,i^- v/- 364 Lantier (E. F.) Travels of Antenor in Greece and Asia : from a Gre^ MS. found at Herculaneum : including some Account of Egypt translate, from the French, with additional Notes, 3 vols., 8vo., contemporary tree caj Lond., 1799. ] "An esteemed romance."— LotvA/^/w. Small piece missing from title-page of Vol. 1, OTHERWISE A FINE COPY.'YV ~^'- ' 4- ^^"a.--.. , ^ -*>*-^ ; ^-'o leagues diftant, in a moft charming fituation by the fea-fide at the foot of Mounl Vcfuvius. Even now my imagination often carries me to that de-- lightful fpot, and I exclaim, Abite nunc urbans moleftaeque cura:. While furveying the curiofities of the King's Mufeum, colleded from Hercu- laneum*, including nuts, eggs, bread, and other provifions, found there in per- fed: prefervation, I faw perfons employed in decyphering ancient manufcripts, which fcemed ready to fall to duft. They confilled of cylindric rolls, nearly in the form of rolled tobacco. The firft folds werefo difficult to open, that it was neceflary to make ufe of a machine to draw out, by means of fcrews, this black and fhattered parchment upon linen or unctuous paper. As * Others have fince been added from the ancient Pompeii, row called Pompeiana, another town beyond the mountain, which fliared the fame fate with Herculaneum, and which has been wholly expofed to view ; whereas Herculaneum was clofed up again for the fafety of the town of Portici, which is built over it. T. N^ foon PREFACE. ^ V f©on as the decypherer had difcovered a word, he wrote it down; gueffing at thofe which were illegible by the fenfe and con- nexion of the fentence : and though thefe writings had no points or commas, the learning and intelligence of the perfons employed fupplied all thefe defeats. While I was admiring this ingenious work, one of the decypherers, the Abbe Spalatini, a man of great talents and un- common politenefs, informed me, thefe rolls had been found in Herculaneum, a town which had been buried feventeen (Centuries beneath the lava of Mount Vefuvius. " We flatter ourfelves," faid he, " that among thefe ancient manufcripts we fliall find thofe fragments of celebrated authors which have been unfortunately loft, elpecially of Polybius, Dionyfms HalicarnalTenfis, Dio- dorus Siculus, Dion Caffius, Salluft, Ta- citus, and Livy: but in lieu of the gold we feek for, we have as yet only found mine- rals of little value ; fuch as Greek works on mufic, phyfic, morality, and rhetoric." I requefted his permiftion to look at thefe ancient writings, among which obferving a A 3 very vi PREFACE. very voiuminous roll in Greek, entitled, ^he T' ravels of Anterior hi Greece and in Afia^ I afked him if he was acquainted with that work. " No," faid he j "I have no time to read fuch a hea.p of trafh, v/ritten by an author never fpoken of *." Having fome little * Here the Abbe Spalatini was miftaken ; for every one knows that many learned men have fpoken of Antenor. St. Auguflin in particular, in his book De Civitate Dei, lib. vii. chap. 15. thus defcribes his perfon : " Inenonnis proceriias, fucc'ulenta gracilitas, rubor temper atus, oculi cecfu quidem,fecl'vi' giles, et in afpedu micaiiies -y/pecio/us et immeditatus incej/us.^' — " rail but not gigantic, flsnder but not lean, moderately florid, with grey eye?, but very attentive and fparkling when they meet thofe of ethers ; lailly, a handfome and eafy walk." It mud, however, be confsfied that the learned do not agree relative to the time when Antenor lived. Lillias Gi- raldus alferts that he was the fculptor mentioned by Paufa- nias as having made the ftatuesof Harmodius and Ariftogiton, which Xerxes took away when he invaded Greece, and which Alexander reftored to the Athenians when he took Perfepolis. " My opinio.'!,^' fays Liliius, " is confirmed by Antenor having known Ariftides in his eld age ; for Arillides was Archon of Athens in the feventy-fcccnd olympiad, or four hundred and eighty-nine years before Chrifl:." Peter Col- wius, an author of great precifion, ftrongly denies this af- fertion. According to him, Antenor lived much later ; namely, in the ninety-third olympiad, or four hundred and eight years before Chrifl: ; 4306 of the Julian period, and 346 from the building of Rome. This learned calculatio.T has drawn upon him a dirtK,- TTgOKJc^H^otef© , uv ra; avrcfia? a.Tvr,'Ko.v and foon after took his leave. As that gallant philofopher was to me an ob- jedl of jealoufy, I ventured to fay to Lafthenia, 7 *' Either In GREECE AND ASIA. 49 " Either this calm apathifl muft furely feel fome pafTion on your account, or his heart mufl; have been petrified by a fight of the Medufa's head." — -" He protefts," faid flie, " that he never loved any woman fo much ; and I confefs that at nrd his pleafing qualities, his talents, and his know- ledge not only amufed me, but excited a lively intereft in my heart. He endeavoured to pleafe me, and he fucceeded ; but he has not had the art to feed the illufion. Wit amufes the mind, but does not warm the heart : nor is love, when dellitute of enthufiafm and intoxication, more than a common and contemptible appetite. But as I was then only twenty years old, I was fe- duced as much, perhaps, by the charms of love, as by the eloquence and partiality of Ariftippus ; and doubtlefs he would have triumphed over my weaknefs, had not his eafy gaiety, his plea- fantry, and his levity cooled the ardor of my paflion. Whenever he was prefent he charmed me, and I applauded myfelf for tm conquefl: I had made. : but when he was gone, reflexion coun- terafted his arts, and confirmed me in my re- fufal. At length a trait of infenfibility fixed my irrefolute heart. You know the unfortunate end of the wifefl: of mankind, I mean Socrates. Ariftippus, though his intimate friend, no fooner heard that he was condemned to fwallow poifon VOL. I. E than 50 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR than he refufed to fee him any morci and wheH I inquired his motives, he replied, * If I could burft his fetters, 1 would fly to relieve him : but as it is impoflible 1 fhould fave him, I fpare my- felf the pain of witnefling his fufFerings j for why fliould we create to ourfelves unneceffary afflidlions ? One day,' continued he, * when I was to give a great dinner, being unexpedledly informed that a particular friend of mine was dying, I immediately fent excufes to my guefts> and haftened to give him every afliftance in my power. I could not, however, alleviate his fufferingSj or retard his death: he expired an hour before fun-fet, and therefore I fent round again to my friends, and made them happy.'— * Your philofophy,' faid I, ' is of an eafy kind : you may derive from it, perhaps, every other pleafure, but you cannot tafte that which ac- companies our tears.* " This difcovery of his true charafler was decl- five. After a painful ftruggle, I fent an invitation for him to call on me. He entered with his ac- cuflomed levity, and addrefied me in the mofl charming and moft flattering language : but I refiftedhis art; and then, with fome embarraflT- ment, * My dear Arifl:ippus,' faid I, ' your friend- fhip is dear to me, your philofophy is amiable, and the gaiety and elegance of your mind will ever be the ii> GREECE AND AsU'. ^t tfte charm and the delight of my life. You are born to inform the world, and to be an ornament to fociety: but you muft acknow- ledge that your heart is not formed for love.' — • < Why fo ?' faid he, with aftonilhment. ' Ah ! why thus cruelly drive mie from the temple of that enchanting deity ?' — ' Becaufe,' faid I, * you have it not in your power to love truly. You make love by rule, and for your own con- venience, and never through feeling and pafTion.* — * Yet,' faid he, ' We muft have principles in every thing, even in love. That god is a child, and fhould only be played with. Tu- multuous and violent paffions fatigue and in- jure the foul, and cover it with ftormy clouds. It is Zephyrus that caufes the flowers to blow, while Boreas blafts and deftroys them.' — ' Well,* replied I, ' 1 take you at your word. I will learil my philofophy of you, for you have re- lieved my mind of many of its prejudices, and have enlightened my underftanding. Permit me, then, to enlighten you in my turn. Love is, with you, a mere caprice : it is, in faft, mere felf-love. You wilh to appear amiable, and care but little to feel or to excite the delicate at- tachment of the heart. Confine yourfelf, then, to friendfhip, which is a more tranquil fenti- ment, and more accordant with the nature of £ 2 vour |i THE TRAVELS GF ANT£N0R your mind.' — ' What,' replied he, * would yod then imprifon me within the narrow circle of mere friendfhip ?* — * Yes,' faid I, * if you efteem me worthy to be your friend.' — ' You are too lovely,' anfwered he, ' and too inte- refling, for me to refufe fo flattering a title ; but you have alfo too many charms for me fo cafily to extinguifh the flame they have kindled in my breafl:.'— ' Confider well,' faid I, < that with fo much wit you will eafily find a hundred miftrefles, but a true friend is far more rare.' — • * I am afraid,* faid he, '■ your afl^ertion is too juft. Well, I confent to your propofal : yes, I will rejedl love, and open my door to friendfhip— * Henceforth friendfhip's joys I'll prove, • And weep to change her into love.' " From that period our acquaintance has been quite charming. Neither jealoufies nor quarrels have ever arifen between us, or clouded the pleafure of our friendly intercourfcj and when he falls into his old habits, and talks to me of gallantry, I remind him of his miftake, and tell him, laughing, to remember that we are »ow travelling the road of friendfhip." IN GREECE AND ASIA. 53 CHAP. VII. Sentiments of Lafthenia on love. — Antenor writer a tragedy i to acquire her ejieem. I SAW the amiable Lafthenia too frequently to be long infenfible to her charms, and would have given up whole ages of life to have been beloved by her only for a few months. One day, fpeaking of the bad choice of many women, (he faid flie could never form an attach- ment for a man who did not poflefs talents and learning. " If a weaknefs can ever be for- given," continued Ihe, " it is when the merit and the excellence of the objedt beloved fbew that our choice is directed by tafte and delicacy. To love a fool is to become identified with his folly: it is to ftrip Venus of her girdle : it is to declare that we have no foul, and are incapable of any thing but mere fenfation." This converfation awakened in me a paflion for ftudy and for fame, and I foon conceived the plan of a tragedy. In this I fecretly proceeded with all the ardor and impetuofity natural to my youth, and the plan was completed in a week, though the verfification employed tv/o months. |t is true I facrificed my reft to it : but the time E 3 was. 54 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENQl^ was Ihort before the arrival of the fpring, whci| the great feftival of Bacchus was to be cele--' brated *. My fubjedl was the death of Achilles, who was killed by Paris, when on the point of marrying Polyxena. As foon as my drama was finifhed, I read it to five of my young friends who were initiated in all the myfteries of literature : but neither their ap- plaufe nor their cenfures coincided. The one approved what the others criticifed, or wiihed that to fc>e fupprefled which the others defired. me to enlarge. At length, after having analyfed and taken it to pieces during a whole morning, thefe wits retired, and left me far more at a lofs than before the reading. I related this eventj and my anxieties on the fubje£t, to another friend, who pofleiTed talents without making a fhew of them, and only culti- vated his intelledual powers as a means of hap- pinefs. " Hear," faid he, " an anecdote of Po- lycletus of Sicyon, a celebrated ftatuary, who ,^ade two fimilar ftatues at the fame time, on pne of which he worked openly, and on the other in fe(:ret. In the latter he followed his own genius alone, but in the other he alked every one's advice, and correded and altered it pre- • The Aiotvatx (A-syuT^ct were celebrated In the month $^«(p^)Co^^a)l', anfwering to our March. — ^T. N, cifel^ IN GREECE AND ASIA. ^^ cifely according to the inftru£lions of his critics. The ftatues being finilhed, he exhibited them together, when the corredled ftatue was fe- verely cenfured, while the other, which was the production of his own unafTifted genius, charmed every beholder. In anfwer to their criticifms Polycletus faid, * O, Athenians ! the flatue you now cenfure is your own work, and that which you admire is mine.' I advife you, therefore," faid my friend, *' to rely on your own powers, and to confine yourfelf to the dic- tates of your own genius : in (hort, liftcn to your own Minerva." I would have willingly done fo. I would have confuked Ltfthenia, whofe tafte and judgment I knew to be excellent, had I not been defirous of furprifing her by an un- expedled produdlion^ When I had polifhed and taken off the rough edges of my work, and given it the laft revifion,. I met Eupolis, a dramatic poet, whom I had often feen with Lafthenia, He invited me to hear one of his comedies, which was to be reprefented the feftival of Bacchus, and I thought this a fa- vourable opportunity for communicating riie fee ret of my labours, and aflcing his advice j adding that I expected, from his friendftiip, the mod exadl truth. This he promifed me with- the more fincerity, " as he was himfelf defirous ^f the fame freedom from his friends." I invited E 4 hint 56 : THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR him to dine with me the next day, when I re- ceived him in a fplendid manner j and as foonas our dinner was concluded, began to read my play. He liftened to me attentively, and fome- times flopped me, to make feveral judicious ob- fervations. He was charmed with this eflay of my abilities, infured me the moft flattering fuc- cefs, and left me delighted both with my own work and with him. I now prefented it to the chief archon and the judges appointed, in conjunction with him, to permit or refufe the reprefentation of plays *. They condefcended to approve my piece : my name was infcribed in the lift ; and I waited for the reprefentation with all the impatience and enthufiafm of an author. At length the long-wifhed-for day arrived. The fun was fcarcely rifen before I haftened to the theatre, for that is the time when it opens. Theftage v/as adorned with decorations extreme- ly well executed, and furrounded by a vaft femi- circular range of feats, extending, one above an- other, to a very great height. The crowd v/as immenfe. They were going up and down with great enthufiafm, laughing * Before this tribunal above one hundred tragedies were fometimes difpofed of in a few days. Each poet was al- lowed to reprefent three tragic aad one fatyrical piece. and JN GREECE AND ASIA. ^'J ^nd fcreaming, and fqueezing each other in every direflion. In the midft of this tumult the nine archons or firfl: magiftrates entered, to- gether with the judges of the courts of juftice, the fenate of five hundred, the general officers of the army, and the minifters of the gods, who filled the lower feats ; and the women took their places at a diftance from the men and from the courtezans. The rich had purple carpets and cuihions ; and fome fent for wine, fruit, and cakes. The number of fpedtators was thirty thoufand. What a multitude for a poor author to pleafe ! To add to the majefty of their appearance, I had given the adors very high bufkins and new mafks, and they wore very magnificent robes with long trains. In my piece I had iotroduced the fliades of the dead coming forth from the tombs, and the infernal deities traverfing the ftage with pale and hideous looks, bearing torches in their hands, their hair interwoven with ferpents, and accompanied by fpedres groaning horribly. Supported by all thefe aids, and fcarcely doubt- ing of fuccefs, I took my place as near as pof- fible to Lafthenia, to enjoy, in fecret, her ap- plaufes and her tears. When the play began, I felt overpowered with terror^ and my pulfe beat violently throughout my frame. At firft the audience ^1 THE TRAVELS OF AlfTENOJR. audience were filently attentive, and expreffe^ peither approbation nor difguft : but foon a mur- mur was heard, like the rifing breeze that pre- cedes a ftorm. By degrees it increafed, burft into hifTes, and was fucceeded by immoderate laughter J while my fpeftres excited no alarm except in women and children. I was now chilled with horror, and palpitating with vexation, was fcarcely able to conceal my feelings. What a dreadful fall, to be thus difgraced before the pbjed of my love I However, I placed great confidence in my lad ad, where I had collefted, as in a focus, all the mod interefting events of the piece j in which I imagined the dying Achilles muft produce the moll powerful effe6t : but fuddenly a ftorm began to growl, a violent rain enfued, and the theatre, the adlors, and the author were all deferted, every one run- ning for llielter j while I, covered with (hame and defpair, flunk away, curfing Thefpis, th$ firft inventor of tragedy, and faying to myfelf, that no other mortal could have been fo unfor^ tunate *. I was much lefs chagrined at the difappr.o- bation of the public than at the irreparable in- jury I muft fuftain in the opinioa of Lafthenia, * The ancient theatres being uncovered, the audience went away when it happened to rain. J^ (qt IN GREECE AND AS^A. ^^ for whofe fake alone I had dared to borrow wings, and thus afpire to the temple of fame. A fever attacked me in the night, during which and the following day my mind was con- ftantly occupied in planning every kind of dark and defperate projeft. I refolved to fly Laf- thenia and all the world, to bury myfelf in fomc diftant deferr, or put a period to an exiftence I could no longer endure. In thefe cruel agita- tions I paffed two folitary days, half wild with defpair, and without taking either reft or nou- rilhment. The third morning I received a note from Lafthcnia, requeuing me earneftly to call upon her. A foolifli Ihame at firft made me hefi- tate whether to accept her invitation; but at length love overcame my vanity, and I went, 1 fhuddered as I entered the door, and felt the utmoft terror leaft fhe (hould know of my dif- after. As foon as fhe faw me, fhe came up to me, and giving me her hand with an afFedtionate fmile, faid, " Well, my poor author, fo your piece is condemned, and I am unable to con- fole you under your difgrace, I prefumed better things both of you and myfelf." Thefe words, and the foft ferenity of her countenance, ap» pcafed my anguifh. " You know, then," faid Ij " thj^t I. V7as the unfortunate, author that—'*. I could 6o THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR I could fay no more, for the words died away upon my lips. ^' Yes," faid fhe : " but I only heard it yeilerday. It is Eupolis that has named youj and had even foretold the mifcarriage of your tragedy." — " Eupolis !" faid I. " Is it pof- fible? I read it over to him, and he approved it, and infured me the moft flattering fuccefs.*' — " Pfhaw ! who would accept his warranty ? It is an author attempting to difcourage youth- ful merit, becaufe he knows you are a rifmg- genius. How could you truft to a rival ? Do you not perceive that your difgrace gives addi-s tional luflre to his fame ? But what could be your obje6l in compcfing this work ? Have you been dreaming like ^fchylus, who, falling aQeep in a garden, where he v/as watching grapes, faw Bacchus in a vifion, who ordered him to write a tragedy ? Or perhaps you wifhcd to illuftrate your name, and acquire fame?"— " No," faid I s " 1 affure you I have no am- bition for popular applaufe. A more flattering fuffrage infiamed my mind. You told me, once, that you could never love a man who did not poffcfs genius and talents, and therefore I im- mediately devoted myfelf to ftudy, and com- pof--d that unfortunate piece, that you might honour me with your regard." — " Did you, then," faid fhe, '' only feck for my approba- tion ?" IN GREECE AND ASIA* tldn ?'* — " Certainly," replied I. « It is^arT obje<5l for which I would refign all the fame of Sophocles and Euripides. But to have my play fo difgracefully condemned may be injurious to me." — " Do not fear," faid flie j " it will rather be ufeful to yi^u. It makes me acquainted with your heart, and the extenfivenefs of your mind j for though your play was fomewhat tame, and not adapted to the Athenians, it could only have been the produftion of a man of genius. I Ihall foon even be pleafed with its ili-fuccefs. In- deed you fhall lofe nothing by it." At thefe words I threw myielf at her feet, fwore that I would adore her for ever, and fupplicated her to open her heart to me, and fufFer me to indulge a ray of hope. " You are defirous," faid Ihe, " that 1 fhould love you ? Do you know that I am thirty years old, and you are but a boy in comparifon to me ?" — " You mean," replied I, ^' that you are more informed and more amiable than me. But remember, love levels all dif- tinflions." In a word, Ladhenia fuifered me to perceive, that notwithftanding the veil of modefty ihe wore, I had awakened a tender paflion in her breaft. A fool generally exults in the conquefl: of a woman, often in no refpect more worthy our re- gard f^ THE TRAVELS OF ANTEMOR gard than himfelf, or who, without diftlnguifh- ing him from any real preference, yields to hii folicitations from motives that do no honour td her heart : but to be loved by Lafthenia wa$ moft flattering to the objed of her choice ! The greateft philofophers> and men of the mdft ami- able manners in Athens, were at her feet j nor had fhe evdr profaned the fanftity of love, or difgraced the delicacy of her hearti by any de- bafmg attachment. She had never loved any but Ariftippus j and this paflion, and her eon- du6t while under its influence, equally contri- buted to her praife. From that period which had been fo fatal to my tragedy, but of which the recolleflion will ever be dear to my heart, the funfliine of hap- pinefs eriibellifhed my exiftence, and I confe- crated niy life to Lafl:henia, in whofe fociety it glided on with ever- new delight. We walked every day on the banks of the Cephyfus or the IliflTus ; or fliunning thofe too-frequented haunts, we climbed the hills that were crowned with olive-trees, and adorned with vines and laurels ; thence caft:ing our eyes over an extenfive ho- rizon, and contemplating, with tranfport, the riflng or the fetting fun, Lafthenia often cx- claimedi " What a fublirhe extent of profpeft ! How iN GREECE AND ASIA* £j How mean and miferable is every thing we be- hold in the crowded city, when compared with the magnificent fcenery of Nature!" In one of our walks flie gave me an affcdling proof of the goodnefs of her heart. As we were wandering in the fields, we met a poor country girl weeping bitterly, and fobbing in a mod heart-rending manner. Lafthenia flew towards her, to inquire what was the caufe of her dif- trefs. The poor girl conducted her to a cow which had juft expired, and which conftituted all her riches and her only fupport. She told us the milk it gave was the only nourifhment of her two infant children. " Alas !" faid fhe, " my poor children will now die of hunger !" Laf- thenia endeavoured to confole her, promifed her "Another cow, and immediately hurried back to the town, and bought her one of the fincft ap- pearance ; remarking to me, that (he now con- fidered this day as happy : " for," added Ihe, " it is better to deny ourfelves fupcrfluities, than the pleafure of fupplying others with the ncceffaries of life." Unfortunately the continuance of any fitiia- tion renders it habitual, and habit makes us in- fenfible even to pleafure. The enjoyments of to-morrow muft be different from thofe of to- day. \^4 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR day, or they will ceafe to excite an equal intereft in the heart. At firil I had but afpired to the favour of Lafrhenia, but to be the objeft of her love, now appeared to me the height of human felicity ; while new fenfations, more ardent and impetuous, foon fired my imagination, and thrilled through every vein. In lieu of tailing the delicious calm of pure happinefs in her pre- fence, a fecret flame feemed to play about my heart, and confume my very foul. Nor did I attempt to conceal its caufc, but folicited fa- vours which fhe repulfed with indignation. ** Love," faid flie, " is more impafTioned and more amiable when decorated with illufive charms, than when pofTefTion has difpelled his phantom joys." — " If pleafure," faid I, " fome- times deftroys the enchantment that envelopes the beloved objed, it is only becaufe we have been too much inebriated with the neflarof ex- peflatiOij. Happy or miferable, fooner or later, love muft be extinguifhed j and if we totally deny ourfelves his bleffings, wh?.t remains but the regret of having loft our beft days, and fufferedthe flower of life to wither in a defert?" •i-" You are very far," faid fhe, " from pofTefilng the delicacy of the young Thrafonides. To borrow the expreflion of a fophift, he was fo ena- moured IN GREECE AND ASIA. 65 moured of his love, that he refufed to enjoy his miftrefs, left the completion of his wifhcs fhould weaken his defires, and rob him of the charms of his paflion. Dionyfius of Syracufe one day prefented three beautiful courtezans to the voluptuous Ariftippus, afking him to choofe one of them. Ariftippus took them all, faying, that Paris had paid dearly for chooftng one beauty from among three. Immediately after he refleded on the glory of overcoming our paflions, and therefore fent the three nymphs away, and returned to his chamber, exulting in the ftrength and fortitude of his mind."— " Your comparifon," faid I, " has no re- femblance with my fituation. Ariftippus did not love the women he rejefled j and as to Thrafonides, we ought not to applaud virtues, of which neither the motive nor the philo- fophy are very intelligible." Here our converfation was interrupted by Ariftippus, who faid, as he entered, " I am come to condudt you to the Areopagus, where the unfortunate Eudoxia is to be tried." — " You make me tremble," faid Laf- thenia. " How I pity that poor unfortunate woman ! She is, however, very much to be cenfured. How could ftie commit fo atro- cious a crime as to poifon her lover ?" — " Ap- voL. I. F pearances/' 66 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR pearances," faid he, " are certainly agalnft her: but Eudoxia is innocent. The public, how- ever, who form their judgments haftily, and are very ready to condemn, loudly demand her puniihment.'* I IN GREECE AND ASIA. Gl CHAP. VIII. Hifiory of Iphicrates and Eudoxia. PHiCRATES, who was deeply enamoured of Eudoxia, was happy in awakening an equal pafiion in the bread of his beloved. Eudoxia is young, beautiful, and full of fenfibility, and pofTefles an ingenuous difpofition and pleafing manners: but being endued with only a mo- derate fhare of intelledl or wit, fhe loves with en- thufiafm and violence, without knowing how to retain the affedions of thofe fhe diilinguiflies, by varying and embellifhing her attradions, or how to fecure her conquefts by the charms of mental acquirements. Moments there are which even lovers mud employ in intelledlual pieafure, or enjoyment itfelf v/ill pall upon the fated appe- tite. On the other hand, Iphicrates was quick and animated, had a reftlefs activity of mind, was fomewhat impatient, greedy of knowledge and of pieafure, and diverfified his purfuits to every objed: of tafte and of fcience. He pafTed, with equal rapidity, from ftudy to pieafure, and from pieafure to bufinefs, and had but two objects in F 2 the 68 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR the employment of his time, which he divided between enjoyment and application -, for he faid that condant motion and agitation vv'tre the life of the foul. Seduced, at firft, by the beauty of Eudoxia, and the fweetnefs of her manners, he gave her credit for every mental accomplifii- ment ; of which the blindnefs of love concealed the abfence and fupplied the defeifb : but after the intoxication of fuccefs was palTed, he was impa- tient at the uninterefting blank of converfation, and was defirous of infpiring his beloved with a tafte for learning and inftruflion. With this view he read to her the befl authors, and pointed out their beauties. But he beftowcdhis labours on a fterile and ungrateful foil i for Eu- doxia only liftened through complaifance, while abfence and frequent gapings proved her in- aptitude for learning or intelledlual cultivation. Iphicrates perceiving the inutility of his endea- vours, difcontinued thefe literary amufements : his vifits were (horter and lefs frequent, and he always made fome excufe for going away. As a lover's eye fufFers no appearance of coldnefs or indifference to pafs unobferved, fhe reproach- ed him fometimesin the tender language of fen- fibility, fometimes with the keeneft feverity. But prayers and reproaches, efpecially when accompa- nied with ill-humour, give birth to difllmulation, without IN GREECE AND ASIA. 69 without renewing love. The tender Eiidoxia, in defpair at the inefficacy of her endeavours, determined to recur to a more certain means ; and as ignorance is ever allied with credulity and fuperftition, fhe applied to a woman, who, as fhe had heard, made philtres to excite love; one of which fhe purchafed, and was promifed the moll infallible fuccefs. The old woman told her, at the fame time, that a young man, whom (he had caufed to eat fome fruit prepared in a parti- cular manner, felt a daily paroxyfm of love, which continued fixty minutes. The potion was made as follows : fiie began by invoking all the infernal deities, then put fome fifli into a veflel, together with feveral herbs, the bones of frogs, hippomancs, human blood, and other abominable ingredients. Having procured this deteftable potion, Eu- doxia waited with anxiety till Iphicrates, who was fubjed to a ficknefs at his ftomach, fnould complain of its return. She then offered it to him as an elixir which was a certain fpecific againft his diforder. Iphicrates long refufed it, confidering it as old wives' quackery : but ac length overcome by her entreaties, he con- confented to drink it. The old hag doubt- lefs put into it fome herb, of whofe deleterious quaUties (he was ignorant, for Iphicrates pre- F 3 fently yO THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR fently perceived that he was poifoned. He was attacked with ftrong convulfions, his bowels were violently afFedted, and his blood feemed on fire. " Ah, Eudoxia !" faid he, " what have you done ? You have poifoned me, and death is already at my heart/' Eudoxia turned pale, and was filled with alarm -, yet flie ftill flattered herfelf it was only a momentary effedl of the philter. In the meanwhile the fymptoms in- creafed, the poifon raged with redoubled fury, and the unfortunate Iphicrates was alm.oft con- fumed wich its violence. " I am dying !" cried he ; "I am dying ! What horrid tortures I endure ! and it is thou — it is thou, Eudoxia, that haft given me the poifon !" Eudoxia, now ferioufly alarmed, and trembling with fear left fome miftake might have happened, immedi- ately called in a phyfician, 'who declared that it was too late, and that Iphicrates was really poi- foned. His face was already diftorted, his mouth fwelled, his eyes were funken, and his fldnaflumed the livid hue of death. " For pity's fake," cried he, " relieve me from my pain, and put an end to my exiftence ! In the name of all the gods I befeech you to ftiorten my fufFer- ings ! I am in the tortures of Prometheus, and my bowels feem to be tearing afunder ! What have I done — Oh 1 what have I done, Eudoxia, that IN GREECE AND ASIA. 'Jl that you fhould thus fo cruelly deftroy me r" At thefe words Eudoxia, wild with defpair, threw herfelf on his neck, preffed him to her bofom, and fainted in his arms : then recover- ing her ftrength, faid, " O, Iphicrates ! dear, dear Iphicrates ! yes I am thy murderer — thy. innocent murderer ! I loved thee, I adored thee ! O let me inhale the poifon, and die with thee ! The wretch has barbaroufly deceived me, and inftead of a philtre has given me poifon ! Oh ! do but grant me one look of forgivenefs ! Oh ! pardon the crime I have ig- norantly committed !" Her fobs ftifled her voice i and Iphicrates, who now difcovered her innocence and perceived her grief, railed his eyes, and, with a languilhing look, gave her his hand, and faid, with a dying voice, " My dear Eudoxia ! yes, I forgive thee, I forgive thee ! Mayeft thou be happy !" He had no fooner uttered thefe words than he expired in her arms. The defolate Eudoxia, diftraded and wild with affright, and pale with grief and anguifli, would have buried a poniard in her bofom, had fhe not fwooned with the violence of her emotions. Forced away from the lifelefs corpfe of Iphi- crates, and placed on a bed, fhe continued, du- ring three days, in a violent and unceafing deli- rium. " Poifon, death, Iphicrates," were con- F 4 tinually 7i THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR tinually the fubjefl of her ravings -, nor did fhc recover her fenfes till (he had poured forth a tor- rent of tears upon her pillow, invoking death, and begging, for pity's fake, to be thus united to her lover. The report of this fatal end of Jphicrates foon circulated through the city of Athens ; and Eu- doxia, though the tendereft of women, was re- prefented as a monfter, and a fury fprung from the infernal regions. I received this ac- count from a member of the Areopagus. The fecond archon has, as you know, accufed her, and the law requires that her name and crime fhould be publicly expofed during eight days. All Athens is going to the Areopagus j and though many members of that tribunal are informed of the miftake, and of the innocence of the ac- cufed, yet Jphicrates being dead, the crime ex- ifts, and our magiftrates are therefore obliged to pronounce judgment. Let us fet off. This caufe is very interefting, and the flaves are al- ready lighting their torches (for the Areopagus only aflemble in the night). We haftened to afcend the hill*, and found the judges, to the number • The Areopagus generally met on a hill, in an open build- ing with a ruftic roof, and oppofite to the citadel. The number of the judges was not fixed. The nine archong were judges in right of their office. They had cognizance of IN GREECE AND ASIA. 7J number of three hundred, already feated. The blood of the immolated viftims was flreaming of murders, incendiaries, poifon, and all Jthings that re- lated to religion. By this tribunal Socrates was condemned, and it is faid Oreftes appeared before it for the murder of his mother, of which he was acquitted. In the hall were two Heps of filver, on one of which the accufer was feated, and on the other the accufed. The one was called the feat of in- jury, the other that of innocence. The temple of the Eu- menides (or furies) was near this edifice, and thofs who were acquitted went and facrificed to them. The tomb of CEdipuj was within the inclofure of the Areopagus. When Socrates was accufed by Melitus, who brought him before this tribunal for making innovations in religion, and corrupting the youth of Athens, being called on to make his defence, he faid that he employed all the talents he pof- fcfled for the benefit of his fellow-citizens, that it was his conftant wifh to make them happy, and that he confidered this as a duty impofed on him by the fpecial commands of the gods, " whofe authority," faid he, "I refpedl more than yours." His bcldnefs aftonifhed and irritated his judges, and he was condemned by a majority of voices. Being then ordered to pronounce fentence on himfelf, as the laws of Athens required, he faid, *' For my endeavours to teach the youth of Athens juftice and virtue, and to increafe the hap- pinefs of all my countrymen, let me be maintained at the public expence, during the remainder of my life, in the Pry- taneum ; an honour, O Athenians, of which I am more de- ferving than all the viftors of the Olympic games. They make their countrymen happy in appearance, but I have made you fo in reality." This exafperated the judges to the higheft degres, and he was immediately fentenced to drink hemlock. at 74 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR at their feet, and their palpitating members ftill trembled with the energy of life. On a table were placed the two awful urns called the urn of pity and that of death. The former was of wood, and the latter of brafs. Soon after we arrived a murmur arofe, and every eye was turned towards the door where Eudoxia entered, in the cuflody of the Scythian guard. Her beauty, her pallid appearance, her folemn lingering ftep, her deep dejedion, the diforder of her hair and of her drefs, melted the heart of every fpedator j and I heard them fob, and faw them weep around me. As foon as fhe ap- proached the vidims, the archon-king (or fe- eond archon) declared his accufation, and de- nounced her as a poifoner. After this, one of the Areopagites ordered her to take the cuftomary oath ; on which, advancing with a flow but confident ftep, (he placed herfelf in the midft of the bleeding vidlims ; and taking a gloomy and folemn view of the vaft audience around her, fhe cried out with a loud voice, " O Athenians ! I fwear by the gods and by the Eumenides, near whofe temple I ftand, that it was I, who poi- foncd Iphicrates, whom I loved and adored, and that I deferve to die." When fhe had ut- tered thefe words (he fank fenfelefs on the ground. The IN GREECE AND ASIA. 7^ The Areopagites waited for no further in- formation, but rifing in fucceflion, and taking tv/o fmall pebbles, one black, the other white, be- tween their two firft fingers and their thumb, proceeded to drop one of them into one of the urns. During this mournful ceremony every one fhuddered with horror, and expeded the fatal fentence. As foon as the judges had refumed their places the urns were opened and the fuffrages counted, when the number of the white was found to ex- ceed the black. On this, one of the magifcrates drew a fliort line, with his finger nail, on a tablet covered with wax, thereby announcing the ac- quittal of the accufed perfon ; whereas their con- demnation was exprefTed by a long one. The tablet was then exhibited to the audience, who applauded with tranfport at the mercy of the tribunal. Thefe wife judges had felt the emo- tions of pity towards an unfortunate woman, who had been miQed into a crime through excefs of love. Eudoxia feemed to be animated with fome remains of life at the time when her pardon was declared to her. " Ah !" cried fhe, " to me par- don is worfe than death ? Death was the only favour I could have defired !" Such 'J^ THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR Such was the judgment of this celebrated tri- bunal, which Eudoxia did not long furvive. Re- pofe had entirely forfaken her, fleep had fled from her pillow, and flie was conftantly haunted, day and night, by fpedrcs, reprefenting her angry lover purfuing her with revenge, or re- proaching her with his fate ; and (he at length died with the name of Iphicrates in her mouth. This affeding fcene left a permanent impref- fion of forrow on the mind of Lafthenia, and for fome time I dared not fpeak to her of my paffion : but a new event decided my fate, and rendered me the happieft of mankind. IN GREECE AND ASilA. 