’Butourfemaleguests……’
’Loveatoper！DidnotAriadnedoteuponBacchus？’
Thefeastproceeded；theguestsgrewmoretalkativeandnoisy；thedessertorlastcoursewasalreadyonthetable；andtheslavesboreroundwaterwithmyrrhandhyssopforthefinishinglavation。Atthesametime，asmallcirculartablethathadbeenplacedinthespaceoppositetheguestssuddenly，andasbymagic，seemedtoopeninthecentre，andcastupafragrantshower，sprinklingthetableandtheguests；whileasitceasedtheawningabovethemwasdrawnaside，andtheguestsperceivedthataropehadbeenstretchedacrosstheceiling，andthatoneofthosenimbledancersforwhichPompeiiwassocelebrated，andwhosedescendantsaddsocharmingagracetothefestivitiesofAstley’sorVauxhall，wasnowtreadinghisairymeasuresrightovertheirheads。
Thisapparition，removedbutbyacordfromone’spericranium，andindulgingthemostvehementleaps，apparentlywiththeintentionofalightinguponthatcerebralregion，wouldprobablyberegardedwithsometerrorbyapartyinMayFair；butourPompeianrevellersseemedtobeholdthespectaclewithdelightedcuriosity，andapplaudedinproportionasthedancerappearedwiththemostdifficultytomissfallingupontheheadofwhateverguestheparticularlyselectedtodanceabove。Hepaidthesenator，indeed，thepeculiarcomplimentofliterallyfallingfromtherope，andcatchingitagainwithhishand，justasthewholepartyimaginedtheskulloftheRomanwasasmuchfracturedaseverthatofthepoetwhomtheeagletookforatortoise。Atlength，tothegreatreliefofatleastIone，whohadnotmuchaccustomedherselftothisentertainment，thedancersuddenlypausedasastrainofmusicwasheardfromwithout。Hedancedagainstillmorewildly；
theairchanged，thedancerpausedagain；no，itcouldnotdissolvethecharmwhichwassupposedtopossesshim！Herepresentedonewhobyastrangedisorderiscompelledtodance，andwhomonlyacertainairofmusiccancure。Atlengththemusicianseemedtohitontherighttune；thedancergaveoneleap，swunghimselfdownfromtherope，alightedonthefloor，andvanished。
Oneartnowyieldedtoanother；andthemusicianswhowerestationedwithoutontheterracestruckupasoftandmellowair，towhichweresungthefollowingwords，madealmostindistinctbythebarrierbetweenandtheexceedinglownessoftheminstrelsy：—
FESTIVEMUSICSHOULDBELOW
I
Hark！throughtheseflowersourmusicsendsitsgreetingToyourlovedhalls，wherePsilasshunstheday；
WhentheyounggodhisCretannymphwasmeetingHetaughtPan’srusticpipethisglidinglay：
SoftasthedewsofwineShedinthisbanquethour，TherichlibationofSound’sstreamdivine，Oreverentharp，toAphroditepour！
II
Wildringsthetrumpo’errankstoglorymarching；
Music’ssublimerburstsforwararemeet；
Butsweetlipsmurmuringunderwreathso’er—arching，Findthelowwhispersliketheirownmostsweet。
Steal，mylull’dmusic，stealLikewomans’shalf—heardtone，Sothatwhoe’ershallhear，shallthinktofeelIntheethevoiceoflipsthatlovehisown。
AttheendofthatsongIone’scheekblushedmoredeeplythanbefore，andGlaucushadcontrived，undercoverofthetable，tostealherhand。
’Itisaprettysong，’saidFulvius，patronizingly。
’Ah！ifyouwouldobligeus！’murmuredthewifeofPansa。
’DoyouwishFulviustosing？’askedthekingofthefeast，whohadjustcalledontheassemblytodrinkthehealthoftheRomansenator，acuptoeachletterofhisname。
’Canyouask？’saidthematron，withacomplimentaryglanceatthepoet。
Sallustsnappedhisfingers，andwhisperingtheslavewhocametolearnhisorders，thelatterdisappeared，andreturnedinafewmomentswithasmallharpinonehand，andabranchofmyrtleintheother。Theslaveapproachedthepoet，andwithalowreverencepresentedtohimtheharp。
