No More Learning

[18] After saying that their mistress sends them
out of honour to the strangers, and having placed them upon the board,
they departed. The young people, at the suggestion of Cybele, and that
they might not seem to despise the favour of the princess, just tasted
what was set before them: and the like honour was repeated to them in
the evening as well as on other days. Early the next morning the same
eunuchs again appeared, and thus addressed Theagenes:

"Most enviable among men! you are sent for by my mistress: she has
ordered us to introduce you to her presence--an honour and happiness
which falls to the lot of very few. " He paused a little: at length he
arose, with a very unwilling air: and asked,--"If he alone were sent
for, and not his sister also? "--"He only, at present," they replied:
"his sister should have a private interview another time; now several
of the Persian nobles were with Arsace: and besides, it was the custom
that men and women should be separately received and admitted to an
audience. " Theagenes, stooping, whispered to Chariclea:--"All is not
right; this is most suspicious. "--She softly advised him, not at
first to contradict Arsace, but to feign a willingness to comply with
everything which was desired of him.

He then followed his conductors who officiously instructed him in
what manner he should address and converse with the princess; and
what ceremonies and obeisances were usual and necessary in appearing
before her: but he answered nothing. At length they arrived in her
presence: they found her sitting on a lofty throne--her dress gorgeous
with gold and purple--her tiara and necklace sparkling with the most
costly gems--and her whole person set off with all the appliances
of art--her guards standing around her, and some of the principal
nobles and magistrates sitting on each side. Theagenes was neither
dazzled nor confounded by all this splendour: he forgot, in a moment,
the simulated complaisance which had been recommended to him by
Chariclea: rather did he feel his pride rebel at sight of the Persian
pomp: neither bending the knee, nor prostrating himself, but with an
erect countenance[19]--"Hail," he said, "Ο royal Arsace! " They in the
presence were indignant, and a murmur of disapprobation ran through
the circle: every one blamed the daring rudeness of Theagenes, who
presumed to address the princess without the usual prostration. But
she, smiling, said--

"Forgive a foreigner, unaccustomed to forms; and, above all, a Greek,
infected with the national contempt towards Persians. " And then she
raised the tiara from her head, to the astonishment, and manifest
dislike, of those about her; for this is what the viceroys do when they
return the salute of those who pay them homage. "Be of good cheer,
stranger," said she, by an interpreter (for though she understood Greek
she did not speak it); "if you desire anything, scruple not to acquaint
me, nor doubt to obtain your wish:" and then making a signal to her
eunuchs, she dismissed him, and he was ceremoniously re-conducted, with
a train of guards, to his apartments.

Achæmenes having now had a nearer view of him, recollected him
well--wondered at, yet suspected the cause of the honours which were
paid him, but kept the silence which was recommended to him by his
mother. Arsace proceeded to receive her nobles at an entertainment,
apparently out of respect to them, but really to celebrate her own
joy at having had an interview with Theagenes. To him she sent not
only portions of the viands set before her, as usual, but carpets and
embroidered tapestry, the work of Tyrian and Lydian skill. She sent
likewise two beautiful slaves to wait upon them--a maid to Chariclea,
and a boy to Theagenes, both from Ionia, and in the bloom of youth.

She 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
endeavours, 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
favour with her. All this while she endeavoured 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 kindness 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 beldame, and her heart
began almost to fail her; for she had penetration enough to see that
Theagenes 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 ardour of her
present passion. She was daily demanding the fulfilment of her promise,
which Cybele put off on various pretences; 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 unvarnished declaration of her mistress's love
to him.

She blamed his backwardness, and promised that his compliance
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 favours as so much
treasure-trove,[20] especially when you may indulge your inclinations
without the smallest apprehension of danger--her husband being at a
distance, and her nurse the confidante of her secrets, and entirely
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 advances. --Reflect, moreover,
that my mistress is a Persian, of the royal family, and has ample means
in her hands of rewarding those whom she favours, and punishing those
who 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. [21] I have
known more than one repent of his coldness. --These grey 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; endeavour to bend this brother
of yours, to whom I know not what name to give. If you succeed, you
shall find the advantage great to yourself; you will not lose his love
and you will gain more honour; riches will shower down upon you, and a
splendid match will await you. These are enviable circumstances to any
the chiefest of the natives; how much more to foreigners who are in
poverty! " Chariclea, with a bitter smile, replied--

"It were to be wished that the breast of the most excellent lady,
Arsace, had felt no such passion; or that, having felt it, she had had
fortitude sufficient to bear and to repress it. But if the weakness of
her nature has sunk under the force of love, I would counsel my brother
no longer to refuse responding to it, if it may be done with any degree
of security--if it may be possible to avoid the dangers which I see
impending from the Viceroy's wrath, should he become acquainted with
the dishonourable affair which is going on. "

