[1]Herod. ii. 71, commits the same error, using the expression δίχηλον, whereas the foot of the animal is divided into toes like that of the elephant. In a note Mr. Blakesley remarks, that in some of the temples of Egypt, the animal is found depicted with cloven hoofs and huge projecting tusks, as described by Herodotus and Tatius.
[1]Herod. ii. 71, commits the same error, using the expression δίχηλον, whereas the foot of the animal is divided into toes like that of the elephant. In a note Mr. Blakesley remarks, that in some of the temples of Egypt, the animal is found depicted with cloven hoofs and huge projecting tusks, as described by Herodotus and Tatius.
[2]Compare Job's description of Leviathan. "Out of his mouth go burning lamps, and sparks of fire leap out. Out of his nostrils goeth smoke, as out of a seething pot or caldron. His breath kindleth coals, and a flame goeth out of his mouth."—xli. 19-21.
[2]Compare Job's description of Leviathan. "Out of his mouth go burning lamps, and sparks of fire leap out. Out of his nostrils goeth smoke, as out of a seething pot or caldron. His breath kindleth coals, and a flame goeth out of his mouth."—xli. 19-21.
[3]"The hide is upwards of an inch and a half in thickness; it is chiefly used for whips; the well-known 'cowhides' are made of this material."—Wood's Nat. Hist.
[3]"The hide is upwards of an inch and a half in thickness; it is chiefly used for whips; the well-known 'cowhides' are made of this material."—Wood's Nat. Hist.
[4]Pliny says:—"Decem annis gestare in utero vulgus existimat."—Η. N. viii. 10.The same strange notion is referred to by Plautus, Stich. A. 1, s. iii."Audivi sæpe hoc vulgo dicier,Solere elephantum gravidam perpetuos decemEsse annos."
[4]Pliny says:—"Decem annis gestare in utero vulgus existimat."—Η. N. viii. 10.
The same strange notion is referred to by Plautus, Stich. A. 1, s. iii.
"Audivi sæpe hoc vulgo dicier,Solere elephantum gravidam perpetuos decemEsse annos."
[5]Hesiod extends the crow's life to 270 years. The passage referred to has been preserved by Plutarch:·—"Έννέατοι ζώει γενεὰς λακέρυζα κορώνηAνδρῶν ἡβώντων.""Servatura diu paremCornicis vetulæ temporibus Lycem."—Hor, iv. Od. xiii. 34.
[5]Hesiod extends the crow's life to 270 years. The passage referred to has been preserved by Plutarch:·—
"Έννέατοι ζώει γενεὰς λακέρυζα κορώνηAνδρῶν ἡβώντων."
"Servatura diu paremCornicis vetulæ temporibus Lycem."—Hor, iv. Od. xiii. 34.
[6]"Indi autem, quod calore vicini ignis, sanguis in atrum colorem versus est, nigri sunt facti."—Hyginus.See also Ovid, Met. ii. 235.
[6]"Indi autem, quod calore vicini ignis, sanguis in atrum colorem versus est, nigri sunt facti."—Hyginus.
See also Ovid, Met. ii. 235.
[7]According to the Commentators, it is the καρυόφυλλον, or clove-tree, which produces this wonderful effect upon the elephant, making his breath"Like the sweet south,That breathes upon a bank of violets,Stealing and giving odour."—Twelfth Night.
[7]According to the Commentators, it is the καρυόφυλλον, or clove-tree, which produces this wonderful effect upon the elephant, making his breath
"Like the sweet south,That breathes upon a bank of violets,Stealing and giving odour."—Twelfth Night.
[8]ὀφείλεταί σοι παρ' αὐτής ζωάγρια.
[8]ὀφείλεταί σοι παρ' αὐτής ζωάγρια.
[9]"Who rises from a feast,With that keen appetite that he sits down?"Merchant of Venice.
[9]
"Who rises from a feast,With that keen appetite that he sits down?"Merchant of Venice.
[10]φίλημα δὲ καὶ ἀόριστόν ἐστιν, καὶ ἀκὁρεστον, καὶ καινὸν ἀεί.
[10]φίλημα δὲ καὶ ἀόριστόν ἐστιν, καὶ ἀκὁρεστον, καὶ καινὸν ἀεί.
[11]ἐξορχήσομαι τὰ μυστήρια, an allusion to the revealing of religious mysteries.—Liddell's Lex.
[11]ἐξορχήσομαι τὰ μυστήρια, an allusion to the revealing of religious mysteries.—Liddell's Lex.
[12]οὐ μοιγεὐεται μου τὰ φιλήματα."Kόνωνι δέ εἴπεν ὅτι παύσει αὐτὸν μοὶχῶντα τὴν θάλατταν."Xen. Hell. I. vi. 15.
[12]οὐ μοιγεὐεται μου τὰ φιλήματα.
"Kόνωνι δέ εἴπεν ὅτι παύσει αὐτὸν μοὶχῶντα τὴν θάλατταν."Xen. Hell. I. vi. 15.
[13]ὧ φιλον ὕπνου θέλγητρον, ἑπίκουρον νoσου,. . . . . ."ὦ πότνια λήθη τῶν κακῶν, ώς εἶ σοφὴκαὶ τoῖσι δυστυχοῦσιν εὐκτάια θεός."—Eur. Or."Sleep, that knits up the ravell'd sleeve of care,The death of each day's life, sore labour's bath,Balm of hurt minds, great nature's second course.Chief nourisher in life's feast."
[13]
ὧ φιλον ὕπνου θέλγητρον, ἑπίκουρον νoσου,. . . . . ."ὦ πότνια λήθη τῶν κακῶν, ώς εἶ σοφὴκαὶ τoῖσι δυστυχοῦσιν εὐκτάια θεός."—Eur. Or.
"Sleep, that knits up the ravell'd sleeve of care,The death of each day's life, sore labour's bath,Balm of hurt minds, great nature's second course.Chief nourisher in life's feast."
[14]This reading is taken from the edit. by Jacobs, and is supported by a passage in Herod. ii. 17.
[14]This reading is taken from the edit. by Jacobs, and is supported by a passage in Herod. ii. 17.
[15]Instead of the common reading, τρόπαιoν, which yields no sense Salmasius proposes κρώπιον, a reaping hook.
