AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS, Complete

By Georg Ebers

Translated from the German by Eleanor Grove

PREFACE TO THE SECOND GERMAN EDITION

 Aut prodesse volunt ant delectare poetae, Aut simul et jucunda et idonea dicere vitae. Horat. De arte poetica v. 333. 

It is now four years since this book first appeared before the public, and I feel it my duty not to let a second edition go forth into theworld without a few words of accompaniment. It hardly seems necessary toassure my readers that I have endeavored to earn for the following pagesthe title of a "corrected edition. " An author is the father of his book, and what father could see his child preparing to set out on a newand dangerous road, even if it were not for the first time, withoutendeavoring to supply him with every good that it lay in his power tobestow, and to free him from every fault or infirmity on which the worldcould look unfavorably? The assurance therefore that I have repeatedlybestowed the greatest possible care on the correction of my EgyptianPrincess seems to me superfluous, but at the same time I think itadvisable to mention briefly where and in what manner I have foundit necessary to make these emendations. The notes have been revised, altered, and enriched with all those results of antiquarian research(more especially in reference to the language and monuments of ancientEgypt) which have come to our knowledge since the year 1864, and whichmy limited space allowed me to lay before a general public. On thealteration of the text itself I entered with caution, almost withtimidity; for during four years of constant effort as academical tutor, investigator and writer in those severe regions of study which excludethe free exercise of imagination, the poetical side of a man's naturemay forfeit much to the critical; and thus, by attempting to remodel mytale entirely, I might have incurred the danger of removing it from themore genial sphere of literary work to which it properly belongs. I havetherefore contented myself with a careful revision of the style, theomission of lengthy passages which might have diminished the interest ofthe story to general readers, the insertion of a few characteristic orexplanatory additions, and the alteration of the proper names. Theselast I have written not in their Greek, but in their Latin forms, havingbeen assured by more than one fair reader that the names Ibykus andCyrus would have been greeted by them as old acquaintances, whereas the"Ibykos" and "Kyros" of the first edition looked so strange and learned, as to be quite discouraging. Where however the German k has the sameworth as the Roman c I have adopted it in preference. With respectto the Egyptian names and those with which we have become acquaintedthrough the cuneiform inscriptions, I have chosen the forms most adaptedto our German modes of speech, and in the present edition have placedthose few explanations which seemed to me indispensable to the rightunderstanding of the text, at the foot of the page, instead of among theless easily accessible notes at the end. 

The fact that displeasure has been excited among men of letters by thisattempt to clothe the hardly-earned results of severer studies in animaginative form is even clearer to me now than when I first sent thisbook before the public. In some points I agree with this judgment, butthat the act is kindly received, when a scholar does not scorn to renderthe results of his investigations accessible to the largest number ofthe educated class, in the form most generally interesting to them, isproved by the rapid sale of the first large edition of this work. Iknow at least of no better means than those I have chosen, by which toinstruct and suggest thought to an extended circle of readers. Those whoread learned books evince in so doing a taste for such studies; but itmay easily chance that the following pages, though taken up only foramusement, may excite a desire for more information, and even gain adisciple for the study of ancient history. 

Considering our scanty knowledge of the domestic life of the Greeks andPersians before the Persian war--of Egyptian manners we know more--eventhe most severe scholar could scarcely dispense with the assistanceof his imagination, when attempting to describe private life among thecivilized nations of the sixth century before Christ. He would howeverescape all danger of those anachronisms to which the author of such awork as I have undertaken must be hopelessly liable. With attention andindustry, errors of an external character may be avoided, but if I hadchosen to hold myself free from all consideration of the times in whichI and my readers have come into the world, and the modes of thought atpresent existing among us, and had attempted to depict nothing but thepurely ancient characteristics of the men and their times, I should havebecome unintelligible to many of my readers, uninteresting to all, andhave entirely failed in my original object. My characters will thereforelook like Persians, Egyptians, &c. , but in their language, even morethan in their actions, the German narrator will be perceptible, notalways superior to the sentimentality of his day, but a native of theworld in the nineteenth century after the appearance of that heavenlyMaster, whose teaching left so deep an impression on human thought andfeeling. 

The Persians and Greeks, being by descent related to ourselves, present fewer difficulties in this respect than the Egyptians, whosedwelling-place on the fruitful islands won by the Nile from the Desert, completely isolated them from the rest of the world. 

To Professor Lepsius, who suggested to me that a tale confined entirelyto Egypt and the Egyptians might become wearisome, I owe many thanks;and following his hint, have so arranged the materials supplied byHerodotus as to introduce my reader first into a Greek circle. Here hewill feel in a measure at home, and indeed will entirely sympathize withthem on one important point, viz. : in their ideas on the Beautiful andon Art. Through this Hellenic portico he reaches Egypt, from thencepasses on to Persia and returns finally to the Nile. It has been mydesire that the three nations should attract him equally, and I havetherefore not centred the entire interest of the plot in one hero, buthave endeavored to exhibit each nation in its individual character, bymeans of a fitting representative. The Egyptian Princess has givenher name to the book, only because the weal and woe of all my othercharacters were decided by her fate, and she must therefore be regardedas the central point of the whole. 

In describing Amasis I have followed the excellent description ofHerodotus, which has been confirmed by a picture discovered on anancient monument. Herodotus has been my guide too in the leadingfeatures of Cambyses' character; indeed as he was born only forty orfifty years after the events related, his history forms the basis of myromance. 

"Father of history" though he be, I have not followed him blindly, but, especially in the development of my characters, have chosen those pathswhich the principles of psychology have enabled me to lay down formyself, and have never omitted consulting those hieroglyphic andcuneiform inscriptions which have been already deciphered. In most casesthese confirm the statements of Herodotus. 

I have caused Bartja's murder to take place after the conquest of Egypt, because I cannot agree with the usually received translation of theBehistun inscription. This reads as follows: "One named Cambujiya, sonof Curu, of our family, was king here formerly and had a brother namedBartiya, of the same father and the same mother as Cambujiya. ThereuponCambujiya killed that Bartiya. " In a book intended for general readers, it would not be well to enter into a discussion as to niceties oflanguage, but even the uninitiated will see that the word "thereupon"has no sense in this connection. In every other point the inscriptionagrees with Herodotus' narrative, and I believe it possible to bring itinto agreement with that of Darius on this last as well; but reserve myproofs for another time and place. 

It has not been ascertained from whence Herodotus has taken the nameSmerdis which he gives to Bartja and Gaumata. The latter occurs again, though in a mutilated form, in Justin. 

My reasons for making Phanes an Athenian will be found in Note 90. Vol. I. This coercion of an authenticated fact might have been avoided in thefirst edition, but could not now be altered without important changes inthe entire text. The means I have adopted in my endeavor to make Nitetisas young as possible need a more serious apology; as, notwithstandingHerodotus' account of the mildness of Amasis' rule, it is improbablethat King Hophra should have been alive twenty years after his fall. Even this however is not impossible, for it can be proved that hisdescendants were not persecuted by Amasis. 

On a Stela in the Leyden Museum I have discovered that a certainPsamtik, a member of the fallen dynasty, lived till the 17th year ofAmasis' reign, and died at the age of seventy-five. 

Lastly let me be permitted to say a word or two in reference toRhodopis. That she must have been a remarkable woman is evident from thepassage in Herodotus quoted in Notes 10, and 14, Vol. I. , and from theaccounts given by many other writers. Her name, "the rosy-cheeked one, "tells us that she was beautiful, and her amiability and charm of mannerare expressly praised by Herodotus. How richly she was endowed withgifts and graces may be gathered too from the manner in which traditionand fairy lore have endeavored to render her name immortal. By many sheis said to have built the most beautiful of the Pyramids, the Pyramid ofMycerinus or Menkera. One tale related of her and reported by Strabo andAElian probably gave rise to our oldest and most beautiful fairy tale, Cinderella; another is near akin to the Loreley legend. An eagle, according to AElian--the wind, in Strabo's tale, --bore away Rhodopis'slippers while she was bathing in the Nile, and laid them at the feet ofthe king, when seated on his throne of justice in the open market. The little slippers so enchanted him that he did not rest until he haddiscovered their owner and made her his queen. 

The second legend tells us how a wonderfully beautiful naked womancould be seen sitting on the summit of one of the pyramids (ut in una expyramidibus); and how she drove the wanderers in the desert mad throughher exceeding loveliness. 

Moore borrowed this legend and introduces it in the following verse:

 "Fair Rhodope, as story tells-- The bright unearthly nymph, who dwells 'Mid sunless gold and jewels hid, The lady of the Pyramid. "

Fabulous as these stories sound, they still prove that Rhodopis musthave been no ordinary woman. Some scholars would place her on a levelwith the beautiful and heroic Queen Nitokris, spoken of by JuliusAfricanus, Eusebius and others, and whose name, (signifying thevictorious Neith) has been found on the monuments, applied to a queenof the sixth dynasty. This is a bold conjecture; it adds however to theimportance of our heroine; and without doubt many traditions referringto the one have been transferred to the other, and vice versa. Herodotus lived so short a time after Rhodopis, and tells so many exactparticulars of her private life that it is impossible she should havebeen a mere creation of fiction. The letter of Darius, given at theend of Vol. II. , is intended to identify the Greek Rhodopis with themythical builder of the Pyramid. I would also mention here that sheis called Doricha by Sappho. This may have been her name before shereceived the title of the "rosy-cheeked one. "

I must apologize for the torrent of verse that appears in thelove-scenes between Sappho and Bartja; it is also incumbent upon me tosay a few words about the love-scenes themselves, which I have alteredvery slightly in the new edition, though they have been more severelycriticised than any other portion of the work. 

First I will confess that the lines describing the happy love of ahandsome young couple to whom I had myself become warmly attached, flowed from my pen involuntarily, even against my will (I intended towrite a novel in prose) in the quiet night, by the eternal Nile, amongthe palms and roses. The first love-scene has a story of its own to me. I wrote it in half an hour, almost unconsciously. It may be read in mybook that the Persians always reflected in the morning, when sober, uponthe resolutions formed the night before, while drunk. When I examined inthe sunshine what had come into existence by lamplight, I grew doubtfulof its merits, and was on the point of destroying the love-scenesaltogether, when my dear friend Julius Hammer, the author of "Schauin Dich, und Schau um Dich, " too early summoned to the other world bydeath, stayed my hand. Their form was also approved by others, and Itell myself that the 'poetical' expression of love is very similar inall lands and ages, while lovers' conversations and modes of intercoursevary according to time and place. Besides, I have to deal with one ofthose by no means rare cases, where poetry can approach nearer the truththan prudent, watchful prose. Many of my honored critics have censuredthese scenes; others, among whom are some whose opinion I speciallyvalue, have lavished the kindest praise upon them. Among these gentlemenI will mention A. Stahr, C. V. Holtei, M. Hartmann, E. Hoefer, W. Wolfsohn, C. Leemans, Professor Veth of Amsterdam, etc. Yet I will notconceal the fact that some, whose opinion has great weight, have asked:"Did the ancients know anything of love, in our sense of the word?Is not romantic love, as we know it, a result of Christianity?" Thefollowing sentence, which stands at the head of the preface to my firstedition, will prove that I had not ignored this question when I began mytask. 

 "It has often been remarked that in Cicero's letters and those of Pliny the younger there are unmistakable indications of sympathy with the more sentimental feeling of modern days. I find in them tones of deep tenderness only, such as have arisen and will arise from sad and aching hearts in every land and every age. "

 A. V. HUMBOLDT. Cosmos II. P. 19. 

This opinion of our great scholar is one with which I cheerfullycoincide and would refer my readers to the fact that love-stories werewritten before the Christian era: the Amor and Psyche of Apuleius forinstance. Indeed love in all its forms was familiar to the ancients. Where can we find a more beautiful expression of ardent passion thanglows in Sappho's songs? or of patient faithful constancy than inHomer's Penelope? Could there be a more beautiful picture of the unionof two loving hearts, even beyond the grave, than Xenophon has preservedfor us in his account of Panthea and Abradatas? or the story of Sabinusthe Gaul and his wife, told in the history of Vespasian? Is thereanywhere a sweeter legend than that of the Halcyons, the ice-birds, wholove one another so tenderly that when the male becomes enfeebled byage, his mate carries him on her outspread wings whithersoever he will;and the gods, desiring to reward such faithful love, cause the sun toshine more kindly, and still the winds and waves on the "Halcyon days"during which these birds are building their nest and brooding over theiryoung? There can surely have been no lack of romantic love in days whena used-up man of the world, like Antony, could desire in his will thatwherever he died his body might be laid by the side of his belovedCleopatra: nor of the chivalry of love when Berenice's beautiful hairwas placed as a constellation in the heavens. Neither can we believethat devotion in the cause of love could be wanting when a wholenation was ready to wage a fierce and obstinate war for the sake of onebeautiful woman. The Greeks had an insult to revenge, but the Trojansfought for the possession of Helen. Even the old men of Ilium were ready"to suffer long for such a woman. " And finally is not the whole questionanswered in Theocritus' unparalleled poem, "the Sorceress?" We see thepoor love-lorn girl and her old woman-servant, Thestylis, cowering overthe fire above which the bird supposed to possess the power of bringingback the faithless Delphis is sitting in his wheel. Simoetha has learntmany spells and charms from an Assyrian, and she tries them all. Thedistant roar of the waves, the stroke rising from the fire, the dogshowling in the street, the tortured fluttering bird, the old woman, thebroken-hearted girl and her awful spells, all join in forming a nightscene the effect of which is heightened by the calm cold moonshine. The old woman leaves the girl, who at once ceases to weave her spells, allows her pent-up tears to have their way, and looking up to Selene themoon, the lovers' silent confidante, pours out her whole story: how whenshe first saw the beautiful Delphis her heart had glowed with love, shehad seen nothing more of the train of youths who followed him, "and, "(thus sadly the poet makes her speak)

 "how I gained my home I knew not; some strange fever wasted me. Ten days and nights I lay upon my bed. O tell me, mistress Moon, whence came my love!"

"Then" (she continues) when Delphis at last crossed her threshold:

 "I Became all cold like snow, and from my brow Brake the damp dewdrops: utterance I had none, Not e'en such utterance as a babe may make That babbles to its mother in its dreams; But all my fair frame stiffened into wax, -- O tell me mistress Moon, whence came my love!"

Whence came her love? thence, whence it comes to us now. The love of thecreature to its Creator, of man to God, is the grand and yet graciousgift of Christianity. Christ's command to love our neighbor calledinto existence not only the conception of philanthropy, but of humanityitself, an idea unknown to the heathen world, where love had been atwidest limited to their native town and country. The love of man andwife has without doubt been purified and transfigured by Christianity;still it is possible that a Greek may have loved as tenderly andlongingly as a Christian. The more ardent glow of passion at leastcannot be denied to the ancients. And did not their love find ventin the same expressions as our own? Who does not know the charmingroundelay:

 "Drink the glad wine with me, With me spend youth's gay hours; Or a sighing lover be, Or crown thy brow with flowers. When I am merry and mad, Merry and mad be you; When I am sober and sad, Be sad and sober too!"--written however by no poet of modern days, but by Praxilla, in thefifth century before Christ. Who would guess either that Moore's littlesong was modelled on one written even earlier than the date of ourstory?

 "As o'er her loom the Lesbian maid In love-sick languor hung her head. Unknowing where her fingers stray'd, She weeping turned away and said, ' Oh, my sweet mother, 'tis in vain, I cannot weave as once I wove; So wilder'd is my heart and brain With thinking of that youth I love. '"

If my space allowed I could add much more on this subject, but willpermit myself only one remark in conclusion. Lovers delighted in naturethen as now; the moon was their chosen confidante, and I know of nomodern poem in which the mysterious charm of a summer night and themagic beauty which lies on flowers, trees and fountains in those silenthours when the world is asleep, is more exquisitely described than inthe following verses, also by Sappho, at the reading of which we seemforced to breathe more slowly, "kuhl bis an's Herz hinan. "

 "Planets, that around the beauteous moon Attendant wait, cast into shade Their ineffectual lustres, soon As she, in full-orb'd majesty array'd, Her silver radiance pours Upon this world of ours. "

and:--

 "Thro' orchard plots with fragrance crown'd, The clear cold fountain murm'ring flows; And forest leaves, with rustling sound, Invite to soft repose. "

The foregoing remarks seemed to me due to those who consider a love suchas that of Sappho and Bartja to have been impossible among the ancients. Unquestionably it was much rarer then than in these days: indeed Iconfess to having sketched my pair of lovers in somewhat bright colors. But may I not be allowed, at least once, to claim the poet's freedom?

How seldom I have availed myself of this freedom will be evident fromthe notes included in each volume. They seemed to me necessary, partlyin order to explain the names and illustrate the circumstances mentionedin the text, and partly to vindicate the writer in the eyes of thelearned. I trust they may not prove discouraging to any, as the textwill be found easily readable without reference to the explanations. 

 Jena, November 23, 1868. GEORG EBERS, DR. 

PREFACE TO THE FOURTH GERMAN EDITION. 

Two years and a half after the appearance of the third edition of "AnEgyptian Princess, " a fourth was needed. I returned long since fromthe journey to the Nile, for which I was preparing while correcting theproof-sheets of the third edition, and on which I can look back withspecial satisfaction. During my residence in Egypt, in 1872-73, alucky accident enabled me to make many new discoveries; among them onetreasure of incomparable value, the great hieratic manuscript, whichbears my name. Its publication has just been completed, and it is now inthe library of the Leipzig University. 

The Papyrus Ebers, the second in size and the best preserved of all theancient Egyptian manuscripts which have come into our possession, was written in the 16th century B. C. , and contains on 110 pages thehermetic book upon the medicines of the ancient Egyptians, known also tothe Alexandrine Greeks. The god Thoth (Hermes) is called "the guide" ofphysicians, and the various writings and treatises of which the work iscomposed are revelations from him. In this venerable scroll diagnosesare made and remedies suggested for the internal and external diseasesof most portions of the human body. With the drugs prescribed arenumbers, according to which they are weighed with weights and measuredwith hollow measures, and accompanying the prescriptions are noted thepious axioms to be repeated by the physician, while compounding andgiving them to the patient. On the second line of the first page of ourmanuscript, it is stated that it came from Sais. A large portion ofthis work is devoted to the visual organs. On the twentieth line of thefifty-fifth page begins the book on the eyes, which fills eight largepages. We were formerly compelled to draw from Greek and Roman authorswhat we knew about the remedies used for diseases of the eye among theancient Egyptians. The portion of the Papyrus Ebers just mentionedis now the only Egyptian source from whence we can obtain instructionconcerning this important branch of ancient medicine. 

All this scarcely seems to have a place in the preface of a historicalromance, and yet it is worthy of mention here; for there is somethingalmost "providential" in the fact that it was reserved for the authorof "An Egyptian Princess" to bestow the gift of this manuscript upon thescientific world. Among the characters in the novel the reader will meetan oculist from Sais, who wrote a book upon the diseases of the visualorgans. The fate of this valuable work exactly agrees with the courseof the narrative. The papyrus scroll of the Sais oculist, which a shorttime ago existed only in the imagination of the author and readers of"An Egyptian Princess, " is now an established fact. When I succeeded inbringing the manuscript home, I felt like the man who had dreamed of atreasure, and when he went out to ride found it in his path. 

A reply to Monsieur Jules Soury's criticism of "An Egyptian Princess" inthe Revue des deux Mondes, Vol. VII, January 1875, might appropriatelybe introduced into this preface, but would scarcely be possible withoutentering more deeply into the ever-disputed question, which will beanswered elsewhere, whether the historical romance is ever justifiable. Yet I cannot refrain from informing Monsieur Soury here that "AnEgyptian Princess" detained me from no other work. I wrote it in mysick-room, before entering upon my academic career, and while composingit, found not only comfort and pleasure, but an opportunity to give deadscientific material a living interest for myself and others. 

Monsieur Soury says romance is the mortal enemy of history; but thissentence may have no more justice than the one with which I think myselfjustified in replying: Landscape painting is the mortal enemy of botany. The historical romance must be enjoyed like any other work of art. No one reads it to study history; but many, the author hopes, may bearoused by his work to make investigations of their own, for which thenotes point out the way. Already several persons of excellent mentalpowers have been attracted to earnest Egyptological researches by"An Egyptian Princess. " In the presence of such experiences, althoughMonsieur Soury's clever statements appear to contain much that is true, I need not apply his remark that "historical romances injure the causeof science" to the present volume. 

 Leipzig, April 19, 1875. 

 GEORG EBERS. 

PREFACE TO THE FIFTH GERMAN EDITION. 

Again a new edition of "An Egyptian Princess" has been required, andagain I write a special preface because the printing has progressed sorapidly as unfortunately to render it impossible for me to correctsome errors to which my attention was directed by the kindness ofthe well-known botanist, Professor Paul Ascherson of Berlin, who hastravelled through Egypt and the Oases. 

In Vol. I, page 7, I allow mimosas to grow among other plants inRhodopis' garden. I have found them in all the descriptions of the Nilevalley, and afterwards often enjoyed the delicious perfume of the goldenyellow flowers in the gardens of Alexandria and Cairo. I now learn thatthis very mimosa (Acacia farnesiana) originates in tropical America, andwas undoubtedly unknown in ancient Egypt. The bananas, which I mentionedin Vol. I, p. 64, among other Egyptian plants, were first introducedinto the Nile valley from India by the Arabs. The botanical errorsoccurring in the last volume I was able to correct. Helm's admirablework on "Cultivated Plants and Domestic Animals" had taught me to noticesuch things. Theophrastus, a native of Asia Minor, gives the firstdescription of a citron, and this proves that he probably saw theso-called paradise-apple, but not our citron, which I am therefore notpermitted to mention among the plants cultivated in ancient Lydia. Palmsand birches are both found in Asia Minor; but I permitted them to growside by side, thereby committing an offense against the geographicalpossibility of vegetable existence. The birch, in this locality, flourishes in the mountainous region, the palm, according to Griesbach(Vegetation of the Earth, Vol. I, p. 319) only appears on the southerncoast of the peninsula. The latter errors, as I previously mentioned, will be corrected in the new edition. I shall of course owe specialthanks to any one who may call my attention to similar mistakes. 

 Leipzig, March 5, 1877

 GEORG EBERS

PREFACE TO THE NINTH GERMAN EDITION. 

I have nothing to add to the ninth edition of "An Egyptian Princess"except that it has been thoroughly revised. My sincere thanks are dueto Dr. August Steitz of Frankfort on the Main, who has travelled throughEgypt and Asia Minor, for a series of admirable notes, which he kindlyplaced at my disposal. He will find that they have not remained unused. 

 Leipzig, November 13, 1879. GEORG EBERS

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 

By Georg Ebers

BOOK 1. 

CHAPTER I. 

The Nile had overflowed its bed. The luxuriant corn-fields and bloominggardens on its shores were lost beneath a boundless waste of waters; andonly the gigantic temples and palaces of its cities, (protected from theforce of the water by dikes), and the tops of the tall palm-trees andacacias could be seen above its surface. The branches of the sycamoresand plane-trees drooped and floated on the waves, but the boughs of thetall silver poplars strained upward, as if anxious to avoid the wateryworld beneath. The full-moon had risen; her soft light fell on theLibyan range of mountains vanishing on the western horizon, and in thenorth the shimmer of the Mediterranean could faintly be discerned. Blueand white lotus-flowers floated on the clear water, bats of allkinds darted softly through the still air, heavy with the scent ofacacia-blossom and jasmine; the wild pigeons and other birds were atroost in the tops of the trees, while the pelicans, storks and cranessquatted in groups on the shore under the shelter of the papyrus-reedsand Nile-beans. The pelicans and storks remained motionless, their longbills hidden beneath their wings, but the cranes were startled by themere beat of an oar, stretching their necks, and peering anxiously intothe distance, if they heard but the song of the boatmen. The air wasperfectly motionless, and the unbroken reflection of the moon, lyinglike a silver shield on the surface of the water, proved that, wildly asthe Nile leaps over the cataracts, and rushes past the gigantic templesof Upper Egypt, yet on approaching the sea by different arms, he canabandon his impetuous course, and flow along in sober tranquillity. 

On this moonlight night in the year 528 B. C. A bark was crossing thealmost currentless Canopic mouth of the Nile. On the raised deck atthe stern of this boat an Egyptian was sitting to guide the longpole-rudder, and the half-naked boatmen within were singing asthey rowed. In the open cabin, which was something like a woodensummer-house, sat two men, reclining on low cushions. They wereevidently not Egyptians; their Greek descent could be perceived even bythe moonlight. The elder was an unusually tall and powerful man ofmore than sixty; thick grey curls, showing very little attempt atarrangement, hung down over his short, firm throat; he wore a simple, homely cloak, and kept his eyes gloomily fixed on the water. Hiscompanion, on the contrary, a man perhaps twenty years younger, of aslender and delicate build, was seldom still. Sometimes he gazed intothe heavens, sometimes made a remark to the steersman, disposed hisbeautiful purple chlanis in fresh folds, or busied himself in thearrangement of his scented brown curls, or his carefully curled beard. 

 [The chlanis was a light summer-mantle, worn especially by the more elegant Athenians, and generally made of expensive materials. The simpler cloak, the himation, was worn by the Doric Greeks, and principally by the Spartans. ]

The boat had left Naukratis, at that time the only Hellenic port inEgypt, about half an hour before. 

 [This town, which will form the scene of a part of our tale, lies in the northwest of the Nile Delta, in the Saitic Nomos or district, on the left bank of the Canopic mouth of the river. According to Strabo and Eusebius it was founded by Milesians, and Bunsen reckons 749 B. C. It seems that in the earliest times Greek ships were only allowed to enter this mouth of the Nile in case of necessity. The entire intercourse of the Egyptians with the hated strangers was, at that time, restricted to the little island of Pharos lying opposite to the town of Thonis. ]

During their journey, the grey-haired, moody man had not spoken oneword, and the other had left him to his meditations. But now, as theboat neared the shore, the restless traveller, rising from his couch, called to his companion: "We are just at our destination, Aristomachus!That pleasant house to the left yonder, in the garden of palms which youcan see rising above the waters, is the dwelling of my friend Rhodopis. It was built by her husband Charaxus, and all her friends, not exceptingthe king himself, vie with one another in adding new beauties to ityear by year. A useless effort! Let them adorn that house with all thetreasures in the world, the woman who lives within will still remain itsbest ornament!"

 [We are writing of the month of October, when the Nile begins to sink. The inundations can now be accurately accounted for, especially since the important and laborious synoptical work of H. Barth and S. Baker. They are occasioned by the tropical rains, and the melting of the snows on the high mountain-ranges at the Equator. In the beginning of June a gradual rising of the Nile waters can be perceived; between the 15th and 20th June, this changes to a rapid increase; in the beginning of October the waters reach their highest elevation, a point, which, even after having begun their retreat, they once more attempt to attain; then, at first gradually, and afterwards with ever increasing rapidity, they continue to sink. In January, February and March, the Nile is still drying up; and in May is at its lowest point, when the volume of its waters is only one- twentieth of that in October. ]

The old man sat up, threw a passing glance at the building, smoothed thethick grey beard which clothed his cheeks and chin, but left the lipsfree, --[The Spartans were not in the habit of wearing a beard on theupper lip. ]--and asked abruptly: "Why so much enthusiasm, Phanes, for this Rhodopis? How long have the Athenians been wont to extolold women?" At this remark the other smiled, and answered in aself-satisfied tone, "My knowledge of the world, and particularly ofwomen, is, I flatter myself, an extended one, and yet I repeat, that inall Egypt I know of no nobler creature than this grey-haired woman. Whenyou have seen her and her lovely grandchild, and heard your favoritemelodies sung by her well-practised choir of slave-girls, I think youwill thank me for having brought you hither. "--"Yet, " answered theSpartan gravely, "I should not have accompanied you, if I had not hopedto meet Phryxus, the Delphian, here. "

"You will find him here; and besides, I cannot but hope that the songswill cheer you, and dispel your gloomy thoughts. " Aristomachus shook hishead in denial, and answered: "To you, sanguine Athenians, the melodiesof your country may be cheering: but not so to me; as in many asleepless night of dreams, my longings will be doubled, not stilled bythe songs of Alkman. "

 [Alkman (Attic, Alkmaeon) flourished in Sparta about 650 B. C. His mother was a Lydian slave in Sardes, and he came into the possession of Agesides, who gave him his freedom. His beautiful songs soon procured him the rights of a Lacedaemonian citizen. He was appointed to the head-directorship in the entire department of music in Lacedaemon and succeeded in naturalizing the soft Lydian music. His language was the Doric-Laconian. After a life devoted to song, the pleasures of the table and of love, he is said to have died of a fearful disease. From the frequent choruses of virgins (Parthenien) said to have been originally introduced by him, his frequent songs in praise of women, and the friendly relations in which he stood to the Spartan women (more especially to the fair Megalostrata), he gained the name of the woman's poet. ]

"Do you think then, " replied Phanes, "that I have no longing for mybeloved Athens, for the scenes of our youthful games, for the busy lifeof the market? Truly, the bread of exile is not less distasteful to mypalate than to yours, but, in the society afforded by this house, itloses some of its bitterness, and when the dear melodies of Hellas, soperfectly sung, fall on my ear, my native land rises before me as in avision, I see its pine and olive groves, its cold, emerald green rivers, its blue sea, the shimmer of its towns, its snowy mountain-tops andmarble temples, and a half-sweet, half-bitter tear steals down my cheekas the music ceases, and I awake to remember that I am in Egypt, in thismonotonous, hot, eccentric country, which, the gods be praised, I amsoon about to quit. But, Aristomachus, would you then avoid the fewOases in the desert, because you must afterwards return to its sandsand drought? Would you fly from one happy hour, because days of sadnessawait you later? But stop, here we are! Show a cheerful countenance, myfriend, for it becomes us not to enter the temple of the Charites withsad hearts. "--[The goddesses of grace and beauty, better known by theirRoman name of "Graces. "]

As Phanes uttered these words, they landed at the garden wall, washedby the Nile. The Athenian bounded lightly from the boat, the Spartanfollowing with a heavier, firmer tread. Aristomachus had a woodenleg, but his step was so firm, even when compared with that of thelight-footed Phanes, that it might have been thought to be his own limb. 

The garden of Rhodopis was as full of sound, and scent and blossom asa night in fairy-land. It was one labyrinth of acanthus shrubs, yellow mimosa, the snowy gelder-rose, jasmine and lilac, red roses andlaburnums, overshadowed by tall palm-trees, acacias and balsam trees. Large bats hovered softly on their delicate wings over the whole, andsounds of mirth and song echoed from the river. 

This garden had been laid out by an Egyptian, and the builders ofthe Pyramids had already been celebrated for ages for their skill inhorticulture. They well understood how to mark out neat flower-beds, plant groups of trees and shrubs in regular order, water the wholeby aqueducts and fountains, arrange arbors and summerhouses, and eveninclose the walks with artistically clipped hedges, and breed goldfishin stone basins. 

At the garden gate Phanes stopped, looked around him carefully andlistened; then shaking his head, "I do not understand what this canmean, " he said. "I hear no voices, there is not a single light to beseen, the boats are all gone, and yet the flag is still flying at itsgay flag-staff, there, by the obelisks on each side of the gate. "

 [Obelisks bearing the name of the owner were sometimes to be seen near the gates of the Egyptian country-houses. Flags too were not uncommon, but these were almost exclusively to be found at the gates of the temples, where to this day the iron sockets for the flagstaff can still be seen. Neither were flags unknown to the Greeks. It appears from some inscriptions on the staffs of the Pylons, that if the former were not actually erected for lightning-rods, it had been noticed that they attracted the electricity. ]

"Rhodopis must surely be from home; can they have forgotten?"--Herea deep voice suddenly interrupted him with the exclamation, "Ha! thecommander of the body-guard!"

"A pleasant evening to you, Knakais, " exclaimed Phanes, kindly greetingthe old man, who now came up. "But how is it that this garden is asstill as an Egyptian tomb, and yet the flag of welcome is fluttering atthe gate? How long has that white ensign waved for guests in vain?"

"How long indeed?" echoed the old slave of Rhodopis with a smile. "Solong as the Fates graciously spare the life of my mistress, the old flagis sure to waft as many guests hither as the house is able to contain. Rhodopis is not at home now, but she must return shortly. The eveningbeing so fine, she determined on taking a pleasure-trip on the Nile withher guests. They started at sunset, two hours ago, and the evening mealis already prepared; they cannot remain away much longer. I pray you, Phanes, to have patience and follow me into the house. Rhodopis wouldnot easily forgive me, if I allowed such valued guests to depart. Youstranger, " he added, turning to the Spartan, "I entreat most heartilyto remain; as friend of your friend you will be doubly welcome to mymistress. "

The two Greeks, following the servant, seated themselves in an arbor, and Aristomachus, after gazing on the scene around him now brilliantlylighted by the moon, said, "Explain to me, Phanes, by what good fortunethis Rhodopis, formerly only a slave and courtesan can now live as aqueen, and receive her guests in this princely manner?"

 [The mistresses (Hetaere) of the Greeks must not be compared with modern women of bad reputation. The better members of this class represented the intelligence and culture of their sex in Greece, and more especially in the Ionian provinces. As an instance we need only recall Aspasia and her well-attested relation to Pericles and Socrates. Our heroine Rhodopis was a celebrated woman. The Hetaera, Thargalia of Miletus, became the wife of a Thessalian king. Ptolemy Lagi married Thais; her daughter was called Irene, and her sons Leontiskus and Lagus. Finally, statues were erected to many. ]

"I have long expected this question, " answered the Athenian. "I shallbe delighted to make you acquainted with the past history of this womanbefore you enter her house. So long as we were on the Nile, I would notintrude my tale upon you; that ancient river has a wonderful power ofcompelling to silence and quiet contemplation. Even my usually quicktongue was paralyzed like yours, when I took my first night-journey onthe Nile. "

"I thank you for this, " replied the Spartan. "When I first saw the agedpriest Epimenides, at Knossus in Crete, he was one hundred and fiftyyears old, and I remember that his age and sanctity filled me with astrange dread; but how far older, how far more sacred, is this hoaryriver, the ancient stream 'Aigyptos'! Who would wish to avoid thepower of his spells? Now, however, I beg you to give me the history ofRhodopis. "

Phanes began: "When Rhodopis was a little child playing with hercompanions on the Thracian sea-shore, she was stolen by some Phoenicianmariners, carried to Samos, and bought by Iadmon, one of the geomori, orlanded aristocracy of the island. The little girl grew day by day morebeautiful, graceful and clever, and was soon an object of love andadmiration to all who knew her. AEsop, the fable-writer, who was at thattime also in bondage to Iadmon, took an especial pleasure in the growingamiability and talent of the child, taught her and cared for her in thesame way as the tutors whom we keep to educate our Athenian boys. 

The kind teacher found his pupil tractable and quick of comprehension, and the little slave soon practised the arts of music, singing andeloquence, in a more charming and agreeable manner than the sons of hermaster Iadmon, on whose education the greatest care had been lavished. By the time she had reached her fourteenth year, Rhodopis was sobeautiful and accomplished, that the jealous wife of Iadmon would notsuffer her to remain any longer in the house, and the Samian was forced, with a heavy heart, to sell her to a certain Xanthus. The government ofSamos at that time was still in the hands of the less opulent nobles;had Polykrates then been at the head of affairs, Xanthus need not havedespaired of a purchaser. These tyrants fill their treasuries as themagpies their nests! As it was, however, he went off with his preciousjewel to Naukratis, and there gained a fortune by means of her wondrouscharms. These were three years of the deepest humiliation to Rhodopis, which she still remembers with horror. 

Now it happened, just at the time when her fame was spreading throughall Greece, and strangers were coming from far to Naukratis for her sakealone, that the people of Lesbos rose up against their nobles, drovethem forth, and chose the wise Pittakus as their ruler. 

 [According to Herodotus the beauty of Rhodopis was so great that every Greek knew her by name. ]

The highest families of Lesbos were forced to leave the country, andfled, some to Sicily, some to the Greek provinces of Italy, and othersto Egypt. Alcaeus, the greatest poet of his day, and Charaxus, thebrother of that Sappho whose odes it was our Solon's last wish tolearn by heart, came here to Naukratis, which had already long been theflourishing centre of commercial communication between Egypt andthe rest of the world. Charaxus saw Rhodopis, and soon loved herso passionately, that he gave an immense sum to secure her from themercenary Xanthus, who was on the point of returning with her to his owncountry; Sappho wrote some biting verses, derisive of her brotherand his purchase, but Alcaeus on the other hand, approved, and gaveexpression to this feeling in glowing songs on the charms of Rhodopis. And now Sappho's brother, who had till then remained undistinguishedamong the many strangers at Naukratis, became a noted man throughRhodopis. His house was soon the centre of attraction to all foreigners, by whom she was overwhelmed with gifts. The King Hophra, hearing of herbeauty and talent, sent for her to Memphis, and offered to buy herof Charaxus, but the latter had already long, though secretly, given Rhodopis her freedom, and loved her far too well to allow of aseparation. She too, loved the handsome Lesbian and refused to leavehim despite the brilliant offers made to her on all sides. At lengthCharaxus made this wonderful woman his lawful wife, and continued tolive with her and her little daughter Kleis in Naukratis, until theLesbian exiles were recalled to their native land by Pittakus. He thenstarted homeward with his wife, but fell ill on the journey, and diedsoon after his arrival at Mitylene. Sappho, who had derided her brotherfor marrying one beneath him, soon became an enthusiastic admirer of thebeautiful widow and rivalled Alcaeus in passionate songs to her praise. 

After the death of the poetess, Rhodopis returned, with her littledaughter, to Naukratis, where she was welcomed as a goddess. During thisinterval Amasis, the present king of Egypt, had usurped the throne ofthe Pharaohs, and was maintaining himself in its possession by help ofthe army, to which caste he belonged. 

 [Amasis, of whom much will be said in our text, reigned 570-526 B. C. His name, in the hieroglyphic signs, was Aahmes or young moon but the name by which he was commonly called was Sa-Nit "Son of Neith. " His name, and pictures of him are to be found on stones in the fortress of Cairo, on a relief in Florence, a statue in the Vatican, on sarcophagi in Stockholm and London, a statue in the Villa Albani and on a little temple of red granite at Leyden. A beautiful bust of gray-wacke in our possession probably represents the same king. ]

As his predecessor Hophra had accelerated his fall, and brought thearmy and priesthood to open rebellion by his predilection for theGreek nation, and for intercourse with foreigners generally, (alwaysan abomination in the eyes of the Egyptians), men felt confident thatAmasis would return to the old ways, would rigorously exclude foreignersfrom the country, dismiss the Greek mercenaries, and instead of takingcounsel from the Greeks, would hearken only to the commands of thepriesthood. But in this, as you must see yourself, the prudent Egyptianshad guessed wide of the mark in their choice of a ruler; they fell fromScylla into Charybdis. If Hophra was called the Greeks' friend, Amasismust be named our lover. The Egyptians, especially the priests and thearmy, breathe fire and flame, and would fain strangle us one and all, off hand, This feeling on the part of the soldiery does not disturbAmasis, for he knows too well the comparative value of their and ourservices; but with the priests it is another and more serious matter, for two reasons: first, they possess an unbounded influence over thepeople; and secondly. Amasis himself retains more affection than helikes to acknowledge to us, for this absurd and insipid religion--areligion which appears doubly sacred to its adherents simply because ithas existed in this eccentric land--unchanged for thousands of years. These priests make the king's life burdensome to him; they persecute andinjure us in every possible way; and indeed, if it had not been forthe king's protection, I should long ago have been a dead man. But Iam wandering from my tale! As I said before, Rhodopis was receivedat Naukratis with open arms by all, and loaded with marks of favor byAmasis, who formed her acquaintance. Her daughter Kleis, as is the casewith the little Sappho now--was never allowed to appear in the societywhich assembled every evening at her mother's house, and indeed was evenmore strictly brought up than the other young girls in Naukratis. Shemarried Glaucus, a rich Phocaean merchant of noble family, who haddefended his native town with great bravery against the Persians, andwith him departed to the newly-founded Massalia, on the Celtic coast. There, however, the young couple both fell victims to the climate, anddied, leaving a little daughter, Sappho. Rhodopis at once undertook thelong journey westward, brought the orphan child back to live with her, spent the utmost care on her education, and now that she is grown up, forbids her the society of men, still feeling the stains of her ownyouth so keenly that she would fain keep her granddaughter (and this inSappho's case is not difficult), at a greater distance from contactwith our sex than is rendered necessary, by the customs of Egypt. To myfriend herself society is as indispensable as water to the fish or airto the bird. Her house is frequented by all the strangers here, andwhoever has once experienced her hospitality and has the time at commandwill never after be found absent when the flag announces an evening ofreception. Every Greek of mark is to be found here, as it is in thishouse that we consult on the wisest measures for encountering the hatredof the priests and bringing the king round to our own views. Here youcan obtain not only the latest news from home, but from the rest of theworld, and this house is an inviolable sanctuary for the persecuted, Rhodopis possessing a royal warrant which secures her from everymolestation on the part of the police. 

 [A very active and strict police-force existed in Egypt, the organization of which is said to have owed much to Amasis' care. We also read in inscriptions and papyrus rolls, that a body of mounted police existed, the ranks of which were generally filled by foreigners in preference to natives. ]

Our own songs and our own language are to be heard here, and here wetake counsel on the best means for delivering Greece from the ever freshencroachments of her tyrants. 

In a word, this house is the centre of attraction for all Hellenicinterests in Egypt, and of more importance to us politically, than ourtemple, the Hellenion itself, and our hall of commerce. 

In a few minutes you will see this remarkable grandmother, and, if weshould be here alone, perhaps the grandchild too; you will then at onceperceive that they owe everything to their own rare qualities and not tothe chances of good fortune. Ah! there they come! they are going towardsthe house. Cannot you hear the slave-girls singing? Now they are goingin. First let them quietly be seated, then follow me, and when theevening is over you shall say whether you repent of having comehither, and whether Rhodopis resembles more nearly a queen or a freedbond-woman. "

The houses was built in the Grecian style. It was a rather long, one-storied building, the outside of which would be called extremelyplain in the present day; within, it united the Egyptian brilliancy ofcoloring with the Greek beauty of form. The principal door openedinto the entrance-hall. To the left of this lay a large dining-room, overlooking the Nile, and, opposite to this last was the kitchen, anapartment only to be found in the houses of the wealthier Greeks, thepoorer families being accustomed to prepare their food at the hearth inthe front apartment. The hall of reception lay at the other end of theentrance-hall, and was in the form of a square, surrounded within by acolonnade, into which various chambers opened. This was the apartmentdevoted to the men, in the centre of which was the household fire, burning on an altar-shaped hearth of rich AEginetan metal-work. 

It was lighted by an opening in the roof, which formed at the same time, an outlet for the smoke. From this room (at the opposite end to thaton which it opened into the entrance-hall), a passage, closed by awell-fastened door, led into the chamber of the women. This was alsosurrounded by a colonnade within, but only on three sides, and herethe female inhabitants were accustomed to pass their time, when notemployed, spinning or weaving, in the rooms lying near the back orgarden-door as it was termed. Between these latter and the domesticoffices, which lay on the right and left of the women's apartment, werethe sleeping-rooms; these served also as places of security for thevaluables of the house. The walls of the men's apartment were painted ofa reddish-brown color, against which the outlines of some white marblecarvings, the gift of a Chian sculptor, stood out in sharp relief. The floor was covered with rich carpets from Sardis; low cushions ofpanthers' skins lay ranged along the colonnade; around theartistically wrought hearth stood quaint Egyptian settees, and small, delicately-carved tables of Thya wood, on which lay all kinds of musicalinstruments, the flute, cithara and lyre. Numerous lamps of variousand singular shapes, filled with Kiki oil, hung against the walls. Somerepresented fire-spouting dolphins; others, strange winged monsters fromwhose jaws the flames issued; and these, blending their light with thatfrom the hearth, illumined the apartment. 

In this room a group of men were assembled, whose appearance and dressdiffered one from the other. A Syrian from Tyre, in a long crimson robe, was talking animatedly to a man whose decided features and crisp, curly, black hair proclaimed him an Israelite. The latter had come to Egyptto buy chariots and horses for Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah--theEgyptian equipages being the most sought after at that time. Close tohim stood three Greeks from Asia Minor, the rich folds of whosegarments (for they wore the costly dress of their native city Miletus), contrasted strongly with the plain and unadorned robe of Phryxus, thedeputy commissioned to collect money for the temple of Apollo at Delphi, with whom they were in earnest conversation. Ten years before, theancient temple had been consumed by fire; and at this time efforts werebeing made to build another, and a more beautiful one. 

Two of the Milesians, disciples of Anaximander and Anaximenes, werestaying then in Egypt, to study astronomy and the peculiar wisdom ofthe Egyptians at Heliopolis, and the third was a wealthy merchant andship-owner, named Theopompus, who had settled at Naukratis. 

 [Anaximander of Miletus, born 611-546, was a celebrated geometrician, astronomer, philosopher and geographer. He was the author of a book on natural phenomena, drew the first map of the world on metal, and introduced into Greece a kind of clock which he seems to have borrowed from the Babylonians. He supposes a primary and not easily definable Being, by which the whole world is governed, and in which, though in himself infinite and without limits, everything material and circumscribed has its foundation. "Chaotic matter" represents in his theory the germ of all created things, from which water, earth, animals, nereids or fish-men, human beings &c. Have had their origin. ]

Rhodopis herself was engaged in a lively conversation with two SamianGreeks: the celebrated worker in metals, sculptor and goldsmithTheodorus, and the Iambic poet Ibykus of Rhegium, who had left the courtof Polykrates for a time in order to become acquainted with Egypt, andwere bearers of presents to Amasis from their ruler. Close to the firelay Philoinus of Sybaris, a corpulent man with strongly-marked featuresand a sensual expression of face; he was stretched at full-length on acouch covered with spotted furs, and amused himself by playing with hisscented curls wreathed with gold, and with the golden chains which fellfrom his neck on to the long saffron-colored robe that clothed him downto his feet. 

 [Sybaris was a town in Lower Italy notorious throughout the ancient world for its luxury. According to Strabo it was founded by Achaeans 262. About 510 it was conquered and destroyed by the Crotoniates and then rebuilt under the name of Thurii. ]

Rhodopis had a kind word for each of her guests, but at present sheoccupied herself exclusively with the two celebrated Sarnians; theirtalk was of art and poetry. The fire of youth still glowed in the eyesof the Thracian woman, her tall figure was still full and unbent;her hair, though grey, was wound round her beautifully formed head inluxuriant waves, and laid together at the back in a golden net, and asparkling diadem shone above her lofty forehead. 

Her noble Greek features were pale, but still beautiful and without awrinkle, notwithstanding her great age; indeed her small mouth with itsfull lips, her white teeth, her eyes so bright and yet so soft, and hernobly-formed nose and forehead would have been beauty enough for a youngmaiden. 

Rhodopis looked younger than she really was, though she made no attemptto disavow her age. Matronly dignity was visible in every movement, andthe charm of her manner lay, not in a youthful endeavor to be pleasing, but in the effort of age to please others, considering their wishes, andat the same time demanding consideration in return. 

Our two friends now presenting themselves in the hall, every eye turnedupon them, and as Phanes entered leading his friend by the hand, theheartiest welcome met him from all sides; one of the Milesians indeedexclaimed: "Now I see what it is that was wanting to our assembly. Therecan be no merriment without Phanes. "

And Philoinus, the Sybarite, raising his deep voice, but not allowinghimself for a moment to be disturbed in his repose, remarked: "Mirthis a good thing, and if you bring that with you, be welcome to me also, Athenian. "

"To me, " said Rhodopis, turning to her new guests, "you are heartilywelcome, but not more in your joy than if borne down by sadness. I knowno greater pleasure than to remove the lines of care from a friend'sbrow. Spartan, I venture to address you as a friend too, for the friendsof my friends are my own. " Aristomachus bowed in silence, but Phanes, addressing himself both to Rhodopis and to the Sybarite, answered: "Wellthen, my friends, I can content you both. To you, Rhodopis, I mustcome for comfort, for soon, too soon I must leave you and your pleasanthouse; Philoinus however can still enjoy my mirth, as I cannot butrejoice in the prospect of seeing my beloved Hellas once more, andof quitting, even though involuntarily, this golden mouse-trap of acountry. "

"You are going away! you have been dismissed? Whither are you going?"echoed on all sides. 

"Patience, patience, my friends, " cried Phanes. "I have a long storyto tell, but I will rather reserve it for the evening meal. And indeed, dear friend, my hunger is nearly as great as my distress at beingobliged to leave you. "

"Hunger is a good thing, " philosophized the Sybarite once more, "when aman has a good meal in prospect. "

"On that point you may be at ease, Philoinus, " answered Rhodopis. "Itold the cook to do his utmost, for the most celebrated epicure fromthe most luxurious city in the world, no less a person than Philoinusof Sybaris, would pass a stern judgment on his delicate dishes. Go, Knakias, tell them to serve the supper. Are you content now, myimpatient guests? As for me, since I heard Phanes' mournful news, thepleasure of the meal is gone. " The Athenian bowed, and the Sybaritereturned to his philosophy. "Contentment is a good thing when every wishcan be satisfied. I owe you thanks, Rhodopis, for your appreciation ofmy incomparable native city. What says Anakreon?

 "To-day is ours--what do we fear? To-day is ours--we have it here. Let's treat it kindly, that it may Wish at least with us to stay. Let's banish business, banish sorrow; To the gods belongs to-morrow. "

"Eh! Ibykus, have I quoted your friend the poet correctly, who feastswith you at Polykrates' banquets? Well, I think I may venture to say ofmy own poor self that if Anakreon can make better verses, I understandthe art of living quite as well as he, though he writes so many poemsupon it. Why, in all his songs there is not one word about the pleasuresof the table! Surely they are as important as love and play! I confessthat the two last are clear to me also; still, I could exist withoutthem, though in a miserable fashion, but without food, where should webe?"

The Sybarite broke into a loud laugh at his own joke; but the Spartanturned away from this conversation, drew Phryxus into a corner, andquite abandoning his usually quiet and deliberate manner, asked eagerlywhether he had at last brought him the long wished for answer from theOracle. The serious features of the Delphian relaxed, and thrustinghis hand into the folds of his chiton, --[An undergarment resembling ashirt. ]--he drew out a little roll of parchment-like sheepskin, on whicha few lines were written. 

The hands of the brave, strong Spartan trembled as he seized the roll, and his fixed gaze on its characters was as if it would pierce the skinon which they were inscribed. 

Then, recollecting himself, he shook his head sadly and said: "WeSpartans have to learn other arts than reading and writing; if thoucanst, read the what Pythia says. "

The Delphian glanced over the writing and replied: "Rejoice! Loxias(Apollo) promises thee a happy return home; hearken to the prediction ofthe priestess. "

 "If once the warrior hosts from the snow-topped mountains descending Come to the fields of the stream watering richly the plain, Then shall the lingering boat to the beckoning meadows convey thee Which to the wandering foot peace and a home will afford. When those warriors come, from the snow-topped mountains descending, Then will the powerful Five grant thee what long they refused. "

To these words the Spartan listened with intense eagerness; he had themread over to him twice, then repeated them from memory, thanked Phryxus, and placed the roll within the folds of his garment. 

The Delphian then took part in the general conversation, butAristomachus repeated the words of the Oracle unceasingly to himself ina low voice, endeavoring to impress them on his memory, and to interprettheir obscure import. 

CHAPTER II. 

The doors of the supper-room now flew open. Two lovely, fair-hairedboys, holding myrtle-wreaths, stood on each side of the entrance, andin the middle of the room was a large, low, brilliantly polished table, surrounded by inviting purple cushions. 

 [It was most probably usual for each guest to have his own little table; but we read even in Homer of large tables on which the meals were served up. In the time of Homer people sat at table, but the recumbent position became universal in later times. ]

Rich nosegays adorned this table, and on it were placed large jointsof roast meat, glasses and dishes of various shapes filled with dates, figs, pomegranates, melons and grapes, little silver beehives containinghoney, and plates of embossed copper, on which lay delicate cheesefrom the island of Trinakria. In the midst was a silver table-ornament, something similar to an altar, from which arose fragrant clouds ofincense. 

At the extreme end of the table stood the glittering silver cup in whichthe wine was to be mixed. 

 [The Greeks were not accustomed to drink unmingled wine. Zaleukus forbade to all citizens the pure juice of the grape under penalty of death, and Solon under very severe penalties, unless required as medicine. The usual mixture was composed of three-fifths water to two-fifths wine. ]

This was of beautiful AEginetan workmanship, its crooked handlesrepresenting two giants, who appeared ready to sink under the weight ofthe bowl which they sustained. 

Like the altar, it was enwreathed with flowers, and a garland of rosesor myrtle had been twined around the goblet of each guest. 

The entire floor was strewed with rose-leaves, and the room lighted bymany lamps which were hung against the smooth, white, stucco walls. 

No sooner were the guests reclining on their cushions, than thefair-haired boys reappeared, wound garlands of ivy and myrtle around theheads and shoulders of the revellers, and washed their feet in silverbasins. The Sybarite, though already scented with all the perfumes ofArabia, would not rest until he was completely enveloped in roses andmyrtle, and continued to occupy the two boys even after the carver hadremoved the first joints from the table in order to cut them up; butas soon as the first course, tunny-fish with mustard-sauce, had beenserved, he forgot all subordinate matters, and became absorbed in theenjoyment of the delicious viands. 

Rhodopis, seated on a chair at the head of the table, near thewine-bowl, not only led the conversation, but gave directions to theslaves in waiting. 

 [The women took their meals sitting. The Greeks, like the Egyptians, had chairs with backs and arms. The form of the solia or throne has become familiar to us from the discoveries at Pompeii and the representations of many gods and distinguished persons. It had a high, almost straight back, and supports for the arms. ]

She gazed on her cheerful guests with a kind of pride, and seemed to bedevoting her attention to each exclusively, now asking the Delphianhow he had succeeded in his mission, then the Sybarite whether he wascontent with the performances of her cook, and then listening eagerlyto Ibykus, as he told how the Athenian, Phrynichus, had introduced thereligious dramas of Thespis of Ikaria into common life, and was nowrepresenting entire histories from the past by means of choruses, recitative and answer. 

Then she turned to the Spartan, remarking, that to him alone of all herguests, instead of an apology for the simplicity of the meal, she feltshe owed one for its luxury. The next time he came, her slave Knakias, who, as an escaped Helot, boasted that he could cook a deliciousblood-soup (here the Sybarite shuddered), should prepare him a trueLacedaemonian repast. 

When the guests had eaten sufficiently they again washed their hands;the plates and dishes were removed, the floor cleansed, and wine andwater poured into the bowl. 

 [The Symposium began after the real meal. Not till that was over did the guests usually adorn themselves with wreaths, wash their hands with Smegma or Smema (a kind of soap) and begin to drink. ]

At last, when Rhodopis had convinced herself that the right moment wascome, she turned to Phanes, who was engaged in a discussion with theMilesians, and thus addressed him:

"Noble friend, we have restrained our impatience so long that it mustsurely now be your duty to tell us what evil chance is threatening tosnatch you from Egypt and from our circle. You may be able to leave usand this country with a light heart, for the gods are wont to blessyou Ionians with that precious gift from your very birth, but we shallremember you long and sadly. I know of no worse loss than that of afriend tried through years, indeed some of us have lived too long on theNile not to have imbibed a little of the constant, unchanging Egyptiantemperament. You smile, and yet I feel sure that long as you havedesired to revisit your dear Hellas, you will not be able to leave usquite without regret. Ah, you admit this? Well, I knew I had not beendeceived. But now tell us why you are obliged to leave Egypt, that wemay consider whether it may not be possible to get the king's decreereversed, and so keep you with us. "

Phanes smiled bitterly, and replied: "Many thanks, Rhodopis, for theseflattering words, and for the kind intention either to grieve over mydeparture, or if possible, to prevent it. A hundred new faces will soonhelp you to forget mine, for long as you have lived on the Nile, you arestill a Greek from the crown of the head to the sole of the foot, andmay thank the gods that you have remained so. I am a great friend ofconstancy too, but quite as great an enemy of folly, and is thereone among you who would not call it folly to fret over what cannot beundone? I cannot call the Egyptian constancy a virtue, it is a delusion. The men who treasure their dead for thousands of years, and would ratherlose their last loaf than allow a single bone belonging to one of theirancestors to be taken from them, are not constant, they are foolish. Canit possibly make me happy to see my friends sad? Certainly not! You mustnot imitate the Egyptians, who, when they lose a friend, spend monthsin daily-repeated lamentations over him. On the contrary, if you willsometimes think of the distant, I ought to say, of the departed, friend, (for as long as I live I shall never be permitted to tread Egyptianground again), let it be with smiling faces; do not cry, 'Ah! why wasPhanes forced to leave us?' but rather, 'Let us be merry, as Phanes usedto be when he made one of our circle!' In this way you must celebrate mydeparture, as Simonides enjoined when he sang:

 "If we would only be more truly wise, We should not waste on death our tears and sighs, Nor stand and mourn o'er cold and lifeless clay More than one day. 

 For Death, alas! we have no lack of time; But Life is gone, when scarcely at its prime, And is e'en, when not overfill'd with care But short and bare!"

"If we are not to weep for the dead, how much less ought we to grievefor absent friends! the former have left us for ever, but to the latterwe say at parting, 'Farewell, until we meet again'"

Here the Sybarite, who had been gradually becoming more and moreimpatient, could not keep silent any longer, and called out in the mostwoe begone tone: "Will you never begin your story, you malicious fellow?I cannot drink a single drop till you leave off talking about death. Ifeel cold already, and I am always ill, if I only think of, nay, if Ionly hear the subject mentioned, that this life cannot last forever. "The whole company burst into a laugh, and Phanes began to tell hisstory:

"You know that at Sais I always live in the new palace; but at Memphis, as commander of the Greek body-guard which must accompany the kingeverywhere, a lodging was assigned me in the left wing of the oldpalace. 

"Since Psamtik the First, Sais has always been the royal residence, and the other palaces have in consequence become somewhat neglected. Mydwelling was really splendidly situated, and beautifully furnished; itwould have been first-rate, if, from the first moment of my entrance, afearful annoyance had not made its appearance. 

"In the day-time, when I was seldom at home, my rooms were all thatcould be wished, but at night it was impossible to sleep for thetremendous noise made by thousands of rats and mice under the oldfloors, and couches, and behind the hangings. 

"Even in the first night an impudent mouse ran over my face. 

"I was quite at a loss what to do, till an Egyptian soldier sold me twolarge cats, and these, in the course of many weeks, procured me somerest from my tormentors. 

"Now, you are probably all aware that one of the charming laws of thismost eccentric nation, (whose culture and wisdom, you, my Milesianfriends, cannot sufficiently praise), declares the cat to be a sacredanimal. Divine honors are paid to these fortunate quadrupeds as well asto many other animals, and he who kills a cat is punished with the sameseverity as the murderer of a human being. "

Till now Rhodopis had been smiling, but when she perceived that Phanes'banishment had to do with his contempt for the sacred animals, her facebecame more serious. She knew how many victims, how many human lives, had already been sacrificed to this Egyptian superstition, and how, onlya short time before, the king Amasis himself had endeavored in vain torescue an unfortunate Samian, who had killed a cat, from the vengeanceof the enraged populace. 

 [The cat was probably the most sacred of all the animals worshipped by the Egyptians. Herod tells that when a house was on fire the Egyptians never thought of extinguishing the fire until their cats were all saved, and that when a cat died, they shaved their heads in sign of mourning. Whoever killed one of these animals, whether intentionally or by accident, suffered the penalty, of death, without any chance of mercy. Diod. (I. 81. ) himself witnessed the murder of a Roman citizen who had killed a cat, by the Egyptian people; and this in spite of the authorities, who in fear of the powerful Romans, endeavored to prevent the deed. The bodies of the cats were carefully embalmed and buried, and their mummies are to be found in every museum. The embalmed cat, carefully wrapped in linen bandages, is oftener to be met with than any other of the many animals thus preserved by the Egyptians. In spite of the great care bestowed on cats, there can have been no lack of mice in Egypt. In one nomos or province the shrew-mouse was sacred, and a satirical, obscene papyrus in Turin shows us a war between the cats and mice; the Papyrus Ebers contains poisons for mice. We ourselves possess a shrew-mouse exquisitely wrought in bronze. ]

"Everything was going well, " continued the officer, "when we leftMemphis two years ago. 

"I confided my pair of cats to the care of one of the Egyptian servantsat the palace, feeling sure that these enemies of the rats would keepmy dwelling clear for the future; indeed I began to feel a certainveneration for my deliverers from the plague of mice. 

"Last year Amasis fell ill before the court could adjourn to Memphis, and we remained at Sais. 

"At last, about six week ago, we set out for the city of the Pyramids. Ibetook me to my old quarters; not the shadow of a mouse's tail was to beseen there, but instead, they swarmed with another race of animals notone whit dearer to me than their predecessors. The pair of cats had, during my two years' absence, increased twelve-fold. I tried all in mypower to dislodge this burdensome brood of all ages and colors, butin vain; every night my sleep was disturbed by horrible choruses offour-footed animals, and feline war-cries and songs. 

"Every year, at the period of the Bubastis festival, all superfluouscats may be brought to the temple of the cat-headed goddess Pacht, wherethey are fed and cared for, or, as I believe, when they multiply toofast, quietly put out of the way. These priests are knaves!

"Unfortunately the journey to the said temple" did not occur during thetime of our stay in Memphis; however, as I really could not toleratethis army of tormentors any longer, I determined at least to get ridof two families of healthy kittens with which their mothers had justpresented me. My old slave Mus, from his very name a natural enemy ofcats, was told to kill the little creatures, put them into a sack, andthrow them into the Nile. 

"This murder was necessary, as the mewing of the kittens would otherwisehave betrayed the contents of the sack to the palace-warders. In thetwilight poor Muss betook himself to the Nile through the grove ofHathor, with his perilous burden. But alas! the Egyptian attendant whowas in the habit of feeding my cats, had noticed that two families ofkittens were missing, and had seen through our whole plan. 

"My slave took his way composedly through the great avenue of Sphinxes, and by the temple of Ptah, holding the little bag concealed underhis mantle. Already in the sacred grove he noticed that he was beingfollowed, but on seeing that the men behind him stopped before thetemple of Ptah and entered into conversation with the priests, he feltperfectly reassured and went on. 

"He had already reached the bank of the Nile, when he heard voicescalling him and a number of people running towards him in haste; at thesame moment a stone whistled close by his head. 

"Mus at once perceived the danger which was threatening him. Summoningall his strength he rushed down to the Nile, flung the bag in, and thenwith a beating heart, but as he imagined without the slightest evidenceof guilt, remained standing on the shore. A few moments later he wassurrounded by at least a hundred priests. 

"Even the high-priest of Ptah, my old enemy Ptahotep, had not disdainedto follow the pursuers in person. 

"Many of the latter, and amongst them the perfidious palace-servant, rushed at once into the Nile, and there, to our confusion, found thebag with its twelve little corpses, hanging entirely uninjured among thePapyrus-reeds and bean-tendrils. The cotton coffin was opened beforethe eyes of the high-priest, a troop of lower priests, and at least athousand of the inhabitants of Memphis, who had hurried to the spot, and when the miserable contents were disclosed, there arose such fearfulhowls of anguish, and such horrible cries of mingled lamentation andrevenge, that I heard them even in the palace. 

"The furious multitude, in their wild rage, fell on my poor servant, threw him down, trampled on him and would have killed him, had notthe all-powerful high-priest-designing to involve me, as author of thecrime, in the same ruin--commanded them to cease and take the wretchedmalefactor to prison. 

"Half an hour later I was in prison too. 

"My old Mus took all the guilt of the crime on himself, until at last, by means of the bastinado, the high-priest forced him to confess thatI had ordered the killing of the kittens, and that he, as a faithfulservant, had not dared to disobey. 

"The supreme court of justice, whose decisions the king himself has nopower to reverse, is composed of priests from Memphis, Heliopolis andThebes: you can therefore easily believe that they had no scruple inpronouncing sentence of death on poor Mus and my own unworthy Greekself. The slave was pronounced guilty of two capital offences: first, of the murder of the sacred animals, and secondly, of a twelve-foldpollution of the Nile through dead bodies. I was condemned as originatorof this, (as they termed it) four-and-twenty-fold crime. 

 [According to the Egyptian law, the man who was cognizant of a crime was held equally culpable with the perpetrator. ]

"Mus was executed on the same day. May the earth rest lightly on him!I shall never think of him again as my slave, but as a friend andbenefactor! My sentence of death was read aloud in the presence ofhis dead body, and I was already preparing for a long journey into thenether world, when the king sent and commanded a reprieve. 

 [This court of justice, which may be compared with the Areopagus at Athens, and the Gerusia at Sparta, (Diod. I, 75. ), was composed of 30 judges taken from the priestly caste, (10 from Heliopolis, 10 from Memphis, 10 from Thebes). The most eminent from among their number was chosen by them as president. All complaints and defences had to be presented in writing, that the judges might in no way be influenced by word or gesture. This tribunal was independent, even of the king's authority. Much information concerning the administration of justice has been obtained from the Papyrus Abbott, known by the name of the 'Papyrus judiciaire'. Particulars and an account of their literature may be found in Ebers "Durch Gosen zum Sinai, " p. 534 and following. ]

"I was taken back to prison. One of my guards, an Arcadian Taxiarch, told me that all the officers of the guard and many of the soldiers, (altogether four thousand men) had threatened to send in theirresignation, unless I, their commander, were pardoned. 

"As it was beginning to grow dusk I was taken to the king. 

"He received me graciously, confirmed the Taxiarch's statement withhis own mouth, and said how grieved he should be to lose a commander sogenerally beloved. I must confess that I owe Amasis no grudge for hisconduct to me, on the contrary I pity him. You should have heard how he, the powerful king, complained that he could never act according to hisown wishes, that even in his most private affairs he was crossed andcompromised by the priests and their influence. 

 [See the parallel in the history of 2000 years later in the reigns of Henry III. And IV. Confronting the Jesuit influence, finally culminating in assassination. D. W. ]

"Had it only depended on himself, he could easily have pardoned thetransgression of a law, which I, as a foreigner, could not be expectedto understand, and might (though unjustly) esteem as a foolishsuperstition. But for the sake of the priests he dare not leave meunpunished. The lightest penalty he could inflict must be banishmentfrom Egypt. 

"He concluded his complaint with these words: 'You little know whatconcessions I must make to the priests in order to obtain your pardon. Why, our supreme court of justice is independent even of me, its king!'

"And thus I received my dismissal, after having taken a solemn oath toleave Memphis that very day, and Egypt, at latest, in three weeks. 

"At the palace-gate I met Psamtik, the crown-prince. He has long been myenemy, on account of some vexatious matters which I cannot divulge, (youknow them, Rhodopis). I was going to offer him my parting salutation, but he turned his back upon me, saying: Once more you have escapedpunishment, Athenian; but you cannot elude my vengeance. Whithersoeveryou may go, I shall be able to find you!'--'That remains to be proved, 'I answered, and putting myself and my possessions on board a boat, cameto Naukratis. Here, by good fortune, I met my old friend Aristomachus ofSparta, who, as he was formerly in command of the Cyprian troops, willmost likely be nominated my successor. I should rejoice to know thatsuch a first-rate man was going to take my place, if I did not at thesame time fear that his eminent services will make my own poor effortsseem even more insignificant than they really were. "

But here he was interrupted by Aristomachus, who called out: "Praiseenough, friend Phanes! Spartan tongues are stiff; but if you shouldever stand in need of my help, I will give you an answer in deeds, whichshall strike the right nail on the head. "

Rhodopis smiled her approval, and giving her hand to each, said:"Unfortunately, the only conclusion to be drawn from your story, my poorPhanes, is that you cannot possibly remain any longer in this country. Iwill not blame you for your thoughtlessness, though you might have knownthat you were exposing yourself to great danger for a mere trifle. The really wise and brave man never undertakes a hazardous enterprise, unless the possible advantage and disadvantage that may accrue to himfrom it can be reckoned at least as equal. Recklessness is quite asfoolish, but not so blamable as cowardice, for though both do the man aninjury, the latter alone can dishonor him. 

"Your thoughtlessness, this time, has very nearly cost your life, a lifedear to many, and which you ought to save for a nobler end. We cannotattempt to keep you here; we should thereby only injure ourselveswithout benefitting you. This noble Spartan must now take your place ashead and representative of the Greek nation at the Egyptian court, mustendeavor to protect us against the encroachment of the priests, and toretain for us the royal favor. I take your hand, Aristomachus, andwill not let it go till you have promised that you will protect, to theutmost of your power, every Greek, however humble, (as Phanes did beforeyou), from the insolence of the Egyptians, and will sooner resign youroffice than allow the smallest wrong done to a Hellene to go unpunished. We are but a few thousands among millions of enemies, but throughcourage we are great, and unity must keep us strong. Hitherto the Greeksin Egypt have lived like brothers; each has been ready to offer himselffor the good of all, and all for each, and it is just this unity thathas made us, and must keep us, powerful. 

"Oh! could we but bestow this precious gift on our mother-country andher colonies! would the tribes of our native land but forget theirDorian, Ionian or AEolian descent, and, contenting themselves with theone name of Hellenes, live as the children of one family, as the sheepof one flock, --then indeed we should be strong against the whole world, and Hellas would be recognized by all nations as the Queen of theEarth!"

 [This longing desire for unity was by no means foreign to the Greeks, though we seldom hear it expressed. Aristotle, for example, says VII. 7. : "Were the Hellenes united into one state, they could command all the barbarous nations. "]

A fire glowed in the eyes of the grey-haired woman as she uttered thesewords; and the Spartan, grasping her hand impetuously and stamping onthe floor with his wooden leg, cried: "By Zeus, I will not let a hairof their heads be hurt; but thou, Rhodopis, thou art worthy to have beenborn a Spartan woman. "

"Or an Athenian, " cried Phanes. 

"An Ionian, " said the Milesians, and the sculptor: "A daughter of theSamian Geomori--"

"But I am more, far more, than all these, " cried the enthusiastic woman. "I am a Hellene!"

The whole company, even to the Jew and the Syrian, were carried away bythe intense feeling of the moment; the Sybarite alone remainedunmoved, and, with his mouth so full as to render the words almostunintelligible, said:

"You deserve to be a Sybarite too, Rhodopis, for your roast beef is thebest I have tasted since I left Italy, and your Anthylla wine' relishesalmost as well as Vesuvian or Chian!"

Every one laughed, except the Spartan, who darted a look of indignationand contempt at the epicure. 

In this moment a deep voice, hitherto unknown to us, shouted suddenlythrough the window, "A glad greeting to you, my friends!"

"A glad greeting, " echoed the chorus of revellers, questioning andguessing who this late arrival might prove to be. 

They had not long to wait, for even before the Sybarite had had timecarefully to test and swallow another mouthful of wine, the speaker, Kallias, the son of Phaenippus of Athens, was already standing by theside of Rhodopis. He was a tall thin man of over sixty, with a head ofthat oval form which gives the impression of refinement and intellect. One of the richest among the Athenian exiles, he had twice bought thepossessions of Pisistratus from the state, and twice been obliged tosurrender them, on the tyrant's return to power. Looking round with hisclear keen eyes on this circle of acquaintances, he exchanged friendlygreetings with all, and exclaimed:

"If you do not set a high value on my appearance among you this evening, I shall think that gratitude has entirely disappeared from the earth. "

"We have been expecting you a long time, " interrupted one of theMilesians. "You are the first man to bring us news of the Olympicgames!"

"And we could wish no better bearer of such news than the victorof former days?" added Rhodopis. "Take your seat, " cried Phanesimpatiently, "and come to the point with your news at once, friendKallias. "

"Immediately, fellow-countryman, " answered the other. "It is some timeago now since I left Olympia. I embarked at Cenchreae in a fifty-oaredSamian vessel, the best ship that ever was built. 

"It does not surprise me that I am the first Greek to arrive inNaukratis. We encountered terrific storms at sea, and could not haveescaped with our lives, if the big-bellied Samian galley, with her Ibisbeak and fish's tail had not been so splendidly timbered and manned. 

"How far the other homeward-bound passengers may have been driven outof their course, I cannot tell; we found shelter in the harbor of Samos, and were able to put to sea again after ten days. 

"We ran into the mouth of the Nile this morning. I went on board my ownbark at once, and was so favored by Boreas, who at least at the end ofmy voyage, seemed willing to prove that he still felt kindly towards hisold Kallias, that I caught sight of this most friendly of all houses afew moments since. I saw the waving flag, the brightly lighted windows, and debated within myself whether to enter or not; but Rhodopis, yourfascination proved irresistible, and besides, I was bursting with allmy untold news, longing to share your feast, and to tell you, over theviands and the wine, things that you have not even allowed yourselves todream of. "

Kallias settled himself comfortably on one of the cushions, and beforebeginning to tell his news, produced and presented to Rhodopis amagnificent gold bracelet in the form of a serpent's, which he hadbought for a large sum at Samos, in the goldsmith's workshop of the veryTheodorus who was now sitting with him at table. 

"This I have brought for you, "' he said, turning to the delightedRhodopis, "but for you, friend Phanes, I have something still better. Guess, who won the four-horse chariot-race?"

"An Athenian?" asked Phanes, and his face glowed with excitement; forthe victory gained by one citizen at the Olympic games belonged to hiswhole people, and the Olympic olive-branch was the greatest honor andhappiness that could fall to the lot, either of a single Hellene, or anentire Greek tribe. 

"Rightly guessed, Phanes!" cried the bringer of this joyful news, "Thefirst prize has been carried off by an Athenian; and not only so, yourown cousin Cimon, the son of Kypselos, the brother of that Miltiades, who, nine Olympiads ago, earned us the same honor, is the man who hasconquered this year; and with the same steeds that gained him the prizeat the last games. 

 [The second triumph won by the steeds of Cimon must have taken place, as Duneker correctly remarks, about the year 528. The same horses won the race for the third time at the next Olympic games, consequently four years later. As token of his gratitude Cimon caused a monument to be erected in their honor in "the hollow way" near Athens. We may here remind our readers that the Greeks made use of the Olympic games to determine the date of each year. They took place every four years. The first was fixed 776 B. C. Each separate year was named the 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th of such or such an Olympiad. ]

"The fame of the Alkmaeonidae is, verily, darkening more and more beforethe Philaidae. Are not you proud, Phanes? do not you feel joy at theglory of your family?"

In his delight Phanes had risen from his seat, and seemed suddenly tohave increased in stature by a whole head. 

With a look of ineffable pride and consciousness of his own position, he gave his hand to the messenger of victory. The latter, embracing hiscountryman, continued:

"Yes, we have a right to feel proud and happy, Phanes; you especially, for no sooner had the judges unanimously awarded the prize to Cimon, than he ordered the heralds to proclaim the tyrant Pisistratus asthe owner of the splendid team, and therefore victor in the race. Pisistratus at once caused it to be announced that your family was freeto return to Athens, and so now, Phanes, the long-wished for hour ofyour return home is awaiting you. "

But at these words Phanes turned pale, his look of conscious pridechanged into one of indignation, and he exclaimed:

"At this I am to rejoice, foolish Kallias? rather bid me weep that adescendant of Ajax should be capable of laying his well-won fame thusignominiously at a tyrant's feet! No! I swear by Athene, by Father Zeus, and by Apollo, that I will sooner starve in foreign lands than take onestep homeward, so long as the Pisistratidae hold my country in bondage. When I leave the service of Amasis, I shall be free, free as a bird inthe air; but I would rather be the slave of a peasant in foreign lands, than hold the highest office under Pisistratus. The sovereign power inAthens belongs to us, its nobles; but Cimon by laying his chaplet at thefeet of Pisistratus has acknowledged the tyrants, and branded himself astheir servant. He shall hear that Phanes cares little for the tyrant'sclemency. I choose to remain an exile till my country is free, till hernobles and people govern themselves, and dictate their own laws. Phaneswill never do homage to the oppressor, though all the Philaidae, theAlkmaeonidae, and even the men of your own house, Kallias, the richDaduchi, should fall down at his feet!"

With flashing eyes he looked round on the assembly; Kallias tooscrutinized the faces of the guests with conscious pride, as if he wouldsay:

"See, friends, the kind of men produced by my glorious country!"

Taking the hand of Phanes again, he said to him: "The tyrants are ashateful to me as to you, my friend; but I have seen, that, so longas Pisistratus lives, the tyranny cannot be overthrown. His allies, Lygdamis of Naxos and Polykrates of Samos, are powerful; but thegreatest danger for our freedom lies in his own moderation and prudence. During my recent stay in Greece I saw with alarm that the mass of thepeople in Athens love their oppressor like a father. Notwithstandinghis great power, he leaves the commonwealth in the enjoyment of Solon'sconstitution. He adorns the city with the most magnificent buildings. They say that the new temple of Zeus, now being built of glorious marbleby Kallaeschrus, Antistates and Porinus (who must be known to you, Theodorus), will surpass every building that has yet been erected by theHellenes. He understands how to attract poets and artists of all kindsto Athens, he has had the poems of Homer put into writing, and theprophecies of Musaeus collected by Onomakritus. He lays out new streetsand arranges fresh festivals; trade flourishes under his rule, and thepeople find themselves well off, in spite of the many taxes laid uponthem. But what are the people? a vulgar multitude who, like the gnats, fly towards every thing brilliant, and, so long as the taper burns, willcontinue to flutter round it, even though they burn their wings in doingso. Let Pisistratus' torch burn out, Phanes, and I'll swear that thefickle crowd will flock around the returning nobles, the new light, justas they now do around the tyrant. 

"Give me your hand once more, you true son of Ajax; for you, my friends, I have still many an interesting piece of news untold. 

"The chariot-race, as I have just related, was won by Cimon who gavethe olive-branch to Pisistratus. Four finer horses than his I neversaw. Arkesilaus of Cyrene, Kleosthenes of Epidamnus, Aster of Sybaris, Hekataeus of Miletus and many more had also sent splendid teams. Indeedthe games this time were more than brilliant. All Hellas had sentdeputies. Rhoda of the Ardeates, in distant Iberia, the wealthyTartessus, Sinope in the far East on the shores of Pontus, in short, every tribe that could boast of Hellenic descent was well represented. The Sybarite deputies were of a dazzling beauty; the Spartans, homelyand simple, but handsome as Achilles, tall and strong as Hercules; theAthenians remarkable for their supple limbs and graceful movements, and the men of Crotona were led by Milo, strongest of mortal birth. TheSamian and Milesian deputies vied in splendor and gorgeousness of attirewith those from Corinth and Mitylene: the flower of the Greek youth wasassembled there, and, in the space allotted to spectators, were seated, not only men of every age, class and nation, but many virgins, fair andlovely maidens, who had come to Olympia, more especially from Sparta, in order to encourage the men during the games by their acclamations andapplause. The market was set up beyond the Alphaeus, and there tradersfrom all parts of the world were to be seen; Greeks, Carthaginians, Lydians, Phrygians and shrewd Phoenicians from Palestine settled weightybusiness transactions, or offered their goods to the public from tentsand booths. But how can I possibly describe to you the surging throngsof the populace, the echoing choruses, the smoking festal hecatombs, thebright and variegated costumes, the sumptuousness of the equipages, theclang of the different dialects and the joyful cries of friends meetingagain after years of separation; or the splendid appearance of theenvoys, the crowds of lookers-on and venders of small wares, thebrilliant effect produced by the masses of spectators, who filled tooverflowing the space allotted to them, the eager suspense during theprogress of the games, and the never ending shouts of joy when thevictory was decided; the solemn investiture with the olive-branch, cut with a golden knife by the Elean boy, (whose parents must both beliving), from the sacred tree in the Altis planted so many centuries agoby Hercules himself; or lastly, the prolonged acclamations which, like peals of thunder, resounded in the Stadium, when Milo of Crotonaappeared, bearing on his shoulders the bronze statue of himself cast byDameas, and carried it through the Stadium into the Altis without oncetottering. The weight of the metal would have crushed a bull to theearth: but borne by Milo it seemed like a child in the arms of itsLacedaemonian nurse. 

"The highest honors (after Cimon's) were adjudged to a pair of Spartanbrothers, Lysander and Maro, the sons of Aristomachus. Maro was victorin the foot race, but Lysander presented himself, amidst the shouts ofthe spectators, as the opponent of Milo! Milo the invincible, victorat Pisa, and in the Pythian and Isthmian combats. Milo was taller andstouter than the Spartan, who was formed like Apollo, and seemed fromhis great youth scarcely to have passed from under the hands of theschoolmaster. 

"In their naked beauty, glistening with the golden oil, the youthand the man stood opposite to one another, like a panther and a lionpreparing for the combat. Before the onset, the young Lysander raisedhis hands imploringly to the gods, crying: 'For my father, my honor, and the glory of Sparta!' The Crotonian looked down on the youth witha smile of superiority; just as an epicure looks at the shell of thelanguste he is preparing to open. 

"And now the wrestling began. For some time neither could succeed ingrasping the other. The Crotonian threw almost irresistible weight intohis attempts to lay hold of his opponent, but the latter slipped throughthe iron grip like a snake. This struggle to gain a hold lasted long, and the immense multitude watched silently, breathless from excitement. Not a sound was to be heard but the groans of the wrestlers and thesinging of the nightingales in the grove of the Altis. At last, theyouth succeeded, by means of the cleverest trick I ever saw, in claspinghis opponent firmly. For a long time, Milo exerted all his strengthto shake him oft, but in vain, and the sand of the Stadium was freelymoistened by the great drops of sweat, the result of this Herculeanstruggle. 

"More and more intense waxed the excitement of the spectators, deeperand deeper the silence, rarer the cries of encouragement, and louderthe groans of the wrestlers. At last Lysander's strength gave way. Immediately a thousand voices burst forth to cheer him on. He rousedhimself and made one last superhuman effort to throw his adversary:but it was too late. Milo had perceived the momentary weakness. Takingadvantage of it, he clasped the youth in a deadly embrace; a full blackstream of blood welled from Lysander's beautiful lips, and he sanklifeless to the earth from the wearied arms of the giant. Democedes, themost celebrated physician of our day, whom you Samians will have knownat the court of Polycrates, hastened to the spot, but no skill could nowavail the happy Lysander, --he was dead. 

"Milo was obliged to forego the victor's wreath"; and the fame of thisyouth will long continue to sound through the whole of Greece. 

 [By the laws of the games the wrestler, whose adversary died, had no right to the prize of victory. ]

I myself would rather be the dead Lysander, son of Aristomachus, thanthe living Kallias growing old in inaction away from his country. Greece, represented by her best and bravest, carried the youth to hisgrave, and his statue is to be placed in the Altis by those of Milo ofCrotona and Praxidamas of AEgina". At length the heralds proclaimed thesentence of the judges: 'To Sparta be awarded a victor's wreath for thedead, for the noble Lysander hath been vanquished, not by Milo, but byDeath, and he who could go forth unconquered from a two hours' strugglewith the strongest of all Greeks, hath well deserved the olive-branch. '"

Here Kallias stopped a moment in his narrative. During his animateddescription of these events, so precious to every Greek heart, he hadforgotten his listeners, and, gazing into vacancy, had seen only thefigures of the wrestlers as they rose before his remembrance. Now, onlooking round, he perceived, to his astonishment, that the grey-hairedman with the wooden leg, whom he had already noticed, though withoutrecognizing him, had hidden his face in his hands and was weeping. Rhodopis was standing at his right hand. Phanes at his left, and theother guests were gazing at the Spartan, as if he had been the hero ofKallias's tale. In a moment the quick Athenian perceived that the agedman must stand in some very near relation to one or other of the victorsat Olympia; but when he heard that he was Aristomachus-the father ofthat glorious pair of brothers, whose wondrous forms were constantlyhovering before his eyes like visions sent down from the abodes of thegods, then he too gazed on the sobbing old man with mingled envy andadmiration, and made no effort to restrain the tears which rushed intohis own eyes, usually so clear and keen. In those days men wept, as wellas women, hoping to gain relief from the balm of their own tears. Inwrath, in ecstasy of delight, in every deep inward anguish, we find themighty heroes weeping, while, on the other hand, the Spartan boys wouldsubmit to be scourged at the altar of Artemis Orthia, and would bleedand even die under the lash without uttering a moan, in order to obtainthe praise of the men. 

For a time every one remained silent, out of respect to the old man'semotion. But at last the stillness was broken by Joshua the Jew, whobegan thus, in broken Greek:

"Weep thy fill, O man of Sparta! I also have known what it is to losea son. Eleven years have passed since I buried him in the land ofstrangers, by the waters of Babylon, where my people pined in captivity. Had yet one year been added unto the life of the beautiful child, hehad died in his own land, and had been buried in the sepulchres of hisfathers. But Cyrus the Persian (Jehovah bless his posterity!) releasedus from bondage one year too late, and therefore do I weep doubly forthis my son, in that he is buried among the enemies of my people Israel. Can there be an evil greater than to behold our children, who are untous as most precious treasure, go down into the grave before us? And, maythe Lord be gracious unto me, to lose so noble a son, in the dawn of hisearly manhood, just at the moment he had won such brilliant renown, mustindeed be a bitter grief, a grief beyond all others!"

Then the Spartan took away his hands from before his face; he waslooking stern, but smiled through his tears, and answered:

"Phoenician, you err! I weep not for anguish, but for joy, and wouldhave gladly lost my other son, if he could have died like my Lysander. "

The Jew, horrified at these, to him, sinful and unnatural words, shookhis head disapprovingly; but the Greeks overwhelmed the old man withcongratulations, deeming him much to be envied. His great happinessmade Aristomachus look younger by many years, and he cried to Rhodopis:"Truly, my friend, your house is for me a house of blessing; for thisis the second gift that the gods have allowed to fall to my lot, sinceI entered it. "--"What was the first?" asked Rhodopis. "A propitiousoracle. "--"But, " cried Phanes, "you have forgotten the third; on thisday the gods have blessed you with the acquaintance of Rhodopis. But, tell me, what is this about the oracle?"--"May I repeat it to ourfriends?" asked the Delphian. 

Aristomachus nodded assent, and Phryxus read aloud a second time theanswer of the Pythia:

 "If once the warrior hosts from the snow-topped mountains descending Come to the fields of the stream watering richly the plain, Then shall the lingering boat to the beckoning meadows convey thee Which to the wandering foot peace and a home will afford. When those warriors come from the snow-topped mountains descending Then will the powerful Five grant thee what they long refused. "

Scarcely was the last word out of his mouth, when Kallias the Athenian, springing up, cried: "In this house, too, you shall receive from me thefourth gift of the gods. Know that I have kept my rarest news till last:the Persians are coming to Egypt!"

At this every one, except the Sybarite, rushed to his feet, and Kalliasfound it almost impossible to answer their numerous questions. "Gently, gently, friends, " he cried at last; "let me tell my story in order, orI shall never finish it at all. It is not an army, as Phanes supposes, that is on its way hither, but a great embassy from Cambyses, thepresent ruler of the most powerful kingdom of Persia. At Samos I heardthat they had already reached Miletus, and in a few days they will behere. Some of the king's own relations, are among the number, the agedCroesus, king of Lydia, too; we shall behold a marvellous splendorand magnificence! Nobody knows the object of their coming, but it issupposed that King Cambyses wishes to conclude an alliance with Amasis;indeed some say the king solicits the hand of Pharaoh's daughter. "

"An alliance?" asked Phanes, with an incredulous shrug of the shoulders. "Why the Persians are rulers over half the world already. All thegreat Asiatic powers have submitted to their sceptre; Egypt and our ownmother-country, Hellas, are the only two that have been shared by theconqueror. "

"You forget India with its wealth of gold, and the great migratorynations of Asia, " answered Kallias. "And you forget moreover, thatan empire, composed like Persia of some seventy nations or tribes ofdifferent languages and customs, bears the seeds of discord ever withinitself, and must therefore guard against the chance of foreign attack;lest, while the bulk of the army be absent, single provinces shouldseize the opportunity and revolt from their allegiance. Ask theMilesians how long they would remain quiet if they heard that theiroppressors had been defeated in any battle?"

Theopompus, the Milesian merchant, called out, laughing at the sametime: "If the Persians were to be worsted in one war, they would at oncebe involved in a hundred others, and we should not be the last to riseup against our tyrants in the hour of their weakness!"

"Whatever the intentions of the envoys may be, " continued Kallias, "myinformation remains unaltered; they will be here at the latest in threedays. "

"And so your oracle will be fulfilled, fortunate Aristomachus!"exclaimed Rhodopis, "for see, the warrior hosts can only be thePersians. When they descend to the shores of the Nile, then the powerfulFive, ' your Ephori, will change their decision, and you, the father oftwo Olympian victors, will be recalled to your native land. 

 [The five Ephori of Sparta were appointed to represent the absent kings during the Messenian war. In later days the nobles made use of the Ephori as a power, which, springing immediately from their own body, they could oppose to the kingly authority. Being the highest magistrates in all judicial and educational matters, and in everything relating to the moral police of the country, the Ephori soon found means to assert their superiority, and on most occasions over that of the kings themselves. Every patrician who was past the age of thirty, had the right to become a candidate yearly for the office. Aristot. Potit, II. And IV. Laert. Diog. I. 68. ]

"Fill the goblets again, Knakias. Let us devote this last cup to themanes of the glorious Lysander; and then I advise you to depart, for itis long past midnight, and our pleasure has reached its highest point. The true host puts an end to the banquet when his guests are feelingat their best. Serene and agreeable recollections will soon bring youhither again; whereas there would be little joy in returning to a housewhere the remembrance of hours of weakness, the result of pleasure, would mingle with your future enjoyment. " In this her guests agreed, and Ibykus named her a thorough disciple of Pythagoras, in praise of thejoyous, festive evening. 

Every one prepared for departure. The Sybarite, who had been drinkingdeeply in order to counteract the very inconvenient amount of feelingexcited by the conversation, rose also, assisted by his slaves, who hadto be called in for this purpose. 

While he was being moved from his former comfortable position, hestammered something about a "breach of hospitality;" but, whenRhodopis was about to give him her hand at parting, the wine gained theascendancy and he exclaimed, "By Hercules, Rhodopis, you get rid ofus as if we were troublesome creditors. It is not my custom to leave asupper so long as I can stand, still less to be turned out of doors likea miserable parasite!"

"Hear reason, you immoderate Sybarite, " began Rhodopis, endeavoringwith a smile to excuse her proceeding. But these words, in Philoinus'half-intoxicated mood, only increased his irritation; he burst into amocking laugh, and staggering towards the door, shouted: "ImmoderateSybarite, you call me? good! here you have your answer: Shamelessslave! one can still perceive the traces of what you were in your youth. Farewell then, slave of Iadmon and Xanthus, freedwoman of Charaxus!"He had not however finished his sentence, when Aristomachus rushed uponhim, stunned him with a blow of his fist, and carried him off likea child down to the boat in which his slaves were waiting at thegarden-gate. 

CHAPTER III. 

The guests were all gone. Their departing mirth and joy had been smittendown by the drunkard's abusive words, like fresh young corn beneatha hail storm. Rhodopis was left standing alone in the empty, brightlydecorated (supper-room). Knakias extinguished the colored lamps onthe walls, and a dull, mysterious half-light took the place of theirbrilliant rays, falling scantily and gloomily on the piled-up plates anddishes, the remnants of the meal, and the seats and cushions, pushed outof their places by the retiring guests. A cold breeze came through theopen door, for the dawn was at hand, and just before sunrise, the air isgenerally unpleasantly cool in Egypt. A cold chill struck the limbs ofthe aged woman through her light garments. She stood gazing tearlesslyand fixedly into the desolate room, whose walls but a few minutes beforehad been echoing with joy and gladness, and it seemed to her that thedeserted guest-chamber must be like her own heart. She felt as if a wormwere gnawing there, and the warm blood congealing into ice. 

Lost in these thoughts, she remained standing till at last her oldfemale slave appeared to light her to her sleeping apartment. 

Silently Rhodopis allowed herself to be undressed, and then, assilently, lifted the curtain which separated a second sleeping apartmentfrom her own. In the middle of this second room stood a bedstead ofmaplewood, and there, on white sheets spread over a mattress of finesheep's wool, and protected from the cold by bright blue coverlets's, lay a graceful, lovely girl asleep; this was Rhodopis' granddaughter, Sappho. The rounded form and delicate figure seemed to denote onealready in opening maidenhood, but the peaceful, blissful smile couldonly belong to a harmless, happy child. 

One hand lay under her head, hidden among the thick dark brown hair, theother clasped unconsciously a little amulet of green stone, which hunground her neck. Over her closed eyes the long lashes trembled almostimperceptibly, and a delicate pink flush came and went on the cheek ofthe slumberer. The finely-cut nostrils rose and fell with her regularbreathing, and she lay there, a picture of innocence, of peace, smilingin dreams, and of the slumber that the gods bestow on early youth, whencare has not yet come. 

Softly and carefully, crossing the thick carpets on tiptoe, thegrey-haired woman approached, looked with unutterable tenderness intothe smiling, childish face, and, kneeling down silently by the side ofthe bed, buried her face in its soft coverings, so that the girl'shand just came in contact with her hair. Then she wept, and withoutintermission; as though she hoped with this flood of tears to wash awaynot only her recent humiliation, but with it all other sorrow from hermind. 

At length she rose, breathed a light kiss on the sleeping girl'sforehead, raised her hands in prayer towards heaven, and returned to herown room, gently and carefully as she had come. 

At her own bedside she found the old slave-woman, still waiting for her. 

"What do you want so late, Melitta?" said Rhodopis, kindly, under herbreath. "Go to bed; at your age it is not good to remain up late, andyou know that I do not require you any longer. Good night! and do notcome to-morrow until I send for you. I shall not be able to sleepmuch to-night, and shall be thankful if the morning brings me a shortrepose. "

The woman hesitated; it seemed that she had some thing on her mind whichshe feared to utter. 

"There is something you want to ask me?" said Rhodopis. 

Still the old slave hesitated. 

"Speak!" said Rhodopis, "speak at once, and quickly. "

"I saw you weeping, " said the slave-woman, "you seem ill or sad; let mewatch this night by your bedside. Will you not tell me what ails you?You have often found that to tell a sorrow lightens the heart andlessens the pain. Then tell me your grief to-day too; it will do yougood, it will bring back peace to your mind. "

"No, " answered the other, "I cannot utter it. " And then she continued, smiling bitterly: "I have once more experienced that no one, not even agod, has power to cancel the past of any human being, and that, in thisworld, misfortune and disgrace are one and the same. Good night, leaveme; Melitta!"

At noon on the following day, the same boat, which, the evening before, had carried the Athenian and the Spartan, stopped once more beforeRhodopis' garden. 

The sun was shining so brightly, so warmly and genially in the dark blueEgyptian sky, the air was so pure and light, the beetles were humming somerrily, the boatmen singing so lustily and happily, the shores ofthe Nile bloomed in such gay, variegated beauty, and were so thicklypeopled, the palm-trees, sycamores, bananas and acacias were soluxuriant in foliage and blossom, and over the whole landscape therarest and most glorious gifts seemed to have been poured out with suchdivine munificence, that a passer-by must have pronounced it the veryhome of joy and gladness, a place from which sadness and sorrow had beenforever banished. 

How often we fancy, in passing a quiet village hidden among itsorchards, that this at least must be the abode of peace, and unambitiouscontentment! But alas! when we enter the cottages, what do we find?there, as everywhere else, distress and need, passion and unsatisfiedlonging, fear and remorse, pain and misery; and by the side of these, Ah! how few joys! Who would have imagined on coming to Egypt, that thisluxuriant, laughing sunny land, whose sky is always unclouded, couldpossibly produce and nourish men given to bitterness and severity? thatwithin the charming, hospitable house of the fortunate Rhodopis, coveredand surrounded, as it was, with sweet flowers, a heart could have beenbeating in the deepest sadness? And, still more, who among all theguests of that honored, admired Thracian woman, would have believedthat this sad heart belonged to her? to the gracious, smiling matron, Rhodopis herself?

She was sitting with Phanes in a shady arbor near the cooling spray ofa fountain. One could see that she had been weeping again, but her facewas beautiful and kind as ever. The Athenian was holding her hand andtrying to comfort her. 

Rhodopis listened patiently, and smiled the while; at times her smilewas bitter, at others it gave assent to his words. At last however sheinterrupted her well-intentioned friend, by saying:

"Phanes, I thank you. Sooner or later this last disgrace must beforgotten too. Time is clever in the healing art. If I were weak Ishould leave Naukratis and live in retirement for my grandchild alone;a whole world, believe me, lies slumbering in that young creature. Manyand many a time already I have longed to leave Egypt, and as often haveconquered the wish. Not because I cannot live without the homage of yoursex; of that I have already had more than enough in my life, but becauseI feel that I, the slave-girl and the despised woman once, am nowuseful, necessary, almost indispensable indeed, to many free and noblemen. Accustomed as I am, to an extended sphere of work, in its natureresembling a man's, I could not content myself in living for one beingalone, however dear. I should dry up like a plant removed from a richsoil into the desert, and should leave my grandchild desolate indeed, three times orphaned, and alone in the world. No! I shall remain inEgypt. 

"Now that you are leaving, I shall be really indispensable to ourfriends here. Amasis is old; when Psamtik comes to the throne we shallhave infinitely greater difficulties to contend with than heretofore. Imust remain and fight on in the fore-front of our battle for the freedomand welfare of the Hellenic race. Let them call my efforts unwomanly ifthey will. This is, and shall be, the purpose of my life, a purpose towhich I will remain all the more faithful, because it is one of thoseto which a woman rarely dares devote her life. During this last nightof tears I have felt that much, very much of that womanly weakness stilllingers in me which forms at once the happiness and misery of our sex. To preserve this feminine weakness in my granddaughter, united withperfect womanly delicacy, has been my first duty; my second to freemyself entirely from it. But a war against one's own nature cannot becarried on without occasional defeat, even if ultimately successful. When grief and pain are gaining the upperhand and I am well nigh indespair, my only help lies in remembering my friend Pythagoras, thatnoblest among men, and his words: 'Observe a due proportion in allthings, avoid excessive joy as well as complaining grief, and seek tokeep thy soul in tune and harmony like a well-toned harp. '"

 [There is no question that Pythagoras visited Egypt during the reign of Amasis, probably towards the middle of the 6th century (according to our reckoning, about 536 B. C. ) Herod. II. 81-123. Diod. I. 98. Rich information about Pythagoras is to be found in the works of the very learned scholar Roeth, who is however occasionally much too bold in his conjectures. Pythagoras was the first among Greek thinkers (speculators). He would not take the name of a wise man or "sage, " but called himself "Philosophos, " or a "friend of wisdom. "]

"This Pythagorean inward peace, this deep, untroubled calm, I see dailybefore me in my Sappho; and struggle to attain it myself, though many astroke of fate untunes the chords of my poor heart. I am calm now! Youwould hardly believe what power the mere thought of that first of allthinkers, that calm, deliberate man, whose life acted on mine likesweet, soft music, has over me. You knew him, you can understand whatI mean. Now, mention your wish; my heart is as calmly quiet as the Nilewaters which are flowing by so quietly, and I am ready to hear it, be itgood or evil. "

"I am glad to see you thus, " said the Athenian. "If you had rememberedthe noble friend of wisdom, as Pythagoras was wont to call himself alittle sooner, your soul would have regained its balance yesterday. Themaster enjoins us to look back every evening on the events, feelings andactions of the day just past. 

"Now had you done this, you would have felt that the unfeignedadmiration of all your guests, among whom were men of distinguishedmerit, outweighed a thousandfold the injurious words of a drunkenlibertine; you would have felt too that you were a friend of the gods, for was it not in your house that the immortals gave that noble old manat last, after his long years of misfortune, the greatest joy that canfall to the lot of any human being? and did they not take from you onefriend only in order to replace him in the same moment, by another and abetter? Come, I will hear no contradiction. Now for my request. 

"You know that people sometimes call me an Athenian, sometimes aHalikarnassian. Now, as the Ionian, AEolian and Dorian mercenaries havenever been on good terms with the Karians, my almost triple descent(if I may call it so) has proved very useful to me as commander of boththese divisions. Well qualified as Aristomachus may be for the command, yet in this one point Amasis will miss me; for I found it an easy matterto settle the differences among the troops and keep them at peace, whilehe, as a Spartan, will find it very difficult to keep right with theKarian soldiers. 

"This double nationality of mine arises from the fact that my fathermarried a Halikarnassian wife out of a noble Dorian family, and, at thetime of my birth, was staying with her in Halikarnassus, having comethither in order to take possession of her parental inheritance. So, though I was taken back to Athens before I was three months old, Imust still be called a Karian, as a man's native land is decided by hisbirthplace. 

"In Athens, as a young nobleman, belonging to that most aristocraticand ancient family, the Philaidae, I was reared and educated in all thepride of an Attic noble. Pisistratus, brave and clever, and though ofequal, yet by no means of higher birth, than ourselves, for there existsno family more aristocratic than my father's, gained possession of thesupreme authority. Twice, the nobles, by uniting all their strength, succeeded in overthrowing him, and when, the third time, assisted byLygdamis of Naxos, the Argives and Eretrians, he attempted to return, weopposed him again. We had encamped by the temple of Minerva at Pallene, and were engaged in sacrificing to the goddess, early, before our firstmeal, when we were suddenly surprised by the clever tyrant, who gainedan easy, bloodless victory over our unarmed troops. As half of theentire army opposed to the tyrant was under my command, I determinedrather to die than yield, fought with my whole strength, implored thesoldiers to remain steadfast, resisted without yielding a point, butfell at last with a spear in my shoulder. 

"The Pisistratidae became lords of Athens. I fled to Halikarnassus, mysecond home, accompanied by my wife and children. There, my name beingknown through some daring military exploits, and, through my havingonce conquered in the Pythian games, I was appointed to a command inthe mercenary troops of the King of Egypt; accompanied the expeditionto Cyprus, shared with Aristomachus the renown of having conqueredthe birthplace of Aphrodite for Amasis, and finally was namedcommander-in-chief of all the mercenaries in Egypt. 

"Last summer my wife died; our children, a boy of eleven and a girlof ten years, remained with an aunt in Halikarnassus. But she too hasfollowed to the inexorable Hades, and so, only a few days ago I sent forthe little ones here. They cannot, however, possibly reach Naukratis inless than three weeks, and yet they will already have set out on theirjourney before a letter to countermand my first order could reach them. 

"I must leave Egypt in fourteen days, and cannot therefore receive themmyself. 

"My own intentions are to go to the Thracian Chersonese, where my uncle, as you know, has been called to fill a high office among the Dolonki. The children shall follow me thither; my faithful old slave Korax willremain in Naukratis on purpose to bring them to me. 

"Now, if you will show to me that you are in deed and truth my friend, will you receive the little ones and take care of them till the nextship sails for Thrace? But above all, will you carefully conceal themfrom the eyes of the crown-prince's spies? You know that Psamtik hatesme mortally, and he could easily revenge himself on the father throughthe children. I ask you for this great favor, first, because I know yourkindness by experience; and secondly, because your house has been madesecure by the king's letter of guarantee, and they will therefore besafe here from the inquiries of the police; notwithstanding that, by thelaws of this most formal country, all strangers, children not excepted, must give up their names to the officer of the district. 

"You can now judge of the depth of my esteem, Rhodopis; I am committinginto your hands all that makes life precious to me; for even my nativeland has ceased to be dear while she submits so ignominiously to hertyrants. Will you then restore tranquillity to an anxious father'sheart, will you--?"

"I will, Phanes, I will!" cried the aged woman in undisguised delight. "You are not asking me for any thing, you are presenting me with a gift. Oh, how I look forward already to their arrival! And how glad Sapphowill be, when the little creatures come and enliven her solitude! Butthis I can assure you, Phanes, I shall not let my little guests departwith the first Thracian ship. You can surely afford to be separated fromthem one short half-year longer, and I promise you they shall receivethe best lessons, and be guided to all that is good and beautiful. "

"On that head I have no fear, " answered Phanes, with a thankful smile. "But still you must send off the two little plagues by the first ship;my anxiety as to Psamtik's revenge is only too well grounded. Take mymost heartfelt thanks beforehand for all the love and kindness which youwill show to my children. I too hope and believe, that the merry littlecreatures will be an amusement and pleasure to Sappho in her lonelylife. "

"And more, " interrupted Rhodopis looking down; "this proof of confidencerepays a thousand-fold the disgrace inflicted on me last night in amoment of intoxication. --But here comes Sappho!"

CHAPTER IV. 

Five days after the evening we have just described at Rhodopis' house, an immense multitude was to be seen assembled at the harbor of Sais. 

Egyptians of both sexes, and of every age and class were thronging tothe water's edge. 

Soldiers and merchants, whose various ranks in society were betokened bythe length of their white garments, bordered with colored fringes, were interspersed among the crowd of half-naked, sinewy men, whose onlyclothing consisted of an apron, the costume of the lower classes. Nakedchildren crowded, pushed and fought to get the best places. Mothers inshort cloaks were holding their little ones up to see the sight, whichby this means they entirely lost themselves; and a troop of dogs andcats were playing and fighting at the feet of these eager sight-seers, who took the greatest pains not to tread on, or in any way injure thesacred animals. 

 [According to various pictures on the Egyptian monuments. The mothers are from Wilkinson III. 363. Isis and Hathor, with the child Horus in her lap or at her breast, are found in a thousand representations, dating both from more modern times and in the Greek style. The latter seem to have served as a model for the earliest pictures of the Madonna holding the infant Christ. ]

The police kept order among this huge crowd with long staves, on themetal heads of which the king's name was inscribed. Their care wasespecially needed to prevent any of the people from being pushed intothe swollen Nile, an arm of which, in the season of the inundations, washes the walls of Sais. 

On the broad flight of steps which led between two rows of sphinxes downto the landing-place of the royal boats, was a very different kind ofassembly. 

The priests of the highest rank were seated there on stone benches. Many wore long, white robes, others were clad in aprons, broad jewelledcollars, and garments of panther skins. Some had fillets adorned withplumes that waved around brows, temples, and the stiff structures offalse curls that floated over their shoulders; others displayed theglistening bareness of their smoothly-shaven skulls. The supreme judgewas distinguished by the possession of the longest and handsomest plumein his head-dress, and a costly sapphire amulet, which, suspended by agold chain, hung on his breast. 

The highest officers of the Egyptian army wore uniforms of gay colors, 97and carried short swords in their girdles. On the right side of thesteps a division of the body-guard was stationed, armed with battleaxes, daggers, bows, and large shields; on the left, were the Greekmercenaries, armed in Ionian fashion. Their new leader, our friendAristomachus, stood with a few of his own officers apart from theEgyptians, by the colossal statues of Psamtik I. , which had been erectedon the space above the steps, their faces towards the river. 

In front of these statues, on a silver chair, sat Psamtik, the heir tothe throne: He wore a close-fitting garment of many colors, interwovenwith gold, and was surrounded by the most distinguished among the king'scourtiers, chamberlains, counsellors, and friends, all bearing staveswith ostrich feathers and lotus-flowers. 

The multitude gave vent to their impatience by shouting, singing, andquarrelling; but the priests and magnates on the steps preserved adignified and solemn silence. Each, with his steady, unmoved gaze, hisstiffly-curled false wig and beard, and his solemn, deliberate manner, resembled the two huge statues, which, the one precisely similar to theother, stood also motionless in their respective places, gazing calmlyinto the stream. 

At last silken sails, chequered with purple and blue, appeared in sight. 

The crowd shouted with delight. Cries of, "They are coming! Here theyare!" "Take care, or you'll tread on that kitten, " "Nurse, hold thechild higher that she may see something of the sight. " "You are pushingme into the water, Sebak!" "Have a care Phoenician, the boys arethrowing burs into your long beard. " "Now, now, you Greek fellow, don'tfancy that all Egypt belongs to you, because Amasis allows you to liveon the shores of the sacred river!" "Shameless set, these Greeks, downwith them!" shouted a priest, and the cry was at once echoed from manymouths. "Down with the eaters of swine's flesh and despisers of thegods!"

 [The Egyptians, like the Jews, were forbidden to eat swine's flesh. This prohibition is mentioned in the Ritual of the Dead, found in a grave in Abd-el-Qurnah, and also in other places. Porphyr de Abstin. IV. The swine was considered an especially unclean animal pertaining to Typhon (Egyptian, Set) as the boar to Ares, and swineherds were an especially despised race. Animals with bristles were only sacrificed at the feasts of Osiris and Eileithyia. Herod. I. 2. 47. It is probable that Moses borrowed his prohibition of swine's flesh from the Egyptian laws with regard to unclean animals. ]

From words they were proceeding to deeds, but the police were not to betrifled with, and by a vigorous use of their staves, the tumult wassoon stilled. The large, gay sails, easily to be distinguished amongthe brown, white and blue ones of the smaller Nile-boats which swarmedaround them, came nearer and nearer to the expectant throng. Then atlast the crown-prince and the dignitaries arose from their seats. Theroyal band of trumpeters blew a shrill and piercing blast of welcome, and the first of the expected boats stopped at the landing-place. 

It was a rather long, richly-gilded vessel, and bore a silversparrow-hawk as figure-head. In its midst rose a golden canopy with apurple covering, beneath which cushions were conveniently arranged. Oneach deck in the forepart of the ship sat twelve rowers, their apronsattached by costly fastenings. 

 [Splendid Nile-boats were possessed, in greater or less numbers, by all the men of high rank. Even in the tomb of Ti at Sakkara, which dates from the time of the Pyramids, we meet with a chief overseer of the vessels belonging to a wealthy Egyptian. ]

Beneath the canopy lay six fine-looking men in glorious apparel; andbefore the ship had touched the shore the youngest of these, a beautifulfair-haired youth, sprang on to the steps. 