77 CHAP. IX. Ah tenor wrejiles with a bull. — He is flattered with hopes ofjuccejs, E were walking in the country, and had climbed an eminence called the Horfe's Hill, where it is faid CEdipus came to deplore his misfortunes, when on a fudden Lafthenia fcreamed violently. I turned round, and be- held a furious bull running upon her, and al- ready very near her. " Fly, fly !" cried I, and immediately fprang to meet him, though I had no other weapon than a long ftick, with which I flruck him, and when he rufhed upon me, fhunned him and fled. He then purfued me till fome fhepherds, armed with iron-pointed fticks, came to my afTiftance ; when I feized one of their ftaves, and waited to receive the enemy. At the moment when he was about to attack me with his horns I flruck the iron point into his head, and he fell dead upon the ground. The fhepherds cried out with acclamations of vic- tory, and placed upon my head a crown of olives, as at the Olympic games. But now I was uneafy for Laflhenia^ whom I .could no where perceive. After 78 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR After looking for her fome time, I difcovered her on an eminence, whence fhe had witneffed my combat and my viflory. I flew to meet her, and lay my crown at her feet, when fhe fell upon my neck, faying, " Thus do I em- brace the new Thefeus, the vanquiflier of the bull of Marathon, to whom I owe my hfe. Let this kifs exprefs my gratitude." It was the firft Ihe had ever given me. With what tranfport did it fill my heart ! We foon quitted this fcene, and fhortly after were furrounded by arid rocks, varied here and there with a (tvf pines and olive trees. We feated ourfelves at the foot of a fieep pre- cipice, and the view of this wild and magnifi- cent fcenery, whofe filence was interrupted only by the fcreams of fome wild birds, and the hoarfe murmur of a cafcade which rolled above our heads, and fell near us, threw us into a fweet and filent reverie. What a delicious mo- ment ! Though neither of us fpoke, the glow of pleafure thrilled through my veins, and warmed my heart into ecftafy. I folded Laf- thenia in my arms, and prefled her to my bbfom, and, though not without refiftance, feized a kifs, and inhaled the fweet perfume of her lips. Thus growing wild with pafTion, I afpired to the confummation of my widies: but IN GREECE AND ASIA. 79 but Ihe cried, " Stop, flop ! for heaven's fake, my dear Antenor ! At lead defer that vl^iory, which I can no longer refufe. Wait, at lead, till to-morrow, when we will pafs the day at my little country-houfe. Let that day be noted as the happicft and moft diftinguifhed in your life." As flie faid this, (lie withdrew herfelf from my arms, and I dared not oppofe her will. Night was now approaching, and we returned to the city, where I retired to my home, and waited with the moft tormenting impatience for the dawn of day, when all na- ture fhould again be renovated. How long Night feemed to delay her tardy flight ! How (lowly fhe withdrew her veil ! I thought the fun had forgot his deftined race, till at length he arofe in fplendor, and filled the heavens with his effulgence. I proftrated my- felf before him, crying out, in my enthufiafm, *f Oh ! thou vivifying foul of the univerfe ! thou that fpreadeft an ocean of light ! thou father of all nature ! Oh ! delay, this day, thy too rapid courfe, as once for Jupiter and Alcmene ! For though I do not wield the thunders of heaven, my Lafthenia excels ail the goddeflTes of Olympus V[ So THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR C H A P. X. AffliSiing note from Lafihenia. — Converfaticn of Anterior with the philo/opher Xenocrates. IN this tranfport of expeflation I was on the point of going to Lafthenia, when I was pre- vented by the following note : — " I am forry,'* faid flie, " my dear Antenor, to be obliged to defer our country walk. A facred duty calls me, and I muft depart. You will be informed "when I return. May you preferve your health, and enjoy happinefs !" This note rooted me to the ground, and I concluded I was deceived and betrayed. I curfed my ftars, and love, and Lafthenia herfelf. Wild with dcfpair, I ran to her houfe, and made innumerable inquiries concerning her departure, but could not learn whither (he was gone. This myftery filled me with alarm and with fufpi- cions. I wandered about the ftreets and mar- ket-place ; I went from the Pnyx to the Ceramicus, thence to the ftreet of Tripods, roaming as chance diredled, without an objeft, full of agitation, andabforbed in reflexion, feeing nobody, In GREECE AND ASIA. 8l nobod/, talking to myfelf, and exclaiming from time to time, " Ungrateful, perfidious woman !" At the foot of the (leps that led to the citadel I rudely elbowed a man, who (topped me, and called me by name. I looked at him, and perceived the philofopher Xenocrates. " Young man," faid he, " what has happened to you ? You feem quite altered. Are you ill ?" — " WouJd to the gods I were dead !" anfwered I. — " I underftand you," replied he : " you have had fome difappointment, fome vexation."—" I am the mod wretched," faid I, " of all man- kind." — " That may be," anfwered he. " But come with me." He then led me up to the ci- tadel : " Do you fee," faid he, " oppofite you, the Propyl^a, or veftibules of the citadel, that fuperb monument built by order of Pericles ? They are covered with white marble, and have nine great gates*. To the left is the temple of Viftory. We are now," continued he, " in the citadel. Examine all thefe ftatues, animated by the chiflels of Myron, of Phidias, and others of the moil celebrated artifts. That Mercury and * The French author fays five, but quotes no authority for deviating from Plutarch, who fiys the citadel was called Evn:c7rvXo!, from having nine gate:^, though it had but one grand entrance, to which the fteps afcended. Plut. in Pericle, —T.N. VOL. I. G the 82 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR the three Graces are attributed to Socrates* There you may pay your homage to the refem- Wances of Pericles, of Phormio, and of Timo- theus. Obferve thefe two akars ; the one is that of Modefty, where the Graces themfelves ought to officiate ; the other that of Friendlhip, the afylum of noble fouls indued with fenfibility. But you feem fcarcely to fee or attend to any thing. Surely you are blind or deaf! What a weaknefs ! But turn your eyes towards the city.".T-" I fee it," faid I. — '' Imagine, then," faid he, " how many cares and anxieties, how many misfortunes, have ever lodged beneath thofe roofs ! how many refide there ftill, and how many more will exift there in the progrefs of future ages! Ceafe, then, to afflidl yourfelf as if you alone were unfortunate, or as if you alone had a right to be exempt from the common lot of humanity. — But let us walk in the garden of the academy *. It is my favourite walk. The * The Greeks employed the time of walking for philofo- philing, and their fchools were in fuch places as were adapt- ed to that exercife. Plato delivered his leftures in the Aca- demia, which was a large plot of ground planted with tree?, on the banks of the Iliffus. Ariltotle taught in the Lyceum, a. fpacious place adorned alfo with trees, and his difciples were called peripatetics, becaufe they philofophifed as they walked. A vaft covered portico or gallery, painted by Polygnotus, was the fchool of Zeno, and Epicurus taught philofophy in a garden. fhade In GREECE AND ASIA. 83 fliade of the plane-trees, the falubrity of the air, and the coolnefs of the water, will affuage the cf- fervefcence of your fpirits, and calm the agitation of your foul. You muft divert your mind from thcfe ephemeral affliftions. A being endowed with reafon ought not to be overpowered by a difappointment, which often becomes the means of happinefs." We found the garden empty. " Let us fit down on this bank," faid Xeno- crates, " and converfe. A philofopher ought to be a phyfician to the foul. Open yours to me, and I will infufe into it the fweet lefibns of philolbphy. Is it the fall of your ambition you deplore, or the lofs of your fortune ?" — " No," faid I; "that would be a trifle: my grief is here — it is at the bottom of my heart." — " I think I have gueffed it," faid Xenocrates : " it is a difappointment in love. At your age that is confidered as a great misfortune. The indif- ference of a miftrefs, her cruelties and infide- lities, a little lefs of tendernefs than ufual in her looks, diftrad the head and heart of a young man, and feem to throw all nature into con- fufion : and all this for anobjeCl whonxourima- gination alone has decorated with the moft gaudy colours, and whom we may foon defpife." — " You," faid I, " are in the autumn of life ; and at that period men laugh at a pafllon which G 2 is 84 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR is at once the torment and the delight of our ex- iftence." — " I have palTed, like you," returned he, " through the fpring of life, and doubt- lefs have committed many errors, but 1 con- quered my paflions, and braved the powers of beauty and of love. Many a prieftefs of Diana is lefs chafle than I am. This was known throughout Athens j and when I was at the age of enjoyment, the celebrated Lais, hearing of my continence and my apathy, hazarded a wager that fhe would triumph over my refoluticn, and feduce me into the arms of pleafure. She there- fore invited me to her houfe." — " I have often," faid I, " heard of that famous courtezan, but I know very little ofher hiftory." — *' Then I will give you fomc idea," faid he, " ofher charafler and her manners : *' Lais is a native of Sicily, and was brought by an Athenian general into Greece. She took up her refidence at Corinth, and devoting herfelf to the worfhip of Venus, offered her favours to fale. Poflefied of uncommon beauty, and an extraordinary fhare of wit, painters frequented her as a model for a well-formed neck, and Apelles was her firft admirer. He met her as Ihe returned from bathing ; and being charmed with her beauty and her youth, he accofted her, flattered her, and invited her to dine with fome of IN GREECE AND ASIA. 85 of his friends, who laughed at him for intro- ducing an innocent young maiden, totally inex- perienced in the arts of love, in lieu of an accom- pliflied nymph of Venus. ' Do not fear,' faid he ; * I fliall educate her in fuch a manner, that in lefs than three years fhe will know her bufmefs perfedlly well.' He kept his word ; for Lais foon became one of the mofl famous of courte- zans ; and for her all Greece burned with the flames of love. Among others Demofthenes went to Corinth exprefsly to pafs the night with her: but aftoniOied at the price (he fet upon her favours, he abandoned his defign, faying, he would not pLiy fo dearly to purchafe repentance. The old fculptor Myron alfo afpired to be her paramour, but was repulfed. Attributing his ill-fuccefs to his grey hairs, he concealed them beneath a wig, and repeated his vifit : but fhe faid to him, ' You fool ! how can you afl<: me a favour, which 1 have already refufed your father r' " She often laughed at the pretended wifdom of the philofophers. * I know not,' fhe ufed to fay, ^ whether they are more virtuous than other men, but I know they frequent my door as much.* Yet this accomplifhed beauty, who fct fo high a price upon her perfon, proflituted G 3 herfeif 86 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR herfclf to Diogenes the cynic without any inte- refted motive. " Such was the beautiful Lais, whofe invita- tion I immediately accepted. I found her at her dreffing-table. Great Jupiter ! what a profufion of luxurious trifles was difplayed before her! " She was furrounded with bafins and covers cffilver, with mirrors of various fizes, bodkins for difentangling her hair, irons for curling, fil- lets for binding it, nets to cover it, and yellow powder to adorn it. On this altar of Venus were alfo exhibited boxes of red and white paint, a black powder for the eyebrows, opium for the teeth, and innumerable effences -, befides the plant parthenion *, v/ith which our fine women perfume their linen, and bags of odour which they carry in their pockets. I was much fur- prifed to fee her apply a very aftringent powder to the pupils of her eyes. When I afked her its life, fhe told me it was to diminilh the pupils, and make her eyes appear larger and more open ; adding, that every fine woman made ufe of the fame receipt. " It made me fmile to obferve, amidft all thefe trophies of luxury and coquetry, a little * fellitory, library^ IN GREECE AND ASIA. 87 library, with a colIe6lion of the plays of Me- nander, of Ariftophanes, of Euripides, and of Sophocles. Next to thefe were the romantic poets Demophylus, Mofchus, and Anacreon, and all the light writings of the day. Such are the books which our women of fafhion perufe, who read, not to form their judgment, but to fpeak with elegance, and to acquire an appearance of erudition. " Lais received we with fmiles, alleging fome excufe for her defire to fee me. The honey of flattery diflilled from her mouth, and flie called me the wifefb and greateft of philofophers ; while her kind looks and engaging carelTes con- firmed the happy idea that fhe really entertained that favourable opinion. She afl^ed me what was the true defcription of a philofopher : * It is he,' faid I, * who is virtuous, not through fear of the laws and of punifhment, but from inclination and in obedience to reafon.' — * What muft we do,' faid fhe, * to be happy ?' — * The contrary,' faid I, * to what you do.' — ' That,' replied fhe, < is not very gallant.' At the fame time fhe pro- ceeded in the bufinefs of dreffmg : fl:ie powdered her hair with the yellow pov/der, combed her eye-brows, covered her beautiful cheeks and her lovely neck with red and white cofmetics, then perfumed her hair with effences, decorated it G 4 with 88 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR with jewels and golden grafshoppers, and hung pendents of gold to her ears, in the form of figs. * What pains you take,' laid I, * to fpoil the gifts of Nature !' — * Perhaps,' anfwered Lais, ' you are right : but I muft conform to the prevailing fafhion — that divinity has her rites and cere- monies- ' — ^ And many vidlims,' interrupt- ed I. — * Yet,' continued (lie, * the moft rigid philolbphy muft allow that it is pofTible to im- prove and embellifli Nature, and that the illu- f]ons of Art ferve at lead to veil her defe(5ls.' — * Yes,' faid I ; ' but Art ought always to take Nature as her model, and fometimes even imi- tate her imperfedlions.' Two young flaves then dreffcd her in a tunic of a brilliant white, which flie bound with a wide girdle below her breaft. It fell, in undulating folds to her feet, and on her ftockings file had ribbands of various colours. Over the tunic flie put a fhorcer robe and a mantle contrived to fhew her elegant form to advantage : (lie then loaded her neck with pearls and precious ftones, and filled her pockets with bags of perfume. During all this ceremony fhe difplayed, occafionally, her beautiful bofom, her arms, which were of the fofteft and moft luxurious fliape, and white as alabafter, her deli- cate little foot, and her well- formed leg. When ilie had finally completed this long bufinefsj and liad IN GREECE AND ASIA. 89 had fent away her flavcs, we remained alone, and {he afked rae to fic by her on a purple couch. Perceiving that, notwithftanding all her charms and attradions, I preferved my cold- nefs and my gravity, fhe changed her manner, and declared to me, that though fhe had often beheld the moft amiable and moft diftinguifhed perfonages at her feet, fhe fliould be flill more flattered by gaining the eftcem of a man, whofe wifdom was an honour to philofophy. While ihe faid this, fhe held my hand, placing itfome- times on her knee, and fometimes preffing it to her heart. I replied, that flie ought to be fa- tisfied with thofe great men -, and that my ado- ration would add nothing to her glory. Per- ceiving that her leg was partly uncovered, I apprized her of it with an air of indifference. ' What do you think of it ?" faid fhe. — ^ I think it well made,' replied T, * provided you do not fliew it me.' This philofophic apathy aflo- niflied her. Again, however, fhe took my hand, and faid, ' Love is the foul of the univerfe; it reduced Chaos to order, animated all nature, and is the fire which Prometheus ftole from heaven. Its facred influence pervades the waters, peoples the air, and each moment gives life to a million of living beings : it inflames mankind, and fets even the gods on fire. Oh 1 how 5© THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR how it agitates me at this moment ! See how my heart palpitates !' Again fhe prelTed my hand to her bofom. * Yes/ replied I, * its vibrations are certainly numerous and rapid. Perhaps you have fome fever ?* — ' Yes, my dear Xenocrates/ anfwered fhe, ' a burning fever, which your prefence has occafioned.' — '^ If fo,' faid I, rifing, * I will retire immediately, for I fhould reproach myfelf feverely if I caufed you the moft trifling iilnefs.' — 'No,' replied ihe, * 1 befeech you to flay.' — * What do you want with me ?* I rejoined. — * That you would love me," faid fhe ; at the fame time throwing her arms round me, and imprelTing a kifs upon my lips. — ' You lofe your time as well as your kiifesj' anfwered I, again quieting my feat, * You may perhaps be a very dangerous Circe, but in me you will certainly find another Ulyfies. Adieu ! I am going, becaufe I wifh to fave you the mortification of a refufal.' I then left her, blufiiing with confufion and (hame at the ili-fuccefs of her pretended pafTion." " Your ftoical firmnefs," faid I to Xenocrates, is amazing* 1 Lais, then, loft her wager r"— "She * Robert d'ArbrifTel is inflanced as a fecond Xenocrates in this refpciS. In 1 104, after having long been followed by a numerous train of profelytes of both fexes, he formed a com- munity. IN GREECE AND ASIA. gi *f She would not pay it," replied he ; " alleg- ing, that (he had engaged to feduce a man, not a ftatue." Here we were interrupted by fome perfons who accofted us, faying that Theophraftus was at the point of death. They difputed concerning his age, and all agreed that he died of old age and fatigue, fince he was ninety-nine years old when he wrote his celebrated book of charac^ ters* ; though it appears the work of a young man of a very gay and lively turn. I availed myfelf of the opportunity to efcape, for I was very defirous to be alone, being an- xious to feek for Lafthenia : but I loft my la- bour, and fell into the deepeft defpair. munity at Fontenai in Poitou, of which a woman had the go- vernment. It is afTerted, that as a proof of his continence, this holy man often flept between two canonelTes without violating his vow. * Cato the cenfor learned Greek atfeventy years of age j and being engaged in a law-fuit at eighty-fix, he pleaded his ov/n caufe. 92 THE TRAVELS OF ANTZNOR C H A P. XI. Anonymous note^ more favourable than the laji. — Confequences of this note. — Death of Theo- ■phrajlus, Qix days after my misfortune a flave knocked at *^ my door and gave me a note containing thefe words : " Follow the bearer of this with- out fear — he will conduct you well." Not re- collefling the hand-writing, I queflioned him : but he anfwered, that his orders were to guide me, and that he knew nothing further. " Go," faid I, " and I will follow." After walking a whole hour, we arrived at a fmall door, which he opened, leading me through a vifta of poplars, at the end of which was a charming houfe. He Ihewed me into an ofla- gon room, with fimple furniture, but of an ele- gant tafte, and immediately difappeared. Be- fore the houfe was a terrace, decorated with co- lumns of the Doric order, and commanding an cxtenfive garden and a beautiful profped:. From this fpot I furveyed the fea, whofe furface was fil- vered by the reflected rays of the fun, bounding a country IN GREECE AND ASIA. 5^ country rich in verdure, in flowers, and in fruits, covered with beautiful houfes, and varied with charming little rifing grounds. The Ce- pJiyfus rolled along the edge of the garden ; and while I watched its waves, and contemplated the beauty of the fcenery, I imagined myfelf tranf- ported to the Elyfian fields: but I foon re- flefted that I was alone, and was ftill equally ig- norant for what purpofe I was brought to this fpot, or who inhabited the manfion. To gain fome intelligence, I quitted the ter- race, and crofTed a lawn adorned with rofes, in- terfperfed with the mofl: beautiful flowers of the fpring, beyond which was a bafm of white mar- ble, where two naiads poured an abundant ftream from their mofs- grown urns. Too deeply engroflTed with my own feelings to notice thefe objeds, my eyes wildly fought the divinity of this little elyfium. A vifta of plane- trees led me to a meadow enamelled with flowers, where a ftreamlet murmured along the pebbles in ferpentine finuofities. This mea- dow was terminated by a little wood, at the ex- tremity of which, to the right and left, I per- ceived tv/o arbours. On entering that to the left, I faw two ftatues of marble of Paros. They reprefented Cupid, archly fmiling, and taking aim at a young nymph oppofite to him, who was on her 1^4 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR her knees, extending her hands to intreat him to fpare her. This was the produftion of Alcamenes. Still agitated with the greateft inquietude, I went to vifit the oppofite arbour, in the midfl of which flood the three Graces on one pedeftal, a mafterpiece worthy of Phidias, whofe work it was. The firft held a branch of myrtle in her hand, the fecond a rofe, the fymbol of Spring, and the third a bone toy, as a type of the playfulnefs of children. Cupid was at their feet, fmiling and looking up at them with the greateft fweetnefs. On examining the middle ftatue, who held the rofe, I thought it refembled Lafthenia. In my tranfport I cried out, " Oh ! my dear Lafthenia I ungrateful Lafthenia ! is it you ? Why do you fly me ? Ah ! where are you ?" — Hearing a ruftling among the foliage, I came out of the arbour, and beheld Lafthenia herfelf, who with a laughing air faid, " Here fhe is." While full of aftoniftiment and joy, " O, why," faid I, " have you caufed me fo much pain ? Ah ! why fo cruelly abandon me ?" — " You condemn me," faid fhe, " unheard. Men are always unjuft, efpecially when they are lovers. — Hear me, my dear Antenor, and then judge. The evening after you courageoufty vanquiftied that furious bull, I was informed that Theo- phraftus IN GREECE AND ASIA. 95 . phraftus was dying, and defired to fee me. To him I was ftrongly attached, both by gratitude and friendfl-iip : he has cultivated my mind, and improved my underftanding : he particularly diftinguifhed me from the crowd of his difcipies, who flocked to the Lyceum, to the number of two thoufand, and laviflied on me his care and his advice. To him I am indebted for the little philofophy I poffefs. lie has taught me to ceconomife my time, and often told me the lofs of that was the worft fpecies of extravagance. " For fome years pad he had retired to the country, where his ftudies employed all his lei- fure. As foon as I heard of his illnefs, I flew to him on the wings of friendiliip ; thinking the duties we owe to a fuffering friend ought to be preferred to a promife given to fuccefsful love. Alas ! I found him at the point of death. At the fight of me he feemed to revive. ^ Ah \ my dear friend !' exclaimed this venerable old man, * how rapid is the period of our exift- ence ! Why have the gods given the crows and ftags fo long a life * ! O, Nature ! why Ihould mute and fenfelefs beings live through fucceeding ages, while man, whofe mind is endowed with in- telligence, comprehends thy immenfity, and in- * It was long believed that crows and ftags live two or three centuries, veftigates 96 THE tRAVELS OF ANTENOR veftigates thy operations, enjoys but an inftanta-^ neons exiftence ? The firil and the laft mo- ments of his life feem almoft to coincide, and the ftars that enlighten his path to-night will to- morrow fhine upon his grave.' I endeavoured to perfuade him his end was not fo near, but he replied, * I fear not death. Life, alas ! is a journey we perform, and each night brings us nearer to its end. I am arrived at the gates of annihilation, and I muft: enter them.'* He conti- nued to talk of his affairs with perfect tranquil- lity i fpoke of his writings, his treatife on plants, and his Charaiflers, which he preferred to his other works. When he perceived his laft mo- ment was arrived, he took my hand and preffed it to his heart ; and faying, ^ Such is the life of man !' expired. I have been deploring his lofs thefe two days in folitude, for I could not bear to enter on the purfuits of pleafure immedi- ately on the death of my friend. — Am I, then, fo much to blame ? Will you always thus re- proach me ?" — " No," faid I j "my amiable Lafthenia can never err, when fhe follows the didtates of her heart." As I faid this, I em- braced her and preffed her to my bofom. " Let us go," faid fhe ; "I perceive this retreat is dangerous." — " Remember your promife," faid I, " and remember the anguifh I have fuf- fered IN GREECE AND ASIA. 97 fercd." — ■' I have not forgot ir," anfwered fhe : " but love has not yet given the fignal. Let mc fliew you the reft of my little domain. Come and fee my aviary." The lattice-work, which wzs of iron wire,' was interwoven with branches of pomegranates and laurels. In the middle arofe a fmall foun- tain, overfhadowed by myrtle, and it was full of the rareft and moft beautiful birds. " Here,'* faid (he, " on this bank of turf I pafs whole hours in liftening to the fweet melody of my little muficians. I am delighted when I obferve their engaging fimplicity, fo ftrongly contrafted with our artificial manners, and compare their happy tranquillity with thofe reftlefs paffions which diftracl the heart of man. " But let us go," continued fhe, " into this field, planted v/ith elms and cypreffes *." — '' It appears very gloomy and fad !" faid I. — " Yes," replied Lafthenia j " it is the habitation of Mourning and of Melancholy. That urn which you now behold will one day contain my afhes, when the ray of the fuprefne clTence which ani- mates my body fhall be reunited with the great foul of the univerfe. Here I often come to fa- * Thefe trees were confecrsted to the dead, becauferthcy bear no fruit. VOL. I. H miliarifc 98 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR miliarife myfelf to the fcenery of death. You are younger than me : you may one day come here and drew flowers and weep over the tomb of your friend.** — " Ah !" cried I, *' let us fhun that dreadful thought!" — " And why fo dread- ful ?" laid file. " If our foul furvive the diffo- lution of the body, that muft furely be for our happinefs. If, on the contrary, it be annihi- lated, think, can the duft you tread on be un- happy ? Let us, then, endeavour to pafs our lives in undifturbed tranquillity, and confider death as a peaceful fleep which terminates a fatiguing journey. — But let us vifit the interior of the manfion. It is a prefent from Arlftippus, which I have only accepted for my life ; after which it will return to him or his heirs." — •* Ah 1" exclaimed I, " how happy the man who fhould here pafs his life with fo amiable a woman !" — " I would by no means," replied fhe, " fhut myfelf up here, even with the mod empaflloned lovers for then all our rofes v/ould foon be turned to poppies. Be aflured the blofToms of pleafure muft ever be accompanied with thorns." By this time we were on the terrace, whence, after having pointed out the beauties it com- manded, and admired the magniiicent appear- ance IN GREECE AND ASIA. p^ ance of the ocean, the winding river, and the furrounding country, (he condufted me into the faloon. " That fmall room to the left," faid fhe, " is the lanfluary of the Mufcs. You will find there a good choice of books, and the portraits of Homer, of Hefiod, of Anacreon, and of Plato. Will you pay your refpecls to them ?" — " No," faid I : " rather lead me to the temple of Love." — " To that," replied fhe, " the approach is often feducing, but the return is frequently far from happy. Let us go to the temple of Flora, which is oppofite to us, and where you will fee a fine collection of flowers." — " I cannot well diftinguifli thofe beauties," faid' I, " for my foul inhabits a fuperior re- gion." — " I underftand you," fiiid (he. *' You mean that I exhaufl: your patience. But you Ihould have fome indulgence for one who is de- firous of Ihewing her tafte and genius in the ar- rangement and embellifhment of her houfe." The hall of Flora was of an oval form, in- crufted with white marble, and decorated with pilafters of porphyry : it was furrounded with vafes, and feveral boxes of a precious v/ood, full of the moft beautiful flowers. " How do you like this little temple ?" faid (he. — " Worthy of the goddefs," faid L " But I do not perceive a fingle feat or couch 1" — " You will foon fee H 2 them," lOO THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR them," anfvvered fhe, " if you pull that ftring."' Immediately two fcreens opening, difcovered an elegant couch, covered with the richeft carpets. In the middle was a fmall niche, containing a Hatuc, with one finger on its mouth, as if to command filence. It was the ood whom the Greeks call Sigalion *. *' That . divinity," faid Lafthenia, *' commands every thing that pafies here to be buried in oblivion." — Nor will I violate the commands of the god Sigalion or of my goddefs Lafthenia. After feme hours of happincfs and of repofe, we perceived the fetting fun inviting us to en- joy the refreshing cool of the declining day. We walked beneath the plane-trees and in the meadows, while Lafthenia's flaves prepared our repaft upon the terrace. We then bathed, and fat down to an elegant fupper. The delicious luxuries of the table, the zephyrs that fported around us, the gaudy clouds that filled the air • The Greelis believed him to be the fon of Ifis and Gfiris. He was represented under the form of a youth half naked, partly covered with a mantle, fpangled with eyes and ears, and an Egyptian mitre on his head. His Itatue, which had one finger in its mouth, and with the other hand held a horn, was placed at the entrance of their temples. To him was confecrated the peach-tree, becaufe its leaf is in the form of a tongue. The Romans gave him the name of Harpocrates. with IN GREECE AND ASIA. TOI with purple and with gold, the intoxication of reciprocal pleafure and increafing attachment, (Irengthened by the fweeteft intercourfe of the heart, filled our fouls with ecftafy and rapture. Alas ! thefe enchanting dreams are vanifhed for ever. Ah ! whither has that fafcinating idol of mankind taken her eternal flight ? Alas ! file is now changed to inanimate dud of the earth! Does her foul, then, repofe in the bo- / ibm of the gods, or is it evaporated into empty /pace ? My dear Lafthenia, doft thou iiill liden to my lamentations and my fighs ? Doft thou behold thefe tears, which ftill flow with un- ceafing forrow after an interval of thirty years have torn our hearts afunder ? When flie left me, flie faid, " My dear An- tenor, i have not only made you happy, but participated in your tranfport: but never forget, when your love for me fhall have expired, that you ftill owe me the tribute of gratitude and at- tachment. Be ailured, that when a woman of fenfibility and delicacy refigns herfelf to her lover's arms, fhe is far lefs feduced by her own defires than by the refleded pleafure of contri- buting to his happinefs and enjoyment." From that day I feemed fcarcely to exift but for Lafthenia, and my foul, my heart, my life were identified with hers. I even deferted the Gym- H 3 nafium. 102 THE TRAVELS OF A^fTENOR nafium, the Academy, and the Lyceum ; though as 1 knew fhe was attached to intelleflual pur- fuits, I endeavoured to deferve her efteem by devoting all that portion of my time to ftudy which I could not fpend with her. I informed my mind by reading polemical writings ; I ex- tradled the fubftance of what I read, and plunging into the abfbradions of metaphyfics, I endea- voured to inveftigate the efience of the foul. Each philofopher, however, only led me into a labyrinth, from which I was unable to extricate my mind ; and the confufed refult of my en- quiries was, that the foul is a fubtile fire, a folar ray, a portion of ether or of the divinity, a pure fpirit, being at once fimple and compound, which refides in the brain, in the heart, in the diaphragm, in the blood, throughout the body; that it perifhes, and that it is immortal. One day, fatigued with fo many contradidions and uncertainties, I fpoke of them to Ladhenia, who replied, *' Regulate the afFedions of your heart, and enjoy its pleafures as you enjoy the warmth of the fun, and all the benefits of na- ture, v/ithout attempting to remove an impene- trable veil which no mortal eye has ever pierced." I then determined to rejed this ab- llrufe unintelligible jargon of philofophy, and apply my mind to the poets and orators. What a power- IN GREECE AND ASIA. IO3 a powerful fpring of induilry is love ! To what talents, to what virtues would it not give birth, if that beauty, whofe power is (6 irrefiftible, did not too often deftroy its own influence by the diflblutenefs of its manners, or the indig- nity of its choice ! Lafthenia, however, condemned my retire- ment. " Do not," faid Ihe, " imitate the fatyrifl Democritus, who put out his eyes the better to purfue his ftudies. A contem- plative life is not fuited to your age. The mod important ftudy for a young man is that of the world : that is the book he ought daily to read. Since you are placed among man- kind, and mull live with them, you ought to know their cuftoms, their manners, and the diverfity and fingularity of their difpofitions. It is in the fphere of their adtivity, and in the whirlwind of life, that men difcover their true chara6lers. You are not to be a book, but a man. Knowledge of the world, when com- bined with a good underftanding, may fupply the want of books ; whereas mere fcicnce, which is but theory without pradlice, gives men an awkward air of reftraint in fociety, and renders them unfit for the tranfadions of life. If it be allowable ever to retire from the H 4 world. E04 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR world, and hide ourfelves in folitude, it can only be right towards the clofe of life, whej^ we have feen every thing, cxhaufled every purr fuit, and difcharged the debt of utility to ouir country,':* IN GREECE AND ASIA. 105 CHAP. XII. He lodges with Polyphron. — Conduct of his wife Eucharis. •AviNG occafion to change my lodgings, Laf- thenia procured me apartments in the houfe of one of her friends, named Polyphron. I foon formed a friendfhip both with him and his wife Eucharis, who was young and beautiful. The firft time her hufband introduced me to Philo, an Athenian youth of an interefting countenance, was affifting her to drefs, while il;e was powdering her hair, and applying white enamel to her fkin. Soon after I went out with Polyphron, who afked his wife how fhe intended to fpend the day. She replied that fhe was going to the Odeum with Philo *. Feeling fomewhat furprifcd at the intimacy of Eucharis with this young man, and at the philofophic fecurity of • The Odeum was a theatre at Athens, where fome bad mufic was performed. It was iurrounded with houfes inha- bited by courtezans ; and though the ni'metcE exhibited in- decent geftures, lafcivious dances, and libidinous fcenes, yet jt was frequented by people of character and refpedability. her I06 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR her hufbandj I afked him whether Philo was his wife's brother : <* No," faid he j "he is a coufin, for whom I have the higheft efteem and the "warmeft affe(5lion/' I could not help filently re- fleding that it was not impoffible this amiable coufjn might perhaps abufe the liberty his rela- tionfhip procured him in the family of his friend. I afterwards obferved him very arduous in the houfe, where he entered freely into Eu- charis's chamber ; though I was never admitted but in company with her hufband. I had now no doubt of their intimacy, though I did not fpeak of it even to Lafthenia, as I was not will- ing to violate the laws of hofpitality. Eucharis, however, was perfeftly decent in her behaviour. The moft affedling modefty adorned her countenance and pervaded every look, and fhe was fpoken of as an example of religion and piety. One day, when I went with a friend to the feftival of Eleufis *, I obferved her • The feftival of Eleufis, or Ceres, was one of the moft celebrated of the public feafts of Athens. It was called, by way of eminence, the Myfteries, and every Athenian of both fexes was initiated in them at an early age. Myfterious books were read there, extraordinary voices were heard, thunder rolled, fpeftres appeared, and the earth feemed to quake. It is afferteJ that it was a fcene of the moft diforderly actions. IN GREECE AND ASIA. 107 her on a bench with a great number of devotees. *' Do you fee thofe good women ?" faid my friend. " They are going to remain here, through devotion, twelve hours, without taking any nourifhment." — " What book," faid I, ^' are they reading fo attentively ?" — " It is a book," replied he, " in the Egyptian language, written in hieroglyphics." — " What," faid I, " do they underftand that enigmatical lan- guage ? I did not think they had been fo learned." — " No," replied he, " they are quite ignorant of it. The priefts alone pofiefs the key to it: but they think they render their reli- gion more folemn and more refpeiflable by pre- fcribing the ufe of prayers in an unintelligible language. See with how much care thofe good women preferve their book. It is inclofed in a cafe of red leather." The devotion of Eucharis, however, did not impofe on me j for I well knew that women frequently combine the myfteries of love with aflions. The feftival continued nine days, and was renewed once in four years. Thofe who, having been initiated, had bathed in the waters of the liilTus, and afterwards had been condufted to the fanftuary of Ceres, were to dwell, after death, in the happy groves of the Elyfian fields, and enjoy ineffable pleafures through all eternity : whereas thofe who were not initiated in thefe myfteries were to be plunged for ever in the depths of Tenarus. 