’Whatabeautifulcup！’criedClodius，takinguponeoftransparentcrystal，thehandlesofwhichwerewroughtwithgems，andtwistedintheshapeofserpents，thefavoritefashionatPompeii。
’Thisring，’saidGlaucus，takingacostlyjewelfromthefirstjointofhisfingerandhangingitonthehandle，’givesitarichershow，andrendersitlessunworthyofthyacceptance，myClodius，onwhommaythegodsbestowhealthandfortune，longandofttocrownittothebrim！’
’Youaretoogenerous，Glaucus，’saidthegamester，handingthecuptohisslave；’butyourlovegivesitadoublevalue。’
’ThiscuptotheGraces！’saidPansa，andhethriceemptiedhiscalix。Theguestsfollowedhisexample。
’Wehaveappointednodirectortothefeast，’criedSallust。
’Letusthrowforhim，then，’saidClodius，rattlingthedice—box。
’Nay，’criedGlaucus，’nocoldandtritedirectorforus：nodictatorofthebanquet；norexconvivii。HavenottheRomansswornnevertoobeyaking？
Shallwebelessfreethanyourancestors？Ho！musicians，letushavethesongIcomposedtheothernight：ithasaverseonthissubject，\"TheBacchichymnoftheHours\"。’
ThemusiciansstrucktheirinstrumentstoawildIonicair，whiletheyoungestvoiceinthebandchantedforth，inGreekwords，asnumbers，thefollowingstrain：—
THEEVENINGHYMNOFTHEHOURS
I
\"Throughthesummerday，throughthewearyday，Wehaveglidedlong；
ErewespeedtotheNightthroughherportalsgrey，Hailuswithsong！——
Withsong，withsong，Withabrightandjoyoussong；
SuchastheCretanmaid，Whilethetwilightmadeherbolder，Woke，highthroughtheivyshade，Whenthewine—godfirstconsoledher。
Fromthehush’d，low—breathingskies，Half—shutlook’dtheirstarryeyes，Andallaround，Withalovingsound，TheAEgeanwaveswerecreeping：
Onherlaplaythelynx’shead；
Wildthymewasherbridalbed；
Andayethrougheachtinyspace，Inthegreenvine’sgreenembraceTheFaunswereslilypeeping——
TheFauns，thepryingFauns——
Thearch，thelaughingFauns——
TheFaunswereslilypeeping！
II
FlaggingandfaintareweWithourceaselessflight，AnddullshallourjourneybeThroughtherealmofnight，Batheus，ObatheourwearywingsInthepurplewave，asitfreshlyspringsToyourcupsfromthefountoflight——
Fromthefountoflight——fromthefountoflight，Forthere，whenthesunhasgonedowninnight，Thereinthebowlwefindhim。
Thegrapeisthewellofthatsummersun，Orratherthestreamthathegazedupon，Tillheleftintruth，liketheThespianyouth，Hissoul，ashegazed，behindhim。
III
AcuptoJove，andacuptoLove，AndacuptothesonofMaia；
Andhonourwiththree，thebandzone—free，ThebandofthebrightAglaia。
ButsinceeverybudinthewreathofpleasureYeowetothesisterHours，Nostintedcups，inaformalmeasure，TheBromianlawmakesours。
Hehonorsusmostwhogivesusmost，Andboasts，withaBacchanal’shonestboast，Heneverwillcountthetreasure。
Fastlywefleet，thenseizeourwings，Andplungeusdeepinthesparklingsprings；
Andaye，aswerisewithadrippingplume，We’llscatterthesprayroundthegarland’sbloom；
Weglow——weglow，Behold，asthegirlsoftheEasternwaveBoreoncewithashouttothecrystalcaveTheprizeoftheMysianHylas，Evenso——evenso，WehavecaughttheyounggodinourwarmembraceWehurryhimoninourlaughingrace；
Wehurryhimon，withawhoopandsong，Thecloudyriversofnightalong——
Ho，ho！——wehavecaughtthee，Psilas！
Theguestsapplaudedloudly。Whenthepoetisyourhost，hisversesaresuretocharm。