Many an Egyptian girl's mouth uttered a lengthened "Ah" at this glorioussight, and even the grave faces of some of the dignitaries brightenedinto a friendly smile. 

The name of this much-admired youth was Bartja. 

 [This Bartja is better known under the name of Smerdis, but on what account the Greeks gave him this name is not clear. In the cuneiform inscriptions of Bisitun or Behistun, he is called Bartja, or, according to Spiegel, Bardiya. We have chosen, for the sake of the easy pronunciation, the former, which is Rawlinson's simplified reading of the name. ]

He was the son of the late, and brother of the reigning king of Persia, and had been endowed by nature with every gift that a youth of twentyyears could desire for himself. 

Around his tiara was wound a blue and white turban, beneath which hungfair, golden curls of beautiful, abundant hair; his blue eyes sparkledwith life and joy, kindness and high spirits, almost with sauciness;his noble features, around which the down of a manly beard was alreadyvisible, were worthy of a Grecian sculptor's chisel, and his slenderbut muscular figure told of strength and activity. The splendor of hisapparel was proportioned to his personal beauty. A brilliant star ofdiamonds and turquoises glittered in the front of his tiara. An uppergarment of rich white and gold brocade reaching just below the knees, was fastened round the waist with a girdle of blue and white, the royalcolors of Persia. In this girdle gleamed a short, golden sword, its hiltand scabbard thickly studded with opals and sky-blue turquoises. Thetrousers were of the same rich material as the robe, fitting closelyat the ankle, and ending within a pair of short boots of light-blueleather. 

The long, wide sleeves of his robe displayed a pair of vigorous arms, adorned with many costly bracelets of gold and jewels; round his slenderneck and on his broad chest lay a golden chain. 

Such was the youth who first sprang on shore. He was followed by Darius, the son of Hystaspes, a young Persian of the blood royal, similar inperson to Bartja, and scarcely less gorgeously apparelled than he. Thethird to disembark was an aged man with snow-white hair, in whoseface the gentle and kind expression of childhood was united, with theintellect of a man, and the experience of old age. His dress consistedof a long purple robe with sleeves, and the yellow boots worn by theLydians;--his whole appearance produced an impression of the greatestmodesty and a total absence of pretension. 

 [On account of these boots, which are constantly mentioned, Croesus was named by the oracle "soft-footed. "]

Yet this simple old man had been, but a few years before, the mostenvied of his race and age; and even in our day at two thousand years'interval, his name is used as a synonyme for the highest point ofworldly riches attainable by mankind. The old man to whom we are nowintroduced is no other than Croesus, the dethroned king of Lydia, whowas then living at the court of Cambyses, as his friend and counsellor, and had accompanied the young Bartja to Egypt, in the capacity ofMentor. 

Croesus was followed by Prexaspes, the king's Ambassador, Zopyrus, theson of Megabyzus, a Persian noble, the friend of Bartja and Darius; and, lastly, by his own son, the slender, pale Gyges, who after having becomedumb in his fourth year through the fearful anguish he had sufferedon his father's account at the taking of Sardis, had now recovered thepower of speech. 

Psamtik descended the steps to welcome the strangers. His austere, sallow face endeavored to assume a smile. The high officials in histrain bowed down nearly to the ground, allowing their arms to hangloosely at their sides. The Persians, crossing their hands on theirbreasts, cast themselves on the earth before the heir to the Egyptianthrone. When the first formalities were over, Bartja, according to thecustom of his native country, but greatly to the astonishment of thepopulace, who were totally unaccustomed to such a sight, kissed thesallow cheek of the Egyptian prince; who shuddered at the touch of astranger's unclean lips, then took his way to the litters waiting toconvey him and his escort to the dwelling designed for them by the king, in the palace at Sais. 

A portion of the crowd streamed after the strangers, but the largernumber remained at their places, knowing that many a new and wonderfulsight yet awaited them. 

"Are you going to run after those dressed-up monkeys and children ofTyphon, too?" asked an angry priest of his neighbor, a respectabletailor of Sais. "I tell you, Puhor, and the high-priest says so too, that these strangers can bring no good to the black land! I am for thegood old times, when no one who cared for his life dared set foot onEgyptian soil. Now our streets are literally swarming with cheatingHebrews, and above all with those insolent Greeks whom may the godsdestroy!

 [The Jews were called Hebrews (Apuriu) by the Egyptians; as brought to light by Chabas. See Ebers, Aegypten I. P. 316. H. Brugsch opposes this opinion. ]

"Only look, there is the third boat full of strangers! And do you knowwhat kind of people these Persians are? The high-priest says that in thewhole of their kingdom, which is as large as half the world, thereis not a single temple to the gods; and that instead of giving decentburial to the dead, they leave them to be torn in pieces by dogs andvultures. "

 [These statements are correct, as the Persians, at the time of the dynasty of the Achaemenidae, had no temples, but used fire-altars and exposed their dead to the dogs and vultures. An impure corpse was not permitted to defile the pure earth by its decay; nor might it be committed to the fire or water for destruction, as their purity would be equally polluted by such an act. But as it was impossible to cause the dead bodies to vanish, Dakhmas or burying- places were laid out, which had to be covered with pavement and cement not less than four inches thick, and surrounded by cords to denote that the whole structure was as it were suspended in the air, and did not come in contact with the pure earth. Spiegel, Avesta II. ]

"The tailor's indignation at hearing this was even greater than hisastonishment, and pointing to the landing-steps, he cried:

"It is really too bad; see, there is the sixth boat full of theseforeigners!"

"Yes, it is hard indeed!" sighed the priest, "one might fancy a wholearmy arriving. Amasis will go on in this manner until the strangersdrive him from his throne and country, and plunder and make slaves ofus poor creatures, as the evil Hyksos, those scourges of Egypt, and theblack Ethiopians did, in the days of old. "

"The seventh boat!" shouted the tailor. 

"May my protectress Neith, the great goddess of Sais, destroy me, if Ican understand the king, " complained the priest. "He sent three barks toNaukratis, that poisonous nest hated of the gods, to fetch the servantsand baggage of these Persians; but instead of three, eight had to beprocured, for these despisers of the gods and profaners of dead bodieshave not only brought kitchen utensils, dogs, horses, carriages, chests, baskets and bales, but have dragged with them, thousands of miles, awhole host of servants. They tell me that some of them have no otherwork than twining of garlands and preparing ointments. Their prieststoo, whom they call Magi, are here with them. I should like to know whatthey are for? of what use is a priest where there is no temple?"

The old King Amasis received the Persian embassy shortly after theirarrival with all the amiability and kindness peculiar to him. 

Four days later, after having attended to the affairs of state, a dutypunctually fulfilled by him every morning without exception, he wentforth to walk with Croesus in the royal gardens. The remaining membersof the embassy, accompanied by the crown-prince, were engaged in anexcursion up the Nile to the city of Memphis. 

The palace-gardens, of a royal magnificence, yet similar in theirarrangement to those of Rhodopis, lay in the north-west part of Sais, near the royal citadel. 

Here, under the shadow of a spreading plane-tree, and near a giganticbasin of red granite, into which an abundance of clear water flowedperpetually through the jaws of black basalt crocodiles, the two old menseated themselves. 

The dethroned king, though in reality some years the elder of the two, looked far fresher and more vigorous than the powerful monarch at hisside. Amasis was tall, but his neck was bent; his corpulent body wassupported by weak and slender legs: and his face, though well-formed, was lined and furrowed. But a vigorous spirit sparkled in the small, flashing eyes, and an expression of raillery, sly banter, and at times, even of irony, played around his remarkably full lips. The low, broadbrow, the large and beautifully-arched head bespoke great mental power, and in the changing color of his eyes one seemed to read that neitherwit nor passion were wanting in the man, who, from his simple placeas soldier in the ranks, had worked his way up to the throne of thePharaohs. His voice was sharp and hard, and his movements, in comparisonwith the deliberation of the other members of the Egyptian court, appeared almost morbidly active. 

The attitude and bearing of his neighbor Croesus were graceful, and inevery way worthy of a king. His whole manner showed that he had livedin frequent intercourse with the highest and noblest minds of Greece. Thales, Anaximander and Anaximenes of Miletus, Bias of Priene, Solon ofAthens, Pittakus of Lesbos, the most celebrated Hellenic philosophers, had in former and happier days been guests at the court of Croesus inSardis. His full clear voice sounded like pure song when compared withthe shrill tones of Amasis. 

 [Bias, a philosopher of Ionian origin, flourished about 560 B. C. And was especially celebrated for his wise maxims on morals and law. After his death, which took place during his defence of a friend in the public court, a temple was erected to him by his countrymen. Laert. Diog. I. 88. ]

"Now tell me openly, " began king Pharaoh--[In English "great house, " thehigh gate or "sublime porte. "]--in tolerably fluent Greek, "what opinionhast thou formed of Egypt? Thy judgment possesses for me more worth thanthat of any other man, for three reasons: thou art better acquaintedwith most of the countries and nations of this earth; the gods have notonly allowed thee to ascend the ladder of fortune to its utmost summit, but also to descend it, and thirdly, thou hast long been the firstcounsellor to the mightiest of kings. Would that my kingdom might pleasethee so well that thou wouldst remain here and become to me a brother. Verily, Croesus, my friend hast thou long been, though my eyes beheldthee yesterday for the first time!"

"And thou mine, " interrupted the Lydian. "I admire the courage withwhich thou hast accomplished that which seemed right and good in thineeyes, in spite of opposition near and around thee. I am thankful for thefavor shown to the Hellenes, my friends, and I regard thee as related tome by fortune, for hast thou not also passed through all the extremes ofgood and evil that this life can offer?"

"With this difference, " said Amasis smiling, "that we started fromopposite points; in thy lot the good came first, the evil later; whereasin my own this order has been reversed. In saying this, however, " headded, "I am supposing that my present fortune is a good for me, andthat I enjoy it. "

"And I, in that case, " answered Croesus, "must be assuming that I amunhappy in what men call my present ill-fortune. "

"How can it possibly be otherwise after the loss of such enormouspossessions?"

"Does happiness consist then in possession?" asked Croesus. "Ishappiness itself a thing to be possessed? Nay, by no means! It isnothing but a feeling, a sensation, which the envious gods vouchsafemore often to the needy than to the mighty. The clear sight of thelatter becomes dazzled by the glittering treasure, and they cannot butsuffer continual humiliation, because, conscious of possessing power toobtain much, they wage an eager war for all, and therein are continuallydefeated. "

Amasis sighed, and answered: "I would I could prove thee in the wrong;but in looking back on my past life I am fain to confess that itscares began with that very hour which brought me what men call my goodfortune. "--"And I, " interrupted Croesus, "can assure thee that I amthankful thou delayedst to come to my help, inasmuch as the hour of myoverthrow was the beginning of true, unsullied happiness. When I beheldthe first Persians scale the walls of Sardis, I execrated myself and thegods, life appeared odious to me, existence a curse. Fighting on, but inheart despairing, I and my people were forced to yield. A Persian raisedhis sword to cleave my skull--in an instant my poor dumb son had thrownhimself between his father and the murderer, and for the first timeafter long years of silence, I heard him speak. Terror had loosened histongue; in that dreadful hour Gyges learnt once more to speak, and I, who but the moment before had been cursing the gods, bowed down beforetheir power. I had commanded a slave to kill me the moment I should betaken prisoner by the Persians, but now I deprived him of his sword. Iwas a changed man, and by degrees learnt ever more and more to subduethe rage and indignation which yet from time to time would boil up againwithin my soul, rebellious against my fate and my noble enemies. Thouknowest that at last I became the friend of Cyrus, and that my son grewup at his court, a free man at my side, having entirely regained the useof his speech. Everything beautiful and good that I had heard, seenor thought during my long life I treasured up now for him; he was mykingdom, my crown, my treasure. Cyrus's days of care, his nights so reftof sleep, reminded me with horror of my own former greatness, and fromday to day it became more evident to me that happiness has nothing todo with our outward circumstances. Each man possesses the hidden germ inhis own heart. A contented, patient mind, rejoicing much in all thatis great and beautiful and yet despising not the day of small things;bearing sorrow without a murmur and sweetening it by calling toremembrance former joy; moderation in all things; a firm trust in thefavor of the gods and a conviction that, all things being subject tochange, so with us too the worst must pass in due season; all this helpsto mature the germ of happiness, and gives us power to smile, where theman undisciplined by fate might yield to despair and fear. "

Amasis listened attentively, drawing figures the while in the sand withthe golden flower on his staff. At last he spoke:

"Verily, Croesus, I the great god, the 'sun of righteousness, ' 'the sonof Neith, ' 'the lord of warlike glory, ' as the Egyptians call me, amtempted to envy thee, dethroned and plundered as thou art. I have beenas happy as thou art now. Once I was known through all Egypt, thoughonly the poor son of a captain, for my light heart, happy temper, funand high spirits. The common soldiers would do anything for me, mysuperior officers could have found much fault, but in the mad Amasis, as they called me, all was overlooked, and among my equals, (the otherunder-officers) there could be no fun or merry-making unless I took ashare in it. My predecessor king Hophra sent us against Cyrene. Seizedwith thirst in the desert, we refused to go on; and a suspicion that theking intended to sacrifice us to the Greek mercenaries drove the army toopen mutiny. In my usual joking manner I called out to my friends: 'Youcan never get on without a king, take me for your ruler; a merrier youwill never find!' The soldiers caught the words. 'Amasis will be ourking, ' ran through the ranks from man to man, and, in a few hours more, they came to me with shouts, and acclamations of 'The good, jovialAmasis for our King!' One of my boon companions set a field-marshal'shelmet on my head: I made the joke earnest, and we defeated Hophra atMomempliis. The people joined in the conspiracy, I ascended the throne, and men pronounced me fortunate. Up to that time I had been everyEgyptian's friend, and now I was the enemy of the best men in thenation. 

"The priests swore allegiance to me, and accepted me as a member oftheir caste, but only in the hope of guiding me at their will. My formersuperiors in command either envied me, or wished to remain on the sameterms of intercourse as formerly. But this would have been inconsistentwith my new position, and have undermined my authority. One day, therefore, when the officers of the host were at one of my banquets andattempting, as usual, to maintain their old convivial footing, I showedthem the golden basin in which their feet had been washed before sittingdown to meat; five days later, as they were again drinking at one of myrevels, I caused a golden image of the great god Ra be placed upon therichly-ornamented banqueting-table. 

 [Ra, with the masculine article Phra, must be regarded as the central point of the sun-worship of the Egyptians, which we consider to have been the foundation of their entire religion. He was more especially worshipped at Heliopolis. Plato, Eudoxus, and probably Pythagoras also, profited by the teaching of his priests. The obelisks, serving also as memorial monuments on which the names and deeds of great kings were recorded, were sacred to him, and Pliny remarks of them that they represented the rays of the sun. He was regarded as the god of light, the director of the entire visible creation, over which he reigned, as Osiris over the world of spirits. ]

"On perceiving it, they fell down to worship. As they rose fromtheir knees, I took the sceptre, and holding it up on high with muchsolemnity, exclaimed: 'In five days an artificer has transformed thedespised vessel into which ye spat and in which men washed your feet, into this divine image. Such a vessel was I, but the Deity, which canfashion better and more quickly than a goldsmith, has made me your king. Bow down then before me and worship. He who henceforth refuses to obey, or is unmindful of the reverence due to the king, is guilty of death!'

"They fell down before me, every one, and I saved my authority, but lostmy friends. As I now stood in need of some other prop, I fixed on theHellenes, knowing that in all military qualifications one Greek is worthmore than five Egyptians, and that with this assistance I should be ableto carry out those measures which I thought beneficial. 

"I kept the Greek mercenaries always round me, I learnt their language, and it was they who brought to me the noblest human being I ever met, Pythagoras. I endeavored to introduce Greek art and manners amongourselves, seeing what folly lay in a self-willed adherence to thatwhich has been handed down to us, when it is in itself bad and unworthy, while the good seed lay on our Egyptian soil, only waiting to be sown. 

"I portioned out the whole land to suit my purposes, appointed the bestpolice in the world, and accomplished much; but my highest aim, namely:to infuse into this country, at once so gay and so gloomy, the spiritand intellect of the Greeks, their sense of beauty in form, their loveof life and joy in it, this all was shivered on the same rock whichthreatens me with overthrow and ruin whenever I attempt to accomplishanything new. The priests are my opponents, my masters, they hang like adead weight upon me. Clinging with superstitious awe to all that is oldand traditionary, abominating everything foreign, and regarding everystranger as the natural enemy of their authority and their teaching, they can lead the most devout and religious of all nations with a powerthat has scarcely any limits. For this I am forced to sacrifice all myplans, for this I see my life passing away in bondage to their severeordinances, this will rob my death-bed of peace, and I cannot be securethat this host of proud mediators between god and man will allow me torest even in my grave!"

"By Zeus our saviour, with all thy good fortune, thou art to be pitied!"interrupted Croesus sympathetically, "I understand thy misery; forthough I have met with many an individual who passed through life darklyand gloomily, I could not have believed that an entire race of humanbeings existed, to whom a gloomy, sullen heart was as natural as apoisonous tooth to the serpent. Yet it is true, that on my journeyhither and during my residence at this court I have seen none but moroseand gloomy countenances among the priesthood. Even the youths, thyimmediate attendants, are never seen to smile; though cheerfulness, that sweet gift of the gods, usually belongs to the young, as flowers tospring. "

"Thou errest, " answered Amasis, "in believing this gloom to be auniversal characteristic of the Egyptians. It is true that our religionrequires much serious thought. There are few nations, however, who haveso largely the gift of bantering fun and joke: or who on the occasionof a festival, can so entirely forget themselves and everything else butthe enjoyments of the moment; but the very sight of a stranger is odiousto the priests, and the moroseness which thou observest is intended asretaliation on me for my alliance with the strangers. Those very boys, of whom thou spakest, are the greatest torment of my life. They performfor me the service of slaves, and obey my slightest nod. One mightimagine that the parents who devote their children to this service, and who are the highest in rank among the priesthood, would be the mostobedient and reverential servants of the king whom they profess to honoras divine; but believe me, Croesus, just in this very act of devotion, which no ruler can refuse to accept without giving offence, lies themost crafty, scandalous calculation. Each of these youths is my keeper, my spy. They watch my smallest actions and report them at once to thepriests. "

"But how canst thou endure such an existence? Why not banish these spiesand select servants from the military caste, for instance? They would bequite as useful as the priests. "

"Ah! if I only could, if I dared!" exclaimed Amasis loudly. And then, as if frightened at his own rashness, he continued in a low voice, "Ibelieve that even here I am being watched. To-morrow I will have thatgrove of fig-trees yonder uprooted. The young priest there, who seemsso fond of gardening, has other fruit in his mind besides the half-ripefigs that he is so slowly dropping into his basket. While his hand isplucking the figs, his ear gathers the words that fall from the mouth ofhis king. "

"But, by our father Zeus, and by Apollo--"

"Yes, I understand thy indignation and I share it; but every positionhas its duties, and as a king of a people who venerate tradition as thehighest divinity, I must submit, at least in the main, to the ceremonieshanded down through thousands of years. Were I to burst these fetters, I know positively that at my death my body would remain unburied; for, know that the priests sit in judgment over every corpse, and deprive thecondemned of rest, even in the grave. "

 [This well-known custom among the ancient Egyptians is confirmed, not only by many Greek narrators, but by the laboriously erased inscriptions discovered in the chambers of some tombs. ]

"Why care about the grave?" cried Croesus, becoming angry. "We live forlife, not for death!"

"Say rather, " answered Amasis rising from his seat, "we, with our Greekminds, believe a beautiful life to be the highest good. But Croesus, Iwas begotten and nursed by Egyptian parents, nourished on Egyptian food, and though I have accepted much that is Greek, am still, in my innermostbeing, an Egyptian. What has been sung to us in our childhood, andpraised as sacred in our youth, lingers on in the heart until the daywhich sees us embalmed as mummies. I am an old man and have but a shortspan yet to run, before I reach the landmark which separates us fromthat farther country. For the sake of life's few remaining days, shallI willingly mar Death's thousands of years? No, my friend, in this pointat least I have remained an Egyptian, in believing, like the rest ofmy countrymen, that the happiness of a future life in the kingdom ofOsiris, depends on the preservation of my body, the habitation of thesoul. 

 [Each human soul was considered as a part of the world-soul Osiris, was united to him after the death of the body, and thenceforth took the name of Osiris. The Egyptian Cosmos consisted of the three great realms, the Heavens, the Earth and the Depths. Over the vast ocean which girdles the vault of heaven, the sun moves in a boat or car drawn by the planets and fixed stars. On this ocean too the great constellations circle in their ships, and there is the kingdom of the blissful gods, who sit enthroned above this heavenly ocean under a canopy of stars. The mouth of this great stream is in the East, where the sun-god rises from the mists and is born again as a child every morning. The surface of the earth is inhabited by human beings having a share in the three great cosmic kingdoms. They receive their soul from the heights of heaven, the seat and source of light; their material body is of the earth; and the appearance or outward form by which one human being is distinguished from another at sight--his phantom or shadow--belongs to the depths. At death, soul, body, and shadow separate from one another. The soul to return to the place from whence it came, to Heaven, for it is a part of God (of Osiris); the body, to be committed to the earth from which it was formed in the image of its creator; the phantom or shadow, to descend into the depths, the kingdom of shadows. The gate to this kingdom was placed in the West among the sunset hills, where the sun goes down daily, --where he dies. Thence arise the changeful and corresponding conceptions connected with rising and setting, arriving and departing, being born and dying. The careful preservation of the body after death from destruction, not only through the process of inward decay, but also through violence or accident, was in the religion of ancient Egypt a principal condition (perhaps introduced by the priests on sanitary grounds) on which depended the speedy deliverance of the soul, and with this her early, appointed union with the source of Light and Good, which two properties were, in idea, one and indivisible. In the Egyptian conceptions the soul was supposed to remain, in a certain sense, connected with the body during a long cycle of solar years. She could, however, quit the body from time to time at will, and could appear to mortals in various forms and places; these appearances differed according to the hour, and were prescribed in exact words and delineations. ]

"But enough of these matters; thou wilt find it difficult to enter intosuch thoughts. Tell me rather what thou thinkest of our temples andpyramids. "

Croesus, after reflecting a moment, answered with a smile: "Those hugepyramidal masses of stone seem to me creations of the boundless desert, the gaily painted temple colonnades to be the children of the Spring;but though the sphinxes lead up to your temple gates, and seem to pointthe way into the very shrines themselves, the sloping fortress-likewalls of the Pylons, those huge isolated portals, appear as if placedthere to repel entrance. Your many-colored hieroglyphics likewiseattract the gaze, but baffle the inquiring spirit by the mystery thatlies within their characters. The images of your manifold gods areeverywhere to be seen; they crowd on our gaze, and yet who knows notthat their real is not their apparent significance? that they are mereoutward images of thoughts accessible only to the few, and, as I haveheard, almost incomprehensible in their depth? My curiosity is excitedeverywhere, and my interest awakened, but my warm love of the beautifulfeels itself in no way attracted. My intellect might strain to penetratethe secrets of your sages, but my heart and mind can never be at home ina creed which views life as a short pilgrimage to the grave, and deathas the only true life!"

"And yet, " said Amasis, "Death has for us too his terrors, and we do allin our power to evade his grasp. Our physicians would not be celebratedand esteemed as they are, if we did not believe that their skill couldprolong our earthly existence. This reminds me of the oculist Nebenchariwhom I sent to Susa, to the king. Does he maintain his reputation? isthe king content with him?"

"Very much so, " answered Croesus. "He has been of use to many of theblind; but the king's mother is alas! still sightless. It was Nebenchariwho first spoke to Cambyses of the charms of thy daughter Tachot. But wedeplore that he understands diseases of the eye alone. When the PrincessAtossa lay ill of fever, he was not to be induced to bestow a word ofcounsel. "

"That is very natural; our physicians are only permitted to treat onepart of the body. We have aurists, dentists and oculists, surgeons forfractures of the bone, and others for internal diseases. By the ancientpriestly law a dentist is not allowed to treat a deaf man, nor a surgeonfor broken bones a patient who is suffering from a disease of thebowels, even though he should have a first rate knowledge of internalcomplaints. This law aims at securing a great degree of real andthorough knowledge; an aim indeed, pursued by the priests (to whosecaste the physicians belong) with a most praiseworthy earnestness in allbranches of science. Yonder lies the house of the high-priest Neithotep, whose knowledge of astronomy and geometry was so highly praised, evenby Pythagoras. It lies next to the porch leading into the temple ofthe goddess Neith, the protectress of Sais. Would I could show thee thesacred grove with its magnificent trees, the splendid pillars of thetemple with capitals modelled from the lotus-flower, and the colossalchapel which I caused to be wrought from a single piece of granite, asan offering to the goddess; but alas! entrance is strictly refused tostrangers by the priests. Come, let us seek my wife and daughter; theyhave conceived an affection for thee, and indeed it is my wish that thoushouldst gain a friendly feeling towards this poor maiden before shegoes forth with thee to the strange land, and to the strange nationwhose princess she is to become. Wilt thou not adopt and take her underthy care?"

"On that thou may'st with fullest confidence rely, " replied Croesuswith warmth, returning the pressure of Amasis' hand. "I will protectthy Nitetis as if I were her father; and she will need my help, for theapartments of the women in the Persian palaces are dangerous ground. Butshe will meet with great consideration. Cambyses may be contented withhis choice, and will be highly gratified that thou hast entrusted himwith thy fairest child. Nebenchari had only spoken of Tachot, thy seconddaughter. "

"Nevertheless I will send my beautiful Nitetis. Tachot is so tender, that she could scarcely endure the fatigues of the journey and the painof separation. Indeed were I to follow the dictates of my own heart, Nitetis should never leave us for Persia. But Egypt stands in need ofpeace, and I was a king before I became a father!"

CHAPTER V. 

The other members of the Persian embassy had returned to Sais from theirexcursion up the Nile to the pyramids. Prexaspes alone, the ambassadorfrom Cambyses, had already set out for Persia, in order to inform theking of the successful issue of his suit. 

The palace of Amasis was full of life and stir. The huge buildingwas filled in all parts by the followers of the embassy, nearly threehundred in number, and by the high guests themselves, to whom everypossible attention was paid. The courts of the palace swarmed withguards and officials, with young priests and slaves, all in splendidfestal raiment. 

On this day it was the king's intention to make an especial display ofthe wealth and splendor of his court, at a festival arranged in honor ofhis daughter's betrothal. 

The lofty reception-hall opening on to the gardens, with its ceilingsown with thousands of golden stars and supported by gaily-paintedcolumns, presented a magic appearance. Lamps of colored papyrus hungagainst the walls and threw a strange light on the scene, something likethat when the sun's rays strike through colored glass. The spacebetween the columns and the walls was filled with choice plants, palms, oleanders, pomegranates, oranges and roses, behind which an invisibleband of harp and flute-players was stationed, who received the guestswith strains of monotonous, solemn music. 

The floor of this hall was paved in black and white, and in the middlestood elegant tables covered with dishes of all kinds, cold roast meats, sweets, well-arranged baskets of fruit and cake, golden jugs of wine, glass drinking-cups and artistic flower-vases. 

A multitude of richly-dressed slaves under direction of thehigh-steward, busied themselves in handing these dishes to theguests, who, either standing around, or reclining on sumptuous seats, entertained themselves in conversation with their friends. 

Both sexes and all ages were to be found in this assembly. As the womenentered, they received charming little nosegays from the young priestsin the personal service of the king, and many a youth of high degreeappeared in the hall with flowers, which he not only offered to her heloved best, but held up for her to smell. 

The Egyptian men, who were dressed as we have already seen them atthe reception of the Persian embassy, behaved towards the women with apoliteness that might almost be termed submissive. Among the latter fewcould pretend to remarkable beauty, though there were many bewitchingalmond-shaped eyes, whose loveliness was heightened by having their lidsdyed with the eye-paint called "mestem. " The majority wore their hairarranged in the same manner; the wealth of waving brown locks floatedback over the shoulders and was brushed behind the ears, one braid beingleft on each side to hang over the temples to the breast. A broad diademconfined these locks, which as the maids knew, were quite as often thewig-maker's work as Nature's. Many ladies of the court wore above theirforeheads a lotus-flower, whose stem drooped on the hair at the back. 

They carried fans of bright feathers in their delicate hands. Thesewere loaded with rings; the finger-nails were stained red, according toEgyptian custom, and gold or silver bands were worn above the elbow, andat the wrists and ankles. 

 [This custom (of staining finger-nails) is still prevalent in the East; the plant Shenna, Laosonia spinosa, called by Pliny XIII. Cyprus, being used for the purpose. The Egyptian government has prohibited the dye, but it will be difficult to uproot the ancient custom. The pigment for coloring the eyelids, mentioned in the text, is also still employed. The Papyrus Ebers alludes to the Arabian kohl or antimony, which is frequently mentioned under the name of "mestem" on monuments belonging to the time of the Pharaohs. ]

Their robes were beautiful and costly, and in many cases so cut as toleave the right breast uncovered. Bartja, the young Persian prince, among the men, and Nitetis, the Pharaoh's daughter, among the women, were equally conspicuous for their superior beauty, grace and charms. The royal maiden wore a transparent rose-colored robe, in her black hairwere fresh roses, she walked by the side of her sister, the two robedalike, but Nitetis pale as the lotus-flower in her mother's hair. 

Ladice, the queen, by birth a Greek, and daughter of Battus of Cyrene, walked by the side of Amasis and presented the young Persians to herchildren. A light lace robe was thrown over her garment of purple, embroidered with gold; and on her beautiful Grecian head she wore theUrmus serpent, the ornament peculiar to Egyptian queens. 

Her countenance was noble yet charming, and every movement betrayed thegrace only to be imparted by a Greek education. 

Amasis, in making choice of this queen, after the death of his secondwife, (the Egyptian Tentcheta, mother of Psamtik the heir to thethrone, ) had followed his prepossession in favor of the Greek nation anddefied the wrath of the priests. 

The two girls at Ladice's side, Tachot and Nitetis, were calledtwin-sisters, but showed no signs of that resemblance usually to befound in twins. 

Tachot was a fair, blue-eyed girl, small, and delicately built; Nitetis, on the other hand, tall and majestic, with black hair and eyes, evincedin every action that she was of royal blood. 

"How pale thou look'st, my child!" said Ladice, kissing Nitetis' cheek. "Be of good courage, and meet thy future bravely. Here is the nobleBartja, the brother of thy future husband. "

Nitetis raised her dark, thoughtful eyes and fixed them long andenquiringly on the beautiful youth. He bowed low before the blushingmaiden, kissed her garment, and said:

"I salute thee, as my future queen and sister! I can believe thatthy heart is sore at parting from thy home, thy parents, brethren andsisters; but be of good courage; thy husband is a great hero, anda powerful king; our mother is the noblest of women, and among thePersians the beauty and virtue of woman is as much revered as thelife-giving light of the sun. Of thee, thou sister of the lily Nitetis, whom, by her side I might venture to call the rose, I beg forgiveness, for robbing thee of thy dearest friend. "

As he said these words he looked eagerly into Tachot's beautiful blueeyes; she bent low, pressing her hand upon her heart, and gazed on himlong after Amasis had drawn him away to a seat immediately oppositethe dancing-girls, who were just about to display their skill for theentertainment of the guests. A thin petticoat was the only clothingof these girls, who threw and wound their flexible limbs to a measureplayed on harp and tambourine. After the dance appeared Egyptian singersand buffoons for the further amusement of the company. 

At length some of the courtiers forsook the hall, their grave demeanorbeing somewhat overcome by intoxication. 

 [Unfortunately women, as well as men, are to be seen depicted on the monuments in an intoxicated condition. One man is being carried home, like a log of wood, on the heads of his servants. Wilkinson II. 168. Another is standing on his head II. 169. And several ladies are in the act of returning the excessive quantity which they have drunk. Wilkinson II. 167. At the great Techu-festival at Dendera intoxication seems to have been as much commanded as at the festivals of Dionysus under the Ptolemies, one of whom (Ptolemy Dionysus) threatened those who remained sober with the punishment of death. But intoxication was in general looked upon by the Egyptians as a forbidden and despicable vice. In the Papyrus Anastasi IV. , for instance, we read these words on a drunkard: "Thou art as a sanctuary without a divinity, as a house without bread, " and further: "How carefully should men avoid beer (hek). " A number of passages in the Papyrus denounce drunkards. ]

The women were carried home in gay litters by slaves with torches; andonly the highest military commanders, the Persian ambassadors and afew officials, especial friends of Amasis, remained behind. Thesewere retained by the master of the ceremonies, and conducted to arichly-ornamented saloon, where a gigantic wine-bowl standing on a tableadorned in the Greek fashion, invited to a drinking-bout. 

Amasis was seated on a high arm-chair at the head of the table; at hisleft the youthful Bartja, at his right the aged Croesus. Besides theseand the other Persians, Theodorus and Ibykus, the friends of Polykrates, already known to us, and Aristomachus, now commander of the Greekbody-guard, were among the king's guests. 

Amasis, whom we have just heard in such grave discourse with Croesus, now indulged in jest and satire. He seemed once more the wild officer, the bold reveller of the olden days. 

His sparkling, clever jokes, at times playful, at times scornful, flewround among the revellers. The guests responded in loud, perhaps oftenartificial laughter, to their king's jokes, goblet after goblet wasemptied, and the rejoicings had reached their highest point, whensuddenly the master of the ceremonies appeared, bearing a small gildedmummy; and displaying it to the gaze of the assembly, exclaimed. "Drink, jest, and be merry, for all too soon ye shall become like unto this!"

 [Wilkinson gives drawings of these mummies (II. 410. ) hundreds of which were placed in the tombs, and have been preserved to us. Lucian was present at a banquet, when they were handed round. The Greeks seem to have adopted this custom, but with their usual talent for beautifying all they touched, substituted a winged figure of death for the mummy. Maxims similar to the following one are by no means rare. "Cast off all care; be mindful only of pleasure until the day cometh when then must depart on the journey, whose goal is the realm of silence!" Copied from the tomb of Neferhotep to Abd-el-Qurnah. ]

"Is it your custom thus to introduce death at all your banquets?" saidBartja, becoming serious, "or is this only a jest devised for to-day byyour master of the ceremonies?"

"Since the earliest ages, " answered Amasis, "it has been our custom todisplay these mummies at banquets, in order to increase the mirth of therevellers, by reminding them that one must enjoy the time while it ishere. Thou, young butterfly, hast still many a long and joyful yearbefore thee; but we, Croesus, we old men, must hold by this firmly. Fillthe goblets, cup-bearer, let not one moment of our lives be wasted! Thoucanst drink well, thou golden-haired Persian! Truly the great gods haveendowed thee not only with beautiful eyes, and blooming beauty, but witha good throat! Let me embrace thee, thou glorious youth, thou rogue!What thinkest thou Croesus? my daughter Tachot can speak of nothing elsethan of this beardless youth, who seems to have quite turned her littlehead with his sweet looks and words. Thou needest not to blush, youngmadcap! A man such as thou art, may well look at king's daughters; butwert thou thy father Cyrus himself, I could not allow my Tachot to leaveme for Persia!"

"Father!" whispered the crown-prince Psamtik, interrupting thisconversation. "Father, take care what you say, and remember Phanes. " Theking turned a frowning glance on his son; but following his advice, tookmuch less part in the conversation, which now became more general. 

The seat at the banquet-table, occupied by Aristomachus, placed himnearly opposite to Croesus, on whom, in total silence and without onceindulging in a smile at the king's jests, his eyes had been fixedfrom the beginning of the revel. When the Pharaoh ceased to speak, heaccosted Croesus suddenly with the following question: "I would know, Lydian, whether the snow still covered the mountains, when ye leftPersia. "

Smiling, and a little surprised at this strange speech, Croesusanswered: "Most of the Persian mountains were green when we started forEgypt four months ago; but there are heights in the land of Cambyseson which, even in the hottest seasons, the snow never melts, and theglimmer of their white crests we could still perceive, as we descendedinto the plains. "

The Spartan's face brightened visibly, and Croesus, attracted by thisserious, earnest man, asked his name. "My name is Aristomachus. "

"That name seems known to me. "

"You were acquainted with many Hellenes, and my name is common amongthem. "

"Your dialect would bespeak you my opinion a Spartan. "

"I was one once. "

"And now no more?"

"He who forsakes his native land without permission, is worthy ofdeath. "

"Have you forsaken it with your own free-will?"

"Yes. "

"For what reason?"

"To escape dishonor. "

"What was your crime?"

"I had committed none. "

"You were accused unjustly?"

"Yes. "

"Who was the author of your ill-fortune?"

"Yourself. "

Croesus started from his seat. The serious tone and gloomy face ofthe Spartan proved that this was no jest, and those who sat near thespeakers, and had been following this strange dialogue, were alarmed andbegged Aristomachus to explain his words. 

He hesitated and seemed unwilling to speak; at last, however, at theking's summons, he began thus:

"In obedience to the oracle, you, Croesus, had chosen us Lacedaemonians, as the most powerful among the Hellenes, to be your allies against themight of Persia; and you gave us gold for the statue of Apollo on MountThornax. The ephori, on this, resolved to present you with a giganticbronze wine-bowl, richly wrought. I was chosen as bearer of this gift. Before reaching Sardis our ship was wrecked in a storm. The wine-cupsank with it, and we reached Samos with nothing but our lives. Onreturning home I was accused by enemies, and those who grudged my goodfortune, of having sold both ship and wine-vessel to the Samians. Asthey could not convict me of the crime, and had yet determined on myruin, I was sentenced to two days' and nights' exposure on the pillory. My foot was chained to it during the night; but before the morning ofdisgrace dawned, my brother brought me secretly a sword, that my honormight be saved, though at the expense of my life. But I could notdie before revenging myself on the men who had worked my ruin; andtherefore, cutting the manacled foot from my leg, I escaped, and hid inthe rushes on the banks of the Furotas. My brother brought me food anddrink in secret; and after two months I was able to walk on the woodenleg you now see. Apollo undertook my revenge; he never misses his mark, and my two worst opponents died of the plague. Still I durst not returnhome, and at length took ship from Gythium to fight against the Persiansunder you, Croesus. On landing at Teos, I heard that you were king nolonger, that the mighty Cyrus, the father of yonder beautiful youth, hadconquered the powerful province of Lydia in a few weeks, and reduced therichest of kings to beggary. "

Every guest gazed at Aristomachus in admiration. Croesus shook his hardhand; and Bartja exclaimed: "Spartan, I would I could take you back withme to Susa, that my friends there might see what I have seen myself, themost courageous, the most honorable of men!"

"Believe me, boy, " returned Aristomachus smiling, "every Spartan wouldhave done the same. In our country it needs more courage to be a cowardthan a brave man. "

"And you, Bartja, " cried Darius, the Persian king's cousin, "could youhave borne to stand at the pillory?" Bartja reddened, but it was easy tosee that he too preferred death to disgrace. 

"Zopyrus, what say you?" asked Darius of the third young Persian. 

"I could mutilate my own limbs for love of you two, " answered he, grasping unobserved the hands of his two friends. 

With an ironical smile Psamtik sat watching this scene--the pleasedfaces of Amasis, Croesus and Gyges, the meaning glances of theEgyptians, and the contented looks with which Aristomachus gazed on theyoung heroes. 

Ibykus now told of the oracle which had promised Aristomachus a returnto his native land, on the approach of the men from the snowy mountains, and at the same time, mentioned the hospitable house of Rhodopis. 

On hearing this name Psamtik grew restless; Croesus expressed a wish toform the acquaintance of the Thracian matron, of whom AEsop had relatedso much that was praiseworthy; and, as the other guests, many of whomhad lost consciousness through excessive drinking, were leaving thehall, the dethroned monarch, the poet, the sculptor and the Spartan heromade an agreement to go to Naukratis the next day, and there enjoy theconversation of Rhodopis. 

CHAPTER VI. 

On the night following the banquet just described, Amasis allowedhimself only three hours' rest. On this, as on every other morning, theyoung priests wakened him at the first cock-crow, conducted him as usualto the bath, arrayed him in the royal vestments and led him to the altarin the court of the palace, where in presence of the populace he offeredsacrifice. During the offering the priests sang prayers in a loud voice, enumerated the virtues of their king, and, that blame might in no caselight on the head of their ruler, made his bad advisers responsible forevery deadly sin committed in ignorance. 

They exhorted him to the performance of good deeds, while extolling hisvirtues; read aloud profitable portions of the holy writings, containingthe deeds and sayings of great men, and then conducted him to hisapartments, where letters and information from all parts of the kingdomawaited him. 

Amasis was in the habit of observing most faithfully thesedaily-repeated ceremonies and hours of work; the remaining portion ofthe day he spent as it pleased him, and generally in cheerful society. 

The priests reproached him with this, alleging that such a life wasnot suited to a monarch; and on one occasion he had thus replied to theindignant high-priest: "Look at this bow! if always bent it must loseits power, but, if used for half of each day and then allowed to rest, it will remain strong and useful till the string breaks. "

Amasis had just signed his name to the last letter, granting thepetition of a Nornarch--[Administrator of a Province]--for moneyto carry on different embankments rendered necessary by the lastinundation, when a servant entered, bringing a request from thecrown-prince Psamtik for an audience of a few minutes. 

Amasis, who till this moment had been smiling cheerfully at the cheeringreports from all parts of the country, now became suddenly serious andthoughtful. After long delay he answered: "Go and inform the prince thathe may appear. "

Psamtik appeared, pale and gloomy as ever; he bowed low andreverentially, on entering his father's presence. 

Amasis nodded silently in return, and then asked abruptly and sternly:"What is thy desire? my time is limited. "

"For your son, more than for others, " replied the prince with quiveringlips. "Seven times have I petitioned for the great favor, which thougrantest for the first time to-day. "

"No reproaches! I suspect the reason of thy visit. Thou desirest ananswer to thy doubts as to the birth of thy sister Nitetis. "

"I have no curiosity; I come rather to warn thee, and to remind theethat I am not the only one who is acquainted with this mystery. "

"Speakest thou of Phanes?"

"Of whom else should I speak? He is banished from Egypt and from hisown country, and must leave Naukratis in a few days. What guarantee hastthou, that he will not betray us to the Persians?"

"The friendship and kindness which I have always shown him. "

"Dost thou believe in the gratitude of men?"

"No! but I rely on my own discernment of character. Phanes will notbetray us! he is my friend, I repeat it!"

"Thy friend perhaps, but my mortal enemy!"

"Then stand on thy guard! I have nothing to fear from him. "

"For thyself perhaps nought, but for our country! O father, reflect thatthough as thy son I may be hateful in thine eyes, yet as Egypt's futureI ought to be near thy heart. Remember, that at thy death, which may thegods long avert, I shall represent the existence of this glorious landas thou dost now; my fall will be the ruin of thine house, of Egypt!"

Amasis became more and more serious, and Psamtik went on eagerly: "Thouknowest that I am right! Phanes can betray our land to any foreignenemy; he is as intimately acquainted with it as we are; and besidethis, he possesses a secret, the knowledge of which would convert ourmost powerful ally into a most formidable enemy. "

"There thou art in error. Though not mine, Nitetis is a king's daughterand will know how to win the love of her husband. "

"Were she the daughter of a god, she could not save thee from Cambyses'wrath, if he discovers the treachery; lying is to a Persian the worstof crimes, to be deceived the greatest disgrace; thou hast deceived thehighest and proudest of the nation, and what can one inexperienced girlavail, when hundreds of women, deeply versed in intrigue and artifice, are striving for the favor of their lord?"

"Hatred and revenge are good masters in the art of rhetoric, " saidAmasis in a cutting tone. "And think'st thou then, oh, foolish son, that I should have undertaken such a dangerous game without dueconsideration? Phanes may tell the Persians what he likes, he can neverprove his point. I, the father, Ladice the mother must know best whetherNitetis is our child or not. We call her so, who dare aver the contrary?If it please Phanes to betray our land to any other enemy beside thePersians, let him; I fear nothing! Thou wouldst have me ruin a man whohas been my friend, to whom I owe much gratitude, who has served me longand faithfully; and this without offence from his side. Rather will Ishelter him from thy revenge, knowing as I do the impure source fromwhich it springs. "

"My father!"

"Thou desirest the ruin of this man, because he hindered thee fromtaking forcible possession of the granddaughter of Rhodopis, and becausethine own incapacity moved me to place him in thy room as commanderof the troops. Ah! thou growest pale! Verily, I owe Phanes thanks forconfiding to me your vile intentions, and so enabling me to bind myfriends and supporters, to whom Rhodopis is precious, more firmly to mythrone. "

"And is it thus thou speakest of these strangers, my father? dost thouthus forget the ancient glory of Egypt? Despise me, if thou wilt; I knowthou lovest me not; but say not that to be great we need the help ofstrangers! Look back on our history! Were we not greatest when our gateswere closed to the stranger, when we depended on ourselves and our ownstrength, and lived according to the ancient laws of our ancestorsand our gods? Those days beheld the most distant lands subjugated byRameses, and heard Egypt celebrated in the whole world as its first andgreatest nation. What are we now? The king himself calls beggars andforeigners the supporters of his throne, and devises a petty stratagemto secure the friendship of a power over whom we were victorious beforethe Nile was infested by these strangers. Egypt was then a mighty Queenin glorious apparel; she is now a painted woman decked out in tinsel!"

 [Rameses the Great, son of Sethos, reigned over Egypt 1394-1328 B. C. He was called Sesostris by the Greeks; see Lepsius (Chron. D. Aegypter, p. 538. ) on the manner in which this confusion of names arose. Egypt attained the zenith of her power under this king, whose army, according to Diodorus (I. 53-58). Consisted of 600, 000 foot and 24, 000 horsemen, 27, 000 chariots and 400 ships of war. With these hosts he subdued many of the Asiatic and African nations, carving his name and likeness, as trophies of victory, on the rocks of the conquered countries. Herodotus speaks of having seen two of these inscriptions himself (II. 102-106. ) and two are still to be found not far from Bairut. His conquests brought vast sums of tribute into Egypt. Tacitus annal. II. 60. And these enabled him to erect magnificent buildings in the whole length of his land from Nubia to Tanis, but more especially in Thebes, the city in which he resided. One of the obelisks erected by Rameses at Heliopolis is now standing in the Place de la Concorde at Paris, and has been lately translated by E. Chabas. On the walls of the yet remaining palaces and temples, built under this mighty king, we find, even to this day, thousands of pictures representing himself, his armed hosts, the many nations subdued by the power of his arms, and the divinities to whose favor he believed these victories were owing. Among the latter Ammon and Bast seem to have received his especial veneration, and, on the other hand, we read in these inscriptions that the gods were very willing to grant the wishes of their favorite. A poetical description of the wars he waged with the Cheta is to be found in long lines of hieroglyphics on the south wall of the hall of columns of Rameses II. At Karnal, also at Luxor and in the Sallier Papyrus, and an epic poem referring to his mighty deeds in no less than six different places. ]

"Have a care what thou sayest!" shouted Amasis stamping on the floor. "Egypt was never so great, so flourishing as now! Rameses carried ourarms into distant lands and earned blood; through my labors the productsof our industry have been carried to all parts of the world and insteadof blood, have brought us treasure and blessing. Rameses caused theblood and sweat of his subjects to flow in streams for the honor of hisown great name; under my rule their blood flows rarely, and the sweatof their brow only in works of usefulness. Every citizen can now end hisdays in prosperity and comfort. Ten thousand populous cities rise on theshores of the Nile, not a foot of the soil lies untilled, every childenjoys the protection of law and justice, and every ill-doer shuns thewatchful eye of the authorities. 

"In case of attack from without, have we not, as defenders of thosegod-given bulwarks, our cataracts, our sea and our deserts, the finestarmy that ever bore arms? Thirty thousand Hellenes beside our entireEgyptian military caste? such is the present condition of Egypt! Ramesespurchased the bright tinsel of empty fame with the blood and tears ofhis people. To me they are indebted for the pure gold of a peacefulwelfare as citizens--to me and to my predecessors, the Saitic kings!"

 [The science of fortification was very fairly understood by the ancient Egyptians. Walled and battlemented forts are to be seen depicted on their monuments. We have already endeavored to show (see our work on Egypt. I. 78 and following) that, on the northeast, Egypt defended from Asiatic invasion by a line of forts extending from Pelusium to the Red Sea. ]

"And yet I tell thee, " cried the prince, "that a worm is gnawing at theroot of Egypt's greatness and her life. This struggle for riches andsplendor corrupts the hearts of the people, foreign luxury has given adeadly blow to the simple manners of our citizens, and many an Egyptianhas been taught by the Greeks to scoff at the gods of his fathers. Everyday brings news of bloody strife between the Greek mercenaries and ournative soldiery, between our own people and the strangers. The shepherdand his flock are at variance; the wheels of the state machinery aregrinding one another and thus the state itself, into total ruin. Thisonce, father, though never again, I must speak out clearly what isweighing on my heart. While engaged in contending with the priests, thouhast seen with calmness the young might of Persia roll on from the East, consuming the nations on its way, and, like a devouring monster, growingmore and more formidable from every fresh prey. Thine aid was not, asthou hadst intended, given to the Lydians and Babylonians against theenemy, but to the Greeks in the building of temples to their false gods. At last resistance seemed hopeless; a whole hemisphere with its rulerslay in submission at the feet of Persia; but even then the godswilled Egypt a chance of deliverance. Cambyses desired thy daughter inmarriage. Thou, however, too weak to sacrifice thine own flesh and bloodfor the good of all, hast substituted another maiden, not thine ownchild, as an offering to the mighty monarch; and at the same time, inthy soft-heartedness, wilt spare the life of a stranger in whose hand hethe fortunes of this realm, and who will assuredly work its ruin; unlessindeed, worn out by internal dissension, it perish even sooner from itsown weakness!"

Thus far Amasis had listened to these revilings of all he held dearestin silence, though pale, and trembling with rage; but now he broke forthin a voice, the trumpet-like sound of which pealed through the widehall: "Know'st thou not then, thou boasting and revengeful son of evil, thou future destroyer of this ancient and glorious kingdom, know'stthou not whose life must be the sacrifice, were not my children, and thedynasty which I have founded, dearer to me than the welfare of the wholerealm? Thou, Psamtik, thou art the man, branded by the gods, feared bymen--the man to whose heart love and friendship are strangers, whoseface is never seen to smile, nor his soul known to feel compassion!It is not, however, through thine own sin that thy nature is thusunblessed, that all thine undertakings end unhappily. Give heed, for nowI am forced to relate what I had hoped long to keep secret from thineears. After dethroning my predecessor, I forced him to give me hissister Tentcheta in marriage. She loved me; a year after marriage therewas promise of a child. During the night preceding thy birth I fellasleep at the bedside of my wife. I dreamed that she was lying on theshores of the Nile, and complained to me of pain in the breast. Bendingdown, I beheld a cypress-tree springing from her heart. It grew largerand larger, black and spreading, twined its roots around thy mother andstrangled her. A cold shiver seized me, and I was on the point of flyingfrom the spot, when a fierce hurricane came from the East, struck thetree and overthrew it, so that its spreading branches were cast into theNile. Then the waters ceased to flow; they congealed, and, in placeof the river, a gigantic mummy lay before me. The towns on its banksdwindled into huge funereal urns, surrounding the vast corpse of theNile as in a tomb. At this I awoke and caused the interpreters of dreamsto be summoned. None could explain the vision, till at last the priestsof the Libyan Ammon gave me the following interpretation 'Tentcheta willdie in giving birth to a son. The cypress, which strangled its mother, is this gloomy, unhappy man. In his days a people shall come from theEast and shall make of the Nile, that is of the Egyptians, dead bodies, and of their cities ruinous heaps; these are the urns for the dead, which thou sawest. "

Psamtik listened as if turned into stone; his father continued; "Thymother died in giving birth to thee; fiery-red hair, the mark of thesons of Typhon, grew around thy brow; thou becam'st a gloomy man. Misfortune pursued thee and robbed thee of a beloved wife and four ofthy children. The astrologers computed that even as I had been bornunder the fortunate sign of Amman, so thy birth had been watched overby the rise of the awful planet Seb. Thou. . . " But here Amasis broke off, for Psamtik, in the anguish produced by these fearful disclosures hadgiven way, and with sobs and groans, cried:

"Cease, cruel father! spare me at least the bitter words, that I am theonly son in Egypt who is hated by his father without cause!"

Amasis looked down on the wretched man who had sunk to the earth beforehim, his face hidden in the folds of his robe, and the father's wrathwas changed to compassion. He thought of Psamtik's mother, dead fortyyears before, and felt he had been cruel in inflicting this poisonouswound on her son's soul. It was the first time for years, that he hadbeen able to feel towards this cold strange man, as a father and acomforter. For the first time he saw tears in the cold eyes of his son, and could feel the joy of wiping them away. He seized the opportunityat once, and bending clown over the groaning form, kissed his forehead, raised him from the ground and said gently:

"Forgive my anger, my son! the words that have grieved thee came notfrom my heart, but were spoken in the haste of wrath. Many years hastthou angered me by thy coldness, hardness and obstinacy; to-day thouhast wounded me again in my most sacred feelings; this hurried me intoan excess of wrath. But now all is right between us. Our natures are sodiverse that our innermost feelings will never be one, but at least wecan act in concert for the future, and show forbearance one towards theother. "

In silence Psamtik bowed down and kissed his father's robe "Not so, "exclaimed the latter; "rather let my lips receive thy kiss, as is meetand fitting between father and son! Thou needest not to think again ofthe evil dream I have related. Dreams are phantoms, and even if sentby the gods, the interpreters thereof are human and erring. Thy handtrembles still, thy cheeks are white as thy robe. I was hard towardsthee, harder than a father. . . . "

"Harder than a stranger to strangers, " interrupted his son. "Thou hastcrushed and broken me, and if till now my face has seldom worn asmile, from this day forward it can be naught but a mirror of my inwardmisery. "

"Not so, " said Amasis, laying his hand on his son's shoulder. "If Iwound, I can also heal. Tell me the dearest wish of thy heart, it shallbe granted thee!"

Psamtik's eyes flashed, his sallow cheeks glowed for a moment, and heanswered without consideration, though in a voice still trembling fromthe shock he had just received: "Deliver Phanes, my enemy, into mypower!"

The king remained a few moments in deep thought, then answered: "I knewwhat thou wouldst ask, and will fulfil thy desire: but I would ratherthou hadst asked the half of my treasures. A thousand voices within warnme that I am about to do an unworthy deed and a ruinous--ruinous formyself, for thee, the kingdom and our house. Reflect before acting, andremember, whatever thou mayst meditate against Phanes, not a hair ofRhodopis' head shall be touched. Also, that the persecution of my poorfriend is to remain a secret from the Greeks. Where shall I find hisequal as a commander, an adviser and a companion? He is not yet in thypower, however, and I advise thee to remember, that though thou mayst beclever for an Egyptian, Phanes is a clever Greek. I will remind theetoo of thy solemn oath to renounce the grandchild of Rhodopis. Methinksvengeance is dearer to thee than love, and the amends I offer willtherefore be acceptable! As to Egypt, I repeat once again, she was nevermore flourishing than now; a fact which none dream of disputing, exceptthe priests, and those who retail their foolish words. And now give ear, if thou wouldst know the origin of Nitetis. Self-interest will enjoinsecrecy. "

Psamtik listened eagerly to his father's communication, indicating hisgratitude at the conclusion by a warm pressure of the hand. 

"Now farewell, " said Amasis. "Forget not my words, and above all shed noblood! I will know nothing of what happens to Phanes, for I hate crueltyand would not be forced to stand in horror of my own son. But thou, thourejoicest! My poor Athenian, better were it for thee, hadst thou neverentered Egypt!"

Long after Psamtik had left, his father continued to pace the hall indeep thought. He was sorry he had yielded; it already seemed as if hesaw the bleeding Phanes lying massacred by the side of the dethronedHophra. "It is true, he could have worked our ruin, " was the plea heoffered to the accuser within his own breast, and with these words, he raised his head, called his servants and left the apartment with asmiling countenance. 

Had this sanguine man, this favorite of fortune, thus speedily quietedthe warning voice within, or was he strong enough to cloak his torturewith a smile?

CHAPTER VII. 

Psamtik went at once from his father's apartments to the temple of thegoddess Neith. At the entrance he asked for the high-priest and wasbegged by one of the inferior priests to wait, as the great Neithotepwas at that moment praying in the holiest sanctuary of the exalted Queenof Heaven. 

 [The temples of Egypt were so constructed as to intensify the devotion of the worshipper by conducting him onward through a series of halls or chambers gradually diminishing in size. "The way through these temples is clearly indicated, no digression is allowed, no error possible. We wander on through the huge and massive gates of entrance, between the ranks of sacred animals. The worshipper is received into an ample court, but by degrees the walls on either side approach one another, the halls become less lofty, all is gradually tending towards one point. And thus we wander on, the sights and sounds of God's world without attract us no longer, we see nothing but the sacred representations which encompass us so closely, feel only the solemnity of the temple in which we stand. And the consecrated walls embrace us ever more and more closely, until at last we reach the lonely, resonant chamber occupied by the divinity himself, and entered by no human being save his priest. " Schnaase, Kunstaeschirhtc I. 394. ]

After a short time a young priest appeared with the intelligence thathis superior awaited the Prince's visit. Psamtik had seated himselfunder the shadow of the sacred grove of silver poplars borderingthe shores of the consecrated lake, holy to the great Neith. He roseimmediately, crossed the temple-court, paved with stone and asphalte, onwhich the sun's rays were darting like fiery arrows, and turned into oneof the long avenues of Sphinxes which led to the isolated Pylons beforethe gigantic temple of the goddess. He then passed through the principalgate, ornamented, as were all Egyptian temple-entrances, with the wingedsun's disc. Above its widely-opened folding doors arose on either side, tower-like buildings, slender obelisks and waving flags. The front ofthe temple, rising from the earth in the form of an obtuse angle, hadsomewhat the appearance of a fortress, and was covered with coloredpictures and inscriptions. Through the porch Psamtik passed on into alofty entrance-chamber, and from thence into the great hall itself, the ceiling of which was strewn with thousands of golden stars, andsupported by four rows of lofty pillars. Their capitals were carved inimitation of the lotus-flower, and these, the shafts of the columns, thewalls of this huge hall, and indeed every niche and corner that met theeye were covered with brilliant colors and hieroglyphics. The columnsrose to a gigantic height, the eye seemed to wander through immeasurablespace, and the air breathed by the worshippers was heavy with thefragrance of Kyphi and incense, and the odors which arose from thelaboratory attached to the temple. Strains of soft music, proceedingfrom invisible hands, flowed on unceasingly, only occasionallyinterrupted by the deep lowing of the sacred cows of Isis, or the shrillcall of the sparrow-hawk of Horus, whose habitations were in one of theadjoining halls. No sooner did the prolonged low of a cow break likedistant thunder on the ear, or the sharp cry of the sparrow-hawk shootlike a flash of lightning through the nerves of the worshippers, thaneach crouching form bent lower still, and touched the pavement with hisforehead. On a portion of this pavement, raised above the rest, stoodthe priests, some wearing ostrich-feathers on their bald and shiningheads; others panther-skins over their white-robed shoulders. Mutteringand singing, bowing low and rising again, they swung the censers andpoured libations of pure water to the gods out of golden vessels. Inthis immense temple man seemed a dwarf in his own eyes. All his senseseven to the organs of respiration, were occupied by objects far removedfrom daily life, objects that thrilled and almost oppressed him. Snatched from all that was familiar in his daily existence, he seemedto grow dizzy and seek support beyond himself. To this the voice of thepriests directed him and the cries of the sacred animals were believedto prove a divinity at hand. 

Psamtik assumed the posture of a worshipper on the low, gilded andcushioned couch set apart for him, but was unable to pay any realdevotion, and passed on to the adjoining apartment before mentioned, where the sacred cows of Isis-Neith and the sparrow-hawk of Horus werekept. These creatures were concealed from the gaze of the worshippersby a curtain of rich fabric embroidered with gold; the people were onlyallowed an occasional and distant glimpse of the adorable animals. WhenPsamtik passed they were just being fed; cakes soaked in milk, saltand clover-blossoms were placed in golden cribs for the cows, and smallbirds of many-colored plumage in the beautifully-wrought and ornamentedcage of the sparrow-hawk. But, in his present mood, the heir to thethrone of Egypt had no eye for these rare sights; but ascended atonce, by means of a hidden staircase, to the chambers lying near theobservatory, where the high-priest was accustomed to repose after thetemple-service. 

Neithotep, a man of seventy years, was seated in a splendid apartment. Rich Babylonian carpets covered the floor and his chair was of gold, cushioned with purple. A tastefully-carved footstool supported his feet, his hands held a roll covered with hieroglyphics, and a boy stood behindhim with a fan of ostrich-feathers to keep away the insects. 

The face of the old man was deeply lined now, but it might once havebeen handsome, and in the large blue eyes there still lay evidence of aquick intellect and a dignified self-respect. 

His artificial curls had been laid aside, and the bald, smooth headformed a strange contrast to the furrowed countenance, giving anappearance of unusual height to the forehead, generally so very lowamong the Egyptians. The brightly-colored walls of the room, onwhich numerous sentences in hieroglyphic characters were painted, thedifferent statues of the goddess painted likewise in gay colors, andthe snow-white garments of the aged priest, were calculated to fill astranger not only with wonder, but with a species of awe. 

The old man received the prince with much affection, and asked:

"What brings my illustrious son to the poor servant of the Deity?"

"I have much to report to thee, my father;" answered Psamtik with atriumphant smile, "for I come in this moment from Amasis. "

"Then he has at length granted thee an audience?"

"At length!"

"Thy countenance tells me that thou hast been favorably received by ourlord, thy father. "

"After having first experienced his wrath. For, when I laid before himthe petition with which thou hadst entrusted me, he was exceeding wrothand nearly crushed me by his awful words. "

"Thou hadst surely grieved him by thy language. Didst thou approachhim as I advised thee, with lowliness, as a son humbly beseeching hisfather?"

"No, my father, I was irritated and indignant. "

"Then was Amasis right to be wrathful, for never should a son meet hisfather in anger; still less when he hath a request to bring before him. Thou know'st the promise, 'The days of him that honoreth his fathershall be many. '

 [This Egyptian command hears a remarkable resemblance to the fifth in the Hebrew decalogue, both having a promise annexed. It occurs in the Prisse Papyrus, the most ancient sacred writing extant. ]

In this one thing, my scholar, thou errest always; to gain thine endsthou usest violence and roughness, where good and gentle words wouldmore surely prevail. A kind word hath far more power than an angryone, and much may depend on the way in which a man ordereth his speech. Hearken to that which I will now relate. In former years there was aking in Egypt named Snefru, who ruled in Memphis. And it came to passthat he dreamed, and in his dream his teeth fell out of his mouth. And he sent for the soothsayers and told them the dream. The firstinterpreter answered: 'Woe unto thee, O king, all thy kinsmen shall diebefore thee!' Then was Snefru wroth, caused this messenger of evil to bescourged, and sent for a second interpreter. He answered: 'O king, livefor ever, thy life shall be longer than the life of thy kinsmen andthe men of thy house!' Then the king smiled and gave presents untothis interpreter, for though the interpretations were one, yet he hadunderstood to clothe his message in a web of fair and pleasant words. Apprehendest thou? then hearken to my voice, and refrain from harshwords, remembering that to the ear of a ruler the manner of a man'sspeech is weightier than its matter. "

"Oh my father, how often hast thou thus admonished me! how often haveI been convinced of the evil consequences of my rough words and angrygestures! but I cannot change my nature, I cannot. . . "

"Say rather: I will not; for he that is indeed a man, dare never againcommit those sins of which he has once repented. But I have admonishedsufficiently. Tell me now how thou didst calm the wrath of Amasis. "

"Thou knowest my father. When he saw that he had wounded me in thedepths of my soul by his awful words, he repented him of his anger. Hefelt he had been too hard, and desired to make amends at any price. "

"He hath a kindly heart, but his mind is blinded, and his senses takencaptive, " cried the priest. "What might not Amasis do for Egypt, wouldhe but hearken to our counsel, and to the commandments of the gods!"

"But hear me, my father! in his emotion he granted me the life ofPhanes!"

"Thine eyes flash, Psamtik! that pleaseth me not. The Athenian mustdie, for he has offended the gods; but though he that condemns must letjustice have her way, he should have no pleasure in the death of thecondemned; rather should he mourn. Now speak; didst thou obtain aughtfurther?"

"The king declared unto me to what house Nitetis belongs. "

"And further naught?"

"No, my father; but art thou not eager to learn?. . . "

"Curiosity is a woman's vice; moreover, I have long known all that thoucanst tell me. "

"But didst thou not charge me but yesterday to ask my father thisquestion?"

"I did do so to prove thee, and know whether thou wert resigned to theDivine will, and wert walking in those ways wherein alone thou canstbecome worthy of initiation into the highest grade of knowledge. Thouhast told us faithfully all that thou hast heard, and thereby provedthat thou canst obey--the first virtue of a priest. "

"Thou knewest then the father of Nitetis?"

"I myself pronounced the prayer over king Hophra's tomb. "

"But who imparted the secret to thee?"

"The eternal stars, my son, and my skill in reading them. "

"And do these stars never deceive?"

"Never him that truly understands them. "

Psamtik turned pale. His father's dream and his own fearful horoscopepassed like awful visions through his mind. The priest detected at oncethe change in his features and said gently: "Thou deem'st thyself alost man because the heavens prognosticated evil at thy birth; but takecomfort, Psamtik; I observed another sign in the heavens at thatmoment, which escaped the notice of the astrologers. Thy horoscope was athreatening, a very threatening one, but its omens may be averted, theymay. . . "

"O tell me, father, tell me how!"

"They must turn to good, if thou, forgetful of all else, canst livealone to the gods, paying a ready obedience to the Divine voice audibleto us their priests alone in the innermost and holiest sanctuary. "

"Father, I am ready to obey thy slightest word. "

"The great goddess Neith, who rules in Sais, grant this, my son!"answered the priest solemnly. "But now leave me alone, " he continuedkindly, "lengthened devotions and the weight of years bring weariness. If possible, delay the death of Phanes, I wish to speak with him beforehe dies. Yet one more word. A troop of Ethiopians arrived yesterday. These men cannot speak a word of Greek, and under a faithful leader, acquainted with the Athenians and the locality, they would be the bestagents for getting rid of the doomed man, as their ignorance of thelanguage and the circumstances render treachery or gossip impossible. Before starting for Naukratis, they must know nothing of the designof their journey; the deed once accomplished, we can send them back toKush. --[The Egyptian name for Ethiopia. ] Remember, a secret can neverbe too carefully kept! Farewell. " Psamtik had only left the room a fewmoments, when a young priest entered, one of the king's attendants. 

"Have I listened well, father?" he enquired of the old man. 

"Perfectly, my son. Nothing of that which passed between Amasis andPsamtik has escaped thine ears. May Isis preserve them long to thee!"

"Ah, father, a deaf man could have heard every word in the ante-chamberto-day, for Amasis bellowed like an ox. "

"The great Neith has smitten him with the lack of prudence, yet Icommand thee to speak of the Pharaoh with more reverence. But nowreturn, keep thine eyes open and inform me at once if Amasis, as ispossible, should attempt to thwart the conspiracy against Phanes. Thouwilt certainly find me here. Charge the attendants to admit no one, andto say I am at my devotions in the Holy of holies. May the ineffable Oneprotect thy footsteps!"

 [Isis, the wife or sister of Osiris, is the phenomena of nature, by means of which the god is able to reveal himself to human contemplation. ]

 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

While Psamtik was making every preparation for the capture of Phanes, Croesus, accompanied by his followers, had embarked on board a royalbark, and was on his way down the Nile to spend the evening withRhodopis. 

His son Gyges and the three young Persians remained in Sais, passing thetime in a manner most agreeable to them. 

Amasis loaded them with civilities, allowed them, according to Egyptiancustom, the society of his queen and of the twin-sisters, as they werecalled, taught Gyges the game of draughts, and looking on while thestrong, dexterous, young heroes joined his daughters in the game ofthrowing balls and hoops, so popular among Egyptian maidens, enlivenedtheir amusements with an inexhaustible flow of wit and humor. 

 [The Pharaohs themselves, as well as their subjects, were in the habit of playing at draughts and other similar games. Rosellini gives its Rameses playing with his daughter; see also two Egyptians playing together, Wilkinson II. 419. An especially beautiful draught-board exists in the Egyptian collection at the Louvre Museum. The Egyptians hoped to be permitted to enjoy these pleasures even in the other world. ]

 [Balls that have been found in the tombs are still to be seen; some, for instance, in the Museum at Leyden. ]

"Really, " said Bartja, as he watched Nitetis catching the slight hoop, ornamented with gay ribbons, for the hundredth time on her slender ivoryrod, "really we must introduce this game at home. We Persians are sodifferent from you Egyptians. Everything new has a special charm forus, while to you it is just as hateful. I shall describe the game to Ourmother Kassandane, and she will be delighted to allow my brother's wivesthis new amusement. "

"Yes, do, do!" exclaimed the fair Tachot blushing deeply. "Then Nitetiscan play too, and fancy herself back again at home and among those sheloves; and Bartja, " she added in a low voice, "whenever you watch thehoops flying, you too must remember this hour. "

"I shall never forget it, " answered he with a smile, and then, turningto his future sister-in-law, he called out cheerfully, "Be of goodcourage, Nitetis, you will be happier than you fancy with us. WeAsiatics know how to honor beauty; and prove it by taking many wives. "

Nitetis sighed, and the queen Ladice exclaimed, "On the contrary, that very fact proves that you understand but poorly how to appreciatewoman's nature! You can have no idea, Bartja, what a woman feels onfinding that her husband--the man who to her is more than life itself, and to whom she would gladly and without reserve give up all thatshe treasures as most sacred--looks down on her with the same kindof admiration that he bestows on a pretty toy, a noble steed, or awell-wrought wine-bowl. But it is yet a thousand-fold more painful tofeel that the love which every woman has a right to possess for herselfalone, must be shared with a hundred others!"

"There speaks the jealous wife!" exclaimed Amasis. "Would you not fancythat I had often given her occasion to doubt my faithfulness?"

"No, no, my husband, " answered Ladice, "in this point the Egyptian mensurpass other nations, that they remain content with that which theyhave once loved; indeed I venture to assert that an Egyptian wife is thehappiest of women. 

 [According to Diodorus (I. 27) the queen of Egypt held a higher position than the king himself. The monuments and lists of names certainly prove that women could rule with sovereign power. The husband of the heiress to the throne became king. They had their own revenues (Diodorus I. 52) and when a princess, after death, was admitted among the goddesses, she received her own priestesses. (Edict of Canopus. ) During the reigns of the Ptolemies many coins were stamped with the queen's image and cities were named for them. We notice also that sons, in speaking of their descent, more frequently reckon it from the mother's than the father's side, that a married woman is constantly alluded to as the "mistress" or "lady" of the house, that according to many a Greek Papyrus they had entire disposal of all their property, no matter in what it consisted, in short that the weaker sex seems to have enjoyed equal influence with the stronger. ]

Even the Greeks, who in so many things may serve as patterns to us, donot know how to appreciate woman rightly. Most of the young Greek girlspass their sad childhood in close rooms, kept to the wheel and theloom by their mothers and those who have charge of them, and whenmarriageable, are transferred to the quiet house of a husband they donot know, and whose work in life and in the state allows him but seldomto visit his wife's apartments. Only when the most intimate friends andnearest relations are with her husband, does she venture to appear intheir midst, and then shyly and timidly, hoping to hear a little of whatis going on in the great world outside. Ah, indeed! we women thirstfor knowledge too, and there are certain branches of learning at least, which it cannot be right to withhold from those who are to be themothers and educators of the next generation. What can an Attic mother, without knowledge, without experience, give to her daughters? Naught buther own ignorance. And so it is, that a Hellene, seldom satisfied withthe society of his lawful, but, mentally, inferior wife, turns forsatisfaction to those courtesans, who, from their constant intercoursewith men, have acquired knowledge, and well understand how to adorn itwith the flowers of feminine grace, and to season it with the salt of awoman's more refined and delicate wit. In Egypt it is different. Ayoung girl is allowed to associate freely with the most enlightened men. Youths and maidens meet constantly on festive occasions, learn to knowand love one another. The wife is not the slave, but the friend of herhusband; the one supplies the deficiencies of the other. In weightyquestions the stronger decides, but the lesser cares of life are leftto her who is the greater in small things. The daughters grow up undercareful guidance, for the mother is neither ignorant nor inexperienced. To be virtuous and diligent in her affairs becomes easy to a woman, forshe sees that it increases his happiness whose dearest possession sheboasts of being, and who belongs to her alone. The women only do thatwhich pleases us! but the Egyptian men understand the art of makingus pleased with that which is really good, and with that alone. On theshores of the Nile, Phocylides of Miletus and Hipponax of Ephesus wouldnever have dared to sing their libels on women, nor could the fable ofPandora have been possibly invented here!"

 [Simonides of Amorgos, an Iambic poet, who delighted in writing satirical verses on women. He divides them into different classes, which he compares to unclean animals, and considers that the only woman worthy of a husband and able to make him happy must be like the bee. The well-known fable of Pandora owes its origin to Simonides. He lived about 650 B. C. The Egyptians too, speak very severely of bad women, comparing them quite in the Simonides style to beasts of prey (hyenas, lions and panthers). We find this sentence on a vicious woman: She is a collection of every kind of meanness, and a bag full of wiles. Chabas, Papyr. Magrque Harris. P. 135. Phocylides of Miletus, a rough and sarcastic, but observant man, imitated Simonides in his style of writing. But the deformed Hipponax of Ephesus, a poet crushed down by poverty, wrote far bitterer verses than Phocylides. He lived about 550 B. C. "His own ugliness (according to Bernhardy) is reflected in every one of his Choliambics. " ]

"How beautifully you speak!" exclaimed Bartja. "Greek was not easy tolearn, but I am very glad now that I did not give it up in despair, andreally paid attention to Croesus' lessons. "

"Who could those men have been, " asked Darius, "who dared to speak evilof women?"

"A couple of Greek poets, " answered Amasis, "the boldest of men, for Iconfess I would rather provoke a lioness than a woman. But these Greeksdo not know what fear is. I will give you a specimen of Hipponax'sPoetry:

 "There are but two days when a wife, Brings pleasure to her husband's life, The wedding-day, when hopes are bright, And the day he buries her out of his sight. "

"Cease, cease, " cried Ladice stopping her ears, that is too had. Now, Persians, you can see what manner of man Amasis is. For the sake ofa joke, he will laugh at those who hold precisely the same opinion ashimself. There could not be a better husband. 

"Nor a worse wife, " laughed Amasis. "Thou wilt make men think that I ama too obedient husband. But now farewell, my children; our young heroesmust look at this our city of Sais; before parting, however, I willrepeat to them what the malicious Siuionides has sung of a good wife:

 "Dear to her spouse from youth to age she grows; Fills with fair girls and sturdy boys his house; Among all women womanliest seems, And heavenly grace about her mild brow gleams. A gentle wife, a noble spouse she walks, Nor ever with the gossip mongers talks. Such women sometimes Zeus to mortals gives, The glory and the solace of their lives. "

"Such is my Ladice! now farewell!"

"Not yet!" cried Bartja. "Let me first speak in defence of our poorPersia and instil fresh courage into my future sister-in-law; but no!Darius, thou must speak, thine eloquence is as great as thy skill infigures and swordsmanship!"

"Thou speakst of me as if I were a gossip or a shopkeeper, "--[Thisnickname, which Darius afterwards earned, is more fully spokenof]--answered the son of Hystaspes. "Be it so; I have been burning allthis time to defend the customs of our country. Know then, Ladice, thatif Auramazda dispose the heart of our king in his own good ways, yourdaughter will not be his slave, but his friend. Know also, that inPersia, though certainly only at high festivals, the king's wives havetheir places at the men's table, and that we pay the highest reverenceto our wives and mothers. A king of Babylon once took a Persian wife;in the broad plains of the Euphrates she fell sick of longing for hernative mountains; he caused a gigantic structure to be raised on arches, and the summit thereof to be covered with a depth of rich earth; causedthe choicest trees and flowers to be planted there, and watered byartificial machinery. This wonder completed, he led his wife thither;from its top she could look down into the plains below, as from theheights of Rachined, and with this costly gift he presented her. Tellme, could even an Egyptian give more?"

 [This stupendous erection is said to have been constructed by Nebuchadnezzar for his Persian wife Amytis. Curtius V. 5. Josephus contra Apion. I. 19. Antiquities X. II. 1. Diod. II. 10. For further particulars relative to the hanging-gardens, see later notes. ]

"And did she recover?" asked Nitetis, without raising her eyes. 

"She recovered health and happiness; and you too will soon feel well andhappy in our country. "

"And now, " said Ladice with a smile, "what, think you, contributed mostto the young queen's recovery? the beautiful mountain or the love of thehusband, who erected it for her sake?"

"Her husband's love, " cried the young girls. 

"But Nitetis would not disdain the mountain either, " maintained Bartja, "and I shall make it my care that whenever the court is at Babylon, shehas the hanging-gardens for her residence. "

"But now come, " exclaimed Amasis, "unless you wish to see the city indarkness. Two secretaries have been awaiting me yonder for the last twohours. Ho! Sachons! give orders to the captain of the guard to accompanyour noble guests with a hundred men. "

"But why? a single guide, perhaps one of the Greek officers, would beamply sufficient. "

"No, my young friends, it is better so. Foreigners can never be tooprudent in Egypt. Do not forget this, and especially be careful not toridicule the sacred animals. And now farewell, my young heroes, till wemeet again this evening over a merry wine-cup. "

The Persians then quitted the palace, accompanied by their interpreter, a Greek, but who had been brought up in Egypt, and spoke both languageswith equal facility. 

 [Psamtik I. Is said to have formed a new caste, viz. : the caste of Interpreters, out of those Greeks who had been born and bred up in Egypt. Herod. II. 154. Herodotus himself was probably conducted by such a "Dragoman. "]

Those streets of Sais which lay near the palace wore a pleasant aspect. The houses, many of which were five stories high, were generally coveredwith pictures or hieroglyphics; galleries with balustrades of carved andgaily-painted wood-work, supported by columns also brightly painted, ranround the walls surrounding the courts. In many cases the proprietor'sname and rank was to be read on the door, which was, however, wellclosed and locked. Flowers and shrubs ornamented the flat roofs, onwhich the Egyptians loved to spend the evening hours, unless indeed, they preferred ascending the mosquito-tower with which nearly everyhouse was provided. These troublesome insects, engendered by the Nile, fly low, and these little watch-towers were built as a protection fromthem. 

The young Persians admired the great, almost excessive cleanliness, withwhich each house, nay, even the streets themselves, literally shone. Thedoor-plates and knockers sparkled in the sun; paintings, balconies andcolumns all had the appearance of having been only just finished, andeven the street-pavement looked as if it were often scoured. 

 [The streets of Egyptian towns seem to have been paved, judging from the ruins of Alabastron and Memphis. We know at least with certainty that this was the case with those leading to the temples. ]

But as the Persians left the neighborhood of the Nile and the palace, the streets became smaller. Sais was built on the slope of a moderatelyhigh hill, and had only been the residence of the Pharaohs for twocenturies and a half, but, during that comparatively short interval, hadrisen from an unimportant place into a town of considerable magnitude. 

On its river-side the houses and streets were brilliant, but on thehill-slope lay, with but few more respectable exceptions, miserable, poverty-stricken huts constructed of acacia-boughs and Nile-mud. On thenorth-west rose the royal citadel. 

"Let us turn back here, " exclaimed Gyges to his young companions. Duringhis father's absence he was responsible as their guide and protector, and now perceived that the crowd of curious spectators, which hadhitherto followed them, was increasing at every step. 

"I obey your orders, " replied the interpreter, "but yonder in thevalley, at the foot of that hill, lies the Saitic city of the dead, andfor foreigners I should think that would be of great interest. "

"Go forward!" cried Bartja. "For what did we leave Persia, if not tobehold these remarkable objects?"

On arriving at an open kind of square surrounded by workmen's booths, and not far from the city of the dead, confused cries rose among thecrowd behind them. 

 [Artisans, as well among the ancient as the modern Egyptians, were accustomed to work in the open air. ]

The children shouted for joy, the women called out, and one voice louderthan the rest was heard exclaiming: "Come hither to the fore-court ofthe temple, and see the works of the great magician, who comes from thewestern oases of Libya and is endowed with miraculous gifts by Chunsu, the giver of good counsels, and by the great goddess Hekt. "

"Follow me to the small temple yonder, " said the interpreter, "and youwill behold a strange spectacle. " He pushed a way for himself and thePersians through the crowd, obstructed in his course by many a sallowwoman and naked child; and at length came back with a priest, whoconducted the strangers into the fore-court of the temple. Here, surrounded by various chests and boxes, stood a man in the dress of apriest; beside him on the earth knelt two negroes. The Libyan was aman of gigantic stature, with great suppleness of limb and a pair ofpiercing black eyes. In his hand he held a wind-instrument resemblinga modern clarionet, and a number of snakes, known in Egypt to bepoisonous, lay coiling themselves over his breast and arms. 

On finding himself in the presence of the Persians he bowed low, inviting them by a solemn gesture to gaze at his performances; he thencast off his white robe and began all kinds of tricks with the snakes. 

He allowed them to bite him, till the blood trickled down his cheeks;compelled them by the notes of his flute to assume an erect positionand perform a kind of dancing evolution; by spitting into their jawshe transformed them to all appearance into motionless rods; and then, dashing them all on to the earth, performed a wild dance in their midst, yet without once touching a single snake. 

Like one possessed, he contorted his pliant limbs until his eyes seemedstarting from his head and a bloody foam issued from his lips. 

Suddenly he fell to the ground, apparently lifeless. A slight movementof the lips and a low hissing whistle were the only signs of life; but, on hearing the latter, the snakes crept up and twined themselves likeliving rings around his neck, legs and body. At last he rose, sang ahymn in praise of the divine power which had made him a magician, and then laid the greater number of his snakes in one of the chests, retaining a few, probably his favorites, to serve as ornaments for hisneck and arms. 

The second part of this performance consisted of cleverconjuring-tricks, in which he swallowed burning flax, balanced swordswhile dancing, their points standing in the hollow of his eye; drew longstrings and ribbons out of the noses of the Egyptian children, exhibitedthe well-known cup-and-ball trick, and, at length, raised the admirationof the spectators to its highest pitch, by producing five living rabbitsfrom as many ostrich-eggs. 

The Persians formed no unthankful portion of the assembled crowd; on thecontrary, this scene, so totally new, impressed them deeply. 

They felt as if in the realm of miracles, and fancied they had now seenthe rarest of all Egyptian rarities. In silence they took their way backto the handsomer streets of Sais, without noticing how many mutilatedEgyptians crossed their path. These poor disfigured creatures wereindeed no unusual sight for Asiatics, who punished many crimes by theamputation of a limb. Had they enquired however, they would have heardthat, in Egypt, the man deprived of his hand was a convicted forger, thewoman of her nose, an adulteress; that the man without a tongue had beenfound guilty of high treason or false witness; that the loss of the earsdenoted a spy, and that the pale, idiotic-looking woman yonder had beenguilty of infanticide, and had been condemned to hold the little corpsethree days and three nights in her arms. What woman could retain hersenses after these hours of torture?--[Diodorus I. 77. ]

The greater number of the Egyptian penal laws not only secured thepunishment of the criminal, but rendered a repetition of the offenceimpossible. 

The Persian party now met with a hindrance, a large crowd havingassembled before one of the handsomest houses in the street leading tothe temple of Neith. The few windows of this house that could be seen(the greater number opening on the garden and court) were closed withshutters, and at the door stood an old man, dressed in the plain whiterobe of a priest's servant. He was endeavoring, with loud cries, toprevent a number of men of his own class from carrying a large chest outof the house. 

"What right have you to rob my master?" he shrieked indignantly. "I amthe guardian of this house, and when my master left for Persia (may thegods destroy that land!) he bade me take especial care of this chest inwhich his manuscripts lay. "

"Compose yourself, old Hib!" shouted one of these inferior priests, thesame whose acquaintance we made on the arrival of the Asiatic Embassy. "We are here in the name of the high-priest of the great Neith, yourmaster's master. There must be queer papers in this box, or Neithotepwould not have honored us with his commands to fetch them. "

"But I will not allow my master's papers to be stolen, " shrieked the oldman. "My master is the great physician Nebenchari, and I will secure hisrights, even if I must appeal to the king himself. "

"There, " cried the other, "that will do; out with the chest, youfellows. Carry it at once to the high-priest; and you, old man, woulddo more wisely to hold your tongue and remember that the high-priest isyour master as well as mine. Get into the house as quick as you can, orto-morrow we shall have to drag you off as we did the chest to-day!" Sosaying, he slammed the heavy door, the old man was flung backward intothe house and the crowd saw him no more. 

The Persians had watched this scene and obtained an explanation of itsmeaning from their interpreter. Zopyrus laughed on hearing that thepossessor of the stolen chest was the oculist Nebenchari, the same whohad been sent to Persia to restore the sight of the king's mother, andwhose grave, even morose temper had procured him but little love at thecourt of Cambyses. 

Bartja wished to ask Amasis the meaning of this strange robbery, butGyges begged him not to interfere in matters with which he had noconcern. Just as they reached the palace, and darkness, which in Egyptso quickly succeeds the daylight, was already stealing over the city, Gyges felt himself hindered from proceeding further by a firm hand onhis robe, and perceived a stranger holding his finger on his lips intoken of silence. 

"When can I speak with you alone and unobserved?" he whispered. 

"What do you wish from me?"

"Ask no questions, but answer me quickly. By Mithras, I have weightymatters to disclose. "

"You speak Persian, but your garments would proclaim you an Egyptian. "

"I am a Persian, but answer me quickly or we shall be noticed. When canI speak to you alone?"

"To-morrow morning. "

"That is too late. "

"Well then, in a quarter of an hour, when it is quite dark, at this gateof the palace. "

"I shall expect you. "

So saying the man vanished. Once within the palace, Gyges left Bartjaand Zopyrus, fastened his sword into his girdle, begged Darius to dothe same and to follow him, and was soon standing again under the greatportico with the stranger, but this time in total darkness. 

"Auramazda be praised that you are there!" cried the latter in Persianto the young Lydian; "but who is that with you?"

"Darius, the son of Hystaspes, one of the Achaemenidae; and my friend. "

The stranger bowed low and answered, "It is well, I feared an Egyptianhad accompanied you. "

"No, we are alone and willing to hear you; but be brief. Who are you andwhat do you want?"

"My name is Bubares. I served as a poor captain under the great Cyrus. At the taking of your father's city, Sardis, the soldiers were at firstallowed to plunder freely; but on your wise father's representing toCyrus that to plunder a city already taken was an injury to the present, and not to the former, possessor, they were commanded on pain of deathto deliver up their booty to their captains, and the latter to causeeverything of worth, when brought to them, to be collected in themarket-place. Gold and silver trappings lay there in abundance, costlyarticles of attire studded with precious stones. . . "

"Quick, quick, our time is short, " interrupted Gyges. 

"You are right. I must be more brief. By keeping for myself anointment-box sparkling with jewels, taken from your father's palace, Iforfeited my life. Croesus, however, pleaded for me with his conquerorCyrus; my life and liberty were granted me, but I was declared adishonored man. Life in Persia became impossible with disgrace lyingheavily on my soul; I took ship from Smyrna to Cyprus, entered the armythere, fought against Amasis, and was brought hither by Phanes as aprisoner-of-war. Having always served as a horse-soldier, I was placedamong those slaves who had charge of the king's horses, and in six yearsbecame an overseer. Never have I forgotten the debt of gratitude I oweto your father; and now my turn has come to render him a service. "

"The matter concerns my father? then speak--tell me, I beseech you!"

"Immediately. Has Croesus offended the crown prince?"

"Not that I am aware of. "

"Your father is on a visit to Rhodopis this evening, at Naukratis?"

"How did you hear this?"

"From himself. I followed him to the boat this morning and sought tocast myself at his feet. "

"And did you succeed?"

"Certainly. He spoke a few gracious words with me, but could not wait tohear what I would say, as his companions were already on board when hearrived. His slave Sandon, whom I know, told me that they were going toNaukratis, and would visit the Greek woman whom they call Rhodopis. "

"He spoke truly. "

"Then you must speed to the rescue. At the time that the market-placewas full. "

 [The forenoon among the Greeks was regulated by the business of the market. "When the market-place begins to fill, when it is full, when it becomes empty. " It would be impossible to define this division of time exactly according to our modern methods of computation, but it seems certain that the market was over by the afternoon. The busiest hours were probably from 10 till 1. At the present day the streets of Athens are crowded during those hours; but in Summer from two to four o'clock are utterly deserted. ]

"Ten carriages and two boats, full of Ethiopian soldiers under thecommand of an Egyptian captain, were sent off to Naukratis to surroundthe house of Rhodopis and make captives of her guests. "

"Ha, treachery!" exclaimed Gyges. 

"But how can they wish to injure your father?" said Darius. "They knowthat the vengeance of Cambyses--"

"I only know, " repeated Bubares, "that this night the house of Rhodopis, in which your father is, will be surrounded by Ethiopian soldiers. Imyself saw to the horses which transport them thither and heard Pentaur, one of the crown-prince's fan-bearers, call to them, 'Keep eyes and earsopen, and let the house of Rhodopis be surrounded, lest he should escapeby the back door. If possible spare his life, and kill him only if heresist. Bring him alive to Sais, and you shall receive twenty rings ofgold. '"

 [It is no longer a matter of question, that before the time of the Persians, and therefore at this point of our history, no money had been coined in Egypt. The precious metals were weighed out and used as money in the shape of rings, animals, etc. On many of the monuments we see people purchasing goods and weighing out the gold in payment; while others are paying their tribute in gold rings. These rings were in use as a medium of payment up to the time of the Ptolemies. Pliny XXXIII. I. Balances with weights in the form of animals may be seen in Wilkinson. During the reigns of the Ptolemies many coins were struck. ]

"But could that allude to my father?"

"Certainly not, " cried Darius. 

"It is impossible to say, " murmured Bubares. "In this country one cannever know what may happen. "

"How long does it take for a good horse to reach Naukratis?"

"Three hours, if he can go so long, and the Nile has not overflowed theroad too much. "

"I will be there in two. "

"I shall ride with you, " said Darius. 

"No, you must remain here with Zopyrus for Bartja's protection. Tell theservants to get ready. "

"But Gyges--"

"Yes, you will stay here and excuse me to Amasis. Say I could notcome to the evening revel on account of headache, toothache, sickness, anything you like. "

"I shall ride Bartja's Nicaean horse; and you, Bubares, will follow meon Darius's. You will lend him, my brother?"

"If I had ten thousand, you should have them all. "

"Do you know the way to Naukratis, Bubares?"

"Blindfold. "

"Then go, Darius, and tell them to get your horse and Bartja's ready! Tolinger would be sin. Farewell Darius, perhaps forever! Protect Bartja!Once more, farewell!"

CHAPTER VIII. 

It wanted two hours of midnight. Bright light was streaming through theopen windows of Rhodopis' house, and sounds of mirth and gaiety fell onthe ear. Her table had been adorned with special care in Croesus' honor. 

On the cushions around it lay the guests with whom we are alreadyacquainted: Theodorus, Ibykus, Phanes, Aristomachus, the merchantTheopompus of Miletus, Croesus and others, crowned with chaplets ofpoplar and roses. 

Theodorus the sculptor was speaking: "Egypt seems to me, " he said, "likea girl who persists in wearing a tight and painful shoe only becauseit is of gold, while within her reach he beautiful and well-fittingslippers in which she could move at ease, if she only would. "

"You refer to the Egyptians' pertinacity in retaining traditional formsand customs?" asked Croesus. 

"Certainly I do, " answered the sculptor. "Two centuries ago Egypt wasunquestionably the first of the nations. In Art and Science she farexcelled us; but we learnt their methods of working, improved on them, held firm to no prescribed proportions, but to the natural types alone, gave freedom and beauty to their unbending outlines, and now have leftour masters far behind us. But how was this possible? simply because theEgyptians, bound by unalterable laws, could make no progress; we, on thecontrary, were free to pursue our course in the wide arena of art as faras will and power would allow. "

"But how can an artist be compelled to fashion statues alike, which aremeant to differ from each other in what they represent?"

"In this case that can be easily explained. The entire human body isdivided by the Egyptians into 21 1/4 parts, in accordance with whichdivision the proportion of each separate limb is regulated. I, myself, have laid a wager with Amasis, in presence of the first Egyptiansculptor, (a priest of Thebes), that, if I send my brother Telekles, inEphesus, dimensions, proportion and attitude, according to the Egyptianmethod, he and I together can produce a statue which shall look as ifsculptured from one block and by one hand, though Telekles is to carvethe lower half at Ephesus, and I the upper here in Sais, and under theeye of Amasis. "

 [These numbers, and the story which immediately follows, are taken from Diodorus I. 98. Plato tells us that, in his time, a law existed binding the Egyptian artists to execute their works with exactly the same amount of beauty or its reverse, as those which had been made more than a thousand years before. This statement is confirmed by the monuments; but any one well acquainted with Egyptian art can discern a marked difference in the style of each epoch. At the time of the ancient kingdom the forms were compressed and stunted; under Seti I. Beauty of proportion reached its highest point. During and after the 20th dynasty the style declined in beauty; in the 26th, under the descendants of Psammetichus, we meet with a last revival of art, but the ancient purity of form was never again attained. ]

"And shall you win your wager?"

"Undoubtedly. I am just going to begin this trick of art; it will aslittle deserve the name of a work of art, as any Egyptian statue. "

"And yet there are single sculptures here which are of exquisiteworkmanship; such, for instance, as the one Amasis sent to Samos as apresent to Polykrates. In Memphis I saw a statue said to be about threethousand years old, and to represent a king who built the great Pyramid, which excited my admiration in every respect. With what certainty andprecision that unusually hard stone has been wrought! the muscles, howcarefully carved! especially in the breast, legs and feet; the harmonyof the features too, and, above all, the polish of the whole, leavenothing to be desired. "

"Unquestionably. In all the mechanism of art, such as precision andcertainty in working even the hardest materials, the Egyptians, thoughthey have so long stood still in other points, are still far before us;but to model form with freedom, to breathe, like Prometheus, a soul intothe stone, they will never learn until their old notions on this subjecthave been entirely abandoned. Even the pleasing varieties of corporeallife cannot be represented by a system of mere proportions, much lessthose which are inner and spiritual. Look at the countless statueswhich have been erected during the last three thousand years, in all thetemples and palaces from Naukratis up to the Cataracts. They are allof one type, and represent men of middle age, with grave but benevolentcountenances. Yet they are intended, some as statues of aged monarchs, others to perpetuate the memory of young princes. The warrior and thelawgiver, the blood-thirsty tyrant and the philanthropist are onlydistinguished from each other by a difference in size, by which theEgyptian sculptor expresses the idea of power and strength. Amasisorders a statue just as I should a sword. Breadth and length beingspecified, we both of us know quite well, before the master has begunhis work, what we shall receive when it is finished. How could Ipossibly fashion an infirm old man like an eager youth? a pugilist likea runner in the foot-race? a poet like a warrior? Put Ibykus and ourSpartan friend side by side, and tell me what you would say, were Ito give to the stern warrior the gentle features and gestures of ourheart-ensnaring poet. "

"Well, and how does Amasis answer your remarks on this stagnation inart?"

"He deplores it; but does not feel himself strong enough to abolish therestrictive laws of the priests. "

"And yet, " said the Delphian, "he has given a large sum towards theembellishment of our new temple, expressly, (I use his own words) forthe promotion of Hellenic art!"

"That is admirable in him, " exclaimed Croesus. "Will the Alkmaeonidaesoon have collected the three hundred talents necessary for thecompletion of the temple? Were I as rich as formerly I would gladlyundertake the entire cost; notwithstanding that your malicious god socruelly deceived me, after all my offerings at his shrine. For when Isent to ask whether I should begin the war with Cyrus, he returned thisanswer: I should destroy a mighty kingdom by crossing the river Halys. I trusted the god, secured the friendship of Sparta according to hiscommands, crossed the boundary stream, and, in so doing, did indeeddestroy a mighty kingdom; not however that of the Medes and Persians, but my own poor Lydia, which, as a satrapy of Cambyses, finds its lossof independence a hard and uncongenial yoke. "

"You blame the god unjustly, " answered Phryxus. "It cannot be his faultthat you, in your human conceit, should have misinterpreted his oracle. The answer did not say 'the kingdom of Persia, ' but 'a kingdom' shouldbe destroyed through your desire for war. Why did you not enquire whatkingdom was meant? Was not your son's fate truly prophesied by theoracle? and also that on the day of misfortune he would regain hisspeech? And when, after the fall of Sardis, Cyrus granted your wish toenquire at Delphi whether the Greek gods made a rule of requiting theirbenefactors by ingratitude, Loxias answered that he had willed the bestfor you, but was controlled by a mightier power than himself, by thatinexorable fate which had foretold to thy great ancestor, that his fifthsuccessor was doomed to destruction. "

"In the first days of my adversity I needed those words far more thannow, " interrupted Croesus. "There was a time when I cursed your god andhis oracles; but later, when with my riches my flatterers had left me, and I became accustomed to pronounce judgment on my own actions, I sawclearly that not Apollo, but my own vanity had been the cause of myruin. How could 'the kingdom to be destroyed' possibly mean mine, the mighty realm of the powerful Croesus, the friend of the gods, thehitherto unconquered leader? Had a friend hinted at this interpretationof the ambiguous oracle, I should have derided, nay, probably caused himto be punished. For a despotic ruler is like a fiery steed; the latterendeavors to kick him who touches his wounds with intent to heal; theformer punishes him who lays a hand on the weak or failing points of hisdiseased mind. Thus I missed what, if my eyes had not been dazzled, Imight easily have seen; and now that my vision is clearer, though I havenothing to lose, I am far more often anxious than in the days when nonecould possibly lose more than I. In comparison with those days, Phryxus, I may be called a poor man now, but Cambyses does not leave me tofamish, and I can still raise a talent for your temple. "

Phryxus expressed his thanks, and Phanes remarked "The Alkmaeonida; willbe sure to erect a beautiful edifice, for they are rich and ambitious, and desirous of gaining favor with the Amphiktyons, in order, by theiraid, to overthrow the tyrants, secure to themselves a higher positionthan that of the family to which I belong, and with this, the guidanceof state-affairs. "

"Is it true, as people say, " asked Ibykus, "that next to Agarista withwhom Megakles received so rich a dowry, you, Croesus, have been thelargest contributor to the wealth of the Alkmaeonidae?"

"True enough, " answered Croesus laughing. 

"Tell us the story, I beg, " said Rhodopis. 

"Well, " answered Croesus, "Alkmaeon of Athens once appeared at my court;his cheerfulness and cultivation pleased me well, and I retained himnear me for some time. One day I showed him my treasure-chambers, at thesight of which he fell into despair, called himself a common beggar anddeclared that one good handful of these precious things would make hima happy man. I at once allowed him to take as much gold away as hecould carry. What think you did Alkaemmon on this? sent for high Lydianriding-boots, an apron and a basket, had the one secured behind him, putthe others on, and filled them all with gold, till they could hold nomore. Not content with this, he strewed gold-dust in his hair and beardand filled his mouth to that extent that he appeared in the act ofchoking. In each hand he grasped a golden dish, and thus laden draggedhimself out of the treasure-house, falling exhausted as he crossed thethreshold. Never have I laughed so heartily as at this sight. "

"But did you grant him all these treasures?" said Rhodopis. 

"Yes, yes, my friend; and did not think even then, that I had paid toodearly for the experience that gold can make fools even of clever men. "

"You were the most generous of monarchs, " cried Phanes. 

"And make a tolerably contented beggar, " answered Croesus. "But tell me, Phryxus, how much has Amasis contributed to your collection?"

"He gave fifty tons of alum. "

"A royal gift!"

"And the prince Psamtik?"

"On my appealing to him by his father's munificence, he turned hisback on me, and answered with a bitter laugh: 'Collect money forthe destruction of your temple, and I am ready to double my father'sdonation!'"

"The wretch!"

"Say rather: the true Egyptian! to Psamtik everything foreign is anabomination. "

"How much have the Greeks in Naukratis contributed?"

"Beside munificent private donations, each community has given twentyminae. "

"That is much. "

"Philoinus, the Sybarite, alone sent me a thousand drachmm, andaccompanied his gift with a most singular epistle. May I read it aloud, Rhodopis?"

"Certainly, " answered she, "it will show you that the drunkard hasrepented of his late behaviour. "

The Delphian began: "Philoinus to Phryxus: It grieves me that atRhodopis' house the other night I did not drink more; for had I done soI should have lost consciousness entirely, and so have been unableto offend even the smallest insect. My confounded abstemiousness istherefore to blame, that I can no longer enjoy a place at the best tablein all Egypt. I am thankful, however, to Rhodopis for past enjoyment, and in memory of her glorious roast-beef (which has bred in me the wishto buy her cook at any price) I send twelve large spits for roastingoxen, --[Rhodopis is said to have sent such a gift to Delphi. Herod. ]--and beg they may be placed in some treasure-house at Delphi asan offering from Rhodopis. As for myself, being a rich man, I signmy name for a thousand drachmae, and beg that my gift may be publiclyannounced at the next Pythian games. To that rude fellow, Aristomachusof Sparta, express my thanks for the effectual manner in which hefulfilled my intention in coming to Egypt. I came hither for the purposeof having a tooth extracted by an Egyptian dentist said to take outteeth without causing much pain. 

 [The Egyptian dentists must have been very skilful. Artificial teeth have been discovered in the jaws of mummies. See Blumenbach on the teeth of the ancient Egyptians, and on mummies. ]

Aristomachus, however, knocked out the defective tooth and so saved mefrom an operation, the thought of which had often made me tremble. Onrecovering consciousness, I found that three teeth had been knocked intomy mouth, the diseased one and two others, which though healthy, wouldprobably at some future time have caused me pain. Salute Rhodopis andthe handsome Phanes from me. You I invite to an entertainment at myhouse in Sybaris, this day year. We are accustomed to issue invitationssomewhat early, on account of my necessary preparations. I have causedthis epistle to be written by my slave Sophotatus in an adjoiningchamber, as merely to behold the labor of writing causes cramp in myfingers. "

A burst of laughter arose at these words, but Rhodopis said: "Thisletter gives me pleasure; it proves that Philoinus is not bad at heart. Brought up a Sybarite. ". . . She was suddenly interrupted by the voice ofa stranger, who had entered unperceived, and, after apologizing to thevenerable hostess and her guests for appearing without invitation amongthem, continued thus: "I am Gyges the son of Croesus; and it has notbeen merely for pastime, that I have ridden over from Sais in two hourslest I should arrive too late!"

"Menon, a cushion for our guest!" cried Rhodopis. "Be welcome to myhouse and take some repose after your wild, thoroughly Lydian, ride. "

"By the dog, Gyges!" exclaimed Croesus. 

 [An oath of Rhadamanthus used in order to avoid mentioning the names of the gods. Schol. Aristoph. Aves. 520. ]

"What brings thee here at this hour? I begged thee not to quit Bartja'sside. . . . But how thou look'st! what is the matter? has aught happened?speak, speak!"

In the first moment Gyges could not answer a word. To see his belovedfather, for whose very life he had been in such anxiety, a safe andhappy guest at this rich banquet, seemed to rob him of his speech asecond time. At last, however, he was able to say: "The gods be praised, my father, that I see thee safe once more! Think not I forsook my postthoughtlessly. Alas! I am forced to appear as a bird of evil omen inthis cheerful assembly. Know at once, ye guests, for I dare not losetime in preparing my words, that a treacherous assault awaits ye!"

They all sprang up as if struck by lightning. Aristomachus silentlyloosened his sword in its scabbard; Phanes extended his arms as if todiscern whether the old athletic elasticity still dwelt there. 

"What can it be?--what is their design?" echoed from all sides. 

"This house is surrounded by Ethiopian soldiers!" answered Gyges. "Afaithful fellow confided to me that the crown-prince had designs on oneof your number; he was to be taken alive if possible, but killed if heresisted. Dreading lest thou shouldst be this victim, my father, I spedhither. The fellow had not lied. This house is surrounded. My horseshied on reaching your garden-gate, Rhodopis, jaded as he was. Idismounted, and could discern behind every bush the glitter of weaponsand the eager eyes of men lying in ambush. They allowed us, however, toenter unmolested. "

At this moment Knakias rushed in crying, "Important news! On my way tothe Nile to fetch water with which to prepare the wine-cup, I have justmet a man who, in his haste, nearly ran over me. 

 [The water of the Nile has a very agreeable flavor. It is called by one traveller the champagne among the waters. The ladies of the Sultan's harem send for this water even from Constantinople, and the Arabs say, that if Mahomet had drunk thereof he would have desired to live for ever. ]

It was an Ethiop, one of Phanes' boatmen, and he tells that just ashe sprang out of the boat to bathe, a royal bark came alongside and asoldier asked the rest of the crew in whose service they were. On thehelmsman answering, 'in Phanes' service, ' the royal boat passed onslowly. He, however, (the rower who was bathing), seated himself infun on the rudder of the royal boat, and heard one Ethiopian soldier onboard say to another, 'Keep that craft well in sight; now we know wherethe bird sits, and it will be easy to catch him. Remember, Psamtik haspromised us fifty gold rings if we bring the Athenian to Sais dead oralive. ' This is the report of Sebek, who has been in your service sevenyears, O Phanes. "

To both these accounts Phanes listened calmly. Rhodopis trembled. Aristomachus exclaimed, "Not a hair of your head shall be touched, ifEgypt perish for it!" Croesus advised prudence. A tremendous excitementhad mastered the whole party. 

At last Phanes broke silence, saying: "Reflection is never morenecessary than in a time of danger. I have thought the matter over, andsee clearly that escape will be difficult. The Egyptians will try toget rid of me quietly. They know that I intend going on board a Phoeceantrireme, which sets sail for Sigeum at a very early hour to-morrowmorning, and have therefore no time to lose, if they will seize me. Yourgarden, Rhodopis, is entirely surrounded, and were I to remain here, your house would no longer be respected as a sanctuary; it would besearched and I taken in it. There can be no doubt that a watch has beenset over the Phoecean ship also. Blood shall not be shed in vain on myaccount. "

"But you dare not surrender!" cried Aristomachus. 

"No, no, I have a plan, " shouted Theopompus the Milesian merchant. "Atsunrise to-morrow a ship sails for Miletus laden with Egyptian corn, but not from Naukratis, from Canopus. Take the noble Persian's horse andride thither. We will cut a way for you through the garden. "

"But, " said Gyges, "our little band is not strong enough to carry outsuch an attempt. We number in all ten men, and of these only three haveswords; our enemies, on the other hand, number at least a hundred, andare armed to the teeth. "

"Lydian!" cried Aristomachus, "wert thou ten times more faintheartedthan thou art, and were our enemies double their number, I at least, will fight them!"

Phanes grasped his friend's hand. Gyges turned pale. This brave warriorhad called him fainthearted; and again he could find no words to answer;for at every stirring emotion his tongue failed him. Suddenly theblood mounted to his face; his words came quickly and with decision:"Athenian, follow me! and thou, Spartan, who art not wont to use wordsheedlessly, call no man fainthearted again before thou knowest him. Friends, Phanes is safe, Farewell, father!"

The remaining guests surveyed these two departing men in silent wonder. As they stood there, silently listening, the sound of two horsesgalloping swiftly away fell on their ear, and after a longer interval aprolonged whistle from the Nile and a cry of distress. 

"Where is Knakias?" said Rhodopis to one of her slaves. 

"He went into the garden with Phanes and the Persian, " was theanswer, and as it was being spoken, the old slave re-entered, pale andtrembling. 

"Have you seen my son?" cried Croesus. "Where is Phanes?"

"I was to bid you farewell from them both. "

"Then they are gone. --Whither? How was it possible?". . . 

"The Athenian and the Persian, " began the slave, "had a slight disputein the anteroom. This over, I was told to divest both of their robes. Phanes then put on the stranger's trousers, coat and girdle; on his owncurls he placed the pointed Persian cap. The stranger wrapped himselfin the Athenian's chiton and mantle, placed the golden circlet above hisbrow, caused the hair to be shaved from his upper lip, and ordered meto follow him into the garden. Phanes, whom in his present dress, nonecould imagine to be other than a Persian, mounted one of the horsesstill waiting before the gate; the stranger called after him, 'FarewellGyges, farewell beloved Persian, a pleasant journey to thee, Gyges!' Theservant, who had been waiting, followed on the other horse. I could hearthe clatter of arms among the bushes, but the Athenian was allowed todepart unmolested, the soldiers, without doubt, believing him to be aPersian. 

"On returning to the house the stranger's orders were: 'Accompany me toPhanes' bark, and cease not to call me by the Athenian's name. ' 'But theboatmen will betray you, ' I said. 'Then go alone to them, ' he answered, 'and command them to receive me as their master, Phanes. ' Then I prayedhim to allow me to take the dress of the fugitive and become a prey tothe pursuers; but he would by no means allow this, and said my gait andcarriage would betray me. There alas! he spoke truly, for only the freeman can walk erect; the neck of the slave is bent; the schools in whichthe noble and the freeborn learn grace and beauty of movement arenot for him. And so it must remain, the children must be even as thefathers; can the unclean onion-root produce a rose, or the unsightlyradish a hyacinth? Constant bondage bows the neck of the slave, but theconsciousness of freedom gives dignity to the stature. "

"But what has become of my son?" interrupted Croesus. 