[15]Instead of the common reading, τρόπαιoν, which yields no sense Salmasius proposes κρώπιον, a reaping hook.
[16]Lucan mentions boats made of the papyrus:—... "sic cum tenet omnia NilusConseritur bibulâ Memphitis cymba papyro."Lucan. B. iv.
[16]Lucan mentions boats made of the papyrus:—
... "sic cum tenet omnia NilusConseritur bibulâ Memphitis cymba papyro."Lucan. B. iv.
[17]"Let every soldier hew him down a bough,And bear't before him; thereby shall we shadowThe numbers of our host, and make discoveryErr in report of us."—Macbeth.
[17]
"Let every soldier hew him down a bough,And bear't before him; thereby shall we shadowThe numbers of our host, and make discoveryErr in report of us."—Macbeth.
[18]πpὸς τὴν σατραπείαν.
[18]πpὸς τὴν σατραπείαν.
[19]The same manner of expression is used by Apuleius, B. iv., of the carcases of animals destroyed by pestilence.:—"Passim per plateas plurima cerneres semivivorum corporum ferinanaufragia." The reader will remember the figurative language employed to describe the death of Charicles, thrown from his unruly horse.
[19]The same manner of expression is used by Apuleius, B. iv., of the carcases of animals destroyed by pestilence.:—"Passim per plateas plurima cerneres semivivorum corporum ferinanaufragia." The reader will remember the figurative language employed to describe the death of Charicles, thrown from his unruly horse.
[20]"The drug he gave me, which he said was preciousAnd cordial to me, have I not found itMurd'rous to the senses?"—Cymbeline.
[20]
"The drug he gave me, which he said was preciousAnd cordial to me, have I not found itMurd'rous to the senses?"—Cymbeline.
[21]ἐφόδιαν.
[21]ἐφόδιαν.
[22]ἔτυχεν ἐζωσμένος;,—ζώνη, the girdle used as a purse.
[22]ἔτυχεν ἐζωσμένος;,—ζώνη, the girdle used as a purse.
[23]See the description of the procession to Babastis, in Herod. ii. 60, which illustrates the above passage.
[23]See the description of the procession to Babastis, in Herod. ii. 60, which illustrates the above passage.
[24]When the soldiers of Pescennius Niger murmured for want of wine, he replied to them, "Nilum habetis et vinum quæritis?" and the historian adds, "siquidem tanta illius fluminis dulcedo, ut accolæ vina non quærant."—Spartianus.
[24]When the soldiers of Pescennius Niger murmured for want of wine, he replied to them, "Nilum habetis et vinum quæritis?" and the historian adds, "siquidem tanta illius fluminis dulcedo, ut accolæ vina non quærant."—Spartianus.
[25]See in Herod. ii. 68, 70, a description of the crocodile and of the mode of taking it.
[25]See in Herod. ii. 68, 70, a description of the crocodile and of the mode of taking it.
We arrived at Alexandria after a three days' passage. I entered by the gate of the Sun, and was at once amazed and delighted by the splendour of the city. A row of columns, on either side, led in a straight line to the gate of the Moon—these two divinities being the guardian gods of the city gates. In the midst of these columns was the open part of the city, which branched out into so many streets, that in traversing them, one seemed journeying abroad though all the time at home.[1]Proceeding a little farther I came to a part named after the great Alexander; here began a second city and its beauty was of a twofold kind, two rows of columns equal in extent, intersecting each other at right angles. It was impossible to satisfy the eye with gazing upon the various streets, or to take in every object deserving of admiration; some of these one actually saw, others one was on the point of seeing; others one longed to see; others, again, one would not willingly have missed seeing; those which were actually present rivetted one's gaze; those which were anticipated tempted it to wander: after turning my eyes therefore, on every side, so distracted were my feelings of admiration, that I owned my sight to be thoroughly bewildered and unequal to its task. What most struck me was the extent of the city and its vast population, each of which in turn bore away the palm when compared with the other; the former seemed actually a country, the latter, a nation. When I looked at the vast size of the city, I doubted whether any number of inhabitants could fill it; and when I considered the multitude of the inhabitants, I asked myself whether any city could contain them; so evenly balanced was the calculation,[2]and so difficult was it to come to a decision.
It chanced at that time to be the festival of the great deity called Jove by the Greeks, Serapis[3]by the Egyptians; torches were lighted up throughout the city, and the effect of so much light was marvellous, for although evening had come on and the sun had set, there was no such thing as night, another sun might be said to have arisen, only that his rays were scattered,[4]so that the city vied with heaven in brightness. I also visited the magnificent temple and saw the statue of the Milichian Jove, and after paying our devotions to his great divinity, and praying him to end at last, our troubles, we returned to the lodgings which Menelaus had engaged for us. The deity, as will be seen, did not hearken to our prayers, and another trial of fortune yet awaited us. Chæreas had for some time been enamoured of Leucippe, which was his motive for communicating to me the circumstance of the philtre, by doing which he hoped to become on intimate terms with us and to preserve her life for his own ends. Knowing how difficult success would be, he had recourse to stratagem. Being a seafaring man, he had no difficulty in getting together some fellows, half-fishermen half-pirates, with whom he arranged what was to be done, and then under pretence of keeping his birth-day, he invited us to an entertainment at Pharos. As we were leaving the house a sinister omen befell us; a hawk pursuing a sparrow struck Leucippe on the cheek with its wing; alarmed at the occurrence I looked up towards heaven and said—"Jove, what means this omen? If this bird be indeed sent by thee, show us, I pray, some clearer augury." Upon turning round, I found myself standing by a painter's shop where was a picture, the subject of which was in keeping with what had just taken place; it represented the rape of Philomela, the cruelty of Tereus in cutting out her tongue, every particular of the sad drama was seen depicted on the tapestry,[5]which was being held up by a female slave. Philomela stood pointing to the different figures which were worked upon it, and Procne was intimating that she understood her, at the same time casting stern and angry looks upon the picture. There, the Thracian Tereus was seen struggling with Philomela, whose hair was dishevelled, her girdle loose, her dress torn, her bosom half naked; her right hand was planted against the face of Tereus, with her left she was endeavouring to pull her torn dress over her breast; Tereus was holding her in his arms, drawing her person towards him, and embracing her as closely as he could. Such was the subject of the tapestry. In the remainder of the painting, were seen the two sisters showing Tereus the relics of his supper, the head and hands of his own child; fear and bitter laughter are depicted on their faces; Tereus is leaping up from his couch and drawing his sword against them, and he has struck out his foot against the table[6]which neither stands nor falls, but seems in the very act of falling. "In my opinion," said Menelaus, "we should give up the excursion to Pharos, for we have encountered two unfavourable omens, the hawk's wing and the threatening picture; now those who profess to interpret such matters, bid us pay regard to the subjects of any pictures which we may happen to meet with, when setting out on any business, and to conjecture the result of our undertaking from the nature of what we see. Did you not observe how full of evil augury this picture is? There is depicted in it lawless love, shameless adultery and female misery; we ought therefore to defer our expedition." I concurred in opinion with him, and we excused ourselves from accompanying Chæreas on that occasion; he left us, very much vexed at our determination, saying he should come to us the next day.
