Heliodorus, Ethiopica

ToposText · Heliodorus · 269 sections

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§ 1.1 THE FIRST BOOK THE ROBBERS OF EGYPT At the first smile of day, when the sun was just beginning to shine on the summits of the hills, men whose custom was to live by rapine and violence ran to the top of a cliff that stretched toward that mouth of the Nile which is called Heracleot. Standing awhile they viewed the sea underneath them, and when they had looked a good season afar off into the same, and could see nothing which could put them in hope of prey, they cast their eyes towards the neighbouring shore, where a ship lay moored, without sailors but full freighted: which thing they who were afar off might easily conjecture, for the cargo brought the water up to the ship's third loading line. But on the shore every place was full of men newly-slain, some quite dead, some half dead, some whose bodies yet panted and plainly declared that there had been a battle fought of late. There could be seen no signs or tokens of any just quarrel, but only some poor confused remnants of an unlucky banquet which had ended so. For the tables were furnished with delicate dishes, some whereof lay in the hands of those that were slain, having served as weapons in the battle so suddenly begun. Others covered such as had crept under them to hide themselves, as they thought. Besides the cups were overthrown and fallen from the hands, either of them that drank, or those who had instead of stones used them. For that sudden mischief wrought new devices, and taught them instead of weapons to use their pots. Of those who lay there, one was wounded with an axe, another was hurt with the shells of fishes, whereof on the shore there was great plenty, another was battered with a club, many burnt by fire, and the rest by divers other means, but most of all were slain with arrows. To be brief, God showed a wonderful sight in so small a space, imbruing wine with blood, joining battle with banqueting, mingling indifferently slaughters with drinking, and killing with quaffings, providing such a sight for the thieves of Egypt to gaze at. For they, when they had looked upon these things a good while from the hill, could not understand what that sight meant, forasmuch as they saw some slain there, but the conquerors could they see nowhere, a manifest victory but no spoils taken away, a ship without mariners only but as concerning other things untouched, as if she had been kept with a guard of many men and lay at road in a peaceful harbour.
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§ 1.2 But though they knew not what the thing meant, they still had regard for gain, and deeming themselves to be victors hurried with all speed to seize their booty. They were but a little way from the ship when they saw a sight more perplexing than the rest a great deal. A maid endowed with excellent beauty, who almost might be supposed a goddess, sat upon a rock, seeming not a little to be grieved with that present mischance, but for all that of excellent courage. She had a garland of laurel on her head, a quiver on her back; to her left shoulder a bow was fastened and her left arm hung carelessly down. Her right elbow she rested upon her thigh holding her cheek in her hand, looking downward, without moving her head, beholding a certain young man who lay before her, the which was sore wounded and seemed to lift up himself, as if he had been awakened out of a dead sleep, almost of death itself: yet was he in this case of singular beauty, and although his cheeks were besprinkled with blood, his whiteness did appear so much the more. He was constrained for grief to close his eyes, but the sight of the maiden drew them towards her, and they must needs see, because they saw her. As soon as he came to himself he heaved a deep sigh and uttered these words very faintly,'And art thou safe indeed my sweetheart?' quoth he.'Or hast thou by thy death augmented the slaughter? Canst thou not endure even after death to be separated from me that now a vision of thy spirit haunts this place of trouble?''Nay,' answered the maid,'on you doth all my estate depend for good or ill, and for this cause, you see' — showing a knife in her hand —'this has hitherto been waiting, and only by the chance of your recovery was restrained.'
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§ 1.3 As soon as she had said thus, she leaped from the stone, and they who were on the hill, as well for wonder, as also for the fear they had, as if they had been stricken with lightning, ran every man to hide them in the bushes there beside. For she seemed to them a thing of greater price, and more heavenly, when she stood upright, and her arrows with the sudden moving of her body gave a clash on her shoulders, her apparel wrought with gold glistered against the sun, and her hair under the garland, blown about with the wind, covered a great part of her back. The thieves were greatly afraid; and even more than what they saw did their ignorance of what had happened before terrify them. Some of them said indeed it was a goddess — Artemis, or Isis the lady of the land — others declared it was a priestess of the gods who, replenished with divine fury had made the great slaughter which there appeared. And they every man gave his verdict, because they knew not yet the truth. But she, hastily running to the young man, embraced him, wept for sorrow, kissed him, wiped away his blood, and made pitiful moan, scarcely believing that she held him in her arms. Which things when the Egyptians had seen they turned their opinions:'And are these', said they,'the works of a goddess? Would a goddess kiss a dead man with such compassion?' They determined therefore with themselves that it was best to take heart of grace, and draw near to find out the truth. When they had therefore encouraged each other a little, they ran down, and found the maid busy in dressing the young man's wounds, and coming behind her suddenly stood still, and durst neither speak nor do anything more for their lives.
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§ 1.4 When she heard the noise around her, and their shadows before her eyes, she lifted herself up a little and looked back; but then at once stooped down again, no whit dismayed by the strange colour of their skin nor yet abashed to see the thieves in harness, but applying herself only to bind up his wounds that lay before her. Such is the force of earnest desire and true love; it despiseth all outwards chances, be they pleasant or otherwise, only beholding that which it loveth, and thereabout bestoweth all diligence and travail. But when the thieves passed by and stood before her, and seemed as though they would enterprise somewhat, she lifted herself up again, and beholding them black and ill favoured said: —'If you be the spirits of those who are slain here, you trouble us wrongfully, for most of you were slain by your own hands: as for us, if we slew any, we did it but in our own defence to repel the violence which was proffered to my virginity. But if you be men alive, it seemeth you are thieves and you have come here in good season: rid us, I pray, from these present miseries and by death finish this our unhappy tragedy.' Thus did she sorrowfully lament. But they, not understanding what she said, left them there, accounting their weakness a sufficient guard, and hastened to the ship, and brought out that which was in the same, paying no regard to other things, whereof therein was great store, but every man bearing out as much as he could of gold, silver, precious stones, and silk. And when they thought they had enough, and there was such plenty as might satisfy even a thief's greed, laying their booty on the shore they fell to dividing it into portions such as they could carry, not according to the worth and value of what they had, but contenting themselves with equality of weight. As for the young man and the maid, they would take order for them afterward.
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§ 1.5 In the meantime another company of thieves, whereof two horsemen were captains, came toward them: which thing as soon as those saw that had been there before, having no courage to oppose them, they ran away as fast as they could, without taking with them any part of the prey, that they might give their enemy no occasion to pursue them. For they were in number but ten, and those who came upon them were three times as many. And so the maid and her companion, though not yet prisoners, were again in durance. But the robbers, although they were eager for the spoil, yet, partly because they knew not what these things signified which they saw, and partly also for fear, stayed themselves a while, thinking that the former slaughter had been made by the thieves that had been there before. But when they beheld the maid in her fine foreign dress, who despised the dangers that hung over her head as if they had been none, and altogether employed her care to ease the young man's wounds, taking his grief as heavily as her own sorrow, they not only marvelled at her beauty and high spirit, but were wonderfully moved by the comeliness of the wounded man's person. Such was the seemliness of his countenance and tallness of his stature, as he lay before them. For by this time he was a little mended and his person had recovered its old handsomeness again. At length after they had beheld them a good while, and he drew near who was their master, he laid hand on the maid and bade her arise and follow him. She, although she understood not what he said, conjecturing what he wished her to do, drew the young man with her himself holding her fast, and pointing with a knife to her breast threatened that she would kill herself if they carried them not away both together. Which thing when the master, partly by her talk but more plainly by her gestures understood, hoping also to use the young man's help in great affairs when he recovered, he alighted himself from his horse and commanded is harness-bearer likewise so to do, and set his prisoners upon them. Then, ordering the rest when they had gathered up the prey to follow them, he himself like a lackey ran by their side and stayed them upright, if by reason of their infirmity they were likely to fall. Surely this deed was not without glory; for he who was their master now waited upon them, and he who took them prisoners was content to serve them. Such is the impression that nobility makes, and such the force of comeliness, which can subdue the disposition of thieves and bring under the wild and savage.
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§ 1.6 When they had gone about two furlongs by the seaside, they moved straight toward the crest of the hill, and left the sea on their right hand. And having with difficulty gone over the top of the said hill, they hastened to a pool that lay on the other side thereof, the manner whereof was thus. The whole place is called by the Egyptians The Pasture Land, about the which is a low valley which receiveth certain exundations of the Nile, by means whereof it becomes a pool, and is in the midst very deep, while about its brims are marshes or fens. For look, as the shore is to the sea, so are the fens to every great pool. In that place have the thieves of Egypt, however many they be, their commonwealth. And as there is but little land above the water, some live in small cottages, others in boats, which they use as well for their house as for passage over the pool. In these do their women serve them and, if need require, be also brought to bed. When a child is born, they let him suck his mother's milk a while; but afterwards they feed him with fishes taken in the lake and roasted in the hot sun. And when they perceive that he begins to go, they tie a cord about his ankles and suffer him only to crawl the length of the boat or the cottage, teaching him even at the first after a new fashion to go by a halter. Many a herdsman is born and bred in the pool, which he accounts to be his country and a sufficient defence for the safety of the thieves. And for that cause all such people flock thither, for they all do use the water instead of a wall. Moreover the great plenty of weeds that groweth there in the moozy ground is as good as a bulwark unto them. For by devising many crooked and cumbrous ways, through which the passages to them by frequent use are very easy but to others hard, they have made it a sure defence, so that by no sudden invasion they may be endamaged. And thus much as touching the Lake, and those rogues that inhabit the same.
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§ 1.7 About the sun setting cometh home the captain with all his retinue. Then took they the young couple from their houses and laid their prey aboard certain boats, and the rest of the robbers that tarried at home, who were a great number, ran to meet the captain from out of every part of the fen, and welcomed him as if he had been their king. But when they considered the multitude of the spoils that they had won, and saw the beauty of the maid to be so heavenly a thing, they guessed that their companions had robbed some temple, and that they had brought away the priestess of the goddess, or rather the lively picture of the goddess herself. Thus in their simplicity did they conjecture from the maid. And therefore they congratulated their captain in hearty wise for his valiant exploit, and so escorted him to his own house, which was an island far from the rest, separated for his own use and for a few others who most commonly used to keep him company. Whither after he was brought, he commanded the others to depart, every man to his own house, charging them the next day all to wait upon him. He himself with a few others that tarried with him, after they had made a short supper, delivered the young folks to the custody of a Grecian whom he had taken a few days before, that he might be their interpreter, letting them have a corner of his own house not far from his lodging, with commandment as well diligently to see to the wounded young man as anxiously to look to the maid, that she by no means should be annoyed. Then, what with his former travel the day before, and also with care of his present affairs, he fell asleep.
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§ 1.8 When all was whist in the marsh and the time of the first night watch had come, the maid took that occasion and absence of tumultuous men to be a fit time to lament and wail; and the rather for that in the night she could neither see nor hear anything that might comfort her, but contrarywise move her to sorrow. When therefore with herself secretly she had wailed alone (for she was by the captain's commandment separated from company and laid in a simple bed) and wept very bitterly —' Apollo', said she,'how much more grievous punishment does thou take of us than we have deserved. Hast thou not been sufficiently revenged on us in the past? Forasmuch as we are far from our friends and kinsfolk, and that we were taken by pirates and subject to six hundred dangers more by sea, but that now again we must on the land fall into the hands of thieves and robbers: beside, who knoweth whether anything worse is like to light upon us? When wilt thou make an end? If it be in death that shall be void of injury, oh that death would like me well! But rather than any man should filthily know me, which Theagenes never did, surely with a halter I would end my life, reserving myself pure and chaste, as hitherto I have done, even unto death and thereby gain a beautiful epitaph for my singular virginity, and no judge shall be so cruel as thou.' While she spake thus Theagenes willed her to be content and said:'Mine own dear heart and only joy, Chariclea, cease your mourning. I know you have just cause to complain, but in your thus doing you displease God a great deal more than you think. Neither have we any need to provoke God to wrath, but rather to pray: for that which is mightier must with prayers and not with accusation be appeased.''You give me indeed good counsel,' quoth she,'but I pray you, tell me how you fare.''Better,' said he,'than I did yesternight, since this young man trimmed my wounds, whereby the burning heat of them is well cooled.''Yea,' quoth he who had the charge to look to them,' in the morning you shall see they shall be in better case, for I will provide such a herb for you that within three dressings your wound shall be healed. And this I have proved true by experience; for if any that were under this captain since I was taken prisoner in any conflict happened to be wounded, he never needed many days to be cured. You need not marvel that I am greatly moved with your estate, for you seem to be in as ill case as I; and I have the more compassion on you, since you are Grecians and I myself also am a Grecian born.''A Grecian, O immortal God,' cried they out suddenly for joy,'a Grecian indeed both in tongue and country. Hereafter we trust to have some respite from our mishaps.''But what must we call you?' said Theagenes.' Cnemon,' answered he.'Of what part of Greece?' said Theagenes.'Of Athens,' answered he.'And how came you here?' said Theagenes.' Peace, I pray you:' quoth he,'and ask me that question no more. Let us leave that to such as write tragedies. I would not wish at this time to increase your sorrows by repeating mine. Besides, the night is so far spent that the rest would not serve to tell you the same, especially as you need rest and sleep after your troubles.' But when they would not cease, but were still very insistent to have him tell his story, accounting it a great comfort to hear any man have as ill luck as they had themselves, Cnemon began in this sort.
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§ 1.9'My father's name was Aristippus; he was born at Athens, one of the upper senate, as rich as any commoner in the city. He, after the decease of my mother, applied his mind to marry again, being loth to risk all his hopes of posterity on one only child. He doth therefore bring home a little woman somewhat fine, but passing malicious, named Demeneta. As soon as she was married, she claimed my father all to her own lure and made him do what she list, enticing the old man with her beauty. In many other points too she was very curious, for if ever any woman knew how to make a man mad of her, she was better skilled in that art than any man would think. When my father went forth she would be sorrowful, and run to him when he came home and blame him much for his long tarrying, and not stick to tell him that she would have died if he had tarried never so little longer. At every word would she embrace him and moist her kisses with tears; with which means my father was so bewitched that he never was well but when he either had her in his arms or else was looking at her. Above all else, she would ever have me in her sight, as if I had been her own son; by this means also making Aristippus to love her the better. Sometimes she would kiss me, oftentimes she would wish that she might pastime herself with me, wherewith I was well content, mistrusting nothing less than what she intended, and marvelling that she bare such a motherly affection toward me. But when she came to me more wantonly and her kisses were more hot than beseemed an honest woman and her countenance passed modesty, then many things caused me to suspect her, so that I conveyed myself away and would not regard her fair words. I will let other things pass, which would be too long to tell, by what means she went about to win me, what proffers she made, how sometimes she would call me'her pretty boy,' sometimes'her sweet heart,' then'her heir,' and then'her own life,' and how to these fair names she would add many enticements with especial consideration to what I liked best: so that in grave affairs she would behave herself like my mother, but if she list to dally then would she manifestly declare her love.
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§ 1.10 At length such a chance befell, when the high feast of Pallas was celebrated, on which the Athenians were accustomed to consecrate a ship by land. I, for I was not then sixteen years old, had sung the usual hymn of her praise, and done other rites and ceremonies due to the same, and came home attired in my robes and my crown on my head. As soon as she saw me she was distraught of her wits and not able with policy to cover her love any longer, but for very desire ran to me and took me in her arms and said:'O my young Hippolytus and my dear Theseus.' In what case was I then, think you, who even now am ashamed to tell you the same. That night my father supped at the castle, and as often happened in such company and public resort he determined to lie there all night; that night she came to me and strived to have an unlawful thing at my hand. But I with all my power withstood her, and regarded neither her flattering words nor fair promises, no, nor her threatenings: wherefore, fetching a sigh from the bottom of her heart, for that time she departed; but within two nights after, like a mischievous quean, she sought all means possible to entrap me. First of all she kept her bed, and when my father came home and asked her how she fared, made no answer but said she was sick. When he became importunate and desired to know what she ailed —'That goodly young man,' said she,'son to us both, whom I — the gods know — loved even more than you, when he perceived by certain signs that I was great with child by you — which thing I concealed from you until I knew the certainty myself — and waiting for your absence, when I counselled him, as my manner was, and persuaded him to leave haunting of harlots and too much drinking — which things I knew well enough, but would never tell you of them, lest thereby I should incur the cruel suspicion of a stepmother with you — while, I say, I talked with him of these things, alone, no more but he and I, lest he should be ashamed — I will not tell the worst, for I am abashed so to do, nor in what manner he insulted both you and me — he lastly spurned me on the belly, and hath caused me to be in such case as you see.'
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§ 1.11 As soon as my father heard this, he said nothing, nor asked me any questions, neither gave me leave to speak for myself; but persuading himself that she, who loved me so well, would by no means traduce me, as soon as he found me in a certain corner of the house, boxed me with his fists, and calling his servants together scourged me with rods, and would not suffer me to know — which all men do — why I was cruelly beaten. When his anger was cooled, I said to him:'Father, now at length I pray you tell me why I have had thus many stripes.' At this the more incensed —'O the dissembler,' he cried'he wants to learn from me of his own misdeeds:' and with that he turned away and hastened back to Demeneta. But she was not yet content, and devised this other trick against me. She had a maid called Thisbe who could play well on the harp, and was otherwise fair, and a very proper wench. Her she made a stale for me and commanded her to love me, and by and by she did so indeed. Before this oftentimes, when I had attempted her, she had refused; but now she allured me with countenance, becks, and many other signs. In my foolishness I thought I had become beautiful of a sudden, and one night, when she came to my bed, thought no scorn to make her room. She liked her entertainment so well that she came again, and continually haunted my bed. At length when I gave her counsel to use circumspection in this matter, and take heed that her mistress found her not with me:' Cnemon,' said she,'you seem to be too simple: you count it a dangerous matter for me, a bond servant bought with money, to be taken abed with you; but what punishment, think you, does she deserve, who, professing herself a free woman and lawfully married to a husband and knowing that the penalty of her transgression is death, yet playeth the naughti-pack.'' Peace,' said I,'I cannot believe that.''Nay,' said she,'if you will, I will deliver the adulterer to you, even in the deed doing.''If you will do so,' quoth I,'you shall do me a pleasure.''With all my heart,' said she,'not only for your own sake who have been injured by her before, but for mine also who, since she hath me in jealousy, am used by her very extremely. Wherefore, if you be a man, apprehend him.' I promised her I would do so, and she for that time went her way.
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§ 1.12 About three nights after she came and waked me out of my sleep, and told me that an adulterer was come in and that my father upon occasion suddenly was gone into the country, and he, according to appointment, was gone to bed to Demeneta: therefore it was expedient for me to haste to be revenged, and put on my sword that the knave might not escape. I did so, and taking a dagger in my hand followed Thisbe, who had before lit a torch, and went to the bed chamber. When I came near and perceived the glimmering of a light through the slivers, and the door locked, in my fury and anger I burst down the door and ran in crying out:'Where is that villain, the worthy lover of this chaste dame?'
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§ 1.13 And with the words I rushed upon them, in mind to slay them both. But it was my father — O god — who leapt out of the bed and falling at my knees before me said:'My son, wait a while, have pity upon thy father; spare his white hairs that have brought thee up. We have done thee wrong indeed, yet not so great that therefore with death thou shouldest be revenged on me. Give not so much to thy wrath, neither by thy father's blood imbrue thy hands.' This, with much more, spake my father, humbly upon his knees, desiring me to save his life. But I, as if I had been stricken with a thunderbolt, stood still amazed and looked round about after Thisbe who had, I know not how, conveyed herself away. I gazed at the bed and my eyes wandered all over the room. I had no word to say, nor could I tell what was best to do. My sword fell out of my hands, which Demeneta straightway caught up, and my father then out of danger laid hands upon me and commanded me to be bound, Demeneta in the mean while moving many ways and setting him on.'Did I not tell you this before,' cried she;'that it was best to look to the princocks; which would no doubt if time served attempt somewhat.' I saw the look on his face and knew what he meant. My father answered:'You told me indeed but I believed you not.'