’Alas！Icannotplay，’saidthepoet。
’Thenyoumustsingtothemyrtle。ItisaGreekfashion：DiomedlovestheGreeks——IlovetheGreeks——youlovetheGreeks——wealllovetheGreeks——andbetweenyouandmethisisnottheonlythingwehavestolenfromthem。
However，Iintroducethiscustom——I，theking：sing，subject，sing！’Thepoet，withabashfulsmile，tookthemyrtleinhishands，andafterashortpreludesangasfollows，inapleasantandwell—tunedvoice：——
THECORONATIONOFTHELOVES
I
ThemerryLovesoneholidayWereallatgambolsmadly；ButLovestoolongcanseldomplayWithoutbehavingsadly。
Theylaugh’d，theytoy’d，theyromp’dabout，Andthenforchangetheyallfellout。
Fie，fie！howcantheyquarrelso？
MyLesbia——ah，forshame，loveMethinks’tisscarceanhouragoWhenwedidjustthesame，love。
II
TheLoves，’tisthought，werefreetillthen，Theyhadnokingorlaws，dear；
Butgods，likemen，shouldsubjectbe，Sayalltheancientsaws，dear。
Andsoourcrewresolved，forquiet，Tochooseakingtocurbtheirriot。
Akiss：ah！whatagrievousthingForboth，methinks，’twouldbe，child，IfIshouldtakesomeprudishking，Andceasetobesofree，child！
III
AmongtheirtoysaCasquetheyfound，ItwasthehelmofAres；
Withhorrentplumesthecrestwascrown’d，ItfrightenedalltheLares。
Sofineakingwasneverknown——
Theyplacedthehelmetonthethrone。
Mygirl，sinceValorwinstheworld，Theychoseamightymaster；
ButthysweetflagofsmilesunfurledWouldwintheworldmuchfaster！
IV
TheCasquesoonfoundtheLovestoowildAtroopforhimtoschoolthem；
ForwarriorsknowhowonesuchchildHasayecontrivedtofoolthem。
Theyplaguedhimso，thatindespairHetookawifetheplaguetoshare。
IfkingsthemselvesthusfindthestrifeOfearth，unshared，severe，girl；
Whyjusttohalvetheillsoflife，Come，takeyourpartnerhere，girl。
V
WithinthatroomtheBirdofLoveThewholeaffairhadeyedthen；
Themonarchhail’dtheroyaldove，Andplacedherbyhissidethen：
WhatmirthamidsttheLoveswasseen！
’Longlive，’theycried，’ourKingandQueen。’
Ah！Lesbia，wouldthatthronesweremine，Andcrownstodeckthatbrow，love！
AndyetIknowthatheartofthineFormeisthroneenow，love！
VI
TheurchinshopedtoteasethemateAstheyhadteasedthehero；
ButwhentheDoveinjudgmentsateTheyfoundherworsethanNero！
Eachlookafrown，eachwordalaw；
Thelittlesubjectsshookwithawe。
IntheeIfindthesamedeceit——
Toolate，alas！alearner！
Forwhereamienmoregentlysweet？
Andwhereatyrantsterner？
Thissong，whichgreatlysuitedthegayandlivelyfancyofthePompeians，wasreceivedwithconsiderableapplause，andthewidowinsistedoncrowninghernamesakewiththeverybranchofmyrtletowhichhehadsung。Itwaseasilytwistedintoagarland，andtheimmortalFulviuswascrownedamidsttheclappingofhandsandshoutsofIotriumphe！Thesongandtheharpnowcirculatedroundtheparty，anewmyrtlebranchbeinghandedabout，stoppingateachpersonwhocouldbeprevailedupontosing。
Thesunbegannowtodecline，thoughtherevellers，whohadwornawayseveralhours，perceiveditnotintheirdarkenedchamber；andthesenator，whowastired，andthewarrior，whohadtoreturntoHerculaneum，risingtodepart，gavethesignalforthegeneraldispersion。’Tarryyetamoment，myfriends，’saidDiomed；’ifyouwillgososoon，youmustatleasttakeashareinourconcludinggame。’
Sosaying，hemotionedtooneoftheministri，andwhisperinghim，theslavewentout，andpresentlyreturnedwithasmallbowlcontainingvarioustabletscarefullysealed，and，apparently，exactlysimilar。Eachguestwastopurchaseoneoftheseatthenominalpriceofthelowestpieceofsilver：