"He would not accept my poor offer, and took his seat in the bark, sending a thousand greetings unto thee, O king! I cried after him, 'Farewell Phanes! I wish thee a prosperous journey, Phanes!' At thatmoment a cloud crossed the moon; and from out the thick darkness I heardscreams, and cries for help; they did not, however, last long, a shrillwhistle followed, then all was silent; and the measured strokes ofoars were the only sounds that fell on my ear. I was on the point ofreturning to relate what I had seen, when the boatman Sebek swam up oncemore and told as follows: The Egyptians had caused a leak to be made inPhanes' boat, and at a short distance from land it had filled and beganto sink. On the boatmen crying for help, the royal bark, which wasfollowing, had come up and taken the supposed Phanes on board, but hadprevented the rowers from leaving their benches. They all went down withthe leaking boat, the daring Sebek alone excepted. Gyges is on board theroyal boat; Phanes has escaped, for that whistle must have been intendedfor the soldiers in ambush at the garden-gate. I searched the bushes, the soldiers were gone, and I could hear the sound of their voices andweapons on their way back to Sais. "

The guests listened with eager attention to this tale. At its close amingled feeling of relief and anxiety was felt by all; relief that theirfavorite companion had escaped so fearful a danger, anxiety for thebrave young Lydian who had risked his life to save him. They praised hisgenerosity, congratulated Croesus on possessing such a son, and finallyagreed in the conclusion, that, when the crown-prince discovered theerror into which his emissaries had fallen, he must certainly releaseGyges, and even make him compensation for what he had suffered at theirhands. 

The friendship already shown by Amasis, and the fear in which heevidently stood of the Persian power, were the thoughts which had powerto calm Croesus, who soon left, in order to pass the night at the houseof Theopompus, the Milesian merchant. At parting, Aristomachus said:"Salute Gyges in my name; tell him I ask his forgiveness, and hope oneday either to enjoy his friendship, or, if that cannot be, to meet himas a fair foe on the field of battle. "

"Who knows what the future may bring?" answered Croesus giving his handto the Spartan. 

CHAPTER IX. 

The sun of a new day had risen over Egypt, but was still low in theeast; the copious dew, which, on the Nile, supplies the place of rain, lay sparkling like jewels on the leaves and blossoms, and the morningair, freshened by a north-west wind, invited those to enjoy it who couldnot bear the heat of mid-day. 

Through the door of the country-house, now so well known to us, twofemale figures have just passed; Melitta, the old slave, and Sappho, thegrandchild of Rhodopis. 

The latter is not less lovely now, than when we saw her last, asleep. She moves through the garden with a light quick step, her white morningrobe with its wide sleeves falling in graceful drapery over her lithelimbs, the thick brown hair straying from beneath the purple kerchiefover her head, and a merry, roguish smile lurking round her rosy mouthand in the dimples of her cheeks and chin. 

She stooped to pick a rose, dashed the dew from it into the face of herold nurse, laughing at her naughty trick till the clear bell-like tonesrang through the garden; fixed the flower in her dress and began to singin a wonderfully rich and sweet voice--

 Cupid once upon a bed Of roses laid his weary head; Luckless urchin! not to see Within the leaves a slumbering bee. The bee awak'd--with anger wild The bee awak'd, and stung the child. Loud and piteous are his cries; To Venus quick he runs, he flies; "Oh mother! I am wounded through-- "I die with pain--in sooth I do! "Stung by some little angry thing. "Some serpent on a tiny wing, "A bee it was--for once, I know, "I heard a rustic call it so. "

"Isn't that a very pretty song?" asked the laughing girl. "How stupid oflittle Eros to mistake a bee for a winged snake! Grandmother says thatthe great poet Anacreon wrote another verse to this song, but she willnot teach it me. Tell me, Melitta, what can there be in that verse?There, you are smiling; dear, darling Melitta, do sing me that oneverse. Perhaps though, you don't know it yourself? No? then certainlyyou can't teach it me. "

"That is a new song, " answered the old woman, evading her darling'squestion, "I only know the songs of the good old times. But hark! didnot you hear a knock at the gate?"

 [The last lines which contain the point of this song are:

 Thus he spoke, and she, the while, Heard him with a soothing smile; Then said, "My infant, if so much "Thou feel the little wild bee's touch, "How must the heart, ah! Cupid be, "The hapless heart that's stung by thee?"

 --Translation from one of Anacreon's songs]

"Yes, of course I did, and I think the sound of horses' hoofs too. Go and see who seeks admission so early. Perhaps, after all, our kindPhanes did not go away yesterday, and has come to bid us farewell oncemore. "

"Phanes is gone, " said Melitta, becoming serious, "and Rhodopis hasordered me to send you in when visitors arrive. Go child, that I mayopen the gate. There, they have knocked again. "

Sappho pretended to run in, but instead of obeying her nurse's orders, stopped and hid herself behind a rose-bush, hoping to catch sight ofthese early guests. In the fear of needlessly distressing her, she hadnot been told of the events of the previous evening, and at thisearly hour could only expect to see some very intimate friend of hergrandmother's. 

Melitta opened the gate and admitted a youth splendidly apparelled, andwith fair curling hair. 

It was Bartja, and Sappho was so lost in wonder at his beauty, and thePersian dress, to her so strange, that she remained motionless in herhiding-place, her eyes fixed on his face. Just so she had pictured toherself Apollo with the beautiful locks, guiding the sun-chariot. 

As Melitta and the stranger came nearer she thrust her little headthrough the roses to hear what the handsome youth was saying so kindlyin his broken Greek. 

She heard him ask hurriedly after Croesus and his son; and then, fromMelitta's answer, she gathered all that had passed the evening before, trembled for Phanes, felt so thankful to the generous Gyges, and againwondered who this youth in royal apparel could possibly be. Rhodopis hadtold her about Cyrus's heroic deeds, the fall of Croesus and the powerand wealth of the Persians, but still she had always fancied thema wild, uncultivated people. Now, however, her interest in Persiaincreased with every look at the handsome Bartja. At last Melitta wentin to wake her grandmother and announce the guest, and Sappho triedto follow her, but Eros, the foolish boy whose ignorance she had beenmocking a moment before, had other intentions. Her dress caught in thethorns, and before she could disengage it, the beautiful Bartja wasstanding before her, helping her to get free from the treacherous bush. 

Sappho could not speak a word even of thanks; she blushed deeply, andstood smiling and ashamed, with downcast eyes. 

Bartja, too, generally so full of fun and spirit, looked down at herwithout speaking, the color mounting to his cheeks. 

The silence, however, did not last long, for Sappho, recovering from herfright, burst into a laugh of childish delight at the silent strangerand the odd scene, and fled towards the house like a timid fawn. 

In a moment Bartja was himself again; in two strides he reachedthe young girl, quick as thought seized her hand and held it fast, notwithstanding all her struggles. 

"Let me go!" she cried half in earnest and half laughing, raising herdark eyes appealingly to him. 

"Why should I?" he answered. "I took you from the rose-bush and shallhold you fast until you give me your sister there, the other rose, fromyour bosom, to take home with me as a keepsake. "

"Please let me go, " repeated Sappho, "I will promise nothing unless youlet my hand go. "

"But if I do, you will not run away again?"

"Certainly not. "

"Well, then, I will give you your liberty, but now you must give me yourrose. "

"There are plenty on the bush yonder, and more beautiful ones; choosewhichever you like. Why do you want just this one?"

"To keep it carefully in remembrance of the most beautiful maiden I eversaw. "

"Then I shall certainly not give it to you; for those are not my realfriends who tell me I am beautiful, only those who tell me I am good. "

"Where did you learn that?"

"From my grandmother Rhodopis. "

"Very well, then I will tell you you are better than any other maiden inthe whole world. "

"How can you say such things, when you don't know me at all? Oh, sometimes I am very naughty and disobedient. If I were really good Ishould be indoors now instead of talking to you here. My grandmotherhas forbidden me ever to stay in the garden when visitors are here, and indeed I don't care for all those strange men who always talk aboutthings I cannot understand. "

"Then perhaps you would like me to go away too?"

"Oh no, I can understand you quite well; though you cannot speak half sobeautifully as our poor Phanes for example, who was obliged to escapeso miserably yesterday evening, as I heard Melitta saying just thisminute. "

"Did you love Phanes?"

"Love him? Oh yes, --I was very fond of him. When I was little he alwaysbrought me balls, dolls ninepins from Memphis and Sais; and now that Iam older he teaches me beautiful new songs. "

 [Jointed dolls for children. Wilkinson II. 427. Note 149. In the Leyden Museum one of these jointed toys is to be seen, in very good preservation. ]

"As a parting gift he brought me a tiny Sicilian lapdog, which I amgoing to call Argos, because he is so white and swiftfooted. But in afew days we are to have another present from the good Phanes, for. . . . There, now you can see what I am; I was just going to let out a greatsecret. My grandmother has strictly forbidden me to tell any one whatdear little visitors we are expecting; but I feel as if I had known youa long time already, and you have such kind eyes that I could tell youeverything. You see, when I am very happy, I have no one in the wholeworld to talk to about it, except old Melitta and my grandmother, and, Idon't know how it is, that, though they love me so much, they sometimescannot understand how trifles can make me so happy. "

"That is because they are old, and have forgotten what made them happyin their youth. But have you no companions of your own age that you arefond of?"

"Not one. Of course there are many other young girls beside me inNaukratis, but my grandmother says I am not to seek their acquaintance, and if they will not come to us I am not to go to them. "

"Poor child! if you were in Persia, I could soon find you a friend. Ihave a sister called Atossa, who is young and good, like you. "

"Oh, what a pity that she did not come here with you!--But now you musttell me your name. "

"My name is Bartja. "

"Bartja! that is a strange name! Bartja-Bartja. Do you know, I like it. How was the son of Croesus called, who saved our Phanes so generously?"

"Gyges. Darius, Zopyrus and he are my best friends. We have sworn neverto part, and to give up our lives for one another, and that is why Icame to-day, so early and quite in secret, to help my friend Gyges, incase he should need me. "

"Then you rode here for nothing. "

"No, by Mithras, that indeed I did not, for this ride brought me to you. But now you must tell me your name. "

"I am called Sappho. "

"That is a pretty name, and Gyges sings me sometimes beautiful songs bya poetess called Sappho. Are you related to her?"

"Of course. She was the sister of my grandfather Charaxus, and is calledthe tenth muse or the Lesbian swan. I suppose then, your friend Gygesspeaks Greek better than you do?"

"Yes, he learnt Greek and Lydian together as a little child, and speaksthem both equally well. He can speak Persian too, perfectly; and what ismore, he knows and practises all the Persian virtues. "

"Which are the highest virtues then according to you Persians?"

"Truth is the first of all; courage the second, and the third isobedience; these three, joined with veneration for the gods, have madeus Persians great. "

"But I thought you worshipped no gods?"

"Foolish child! who could live without a god, without a higher ruler?True, they do not dwell in houses and pictures like the gods of theEgyptians, for the whole creation is their dwelling. The Divinity, whomust be in every place, and must see and hear everything, cannot beconfined within walls. "

"Where do you pray then and offer sacrifice, if you have no temples?"

"On the grandest of all altars, nature herself; our favorite altar isthe summit of a mountain. There we are nearest to our own god, Mithras, the mighty sun, and to Auramazda, the pure creative light; for there thelight lingers latest and returns earliest. "

 [From Herodotus (I. 131 and 132. ), and from many other sources, we see clearly that at the time of the Achaemenidae the Persians had neither temples nor images of their gods. Auramazda and Angramainjus, the principles of good and evil, were invisible existences filling all creation with their countless train of good and evil spirits. Eternity created fire and water. From these Ormusd (Auramazda), the good spirit, took his origin. He was brilliant as the light, pure and good. After having, in the course of 12000 years, created heaven, paradise and the stars, he became aware of the existence of an evil spirit, Ahriman (Angramainjus), black, unclean, malicious and emitting an evil odor. Ormusd determined on his destruction, and a fierce strife began, in which Ormusd was the victor, and the evil spirit lay 3000 years unconscious from the effects of terror. During this interval Ormusd created the sky, the waters, the earth, all useful plants, trees and herbs, the ox and the first pair of human beings in one year. Ahriman, after this, broke loose, and was overcome but not slain. As, after death, the four elements of which all things are composed, Earth, Air, Fire and Water, become reunited with their primitive elements; and as, at the resurrection-day, everything that has been severed combines once more, and nothing returns into oblivion, all is reunited to its primitive elements, Ahriman could only have been slain if his impurity could have been transmuted into purity, his darkness into light. And so evil continued to exist, and to produce impurity and evil wherever and whenever the good spirit created the pure and good. This strife must continue until the last day; but then Ahriman, too, will become pure and holy; the Diws or Daewa (evil spirits) will have absorbed his evil, and themselves have ceased to exist. For the evil spirits which dwell in every human being, and are emanations from Ahriman, will be destroyed in the punishment inflicted on men after death. From Vuller's Ulmai Islam and the Zend-Avesta. ]

"Light alone is pure and good; darkness is unclean and evil. Yes, maiden, believe me, God is nearest to us on the mountains; they are hisfavorite resting-place. Have you never stood on the wooded summit of ahigh mountain, and felt, amid the solemn silence of nature, the stilland soft, but awful breath of Divinity hovering around you? Have youprostrated yourself in the green forest, by a pure spring, or beneaththe open sky, and listened for the voice of God speaking from among theleaves and waters? Have you beheld the flame leaping up to its parentthe sun, and bearing with it, in the rising column of smoke, our prayersto the radiant Creator? You listen now in wonder, but I tell you, youwould kneel and worship too with me, could I but take you to one of ourmountain-altars. "

"Oh! if I only could go there with you! if I might only once look downfrom some high mountain over all the woods and meadows, rivers andvalleys. I think, up there, where nothing could be hidden from myeyes, I should feel like an all-seeing Divinity myself. But hark, mygrandmother is calling. I must go. "

"Oh, do not leave me yet!"

"Is not obedience one of the Persian virtues?"

"But my rose?"

"Here it is. "

"Shall you remember me?"

"Why should I not?"

"Sweet maiden, forgive me if I ask one more favor. "

"Yes, but ask it quickly, for my grandmother has just called again. "

"Take my diamond star as a remembrance of this hour. "

"No, I dare not. "

"Oh, do, do take it. My father gave it me as a reward, the first timethat I killed a bear with my own hand, and it has been my dearesttreasure till to-day, but now you shall have it, for you are dearer tome than anything else in the world. "

Saying this, he took the chain and star from his breast, and tried tohang it round Sappho's neck. She resisted, but Bartja threw his armsround her, kissed her forehead, called her his only love, and lookingdown deep into the eyes of the trembling child, placed it round her neckby gentle force. 

Rhodopis called a third time. Sappho broke from the young prince'sembrace, and was running away, but turned once more at his earnestentreaty and the question, "When may I see you again?" and answeredsoftly, "To-morrow morning at this rose-bush. "

"Which held you fast to be my friend. "

Sappho sped towards the house. Rhodopis received Bartja, andcommunicated to him all she knew of his friend's fate, after which theyoung Persian departed for Sais. 

When Rhodopis visited her grandchild's bed that evening, she did notfind her sleeping peacefully as usual; her lips moved, and she sigheddeeply, as if disturbed by vexing dreams. 

On his way back, Bartja met Darius and Zopyrus, who had followed at onceon hearing of their friend's secret departure. They little guessed thatinstead of encountering an enemy, Bartja had met his first love. Croesusreached Sais a short time before the three friends. He went at once tothe king and informed him without reserve of the events of the precedingevening. Amasis pretended much surprise at his son's conduct, assuredhis friend that Gyges should be released at once, and indulged in someironical jokes at the discomfiture of Psamtik's attempt to revengehimself. 

Croesus had no sooner quitted the king than the crown-prince wasannounced. 

CHAPTER X. 

Amasis received his son with a burst of laughter, and without noticingPsamtik's pale and troubled countenance, shouted: "Did not I tell thee, that a simple Egyptian would find it no easy task to catch such a Greekfox? I would have given ten cities to have been by, when thy captiveproved to be the stammering Lydian instead of the voluble Athenian. "

Psamtik grew paler and paler, and trembling with rage, answered in asuppressed voice: "Is it well, my father, thus to rejoice at an affrontoffered to thy son? I swear, by the eternal gods, that but for Cambyses'sake that shameless Lydian had not seen the light of another day. Butwhat is it to thee, that thy son becomes a laughing-stock to thesebeggarly Greeks!"

"Abuse not those who have outwitted thee. "

"Outwitted! my plan was so subtly laid, that. . . 

"The finer the web, the sooner broken. "

"That that intriguing Greek could not possibly have escaped, if, inviolation of all established precedents; the envoy of a foreign powerhad not taken it upon himself to rescue a man whom we had condemned. "

"There thou art in error, my son. We are not speaking of the executionof a judicial sentence, but of the success or failure of an attempt atpersonal revenge. "

"The agents employed were, however, commissioned by the king, andtherefore the smallest satisfaction that I can demand of thee, is tosolicit from Cambyses the punishment of him who has interfered in theexecution of the royal decrees. In Persia, where men bow to the king'swill as to the will of a god, this crime will be seen in all itsheinousness. The punishment of Gyges is a debt which Cambyses owes us. "

"But I have no intention of demanding the payment of this debt, "answered Amasis. "On the contrary, I am thankful that Phanes hasescaped. Gyges has saved my soul from the guilt of shedding innocentblood, and thine from the reproach of having revenged thyself meanly ona man, to whom thy father is indebted. "

"Wilt thou then conceal the whole affair from Cambyses?"

"No, I shall mention it jestingly in a letter, as my manner is, and atthe same time caution him against Phanes. I shall tell him that he hasbarely escaped my vengeance, and will therefore certainly endeavor tostir up the power of Persia against Egypt; and shall entreat my futureson-in-law to close his ears to this false accuser. Croesus and Gygescan help us by their friendship more than Phanes can injure by hishatred. "

"Is this then thy final resolve? Can I expect no satisfaction?"

"None. I abide by what I have said. "

"Then tremble, not alone before Phanes, but before another--before onewho holds thee in his power, and who himself is in ours. "

"Thou thinkest to alarm me; thou wouldst rend the bond formed onlyyesterday? Psamtik, Psamtik, I counsel thee to remember, that thoustandest before thy father and thy king. "

"And thou, forget not that I am thy son! If thou compell'st me to forgetthat the gods appointed thee to be my father--if I can hope for no helpfrom thee, then I will resort to my own weapons. "

"I am curious to learn what these may be. "

"And I need not conceal them. Know then that the oculist Nebenchari isin our power. "

Amasis turned pale. 

"Before thou couldst possibly imagine that Cambyses would sue for thehand of thy daughter, thou sentest this man to the distant realm ofPersia, in order to rid thyself of one who shared thy knowledge of thereal descent of my so-called, sister Nitetis. He is still there, andat a hint from the priests will disclose to Cambyses that he has beendeceived, and that thou hast ventured to send him, instead of thine own, the child of thy dethroned predecessor Hophra. All Nebenchari's papersare in our possession, the most important being a letter in thine ownhand promising his father, who assisted at Nitetis' birth, a thousandgold rings, as an inducement to secrecy even from the priests. "

"In whose hands are these papers?" asked Amasis in a freezing tone. 

"In the hands of the priesthood. "

"Who speak by thy mouth?"

"Thou hast said it. "

"Repeat then thy requests. "

"Entreat Cambyses to punish Gyges, and grant me free powers to pursuethe escaped Phanes as it shall seem good in mine eyes. "

"Is that all?"

"Bind thyself by a solemn oath to the priests, that the Greeks shall beprevented from erecting any more temples to their false gods in Egypt, and that the building of the temple to Apollo, in Memphis, shall bediscontinued. "

"I expected these demands. The priests have discovered a sharp weaponto wield against me. Well, I am prepared to yield to the wishes ofmy enemies, with whom thou hast leagued thyself, but only on twoconditions. First, I insist that the letter, which I confess to havewritten to the father of Nebenchari in a moment of inconsideration, berestored to me. If left in the hands of thy party, it could reduce mefrom a king to the contemptible slave of priestly intrigue. "

"That wish is reasonable. The letter shall be returned to thee, if. . . . "

"Not another if! on the contrary, know that I consider thy petition forthe punishment of Gyges so imprudent, that I refuse to grant it. Nowleave me and appear not again before mine eyes until I summon thee!Yesterday I gained a son, only to lose him to-day. Rise! I demand notokens of a love and humility, which thou hast never felt. Go to thepriests when thou needest comfort and counsel, and see if they cansupply a father's place. Tell Neithotep, in whose hands thou art as wax, that he has found the best means of forcing me to grant demands, whichotherwise I should have refused. Hitherto I have been willing to makeevery sacrifice for the sake of upholding Egypt's greatness; but now, when I see that, to attain their own ends, the priests can strive tomove me by the threat of treachery to their own country, I feel inclinedto regard this privileged caste as a more dangerous enemy to Egypt, thaneven the Persians. Beware, beware! This once, having brought danger uponEgypt through my own fatherly weakness, I give way to the intrigues ofmy enemies; but, for the future, I swear by the great goddess Neith, that men shall see and feel I am king; the entire priesthood shallbe sacrificed rather than the smallest fraction of my royal will!Silence--depart!"

The prince left, but this time a longer interval was necessary, beforethe king could regain even outward cheerfulness sufficient to enable himto appear before his guests. 

Psamtik went at once to the commander of the native troops, orderedhim to banish the Egyptian captain who had failed in executing hisrevengeful plans, to the quarries of Thebais, and to send the Ethiopiansback to their native country. He then hurried to the high-priest ofNeith, to inform him how much he had been able to extort from the king. 

Neithotep shook his head doubtfully on hearing of Amasis' threats, anddismissed the prince with a few words of exhortation, a practice henever omitted. 

Psamtik returned home, his heart oppressed and his mind clouded witha sense of unsatisfied revenge, of a new and unhappy rupture with hisfather, a fear of foreign derision, a feeling of his subjection to thewill of the priests, and of a gloomy fate which had hung over his headsince his birth. 

His once beautiful wife was dead; and, of five blooming children, onlyone daughter remained to him, and a little son, whom he loved tenderly, and to whom in this sad moment he felt drawn. For the blue eyes andlaughing mouth of his child were the only objects that ever thawed thisman's icy heart, and from these he now hoped for consolation and courageon his weary road through life. 

"Where is my son?" he asked of the first attendant who crossed his path. 

"The king has just sent for the Prince Necho and his nurse, " answeredthe man. 

At this moment the high-steward of the prince's household approached, and with a low obeisance delivered to Psamtik a sealed papyrus letter, with the words: "From your father, the king. "

In angry haste he broke the yellow wax of the seal bearing the king'sname, and read: "I have sent for thy son, that he may not become, likehis father, a blind instrument in the hands of the priesthood, forgetfulof what is due to himself and his country. His education shall be mycare, for the impressions of childhood affect the whole of a man's laterlife. Thou canst see him if thou wilt, but I must be acquainted with thyintention beforehand. "

 [Signet rings were worn by the Egyptians at a very early period. Thus, in Genesis 41. 42. , Pharaoh puts his ring on Joseph's hand. In the Berlin Museum and all other collections of Egyptian antiquities, numbers of these rings are to be found, many of which are more than 4000 years old. ]

Psamtik concealed his indignation from the surrounding attendants withdifficulty. The mere wish of a royal father had, according to Egyptiancustom, as much weight as the strictest command. After reflecting a fewmoments, he called for huntsmen, dogs, bows and lances, sprang into alight chariot and commanded the charioteer to drive him to the westernmarshes, where, in pursuing the wild beasts of the desert, he couldforget the weight of his own cares and wreak on innocent creatures hishitherto baffled vengeance. 

Gyges was released immediately after the conversation between his fatherand Amasis, and welcomed with acclamations of joy by his companions. ThePharaoh seemed desirous of atoning for the imprisonment of his friend'sson by doubling his favors, for on the same day Gyges received fromthe king a magnificent chariot drawn by two noble brown steeds, andwas begged to take back with him to Persia a curiously-wrought set ofdraughts, as a remembrance of Sais. The separate pieces were madeof ebony and ivory, some being curiously inlaid with sentences, inhieroglyphics of gold and silver. 

Amasis laughed heartily with his friends at Gyges' artifice, allowedthe young heroes to mix freely with his family, and behaved towardsthem himself as a jovial father towards his merry sons. That the ancientEgyptian was not quite extinguished in him could only be discerned atmeal-times, when a separate table was allotted to the Persians. Thereligion of his ancestors would have pronounced him defiled, had heeaten at the same table with men of another nation. 

 [Herodotus II. 41. Says that the Egyptians neither kissed, nor ate out of the same dish with foreigners, nay, indeed, that they refused to touch meat, in the cutting up of which the knife of a Greek had been used. Nor were the lesser dynasties of the Delta allowed, according to the Stela of Pianchi, to cross the threshold of the Pharaohs because they were unclean and ate fish. In the book of Genesis, the brethren of Joseph were not allowed to eat bread with the Egyptians. ]

When Amasis, at last, three days after the release of Gyges, declaredthat his daughter Nitetis would be prepared to depart for Asia in thecourse of two more weeks, all the Persians regretted that their stay inEgypt was so near its close. 

Croesus had enjoyed the society of the Samian poets and sculptors. Gygeshad shared his father's preference for Greek art and artists. Darius, who had formerly studied astronomy in Babylon, was one evening observingthe heavens, when, to his surprise, he was addressed by the agedNeithotep and invited to follow him on to the temple-roof. Darius, evereager to acquire knowledge, did not wait to be asked twice, and wasto be found there every night in earnest attention to the old priest'slessons. 

On one occasion Psamtik met him thus with his master, and asked thelatter what could have induced him to initiate a Persian in the Egyptianmysteries. 

"I am only teaching him, " answered the high-priest, "what is as wellknown to every learned Chaldee in Babylon as to ourselves, and amthereby gaining the friendship of a man, whose stars as far outshinethose of Cambyses as the sun outshines the moon. This Darius, I tellthee, will be a mighty ruler. I have even seen the beams of his planetshining over Egypt. The truly wise man extends his gaze into the future, regards the objects lying on either side of his road, as well as theroad itself. Thou canst not know in which of the many houses by whichthou passest daily, a future benefactor may not have been reared forthee. Leave nought unnoticed that lies in thy path, but above all directthy gaze upward to the stars. As the faithful dog lies in wait nightafter night for thieves, so have I watched these pilgrims of the heavensfifty years long--these foretellers of the fates of men, burning inethereal space, and announcing, not only the return of summer andwinter, but the arrival of good and bad fortune, honor and disgrace. These are the unerring guides, who have pointed out to me in Darius aplant, that will one day wax into a mighty tree. "

To Bartja, Darius' nightly studies were especially welcome; theynecessitated more sleep in the morning, and so rendered Bartja's stolenearly rides to Naukratis, (on which Zopyrus, to whom he had confidedhis secret, accompanied him), easier of accomplishment. During theinterviews with Sappho, Zopyrus and the attendants used all theirendeavors to kill a few snipes, jackals or jerboas. They could then, on their return, maintain to their Mentor Croesus, that they had beenpursuing fieldsports, the favorite occupation of the Persian nobility. 

The change which the power of a first love had wrought in the innermostcharacter of Bartja, passed unnoticed by all but Tachot, the daughterof Amasis. From the first day on which they had spoken together she hadloved him, and her quick feelings told her at once that something hadhappened to estrange him from herself. Formerly his behavior had beenthat of a brother, and he had sought her companionship; but now hecarefully avoided every approach to intimacy, for he had guessed hersecret and felt as if even a kind look would have been an offenceagainst his loyalty to Sappho. 

In her distress at this change Tachot confided her sorrows to Nitetis. The latter bade her take courage, and the two girls built many a castlein the air, picturing to themselves the happiness of being alwaystogether at one court, and married to two royal brothers. But as thedays went by, the visits of the handsome prince became more and morerare, and when he did come, his behavior to Tachot was cold and distant. Yet the poor girl could not but confess that Bartja had grown handsomerand more manly during his stay in Egypt. An expression of proud and yetgentle consciousness lay beaming in his large eyes, and a strange dreamyair of rest often took the place of his former gay spirits. His cheekshad lost their brilliant color, but that added to his beauty, while itlessened hers, who, like him, became paler from day to day. 

Melitta, the old slave, had taken the lovers under her protection. Shehad surprised them one morning, but the prince had given her such richpresents, and her darling had begged, flattered and coaxed so sweetly, that at last Melitta promised to keep their secret, and later, yieldingto that natural impulse which moves all old women to favor lovers, had even given them every assistance in her power. She already sawher "sweet child" mistress of a hemisphere, often addressed her as "myPrincess" and "my Queen" when none were by to hear, and in many a weakmoment imagined a brilliant future for herself in some high office atthe Persian court. 

CHAPTER XI. 

Three days before the time fixed for the departure of Nitetis, Rhodopishad invited a large number of guests to her house at Naukratis, amongstwhom Croesus and Gyges were included. 

The two lovers had agreed to meet in the garden, protected by thedarkness and the old slave, while the guests were occupied at thebanquet. Melitta, therefore, having convinced herself that the guestswere thoroughly absorbed in conversation, opened the garden-gate, admitted the prince, brought Sappho to him, and then retired, promisingto warn them of any intruder by clapping her hands. 

"I shall only have you near me three days longer, " whispered Sappho. "Doyou know, sometimes it seems to me as if I had only seen you yesterdayfor the first time; but generally I feel as if you had belonged to mefor a whole eternity, and I had loved you all my life. "

"To me too it seems as if you had always been mine, for I cannot imaginehow I could ever have existed without you. If only the parting were overand we were together again!"

"Oh, believe me, that will pass more quickly than you fancy. Of courseit will seem long to wait--very long; but when it is over, and we aretogether again, I think it will seem as if we had never been parted. Soit has been with me every day. How I have longed for the morning to comeand bring you with it! but when it came and you were sitting by my side, I felt as if I had had you all the time and your hand had never left myhead. "

"And yet a strange feeling of fear comes over me, when I think of ourparting hour. "

"I do not fear it so very much. I know my heart will bleed when you sayfarewell, but I am sure you will come back and will not have forgottenme. Melitta wanted to enquire of the Oracle whether you would remainfaithful; and to question an old woman who has just come from Phrygiaand can conjure by night from drawn cords, with incense, styrax, moon-shaped cakes, and wild-briar leaves; but I would have none of this, for my heart knows better than the Pythia, the cords, or the smoke ofsacrifice, that you will be true to me, and love me always. "

"And your heart speaks the truth. "

"But I have sometimes been afraid; and have blown into a poppy-leaf, andstruck it, as the young girls here do. If it broke with a loud crackI was very happy, and cried, 'Ah! he will not forget!' but if the leaftore without a sound I felt sad. I dare say I did this a hundred times, but generally the leaf gave the wished-for sound, and I had much oftenerreason to be joyful than sad. "

"May it be ever thus!"

"It must be! but dearest, do not speak so loudly; I see Knakias goingdown to the Nile for water and he will hear us. "

"Well, I will speak low. There, I will stroke back your silky hair andwhisper in your ear 'I love you. ' Could you understand?"

"My grandmother says that it is easy to understand what we like to hear;but if you had just whispered, 'I hate you, ' your eyes would have toldme with a thousand glad voices that you loved me. Silent eyes are muchmore eloquent than all the tongues in the world. "

"If I could only speak the beautiful Greek language as you do, Iwould. . "

"Oh, I am so glad you cannot, for if you could tell me all you feel, Ithink you would not look into my eyes so lovingly. Words are nothing. Listen to the nightingale yonder! She never had the gift of speech andyet I think I can understand her. "

"Will you confide her secret to me? I should like to know what Gulgul, as we Persians call the nightingale, has to talk about to her mate inthe rose-bush. May you betray her secret?"

"I will whisper it softly. Philomel sings to her mate 'I love thee, ' andhe answers, (don't you hear him?), 'Itys, ito, itys. '"

"And what does that mean, 'Ito, ito?'"

"I accept it. "

"And Itys?"

"Oh, that must be explained, to be rightly understood. Itys is a circle;and a circle, I was always taught, is the symbol of eternity, havingneither beginning nor end; so the nightingale sings, 'I accept it foreternity. '"

"And if I say to you, 'I love thee?'"

"Then I shall answer gladly, like the sweet nightingale, 'I accept itfor to-day, to-morrow, for all eternity!'"

"What a wonderful night it is! everything so still and silent; I do noteven hear the nightingale now; she is sitting in the acacia-tree amongthe bunches of sweet blossoms. I can see the tops of the palm-treesin the Nile, and the moon's reflection between them, glistening like awhite swan. "

"Yes, her rays are over every living thing like silver fetters, and thewhole world lies motionless beneath them like a captive woman. Happy asI feel now, yet I could not even laugh, and still less speak in a loudvoice. "

"Then whisper, or sing!"

"Yes, that is the best. Give me a lyre. Thank you. Now I will lean myhead on your breast, and sing you a little, quiet, peaceful song. It waswritten by Alkman, the Lydian, who lived in Sparta, in praise ofnight and her stillness. You must listen though, for this low, sweetslumber-song must only leave the lips like a gentle wind. Do not kiss meany more, please, till I have finished; then I will ask you to thank mewith a kiss:

 "Now o'er the drowsy earth still night prevails, Calm sleep the mountain tops and shady vales, The rugged cliffs and hollow glens;

 The wild beasts slumber in their dens; The cattle on the bill. Deep in the sea The countless finny race and monster brood Tranquil repose. Even the busy bee Forgets her daily toil. The silent wood No more with noisy hum of insect rings; And all the feathered tribe, by gentle sleep subdued, Roost in the glade and hang their drooping wings. " --Translation by Colonel Mure. 

"Now, dearest, where is my kiss?"

"I had forgotten it in listening, just as before I forgot to listen inkissing. "

"You are too bad. But tell me, is not my song lovely?"

"Yes, beautiful, like everything else you sing. "

"And the Greek poets write?"

"Yes, there you are right too, I admit. "

"Are there no poets in Persia?"

"How can you ask such a question? How could a nation, who despised song, pretend to any nobility of feeling?"

"But you have some very bad customs. "

"Well?"

"You take so many wives. "

"My Sappho. . . "

"Do not misunderstand me. I love you so much, that I have no otherwish than to see you happy and be allowed to be always with you. If, by taking me for your only wife, you would outrage the laws of yourcountry, if you would thereby expose yourself to contempt, or evenblame, (for who could dare to despise my Bartja!) then take other wives;but let me have you, for myself alone, at least two, or perhaps eventhree years. Will you promise this, Bartja?"

"I will. "

"And then, when my time has passed, and you must yield to the customsof your country (for it will not be love that leads you to bring homea second wife), then let me be the first among your slaves. Oh! I havepictured that so delightfully to myself. When you go to war I shall setthe tiara on your head, gird on the sword, and place the lance in yourhand; and when you return a conqueror, I shall be the first to crown youwith the wreath of victory. When you ride out to the chase, mine will bethe duty of buckling on your spurs, and when you go to the banquet, ofadorning and anointing you, winding the garlands of poplar and roses andtwining them around your forehead and shoulders. If wounded, I will beyour nurse; will never stir from your side if you are ill, and when Isee you happy will retire, and feast my eyes from afar on your glory andhappiness. Then perchance you will call me to your side, and your kisswill say, 'I am content with my Sappho, I love her still. '"

"O Sappho, wert thou only my wife now!--to-day! The man who possessessuch a treasure as I have in thee, will guard it carefully, butnever care to seek for others which, by its side, can only show theirmiserable poverty. He who has once loved thee, can never love another: Iknow it is the custom in my country to have many wives, but this isonly allowed; there is no law to enjoin it. My father had, it is true, a hundred female slaves, but only one real, true wife, our motherKassandane. "

"And I will be your Kassandane. "

"No, my Sappho, for what you will be to me, no woman ever yet was to herhusband. "

"When shall you come to fetch me?"

"As soon as I can, and am permitted to do so. "

"Then I ought to be able to wait patiently. "

"And shall I ever hear from you?"

"Oh, I shall write long, long letters, and charge every wind with lovingmessages for you. "

"Yes, do so, my darling; and as to the letters, give them to themessenger who will bring Nitetis tidings from Egypt from time to time. "

"Where shall I find him?"

"I will see that a man is stationed at Naukratis, to take charge ofeverything you send to him. All this I will settle with Melitta. "

"Yes, we can trust her, she is prudent and faithful; but I have anotherfriend, who is dearer to me than any one else excepting you, and wholoves me too better than any one else does, but you--"

"You mean your grandmother Rhodopis. "

"Yes, my faithful guardian and teacher. "

"Ah, she is a noble woman. Croesus considers her the most excellentamong women, and he has studied mankind as the physicians do plants andherbs. He knows that rank poison lies hidden in some, in others healingcordials, and often says that Rhodopis is like a rose which, whilefading away herself, and dropping leaf after leaf, continues to shedperfume and quickening balsam for the sick and weak, and awaits inpatience the wind which at last shall waft her from us. "

"The gods grant that she may be with us for a long time yet! Dearest, will you grant me one great favor?"

"It is granted before I hear it. "

"When you take me home, do not leave Rhodopis here. She must come withus. She is so kind and loves me so fervently, that what makes me happywill make her so too, and whatever is dear to me, will seem to herworthy of being loved. "

"She shall be the first among our guests. "

"Now I am quite happy and satisfied, for I am necessary to mygrandmother; she could not live without her child. I laugh her cares andsorrows away, and when she is singing to me, or teaching me how to guidethe style, or strike the lute, a clearer light beams from her brow, the furrows ploughed by grief disappear, her gentle eyes laugh, and sheseems to forget the evil past in the happy present. "

"Before we part, I will ask her whether she will follow us home. "

"Oh, how glad that makes me! and do you know, the first days of ourabsence from each other do not seem so very dreadful to me. Now you areto be my husband, I may surely tell you everything that pains or pleasesme, even when I dare not tell any one else, and so you must know, that, when you leave, we expect two little visitors; they are the childrenof the kind Phanes, whom your friend Gyges saved so nobly. I mean to belike a mother to the little creatures, and when they have been good Ishall sing them a story of a prince, a brave hero, who took a simplemaiden to be his wife; and when I describe the prince I shall have youin my mind, and though my little listeners will not guess it, I shallbe describing you from head to foot. My prince shall be tall like you, shall have your golden curls and blue eyes, and your rich, royal dressshall adorn his noble figure. Your generous heart, your love of truth, and your beautiful reverence for the gods, your courage and heroism, in short, every thing that I love and honor in you, I shall give to thehero of my tale. How the children will listen! and when they cry, 'Oh, how we love the prince, how good and beautiful he must be! if we couldonly see him? then I shall press them close to my heart and kiss them asI kiss you now, and so they will have gained their wish, for as you areenthroned in my heart, you must be living within me and therefore nearto them, and when they embrace me they will embrace you too. "

"And I shall go to my little sister Atossa and tell her all I haveseen on my journey, and when I speak of the Greeks, their grace, theirglorious works of art, and their beautiful women, I shall describethe golden Aphrodite in your lovely likeness. I shall tell her of yourvirtue, your beauty and modesty, of your singing, which is so sweet thateven the nightingale is silent in order to listen to it, of your loveand tenderness. But all this I shall tell her belongs to the divineCypris, and when she cries, 'O Aphrodite, could I but see thee!' I tooshall kiss my sister. "

"Hark, what was that? Melitta surely clapped her hands. Farewell, wemust not stay! but we shall soon see each other again. "

"One more kiss!"

"Farewell!"

Melitta had fallen asleep at her post, overcome by age and weariness. Her dreams were suddenly disturbed by a loud noise, and she clapped herhands directly to warn the lovers and call Sappho, as she perceived bythe stars that the dawn was not far off. 

As the two approached the house, they discovered that the noisewhich had awakened the old slave, proceeded from the guests, who werepreparing for departure. 

Urging her to make the greatest haste, Melitta pushed the frightenedgirl into the house, took her at once to her sleeping-room, and wasbeginning to undress her when Rhodopis entered. 

"You are still up, Sappho?" she asked. 

"What is this, my child?"

Melitta trembled and had a falsehood ready on her lips, but Sappho, throwing herself into her grandmother's arms, embraced her tenderly andtold the whole story of her love. 

Rhodopis turned pale, ordered Melitta to leave the chamber, and, placingherself in front of her grandchild, laid both hands on her shouldersand said earnestly, "Look into my eyes, Sappho. Canst thou look at me ashappily and as innocently, as thou couldst before this Persian came tous?"

The girl raised her eyes at once with a joyful smile; then Rhodopisclasped her to her bosom, kissed her and continued: "Since thou werta little child my constant effort has been to train thee to a noblemaidenhood and guard thee from the approach of love. I had intended, inaccordance with the customs of our country, to choose a fitting husbandfor thee shortly myself, to whose care I should have committed thee; butthe gods willed differently. 

 [The Spartans married for love, but the Athenians were accustomed to negotiate their marriages with the parents of the bride alone. ]

Eros mocks all human efforts to resist or confine him; warm AEolianblood runs in thy veins and demands love; the passionate heart of thyLesbian forefathers beats in thy breast. 

 [Charaxus, the grandfather of our heroine, and brother of the poetess Sappho, was, as a Lesbian, an AEolian Greek. ]

What has happened cannot now be undone. Treasure these happy hours of afirst, pure love; hold them fast in the chambers of memory, for toevery human being there must come, sooner or later, a present so sad anddesolate, that the beautiful past is all he has to live upon. Rememberthis handsome prince in silence, bid him farewell when he departs to hisnative country, but beware of hoping to see him again. The Persians arefickle and inconstant, lovers of everything new and foreign. The princehas been fascinated by thy sweetness and grace. He loves thee ardentlynow, but remember, he is young and handsome, courted by every one, and aPersian. Give him up that he may not abandon thee!"

"But how can I, grandmother? I have sworn to be faithful to him forever. "

"Oh, children! Ye play with eternity as if it were but a passing moment!I could blame thee for thus plighting thy troth, but I rejoice that thouregardest the oath as binding. I detest the blasphemous proverb: 'Zeuspays no heed to lovers' oaths. ' Why should an oath touching the best andholiest feelings of humanity be regarded by the Deity, as inferior inimportance to asseverations respecting the trifling questions of mineand thine? Keep thy promise then, --hold fast thy love, but prepare torenounce thy lover. "

"Never, grandmother! could I ever have loved Bartja, if I had nottrusted him? Just because he is a Persian and holds truth to be thehighest virtue, I may venture to hope that he will remember his oath, and, notwithstanding those evil customs of the Asiatics, will take andkeep me as his only wife. "

"But if he should forget, thy youth will be passed in mourning, and withan embittered heart. . . "

"O, dear kind grandmother, pray do not speak of such dreadful things. Ifyou knew him as well as I do, you would rejoice with me, and would tellme I was right to believe that the Nile may dry up and the Pyramidscrumble into ruins, before my Bartja can ever deceive me!"

The girl spoke these words with such a joyful, perfect confidence, andher eyes, though filled with tears, were so brilliant with happiness andwarmth of feeling, that Rhodopis' face grew cheerful too. 

Sappho threw her arms again round her grandmother, told her every wordthat Bartja had said to her, and ended the long account by exclaiming:"Oh, grandmother, I am so happy, so very happy, and if you willcome with us to Persia, I shall have nothing more to wish from theImmortals. "

"That will not last long, " said Rhodopis. "The gods cast envious glancesat the happiness of mortals; they measure our portion of evil withlavish hands, and give us but a scanty allowance of good. But now go tobed, my child, and let us pray together that all may end happily. I metthee this morning as a child, I part from thee to-night a woman; and, when thou art a wife, may thy kiss be as joyful as the one thou givestme now. To-morrow I will talk the matter over with Croesus. He mustdecide whether I dare allow thee to await the return of the Persianprince, or whether I must entreat thee to forget him and becomethe domestic wife of a Greek husband. Sleep well, my darling, thygrandmother will wake and watch for thee. "

Sappho's happy fancies soon cradled her to sleep; but Rhodopis remainedawake watching the day dawn, and the sun rise, her mind occupied withthoughts which brought smiles and frowns across her countenance in rapidsuccession. 

The next morning she sent to Croesus, begging him to grant her an hour'sinterview, acquainted him with every particular she had heard fromSappho, and concluded her tale with these words: "I know not whatdemands may be made on the consort of a Persian king, but I can trulysay that I believe Sappho to be worthy of the first monarch of theworld. Her father was free and of noble birth, and I have heard that, by Persian law, the descent of a child is determined by the rank of thefather only. In Egypt, too, the descendants of a female slave enjoy thesame rights as those of a princess, if they owe their existence to thesame father. "

"I have listened to you in silence, " answered Croesus, "and mustconfess, that, like yourself, I do not know in this moment whether to beglad or sorry for this attachment. Cambyses and Kassandane (the king'sand Bartja's mother) wished to see the prince married before we leftPersia, for the king has no children, and should he remain childless, the only hope for the family of Cyrus rests on Bartja, as the greatfounder of the Persian empire left but two sons, --Cambyses, and himwho is now the suitor of your granddaughter. The latter is the hope andpride of the entire Persian nation, high and low; the darling of thepeople; generous, and noble, handsome, virtuous, and worthy of theirlove. It is indeed expected that the princes shall marry in theirown family, the Achaemenidae; but the Persians have an unboundedpredilection for everything foreign. Enchanted with the beauty of yourgranddaughter, and rendered indulgent by their partiality for Bartja, they would easily forgive this breach of an ancient custom. Indeed, ifthe king gives his approval, no objection on the part of his subjectscan be entertained. The history of Iran too offers a sufficient numberof examples, in which even slaves became the mothers of kings. The queenmother, whose position, in the eyes of the people, is nearly as high asthat of the monarch himself, will do nothing to thwart the happiness ofher youngest and favorite son. When she sees that he will not give upSappho, --that his smiling face, in which she adores the image of hergreat husband Cyrus, becomes clouded, I verily believe she would beready to sanction his taking even a Scythian woman to wife, if it couldrestore him to cheerfulness. Neither will Cambyses himself refuse hisconsent if his mother press the point at a right moment. "

"In that case every difficulty is set aside, " cried Rhodopis joyfully. 

"It is not the marriage itself, but the time that must follow, whichcauses me uneasiness, " answered Croesus. 

"Do you think then that Bartja. . . ?"

"From him I fear nothing. He has a pure heart, and has been so longproof against love, that now he has once yielded, he will love long andardently. "

"What then do you fear?"

"You must remember that, though the charming wife of their favoritewill be warmly received by all his friends of his own sex, there arethousands of idle women in the harems of the Persian nobles, who willendeavor, by every artifice and intrigue in their power, to injure thenewly-risen star; and whose greatest joy it will be to ruin such aninexperienced child and make her unhappy. "

"You have a very bad opinion of the Persian women. "

"They are but women, and will naturally envy her, who has gained thehusband they all desired either for themselves or for their daughters. In their monotonous life, devoid of occupation, envy easily becomeshatred, and the gratification of these evil passions is the onlycompensation which the poor creatures can obtain for the total absenceof love and loss of freedom. I repeat, the more beautiful Sappho is, themore malicious they will feel towards her, and, even if Bartja shouldlove her so fervently as not to take a second wife for two or threeyears, she will still have such heavy hours to encounter, that I reallydo not know whether I dare congratulate you on her apparently brilliantfuture. "

"That is quite my own feeling. A simple Greek would be more welcome tome than this son of a mighty monarch. "

In this moment Knakias brought Bartja into the room. He went to Rhodopisat once, besought her not to refuse him the hand of her granddaughter, spoke of his ardent love, and assured her that his happiness would bedoubled, if she would consent to accompany them to Persia. Then turningto Croesus, he seized his hand and entreated forgiveness for having solong concealed his great happiness from one who had been like a fatherto him, at the same time begging him to second his suit with Rhodopis. 

The old man listened to the youth's passionate language with a smile, and said: "Ah, Bartja, how often have I warned thee against love! It isa scorching fire. "

"But its flame is bright and beautiful. "

"It causes pain. "

"But such pain is sweet. "

"It leads the mind astray. "

"But it strengthens the heart. "

"Oh, this love!" cried Rhodopis. "Inspired by Eros, the boy speaks as ifhe had been all his life studying under an Attic orator!"

"And yet, " answered Croesus, "these lovers are the most unteachable ofpupils. Convince them as clearly as you will, that their passion isonly another word for poison, fire, folly, death, they still cry, 'Tissweet, ' and will not be hindered in their course. "

As he was speaking Sappho came in. A white festal robe, with widesleeves, and borders of purple embroidery, fell in graceful folds roundher delicate figure, and was confined at the waist by a golden girdle. Her hair was adorned with fresh roses, and on her bosom lay her lover'sfirst gift, the flashing diamond star. 

She came up modestly and gracefully, and made a low obeisance tothe aged Croesus. His eyes rested long on the maidenly and lovelycountenance, and the longer he gazed the kindlier became his gaze. Fora moment he seemed to grow young again in the visions conjured up bymemory, and involuntarily he went up to the young girl, kissed heraffectionately on the forehead, and, taking her by the hand, led her toBartja with the words: "Take her, thy wife she must be, if the entirerace of the Achaemenidae were to conspire against us!"

"Have I no voice in the matter?" said Rhodopis, smiling through hertears. 

On hearing these words, Bartja and Sappho each took one of her hands, and gazed entreatingly into her face. She rose to her full stature, andlike a prophetess exclaimed: "Eros, who brought you to each other, Zeusand Apollo defend and protect you. I see you now like two fair roses onone stem, loving and happy in the spring of life. What summer, autumnand winter may have in store for you, lies hidden with the gods. Maythe shades of thy departed parents, Sappho, smile approvingly when thesetidings of their child shall reach them in the nether world. "

 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Three days later a densely packed crowd was once more surging round theSais landing-place. This time they had assembled to bid a last farewellto their king's daughter, and in this hour the people gave clear tokensthat, in spite of all the efforts of the priestly caste, their heartsremained loyal to their monarch and his house. For when Amasis andLadice embraced Nitetis for the last time with tears--when Tachot, inpresence of all the inhabitants of Sais, following her sister down thebroad flight of steps that led to the river, threw her arms round herneck once more and burst into sobs--when at last the wind filled thesails of the royal boat and bore the princess, destined to be the greatking's bride, from their sight, few eyes among that vast crowd remaineddry. 

The priests alone looked on at this sad scene with unmoved gravity andcoldness; but when the south wind at last bore away the strangers whohad robbed them of their princess, many a curse and execration followedfrom the Egyptians on the shore; Tachot alone stood weeping there andwaving her veil to them. For whom were these tears? for the play-fellowof her youth, or for the handsome, beloved prince?

Amasis embraced his wife and daughter in the eyes of all his people;and held up his little grandson, Prince Necho, to their gaze, thesight eliciting cries of joy on all sides. But Psamtik, the child's ownfather, stood by the while, tearless and motionless. The king appearednot to observe him, until Neithotep approached, and leading him to hisfather, joined their hands and called down the blessing of the gods uponthe royal house. 

At this the Egyptians fell on their knees with uplifted hands. Amasisclasped his son to his heart, and when the high-priest had concluded hisprayer, the following colloquy between the latter and Amasis took placein low tones:

"Let peace be between us for our own and Egypt's sake!"

"Hast thou received Nebenchari's letter?"

"A Samian pirate-vessel is in pursuit of Phanes' trireme. "

"Behold the child of thy predecessor Hophra, the rightful heiress of theEgyptian throne, departing unhindered to a distant land!"

"The works of the Greek temple now building in Memphis shall bediscontinued. "

"May Isis grant us peace, and may prosperity and happiness increase inour land!"

 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

The Greek colonists in Naukratis had prepared a feast to celebrate thedeparture of their protector's daughter. 

Numerous animals had been slaughtered in sacrifice on the altars of theGreek divinities, and the Nile-boats were greeted with a loud cry of"Ailinos" on their arrival in the harbor. 

A bridal wreath, composed of a hoop of gold wound round with scentedviolets, was presented to Nitetis by a troop of young girls in holidaydresses, the act of presentation being performed by Sappho, as the mostbeautiful among the maidens of Naukratis. 

On accepting the gift Nitetis kissed her forehead in token of gratitude. The triremes were already waiting; she went on board, the rowers tooktheir oars and began the Keleusma. 

 [The measure of the Keleusma was generally given by a flute-player, the Trieraules. AEschylus, Persians 403. Laert. Diog. IV. 22. In the Frogs of Aristophanes the inhabitants of the marshes are made to sing the Keleusma, v. 205. The melody, to the measure of which the Greek boatmen usually timed their strokes. ]

Ailinos rang across the water from a thousand voices. Bartja stoodon the deck, and waved a last loving farewell to his betrothed; whileSappho prayed in silence to Aphrodite Euploia, the protectress of thosewho go down to the sea in ships. A tear rolled down her cheek, butaround her lips played a smile of love and hope, though her old slaveMelitta, who accompanied her to carry her parasol, was weeping as ifher heart would break. On seeing, however, a few leaves fall fromher darling's wreath, she forgot her tears for a moment and whisperedsoftly: "Yes, dear heart, it is easy to see that you are in love; whenthe leaves fall from a maiden's wreath, 'tis a sure sign that her hearthas been touched by Eros. 

CHAPTER XII. 

Seven weeks after Nitetis had quitted her native country, a long trainof equipages and horsemen was to be seen on the king's highway fromthe west to Babylon, moving steadily towards that gigantic city, whosetowers might already be descried in the far distance. 

 [The great road called the "king's road, " of which we shall have more to say, was made by Cyrus and carefully kept up by Darius. ]

The principal object in this caravan was a richly-gilded, four-wheeledcarriage, closed in at the sides by curtains, and above by a roofsupported on wooden pillars. In this vehicle, called the Harmamaxa, resting on rich cushions of gold brocade, sat our Egyptian Princess. 

 [Harmamaxa--An Asiatic travelling carriage. The first mention of these is in Xenophon's Anabasis, where we find a queen travelling in such a vehicle. They were later adopted by the Romans and used for the same object. ]

On either side rode her escort, viz. : the Persian princes and nobleswhom we have already learnt to know during their visit to Egypt, Croesusand his son. 

Behind these, a long train, consisting of fifty vehicles of differentkinds and six hundred beasts of burden, stretched away intothe distance, and the royal carriage was preceded by a troop ofsplendidly-mounted Persian cavalry. 

The high-road followed the course of the Euphrates, passing throughluxuriant fields of wheat, barley and sesame yielding fruit two, andsometimes even three, hundred-fold. Slender date-palms covered withgolden fruit were scattered in every direction over the fields, whichwere thoroughly irrigated by means of canals and ditches. 

It was winter, but the sun shone warm and bright from a cloudless sky. The mighty river swarmed with craft of all sizes, either transportingthe products of Upper Armenia to the plains of Mesopotamia, or the waresof Greece and Asia Minor from Thapsakus to Babylon. 

 [Thapsakus--An important commercial town on the Euphrates, and the point of observation from which Eratosthenes took his measurements of the earth. ]

Pumps and water-wheels poured refreshing streams over the thirsty land, and pretty villages ornamented the shores of the river. Indeed everyobject gave evidence that our caravan was approaching the metropolis ofa carefully governed and civilized state. 

Nitetis and her retinue now halted at a long brick house, roofed withasphalte, and surrounded by a grove of plane-trees. 

 [Asphalte--Nearly all authorities, ancient as well as modern, report that bitumen, which is still plentifully found in the neighborhood of Babylon, was used by the Babylonians as mortar. See, besides the accounts of ancient writers, W. Vaux, 'Nineveh and Persepolis'. Burnt bitumen was used by Assyrians for cement in building. ]

Here Croesus was lifted from his horse, and approaching the carriage, exclaimed: "Here we are at length at the last station! That high towerwhich you see on the horizon is the celebrated temple of Bel, next tothe Pyramids, one of the most gigantic works ever constructed by humanhands. Before sunset we shall have reached the brazen gates of Babylon. And now I would ask you to alight, and let me send your maidens into thehouse; for here you must put on Persian apparel, to appear well-pleasingin the eyes of Cambyses. In a few hours you will stand before yourfuture husband. But you are pale! Permit your maidens to adorn yourcheeks with a color that shall look like the excitement of joy. A firstimpression is often a final one, and this is especially true with regardto Cambyses. If, which I doubt not, you are pleasing in his eyes atfirst, then you have won his love for ever; but if you should displeasehim to-day he will never look kindly on you again, for he is rough andharsh. But take courage, my daughter, and above all, do not forget theadvice I have given you. " Nitetis dried her tears as she answered: "Howcan I ever thank you, O Croesus, my second father, my protector andadviser, for all your goodness? Oh, forsake me not in the days to come!and if the path of my life should lead through grief and care, be nearto help and guide me as you did on the mountain-passes of this long anddangerous journey. A thousand times I thank thee, O my father!"

And, as she said these words, the young girl threw her arms around theold man's neck and kissed him tenderly. 

On entering the court-yard, a tall stout man, followed by a train ofAsiatic serving-maidens, came forward to meet them. This was Boges, thechief of the eunuchs, an important official at the Persian court. Hisbeardless face wore a smile of fulsome sweetness; in his ears hungcostly jewelled pendents; his neck, arms, legs and his effeminately longgarments glittered all over with gold chains and rings, and his crisp, stiff curls, bound round by a purple fillet, streamed with powerful andpenetrating perfumes. 

Making a low and reverential obeisance before Nitetis, and holding, thewhile, his fat hands overloaded with rings before his mouth, he thusaddressed her: "Cambyses, lord of the world, hath sent me to thee, OQueen, that I may refresh thy heart with the dew of his salutations. He sendeth thee likewise by me, even by me the lowest of his servants, Persian raiment, that thou, as befitteth the consort of the mightiestof all rulers, mayest approach the gates of the Achaemenidae in Mediangarments. These women whom thou seest are thy handmaidens, and onlyawait thy bidding to transform thee from an Egyptian jewel into aPersian pearl. "

The master of the caravansary then appeared, bearing, in token ofwelcome, a basket of fruits arranged with great taste. 

Nitetis returned her thanks to both these men in kind and friendlywords; then entering the house laid aside the dress and ornaments of hernative land, weeping as she did so, allowed the strangers to unloose theplait of hair which hung down at the left side of her head, and was thedistinctive mark of an Egyptian princess, and to array her in Mediangarments. 

 [In almost all the Egyptian pictures, the daughters and sons of the Pharaohs are represented with these locks of hair, plaited and reaching from the forehead to the neck. Rosellini, Mon. Stor. II. 123. Lepsius, Denkmaler. The daughter of Rameses II. Is drawn thus, and we have examples of the same in many other pictures. ]

In the meantime, a repast had been commanded by the princeswho accompanied her. Eager and agile attendants rushed to thebaggage-waggons, fetching thence, in a few moments, seats, tables, andgolden utensils of all kinds. The cooks vied with them and with eachother, and as if by magic, in a short space of time a richly-adornedbanquet for the hungry guests appeared, at which even the flowers werenot wanting. 

During the entire journey our travellers had lived in a similar luxury, as their beasts of burden carried every imaginable convenience, fromtents of water-proof materials inwrought with gold, down to silverfoot-stools; and in the vehicles which composed their train werenot only bakers, cooks, cup-bearers and carvers, but perfumers, hair-dressers and weavers of garlands. Beside these conveniences, awell-fitted up caravansary, or inn, was to be found about every eighteenmiles along the whole route, where disabled horses could be replaced, the plantations around which afforded a refreshing shelter from thenoonday heat, or their hearths a refuge from the snow and cold on themountain-passes. 

The kingdom of Persia was indebted for these inns (similar to thepost-stations of modern days) to Cyrus, who had endeavored to connectthe widely-distant provinces of his immense dominions by a system ofwell-kept roads, and a regular postal service. At each of these stationsthe horseman carrying the letter-bag was relieved by a fresh man on afresh steed, to whom the letters were transferred, and who, in his turn, darted off like the wind, to be again replaced at a similar distanceby another rider. These couriers, called Angari, were considered theswiftest horsemen in the world. 

 [Herodotus V. 14. 49-52. Persian milestones are still to be found among the ruins of the old king's road, which led from Nineveh to Ecbatana. The Kurds call them keli-Shin (blue pillars). ]

Just as the banqueters, amongst whom Boges had taken his seat, wererising from table, the door opened, and a vision appeared, whichdrew prolonged exclamation of surprise from all the Persians present. Nitetis, clad in the glorious apparel of a Median princess, proud in theconsciousness of her triumphant beauty, and yet blushing like a younggirl at the wondering admiration of her friends, stood before them. 

The attendants involuntarily fell on their faces before her, accordingto the custom of the Asiatics, and the noble Achaemenidae bowed low andreverentially; for it seemed as if Nitetis has laid aside all her formerbashfulness and timidity with her simple Egyptian dress, and with thesplendid silken garments of a Persian princess, flashing as they werewith gold and jewels, had clothed herself in the majesty of a queen. 

The deep reverence paid by all present seemed agreeable to her, andthanking her admiring friends by a gracious wave of the hand, she turnedto the chief of the eunuchs and said in a kind tone but mingled with atouch of pride; "Thou hast performed thy mission well; I am content withthe raiment and the slaves that thou hast provided and shall commend thycircumspection to the king, my husband. Receive this gold chain in themeanwhile, as a token of my gratitude. "

The eunuch kissed the hem of her garment, and accepted the gift insilence. This man, hitherto omnipotent in his office, had never beforeencountered such pride in any of the women committed to his charge. Upto the present time all Cambyses' wives had been Asiatics, and, wellaware of the unlimited power of the chief of the eunuchs, had used everymeans within their reach to secure his favor by flattery and submission. 

Boges now made a second obeisance before Nitetis, of which, however, shetook no notice, and turning to Croesus said: "Neither words nor giftscould ever suffice to express my gratitude to you, kindest of friends, for, if my future life at the court of Persia prove, I will not ventureto say a happy, but even a peaceful one, it is to you alone that Ishall owe it. Still, take this ring. It has never left my finger sinceI quitted Egypt, and it has a significance far beyond its outward worth. Pythagoras, the noblest of the Greeks, gave it to my mother, when hewas tarrying in Egypt to learn the wisdom of our priests, and it was herparting gift to me. The number seven is engraved upon the simple stone. This indivisible number represents perfect health, both to soul and bodyfor health is likewise one and indivisible. 

 [Seven, the "motherless" number, which has no factor below ten. ]

The sickness of one member is the sickness of all; one evil thought, allowed to take up its abode within our heart, destroys the entireharmony of the soul. When you see this seven therefore, let it recall myheart's wish that you may ever enjoy undisturbed bodily health, and longretain that loving gentleness which has made you the most virtuous, andtherefore the healthiest of men. No thanks, my father, for even if Icould restore to Croesus all the treasures that he once possessed, Ishould still retrain his debtor. Gyges, to you I give this Lydian lyre;let its tones recall the giver to your memory. For you, Zopyrus, Ihave a golden chain; I have witnessed that you are the most faithful offriends; and we Egyptians are accustomed to place cords and bands inthe hands of our lovely Hathor, the goddess of love and friendship, as symbols of her captivating and enchaining attributes. As Darius hasstudied the wisdom of Egypt and the signs of the starry heavens, I beghim to take this circlet of gold, on which a skilful hand has traced thesigns of the Zodiac. 

 [Diodorus (I. 49. ) tells, that in the tomb of Osymandyas (palace of Rameses II. At Thebes) there lay a circle of gold, one ell thick and 365 ells in circumference, containing a complete astronomical calendar. The circle of the zodiac from Dendera, which is now in Paris, --an astronomical ceiling painting, which was believed at the time of its discovery to be of great age, is not nearly so ancient as was supposed, dating only from the end of the Ptolemaic dynasty. Letronne was the first to estimate it correctly. See Lepsius, Chron. P. 63. And Lauth, 'les zodiaques de Dendera'. Munich 1865. ]

And lastly, to my dear brother-in-law Bartja I commit the most preciousjewel in my possession--this amulet of blue stone. My sister Tachot hungit round my neck as I kissed her on the last night before we parted; shetold me it could bring to its wearer the sweet bliss of love. And then, Bartja, she wept! I do not know of whom she was thinking in thatmoment, but I hope I am acting according to her wishes in giving youher precious jewel. Take it as a gift from Tachot, and sometimes call tomind our games in the Sais gardens. "

Thus far she had been speaking Greek, but now, addressing the attendantswho remained standing in an attitude of deep reverence, she began inbroken Persian: "Accept my thanks also. In Babylon you shall receive athousand gold staters. " Then turning to Boges, she added: "Let thissum be distributed among the attendants at latest by the day afterto-morrow. Take me to my carriage, Croesus. "

The old king hastened to do her bidding, and as he was leading herthither she pressed his arm and whispered gently, "Are you pleased withme, my father?"

"I tell you, girl, " the old man answered, "that no one but the king'smother can ever be your equal at this court, for a true and queenlypride reigns on your brow, and you have the power of using small meansto effect great ends. Believe me, the smallest gift, chosen and bestowedas you can choose and bestow, gives more pleasure to a noble mindthan heaps of treasure merely cast down at his feet. The Persians areaccustomed to present and receive costly gifts. They understand alreadyhow to enrich their friends, but you can teach them to impart a joywith every gift. How beautiful you are to-day! Are your cushions toyour mind, or would you like a higher seat? But what is that? There areclouds of dust in the direction of the city. Cambyses is surely comingto meet you! Courage, my daughter. Above all try to meet his gaze andrespond to it. Very few can bear the lightning glance of those eyes, but, if you can return it freely and fearlessly, you have conquered. Fear nothing, my child, and may Aphrodite adorn you with her mostglorious beauty! My friends, we must start, I think the king himself iscoming. " Nitetis sat erect in her splendid, gilded carriage; her handswere pressed on her throbbing heart. The clouds of dust came nearerand nearer, her eye caught the flash of weapons like lightning acrossa stormy sky. The clouds parted, she could see single figures for amoment, but soon lost them as the road wound behind some thickets andshrubs. Suddenly the troop of horsemen appeared in full gallop only ahundred paces before her, and distinctly visible. 

Her first impression was of a motley mass of steeds and men, glitteringin purple, gold, silver and jewels. It consisted in reality of a troopof more than two hundred horsemen mounted on pure white Nicaean horses, whose bridles and saddle-cloths were covered with bells and bosses, feathers, fringes, and embroidery. Their leader rode a powerfulcoal-black charger, which even the strong will and hand of his ridercould not always curb, though in the end his enormous strength provedhim the man to tame even this fiery animal. This rider, beneath whoseweight the powerful steed trembled and panted, wore a vesture of scarletand white, thickly embroidered with eagles and falcons in silver. 

 [Curtius III. 3. Xenoph. Cyrap, VIII. 3. 7. Aeschylus, Persians 835. 836. The king's dress and ornaments were worth 12, 000 talents, or L2, 250, 000 (estimate of 1880) according to Plutarch, Artaxerxes 24. ]

The lower part of his dress was purple, and his boots of yellow leather. He wore a golden girdle; in this hung a short dagger-like sword, the hilt and scabbard of which were thickly studded with jewels. Theremaining ornaments of his dress resembled those we have described asworn by Bartja, and the blue and white fillet of the Achaemenidae wasbound around the tiara, which surmounted a mass of thick curls, black asebony. The lower part of his face was concealed by an immense beard. Hisfeatures were pale and immovable, but the eyes, (more intensely black, if possible, than either hair or beard), glowed with a fire that wasrather scorching than warming. A deep, fiery-red scar, given by thesword of a Massagetan warrior, crossed his high forehead, archednose and thin upper lip. His whole demeanor expressed great power andunbounded pride. 

Nitetis' gaze was at once riveted by this man. She had never seen anyone like him before, and he exercised a strange fascination over her. The expression of indomitable pride, worn by his features, seemed to herto represent a manly nature which the whole world, but she herself aboveall others, was created to serve. She felt afraid, and yet her truewoman's heart longed to lean upon his strength as the vine upon the elm. She could not be quite sure whether she had thus pictured to herself thefather of all evil, the fearful Seth, or the great god Ammon, the giverof light. 

The deepest pallor and the brightest color flitted by turns across herlovely face, like the light and shadow when clouds pass swiftly over asunny noonday sky. She had quite forgotten the advice of her fatherlyold friend, and yet, when Cambyses brought his unruly, chafing steed toa stand by the side of her carriage, she gazed breathless into the fieryeyes of this man and felt at once that he was the king, though no onehad told her so. 

The stern face of this ruler of half the known world relaxed, asNitetis, moved by an unaccountable impulse, continued to bear hispiercing gaze. At last he waved his hand to her in token of welcome, andthen rode on to her escort, who had alighted from their horses and wereawaiting him, some having cast themselves down in the dust, and others, after the Persian manner, standing in an attitude of deep reverence, their hands concealed in the wide sleeves of their robes. 

He sprang from his horse, an example which was followed at once by hisentire suite. The attendants, with the speed of thought, spread a richpurple carpet on the highway, lest the foot of the king should comein contact with the dust of the earth, and then Cambyses proceeded tosalute his friends and relations by offering them his mouth to kiss. 

He shook Croesus by the right hand, commanding him to remount andaccompany him to the carriage, as interpreter between himself andNitetis. 

In an instant his highest office-bearers were at hand to lift the kingonce more on to his horse, and at a single nod from their lord, thetrain was again in motion. 

Cambyses and Croesus rode by the side of the carriage. 

"She is beautiful, and pleases me well, " began the king. "Interpretfaithfully all her answers, for I understand only the Persian, Assyrianand Median tongues. "

Nitetis caught and understood these words. A feeling of intense joystole into her heart, and before Croesus could answer, she began softlyin broken Persian and blushing deeply: "Blessed be the gods, who havecaused me to find favor in thine eyes. I am not ignorant of the speechof my lord, for the noble Croesus has instructed me in the Persianlanguage during our long journey. Forgive, if my sentences be broken andimperfect; the time was short, and my capacity only that of a poor andsimple maiden. "

 [Diodorus tells us that Themistocles learnt the Persian language during the journey to Susa. We are not, therefore, requiring an impossibility of Nitetis. ]

A smile passed over the usually serious mouth of Cambyses. His vanitywas flattered by Nitetis' desire to win his approbation, and, accustomedas he was to see women grow up in idleness and ignorance, thinking ofnothing but finery and intrigue, her persevering industry seemed tohim both wonderful and praise worthy. So he answered with evidentsatisfaction: "I rejoice that we can speak without an interpreter. Persevere in learning the beautiful language of my forefathers. Croesus, who sits at my table, shall still remain your instructor. "

"Your command confers happiness!" exclaimed the old man. "No more eageror thankful pupil could be found, than the daughter of Amasis. "

"She justifies the ancient report of the wisdom of Egypt, " answered theking, "and I can believe that she will quickly understand and receiveinto her soul the religious instructions of our Magi. "

Nitetis dropped her earnest gaze. Her fears were being realized. Shewould be compelled to serve strange gods. 

But her emotion passed unnoticed by Cambyses, who went on speaking:"My mother Kassandane will tell you the duties expected from my wives. To-morrow I myself will lead you to her. The words, which you innocentlychanced to hear, I now repeat; you please me well. Do nothing toalienate my affection. We will try to make our country agreeable, and, as your friend, I counsel you to treat Boges whom I sent as myforerunner, in a kind and friendly manner. As head over the house of thewomen, you will have to conform to his will in many things. "

"Though he be head over the house of the women, " answered Nitetis, "surely your wife is bound to obey no other earthly will than yours. Your slightest look shall be for me a command; but remember that I am aking's daughter, that in my native land the weaker and the stronger sexhave equal rights, and that the same pride reigns in my breast, whichI see kindling in your eyes, my lord and king! My obedience to you, myhusband and my ruler, shall be that of a slave, but I can never stoopto sue for the favor, or obey the orders of a venal servant, the mostunmanly of his kind!"

Cambyses' wonder and satisfaction increased. He had never heard anywoman speak in this way before, except his mother; the clever way inwhich Nitetis acknowledged, and laid stress on, his right to command herevery act, was very flattering to his self-love, and her pride found anecho in his own haughty disposition. He nodded approvingly and answered:"You have spoken well. A separate dwelling shall be appointed you. I, and no one else, will prescribe your rules of life and conduct. This daythe pleasant palace on the hanging-gardens shall be prepared for yourreception. "

"A thousand, thousand thanks, " cried Nitetis. "You little know theblessing you are bestowing in this permission. Again and again I havebegged your brother Bartja to repeat the story of these gardens, and thelove of the king who raised that verdant and blooming hill, pleased usbetter than all the other glories of your vast domains. "

"To-morrow, " answered the king, "you can enter your new abode. But tellme now how my messengers pleased you and your countrymen. "

"How can you ask? Who could know the noble Croesus without loving him?Who could fail to admire the beauty of the young heroes, your friends?They have all become dear to us, but your handsome brother Bartjaespecially, won all hearts. The Egyptians have no love for strangers, and yet the gaping crowd would burst into a murmur of admiration, whenhis beautiful face appeared among them. "

At these words the king's brow darkened; he struck his horse so sharplythat the creature reared, and then turning it quickly round he galloppedto the front and soon reached the walls of Babylon. 

 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Though Nitetis had been brought up among the huge temples and palacesof Egypt, she was still astonished at the size and grandeur of thisgigantic city. 

Its walls seemed impregnable; they measured more than seventy-fivefeet--[Fifty ells. The Greek ell is equal to one foot and a halfEnglish. ]--in height and their breadth was so great, that two chariotscould conveniently drive abreast upon them. These mighty defences werecrowned and strengthened by two hundred and fifty high towers, and eventhese would have been insufficient, if Babylon had not been protected onone side by impassable morasses. The gigantic city lay on both shoresof the Euphrates. It was more than forty miles in circumference, andits walls enclosed buildings surpassing in size and grandeur even thePyramids and the temples of Thebes. 

 [These numbers and measurements are taken partly from Herodotus, partly from Diodorus, Strabo and Arrian. And even the ruins of this giant city, writes Lavard, are such as to allow a very fair conclusion of its enormous size. Aristotle (Polit. III. I. ) says Babylon's dimensions were not those of a city, but of a nation. ]

The mighty gates of brass, through which the royal train entered thecity, had opened wide to receive this noble company. This entrance wasdefended on each side by a strong tower, and before each of these towerslay, as warder, a gigantic winged bull carved in stone, with a humanhead, bearded and solemn. Nitetis gazed at these gates in astonishment, and then a joyful smile lighted up her face, as she looked up the longbroad street so brightly and beautifully decorated to welcome her. 

The moment they beheld the king and the gilded carriage, the multitudeburst into loud shouts of joy, but when Bartja, the people's darling, came in sight, the shouts rose to thunder-peals and shrieks of delight, which seemed as if they would never end. It was long since the populacehad seen Cambyses, for in accordance with Median customs the king seldomappeared in public. Like the Deity, he was to govern invisibly, and hisoccasional appearance before the nation to be looked upon as a festivaland occasion of rejoicing. Thus all Babylon had come out to-day tolook upon their awful ruler and to welcome their favorite Bartja on hisreturn. The windows were crowded with eager, curious women, who threwflowers before the approaching train, or poured sweet perfumes fromabove as they passed by. The pavement was thickly strewn with myrtleand palm branches, trees of different kinds had been placed before thehouse-doors, carpets and gay cloths hung from the windows, garlands offlowers were wreathed from house to house, fragrant odors of incense andsandal-wood perfumed the air, and the way was lined with thousands ofgaping Babylonians dressed in white linen shirts, gaily-colored woollenpetticoats and short cloaks, and carrying long staves headed withpomegranates, birds, or roses, of gold or silver. 

The streets through which the procession moved were broad and straight, the houses on either side, built of brick, tall and handsome. Toweringabove every thing else, and visible from all points, rose the gigantictemple of Bel. Its colossal staircase, like a huge serpent, wound roundand round the ever-diminishing series of stories composing the tower, until it reached the summit crowned by the sanctuary itself. 

 [This temple of Bel, which many consider may have been the tower of Babel of Genesis XI. , is mentioned by Herodotus I. 181. 182. 183. Diodorus II. 8. 9. (Ktesias), Strabo 738 and many other ancient writers. The people living in its neighborhood now call the ruins Birs Nimrod, the castle of Nimrod. In the text we have reconstructed it as far as possible from the accounts of classical writers. The first story, which is still standing, in the midst of a heap of ruins, is 260 feet high. The walls surrounding the tower are said to be still clearly recognizable, and were 4000 feet long and 3000 broad. ]

The procession approached the royal palace. This corresponded in itsenormous size to the rest of the vast city. The walls surrounding itwere covered with gaily-colored and glazed representations of strangefigures made up of human beings, birds, quadrupeds and fishes;hunting-scenes, battles and solemn processions. By the side of the rivertowards the north, rose the hanging-gardens, and the smaller palace laytoward the east on the other bank of the Euphrates, connected with thelarger one by the wondrous erection, a firm bridge of stone. 

Our train passed on through the brazen gates of three of the wallssurrounding the palace, and then halted. Nitetis was lifted from hercarriage by bearers; she was at last in her new home, and soon after inthe apartments of the women's house assigned to her temporary use. 

Cambyses, Bartja and their friends already known to us, were stillstanding in the gaily-carpeted court of the palace, surrounded byat least a hundred splendid dignitaries in magnificent dresses, whensuddenly a sound of loud female voices was heard, and a lovely Persiangirl richly dressed, her thick fair hair profusely wreathed with pearls, rushed into the court, pursued by several women older than herself. Sheran up to the group of men; Cambyses with a smile placed himself in herpath, but the impetuous girl slipped adroitly past him, and in anothermoment was hanging on Bartja's neck, crying and laughing by turns. 

The attendants in pursuit prostrated themselves at a respectfuldistance, but Cambyses, on seeing the caresses lavished by the younggirl on her newly-returned brother, cried: "For shame, Atossa! rememberthat since you began to wear ear-rings you have ceased to be a child!

 [Ear-rings were given to the Persian girls in their fifteenth year, the marriageable age. Vendid. Farlard XIV. 66. At this age too boys as well as girls were obliged to wear the sacred cord, Kuctl or Kosti as a girdle; and were only allowed to unloose it in the night. The making of this cord is attended with many ceremonies, even among the Persians of our own day. Seventy-two threads must be employed, but black wool is prohibited. ]

It is right that you should rejoice to see your brother again, but aking's daughter must never forget what is due to her rank, even in hergreatest joy. Go back to your mother directly. I see your attendantswaiting yonder. Go and tell them, that as this is a day of rejoicing Iwill allow your heedless conduct to pass unpunished, but the next timeyou appear unbidden in these apartments, which none may enter withoutpermission, I shall tell Boges to keep you twelve days in confinement. Remember this, thoughtless child, and tell our mother, Bartja and I arecoming to visit her. Now give me a kiss. You will not? We shall see, capricious little one!" And so saying the king sprang towards hisrefractory little sister, and seizing both her hands in one of his own, bent back her charming head with the other and kissed her in spite ofher resistance. She screamed from the violence of his grasp, and ranaway crying to her attendants, who took her back to her apartments. 

When Atossa had disappeared, Bartja said; "You were too rough with thelittle one, Cambyses. She screamed with pain!"

Once more the king's face clouded, but suppressing the harsh words whichtrembled on his lips, he only answered, turning towards the house: "Letus come to our mother now; she begged me to bring you as soon as youarrived. The women, as usual, are all impatience. Nitetis told me yourrosy cheeks and fair curls had bewitched the Egyptian women too. I wouldadvise you to pray betimes to Mithras for eternal youth, and for hisprotection against the wrinkles of age!"

"Do you mean to imply by these words that I have no virtues which couldmake an old age beautiful?" asked Bartja. 

"I explain my words to no one. Come. "

"But I ask for an opportunity of proving, that I am inferior to none ofmy nation in manly qualities. "

"For that matter, the shouts of the Babylonians today will have beenproof enough, that deeds are not wanted from you, in order to win theiradmiration. "

"Cambyses!"

"Now come! We are just on the eve of a war with the Massagetae; thereyou will have a good opportunity of proving what you are worth. "

A few minutes later, and Bartja was in the arms of his blind mother. Shehad been waiting for her darling's arrival with a beating heart, andin the joy of hearing his voice once more, and of being able to lay herhands again on that beloved head, she forgot everything else--even herfirst-born son who stood by smiling bitterly, as he watched the rich andboundless stream of a mother's love flowing out to his younger brother. 

Cambyses had been spoiled from his earliest infancy. Every wish had beenfulfilled, every look regarded as a command; and thus he grew up totallyunable to brook contradiction, giving way to the most violent angerif any of his subjects (and he knew no human beings who were not hissubjects) dared to oppose him. 

His father Cyrus, conqueror of half the world--the man whose geniushad raised Persia from a small nation to the summit of earthlygreatness--who had secured for himself the reverence and admiration ofcountless subjugated tribes--this great king was incapable of carryingout in his own small family-circle the system of education he had sosuccessfully adopted towards entire countries. He could see nought elsein Cambyses but the future king of Persia, and commanded his subjects topay him an unquestioning obedience, entirely forgetful of the fact thathe who is to govern well must begin by learning to obey. 

Cambyses had been the first-born son of Kassandane, the wife whom Cyrushad loved and married young; three daughters followed, and at last, fifteen years later, Bartja had come into the world. Their eldest sonhad already outgrown his parents' caresses, when this little childappeared to engross all their care and love. His gentle, affectionateand clinging nature made him the darling of both father and mother:Cambyses was treated with consideration by his parents, but their lovewas for Bartja. Cambyses was brave; he distinguished himself often inthe field, but his disposition was haughty and imperious; men served himwith fear and trembling, while Bartja, ever sociable and sympathizing, converted all his companions into loving friends. As to the mass ofthe people, they feared the king, and trembled when he drew near, notwithstanding the lavish manner in which he showered rich gifts aroundhim; but they loved Bartja, and believed they saw in him the image ofthe great Cyrus the "Father of his people. "

Cambyses knew well that all this love, so freely given to Bartja, wasnot to be bought. He did not hate his younger brother, but he feltannoyed that a youth who had as yet done nothing to distinguish himself, should be honored and revered as if he were already a hero and publicbenefactor. Whatever annoyed or displeased him he considered must bewrong; where he disapproved he did not spare his censures, and from hisvery childhood, Cambyses' reproofs had been dreaded even by the mighty. 

The enthusiastic shouts of the populace, the overflowing love of hismother and sister, and above all, the warm encomiums expressed byNitetis, had excited a jealousy which his pride had never allowedhitherto. Nitetis had taken his fancy in a remarkable degree. Thisdaughter of a powerful monarch, like himself disdaining everything meanand inferior, had yet acknowledged him to be her superior, and to winhis favor had not shrunk from the laborious task of mastering his nativelanguage. These qualities, added to her peculiar style of beauty, whichexcited his admiration from its rare novelty, half Egyptian halfGreek, (her mother having been a Greek), had not failed to make a deepimpression on him. But she had been liberal in her praise of Bartja;that was enough to disturb Cambyses' mind and prepare the way forjealousy. 

As he and his brother were leaving the women's apartments, Cambysesadopted a hasty resolution and exclaimed: "You asked me just now for anopportunity of proving your courage. I will not refuse. The Tapurihave risen; I have sent troops to the frontier. Go to Rhagae, take thecommand and show what you are worth. "

"Thanks, brother, " cried Bartja. "May I take my friends, Darius, Gygesand Zopyrus with me?"

"That favor shall be granted too. I hope you will all do your dutybravely and promptly, that you may be back in three months to join themain army in the expedition of revenge on the Massagetae. It will takeplace in spring. "

"I will start to-morrow. "

"Then farewell. "

"If Auramazda should spare my life and I should return victorious, willyou promise to grant me one favor?"

"Yes, I will. "

"Now, then, I feel confident of victory, even if I should have to standwith a thousand men against ten thousand of the enemy. " Bartja's eyessparkled, he was thinking of Sappho. 

"Well, " answered his brother, "I shall be very glad if your actions bearout these glowing words. But stop; I have something more to say. You arenow twenty years of age; you must marry. Roxana, daughter of the nobleHydarnes, is marriageable, and is said to be beautiful. Her birth makesher a fitting bride for you. "

"Oh! brother, do not speak of marriage; I. . . " "You must marry, for Ihave no children. "

"But you are still young; you will not remain childless. Besides, I donot say that I will never marry. Do not be angry, but just now, when Iam to prove my courage, I would rather hear nothing about women. "

"Well, then, you must marry Roxana when you return from the North. But Ishould advise you to take her with you to the field. A Persian generallyfights better if he knows that, beside his most precious treasures, hehas a beautiful woman in his tent to defend. "

"Spare me this one command, my brother. I conjure thee, by the soulof our father, not to inflict on me a wife of whom I know nothing, andnever wish to know. Give Roxana to Zopyrus, who is so fond of women, orto Darius or Bessus, who are related to her father Hydarnes. I cannotlove her, and should be miserable. . . "

Cambyses interrupted him with a laugh, exclaiming: "Did you learn thesenotions in Egypt, where it is the custom to be contented with one wife?In truth, I have long repented having sent a boy like you abroad. I amnot accustomed to bear contradiction, and shall listen to no excusesafter the war. This once I will allow you to go to the field without awife. I will not force you to do what, in your opinion, might endangeryour valor. But it seems to me that you have other and more secretreasons for refusing my brotherly proposal. If that is the case, I amsorry for you. However, for the present, you can depart, but after thewar I will hear no remonstrances. You know me. "

"Perhaps after the war I may ask for the very thing, which I am refusingnow--but never for Roxana! It is just as unwise to try to make a manhappy by force as it is wicked to compel him to be unhappy, and I thankyou for granting my request. "

"Don't try my powers of yielding too often!--How happy you look! Ireally believe you are in love with some one woman by whose side all theothers have lost their charms. "

Bartja blushed to his temples, and seizing his brother's hand, exclaimed: "Ask no further now, accept my thanks once more, andfarewell. May I bid Nitetis farewell too, when I have taken leave of ourmother and Atossa?"

Cambyses bit his lip, looked searchingly into Bartja's face, and findingthat the boy grew uneasy under his glance, exclaimed abruptly andangrily: "Your first business is to hasten to the Tapuri. My wife needsyour care no longer; she has other protectors now. " So saying he turnedhis back on his brother and passed on into the great hall, blazing withgold, purple and jewels, where the chiefs of the army, satraps, judges, treasurers, secretaries, counsellors, eunuchs, door-keepers, introducersof strangers, chamberlains, keepers of the wardrobe, dressers, cup-bearers, equerries, masters of the chase, physicians, eyes and earsof the king, ambassadors and plenipotentiaries of all descriptions--werein waiting for him. 

 [The "eyes and ears" of the king may be compared to our police- ministers. Darius may have borrowed the name from Egypt, where such titles as "the 2 eyes of the king for Upper Egypt, the 2 ears of the king for Lower Egypt" are to be found on the earlier monuments, for instance in the tomb of Amen en, heb at Abd el Qurnah. And in Herodotus II. 114. The boy Cyrus calls one of his playfellows "the eye of the king, " Herod. (I, 100. )]

The king was preceded by heralds bearing staves, and followed by ahost of fan, sedan and footstool-bearers, men carrying carpets, andsecretaries who the moment he uttered a command, or even indicated aconcession, a punishment or a reward, hastened to note it down and atonce hand it over to the officials empowered to execute his decrees. 

In the middle of the brilliantly-lighted hall stood a gilded table, which looked as if it must give way beneath the mass of gold and silvervessels, plates, cups and bowls which were arranged with great orderupon it. The king's private table, the service on which was of immenseworth and beauty, was placed in an apartment opening out of the largehall, and separated from it by purple hangings. These concealed him fromthe gaze of the revellers, but did not prevent their every movement frombeing watched by his eye. It was an object of the highest ambition to beone of those who ate at the king's table, and even he to whom a portionwas sent might deem himself a highly-favored man. 

As Cambyses entered the hall, nearly every one present prostratedthemselves before him; his relations alone, distinguished by the blueand white fillet on the tiara, contented themselves with a deferentialobeisance. 

After the king had seated himself in his private apartment, the restof the company took their places, and then a tremendous revel began. Animals, roasted whole, were placed on the table, and, when hunger wasappeased, several courses of the rarest delicacies followed, celebratedin later times even among the Greeks under the name of "Persiandessert. "

 [Herodotus (I. 133. ) writes that the Persians fancied the Greeks' hunger was never satisfied, because nothing special was brought to the table at the end of the meal. ]

Slaves then entered to remove the remains of the food. Others brought inimmense jugs of wine, the king left his own apartment, took his seatat the head of the table, numerous cup-bearers filled the goldendrinking-cups in the most graceful manner, first tasting the wine toprove that it was free from poison, and soon one of those drinking-boutshad begun under the best auspices, at which, a century or two later, Alexander the Great, forgot not only moderation but even friendshipitself. 

Cambyses was unwontedly silent. The suspicion had entered his mind, thatBartja loved Nitetis. Why had he, contrary to all custom, so decidedlyrefused to marry a noble and beautiful girl, when his brother'schildlessness rendered marriage an evident and urgent duty for him? Whyhad he wished to see the Egyptian princess again before leaving Babylon?and blushed as he expressed that wish? and why had she, almost withoutbeing asked, praised him so warmly?

It is well that he is going, thought the king; at least he shall not robme of her love. If he were not my brother I would send him to a placefrom whence none can return. 

After midnight he broke up the banquet. Boges appeared to conduct himto the Harem, which he was accustomed to visit at this hour, whensufficiently sober. 

"Phaedime awaits you with impatience, " said the eunuch. 

"Let her wait!" was the king's answer. "Have you given orders that thepalace on the hanging-gardens shall be set in order?"

"It will be ready for occupation to-morrow. "

"What apartments have been assigned to the Egyptian Princess?"

"Those formerly occupied by the second wife of your father Cyrus, thedeceased Amytis. "

"That is well. Nitetis is to be treated with the greatest respect, andto receive no commands even from yourself, but such as I give you forher. "

Boges bowed low. 

"See that no one, not even Croesus, has admission to her before my. . . . Before I give further orders. "

"Croesus was with her this evening. "

"What may have been his business with my wife?"

"I do not know, for I do not understand the Greek language, but I heardthe name of Bartja several times, and it seemed to me that the Egyptianhad received sorrowful intelligence. She was looking very sad when Icame, after Croesus had left, to inquire if she had any commands forme. "

"May Ahriman blast thy tongue, " muttered the king, and then turning hisback on the eunuch he followed the torch-bearers and attendants, whowere in waiting to disrobe him, to his own private apartments. 

At noon on the following clay, Bartja, accompanied by his friends and atroop of attendants, started on horseback for the frontier. Croesuswent with the young warriors as far as the city gates, and as their lastfarewells and embraces were being exchanged, Bartja whispered to his oldfriend: "If the messenger from Egypt should have a letter for me in hisbag, will you send it on?"

"Shall you be able to decipher the Greek writing?"

"Gyges and love will help me!"

"When I told Nitetis of your departure she begged me to wish youfarewell, and tell you not to forget Egypt. "

"I am not likely to do that. "

"The gods take thee into their care, my son. Be prudent, do not riskyour life heedlessly, but remember that it is no longer only your own. Exercise the gentleness of a father towards the rebels; they did notrise in mere self-will, but to gain their freedom, the most preciouspossession of mankind. Remember, too, that to shew mercy is better thanto shed blood; the sword killeth, but the favor of the ruler bringethjoy and happiness. Conclude the war as speedily as possible, for war isa perversion of nature; in peace the sons outlive the fathers, but inwar the fathers live to mourn for their slain sons. Farewell, my youngheroes, go forward and conquer!"

CHAPTER XIII. 

Cambyses passed a sleepless night. The feeling of jealousy, so totallynew to him, increased his desire to possess Nitetis, but he dared nottake her as his wife yet, as the Persian law forbade the king to marry aforeign wife, until she had become familiar with the customs of Iran andconfessed herself a disciple of Zoroaster. 

 [Zoroaster, really Zarathustra or Zerethoschtro, was one of the `greatest among founders of new religions and lawgivers. His name signified "golden star" according to Anquetil du Perron. But this interpretation is as doubtful, as the many others which have been attempted. An appropriate one is given in the essay by Kern quoted below, from zara golden, and thwistra glittering; thus "the gold glittering one. " It is uncertain whether he was born in Bactria, Media or Persia, Anquetil thinks in Urmi, a town in Aderbaijan. His father's name was Porosehasp, his mother's Dogdo, and his family boasted of royal descent. The time of his birth is very, --Spiegel says "hopelessly"--dark. Anquetil, and many other scholars would place it in the reign of Darius, a view which has been proved to be incorrect by Spiegel, Duncker and v. Schack in his introduction. ]

According to this law a whole year must pass before Nitetis could becomethe wife of a Persian monarch? but what was the law to Cambyses? In hiseyes the law was embodied in his own person, and in his opinion threemonths would be amply sufficient to initiate Nitetis in the Magianmysteries, after which process she could become his bride. 

To-day his other wives seemed hateful, even loathsome, to him. FromCambyses' earliest youth his house had been carefully provided withwomen. Beautiful girls from all parts of Asia, black-eyed Armenians, dazzlingly fair maidens from the Caucasus, delicate girls from theshores of the Ganges, luxurious Babylonian women, golden-haired Persiansand the effeminate daughters of the Median plains; indeed many of thenoblest Achaemenidae had given him their daughters in marriage. 

Phaedime, the daughter of Otanes, and niece of his own motherKassandane, had been Cambyses' favorite wife hitherto, or at leastthe only one of whom it could be said that she was more to him than apurchased slave would have been. But even she, in his present sated anddisgusted state of feeling, seemed vulgar and contemptible, especiallywhen he thought of Nitetis. 

The Egyptian seemed formed of nobler, better stuff than they all. They were flattering, coaxing girls; Nitetis was a queen. They humbledthemselves in the dust at his feet; but when he thought of Nitetis, he beheld her erect, standing before him, on the same proud level ashimself. He determined that from henceforth she should not only occupyPhaedime's place, but should be to him what Kassandane had been to hisfather Cyrus. 

She was the only one of his wives who could assist him by her knowledgeand advice; the others were all like children, ignorant, and caringfor nothing but dress and finery: living only for petty intrigues anduseless trifles. This Egyptian girl would be obliged to love him, for hewould be her protector, her lord, her father and brother in this foreignland. 

"She must, " he said to himself, and to this despot to wish for a thingand to possess it seemed one and the same. "Bartja had better takecare, " he murmured, "or he shall know what fate awaits the man who daresto cross my path. "

Nitetis too had passed a restless night. 

The common apartment of the women was next to her own, and the noiseand singing there had not ceased until nearly midnight. She could oftendistinguish the shrill voice of Boges joking and laughing with thesewomen, who were under his charge. At last all was quiet in the widepalace halls and then her thoughts turned to her distant home and herpoor sister Tachot, longing for her and for the beautiful Bartja, who, Croesus had told her, was going to-morrow to the war and possibly todeath. At last she fell asleep, overcome by the fatigue of the journeyand dreaming of her future husband. She saw him on his black charger. The foaming animal shied at Bartja who was lying in the road, threw hisrider and dragged him into the Nile, whose waves became blood-red. Inher terror she screamed for help; her cries were echoed back from thePyramids in such loud and fearful tones that she awoke. 

But hark! what could that be? That wailing, shrill cry which she hadheard in her dream, --she could hear it still. 

Hastily drawing aside the shutters from one of the openings which servedas windows, she looked out. A large and beautiful garden, laid out withfountains and shady avenues, lay before her, glittering with the earlydew. 

 [The Persian gardens were celebrated throughout the old world, and seem to have been laid out much less stiffly than the Egyptian. Even the kings of Persia did not consider horticulture beneath their notice, and the highest among the Achaemenidae took an especial pleasure in laying out parks, called in Persian Paradises. Their admiration for well-grown trees went so far, that Xerxes, finding on his way to Greece a singularly beautiful tree, hung ornaments of gold upon its branches. Firdusi, the great Persian epic poet, compares human beauty to the growth of the cypress, as the highest praise he can give. Indeed some trees were worshipped by the Persians; and as the tree of life in the Hebrew and Egyptian, so we find sacred trees in their Paradise. ]

No sound was to be heard except the one which had alarmed her, and thistoo died away at last on the morning breeze. After a few minutes sheheard cries and noise in the distance, then the great city awaking toits daily work, which soon settled down into a deep, dull murmur likethe roaring of the sea. 

Nitetis was by this time so thoroughly awakened from the effect of thefresh morning air, that she did not care to lie down again. She wentonce more to the window and perceived two figures coming out of thehouse. One she recognized as the eunuch Boges; he was talking to abeautiful Persian woman carelessly dressed. They approached her window. Nitetis hid herself behind the half-opened shutter and listened, for shefancied she heard her own name. 

"The Egyptian is still asleep. " said Boges. "She must be much fatiguedby the journey. I see too that one of her windows is still firmlyclosed. "

"Then tell me quickly, " said the Persian. "Do you really think that thisstranger's coming can injure me in any way?"

"Certainly, I do, my pretty one. "

"But what leads you to suppose this?"

"She is only to obey the king's commands, not mine. "

"Is that all?"

"No, my treasure. I know the king. I can read his features as the Magiread the sacred books. "

"Then we must ruin her. "

"More easily said than done, my little bird. "

"Leave me alone! you are insolent. "

"Well, but nobody can see us, and you know you can do nothing without myhelp. "

"Very well then, I don't care. But tell me quickly what we can do. "

"Thanks, my sweet Phaedime. Well, for the present we must be patientand wait our time. That detestable hypocrite Croesus seems to haveestablished himself as protector of the Egyptian; when he is away, wemust set our snares. "

The speakers were by this time at such a distance, that Nitetis couldnot understand what they said. In silent indignation she closed theshutter, and called her maidens to dress her. She knew her enemiesnow--she knew that a thousand dangers surrounded her, and yet she feltproud and happy, for was she not chosen to be the real wife of Cambyses?Her own worth seemed clearer to her than ever before, from a comparisonwith these miserable creatures, and a wonderful certainty of ultimatevictory stole into her heart, for Nitetis was a firm believer in themagic power of virtue. 

"What was that dreadful sound I heard so early?" she asked of herprincipal waiting-woman, who was arranging her hair. 

"Do you mean the sounding brass, lady?"

"Scarcely two hours ago I was awakened by a strange and frightfulsound. "

"That was the sounding brass, lady. It is used to awaken the young sonsof the Persian nobles, who are brought up at the gate of the king. Youwill soon become accustomed to it. We have long ceased even to hear it, and indeed on great festivals, when it is not sounded, we awake from theunaccustomed stillness. From the hanging-gardens you will be able to seehow the boys are taken to bathe every morning, whatever the weather maybe. The poor little ones are taken from their mothers when they are sixyears old, to be brought up with the other boys of their own rank underthe king's eye. "

"Are they to begin learning the luxurious manners of the court soearly?"

"Oh no! the poor boys lead a terrible life. They are obliged to sleep onthe hard ground, to rise before the sun. Their food is bread and water, with very little meat, and they are never allowed to taste wine orvegetables. Indeed at times they are deprived of food and drink forsome days, simply to accustom them to privations. When the court is atEcbatana or Pasargadae, and the weather is bitterly cold, they are sureto be taken out to bathe, and here in Susa, the hotter the sun, thelonger and more difficult the marches they are compelled to take. "

 [The summer residences of the kings cf Persia, where it is sometimes very cold. Ecbatana lies at the foot of the high Elburs (Orontes) range of mountains in the neighborhood of the modern Hamadan; Pasargadae not far from Rachmet in the highlands of Iran]

"And these boys, so simply and severely brought up, become in after lifesuch luxurious men?"

"Yes, that is always the case. A meal that has been waited for isall the more relished when it comes. These boys see splendor andmagnificence around them daily; they know how rich they are in reality, and yet have to suffer from hunger and privation. Who can wonder, if, when at last they gain their liberty, they plunge into the pleasures oflife with a tenfold eagerness? But on the other hand, in time of war, orwhen going to the chase, they never murmur at hunger or thirst, springwith a laugh into the mud regardless of their thin boots and purpletrousers, and sleep as soundly on a rock as on their beds of delicateArabian wool. You must see the feats these boys perform, especially whenthe king is watching them! Cambyses will certainly take you if you askhim. "

"I know those exercises already. In Egypt the girls as well as theboys are kept to such gymnastic exercises. My limbs were trained toflexibility by running, postures, and games with hoops and balls. 

"How strange! Here, we women grow up just as we please, and are taughtnothing but a little spinning and weaving. Is it true that most of theEgyptian women can read and write?"

"Yes, nearly all. "

"By Mithras, you must be a clever people! Scarcely any of the Persians, except the Magi and the scribes, learn these difficult arts. The sonsof the nobles are taught to speak the truth, to be courageous, obedient, and to reverence the gods; to hunt, ride, plant trees and discernbetween herbs; but whoever, like the noble Darius, wishes to learn theart of writing, must apply to the Magi. Women are forbidden to turntheir minds to such studies. --Now your dress is complete. This stringof pearls, which the king sent this morning, looks magnificent in yourraven-black hair, but it is easy to see that you are not accustomed tothe full silk trousers and high-heeled boots. If, however, you walk twoor three times up and down the room you will surpass all the Persianladies even in your walk!"

At this moment a knock was heard and Boges entered. He had come toconduct Nitetis to Kassandane's apartments, where Cambyses was waitingfor her. 

The eunuch affected an abject humility, and poured forth a stream offlattering words, in which he likened the princess to the sun, thestarry heavens, a pure fount of happiness, and a garden of roses. Nitetis deigned him not a word in reply, but followed, with a beatingheart, to the queen's apartment. 

In order to keep out the noonday sun and produce a salutary half-lightfor the blind queen's eyes, her windows were shaded by curtains of greenIndian silk. The floor was covered with a thick Babylonian carpet, softas moss under the foot. The walls were faced with a mosaic of ivory, tortoise-shell, gold, silver, malachite, lapis-lazuli, ebony and amber. The seats and couches were of gold covered with lions' skins, and atable of silver stood by the side of the blind queen. Kassandanewas seated in a costly arm-chair. She wore a robe of violet-blue, embroidered with silver, and over her snow-white hair lay a long veilof delicate lace, woven in Egypt, the ends of which were wound round herneck and tied in a large bow beneath her chin. She was between sixty andseventy years old; her face, framed, as it were, into a picture by thelace veil, was exquisitely symmetrical in its form, intellectual, kindand benevolent in its expression. 

The blind eyes were closed, but those who gazed on her felt that, if open, they would shine with the gentle light of stars. Even whensitting, her attitude and height showed a tall and stately figure. Indeed her entire appearance was worthy the widow of the great and goodCyrus. 

On a low seat at her feet, drawing long threads from a golden spindle, sat the queen's youngest child Atossa, born to her late in life. Cambyses was standing before her, and behind, hardly visible in the dimlight, Nebenchari, the Egyptian oculist. 

As Nitetis entered, Cambyses came towards her and led her to his mother. The daughter of Amasis fell on her knees before this venerable woman, and kissed her hand with real affection. 

"Be welcome here!" exclaimed the blind queen, feeling her way to theyoung girl's head, on which she laid her hand, "I have heard much inyour praise, and hope to gain in you a dear and loving daughter. "

Nitetis kissed the gentle, delicate hand again, saying in a low voice:"O how I thank you for these words! Will you, the wife of the greatCyrus, permit me to call you mother? My tongue has been so longaccustomed to this sweet word; and now after long weeks of silence, Itremble with joy at the thought that I may say 'my mother' once more! Iwill indeed try to deserve your love and kindness; and you--you willbe to me all that your loving countenance seems to promise? Advise andteach me; let me find a refuge at your feet, if sometimes the longingfor home becomes too strong, and my poor heart too weak to bear itsgrief or joy alone. Oh, be my mother! that one word includes all else!"

The blind queen felt the warm tears fall on her hand; she pressedher lips kindly on the weeping girl's forehead, and answered: "I canunderstand your feelings. My apartments shall be always open to you, myheart ready to welcome you here. Come when you will, and call me yourmother with the same perfect confidence with which I, from my wholeheart, name you my daughter. In a few months you will be my son's wife, and then the gods may grant you that gift, which, by implanting withinyou the feelings of a mother, will prevent you from feeling the need ofone. "

"May Ormuszd hear and give his blessing!" said Cambyses. "I rejoice, mother, that my wife pleases you, and I know that when once she becomesfamiliar with our manners and customs she will be happy here. If Nitetispay due heed, our marriage can be celebrated in four months. "

"But the law--" began his mother. 

"I command--in four months, and should like to see him who dare raisean objection. Farewell! Nebenchari, use your best skill for the queen'seyes, and if my wife permit, you, as her countryman, may visit herto-morrow. Farewell! Bartja sends his parting greetings. He is on theroad to the Tapuri. "

Atossa wiped away a tear in silence, but Kassandane answered: "You wouldhave done well to allow the boy to remain here a few months longer. Yourcommander, Megabyzus, could have subdued that small nation alone. "

"Of that I have no doubt, " replied the king, "but Bartja desired anopportunity of distinguishing himself in the field; and for that reasonI sent him. "

"Would he not gladly have waited until the war with the Massageta; wheremore glory might be gained?" asked the blind woman. 

"Yes, " said Atossa, "and if he should fall in this war, you willhave deprived him of the power of fulfilling his most sacred duty, ofavenging the soul of our father!"

"Be silent!" cried Cambyses in an overbearing tone, "or I shall have toteach you what is becoming in women and children. Bartja is on far toogood terms with fortune to fall in the war. He will live, I hope, todeserve the love which is now so freely flung into his lap like analms. "

"How canst thou speak thus?" cried Kassandane. "In what manly virtue isBartja wanting? Is it his fault, that he has had no such opportunity ofdistinguishing himself in the field as thou hast had? You are theking and I am bound to respect your commands, but I blame my son fordepriving his blind mother of the greatest joy left to her in her oldage. Bartja would have gladly remained here until the Massagetan war, ifyour self-will had not determined otherwise. "

"And what I will is good!" exclaimed Cambyses interrupting his mother, and pale with anger, "I desire that this subject be not mentionedagain. "

So saying, he left the room abruptly and went into the reception-hall, followed by the immense retinue which never quitted him, whithersoeverhe might direct his steps. 

An hour passed, and still Nitetis and the lovely Atossa were sittingside by side, at the feet of the queen. The Persian women listenedeagerly to all their new friend could tell them about Egypt and itswonders. 

"Oh! how I should like to visit your home!" exclaimed Atossa. "It mustbe quite, quite different from Persia and everything else that I haveseen yet. The fruitful shores of your great river, larger even than theEuphrates, the temples with their painted columns, those huge artificialmountains, the Pyramids, where the ancient kings be buried--it mustall be wonderfully beautiful. But what pleases me best of all is yourdescription of the entertainments, where men and women converse togetheras they like. The only meals we are allowed to take in the societyof men are on New Year's Day and the king's birthday, and then we areforbidden to speak; indeed it is not thought right for us even to raiseour eyes. How different it is with you! By Mithras! mother, I shouldlike to be an Egyptian, for we poor creatures are in reality nothing butmiserable slaves; and yet I feel that the great Cyrus was my father too, and that I am worth quite as much as most men. Do I not speak thetruth? can I not obey as well as command? have I not the same thirst andlonging for glory? could not I learn to ride, to string a bow, to fightand swim, if I were taught and inured to such exercises?"

The girl had sprung from her seat while speaking, her eyes flashed andshe swung her spindle in the air, quite unconscious that in so doing shewas breaking the thread and entangling the flax. 

"Remember what is fitting, " reminded Kassandane. "A woman must submitwith humility to her quiet destiny, and not aspire to imitate the deedsof men. "

"But there are women who lead the same lives as men, " cried Atossa. "There are the Amazons who live on the shores of the Thermodon inThemiscyra, and at Comana on the Iris; they have waged great wars, andeven to this day wear men's armor. "

"Who told you this?"

"My old nurse, Stephanion, whom my father brought a captive from Sinopeto Pasargadae. "

"But I can teach you better, " said Nitetis. "It is true that inThemiscyra and Comana there are a number of women who wear soldier'sarmor; but they are only priestesses, and clothe themselves like thewarlike goddess they serve, in order to present to the worshippers amanifestation of the divinity in human form. Croesus says that an armyof Amazons has never existed, but that the Greeks, (always readyand able to turn anything into a beautiful myth), having seen thesepriestesses, at once transformed the armed virgins dedicated to thegoddess into a nation of fighting women. "

"Then they are liars!" exclaimed the disappointed girl. 

"It is true, that the Greeks have not the same reverence for truth asyou have, " answered Nitetis, "but they do not call the men who inventthese beautiful stories liars; they are called poets. "

"Just as it is with ourselves, " said Kassandane. "The poets, who singthe praises of my husband, have altered and adorned his early life ina marvellous manner; yet no one calls them liars. But tell me, mydaughter, is it true that these Greeks are more beautiful than othermen, and understand art better even than the Egyptians?"

"On that subject I should not venture to pronounce a judgment. Thereis such a great difference between the Greek and Egyptian works of art. When I went into our own gigantic temples to pray, I always felt as if Imust prostrate myself in the dust before the greatness of the gods, andentreat them not to crush so insignificant a worm; but in the templeof Hera at Samos, I could only raise my hands to heaven in joyfulthanksgiving, that the gods had made the earth so beautiful. In EgyptI always believed as I had been taught: 'Life is asleep; we shall notawake to our true existence in the kingdom of Osiris till the hour ofdeath;' but in Greece I thought: 'I am born to live and to enjoy thischeerful, bright and blooming world. '"

"Ah! tell us something more about Greece, " cried Atossa; "but firstNebenchari must put a fresh bandage on my mother's eyes. "

The oculist, a tall, grave man in the white robes of an Egyptian priest, came forward to perform the necessary operation, and after being kindlygreeted by Nitetis, withdrew once more silently into the background. At the same time a eunuch entered to enquire whether Croesus might beallowed to pay his respectful homage to the king's mother. 