’ThoroughlyGreek，’saidLepidus：’thewildness，force，andenergyofthattongue，itisimpossibletoimitateintheRomanpoetry。’
’Itis，indeed，agreatcontrast，’saidClodius，ironicallyatheart，thoughnotinappearance，’totheold—fashionedandtamesimplicityofthatodeofHoracewhichweheardbefore。TheairisbeautifullyIonic：thewordputsmeinmindofatoast——Companions，IgiveyouthebeautifulIone。’
’Ione！——thenameisGreek，’saidGlaucus，inasoftvoice。’Idrinkthehealthwithdelight。ButwhoisIone？’
’Ah！youhavebutjustcometoPompeii，oryouwoulddeserveostracismforyourignorance，’saidLepidus，conceitedly；’nottoknowIone，isnottoknowthechiefcharmofourcity。’
’Sheisofthemostrarebeauty，’saidPansa；’andwhatavoice！’
’Shecanfeedonlyonnightingales’tongues，’saidClodius。
’Nightingales’tongues！——beautifulthought！’sighedtheumbra。
’Enlightenme，Ibeseechyou，’saidGlaucus。
’Knowthen……’beganLepidus。
’Letmespeak，’criedClodius；’youdrawloutyourwordsasifyouspoketortoises。’
’Andyouspeakstones，’mutteredthecoxcombtohimself，ashefellbackdisdainfullyonhiscouch。
’Knowthen，myGlaucus，’saidClodius，’thatIoneisastrangerwhohasbutlatelycometoPompeii。ShesingslikeSappho，andhersongsareherowncomposing；andasforthetibia，andthecithara，andthelyre，IknownotinwhichshemostoutdoestheMuses。Herbeautyismostdazzling。Herhouseisperfect；suchtaste——suchgems——suchbronzes！Sheisrich，andgenerousassheisrich。’
’Herlovers，ofcourse，’saidGlaucus，’takecarethatshedoesnotstarve；
andmoneylightlywonisalwayslavishlyspent。’
’Herlovers——ah，thereistheenigma！——Ionehasbutonevice——sheischaste。
ShehasallPompeiiatherfeet，andshehasnolovers：shewillnotevenmarry。’
’Nolovers！’echoedGlaucus。
’No；shehasthesoulofVestalwiththegirdleofVenus。’
’Whatrefinedexpressions！’saidtheumbra。
’Amiracle！’criedGlaucus。’Canwenotseeher？’
’Iwilltakeyoutherethisevening，saidClodius；’meanwhile……’addedhe，oncemorerattlingthedice。
’Iamyours！’saidthecomplaisantGlaucus。’Pansa，turnyourface！’
LepidusandSallustplayedatoddandeven，andtheumbralookedon，whileGlaucusandClodiusbecamegraduallyabsorbedinthechancesofthedice。
’ByPollux！’criedGlaucus，’thisisthesecondtimeIhavethrownthecaniculae’（thelowestthrow）。
’NowVenusbefriendme！’saidClodius，rattlingtheboxforseveralmoments。
’OAlmaVenus——itisVenusherself！’ashethrewthehighestcast，namedfromthatgoddess——whomhewhowinsmoney，indeed，usuallypropitiates！
’Venusisungratefultome，’saidGlaucus，gaily；’Ihavealwayssacrificedonheraltar。’
’HewhoplayswithClodius，’whisperedLepidus，’willsoon，likePlautus’sCurculio，puthispalliumforthestakes。’
’PoorGlaucus！——heisasblindasFortuneherself，’repliedSallust，inthesametone。
’Iwillplaynomore，’saidGlaucus；’Ihavelostthirtysestertia。’
’Iamsorry……’beganClodius。
’Amiableman！’groanedtheumbra。
’Notatall！’exclaimedGlaucus；’thepleasureItakeinyourgaincompensatesthepainofmyloss。’
Theconversationnowgrewgeneralandanimated；thewinecirculatedmorefreely；andIoneoncemorebecamethesubjectofeulogytotheguestsofGlaucus。
’Insteadofoutwatchingthestars，letusvisitoneatwhosebeautythestarsgrowpale，’saidLepidus。