andthesportofthislottery（whichwasthefavoritediversionofAugustus，whointroducedit）consistedintheinequality，andsometimestheincongruity，oftheprizes，thenatureandamountofwhichwerespecifiedwithinthetablets。Forinstance，thepoet，withawryface，drewoneofhisownpoems（nophysicianeverlesswillinglyswallowedhisowndraught）；
thewarriordrewacaseofbodkins，whichgaverisetocertainnovelwitticismsrelativetoHerculesandthedistaff；thewidowFulviaobtainedalargedrinking—cup；Julia，agentleman’sbuckle；andLepidus，alady’spatch—box。ThemostappropriatelotwasdrawnbythegamblerClodius，whoreddenedwithangeronbeingpresentedtoasetofcoggeddice。Acertaindampwasthrownuponthegaietywhichthesevariouslotscreatedbyanaccidentthatwasconsideredominous；Glaucusdrewthemostvaluableofalltheprizes，asmallmarblestatueofFortune，ofGrecianworkmanship：onhandingittohimtheslavesufferedittodrop，anditbrokeinpieces。
Ashiverwentroundtheassembly，andeachvoicecriedspontaneouslyonthegodstoaverttheomen。
Glaucusalone，thoughperhapsassuperstitiousastherest，affectedtobeunmoved。
’SweetNeapolitan，’whisperedhetenderlytoIone，whohadturnedpaleasthebrokenmarbleitself，’Iaccepttheomen。Itsignifiesthatinobtainingthee，Fortunecangivenomore——shebreaksherimagewhensheblessesmewiththine。’
Inordertodiverttheimpressionwhichthisincidenthadoccasionedinanassemblywhich，consideringthecivilizationoftheguests，wouldseemmiraculouslysuperstitious，ifatthepresentdayinacountrypartywedidnotoftenseealadygrowhypochondriacalonleavingaroomlastofthirteen，Sallustnowcrowninghiscupwithflowers，gavethehealthoftheirhost。Thiswasfollowedbyasimilarcomplimenttotheemperor；andthen，withapartingcuptoMercurytosendthempleasantslumbers，theyconcludedtheentertainmentbyalastlibation，andbrokeuptheparty。
CarriagesandlitterswerelittleusedinPompeii，partlyowingtotheextremenarrownessofthestreets，partlytotheconvenientsmallnessofthecity。Mostoftheguestsreplacingtheirsandals，whichtheyhadputoffinthebanquet—room，andinduingtheircloaks，leftthehouseonfootattendedbytheirslaves。
Meanwhile，havingseenIonedepart，GlaucusturningtothestaircasewhichleddowntotheroomsofJulia，wasconductedbyaslavetoanapartmentinwhichhefoundthemerchant’sdaughteralreadyseated。
’Glaucus！’saidshe，lookingdown，’IseethatyoureallyloveIone——sheisindeedbeautiful。’
’Juliaischarmingenoughtobegenerous，’repliedtheGreek。’Yes，IloveIone；amidstalltheyouthwhocourtyou，mayyouhaveoneworshipperassincere。’
’Ipraythegodstograntit！See，Glaucus，thesepearlsarethepresentI
destinetoyourbride：mayJunogiveherhealthtowearthem！’
Sosaying，sheplacedacaseinhishand，containingarowofpearlsofsomesizeandprice。Itwassomuchthecustomforpersonsabouttobemarriedtoreceivethesegifts，thatGlaucuscouldhavelittlescrupleinacceptingthenecklace，thoughthegallantandproudAthenianinlyresolvedtorequitethegiftbyoneofthriceitsvalue。Juliathenstoppingshorthisthanks，pouredforthsomewineintoasmallbowl。
’Youhavedrunkmanytoastswithmyfather，’saidshesmiling——’onenowwithme。Healthandfortunetoyourbride！’
ShetouchedthecupwithherlipsandthenpresentedittoGlaucus。ThecustomaryetiquetterequiredthatGlaucusshoulddrainthewholecontents；
