AstheEgyptianceasedthereroseabout，around，beneath，thesoftestmusicthatLydiaevertaught，orIonaeverperfected。Itcamelikeastreamofsound，bathingthesensesunawares；enervating，subduingwithdelight。Itseemedthemelodiesofinvisiblespirits，suchastheshepherdmighthaveheardinthegoldenage，floatingthroughthevalesofThessaly，orinthenoontidegladesofPaphos。ThewordswhichhadrushedtothelipofApaecides，inanswertothesophistriesoftheEgyptian，diedtremblinglyaway。Hefeltitasaprofanationtobreakuponthatenchantedstrain——thesusceptibilityofhisexcitednature，theGreeksoftnessandardourofhissecretsoul，wereswayedandcapturedbysurprise。Hesankontheseatwithpartedlipsandthirstingear；whileinachorusofvoices，blandandmeltingasthosewhichwakedPsycheinthehallsoflove，rosethefollowingsong：
THEHYMNOFEROS
BythecoolbankswheresoftCephisusflows，Avoicesail’dtremblingdownthewavesofair；
TheleavesblushedbrighterintheTeian’srose，Thedovescouch’dbreathlessintheirsummerlair；
Whilefromtheirhandsthepurplefloweretsfell，ThelaughingHoursstoodlisteninginthesky；——
FromPan’sgreencavetoAEgle’shauntedcell，Heavedthecharm’dearthinonedelicioussigh。
Love，sonsofearth！IamthePowerofLove！
Eldestofallthegods，withChaosborn；
Mysmileshedslightalongthecourtsabove，MykisseswaketheeyelidsoftheMorn。
Minearethestars——there，everasyegaze，Yemeetthedeepspellofmyhauntingeyes；
Mineisthemoon——and，mournfulifherrays，’TisthatshelingerswhereherCarianlies。
Theflowersaremine——theblushesoftherose，Theviolet——charmingZephyrtotheshade；
MinethequicklightthatintheMaybeamglows，Andminetheday—dreaminthelonelyglade。
Love，sonsofearth——forloveisearth’ssoftlore，Lookwhereyewill——earthoverflowswithME；
Learnfromthewavesthateverkisstheshore，Andthewindsnestlingontheheavingsea。
’Allteacheslove！’——Thesweetvoice，likeadream，Meltedinlight；yetstilltheairsabove，Thewavingsedges，andthewhisperingstream，Andthegreenforestrustling，murmur’d’LOVE！’
Asthevoicesdiedaway，theEgyptianseizedthehandofApaecides，andledhim，wandering，intoxicated，yethalf—reluctant，acrossthechambertowardsthecurtainatthefarend；andnow，frombehindthatcurtain，thereseemedtoburstathousandsparklingstars；theveilitself，hithertodark，wasnowlightedbythesefiresbehindintothetenderestblueofheaven。Itrepresentedheavenitself——suchaheaven，asinthenightsofJunemighthaveshonedownoverthestreamsofCastaly。Hereandtherewerepaintedrosyandaerialclouds，fromwhichsmiled，bythelimner’sart，facesofdivinestbeauty，andonwhichreposedtheshapesofwhichPhidiasandApellesdreamed。Andthestarswhichstuddedthetransparentazurerolledrapidlyastheyshone，whilethemusic，thatagainwokewithalivelierandlightersound，seemedtoimitatethemelodyofthejoyousspheres。
’Oh！whatmiracleisthis，Arbaces，’saidApaecidesinfalteringaccents。
’Afterhavingdeniedthegods，artthouabouttorevealtome……’