Clodius，whosawnochanceofrenewingthedice，secondedtheproposal；andGlaucus，thoughhecivillypressedhisgueststocontinuethebanquet，couldnotbutletthemseethathiscuriosityhadbeenexcitedbythepraisesofIone：theythereforeresolvedtoadjourn（all，atleast，butPansaandtheumbra）tothehouseofthefairGreek。Theydrank，therefore，tothehealthofGlaucusandofTitus——theyperformedtheirlastlibation——theyresumedtheirslippers——theydescendedthestairs——passedtheilluminedatrium——andwalkingunbittenoverthefiercedogpaintedonthethreshold，foundthemselvesbeneaththelightofthemoonjustrisen，inthelivelyandstillcrowdedstreetsofPompeii。
Theypassedthejewellers’quarter，sparklingwithlights，caughtandreflectedbythegemsdisplayedintheshops，andarrivedatlastatthedoorofIone。Thevestibuleblazedwithrowsoflamps；curtainsofembroideredpurplehungoneitherapertureofthetablinum，whosewallsandmosaicpavementglowedwiththerichestcolorsoftheartist；andundertheporticowhichsurroundedtheodorousviridariumtheyfoundIone，alreadysurroundedbyadoringandapplaudingguests！
’DidyousayshewasAthenian？’whisperedGlaucus，erehepassedintotheperistyle。
’No，sheisfromNeapolis。’
’Neapolis！’echoedGlaucus；andatthatmomentthegroup，dividingoneithersideofIone，gavetohisviewthatbright，thatnymph—likebeauty，whichformonthshadshonedownuponthewatersofhismemory。
ChapterIV
THETEMPLEOFISIS。ITSPRIEST。THECHARACTEROFARBACESDEVELOPSITSELF。
THEstoryreturnstotheEgyptian。WeleftArbacesupontheshoresofthenoondaysea，afterhehadpartedfromGlaucusandhiscompanion。Asheapproachedtothemorecrowdedpartofthebay，hepausedandgazeduponthatanimatedscenewithfoldedarms，andabittersmileuponhisdarkfeatures。
’Gulls，dupes，fools，thatyeare！’mutteredhetohimself；’whetherbusinessorpleasure，tradeorreligion，beyourpursuit，youareequallycheatedbythepassionsthatyeshouldrule！HowIcouldloatheyou，ifI
didnothate——yes，hate！GreekorRoman，itisfromus，fromthedarkloreofEgypt，thatyehavestolenthefirethatgivesyousouls。Yourknowledge——yourpoesy——yourlaws——yourarts——yourbarbarousmasteryofwar（allhowtameandmutilated，whencomparedwiththevastoriginal！）——yehavefilched，asaslavefilchesthefragmentsofthefeast，fromus！Andnow，yemimicsofamimic！——Romans，forsooth！themushroomherdofrobbers！yeareourmasters！thepyramidslookdownnomoreontheraceofRameses——theeaglecowersovertheserpentoftheNile。Ourmasters——no，notmine。Mysoul，bythepowerofitswisdom，controlsandchainsyou，thoughthefettersareunseen。Solongascraftcanmasterforce，solongasreligionhasacavefromwhichoraclescandupemankind，thewiseholdanempireoverearth。EvenfromyourvicesArbacesdistillshispleasures——pleasuresunprofanedbyvulgareyes——pleasuresvast，wealthy，inexhaustible，ofwhichyourenervateminds，intheirunimaginativesensuality，cannotconceiveordream！Plodon，plodon，foolsofambitionandofavarice！yourpettythirstforfascesandquaestorships，andallthemummeryofservilepower，provokesmylaughterandmyscorn。Mypowercanextendwherevermanbelieves。Irideoverthesoulsthatthepurpleveils。Thebesmayfall，Egyptbeaname；theworlditselffurnishesthesubjectsofArbaces。’
Thussaying，theEgyptianmovedslowlyon；and，enteringthetown，histallfiguretoweredabovethecrowdedthrongoftheforum，andswepttowardsthesmallbutgracefultempleconsecratedtoIsis。