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§ 1.14 Thus was I in bonds, and he would not give me leave to tell him how the matter was handled. As soon as it was day, he brought me, bound as I was, before the people, and strewing ashes on his head said:'I brought not up my son, ye men of Athens, to see him come to this end, but trusting he would be a staff to stay my age upon. As soon as he was born I brought him up gentlemanlike and set him to school, and when I had well placed him among our kinsfolk and written him in the number of other young men his equals, I made him one of our citizens according to the laws of this city. On him I have made all my doubtful hopes depend. But he has not only forgotten all these things but also diversely injured me, and beaten this woman who according to our law is my second wife. At length he came to me by night with a sword in his hand, and was no farther from being a parricide but that Fortune hindered him, and by a sudden fear the sword fell out of his hand. I flee to you and tell you thereof. And although by the law I might with my own hand slay him, yet I would not: therefore remit I my whole cause to your discretion, thinking that I shall do better if I punish my son rather by public law than by private bloodshed.' And therewithal he wept, as did Demeneta also, feigning herself to be very sorry for my mishap and calling me an unhappy creature, as well she might, being in danger to die before my natural time, whom evil spirits had stirred against my parents. Not only did she lament but testified with tears, and as though her accusation had been true, with weeping she confirmed the same. When I craved license to speak for myself, the scribe came to me and propounded this straight question, whether I came to my father, or not, with a sword in my hand.'I did,' quoth I,'but I will tell you how.' Thereupon every man cried out and said that I ought not to speak for myself: some judged me worthy to be stoned to death, others to be hanged, others to be cast headlong down into the pit. All the while they were consulting of my punishment I was crying:'O my cruel stepmother! Alas, for my stepmother's sake am I thus troubled. My stepmother killeth me without judgment:' and many marked my words very well and began to suspect the truth. But for all that, at the time I could not get a hearing: such was the tumult and noise of the people. When the votes were reckoned, those who condemned me to die were a thousand seven hundred, whereof the one half would have me stoned, the other cast into the pit: the rest, of whom there were about a thousand, crediting somewhat the suspicion they had conceived of my stepmother, gave sentence that I should be banished for ever. Yet these prevailed; for though they were fewer than the whole number of the others, yet since the others differed, on the reckoning a thousand was the greater number: and thus was I banished from my father's house and native country. But for all that the accursed woman Demeneta did not go unpunished. How, you shall hereafter know; but now we must fall to sleep, for it is far into the night and you have need of rest in plenty! #8217;'Nay,' said Theagenes,'you will vex us still more, if you leave the story with that mischievous creature unpunished.''Since you will needs know,' said Cnemon,'give ear. I, in such case as I was after the judgment, came to the Piraeus, and finding a ship ready to depart sailed to Aigina, for I knew I had some kinsfolk there, by my mother's side. When I arrived there and had found those I sought for, at the first I lived pleasantly enough: about a twenty days after, roaming about as I was wont to do, I walked down to the haven, and behold, a barque was within kenning. I stayed there a little, and devised with myself whence that barque should come and what manner of people should be in her. The bridge was scarce down when one leaped out and ran and embraced me — his name was Charias one of my companions — and said:' Cnemon, I bring thee merry tidings; now art thou well revenged upon thine enemy; Demeneta is dead.''Welcome! Charias,' said I;'but why do you scant this joyful news, as though it were some disaster you were telling? Recount, I pray you, the manner of this revenge; for I fear much that she died as other folk do, and escaped the death she deserved.'' Justice,' quoth Charias,'hath not utterly forsaken us, as Hesiod imagined. But although she wink a while upon the misdeeds of men and prolong the revenge a good season, yet at length she casteth a terrible eye upon such offenders, who also hath taken just punishment of the mischievous Demeneta. And in all this nothing was either said or done, whereto by Thisbe, for our old acquaintance sake, I was not made privy. After thine unhappy father had procured thine unjust banishment, repenting of what he had done he conveyed himself to a solitary manor of his, away from the company of men, and there lived, eating his heart out, as the proverb hath it. As for her, she was tormented by the Furies and loved thee absent with a madder passion, neither at any time ceased she from sorrow, as though she lamented thy chance, but rather in truth her own mishap. Day and night she would cry —'O Cnemon, my pretty boy,' — calling thee her own life and soul in so much that when women of her acquaintance came to visit and comfort her, they wondered greatly that she, a stepmother, should bear such motherly affection toward thee. She would make them answer that it was a greater grief to her than any comfortable words could assuage, and that few of them knew what a cruel stab it was to her heart. Whenever she came to herself again, she would accuse Thisbe, in that she had not served her well:'Oh, how ready thou art to do mischief,' she would say,'who hast not helped me now in my love, but rather caused me to lose, in the turning of a hand almost, my dearest joy, without giving me any time to change my mind:' and therewith she gave manifest tokens that she meant to do her some harm.
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§ 1.15 So Thisbe, perceiving her to be very wroth and almost overcome with sorrow and prepared to do some great mischief to her, being set on as well by anger as by love, determined to prevent her; and by beguiling her to provide for her own safety. Wherefore she entered in to her and said:'What ado is this, mistress? Why do you accuse thus your maid who for my part have always heretofore done, and even now also did as you commanded me. If anything happened not according to your mind, you must ascribe that to fortune, and if now also you will command me to devise some remedy for your present sorrow, you will easily perceive you shall not want my good will.''What remedy,' replied she,'can be found, seeing that he would could give me comfort is by distance of place separated from me, while the unhoped for leniency of those that gave sentence on him hath brought me to destruction? If he had been stoned and quite done to death, then also in me had been quenched and dead the blazing flames of my burning desire. For that whose hope is past is taken from the heart, and that which is looked for no more causeth grieved minds to intermit all manner of sorrow. Now methinketh I see him and as though he were present hear him, how he casteth in my teeth the unjust guiles that I ensnared him with, as a thing shamefully done, so that I blush to speak to him. Sometimes methinketh he comes toward me, and I shall enjoy him: sometimes I determine to go toward him, in whatever coast of the world it be. These things set me on fire; these things make me mad. But, O ye gods, I have as I deserve. Why did I not rather with good will seek to win him than by craft to compel him? Why did I not humbly pray him rather than like an enemy persecute him? He would not take me at the first, and for good reason; I was another man's. He feared to defile his father's bed; but haply either by time or by fair words he might have been allured to be more gentle unto me. But I, savage and cruel that I am, as though I loved no man but had authority to compel him, because he obeyed me not at the first and despised Demeneta whom in beauty he far excelled, have committed a heinous crime. But, O my sweet Thisbe, what is this remedy that thou sayest is easy?''Mistress,' quoth the maid,'many men think that Cnemon is gone out of the city and territory of Athens, as he was judged to do. But I know well enough, who have searched all things narrowly for your sake, that he keepeth himself secretly in a certain place near the city. You have heard doubtless of the flute-girl Arsinoe. With her he was acquainted before, and after his mishap the maid took him in, promised to go away with him, and keepeth him at her house until she can provide all things ready for her journey.''O happy Arsinoe,' said Demeneta,'both for the former acquaintance she had with Cnemon and for the banishment which she shall have with him! But how do these things touch us?''Greatly, mistress,' said she.'I will say I love Cnemon, and will desire Arsinoe, with whom by reason of her trade I have been long familiar, that she should in her stead suffer me to lie with him one night. Which if I shall obtain, it shall be yours, and he shall think you to be Arsinoe, and in her place shall you be with him. And I will provide also that when he goes to bed he shall have drunk a little; and if you get what you desire, then it may well be that your passion will be assuaged. For in many women the flame of love is quenched at the first experiment, and a full fruition brings with it satiety. And if your passion even then remain — which God forbid — then we will make, as the proverb says, a new voyage and seek a new way. In the meantime let us apply that which the present opportunity permitteth.'
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§ 1.16 Demeneta allowed and praised this well, and begged her not to slack this determination at all. She craved of her mistress but one day to bring it about, and went to Arsinoe and asked her if she knew not Teledemus. She answered,'yes.''Let us have a chamber,' quoth the other,'for I have promised him this night. He will come first and I will follow as soon as I have brought my mistress to bed.' This done, she went into the country to Aristippus and said to him thus:'Master, I come to you to accuse myself, and am ready to take such punishment at your hand as your discretion shall think good. By me you have lost your son, not willing indeed so to do, yet of truth a helper in the same. For when I perceived that my mistress lived not well but was injurious to your bed, fearing not only that I myself should have some shrewd turn, if the matter came to light, for keeping her counsel, but especially sorrowful for your mishap, who for loving your wife so entirely should have such recompense, daring not myself to tell you of it I came one night, that no man should know thereof, and told my young master that there was one who used to play the harlot with my mistress. He thinking that there was a man with her in bed — for he was vexed before by her, as you know well enough — took his sword in his hand very angry, and not esteeming that I said that then there was no one but supposing rather that I had repented me of betraying her, ran like a madman to your bed's side: what followed you know. Today you have an opportunity, if you wish, to clear yourself as regards your son, though he be in banishment, and to take vengeance on her who has done you both wrong. I will show you this night Demeneta lying with her paramour, and that too in another man's house outside the city.''If,' said Aristippus,'thou wilt show me this, I will make thee free; and I myself may revive again, if I be revenged on mine enemy. I have been grieved about the same in my conscience a great while, yet for all that, though I suspected no less, because I could not convince it by manifest proofs, I held myself content. But what must I do?''You know,' quoth she,'the garden wherein remaineth the monument of the Epicureans: come thither a little before night, and tarry for me.' When she had said this she returned, and coming again to Demeneta —'Make ready yourself,' said she;'you must be fine; all that I have promised you is done.' She apparelled herself, and did as Thisbe commanded her, and when the evening was come she carried her to the place as was appointed. When they came near the house, she told her to stay a while, and went in herself before, and desired Arsinoe to go aside into another house and let all things be quiet; for she said the young man was somewhat shamefast, being but of late inured to Venus' sports. The other agreed, and returning she took Demeneta, and brought her in, and laid her in bed, and took the light away — lest you, forsooth, should know her, who were then here in Aigina — and told her to take her pleasure and say nothing;'And I,' said she,'will fetch the young man in to you, for he is making merry hereby.' Then she went forth and found Aristippus at the place appointed, and urged him now to catch the adulterer and bind him fast. He followed her, and when they were come to the house scarcely finding the bed by reason of the moon's faint light, he cried:'I have thee now, O thou much hated of the gods.' While he spake thus, Thisbe ran to the doors, and made them give as great a crash as she could, and cried out:'O wonderful thing! The adulterer is fled. Master, take heed you be not deceived again.''Peace,' quoth he,'and be of good cheer. I have this wicked and mischievous woman, which I most desired.' And thus, after he had taken her, he he brought her toward the city. But she, weighing with herself — as is likely — in what case she was; the beguiling of her expectation, the punishment decreed by the laws, and the shamefulness of her offence; moreover vexing herself because she was caught in such fashion, but especially taking it heavily that she was thus deluded and flouted; when she came to the pit which is in the compass of Plato's school — you know it I am sure — where the captains do celebrate the honour of our dead Heroes after the manner of our country, suddenly pulling herself out of the old man's hands leapt headlong into the same: and such an unhappy end had that mischievous woman. Then said Aristippus:'Indeed thy punishment hath prevented the laws.' The next day he declared the whole matter to the people, and having scarcely obtained pardon for the deed, he went to divers of his friends and devised with them by what means he might obtain leave for you to come home again. Whether he has done anything or not I cannot tell; for, as you see, before anything could be finished I sailed hither about certain business of my own. Notwithstanding, you ought to be in good comfort that the people will consent easily to your return, and that your father shortly will come to seek you and fetch you home again; for that he declared openly that he would do.' Thus much Charias told me. What followed, and how I came here, and what mischances I have met require both longer talk and time to tell.'
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§ 1.17 Therewithal he wept, as did the strangers also under cover of his calamity, but indeed for the remembrance of their own mishaps. And for they very pleasure of tears they would not have ceased from weeping had not sleep flying down upon them assuaged their grief. So they fell to slumber. But Thyamis, — for thus was the master of the thieves called — after he had passed the grater part of the night quietly, was later troubled with certain dreams and therewith suddenly awakened lay wondering what the solution of them should be. For about the time that cocks crow — whether it be, as men say, that they naturally perceive the conversion of the Sun as he approacheth near to us and so are moved to salute the god, or else from too much heat and a desire for movement and food they give such as dwell with them by their crowing a warning to rise to their work — a vision such as this, sent from God, appeared to him. As he entered into the temple of Isis at Memphis in his own city, he thought that all was on fire, and that the altars filled with every kind of beast did swim with blood, and that all the place about was filled with the noise and tumult of men. When he came into the priviest place of the shrine, the goddess met him and gave Chariclea into his hands and said:' Thyamis, I commit this maid to thee; yet, having her thou shalt not have her: thou shalt be unjust and kill the strange, but she shall not be killed.' After he had had this dream he was troubled in mind, casting this way and that way how that which was foreshowed to him might be interpreted. At length, being weary of beating his brains he drew the meaning thereof to his own will and construed it thus.'Thou having shall not have her' — that is, a wife and not a maid any longer. By'thou shalt kill' he conjectured'thou shalt take her virginity'; whereof, for all that, Chariclea should not die. Thus did he interpret the dream, following therein his own lust and desire.
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§ 1.18 As soon as the day appeared he commanded the chief of those who were under his jurisdiction to come unto him, and charged them to bring forth their prey, which by a graver name he termed their spoils; and calling for Cnemon told him also to bring those with him who were committed to his custody. As they were being brought,'Oh,' said they,'what shall become of us.' And therewith they desired Cnemon, if by any means he might, that he would help them. He promised so to do, and bade them be of good cheer, affirming that their captain was not altogether barbarously disposed but had in him some gentleness and courtesy, as one that was come of a noble stock but by necessity compelled to follow such a trade. After they were brought thither and the rest of the company assembled, Thyamis, being set in a higher place than the others in the island which he appointed the place of their meeting, commanded Cnemon — for he by this time understood the Egyptian tongue perfectly but Thyamis was not very skilled in the Greek — to interpret what he said to the prisoners, and thus began:'My mates, of what mind I have been ever toward you, you know very well. Although I was the son of the priest of Memphis, as you can bear me witness, I was frustrated of the priestly honour, since my younger brother by craft beguiled me of the same. I fled to you, the better to revenge my wrong and recover my ancient estate, and by all your voices made your captain have hitherto lived with you and not given any special honour to myself. If money was to be divided, I ever loved equality; if prisoners sold, I always brought the sum forth to you, accounting it the office of him who will rule well to do most himself but to take equal share with the others of that which is gotten. Such captives as were strong I enrolled among your company; the feeble sort I sold to make money of. I never did wrong to women; such as were of good parentage I suffered to depart, either redeemed with money or else for sheer pity of their ill hap; such as were of inferior condition, whom not only the law of arms made prisoners but also their continual use had taught to serve, I distributed among you severally to do you service. Today, of all the spoils I crave one thing only of you, this stranger maid, whom although I might give unto myself, yet I thought I should do better to take her with all your consents. For it would be foolish for me to force our prisoner and seem to be acting contrary to my comrades' pleasure. Wherefore I crave this good turn at your hands, not for naught, but rewarding you again in such sorts that of all the other booty I will have no part at all. For seeing that the prophetical sort of men despiseth the common sort of woman, I have decreed to make her my companion, not for pleasure so much as to have issue by her; and therefore I am content to rehearse to you the causes that move me thus to do. First, she seemeth to be of good parentage; which a man may easily guess both by the riches found about her, and for that she is nothing broken with these adversities, but even now is of a haughty stomach against fortune. Secondly, I infer she is of an excellent nature and good disposition; for if she doth surpass all others in beauty and by the modesty of her look doth move all those who gaze upon her to a certain kind of gravity, shall she not deservedly leave behind her a due estimation of herself? Lastly, and this is of more account than all I have said, she seemeth to be priestess to some god. For even in her adversity she accounteth it an intolerable and heinous offence to leave off her sacred stole and laurel garland. Can there be therefore, O you that be present, any marriage more meet than that a man being a prophet should marry one consecrated to some god?'
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§ 1.19 All that were there approved his sayings and prayed the gods to give him joy of his marriage. Which thing when he heard he said to them again:'I thank you all: but in my opinion it will not be amiss if about this matter we enquire the maid's mind. For if I listed to use my own authority my will were sufficient, because it is a needless thing to ask their good will whom a man may constrain. But in this case, seeing we deal with a lawful marriage it is convenient to be done with both consents.' Then, turning his talk to them, he asked the maid how she liked that which was propounded as touching her marriage, and therewithal bade them to declare what they were and where they were born. But she for a long time cast her eyes to the ground, moving her head to and fro as though she were thinking what she should say. At last she looked up at Thyamis and with the brightness of her beauty abashed him more than ever she did before — for by the inward cogitation of her mind her cheeks became more red than accustomably they were and her eyes were very earnestly bent upon him — and by Cnemon her interpreter spake thus:'It were more meet that my brother Theagenes here should have told this tale, for my opinion is that a woman ought to keep silence and a man amongst men should make answer. But seeing that you have given me leave to speak, and thereby an especial token of your courtesy, that you mean rather by persuasion to attempt that which is just than by force to compel; and the rather because that which hath been spoken most touches me, I am constrained to pass those bonds which I prescribed to myself and are proper for maidens, and to answer now the victor's question in so great an assembly of men. We were born in Ionia and come of a noble house of Ephesus. When we came to the age of fourteen years, by the law — which calleth such as us to the office of priesthood — I was maid priest to Artemis, and this my brother of Apollo. But, as this honour lasts but for a year and our time was expired, we prepared to go to Delos with our sacred attire, and there to make certain games of music and gymnastic, and give over our priesthood according to the manner of our ancestors. For this cause was our ship laden with gold, silver, goodly apparel and other necessaries, as much as were necessary for the expenses of the same and to make the people a public feast; and thus we loosed out of the haven. Our parents, since they were old and feared the dangerousness of the voyage, tarried at home; but many of the other citizens, some in our ship, others in boats of their own, came to accompany us. After we had ended the greatest part of our voyage a tempest suddenly arose and a vehement wind with fearful blasts moving great waves of the sea. This caused us to leave our determined journey, for our steersman overcome by the greatness of the danger in the violence of the storm gave up the tiller and let fortune control our course. We were driven by the wind for seven days and seven nights, and at last we were cast upon the shore whereon you found us and saw the great slaughter. In that place the mariners, as we were banqueting for joy of our unlooked for delivery, attacked us and for our riches sought to destroy us. But they were all slain, not without the destruction of our friends and acquaintance — which would God had not happened — and we only poor miserable creatures were left as victors. But seeing it is thus, we have good cause in one respect to count ourselves happy, because some god has brought us into your hands, where those who feared death have now space to think on marriage. Which surely I shall not refuse. For that the captive should be judged worthy of the victor's bed doth not only pass all other felicity, but that a priest's son shall marry a woman consecrated to the gods seemeth not to be done without the singular foresight and providence of God. I therefore crave but one thing only at thy hand, Thyamis. Suffer me first, as soon as I shall come to any city or any place where is an altar or temple sacred to Apollo, to surrender my priesthood and the tokens thereof. This might be done very commodiously at Memphis, when you have recovered the honour of your priesthood; for by that means it should come to pass that marriage joined with victory after good luck celebrated shall be much more merry. But whether this must be done before or after I leave to your discretion; only I beg that I may fulfil the rites of my country before. I know that you will hereunto agree, who have been brought up, as you said, from your childhood to holy offices and think also very well and reverently of the gods.'
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§ 1.20 With this she made an end of speaking and began bitterly to weep. All they who were present praised her and willed that it should be done even so, and for their parts they promised their ready aid to do whatsoever he would. So Thyamis, partly willing, partly against his will consented. For through the desire he had toward Chariclea he accounted the time necessary for the doing of these things to be an infinite delay; but on the other hand he was enchanted by her speech, as if had been some mermaid's song, and was enforced to consent to her; and he thought withal of his dream, supposing that he should be married at Memphis. This done, having first divided the booty and taken some of the best jewels, which of their own accord they gave him, he suffered every man to depart, with further commandment to be ready the tenth day after to go toward Memphis. He let the Greeks have the tent that they had before; and with them was Cnemon, not as a keeper now but as a companion; and Thyamis furnished them with as good victual as there might be gotten. Whereof Theagenes for his sister's sake had part. Thyamis determined not to look upon Chariclea very often, that her beauty might not move his hot desire to do something contrary to that which by common counsel was decreed, as was before rehearsed. For these causes he would not look upon the maid, thinking it an impossible thing that a man should both look upon a fair maid and keep himself within the bounds of temperance. But Cnemon, after every man was quickly dispatched and were crept into the corners which they had in the marsh, went to seek the herb which the day before he promised Theagenes.
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§ 1.21 Then Theagenes, having got fit opportunity, began to weep and cry out, speaking never a word to Chariclea, but without cease calling upon the gods. And when she asked him whether after his accustomed manner he deplored their common mishap, or had any new grief befallen him —'What,' quoth he,'can be more new or contrary to equity than to break an oath and final agreement? Chariclea hath forgotten me and is content to marry another man.''God forbid,' said the maid;'I pray you be not more grievous to me than the miseries I have already, neither misdeem anything from my speech, applied to the time and perhaps to some purpose, seeing that before this by many proofs you have tried how I am affected toward you. Except perchance the contrary may happen, and that you sooner change your mind than I will depart from any the least jot of my promise. For I am content and take in good part all these calamities; but that I shall not live chastely there is no torment that may constrain me. In one thing only I know I have not ruled myself, that is in the love I have borne to you from the beginning. But my affection for you is both lawful and honest. I have not yielded to you as a lover, but from the first concluding marriage with you as a husband have committed myself to your care, and have lived chastely without copulation hitherto, not without refusing you often times proffering me such things, and have waited for occasion to be married, if anywhere it might lawfully be done, which thing at the first was decreed between us and by oath established. Besides, consider how foolish you are if you suppose that I esteem a barbarous fellow more than a Greek, a thief more than him whom with my heart I love.''What did those things then mean,' said Theagenes,'which in that goodly company were of you openly rehearsed? For in that you feigned me to be your brother, it was a very wise device, which caused Thyamis to be very far from jealousy of our love and made us to be together safely. I perceived also to what end that tended which you said of Ionia and of wandering about Delos. For they were shadows that might easily cover the truth and deceive indeed the auditors. But so readily to approve the marriage, and openly to conclude the same, and to appoint the time therefore; what that should signify neither could I guess, nor would I. But I wished that the earth might have cloven and swallowed me up rather than that I should have seen such an end of the travail and hope that for your sake I undertook.' Herewithal Chariclea embraced Theagenes, and kissed him a thousand times, and bemoistening his face with her tears —'Oh in how good part,' said she,'do I take these fears that for my sake you sustain, For hereby you declare that you quail not in your love toward me, although many miseries depend thereupon. But know for a truth, Theagenes, that we should not be now talking together if I had not made him such a promise. For drawing back and opposition do much kindle the force of vehement desire; whereas yielding talk that coincided with a man's wishes quiets his burning love and with a pleasant promise puts to sleep his too keen appetite. For rude lovers think that such a promise is the first round in the battle and think therewith that they are victors, and after that are of quieter minds ever hovering in hope. All which things I foreseeing in word committed myself to him, commending what shall follow to the gods and to the angel, who at first obtained the tuition of our love. Often the space of a day or two has been very healthful, and fortune brings things to a happy pass such as no device of man could ensure: wherefore, weighing the sure against the uncertain, I have preferred this invention of mine before all others. We must then, sweet love, use this policy wisely, and keep it secret not only from all others but also from Cnemon too. For although he seem to favour our estate and is a Grecian, yet being at this time a prisoner he will perhaps, if occasion serve, be ready to do the captain a good turn. For neither this time of friendship nor his countrymanship is a sufficient pledge to us of his fidelity and truth. Wherefore if at any time by suspicion he gather anything touching our estate we must deny it. For that manner of a lie is tolerable, which profiteth the inventor and hurteth not the hearer.'