Women are naturally fond of hearing stories, accordingly when he was gone, Leucippe turning to me said, "Pray tell me what is the subject represented in this picture? What birds are they? who are the women? and who is that shameless man?" I proceeded to gratify her wishes.—"The hoopoe," I said, "was once a man called Tereus, the swallow and the nightingale were two sisters named Philomela and Procne, natives of Athens. One woman, it seems, is not enough for a barbarian, especially when an occasion offers for gratifying his lust; and such an opportunity was offered to Tereus through the sisterly affection of Procne, who sent her husband to invite Philomela; he conceived a passion for her, on his way back, made her a second Procne; then fearing lest she should reveal the deed, he, as the reward for her virginity deprives her of speech by cutting out her tongue, our nature's glory.[7]The precaution was fruitless, Philomela, by her skill contrived a silent voice; she inwove the tragedy into a web, descriptive of the facts, her hand supplying the place of a tongue, and revealing to her sister's eyes what otherwise would have been whispered into her ears. Procne, learning through this device the violence which had been perpetrated, determines to take fearful vengeance; and two angry women's minds, conspiring together, and influenced by mingled feeling of jealousy and sense of wrong, contrive a supper more detestable even then the rape.[8]They serve up to the father his own child; Procne had once been his mother, now she had forgotten the maternal tie, so powerfully do the pangs of jealousy prevail over those even of travail; for women, when exacting satisfaction for a violated bed, however deeply they may suffer in what they do, compensate the pain by the pleasure of inflicting vengeance.[9]Tereus supped upon this hellish banquet, and afterwards the sisters, trembling with fear yet laughing horribly, bringing the remnants of his child upon a dish. He recognizes the miserable tokens, curses the food which he had swallowed, and discovers himself to be the father of what he had been feasting on. Maddened with fury, he draws his sword, and is in the act of rushing upon the women, when lo! the air receives them metamorphosed into birds. Tereus also becomes a bird, and ascends after them; and to show that their change of form has wrought no change in their hate, the hoopoe (Tereus) still pursues, and the nightingale (Procne) still flies." We had for once escaped the snare laid for us, but we gained by it only a single day, for next morning Chæreas arrived, and feeling ashamed to make any more excuses we went on board a vessel and sailed to Pharos. Menelaus said that he felt indisposed and remained at home. Chæreas took us first to the light-house and directed our attention to the wonderful superstructure upon which it stood—a rock situated in the sea, almost cloud-capped, and seeming to hang over the waters; upon the summit of this arose the tower, which with its light served vessels for a second pilot.[10]When we had viewed this, he took us to a house at the extremity of the isle and situated on the shore.
In the evening, under pretence of his stomach being disordered, he went out: in a short time we heard a great noise, and suddenly a number of powerful men burst into the room, sword in hand, and turned towards the maiden. Seeing my dearest life about to be carried off, I rushed into the midst of them armed as they were, and received a wound in the thigh, from the effect of which I fell bathed in blood; they immediately put Leucippe into a boat and rowed away. Aroused by the disturbance and alarm caused by this occurrence, the commandant of the isle came up whom I had known when with the army. I exhibited my wound, and earnestly besought him to pursue the pirates. Accordingly, throwing himself and the soldiers with him into one of the many boats which were in the harbour, he gave them chase; I likewise was among the number, having caused myself to be lifted in.
When the pirates saw that we were gaining upon them and were prepared for an attack, they placed the maiden upon the deck with her hands bound behind her; some of them, after calling out in a loud voice, "Behold the prize you wish to win," severed her head from her body, and threw the trunk into the sea. Upon beholding this I uttered a loud cry and was on the point of casting myself into the water, but was prevented by those standing near me; I then requested the crew to lie upon their oars, that some one might jump into the sea and if possible recover the body for burial; they complied with my request and two of the sailors throwing themselves over the boat's side, got hold of the corpse and brought it on board. Meanwhile the pirates plied their oars still more vigorously, and when we were again nearing them they caught sight of another vessel, and recognizing those in her, hailed them to come to their assistance; these latter were purple-fishers[11]and like the others pirates. The commandant, seeing the odds against him, became alarmed and gave orders to back water,[12]for the pirates instead of continuing their flight, were now eager to provoke an engagement. Upon reaching the shore and landing, I threw myself upon the body and shed bitter tears.—"Thou hast indeed died a double death, my dearest Leucippe,"[13]I exclaimed, "divided as thou art between land and sea; I have a remnant of thee, but thou thyself art lost to me; the division is unfair, for thy larger portion which I possess (thy body) is in reality, thy lesser, (considering its worth,) while the sea, in retaining the lesser part (thy head[14]), is in fact guilty of retaining all; since cruel Fortune envies me the happiness of kissing thy fair face, I will at least kiss thy neck." After giving vent to these lamentations, I had the body interred, and returned to Alexandria, where much against my will my wound was dressed, and where I continued to live a miserable life, though Menelaus did all in his power to console me. At the expiration of six months, the violence of my grief began to subside; time acts as medicine upon sorrow and heals the wounds which have been inflicted upon the soul, for the light of day, and the bright sun are full of cheerfulness, and though the mind may be fevered by excess of sorrow for a time, yet it is gradually cooled and overcome by the persuasive influence of time.