Thatedificewasthenbutofrecenterection；theancienttemplehadbeenthrowndownintheearthquakesixteenyearsbefore，andthenewbuildinghadbecomeasmuchinvoguewiththeversatilePompeiansasanewchurchoranewpreachermaybewithus。TheoraclesofthegoddessatPompeiiwereindeedremarkable，notmoreforthemysteriouslanguageinwhichtheywereclothed，thanforthecreditwhichwasattachedtotheirmandatesandpredictions。Iftheywerenotdictatedbyadivinity，theywereframedatleastbyaprofoundknowledgeofmankind；theyappliedthemselvesexactlytothecircumstancesofindividuals，andmadeanotablecontrasttothevagueandloosegeneralitiesoftheirrivaltemples。AsArbacesnowarrivedattherailswhichseparatedtheprofanefromthesacredplace，acrowd，composedofallclasses，butespeciallyofthecommercial，collected，breathlessandreverential，beforethemanyaltarswhichroseintheopencourt。Inthewallsofthecella，elevatedonsevenstepsofParianmarble，variousstatuesstoodinniches，andthosewallswereornamentedwiththepomegranateconsecratedtoIsis。Anoblongpedestaloccupiedtheinteriorbuilding，onwhichstoodtwostatues，oneofIsis，anditscompanionrepresentedthesilentandmysticOrus。ButthebuildingcontainedmanyotherdeitiestogracethecourtoftheEgyptiandeity：herkindredandmany—titledBacchus，andtheCyprianVenus，aGreciandisguiseforherself，risingfromherbath，andthedog—headedAnubis，andtheoxApis，andvariousEgyptianidolsofuncouthformandunknownappellations。
ButwemustnotsupposethatamongthecitiesofMagnaGraecia，Isiswasworshippedwiththoseformsandceremonieswhichwereofrightherown。ThemongrelandmodernnationsoftheSouth，withamingledarroganceandignorance，confoundedtheworshipsofallclimesandages。AndtheprofoundmysteriesoftheNileweredegradedbyahundredmeretriciousandfrivolousadmixturesfromthecreedsofCephisusandofTibur。ThetempleofIsisinPompeiiwasservedbyRomanandGreekpriests，ignorantalikeofthelanguageandthecustomsofherancientvotaries；andthedescendantofthedreadEgyptiankings，beneaththeappearanceofreverentialawe，secretlylaughedtoscornthepunymummerieswhichimitatedthesolemnandtypicalworshipofhisburningclime。
Rangednowoneithersidethestepswasthesacrificialcrowd，arrayedinwhitegarments，whileatthesummitstoodtwooftheinferiorpriests，theoneholdingapalmbranch，theotheraslendersheafofcorn。Inthenarrowpassageinfrontthrongedthebystanders。
’Andwhat，’whisperedArbacestooneofthebystanders，whowasamerchantengagedintheAlexandriantrade，whichtradehadprobablyfirstintroducedinPompeiitheworshipoftheEgyptiangoddess——’whatoccasionnowassemblesyoubeforethealtarsofthevenerableIsis？Itseems，bythewhiterobesofthegroupbeforeme，thatasacrificeistoberendered；andbytheassemblyofthepriests，thatyearepreparedforsomeoracle。Towhatquestionisittovouchsafeareply？’
’Wearemerchants，’repliedthebystander（whowasnootherthanDiomed）inthesamevoice，’whoseektoknowthefateofourvessels，whichsailforAlexandriato—morrow。Weareabouttoofferupasacrificeandimploreananswerfromthegoddess。Iamnotoneofthosewhohavepetitionedthepriesttosacrifice，asyoumayseebymydress，butIhavesomeinterestinthesuccessofthefleet——byJupiter！yes。Ihaveaprettytrade，elsehowcouldIliveinthesehardtimes？