7 thofe I08 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR thofe of religion. One day I was fcrioufly alarmed on her account, for I thought her intrigues muft inevitably be difcovered. Being engaged to fup with Polyphron, I attended his fummons at the hour appointed ; and going with him to his wife's room, we found the doorfnut. A flave told him Philo had jufl: en- tered. At thefe words I fhuddered with hor- ror, expecting to fee the door immediately forced open: but, with a ftoicifm worthy of Zeno himfclf, Polyphron only faid, '' Well, v/e will not difturb him : we will wait for them in the banqueting- room." I was fo petrified, that I did not dare to pronounce the name of this danger- ous youth -, when to my great aftonifhment the eafy hufband afked me if I knew much of him : " Very little," faid I; " I never met him any where." — " That," replied he, " is becaufe he lives retired, and fcarcely fl'equents any place ex- cept my houfe. He is an excellent youth, and as brave as Themiftocles. He has already per- formed fix campaigns by fea and land. He was wounded in the famous battle wherein the line of Chabrias, our general, though abandoned by the allies, could not be broken *. This young man will * Chabrias, an Athenian general, was fent to the affift- ance of the Thebans againftthe Spartar.s, when being aban- doned IN GREECE AND ASIA. IQ^ will one day be at the head of die armies of the republic. Although I am his relation, I" may be allowed to pronounce his eulogium ^ for he has neither the frivolous manners nor the ridicu- lous afFcLlation of the young people of the pre- fent day, who are full of vanity and idle conver- fation. They afFed to have a numerous train of domeftics, are followed by flaves, who carry a folding- feat, that they may fit down at the promenade or other public places ; and, like courtezans, they wear embroidered dredes, ufe cofmetics, frize and perfume their hair, wear patches, carry mirrors in their pockets, and have a complete dreffing eilablilliment. Philo has none of thefe extravagances " He was interrupted by his entering the room, together with Eucharis, and dinner was immediately ferved in. Polyphron was extremely polite and gallant to his wife, and overwhelmed his coufin with his attentions. Every one feemed perfedly happy, and I alone was flupificd and doned by the allies, he fuftained the attack of the enemy withi only his own troop. He ordered his rdJiers to put one knee to the ground, and firmly reding their fpsars on the other, cover themfelves wiih their Ihields. This manoeuvre was fo fuccefsful, that Agelilaus, though victorious, could not break his line. The Athenians railed a (tacue to his memory, in that attitude. concerned j 110 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR concerned ; particularly as the charafler ofPo- lyphron for probity and principle was withou: a blot: yet his circumfpedion or his tacit acqui- efcence in the. amours of his wife appeared tome an inexplicable enigma. Fortunately the coufin went out immediately after dinner -, and Poly- phron being called away, I was left alone with his wife, and took that opportunity to difcover the truth of my fufpicions. I began by eulogizing Polyphron for his mildnefs, his knowledge, his integrity, and his tender affe6tion for his wife. Eucharis fpoke of him in ftill warmer terms of panegyric, and aflured me fhe loved him dearly, that he was her bed friend, and that fhe was indebted to his kindnefs, and the goodnefs of his heart, for all the happinefs (he enjoyed. " Befides," faid Ij "I do not think him at all inclined to be jealous." — " No," faid (he i " his foul is too ele- vated and too noble to be capable of fo bafe- born a pafTion." — " I confefs," faid I, " that fuppofing him to feel like other men, I trem- bled for you this evening, when he found your door fhut, and was told you were alone with Philo. I am far from harbouring fufpicions in the fmalleft degree, and unfavourable to your re- putation, but any other hufband might have been highly enraged at fuch a circumflance."— I apo- IN GREECE AND ASIA. Ill I apologized for my franknefs : but Eucharis, inftcad of blufhing at my remarks, fmi)ed at my fears. " If you are fo much furprifed," faid Hie, at my hufband's good-nature, you will be flill more aftoniflied when you are informed that I behave to his coufm exadly as I do to him, and that he enjoys the fame rights and pri- vileges." — ^" Indeed!" anfwered I. "That is ftill more inconceivable.— But your confidence does me the greateft honour, and I promife you never to utter a word upon the fubje6l."— ■ " Oh !" faid Ihe, " you may fpeak of it as much as you pleafe. All the public are in my confi- dence, as well as Polyphron himfelf. This cir- cumftance, I doubt not, will equally furprife you." — " As much," faid I, " as the indulgence of yourhulband. The women of Athens, then, enjoy the privilege of having two huibands ?"-— " I do," replied Ihe : " but I am, perhaps, the only one." — " Well," faid I, " then I congra- tulate you on your good fortune, and do nor doubt you improve it to the utmoft." — " Doubt- lefs," faid fhe, " you are unacquainted with that law of Solon, which authorizes thefe double marriages." — " I am, indeed," faid I : " but I think it an admirable inftitution— at lead for the ladies. Do have the goodnefs to explain to me a law which gives you this exclufive privilege. You 112 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR You have, perhapSj rendered feme fignal ferviccf to the ftate ?" — "By no means," replied fhe : " I am not To fortunate : but I will foon folve the dif- ficulty. When I married Polyphron I only knew that he pofTcfTed the moft univerfal efteem on account of his numerous good Cjualities : I could know nothing of his qualifications as a hufbandj in the fcenes of domeftic life." — *^ Have you reafon, then," faid I, " to complain of his tem- per ? A little feverity, or parfimony, I fup- pofe ?"— " Far from it," anfwered (he. "His kindnefs and attention are unequalled j and his generofity has no limits but thofe of his fortune and of reafon. But a man of excellent moral charader may be a very indifferent hulband."— " I begin," faid I, " to underfcand you. Poly- phron, notwithftanding the charms you pofTefs, pays them but a very flender tribute ?" — '^ That," replied fhe, " would content any vir- tuous woman, but is wholly out of his power ; and therefore he himfelf propofed my availing myfelf of the law of Solon, which enables every heirefs, fituated as I was, to take the neareft re- lation of her hulband to her bed *. At firft I * A law, in fome refpeds fimilar to that of Solon, exifted in France till the reign of Louis XIV., whereby in fuch cafes, after a public ccngrlsy in order to prove the faft, the marriage was diflblved. Tliis indecent inftitution was abrogated at the inftance of the prime minifter M.ds Lamoignon. refufed IN GREECE AND ASIA. I JJ refufed his offer: but he perfifted in urging me to adopt it."—" And fo you confented ?" faid I. — " Yes," anfvvered flie ; " he named his coufin, who is a man of uncommon merit and pleafing manners; and from that time we have all three lived together in the happieft manner, and in the mod perfect harmony and affe6lion. I paid her a compliment and retired, but not without letting her perceive that I thought this the moll: fingular arrangement in the world. VOL. I. Il4 '^^^ TRAVELS OF ANTENOlt C H A P. XIII. Another woman very partial to the laws of Solof^s with regard to the duties of hufhands, ROM this converfation arofe a kind of confi- dence between Eucharis and myfelfj and with the fair fex one confidence always leads to another. One day I found her engaged in a very animated converfation with a tall, thin, dry-looking woman, with long arms, a long neck, and a very long face, and appearing, as it were, quite an autumnal flalk by the fide of a flower of the fpring. I was going immediately to withdraw, but fhe took leave of Eucharis,- faying, in a loud and coarfe voice, and in an angry tone, " Recommend to him to acquit himfelf better in future, or tell him, from me, that I will fummon him before the archons." As foon as flie was gone, I inquired of Eucharis what was the ftibjed of this fingular woman's complain: who had gone away with her eyes full of rage, and her face glowing with paffion. *' She is enraged," faid fhe, " againfh her IN GREECE AND ASIA. Il^ her hufband, and is determined to appeal to the law, and be feparated from him, or oblige him to treat her with more regard." — " I fuppofe, then," faid I, " he is a morofe, brutal, jealous hufband ?"— " On the contrary,** faid Ihe, " he is an amiable and accompHfhed man." — " Ha, ha!" replied I, "I underftandyou. Perhaps, like Polyphron, he is deftitute of the facrcd fire of Prometheus, and therefore (he wifhes for a fub- llitute r" — " No," faid Ihe ; " her fituation is very different ; nor indeed is (he an heirefs, hav- ing only brought him the ufual dowry of the Athenian women — three gowns and fome veflels of fmall value. Befides, fhe has three children by him, though fhe is indebted for them to the beneficence of Juno." — *' How fo ?" faid I. — "Having been entirely barren," faid fhe, " for fome years after her marriage, fhe prefented herfelf in the temple of Juno Lucina, to re- ceive from one of the prielb, called Luperci, the gift of fecundity. This benefit is conferred in a fingular manner. The woman undrefTes herfelf, and lies down on the ground with her face downwards, when the prieft whips her back with thongs of goatfkin." — " And this," faid I, " is doubtlefs an infallible remedy .?" — " The priefts," replied fhe, " alTert that it is; and my I 2 friend. I 16 THE TPvAVfiLS OF ANTENOR friend, fince fhe made the experiment, has been blefled with three children. No doubt fhe is worthy of credit j and fhe reprefents her huf- band as a very different man from Polyphron. However he does not comply with the law of Solon, who orders thefe objeds to be at- tended to at leaft three times every month ; and fhe has been telling me, that for the lafl: £ve decades he has entirely neglefled her, and has always fome excufe ready on every occafion." — " It is evident," faid I, " that this woman has, like Socrates, a pro- found refpecfu for the laws -, and though fhe is neither young nor beautiful, it cannot be de- nied that they fanflion her anger. Solon was certainly a friend to the ladies, fince he has attended fo minutely to their affairs in his fyftem of legiflation." — " I hope, however,'* added Eucharis, " I lliail be able to fettle this bufinefs. I fliall remonftrate with this ne- gligent huiband, and will reftore him, if poffible, to his duty." We both laughed heartily at the violent ac- cufation of this woman. " Such," faid (he, " is the general character of the women of Athens. Placed in a burning climate, our young maidens are Ihut up almoft as much as thofe of IN GREECE AND ASIA. ny of Afia, while married women enjoy great li- berty; and the men are fo defirous of peace and tranquillity at home, that they treat their wives with great kindnefs and indulgence. They for- give a weaknefs the firft time it is committed, and forget it the fecond,'* 53 Il8 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR CHAP. XIV. I'rial of Pbocion. — Its effcSfs en Lafiher.ta> TTT was at this period that the people of Athene •^ gave an inflance of their incondancy and fe- rocioufnefs, which will be an indeHble ftigma on their name. Such, in faft, are thofe who are called the People in all ages and in all countries. Equally frivolous and barbarous, they are eafily impofed on -, and when put in motion, their frenzy is blind, infolent, deftrudive, and irre- fiftible. Epicurus ufed to fay, that he had never cared to pleafe the people, for he approved no- thing that they knew, and he knew nothing they approved. The virtues and talents of Phocion entitled him to the moll diftinguifhed place in the temple of Fame. Though he was a man of ftern and un- pleafant countenance, his expreffions were mild and his rebukes gentle. He never appeared elated in profperity or deje6i:ed in adverfity, and never betrayed pufillanimlty by a tear or joy by a fmile. He combined philofophy and eloquence with the prudence and cool valour of the warrior j and as he defpifed pleafure^ his table was a mode^ JN GREECE AND ASIA. 11^ model of frugality. Whether relaxing in his rural retreat, or marching at the head of his troops, he always walked barefoot and without a cloak, unlefs the cold was extreme j and when his foldiers obfcrved him drefled more warmly than ufual during a fevere v/inter, they faid, " Since Phocion wears his cloak, it is a fign of the moft inclement weather." This great man, however, who was generally called, by way of diftinftion, the Worthy, and had re- fufed the moft dazzling offers of the greateft monarchs, was accufed by the Athenians of holding intelligence with the enemies of the flate i and the command of the troops being taken from him, when he was eighty years old he prefented himfelf before the people, to plead his caufc and make his defence. An immenfe concourfe was affembled, and I was prefent when the venerable old man, w^ith hoary locks, and a countenance that indicated the calm ferenity of innocence, afcended the tribune with a firm and undaunted air. Thrice he at- tempted to fpeak in his defence, but thrice the tumult and the clamours of the enraged populace ftifled his voice. At length they gave their ibf- frages without hearing him. He was unani- moufly condemned to die, and being immedi- ately takfn into cuftody, was carried away to a 1 4 dungeon. 120 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR dungeon. Every honeft man was ftruck with horror at his fate, but a very fmall number had the courage to pay him the rcfpedof the parting falutation. Phocion, however, walked with the lame undiilurbed tranquillity of countenance with which he alvv^ays marched at the head of his troops, to lead them to glory. One of his intimate friends faid to him, with a face deluged with tears, " O, my dear Phocion ! what an un- juft fentencc !" — " I expected it," anfwered he. *< It is the fate which the mofi: illullrious citi- zens of Athens have experienced." I followed him amidft a mob of people, who loaded him with reproaches and abufe ; and a mean- looking man, very Ihabbily drefled, was bale enough to fpit in his face : but Phocion cried out, without the leaft emotion of anger, " Can- not this man be prevented from doing things un- worthy of humanity ?" I entered the prifon together with feveralof his friends, and the cup of hemlock being brought him, one of them afked him v;hether he had any thing to com- municate to his fon : "Yes," faid he; "tell him to forget the injuftice of the Athenians.** He then took the cup, and having prayed for the profperity of his country, looked round at his friends, fmiled, and drank the fatal potion, He laid down on a bed of wood, without fuffer- IN GREECE AND ASIA. 121 ing a fingle figh or complaint to efcape him, and, like Socrates, whofe exemplary virtues he poireired, expired without the lead apparent emotion. Phocion died on the nineteenth day of Thar- gelion, (May,) which was the feafl of Jupiter called Diafia. When the cavaliers, who on that occafion went in procefTion, pafled be- fore the prifon, fome of them took off their chaplets, and others burft into tears. This melancholy fcene had harrowed up my foul, and I immediately went to Lafthenia, who was fo much affeded with the fate of her friend, that Ihe was confined to her bed. She was very much attached to Phocion, and the atrocious in- juftice of the Athenians had quite overpowered her. When I faw her, t could not help burft- ing into tears, and her's flowed with unreftrained and fympathetic copioufnefs. We were foon after informed that a decree had been pafTed, prohibiting any one to render the laft offices to a man who deferved to have altars ereitcd to his memory. Lafthenia, who was perfedlly intre- pid when Ihe had an opportunity to perform a good adion, propofed to me to brave the fury of the people, and to go in the night to procure the precious remains of this great man. We 122 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR We went out foon afcer it was dark, accom- panied by a fingle flave, and having purchafed the body of her deceafed friend, Lafthenia had it conveyed to her country-houfe. We worked all night to dig a grave in the garden -, and hav- ing covered it with a large Hone, we added the following infcription : " Dear Jacred tomb ! to thee I conftgn the remains of a worthy and excel- lent man. Preferve them till the day Jh all arrive when they may be reftored to the toynbs of his ancej- torsy and the Athenians Jh all have relented of their error !'* JN GREECE AI^D ASIA. I23 CHAP. XV. Converjation of Lajihenia during a walk. — 'They meet Diogenes. — A meal of vegetables, L ASTHENIA ftill continued to blefs my exig- ence, which glided on with the undifturbed ferenity of perfetl happinefs j and with us Love feemed to have forgot his inconftancy and ca- price. We varied this conftant fuccefTion of en- joyments with the intelle6tual amufements of reading, and our converfations were always in- terefting and lively. But we rarely flayed long in the houfe j for Lafihenia loved walking, and often obferved that Love is a child of Nature, and delights in the verdure of the fields, the ihade of the woods, and the warbling melody of the birds. " Even Philofophy herfelf," conti- nued flie, " expands beneath a canopy of fo- liage, and delights in luxuriant vallies, amidft the fimplicity of cottages and ruftic fcenery. The haunts of wifdom ought to fmile with hap- pinefs, as the gardens of Epicurus are full of pleafant walks, and our Porticoes and Lyceums furrounded with large and beautiful trees.'- 124 ^fHE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR One fine morning we went out at fun- rife, to take a ruftic break faft in the fields. Two fiavcs car- ried our provifions, and I was charged with the inteJIeftual food of books, particularly the Cha- radVers of Theopluadus, whofe maxims and portraits were often the fubject of our converfa- tions and di'putes. We were walking very flov/, and tailing the exhilarating frefhnefs of the morning, when a fhocking objed fuddenly flruck our view. We perceived fome perfons afiembled round d tree, and on approaching thera, we found an old woman had hung herfclf on one of its branches. The fpeflators were difcourfing on the caufe cf this defperate adlion, and pitying her misfortunes, when a man with a long beard, a wallet over his fiioulder, and a rough (tick in his hand, but without flioes or tunic, and co- vered with a patched and ragged cloak, which was full of holes, advanced towards the body, and faid, " How happy Jhould we he if every tree bore fm'ilar fruit /" — Every one was indignant at his unfeeling mifanthropy, for which I was going feverely to reprove him, when Lafthcnia pre- vented me by telling me he was Diogenes the cynic. " Let us go away," faid fhe : "I can- not bear his prefence. Not that he does not poffcfs a certain degree of ingenuity and re- partee^^ IN GREECE AND ASIA. 125. partee, or even fome elevation of mind, but his morofenefs, his egotifm, his filthinefs, and his difgufting principles make me almoft fick. You would be of the fame opinion if you faw him in his tub, where he infulates all his enjoyments, and abandons himfelf to the moil contemptible and lelfifh, though perhaps not the mod atro- cious vices J and fays he willies he could evade the cravings of his ftomach by any other way than eating. In fummer he rolls himfelf on the burning fand, and in v/inter he walks barefoot in the fnow. He feems to be going over the river : let us follow him. Do you obfcrve what pride and confequence are concealed under thofe rags ? He dire(5ts his fteps towards that child who is drinking the water of the river. Let us hear what he will fay to him." — '' Boy, what are you doing ?" — " I am drinking." — ** Without a cup?" — ''Why fliould I want one? Can I not ufe the hollow of my hand ?" — " By Jupi- ter ! this child has taught me wifdom ! He has taught me that I indulge in fupertluities."— •" Do you fee him," continued Lafthenia, '^ throwing away his porringer as a ufckfs article ? The other day, when he faw the magitlrates attending the execution of a man who had ftolen a fmall phial from the public treafury, * There,' faid he, ' are great rogues executing a petty thief.* Let ua il6 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR go away from him," faid Lafthenia : " I anl afraid he will accoft us. What a contraft be- tween his philofophy and that of Ariftippus ! between the elegant manners and delicate tafte of my friend, and the difgufling cynicifm of this brute ! Ariftippus accommodates himfelf td every fituation, and is equally capable of em- ploying the gifts of Fortune with judgment^ or fupporting her greateft rigours with forti- tude : but this man is a loathfome animal, that can only exift in filth and naftinefs. One day he faid to Ariftippus, 'If you knew how to content yourfelf with herbs, you would not debafe your- fclf by making your court to princes.'—* And if Diogenes knew how to make his court to princes,' returned Ariftippus, ' he would no longer be contented with herbs.' Do not let us futfer the filthy creature to difturb our enjoy- ment. We will feat ourfelves in the fbade, and take our breakfaft on the declivity of this little hill." — Our repaft was frugal, but its enjoyments were delicious. We had Phenician dates, and our bread was of the fineft flour, kneaded with 'milk, oil, and fait. The charming fcenery around us was bounded by a brilliant and exten- five horizon, and the fun, who had juft iftued from the gates of the eaft, poured his glowing tffulge nee over the ocean. " What a magnifi- cent IN GREECE AND ASIA. 127 cent profpefl !" exclaimed Ladhenia, who was enchanted with the fublimity of the fcenery : " What an immenfe blaze of light ! O, Sun ! what power has created thee ? and where does that power refide ? What ocean of fire can feed thy exhauftlefs luftre ?" Thefe reflexions led to a converfation on polytheifm. Laflhenia de- fpifed the fuperftitious belief of a plurality of gods, their oracles, their myfteries, and their temples, which fhe confidered as mere flaugh- ter-houfes to fupply the tables of priefls. She had formed a religion of her own, or rather a fyftem of theology, which was the pureft theifm. Like Socrates, fhe only acknowledged a God, who was the rewarder of virtue and the avenger of crimes. " Virtue," fhe ufed to fay, " confifts neither in prayers and ceremonies, nor in privations : it is an a<5tive principle, which forms the reciprocal bond that unites mankind in fociety, and its eficnce is the mutual good men confer on each other. Such is the religion, or rather the fyitcm of ethics of well- formed minds, and that which is mofl pleafing to the Supreme Being ; for in lieu of chilling us with felf-created terrors, it warms us with the plea- fures of gratitude and mutual afFedtion. If, m the works of this firft caufe, we find fome diffi- culties and contradidions, thefe arife folely from our 128 THE TRAVELS OF ANTEN'OK our ignorance, and the infinite diftance th^lt divides us. O, Jupiter ! whofoe'er thou art, or whatfoever name thou beared, the immen- fity of infinite fpace is thy temple, and the earth, the fea, and the heavens are thy altars ! I have no doubt that, one day, other fuperftitions, equally abfurd with our own, will debafe the undenlanding of p fter ty : but, I chink, that after having too long adored a cat, an ibis, a crocodile, an apis, a Hercules, and all the lefier gods, they will receive from heaven true theifm, purified from all fuperftition. This however, is a truth which as yet muft not be promulgated. It would be received like the oracles of Cafiandra among the Trojans ; and our priells, who are only attached to re- ligion by the bonds of intereft, perfecute, with the greateft fury, every one who is bold enough to raife even a corner of the veil that covers their hypocrify. Thty have immolated Socrates and Anaxagoras, and they will facrifice many other virtuous and courageous men, to per- petuate the fuperftition and ignorance of man- kind !" Alas 1 thefe enlightened principles, which I cordially adopted, were the caufe of a long k- paration from my charming Lafthenia. IN GREECE AND ASIA, 129 CHAP. XVI. Feftival of Bacchus, — Misfortune of An tenor. A T the return of fpring the city was full of •*^ flrangers, who were aflembled there on account of the approaching Dionyfia, or feftival of Bacchus, of which I was one of the moftafll- duous fpe6lators. It commenced at fun-fet, and Polyphron was my guide. We paraded through the ftreets, and beheld the whole city in an in- toxication of pleafare. A vefTcl of wine, adorned with a vine-branch, led the way, after which fol- lowed a goat, a bafket of figs, and the ipaXXoi. The worfliippers imitated, in their drefs and aflions, the poetical fables concerning Bacchus. They cloathed themfelves in fawn-ikins, fine linen, and mitres, carried thyrfi, drums, pipes, and flutes, and crowned themfelves with garlands of ivy, vine, fir, &c. Some imitated Silenus^ Pan, and the Satyrs, by their uncouth drefs and fantaftic motions ; fome rode on affes j and others drove goats for vicflims. In this manner both fcxesran about the ftreets, nodding their heads, dancing in ridiculous poftures, and filling the air JjO THE TRAVELS OF ANTEN'OR with hideous fhiicks and fliouts, crying, " EvoC Bacche ! lo ! lo ! Evoe ! lacche ! lobacche I Evoe !" After a number of facred vefTels fol- lowed a feledl band of noble maidens, carrying little bafkets of gold in the form of ofier, with all forts of fruit. In thefe bafl^ets alfo were fer- pents, crawling and wreathing themfelves about^ After tliefe followed men carrying poles, at the end of which were faftened tpacxxoi. Thefe men, who were called (pitXXo(po^oi, were crowned with violets and ivy, and their faces were covered with various herbs. As they marched along, they fang licentious fongs called ^aXAma ojo-p-ara. Then followed the i3ru(paXXoi in women's apparel, with white ftriped garments reaching to the ground. Their heads were decked with garlands, and on their hands they wore gloves eompofed of flowers. Their aftions and geftures refembled thofe of drunken men. The procefTion was clofed by the Xiy.vopo^oiy who carried the facred ?,iy.vov of Bacchus, without which few of the feftivals of that god, which were very numerous, could be duly celebrated *. Obferving the female devotees proflrating themfelves before the (pxxxoiy or kilTing them * The defcription of this feftlval, in the original work, not appearirg to be accurate, the tranflator has fubftiluted one drawn from more clafTical authorities.— T. N. with IN OP.EUCE AND ASIA. 12% V.'ich the greateft apparent piety and enthufiafm, I could not help laughing at the abfurdity, and iaid to Polyphron, in the hearing of one of his friends who had joined us, " Thefe priefts are fo many artful knaves, who endeavour to efta- blifh their afcendancy over the women by thefe moft powerful fprings." This remark was fo impious, that Pojyphron made a fign to me to be more circumfpeft in future, for he had ob- ferved the countenance of his friend, who made a grimace that indicated his difpleafure and difgufl. All the roofs of the houfes, which were built fo as to form terraces, were loaded with fpecla- tors i and feveral women illuminated this bril- liant exhibition with lamps and torches. The proceflion continued to parade through the ftreets of Athens during a confiderable pare of the night. It halted in the grand fquare, where the maidens and children formed a large circle, and the priefts ftanding in the middle^ facrificed two heifers and two goats ; after which they made libations of wine on the gi-ound, and thrice poured water and honey around the expiring vidims, in honour of Bacchus; I returned home extremely pleafed, and deter- mined to go very early the next morning to the theatre of Bacchus, in order to be prefent at K 2 the 132 THE TRAVE1.S OF ANTENOK the conteds for pre-eminence in mufic and dancing, and to hear the new pieces that would be performed j though the recolledion of my own m.ifcarriage had left a difguft at fcenic amufements deeply imprefTcd upon my heart. I was fleeping very foundly, when I was fud- denly awakened by a flave of Lafthenia, who defired me to come immediately to his miftrefs. I flew to her with the utmoft hafte, and found her in great diftrefs and confternation, and over- whelmed with tears. " My dear friend," faid fhe, embracing me, " v/e mufb part ; for you muft immediately fly from Athens." — " Fly from Athens, and be feparated from you !" cried I, pale with aftonifliment and aff^right. — " Yes," faid (he ; " you have offended the priefts of Bacchus by your freedom of fpeech, and thefe minifters of peace are the moil vindidive and im- placable of mankind. You have been denounced before the fecond Archon, and by him to the tri- bunal of the Heliafts *. There is no doubt yoir will * The Helkfts were the mofl important magiftrates, and belonged to the molt numerous tribunal of Athens. Their principal office was to interpret obfcure laws, and to guard the reft from infringement. Thf=} were chofen from among the magiflrates of the other tribunals who had completed the periods for which they were to ferve. When the weather permitted, this tribunal was held in the open air J aod if it was cold, the judges wsie allowed to have IN GREECE AMD ASIA. I33 ^vlll be condemned if you frny here ; and 1 even tremble till you are gone. Fly with the utmoft fpeed, and forget not the mod afFedionate of your friends!" I was fpeechlefs and petrified, like Niobe. Laflhenia, alarmed at my ftupor, prefled me to her bofom, bedewed my cheeks with tears, and recalled my faculties ; till at length, after a long and mournful filence, I burft into fobs and llirieks of defpair. " No," faid I, " I will not fly : I will rather fufFer death !" At this time entered Polyphron and Ariftippus, who came to apprife me of my danger. " My dear friend," faid the latter, *' you mufl pack up your baggage immediately. To utter thefe fatires againft our priefhs, and their farces and jokes, is to renew the folly of the have a fire. The court opened at fun-rife, and clofed at fun-fet : but before they proceeded to bufinels, the priells in- fpeded the entrails of the vidtims, and then the judges took an oath concluding with thtfe words : ** I fvvear by Jupi- ter, by Neptune, and by Ceres, if I violate this oath, or anv part of it, may I pertlh, with my whole femily : but if 1 re- ligioufly obferve it, may we live and profper." Fr. Ed. The judges who fat in this court were at leaft fifcy, but more generally from two to five hundred. When very im- portant caufes were to be tried, it wascuftomary to call in the judges of other courts. Sometimes a ihoufand were called, and then two courts were faid to be joined; fometimes fifteen hundred or two thoufand, and then three or four courts were faid to meet. PolluXi 1. viii. c. x. — T. N. K % Titans: 134 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR Titans : it is to declare war againft the gods. Why fhould you adl the part of Socrates, or af- ford fuch men as Anytus and Melitus* the pleafure of obliging you to drink a cup of hem- lock ? Fly as fpeedily as poffible, and when you are fafe, we will give fome honied cakes to thefe Cerberi, and endeavour to appeafe them." I no longer refufed to comply, and returned home to prepare for my departure. I was doing this in great hafte, when Polyphron entered in the greateft alarm, and almoft unable to fpeak. " What is the matter V faid I. " Speak, fpeak ! for I am now afraid of nothing."- — • " Then fummon all your fortitude," replied he, ^'for the officers of jiiflice are coming to arreft you i" and immediately an officer of the court of Areopagus, with his attendants, appeared, and ordered me to follow him. I embraced Poly- phron, and was conduced to prifon. What a dreadful change ! to be thus torn from the bofom of pleafure, and the exquifite enjoy- ments of love, and be loaded with fetters in the abode of criminals! — Yetthefearofdeath,andthe mifcry and darknefs that furrounded me, affli<5led me lefs than the lofs of my Lafthenia. 1 pafTed the whole day in dejection and forrow, feated on a projeding ftone ; and when night came on, the * The accufers of Socrates. fiien^ IN GREECE AND ASIA. I'JJ filent folitude chilled my heart, and awakened all the horror of defpair. Time Teemed to have forgot his accuftomed pace, and to be as mo- tionlefs as before the creation of the world. The night, however, advanced unperceived, and my anguifli -continually increafed, when on a fiidden I heard the mafly bolts drawn back j and fhud- dcring as I turned round, I diftinguiflied a feeble light, and heard a (lave, who v/as the bearer of it, call me by name. Surprifed and agitated with the found, I afked him what he would with me, and who he was. Another voice anfwered, " It is your friend, who is come to fave you ! E)o you not know me ?" — " Heavens !" cried I, *' is it you, my Lafthenia ? What beneficent deity has fent you to my relief?"—" The god of hu- manity, of pity, and of love," faid fhe. " But follow me without delay, for J fhudder with horror, and every moment adds to my alarm." She then took me by the hand, and led me out, and we flew with the utmoft hade till we had quitted the city, where I found Ariftippus and Polyphron, with a flave and a pair of horfes. Ariftippus defired me to depart immediately, faying that it was with extreme difficulty they had procured permifTion to facilitate my efcape. *^ The high-priefl of Bacchus," continued he, " has opened his heart to pity — he has liflened to K 4 the 136 THE TRAVELS OF ANTEN^R the voice of Lallhenia and of humanity.'*—! threw myfelf at the feet of my Lallhenia, and embraced her knees, fcarcely able to fob out my gratitude, my defpair at leaving her, and rriy eternal attachment and afFeftion. Ariftippus brought the horfe towards me, and faying that we were all four in imminent danger, which he knew I would not prolong, he and Polyphron em- braced me J and while I preffed Lallhenia to my bofom, they tore her from me, and affilled me to mount. The flave ftruck my horfe, and led the way. We travelled the remainder of the night and part of the following day, and arrived at fun- fet at Oropus, a town fituated on the borders of Bceotia and Attica, two hundred and forty lladia, from Athens *. ♦ Near twenty- three EngUfh miles. The ftadium wag 504 feet and 4I inches. IN GREECE AND ASIA. I37 CHAP. XVIL ^n incident near Or opus. — Letter to Lafihenia.-^ Her anjwer. HEN we approached the city, as I was walking on foot, with downcaft: eyes, and deeply afFeded with my misfortunes, I palTed a man, advanced in years and fimply drefied, who v/as fitting on the grafs to enjoy the cool of the evening. He looked at me ftedfiftly, and ac- cofted me My youthful appearance and melan- choly air feemed to interefl him ; for he came up to me, and afked if I had any friend or relation at Oropus, at whofe houfe I was going to lodge. '^'- No," laid I J *' I do not even know one of the inhabitants."—" Then," faid he, " I will be your hod and your friend. You feem unhappy, and my houfe fhall be your afylum." Struck with the friendly manner and engaging countenance of this ftranger, I accepted his offer. " Follow me," faid he. " I live a little way from the town, and very near this fpot :" and as he led me into his houfe, " Here," faid he, ^^ you will not find the fuperfluous luxury of ppuience, but you will enjoy perfesfb liberty and undifturbed I^S THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR undiftiirbed repofe." He then prefented me to his fon and daughter, the latter of whom was juft in the bloom of youth, and her brother had com- pleted his fourth luflrum *. The houfe had an agreeable though humble appearance : four bufhy mulberry-trees afforded it a refrefhing fhade, and near it ran a limpid fountain, that fer- tilized the garden and the meadows beyond it ; while the furniture of the houfe itfelf harmonized with the Hmplicity of its mafter, whofe name was Diodes, Lafthenia had furnifiied me with two pigeons, by whom I was to fend her an account of my arrival as foon as pofTible. This was a mode of communication much ufed in Greece. Thefe birds having been brought up with carCj praftifed by degrees, always returned to nefts where they had left their youpg in an \m- deviating flight. I tied a letter undi;r the wing of one of them, and fetting him at liberty, faw Iiim inftantly purfue the diredlion or Athens*> During the interval while I was waidng for an anfwer, I felt inconfolable, and wandered in the fields, or climbed among the hills and rocks, and engraved the name of my Lafthenia on every tree. Whenever I met with an echo, I delighted to hear her name repeated, and returned home at night * A luftrum was five years, opprefTed ^o r^ IN GREECE AND ASIA, J^'j ppprefled with fatigue and grief. The firfl: day J refufcd all kind of food, but at the fecond meal my hoft, feeing me perfift in refufmg nourifh- ment, faid, " Confide r well whether you are re- folved to ftarve yourfelf to death j for if you in- tend to eat againj believe me you may as well begin to-day.'