’Theirpleasures！’interruptedArbaces，inatonesodifferentfromitsusualcoldandtranquilharmonythatApaecidesstarted，andthoughttheEgyptianhimselftransformed；andnow，astheynearedthecurtain，awild——aloud——anexultingmelodyburstfrombehinditsconcealment。Withthatsoundtheveilwasrentintwain——itparted——itseemedtovanishintoair：andascene，whichnoSybariteevermorethanrivalled，brokeuponthedazzledgazeoftheyouthfulpriest。Avastbanquet—roomstretchedbeyond，blazingwithcountlesslights，whichfilledthewarmairwiththescentsoffrankincense，ofjasmine，ofviolets，ofmyrrh；allthatthemostodorousflowers，allthatthemostcostlyspicescoulddistil，seemedgatheredintooneineffableandambrosialessence：fromthelightcolumnsthatsprangupwardstotheairyroof，hungdraperiesofwhite，studdedwithgoldenstars。Attheextremitiesoftheroomtwofountainscastupaspray，which，catchingtheraysoftheroseatelight，glitteredlikecountlessdiamonds。
Inthecentreoftheroomastheyenteredthereroseslowlyfromthefloor，tothesoundofunseenminstrelsy，atablespreadwithalltheviandswhichsenseeverdevotedtofancy，andvasesofthatlostMyrrhinefabric，soglowinginitscolors，sotransparentinitsmaterial，werecrownedwiththeexoticsoftheEast。Thecouches，towhichthistablewasthecentre，werecoveredwithtapestriesofazureandgold；andfrominvisibletubesthevaultedroofdescendedshowersoffragrantwaters，thatcooledthedeliciousair，andcontendedwiththelamps，asifthespiritsofwaveandfiredisputedwhichelementcouldfurnishforththemostdeliciousodorous。Andnow，frombehindthesnowydraperies，troopedsuchformsasAdonisbeheldwhenhelayonthelapofVenus。Theycame，somewithgarlands，otherswithlyres；theysurroundedtheyouth，theyledhisstepstothebanquet。Theyflungthechapletsroundhiminrosychains。Theearth——thethoughtofearth，vanishedfromhissoul。Heimaginedhimselfinadream，andsuppressedhisbreathlestheshouldwaketoosoon；thesenses，towhichhehadneveryieldedasyet，beatinhisburningpulse，andconfusedhisdizzyandreelingsight。Andwhilethusamazedandlost，onceagain，butinbriskandBacchicmeasures，rosethemagicstrain：
ANACREONTIC
IntheveinsofthecalixfoamsandglowsThebloodofthemantlingvine，Butoh！inthebowlofYouththereglowsALesbian，moredivine！
Bright，bright，Astheliquidlight，Itswavesthroughthineeyelidsshine！
Fillup，fillup，tothesparklingbrim，ThejuiceoftheyoungLyaeus；
ThegrapeisthekeythatweowetohimFromthegaoloftheworldtofreeus。
Drink，drink！
Whatneedtoshrink，Whenthelambsalonecanseeus？
Drink，drink，asIquafffromthineeyesThewineofasoftertree；
Givethesmilestothegodofthegrape——thysighs，Belovedone，givetome。
Turn，turn，Myglancesburn，Andthirstforalookfromthee！
Asthesongended，agroupofthreemaidens，entwinedwithachainofstarredflowers，andwho，whiletheyimitated，mighthaveshamedtheGraces，advancedtowardshimintheglidingmeasuresoftheIoniandance：suchastheNereidswreathedinmoonlightontheyellowsandsoftheAEgeanwave——suchasCythereataughtherhandmaidsinthemarriage—feastofPsycheandherson。