At these words Cybele sprang forwards, and, embracing and kissing
Chariclea, "How I love you, my dear child;" she exclaimed, "for the
compassion you shew 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--"Ο 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 comply 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 any thing
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 beware, 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 jealousy: 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 favourable issue to her desires, for that
Theagenes had intimated as much, 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 co-operate 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 forbad
her expecting any complaisance from him of the sort she wished. She
returned disappointed and sorrowful to her mistress; who, as soon as
she was made acquainted with the stern refusal of Theagenes, ordering
the old woman to be ejected headlong out of the palace, entered into
her chamber, and, throwing herself upon the bed, began to tear her
hair, and beat her breast. --Cybele was returning home in disgrace,
when her son Achæmenes met her, and, seeing her in tears, asked--"if
any misfortune had happened to her? --Or has our mistress," said he,
"received any bad news? --Has any calamity befallen the army? --Has
Oroondates been defeated by the Ethiopians? "

He was running on in this manner with his questions, when his mother
stopped him. --"Have done trifling," said she, "and let me alone. " She
was going away: he followed her, and taking her by the hand, besought
her earnestly to explain to him, her son, the cause of her sorrow. She
suffered herself to be led by him into a retired part of the garden,
and then said--

"I would not to any one else disclose my own and my mistress's
distresses; but since she is in the extremest agitation, and I
am in danger of my life (for I fear the worst from her rage and
disappointment), I will venture to speak, in case you should be able to
think of any thing that may comfort and assist your poor mother. Arsace
is in love with the young man who is now at my apartments: she burns
with no common affection, but with inflamed and ungovernable passion;
and when both of us thought it an easy matter for her to satisfy her
inclinations, we have been miserably disappointed. To this cause you
are to attribute the attentions which have been paid to, and the
favours which have been showered upon, the strangers; but since this
stupid, rash, and unbending youth has rejected all our advances, she,
I think, will not survive it; and I anticipate destruction for myself.
This, my child, is the cause of my present affliction:--if you have it
in your power to assist me, do it quickly, or else prepare shortly to
pay the last rites over my tomb. "

"What shall be my reward? " replied Achæmenes, "for it is necessary to
come directly to the point: it is not a time, in your present confusion
and distress, to delay you with long discourse. "

"Ask whatever you please," replied Cybele: "I have already, by my
interest, made you head-cupbearer: if you are desirous of any greater
dignity, tell me so: there is no degree of wealth, or honour, to which
you may not aspire, if you can procure Arsace the means of satisfying
her inclinations. "

"I have long suspected this passion of the princess," replied the young
man, "but kept silence, waiting the event. I am not covetous of riches,
or ambitious of place; if she can procure me in marriage the maiden who
is called the sister of Theagenes, I think I may promise that every
thing else shall happen according to her wishes. I am desperately in
love with this young woman. Your mistress, who knows by experience
the force of this passion, may very reasonably be brought to assist a
fellow sufferer in it, especially when, by so doing, she may probably
meet with success in her own pursuits. "

"Doubt not," said Cybele, "of her gratitude. She will do anything for
you, if you can be of real service to her in this affair; nay, we may
perhaps, ourselves persuade the maiden; but explain, I beg of you, in
what manner you propose to assist us. "

"I will not say a word," he replied, "till Arsace has promised,
and sworn, to grant me what I desire: and do not you by any means
at present enter upon the subject with the young woman. She too, I
can see, is of a high and lofty spirit; you may spoil all by undue
rashness. "--"I will act just as you shall direct," replied Cybele; and
running into her mistress's apartment, she fell at her feet, and bid
her be of good cheer, for every thing now should happen as she would
have it--"Only," said she, "admit my son Achæmenes to an audience. "

"Let him come in," replied the princess; "but take care that you do
not again deceive me. " Achæmenes was upon this introduced--his mother
explained his wishes, and made known his promises--and Arsace swore to
procure for him the hand of Chariclea. He then said--

"Let Theagenes give over all his airs; he who is a slave, yet dares
to behave with insolence to his mistress. "--Being desired to explain
himself, he related all he knew--How Theagenes was taken captive in war
by Mithranes, who was about to send him to Oroondates, in order that
he might convey him to the Great King--that he was rescued in the way
by Thyamis and the men of Bessa--that he, Achæmenes, with difficulty
escaped from them--that he was fortunate enough to have with him the
letters of Mithranes. And upon this he produced and shewed them to
Arsace; and appealed to Thyamis for the truth of all he had said.

Arsace began to conceive hope from these tidings, and, immediately
issuing from her chamber, repaired to the hall of audience, where,
seating herself upon her throne, she commanded Theagenes to be brought
before her.