* I followed his advice, and found myfelf benefited by his wifdomo I foon received an anfwer from Laflhenia, who informed me that the priefts of Bacchus had, by order of the Heliafts, pronounced the moft fo- lemn imprecations againft me. " They turned their faces," faid ihe, " towards the weft, and Hiaking their purple robes, devoted you and your poftericy to the infernal gods. Thefe wretches," continued Ihe, " believe, and make others believe, that the Furies will take poflelTion of your heart, and that their rage will not be af- fuaged till your whole race Ihall be extinct. Buc the only real furies, my dear Antenor, are our un- bridled paflions, when they have broken from the reftraint of reafon. Alas ! the lofs I fufFer has thrown me into a (late of melancholy which has affeded my health : but the counfels of Ariftip- pus, and the little philofophy I poflefs, fupporc my flrength, and remind me of the unavoidable necelTity of enduring my portion of evil. Thus } draw inftrudion from the fchool of experience and 140 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR and adverfity, and perceive that the florm of de- ilruftive paOions fpreads ravage and defolation over the fair profpedl of life. Adieu, my dear, my worthy friend : I am conftantly wifhing for you j every day and every hour remind me of your lofs, and I feek you in the accuftomed fcenes of our enjoyment. But every thing is filent and forlorn 5 and our once-loved haunts only witnefs my tears, which at this very moment bedew the paper I write on. I leave them for you to v,?ipe away, or mingle yours : but never, ah ! never forget your unfortunate and too afBicled friend ! Farewel, farewel I" This letter but irritated my wound ; and the grief that conftantly preyed on my mind robbed me of almoft all my faculties. Frequently as I v/andered among the mountains I was on the point of precipitating myfelf from their fummit into the abyfs below -, nor do I know what divi- nity or what chance refcued me from deftru6lion, and withheld me from the defperate leap. In the meanwhile Diodes endeavoured, by his attentions, and the maxims and counfels of his afFe6lionate friendfhip, to fortify my mind, and footh it with confolation. His daughter Chryfilla, who was young and beautiful as Hebe herfelf, and whofe unafFe(^ed fimplicity charmed my heart, exerted herfelf to divert my mind. She 1 1 gathered IN GREECE AND ASIA. I41 gathered me the mofl beautiful flowers, prefenc- td me the mofl: delicious fruits, fang and played on her lyre, and intreated me, in the fweetefl: voice and tendereft manner, not to be fo afflid- ed ; aflliring me it gave her great pain to fee me unhappy, for flie could not bear even to wit- nefs the fufl^erings of a bird. Her lovely atten- tions fometimes fuipended my forrows for a mo- ment : but I was no fooner alone than they burft; forth with redoubled anguifh and dcfpair. 342 THE TRAVELS OF AffTENOR CHAP. XVIIK Diodes endeavours to conjole him hy relating his own hijiory, FINDING me one day ftretched upon a rocky with dejcfled countenance, and wildly ilaring around me. Diodes reproved me for my weaknefs in thus yielding to my afHidlions. " Misfortune,'* faid he, " at one time or other falls on every man. You are young, and mull learn to fufFer. I will tell you an anecdote of Democritus, when at the court of Darius, That monarch having loft the moft beloved of all his women, became inconfolable for his misfor- tune ; when Democritus promiled to reftore her to life, provided the names of three perfons were given him who had never experienced misfor- tune. Thefe could not be found -, and during the fearch that was made for them, Darius con- foled himfelf for his lofs. Like all other mor- tals," continued Diodes, " I have paid my tri- bute of grief, and have become acquainted with adverfity : but I have learnt to bear it with for- :ltude, and have often feen a brilliant profped open tN GREECE AND ASIA. I43 6pen upon me as foon as the ftorm was pafied. To-morrow we will walk together, and you will perceive, by the narrative ofmy hiftory, that the career of life and the path of pleafure are ever interrupted with goading thorns and perplexing brambles." At the dawn of day he entered my chamber with a vefTcl of honey. " Come with me," faid he, " and draw inftruflion from what you will hear." We croffed the garden, and climbed a little hill, on which we paufed in the mid-way, near an urn fhaded with cyprefs-trees, by the fide of which was a marble, with this infcription, *^ 'The facred remains of Euphemiaj whofe foul is among the gods. ^' Not far from this was a limpid ftream, which trickled through the chinks of the rock. With this Diodes filled up his vefifel of honey j and having mixed them together, he embraced the urn, kifled it three times, poured libations around it, and then thrice invoked the Ihade of Euphemia *. lob- * The Greeks diRinguiOied man into four parts. 1. The body diffolved into dull. 2. The foul went to Tar- tarus or to the Elyfian fields, according to the merits of the deceafed. 3. The ghofl, ul-^M:, hovered abouc the entrance of the infernal regions ; and, 4. The fhade, o-xja, wandered in tbe neighbourhood of the tomb, and was invoked I44 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR I obferved him in filence till he returned tot ime, when I faw his eyes gliftening with tears. He wiped them, and faid, " In this urn are the fad remains of the mod amiable woman that ever trod upon the earth : it contains the aflies of her whom I adored — my wife, my conlblation, and the glory and happincfs of my life. — But I am defirous you Ihould learn, from my hiftory, that in our journey through thefe fcenes of woe we ought to immerfe our fouls in the waters of the Styx to harden them againft adverfity : that we ought to fuffer without murmuring, and be con- , vinced that all the pleafures of life are but gleams of funlhine that now and then pierce the clouds in which we are generally enveloped. " Born and educated at Thebes, I was too foon inftrufled in the fchool of advernty j for when- 1 was but eighteen years of age, that city was taken by the Spartans, who, during the feftival of Ceres, became matters of our citadel Cadmea, by means of the treachery of Leontiades, one of the polemarchs. " There were then two parties in Thebes j the one in the interell of the Lacedemonians, invoked three times with libations, in the fame manner as the gcds called Manes, or genii of the dead. Thefe gods were thought to prefide over our entrance into life, and our de- parture out of it. she IN GREECE AND ASIA. 14^ the Other violently hating thofc foreign in- truders, and devoted to their country. I was of the latter, and particularly attached to the cele- brated Pelopidas, who was my relation, and with whom, and our other friends, I had the good fortune to efcape. We took refuge at Athens, where our misfortunes were fomewhat alleviated by the generous reception not only of the people but of the firft perfonages among the inhabitants, though a decree was pafTed at Thebes, banifliing us from our native city. " After fix months had^thus elapfed in exile, Pelopidas aflembled us, and held the following difcourfe: ' Our country, our brethren, and our friends are groaning in flavery, while we are living here an idle burthen on the Athenians ; and fubfifting upon their bounty. Let us imitate their own hero Thrafybulus — let us burft afun- der the chains of our enflaved country, and call down vengeance on its oppreflbrs. The dan- ger, it is true, is great, and the fuccefs is doubt- ful, but immortal glory will attend the accom- plifhment of our enterprife j and if we fall, not Thebes alone, but all Greece, all pofterity, will raife altars to our memory,' This fhort ha- rangue awakened our refentments and inflamed our courage. We fwore, upon our fwords, to put our enemies to death, and fent to Thebes VOL. I, L to 14^ THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR to give our friends fecret notice of our defigns. Charon, one of the principal men of Thebes, promifed to lend us his houfe, and Epaminon- das privately animated the youth of the city. The plan being decided on, and the day fixed, Pherenicus and fome other confpirators con- cealed themfelves in the fuburb of Thriafia, and we left Athens, twelve in number, ail united in the clofeft bonds of friendlhip, and emulous of each other's glory. "We arrived at Thriafia at midnight, and fent forvi'ard a meflenger to in- form Charon of our approach. At day-break, having embraced our companions who remained at Thriafia, and having promifed to each other vengeance, fidelity, and courage, we fet off^ for Thebes. We were drefied as peafants, and led fome fpor ting- dogs, with flakes in our hands, that we might pafs unnoticed. Charon expefted our arrival with anxiety and intrepidity, but the weak Hypertonidas, though otherwife a worthy citizen, trembled at the approach of danger j and without informing any of the confpirators, fent a meffenger to us, requefting us to defer our expedition. Fortunately this courier, whofe name was Childon, not finding the bridle of his hurfe, inquired for it of his wife, who replied that (he had lent it : at this Childon being en- raged, began to upbraid her, and to pour forth a tor- In GREECE AND ASIA, I47 a torrent of imprecations. On her part flie ' did not remain filent, but returned abufe for abufc, and imprecation for imprecation. Thus did the day pafs in the moft violent quarrel, till at length Childon entirely renounced hisjourney. We entered the city, by different gates, at the clofe of the day : but the cold was fo intenfe, and the wind and fnow fo violent, (for the winter had juft begun,) that the inhabitants fhut themfelves up in their houfes. We affembled in that of Charon to the number of forty-eight. " We had concerted with Phyllidas, fecretary to Archias and Philip the polemarchs, that he fhould invite thofe magiftrates to a grand enter- tainment, engaging to have fome of the nneft women in Thebes to partake of it. He took care to ply them conftantly with wine, till, in the midfl: of the feaft, the company being already fomewhat intoxicated, an obfcure rumour was fpread that tjie exiles were returned. Phyllidas ufed all his efforts to quiet their alarms : but Archias fent orders to Charon to come to him immediately. We were already preparing to- put on our cuiraffcs and our fwords, when a loud knock at the door threw us all into a confternar tion. A confidential fervant, whom we fent to open it, returned in the greatell terror, and in- formed us of the. orders of the polemarch. A L 2 paufe 14^ THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR paufc of filence followed this meffage, till at length, having deliberated a few moments, we determined that Charon (hould obey the fum- mons, and appear with the utmofl confidence before the polemarchs. Charon, though infen- fible to his own danger, trembled for his friends ; and as he imagined we might poflibly fufpeft him, if not of perfidy, at lead of weaknefs, he went to his wife's apartment, and brought out his only fon, a child in arms, and of uncommon beauty, and delivered him to Pelopidas, faying, * If I betray you, avenge yourfelves, without pity, on this dear infant.* " This generous, this heroic enthufiafm, drew tears of friendfliip from our eyes, and we all conjured him to reftore the child to its mother, and to preferve his life as the future avenger of his country : but he liftened not to our remon- ftrances j and having uttered a prayer for our lafety, he embraced us, and went to attend the magiftrates. As he proceeded on his way to obey the fummons, he compofed his counte- nance to appear with confidence. As foonas he arrived at the door of the houfe, Archias and Phyllidas came to meet him, and Archias faid to him, * Charon, who are thefe perfons who are juft arrived in Thebes r' — * Of whom do you fpeak ?' faid Charon, with an air of aftonifhment. ' You have IN GREECE AND ASIA. 1 49 have perhaps been amufed with fome falfe alarm, to difturb your pleafures ? But I will in- quire particularly, and watch, with the greateft attention, whatever paflcs ; for nothing that con- cerns our fafety ought to be negledted.' Phylli- das exerting all his addrefs, praifed his prudence, and conducing Archias again into the hall, urged him to drink often, and prolonged the enter- tainment by continually feeding his expe(5lations of the arrival of the women. When Charon re- turned, he found us all prepared to perifh with glory : but his fuccefs rellored joy and hope to our anxious minds. " This danger was fcarceJy paft, when an- other fucceeded. A courier arrived from Athens with letters to Archias, containing a circumftantial account of the confpiracyj and faid, as he delivered them, that the writer re- quefted him to read them immediately, as they regarded an affair of the greateft importance. Archias, however, being already afFe<5ted by the wine, laughed and faid, as he placed the dif- patches under his culhion, ' We will talk of hiifmejs to-morrow \ an cxpreflion which, from its important confcquences, has pafled into a proverb. *' In the meanwhile we divided into two parties. The one under the command of Pe- I. 3 lopidas 150 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR lopidas and Damoclides, went to attack Leon- tiades and Hypates in their houfes -, the other, under the conduct of Charon and Melon, marched againft the polemarchs. We con- cealed our cuirafTes under our clothes, being drefled like women, and hid our faces with chaplets of fir and poplar. The company tak- ing us for the women they had-fo long expefled, received us with acclamations of joy, while we obferved attentively the countenance of each of the guefts, and fuddenly fell, fword in hand, on Archias and Philip, while Phyllidas endeavoured to pacify them by afluring them there f/as no caufe for alarm. Thofe who refifted, being inebriated with wine, were eafily overcome, and were maflacred together with the two polemarchs. *' The party of Pelopidas found more obfta- cles to their enterprife. Leontiades was in bed when they knocked at the door, and no one an- fwered. At length a fiave appeared, and was immediately difpatched, while the confpirators rufhed into the houfc in fearch of the traitor. Leontiades being av/akened by the noife, fprang up and fcized nisA'/ord, but forgot to extinguifli the lights, v»hich alone would have faved him. He received them at the door of his room, and killed Cephifodorus, who led the way. Pelo- pidas I IN GREECE AND ASIA. I5I pidas followed, and attacked Leontiades ; and as the door was narrow, and the body of Cephi- fodorus obftrudted the pafTage, the combat was long and obftinate, till at length Leontiades fell dead at his feet. From thence they haftened to Hypates, who experienced the fame fate. " Having performed thefe exploits, our two parties united. We then fent couriers into Attica to the other exiles, and proclaimed liberty to the Thebans -, and having broke' open the {hops for the fale of arms, put them in the hands of the people. Epaminondas and Gor- gidas came to our aflillance, and terror and dif- may reigned throughout the city. All the houfes were illuminated, and the ftreets crowded with people, while the affrighted inhabitants waited with impatience for the return of day. At fun- rife the reft of the exiles arrived, and a general aflembly was convoked, at which Epaminondas and Gorgidas prefentcd Pelopidas and the reft of our party, who were furrounded with priefts, bearing garlands, and exhorting the citizens to defend their country and their gods. " At this fight the whole afiembly rofe with loud acclamations, and we were received as the benefadtors of our country, while Pelopidas was proclaimed the preferver of Thebes. L 4 " This 152 THE TRAVELS t)F ANTENOR " This ever-memorable day compenfated die fix months of fuffering and of misfortune we had paffed in exile, and fortified me againft all the arrows of adverfity. *^ Gorgidas then formed the n^x (paXay^ or facred band, confifting of three hundred The- ban youth, into which I was myfclf admitted. You are already informed, that in this battalion every one chofe a companion in arms, to whom he vowed perpetual friendfliip. We fought each by the fide of ourchofen friend, and were bound to defend each other to the laft. I foon chofe my companion in arms, who was Parmenides. We were mutually attached to each other by in- Itindive fympathy, and feemed, as it were, to have but one foul. My friend (to ufe a happy expreffion of Pythagoras) was another felf, and like Caftor and Pollux, or Thefeus and Piri- thous, we were quoted as models of friendfhip. We performed our firft campaign under Epa- minondas, who was then the greateft man in all Greece, At the battle of Leudtra, Parmenides and I fought befide each other; and as the Spartans were feizing and carrying him away, I rufhed upon them with the utmoft fury, and ref- cued my friend. At that moment a ftone (truck me on the head, and I fell fenfelefs on the ground. IN GREECE AND ASIA. 253 ground. The enemy furrounded me, and Parme- nides defended me in his turn, and thus at length we gained a complete vi(5lory. What a glorious conqueft ! We were indebted for it to the courage and the genius of Epaminondasi and when we colleCled around him in the field of battle, we beheld his eyes fparkle with joy, while he modeftly thanked our phalanx for the glorv of the day. In fad we really performed prodigies of valour. He praifed our courap-e and our difcipline, and confeiTed himfelf in- debted to us for the glory with which we had crowned him. When Pelopidas told him that this victory ought to overcome him with joy, * Yes,' replied he, ' it ought, fpr it will caufe a great deal to my father and my mother.^ " Epi|r]ninondas purfued his vidory by march- ing into Laconia, which we ravaged without the leaft refitiance, and almoll under the eye of Agefilaus. We forded the Eurotas, though it was then fvyelled wich melted fnow ^ and Epa- minondas marched at the head of the inflmtry with his head uncovered, while the water reached above his middle. He was the firft to violate the famous proverb, that ' no Spartan woman ever beheld the fmoke of an enemy's camp/ 154 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR camp *.' While he was thus rendering the Theban armies vidorious on every fide, he ne- glected the law which forbad any citizen to re- tain the fupreme power more than a month ; and at our return, the Thebans were fo ungrate- ful as to bring him to trial. J flood befide him when he was informed that the judges were about to pronounce fenrence of death. To this he re- plied, without the leaft difcompofure of counte- nance, that he only begged it might be in- fcribed on his tomb that he Juffered death for having Javed his country. This animated re- proach was felt by his ungrateful countrymen, and he was immediately acquitted, and again in- vefted with the fovereign power. " This event ftill farther advanced the glory of his country. In a v/ar in favour of the Eleans, we marched to Mantinea, where Epaminondas difplayed his unbounded genius, and completely overthrew the power of the proud and haughty Sparta. The field of battle flowed with blood ; for the love of glory and the hatred of the enemy animated the courage of either armiy, and caufed • Although t'ne women of Sparta were educated in the moft hardy manner, and even learned the gymnaftic exercifes, yet at the approach of the enemy they fpread terror and dif- may throughout the city by their cries. the IN GREECE AND ASIA. I£| the mod dreadful carnage. Parmenides and myfclf fought with our bucklers joined ; for we were alike infiamed \urh the ambition of fame, and a determination to defend each other to the laft. As a Spartan was about to ftrike him, I darted forward, and receiving the weapon in my bofom, fell at his feet. Parmenides, fired with rage and vengeance, alio received a deep wound, and fell befide me. I folded him in my arms, and called upon his name, till foon my fenfes fled with the lofs of blood 3 and when I recovered, I found myfeif furrounded by fur- geons and phyficians, and feveral of my com- rades in arms, who were all weeping bitterly. ' What affliils you ?' cried I. * Have v/e loft the battk ?'— ' No,' faid they : * Thebes is vic- torious, and Sparta conquered: but we have ■ loft our general in the combat.' — * O, dreadful lofs !' cried I. — ^ But why is not Parmenides here ?' (I had forgot that he was wounded.) To thi-s I received no anfwer ; for they fpoke only of Epaminondas, and told me that his fole care, before he expired, was to know which fide had gained the vi6lory. When he was in« formed that the Thebans were vi61:orious, he re- plied, that he had lived fufficiently long, and died unconquered, fince his country was triumphant. ' At no period,' faid he, ' could I die fo happy !* — 'Ohl 1^6 THE TRAVcLS OF ANTENOR — ^Ohl firil of heroes !' cried I, with tranC- port: ' What a glorious fall! — But tell me, I befecch you, what is become of Parmenides?'— Still they.were filent, and call: their eyes upon the earth. Prefently a feeble remembrance feemed, like a dream, to remind me of his wounds, and I cried out, * He is dead ! he is dead !* My defpair made me tear the dreffings from my wounds, and the blood burft forth with vio- lence. I fhould have foon expired, had not my friends interpofed with the kindeft affiftance and the moft foorhing cares. I was long unable to fubdue my grief; and for a confiderable time after I recovered from my wound I fhunned every amufement, and fhut myfclf up from fo- ciety ; for forrov/ and melancholy had taken entire pofiefTion of my mind. I fancied my felf robbed of every hope, and that tears and wretchednefs •would mark all my future days. But grief, like pleafure, will at length become familiar; and the rapid fucceflion of events excites new fentiments in the heart. " My father imagined matrimony might give a new turn to my thoughts. I long refilled his folicitations : but he employed fuch powerfiil arms, that at length I yielded. This connexion was far from happy. Duty and decorum were the only bonds that attached me to my wife, who confelTed IN GREECE AND ASIA. \ ^'f confcfled that on her part fiie had only mar- ried me in obedience to her parents, and that in her heart (he had long cherifhed a fecret paflion for a young Athenian, of whom fl:e had heard no accounts for two years previous to our union. She brought me, however, a boy, whom we named Philotas, and who feemed co be given us to ftrengthen the bonds of our atTdiftion : but one day (he came into my chamber, faying, ^ I know the probity of your heart, and that you de- ferve a better helpmate ; one who can repay your affcvflion, and who is worthy of your love. Therfander, the youth of whofe attachment for me I have fo frequently fpoken, is jult arrived. I have feen him, and his prefcnce has revived my pafTion with all itspriftine force.'—* Enough,' fiiid I. * You fhall marry Therfander. I only demand two conditions : I will keep my fon, and the divorce lliall be fued for by you. As to your fortune, it fhall be redored *.' To thefc propofals (he confented, and we parted ami- cably. " Six months I continued to languiHi in an infipid and folitary life, folely occupied with the » When the hufband applied for a divorce, he returned |he wife's fortune, or paid her a feparate maintenance. When it was fued for by the wife, flie forfeited thefe right?, ,and prcfented the petition herfelf to the raagilbates. educadon 558 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR education of my fon, till one day, as I came out of the temple of Apollo Ifmenius, (whither I often "'ent to admire the Mercury of Phidias and the Minerva of Scopas,) and was walking with one of my friends, I palTed two women, one of whom a man with a bundle of fticks rudely ftruck in the face. On hearing her fcream aloud, I ran up to her, as did every one who witnefTed the tranfaflion. She fwooned with the fliock, and we fupported her to a feat, and took off her veil. Everyone was crowding around her to fatisfy their curiofity, while I, in an ecftafy of admiration, fixed my eyes on that lovely objedl, whofe beautiful features and inte- refting countenance charmed my very foul. As foon as fhe had recovered, and began to gaze around, her eyes met mine j and whether fhe perceived my grief, and the intereft I took in her fufFerings, or whether, by an effedl of fym- pathetic inclinanon, fhe fixed them on me fome time, and I then ventured to exprefs the alarm the accident had given me. She thanked me in fo foftand fo flattering a voice, that I fcemed to experience the fame delight as if, in the midft of a wild and pathlefs defer t, I had fuddenly per- ceived the moft harmonious melody of founds. She was led home, and I accompanied her, with a number of other perfons. There I was obliged IN GREECE AND ASIA. 159 obliged to quit her : but fhe had left an im- preffion on my heart which foon burft forth into a violent paffion, I will not detail all the charm- ing minutise of our loves. I had the good for- tune to pleafe Euphemia, and for near a year my days chafed each other in happy fucceffion along the fulled tide of human felicity. A dreadful dorm, however, foon diilurbed the ferenity of my profpeds -, for her father, of whom I de- manded her in marriage, refufed my propofals, and declared to her that he infilled on her mar- rying Polemon, fon of one of his mod intimate friends of the fame name, with whom he had jointly fworn to form this union from the period of their earlied infancy. The heart of Euphemia had ever re\foked at this connexion, becaufe fhe had an invincible averfion to Polemon. At length, however, die was overcome by the prayers and intreaties of her father, and reluc- tantly obeyed his commands. When I heard this, I was wild with defpair. I refolved to carry her off, and to go and pafs my days with her in fome didant defert. I watched a happy opportunity, when die was w Iking in the country with two of her your '^ companions, where, having accoded her with arms in my hand, and with a wild and gloomy air, her com- panions dew through fear^ while die, remain- inor iSb THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR ing rooted to the earth, received me with i grave and tranquil countenance. I declared to her my grief and my defpair, and foliciced her to accompany me. ^ I did not imagine/ fhe replied, ' when I firft liftened to your profef- fions, that I was encouraging a lover who only v./iflied to brand me with infamy, or would, by his counfels, induce me to give a death-blow to my dear father : I did not imagine that Dio- des, for whom I once felt a tender paflion, fo felfifnly fought, in his attachment, his own ex- clufive enjoyment, and wasdefirousoffacrificing me to the gratification of his paflion.' This fpeech, which combined the tendernefs of love with the feverity of reproach, opened my eyes to the error I was committing, and I threw my- fclfather (tct, and with tears implored herfor- c-ivenefs. ' I forgive you,' Ihe repiied, * be- caufe I fee you unhappy, but on condition that you will abfent yourfelf from me for fome time.' — ^ But,' faid I, ^ will you then fometimes think of a wretched lover, who will lead a life of mifery and of tears?' — ' Ah! yes,' faid fhe, ^ I fhall think of him too much for my own peace ! Adieu, my dear Diocks ! may you ever enjoy as much happinefs as I can wifh you !' As Ihe fpoke thefe words, fhe fobbed and fighed fo bitterly that Ihe could fcarcely utter her farewel falutation. 8 I dc- IN GREECE AND ASIA. l6l " i departed the {wmt night ; and while I thus abandoned my native country, and the objedl of my paffion, I confidered myfelf as the devoted vidim of an unhappy deftiny, and the moft wretched and forlorn of all mankind. *< I travelled over Greece, Afia Minor, Egypt, Sicily, and other countries, but no where did I find confolation or repofe under the burden of my miferablc exiftence. " I pafled two years in this unhappy ftatc^ My wound was Hill bleeding, and the hopes of happinefs receded (till farther and farther from my view, when at length I arrived at Corinth, where I had fcarcely landed before an inhabitant of Thebes recognized my features, and accofted me. I prefently began to make inquiries con- cerning the father of Euphemia, for his daugh- ter I dared not mention. His days, he told me, were obfcured with the cloud of adverflty. * How !' cried I, * what unforefeen misfortune can have interrupted his happinefs ?' — ' The gods,' replied he, * have withdrawn their fa-« vour from his daughter, and fhe wears the garb of afflidion and of mourning.' — ' Ye gods!' ex- claimed I, * is my Euphemia, then, unhappy ?*— * Yes,' replied hej * her hufband is banifhed from Thebes for having fled, like a coward, from a combat, and no one knows whither he is YOL. I. M gone. l62 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR. gone. His generous father has put an end to his exiftence, in confequence of the fhame brought on him by his fonj and the father of Euphemia has procured a divorce to be pro- nounced. Since that period he has propofed feveral other fuitors to his daughter, but fhe has always perfifted in defiring to live in folitude. Her father, who, as it is faid, repented of hav- ing once laid a reilraint on«»her inclination, no longer ventures to urge his parental authority any further.' " I liftened to this narrative with the avidity of a msn condemned to death when he receives his pardon. At every fentence my bofom pal- pitated with alternate grief and joy. I partici- pated the affii(5lion of Euphemia, though it re- newed my hopes i and I learnt once more that fortitude and courage were the beft defence againft the arrows of adverfity. I immediately fet off for Thebes, nor could the want of reft delay my journey a fingle moment. 1 arrived at midnight. What an emotion did I feel at being again within the fame walls with my Euphemia 1 I flew to her habitation, and fang beneath her window a fonnet I had compofed when our at- tachment was in its infancy. — " But the fun is rapidly advancing on his daily courfe, the (hades of night have vanilhed, and 8 the IN GREECE AND ASIA. 1^3 the affairs of my family demand my prefence and my care. In their affedionate embraces 1 always forget my forrows. To-morrow, at the fame hour, if the narrative excites an intereft in your breaft, I will continue it in this place ; for it is in the prefence of the fhade of my Euphemia, who doubtlefs liftens to my tale, that I delight to i-epeat the ftory of my afflidions." r M 1 164 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR CHAP. XIX. Diodes rejumes his narrative on the following day. As foon as the dawn appeared we returned to the fame fpot we had before vifitedj and Diodes, after renewing his libations, thus com- municated the remainder of his ftory : " Euphemia, awakened by my fong, was aftonifhed at the found, and imagined herfelf deceived by the iliufions of the night. At length, after liftening with more attention, Ihe diftinguifhed the words \ when, no longer doubting, fhe opened the window foftly, and in a gentle voice faid, ' Diodes ! is it you. Dio- des ?' — * Yes,' anfwered I j * it is your unfortu- tunate friend, who is come back to breathe his laft at your feet.' — 'This hour,' faid flie, * is unfavourable to our converfation : but at fun- rife be without the Crenean gate, near the foun- tain of Dirce, and I will be there, attended by a flave.' I was at the appointed fpot while it was yet dark, and waited with the mod anxious im- patience for the appearance of the orb of day and of my Euphemia, "Ac IN GREECE AND ASIA. iS^ '* At length (he arrived. As Toon as I be- held her, I trembled, and every faculty wasdif- ordtred. Scarcely could 1 contemplate her charms or approach her perfon — ^ My dear Dio- cles !' fhe exclaimed, * do I, then, once more behold you ?' — ' Ah !* cried I, * there are, I per- ceive, a few momentary intervals of happinefs, which dart acrofs the horizon of life like the gleam of a paffing meteor I O, my dear Eu- phemia ! what anguiih have I not felt in this long abfence from her I love !' The expanfive lenfibihty of Euphemia could no longer be re- ftrained, and fhe teftified her regard by the kindeft language, the tendereft looks, and the mod fafcinacing carefTcs. * Ye immortal gods !' cried I, « with hov/ many exquifite fenfations do you not repay my pad tortures ! No ; I have fcarcely yet fufFered long enough to deferve fuch unequalled felicity !* I attempted to fpeak to her of her late hulband: ' Polemon,' laid fhe, * is unhappy. Let us leave him in filence, and pity his misfortunes j but I am no longer his wife.* — * Ah, my dear Euphemia !' anfwered I, * call me but by that dear name, and perhaps you will again be happy, were it only from the fupreme felicity you will confer.' — ^ Yes, my dear Dio- des, but it is necefTary my father fhould give his confent. I will fpeak of it to him im- M 3 mediately. l66 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR iTiediately. You will wait his decifion at home^ where I will inform you of the refult.' I was intoxicated with delight, with hope, and with love, when I parted from my dear Euphemia, who was now more beautiful than ever. -Time had unfolded all her chatms. Nature had com- pleted her work, and the opening bud had ripened into the full-blown flower. " But as fear ever attends on love and hope, I immediately repaired to the temple of Venus, to render that goddefs propitious to my wifhes. It was fituated in a wood near that city. Thither I carried a pair of doves and abafls:et of flowers i and on entering, I purified myfelf with the luftral water which was prefented me by a prieft*. I then advanced into ihe fanftuary where '^ Purifications were fometiines performed with fea-water, but more frequently with that called luftral, or holy water. This was clear river or fpring water, in which a firebrand, taken from an altar where victims were burning, had been extinguifhed. With this all the veffels at the en- trance of the temple were filled, near which flood a prieft, who gave fome to every one that entered. Some of this water was alfo placed befide coiHns, and before the doors of every houfe where a corpfe lay. The druids made a luftral water with mifletoe, and by this religious ceremony uftiered in the new year ; on which occafion they were accompanied by the magiftraces and the people, who cried out, To the ir.ijletoe, ho ! for the neiv year. They then went into a foreft, anc^ IN GREECE AND ASIA. 167 where the ftatue of the goddefs was placed, and having fct my doves and my bafrcet of flowers on the altar, I threw myfelf on my knees, and faid, * O goddefs of love ! thou ornament of heaven and earth ! thou animating foul Qf na- ture ! deign to accept my homage, and to crown the moft conftant of lovers wich thy immortal myrtle ! Thou who didft once beftow on Paris the moft beautiful of her fex, for having ad- judged thee the prize of beauty ! thou whofe beauty was ever unrivalled, whetner on earth or on high -towering Olympus, O grant me to obtain the lovely Euphemia, who is the moft beautiful of mortals, and I will crown thee with m.vrtle and with rofes, and the pureft incenfe ftiail per- fume thy altar !