Nowapproaching，theywreathedtheirchapletroundhishead；nowkneeling，theyoungestofthethreeprofferedhimthebowl，fromwhichthewineofLesbosfoamedandsparkled。Theyouthresistednomore，hegraspedtheintoxicatingcup，thebloodmantledfiercelythroughhisveins。Hesankuponthebreastofthenymphwhosatbesidehim，andturningwithswimmingeyestoseekforArbaces，whomhehadlostinthewhirlofhisemotions，hebeheldhimseatedbeneathacanopyattheupperendofthetable，andgazinguponhimwithasmilethatencouragedhimtopleasure。Hebeheldhim，butnotashehadhithertoseen，withdarkandsablegarments，withabroodingandsolemnbrow：arobethatdazzledthesight，sostuddedwasitswhitestsurfacewithgoldandgems，blazeduponhismajesticform；whiteroses，alternatedwiththeemeraldandtheruby，andshapedtiara—like，crownedhisravenlocks。Heappeared，likeUlysses，tohavegainedthegloryofasecondyouth——hisfeaturesseemedtohaveexchangedthoughtforbeauty，andhetoweredamidstthelovelinessthatsurroundedhim，inallthebeamingandrelaxingbenignityoftheOlympiangod。
’Drink，feast，love，mypupil！’saidhe，’blushnotthatthouartpassionateandyoung。Thatwhichthouart，thoufeelestinthyveins：thatwhichthoushaltbe，survey！’
Withthishepointedtoarecess，andtheeyesofApaecides，followingthegesture，beheldonapedestal，placedbetweenthestatuesofBacchusandIdalia，theformofaskeleton。
’Startnot，’resumedtheEgyptian；’thatfriendlyguestadmonishesusbutoftheshortnessoflife。FromitsjawsIhearavoicethatsummonsustoENJOY。’
Ashespoke，agroupofnymphssurroundedthestatue；theylaidchapletsonitspedestal，and，whilethecupswereemptiedandrefilledatthatglowingboard，theysangthefollowingstrain：
BACCHICHYMNSTOTHEIMAGEOFDEATH
I
ThouartinthelandoftheshadowyHost，Thouthatdidstdrinkandlove：
BytheSolemnRiver，aglidingghost，Butthythoughtisoursabove！
Ifmemoryyetcanfly，Backtothegoldensky，Andmournthepleasureslost！
Bytheruin’dhalltheseflowerswelay，Wherethysouloncehelditspalace；
Whentherosetothyscentandsightwasgay，Andthesmilewasinthechalice，Andthecithara’svoiceCouldbidthyheartrejoiceWhennighteclipsedtheday。
Hereanewgroupadvancing，turnedthetideofthemusicintoaquickerandmorejoyousstrain。
II
Death，deathisthegloomyshoreWhereweallsail——
Soft，soft，thouglidingoar；
Blowsoft，sweetgale！
ChainwithbrightwreathstheHours；
VictimsifallEver，’midsongandflowers，Victimsshouldfall！
Pausingforamoment，yetquickerandquickerdancedthesilver—footedmusic：
SinceLife’ssoshort，we’lllivetolaugh，Ah！whereforewasteaminute！
Ifyouth’sthecupweyetcanquaff，Belovethepearlwithinit！
Athirdbandnowapproachedwithbrimmingcups，whichtheypouredinlibationuponthatstrangealtar；andoncemore，slowandsolemn，rosethechangefulmelody：
III
Thouartwelcome，Guestofgloom，Fromthefarandfearfulsea！
Whenthelastroseshedsitsbloom，Ourboardshallbespreadwiththee！
Allhail，darkGuest！
WhohathsofairapleaOurwelcomeGuesttobe，Asthou，whosesolemnhallAtlastshallfeastusallInthedimanddismalcoast？
LongyetbewetheHost！
Andthou，DeadShadow，thou，Alljoylessthoughthybrow，Thou——butourpassingGUEST！
Atthismoment，shewhosatbesideApaecidessuddenlytookupthesong：
IV
Happyisyetourdoom，Theearthandthesunareours！
AndfarfromthedrearytombSpeedthewingsoftherosyHours——
Sweetisfortheethebowl，Sweetarethylooks，mylove；
Iflytothytendersoul，Asbirdtoitsmateddove！
Takeme，ah，take！
Clasp’dtothyguardianbreast，Softletmesinktorest：
Butwakeme——ah，wake！
Andtellmewithwordsandsighs，Butmorewiththymeltingeyes，Thatmysunisnotset——
ThattheTorchisnotquench’dattheUrnThatwelove，andwebreathe，andburn，Tellme——thoulov’stmeyet！