When he appeared, she asked him if he knew Achæmenes, whom she pointed
out to him, standing near her. He replied that he did. --"Was he not,"
said she, "bringing you hither a captive, some short time ago? " He
admitted that also. --"You are my slave then," said she, "and as such,
shall do as I direct you, and, whether you will or not, be obedient
to my commands. This sister of yours I give in marriage to Achæmenes,
who fills a principal station in my court, as well for his own good
deserts, as out of the regard I have for his mother; and I will defer
the nuptials only till a day is fixed, and preparation made for due
splendour in their celebration. "

Theagenes was pierced as with a sword at this address, but determined
not to thwart her, but rather to elude her attack as that of a wild
beast. --"Ο princess," he replied, "in the midst of my calamities I give
the gods thanks, that since I, whose life was originally fortunate,
and family illustrious, am destined to be a slave, I have fallen into
your power, rather than into that of any other; into yours, who, while
you considered us as strangers and foreigners, have treated us with so
much compassion and humanity. As for my sister, although, not being a
captive, she is not a slave; yet her own inclination will lead her to
serve and obey you in every thing: dispose of her, therefore, as shall
seem good in your eyes. "--"Let him," Arsace then said, "be placed among
the waiters at the royal table; let Achæmenes instruct him in the
art of cup-bearing, that he may, without delay, become expert in the
services which will be required of him. "

Theagenes was now permitted to retire, which he did; sorrowing, and
meditating deeply on what he had farther to do.

Achæmenes, elated with the success of his project, had the cruelty to
insult him. --"You," said he, "who were just now so haughty, who seemed
alone a freeman among slaves; who held your head so high, and refused
to bow it even before the princess must now learn to bend it, or else
my knuckles shall teach you better manners. "

Arsace was left alone with Cybele. --"Now," said she, "nurse, every
excuse is taken from this proud Grecian; go to him and tell him, that
if he will comply with what I require of him, he shall obtain his
liberty, and spend his life in affluence and pleasure; but if he still
continues sullen and reluctant, assure him that he shall feel the wrath
of an angry mistress, and a disappointed woman: that punishments of
every kind await him, and that he shall be condemned to the lowest and
most disgraceful slavery. " Cybele performed her embassy without delay;
and added, from herself, whatever she thought most likely to work upon
his hopes or fears.

Theagenes demanded a short time for consideration; and going alone to
Chariclea, he exclaimed--"We are undone, my dearest Chariclea! every
cable of safety is broken, every anchor of hope is lost; nor have we
now the name of liberty to console us in our misfortunes, but are
again fallen into servitude. "---He explained his meaning, and related
what had happened. --"We are now," he added, "exposed to the insults of
barbarians; we must obey all their commands or suffer the extremest
punishments; and as if this were not sufficient, what is above all the
rest intolerable, know that Arsace has promised to give you in wedlock
to Achæmenes, the son of Cybele; but this, while I have life, an arm,
and a sword, I will either prevent or never see. But what ought we now
to do? What contrivance can we imagine to avoid this detestable union,
of you with Achæmenes, of me with Arsace? "

"If you will condescend to the one yourself," replied Chariclea, "you
will easily find means to hinder the other. "

"Have a care what you say! " replied Theagenes, eagerly, "God forbid
that any persecution of fate should drive the faithful, though yet
unrewarded lover of Chariclea, to stoop to another, and that an
unlawful union; but a thought comes into my head, for necessity[22] is
the mother of invention;" and so saying, he immediately sought Cybele,
and bade tell her mistress that he wished to have an interview with her
alone.

The old woman, concluding that he was now about to give way, joyfully
delivered the message, and Arsace ordered her to bring him to the
palace after supper. Cybele bade those in waiting withdraw, so that her
mistress might be in private and undisturbed, and introduced Theagenes
when the shades of night began to envelope every thing in obscurity.
A single lamp burnt in the chamber; and as soon as they were entered,
she was preparing to retire, but Theagenes stopped her. --"Let Cybele,
Ο princess! " said he, "if you please, remain for the present; I know
she is a very faithful keeper of secrets;" and taking Arsace's hand,
he went on: "Ο my mistress! I did not presume at first to dispute your
will, or defer my submission to your commands, for any other reason
than that I might obey them with greater security; but now, since the
will of fortune has in its kindness made me your slave, I am much more
ready to obey your pleasure. One thing only I desire of you--of you
who have promised me so many--break off the marriage of Chariclea with
Achæmenes; for, to waive other objections, a maiden of her noble birth
is no fit wife for the son of a slave. If this be not granted me, I
swear by all that is sacred that I will never comply with your wishes;
and if the least violence is offered to Chariclea, you shall soon see
me dead at your feet. "

"You may be sure," replied Arsace, "that I, who am willing to surrender
even myself, desire in everything to oblige you; but I have sworn to
give your sister to Achæmenes. "--"Let not that trouble you," said
he, "you may give him any sister of mine; but my mistress,[23] my
intended, my betrothed in short, you neither would wish to bestow, nor
shall you bestow, upon him. "

"What mean you? " said she. --"Nothing but the truth," replied he, "for
Chariclea is really not my sister, but my intended wife; you are,
therefore, absolved from your oath; and if you wish for a farther
confirmation of my words, you may, as soon as it please you, give order
for the celebration of our nuptials. "

Arsace was much annoyed; and heard, not without jealousy, the true
relation in which Chariclea stood to Theagenes; but, at present, only
said,--"If you will have it so, this marriage shall be broken off,
and I will seek out another wife for Achæmenes. "--"When this matter
is settled," replied Theagenes, "dispose of me as you please, I will
perform all I have promised. " He then approached in order to kiss her
hands. She, however, instead of presenting her hand, saluted him with
her lips; and he left the presence kissed, but not kissing in return.

