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235
they would break and prove that instead of substance there was but a show of solid earth. The villagers dug many of these pits in the mountains and in the plains, but they could not succeed in capturing the wolf, which discovered the con trivance of the snare. They however caused the destruction of many of their own goats and sheep, and very nearly, as we shall see, that of Daphnis.
Two angry he-goats engaged in fight. The contest waxed more and more violent, until one of them having his horn broken ran away bellowing with pain. The victor followed in hot and close pursuit. Daphnis, vexed to see that his goat's horn was broken, and that the conqueror persevered in his vengeance, seized his club and crook, and pursued the pursuer. In consequence of the former hurrying on in wrath, and the latter flying in trepidation, neither of them observed what lay in their path, and both fell into a pit, the goat first, Daphnis afterwards. This was the means of preserving his life, the goat serving as a support in his descent. Poor Daphnis remained at the bottom lamenting his sad mishap with tears, and anxiously hoping that some one might pass by, and pull him out. Chloe, who had observed the accident, hastened to the spot, and finding that he was still alive, summoned a cow herd from an adjacent field to come to his assistance. He obeyed the call, but upon seeking for a rope long enough to draw Daphnis out, no rope was to be found : upon which Chloe, undoing her headband, gave it to the cowherd to let down ; they then placed themselves at the brink of the pit, and held one end, while Daphnis grasped the other with both hands, and so got out.
They then extricated the unhappy goat, who had both his horns broken by the fall, and thus suffered a just punishment for his revenge towards his defeated fellow-combatant. They gave him to the herdsman as a reward for his assistance, and if the family at home inquired after him, were prepared to say that he had been destroyed by a wolf. After this they re turned to see whether their flocks were safe, and finding both goats and sheep feeding quietly and orderly, they sat down on the trunk of a tree and began to examine whether Daphnis had received any wound. No hurt or blood was to be seen, but his hair and all the rest of his person were covered with mud and dirt. Daphnis thought it would be best to wash himself, before Lamon and Myrtale should find out what had
236 HOW DAPHNIS AND CHLOE FELL IN LOVE.
happened to him ; proceeding with Chloe to the Grotto of the Nymphs, he gave her his tunic and scrip in charge.
He then approached the fountain, and washed his hair and his whole person. His hair was long and black, and his body sunburnt ; one might have imagined that its hue was derived from the overshadowing of his locks. Chloe thought him beauti ful, and because she had never done so before, attributed his beauty to the effects of the bath. As she was washing his back and shoulders his tender flesh yielded to her hand, so that, un observed, she frequently touched her own skin, in order to ascertain which of the two was softer. The sun was now setting, so they drove home their flocks, the only wish in Chloe's mind being to see Daphnis bathe again.
The following day, upon returning to the accustomed pas ture, Daphnis sat as usual under an oak, playing upon his pipe and surveying his goats lying down and apparently listening to his strains. Chloe, on her part, sitting near him, looked at her sheep, but more frequently turned her eyes upon Daphnis ; again he appeared to her beautiful as he was playing upon his pipe, and she attributed his beauty to the melody, so that taking the pipe she played upon it, in order, if possible, to appear beautiful herself. She persuaded him to bathe again, she looked at him when in the bath, and while looking at him, touched his skin : after which, as she returned home, she mentally admired him, and this admiration was the beginning of love. She knew not the meaning of her feelings, young as she was, and brought up in the country, and never having heard from any one so much as the name of love. She felt an oppression at her heart, she could not restrain her eyes from gazing upon him, nor her mouth from often pronouncing his name. She took no food, she lay awake at night, she neglected her flock, she laughed and wept by turns ; now she would doze, then suddenly start up ; at one moment her face became pale, in another moment it burnt with blushes. Such irritation is not felt even by the breeze-stung heifer.