* " My prayers were heard. Two rays of light feemed to play around the head of the and in the neighbourhood of the fineft of the oaks prepared a triangular altar, and engraved on the trees the names of the gods whom they efteemed moft powerful. Then a druid, clothed in a white tunic, climbed the tree, and cut a branch of mifletoe with a golden bill, while the ether druids, who ftood below, received it in a cloth, taking care it fhould not touch the ground. They then fteeped it in water, and diftributed it to the people, whom they perfuaded that chia water was a proteAion againft witchcraft, and a remedy for feveral diforders. ¥ 4 Cyprian l68 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR Cyprian goddefs, and her mouth appeared to be embellifhed with a kinder fmilc. I accepted the omen, and ardently thanked the benignant power for her propitious favour. " Soon after Euphemia fent me a meffage to come to her father's houfe. I immediately obeyed the fummons, and found him Vv'ith her. I trembled at his prefence, till his kind recep- tion difpelled my fears; for he embraced me, called me his fon, and taking his daughter's hand, joined it to mine, and faid, * In you I place the facred depofit of both our happinefs ! O chace from the memory of my daughter the misfortunes of which I have unhappily been the caufe !' *' Our nuptials were celebrated with great pomp ; and thus, after a long fucceffion of ca- lamities and fufferings, I was at length the hap- pieft of mankind. Time, inftead of cooling our paflion, rendered it more ardent; for I loved Euphemia as I had never loved before, and her image was infeparable from all my thoughts. My very foul muft have been dcftroyed fooner than part with this its mod cherilhed fentiment; for fhe was formed to be beloved, as our fenfes are unavoidably the organs of fenfation. '* The ferenity of our days was long un- difturbed, except by the death of my Euphe- mia's IN GREECE AND ASIA. 169 mia's father, who expired in our arms. For awhile his difconfolate daughter fuffcred the fe- vereft afflidion, though at length it yielded to the foothing influence of time. Peace and happinefs then returned to blefs our dwell- ing ; and we now imagined nothing could ever difturb our happinefs, which we continued to enjoy in fhort-fighted fecurity and uninterrupted confidence. But man is like a vefTcl that tra- verfes the feas, and which every wind fuccef- fively afTails. Thus did the horizon again darken our profpe(5ls, and new ftorms burft upon our heads. " A war breaking out between Thebes and Lacedasmon, I was obliged to quit my dear Euphemia and my peaceful home, to fight the battles of my native country. But dill heavier misfortunes than the grief of parting awaited us ; for our troops were vanquiQied, and I was taken prifoner. My flocks and all my property became the prey of the vidorious army, and ravage and devafl:ation were fpread over my fields. I was carried to Sparta, and fliut up in a dungeon, where I paflfcd my melancholy days in reflcjfling on the inconftani-y and caprice of fortune, and was wholly abandoned, to defpair. Yet experience, and the remembrance of the numerous and rapid vicifl"itudes that had varied the lyO THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR the flory of my life, left me fome hopes. At length theie hopes were realifed. Peace was reflored^ and I recovered my liberty, and im- mediately fet off for Athens, whither my Eu- phemia had fled. Great gods ! how changed was the bloom of her lovely countenance ! now pale and haggard, and robbed of half its ani- mated beauty — like a lily in fome defert plain, yielding to the blafi: of unfriendly winds. But focn my carefTcs, and the fweet tranquillity of her foul, added to the heartfelt delight of a meeting which the chances of war had rendered fo precarious, reftored her health, her beauty, and the lovely ardour of delicate enjoyment. " Euphemia, who was born in an elevated rank of fociety, was not entirely a ft ranger to the grief of having loft our fplcndid fortune. * Of what ufc,' laid I, * are riches ? How many mil- lions of individuals are happy beneath the roof of poverty ! The enemy, it is true, have ravaged my lands at Oropus, but they have not been able to carry away the foil. We will labour to cultivate it, and reftore it to its former pro- fperity. We fhall not, it is true, revel in the luxury and gaiety of an extenfive capital, but we (hall enjoy all the pleafures that fimple Nature affords j we fhall view the fmiling land- fcape of a country life, and in fweet and undif- curbed IN GREECE AND ASIA. I^f turbed fecurity tafte the full abundance of every thing neceiTa'T t • happinefs.' " She ?.pproved mv plan, and I eftablilhed a little ccion" her-., confiding of our two felves, my fon, and a ilavp, ard I became a hufbandman, and attended to all tie csconomy of a ruftic life. I ftudied the variou':, i^inds of foil, the courfesof feed to which they are adapted, the effefls of wet and dry feafons, and by my induitry and exertion gave life and vigor to every thing around me. *' My Euphemia employed herfelf in domef- tic occupations, and in the cultivation of the flower garden. Thefc avocations, and her care of our various domeftic animals, made her foon forget our part fplendor, and the ruin of our for- tunes ; and fhe confclTed that Ihe had never fup- pofed, happinefs could be found fo near to the dwelling of poverty. We were at length bleffed with the lovely ChryfiUa, who came into the world in the fpring, to adorn the earth with a flower more beautiful than it had ever feen before. " Our little farm now prefented us with the reprefentation of the Fortunate Iflands: our flock increafed every yearj cur children fweet- cned, as they grew, the lonely hours of folitude ; gnd 172 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR and the happieft twelve years of my life thus glided away with the unceafing rapidity of a torrent. « Though my wife pofiefTed a good under- ftanding and an acute judgment, yet fhe had a weaknefs which we readily pardon in her timid fex — fhe had the moft violent dread of thunder j which v/hencver fhe heard growling in the heavens, fhe hid herfelf in a fubterraneous cavern, or fquatted beneath a thick laurel-tree * that grew in the middle of the garden. I often rallied her for this childifh fear. * My dear girl,' faid I, Met us leave thefe idle terrors for thofe whofe confciences reproach them with crimes, that call for the vengeance of the gods: but you, whofe foul is as pure as the azure of the heavens — you who ferve them, and honour them by the innocence of your life — why fliould you fear that they will ever ftrike you with their ven- geance ?' She alTented to my arguments, and approved my fecurity : but notwithftanding her efforts to vanquifh her fears, the fuddcn fia(h of the lightning and the terrible roar of the thun- der fhook her nerves, and filled her with invo- luntary alarm. • The ancients believed that thunder never ftrikes the laurel. " One IN GREECE AND ASIA. 173 " One day, (alas ! fix years have pafl'ed fince that dreadful event,) being about to leave Eu- phemia, to cut feme wood on the mountain, fhe embraced me with an ominous anxiety and un- uneafinefs flie had never experienced before, and faid, ' O, my dear friend, I intreat you to re- turn foon, for I want much to fee you again. I know not what it is I feel, but I am ftrangely dejeded. I have been crying bitterly, though I have no caufe for grief, and can fcarcely now reftrain my tears.' I embraced her, and pro- mifed to return foon : but fhe would not part from me till I tore myfclf from her arms, and haftened away. Whenever I looked back, I faw her watching my (leps as long as we could diftinguifli each other. " The heavens were then ferene and brilliant, and promifed the mofl: charming weather, but at noon clouds arofe, the fky lowered, and I heard fome claps of thunder, accompanied with rain ; after which it cleared up, and the azure vault above was as cloudlefs as before. " RecoUedling my promife to Euphemia, I left off work, and gathered fome violets, as (he was very partial to that flower. « You love them,' I ufed to fay, * bccaufe, like you, they are emblems of modeCcy and timidity.' Thus provided with a prefent for my Euphemia, I re- 3 turned 174 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR turned home full of gaiety and joy. But, alas ! who can tell, from one moment to another, whether he has caufe to rejoice or to weep ? As I entered the houfe, feeing one of my children playing, I kiffed him, and aiked him where was his mother. * In the garden,' faid he. Thither I immediately ran ; but though I called my Euphemia feveral times, I received no anfwer. 1 was now fomevvhat alarmed, and fought her on every fide v/ith eagernefs and anxiety. At length I perceived her feated at the foot of the great laurel-tree. This made me eafy^ and as I ap- proached, I called to her again, but ftill received no reply. I then imagined fhe was afleep, and determined not to difiurb her flumbers. My Euphemia had two doves, of which fhe was very fond, and which were always hovering about her. One of thefe lay dead at her feet, while the other was moaning befide it, and en- deavouring to reanimate its lifelefs body with its beak and v/ings. * Ah !' faid I, ' how my Eu- phemia will grieve when llie awakes V Yet a fecret terror feemed to take poffelTion of my heart, and I again called her, as I approached to take her by the arm. Great gods ! what a fight ! Her beauteous form, which love itfelf feemed to animate, and the Graces toembellifii, fell to dull at my touch ! iilas ! the thunder had IN GREECE AND ASIA. 17^ had ftruck her dead ! My poor Euphemia had, as ufual, fought refuge from the ftorm beneath the facred laurel, and a fuperftitious prejudice was the caufe of her deflruftion *. 1 fcreamed with terror and difmay ; I tore my clothes and my hair. Wild with defpair, I neither heard nor liftened to the vain confolations of my at- tendants, who were now colleifted around me ; and I was about to put an end at once to my fufferings and my life, had I not been pre- vented by their kind exertions, while they brought my dear children, and placed them in my arms. I beheld them with a wild (tare, till their affedionate fimplicity, their carefles, and their tears awakened me from my ftupor. *Ah!' faid I, 'my children! weep, weep, weep for ever ! for you have no longer a mother to love you and to kifs you ! She lives no more ! We fhall never behold her again ! She has vanilhed like the fleeting fhadow of the morning !' — I was attacked with a fever, which deprived me of my fenfes, and 1 attempted to ♦ The prejudices of fecuricy are often equally deftrudive with thofe which excite unneceflary alarms. An inltance of this occurred in the celebrated Bodin, author of a work en- titled La Republique. This learned man died of a pellilen- tial diflemper, whofe power he had defied in confequence of a vulgar error, that when men have pafied their fixtieth year they arefecure from all contagious difeafes^ ftarvc 176 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR ftarve myfelf to death 5 for which purpofe I fe- creted the food and medicines that were brought me. This, however, was difcovered j and Cimon, who is a fkilful phyfician and my inti- mate friend, perceiving that it was my mind that flood mod in need of his attentions, began to fpeak to me of my children, who he defired might be always with me. One day, when I had been telling him I abhorred my life, and my only wifh was to die, * And who,' replied he, * will take care of your poor children, who will be left utterly deftitute of parents or protedlors ?* Thefe words, which he pronounced in a tone of the kindeft fenfibility, excited a lively emotion in my bread. This he perceived, and immedi- ately added, ' Believe me, my dear Diodes, with thefe two fweet children you will find life has ftill many charms and attradlions. In time your affliflion will gradually diminifh. Reflect on the conftant and ever-varying feries ofevents which have formed the hiftory of your life, and be afifured you will yet enjoy many an interval of happinefs.' I yielded nor, however, to his ar- guments, for my heart fhuddered at the idea of pleafure, and rejeded the gay illufions of hope. However the tender friendfhip and the infinu- ating affcclion of Cimon, the continual pre- fence of my dear children, and, above all, a vifion IN GREECE AND ASIA. 177 vlfion of the night, renewed my attachment to life, and enabled me once more to cull the flowers of enjoyment. It was midnight, and I was in a very diiturbed fleep, when I was fud- denly awakened by a noife, and beheld a light at the foot of my bed. I was aftonifhed at this ap- pearance, and prefently perceived it was my wife, whofeface was refplendently luminous, and her head crowned with a chaplet of flowers. My agitation was extreme, when (he approached and I diftinguilhed the lovely features of my Eu- phemia. Sh,c bowed her head, and fpoke. ' My dear Diodes,' laid fhe, ' whither are your vir- tue and your manhood fled ? Oh ! refume your £Ccuftomed fortitude ; and if you love me fl:ill> remember our dear children, and love them for my fake ! Live for their fake, and make them happy 1* On feeing this lovely apparition, and hearing this loft dear voice, I raifcd myfelf on my bed, and extending my arms, ^ My dear Eu- phemia,* I cried — but I could fay no more. In vain did I open my eyes ; the phantom had va- nilhed, and I remained enveloped in the pro- foundeft obfcurity. " From that moment I obeyed the inftruflions of my dear Euphemia, and the didates of pa- rental afi^eftion. By degrees my grief was allayed, my peace of mind returned, I VOL. r. N began 178 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR. began to endure my cxiftence ; and have often rejoiced at having at length overcome my dc- fpair. Life is ever a benefit to the man who honours the gods, and whofe pure and virtuous heart cherifhes the fimple pleafures of nature and the foft afFeflions of friendfhip. Though now advanced-in years, I dill enjoy my fhare of happinefs, when admiring the beauties of the fields, carefling my infant children, or employ- ing my time in the interefting viciffitudes of labour and of reft beneath the foliage of my garden. In winter, m.y cheerful hearth pro- cures me a fuccefTion of agreeable fenfations, uninterrupted by any mortification; and although I daily drop the tear of affedion on the grave of my dear Euphemia, yet it flows amidft the moft interefting fenfations, and confoles and gratifies my heart. Each day I come to hold fweet converfe with her ftiade. I fee her, I hear her lovely voice, and doubtlefs fne liftens to mine. Often, very often am I unable to tear myfclf from this hallowed fpot, till my children are fent to bring me away. — Learn, then, young man, from my example, to ftrug- gle againft adverfity. ■ Can any man judge of his future deftiny, or know whether that which he calls misfortune may not lead to a more per- feA felicity, and a more durable fuccefTion of enjoy- IN GREECE AND ASIA. I79 enjoyments ? '' How frequently does an event we once thought beneficial, and for which we panted with anxiety, conceal the fource of the mofl poignant afflidions ! It is true you have loft a miftrefs : but remember, that miftrefs is not your wife, nor is (he the mother of your children." When, after a " dark and ftormy night, the anxious mariner beholds, at the return of day, a calm fea and a ferene fky, illumed with the cheering ray of morning, how his heart expands with new delight, and feems to awaken from the horrors of the tomb ! Such were my feelings at the interefting narrative of Diodes ; while his fimple and eafy philofophy, and the new hopes he raifed in my mind, enlightened all my pro- fpefts. The amiable fenfibility of ChryfiUa, her unaffedled cheerfulnefs, and her charming con- verfation, co-operated in my recovery, although the pleafure I enjoyed in her fociety was un- mixed with any paffion for her charms : my heart indulged no fuch inclination ; for every thing around her bore the ftampof undeviating virtue and untarnifhed innocence. N 2 iSO THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR CHAP. XX. ChryfillciS affetiion for her Ir ether, — The conje- . ([uences attending it. THE uncommon attachment, however, of this ingenuous and virtuous girl to her brother Philotas furprifed me. Scarcely ever could they bear each other's abience for a moment i and they addreffed each other by the tendered and mod endearing names. I once furprifed the youth foiiciting for kiflcs, which his filler refufed witU too much foftnefs to be obeyed. To me this unreftrained intimacy appeared to exceed the bounds of propriety. I blamed the inadvertency of the father, to v/hom I had even determined to fpeak on the fubjed, when one day, after din- ner, he faid to me, " Let us take a walk in the garden : my heart overflows with joy, and re- quires to pour forth its ecftafy into the bofom of a friend. Befides, the profpefl of two happy lovers will intereft you, and may render your imagination more cheerful. Tell me how you like my daughter."— -I told him I thought her very beautiful, very amiable, and very charm- IN GREECE AND ASIA. l8l ing. " And her brother ?" continued he. — " He appears," faid I, " to be prudent and induftri- ous, and has pleafing manners." — " Yes," faid he, " he is an excellent youth ; and as I am de- firous of promoting his happinefs to the utmoll, I am going to marry him." — " You a6l very prudently," faid I, " in feparating him from his fifter. Youth is " — " Separating them !" cried he : *' on the contrary, I am about to unite them in the indifToluble bonds of marriage !"— " How !" faid I. " Marry a brother and fifter ?** — " Yes," replied he ; " their marriage has been determined on ever fince the birth of Chryfilla. Are you ignorant that, by a law of Solon, which has been adopted here, 'a brother may marry his fifter by the father's fide, but not by the mother's *." — " I confefs," faid I, " I was ignorant of this law, and your information relieves me from confiderable uncafinefs. I had perceived their mutual inclination, and my pre- judices had annexed to it an idea of immorality." — " All prejudices," replied he, " muft vanifii before a pofitive law, efpecially when that law does not oppofe Nature, but, on the contrary, • The objeft of this law was to prevent his uniting the cftate of the hulband of his mother with that of his father. N 3 co-operates l3i THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR co-operates with her mofl: amiable iinpulfe. The nuptials will be performed in a few days, and I flatter myfelf the fight of our rejoicings will contribute to your happinefs." When the day arrived, the relations and friends of the young couple affixed branches of trees and chaplets of flowers with fillets to the door of their father's houfe. When the bride and bridegroom were to go to the temple, Chryfilla came down from her chamber dreflxd with all the fimplicity of modefty, and covered with a red veil, with no other ornament than a chaplet of flowers. She flew into the arms of her father, who was waiting for her on the threlhold of the door, ready to lead forth all the young people of the place. He prefixed her to his bofom ; and then raifing his eyes to heaven, pronounced, in a folemn voice, the moffc pious vows for the hap- pinefs of his fon and daughter. We then pro- ceeded to the temple, the youthful attendants leading the way, while others followed, finging the epithalamium, and dancing to the found of the flute and the trumpet. In the midfl of them was Chryfilla, holding her father's arm, while the bridegroom walked by her fide crowned with myrtle, and his eyes gliflening with joy and lave. The torch of Hymen was borne before them 5 and IN GREECE AND ASIA. iSj and when they arrived at the gate of the temple, a pried prefented to each of them a branch of ivy, as a fymbol of the clofe connexion they were about to form. He then led them to the altar, where he facrificed a heifer to Diana and Mi- nerva, becaufe thofe deities are at enmity with Hymen j after which he implored the favour of Jupiter and Juno, whofc union is eternal ; of the Parcse, who hold the thread of life j of the Graces, whofe varying charms render our enjoy- ments interefting j and laftly, of Venus, to whom Love owes his birth, and mankind their hap- pinefs. The priefts then examined the entrails of the viflims, and declared that heaven approved of this marriage ; after which, one of them having taken the chaplet of the bridegroom, placed it on the head of the bride, while the chaplet of the latter was transferred to the head of the former. We returned from the temple in the fame order in which we went, and the fame fongs were repeated. When the young couple came to the door of their father's houfe, a bafket of fruit was placed on their heads, as a prefage of future abundance ; and the torch of Hymen was car- ried into the chamber, where it was left burning. Chryfilla prefented nofegays to her youthful and N 4 unmarried 154 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR unmarried friends, faying, " May you foon marry alfo!" The table on which the feaft was prepared was fet out under the poplar-trees, near the, fountain, and their foliage was united and en- riched with fome branches of the molt tufted trees, while garlands and feftoons of flowers de- corated this darkfome canopy, the cool fhade of which afforded the moft delightful retreat. At the commencemenl of the feaft, Diodes gave a cup of wine to his for, who tailed it, and prefemed it to his bride. When ihe had drunk, fhe pafled it to their relations, and from them it circulated among the other guefts. In the even- ing we fang and danced -, and when the bride and bridegroom retired, an epithalamium was fung. In the morning the fame ceremony was repeated, though the compofition was dif- ferent. This rural wedding, this fmiling view of domeftic happinefs, filled me with the fofteft emotions of delight; and my heart feemed to expand with the fcHcity of the youthful couple. How blefled they appeared in each other's af- fection! which they feemed formed to cherifh, while thty reciprocally communicated each other's joy and grief. Chryfilla often took the pruning- hook, and ufed it under the diredions of Phi- iotasj IN GREECE AND ASIA. 185 lotas, or watered the young fiov/ers by his fide. Her hulband and brother, in his turn, when- ever an intemperate Iky fufpended his labours, fat befide the partner of his cares, and joined in her domeftic occupatiori;s. l86 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENdR CHAP. XXK Antenor receives a letter from Lajihetiia. fTpHE autumnal feafon was now advancing with rapid (lep j the olive had already yielded its fat produce in the p.refs, and the golden leaves were each moment quitting the fpreading branch, and fluttering along the earth — fad image of declining man, when the winter of life robs him of his luxuriance, and withers all the faculties of his frame. I had written a letter to Lafthenia, requefting her to take pity on my misfortunes, and to come and vifit my afylum before winter had de- prived it of its beauty : but fhe replied, that Ihe could not leave Ariftippus, whofe health was on the decline. " Befides," continued Ihe, " it has already coft me too much to part with you ; and philofophy is but a feeble defence againft the forrows of the heart. How ftrong it makes us feem in theory ! How weak are we in reahty ! I have fometimes, however, imagined, that in feparating us from each other, the gods have fhevvn us more indulgence than cruelty. We had IN GREECE AND ASIA. 18^7 Iiad already experienced all the delights that mutual love could beftow ; and having bnce attained the fummit of human happinefs, wemuft neceflarily have afterwards declined. But now the remembrance of that ihort interval of hap- pinefs, and its rapid flight, will give to the re- mainder of our lives the mod charming illufions of delight, and our reflexion on the pad will be converted into the dream of happinefs. In the moments of fadnefs and melancholy, when the foul is languifhing and dejefted, or needs a renovation of ftrength and energy, our ideas will fly back to that fliort period of/elicity; they will tranfport us to thofe blelTed haunts be- neath our favourite plane-trees, in the garden which we ufcd to call our Tempe, where our ftudies and amufements, and the impaflloned intercourfc of fricndfhip and of love, have made the hours glide away with unperceived rapidity, in the moft exquifite delirium of enjoyment. Thus will the paft extend its pleafures to the prefent, and even to the future: whereas had a more apparently happy defl:iny fmiled upon our fteps, and not oppofed our wifhes, our pafllon would have infenfibly cooled, nor would it have reciprocally decorated us in each other's eyes with the attradlive colours of imagination : but we fhould each have been reduced to the (landard l88 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR flandard of friendfliip and of reafon, and we Ihould mutually have appeared mere ordinary beings. " Believe me, at your age you ought to pro- fecute your travels. You Ihould imitate the great philofophers Pythagoras, Plato, Demo- critus, and Solon, who colleAed the fruits of wifdom and of fcience wherever they are found to fiouriili. For although Solon aflerts that a man muft be forty years of age to travel with advantage, I will venture to adopt a very dif- ferent opinion. I confider youth as the bell time for vifiting foreign countries, provided you have already (locked your mind with ideas, and pofTefs an aptitude for reflexion, and the acquifition of knowledge. " Zeno, the founder of the (loic philofophy, is juft departed on that long expedition which will at' lafl clear up his doubts concerning the nature of the foul. Pie died at the age of ninety- eight, faying, ' I am going to try thus to re- unite the divine particle within me to the divine foul of theuniverfe.' It is remarkable that this celebrated philofopher had never experienced any of the infirmities of ill health. What a happy exemption ! After having lludied and taught philofophy during fixty-eight years, he died a ftranger to difeafes, having never been 9 incom- IIU GREECE AND ASIA. 189 incommoded by any real indifpofition. The Athenians, who are fomedmesj though not often juft, have ereftcd a monument to his memory in the Ceramicus ; and by a public decree, which is full of his praifes, have decreed him a crown of gold, and other extraordinary honours, « In order,* fays the decree, ' that all the world may know that the Athenians are defirous to beftow honour on men of diftinguiflied merit, both during their lives and afcer their death/ " Zeno's fage was but a portrait of himfelf/He faid, that if a wife man ought to be a ftranger to love, as fome philofophers afTert, he fhould pity thofc women who are both handfome and vir- tuous, fince they would only have fools for lovers. He afiferted, that it is an important part of fcience to be ignorant of thofe things which we ought not to know. ' A true ftoic,' he often ufed to fay, ^ Hves in the world as if nothing was properly his own : he loves others, and his affec- tions are extended even to his enemies. But his proper ftudy is that of himfclf. He ought every evening to review the events of the day with critical accuracy, and always to find an impar- tial witnefs within his own bread, that thus he may in future regulate his condufl with more care. He (huns honour and praife, delights in the obfcurity of folitude, and maintains an ab- folute t^O THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR folute command over all his paffions and 2i{- fedions/ Zeno admitted that an unavoidable defliny governed the affairs of the world ; though that fyftem appears, to fome, dangerous to the caufe of virtue. One day, v/hen he was beating a (lave for ftealing, the latter faid, ^ My deftiny obliged me to fleal.' — « And to be well beat by me,' added his mafter. " You have heard of Plotinus, the platonic philofopher. He is jufl: returned from his travels. Plotinus, though pofleffed of a flrong mind, and adorned with extenfive learning and- knowledge, is a very fingular being. It is af- ferted, that he is quite afhamcd of being lodged in a body ; for which reafon he will neither fuffer his refemblance to be taken, nor declare from what country or family he fprang. He has lately had a violent cholic, for which his phyfician ordered him to ufe injeftions: but with this he obftinately refufed to comply, becaufe that remedy is inconfiftcnt .with the dignity of a philofopher. He never ufes a bath, rejedts every kind of phyfic, never eats any tame animal, lives very frugally, and often abftains even from bread ; for which reafon, and in confequence of his profound meditation, he takes very little fleep. His method of wilt- ing partakes of the fame fingularity. He never reads IN GREECE AND ASIA. I9I reads over what he writes, which he does very illegibly, and without attending to orthography ; and his memory and conception are fo ftrong, that he can arrange a whole work in his mind, v/ithout making the leaft alteration in writing it down. He never lofes fight of his plan ; and when he is interrupted, transfers his attention with the utmoft facility and promptitude to the bufinefs on which he is addrefled -, which hav- ing difcufTcd and fettled, he returns, without the leaft confufion of ideas, to his former work, which he refumes without reading over the pre- ceding lines. " I have this moment learned that the works of Protagoras are to be publicly burnt, becaufe he has faid, in one of his writings, ' 1 am not certain of the exiftence of the gods.' He was or- dered to be arrefted, but he has fortunately ef- caped from Athens. The origin of this celebrated fophift is as Angular as his manners. He was for- merly a porter; when Democricus meeting him, one day, carrying a load of faggots, very inge- nioufly poifed according to geometrical prin- ciples, formed an advantageous opinion of his abilities, and admitted him to be one of his difciples, " Adieu, my dear friend ! You remember, no doubt, the Androgyns of Plato : < The gods,' 192 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR gods/ fays he, in his Banquet, * had at firft formed man of around figure, with two bodies and two fexes. This rendered him infolent, and he even dared to make war upon the gods ; in confequcncc of which Jupiter was about to de- flroy him : but confidering that he would thereby exterminate the human race, he contented him- felf with dividing the Androgynas in two parts, which Apollo was ordered to perfe(5t. From that time the two parts are perpetually feeking each other, and endeavouring to meet and re- unite, being mutually attraded towards each Other by an irrefiftible defire*.* Alas! my dear Antenor, I am fure I am the body that •was feparated from you, for I feel as if my foul had loft its better half. Hence I am often un- happy J and tears, involuntary tears, bedew my cheek. No -, there is no permanent happincfs upon earth. Farewel 1 May you preferve your health, and enjoy uninterrupted happinefs I" This letter increafed my afflidions and my grief for the lofs of my Laflhenia. I was half inclined to difguife myfelf, and return to * The Androgyns had two fexes, two heads, four hands, and four feet. Some rabbis afTert, that Adam was created both man and woman - man on one fide, and woman on the ©ther ; and that when God afterwards created Eve, he only divided his body in two, Athensj IN GREECE AND ASIA. I93 Athens, that I might once more behold that amiable and worthy friend : but the prudent Diodes prevented me, by reprefenting to me the horrid pi6lure of her defpair, (hould I be dif- covered and executed before her eyes. VOL, ^ 194 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR CHAP. XXII. Anterior pnjfes the whiter with Diodes. — The ceremony of the Taurobolus, — ^larrel of the new-married coufle, — Hijiory of Archias, I PASSED the whole of the following winter with this charming family, where I employed all my leifure hours in reading over and over the works of Homer, Euripides, Herodotus, and Thucydides, and flocked my memory with all the beautiful paflages that particularly ftruck me. How happy are they who are born with this tafte for ftudy, and love to retire in folitude to the fanduary of the Mufes ! Such minds enjoy repofe, without Jt fenfation of languor or fatigue ; and their exiftence is varied by a con- llant renovation of pleafure. I pafled the long evenings in the bofom of this amiable family, around their chearful hearth ; while their honeft and undifguifed franknefs, and their fprighdy convert' tion, gave thefe focial hours the mod heartfelt intercfc. The experienced wifdom of Diodes fhone forth in his account of the. various events of the paffing day, or the anecdotes he related of the fcenes he had witnefled in his early youth. IN GREECE ANt) ASIA. I95 youth. He was particularly fond of recurring to the hiftory of a fingular expiatory facrifice, called Taurobolus, performed by a young man of Megara, named Diomedon. " I knew him," faid he, " atEphefus, at the time when I was travelling, merely to abfent myfelf from Thebes and from my dear Euphemia. We embarked in the fame veflel, to come from that town to Corinth, and had fcarcely got out to fea when the wind began to blow hard, the fea became very rough, and a violent ftorm af- failed our flender veflel. To me, who bore with pain the burden of a miferable exiftencc, the temped was indifferent, and death a welcome vifitor : but Diomedon, who, though a great libertine, was weak and fuperflitious, invoked Neptune, Thetis, and all the gods, with the loudeft cries. The celebrated Bias, one of our fcven wife men, was with us, and accofted him in the midfl of his cries and vows, faying, < Be iilent, or the gods will perceive that you are here.' Neither this raillery, however, nor the calm ferenity of the philofopher, could commu- nicate to him the cool intrepidity of Capaneus* j • When this general lay before Thebes, where he diftin- guifhed himfelf by his Ikill and valour, he declared, that thunder was but the efFedl of the meridian heat, and that he would take the town in fpite of Jupiter. o 2 and T96 THE TRAVELS OF AMTENOR and the ftorm feeming rather to increafe than abate, he made a vow, that if the gods would fpare his life, he would atone for all his vices, and regenerate himfelf by means of the facrifice of the Taurobolus. " We arrived fafe at Corinth, where he per- formed his vow, and was defirous I fhould be a witnefs of the ceremony. The priefts having caufed a deep foffe to be dug, Diomedon, whofe head was bound with facred fillets, and decorated with a crown and other myfterious ornaments, defcended into it, and was covered with a plank, perforated with a great number of holes. A bull was then led forth, with his head decorated ■with flowers, and his horns and forehead with fmall plates of gold. He was killed with a facred knife, and his blood flowed into the fofl!c through the holes in the cover, while Diomedon, endeavouring to receive as much as pofiible of this precious blood, prefented his face, his arms, his flioulders, and every part of his body, to the fl:rcams. When he came out he was per- fedly hideous, being covered with blood, which was dropping from his hair, his beard, his face, his clothes, and his hands. Thus was he purified from all his crimes, and regenerated to all eter- nity. It is faid, however, that this ceremony muil I IN GREECE AND ASIA. I97 mufl: be repeated every twenty years^ or it will lofe its effcft." In the mean wliile the fcrene tranquillity of the family of Diodes Teemed on the eve of being banifhed for ever ; for clouds of jealoufy had arifen in the mind of Philotas, which difturbed his peace, and deftroyed, for a time, the har- mony of the youthful couple. For fome days the apparent abfence and thoughtful filence of Philotas had betrayed that his mind was not at eafe. Whenever Chry- filla addreffed him in the language of diffidence and foftnefs, he was either wholly filent, or made her fome rough fhort anfwer, which caufed involuntary tears to flart from her beauteous eyes, and trickle down her lovely cheeks, though Ihe endeavoured to reftrain and to conceal them, efpecially in the prefence of her father. One day, coming home, after dinner, to avoid the rain, I found her lying on a rock, quite wet through, entirely regardlefs of the weather, and her eyes red with weeping. I accofled her, wiped away fome of the wet, and endeavoured to reftore the warmth of her lovely hands. I then condufled her to a neighbouring hut, which ferved as a dairy, where, having unburdened her overflowing heart, fhe t^ld me, in a rnourn- o 3 ful ICjS THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR ful and fobbing voice, that fhe had been pri- vately working a tunic of fine wool for Philotas, which Ihe had prefented to him, telling him that it was her work, and requefting him to wear it for her fake ; to which he made no other re- ply than tearing it in pieces j and that fhe was quite broken-hearted with grief. When flie had finilhed, her tears and fobs burft forth afrelh. I endeavoured, with all the eloquence I poffefled, to confole her affliction, and pro- mifed to induce her hufband to explain the reafon of his difpleafure, and of this unaccount- able change in his manner. I immediately went in fearch of Philotas, whom I met frowning with the mod flern and gloomy ill -humour. At firft he rcfifted my folicitations to open his heart to me : but after prefling him more clofely, he fufFered the fecrct to efcape him. He told me, that for fome days pad he had every morning found chaplets of flowers and branches of myrtle and of laurel affixed to the door ; that he had for feveral nights heard the found of a lyre and a voice finging j ajid that he was confident all this muft proceed from fome myfterious lover. " But even,'* faid I, ** were it really a lover, how can ChryfiUa be to blame for that of which fhe is wholly igno- rant ? IN GREECE AND ASIA. 1 99 rant ? However," continued I, " I will clear up your fufpicions, and thus convince you, if pofllble, of the^r injuftice." Towards midnight I climbed a high tree which grew oppofite the houfe, and there waited the arrival of the gallant. As foon as the day began to dawn, a young man came to the door, where he fufpended a garland of flowers ; and taking his lyre in hand, began, at the fame time, to fing and to dance. This lover appeared to me too gay to be very dangerous. I glided gently down, and coming behind him, took him by the arm. At tirft he was furprifed and aftonifhed : but my laughing countenance quiet- ed his alarm, and he afked me, what I wanted, and whether I was his rival. " Who, then," faid I, " is your miftrefs ?"— .«' The mod ami- able of the Graces," faid he ; "a very goddefs —the charming Chryfilla !" and immediately began to dance and fing again. As foon as I was convinced that his pafiion was not attended with any fymptoms of melancholy, I amufed myfelf with his tranfports : but Philotas fud- denly appeared, with a lance in his hand, and fell furioudy upon his gay-hearted rival. I had fcarcely time to prevent the efredts of his rage. Traitor!" faid he, " thou (halt repent of thy raflinefs : thou fhalt perifh by this lance." I o 4 was 200 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR. was obliged to ufe all my flrength to prevent him from burying his lance in the gallant; while the latter continued his pantomimical per^ formance, and thereby flill further irritated the jealous Philotas. The light of day now began to render the objefls around us fomewhat more clear, when Philotas, having obferved his rival rather more attentively, cried out, " Oh, heavens! it is Archias 1 By Jupiter, I am more mad than he! What ridiculous fufpicions !" — ** Who is this Archias?" faid I. — He anfwered, that if I would follow him, he would relate to me his hiftory. *' Archias," faid he, " is a youth of one of the principal families of Oropus, and though pofTelTed of talents, for he excelled both in poetry and mufic, yet his imagination was fo lively, and his heart fo tender, that he transferred his af- feflion from beauty to beauty with inconftancy and levity. He was paying his devotions to Pholoe, when the fight of the beautiful Theone eclipfed the charms of all her rivals ; as the planet that rules the night eclipfes all the twink- ling (lars. Archias no fooner beheld her than he was burning with the fierceft flames of love. At length he fucceeded ; his paflion was returned, and his hand accepted, Pholoe at firft con^- cealed IN GREECE AND ASIA. 201 eealed her refentment : but on hearing that the day of their union was fixed, (lie fwore vengeance againll her rival. Having a brother named Conon, who was a difcarded lover of Theone, fhe opened herfelf to him, and formed a plot for the gratification of her revenge. Theone hav- ing been taken ill, the nuptials were in confe- quence deferred, and Pholoe, who was her intimate friend, propofed to her to fit up with her, and attend her during the night ; to which, in confequence of her urgent requeft and per- fidious carefles, Ihe confented. She had con- certed with her brother that fhe fliould be drefTed that night like her rival, anfwer to her name, and appear at the window, whither he was to come amoroufly to urge his fuit ; after which fhe was to come down, open the door, and admit him into the houfe. That Archias might be a witnefs of this interview, an anony- nious letter was fent to him, apprifing him that Theone only feigned illnefs, in order to break off the marriage, and renew her intimacy with Conon, with whom fhe was really ilill in lovej and that fhe had appointed an interview for the following night. At firft this letter made but Httle impreffion on Archias, and he confidered it as an ill-contrived, malicious impofition. Yet he could not help refleding upon it, and turning ■202 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR turning the expreffions in his mindj till after having alternately difcarded all fufpicionjand then recurring to the afTertions it contained, he at length refolved to clear up the myftery, by placing himfelf againft the wall of the adjoining houfe, although perfeflly convinced, that in fo doing, he vi^as giving himfelf a fruitlefs trouble. " At length Conon arrived, and having made the fignal agreed on, the window opened : ' Is it you, Conon ?* inquired a faint and half- Itifled voice.