heaccordinglydidso。Julia，unknowingthedeceitwhichNydiahadpractiseduponher，watchedhimwithsparklingeyes；althoughthewitchhadtoldherthattheeffectmightnotbeimmediate，sheyetsanguinelytrustedtoanexpeditiousoperationinfavorofhercharms。ShewasdisappointedwhenshefoundGlaucuscoldlyreplacethecup，andconversewithherinthesameunmovedbutgentletoneasbefore。Andthoughshedetainedhimaslongasshedecorouslycoulddo，nochangetookplaceinhismanner。’Butto—morrow，’thoughtshe，exultinglyrecoveringherdisappointment——’to—morrow，alasforGlaucus！’
Alasforhim，indeed！
ChapterIV
THESTORYHALTSFORAMOMENTATANEPISODE。
RESTLESSandanxious，Apaecidesconsumedthedayinwanderingthroughthemostsequesteredwalksinthevicinityofthecity。ThesunwasslowlysettingashepausedbesidealonelypartoftheSarnus，ereyetitwoundamidsttheevidencesofluxuryandpower。Onlythroughopeningsinthewoodsandvineswerecaughtglimpsesofthewhiteandgleamingcity，inwhichwasheardinthedistancenodin，nosound，nor’busiesthumofmen’。Amidstthegreenbankscreptthelizardandthegrasshopper，andhereandthereinthebrakesomesolitarybirdburstintosuddensong，assuddenlystifled。
Therewasdeepcalmaround，butnotthecalmofnight；theairstillbreathedofthefreshnessandlifeofday；thegrassstillmovedtothestiroftheinsecthorde；andontheoppositebankthegracefulandwhitecapellapassedbrowsingthroughtheherbage，andpausedatthewavetodrink。
AsApaecidesstoodmusinglygazinguponthewaters，heheardbesidehimthelowbarkofadog。
’Bestill，poorfriend，’saidavoiceathand；’thestranger’sstepharmsnotthymaster。’Theconvertrecognizedthevoice，and，turning，hebeheldtheoldmysteriousmanwhomhehadseeninthecongregationoftheNazarenes。
Theoldmanwassittinguponafragmentofstonecoveredwithancientmosses；besidehimwerehisstaffandscrip；athisfeetlayasmallshaggydog，thecompanioninhowmanyapilgrimageperilousandstrange。
Thefaceoftheoldmanwasasbalmtotheexcitedspiritoftheneophyte：
heapproached，andcravinghisblessing，satdownbesidehim。
’Thouartprovidedasforajourney，father，’saidhe：’wiltthouleaveusyet？’
’Myson，’repliedtheoldman，’thedaysinstoreformeoneartharefewandscanty；Iemploythemasbecomesmetravellingfromplacetoplace，comfortingthosewhomGodhasgatheredtogetherinHisname，andproclaimingthegloryofHisSon，astestifiedtoHisservant。’
’Thouhastlooked，theytellme，onthefaceofChrist？’
’Andthefacerevivedmefromthedead。Know，youngproselytetothetruefaith，thatIamheofwhomthoureadestinthescrolloftheApostle。InthefarJudea，andinthecityofNain，theredweltawidow，humbleofspiritandsadofheart；forofallthetiesoflifeonesonalonewassparedtoher。Andshelovedhimwithamelancholylove，forhewasthelikenessofthelost。Andthesondied。Thereedonwhichsheleanedwasbroken，theoilwasdriedupinthewidow’scruse。Theyborethedeaduponhisbier；andnearthegateofthecity，wherethecrowdweregathered，therecameasilenceoverthesoundsofwoe，fortheSonofGodwaspassingby。Themother，whofollowedthebier，wept——notnoisily，butallwholookeduponhersawthatherheartwascrushed。AndtheLordpitiedher，andhetouchedthebier，andsaid，\"ISAYUNTOTHEE，ARISE，\"AndthedeadmanwokeandlookeduponthefaceoftheLord。oh，thatcalmandsolemnbrow，thatunutterablesmile，thatcarewornandsorrowfulface，lightedupwithaGod’sbenignity——itchasedawaytheshadowsofthegrave！Irose，I
spoke，Iwasliving，andinmymother’sarms——yes，Iamthedeadrevived！
Thepeopleshouted，thefuneralhornsrungforthmerrily：therewasacry，\"GodhasvisitedHispeople！\"Iheardthemnot——Ifelt——Isaw——nothingbutthefaceoftheRedeemer！’
