[NOTE: There is a short list of bookmarks, or pointers, at the end of thefile for those who may wish to sample the author's ideas before making anentire meal of them. D. W. ]

AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS, Part 2. 

By Georg Ebers

Volume 8. 

CHAPTER VIII. 

The sun was already trying to break a path for his rays through the thickcurtains, that closed the window of the sick-room, but Nebenchari had notmoved from the Egyptian girl's bedside. Sometimes he felt her pulse, orspread sweet-scented ointments on her forehead or chest, and then hewould sit gazing dreamily into vacancy. Nitetis seemed to have sunk intoa deep sleep after an attack of convulsions. At the foot of her bedstood six Persian doctors, murmuring incantations under the orders ofNebenchari, whose superior science they acknowledged, and who was seatedat 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 her backagain into the next room, where her mother Kassandane was lying, awaitingthe 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 the distance. In a waking dream he had seen Cambyses enter his native land at the headof immense hosts; he had seen its cities and temples on fire, and itsgigantic pyramids crumbling to pieces under the powerful blows of hismighty hand. Women and children lay in the smouldering ruins, andplaintive cries arose from the tombs in which the very mummies moved likeliving beings; and all these-priests, warriors, women, and children--theliving and the dead--all had uttered his, --Nebenchari's, --name, and hadcursed him as a traitor to his country. A cold shiver struck to hisheart; it beat more convulsively than the blood in the veins of the dyinggirl at his side. Again the curtain was raised; Atossa stole in oncemore and laid her hand on his shoulder. He started and awoke. Nebenchari had been sitting three days and nights with scarcely anyintermission by this sick-bed, and such dreams were the naturalconsequence. 

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 time itwas 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, inwhich he had sat with the reed in his hand, by the dull light of thelamp, carefully painting every sign of the fine hieratic character inwhich he committed his ideas and experience to writing. He haddiscovered remedies for many diseases of the eye, spoken of in the sacredbooks of Thoth and the writings of a famous old physician of Byblos asincurable, but, knowing that he should be accused of sacrilege by hiscolleagues, if he ventured on a correction or improvement of the sacredwritings, he had entitled his work, "Additional writings on thetreatment 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, asif demanding vengeance. A little further off he saw in his dream Amasisreceiving 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, thatwhenever a Persian dies dogs' are brought in, that the Divs may enterinto 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. Then you must promise not to allow my corpse to be torn in pieces by dogsand vultures. The thought is so very dreadful. You will promise toembalm my body 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, and theyleft the room. An important incantation, at which no one but the twoconcerned 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: "Give meyour 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 native land, 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 my father. . . "

"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 hard ashe 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 throne and 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 my own. "

When Nitetis opened her eyes once more, a few hours later, Kassandane washolding her right hand, Atossa kneeling at her feet, and Croesus standingat the head of her bed, trying, with the failing strength of old age, tosupport the gigantic frame of the king, who was so completely overpoweredby his grief, that he staggered like a drunken man. The dying girl'seyes lighted up as she looked round on this circle. She was wonderfullybeautiful. Cambyses came closer and kissed her lips; they were growingcold in death. It was the first kiss he had ever given her, and thelast. Two large tears sprang to her eyes; their light was fast growingdim; she murmured Cambyses' name softly, fell back in Atossa's arms, anddied. 