The aged king soon appeared, and was welcomed as the old and triedfriend of the Persian royal family. Atossa, with her usual impetuosity, fell on the neck of the friend she had so sorely missed during hisabsence; the queen gave him her hand, and Nitetis met him like a lovingdaughter. 

"I thank the gods, that I am permitted to see you again, " said Croesus. "The young can look at life as a possession, as a thing understood andsure, but at my age every year must be accepted as an undeserved giftfrom the gods, for which a man must be thankful. "

"I could envy you for this happy view of life, " sighed Kassandane. "My years are fewer than yours, and yet every new day seems to me apunishment sent by the Immortals. "

"Can I be listening to the wife of the great Cyrus?" asked Croesus. "Howlong is it since courage and confidence left that brave heart? I tellyou, you will recover sight, and once more thank the gods for a goodold age. The man who recovers, after a serious illness, values health ahundred-fold more than before; and he who regains sight after blindness, must be an especial favorite of the gods. Imagine to yourself thedelight of that first moment when your eyes behold once more the brightshining of the sun, the faces of your loved ones, the beauty of allcreated things, and tell me, would not that outweigh even a whole lifeof blindness and dark night? In the day of healing, even if that comein old age, a new life will begin and I shall hear you confess that myfriend Solon was right. "

"In what respect?" asked Atossa. 

"In wishing that Mimnermos, the Colophonian poet, would correct the poemin which he has assigned sixty years as the limit of a happy life, andwould change the sixty into eighty. "

"Oh no!" exclaimed Kassandane. "Even were Mithras to restore my sight, such a long life would be dreadful. Without my husband I seem to myselflike a wanderer in the desert, aimless and without a guide. "

"Are your children then nothing to you, and this kingdom, of which youhave watched the rise and growth?"

"No indeed! but my children need me no longer, and the ruler of thiskingdom is too proud to listen to a woman's advice. "

On hearing these words Atossa and Nitetis seized each one of the queen'shands, and Nitetis cried: "You ought to desire a long life for oursakes. What should we be without your help and protection?"

Kassandane smiled again, murmuring in a scarcely audible voice: "You areright, my children, you will stand in need of your mother. "

"Now you are speaking once more like the wife of the great Cyrus, " criedCroesus, kissing the robe of the blind woman. "Your presence will indeedbe needed, who can say how soon? Cambyses is like hard steel; sparksfly wherever he strikes. You can hinder these sparks from kindling adestroying fire among your loved ones, and this should be your duty. Youalone can dare to admonish the king in the violence of his passion. Heregards you as his equal, and, while despising the opinion of others, feels wounded by his mother's disapproval. Is it not then your duty toabide patiently as mediator between the king, the kingdom and your lovedones, and so, by your own timely reproofs, to humble the pride of yourson, that he may be spared that deeper humiliation which, if not thusaverted, the gods will surely inflict. "

"You are right, " answered the blind woman, "but I feel only too wellthat my influence over him is but small. He has been so much accustomedto have his own will, that he will follow no advice, even if it comefrom his mother's lips. "

"But he must at least hear it, " answered Croesus, "and that is much, for even if he refuse to obey, your counsels will, like divine voices, continue to make themselves heard within him, and will keep him backfrom many a sinful act. I will remain your ally in this matter; for, asCambyses' dying father appointed me the counsellor of his son in wordand deed, I venture occasionally a bold word to arrest his excesses. Ours is the only blame from which he shrinks: we alone can dare to speakour opinion to him. Let us courageously do our duty in this our office:you, moved by love to Persia and your son, and I by thankfulness to thatgreat man to whom I owe life and freedom, and whose son Cambyses is. I know that you bemoan the manner in which he has been brought up; butsuch late repentance must be avoided like poison. For the errors of thewise the remedy is reparation, not regret; regret consumes the heart, but the effort to repair an error causes it to throb with a noblepride. "

"In Egypt, " said Nitetis, "regret is numbered among the forty-two deadlysins. One of our principal commandments is, 'Thou shalt not consumethine heart. '"

 [In the Ritual of the Dead (indeed in almost every Papyrus of the Dead) we meet with a representation of the soul, whose heart is being weighed and judged. The speech made by the soul is called the negative justification, in which she assures the 42 judges of the dead, that she has not committed the 42 deadly sins which she enumerates. This justification is doubly interesting because it contains nearly the entire moral law of Moses, which last, apart from all national peculiarities and habits of mind, seems to contain the quintessence of human morality--and this we find ready paragraphed in our negative justification. Todtenbuch ed. Lepsius. 125. We cannot discuss this question philosophically here, but the law of Pythagoras, who borrowed so much from Egypt, and the contents of which are the same, speaks for our view. It is similar in form to the Egyptian. ]

"There you remind me, " said Croesus "that I have undertaken to arrangefor your instruction in the Persian customs, religion and language. Ihad intended to withdraw to Barene, the town which I received as a giftfrom Cyrus, and there, in that most lovely mountain valley, to takemy rest; but for your sake and for the king's, I will remain here andcontinue to give you instruction in the Persian tongue. Kassandaneherself will initiate you in the customs peculiar to women at thePersian court, and Oropastes, the high-priest, has been ordered by theking to make you acquainted with the religion of Iran. He will be yourspiritual, and I your secular guardian. "

At these words Nitetis, who had been smiling happily, cast down her eyesand asked in a low voice: "Am I to become unfaithful to the gods of myfathers, who have never failed to hear my prayers? Can I, ought I toforget them?"

"Yes, " said Kassandane decidedly, "thou canst, and it is thy boundenduty, for a wife ought to have no friends but those her husband callssuch. The gods are a man's earliest, mightiest and most faithfulfriends, and it therefore becomes thy duty, as a wife, to honor them, and to close thine heart against strange gods and superstitions, as thouwouldst close it against strange lovers. "

"And, " added Croesus, "we will not rob you of your deities; we will onlygive them to you under other names. As Truth remains eternally thesame, whether called 'maa', as by the Egyptians, or 'Aletheia' as by theGreeks, so the essence of the Deity continues unchanged in all placesand times. Listen, my daughter: I myself, while still king of Lydia, often sacrificed in sincere devotion to the Apollo of the Greeks, without a fear that in so doing I should offend the Lydian sun-godSandon; the Ionians pay their worship to the Asiatic Cybele, and, nowthat I have become a Persian, I raise my hands adoringly to Mithras, Ormuzd and the lovely Anahita. Pythagoras too, whose teaching is not newto you, worships one god only, whom he calls Apollo; because, like theGreek sun-god, he is the source of light and of those harmonies whichPythagoras holds to be higher than all else. And lastly, Xenophanes ofColophon laughs at the many and divers gods of Homer and sets one singledeity on high--the ceaselessly creative might of nature, whose essenceconsists of thought, reason and eternity. 

 [A celebrated freethinker, who indulged in bold and independent speculations, and suffered much persecution for his ridicule of the Homeric deities. He flourished at the time of our history and lived to a great age, far on into the fifth century. We have quoted some fragments of his writings above. He committed his speculations also to verse. ]

"In this power everything has its rise, and it alone remains unchanged, while all created matter must be continually renewed and perfected. Theardent longing for some being above us, on whom we can lean when our ownpowers fail, --the wonderful instinct which desires a faithful friend towhom we can tell every joy and sorrow without fear of disclosure, thethankfulness with which we behold this beautiful world and all therich blessings we have received--these are the feelings which we callpiety--devotion. 

"These you must hold fast; remembering, however, at the same time, thatthe world is ruled neither by the Egyptian, the Persian, nor the Greekdivinities apart from each other, but that all these are one; andthat one indivisible Deity, how different soever may be the names andcharacters under which He is represented, guides the fate of men andnations. "

The two Persian women listened to the old man in amazement. Theirunpractised powers were unable to follow the course of his thoughts. Nitetis, however, had understood him thoroughly, and answered: "Mymother Ladice was the pupil of Pythagoras, and has told me somethinglike this already; but the Egyptian priests consider such views to besacrilegious, and call their originators despisers of the gods. So Itried to repress such thoughts; but now I will resist them no longer. What the good and wise Croesus believes cannot possibly be evil orimpious! Let Oropastes come! I am ready to listen to his teaching. Thegod of Thebes, our Ammon, shall be transformed into Ormuzd, --Isis orHathor, into Anahita, and those among our gods for whom I can find nolikeness in the Persian religion, I shall designate by the name of 'theDeity. '"

Croesus smiled. He had fancied, knowing how obstinately the Egyptiansclung to all they had received from tradition and education, that itwould have been more difficult for Nitetis to give up the gods of hernative land. He had forgotten that her mother was a Greek, and that thedaughters of Amasis had studied the doctrines of Pythagoras. Neitherwas he aware how ardently Nitetis longed to please her proud lord andmaster. Even Amasis, who so revered the Samian philosopher, who had sooften yielded to Hellenic influence, and who with good reason might becalled a free-thinking Egyptian, would sooner have exchanged life fordeath, than his multiform gods for the one idea "Deity. "

"You are a teachable pupil, " said Croesus, laying his hand on her head, "and as a reward, you shall be allowed either to visit Kassandane, orto receive Atossa in the hanging-gardens, every morning, and everyafternoon until sunset. "

This joyful news was received with loud rejoicings by Atossa, and with agrateful smile by the Egyptian girl. 

"And lastly, " said Croesus, "I have brought some balls and hoops withme from Sais, that you may be able to amuse yourselves in Egyptianfashion. "

"Balls?" asked Atossa in amazement; "what can we do with the heavywooden things?"

"That need not trouble you, " answered Croesus, laughing. "The balls Ispeak of are pretty little things made of the skins of fish filled withair, or of leather. A child of two years old can throw these, but youwould find it no easy matter even to lift one of those wooden balls withwhich the Persian boys play. Are you content with me, Nitetis?"

 [In Persia games with balls are still reckoned among the amusements of the men. One player drives a wooden hall to the other, as in the English game of cricket. Chardin (Voyage en Perse. III. P. 226. ) saw the game played by 300 players. ]

"How can I thank you enough, my father?"

"And now listen to my plan for the division of your time. In the morningyou will visit Kassandane, chat with Atossa, and listen to the teachingof your noble mother. "

Here the blind woman bent her head in approval. "Towards noon I shallcome to teach you, and we can talk sometimes about Egypt and your lovedones there, but always in Persian. You would like this, would you not?"

Nitetis smiled. 

"Every second day, Oropastes will be in attendance to initiate you inthe Persian religion. "

"I will take the greatest pains to comprehend him quickly. "

"In the afternoon you can be with Atossa as long as you like. Does thatplease you too?"

"O Croesus!" cried the young girl and kissed the old man's hand. 

CHAPTER XIV. 

The next day Nitetis removed to the country-house in thehanging-gardens, and began a monotonous, but happy and industrious lifethere, according to the rules laid down by Croesus. Every day she wascarried to Kassandane and Atossa in a closely shut-up litter. Nitetissoon began to look upon the blind queen as a beloved and loving mother, and the merry, spirited Atossa nearly made up to her for the loss ofher sister Tachot, so far away on the distant Nile. She could not havedesired a better companion than this gay, cheerful girl, whose wit andmerriment effectually prevented homesickness or discontent from settlingin her friend's heart. The gravity and earnestness of Nitetis' characterwere brightened by Atossa's gaiety, and Atossa's exuberant spiritscalmed and regulated by the thoughtful nature of Nitetis. 

Both Croesus and Kassandane were pleased and satisfied with their newdaughter and pupil, and Oropastes extolled her talents and industrydaily to Cambyses. She learnt the Persian language unusually well andquickly; Cambyses only visited his mother when he hoped to find Nitetisthere, and presented her continually with rich dresses and costlyjewels. But the highest proof of his favor consisted in his abstainingfrom visiting her at her house in the hanging-gardens, a line of conductwhich proved that he meant to include Nitetis in the small number of hisreal and lawful wives, a privilege of which many a princess in his haremcould not boast. 

The grave, beautiful girl threw a strange spell over this strong, turbulent man. Her presence alone seemed enough to soften his stubbornwill, and he would watch their games for hours, his eyes fixed on hergraceful movements. Once, when the ball had fallen into the water, the king sprang in after it, regardless of his costly apparel. Nitetisscreamed on seeing his intention, but Cambyses handed her the drippingtoy with the words: "Take care or I shall be obliged to frighten youagain. " At the same time he drew from his neck a gold chain set withjewels and gave it to the blushing girl, who thanked him with a lookwhich fully revealed her feelings for her future husband. 

Croesus, Kassandane and Atossa soon noticed that Nitetis loved the king. Her former fear of this proud and powerful being had indeed changed intoa passionate admiration. She felt as if she must die if deprived of hispresence. He seemed to her like a glorious and omnipotent divinity, and her wish to possess him presumptuous and sacrilegious; but itsfulfilment shone before her as an idea more beautiful even than returnto her native land and reunion with those who, till now, had been heronly loved ones. 

Nitetis herself was hardly conscious of the strength of her feelings, and believed that when she trembled before the king's arrival it wasfrom fear, and not from her longing to behold him once more. Croesus, however, had soon discovered the truth, and brought a deep blush to hisfavorite's cheek by singing to her, old as he was, Anacreon's newestsong, which he had learnt at Sais from Ibykus

 "We read the flying courser's name Upon his side in marks of flame; And by their turban'd brows alone The warriors of the East are known. But in the lover's glowing eyes, The inlet to his bosom lies; Through them we see the tiny mark, Where Love has dropp'd his burning spark" --Paegnion 15

And thus, in work and amusement, jest, earnest, and mutual love, theweeks and months passed with Nitetis. Cambyses' command that she wasto be happy in his land had fulfilled itself, and by the time theMesopotamian spring-tide (January, February and March), which succeedsthe rainy month of December, was over, and the principal festival of theAsiatics, the New Year, had been solemnized at the equinox, and theMay sun had begun to glow in the heavens, Nitetis felt quite at home inBabylon, and all the Persians knew that the young Egyptian princess hadquite displaced Phaedime, the daughter of Otanes, in the king's favor, and would certainly become his first and favorite wife. 

Boges sank considerably in public estimation, for it was known thatCambyses had ceased to visit the harem, and the chief of the eunuchs hadowed all his importance to the women, who were compelled to coax fromCambyses whatever Boges desired for himself or others. Not a day passedon which the mortified official did not consult with the supplantedfavorite Phaedime, as to the best means of ruining Nitetis, but theirmost finely spun intrigues and artifices were baffled by the strength ofking's love and the blameless life of his royal bride. 

Phaedime, impatient, mortified, and thirsting for vengeance, wasperpetually urging Boges to some decided act; he, on the contrary, advised patience. 

At last, however, after many weeks, he came to her full of joy, exclaiming: "I have devised a little plan which must ruin the Egyptianwoman as surely as my name is Boges. When Bartja comes back, mytreasure, our hour will have arrived. "

While saying this the creature rubbed his fat, soft hands, and, with hisperpetual fulsome smile, looked as if he were feasting on some good deedperformed. He did not, however, give Phaedime the faintest idea of thenature of his "little plan, " and only answered her pressing questionswith the words: "Better lay your head in a lion's jaws, than your secretin the ears of a woman. I fully acknowledge your courage, but at thesame time advise you to remember that, though a man proves his couragein action, a woman's is shown in obedience. Obey my words and await theissue in patience. " Nebenchari, the oculist, continued to attendthe queen, but so carefully abstained from all intercourse with thePersians, that he became a proverb among them for his gloomy, silentways. During the day he was to be found in the queen's apartments, silently examining large rolls of papyri, which he called the book ofAthotes and the sacred Ambres; at night, by permission of the king andthe satraps of Babylon, he often ascended one of the high towers on thewalls, called Tritantaechmes, in order to observe the stars. 

The Chaldaean priests, the earliest astronomers, would have allowed himto take his observations from the summit of the great temple ofBel, their own observatory, but he refused this offer decidedly, andpersisted in his haughty reserve. When Oropastes attempted to explainto him the celebrated Babylonian sun-dial, introduced by Anaximander ofMiletus into Greece, he turned from the Magian with a scornful laugh, saying: "We knew all this, before you knew the meaning of an hour. "

Nitetis had shown Nebenchari much kindness, yet he took no interest inher, seemed indeed to avoid her purposely, and on her asking whether shehad displeased or offended him, answered: "For me you are a stranger. How can I reckon those my friends, who can so gladly and so quicklyforget those they loved best, their gods, and the customs of theirnative land?"

Boges quickly discovered this state of feeling on the part ofNebenchari, and took much pains to secure him as an ally, but thephysician rejected the eunuch's flatteries, gifts, and attentions withdignity. 

No sooner did an Angare appear in the court of the palace withdespatches for the king, than Boges hastened to enquire whether newsfrom the Tapuri had arrived. 

At length the desired messenger appeared, bringing word that the rebelswere subdued, and Bartja on the point of returning. 

Three weeks passed--fresh messengers arrived from day to day announcingthe approach of the victorious prince; the streets glittered once morein festal array, the army entered the gates of Babylon, Bartja thankedthe rejoicing multitude, and a short time after was in the arms of hisblind mother. 

Cambyses received his brother with undisguised warmth, and took him tothe queen's apartments, when he knew that Nitetis would be there. 

For he was sure the Egyptian girl loved him; his previous jealousyseemed a silly fancy now, and he wished to give Bartja an opportunity ofseeing how entirely he trusted his bride. 

Cambyses' love had made him mild and gentle, unwearied in giving and indoing good. His wrath slumbered for a season, and around the spot wherethe heads of those who had suffered capital punishment were exhibited asa warning to their fellow-men, the hungry, screeching crows now wheeled, in vain. 

The influence of the insinuating eunuchs (a race who had never been seenwithin the gates of Cyrus until the incorporation of Media, Lydia andBabylon, in which countries they had filled many of the highest officesat court and in the state), was now waning, and the importance ofthe noble Achaemenidae increasing in proportion; for Cambyses appliedoftener to the latter than to the former for advice in matters relatingto the welfare of the country. 

The aged Hystaspes, father of Darius, governor of Persia proper andcousin to the king; Pharnaspes, Cambyses' grandfather on the mother'sside; Otanes, his uncle and father-in-law. Intaphernes, Aspathines, Gobryas, Hydarnes, the general Megabyzus, father of Zopyrus, the envoyPrexaspes, the noble Croesus, and the old warrior Araspes; in short, the flower of the ancient Persian aristocracy, were now at the court ofCambyses. 

To this must be added that the entire nobility of the realm, the satrapsor governors of the provinces, and the chief priests from every townwere also assembled at Babylon to celebrate the king's birthday. 

 [The king's birthday was the principal feast among the Persians, and called "the perfect feast. " Herod. I. 133. Birthdays were held in much honor by the ancients, and more especially those of their kings. Both the great bilingual Egyptian tablets, which we possess (the Rosetta stone, line 10 of hieroglyphic text; Gr. Text, line 46. And the edict of Canopus ed. Lepsius, hieroglyphic text 1. 3. Gr. Text 1. 5. ) mention the celebration of the birthday of one of the Ptolemies; and even of Rameses II. , so early as the 14th century B. C. We read: "There was joy in heaven on his birthday. "]

The entire body of officials and deputies streamed from the provincesup to the royal city, bringing presents to their ruler and good wishes;they came also to take part in the great sacrifices at which horses, stags, bulls and asses were slaughtered in thousands as offerings to thegods. 

At this festival all the Persians received gifts, every man was allowedto ask a petition of the king, which seldom remained unfulfilled, andin every city the people were feasted at the royal expense. Cambyses hadcommanded that his marriage with Nitetis should be celebrated eight daysafter the birthday, and all the magnates of the realms should be invitedto the ceremony. 

The streets of Babylon swarmed with strangers, the colossal palaces onboth shores of the Euphrates were overfilled, and all the houses stoodadorned in festal brightness. 

The zeal thus displayed by his people, this vast throng of humanbeings, --representing and bringing around him, as it were, his entirekingdom, contributed not a little to raise the king's spirits. 

His pride was gratified; and the only longing left in his heart had beenstilled by Nitetis' love. For the first time in his life he believedhimself completely happy, and bestowed his gifts, not only from a senseof his duty as king of Persia, but because the act of giving was initself a pleasure. 

Megabyzus could not extol the deeds of Bartja and his friends toohighly. Cambyses embraced the young warriors, gave them horses and goldchains, called them "brothers" and reminded Bartja, that he had promisedto grant him a petition if he returned victorious. 

At this Bartja cast down his eyes, not knowing at first in what form tobegin his request, and the king answered laughing: "Look, my friends;our young hero is blushing like a girl! It seems I shall have to grantsomething important; so he had better wait until my birthday, and then, at supper, when the wine has given him courage, he shall whisper in myear what he is now afraid to utter. Ask much, Bartja, I am happy myself, and wish all my friends to be happy too. " Bartja only smiled in answerand went to his mother; for he had not yet opened his heart to her onthe matter which lay so near it. 

He was afraid of meeting with decided opposition; but Croesus hadcleared the way far him by telling Kassandane so much in praise ofSappho, her virtues and her graces, her talents and skill, that Nitetisand Atossa maintained she must have given the old man a magic potion, and Kassandane, after a short resistance, yielded to her darling'sentreaties. 

"A Greek woman the lawful wife of a Persian prince of the blood!" criedthe blind woman. "Unheard of! What will Cambyses say? How can we gainhis consent?"

"On that matter you may be at ease, my mother, " answered Bartja, "I amas certain that my brother will give his consent, as I am that Sapphowill prove an ornament and honor to our house. "

"Croesus has already told me much in favor of this maiden, " answeredKassandane, "and it pleases me that thou hast at last resolved to marry;but never-the-less this alliance does not seem suitable for a son ofCyrus. And have you forgotten that the Achaemenidae; will probablyrefuse to recognize the child of a Greek mother as their future king, ifCambyses should remain childless?"

"Mother, I fear nothing; for my heart is not set upon the crown. Andindeed many a king of Persia has had a mother of far lower parentagethan my Sappho. I feel persuaded that when my relations see the preciousjewel I have won on the Nile, not one of them will chide me. "

"The gods grant that Sappho may be equal to our Nitetis!" answeredKassandane, "I love her as if she were my own child, and bless the daywhich brought her to Persia. The warm light of her eyes has melted yourbrother's hard heart; her kindness and gentleness bring beauty into thenight of my blind old age, and her sweet earnestness and gravity havechanged your sister Atossa from an unruly child into a gentle maiden. But now call them, (they are playing in the garden), and we will tellthem of the new friend they are to gain through you. "

"Pardon me, my mother, " answered Bartja, "but I must beg you not to tellmy sister until we are sure of the king's consent. "

"You are right, my son. We must conceal your wish, to save Nitetis andAtossa from a possible disappointment. A bright hope unfulfilled isharder to bear than an unexpected sorrow. So let us wait for yourbrother's consent, and may the gods give their blessing!" Early in themorning of the king's birthday the Persians offered their sacrifices onthe shores of the Euphrates. A huge altar of silver had been raised onan artificial hill. On this a mighty fire had been kindled, from whichflames and sweet odors rose towards heaven. White-robed magi fed thefire with pieces of daintily-cut sandal-wood, and stirred it withbundles of rods. 

A cloth, the Paiti-dhana, was bound round the heads of the priests, theends of which covered the mouth, and thus preserved the pure fire frompollution by human breath. 

 [The Persians were ordered to hold this little square piece of cloth before their mouths when they prayed. It was from 2 to 7 fingers broad. Anquetil gives a drawing of it in his Zend-Avesia. Strabo speaks of the Paiti-dhana p. 733. He says the ends of the cloth used as a covering for the head hung down over the mouth. ]

The victims had been slaughtered in a meadow near the river, the fleshcut into pieces, sprinkled with salt, and laid out on tender grasses, sprouts of clover, myrtle-blossoms, and laurel-leaves, that thebeautiful daughter of Ormuzd, the patient, sacred Earth, might not betouched by aught that was dead or bleeding. 

Oropastes, the chief Destur, --[Priest]--now drew near the fire andcast fresh butter into it. The flames leapt up into the air and all thePersians fell on their knees and hid their faces, in the belief that thefire was now ascending to their great god and father. The Magian thentook a mortar, laid some leaves and stalks of the sacred herb Haomaswithin it, crushed them and poured the ruddy juice, the food of thegods, into the flames. 

After this he raised his hands to heaven, and, while the other priestscontinually fed the flames into a wilder blaze by casting in freshbutter, sang a long prayer out of the sacred books. In this prayer theblessing of the gods was called down on everything pure and good, butprincipally on the king and his entire realm. The good spirits of light, life and truth; of all noble deeds; of the Earth, the universal giver;of the refreshing waters, the shining metals, the pastures, trees andinnocent creatures, were praised: the evil spirits of darkness; oflying, the deceiver of mankind; of disease, death and sin; of the rigidcold; the desolating heat; of all odious dirt and vermin, were cursed, together with their father the malignant Ahriman. At the end all presentjoined in singing the festival prayer: "Purity and glory are sown forthem that are pure and upright in heart. "

The sacrificial ceremony was concluded with the king's prayer, and thenCambyses, arrayed in his richest robes, ascended a splendid chariotdrawn by four snow-white Nicoean horses, and studded with topazes, cornelian and amber, and was conveyed to the great reception-hall, wherethe deputies and officers from the provinces awaited him. 

As soon as the king and his retinue had departed, the priests selected, for themselves, the best pieces of the flesh which had been offered insacrifice, and allowed the thronging crowd to take the rest. 

The Persian divinities disdained sacrifices in the light of food, requiring only the souls of the slaughtered animals, and many a poorman, especially among the priests, subsisted on the flesh of theabundant royal sacrifices. 

The prayer offered up by the Magian was a model for those of the Persianpeople. No man was allowed to ask anything of the gods for himselfalone. Every pious soul was rather to implore blessings for his nation;for was not each only a part of the whole? and did not each man sharein the blessings granted to the whole kingdom? But especially theywere commanded to pray for the king, in whom the realm was embodied andshadowed forth. It was this beautiful surrender of self for the publicweal, that had made the Persians great. The doctrines of the Egyptianpriesthood represented the Pharaohs as actual divinities, while thePersian monarchs were only called "sons of the gods;" yet the power ofthe latter was far more absolute and unfettered than that of the former;the reason for this being that the Persians had been wise enough tofree themselves from priestly domination, while the Pharaohs, as we haveseen, if not entirely under the dominion of the priestly caste, were yetunder its influence in the most important matters. 

The Egyptian intolerance of all strange religions was unknown in Asia. The conquered Babylonians were allowed by Cyrus to retain their owngods, after their incorporation in the great Asiatic kingdom. The Jews, Ionians and inhabitants of Asia Minor, in short, the entire mass ofnations subject to Cambyses remained unmolested in possession of theirhereditary religions and customs. 

Beside the great altar, therefore, might be seen many a smallersacrificial flame, kindled in honor of their own divinities, by theenvoys from the conquered provinces to this great birthday feast. 

Viewed from a distance, the immense city looked like a gigantic furnace. Thick clouds of smoke hovered over its towers, obscuring the light ofthe burning May sun. 

By the time the king had reached the palace, the multitude who had cometo take part in the festival had formed themselves into a procession ofinterminable length, which wandered on through the straight streets ofBabylon towards the royal palace. 

Their road was strewn with myrtle and palm-branches, roses, poppyand oleander-blossoms, and with leaves of the silver poplar, palm andlaurel; the air perfumed with incense, myrrh, and a thousand other sweetodors. Carpets and flags waved and fluttered from the houses. 

Music too was there; the shrill peal of the Median trumpet, and softtone of the Phrygian flute; the Jewish cymbal and harp, Paphlagoniantambourines and the stringed instruments of Ionia; Syrian kettle-drumsand cymbals, the shells and drums of the Arians from the mouth of theIndus, and the loud notes of the Bactrian battle-trumpets. But aboveall these resounded the rejoicing shouts of the Babylonian multitude, subjugated by the Persians only a few short years before, and yet, likeall Asiatics, wearing their fetters with an air of gladness so long asthe fear of their tyrant was before their eyes. 

The fragrant odors, the blaze of color and sparkling of gold and jewels, the neighing of the horses, and shouts and songs of human beings, allunited to produce a whole, at once bewildering and intoxicating to thesenses and the feelings. 

The messengers had not been sent up to Babylon empty-handed. Beautifulhorses, huge elephants and comical monkeys; rhinoceroses and buffaloesadorned with housings and tassels; double-humped Bactrian camels withgold collars on their shaggy necks; waggon-loads of rare woods andivory, woven goods of exquisite texture, casks of ingots and gold-dust, gold and silver vessels, rare plants for the royal gardens, and foreignanimals for the preserves, the most remarkable of which were antelopes, zebras, and rare monkeys and birds, these last being tethered to a treein full leaf and fluttering among the branches. Such were the offeringssent to the great king of Persia. 

They were the tribute of the conquered nations and, after havingbeen shown to the king, were weighed and tested by treasurers andsecretaries, either declared satisfactory, or found wanting andreturned, in which case the niggardly givers were condemned to bring adouble tribute later. 

 [At the time of which we are writing, the kings of Persia taxed their kingdom at whatever time and to whatever extent seemed good in their own eyes. Cambyses' successor, Darius, was the first to introduce a regular system of taxation, in consequence of which he was nicknamed "the shopkeeper. " Up to a much later period it still remained the duty of certain districts to send natural products to the court Herod. I. 192. Xenoph. Anab. IV. 5. ]

The palace-gates were reached without hindrance, the way being keptclear by lines of soldiers and whipbearers stationed on either side ofthe street. 

If the royal progress to the place of sacrifice, when five hundredrichly-caprisoned horses had been led behind the king's chariot, could be called magnificent, and the march of the envoys a brilliantspectacle, the great throne-room presented a vision of dazzling andmagic beauty. 

In the background, raised on six steps, each of which was guarded, as itwere, by two golden clogs, stood the throne of gold; above it, supportedby four golden pillars studded with precious stones, was a purplecanopy, on which appeared two winged discs, the king's Feruer. 

 [The Feruer or Ferwer is the spiritual part of every man-his soul and reason. It was in existence before the man was horn, joins him at his birth and departs at his death. The Ferwer keeps up a war with the Diws or evil spirits, and is the element of man's preservation in life. The moment he departs, the body returns to its original elements. After death he becomes immortal if he has done well, but if his deeds have been evil he is cast into hell. It is right to call upon the Ferwer and entreat his help. He will bring the prayer before God and on this account is represented as a winged disc. ]

Fan-bearers, high in office at the court, stood behind the throne, and, on either side, those who sat at the king's table, his relationsand friends, and the most important among the officers of state, thepriestly caste and the eunuchs. 

The walls and ceiling of the entire hall were covered with plates ofburnished gold, and the floor with purple carpets. 

Before the silver gates lay winged bulls, and the king'sbody-guard-their dress consisting of a gold cuirass under a purpleovercoat, and the high Persian cap, their swords in golden scabbardsglittering with jewels, and their lances ornamented with gold and silverapples, were stationed in the court of the palace. Among them the bandof the "Immortals" was easily to be distinguished by their stately formsand dauntless bearing. 

Officers, whose duty consisted in announcing and presenting strangers, and who carried short ivory staves, led the deputies into the hall, andup to the throne, where they cast themselves on the ground as thoughthey would kiss the earth, concealing their hands in the sleeves oftheir robes. A cloth was bound over the mouth of every man before he wasallowed to answer the king's questions, lest the pure person of the kingshould be polluted by the breath of common men. 

Cambyses' severity or mildness towards the deputations with whose chiefshe spoke, was proportioned to the obedience of their province andthe munificence of their tribute-offerings. Near the end of the trainappeared an embassy from the Jews, led by two grave men with sharply-cutfeatures and long beards. Cambyses called on them in a friendly tone tostop. 

The first of these men was dressed in the fashion of the Babylonianaristocracy. The other wore a purple robe woven without seam, trimmedwith bells and tassels, and held in at the waist by a girdle of blue, red and white. A blue garment was thrown over his shoulders and a littlebag suspended around his neck containing the sacred lots, the Urim andThummin, adorned with twelve precious stones set in gold, and bearingthe names of the tribes of Israel. The high-priest's brow was grave andthoughtful. A white cloth was wound round his head, the ends of whichhung down to the shoulders. 

"I rejoice to behold you once more, Belteshazzar, " exclaimed the kingto the former of the two men. "Since the death of my father you have notbeen seen at my gate. "

The man thus addressed bowed humbly and answered: "The favor of the kingrejoices his servant! If it seem good unto thee, to cause the sun ofthy favor to shine on me, thine unworthy servant, so hearken unto mypetition for my nation, which thy great father caused to return unto theland of their fathers' sepulchres. This old man at my side, Joshua, thehigh-priest of our God, hath not feared the long journey to Babylon, that he might bring his request before thy face. Let his speech bepleasing in thine ears and his words bring forth fruit in thine heart. "

"I foresee what ye desire of me, " cried the king. "Am I wrong, priest, in supposing that your petition refers to the building of the temple inyour native land?"

"Nothing can be hidden from the eyes of my lord, " answered the priest, bowing low. "Thy servants in Jerusalem desire to behold the face oftheir ruler, and beseech thee by my mouth to visit the land of theirfathers, and to grant them permission to set forward the work of thetemple, concerning which thine illustrious father (the favor of our Godrest upon him), made a decree. "

The king answered with a smile: "You have the craft of your nation, andunderstand how to choose the right time and words for your petition. Onmy birthday it is difficult for me to refuse my faithful people evenone request. I promise you, therefore, so soon as possible to visitJerusalem and the land of your fathers. "

"By so doing thou wilt make glad the hearts of thy servants, " answeredthe priest; "our vines and olives will bear more fruit at thineapproach, our gates will lift up their heads to receive thee, and Israelrejoice with shouts to meet his lord doubly blessed if as lord of thebuilding--"

"Enough, priest, enough!" cried Cambyses. "Your first petition, I havesaid it, shall not remain unfulfilled; for I have long desired to visitthe wealthy city of Tyre, the golden Sidon, and Jerusalem with itsstrange superstitions; but were I to give permission for the buildingnow, what would remain for me to grant you in the coming year?"

"Thy servants will no more molest thee by their petitions, if thougrant unto them this one, to finish the temple of the Lord their God, "answered the priest. 

"Strange beings, these men of Palestine!" exclaimed Cambyses. "I haveheard it said that ye believe in one God alone, who can be representedby no likeness, and is a spirit. Think ye then that this omnipresentBeing requires a house? Verily, your great spirit can be but a weak andmiserable creature, if he need a covering from the wind and rain, and ashelter from the heat which he himself has created. If your God be likeours, omnipresent, fall down before him and worship as we do, in everyplace, and feel certain that everywhere ye will be heard of him!"

"The God of Israel hears his people in every place, " exclaimed thehigh-priest. "He heard us when we pined in captivity under the Pharaohsfar from our land; he heard us weeping by the rivers of Babylon. Hechose thy father to be the instrument of our deliverance, and will hearmy prayer this day and soften thine heart like wise. O mighty king, grant unto thy servants a common place of sacrifice, whither ourtwelve tribes may repair, an altar on the steps of which they canpray together, a house in which to keep their holy feasts! For thispermission we will call down the blessing of God upon thine head and hiscurse upon thine enemies. "

"Grant unto my brethren the permission to build their temple!" addedBelteshazzar, who was the richest and most honorable and respected ofthe Jews yet remaining in Babylon; a man whom Cyrus had treated withmuch consideration, and of whom he had even taken counsel from time totime. 

"Will ye then be peaceable, if I grant your petition?" asked the king. "My father allowed you to begin the work and granted the means for itscompletion. Of one mind, happy and content, ye returned to your nativeland, but while pursuing your work strife and contention entered amongyou. Cyrus was assailed by repeated letters, signed by the chief men ofSyria, entreating him to forbid the work, and I also have been latelybesought to do the same. Worship your God when and where ye will, butjust because I desire your welfare, I cannot consent to the prosecutionof a work which kindles discord among you. "

"And is it then thy pleasure on this day to take back a favor, which thyfather made sure unto us by a written decree?" asked Belteshazzar. 

"A written decree?"

"Which will surely be found even to this day laid up in the archives ofthy kingdom. "

"Find this decree and show it me, and I will not only allow the buildingto be continued, but will promote the same, " answered the king; "for myfather's will is as sacred to me as the commands of the gods. "

"Wilt thou allow search to be made in the house of the rolls atEcbatana?" asked Belteshazzar. "The decree will surely be found there. "

"I consent, but I fear ye will find none. Tell thy nation, priest, thatI am content with the equipment of the men of war they have sent to takethe field against the Massagetae. My general Megabyzus commends theirlooks and bearing. May thy people prove as valiant now as in the wars ofmy father! You, Belteshazzar, I bid to my marriage feast, and charge youto tell your fellows, Meshach and Abednego, next unto you the highest inthe city of Babylon, that I expect them this evening at my table. "

"The God of my people Israel grant thee blessing and happiness, "answered Belteshazzar bowing low before the king. 

"A wish which I accept!" answered the king, "for I do not despisethe power of your wonder-working great Spirit. But one word more, Belteshazzar. Many Jews have lately been punished for reviling thegods of the Babylonians. Warn your people! They bring down hatred onthemselves by their stiff-necked superstition, and the pride withwhich they declare their own great spirit to be the only true God. Takeexample by us; we are content with our own faith and leave others toenjoy theirs in peace. Cease to look upon yourselves as better than therest of the world. I wish you well, for a pride founded on self-respectis pleasing in mine eyes; but take heed lest pride degenerate intovainglory. Farewell! rest assured of my favor. "

The Jews then departed. They were disappointed, but not hopeless; forBelteshazzar knew well that the decree, relative to the building of thetemple, must be in the archives at Ecbatana. 

They were followed by a deputation from Syria, and by the Greeksof Ionia; and then, winding up the long train, appeared a band ofwild-looking men, dressed in the skins of animals, whose featuresbespoke them foreigners in Babylon. They wore girdles and shoulderbandsof solid, unwrought gold; and of the same precious metal were theirbow-cases, axes, lance-points, and the ornaments on their high fur caps. They were preceded by a man in Persian dress, whose features proved him, however, to be of the same race as his followers. 

The king gazed at first on these envoys with wonder; then his browdarkened, and beckoning the officer whose duty it was to presentstrangers, he exclaimed "What can these men have to crave of me? If Imistake not they belong to the Massagetae, to that people who are sosoon to tremble before my vengeance. Tell them, Gobryas, that an armedhost is standing on the Median plains ready to answer their demands withthe sword. "

Gobryas answered, bowing low: "These men arrived this morning duringthe sacrifice bringing huge burdens of the purest gold to purchase yourforbearance. When they heard that a great festival was being celebratedin your honor, they urgently besought to be admitted into your presence, that they might declare the message entrusted to them by their country. "

The king's brow cleared and, after sharply scrutinizing the tall, bearded Massageta, he said: "Let them come nearer. I am curious to knowwhat proposals my father's murderers are about to make me. "

Gobryas made a sign, and the tallest and eldest of the Massagetae cameup close to the throne and began to speak loudly in his native tongue. He was accompanied by the man in a Persian dress, who, as one of Cyrus'prisoners of war, had learnt the Persian language, and now interpretedone by one the sentences uttered by the spokesman of this wanderingtribe. 

"We know, " began the latter, "that thou, great king, art wroth with theMassagetae because thy father fell in war with our tribe--a war which healone had provoked with a people who had done naught to offend him. "

"My father was justified in punishing your nation, " interrupted theking. "Your Queen Tomyris had dared to refuse him her hand in marriage. "

"Be not wroth, O King, " answered the Massagetan, "when I tell thee thatour entire nation approved of that act. Even a child could see that thegreat Cyrus only desired to add our queen to the number of his wives, hoping, in his insatiable thirst for more territories, to gain our landwith her. "

Cambyses was silent and the envoy went on. "Cyrus caused a bridge to bemade over our boundary river, the Araxes. We were not dismayed at this, and Tomyris sent word that he might save himself this trouble, for thatthe Massagetae were willing either to await him quietly in their ownland, leaving the passage of the river free, or to meet him in his. Cyrus decided, by the advice of the dethroned king of Lydia, (as welearnt afterwards, through some prisoners of war) on meeting us in ourown land and defeating us by a stratagem. With this intention he sent atfirst only a small body of troops, which could be easily dispersed anddestroyed by our arrows and lances, and allowed us to seize his campwithout striking a blow. Believing we had defeated this insatiableconqueror, we feasted on his abundant stores, and, poisoned by the sweetunknown drink which you call wine, fell into a stupefied slumber, duringwhich his soldiers fell upon us, murdered the greater number of ourwarriors and took many captives. Among the latter was the brave, youngSpargapises, our queen's son. 

"Hearing in his captivity, that his mother was willing to concludepeace with your nation as the price of his liberty, he asked to have hischains taken off. The request was granted, and on obtaining the useof his hands he seized a sword and stabbed himself, exclaiming: 'Isacrifice my life for the freedom of my nation. '"

"No sooner did we hear the news that the young prince we loved so wellhad died thus, than we assembled all the forces yet left to us from yourswords and fetters. Even old men and boys flew to arms to revenge ournoble Spargapises, and sacrifice themselves, after his example, forMassagetaen freedom. Our armies met; ye were worsted and Cyrus fell. When Tomyris found his body lying in a pool of human blood, she cried:'Methinks, insatiable conqueror, thou art at last sated with blood!'The troop, composed of the flower of your nobility, which you call theImmortals, drove us back and carried your father's dead body forth fromour closest ranks. You led them on, fighting like a lion. I know youwell, and that wound across your manly face, which adorns it like apurple badge of honor, was made by the sword now hanging at my side. "

A movement passed through the listening crowd; they trembled forthe bold speaker's life. Cambyses, however, looked pleased, noddedapprovingly to the man and answered: "Yes, I recognize you too now; yourode a red horse with golden trappings. You shall see that the Persiansknow how to honor courage. Bow down before this man, my friends, fornever did I see a sharper sword nor a more unwearied arm than his; andsuch heroic courage deserves honor from the brave, whether shown byfriend or foe. As for you, Massagetae, I would advise you to go homequickly and prepare for war; the mere recollection of your strengthand courage increases my longing to test it once more. A brave foe, byMithras, is far better than a feeble friend. You shall be allowed toreturn home in peace; but beware of remaining too long within my reach, lest the thought of the vengeance I owe my father's soul should rouse myanger, and your end draw suddenly nigh. "

A bitter smile played round the bearded mouth of the warrior as he madeanswer to this speech. "The Massagetae deem your father's soul too wellavenged already. The only son of our queen, his people's pride, and inno way inferior to Cyrus, has bled for him. The shores of the Araxeshave been fertilized by the bodies of fifty thousand of my countrymen, slain as offerings for your dead king, while only thirty thousand fellthere on your own side. We fought as bravely as you, but your armor isbetter able to resist the arrows which pierce our clothing of skins. Andlastly, as the most cruel blow of all, ye slew our queen. "

"Tomyris is dead?" exclaimed Cambyses interrupting him. "You mean totell me that the Persians have killed a woman? Answer at once, what hashappened to your queen?"

"Tomyris died ten months ago of grief for the loss of her only son, andI have therefore a right to say that she too fell a sacrifice to the warwith Persia and to your father's spirit. "

"She was a great woman, " murmured Cambyses, his voice unsteady fromemotion. "Verily, I begin to think that the gods themselves haveundertaken to revenge my father's blood on your nation. Yet I tell youthat, heavy as your losses may seem, Spargapises, Tomyris and fiftythousand Massagetae can never outweigh the spirit of one king of Persia, least of all of a Cyrus. "

"In our country, " answered the envoy, "death makes all men equal. Thespirits of the king and the slave are of equal worth. Your father was agreat man, but we have undergone awful sufferings for his sake. My taleis not yet ended. After the death of Tomyris discord broke out among theMassagetae. Two claimants for the crown appeared; half our nation foughtfor the one, half for the other, and our hosts were thinned, first bythis fearful civil war and then by the pestilence which followed in itstrack. We can no longer resist your power, and therefore come with heavyloads of pure gold as the price of peace. "

"Ye submit then without striking a blow?" asked Cambyses. "Verily, I hadexpected something else from such heroes; the numbers of my host, whichwaits assembled on the plains of Media, will prove that. We cannot go tobattle without an enemy. I will dismiss my troops and send a satrap. Bewelcome as new subjects of my realm. "

The red blood mounted into the cheeks of the Massagetan warrioron hearing these words, and he answered in a voice trembling withexcitement: "You err, O King, if you imagine that we have lost our oldcourage, or learnt to long for slavery. But we know your strength; weknow that the small remnant of our nation, which war and pestilence havespared, cannot resist your vast and well-armed hosts. This we admit, freely and honestly as is the manner of the Massagetae, declaringhowever at the same time, that we are determined to govern ourselvesas of yore, and will never receive laws or ordinances from a Persiansatrap. You are wroth, but I can bear your angry gaze and yet repeat mydeclaration. "

"And my answer, " cried Cambyses, "is this: Ye have but one choice:either to submit to my sceptre, become united to the kingdom of Persiaunder the name of the Massagetan province, and receive a satrap as myrepresentative with due reverence, or to look upon yourselves as myenemies, in which case you will be forced by arms to conform to thoseconditions which I now offer you in good part. To-day you could securea ruler well-affected to your cause, later you will find in me only aconqueror and avenger. Consider well before you answer. "

"We have already weighed and considered all, " answered the warrior, "and, as free sons of the desert, prefer death to bondage. Hear what thecouncil of our old men has sent me to declare to you:--The Massageta;have become too weak to oppose the Persians, not through their ownfault, but through the heavy visitation of our god, the sun. We knowthat you have armed a vast host against us, and we are ready to buypeace and liberty by a yearly tribute. But if you persist in compellingus to submit by force of arms, you can only bring great damage onyourselves. The moment your army nears the Araxes, we shall departwith our wives and children and seek another home, for we have no fixeddwellings like yours, but are accustomed to rove at will on our swifthorses, and to rest in tents. Our gold we shall take with us, and shallfill up, destroy, and conceal the pits in which you could find newtreasures. We know every spot where gold is to be found, and can giveit in abundance, if you grant us peace and leave us our liberty; but, ifyou venture to invade our territory, you win nothing but an emptydesert and an enemy always beyond your reach, --an enemy who may becomeformidable, when he has had time to recover from the heavy losses whichhave thinned his ranks. Leave us in peace and freedom and we are readyto give every year five thousand swift horses of the desert, besidesthe yearly tribute of gold; we will also come to the help of the Persiannation when threatened by any serious danger. "

The envoy ceased speaking. Cambyses did not answer at once; his eyeswere fixed on the ground in deep thought. At last he said, rising at thesame time from his throne: "We will take counsel on this matter over thewine to-night, and to-morrow you shall hear what answer you can bringto your people. Gobryas, see that these men are well cared for, and sendthe Massagetan, who wounded me in battle, a portion of the best dishesfrom my own table. "

CHAPTER XV. 

During these events Nitetis had been sitting alone in her house on thehanging-gardens, absorbed in the saddest thoughts. To-day, for the firsttime, she had taken part in the general sacrifice made by the king'swives, and had tried to pray to her new gods in the open air, before thefire-altars and amidst the sound of religious songs strange to her ears. 

Most of the inhabitants of the harem saw her to-day for the first time, and instead of raising their eyes to heaven, had fixed them on herduring the ceremony. The inquisitive, malevolent gaze of her rivals, andthe loud music resounding from the city, disquieted and distracted hermind. Her thoughts reverted painfully to the solemn, sultry stillnessof the gigantic temples in her native land where she had worshipped thegods of her childhood so earnestly at the side of her mother and sister;and much as she longed, just on this day, to pray for blessings onher beloved king, all her efforts were in vain; she could arouse nodevotional feeling. Kassandane and Atossa knelt at her side, joiningheartily in the very hymns which to Nitetis were an empty sound. 

It cannot be denied, that many parts of these hymns contain true poetry;but they become wearisome through the constant repetition and invocationof the names of good and bad spirits. The Persian women had been taughtfrom childhood, to look upon these religious songs as higher and holierthan any other poetry. Their earliest prayers had been accompanied bysuch hymns, and, like everything else which has come down to us fromour fathers, and which we have been told in the impressionable time ofchildhood is divine and worthy of our reverence, they were still sacredand dear to them and stirred their most devotional feelings. 

But for Nitetis, who had been spoilt for such things by an intimateacquaintance with the best Greek poets, they could have but littlecharm. What she had lately been learning in Persia with difficulty hadnot yet become a part of herself, and so, while Kassandane and Atossawent through all the outward rites as things of course and perfectlynatural to them, Nitetis could only prevent herself from forgetting theprescribed ceremonials by a great mental effort, and dreaded lest sheshould expose her ignorance to the jealous, watchful gaze of her rivals. 

And then, too, only a few minutes before the sacrifice, she had receivedher first letter from Egypt. It lay unread on her dressing-table, andcame into her mind whenever she attempted to pray. She could not helpwondering what news it might bring her. How were her parents? and howhad Tachot borne the parting from herself, and from the prince she lovedso well?

The ceremony over, Nitetis embraced Kassandane and Atossa, and drew along, deep breath, as if delivered from some threatening danger. Thenordering her litter, she was carried back to her dwelling, and hastenedeagerly to the table where her letter lay. Her principal attendant, the young girl who on the journey had dressed her in her first Persianrobes, received her with a smile full of meaning and promise, whichchanged however, into a look of astonishment, on seeing her mistressseize the letter, without even glancing at the articles of dress andjewelery which lay on the table. 

Nitetis broke the seal quickly and was sitting down, in order to beginthe difficult work of reading her letter, when the girl came up, andwith clasped hands, exclaimed: "By Mithras, my mistress, I cannotunderstand you. Either you are ill, or that ugly bit of grey stuff mustcontain some magic which makes you blind to everything else. Putthat roll away and look at the splendid presents that the great king(Auramazda grant him victory!) has sent while you were at the sacrifice. Look at this wonderful purple robe with the white stripe and the richsilver embroidery; and then the tiara with the royal diamonds! Do notyou know the high meaning of these gifts? Cambyses begs, (the messengersaid 'begs, ' not 'commands') you to wear these splendid ornaments atthe banquet to-day. How angry Phaedime will be! and how the otherswill look, for they have never received such presents. Till now onlyKassandane has had a right to wear the purple and diamonds; so bysending you these gifts, Cambyses places you on a level with his mother, and chooses you to be his favorite wife before the whole world. ' O prayallow me to dress you in these new and beautiful things. How lovely youwill look! How angry and envious the others will feel! If I could onlybe there when you enter the hall! Come, my mistress, let me take offyour simple dress, and array you, (only as a trial you know, ) in therobes that as the new queen you ought to wear. "

Nitetis listened in silence to the chattering girl, and admired thegifts with a quiet smile. She was woman enough to rejoice at the sight, for he, whom she loved better than life itself, had sent them; andthey were a proof that she was more to the king than all his otherwives;--that Cambyses really loved her. The long wished-for letter fellunread to the ground, the girl's wish to dress her was granted without aword, and in a short time the splendid toilette was completed. The royalpurple added to her beauty, the high flashing tiara made her slender, perfect figure seem taller than it really was, and when, in the metalmirror which lay on her dressing table, she beheld herself for the firsttime in the glorious likeness of a queen, a new expression dawned on herfeatures. It seemed as if a portion of her lord's pride were reflectedthere. The frivolous waiting-woman sank involuntarily on her knees, as her eyes, full of smiling admiration, met the radiant glance ofNitetis, --of the woman who was beloved by the most powerful of men. 

For a few moments Nitetis gazed on the girl, lying in the dust at herfeet; but soon shook her beautiful head, and blushing for shame, raisedher kindly, kissed her forehead, gave her a gold bracelet, and then, perceiving her letter on the ground, told her she wished to be alone. Mandane ran, rather than walked, out of the room in her eagernessto show the splendid present she had just received to the inferiorattendants and slaves; and Nitetis, her eyes glistening and her heartbeating with excess of happiness, threw herself on to the ivory chairwhich stood before her dressing-table, uttered a short prayer ofthanksgiving to her favorite Egyptian goddess, the beautiful Hathor, kissed the gold chain which Cambyses had given her after plunging intothe water for her ball, then her letter from home, and rendered almostover-confident by her great happiness, began to unroll it, slowlysinking back into the purple cushions as she did so and murmuring: "Howvery, very happy I am! Poor letter, I am sure your writer never thoughtNitetis would leave you a quarter of an hour on the ground unread. "

In this happy mood she began to read, but her face soon grew serious andwhen she had finished, the letter fell once more to the ground. 

Her eyes, whose proud glance had brought the waiting-maid to her feet, were dimmed by tears; her head, carried so proudly but a few minutesbefore, now lay on the jewels which covered the table. Tears rolled downamong the pearls and diamonds, as strange a contrast as the proud tiaraand its unhappy, fainting wearer. 

The letter read as follows:

"Ladice the wife of Amasis and Queen of Upper and Lower Egypt, to herdaughter Nitetis, consort of the great King of Persia. 

"It has not been our fault, my beloved daughter, that you have remainedso long without news from home. The trireme by which we sent our lettersfor you to AEgae was detained by Samian ships of war, or rather piratevessels, and towed into the harbor of Astypalaea. 

"Polykrates' presumption increases with the continual success of hisundertakings, and since his victory over the Lesbians and Milesians, whoendeavored to put a stop to his depredations, not a ship is safe fromthe attacks of his pirate vessels. 

"Pisistratus is dead, " but his sons are friendly to Polykrates. Lygdamisis under obligations to him, and cannot hold his own in Naxos withoutSamian help. He has won over the Amphiktyonic council to his side bypresenting the Apollo of Delos with the neighboring island of Rhenea. His fifty-oared vessels, requiring to be manned by twenty-thousand men, do immense damage to all the seafaring nations; yet not one dares toattack him, as the fortifications of his citadel and his splendidharbor are almost impregnable, and he himself always surrounded by awell-drilled body-guard. 

"Through the traders, who followed the fortunate Kolxus to the far west, and these pirate ships, Samos will become the richest of islands andPolykrates the most powerful of men, unless, as your father says, thegods become envious of such unchanging good fortune and prepare him asudden and speedy downfall. 

"In this fear Amasis advised Polykrates as his old friend, to put awayfrom him the thing he held dearest, and in such a manner that he mightbe sure of never receiving it again. Polykrates adopted this advice andthrew into the sea, from the top of the round tower on his citadel, his most valuable signet-ring, an unusually large sardonyx held by twodolphins. This ring was the work of Theodorus, and a lyre, the symbol ofthe ruler, was exquisitely engraved on the stone. "

"Six days later, however, the ring was found by Polykrates' cooks in thebody of a fish. He sent us news at once of this strange occurrence, butinstead of rejoicing your father shook his grey head sadly, saying: 'hesaw now it was impossible for any one to avoid his destiny!' On the sameday he renounced the friendship of Polykrates and wrote him word, thathe should endeavor to forget him in order to avoid the grief of seeinghis friend in misfortune. 

"Polykrates laughed at this message and returned the letters his pirateshad taken from our trireme, with a derisive greeting. For the future allyour letters will be sent by Syria. 

"You will ask me perhaps, why I have told you this long story, whichhas so much less interest for you than any other home news. I answer:to prepare you for your father's state. Would you have recognized thecheerful, happy, careless Amasis in that gloomy answer to his Samianfriend?

"Alas, my husband has good reason to be sad, and since you left us, myown eyes have seldom been free from tears. My time is passed either atthe sick-bed of your sister or in comforting your father and guidinghis steps; and though much in need of sleep I am now taking advantage ofnight to write these lines. 

"Here I was interrupted by the nurses, calling me to your sister Tachot, your own true friend. 

"How often the dear child has called you in her feverish delirium;and how carefully she treasures your likeness in wax, that wonderfulportrait which bears evidence not only of the height to which Greek arthas risen, but of the master hand of the great Theodorus. To-morrow itwill be sent to AEgina, to be copied in gold, as the soft wax becomesinjured from frequent contact with your sister's burning hands and lips. 

"And now, my daughter, you must summon all your courage to hear what Ineed all my strength of mind to tell-the sad story of the fate which thegods have decreed for our house. 

"For three days after you left us Tachot wept incessantly. Neither ourcomforting words nor your father's good advice--neither offerings norprayers--could avail to lessen her grief or divert her mind. At last onthe fourth day she ceased to weep and would answer our questions ina low voice, as if resigned; but spent the greater part of every daysitting silently at her wheel. Her fingers, however, which used to be soskilful, either broke the threads they tried to spin, or lay for hoursidle in her lap, while she was lost in dreams. Your father's jokes, atwhich she used to laugh so heartily, made no impression on her, and whenI endeavored to reason with her she listened in anxious suspense. 

"If I kissed her forehead and begged her to control herself, she wouldspring up, blushing deeply, and throw herself into my arms, then sitdown again to her wheel and begin to pull at the threads with almostfrantic eagerness; but in half an hour her hands would be lying idle inher lap again and her eyes dreamily fixed, either on the ground, oron some spot in the air. If we forced her to take part in anyentertainment, she would wander among the guests totally uninterested ineverything that was passing. 

"We took her with us on the great pilgrimage to Bubastis, during whichthe Egyptians forget their usual gravity, and the shores of the Nilelook like a great stage where the wild games of the satyrs are beingperformed by choruses, hurried on in the unrestrained wantonness ofintoxication. When she saw thus for the first time an entire peoplegiven up to the wildest and most unfettered mirth and enjoyment, shewoke up from her silent brooding thoughts and began to weep again, as inthe first days after you went away. 

"Sad and perplexed, we brought our poor child back to Sais. 

"Her looks were not those of a common mortal. She grew thinner, and weall fancied, taller; her complexion was white, and almost transparent, with a tender bloom on her cheek, which I can only liken to a youngrose-leaf or the first faint blush of sunrise. Her eyes are stillwonderfully clear and bright. It always seems to me as if they lookedbeyond the heaven and earth which we see. 

"As she continued to suffer more and more from heat in the head andhands, while her tender limbs often shivered with a slight chill, wesent to Thebes for Thutmes, the most celebrated physician for inwardcomplaints. 

"The experienced priest shook his head on seeing your sister andforetold a serious illness. He forbade her to spin or to speak much. Potions of all kinds were given her to drink, her illness was discussedand exorcised, the stars and oracles consulted, rich presents andsacrifices made to the gods. The priest of Hathor from the island ofPhilae sent us a consecrated amulet, the priest of Osiris in Abydosa lock of hair from the god himself set in gold, and Neithotep, thehigh-priest of our own guardian goddess, set on foot a great sacrifice, which was to restore your sister to health. 

"But neither physicians nor charms were of any avail, and at lastNeithotep confessed that Tachot's stars gave but little ground for hope. Just then, too, the sacred bull at Memphis died and the priestscould discover no heart in his entrails, which they interpreted asprognosticating evil to our country. They have not yet succeeded infinding a new Apis, and believe that the gods are wroth with yourfather's kingdom. Indeed the oracle of Buto has declared that theImmortals will show no favor to Egypt, until all the temples that havebeen built in the black land for the worship of false gods are destroyedand their worshippers banished. 

 [Egypt was called by its ancient inhabitants Cham, the black, or black-earthed. ]

"These evil omens have proved, alas, only too true. Tachot fell ill ofa dreadful fever and lay for nine days hovering between life and death;she is still so weak that she must be carried, and can move neither handnor foot. 

"During the journey to Bubastis, Amasis' eyes, as so often happens here, became inflamed. Instead of sparing them, he continued to work as usualfrom sunrise until mid-day, and while your sister was so ill he neverleft her bed, notwithstanding all our entreaties. But I will not enterinto particulars, my child. His eyes grew worse, and on the very daywhich brought us the news of your safe arrival in Babylon, Amasis becametotally blind. 

"The cheerful, active man has become old, gloomy and decrepit since thatday. The death of Apis, and the unfavorable constellations and oraclesweigh on his mind; his happy temper is clouded by the unbroken night inwhich he lives; and the consciousness that he cannot stir a step alonecauses indecision and uncertainty. The daring and independent ruler willsoon become a mere tool, by means of which the priests can work theirwill. 

"He spends hours in the temple of Neith, praying and offeringsacrifices; a number of workmen are employed there in building a tombfor his mummy, and the same number at Memphis in levelling the templewhich the Greeks have begun building to Apollo. He speaks of his own andTachot's misfortunes as a just punishment from the Immortals. 

"His visits to Tachot's sick-bed are not the least comfort to her, forinstead of encouraging her kindly, he endeavors to convince her thatshe too deserves punishment from the gods. He spends all his remarkableeloquence in trying to persuade her, that she must forget this worldentirely and only try to gain the favor of Osiris and the judges of thenether world by ceaseless prayers and sacrifices. In this manner he onlytortures our poor sick child, for she has not lost her love of life. Perhaps I have still too much of the Greek left in me for a queen ofEgypt; but really, death is so long and life so short, that I cannothelp calling even wise men foolish, when they devote the half of eventhis short term to a perpetual meditation on the gloomy Hades. 

"I have just been interrupted again. Our great physician, Thutmes, came to enquire after his patient. He gives very little hope, and seemssurprised that her delicate frame has been able to resist death so long. He said yesterday: 'She would have sunk long ago if not kept up by herdetermined will, and a longing which gives her no rest. If she ceasedto care for life, she could allow death to take her, just as we dreamourselves asleep. If, on the other hand, her wish could be gratified, she might, (though this is hardly probable) live some years yet, but ifit remain but a short time longer unfulfilled, it will certainly wearher to death. 

"Have you any idea for whom she longs so eagerly? Our Tachot has allowedherself to be fascinated by the beautiful Bartja, the brother of yourfuture husband. I do not mean to say by this that he has employed magic, as the priest Ameneman believes, to gain her love; for a youth might befar less handsome and agreeable than Bartja, and yet take the heart ofan innocent girl, still half a child. But her passionate feeling is sostrong, and the change in her whole being so great, that sometimes I tooam tempted to believe in the use of supernatural influence. A short timebefore you left I noticed that Tachot was fond of Bartja. Her distressat first we thought could only be for you, but when she sank into thatdreamy state, Ibykus, who was still at our court, said she must havebeen seized by some strong passion. 

"Once when she was sitting dreaming at her wheel, I heard him singingsoftly Sappho's little love-song to her:

 "I cannot, my sweet mother, Throw shuttle any more; My heart is full of longing, My spirit troubled sore, All for a love of yesterday A boy not seen before. "

 [Sappho ed. Neue XXXII. Translation from Edwin Arnold's Poets of Greece. ]

"She turned pale and asked him: 'Is that your own song?'

"'No, ' said he, 'Sappho wrote it fifty years ago. '

"'Fifty years ago, ' echoed Tachot musingly. 

"'Love is always the same, ' interrupted the poet; 'women loved centuriesago, and will love thousands of years to come, just as Sappho lovedfifty years back. '

"The sick girl smiled in assent, and from that time I often heardher humming the little song as she sat at her wheel. But we carefullyavoided every question, that could remind her of him she loved. In thedelirium of fever, however, Bartja's name was always on her burninglips. When she recovered consciousness we told her what she had said inher delirium; then she opened her heart to me, and raising her eyes toheaven like a prophetess, exclaimed solemnly: 'I know, that I shall notdie till I have seen him again. '

"A short time ago we had her carried into the temple, as she longed toworship there again. When the service was over and we were crossingthe temple-court, we passed some children at play, and Tachot noticed alittle girl telling something very eagerly to her companions. She toldthe bearers to put down the litter and call the child to her. 

"'What were you saying?' she asked the little one. 

"I was telling the others something about my eldest sister. '

"'May I hear it too?'" said Tachot so kindly, that the little girl beganat once without fear: "Batau, who is betrothed to my sister, came backfrom Thebes quite unexpectedly yesterday evening. Just as the Isis-starwas rising, he came suddenly on to our roof where Kerimama was playingat draughts with my father; and he brought her such a beautiful goldenbridal wreath. "

 [Among the Egyptians the planet Venus bore the name of the goddess Isis. Pliny II. 6. Arist De mundo II. 7. Early monuments prove that they were acquainted with the identity of the morning and evening star. Lepsius, Chronologie p. 94. ]

"Tachot kissed the child and gave her her own costly fan. When we wereat home again she smiled archly at me and said: 'You know, mother dear, that the words children say in the temple-courts are believed to beoracles. ' So, if the little one spoke the truth, he must come; and didnot you hear that he is to bring the bridal-wreath? O mother, I am sure, quite sure, that I shall see him again. '

"I asked her yesterday if she had any message for you, and she begged meto say that she sent you thousands of kisses, and messages of love, andthat when she was stronger she meant to write, as she had a great dealto tell you. She has just brought me the little note which I enclose; itis for you alone, and has cost her much fatigue to write. 

"But now I must finish my letter, as the messenger has been waiting forit some time. 

"I wish I could give you some joyful news, but sadness and sorrowmeet me whichever way I turn. Your brother yields more and more to thepriests' tyranny, and manages the affairs of state for your poor blindfather under Neithotep's guidance. 

"Amasis does not interfere, and says it matters little whether his placebe filled a few days sooner or later by his successor. 

"He did not attempt to prevent Psamtik from seizing the children ofPhanes in Rhodopis' house, and actually allowed his son to enter into anegotiation with the descendants of those two hundred thousand soldiers, who emigrated to Ethiopia in the reign of Psamtik I. On account ofthe preference shown to the Greek mercenaries. In case they declaredthemselves willing to return to their native land, the Greek mercenarieswere to have been dismissed. The negotiation failed entirely, butPsamtik's treatment of the children of Phanes has given bitter offenceto the Greeks. Aristomachus threatened to leave Egypt, taking with himten thousand of his best troops, and on hearing that Phanes' son hadbeen murdered at Psamtik's command applied for his discharge. From thattime the Spartan disappeared, no one knows whither; but the Greek troopsallowed themselves to be bribed by immense sums and are still in Egypt. 

"Amasis said nothing to all this, and looked on silently from the midstof his prayers and sacrifices, while your brother was either offendingevery class of his subjects or attempting to pacify them by meansbeneath the dignity of a ruler. The commanders of the Egyptian and Greektroops, and the governors of different provinces have all alike assuredme that the present state of things is intolerable. No one knows what toexpect from this new ruler; he commands today the very thing, which heangrily forbade the day before. Such a government must soon snap thebeautiful bond, which has hitherto united the Egyptian people to theirking. 

"Farewell, my child, think of your poor friend, your mother; and forgiveyour parents when you hear what they have so long kept secret from you. Pray for Tachot, and remember us to Croesus and the young Persians whomwe know. Give a special message too from Tachot to Bartja; I beg him tothink of it as the last legacy of one very near death. If you could onlysend her some proof, that he has not forgotten her! Farewell, once morefarewell and be happy in your new and blooming home. "

CHAPTER XVI. 

Sad realities follow bright anticipations nearly as surely as a rainyday succeeds a golden sunrise. Nitetis had been so happy in the thoughtof reading the very letter, which poured such bitter drops of wormwoodinto her cup of happiness. 

One beautiful element in her life, the remembrance of her dear home andthe companions of her happy childhood, had been destroyed in one moment, as if by the touch of a magician's wand. 

She sat there in her royal purple, weeping, forgetful of everything buther mother's grief, her father's misfortunes and her sister's illness. The joyful future, full of love, joy, and happiness, which had beenbeckoning her forward only a few minutes before, had vanished. Cambyses'chosen bride forgot her waiting, longing lover, and the future queen ofPersia could think of nothing but the sorrows of Egypt's royal house. 

It was long past mid-day, when the attendant Mandane came to put a lasttouch to Nitetis' dress and ornaments. 

"She is asleep, " thought the girl. "I can let her rest another quarterof an hour; the sacrifice this morning has tired her, and we must haveher fresh and beautiful for the evening banquet; then she will outshinethe others as the moon does the stars. "

Unnoticed by her mistress she slipped out of the room, the windows ofwhich commanded a splendid view over the hanging-gardens, the immensecity beneath, the river, and the rich and fruitful Babylonian plain, andwent into the garden. 

Without looking round she ran to a flower-bed, to pluck some roses. Hereyes were fixed on her new bracelet, the stones of which sparkled in thesun, and she did not notice a richly-dressed man peering in at one ofthe windows of the room where Nitetis lay weeping. On being disturbedin his watching and listening, he turned at once to the girl and greetedher in a high treble voice. 

She started, and on recognizing the eunuch Boges, answered: "It is notpolite, sir, to frighten a poor girl in this way. By Mithras, if I hadseen you before I heard you, I think I should have fainted. A woman'svoice does not take me by surprise, but to see a man here is as rare asto find a swan in the desert. "

Boges laughed good-humoredly, though he well understood her saucyallusion to his high voice, and answered, rubbing his fat hands: "Yes, it is very hard for a young and pretty bird like you, to have to livein such a lonely corner, but be patient, sweetheart. Your mistress willsoon be queen, and then she will look out a handsome young husband foryou. Ah, ha! you will find it pleasanter to live here alone with him, than with your beautiful Egyptian. "

"My mistress is too beautiful for some people's fancy, and I have neverasked any one to look out a husband for me, " she answered pertly. "I canfind one without your help either. "

"Who could doubt it? Such a pretty face is as good a bait for a man, asa worm for a fish. "

"But I am not trying to catch a husband, and least of all one like you. "

"That I can easily believe, " he answered laughing. "But tell me, mytreasure, why are you so hard on me? Have I done anything to vex you?Wasn't it through me, that you obtained this good appointment, and arenot we both Medes?"

"You might just as well say that we are both human beings, and have fivefingers on each hand and a nose in the middle of our faces. Halfthe people here are Medes, and if I had as many friends as I havecountrymen, I might be queen to-morrow. And as to my situation here, it was not you, but the high-priest Oropastes who recommended me to thegreat queen Kassandane. Your will is not law here. "

"What are you talking about, my sweet one? don't you know, that not asingle waiting-woman can be engaged without my consent?"

"Oh, yes, I know that as well as you do, but. . . "

"But you women are an unthankful race, and don't deserve our kindness. "

"Please not to forget, that you are speaking to a girl of good family. "

"I know that very well, my little one. I know that your father was aMagian and your mother a Magian's daughter; that they both died earlyand you were placed under the care of the Destur Ixabates, the father ofOropastes, and grew up with his children. I know too that when you hadreceived the ear-rings, Oropastes' brother Gaumata, (you need not blush, Gaumata is a pretty name) fell in love with your rosy face, and wantedto marry you, though he was only nineteen. Gaumata and Mandane, how wellthe two names sound together! Mandane and Gaumata! If I were a poet Ishould call my hero Gaumata and his lady-love Mandane. "

"I insist on your ceasing to jest in this way, " cried Mandane, blushingdeeply and stamping her foot. 

"What, are you angry because I say the names sound well together? Youought rather to be angry with the proud Oropastes, who sent his youngerbrother to Rhagar and you to the court, that you might forget oneanother. "

"That is a slander on my benefactor. "

"Let my tongue wither away, if I am not speaking the truth and nothingbut the truth! Oropastes separated you and his brother because he hadhigher intentions for the handsome Gaumata, than a marriage with theorphan daughter of an inferior Magian. He would have been satisfied withAmytis or Menische for a sister-in-law, but a poor girl like you, whoowed everything to his bounty, would only have stood in the way of hisambitious plans. Between ourselves, he would like to be appointedregent of Persia while the king is away at the Massagetan war, and wouldtherefore give a great deal to connect himself by marriage in someway or other with the Archemenidae. At his age a new wife is not to bethought of; but his brother is young and handsome, indeed people go sofar as to say, that he is like the Prince Bartja. "

"That is true, " exclaimed the girl. "Only think, when we went out tomeet my mistress, and I saw Bartja for the first time from the windowof the station-house, I thought he was Gaumata. They are so like oneanother that they might be twins, and they are the handsomest men in thekingdom. "

"How you are blushing, my pretty rose-bud! But the likeness between themis not quite so great as all that. When I spoke to the high-priest'sbrother this morning. . . "

"Gaumata is here?" interrupted the girl passionately. "Have you reallyseen him or are you trying to draw me out and make fun of me?"

"By Mithras! my sweet one, I kissed his forehead this very morning, and he made me tell him a great deal about his darling. Indeed his blueeyes, his golden curls and his lovely complexion, like the bloom ona peach, were so irresistible that I felt inclined to try andwork impossibilities for him. Spare your blushes, my littlepomegranate-blossom, till I have told you all; and then perhaps infuture you will not be so hard upon poor Boges; you will see that hehas a good heart, full of kindness for his beautiful, saucy littlecountrywoman. "

"I do not trust you, " she answered, interrupting these assurances. "Ihave been warned against your smooth tongue, and I do not know what Ihave done to deserve this kind interest. "

"Do you know this?" he asked, showing her a white ribbon embroidered allover with little golden flames. 

"It is the last present I worked for him, " exclaimed Mandane. 

"I asked him for this token, because I knew you would not trust me. Whoever heard of a prisoner loving his jailer?"

"But tell me at once, quickly--what does my old playfellow want me todo? Look, the-western sky is beginning to glow. Evening is coming on, and I must arrange my mistress's dress and ornaments for the banquet. "

"Well, I will not keep you long, " said the eunuch, becoming so seriousthat Mandane was frightened. "If you do not choose to believe that Iwould run into any risk out of friendship to you, then fancy that Iforward your love affair to humble the pride of Oropastes. He threatensto supplant me in the king's favor, and I am determined, let him plotand intrigue as he likes, that you shall marry Gaumata. To-morrowevening, after the Tistar-star has risen, your lover shall come tosee you. I will see that all the guards are away, so that he can comewithout danger, stay one hour and talk over the future with you; butremember, only one hour. I see clearly that your mistress will beCambyses' favorite wife, and will then forward your marriage, for sheis very fond of you, and thinks no praise too high for your fidelityand skill. So to-morrow evening, " he continued, falling back into thejesting tone peculiar to him, "when the Tistar-star rises, fortunewill begin to shine on you. Why do you look down? Why don't you answer?Gratitude stops your pretty little mouth, eh? is that the reason? Well, my little bird, I hope you won't be quite so silent, if you should everhave a chance of praising poor Boges to your powerful mistress. And whatmessage shall I bring to the handsome Gaumata? May I say that you havenot forgotten him and will be delighted to see him again? You hesitate?Well, I am very sorry, but it is getting dark and I must go. I have toinspect the women's dresses for the birthday banquet. Ah! one thing Iforgot to mention. Gaumata must leave Babylon to-morrow. Oropastes isafraid, that he may chance to see you, and told him to return to Rhagedirectly the festival was over. What! still silent? Well then, I reallycannot help you or that poor fellow either. But I shall gain my endsquite as well without you, and perhaps after all it is better that youshould forget one another. Good-bye. "

It was a hard struggle for the girl. She felt nearly sure that Boges wasdeceiving her, and a voice within warned her that it would be better torefuse her lover this meeting. Duty and prudence gained the upper hand, and she was just going to exclaim: "Tell him I cannot see him, " whenher eye caught the ribbon she had once embroidered for her handsomeplayfellow. Bright pictures from her childhood flashed through her mind, short moments of intoxicating happiness; love, recklessness and longinggained the day in their turn over her sense of right, her misgivingsand her prudence, and before Boges could finish his farewell, she calledout, almost in spite of herself and flying towards the house like afrightened fawn: "I shall expect him. "

Boges passed quickly through the flowery paths of the hanging-gardens. He stopped at the parapet end cautiously opened a hidden trap-door, admitting to a secret staircase which wound down through one of thehuge pillars supporting the hanging-gardens, and which had probably beenintended by their original designer as a means of reaching his wife'sapartments unobserved from the shores of the river. The door movedeasily on its hinges, and when Boges had shut it again and strewed a fewof the river-shells from the garden walks over it, it would have beendifficult to find, even for any one who had come with that purpose. Theeunuch rubbed his jeweled hands, smiling the while as was his custom, and murmured: "It can't fail to succeed now; the girl is caught, herlover is at my beck and call, the old secret flight of steps is ingood order, Nitetis has been weeping bitterly on a day of universalrejoicing, and the blue lily opens to-morrow night. Ah, ha! my littleplan can't possibly fail now. And to-morrow, my pretty Egyptian kitten, your little velvet paw will be fast in a trap set by the poor despisedeunuch, who was not allowed, forsooth, to give you any orders. "

His eyes gleamed maliciously as he said these words and hurried from thegarden. 

At the great flight of steps he met another eunuch, named Neriglissar, who held the office of head-gardener, and lived at the hanging-gardens. 

"How is the blue lily going on?" asked Boges. 

"It is unfolding magnificently!" cried the gardener, in enthusiasm atthe mere mention of his cherished flower. "To-morrow, as I promised, when the Tistar-star rises, it will be in all its beauty. My Egyptianmistress will be delighted, for she is very fond of flowers, and may Iask you to tell the king and the Achaemenidae, that under my care thisrare plant has at last flowered? It is to be seen in full beauty onlyonce in every ten years. Tell the noble Achaemenidae; this, and bringthem here. "

"Your wish shall be granted, " said Boges smiling, "but I think youmust not reckon on the king, as I do not expect he will visit thehanging-gardens before his marriage with the Egyptian. Some of theArchimenidae, however, will be sure to come; they are such lovers ofhorticulture that they would not like to miss this rare sight. Perhaps, too, I may succeed in bringing Croesus. It is true that he does notunderstand flowers or doat on them as the Persians do, but he makesamends for this by his thorough appreciation of everything beautiful. "

"Yes, yes, bring him too, " exclaimed the gardener. "He will really begrateful to you, for my queen of the night is the most beautiful flower, that has ever bloomed in a royal garden. You saw the bud in the clearwaters of the reservoir surrounded by its green leaves; that bud willopen into a gigantic rose, blue as the sky. My flower. . . "

The enthusiastic gardener would have said much more in praise of hisflower, but Boges left him with a friendly nod, and went down the flightof steps. A two-wheeled wooden carriage was waiting for him there;he took his seat by the driver, the horses, decked out with bells andtassels, were urged into a sharp trot and quickly brought him to thegate of the harem-garden. 

That day was a busy, stirring one in Cambyses' harem. In order that thewomen might look their very best, Boges had commanded that they shouldall be taken to the bath before the banquet. He therefore went at onceto that wing of the palace, which contained the baths for the women. 

While he was still at some distance a confused noise of screaming, laughing, chattering and tittering reached his ears. In the broad porchof the large bathing-room, which had been almost overheated, more thanthree hundred women were moving about in a dense cloud of steam. 

 [We read in Diodorus XVII. 77. That the king of Persia had as many wives as there are days in the year. At the battle of Issus, Alexander the Great took 329 concubines, of the last Darius, captive. ]

The half-naked forms floated over the warm pavement like a motley crowdof phantoms. Their thin silken garments were wet through and clung totheir delicate figures, and a warm rain descended upon them from theroof of the bath, rising up again in vapor when it reached the floor. 

Groups of handsome women, ten or twenty together, lay gossiping saucilyin one part of the room; in another two king's wives were quarrellinglike naughty children. One beauty was screaming at the top of hervoice because she had received a blow from her neighbor's dainty littleslipper, while another was lying in lazy contemplation, still as death, on the damp, warm floor. Six Armenians were standing together, singing asaucy love-song in their native language with clear-toned voices, anda little knot of fair-haired Persians were slandering Nitetis sofearfully, that a by-stander would have fancied our beautiful Egyptianwas some awful monster, like those nurses used to frighten children. 

Naked female slaves moved about through the crowd, carrying on theirheads well-warmed cloths to throw over their mistresses. The cries ofthe eunuchs, who held the office of door-keepers, and were continuallyurging the women to greater haste, --the screeching calls of those whoseslaves had not yet arrived, --the penetrating perfumes and the warm vaporcombined to produce a motley, strange and stupefying scene. 

A quarter of an hour later, however, the king's wives presented a verydifferent spectacle. 

They lay like roses steeped in dew, not asleep, but quite still anddreaming, on soft cushions placed along the walls of an immense room. The wet perfumes still lay on their undried and flowing hair, and nimblefemale slaves were busied in carefully wiping away, with little bagsmade of soft camels' hair, the slightest outward trace of the moisturewhich penetrated deep into the pores of the skin. 

Silken coverlets were spread over their weary, beautiful limbs, and atroop of eunuchs took good care that the dreamy repose of the entirebody should not be disturbed by quarrelsome or petulant individuals. Their efforts, however, were seldom so successful as to-day, when everyone knew that a disturbance of the peace would be punished by exclusionfrom the banquet. They had probably been lying a full hour inthis dreamy silence, when the sound of a gong produced anothertransformation. 

The reposing figures sprang from their cushions, a troop of femaleslaves pressed into the hall, the beauties were annointed and perfumed, their luxuriant hair ingeniously braided, plaited, and adorned withprecious stones. Costly ornaments and silken and woolen robes in all thecolors of the rainbow were brought in, shoes stiff with rich embroideryof pearls and jewels were tied on to their tender feet, and goldengirdles fastened round their waists. 

 [Some kings gave their wives the revenues of entire cities as "girdle-money" (pin-money). ]

By the time Boges came in, the greater number of the women were alreadyfully adorned in their costly jewelry, which would have representedprobably, when taken together, the riches of a large kingdom. 

He was greeted by a shrill cry of joy from many voices. Twenty of thewomen joined hands and danced round their smiling keeper, singinga simple song which had been composed in the harem in praise of hisvirtues. On this day it was customary for the king to grant each of hiswives one reasonable petition. So when the ring of dancers had loosedhands, a troop of petitioners rushed in upon Boges, kissing his hands, stroking his cheeks, whispering in his ear all kinds of requests, andtrying by flattery to gain his intercession with the king. The woman'styrant smiled at it all, stopped his ears and pushed them all backwith jests and laughter, promising Amytis the Median that Esther thePhoenician should be punished, and Esther the same of Amytis, --thatParmys should have a handsomer set of jewels than Parisatys, andParisatys a more costly one than Parmys, but finding it impossibleto get rid of these importunate petitioners, he blew a little goldenwhistle. Its shrill tones acted like magic on the eager crowd; theraised hands fell in a moment, the little tripping feet stood still, theopening lips closed and the eager tumult was turned into a dead silence. 

Whoever disobeyed the sound of this little whistle, was certain ofpunishment. It was as important as the words "Silence, in the king'sname!" or the reading of the riot-act. To-day it worked even moreeffectually than usual. Boges' self-satisfied smile showed that he hadnoticed this; he then favored the assembly with a look expressive of hiscontentment with their conduct, promised in a flowery speech to exertall his influence with the king in behalf of his dear little whitedoves, and wound up by telling them to arrange themselves in two longrows. 

The women obeyed and submitted to his scrutiny like soldiers on drill, or slaves being examined by their buyer. 

With the dress and ornaments of most he was satisfied, ordering, however, to one a little more rouge, to another a little white powderto subdue a too healthy color, here a different arrangement of thehair--there a deeper tinge to the eyebrows, or more pains to be taken inanointing the lips. 

When this was over he left the hall and went to Phaedime, who as oneof the king's lawful wives, had a private room, separated from thoseallotted to the concubines. 

This former favorite, --this humbled daughter of the Achaemenidae, hadbeen expecting him already some time. 

She was magnificently dressed, and almost overloaded with jewels. Athick veil of gauze inwrought with gold hung from her little tiara, andinterlaced with this was the blue and white band of the Achaemenidae. There could be no question that she was beautiful, but her figure wasalready too strongly developed, a frequent result of the lazy harem lifeamong Eastern women. Fair golden hair, interwoven with little silverchains and gold pieces, welled out almost too abundantly from beneathher tiara, and was smoothed over her white temples. 

She sprang forward to meet Boges, trembling with eagerness, caught ahasty glance at herself in the looking-glass, and then, fixing her eyeson the eunuch, asked impetuously: "Are you pleased with me? Will headmire me?"

Boges smiled his old, eternal smile and answered: "You always please me, my golden peacock, and the king would admire you too if he could see youas you were a moment ago. You were really beautiful when you calledout, 'Will he admire me?' for passion had turned your blue eyes blackas night, and your lip was curled with hatred so as to show two rows ofteeth white as the snow on the Demawend!"

Phaedime was flattered and forced her face once more into the admiredexpression, saying: "Then take us at once to the banquet, for I knowmy eyes will be darker and more brilliant, and my teeth will gleam morebrightly, when I see that Egyptian girl sitting where I ought to sit. "

"She will not be allowed to sit there long. "

"What! is your plan likely to succeed then? Oh, Boges, do not hide itany longer from me--I will be as silent as the grave--I will help you--Iwill--"

"No, I cannot, I dare not tell you about it, but this much I will say inorder to sweeten this bitter evening: we have dug the pit for our enemy, and if my golden Phaedime will only do what I tell her, I hope to giveher back her old place, and not only that, but even a higher one. "

"Tell me what I am to do; I am ready for anything and everything. "

"That was well and bravely spoken; like a true lioness. If you obey mewe must succeed; and the harder the task, the higher the reward. Don'tdispute what I am going to say, for we have not a minute to lose. Takeoff all your useless ornaments and only wear the chain the king gave youon your marriage. Put on a dark simple dress instead of this bright one;and when you have prostrated yourself before Kassandane, bow down humblybefore the Egyptian Princess too. "

"Impossible!"

"I will not be contradicted. Take off those ornaments at once, I entreatyou. There, that is right. We cannot succeed unless you obey me. Howwhite your neck is! The fair Peri would look dark by your side. "

"But--"

"When your turn comes to ask a favor of the king, tell him you have nowishes, now that the sun of your life has withdrawn his light. "

"Yes, that I will do. "

"When your father asks after your welfare, you must weep. "

"I will do that too. "

"And so that all the Achaemenidae can see that you are weeping. "

"That will be a fearful humiliation!"

"Not at all; only a means by which to rise the more surely. Wash thered color from your cheeks and put on white powder. Make yourselfpale--paler still. "

"Yes, I shall need that to hide my blushes. Boges, you are askingsomething fearful of me, but I will obey you if you will only give me areason. "

"Girl, bring your mistress's new dark green robe. "

"I shall look like a slave. "

"True grace is lovely even in rags. "

"The Egyptian will completely eclipse me. "

"Yes, every one must see that you have not the slightest intention ofcomparing yourself with her. Then people will say: 'Would not Phaedimebe as beautiful as this proud woman, if she had taken the same pains tomake herself so?"'

"But I cannot bow down to her. "

"You must. "

"You only want to humble and ruin me. "

"Short-sighted fool! listen to my reasons and obey. I want especiallyto excite the Achaemenidae against our enemy. How it will enrage yourgrandfather Intaphernes, and your father Otanes to see you in the dustbefore a stranger! Their wounded pride will bring them over to our side, and if they are too 'noble, ' as they call it, to undertake anythingthemselves against a woman, still they will be more likely to help thanto hinder us, if I should need their assistance. Then, when the Egyptianis ruined, if you have done as I wish, the king will remember your sadpale face, your humility and forgetfulness of self. The Achaemenidae, and even the Magi, will beg him to take a queen from his own family; andwhere in all Persia is there a woman who can boast of better birth thanyou? Who else can wear the royal purple but my bright bird of Paradise, my beautiful rose Phaedime? With such a prize in prospect we must nomore fear a little humiliation than a man who is learning to ride fearsa fall from his horse. "

And she, princess as she was, answered: "I will obey you. "

"Then we are certain of victory, " said the eunuch. "There, now youreyes are flashing darkly again as I like to see them, my queen. And soCambyses shall see you when the tender flesh of the Egyptian shall havebecome food for dogs and the birds of the air, and when for the firsttime after long months of absence, I bring him once more to the door ofyour apartments. Here, Armorges! tell the rest of the women to get readyand enter their litters. I will go on and be there to show them theirplaces. "

 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

The great banqueting-hall was bright as day--even brighter, from thelight of thousands of candles whose rays were reflected in the goldplates forming the panelling of the walls. A table of interminablelength stood in the middle of the hall, overloaded with gold andsilver cups, plates, dishes, bowls, jugs, goblets, ornaments andincense-altars, and looked like a splendid scene from fairy-land. 

"The king will soon be here, " called out the head-steward of the table, of the great court-lords, to the king's cup-bearer, who was a member ofthe royal family. "Are all the wine-jugs full, has the wine been tasted, are the goblets ranged in order, and the skins sent by Polykrates, havethey been emptied?"

"Yes, " answered the cup-bearer, "everything is ready, and that Chianwine is better than any I ever tasted; indeed, in my opinion, even theSyrian is not to be compared to it. Only taste it. "

So saying he took a graceful little golden goblet from the table in onehand, raised a wine-pitcher of the same costly metal with the other, swung the latter high into the air and poured the wine so cleverly intothe narrow neck of the little vessel that not a drop was lost, thoughthe liquid formed a wide curve in its descent. He then presentedthe goblet to the head-steward with the tips of his fingers, bowinggracefully as he did so. 

The latter sipped the delicious wine, testing its flavor with greatdeliberation, and said, on returning the cup: "I agree with you, it isindeed a noble wine, and tastes twice as well when presented with suchinimitable grace. Strangers are quite right in saying that there are nocupbearers like the Persian. "

"Thanks for this praise, " replied the other, kissing his friend'sforehead. "Yes, I am proud of my office, and it is one which the kingonly gives to his friends. Still it is a great plague to have to stayso long in this hot, suffocating Babylon. Shall we ever be off for thesummer, to Ecbatana or Pasargada?"

"I was talking to the king about it to-day. He had intended not to leavebefore the Massagetan war, and to go straight from Babylon into thefield, but to-day's embassy has changed matters; it is probable thatthere may be no war, and then we shall go to Susa three days after theking's marriage--that is, in one week from the present time. "

"To Susa?" cried the cup-bearer. "It's very little cooler there thanhere, and besides, the old Memnon's castle is being rebuilt. "

"The satrap of Susa has just brought word that the new palace isfinished, and that nothing so brilliant has ever been seen. DirectlyCambyses heard, it he said: Then we will start for Susa three daysafter our marriage. I should like to show the Egyptian Princess thatwe understand the art of building as well as her own ancestors. She isaccustomed to hot weather on the Nile, and will not find our beautifulSusa too warm. ' The king seems wonderfully fond of this woman. "

"He does indeed! All other women have become perfectly indifferent tohim, and he means soon to make her his queen. "

"That is unjust; Phaedime, as daughter of the Achaemenidae, has an olderand better right. "

"No doubt, but whatever the king wishes, must be right. "

"The ruler's will is the will of God. "

"Well said! A true Persian will kiss his king's hand, even when drippingwith the blood of his own child. "

"Cambyses ordered my brother's execution, but I bear him no moreill-will for it than I should the gods for depriving me of my parents. Here, you fellows! draw the curtains back; the guests are coming. Looksharp, you dogs, and do your duty! Farewell, Artabazos, we shall havewarm work to-night. "

BOOK 2. 

CHAPTER I. 

The principal steward of the banquet went forward to meet the guests asthey entered, and, assisted by other noble staff-bearers (chamberlainsand masters of the ceremonies), led them to their appointed places. 

When they were all seated, a flourish of trumpets announced that theking was near. As he entered the hall every one rose, and the multitudereceived him with a thundering shout of "Victory to the king!" again andagain repeated. 

The way to his seat was marked by a purple Sardian carpet, only to betrodden by himself and Kassandane. His blind mother, led by Croesus, went first and took her seat at the head of the table, on a thronesomewhat higher than the golden chair for Cambyses, which stood by it. The king's lawful wives sat on his left hand; Nitetis next to him, thenAtossa, and by her side the pale, plainly-dressed Phaedime; next to thislast wife of Cambyses sat Boges, the eunuch. Then came the high-priestOropastes, some of the principal Magi, the satraps of various provinces(among them the Jew Belteshazzar), and a number of Persians, Medes andeunuchs, all holding high offices under the crown. 

Bartja sat at the king's right hand, and after him Croesus, Hystaspes, Gobryas, Araspes, and others of the Achaemenidae, according to theirrank and age. Of the concubines, the greater number sat at the foot ofthe table; some stood opposite to Cambyses, and enlivened the banquetby songs and music. A number of eunuchs stood behind them, whose duty itwas to see that they did not raise their eyes towards the men. 

Cambyses' first glance was bestowed on Nitetis; she sat by him in allthe splendor and dignity of a queen, but looking very, very pale in hernew purple robes. 

Their eyes met, and Cambyses felt that such a look could only come fromone who loved him very dearly. But his own love told him that somethinghad troubled her. There was a sad seriousness about her mouth, and aslight cloud, which only he could see, seemed to veil the usually calm, clear and cheerful expression of her eyes. "I will ask her afterwardswhat has happened, " thought he, "but it will not do to let my subjectssee how much I love this girl. "

He kissed his mother, sister, brother and his nearest relations on theforehead--said a short prayer thanking the gods for their mercies andentreating a happy new year for himself and the Persians--named theimmense sum he intended to present to his countrymen on this day, andthen called on the staff bearers to bring the petitioners before hisface, who hoped to obtain some reasonable request from the king on thisday of grace. 

As every petitioner had been obliged to lay his request before theprincipal staff bearer the day before, in order to ascertain whether itwas admissible, they all received satisfactory answers. The petitions ofthe women had been enquired into by the eunuchs in the same manner, and they too were now conducted before their lord and master by Boges, Kassandane alone remaining seated. 

The long procession was opened by Nitetis and Atossa, and the twoprincesses were immediately followed by Phaedime and another beauty. Thelatter was magnificently dressed and had been paired with Phaedime byBoges, in order to make the almost poverty-stricken simplicity of thefallen favorite more apparent. 

Intaphernes and Otanes looked as annoyed as Boges had expected, onseeing their grandchild and daughter so pale, and in such miserablearray, in the midst of all this splendor and magnificence. 

Cambyses had had experience of Phaedime's former extravagance in mattersof dress, and, when he saw her standing before him so plainly dressedand so pale, looked both angry and astonished. His brow darkened, and asshe bent low before him, he asked her in an angry and tyrannical tone:"What is the meaning of this beggarly dress at my table, on the day setapart in my honor? Have you forgotten, that in our country it is thecustom never to appear unadorned before the king? Verily, if it were notmy birthday, and if I did not owe you some consideration as the daughterof our dearest kinsman, I should order the eunuchs to take you backto the harem, that you might have time to think over your conduct insolitude. "

These words rendered the mortified woman's task much easier. . . . Shebegan to weep loud and bitterly, raising her hands and eyes to herangry lord in such a beseeching manner that his anger was changed intocompassion, and he raised her from the ground with the question: "Haveyou a petition to ask of me?"

"What can I find to wish for, now that the sun of my life has withdrawnhis light?" was her faltering answer, hindered by sobs. 

Cambyses shrugged his shoulders, and asked again "Is there nothing thenthat you wish for? I used to be able to dry your tears with presents;ask me for some golden comfort to-day. "

"Phaedime has nothing left to wish for now. For whom can she puton jewels when her king, her husband, withdraws the light of hiscountenance?"

"Then I can do nothing for you, " exclaimed Cambyses, turning awayangrily from the kneeling woman. Boges had been quite right in advisingPhaedime to paint herself with white, for underneath the pale colorher cheeks were burning with shame and anger. But, in spite of all, she controlled her passionate feelings, made the same deep obeisance toNitetis as to the queen-mother, and allowed her tears to flow fast andfreely in sight of all the Achaemenidae. 

Otanes and Intaphernes could scarcely suppress their indignationat seeing their daughter and grandchild thus humbled, and many anAchaemenidae looked on, feeling deep sympathy with the unhappy Phaedimeand a hidden grudge against the favored, beautiful stranger. 

The formalities were at last at an end and the feast began. Just beforethe king, in a golden basket, and gracefully bordered round with otherfruits, lay a gigantic pomegranate, as large as a child's head. 

Cambyses noticed it now for the first time, examined its enormous sizeand rare beauty with the eye of a connoisseur, and said: "Who grew thiswonderful pomegranate?"

"Thy servant Oropastes, " answered the chief of the Magi, with a lowobeisance. "For many years I have studied the art of gardening, and haveventured to lay this, the most beautiful fruit of my labors, at the feetof my king. "

"I owe you thanks, " cried the king: "My friends, this pomegranate willassist me in the choice of a governor at home when we go out to war, for, by Mithras, the man who can cherish and foster a little tree socarefully will do greater things than these. What a splendid fruit!Surely it's like was never seen before. I thank you again, Oropastes, and as the thanks of a king must never consist of empty words alone, Iname you at once vicegerent of my entire kingdom, in case of war. For weshall not dream away our time much longer in this idle rest, my friends. A Persian gets low-spirited without the joys of war. "

A murmur of applause ran through the ranks of the Achaemenidae and freshshouts of "Victory to the king" resounded through the hall. Their angeron account of the humiliation of a woman was quickly forgotten; thoughtsof coming battles, undying renown and conqueror's laurels to be won bydeeds of arms, and recollections of their former mighty deeds raised thespirits of the revellers. 

The king himself was more moderate than usual to-day, but he encouragedhis guests to drink, enjoying their noisy merriment and overflowingmirth; taking, however, far more pleasure still in the fascinatingbeauty of the Egyptian Princess, who sat at his side, paler thanusual, and thoroughly exhausted by the exertions of the morning and theunaccustomed weight of the high tiara. He had never felt so happy as onthis day. What indeed could he wish for more than he already possessed?Had not the gods given him every thing that a man could desire? and, over and above all this, had not they flung into his lap the preciousgift of love? His usual inflexibility seemed to have changed intobenevolence, and his stern severity into good-nature, as he turned tohis brother Bartja with the words: "Come brother, have you forgotten mypromise? Don't you know that to-day you are sure of gaining the dearestwish of your heart from me? That's right, drain the goblet, and takecourage! but do not ask anything small, for I am in the mood to givelargely to-day. Ah, it is a secret! come nearer then. I am reallycurious to know what the most fortunate youth in my entire kingdom canlong for so much, that he blushes like a girl when his wish is spokenof. "

Bartja, whose cheeks were really glowing from agitation, bent his headclose to his brother's ear, and whispered shortly the story of his love. Sappho's father had helped to defend his native town Phocaea against thehosts of Cyrus, and this fact the boy cleverly brought forward, speakingof the girl he loved as the daughter of a Greek warrior of noble birth. In so saying he spoke the truth, but at the same time he suppressedthe facts that this very father had acquired great riches by mercantileundertakings. 

 [The Persians were forbidden by law to contract debts, because debtors were necessarily led to say much that was untrue. Herod. I. For this reason they held all money transactions in contempt, such occupations being also very uncongenial to their military tastes. They despised commerce and abandoned it to the conquered nations. ]

He then told his brother how charming, cultivated and loving his Sapphowas, and was just going to call on Croesus for a confirmation of hiswords, when Cambyses interrupted him by kissing his forehead and saying:"You need say no more, brother; do what your heart bids you. I know thepower of love too, and I will help you to gain our mother's consent. "Bartja threw himself at his brother's feet, overcome with gratitude andjoy, but Cambyses raised him kindly and, looking especially at Nitetisand Kassandane, exclaimed: "Listen, my dear ones, the stem of Cyrus isgoing to blossom afresh, for our brother Bartja has resolved to put anend to his single life, so displeasing to the gods. 

 [The Persians were commanded by their religion to marry, and the unmarried were held up to ridicule. Vendid. IV. Fargard. 130. The highest duty of man was to create and promote life, and to have many children was therefore considered praiseworthy. Herod. I. 136. ]

In a few days the young lover will leave us for your country, Nitetis, and will bring back another jewel from the shores of the Nile to ourmountain home. "

"What is the matter, sister?" cried Atossa, before her brother hadfinished speaking. Nitetis had fainted, and Atossa was sprinkling herforehead with wine as she lay in her arms. 

"What was it?" asked the blind Kassandane, when Nitetis had awakened toconsciousness a few moments later. 

"The joy--the happiness--Tachot, " faltered Nitetis. Cambyses, as wellas his sister, had sprung to the fainting girl's help. When she hadrecovered consciousness, he asked her to take some wine to revive hercompletely, gave her the cup with his own hand, and then went on at thepoint at which he had left off in his account: "Bartja is going to yourown country, my wife--to Naukratis on the Nile--to fetch thence thegranddaughter of a certain Rhodopis, and daughter of a noble warrior, anative of the brave town of Phocaea, as his wife. "

"What was that?" cried the blind queen-mother. 

"What is the matter with you?" exclaimed Atossa again, in an anxious, almost reproachful tone. 

"Nitetis!" cried Croesus admonishingly. But the warning came too late;the cup which her royal lover had given her slipped from her hands andfell ringing on the floor. All eyes were fixed on the king's featuresin anxious suspense. He had sprung from his seat pale as death; hislips trembled and his fist was clenched. Nitetis looked up at her loverimploringly, but he was afraid of meeting those wonderful, fascinatingeyes, and turned his head away, saying in a hoarse voice: "Take thewomen back to their apartments, Boges. I have seen enough of them--letus begin our drinking-bout--good-night, my mother; take care how younourish vipers with your heart's blood. Sleep well, Egyptian, and prayto the gods to give you a more equal power of dissembling your feelings. To-morrow, my friends, we will go out hunting. Here, cup-bearer, giveme some wine! fill the large goblet, but taste it well--yes, well--forto-day I am afraid of poison; to-day for the first time. Do you hear, Egyptian? I am afraid of poison! and every child knows--ah-ha--that allthe poison, as well as the medicine comes from Egypt. "

Nitetis left the hall, --she hardly knew how, --more staggering thanwalking. Boges accompanied her, telling the bearers to make haste. 

When they reached the hanging-gardens he gave her up to the care of theeunuch in attendance, and took his leave, not respectfully as usual, but chuckling, rubbing his hands, and speaking in an intimate andconfidential tone: "Dream about the handsome Bartja and his Egyptianlady-love, my white Nile-kitten! Haven't you any message for thebeautiful boy, whose love-story frightened you so terribly? Thinka little. Poor Boges will very gladly play the go-between; the poordespised Boges wishes you so well--the humble Boges will be so sorrywhen he sees the proud palm-tree from Sais cut down. Boges is a prophet;he foretells you a speedy return home to Egypt, or a quiet bed in theblack earth in Babylon, and the kind Boges wishes you a peaceful sleep. Farewell, my broken flower, my gay, bright viper, wounded by its ownsting, my pretty fir-cone, fallen from the tall pine-tree!"

"How dare you speak in this impudent manner?" said the indignantprincess. 

"Thank you, " answered the wretch, smiling. 

"I shall complain of your conduct, " threatened Nitetis. 

"You are very amiable, " answered Boges. "Go out of my sight, " she cried. 

"I will obey your kind and gentle hints;" he answered softly, as ifwhispering words of love into her ear. She started back in disgust andfear at these scornful words; she saw how full of terror they were forher, turned her back on him and went quickly into the house, but hisvoice rang after her: "Don't forget my lovely queen, think of me nowand then; for everything that happens in the next few days will be akeepsake from the poor despised Boges. "

As soon as she had disappeared he changed his tone, and commanded thesentries in the severest and most tyrannical manner, to keep a strictwatch over the hanging-gardens. "Certain death, " said he, "to whicheverof you allows any one but myself to enter these gardens. No one, remember--no one--and least of all messengers from the queen-mother, Atossa or any of the great people, may venture to set foot on thesesteps. If Croesus or Oropastes should wish to speak to the EgyptianPrincess, refuse them decidedly. Do you understand? I repeat it, whoever is begged or bribed into disobedience will not see the lightof to-morrow's sun. Nobody may enter these gardens without expresspermission from my own mouth. I think you know me. Here, take thesegold staters, your work will be heavier now; but remember, I swear byPlithras not to spare one of you who is careless or disobedient. "

The men made a due obeisance and determined to obey; they knew thatBoges' threats were never meant in joke, and fancied something greatmust be coming to pass, as the stingy eunuch never spent his staterswithout good reason. 

Boges was carried back to the banqueting-hall in the same litter, whichhad brought Nitetis away. 

The king's wives had left, but the concubines were all standing in theirappointed place, singing their monotonous songs, though quite unheard bythe uproarious men. 

The drinkers had already long forgotten the fainting woman. The uproarand confusion rose with every fresh wine-cup. They forgot the dignityof the place where they were assembled, and the presence of their mightyruler. 

They shouted in their drunken joy; warriors embraced one another witha tenderness only excited by wine, here and there a novice was carriedaway in the arms of a pair of sturdy attendants, while an old hand atthe work would seize a wine-jug instead of a goblet, and drain it at adraught amid the cheers of the lookers-on. 

The king sat on at the head of the table, pale as death, staring intothe wine-cup as if unconscious of what was going on around hint. But atthe sight of his brother his fist clenched. 

He would neither speak to him, nor answer his questions. The longer hesat there gazing into vacancy, the firmer became his conviction thatNitetis had deceived him, --that she had pretended to love him while herheart really belonged to Bartja. How shamefully they had made sport ofhim! How deeply rooted must have been the faithlessness of this cleverhypocrite, if the mere news that his brother loved some one else couldnot only destroy all her powers of dissimulation, but actually depriveher of consciousness!

When Nitetis left the hall, Otanes, the father of Phaedime had calledout: "The Egyptian women seem to take great interest in the love-affairsof their brothers-in-law. The Persian women are not so generous withtheir feelings; they keep them for their husbands. "

Cambyses was too proud to let it be seen that he had heard these words;like the ostrich, he feigned deafness and blindness in order not to seemaware of the looks and murmurs of his guests, which all went to provethat he had been deceived. 

Bartja could have had no share in her perfidy; she had loved thishandsome youth, and perhaps all the more because she had not been ableto hope for a return of her love. If he had had the slightest suspicionof his brother, he would have killed him on the spot. Bartja wascertainly innocent of any share in the deception and in his brother'smisery, but still he was the cause of all; so the old grudge, whichhad only just been allowed to slumber, woke again; and, as a relapse isalways more dangerous than the original illness, the newly-roused angerwas more violent than what he had formerly felt. 

He thought and thought, but he could not devise a fitting punishment forthis false woman. Her death would not content his vengeance, she mustsuffer something worse than mere death!

Should he send her back to Egypt, disgraced and shamed? Oh, no! sheloved her country, and she would be received by her parents withopen arms. Should he, after she had confessed her guilt, (for he wasdetermined to force a confession from her) shut her up in a solitarydungeon? or should he deliver her over to Boges, to be the servant ofhis concubines? Yes! now he had hit upon the right punishment. Thus thefaithless creature should be disciplined, and the hypocrite, who haddared to make sport of him--the All-powerful--forced to atone for hercrimes. 

Then he said to himself: "Bartja must not stay here; fire and waterhave more in common than we two--he always fortunate and happy, and I somiserable. Some day or other his descendants will divide my treasures, and wear my crown; but as yet I am king, and I will show that I am. "

The thought of his proud, powerful position flashed through him likelightning. He woke from his dreams into new life, flung his goldengoblet far into the hall, so that the wine flew round like rain, andcried: "We have had enough of this idle talk and useless noise. Let ushold a council of war, drunken as we are, and consider what answer weought to give the Massagetae. Hystaspes, you are the eldest, give usyour opinion first. "

 [Herod. I. 134. The Persians deliberated and resolved when they were intoxicated, and when they were sober reconsidered their determinations. Tacitus tells the same of the old Germans. Germ, c. 22. ]

Hystaspes, the father of Darius, was an old man. He answered: "It seemsto me, that the messengers of this wandering tribe have left us nochoice. We cannot go to war against desert wastes; but as our host isalready under arms and our swords have lain long in their scabbards, warwe must have. We only want a few good enemies, and I know no easier workthan to make them. "

At these words the Persians broke into loud shouts of delight; butCroesus only waited till the noise had ceased to say: "Hystaspes, youand I are both old men; but you are a thorough Persian and fancy you canonly be happy in battle and bloodshed. You are now obliged to leanfor support on the staff, which used to be the badge of your rank ascommander, and yet you speak like a hot-blooded boy. I agree with youthat enemies are easy enough to find, but only fools go out to look forthem. The man who tries to make enemies is like a wretch who mutilateshis own body. If the enemies are there, let us go out to meet them likewise men who wish to look misfortune boldly in the face; but let usnever try to begin an unjust war, hateful to the gods. We will waituntil wrong has been done us, and then go to victory or death, consciousthat we have right on our side. "

The old man was interrupted by a low murmur of applause, drowned howeverquickly by cries of "Hystaspes is right! let us look for an enemy!"

It was now the turn of the envoy Prexaspes to speak, and he answeredlaughing: "Let us follow the advice of both these noble old men. We willdo as Croesus bids us and not go out to seek an enemy, but at thesame time we will follow Hystaspes' advice by raising our claims andpronouncing every one our enemy, who does not cheerfully consent tobecome a member of the kingdom founded by our great father Cyrus. Forinstance, we will ask the Indians if they would feel proud to obey yoursceptre, Cambyses. If they answer no, it is a sign that they do not loveus, and whoever does not love us, must be our enemy. "

"That won't do, " cried Zopyrus. "We must have war at any price. "

"I vote for Croesus, " said Gobryas. "And I too, " said the nobleArtabazus. 

"We are for Hystaspes, " shouted the warrior Araspes, the oldIntaphernes, and some more of Cyrus's old companions-in-arms. 

"War we must have at any price, " roared the general Megabyzus, thefather of Zopyrus, striking the table so sharply with his heavy fist, that the golden vessels rang again, and some goblets even fell; "but notwith the Massagetac--not with a flying foe. "

"There must be no war with the Massagetae, " said the high-priestOropastes. "The gods themselves have avenged Cyrus's death upon them. "

Cambyses sat for some moments, quietly and coldly watching theunrestrained enthusiasm of his warriors, and then, rising from his seat, thundered out the words: "Silence, and listen to your king!"

The words worked like magic on this multitude of drunken men. Even thosewho were most under the influence of wine, listened to their king in akind of unconscious obedience. He lowered his voice and went on: "I didnot ask whether you wished for peace or war--I know that every Persianprefers the labor of war to an inglorious idleness--but I wished to knowwhat answer you would give the Massagetan warriors. Do you considerthat the soul of my father--of the man to whom you owe all yourgreatness--has been sufficiently avenged?"