BOOKTHESECOND
ChapterI
AFLASHHOUSEINPOMPEII，ANDTHEGENTLEMENOFTHECLASSICRING。
TOoneofthosepartsofPompeii，whichweretenantednotbythelordsofpleasure，butbyitsminionsanditsvictims；thehauntofgladiatorsandprize—fighters；oftheviciousandthepenniless；ofthesavageandtheobscene；theAlsatiaofanancientcity——wearenowtransported。
Itwasalargeroom，thatopenedatonceontheconfinedandcrowdedlane。
Beforethethresholdwasagroupofmen，whoseironandwell—strungmuscles，whoseshortandHerculeannecks，whosehardyandrecklesscountenances，indicatedthechampionsofthearena。Onashelf，withouttheshop，wererangedjarsofwineandoil；andrightoverthiswasinsertedinthewallacoarsepainting，whichexhibitedgladiatorsdrinking——soancientandsovenerableisthecustomofsigns！Withintheroomwereplacedseveralsmalltables，arrangedsomewhatinthemodernfashionof’boxes’，androundthesewereseatedseveralknotsofmen，somedrinking，someplayingatdice，someatthatmoreskilfulgamecalled’duodecimscriptae’，whichcertainoftheblunderinglearnedhavemistakenforchess，thoughitrather，perhaps，resembledbackgammonofthetwo，andwasusually，thoughnotalways，playedbytheassistanceofdice。Thehourwasintheearlyforenoon，andnothingbetter，perhaps，thanthatunseasonabletimeitselfdenotedthehabitualindolenceofthesetavernloungers。
Yet，despitethesituationofthehouseandthecharacterofitsinmates，itindicatednoneofthatsordidsqualorwhichwouldhavecharacterizedasimilarhauntinamoderncity。ThegaydispositionofallthePompeians，whosought，atleast，togratifythesenseevenwheretheyneglectedthemind，wastypifiedbythegaudycolorswhichdecoratedthewalls，andtheshapes，fantasticbutnotinelegant，inwhichthelamps，thedrinking—cups，thecommonesthouseholdutensils，werewrought。
’ByPollux！’saidoneofthegladiators，asheleanedagainstthewallofthethreshold，’thewinethousellestus，oldSilenus’——andashespokeheslappedaportlypersonageontheback——’isenoughtothinthebestbloodinone’sveins。’
Themanthuscaressinglysaluted，andwhosebaredarms，whiteapron，andkeysandnapkintuckedcarelesslywithinhisgirdle，indicatedhimtobethehostofthetavern，wasalreadypassedintotheautumnofhisyears；buthisformwasstillsorobustandathletic，thathemighthaveshamedeventhesinewyshapesbesidehim，savethatthemuscleshadseeded，asitwere，intoflesh，thatthecheekswereswelledandbloated，andtheincreasingstomachthrewintoshadethevastandmassivechestwhichroseaboveit。
’Noneofthyscurrilousblusteringswithme，’growledthegiganticlandlord，inthegentlesemi—roarofaninsultedtiger；’mywineisgoodenoughforacarcasswhichshallsosoonsoakthedustofthespoliarium。’
’Croakestthouthus，oldraven！’returnedthegladiator，laughingscornfully；’thoushaltlivetohangthyselfwithdespitewhenthouseestmewinthepalmcrown；andwhenIgetthepurseattheamphitheatre，asI
certainlyshall，myfirstvowtoHerculesshallbetoforsweartheeandthyvilepotationsevermore。’
’Heartohim——heartothismodestPyrgopolinices！HehascertainlyservedunderBombochidesCluninstaridysarchides，’criedthehost。’Sporus，Niger，Tetraides，hedeclaresheshallwinthepursefromyou。Why，bythegods！
eachofyourmusclesisstrongenoughtostifleallhisbody，orIknownothingofthearena！’