TheEgyptianrepliedgravely——’ThatthoughIsiswasproperlythegoddessofagriculture，shewasnolessthepatronofcommerce。’Thenturninghisheadtowardstheeast，Arbacesseemedabsorbedinsilentprayer。
Andnowinthecentreofthestepsappearedapriestrobedinwhitefromheadtofoot，theveilpartingoverthecrown；twonewpriestsrelievedthosehithertostationedateithercorner，beingnakedhalf—waydowntothebreast，andcovered，fortherest，inwhiteandlooserobes。Atthesametime，seatedatthebottomofthesteps，apriestcommencedasolemnairuponalongwind—instrumentofmusic。Half—waydownthestepsstoodanotherflamen，holdinginonehandthevotivewreath，intheotherawhitewand；
while，addingtothepicturesquesceneofthateasternceremony，thestatelyibis（birdsacredtotheEgyptianworship）lookedmutelydownfromthewallupontherite，orstalkedbesidethealtaratthebaseofthesteps。
Atthataltarnowstoodthesacrificialflamen。
ThecountenanceofArbacesseemedtoloseallitsrigidcalmwhilethearuspicesinspectedtheentrails，andtobeintentinpiousanxiety——torejoiceandbrightenasthesignsweredeclaredfavorable，andthefirebeganbrightandclearlytoconsumethesacredportionofthevictimamidstodorousofmyrrhandfrankincense。Itwasthenthatadeadsilencefelloverthewhisperingcrowd，andthepriestsgatheringroundthecella，anotherpriest，nakedsavebyacinctureroundthemiddle，rushedforward，anddancingwithwildgestures，imploredananswerfromthegoddess。Heceasedatlastinexhaustion，andalowmurmuringnoisewasheardwithinthebodyofthestatue：thricetheheadmoved，andthelipsparted，andthenahollowvoiceutteredthesemysticwords：
Therearewaveslikechargersthatmeetandglow，Therearegravesreadywroughtintherocksbelow，Onthebrowofthefuturethedangerslour，Butblestareyourbarksinthefearfulhour。
Thevoiceceased——thecrowdbreathedmorefreely——themerchantslookedateachother。’Nothingcanbemoreplain，’murmuredDiomed；’thereistobeastormatsea，asthereveryoftenisatthebeginningofautumn，butourvesselsaretobesaved。ObeneficentIsis！’
’Laudedeternallybethegoddess！’saidthemerchants：’whatcanbelessequivocalthanherprediction？’
Raisingonehandinsignofsilencetothepeople，fortheritesofIsisenjoinedwhattothelivelyPompeianswasanimpossiblesuspensefromtheuseofthevocalorgans，thechiefpriestpouredhislibationonthealtar，andafterashortconcludingprayertheceremonywasover，andthecongregationdismissed。Still，however，asthecrowddispersedthemselveshereandthere，theEgyptianlingeredbytherailing，andwhenthespacebecametolerablycleared，oneofthepriests，approachingit，salutedhimwithgreatappearanceoffriendlyfamiliarity。
Thecountenanceofthepriestwasremarkablyunprepossessing——hisshavenskullwassolowandnarrowinthefrontasnearlytoapproachtotheconformationofthatofanAfricansavage，saveonlytowardsthetemples，where，inthatorganstyledacquisitivenessbythepupilsofasciencemoderninname，butbestpracticallyknown（astheirsculptureteachesus）