A dull murmur in the affirmative, interrupted by some violent voicesin the negative, was the answer. The king then asked a second question:"Shall we accept the conditions proposed by their envoys, and grantpeace to this nation, already so scourged and desolated by the gods?" Tothis they all agreed eagerly. 

"That is what I wished to know, " continued Cambyses. "To-morrow, whenwe are sober, we will follow the old custom and reconsider what has beenresolved on during our intoxication. Drink on, all of you, as long asthe night lasts. To-morrow, at the last crow of the sacred bird Parodar, I shall expect you to meet me for the chase, at the gate of the templeof Bel. "

So saying, the king left the hall, followed by a thundering "Victory tothe king!" Boges had slipped out quietly before him. In the forecourt hefound one of the gardener's boys from the hanging-gardens. 

"What do you want here?" asked Boges. "I have something for the princeBartja. "

"For Bartja? Has he asked your master to send him some seeds or slips?"

The boy shook his sunburnt head and smiled roguishly. 

"Some one else sent you then?" said Boges becoming more attentive. 

"Yes, some one else. "

"Ah! the Egyptian has sent a message to her brother-in-law?"

"Who told you that?"

"Nitetis spoke to me about it. Here, give me what you have; I will giveit to Bartja at once. "

"I was not to give it to any one but the prince himself. "

"Give it to me; it will be safer in my hands than in yours. "

"I dare not. "

"Obey me at once, or--"

At this moment the king came up. Boges thought a moment, and then calledin a loud voice to the whip-bearers on duty at the palace-gate, to takethe astonished boy up. 

"What is the matter here?" asked Cambyses. 

"This fellow, " answered the eunuch, "has had the audacity to make hisway into the palace with a message from your consort Nitetis to Bartja. "

At sight of the king, the boy had fallen on his knees, touching theground with his forehead. 

Cambyses looked at him and turned deadly pale. Then, turning tothe eunuch, he asked: "What does the Egyptian Princess wish from mybrother?"

"The boy declares that he has orders to give up what has been entrustedto him to no one but Bartja. " On hearing this the boy looked imploringlyup at the king, and held out a little papyrus roll. 

Cambyses snatched it out of his hand, but the next moment stampedfuriously on the ground at seeing that the letter was written in Greek, which he could not read. 

He collected himself, however, and, with an awful look, asked theboy who had given him the letter. "The Egyptian lady's waiting-womanMandane, " he answered; "the Magian's daughter. "

"For my brother Bartja?"

"She said I was to give the letter to the handsome prince, before thebanquet, with a greeting from her mistress Nitetis, and I was to tellhim . . . "

Here the king stamped so furiously, that the boy was frightened andcould only stammer: "Before the banquet the prince was walking withyou, so I could not speak to him, and now I am waiting for him here, forMandane promised to give me a piece of gold if I did what she told mecleverly. "

"And that you have not done, " thundered the king, fancying himselfshamefully deceived. "No, indeed you have not. Here, guards, seize thisfellow!"

The boy begged and prayed, but all in vain; the whip-bearers seizedhim quick as thought, and Cambyses, who went off at once to his ownapartments, was soon out of reach of his whining entreaties for mercy. 

Boges followed his master, rubbing his fat hands, and laughing quietlyto himself. 

The king's attendants began their work of disrobing him, but he toldthem angrily to leave him at once. As soon as they were gone, hecalled Boges and said in a low voice: "From this time forward thehanging-gardens and the Egyptian are under your control. Watch hercarefully! If a single human being or a message reaches her without myknowledge, your life will be the forfeit. "

"But if Kassandane or Atossa should send to her?"

"Turn the messengers away, and send word that every attempt to see orcommunicate with Nitetis will be regarded by me as a personal offence. "

"May I ask a favor for myself, O King?"

"The time is not well chosen for asking favors. "

"I feel ill. Permit some one else to take charge of the hanging-gardensfor to-morrow only. "

"No!--now leave me. "

"I am in a burning fever and have lost consciousness three times duringthe day--if when I am in that state any one should. . . "

"But who could take your place?"

"The Lydian captain of the eunuchs, Kandaules. He is true as gold, andinflexibly severe. One day of rest would restore me to health. Havemercy, O King!"

"No one is so badly served as the king himself. Kandaules may take yourplace to-morrow, but give hum the strictest orders, and say that theslightest neglect will put his life in danger. --Now depart. "

"Yet one word, my King: to-morrow night the rare blue lily in thehanging-gardens will open. Hystaspes, Intaphernes, Gobyras, Croesus andOropastes, the greatest horticulturists at your court, would very muchlike to see it. May they be allowed to visit the gardens for a fewminutes? Kandaules shall see that they enter into no communication withthe Egyptian. "

"Kandaules must keep his eyes open, if he cares for his own life. --Go!"

Boges made a deep obeisance and left the king's apartment. He threw afew gold pieces to the slaves who bore the torches before him. He was sovery happy. Every thing had succeeded beyond his expectations:--the fateof Nitetis was as good as decided, and he held the life of Kandaules, his hated colleague, in his own hands. 

Cambyses spent the night in pacing up and down his apartment. Bycock-crow he had decided that Nitetis should be forced to confess herguilt, and then be sent into the great harem to wait on the concubines. Bartja, the destroyer of his happiness, should set off at once forEgypt, and on his return become the satrap of some distant provinces. Hedid not wish to incur the guilt of a brother's murder, but he knew hisown temper too well not to fear that in a moment of sudden anger, hemight kill one he hated so much, and therefore wished to remove him outof the reach of his passion. 

Two hours after the sun had risen, Cambyses was riding on his fierysteed, far in front of a Countless train of followers armed withshields, swords, lances, bows and lassos, in pursuit of the game whichwas to be found in the immense preserves near Babylon, and was to bestarted from its lair by more than a thousand dogs. 

 [The same immense trains of followers of course accompanied the kings on their hunting expeditions, as on their journeys. As the Persian nobility were very fond of hunting, their boys were taught this sport at an early age. According to Strabo, kings themselves boasted of having been mighty hunters in the inscriptions on their tombs. A relief has been found in the ruins of Persepolis, on which the king is strangling a lion with his right arm, but this is supposed to have a historical, not a symbolical meaning. Similar representations occur on Assyrian monuments. Izdubar strangling a lion and fighting with a lion (relief at Khorsabad) is admirably copied in Delitzsch's edition of G. Smith's Chaldean Genesis. Layard discovered some representations of hunting-scenes during his excavations; as, for instance, stags and wild boars among the reeds; and the Greeks often mention the immense troops of followers on horse and foot who attended the kings of Persia when they went hunting. According to Xenophon, Cyrop. I. 2. II. 4. Every hunter was obliged to be armed with a bow and arrows, two lances, sword and shield. In Firdusi's Book of Kings we read that the lasso was also a favorite weapon. Hawking was well known to the Persians more than 900 years ago. Book of Kabus XVIII. P. 495. The boomerang was used in catching birds as well by the Persians as by the ancient Egyptians and the present savage tribes of New Holland. ]

CHAPTER II. 

The hunt was over. Waggons full of game, amongst which were severalenormous wild boars killed by the king's own hand, were driven homebehind the sports men. At the palace-gates the latter dispersed totheir several abodes, in order to exchange the simple Persian leatherhunting-costume for the splendid Median court-dress. 

In the course of the day's sport Cambyses had (with difficultyrestraining his agitation) given his brother the seemingly kind order tostart the next day for Egypt in order to fetch Sappho and accompanyher to Persia. At the same time he assigned him the revenues of Bactra, Rhagae and Sinope for the maintenance of his new household, and tohis young wife, all the duties levied from her native town Phocaea, aspin-money. 

Bartja thanked his generous brother with undisguised warmth, butCambyses remained cold as ice, uttered a few farewell words, and then, riding off in pursuit of a wild ass, turned his back upon him. 

On the way home from the chase the prince invited his bosom-friendsCroesus, Darius, Zopyrus and Gyges to drink a parting-cup with him. 

Croesus promised to join them later, as he had promised to visit theblue lily at the rising of the Tistarstar. 

He had been to the hanging-gardens that morning early to visit Nitetis, but had been refused entrance by the guards, and the blue lily seemednow to offer him another chance of seeing and speaking to his belovedpupil. He wished for this very much, as he could not thoroughlyunderstand her behavior the day before, and was uneasy at the strictwatch set over her. 

The young Achaemenidae sat cheerfully talking together in the twilightin a shady bower in the royal gardens, cool fountains plashing roundthem. Araspes, a Persian of high rank, who had been one of Cyrus'sfriends, had joined them, and did full justice to the prince's excellentwine. 

"Fortunate Bartja!" cried the old bachelor, "going out to a goldencountry to fetch the woman you love; while I, miserable old fellow, amblamed by everybody, and totter to my grave without wife or children toweep for me and pray the gods to be merciful to my poor soul. "

"Why think of such things?" cried Zopyrus, flourishing the wine-cup. "There's no woman so perfect that her husband does not, at least once aday, repent that he ever took a wife. Be merry, old friend, and rememberthat it's all your own fault. If you thought a wife would make youhappy, why did not you do as I have done? I am only twenty-two years oldand have five stately wives and a troop of the most beautiful slaves inmy house. "

Araspes smiled bitterly. 

"And what hinders you from marrying now?" said Gyges. "You are amatch for many a younger man in appearance, strength, courage andperseverance. You are one of the king's nearest relations too--I tellyou, Araspes, you might have twenty young and beautiful wives. "

"Look after your own affairs, " answered Araspes. "In your place, Icertainly should not have waited to marry till I was thirty. "

"An oracle has forbidden my marrying. "

"Folly? how can a sensible man care for what an oracle says? It isonly by dreams, that the gods announce the future to men. I should havethought that your own father was example enough of the shameful way inwhich those lying priests deceive their best friends. "

"That is a matter which you do not understand, Araspes. "

"And never wish to, boy, for you only believe in oracles because youdon't understand them, and in your short-sightedness call everythingthat is beyond your comprehension a miracle. And you place moreconfidence in anything that seems to you miraculous, than in the plainsimple truth that lies before your face. An oracle deceived your fatherand plunged him into ruin, but the oracle is miraculous, and so you too, in perfect confidence, allow it to rob you of happiness!"

"That is blasphemy, Araspes. Are the gods to be blamed because wemisunderstand their words?"

"Certainly: for if they wished to benefit us they would give us, withthe words, the necessary penetration for discovering their meaning. Whatgood does a beautiful speech do me, if it is in a foreign language thatI do not understand?"

"Leave off this useless discussion, " said Darius, "and tell us instead, Araspes, how it is that, though you congratulate every man on becominga bridegroom, you yourself have so long submitted to be blamed by thepriests, slighted at all entertainments and festivals, and abused by thewomen, only because you choose to live and die a bachelor?"

Araspes looked down thoughtfully, then shook himself, took a longdraught from the wine-cup, and said, "I have my reasons, friends, but Icannot tell them now. "

"Tell them, tell them, " was the answer. 

"No, children, I cannot, indeed I cannot. This cup I drain to thehealth of the charming Sappho, and this second to your good fortune, myfavorite, Darius. "

"Thanks, Araspes!" exclaimed Bartja, joyfully raising his goblet to hislips. 

"You mean well, I know, " muttered Darius, looking down gloomily. 

"What's this, you son of Hystaspes?" cried the old man, looking morenarrowly at the serious face of the youth. "Dark looks like these don'tsit well on a betrothed lover, who is to drink to the health of hisdearest one. Is not Gobryas' little daughter the noblest of all theyoung Persian girls after Atossa? and isn't she beautiful?"

"Artystone has every talent and quality that a daughter of theAchaemenidae ought to possess, " was Darius's answer, but his brow didnot clear as he said the words. 

"Well, if you want more than that, you must be very hard to please. "

Darius raised his goblet and looked down into the wine. 

"The boy is in love, as sure as my name is Araspes!" exclaimed the elderman. 

"What a set of foolish fellows you are, " broke in Zopyrus at thisexclamation. "One of you has remained a bachelor in defiance of allPersian customs; another has been frightened out of marrying by anoracle; Bartja has determined to be content with only one wife; andDarius looks like a Destur chanting the funeral-service, because hisfather has told him to make himself happy with the most beautiful andaristocratic girl in Persia!"

"Zopyrus is right, " cried Araspes. "Darius is ungrateful to fortune. "

Bartja meanwhile kept his eyes fixed on the friend, who was thus blamedby the others. He saw that their jests annoyed him, and feeling his owngreat happiness doubly in that moment, pressed Darius's hand, saying: "Iam so sorry that I cannot be present at your wedding. By the time I comeback, I hope you will be reconciled to your father's choice. "

"Perhaps, " said Darius, "I may be able to show a second and even a thirdwife by that time. "

"'Anahita' grant it!" exclaimed Zopyrus. "The Achaemenidae would soonbecome extinct, if every one were to follow such examples as Gyges andAraspes have set us. And your one wife, Bartja, is really not worthtalking about. It is your duty to marry three wives at once, in order tokeep up your father's family--the race of Cyrus. "

"I hate our custom of marrying many wives, " answered Bartja. "Throughdoing this, we make ourselves inferior to the women, for we expect themto remain faithful to us all our lives, and we, who are bound to respecttruth and faithfulness above every thing else, swear inviolable love toone woman to-day, and to another to-morrow. "

"Nonsense!" cried Zopyrus. "I'd rather lose my tongue than tell a he toa man, but our wives are so awfully deceitful, that one has no choicebut to pay them back in their own coin. "

"The Greek women are different, " said Bartja, "because they aredifferently treated. Sappho told me of one, I think her name wasPenelope, who waited twenty years faithfully and lovingly for herhusband, though every one believed he was dead, and she had fifty loversa day at her house. "

"My wives would not wait so long for me, " said Zopyrus laughing. "Totell the truth, I don't think I should be sorry to find an empty house, if I came back after twenty years. For then I could take some new wivesinto my harem, young and beautiful, instead of the unfaithful ones, who, besides, would have grown old. But alas! every woman does not find someone to run away with her, and our women would rather have an absenthusband than none at all. "

"If your wives could hear what you are saying!" said Araspes. 

"They would declare war with me at once, or, what is still worse, conclude a peace with one another. "

"How would that be worse?"

"How? it is easy to see, that you have had no experience. "

"Then let us into the secrets of your married life. "

"With pleasure. You can easily fancy, that five wives in one house donot live quite so peacefully as five doves in a cage; mine at leastcarry on an uninterrupted, mortal warfare. But I have accustomed myselfto that, and their sprightliness even amuses me. A year ago, however, they came to terms with one another, and this day of peace was the mostmiserable in my life. "

"You are jesting. "

"No, indeed, I am quite in earnest. The wretched eunuch who had to keepwatch over the five, allowed them to see an old jewel-merchant fromTyre. Each of them chose a separate and expensive set of jewels. WhenI came home Sudabe came up and begged for money to pay for theseornaments. The things were too dear, and I refused. Every one of thefive then came and begged me separately for the money; I refused each ofthem point blank and went off to court. When I came back, there were allmy wives weeping side by side, embracing one another and calling eachother fellow-sufferers. These former enemies rose up against me withthe most touching unanimity, and so overwhelmed me with revilings andthreats that I left the room. They closed their doors against me. Thenext morning the lamentations of the evening before were continued. Ifled once more and went hunting with the king, and when I came back, tired, hungry and half-frozen--for it was in spring, we were already atEcbatana, and the snow was lying an ell deep on the Orontes--there wasno fire on the hearth and nothing to eat. These noble creatures hadentered into an alliance in order to punish me, had put out the fire, forbidden the cooks to do their duty and, which was worse than all--hadkept the jewels! No sooner had I ordered the slaves to make a fire andprepare food, than the impudent jewel-dealer appeared and demandedhis money. I refused again, passed another solitary night, and in themorning sacrificed ten talents for the sake of peace. Since that timeharmony and peace among my beloved wives seems to me as much to befeared as the evil Divs themselves, and I see their little quarrels withthe greatest pleasure. "

"Poor Zopyrus!" cried Bartja. 

"Why poor?" asked this five-fold husband. "I tell you I am much happierthan you are. My wives are young and charming, and when they grow old, what is to hinder me from taking others, still handsomer, and who, by the side of the faded beauties, will be doubly charming. Ho!slave--bring some lamps. The sun has gone down, and the wine loses allits flavor when the table is not brightly lighted. "

At this moment the voice of Darius, who had left the arbor and gone outinto the garden, was heard calling: "Come and hear how beautifully thenightingale is singing. "

"By Mithras, you son of Hystaspes, you must be in love, " interruptedAraspes. "The flowery darts of love must have entered the heart of him, who leaves his wine to listen to the nightingale. "

"You are right there, father, " cried Bartja. "Philomel, as the Greekscall our Gulgul, is the lovers' bird among all nations, for love hasgiven her her beautiful song. What beauty were you dreaming of, Darius, when you went out to listen to the nightingale?"

"I was not dreaming of any, " answered he. "You know how fond I am ofwatching the stars, and the Tistar-star rose so splendidly to-night, that I left the wine to watch it. The nightingales were singing soloudly to one another, that if I had not wished to hear them I must havestopped my ears. "

"You kept them wide open, however, " said Araspes laughing. "Yourenraptured exclamation proved that. "

"Enough of this, " cried Darius, to whom these jokes were gettingwearisome. "I really must beg you to leave off making allusions tomatters, which I do not care to hear spoken of. "

"Imprudent fellow!" whispered the older man; "now you really havebetrayed yourself. If you were not in love, you would have laughedinstead of getting angry. Still I won't go on provoking you--tell mewhat you have just been reading in the stars. "

At these words Darius looked up again into the starry sky and fixed hiseyes on a bright constellation hanging over the horizon. Zopyruswatched him and called out to his friends, "Something important must behappening up there. Darius, tell us what's going on in the heavens justnow. "

"Nothing good, " answered the other. "Bartja, I have something to say toyou alone. "

"Why to me alone? Araspes always keeps his own counsel, and from therest of you I never have any secrets. "

"Still--"

"Speak out. "

"No, I wish you would come into the garden with me. "

Bartja nodded to the others, who were still sitting over their wine, laid his hand on Darius' shoulder and went out with him into the brightmoonlight. As soon as they were alone, Darius seized both his friend'shands, and said: "To-day is the third time that things have happened inthe heavens, which bode no good for you. Your evil star has approachedyour favorable constellation so nearly, that a mere novice in astrologycould see some serious danger was at hand. Be on your guard, Bartja, andstart for Egypt to-day; the stars tell me that the danger is here on theEuphrates, not abroad. "

"Do you believe implicitly in the stars?"

"Implicitly. They never lie. "

"Then it would be folly to try and avoid what they have foretold. "

"Yes, no man can run away from his destiny; but that very destinyis like a fencing-master--his favorite pupils are those who have thecourage and skill to parry his own blows. Start for Egypt to-day, Bartja. "

"I cannot--I haven't taken leave of my mother and Atossa. "

"Send them a farewell message, and tell Croesus to explain the reason ofyour starting so quickly. "

"They would call me a coward. "

"It is cowardly to yield to any mortal, but to go out of the way ofone's fate is wisdom. "

"You contradict yourself, Darius. What would the fencing-master say to arunaway-pupil?"

"He would rejoice in the stratagem, by which an isolated individualtried to escape a superior force. "

"But the superior force must conquer at last. --What would be the useof my trying to put off a danger which, you say yourself, cannotbe averted? If my tooth aches, I have it drawn at once, instead oftormenting and making myself miserable for weeks by putting off thepainful operation as a coward or a woman would, till the last moment. I can await this coming danger bravely, and the sooner it comes thebetter, for then I shall have it behind me. "

"You do not know how serious it is. "

"Are you afraid for my life?"

"No. "

"Then tell me, what you are afraid of. "

"That Egyptian priest with whom I used to study the stars, once castyour horoscope with me. He knew more about the heavens, than any man Iever saw. I learnt a great deal from him, and I will not hide from youthat even then he drew my attention to dangers that threaten you now. "

"And you did not tell me?"

"Why should I have made you uneasy beforehand? Now that your destiny isdrawing near, I warn you. "

"Thank you, --I will be careful. In former times I should not havelistened to such a warning, but now that I love Sappho, I feel as if mylife were not so much my own to do what I like with, as it used to be. "

"I understand this feeling. . . "

"You understand it? Then Araspes was right? You don't deny?"

"A mere dream without any hope of fulfilment. "

"But what woman could refuse you?"

"Refuse!"

"I don't understand you. Do you mean to say that you--the boldestsportsman, the strongest wrestler--the wisest of all the youngPersians--that you, Darius, are afraid of a woman?"

"Bartja, may I tell you more, than I would tell even to my own father?"

"Yes. "

"I love the daughter of Cyrus, your sister and the king's, Atossa. "

"Have I understood you rightly? you love Atossa? Be praised for this, Oye pure Amescha cpenta! Now I shall never believe in your stars again, for instead of the danger with which they threatened me, here comesan unexpected happiness. Embrace me, my brother, and tell me the wholestory, that I may see whether I can help you to turn this hopelessdream, as you call it, into a reality. "

"You will remember that before our journey to Egypt, we went with theentire court from Ecbatana to Susa. I was in command of the division ofthe 'Immortals' appointed to escort the carriages containing the king'smother and sister, and his wives. In going through the narrow pass whichleads over the Orontes, the horses of your mother's carriage slipped. The yoke to which the horses were harnessed broke from the pole, andthe heavy, four-wheeled carriage fell over the precipice withoutobstruction. 

 [There was a yoke at the end of the shaft of a Persian carriage, which was fastened on to the backs of the horses and took the place of our horse-collar and pole-chain. ]

On seeing it disappear, we were horrified and spurred our horses tothe place as quickly as possible. We expected of course to see onlyfragments of the carriages and the dead bodies of its inmates, but thegods had taken them into their almighty protection, and there lay thecarriage, with broken wheels, in the arms of two gigantic cypresseswhich had taken firm root in the fissures of the slate rocks, and whosedark tops reached up to the edge of the carriage-road. 

"As quick as thought I sprang from my horse and scrambled down one ofthe cypresses. Your mother and sister stretched their arms to me, cryingfor help. The danger was frightful, for the sides of the carriage hadbeen so shattered by the fall, that they threatened every moment to giveway, in which case those inside it must inevitably have fallen intothe black, unfathomable abyss which looked like an abode for the gloomyDivs, and stretched his jaws wide to crush its beautiful victims. 

"I stood before the shattered carriage as it hung over the precipiceready to fall to pieces every moment, and then for the first time I metyour sister's imploring look. From that moment I loved her, but at thetime I was much too intent on saving them, to think of anything else, and had no idea what had taken place within me. I dragged the tremblingwomen out of the carriage, and one minute later it rolled down the abysscrashing into a thousand pieces. I am a strong man, but I confess thatall my strength was required to keep myself and the two women fromfalling over the precipice until ropes were thrown to us from above. Atossa hung round my neck, and Kassandane lay on my breast, supported bymy left arm; with the right I fastened the rope round my waist, we weredrawn up, and I found myself a few minutes later on the high-road--yourmother and sister were saved. 

"As soon as one of the Magi had bound up the wounds cut by the rope inmy side, the king sent for me, gave me the chain I am now wearing andthe revenues of an entire satrapy, and then took me to his mother andsister. They expressed their gratitude very warmly; Kassandane allowedme to kiss her forehead, and gave me all the jewels she had worn at thetime of the accident, as a present for my future wife. Atossa took aring from her finger, put it on mine and kissed my hand in the warmth ofher emotion--you know how eager and excitable she is. Since that happyday--the happiest in my life--I have never seen your sister, tillyesterday evening, when we sat opposite to each other at the banquet. Our eyes met. I saw nothing but Atossa, and I think she has notforgotten the man who saved her. Kassandane. . . "

"Oh, my mother would be delighted to have you for a son-in-law; I willanswer for that. As to the king, your father must apply to him; he isour uncle and has a right to ask the hand of Cyrus's daughter for hisson. "

"But have you forgotten your father's dream? You know that Cambyses hasalways looked on me with suspicion since that time. "

"Oh, that has been long forgotten. My father dreamt before his deaththat you had wings, and was misled by the soothsayers into the fancythat you, though you were only eighteen then, would try to gain thecrown. Cambyses thought of this dream too; but, when you saved mymother and sister, Croesus explained to him that this must have been itsfulfilment, as no one but Darius or a winged eagle could possibly havepossessed strength and dexterity enough to hang suspended over such anabyss. "

"Yes, and I remember too that these words did not please your brother. He chooses to be the only eagle in Persia; but Croesus does not sparehis vanity--"

"Where can Croesus be all this time?"

"In the hanging-gardens. My father and Gobryas have very likely detainedhim. "

Just at that moment the voice of Zopyrus was heard exclaiming, "Well, I call that polite! Bartja invites us to a wine-party and leaves ussitting here without a host, while he talks secrets yonder. "

"We are coming, we are coming, " answered Bartja. Then taking the hand ofDarius heartily, he said: "I am very glad that you love Atossa. I shallstay here till the day after to-morrow, let the stars threaten me withall the dangers in the world. To-morrow I will find out what Atossafeels, and when every thing is in the right track I shall go away, andleave my winged Darius to his own powers. "

So saying Bartja went back into the arbor, and his friend began to watchthe stars again. The longer he looked the sadder and more serious becamehis face, and when the Tistar-star set, he murmured, "Poor Bartja!" Hisfriends called him, and he was on the point of returning to them, when he caught sight of a new star, and began to examine its positioncarefully. His serious looks gave way to a triumphant smile, his tallfigure seemed to grow taller still, he pressed his hand on his heart andwhispered: "Use your pinions, winged Darius; your star will be on yourside, " and then returned to his friends. 

A few minutes after, Croesus came up to the arbor. The youths sprangfrom their seats to welcome the old man, but when he saw Bartja'sface by the bright moonlight, he stood as if transfixed by a flash oflightning. 

"What has happened, father?" asked Gyges, seizing his hand anxiously. 

"Nothing, nothing, " he stammered almost inaudibly, and pushing his sonon one side, whispered in Bartja's ear: "Unhappy boy, you are stillhere? don't delay any longer, --fly at once! the whip-bearers are closeat my heels, and I assure you that if you don't use the greatest speed, you will have to forfeit your double imprudence with your life. "

"But Croesus, I have. . . "

"You have set at nought the law of the land and of the court, and, inappearance at least, have done great offence to your brother's honor. . . . "

"You are speaking. . . "

"Fly, I tell you--fly at once; for if your visit to the hanging-gardenswas ever so innocently meant, you are still in the greatest danger. Youknow Cambyses' violent temper so well; how could you so wickedly disobeyhis express command?"

"I don't understand. "

"No excuses, --fly! don't you know that, Cambyses has long been jealousof you, and that your visit to the Egyptian to-night. . . "

"I have never once set foot in the hanging-gardens, since Nitetis hasbeen here. "

"Don't add a lie to your offence, I. . . "

"But I swear to you. . . "

"Do you wish to turn a thoughtless act into a crime by adding the guiltof perjury? The whip-bearers are coming, fly!"

"I shall remain here, and abide by my oath. "

"You are infatuated! It is not an hour ago since I myself, Hystaspes, and others of the Achaemenidae saw you in the hanging-gardens. . . "

In his astonishment Bartja had, half involuntarily, allowed himself tobe led away, but when he heard this he stood still, called his friendsand said "Croesus says he met me an hour ago in the hanging-gardens, you know that since the sun set I have not been away from you. Give yourtestimony, that in this case an evil Div must have made sport of ourfriend and his companions. "

"I swear to you, father, " cried Gyges, "that Bartja has not left thisgarden for some hours. "

"And we confirm the same, " added Araspes, Zopyrus and Darius with onevoice. 

"You want to deceive me?" said Croesus getting very angry, and lookingat each of them reproachfully: "Do you fancy that I am blind or mad?Do you think that your witness will outweigh the words of such men asHystaspes, Gobryas, Artaphernes and the high priest, Oropastes? In spiteof all your false testimony, which no amount of friendship can justify, Bartja will have to die unless he flies at once. "

"May Angramainjus destroy me, " said Araspes interrupting the old man, "if Bartja was in the hanging-gardens two hours ago!" and Gyges added:

"Don't call me your son any longer, if we have given false testimony. "

Darius was beginning to appeal to the eternal stars, but Bartja put anend to this confusion of voices by saying in a decided tone: "A divisionof the bodyguard is coming into the garden. I am to be arrested; Icannot escape because I am innocent, and to fly would lay me open tosuspicion. By the soul of my father, the blind eyes of my mother, andthe pure light of the sun, Croesus, I swear that I am not lying. "

"Am I to believe you, in spite of my own eyes which have never yetdeceived me? But I will, boy, for I love you. I do not and I will notknow whether you are innocent or guilty, but this I do know, you mustfly, and fly at once. You know Cambyses. My carriage is waiting at thegate. Don't spare the horses, save yourself even if you drive them todeath. The Soldiers seem to know what they have been sent to do; therecan be no question that they delay so long only in order to give theirfavorite time to escape. Fly, fly, or it is all over with you. "

Darius, too, pushed his friend forward, exclaiming: "Fly, Bartja, andremember the warning that the heavens themselves wrote in the stars foryou. "

Bartja, however, stood silent, shook his handsome head, waved hisfriends back, and answered: "I never ran away yet, and I mean to hold myground to-day. Cowardice is worse than death in my opinion, and I wouldrather suffer wrong at the hands of others than disgrace myself. Thereare the soldiers! Well met, Bischen. You've come to arrest me, haven'tyou? Wait one moment, till I have said good-bye to my friends. "

Bischen, the officer he spoke to, was one of Cyrus's old captains; hehad given Bartja his first lessons in shooting and throwing the spear, had fought by his side in the war with the Tapuri, and loved him as ifhe were his own son. He interrupted him, saying: "There is no need totake leave of your friends, for the king, who is raging like a madman, ordered me not only to arrest you, but every one else who might be withyou. "

And then he added in a low voice: "The king is beside himself with rageand threatens to have your life. You must fly. My men will do what Itell them blindfold; they will not pursue you; and I am so old thatit would be little loss to Persia, if my head were the price of mydisobedience. "

"Thanks, thanks, my friend, " said Bartja, giving him his hand; "but Icannot accept your offer, because I am innocent, and I know that thoughCambyses is hasty, he is not unjust. Come friends, I think the king willgive us a hearing to-day, late as it is. "

CHAPTER III. 

Two hours later Bartja and his friends were standing before the king. The gigantic man was seated on his golden throne; he was pale and hiseyes looked sunken; two physicians stood waiting behind him with allkinds of instruments and vessels in their hands. Cambyses had, only afew minutes before, recovered consciousness, after lying for more thanan hour in one of those awful fits, so destructive both to mind andbody, which we call epileptic. 

 [The dangerous disease to which Herodotus says Cambyses had been subject from his birth, and which was called "sacred" by some, can scarcely be other than epilepsy. See Herod, III. 33. ]

Since Nitetis' arrival he had been free from this illness; but it hadseized him to-day with fearful violence, owing to the overpoweringmental excitement he had gone through. 

If he had met Bartja a few hours before, he would have killed him withhis own hand; but though the epileptic fit had not subdued his anger ithad at least so far quieted it, that he was in a condition to hear whatwas to be said on both sides. 

At the right hand of the throne stood Hystaspes, Darius's grey-hairedfather, Gobryas, his future father-in-law, the aged Intaphernes, thegrandfather of that Phaedime whose place in the king's favor had beengiven to Nitetis, Oropastes the high-priest, Croesus, and behind themBoges, the chief of the eunuchs. At its left Bartja, whose hands wereheavily fettered, Araspes, Darius, Zopyrus and Gyges. In the backgroundstood some hundred officials and grandees. 

After a long silence Cambyses raised his eyes, fixed a withering lookon his fettered brother, and said in a dull hollow voice: "High-priest, tell us what awaits the man who deceives his brother, dishonors andoffends his king, and darkens his own heart by black lies. "

Oropastes came forward and answered: "As soon as such a one is provedguilty, a death full of torment awaits him in this world, and an awfulsentence on the bridge Chinvat; for he has transgressed the highestcommands, and, by committing three crimes, has forfeited the mercy ofour law, which commands that his life shall be granted to the man whohas sinned but once, even though he be only a slave. "

 [On the third day after death, at the rising of the bright sun, the souls are conducted by the Divs to the bridge Chinvat, where they are questioned as to their past lives and conduct. Vendid. Fargard. XIX. 93. On that spot the two supernatural powers fight for the soul. ]

"Then Bartja has deserved death. Lead him away, guards, and stranglehim! Take him away! Be silent, wretch! never will I listen to thatsmooth, hypocritical tongue again, or look at those treacherous eyes. They come from the Divs and delude every one with their wanton glances. Off with him, guards!"

Bischen, the captain, came up to obey the order, but in the same momentCroesus threw himself at the king's feet, touched the floor with hisforehead, raised his hands and cried: "May thy days and years bringnought but happiness and prosperity; may Auramazda pour down allthe blessings of this life upon thee, and the Amescha cpenta be theguardians of thy throne!

 [The Amescha cpenta, "holy immortal ones, " maybe compared to the archangels of the Hebrews. They surround the throne of Auramazda and symbolize the highest virtues. Later we find their number fixed at six. ]

Do not close thine ear to the words of the aged, but remember that thyfather Cyrus appointed me to be thy counsellor. Thou art about toslay thy brother; but I say unto thee, do not indulge anger; strive tocontrol it. It is the duty of kings and of the wise, not to act withoutdue enquiry. Beware of shedding a brother's blood; the smoke thereofwill rise to heaven and become a cloud that must darken the days of themurderer, and at last cast down the lightnings of vengeance on his head. But I know that thou desirest justice, not murder. Act then as those whohave to pronounce a sentence, and hear both sides before deciding. Whenthis has been done, if the criminal is proved guilty and confesses hiscrime, the smoke of his blood will rise to heaven as a friendly shadow, instead of a darkening cloud, and thou wilt have earned the fame of ajust judge instead of deserving the divine judgments. "

Cambyses listened in silence, made a sign to Bischen to retire, andcommanded Boges to repeat his accusation. 

The eunuch made an obeisance, and began: "I was ill and obliged toleave the Egyptian and the Hanging-gardens in the care of my colleagueKandaules, who has paid for his negligence with his life. Finding myselfbetter towards evening, I went up to the hanging-gardens to see ifeverything was in order there, and also to look at the rare flower whichwas to blossom in the night. The king, (Auramazda grant him victory!)had commanded that the Egyptian should be more strictly watched thanusual, because she had dared to send the noble Bartja. . . "

"Be silent, " interrupted the king, "and keep to the matter in hand. "

"Just as the Tistar-star was rising, I came into the garden, and staidsome time there with these noble Achaemenidae, the high-priest andthe king Croesus, looking at the blue lily, which was marvellouslybeautiful. I then called my colleague Kandaules and asked him, inthe presence of these noble witnesses, if everything was in order. Heaffirmed that this was the case and added, that he had just come fromNitetis, that she had wept the whole day, and neither tasted food nordrink. Feeling anxious lest my noble mistress should become worse, Icommissioned Kandaules to fetch a physician, and was just on the pointof leaving the noble Achaemenidae, in order in person to ascertain mymistress's state of health, when I saw in the moon-light the figure ofa man. I was so ill and weak, that I could hardly stand and had no onenear to help me, except the gardener. 

"My men were on guard at the different entrances, some distance from us. 

"I clapped my hands to call some of them, but, as they did not come, I went nearer to the house myself, under the protection of thesenoblemen. --The man was standing by the window of the Egyptian Princess'sapartment, and uttered a low whistle when he heard us coming up. Another figure appeared directly--clearly recognizable in the brightmoonlight--sprang out of the sleeping-room window and came towards uswith her companion. 

"I could hardly believe my eyes on discovering that the intruder was noother than the noble Bartja. A fig-tree concealed us from the fugitives, but we could distinctly see them, as they passed us at a distance of notmore than four steps. While I was thinking whether I should be justifiedin arresting a son of Cyrus, Croesus called to Bartja, and the twofigures suddenly disappeared behind a cypress. No one but your brotherhimself can possibly explain the strange way in which he disappeared. I went at once to search the house, and found the Egyptian lyingunconscious on the couch in her sleeping-room. "

Every one listened to this story in the greatest suspense. Cambysesground his teeth and asked in a voice of great emotion: "Can you testifyto the words of the eunuch, Hystaspes?"

"Yes. "

"Why did you not lay hands on the offender?"

"We are soldiers, not policemen. "

"Or rather you care for every knave more than for your king. "

"We honor our king, and abhor the criminal just as we formerly loved theinnocent son of Cyrus. "

"Did you recognize Bartja distinctly?"

"Yes. "

"And you, Croesus, can you too give no other answer?"

"No! I fancied I saw your brother in the moonlight then, as clearly as Isee him now; but I believe we must have been deceived by some remarkablelikeness. " Boges grew pale at these words; Cambyses, however, shook hishead as if the idea did not please him, and said: "Whom am I to believethen, if the eyes of my best warriors fail them? and who would wish tobe a judge, if testimony such as yours is not to be considered valid?"

"Evidence quite as weighty as ours, will prove that we must have been inerror. "

"Will any one dare to give evidence in favor of such an outrageouscriminal?" asked Cambyses, springing up and stamping his foot. 

"We will, " "I, " "we, " shouted Araspes, Darius, Gyges and Zopyrus withone voice. 

"Traitors, knaves!" cried the king. But as he caught sight of Croesus'warning eye fixed upon him, he lowered his voice, and said: "What haveyou to bring forward in favor of this fellow? Take care what you say, and consider well what punishment awaits perjurers. "

"We know that well enough, " said Araspes, "and yet we are ready to swearby Mithras, that we have not left Bartja or his garden one moment sincewe came back from hunting. "

"As for me, " said Darius, "I, the son of Hystaspes, have especiallyconvincing evidence to give in favor of your brother's innocence; Iwatched the rising of the Tistar-star with him; and this, according toBoges, was the very star that shone on his flight. "

Hystaspes gazed on his son in astonishment and doubt at hearing thesewords, and Cambyses turned a scrutinizing eye first on the one and thenon the other party of these strange witnesses, who wished so much, andyet found it so impossible, to believe one another, himself unable tocome to a decision. 

Bartja, who till now had remained perfectly silent, looking down sadlyat his chained hands, took advantage of the silence to say, making atthe same time a deep obeisance: "May I be allowed to speak a few words, my King?"

"Speak!"

"From our father we learnt to strive after that which was pure and goodonly; so up to this time my life has been unstained. If you have everknown me take part in an evil deed, you have a right not to believe me, but if you find no fault in me then trust to what I say, and rememberthat a son of Cyrus would rather die than tell a lie. I confess thatno judge was ever placed in such a perplexing position. The best men inyour kingdom testify against one another, friend against friend, fatheragainst son. But I tell you that were the entire Persian nation to riseup against you, and swear that Cambyses had committed this or that evildeed, and you were to say, 'I did not commit it, ' I, Bartja, would giveall Persia the lie and exclaim, 'Ye are all false witnesses; soonercould the sea cast up fire than a son of Cyrus allow his mouth to dealin lies. ' No, Cambyses, you and I are so high-born that no one butyourself can bear evidence against me; and you can only be judged out ofyour own mouth. "

Cambyses' looks grew a little milder on hearing these words, and hisbrother went on: "So I swear to you by Mithras, and by all pure spirits, that I am innocent. May my life become extinct and my race perish fromoff the earth, if I tell you a lie, when I say that I have not once setfoot in the hanging-gardens since my return!"

Bartja's voice was so firm and his tone so full of assurance, as heuttered this oath that Cambyses ordered his chains to be loosened, and, after a few moments' thought, said: "I should like to believe you, forI cannot bear to imagine you the worst and most abandoned of men. To-morrow we will summon the astrologers, soothsayers and priests. Perhaps they may be able to discover the truth. Can you see any light inthis darkness, Oropastes?"

"Thy servant supposes, that a Div has taken upon him the form of Bartja, in order to ruin the king's brother and stain thine own royal soul withthe blood of thy father's son. "

Cambyses and every one present nodded their assent to this proposition, and the king was just going to offer his hand to Bartja, when astaff-bearer came in and gave the king a dagger. A eunuch had found itunder the windows of Nitetis' sleeping-apartment. 

Cambyses examined the weapon carefully. Its costly hilt was thickly setwith rubies and turquoises. As he looked he turned pale, and dashed thedagger on the ground before Bartja with such violence, that the stonesfell out of their setting. 

"This is your dagger, you wretch!" he shrieked, seized by the sameviolent passion as before. "This very morning you used it to give thelast thrust to the wild boar, that I had mortally wounded. Croesus, youought to know it too, for my father brought it from your treasure-houseat Sardis. At last you are really convicted, you liar!--you impostor!The Divs require no weapons, and such a dagger as this is not to bepicked up everywhere. Ah, ha! you are feeling in your girdle! You maywell turn pale; your dagger is gone!"

"Yes, it is gone. I must have lost it, and some enemy. . . "

"Seize him, Bischen, put on his fetters! Take him to prison--thetraitor, the perjurer! He shall be strangled to-morrow. Death is thepenalty of perjury. Your heads for theirs, you guards, if they escape. Not one word more will I hear; away with you, you perjured villains!Boges, go at once to the hanging-gardens and bring the Egyptian to me. Yet no, I won't see that serpent again. It is very near dawn now, and atnoon she shall be flogged through the streets. Then I'll. . . "

But here he was stopped by another fit of epilepsy, and sank down on tothe marble floor in convulsions. At this fearful moment Kassandane wasled into the hall by the old general Megabyzus. The news of whathad happened had found its way to her solitary apartments, and, notwithstanding the hour, she had risen in order to try and discoverthe truth and warn her son against pronouncing a too hasty decision. Shebelieved firmly that Bartja and Nitetis were innocent, though she couldnot explain to herself what had happened. Several times she had triedto put herself in communication with Nitetis, but without avail. At lastshe had been herself to the hanging-gardens, but the guards had actuallyhad the hardihood to refuse her admission. 

Croesus went at once to meet her, told her what had happened, suppressing as many painful details as possible, confirmed her in herbelief of the innocence of the accused, and then took her to the bedsideof the king. 

The convulsions had not lasted long this time. He lay on his golden bedunder purple silk coverlets, pale and exhausted. His blind mother seatedherself at his side, Croesus and Oropastes took their station at thefoot of the bell, and in another part of the room, four physiciansdiscussed the patient's condition in low whispers. 

 [It was natural, that medicine should be carefully studied among a people who set such a high value upon life as did the Persians. Pliny indeed, (XXX. I. ) maintains, that the whole of Zoroaster's religion was founded on the science of medicine, and it is true that there are a great many medical directions to be found in the Avesta. In the Vendidad, Farg. VII. There is a detailed list of medical fees. "The physician shall treat a priest for a pious blessing or spell, the master of a house for a small draught animal, etc. , the lord of a district for a team of four oxen. If the physician cures the mistress of the house, a female ass shall be his fee, etc. , etc. " We read in the same Fargard, that the physician had to pass a kind of examination. If he had operated thrice successfully on bad men, on whose bodies he had been permitted to try his skill, he was pronounced "capable for ever. " If, on the other hand, three evil Daevayacna (worshippers of the Divs) died under his hands, he was pronounced "incapable of healing for evermore. "]

Kassandane was very gentle with her son; she begged him not to yield topassionate anger, and to remember what a sad effect every such outbursthad on his health. 

"Yes, mother, you are right, " answered the king, smiling bitterly; "Isee that I must get rid of everything that rouses my anger. The Egyptianmust die, and my perfidious brother shall follow his mistress. "

Kassandane used all her eloquence to convince him of the innocence ofthe accused, and to pacify his anger, but neither prayers, tears, norher motherly exhortations, could in the least alter his resolution torid himself of these murderers of his happiness and peace. 

At last he interrupted her lamentations by saying: "I feel fearfullyexhausted; I cannot bear these sobs and lamentations any longer. Nitetishas been proved guilty. A man was seen to leave her sleeping-apartmentin the night, and that man was not a thief, but the handsomest manin Persia, and one to whom she had dared to send a letter yesterdayevening. "

"Do you know the contents of that letter?" asked Croesus, coming up tothe bed. 

"No; it was written in Greek. The faithless creature made use ofcharacters, which no one at this court can read. "

"Will you permit me to translate the letter?" Cambyses pointed to asmall ivory box in which the ominous piece of writing lay, saying:"There it is; read it; but do not hide or alter a single word, forto-morrow I shall have it read over again by one of the merchants fromSinope. "

Croesus' hopes revived; he seemed to breathe again as he took thepaper. But when he had read it over, his eyes filled with tears and hemurmured: "The fable of Pandora is only too true; I dare not be angryany longer with those poets who have written severely against women. Alas, they are all false and faithless! O Kassandane, how the Godsdeceive us! they grant us the gift of old age, only to strip us barelike trees in winter, and show us that all our fancied gold was drossand all our pleasant and refreshing drinks poison!"

Kassandane wept aloud and tore her costly robes; but Cambyses clenchedhis fist while Croesus was reading the following words:

"Nitetis, daughter of Amasis of Egypt, to Bartja, son of the greatCyrus:

"I have something important to tell you; I can tell it to no one butyourself. To-morrow I hope I shall meet you in your mother's apartments. It lies in your power to comfort a sad and loving heart, and to give itone happy moment before death. I have a great deal to tell you, and somevery sad news; I repeat that I must see you soon. "

The desperate laughter, which burst from her son cut his mother to theheart. She stooped down and was going to kiss him, but Cambyses resistedher caresses, saying: "It is rather a doubtful honor, mother, to beone of your favorites. Bartja did not wait to be sent for twice by thattreacherous woman, and has disgraced himself by swearing falsely. Hisfriends, the flower of our young men, have covered themselves withindelible infamy for his sake; and through him, your best beloveddaughter. . . But no! Bartja had no share in the corruption of that fiendin Peri's form. Her life was made up of hypocrisy and deceit, and herdeath shall prove that I know how to punish. Now leave me, for I must bealone. "

They had scarcely left the room, when he sprang up and paced backwardsand forwards like a madman, till the first crow of the sacred birdParodar. When the sun had risen, he threw himself on his bed again, andfell into a sleep that was like a swoon. 

Meanwhile Bartja had written Sappho a farewell letter, and was sittingover the wine with his fellow-prisoners and their elder friend Araspes. "Let us be merry, " said Zopyrus, "for I believe it will soon be up withall our merriment. I would lay my life, that we are all of us dead byto-morrow. Pity that men haven't got more than one neck; if we'd two, I would not mind wagering a gold piece or two on the chance of ourremaining alive. "

"Zopyrus is quite right, " said Araspes; "we will make merry and keep oureyes open; who knows how soon they may be closed for ever?"

"No one need be sad who goes to his death as innocently as we do, " saidGyges. "Here, cup-bearer, fill my goblet!"

"Ah! Bartja and Darius!" cried Zopyrus, seeing the two speaking in alow voice together, "there you are at your secrets again. Come to us andpass the wine-cup. By Mithras, I can truly say I never wished for death, but now I quite look forward to the black Azis, because he is going totake us all together. Zopyrus would rather die with his friends, thanlive without them. "

"But the great point is to try and explain what has really happened, "said Darius. 

"It's all the same to me, " said Zopyrus, "whether I die with or withoutan explanation, so long as I know I am innocent and have not deservedthe punishment of perjury. Try and get us some golden goblets, Bischen;the wine has no flavor out of these miserable brass mugs. Cambysessurely would not wish us to suffer from poverty in our last hours, though he does forbid our fathers and friends to visit us. "

"It's not the metal that the cup is made of, " said Bartja, "but thewormwood of death, that gives the wine its bitter taste. "

"No, really, you're quite out there, " exclaimed Zopyrus. "Why I hadnearly forgotten that strangling generally causes death. " As he saidthis, he touched Gyges and whispered: "Be as cheerful as you can! don'tyou see that it's very hard for Bartja to take leave of this world? Whatwere you saying, Darius?"

"That I thought Oropastes' idea the only admissible one, that a Div hadtaken the likeness of Bartja and visited the Egyptian in order to ruinus. "

"Folly! I don't believe in such things. "

"But don't you remember the legend of the Div, who took the beautifulform of a minstrel and appeared before king Kawus?"

"Of course, " cried Araspes. "Cyrus had this legend so often recited atthe banquets, that I know it by heart. 

"Kai Kawus hearkened to the words of the disguised Div and went toMasenderan, and was beaten there by the Divs and deprived of hiseyesight. "

"But, " broke in Darius, "Rustem, the great hero, came and conqueredErscheng and the other bad spirits, freed the captives and restoredsight to the blind, by dropping the blood of the slaughtered Divs intotheir eyes. And so it will be with us, my friends! We shall be set free, and the eyes of Cambyses and of our blind and infatuated fathers willbe opened to see our innocence. Listen, Bischen; if we really should beexecuted, go to the Magi, the Chaldwans, and Nebenchari the Egyptian, and tell them they had better not study the stars any longer, for thatthose very stars had proved themselves liars and deceivers to Darius. "

"Yes, " interrupted Araspes, "I always said that dreams were the onlyreal prophecies. Before Abradatas fell in the battle of Sardis, thepeerless Panthea dreamt that she saw him pierced by a Lydian arrow. "

"You cruel fellow!" exclaimed Zopyrus. "Why do you remind us, that it ismuch more glorious to die in battle than to have our necks wrung off?"

"Quite right, " answered the elder man; "I confess that I have seen manya death, which I should prefer to our own, --indeed to life itself. Ah, boys, there was a time when things went better than they do now. "

"Tell us something about those times. "

"And tell us why you never married. It won't matter to you in the nextworld, if we do let out your secret. "

"There's no secret; any of your own fathers could tell you what you wantto hear from me. Listen then. When I was young, I used to amuse myselfwith women, but I laughed at the idea of love. It occurred, however, that Panthea, the most beautiful of all women, fell into our hands, and Cyrus gave her into my charge, because I had always boasted that myheart was invulnerable. I saw her everyday, and learnt, my friends, thatlove is stronger than a man's will. However, she refused all my offers, induced Cyrus to remove me from my office near her, and to accept herhusband Abradatas as an ally. When her handsome husband went out to thewar, this high-minded, faithful woman decked him out with all her ownjewels and told him that the noble conduct of Cyrus, in treating herlike a sister, when she was his captive, could only be repaid by themost devoted friendship and heroic courage. Abradatas agreed with her, fought for Cyrus like a lion, and fell. Panthea killed herself by hisdead body. Her servants, on hearing of this, put an end to their ownlives too at the grave of this best of mistresses. Cyrus shed tears overthis noble pair, and had a stone set up to their memory, which you cansee near Sardis. On it are the simple words: 'To Panthea, Abradatas, andthe most faithful of servants. ' You see, children, the man who had lovedsuch a woman could never care for another. "

The young men listened in silence, and remained some time after Araspeshad finished, without uttering a word. At last Bartja raised his handsto heaven and cried: "O thou great Auramazda! why dost thou not grantus a glorious end like Abradatas? Why must we die a shameful death likemurderers?"

As he said this Croesus came in, fettered and led by whip-bearers. Thefriends rushed to him with a storm of questions, and Bartja too went upto embrace the man who had been so long his tutor and guide. But the oldman's cheerful face was severe and serious, and his eyes, generally somild, had a gloomy, almost threatening, expression. He waved the princecoldly back, saying, in a voice which trembled with pain and reproach:"Let my hand go, you infatuated boy! you are not worth all the love Ihave hitherto felt for you. You have deceived your brother in a fourfoldmanner, duped your friends, betrayed that poor child who is waiting foryou in Naukratis, and poisoned the heart of Amasis' unhappy daughter. "

Bartja listened calmly till he heard the word "deceived"; then hishand clenched, and stamping his foot, he cried: "But for your age andinfirmities, and the gratitude I owe you, old man, these slanderouswords would be your last. "

Croesus beard this outbreak of just indignation unmoved, and answered:"This foolish rage proves that you and Cambyses have the same blood inyour veins. It would become you much better to repent of your crimes, and beg your old friend's forgiveness, instead of adding ingratitude tothe unheard-of baseness of your other deeds. "

At these words Bartja's anger gave way. His clenched hands sank downpowerless at his side, and his cheeks became pale as death. 

These signs of sorrow softened the old man's indignation. His love wasstrong enough to embrace the guilty as well as the innocent Bartja, andtaking the young man's right hand in both his own, he looked at him asa father would who finds his son, wounded on the battle-field, and said:"Tell me, my poor, infatuated boy, how was it that your pure heart fellaway so quickly to the evil powers?"

Bartja shuddered. The blood came back to his face, but these wordscut him to the heart. For the first time in his life his belief in thejustice of the gods forsook him. 

He called himself the victim of a cruel, inexorable fate, and feltlike a bunted animal driven to its last gasp and hearing the dogs andsportsmen fast coming nearer. He had a sensitive, childlike nature, which did not yet know how to meet the hard strokes of fate. His bodyand his physical courage had been hardened against bodily and physicalenemies; but his teachers had never told him how to meet a hard lot inlife; for Cambyses and Bartja seemed destined only to drink out of thecup of happiness and joy. 

Zopyrus could not bear to see his friend in tears. He reproached theold man angrily with being unjust and severe. Gyges' looks were fullof entreaty, and Araspes stationed himself between the old man and theyouth, as if to ward off the blame of the elder from cutting deeper intothe sad and grieved heart of the younger man. Darius, however, afterhaving watched them for some time, came up with quiet deliberation toCroesus, and said: "You continue to distress and offend one another, andyet the accused does not seem to know with what offence he is charged, nor will the accuser hearken to his defence. Tell us, Croesus, by thefriendship which has subsisted between us up to this clay, what hasinduced you to judge Bartja so harshly, when only a short time ago youbelieved in his innocence?"

The old man told at once what Darius desired to know--that he had seena letter, written in Nitetis' own hand, in which she made a directconfession of her love to Bartja and asked him to meet her alone. Thetestimony of his own eyes and of the first men in the realm, nay, eventhe dagger found under Nitetis' windows, had not been able to convincehim that his favorite was guilty; but this letter had gone like aburning flash into his heart and destroyed the last remnant of hisbelief in the virtue and purity of woman. 

"I left the king, " he concluded, "perfectly convinced that a sinfulintimacy must subsist between your friend and the Egyptian Princess, whose heart I had believed to be a mirror for goodness and beauty alone. Can you find fault with me for blaming him who so shamefully stainedthis clear mirror, and with it his own not less spotless soul?"

"But how can I prove my innocence?" cried Bartja, wringing his hands. "If you loved me you would believe me; if you really cared for me. . . . "

"My boy! in trying to save your life only a few minutes ago, I forfeitedmy own. When I heard that Cambyses had really resolved on your death, Ihastened to him with a storm of entreaties; but these were of no avail, and then I was presumptuous enough to reproach him bitterly in hisirritated state of mind. The weak thread of his patience broke, and ina fearful passion he commanded the guards to behead me at once. I wasseized directly by Giv, one of the whip-bearers; but as the man isunder obligations to me, he granted me my life until this morning, andpromised to conceal the postponement of the execution. I am glad, mysons, that I shall not outlive you, and shall die an innocent man by theside of the guilty. "

These last words roused another storm of contradiction. 

Again Darius remained calm and quiet in the midst of the tumult. Herepeated once more the story of the whole evening exactly, to provethat it was impossible Bartja could have committed the crime laid to hischarge. He then called on the accused himself to answer the charge ofdisloyalty and perfidy. Bartja rejected the idea of an understandingwith Nitetis in such short, decided, and convincing words, and confirmedhis assertion with such a fearful oath, that Croesus' persuasion of hisguilt first wavered, then vanished, and when Bartja had ended, he drewa deep breath, like a man delivered from a heavy burden, and clasped himin his arms. 

But with all their efforts they could come to no explanation of whathad really happened. In one thing, however, they were all agreed: thatNitetis loved Bartja and had written the letter with a wrong intention. 

"No one who saw her, " cried Darius, "when Cambyses announced that Bartjahad chosen a wife, could doubt for a moment that she was in love withhim. When she let the goblet fall, I heard Phaedime's father say thatthe Egyptian women seemed to take a great interest in the affairs oftheir brothers-in-law. "

While they were talking, the sun rose and shone pleasantly into theprisoners' room. 

"Bartja, " murmured Mithras, "means to make our parting difficult. "

"No, " answered Croesus, "he only means to light us kindly on our wayinto eternity. "

CHAPTER IV. 

The innocent originator of all this complicated misery had passed manya wretched hour since the birthday banquet. Since those harsh words withwhich Cambyses had sent her from the hall, not the smallest fragment ofnews had reached her concerning either her angry lover, or his motherand sister. Not a day had passed since her arrival in Babylon, that hadnot been spent with Kassandane and Atossa; but now, on her desiring tobe carried to them, that she might explain her strange conduct, hernew guard, Kandaules, forbade her abruptly to leave the house. She hadthought that a free and full account of the contents of her letter fromhome, would clear up all these misunderstandings. She fancied she sawCambyses holding out his hand as if to ask forgiveness for his hastinessand foolish jealousy. And then a joyful feeling stole into her mindas she remembered a sentence she had once heard Ibykus say: "As feverattacks a strong man more violently than one of weaker constitution; soa heart that loves strongly and deeply can be far more awfully tormentedby jealousy, than one which has been only superficially seized bypassion. "

If this great connoisseur in love were right, Cambyses must love herpassionately, or his jealousy could not have caught fire so quickly andfearfully. Sad thoughts about her home, however, and dark forebodingsof the future would mix with this confidence in Cambyses' love, and shecould not shut them out. Mid-day came, the sun stood high and burning inthe sky, but no news came from those she loved so well; and a feverishrestlessness seized her which increased as night came on. In thetwilight Boges came to her, and told her, with bitter scorn, that herletter to Bartja had come into the king's hands, and that the gardener'sboy who brought it had been executed. The tortured nerves of theprincess could not resist this fresh blow, and before Boges left, hecarried the poor girl senseless into her sleeping-room, the door ofwhich he barred carefully. 

A few minutes later, two men, one old, the other young, came up throughthe trap-door which Boges had examined so carefully two days before. Theold man remained outside, crouching against the palace, wall; a handwas seen to beckon from the window: the youth obeyed the signal, swunghimself over the ledge and into the room at a bound. Then words of lovewere exchanged, the names Gaumata and Mandane whispered softly, kissesand vows given and received. At last the old man clapped his hands. The youth obeyed, kissed and embraced Nitetis' waiting-maid once more, jumped out of the window into the garden, hurried past the admirers ofthe blue lily who were just coming up, slipped with his companioninto the trap-door which had been kept open, closed it carefully, andvanished. 

Mandane hurried to the room in which her mistress generally spent theevening. She was well acquainted with her habits and knew that everyevening, when the stars had risen, Nitetis was accustomed to go to thewindow looking towards the Euphrates, and spend hours gazing into theriver and over the plain; and that at that time she never needed herattendance. So she felt quite safe from fear of discovery in thisquarter, and knowing she was under the protection of the chief of theeunuchs himself, could wait for her lover calmly. 

But scarcely had she discovered that her mistress had fainted, whenshe heard the garden filling with people, a confused sound of men'sand eunuchs' voices, and the notes of the trumpet used to summon thesentries. At first she was frightened and fancied her lover had beendiscovered, but Boges appearing and whispering: "He has escaped safely, "she at once ordered the other attendants, whom she had banished to thewomen's apartments during her rendezvous, and who now came flockingback, to carry their mistress into her sleeping-room, and then beganusing all the remedies she knew of, to restore her to consciousness. Nitetis had scarcely opened her eyes when Boges came in, followed by twoeunuchs, whom he ordered to load her delicate arms with fetters. 

Nitetis submitted; she could not utter one word, not even when Bogescalled out as he was leaving the room: "Make yourself happy in yourcage, my little imprisoned bird. They've just been telling your lordthat a royal marten has been making merry in your dove-cote. Farewell, and think of the poor tormented Boges in this tremendous heat, when youfeel the cool damp earth. Yes, my little bird, death teaches us to knowour real friends, and so I won't have you buried in a coarse linen sack, but in a soft silk shawl. Farewell, my darling!"

The poor, heavily-afflicted girl trembled at these words, and when theeunuch was gone, begged Mandane to tell her what it all meant. Thegirl, instructed by Boges, said that Bartja had stolen secretly into thehanging-gardens, and had been seen by several of the Achaemenidae as hewas on the point of getting in at one of the windows. The king had beentold of his brother's treachery, and people were afraid his jealousymight have fearful consequences. The frivolous girl shed abundant tearsof penitence while she was telling the story, and Nitetis, fancying thisa proof of sincere love and sympathy, felt cheered. 

When it was over, however, she looked down at her fetters in despair, and it was long before she could think of her dreadful position quietly. Then she read her letter from home again, wrote the words, "I aminnocent, " and told the sobbing girl to give the little note containingthem to the king's mother after her own death, together with her letterfrom home. After doing this she passed a wakeful night which seemed asif it would never end. She remembered that in her box of ointments therewas a specific for improving the complexion, which, if swallowed ina sufficiently large quantity, would cause death. She had this poisonbrought to her, and resolved calmly and deliberately, to take her ownlife directly the executioner should draw near. From that moment shetook pleasure in thinking of her last hour, and said to herself: "It istrue he causes my death; but he does it out of love. " Then she thoughtshe would write to him, and confess all her love. He should not receivethe letter until she was dead, that he might not think she had writtenit to save her life. The hope that this strong, inflexible man mightperhaps shed tears over her last words of love filled her with intensepleasure. 

In spite of her heavy fetters, she managed to write the following words:"Cambyses will not receive this letter until I am dead. It is to tellhim that I love him more than the gods, the world, yes, more than my ownyoung life. Kassandane and Atossa must think of me kindly. They will seefrom my mother's letter that I am innocent, and that it was only for mypoor sister's sake that I asked to see Bartja. Boges has told me that mydeath has been resolved upon. When the executioner approaches, I shallkill myself. I commit this crime against myself, Cambyses, to save youfrom doing a disgraceful deed. "

This note and her mother's she gave to the weeping Mandane, and beggedher to give both to Cambyses when she was gone. She then fell on herknees and prayed to the gods of her fathers to forgive her for herapostasy from them. 

Mandane begged her to remember her weakness and take some rest, butshe answered: "I do not need any sleep, because, you know, I have suchlittle waking-time still left me. "

As she went on praying and singing her old Egyptian hymns, her heartreturned more and more to the gods of her fathers, whom she had deniedafter such a short struggle. In almost all the prayers with which shewas acquainted, there was a reference to the life after death. In thenether world, the kingdom of Osiris, where the forty-two judges ofthe dead pronounce sentence on the worth of the soul after it has beenweighed by the goddess of truth and Thoth, who holds the office ofwriter in heaven, she could hope to meet her dear ones again, but onlyin case her unjustified soul were not obliged to enter on the career oftransmigration through the bodies of different animals, and her body, towhom the soul had been entrusted, remained in a state of preservation. This, "if" filled her with a feverish restlessness. The doctrine thatthe well-being of the soul depended on the preservation of the earthlypart of every human being left behind at death, had been impressed onher from childhood. She believed in this error, which had built pyramidsand excavated rocks, and trembled at the thought that, according to thePersian custom, her body would be thrown to the dogs and birds of prey, and so given up to the powers of destruction, that her soul must bedeprived of every hope of eternal life. Then the thought came to her, should she prove unfaithful to the gods of her fathers again, and oncemore fall down before these new spirits of light, who gave the dead bodyover to the elements and only judged the soul? And so she raised herhands to the great and glorious sun, who with his golden sword-like rayswas just dispersing the mists that hung over the Euphrates, and openedher lips to sing her newly-learnt hymns in praise of Mithras; but hervoice failed her, instead of Mithras she could only see her own greatRa, the god she had so often worshipped in Egypt, and instead of aMagian hymn could only sing the one with which the Egyptian priests areaccustomed to greet the rising sun. 

This hymn brought comfort with it, and as she gazed on the young light, the rays of which were not yet strong enough to dazzle her, she thoughtof her childhood, and the tears gathered in her eyes. Then she lookeddown over the broad plain. There was the Euphrates with his yellow waveslooking so like the Nile; the many villages, just as in her ownhome, peeping out from among luxuriant cornfields and plantations offig-trees. To the west lay the royal hunting-park; she could see itstall cypresses and nut-trees miles away in the distance. The dew wasglistening on every little leaf and blade of grass, and the birds sangdeliciously in the shrubberies round her dwelling. Now and then a gentlebreath of wind arose, carrying the sweet scent of the roses across toher, and playing in the tops of the slender, graceful palms which grewin numbers on the banks of the river and in the fields around. 

She had so often admired these beautiful trees, and compared them todancing-girls, as she watched the wind seizing their heavy tops andswaying the slender stems backwards and forwards. And she had often saidto herself that here must be the home of the Phoenix, that wonderfulbird from the land of palms, who, the priests said, came once in everyfive hundred years to the temple of Ra in Heliopolis and burnt himselfin the sacred incense-flames, only to rise again from his own ashes morebeautiful than before, and, after three days, to fly back again to hishome in the East. While she was thinking of this bird, and wishing thatshe too might rise again from the ashes of her unhappiness to a new andstill more glorious joy, a large bird with brilliant plumage rose out ofthe dark cypresses, which concealed the palace of the man she loved andwho had made her so miserable, and flew towards her. It rose higher andhigher, and at last settled on a palmtree close to her window. She hadnever seen such a bird before, and thought it could not possibly be ausual one, for a little gold chain was fastened to its foot, and itstail seemed made of sunbeams instead of feathers. It must be Benno, thebird of Ra! She fell on her knees again and sang with deep reverencethe ancient hymn to the Phoenix, never once turning her eyes from thebrilliant bird. 

The bird listened to her singing, bending his little head with itswaving plumes, wisely and inquisitively from side to side, and flewaway directly she ceased. Nitetis looked after him with a smile. It wasreally only a bird of paradise that had broken the chain by which he hadbeen fastened to a tree in the park, but to her he was the Phoenix. Astrange certainty of deliverance filled her heart; she thought the godRa had sent the bird to her, and that as a happy spirit she should takethat form. So long as we are able to hope and wish, we can bear a greatdeal of sorrow; if the wished-for happiness does not come, anticipationis at least prolonged and has its own peculiar sweetness. This feelingis of itself enough, and contains a kind of enjoyment which can take theplace of reality. Though she was so weary, yet she lay down on her couchwith fresh hopes, and fell into a dreamless sleep almost against herwill, without having touched the poison. 

The rising sun generally gives comfort to sad hearts who have passed thenight in weeping, but to a guilty conscience, which longs for darkness, his pure light is an unwelcome guest. While Nitetis slept, Mandane layawake, tormented by fearful remorse. How gladly she would have heldback the sun which was bringing on the day of death to this kindest ofmistresses, and have spent the rest of her own life in perpetual night, if only her yesterday's deed could but have been undone!

The good-natured, thoughtless girl called herself a wretched murderessunceasingly, resolved again and again to confess the whole truth and soto save Nitetis; but love of life and fear of death gained the victoryover her weak heart every time. To confess was certain death, and shefelt as if she had been made for life; she had so many hopes for thefuture, and the grave seemed so dreadful. She thought she could perhapshave confessed the whole truth, if perpetual imprisonment had beenall she had to fear; but death! no, she could not resolve on that. Andbesides, would her confession really save the already condemned Nitetis?

Had she not sent a message to Bartja herself by that unfortunategardener's boy? This secret correspondence had been discovered, and thatwas enough of itself to ruin Nitetis, even if she, Mandane, had donenothing in the matter. We are never so clever as when we have to findexcuses for our own sins. 

At sunrise, Mandane was kneeling by her mistress's couch, weepingbitterly and wondering that Nitetis could sleep so calmly. 

Boges, the eunuch, had passed a sleepless night too, but a very happyone. His hated colleague, Kandaules, whom he had used as a substitutefor himself, had been already executed, by the king's command, fornegligence, and on the supposition that he had accepted a bribe; Nitetiswas not only ruined, but certain to die a shameful death. The influenceof the king's mother had suffered a severe shock; and lastly, he hadthe pleasure of knowing, not only that he had outwitted every one andsucceeded in all his plans, but that through his favorite Phaedime hemight hope once more to become the all-powerful favorite of former days. That sentence of death had been pronounced on Croesus and the youngheroes, was by no means an unwelcome thought either, as they might havebeen instrumental in bringing his intrigues to light. 

In the grey of the morning he left the king's apartment and went toPhaedime. The proud Persian had taken no rest. She was waiting for himwith feverish anxiety, as a rumor of all that had happened had alreadyreached the harem and penetrated to her apartments. She was lying ona purple couch in her dressing-room; a thin silken chemise and yellowslippers thickly sown with turquoises and pearls composed her entiredress. Twenty attendants were standing round her, but the momentshe heard Boges she sent her slaves away, sprang up to meet him, andoverwhelmed him with a stream of incoherent questions, all referring toher enemy Nitetis. 

"Gently, gently, my little bird, " said Boges, laying his hand on hershoulder. "If you can't make up your mind to be as quiet as a littlemouse while I tell my story, and not to ask one question, you won't heara syllable of it to-day. Yes, indeed, my golden queen, I've so muchto tell that I shall not have finished till to-morrow, if you are tointerrupt me as often as you like. Ah, my little lamb, and I've still somuch to do to-day. First I must be present at an Egyptian donkey-ride;secondly, I must witness an Egyptian execution. . . But I see I amanticipating my story; I must begin at the beginning. I'll allow you tocry, laugh and scream for joy as much as you will, but you're forbiddento ask a single question until I have finished. I think really I havedeserved these caresses. There, now I am quite at my ease, and canbegin. Once upon a time there was a great king in Persia, who had manywives, but he loved Phaedime better than the rest, and set her aboveall the others. One day the thought struck him that he would ask for thehand of the King of Egypt's daughter in marriage, and he sent a greatembassy to Sais, with his own brother to do the wooing for him--"

"What nonsense!" cried Phaedime impatiently; "I want to know what hashappened now. "

"Patience, patience, my impetuous March wind. If you interrupt me again, I shall go away and tell my story to the trees. You really need notgrudge me the pleasure of living my successes over again. While I tellthis story, I feel as happy as a sculptor when he puts down his hammerand gazes at his finished work. "

"No, no!" said Phaedime, interrupting him again. "I cannot listen nowto what I know quite well already. I am dying of impatience, and everyfresh report that the eunuchs and slave-girls bring makes it worse. Iam in a perfect fever--I cannot wait. Ask whatever else you like, onlydeliver me from this awful suspense. Afterwards I will listen to you fordays, if you wish. "

Boges' smile at these words was one of great satisfaction; he rubbed hishands and answered: "When I was a child I had no greater pleasure thanto watch a fish writhing on the hook; now I have got you, my splendidgolden carp, at the end of my line, and I can't let you go until I havesated myself on your impatience. "

Phaedime sprang up from the couch which she had shared with Boges, stamping her foot and behaving like a naughty child. This seemed toamuse the eunuch immensely; he rubbed his hands again and again, laughedtill the tears ran down over his fat cheeks, emptied many a goblet ofwine to the health of the tortured beauty, and then went on with histale: "It had not escaped me that Cambyses sent his brother (who hadbrought Nitetis from Egypt), out to the war with the Tapuri purely fromjealousy. That proud woman, who was to take no orders from me, seemed tocare as little for the handsome, fair-haired boy as a Jew for pork, oran Egyptian for white beans. But still I resolved to nourish the king'sjealousy, and use it as a means of rendering this impudent creatureharmless, as she seemed likely to succeed in supplanting us both in hisfavor. It was long, however, before I could hit on a feasible plan. 

"At last the new-year's festival arrived and all the priests in thekingdom assembled at Babylon. For eight days the city was full ofrejoicing, feasting and merry-making. At court it was just the same, andso I had very little time to think of my plans. But just then, when Ihad hardly any hope of succeeding, the gracious Amescha cpenta sent ayouth across my path, who seemed created by Angramainjus himself tosuit my plan. Gaumata, the brother of Oropastes, came to Babylon tobe present at the great new-year's sacrifice. I saw him first in hisbrother's house, whither I had been sent on a message from the king, and his likeness to Bartja was so wonderful, that I almost fancied I waslooking at an apparition. When I had finished my business withOropastes the youth accompanied me to my carriage. I showed no signsof astonishment at this remarkable likeness, treated him however, withimmense civility, and begged him to pay me a visit. He came the verysame evening. I sent for my best wine, pressed him to drink, andexperienced, not for the first time, that the juice of the vine has onequality which outweighs all the rest: it can turn even a silent man intoa chatter-box. The youth confessed that the great attraction which hadbrought him to Babylon was, not the sacrifice, but a girl who held theoffice of upper attendant to the Egyptian Princess. He said he had lovedher since he was a child; but his ambitious brother had higher views forhim, and in order to get the lovely Mandane out of his way, had procuredher this situation. At last he begged me to arrange an interview withher. I listened good-naturedly, made a few difficulties, and at lastasked him to come the next day and see how matters were going on. Hecame, and I told him that it might be possible to manage it, but only ifhe would promise to do what I told him without a question. He agreed toeverything, returned to Rhagae at my wish, and did not come to Babylonagain until yesterday, when he arrived secretly at my house, where Iconcealed him. Meanwhile Bartja had returned from the war. The greatpoint now was to excite the king's jealousy again, and ruin the Egyptianat one blow. I roused the indignation of your relations through yourpublic humiliation, and so prepared the way for my plan. Events werewonderfully in my favor. You know how Nitetis behaved at the birthdaybanquet, but you do not know that that very evening she sent agardener's boy to the palace with a note for Bartja. The silly fellowmanaged to get caught and was executed that very night, by command ofthe king, who was almost mad with rage; and I took care that Nitetisshould be as entirely cut off from all communication with her friends, as if she lived in the nest of the Simurg. You know the rest. "

"But how did Gaumata escape?"

"Through a trap-door, of which nobody knows but myself, and which stoodwide open waiting for him. Everything turned out marvellously; I evensucceeded in getting hold of a dagger which Bartja had lost whilehunting, and in laying it under Nitetis' window. In order to get rid ofthe prince during these occurrences, and prevent him from meeting theking or any one else who might be important as a witness, I asked theGreek merchant Kolxus, who was then at Babylon with a cargo of Milesiancloth, and who is always willing to do me a favor, because I buy all thewoollen stuffs required for the harem of him, to write a Greek letter, begging Bartja, in the name of her he loved best, to come alone tothe first station outside the Euphrates gate at the rising of theTistar-star. But I had a misfortune with this letter, for the messengermanaged the matter clumsily. He declares that he delivered the letterto Bartja; but there can be no doubt that he gave it to some one else, probably to Gaumata, and I was not a little dismayed to hear that Bartjawas sitting over the wine with his friends on that very evening. Stillwhat had been done could not be undone, and I knew that the witness ofmen like your father, Hystaslies, Croesus and Intaphernes, would faroutweigh anything that Darius, Gyges and Araspes could say. The formerwould testify against their friend, the latter for him. And so atlast everything went as I would have had it. The young gentlemenare sentenced to death and Croesus, who as usual, presumed to speakimpertinently to the king, will have lived his last hour by this time. As to the Egyptian Princess, the secretary in chief has just beencommanded to draw up the following order. Now listen and rejoice, mylittle dove! "'Nitetis, the adulterous daughter of the King of Egypt, shall be punished for her hideous crimes according to the extreme rigorof the law, thus: She shall be set astride upon an ass and led throughthe streets of Babylon; and all men shall see that Cambyses knows howto punish a king's daughter, as severely as his magistrates would punishthe meanest beggar. --To Boges, chief of the eunuchs, is entrusted theexecution of this order. 

By command of King Cambyses. Ariabignes, chief of the Secretaries'

"I had scarcely placed these lines in the sleeve of my robe, whenthe king's mother, with her garments rent, and led by Atossa, pressedhastily into the hall. Weeping and lamentation followed; cries, reproaches, curses, entreaties and prayers; but the king remained firm, and I verily believe Kassandane and Atossa would have been sent afterCroesus and Bartja into the other world, if fear of Cyrus's spirit hadnot prevented the son, even in this furious rage, from laying handson his father's widow. Kassandane, however, did not say one word forNitetis. She seems as fully convinced of her guilt as you and I can be. Neither have we anything to fear from the enamored Gaumata. I have hiredthree men to give him a cool bath in the Euphrates, before he gets backto Rhagae. Ah, ha! the fishes and worms will have a jolly time!"

Phaedime joined in Boges' laughter, bestowed on him all the flatteringnames which she had caught from his own smooth tongue, and in token ofher gratitude, hung a heavy chain studded with jewels round his neckwith her own beautiful arms. 

CHAPTER V. 

Before the sun had reached his mid-day height, the news of what hadhappened and of what was still to happen had filled all Babylon. Thestreets swarmed with people, waiting impatiently to see the strangespectacle which the punishment of one of the king's wives, who hadproved false and faithless, promised to afford. The whip-bearers wereforced to use all their authority to keep this gaping crowd in order. Later on in the day the news that Bartja and his friends were soon to beexecuted arrived among the crowd; they were under the influence of thepalm-wine, which was liberally distributed on the king's birthday andthe following days, and could not control their excited feelings; butthese now took quite another form. 

Bands of drunken men paraded the streets, crying: "Bartja, the good sonof Cyrus, is to be executed!" The women heard these words in their quietapartments, eluded their keepers, forgot their veils, and rushing forthinto the streets, followed the excited and indignant men with cries andyells. Their pleasure in the thought of seeing a more fortunate sisterhumbled, vanished at the painful news that their beloved prince wascondemned to death. Men, women and children raged, stormed and cursed, exciting one another to louder and louder bursts of indignation. Theworkshops were emptied, the merchants closed their warehouses, and theschool-boys and servants, who had a week's holiday on occasion of theking's birthday, used their freedom to scream louder than any one else, and often to groan and yell without in the least knowing why. 

At last the tumult was so great that the whip-bearers were insufficientto cope with it, and a detachment of the body-guard was sent to patrolthe streets. At the sight of their shining armor and long lances, thecrowd retired into the side streets, only, however, to reassemble infresh numbers when the troops were out of sight. 

At the gate, called the Bel gate, which led to the great westernhigh-road, the throng was thicker than at any other point, for it wassaid that through this gate, the one by which she had entered Babylon, the Egyptian Princess was to be led out of the city in shame anddisgrace. For this reason a larger number of whipbearers were stationedhere, in order to make way for travellers entering the city. Veryfew people indeed left the city at all on this day, for curiosity wasstronger than either business or pleasure; those, on the other hand, who arrived from the country, took up their stations near the gate onhearing what had drawn the crowd thither. 

It was nearly mid-day, and only wanted a few hours to the time fixed forNitetis' disgrace, when a caravan approached the gate with great speed. The first carriage was a so-called harmamaxa, drawn by four horsesdecked out with bells and tassels; a two-wheeled cart followed, and lastin the train was a baggage-wagon drawn by mules. A fine, handsome man ofabout fifty, dressed as a Persian courtier, and another, much older, inlong white robes, occupied the first carriage. The cart was filled by anumber of slaves in simple blouses, and broad-brimmed felt hats, wearing the hair cut close to the head. An old man, dressed as a Persianservant, rode by the side of the cart. The driver of the first carriagehad great difficulty in making way for his gaily-ornamented horsesthrough the crowd; he was obliged to come to a halt before the gate andcall some whip-bearers to his assistance. "Make way for us!" he cried tothe captain of the police who came up with some of his men; "the royalpost has no time to lose, and I am driving some one, who will make yourepent every minute's delay. "

"Softly, my son, " answered the official. "Don't you see that it's easierto-day to get out of Babylon, than to come in? Whom are you driving?"

"A nobleman, with a passport from the king. Come, be quick and make wayfor us. "

"I don't know about that; your caravan does not look much like royalty. "

"What have you to do with that? The pass. . . . "

"I must see it, before I let you into the city. " These words were halfmeant for the traveller, whom he was scrutinizing very suspiciously. 

While the man in the Persian dress was feeling in his sleeve for thepassport, the whip-bearer turned to some comrades who had just come up, and pointed out the scanty retinue of the travellers, saying: "Didyou ever see such a queer cavalcade? There's something odd about thesestrangers, as sure as my name's Giv. Why, the lowest of the king'scarpet-bearers travels with four times as many people, and yet this manhas a royal pass and is dressed like one of those who sit at the royaltable. "

At this moment the suspected traveller handed him a little silken rollscented with musk, sealed with the royal seal, and containing the king'sown handwriting. 

The whip-bearer took it and examined the seal. "It is all in order, " hemurmured, and then began to study the characters. But no sooner hadhe deciphered the first letters than he looked even more sharply thanbefore at the traveller, and seized the horses' bridles, crying out:"Here, men, form a guard round the carriage! this is an impostor. "

When he had convinced himself that escape was impossible, he went up tothe stranger again and said: "You are using a pass which does not belongto you. Gyges, the son of Croesus, the man you give yourself out for, is in prison and is to be executed to-day. You are not in the least likehim, and you will have reason to repent leaving tried to pass for him. Get out of your carriage and follow me. "

The traveller, however, instead of obeying, began to speak in brokenPersian, and begged the officer rather to take a seat by him in thecarriage, for that he had very important news to communicate. The manhesitated a moment; but on seeing a fresh band of whip-bearers come up, he nodded to them to stand before the impatient, chafing horses, and gotinto the carriage. 

The stranger looked at him with a smile and said: "Now, do I look likean impostor?"

"No; your language proves that you are not a Persian, but yet you looklike a nobleman. "

"I am a Greek, and have come hither to render Cambyses an importantservice. Gyges is my friend, and lent me his passport when he was inEgypt, in case I should ever come to Persia. I am prepared to vindicatemy conduct before the king, and have no reason for fear. On thecontrary, the news I bring gives me reason to expect much from hisfavor. Let me be taken to Croesus, if this is your duty; he will besurety for me, and will send back your men, of whom you seem to stand ingreat need to-day. Distribute these gold pieces among them, and tellme without further delay what my poor friend Gyges has done to deservedeath, and what is the reason of all this crowd and confusion. "

The stranger said this in bad Persian, but there lay so much dignity andconfidence in his tone, and his gifts were on such a large scale, thatthe cringing and creeping servant of despotism felt sure he must besitting opposite to a prince, crossed his arms reverentially, and, excusing himself from his many pressing affairs, began to relaterapidly. He had been on duty in the great hall during the examinationof the prisoners the night before, and could therefore tell all that hadhappened with tolerable accuracy. The Greek followed his tale eagerly, with many an incredulous shake of his handsome head, however, when thedaughter of Amasis and the son of Cyrus were spoken of as havingbeen disloyal and false, that sentence of death had been pronounced, especially on Croesus, distressed him visibly, but the sadness soonvanished from his quickly-changing features, and gave place to thought;this in its turn was quickly followed by a joyful look, which couldonly betoken that the thinker had arrived at a satisfactory result. Hisdignified gravity vanished in a moment; he laughed aloud, struck hisforehead merrily, seized the hand of the astonished captain, and said:

"Should you be glad, if Bartja could be saved?"

"More than I can say. "

"Very well, then I will vouch for it, that you shall receive at leasttwo talents, if you can procure me an interview with the king before thefirst execution has taken place. "

"How can you ask such a thing of me, a poor captain?. . . "

"Yes, you must, you must!"

"I cannot. "

"I know well that it is very difficult, almost impossible, for astranger to obtain an audience of your king; but my errand brooks nodelay, for I can prove that Bartja and his friends are not guilty. Do you hear? I can prove it. Do you think now, you can procure meadmittance?"

"How is it possible?"

"Don't ask, but act. Didn't you say Darius was one of the condemned?"

"Yes. "

"I have heard, that his father is a man of very high rank. "

"He is the first in the kingdom, after the sons of Cyrus. "

"Then take me to him at once. He will welcome me when he hears I am ableto save his son. "

"Stranger, you are a wonderful being. You speak with so much confidencethat. . . "

"That you feel you may believe me. Make haste then, and call some ofyour men to make way for us, and escort us to the palace. "

There is nothing, except a doubt, which runs more quickly from mind tomind, than a hope that some cherished wish may be fulfilled, especiallywhen this hope has been suggested to us by some one we can trust. 

The officer believed this strange traveller, jumped out of the carriage, flourishing his scourge and calling to his men: "This nobleman has comeon purpose to prove Bartja's innocence, and must be taken to the king atonce. Follow me, my friends, and make way for him!"

Just at that moment a troop of the guards appeared in sight. The captainof the whip-bearers went up to their commander, and, seconded by theshouts of the crowd, begged him to escort the stranger to the palace. 

During this colloquy the traveller had mounted his servant's horse, andnow followed in the wake of the Persians. 

The good news flew like wind through the huge city. As the ridersproceeded, the crowd fell back more willingly, and loader and fullergrew the shouts of joy until at last their march was like a triumphalprocession. 

In a few minutes they drew up before the palace; but before the brazengates had opened to admit them, another train came slowly into sight. Atthe head rode a grey-headed old man; his robes were brown, and rent, intoken of mourning, the mane and tail of his horse had been shorn off andthe creature colored blue. --It was Hystaspes, coming to entreat mercyfor his son. 

The whip-bearer, delighted at this sight, threw himself down beforethe old man with a cry of joy, and with crossed arms told him whatconfidence the traveller had inspired him with. 

Hystaspes beckoned to the stranger; he rode up, bowed gracefully andcourteously to the old man, without dismounting, and confirmed the wordsof the whip bearer. Hystaspes seemed to feel fresh confidence too afterhearing the stranger, for he begged him to follow him into the palaceand to wait outside the door of the royal apartment, while he himself, conducted by the head chamberlain, went in to the king. 

When his old kinsman entered, Cambyses was lying on his purple couch, pale as death. A cup-bearer was kneeling on the ground at his feet, trying to collect the broken fragments of a costly Egyptian drinking-cupwhich the king had thrown down impatiently because its contents had notpleased his taste. At some distance stood a circle of court-officials, in whose faces it was easy to read that they were afraid of theirruler's wrath, and preferred keeping as far from him as possible. Thedazzling light and oppressive heat of a Babylonian May day came inthrough the open windows, and not a sound was to be heard in the greatroom, except the whining of a large dog of the Epirote breed, which hadjust received a tremendous kick from Cambyses for venturing to fawn onhis master, and was the only being that ventured to disturb the solemnstillness. Just before Hystaspes was led in by the chamberlain, Cambyseshad sprung up from his couch. This idle repose had become unendurable, he felt suffocated with pain and anger. The dog's howl suggested a newidea to his poor tortured brain, thirsting for forgetfulness. 

"We will go out hunting!" he shouted to the poor startled courtiers. Themaster of the hounds, the equerries, and huntsmen hastened to obey hisorders. He called after them, "I shall ride the unbroken horse Reksch;get the falcons ready, let all the dogs out and order every one to come, who can throw a spear. We'll clear the preserves!"

He then threw himself down on his divan again, as if these words hadquite exhausted his powerful frame, and did not see that Hystaspeshad entered, for his sullen gaze was fixed on the motes playing in thesunbeams that glanced through the window. 

Hystaspes did not dare to address him; but he stationed himself in thewindow so as to break the stream of motes and thus draw attention tohimself. 

At first Cambyses looked angrily at him and his rent garments, and thenasked with a bitter smile; "What do you want?"

"Victory to the king! Your poor servant and uncle has come to entreathis ruler's mercy. "

"Then rise and go! You know that I have no mercy for perjurers and falseswearers. 'Tis better to have a dead son than a dishonorable one. "

"But if Bartja should not be guilty, and Darius. . . "

"You dare to question the justice of my sentence?"

"That be far from me. Whatever the king does is good, and cannot begainsaid; but still. . . "

"Be silent! I will not hear the subject mentioned again. You are to bepitied as a father; but have these last few hours brought me any joy?Old man, I grieve for you, but I have as little power to rescind hispunishment as you to recall his crime. "

"But if Bartja really should not be guilty--if the gods. . . "

"Do you think the gods will come to the help of perjurers anddeceivers?"

"No, my King; but a fresh witness has appeared. "

"A fresh witness? Verily, I would gladly give half my kingdom, to beconvinced of the innocence of men so nearly related to me. "

"Victory to my lord, the eye of the realm! A Greek is waiting outside, who seems, to judge by his figure and bearing, one of the noblest of hisrace. "

The king laughed bitterly: "A Greek! Ah, ha! perhaps some relation toBartja's faithful fair one! What can this stranger know of my familyaffairs? I know these beggarly Ionians well. They are impudent enough tomeddle in everything, and think they can cheat us with their sly tricks. How much have you had to pay for this new witness, uncle? A Greek isas ready with a lie as a Magian with his spells, and I know they'll doanything for gold. I'm really curious to see your witness. Call him in. But if he wants to deceive me, he had better remember that where thehead of a son of Cyrus is about to fall, a Greek head has but verylittle chance. " And the king's eyes flashed with anger as he said thesewords. Hystaspes, however, sent for the Greek. 

Before he entered, the chamberlains fastened the usual cloth before hismouth, and commanded him to cast himself on the ground before the king. The Greek's bearing, as he approached, under the king's penetratingglance, was calm and noble; he fell on his face, and, according to thePersian custom, kissed the ground. 

His agreeable and handsome appearance, and the calm and modest manner inwhich he bore the king's gaze, seemed to make a favorable impression onthe latter; he did not allow him to remain long on the earth, and askedhim in a by no means unfriendly tone: "Who are you?"

"I am a Greek nobleman. My name is Phanes, and Athens is my home. I haveserved ten years as commander of the Greek mercenaries in Egypt, and notingloriously. "

"Are you the man, to whose clever generalship the Egyptians wereindebted for their victories in Cyprus?"

"I am. "

"What has brought you to Persia?"

"The glory of your name, Cambyses, and the wish to devote my arms andexperience to your service. "

"Nothing else? Be sincere, and remember that one single lie may costyour life. We Persians have different ideas of truth from the Greeks. "

"Lying is hateful to me too, if only, because, as a distortion andcorruption of what is noblest, it seems unsightly in my eyes. "

"Then speak. "

"There was certainly a third reason for my coming hither, which I shouldlike to tell you later. It has reference to matters of the greatestimportance, which it will require a longer time to discuss; butto-day--"

"Just to-day I should like to hear something new. Accompany me to thechase. You come exactly at the right time, for I never had more need ofdiversion than now. "

"I will accompany you with pleasure, if. . . "

"No conditions to the king! Have you had much practice in hunting?"

"In the Libyan desert I have killed many a lion. "

"Then come, follow me. "

In the thought of the chase the king seemed to have thrown off all hisweakness and roused himself to action; he was just leaving the hall, when Hystaspes once more threw himself at his feet, crying withup-raised hands: "Is my son--is your brother, to die innocent? By thesoul of your father, who used to call me his truest friend, I conjureyou to listen to this noble stranger. "

Cambyses stood still. The frown gathered on his brow again, his voicesounded like a menace and his eyes flashed as he raised his hand andsaid to the Greek: "Tell me what you know; but remember that in everyuntrue word, you utter your own sentence of death. "

Phanes heard this threat with the greatest calmness, and answered, bowing gracefully as he spoke: "From the sun and from my lord the king, nothing can be hid. What power has a poor mortal to conceal the truthfrom one so mighty? The noble Hystaspes has said, that I am able toprove your brother innocent. I will only say, that I wish and hope I maysucceed in accomplishing anything so great and beautiful. The gods haveat least allowed me to discover a trace which seems calculated to throwlight on the events of yesterday; but you yourself must decide whethermy hopes have been presumptuous and my suspicions too easily aroused. Remember, however, that throughout, my wish to serve you has beensincere, and that if I have been deceived, my error is pardonable; thatnothing is perfectly certain in this world, and every man believes thatto be infallible which seems to him the most probable. "

"You speak well, and remind me of. . . Curse her! there, speak and havedone with it! I hear the dogs already in the court. "

"I was still in Egypt when your embassy came to fetch Nitetis. At thehouse of Rhodopis, my delightful, clever and celebrated countrywoman, I made the acquaintance of Croesus and his son; I only saw your brotherand his friends once or twice, casually; still I remembered the youngprince's handsome face so well, that some time later, when I was inthe workshop of the great sculptor Theodorus at Samos, I recognized hisfeatures at once. "

"Did you meet him at Samos?"

"No, but his features had made such a deep and faithful impression onTheodorus' memory, that he used them to beautify the head of an Apollo, which the Achaemenidae had ordered for the new temple of Delphi. "

"Your tale begins, at least, incredibly enough. How is it possible tocopy features so exactly, when you have not got them before you?"

"I can only answer that Theodorus has really completed thismaster-piece, and if you wish for a proof of his skill would gladly sendyou a second likeness of. . . "

"I have no desire for it. Go on with your story. "

"On my journey hither, which, thanks to your father's excellentarrangements, I performed in an incredibly short time, changing horsesevery sixteen or seventeen miles. . . "

"Who allowed you, a foreigner, to use the posthorses?"

"The pass drawn out for the son of Croesus, which came by chance intomy hands, when once, in order to save my life, he forced me to changeclothes with him. "

"A Lydian can outwit a fox, and a Syrian a Lydian, but an Ionian is amatch for both, " muttered the king, smiling for the first time; "Croesustold me this story--poor Croesus!" and then the old gloomy expressioncame over his face and he passed his hand across his forehead, as iftrying to smooth the lines of care away. The Athenian went on: "I metwith no hindrances on my journey till this morning at the first hourafter midnight, when I was detained by a strange occurrence. "

The king began to listen more attentively, and reminded the Athenian, who spoke Persian with difficulty, that there was no time to lose. 

"We had reached the last station but one, " continued he, "and hoped tobe in Babylon by sunrise. I was thinking over my past stirring life, andwas so haunted by the remembrance of evil deeds unrevenged that Icould not sleep; the old Egyptian at my side, however, slept and dreamtpeacefully enough, lulled by the monotonous tones of the harness bells, the sound of the horses' hoofs and the murmur of the Euphrates. It wasa wonderfully still, beautiful night; the moon and stars were sobrilliant, that our road and the landscape were lighted up almostwith the brightness of day. For the last hour we had not seen asingle vehicle, foot-passenger, or horseman; we had heard that allthe neighboring population had assembled in Babylon to celebrate yourbirthday, gaze with wonder at the splendor of your court, and enjoy yourliberality. At last the irregular beat of horses' hoofs, and the soundof bells struck my ear, and a few minutes later I distinctly heard criesof distress. My resolve was taken at once; I made my Persian servantdismount, sprang into his saddle, told the driver of the cart in whichmy slaves were sitting not to spare his mules, loosened my dagger andsword in their scabbards, and spurred my horse towards the place fromwhence the cries came. They grew louder and louder. I had not ridden aminute, when I came on a fearful scene. Three wild-looking fellows hadjust pulled a youth, dressed in the white robes of a Magian, from hishorse, stunned him with heavy blows, and, just as I reached them, wereon the point of throwing him into the Euphrates, which at that placewashes the roots of the palms and fig-trees bordering the high-road. Iuttered my Greek war-cry, which has made many an enemy tremble beforenow, and rushed on the murderers. Such fellows are always cowards; themoment they saw one of their accomplices mortally wounded, they fled. Idid not pursue them, but stooped down to examine the poor boy, who wasseverely wounded. How can I describe my horror at seeing, as I believed, your brother Bartja? Yes, they were the very same features that I hadseen, first at Naukratis and then in Theodorus' workshop, they were. . . "

"Marvellous!" interrupted Hystaspes. 

"Perhaps a little too much so to be credible, " added the king. "Takecare, Hellene! remember my arm reaches far. I shall have the truth ofyour story put to the proof. "

"I am accustomed, " answered Phanes bowing low, "to follow the adviceof our wise philosopher Pythagoras, whose fame may perhaps have reachedyour ears, and always, before speaking, to consider whether what I amgoing to say may not cause me sorrow in the future. "

"That sounds well; but, by Mithras, I knew some one who often spokeof that great teacher, and yet in her deeds turned out to be a mostfaithful disciple of Angramainjus. You know the traitress, whom we aregoing to extirpate from the earth like a poisonous viper to-day. "

"Will you forgive me, " answered Phanes, seeing the anguish expressed inthe king's features, "if I quote another of the great master's maxims?"

"Speak. "

"Blessings go as quickly as they come. Therefore bear thy lot patiently. Murmur not, and remember that the gods never lay a heavier weight on anyman than he can bear. Hast thou a wounded heart? touch it as seldomas thou wouldst a sore eye. There are only two remedies forheart-sickness:--hope and patience. "

Cambyses listened to this sentence, borrowed from the golden maximsof Pythagoras, and smiled bitterly at the word "patience. " Still theAthenian's way of speaking pleased him, and he told him to go on withhis story. 

Phanes made another deep obeisance, and continued: "We carried theunconscious youth to my carriage, and brought him to the neareststation. There he opened his eyes, looked anxiously at me, and askedwho I was and what had happened to him? The master of the station wasstanding by, so I was obliged to give the name of Gyges in order not toexcite his suspicions by belying my pass, as it was only through thisthat I could obtain fresh horses. 

"This wounded young man seemed to know Gyges, for he shook his headand murmured: 'You are not the man you give yourself out for. ' Then heclosed his eyes again, and a violent attack of fever came on. 

"We undressed, bled him and bound up his wounds. My Persian servant, whohad served as overlooker in Amasis' stables and had seen Bartja there, assisted by the old Egyptian who accompanied me, was very helpful, andasserted untiringly that the wounded man could be no other than yourbrother. When we had cleansed the blood from his face, the master of thestation too swore that there could be no doubt of his being the youngerson of your great father Cyrus. Meanwhile my Egyptian companion hadfetched a potion from the travelling medicine-chest, without which anEgyptian does not care to leave his native country. 

 [A similar travelling medicine-chest is to be seen in the Egyptian Museum at Berlin. It is prettily and compendiously fitted up, and must be very ancient, for the inscription on the chest, which contained it stated that it was made in the 11th dynasty (end of the third century B. C. ) in the reign of King Mentuhotep. ]

The drops worked wonders; in a few hours the fever was quieted, and atsunrise the patient opened his eyes once more. We bowed down before him, believing him to be your brother, and asked if he would like to be takento the palace in Babylon. This he refused vehemently, and asseveratedthat he was not the man we took him for, but, . . . "

"Who can be so like Bartja? tell me quickly, " interrupted the king, "Iam very curious to know this. "

"He declared that he was the brother of your high-priest, that his namewas Gaumata, and that this would be proved by the pass which we shouldfind in the sleeve of his Magian's robe. The landlord found thisdocument and, being able to read, confirmed the statement of the sickyouth; he was, however, soon seized by a fresh attack of fever, andbegan to speak incoherently. "

"Could you understand him?"

"Yes, for his talk always ran on the same subject. The hanging-gardensseemed to fill his thoughts. He must have just escaped some greatdanger, and probably had had a lover's meeting there with a woman calledMandane. "

"Mandane, Mandane, " said Cambyses in a low voice; "if I do not mistake, that is the name of the highest attendant on Amasis' daughter. "

These words did not escape the sharp ears of the Greek. He thought amoment and then exclaimed with a smile; "Set the prisoners free, myKing; I will answer for it with my own head, that Bartja was not in thehanging-gardens. "

The king was surprised at this speech but not angry. The free, unrestrained, graceful manner of this Athenian towards himself producedthe same impression, that a fresh sea-breeze makes when felt for thefirst time. The nobles of his own court, even his nearest relations, approached him bowing and cringing, but this Greek stood erect in hispresence; the Persians never ventured to address their ruler without athousand flowery and flattering phrases, but the Athenian was simple, open and straightforward. Yet his words were accompanied by such acharm of action and expression, that the king could understand them, notwithstanding the defective Persian in which they were clothed, betterthan the allegorical speeches of his own subjects. Nitetis and Phaneswere the only human beings, who had ever made him forget that he was aking. With them he was a man speaking to his fellow-man, instead of adespot speaking with creatures whose very existence was the playthingof his own caprice. Such is the effect produced by real manly dignity, superior culture and the consciousness of a right to freedom, on themind even of a tyrant. But there was something beside all this, that hadhelped to win Cambyses' favor for the Athenian. This man's coming seemedas if it might possibly give him back the treasure he had believedwas lost and more than lost. But how could the life of such a foreignadventurer be accepted as surety for the sons of the highest Persiansin the realm? The proposal, however, did not make him angry. On thecontrary, he could not help smiling at the boldness of this Greek, whoin his eagerness had freed himself from the cloth which hung over hismouth and beard, and exclaimed: "By Mithras, Greek, it really seems asif you were to prove a messenger of good for us! I accept your offer. If the prisoners, notwithstanding your supposition, should still proveguilty you are bound to pass your whole life at my court and in myservice, but if, on the contrary, you are able to prove what I soardently long for, I will make you richer than any of your countrymen. "

Phanes answered by a smile which seemed to decline this munificentoffer, and asked: "Is it permitted me to put a few questions to yourselfand to the officers of your court?"

"You are allowed to say and ask whatever you wish. "

At this moment the master of the huntsmen, one of those who daily ateat the king's table, entered, out of breath from his endeavors to hastenthe preparations, and announced that all was ready. 

"They must wait, " was the king's imperious answer. "I am not sure, thatwe shall hunt at all to-day. Where is Bischen, the captain of police?"

Datis, the so-called "eye of the king, " who held the office filled inmodern days by a minister of police, hurried from the room, returning ina few minutes with the desired officer. These moments Phanes made use offor putting various questions on important points to the nobles who werepresent. 

"What news can you bring of the prisoners?" asked the king, as the manlay prostrate before him. "Victory to the king! They await death withcalmness, for it is sweet to die by thy will. "

"Have you heard anything of their conversation?"

"Yes, my Ruler. "

"Do they acknowledge their guilt, when speaking to each other?"

"Mithras alone knows the heart; but you, my prince, if you could hearthem speak, would believe in their innocence, even as I the humblest ofyour servants. "

The captain looked up timidly at the king, fearing lest these wordsshould have excited his anger; Cambyses, however, smiled kindly insteadof rebuking him. But a sudden thought darkened his brow again directly, and in a low voice he asked: "When was Croesus executed?"

The man trembled at this question; the perspiration stood on hisforehead, and he could scarcely stammer the words: "He is. . . He has . . . We thought. . . . "

"What did you think?" interrupted Cambyses, and a new light of hopeseemed to dawn in his mind. "Is it possible, that you did not carry outmy orders at once? Can Croesus still be alive? Speak at once, I mustknow the whole truth. "

The captain writhed like a worm at his lord's feet, and at laststammered out, raising his hands imploringly towards the king: "Havemercy, have mercy, my Lord the king! I am a poor man, and have thirtychildren, fifteen of whom. . . "

"I wish to know if Croesus is living or dead. "

"He is alive! He has done so much for me, and I did not think Iwas doing wrong in allowing him to live a few hours longer, that hemight. . . . "

"That is enough, " said the king breathing freely. "This once yourdisobedience shall go unpunished, and the treasurer may give you twotalents, as you have so many children. --Now go to the prisoners, --tellCroesus to come hither, and the others to be of good courage, if theyare innocent. "

"My King is the light of the world, and an ocean of mercy. "

"Bartja and his friends need not remain any longer in confinement; theycan walk in the court of the palace, and you will keep guard over them. You, Datis, go at once to the hanging-gardens and order Boges to deferthe execution of the sentence on the Egyptian Princess; and further, Iwish messengers sent to the post-station mentioned by the Athenian, andthe wounded man brought hither under safe escort. "

The "king's eye" was on the point of departure, but Phanes detained him, saying: "Does my King allow me to make one remark?"

"Speak. "

"It appears to me, that the chief of the eunuchs could give the mostaccurate information. During his delirium the youth often mentioned hisname in connection with that of the girl he seemed to be in love with. "

"Go at once, Datis, and bring him quickly. "

"The high-priest Oropastes, Gaumata's brother, ought to appear too; andMandane, whom I have just been assured on the most positive authority, is the principal attendant of the Egyptian Princess. "

"Fetch her, Datis. "

"If Nitetis herself could. . . "

At this the king turned pale and a cold shiver ran through his limbs. How he longed to see his darling again! But the strong man was afraid ofthis woman's reproachful looks; he knew the captivating power that layin her eyes. So he pointed to the door, saying "Fetch Boges and Mandane;the Egyptian Princess is to remain in the hanging-gardens, under strictcustody. "

The Athenian bowed deferentially; as if he would say: "Here no one has aright to command but the king. "

Cambyses looked well pleased, seated himself again on the purple divan, and resting his forehead on his hand, bent his eyes on the ground andsank into deep thought. The picture of the woman he loved so dearlyrefused to be banished; it came again and again, more and more vividly, and the thought that these features could not have deceived him--thatNitetis must be innocent--took a firmer root in his mind; he had alreadybegun to hope. If Bartja could be cleared, there was no error that mightnot be conceivable; in that case he would go to the hanging-gardens, take her hand and listen to her defence. When love has once taken firmhold of a man in riper years, it runs and winds through his whole naturelike one of his veins, and can only be destroyed with his life. 

The entrance of Croesus roused Cambyses from his dream; he raised theold man kindly from the prostrate position at his feet, into which hehad thrown himself on entering, and said: "You offended me, but I willbe merciful; I have not forgotten that my father, on his dying bed, toldme to make you my friend and adviser. Take your life back as a gift fromme, and forget my anger as I wish to forget your want of reverence. This man says he knows you; I should like to hear your opinion of hisconjectures. "

Croesus turned away much affected, and after having heartily welcomedthe Athenian, asked him to relate his suppositions and the grounds onwhich they were founded. 

The old man grew more and more attentive as the Greek went on, and whenhe had finished raised his hands to heaven, crying: "Pardon me, oh yeeternal gods, if I have ever questioned the justice of your decrees. Is not this marvellous, Cambyses? My son once placed himself in greatdanger to save the life of this noble Athenian, whom the gods havebrought hither to repay the deed tenfold. Had Phanes been murdered inEgypt, this hour might have seen our sons executed. "

And as he said this he embraced Hystaspes; both shared one feeling;their sons had been as dead and were now alive. 

The king, Phanes, and all the Persian dignitaries watched the old menwith deep sympathy, and though the proofs of Bartja's innocence were asyet only founded on conjecture, not one of those present doubted it onemoment longer. Wherever the belief in a man's guilt is but slight, hisdefender finds willing listeners. 

CHAPTER VI. 

THE sharp-witted Athenian saw clearly how matters lay in this sad story;nor did it escape him that malice had had a hand in the affair. Howcould Bartja's dagger have come into the hanging-gardens except throughtreachery?

While he was telling the king his suspicions, Oropastes was led into thehall. 

The king looked angrily at him and without one preliminary word, asked:"Have you a brother?"

"Yes, my King. He and I are the only two left out of a family of six. Myparents. . . "

"Is your brother younger or older than yourself?"

"I was the eldest of the family; my brother, the youngest, was the joyof my father's old age. "

"Did you ever notice a remarkable likeness between him and one of myrelations?"

"Yes, my King. Gaumata is so like your brother Bartja, that in theschool for priests at Rhagae, where he still is, he was always called'the prince. '"

"Has he been at Babylon very lately?"

"He was here for the last time at the New Year's festival. "

"Are you speaking the truth?"

"The sin of lying would be doubly punishable in one who wears my robes, and holds my office. "

The king's face flushed with anger at this answer and he exclaimed:"Nevertheless you are lying; Gaumata was here yesterday evening. You maywell tremble. "

"My life belongs to the king, whose are all things; neverthelessI swear--the high-priest-by the most high God, whom I have servedfaithfully for thirty years, that I know nothing of my brother'spresence in Babylon yesterday. "

"Your face looks as if you were speaking the truth. "

"You know that I was not absent from your side the whole of that highholiday. "

"I know it. "

Again the doors opened; this time they admitted the trembling Mandane. The high-priest cast such a look of astonishment and enquiry on her, that the king saw she must be in some way connected with him, andtherefore, taking no notice of the trembling girl who lay at his feet, he asked: "Do you know this woman?"

"Yes, my King. I obtained for her the situation of upper attendant tothe--may Auramazda forgive her!--King of Egypt's daughter. "

"What led you, --a priest, --to do a favor to this girl?"

"Her parents died of the same pestilence, which carried off my brothers. Her father was a priest, respected, and a friend of our family; so weadopted the little girl, remembering the words: 'If thou withhold helpfrom the man who is pure in heart and from his widow and orphans, thenshall the pure, subject earth cast thee out unto the stinging-nettles, to painful sufferings and to the most fearful regions!' Thus I becameher foster-father, and had her brought up with my youngest brother untilhe was obliged to enter the school for priests. "

The king exchanged a look of intelligence with Phanes, and asked: "Whydid not you keep the girl longer with you?"

"When she had received the ear-rings I, as priest, thought it moresuitable to send such a young girl away from my house, and to put her ina position to earn her own living. "

"Has she seen your brother since she has been grown up?"

"Yes, my King. Whenever Gaumata came to see me I allowed him to be withher as with a sister; but on discovering later that the passionate loveof youth had begun to mingle with the childish friendship of formerdays, I felt strengthened in my resolution to send her away. "

"Now we know enough, " said the king, commanding the high-priest by anod to retire. He then looked down on the prostrate girl, and saidimperiously: "Rise!"

Mandane rose, trembling with fear. Her fresh young face was pale asdeath, and her red lips were blue from terror. 

"Tell all you know about yesterday evening; but remember, a lie and yourdeath are one and the same. "

The girl's knees trembled so violently that she could hardly stand, andher fear entirely took away the power of speaking. 

"I have not much patience, " exclaimed Cambyses. Mandane started, grewpaler still, but could not speak. Then Phanes came forward and asked theangry king to allow him to examine the girl, as he felt sure that fearalone had closed her lips and that a kind word would open them. 