One day, when walking in the public square, some one came behind me, and without speaking a word, seized my hand, turned me round, and warmly embraced me. For a few moments I knew not who the party was, overcome by surprise I mechanically suffered myself to be embraced; at length, upon looking up and seeing his features, who should it prove to be but Clinias, so uttering a cry of joy, I returned his embrace with ardour. We then retired to my lodging, where I told him the particulars of Leucippe's death, and he related to me the manner of his escape.—"When the ship went to pieces," said he, "I laid hold of one end of the sailyard, which was already crowded with people, and endeavoured to hang on; after we had been tossed about for some time, a great wave overtaking us raised and dashed the yard against a sunken rock, from which it rebounded like an engine, and shot me off as though I had been hurled from a sling. I swam during the rest of the day, but with little hope of being saved; at length, when exhausted and abandoning myself to the will of Fortune, I espied a vessel bearing down towards me; so alternately lifting up my hands, I supplicated help by gestures. Moved by pity, or perhaps merely obeying the impulse of the wind, the ship came near me, and while running by, one of the sailors cast a rope over the side; I seized it, and was thus drawn out of the jaws of death. The vessel was bound for Sidon, and some of those on board to whom I was known showed me every kindness. We arrived at the above city after two days' sail, when I requested the Sidonians on board (the merchant Xenodamas, and his father-in-law Theophilus), not to mention to any of the Tyrians whom they might meet, the circumstance of my being preserved from shipwreck. I did not wish any one to know that I had been away from home, and if those two preserved silence in the matter, I had hopes that nothing would be discovered; five days only had elapsed since my disappearance, whereas if you recollect, I had told my servants that I was going into the country for ten days; and fortunately I found this to be the prevalent belief among my friends. Your father did not return home until two days after this, upon his arrival he found a letter from his brother, Sostratus (which came the very day after our departure), in which he offered you his daughter's hand. Upon reading it and hearing of our flight your father was in great trouble, both because you had missed the prize intended for you, and because after so nearly bringing matters to a favourable issue, Fortune had failed merely through delay in the arrival of the letter. Not wishing his brother to know what had happened, he enjoined secrecy upon Leucippe's mother, thinking it probable he should be able to discover you, or at any rate, that upon hearing of the betrothment, you would both gladly return, having it in your power to realize the object of your flight. He is now using every endeavour to find you out; and only a few days ago, Diophantus of Tyre, just returned from Egypt, informed him that he had seen you here; immediately upon hearing this, I took ship, sailed hither, and have for more than a week been seeking you in this city. As your father will soon be here, it is time for you to decide upon some plan." He ceased speaking, and I could not help inveighing bitterly against the cruel sport of Fortune. "How unfortunate is my lot, my uncle Sostratus gives me the hand of Leucippe, and sends me a bride from the theatre of war, so exactly measuring the time as to avoid anticipating our flight. My good luck and happiness comes just one day too late![15]Marriage and the nuptial hymn is talked of when death has claimed his victim, and it is a time for tears! Whom do they now offer me for a bride? Even her whose corpse I am not permitted to possess entire!" "You have no leisure for lamentations now," said Clinias; "what you have to settle is, whether you will return to your own country or await your father's arrival here."—"I will do neither the one nor the other," I replied; "how can I look my father in the face, after basely flying from his house, and enticing away her whom his own brother had entrusted to his charge? Nothing remains but to quit this city before he comes." At this moment Menelaus came in, accompanied by Satyrus, and upon seeing Clinias they hastened to embrace him. When informed by us of the state of affairs,—"You have an opportunity," said Satyrus, "of prosperously settling all your affairs, and of taking pity upon a heart which burns with love towards you. Listen," continued he, addressing Clinias, "Venus has thrown a piece of good fortune in the way of Clitopho which he is unwilling to accept; a lady, by name Melitta, a native of Ephesus is doatingly in love with him; so rare is her beauty, that it fits her for a sculptor's model.[16]She is rich and young, and has lately lost her husband who was drowned at sea; she earnestly desires to make Clitopho, I will not say merely her husband but her 'lord paramount,'[17]and freely surrenders to him herself and all she has. She has passed two whole months here, endeavouring to persuade him. Yet he, heaven knows why, looks coldly upon her, and slights her suit, imagining, I suppose, that Leucippe will come to life again."
"In my opinion," replied Clinias, "Satyrus speaks sensibly; it is no time for hesitation and delay, when beauty, health, wealth, and love combine to woo you; her beauty will yield you delight, her wealth will supply the means of luxurious enjoyment, and her love will gain consideration for you; consider, moreover, that the deity hates pride and arrogance, so follow the advice of Satyrus and yield to destiny."—"Well then," said I, with a deep sigh, "do with me what you will, since Clinias is of your opinion; one stipulation I make, however, that I am not to be pressed to consummate the marriage until we arrive at Ephesus, for I have taken a solemn oath to be connected with no woman in this city where I have been bereaved of my Leucippe." Upon hearing me say this, Satyrus hastened to Melitta with the joyful tidings, and shortly after returned and said, that upon learning them, she had nearly fainted from excess of joy; he was also the bearer of an invitation to me to come to supper as a prelude to the marriage. I complied and proceeded to her house. No sooner did she see me, than falling on my neck she covered me with kisses. I must do her the justice of saying that she was really beautiful; her complexion was fair as milk, but tinted with the rose,[18]her bright and sunny look was worthy of Venus herself, and she had a profusion of long golden hair, so that upon the whole I could not look at her without some pleasurable emotions.
A costly supper was served, she now and then took some of the viands for appearance sake, but in reality ate nothing, feeding her eyes on me. Lovers find their chief delight in gazing upon the beloved; and when once this tender passion has taken possession of the soul, there is no time or desire for taking food. The pleasure conceived by the eyes flows through them into the mind, bears along with it the image of the beloved, and impresses its form upon the mirror of the soul; the emanation of beauty darting like secret rays and leaving its outline on the love-sick heart.[19]I said to her, "Why is it that you touch none of your own delicacies?—you are like one of those who sup on the painter's canvas."—"The sight of you," replied she, "is more to me, than the choicest viands and the richest wines," accompanying the words with one of her kisses which I began to receive with some degree of pleasure; "this," said she after a pause, "is meat and drink to me."