Upon one occasion, when alone, she thus reasoned with
herself : "
I am no doubt ill, but what my malady is I know
I am in pain, and yet Ihave no wound ;
I burn, and yet am sitting in
not ;
yet I have lost none of my flock ;
the shade ; how often have brambles torn my skin, without my shedding a single tear ! how often have the bees stung me, yet I could still enjoy my meals ! Whatever it is which now
I feel grief, and
HOW DAPHNIS AND CHLOE FELL IN LOVE. 237
wounds my heart must be sharper than either of these. Daph- nis is beautiful, so are the flowers ; his pipe breathes sweetly, so does the nightingale ; yet I take no account either of birds or flowers. Would that I could become a pipe, that he might play upon me ! or a goat, that I might pasture under his care ! O cruel fountain, thou madest Daphnis alone beautiful; my bathing has been all in vain ! Dear Nymphs, ye see me per ishing, yet neither do ye endeavor to save the maiden brought up among you 1 Who will crown you with flowers when I am gone ? Who will take care of my poor lambs ? Who will attend to my chirping locust, which I caught with so much trouble, that its song might lull me to rest in the grotto ; but now I am sleepless, because of Daphnis, and my locust chirps in vain ! "
Such were the feelings, and such the words of Chloe, while as yet ignorant of the name of love. But Dorco the cowherd (the same who had drawn Daphnis and the goat out of the pit), a young fellow who already boasted of some beard upon his chin, and who knew not merely the name but the realities of love, had become enamored of Chloe, from the first time of meeting her. Feeling his passion increase day by day, and despising Daphnis, whom he looked upon as a mere boy, he determined to effect his purpose either by gifts or by dint of force. At first he made presents to them both ; he gave Daph nis a shepherd's pipe, having its nine reeds connected with metal in lieu of wax. He presented Chloe with a fawnskin, spotted all over, such as is worn by the Bacchantes.
Having thus insinuated himself into their friendship, he by degrees neglected Daphnis, but every day brought something to Chloe, — either a delicate cheese, or a chaplet of flowers, or a ripe apple. On one occasion he brought her a mountain calf, a gilt drinking cup, and the nestlings of a wild bird. She, ignorant as she was of love's artifices, received his gifts with pleasure ; chiefly pleased, however, at having something to give Daphnis. One day it happened that Dorco and he (for he likewise was destined to experience the pains and penalties of love) had an argument on the subject of their respective share of beauty. Chloe was to be umpire, and the victor's re ward was to be a kiss from her. Dorco thus began : —
" Maiden," said he, " I am taller than Daphnis, I am also a cowherd, he, a goatherd, I therefore excel him as far as oxen
are superior to goats ;
I am fair as milk, and my hair brown as
238 HOW DAPHNIS AND CHLOE FELL IN LOVE.
the ripe harvest field ; moreover, I had a mother to bring me up, not a goat. He, on the other hand, is short, beardless as a woman, and has a skin as tawny as a wolf ; while, from tend ing he-goats, he has contracted a goatish smell ; he is also so poor, that he cannot afford to keep even a dog ; and if it be true that a nanny gave him suck, he is no better than a nanny's son. "
Such was Dorco's speech. It was next the turn of Daphnis : —
" It is true," said he, " that a she-goat suckled me, and so
I tend he-goats and will bring I am dark complexioned, so is the hyacinth ;
did a she-goat suckle Jove ;
them into better condition than his oxen, but I smell of them no more than Pan does, who has in him more of a goat than anything else. I am content with cheese, coarse bread, and white wine, the food suitable for country folk. I am beardless, so is Bacchus ;
yet Bacchus is preferred before the satyr and the hyacinth before the lily. Now look at him : he is as sandy haired as a fox, bearded as a goat, and smock-faced as any city wench. If you have to bestow a kiss, it will be given to my mouth, whereas it will be thrown away upon his bristles. Remember also, maiden, that you owe your nurture to a sheep, and yet this has not marred your beauty. "
Chloe could restrain herself no longer, but partly from pleas ure at his praising her, partly from a desire of kissing him, she sprang forward and bestowed upon him the prize ; an art less and unsophisticated kiss, but one well calculated to set his heart on fire. Upon this, Dorco, in great disgust, took himself off, determined to seek some other way of wooing. Daphnis, as though he had been stung instead of kissed, became suddenly grave, felt a shivering all over, and could not control the beat ing of his heart. He wished to gaze upon Chloe, but at the first glance his face was suffused with blushes. For the first time he admired her hair, because it was auburn ; and her eyes, because they were large and brilliant ; her countenance, be cause it was fairer than even the milk of his own she-goats. One might have supposed that he had just received the faculty of sight, having had till then " no speculation " in his eyes.