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§ 1.22 While Chariclea spake these words and many others to good purpose, Cnemon ran in hastily, declaring a great perturbation by his countenance.' Theagenes,' quoth he,'I bring you this herb, wherewith I pray you dress your own wounds. But I fear me you must prepare yourself to receive other as great wounds as these and shedding of blood.' Theagenes asked of him what the matter was and desired him to tell it more plainly.'The time,' answered he,'will not suffer me; for it is to be feared lest we should feel the stripes before I could tell you the circumstances. But follow me quickly, and Chariclea also.' Thus he carried them both to Thyamis, whom he found scouring of his helmet and sharpening the point of his spear.'In good time,' said he,'are you in hand with your arms: put them on quickly yourself and command the others to do the like. For such a company of enemies is at hand as I never saw before, so close that I saw them crossing the top of the next hill, and for that cause came running as fast as I could to tell you of their coming, and have moreover by the way as I came commanded such as I saw to be in readiness.' Thyamis when he heard this, leapt up and asked where Chariclea was, as though he were more afraid for her than for himself. When Cnemon had shown her to him standing quiet at the door —'Carry her alone,' quoth he,'into the den where our treasures are kept: lower her down and put the cover back over the entrance, as our manner is, friend; and then come quickly back. As for the war, let me alone with it.' Then he bade his shield-bearer bring his offering that after sacrifice done to the gods they might begin the battle, while Cnemon did as he was commanded and carried Chariclea away diversely lamenting and often looking back to Theagenes, and at the length put her into the den.
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§ 1.23 This was no natural work, as many caverns are both in and under the earth; but devised by the wit of thieves in imitation of nature and dug out by Egyptian hands very artfully to keep their spoils. It was made after this sort. It had a dark narrow entrance and was shut with privy doors, so that even the threshold was in stead of a gate, when need required, and would open and shut very easily. The inner part was countermined variously with divers slanting ways, the which would sometimes run along by themselves artfully for a while and sometimes would be entangled like the roots of trees; but in the end they all led to one level place which received a dim light from an opening made at the edge of the pool. Cnemon, who was well experienced in the place, took Chariclea down and led her to the end of the den, comforting her in many ways, but especially in that he promised her that he with Theagenes would come to her that night, and that he would not suffer him to strike one stroke in the battle, but would privily convey him out of the same. Then he left her, who spake not one word, but was as stricken by that misfortune as though it had been by death, in that she was deprived of Theagenes whom she loved as her own soul. Se he went forth, and shutting the outmost door he wept a little, not only for that of force he was constrained so to do, but for her sake also, inasmuch as he had almost buried her alive and committed the joyfullest name in the world, Chariclea, to night and darkness. This done, he ran back to Thyamis, whom he found very desirous to fight, and with him Theagenes well armed, making those that were with him almost mad by his earnest oration. For as he stood in the midst of them, he said thus:'My mates, I see not to what end it should tend to use many words in exhorting you, who need no encouragement at all but have ever accounted war the pleasantest life, especially since the sudden approaching of our enemies will not permit us to use many words. For seeing that our enemies do now violently assault us, if we should not with like courage repulse their violence, we should seem void of counsel and at our wits' end. We know that we are fighting not for our wives and children — these words make men pluck up their hearts for battle, although indeed they are not of great value and we shall have all that the conquerors gain, if we get the victory — but rather for our own lives and safety. A war with thieves never ends with a composition nor is concluded by a truce: those who win survive, those who are beaten are slain. So let us now with all our hearts and hands hasten to meet our cruel enemies.'
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§ 1.24 When he had said this he looked about for his shield-bearer and called him by name, Thermuthis; but when he could not see him anywhere, grievously threatening him, he ran as fast as he could to the landing place. For by this time the battle was begun, and a man even from afar might see that those who dwelt in the outer coasts of the fen were already in the enemies' hands. They who came upon them burned up the boats and cottages of such as either were slain or else fled out of the battle, whose eyes also were dazzled by the great and intolerable brightness of the fire that burned up the reeds, whereof there was great plenty, and their eyes filled with the great noise and tumult. A man might both see and hear the whole manner of the skirmish, whose who dwelt there maintaining the battle with all their power and strength, and their enemies, being more in number and taking them at a sudden, killing some of them on the earth while others they drowned in the pool with boats and houses too. From all these, from those who fought by land and lake, did kill and were killed, as also from those who were beset by fire and water, there arose a marvellous sound in the air. Which when Thyamis saw, he remembered his dream, wherein he saw Isis and her temple filled with fire and dead men, and supposing thereby to be meant that which he had now seen, he gathered thereof a contrary interpretation to that which he had made before, that —'having thou shalt not have Chariclea' — she should be taken away by war, and that'he should kill and not wound her,' that is with his sword and not with carnal copulation. So, upbraiding the goddess as though she had beguiled him, and thinking it not meet that any other should enjoy Chariclea, he commanded his men to keep their places and maintain the battle as long as they might, by fighting stealthily round the island and making sallies from the marshes about, and thus to hold out against the greater numbers of the enemy. But he himself, pretending to seek Thermuthis and do certain sacrifices to his privy gods, suffering no man to go with him, in haste went to the cave, like a madman. Surely a barbarous nature cannot be easily withdrawn or turned from that which it hath once determined. And if barbarous folk be in despair of their own safety they have a custom to kill all those by whom they set much, and whose company they desire after death, or else would keep them from the violence and wrong of their enemies. For that same cause Thyamis, forgetting all he had to do, being enclosed by the enemy army as if he had been caught in a net, almost enraged with love jealousy and anger, after he came in haste to the cave, going into the same and crying with a loud voice and speaking many things in the Egyptian tongue, as soon as he heard one speak Greek to him about the entry of the cave and was conducted to her by her voice, laid his left hand upon her head and with his sword thrust her through the body, a little beneath the paps.
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§ 1.25 And after this sorrowful sort that woman, giving up her last and ghastly groan, was slain. But he, after he had come out and had shut the door and had cast a little gravel thereon with tears, said:'These espousals hast thou at my hand.' Then, coming to his boats, he found a great many ready to run their way, as they saw the enemy now were near, and Thermuthis also coming to do sacrifice. Him he chided sharply, for that he himself had offered the most acceptable victim already, and went with him into a boat with another to row them; for the boats that they use in the pool will carry no more than three, being but rudely hewed out of the rough wood. Theagenes also, and Cnemon took another boat, and so did all the rest. After they had gone a little way from the island, rather rowing about the banks than venturing into the deep, they stayed their oars and set their boats in line, as though they would have received their enemies face to face. But when the others approached they could not even abide the splashing of the water, and as soon as they saw them took to flight, not enduring the first clamour and noise of battle. Theagenes also and Cnemon, but not for fear, by little and little withdrew themselves. Only Thyamis accounted it a shame to flee, or perhaps had no mind to live after Chariclea, and thrust himself into the thickest press of his enemies. As soon as they were come to blows, one cried out:'This is Thyamis; let every man do his part to take him alive.' And therewithal they compassed him about and held him inclosed, as in a ring, in the midst of them. He fought against them stoutly, and to see how he wounded some and killed other some, it was a worthy sight. For of so great a number there was none that either drew his sword against him, or else cast any dart; but every man laboured to take him alive. He fought against them a great while, but at length he lost his spear, by reason that many fell on him at once. He lost also his harness-bearer, who had done him very good service; for he being deadly wounded, as it seemed, despairing of his safety leapt into the pool and with much ado did swim to land, inasmuch as no man thought to pursue him.
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§ 1.26 And now they had taken Thyamis, and with him thought they had gotten the whole victory: and although they had lost so many of their companions, yet since they now had him in their hands, by whom they were slain, they had a greater joy thereby than sorrow for all their dead friends and kinsfolk. Such is the nature of thieves: they esteem money more than their own lives, and only regard the name of friendship and affinity so far as lucre and gain shall extend. And this truth might easily be gathered from these men; for they were those same who at the mouth of Nile called Heracleot fled for fear of Thyamis and his companions. Indignant at the loss of other men's goods as if they had been their own, they had got together their household friends and also those that dwelt near about them, and promising them an equal part of the booty had made themselves conductors and captains of the host. Now why they took Thyamis prisoner, this was the cause. He had a brother called Petosiris at Memphis, who, contrary to the manner and ordinance of the country — for he was a younger brother — had by craft beguiled him of his priesthood. And hearing now that his brother was become a captain of robbers, and fearing lest if he got occasion he would return, or lest time itself should detect his subtle dealing; and besides this considering the voice of many people who supposed that he had slain him, because he could no where be seen, he sent to the thieves' villages, and promised a great sum of money and cattle to those who would take and bring him alive. Wherewith the thieves being allured forgot not their gain even in the midst of war, and after one had recognised him took him alive, at the price of many deaths, and carried him to land and placed one half of them as a guard about him, casting in their teeth the clemency they had used towards him and misliking their bonds worse than death itself. The rest went to search the island, in hope to find other treasures that they sought for. But though they went over the same and left nothing unsearched that was there, they found nothing of that they hoped for, except a few things of little value left about the mouth of the cave when the rest had been hidden under the ground. So as it drew toward night, and they might tarry no longer in the island, for fear lest they should fall into an ambush at the hands of those that had escaped from the battle, they set fire to the tents and returned to their own company.
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§ 2.1 THE SECOND BOOK THE FLIGHT FROM THE MARSH And thus was the island with fire and flame destroyed. Theagenes and Cnemon, as long as the sun shone upon the earth, knew not of this mischief; for the brightness of fire by reason of the Sun's beams is in the day time much dimmed. But after the sun was set and the night drew on and the fire without impediment might be seen afar off, they taking courage in the darkness came out of the pool and perceived the whole island to be on fire. Then Theagenes beating his head and tearing his hair cried:'Farewell this day my life: here let all fear, dangers, cares, hopes and love have end and be dissolved: Chariclea is dead and Theagenes is destroyed. In vain was I, unhappy man, afraid and content to take to shameful flight, saving my life, sweetheart, for thee. Surely I will no longer since thou, my joy, art dead, not according to the common course of nature, which is a very grievous thing, and wert not in the arms thou didst desire, when thou left this life. With fire — alas, wretch that I am — wert thou consumed, and instead of lights at thy marriage these were the torches that God ordained for thee. The bravest beauty in the world is lost, so that no token of such singular fairness remaineth in the dead body. Oh marvellous cruelty and unspeakable wrath of the gods! I was not allowed to give her my last embracings, I was deprived of my last kisses!'
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§ 2.2 While he spake thus and looked about for his sword, Cnemon struck up his hand:'What meaneth this, Theagenes?' said he,'Why do you thus bewail her who is alive. Chariclea is safe, fear not!'' Cnemon,' said the other,'you may tell mad men and children that tale. You have undone me by hindering me from so pleasant a death.' Thereupon Cnemon sware to him and told him of the commandment of Thyamis and of the nature of the den, how he had placed her there, and how it was not to be feared that the fire would reach the depths below, being broken and put back by six hundred windings. Theagenes began to come to himself again when he heard this, and hastened to the island, and in his mind began to look for the maid as though she were present, and made the den his marriage chamber; not knowing the sorrow whereunto soon he should fall. Thither then they set out in haste, themselves playing the watermen; for he who rowed them before had been stricken overboard into the lake by the noise of the first conflict as though by a pole. This way and that they were carried, as well for that they were both ignorant of rowing and did not place the oars equally, as also for that they had a contrary wind. But for all that the readiness of their wills got the victory of their ignorance.
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§ 2.3 When therefore with much ado they were arrived in the island, they ran to the tents as fast as they could; which also they found burnt and could not recognise them, but only by the manner of the place; for there could nothing be seen but the great stone which was the threshold and the cover also of the cave. For vehement wind blowing the fire upon the cottages, which were made only of the slender reeds that grew on the marsh banks, burned them up everywhere and made them almost equal with the ground. But when the violent fire slaked and was turned to ashes, which also were driven away with a blast of wind and that which remained, being little, was quenched and granted them free passage, they came to the cave, the posts whereof and the reeds they found also half burnt, and opening the door, Cnemon leading the way, they ran down apace. But after they had gone a little way, Cnemon suddenly cried out:'O Jupiter, what meaneth this? We are undone. Chariclea is slain.' And therewith he cast his light to the ground and put it out, and holding his hands before his face fell on his knees and lamented. But Theagenes, as though by violence one had thrust him down, fell on the dead body, and held the same in his arms a great while without moving. Cnemon therefore perceiving he was utterly overcome with sorrow, and fearing lest he should do himself some harm, took his sword secretly out of his scabbard and ran out to light his link again.
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§ 2.4 In the meantime Theagenes tragically and with much sorrow lamented:'O grief intolerable,' said he,'O manifold mischiefs sent from the gods! What insatiable Fury so much rageth still to have us destroyed? She hath banished us out of our country, cast us to dangers by seas and perils from pirates, hath often delivered us into the hands of robbers, and despoiled us of all our treasures! Only one comfort we had, which is now taken from us; Chariclea, my only joy, is dead and by enemies' hands is slain. While she no doubt defended her chastity and reserved herself unto me, she, unhappy creature, is dead, and neither had she by her beauty any pleasure nor I any commodity. But, O my sweetheart, speak to me a last word, as thou were wont to do, and if there by any life in thee command me to do somewhat. Alas, thou dost hold thy peace: that godly mouth of thine, out of the which proceeded so heavenly talk, is stopped: darkness hath possessed her who bore the sacred torch: and the last end of all hath now gotten the best minister that belonged to any temple of the gods. These eyes of thine, that dazzled all men with their fairness, are now without sight; which he who killed thee saw not I am sure. By what name shall I call thee? My spouse? Thou were never espoused. My wife? Thou never wast married. What shall I therefore call thee? Or how shall I lastly speak unto thee? Shall I call thee by the most delectable name of all names, Chariclea? O Chariclea, hear me; thou hast a faithful lover and shalt erelong recover me again, for I will out of hand with my own death perform a deadly sacrifice to thee, with mine own blood will I offer a friendly offering to thee, and this den shall be a hasty sepulchre for us both. It shall be lawful for us after death to enjoy each other, which while we lived the gods would not grant.'
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§ 2.5 As soon as he had spoken thus, he set his hand, as though he would have drawn out his sword. Which when he found not:'O Cnemon,' said he,'how hast thou hurt me, and especially injured Chariclea depriving here again of the company she loves best.' While he spake thus, through the hollow holes of the cave, there was a voice heard, that called —' Theagenes.' He, nothing afraid made answer, and'O sweet soul,' said he,'I come. By this it manifestly appeareth that thou art yet above the earth, partly for that by violence expulsed from such a body thou canst not depart without grief, partly for that, not yet buried, thou art chased away perchance by the infernal shades.' When Cnemon came in with a light in his hand, the same voice was heard again calling —' Theagenes.''O god,' said Cnemon,'is this not Chariclea's voice? Surely, Theagenes, I think she is yet saved. From the inner part of the cave, where I know well I left her, that voice strikes upon mine ears.''Wilt thou not cease,' said Theagenes,'so oft to deceive and beguile me?''Indeed,' said Cnemon,'I deceive you and am myself deceived, if we shall find that this be Chariclea who lieth here.' And therewithal he turned her face upward. Which as soon as he saw:'Ye gods,' he cried,'who be the authors of all wonders, what strange sight is this! I see here Thisbe's face.' And therewith he leapt back, and without moving any whit stood quaking in a great amazement.
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§ 2.6 Thereupon Theagenes came somewhat to himself, and began to conceive some better hope in his mind, and comforted Cnemon whose heart now failed him, and desired him in all haste to carry him to Chariclea. After a while Cnemon came somewhat to himself again and looked more advisedly on the woman lying there. It was Thisbe indeed; and he knew also the sword that lay by her by the hilt to be Thyamis', which he for anger and haste had left in the wound. Last of all he saw a little scroll hanging at her breast, which he took away and would fain have read. But Theagenes would not let him, but pressed him very urgently, saying:'Let us first recover my sweetheart, lest even now some god beguile us: as for these things we may know them hereafter.' Cnemon was content, and so taking the sword and the letter in his hand also went in to Chariclea, who, creeping on hands and feet to the light, ran to Theagenes and hung about his neck.'Now, Theagenes, thou art restored to me again,' said she.'Thou livest, mine own Chariclea,' quoth he oftentimes. At length they fell suddenly to the ground, holding each other in their arms, without uttering any word, as though they were fastened together, and it lacked but a little that they were not both dead. For many times too much gladness is turned to sorrow, and immoderate pleasure engenders grief, whereof ourselves are the causes. So these two, preserved contrary to their hope, were now in peril, until Cnemon, finding a little spring, took water in his hands, and sprinkled it on their faces, and rubbing their nostrils caused them to come to themselves again.
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§ 2.7 When they perceived their changed position, so familiarly embraced upon the ground, they started up suddenly and blushed — but especially Chariclea — because of Cnemon, who had seen these things, and desired him to pardon them. He, smiling a little, and willing to turn their minds to some mirth, said to them:'In my opinion, or any man's else who hath before wrestled with love and hath pleasantly yielded in moderation to the necessary chance thereof, such falls as these are both inevitable and praiseworthy. But I could not commend you, Theagenes, nay I was quite ashamed, when I saw you mournfully embrace a strange woman, one to whom you were bound by no bond of friendship, though I plainly affirmed your dearest friend was alive and safe.'' Cnemon,' quoth Theagenes,'accuse me not to Chariclea, whom in another's body I bewailed, thinking her to have been this wench who was slain. But as the good will of God hath now declared that I was in so doing beguiled, remember, I pray you, your own wondrous show of courage. You were deploring my case at first, and then suddenly recognising her who lay there, you the stout Athenian warrior with a sword by your side, shrank back in fear from a woman, and she dead, no less than if gods had been set before you on the stage.' Hereat they smiled a little, but not without tears, as it happeneth to men in such misery. Then Chariclea, after waiting a little, scratching her cheek under her ear,'I judge her happy,' said she,'whoever she was, whom Theagenes lamented and kissed also, as Cnemon reporteth; but if you would not think I was jealous, I would gladly know, if you can tell me, what happy woman that was who was worthy of Theagenes' tears, and by what error you kissed her instead of me.''Surely,' said he,'you will wonder at it greatly; for Cnemon saith it was Thisbe, that cunning player of the harp, the devisor of the wiles against him and Demeneta.' Hereat Chariclea afraid asked Cnemon:'How is it likely that she should come out of the midst of Greece as of set purpose into the farthest part of Egypt? Or how is it possible that when we came hither we saw her not?''As touching that,' said Cnemon,'I have nothing to say. But thus much I heard of her. After that Demeneta, prevented by her craft, had cast herself into the well, and my father had opened the matter to the people, he at first obtained pardon, and was altogether busied that he might get leave of the people to restore me again, and made preparation to seek me. Thisbe meanwhile because of his business had little to do, and banqueting without care continually set, as it were, for sale both herself and her art. And while in grace she far surpassed Arsinoe's slow flute playing, both in quick fingering and in sweet singing to the harp, she perceived not thereby that she incurred for herself that wench's jealousy conjoined with a singular indignation; most of all when she became beloved of a certain merchant of Naucratis named Nausicles, who now despised Arsinoe, with whom he accompanied before, because that while she played the flute her cheeks swelled and were unseemly, and her eyes stared, almost leaving their accustomed place.
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§ 2.8 Wherefore Arsinoe, swelling with anger and emulation, came to Demeneta's kinsfolk and told them the whole manner of the wiles that Thisbe had used against her, whereof some she herself suspected, and Thisbe had told her other some, in the time of their friendship. So Demeneta's kinsfolk arranged together to have my father condemned and procured the most eloquent orators with great sums of money to accuse him. Demeneta, they said, had been killed without judgment before she was convicted; the adultery was pretended to colour the murder; and therefore they required to have the adulterer either quick or dead, or at least to know his name, and last of all that Thisbe should be brought to examination. Which when my father had promised and could not perform — for she had so provided that before the day of judgment she went her way with the merchant, as they had agreed — the people, taking the matter in evil part, judged him not indeed her murderer, in as much as he had told the matter plainly as it was done, but that he had helped to the death of Demeneta and mine own unjust banishment. Wherefore they exiled him out of his country and confiscated all his goods; and this commodity got he by his second marriage. But the most wicked Thisbe, who lies here slain before me, for this reason sailed from Athens. This much only could I know, which Anticles told me in Aigina, with whom I sailed twice to Egypt, if I might find her in Naucratis to bring her back to Athens and deliver my father from the suspicions and accusations that were laid against him, and take revenge on her for all the mischief that she has done unto us: and into these matters I now purpose with you to make further inquiry. As touching the cause of my coming hither, the manner thereof, and the dangers I have suffered meanwhile, you shall hereafter know. But how, and by whom Thisbe was slain in this den, we shall have need perhaps of some oracle to tell us. Nevertheless, if you will let us look at the letter which we found in her bosom, it may be that we shall learn somewhat beside.' They were content; and he, opening it, began to read as followeth:'To Cnemon, my master, Thisbe, his enemy and avenger. First I tell you of the death of Demeneta, which for your sake I devised against her. As to the manner how I brought it to pass if you do ransom me, I will tell you betwixt us two. Understand that I was taken by one of the thieves who are of this crew, and have been here ten days already. He sayeth he is the captain's harness-bearer, and will not give me leave so much as to look abroad, and thus he punisheth me as he saith, for the love he hath toward me; but as far as I can gather, it is from fear lest some man else should take me from him. Yet for all that, by the benefit of some god I saw you, my master, passing by yesterday, and knew you, and have therefore sent this letter to you by an old woman my bedfellow, charging her to deliver it to a beautiful young man being a Grecian and the captain's friend. Redeem me, I pray you, out of the hands of the thief and entertain your handmaid. Preserve me, if you will it so; knowing this first, that whenever I offended against you I was constrained to do it, but in that I revenged you of your enemy I did it of my own free will. But if your anger be so grievous against me that it will not be assuaged, use it toward me as you think good: provided I be in your hand, I care not if I die. For I account it much better, being an Athenian, to be slain at your hands and to be buried after the manner of the Greeks, than to lead a life more grievous than death and sustain such a barbarous love as is more intolerable than hatred.'