On his return to Chariclea, he disclosed to her all that had passed,
(at which she, too, was not free from jealousy. ) setting before her the
secret intention of his promise, the good results which he anticipated
from it. In the first place, the project of Achæmenes' marriage would
be marred, a fair pretext would be afforded for deferring at present
the completion of Arsace's wishes; and what was worth more than all,
there was the certainty that Achæmenes would make "confusion worse
confounded," upon finding his expectations blighted, and himself
supplanted in the princess's good graces by another favourite. I took
care (he said) to have his mother present at the interview, and a
witness that our intercourse was but in _words_; she will keep nothing
secret from her son. It may suffice perhaps (he added) to avoid all
occasion for an evil conscience, and to trust only in the protection
of the gods; but it is good also to avoid all occasion for an evil
conscience in the sight of men, so as to pass through this transitory
life with virtuous boldness. "There is every reason to believe," added
he, "that a slave like Achæmenes, will conspire against his mistress;
for the subject commonly hates the cause of his subjection, and this
man has no occasion to invent a pretext for rebellion (as has been the
case with many), he is really wronged, has been deceived, and sees
another preferred before him; he is conscious to the profligacy of his
mistress, and has a motive ready to his hand. "

He held this discourse to Chariclea, endeavouring to revive in her a
hope of better things. On the morrow he was sent for by Achæmenes to
serve at the table, for such were Arsace's commands. He was arrayed
in a Persian robe of great value, which was sent by her at the same
time, and adorned partly against his will, with bracelets and jewelled
necklaces.

Upon arriving at the palace, Achæmenes offered to instruct him in the
functions of his office; but, hastening to the sideboard, and taking
up a precious goblet, he said,--"I need no instructor, self-taught, I
will wait upon my mistress, making no bustle about such trifles. Your
fortune has forced you perhaps to learn your trade; nature and the spur
of the moment will teach me what I am to do. " So saying, he lightly,
and with a grace, poured out the wine, and handed the cup upon his
finger ends. [24]

The draught inflamed the mind of Arsace more than ever. Slowly sipping,
she fixed her eyes intently upon Theagenes, taking in at the same time
large draughts of love; neither did she drain the goblet, but left a
portion of its contents, in which Theagenes might pledge her. A wound
of a very different nature rankled in the bosom of Achæmenes: anger,
envy, and resentment manifested themselves on his countenance, so that
Arsace could not help observing it, and whispered something to those
who were nearest her.

When the entertainment broke up--"Grant me," said Theagenes, "my
mistress! this first boon which I shall ask--permit me alone to wear
this dress when serving at your table. " Arsace agreed to his request,
and putting on his ordinary raiment, he departed. Achæmenes followed
him, sharply upbraided him with his want of manners; telling him,
too, that there was a forwardness and familiarity in him, which,
though they might at first be overlooked, in consideration of his
youth and inexperience, would in the end, if not corrected, infallibly
give offence. He gave him these cautions, he said, out of a friendly
feeling, and particularly as he was shortly to become related to him by
marrying his sister, according to his mistress's promise.

He was proceeding with his good advice; but Theagenes, his eyes fixed
in deep thought on the ground, seemed not to hear, and was preparing
to leave him, when Cybele joined them, on her way to conduct her
mistress to take her usual siesta. [25] Seeing her son sorrowful, and
apparently out of humour, she inquired into the cause of it. ---"This
foreign youth," said he, "thanks to his specious person, is preferred
to all of us, the ancient chamberlains and cupbearers; to-day he has
already wormed himself into our mistress's good graces, and has waited
nearest her royal person, presenting the cup to her, and thrusting
us out of our former dignity, which has become no more than an empty
name. We ought, perhaps, to bear without murmuring, if we cannot feel
without envy, the honours he receives, and the confidence to which he
is admitted, since we have had the weakness, by our negligence and
silence, to assist in his success; our mistress, however, might have
done all this without affronting and disgracing her old servants, who
moreover are in all her secrets. But some other time will serve for
speaking farther on this subject: at present, let me go and see my
charming Chariclea, my promised bride; that, by her sweet aspect, I may
soothe the annoyance of my mind. "

"What bride do you talk of? " replied Cybele, "you seem to me to take
fire at small and imaginary offences, and to be ignorant of the real
and deep ones which you have received. Chariclea is no longer destined
for your wife. "