From this moment, he took no food beyond the merest morsel, no drink beyond what would just moisten his lips. Formerly more chattering than the locusts, he became mute ; he was now dull and listless, whereas he had been more nimble
HOW DAPHNIS AND CHLOE FELL IN LOVE. 239
than the goats. His flock was neglected, his pipe was thrown aside ; his face became paler than the summer-parched herbage. Chloe alone could rouse his powers of speech ; whenever he Avas absent from her, he would thus fondly soliloquize : —
" What will be the result of this kiss of Chloe ? her lips are softer than rosebuds, and her mouth is sweeter than the honey comb, but this kiss has left a sting sharper than the sting of a
I have frequently kissed the kids, and the young pup
bee ! —
pies, and the calf which Dorco gave me, but this kiss of Chloe is something quite new and wonderful ! My breath is gone, my heart pants, my spirit sinks within me and dies away ; and yet I wish to kiss again ! My victory has been the source of sorrow and of a new disease, which I know not how to name. Could Chloe have tasted poison before she permitted me to kiss her? If so, how is it that she survives? How sweetly the nightingales sing, while my pipe is mute ! How gayly the kids skip and play, while I sit listlessly by ! The flowers are in full beauty, yet I weave no garlands ! The violets and the hya cinths are blooming, while Daphnis droops and fades away. Alas ! shall"Dorco ever appear more beautiful in Chloe's eyes, than I do !
Such were the sensations of the worthy Daphnis, and thus he vented his feelings. He now first felt the power, and now first uttered the language, of love. . . .
When they met, they rejoiced ; when they parted they were sad. They pined with grief. They wished for a some thing, but they knew not what. This only they were aware of, that the one had lost peace of mind by a kiss, the other by a bath.
The season, moreover, added fuel to their fire ; it was now the end of spring ; the summer had begun, and all things were in the height of their beauty. The trees were covered with fruit ; the fields with corn. Charming was the chirp of the grasshoppers ; sweet was the smell of the fruit ; and the bleat ing of the flocks was delightful. You might fancy the rivers to be singing as they gently flowed along, the winds to be piping as they breathed through the pines ; and the apples to be falling to the ground, sick of love ; and that the sun, fond of gazing upon natural beauty, was forcing every one to throw off their garments. Daphnis felt all the warmth of the season, and plunged into the rivers ; sometimes he only bathed him self ; sometimes he amused himself with pursuing the fish,
240 HOW DAPHNIS AND CHLOE FELL IN LOVE.
which darted in circles around him; and sometimes he drank of the stream, as if to extinguish the flame which he felt withiu. Chloe, when she had milked the goats and the sheep, had great difficulty in setting her cream, for the flies were very trouble some, and if driven away, they would bite her ; after her work was done, she washed her face, crowned herself with a garland of pine leaves, put on her girdle of fawnskin, and filled a pail with wine and milk as a beverage for herself and Daphnis. As midday heat came on, the eyes of both were fascinated ; she, beholding the naked and faultless figure of Daphnis, was ready to melt with love ; Daphnis, on the other hand, beholding Chloe in her fawnskin girdle and with a garland of pine leaves on her head, holding out the milk pail to him, fancied he beheld one of the Nymphs of the Grot, and taking the garland from her head he placed it on his own, first covering it with kisses ; while she, after often kissing it, put on his dress, which he had stripped off in order to bathe. Sometimes they began in sport to pelt each other with apples, and amused themselves with adorning each other's hair, carefully dividing it. She compared the black hair of Daphnis to myrtle berries ; while he likened her cheeks to apples, because the white was suffused with red. He then taught her to play on the pipe ; — when she began to breathe into it, he snatched it from her, ran over the reeds with his own lips, and under pretense of correcting her mistakes, he in fact kissed her through the medium of his pipe.
While he was thus playing in the heat of the noonday, and their flocks around them were reposing in the shade, Chloe imperceptibly fell asleep. Daphnis laid down his pipe, and while gazing upon her whole person with insatiable eyes, there being no one to inspire him with shame ; he thus murmured, directing his words to her : " What eyes are those, which are now closed in sleep ! what a mouth is that, which breathes so sweetly ! no apples, no thickets, exhale so delicious a scent ! Ah ! but I fear to kiss her ! a kiss consumes me, and like new honey, maddens me ! besides, a kiss would wake her ! A plague upon those chirping grasshoppers, their shrill notes will disturb my Chloe ! those vexatious goats, too, are clashing their horns together ; surely the wolves are grown more
hopper, which in springing from a swallow which pursued it,
cowardly than foxes, that they do not come and seize them ! " As he was thus soliloquizing, he was interrupted by a grass
Daphnis and Chloe
Etched by Champollion after the painting by R. Collins
HOW DAPHNIS AND CHLOE FELL IN LOVE. 241
fell into Chloe's bosom. The swallow was unable to take its prey, but hovered over Chloe's cheek and touched it with its wings. The maiden screamed and started ; but seeing the swallow still fluttering near her, and Daphnis laughing at her alarm, her fear vanished, and she rubbed her eyes, which were still disposed to sleep. The grasshopper chirped from her bosom, as if in gratitude for his deliverance. At the sound Chloe screamed again ; at which Daphnis laughed, and availing himself of the opportunity, put his hand into her bosom and drew the happy chirper from its place, which did not cease its note even when in his hand ; Chloe was pleased at seeing the innocent cause of her alarm, kissed it, and replaced it, still singing, in her bosom. . . .