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§ 2.9 Thus spake Thisbe in her letter. But Cnemon said:'With good reason, Thisbe, were thou slain, and thyself art messenger to tell us of thy fate, making declaration thereof by thine own death. Thus hath the avenging Fury, as it now appears, driving thee over all the world not withdrawn her scourge before she made me, whom thou hast injured, although living in Egypt, to be the beholder of thy punishment. But what mischief was that which thou didst erstwhile devise against me and by this letter wert still plotting, which Fortune did not let thee bring to end? Verily even now I much mistrust thee and am in great doubt lest the death of Demeneta be but a tale, and that both they beguiled me who told me of the same, and that thou art come by sea out of Greece to make in Egypt another tragedy of me.''Will you not have done,' said Theagenes,'with such valiant talk? Are you afraid of the shadows and spirits of dead folk? You cannot object and say that she hath either beguiled me, or deceived my sight, seeing that I have no part in this play. Be sure, Cnemon, that this body is dead and therefrom have you no cause for fear. But who did you this good turn in killing, her, or how she was brought hither, or when, I myself am in great marvel.''As for the rest,' said Cnemon,'I cannot tell. But surely Thyamis slew her, as by the sword which lay by her being dead we can guess. For I know it to be his by the hilt of ivory, whereon is an eagle graven.''Tell me then,' said Theagenes,'how, when, and wherefore he killed her.''How can I tell you?' answered Cnemon.'This cave hath not made me a soothsayer as doth Apollo's shrine at Delphi, or those that enter into Trophonius' den, which rapt with divine fury do prophecy.' When Theagenes and Chariclea heard this, suddenly lamenting —'O Pytho, O Delphi,' — they cried. Wherewith Cnemon was abashed, knowing not what they conceived by the name of Pytho.
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§ 2.10 Thus were they occupied. But Thermuthis, the harness-bearer of Thyamis, after being wounded had escaped the battle and swam to land; and when night came he got a loose boat and hastened to the island and to Thisbe whom he had taken a few days before from the merchant Nausicles, setting an ambush for him in a narrow way by the side of the hill. After the broil began and the enemies approached, when Thyamis sent him to fetch the sacrifice to the gods, desiring to place her out of danger of weapons and to keep her for himself in safety, he put her privily into the cave, and for haste left her but in the entry thereof. In which place, as she sat at the first was left, she stayed, partly for fear of the present perils, partly since she knew not the ways that went into the bottom of the cave; and there Thyamis finding her instead of Chariclea slew her. To her then Thermuthis made haste, after he had escaped from the battle, and as soon as he was landed in the island he ran to the tents, where beside ashes he found nothing. But finding at length the mouth of the cave by the stone, the reeds, if any were left, being still on fire, he ran down in great haste and called Thisbe by name, so far at least using the Greek tongue. Whom after he found dead, he stood a good while without moving in a great study; and at length hearing out of the inner parts of the cave a certain noise — for Theagenes and Cnemon were yet in talk — he straightway deemed that they had slain her, and was thereat much troubled in his mind, and could not well tell what to do. For the barbarous anger and the fierceness which is natural in thieves, kindled the more since he was now beguiled of his love, moved him to set upon those he deemed the authors of that murder. But since he had neither armour nor weapon, he was constrained, whether he would or no, to be quiet. He determined therefore not to come upon them as an enemy at the first, but if he could get any armour, then to set on them after. When he had thus decided he came to Theagenes and looked about him with eyes frowning and terribly bent, so that with his countenance he plainly betrayed the inward cogitation of his mind. They seeing a man come in upon them suddenly, sore wounded, naked, and with a bloody face, behaved not themselves all alike, but Chariclea ran into a corner of the cave, fearing perhaps to look upon a man so unsightly and naked. Cnemon seeing Thermuthis, contrary to his expectation, and knowing him well, mistrusting that he would enterprise somewhat, held his peace and stepped back. But that sight did not so much frighten Theagenes as move him to wrath, who drew his sword and made as he would strike him if he stirred, and bade him stand —'Or else,' quoth he —'thou shalt know the price of thy coming; which for the moment thou hast escaped, inasmuch as I recognise thee somewhat, although I know not the reason why thou comest.' Thermuthis came near and spoke him fair, having respect rather to the present time than to his own habit, and desired Cnemon to be his friend, and said that he deserved his help because he had never done him wrong, and had been his companion the day before, and that he came to them as to friends.
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§ 2.11 Cnemon was moved by his words, and coming to him helped him up — for he held Theagenes by the knees — and inquired of him where Thyamis was. He told him everything: how he fought with his enemies, how he went into the thickest press of them, neither caring for his own life nor theirs, how he slew every man that came within his reach, and himself was guarded and compassed about, and straight charge given that every man should forbear Thyamis.'But what became of him at length,' quoth he,'I cannot tell: I was grievously wounded and swam to land, and at this time am come unto the cave to seek Thisbe.' Thereupon they asked him what he had to do with Thisbe, or how he came by her. Thermuthis then told them how he took her from certain merchants, and how he loved her wonderfully, and kept her privily in his own tent, and before the coming of the enemies put her into this cave, and that he now found her slain by some he knew not, but he would be glad to understand why and for what occasion it was done. Cnemon herewith, desirous to deliver himself quickly from all suspicion, said:' Thyamis killed her.' And therewith for proof he showed him the sword which they had found by her when she was slain. Which as soon as Thermuthis saw, bloody and almost warm with the late slaughter, and knew that it was Thyamis' sword indeed, fetching a great sigh from the bottom of his heart and at a loss to know how matters stood, he went out of the den overwhelmed with darkness and silent, and coming to the dead body —'O Thisbe,' — he said oft, but nothing else, repeating each syllable of the name. And so at last his senses failed him and he fell asleep.
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§ 2.12 Meanwhile Theagenes, Chariclea and Cnemon began to think of their own business, and seemed as though they would consult together thereof. But their manifold miseries past, and the greatness of their present calamity, and the uncertainty of that which was to come did hinder and darken the reasonable part of their mind, so that they gazed one upon the other and every one waited for what his fellow would say as touching their present state. After this, their hope failing them, they would cast their eyes to the ground and with sorrowful sighs lift them up again, relieving their grief with lamentation. At length Cnemon laid himself on the ground, Theagenes sat down on a stone, and Chariclea leaned on him. For a while they strove to overcome sleep, desiring to consider somewhat of their present affairs, but being by sorrow and labour much distressed they were constrained, although against their will, to obey the law of nature, and out of their great heaviness they fell into a pleasant sleep. Thus did the reasonable part of their mind endure to agree with the affection of the body. But after they had slumbered but a short while, so that their eyes were scarcely close shut, Chariclea, who lay there with them, had this marvellous dream. A man with long rough hair, blood-shot eyes, and red dripping hands thrust his sword into the socket and tore away her right eye. Therewith she suddenly cried out, saying that she had lost one of her eyes, and called for Theagenes; who straight was at hand, and did bewail her harms, as if in his sleep he had felt the same. But she put her hand to her face, and felt everywhere for the eye which was lost, and as soon as she knew it was a dream:'It is a dream,' said she,' Theagenes: I have mine eye: come hither and fear not.' Theagenes herewith was well pleased and —'As is meet,' quoth he,'you have your eyes as bright as sunbeams. But what ailed you and why were you so afraid?''An ill-favoured froward fellow,' quoth she,'nothing fearing your invincible strength, came to me as I leaned on your knees, with a sword in his hand, in such sort that verily I thought he had plucked out my right eye. And I would to God that it had been so indeed, rather than appeared to me in my sleep.''God forbid,' said he,'but why do you speak thus?''I wish it,' said she,'because it were better for me to lose both eyes than to be sorrowful for the loss of you. Surely I am sore afraid lest you be meant by this dream, whom I esteem as mine eye, my life, and all my riches.''Not so,' said Cnemon — for he had heard all, being awakened by the first cry of Chariclea —'it seems to me that your dream should mean another thing. Tell me, are your parents alive?''Yes,' said she,'if ever they were.''Then you must judge,' said he,'that your father is dead; and that I gather from this, forasmuch as we know that our parents be the cause and authors of our life and that by them we see the light of day. Therefore with good reason do dreams liken our father and mother to a pair of eyes, since they give us the sensation of sight and help us to behold all things seen.''That is a hard saying,' replied Chariclea,'but God grant that it be true rather than mine, and that your interpretation prevail and I be called the false prophet.''These things shall thus no doubt come to pass,' said Cnemon,'and that you may believe. But we in truth seem to be dreaming now, trifling thus long about dreams and fantasies without any consideration of our own business: and the rather seeing that this Egyptian' — he meant Thermuthis —'is separated from us, devising and bewailing of his dead love.'
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§ 2.13 Theagenes answered him and said:' Cnemon, since some god hath joined you to us and made you partaker of our calamities, let us hear your advice first. You are skilled in these countries, and understand their tongue well; and besides we are not so fit to comprehend what is necessary, for we are drowned in a deeper sea of troubles.' Cnemon therefore after musing a little spake thus:'Which of us is in greater misery I cannot tell, for I am sure that God hath laid calamities enough upon my back also. But since you bid me, as the elder, to give my advice as toughing the present case, this is my mind. This island, as you see, is deserted, and hath no man in it but us. Moreover of silver and gold and precious apparel here is great store. Of such things Thyamis and his companions have taken much, as well from you as also from others, and have laid it here. But as for corn, and other things whereby our life may be maintained, there is not one whit. We are in danger then, if we tarry here long, either to perish for lack of food, or because of the return of our enemies, or even of those who have been of this fellowship, if they come to fetch this money whereof they all know. In that case we could not escape without death; or even if they dealt more friendly with us we should be subject to their reproachful dealing and scornful behaviours. For while these herdsmen are always faithless, now they are so especially, since they lack a captain and ruler that might constrain them to be moderate. This island is to us but a snare and a prison, which we must now leave and forsake, first dispatching Thermuthis away under pretence to inquire and seek to know some certainty of Thyamis. For without him we shall consult more safely together and think of those things that are needful. And it is a point of wisdom to put out of our company a man by nature inconstant, enduded with rude and uncourteous manners, who distrusteth us also somewhat because of Thisbe's death, and will not rest till he have, if occasion serve, by fraud beguiled us.'
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§ 2.14 They allowed his saying well and thought it good to do even so. Wherefore they went to the entry of the cave — for they perceived it was day by this time — and waked Thermuthis very drowsy with sleep. And when they had declared to him so much of their counsel as seemed good and had easily persuaded him, being a fickle fellow, and had cast Thisbe into a little pit, and as much dust upon her as was left from the tents, and done to her as religiously as the time would suffer, and with tears and with weepings, instead of all other ceremonies buried her, they sent Thermuthis about the pretended business, as they had arranged. But he, after he had gone a little way, returned again and said that he would not go alone, neither rashly object himself to so present a danger as to be a spy, unless Cnemon would go with him. When Theagenes perceived that Cnemon did shrink back — for when he told them what the Egyptian said he seemed to be much troubled in his mind and sore afraid — he said to him:'Thou art able to give good counsel but thy heart faileth thee: which thing I have both at other times well perceived, but especially now. Pluck up your spirits and take a good heart to you; for at this time it seemeth necessary to consent and go with him, that he may conceive no suspicion of our intended flight — there is no danger for him that is armed and hath a sword to go with one utterly unarmed — and then, if occasion serve, slip from him and come to us into some village hereby which we will agree upon.' Cnemon was content, and appointed a certain town called Chemmis, very rich, and well peopled, situated upon a hill on the banks of the Nile that it mighty thereby be the better defended from the attacks of the herdsmen. The distance to it, after they had crossed the lake, was about a hundred furlongs; and they must go straight southwards.
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§ 2.15'It will be a hard road,' said Theagenes,'especially for Chariclea, who hath not been accustomed to go long journeys. But for all that, we will go, and counterfeit ourselves to be beggars and such as go about with juggling tricks to get a living.''That will be well,' said Cnemon,'for you be very ill-favoured people, most of all Chariclea, whose eye was lately pulled out: wherefore methinketh you will not ask for pieces of bread bur for cauldrons and choppers.' Hereat they smiled a little, so that their laughter moved but their lips only. When therefore they had confirmed by oath that which was determined and had taken the gods to witness that they would never of their own will forsake one another, they went each of them about their decreed business.
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§ 2.16 Cnemon therefore and Thermuthis having in the morning early passed over the lake took their journey through a thick wood, wherein it was hard to find any way. Thermuthis went in front, for so Cnemon would have it, alleging the skill he had in that difficult passage and assigning to him the task of finding a way; but in truth rather providing for his own safety and preparing a good opportunity to give him the slip. When they had gone a good way, they espied a flock of sheep, and after those who kept them had fled and crept into the thick wood hard by, they killed one of the fairest rams that went before the flock, and roasting him at a fire which the shepherds had made, did eat of the flesh without tarrying, before it was thoroughly roasted, because their bellies were marvellously pinched with hunger. Like wolves therefore or jackals they devoured the parts they cut off, though they were but just blackened in the fire, so that while they did eat the blood ran about their teeth. When they had filled their bellies and quenched their thirst with milk they went forward upon their road and about evening climbed a little hill, under which, Thermuthis said, was the village, and in it Thyamis, being taken in the battle, was either kept prisoner or slain, as he conjectured. Thereupon Cnemon made an excuse that his belly was troubled with too much meat and that by reason of the milk he craved to void his food, and therefore he desired Thermuthis to go afore and he would by and by overtake him. This he did once or twice or three times, so that he seemed to be dealing truly, and affirmed that he had much ado to overtake him.
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§ 2.17 After he had thus made the Egyptian accustomed to his absence, at last without his knowledge he tarried behind and ran as fast as he could into a very thick wood at the bottom of the hill. As for Thermuthis, when he reached the top he sat him down on a stone to rest, tarrying until the evening came, when they had appointed to go into the village and find in what state Thyamis was, and therewithal he looked about for Cnemon, to whom, if he came after him, he devised to do some harm. For he had not yet left his conceived opinion that he had slain Thisbe; and therefore now he bethought himself how he might kill him in return; and afterward he was with a certain madness moved to set upon Theagenes. But when Cnemon appeared not, and it was now far in the night, he fell asleep, and with the biting of an asp, having gotten a death like to all his past life, by the ladies of destiny's pleasure perhaps, he slept his deadly and last sleep. But Cnemon, after he had forsaken Thermuthis, left not running till dark night restrained his violent course, so that in the place where night overtook him he hid himself and laid as many leaves as he could upon him. Under which he lying was much troubled and slept but little, supposing every noise, and blast of wind, and wagging of each leaf to be Thermuthis. If at any time sleep came over him, he thought that he still fled, and looked back for him that pursued him not. And when he had lust for sleep he would refrain, for the dreams that came to him were worse than the reality. Last of all, he seemed to be angry with the night and thought it was longer than any other was. And when, to his delight, he say the day dawn, first he cut off so much of his hair as he had let grow that he might be like the thieves, in order that those who met him now might not trouble nor suspect him. For the thieves, besides other things that they do, whereby they may seem more fearful, let their hair grow long over their eyes and shake it hanging on their shoulders; knowing well that long hair maketh lovers more acceptable but thieves more terrible.
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§ 2.18 When therefore Cnemon had cut off so much of his hair as would make him seem the more trim, and not be thought one of the thieves, he made haste to go to Chemmis, where he had appointed to meet with Theagenes. And being now come to the Nile and ready to pass over, he spied an old man walking on the bank up and down, who seemed to communicate some of his cogitations with the flood: he had long hair after a holy fashion and very white, a rough beard somewhat long, his cloak and other apparel like a Grecian. Cnemon therefore waited a little, but when the old man passed up and down divers times and seemed not to see any man by him — he was in such a muse and sure cogitation — he came before him and said,'All hail, sir.''I cannot,' quoth he,'for fortune will now allow.' Whereat Cnemon marvelled and said,'Are you a Greek, or a stranger, or from what land?''Neither a Greek,' answered he,'nor a stranger, but of this country, an Egyptian.''How then happeneth it,' said Cnemon,'that in your apparel you imitate the Greeks?''My miseries,' said he,'have brought me this change of handsome apparel.' Cnemon marvelled that any man should trim and deck himself because of his miseries, and was fain to know the cause and manner thereof.'From Troy you bear me,' said the old man, quoting from the poet,'and stir up against yourself a very swarm of troubles and an endless tale. But whither be you going, young sir, or from whence come you, or how happeneth it that you speak Greek in Egypt?''That were a merry jest indeed,' said Cnemon;'you were asked first and have told me no part of your estate and yet now you would know mine of me.''Well,' said the old man,'you seem to be a Greek, although some fortune hath changed your outward dress, and it appears that you desire earnestly to hear in what state I am. My sorrows in truth crave of themselves utterance, and if I had not happened on you I think I should have done as the man in the story and told them to these reeds. Let us therefore leave these banks of the Nile itself too, for the border of this bank is not fit to tell a long tale in, since it is subject to the vehement heat of the south sun. Let us go to the village that we see over against us, if you have no greater business, and there you shall be my guest, not in mine own house, but in a very good man's, who hath entertained me in adversity. In his house you shall hear of all my fortune, if you will, and in like manner you shall tell me yours.''Content,' said Cnemon;'for if I had not met with you, I still must have gone to this village, to tarry there by appointment for some of my companions.'
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§ 2.19 They took a boat then — whereof there was great store, ready to transport any man for hire — and came into the village, and so into the house wherein the old man was hosted. The good man of the house was not at home, but his daughter, now marriageable, and the other maids, as many as were within, entertained them very courteously and entreated the old man as though he had been their father. For so, I think, their master had commanded. One washed their feet and swept the dust from about their legs, another made their bed and provided a soft lodging for them, another brought in the pot and made a fire, another covered the table and set wheaten bread thereon and divers other kinds of fruits. Whereat Cnemon marvelled and said:'Perchance, father, we are come into hospitable Jupiter's house; so much are we regarded and that with so good mind.''Not into Jupiter's,' saith he,'but into such a man's as doth worship well the Jupiter of strangers and those that be in adversity. For he also sometimes passes his life travelling as a merchant and knoweth the manners and fashions of divers nations. For which cause, it is likely, he now entertaineth me in his house, wandering a few days ago and travelling about, as also he hath done to many more others.''What travel,' said Cnemon,'is this of which you speak, father?''I am in this place,' said he,'bereft of my children by robbers, knowing the misdoers well, but cannot be revenged. Wherefore I with wailing beweep my sorrow, like a bird whose nest a dragon pulleth down and devoureth her young before her face, and she is afraid to come nigh, neither can she flee away: at such controversy is love and sorrow in her. But making great noise she flieth about the miserable siege, and poureth in vain her motherlike and humble tears into those cruel ears which have of nature been taught no mercy.''Will you then,' said Cnemon,'tell me how and when you had this cruel hap?''Hereafter I will,' said he;'but now it is time to look to our bellies; which Homer regarding not without good consideration called'pernicious,' since in comparison therewith all things else are counted of little worth. But first, according to the wisdom of the Egyptians, let us do sacrifice to the immortal gods. For nothing shall ever cause me to break this custom; neither shall any grief be so great which shall cause me to put the remembrance and service of God out of my mind.'
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§ 2.20 When he said thus, he poured a little clean water out of a vial — for this was his wonted drink — and said:'I do sacrifice to the gods of this country and to the gods of Greece, to Apollo of Delphi, and to Theagenes and Chariclea besides, good and honest creatures whom I count also as gods.' And therewithal he wept, as though he would do another sacrifice to them with sorrowful tears. When Cnemon heard this he was astonished, and looked the old man earnestly up and down.'What say you,' quoth he,'are Theagenes and Chariclea in truth your children?''They are my children,' said he,'born without a mother. The gods made them my children by chance, the travail of my heart brought them to birth, my love for them has taken the place of nature, and because thereof they esteemed me their father and called me so. But, I pray you, tell me how you knew them.''I do not only know them,' said Cnemon,'but I tell you that they be safe and in good health.''O Apollo and the rest of the gods,' said he;'tell me in what country they be; and I will call you then my saviour and make equal account of you as with the gods.''What reward,' said he,'will you give me?''For the moment,' said he,'thanks; which a wise man counteth a goodly reward. And if you come into my country, which the gods tell me shall be shortly, you shall have great riches.''You promise me,' said he,'that which is to come and is very uncertain, but you could sufficiently recompense me now.''If you see anything here,' said he,'tell me: I am ready to give you even a part of my body.''You need not be maimed of any of your members,' replied Cnemon:'I shall think I have my full reward if you will tell me of them, whence they are, who be their parents, and what fortune they have had.''Thou shalt have a great reward,' answered he,'and such a one as to it nothing may be comparable, even if you had asked for all the treasure in the world. But let us now eat some food. For both of us shall have need of longer time, as well you to hear as I to tell.'
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§ 2.21 When therefore they had eaten of nuts, figs, fresh gathered dates, and such other fruit as the old man was accustomed to feed on — for he never killed any living creature for food — they drank, he water and Cnemon wine. And after a little while Cnemon said:'Father, you know well how Bacchus takes pleasure in tales and banqueting songs: wherefore now, seeing he hath made me of his company, he moveth me with desire to hear somewhat, and constraineth me to crave my promised reward. Now it is time for you, as the saying goes, to bring your play on to the stage.'