"What say you? " he exclaimed, "am not I a very fitting match for my
fellow-slave? What can have wrought this sudden change? "--"Our own
too great fidelity and zeal in serving Arsace;" replied Cybele, "for
after that we have preferred her caprices to our own safety; when,
in compliance with her desires, we have endangered ourselves, and
have put the accomplishment of her wishes into her power, this noble
youth, this dainty favourite, enters her chamber, and at first sight
persuades her to break through all her oaths, and to promise Chariclea
to himself; who now, as he affirms, is no longer his sister, but his
mistress. "

"And is Chariclea indeed promised to Theagenes? " said Achæmenes. --"It
is but too true," replied Cybele, "I was present myself and heard it;
they even talked of the nuptial feast, and of celebrating it shortly;
proposing to satisfy you with the hand of some one else. "

At this mortifying intelligence Achæmenes, smiting his hands together,
and uttering a deep groan--"I will make this wedding a fatal one to
them all," said he; "only do you assist me in endeavouring to put
it off for a few days. If any one inquires after me, say that I am
indisposed and gone into the country. This precious stranger's calling
her his betrothed is a mere pretext to break through the engagements
that have been made to me; his kissing, his embracing her, nay, his
sleeping with her, would not clearly convince me that she is not his
sister. I will sift this business, and will vindicate the violated
oaths and the insulted gods. " So saying, raging with love, jealousy,
and disappointment (feelings all the more violent in a barbarian's
breast), he rushed out of the room; and without giving himself time
for consideration, in the first moments of his passion, he secretly
mounted, in the evening, an Armenian horse, reserved for state
occasions, and fled full speed to Oroondates.

The Viceroy was then in the neighbourhood of the celebrated Thebes,[26]
marshalling all his forces, and preparing to lead them on an expedition
against the Ethiopians.


[Footnote 1: ἐκ τῆς νεκυίας,--Νεκυία--the title of the 11th Bk. of the
Odyssey. ]

[Footnote 2: The description of "Gulbeyaz," in Don Juan, canto v. , here
and there illustrates amusingly the scenes between Theagenes and Arsace.

"Her presence was as lofty as her state;
Her beauty of that overpowering kind,
Whose force description only would abate. "--C. v. 97.
]

[Footnote 3: See Book II. ]

[Footnote 4:

----"she had recourse to nods, and signs.
And smiles, and sparkles of the speaking eye. "--C. ii. 162.
]

[Footnote 5: Κηρὐκειον, caduceus, the staff or mace carried by heralds and
ambassadors in time of war. ]

[Footnote 6: "She did so course o'er my exteriors with such a greedy
intention that the appetite of her eye did seem to scorch me up like a
burning glass. "--Merry Wives of Windsor. ]

[Footnote 7: Εἰρήνης αὑτὸς ἐyέvεro πρύτανις--literally, he became the
president or manager, &c. ]

[Footnote 8:

"Her rage was but a minute's, and 'twas well--
A moment's more had slain her; but the while
It lasted 'twas like a short glimpse of hell:
Nought's more sublime than energetic bile,
Though horrible to see, yet grand to tell,
Like ocean warring 'gainst a rocky isle;
And the deep passions flashing through her form,
Made her a beautiful embodied storm. "--Byron.
]

[Footnote 9: The original has τήμερον, to-day; but that must be an
oversight, for a little before it is said that Arsace continued _all
night_, παννύχιος, in agitation. ]

[Footnote 10: ἀπ' οἰκήματος καὶ ἐπιτιτηδευμενῳ κάλλει. ]

[Footnote 11: Like Glaucus with Diomed in the Iliad, vi. 235. ]

[Footnote 12: ποπάνοις.
"tenui popano corruptus Osiris. "--Juv. vi. 541.
]

[Footnote 13:

----"Fie--fie upon her!
There's language in her eye, her cheek, her lip;
Nay, her foot speaks; her wanton spirits look out
At every joint and motive of her body. "
Troilus and Cressida.
]

[Footnote 14: Charicles. ]

[Footnote 15: Hδε επίτραγῶδει. ]

[Footnote 16: πολιός--hoary, venerable. See uses of the word in Scott
and Liddell's Lexicon. ]

[Footnote 17:

"To hear and to obey had been from birth
The law of all around her; to fulfil
All phantasies which yielded joy or mirth
Had been her slaves' chief pleasure, as her will. "
Don Juan, v. 102.
]

[Footnote 18: Among the Persians it was held a great mark of honour
to send dishes from their tables to those whom they favoured. See
Xenophon, Cyro. Book VIII. 2, 3. "Οσα δὲ πάρατεθείη, ταῦτα πάντα πλὴν
οἶς αὑτὸς καὶ οἰ σύνδειπνοἰ χρήσαιντο, διεδίδoυ oἷς ἀεὶ βούλοιτο τῶν
φίλων μνήμην ἐνδείκνυσθαι ἥ φιλοφροσύνην. " The reader will of course
remember an instance of the like custom in Scripture, Gen. xliii. 34. ]