In this manner did supper pass; at night she used every endeavour to persuade me to remain and share her bed; I however excused myself urging the same reason which I had previously advanced to Satyrus. Much against her will she allowed me to depart, upon the understanding that next day we should meet in the temple of Isis, in order to arrange matters and to plight our troth in presence of the goddess; accordingly I went thither the following morning accompanied by Clinias and Menelaus, and we took a mutual oath, I to love her in all sincerity; she, to take me for her husband and to give me the control of all her property. I reminded her that the performance of these promises was to be deferred until we should arrive at Ephesus, "for as long as we are here," I said, "you must give place to my Leucippe." Another magnificent banquet was prepared, which was in name but not in reality the marriage supper, for as I have said, the consummation of our nuptials was postponed. During the entertainment, when the guests were wishing heath and happiness to the new married pair, Melitta turning to me, said half in jest, half in earnest, "How flat, stale, and unprofitable is all this, like the empty honours sometimes bestowed upon the dead; I have often heard of a tomb without a body, but never till now of a wedding without a consummation."[20]The next morning, induced by a favourable wind, we sailed from Alexandria; Menelaus accompanied us to the port, and after many embraces and wishes for my having a more prosperous voyage than formerly, took his leave; he was in all respects a worthy and excellent young man, and we mutually shed tears at parting. Clinias would not leave me, but determined to accompany us as far as Ephesus, and after remaining there some time, to return, as soon as my affairs were comfortably settled. The wind continued in our favour the whole day, and at night after supper we retired to rest in a cabin which had been parted off for me and Melitta in the hull of the vessel. We had no sooner entered it, then throwing her arms around me she urged me to consummate our marriage. "We are now," she said, "beyond the boundaries sacred to Leucippe, and within those where you are pledged to perform your promise. What need is there to delay until we arrive at Ephesus? Remember, the sea is not to be depended on, the winds are faithless! Believe me, Clitopho, I burn; would that I should actually show the intenseness of the fire! would that it possessed the same nature as the ordinary fires of love; that so I might inflame you by my embraces! but, alas! it has a nature peculiar to itself, and the flame which usually extends its influence to both the lovers, in my case burns only its possessor! Strange and mystic fire, which refuses to quit its own peculiar precints; dearest Clitopho, let us begin the rites of Venus!"—"Do not," I replied, "urge me to forget that reverence which is due to the departed; we cannot be said to have passed the limits sacred to her memory until we arrive in another country. Have you not heard how she perished in the sea? I am therefore still sailing over Leucippe's grave; nay more, her shade may even now be flitting around our vessel: it is said that the souls of those who have found a watery grave do not descend to Hades, but wander about the surface of the waves; for aught we know, she may appear to us in the midst of our embrace. Besides, can you consider the tossing waves of the uncertain sea, a fitting place for consummating a bridal? Would you wish to have a fluctuating and unstable marriage bed?"—"Dearest," she resumed, "lovers need no feather-bed,[21]every place is accessible to the god of love; nay, rather is the sea a most proper and fitting place for celebrating the mysteries of Venus. Is not that goddess daughter of the sea: in honouring her shall we not be paying homage to her mother? Everything around us, moreover, is emblematic of the marriage rites; above us is the sailyard (resembling in form a yoke[22]) encircled by its ropes;—what can more fitly symbolise a wedding than a yoke and bands? close to our bed is the rudder,[23]emblem of safe arrival within the port; Fortune herself is clearly guiding our nuptials to a happy issue. Neptune himself, who wedded a sea-bride, will wait upon us with his choir of Nereids; and the winds which sigh so softly among the ropes seem to be chanting our nuptial song; look too, at the bellying canvas, how it resembles a pregnant womb; even this is not without its propitious meaning, for it tells me that ere long you will be a father!"
Seeing her become so pressing and so excited, I replied,—"Let us, if you will, continue to discuss these subtle points until we reach our destination; I swear to you by the sea itself and by the fortune of our voyage, that I am as impatient as yourself; but remember that even the sea has its peculiar laws; and I have often heard say from ancient mariners that ships must not be made the scenes of amorous delights, either as being sacred in themselves,[24]or because wanton pleasure is unseemly amid the perils of the ocean. Let us not then, my love, cast insult upon the sea, or cause our nuptials to be distracted by alarms, rather let us keep in store for ourselves pure and unalloyed delight." These arguments mingled with kisses and endearments, produced the desired effect; and we passed the remainder of the night in sleep. Five days more, brought us to Ephesus; Melitta's house was one of the finest in the city, it was spacious and handsomely furnished, and she had a numerous establishment. After ordering a handsome supper she proposed that we should in the meanwhile visit her country-house, which was not more than half a mile out of town; we rode there in her carriage, and then getting out walked about in the kitchen-garden.[25]Suddenly a female approached and threw herself at Melitta's feet; she had on heavy fetters and held in her hand a hoe, her hair had been cut off, her whole appearance was squalid, and her clothing consisted of a sorry tunic. "Lady," she exclaimed, "have pity upon one of your own sex, who once was free, but is now by the caprice of Fortune, a slave."—"Rise up," replied Melitta, "and tell me who you are and from whence you came, and by whom you have been thus fettered; for though in rags and misery your countenance bespeaks good birth."—"I received this treatment from your bailiff,[26]" resumed the woman, "because I refused to gratify his desires; my name is Lacæna and I am from Thessaly; I throw myself upon your mercy, beseeching you to release me from this wretched condition, and to guarantee my safety till I shall have paid the two thousand drachmas, for which Sosthenes purchased me from the hands of pirates; the sum shall soon be raised, and until then I am willing to remain your slave. See," she continued, "how cruelly I have been used," and opening her tunic she shewed her back[27]furrowed with stripes, a pitiable sight. Her voice and appearance overwhelmed me with strange feelings, for I seemed to recognize in her a resemblance to Leucippe. Addressing her, "Be comforted," said Melitta, "I will have you set at liberty and will send you home without ransom,"—then speaking to a slave, "Summon here Sosthenes!" The unhappy woman was then disincumbered of her fetters, and the steward made his appearance in great trepidation.—"Villain," said Melitta, "did you ever see any one, even among the most ill-conditioned of my slaves, used so shamefully?—tell me instantly, without any shuffling, who this female is."