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§ 2.22'You shall hear it,' said he;'I only wish that thrifty Nausicles were here too, whom I have often by divers delays deluded, being very desirous to hear this tale.' When Cnemon heard Nausicles named, he asked where he was then.'He is gone a hunting,' quoth the old man.'What manner of hunting?' said he.'Of wild beasts,' replied the other,'very cruel, which he called indeed men and herdsmen, who live by theft and can hardly be trapped, for that they use the marsh as their den and cave.''Whereof doth he accuse them?' said he.'Of the taking away of a leman of his,' he answered,'whom he brought from Athens, one called Thisbe.''Lord God,' said Cnemon; and therewithal suddenly held his peace, as though he would say no more. When the old man asked him what he ailed, Cnemon, willing to bring him to other matters, said:'I marvel how or by what army emboldened he durst set upon them.'' Oroondates,' he answered,'has just now been made deputy of Egypt by the Great King, and by his commandment Mitranes, captain of the watch, is appointed governor of this town. Nausicles hired him with a great sum of money, and with great company of horsemen and footmen conducted him against them. He taketh in very ill part the loss of that maid of Athens, not only because she was his mistress and played well on instruments, but also because he was in mind to carry her to the King of Ethiopia, as he said, that she might be his wife's drinking gossip and familiar after the manner of the Greeks. So, as though he were deprived of the great sum of money, which he hoped to have for her, he maketh all provision possible to recover her again. I myself also advised and exhorted him so to do, thinking that he might by some chance find my children and help me to them again.''We have talked enough,' said Cnemon interrupting him,'of herdsmen, captains, and kings. You almost have diverted my mind to think of other matters, but this is but a by-the-way story and appertains nothing to Bacchus, as the proverb hath it. Wherefore return your talk now to what you promised. For I have found you like Proteus of Pharos, not indeed turning yourself into false changing shapes, as he did, but attempting to turn me from my purpose.''You shall know all,' said the old man;'but first I will tell you briefly of myself, not beguiling you in my tale, as you think, but propounding such talk as shall be true and well agreeing to that which followeth.'
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§ 2.23'The city wherein I was born is called Memphis; my father's name, and mine also, is Calasiris. As touching my trade of life, I am now a vagabond, who was not long ago a priest. I had a wife by the ordinance of the city, but lost her by the law of nature. After she had passed out of this body into another rest, I lived a while free from trouble, delighting myself with the two sons that I had by her. But after a few years the course of heaven prescribed by destiny altered all my estate and Saturn cast his eye upon my house, changing everything for the worse, a change which my own wisdom warned me of but showed me no means to escape. For a man can foresee the unchanging decrees of fate although he cannot avoid the same. Yet even in such matters foresight is gain, in so much as it blunts the keen edge of calamity. For those miseries, my son, that come on thee suddenly are intolerable, but such as are foreseen are borne with a tranquil mind; since the mind being occupied with fear is distressed by those and taketh them heavily, while familiarity with reason maketh these more endurable. Such a thing as this then it was that happened to me. A woman of Thrace, of ripe years, and, except Chariclea, the fairest woman in the world, whose name was Rhodopis, I know not whence or how to her lovers' ill fortune leaving her own country, travelled over all Egypt and came in very wanton wise to Memphis. She had a great sort of maids and servants waiting on her and was perfectly instructed in all the enticements of Venus and wanton behaviour, so that it was possible for none that looked on her not to be entangled with her love: of such an unavoidable force was the whorish allurement that proceeded from her eyes. She entered into the temple of Isis often, whose priest I was, and worshipped the goddess daily and offered divers sacrifices and gifts which cost many talents. At last — I am ashamed to tell it, yet I will — with often beholding of her she overcame me and that temperance also which in all my life with great study I had conserved. A great while I withstood the eyes of my body with the inward eyes of my mind, but overcome at length with this affection of love, as those who are heavy laden, I was constrained to yield. When therefore I understood that this woman was the beginning of all the ill luck which the gods had appointed for me, of which I was not ignorant before, and perceived that she was but a cloak for destiny, and that the god, whose turn it was then to rule, had taken upon himself her shape, I determined not to dishonest the priesthood, in which from my youth I had been brought up, nor yet to defile the temples and secret places of the gods. Therefore, not for doing the deed — which God forbid — but to punish my desire with convenient punishment I called my reason in to judgment, and passing upon myself sentence of banishment, unhappy man, I left my country, as well to yield to the necessity of the ladies of destiny and give them leave to determine of me what they would as also to escape from the accursed Rhodopis. For I was afraid that if the evil star then in the ascendant pressed too hard upon me I should be forced to do some viler thing. But the chief cause above all others that banished me were my sons; for the secret wisdom, that I had of the gods, foreshowed to me that they would fight a bloody battle between themselves. That I might therefore remove such a cruel spectacle from my eyes — which I think the sun himself would not behold — and to acquit these fatherly eyes of the sight of my sons' death, I went my way to prevent these things, pretending as though I would go to great Thebes, to see my elder son, who was then with his grandfather, his name being Thyamis.' Cnemon started when he heard the name of Thyamis; but he kept his counsel, as well as he could, the better to hear the rest: and the old man went on as followeth.'I omit that which happened to me on the way, young sir, for it nothing appertaineth to that you ask for. But when I heard there was a certain city of Greece sacred to Apollo, which was a temple of the gods and a college of wise men and far from the troublous resort of the common people, I went thither, thinking that a city which was dedicated to holiness and ceremonies was a meet place for a man being a prophet to resort unto. So when I had sailed through the Crisaean Gulf and was arrived at Cirrha I went in haste out of my ship to the town: whither after I was come I heard a divine voice in very truth address me; and for other reasons also it seemed a meet place for me to abide in, not the least whereof was the natural situation of the same. For Parnassus reacheth over it, like a natural defence or tower, inclosing the city as it were with a wall with his two tops.''You say very well,' quoth Cnemon,'and like one who indeed has tasted of Pytho's spirit; for I remember that my father told me that such was the situation of the place, when the Athenians sent him to the council of the Amphictyons.''Are you then an Athenian my son?''Yea, sir,' said Cnemon.'What is your name?'' Cnemon,' answered he;'but you shall hear all my story later; now go on with your tale.''I will,' answered the other.'I went then into the city and praised it much in my mind, for the places of exercise there, and the springs, and the fountain of Castalia; wherein I dipped my fingers and, this done, went to the temple. For the report of the people that said the prophetess would give answer presently moved me so to do. As soon as I had gone into the shrine and said my prayers and made a certain secret request of the god the Pythia answered me thus:'To shun the destinies sure decree Thou takest all this toil; And therefore leavest the fruitful coast Of Nilus' fertile soil.
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§ 2.24 Have a good heart, for I will give The blackish fields again Of Egypt unto thee: till then Our friend thou shall remain.'
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§ 2.25 As soon as the oracle had given me this answer, I fell grovelling on the altar, and desired him in all things to be my good god. A great company of those that stood by me praised the god much for giving me such an answer at my first coming; they talked of my good fortune and paid me all manner of regard, saying that I was the welcomest man to the god that ever came there, save only one Lycurgus of Sparta. Wherefore, when I desired to dwell in the temple precinct, they gave me leave, and decreed that I should be nourished at their common charges. To be short, I wanted no good thing. Either I enquired into the causes and manner of the sacrifices, which were very many, offered both by the men who inhabit there and by strangers also; or else I conferred with philosophers, of whom no small number come hither, so that the city is in a manner a study dedicated to prophecy, under the god who is captain of the Muses. And at first there were divers questions touching many matters moved among us. For some would ask after what fashion we Egyptians honoured our gods, and another, why divers countries worshipped divers kinds of beasts, and what was the reason in each case. Others enquired of the structures of the pyramids and of those winding vaults in which our kings are buried. In a word they left nothing that appertaineth to Egypt unsearched. For Grecian ears are wonderfully delighted with tales of Egypt. At last certain of the civilest sort fell in talk concerning the Nile, and asked me whence his sources came, and what special property he had above other rivers, and why he alone of all others in summer did rise. I told them what I knew, and was written in the holy books, and was lawful only for priests to read and know: how that this source was in the highest parts of Ethiopia and furthest bounds of all Libya, at the end of the east clime and beginning of the south. It floweth in the summer not, as some think, by reason of contrary blasts of the north-west winds, but because these same winds, blowing out of the north, gather together and drive all the clouds of the air about mid-summer into the south, till they come to the burning line. There their violence is abated, by reason of the incredible heat thereabouts, so that all the moisture, which was before gathered together and congealed, melteth and is resolved into abundance of water: wherewith the Nile waxeth proud and will be a river no longer, but runneth over his banks and covereth Egypt with his waters, as with a sea, and maketh the ground very fruitful. Wherefore too it giveth sweet waters to drink, since they come from heaven, and is pleasant to be touched, not now so hot as at the first but yet luke-warm, as one that riseth in such a place. For which cause from that flood, and none other, arise no vapours; for if there did, then were it likely that it received its increase from melted snow; of which opinion some learned men of the Greeks have been.
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§ 2.26'As I talked of these matters in this sort, Charicles, the priest of Apollo, my familiar friend said unto me:'It is very well said of you, and I myself am of your opinion also, for I have heard the priests that dwell by the Nile cataracts say the same.''Have you been there then, Charicles?' said I.'I have,' quoth he,'wise Calasiris.''What business sent you thither?' I asked him then.'The ill-luck that I had at home,' said he,'which for all that turned to my great felicity.' I wondered at that, how it could be.'You will not marvel,' quoth he,'if you hear the whole process of the matter, which you shall do when you please.''Then,' quoth I,'tell me now, for I am well pleased you should do so.' Charicles then, when he had let the people depart, said:'Know that for a certain cause I have desired a great while that you might be made privy to my estate. A long time after I was married I had no children. Yet at length, when I was old and had made earnest prayers to God, I had a daughter; the which God foreshadowed me should be born in an ill time. She became marriageable, and I provided her a husband of one of her suitors — for she had many — who, in my judgment, was the honestest man. The first night that she, unhappy wench, lay with her husband, she died, either from a thunderbolt, or else, for that by negligent handling her bed was set on fire. And thus the marriage song not yet ended was turned to mourning; and she was carried out of her bride bed into her grave; and the torches that gave her light at her wedding did now serve to kindle her funeral fire. Beside this unhappy fortune God gave me another tragical mishap, in that he took her mother from me also, being too sorrowful for her daughter's death. I therefore, unable to bear this great punishment at the god's hands, did not indeed banish myself from life — obeying herein those divines who say that this is unlawful — but rather banished myself from my native land and fled far from the solitude of my own home. For thus to blot out the memory of the past by a change of scene brings with it forgetfulness.
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§ 2.27'I have told you now, my friend, the reason of my wanderings. But I desire that you should know too the principal cause why I tell this tale. After I had travelled over many countries, I came at length into your Egypt and into the city of Catadupi to see the cataracts of the Nile. As I walked about in the city, as my leisure served, and did buy such things as are scarce in Greece — for now by continuance of time having well digested my sorrows I hastened to return into my own country — there came a sober man to me and such a one as by countenance appeared to be wise. He had lately passed his youthful years and was in colour very black and he saluted me and said — not speaking Greek very well — that he would talk with me about a certain matter. And when he saw that I was ready to go with him, he brought me into a certain temple, and by and by said:'I saw you buy certain herbs and roots that grow in India and Ethiopia, and if you are willing to purchase from me simply and without guile, I will show you what I have to sell.''Show me then, I pray you,' quoth I.'I will,' said he,'but do not be too stingy with your offers.''Nay,' I returned,'do not you be too grasping in your price.' With that he took a little bag from under his arm and showed me certain precious stones of wonderful price. There were pearls among them as big as a little nut, perfect round; emeralds as green as grass in spring and shining smooth as oil; sapphires in colour like the sea bank that lieth under a hard rock which makes all that is beneath it to be of like purple colour; in few words, their mingled and diverse shining colour delighted and pleased the eyes wonderfully. Which as soon as I saw,'You must seek other chapmen,' quoth I,'good sir; for I and all my riches are scarce able to buy one of the stones I see.''Why,' said he,'if you are not able to buy them, you will be able to take them if they are given to you.''I am able indeed,' said I,'to receive them, but I know not what you mean so to mock me.''I mock you not,' quoth he,'but mean good faith, and I swear by the god of this shrine that I will give you all those things if you will take them, and another gift beside which far excelleth them all.' I laughed when I heard this, and he asked me why I laughed.'Because,' quoth I,'it is a thing to be laughed at, seeing that you promise me things of so great price, and yet assure me to give me more.''Trust me,' said he;'but swear that you will use this gift well and as I shall teach you.' I marvelled what he meant and stayed a while; yet, in hope of those greater rewards I took an oath. After I had sworn as he willed me, he brought me to his lodging and showed me a maid of excellent beauty who, he said, was only seven years old. Methought she was almost marriageable, such grace did excellent beauty give to the tallness of her stature. I stood in amazement, both because I knew not what he meant, and also for the insatiable desire I had to look upon her. Then spake he thus to me -
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§ 2.28'Sir, the mother of this maid whom you see, for a certain reason which you shall know hereafter, laid her forth, wrapped in such apparel as is commonly used for such purposes, committing her to the doubtfulness of fortune. I by chance finding her took her up, for it is not lawful to despise and neglect a soul in danger, after it hath once entered into a human body. For this is one of the precepts of those wise teachers that are with us, to be whose scholar myself was once judged worthy. Besides, even in the infant's eyes there appeared something wonderful and divine; with such a steady and amiable countenance did she behold me as I looked upon her. With her was also found this bag of precious stones which I showed you of late, and a silken cloth wrought with letters in her mother's tongue, wherein was her whole history contained, her mother as I guess procuring the same. Which after I had read, I knew whence and what she was, and so I carried her into the country far from the city, and delivered her to certain shepherds to be brought up, charging them to tell no man. As for the things I found with her I kept them myself, lest because of them the maid should be brought into danger. Thus at the first the matter was concealed. But when in process of time the maid grew on and became more fair than other women were — for beauty in my opinion cannot be concealed even under the ground, but would thence also appear — fearing lest her estate should be known, and so she be killed, and I brought into trouble therefrom, I sued and obtained that I might be sent on embassy to the governor of Egypt, and have come now bringing her with me, desirous to set her business in good order. And now must I utter to him the cause of my embassy, for he hath appoint this day for the hearing of me. As touching the maid, I commend her to you and to the gods who have hitherto conserved her, upon such conditions as you are bound by oath to perform. That is, that you will use her as a free woman, and marry her to a free man, as you receive her at my hand, or rather of her mother who so hath left her. I trust that you will perform all things whereon we agreed, both by credit of your oath and the faith I have in your manners, which these many days I have experienced to be very Greekish indeed. Thus much I had to say to you, before I execute the commission of my embassy: as for the other secrecies belonging to the maid, I will tell you them tomorrow in more ample wise, if you will meet me about the temple of Isis.'
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§ 2.29'I did as he requested, and carried the maid muffled to my own house, and used her very honourably that day, comforting her with many fair means, and gave God great thanks for her, from that time forth accounting and calling her my daughter. The next day I went to the temple of Isis, as I had appointed with the stranger, and after I had walked there a great while alone and saw him not, I went to the governor's house and asked whether any man had seen the legate of Ethiopia. There one told me that he was gone, or rather driven, home the day before at sunset; for the governor had threatened to kill him if he did not immediately depart. I asked him the cause.'For that,' quoth he,'by his embassy he willed our governor not to meddle with the mines out of which the emeralds are dug, as belonging to Ethiopia.' I came home again much grieved, like one that hath some great mishap, since now I could not know anything as touching the maid, nether whence she was, nor who were her parents.''Marvel not thereat,' said Cnemon interrupting him,'for I myself take it heavily that I cannot know it now: yet perhaps I shall know it hereafter.''You shall indeed,' said Calasiris.'But now I will tell you what more Charicles said.'
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§ 2.30'After I came back to my house,' quoth he,'the maid came forth to meet me, but said nothing, because she could not yet speak Greek; yet she took my by the hand and made me good cheer with her countenance. I marvelled that even as good grey hounds do fawn upon everyone, though they have but little acquaintance with them, so she quickly perceived my good will toward her and did embrace me as if I had been her father. I determined therefore not to tarry longer at Catadupi, lest some spite of the gods should deprive me of this other daughter too, and so coming by boat down the Nile to the sea I got a ship and sailed home. And now is she my daughter with me here, my daughter I say, named by my name, and on her all my hopes depend. And beside other things, wherein she is better than I could wish, she has quickly learned the Greek tongue and has come to perfect age with such speed as if she had been a peerless branch, and so far doth she surpass every other in excellent beauty that all men's eyes, as well strangers as Greeks, are set on her. To be short, wherever she is, either at the temples, or at public exercises, or in the places of common resort, she turneth all men's minds and countenances unto her, as if she were the image of some god newly made. But although she be such a one, yet she grieveth me sore. She hath bidden marriage farewell, and determined to live a maiden life; and so, becoming Diana's servant, she for the most part applieth herself to hunting and doth practice shooting. For my part, I set little by my life. I hoped to marry her to my nephew, my sister's son, a courteous young man, well mannered and fair spoken; but I can neither by prayer nor promise nor force of argument persuade her thereto. But that which grieveth me most is that — as the proverb says — she useth my own feathers to wing her shafts. The wise arguments that I did once employ in guiding to the choice of a virtuous life she brings up against me, and commends virginity as a thing divine, placing it in heaven with the gods and calling it immaculate, unspotted, and incorruptible. As for love, the sport of Venus, and all the ceremonies that pertain to marriage, she doth utterly reject them. In this matter I require your help, and therefore now having good occasion, which hath in a manner offered itself to me, I use a longer tale than need requireth. Do this much for me, good Calasiris: use your wisdom or some Egyptian enchantment to persuade her, either by word or deed, to know her own nature and to consider that she is born a woman. This you can do, if you will. For she disdaineth not to talk with men, since she has been commonly brought up among them; and she dwelleth in the same house as you, here I mean within the circuit and compass of this temple. Despise not mine humble prayers, and suffer me not to live in mine old age without children and comfort and hope of any to succeed me. This I beseech you to do for Apollo's sake and all the gods of your own country.' I wept when I heard this, Cnemon, because he himself not without tears thus humbly besought me, and promised to do what I could for him in this point.
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§ 2.31 While we yet talked of these matters, one came to us in haste and told us that the captain of the Aenians' embassy was at the gate and had for some while been urgent, desiring the priest to come and begin the sacrifice. I asked Charicles what those Aenians were, and what holy embassy theirs was, and what sacrifice they made.'The Aenians,' said he,'are the noblest part of Thessaly and right Greekish. They fetch their pedigree from the Greek Deucalion, and stretch as far as the borders of Malia, their chief city being Hypata, so called, as they say, because it is mistress and ruler of the rest, but as others think because it is situate under Mount Oita. This sacrifice the Aenians send to Pyrrhus, son of Achilles, every fourth year, at such times as the Pythian games are kept to Apollo — which is now, as you know — for here was Pyrrhus killed at the very altar of Apollo by guile of Orestes, Agamemnon's son. And this present embassy is being done more honourably than any of the rest, because their captain says he is one of Achilles' line. By chance I met him two days ago and there seemeth verily to appear in him somewhat worthy of those that come of Achilles' blood. Such is the comeliness of his person and tallness of stature that it may easily prove he was born of some goddess.' I marvelled how they, being Aenians, did say they came of Achilles' blood — because the Egyptian poet Homer saith that Achilles was born at Phthia — but Charicles replied:'The young man and the rest of the Aenians say plainly that he is their progenitor, and that Thetis was married to Peleus out of Malia, and that in old time Phthia was the district round that gulf but that others now because of the glory of their hero do falsely claim that name for themselves. For his own part, he proveth himself to be of Achilles' blood by another reason: Menesthius his ancestor was the son of Spercheus and Polydora, daughter of Peleus, and went with Achilles among the noble captains to Troy, and because he was his kinsman was one of the chiefest captains of the Myrmidons. But although he himself be very near on every side to Achilles so as to join him close to the Aenians, yet he accounts these funeral offerings to Pyrrhus as the most assured proof of all; which, as he says, all the Thessalians have yielded to them, bearing them witness that they be the next of his blood.''I envy them not, Charicles,' quoth I,'whether they claim this for themselves untruly or it be so indeed. But I pray you send for the captain in, for I desire much to see him.' Charicles consented, and therewith entered a young man of Achilles' courage indeed, who in countenance and stomach appeared no less than he. With a straight neck, high foreheaded with his hair in comely sort rebending down, his nose and nostrils wide enough to take breath, which is a token of courage and strength: his eyes not very grey, but grey and black, which made him look somewhat fiercely, and yet very amiably, not much unlike the sea when it is new calmed after a boisterous tempest. After he had saluted us, as the manner is, and we him again:'It is time,' said he,'to do sacrifice to the god, that we may finish the hero's rites betimes and the pomp belonging thereto.''Let it be so,' said Charicles; and as he rose, he said to me softly:'You will see Chariclea today, if you have not seen her before; for she must by custom be present at the pomp and funerals of Neoptolemus.' I in truth had seen the maid before, Cnemon, and she used to enquire of me concerning our holy customs and ordinances; but I said nothing to him, waiting to see what would come hereof, and we went to the temple together. All things belonging to the sacrifice had already been prepared by the Thessalians, and when we came to the altar and the young man, having leave from the priest began to do sacrifice, the Pythia spoke thus:'Ye men of Delphi sing of her, And God's own offspring praise: Who now in grace begins to grow But fame shall end her days.
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§ 2.32 Who leaving these my temples here, And passing surging streams Shall come at last to country scorched With Phoebus' blazing beams.
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§ 2.33 Where they are as recompenses due, That virtues rare do gain, In time to come, ere it be long, White mitres shall obtain.'
