (even had it been
calumniating
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brought home to him) in order to save his mistress, instead of throwing away his own life afterwards, owing to a vain regret for her loss? What can possibly, therefore, be his motive for charging Melitta with a crime of which she is not guilty ? I will tell you, and in so doing do not suppose that I have any desire of inculpating this lady, — my sole wish is to make you acquainted with the real truth.
" Before this seafaring husband of hers came to life again so suddenly, Melitta took a violent fancy to this young man, and proposed marriage to him ; he on his part was not at all disposed to comply with her wishes, and his repugnance became yet greater when he discovered that his mistress, whom he had imagined dead, was in slavery, under the power of Sosthenes. Until aware who she was, Melitta, taking pity upon her, had caused her to be set at liberty, had received her into her own house, and treated her with the consideration due to a gentle woman in distress; but after becoming acquainted with her story, she was sent back into the country, and she has not been heard of since. The truth of what I say can be attested by Melitta herself and the two maids in whose company she was sent away. This was one thing which excited suspicions in my friend's mind that Leucippe had been foully dealt with through her rival's jealousy ; a circumstance which took place after he was in prison confirmed these suspicions, and has had the effect of exasperating him not only against Melitta, but against himself. One of the prisoners, in the course of lament ing his own troubles, mentioned that he had unwittingly fallen into the company of a man who had committed murder for the sake of gold ; the victim was named Leucippe, and the crime, he said, had been committed at the instigation of Melitta. Of course I cannot say whether this be true or not ; it is for you to institute inquiries. You can produce the prisoner who made mention of the hired assassin ; Sosthenes, who can declare from whom he purchased Leucippe, and the maids, who can explain her disappearance. Before you have thoroughly investigated each of these particulars, it is contrary to all law, whether human or divine, to pass sentence upon this unfortunate young man on the bare evidence of his frenzied words, for there can be no doubt that the violence of his grief has affected his intellect. "
The arguments of Clinias appeared just and reasonable to many of those present, but Thersander's counsel, together with
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his friends, called out that sentence of death ought to be pro nounced without delay upon the murderer who, by the provi dence of the gods, had been made his own accuser. Melitta brought forward her maids, and required Thersander to pro duce Sosthenes, who might probably turn out to be the mur derer. This was the challenge mainly insisted upon by her counsel. Thersander, in great alarm, secretly dispatched one of his dependants into the country, with orders to Sosthenes to get out of the way at once, before the arrival of those who were about to be sent after him.
Mounting a horse without delay, the messenger rode full speed to inform the bailiff of the danger he ran of being put to the torture, if taken. Sosthenes was at that moment with Leu- cippe, doing his best to soothe her irritated feelings. Hearing himself summoned in a loud voice, he came out of the cottage ; and, upon learning the state of matters, overcome with fear, and thinking the officers were already at his heels, he got upon the horse, and rode off towards Smyrna ; after which the mes senger returned to his master. It is a true saying that fear drives away the power of recollection, for Sosthenes in his alarm for his own safety was so forgetful of everything else that he neglected to secure the door of Leucippe's cottage. Indeed slaves, generally speaking, when frightened, run into the very excess of cowardice. Melitta's advocates having given the above-mentioned challenge, Thersander came forward and said, " We have now surely had quite enough of this man's silly sto ries ; and I cannot but feel surprised at your want of sense, who, after convicting a murderer upon the strongest possible evidence, his own admission of his guilt, do not at once pass sentence of death upon him ; whereas, instead of doing this,
you suffer yourselves to be imposed upon by his plausible words and tears. For my part I believe him actuated by per sonal fears, and to be an accomplice in the murder ; nor can I see what possible need there can be for having recourse to the rack in a matter so clear already. Nay, more, I fully believe him to have had a hand in another murder ; for three days have now elapsed since I saw Sosthenes, the man whom they call upon me to bring forward ; it is not at all improbable that this is owing to their contrivance, since it was he who informed me of the act of adultery which has taken place, and having put him to death, they now craftily call upon me to produce the man, knowing it to be out of my power to do so. But
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even supposing he were alive and present, what difference could it make ? What questions would he put to him ? ' Did he ever purchase a certain female? ' 'Yes. ' 'Was this female in the power of Melitta ? ' ' Yes. ' Here would be an end of the examination, and Sosthenes would be dismissed. Let me now, however, address myself to Clitopho and Melitta.
" What have you done, I ask, with my slave ? — for a slave of mine she assuredly was, having been purchased by Sosthenes, and were she still alive, instead of having been murdered by them, my slave she would still be. " Thersander said this from mingled malice and cunning, in order that if Leucippe should turn out to be still alive, he might detain her in a state of servitude. He then continued : " Clitopho confessed that he killed her, he has therefore pronounced judgment upon him self. Melitta, on the other hand, denies the crime — her maids may be brought forward and tortured in order to refute what she says. If it should appear that they received the young woman from her, but have not brought her back again, the question will arise, What has become of her ? Why was she sent away ? And to whom was she sent ? Is it not self-evi dent that some persons had been hired to commit the murder, and that the maids were kept in ignorance of this, lest a num ber of witnesses might render discovery more probable ? No doubt they left her at some spot where a gang of ruffians were lying in concealment, so that it was out of their power to wit ness what took place. He has also trumped up some story about a prisoner who made mention of the murder. I should like to know who this prisoner is, who has not said a word on the subject to the chief magistrate, but has communicated, it seems, every particular to him, except the name of his informer. Again, I ask, will you not make an end of listening to such foolery, and taking any interest in such transparent absurdities ? Can you imagine that he would have turned a self-accuser with out the intervention of the deity ? " Thersander, after speaking to this effect, concluded by solemnly swearing that he was igno rant what had become of Sosthenes.
The presiding judge, who was of royal extraction, and who took cognizance of cases of blood, had, in accordance with the law, a certain number of assessors, men of mature age, whose province it was to assist him in judicial investigations. After conferring with them, he determined to pronounce sentence of death upon me, agreeably to a law which awarded capital pun
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