We shall not give a detailed account of the next few hours: it would bean 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 retinue movedinto 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 epileptic attacks. Two days later he gave Nebenchari permission to embalm Nitetis' body inthe Egyptian manner, according to her last wish. The king gave way tothe most immoderate grief; he tore the flesh of his arms, rent hisclothes 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 outside thecity gates Nebenchari began to embalm her body in the most costly manner, 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 little shortof insanity. At times furious, at others dull and stupefied, he did noteven allow his relations or the high-priest to approach him. On themorning of the tenth day he sent for the chief of the seven judges andcommanded, that as lenient a sentence as possible should be pronounced onGaumata. Nitetis, on her dying-bed, had begged him to spare the life ofthis 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, which is asbroad as the heavens and as inexhaustible as the great deep, commanded usto punish the crime of the son of the Magi, Gaumata, with the indulgenceof a mother instead of with the severity of a judge, we, the seven judgesof the realm, have determined to grant his forfeited life. Inasmuch, however, as by the folly of this youth the lives of the noblest and bestin this realm have been imperilled, and it may reasonably be apprehendedthat he may again abuse the marvellous likeness to Bartja, the noble sonof Cyrus, in which the gods have been pleased in their mercy to fashionhis form and face, and thereby bring prejudice upon the pure andrighteous, we have determined to disfigure him in such wise, that in thetime to come it will be a light matter to discern between this, the mostworthless subject of the realm, and him who is most worthy. Wetherefore, by the royal Will and command, pronounce sentence, that boththe ears of Gaumata be cut off, for the honor of the righteous and shameof 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 even asentence 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 own onMount 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 had becomeof 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 thought shemust 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 veil andshowed 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, when thesound of horses' hoofs coming nearer struck on his ear, and looking roundhe saw, a carriage full of Magi, among whom were several who had been hiscompanions at the school for priests. He felt ashamed and afraid ofbeing seen by the very youths, whom he had often treated proudly andhaughtily because he was the brother of the high-priest, threw Mandane apurse of gold, which his brother had given him at parting, and orderedthe driver to go on as fast as possible. The mules galloped off. Mandane kicked the purse away, rushed after the carriage and clung to itfirmly. One of the wheels caught her dress and dragged her down. Withthe strength of despair she sprang up, ran after the mules, overtook themon 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 last cry of agony pierced thewounds of the mutilated man like a sharp lance-thrust. 

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

On the twelfth day after Nitetis' death Cambyses went out hunting, in thehope that the danger and excitement of the sport might divert his mind. The magnates and men of high rank at his court received him with thundersof applause, for which he returned cordial thanks. These few days ofgrief had worked a great change in a man so unaccustomed to suffering asCambyses. His face was pale, his raven-black hair and beard had growngrey, and the consciousness of victory which usually shone in his eyeswas dimmed. Had he not, only too painfully, experienced that there was astronger will than his own, and that, easily as he could destroy, it didnot he in his power to preserve the life of the meanest creature? Beforestarting, Cambyses mustered his troop of sportsmen, and calling 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 which seemsstrange when we remember that courtiers are of all men the most prone toenvy, and a royal favorite always the most likely object to excite theirill will. But Phanes seemed a rare exception to this rule. He had metthe Achaemenidae in so frank and winning a manner, had excited so manyhopes by the hints he had thrown out of an expected and important war, and had aroused so much merriment by well-told jests, such as thePersians had never heard before, that there were very few who did notwelcome his appearance gladly, and when--in company with the king--heseparated from the rest in chase of a wild ass, they openly confessed toone another, that they had never before seen so perfect a man. Theclever way in which he had brought the innocence of the accused to light, the finesse which he had shown in securing the king's favor, and the easewith which he had learnt the Persian language in so short a time, wereall 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, "I quite agree with you that this Greek, who by the way has provedhimself a better soldier than anything else, is no common man, but I amsure you would not praise him half as much, if he were not a foreignerand a novelty. "