— "^ Yes, my dear Theone,* an- fwered he, ^ it is thy faithful lover, who is dying for you, and is refolved to prevent your mar- riage with Archias, or to lay down his life at your feet. — But come down — I have fome fecrets of importance to communicate.' <^ The unfortunate Archias liftened to every thing that palTed with the utmoft eagernefs, and fcarcely dared to truft his fenfes, till the pre- tended Theone opened the door, and admitted her pretended lover. " This odious confpiracy made fo fudden and fo violent an impreffion on the unfortunate Archias, that it immediately turned his head ; and every remedy has been tried for his re- covery without effe6l. It is fortunate, however^ that his madnefs has taken a gay turn, for it gives no one pain, and perhaps makes him happy. Thus IN GREECE AND ASIA. 203 Thus it Is that our reafon muft be laid aOeep before we can tafte of unmixed enjoyments. He now frequents the gates of the temples, and watches all the women that pafs in and out. If perchance he fees a pair of fine eyes, a little foot, and a flender lliape, his imagination immediately takes fire ; he is deprived of fleep, has his lyre conftandy in his hand, and fings beneath the win- dow of his goddefs, where he pafTes whole nights in warbling out his pafilon. This efFervefcence of his imagination continues for about a fort- night, after which he purfues fome new objefl. The unfortunate youth has again fallen in love with the fame Pholoe who was the caufe of his misfortune. Six months after her marriage he met her in the temple of Minerva. He beheld her with a wild and gloomy flare ^ and his diftorted features, which were violently con- tracted, firongly marked his anger and his grief. Theone, whofe foft and tender heart could not bear this melancholy obje6t, was removed from the prcfence of Archias, who foon refumed his accuftomed gaiety. He has now been in this (late five-and-twenty years, for he is near fifty years old : but neither care, nor the approach of old age, difturb his gaiety or interrupt his amours. It would, in my opinion," continued Philotasj *^ be doing him an injury to reftore his reafon. S04 THt TRAVELS OF ANTENOR reafon, for it would only renew his mifery and defpair." At this moment we were met by Chryfilla, who appeared thoughtful, melancholy, and timid. "Ah!" cried Philotasj " here (he is! For how much injuftice have I to afk her for- givenefs ! I will fly and throw myfelf at her feet." A reconciliation fpeedily took place ; Chryfilla's pardon was eafily obtained, and they mingled their tears upon each other's cheek, while the mod affecling careffes and the tendercft proteftations fealed the return of harmony and peace. With this family, which was perhaps the happieft then upon earth, I waited the return of fpring, whofe approach was at length an- nounced by the gentle temperature of the air and the brighter verdure of the fields j for •what being, endued with fenfibility, would not forget, for a moment, his misfortunes and his woes, when enjoying the f^eet lercnity of a balmy day in the month of Munychion, (April,) contemplating a fmiling prolpedl, whofe ver- dure is variegated with flowers, or liflening to the harmonious concert of the choral grove ? I then refolved to take the advice of my Laf- thenia, and ftudy the manners and cuftoms of various nations, beginning my travels with a journey IN GREECE AND ASIA. QO5 journey to Delphi, in order to confult the oracle concerning my future deftiny. This plan, it is true, did not accord with the principles I had imbibed at Athens, where every man of an en- lightened mind, or who was admitted into the firft circles, had long abandoned, not only the oracles, but every fuperftitious prejudice, to the common herd of the people, or to the weak and ignorant among the fair fex. But the mind of man is a ftrange and inconfiftent mixture of reafon and of folly ; and although I did not, or rather fancied I did not, believe in oracles, my curiofity obliged me to confult them. I could not take leave of my amiable hods without feeling my heart opprefled with the deepeft afflidion ; and they accompanied me a very long way, becaufe it was too painful to part. When we feparated, we bathed each other's necks with the copious tears of recipro- cal afFedlion, and the worthy Diodes faid to me, as he embraced me for the laft time, " Alas ! I (hall never fee you more 1 My tomb already expecfls me, and foon I muft enter the dark abode. Should you ever pafs through Oropus, come and ftrew flowers over my grave, and talk of me with my children." 206 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR CHAP. XXIII. He arrives at Thehes.'—Exploit of Milo of Crotona^ MY road lay through Thebes. That city is fituated between the rivers Afopus and Ifmenias. The country round it is very pleaf- ing ; and in my approach I pafled through a beautiful fucceflion of gardens and of meadows. At a diftance, on an eminence, ftands the citadel , and in the city, which is furrounded with walls, and furniftied with feven gates, are many mag- nificent public buildings and fuperb ftatues, but the ftreets, like moil other towns of Greece, are very irregular. I found Thebes in a great ferment, and full of ftrangers. They were expefling the arrival of the celebrated Milo of Crotona, who had be- come extremely famous in confequence of his exploits at the Olympian and Pythian games. On the day of his arrival the roads were crowded with people going to meet him j and when I firfl be- held him, I thought him a Coloffus : for he was near fix feet high, his beard black and thick, 2 and IN GREECE AND ASIA, 2O7 and his bufhy eyebrows touched each other. His arms, his legs, and his broad Herculean cheft were covered with hair, and he walked barefoot, carrying a club, and covered with a Ikin in imitation of Hercules, on whofe model he feemed to have been formed. As loon as the proxeneta of the city had conduced him to his lodging*, a deputy from the magiflrates and from the inhabitants came to requeft that he would re- peat, in their city, the feats of ftrength by which he had fignalized himfelf at the Olympic games. To this Milo confented, and defired that they would caufe a bull, four years old, to be brought into the Palxftra the next morning at fun-rife. Before day-break the Gymnafium was crowd- ed with fpedators from all quarters. At length the hero of the day appeared. He advanced, furrounded by the magiftrates and principal citi- zens, preceded by a band of mufic, and, like the original Alcides, wearing a chaplet of pop- lar on his head. As foon as he approached the bull, he call his eyes around, and faluted the affembly ; then loofing the animal, he took him • The Greeks were very hofpitable. Each to-vn had an of- ficer called .1 proxeneta, who did the honours of tie place to ftrangers and procured them lodgings and all the conveni- encies in their power. up. ao8 THE TRAVELS OF ANTEJfOR up, and laid him acrofs his Ihoulders. At thU fight the acclamations of the people, their ap- plaufes, and their fhouts of joy re-echoed on every fide with the utmoft: enthufiafm. This fo animated the athletic hero, that he ran round the Palseftra with his load on his back, amidfl: the increafing raptures of the people ; till throw- ing down the beaft, he ftruck him on the fore- head fo powerful a blow with his fift, that he im- mediately reeled to and fro, and then fell dead at his feet. At this new exploit the marks of joy and exultation fv/elled into an ecftafy, when Milo told the magiftrates, that if they would have the bull roafted, he would engage to eat him. This propofal being accepted, every one haftened to aflift in lighting a great fire, and the fkin being fi ripped ofi^, the animal was laid down to roaft. While thefe preparations were making, Milo amufed the afl^embly with another feat. He bound his forehead with a cord, and then held his breath till the cord burft by the fwelling of his mufcles. The whole aflfembly cried out that it was a real prodigy, and ranked the hero above Hercules himfelf. After this exploit, he refted himfelf beneath i pavilion ere6led in the middle of the Palsftra, where he was furroiinded by the magiftrates and principal citizens. Being IN GREECE AND ASIA. 209 Being afked of what his daily food confifted, heanfwered, that he eat eighteen pounds of bread, eighteen of meat, and drank fifteen pints of wine. An old man, who ftood near me, fmiled fatyri- cally at this account, and I obferved him frequent- Jy fhrugging up his fhoulders. Perceiving that I noticed him, he faid to mc, without any further preamble, " How I pity thefe athletse, who en- deavour to increafe their ftrength by choofing the mod fubftantial and nourifhing kinds of food, fuch as pork, beef, and coarfe bread ! This ex- ceflive quandty of aliment only produces a mo- mentary ftrength; and they are not only unfit for the fatigues of war, but even thofe of travel- ling. They unite a heavy and inadlive mind with a clumfy and difgufting appearance, an ir- refiftible inclination to fleep, and a ftrong dif- pofition to apoplexy ; and they very rarely pre- ferve their ftrength after their fiftieth year. Be- fides, I think very little of the exploits of Milo. He was far more worthy of praife when at the leflure of Pythagoras, the column that fup- ported the roof giving way, he upheld the building till every one had efcaped." At length Milo was informed that the bull was roafted ; upon which he fat down to table, and €at the whole of the animal to the found ofmili- voL. I. p tary aio THE Travels of antei^or tary mufic *. I fek but little admiration for thls^ feat of gluttony, and even went away without in- quiring how the ceibphagus and ftomach were formed in this " carnivorous biped without feathers," as Plato has defined the human fpecies, * It is faid that Hercules made a trial of his powers of vo- racioufnefs whh one Lepreos, when the feat to be performed was alfo the eating a whole ox. Each had his animal apart, which each devoured ; but the viflory was adjudged to Hercu- les, becaufe he had finifiied firll. The two competitors having alfo drunk in the fame proportion, Lepreos challenged Her- cules to a trial of ftrength, when the latter ended the difpute by killing his antagonift. Fr. Ed. Jn his old age Milo attempted to pull up a tree by the roots and break it. This he partly effefted: but his ftrength being gradually exhaulled, the tree, when half cleft, re- united, and his hands remained fixed in its trunk. In this fituaiion, being alone and unable to difentangle himfelf, he vvas devoured by wild beafts. In this fituation he is ofteo reprefented in ftatuer, and particularly in a fine antique in ihe gardens of Verfailles, T. N. IN GREECE AND ASIA. an CHAP. XXIV. Anterior pays a vifit to Mount Helicon. '^Adven- ture there, BEFORE I fet off for Delphi, I went to vifit the celebrated Mount Helicon, which is fitu- ated near the city of Afcra. On this mountain, which is one of the moft fertile in Greece, is the grove of the Mufes, above which flows the Hippocrene, or horfe's fountain j fo named, be- caufe the horfe of Bellerophon, called Pegafus, caufed it to fpring forth by ftriking the earth with his hoof. The river PermefTus flows round the mountain, and all the environs of the grove are thickly inhabited. Here the Thefpians ce- lebrate a feftival in honour of the Mufes every fifth year, at which prizes are given to pro- feflfors of mufic and to the athletse. On the road to this grove I faw the ft:atue of Eupheme, the nurfe of the Mufes ; and in a grotto, in- crufl:ed with fmall pebbles, that of Linus, the fon of Urania, and the befl: mufician that ever exifted. He was killed by Apollo, for having dared to compare himfclf to that p 2 god ; 212 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR god * ; and not only do the inhabitants celebrate the anniverfary of his death before they facrifice to the Mufes, but he is deplored by the moft barbarous nations. On the mountain I alfo faw a group in bronze, reprefenting Apollo and Mercury con- tending for a lyre, and the ftatues of many of the moft celebrated poets and muficians ; par- ticularly that of Thamyris, who being ftruck blind, deprived of his voice, and his lyre broken by the Mufes, in confequence of his having challenged them to a trial of fls:ill, is reprefented as attempting to play upon the remaining frag- ment of his inftrument. Next to him was Arion, riding upon a dolphin j then Hefiod fitting, and holding a cythara on his knees, al- though not the proper fymbol for that poet j for he informs us himfelf, that he fang his verfes with a laurel-branch in his hand. After having contemplated it with filent and enthufiaftic ve- neration, I traverfed the grove, in which he fo frequently bewildered himfelf, with his poem in my hand f. This idea filled me with a kind of delicious • Others fay, that when teaching Hercules to play on the cythara, he ridiculed him for his awkwardnefs in holding the inftrument, upon which Hercules Ilruck him with it, and killed him. f Hefiod was born at Cumae in iEolia, but was educated at Afcra in Boeotia. He lived thirty-feven years before Homer, and IN GREECE AND ASIA. 213 delicious tranfport, and I fancied his fliadc prefent at my meditations. I feated myfelf at the foot of his flatue, and read the fable of Pan- dora J nor could I help fhuddering at the open- ing of the box from which all the evils of man- kind had fprung, or participating in the melan- choly of that great poet, when, after having de- fcribed the four famous ages that preceded his own, he exclaims, " And I, alas ! am come into exiftence in the fifth ! Oh that I had never been born!" How many great men, Cincc the time of Hefiod, have held the fame language*! But when I read his Theogony, my heart over- flowed with the pleafures of fenfibility. In that work the poet reprefents the divine Eros, or Love, reducing Chaos into Order, and relates that a part of the god Ccelus's body having been and even obtained a poetical prize in competition with that poet. He was the firfl writer op agriculture, and called his poem *' the Works and the Days," becaufe a ftrid attention to times and feafons is necefiary in rural ceconomy. Virgil, in his Georgics, has taken this work for a model. * La Mothe-le-Vayer, like Hefiod, faid, that life ap- peared fo uninterefting, to fay the leaft of it, that he would on no account confent to pafs through it again ; nor would he exchange the few days he had ftill to live for the longevity or the perpetual fucceffion of pleafures to which the young look forward. Yet chat philofopher enjoyed every advan- tage that can render our exiftence happy. 8 3 mit 214 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR cut off by his fon Saturn, and falling into the fea, the foani it occafioned gave birth to the goddefs Venus, whofe firft name was Philome- des. She was the mother of Cupid, whofe arrows pierce the heart of man. This infant god wears a band over his eyes, as a fymbol of our blindnefs to the faults of thofe we love; and js furnifhed with wings, by which is fhown that he comes and goes with the utmoft rapidity. On this mountain the air was very pure and falubrious, and the moft limpid of ftreams flowed befide my path. I ftrayed through the luxuriant valleys that varied its furface, admired the lofty pines with which they were adorned, and the ancient oaks, whofe venerable antiquity Teemed to have witnefled many fucceffive gene- rations of men. This idea made me forrowful and dejected, for it impreffed me with melan- choly thoughts on the brevity of human life. As I defcended from the mountain to the banks of the river Permeffus, I heard the fweet melodious tones of a voice finging to Lydian meafure*. Advancing foftly, I obferved a young man fitting under a tree, who, when he had finiflied his fong, leaned his head on both his hands, and feemed to be loft in deep reflexion. * The Lydian meafure was doleful, the Doric warlike, and the Phrygian adapted to religious fubjefts. I was IN GREECE AN'D ASIA. 215 I was hefitating whether to accoft him, when a dove, which was purfued by a hawk, taking re- fuge in my arms, I fcreamed to frighten away its enemy, and thus awakened the young man from his reverie. I then went up to him, ihewed him the dove palpitating with fear, and afked him what I fhould do with it. " Do not," faid he,' " follow the example of the areopagite who has lately been punifhed at Athens for killing a fparrow that took refuge in his bofom j but fet it at liberty." I did fo immediately, and then told him I had liftened to his fong, and feared that from its melancholy turn, and the forrowful caft of his countenance, he had caufe to complain of his deftiny. '^ Yes," replied he, " I am fe- verely afflided : I hate my life, and wifli to die." — " You are not," faid I, " the only un- fortunate man in the world, for Jupiter forms the lots of mankind of a much larger portion from the tun of evil than from that of good. I have, like you, felt the pang of afflidion : I feel it flill ; and I have learned to companionate the mifery of others. If I can afford you any confo- lation, you may with confidence repoie your <:ares in the bofom of a ftranger, who would willingly become your friend." — " The wretch- ed," replied he, " love to affociate with the p 4 wretched. ai6 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR wretched. Sit down herej and though wc never met before, your countenance interefts me in your favour i for it is fo exprefTive of be- nevolence and humanity, that I cannot refufe to communicate my forrows,'* IN GREECE AND ASIA. 21^ CHAP. XXV. Hijiory of Phanor. ' T\/rY name/' faid he, " is Phanor. I am a -i-'-l. native of Boeotia, and I prefume wc are nearly of the fame age. It is ten months fince my parents fent me to Athens to complete my ftudies and learn the gymnaftic exercifes; for you well know that Attici is the country of the Mufes, while Boeotia, although the city of Thebes gave birth to the celebrated Pindar, pafles only for that of Marfvas j a difference which is attributed to the groffhefs of the at- mofphere in my native country. At Athens I was equally eager to enjoy pleafure and gain inftrudlion, and therefore frequented the Pa- Jaeftra, the academies, the Lyceum, and the theatres, and went daily to the Pnyx * to heaj: the moft celebrated orators. * The Pnyx was the place where the people affembled to deliberate on public affairs. For this purpofe it was alnioft entirely occupied with feats, in the middle of which was the tribune, and round it a fmall fpace fenced off with a cord, to prevent the crowd from incommoding the judges. By the fide of the tribune was a large ftone, on which the crier flood to make fi'.ence ; farther on, a fun-dial ; and at the endj the temple of the Mufes. « In 21 8 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOH *' In the month of Thargelion (May) I wit- nelTed the celebration of the feftival of Flora, upon which occafion the women run about, night and day, dancing to the found of trumpets, while the young girls alTembie in the meadows on the banks of the Cephifus, where they deck themfelves with flowers from head to foot, and ftrew them along the road. The raoft beautiful leads the dance, reprefenting the goddefs of the feail, and finging a hymn in honour of fpring. This beautiful leader of the dance was Theano, than whom the goddefs herfelf could not exhibit more attraflive charms. Together with fome other young men of my acquaintance I walked belide this fafcinating group : but the tall and elegant form of Theano, and the graceful light- nefs of her figure, ftruck every beholder j and I fancied myfelf walking in the luxuriant vales of Cnidus, and beholding Venus furrounded by her court. " My heart was inftantly inflamed with love at the fight of fo much beauty ; and the name of The- ano, which every one around me re-echoed with enthufiafm, and the eulogies they were anxious to beftow, continually increafed my pafllon. To her, during the whole ceremony, my eyes and my foul were directed, as their only objefti and when I could no longer purfue herfteps, I bore away her refeniblance deeply impreflTed upon my heart. « The IN GREECE AND ASIA. 219 " The next morning, at day -break, I deco- rated the door of her houfe with rofes and with myrtle, and wrote upon the door-pofts, and along the ftreets, TljeanOj the moft beautiful of women. Each night I fang and played on my harp beneath her window, and compofed innu- merable fonnets in herpraife. In the day-time I walked up and down the ftreet in a purple tunic, and the elTences that perfumed my drefs exhaled a delicious odour over all the neigh- bourhood. I wore flowers in my ears, had a twifted cane in my hand, and was conftantly at- tended by a flave with a folding- feat. In fhort, to attradl her notice, and to gain her heart, I employed all the elegances and luxuries I could imagine ; yet, notwithftanding all my magnifi- cence, my fongs, and my perfumes, I could only fucceed in now and then beholding her from afar j and fhe only went out in company with her mother, or attended by her nurfe *. " Her mother had the misfortune, to her moft dreadful, of having witnefled twelve luftra, and therefore was now the more averfe to hear- ing of the admiration of her daughter, in pro- portion to the undeviating homage Ihehad herfelf paid the god of love in her youth. Her amours, * In Greece the nurfe always continued to live in the houfe V/ith her nurfling during the remainder of her life. however. 220 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR however, were ftill recent in the memory of the public, and the Gynsecocofmi * had fined her, and publicly affixed her name in the Ceramicus, for having appeared in the ftreets in an extravagant and indecent drefs. As (he had never purfued any other objeft than the admiration of man- kind, or the decoration of her charms by thefe adventitious ornaments, old age had found her deltitute of refources, and Pje confumed her days in the liftlefs languor of indifference, for want of thofe intelletflual acquirements which to the cultivated mind afford an unceafjng flow of pleafure. Morofe, envious, and gloomy, Ihe deplored the abfence of the fleeting pleafures fhe had once enjoyed, the impotence of her faded charms, and the lofs of her departed youth. Thus deftitute of ideas on education, or principles of moral conduft, fhe was utterly incapable of infliilling into the mind of her daughter the leffons of maternal wifdom, and had confined her infl:ru6lions to the affedation of virtue and decency, or the art of concealing the faults of her perfon, and exhibiting its beauties to advantage. The effedls of fuch an educa- tion were evident in the ridiculous vanity of • The Gynaecocofmi were magiftrates who took cogni- zance of the drefs of women, as their name imports. They were ten in number. U Theano's IN GREECE AND ASIA. 221 Theano's manners, and the weak frivolity of her charader. But I am defcribing my opinion of her now — not what (he appeared when I firfl: became acquainted with her. Unfortunately this fyftem of education is that purfued by almoft every mother in Athens. " The mind of Theano, thus formed and grafted with the mother's vices, could not pof- fibly produce any other fruit than that from which it had fprung : but like thofe pidures, whofe faults are concealed by the brilliancy of their colouring, her external form took poffef- fion of the imagination, without waiting for the deliberate examination of the judgment, or the cool inveftigation of her charader and difpo- fition. She pofTcffed beauty, elegance, and talents, a foft voice, and a fafcinating eye -, in a word, every thing that is attra6live in woman, or that involuntarily fubdues the heart of man, was combined in the perfon and manners of the charming Theano. " I endeavoured to procure accefs to this di- vinity by means of gaining her nurfe Philene : for Philip of Macedon ufed to fay, that no city is impregnable, if a mule, loaded with gold, can but find his way into the gates. The fame maxim is true of the citadels in which the prize of love is guarded. I therefore concerted with the i2i THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR the nurfe that I fhould pafs for her nephew, re- cently arrived from Athens to pay her a vifit ; and exchanging my magnificent tunic for a coarfe drefs, renounced my eflences and my flowers." Here I interrupted Phanor, by obferving to him that the fhade hacT left us, and had vanifhed before the meridian fun, and therefore propofed retiring to fome fpot where we might take rc- frefhment, after which we would purfue the in- terefting narrative of his loves. He confented to my propofal, and conduced me to a friend of his father's, a Pythagorean philofopher, who lived in the environs of Afcra, and at whofe houfc we Drefently arrived. IN GREECE AND ASIA. Q.2^ CHAP. XXVI, T)efcription of a Pythagorean philoJopher.'^His -principles and philojophy . P HAN OR had no fooner announced his name than Xenophanes gave us his hand as a tti- timony of confidence, and led us to the bath. Though our hoft was eighty-two years old, his healthy countenance and robuft habit of body contradidled the chronicle of his birth; for he ftill preferved all the frefhnefs of an au- tumnal fruit. He was below the middle fta- ture, had acute eyes, a quick walk, a firm voice, and his ruddy cheeks formed a flriking contraR; with his filver locks. The ftrength of his me- mory and the firmnefs of his hand-writing were truly furprifing ; and he was fo ready and fo aftive in body and mind, that happening to lofe the ufe of his right hand when he was eighty years old, he learned to write with his left in the fpace of a fingle night *. • The fame circumftance happened to the celebrated Hal- ler the phyfician of Berne. It is alfo recorded of Jsan Jouve- net, the great painter, that his right hand becoming paraly- tic, he l?arnt to paint equally well with his left. He a!24 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR He walked barefoot, and wore a very thick beard. When we had quitted the bath, Xenophanes furnifhed us with drefles, in which v/e took our feats at table. He began by offering incenfe and other perfumes to the gods, and to our great furprife the table was covered with a number of diflies of meat, notwithftanding the prohibition of Pythagoras to eat flefh. But the fingularity of Xenophanes's conduft, during this repaft, was ftill more aftonifhing. When- ever he helped us to a plate, he put it towards his nofe, and having fmelled it, delivered it to his flaves. This he continued to do through- out, but neither eat himfelf nor talked. I had fome difficulty r> avoid laughing, efpecially when Phanor wi;ifpered to me, " His nofe will have a dreadful indigeftion !" On our part we eat a hearty dinner, and did honour to the feaft. Silence, however, flill continued, till a flave having prefented two plates at once, Xenophanes flew in a pafTion with him, and threw one of them down ♦, at the fame time begging pardon of us for his rudenefs. " That rafcal," faid he, " ought to know that 1 abhor the number two. If you ob- fcrve the table, you will fee three falt-cellars, three flagons, &c. The Mafter (for that is the name by which Pythagoras is generally men- tioned IN GREECE AND ASIA. 0.2$ tioned by his difciples) has declared that the number two is unlucky." — " Yet," faid I, " it appears to be the happieftof all numbers. Two friends, two lovers, two perfons united in mar- riage, prefent the mind with the image of hap- pinefs itfelf" — "But," continued he, ** though Pythagoras rejefled this number, he confidered three as almoft divine." — ^' Yes," faid Phanor, *^ when, for inftance, love is divided between three perfons !" — " Young man," fuddenly ex- claimed Xenophanes, as he caft his eyes towards me, " what are you doing ? Why do you crofs your left leg over your right ? The Mafter for- bids that attitude, as well as to cut our nails on a holiday." When dinner was over, and the libations made to the gods, he afked us to walk in the garden, where I went a few paces from my companions to obey a trifling call of Nature; for which purpofe I turned my face towards the fetting fun. " Stop, flop !" cried he : " What are you doing ?" Quite alarmed at this fudden exclamation, I afked what had fo ter- rified him. " You are going," faid he, " to defile the prefence of the fun ! Are you ignorant that we ought to do nothing un- clean before the great luminary of Nature ?'* VOL I. Q^ I ap- 2l6 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR I approved his refpedb, and turned to the caft- ward *. As foon as I rejoined him, he faid to me, ** You have no doubt been much aflonifhed at the luxury ofmy table, and the fingularity of my condud. I will explain the myftery. You are indebted to chance for your good dinner. Wc arc obliged, once a year, to give a great feaft-, but are forbid to touch a morfel of the food ferved up. On the contrary, we are to fall rigoroufly on that day, and only to fmell at the various difhes. All the reft of the year I have neither meat, fifh, wine, nor beans, upon my ta- ble, for all thofe fpecies of food are profcribed by the Mafter." We requefted he v/ould have the goodnefs to explain to us the reafon of thele rules. " It would be a horrid ad of barbarity," faid he, " to eat fifh, fince they were once our compatriots when we inhabited the fea. Our firfl: parents were fifli." — " At table, however," faid I, " I fhould be inclined to deny their re- lationlhip. — But why Ihould meat be prohibit- ed ? Have we alfo been oxen or fheep ?"— - *' By no means," replied he : " but would you * The EfTenes among the Jews entertained the fame re- fped^ for the fun, and always buried their excrements with excavated earth. dare IN GREECE A^D ASIA. 227 dare to eat your fellow-creatUres, and perhaps devour the foul of your own father ?" — " How 1'* faid I : "do their fouls exift in thefe animals ? Indeed you aflign them a very indifferent lodg- ing !" — ^" We have the ftrongeft reafons," re- joined he, " to believe in the metempfychofis, or tranfmigration of fouls j for it has been proved that our immortal part circulates through a conftant fucceffion of individuals. Pythagoras remembered to have been -Sthalides the fon of Mercury, and afterwards to have affifted the Greeks, at the fiege of Troy, in the character of Euphorbus, where he was wounded by Mene- laus. From him his foul pafled into the body of Hermotimus ; then into that of a fifher- man ; and laft of all into the philofopher Py- thagoras *."— « But why," continued I, " did I that great man prohibit the ufe of beans ?'*— *^ Several reafons," replied he, " are affigned for this, all of them having fome allufion to marriage, which the Mafter condemned, be- * Empedocles faid that he remembered to have been firft a girl, then a boy, and afterwards a flirub, a bird, and a fi(h. The Bramins alfo pretend that the foul tranfmigrates from one body to another. According to them, that of a man of mild temper pafles into the body of a dove, and that of a tyrant into a vulture. Hence they entertain the higheft re- fpedl for all animals, and even build hofpitals for their re- ception. CL2 caufc 228 THE TRAVELS OE ANTENOR caufe It is precipitating a foul into a dungeon. It is alfo faid, he thought they difturbed the tran- quillity of the mind, Pythagoras is the firft phi- lofopher who taught that all things ought to be common among friends, and that his difciples ought to condudl themfelves towards each other like brothers. We renounce wine, women, and meat, wear no Ihoes, and fuffer our hair and our beards to grow.** He then fpoke of the filence required by the Mafter, previous to being admitted a member of the community, and told us he had remained five years without fpeaking in the prefence of Pythagoras. " This," continued he, " is a trial to which every candidate is fubjedled. Du- ring my noviciate 1 never faw the Mafter, for he always fpoke to me from behind a veil."— *^ Do us the favour," faid I, " to repeat fome of his maxims." He replied, that the following were fome of them : " We ought to be at war with three things — difeafes of the body, igno- rance of the mJnd, and the paffions of the heart. The greatefl: blelTing heaven ever beftowed on man is that of being ufeful to his fpecies, and enlightening them with important truths. It is not lawful to quit our pofl:s without the per- milTion of him who holds the fupreme com- mand i and the poft of man is life. Tem- perance IN GREECE AND ASIA. 22^ perance is the ftrength of the foul, and the government of the pafTions its light. He com- pared the world to the Olympic games, where fome individuals keep fliops to expofe their va- rious commodities to fale, devoting all their thoughts to gain; others facrifice their lives in the purfuit of fame, by fighting; and a third clafs have no other object but to be jpec- tators of the adions of mankind, and of the wonders, the hurry, and the magnificence of the fcene. "His manner of life was virtuous and exem- plary. At day-break he vifited the temples of the gods; and his continual purifications and regular facrifices feemed to raife him above the reft of mankind in fandity. He lived upon the pureft and moft innocent food, to avoid the in- conveniences attendant on heating aliments, and clothed himfelfin Egyptian linen, like thepriefts of that country. He was admired for his vene- rable afped, his harmonious voice, and his per- fuafive eloquence. His audience at Crotona frequently amounted to two thoufand perfons j and the magiftrates ereded an elegant and fpa- cious building for his ledures, which produced fo powerful an effed, that the women left off their ornaments, andrefumed their ancient fimpli- city of drefs, while both the old and young men Q^ 3 preferred 230 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR preferred intelleflual acquirements and philofo- phical ftudy to the attraiflions of fortune, or the reducing gratifications of pleafure." I aflced him whether it was true that Pythago^ ras had ever performed miracles— as, for in- flance, that he had flopped the flight of an eagle by certain magical words, or appeared, at the fame inftant, at Crotona and Metapontum „ to which he replied, that thefe prodigies have no connexion with moral truth, and therefore he had not inveftigated their reality *. A flave now brought him a piece of bread and a glafs of water : " This," faid he, " is my fppper. The day is declining, and we are not allowed to eat after fun-fet." Then refuming his converfation^, he continued to fpeak of Pythagoras, a,nd faid^, that in the choice of his difciples he was parti- cularly attentive to tfie external forms and pro- portions of their bodies, which he thought the fureft indications of the qualities of the mind ; for it was his opinion that a beautiful body muft always be inhabited by a virtuous foul : and he ufed to fay, every kind of wood or marble was not equally adapted to make an Apollo or a • A fimilar miracle is related of St. Francis Xavier,|vvho Is faid to have been, at the fame time, on board two fhips, each in danger of perifhing in a florm, had not the prefenceof the famt faved them, though at a diftance of fixty leagqe? froni each other. Mercury. IN QREECE AND ASIA. 23 1 Mercur5^ He was particularly attentive to ex- ercife our patience and obedience, and was of opinion that a truly wife man ought not to TufFer either tears or complaints to efcape him, whatever misfortunes he endured ; nor betray fear or weaknefs in any fituacion, however dan^ gerous. Nothing can induce a true difciple of his to deviate from his word. One day, as I entered the temple of Juno, I met a friend of mine, named Euphemus, coming out, and re- quefted he would wait for me, which he promifed to do. My devotions, however, led riie into fo profound a medication on the nature of the gods and the immortality of the fojl, tliat I forgot my friend, and went out by another door. The next day I went to the place where the dif-r ciples of Pythagoras afiemblcd, and found theni very uneafy on account of the abfence of Eu- phemus. Upon this I recoUcdted his pro- miie to me, and my own negieft and forgetful nefs. 1 therefore immediately ran to the tem- ple, where I found Euphemus under the vefti- bule, fitting on the fame ftone on which I ha4 left him the preceding evening, waiting my re- turn. The hiftory of a Pychagnrcan, who died at an inn, where he was unable to pay his ex- pences, is well known. He traced fome hiero- glyphic charafters on a board, which he defired or whomfoever fhe pleal'edj but that he would not take the leap even for the fake of Helen herfelf. Thus did the fatal end of Sappho fave three infenfate lovers from almoft certain per- dition, while the priells of the temple on the rock IN GREECE AND ASIA. 265 rock no doubt attributed their cure to the mi- raculous influence of the holy ifland. I told the two travellers, that Sappho had en- trufted me with the hiftory of her loveSj and that if they pleafed I would read it to them. We therefore took a feat on the fea fliore, reclining on a heap of mofs and fea-weed, when I opened the manufcript, and read as follows : t^6 THE "iTRAVELS OF ANTENOR. CHAP. xxxr. Hiftory of the amours of Sappho and of Phaon. 