Theoldmanpaused，deeplymoved；andtheyouthfelthisbloodcreep，andhishairstir。HewasinthepresenceofonewhohadknowntheMysteryofDeath！
’Tillthattime，’renewedthewidow’sson，’Ihadbeenasothermen：
thoughtless，notabandoned；takingnoheed，butofthethingsofloveandlife；nay，IhadinclinedtothegloomyfaithoftheearthlySadducee！But，raisedfromthedead，fromawfulanddesertdreamsthattheselipsneverdarereveal——recalleduponearth，totestifythepowersofHeaven——oncemoremortal，thewitnessofimmortality；Idrewanewbeingfromthegrave。O
faded——OlostJerusalem！——Himfromwhomcamemylife，Ibeheldadjudgedtotheagonizedandparchingdeath！FarinthemightycrowdIsawthelightrestandglimmeroverthecross；Iheardthehootingmob，Icriedaloud，I
raved，Ithreatened——noneheededme——Iwaslostinthewhirlandtheroarofthousands！Buteventhen，inmyagonyandHisown，methoughttheglazingeyeoftheSonofMansoughtmeout——Hislipsmiled，aswhenitconquereddeath——ithushedme，andIbecamecalm。Hewhohaddefiedthegraveforanother——whatwasthegravetohim？Thesunshoneaslantthepaleandpowerfulfeatures，andthendiedaway！Darknessfellovertheearth；howlongitendured，Iknownot。Aloudcrycamethroughthegloom——asharpandbittercry！——andallwassilent。
’Butwhoshalltelltheterrorsofthenight？’Iwalkedalongthecity——theearthreeledtoandfro，andthehousestrembledtotheirbase——thelivinghaddesertedthestreets，butnottheDead：throughthegloomIsawthemglide——thedimandghastlyshapes，inthecerementsofthegrave——withhorror，andwoe，andwarningontheirunmovinglipsandlightlesseyes！——theysweptbyme，asIpassed——theyglareduponme——Ihadbeentheirbrother；andtheybowedtheirheadsinrecognition；theyhadrisentotellthelivingthatthedeadcanrise！’
Againtheoldmanpaused，and，whenheresumed，itwasinacalmertone。
’FromthatnightIresignedallearthlythoughtbutthatofservingHIM。A
preacherandapilgrim，Ihavetraversedtheremotestcornersoftheearth，proclaimingHisDivinity，andbringingnewconvertstoHisfold。Icomeasthewind，andasthewinddepart；sowing，asthewindsows，theseedsthatenrichtheworld。
’Son，onearthweshallmeetnomore。Forgetnotthishour，——whatarethepleasuresandthepompsoflife？Asthelampshines，solifeglittersforanhour；butthesoul’slightisthestarthatburnsforever，intheheartofinimitablespace。’
Itwasthenthattheirconversationfelluponthegeneralandsublimedoctrinesofimmortality；itsoothedandelevatedtheyoungmindoftheconvert，whichyetclungtomanyofthedampsandshadowsofthatcelloffaithwhichhehadsolatelyleft——itwastheairofheavenbreathingontheprisonerreleasedatlast。TherewasastrongandmarkeddistinctionbetweentheChristianityoftheoldmanandthatofOlinthus；thatofthefirstwasmoresoft，moregentle，moredivine。TheheroismofOlinthushadsomethinginitfierceandintolerant——itwasnecessarytotheparthewasdestinedtoplay——ithadinitmoreofthecourageofthemartyrthanthecharityofthesaint。Itaroused，itexcited，itnerved，ratherthansubduedandsoftened。Butthewholeheartofthatdivineoldmanwasbathedinlove；thesmileoftheDeityhadburnedawayfromittheleavenofearthlierandcoarserpassions，andlefttotheenergyoftheheroallthemeeknessofthechild。
’Andnow，’saidhe，risingatlength，asthesun’slastraydiedinthewest；’now，inthecooloftwilight，IpursuemywaytowardstheImperialRome。Thereyetdwellsomeholymen，wholikemehavebeheldthefaceofChrist；andthemwouldIseebeforeIdie。’