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 incur thecontempt of all wise men, and the hatred of the whole world. And thenthe Egyptians! You have no idea of the perversity of that people. Why, if the priests could have their way entirely, (and they have a great dealof power in their hands) not a foreigner would be left alive in Egypt, nor a single stranger allowed to enter the country. A true Egyptianwould rather starve, than eat out of the same dish with one of us. Thereare more strange, astonishing and wonderful things to be seen in thatcountry than anywhere else in the world. And yet, to do it justice, I must say that Egypt has been well spoken of as the richest and mosthighly cultivated land under the sun. The man who possesses that kingdomneed not envy the very gods themselves. It would be mere child's play toconquer that beautiful country. Ten years there gave me a perfectinsight into the condition of things, and I know that their entiremilitary caste would not be sufficient to resist one such troop as yourImmortals. Well, who knows what the future may bring! Perhaps we mayall 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, his voicetook an impressive tone full of feeling, and looking earnestly into hisface, he began: "It is true, my Sovereign, that I was not born in thisbeautiful country as one of your subjects, nor can I boast of a longacquaintance with the most powerful of monarchs, but yet I cannot resistthe presumptuous, perhaps criminal thought, that the gods at my birthappointed me to be your real friend. It is not your rich gifts that havedrawn me to you. I did not need them, for I belong to the wealthierclass of my countrymen, and I have no son, --no heir, --to whom I canbequeath my treasures. Once I had a boy--a beautiful, gentle child;--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 lord ofthe 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 spun aweb of lies, in which he managed to entrap, not only the whole world, butyou too, my Sovereign. Nitetis, the most lovely creature ever born ofwoman, 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 temple ofPacht, the Egyptian goddess supposed to confer the blessing of children, when, on his way thither, a former magnate of his court, namedPatarbemis, 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, by a remarkable conjuncture of circumstances, which I will explain to youlater, 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 an easychair, as his paralyzed limbs did not allow of his standing, even in theking's presence. His dress was snow-white, as beseemed a priest, butthere were patches and rents to be seen here and there. His figure mightperhaps once have been tall and slender, but it was now so bent andshrunk 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 Amasis insistedon sending Nitetis to Persia. I imagined that, by confiding his mostprecious jewel to your care, he meant to put you under a specialobligation; and as it seemed to me that Nitetis surpassed her sister, notonly in beauty but in dignity of character, I ceased to sue for the handof Tachot. In his letter to you too, as you will remember, he spoke ofconfiding to you his most beautiful, his dearest child. "

"Those were his words. "

"And Nitetis was, without question, the more beautiful and the nobler ofthe 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 warning himnot 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. Ifyou will put away your own wife, Athenian, I will give you Nitetis. Ishould 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 conjectured whatI now, from reliable sources, know to be the truth. I entreat you, 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 voice farlouder 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 ask youto keep the secret and spread a report that Ladice has given birth totwins. If you accomplish this according to our wish, you shall receiveto-day five thousand rings of gold, and the fifth part of this sumyearly, during your life. I made my obeisance in silence, ordered everyone to leave the sick room, and, when I again called them in, announcedthat Ladice had given birth to a second girl. Amasis' real childreceived 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 promised goldand a letter from the king, asking me to procure a dead child, to beburied 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 house ofthe 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 at thecharacters 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 delicate operationto-morrow in order to restore her sight. Are you not venturing toomuch?"

"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 draught ofwater to preserve me from dying of hunger and thirst, a clean robe, thatI may be pleasing in the eyes of the gods and in my own, and a smallchamber for myself, that I may be a hindrance to no man. I have neverbeen 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 birthright ofHophra and his descendants. Psamtik forfeits every right to the crownthe moment that a brother, son, daughter or son-in-law of Hophra appears. I can, therefore, salute my present sovereign as the future monarch of myown 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 your owncountry 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 amconfident that their courage and greatness will rise with the nearness ofthe danger. It will unite our divided tribes into one great nation, andbe the ruin of the tyrants. "

"I cannot argue with you, for I am no longer acquainted with the state ofthings in your native country, and besides, I believe you to be a wiseman--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 importance toyou, 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 me outto 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 found andtaken 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. --I have still one question which I should very much like to ask you, before we go into the hall. Will Bartja be able to stay at Naukratiswhen Amasis 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 on hisguard. "