[Footnote 19:

"He stood like Atlas with a world of words
About his ears, and the knees would not bend;
The blood of all his line's Castilian lords
Boil'd in his veins and rather than descend
To stain his pedigree a thousand swords
A thousand time of him had made an end. "
Don Juan, v. 104.
]

[Footnote 20: ἃρπαγμα; ἓρμαιον--a windfall; a godsend. ]

[Footnote 21:

"A tigress robb'd of young, a lioness,
Or any interesting beast of prey,
Are similes at hand for the distress
Of ladies who cannot have their own way. "
Don Juan, c. v. 132.
]

[Footnote 22: Εὑρετὶς ἅρα ἐστὶ λογισμῶν ἡ ἀνάγκη. ]

[Footnote 23: Μνηστὴν--νύμφην--γαμετήν. ]

[Footnote 24: An illustration of this nicety in waiting occurs in
Xen. Cyrop. , book i. 3, where Cyrus amuses the company by acting as
cupbearer to his grandfather:--Όι τῶν βασιλἐων οἰνοχόοι, κομψῶς τε
οἰνοχοοῦσι, καὶ καθαρίως ἑγχἐουσι, καὶ διδόασι τοῖς τρισὶ δακτύλοις
οχοῦντες τἡν φιάλήν. ]

[Footnote 25: κατευνάσαι τὴν δέσποιναν τὸ μεσημβρινὸν ἐπειγομένη. ]

[Footnote 26:

. . . "opulent Egyptian Thebes,
. . . the city with a hundred gates,
Whence twenty thousand chariots rush to war. "
Hom. Il. ix. 381. --Cowper's Tr.
]






BOOK VIII.


The king of Ethiopia had deceived Oroondates by a stratagem, and made
himself master of one of the objects of the war--the city of Philœ,
always ready to fall a prey to the first invader--and, by so doing, had
reduced him to great straits, and to a necessity of using sudden and
hurried efforts for its recovery.

Philœ is situated a little above the smaller cataracts of the Nile,
about twelve miles distant from Syene and Elephantis. The city was
formerly seized upon and inhabited by a band of Egyptian fugitives,
which made it debateable land between the governments of Egypt and
Ethiopia. The latter were for extending their dominions as far as the
cataracts, while the former claimed even the city of Philœ, pretending
that they had conquered it in war, because it had been occupied by
their exiles. It had been taken and retaken several times by both
nations; and was, just before the time I am speaking of, held by an
Egyptian and Persian garrison.

The king of Ethiopia dispatched an embassy to Oroondates, to demand the
restoration of the city and the emerald mines; and meeting, as has been
before observed,[1] with a refusal, he sent ambassadors a second time
towards Egypt; (they going in advance) he following a few days later,
with a numerous army, set on foot beforehand, but keeping all the while
their destination a profound secret.

When he concluded that his envoys had passed Philœ, and had lulled
the inhabitants and garrison there into negligence and security, by
persuading them, as they were instructed, that they were preparing to
proceed farther on a peaceful embassy; he on a sudden appeared before
Philœ, in a few days overwhelmed its surprised and unprepared defenders
(unable to resist his superior force and his artillery),[2] and took
possession of the city, which he kept, without injuring any who dwelt
in it.

In the midst of these troubles Achæmenes found Oroondates, and by his
sudden and unexpected appearance, helped to increase them. --"Has any
misfortune," hastily he inquired, "happened to Arsace, or to any other
of my family? " "A misfortune has happened," replied Achæmenes, "but I
would speak to you in private. "

When every one had retired he entered upon his story. He related
the capture of Theagenes by Mithranes; how he was sent to him
(Oroondates), in order to be conveyed, if he thought proper, as a
present to the Great King, to whose court and table the youth would
be a worthy ornament. He proceeded to narrate his rescue from them
in their journey by the men of Bessa, the death of Mithranes in his
defence, and his own subsequent arrival at Memphis, introducing into
his narrative the affairs also of Thyamis.

At length he came to the ungoverned passion of Arsace--the transfer of
Theagenes into the palace--his too kind reception there--his attendance
and his cup-bearing--"Hitherto," he added, "I believe nothing has
actually taken place, for the youth is coy and unwilling; but if this
temptation be not taken away from before her eyes--if Theagenes be
not speedily removed from Memphis--there is the greatest reason to
apprehend that time, fear, and artifices of various kinds, will at
length conquer his disinclination. On these accounts I have taken an
opportunity to leave the city privately, and to come in all haste to
make this discovery to you, thinking it my duty no longer to conceal a
matter in which your honour and interest are so intimately concerned. "

When he had raised the resentment of Oroondates by these tidings, and
filled him with indignation and a desire of revenge, he inflamed his
desires when he came to dwell upon the charms of Chariclea. He extolled
her to the skies, spoke of her beauty as divine; saying that her equal
never had, and never would be seen. "None of your concubines," said he,
"not those alone who are left at Memphis, but those even who follow
your person, are in any degree to be compared with her. " In this manner
Achæmenes went on, raising the curiosity and wishes of Oroondates,
reckoning, that although the viceroy might indulge his fancy for
Chariclea for a time, yet he might afterwards easily be induced to give
her up to him in marriage, as a reward for his discoveries.