Such were the delights of summer. Autumn was now advanced, and the black grapes were ripening; when some pirates of Tyre, in a light Carian bark, that they might not appear to be foreigners, touched at that coast and came on shore, armed with coats of mail and swords, and plundered everything which fell in their way. They carried off fragrant wine, corn in great plenty, honey in the comb. They also drove off some of Dorco's oxen, and seized Daphnis, who was musing in a melancholy mood, and rambling alone by the sea shore. For Chloe, being but young, was afraid of the insults of some of the saucy shepherds, and therefore had not led out her flock so early from the fold of Dryas. When the pirates saw this stout and handsome youth, who, they knew, would be a prize of greater value than the plunder of the fields, they took no more trouble about the goats, nor did they proceed farther, but carried off the unlucky Daphnis to their vessel, weeping as he was hurried along, at a loss what to do, and
calling loudly upon Chloe. When they had put him on board, they slipped their cable, and rowed from the shore. Chloe, in the meantime, who was still driving her flock, and carrying in her hand a new pipe as a present for Daphnis, when she saw the goats running about in confusion, and heard Daphnis call ing out to her every moment in a louder voice, quitted her
sheep, threw down the pipe, and ran to Dorco, beseeching him to assist her. He had been severely wounded by the pirates, and was lying upon the ground still breathing, the blood flow ing from him in streams. At the sight of Chloe, reviving a little owing to the force of his former love, he exclaimed, " I shall shortly be no more, dear Chloe ;
VOL. VII. 16
I fought in defense of
242 HOW DAPHNIS AND CHLOE FELL IN LOVE.
my oxen, and some of the rascally pirates have beaten me as they would have done an ox. Save your beloved Daphnis, revenge me, and destroy them. I have taught my cows to follow the sound of this pipe, and to obey its melody, even if they be feeding at the greatest distance. Take this pipe ; breathe in it those notes in which I once instructed Daphnis, and in which Daphnis instructed you. Do this, and leave the issue to the pipe and the cows. Moreover, I make you a pres ent of the pipe ; with it I have obtained the prize from many a shepherd and many a herdsman. In return give me but one kiss while I yet live ; and when I am dead, shed a tear over me : and when you see another tending my flocks, remember Dorco. "
Here he ceased, gave her a last kiss, and with the kiss re signed his breath. Chloe put the pipe to her lips, and blew with all her might. The cows began to low at hearing the well-known note, and leaped all at once into the sea. As they all plunged from the same side, and caused a mighty chasm in the waters, the vessel lurched, the waves closed over it, and it sank. The crew and Daphnis fell into the sea, but they had not equal chances for preservation. The pirates were in cumbered with their swords, scaled breastplates, and greaves reaching to midleg ; whereas Daphnis, who had been feeding his flocks in the plains, had not even his sandals on ; and, the weather being still very warm, he was half naked. All swam for a little time, but their armor soon sunk the foreigners to the bottom. Daphnis easily threw off the garments which remained to incumber him, but, accustomed to swim only in rivers, buoyed himself up with great difficulty : at length, taught by necessity, he struck forward between two of the cows, grasped a horn of each of them, and was carried along as securely and as easily as if he had been riding in his own wain.
Oxen, be it observed, are better swimmers than men, or indeed than any animals, except aquatic birds and fish, nor are they in any danger of drowning unless their hoofs become softened by the water. The fact of many places being still called Ox-fords will bear out the truth of my assertion.