"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 one meala 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; at ahigher level grew firs, cypresses and nut-tree copses. Fig-trees anddate-palms, covered with fruit, stood sprinkled over the fields; and thewoods and meadows were carpeted with brightly-colored and sweetly-scentedflowers. The road led over ravines and brooks, now half dried up by theheat of summer, and here and there the traveller came upon a well at theside of the road, carefully enclosed, with seats for the weary, and sheltering shrubs. Oleanders bloomed in the more damp and shadyplaces; slender palms waved wherever the sun was hottest. Over this richlandscape hung a deep blue, perfectly cloudless sky, bounded on itssouthern horizon by the snowy peaks of the Tmolus mountains, and on thewest by the Sipylus range of hills, which gave a bluish shimmer in thedistance. 

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 a greatdistance. These buildings formed the citadel, round the threefold wallsof which, many centuries before, King Meles had carried a lion in orderto render them impregnable. On its southern side the citadel-rock wasnot so steep, and houses had been built upon it. Croesus' former palacelay to the north, on the golden-sanded Pactolus. This reddish-coloredriver flowed above the market-place, (which, to our admiring travellers, looked like a barren spot in the midst of a blooming meadow), ran on in awesterly direction, and then entered a narrow mountain valley, where itwashed the walls of the temple of Cybele. 

Large gardens stretched away towards the east, and in the midst of themlay 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 l00 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 his side. 

"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 in hisyouth 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 meant forsomething great. It was not by chance that, when you were still a merechild, the gods sent their favorite Cyrus that dream which induced him toorder 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 eyesdeceive me? Surely those two men riding to meet us with a troop ofhorsemen must be Gyges and Zopyrus. The Angare, who left the inn beforeus, must have told 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 two bandswere 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 time itwould 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 belonged to Croesus, they were met by Oroetes, the satrap of Sardis, in a magnificent court-dress overloaded with ornaments. He was a stately man, whose smallpenetrating black eyes looked sharply out from beneath a bushy mass ofeyebrow. His satrapy was one of the most important and profitable in theentire kingdom, and his household could bear a comparison with that ofCambyses in richness and splendor. Though he possessed fewer wives andattendants than the king, it was no inconsiderable troop of guards, slaves, eunuchs and gorgeously-dressed officials, which appeared at thepalace-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 their oldposition 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 Ecbatane, 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 left Babylon, and we reached Germa, a little town on the Sangarius, without theslightest hindrance. The ride was long and we were very tired, burnt tooby the scorching May sun, and covered with dust; the river flows by thestation, and its waves looked so clear and bright--so inviting for abathe--that in a minute Zopyrus and I were off our horses, undressed, andin the water. Gyges told us we were very imprudent, but we feltconfident that we were too much inured to such things to get any harm, 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 our verylives, changing horses at every station, and turning night into day. 

"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 on theground 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 him agood 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, I wasback again with our invalid, bringing the best physician in Sardis, andOroetes' 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, " said he, 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, has thebest 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 infest thewhole 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-princesent him at once. He cured me, as you see, and left us a few days agoloaded 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 the godSoma. 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 he somewherevery near the setting sun. "

"But is inhabited by Greeks, like Athens. " added Oroetes. "Ah, my youngfriends, 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 virtuous man, "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 Euphrates andthe 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 in theroyal 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 whenever it ispossible, had not a word to say against it. The next morning, as usual, what had been resolved on in intoxication was reconsidered by soberheads; after several opinions had been given, Phanes asked permission tospeak, and spoke I should think for an hour. But how well! It was as ifevery word he said came direct from the gods. He has learnt our languagein a wonderfully short time, but it flowed from his lips like honey. Sometimes he drew tears from every eye, at others excited stormy shoutsof joy, and then wild bursts of rage. His gestures were as graceful asthose of a dancing-girl, but at the same time manly and dignified. Ican't repeat his speech; my poor words, by the side of his, would soundlike the rattle of a drum after a peal of thunder. But when at last, inspired and carried away by his eloquence, we had unanimously decided onwar, he began to speak once more on the best ways and means ofprosecuting 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, andgave 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, whocould not explain to himself what a picture of the world could look like. 