amongsttheancients，twohugeandalmostpreternaturalprotuberancesyetmoredistortedtheunshapelyhead——aroundthebrowstheskinwaspuckeredintoawebofdeepandintricatewrinkles——theeyes，darkandsmall，rolledinamuddyandyelloworbit——thenose，shortyetcoarse，wasdistendedatthenostrilslikeasatyr’s——andthethickbutpallidlips，thehighcheek—bones，thelividandmotleyhuesthatstruggledthroughtheparchmentskin，completedacountenancewhichnonecouldbeholdwithoutrepugnance，andfewwithoutterroranddistrust：whateverthewishesofthemind，theanimalframewaswellfittedtoexecutethem；thewirymusclesofthethroat，thebroadchest，thenervoushandsandleangauntarms，whichwerebaredabovetheelbow，betokenedaformcapablealikeofgreatactiveexertionandpassiveendurance。
’Calenus，’saidtheEgyptiantothisfascinatingflamen，’youhaveimprovedthevoiceofthestatuemuchbyattendingtomysuggestion；andyourversesareexcellent。Alwaysprophesygoodfortune，unlessthereisanabsoluteimpossibilityofitsfulfilment。’
’Besides，’addedCalenus，’ifthestormdoescome，andifitdoesoverwhelmtheaccursedships，havewenotprophesiedit？andarethebarksnotblesttobeatrest？——forrestpraysthemarinerintheAEgeansea，oratleastsosaysHorace——canthemarinerbemoreatrestintheseathanwhenheisatthebottomofit？’
’Right，myCalenus；IwishApaecideswouldtakealessonfromyourwisdom。
ButIdesiretoconferwithyourelativetohimandtoothermatters：youcanadmitmeintooneofyourlesssacredapartments？’
’Assuredly，’repliedthepriest，leadingthewaytooneofthesmallchamberswhichsurroundedtheopengate。Heretheyseatedthemselvesbeforeasmalltablespreadwithdishescontainingfruitandeggs，andvariouscoldmeats，withvasesofexcellentwine，ofwhichwhilethecompanionspartook，acurtain，drawnacrosstheentranceopeningtothecourt，concealedthemfromview，butadmonishedthembythethinnessofthepartitiontospeaklow，ortospeaknosecrets：theychosetheformeralternative。
’Thouknowest，’saidArbaces，inavoicethatscarcelystirredtheair，sosoftandinwardwasitssound，’thatithaseverbeenmymaximtoattachmyselftotheyoung。FromtheirflexileandunformedmindsIcancarveoutmyfittesttools。Iweave——Iwarp——Imouldthematmywill。OfthemenI
makemerelyfollowersorservants；ofthewomen……’
’Mistresses，’saidCalenus，asalividgrindistortedhisungainlyfeatures。
’Yes，Idonotdisguiseit：womanisthemainobject，thegreatappetite，ofmysoul。Asyoufeedthevictimfortheslaughter，Ilovetorearthevotariesofmypleasure。Ilovetotrain，toripentheirminds——tounfoldthesweetblossomoftheirhiddenpassions，inordertopreparethefruittomytaste。Iloatheyourready—madeandripenedcourtesans；itisinthesoftandunconsciousprogressofinnocencetodesirethatIfindthetruecharmoflove；itisthusthatIdefysatiety；andbycontemplatingthefreshnessofothers，Isustainthefreshnessofmyownsensations。FromtheyoungheartsofmyvictimsIdrawtheingredientsofthecaldroninwhichI
re—youthmyself。Butenoughofthis：tothesubjectbeforeus。Youknow，then，thatinNeapolissometimesinceIencounteredIoneandApaecides，brotherandsister，thechildrenofAthenianswhohadsettledatNeapolis。
Thedeathoftheirparents，whoknewandesteemedme，constitutedmetheirguardian。Iwasnotunmindfulofthetrust。Theyouth，docileandmild，yieldedreadilytotheimpressionIsoughttostampuponhim。Nexttowoman，Ilovetheoldrecollectionsofmyancestralland；Ilovetokeepalive——topropagateondistantshores（whichhercoloniesperchanceyetpeople）herdarkandmysticcreeds。Itmaybe，thatitpleasesmetodeludemankind，whileIthusservethedeities。ToApaecidesItaughtthesolemnfaithofIsis。Iunfoldedtohimsomethingofthosesublimeallegorieswhicharecouchedbeneathherworship。Iexcitedinasoulpeculiarlyalivetoreligiousfervorthatenthusiasmwhichimaginationbegetsonfaith。I