Thus was Daphnis delivered from two perils — from the pirates and from shipwreck, and in a manner beyond all ex pectation. When he reached the shore, he found Chloe smil ing through her tears : he fell on her bosom, and inquired what had led her to play that particular tune. She related every
HOW DAPHNIS AND CHLOE FELL IN LOVE. 243
thing which had occurred — her running to Dorco — the habit of his cows — his ordering her to pipe that tune, and finally his death, but through a feeling of shame she said nothing of the kiss.
They now determined to pay the last honors to their bene factor ; accordingly they came with the neighbors and relatives of the deceased and buried him. They then threw up over his grave a large pile of earth, and planted about it various trees, and suspended over it the emblems of their calling, in addition to which they poured libations of milk and of juice expressed from the grapes, and broke many pastoral pipes. Mournful lowings of the cattle were heard, accompanied with unwonted and disorderly movements, which the shepherds believed to be lamentations and tokens of sorrow on the part of the herd for their departed herdsman.
After the funeral of Dorco, Chloe led Daphnis to the Grotto of the Nymphs, where she washed him ; and then, for the first time in his presence, bathed her own person, fair and radiant with beauty, and needing no bath to set off its comeliness. Then, after gathering the flowers which the season afforded, they crowned the statues with garlands, and suspended Dorco's pipe as a votive offering to the Nymphs. Having done this, they returned to look for their flocks, which they found lying on the ground neither feeding nor bleating, but looking about, as if waiting in suspense for their reappearance. When they came in view of them, and called to them in their usual man ner, and sounded their pipes, the sheep got up, and began to feed, while the goats skipped about and bleated as if exulting at the safety of their herdsman. But Daphnis could not attune his soul to joy ; after seeing Chloe unveiled, he felt an inward pain as though preyed upon by poison. His breath went and came as though he were flying from some pursuer ; and then it failed, as though he were exhausted with running. Chloe had come from the bath with redoubled charms, and the bath was thus more fatal to Daphnis than the ocean. As for himself, he attributed his feelings to being, in fancy, still among the thieves, — rustic as he was, and as yet ignorant of the thievish tricks of love.
244 ARSACE'S LOVE AND CHARICLEA'S ESCAPE.
ARSACE'S LOVE AND CHARICLEA'S ESCAPE. By HELIODORUS.
[Hbliodorus was bishop of Tricca in Thessaly, about a. d. 400. A dubious authority says that he was deposed for writing this novel ; also that he was a champion of clerical celibacy. ]
Chariclea is the (not guiltily) white daughter of the black queen of Ethiopia ; concealed and put in the wardship of others from fear of the king ; she falls in with, loves, and goes off with Theagenes, from whom she is separated by various misadventures. He is just now one of a band (having been captured and forced into their service) besieging Memphis in Egypt to restore Thya- mis, unjustly exiled.
The citizens of Memphis had just time to shut their gates, before the arrival of Thyamis and his robber band; a soldier from the army of Mithranes, who had escaped from the battle of Bessa having foreseen, and foretold, the attempt.
Thyamis having ordered his men to encamp under the walls, rested them after the fatigues of their march ; and determined forthwith to besiege the city. They in the town who, surprised at first, expected the attack of a numerous army, when they saw from their walls the small number of their assailants, put themselves in motion, and collecting the few troops, archers, and cavalry, left for the defense of the place, and arming the citizens as best they could, were preparing to issue out of the gates, and attack their enemy in the field. But they were restrained by a man of some years and authority among them, who said, that although the Viceroy Oroondates was absent in the Ethiopian war, it would be improper for them to take any step without the knowledge and direction of his wife, Arsace ; and that the sol diers who were left would engage much more heartily in the cause, if fighting under her orders.
The multitude joined with him in opinion, and followed him to the palace which the viceroy inhabited in the absence of the sovereign. Arsace was beautiful, and tall ; expert in business ; haughty because of her birth, as being the sister of the Great King; extremely blamable, however, in her conduct, and given up to dissolute pleasure. She had, in a great measure, been the cause of the exile of Thyamis ; for when Calasiris, on account of the oracle which he had received relative to his children, had with drawn himself privately from Memphis, and on his disappearing, was thought to have perished, Thyamis, as his eldest son, was
ARSACE'S LOVE AND CHARICLEA'S ESCAPE.