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§ 2.34 After the god had said thus, those that stood by cast many doubts, but knew not what the oracle should mean. Every man had his several exposition, and as he desired so he conjectured. But none could attain to the true meaning thereof; for oracles and dreams for the most part are only understood when they be come to pass. Yet though the men of Delphi were in amaze as to what was said, they hastened to go to this gorgeous solemnity, not caring to make any diligent enquiry regarding the oracle that had been given them.
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§ 3.1 THE THIRD BOOK THE FESTIVAL AT DELPHI'When the pomp and funeral sacrifice was done,' said Calasiris.'Nay, father,' quoth Cnemon interrupting him,'it is not done yet, seeing that your talk hath not made me also a looker thereon. You slip from me, who desire wonderfully to behold the whole order thereof, as though I were one who came too late for the feast, as the proverb is, shutting up your theatre as soon as it is opened.'' Cnemon,' said Calasiris,'I did not wish to trouble you with such impertinent matters as you now desire, but would have brought you to the principal points of my tale and that which you desired at first. But since you desire to be a looker hereupon by the way, and declare yourself thus to be a true Athenian, I will briefly describe to you the bravery of that feast, as well for itself, because it is famous, as also for certain things that happened hereat. The Hecatomb went before, and such men as were but lately entered into the holy ministry, of rustic dress and life, led the same. Each one had a white robe girt about him, his breast and arm and right hand naked, and a poleaxe therein. All the oxen were black and very lusty, wagging their heads and lifting them up a little, with horns both even and straight, whereof some were gilded and others had garlands of flowers upon them. Their legs were somewhat crooked, and their dewlaps hung below their knees, and there were just so many of them as would make an exact hecatomb in deed. After them followed a great sort of other offerings, every kind of beast being led by itself alone, with a pipe and flute to appoint when and with what they should begin. These beasts and their leaders were welcomed by certain virgins of Thessaly, arrayed in fair deep-girded robes, with their hair loose about their ears. The maids were divided into two companies, of which those who were in the first carried baskets full of flowers and fruit, the others bore trays of sweetmeats and perfumes and filled all the place with pleasant odour. They carried these things not in their hands but on their heads, and held hands together forward and backward in line, so that they might the more easily move in the dance. They received their song from another company, for it was the duty of these to sing the whole hymn. In this song was Thetis praised and Peleus, and then their son, and lastly his. After these maids, Cnemon, —'Nay,' quoth Cnemon breaking in,'why do you rob me of the pleasantest part of the tale by not rehearsing me their song, as though I were only a spectator of what was done in their pomp and not a hearer also?''Well,' said Calasiris,'seeing it is your pleasure, you shall hear it: this was the song -
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§ 3.2 O Nereus, god of surging seas We praise thy daughter here Whom Peleus at the strong command Of love did make his dear. Thou art our lady Venus brave, In sea a glimpsing star: Who thee, Achilles, did bring forth A very Mars in war. A captain good unto the Greeks Thy glory scales the skies: To thee did thy red headed wife Cause Pyrrhus rough to rise, The Trojans' utter overthrow, But stay to Greekish host: Be thou, good Pyrrhus, unto us A favourable ghost. Who here in grave entombed liest In Phoebus' sacred ground, Bow down thy ear to the holy hymns That we to thee do sound. And this our city suffer not In any fear to be. Of thee and Thetis is our song — Thetis, all hail to thee.'
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§ 3.3'This was the song made, Cnemon, as far as I remember. And there was so good order in the song, and the measure of their dancing agreed so well with the sound of the music, that men's eyes neglected what they saw in comparison with what they heard, and those that stood by followed the maids as they passed on, as though they had been constrained with the pleasantness of their song, until the jolly lusty youths with their captain and ringleader appeared, the sight whereof was better than all description. The whole number of these youths was fifty, which was divided into twice five and twenty, each party arrayed about their captain, who rode in the midst of them. Their boots wrought of purple leather were folded finely a little above their ankles. Their cloaks were white, fastened with buckles of gold before their breasts, with a border of blue around the nethermost hem. Their horses all came out of Thessaly, and by their pleasant countenances showed the good pasturage of their country. They foamed on their bits, as though they thought scorn of such as rode upon them, yet they turned very readily as the riders would have them. Their saddles and the rest of their harness was so beset with silver and gold that in this point the young men seemed to strive who should be bravest. But those who were present, Cnemon, did so despise and pass by these men thus apparelled, and look on the captain Theagenes, on whom was my care set, that all which showed before very bright was now darkened, as it had been by some passing lightning: such brightness did the sight of him bring to our eyes. He was on horse back in heavy armour, a spear of ash pointed with bronze in his hand, bare-headed without a helmet. His cloak was of purple wrought with gold, wherein was the battle of the Centaurs and the Lapiths; on the button of his cloak was Pallas pictured in electrum, bearing a shield before her breast whereon was Gorgon's head. The comeliness and commendation of all that he did was somewhat increased by the easy blowing of the wind, which moved his hair about his neck, and parted it upon his forehead, and made his cloak wave so that the nether parts thereof covered the back and buttocks of his horse. You would have said that his horse was moved by the beauty of his master and knew that he did bear upon him a passing seemly man: in so fine a sort did he rear his neck and with pricked up ears toss his head and roll his eyes fiercely and prance and leap from the ground. When he had the reins a little at his will, he would set forward courageously, and turn about on both sides and beat the ground with the tips of his hoofs lightly, and moderate his fierceness with the pleasantness of his pace. Each man was amazed thereat, and gave the young man the principal praise, as well for his courage, as for the beauty and comeliness of his person. As for the common sort of women and such as could not moderate their affections, they cast apples and flowers at him, by that means, as might be guessed, seeking to get his favour. For they were all of this opinion, that there could be no human shape which could surmount the seemliness of Theagenes.
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§ 3.4'But when Aurora with rosial fingers, as Homer saith, appeared, and the beautiful and wise Chariclea came out of Diana's temple, then we perceived that Theagenes could be conquered, and so far conquered as the pure comeliness of woman's beauty hath more and greater force of attraction than the fairest man. She was carried in a chariot drawn by a yoke of white oxen, and had on a purple gown down to her feet, spangled with gold. She was girded with a girdle, in making whereof the workman bestowed all his craft, in that he never made the like before nor was able to frame such another after. He tied two dragon's tails behind her back between her shoulders, bringing further their contrary necks under her paps with an artificial knot, suffering both their heads to hang down after it was fastened about her. You would have said the serpents did not seem to creep but crept indeed. They were not fearful with their terrible looks, but seemed as though they had been wantonly asleep. As touching their matter, they were gold, but in colour blue-black. For the gold by art was darkened that black and gold mingled together might represent the roughness and diversity of the scales. Such was the maid's girdle. Her hair was neither all bound up nor all loose. The most part thereof that grew behind hung over her shoulders; that which grew from the crown of her head downward to her forehead, being fair in colour and like to roses, was crowned with a garland of young laurel, which did not suffer the whole to be blown more than was seemly by the vehemence of the wind. In her left hand she bore a gilded bow, and a quiver of arrows hung on her right shoulder, while in her left hand was a burning taper, and, though she was so attired, there came a brighter light from her eyes than from the taper.''These same are Theagenes and Chariclea indeed,' said Cnemon. Calasiris thinking he had spied them somewhere asked him:'Where be they? Show me them for God's sake.''Methought, father,' said the other,'I saw them, not being here; so well did you describe them even as I remember once to have seen.''I cannot tell,' quoth Calasiris,'whether you saw them so attired as on that day all Greece and the sun himself did see them. So fair and so happy were they that every man desired her for wife and every woman him for husband. The union of the twain they counted like to an immortal thing; albeit the people of the country praised the young man more, and the Thessalians the maid, both marvelling especially at that which they had not seen before. For a new countenance and seldom seen doth more move the mind than one wherewith we are daily acquainted. But O delectable deceit, O acceptable opinion! How thou didst comfort me, Cnemon, when I hoped that you had seen my dear children and wouldest have shown them to me! But thou goest about utterly to deceive me. For you promised me at the first that they would come by and by, and as reward obtained from me this tale of them; but yet you cannot show me them now, although the evening approach and it be dark night.''Be content,' quoth he,'and fear not: they will come without doubt. Perhaps there is some let and hinderance that they come not so soon as was appointed between us; but even if they were here, I would not show you them until I had the whole reward you promised me. Wherefore if you desire to see them in haste, perform what you promised and make an end of your unfinished tale.''I am very unwilling,' quoth the other,'to do that which bringeth me in mind of that which grieveth me much; and I supposed too that you were weary of this my so long prattling. But since you are so desirous to hear and can never be wearied with a good tale, go to, let us proceed whence we left off. Yet first let us light a lamp and do sacrifice to the gods that govern in the night, that having performed the accustomed ceremonies we may lie here quietly and tell forward our tale.'
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§ 3.5 He said this, and straightway a maid brought in a lighted lamp, and he finished his sacrifice, and called upon divers of the gods and especially on Mercury, and desired to have some happy dream that night, praying humbly that his dearly beloved children might appear unto him in his sleep. And when he had done all this, he went on with his tale thus —'After the young men had gone three times around the tomb of Neoptolemus, the women cried out piteously and the men made a strange noise. Therewith suddenly all the oxen, rams, and goats were killed, as if they had been slain at one stroke. Last of all, when the altar, being of wonderful greatness, had very many cloven logs laid upon it, and all manners of lawful offerings were added thereto, they made request that Apollo's priest might begin the sacrifice and set fire to the altar. Charicles said that the sacrifice indeed appertained to him, but that the captain of the holy legation should take the torch from her that was president of these ceremonies and set the altar on fire: for so was the fashion of the country. This he said, and did sacrifice, and Theagenes took the torch. Surely, Cnemon, we may know by its deeds and workings that the mind is a heavenly thing and hath close affinity with the higher nature. For as soon as the young people saw each other, at the same moment they loved each other, as though the soul recognised its fellow and hastened towards its destined mate. At the first they stood still suddenly, as if in amaze. Then she slowly handed him the torch, and he likewise received it, viewing one another with steady eyes, as if either had seen or known the other before and was now trying to remember where. This done, they smiled a little, but secretly, so that it could hardly be perceived save by the softness of their glance. Afterwards, as though they were ashamed of what they did, they blushed; and then, within a while, when this affection, as I think, had gripped their hearts, they became pale. In a word, a thousand looks appeared on their faces in a short time, and the changing of all kind of colour and the rolling of their eyes plainly betokened the troubles in their mind. The people who were present, as may be guessed, perceived nothing of this, because every one was thinking of other matters; nor did Charicles, who at that time repeated the usual prayer. But I did nothing but mark the young couple, for I was moved to suspect what should come to pass by conjecture of their names, after what the oracle had said of Theagenes, when he was doing sacrifice in the temple. Yet I knew nothing exactly of what was signified in the latter part of the oracle.
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§ 3.6 When at length, and as it were by force, Theagenes had drawn away from the maid and with his torch set fire to the altar, the procession broke up and the Thessalians went to banqueting, while all the other people went every man to his own house. Chariclea also, putting on a white cloak, went with a few of her familiars to her own chamber, which was within the compass of the temple. For she dwelt not with her supposed father, but in her desire of chastity altogether separated herself from him. I being now made more curious by reason of that which I had heard and seen came of set purpose to meet Charicles.'Did you see Chariclea,' he asked,'my joy and the honour of the people of Delphi?''This was not the first time,' I replied,'I have met her often before in the temple, and that too not as a chance acquaintance. She has done sacrifice many times with me, and she has asked and learned from me of any point she doubted, either of divine or human matters.''How liked you her today?' quoth he.'Did she give some fresh splendour to the pomp?''Marry, sir Charicles,' said I,'you seem to ask me whether the moon exceeds any whit the lesser stars.''Well,' he answered,'some folk praised the Thessalian youth also.''Yea,' said I,'they gave him the second or third place; but all acknowledged your daughter to be the principal sight and the very eye of the pomp.' Charicles was well pleased with this — and I began now to draw to my purpose, especially desiring that he should be of good heart and doubt nothing — and smiling a little he said:'I go to her now: if it please you, come with me and let us see if this great company has been at all annoying to her.' I was very glad of this request; yet I made as though I had other business to do, but was content to leave that and go with him.
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§ 3.7 When we came where she was and had gone into her chamber, we found her sick on her bed, quite distraught, and all her eyes bedewed with love drops. After she had embraced her father, as her manner was, he asked her what she ailed. She made him answer that her head did ache, and that she would fain sleep if she might. Charicles, much grieved at this, went out of her chamber with me, and commanded the maids to make as little noise as might be, and when he came before his own house he said:'What should this mean, good Calasiris? What disease hath my dear daughter?'Marvel not,' quoth I,'if she, having shewn herself in such a company, hath been spied by some spiteful eye.' He smiled at this and said in jesting wise:'You then, as men commonly do, believe in witchcraft.''Yea marry,' quoth I,'as much as I believe in anything that is true; and that for this reason. The air which is about us on every side, entering us by our eyes, nostrils, mouth and other pores, carrying with it such outward qualities as it is enduded withal, doth ingraft a like infection in them who have received it. For which cause, when man hath enviously looked upon any excellent thing, forthwith he hath filled the air with that pestilent quality, and sent forth also a poisoned breath to that which is near at hand. The same air, being a slender and subtle thing, pierceth even to the bones and very marrow, and by that means envy hath been cause to many of the disease which we call by its proper name'bewitching.' Consider also, Charicles, how many have gotten sore eyes, and the plague, though they neither touched those that had such diseases, nor ate at their table, nor lay in their beds, but only by being in the same air. Let love, if anything, be a proof of this, who taketh his beginning and occasion from something which is seen, and then his passion, as though wind borne, shoots through the eyes and into the heart. And this is like to be true. For seeing that of all our other pores and senses sight is the hottest and the most easily moved, it must needs receive such infections as are about it, and by its own hot spirit draw to itself the changing phases of love. If need be also I can bring for example's sake some reasons out of the holy books, gathered from the consideration of nature. The curlew healeth those that have the king's evil; which bird flieth away as soon as any that hath this disease hath spied her, and turneth her tail toward him, shutting her eyes. Not, as some say, because she would not help him, but that in looking upon him she draweth that evil disease unto her by nature, and therefore she declineth such sight as a present peril. Perhaps you have heard too how the basilisk, with his only breath and look, doth dry up and corrupt all that it passeth by. And it is no wonder if some do bewitch such as they hold most dear and wish best unto; for seeing that they be envious by nature, they do, not what they wish, but what by nature is appointed.'
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§ 3.8 After he had waited a while, he said:'You have discussed this question right wisely and with very probable arguments. I would to God that she might feel at length what affection and love meaneth: then I would not think that she were sick but in most perfect health; and you know I have craved your help to bring this about. But now nothing less than this is to be feared to have happened to her, who hateth her bed and will be won by no love, but seemeth rather to be bewitched indeed. But I doubt not but you will undo this witchcraft, because of your singular wisdom and the friendship which is betwixt us.' I promised him then, if I could perceive her grief, to help her what I could.
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§ 3.9 While we yet talked of these matters, one came to us in haste and said:'Good sirs, you make such tarriance, as if you were called to a battle or skirmish and not to a banquet. The maker thereof is Theagenes, and great Neoptolemus is the president of the same. Come then, neither let the banquet through your default be continued till night, seeing that none but you are now absent.''This fellow,' quoth Charicles to me in mine ear,'biddeth us with a cudgel in his hand. How little like the Bacchic god is he, albeit he is well soaked already. But let us go; for it is to be doubted lest, if we tarry, he will drive us forward with blows.''You jest,' said I;'but let us go.' When we came, Theagenes placed Charicles beside himself, and honoured me also somewhat for his sake. Why do I trouble you now with telling how the maids danced, and what instruments were there, and how the young youths danced the dance called Pyrrhica in armour, and other things also; wherewith Theagenes had mingled fine and delicate meats, ordering his banquet as if it had been a merry drinking party. But that which is needful for you to hear and pleasant for me to tell is this. Theagenes set a merry countenance on the matter, and strained himself wonderfully that he might entertain his guests courteously and make them good cheer. But I perceived whereto his mind was bent by the rolling of his eyes and sudden sighing without cause. Sometimes he was sad and in a muse; then straightway, as though he knew his own fault and would correct himself, he would be merry; to be short, he changed his countenance a thousand ways. For the mind of a lover, as of a drunken man, is flexible and can tarry in no certain state, both, as it were, swimming in a moist affection. And for this reason a lover will soon be drunk, and a drunken man soon in love. By his sorrowful gaping and careful countenance all those who were there presently saw that he was not well. Even Charicles noticed his change of looks, and said to me softly:'Hath some envious eye looked upon him also? Methinks that he and Chariclea have the same disease.''They have indeed, by Isis,' said I;'and not without cause, since in the procession next to her he was the fairest person.' Thus talked we. But when the cups began to go about, Theagenes drank to every man, although against his will, for courtesy's sake. When he came to me, I said that I thanked him for his gentle offer, but did not drink. He, thinking I had despised him, looked at me angrily with burning eyes. Which as soon as Charicles perceived he said:'This man drinketh no wine nor eateth of the flesh of any living thing.' He asked:'Why?''He is,' quoth he,'an Egyptian, born at Memphis, a priest of Isis.' When Theagenes heard that I was an Egyptian and a priest, he conceived a wonderful pleasure and stretched himself for joy, as those who have found some great treasure, and called for water, and after he had drunk a good draught, he said:'Right wise man, I have drunk to you of that which you like best, and I pray you let this table make a lasting league of amity between us.''May it be so, worthy Theagenes,' said I;'I have a good while desired the same.' So receiving it from his hand I did drink, and with such talk we made an end of the banquet and went everyone to his own lodging. But Theagenes embraced me very lovingly and with kisses, both oftener and more familiarly than our former acquaintance suffered. After I came home I slept not the first part of the night, thinking of the young couple and studying diligently what the latter part of the oracle should mean. When it was midnight, I saw Apollo and Diana, as I thought — if indeed it was thought and not rather truth — and he delivered Theagenes to me and she Chariclea. Then calling me by my name:'It is time,' they said,'that you return to your country; for so the ladies of destiny command. Go therefore hence thyself and take these with thee, and love them as thine own children, and bring them out of Egypt whither and how it shall please the gods.' When they had said this they went away, giving first a token that it was not a dream that I saw but a thing done in deed. I understood all the rest as I had seen it, but into what country or to what people they should be carried I could not tell.''You will tell me hereafter, father,' quoth Cnemon,'if you know yourself. But how mean you that the gods were shewn to you not in your sleep, but manifestly appeared.''Even so, my son,' quoth he,'as wise Homer in a riddle did signify; although many let the hardness of the saying pass. For he saith somewhere:'Quickly I knew the marks Of his fair feet. For God's are easy known When men they meet.
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§ 3.10'I myself seem to be one of that sort of people,' said Cnemon.'Perhaps it was to reprove me, Calasiris, that you have made mention of these verses, the words whereof I well remember since the time I first learned them; but that there was divinity contained in them I knew not.' Calasiris waited a little, making ready to tell him the secret meaning, and said:'The gods and other heavenly powers, Cnemon, coming and going from us, change themselves seldom into the likeness of other creatures, but commonly into men, that we, supposing by the likeness of their figure that what we saw was a dream, may be so beguiled. But although the rude and profane people know them not, yet can they not escape the wise man. He will know them either by their eyes, in that they look steadfastly and never shut their eyelids; or better still by their gait, in that they move not their feet nor set one foot before another, but are carried by some force and unchecked power through the air, rather sliding through than striding over the winds. Wherefore the Egyptians make the images of their gods with their feet joined together and not separated asunder. Which thing the skilful Homer, like an Egyptian and one well instructed in the holy doctrine, secretly and closely signified in his verses, leaving them to be understood by such as had the power. Of Pallas he speaketh thus:'Also her terrible eyes did glister as she looked.' And of Poseidon thus:'His footprints as he went easily I knew' — meaning that he went, as it were, with a swimming gait; for the word'easily' goes with'went,' not, as some folk wrongly have imagined, with'I knew.'
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§ 3.11'You have initiated me well, sir, into these mysteries,' said Cnemon;'but when you often call Homer an Egyptian — a thing which no one has ever heard of — though I may not disbelieve you, yet I marvel, and beg you now to discuss this question also.'
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§ 3.12'It is nothing near to our purpose,' said the other,'to talk of such things, but yet I will briefly tell you. Homer by divers reports may be ascribed to divers countries, and indeed to the wise man no country comes amiss. But to tell the truth, he was our countryman, an Egyptian born in Thebes of the hundred gates, and his father was putatively a prophet but in reality the god Hermes, in whose temple the father served. For when his mother was doing certain sacrifices after the manner of the country she fell asleep in the temple and the god lay with her and engendered Homer. Who indeed had about him token of unlawful generation, for on both his thighs from birth there grew a great deal of hair. Wherefrom, as he travelled in Greece and other countries reciting his poems, he got his name. He himself would neither tell his name, nor his country, nor kindred; therefore those who knew the quality of his body gave him a name therefrom.''To what end, father,' quoth Cnemon,'would he not tell his country?''Either,' said he,'he was ashamed of his banishment — for he was driven out of his country by his father when the time came for him to become a priest, being known then to be a bastard by reason of the mark on his body — or else he concealed his country from policy, in order that he might lawfully say he was born everywhere.''Your words seem to me very true and wise,' said Cnemon;'for when I consider Homer's verse it is truly of Egyptian fashion, stuffed with all pleasure and delectation; while as for his natural excellence, he would not so far surpass all other men had he not some tincture of the divine in him. But when you perceived in true Homeric fashion that your visitors were gods, tell me, Calasiris, what happened next.''Just such things as had been before, Cnemon; I slept little, devised much, and fell into such cogitations as liketh the night well. I rejoiced to think that I had found something I had not expected, and looked forward gladly to returning to my own country. Yet was I sorrowful that Charicles should lose his daughter. I thought how I should carry the young folks away with me, and what means were to be devised for our departure. I was troubled too as touching this same, how we might do it privily and to what place we should go, and whether by sea or land. Indeed a thousand restless thoughts arose in my head and I slept no more that night.