Urged on by anger and desire, the viceroy instantly summoned the eunuch
Bagoas, who was in great favour and authority, and commanded him to
proceed directly to Memphis with a troop of fifty horse, and without
fail or delay to bring Theagenes and Chariclea to his camp, wherever he
should find them.

He wrote at the same time a letter to Arsace to this effect:

"Oroondates to Arsace.

"Send to me Theagenes and Chariclea, the captive pair, who are slaves
to the Great King, and under orders to be transmitted to him. Send
them willingly, since, even if you be unwilling, they will be taken
from you; and then the report of Achæmenes will be believed. "

To the chief eunuch at Memphis he wrote as follows:

"You shall hereafter give an account of your negligence as to my
household; at present deliver the Grecian captives to Bagoas, that
they may be brought to me, whether Arsace consent to it or not.
Deliver them, I say, or the bearer of these presents has orders to
bring you hither in chains, when you shall be flayed alive. "

Bagoas took the letters, signed with the viceroy's signet, that they
might obtain full credit, and set out for Memphis to execute his
master's orders.

Oroondates now put himself in motion against the Ethiopians, commanding
Achæmenes to follow him, who was watched and guarded without his
knowing it, till it should appear whether the information he had given
were true. Meanwhile at Memphis, soon after the departure of Achæmenes,
Thyamis had been completely invested with the office of high priest,
and, as such, was become one of the chiefs of the city.

After he had celebrated, with proper piety, the funeral of Calasiris,
and observed, in mourning and retirement, the appointed number of
days--as soon as the sacred laws permitted him to hold communication
with those who were without the temple, his first care was to inquire
after Theagenes and Chariclea.

He learned, with some difficulty, that they had been removed to the
viceroy's palace; and immediately on receiving this intelligence he
hastened to Arsace, to make inquiries after them. He was solicitous
about them on various accounts; and particularly as his father had,
with his last breath, recommended them, in the strongest manner, to his
care and protection.

He returned thanks to the princess for her goodness in receiving and
entertaining the young Grecian strangers, during that space of time in
which it was not lawful for them to continue within the precincts of
the temple; and he now begged permission to resume the pledge entrusted
to his care.

"I wonder," replied Arsace, "that while you are praising my kindness
and humanity, you should at the same time intimate a doubt of their
continuance; and conceive any apprehension that I shall not still be
able and willing to entertain these foreigners, and assign to them such
honour as is due. "

"You mistake me," replied Thyamis; "I know that they would live here in
much more splendour and affluence than they can with me, even did they
wish to remain under my roof: but having met with many misfortunes,
born of an illustrious family, and now wandering here, far from their
native home; the first wish of their hearts is, to recover their
friends, and to return to their country: my pledge to aid them was the
inheritance left me by my father; and I have, too, myself many motives
for friendship towards them. "

"You act discreetly," replied Arsace, "in asking as a favour, rather
than demanding as a right: for a favour it would be in me to give up to
your friendship, those over whom I have a right as slaves. "--"Slaves! "
cried Thyamis, in amazement, "what mean you? "--"I mean captives," said
she, "by the right of war. "

Perceiving that she meant to insist upon their having been taken by
Mithranes, he thus resumed:--"Ο Arsace! it is not now war, but peace;
if that brings servitude, this restores liberty again; the one is
the result of a tyrant's will, the other is a truly royal gift. [3]
Besides, it is not the mere name but the disposition of those using
them, which really constitute either peace or war. By attending to
these considerations you will define better wherein equity consists:
there can be no doubt as to what honour and expediency demand in the
present case. How can it be honourable, or expedient, in you to persist
obstinately in the detention of these strangers, and to avow your
determination of so doing? "

Arsace could no longer contain herself; but acted, like most who are in
love, while they imagine their passion concealed they feel timidity;
when discovered they lose all shame; concealment makes them timid,
discovery audacious:[4] she stood self-accused; and she could not help
perceiving, or thinking she perceived, that Thyamis suspected her.
Throwing aside therefore all reserve, and all regard to the dignity
of the high priest, she broke out on a sudden--"Be assured that
you too shall answer for the share you have had in the attack upon
Mithranes; Oroondates will make a strict inquiry after, and punish with
severity, all those who were concerned in the slaughter of him and of
his troops. As to these foreigners, I will not give them up; they are
now my slaves; shortly they will be sent, according to our custom, to
my brother, the Great King: declaim as you please on what is decent,
proper, and expedient; those in power need not such things; they find
them all in the indulgence of their own sovereign will. [5] Retire,
then, from the palace at once and willingly, lest you be restrained
against your will. "

Thyamis retired, invoking the gods and predicting to her no good event
from such behaviour, and considering whether he should disclose these
proceedings to the citizens, and call upon them for assistance.