Cambyses allowed this, and the Athenian's words proved true; no soonerhad he assured Mandane of the good-will of all present, laid his handon her head and spoken kindly to her, than the source of her tearswas unlocked, she wept freely, the spell which had seemed to chain hertongue, vanished, and she began to tell her story, interrupted onlyby low sobs. She hid nothing, confessed that Boges had given her hissanction and assistance to the meeting with Gaumata, and ended bysaying: "I know that I have forfeited my life, and am the worst andmost ungrateful creature in the world; but none of all this would havehappened, if Oropastes had allowed his brother to marry me. "

The serious audience, even the king himself, could not resist a smile atthe longing tone in which these words were spoken and the fresh burst ofsobs which succeeded them. 

And this smile saved her life. But Cambyses would not have smiled, afterhearing such a story, if Mandane, with that instinct which always seemsto stand at a woman's command in the hour of her greatest danger, hadnot known how to seize his weak side, and use it for her own interests, by dwelling much longer than was necessary, on the delight which Nitetishad manifested at the king's gifts. 

"A thousand times" cried she, "did my mistress kiss the presents whichwere brought from you, O King; but oftenest of all did she press herlips to the nosegay which you plucked with your own hands for her, somedays ago. And when it began to fade, she took every flower separately, spread out the petals with care, laid them between woollen cloths, and, with her own hands, placed her heavy, golden ointment-box upon them, that they might dry and so she might keep them always as a remembranceof your kindness. "

Seeing Cambyses' awful features grow a little milder at these words, thegirl took fresh courage, and at last began to put loving words into hermistress's mouth which the latter had never uttered; professing that sheherself had heard Nitetis a hundred times murmur the word "Cambyses"in her sleep with indescribable tenderness. She ended her confession bysobbing and praying for mercy. 

The king looked down at her with infinite contempt, though withoutanger, and pushing her away with his foot said: "Out of my sight, youdog of a woman! Blood like yours would soil the executioner's axe. Outof my sight!"

Mandane needed no second command to depart. The words "out of my sight"sounded like sweet music in her ears. She rushed through the courtsof the palace, and out into the streets, crying like a mad woman "I amfree! I am free!"

She, had scarcely left the hall, when Datis, the "king's eye" reappearedwith the news that the chief of the eunuchs was nowhere to be found. Hehad vanished from the hanging-gardens in an unaccountable manner;but he, Datis, had left word with his subordinates that he was to besearched for and brought, dead or alive. 

The king went off into another violent fit of passion at this news, andthreatened the officer of police, who prudently concealed the excitementof the crowd from his lord, with a severe punishment, if Boges were notin their hands by the next morning. 

As he finished speaking, a eunuch was brought into the hall, sent by theking's mother to ask an interview for herself with her son. 

Cambyses prepared at once to comply with his mother's wish, at the sametime giving Phanes his hand to kiss, a rare honor, only shown to thosethat ate at the king's table, and saying: "All the prisoners are tobe set at liberty. Go to your sons, you anxious, troubled fathers, andassure them of my mercy and favor. I think we shall be able to finda satrapy a-piece for them, as compensation for to-night's undeservedimprisonment. To you, my Greek friend, I am deeply indebted. Indischarge of this debt, and as a means of retaining you at my court, Ibeg you to accept one hundred talents from my treasury. "

"I shall scarcely be able to use so large a sum, " said Phanes, bowinglow. 

"Then abuse it, " said the king with a friendly smile, and calling outto him, "We shall meet again at supper, " he left the hall accompanied byhis court. 

 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

In the meantime there had been sadness and mourning in the apartmentsof the queen-mother. Judging from the contents of the letter to Bartja, Kassandane had made up her mind that Nitetis was faithless, and her ownbeloved son innocent. But in whom could she ever place confidence again, now that this girl, whom she had looked upon as the very embodiment ofevery womanly virtue, had proved reprobate and faithless--now that thenoblest youths in the realm had proved perjurers?

Nitetis was more than dead for her; Bartja, Croesus, Darius, Gyges, Araspes, all so closely allied to her by relationship and friendship, as good as dead. And yet she durst not indulge her sorrow; she had torestrain the despairing outbursts of grief of her impetuous child. 

Atossa behaved like one deprived of her senses when she heard of thesentences of death. The self-control which she had learnt from Nitetisgave way, and her old impetuosity burst forth again with doublevehemence. 

Nitetis, her only friend, --Bartja, the brother whom she loved with herwhole heart, --Darius, whom she felt now she not only looked up to as herdeliverer, but loved with all the warmth of a first affection--Croesusto whom she clung like a father, --she was to lose every one she loved inone day. 

She tore her dress and her hair, called Cambyses a monster, and everyone who could possibly believe in the guilt of such people, infatuatedor insane. Then her tears would burst out afresh, she would utterimploring supplications to the gods for mercy, and a few minutes later, begin conjuring her mother to take her to the hanging-gardens, that theymight hear Nitetis' defence of her own conduct. 

Kassandane tried to soothe the violent girl, and assured her everyattempt to visit the hanging-gardens would be in vain. Then Atossa beganto rage again, until at last her mother was forced to command silence, and as morning had already began to dawn, sent her to her sleeping-room. 

The girl obeyed, but instead of going to bed, seated herself at a tallwindow looking towards the hanging-gardens. Her eyes filled with tearsagain, as she thought of her friend--her sister-sitting in that palacealone, forsaken, banished, and looking forward to an ignominious death. Suddenly her tearful, weary eyes lighted up as if from some strongpurpose, and instead of gazing into the distance, she fixed them ona black speck which flew towards her in a straight line from Nitetis'house, becoming larger and more distinct every moment; and finallysettling on a cypress before her window. The sorrow vanished at oncefrom her lovely face and with a deep sigh of relief she sprang up, exclaiming:

"Oh, there is the Homai, the bird of good fortune! Now everything willturn out well. "

It was the same bird of paradise which had brought so much comfort toNitetis that now gave poor Atossa fresh confidence. 

She bent forward to see whether any one was in the garden; and findingthat she would be seen by no one but the old gardener, she jumped out, trembling like a fawn, plucked a few roses and cypress twigs and tookthem to the old man, who had been watching her performances with adoubtful shake of the head. 

She stroked his cheeks coaxingly, put her flowers in his brown hand, andsaid: "Do you love me, Sabaces?"

"O, my mistress!" was the only answer the old man could utter, as hepressed the hem of her robe to his lips. 

"I believe you, my old friend, and I will show you how I trust myfaithful, old Sabaces. Hide these flowers carefully and go quickly tothe king's palace. Say that you had to bring fruit for the table. Mypoor brother Bartja, and Darius, the son of the noble Hystaspes, arein prison, near the guard-house of the Immortals. You must manage thatthese flowers reach them, with a warm greeting from me, but mind, themessage must be given with the flowers. "

"But the guards will not allow me to see the prisoners. "

"Take these rings, and slip them into their hands. "

"I will do my best. "

"I knew you loved me, my good Sabaces. Now make haste, and come backsoon. "

The old man went off as fast as he could. Atossa looked thoughtfullyafter him, murmuring to herself: "Now they will both know, that Iloved them to the last. The rose means, 'I love you, ' and the evergreencypress, 'true and steadfast. '" The old man came back in an hour;bringing her Bartja's favorite ring, and from Darius an Indianhandkerchief dipped in blood. 

Atossa ran to meet him; her eyes filled with tears as she took thetokens, and seating herself under a spreading plane-tree, she pressedthem by turns to her lips, murmuring: "Bartja's ring means that hethinks of me; the blood-stained handkerchief that Darius is ready toshed his heart's blood for me. "

Atossa smiled as she said this, and her tears, when she thought ofher friends and their sad fate, were quieter, if not less bitter, thanbefore. 

A few hours later a messenger arrived from Croesus with news that theinnocence of Bartja and his friends had been proved, and that Nitetiswas, to all intents and purposes, cleared also. 

Kassandane sent at once to the hanging-gardens, with a request thatNitetis would come to her apartments. Atossa, as unbridled in her joy asin her grief, ran to meet her friend's litter and flew from one of herattendants to the other crying: "They are all innocent; we shall notlose one of them--not one!"

When at last the litter appeared and her loved one, pale as death, within it, she burst into loud sobs, threw her arms round Nitetis as shedescended, and covered her with kisses and caresses till she perceivedthat her friend's strength was failing, that her knees gave way, and sherequired a stronger support than Atossa's girlish strength could give. 

The Egyptian girl was carried insensible into the queen-mother'sapartments. When she opened her eyes, her head-more like a marble pieceof sculpture than a living head--was resting on the blind queen's lap, she felt Atossa's warm kisses on her forehead, and Cambyses, who hadobeyed his mother's call, was standing at her side. 

She gazed on this circle, including all she loved best, with anxious, perplexed looks, and at last, recognizing them one by one, passed herhand across her pale fore head as if to remove a veil, smiled at each, and closed her eyes once more. She fancied Isis had sent her a beautifulvision, and wished to hold it fast with all the powers of her mind. 

Then Atossa called her by her name, impetuously and lovingly. She openedher eyes again, and again she saw those loving looks that she fanciedhad only been sent her in a dream. Yes, that was her own Atossa--thisher motherly friend, and there stood, not the angry king, but the manshe loved. And now his lips opened too, his stern, severe eyes rested onher so beseechingly, and he said: "O Nitetis, awake! you must not--youcannot possibly be guilty!" She moved her head gently with a look ofcheerful denial and a happy smile stole across her features, like abreeze of early spring over fresh young roses. 

"She is innocent! by Mithras, it is impossible that she can be guilty, "cried the king again, and forgetful of the presence of others, he sankon his knees. 

A Persian physician came up and rubbed her forehead with a sweet-scentedoil, and Nebenchari approached, muttering spells, felt her pulse, shookhis head, and administered a potion from his portable medicine-chest. This restored her to perfect consciousness; she raised herself withdifficulty into a sitting posture, returned the loving caresses of hertwo friends, and then turning to Cambyses, asked: "How could you believesuch a thing of me, my King?" There was no reproach in her tone, butdeep sadness, and Cambyses answered softly, "Forgive me. "

Kassandane's blind eyes expressed her gratitude for thisself-renunciation on the part of her son, and she said: "My daughter, Ineed your forgiveness too. "

"But I never once doubted you, " cried Atossa, proudly and joyfullykissing her friend's lips. 

"Your letter to Bartja shook my faith in your innocence, " addedKassandane. 

"And yet it was all so simple and natural, " answered Nitetis. "Here, mymother, take this letter from Egypt. Croesus will translate it for you. It will explain all. Perhaps I was imprudent. Ask your mother to tellyou what you would wish to know, my King. Pray do not scorn my poor, illsister. When an Egyptian girl once loves, she cannot forget. But I feelso frightened. The end must be near. The last hours have been so very, very terrible. That horrible man, Boges, read me the fearful sentenceof death, and it was that which forced the poison into my hand. Ah, myheart!"

And with these words she fell back into the arms of Kassandane. 

Nebenchari rushed forward, and gave her some more drops, exclaiming: "Ithought so! She has taken poison and her life cannot be saved, thoughthis antidote may possibly prolong it for a few days. " Cambyses stoodby, pale and rigid, following the physician's slightest movements, andAtossa bathed her friend's forehead with her tears. 

"Let some milk be brought, " cried Nebenchari, "and my largemedicine-chest; and let attendants be called to carry her away, forquiet is necessary, above all things. "

Atossa hastened into the adjoining room; and Cambyses said to thephysician, but without looking into his face: "Is there no hope?"

"The poison which she has taken results in certain death. "

On hearing this the king pushed Nebenchari away from the sick girl, exclaiming: "She shall live. It is my will. Here, eunuch! summon all thephysicians in Babylon--assemble the priests and Alobeds! She is not todie; do you hear? she must live, I am the king, and I command it. "

Nitetis opened her eyes as if endeavoring to obey her lord. Her face wasturned towards the window, and the bird of paradise with the gold chainon its foot, was still there, perched on the cypress-tree. Her eyes fellfirst on her lover, who had sunk down at her side and was pressing hisburning lips to her right hand. She murmured with a smile: "O, thisgreat happiness!" Then she saw the bird, and pointed to it with her lefthand, crying: "Look, look, there is the Phoenix, the bird of Ra!"

After saying this she closed her eyes and was soon seized by a violentattack of fever. 

CHAPTER VII. 

Prexaspes, the king's messenger, and one of the highest officials atcourt, had brought Gaumata, Mandane's lover, whose likeness to Bartjawas really most wonderful, to Babylon, sick and wounded as he was. Hewas now awaiting his sentence in a dungeon, while Boges, the man whohad led him into crime, was nowhere to be found, notwithstanding allthe efforts of the police. His escape had been rendered possible by thetrap-door in the hanging-gardens, and greatly assisted by the enormouscrowds assembled in the streets. 

Immense treasures were found in his house. Chests of gold and jewels, which his position had enabled him to obtain with great ease, wererestored to the royal treasury. Cambyses, however, would gladly havegiven ten times as much treasure to secure possession of the traitor. 

To Phaedime's despair the king ordered all the inhabitants of the harem, except his mother, Atossa and the dying Nitetis, to be removed to Susa, two days after the accused had been declared innocent. Several eunuchsof rank were deposed from their offices. The entire caste was to sufferfor the sins of him who had escaped punishment. 

Oropastes, who had already entered on his duties as regent of thekingdom, and had clearly proved his non-participation in the crime ofwhich his brother had been proved guilty, bestowed the vacant placesexclusively on the Magi. The demonstration made by the people in favorof Bartja did not come to the king's ears until the crowd had longdispersed. Still, occupied as he was, almost entirely, by his anxietyfor Nitetis, he caused exact information of this illegal manifestationto be furnished him, and ordered the ringleaders to be severelypunished. He fancied it was a proof that Bartja had been trying togain favor with the people, and Cambyses would perhaps have shown hisdispleasure by some open act, if a better impulse had not told him thathe, not Bartja, was the brother who stood in need of forgiveness. Inspite of this, however, he could not get rid of the feeling that Bartja, had been, though innocent, the cause of the sad events which had justhappened, nor of his wish to get him out of the way as far as might be;and he therefore gave a ready consent to his brother's wish to start atonce for Naukratis. 

Bartja took a tender farewell of his mother and sister, and started twodays after his liberation. He was accompanied by Gyges, Zopyrus, anda numerous retinue charged with splendid presents from Cambyses forSappho. Darius remained behind, kept back by his love for Atossa. Theday too was not far distant, when, by his father's wish, he was to marryArtystone, the daughter of Gobryas. 

Bartja parted from his friend with a heavy heart, advising him to bevery prudent with regard to Atossa. The secret had been confided toKassandane, and she had promised to take Darius' part with the king. 

If any one might venture to raise his eyes to the daughter of Cyrus, assuredly it was the son of Hystaspes; he was closely connectedby marriage with the royal family, belonged like Cambyses to thePasargadae, and his family was a younger branch of the reigning dynasty. His father called himself the highest noble in the realm, and as such, governed the province of Persia proper, the mother-country, to whichthis enormous world-empire and its ruler owed their origin. Should thefamily of Cyrus become extinct, the descendants of Hystaspes would havea well-grounded right to the Persian throne. Darius therefore, apartfrom his personal advantages, was a fitting claimant for Atossa's hand. And yet no one dared to ask the king's consent. In the gloomy state ofmind into which he had been brought by the late events, it was likelythat he might refuse it, and such an answer would have to be regarded asirrevocable. So Bartja was obliged to leave Persia in anxiety about thefuture of these two who were very dear to him. 

Croesus promised to act as mediator in this case also, and before Bartjaleft, made him acquainted with Phanes. 

The youth had heard such a pleasant account of the Athenian from Sappho, that he met him with great cordiality, and soon won the fancy of theolder and more experienced man, who gave him many a useful hint, and aletter to Theopompus, the Milesian, at Naukratis. Phanes concluded byasking for a private interview. 

Bartja returned to his friends looking grave and thoughtful; soon, however, he forgot his cause of anxiety and joked merrily with them overa farewell cup. Before he mounted his horse the next morning, Nebenchariasked to be allowed an audience. He was admitted, and begged Bartja totake the charge of a large written roll for king Amasis. It contained adetailed account of Nitetis' sufferings, ending with these words: "Thusthe unhappy victim of your ambitious plans will end her life in a fewhours by poison, to the use of which she was driven by despair. Thearbitrary caprices of the mighty can efface all happiness from the lifeof a human creature, just as we wipe a picture from the tablet with asponge. Your servant Nebenchari is pining in a foreign land, deprived ofhome and property, and the wretched daughter of a king of Egypt dies amiserable and lingering death by her own hand. Her body will be torn topieces by dogs and vultures, after the manner of the Persians. Woeunto them who rob the innocent of happiness here and of rest beyond thegrave!"

Bartja had not been told the contents of this letter, but promised totake it with him; he then, amid the joyful shouts of the people, setup outside the city-gate the stones which, according to a Persiansuperstition, were to secure him a prosperous journey, and left Babylon. 

Nebenchari, meanwhile, prepared to return to his post by Nitetis'dying-bed. 

Just as he reached the brazen gates between the harem-gardens and thecourts of the large palace, an old man in white robes came up to him. The sight seemed to fill Nebenchari with terror; he started as if thegaunt old man had been a ghost. Seeing, however, a friendly and familiarsmile on the face of the other, he quickened his steps, and, holding outhis hand with a heartiness for which none of his Persian acquaintanceswould have given him credit, exclaimed in Egyptian: "Can I believe myeyes? You in Persia, old Hib? I should as soon have expected the sky tofall as to have the pleasure of seeing you on the Euphrates. But now, inthe name of Osiris, tell me what can have induced you, you old ibis, to leave your warm nest on the Nile and set out on such a long journeyeastward. "

While Nebenchari was speaking, the old man listened in a bowing posture, with his arms hanging down by his side, and when he had finished, looked up into his face with indescribable joy, touched his breast withtrembling fingers, and then, falling on the right knee, laying one handon his heart and raising the other to heaven, cried: "Thanks be untothee, great Isis, for protecting the wanderer and permitting him to seehis master once more in health and safety. Ah, child, how anxious I havebeen! I expected to find you as wasted and thin as a convict from thequarries; I thought you would have been grieving and unhappy, and hereyou are as well, and handsome and portly as ever. If poor old Hib hadbeen in your place he would have been dead long ago. "

"Yes, I don't doubt that, old fellow. I did not leave home of my ownwill either, nor without many a heartache. These foreigners are all thechildren of Seth. The good and gracious gods are only to be found inEgypt on the shores of the sacred, blessed Nile. "

"I don't know much about its being so blessed, " muttered the old man. 

"You frighten me, father Hib. What has happened then?"

"Happened! Things have come to a pretty pass there, and you'll hear ofit soon enough. Do you think I should have left house and grandchildrenat my age, --going on for eighty, --like any Greek or Phoenician vagabond, and come out among these godless foreigners (the gods blast and destroythem!), if I could possibly have staid on in Egypt?"

"But tell me what it's all about. "

"Some other time, some other time. Now you must take me to your ownhouse, and I won't stir out of it as long as we are in this land ofTyphon. "

The old man said this with so much emphasis, that Nebenchiari could nothelp smiling and saying: "Have they treated you so very badly then, oldman?"

"Pestilence and Khamsin!" blustered the old man. 

 [The south-west wind, which does so much injury to the crops in the Nile valley. It is known to us as the Simoom, the wind so perilous to travellers in the desert. ]

"There's not a more good-for-nothing Typhon's brood on the face of theearth than these Persians. I only wonder they're not all red-haired andleprous. Ah, child, two whole days I have been in this hell already, andall that time I was obliged to live among these blasphemers. They saidno one could see you; you were never allowed to leave Nitetis' sick-bed. Poor child! I always said this marriage with a foreigner would come tono good, and it serves Amasis right if his children give him trouble. His conduct to you alone deserves that. "

"For shame, old man!"

"Nonsense, one must speak one's mind sometimes. I hate a king, who comesfrom nobody knows where. Why, when he was a poor boy he used to stealyour father's nuts, and wrench the name-plates off the house-doors. Isaw he was a good-for-nothing fellow then. It's a shame that such peopleshould be allowed to. . . . "

"Gently, gently, old man. We are not all made of the same stuff, and ifthere was such a little difference between you and Amasis as boys, it, is your own fault that, now you are old men, he has outstripped you sofar. 

"My father and grandfather were both servants in the temple, and ofcourse I followed in their footsteps. "

"Quite right; it is the law of caste, and by that rule, Amasis oughtnever to have become anything higher than a poor army-captain at most. "

"It is not every one who's got such an easy conscience as this upstartfellow. "

"There you are again! For shame, Hib! As long as I can remember, andthat is nearly half a century, every other word with you has been anabusive one. When I was a child your ill-temper was vented on me, andnow the king has the benefit of it. "

"Serves him right! All, if you only knew all! It's now seven monthssince . . . "

"I can't stop to listen to you now. At the rising of the seven stars Iwill send a slave to take you to my rooms. Till then you must stay inyour present lodging, for I must go to my patient. "

"You must?--Very well, --then go and leave poor old Hib here to die. Ican't possibly live another hour among these creatures. "

"What would you have me do then?"

"Let me live with you as long as we are in Persia. "

"Have they treated you so very roughly?"

"I should think they had indeed. It is loathsome to think of. Theyforced me to eat out of the same pot with them and cut my bread with thesame knife. An infamous Persian, who had lived many years in Egypt, and travelled here with us, had given them a list of all the things andactions, which we consider unclean. They took away my knife when Iwas going to shave myself. A good-for-nothing wench kissed me on theforehead, before I could prevent it. There, you needn't laugh; it willbe a month at least before I can get purified from all these pollutions. I took an emetic, and when that at last began to take effect, they allmocked and sneered at me. But that was not all. A cursed cook-boynearly beat a sacred kitten to death before my very eyes. Then anointment-mixer, who had heard that I was your servant, made that godlessBubares ask me whether I could cure diseases of the eye too. I said yes, because you know in sixty years it's rather hard if one can't pick upsomething from one's master. Bubares was interpreter between us, and theshameful fellow told him to say that he was very much disturbed abouta dreadful disease in his eyes. I asked what it was, and received foranswer that he could not tell one thing from another in the dark!"

"You should have told him that the best remedy for that was to light acandle. "

"Oh, I hate the rascals! Another hour among them will be the death ofme!"

"I am sure you behaved oddly enough among these foreigners, " saidNebenchiari smiling, "you must have made them laugh at you, for thePersians are generally very polite, well-behaved people. Try them again, only once. I shall be very glad to take you in this evening, but I can'tpossibly do it before. "

"It is as I thought! He's altered too, like everybody else! Osiris isdead and Seth rules the world again. "

"Farewell! When the seven stars rise, our old Ethiopian slave, Nebununf, will wait for you here. "

"Nebununf, that old rogue? I never want to see him again. "

"Yes, the very same. "

"Him--well it's a good thing, when people stay as they were. To be sureI know some people who can't say so much of themselves, and who insteadof minding their own business, pretend to heal inward diseases, and whena faithful old servant. . . "

"Hold your tongue, and wait patiently till evening. " These last wordswere spoken seriously, and produced the desired impression. The old manmade another obeisance, and before his master left him, said: "I camehere under the protection of Phanes, the former commander of the Greekmercenaries. He wishes very much to speak with you. "

"That is his concern. He can come to me. "

"You never leave that sick girl, whose eyes are as sound as. . . "

"Hib!"

"For all I care she may have a cataract in both. May Phanes come to youthis evening?"

"I wished to be alone with you. "

"So did I; but the Greek seems to be in a great hurry, and he knowsnearly everything that I have to tell you. "

"Have you been gossiping then?"

"No--not exactly--but. . . "

"I always thought you were a man to be trusted. "

"So I was. But this Greek knows already a great deal of what I know, andthe rest. . . "

"Well?"

"The rest he got out of me, I hardly know how myself. If I did not wearthis amulet against an evil eye, I should have been obliged. . . "

"Yes, yes, I know the Athenian--I can forgive you. I should like himto come with you this evening. But I see the sun is already high inthe heavens. I have no time to lose. Tell me in a few words what hashappened. "

"I thought this evening. . . "

"No, I must have at least a general idea of what has happened before Isee the Athenian. Be brief. "

"You have been robbed!"

"Is that all?"

"Is not that enough?"

"Answer me. Is that all?"

"Yes!"

"Then farewell. "

"But Nebenchari!"

The physician did not even hear this exclamation; the gates of the haremhad already closed behind him. 

When the Pleiades had risen, Nebenchari was to be found seated alone inone of the magnificent rooms assigned to his use on the eastern sideof the palace, near to Kassandane's apartments. The friendly manner inwhich he had welcomed his old servant had given place to the seriousexpression which his face usually wore, and which had led the cheerfulPersians to call him a morose and gloomy man. 

Nebenchari was an Egyptian priest through and through; a member of thatcaste which never indulged in a jest, and never for a moment forgotto be dignified and solemn before the public; but when among theirrelations and their colleagues completely threw off this self-imposedrestraint, and gave way at times even to exuberant mirth. 

Though he had known Phanes in Sais, he received him with coldpoliteness, and, after the first greeting was ended, told Hib to leavethem alone. 

"I have come to you, " said the Athenian, "to speak about some veryimportant affairs. "

"With which I am already acquainted, " was the Egyptian's curt reply. 

"I am inclined to doubt that, " said Phanes with an incredulous smile. 

"You have been driven out of Egypt, persecuted and insulted by Psamtik, and you have come to Persia to enlist Cambyses as an instrument ofrevenge against my country. "

"You are mistaken. I have nothing against your country, but all the moreagainst Amasis and his house. In Egypt the state and the king are one, as you very well know. "

"On the contrary, my own observations have led me to think that thepriests considered themselves one with the state. "

"In that case you are better informed than I, who have always looked onthe kings of Egypt as absolute. So they are; but only in proportionas they know how to emancipate themselves from the influence of yourcaste. --Amasis himself submits to the priests now. "

"Strange intelligence!"

"With which, however, you have already long been made acquainted. "

"Is that your opinion?"

"Certainly it is. And I know with still greater certainty that once--youhear me--once, he succeeded in bending the will of these rulers of histo his own. "

"I very seldom hear news from home, and do not understand what you arespeaking of. "

"There I believe you, for if you knew what I meant and could stand therequietly without clenching your fist, you would be no better than a dogwho only whimpers when he's kicked and licks the hand that tormentshim. "

The physician turned pale. "I know that Amasis has injured and insultedme, " he said, "but at the same time I must tell you that revenge is fartoo sweet a morsel to be shared with a stranger. "

"Well said! As to my own revenge, however, I can only compare it to avineyard where the grapes are so plentiful, that I am not able to gatherthem all myself. "

"And you have come hither to hire good laborers. "

"Quite right, and I do not even yet give up the hope of securing you totake a share in my vintage. "

"You are mistaken. My work is already done. The gods themselves havetaken it in hand. Amasis has been severely enough punished for banishingme from country, friends and pupils into this unclean land. "

"You mean by his blindness perhaps?"

"Possibly. "

"Then you have not heard that Petammon, one of your colleagues, hassucceeded in cutting the skin, which covered the pupil of the eye and sorestoring Amasis' sight?"

The Egyptian started and ground his teeth; recovered his presence ofmind, however, in a moment, and answered: "Then the gods have punishedthe father through the children. "

"In what way? Psamtik suits his father's present mood very well. It istrue that Tachot is ill, but she prays and sacrifices with her fatherall the more for that; and as to Nitetis, you and I both know that herdeath will not touch him very closely. "

"I really do not understand you. "

"Of course not, so long as you fancy that I believe your beautifulpatient to be Amasis' daughter. "

The Egyptian started again, but Phanes went on without appearing tonotice his emotion: "I know more than you suppose. Nitetis is thedaughter of Hophra, Amasis' dethroned predecessor. Amasis brought herup as his own child-first, in order to make the Egyptians believe thatHophra had died childless; secondly, in order to deprive her of herrights to the throne; for you know women are allowed to govern on theNile. "

"These are mere suppositions. "

"For which, however, I can bring irrefragable proofs. Among the paperswhich your old servant Hib brought with him in a small box, there mustbe some letters from a certain Sonnophre, a celebrated accoucheur, yourown father, which. . . "

 [To judge from the pictures on the monuments and from the 1st Chap. Of Exodus, it would seem that in ancient, as in modern Egypt, midwives were usually called in to assist at the birth of children; but it is also certain, that in difficult cases physicians were employed also. In the hieratic medical papyrus in Berlin, women are often spoken of as assisting at such times. In the medical Papyrus Ebers certain portions are devoted to diseases peculiar to women. "There were special rooms set aside in private houses for the birth of children, as symbolical ones were reserved in the temples. These chambers were called meschen, and from them was derived the name given to midwives, to meschennu. ]

"If that be the case, those letters are my property, and I have not theslightest intention of giving them up; besides which you might searchPersia from one end to the other without finding any one who coulddecipher my father's writing. "

"Pardon me, if I point out one or two errors into which you have fallen. First, this box is at present in my hands, and though I am generallyaccustomed to respect the rights of property, I must assure you that, inthe present instance, I shall not return the box until its contents haveserved my purpose. Secondly, the gods have so ordained, that just atthis moment there is a man in Babylon who can read every kind of writingknown to the Egyptian priests. Do you perhaps happen to know the name ofOnuphis?"

For the third time the Egyptian turned pale. "Are you certain, " he said, "that this man is still among the living?"

"I spoke to him myself yesterday. He was formerly, you know, high-priestat Heliopolis, and was initiated into all your mysteries there. My wisecountryman, Pythagoras of Samos, came to Egypt, and after submitting tosome of your ceremonies, was allowed to attend the lessons given in theschools for priests. His remarkable talents won the love of the greatOnuphis and he taught him all the Egyptian mysteries, which Pythagorasafterwards turned to account for the benefit of mankind. My delightfulfriend Rhodopis and I are proud of having been his pupils. When the restof your caste heard that Onuphis had betrayed the sacred mysteries, theecclesiastical judges determined on his death. This was to be caused bya poison extracted from peach-kernels. The condemned man, however, heardof their machinations, and fled to Naukratis, where he found a safeasylum in the house of Rhodopis, whom he had heard highly praised byPythagoras, and whose dwelling was rendered inviolable by the king'sletter. Here he met Antimenidas the brother of the poet Alcarus ofLesbos, who, having been banished by Pittakus, the wise ruler ofMitylene, had gone to Babylon, and there taken service in the army ofNebuchadnezzar, the King of Assyria. Antimenidas gave him letters to theChaldians. Onuphis travelled to the Euphrates, settled there, and wasobliged to seek for some means of earning his daily bread, as he hadleft Egypt a poor man. He is now supporting himself in his old age, bythe assistance which his superior knowledge enables him to render theChaldoeans in their astronomical observations from the tower of Bel. Onuphis is nearly eighty, but his mind is as clear as ever, and when Isaw him yesterday and asked him to help me, his eyes brightened as hepromised to do so. Your father was one of his judges, but he bears youno malice and sends you a greeting. "

Nebenchari's eyes were fixed thoughtfully on the ground during thistale. When Phanes had finished, he gave him a penetrating look and said:"Where are my papers?"

"They are in Onuphis' hands. He is looking among them for the document Iwant. "

"I expected to hear that. Be so good as to tell me what the box is like, which Hib thought proper to bring over to Persia?"

"It is a small ebony trunk, with an exquisitely-carved lid. In thecentre is a winged beetle, and on the four corners. . . "

"That contains nothing but a few of my father's notices andmemorandums, " said Nebenchari, drawing a deep breath of relief. 

"They will very likely be sufficient for my purpose. I do not knowwhether you have heard, that I stand as high as possible in Cambyses'favor. "

"So much the better for you. I can assure you, however, that the paper. Which would have been most useful to you have all been left behind inEgypt. "

"They were in a large chest made of sycamore-wood and painted incolors. "

"How do you know that?"

"Because--now listen well to what I am going to say, Nebenchari--becauseI can tell you (I do not swear, for our great master Pythagoras forbadeoaths), that this very chest, with all it contained, was burnt in thegrove of the temple of Neith, in Sais, by order of the king. "

Phanes spoke slowly, emphasizing every syllable, and the words seemedto strike the Egyptian like so many flashes of lightning. His quietcoolness and deliberation gave way to violent emotion; his cheeks glowedand his eyes flashed. But only for one single minute; then the strongemotion seemed to freeze, his burning cheeks grew pale. "You are tryingto make me hate my friends, in order to gain me as your ally, " he said, coldly and calmly. "I know you Greeks very well. You are so intriguingand artful, that there is no lie, no fraud, too base, if it will onlyhelp to gain your purpose. "

"You judge me and my countrymen in true Egyptian fashion; that is, they are foreigners, and therefore must be bad men. But this time yoursuspicions happen to be misplaced. Send for old Hib; he will tell youwhether I am right or not. "

Nebenchari's face darkened, as Hib came into the room. 

"Come nearer, " said he in a commanding tone to the old man. 

Hib obeyed with a shrug of the shoulders. 

"Tell me, have you taken a bribe from this man? Yes or no? I must knowthe truth; it can influence my future for good or evil. You are an oldand faithful servant, to whom I owe a great deal, and so I will forgiveyou if you were taken in by his artifices, but I must know the truth. Iconjure you to tell me by the souls of your fathers gone to Osiris!"

The old man's sallow face turned ashy pale as he heard these words. He gulped and wheezed some time before he could find an answer, and atlast, after choking down the tears which had forced their way to hiseyes, said, in a half-angry, half-whining tone: "Didn't I say so?they've bewitched him, they've ruined him in this wicked land. Whatevera man would do himself, he thinks others are capable of. Aye, you maylook as angry as you like; it matters but little to me. What can itmatter indeed to an old man, who has served the same family faithfullyand honestly for sixty years, if they call him at last a rogue, a knave, a traitor, nay even a murderer, if it should take their fancy. "

And the scalding tears flowed down over the old man's cheeks, sorelyagainst his will. 

The easily-moved Phanes clapped him on the shoulder and said, turningto Nebenchari: "Hib is a faithful fellow. I give you leave to call me arascal, if he has taken one single obolus from me. "

The physician did not need Phanes' assurance; he had known his oldservant too well and too long not to be able to read his simple, openfeatures, on which his innocence was written as clearly as in the pagesof an open book. "I did not mean to reproach you, old Hib, " he saidkindly, coming up to him. "How can any one be so angry at a simplequestion?"

"Perhaps you expect me to be pleased at such a shameful suspicion?"

"No, not that; but at all events now you can tell me what has happenedat our house since I left. "

"A pretty story that is! Why only to think of it makes my mouth asbitter, as if I were chewing wormwood. "

"You said I had been robbed. "

"Yes indeed: no one was ever so robbed before. There would have beensome comfort if the knaves had belonged to the thieves' caste, for thenwe should have got the best part of our property back again, and shouldnot after all have been worse off than many another; but when. . . "

 [The cunning son of the architect, who robbed the treasure-house of Rhampsinitus was, according to Herodotus, (II. 120), severely punished; but in Diod. I. 80. We see that when thieves acknowledged themselves to the authorities to be such, they were not punished, though a strict watch was set over them. According to Diodorus, there was a president of the thieves' caste, from whom the stolen goods could be reclaimed on relinquishment of a fourth part of the same. This strange rule possibly owed its rise to the law, which compelled every Egyptian to appear once in each year before the authorities of his district and give an account of his means of subsistence. Those who made false statements were punished with death. Diod. I. 77. Thus no one who valued his life could escape the watchful eye of the police, and the thief sacrificed the best part of his gains in order to save his life. ]

"Keep to the point, for my time is limited. "

"You need not tell me that; I see old Hib can't do anything right herein Persia. Well, be it so, you're master; you must give orders; I amonly the servant, I must obey. I won't forget it. Well, as I was saying, it was just at the time when the great Persian embassy came over toSais to fetch Nitetis, and made everybody stare at them as if they weremonsters or prodigies, that this shameful thing happened. I was sittingon the mosquito-tower just as the sun was setting, playing with mylittle grandson, my Baner's eldest boy--he's a fine strapping littlelad now, wonderfully sharp and strong for his age. The rogue was justtelling me how his father, the Egyptians do that when their wives leavethe children too much alone--had hidden his mother's shoes, and I waslaughing heartily, because my Baner won't let any of the little oneslive with me, she always says I spoil them, and so I was glad she shouldhave the trick played her--when all of a sudden there was such a loudknocking at the house-door, that I thought there must be a fire and letthe child drop off my lap. Down the stairs I ran, three steps at a time, as fast as my long legs would carry me, and unbarred the door. Before Ihad time to ask them what they wanted, a whole crowd of temple-servantsand policemen--there must have been at least fifteen of them--forcedtheir way into the house. Pichi, --you know, that impudent fellow fromthe temple of Neith, --pushed me back, barred the door inside and toldthe police to put me in fetters if I refused to obey him. Of course Igot angry and did not use very civil words to them--you know that's myway when I'm put out--and what does that bit of a fellow do--by our godThoth, the protector of knowledge who must know all, I'm speaking thetruth--but order them to bind my hands, forbid me--me, old Hib--tospeak, and then tell me that he had been told by the high-priest toorder me five-and-twenty strokes, if I refused to do his bidding. Heshowed me the high-priest's ring, and so I knew there was nothing for itbut to obey the villain, whether I would or no. And what was his modestdemand? Why, nothing less than to give him all the written papers youhad left behind. But old Hib is not quite so stupid as to let himselfbe caught in that way, though some people, who ought to know better, dofancy he can be bribed and is no better than the son of an ass. What didI do then? I pretended to be quite crushed into submission by the sightof the signet-ring, begged Pichi as politely as I could to unfasten myhands, and told him I would fetch the keys. They loosened the cords, I flew up the stairs five steps at a time, burst open the door of yoursleeping-room, pushed my little grandson, who was standing by it, intothe room and barred it within. Thanks to my long legs, the others wereso far behind that I had time to get hold of the black box which you hadtold me to take so much care of, put it into the child's arms, lift himthrough the window on to the balcony which runs round the house towardsthe inner court, and tell him to put it at once into the pigeon-house. Then I opened the door as if nothing had happened, told Pichi the childhad had a knife in his mouth, and that that was the reason I had runupstairs in such a hurry, and had put him out on the balcony to punishhim. That brother of a hippopotamus was easily taken in, and thenhe made me show him over the house. First they found the greatsycamore-chest which you had told me to take great care of too, thenthe papyrus-rolls on your writing-table, and so by degrees every writtenpaper in the house. They made no distinction, but put all togetherinto the great chest and carried it downstairs; the little black box, however, lay safe enough in the pigeon-house. My grandchild is thesharpest boy in all Sais!

"When I saw them really carrying the chest downstairs, all the anger I'dbeen trying so hard to keep down burst out again. I told the impudentfellows I would accuse them before the magistrates, nay, even before theking if necessary, and if those confounded Persians, who were having thecity shown them, had not come up just then and made everybody stare atthem, I could have roused the crowd to take my side. The same eveningI went to my son-in-law-he is employed in the temple of Neith too, youknow, --and begged him to make every effort to find out what had becomeof the papers. The good fellow has never forgotten the handsome dowryyou gave my Baner when he married her, and in three days he came andtold me he had seen your beautiful chest and all the rolls it containedburnt to ashes. I was so angry that I fell ill of the jaundice, butthat did not hinder me from sending in a written accusation to themagistrates. The wretches, --I suppose only because they were prieststoo, --refused to take any notice of me or my complaint. Then I sent ina petition to the king, and was turned away there too with the shamefulthreat, that I should be considered guilty of high treason if Imentioned the papers again. I valued my tongue too much to take anyfurther steps, but the ground burnt under my feet; I could not stay inEgypt, I wanted to see you, tell you what they had done to you, andcall on you, who are more powerful than your poor servant, to revengeyourself. And besides, I wanted to see the black box safe in your hands, lest they should take that from me too. And so, old man as I am, witha sad heart I left my home and my grandchildren to go forth into thisforeign Typhon's land. Ah, the little lad was too sharp! As I waskissing him, he said: 'Stay with us, grandfather. If the foreigners makeyou unclean, they won't let me kiss you any more. ' Baner sends you ahearty greeting, and my son-in-law told me to say he had found out thatPsamtik, the crown-prince, and your rival, Petammon, had been the solecauses of this execrable deed. I could not make up my mind to trustmyself on that Typhon's sea, so I travelled with an Arabian tradingcaravan as far as Tadmor, --[Palmyra]--the Phoenician palm-tree stationin the wilderness, and then on to Carchemish, on the Euphrates, withmerchants from Sidon. The roads from Sardis and from Phoenicia meetthere, and, as I was sitting very weary in the little wood before thestation, a traveller arrived with the royal post-horses, and I saw atonce that it was the former commander of the Greek mercenaries. "

"And I, " interrupted Phanes, "recognized just as soon in you, thelongest and most quarrelsome old fellow that had ever come across mypath. Oh, how often I've laughed to see you scolding the children, as they ran after you in the street whenever you appeared behind yourmaster with the medicine-chest. The minute I saw you too I remembered ajoke which the king once made in his own way, as you were both passingby. 'The old man, ' he said, reminds me of a fierce old owl followed bya flight of small teasing birds, and Nebenchari looks as if he had ascolding wife, who will some day or other reward him for healing otherpeople's eyes by scratching out his own!'"

"Shameful!" said the old man, and burst into a flood of execrations. 

Nebenchari had been listening to his servant's tale in silence andthought. He had changed color from time to time and on hearing that thepapers which had cost him so many nights of hard work had been burnt, his fists clenched and he shivered as if seized by biting frost. Not oneof his movements escaped the Athenian. He understood human nature; heknew that a jest is often much harder to bear than a grave affront, andtherefore seized this opportunity to repeat the inconsiderate joke whichAmasis had, it is true, allowed himself to make in one of his merrymoods. Phanes had calculated rightly, and had the pleasure of seeing, that as he uttered the last words Nebenchari pressed his hand on a rosewhich lay on the table before him, and crushed it to pieces. The Greeksuppressed a smile of satisfaction, and did not even raise his eyesfrom the ground, but continued speaking: "Well, now we must bring thetravelling adventures of good old Hib to a close. I invited him to sharemy carriage. At first he refused to sit on the same cushion with sucha godless foreigner, as I am, gave in, however, at last, had a goodopportunity at the last station of showing the world how many cleverprocesses of manipulation he had learnt from you and your father, in histreatment of Oropastes' wounded brother; he reached Babylon at last safeand sound, and there, as we could not get sight of you, owing to themelancholy poisoning of your country-woman, I succeeded in obtaining hima lodging in the royal palace itself. The rest you knew already. "

Nebenchari bowed assent and gave Hib a sign to leave the room, whichthe old man obeyed, grumbling and scolding in a low tone as he departed. When the door had closed on him, Nebenchari, the man whose calling wasto heal, drew nearer to the soldier Phanes, and said: "I am afraid wecannot be allies after all, Greek. "

"Why not?"

"Because I fear, that your revenge will prove far too mild when comparedwith that which I feel bound to inflict. "

"On that head there is no need for solicitude, " answered the Athenian. "May I call you my ally then?"

"Yes, " answered the other; "but only on one condition. "

"And that is--?"

"That you will procure me an opportunity of seeing our vengeance with myown eyes. "

"That is as much as to say you are willing to accompany Cambyses' armyto Egypt?"

"Certainly I am; and when I see my enemies pining in disgrace and miseryI will cry unto them, 'Ah ha, ye cowards, the poor despised and exiledphysician, Nebenchari, has brought this wretchedness upon you!' Oh, mybooks, my books! They made up to me for my lost wife and child. Hundredswere to have learnt from them how to deliver the blind from the darknight in which he lives, and to preserve to the seeing the sweetestgift of the gods, the greatest beauty of the human countenance, thereceptacle of light, the seeing eye. Now that my books are burnt I havelived in vain; the wretches have burnt me in burning my works. O mybooks, my books!" And he sobbed aloud in his agony. Phanes came up andtook his band, saying: "The Egyptians have struck you, my friend, butme they have maltreated and abused--thieves have broken into yourgranaries, but my hearth and home have been burnt to ashes byincendiaries. Do you know, man, what I have had to suffer at theirhands? In persecuting me, and driving me out of Egypt, they only didwhat they had a right to do; by their law I was a condemned man; and Icould have forgiven all they did to me personally, for I loved Amasis, as a man loves his friend. The wretch knew that, and yet he sufferedthem to commit a monstrous, an incredible act--an act that a man's brainrefuses to take in. They stole like wolves by night into a helplesswoman's house--they seized my children, a girl and boy, the pride, thejoy and comfort of my homeless, wandering life. And how think you, didthey treat them? The girl they kept in confinement, on the pretext thatby so doing they should prevent me from betraying Egypt to Cambyses. But the boy--my beautiful, gentle boy--my only son--has been murderedby Psamtik's orders, and possibly with the knowledge of Amasis. Myheart was withered and shrunk with exile and sorrow, but I feel that itexpands--it beats more joyfully now that there is a hope of vengeance. "

Nebenchari's sullen but burning glance met the flashing eye of theAthenian as he finished his tale; he gave him his hand and said: "We areallies. "

The Greek clasped the offered hand and answered: "Our first point now isto make sure of the king's favor. "

"I will restore Kassandane's sight. "

"Is that in your power?"

"The operation which removed Amasis' blindness was my own discovery. Petammon stole it from my burnt papers. "

"Why did you not exert your skill earlier?"

"Because I am not accustomed to bestow presents on my enemies. "

Phanes shuddered slightly at these words, recovered himself, however, in a moment, and said: "And I am certain of the king's favor too. TheMassagetan envoys have gone home to-day; peace has been granted themand. . . . "

While he was speaking the door was burst open and one of Kassandane'seunuchs rushed into the room crying: "The Princess Nitetis is dying!Follow me at once, there is not a moment to lose. "

The physician made a parting sign to his confederate, and followed theeunuch to the dying-bed of the royal bride. 

CHAPTER VIII. 

The sun was already trying to break a path for his rays through thethick curtains, that closed the window of the sick-room, but Nebencharihad not moved from the Egyptian girl's bedside. Sometimes he felt herpulse, or spread sweet-scented ointments on her forehead or chest, andthen he would sit gazing dreamily into vacancy. Nitetis seemed to havesunk into a deep sleep after an attack of convulsions. At the foot ofher bed stood six Persian doctors, murmuring incantations under theorders of Nebenchari, whose superior science they acknowledged, and whowas seated at the bed's head. 

Every time he felt the sick girl's pulse he shrugged his shoulders, andthe gesture was immediately imitated by his Persian colleagues. Fromtime to time the curtain was lifted and a lovely head appeared, whosequestioning blue eyes fixed at once on the physician, but were alwaysdismissed with the same melancholy shrug. It was Atossa. Twice she hadventured into the room, stepping so lightly as hardly to touch the thickcarpet of Milesian wool, had stolen to her friend's bedside and lightlykissed her forehead, on which the pearly dew of death was standing, buteach time a severe and reproving glance from Nebenchari had sent herback again into the next room, where her mother Kassandane was lying, awaiting the end. 

Cambyses had left the sick-room at sunrise, on seeing that Nitetis hadfallen asleep; he flung himself on to his horse, and accompanied byPhanes, Prexaspes, Otanes, Darius, and a number of courtiers, only justaroused from their sleep, took a wild ride through the game-park. Heknew by experience, that he could best overcome or forget any violentmental emotion when mounted on an unmanageable horse. 

Nebenchari started on hearing the sound of horses' hoofs in thedistance. In a waking dream he had seen Cambyses enter his native landat the head of immense hosts; he had seen its cities and temples onfire, and its gigantic pyramids crumbling to pieces under the powerfulblows of his mighty hand. Women and children lay in the smoulderingruins, and plaintive cries arose from the tombs in which the verymummies moved like living beings; and all these-priests, warriors, women, and children--the living and the dead--all had utteredhis, --Nebenchari's, --name, and had cursed him as a traitor to hiscountry. A cold shiver struck to his heart; it beat more convulsivelythan the blood in the veins of the dying girl at his side. Again thecurtain was raised; Atossa stole in once more and laid her hand on hisshoulder. He started and awoke. Nebenchari had been sitting three daysand nights with scarcely any intermission by this sick-bed, and suchdreams were the natural consequence. 

Atossa slipped back to her mother. Not a sound broke the sultry air ofthe sick-room, and Nebenchiari's thoughts reverted to his dream. He toldhimself that he was on the point of becoming a traitor and a criminal, the visions he had just beheld passed before him again, but this timeit was another, and a different one which gained the foremost place. Theforms of Amasis, who had laughed at and exiled him, --of Psamtik and thepriests, --who had burnt his works, --stood near him; they were heavilyfettered and besought mercy at his hands. His lips moved, but this wasnot the place in which to utter the cruel words which rose to them. Andthen the stern man wiped away a tear as he remembered the long nights, in which he had sat with the reed in his hand, by the dull light of thelamp, carefully painting every sign of the fine hieratic characterin which he committed his ideas and experience to writing. He haddiscovered remedies for many diseases of the eye, spoken of in thesacred books of Thoth and the writings of a famous old physician ofByblos as incurable, but, knowing that he should be accused of sacrilegeby his colleagues, if he ventured on a correction or improvement of thesacred writings, he had entitled his work, "Additional writings onthe treatment of diseases of the eye, by the great god Thoth, newlydiscovered by the oculist Nebenchari. "

He had resolved on bequeathing his works to the library at Thebes, thathis experience might be useful to his successors and bring forth fruitfor the whole body of sufferers. This was to be his reward for the longnights which he had sacrificed to science--recognition after death, andfame for the caste to which he belonged. And there stood his old rivalPetammon, by the side of the crown-prince in the grove of Neith, andstirred the consuming fire, after having stolen his discovery of theoperation of couching. Their malicious faces were tinged by the red glowof the flames, which rose with their spiteful laughter towards heaven, as if demanding vengeance. A little further off he saw in his dreamAmasis receiving his father's letters from the hands of the high-priest. Scornful and mocking words were being uttered by the king; Neithoteplooked exultant. --In these visions Nebenchari was so lost, that one ofthe Persian doctors was obliged to point out to him that his patient wasawake. He nodded in reply, pointing to his own weary eyes with a smile, felt the sick girl's pulse, and asked her in Egyptian how she had slept. 

"I do not know, " she answered, in a voice that was hardly audible. "Itseemed to me that I was asleep, and yet I saw and heard everything thathad happened in the room. I felt so weak that I hardly knew whether Iwas awake or asleep. Has not Atossa been here several times?"

"Yes. "

"And Cambyses stayed with Kassandane until sunrise; then he went out, mounted his horse Reksch, and rode into the game-park. "

"How do you know that?"

"I saw it. "

Nebenchari looked anxiously into the girl's shining eyes. She went on:"A great many dogs have been brought into the court behind this house. "

"Probably the king has ordered a hunt, in order to deaden the pain whichhe feels at seeing you suffer. "

"Oh, no. I know better what it means. Oropastes taught me, that whenevera Persian dies dogs' are brought in, that the Divs may enter into them. "

"But you are living, my mistress, and. . . "

"Oh, I know very well that I shall die. I knew that I had not many hoursmore to live, even if I had not seen how you and the other physiciansshrugged your shoulders whenever you looked at me. That poison isdeadly. "

"You are speaking too much, my mistress, it will hurt you. "

"Oh let me speak, Nebenchari! I must ask you to do something for mebefore I die. "

"I am your servant. "

"No, Nebenchari, you must be my friend and priest. You are not angrywith me for having prayed to the Persian gods? Our own Hathor was alwaysmy best friend still. Yes, I see by your face that you forgiven me. Thenyou must promise not to allow my corpse to be torn in pieces by dogs andvultures. The thought is so very dreadful. You will promise to embalm mybody and ornament it with amulets?"

"If the king allows. "

"Of course he will. How could Cambyses possibly refuse my last request?"

"Then my skill is at your service. "

"Thank you; but I have still something else to ask. "

"You must be brief. My Persian colleagues are already making signs tome, to enjoin silence on you. "

"Can't you send them away for a moment?"

"I will try to do so. "

Nebenchari then went up and spoke to the Magi for a few minutes, andthey left the room. An important incantation, at which no one but thetwo concerned might be present, and the application of a new and secretantidotal poison were the pretexts which he had used in order to get ridof them. 

When they were alone, Nitetis drew a breath of relief and said: "Giveme your priestly blessing on my long journey into the nether world, andprepare me for my pilgrimage to Osiris. "

Nebenchari knelt down by her bed and in a low voice repeated hymns, Nitetis making devotional responses. 

The physician represented Osiris, the lord of the nether world--Nitetisthe soul, justifying itself before him. 

When these ceremonies were ended the sick girl breathed more freely. Nebenchari could not but feel moved in looking at this young suicide. Hefelt confident that he had saved a soul for the gods of his nativeland, had cheered the last sad and painful hours of one of God's goodcreatures. During these last moments, compassion and benevolence hadexcluded every bitter feeling; but when he remembered that this lovelycreature owed all her misery to Amasis too, the old black cloud ofthought darkened his mind again. --Nitetis, after lying silent for sometime, turned to her new friend with a pleasant smile, and said: "I shallfind mercy with the judges of the dead now, shall not I?"

"I hope and believe so. "

"Perhaps I may find Tachot before the throne of Osiris, and myfather. . . . "

"Your father and mother are waiting for you there. Now in your last hourbless those who begot you, and curse those who have robbed you of yourparents, your crown and your life. "

"I do not understand you. "

"Curse those who robbed you of your parents, crown and life, girl!"cried the physician again, rising to his full height, breathing hardas he said the words, and gazing down on the dying girl. "Curse thosewretches, girl! that curse will do more in gaining mercy from the judgesof the dead, than thousands of good works!" And as he said this heseized her hand and pressed it violently. 

Nitetis looked up uneasily into his indignant face, and stammered inblind obedience, "I curse those who robbed my parents of their throneand lives!"

"Those who robbed my parents of their throne and their lives, " sherepeated after him, and then crying, "Oh, my heart!" sank back exhaustedon the bed. 

Nebenchari bent down, and before the royal physicians could return, kissed her forehead gently, murmuring: "She dies my confederate. Thegods hearken to the prayers of those who die innocent. By carrying thesword into Egypt, I shall avenge king Hophra's wrongs as well as myown. "

When Nitetis opened her eyes once more, a few hours later, Kassandanewas holding her right hand, Atossa kneeling at her feet, and Croesusstanding at the head of her bed, trying, with the failing strengthof old age, to support the gigantic frame of the king, who was socompletely overpowered by his grief, that he staggered like a drunkenman. The dying girl's eyes lighted up as she looked round on thiscircle. She was wonderfully beautiful. Cambyses came closer and kissedher lips; they were growing cold in death. It was the first kiss he hadever given her, and the last. Two large tears sprang to her eyes; theirlight was fast growing dim; she murmured Cambyses' name softly, fellback in Atossa's arms, and died. 

We shall not give a detailed account of the next few hours: it wouldbe an unpleasant task to describe how, at a signal from the principalPersian doctor, every one, except Nebenchari and Croesus, hastily leftthe room; how dogs were brought in and their sagacious heads turnedtowards the corpse in order to scare the demon of death;--how, directlyafter Nitetis' death, Kassandane, Atossa and their entire retinuemoved into another house in order to avoid defilement;--how fire wasextinguished throughout the dwelling, that the pure element might beremoved from the polluting spirits of death;--how spells and exorcismswere muttered, and how every person and thing, which had approached orbeen brought into contact with the dead body, was subjected to numerouspurifications with water and pungent fluids. 

The same evening Cambyses was seized by one of his old epilepticattacks. Two days later he gave Nebenchari permission to embalm Nitetis'body in the Egyptian manner, according to her last wish. The king gaveway to the most immoderate grief; he tore the flesh of his arms, renthis clothes and strewed ashes on his head, and on his couch. All themagnates of his court were obliged to follow his example. The troopsmounted guard with rent banners and muffled drums. The cymbals andkettle-drums of the "Immortals" were bound round with crape. The horseswhich Nitetis had used, as well as all which were then in use by thecourt, were colored blue and deprived of their tails; the entire courtappeared in mourning robes of dark brown, rent to the girdle, and theMagi were compelled to pray three days and nights unceasingly for thesoul of the dead, which was supposed to be awaiting its sentence foreternity at the bridge Chinvat on the third night. 

Neither the king, Kassandane, nor Atossa shrank from submitting to thenecessary purifications; they repeated, as if for one of their nearestrelations, thirty prayers for the dead, while, in a house outsidethe city gates Nebenchari began to embalm her body in the most costlymanner, and according to the strictest rules of his art. 

 [Embalming was practised in three different ways. The first cost a talent of silver (L225. ); the second 20 Minae (L60. ) and the third was very inexpensive. Herod. II. 86-88. Diod. I. 9. The brain was first drawn out through the nose and the skull filled with spices. The intestines were then taken out, and the body filled in like manner with aromatic spices. When all was finished, the corpse was left 70 days in a solution of soda, and then wrapped in bandages of byssus spread over with gum. The microscopical examinations of mummy-bandages made by Dr. Ure and Prof. Czermak have proved that byssus is linen, not cotton. The manner of embalming just described is the most expensive, and the latest chemical researches prove that the description given of it by the Greeks was tolerably correct. L. Penicher maintains that the bodies were first somewhat dried in ovens, and that then resin of the cedar-tree, or asphalte, was poured into every opening. According to Herodotus, female corpses were embalmed by women. Herod. II. 89. The subject is treated in great detail by Pettigrew, History of Egyptian Mummies. London. 1834. Czermak's microscopical examinations of Egyptian mummies show how marvellously the smallest portions of the bodies were preserved, and confirm the statements of Herodotus on many points. The monuments also contain much information in regard to embalming, and we now know the purpose of nearly all the amulets placed with the dead. ]

For nine days Cambyses remained in a condition, which seemed littleshort of insanity. At times furious, at others dull and stupefied, hedid not even allow his relations or the high-priest to approach him. Onthe morning of the tenth day he sent for the chief of the sevenjudges and commanded, that as lenient a sentence as possible shouldbe pronounced on Gaumata. Nitetis, on her dying-bed, had begged him tospare the life of this unhappy youth. 

One hour later the sentence was submitted to the king for ratification. It ran thus: "Victory to the king! Inasmuch as Cambyses, the eye of theworld and the sun of righteousness, hath, in his great mercy, whichis as broad as the heavens and as inexhaustible as the great deep, commanded us to punish the crime of the son of the Magi, Gaumata, withthe indulgence of a mother instead of with the severity of a judge, we, the seven judges of the realm, have determined to grant his forfeitedlife. Inasmuch, however, as by the folly of this youth the lives ofthe noblest and best in this realm have been imperilled, and it mayreasonably be apprehended that he may again abuse the marvellouslikeness to Bartja, the noble son of Cyrus, in which the gods have beenpleased in their mercy to fashion his form and face, and thereby bringprejudice upon the pure and righteous, we have determined to disfigurehim in such wise, that in the time to come it will be a light matter todiscern between this, the most worthless subject of the realm, andhim who is most worthy. We therefore, by the royal Will and command, pronounce sentence, that both the ears of Gaumata be cut off, for thehonor of the righteous and shame of the impure. "

Cambyses confirmed this sentence at once, and it was executed the sameday. 

 [With reference to Gaumata's punishment, the same which Herodotus says was inflicted on the pretended Smerdis, we would observe that even Persians of high rank were sometimes deprived of their ears. In the Behistan inscription (Spiegel p. 15 and 21. ) the ears, tongue and nose of the man highest in rank among the rebels, were cut off. Similar punishments are quoted by Brisson. ]

Oropastes did not dare to intercede for his brother, though thisignominious punishment mortified his ambitious mind more than evena sentence of death could have done. As he was afraid that his owninfluence and consideration might suffer through this mutilated brother, he ordered him to leave Babylon at once for a country-house of his ownon Mount Arakadris. 

During the few days which had just passed, a shabbily-dressed andclosely-veiled woman had watched day and night at the great gate of thepalace; neither the threats of the sentries nor the coarse jests of thepalace-servants could drive her from her post. She never allowed one ofthe less important officials to pass without eagerly questioning him, first as to the state of the Egyptian Princess, and then what hadbecome of Gaumata. When his sentence was told her as a good joke by achattering lamp-lighter, she went off into the strangest excitement, andastonished the poor man so much by kissing his robe, that he thoughtshe must be crazed, and gave her an alms. She refused the money, butremained at her post, subsisting on the bread which was given her by thecompassionate distributors of food. Three days later Gaumata himself, with his head bound up, was driven out in a closed harmamaxa. She rushedto the carriage and ran screaming by the side of it, until the driverstopped his mules and asked what she wanted. She threw back her veiland showed the poor, suffering youth her pretty face covered with deepblushes. Gaumata uttered a low cry as he recognized her, collectedhimself, however, in a moment, and said: "What do you want with me, Mandane?"

The wretched girl raised her hands beseechingly to him, crying: "Oh, donot leave me, Gaumata! Take me with you! I forgive you all the miseryyou have brought on me and my poor mistress. I love you so much, I willtake care of you and nurse you as if I were the lowest servant-girl. "

A short struggle passed in Gaumata's mind. He was just going to open thecarriage-door and clasp Mandane-his earliest love-in his arms, whenthe sound of horses' hoofs coming nearer struck on his ear, and lookinground he saw, a carriage full of Magi, among whom were several whohad been his companions at the school for priests. He felt ashamedand afraid of being seen by the very youths, whom he had often treatedproudly and haughtily because he was the brother of the high-priest, threw Mandane a purse of gold, which his brother had given him atparting, and ordered the driver to go on as fast as possible. The mulesgalloped off. Mandane kicked the purse away, rushed after the carriageand clung to it firmly. One of the wheels caught her dress and draggedher down. With the strength of despair she sprang up, ran after themules, overtook them on a slight ascent which had lessened their speed, and seized the reins. The driver used his three-lashed whip, or scourge, the creatures reared, pulled the girl down and rushed on. Her lastcry of agony pierced the wounds of the mutilated man like a sharplance-thrust. 

 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

On the twelfth day after Nitetis' death Cambyses went out hunting, inthe hope that the danger and excitement of the sport might divert hismind. The magnates and men of high rank at his court received him withthunders of applause, for which he returned cordial thanks. These fewdays of grief had worked a great change in a man so unaccustomed tosuffering as Cambyses. His face was pale, his raven-black hair and beardhad grown grey, and the consciousness of victory which usually shone inhis eyes was dimmed. Had he not, only too painfully, experienced thatthere was a stronger will than his own, and that, easily as he coulddestroy, it did not be in his power to preserve the life of the meanestcreature? Before starting, Cambyses mustered his troop of sportsmen, andcalling Gobryas, asked why Phanes was not there. 

"My King did not order. . . "

"He is my guest and companion, once for all; call him and follow us. "

Gobryas bowed, dashed back to the palace, and in half an hour reappearedamong the royal retinue with Phanes. 

The Athenian was warmly welcomed by many of the group, a fact whichseems strange when we remember that courtiers are of all men the mostprone to envy, and a royal favorite always the most likely object toexcite their ill will. But Phanes seemed a rare exception to thisrule. He had met the Achaemenidae in so frank and winning a manner, hadexcited so many hopes by the hints he had thrown out of an expected andimportant war, and had aroused so much merriment by well-told jests, such as the Persians had never heard before, that there were very fewwho did not welcome his appearance gladly, and when--in company withthe king--he separated from the rest in chase of a wild ass, they openlyconfessed to one another, that they had never before seen so perfect aman. The clever way in which he had brought the innocence of the accusedto light, the finesse which he had shown in securing the king's favor, and the ease with which he had learnt the Persian language in so short atime, were all subjects of admiration. Neither was there one even of theAchaemenidae themselves, who exceeded him in beauty of face or symmetryof figure. In the chase he proved himself a perfect horseman, and in aconflict with a bear an exceptionally courageous and skilful sportsman. On the way home, as the courtiers were extolling all the wonderfulqualities possessed by the king's favorite, old Araspes exclaimed, "Iquite agree with you that this Greek, who by the way has proved himselfa better soldier than anything else, is no common man, but I am sureyou would not praise him half as much, if he were not a foreigner and anovelty. "

Phanes happened to be only separated from the speaker by some thickbushes, and heard these words. When the other had finished, he went upand said, smiling: "I understood what you said and feel obliged to youfor your kind opinion. The last sentence, however, gave me even morepleasure than the first, because it confirmed my own idea that thePersians are the most generous people in the world--they praise thevirtues of other nations as much, or even more, than their own. "

His hearers smiled, well pleased at this flattering remark, and Phaneswent on: "How different the Jews are now, for instance! They fancythemselves the exclusive favorites of the gods, and by so doing incurthe contempt of all wise men, and the hatred of the whole world. Andthen the Egyptians! You have no idea of the perversity of that people. Why, if the priests could have their way entirely, (and they have agreat deal of power in their hands) not a foreigner would be left alivein Egypt, nor a single stranger allowed to enter the country. A trueEgyptian would rather starve, than eat out of the same dish with one ofus. There are more strange, astonishing and wonderful things to beseen in that country than anywhere else in the world. And yet, to do itjustice, I must say that Egypt has been well spoken of as the richestand most highly cultivated land under the sun. The man who possessesthat kingdom need not envy the very gods themselves. It would be merechild's play to conquer that beautiful country. Ten years there gave mea perfect insight into the condition of things, and I know that theirentire military caste would not be sufficient to resist one such troopas your Immortals. Well, who knows what the future may bring! Perhaps wemay all make a little trip together to the Nile some day. In my opinion, your good swords have been rather long idle. " These well-calculatedwords were received with such shouts of applause, that the king turnedhis horse to enquire the cause. Phanes answered quickly that theAchaemenidae were rejoicing in the thought that a war might possibly benear at hand. 

"What war?" asked the king, with the first smile that had been seen onhis face for many days. 

"We were only speaking in general of the possibility of such a thing, "answered Phanes carelessly; then, riding up to the king's side, hisvoice took an impressive tone full of feeling, and looking earnestlyinto his face, he began: "It is true, my Sovereign, that I was not bornin this beautiful country as one of your subjects, nor can I boast of along acquaintance with the most powerful of monarchs, but yet I cannotresist the presumptuous, perhaps criminal thought, that the gods at mybirth appointed me to be your real friend. It is not your rich giftsthat have drawn me to you. I did not need them, for I belong to thewealthier class of my countrymen, and I have no son, --no heir, --towhom I can bequeath my treasures. Once I had a boy--a beautiful, gentlechild;--but I was not going to speak of that, --I. . . Are you offended atmy freedom of speech, my Sovereign?"

"What is there to offend me?" answered the king, who had never beenspoken to in this manner before, and felt strongly attracted to theoriginal foreigner. 

"Till to-day I felt that your grief was too sacred to be disturbed, butnow the time has come to rouse you from it and to make your heart glowonce more. You will have to hear what must be very painful to you. "

"There is nothing more now, that can grieve me. "

"What I am going to tell you will not give you pain; on the contrary, itwill rouse your anger. "

"You make me curious. "

"You have been shamefully deceived; you and that lovely creature, whodied such an early death a few days ago. "

Cambyses' eyes flashed a demand for further information. 

"Amasis, the King of Egypt, has dared to make sport of you, the lordof the world. That gentle girl was not his daughter, though she herselfbelieved that she was; she. . . "

"Impossible!"

"It would seem so, and yet I am speaking the simple truth. Amasis spuna web of lies, in which he managed to entrap, not only the whole world, but you too, my Sovereign. Nitetis, the most lovely creature ever bornof woman, was the daughter of a king, but not of the usurper Amasis. Hophra, the rightful king of Egypt, was the father of this pearl amongwomen. You may well frown, my Sovereign. It is a cruel thing to bebetrayed by one's friends and allies. "

Cambyses spurred his horse, and after a silence of some moments, kept byPhanes purposely, that his words might make a deeper impression, cried, "Tell me more! I wish to know everything. "

"Hophra had been living twenty years in easy captivity in Sais after hisdethronement, when his wife, who had borne him three children and buriedthem all, felt that she was about to give birth to a fourth. Hophra, inhis joy, determined to offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving in the templeof Pacht, the Egyptian goddess supposed to confer the blessing ofchildren, when, on his way thither, a former magnate of his court, named Patarbemis, whom, in a fit of unjust anger, he had ignominiouslymutilated, fell upon him with a troop of slaves and massacred him. Amasis had the unhappy widow brought to his palace at once, and assignedher an apartment next to the one occupied by his own queen Ladice, whowas also expecting soon to give birth to a child. A girl was born toHophra's widow, but the mother died in the same hour, and two days laterLadice bore a child also. --But I see we are in the court of the palace. If you allow, I will have the report of the physician, by whom thisimposture was effected, read before you. Several of his notes have, bya remarkable conjuncture of circumstances, which I will explain toyou later, fallen into my hands. A former high-priest of Heliopolis, Onuphis, is now living in Babylon, and understands all the differentstyles of writing in use among his countrymen. Nebenchari will, ofcourse, refuse to help in disclosing an imposture, which must inevitablylead to the ruin of his country. "

"In an hour I expect to see you here with the man you have just spokenof. Croesus, Nebenchari, and all the Achaemenidae who were in Egypt, will have to appear also. I must have certainty before I can act, andyour testimony alone is not sufficient, because I know from Amasis, thatyou have cause to feel a grudge against his house. "

At the time appointed all were assembled before the king in obedience tohis command. 

Onuphis, the former high-priest, was an old man of eighty. A pair oflarge, clear, intelligent, grey eyes looked out of a head so worn andwasted, as to be more like a mere skull than the head of a living man. He held a large papyrus-roll in his gaunt hand, and was seated in aneasy chair, as his paralyzed limbs did not allow of his standing, evenin the king's presence. His dress was snow-white, as beseemed a priest, but there were patches and rents to be seen here and there. His figuremight perhaps once have been tall and slender, but it was now so bentand shrunk by age, privation and suffering, as to look unnatural anddwarfish, in comparison with the size of his head. 

Nebenchari, who revered Onuphis, not only as a high-priest deeplyinitiated in the most solemn mysteries, but also on account of his greatage, stood by his side and arranged his cushions. At his left stoodPhanes, and then Croesus, Darius and Prexaspes. 

The king sat upon his throne. His face was dark and stern as he brokethe silence with the following words:--"This noble Greek, who, I aminclined to believe, is my friend, has brought me strange tidings. Hesays that I have been basely deceived by Amasis, that my deceased wifewas not his, but his predecessor's daughter. "

A murmur of astonishment ran through the assembly. "This old man is hereto prove the imposture. " Onuphis gave a sign of assent. 

"Prexaspes, my first question is to you. When Nitetis was entrusted toyour care, was it expressly said that she was the daughter of Amasis?"

"Expressly. Nebenchari had, it is true, praised Tachot to the nobleKassandane as the most beautiful of the twin sisters; but Amasisinsisted on sending Nitetis to Persia. I imagined that, by confiding hismost precious jewel to your care, he meant to put you under a specialobligation; and as it seemed to me that Nitetis surpassed her sister, not only in beauty but in dignity of character, I ceased to sue for thehand of Tachot. In his letter to you too, as you will remember, he spokeof confiding to you his most beautiful, his dearest child. "

"Those were his words. "

"And Nitetis was, without question, the more beautiful and the noblerof the two sisters, " said Croesus in confirmation of the envoy's remark. "But it certainly did strike me that Tachot was her royal parents'favorite. "

"Yes, " said Darius, "without doubt. Once, at a revel, Amasis jokedBartja in these words: 'Don't look too deep into Tachot's eyes, for ifyou were a god, I could not allow you to take her to Persia!' Psamtikwas evidently annoyed at this remark and said to the king, 'Father, remember Phanes. '"

"Phanes!"

"Yes, my Sovereign, " answered the Athenian. "Once, when he wasintoxicated, Amasis let out his secret to me, and Psamtik was warninghim not to forget himself a second time. "

"Tell the story as it occurred. "

"On my return from Cyprus to Sais as a conqueror, a great entertainmentwas given at court. Amasis distinguished me in every way, as having wona rich province for him, and even, to the dismay of his own countrymen, embraced me. His affection increased with his intoxication, and at last, as Psamtik and I were leading him to his private apartments, he stoppedat the door of his daughter's room, and said: 'The girls sleep there. If you will put away your own wife, Athenian, I will give you Nitetis. I should like to have you for a son-in-law. There's a secret about thatgirl, Phanes; she's not my own child. ' Before his drunken father couldsay more, Psamtik laid his hand before his mouth, and sent me roughlyaway to my lodging, where I thought the matter over and conjecturedwhat I now, from reliable sources, know to be the truth. I entreatyou, command this old man to translate those parts of the physicianSonnophre's journal, which allude to this story. "

Cambyses nodded his consent, and the old man began to read in a voicefar louder than any one could have supposed possible from his infirmappearance "On the fifth day of the month Thoth, I was sent for by theking. I had expected this, as the queen was near her confinement. Withmy assistance she was easily and safely delivered of a child--a weaklygirl. As soon as the nurse had taken charge of this child, Amasis led mebehind a curtain which ran across his wife's sleeping-apartment. Therelay another infant, which I recognized as the child of Hophra's widow, who herself had died under my hands on the third day of the same month. The king then said, pointing to this strong child, 'This little creaturehas no parents, but, as it is written in the law that we are to showmercy to the desolate orphans, Ladice and I have determined to bring herup as our own daughter. We do not, however, wish that this deed shouldbe made known, either to the world or to the child herself, and I askyou to keep the secret and spread a report that Ladice has given birthto twins. If you accomplish this according to our wish, you shallreceive to-day five thousand rings of gold, and the fifth part of thissum yearly, during your life. I made my obeisance in silence, orderedevery one to leave the sick room, and, when I again called them in, announced that Ladice had given birth to a second girl. Amasis' realchild received the name of Tachot, the spurious one was called Nitetis. "

At these words Cambyses rose from his seat, and strode through the hall;but Onuphis continued, without allowing himself to be disturbed: "Sixthday of the month Thoth. This morning I had just lain down to rest afterthe fatigues of the night, when a servant appeared with the promisedgold and a letter from the king, asking me to procure a dead child, tobe buried with great ceremony as the deceased daughter of King Hophra. After a great deal of trouble I succeeded, an hour ago, in obtaining onefrom a poor girl who had given birth to a child secretly in the houseof the old woman, who lives at the entrance to the City of the Dead. Thelittle one had caused her shame and sorrow enough, but she would not bepersuaded to give up the body of her darling, until I promised that itshould be embalmed and buried in the most splendid manner. We put thelittle corpse into my large medicine-chest, my son Nebenchari carried itthis time instead of my servant Hib, and so it was introduced into theroom where Hophra's widow had died. The poor girl's baby will receive amagnificent funeral. I wish I might venture to tell her, what a gloriouslot awaits her darling after death. Nebenchari has just been sent for bythe king. "

At the second mention of this name, Cambyses stopped in his walk, andsaid: "Is our oculist Nebenchari the man whose name is mentioned in thismanuscript?"

"Nebenchari, " returned Phanes, "is the son of this very Sonnophre whochanged the children. "

The physician did not raise his eyes; his face was gloomy and sullen. 

Cambyses took the roll of papyrus out of Onuphis' band, looked atthe characters with which it was covered, shook his head, went up toNebenchari and said:

"Look at these characters and tell me if it is your father's writing. "

Nebenchari fell on his knees and raised his hands. 

"I ask, did your father paint these signs?"

"I do not know-whether. . . Indeed. . . "

"I will know the truth. Yes or no?"

"Yes, my King; but. . . "

"Rise, and be assured of my favor. Faithfulness to his ruler is theornament of a subject; but do not forget that I am your king now. Kassandane tells me, that you are going to undertake a delicateoperation to-morrow in order to restore her sight. Are you not venturingtoo much?"

"I can depend on my own skill, my Sovereign. "

"One more question. Did you know of this fraud?"

"Yes. "

"And you allowed me to remain in error?"

"I had been compelled to swear secrecy and an oath. . . "

"An oath is sacred. Gobryas, see that both these Egyptians receive aportion from my table. Old man, you seem to require better food. "

"I need nothing beyond air to breathe, a morsel of bread and a draughtof water to preserve me from dying of hunger and thirst, a clean robe, that I may be pleasing in the eyes of the gods and in my own, and asmall chamber for myself, that I may be a hindrance to no man. I havenever been richer than to-day. "

"How so?"

"I am about to give away a kingdom. "

"You speak in enigmas. "

"By my translation of to-day I have proved, that your deceased consortwas the child of Hophra. Now, our law allows the daughter of a king tosucceed to the throne, when there is neither son nor brother living; ifshe should die childless, her husband becomes her legitimate successor. Amasis is a usurper, but the throne of Egypt is the lawful birthrightof Hophra and his descendants. Psamtik forfeits every right to thecrown the moment that a brother, son, daughter or son-in-law of Hophraappears. I can, therefore, salute my present sovereign as the futuremonarch of my own beautiful native land. "

Cambyses smiled self-complacently, and Onuphis went on: "I have read inthe stars too, that Psamtik's ruin and your own accession to the throneof Egypt have been fore-ordained. "

"We'll show that the stars were right, " cried the king, "and as for you, you liberal old fellow, I command you to ask me any wish you like. "

"Give me a conveyance, and let me follow your army to Egypt. I long toclose my eyes on the Nile. "

"Your wish is granted. Now, my friends, leave me, and see that all thosewho usually eat at my table are present at this evening's revel. We willhold a council of war over the luscious wine. Methinks a campaign inEgypt will pay better than a contest with the Massagetae. "

He was answered by a joyful shout of "Victory to the king!" They allthen left the hall, and Cambyses, summoning his dressers, proceeded forthe first time to exchange his mourning garments for the splendid royalrobes. 

Croesus and Phanes went into the green and pleasant garden lying on theeastern side of the royal palace, which abounded in groves of trees, shrubberies, fountains and flower-beds. Phanes was radiant with delight;Croesus full of care and thought. 

"Have you duly reflected, " said the latter, "on the burning brand thatyou have just flung out into the world?"

"It is only children and fools that act without reflection, " was theanswer. 

"You forget those who are deluded by passion. "

"I do not belong to that number. "

"And yet revenge is the most fearful of all the passions. "

"Only when it is practised in the heat of feeling. My revenge is as coolas this piece of iron; but I know my duty. "

"The highest duty of a good man, is to subordinate his own welfare tothat of his country. "

"That I know. "

"You seem to forget, however, that with Egypt you are delivering yourown country over to the Persians. "

"I do not agree with you there. "

"Do you believe, that when all the rest of the Mediterranean coastsbelong to Persia, she will leave your beautiful Greece untouched?"

"Certainly not, but I know my own countrymen; I believe them fullycapable of a victorious resistance to the hosts of the barbarians, and am confident that their courage and greatness will rise with thenearness of the danger. It will unite our divided tribes into one greatnation, and be the ruin of the tyrants. "

"I cannot argue with you, for I am no longer acquainted with the stateof things in your native country, and besides, I believe you to be awise man--not one who would plunge a nation into ruin merely for thegratification of his own ambition. It is a fearful thing that entirenations should have to suffer for the guilt of one man, if that man beone who wears a crown. And now, if my opinion is of any importanceto you, tell me what the deed was which has roused your desire ofvengeance. "

"Listen then, and never try again to turn me from my purpose. You knowthe heir to the Egyptian throne, and you know Rhodopis too. The formerwas, for many reasons, my mortal enemy, the latter the friend of everyGreek, but mine especially. When I was obliged to leave Egypt, Psamtikthreatened me with his vengeance; your son Gyges saved my life. A fewweeks later my two children came to Naukratis, in order to follow meout to Sigeum. Rhodopis took them kindly under her protection, but somewretch had discovered the secret and betrayed it to the prince. The verynext night her house was surrounded and searched, --my children foundand taken captive. Amasis had meanwhile become blind, and allowed hismiserable son to do what he liked; the wretch dared to. . . "

"Kill your only son?"

"You have said it. "

"And your other child?"

"The girl is still in their hands. "

"They will do her an injury when they hear. . . "

"Let her die. Better go to one's grave childless, than unrevenged. "

"I understand. I cannot blame you any longer. The boy's blood must berevenged. "

And so saying, the old man pressed the Athenian's right hand. The latterdried his tears, mastered his emotion, and cried: "Let us go to thecouncil of war now. No one can be so thankful for Psamtik's infamousdeeds as Cambyses. That man with his hasty passions was never made to bea prince of peace. "

"And yet it seems to me the highest duty of a king is to work for theinner welfare of his kingdom. But human beings are strange creatures;they praise their butchers more than their benefactors. How many poemshave been written on Achilles! but did any one ever dream of writingsongs on the wise government of Pittakus?"

"More courage is required to shed blood, than to plant trees. "

"But much more kindness and wisdom to heal wounds, than to make them. --Ihave still one question which I should very much like to ask you, beforewe go into the hall. Will Bartja be able to stay at Naukratis whenAmasis is aware of the king's intentions?"

"Certainly not. I have prepared him for this, and advised his assuming adisguise and a false name. "

"Did he agree?"

"He seemed willing to follow my advice. "

"But at all events it would be well to send a messenger to put him onhis guard. "

"We will ask the king's permission. "

"Now we must go. I see the wagons containing the viands of the royalhousehold just driving away from the kitchen. "

"How many people are maintained from the king's table daily?"

"About fifteen thousand. "

"Then the Persians may thank the gods, that their king only takes onemeal a day. "

 [This immense royal household is said to have cost 400 talents, that is (L90, 000. ) daily. Athenaus, Deipn. P. 607. ]

CHAPTER IX. 

Six weeks after these events a little troop of horsemen might have beenseen riding towards the gates of Sardis. The horses and their riderswere covered with sweat and dust. The former knew that they were drawingnear a town, where there would be stables and mangers, and exerted alltheir remaining powers; but yet their pace did not seem nearly fastenough to satisfy the impatience of two men, dressed in Persian costume, who rode at the head of the troop. 

The well-kept royal road ran through fields of good black, arable land, planted with trees of many different kinds. It crossed the outlyingspurs of the Tmolus range of mountains. At their foot stretched rows ofolive, citron and plane-trees, plantations of mulberries and vines; ata higher level grew firs, cypresses and nut-tree copses. Fig-trees anddate-palms, covered with fruit, stood sprinkled over the fields; andthe woods and meadows were carpeted with brightly-colored andsweetly-scented flowers. The road led over ravines and brooks, now halfdried up by the heat of summer, and here and there the traveller cameupon a well at the side of the road, carefully enclosed, with seats forthe weary, and sheltering shrubs. Oleanders bloomed in the more dampand shady places; slender palms waved wherever the sun was hottest. Overthis rich landscape hung a deep blue, perfectly cloudless sky, boundedon its southern horizon by the snowy peaks of the Tmolus mountains, andon the west by the Sipylus range of hills, which gave a bluish shimmerin the distance. 

The road went down into the valley, passing through a little wood ofbirches, the stems of which, up to the very tree-top, were twined withvines covered with bunches of grapes. 

The horsemen stopped at a bend in the road, for there, before them, inthe celebrated valley of the Hermus, lay the golden Sardis, formerly thecapital of the Lydian kingdom and residence of its king, Croesus. 

Above the reed-thatched roofs of its numerous houses rose a black, steeprock; the white marble buildings on its summit could be seen from agreat distance. These buildings formed the citadel, round the threefoldwalls of which, many centuries before, King Meles had carried a lion inorder to render them impregnable. On its southern side the citadel-rockwas not so steep, and houses had been built upon it. Croesus'former palace lay to the north, on the golden-sanded Pactolus. Thisreddish-colored river flowed above the market-place, (which, to ouradmiring travellers, looked like a barren spot in the midst of ablooming meadow), ran on in a westerly direction, and then entereda narrow mountain valley, where it washed the walls of the temple ofCybele. 

Large gardens stretched away towards the east, and in the midst ofthem lay the lake Gygaeus, covered with gay boats and snowy swans, andsparkling like a mirror. 

A short distance from the lake were a great number of artificial mounds, three of which were especially noticeable from their size and height. 

 [See also Hamilton's Asia Minor, I. P. 145. Herodotus (I. 93. ) calls the tombs of the Lydian kings the largest works of human hands, next to the Egyptian and Babylonian. These cone-shaped hills can be seen to this day, standing near the ruins of Sardis, not far from the lake of Gygaea. Hamilton (Asia Minor, I. P. I) counted some sixty of them, and could not ride round the hill of Alayattes in less than ten minutes. Prokesch saw 100 such tumuli. The largest, tomb of Alyattes, still measures 3400 feet in circumference, and the length of its slope is 650 feet. According to Prokesch, gigantic Phallus columns lie on some of these graves. ]

"What can those strange-looking earth-heaps mean?" said Darius, theleader of the troop, to Prexaspes, Cambyses' envoy, who rode at hisside. 

"They are the graves of former Lydian kings, " was the answer. "Themiddle one is in memory of the princely pair Panthea and Abradatas, andthe largest, that one to the left, was erected to the father of Croesus, Alyattes. It was raised by the tradesmen, mechanics, and girls, to theirlate king, and on the five columns, which stand on its summit, you canread how much each of these classes contributed to the work. The girlswere the most industrious. Gyges' grandfather is said to have been theirespecial friend. "

"Then the grandson must have degenerated very much from the old stock. "

"Yes, and that seems the more remarkable, because Croesus himself inhis youth was by no means averse to women, and the Lydians generally aredevoted to such pleasures. You see the white walls of that temple yonderin the midst of its sacred grove. That is the temple of the goddess ofSardis, Cybele or Ma, as they call her. In that grove there is many asheltered spot where the young people of Sardis meet, as they say, inhonor of their goddess. "

"Just as in Babylon, at the festival of Mylitta. "

"There is the same custom too on the coast of Cyprus. When I landedthere on the way back from Egypt, I was met by a troop of lovely girls, who, with songs, dances, and the clang of cymbals, conducted me to thesacred grove of their goddess. "

"Well, Zopyrus will not grumble at Bartja's illness. "

"He will spend more of his time in the grove of Cybele, than at hispatient's bedside. How glad I shall be to see that jolly fellow again!"

"Yes, he'll keep you from falling into those melancholy fits that youhave been so subject to lately. " "You are quite right to blame me forthose fits, and I must not yield to them, but they are not withoutground. Croesus says we only get low-spirited, when we are either toolazy or too weak to struggle against annoyances, and I believe he isright. But no one shall dare to accuse Darius of weakness or idleness. If I can't rule the world, at least I will be my own master. " And as hesaid these words, the handsome youth drew himself up, and sat erect inhis saddle. His companion gazed in wonder at him. 

"Really, you son of Hystaspes, " he said, "I believe you must be meantfor something great. It was not by chance that, when you were still amere child, the gods sent their favorite Cyrus that dream which inducedhim to order you into safe keeping. "

"And yet my wings have never appeared. "

"No bodily ones, certainly; but mental ones, likely enough. Young man, young man, you're on a dangerous road. "

"Have winged creatures any need to be afraid of precipices?"

"Certainly; when their strength fails them. "

"But I am strong. "

"Stronger creatures than you will try to break your pinions. "

"Let them. I want nothing but what is right, and shall trust to mystar. "

"Do you know its name?"

"It ruled in the hour of my birth, and its name is Anahita. "

"I think I know better. A burning ambition is the sun, whose rays guideall your actions. Take care; I tried that way myself once; it leads tofame or to disgrace, but very seldom to happiness. Fame to the ambitiousis like salt water to the thirsty; the more he gets, the more he wants. I was once only a poor soldier, and am now Cambyses' ambassador. Butyou, what can you have to strive for? There is no man in the kingdomgreater than yourself, after the sons of Cyrus. . . Do my eyes deceive me?Surely those two men riding to meet us with a troop of horsemen mustbe Gyges and Zopyrus. The Angare, who left the inn before us, must havetold them of our coming. "

"To be sure. Look at that fellow Zopyrus, how he's waving and beckoningwith that palm-leaf. "

"Here, you fellows, cut us a few twigs from those bushes-quick. We'llanswer his green palm-leaf with a purple pomegranate-branch. "

In a few minutes the friends had embraced one another, and the twobands were riding together into the populous town, through the gardenssurrounding the lake Gygaeus, the Sardians' place of recreation. It wasnow near sunset, a cooler breeze was beginning to blow, and the citizenswere pouring through the gates to enjoy themselves in the open air. Lydian and Persian warriors, the former wearing richly-ornamentedhelmets, the latter tiaras in the form of a cylinder, were followinggirls who were painted and wreathed. Children were being led to the lakeby their nurses, to see the swans fed. An old blind man was seated undera plane-tree, singing sad ditties to a listening crowd and accompanyingthem on the Magadis, the twenty-stringed Lydian lute. Youths wereenjoying themselves at games of ball, ninepins, and dice, and half-growngirls screaming with fright, when the ball hit one of their group ornearly fell into the water. 

The travellers scarcely noticed this gay scene, though at another timeit would have delighted them. They were too much interested in enquiringparticulars of Bartja's illness and recovery. 

At the brazen gates of the palace which had formerly belongedto Croesus, they were met by Oroetes, the satrap of Sardis, in amagnificent court-dress overloaded with ornaments. He was a stately man, whose small penetrating black eyes looked sharply out from beneath abushy mass of eyebrow. His satrapy was one of the most importantand profitable in the entire kingdom, and his household could bear acomparison with that of Cambyses in richness and splendor. Thoughhe possessed fewer wives and attendants than the king, it was noinconsiderable troop of guards, slaves, eunuchs and gorgeously-dressedofficials, which appeared at the palace-gates to receive the travellers. 

The vice-regal palace, which was still kept up with great magnificence, had been, in the days when Croesus occupied it, the most splendid ofroyal residences; after the taking of Sardis, however, the greater partof the dethroned king's treasures and works of art had been sent toCyrus's treasure-house in Pasargadae. When that time of terror hadpassed, the Lydians brought many a hidden treasure into the light of dayonce more, and, by their industry and skill in art during the peacefulyears which they enjoyed under Cyrus and Cambyses, recovered theirold position so far, that Sardis was again looked upon as one of thewealthiest cities of Asia Minor, and therefore, of the world. 

Accustomed as Darius and Prexaspes were to royal splendor, they werestill astonished at the beauty and brilliancy of the satrap's palace. The marble work, especially, made a great impression on them, as nothingof the kind was to be found in Babylon, Susa or Ecbatana, where burntbrick and cedar-wood supply the place of the polished marble. 

 [The palace of Persepolis did not exist at the date of our story. It was built partly of black stone from Mount Rachmed, and partly of white marble; it was probably begun by Darius. The palace of Susa was built of brick, (Strabo p. 728) that of Ecbatana of wood overlaid with plates of gold of immense value, and roofed with tiles made of the precious metals. ]

They found Bartja lying on a couch in the great hall; he looked verypale, and stretched out his arms towards them. 

The friends supped together at the satrap's table and then retired toBartja's private room, in order to enjoy an undisturbed conversation. 

"Well, Bartja, how did you come by this dangerous illness?" was Darius'first question after they were seated. 

"I was thoroughly well, as you know, " said Bartja, "when we leftBabylon, and we reached Germa, a little town on the Sangarius, withoutthe slightest hindrance. The ride was long and we were very tired, burnttoo by the scorching May sun, and covered with dust; the river flows bythe station, and its waves looked so clear and bright--so inviting fora bathe--that in a minute Zopyrus and I were off our horses, undressed, and in the water. Gyges told us we were very imprudent, but we feltconfident that we were too much inured to such things to get anyharm, and very much enjoyed our swim in the cool, green water. Gyges, perfectly calm as usual, let us have our own way, waited till our bathwas over, and then plunged in himself. 

"In two hours we were in our saddles again, pushing on as if for ourvery lives, changing horses at every station, and turning night intoday. 

"We were near Ipsus, when I began to feel violent pains in the head andlimbs. I was ashamed to say anything about it and kept upright on mysaddle, until we had to take fresh horses at Bagis. Just as I was in thevery act of mounting, I lost my senses and strength, and fell down onthe ground in a dead faint. "

"Yes, a pretty fright you gave us, " interrupted Zopyrus, "by droppingdown in that fashion. It was fortunate that Gyges was there, for I lostmy wits entirely; he, of course, kept his presence of mind, and afterrelieving his feelings in words not exactly flattering to us two, hebehaved like a circumspect general. --A fool of a doctor came running upand protested that it was all over with poor Bart, for which I gave hima good thrashing. "

"Which he didn't particularly object to, " said the satrap, laughing, "seeing that you told them to lay a gold stater on every stripe. "

"Yes, yes, my pugnacity costs me very dear sometimes. But to our story. As soon as Bartja had opened his eyes, Gyges sent me off to Sardis tofetch a good physician and an easy travelling-carriage. That ride won'tso soon be imitated. An hour before I reached the gates my third horseknocked up under me, so I had to trust to my own legs, and began runningas fast as I could. The people must all have thought me mad. At last Isaw a man on horseback--a merchant from Kelaenze--dragged him from hishorse, jumped into the saddle, and, before the next morning dawned, Iwas back again with our invalid, bringing the best physician in Sardis, and Oroetes' most commodious travelling-carriage. We brought him to thishouse at a slow footpace, and here a violent fever came on, he becamedelirious, talked all the nonsense that could possibly come into a humanbrain, and made us so awfully anxious, that the mere remembrance of thattime brings the big drops of perspiration to my forehead. "

Bartja took his friend's hand: "I owe my life to him and Gyges, " saidhe, turning to Darius. "Till to-day, when they set out to meet you, theyhave never left me for a minute; a mother could not have nursed her sickchild more carefully. And Oroetes, I am much obliged to you too; doublyso because your kindness subjected you to annoyance. "

"How could that be?" asked Darius. 

"That Polykrates of Samos, whose name we heard so often in Egypt, hasthe best physician that Greece has ever produced. While I was lying hereill, Oroetes wrote to this Democedes, making him immense promises, if hewould only come to Sardis directly. The Sainian pirates, who infestthe whole Ionian coast, took the messenger captive and brought Oroetes'letter to their master Polykrates. He opened it, and sent the messengerback with the answer, that Democedes was in his pay, and that if Oroetesneeded his advice he must apply to Polykrates himself. Our generousfriend submitted for my sake, and asked the Samian to send his physicianto Sardis. "

"Well, " said Prexaspes, "and what followed?"

"The proud island-prince sent him at once. He cured me, as you see, andleft us a few days ago loaded with presents. "

"Well, " interrupted Zopyrus, "I can quite understand, that Polykrateslikes to keep his physician near him. I assure you, Darius, it would notbe easy to find his equal. He's as handsome as Minutscher, as clever asPiran Wisa, as strong as Rustem, and as benevolent and helpful as thegod Soma. I wish you could have seen how well he threw those round metalplates he calls discs. I am no weakling, but when we wrestled he soonthrew me. And then he could tell such famous stories--stories that madea man's heart dance within him. "

 [This very Oroetes afterwards succeeded in enticing Polykrates to Sardis and there crucified him. Herod. III. 120-125. Valerius Maximus VI. 9. 5. ]

"We know just such a fellow too, " said Darius, smiling at his friend'senthusiasm. "That Athenian Phanes, who came to prove our innocence. "

"The physician Democedes is from Crotona, a place which must besomewhere very near the setting sun. "

"But is inhabited by Greeks, like Athens. " added Oroetes. "Ah, myyoung friends, you must beware of those fellows; they're as cunning, deceitful, and selfish, as they are strong, clever, and handsome. "

"Democedes is generous and sincere, " cried Zopyrus. 

"And Croesus himself thinks Phanes not only an able, but a virtuousman, " added Darius. 

"Sappho too has always, and only spoken well of the Athenian, " saidBartja, in confirmation of Darius's remark. "But don't let us talk anymore about these Greeks, " he went on. "They give Oroetes so much troubleby their refractory and stubborn conduct, that he is not very fond ofthem. "

"The gods know that, " sighed the satrap. "It's more difficult to keepone Greek town in order, than all the countries between the Euphratesand the Tigris. "

While Oroetes was speaking, Zopyrus had gone to the window. "The starsare already high in the heavens, " he said, "and Bartja is tired; so makehaste, Darius, and tell us something about home. "

The son of Hystaspes agreed at once, and began by relating the eventswhich we have heard already. Bartja, especially, was distressed athearing of Nitetis' sad end, and the discovery of Amasis' fraud filledthem all with astonishment. After a short pause, Darius went on:

"When once Nitetis' descent had been fully proved, Cambyses was like achanged man. He called a council of war, and appeared at table inthe royal robes instead of his mourning garments. You can fancy whatuniversal joy the idea of a war with Egypt excited. Even Croesus, whoyou know is one of Amasis' well-wishers, and advises peace wheneverit is possible, had not a word to say against it. The next morning, asusual, what had been resolved on in intoxication was reconsideredby sober heads; after several opinions had been given, Phanes askedpermission to speak, and spoke I should think for an hour. But how well!It was as if every word he said came direct from the gods. He has learntour language in a wonderfully short time, but it flowed from his lipslike honey. Sometimes he drew tears from every eye, at others excitedstormy shouts of joy, and then wild bursts of rage. His gestures wereas graceful as those of a dancing-girl, but at the same time manly anddignified. I can't repeat his speech; my poor words, by the side of his, would sound like the rattle of a drum after a peal of thunder. But whenat last, inspired and carried away by his eloquence, we had unanimouslydecided on war, he began to speak once more on the best ways and meansof prosecuting it successfully. "

Here Darius was obliged to stop, as Zopyrus had fallen on his neck in anecstasy of delight. Bartja, Gyges and Oroetes were not less delighted, and they all begged him to go on with his tale. 

"Our army, " began Darius afresh, "ought to be at the boundaries of Egyptby the month Farwardin, (March) as the inundation of the Nile, whichwould hinder the march of our infantry, begins in Murdad (July). Phanesis now on his way to the Arabians to secure their assistance; in hopesthat these sons of the desert may furnish our army with water and guidesthrough their dry and thirsty land. He will also endeavor to win therich island of Cyprus, which he once conquered for Amasis, over to ourside. As it was through his mediation that the kings of the island wereallowed to retain their crowns, they will be willing to listen to hisadvice. In short the Athenian leaves nothing uncared for, and knowsevery road and path as if he were the sun himself He showed us a pictureof the world on a plate of copper. "

Oroetes nodded and said, "I have such a picture of the world too. AMilesian named Hekataeus, who spends his life in travelling, drew it, and gave it me in exchange for a free-pass. "

 [Hekataeus of Miletus maybe called "the father of geography, " as Herodotus was "the father of history. " He improved the map made by Anaximander, and his great work, "the journey round the world, " was much prized by the ancients; but unfortunately, with the exception of some very small fragments, has now perished. Herodotus assures us, (V. 36. ) that Hekataeus was intimately acquainted with every part of the Persian empire, and had also travelled over Egypt. He lived at the date of our narrative, having been born at Miletus 550 B. C. He lived to see the fall of his native city in 4966 B. C. His map has been restored by Klausen and can be seen also in Mure's Lan. And Lit. Of Ancient Greece. Vol. IV. Maps existed, however, much earlier, the earliest known being one of the gold-mines, drawn very cleverly by an Egyptian priest, and so well sketched as to give a pretty clear idea of the part of the country intended. It is preserved in the Egyptian Museum at Turin. ]

"What notions these Greeks have in their heads!" exclaimed Zopyrus, who could not explain to himself what a picture of the world could looklike. 

"To-morrow I will show you my copper tablet, said Oroetes, but now wemust allow Darius to go on. "

"So Phanes has gone to Arabia, " continued Darius, "and Prexaspes wassent hither not only to command you, Oroetes, to raise as many forces aspossible, especially Ionians and Carians, of whom Phanes has offeredto undertake the command, but also to propose terms of alliance toPolykrates. "

"To that pirate!" asked Oroetes, and his face darkened. 

"The very same, " answered Prexaspes, not appearing to notice the changein Oroetes' face. "Phanes has already received assurances from thisimportant naval power, which sound as if we might expect a favorableanswer to my proposal. "

"The Phoenician, Syrian and Ionian ships of war would be quitesufficient to cope with the Egyptian fleet. "

"There you are right; but if Polykrates were to declare against us, weshould not be able to hold our own at sea; you say yourself that he isall-powerful in the AEgean. "

"Still I decidedly disapprove of entering into treaty with such arobber. "

"We want powerful allies, and Polykrates is very powerful at sea. It will be time to humble him, when we have used him to help us inconquering Egypt. For the present I entreat you to suppress all personalfeeling, and keep the success of our great plan alone in view. I amempowered to say this in the king's name, and to show his ring in tokenthereof. "

Oroetes made a brief obeisance before this symbol of despotism, andasked: "What does Cambyses wish me to do?"

"He commands you to use every means in your power to secure an alliancewith the Samian; and also to send your troops to join the main army onthe plains of Babylon as soon as possible. "

The satrap bowed and left the room with a look betraying irritation anddefiance. 

When the echo of his footsteps had died away among the colonnades of theinner court, Zopyrus exclaimed: "Poor fellow, it's really very hard forhim to have to meet that proud man, who has so often behaved insolentlyto him, on friendly terms. Think of that story about the physician forinstance. "

"You are too lenient, " interrupted Darius. "I don't like this Oroetes. He has no right to receive the king's commands in that way. Didn't yousee him bite his lips till they bled, when Prexaspes showed him theking's ring?"

"Yes, " cried the envoy, "he's a defiant, perverse man. He left the roomso quickly, only because he could not keep down his anger any longer. "

"Still, " said Bartja, "I hope you will keep his conduct a secret from mybrother, for he has been very good to me. "

Prexaspes bowed, but Darius said: "We must keep an eye on the fellow. Just here, so far from the king's gate and in the midst of nationshostile to Persia, we want governors who are more ready to obey theirking than this Oroetes seems to be. Why, he seems to fancy he is King ofLydia!"

"Do you dislike the satrap?" said Zopyrus. 

"Well, I think I do, " was the answer. "I always take an aversion or afancy to people at first sight, and very seldom find reason to change mymind afterwards. I disliked Oroetes before I heard him speak a word, andI remember having the same feeling towards Psamtik, though Amasis tookmy fancy. "

"There's no doubt that you're very different from the rest of us, " saidZopyrus laughing, "but now, to please me, let this poor Oroetes alone. I'm glad he's gone though, because we can talk more freely about home. How is Kassandane? and your worshipped Atossa? Croesus too, how ishe? and what are my wives about? They'll soon have a new companion. To-morrow I intend to sue for the hand of Oroetes' pretty daughter. We've talked a good deal of love with our eyes already. I don't knowwhether we spoke Persian or Syrian, but we said the most charming thingsto one another. "

The friends laughed, and Darius, joining in their merriment, said: "Nowyou shall hear a piece of very good news. I have kept it to the last, because it is the best I have. Now, Bartja, prick up your ears. Yourmother, the noble Kassandane, has been cured of her blindness! Yes, yes, it is quite true. --Who cured her? Why who should it be, but that crabbedold Nebenchari, who has become, if possible, moodier than ever. Come, now, calm yourselves, and let me go on with my story; or it will bemorning before Bartja gets to sleep. Indeed. I think we had betterseparate now: you've heard the best, and have something to dream aboutWhat, you will not? Then, in the name of Mithras, I must go on, thoughit should make my heart bleed. 

"I'll begin with the king. As long as Phanes was in Babylon, he seemedto forget his grief for Nitetis. 

"The Athenian was never allowed to leave him. They were as inseparableas Reksch and Rustem. Cambyses had no time to think of his sorrow, forPhanes had always some new idea or other, and entertained us all, aswell as the king, marvellously. And we all liked him too; perhaps, because no one could really envy him. Whenever he was alone, the tearscame into his eyes at the thought of his boy, and this made his greatcheerfulness--a cheerfulness which he always managed to impart to theking, Bartja, --the more admirable. Every morning he went down to theEuphrates with Cambyses and the rest of us, and enjoyed watching thesons of the Achaemenidae at their exercises. When he saw them riding atfull speed past the sand-hills and shooting the pots placed on them intofragments with their arrows, or throwing blocks of wood at one anotherand cleverly evading the blows, he confessed that he could not imitatethem in these exercises, but at the same time he offered to accept achallenge from any of us in throwing the spear and in wrestling. In hisquick way he sprang from his horse, stripped off his clothes--itwas really a shame--and, to the delight of the boys, threw theirwrestling-master as if he had been a feather. 

 [In the East, nudity was, even in those days, held to be disgraceful, while the Greeks thought nothing so beautiful as the naked human body. The Hetaira Phryne was summoned before the judges for an offence against religion. Her defender, seeing that sentence was about to be pronounced against his client, suddenly tore away the garment which covered her bosom. The artifice was successful. The judges pronounced her not guilty, being convinced that such wondrous grace and beauty could only belong to a favorite of Aphrodite. Athen. XIII. P. 590]

"Then he knocked over a number of bragging fellows, and would havethrown me too if he had not been too fatigued. I assure you, I am reallystronger than he is, for I can lift greater weights, but he is asnimble as an eel, and has wonderful tricks by which he gets hold ofhis adversary. His being naked too is a great help. If it were not soindecent, we ought always to wrestle stripped, and anoint our skins, asthe Greeks do, with the olive-oil. He beat us too in throwing the spear, but the king, who you know is proud of being the best archer in Persia, sent his arrow farther. Phanes was especially pleased with our rule, that in a wrestling-match the one who is thrown must kiss the hand ofhis victor. At last he showed us a new exercise:--boxing. He refused, however, to try his skill on any one but a slave, so Cambyses sent forthe biggest and strongest man among the servants--my groom, Bessus--agiant who can bring the hind legs of a horse together and hold them sofirmly that the creature trembles all over and cannot stir. Thisbig fellow, taller by a head than Phanes, shrugged his shoulderscontemptuously on hearing that he was to box with the little foreigngentleman. He felt quite sure of victory, placed himself opposite hisadversary, and dealt him a blow heavy enough to kill an elephant. Phanesavoided it cleverly, in the same moment hitting the giant with his nakedfist so powerfully under the eyes, that the blood streamed from his noseand mouth, and the huge, uncouth fellow fell on the ground with ayell. When they picked him up his face looked like a pumpkin of agreenish-blue color. The boys shouted with delight at his discomfiture;but we admired the dexterity of this Greek, and were especially glad tosee the king in such good spirits; we noticed this most when Phanes wassinging Greek songs and dance-melodies to him accompanied by the lute. 

"Meanwhile Kassandane's blindness had been cured, and this of coursetended not a little to disperse the king's melancholy. 

"In short it was a very pleasant time, and I was just going to askfor Atossa's hand in marriage, when Phanes went off to Arabia, andeverything was changed. 

"No sooner had he turned his back on the gates of Babylon than all theevil Divs seemed to have entered into the king. He went about, a moody, silent man, speaking to no one; and to drown his melancholy wouldbegin drinking, even at an early hour in the morning, quantities of thestrongest Syrian wine. By the evening he was generally so intoxicatedthat he had to be carried out of the hall, and would wake up the nextmorning with headache and spasms. In the day-time he would wander aboutas if looking for something, and in the night they often heard himcalling Nitetis. The physicians became very anxious about his health, but when they sent him medicine he threw it away. It was quite right ofCroesus to say, as he did once 'Ye Magi and Chaldaeans! before trying tocure a sick man we must discover the seat of his disease. Do you knowit in this case? No? Then I will tell you what ails the king. He hasan internal complaint and a wound. The former is called ennui, and thelatter is in his heart. The Athenian is a good remedy for the first, but for the second I know of none; such wounds either scar over ofthemselves, or the patient bleeds to death inwardly. '"

"I know of a remedy for the king though, " exclaimed Otanes when he heardthese words. "We must persuade him to send for the women, or at leastfor my daughter Phaedime, back from Susa. Love is good for dispersingmelancholy, and makes the blood flow faster. " We acknowledged that hewas right, and advised him to remind the king of his banished wives. Heventured to make the proposal while we were at supper, but got such aharsh rebuff for his pains, that we all pitied him. Soon after this, Cambyses sent one morning for all the Mobeds and Chaldaeans, andcommanded them to interpret a strange dream which he had bad. In hisdream he had been standing in the midst of a dry and barren plain:barren as a threshing-floor, it did not produce a single blade of grass. Displeased at the desert aspect of the place, he was just going to seekother and more fruitful regions, when Atossa appeared, and, withoutseeing him, ran towards a spring which welled up through the arid soilas if by enchantment. While he was gazing in wonder at this scene, henoticed that wherever the foot of his sister touched the parched soil, graceful terebinths sprang up, changing, as they grew, into cypresseswhose tops reached unto heaven. As he was going to speak to Atossa, heawoke. 

The Mobeds and Chaldaeans consulted together and interpreted the dreamthus? 'Atossa would be successful in all she undertook. '

"Cambyses seemed satisfied with this answer, but, as the next night thevision appeared again, he threatened the wise men with death, unlessthey could give him another and a different interpretation. Theypondered long, and at last answered, 'that Atossa would become a queenand the mother of mighty princes. '

"This answer really contented the king, and he smiled strangely tohimself as he told us his dream. 'The same day Kassandane sent for meand told me to give up all thoughts of her daughter, as I valued mylife. 

"'Just as I was leaving the queen's garden I saw Atossa behind apomegranate-bush. She beckoned. I went to her; and in that hour weforgot danger and sorrow, but said farewell to each other for ever. Nowyou know all; and now that I have given her up--now that I know it wouldbe madness even to think of her again--I am obliged to be very sternwith myself, lest, like the king, I should fall into deep melancholyfor the sake of a woman. And this is the end of the story, the closeof which we were all expecting, when Atossa, as I lay under sentence ofdeath, sent me a rose, and made me the happiest of mortals. If I hadnot betrayed my secret then, when we thought our last hour was near, itwould have gone with me to my grave. But what am I talking about? I knowI can trust to your secrecy, but pray don't look at me so deplorably. Ithink I am still to be envied, for I have had one hour of enjoyment thatwould outweigh a century of misery. Thank you, --thank you: now let mefinish my story as quickly as I can. 