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§ 3.13'It was scarcely day when one knocked at my door and I heard a boy calling. My man asked who called and what he would have, and he answered that Theagenes the Thessalian was there. I was glad of these tidings and bade him to be called in, thinking that this beginning did offer itself that I might learn how to bring to pass that which I was about. For I guessed that he came to crave my help to obtain his love, because he heard at the banquet that I was an Egyptian and a priest, and thought, as many wrongly do, that the wisdom of the Egyptians is always one and the same thing. But of our wisdom there is one kind that is common and — as I may term it — creeps on the ground, which is concerned with ghosts and occupied about dead bodies, using herbs and addicted to enchantments, neither tending itself nor bringing such as use it to any good end. It often is deceived by its own practices and its success is of a vile and terrible sort; that is to say it gives visions of such things as are not, as though they were, and beguileth men of such things as they looked for, a deviser of mischief and a minister of foul and unlawful pleasures. The other, my son, which is the true wisdom, from whence the counterfeit has degenerated, we priests and holy men do practise from our youth. It is conversant with heavenly things, liveth with the gods, and partakes of the higher nature, considering the moving of the stars and gaining a knowledge of the future therefrom, far removed from these earthly evils and directing all things to the honesty and commodity of men. It was at the guidance of this wisdom that I left my country for a time, if by any means I could avoid the things that were foreshewn to me, as I told you before, and the battle between my sons. But let us leave these things to the gods, and especially to the ladies of destiny, in whose power it lies to do this or to refrain. For they decreed my banishment not more, it seems, for this reason than that I should find Chariclea. And how that happened you shall know by that which followeth.'
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§ 3.14 After Theagenes was come in and bade me good morning, and I had saluted him again, I set him down on my bed beside me and asked him:'What earnest matter drove you hither to me thus early?' After he had stroked his face a little,'I am in great distress,' quoth he,'and I am ashamed to tell you why.' I thought it then a fit time to glose with him, and to guess that that which I knew full well. Therefore, looking upon him cheerfully, I said:'Although you be ashamed to tell me, yet nothing can be hidden from my wisdom and the knowledge of the gods.' And after I had lifted up myself a little, and made as though I would have cast some account with my fingers, and spread my hair about my ears like one that would have prophecied, I said:'My son, thou art in love.' He started at my words, and when I added:'with Chariclea,' — then supposing I knew it from God, he could scarce refrain from falling down and worshipping me. Which when I would not let him do, he came to me, and kissed my head oft, and gave God thanks that his hope had not failed him, and prayed me heartily that I would save him. For he could not live if he had not help, and that immediately: so great was the trouble that he felt and so vehemently did his heart burn; the more because he never was to love before. For he sware unto me many oaths that he never had to do with woman, and that he utterly refused marriage and love, if any were proffered him, until Chariclea's beauty had overcome him. Not because he was chaste of nature, or could not do like other men, but because till then he had never seen a woman worthy to be loved. And as he said this he wept, in token that by force and against his will he was subdued by the maid. I took him up, and comforted him, and said:'Be of good cheer, now that you have once come to me for help; she will not be stronger than my wisdom. It is true that she is somewhat austere and can hardly be made to love, utterly despising Venus and marriage, if she do but hear them named; but for your sake we must try all means. Art can break nature. Only you must be bold, and do whatsoever thing necessary I command you.' He promised to do all that I should tell him, even if I bade him walk upon the blades of swords.
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§ 3.15 While he was thus praying and beseeching me, promising to give me all that he ever had for my pains, one came from Charicles and said:'Sir, Charicles desireth you to come to him. He is in Apollo's temple hereby, and prayeth to the god; for he has been troubled, I know not how, by certain dreams.' Thereupon I rose; and when I had sent Theagenes away and was come to the temple, I found Charicles sitting in a stall, very sad and sorrowful. I came to him and said:'Why be you so sad?' He answered:'Why should I not? Diverse visions in my sleep have troubled me, and my daughter, as I hear, is very sick and slept never a wink this night. For my part, although for many reasons her sickness grieves me, yet the greatest is that tomorrow is a day ordained for sport, and the custom is for the temple priestess to hold forth the torch to those who run in armour and be the judge of their race. Of two things then one must happen; either her absence will break this long accustomed order, or else by coming against her will she shall be more sick. Wherefore, even if before you could not, yet help her now, and do us this good turn, which shall well beseem our friendship and be besides an act of piety toward God. I know that it is easy for you, if you will, even to heal one who is, as you say, bewitched. For holy priests can bring wonderful things to pass.' I said, beguiling him also, that I had been careless hitherto, and asked for one day's liberty to make some medicine for her.'At this present,' I went on,'let us go to the maid, and consider her more diligently, and comfort her as much as we may. And I would also, Charicles, that you should have some talk with the maid concerning me, and by your commendation bring me into better credit with her, that she being more familiar with me may the boldlier suffer me to heal her.''Content,' said he;'let us be going.'
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§ 3.16 After we came to Chariclea, to what end should one make many words! She was altogether vanquished by her affliction: the roses had gone from her cheeks, and the brightness of her eyes was quenched with tears, as if it had been with water. Yet when she saw us she composed herself, and tried to regain her wonted looks and speech. Charicles embraced and kissed her a thousand times, and omitting no kind of endearment —'My child, my sweet daughter,' quoth he,'wilt thou not tell thy father what thy sickness is? Seeing that thou hast been bewitched, why dost thou hold thy peace, as though thou wert the wrong-doer and wert not thyself injured by those eyes which so unluckily looked upon thee? But be of good heart. I have begged this wise man Calasiris to find some remedy for thee; which thing he can well perform, for he is as excellent as any man in heavenly knowledge, as one who is by profession a priest, and best of all he is our good friend. Wherefore you will do very well if you suffer him without any impediment to use for your cure either any enchantment or whatever else he will: in any case the company of such wise men is pleasant to you.' Chariclea said nothing, but moved her head as though she consented to the counsel he gave her. When these things were thus ordered we went away. Charicles reminding me that I should have regard to my promise and bethink me how I might make her have a fancy for marriage and a desire of men. I made him then very glad when I told him that within a short time I would satisfy his mind.
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§ 4.1 THE FOURTH BOOK THE STRANGE BIRTH The next day Apollo's games were to end but the sport between the young lovers was at its full, Cupid in my opinion being moderator, and arbiter thereof, in full determination to show his games the greatest of all by these two champions whom he had set together. Such was the sight: all Greece looked on and the Amphictyons sat as judges. After all the other contests were sumptuously finished, such as running, wrestling and boxing, at last the herald by proclamation called on those that should run in armour. And therewithal Chariclea as priestess glistered at the race end. For she had come, although against her will, partly for the custom's sake but more in my judgment upon hope to see Theagenes somewhere. In her left hand she held a burning torch, and in the other hand a branch of palm, and as soon as she appeared every man looked upon her. But even so perchance no one saw her before Theagenes; for a lover is very ready to espy that with love whereof he is held. And besides, after he knew what should be done, he thought upon nothing but to see her. Wherefore he could not keep his own counsel but said quietly to me — for he sat next to me of purpose —'That is Chariclea.' But I bade him be quiet.
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§ 4.2 After the proclamation was ended there came forth one marvellously well armed, a haughty man and surpassing all the others, as he thought, in honour, who in many courses before who had won the garland: Marry then there was none to contend with him, for none I think would be so bold. The Amphictyons then were for letting him run alone, since by the lay he may not have the crown that hath not ventured for the same. But he made request that challenge might be made against all men. The judges gave command that it should be so and the herald called for some man to run against him. Theagenes said'This man doth challenge me.''What mean you by that?' quoth I.'It shall be so, father,' quoth he;'for none but I, if I look on and be in presence, shall receive reward of victory at Chariclea's hand.''Do you neither care for nor esteem the shame that ensueth if you be overcome?' said I.'What man,' said he,'will look on Chariclea and approach to her so hastily that he can get before me? To whom can her eyes give like wings as to me, and cause him to fly so fast? Know you not that painters make love with wings, declaring as by a riddle the nimbleness of those that be in love. And if besides what I have said already I must needs boast, no man hitherto has ever vaunted that he could outrun me.'
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§ 4.3 When he had said this he leapt forth and went down, declared his name and country and drew lots for his place in the race. Then he put on his armour and stood at the starting point, panting because of the great desire he had to run, and scarcely able to tarry for the sound of the trumpet. It was a goodly sight and worthy to be looked at, much like that wherein Homer bringeth in Achilles as he ran at Scamander. All Greece was moved at this deed, which fell contrary to their expectation, and wished the victory to Theagenes as heartily as if every man had run himself. For comeliness of person is of great force to get the good will of men. Chariclea also was moved beyond measure, and since I looked upon her a great while, I espied how her countenance diversely changed. For after the herald had in all men's hearing named those that were to run, Ormenus, an Arcadian and Theagenes, a Thessalian, they left their standings and began the race, going with such speed that men could scarce behold them. Then the maid could not keep quiet any more, but her limbs were moved and her feet leapt into the air, as though her mind was with Theagenes helping him in the race. All those that looked on waited to see what the end would be and were very anxious; most of all I, who had now determined with myself to have like care for him as if he had been my son.''No marvel,' said Cnemon,'if those that were there and saw him were anxious; I myself now am afraid for Theagenes, and therefore, if he got the prize, I pray you quick and tell me.'
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§ 4.4'After they had run the middle of the race,' said Calasiris,' Theagenes turned a little about and frowning upon Ormenus lifted up his shield aloft, and stretching out his neck with his eyes fast fixed on Chariclea, he flew toward her like an arrow to its mark, so that the Arcadian was left many yards behind; which quantity of ground was after measured. Then running to Chariclea he of purpose fell into her lap, as though he could not stay himself, and when he took the garland from her I saw well enough that he kissed her hand.''O happy turn,' cried Cnemon;'he got the victory and kissed her also. But what happened then?''Not only canst thou not be satisfied with hearing,' quoth Calasiris,'but thou art not easily overcome by sleep. A great part of the night is past and yet thou keepest watch and art not weary of so long a tale.''I think Homer was wrong,' said Cnemon,'when he said of all things there is satiety, even of love. In my opinion a man can never be weary thereof, either if he be in love himself, or hear the tale of other lovers. And if a man is telling of the love of Theagenes and Chariclea, who is so stony or hard hearted that he would not conceive delight therein, even if he listened for a year? Wherefore, go forward with your tale.'
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§ 4.5' Theagenes then,' quoth Calasiris,'was crowned, and proclaimed victor, and brought back with all men's joyful gratulations. And now Chariclea was quite vanquished, and even more enslaved by love even than before, since she had seen Theagenes this second time. For the mutual sight of lovers is a reminder of love, and doth as much inflame the mind as fire when it is put to any dry matter. After she came home, she passed a like night to the others, or even a worse. I also slept but little, considering whither we should go in our secret flight and into what country God would have the young couple carried. I conjectured indeed that we must take our voyage by sea, since the oracle had said -
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§ 4.6'And sailing surging streams Shall come at length to country scorched with burning Phoebus' beams.'
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§ 4.7 But whither they should be conveyed I could find one only way to know, if I could by any means get the wrapping which was laid out with Chariclea, wherein Charicles said that he was told that all the maid's history was signified. For I thought it was likely that from it I should learn the maid's parents and country — which already I began to suspect — and perhaps also find whither the ladies of destiny would send them.
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§ 4.8 The next morning I came very early to Chariclea, and found all her housefolk weeping, and Charicles as much as any.'What ado is here?' said I.'My daughter's sickness,' answered he,'waxeth worse and worse; she hath had a worse night of this then any yet.''Get you hence,' quoth I,'and all the rest avoid. Let some one set me a three-footed stool here, and a little laurel with fire, and frankincense. And let none come in to trouble me before I call.' Charicles gave his orders and I having now gotten good occasion, began to play my pageant as if I had been upon a stage. I burned frankincense, and mumbled with my lips, and laid laurel on her from top to toe, and at length, after I had drowsily or old wife like gaped and played the fool a great while with myself and the maid, I made an end. She, while I was thus doing, wagged her head oft, and smiled, and told me that I was deceived and knew not her grief. Therewith I sat nearer to her and said:'My daughter, be of good cheer. Thy grief is common and easily healed. Without doubt thou wert bewitched when you were at the pomp, or rather when you presided at the race which was run in armour. And he that hath thus bewitched you, I think, is Theagenes; for I perceived well that he often beheld you and cast many wanton looks at you.''Whether he did so or not,' said she,'well fare he. But what countryman is he, and of what line is he descended? For I saw many wonder much at him.''You have heard already,' said I,'that he is a Thessalian, by the herald who proclaimed his name, and he fetcheth his pedigree from Achilles, and in my judgment he may do so with good reason, considering his tall stature and comely personage, which manifestly confirm Achilles' blood. Saving that he is not so arrogant and proud as that hero was, but doth moderate and assuage the haughtiness and fierceness of his mind with commendable courtesy. Which thing being so, although he have an envious eye and with his looks hath bewitched you, yet he himself hath more pain than he hath caused you to have.''O Father,' quoth she,'I thank you that you be sorrowful for our mishap; but why do you speak evil without cause of him who hath done us no harm? For I am not bewitched, but have, as I guess, some other infirmity.''Then daughter,' said I,'why do you conceal it and not frankly utter it, that we may with more ease find remedy thereto? Am I not in age, yea rather in good will, your father? Is not your father familiarly acquainted with me? Are we not of one profession? Tell me your disease and I will keep your counsel; yes, if you will, I will be bound by oath to you so to do. Speak boldly, and suffer not your infirmity to increase with silence. For sickness which is soon known can easily be cured; but that which by long time hath gotten strength is almost incurable. Silence doth much succour any disease; that which is uttered may by comfort easily be remedied.' Thereat she waited a little, declaring by her countenance many changes of her mind, and said:'Let me alone today and you shall know it hereafter; if indeed you know it not before, since you profess yourself a soothsayer.' Therewith I rose and departed, giving her occasion to moderate the bashfulness of her mind. Then Charicles met me and,'Have you any good news to tell me?' quoth he.'All shall be well,' said I,'for tomorrow she shall be healed of her infirmity. And there shall be somewhat else happen also of a right pleasurable sort. In the meantime nothing hinders to call in a physician.' When I had said thus, I made haste to be gone, that he might ask me no more questions.
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§ 4.9 After I had gone a little way from the house, I espied Theagenes walking about the temple and the precinct, and talking to himself, as though it were sufficient for him even to see the place where Chariclea dwelt. I turned a little aside and was for passing by, as though I had not seen him. But he cried out:'God speed you, Calasiris: tarry, I pray you: for I waited for you.' I turned suddenly about, and said:'Why, it is the beautiful Theagenes: I did not see you.''How am I beautiful,' quoth he,'who do not please Chariclea?' I set a face on it as though I were angry and said:'Will you not cease to speak evil of me and my skill, whereby she is now entrapped and compelled to love you, and doth desire to see you, as one that is mightier than herself.''What say you, father?' said he.'Doth Chariclea desire to see me? Why do you not then carry me to her?' And therewith he started to run. But I caught him by the cloak and said:'Stand still here, although you be very light footed. This is not a thing that can be snatched as booty nor is it easy for every man that list to get the same. It must be done with great counsel and performed with no small provision. Know you not that the maid's father is the noblest man in Delphi? Do you not remember that the laws appoint death as penalty for such deeds as these?''It matters not if I died,' quoth he,'after I had my will of Chariclea. But if you think it good, let us go to her father and desire her of him to be wife; for I am worthy enough to be Charicles' kinsman.''We shall not prevail with him,' said I.'Not that he can find any fault in you, but he hath long ago promised her in marriage to his sister's son.''He shall repent it,' said he,'whoever he be. While I live, no other man shall wed Chariclea. This hand of mine is not yet benumbed, nor my sword so blunt.''Be content,' said I:'we shall have no need of any of these things. Be only ruled by me, and do as I command you. For the moment depart, and take heed that you be not espied talking with me often; when you come, come privily and alone.' At that he went away very sad.
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§ 4.10 The next day Charicles met me, and as soon as he saw me, he ran to me and kissed my cheeks often times, continually crying:'Of such force is your wisdom and friendship. You have brought a great business to pass. She is taken now that was hard to be won; she that was before invincible is now subdued. Chariclea is in love.' I began to wag my head at this, and knit my brows, and walk proudly, and said there was no doubt that she would not be able to abide my first assault, seeing that as yet I had used nothing great upon her.'But tell me, Charicles,' quoth I,'how you perceived that she was in love?''When I had gotten very trusty physicians,' replied he,'as you gave me counsel, I brought them to her, promising them all the riches I had if they could cure her. As soon as they came in to her, they asked what her disease was, and where the pain held her. She turned her face from them and answered them not a word, but repeated with a loud voice this verse of Homer -
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§ 4.11 “ Achilles is the bravest man of all the Greekish rout.” Acestinus, a wise man — perhaps you know him — took her wrist in his hand, although against her will, and seemed to judge her disease by the beating of her pulse, which declareth, I suppose, the state of the heart. After he had felt her pulse a good while, and had looked her carefully up and down, he said: “ Charicles, you have brought us here in vain; physic can do her no good.” “O God,” cried I: “why say you so, must my daughter die without all hope of recovery?” “Make not such ado,” said he,'but listen to me." And then, when were in a corner, so that neither the maid nor any other could hear us, he said: “Our art doth profess the caring of distempered bodies, and not principally of the diseased mind, but only when it is afflicted with the body, so that when that is healed, then is it also cured. The maid in truth is sick but not in body; for no humour aboundeth, the head ache vexeth her not, no ague burneth her, nor is any part or parcel of her body grieved. You may account this, and nothing else, to be true.” I earnestly begged him, if he had noticed anything further in her, to tell me. “Doth not even a child know,” quoth he, “that love is an affection of the heart and a sort of sickness? There is naught that ails her inward body, but do you not see that her eyes are swollen, her looks distraught, and that she is pale in her face? Besides, she raveth and uttereth whatsoever cometh into her mind, and lieth awake without a cause, and hath suddenly lost the just amplitude of her limbs. You must find her the man for whom she yearneth; he is the only one, Charicles, who can cure her.” When he had said this, he departed. So I have come in haste to you, my saviour and my god, whom both I and she acknowledge to be alone able to help us. For when I desired and often besought her to tell me what she ailed, she made me this answer, that she knew not what disease she had and that none but Calasiris, she was persuaded, could cure her; and therefore she begged me to call you to her. Whence I guessed that your wisdom it was that had brought her under.''Can you,' said I to Charicles,'tell whom she loveth, as well as that she is in love?''No, by Apollo,' said he;'for how or by what means should I know that? Marry, I would above all things that she loved Alcamenes my sister's son, whom, as much as lieth in me, I have appointed to be her husband.''You might try,' said I,'and bring him in, and show him to her.' He liked my counsel well, and went his way.
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§ 4.12 Later about midday, meeting me again he said:'You shall hear a sad and pitiful thing. My daughter seemeth to be out of her wits, such a strange infirmity hath she. I brought in Alcamenes, as you bade me, and showed him to her very freshly apparelled. But she, as though she had seen the Gorgon's head or something yet more terrible, cried out with a loud voice, and turned her face to the other part of the chamber, and put her hand to her throat instead of a halter, and threatened that she would kill herself, and bound it with an oath too, if we dispatched not ourselves out of the chamber quickly. We went from her in less time than she spake the words: for what could we do, seeing so fearful a sight? Now I come to beseech you again, that you will neither suffer her to perish nor me to be frustrated of my desire.''O Charicles,' said I,'you said truly that your daughter was distraught. She is indeed distracted by those powers of no mean strength that I have sent upon her, which, as it seemeth, force her to do that which both by nature and determination of mind she abhorred. Some god, methinketh, has taken upon himself to hinder this business and to strive against my ministers. Wherefore it is time you showed me the wrapping which you said was found with her together with the other tokens. I fear that it be enchanted and wrought with such signs as do now vex her mind, by reason that some enemy did lay this snare for her at the beginning, that she should be estranged from all love and die without issue.' He agreed to what I said, and within a while brought me the wrapping. I asked him to give me a space, and when he agreed I took it to my lodging, and delaying not a whit began to read what was written thereon. It was in Ethiopian letters, not the common sort, but such as their princes use, like to those that the Egyptians call hieratic, and this was what I read therein -
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§ 4.13 “ Persina, Queen of the Ethiopians, to her daughter by travail, by whatsoever name she shall be called, writes in haste the lamentation contained herein, as her last gift.” — I was amazed, Cnemon, when I heard Persina's name. But I read that which followed, which was this — “My daughter, the Sun, who is author of our race, is witness that it was not because of any misdeed that I have cast thee forth and concealed thee from thy father Hydaspes' sight. Yet, my daughter, I would have myself excused to thee, if thou dost happen to live, and to him who shall find thee, if God do so provide, and to all men; and therefore now I declare the cause of thy exposure. Our ancestors are, among the gods, the Sun and Bacchus: among heroes, Perseus, Andromeda and Memnon. Those who built our royal palace at various seasons adorned the walls with paintings of their various exploits, and with their limned figures decked the guest chambers and the porticoes therein, while the king's bridal chamber is garnished with pictures containing the loves of Perseus and Andromeda. In that chamber, after Hydaspes had been married to me ten years and we had never a child, we happened to be resting one summer day, for that we were drowsy with the fierce heat. And it was then that your father had to do with me, swearing that by a dream he was commanded so to do; and I by and by perceived myself to be with child. All the time after until I was delivered was kept as a public festival and sacrifices of thanksgiving were offered to the gods, for that the king hoped now to have one to succeed him in his kingdom. But thou wert born white, which colour is strange among the Ethiopians. I knew the reason, that it was because, while my husband had to do with me, I was looking at the picture of Andromeda brought down by Perseus naked from the rock, and so by mishap engendered presently a thing like to her. But counting it certain that thy colour would procure me to be accused of adultery, and that none would believe me when I told them the cause, I determined to rid myself of shameful death and to commit thee to the unstableness of fortune, which was a thing far to be preferred to present death or to be called a bastard. Telling my husband therefore that thou wert straightway dead, I have privily laid thee forth with the greatest riches that I had, as a reward for him who shall find thee and take thee up. And besides those other things I have wrapped thee in this band, wherein is contained the story of both our fortunes, which I have written with tears and blood that I have shed for thee, since I have thee and fell into much sorrow for thee at one and the same time. But oh my sweet child, that wert but for a small while my daughter, if thou live, remember thy noble parentage, and love chastity, which is the sure sign of womanly virtue and queenly mind, and follow thy parents by keeping the same. Above all things remember that thou seek for a certain ring among the jewels that are about thee, which thy father gave me when we were first betrothed, in the hoop whereof is the king's secret token and the stone is a Pantarbe consecrated with secret virtues. These things I have said to thee, making this writing my messenger, since God has taken from me the power to tell thee them to thy face. It may perchance be useless and void of effect, but also it may be profitable hereafter: for no man knoweth what uncertain fortune will bring. To be short, what I have written, O my daughter, beautiful in vain, who by thy beauty hath brought me blame, if thou live, shall be a token to thee of thy birth. But if thou die — which God Grant I never hear — it shall serve as thy mother's lamentation at thy grave.”