'w FIRST met Phaon under the periftyle of the •*- temple of Jupiter at Athens. He had jud left the Gymnafium, where he had been per- forming the noble exercifes of the place, and the un6i:uous juice of the olive ftill fhone upon his bofom. A light down, foft as that of the blooming peach, had juft begun to fprout forth on his ruddy cheeks, and his fafcinating charms exceeded thofe of the youthful Hylas, whom the enamoured nymphs flole away, or Cypariffus^ whofe death Apollo fo long bewailed. The moment I faw him, my heart leaped with joy within my bread j and as I contemplated his form, the fever of love feemed to confume me i 1 returned home deeply enamoured, and wild with uncertainty of hope and defpair. Stretched "Upon the bed of grief, I counted the hours each day and night in agonizing impatience, till my whole body afiumed the yellow complexion of opprciTive care. Five times had the fun per- formed his daily race before I declared the fourcc of IN GREECE AND ASIA. iS") of my unhappinefs to my bofom friend. " My dear Biblis," faid I, " pity my fad deftiny, for I am the viftim of cruel love, and all my foul is abforbcd in that of Phaon ! Run, my dear girl, to the Gymnafium, and tell him Sappho wifhes to fpeak with him, and that you will be his guide." She foon returned, together with the lovely Phaon. When I faw him lightly bound over the threlhold of my door, I fuddenly became colder than the fnow, for alternately I trembled with pafTion and burned with defire. The cruel youth, perceiving my embarraffment, caft his eyes upon the ground, and feated him- felf upon my couch. *' Moft lovely Sappho," faid he, " my heart anticipated your invitation. I faw you at the temple of Jupiter, and inftantly the irrefiftible fire of love raged through all my veins. If you love me with an equal paffion, then have 1 no more to afk of the Cyprian god- defs, for I am at the pinnacle of happinefs and of glory." Too eafily perfuaded by his flatter- ing tongue, I fank inio his arms; and as he prelTed me to his bofom, I felt a new fire burn in my bread and animate my countenance, and my foul was inebriated with the pureft nectar of delight. In the beginning of this intoxication of plea- fure Phaon propofed to me to quit Athens, whither 268 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOH whither I had been attrafled by my love for the arts and my defire of fame, and retire to fome charming rural fpot, to enjoy, in folitude, the reciprocations of mutual delight. " My dear Phaon," replied I, " I will follow you to Mount Rhodopc, or the deferts of" the Thebais j for you I will give up the whole world, and abandon all its pleafures, its riches, and its fame ; for what are all thefe when placed in competition with the delights of love ? With you, I am certain to be happy in the wildeft fo- litude i nor can liftneffnefs ever intrude upon my hours, when paflcd in fweet fociety with the mart I adore. The charms of peaceful retirement and uninterrupted (ludy, in a fmiling, rural fcenery, animated by the prefence of my beloved, will make my days glide on with a too rapid flight. But can you, my dear Phaon, endure the mo- notony and vacancy of retirement, or the bur- den of an ina6tive life and unceafing converfa- tion, with only one obje6l ?" — ■'' No, no," ex- claimed he i " it is impoffible to experience in- difference or fatigue in the fociety of my lovely Sappho, who combines the lively intereft of ten- der fentiment with the attraflive charms of un- ceafing variety, and whofe comprehenfive ge- nius and brilliant fancy will give animation to every fcene. Vf ich her, I fhould believe myfelf inhabiting ?N GREECE AND ASIA. 269 inhabiting the temple of the Mufes themfelves." Lefs fed need by the arguments of Phaon than the irrefifiible force of love, and my tafte for rural retire inent, fo congenial to tender hearts and cultivated minds, I was weak enough to agree to his propofal. I endeavoured, however, to choofe a pleafing fpot, where the voice of man was not entirely a ftranger, and where the charms of repoi'e and the pleafures of love might Ibmetimes at lead be varied by thp interruptions of feled: fociety. Having travelled over fome parts of Greece, I was well acquainted with the vale of Tempe in Theffaly, whofe delicious and luxu- riant fcenery enlivens the imagination, and in- fpires the mind with gay and happy ideas j for there the man of tender fenfibility and culti- vated intelledl feels that he can live happy in fweet fociety with Nature alone. This retreat I propofed to Phaon, who feemed delighted with my choice. We immediately fet off, full of tranfport at quitting the hurry and tumult of Athens, to enjoy the happy folitude and fe- ducing pleafures of ruftic fcenery and mutual love. On our arrival at Gonnus in Theffaly, we took boat on the river Peneus to view its banks, and 270 THE TRAVELS OF ANTEKOR and choofe a beautiful fpot and a pleafant cot- tage for our refidence. The fpring was then confiderably advanced, and the vale of Tempe feemed its peculiar haunt. This valley begins on the farther fide of Gonnus, being forty ftadia * in length, and ex- tending in breadth, which varies from two to four ftadia, from Mount Olympus to Mount Ofla. The river Peneus meanders along the bottom in a tranquil and unruffled ftream, furrounding a number of fmall iQands, whofe fhade and verdure it renders perpetual. .A foft brilliancy of colouring feemed to repofe on every objeft, and the refrefliing (hade and cool limpid waters aflliaged the heat of the meridian fun. From the foot of the hills to the banks of the river the whole valley was enriched with fruitful orchards and fmiling meadows, and the trees were crowded with feathered choriflers, whofe melodious warblings gave life to this en- chanting fcene, and united in fweet harmony with the ruftic pipes of the neighbouring Ihep- herds j while, to the right and left. Mount Ofla and Mount Olympus prefented the ravifhed eye with a wilder and more magnificent (cenery. '* Near four Engliih miles : about ten ftadia and a half (10*468401) are a mile. IN GREECE AND ASIA. 2^1 On their fides we beheld vineyards in exuberant amphitheatres of luxuriance, varied with groves of poplars and of planes, or lofty afli trees. Sheets of colleded waters rolled forth the foam- ing cafcade over the impending precipice, form- ing rivulets which, Ikirting the hills and riling grounds, and pouring their limpid ftreams acrofs the meadows, brought their fertilizing tribute to the majeftic Peneus, whofe waters were fhaded by trees that grew fpontaneoufly along its banks. " In this fpot," exclaimed I, " we will fix our abode. This delicious valley is formed to be the haunt of Love, of Innocence, and of Peace." After having taken a furvey of this beauteous fcenery, we returned to the environs of Gonnus, whofe neighbourhood we fixed on for our refi- dence ; and having quitted our boat, and pafied through a grove of laurels, we arrived at length at the foot of Mount Olympus, on the fide of which we found a charming houfe, command- ing a view of the valley, the river, and the town, from which it was but twenty ftadia diftant. In this fpot Nature feemed to have difplayed all her moft luxuriant bounty to adorn and blefs our happy retreat*. It exhibited neither ftatues, * This fertile valley ftlll produces excellent wine and the fineft fruits, and the air is uncommouly wholefome and pure. nor Q.'JI THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR nor marbles, nor obelllks, nor magnificent yafes. This charming little manfion was em- bofomed in a grove of laurels, and a long avenue of poplars followed the gentle declivity of the hill, and extended to the river j on either fide of which we beheld meadows covered with flowers, and interfperfed with apple-trees. An abundant fpring, that fpouted forth its limpid waters near the houfe, hurried down the fide of the hill to a bafin furrounded with the mofl beau- teous turf, and from which arofe tv/o ftreamlets, dividing on either fide the avenue of poplars, till they loft themfelves in the Peneus ; adding to the delicious fafcination of this lovely fcene, whofe unequalled beauty fixed our wandering choice. In this delightful fpot time moved on with the utmoft rapidity ; and its too fpeedy flight was the only fentimcnt of regret that intruded on our uninterrupted happinefs. " Our days," I often faid to Phaon, " hurry on in quick and tracklcfs fijccefiion like the waves of the Peneus j our youth is taking its unheeded flight, and Death feems to be haftening to overtake his prey : yet we enjoy our lives, and to enjoy is to live. Yes, let us drink of the full cup of pleafure, that we may have feized its fleeting enjoyments ere old age Ihall furprife us, and that we may take leave of 1 1 exiftence IN GREECE AND ASIA. 273 cxiflence like a fatiated gueft from a feaft." I often varied our amufements and occupations by teaching him, beneath fome luxuriant arbour, to draw melodious founds from the cithara, and unite his voice with its charming chords. I taught him the rhythmus of vcrfification, and communicated to him the fafcinating art of com- bining tender fentiment and harmonious numbers with thofe flowers of fancy in which the effence of poetry confifts: I fcanned verfes with him, and in the enthufiafm of love compofed for the un- grateful youth that ode which has circulated throughout Greece, and which, no doubt, po-» fterity will repeat in future ages : Bleft as th' immortal gods is he. The youth who fondly fits by thee. And hears and fees thee all the while Softly fpeak and fweetly fmile, *Twas this depriv'd my foul of refT, And. raifed fuch tumults in mybreall; For while I gaz'd, in tranfport tofs'd. My breath was gone, my voice was loft, Mybofom glow'd, the fubtle flame Ran quick through all my vital frame ; O'er my dim eyes a darknefs hung. My ears with hollow murmurs rung. In dewy damps my limbs were chill'd. My blood with gentle horrors thrill'd. My feeble pulfe forgot to play, I fainted;, funk, and died away. A. Phuiips's Tranflation, V-OL. I. T Ah 274 THE TRAVELS OF ANTEKOR At night, when the cloudlefs Iky difplaycd the immcnfe vault of heaven, fpangled with twinkling ftars fliining through the immeafur- able void, 1 direded his view and his thoughts to thofe vaft wanderers that roll their fplendid orbs through the immenfity of fpace, and ex- plained to him the wonderful problems of aftro- nomy. " There," faid I, ** is the beauteous planet Venus, which fometimes, under the name of Lucifer, rides before the chariot of the fun, ere the early dawn peeps through the window of the eaft, and ftill pours forth its fuperior Juftre when every other ftar is eclipfed. At other times, under the name of Vefper, it pur- fues the god of departing day, and never quits his car above forty-feven degrees and a half of the circle. I fufpedl, as the caufe of the ex- treme brilliancy of this planet, that it is covered with high rocky mountains*." I pointed out to him the feven daughters of Atlas, or the Pleiades, who, in the neck of the Bull, appear at the approach of fpring. Having loft their brother, who was torn in pieces by a lion, they bewailed his death without ceafing, till Jupiter, in pity to their grief, changed them into ftars, • Bianchini of Verona difcovered feven feas in the difk of Venus, five of which, near the middle, communicate with each other by means of four (Iraits, and two without commu- Btcatlon with the others, nearer to the edge, ■ and IN GREECE AND ASIA. 275 and placed them in the heavens. I explained the phafes of the moon, and her revolution round the earth in twenty-feven days and a third. " Anaxagoras," faid I, " pretends it is inhabited, and Metrodorus fays it is no lefs abfurd to place but one inhabited world throughout the vaft in- finity of fpace, than to fuppofe that only a fingle blade of corn could grow in a field of immenfe extent, Epicurus, Democritus, and Leucippus are of the fame opinion. Elfe why do we fee fix other planets rolling, like the earth, round the fun, and turning with a rotatory motion, whofe furfaces equally abound in the inequalities of mountains, feas, and vallies, unlefs they are alfo inhabited ? What thofe great philofophers have faid of the planets, I dare venture to ex- tend to all the planetary fyftems which probably furround the ftarsj for each itar muft furely, like the fun, be a luminous and fixed body, fur- rounded with its own fyftem of planets peopled like the earth. I fhould, however, imagine Mercury uninhabitable, on account of its proxi- mity to the fun, which muft render its heat fo in- tenfe as to prevent the exiftence of animal life *." • Sir Ifaac Newton calculated the heat of the planet Mer- cury to be feven times as great as that of the earth, in the hotteil fummer. T 2 lex- 270 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR I explained to him alfo the caiife of the eclipfes, an which the people are fo much terrr-r fied and alarmed. Sometimes I pointed out to him the north pole, and the feven ftars that fiiine with fuperior fplendor in the conftellation of the Great Bear ; relating to him the hiftory of the unfortunate Callifto, whom the jealous Juno changed into a bear to deprive Jupiter of her charms, after which that god placed her in the heavens under the name of Helicc. The next conftellation, I told him, was her fon Areas, who was about to throw a javelin at his mother, when hunting the bear; upon which Jupiter pre- vented that horrid parricide by changing him alfo into a bear, and afterwards transferring him to heaven under the name of Bootes, or the cow-herd. The Great Bear long ferved as a guide to mariners, till at length the Cynofure or conftellation of the Leifer Bear was. pre- ferred. The Lefier, like the Greater Bear, has {even moft brilliant ftars, formerly fo many nymphs who had the care of Jupiter in his infancy. Navigators now fteer by this conftel- lation, and particularly by the polar ftar, which is the extremity of the tail. It appears never to change its place, becaufe it defcribes but a very fmall IN GREECE AND ASIA. 2jJ fmall circle, and is but two degrees, at moll, from the poleitfelf*. I inftrufled him alfo in the cycle of the fun and moon, and the golden number of the phi- lofopher Meton, which the Athenians have caufed to be engraved in their market-place f. Sometimes, when the noon-day fun feemed to pour forth an ocean of fire to fcorch up the earth, we retired to a grotto carpetted with mofs, where, crowned with chaplets, and luxuri- oufly feated on beds of flowers, I fang to my lyre, celebrating the charms of fpring, the bounties of Ceres, the beauties and the power of Venus, and the foft endearments and inebri- ating fafcinations of love; and when Morpheus kindly fhed over us his delicious poppies, we re- ceived his balmy influence in each other's arms. What a charming exidence ! what a tranfporting dream of blifs 1 Alas ! how wretched a contrafl: to this v/aking reality of mifery and defpair !" • Though the fixed flars have a motion, it is fo fioiv as to be fcarcely perceptible, and they never change their relative fituation. Philofophers have therefore ufed them as fo many immoveable points, to which to refer the motions and Situa- tions of the planets. f He difcovered the cycle of the fun and moon, which return to the fame places in the heavens at the end of nio^- tjeen year$ within an hour and a half. TJ 278 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR CHAP. XXXII. ^he olfequies of Sappho. WE were now interrupted by a melTage that the /unereal procelTiGn of Sappho was about to commence i upon which we immedi- ately fet off to join it, and Phanor went to ap- prife the priefts of Apollo that he had abandoned his intention of taking the Leucadian leap. To this they replied by urging the obligation of his oath : but he anfwered, that although it was true he had taken the oath, he had fince fworn by the manes of Sappho not to fulfil it. The corpfe had already been walhed and anointed with perfumed eflences, and clothed in a rich and iplendid garment. It lay at the door of the temple, near a veflel of luftral water, with which all thofe who had touched the body puri- fied themfelves. Her head was covered with a veil, and we adorned it with a chaplet of laurel interwoven v/ith flowers. A prieft then placed a cake of flour and honey in her hand, to appeafe the dog Cerberus, and under her 14 tongue IN GREECE AND ASIA. ZJ^ tongue a piece of money, to give Charon for hci- paflage over the Styx *. Thus expofcd, the body lay there the re- mainder of the day and the whole of the night, attended by fcveral women, who fent forth fhe moft vehement groans and lamentations, while fome of them cut off locks of their hair^ and threw it on the coffin, which was of cyprcfs. The proceflion took place, according to the laws of Athens, before fun-rife. It was led by men playing on the flute, who were followed by others clothed in black, and cafting their eyes upon the earth. Next to thefe came the fu- • It was cuftomary to put an obolus in the mouth of tha poor, and a piece of filver in that of the rich. In Ruffia, the priefts placed a note, to the following effed, between the thumb and finger of the deceafed, as a pafTport into the other world : **■ I the underfigned bifliop (or priefl) of do hereby declare and certify, that the bearer hereof, has always lived the life of a good Chriftian, and in the profelCcn of the Greek religion ; and that though he ha? often com- mitted fin, he has confeffed the fame, and has received ab- folution, and taken the facrament for the retniffion thereof. He has honoured God and his faints, and has fafted and prayed at the times and feafons appointed for the fame by the church. He has alfo behaved himfelf well towards me his confeflbr, wherefore I have no reafon to fcruple giving him abfolution from his fins. In witnefs whereof we have grant- ed him the above-written certificate, that St. Peter may, on prefentation thereof, open to him the gates of eternal hap» pinefs.** T 4 ncreal fiSO THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR iiereal car, and the whole was clofed by a num- ber of women. In this order we afcended a little hill deftined for the tomb, where the fune- ral pile was raifed. Upon this was placed the body, turned towards the weft, and the pile was fet fire to with torches. While the flame was rifing, we poured libations around it, and threw into the fire flowers, honey, bread, meat, and fome of Sappho's clothes, calling thrice upon her name. As foon as the body was confumed, the aflies were gathered in an urn, and buried in the earth. Near it was ereded a funereal mar- hie *, on which was reprefcnted a lyre as a fym- bol of poetry, and under it the following epi- taph : Here Sappho lies, from weeping Graeclatorn : Ye Mui'es, Graces, Loves, for ever mourn ! We planted fome elm.s round the grave, and again called thrice upon the dcceafedf, accom- panying this laft adieu with the bittereft tears. Thofe who had attended the procefllon were invited to the funereal feaft, where we eulogifed the genius and talents of Sappho. When we * It was prohibited by law to erefl any other ornanjent over the graves of the deceafed than a fingle pillar, not ex- ceeding three cubits in height, a ftatue, or a fimple flab. f The heathens believed the fiiades of the dead wandered around their graves, and that the Dii Manes watched over them and their tpmbs. parted. I IN GREECE AND ASIA. 281 parted, we embraced each other tenderly, and took our lad farewel as if we fliould never meet again. After thus performing thefe fad offices to the dead, we refumed the perufal of tier manufcript beneath the fhade of an impending rock, where we enjoyed the cool of the fea-breeze and the filcnce of retirement. :82 THE TRAVELS CF ANTENOR CHAP. XXXIII. Coniinuation of the hijiory of Sappho. A FESTIVAL was now" approaching, which the Thefialians annually celebrate in me- mory of an earthquake that opened a palTagc for the waters of the Peneus. On this oc- cafion the inhabitants of Gonnus and the neigh- bouring places flocked to the river, which was completely covered with boats going up and down the ftream. Innumerable facrifiqes fmoked on the altars of the gods, and the air was filled with perfumes and eflences. The moft diftin- guifhcd of the neighbouring youth formed two troops, one of young men, the other of maidens, ■who carried branches of laurel, and fang, in al- ternate harmony, hymns fuited to the occafion, while innumerable echoes repeated their fongs and cries of joy. After performing thefe rites, they fpread tables for the celebration of the feaft beneath the fhade of groves, or on the invidng turf, in the little iflands of the Peneus. In this ftftival they recurred to the primitive equality of Nature j for not only the (laves ate at the fame tabic JN GREECE AND ASIA. cSj table with their mailers, but the latter waited upon the former. This equality increafed the joy and hilarity of the day, which continued till late at night, when the feaft concluded with dancing, mufic, and other exercifes. In the midft of all this tumult of pleafure I loft Phaon i but in the meanwhile had the good fortune to meet with T hales of Miletus, walk- ing with fome fophifts of Gonnus and Omolais. This philofopher, who was afterwards called one of the feven wife men of Greece, had lately returned from Egypt. Having known him at Athens, we expreffed the greateft plea- fure at meeting again, and I requefted him to give me fome account of the country he had been vifiting. W,e went apart from the crowd, and feated ourfclves beneath fome poplars, where the moon darted her filver light acrofs the waving foliage, which chequered the greenfward with its Ihade. Thales fat in the midfl: of us, and thus began his narradve : 284 THE TRAVELS OF AN TENOR I CHAP. XXXIV. Some account of Egypt. STUDIED geometry, aftronomy, and phi- lofophy/' faid Thales, " under the priefts of Memphis, by whofe inftrii6lions I advanced ^o rapidly, that I foon taught them how to take the dimenfions of the pyramids by their fhadows." On my aflcing him to give us fome account of thofe celebrated edifices, he told us that three of them were more famous than the reft, and might be ranked among the {tvtn wonders of the world. " I fpeak," continued he," of thofe near Memphis. Of thefe I fhall only defcribe the largeft. The fmalleft of the fiones of which it is compofed are thirty feet long, and are moft elaborately worked, being covered with hiero- glyphics. Each fide is eight hundred ^ctt broad at the bafe, and the fame in height j and a hundred and fixty feet below the foundatioi% are fcveral apartments, which communicate with each other by fubterraneous pafiages. The largeft of thefe pyramids is fituated under 29° 50^ of north latitude. One hundred thoufand labourers were IN GREECE AND ASIA. iSj were employed in the building j an equal num- ber of frefh workmen fucceeding diem every three months, nil the edifice was finifhed. It was thirty years in completing ; and the garlic and other vegetables, wirh which the labourers were fupplied, amounted to fixteen thoufand talents *. " Many idle (lories are related concerning the origin of the great pyramid. Some afiert that a celebrated courtezan built it with the money fhe received from her gallants : others f fay, that as Rhodope was bathing herfelf at Naucrates, an eagle carried away one of her fandals, and drop- ped it near Pfammiticus at Memphis. The monarch was fo ftruck with its beauty, that he ordered ftrid inquiry to be made for the owner, married her, and afterwards raifed this monu- ment to her memory. It appears, however, far more probable that the pyramids were defigned as tombs for the kings. " Another prodigy of architefture, fuperlor, perhaps, even to the pyramids, is the celebrated labyrinth built at the end of the lake Mceris, near the city of the crocodiles J. This edifice, which confifts of twelve palaces under one roof, ♦ 3,ioo,oool. fterling, A talent was equal to 193I. 15s. fterling. f MWan. X Arfinoe. and 286 THE TRAVELS OF AfJTENOR and is inclofed within a very thick wall of great extent, is furnifhed with twelve gates, fix to the northward and fix to the fouthward. It has two flories — one above, the other under- ground, each cc;iiprifing fifteen hundred apart- ments, which communicate with each other; and the porticoeS; galleries, and paflages, lead- ing from one chamber to another, form fo com- plicated and fo perplexing a fucceffion of intri- caciesj that thofe who enter them without a guide are totali/ unable to find their way out without the afiiflance of Ariadne's clue. Not only all the walls, but the whole roof is of (lone, and the apartments are decorated with fuperb columns, chii fly of white marble. It terminates in a pyran:.'.d, whofe fides are two hundred and fifty feet in breadth, through which is the com- munication with the lower (lory. Into this part of the edifice I v;as not allowed to enter, for the reafon ufually affigned, that it is the repofitory of the bodies of the kings and thofe of the facred crocodiles. The original founder of this won- derful edifice is now unknown : but it is be- lieved to have been the v;ork of fevcral fuccef- five monarchs. " The mofl glorious, however, becaufe the moll ulc^ul of the Egyptian works, is the lake Moeris, which is a vail bafin, feventy-five leagues IN GREECE AND ASIA, iZf leagues In circumference, excavated between two mountains. This traft of land was a fandy de- fcrt, when king Mceris conceived that vaft pro- je(5t, (the mod praife-worthy ever planned by the mind of man,) and which he had the good fortune himfeif to complete. Many thou- fand men were employed in removing the arid foil to form this artificial fea, which communi- cates, by means of a canal forty leagues in length and three hundred ftct broad, with the Nile ; for whofe waters, when that river overflows its banks, it is intended as a refervoir. During the fix months when the Nile is low, the fluices of this lake, which is then thirty feet higher than the river, are cccafionally opened, and thus, at pleafure, caufe a fecond inundation, which may be regulated according to circumftances. Thus part of its water entering the Nile, facilitates the navigation of that river, while the remainder is divided into ftreamlets, and fertilizes even the fandy hills. To prevent this vail lake from burfting its barriers, a canal is cut acrofs the mountain, by which the fuperabundance of the water is let off intoLybia. The lake is three hundred feet deep in fome parts, and two pyra- mids are built on an ifland near the middle, which extend three hundred feet belov/ the fur- face of the water, and an equal height above ic Each 288 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR Each of thcfe edifices bears a cololTal flatiic feared on a throne. This v/ork, which is un- doubtedly the moft ufeful as well as the moft extenfive that has ever been executed by man, prevents a fcarcity of water when the fwell of the Nile is infufficient to iupply and fertilize the country, by retaining and preferving the water, which would otherwife have been loft in the fea." I now afl<:ed Thales to give mc fome accounfe of the vocal ftatue of Memnon. " Ah !" re- plied he, fmiling, '' I refolved to go to Thebes^ on purpofe to pay my refpedls to it. Memnon ■was a king of Ethiopia, and fon of Tithonus and Aurora. He is reprcfented, by a coloffal ftatue, as a young man in the flower of life, fitting with his face to the eaftward. At fun-rife he exprefies his joy at feeing his mother, by faluting her with a melodious found, like that which is heard at the breaking of the ftring of a harp ; and at fun- fet he utters a mournful, plaintive note for thg abfence of that luminary." — " And do you really believe," faid I, '• this ftrange ftory ?"— " Cer- tainly I do," replied he, " bec.iufe I have heard the founds myfelf : for whatever fceptics may fay, I cannot help placing fome reliance on the teftimony of my fenfcs. I fufped, however, a prieft may be .concealed beneath the pedeftal, and IN GREECE AND ASIA. ^89 ^nd flrike the block of which it is formed ; for I think the artifice is betrayed by the found pro- ceeding not from the head, but from the bafe, or throne, on which the ftatue is feated*/' " But tell me," faid I, " fomething of the cli- mate of Egypt : is it true that it is finer than that of Greece ?"— i" Yes," replied he j " to me it appears the fineft in the world. The Egyptians enjoy the moft robuft conftitution, and are in- debted, for their uninterrupted flow of health, to the falubrity of the air and the equal tempera- ture of their climate. The heats, however, of the Thebais exceed thofe of countries much nearer the equator f, which mull be attributed to the arid plains of fand with which Upper Egypt is furrounded, and the reverberation of the fun's rays from the neighbouring moun- tains. "In Lower Egypt, the vicinity of the Tea, the vaft- extent of the lakes, and the great quan- tity of water, affuage the fummer heats, and maintain a charming temperature ; added to which, the etefian, or northerly wind, which * Strabo confefies himfelf unable to determine whether the found proceeded from the bafe of the ftatue, or the people who furrounded it. T. N. f When the fouth wind prevails, the thermometer of Reaumur fomeiimes rifes to 38** : it is very frequently at 16'^. VOL. I. u blows igO THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR blows In the hotted part of the year, cools and purifies the air. In that delicious climate the iky is always ferene and cloudlefs, and the rains, ■which are extremely rare, generally fall only for a few days in December, January, and Febru- ary. At this feafon thick and very wet fogs are frequent; and throughout the year Co abundant a dew falls whenever the fky is clear, that it might eafily be miflaken for a light rain. The principal evil that infers that fine country is the fouth wind, which blows, at in- tervals, from February till the end of May, fill- ing the air with a very fine dull, very hurtful to the lungs, and bringing with it exhalations that corrupt meat and animal fubftances in a few hours. In the month of May, while I was at Memphis, that wind fuddenly arofe, and clouded the heavens with a torrent of burning fand as with a thick cloud. The fun appeared of the colour of blood, and the dull penetrated into ihc houfes, and burnt our faces and our eyes, till, after continuing four hours, the tempeft paflTed away, and the fky was again ferene. A gre^C number of unfortunate people were fuiFocated in the defert, and a man, who was very fat, died in that city, in confequence of the hear. Similar phenomena have fometimes buried whole armies in a whirlwind or mountain of fiiindt iN GREECE AND ASIA. 29I fand. This dreadful evil, which is called the Giant Typhon, once continued three days and three nights. It would have fwallowed up all Egypt had it contiuued much longer to rage with equal violence." I next enquired concerning the Nile, and the caufes of its periodically overflowing its banks. *' The fources of that river," faid he, *^ which have long been unknown, are ftill concealed from the common people through policy j for though the facerdotal college of Thebes have expended immenfe fums in difcovering them, they keep the people in profound ignorance of the truths they have eftablifhed, becaufc they believe this myftery contributes to render them pious and fubmiflive. The fources of the Nile are in Abyfllnia in Upper Ethiopia, eleven de- grees north of the equator, on a hill, at the top of which is a fmall plain covered with trees, on which are three orifices refembling welk^ fitu- ated at the diftance of ten feet from each other. Here the river arifes near the bafe of a high mountain*, whofe afpefl is to the northward ; and ■ after * The mountain of Geefh, which Mr. Bruce conjeftures to be part of the Monies Lunae of the ancients, (becaufe the three ridges he met with nearly form three concentric fegments,) though the ancients placed both the fource of the Nile, and the mountains from which it arifes, in 10® u % of 1^2 THE TRAVELS OF ANTEWOR after running a confiderable diftance, forms a lake of above fixty leagues in circumference j and then with of fouth latitude — a difFeretice equal to about 420 leagues. Mr. Bruce determined the laiitude of his obfervatory near the principal foumain to be 10'' 59' 10'' north, and the longitude 36° 55 ' 30" eaftof the meridian of Greenwich. By the baro- meter, which flood feveral days at 22 inches, he concluded it to be two miles above the level of the fea ; the thermometer of Fahrenheit being, on the 6ih of November, at a quarter paft five A.M. at 44'', at noon at 96", and at fun-fet at 46°. In the middle of the marfh, near the bottom of ths moun- tain of Geelli, is a hillock or altar of turf, of a circular form, rifing about three feet from the furface of the marfh itfelf, though apparently founded much deeper in it. Its diameter is fomething fhort of twelve feet. It is furrounded by a (hallow trench, which colleds the water, and voids it eaftward, and it is firmly built with fods brought from the fides, and con- flandy kept in repair. This is the altar upon which all their religious ceremonies are performed ; for the natives pray to the Nile as if it were a god. In the middle of this altar is a bole, obvioufly made or enlarged by the hand of man : it is kept clear ofgrafs or other aquatic plants, and the water in it is perfedlly pure and limpid, but has no ebullition or motion of any kind difcernible upon its furface. The mouth or opening of the fource is fcr^e parts of an inch lefs than three f;;et in diameter, and the water flood, at that time, (5tJi November,) about two inches from the lip or brim : nor did it either increale or diminifh during Mr. Bruce's ftay at Geefii, though plentiful ufe was made of it. This fpring is about fix feet fix inches deep. " At the diftance of ten feet from the firflof thefe fpring?, a little to the weft of fouth, is the fecond fountain, about eleven inches in diameter : but this is eight feet three inches deep; IN GREECE AND ASIA. igj with many turnings and windings enters Egypt, which it traverfes ahnoft in a direft line from fouth to north. The philofophers of Memphis have long difputed corcerning the caufesof the periodical inundauon of that river, which the common people attribute to tlieir god Serapis, while men of cultivated undcrftandings know that in the months of March, April, May, and June, the north winds accumulate the cloud:i on the fummits of thofe vtry high mountains, which are fituated beyond the equator, where they are converted into rain, and fall in very heavy torrents. The union of a vaft number of deep ; and about twenty feet dillant from the firft is the third fource, whofe mcuth* is fomewliat more than two feec acrofs, and five feet eight inches deep. Both thefe kft foun- tains Hand in the middle of fmsll altars, made, like the former, of firm fod, but neither of them above three feet diameter, and having a foot leis elevaacn than the firlt. The altar in this third fource (eems almDH: diifolvcd by the water,. which in both ftood nearly up to the brim. At the foot of each altar appeared a clear and brill;- running ri!l. Thefe uniting, joined the water in the trench of the firft altar, and then proceeded direfliy out, pointing ealKvard, in a quantity that would have filled a pipe of about two inches diameter. The water from thefe fountains is very light and good, and perfeft'y taftelefs ; and it was at this time intenfcly coid, though expofed to the mid-day fun without Ihelter. The text is corrf^lcd in conformity to Mr, Bruce's ac- gcunt. T, U. ^' 3 thefq 294 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR thefe ftreams forms the Nile, and caufes its in- undation. During the three firft months the iky is ferene and clear in the day-time, but it rains from fun-fet to fun-rife, which is followed by thunder and lightening. In the beginning of June the Nile begins to fwell : but its rife is not very perceptible till the fummer folftice, when the waters become thick and reddifh, and mud be purified before they can be drunk. The river continues to increafe till the end of Auguft, and often till September. If it rifes much lefs than fixteen cubits, the country is threatened with a famines and if it much exceeds that height, the mod dangerous confequences enfue : houfes are overturned, cattle drowned, and a pro- digious number of infers produced from the mud left by the river, fo as to deftroy mod of the fruits of the earth. Before Memphis is a co- lumn, where the ditferent heights are marked, and thence they are publifhed abroad over diQ whole country. When it reaches the fifteenth or fixteenth cubit, an univerfal joy fpreads over Egypt, and public rejoicings and feafts exprefs the general expedtation of future abundance. It is imagined that the water of the Nile is im- pregnated with a particular kind of fait, which pofleffes a flimulating power both with regard to men and animals j and I have been aflured^ that IN GREECE AND ASIA. 295 that in Egypt there are women who bring forth four, and even feven children at a birth. Though this be more than doubtful, it is cer- tain that th€ Egyptian women make ufe of cer- tain compofitions as antidotes to ilerility ; one of the moft powerful of which is an infufion of cloves with the gall of crocodiles ; the whole of which animal is fuppofed to poflefs aphrodifi- acal virtues, though in an inferior degree to the gall and the eyes. " The country is interfe<5led with canals, which convey the waters of the Nile to a con- fiderable diftance from the river, rendering the adjacent lands the mofh fertile in the whole world : for in lieu of drenching the foil, and rendering it marfiiy and nnprodu6live, like other rivers when tliey overflow their banks and inundate the country, the Nile depofits a mud and flime which operates as a ferdlizing ma- nure. As foon as the water has left the fields, the farmers lightly turn up the earth, with which they mix a little land, and thus fow their corn without any confiderable labour or expence. " In Egypt the feed- time is in the months of Oflober and November, according to the pe- riod when the water runs off from the land. Two months after, the whole face of the country is covered with corn and every kind of u 4 vegetables. 