’Ha！’saidthegladiator，coloringwithrisingfury，’ourlanistawouldtelladifferentstory。’
’Whatstorycouldhetellagainstme，vainLydon？’saidTetraides，frowning。
’Orme，whohaveconqueredinfifteenfights？’saidthegiganticNiger，stalkinguptothegladiator。
’Orme？’gruntedSporus，witheyesoffire。
’Tush！’saidLydon，foldinghisarms，andregardinghisrivalswitharecklessairofdefiance。’Thetimeoftrialwillsooncome；keepyourvalortillthen。’
’Ay，do，’saidthesurlyhost；’andifIpressdownmythumbtosaveyou，maytheFatescutmythread！’
’Yourrope，youmean，’saidLydon，sneeringly：’hereisasestercetobuyone。’
TheTitanwine—venderseizedthehandextendedtohim，andgripeditinsosternavicethatthebloodspirtedfromthefingers’endsoverthegarmentsofthebystanders。
Theysetupasavagelaugh。
’Iwillteachthee，youngbraggart，toplaytheMacedonianwithme！IamnopunyPersian，Iwarrantthee！What，man！haveInotfoughttwentyyearsinthering，andneverloweredmyarmsonce？AndhaveInotreceivedtherodfromtheeditor’sownhandasasignofvictory，andasagracetoretirementonmylaurels？AndamInowtobelecturedbyaboy？’Sosaying，heflungthehandfromhiminscorn。
Withoutchangingamuscle，butwiththesamesmilingfacewithwhichhehadpreviouslytauntedminehost，didthegladiatorbravethepainfulgrasphehadundergone。Butnosoonerwashishandreleased，than，crouchingforonemomentasawildcatcrouches，youmightseehishairbristleonhisheadandbeard，andwithafierceandshrillyellhesprangonthethroatofthegiant，withanimpetusthatthrewhim，vastandsturdyashewas，fromhisbalance——anddown，withthecrashofafallingrock，hefell——whileoverhimfellalsohisferociousfoe。
Ourhost，perhaps，hadhadnoneedoftheropesokindlyrecommendedtohimbyLydon，hadheremainedthreeminuteslongerinthatposition。But，summonedtohisassistancebythenoiseofhisfall，awoman，whohadhithertokeptinaninnerapartment，rushedtothesceneofbattle。Thisnewallywasinherselfamatchforthegladiator；shewastall，lean，andwitharmsthatcouldgiveotherthansoftembraces。Infact，thegentlehelpmateofBurbothewine—sellerhad，likehimself，foughtinthelists——nayundertheemperor’seye。AndBurbohimself——Burbo，theunconqueredinthefield，accordingtoreport，nowandthenyieldedthepalmtohissoftStratonice。Thissweetcreaturenosoonersawtheimminentperilthatawaitedherworsehalf，thanwithoutotherweaponsthanthosewithwhichNaturehadprovidedher，shedartedupontheincumbentgladiator，and，claspinghimroundthewaistwithherlongandsnakelikearms，liftedhimbyasuddenwrenchfromthebodyofherhusband，leavingonlyhishandsstillclingingtothethroatofhisfoe。Sohaveweseenadogsnatchedbythehindlegsfromthestrifewithafallenrivalinthearmsofsomeenviousgroom；sohaveweseenonehalfofhimhighinair——passiveandoffenceless——whiletheotherhalf，head，teeth，eyes，claws，seemedburiedandengulfedinthemangledandprostrateenemy。Meanwhile，thegladiators，lapped，andpampered，andglutteduponblood，crowdeddelightedlyroundthecombatants——theirnostrilsdistended——theirlipsgrinning——theireyesgloatinglyfixedonthebloodythroatoftheoneandtheindentedtalonsoftheother。
’Habet！（hehasgotit！）habet！’criedthey，withasortofyell，rubbingtheirnervoushands。