haveplacedhimamongstyou：heisoneofyou。’
’Heisso，’saidCalenus：’butinthusstimulatinghisfaith，youhaverobbedhimofwisdom。Heishorror—struckthatheisnolongerduped：oursagedelusions，ourspeakingstatuesandsecretstaircasesdismayandrevolthim；hepines；hewastesaway；hemutterstohimself；herefusestoshareourceremonies。Hehasbeenknowntofrequentthecompanyofmensuspectedofadherencetothatnewandatheisticalcreedwhichdeniesallourgods，andtermsouroraclestheinspirationsofthatmalevolentspiritofwhicheasterntraditionspeaks。Ouroracles——alas！weknowwellwhoseinspirationstheyare！’
’ThisiswhatIfeared，’saidArbaces，musingly，’fromvariousreproacheshemademewhenIlastsawhim。Oflatehehathshunnedmysteps。Imustfindhim：Imustcontinuemylessons：ImustleadhimintotheadytumofWisdom。
Imustteachhimthattherearetwostagesofsanctity——thefirst，FAITH——thenext，DELUSION；theoneforthevulgar，thesecondforthesage。’
’Ineverpassedthroughthefirst，IsaidCalenus；’noryoueither，Ithink，myArbaces。’
’Youerr，’repliedtheEgyptian，gravely。’Ibelieveatthisday（notindeedthatwhichIteach，butthatwhichIteachnot）。NaturehasasanctityagainstwhichIcannot（norwouldI）steelconviction。Ibelieveinmineownknowledge，andthathasrevealedtome——butnomatter。Nowtoearthlierandmoreinvitingthemes。IfIthusfulfilledmyobjectwithApaecides，whatwasmydesignforIone？ThouknowestalreadyIintendherformyqueen——mybride——myheart’sIsis。NevertillIsawherknewIalltheloveofwhichmynatureiscapable。’
’IhearfromathousandlipsthatsheisasecondHelen，’saidCalenus；andhesmackedhisownlips，butwhetheratthewineoratthenotionitisnoteasytodecide。
’Yes，shehasabeautythatGreeceitselfneverexcelled，’resumedArbaces。
’Butthatisnotall：shehasasoulworthytomatchwithmine。Shehasageniusbeyondthatofwoman——keen——dazzling——bold。Poetryflowsspontaneoustoherlips：utterbutatruth，and，howeverintricateandprofound，hermindseizesandcommandsit。Herimaginationandherreasonarenotatwarwitheachother；theyharmonizeanddirecthercourseasthewindsandthewavesdirectsomeloftybark。Withthissheunitesadaringindependenceofthought；shecanstandaloneintheworld；shecanbebraveassheisgentle；thisisthenatureIhavesoughtallmylifeinwoman，andneverfoundtillnow。Ionemustbemine！InherIhaveadoublepassion；Iwishtoenjoyabeautyofspiritasofform。’
’Sheisnotyoursyet，then？’saidthepriest。
’No；shelovesme——butasafriend——shelovesmewithhermindonly。ShefanciesinmethepaltryvirtueswhichIhaveonlytheprofoundervirtuetodisdain。Butyoumustpursuewithmeherhistory。Thebrotherandsisterwereyoungandrich：Ioneisproudandambitious——proudofhergenius——themagicofherpoetry——thecharmofherconversation。Whenherbrotherleftme，andenteredyourtemple，inordertobenearhimsheremovedalsotoPompeii。Shehassufferedhertalentstobeknown。Shesummonscrowdstoherfeasts；hervoiceenchantsthem；herpoetrysubdues。ShedelightsinbeingthoughtthesuccessorofErinna。’
’OrofSappho？’