"Mistress," replied the fellow, "all I know is, that a merchant, called Callisthenes, sold her to me, saying that he had bought her from some pirates, that she was free-born, and named Lacæna." Melitta instantly degraded him from his office, but her she entrusted to the charge of her maid-servants, with orders to have her washed, decently dressed, and conducted to the city; then, after settling the business which had brought her thither, we rode back, and sat down to supper. While we were thus employed, Satyrus with a very serious countenance motioned to me to come out of the room: I did so, making some trifling excuse, when without uttering a word he put into my hand a letter, which even before reading it, filled me with consternation, for I recognized Leucippe's writing;—the contents were these:—
"Leucippe, to my master Clitopho."I am in duty bound to address you by this title, since you are united in marriage to my mistress. Although you are well aware of my sufferings on your account, it is necessary for me to remind you of them. For you I left the protection of my mother and became a wanderer; for you I suffered shipwreck and endured captivity among pirates; for you I became an expiatory victim and underwent a second death; for you I have been sold to slavery, bound in letters, made to bear a mattock and to hoe the ground; for you I have been beaten with the scourge;—and all this in order that you might become wedded to another woman—for suppose not that I will give myself up to any other man. No! I have borne, and without a murmur, all these ills, and you, exempt from them, have been enabled to form new marriage ties; if therefore you are impressed with any sense of the sufferings which I have undergone for love of you, urge your wife to send me home in accordance with her promise, and undertake to be security for the payment of the two thousand drachmas, which on my return, as I shall not be far from Byzantium, I will procure and send; though supposing you should have to pay them out of your own purse, it will only be a trifling compensation for all that I have suffered in jour behalf. Farewell, and may happiness attend your marriage—and remember that she who writes this letter has preserved her honour undefiled."
"Leucippe, to my master Clitopho.
"I am in duty bound to address you by this title, since you are united in marriage to my mistress. Although you are well aware of my sufferings on your account, it is necessary for me to remind you of them. For you I left the protection of my mother and became a wanderer; for you I suffered shipwreck and endured captivity among pirates; for you I became an expiatory victim and underwent a second death; for you I have been sold to slavery, bound in letters, made to bear a mattock and to hoe the ground; for you I have been beaten with the scourge;—and all this in order that you might become wedded to another woman—for suppose not that I will give myself up to any other man. No! I have borne, and without a murmur, all these ills, and you, exempt from them, have been enabled to form new marriage ties; if therefore you are impressed with any sense of the sufferings which I have undergone for love of you, urge your wife to send me home in accordance with her promise, and undertake to be security for the payment of the two thousand drachmas, which on my return, as I shall not be far from Byzantium, I will procure and send; though supposing you should have to pay them out of your own purse, it will only be a trifling compensation for all that I have suffered in jour behalf. Farewell, and may happiness attend your marriage—and remember that she who writes this letter has preserved her honour undefiled."
Upon reading these lines, I became a prey to a succession of conflicting feelings; love, fear, astonishment, doubt, joy, grief, by turns took possession of my mind.
"Did you bring this letter from the Shades below," I inquired of Satyrus. "What in the name of heaven does all this mean? Has Leucippe come to life again?"—"Most assuredly she has," replied he; "it is no other than she whom you saw in the country, but she is so changed in appearance from having had her hair cut off,[28]that scarcely any one would recognize her."—"And are you going to stop short at this good news?" I asked: "Do you mean my ears alone to be gratified and my eyes to have no share in the delight?"—"For heaven's sake be cautious," was his reply; "let us first contrive some course of action, else you will bring destruction on us all. Only consider; here is this lady, one of the most distinguished for rank and wealth in Ephesus, madly in love with you, and we are in the midst of the toils without any possibility of getting free."—"Talk not of caution," rejoined I, "it is out of the question, joy thrills too strongly through all my veins. Think, too, how she upbraids me in her letter"—and upon this, I again eagerly ran over the contents, fancying I could see her in every line, and ejaculating as I read;—"Yes, dearest Leucippe, I plead guilty to thy charge! Thou hast indeed endured all these things for love of me! I have been the cause to thee of infinite misfortune!" And upon coming to the mention of the scourgings and other sufferings inflicted upon her by Sosthenes, I wept as though actually a witness of their infliction. Reflection turns the eyes of the soul upon the purport of what we read, and brings everything as vividly before us, as if it were actually being seen and done. Such was the influence of Leucippe's words, that her allusion to my marriage made me blush as though I had been really surprised in the commission of adultery.
"Satyrus," said I, "what excuses shall I offer? Leucippe, it is clear, knows everything; nay, her love may have become changed into hate! But tell me by what means she has been preserved? Whose corpse was that which was buried?"—"She will herself relate everything in proper season," he replied.—"What you have to do now is to write back an answer, in order to soothe her irritation. I solemnly declared to her that you married your present wife against your will."—"What! did you really tell her I was married? You have utterly undone me then! How could you be guilty of such folly?"—"Why tax me with folly? The whole city is aware of it."—"But I swear by Hercules and my present Fortune that no actual marriage has taken place."—"Nonsense! you share her bed."—"I well know," said I, "that I shall not be credited, but nevertheless I speak the truth: up to this very day Clitopho has had no connexion with Melitta; however, the present question is, what am I to write to Leucippe? My mind is so confused by what has taken place, that I really know not how to begin."—"Upon my word," said Satyrus, "it is out of my power to help you, but I have no doubt that Love will suggest materials for a letter; but whatever you do, lose no time." I at length wrote as follows:—
"Health to Leucippe, mistress of my heart! It is my lot to be at once happy and unhappy;—happy in that I have you mentally present to me; unhappy in that you are really absent from me. Only defer pronouncing judgment upon me until the truth shall be cleared up, and you will find that the example of your chastity has been followed by myself (if chastity may be spoken of in men); but if you already hate and have condemned me unheard, I swear to you, by those gods who have preserved your life, that ere long you shall have proof of my perfect innocence. Farewell, dearest, and still give me a place in your affections!"