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§ 4.14 After I had read this, Cnemon, I knew who she was, and marvelled greatly at the governance of the gods, and was full of pleasure and sorrow, and altogether strangely affected, weeping and laughing at once. My mind was glad for the knowing of that whereof I was ignorant before, and for the discovery of the oracle's meaning, but it was very much troubled for that which was to come and had great pity and compassion for the life of man, as a thing very unstable and weak and bending every way; which thing I then knew especially by Chariclea's fortune. I thought of many things, of what parents she was come, whose child she was thought to be, how far she was from her country, and was now called daughter by a false name having lost her natural country soil and royal blood of Ethiopia. To make few words, I was a great while in study, since I had good cause to pity and bewail her past state, and yet durst not commend that which was to come. But at last, bringing back my thoughts to sober facts, I concluded that it was not good now to delay the matter but rather with speed to execute that which I had begun.
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§ 4.15 I went then to Chariclea and found her alone, altogether wearied with love and still striving to withstand her fancy. Marry, her body was much afflicted, by reason that it yielded to her infirmity and she was not able with any force to withstand the violence thereof. After I had sent them away who were with her and given them charge that they should make no noise, under pretence that I had some prayers and invocations to make about the maid, I said to her:'Now is the time come, Chariclea, — for so you promised me yesterday — to tell me your grief, and not to conceal it any longer from a man that loveth you heartily and can know it, even if you hold your tongue.' She took me by the hand and kissed it, and therewithal she wept, and said:'Wise Calasiris, since you seem to know my disease, grant me one favour. Suffer me to hold my peace and be unhappy, gaining this much at least, that I hide my shame and conceal that which to suffer is evil but to utter is worse. Although my increasing disease doth much grieve me, yet this grieveth me more, that at the first I overcame it not but yielded to love, a thing which even to speak of doth defile the honorable name of virginity.' With that I comforted her and said:'My daughter, you do well for two reasons to conceal your state. I have no need to be told that which by skill I knew already. And not without cause do you blush to utter that which it becometh women to keep secret. But because thou hast once tasted of love and Theagenes hath subdued thee — for thus am I by divine inspiration informed — know that neither art thou alone nor yet the first that hath been thus affected. Many other noble women and many maidens in all things very chaste have tasted hereof as well as you. For Love is the greatest of the gods, and is said even sometimes to overcome the gods themselves. Now you must consider how you may best order your business. Not to be in love at all is a kind of happiness; but when you are taken, to use it moderately is a point of excellent wisdom. Which thing you may well do, if you will believe me, by putting away the filthy name of lust, and embracing the lawful bond of wedlock, and turning your disease into matrimony.'
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§ 4.16 When I had said this, Cnemon, she was in a great sweat, and it was plain that she was glad of what she heard, and greatly in fear and much troubled for what she hoped; and moreover she waxed red to think in what manner she was taken. After she had waited a good while:'Father,' said she,'you speak of marriage and bid me embrace it, as though it were plain that either my father would be content therewith or mine enemy want it.''As for the young man,' said I,'there is no doubt. He is more in love than you, being moved by the same reasons, since both your minds, as it seems, at the first sight knew one another's excellency and fell into a like affection, while I myself have made his love the greater to do you pleasure. But he who is supposed to be your father provides you with another husband, Alcamenes, whom you know well enough.''Let him,' quoth she,'rather seek to lay him in his grave than marry him to me. Either Theagenes shall have me, or that which is destined for all shall receive me. But I pray you, tell me how you know that Charicles is not my father in truth, but only supposed so to be.''By this,' said I; and therewithal I showed her the wrapping.'Where had you that, or how came you by it?' said she.'After he had received me in Egypt from him who brought me up, he carried me hither I know not how, and took that from me, and kept it in a chest, that it might not by continuance of time be spoiled.''How I came by it,' said I,'you shall hear afterward. But tell me now, if you can, what is contained therein.' When she told me that she could not,'It declareth,' said I,'your parents, your country, and all your fortune.' Then she begged me that I would tell her what I knew, and I told her all, reading it word by word and interpreting it to her.
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§ 4.17 After she knew her birth and had taken stomach unto her, she drew more near her true pedigree and said:'What must we do?' I told her plainly all my plan and made her privy to every point.'I, my daughter,' said I,'went once into Ethiopia to learn of their wisdom, and was well acquainted with your mother Persina; for the king's court is a place where all wise men resort. Marry, I had a little praise the more, because I joined the wisdom of Egypt and of Ethiopia together, which made me of the more credit. When she understood that I was returning to my country, she told me all your affairs, binding me first by oath to keep it secret, and said moreover that she durst not tell the wise men of that country. She desired me to ask the gods, first, whether after your exposure you lived; then, in what country you were. For she could hear of none such as you in Ethiopia, although she had made diligent inquiry. I learned all of the gods, both that you were alive and where you were living. Then she besought me that I would seek you out and urge you to return to your country. For she said, she lived without issue and children by reason of her great grief for you and she was now ready to confess all to your father, if you at any time came to light, and she knew that he would be persuaded, both because of the long experience he had of her and also of the great desire and joy he would have in one to succeed him contrary to his expectation. This she said and begged me to do, by the oath that I had sworn by the sun, which may not be violated by any of the wise men. To perform that oath I came hither, although I took not this voyage for that cause only, accounting it by the will of the gods an advantage gotten in my long journey. I have been busy about this for long and have left no convenient service to you undone. But I told you not of the matter since I was waiting for a just opportunity, and also by some means to get the wrapping that I might have due proof of my tale. Therefore, if you consent, you may go away now with us, before you suffer anything you would not from the violence of Charicles, who is providing very busily to match you with Alcamenes. Then you will recover your kindred, your country, and your parents, and dwell with Theagenes, who is ready to follow us into whatsoever country we will, and will leave a foreign bastard life for one that is natural and princely, ruling as queen together with your dear lover, if we may believe the gods, and especially the oracle of Apollo.' With that I brought the oracle into her remembrance and declared to her what it meant, she already knowing thereof before, inasmuch as it was in every man's mouth and hotly debated. At this she was moved and —'Father,' quoth she,'since you say the gods will it so and I believe no less, what must we do?''You must make,' said I,'as though you were content to marry Alcamenes.''That is a hard thing,' she replied,'and scarcely seemly, even in word to prefer any man before Theagenes. But inasmuch as I have put myself, father, into the hands of the gods and you, tell me now the purpose of this design, and how it may be undone before it be brought to effect.''The issue will teach you,' said I.'Many things, told beforehand to women, have greatly hindered the matter in hand: which, being suddenly put into practise, are for the most part by them more boldly achieved. Only follow my counsel both now and at other times, and be content to allow the marriage that Charicles provides for you, remembering that he will do nothing without my counsel and guidance.' She made promise so to do; and I went my way, and left her weeping.
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§ 4.18 Scarcely was I gone out of her chamber when I saw Charicles, very sad and full of sorrow.'Good sir,' said I,'you should rejoice, and be glad, and do sacrifice of thanksgiving to the gods. You have gotten that which you have long desired. Chariclea by my much skill and manifold wisdom has been made content to take a husband. But you are sad and heavy, and can scarce refrain from tears, I know not why.''Why should I not be sad?' said he.'My dearest daughter will be carried off into another country before she is wedded, as you said, if we may give credit both to other dreams and especially to that which I had this night. Methought that an eagle, let fly out of Apollo's hand, came down, took my daughter out of my arms, and carried her into I know not what far country, which was black and full of ugly shadows. What he did with her I could not tell, since his flight and the infinite distance of space between us took away the sight of mine eyes.'
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§ 4.19 As soon as he said this I knew whereto his dream tended. But that I might withdraw him from this despair of mind and bring him far from suspicion of what should come to pass, I said:'Sir priest, although you are the servant of the most prophetic of the gods, you seem to me to judge not aright respecting this vision. It foreshoweth to you the marriage of your daughter, and doth secretly signify by the eagle that a husband shall take her, and that Apollo will bring him to her with his own hand. And yet you seem to be angry and construe your dream worse than it is meant. Wherefore, Charicles, let us be content and help the purpose of the gods by labouring in every way to persuade the maid.' He asked me what was best to be done, that the maid might be more obedient.'If,' quoth I,'you have any precious thing in store, or apparel wrought with gold, or jewels of price, bring them to her, as tokens from her spouse, and appease her with gifts; for gold and precious stones are for women like a magic charm. You must provide everything ready for the solemnity and perform the marriage at once, while her desire therefor, which is wrought by art against her will, remains stable and unchanged.''Think that I will omit nothing that I can do,' said Charicles; and with that he went home rejoicing and made haste to put words into action. He did indeed, as I perceived afterward, all that I commanded, bringing to her costly garments and also the jewels of Ethiopia which Persina set forth with Chariclea that she might know who she was, pretending forsooth that they were bridal gifts from Alcamenes.
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§ 4.20 I for my part went to find Theagenes and asked him where his friends were who had made the pomp with him.'The maids,' quoth he,'are gone away already that they may take the easier journey: the young men also will tarry no longer, but make much ado and prepare to return to their country.' When I heard this I told him what he should say to them and do himself, and gave him charge to wait until I showed him the time and the occasion. And so I left him and went to the temple of Apollo, to pray the god that he would instruct me concerning my flight with the young couple. But the god was quicker than any man would think, who helpeth those that act according to his will, even though he be not called upon, and preventeth their prayers with the readiness of his good will: as even then it happened that he prevented my question with the answer and did in deed declare his help and guidance. For as I went to seek the prophetess, anxious for the performance of that which I had determined, a voice stopped me as I went by, which said:'Come, good friend, quick and join us: we who are strangers here invite thee.' And indeed there was a company there making a sacrificial banquet with music in honour of Hercules. I stopped when I heard the words; for I might not go past when God had called me. I took some frankincense therefore and offered it, and made a libation of water, and although they seemed to wonder at the simplicity of my sacrifice, yet they desired me to take part in their banquet. I did so, and after I had sat down on a bench which they strewed with myrtle and laurel for strangers, and had eaten as I am accustomed to do, I said unto them:'Good fellows, I thank you for this good cheer. But I am utterly ignorant of your estate: wherefore it is time that ye tell me who you are and whence you come. For it is an unseemly and very rude thing that those who have done sacrifice and banquetted together and made holy meat the beginning of friendship should depart without either knowing the other's affairs.' They told me then that they were merchants of Tyre in Phoenicia, and that they were sailing to Carthage in Africa, their ship freighted with merchandise from India, Ethiopia, and Phoenicia. At that moment they were making a feast to the Tyrian Hercules for a victory just gotten, inasmuch as this young man, said they, pointing to one who sat beside me, has gained the prize for wrestling and proved that a Tyrian may win the victory in the midst of Greeks.'For he,' said they,'after we had sailed past Malea, and by force of tempest were constrained to land at the island of Cephalenia, swore unto us by our country's god that in his sleep it was told him that he should obtain the victory in these games of Apollo. And when he had persuaded us to turn from our intended course and land here, he made proof by his deeds that his prophecy was true, so that now he is proclaimed as a famous victor, who was but late a merchant, and is offering this sacrifice to the god who was his conductor, both as a thanksgiving for his victory and as a prayer for a prosperous voyage. And tomorrow, if the wind serve, we shall leave this coast.''Have you in truth determined this?' said I.'Yea, verily,' answered they.'You shall then, if you please,' I said,'have my company. For I have a voyage to make to Sicily for a certain reason, and you sailing to Africa must pass by it.''You shall be welcome,' quoth they,'if you will come; for we think we shall want for nothing good if we have with us a wise man, and a Grecian, and one who by experience is proved to be well beloved of the gods.''I would,' said I,'that you will grant me one day, to make my provision.''You shall have tomorrow,' they said,'on condition that by evening we be on the sea; for we commonly sail by night, since the winds that blow then from the land do calmly fill our sails.' I made bargain that I would do so, binding them first by oath that they should not depart before the promised time was expired.
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§ 4.21 So I left them there piping and dancing after the manner of the Assyrians, sometimes leaping aloft, sometimes bending their body downward, and writhing themselves as if they were inspired by some god. Next I went to Chariclea, and found her holding in her lap the jewels that Charicles gave her and gazing upon them. And then I went to Theagenes; and when I had told them both what they should do I returned to my lodging and waited for what should be next. On the morrow this was what happened. About midnight, when all the city was fast asleep, a crew of armed young men came to the house of Chariclea. The captain of this amorous war was Theagenes, who after their brave pomp had thus taught his youth to play the soldiers. Those who heard them were frightened by the great clamour they made, and by the clashing of their shields, as with blazing torches they burst into the house. They lifted the door away easily — for it had been provided before that it should not be very hard barred — and carried Chariclea out, finding her already well prepared, since she knew hereof before, and ready with good will to suffer this assault; taking away also a great deal of stuff, such as the maid commanded. After they had left her lodging, they sounded a war-like cry and made a terrible noise with their harness, and so passed through the city, casting the inhabitants thereof into a wonderful panic: and indeed they had chosen the dead of night for this very reason, that they might be the more afraid. Parnassus re-echoed the din of their clashing bronze; and so they passed through Delphi, shouting loudly one to another the name of Chariclea.
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§ 4.22 When they had got out of the city, they hied them on horseback, as fast as they could, into the mountains of Oita in Locris. But Theagenes and Chariclea, as had been arranged before, left their company, and came back to me privily, and fell trembling at my feet, and clasped my knees, and still cried:'Save us, father.' Chariclea said no more, but held down her head, as though she were ashamed of what she had done. But Theagenes said:'Save us, Calasiris; for we are strangers and homeless supplicants, who have lost everything that we might win ourselves save our bodies, committed now to fortune and bond servants to chaste love. Save us who by our own glad consent are banished and set our one hope of safety in you.' I was moved hereat, and after I had wept over the young couple — rather with my heart than with mine eyes, so that they perceived it not and yet it eased my grief — I comforted and emboldened them, bidding them hope for a happy end, since the matter was begun by the will and counsel of the gods.'As for me,' quoth I,'I will go and dispatch the rest of our business. Tarry you for me in this place, and take diligent heed that no man espy you.' When I had said this I was going away, but Chariclea caught me by the coat, and held me fast, and said:'Nay, father, this is an unfair, or rather a traitorous beginning, if you go away and leave me alone with Theagenes, not considering how unmeet a lover is to lay the guardian, if it be in his power to enjoy that which he loveth, and there be no man there to make him ashamed thereof. He burns the more fiercely, methinks, when he sees what he desires without any defence before him. Wherefore I will not let you depart before I am assured, both for the present and the future, by an oath of Theagenes that he will not fleshly have to do with me until I have recovered my country and parents; or if the gods grant me not that, at least until by mine own free will I consent that he shall marry me. Otherwise never.' I admired her words, and determined it should be so, and lit a fire upon the altar, and burned frankincense. Theagenes said that he was being wrongly used, since the faith which he had determined in his mind to keep was taken away by reason of his oath, and that he could not now show that he was acting willingly inasmuch as he would seem to be compelled by a stronger power. Still he took an oath by Apollo of Delphi, and Diana, and Venus herself, and all the gods of love that he would in all things do as Chariclea wished and enjoined.
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§ 4.23 This, and many other things, they concluded between themselves, calling the gods as witnesses thereto. I went as fast as I could to Charicles and found all his house in a hurly-burly and turmoil. His servants had come and told him of the taking away of the maid, and the citizens stood round about him in heaps, while he himself lamented sore. In a word, for ignorance of what had been done and want of counsel as to what they should do now, they were at their wits' end. Then began I with my big voice to thunder and say:'Ye unhappy people, how long will you sit still, dumb like stocks, as though your wits also were taken away by your ill fortune? Why do you not in armour pursue your enemies? Will you not take and punish those who have done you this wrong?''It is in vain perchance,' said Charicles,'to strive against this present fortune. I understand well that I am thus punished because of the anger of the gods, which was foreshowed me, since I went in an unlucky time into the privy chapel and saw there that which was not lawful to be seen. As a punishment therefor I was told that I should lose that which I set most store by. But there is no impediment, as the proverb has it, even against a god to fight, if only we knew whom to pursue or who hath done us this mischief.''That is Theagenes the Thessalian,' said I,'whom you praised so much and made my friend, and the young men who were with him. You may perhaps find some one of them still in the city, who hath waited here till this evening. Wherefore arise and call the people to council.' So was it done: the captains appointed a meeting, proclaiming the same by trumpet in the city; the people straightway came together; the theatre was made a court by night. Charicles came forward and by his very aspect roused the multitude at once to lamentation; for he was clad in black raiment, and had poured dust and ashes over his head and face.'Men of Delphi,' said he,'perhaps you suppose, considering the greatness of my miseries, that I have come hither and gathered this multitude of people to utter mine own mishaps unto you. But it is not so. I suffer indeed such things as may be compared with death itself, and at this present time my house is desolate and destroyed by the gods, solitary and robbed of what I held most dear. Yet the common frustration and vain hope of all doth comfort me a little and giveth me some courage suggesting that I may yet recover my daughter again. And our city moveth me even more, which I desire and look shall be victorious first and take revenge on those that have wronged her. Unless indeed these Thessalian youths have robbed us also of our lofty courage and the just indignation we should fell for our country and our country's gods. For it is altogether intolerable that a few dancing boys, sent on a sacred message, should go away after they have wasted the most noble city of Greece and taken out of Apollo's temple the most precious jewel thereof, Chariclea, which also was my life. O implacable and too obstinate anger of God against us! First, as you know, it killed my natural daughter on the day of her marriage, and then her mother also from sorrow at her death, and banished me from my native country. But all that was tolerable after I had found Chariclea. Chariclea was my life, my hope, and the stay of my stock. Chariclea was my only comfort, and, so to say, my anchor. And now this tempest and evil fortune — whatever it be that hath now come upon me — hath taken her from me. Neither hath it done this simply or by chance, but as it is wont to triumph over me with the utmost cruelty, it hath taken her almost from her marriage bed, inasmuch as the day of her wedding was already spread abroad among you all.'
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§ 4.24 As he thus spake and so lamented, quite carried away by grief, the captain Hegesias bade him be content and get him away, saying:'You men that be here, Charicles will have time enough to lament hereafter. But let us not be drowned by his sorrow, nor carried away, as with a great stream of water, by his tears, letting pass the due occasion, which, as in all things, so in war is of the greatest force. For if we leave this assembly now and pursue at once, there is some hope that we shall overtake our enemies, who now travel without care, knowing us to be unprovided. But if lamenting, or rather like women bewailing, by our tarrying we give them time to escape, we shall deserve nothing but to be scorned, and that even by these striplings themselves: who I say ought to be impaled as soon as they be taken and some of them ignominiously dealt with, so that their punishment redound also on their families. This may easily be done if we move the Thessalians to displeasure against these that have fled, and their posterity, by forbidding them to take any part hereafter in their holy embassy and in the hero's funeral sacrifice, and by decreeing that it shall be done at the cost of our common treasury.' When this had been approved of the people and by their decree established:'Let this also,' said the captain,'if it please you, be ratified by your voices, that the temple priestess no longer give the torch to those that run in armour. For as I think, therefrom grew the beginning of this impiety in Theagenes, who thought of this rape, it may be deemed, ever since he first saw her. It is well therefore to take away the occasion of such like attempts hereafter.' After this was ratified by the votes and hands of all that were present, Hegesias gave the signal to go forth and proclaimed war by sound of trumpet, so that all the theatre was dissolved into battle, and every man ran from the council to arms, not only the strong men and such as were able to wear armour, but boys even and some that were scarce striplings, making good by readiness their lack of years and boldly venturing to take their share in the expedition. Many women also behaved themselves more stoutly than their nature allows, and snatching up any weapon that came next to hand, followed vainly with the rest, only recognising the weakness of their sex when they found themselves in action left behind. You might have seen old men too striving with their age, the mind drawing the body and in ardent desire for battle reproaching it for its weakness as a disgrace. So great grief took the city for the rape of Chariclea, and all the people, as if moved by one sorrow, without waiting for the dawn hastened forth together in pursuit.

Via ToposText (topostext.org), a project of the Aikaterini Laskaridis Foundation created by Brady Kiesling. Translated by Thomas Underdowne (1587), with Frederick Adam Wright (1869-1946). Composed ca. 280 CE. Licence: Used by permission. Source.