"Like one returned from the cave of Trophonius." p. 147.
In this cave was a celebrated oracle. Those who entered it always returned pale and dejected.
"Psyche bending over the sleeping Eros." p. 150.
This beautiful fable represents the union of the human soul with immortal love. Pysche was warned that separation would be the consequence, if she looked on the countenance of her divine lover. She gazed on his features as he slept; and was left to sorrow alone.
"Even the Diasia are no longer observed." p. 154.
Festivals in honour of Zeus, because he delivered men from misfortunes and dangers.
"When the Muses and the Charities inhabit the same temple." p. 160.
Among the Greeks, the Graces were called the Charities. It was a beautiful idea thus to deify the moral, rather than the outward graces; and to represent innocent and loving nymphs, forever hand in hand, presiding over kind and gentle actions. The Graces were often worshipped in the same temple with the Muses.
"Olive garlands suspended on the doors." p. 185.
This was a common practice during the festival of Thargelia, in honour of Phœbus.
"Gently touched the back part of his head with a small wand." p. 202.
That the phenomena of animal magnetism were not entirely unknown to the ancients, appears by what Clearchus relates of an experiment tried in the presence of Aristotle. He speaks of a man who, by means of "a soul-attracting wand," let the soul out of a sleeping lad, and left the body insensible. When the soul was again led into the body, it related all that had happened to it.
"The laws of the country made it impossible to accompany her beloved husband." p. 206.
No woman was allowed to enter Olympia, during the celebration of the games.
"Deemed he had fallen by the dart of Phœbus Apollo." p. 208.
Those who died very suddenly were supposed to have been struck with the arrows of Phœbus, or his sister.
"Its best pleasures are like the gardens of Adonis." p. 213.
When the annual procession formed to mourn the death of Adonis, earth was placed in shells, and lettuce planted in it, in commemoration of Adonis laid out on a bed of lettuces. These shells were called the Gardens of Adonis. Their freshness soon withered, on account of the shallowness of the earth.
"Rather gain one prize from the Choragus than ten from the Gymnasiarch." p. 219.
The first presided over musical and literary competition; the last over athletic games.
"The statue of Persephone, (that ominous bridal gift.)" p. 226.
While Persephone was gathering flowers, she was seized by Pluto, and carried to the regions of the dead, over which she presided. Hence the hair of the deceased was consecrated to her, and her name invoked at funerals.
"Milza sneezed aloud." p. 227.
This was considered a lucky omen; particularly if the sound came from the direction of the right hand.
"He will trust to Hermes to help him." p. 239.
Hermes was the god of lies and fraud.
"Have I told you all my flames." p. 241.
Part of the 14th ode of Anacreon.
"Threatened to appeal to the magistrates for another master." p. 250.
The Athenian slave laws were much more mild than modern codes. If a servant complained of being abused, his master had no power to retain him.
"Build the wall of Hipparchus." p. 251.
A wall built round the Academia by Hipparchus was so expensive that it became a proverb applied to all costly undertakings.
"One of the slaves whose modesty Alcibiades had insulted." p. 251.
Slaves that were either personally abused, or insulted, took refuge in the Temple of Theseus, and could not be compelled to return to those of whom they complained.
"These brooks are Creüsa's tears." p. 253.
Ion was the son of Phœbus and Creüsa. His mother, to avoid her father's displeasure, concealed the birth of the infant, and hid him in the grotto, which afterwards bore her name. The child was preserved, and brought up in the temple of Phœbus.
"She does not speak like one brought up at the gates." p. 254.
The lower classes of tradesmen were generally placed near the gates.
"One of the illustrious Pasargadæ." p. 280.
These were the noblest families in Persia.
In some unimportant matters, I have not adhered strictly to dates; deeming this an allowable freedom in a work so purely romantic, relating to times so ancient.
I am aware that the Christian spirit is sometimes infused into a Grecian form; and in nothing is this more conspicuous than the representation of love as a pure sentiment rather than a gross passion.
Greek names for the deities were used in preference to the Roman, because the latter have become familiarized by common and vulgar use.
If there be errors in the application of Greek names and phrases, my excuse must be an entire want of knowledge in the classic languages. But, like the ignoramus in the Old Drama, I can boast, "Though Ispeakno Greek, I love thesoundon't."