245
called to the dignity of the priesthood, and performed his ini tiatory sacrifice in public. Arsace, as she entered the temple of Isis, encountered this blooming and graceful youth, dressed on the occasion with more than usual splendor. She cast wanton glances at him, and by her gestures gave plain intima tion of her passion. He, naturally modest, and virtuously brought up, did not notice this, and had no suspicion of her meaning, nay, intent on the duties of his office, probably attrib uted her conduct to some quite different cause. But his brother Petosiris, who had viewed with jealous eyes his exalta tion to the priesthood, and had observed the behavior of Arsace towards him, considered how he might make use of her irregu lar desires as a means of laying a snare for him whom he envied.
He went privately to Oroondates, discovered to him his wife's inclinations, and basely and falsely affirmed that Thyamis com plied with them. Oroondates was easily persuaded of the truth of this intelligence, from his previous suspicions ; but took no notice of it to her, being unable clearly to convict her; and dreading and respecting the royal race she sprang from, thought it best to conceal his real opinion. He did not, however, cease uttering threats of death against Thyamis, until he drove him into banishment; when Petosiris was appointed to the priest hood in his room.
These events happened some years before the time of which I am at present speaking. But now the multitude surrounded the palace of Arsace, informed her of the approach of an hostile army (of which however she was aware), and besought her to give orders to the soldiers to march out with them to attack the enemy.
She told them that she thought she ought not to comply with their request till she had made herself a little acquainted with the number of the enemy — who they were — from whence they came — and what was the cause of their expedition. That for that purpose she thought it would be proper for her first to ascend the walls, to take a survey from thence; and then having collected more troops, to determine, upon consideration, what was possible and expedient to be done.
The people acquiesced in what she said, and advanced at once towards the wall ; where, by her command, they erected upon the ramparts a tent, adorned with purple and gold em broidered tapestry; and she, royally attired, placed herself under
on lofty throne, having around her her guards in arms,
it, a
246 ARSACE'S LOVE AND CHARICLEA'S ESCAPE.
glittering with gold ; and holding up a herald's wand, the sym bol of peace, invited the chiefs of the enemy to a conference under the walls.
Thyamis and Theagenes advanced before the rest, and pre sented themselves under the ramparts, in complete armor, their heads only uncovered ; and the herald made proclamation : —
" Arsace, wife of the chief viceroy, and sister of the Great King, desires to know who you are — what are your demands — and why you presume to make incursions into the territory of Memphis? " They replied, that their followers were men of Bessa — Thyamis, moreover, explained who he was ; how, being unjustly deprived of the priesthood of Memphis by the suspicions of Oroondates and the arts of his brother Petosiris, he was come to claim it again at the head of these bands — that if they would restore him to his office, he asked no more ; and his followers would withdraw in peace, without injuring any one ; but if they refused this just demand, he must endeavor to do himself justice by force and arms — that it became Arsace to revenge herself upon Petosiris for his wicked calumnies against her; by which he had infused into the mind of her husband suspicions against her honor ; and had driven him, his brother, into exile.
These words made a great impression upon the citizens: they well recollected Thyamis again; and now knowing the cause of his unexpected flight, of which they were ignorant before, they were very much disposed to believe that what he now alleged was truth. But Arsace was more disturbed than any one, and distracted by a tempest of different cares and thoughts. She was inflamed with anger against Petosiris, and calling to mind the past, resolved how she might best revenge herself upon him. She looked sometimes at Thyamis, and then again at Theagenes ; and was alternately drawn by her desires towards both. Her old inclination to the former revived; towards the latter a new and stronger flame hurried her away ; so that her emotion was very visible to all the bystanders. After some struggle, however, recovering herself, as if from convulsive seizure, she said, " What madness has engaged the inhabitants of Bessa in this expedition? and you, beautiful and graceful youths of noble birth, why should you expose your selves to manifest destruction for a band of marauders, who, if they were to come to a battle, would not be able to sustain the first shock? for the troops of the Great King are not so
ARSACE'S LOVE AND CHARICLEA'S ESCAPE. 247
reduced as not to have left a sufficient force in the city to sur round and overwhelm all of you, although the viceroy be absent in a foreign war. But since the pretext of this expedition is of a private nature, why should the people at large be sufferers in a quarrel in which they have no concern ? Rather let the parties determine their dispute between themselves, and commit their cause to the justice and judgment of the gods. Let, then, the inhabitants both of Memphis and the men of Bessa remain at peace; nor causelessly wage war against each other. Let those who contend for the priesthood engage in single combat, and be the holy dignity the prize of the conqueror. "
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.