’Butthenightischillforthineage，myfather，andthewayislong，andtherobberhauntsit；resttheetillto—morrow。’
’Kindson，whatisthereinthisscriptotempttherobber？AndtheNightandtheSolitude！——thesemaketheladderroundwhichangelscluster，andbeneathwhichmyspiritcandreamofGod。Oh！nonecanknowwhatthepilgrimfeelsashewalksonhisholycourse；nursingnofear，anddreadingnodanger——forGodiswithhim！Hehearsthewindsmurmurgladtidings；thewoodssleepintheshadowofAlmightywings——thestarsaretheScripturesofHeaven，thetokensoflove，andthewitnessesofimmortality。NightisthePilgrim’sday。’WiththesewordstheoldmanpressedApaecidestohisbreast，andtakinguphisstaffandscrip，thedogboundedcheerilybeforehim，andwithslowstepsanddowncasteyeshewenthisway。
Theconvertstoodwatchinghisbendedform，tillthetreesshutthelastglimpsefromhisview；andthen，asthestarsbrokeforth，hewokefromthemusingswithastart，remindedofhisappointmentwithOlinthus。
ChapterV
THEPHILTRE。ITSEFFECT。
WHENGlaucusarrivedathisownhome，hefoundNydiaseatedundertheporticoofhisgarden。Infact，shehadsoughthishouseinthemerechancethathemightreturnatanearlyhour：anxious，fearful，anticipative，sheresolveduponseizingtheearliestopportunityofavailingherselfofthelove—charm，whileatthesametimeshehalfhopedtheopportunitymightbedeferred。
Itwasthen，inthatfearfulburningmood，herheartbeating，hercheekflushing，thatNydiaawaitedthepossibilityofGlaucus’sreturnbeforethenight。Hecrossedtheporticojustasthefirststarsbegantorise，andtheheavenabovehadassumeditsmostpurplerobe。
’Ho，mychild，waityouforme？’
’Nay，Ihavebeentendingtheflowers，anddidbutlingeralittlewhiletorestmyself’
’Ithasbeenwarm，’saidGlaucus，placinghimselfalsoononeoftheseatsbeneaththecolonnade。
’Very。’
’WiltthousummonDavus？ThewineIhavedrunkheatsme，andIlongforsomecoolingdrink。’
Hereatonce，suddenlyandunexpectedly，theveryopportunitythatNydiaawaitedpresenteditself；ofhimself，athisownfreechoice，heaffordedtoherthatoccasion。Shebreathedquick——’Iwillprepareforyoumyself，’
saidshe，’thesummerdraughtthatIoneloves——ofhoneyandweakwinecooledinsnow。’
’Thanks，’saidtheunconsciousGlaucus。’IfIoneloveit，enough；itwouldbegratefulwereitpoison。’
Nydiafrowned，andthensmiled；shewithdrewforafewmoments，andreturnedwiththecupcontainingthebeverage。Glaucustookitfromherhand。WhatwouldnotNydiahavegiventhenforonehour’sprerogativeofsight，tohavewatchedherhopesripeningtoeffect——tohaveseenthefirstdawnoftheimaginedlove——tohaveworshippedwithmorethanPersianadorationtherisingofthatsunwhichhercreduloussoulbelievedwastobreakuponherdrearynight！Fardifferent，asshestoodthenandthere，werethethoughts，theemotionsoftheblindgirl，fromthoseofthevainPompeianunderasimilarsuspense。Inthelast，whatpoorandfrivolouspassionshadmadeupthedaringwhole！Whatpettypique，whatsmallrevenge，whatexpectationofapaltrytriumph，hadswelledtheattributesofthatsentimentshedignifiedwiththenameoflove！butinthewildheartoftheThessalianallwaspure，uncontrolled，unmodifiedpassion——erring，unwomanly，frenzied，butdebasedbynoelementsofamoresordidfeeling。
Filledwithloveaswithlifeitself，howcouldsheresisttheoccasionofwinningloveinreturn！
Sheleanedforsupportagainstthewall，andherface，beforesoflushed，wasnowwhiteassnow，andwithherdelicatehandsclaspedconvulsivelytogether，herlipsapart，hereyesontheground，shewaitedthenextwordsGlaucusshouldutter。