"Health to Leucippe, mistress of my heart! It is my lot to be at once happy and unhappy;—happy in that I have you mentally present to me; unhappy in that you are really absent from me. Only defer pronouncing judgment upon me until the truth shall be cleared up, and you will find that the example of your chastity has been followed by myself (if chastity may be spoken of in men); but if you already hate and have condemned me unheard, I swear to you, by those gods who have preserved your life, that ere long you shall have proof of my perfect innocence. Farewell, dearest, and still give me a place in your affections!"
This letter I delivered to Satyrus, desiring him to say all he could in my favour to Leucippe. I then went back to supper full of joy, but not free from grief, well knowing that Melitta would not allow the night to pass without pressing me to consummate our nuptials, and, having recovered Leucippe, it was hateful to me even to look upon any other woman. I endeavoured to conceal what was passing in my mind, but it was to no purpose, so at last I feigned to be seized with a shivering fit.
Melitta guessed that I was seeking some excuse for not complying with her wishes, though as yet she had no actual proof. When, however, I arose from table without finishing my supper, and retired to rest, she got up and followed me into the bed-room. I then pretended that I felt much worse, upon which she became very urgent with me, and said, "Why will you persist in acting thus? How long will you continue to disappoint me? We have now crossed the sea, we are at Ephesus; the time is come for realizing your promise. Why should there be any more delay? How long are we to sleep together as though we were in a sanctuary?[29]You place before my eyes a refreshing stream,[30]of which nevertheless you prohibit me to drink; and though sleeping near the very fountain head, I am parched with thirst; my couch may compare with the feast of Tantalus." While thus venting her grief, she leaned her head upon my bosom and wept so piteously that I could not but sympathize with her sorrow; and feeling her reproaches to be just, I really was at a loss what to do. At last I said, "Believe me, dearest, by our country's gods, I feel an ardour equal to your own! but this sadden indisposition has seized me,—I know not from what cause,—and, as you are well aware, without the blessing of health it is in vain to think of love."[31]
While saying this, I wiped away her tears, and solemnly assured her, that ere long she should obtain everything she wished. Not without great difficulty, however, did I succeed in pacifying her. On the following day Melitta called for the maid-servants, to whom she had committed Leucippe, and inquired whether every requisite attention had been shewn her. They replied, that nothing had been omitted. Upon this Melitta sent for her, and when she came into the room said, "I need scarcely remind you of the kindness you have experienced from me; all I ask as a return is assistance which it is in your power to afford me. Now, I understand that you Thessalian women[32]can, by your magic, work so powerfully upon the minds of those you love, that their affections, instead of wandering to any other object, will thenceforth be wholly rivetted on you, their mistresses. It is a magic potion of this kind which I now want from you, to procure requital for the love which is consuming me. You remember, doubtlessly, the young man who was walking with me yesterday?"—"I suppose you mean your husband," replied Leucippe, maliciously, "for I have been told by some of the household that he stands to you in that relation."—"A pretty kind of husband!" interrupted Melitta; "he has in him more of marble than of manhood; and my rival is a certain dead Leucippe, whose name, whether waking or sleeping, is always on his lips. Four whole months have I spent in Alexandria, entirely on his account, praying and beseeching him, and leaving nothing undone likely to gain his love, but all to no purpose, for he remained as insensible to my entreaties as any stock or stone; and when at length he did give way, it was to become my husband but in name; for I swear to you by Venus, that after sleeping with him for a week I have risen from his side as if I had been sleeping with a eunuch; in short, I have fallen in love with a statue, not a man.[33]To use the words, therefore, which yesterday you addressed to me, 'Have compassion upon one of your own sex;' give me your aid against the overweening and unimpressible man; by so doing you will save my life, which is now fast ebbing from me."[34]
Leucippe was rejoiced at finding that no intercourse had taken place between Melitta and myself, and believing it to be of no use to deny her magic skill, undertook to find suitable herbs, if permitted to go and seek for them in the country. These promises tranquillized Melitta, for the mind is easily persuaded to feed upon the empty hope of future good.[35]Meanwhile, knowing nothing of all this, I was in great perplexity how to put off Melitta during the approaching night, and to contrive a meeting with Leucippe. In the evening, Melitta, who had taken her out of town in a carriage, returned,[36]and we had just began our supper when a great disturbance was heard in the men's quarter of the house, and a servant rushed into the room, out of breath, and exclaiming, "Thersander is alive, and is arrived!"[37]
This Thersander was no other than Melitta's husband, who was supposed to have been lost at sea, the report of his death having been spread by two of his servants who had been saved when the ship was wrecked. In a moment he was in the room; for, having learnt every particular by the way, he had hastened home on purpose to surprise me. Melitta, in great alarm at an event so utterly unlooked for, started up and endeavoured to embrace her husband; who, however thrust her from him with great violence, and then catching sight of me and exclaiming, "So, here is the spark himself!" he rushed towards me, and dealt me a tremendous blow in the face, after which, seizing me by the hair, he dashed me to the ground and beat me most unmercifully. All this time I remained as silent as if I had been at the celebration of the mysteries, neither asking him who he was, or why he used me so; for, suspecting the truth, I had not courage to retaliate, though possessing physical strength enough to do so.
At length when he was weary of striking and I of forming conjectures in my mind, I got up and said, "Pray, who are you, and what do you mean by this rough usage?" More than ever irritated by the sound of my voice, he recommenced his attack upon me, and called aloud for fetters and handcuffs; they were brought, and, after being bound hand and foot, I was shut up in a room. During this struggle, Leucippe's letter, which had been fastened under my tunic to the fringes of my shirt,[38]fell to the ground without my perceiving it, and was picked up by Melitta, who feared lest it might be one of her own letters written to me; when, however, she had an opportunity of reading it in private and met with Leucippe's name, it went like an arrow to her heart, but having so often heard of her death she did not at once identify the name with the female whom she had set at liberty; but as she read on, and felt all uncertainty upon the point removed, she became at once the divided prey of shame, rage, love, and jealousy;—she felt ashamed at exposure before her husband; she was enraged at the contents of the letter; this passion yielded to love on my account, which in its turn was stung by jealousy; but love, in the end, remained triumphant. Thersander, after the first ebullition of his anger, had retired to the house of a friend; Melitta, therefore, in the evening, after speaking to the slave who kept guard over my apartment, came in privately, having for precaution posted two of her servants before the door.