’Nonhabeo，yeliars；Ihavenotgotit！’shoutedthehost，aswithamightyefforthewrenchedhimselffromthosedeadlyhands，androsetohisfeet，breathless，panting，lacerated，bloody；andfronting，withreelingeyes，theglaringlookandgrinningteethofhisbaffledfoe，nowstruggling（butstrugglingwithdisdain）inthegripeofthesturdyamazon。
’Fairplay！’criedthegladiators：’onetoone’；and，crowdingroundLydonandthewoman，theyseparatedourpleasinghostfromhiscourteousguest。
ButLydon，feelingashamedathispresentposition，andendeavoringinvaintoshakeoffthegraspofthevirago，slippedhishandintohisgirdle，anddrewforthashortknife。Somenacingwashislook，sobrightlygleamedtheblade，thatStratonice，whowasusedonlytothatfashionofbattlewhichwemodernscallthepugilistic，startedbackinalarm。
’Ogods！’criedshe，’theruffian！——hehasconcealedweapons！Isthatfair？
Isthatlikeagentlemanandagladiator？No，indeed，Iscornsuchfellows。’Withthatshecontemptuouslyturnedherbackonthegladiator，andhastenedtoexaminetheconditionofherhusband。
Buthe，asmuchinuredtotheconstitutionalexercisesasanEnglishbull—dogistoacontestwithamoregentleantagonist，hadalreadyrecoveredhimself。Thepurplehuesrecededfromthecrimsonsurfaceofhischeek，theveinsoftheforeheadretiredintotheirwontedsize。Heshookhimselfwithacomplacentgrunt，satisfiedthathewasstillalive，andthenlookingathisfoefromheadtofootwithanairofmoreapprobationthanhehadeverbestoweduponhimbefore：
’ByCastor！’saidhe，’thouartastrongerfellowthanItooktheefor！I
seethouartamanofmeritandvirtue；givemethyhand，myhero！’
’JollyoldBurbo！’criedthegladiators，applauding，’staunchtothebackbone。Givehimthyhand，Lydon。’
’Oh，tobesure，’saidthegladiator：’butnowIhavetastedhisblood，I
longtolapthewhole。’
’ByHercules！’returnedthehost，quiteunmoved，’thatisthetruegladiatorfeeling。Pollux！tothinkwhatgoodtrainingmaymakeaman；why，abeastcouldnotbefiercer！’
’Abeast！Odullard！webeatthebeastshollow！’criedTetraides。
’Well，wellsaidStratonice，whowasnowemployedinsmoothingherhairandadjustingherdress，’ifyeareallgoodfriendsagain，Irecommendyoutobequietandorderly；forsomeyoungnoblemen，yourpatronsandbackers，havesenttosaytheywillcomeheretopayyouavisit：theywishtoseeyoumoreattheireasethanattheschools，beforetheymakeuptheirbetsonthegreatfightattheamphitheatre。Sotheyalwayscometomyhouseforthatpurpose：theyknowweonlyreceivethebestgladiatorsinPompeii——oursocietyisveryselect——praisedbethegods！’
’Yes，’continuedBurbo，drinkingoffabowl，orratherapailofwine，’amanwhohaswonmylaurelscanonlyencouragethebrave。Lydon，drink，myboy；mayyouhaveanhonorableoldagelikemine！’
’Comehere，’saidStratonice，drawingherhusbandtoheraffectionatelybytheears，inthatcaresswhichTibullushassoprettilydescribed——’Comehere！’
’Notsohard，she—wolf！thouartworsethanthegladiator，’murmuredthehugejawsofBurbo。
’Hist！’saidshe，whisperinghim；’Calenushasjuststolein，disguised，bythebackway。Ihopehehasbroughtthesesterces。’
’Ho！ho！Iwilljoinhim，saidBurbo；’meanwhile，Isay，keepasharpeyeonthecups——attendtothescore。Letthemnotcheatthee，wife；theyareheroes，tobesure，butthentheyarearrantrogues：Cacuswasnothingtothem。’