"Three days after I had taken leave of Atossa I had to marry Artystone, the daughter of Gobryas. She is beautiful, and would make any other manhappy. The day after the wedding the Angare reached Babylon with thenews of your illness. My mind was made up at once; I begged the king tolet me go to you, nurse you, and warn you of the danger which threatensyour life in Egypt--took leave of my bride, in spite of all myfather-in-law's protestations, and went off at full speed withPrexaspes, never resting till I reached your side, my dear Bartja. NowI shall go with you and Zopyrus to Egypt, for Gyges must accompany theambassador to Samos, as interpreter. This is the king's command; he hasbeen in better spirits the last few days; the inspection of themasses of troops coming up to Babylon diverts him, besides which, theChaldaeans have assured him that the planet Adar, which belongs to theirwar-god Chanon, promises a great victory to the Persian arms. When doyou think you shall be able to travel, Bartja?"

"To-morrow, if you like, " was the answer. "The doctors say thesea-voyage will do me good, and the journey by land to Smyrna is veryshort. "

"And I can assure you, " added Zopyrus, "that Sappho will cure you soonerthan all the doctors in the world. "

"Then we will start in three days;" said Darius after someconsideration, "we have plenty to do before starting. Remember we aregoing into what may almost be called an enemy's country. I have beenthinking the matter over, and it seems to me that Bartja must pass for aBabylonian carpet-merchant, I for his brother, and Zopyrus for a dealerin Sardian red. "

"Couldn't we be soldiers?" asked Zopyrus. "It's such an ignominiousthing to be taken for cheating peddlers. How would it be, for instance, if we passed ourselves off for Lydian soldiers, escaped from punishment, and seeking service in the Egyptian army?"

"That's not a bad idea, " said Bartja, "and I think too that we look morelike soldiers than traders. "

"Looks and manner are no guide, " said Gyges. "Those great Greekmerchants and ship-owners go about as proudly as if the world belongedto them. But I don't find Zopyrus' proposal a bad one. "

"Then so let it be, " said Darius, yielding. "In that case Oroetes mustprovide us with the uniform of Lydian Taxiarchs. "

"You'd better take the splendid dress of the Chiliarchs at once, Ithink, " cried Gyges. 

"Why, on such young men, that would excite suspicion directly. "

"But we can't appear as common soldiers. "

"No, but as Hekatontarchs. "

"All right, " said Zopyrus laughing. "Anything you like except ashop-keeper. --So in three days we are off. I am glad I shall just havetime to make sure of the satrap's little daughter, and to visit thegrove of Cybele at last. Now, goodnight, Bartja; don't get up too early. What will Sappho say, if you come to her with pale cheeks?"

CHAPTER X. 

The sun of a hot midsummer-day had risen on Naukratis. The Nile hadalready begun to overflow its banks, and the fields and gardens of theEgyptians were covered with water. 

The harbor was crowded with craft of all kinds. Egyptian vessels werethere, manned by Phoenician colonists from the coasts of the Delta, andbringing fine woven goods from Malta, metals and precious stones fromSardinia, wine and copper from Cyprus. Greek triremes laden withoil, wine and mastic-wood; metal-work and woollen wares from Chalcis, Phoenician and Syrian craft with gaily-colored sails, and freightedwith cargoes of purple stuffs, gems, spices, glass-work, carpets andcedar-trees, --used in Egypt, where wood was very scarce, for buildingpurposes, and taking back gold, ivory, ebony, brightly-plumaged tropicalbirds, precious stones and black slaves, --the treasures of Ethiopia;but more especially the far-famed Egyptian corn, Memphian chariots, lacefrom Sais, and the finer sorts of papyrus. The time when commercewas carried on merely by barter was now, however, long past, and themerchants of Naukratis not seldom paid for their goods in gold coin andcarefully-weighed silver. 

Large warehouses stood round the harbor of this Greek colony, andslightly-built dwelling-houses, into which the idle mariners were luredby the sounds of music and laughter, and the glances and voices ofpainted and rouged damsels. Slaves, both white and colored, rowers andsteersmen, in various costumes, were hurrying hither and thither, while the ships' captains, either dressed in the Greek fashion or inPhoenician garments of the most glaring colors, were shouting orders totheir crews and delivering up their cargoes to the merchants. Whenever adispute arose, the Egyptian police with their long staves, and the Greekwarders of the harbor were quickly at hand. The latter were appointed bythe elders of the merchant-body in this Milesian colony. 

The port was getting empty now, for the hour at which the market openedwas near, and none of the free Greeks cared to be absent from themarket-place then. This time, however, not a few remained behind, curiously watching a beautifully-built Samian ship, the Okeia, with along prow like a swan's neck, on the front of which a likeness of thegoddess Hera was conspicuous. It was discharging its cargo, but thepublic attention was more particularly attracted by three handsomeyouths, in the dress of Lydian officers, who left the ship, followed bya number of slaves carrying chests and packages. 

The handsomest of the three travellers, in whom of course our readersrecognize their three young friends, Darius, Bartja and Zopyrus, spoketo one of the harbor police and asked for the house of Theopompus theMilesian, to whom they were bound on a visit. 

Polite and ready to do a service, like all the Greeks, the policefunctionary at once led the way across the market-place, --where theopening of business had just been announced by the sound of a bell, --toa handsome house, the property of the Milesian, Theopompus, one of themost important and respected men in Naukratis. 

The party, however, did not succeed in crossing the market-place withouthindrance. They found it easy enough to evade the importunities ofimpudent fishsellers, and the friendly invitations of butchers, bakers, sausage and vegetable-sellers, and potters. But when they reached thepart allotted to the flower-girls, Zopyrus was so enchanted with thescene, that he clapped his hands for joy. 

 [Separate portions of the market were set apart for the sale of different goods. The part appointed for the flower-sellers, who passed in general for no better than they should be, was called the "myrtle-market. " Aristoph. Thesmoph. 448. ]

Three wonderfully-lovely girls, in white dresses of somehalf-transparent material, with colored borders, were seated togetheron low stools, binding roses, violets and orange-blossoms into one longwreath. Their charming heads were wreathed with flowers too, and lookedvery like the lovely rosebuds which one of them, on seeing the young mencome up, held out to their notice. 

"Buy my roses, my handsome gentlemen, " she said in a clear, melodiousvoice, "to put in your sweethearts' hair. "

Zopyrus took the flowers, and holding the girl's hand fast in his own, answered, "I come from a far country, my lovely child, and have nosweetheart in Naukratis yet; so let me put the roses in your own goldenhair, and this piece of gold in your white little hand. "

The girl burst into a merry laugh, showed her sister the handsomepresent, and answered: "By Eros, such gentlemen as you cannot want forsweethearts. Are you brothers?"

"No. "

"That's a pity, for we are sisters. "

"And you thought we should make three pretty couples?"

"I may have thought it, but I did not say so. "

"And your sisters?"

 [This passage was suggested by the following epigram of Dionysius "Roses are blooming on thy cheek, with roses thy basket is laden, Which dost thou sell? The flowers? Thyself? Or both, my pretty maiden?"]

The girls laughed, as if they were but little averse to such aconnection, and offered Bartja and Darius rosebuds too. 

The young men accepted them, gave each a gold piece in return, and werenot allowed to leave these beauties until their helmets had been crownedwith laurel. 

Meanwhile the news of the strangers' remarkable liberality had spreadamong the many girls, who were selling ribbons, wreaths and flowersclose by. They all brought roses too and invited the strangers withlooks and words to stay with them and buy their flowers. 

Zopyrus, like many a young gentleman in Naukratis, would gladly haveaccepted their invitations, for most of these girls were beautiful, andtheir hearts were not difficult to win; but Darius urged him to comeaway, and begged Bartja to forbid the thoughtless fellow's staying anylonger. After passing the tables of the money-changers, and thestone seats on which the citizens sat in the open air and held theirconsultations, they arrived at the house of Theopompus. 

The stroke given by their Greek guide with the metal knocker on thehouse-door was answered at once by a slave. As the master was at themarket, the strangers were led by the steward, an old servant grown greyin the service of Theopompus, into the Andronitis, and begged to waitthere until he returned. 

They were still engaged in admiring the paintings on the walls, and theartistic carving of the stone floor, when Theopompus, the merchant whomwe first learnt to know at the house of Rhodopis, came back from themarket, followed by a great number of slaves bearing his purchases. 

 [Men of high rank among the Greeks did not disdain to make purchases at market, accompanied by their slaves, but respectable women could not appear there. Female slaves were generally sent to buy what was needed. ]

He received the strangers with charming politeness and asked in whatway he could be of use to them, on which Bartja, having first convincedhimself that no unwished--for listeners were present, gave him the rollhe had received from Phanes at parting. 

Theopompus had scarcely read its contents, when he made a low bow tothe prince, exclaiming: "By Zeus, the father of hospitality, this isthe greatest honor that could have been conferred upon my house! All Ipossess is yours, and I beg you to ask your companions to accept withkindness what I can offer. Pardon my not having recognized you at oncein your Lydian dress. It seems to me that your hair is shorter and yourbeard thicker, than when you left Egypt. Am I right in imagining thatyou do not wish to be recognized? It shall be exactly as you wish. Heis the best host, who allows his guests the most freedom. All, now Irecognize your friends; but they have disguised themselves and cuttheir curls also. Indeed, I could almost say that you, my friend, whosename--"

"My name is Darius. "

"That you, Darius, have dyed your hair black. Yes? Then you see mymemory does not deceive me. But that is nothing to boast of, for I sawyou several times at Sais, and here too, on your arrival and departure. You ask, my prince, whether you would be generally recognized? Certainlynot. The foreign dress, the change in your hair and the coloring of youreyebrows have altered you wonderfully. But excuse me a moment, my oldsteward seems to have some important message to give. "

In a few minutes Theopompus came back, exclaiming: "No, no, my honoredfriends, you have certainly not taken the wisest way of enteringNaukratis incognito. You have been joking with the flower-girls andpaying them for a few roses, not like runaway Lydian Hekatontarchs, butlike the great lords you are. All Naukratis knows the pretty, frivoloussisters, Stephanion, Chloris and Irene, whose garlands have caught manya heart, and whose sweet glances have lured many a bright obolus outof the pockets of our gay young men. They're very fond of visiting theflower-girls at market-time, and agreements are entered into then forwhich more than one gold piece must be paid later; but for a few rosesand good words they are not accustomed to be so liberal as you havebeen. The girls have been boasting about you and your gifts, and showingyour good red gold to their stingier suitors. As rumor is a goddess whois very apt to exaggerate and to make a crocodile out of a lizard, ithappened that news reached the Egyptian captain on guard at the market, that some newly-arrived Lydian warriors had been scattering goldbroadcast among the flower-girls. This excited suspicion, and inducedthe Toparch to send an officer here to enquire from whence you come, andwhat is the object of your journey hither. I was obliged to use a littlestratagem to impose upon him, and told him, as I believe you wish, thatyou were rich young men from Sardis, who had fled on account of havingincurred the satrap's ill-will. But I see the government officer coming, and with him the secretary who is to make out passports which willenable you to remain on the Nile unmolested. I have promised him ahandsome reward, if he can help you in getting admitted into the king'smercenaries. He was caught and believed my story. You are so young, thatnobody would imagine you were entrusted with a secret mission. "

The talkative Greek had scarcely finished speaking when the clerk, a lean, dry-looking man, dressed in white, came in, placed himselfopposite the strangers and asked them from whence they came and what wasthe object of their journey. 

The youths held to their first assertion, that they were LydianHekatontarchs, and begged the functionary to provide them with passesand tell them in what way they might most easily obtain admittance intothe king's troop of auxiliaries. 

The man did not hesitate long, after Theopompus had undertaken to betheir surety, and the desired documents were made out. 

Bartja's pass ran thus:

"Smerdis, the son of Sandon of Sardis, about 22 years of age--figure, tall and slender-face, well-formed:--nose, straight:--forehead, highwith a small scar in the middle:--is hereby permitted to remain in thoseparts of Egypt in which the law allows foreigners to reside, as suretyhas been given for him. 

 "In the King's name. "Sachons, Clerk. "

Darius and Zopyrus received passports similarly worded. 

When the government official had left the houses, Theopompus rubbed hishands and said: "Now if you will follow my advice on all points you canstay in Egypt safely enough. Keep these little rolls as if they were theapple of your eye, and never part from them. Now, however, I must begyou to follow me to breakfast and to tell me, if agreeable to you, whether a report which has just been making the round of the marketis not, as usual, entirely false. A trireme from Kolophon, namely, hasbrought the news that your powerful brother, noble Bartja, is preparingto make war with Amasis. "

 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

On the evening of the same day, Bartja and Sappho saw each other again. In that first hour surprise and joy together made Sappho's happiness toogreat for words. When they were once more seated in the acanthus-grovewhose blossoming branches had so often seen and sheltered their younglove, she embraced him tenderly, but for a long time they did not speakone word. They saw neither moon nor stars moving silently above them, inthe warm summer night; they did not even hear the nightingales who werestill repeating their favorite, flute-like, Itys-call to one another;nor did they feel the dew which fell as heavily on their fair heads ason the flowers in the grass around them. 

At last Bartja, taking both Sappho's hands in his own, looked long andsilently into her face, as if to stamp her likeness for ever on hismemory. When he spoke at last, she cast down her eyes, for he said: "Inmy dreams, Sappho, you have always been the most lovely creature thatAuramazda ever created, but now I see you again, you are more lovelyeven than my dreams. "

And when a bright, happy glance from her had thanked him for thesewords, he drew her closer to him, asking: "Did you often think of me?"

"I thought only of you. "

"And did you hope to see me soon?"

"Yes; hour after hour I thought, 'now he must be coming. ' Sometimes Iwent into the garden in the morning and looked towards your home in theEast, and a bird flew towards me from thence and I felt a twitching inmy right eyelid; or when I was putting my box to rights and found thelaurel crown which I put by as a remembrance, because you looked so wellin it, --Melitta says such wreaths are good for keeping true love--thenI used to clap my hands with joy and think, 'to-day he must come;' andI would run down to the Nile and wave my handkerchief to every passingboat, for every boat I thought must be bringing you to me. "

 [A bird flying from the right side, and a twitching of the right eye were considered fortunate omens. Theokrirus, III. 37]

"But you did not come, and then I went sadly home, and would sit down bythe fire on the hearth in the women's room, and sing, and gaze into thefire till grandmother would wake me out of my dream by saying: 'Listento me, girl; whoever dreams by daylight is in danger of lying awake atnight, and getting up in the morning with a sad heart, a tired brain andweary limbs. The day was not given us for sleep, and we must live init with open eyes, that not a single hour may be idly spent. The pastbelongs to the dead; only fools count upon the future; but wise menhold fast by the ever young present; by work they foster all the variousgifts which Zeus, Apollo, Pallas, Cypris lend; by work they raise, and perfect and ennoble them, until their feelings, actions, words andthoughts become harmonious like a well-tuned lute. You cannot serve theman to whom you have given your whole heart, --to whom in your greatlove you look up as so much higher than yourself--you cannot prove thesteadfastness and faithfulness of that love better, than by raisingand improving your mind to the utmost of your power. Every good andbeautiful truth that you learn is an offering to him you love best, forin giving your whole self, you give your virtues too. But no one gainsthis victory in dreams. The dew by which such blossoms are nourished iscalled the sweat of man's brow. ' So she would speak to me, and then Istarted up ashamed and left the hearth, and either took my lyre to learnnew songs, or listened to my loving teacher's words--she is wiser thanmost men--attentively and still. And so the time passed on; a rapidstream, just like our river Nile, which flows unceasingly, and bringssuch changing scenes upon its waves, sometimes a golden boat withstreamers gay, --sometimes a fearful, ravenous crocodile. "

"But now we are sitting in the golden boat. Oh, if time's waves wouldonly cease to flow! If this one moment could but last for aye. Youlovely girl, how perfectly you speak, how well you understand andremember all this beautiful teaching and make it even more beautiful byyour way of repeating it. Yes, Sappho, I am very proud of you. In you Ihave a treasure which makes me richer than my brother, though half theworld belongs to him. "

"You proud of me? you, a king's son, the best and handsomest of yourfamily?"

"The greatest worth that I can find in myself is, that you think meworthy of your love. "

"Tell me, ye gods, how can this little heart hold so much joy withoutbreaking? 'Tis like a vase that's overfilled with purest, heaviestgold?"

"Another heart will help you to bear it; and that is my own, for mine isagain supported by yours, and with that help I can laugh at every evilthat the world or night may bring. "

"Oh, don't excite the envy of the gods; human happiness often vexesthem. Since you left us we have passed some very, very sad days. Thetwo poor children of our kind Phanes--a boy as beautiful as Eros, and alittle girl as fair and rosy as a summer morning's cloud just lit upby the sun, --came for some happy days to stay with us. Grandmother grewquite glad and young again while looking on these little ones, and asfor me I gave them all my heart, though really it is your's and your'salone. But hearts, you know, are wonderfully made; they're like the sunwho sends his rays everywhere, and loses neither warmth nor light bygiving much, but gives to all their due. I loved those little ones sovery much. One evening we were sitting quite alone with Theopompus inthe women's room, when suddenly we heard aloud, wild noise. The good oldKnakias, our faithful slave, just reached the door as all the boltsgave way, and, rushing through the entrance-hall into the peristyle, theandronitis, and so on to us, crashing the door between, came a troop ofsoldiers. Grandmother showed them the letter by which Amasis secured ourhouse from all attack and made it a sure refuge, but they laughedthe writing to scorn and showed us on their side a document with thecrown-prince's seal, in which we were sternly commanded to deliver upPhanes' children at once to this rough troop of men. Theopompus reprovedthe soldiers for their roughness, telling them that the children camefrom Corinth and had no connection with Phanes; but the captain of thetroop defied and sneered at him, pushed my grandmother rudely away, forced his way into her own apartment, where among her most precioustreasures, at the head of her own bed, the two children lay sleepingpeacefully, dragged them out of their little beds and took them in anopen boat through the cold night-air to the royal city. In a few days weheard the boy was dead. They say he has been killed by Psamtik's orders;and the little girl, so sweet and dear, is lying in a dismal dungeon, and pining for her father and for us. Oh, dearest, isn't it a painfulthing that sorrows such as these should come to mar our perfecthappiness? My eyes weep joy and sorrow in the same moment, and my lips, which have just been laughing with you, have now to tell you this sadstory. "

"I feel your pain with you, my child, but it makes my hand clench withrage instead of filling my eyes with tears. That gentle boy whom youloved, that little girl who now sits weeping in the dark dungeon, shallboth be revenged. Trust me; before the Nile has risen again, a powerfularmy will have entered Egypt, to demand satisfaction for this murder. "

"Oh, dearest, how your eyes are glowing! I never saw you look sobeautiful before. Yes, yes, the boy must be avenged, and none but youmust be his avenger. "

"My gentle Sappho is becoming warlike too. "

"Yes, women must feel warlike when wickedness is so triumphant; womenrejoice too when such crimes are punished. Tell me has war been declaredalready?"

"Not yet; but hosts on hosts are marching to the valley of the Euphratesto join our main army. "

"My courage sinks as quickly as it rose. I tremble at the word, the mereword, war. How many childless mothers Ares makes, how many young fairheads must wear the widow's veil, how many pillows are wet through withtears when Pallas takes her shield. "

"But a man developes in war; his heart expands, his arm grows strong. And none rejoice more than you when he returns a conqueror from thefield. The wife of a Persian, especially, ought to rejoice in thethought of battle, for her husband's honor and fame are dearer to herthan his life. "

"Go to the war. I shall pray for you there. "

"And victory will be with the right. First we will conquer Pharaoh'shost, then release Phanes' little daughter. . . "

"And then Aristomachus, the brave old man who succeeded Phanes when hefled. He has vanished, no one knows whither, but people say that thecrown-prince has either imprisoned him in a dismal dungeon on account ofhis having uttered threats of retaliating the cruelty shown to Phanes'children, or--what would be worse--has had him dragged off to somedistant quarry. The poor old man was exiled from his home, not for hisown fault, but by the malice of his enemies, and the very day on whichwe lost sight of him an embassy arrived here from the Spartan peoplerecalling Aristomachus to the Eurotas with all the honors Greece couldbestow, because his sons had brought great glory to their country. Aship wreathed with flowers was sent to fetch the honored old man, andat the head of the deputation was his own brave, strong son, now crownedwith glory and fame. "

"I know him. He's a man of iron. Once he mutilated himself cruelly toavoid disgrace. By the Anahita star, which is setting so beautifully inthe east, he shall be revenged!"

"Oh, can it be so late? To me the time has gone by like a sweet breeze, which kissed my forehead and passed away. Did not you hear some onecall? They will be waiting for us, and you must be at your friend'shouse in the town before dawn. Good-bye, my brave hero. "

"Good-bye, my dearest one. In five days we shall hear our marriage-hymn. But you tremble as if we were going to battle instead of to ourwedding. "

"I'm trembling at the greatness of our joy; one always trembles inexpectation of anything unusually great. "

"Hark, Rhodopis is calling again; let us go. I have asked Theopompusto arrange everything about our wedding with her according to the usualcustom; and I shall remain in his house incognito until I can carry youoff as my own dear wife. "

"And I will go with you. "

The next morning, as the three friends were walking with their host inhis garden, Zopyrus exclaimed: "Wily, Bartja, I've been dreaming allnight of your Sappho. What a lucky fellow you are! Why I fancied my newwife in Sardis was no end of a beauty until I saw Sappho, and now when Ithink of her she seems like an owl. If Araspes could see Sappho he wouldbe obliged to confess that even Panthea had been outdone at last. Sucha creature was never made before. Auramazda is an awful spendthrift;he might have made three beauties out of Sappho. And how charmingly itsounded when she said 'good-night' to us in Persian. "

"While I was away, " said Bartja, "she has been taking a great deal oftrouble to learn Persian from the wife of a Babylonian carpet-merchant, a native of Susa, who is living at Naukratis, in order to surprise me. 

"Yes, she is a glorious girl, " said Theopompus. "My late wife loved thelittle one as if she had been her own child. She would have liked tohave had her as a wife for our son who manages the affairs of my houseat Miletus, but the gods have ordained otherwise! Ah, how glad she wouldhave been to see the wedding garland at Rhodopis' door!"

"Is it the custom here to ornament a bride's house with flowers?" saidZopyrus. 

"Certainly, " answered Theopompus. "When you see a door hung with flowersyou may always know that house contains a bride; an olive-branch is asign that a boy has just come into the world, and a strip of woollencloth hanging over the gate that a girl has been born; but a vessel ofwater before the door is the token of death. But business-hour at themarket is very near, my friends, and I must leave you, as I have affairsof great importance to transact. "

"I will accompany you, " said Zopyrus, "I want to order some garlands forRhodopis' house. "

"Aha, " laughed the Milesian. "I see, you want to talk to theflower-girls again. Come, it's of no use to deny. Well, if you like youcan come with me, but don't be so generous as you were yesterday, anddon't forget that if certain news of war should arrive, your disguisemay prove dangerous. "

The Greek then had his sandals fastened on by his slaves and started forthe market, accompanied by Zopyrus. In a few hours he returned with sucha serious expression on his usually cheerful face, that it was easy tosee something very important had happened. 

"I found the whole town in great agitation, " he said to the two friendswho had remained at home; "there is a report that Amasis is at the pointof death. We had all met on the place of exchange in order to settle ourbusiness, and I was on the point of selling all my stored goods at suchhigh prices as to secure me a first-rate profit, with which, when theprospect of an important war had lowered prices again, I could havebought in fresh goods--you see it stands me in good stead to know yourroyal brother's intentions so early--when suddenly the Toparch appearedamong us, and announced that Amasis was not only seriously ill, but thatthe physicians had given up all hope, and he himself felt he was verynear death. We must hold ourselves in readiness for this at any moment, and for a very serious change in the face of affairs. The death ofAmasis is the severest loss that could happen to us Greeks; he wasalways our friend, and favored us whenever he could, while his son isour avowed enemy and will do his utmost to expel us from the country. If his father had allowed, and he himself had not felt so strongly theimportance and value of our mercenary troops, he would have turned ushateful foreigners out long ago. Naukratis and its temples are odious tohim. When Amasis is dead our town will hail Cambyses' army with delight, for I have had experience already, in my native town Miletus, that youare accustomed to show respect to those who are not Persians and toprotect their rights. "

"Yes, " said Bartja, "I will take care that all your ancient libertiesshall be confirmed by my brother and new ones granted you. "

"Well, I only hope he will soon be here, " exclaimed the Greek, "for weknow that Psamtik, as soon as he possibly can, will order our temples, which are an abomination to him, to be demolished. The building of aplace of sacrifice for the Greeks at Memphis has long been put a stopto. "

"But here, " said Darius, "we saw a number of splendid temples as we cameup from the harbor. "

"Oh, yes, we have several. --Ah, there comes Zopyrus; the slaves arecarrying a perfect grove of garlands behind him. He's laughing soheartily, he must have amused himself famously with the flower-girls. Good-morning, my friend. The sad news which fills all Naukratis does notseem to disturb you much. "

"Oh, for anything I care, Amasis may go on living a hundred years yet. But if he dies now, people will have something else to do beside lookingafter us. When do you set off for Rhodopis' house, friends?"

"At dusk. "

"Then please, ask her to accept these flowers from me. I never thoughtI could have been so taken by an old woman before. Every word she sayssounds like music, and though she speaks so gravely and wisely it's aspleasant to the ear as a merry joke. But I shan't go with you this time, Bartja; I should only be in the way. Darius, what have you made up yourmind to do?"

"I don't want to lose one chance of a conversation with Rhodopis. "

"Well, I don't blame you. You're all for learning and knowingeverything, and I'm for enjoying. Friends, what do you say to letting meoff this evening? You see. . . . "

"I know all about it, " interrupted Bartja laughing: "You've only seenthe flower-girls by daylight as yet, and you would like to know how theylook by lamplight. "

"Yes, that's it, " said Zopyrus, putting on a grave face. "On that pointI am quite as eager after knowledge as Darius. "

"Well, we wish you much pleasure with your three sisters. "

"No, no, not all three, if you please; Stephanion, the youngest, is myfavorite. "

Morning had already dawned when Bartja, Darius and Theopompus leftRhodopis' house. Syloson, a Greek noble who had been banished from hisnative land by his own brother, Polykrates the tyrant, had been spendingthe evening with them, and was now returning in their company toNaukratis, where he had been living many years. 

This man, though an exile, was liberally supplied with money by hisbrother, kept the most brilliant establishment in Naukratis, and wasas famous for his extravagant hospitality as for his strength andcleverness. Syloson was a very handsome man too, and so remarkable forthe good taste and splendor of his dress, that the youth of Naukratisprided themselves on imitating the cut and hang of his robes. Beingunmarried, he spent many of his evenings at Rhodopis' house, and hadbeen told the secret of her granddaughter's betrothal. 

On that evening it had been settled, that in four days the marriageshould be celebrated with the greatest privacy. Bartja had formallybetrothed himself to Sappho by eating a quince with her, on the same dayon which she had offered sacrifices to Zeus, Hera, and the other deitieswho protected marriage. The wedding-banquet was to be given at the houseof Theopompus, which was looked upon as the bridegroom's. The prince'scostly bridal presents had been entrusted to Rhodopis' care, and Bartjahad insisted on renouncing the paternal inheritance which belongedto his bride and on transferring it to Rhodopis, notwithstanding herdetermined resistance. 

Syloson accompanied the friends to Rhodopis' house, and was justabout to leave them, when a loud noise in the streets broke the quietstillness of the night, and soon after, a troop of the watch passed by, taking a man to prison. The prisoner seemed highly indignant, and theless his broken Greek oaths and his utterances in some other totallyunintelligible language were understood by the Egyptian guards, the moreviolent he became. 

Directly Bartja and Darius heard the voice they ran up, and recognizedZopyrus at once. 

Syloson and Theopompus stopped the guards, and asked what their captivehad done. The officer on duty recognized them directly; indeed everychild in Naukratis knew the Milesian merchant and the brother of thetyrant Polykrates by sight; and he answered at once, with a respectfulsalutation, that the foreign youth they were leading away had beenguilty of murder. 

Theopompus then took him on one side and endeavored, by liberalpromises, to obtain the freedom of the prisoner. The man, however, wouldconcede nothing but a permission to speak with his captive. Meanwhilehis friends begged Zopyrus to tell them at once what had happened, and heard the following story: The thoughtless fellow had visited theflower-girls at dusk and remained till dawn. He had scarcely closedtheir housedoor on his way home, when he found himself surrounded by anumber of young men, who had probably been lying in wait for him, ashe had already had a quarrel with one of them, who called himself thebetrothed lover of Stephanion, on that very morning. The girl had toldher troublesome admirer to leave her flowers alone, and had thankedZopyrus for threatening to use personal violence to the intruder. Whenthe young Achaemenidae found himself surrounded, he drew his sword andeasily dispersed his adversaries, as they were only armed with sticks, but chanced to wound the jealous lover, who was more violent than therest, so seriously, that he fell to the ground. Meanwhile the watchhad come up, and as Zopyrus' victim howled "thieves" and "murder"incessantly, they proceeded to arrest the offender. This was not soeasy. His blood was up, and rushing on them with his drawn sword, he hadalready cut his way through the first troop when a second came up. He was not to be daunted, attacked them too, split the skull of one, wounded another in the arm and was taking aim for a third blow, whenhe felt a cord round his neck. It was drawn tighter and tighter till atlast he could not breathe and fell down insensible. By the time he cameto his senses he was bound, and notwithstanding all his appeals to hispass and the name of Theopompus, was forced to follow his captors. 

When the tale was finished the Milesian did not attempt to conceal hisstrong disapprobation, and told Zopyrus that his most unseasonable loveof fighting might be followed by the saddest consequences. After sayingthis, he turned to the officer and begged him to accept his own personalsecurity for the prisoner. The other, however, refused gravely, sayinghe might forfeit his own life by doing so, as a law existed in Egyptby which the concealer of a murder was condemned to death. He must, he assured them, take the culprit to Sais and deliver him over to theNomarch for punishment. "He has murdered an Egyptian, " were his lastwords, "and must therefore be tried by an Egyptian supreme court. In anyother case I should be delighted to render you any service in my power. "

During this conversation Zopyrus had been begging his friends not totake any trouble about him. "By Mithras, " he cried, when Bartja offeredto declare himself to the Egyptians as a means of procuring his freedom, "I vow I'll stab myself without a second thought, if you give yourselvesup to those dogs of Egyptians. Why the whole town is talking aboutthe war already, and do you think that if Psamtik knew he'd got suchsplendid game in his net, he would let you loose? He would keep you ashostages, of course. No, no, my friends. Good-bye; may Auramazda sendyou his best blessings! and don't quite forget the jovial Zopyrus, wholived and died for love and war. "

The captain of the band placed himself at the head of his men, gave theorder to march, and in a few minutes Zopyrus was out of sight. 

CHAPTER XI. 

According to the law of Egypt, Zopyrus had deserved death. 

As soon as his friends heard this, they resolved to go to Sais and tryto rescue him by stratagem. Syloson, who had friends there and couldspeak the Egyptian language well, offered to help them. 

Bartja and Darius disguised themselves so completely by dyeing theirhair and eyebrows and wearing broad-brimmed felt-hats, --that they couldscarcely recognize each other. Theopompus provided them with ordinaryGreek dresses, and, an hour after Zopyrus' arrest, they met thesplendidly-got-up Syloson on the shore of the Nile, entered a boatbelonging to him and manned by his slaves, and, after a short sail, favored by the wind, reached Sais, --which lay above the waters of theinundation like an island, --before the burning midsummer sun had reachedits noonday height. 

They disembarked at a remote part of the town and walked across thequarter appropriated to the artisans. The workmen were busy at theircalling, notwithstanding the intense noonday heat. The baker's men wereat work in the open court of the bakehouse, kneading bread--the coarserkind of dough with the feet, the finer with the hands. Loaves of variousshapes were being drawn out of the ovens-round and oval cakes, and rollsin the form of sheep, snails and hearts. These were laid in baskets, andthe nimble baker's boys would put three, four, or even five such basketson their heads at once, and carry them off quickly and safely tothe customers living in other quarters of the city. A butcher wasslaughtering an ox before his house, the creature's legs having beenpinioned; and his men were busy sharpening their knives to cut up awild goat. Merry cobblers were calling out to the passers-by from theirstalls; carpenters, tailors, joiners and weavers--were all there, busyat their various callings. The wives of the work-people were going outmarketing, leading their naked children by the hand, and some soldierswere loitering near a man who was offering beer and wine for sale. 

But our friends took very little notice of what was going on in thestreets through which they passed; they followed Syloson in silence. 

At the Greek guard-house he asked them to wait for him. Syloson, happening to know the Taxiarch who was on duty that day, went in andasked him if he had heard anything of a man accused of murder havingbeen brought from Naukratis to Sais that morning. 

"Of course, " said the Greek. "It's not more than half an hour since hearrived. As they found a purse full of money in his girdle, they thinkhe must be a Persian spy. I suppose you know that Cambyses is preparingfor war with Egypt. "

"Impossible!"

"No, no, it's a fact. The prince-regent has already receivedinformation. A caravan of Arabian merchants arrived yesterday atPelusium, and brought the news. "

"It will prove as false as their suspicions about this poor youngLydian. I know him well, and am very sorry for the poor fellow. Hebelongs to one of the richest families in Sardis, and only ran away forfear of the powerful satrap Oroetes, with whom he had had a quarrel. I'll tell you the particulars when you come to see me next in Naukratis. Of course you'll stay a few days and bring some friends. My brother hassent me some wine which beats everything I ever tasted. It's perfectnectar, and I confess I grudge offering it to any one who's not, likeyou, a perfect judge in such matters. " The Taxiarch's face brightened upat these words, and grasping Syloson's hand, he exclaimed. "By the dog, my friend, we shall not wait to be asked twice; we'll come soon enoughand take a good pull at your wine-skins. How would it be if you were toask Archidice, the three flower-sisters, and a few flute-playing-girlsto supper?"

 [Archidice--A celebrated Hetaira of Naukratis mentioned by Herod. II. 135. Flute-playing girls were seldom missing at the young Greeks' drinking-parties]

"They shall all be there. By the bye, that reminds me that theflower-girls were the cause of that poor young Lydian's imprisonment. Some jealous idiot attacked him before their house with a number ofcomrades. The hot-brained young fellow defended himself. . . . "

"And knocked the other down?"

"Yes; and so that he'll never get up again. "

"The boy must be a good boxer. "

"He had a sword. "

"So much the better for him. "

"No, so much the worse; for his victim was an Egyptian. "

"That's a bad job. I fear it can only have an unfortunate end. Aforeigner, who kills an Egyptian, is as sure of death as if he had therope already round his neck. However, just now he'll get a few days'grace; the priests are all so busy praying for the dying king that theyhave no time to try criminals. "

"I'd give a great deal to be able to save that poor fellow. I know hisfather. "

"Yes, and then after all he only did his duty. A man must defendhimself. "

"Do you happen to know where he is imprisoned?"

"Of course I do. The great prison is under repair, and so he has beenput for the present in the storehouse between the principal guard-houseof the Egyptian body-guard and the sacred grove of the temple of Neith. I have only just come home from seeing them take him there. "

"He is strong and has plenty of courage; do you think he could get away, if we helped him?"

"No, it would be quite impossible; he's in a room two stories high;the only window looks into the sacred grove, and that, you know, issurrounded by a ten-foot wall, and guarded like the treasury. There aredouble sentries at every gate. There's only one place where it is leftunguarded during the inundation season, because, just here, the waterwashes the walls. These worshippers of animals are as cautious aswater-wagtails. "

"Well, it's a great pity, but I suppose we must leave the poor fellow tohis fate. Good-bye, Doemones; don't forget my invitation. "

The Samian left the guard-room and went back directly to the twofriends, who were waiting impatiently for him. 

They listened eagerly to his tidings, and when he had finished hisdescription of the prison, Darius exclaimed: "I believe a little couragewill save him. He's as nimble as a cat, and as strong as a bear. I havethought of a plan. "

"Let us hear it, " said Syloson, "and let me give an opinion as to itspracticability. "

"We will buy some rope-ladders, some cord, and a good bow, put all theseinto our boat, and row to the unguarded part of the temple-wall at dusk. You must then help me to clamber over it. I shall take the things overwith me and give the eagle's cry. Zopyras will know at once, because, since we were children, we have been accustomed to use it when we wereriding or hunting together. Then I shall shoot an arrow, with the cordfastened to it, up into his window, (I never miss), tell him to fastena weight to it and let it down again to me. I shall then secure therope-ladder to the cord, Zopyrus will draw the whole affair up again, and hang it on an iron nail, --which, by the bye, I must not forget tosend up with the ladder, for who knows whether he may have such a thingin his cell. He will then come down on it, go quickly with me to thepart of the wall where you will be waiting with the boat, and wherethere must be another rope-ladder, spring into the boat, and there heis-safe!"

"First-rate, first-rate!" cried Bartja. 

"But very dangerous, " added Syloson. "If we are caught in the sacredgrove, we are certain to be severely punished. The priests hold strangenightly festivals there, at which every one but the initiated isstrictly forbidden to appear. I believe, however, that these take placeon the lake, and that is at some distance from Zopyrus' prison. "

"So much the better, " cried Darius; "but now to the main point. We mustsend at once, and ask Theopompus to hire a fast trireme for us, and haveit put in sailing order at once. The news of Cambyses' preparations havealready reached Egypt; they take us for spies, and will be sure not tolet either Zopyrus or his deliverers escape, if they can help it. Itwould be a criminal rashness to expose ourselves uselessly to danger. Bartja, you must take this message yourself, and must marry Sappho thisvery day, for, come what may, we must leave Naukratis to-morrow. Don'tcontradict me, my friend, my brother! You know our plan, and you mustsee that as only one can act in it, your part would be that of a merelooker-on. As it was my own idea I am determined to carry it out myself. We shall meet again to-morrow, for Auramazda protects the friendship ofthe pure. "

It was a long time before they could persuade Bartja to leave hisfriends in the lurch, but their entreaties and representations at lasttook effect, and he went down towards the river to take a boat forNaukratis, Darius and Syloson going at the same time to buy thenecessary implements for their plan. 

In order to reach the place where boats were to be hired, Bartja had topass by the temple of Neith. This was not easy, as an immense crowdwas assembled at the entrance-gates. He pushed his way as far as theobelisks near the great gate of the temple with its winged sun-disc andfluttering pennons, but there the temple-servants prevented him fromgoing farther; they were keeping the avenue of sphinxes clear for aprocession. The gigantic doors of the Pylon opened, and Bartja, who, inspite of himself, had been pushed into the front row, saw a brilliantprocession come out of the temple. The unexpected sight of many faceshe had formerly known occupied his attention so much, that he scarcelynoticed the loss of his broad-brimmed hat, which had been knocked off inthe crowd. From the conversation of two Ionian mercenaries behind him helearnt that the family of Amasis had been to the temple to pray for thedying king. 

The procession was headed by richly-decorated priests, either wearinglong white robes or pantherskins. They were followed by men holdingoffice at the court, and carrying golden staves, on the ends of whichpeacocks' feathers and silver lotus-flowers were fastened, and these byPastophori, carrying on their shoulders a golden cow, the animal sacredto Isis. When the crowd had bowed down before this sacred symbol, thequeen appeared. She was dressed in priestly robes and wore a costlyhead-dress with the winged disc and the Uraeus. In her left hand sheheld a sacred golden sistrum, the tones of which were to scare awayTyphon, and in her right some lotus-flowers. The wife, daughter andsister of the high-priest followed her, in similar but less splendidornaments. Then came the heir to the throne, in rich robes of state, aspriest and prince; and behind him four young priests in white carryingTachot, (the daughter of Amasis and Ladice and the pretended sister ofNitetis, ) in an open litter. The heat of the day, and the earnestnessof her prayers, had given the sick girl a slight color. Her blue eyes, filled with tears, were fixed on the sistrum which her weak, emaciatedhands had hardly strength to hold. 

A murmur of compassion ran through the crowd; for they loved their dyingking, and manifested openly and gladly the sympathy so usually felt foryoung lives from whom a brilliant future has been snatched by disease. Such was Amasis' young, fading daughter, who was now being carried pastthem, and many an eye grew dim as the beautiful invalid came in sight. Tachot seemed to notice this, for she raised her eyes from the sistrumand looked kindly and gratefully at the crowd. Suddenly the color lefther face, she turned deadly pale, and the golden sistrum fell on to thestone pavement with a clang, close to Bartja's feet. He felt that hehad been recognized and for one moment thought of hiding himself in thecrowd; but only for one moment--his chivalrous feeling gained the day, he darted forward, picked up the sistrum, and forgetting the danger inwhich he was placing himself, held it out to the princess. 

Tachot looked at him earnestly before taking the golden sistrum from hishands, and then said, in a low voice, which only he could understand:"Are you Bartja? Tell me, in your mother's name--are you Bartja?"

"Yes, I am, " was his answer, in a voice as low as her own, "your friend, Bartja. "

He could not say more, for the priests pushed him back among the crowd. When he was in his old place, he noticed that Tachot, whose bearers hadbegun to move on again, was looking round at him. The color had comeback into her cheeks, and her bright eyes were trying to meet his. Hedid not avoid them; she threw him a lotus-bud-he stooped to pick it up, and then broke his way through the crowd, for this hasty act had rousedtheir attention. 

A quarter of an hour later, he was seated in the boat which was totake him to Sappho and to his wedding. He was quite at ease now aboutZopyrus. In Bartja's eyes his friend was already as good as saved, andin spite of the dangers which threatened himself, he felt strangely calmand happy, he could hardly say why. 

Meanwhile the sick princess had been carried home, had had heroppressive ornaments taken off, and her couch carried on to one ofthe palace-balconies where she liked best to pass the hot summer days, sheltered by broad-leaved plants, and a kind of awning. 

From this veranda, she could look down into the great fore-court of thepalace, which was planted with trees. To-day it was full of priests, courtiers, generals and governors of provinces. Anxiety and suspensewere expressed in every face: Amasis' last hour was drawing very near. 

Tachot could not be seen from below; but listening with feverisheagerness, she could hear much that was said. Now that they had to dreadthe loss of their king, every one, even the priests, were full ofhis praises. The wisdom and circumspection of his plans and modes ofgovernment, his unwearied industry, the moderation he had always shown, the keenness of his wit, were, each and all, subjects of admiration. "How Egypt has prospered under Amasis' government!" said a Nomarch. "Andwhat glory he gained for our arms, by the conquest of Cyprus and thewar with the Libyans!" cried one of the generals. "How magnificently heembellished our temples, and what great honors he paid to the goddess ofSais!" exclaimed one of the singers of Neith. "And then how gracious andcondescending he was!" murmured a courtier. "How cleverly he managed tokeep peace with the great powers!" said the secretary of state, and thetreasurer, wiping away a tear, cried: "How thoroughly he understood themanagement of the revenue! Since the reign of Rameses III. The treasuryhas not been so well filled as now. " "Psamtik comes into a fineinheritance, " lisped the courtier, and the soldier exclaimed, "Yes, butit's to be feared that he'll not spend it in a glorious war; he's toomuch under the influence of the priests. " "No, you are wrong there, "answered the temple-singer. "For some time past, our lord and masterhas seemed to disdain the advice of his most faithful servants. " "Thesuccessor of such a father will find it difficult to secure universalapprobation, " said the Nomarch. "It is not every one who has theintellect, the good fortune and the wisdom of Amasis. " "The gods knowthat!" murmured the warrior with a sigh. 

Tachot's tears flowed fast. These words were a confirmation of what theyhad been trying to hide from her: she was to lose her dear father soon. 

After she had made this dreadful certainty clear to her own mind, anddiscovered that it was in vain to beg her attendants to carry her to herdying father, she left off listening to the courtiers below, and beganlooking at the sistrum which Bartja himself had put into her hand, andwhich she had brought on to the balcony with her, as if seeking comfortthere. And she found what she sought; for it seemed to her as if thesound of its sacred rings bore her away into a smiling, sunny landscape. 

That faintness which so often comes over people in decline, had seizedher and was sweetening her last hours with pleasant dreams. 

The female slaves, who stood round to fan away the flies, saidafterwards that Tachot had never looked so lovely. 

She had lain about an hour in this state, when her breathing becamemore difficult, a slight cough made her breast heave, and the bright redblood trickled down from her lips on to her white robe. She awoke, andlooked surprised and disappointed on seeing the faces round her. Thesight of her mother, however, who came on to the veranda at that moment, brought a smile to her face, and she said, "O mother, I have had such abeautiful dream. "

"Then our visit to the temple has done my dear child good?" asked thequeen, trembling at the sight of the blood on the sick girl's lips. 

"Oh, yes, mother, so much! for I saw him again. " Ladice's glance atthe attendants seemed to ask "Has your poor mistress lost her senses?"Tachot understood the look and said, evidently speaking with greatdifficulty: "You think I am wandering, mother. No, indeed, I reallysaw and spoke to him. He gave me my sistrum again, and said he wasmy friend, and then he took my lotus-bud and vanished. Don't look sodistressed and surprised, mother. What I say is really true; it is nodream. --There, you hear, Tentrut saw him too. He must have come to Saisfor my sake, and so the child-oracle in the temple-court did not deceiveme, after all. And now I don't feel anything more of my illness; Idreamt I was lying in a field of blooming poppies, as red as the bloodof the young lambs that are offered in sacrifice; Bartja was sittingby my side, and Nitetis was kneeling close to us and playing wonderfulsongs on a Nabla made of ivory. And there was such a lovely sound in theair that I felt as if Horus, the beautiful god of morning, spring, andthe resurrection, was kissing me. Yes, mother, I tell you he is comingsoon, and when I am well, then--then--ah, mother what is this?. . . I amdying!"

Ladice knelt down by her child's bed and pressed her lips in burningkisses on the girl's eyes as they grew dim in death. 

An hour later she was standing by another bedside--her dying husband's. 

Severe suffering had disfigured the king's features, the coldperspiration was standing on his forehead, and his hands grasped thegolden lions on the arms of the deep-seated invalid chair in which hewas resting, almost convulsively. 

When Ladice came in he opened his eyes; they were as keen andintelligent as if he had never lost his sight. 

"Why do not you bring Tachot to me?" he asked in a dry voice. 

"She is too ill, and suffers so much, that. . . "

"She is dead! Then it is well with her, for death is not punishment;it is the end and aim of life, --the only end that we can attain withouteffort, but through sufferings!--the gods alone know how great. Osirishas taken her to himself, for she was innocent. And Nitetis is dead too. Where is Nebenchari's letter?"

"Here is the place: 'She took her own life, and died calling down aheavy curse on thee and thine. The poor, exiled, scorned and plunderedoculist Nebenchari in Babylon sends thee this intelligence to Egypt. Itis as true as his own hatred of thee. ' Listen to these words, Psamtik, and remember how on his dying bed thy father told thee that, for everydrachm of pleasure purchased on earth by wrong-doing, the dying bed willbe burdened by a talent's weight of remorse. Fearful misery is comingon Egypt for Nitetis' sake. Cambyses is preparing to make war on us. Hewill sweep down on Egypt like a scorching wind from the desert. Much, which I have staked my nightly sleep and the very marrow of my existenceto bring into existence, will be annihilated. Still I have not lived invain. For forty years I have been the careful father and benefactor of agreat nation. Children and children's children will speak of Amasis asa great, wise and humane king; they will read my name on the great workswhich I have built in Sais and Thebes, and will praise the greatnessof my power. Neither shall I be condemned by Osiris and the forty-twojudges of the nether world; the goddess of truth, who holds thebalances, will find that my good deeds outweigh my bad. "--Here the kingsighed deeply and remained silent for some time. Then, looking tenderlyat his wife, he said: "Ladice, thou hast been a faithful, virtuous wifeto me. For this I thank thee, and ask thy forgiveness for much. We haveoften misunderstood one another. Indeed it was easier for me to accustommyself to the Greek modes of thought, than for a Greek to understand ourEgyptian ideas. Thou know'st my love of Greek art, --thou know'st howI enjoyed the society of thy friend Pythagoras, who was thoroughlyinitiated in all that we believe and know, and adopted much from us. He comprehended the deep wisdom which lies in the doctrines that Ireverence most, and he took care not to speak lightly of truths whichour priests are perhaps too careful to hide from the people; for thoughthe many bow down before that which they cannot understand, they wouldbe raised and upheld by those very truths, if explained to them. To aGreek mind our worship of animals presents the greatest difficulty, butto my own the worship of the Creator in his creatures seems more justand more worthy of a human being, than the worship of his likeness instone. The Greek deities are moreover subject to every human infirmity;indeed I should have made my queen very unhappy by living in the samemanner as her great god Zeus. "

At these words the king smiled, and then went on: "And what has givenrise to this? The Hellenic love of beauty in form, which, in the eye ofa Greek, is superior to every thing else. He cannot separate the bodyfrom the soul, because he holds it to be the most glorious of formedthings, and indeed, believes that a beautiful spirit must necessarilyinhabit a beautiful body. Their gods, therefore, are only elevated humanbeings, but we adore an unseen power working in nature and in ourselves. The animal takes its place between ourselves and nature; its actionsare guided, not, like our own, by the letter, but by the eternal lawsof nature, which owe their origin to the Deity, while the letter is adevice of man's own mind. And then, too, where amongst ourselves dowe find so earnest a longing and endeavor to gain freedom, the highestgood, as among the animals? Where such a regular and well-balanced lifefrom generation to generation, without instruction or precept?"

Here the king's voice failed. He was obliged to pause for a few moments, and then continued: "I know that my end is near; therefore enough ofthese matters. My son and successor, hear my last wishes and act uponthem; they are the result of experience. But alas! how often have Iseen, that rules of life given by one man to another are useless. Everyman must earn his own experience. His own losses make him prudent, hisown learning wise. Thou, my son, art coming to the throne at a matureage; thou hast had time and opportunity to judge between right andwrong, to note what is beneficial and what hurtful, to see and comparemany things. I give thee, therefore, only a few wholesome counsels, andonly fear that though I offer them with my right hand, thou wilt acceptthem with the left. 

"First, however, I must say that, notwithstanding my blindness, myindifference to what has been going on during the past months has beenonly apparent. I left you to your own devices with a good intention. Rhodopis told me once one of her teacher AEsop's fables: 'A traveller, meeting a man on his road, asked him how long it would be before hereached the nearest town. ' 'Go on, go on, ' cried the other. 'But I wantto know first when I shall get to the town. ' 'Go on, only go on, ' wasthe answer. The traveller left him with angry words and abuse; but hehad not gone many steps when the man called after him: 'You will bethere in an hour. I could not answer your question until I had seen yourpace. '

"I bore this fable in my mind for my son's sake, and watched in silenceat what pace he was ruling his people. Now I have discovered what I wishto know, and this is my advice: Examine into everything your self. Itis the duty of every man, but especially of a king, to acquaint himselfintimately with all that concerns the weal or woe of his people. You, myson, are in the habit of using the eyes and ears of other men instead ofgoing to the fountain-head yourself. I am sure that your advisers, thepriests, only desire what is good; but. . . Neithotep, I must beg you toleave us alone for a few moments. "

When the priest was gone the king exclaimed "They wish for what isgood, but good only for themselves. But we are not kings of priests andaristocrats only, we are kings of a nation! Do not listen to the adviceof this proud caste alone, but read every petition yourself, and, byappointing Nomarchs devoted to the king and beloved by the people, makeyourself acquainted with the needs and wishes of the Egyptian nation. It is not difficult to govern well, if you are aware of the state offeeling in your land. Choose fit men to fill the offices of state. Ihave taken care that the kingdom shall be properly divided. The laws aregood, and have proved themselves so; hold fast by these laws, and trustno one who sets himself above them; for law is invariably wiser than theindividual man, and its transgressor deserves his punishment. The peopleunderstand this well, and are ready to sacrifice themselves for us, whenthey see that we are ready to give up our own will to the law. You donot care for the people. I know their voice is often rude and rough, butit utters wholesome truths, and no one needs to hear truth more than aking. The Pharaoh who chooses priests and courtiers for his advisers, will hear plenty of flattering words, while he who tries to fulfil thewishes of the nation will have much to suffer from those around him; butthe latter will feel peace in his own heart, and be praised in the agesto come. I have often erred, yet the Egyptians will weep for me, as onewho knew their needs and considered their welfare like a father. A kingwho really knows his duties, finds it an easy and beautiful task to winthe love of the people--an unthankful one to gain the applause of thegreat--almost an impossibility to content both. 

"Do not forget, --I say it again, --that kings and priests exist for thepeople, and not the people for their kings and priests. Honor religionfor its own sake and as the most important means of securing theobedience of the governed to their governors; but at the same timeshow its promulgators that you look on them, not as receptacles, but asservants, of the Deity. Hold fast, as the law commands, by what is old;but never shut the gates of your kingdom against what is new, if better. Bad men break at once with the old traditions; fools only care for whatis new and fresh; the narrowminded and the selfish privileged classcling indiscriminately to all that is old, and pronounce progress to bea sin; but the wise endeavor to retain all that has approved itself inthe past, to remove all that has become defective, and to adopt whateveris good, from whatever source it may have sprung. Act thus, my son. The priests will try to keep you back--the Greeks to urge you forward. Choose one party or the other, but beware of indecision--of yielding tothe one to-day, to the other to-morrow. Between two stools a manfalls to the ground. Let the one party be your friends, the other yourenemies; by trying to please both, you will have both opposed to you. Human beings hate the man who shows kindness to their enemies. In thelast few months, during which you have ruled independently, both partieshave been offended by your miserable indecision. The man who runsbackwards and forwards like a child, makes no progress, and is soonweary. I have till now--till I felt that death was near--alwaysencouraged the Greeks and opposed the priests. In the active business oflife, the clever, brave Greeks seemed to me especially serviceable; atdeath, I want men who can make me out a pass into the nether regions. The gods forgive me for not being able to resist words that sound solike a joke, even in my last hour! They created me and must take me asI am. I rubbed my hands for joy when I became king; with thee, my son, coming to the throne is a graver matter. --Now call Neithotep back; Ihave still something to say to you both. "

The king gave his hand to the high-priest as he entered, saving: "Ileave you, Neithotep, without ill-will, though my opinion that you havebeen a better priest than a servant to your king, remains unaltered. Psamtik will probably prove a more obedient follower than I have been, but one thing I wish to impress earnestly on you both: Do not dismissthe Greek mercenaries until the war with the Persians is over, and hasended we will hope--in victory for Egypt. My former predictions are notworth anything now; when death draws near, we get depressed, and thingsbegin to look a little black. Without the auxiliary troops we shall behopelessly lost, but with them victory is not impossible. Be clever;show the Ionians that they are fighting on the Nile for the freedom oftheir own country--that Cambyses, if victorious, will not be contentedwith Egypt alone, while his defeat may bring freedom to their ownenslaved countrymen in Ionia. I know you agree with me, Neithotep, forin your heart you mean well to Egypt. --Now read me the prayers. I feelexhausted; my end must be very near. If I could only forget that poorNitetis! had she the right to curse us? May the judges of the dead-mayOsiris--have mercy on our souls! Sit down by me, Ladice; lay thy hand onmy burning forehead. And Psamtik, in presence of these witnesses, swearto honor and respect thy step-mother, as if thou wert her own child. Mypoor wife! Come and seek me soon before the throne of Osiris. A widowand childless, what hast thou to do with this world? We brought upNitetis as our own daughter, and yet we are so heavily punished for hersake. But her curse rests on us--and only on us;--not on thee, Psamtik, nor on thy children. Bring my grandson. Was that a tear? Perhaps; well, the little things to which one has accustomed one's self are generallythe hardest to give up. "

 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Rhodopis entertained a fresh guest that evening; Kallias, the son ofPhoenippus, the same who first appeared in our tale as the bearer ofnews from the Olympic games. 

The lively, cheerful Athenian had just come back from his nativecountry, and, as an old and tried friend, was not only received byRhodopis, but made acquainted with the secret of Sappho's marriage. 

Knakias, her old slave, had, it is true, taken in the flag which wasthe sign of reception, two days ago; but he knew that Kallias was alwayswelcome to his mistress, and therefore admitted him just as readily ashe refused every one else. 

The Athenian had plenty to tell, and when Rhodopis was called awayon business, he took his favorite Sappho into the garden, joking andteasing her gaily as they looked out for her lover's coming. But Bartjadid not come, and Sappho began to be so anxious that Kallias calledold Melitta, whose longing looks in the direction of Naukratis were, ifpossible, more anxious even than those of her mistress, and told her tofetch a musical instrument which he had brought with him. 

It was a rather large lute, made of gold and ivory, and as he handedit to Sappho, he said, with a smile: "The inventor of this gloriousinstrument, the divine Anakreon, had it made expressly for me, at myown wish. He calls it a Barbiton, and brings wonderful tones from itschords--tones that must echo on even into the land of shadows. I havetold this poet, who offers his life as one great sacrifice to the Muses, Eros and Dionysus, a great deal about you, and he made me promise tobring you this song, which he wrote on purpose for you, as a gift fromhimself. 

"Now, what do you say to this song? But by Hercules, child, how pale youare! Have the verses affected you so much, or are you frightened at thislikeness of your own longing heart? Calm yourself, girl. Who knows whatmay have happened to your lover?"

"Nothing has happened, --nothing, " cried a gay, manly voice, and in a fewseconds Sappho was in the arms of him she loved. 

Kallias looked on quietly, smiling at the wonderful beauty of these twoyoung lovers. 

"But now, " said the prince, after Sappho had made him acquainted withKallias, "I must go at once to your grandmother. We dare not wait fourdays for our wedding. It must be to-day! There is danger in every hourof delay. Is Theopompus here?"

"I think he must be, " said Sappho. "I know of nothing else, that couldkeep my grandmother so long in the house. But tell me, what is thisabout our marriage? It seems to me. . . "

"Let us go in first, love. I fancy a thunder-storm must be coming on. The sky is so dark, and it's so intolerably sultry. "

"As you like, only make haste, unless you mean me to die of impatience. There is not the slightest reason to be afraid of a storm. Since I wasa child there has not been either lightning or thunder in Egypt at thistime of year. "

"Then you will see something new to-day, " said Kallias, laughing; for alarge drop of rain has just fallen on my bald head, "the Nile-swallowswere flying close to the water as I came here, and you see there is acloud coming over the moon already. Come in quickly, or you will getwet. Ho, slave, see that a black lamb is offered to the gods of thelower world. "

They found Theopompus sitting in Rhodopis' own apartment, as Sappho hadsupposed. He had finished telling her the story of Zopyrus' arrest, andof the journey which Bartja and his friends had taken on his behalf. 

Their anxiety on the matter was beginning to be so serious, thatBartja's unexpected appearance was a great relief. His words flew as herepeated the events of the last few hours, and begged Theopompus tolook out at once for a ship in sailing order, to convey himself and hisfriends from Egypt. 

"That suits famously, " exclaimed Kallias. "My own trireme brought mefrom Naukratis to-day; it is lying now, fully equipped for sea, in theport, and is quite at your service. I have only to send orders tothe steersman to keep the crew together and everything in sailingorder. --You are under no obligations to me; on the contrary it is Iwho have to thank you for the honor you will confer on me. Ho, Knakias!--tell my slave Philomelus, he's waiting in the hall, --to take aboat to the port, and order my steersman Nausarchus to keep the ship inreadiness for starting. Give him this seal; it empowers him to do allthat is necessary. "

"And my slaves?" said Bartja. 

"Knakias can tell my old steward to take them to Kallias' ship, "answered Theopompus. 

"And when they see this, " said Bartja, giving the old servant his ring, "they will obey without a question. "

Knakias went away with many a deep obeisance, and the prince went on:"Now, my mother, I have a great petition to ask of you. "

"I guess what it is, " said Rhodopis, with a smile. "You wish yourmarriage to be hastened, and I see that I dare not oppose your wish. "

"If I'm not mistaken, " said Kallias, "we have a remarkable case here. Two people are in great peril, and find that very peril a matter ofrejoicing. "

"Perhaps you are right there, " said Bartja, pressing Sappho's handunperceived. And then, turning to Rhodopis again, he begged her to delayno longer in trusting her dearest treasure to his care, --a treasurewhose worth he knew so well. 

Rhodopis rose, she laid her right hand on Sappho's head and her left onBartja's, and said: "There is a myth which tells of a blue lake in theland of roses; its waves are sometimes calm and gentle, but at othersthey rise into a stormy flood; the taste of its waters is partly sweetas honey, partly bitter as gall. Ye will learn the meaning of thislegend in the marriage-land of roses. Ye will pass calm and stormy-sweetand bitter hours there. So long as thou wert a child, Sappho, thy lifepassed on like a cloudless spring morning, but when thou becam'st amaiden, and hadst learnt to love, thine heart was opened to admit pain;and during the long months of separation pain was a frequent guestthere. This guest will seek admission as long as life lasts. Bartja, itwill be your duty to keep this intruder away from Sappho, as far as itlies in your power. I know the world. I could perceive, --even beforeCroesus told me of your generous nature, --that you were worthy of mySappho. This justified me in allowing you to eat the quince with her;this induces me now to entrust to you, without fear, what I have alwayslooked upon as a sacred pledge committed to my keeping. Look uponher too only as a loan. Nothing is more dangerous to love, than acomfortable assurance of exclusive possession--I have been blamed forallowing such an inexperienced child to go forth into your distantcountry, where custom is so unfavorable to women; but I know what loveis;--I know that a girl who loves, knows no home but the heart of herhusband;--the woman whose heart has been touched by Eros no misfortunebut that of separation from him whom she has chosen. And besides, Iwould ask you, Kallias and Theopompus, is the position of your own wivesso superior to that of the Persian women? Are not the women of Ionia andAttica forced to pass their lives in their own apartments, thankfulif they are allowed to cross the street accompanied by suspicious anddistrustful slaves? As to the custom which prevails in Persia of takingmany wives, I have no fear either for Bartja or Sappho. He will be morefaithful to his wife than are many Greeks, for he will find in her whatyou are obliged to seek, on the one hand in marriage, on the other inthe houses of the cultivated Hetaere:--in the former, housewives andmothers, in the latter, animated and enlivening intellectual society. Take her, my son. I give her to you as an old warrior gives his sword, his best possession, to his stalwart son:--he gives it gladly and withconfidence. Whithersoever she may go she will always remain a Greek, andit comforts me to think that in her new home she will bring honor tothe Greek name and friends to our nation, Child, I thank thee for thosetears. I can command my own, but fate has made me pay an immeasurableprice for the power of doing so. The gods have heard your oath, my nobleBartja. Never forget it, but take her as your own, your friend, yourwife. Take her away as soon as your friends return; it is not thewill of the gods that the Hymenaeus should be sung at Sappho's nuptialrites. "

As she said these words she laid Sappho's hand in Bartja's, embraced herwith passionate tenderness, and breathed a light kiss on the forehead ofthe young Persian. Then turning to her Greek friends, who stood by, muchaffected:

"That was a quiet nuptial ceremony, " she said; "no songs, notorch-light! May their union be so much the happier. Melitta, bring thebride's marriage-ornaments, the bracelets and necklaces which lie in thebronze casket on my dressing-table, that our darling may give her handto her lord attired as beseems a future princess. "

"Yes, and do not linger on the way, " cried Kallias, whose oldcheerfulness had now returned. "Neither can we allow the niece of thegreatest of Hymen's poets to be married without the sound of song andmusic. The young husband's house is, to be sure, too far off for ourpurpose, so we will suppose that the andronitis is his dwelling. 

 [The Hymenaeus was the wedding-song, so called because of its refrain "Hymen O! Hymenae' O!" The god of marriage, Hymen, took his origin and name from the hymn, was afterwards decked out richly with myths, and finally, according to Catullus, received a seat on Mount Helikon with the Muses. ]

 [A Greek bride was beautifully adorned for her marriage, and her bridesmaids received holiday garments. Homer, Odyss. VI. 27. Besides which, after the bath, which both bride and bridegroom were obliged to take, she was anointed with sweet-smelling essences. Thucyd. II. 15. Xenoph. Symp. II. 3. ]

"We will conduct the maiden thither by the centre door, and there wewill enjoy a merry wedding-feast by the family hearth. Here, slavegirls, come and form yourselves into two choruses. Half of your number takethe part of the youths; the other half that of the maidens, and sing usSappho's Hymenaeus. I will be the torch-bearer; that dignity is mine byright. You must know, Bartja, that my family has an hereditary rightto carry the torches at the Eleusinian mysteries and we are thereforecalled Daduchi or torch-bearers. Ho, slave! see that the door of theandronitis is hung with flowers, and tell your comrades to meet us witha shower of sweetmeats as we enter. That's right, Melitta; why, how didyou manage to get those lovely violet and myrtle marriage-crowns made soquickly? The rain is streaming through the opening above. You see, Hymenhas persuaded Zeus to help him; so that not a single marriage-rite shallbe omitted. You could not take the bath, which ancient custom prescribesfor the bride and bridegroom on the morning of their wedding-day, soyou have only to stand here a moment and take the rain of Zeus as anequivalent for the waters of the sacred spring. Now, girls, begin yoursong. Let the maidens bewail the rosy days of childhood, and the youthspraise the lot of those who marry young. "

Five well-practised treble voices now began to sing the chorus ofvirgins in a sad and plaintive tone. 

Suddenly the song was hushed, for a flash of lightning had shone downthrough the aperture beneath which Kallias had stationed the brideand bridegroom, followed by a loud peal of thunder. "See!" cried theDaduchus, raising his hand to heaven, "Zeus himself has taken thenuptial-torch, and sings the Hymenaeus for his favorites. "

At dawn the next morning, Sappho and Bartja left the house and wentinto the garden. After the violent storm which had raged all night, thegarden was looking as fresh and cheerful in the morning light as thefaces of the newly-married pair. 

Bartja's anxiety for his friends, whom he had almost forgotten in theexcitement of his marriage, had roused them so early. 

The garden had been laid out on an artificial hill, which overlookedthe inundated plain. Blue and white lotus-blossoms floated on the smoothsurface of the water, and vast numbers of water-birds hovered along theshores or over the flood. Flocks of white, herons appeared on thebanks, their plumage gleaming like glaciers on distant mountain peaks;a solitary eagle circled upward on its broad pinions through thepure morning air, turtle-doves nestled in the tops of the palm-trees;pelicans and ducks fluttered screaming away, whenever a gay sailappeared. The air had been cooled by the storm, a fresh north-wind wasblowing, and, notwithstanding the early hour, there were a number ofboats sailing over the deluged fields before the breeze. The songs ofthe rowers, the plashing strokes of their oars and the cries of thebirds, all contributed to enliven the watery landscape of the Nilevalley, which, though varied in color, was somewhat monotonous. 

Bartja and Sappho stood leaning on each other by the low wall which ranround Rhodopis' garden, exchanging tender words and watching the scenebelow, till at last Bartja's quick eye caught sight of a boat makingstraight for the house and coming on fast by the help of the breeze andpowerful rowers. 

A few minutes later the boat put in to shore and Zopyrus with hisdeliverers stood before them. 

Darius's plan had succeeded perfectly, thanks to the storm, which, byits violence and the unusual time of its appearance, had scaredthe Egyptians; but still there was no time to be lost, as it mightreasonably be supposed that the men of Sais would pursue their fugitivewith all the means at their command. 

Sappho, therefore, had to take a short farewell of her grandmother, allthe more tender, however, for its shortness, --and then, led by Rartjaand followed by old Melitta, who was to accompany her to Persia, shewent on board Syloson's boat. After an hour's sail they reached abeautifully-built and fast-sailing vessel, the Hygieia, which belongedto Kallias. 

He was waiting for them on board his trireme. The leave-taking betweenhimself and his young friends was especially affectionate. Bartja hunga heavy and costly gold chain round the neck of the old man in tokenof his gratitude, while Syloson, in remembrance of the dangers they hadshared together, threw his purple cloak over Darius' shoulders. It wasa master-specimen of Tynan dye, and had taken the latter's fancy. Dariusaccepted the gift with pleasure, and said, as he took leave: "You mustnever forget that I am indebted to you, my Greek friend, and as soon aspossible give me an opportunity of doing you service in return. "

"You ought to come to me first, though, " exclaimed Zopyrus, embracinghis deliverer. "I am perfectly ready to share my last gold piece withyou; or what is more, if it would do you a service, to sit a whole weekin that infernal hole from which you saved me. Ah! they're weighinganchor. Farewell, you brave Greek. Remember me to the flower-sisters, especially to the pretty, little Stephanion, and tell her herlong-legged lover won't be able to plague her again for some time tocome at least. And then, one more thing; take this purse of gold for thewife and children of that impertinent fellow, whom I struck too hard inthe heat of the fray. "

The anchors fell rattling on to the deck, the wind filled the sails, the Trieraules--[Flute-player to a trireme]--took his flute and set themeasure of the monotonous Keleusma or rowing-song, which echoed againfrom the hold of the vessel. The beak of the ship bearing the statue ofHygieia, carved in wood, began to move. Bartja and Sappho stood at thehelm and gazed towards Naukratis, until the shores of the Nile vanishedand the green waves of the Hellenic sea splashed their foam over thedeck of the trireme. 

CHAPTER XII. 

Our young bride and bridegroom had not travelled farther than Ephesus, when the news reached them that Amasis was dead. From Ephesus theywent to Babylon, and thence to Pasargadae, which Kassandane, Atossa andCroesus had made their temporary residence. Kassandane was to accompanythe army to Egypt, and wished, now that Nebenchari had restored hersight, to see the monument which had lately been built to her greathusband's memory after Croesus' design, before leaving for so long ajourney. She rejoiced in finding it worthy of the great Cyrus, and spenthours every day in the beautiful gardens which had been laid out roundthe mausoleum. 

It consisted of a gigantic sarcophagus made of solid marble blocks, and resting like a house on a substructure composed of six high marblesteps. The interior was fitted up like a room, and contained, beside thegolden coffin in which were preserved such few remains of Cyrus as hadbeen spared by the dogs, vultures, and elements, a silver bed and atable of the same metal, on which were golden drinking-cups and numerousgarments ornamented with the rarest and most costly jewels. 

The building was forty feet high. The shady paradises--[Persianpleasure-gardens]--and colonnades by which it was surrounded hadbeen planned by Croesus, and in the midst of the sacred grove was adwelling-house for the Magi appointed to watch over the tomb. 

The palace of Cyrus could be seen in the distance--a palace in which hehad appointed that the future kings of Persia should pass at leastsome months of every year. It was a splendid building in the style ofa fortress, and so inaccessibly placed that it had been fixed on as theroyal treasure-house. 

Here, in the fresh mountain air of a place dedicated to the memory ofthe husband she had loved so much, Kassandane felt well and at peace;she was glad too to see that Atossa was recovering the old cheerfulness, which she had so sadly lost since the death of Nitetis and the departureof Darius. Sappho soon became the friend of her new mother and sister, and all three felt very loath to leave the lovely Pasargadm. 

Darius and Zopyrus had remained with the army which was assembling inthe plains of the Euphrates, and Bartja too had to return thither beforethe march began. 

Cambyses went out to meet his family on their return; he was muchimpressed with Sappho's great beauty, but she confessed to her husbandthat his brother only inspired her with fear. 

The king had altered very much in the last few months. His formerly paleand almost noble features were reddened and disfigured by the quantitiesof wine he was in the habit of drinking. In his dark eyes there was theold fire still, but dimmed and polluted. His hair and beard, formerly soluxuriant, and black as the raven's wing, hung down grey and disorderedover his face and chin, and the proud smile which used so to improve hisfeatures had given way to an expression of contemptuous annoyance andharsh severity. 

Sometimes he laughed, --loudly, immoderately and coarsely; but this wasonly when intoxicated, a condition which had long ceased to be unusualwith him. 

He continued to retain an aversion to his wives; so much so that theroyal harem was to be left behind in Susa, though all his court tooktheir favorite wives and concubines with them on the campaign. Still noone could complain that the king was ever guilty of injustice; indeed heinsisted more eagerly now than before on the rigid execution of thelaw; and wherever he detected an abuse his punishments were cruel andinexorable. Hearing that a judge, named Sisamnes, had been bribedto pronounce an unjust sentence, he condemned the wretched man tobe flayed, ordered the seat of justice to be covered with his skin, appointed the son to the father's vacant place and compelled him tooccupy this fearful seat. --[Herodot. V. 25. ]--Cambyses was untiring ascommander of the forces, and superintended the drilling of the troopsassembled near Babylon with the greatest rigor and circumspection. 

The hosts were to march after the festival of the New Year, whichCambyses celebrated this time with immense expense and profusion. Theceremony over, he betook himself to the army. Bartja was there. He cameup to his brother, beaming with joy, kissed the hem of his robe, andtold him in a tone of triumph that he hoped to become a father. The kingtrembled as he heard the words, vouchsafed his brother no answer, drankhimself into unconsciousness that evening, and the next morning calledthe soothsayers, Magi and Chaldaeans together, in order to submit aquestion to them. "Shall I be committing a sin against the gods, if Itake my sister to wife and thus verify the promise of the dream, whichye formerly interpreted to mean that Atossa should bear a future king tothis realm?"

The Magi consulted a short time together. Then Oropastes cast himself atthe king's feet and said, "We do not believe, O King, that this marriagewould be a sin against the gods; inasmuch as, first: it is a customamong the Persians to marry with their own kin; and secondly, though itbe not written in the law that the pure man may marry his sister, itis written that the king may do what seemeth good in his own eyes. Thatwhich pleaseth thee is therefore always lawful. "

Cambyses sent the Magi away with rich gifts, gave Oropastes fullpowers as regent of the kingdom in his absence, and soon after toldhis horrified mother that, as soon as the conquest of Egypt and thepunishment of the son of Amasis should have been achieved, he intendedto marry his sister Atossa. 

At length the immense host, numbering more than 800, 000 fighting men, departed in separate divisions, and reached the Syrian desert intwo months. Here they were met by the Arabian tribes whom Phanes hadpropitiated--the Amalekites and Geshurites--bringing camels and horsesladen with water for the host. 

At Accho, in the land of the Canaanites, the fleets of the Syrians, Phoenicians and Ionians belonging to Persia, and the auxiliary shipsfrom Cyprus and Samos, won by the efforts of Phanes, were assembled. The case of the Samian fleet was a remarkable one. Polykrates saw inCambyses' proposal a favorable opportunity of getting rid of allthe citizens who were discontented with his government, manned fortytriremes with eight thousand malcontent Samians, and sent them tothe Persians with the request that not one might be allowed to returnhome. --[Herod. III. 44. ]

As soon as Phanes heard this he warned the doomed men, who at once, instead of sailing to join the Persian forces, returned to Samos andattempted to overthrow Polykrates. They were defeated, however, on land, and escaped to Sparta to ask help against the tyrant. 

A full month before the time of the inundation, the Persian and Egyptianarmies were standing face to face near Pelusium on the north-east coastof the Delta. 

Phanes' arrangements had proved excellent. The Arabian tribes had keptfaith so well that the journey through the desert, which would usuallyhave cost thousands of lives, had been attended with very little loss, and the time of year had been so well chosen that the Persian troopsreached Egypt by dry roads and without inconvenience. 

The king met his Greek friend with every mark of distinction, andreturned a friendly nod when Phanes said: "I hear that you have beenless cheerful than usual since the death of your beautiful bride. Awoman's grief passes in stormy and violent complaint, but the sternercharacter of a man cannot so soon be comforted. I know what you feel, for I have lost my dearest too. Let us both praise the gods for grantingus the best remedy for our grief--war and revenge. " Phanes accompaniedthe king to an inspection of the troops and to the evening revel. It wasmarvellous to see the influence he exercised over this fierce spirit, and how calm--nay even cheerful--Cambyses became, when the Athenian wasnear. 

The Egyptian army was by no means contemptible, even when compared withthe immense Persian hosts. Its position was covered on the right by thewalls of Pelusium, a frontier fortress designed by the Egyptian kings asa defence against incursions from the east. The Persians were assured bydeserters that the Egyptian army numbered altogether nearly six hundredthousand men. Beside a great number of chariots of war, thirty thousandKarian and Ionian mercenaries, and the corps of the Mazai, twohundred and fifty thousand Kalasirians, one hundred and sixty thousandHermotybians, twenty thousand horsemen, and auxiliary troops, amountingto more than fifty thousand, were assembled under Psamtik's banner;amongst these last the Libyan Maschawascha were remarkable for theirmilitary deeds, and the Ethiopians for their numerical superiority. 

The infantry were divided into regiments and companies, under differentstandards, and variously equipped. 

 [In these and the descriptions immediately following, we have drawn our information, either from the drawings made from Egyptian monuments in Champollion, Wilkinson, Rosellini and Lepsius, or from the monuments themselves. There is a dagger in the Berlin Museum, the blade of which is of bronze, the hilt of ivory and the sheath of leather. Large swords are only to be seen in the hands of the foreign auxiliaries, but the native Egyptians are armed with small ones, like daggers. The largest one of which we have any knowledge is in the possession of Herr E. Brugsch at Cairo. It is more than two feet long. ]

The heavy-armed soldiers carried large shields, lances, and daggers; theswordsmen and those who fought with battle-axes had smaller shields andlight clubs; beside these, there were slingers, but the main body of thearmy was composed of archers, whose bows unbent were nearly the heightof a man. The only clothing of the horse-soldiers was the apron, andtheir weapon a light club in the form of a mace or battle-axe. Thosewarriors, on the contrary, who fought in chariots belonged to thehighest rank of the military caste, spent large sums on the decorationof their two-wheeled chariots and the harness of their magnificenthorses, and went to battle in their most costly ornaments. They werearmed with bows and lances, and a charioteer stood beside each, so thattheir undivided attention could be bestowed upon the battle. 

The Persian foot was not much more numerous than the Egyptian, but theyhad six times the number of horse-soldiers. 

As soon as the armies stood face to face, Cambyses caused the greatPelusian plain to be cleared of trees and brushwood, and had thesand-hills removed which were to be found here and there, in order togive his cavalry and scythe-chariots a fair field of action. Phanes'knowledge of the country was of great use. He had drawn up a plan ofaction with great military skill, and succeeded in gaining not onlyCambyses' approval, but that of the old general Megabyzus and the besttacticians among the Achaemenidae. His local knowledge was especiallyvaluable on account of the marshes which intersected the Pelusian plain, and might, unless carefully avoided, have proved fatal to the Persianenterprise. At the close of the council of war Phanes begged to be heardonce more: "Now, at length, " he said, "I am at liberty to satisfy yourcuriosity in reference to the closed waggons full of animals, which Ihave had transported hither. They contain five thousand cats! Yes, youmay laugh, but I tell you these creatures will be more serviceable to usthan a hundred thousand of our best soldiers. Many of you are aware thatthe Egyptians have a superstition which leads them rather to die thankill a cat, I, myself, nearly paid for such a murder once with my life. Remembering this, I have been making a diligent search for cats duringmy late journey; in Cyprus, where there are splendid specimens, in Samosand in Crete. All I could get I ordered to be caught, and now proposethat they be distributed among those troops who will be opposed to thenative Egyptian soldiers. Every man must be told to fasten one firmlyto his shield and hold it out as he advances towards the enemy. I willwager that there's not one real Egyptian, who would not rather fly fromthe battle-field than take aim at one of these sacred animals. "

This speech was met by a loud burst of laughter; on being discussed, however, it was approved of, and ordered to be carried out at once. Theingenious Greek was honored by receiving the king's hand to kiss, hisexpenses were reimbursed by a magnificent present, and he was urged totake a daughter of some noble Persian family in marriage. 

 [Themistocles too, on coming to the Persian court, received a high- born Persian wife in marriage. Diod. XI. 57. ]

The king concluded by inviting him to supper, but this the Atheniandeclined, on the plea that he must review the Ionian troops, with whomhe was as yet but little acquainted, and withdrew. 

At the door of his tent he found his slaves disputing with a ragged, dirty and unshaven old man, who insisted on speaking with their master. Fancying he must be a beggar, Phanes threw him a piece of gold; the oldman did not even stoop to pick it up, but, holding the Athenian fast byhis cloak, cried, "I am Aristomachus the Spartan!"

Cruelly as he was altered, Phanes recognized his old friend at once, ordered his feet to be washed and his head anointed, gave him wine andmeat to revive his strength, took his rags off and laid a new chitonover his emaciated, but still sinewy, frame. 

Aristomachus received all in silence; and when the food and wine hadgiven him strength to speak, began the following answer to Phanes' eagerquestions. 

On the murder of Phanes' son by Psamtik, he had declared his intentionof leaving Egypt and inducing the troops under his command to do thesame, unless his friend's little daughter were at once set free, and asatisfactory explanation given for the sudden disappearance of the boy. Psamtik promised to consider the matter. Two days later, as Aristomachuswas going up the Nile by night to Memphis, he was seized by Egyptiansoldiers, bound and thrown into the dark hold of a boat, which, after avoyage of many days and nights, cast anchor on a totally unknown shore. The prisoners were taken out of their dungeon and led across a desertunder the burning sun, and past rocks of strange forms, until theyreached a range of mountains with a colony of huts at its base. Thesehuts were inhabited by human beings, who, with chains on their feet, were driven every morning into the shaft of a mine and there compelledto hew grains of gold out of the stony rock. Many of these miserable menhad passed forty years in this place, but most died soon, overcome bythe hard work and the fearful extremes of heat and cold to which theywere exposed on entering and leaving the mine. 

 [Diodorus (III. 12. ) describes the compulsory work in the gold mines with great minuteness. The convicts were either prisoners taken in war, or people whom despotism in its blind fury found it expedient to put out of the way. The mines lay in the plain of Koptos, not far from the Red Sea. Traces of them have been discovered in modern times. Interesting inscriptions of the time of Rameses the Great, (14 centuries B. C. ) referring to the gold-mines, have been found, one at Radesich, the other at Kubnn, and have been published and deciphered in Europe. ]

"My companions, " continued Aristomachus, "were either condemnedmurderers to whom mercy had been granted, or men guilty of high treasonwhose tongues had been cut out, and others such as myself whom the kinghad reason to fear. Three months I worked among this set, submittingto the strokes of the overseer, fainting under the fearful heat, andstiffening under the cold dews of night. I felt as if picked outfor death and only kept alive by the hope of vengeance. It happened, however, by the mercy of the gods, that at the feast of Pacht, ourguards, as is the custom of the Egyptians, drank so freely as to fallinto a deep sleep, during which I and a young Jew who had been deprivedof his right hand for having used false weights in trade, managed toescape unperceived; Zeus Lacedaemonius and the great God whom this youngman worshipped helped us in our need, and, though we often heard thevoices of our pursuers, they never succeeded in capturing us. I hadtaken a bow from one of our guards; with this we obtained food, and whenno game was to be found we lived on roots, fruits and birds' eggs. Thesun and stars showed us our road. We knew that the gold-mines were notfar from the Red Sea and lay to the south of Memphis. It was not longbefore we reached the coast; and then, pressing onwards in a northerlydirection, we fell in with some friendly mariners, who took care of usuntil we were taken up by an Arabian boat. The young Jew understood thelanguage spoken by the crew, and in their care we came to Eziongeberin the land of Edom. There we heard that Cambyses was coming with animmense army against Egypt, and travelled as far as Harma under theprotection of an Amalekite caravan bringing water to the Persian army. From thence I went on to Pelusium in the company of some stragglers fromthe Asiatic army, who now and then allowed me a seat on their horses, and here I heard that you had accepted a high command in Cambyses' army. I have kept my vow, I have been true to my nation in Egypt; now it isyour turn to help old Aristomachus in gaining the only thing he stillcares for--revenge on his persecutors. "

"And that you shall have!" cried Phanes, grasping the old man's hand. "You shall have the command of the heavy-armed Milesian troops, andliberty to commit what carnage you like among the ranks of our enemies. This, however, is only paying half the debt I owe you. Praised bethe gods, who have put it in my power to make you happy by one singlesentence. Know then, Aristomachus, that, only a few days after yourdisappearance, a ship arrived in the harbor of Naukratis from Sparta. It was guided by your own noble son and expressly sent by the Ephoriin your honor--to bring the father of two Olympic victors back to hisnative land. "

The old man's limbs trembled visibly at these words, his eyes filledwith tears and he murmured a prayer. Then smiting his forehead, he criedin a voice trembling with feeling: "Now it is fulfilled! now it hasbecome a fact! If I doubted the words of thy priestess, O PhoebusApollo! pardon my sin! What was the promise of the oracle?

 "If once the warrior hosts from the snow-topped mountains descending, Come to the fields of the stream watering richly the plain, Then shall the lingering boat to the beckoning meadows convey thee, Which to the wandering foot peace and a home can afford. When those warriors come, from the snow-topped mountains descending, Then will the powerful Five grant thee what long they refused. "

"The promise of the god is fulfilled. Now I may return home, and I will;but first I raise my hands to Dice, the unchanging goddess of justice, and implore her not to deny me the pleasure of revenge. "

"The day of vengeance will dawn to-morrow, " said Phanes, joining inthe old man's prayer. "Tomorrow I shall slaughter the victims for thedead--for my son--and will take no rest until Cambyses has piercedthe heart of Egypt with the arrows which I have cut for him. Come, myfriend, let me take you to the king. One man like you can put a wholetroop of Egyptians to flight. "

 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

It was night. The Persian soldiers, their position being unfortified, were in order of battle, ready to meet any unexpected attack. Thefoot-soldiers stood leaning on their shields, the horsemen held theirhorses saddled and bridled near the camp-fires. Cambyses was ridingthrough the ranks, encouraging his troops by words and looks. Only onepart of the army was not yet ranged in order of battle--the centre. Itwas composed of the Persian body-guard, the apple-bearers, Immortals, and the king's own relatives, who were always led into battle by theking in person. 

The Ionian Greeks too had gone to rest, at Phanes' command. He wanted tokeep his men fresh, and allowed them to sleep in their armor, while hekept watch. Aristomachus was welcomed with shouts of joy by the Greeks, and kindly by Cambyses, who assigned him, at the head of one half theGreek troops, a place to the left of the centre attack, while Phanes, with the other half, had his place at the right. The king himself was totake the lead at the head of the ten thousand Immortals, preceded by theblue, red and gold imperial banner and the standard of Kawe. Bartja wasto lead the regiment of mounted guards numbering a thousand men, andthat division of the cavalry which was entirely clothed in mail. 

Croesus commanded a body of troops whose duty it was to guard the campwith its immense treasures, the wives of Cambyses' nobles, and his ownmother and sister. 

At last Mithras appeared and shed his light upon the earth; the spiritsof the night retired to their dens, and the Magi stirred up the sacredfire which had been carried before the army the whole way from Babylon, until it became a gigantic flame. They and the king united in feeding itwith costly perfumes, Cambyses offered the sacrifice, and, holding thewhile a golden bowl high in the air, besought the gods to grant himvictory and glory. He then gave the password, "Auramazda, the helper andguide, " and placed himself at the head of his guards, who went intothe battle with wreaths on their tiaras. The Greeks offered their ownsacrifices, and shouted with delight on hearing that the omens wereauspicious. Their war-cry was "Hebe. "

Meanwhile the Egyptian priests had begun their day also with prayer andsacrifice, and had then placed their army in order of battle. 

Psamtik, now King of Egypt, led the centre. He was mounted on a goldenchariot; the trappings of his horses were of gold and purple, and plumesof ostrich feathers nodded on their proud heads. He wore the doublecrown of Upper and Lower Egypt, and the charioteer who stood at his lefthand holding the reins and whip, was descended from one of the noblestEgyptian families. 

The Hellenic and Karian mercenaries were to fight at the left of thecentre, the horse at the extreme of each wing, and the Egyptian andEthiopian foot were stationed, six ranks deep, on the right and left ofthe armed chariots, and Greek mercenaries. 

Psamtik drove through the ranks of his army, giving encouraging andfriendly words to all the men. He drew up before the Greek division, andaddressed them thus: "Heroes of Cyprus and Libya! your deeds in armsare well known to me, and I rejoice in the thought of sharing your gloryto-day and crowning you with fresh laurels. Ye have no need to fear, that in the day of victory I shall curtail your liberties. Malicioustongues have whispered that this is all ye have to expect from me; but Itell you, that if we conquer, fresh favors will be shown to you andyour descendants; I shall call you the supporters of my throne. Yeare fighting to-day, not for me alone, but for the freedom of your owndistant homes. It is easy to perceive that Cambyses, once lord of Egypt, will stretch out his rapacious hand over your beautiful Hellas and itsislands. I need only remind you, that they be between Egypt and yourAsiatic brethren who are already groaning under the Persian yoke. Youracclamations prove that ye agree with me already, but I must ask for astill longer hearing. It is my duty to tell you who has sold, not onlyEgypt, but his own country to the King of Persia, in return for immensetreasures. The man's name is Phanes! You are angry and inclined todoubt? I swear to you, that this very Phanes has accepted Cambyses' goldand promised not only to be his guide to Egypt, but to open the gates ofyour own Greek cities to him. He knows the country and the people, andcan be bribed to every perfidy. Look at him! there he is, walking bythe side of the king. See how he bows before him! I thought I had heardonce, that the Greeks only prostrated themselves before their gods. Butof course, when a man sells his country, he ceases to be its citizen. Am I not right? Ye scorn to call so base a creature by the name ofcountryman? Yes? then I will deliver the wretch's daughter into yourhands. Do what ye will with the child of such a villain. Crown her withwreaths of roses, fall down before her, if it please you, but do notforget that she belongs to a man who has disgraced the name of Hellene, and has betrayed his countrymen and country!"

As he finished speaking the men raised a wild cry of rage and tookpossession of the trembling child. A soldier held her up, so that herfather--the troops not being more than a bow-shot apart--could see allthat happened. At the same moment an Egyptian, who afterwards earnedcelebrity through the loudness of his voice, cried: "Look here, Athenian! see how treachery and corruption are rewarded in thiscountry!" A bowl of wine stood near, provided by the king, from whichthe soldiers had just been drinking themselves into intoxication. AKarian seized it, plunged his sword into the innocent child's breast, and let the blood flow into the bowl; filled a goblet with the awfulmixture, and drained it, as if drinking to the health of the wretchedfather. Phanes stood watching the scene, as if struck into a statueof cold stone. The rest of the soldiers then fell upon the bowl likemadmen, and wild beasts could not have lapped up the foul drink withgreater eagerness. --[Herodotus tells this fearful tale (III. Ii. )]

In the same moment Psamtik triumphantly shot off his first arrow intothe Persian ranks. 

The mercenaries flung the child's dead body on to the ground; drunk withher blood, they raised their battle-song, and rushed into the strife farahead of their Egyptian comrades. 

But now the Persian ranks began to move. Phanes, furious with painand rage, led on his heavy-armed troops, indignant too at the brutalbarbarity of their countrymen, and dashed into the ranks of thosevery soldiers, whose love he had tried to deserve during ten years offaithful leadership. 

At noon, fortune seemed to be favoring the Egyptians; but at sunset thePersians had the advantage, and when the full-moon rose, the Egyptianswere flying wildly from the battle-field, perishing in the marshes andin the arm of the Nile which flowed behind their position, or being cutto pieces by the swords of their enemies. 

Twenty thousand Persians and fifty thousand Egyptians lay dead onthe blood-stained sea-sand. The wounded, drowned, and prisoners couldscarcely be numbered. 

 [Herod. III. 12. Ktesias, Persica 9. In ancient history the loss of the conquered is always far greater than that of the conquerors. To a certain extent this holds good in the present day, but the proportion is decidedly not so unfavorable for the vanquished. ]

Psamtik had been one of the last to fly. He was well mounted, and, witha few thousand faithful followers, reached the opposite bank of the Nileand made for Memphis, the well-fortified city of the Pyramids. 

Of the Greek mercenaries very few survived, so furious had been Phanes'revenge, and so well had he been supported by his Ionians. Ten thousandKarians were taken captive and the murderer of his little child waskilled by Phanes' own hand. 

Aristomachus too, in spite of his wooden leg, had performed miracles ofbravery; but, notwithstanding all their efforts, neither he, nor any ofhis confederates in revenge, had succeeded in taking Psamtik prisoner. 

When the battle was over, the Persians returned in triumph to theirtents, to be warmly welcomed by Croesus and the warriors and priestswho had remained behind, and to celebrate their victory by prayers andsacrifices. 

The next morning Cambyses assembled his generals and rewarded them withdifferent tokens of distinction, such as costly robes, gold chains, rings, swords, and stars formed of precious stones. Gold and silvercoins were distributed among the common soldiers. 

The principal attack of the Egyptians had been directed against thecentre of the Persian army, where Cambyses commanded in person; andwith such effect that the guards had already begun to give way. Atthat moment Bartja, arriving with his troop of horsemen, had put freshcourage into the wavering, had fought like a lion himself, and by hisbravery and promptitude decided the day in favor of the Persians. 

The troops were exultant in their joy: they shouted his praises, as "theconqueror of Pelusium" and the "best of the Achaemenidae. "

Their cries reached the king's ears and made him very angry. He knewhe had been fighting at the risk of life, with real courage and thestrength of a giant, and yet the day would have been lost if this boyhad not presented him with the victory. The brother who had embitteredhis days of happy love, was now to rob him of half his military glory. Cambyses felt that he hated Bartja, and his fist clenched involuntarilyas he saw the young hero looking so happy in the consciousness of hisown well-earned success. 

Phanes had been wounded and went to his tent; Aristomachus lay near him, dying. 

"The oracle has deceived me, after all, " he murmured. "I shall diewithout seeing my country again. "

"The oracle spoke the truth, " answered Phanes. "Were not the last wordsof the Pythia?"

 'Then shall the lingering boat to the beckoning meadows convey thee, Which to the wandering foot peace and a home will afford?'

"Can you misunderstand their meaning? They speak of Charon's lingeringboat, which will convey you to your last home, to the one greatresting-place for all wanderers--the kingdom of Hades. "

"Yes, my friend, you are right there. I am going to Hades. "

"And the Five have granted you, before death, what they so longrefused, --the return to Lacedaemon. You ought to be thankful to the godsfor granting you such sons and such vengeance on your enemies. When mywound is healed, I shall go to Greece and tell your son that his fatherdied a glorious death, and was carried to the grave on his shield, asbeseems a hero. "

"Yes, do so, and give him my shield as a remembrance of his old father. There is no need to exhort him to virtue. "

"When Psamtik is in our power, shall I tell him what share you had inhis overthrow?"

"No; he saw me before he took to flight, and at the unexpected visionhis bow fell from his hand. This was taken by his friends as a signalfor flight, and they turned their horses from the battle. "

"The gods ordain, that bad men shall be ruined by their own deeds. Psamtik lost courage, for he must have believed that the very spirits ofthe lower world were fighting against him. "

"We mortals gave him quite enough to do. The Persians fought well. Butthe battle would have been lost without the guards and our troops. "

"Without doubt. "

"I thank thee, O Zeus Lacedaemonius. "

"You are praying?"

"I am praising the gods for allowing me to die at ease as to my country. These heterogeneous masses can never be dangerous to Greece. Ho, physician, when am I likely to die?"

The Milesian physician, who had accompanied the Greek troops to Egypt, pointed to the arrow-head sticking fast in his breast, and said with asad smile, "You have only a few hours more to live. If I were to drawthe arrow from your wound, you would die at once. "

The Spartan thanked him, said farewell to Phanes, sent a greeting toRhodopis, and then, before they could prevent him, drew the arrow fromhis wound with an unflinching hand. A few moments later Aristomachus wasdead. 

The same day a Persian embassy set out for Memphis on board one ofthe Lesbian vessels. It was commissioned to demand from Psamtik thesurrender of his own person and of the city at discretion. Cambysesfollowed, having first sent off a division of his army under Megabyzusto invest Sais. 

At Heliopolis he was met by deputations from the Greek inhabitants ofNaukratis and the Libyans, praying for peace and his protection, andbringing a golden wreath and other rich presents. Cambyses receivedthem graciously and assured them of his friendship; but repulsed themessengers from Cyrene and Barka indignantly, and flung, with his ownhand, their tribute of five hundred silver mince among his soldiers, disdaining to accept so contemptible an offering. 

In Heliopolis he also heard that, at the approach of his embassy, theinhabitants of Memphis had flocked to the shore, bored a hole in thebottom of the ship, torn his messengers in pieces without distinction, as wild beasts would tear raw flesh, and dragged them into the fortress. On hearing this he cried angrily: "I swear, by Mithras, that thesemurdered men shall be paid for; ten lives for one. "

Two days later and Cambyses with his army stood before the gates ofMemphis. The siege was short, as the garrison was far too small forthe city, and the citizens were discouraged by the fearful defeat atPelusium. 

King Psamtik himself came out to Cambyses, accompanied by his principalnobles, in rent garments, and with every token of mourning. Cambysesreceived him coldly and silently, ordering him and his followers tobe guarded and removed. He treated Ladice, the widow of Amasis, whoappeared at the same time as her step-son, with consideration, and, atthe intercession of Phanes, to whom she had always shown favor, allowedher to return to her native town of Cyrene under safe conduct. Sheremained there until the fall of her nephew, Arcesilaus III. And theflight of her sister Pheretime, when she betook herself to Anthylla, the town in Egypt which belonged to her, and where she passed a quiet, solitary existence, dying at a great age. 

Cambyses not only scorned to revenge the imposture which had beenpractised on him on a woman, but, as a Persian, had far too much respectfor a mother, and especially for the mother of a king, to injure Ladicein any way. 

While he was engaged in the siege of Sais, Psamtik passed hisimprisonment in the palace of the Pharaohs, treated in every respect asa king, but strictly guarded. 

Among those members of the upper class who had incited the people toresistance, Neithotep, the high-priest of Neith, had taken the foremostplace. He was therefore sent to Memphis and put in close confinement, with one hundred of his unhappy confederates. The larger number of thePharaoh's court, on the other hand, did homage voluntarily to Cambysesat Sais, entitled him Ramestu, "child of the sun, " and suggested that heshould cause himself to be crowned King of Upper and Lower Egypt, withall the necessary formalities, and admitted into the priestly casteaccording to ancient custom. By the advice of Croesus and Phanes, Cambyses gave in to these proposals, though much against his own will:he went so far, indeed, as to offer sacrifice in the temple of Neith, and allowed the newly-created high-priest of the goddess to give hima superficial insight into the nature of the mysteries. Some ofthe courtiers he retained near himself, and promoted differentadministrative functionaries to high posts; the commander of Amasis'Nile fleet succeeded so well in gaining the king's favor, as to beappointed one of those who ate at the royal table. 

 [On a statue in the Gregorian Museum in the Vatican, there is an inscription giving an account of Cambyses' sojourn at Sais, which agrees with the facts related in our text. He was lenient to his conquered subjects, and, probably in order to secure his position as the lawful Pharaoh, yielded to the wishes of the priests, was even initiated into the mysteries and did much for the temple of Neith. His adoption of the name Ramestu is also confirmed by this statue. E. De Rough, Memoire sur la statuette naophore du musee Gregorian, au Vatican. Revue Archeol. 1851. ]

On leaving Sais, Cambyses placed Megabyzus in command of the city; butscarcely had the king quitted their walls than the smothered rage of thepeople broke forth; they murdered the Persian sentinels, poisoned thewells, and set the stables of the cavalry on fire. Megabyzus at onceapplied to the king, representing that such hostile acts, if notrepressed by fear, might soon be followed by open rebellion. "The twothousand noble youths from Memphis whom you have destined to death asan indemnification for our murdered ambassadors, " said he, "ought tobe executed at once; and it would do no harm if the son of Psamtik wereadded to the number, as he can some day become a rallying centre forthe rebels. I hear that the daughters of the dethroned king and of thehigh-priest Neithotep have to carry water for the baths of the noblePhanes. "

The Athenian answered with a smile: "Cambyses has allowed me to employthese aristocratic female attendants, my lord, at my own request. "

"But has forbidden you to touch the life of one member of the royalhouse, " added Cambyses. "None but a king has the right to punish kings. "

Phanes bowed. The king turned to Megabyzus and ordered him to have theprisoners executed the very next day, as an example. He would decide thefate of the young prince later; but at all events he was to be taken tothe place of execution with the rest. "We must show them, " he concluded, "that we know how to meet all their hostile manifestations withsufficient rigor. "

Croesus ventured to plead for the innocent boy. "Calm yourself, oldfriend, " said Cambyses with a smile; "the child is not dead yet, andperhaps will be as well off with us as your own son, who fought so wellat Pelusium. I confess I should like to know, whether Psamtik bears hisfate as calmly and bravely as you did twenty-five years ago. "

"That we can easily discover, by putting him on trial, " said Phanes. "Let him be brought into the palace-court to-morrow, and let thecaptives and the condemned be led past him. Then we shall see whether heis a man or a coward. "

"Be it so, " answered Cambyses. "I will conceal myself and watch himunobserved. You, Phanes, will accompany me, to tell me the name and rankof each of the captives. "

The next morning Phanes accompanied the king on to a balcony which ranround the great court of the palace--the court we have already describedas being planted with trees. The listeners were hidden by a grove offlowering shrubs, but they could see every movement that took place, and hear every word that was spoken beneath them. They saw Psamtik, surrounded by a few of his former companions. He was leaning againsta palm-tree, his eyes fixed gloomily on the ground, as his daughtersentered the court. The daughter of Neithotep was with them, and somemore young girls, all dressed as slaves; they were carrying pitchers ofwater. At sight of the king, they uttered such a loud cry of anguishas to wake him from his reverie. He looked up, recognized the miserablegirls, and bowed his head lower than before; but only for a moment. Drawing himself up quickly, he asked his eldest daughter for whom shewas carrying water. On hearing that she was forced to do the work of aslave for Phanes, he turned deadly pale, nodded his head, and cried tothe girls, "Go on. "

A few minutes later the captives were led into the court, with ropesround their necks, and bridles in their mouths. 

 [This statement of Herodotus (III. 14. ) is confirmed by the monuments, on which we often see representations of captives being led along with ropes round their necks. What follows is taken entirely from the same passage in Herodotus. ]

At the head of the train was the little prince Necho. He stretched hishands out to his father, begging him to punish the bad foreigners whowanted to kill him. At this sight the Egyptians wept in their exceedinggreat misery; but Psamtik's eyes were dry. He bowed his tearless facenearly to the earth, and waved his child a last farewell. 

After a short interval, the captives taken in Sais entered. Among themwas Neithotep, the once powerful high-priest, clothed in rags and movingwith difficulty by the help of a staff. At the entrance-gate he raisedhis eyes and caught sight of his former pupil Darius. Reckless of allthe spectators around him, he went straight up to the young man, pouredout the story of his need, besought his help, and ended by begging analms. Darius complied at once, and by so doing, induced others of theAchaemenidae, who were standing by, to hail the old man jokingly andthrow him little pieces of money, which he picked up laboriously andthankfully from the ground. 

At this sight Psamtik wept aloud, and smote upon his forehead, callingon the name of his friend in a voice full of woe. 

Cambyses was so astonished at this, that he came forward to thebalustrade of the veranda, and pushing the flowers aside, exclaimed:"Explain thyself, thou strange man; the misfortunes of a beggar, noteven akin to thee, move thy compassion, but thou canst behold thy sonon the way to execution and thy daughters in hopeless misery withoutshedding a tear, or uttering a lament!"

Psamtik looked up at his conqueror, and answered: "The misfortunes ofmy own house, O son of Cyrus, are too great for tears; but I may bepermitted to weep over the afflictions of a friend, fallen, in his oldage, from the height of happiness and influence into the most miserablebeggary. "

Cambyses' face expressed his approval, and on looking round he saw thathis was not the only eye which was filled with tears. Croesus, Bartja, and all the Persians-nay, even Phanes himself, who had served asinterpreter to the kings-were weeping aloud. 

The proud conqueror was not displeased at these signs of sympathy, andturning to the Athenian: "I think, my Greek friend" he said, "we mayconsider our wrongs as avenged. Rise, Psamtik, and endeavor to imitateyonder noble old man, (pointing to Croesus) by accustoming yourself toyour fate. Your father's fraud has been visited on you and your family. The crown, which I have wrested from you is the crown of which Amasisdeprived my wife, my never-to-be-forgotten Nitetis. For her sake I beganthis war, and for her sake I grant you now the life of your son--sheloved him. From this time forward you can live undisturbed at our court, eat at our table and share the privileges of our nobles. Gyges, fetchthe boy hither. He shall be brought up as you were, years ago, among thesons of the Achaemenidae. "

The Lydian was hastening to execute this delightful commission, butPhanes stopped him before he could reach the door, and placing himselfproudly between the king and the trembling, thankful Psamtik, said: "Youwould be going on a useless errand, noble Lydian. In defiance of yourcommand, my Sovereign, but in virtue of the full powers you once gaveme, I have ordered the grandson of Amasis to be the executioner's firstvictim. You have just heard the sound of a horn; that was the sign thatthe last heir to the Egyptian throne born on the shores of the Nile hasbeen gathered to his fathers. I am aware of the fate I have to expect, Cambyses. I will not plead for a life whose end has been attained. Croesus, I understand your reproachful looks. You grieve for themurdered children. But life is such a web of wretchedness anddisappointment, that I agree with your philosopher Solon in thinkingthose fortunate to whom, as in former days to Kleobis and Biton, thegods decree an early death. 

 [Croesus, after having shown Solon his treasures, asked him whom he held to be the most fortunate of men, hoping to hear his own name. The sage first named Tellus, a famous citizen of Athens, and then the brothers Kleobis and Biton. These were two handsome youths, who had gained the prize for wrestling, and one day, when the draught- animals had not returned from the field, dragged their mother themselves to the distant temple, in presence of the people. The men of Argos praised the strength of the sons, --the women praised the mother who possessed these sons. She, transported with delight at her sons' deed and the people's praise, went to the statue of the goddess and besought her to give them the best that could fall to the lot of men. When her prayer was over and the sacrifice offered, the youths fell asleep, and never woke again. They were dead. Herod. I, 31. Cicero. Tuscul. I. 47. ]

"If I have ever been dear to you, Cambyses--if my counsels have beenof any use, permit me as a last favor to say a few more words. Psamtikknows the causes that rendered us foes to each other. Ye all, whoseesteem is worth so much to me, shall know them too. This man's fatherplaced me in his son's stead at the head of the troops which had beensent to Cyprus. Where Psamtik had earned humiliation, I won success andglory. I also became unintentionally acquainted with a secret, whichseriously endangered his chances of obtaining the crown; and lastly, I prevented his carrying off a virtuous maiden from the house of hergrandmother, an aged woman, beloved and respected by all the Greeks. These are the sins which he has never been able to forgive; these arethe grounds which led him to carry on war to the death with me directlyI had quitted his father's service. The struggle is decided now. Myinnocent children have been murdered at thy command, and I have beenpursued like a wild beast. That has been thy revenge. But mine!--Ihave deprived thee of thy throne and reduced thy people to bondage. Thydaughter I have called my slave, thy son's death-warrant was pronouncedby my lips, and my eyes have seen the maiden whom thou persecutedstbecome the happy wife of a brave man. Undone, sinking ever lower andlower, thou hast watched me rise to be the richest and most powerful ofmy nation. In the lowest depth of thine own misery--and this has beenthe most delicious morsel of my vengeance--thou wast forced to seeme--me, Phanes shedding tears that could not be kept back, at the sightof thy misery. The man, who is allowed to draw even one breath oflife, after beholding his enemy so low, I hold to be happy as the godsthemselves I have spoken. "

He ceased, and pressed his hand on his wound. Cambyses gazed at himin astonishment, stepped forward, and was just going to touch hisgirdle--an action which would have been equivalent to the signing of adeath-warrant when his eye caught sight of the chain, which he himselfhad hung round the Athenian's neck as a reward for the clever way inwhich he had proved the innocence of Nitetis. 

 [The same sign was used by the last Darius to denote that his able Greek general Memnon, who had offended him by his plainness of speech, was doomed to death. As he was being led away, Memnon exclaimed, in allusion to Alexander, who was then fast drawing near: "Thy remorse will soon prove my worth; my avenger is not far off. " Droysen, Alex. D. Grosse, Diod. XVII. 30. Curtius III. 2. ]

The sudden recollection of the woman he loved, and of the countlessservices rendered him by Phanes, calmed his wrath his hand dropped. One minute the severe ruler stood gazing lingeringly at his disobedientfriend; the next, moved by a sudden impulse, he raised his right handagain, and pointed imperiously to the gate leading from the court. 

Phanes bowed in silence, kissed the king's robe, and descended slowlyinto the court. Psamtik watched him, quivering with excitement, sprangtowards the veranda, but before his lips could utter the curse which hisheart had prepared, he sank powerless on to the ground. 

Cambyses beckoned to his followers to make immediate preparations for alion-hunt in the Libyan mountains. 

CHAPTER XIII. 

The waters of the Nile had begun to rise again. Two months had passedaway since Phanes' disappearance, and much had happened. 

The very day on which he left Egypt, Sappho had given birth to a girl, and had so far regained strength since then under the care of hergrandmother, as to be able to join in an excursion up the Nile, whichCroesus had suggested should take place on the festival of the goddessNeith. Since the departure of Phanes, Cambyses' behavior had become sointolerable, that Bartja, with the permission of his brother, had takenSappho to live in the royal palace at Memphis, in order to escape anypainful collision. Rhodopis, at whose house Croesus and his son, Bartja, Darius and Zopyrus were constant guests, had agreed to join the party. 

On the morning of the festival-day they started in a gorgeouslydecorated boat, from a point between thirty and forty miles belowMemphis, favored by a good north-wind and urged rapidly forward by alarge number of rowers. 

A wooden roof or canopy, gilded and brightly painted, sheltered themfrom the sun. Croesus sat by Rhodopis, Theopompus the Milesian lay ather feet. Sappho was leaning against Bartja. Syloson, the brother ofPolykrates, had made himself a comfortable resting-place next to Darius, who was looking thought fully into the water. Gyges and Zopyrus busiedthemselves in making wreaths for the women, from the flowers handed themby an Egyptian slave. 