She found me lying upon the floor, and approaching me shewed by her countenance, that she wished, were it possible, to give utterance in one breath to all her various emotions. "Wretched that I am," she at length exclaimed, "fatal for me was the day when I first beheld you; I, who have loved so madly yet so fruitlessly; who still doat upon him who hates me; who pity him who is the cause of all my pain, and whose love is not extinguished even by injury and insult!—What a pair of juggling plotters against me are you both! You have all along been making me your sport, and she, forsooth, is gone to procure a philtre for me! Little did I dream that I was seeking aid from those who were my bitterest enemies!" Thus speaking she threw Leucippe's letter on the ground; which I no sooner recognized than a sudden chill came over me, and I cast my eyes upon the ground as if convicted of a crime. She then continued in the same strain: "What misery is mine! My husband is lost to me through you, and henceforth I shall be deprived even of the barren pleasure which I have enjoyed, that of seeing you! Through you I have incurred my husband's hatred, who believes me guilty of an intrigue against his honour—an intrigue which has borne me none of the fruits of love, and from which all I gain is infamy! Other women receive enjoyment for the guerdon of their shame: I inherit the shame, but obtain none of the enjoyment! Barbarous and faithless man, how can you allow a loving woman thus to pine away, when you are yourself the slave of Love? Did you not dread his anger? Had you no reverence for his fires,—no regard for his mysteries? Had these tearful eyes no influence over you,—more ruthless as you are than any pirate!—for even a pirate's breast will be softened by tears! Neither entreaty nor opportunity, nor my close embrace, has persuaded you to grant me so much as one amorous indulgence; nay, most insulting of all, after yourself returning my kisses and my embraces, you have risen from my side like any woman! What is this but the very ghost of matrimony? Remember also, that you have not been sharing the bed of one who is grown old, or who repulses your embraces, but of one who is young and ardent, and whom some might consider possessed of charms,—eunuch that you are!—unsexed and bane of beauty,[39]listen to my righteous imprecation:—may Love requite your fires as you have requited mine!"
Tears for a time choked her voice; but when I remained still silent and with downcast eyes, a sudden change came over her,[40]and she then resumed:—"Dearest Clitopho, anger and grief have hitherto dictated my words, but love prompts what I am now about to say; for believe me, however angry, I still burn with passion; however much wronged, I still feel love; yield to my entreaties then, and even now compassionate me! I no longer ask for joys of many days' duration, nor for the lengthened wedlock which in my folly I had dreamt of; I will be content with one amorous embrace. I ask but a little medicine to palliate this powerful disease,—extinguish, in some degree, the flame which now consumes me! Pardon me if I have spoken with too much haste and bitterness, for love when unsuccessful is pushed to phrenzy! Well aware how unseemly my conduct may appear, I am not ashamed to divulge the mysteries of Love, for I speak to one already initiated,—to one who knows by his own experience what my feelings are. Lovers alone understand the wounds felt by those who love; to all others the arrows of the god and the havoc which he makes are equally unknown. One only day remains to us. I ask the performance of your promise. Remember the temple of Isis; show regard to the oaths which you took there. Were you willing to live with me, according to the troth you plighted, I would not care for a thousand Thersanders; but having recovered your Leucippe, you may not wed another; accordingly I surrender every claim, and ask only what may easily be granted. It is vain to resist my destiny; all things evidently conspire against me,—even the dead rise up again. Cruel sea, thou hast borne me safely only to plunge me into greater ruin, bringing back to me, for my confusion, the very dead. Nor was it enough for Leucippe to revive in order to assuage the grief of Clitopho, but the savage Thersander also must needs come back. And he has dared to strike Clitopho before my eyes without my having the power to aid him; he has dared to disfigure that face upon which I doat. He must have been blind to beauty when he did so! Once more I entreat you, my Clitopho, lord, as you are, of my affections, give yourself to me now, for the first time and the last; it will be to me as if many days were crowded into one short space! so may you never more be deprived of your Leucippe; so may she never again die a fictitious death! Do not scorn my love; it has produced your greatest happiness; it has been the means of restoring to you Leucippe; had I never been enamoured of you, had I never brought you here, Leucippe would still be dead to you. Some thanks are due to good fortune, Clitopho; he who lights upon a treasure honours the spot where he discovered it; he builds an altar, he offers a sacrifice; he crowns the place with flowers; but though you have found in me a treasure full of love you despise your happy fortune! Think Love to be addressing you through my mouth, and saying, 'In this matter thou art bound to oblige me, thy tutor; initiate Melitta in my mysteries; I kindled the fire with which she burns.' Hear likewise how I have provided for your safety; you shall be set free from these chains, whether Thersander will or no, and you shall find a place of refuge with my foster-brother for as long a time as you may wish. In the morning you may expect to see Leucippe; she is to pass the night in the country for the sake of gathering herbs by moonlight,[41]for my simplicity was so imposed upon, as to believe her a Thessalian, and to ask of her a philtre to be administered to you. What else could I do, when disappointed in my wishes, than have recourse to herbs and drugs, the refuge of those who are unfortunate in love. You need be in no fear of Thersander; he has rushed out of the house in a rage, and betaken himself to one of his friends. The deity, indeed, seems to have purposely contrived his absence, that I may obtain the last favour which I ask. Let me then enjoy you, Clitopho!"
After this earnest and impassioned pleading, suggested by Love, who is a mighty master of eloquence,[42]she undid the fetters; and after kissing my hands applied them to her eyes and heart: "Feel," said she, "how my poor heart beats, agitated by fear and hope,—would that I could say, by pleasure!—and seeming to supplicate you by its palpitations." When, after setting me free, she hung about my neck in tears, I was no longer proof against human weakness; indeed I was in dread of incurring the wrath of Love[43]himself, especially as I had now recovered Leucippe, and was about to leave Melitta, so that our present connexion would be no consummation of a marriage, but simply administering relief to a love-sick soul. Yielding to these reflections I returned her kisses and embraces, and though without the help of bed or other appliances of amorous delight, nothing was left to be desired. Love, indeed, is his own teacher, and an excellent contriver,[44]and makes every place his temple; nor is there any doubt that impromptu amorous intercourse is far preferable to that which is elaborated, and that it brings with it much more genuine enjoyment.