"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 was senthither not only to command you, Oroetes, to raise as many forces aspossible, especially Ionians and Carians, of whom Phanes has offered toundertake 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 quite sufficientto 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. Itwill 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 took myfancy. "

"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 is he?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'vetalked a good deal of love with our eyes already. I don't know whetherwe spoke Persian or Syrian, but we said the most charming things to oneanother. "

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 inseparable asReksch and Rustem. Cambyses had no time to think of his sorrow, forPhanes had always some new idea or other, and entertained us all, as wellas the king, marvellously. And we all liked him too; perhaps, because noone could really envy him. Whenever he was alone, the tears came intohis eyes at the thought of his boy, and this made his great cheerfulness--a cheerfulness which he always managed to impart to the king, Bartja, --the more admirable. Every morning he went down to the Euphrates withCambyses and the rest of us, and enjoyed watching the sons of theAchaemenidae at their exercises. When he saw them riding at full speedpast the sand-hills and shooting the pots placed on them into fragmentswith their arrows, or throwing blocks of wood at one another and cleverlyevading the blows, he confessed that he could not imitate them in theseexercises, but at the same time he offered to accept a challenge from anyof us in throwing the spear and in wrestling. In his quick way he sprangfrom his horse, stripped off his clothes--it was really a shame--and, tothe delight of the boys, threw their wrestling-master as if he had been afeather. 

 [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 have thrownme 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 as nimbleas an eel, and has wonderful tricks by which he gets hold of hisadversary. 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 of hisvictor. 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. This bigfellow, 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 a yell. When they picked him up his face looked like a pumpkin of a greenish-bluecolor. The boys shouted with delight at his discomfiture; but we admiredthe dexterity of this Greek, and were especially glad to see the king insuch good spirits; we noticed this most when Phanes was singing Greeksongs 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 ask forAtossa's hand in marriage, when Phanes went off to Arabia, and everythingwas 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 would begindrinking, 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 know itin this case? No? Then I will tell you what ails the king. He has aninternal complaint and a wound. The former is called ennui, and thelatter is in his heart. The Athenian is a good remedy for the first, butfor 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: barrenas 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 soil asif 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, unless theycould give him another and a different interpretation. They ponderedlong, and at last answered, 'that Atossa would become a queen and themother 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 my life. 

"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 stern withmyself, lest, like the king, I should fall into deep melancholy for thesake of a woman. And this is the end of the story, the close of which wewere all expecting, when Atossa, as I lay under sentence of death, sentme a rose, and made me the happiest of mortals. If I had not betrayed mysecret then, when we thought our last hour was near, it would have gonewith me to my grave. But what am I talking about? I know I can trust toyour secrecy, but pray don't look at me so deplorably. I think I amstill to be envied, for I have had one hour of enjoyment that wouldoutweigh a century of misery. Thank you, --thank you: now let me finishmy 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 my father-in-law's protestations, and went off at full speed with Prexaspes, neverresting till I reached your side, my dear Bartja. Now I shall go withyou and Zopyrus to Egypt, for Gyges must accompany the ambassador toSamos, as interpreter. This is the king's command; he has been in betterspirits the last few days; the inspection of the masses of troops comingup to Babylon diverts him, besides which, the Chaldaeans have assured himthat the planet Adar, which belongs to their wargod Chanon, promises agreat victory to the Persian arms. When do you think you shall be ableto travel, Bartja?"