’Neverfearme，fool！’wastheconjugalreply；andBurbo，satisfiedwiththedearassurance，strodethroughtheapartment，andsoughtthepenetraliaofhishouse。
’Sothosesoftpatronsarecomingtolookatourmuscles，’saidNiger。’Whosenttoprevisetheeofit，mymistress？’
’Lepidus。HebringswithhimClodius，thesurestbetterinPompeii，andtheyoungGreek，Glaucus。’
’Awageronawager，’criedTetraides；’Clodiusbetsonme，fortwentysesterces！Whatsayyou，Lydon？’
’Hebetsonme！’saidLydon。
’No，onme！’gruntedSporus。
’Dolts！doyouthinkhewouldpreferanyofyoutoNiger？’saidtheathletic，thusmodestlynaminghimself。
’Well，well，’saidStratonice，asshepiercedahugeamphoraforherguests，whohadnowseatedthemselvesbeforeoneofthetables，’greatmenandbrave，asyeallthinkyourselves，whichofyouwillfighttheNumidianlionincasenomalefactorshouldbefoundtodepriveyouoftheoption？’
’Iwhohaveescapedyourarms，stoutStratonice，’saidLydon，’mightsafely，Ithink，encounterthelion。’
’Buttellme，’saidTetraides，’whereisthatprettyyoungslaveofyours——theblindgirl，withbrighteyes？Ihavenotseenheralongtime。’
’Oh！sheistoodelicateforyou，mysonofNeptune，’saidthehostess，’andtooniceevenforus，Ithink。Wesendherintothetowntosellflowersandsingtotheladies：shemakesusmoremoneysothanshewouldbywaitingonyou。Besides，shehasoftenotheremploymentswhichlieundertherose。’
’Otheremployments！’saidNiger；’why，sheistooyoungforthem。’
’Silence，beast！’saidStratonice；’youthinkthereisnoplaybuttheCorinthian。IfNydiaweretwicetheagesheisatpresent，shewouldbeequallyfitforVesta——poorgirl！’
’But，harkye，Stratonice，’saidLydon；’howdidstthoucomebysogentleanddelicateaslave？SheweremoremeetforthehandmaidofsomerichmatronofRomethanforthee。’
’Thatistrue，’returnedStratonice；’andsomedayorotherIshallmakemyfortunebysellingher。HowcameIbyNydia，thouaskest。’
’Ay！’
’Why，thouseest，myslaveStaphyla——thourememberestStaphyla，Niger？’
’Ay，alarge—handedwench，withafacelikeacomicmask。HowshouldI
forgether，byPluto，whosehandmaidshedoubtlessisatthismoment！’
’Tush，brute！——Well，Staphyladiedoneday，andagreatlossshewastome，andIwentintothemarkettobuymeanotherslave。But，bythegods！theywereallgrownsodearsinceIhadboughtpoorStaphyla，andmoneywassoscarce，thatIwasabouttoleavetheplaceindespair，whenamerchantpluckedmebytherobe。\"Mistress，\"saidhe，\"dostthouwantaslavecheapIhaveachildtosell——abargain。Sheisbutlittle，andalmostaninfant，itistrue；butsheisquickandquiet，docileandclever，singswell，andisofgoodblood，Iassureyou。\"\"Ofwhatcountry？\"saidI。\"Thessalian。\"
NowIknewtheThessalianswereacuteandgentle；soIsaidIwouldseethegirl。Ifoundherjustasyouseehernow，scarcelysmallerandscarcelyyoungerinappearance。Shelookedpatientandresignedenough，withherhandscrossedonherbosom，andhereyesdowncast。Iaskedthemerchanthisprice：itwasmoderate，andIboughtheratonce。Themerchantbroughthertomyhouse，anddisappearedinaninstant。Well，myfriends，guessmyastonishmentwhenIfoundshewasblind！Ha！ha！acleverfellowthatmerchant！Iranatoncetothemagistrates，buttheroguewasalreadygonefromPompeii。SoIwasforcedtogohomeinaveryillhumor，Iassureyou；