Glaucushadraisedthecuptohislips，hehadalreadydrainedaboutafourthofitscontents，whenhiseyesuddenlyglancinguponthefaceofNydia，hewassoforciblystruckbyitsalteration，byitsintense，andpainful，andstrangeexpression，thathepausedabruptly，andstillholdingthecupnearhislips，exclaimed：
’Why，Nydia！Nydia！Isay，artthouillorinpain？Nay，thyfacespeaksforthee。Whatailsmypoorchild？’Ashespoke，heputdownthecupandrosefromhisseattoapproachher，whenasuddenpangshotcoldlytohisheart，andwasfollowedbyawild，confused，dizzysensationatthebrain。
Thefloorseemedtoglidefromunderhim——hisfeetseemedtomoveonair——amightyandunearthlygladnessrusheduponhisspirit——hefelttoobuoyantfortheearth——helongedforwings，nay，itseemedinthebuoyancyofhisnewexistence，asifhepossessedthem。Heburstinvoluntarilyintoaloudandthrillinglaugh。Heclappedhishands——heboundedaloft——hewasasaPythonessinspired；suddenlyasitcamethispreternaturaltransportpassed，thoughonlypartially，away。Henowfelthisbloodrushingloudlyandrapidlythroughhisveins；itseemedtoswell，toexult，toleapalong，asastreamthathasburstitsbounds，andhurriestotheocean。Itthrobbedinhisearwithamightysound，hefeltitmounttohisbrow，hefelttheveinsinthetemplesstretchandswellasiftheycouldnolongercontaintheviolentandincreasingtide——thenakindofdarknessfelloverhiseyes——darkness，butnotentire；forthroughthedimshadehesawtheoppositewallsglowout，andthefigurespaintedthereonseemed，ghost—like，tocreepandglide。Whatwasmoststrange，hedidnotfeelhimselfill——hedidnotsinkorquailbeneaththedreadfrenzythatwasgatheringoverhim。
Thenoveltyofthefeelingsseemedbrightandvivid——hefeltasifayoungerhealthhadbeeninfusedintohisframe。Hewasglidingontomadness——andheknewitnot！
Nydiahadnotansweredhisfirstquestion——shehadnotbeenabletoreply——hiswildandfearfullaughhadrousedherfromherpassionatesuspense：shecouldnotseehisfiercegesture——shecouldnotmarkhisreelingandunsteadystepashepacedunconsciouslytoandfro；butsheheardthewords，broken，incoherent，insane，thatgushedfromhislips。Shebecameterrifiedandappalled——shehastenedtohim，feelingwithherarmsuntilshetouchedhisknees，andthenfallingonthegroundsheembracedthem，weepingwithterrorandexcitement。
’Oh，speaktome！speak！youdonothateme？——speak，speak！’
’Bythebrightgoddess，abeautifullandthisCyprus！Ho！howtheyfilluswithwineinsteadofblood！nowtheyopentheveinsoftheFaunyonder，toshowhowthetidewithinbubblesandsparkles。Comehither，jollyoldgod！
thouridestonagoat，eh？——whatlongsilkyhairhehas！HeisworthallthecoursersofParthia。Butawordwiththee——thiswineofthineistoostrongforusmortals。Oh！beautiful！theboughsareatrest！thegreenwavesoftheforesthavecaughttheZephyranddrownedhim！Notabreathstirstheleaves——andIviewtheDreamssleepingwithfoldedwingsuponthemotionlesselm；andIlookbeyond，andIseeabluestreamsparkleinthesilentnoon；afountain——afountainspringingaloft！Ah！myfount，thouwiltnotputoutraysofmyGreciansun，thoughthoutriesteversohardwiththynimbleandsilverarms。Andnow，whatformstealsyonderthroughtheboughs？sheglideslikeamoonbeam！——shehasagarlandofoak—leavesonherhead。Inherhandisavaseupturned，fromwhichshepourspinkandtinyshellsandsparklingwater。Oh！lookonyonface！Manneverbeforesawitslike。See！wearealone；onlyIandsheinthewideforest。Thereisnosmileuponherlips——shemoves，graveandsweetlysad。Ha！fly，itisanymph！——itisoneofthewildNapaeae！Whoeverseesherbecomesmad—fly！