"To-morrow, if you like, " was the answer. "The doctors say the sea-voyage will do me good, and the journey by land to Smyrna is very short. "

"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 some consideration, "we have plenty to do before starting. Remember we are going into whatmay almost be called an enemy's country. I have been thinking the matterover, and it seems to me that Bartja must pass for a Babylonian carpet-merchant, I for his brother, and Zopyrus for a dealer in Sardian red. "

"Couldn't we be soldiers?" asked Zopyrus. "It's such an ignominiousthing to be taken for cheating pedlers. 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 a shop-keeper. --So in three days we are off. I am glad I shall just have timeto make sure of the satrap's little daughter, and to visit the grove ofCybele at last. Now, goodnight, Bartja; don't get up too early. Whatwill 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 with oil, wine and mastic-wood; metal-work and woollen wares from Chalcis, Phoenician and Syrian craft with gaily-colored sails, and freighted withcargoes of purple stuffs, gems, spices, glass-work, carpets and cedar-trees, --used in Egypt, where wood was very scarce, for building purposes, and taking back gold, ivory, ebony, brightly-plumaged tropical birds, precious stones and black slaves, --the treasures of Ethiopia; but moreespecially the far-famed Egyptian corn, Memphian chariots, lace fromSais, and the finer sorts of papyrus. The time when commerce was carriedon merely by barter was now, however, long past, and the merchants ofNaukratis not seldom paid for their goods in gold coin and carefully-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, whilethe ships' captains, either dressed in the Greek fashion or in Phoeniciangarments of the most glaring colors, were shouting orders to their crewsand delivering up their cargoes to the merchants. Whenever a disputearose, the Egyptian police with their long staves, and the Greek wardersof the harbor were quickly at hand. The latter were appointed by theelders 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 the market-place then. This time, however, not a few remained behind, curiouslywatching a beautifully-built Samian ship, the Okeia, with a long prowlike a swan's neck, on the front of which a likeness of the goddess Herawas conspicuous. It was discharging its cargo, but the public attentionwas more particularly attracted by three handsome youths, in the dress ofLydian officers, who left the ship, followed by a number of slavescarrying 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, --to ahandsome house, the property of the Milesian, Theopompus, one of the mostimportant 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 some half-transparentmaterial, with colored borders, were seated together on low stools, binding roses, violets and orange-blossoms into one long wreath. Theircharming heads were wreathed with flowers too, and looked very like thelovely rosebuds which one of them, on seeing the young men come up, heldout 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 flowers closeby. They all brought roses too and invited the strangers with looks andwords 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 the stoneseats 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 what wayhe 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 to theprince, exclaiming: "By Zeus, the father of hospitality, this is thegreatest 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 cut theircurls also. Indeed, I could almost say that you, my friend, whose name--"

"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 many aheart, and whose sweet glances have lured many a bright obolus out of thepockets of our gay young men. They're very fond of visiting the flower-girls at market-time, and agreements are entered into then for which morethan one gold piece must be paid later; but for a few roses and goodwords they are not accustomed to be so liberal as you have been. Thegirls have been boasting about you and your gifts, and showing your goodred gold to their stingier suitors. As rumor is a goddess who is veryapt to exaggerate and to make a crocodile out of a lizard, it happenedthat news reached the Egyptian captain on guard at the market, that somenewly-arrived Lydian warriors had been scattering gold broadcast amongthe flower-girls. This excited suspicion, and induced the Toparch tosend an officer here to enquire from whence you come, and what is theobject of your journey hither. I was obliged to use a little stratagemto impose upon him, and told him, as I believe you wish, that you wererich young men from Sardis, who had fled on account of having incurredthe satrap's ill-will. But I see the government officer coming, and withhim the secretary who is to make out passports which will enable you toremain on the Nile unmolested. I have promised him a handsome reward, ifhe can help you in getting admitted into the king's mercenaries. He wascaught and believed my story. You are so young, that nobody wouldimagine you were entrusted with a secret mission. "

The talkative Greek had scarcely finished speaking when the clerk, alean, dry-looking man, dressed in white, came in, placed himself oppositethe strangers and asked them from whence they came and what was theobject of their journey. 