"It seems hardly possible, " said Bartja, "that we can be rowing againstthe stream. The boat flies like a swallow. "

"This fresh north-wind brings us forward, " answered Theopompus. "Andthen the Egyptian boatmen understand their work splendidly. "

"And row all the better just because we are sailing against the stream, "added Croesus. "Resistance always brings out a man's best powers. "

"Yes, " said Rhodopis, "sometimes we even make difficulties, if the riverof life seems too smooth. "

"True, " answered Darius. "A noble mind can never swim with the stream. In quiet inactivity all men are equal. We must be seen fighting, to berightly estimated. "

"Such noble-minded champions must be very cautious, though, " saidRhodopis, "lest they become contentious, and quarrelsome. Do you seethose melons lying on the black soil yonder, like golden balls? Not onewould have come to perfection if the sower had been too lavish with hisseed. The fruit would have been choked by too luxuriant tendrilsand leaves. Man is born to struggle and to work, but in this, as ineverything else, he must know how to be moderate if his efforts are tosucceed. The art of true wisdom is to keep within limits. "

"Oh, if Cambyses could only hear you!" exclaimed Croesus. "Instead ofbeing contented with his immense conquests, and now thinking for thewelfare of his subjects, he has all sorts of distant plans in his head. He wishes to conquer the entire world, and yet, since Phanes left, scarcely a day has passed in which he has not been conquered himself bythe Div of drunkenness. "

"Has his mother no influence over him?" asked Rhodopis. "She is a noblewoman. "

"She could not even move his resolution to marry Atossa, and was forcedto be present at the marriage feast. "

"Poor Atossa!" murmured Sappho. 

"She does not pass a very happy life as Queen of Persia, " answeredCroesus; "and her own naturally impetuous disposition makes it all themore difficult or her to live contentedly with this husband and mother;I am sorry to hear it said that Cambyses neglects her sadly, and treatsher like a child. But the marriage does not seem to have astonished theEgyptians, as brothers and sisters often marry here. "

"In Persia too, " said Darius, putting on an appearance of the mostperfect composure, "marriages with very near relations are thought to bethe best. "

"But to return to the king, " said Croesus, turning the conversation forDarius' sake. "I can assure you, Rhodopis, that he may really be calleda noble man. His violent and hasty deeds are repented of almost as soonas committed, and the resolution to be a just and merciful ruler hasnever forsaken him. At supper, for instance, lately, before his mind wasclouded by the influence of wine, he asked us what the Persians thoughtof him in comparison with his father. "

"And what was the answer?" said Rhodopis. "Intaphernes got us out of thetrap cleverly enough, " answered Zopyrus, laughing. "He exclaimed: 'Weare of opinion that you deserve the preference, inasmuch as you have notonly preserved intact the inheritance bequeathed you by Cyrus, but haveextended his dominion beyond the seas by your conquest of Egypt. ' Thisanswer did not seem to please the king, however, and poor Intapherneswas not a little horrified to hear him strike his fist on the table andcry, 'Flatterer, miserable flatterer!' He then turned to Croesus andasked his opinion. Our wise friend answered at once: 'My opinion is thatyou have not attained to the greatness of your father; for, ' added hein a pacifying tone, 'one thing is wanting to you--a son such as Cyrusbequeathed us in yourself. "

"First-rate, first-rate, " cried Rhodopis clapping her hands andlaughing. "An answer that would have done honor to the ready-wittedOdysseus himself. And how did the king take your honeyed pill?"

"He was very much pleased, thanked Croesus, and called him his friend. "

"And I, " said Croesus taking up the conversation, "used the favorableopportunity to dissuade him from the campaigns he has been planningagainst the long lived Ethiopians, the Ammonians and the Carthaginians. Of the first of these three nations we know scarcely anything butthrough fabulous tales; by attacking them we should lose much and gainlittle. The oasis of Ammon is scarcely accessible to a large army, onaccount of the desert by which it is surrounded; besides which, itseems to me sacrilegious to make war upon a god in the hope of obtainingpossession of his treasures, whether we be his worshippers or not. Asto the Carthaginians, facts have already justified my predictions. Ourfleet is manned principally by Syrians and Phoenicians, and they have, as might be expected, refused to go to war against their brethren. Cambyses laughed at my reasons, and ended by swearing, when he wasalready somewhat intoxicated, that he could carry out difficultundertakings and subdue powerful nations, even without the help ofBartja and Phanes. "

"What could that allusion to you mean, my son?" asked Rhodopis. 

"He won the battle of Pelusiam, " cried Zopyrus, before his friend couldanswer. "He and no one else!"

"Yes, " added Croesus, "and you might have been more prudent, and haveremembered that it is a dangerous thing to excite the jealousy of a manlike Cambyses. You all of you forget that his heart is sore, and thatthe slightest vexation pains him. He has lost the woman he really loved;his dearest friend is gone; and now you want to disparage the last thingin this world that he still cares for, --his military glory. "

"Don't blame him, " said Bartja, grasping the old man's hand. "My brotherhas never been unjust, and is far from envying me what I must call mygood fortune, for that my attack arrived just at the right time canhardly be reckoned as a merit on my part. You know he gave me thissplendid sabre, a hundred thorough-bred horses, and a golden hand-millas rewards of my bravery. "

Croesus' words had caused Sappho a little anxiety at first; but thisvanished on hearing her husband speak so confidently, and by the timeZopyrus had finished his wreath and placed it on Rhodopis' head, all herfears were forgotten. 

Gyges had prepared his for the young mother. It was made of snow-whitewater-lilies, and, when she placed it among her brown curls, she lookedso wonderfully lovely in the simple ornament, that Bartja could not helpkissing her on the forehead, though so many witnesses were present. Thislittle episode gave a merry turn to the conversation; every one did hisbest to enliven the others, refreshments of all kinds were handed round, and even Darius lost his gravity for a time and joined in the jests thatwere passing among his friends. 

When the sun had set, the slaves set elegantly-carved chairs, footstools, and little tables on the open part of the deck. Our cheerfulparty now repaired thither and beheld a sight so marvellously beautifulas to be quite beyond their expectations. 

The feast of Neith, called in Egyptian "the lamp-burning, " wascelebrated by a universal illumination, which began at the rising of themoon. The shores of the Nile looked like two long lines of fire. Everytemple, house and but was ornamented with lamps according to the meansof its possessors. The porches of the country-houses and the littletowers on the larger buildings were all lighted up by brilliant flames, burning in pans of pitch and sending up clouds of smoke, in which theflags and pennons waved gently backwards and forwards. The palm-treesand sycamores were silvered by the moonlight and threw strange fantasticreflections on the red waters of the Nile-red from the fiery glow of thehouses on their shores. But strong and glowing as was the light of theillumination, its rays had not power to reach the middle of the giantriver, where the boat was making its course, and the pleasure-party feltas if they were sailing in dark night between two brilliant days. Nowand then a brightly-lighted boat would come swiftly across the river andseem, as it neared the shore, to be cutting its way through a glowingstream of molten iron. 

Lotus-blossoms, white as snow, lay on the surface of the river, risingand falling with the waves, and looking like eyes in the water. Not asound could be heard from either shore. The echoes were carried away bythe north-wind, and the measured stroke of the oars and monotonous songof the rowers were the only sounds that broke the stillness of thisstrange night--a night robbed of its darkness. 

For a long time the friends gazed without speaking at the wonderfulsight, which seemed to glide past them. Zopyrus was the first to breakthe silence by saying, as he drew a long breath: "I really envy you, Bartja. If things were as they should be, every one of us would have hisdearest wife at his side on such a night as this. "

"And who forbade you to bring one of your wives?" answered the happyhusband. 

"The other five, " said the youth with a sigh. "If I had allowed Oroetes'little daughter Parysatis, my youngest favorite, to come out alone withme to-night, this wonderful sight would have been my last; tomorrowthere would have been one pair of eyes less in the world. "

Bartja took Sappho's hand and held it fast, saying, "I fancy one wifewill content me as long as I live. " The young mother pressed his handwarmly again, and said, turning to Zopyrus: "I don't quite trust you, myfriend. It seems to me that it is not the anger of your wives you fear, so much as the commission of an offence against the customs of yourcountry. I have been told that my poor Bartja gets terribly scolded inthe women's apartments for not setting eunuchs to watch over me, and forletting me share his pleasures. "

"He does spoil you terribly, " answered Zopyrus, "and our wives arebeginning to quote him as an example of kindness and indulgence, whenever we try to hold the reins a little tight. Indeed there will soonbe a regular women's mutiny at the king's gate, and the Achaemenidaewho escaped the swords and arrows of the Egyptians, will fall victims tosharp tongues and floods of salt tears. "

"Oh! you most impolite Persian!" said Syloson laughing. "We must makeyou more respectful to these images of Aphrodite. "

"You Greeks! that's a good idea, " answered the youth. "By Mithras, ourwives are quite as well off as yours. It's only the Egyptian women, thatare so wonderfully free. "

"Yes, you are quite right, " said Rhodopis. "The inhabitants of thisstrange land have for thousands of years granted our weaker sex the samerights, that they demand for themselves. Indeed, in many respects, theyhave given us the preference. For instance, by the Egyptian law it isthe daughters, not the sons, who are commanded to foster and providefor their aged parents, showing how well the fathers of this now humbledpeople understood women's nature, and how rightly they acknowledged thatshe far surpasses man in thoughtful solicitude and self-forgetful love. Do not laugh at these worshippers of animals. I confess that I cannotunderstand them, but I feel true admiration for a people in the teachingof whose priests, even Pythagoras, that great master in the art ofknowledge, assured me lies a wisdom as mighty as the Pyramids. "

"And your great master was right, " exclaimed Darius. "You know that Iobtained Neithotep's freedom, and, for some weeks past, have seen himand Onuphis very constantly, indeed they have been teaching me. And oh, how much I have learnt already from those two old men, of which I had noidea before! How much that is sad I can forget, when I am listening tothem! They are acquainted with the entire history of the heavens and theearth. They know the name of every king, and the circumstances of everyimportant event that has occurred during the last four thousand years, the courses of the stars, the works of their own artists and sayings oftheir sages, during the same immense period of time. All this knowledgeis recorded in huge books, which have been preserved in a palace atThebes, called the 'place of healing for the soul. ' Their laws are afountain of pure wisdom, and a comprehensive intellect has been shownin the adaptation of all their state institutions to the needs of thecountry. I wish we could boast of the same regularity and order at home. The idea that lies at the root of all their knowledge is the use ofnumbers, the only means by which it is possible to calculate the courseof the stars, to ascertain and determine the limits of all that exists, and, by the application of which in the shortening and lengthening ofthe strings of musical instruments, tones can be regulated. 

 [We agree with Iamblichus in supposing, that these Pythagorean views were derived from the Egyptian mysteries. ]

"Numbers are the only certain things; they can neither be controlled norperverted. Every nation has its own ideas of right and wrong; every lawcan be rendered invalid by circumstances; but the results obtained fromnumbers can never be overthrown. Who can dispute, for instance, thattwice two make four? Numbers determine the contents of every existingthing; whatever is, is equal to its contents, numbers therefore are thetrue being, the essence of all that is. "

"In the name of Mithras, Darius, do leave off talking in that style, unless you want to turn my brain, " interrupted Zopyrus. "Why, to hearyou, one would fancy you'd been spending your life among these oldEgyptian speculators and had never had a sword in your hand. What onearth have we to do with numbers?"

"More than you fancy, " answered Rhodopis. "This theory of numbersbelongs to the mysteries of the Egyptian priests, and Pythagoras learntit from the very Onuphis who is now teaching you, Darius. If you willcome to see me soon, I will show you how wonderfully that great Samianbrought the laws of numbers and of the harmonies into agreement. Butlook, there are the Pyramids!"

The whole party rose at these words, and stood speechless, gazing at thegrand sight which opened before them. 

The Pyramids lay on the left bank of the Nile, in the silver moonshine, massive and awful, as if bruising the earth beneath them with theirweight; the giant graves of mighty rulers. They seemed examples ofman's creative power, and at the same time warnings of the vanity andmutability of earthly greatness. For where was Chufu now, --the kingwho had cemented that mountain of stone with the sweat of his subjects?Where was the long-lived Chafra who had despised the gods, and, defiantin the consciousness of his own strength, was said to have closed thegates of the temples in order to make himself and his name immortal bybuilding a tomb of superhuman dimensions?

 [Herodotus repeats, in good faith, that the builders of the great Pyramids were despisers of the gods. The tombs of their faithful subjects at the foot of these huge structures prove, however, that they owe their bad repute to the hatred of the people, who could not forget the era of their hardest bondage, and branded the memories of their oppressors wherever an opportunity could be found. We might use the word "tradition" instead of "the people, " for this it is which puts the feeling and tone of mind of the multitude into the form of history. ]

Their empty sarcophagi are perhaps tokens, that the judges of the deadfound them unworthy of rest in the grave, unworthy of the resurrection, whereas the builder of the third and most beautiful pyramid, Menkera, who contented himself with a smaller monument, and reopened the gates ofthe temples, was allowed to rest in peace in his coffin of blue basalt. 

There they lay in the quiet night, these mighty pyramids, shone on bythe bright stars, guarded by the watchman of the desert--the giganticsphinx, --and overlooking the barren rocks of the Libyan stony mountains. At their feet, in beautifully-ornamented tombs, slept the mummies oftheir faithful subjects, and opposite the monument of the pious Menkerastood a temple, where prayers were said by the priests for the soulsof the many dead buried in the great Memphian city of the dead. In thewest, where the sun went down behind the Libyan mountains, where thefruitful land ended and the desert began--there the people of Memphishad buried their dead; and as our gay party looked towards the west theyfelt awed into a solemn silence. 

But their boat sped on before the north-wind; they left the city of thedead behind them and passed the enormous dikes built to protect the cityof Menes from the violence of the floods; the city of the Pharaohs camein sight, dazzlingly bright with the myriads of flames which had beenkindled in honor of the goddess Neith, and when at last the gigantictemple of Ptah appeared, the most ancient building of the most ancientland, the spell broke, their tongues were loosed, and they burst outinto loud exclamations of delight. 

It was illuminated by thousands of lamps; a hundred fires burnt on itsPylons, its battlemented walls and roofs. Burning torches flared betweenthe rows of sphinxes which connected the various gates with the mainbuilding, and the now empty house of the god Apis was so surrounded bycolored fires that it gleamed like a white limestone rock in a tropicalsunset. Pennons, flags and garlands waved above the brilliant picture;music and loud songs could be heard from below. 

"Glorious, " cried Rhodopis in enthusiasm, "glorious! Look how thepainted walls and columns gleam in the light, and what marvellousfigures the shadows of the obelisks and sphinxes throw on the smoothyellow pavement!"

"And how mysterious the sacred grove looks yonder!" added Croesus. "Inever saw anything so wonderful before. "

"I have seen something more wonderful still, " said Darius. "You willhardly believe me when I tell you that I have witnessed a celebration ofthe mysteries of Neith. "

"Tell us what you saw, tell us!" was the universal outcry. 

"At first Neithotep refused me admission, but when I promised to remainhidden, and besides, to obtain the freedom of his child, he led me up tohis observatory, from which there is a very extensive view, and told methat I should see a representation of the fates of Osiris and his wifeIsis. 

"He had scarcely left, when the sacred grove became so brightlyilluminated by colored lights that I was able to see into its innermostdepths. 

"A lake, smooth as glass, lay before me, surrounded by beautiful treesand flower-beds. Golden boats were sailing on this lake and in them satlovely boys and girls dressed in snow-white garments, and singing sweetsongs as they passed over the water. There were no rowers to directthese boats, and yet they moved over the ripples of the lake in agraceful order, as if guided by some magic unseen hand. A large shipsailed in the midst of this little fleet. Its deck glittered withprecious stones. It seemed to be steered by one beautiful boy only, and, strange to say, the rudder he guided consisted of one whitelotus-flower, the delicate leaves of which seemed scarcely to touch thewater. A very lovely woman, dressed like a queen, lay on silken cushionsin the middle of the vessel; by her side sat a man of larger staturethan that of ordinary mortals. He wore a crown of ivy on his flowingcurls, a panther-skin hung over his shoulders and he held a crookedstaff in the right hand. In the back part of the ship was a roof madeof ivy, lotus-blossoms and roses; beneath it stood a milk-white cow withgolden horns, covered with a cloth of purple. The man was Osiris, thewoman Isis, the boy at the helm their son Horus, and the cow was theanimal sacred to the immortal Isis. The little boats all skimmed overthe water, singing glad songs of joy as they passed by the ship, andreceiving in return showers of flowers and fruits, thrown down upon thelovely singers by the god and goddess within. Suddenly I heard the rollof thunder. It came crashing on, louder, and louder, and in the midst ofthis awful sound a man in the skin of a wild boar, with hideous featuresand bristling red hair, came out of the gloomiest part of the sacredgrove, plunged into the lake, followed by seventy creatures likehimself, and swam up to the ship of Osiris. 

 [We have taken our description of this spectacle entirely from the Osiris-myth, as we find it in Plutarch, Isis and Orisis 13-19. Diod. I. 22. And a thousand times repeated on the monuments. Horus is called "the avenger of his father, " &c. We copy the battle with all its phases from an inscription at Edfu, interpreted by Naville. ]

"The little boats fled with the swiftness of the wind, and the tremblingboy helmsman dropped his lotus-blossom. 

"The dreadful monster then rushed on Osiris, and, with the help of hiscomrades, killed him, threw the body into a coffin and the coffin intothe lake, the waters of which seemed to carry it away as if by magic. Isis meanwhile had escaped to land in one of the small boats, and wasnow running hither and thither on the shores of the lake, with streaminghair, lamenting her dead husband and followed by the virgins who hadescaped with her. Their songs and dances, while seeking the body ofOsiris, were strangely plaintive and touching, and the girls accompaniedthe dance by waving black Byssus scarfs in wonderfully graceful curves. Neither were the youths idle; they busied themselves in making a costlycoffin for the vanished corpse of the god, accompanying their work withdances and the sound of castanets. When this was finished they joinedthe maidens in the train of the lamenting Isis and wandered on the shorewith them, singing and searching. 

"Suddenly a low song rose from some invisible lips. It swelled louderand louder and announced, that the body of the god had been transportedby the currents of the Mediterranean to Gebal in distant Phoenicia. Thissinging voice thrilled to my very heart; Neithotep's son, who was mycompanion, called it 'the wind of rumor. '

"When Isis heard the glad news, she threw off her mourning garments andsang a song of triumphant rejoicing, accompanied by the voices of herbeautiful followers. Rumor had not lied; the goddess really found thesarcophagus and the dead body of her husband on the northern shore ofthe lake. 

 [It is natural, that Isis should find the body of her husband in the north. The connection between Phoenicia and Egypt in this myth, as it has been handed down to us by Plutarch, is very remarkable. We consider the explanation of the close affinity between the Isis and Osiris and the Adonis myths to be in the fact, that Egyptians and Phoenicians lived together on the shores of the Delta where the latter had planted their colonies. Plutarch's story of the finding of Osiris' dead body is very charming. Isis and Osiris. Ed. Parth. 15. ]

"They brought both to land with dances; Isis threw herself on thebeloved corpse, called on the name of Osiris and covered the mummy withkisses, while the youths wove a wonderful tomb of lotus-flowers and ivy. 

"When the coffin had been laid under this beautiful vault, Isis left thesad place of mourning and went to look for her son. She found him at theeast end of the lake, where for a long time I had seen a beautiful youthpractising arms with a number of companions. 

"While she was rejoicing over her newly-found child, a fresh peal ofthunder told that Typhon had returned. This time the monster rushed uponthe beautiful flowering grave, tore the body out of its coffin, hewed itinto fourteen pieces, and strewed them over the shores of the lake. 

"When Isis came back to the grave, she found nothing but faded flowersand an empty coffin; but at fourteen different places on the shorefourteen beautiful colored flames were burning. She and her virgins ranto these flames, while Horus led the youths to battle against Typhon onthe opposite shore. 

"My eyes and ears hardly sufficed for all I had to see and hear. On theone shore a fearful and interesting struggle, peals of thunder and thebraying of trumpets; on the other the sweet voices of the women, singingthe most captivating songs to the most enchanting dances, for Isis hadfound a portion of her husband's body at every fire and was rejoicing. 

"That was something for you, Zopyrus! I know of no words to describethe grace of those girls' movements, or how beautiful it was to seethem first mingling in intricate confusion, then suddenly standing infaultless, unbroken lines, falling again into the same lovely tumult andpassing once more into order, and all this with the greatest swiftness. Bright rays of light flashed from their whirling ranks all the time, foreach dancer had a mirror fastened between her shoulders, which flashedwhile she was in motion, and reflected the scene when she was still. 

"Just as Isis had found the last limb but one of the murdered Osiris, loud songs of triumph and the flourish of trumpets resounded from theopposite shore. 

"Horus had conquered Typhon, and was forcing his way into the netherregions to free his father. The gate to this lower world opened on thewest side of the lake and was guarded by a fierce female hippopotamus. 

"And now a lovely music of flutes and harps came nearer and nearer, heavenly perfumes rose into the air, a rosy light spread over the sacredgrove, growing brighter every minute, and Osiris came up from the lowerworld, led by his victorious son. Isis hastened to embrace her risenand delivered husband, gave the beautiful Horus his lotus-flower againinstead of the sword, and scattered fruits and flowers over the earth, while Osiris seated himself under a canopy wreathed with ivy, andreceived the homage of all the spirits of the earth and of the Amenti. "

 [The lower world, in Egyptian Amenti, properly speaking, the West or kingdom of death, to which the soul returns at the death of the body, as the sun at his setting. In a hieroglyphic inscription of the time of the Ptolemies the Amenti is called Hades. ]

Darius was silent. Rhodopis began:

"We thank you for your charming account; but this strange spectaclemust have a higher meaning, and we should thank you doubly if you wouldexplain that to us. "

"Your idea is quite right, " answered Darius, "but what I know I dare nottell. I was obliged to promise Neithotep with an oath, not to tell talesout of school. "

"Shall I tell you, " asked Rhodopis, "what conclusions various hints fromPythagoras and Onuphis have led me to draw, as to the meaning of thisdrama? Isis seems to me to represent the bountiful earth; Osiris, humidity or the Nile, which makes the earth fruitful; Horus, the youngspring; Typhon, the scorching drought. The bounteous earth, robbed ofher productive power, seeks this beloved husband with lamentations inthe cooler regions of the north, where the Nile discharges his waters. At last Horus, the young springing power of nature, is grown up andconquers Typhon, or the scorching drought. Osiris, as is the case withthe fruitful principle of nature, was only apparently dead, rises fromthe nether regions and once more rules the blessed valley of the Nile, in concert with his wife, the bounteous earth. "

"And as the murdered god behaved properly in the lower regions, " saidZopyrus, laughing, "he is allowed, at the end of this odd story, toreceive homage from the inhabitants of Hamestegan, Duzakh and Gorothman, or whatever they call these abodes for the Egyptian spirit-host. "

"They are called Amenti, " said Darius, falling into his friend's merrymood; "but you must know that the history of this divine pair representsnot only the life of nature, but also that of the human soul, which, like the murdered Osiris, lives an eternal life, even when the body isdead. "

"Thank you, " said the other; "I'll try to remember that if I shouldchance to die in Egypt. But really, cost what it may, I must see thiswonderful sight soon. "

"Just my own wish, " said Rhodopis. "Age is inquisitive. "

"You will never be old, " interrupted Darius. "Your conversation and yourfeatures have remained alike beautiful, and your mind is as clear andbright as your eyes. "

"Forgive me for interrupting you, " said Rhodopis, as if she had notheard his flattering words, "but the word 'eyes' reminds me of theoculist Nebenchari, and my memory fails me so often, that I must askyou what has become of him, before I forget. I hear nothing now of thisskilful operator to whom the noble Kassandane owes her sight. "

"He is much to be pitied, " replied Darius. "Even before we reachedPelusium he had begun to avoid society, and scorned even to speak withhis countryman Onuphis. His gaunt old servant was the only being allowedto wait on or be with him. But after the battle his whole behaviorchanged. He went to the king with a radiant countenance, and askedpermission to accompany him to Sais, and to choose two citizens of thattown to be his slaves. Cambyses thought he could not refuse anything tothe man, who had been such a benefactor to his mother, and granted himfull power to do what he wished. On arriving at Amasis' capital, he wentat once to the temple of Neith, caused the high-priest (who had moreoverplaced himself at the head of the citizens hostile to Persia), tobe arrested, and with him a certain oculist named Petammon. He theninformed them that, as punishment for the burning of certain papers, they would be condemned to serve a Persian to whom he should sell them, for the term of their natural lives, and to perform the most menialservices of slaves in a foreign country. I was present at this scene, and I assure you I trembled before the Egyptian as he said thesewords to his enemies. Neithotep, however, listened quietly, and whenNebenchari had finished, answered him thus: If thou, foolish son, hastbetrayed thy country for the sake of thy burnt manuscripts, the deedhas been neither just nor wise. I preserved thy valuable works with thegreatest care, laid them up in our temple, and sent a complete copy tothe library at Thebes. Nothing was burnt but the letters from Amasisto thy father, and a worthless old chest. Psamtik and Petammon werepresent, and it was then and there resolved that a new family tomb inthe city of the dead should be built for thee as a compensation for theloss of papers, which, in order to save Egypt, we were unfortunatelyforced to destroy. On its walls thou canst behold pleasing paintings ofthe gods to whom thou hast devoted thy life, the most sacred chaptersfrom the book of the dead, and many other beautiful pictures touchingthine own life and character. "

"The physician turned very pale--asked first to see his books, and thenhis new and beautifully-fitted-up tomb. He then gave his slaves theirfreedom, (notwithstanding which they were still taken to Memphis asprisoners of war), and went home, often passing his hand across hisforehead on the way, and with the uncertain step of one intoxicated. Onreaching his house he made a will, bequeathing all he possessed to thegrandson of his old servant Hib, and, alleging that he was ill, went tobed. The next morning he was found dead. He had poisoned himself withthe fearful strychnos-juice. "

"Miserable man" said Croesus. "The gods had blinded him, and he reapeddespair instead of revenge, as a reward for his treachery. "

"I pity him, " murmured Rhodopis. "But look, the rowers are taking intheir oars. We are at the end of our journey; there are your litters andcarriages waiting for you. It was a beautiful trip. Farewell, my dearones; come to Naukratis soon, I shall return at once with Theopompus andSyloson. Give little Parmys a thousand kisses from me, and tell Melittanever to take her out at noon. It is dangerous for the eyes. Good-night, Croesus; good-night, friends, farewell my dear son. "

The Persians left the vessel with many a nod and farewell word, andBartja, looking round once more, missed his footing and fell on thelanding-pier. 

He sprang up in a moment without Zopyrus' help, who came running back, calling out, "Take care, Bartja! It's unlucky to fall in steppingashore. I did the very same thing, when we left the ship that time atNaukratis. "

CHAPTER XIV. 

While our friends were enjoying their row on the Nile, Cambyses' envoy, Prexaspes, had returned from a mission to the long-lived Ethiopians. Hepraised their strength and stature, described the way to their countryas almost inaccessible to a large army, and had plenty of marvelloustales to tell. How, for instance; they always chose the strongestand handsomest man in their nation for their king, and obeyed himunconditionally: how many of them reached the age of 120 years, and someeven passed it: how they ate nothing but boiled flesh, drank new milkand washed in a spring the waters of which had the scent of violets, gave a remarkable lustre to their skins, and were so light that woodcould not swim in them: how their captives wore golden fetters, becauseother metals were rare and dear in their country; and lastly, how theycovered the bodies of the dead with plaster or stucco, over which acoating of some glass-like material was poured, and kept the pillarsthus formed one year in their houses, during which time sacrifices wereoffered them, and at the year's end they were placed in rows around thetown. 

The king of this strange people had accepted Cambyses' presents, saying, in a scornful tone, that he new well his friendship was of no importanceto the Persians, and Prexaspes had only been sent to spy out the land. If the prince of Asia were a just man, he would be contented with hisown immense empire and not try to subjugate a people who had done him nowrong. "Take your king this bow, " he said, "and advise him not to beginthe war with us, until the Persians are able to bend such weapons aseasily as we do. Cambyses may thank the gods, that the Ethiopians havenever taken it into their heads to conquer countries which do not belongto them. "

He then unbent his mighty bow of ebony, and gave it to Prexaspes to taketo his lord. 

Cambyses laughed at the bragging African, invited his nobles to a trialof the bow the next morning, and awarded Prexaspes for the clever wayin which he had overcome the difficulties of his journey and acquittedhimself of his mission. He then went to rest, as usual intoxicated, andfell into a disturbed sleep, in which he dreamed that Bartja was seatedon the throne of Persia, and that the crown of his head touched theheavens. 

This was a dream, which he could interpret without the aid of soothsayeror Chaldean. It roused his anger first, and then made him thoughtful. 

He could not sleep, and such questions as the following came into hismind: "Haven't you given your brother reason to feel revengeful? Do youthink he can forget that you imprisoned and condemned him to death, whenhe was innocent? And if he should raise his hand against you, wouldnot all the Achaemenidae take his part? Have I ever done, or have Iany intention of ever doing anything to win the love of these venalcourtiers? Since Nitetis died and that strange Greek fled, has therebeen a single human being, in whom I have the least confidence or onwhose affection I can rely?"

These thoughts and questionings excited him so fearfully, that he sprangfrom his bed, crying: "Love and I have nothing to do with one another. Other men maybe kind and good if they like; I must be stern, or I shallfall into the hands of those who hate me--hate me because I have beenjust, and have visited heavy sins with heavy chastisements. They whisperflattering words in my ear; they curse me when my back is turned. Thegods themselves must be my enemies, or why do they rob me of everythingI love, deny me posterity and even that military glory which is my justdue? Is Bartja so much better than I, that everything which I am forcedto give up should be his in hundred-fold measure? Love, friendship, fame, children, everything flows to him as the rivers to the sea, whilemy heart is parched like the desert. But I am king still. I can showhim which is the stronger of us two, and I will, though his foreheadmay touch the heavens. In Persia there can be only one great man. Heor I, --I or he. In a few days I'll send him back to Asia and make himsatrap of Bactria. There he can nurse his child and listen to his wife'ssongs, while I am winning glory in Ethiopia, which it shall not be inhis power to lessen. Ho, there, dressers! bring my robes and a goodmorning-draught of wine. I'll show the Persians that I'm fit to beKing of Ethiopia, and can beat them all at bending a bow. Here, give meanother cup of wine. I'd bend that bow, if it were a young cedar and itsstring a cable!" So saying he drained an immense bowl of wine and wentinto the palace-garden, conscious of his enormous strength and thereforesure of success. 

All his nobles were assembled waiting for him there, welcomed him withloud acclamations, and fell on their faces to the ground before theirking. 

Pillars, connected by scarlet cords, had been quickly set up between theclosely-cut hedges and straight avenues. From these cords, suspended bygold and silver rings, yellow and dark blue hangings fluttered in thebreeze. Gilded wooden benches had been placed round in a large circle, and nimble cup-bearers handed wine in costly vessels to the companyassembled for the shooting-match. 

At a sign from the king the Achaemenidae rose from the earth. 

Cambyses glanced over their ranks, and his face brightened on seeingthat Bartja was not there. Prexaspes handed him the Ethiopian bow, andpointed out a target at some distance. Cambyses laughed at the largesize of the target, weighted the bow with his right hand, challengedhis subjects to try their fortune first, and handed the bow to the agedHystaspes, as the highest in rank among the Achaemenidae. 

While Hystaspes first, and then all the heads of the six other highestfamilies in Persia, were using their utmost efforts to bend this monsterweapon in vain, the king emptied goblet after goblet of wine, hisspirits rising as he watched their vain endeavors to solve theEthiopian's problem. At last Darius, who was famous for his skill inarchery, took the bow. Nearly the same result. The wood was inflexibleas iron and all his efforts only availed to move it one finger'sbreadth. The king gave him a friendly nod in reward for his success, and then, looking round on his friends and relations in a manner thatbetokened the most perfect assurance, he said: "Give me the bow now, Darius. I will show you, that there is only one man in Persia whodeserves the name of king;--only one who can venture to take the fieldagainst the Ethiopians;--only one who can bend this bow. "

He grasped it tightly with his left hand, taking the string, which wasas thick as a man's finger and made from the intestines of a lion, inhis right, fetched a deep breath, bent his mighty back and pulled andpulled; collected all his strength for greater and greater efforts, strained his sinews till they threatened to break, and the veins in hisforehead were swollen to bursting, did not even disdain to use hisfeet and legs, but all in vain. After a quarter of an hour of almostsuperhuman exertion, his strength gave way, the ebony, which he hadsucceeded in bending even farther than Darius, flew back and set allhis further endeavors at nought. At last, feeling himself thoroughlyexhausted, he dashed the bow on to the ground in a passion, crying:"The Ethiopian is a liar! no mortal man has ever bent that bow. What isimpossible for my arm is possible for no other. In three days we willstart for Ethiopia. I will challenge the impostor to a single combat, and ye shall see which is the stronger. Take up the bow, Prexaspes, and keep it carefully. The black liar shall be strangled with his ownbow-string. This wood is really harder than iron, and I confess thatthe man who could bend it, would really be my master. I should not beashamed to call him so, for he must be of better stuff than I. "

As he finished speaking, Bartja appeared in the circle of assembledPersians. His glorious figure was set off to advantage by his richdress, his features were bright with happiness and a feeling ofconscious strength. He passed through the ranks of the Achaemenidae withmany a friendly nod, which was warmly returned, and going straight tohis brother, kissed his robe, looked up frankly and cheerfully into hisgloomy eyes, and said: "I am a little late, and ask your forgiveness, mylord and brother. Or have I really come in time? Yes, yes, I see there'sno arrow in the target yet, so I am sure you, the best archer in theworld, cannot have tried your strength yet. But you look so enquiringlyat me. Then I will confess that our child kept me. The little creaturelaughed to-day for the first time, and was so charming with its mother, that I forgot how time was passing while I watched them. You have allfull leave to laugh at my folly; I really don't know how to excusemyself. See, the little one has pulled my star from the chain. But Ithink, my brother, you will give me a new one to-day if I should hit thebull's eye. Shall I shoot first, or will you begin, my Sovereign?"

"Give him the bow, Prexaspes, " said Cambyses, not even deigning to lookat his brother. 

Bartja took it and was proceeding to examine the wood and the string, when Cambyses suddenly called out, with a mocking laugh: "By Mithras, Ibelieve you want to try your sweet looks on the bow, and win its favorin that fashion, as you do the hearts of men. Give it back to Prexaspes. It's easier to play with beautiful women and laughing children, thanwith a weapon like this, which mocks the strength even of real men. "

Bartja blushed with anger and annoyance at this speech, which wasuttered in the bitterest tone, picked up the giant arrow that lay beforehim, placed himself opposite the target, summoned all his strength, bentthe bow, by an almost superhuman effort, and sent the arrow into thevery centre of the target, where its iron point remained, while thewooden shaft split into a hundred shivers. 

 [Herodotus tells this story (III, 30. ), and we are indebted to him also for our information of the events which follow. The following inscription, said to have been placed over the grave of Darius, and communicated by Onesikritus, (Strabo 730. ) proves that the Persians were very proud of being reputed good archers: "I was a friend to my friends, the best rider and archer, a first-rate hunter; I could do everything. "]

Most of the Achaemenidae burst into loud shouts of delight at thismarvellous proof of strength; but Bartja's nearest friends turned paleand were silent; they were watching the king, who literally quiveredwith rage, and Bartja, who was radiant with pride and joy. 

Cambyses was a fearful sight at that moment. It seemed to him as if thatarrow, in piercing the target, had pierced his own heart, his strength, dignity and honor. Sparks floated before his eyes, in his ears was asound like the breaking of a stormy sea on the shore; his cheeks glowedand he grasped the arm of Prexaspes who was at his side. Prexaspes onlytoo well understood what that pressure meant, when given by a royalhand, and murmured: "Poor Bartja!"

At last the king succeeded in recovering his presence of mind. Withoutsaying a word, he threw a gold chain to his brother, ordered his noblesto follow him, and left the garden, but only to wander restlessly upand down his apartments, and try to drown his rage in wine. Suddenly heseemed to have formed a resolution and ordered all the courtiers, exceptPrexaspes, to leave the hall. When they were alone, he called out in ahoarse voice and with a look that proved the extent of his intoxication:"This life is not to be borne! Rid me of my enemy, and I will call youmy friend and benefactor. "

Prexaspes trembled, threw himself at the king's feet and raised hishands imploringly; but Cambyses was too intoxicated, and too muchblinded by his hatred to understand the action. He fancied theprostration was meant as a sign of devotion to his will, signed to himto rise, and whispered, as if afraid of hearing his own words: "Actquickly and secretly; and, as you value your life, let no one know ofthe upstart's death. Depart, and when your work is finished, take asmuch as you like out of the treasury. But keep your wits about you. Theboy has a strong arm and a winning tongue. Think of your own wife andchildren, if he tries to win you over with his smooth words. "

As he spoke he emptied a fresh goblet of pure wine, staggered throughthe door of the room, calling out as he turned his back on Prexaspes:"Woe be to you if that upstart, that woman's hero, that fellow who hasrobbed me of my honor, is left alive. "

Long after he had left the hall, Prexaspes stood fixed on the spot wherehe had heard these words. The man was ambitious, but neither mean norbad, and he felt crushed by the awful task allotted to him. He knew thathis refusal to execute it would bring death or disgrace on himselfand on his family; but he loved Bartja, and besides, his whole naturerevolted at the thought of becoming a common, hired murderer. A fearfulstruggle began in his mind, and raged long after he left the palace. Onthe way home he met Croesus and Darius. He fancied they would see fromhis looks that he was already on the way to a great crime, and hidhimself behind the projecting gate of a large Egyptian house. As theypassed, he heard Croesus say: "I reproached him bitterly, little as hedeserves reproach in general, for having given such an inopportune proofof his great strength. We may really thank the gods, that Cambyses didnot lay violent hands on him in a fit of passion. He has followed myadvice now and gone with his wife to Sais. For the next few days Bartjamust not come near the king; the mere sight of him might rouse his angeragain, and a monarch can always find unprincipled servants. . . "

The rest of the sentence died away in the distance, but the words he hadheard were enough to make Prexaspes start, as if Croesus had accused himof the shameful deed. He resolved in that moment that, come whatwould, his hands should not be stained with the blood of a friend. Thisresolution restored him his old erect bearing and firm gait for thetime, but when he reached the dwelling which had been assigned as hisabode in Sais his two boys ran to the door to meet him. They had stolenaway from the play-ground of the sons of the Achaemenidae, (who, as wasalways the case, had accompanied the king and the army), to see theirfather for a moment. He felt a strange tenderness, which he could notexplain to himself, on taking them in his arms, and kissed the beautifulboys once more on their telling him that they must go back to theirplay-ground again, or they should be punished. Within, he found hisfavorite wife playing with their youngest child, a sweet little girl. Again the same strange, inexplicable feeling of tenderness. He overcameit this time for fear of betraying his secret to his young wife, andretired to his own apartment early. 

Night had come on. 

The sorely-tried man could not sleep; he turned restlessly from side toside. The fearful thought, that his refusal to do the king's will wouldbe the ruin of his wife and children, stood before his wakeful eyes inthe most vivid colors. The strength to keep his good resolution forsookhim, and even Croesus' words, which, when he first heard them had givenhis nobler feelings the victory, now came in as a power on the otherside. "A monarch can always find unprincipled servants. " Yes, the wordswere an affront, but at the same time a reminder, that though he mightdefy the king's command a hundred others would be ready to obey it. No sooner had this thought become clear to him, than he started up, examined a number of daggers which hung, carefully arranged, above hisbed, and laid the sharpest on the little table before him. 

He then began to pace the room in deep thought, often going to theopening which served as a window, to cool his burning forehead and seeif dawn were near. 

When at last daylight appeared, he heard the sounding brass calling theboys to early prayer. That reminded him of his sons and he examinedthe dagger a second time. A troop of gaily-dressed courtiers rode by ontheir way to the king. He put the dagger in his girdle; and at last, onhearing the merry laughter of his youngest child sound from the women'sapartments, he set the tiara hastily on his head, left the house withouttaking leave of his wife, and, accompanied by a number of slaves, wentdown to the Nile. There he threw himself into a boat and ordered therowers to take him to Sais. 

 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

A few hours after the fatal shooting-match, Bartja had followed Croesus'advice and had gone off to Sais with his young wife. They found Rhodopisthere. She had yielded to an irresistible impulse and, instead ofreturning to Naukratis, had stopped at Sais. Bartja's fall on steppingashore had disturbed her, and she had with her own eyes seen an owl flyfrom the left side close by his head. These evil omens, to a heartwhich had by no means outgrown the superstitions of the age, added toa confused succession of distressing dreams which had disturbed herslumbers, and her usual wish to be always near Bartja and Sappho, ledher to decide quickly on waiting for her granddaughter at Sais. 

Bartja and Sappho were delighted to find such a welcome guest, and aftershe had dandled and played with her great grandchild, the littleParmys, to her heart's content, they led her to the rooms which had beenprepared for her. 

 [Herodotus states, that beside Atossa, &c. . Darius took a daughter of the deceased Bartja, named Parmys, to be his wife. Herod. III. 88. She is also mentioned VII. 78. ]

They were the same in which the unhappy Tachot had spent the last monthsof her fading existence. Rhodopis could not see all the little trifleswhich showed, not only the age and sex of the former occupant, but hertastes and disposition, without feeling very sad. On the dressing-tablewere a number of little ointment-boxes and small bottles for perfumes, cosmetics, washes and oils. Two larger boxes, one in the form of aNile-goose, and another on the side of which a woman playing on alute had been painted, had once contained the princess's costly goldenornaments, and the metal mirror with a handle in the form of a sleepingmaiden, had once reflected her beautiful face with its pale pink flush. Everything in the room, from the elegant little couch resting on lions'claws, to the delicately-carved ivory combs on the toilet-table, provedthat the outward adornments of life had possessed much charm forthe former owner of these rooms. The golden sisirum and thedelicately-wrought nabla, the strings of which had long ago been broken, testified to her taste for music, while the broken spindle in thecorner, and some unfinished nets of glass beads shewed that she had beenfond of woman's usual work. 

It was a sad pleasure to Rhodopis to examine all these things, and thepicture which she drew in her own mind of Tachot after the inspection, differed very little from the reality. At last interest and curiosityled her to a large painted chest. She lifted the light cover and found, first, a few dried flowers; then a ball, round which some skilful handhad wreathed roses and leaves, once fresh and bright, now, alas, long ago dead and withered. Beside these were a number of amuletsin different forms, one representing the goddess of truth, anothercontaining spells written on a strip of papyrus and concealed in alittle golden case. Then her eyes fell on some letters written in theGreek character. She read them by the light of the lamp. They were fromNitetis in Persia to her supposed sister, and were written in ignoranceof the latter's illness. When Rhodopis laid them down her eyes were fullof tears. The dead girl's secret lay open before her. She knew now thatTachot had loved Bartja, that he had given her the faded flowers, andthat she had wreathed the ball with roses because he had thrown it toher. The amulets must have been intended either to heal her sick heart, or to awaken love in his. 

As she was putting the letters back in their old place, she touched somecloths which seemed put in to fill up the bottom of the chest, and felta hard round substance underneath. She raised them, and discovered abust made of colored wax, such a wonderfully-exact portrait of Nitetis, that an involuntary exclamation of surprise broke from her, and it waslong before she could turn her eyes away from Theodorus' marvellouswork. 

She went to rest and fell asleep, thinking of the sad fate of Nitetis, the Egyptian Princess. 

The next morning Rhodopis went into the garden--the same into whichwe led our readers during the lifetime of Amasis-and found Bartja andSappho in an arbor overgrown with vines. 

Sappho was seated in a light wicker-work chair. Her child lay on herlap, stretching out its little hands and feet, sometimes to its father, who was kneeling on the ground before them, and then to its mother whoselaughing face was bent down over her little one. 

Bartja was very happy with his child. When the little creature buriedits tiny fingers in his curls and beard, he would draw his head backto feel the strength of the little hand, would kiss its rosy feet, itslittle round white shoulders and dimpled arms. Sappho enjoyed the fun, always trying to draw the little one's attention to its father. 

Sometimes, when she stooped down to kiss the rosy baby lips, herforehead would touch his curls and he would steal the kiss meant for thelittle Parmys. 

Rhodopis watched them a long time unperceived, and, with tears of joy inher eyes, prayed the gods that they might long be as happy as they nowwere. At last she came into the arbor to wish them good-morning, andbestowed much praise on old Melitta for appearing at the right moment, parasol in hand, to take her charge out of the sunshine before it becametoo bright and hot, and put her to sleep. 

The old slave had been appointed head-nurse to the high-born child, andacquitted herself in her new office with an amount of importance whichwas very comical. Hiding her old limbs under rich Persian robes, shemoved about exulting in the new and delightful right to command, andkept her inferiors in perpetual motion. 

Sappho followed Melitta into the palace, first whispering in herhusband's ear with her arm round his neck: "Tell my grandmothereverything and ask whether you are right. "

Before he could answer, she had stopped his mouth with a kiss, and thenhurried after the old woman who was departing with dignified steps. 

The prince smiled as he watched her graceful walk and beautiful figure, and said, turning to Rhodopis: "Does not it strike you, that she hasgrown taller lately. "

"It seems so, " answered Rhodopis. "A woman's girlhood has its ownpeculiar charm, but her true dignity comes with motherhood. It is thefeeling of having fulfilled her destiny, which raises her head and makesus fancy she has grown taller. "

"Yes, " said Bartja, "I think she is happy. Yesterday our opinionsdiffered for the first time, and as she was leaving us just now, shebegged me, privately, to lay the question before you, which I am veryglad to do, for I honor your experience and wisdom just as much, as Ilove her childlike inexperience. "

Bartja then told the story of the unfortunate shooting-match, finishingwith these words: "Croesus blames my imprudence, but I know my brother;I know that when he is angry he is capable of any act of violence, andit is not impossible that at the moment when he felt himself defeated hecould have killed me; but I know too, that when his fierce passion hascooled, he will forget my boastful deed, and only try to excel me byothers of the same kind. A year ago he was by far the best marksman inPersia, and would be so still, if drink and epilepsy had not underminedhis strength. I must confess I feel as if I were becoming stronger everyday. "

"Yes, " interrupted Rhodopis, "pure happiness strengthens a man's arm, just as it adds to the beauty of a woman, while intemperance and mentaldistress ruin both body and mind far more surely even than old age. Myson, beware of your brother; his strong arm has become paralyzed, andhis generosity can be forfeited too. Trust my experience, that the manwho is the slave of one evil passion, is very seldom master of therest; besides which, no one feels humiliation so bitterly as he whois sinking--who knows that his powers are forsaking him. I say again, beware of your brother, and trust the voice of experience more than thatof your own heart, which, because it is generous itself, believes everyone else to be so. "

"I see, " said Bartja, "that you will take Sappho's side. Difficult as itwill be for her to part from you, she has still begged me to return withher to Persia. She thinks that Cambyses may forget his anger, when Iam out of sight. I thought she was over-anxious, and besides, itwould disappoint me not to take part in the expedition against theEthiopians. "

"But I entreat you, " interrupted Rhodopis, "to follow her advice. Thegods only know what pain it will give me to lose you both, and yet Irepeat a thousand times: Go back to Persia, and remember that nonebut fools stake life and happiness to no purpose. As to the warwith Ethiopia, it is mere madness; instead of subduing those blackinhabitants of the south, you yourselves will be conquered by heat, thirst and all the horrors of the desert. In saying this I refer to thecampaigns in general; as to your own share in them, I can only say thatif no fame is to be won there, you will be putting your own life and thehappiness of your family in jeopardy literally for nothing, and that if, on the other hand, you should distinguish yourself again, it would onlybe giving fresh cause of jealousy and anger to your brother. No, go toPersia, as soon as you can. "

Bartja was just beginning to make various objections to these arguments, when he caught sight of Prexaspes coming up to them, looking very pale. 

After the usual greeting, the envoy whispered to Bartja, that he shouldlike to speak with him alone. Rhodopis left them at once, and he began, playing with the rings on his right hand as he spoke, in a constrained, embarrassed way. "I come from the king. Your display of strengthirritated him yesterday, and he does not wish to see you again for sometime. His orders are, that you set out for Arabia to buy up all thecamels that are to be had. 

 [Camels are never represented on the Egyptian monuments, whereas they were in great use among the Arabians and Persians, and are now a necessity on the Nile. They must have existed in Egypt, however. Hekekyan-Bey discovered the bones of a dromedary in a deep bore. Representations of these creatures were probably forbid We know this was the case with the cock, of which bird there were large numbers in Egypt: It is remarkable, that camels were not introduced into Barbary until after the birth of Christ. ]

"As these animals can bear thirst very long, they are to be used inconveying food and water for our army on the Ethiopian campaign. Theremust be no delay. Take leave of your wife, and (I speak by the king'scommand) be ready to start before dark. You will be absent at least amonth. I am to accompany you as far as Pelusium. Kassandane wishes tohave your wife and child near her during your absence. Send them toMemphis as soon as possible; under the protection of the queen mother, they will be in safety. "

Prexaspes' short, constrained way of speaking did not strike Bartja. He rejoiced at what seemed to him great moderation on the part of hisbrother, and at receiving a commission which relieved him of all doubton the question of leaving Egypt, gave his friend, (as he supposedhim to be), his hand to kiss and an invitation to follow him into thepalace. 

In the cool of the evening, he took a short but very affectionatefarewell of Sappho and his child, who was asleep in Melitta's arms, toldhis wife to set out as soon as possible on her journey to Kassandane, called out jestingly to his mother-in-law, that at least this time shehad been mistaken in her judgment of a man's character, (meaning hisbrother's), and sprang on to his horse. 

As Prexaspes was mounting, Sappho whispered to him, "Take care of thatreckless fellow, and remind him of me and his child, when you see himrunning into unnecessary danger. "

"I shall have to leave him at Pelusium, " answered the envoy, busyinghimself with the bridle of his horse in order to avoid meeting her eyes. 

"Then may the gods take him into their keeping!" exclaimed Sappho, clasping her husband's hand, and bursting into tears, which she couldnot keep back. Bartja looked down and saw his usually trustful wifein tears. He felt sadder than he had ever felt before. Stooping downlovingly from his saddle, he put his strong arm round her waist, liftedher up to him, and as she stood supporting herself on his foot in thestirrup, pressed her to his heart, as if for a long last farewell. Hethen let her safely and gently to the ground, took his child up to himon the saddle, kissed and fondled the little creature, and told herlaughingly to make her mother very happy while he was away, exchangedsome warm words of farewell with Rhodopis, and then, spurring his horsetill the creature reared, dashed through the gateway of the Pharaohs'palace, with Prexaspes at his side. 

When the sound of the horses' hoofs had died away in the distance, Sappho laid her head on her grandmother's shoulder and weptuncontrollably. Rhodopis remonstrated and blamed, but all in vain, shecould not stop her tears. 

CHAPTER XV. 

On the morning after the trial of the bow, Cambyses was seized by sucha violent attack of his old illness, that he was forced to keep his roomfor two days and nights, ill in mind and body; at times raging like amadman, at others weak and powerless as a little child. 

On the third day he recovered consciousness and remembered the awfulcharge he had laid on Prexaspes, and that it was only too possible hemight have executed it already. At this thought he trembled, as hehad never trembled in his life before. He sent at once for the envoy'seldest son, who was one of the royal cup-bearers. The boy said hisfather had left Memphis, without taking leave of his family. He thensent for Darius, Zopyrus and Gyges, knowing how tenderly they lovedBartja, and enquired after their friend. On hearing from them that hewas at Sais, he sent the three youths thither at once, charging them, if they met Prexaspes on the way, to send him back to Memphiswithout delay. This haste and the king's strange behavior were quiteincomprehensible to the young Achaemenidae; nevertheless they set out ontheir journey with all speed, fearing that something must be wrong. 

Cambyses, meanwhile, was miserably restless, inwardly cursed his habitof drinking and tasted no wine the whole of that clay. Seeing his motherin the palace-gardens, he avoided her; he durst not meet her eye. 

The next eight days passed without any sign of Prexaspes' return; theyseemed to the king like a year. A hundred times he sent for the youngcup-bearer and asked if his father had returned; a hundred times hereceived the same disappointing answer. 

At sunset on the thirteenth day, Kassandane sent to beg a visit fromhim. The king went at once, for now he longed to look on the face of hismother; he fancied it might give him back his lost sleep. 

After he had greeted her with a tenderness so rare from him, that itastonished her, he asked for what reason she had desired his presence. She answered, that Bartja's wife had arrived at Memphis under singularcircumstances and had said she wished to present a gift to Cambyses. Hegave Sappho an audience at once, and heard from her that Prexaspes hadbrought her husband an order to start for Arabia, and herself a summonsto Memphis from the queen-mother. At these words the king turned verypale, and his features were agitated with pain as he looked at hisbrother's lovely young wife. She felt that something unusual was passingin his mind, and such dreadful forebodings arose in her own, that shecould only offer him the gift in silence and with trembling hands. 

"My husband sends you this, " she said, pointing to theingeniously-wrought box, which contained the wax likeness of Nitetis. Rhodopis had advised her to take this to the king in Bartja's name, as apropitiatory offering. 

Cambyses showed no curiosity as to the contents of the box, gave it incharge to a eunuch, said a few words which seemed meant as thanks to hissister-in law, and left the women's apartments without even so much asenquiring after Atossa, whose existence he seemed to have forgotten. 

He had come to his mother, believing that the visit would comfort andcalm his troubled mind, but Sappho's words had destroyed his last hope, and with that his last possibility of rest or peace. By this time eitherPrexaspes would already have committed the murder, or perhaps at thatvery moment might be raising his dagger to plunge it into Bartja'sheart. 

How could he ever meet his mother again after Bartja's death? how couldhe answer her questions or those of that lovely Sappho, whose large, anxious, appealing eyes had touched him so strangely?

A voice within told him, that his brother's murder would be branded asa cowardly, unnatural, and unjust deed, and he shuddered at the thought. It seemed fearful, unbearable, to be called an assassin. He had alreadycaused the death of many a man without the least compunction, but thathad been done either in fair fight, or openly before the world. He wasking, and what the king did was right. Had he killed Bartja with his ownhand, his conscience would not have reproached him; but to have hadhim privately put out of the way, after he had given so many proofsof possessing first-rate manly qualities, which deserved the highestpraise--this tortured him with a feeling of rage at his own want ofprinciple, -a feeling of shame and remorse which he had never knownbefore. He began to despise himself. The consciousness of having acted, and wished to act justly, forsook him, and he began to fancy, thatevery one who had been executed by his orders, had been, like Bartja, an innocent victim of his fierce anger. These thoughts became sointolerable, that he began to drink once more in the hope of drowningthem. But now the wine had precisely the opposite effect, and broughtsuch tormenting thoughts, that, worn out as he was already by epilepticfits and his habit of drinking, both body and mind threatened to giveway to the agitation caused by the events of the last months. Burningand shivering by turns, he was at last forced to lie down. While theattendants were disrobing him, he remembered his brother's present, had the box fetched and opened, and then desired to be left alone. TheEgyptian paintings on the outside of the box reminded him of Nitetis, and then he asked himself what she would have said to his deed. Feverhad already begun, and his mind was wandering as he took the beautifulwax bust out of the box. He stared in horror at the dull, immovableeyes. The likeness was so perfect, and his judgment so weakened by wineand fever, that he fancied himself the victim of some spell, and yetcould not turn his eyes from those dear features. Suddenly the eyesseemed to move. He was seized with terror, and, in a kind of convulsion, hurled what he thought had become a living head against the wall. Thehollow, brittle wax broke into a thousand fragments, and Cambyses sankback on to his bed with a groan. 

From that moment the fever increased. In his delirium the banishedPhanes appeared, singing a scornful Greek song and deriding him insuch infamous words, that his fists clenched with rage. Then he saw hisfriend and adviser, Croesus, threatening him in the very same words ofwarning, which he had used when Bartja had been sentenced to deathby his command on account of Nitetis: "Beware of shedding a brother'sblood; the smoke thereof will rise to heaven and become a cloud, that must darken the days of the murderer, and at last cast down thelightnings of heaven upon his head. "

And in his delirious fancy this figure of speech became a reality. Arain of blood streamed down upon him from dark clouds; his clothes andhands were wet with the loathsome moisture. He went down to the Nile tocleanse himself, and suddenly saw Nitetis coming towards him. She hadthe same sweet smile with which Theodorus had modelled her. Enchantedwith this lovely vision, he fell down before her and took her hand, buthe had scarcely touched it, when drops of blood appeared at the tips ofher delicate fingers, and she turned away from him with every signof horror. He humbly implored her to forgive him and come back; sheremained inexorable. He grew angry, and threatened her, first with hiswrath, and then with awful punishments. At last, as she only answeredhis threats by a low scornful laugh, he ventured to throw his dagger ather. She crumbled at once into a thousand pieces, like the wax statue. But the derisive laughter echoed on, and became louder. Many voicesjoined in it, each trying to outbid the other. And the voices of Bartjaand Nitetis were the loudest, --their tone the most bitter. At last hecould bear these fearful sounds no longer and stopped his ears; this wasof no use, and he buried his head, first in the glowing desert-sandand then in the icy cold Nile-water, until his senses forsook him. Onawaking, the actual state of things seemed incomprehensible to him. Hehad gone to bed in the evening, and yet he now saw, by the direction ofthe sun's rays which fell on his bed, that, instead of dawning as he hadexpected, the day was growing dark. There could be no mistake; he heardthe chorus of priests singing farewell to the setting Mithras. 

Then he heard a number of people moving behind a curtain, which had beenhung up at the head of his bed. He tried to turn in his bed, but couldnot; he was too weak. At last, finding it impossible to discover whetherhe was in real life or still in a dream, he called for his dressersand the courtiers, who were accustomed to be present when he rose. Theyappeared in a moment, and with them his mother, Prexaspes, a number ofthe learned among the Magi, and some Egyptians who were unknown to him. They told him, that he had been lying in a violent fever for weeks, andhad only escaped death by the special mercy of the gods, the skillof the physicians, and the unwearied nursing of his mother. He lookedenquiringly first at Kassandane, then at Prexaspes, lost consciousnessagain, and fell into a deep sleep, from which he awoke the next morningwith renewed strength. 

In four days he was strong enough to sit up and able to questionPrexaspes on the only subject, which occupied his thoughts. 

In consideration of his master's weakness the envoy was beginning anevasive reply, when a threatening movement of the king's gaunt, wornhand, and a look which had by no means lost its old power of awing intosubmission, brought him to the point at once, and in the hope of givingthe king a great pleasure and putting his mind completely at rest, he began: "Rejoice, O King! the youth, who dared to desire thedisparagement of thy glory, is no more. This hand slew him and buriedhis body at Baal-Zephon. The sand of the desert and the unfruitful wavesof the Red Sea were the only witnesses of the deed; and no creatureknows thereof beside thyself, O King, thy servant Prexaspes, and thegulls and cormorants, that hover over his grave. "

The king uttered a piercing shriek of rage, was seized by a freshshivering-fit, and sank back once more in raving delirium. 

Long weeks passed, every day of which threatened its death. At last, however, his strong constitution gained the day, but his mind had givenway, and remained disordered and weak up to his last hour. 

When he was strong enough to leave the sick-room and to ride and shootonce more, he abandoned himself more than ever to the pleasure ofdrinking, and lost every remnant of self-control. 

The delusion had fixed itself in his disordered mind, that Bartja wasnot dead, but transformed into the bow of the King of Ethiopia, andthat the Feruer (soul) of his father Cyrus had commanded him to restoreBartja to its original form, by subjugating the black nation. 

This idea, which he confided to every one about him as a great secret, pursued him day and night and gave him no rest, until he had started forEthiopia with an immense host. He was forced, however, to return withouthaving accomplished his object, after having miserably lost the greaterpart of his army by heat and the scarcity of provisions. An historian, who may almost be spoken of as contemporary, tells us that the wretchedsoldiers, after having subsisted on herbs as long as they could, cameto deserts where there was no sign of vegetation, and in their despairresorted to an expedient almost too fearful to describe. Lots were drawnby every ten men, and he on whom the lot fell was killed and eaten bythe other nine. 

 [Herodotus visited Egypt some 60 years after the death of Cambyses, 454 B. C. He describes the Ethiopian campaign, III. 25. ]

At last things went so far, that his subjects compelled this madman toreturn, but only, with their slavish Asiatic feelings, to obey him allthe more blindly, when they found themselves once more in inhabitedregions. 

On reaching Memphis with the wreck of his army, he found the Egyptiansin glorious apparel celebrating a festival. They had found a new Apisand were rejoicing over the reappearance of their god, incarnate in thesacred bull. 

As Cambyses had heard at Thebes, that the army he had sent againstthe oasis of Ammon in the Libyan desert, had perished miserably in aKhamsin, or Simoom, and that his fleet, which was to conquer Carthage, had refused to fight with a people of their own race, he fancied thatthe Memphians must be celebrating a festival of joy at the news of hismisfortunes, sent for their principal men, and after reproaching themwith their conduct, asked why they had been gloomy and morose afterhis victories, but joyous at hearing of his misfortunes. The Memphiansanswered by explaining the real ground for their merry-making, and toldhim, that the appearance of the sacred bull was always celebrated inEgypt with the greatest rejoicings. Cambyses called them liars, and, assuch, sentenced them to death. He then sent for the priests; received, however, exactly the same answer from them. 

With the bitterest irony he asked to be allowed to make the acquaintanceof this new god, and commanded them to bring him. The bull Apis wasbrought and the king told that he was the progeny of a virgin cow anda moonbeam, that he must be black, with a white triangular spot on theforehead, the likeness of an eagle on his back, and on his side thecrescent moon. There must be two kinds of hair on his tail, and on histongue an excrescence in the form of the sacred beetle Scarabaeus. 

When Cambyses saw this deified creature he could discover nothingremarkable in him, and was so enraged that he plunged his sword into itsside. As the blood streamed from the wound and the animal fell, he brokeout into a piercing laugh, and cried: "Ye fools! so your gods are fleshand blood; they can be wounded. Such folly is worthy of you. But yeshall find, that it is not so easy to make a fool of me. Ho, guards!flog these priests soundly, and kill every one whom you find takingpart in this mad celebration. " The command was obeyed and fearfullyexasperated the Egyptians. 

 [According to Herod. III. 29. Cambyses' sword slipped and ran into the leg of the sacred bull. As the king died also of a wound in the thigh, this just suits Herodotus, who always tries to put the retribution that comes after presumptuous crime in the strongest light; but it is very unlikely that the bull should have died of a mere thigh wound. ]

Apis died of his wound; the Memphians buried him secretly in the vaultsbelonging to the sacred bulls, near the Serapeum, and, led by Psamtik, attempted an insurrection against the Persians. This was very quicklyput down, however, and cost Psamtik his life, --a life the stains andseverities of which deserve to be forgiven, in consideration of hisunwearied, ceaseless efforts to deliver his people from a foreign yoke, and his death in the cause of freedom. 

Cambyses' madness had meanwhile taken fresh forms. After the failure ofhis attempt to restore Bartja, (transformed as he fancied into a bow)to his original shape, his irritability increased so frightfully that asingle word, or even a look, was sufficient to make him furious. Stillhis true friend and counsellor, Croesus, never left him, though the kinghad more than once given him over to the guards for execution. But theguards knew their master; they took good care not to lay hands onthe old man, and felt sure of impunity, as the king would either haveforgotten his command, or repented of it by the next day, Once, however, the miserable whip bearers paid a fearful penalty for their lenity. Cambyses, while rejoicing that Croesus was saved, ordered his deliverersto be executed for disobedience without mercy. 

It would be repugnant to us to repeat all the tales of barbarouscruelties, which are told of Cambyses at this insane period of hislife; but we cannot resist mentioning a few which seem to us especiallycharacteristic. 

While sitting at table one day, already somewhat intoxicated, he askedPrexaspes what the Persians thought of him. The envoy, who in hopesof deadening his tormenting conscience by the performance of noble anddangerous acts, let no opportunity pass of trying to exercise a goodinfluence over his sovereign, answered that they extolled him on everypoint, but thought he was too much addicted to wine. 

These words, though spoken half in jest, put the king into a violentpassion, and he almost shrieked: "So the Persians say, that the winehas taken away my senses, do they? on the contrary, I'll show them thatthey've lost their own. " And as he spoke he bent his bow, took aim for amoment at Prexaspes' eldest son, who, as cup-bearer, was standing at theback of the hall waiting for and watching every look of his sovereign, and shot him in the breast. He then gave orders that the boy's bodyshould be opened and examined. The arrow had pierced the centre of hisheart. This delighted the senseless tyrant, and he called out with alaugh: "Now you see, Prexaspes, it's the Persians who have lost theirjudgment, not I. Could any one have hit the mark better?"

Prexaspes stood there, pale and motionless, compelled to watch thehorrid scene, like Niobe when chained to Sipylus. His servile spiritbowed before the ruler's power, instead of arming his right hand withthe dagger of revenge, and when the frantic king asked him the samequestion a second time, he actually answered, pressing his hand on hisheart: "A god could not have hit the mark more exactly. "

A few weeks after this, the king went to Sais, and there was shown therooms formerly occupied by his bride. This brought back all the oldpainful recollections in full force, and at the same time his cloudedmemory reminded him, though without any clearness of detail, that Amasishad deceived both Nitetis and himself. He cursed the dead king andfuriously demanded to be taken to the temple of Neith, where his mummywas laid. There he tore the embalmed body out of its sarcophagus, causedit to be scourged, to be stabbed with pins, had the hair torn off andmaltreated it in every possible way. In conclusion, and contrary to theancient Persian religious law, which held the pollution of pure fire bycorpses to be a deadly sin, he caused Amasis' dead body to be burnt, and condemned the mummy of his first wife, which lay in a sarcophagus atThebes, her native place, to the same fate. 

On his return to Memphis, Cambyses did not shrink from personallyill-treating his wife and sister, Atossa. 

He had ordered a combat of wild beasts to take place, during which, amongst other entertainments of the same kind, a dog was to fight with ayoung lion. The lion had conquered his antagonist, when another dog, thebrother of the conquered one, broke away from his chain, attacked thelion, and with the help of the wounded dog, vanquished him. 

This scene delighted Cambyses, but Kassandane and Atossa, who had beenforced by the king's command to be present, began to weep aloud. 

The tyrant was astonished, and on asking the reason for their tears, received as answer from the impetuous Atossa, that the brave creaturewho had risked its own life to save its brother, reminded her of Bartja. She would not say by whom he had been murdered, but his murder had neverbeen avenged. 

These words so roused the king's anger, and so goaded his conscience, that in a fit of insane fury he struck the daring woman, and mightpossibly have killed her, if his mother had not thrown herself into hisarms and exposed her own body to his mad blows. 

Her voice and action checked his rage, for he had not lost reverence forhis mother; but her look of intense anger and contempt, which heclearly saw and could not forget, begot a fresh delusion in his mind. He believed from that moment, that the eyes of women had power to poisonhim; he started and hid himself behind his companions whenever he sawa woman, and at last commanded that all the female inhabitants of thepalace at Memphis, his mother not excepted, should be sent back toEcbatana. Araspes and Gyges were appointed to be their escort thither. 

 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

The caravan of queens and princesses had arrived at Sais; they alightedat the royal palace. Croesus had accompanied them thus far on their wayfrom Egypt. 

Kassandane had altered very much during the last few years. Grief andsuffering had worn deep lines in her once beautiful face, though theyhad had no power to bow her stately figure. 

Atossa, on the contrary, was more beautiful than ever, notwithstandingall she had suffered. The refractory and impetuous child, the daringspirited girl, had developed into a dignified, animated and determinedwoman. The serious side of life, and three sad years passed with herungovernable husband and brother, had been first-rate masters in theschool of patience, but they had not been able to alienate her heartfrom her first love. Sappho's friendship had made up to her in somemeasure for the loss of Darius. 

The young Greek had become another creature, since the mysteriousdeparture of her husband. Her rosy color and her lovely smile were bothgone. But she was wonderfully beautiful, in spite of her paleness, herdowncast eyelashes and languid attitude. She looked like Ariadne waitingfor Theseus. Longing and expectation lay in every look, in the low toneof her voice, in her measured walk. At the sound of approaching steps, the opening of a door or the unexpected tones of a man's voice, shewould start, get up and listen, and then sink back into the old waiting, longing attitude, disappointed but not hopeless. She began to dreamagain, as she had been so fond of doing in her girlish days. 

She was her old self only when playing with her child. Then the colorcame back to her cheeks, her eyes sparkled, she seemed once more to livein the present, and not only in the past or future. 

Her child was everything to her. In that little one Bartja seemed tobe still alive, and she could love the child with all her heart andstrength, without taking one iota from her love to him. With this littlecreature the gods had mercifully given her an aim in life and a linkwith the lower world, the really precious part of which had seemed tovanish with her vanished husband. Sometimes, as she looked into herbaby's blue eyes, so wonderfully like Bartja's, she thought: Why wasnot she born a boy? He would have grown more like his father from day today, and at last, if such a thing indeed could ever be, a second Bartjawould have stood before me. 

But such thoughts generally ended soon in her pressing the little onecloser than ever to her heart, and blaming herself for ingratitude andfolly. 

One day Atossa put the same idea in words, exclaiming: "If Parmys wereonly a boy! He would have grown up exactly like his father, and havebeen a second Cyrus for Persia. " Sappho smiled sadly at her friend, andcovered the little one with kisses, but Kassandane said: "Be thankfulto the gods, my child, for having given you a daughter. If Parmys werea boy, he would be taken from you as soon as he had reached his sixthyear, to be brought up with the sons of the other Achaemenidae, but yourdaughter will remain your own for many years. "

Sappho trembled at the mere thought of parting from her child; shepressed its little fair curly head close to her breast, and never found, fault with her treasure again for being a girl. 

Atossa's friendship was a great comfort to her poor wounded heart. Withher she could speak of Bartja as much and as often as she would, and wasalways certain of a kind and sympathizing listener. Atossa had lovedher vanished brother very dearly. And even a stranger would have enjoyedhearing Sappho tell of her past happiness. Her words rose into realeloquence in speaking of those bright days; she seemed like an inspiredpoetess. Then she would take her lyre, and with her clear, sweet, plaintive voice sing the love-songs of the elder Sappho, in which allher own deepest feelings were so truly expressed, and fancy herselfonce more with her lover sitting under the sweet-scented acanthus in thequiet night, and forget the sad reality of her present life. And when, with a deep sigh, she laid aside the lyre and came back out of thisdream-kingdom, the tears were always to be seen in Kassandane's eyes, though she did not understand the language in which Sappho had beensinging, and Atossa would bend down and kiss her forehead. 

Thus three long years had passed, during which Sappho had seldom seenher grandmother, for, as the mother of Parmys, she was by the king'scommand, forbidden to leave the harem, unless permitted and accompaniedeither by Kassandane or the eunuchs. 

On the present occasion Croesus, who had always loved, and loved herstill, like a daughter, had sent for Rhodopis to Sais. He, as well asKassandane, understood her wish to take leave of this, her dearestand most faithful friend, before setting out for Persia; besides whichKassandane had a great wish to see one in whose praise she had heard somuch. When Sappho's tender and sad farewell was over therefore, Rhodopiswas summoned to the queen-mother. 

A stranger, who saw these two women together, would have thought bothwere queens; it was impossible to decide which of the two had most rightto the title. 

Croesus, standing as he did in as close a relation to the one as to theother, undertook the office of interpreter, and the ready intellect ofRhodopis helped him to carry on an uninterrupted flow of conversation. 

Rhodopis, by her own peculiar attractions, soon won the heart ofKassandane, and the queen knew no better way of proving this than byoffering, in Persian fashion, to grant her some wish. 

Rhodopis hesitated a moment; then raising her hands as if in prayer, shecried: "Leave me my Sappho, the consolation and beauty of my old age. "

Kassandane smiled sadly. "It is not in my power to grant that wish, "she answered. "The laws of Persia command, that the children of theAchaemenidae shall be brought up at the king's gate. I dare not allowthe little Parmys, Cyrus' only grandchild, to leave me, and, much asSappho loves you, you know she would not part from her child. Indeed, she has become so dear to me now, and to my daughter, that though I wellunderstand your wish to have her, I could never allow Sappho to leaveus. "

Seeing that Rhodopis' eyes were filling with tears, Kassandane went on:"There is, however, a good way out of our perplexity. Leave Naukratis, and come with us to Persia. There you can spend your last years withus and with your granddaughter, and shall be provided with a royalmaintenance. "

Rhodopis shook her head, hoary but still so beautiful, and answered ina suppressed voice: "I thank you, noble queen, for this graciousinvitation, but I feel unable to accept it. Every fibre of my heartis rooted in Greece, and I should be tearing my life out by leaving itforever. I am so accustomed to constant activity, perfect freedom, anda stirring exchange of thought, that I should languish and die in theconfinement of a harem. Croesus had already prepared me for the graciousproposal you have just made, and I have had a long and difficult battleto fight, before I could decide on resigning my dearest blessing for myhighest good. It is not easy, but it is glorious, it is more worthy ofthe Greek name--to live a good and beautiful life, than a happy one--tofollow duty rather than pleasure. My heart will follow Sappho, but myintellect and experience belong to the Greeks; and if you should everhear that the people of Hellas are ruled by themselves alone, by theirown gods, their own laws, the beautiful and the good, then you will knowthat the work on which Rhodopis, in league with the noblest and best ofher countrymen, has staked her life, is accomplished. Be not angrywith the Greek woman, who confesses that she would rather die free asa beggar than live in bondage as a queen, though envied by the wholeworld. "

Kassandane listened in amazement. She only understood part of whatRhodopis had said, but felt that she had spoken well and nobly, andat the conclusion gave her her hand to kiss. After a short pause, Kassandane said: "Do what you think right, and remember, that as long asI and my daughter live, your granddaughter will never want for true andfaithful love. "

"Your noble countenance and the fame of your great virtue are warrantenough for that. " answered Rhodopis. 

"And also, " added the queen, "the duty which lies upon me to make goodthe wrong, that has been done your Sappho. "

She sighed painfully and went on: "The little Parmys shall be carefullyeducated. She seems to have much natural talent, and can sing the songsof her native country already after her mother. I shall do nothing tocheck her love of music, though, in Persia the religious services arethe only occasions in which that art is studied by any but the lowerclasses. "

At these words Rhodopis' face glowed. "Will you permit me to speakopenly, O Queen?" she said. "Speak without fear, " was Kassandane'sanswer. "When you sighed so painfully just now in speaking of your dearlost son, I thought: Perhaps that brave young hero might have been stillliving, if the Persians had understood better how to educate their sons. Bartja told me in what that education consisted. To shoot, throw thespear, ride, hunt, speak the truth, and perhaps also to distinguishbetween the healing and noxious properties of certain plants: that isdeemed a sufficient educational provision for a man's life. The Greekboys are just as carefully kept to the practice of exercises forhardening and bracing the body; for these exercises are the founders andpreservers of health, the physician is only its repairer and restorer. If, however, by constant practice a Greek youth were to attain to thestrength of a bull, the truth of the Deity, and the wisdom of the mostlearned Egyptian priest, we should still look down upon him were hewanting in two things which only early example and music, combined withthese bodily exercises, can give: grace and symmetry. You smile becauseyou do not understand me, but I can prove to you that music, which, fromwhat Sappho tells me, is not without its moving power for your heart, isas important an element in education as gymnastics, and, strange as itmay sound, has an equal share in effecting the perfection of both bodyand mind. The man who devotes his attention exclusively to music will, if he be of a violent disposition, lose his savage sternness at first;he will become gentle and pliable as metal in the fire. But at last hiscourage will disappear too; his passionate temper will have changed intoirritability, and he will be of little worth as a warrior, the callingand character most desired in your country. If, on the other hand, heconfines himself to gymnastics only, he will, like Cambyses, excel inmanliness and strength; but his mind--here my comparison ceases--willremain obtuse and blind, his perceptions will be confused, He will notlisten to reason, but will endeavor to carry everything by force, and, lacking grace and proportion, his life will probably become a successionof rude and violent deeds. On this account we conclude that music isnecessary not only for the mind, and gymnastics not only for thebody, but that both, working together, elevate and soften the mind andstrengthen the body--give manly grace, and graceful manliness. "

 [The fundamental ideas of this speech are drawn from Plato's ideal "State. "]

After a moment's pause Rhodopis went on: "The youth who has not receivedsuch an education, whose roughness has never been checked even inchildhood, who has been allowed to vent his temper on every one, receiving flattery in return and never hearing reproof; who has beenallowed to command before he has learnt to obey, and who has beenbrought up in the belief that splendor, power and riches are the highestgood, can never possibly attain to the perfect manhood, which we beseechthe gods to grant our boys. And if this unfortunate being happens tohave been born with an impetuous disposition, ungovernable and eagerpassions, these will be only nourished and increased by bodily exerciseunaccompanied by the softening influence of music, so that at lasta child, who possibly came into the world with good qualities, will, merely through the defects in his education, degenerate into adestructive animal, a sensual self-destroyer, and a mad and furioustyrant. "

Rhodopis had become animated with her subject. She ceased, saw tearsin the eyes of the queen, and felt that she had gone too far and hadwounded a mother's heart, --a heart full of noble feeling. She touchedher robe, kissed its border, and said softly: "Forgive me. "

Kassandane looked her forgiveness, courteously saluted Rhodopis andprepared to leave the room. On the threshold, however, she stoppedand said: "I am not angry. Your reproaches are just; but you too mustendeavor to forgive, for I can assure you that he who has murdered thehappiness of your child and of mine, though the most powerful, is of allmortals the most to be pitied. Farewell! Should you ever stand in needof ought, remember Cyrus' widow, and how she wished to teach you, thatthe virtues the Persians desire most in their children are magnanimityand liberality. "

After saying this she left the apartment. 

On the same day Rhodopis heard that Phanes was dead. He had retired toCrotona in the neighborhood of Pythagoras and there passed his time inreflection, dying with the tranquillity of a philosopher. 

She was deeply affected at this news and said to Croesus: "Greece haslost one of her ablest men, but there are many, who will grow up to behis equals. The increasing power of Persia causes me no fear; indeed, Ibelieve that when the barbarous lust of conquest stretches out its handtowards us, our many-headed Greece will rise as a giant with one head ofdivine power, before which mere barbaric strength must bow as surely asbody before spirit. "

Three days after this, Sappho said farewell for the last time to hergrandmother, and followed the queens to Persia. Notwithstanding theevents which afterwards took place, she continued to believe that Bartjawould return, and full of love, fidelity and tender remembrance, devotedherself entirely to the education of her child and the care of her agedmother-in-law, Kassandane. 

Little Parmys became very beautiful, and learnt to love the memoryof her vanished father next to the gods of her native land, for hermother's tales had brought him as vividly before her as if he had beenstill alive and present with them. 

Atossa's subsequent good fortune and happiness did not cool herfriendship. She always called Sappho her sister. The hanging-gardenswere the latter's residence in summer, and in her conversations therewith Kassandane and Atossa one name was often mentioned--the name ofher, who had been the innocent cause of events which had decided thedestinies of great kingdoms and noble lives--the Egyptian Princess. 

CHAPTER XVI. 

Here we might end this tale, but that we feel bound to give our readerssome account of the last days of Cambyses. We have already describedthe ruin of his mind, but his physical end remains still to be told, andalso the subsequent fate of some of the other characters in our history. 

A short time after the departure of the queens, news reached Naukratisthat Oroetes, the satrap of Lydia, had, by a stratagem, allured his oldenemy, Polykrates, to Sardis and crucified him there, thus fulfillingwhat Amasis had prophecied of the tyrant's mournful end. This act thesatrap had committed on his own responsibility, events havingtaken place in the Median kingdom which threatened the fall of theAchaemenidaean dynasty. 

The king's long absence in a foreign country had either weakened orentirely dissipated, the fear which the mere mention of his name hadformerly inspired in those who felt inclined to rebel. The awe thathis subjects had formerly felt for him, vanished at the tidings ofhis madness, and the news that he had wantonly exposed the lives ofthousands of their countrymen to certain death in the deserts of Libyaand Ethiopia, inspired the enraged Asiatics with a hatred which, whenskilfully fed by the powerful Magi, soon roused, first the Medes andAssyrians, and then the Persians, to defection and open insurrection. Motives of self-interest led the ambitious high-priest, Oropastes, whomCambyses had appointed regent in his absence, to place himself at thehead of this movement. He flattered the people by remitting their taxes, by large gifts and larger promises, and finding his clemency gratefullyrecognized, determined on an imposture, by which he hoped to win thecrown of Persia for his own family. 

He had not forgotten the marvellous likeness between his brother Gaumata(who had been condemned to lose his ears) and Bartja, the son of Cyrus, and on hearing that the latter, the universal favorite, as he well knew, of the Persian nation, had disappeared, resolved to turn this to accountby passing off his brother as the vanished prince, and setting him onthe throne in place of Cambyses. The hatred felt throughout the entirekingdom towards their insane king, and the love and attachment of thenation to Bartja, made this stratagem so easy of accomplishment, thatwhen at last messengers from Oropastes arrived in all the provinces ofthe empire declaring to the discontented citizens that, notwithstandingthe rumor they had heard, the younger son of Cyrus was still alive, hadrevolted from his brother, ascended his father's throne and granted toall his subjects freedom from tribute and from military service duringa period of three years, the new ruler was acknowledged throughout thekingdom with rejoicings. 

The pretended Bartja, who was fully aware of his brother's mentalsuperiority, had obeyed his directions in every particular, had taken uphis residence in the palace of Nisaea, --in the plains of Media, placedthe crown on his head, declared the royal harem his own, and had shownhimself once from a distance to the people, who were to recognize in himthe murdered Bartja. After that time, however, for fear of being at lastunmasked, he concealed himself in his palace, giving himself up, afterthe manner of Asiatic monarchs, to every kind of indulgence, whilehis brother held the sceptre with a firm hand, and conferred all theimportant offices of state on his friends and family. 

No sooner did Oropastes feel firm ground under his feet, than hedespatched the eunuch Ixabates to Egypt, to inform the army of thechange of rulers that had taken place and persuade them to revolt infavor of Bartja, who he knew had been idolized by the Soldiers. 

The messenger had been well chosen, fulfilled his mission with muchskill, and had already won over a considerable part of the army for thenew king, when he was taken prisoner by some Syrians, who brought him toMemphis in hopes of reward. 

On arriving in the city of the Pyramids he was brought before the king, and promised impunity on condition of revealing the entire truth. 

The messenger then confirmed the rumor, which had reached Egypt, thatBartja had ascended the throne of Cyrus and had been recognized by thegreater part of the empire. 

Cambyses started with terror at these tidings, as one who saw a deadman rise from his grave. He was by this time fully aware that Bartjahad been murdered by Prexaspes at his own command, but in this momenthe began to suspect that the envoy had deceived him and spared hisbrother's life. The thought had no sooner entered his mind than heuttered it, reproaching Prexaspes so bitterly with treachery, as toelicit from him a tremendous oath, that he had murdered and buried theunfortunate Bartja with his own hand. 

Oropastes' messenger was next asked whether he had seen the new kinghimself. He answered that he had not, adding that the supposed brotherof Cambyses had only once appeared in public, and had then shown himselfto the people from a distance. On hearing this, Prexaspes saw throughthe whole web of trickery at once, reminded the king of the unhappymisunderstandings to which the marvellous likeness between Bartja andGaumata had formerly given rise, and concluded by offering to stake hisown life on the correctness of his supposition. The explanation pleasedthe king, and from that moment his diseased mind was possessed by onenew idea to the exclusion of all others--the seizure and slaughter ofthe Magi. 

The host was ordered to prepare for marching. Aryandes, --one of theAchaemenidae, was appointed satrap of Egypt, and the army startedhomeward without delay. Driven by this new delusion, the king took norest by day or night, till at last his over-ridden and ill-used horsefell with him, and he was severely wounded in the fall by his owndagger. 

After lying insensible for some days, he opened his eyes and asked firstto see Araspes, then his mother, and lastly Atossa, although these threehad set out on their journey home months before. From all he said itappeared that during the last four years, from the attack of fever untilthe present accident, he had been living in a kind of sleep. He seemedastonished and pained at hearing what had happened during these years. But of his brother's death he was fully aware. He knew that Prexaspeshad killed him by his--the king's--orders and had told him that Bartjalay buried on the shores of the Red Sea. --During the night whichfollowed this return to his senses it became clear to himself also, thathis mind had been wandering for along time. Towards morning he fellinto a deep sleep, and this so restored his strength, that on waking hecalled for Croesus and required an exact relation of the events that hadpassed during the last few years. 

His old friend and adviser obeyed; he felt that Cambyses was stillentrusted to his care, and in the hope, faint as it was, of bringinghim back to the right way, he did not suppress one of the king's acts ofviolence in his relation. 

His joy was therefore great at perceiving, that his words made a deepimpression on the newly-awakened mind of the king. With tears in hiseyes, and with the ashamed look of a child, he grieved over his wrongdeeds and his madness, begged Croesus to forgive him, thanked him forhaving borne so long and faithfully with him, and commissioned him toask Kassandane and Sappho especially for forgiveness, but also, Atossaand all whom he had unjustly offended. 

The old man wept too, but his tears were tears of joy and he repeatedlyassured Cambyses that he would recover and have ample opportunity ofmaking amends for the past. But to all this Cambyses shook his headresolutely, and, pale and wan as he looked, begged Croesus to have hiscouch carried on to a rising ground in the open air, and then to summonthe Achaemenidae. When these orders, in spite of the physicians, hadbeen obeyed, Cambyses was raised into an upright sitting position, andbegan, in a voice which could be heard at a considerable distance:

"The time to reveal my great secret has arrived, O ye Persians. Deceivedby a vision, provoked and annoyed by my brother, I caused him to bemurdered in my wrath. Prexaspes wrought the evil deed by my command, butinstead of bringing me the peace I yearned for, that deed has torturedme into madness and death. By this my confession ye will be convinced, that my brother Bartja is really dead. The Magi have usurped the throneof the Achaemenidae. Oropastes, whom I left in Persia as my vicegerentand his brother Gaumata, who resembles Bartja so nearly that evenCroesus, Intaphernes and my uncle, the noble Hystaspes, were oncedeceived by the likeness, have placed themselves at their head. Woe isme, that I have murdered him who, as my nearest kinsman, should haveavenged on the Magi this affront to my honor. But I cannot recall himfrom the dead, and I therefore appoint you the executors of my lastwill. By the Feruer of my dead father, and in the name of all good andpure spirits, I conjure you not to suffer the government to fall intothe hands of the unfaithful Magi. If they have obtained possessionthereof by artifice, wrest it from their hands in like manner; if byforce, use force to win it back. Obey this my last will, and the earthwill yield you its fruits abundantly; your wives, your flocks and herdsshall be blessed and freedom shall be your portion. Refuse to obey it, and ye shall suffer the corresponding evils; yea, your end, and that ofevery Persian shall be even as mine. "

After these words the king wept and sank back fainting, on seeing which, the Achaemenidae rent their clothes and burst into loud lamentations. A few hours later Cambyses died in Croesus' arms. Nitetis was his lastthought; he died with her name on his lips and tears of penitence in hiseyes. When the Persians had left the unclean corpse, Croesus knelt downbeside it and cried, raising his hand to heaven: "Great Cyrus, I havekept my oath. I have remained this miserable man's faithful adviser evenunto his end. "

The next morning the old man betook himself, accompanied by his sonGyges, to the town of Barene, which belonged to him, and lived theremany years as a father to his subjects, revered by Darius and praised byall his contemporaries. 

 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

After Cambyses' death the heads of the seven Persian tribes helda council, and resolved, as a first measure, on obtaining certaininformation as to the person of the usurper. With this view, Otanes senta confidential eunuch to his daughter Phaedime, who, as they knew, hadcome into the possession of the new king with the rest of Cambyses'harem. 

 [The names of the seven conspiring chiefs, given by Herodotus agree for the most part with those in the cuneiform inscriptions. The names are: Otanes, Intaphernes, Gobryas, Megabyzus, Aspatines, Hydarnes and Darius Hystaspis. In the inscription Otana: Vindafrand, Gaubaruva, Ardumams, Vidarna, Bagabukhsa and Darayavus. ]

Before the messenger returned, the greater part of the army haddispersed, the soldiers seizing this favorable opportunity to returnto their homes and families, after so many years of absence. At last, however, the long-expected messenger came back and brought for answer, that the new king had only visited Phaedime once, but that during thatvisit she had, at great personal risk, discovered that he had lost bothears. Without this discovery, however, she could assert positively thatthough there were a thousand points of similarity between the usurperand the murdered Bartja, the former was in reality none other thanGaumata, the brother of Oropastes. Her old friend Boges had resumed hisoffice of chief of the eunuchs, and had revealed to her the secrets ofthe Magi. The high-priest had met the former keeper of the women beggingin the streets of Susa, and had restored him to his old office with thewords: "You have forfeited your life, but I want men of your stamp. "In conclusion. Phaedime entreated her father to use every means inhis power for the overthrow of the Magi, as they treated her with thegreatest contempt and she was the most miserable of women. 

Though none of the Achaemenidae hall really for a moment believed; thatBartja was alive and had seized on the throne, so clear an accountof the real person of the usurper was very welcome to them, and theyresolved at once to march on Nisaea with the remnant of the army andoverthrow the Magi either by craft or force. 

They entered the new capital unassailed, and finding that the majorityof the people seemed content with the new government, they alsopretended to acknowledge the king as the son of Cyrus, to whom they wereprepared to do homage. The Magi, however, were not deceived; they shutthemselves up in their palace, assembled an army in the Nisaean plain, promised the soldiers high pay, and used every effort to strengthen thebelief of the people in Gaumata's disguise. On this point no one coulddo them more injury, or, if he chose, be more useful to them, thanPrexaspes. He was much looked up to by the Persians, and his assurance, that he had not murdered Bartja, would have been sufficient to tame thefast-spreading report of the real way in which the youth had met hisdeath. Oropastes, therefore, sent for Prexaspes, who, since the king'sdying words, had been avoided by all the men of his own rank and had ledthe life of an outlaw, and promised him an immense sum of money, if hewould ascend a high tower and declare to the people, assembled in thecourt beneath, that evil-disposed men had called him Bartja's murderer, whereas he had seen the new king with his own eyes and had recognizedin him the younger son of his benefactor. Prexaspes made no objection tothis proposal, took a tender leave of his family while the people werebeing assembled, uttered a short prayer before the sacred fire-altar andwalked proudly to the palace. On his way thither he met the chiefs ofthe seven tribes and seeing that they avoided him, called out tothem: "I am worthy of your contempt, but I will try to deserve yourforgiveness. "

Seeing Darius look back, he hastened towards him, grasped his hand andsaid: "I have loved you like a son; take care of my children when I amno more, and use your pinions, winged Darius. " Then, with the same prouddemeanor he ascended the tower. 

Many thousands of the citizens of Nisaea were within reach of his voice, as he cried aloud: "Ye all know that the kings who have, up to thepresent time, loaded you with honor and glory, belonged to the house ofthe Achaemenidae. Cyrus governed you like a real father, Cambyses was astern master, and Bartja would have guided you like a bridegroom, ifI, with this right hand which I now show you, had not slain him on theshores of the Red Sea. By Mithras, it was with a bleeding heart thatI committed this wicked deed, but I did it as a faithful servant inobedience to the king's command. Nevertheless, it has haunted me by dayand night; for four long years I have been pursued and tormented by thespirits of darkness, who scare sleep from the murderer's couch. I havenow resolved to end this painful, despairing existence by a worthy deed, and though even this may procure me no mercy at the bridge of Chinvat, in the mouths of men, at least, I shall have redeemed my honorable namefrom the stain with which I defiled it. Know then, that the man whogives himself out for the son of Cyrus, sent me hither; he promised merich rewards if I would deceive you by declaring him to be Bartja, theson of the Achaemenidae. But I scorn his promises and swear by Mithrasand the Feruers of the kings, the most solemn oaths I am acquaintedwith, that the man who is now ruling you is none other than the MagianGaumata, he who was deprived of his ears, the brother of the king'svicegerent and high-priest, Oropastes, whom ye all know. If it be yourwill to forget all the glory ye owe to the Achaemenidae, if to thisingratitude ye choose to add your own degradation, then acknowledgethese creatures and call them your kings; but if ye despise a lie andare ashamed to obey worthless impostors, drive the Magi from the thronebefore Mithras has left the heavens, and proclaim the noblest of theAchaemenidae, Darius, the exalted son of Hystaspes, who promises tobecome a second Cyrus, as your king. And now, in order that ye maybelieve my words and not suspect that Darius sent me hither to win youover to his side, I will commit a deed, which must destroy every doubtand prove that the truth and glory of the Achaemenidae are clearer tome, than life itself. Blessed be ye if ye follow my counsels, but cursesrest upon you, if ye neglect to reconquer the throne from the Magi andrevenge yourselves upon them. --Behold, I die a true and honorable man!"

With these words he ascended the highest pinnacle of the tower and casthimself down head foremost, thus expiating the one crime of his life byan honorable death. 

The dead silence with which the people in the court below had listenedto him, was now broken by shrieks of rage and cries for vengeance. Theyburst open the gates of the palace and were pressing in with cries of"Death to the Magi, " when the seven princes of the Persians appeared infront of the raging crowd to resist their entrance. 

At sight of the Achaemenidae the citizens broke into shouts of joy, andcried more impetuously than ever, "Down with the Magi! Victory to KingDarius!"

The son of Hystaspes was then carried by the crowd to a rising ground, from which he told the people that the Magi had been slain by theAchaemenidae, as liars and usurpers. Fresh cries of joy arose in answerto these words, and when at last the bleeding heads of Oropastes andGaumata were shown to the crowd, they rushed with horrid yells throughthe streets of the city, murdering every Magian they could lay hold of. The darkness of night alone was able to stop this awful massacre. 

Four days later, Darius, the son of Hystaspes, was chosen as king by theheads of the Achaemenidae, in consideration of his high birth and noblecharacter, and received by the Persian nation with enthusiasm. Dariushad killed Gaumata with his own hand, and the highpriest had receivedhis death-thrust from the hand of Megabyzus, the father of Zopyrus. While Prexaspes was haranguing the people, the seven conspiring Persianprinces, Otanes, Intaphernes, Gobryas, Megabyzus, Aspatines, Hydarnesand Darius, (as representative of his aged father Hystaspes), hadentered the palace by a carelessly-guarded gate, sought out the partof the building occupied by the Magi, and then, assisted by their ownknowledge of the palace, and the fact that most of the guards had beensent to keep watch over the crowd assembled to hear Prexaspes easilypenetrated to the apartments in which at that moment they were to befound. Here they were resisted by a few eunuchs, headed by Boges, butthese were overpowered and killed to a man. Darius became furious onseeing Boges, and killed him at once. Hearing the dying cries of theseeunuchs, the Magi rushed to the spot and prepared to defend themselves. Oropastes snatched a lance from the fallen Boges, thrust out one ofIntaphernes' eyes and wounded Aspatines in the thigh, but was stabbedby Megabyzus. Gaumata fled into another apartment and tried to barthe door, but was followed too soon by Darius and Gobryas; the latterseized, threw him, and kept him down by the weight of his own body, crying to Darius, who was afraid of making a false stroke in thehalf-light, and so wounding his companion instead of Gaumata, "Strikeboldly, even if you should stab us both. " Darius obeyed, and fortunatelyonly hit the Magian. 

Thus died Oropastes, the high-priest, and his brother Gaumata, betterknown under the name of the "pseudo" or "pretended Smerdis. "

A few weeks after Darius' election to the throne, which the peoplesaid had been marvellously influenced by divine miracles and theclever cunning of a groom, he celebrated his coronation brilliantly atPasargadae, and with still more splendor, his marriage with his belovedAtossa. The trials of her life had ripened her character, and she proveda faithful, beloved and respected companion to her husband throughthe whole of that active and glorious life, which, as Prexaspes hadforetold, made him worthy of the names by which he was afterwardsknown--Darius the Great, and a second Cyrus. 

 [Atossa is constantly mentioned as the favorite wife of Darius, and be appointed her son Xerxes to be his successor, though he had three elder sons by the daughter of Gobryas. Herodotus (VII. 3. ) speaks with emphasis of the respect and consideration in which Atossa was held, and Aeschylus, in his Persians, mentions her in her old age, as the much-revered and noble matron. ]

As a general he was circumspect and brave, and at the same timeunderstood so thoroughly how to divide his enormous realm, and toadminister its affairs, that he must be classed with the greatestorganizers of all times and countries. That his feeble successors wereable to keep this Asiatic Colossus of different countries together fortwo hundred years after his death, was entirely owing to Darius. He wasliberal of his own, but sparing of his subjects' treasures, and madetruly royal gifts without demanding more than was his due. He introduceda regular system of taxation, in place of the arbitrary exactionspractised under Cyrus and Cambyses, and never allowed himself to beled astray in the carrying out of what seemed to him right, either bydifficulties or by the ridicule of the Achaemenidae, who nicknamedhim the "shopkeeper, " on account of what seemed, to their exclusivelymilitary tastes, his petty financial measures. It is by no means one ofhis smallest merits, that he introduced one system of coinage throughhis entire empire, and consequently through half the then known world. 

Darius respected the religions and customs of other nations. When thewriting of Cyrus, of the existence of which Cambyses had known nothing, was found in the archives of Ecbatana, he allowed the Jews to carry onthe building of their temple to Jehovah; he also left the Ionian citiesfree to govern their own communities independently. Indeed, he wouldhardly have sent his army against Greece, if the Athenians had notinsulted him. 

In Egypt he had learnt much; among other things, the art of managing theexchequer of his kingdom wisely; for this reason he held the Egyptiansin high esteem, and granted them many privileges, amongst others a canalto connect the Nile with the Red Sea, which was greatly to the advantageof their commerce. 

 [Traces of this canal can be found as early as the days of Setos I; his son Rameses II. Caused the works to be continued. Under Necho they were recommenced, and possibly finished by Darius. In the time of the Ptolemies, at all events, the canal was already completed. Herod. II. 158. Diod. I. 33. The French, in undertaking to reconstruct the Suez canal, have had much to encounter from the unfriendly commercial policy of the English and their influence over the internal affairs of Egypt, but the unwearied energy and great talent of Monsr. De Lesseps and the patriotism of the French nation have at last succeeded in bringing their great work to a successful close. Whether it will pay is another question. See G. Ebers, Der Kanal von Suez. Nordische Revue, October 1864. The maritime canal connecting the Mediterranean with the Red Sea has also been completed since 1869. We were among those, who attended the brilliant inauguration ceremonies, and now willingly recall many of the doubts expressed in our work 'Durch Gosen zum Sinai'. The number of ships passing through the canal is constantly increasing. ]

During the whole of his reign, Darius endeavored to make amends forthe severity with which Cambyses had treated the Egyptians; even in thelater years of his life he delighted to study the treasures of theirwisdom, and no one was allowed to attack either their religion orcustoms, as long as he lived. The old high-priest Neithotep enjoyedthe king's favor to the last, and Darius often made use of his wise oldmaster's astrological knowledge. 

The goodness and clemency of their new ruler was fully acknowledged bythe Egyptians; they called him a deity, as they had called theirown kings, and yet, in the last years of his reign, their desire forindependence led them to forget gratitude and to try to shake off hisgentle yoke, which was only oppressive because it had originally beenforced on them. 

 [The name of Darius occurs very often on the monuments as Ntariusch. It is most frequently found in the inscriptions on the temple in the Oasis el-Khargah, recently photographed by G. Rohlfs. The Egypto- Persian memorial fragments, bearing inscriptions in the hieroglyphic and cuneiform characters are very interesting. Darius' name in Egyptian was generally "Ra, the beloved of Ammon. " On a porcelain vessel in Florence, and in some papyri in Paris and Florence he is called by the divine titles of honor given to the Pharaohs. ]

Their generous ruler and protector did not live to see the end of thisstruggle. 

 [The first rebellion in Egypt, which broke out under Aryandes, the satrap appointed by Cambyses, was put down by Darius in person. He visited Egypt, and promised 100 talents (L22, 500. ) to any one who would find a new Apis. Polyaen. VII. Ii. 7. No second outbreak took place until 486 B. C. About 4 years before the death of Darius. Herod. VI i. Xerxes conquered the rebels two years after his accession, and appointed his brother Achaemenes satrap of Egypt. ]

It was reserved for Xerxes, the successor and son of Darius and Atossa, to bring back the inhabitants of the Nile valley to a forced andtherefore insecure obedience. 

Darius left a worthy monument of his greatness in the glorious palacewhich he built on Mount Rachmed, the ruins of which are the wonder andadmiration of travellers to this day. Six thousand Egyptian workmen, who had been sent to Asia by Cambyses, took part in the work and alsoassisted in building a tomb for Darius and his successors, the rocky andalmost inaccessible chambers of which have defied the ravages of time, and are now the resort of innumerable wild pigeons. 

He caused the history of his deeds to be cut, (in the cuneiformcharacter and in the Persian, Median and Assyrian languages), on thepolished side of the rock of Bisitun or Behistan, not far from the spotwhere he saved Atossa's life. The Persian part of this inscriptioncan still be deciphered with certainty, and contains an account of theevents related in the last few chapters, very nearly agreeing with ourown and that of Herodotus. The following sentences occur amongst others:"Thus saith Darius the King: That which I have done, was done by thegrace of Auramazda in every way. I fought nineteen battles after therebellion of the kings. By the mercy of Auramazda I conquered them. Itook nine kings captive. One was a Median, Gaumata by name. He lied andsaid: 'I am Bardiya (Bartja), the son of Cyrus. ' He caused Persia torebel. "

Some distance lower down, he names the chiefs who helped him to dethronethe Magi, and in another place the inscription has these words: "Thussaith the King Darius: That which I have done was done in every wayby the grace of Auramazda. Auramazda helped me, and such other gods asthere be. Auramazda and the other gods gave me help, because I wasnot swift to anger, nor a liar, nor a violent ruler, neither I nor mykinsmen. I have shown favor unto him who helped my brethren, and I havepunished severely him who was my enemy. Thou who shalt be king after me, be not merciful unto him who is a liar or a rebel, but punish him with asevere punishment. Thus saith Darius the King: Thou who shalt hereafterbehold this tablet which I have written, or these pictures, destroy themnot, but so long as thou shalt live preserve them, &c. "

It now only remains to be told that Zopyrus, the son of Megabyzus, continued to the last the king's most faithful friend. 

A courtier once showed the king a pomegranate, and asked him of what onegift of fortune he would like so many repetitions, as there were seedsin that fruit. Without a moment's hesitation Darius answered, "Of myZopyrus. "--[Plutarch]

The following story will prove that Zopyrus, on his part, wellunderstood how to return his royal friend's kindness. After the death ofCambyses, Babylon revolted from the Persian empire. Darius besieged thecity nine months in vain, and was about to raise the siege, when one dayZopyrus appeared before him bleeding, and deprived of his ears and nose, and explained that he had mutilated himself thus in order to cheat theBabylonians, who knew him well, as he had formerly been on intimateterms with their daughters. He said he wished to tell the haughtycitizens, that Darius had thus disfigured him, and that he had come tothem for help in revenging himself. He thought they would then placetroops at his disposal, with which he intended to impose upon them bymaking a few successful sallies at first. His ultimate intention was toget possession of the keys, and open the Semiramis gate to his friends. 

These words, which were spoken in a joking tone, contrasted so sadlywith the mutilated features of his once handsome friend, that Dariuswept, and when at last the almost impregnable fortress was really won byZopyrus' stratagem, he exclaimed: "I would give a hundred Babylons, ifmy Zopyrus had not thus mutilated himself. "

He then appointed his friend lord of the giant city, gave him its entirerevenues, and honored him every year with the rarest presents. In laterdays he used to say that, with the exception of Cyrus, who had no equal, no man had ever performed so generous a deed as Zopyrus. 

 [Herod. III. 160. Among other presents Zopyrus received a gold hand-mill weighing six talents, the most honorable and distinguished gift a Persian monarch could bestow upon a subject. According to Ktesias, Megabaezus received this gift from Xerxes. ]

Few rulers possessed so many self-sacrificing friends as Darius, becausefew understood so well how to be grateful. 

When Syloson, the brother of the murdered Polykrates, came to Susaand reminded the king of his former services, Darius received him asa friend, placed ships and troops at his service, and helped him torecover Samos. 

The Samians made a desperate resistance, and said, when at last theywere obliged to yield: "Through Syloson we have much room in our land. "

Rhodopis lived to hear of the murder of Hipparchus, the tyrant ofAthens, by Harmodius and Aristogiton, and died at last in the arms ofher best friends, Theopompus the Milesian and Kallias the Athenian, firmin her belief of the high calling of her countrymen. 

All Naukratis mourned for her, and Kallias sent a messenger to Susa, toinform the king and Sappho of her death. 

A few months later the satrap of Egypt received the following letterfrom the hand of the king:

 "Inasmuch as we ourselves knew and honored Rhodopis, the Greek, who has lately died in Naukratis, --inasmuch as her granddaughter, as widow of the lawful heir to the Persian throne, enjoys to this day the rank and honors of a queen, --and lastly, inasmuch as I have lately taken the great-grandchild of the same Rhodopis, Parmys, the daughter of Bartja and Sappho, to be my third lawful wife, it seems to me just to grant royal honors to the ancestress of two queens. I therefore command thee to cause the ashes of Rhodopis, whom we have always esteemed as the greatest and rarest among women, to be buried in the greatest and rarest of all monuments, namely, in one of the Pyramids. The costly urn, which thou wilt receive herewith, is sent by Sappho to preserve the ashes of the deceased. "

 Given in the new imperial palace at Persepolis. 

 DARIUS, son of Hystaspes. 

 King. 

 ETEXT EDITOR'S BOOKMARKS:

 A kind word hath far more power than an angry one A first impression is often a final one A noble mind can never swim with the stream Abuse not those who have outwitted thee Age is inquisitive Apis the progeny of a virgin cow and a moonbeam Assigned sixty years as the limit of a happy life At my age every year must be accepted as an undeserved gift Avoid excessive joy as well as complaining grief Be not merciful unto him who is a liar or a rebel Between two stools a man falls to the ground Blessings go as quickly as they come Call everything that is beyond your comprehension a miracle Cambyses had been spoiled from his earliest infancy Canal to connect the Nile with the Red Sea Cannot understand how trifles can make me so happy Cast off all care; be mindful only of pleasure Confess I would rather provoke a lioness than a woman Corpse to be torn in pieces by dogs and vultures Creed which views life as a short pilgrimage to the grave Curiosity is a woman's vice Death is so long and life so short Devoid of occupation, envy easily becomes hatred Did the ancients know anything of love Does happiness consist then in possession Easy to understand what we like to hear Eros mocks all human efforts to resist or confine him Eyes are much more eloquent than all the tongues in the world Folly to fret over what cannot be undone For the errors of the wise the remedy is reparation, not regret Go down into the grave before us (Our children) Greeks have not the same reverence for truth Happiness has nothing to do with our outward circumstances Hast thou a wounded heart? touch it seldom He who kills a cat is punished (for murder) He is the best host, who allows his guests the most freedom He who is to govern well must begin by learning to obey Human beings hate the man who shows kindness to their enemies I cannot. . . Say rather: I will not I was not swift to anger, nor a liar, nor a violent ruler In war the fathers live to mourn for their slain sons In our country it needs more courage to be a coward In this immense temple man seemed a dwarf in his own eyes In those days men wept, as well as women Inn, was to be found about every eighteen miles Introduced a regular system of taxation-Darius Know how to honor beauty; and prove it by taking many wives Lovers delighted in nature then as now Lovers are the most unteachable of pupils Misfortune too great for tears Mosquito-tower with which nearly every house was provided Multitude who, like the gnats, fly towards every thing brilliant Natural impulse which moves all old women to favor lovers Never so clever as when we have to find excuses for our own sins No man was allowed to ask anything of the gods for himself Nothing is more dangerous to love, than a comfortable assurance Nothing is perfectly certain in this world Numbers are the only certain things Observe a due proportion in all things Olympics--The first was fixed 776 B. C. One must enjoy the time while it is here Only two remedies for heart-sickness:--hope and patience Ordered his feet to be washed and his head anointed Papyrus Ebers Pilgrimage to the grave, and death as the only true life Pious axioms to be repeated by the physician, while compounding Remember, a lie and your death are one and the same Resistance always brings out a man's best powers Robes cut as to leave the right breast uncovered Romantic love, as we know it, a result of Christianity Rules of life given by one man to another are useless Scarcely be able to use so large a sum--Then abuse it Sent for a second interpreter Sing their libels on women (Greek Philosophers) So long as we are able to hope and wish Take heed lest pride degenerate into vainglory The past belongs to the dead; only fools count upon the future The priests are my opponents, my masters The gods cast envious glances at the happiness of mortals The beautiful past is all he has to live upon They praise their butchers more than their benefactors Those are not my real friends who tell me I am beautiful Time is clever in the healing art True host puts an end to the banquet Unwise to try to make a man happy by force War is a perversion of nature We live for life, not for death We've talked a good deal of love with our eyes already Whatever a man would do himself, he thinks others are capable of When love has once taken firm hold of a man in riper years Whether the historical romance is ever justifiable Wise men hold fast by the ever young present Ye play with eternity as if it were but a passing moment Young Greek girls pass their sad childhood in close rooms Zeus pays no heed to lovers' oaths