"I value not your priesthood or your prophecy," said Arsace, "the only
prophecy which love regards, is the prospect of success. " So saying,
she withdrew to her chamber, and sending for Cybele, consulted with
her upon the measures which she had next to pursue. She suspected the
flight of Achæmenes, and the motive of it; for Cybele, whenever she
was questioned on the subject, made various excuses for his absence,
and studiously endeavoured to persuade her that he was anywhere else,
rather than in the camp of Oroondates. These excuses, never wholly
credited, became each day less credible.

When Cybele therefore 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 favours, becomes
more stubborn, and intractable. Some time ago he could bring himself
to soothe me by fallacious promises, but now he seems openly and
manifestly averse to my desires: I fear he suspects, as I do, the cause
of Achæmenes' absence, and that this has made him more timorous. It is
_his_ disappearance, indeed, which gives me most uneasiness: I cannot
help thinking that he is gone to Oroondates, 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. [6] 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 that, 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[7] 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 alarming his tender and inexperienced
mind; but when kindness is ineffectual, assume a tone of more severity;
let punishments, and even stripes, force from him that compliance which
favours 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 doat on to distraction, torn with whips,
and suffering under tortures? "

"Again you are relapsing into your unseasonable tenderness," 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. [8] 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,[9] 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 harshly 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 effect 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. [10] His body, indeed, was
torn with tortures, but his soul was exalted by the consciousness of
having preserved its purity and honour. 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 Chariclea, 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 object 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 Achæmenes 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,
therefore, to make a bold attempt, to avoid the danger which awaited
her, either by bringing about what Arsace desired, or to remove all
concerned in, and privy to the matter, by involving them in one common
destruction.

Going therefore to the princess--"We are losing our labour," 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,[11] 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. "

Arsace eagerly seized upon this idea: her rage and jealousy had but
too well prepared her for embracing the cruel expedient. --"You advise
well," she replied, "I will take care to have this wretch removed out
of our 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 adversary. "

Arsace approved, and bid 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 sufferings and imprisonment of Theagenes, though Cybele
had endeavoured to conceal them from her, and had invented various
excuses for his unusual absence.

The beldame thus addressed her:--"Why will you consume yourself in
continual, and now causeless, lamentations? Theagenes 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 honour of a
feast which she is preparing to celebrate, and in compliance with
my entreaties. 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 obstinately, 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, however, of the old woman,
and the pleasing hopes suggested prevailed at length; (for what the
mind desires it believes),[12] 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 Chariclea; 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
horror, and attempted to raise and assist her; but the poison, potent
enough to destroy a young and vigorous person, wrought more quickly
than can be expressed upon her old and worn-out body. It seized the
vitals; she was consumed by inward fire; her limbs, which were at
first convulsed, became at length stiff and motionless, and a black
colour 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
Chariclea. 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 behaviour 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 Theagenes 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--"Ο most unhappy and guiltless maiden! " The bystanders wondering 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
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
demeanour, 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 punishment; 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 ingratitude with which she had been treated, in that, after she had
received and entertained the strangers with the greatest kindness and
humanity, she had met with such a base return: in short, her tone was
throughout bitter and malignant.

Chariclea made no defence, but confessed the crime, admitting 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; provoking, in short, by every means in her
power, the sentence of the judges.

This behaviour 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
judges, without any hesitation, were very near awarding her the most
cruel punishment, usual in such cases, among the Persians. [13] 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 flocking
together, and following her, poured out of the city.

Among the spectators upon the walls Arsace had the cruelty 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--"Ο sun! Ο earth! Ο celestial and infernal deities who view
and punish the actions of the wicked! I call upon 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 accursed 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 splendour 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, marvelling 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 executioners on their part were not idle,
but threw on more fuel (Arsace by signs inciting them), dry wood,
and reeds, and every thing 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 accused! --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
thanksgiving 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 shewing a blameable 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 himself. 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 knowledge of charms,
and witchcraft, that she is enabled to resist even the force of fire.
Come all of you to-morrow to the examination 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; but who at
length gave way, partly suspecting her to be a sorceress, and partly
through awe of the person, and dreading the power, of Arsace.

Chariclea then was again committed to the custody of Euphrates; again
thrown into prison, and reserved for a second trial, and a second
sentence; rejoicing however amidst her troubles, that she should once
more have an opportunity of seeing, and conversing with, Theagenes;
for Arsace, out of a refinement of cruelty, had ordered them to be
confined in one dungeon, that each might be a spectator of the other's
sufferings; for she well knew that a tender heart is much more hurt by
the pains of those it loves than by its own. In this instance, however,
her savage mind was disappointed; and what she meant as a punishment
turned out a consolation.