The youths held to their first assertion, that they were LydianHekatontarchs, and begged the functionary to provide them with passes andtell them in what way they might most easily obtain admittance into theking'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, high witha small scar in the middle:--is hereby permitted to remain in those partsof Egypt in which the law allows foreigners to reside, as surety has beengiven 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 market isnot, 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; nordid they feel the dew which fell as heavily on their fair heads as on theflowers 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:"In my dreams, Sappho, you have always been the most lovely creature thatAuramazda ever created, but now I see you again, you are more lovely eventhan my dreams. "

And when a bright, happy glance from her had thanked him for these words, 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 in myright eyelid; or when I was putting my box to rights and found the laurelcrown which I put by as a remembrance, because you looked so well in it, --Melitta says such wreaths are good for keeping true love--then I usedto clap my hands with joy and think, 'to-day he must come;' and I wouldrun down to the Nile and wave my handkerchief to every passing boat, forevery 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: 'Listen tome, 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 in itwith open eyes, that not a single hour may be idly spent. The pastbelongs to the dead; only fools count upon the future; but wise men holdfast by the ever young present; by work they foster all the various giftswhich Zeus, Apollo, Pallas, Cypris lend; by work they raise, and perfectand ennoble them, until their feelings, actions, words and thoughtsbecome harmonious like a well-tuned lute. You cannot serve the manto whom you have given your whole heart, --to whom in your great loveyou 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, for in giving your whole self, you give your virtues too. But no onegains this victory in dreams. The dew by which such blossoms arenourished is called the sweat of man's brow. ' So she would speak to me, and then I started up ashamed and left the hearth, and either took mylyre to learn new songs, or listened to my loving teacher's words--sheis wiser than most men--attentively and still. And so the time passedon; a rapid stream, just like our river Nile, which flows unceasingly, and brings such changing scenes upon its waves, sometimes a golden boatwith streamers 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 youI have a treasure which makes me richer than my brother, though halfthe world 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 vexes them. Since you left us we have passed some very, very sad days. The two poorchildren of our kind Phanes--a boy as beautiful as Eros, and a littlegirl as fair and rosy as a summer morning's cloud just lit up by thesun, --came for some happy days to stay with us. Grandmother grew quiteglad and young again while looking on these little ones, and as for me Igave them all my heart, though really it is your's and your's alone. Buthearts, you know, are wonderfully made; they're like the sun who sendshis rays everywhere, and loses neither warmth nor light by giving much, but gives to all their due. I loved those little ones so very much. Oneevening we were sitting quite alone with Theopompus in the women's room, when suddenly we heard aloud, wild noise. The good old Knakias, ourfaithful slave, just reached the door as all the bolts gave way, and, rushing through the entrance-hall into the peristyle, the andronitis, and so on to us, crashing the door between, came a troop of soldiers. Grandmother showed them the letter by which Amasis secured our house fromall attack and made it a sure refuge, but they laughed the writing toscorn and showed us on their side a document with the crown-prince'sseal, in which we were sternly commanded to deliver up Phanes' childrenat once to this rough troop of men. Theopompus reproved the soldiers fortheir roughness, telling them that the children came from Corinth and hadno connection with Phanes; but the captain of the troop defied andsneered at him, pushed my grandmother rudely away, forced his way intoher own apartment, where among her most precious treasures, at the headof her own bed, the two children lay sleeping peacefully, dragged themout of their little beds and took them in an open boat through the coldnight-air to the royal city. In a few days we heard the boy was dead. They say he has been killed by Psamtik's orders; and the little girl, sosweet and dear, is lying in a dismal dungeon, and pining for her fatherand for us. Oh, dearest, isn't it a painful thing that sorrows such asthese should come to mar our perfect happiness? My eyes weep joy andsorrow in the same moment, and my lips, which have just been laughingwith you, have now to tell you this sad story. "

"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 which welost 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, and atthe 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 our wedding. "

"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 Theopompus toarrange 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. Such acreature was never made before. Auramazda is an awful spendthrift; hemight 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 house atMiletus, 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 the flower-girls again. Come, it's of no use to deny. Well, if you like you cancome with me, but don't be so generous as you were yesterday, and don'tforget that if certain news of war should arrive, your disguise may provedangerous. "

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 was alwaysour friend, and favored us whenever he could, while his son is our avowedenemy and will do his utmost to expel us from the country. If his fatherhad allowed, and he himself had not felt so strongly the importance andvalue of our mercenary troops, he would have turned us hateful foreignersout long ago. Naukratis and its temples are odious to him. When Amasisis dead our town will hail Cambyses' army with delight, for I have hadexperience already, in my native town Miletus, that you are accustomed toshow respect to those who are not Persians and to protect 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 puta stop to. "

"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 be 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 thought Icould 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 seen theflower-girls by daylight as yet, and you would like to know how they lookby 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 was asfamous 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 had beentold 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 belonged to hisbride and on transferring it to Rhodopis, notwithstanding her determinedresistance. 

Syloson accompanied the friends to Rhodopis' house, and was just about toleave them, when a loud noise in the streets broke the quiet stillness ofthe night, and soon after, a troop of the watch passed by, taking a manto prison. The prisoner seemed highly indignant, and the less his brokenGreek oaths and his utterances in some other totally unintelligiblelanguage were understood by the Egyptian guards, the more violent hebecame. 

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 been guiltyof murder. 

Theopompus then took him on one side and endeavored, by liberal promises, to obtain the freedom of the prisoner. The man, however, would concedenothing but a permission to speak with his captive. Meanwhile hisfriends begged Zopyrus to tell them at once what had happened, and heardthe following story: The thoughtless fellow had visited the flower-girlsat dusk and remained till dawn. He had scarcely closed their housedooron his way home, when he found himself surrounded by a number of youngmen, who had probably been lying in wait for him, as he had already had aquarrel with one of them, who called himself the betrothed lover ofStephanion, on that very morning. The girl had told her troublesomeadmirer to leave her flowers alone, and had thanked Zopyrus forthreatening to use personal violence to the intruder. When the youngAchaemenidae found himself surrounded, he drew his sword and easilydispersed his adversaries, as they were only armed with sticks, butchanced to wound the jealous lover, who was more violent than the rest, so seriously, that he fell to the ground. Meanwhile the watch had comeup, and as Zopyrus' victim howled "thieves" and "murder" incessantly, they proceeded to arrest the offender. This was not so easy. His bloodwas up, and rushing on them with his drawn sword, he had already cut hisway through the first troop when a second came up. He was not to bedaunted, attacked them too, split the skull of one, wounded another inthe arm and was taking aim for a third blow, when he felt a cord roundhis neck. It was drawn tighter and tighter till at last he could notbreathe and fell down insensible. By the time he came to his senses hewas bound, and notwithstanding all his appeals to his pass and the nameof 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 Egypt bywhich the concealer of a murder was condemned to death. He must, heassured 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 to takeany trouble about him. "By Mithras, " he cried, when Bartja offered todeclare himself to the Egyptians as a means of procuring his freedom, "Ivow I'll stab myself without a second thought, if you give yourselves upto those dogs of Egyptians. Why the whole town is talking about the waralready, and do you think that if Psamtik knew he'd got such splendidgame in his net, he would let you loose? He would keep you as hostages, of course. No, no, my friends. Good-bye; may Auramazda send you hisbest blessings! and don't quite forget the jovial Zopyrus, who lived anddied 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. 

ETEXT EDITOR'S BOOKMARKS:

Corpse to be torn in pieces by dogs and vulturesHe is the best host, who allows his guests the most freedomThe past belongs to the dead; only fools count upon the futureThey praise their butchers more than their benefactorsWe've talked a good deal of love with our eyes alreadyWise men hold fast by the ever young present