1C)6 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR vegetables, and in the months of March and April the harveft is got in. No country can prefent a more enchanting fcene than Egypt, at thefe two feafons of the year ; nor did its conti- nuance caufe the leaft diminution of the plea- fiire I experienced. To contemplate this tranfporting profpeft without interruption, I af- cended a pyramid or a mountain in the months of July and Augull, whence the country had the appearance of an ocean covered with innu- merable towns and villages, connected by caufeways leading from place to place, and the whole interfperfcd with groves and orchards of fruit-trees, of which the tufted tops were alone perceptible. This profpeft, which is bounded on each fide by mountains and forei-s, termi- nates in a diftance, whofe rich luxuriance fafci- nates the eye and warms the heart. In the win- ter, about the months of January and February, the country feems one vaft meadow, fpangled with flowers, and enlivened with flocks of fheep herds of grazing cattle, and innumerable la- bourers and gardeners cultivating the earth. The air, which is then perfumed with the mofl fragrant flov^ers, and the bloflToms of orange and lemon-trees, is lo pure and balmy, that it is im- pofTible to breathe a more falubrious or a more invigorating element." The IN GREECE AND ASIA. 297 The dawn of day now appearing, put an end, not only to the games and dances of the fefti- val, but to the narrative of Thales, who took leave of us, while I went in fearch of Phaon ; and we retired extremely pleafed with fo agree- able a day. Never did I witnefs a gayer, a more ani- mated, or a happier fcene. The river was covered v;ith boats, and every one Teemed to be infpired with joy and pleafure, and en- livened with mufic and dancing. They divided into feftive parties beneath the moft enchant- ing bowers and on the greenfward of the fmiling meadows, or formed vocal and indrumental con- certs, in which the feathered chorifters of the woods united. All thefe happy groups, thefe pictures of ruftic enjoyment, enchanted my imagination, and filled me with emotions of fympathetic delight j while Phaon fpoke of the pleafures of the day with the moft animated tranfports. The next morning he went to Gohnus. I paid little attention to the motives of this expe- dition J for fufpicion does not eafily find its way into noble minds. He paffcd the following day with me, but feemed thoughtful and abfent. I feared he was indifpofed, and told him fo : but he faid he v/as perfefily well, and I was flitis- fied. 1298 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR fied. My confidence gave him courage^ and he returned to Gonnus. By degrees his abfences increafed in frequency and length, and caufed me much anxiety and foiicitude. Though I concealed my fufpicions, 1 kept a watchful eye on his proceedings, and clearly perceived his indifference, his uneafinefs, and his impatience jn my company, while he affigned falfe pretexts for leaving me ; till at length he completely con- vinced me of his perndy. The poifon of jealoufy now raged throughout my frame j and by concealing its force, it broke out, at length, with the greater energy. When I reproached him with his conftant journies] to Gonnus, he afiigned, as an excufe, the illnefs of his friend Meliffus, defcribed his dangerous ftate of health, and lamented his approaching death when only in the flower of life. Of what credulity are not lovers capable ! or rather, how defirous are they to be deceived ! Alas ! the fimplicity of my heart made me believe this fidion, and I even defired him to continue his attention to the inva- lid, aifuring him the duties of friendlhip were equally facred with thofe of love. One night, at his return home, obferving him to appear uneafy, and full of anxious foiicitude, I afked him the caufe of his dejedion : he re- plied, that his friend vifibly declined, and was fQ IN GREECE AMD ASIA. 299 fo ill, that he intended to go to him very early in the morning, but that he would return to din- ner. Alas ! I approved his afliduity, and he fet off at day-break. I know not what god or what daemon infpired the thought of meeting him on the road. The day was cool and in- viting, for the heat of the fun was affuaged by clouds i and I was walking with a Homer in my hand, when Thales accofted me. But what was my furprife when I beheld Meliflus by his fide, in perfed health ! The head of Medufa could not have produced fo fudden an efFeft. I became alternately fluflied with rage and pale with horror. Thales, perceiving my embar- raffinent, imagined his company painful to me, and would have taken his leave ; but 1 immedi- ately recovered myfelf, and aflured him, that in lieu of giving me pain, he would do me the greateft pleafure by coming to dine with me, together with his friend Meliflus. They accept- ed my invitation, and we returned together. Towards the hour of dinner I went to meet Phaon, and prefently faw him running, out of breath, and covered with fweat -, for the traitor had ftaid in town as long as poflible, and was en- deavouring to recover the time he had loft. I inquired immediately concerning the health of Meliflus : " He is extremely ill," faid he 5 " but the JOO THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR the phyficians ftill give us feme hopes."— « Yes," replied I, " I flatter myfelf he will not die, and that your folicitudes will at laft have an end." I added, with an air of indifference, that we Ihould have two gucfts to dine with us. IN GREECE AND ASIA* ^01 CHAP. XXXV. Surprife ofPhaon at feeing Melijfus. — A remark^ able injiance of courage exhibited on the Nile,— Some account of the Phcenix. — Maxims of Shales. — Remarks on the invention of glafs» — Sappho learns the name of her rivaL-^Conver- fation of the two lovers. — Conclufion of the narrative. THE furprife and aftonifhrnent of Phaon, on feeing Meliffus, can fcarcely be defcribed. Itv.'asthe fiupefa6lion of the hufbandman who, JLift recovering from the fudden effedlsof thun- der, beholds his herd of oxen lying dead upon the earth, and all his future hopes bhfted in .\yz bud. I enjoyed his vexation with malignant pleafure and exultation i for he was deprived of the power of fpeech, and feemed rooted to the earth, while I, with perfed indifference and un- concern, fupported and animated the converfa- tion. At table Thales entertained us with an account of a wonderful inftance of courage which con- ftandy takes place at one of the numerous catara6ts of the Nile, two of which are much higher ^02 THE TRAVELS OF ANTfirfOR. higher than the reft. " At the principal fall/^ laid Thales, " the river is confined between twt> mountains, where itfuddenly becomes extremely furious,and rufhes over the rocks down a perpen- dicular height of two hundred feet with fuch a dreadful noife, that it fpreads terror and difmay to a diftance of fixty ftadia around. Upon this part of the river the inhabitants exhibit feats which rather excite pain by the extreme danger they incur, than amufement by the fkill they dif- play in avoiding it. Two men navigate a fmall boat, which the one manoeuvres while the other is employed in baling out the water. In this manner they brave the rough and powerful waves of the Nile, till at length they abandon themfelves to the mercy of the river, which pre- cipitates them, with inftantaneous rapidity, into the gulf below. The affrighted fpeflator at firft believes them fvvallowed up and loft, but foon they re- appear upon the glafty furface of the river, a few yards below the catarafl, and purfue their navigation with gaiety and un- concern." During this recital I could not help, from time to time, taking a glance at the perfidious Phaon, whofe eyes fometimes met mine ; though, confcious of his unworthinefs, they were immediately direJ^ed to the earth. We IN GREECE AND ASIA, ^O^ We now enquired concerning the nature of the phcenix, fo celebrated throughout Greece, though its true hiftory be fo little known. I afked Thales whether he had ever feen it, and what was his opinion on the fubjedl. " That bird," he gravely replied, " poffefles the molt fingular properties, and is the only one of its kind. Its native country is Arabia, and it lives five or fix hundred years. It is about the fize of an eagle, and adorned with the moft brilliant plumage ; that on its neck being of the colour of gold, and the reft purple, except the tail, which is white with a mixture of fcarlet j and its eyes rival the ftars in brightnefs. When it grows old, it perceives the approach of death, and conftruds a neft of wood and aromatic gums, in which it Ihuts itfelf up and dies. From its bones and marrow a worm is engen- dered, which afterwards turns to a phoenix, whole firft care is to perform the funereal obfequies of his father. For this purpofe he forms as much jnyrrh as he can carry into the Ihape of an egg, and )iaving tried its weight, excavates the egg, and depofits the body of his father within it, and then carefully clofes it up with myrrh and other aro- matic fubftances. This precious load he takes vpon his back, and carries it to Heliopolis, where h^ lays it before thefacred doors of the temple ^04 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR temple of the fun."—" Your defcription/' faid 1^ *'is quite magnificent ! But are you certain of the exiftence of this wonderful bird ? Have you feen it?'* — " No," replied he -, " for it only appears in Egypt once in five hundred years, immediately after the death of his fither." — " But do you really believe thefe accounts ?" faid I, — <' As fceptics," replied he, " believe the exiftence of bodies."—" I underftand you," faid I : " it is a phantom of the imagination, a fabulous being, a mere tale for the amufement of the common people and of children." Thales now began to difcourfe on moral fub- jefls, and particularly on philofophy : but one of his maxims was fo odious, that 1 oppofed it with all my force. He faid, " We ought to live with our friends as if they would one day- become our enemies." His other apophthegms were more worthy of him : as, for inftance, «« The moft difficult objed to be accomplifhed is to know ourfelves ; the eafieft, to give ad- vice to others •, and the moft agreeable, the at- tainment of our wifties." He added, that to live happily, we ought to abftain from whatever appears reprehenfible in others j that the hap- pinefsof the body confifts in health, and that of the mind in knov.ledge. — ^When I afked him why he had never married, " Solon," faid he, 5 " afked IN GREECE AND ASlA. ^O^ '^ a(ked me the fame queftion, when he vifited me at Miletus. At that time I made him no anfwer. But a few days after I appointed a man to call on me, who faid he was lately arrived from Athens ; when Solon afking him for ne\ys, the ftranger, who had his Cue, faid there was no- thing new, except the death of a young man, whole obfequies v^ere attended by every perfon of confequence in Athens, becaufe he was the fon of a moft worthy citizen then abfent from home. * Ah 1' cried Solon, ^ what an unfortu- nate father ! Pray what was the name of the youth ?' — ^ I have often heard it,' faid the ftranger, * but have now forgotten it. I only re- member that his father was very much efteemed for his extraordinary wifdom and virtue.' So- lon's uneafinefs was now ftill further increafed, and he could not forbear afldng, in a trembling voice, whether his name was not Solon. * The very fame,' anfwered the ftrangerj upon which this unhappy father began to rend his clothes and ftrike his breaft, and gave himfclf up to the bittereft grief and defpair. Upon this," conti- nued Thales, *' I took him by the hand, and faid to him, laughing, * Be of good cheer, for this is only a fiction, to convince you 1 was right in not marrying." — I approved not, however, of this philofophy of Thales ; for true wifdom does not VOL. J. X deprive 306 ■ THE, TRAVELS OF ANTENOR deprive us of the good things of life merely becaufe we may one day lofe them, but rather teaches us to fupport their lofs with for- titude. In the meanwhile Phaon, confounded and fcarcely able to recover from his furprife, en- deavoured to conceal his agitation by joining how and then in the converfauon, and took the opportunity, afforded by Thales' admiring the beauty of a glafs cup, to afk him how that fub- ftance had firft been invented. *' It is a dif- covery," replied Thales, " for which we are en- tirely indebted to chance. Some dealers in nitre, who were palTing through Phoenicia, hav- ing halted on the banks of the river Belus to cook their provifions, fet their boiler upon fome pieces of nitre, in lieu of ftones. The nitre having melted, and uniced with the fand, caught fire, and thus form^ed a clear and tranfparent fluid, which became hard when cold, though it ftill retained the fame trsnflucent property *." Unfortunately for Phaon the converfation now turned on a violent epidemic catarrh which prevailed in the neighbouring town, and I afked MelilTus whether he had had that diforder i " No," replied he -, " nor have I ever fuffered * Thoi'.gh glafs was difcovered at that period, it was not afed for windows till the fourth century of the vulgar sera. a day's iN GREECE AND ASIA. 307 a day*s illnefs — an exemption which I derive from my habit of dreffing lightly, and, like the Spartans, braving the intemperance of the weather and the changes of the feafons *." — , Phaon, towards whom I now caft my eyes, feemed petrified with this declaration, and over- whelm.ed Vv'ith ftame and humiliation. How truly contemptible is deceit and impoilure when the ardfice is difcovered 1 Phaon was fo con- founded and overpowered, that I took pity on his feelings, and changed the converfation to the feftival of Tempe. MeliiTus launched out into praifes of the beauties who had graced it with their prefence, and afked Phaon whether he preferred Philonome or Thcagenia. He an- fwered, that were he, like Paris, to decide be- tween them, he fhould have the greateft diffi- culty to whom he fliould give the golden apple : but that Philonome had certainly the . largefb features. " Yet Theagenia," rejoined Meliffus, " is better made, and her fhape is lighter and more pliant." — " Agreed," faid Phaon : *« but Philonome has a more attradlive air, and a gaiety of manners that will ever procure her more nu- merous admirers." — " But," faid MelifTus, "the other has, in my opinion, a more delicate ex- * The Spartans were not permhted to take flielter when furprifed by the rain. X 2 prefllvenefs 3o8 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR preffivenefs of countenance, more fenfibility of heart, and more gracefulnefs of manners." — ■ " That may be," replied Phaon j " yet Philo- nome ftrikes more at firft fight. She is the very image of pleafure, and inflames the loul with ir- refiftible defire." — " But Theagenia," replied MeliflTus, " awakens the tendereft fentiments, and fpeaks diredtly to the heart. She proceeds, perhaps, with a flower ftep, but her conqucfts are not, therefore, the lefs certain." — " Philo- nome," faid Phaon, '^ has very fine animated eyes, and full of fire and intelligence."- — " Yet thofe of Theagenia," replied Meliffus, "are blue, and have more foftnefs and delicacy."-— I was tired of this long difpute, and therefore broke it off; for I had already difcovered which of thefe beauties v/as my rival. I plainly per- ceived it was Theagenia, by the reiudance of Phaon to beftow the praifes due to her charms, and the readinefs with which he lavifhed them on Philonome. In fnort, every thing confirmed me in the idea that he loved Theagenia j nor was I mifiaken in my opinion. I was almoll overpowered by the long- continued reftraint I had endured throughout this tedious meal, which was at lad concluded, and my gueds took their leave.. I was IN GREECE AND ASIA. 309 I was now alone with Phaon, who, however, dared not to meet my eyes. His head inclined downwards and touched his breaft, and we conti- nued a long time in perfedt filence. At length I afked him by what miracle the god of Epidau- rus had fo fuddenly reftored the health of his dying friend. He was ftill filent, and his eyes feemed rooted to the ground : I therefore took compaffion on his confufion ; and changing my tone of irony, upbraided him with his mean- nefs, his falfehood, his ingratitude, and his paflion for Theagenia. " Theagenia !" cried he with amazemenr. — "Yes," faid I : ** deny it if you dare ! Ungrateful Phaon !" continued I ; " is this the return you make for the too great love and tendernefs I have lavifhed on you ? Is this all that Sappho — fhe whom ypu- have fo often called your immortal Sappho— rhas merited at your hands ? What contemptible artifices you have employed ! How degraded muft vou appear, even in your own eyes ! Was it fo glo- rious a triumph, to deceive a woman who con- fided too implicitly in your honour, and whole foul was too noble to admit diftruft and jealoufy to her bofom ! Go on and purfue your treachery and your cunning, and declare the error and injuftice to be mine. Speak ! juftify yourielf s perhaps you may ftill fucceed in deceiving me X 3 once 3IO THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR once more !" Phaorij confounded and adiamed, and ^with a countenance of deeper hue than the Tyrian dye, at length broke filence, and con- fefled his infidelity, which he excufed as the im- pulfe of the moment, humbly folicited his par- don, and promifed never more to fee Theagenia, « Swear it/* laid I.-^" I do," replied he, " by Venus and Apollo j and if I violate my oath, may that god pierce me with his arrows, as he did the ferpent Python!" Thus faying, he threw himfelf at my feet, and fwore he would ever be faithful to my love. While he was faying this, his eyes fpoke the language of love, his voice languiflied with all the tendernefs of fenfi- bility, and I was irrefiftibly compelled to indulge in the luxury of granting him iny forgivenefs, and pronouncing his pardon. We paffed the remainder of the day in the fweet and foothing enjoyments of renewed afFedion, nor feparated till the liar of Venus had run her evening courfe, and hid her fplendid light be- neath the horizon. " Do you fee," faid I, *' that planet, over which the Paphian goddefs prefides, and which you have called upon to witnefs your promifes and your oaths ? If you vi- olate them, to her vengeance will I confign you." At thefc words his countenance was illumined with a fmiie of the utmoft tendernefs j and preiring me to his bofom, he again renewed the moft folemn IN GREECE AND ASIA. Jif folemn oaths that he would love me till his latefl breath. To thefe aflfurances I anfwered with tears and careffes, and left him full of happinefs and joy, I had experienced too rapid a fucceflion of emotions of vexation, of anger, ofjealoufy, and of love, to be able to flecp ; I therefore took a walk among the fields, while the full moon fil- vered over the furface of the waters, and fpread a foft and voluptuous light over the rural fcene. The fpangled car of Night advanced with filent and unperceived rapidity amidfb the univerfal filence and repofe of Nature, and my bofom, re- lieved from the opprefllve weight of anxiety and pain, it had fo lately experienced, again thrilled with the foft and exquifite delights of hope. Alas ! while love and pleafure thus feemed to hover around me, new crimes were brooding to deftroy my happinefs, and banifh peace for ever from my bread. In the intoxication of joy I had compofed a hymn to Venus, and did not re- turn home till I beheld the eafl illumined with the firft rays of Aurora, v.'hich I faluted in the lan- guage of Hefiod, and then configned myfelf to the arms of beneficent and peaceful fleep. The fun had run a third part of his daily courfe ere I awoke, when 1 immediately inquired for fhaon, and was informed by my (lave that he had X 4 gon$ 312 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR gone out very early in the morning. I waited his return with no fmall degree of anxiety, till the meridian fun had almoft fcorched up the thirfty earth : ftill no tidings of Phaon arrived ; and at length my impatient folicitude forced me to go in fcarch of him. No one anfwered when I called upon his name, and echo alone dared to repeat the found. This folitude, thefe filent deferts, excited my alarms ; and, wild with fear, and panting with the heat of the day, I hurried from field to field, afcended the hills, climbed the rocks, and vifited thofe fecret receffes where love had fu often tranfported us with delight, but now, alas ! filent and mournful as the grave. At length exhaufted with heat and fa- tigue, and palpitating with grief and terror, I returned ; alas ! ftill hoping to meet my faithlefs jover J when a letter from Phaon was brought to me. My hand trembled with fear, and my heart Ihuddered with horror as I opened the fatal writing. Perfidious traitor ! Pie accufed the gods of his inconftancy : as if the gods could be the authors of the blacked of crimes. Pale and fi)eechlefs, I could fcarcely fupport my frame, and almoft ceafcd to breathe. My attendants were in the utmoft alarm, till at length my flrength partly returned, though I was ftill un^ able to ilicd a fingle tear. In the meanwhile the 4 - light IN GREECE AND ASIA. 313 Kght of day was departing, and I ran out among the woods, wandering till I loftmyfelf in the in- tricacies of the labyrinth ; while the noiSlurnal planet, rifing with an angry and blood-ftained hue, illumined the utmoft bounds of the earth. " Arife, Hecate!" cried I, " dread power of the fliades below ! and revenge my wrongs :— but no : hide thy intrufive light, and conceal thy- felf beneath the moft impenetrable veil ! Alas ! every thing in heaven and on earth abandons, deceives, and betrays me ! Alas ! how calmly does the goddefs roll forth her nodlurnal chariot among the brilliant ftars that purfue her courfe ! What an awful filence pervades the whole fcenery of Nature, who feems totally infenfible to my an- guifli !" On my arm was a bracelet formed of the hair of my betrayer. I no fooner caft my eyes upon it, by accident, than I tore it with my teeth, trampled it beneath my feet, and rent it in pieces. In this extreme agitation, and in the torments of Tartarus, did this moft dreadful of nights fly from the approach of day, till at early dawn I departed for Gonnus, determined once more to behold the traitor, and overwhelm him with my indignation, my reproaches, and my contempt J perhaps, ah! dreadful thought ! to deftroy him in the arms of my rival. I arrived at the houfe of Theagenia when it was too late, for 314 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR for they were already departed. " Whither,*' cried I, " are they gone ? I will follow them, even to the deepeft abyfs ofTsenarus." I could, however, learn no tidings of the road' they had taken i and being feized with a violent fever, I foon became delirious, and continually talked, in the paroxyfms of my diforder, of vengeance, of treachery, and of poniards. Alas ! they endeavoured to calm and pacify my mind by conflantly pronouncing the name of Phaon, and thus immediately reftored ferenity to my coun- tenance. When my reafon returned, I learnt that I was at the houfe of Zeno the fophift, "whofe generous compaflion had induced him to remove me to his hofpitable roof. He informed rne that Phaon was fhamelefsly united in mar- riage with Theagenia, and that I muft fummon all my philofophy and fortitude to banifh that ungrateful youth from my thoughts. This in- formation threw me once more into a violent pa- roxyfm of gloomy rage. I called upon the gods to revenge my wrongs, and conjured Ncmefis and the Furies to hearken to my invocation. Zeno, following the admonitions of Pythagoras and Empedocles, employed the aid of f\veet mufic and fafcinating modulations to foothe and fubdue my defpair. He alTcmibled a number of ikilful performers on various inftruments, and very m GREECE AND ASIA. 315 very attentively obferved what kind of airs had moft effcd upon my fenfibility ; and thefe he caufed to be frequently repeated, till either the charming effed of the harmony and melody * of the * Clinias, the Pythagorean philofopher, being very fub- jed to fudden cults of pafTion, ufed to take up his lyre as foon as he perceived his mind to be thus ruffled, and playing fome favourite air, would prefently cry out, with fatisfadion, *' Ah ! how foothing is this mulic 1" till at length h& reco- vered his accu domed tranquillity and peace. We read alfo of a ibiking inftance of the power of mufic over the mind, which occurred when the evil fpirit tormented Saul, and David drove i: away by playing on the harp. The eftedsof mufic in curing fome diforders, and particu- larly the bite of the tarantula, are well known, though not, perhaps, univerfally believed. " The tarantula is a large fpider, fo denominated from the city of Tarentum in Apulia, near which it is chiefly found, though it is alfo feen in many other parts of Italy and other countries. It is laid, none are dangerous but thofe of Apulia ; and there, only thofe of the plains, and at particular feafons when the heat is extreme, or poffibly in coupling time. The bite occafions a pain, which is at firft fimilar to the fling of a bee or tlie bite of an ant. In a few hours the patient feels a numbnefs, and the part affedled becomes marked with a fmall livid circle, which foon after rifes into a very painful tumor. A little after this he falls into a profound melancholy, breathes with much dif- ficulty, his pulfe grows feeble, and his fenfes fail. At length he lofes all fenfe and motion, and unlefs relieved, the diforder ends in death. But thefe fymptoms are fomewhat diiFerent, according to the nature of the tarantula and the confiitution of the patient. An averfion for black and blue colours, and, on the contrary, an affeftion for white, red, yellow, and green, are among the other unaccountable attendant fymptoms of the difeafe, «' As 2l6 THE TRAVELS OF ANTE^fOR the compofition, or the efforts of nature gradii-. ally alTuaged my phrenfy. I now fell into the rnoft *' As foon as the patient has loft his fenfe and motion, a laafician tries feveral tunes on an inftrumem, and having at length hk en an air whofe tones and modulations coincide witiu the temper and diathefis of the patient, the latter begins ta raake a faint motion : his fingers firft begin to move in mea- fured cadence, then his arms, his legs, and by degrees his whole body, till at length he riies on his feet and begins to dance ; his ftrength and adlivity gradually increafing. Some patients will continue this exercife during fix hours, without in- termiffion. After this he is put to bed ; and when he is thought fuificiently recruited from this firft dance, he is called up, by the fame tune, for the fecond. This is continued for feveral days, £x or feven at leaft, at which time the patient feels extremely fatigued, and unable to dance any longer, which is the fign of his being cured ; for as long as the poifon afts he would dance without ceafing, till he died from mere lofs of ftrength. The patient now perceiving himlelf weary, begins to come tohimfelf as if awaking out of a profound fleep, without any remembrance of what had parted in his pajoxyfm — not even of his daftcing." Fr. EJ, *' Sometimes the patient is not quite cured, but a melan- cho-iy gloom hangs about him. He fliuns fociety, feeks the water, and endeavours to drown himfelf ; or the fit will return atthe fame time the next year, when he is driven to dancing again. Some have had regular returns during twenty or thirty years. Every tarantatohzi his peculiar tune ; but in general they are all very brilk and fprightly." This account was given to the Royal Academy of Sciences at Paris by M. Geofi-'roy, at his return from Italy in 1702, from whom the French author feems to have extrafled it. It was confirmed hy letters from M. Gouye j and a fimilar account i !m"'gREECE and ASIA. 3 17 Itnoft gloomy dejeclion of mind, and called upon the juftice of the gods to puniih tlie cruel deftroy- crs of my peace : but Zeno, who had adopted the account was given by BagUvi, in a diflertation on the taran- tula publifhed in 1696. This evidence is perhaps too ftrong to be overturned hy mere conjedlure or fufpicion, though treated by Dr. Cor- nelio, in the Philofophical Tranfaftion?, as an i;n;iginary dif- eafe, or an ingenious impcfition. That writer (tatcs, that the tarantati, or chore who really believe themfelves to be feized with the diforder, are chiefly young wanton girls, (or rather falacious women, dcmie di /ale,) who, from other taofes, fallieginto meiar.ciioly madnefs, perfuade themfelves, sxcording to vulgar prejudice, thatthey have bsenbitten bv a tarantula. A dance, fomewhat ftmilar to the fandango, has been invented in confeqaence of this diforder and of its care, whether real or fabulous; and profeffed dancers are hired to perform it for the amufementof travellers. This may have contributed to the idea of the diforder being ima- ginary, though perhaps it is rather a proof of the exigence of its archetype than of the contrary. It may ev?n be a facl that the tarantula has, in procefs of time, ceafed to be ve- Roraous, which it is only averred to have been in particular places and feafons of the year. The nature of animals changes in the fucceflion ot ages, and each race feems to kave its period of improvement, of perfedion, of decay, and of extinflion. Thus it is on the records of this country that feme centuries ago cats were ufual'y five feet long, from the extremity of the head to that of the tail, a penaity being inflidled for killirg the king's cat, ccnfilling of a quantity of wheat, which, when heaped on a fioor, would in the middle bury a catfafpendcd at fuU length. T. N. philofophy 5l8 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR philofophy of Epicurus, told me that Reafon was the only divinity vv'hofe aid I ought to implore ; that the gods were immutable beings, who took jio concern in the affairs of mankind, and flilllefs in their ephemeral amours. This fyftem, how- ever, which totally divides us from heaven, and breaks off all communication with fuperior beingSj leaving our weaknefs deftitute of fupport or confolation, was far from harmonizing with my afflided heart. To me it appeared odious and difgufting. " Ah ! no," cried I : " leave me in the foothing belief that Jupiter, or fome fupreme divinity, will punifn every crime and rev*?ard every virtue. For what can give hope and confolation to the good, when overpowered by wicked men, if you rob them of the protecting providence of a deity, and the hopes of a future recompence for their fufrerings ? Ah! Zeno, be- lieve me religion is the chief bond of fociety, and the only motive to virtue." As loon as I had recovered a part of my ftrength I departed from Gonnus; and forfaking the fcenes of my vifionary and fhort-iived happinefs, purfued the traitors and having learned that he was gone to Sicily, I flew thither with the molt impatient rapidity. Rufhing into his apartment, I found him alone, playing on the ivory lyre I had once prefented IN GREECE AND ASIA. 315 ■prefented him, and even Tinging the fcolia I had taught him *. It is impoflible to defcribe his adonifhment at beholding me. His lyre fell from his hand, his blood feemed frozen in his veins, and his downcafl eye gave him the apjpearance of a Ratue. As for myfclf, I was fo over- powered, and my heart fo violently agitated, that I continued for fome time fpeechlefs, till at length fummoning all my refolution 2nd felf- command, I upbraided him, in a tone of mild- nefs and affedion, with his ingratitude in thus deferting me, and the pain and defpair he had caufed me : but he replied not to my reproacheSj and turned away from my defpair. Overcome by the violence of my emotions, I threw myfelf at his feet, fupplicating him to reftore me his affedlions, my lover, my hufband, and my peace : but he declared that a folemn and facred vow had united him with Theagenia for ever* * Tlie fcolia {rx o-y.o'K'.oi.) Were convivi.il fongs performed at table in full ciiorus. This was the moll ancknt kind of poetry in Greece, and probably in every other countryi That of the Athenians was much celebrated and admired for its fweet fimplicity, and their iongs had been handed down from the earlieft antiquity. Terpander is faid to have been its inventor; and among the moll diilinguillied poets of this clafs are ranked Alcteus, Anacreon, Melitus the accufer of Socrates, Eriphanis., Clythagora, Praxila, and Sappho. There were moral, mythological, hiHorical, bacchanalian, and amorous fcolia. " Ah !" 320 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR " Ah !" cried I, "what vow, what bond exifli, more facred than that which bound you to me ? Moll ungrateful of men ! are you not united to me by the facred bonds of honour, of grati- tude, and of love ?" I could not pronounce thefe words without pouring forth a torrent of tears: but his criminal conduft had extinguiflied all fenfc of remorfe, all fenfibility in his foul ; and he cruelly and barbaroufly declared he could not feparate himfelf from Theagenia. When I heard thefe words, I caft a look of in- dignant horror at the perfidious traitor, and left liim with a refolution either to periQi by the Leucadian leap, or thus to efface from my heart the memory of the hateful monfter who had been the caufe of all my pain. Soon, very foon will my anguifh be relieved, or I fhall pafs the fatal Cocytus never to return. Having thus finifhed reading the manufcript of Sappho *, we arofe, and climbed the hill to ftrew * Among the moderns we have feen no parallel to the ce- brated Sappho, except in Louifa I'Abbe, who was diftin- guifhed by the name of la belle cordiere, or the beautiful rope-maker. This woman was born at Lyons in the year 1526, and although her birth was obfcure, her early mark* of IN GREECE AND ASIA. 321 ftrew flowers on her tomb, and pour forth liba- tions in honour of the deceafed. We addreflfed prayers of genius induced her parents to beftcvv on her the advan- tages of a good education. While (he was yet almoft an in- fant fhe excelled in tnufic, acd poflefTed the moll fafcinating voice. She knew Greek, Latin, and Spanilh, learned the warlike exercifes, and united to al! thefe advantages the irre- filHble charms of extraordinary beauty. The writings Ihe has left are proofs of the goodnefs and fenfibility of her heart, and of the tendemef? of her feelings. She had ftrong and elevated ideas; and what'=:ver rVjeft ihe propofed to herfelf (he purfued with al' the energy of an irreriftible paflion. Her firfl amufemeiits and occupations were mufic and hunting: but focn the love of fame and glory made her a warrior, and, when Cfly fixteen years of age, fhe joined the French army then carrying on the fiege of Perpig- nan, where fhe performed the mofl heroic aftions under the name of CaptainLoys. From among her numerous train of ad- mirers (he dillinguifhed a young warrior, to v^hom (he facri- ficed her pafTion for military glory ; and, quitting the field, Ihe devoted herfelf entirely to the charms of love and the en- joyment of his fociety. Her happinefs, however, was of (hort duration ; for Lcuifa fuffered the feverefl perfecutions, which, however, could not be attributed to any fault or negled of her lover, towards whom fhe ever retained an unalterable fondnefs and at-, tachment. The Mufes alone Toothed her under her afflifllons. Her firft attempt was a play ; after which fhe wrote feveral poems in Greek, Latin, Italian, Spanifh, and French. At length the low flate of her finances made her confent to marry a man of advanced age, who had amafTed a confiderable fortune in the bufinefs of a rope-maker j whence Loifa was VOL. I. V called J22 TKE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR prayers to her Ihade, and recommended her foul to the Dii Manesj and we have fince learned that her countrymen the Mitylenians have ftamped her effigy on their coin. We now took leave of the two Sicyonians, who were on the point of departing for their own country, being entirely cured, not only of their paffion, but of their inclination for the Leucadian leap. called la belle ccrdiere. She now received at her houfe the poets and learned men of her age, foreigners who came to vifit Lyons, and all the beft fociety of the place. Her houfe was the favourite refort of perfons of diftindlion, and the de- light of the beft and moft felect fociety. •• When fhe re- ceived company," fays Duverdier, " ftie entertained them with converfation ; vocal and inftrumental mufic, in which ihe excelled much ;' good books in Latin, Spanjfti, and Ita- lian, with which her library was profufely flocked ; and ele- gant entertainments, decorated with fweetmeats and other rarities." She hadfo great a partiality to eminent poets and learned men, that fhe preferred them to perfons of the higheft rank ; and would rather grant her favours to the former, without any interefled motive, than to the latter for a confiderable fum of money. "To be a poet," adds the fame writer, '* was ever a fufHcient recommendation to ob- tain ivom her the meed of love." She died in 1562, in the fortieth year of her age. IN GREECE AND ASIA, ^2^ CHAP. XXXVI. Intended route of the two friends. ^^'They vifit a fceptic philofopher. I PROPOSED to Phanor to accompany me in my journey to Delphi, to confult the oracle, ^and from thence to vifit Laceda=- mon, that celebrated rival of the fplendor and greatnefs of Athens — that proud and haughty city, whofe rigid manners and unequalled prowefs have long been the admiration of the world. He was delighted with the plan, and began to be warmly attached to me. Influenced by the fame curiofity regarding the events of fu- turity, he indulged a hope that the Pythia would lay open the book of fate before his eyes. We therefore fet out for Chalcis, crofllng the river Achelous, which takes its name from that celebrated hero who became fo famous by his combat with Hercules for the beautiful Dejanira j when, finding his flrength inferior to that of his antagonift, he changed himfclf into a ferpent, and afterwards into an ox. Hercules having o thus thrice vanquifhed him, broke off one of his y 2 horns. J 24 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR. horns, and drove him back into his bed of waters, when Achelous, to recover his horn, gave him that of Amalth^a, or the horn of plenty. As our diftance from Leucadia increafed, Pha- nor grew more and more amiable and pleafing ; and his gaiety and good humour, which his un- fortunate paflion had hitherto banilhed or con- cealed, now difplayed themfelves with increafing force. He was conftantly joking, and fatir- izing the infidelity of the beautiful Theano ; or laughing at the two vigorous blows he had given his dear aunt, and at the bellowing of the prieft when he held him by the throat : fo true is it that we derive our heavieft misfortunes from the moft frivolous caufes i and that we have but to wait a little while to laugh even at our tears and our afflidions. We frequendy travelled on foot, and flopped at the moft agreeable fpots. We repofed our- felves beneath the (bady foliage of the woods, or took our meals befide a limpid ftream or bubbling fountain, while fatigue and exercife gave us ad- ditional appetite for our food. Thus we arrived at Chaicis full of joy and fpirits, too happy in our prefent enjoyments to be very folicitous for the future. From IN GREECE AND ASIA. 325 From Chalcis we went to AmphiiTa, where Phanor was acquainted with a friend of his father named Lacidas, a fcepdc philofopher, and a nadve of Cyrene. He had been a difciple of Arcefilaus, and was his fucceffor in the Academy. He was a very tall, thin, dry-looking man, with his head bald, though he was not above fixty years of age. He received us in the politeft and kindeft manner, gave us his right hand as a pledge of fidelity, walked before us, caufed us to be conduced to the bath, and his maid- fervants came to wafii our feet *. When we re- joined him, he faid to us, " Though all things * Hofpitality was in the higheft eftimadon among the Greeks, and was even confidered as one of the principal virtues, and eminently pleafing to the gods. The deities who prefided in a peculiar manner over this firll of focial duties were Jupiter, Venus, Minerva, Hercules, Cailor, and Pollux. When a ftranger arrived, it vvas deemed the greatefl vio- lation of good manners to afk him his bufinefs. The mafter of the houfe took him by the right hand as a mark of fidelity, and walked before him. One of the firft attentions he paid him was to conduft him to a bath, and order his feet to bs wafhed. The daughters performed the former, and the maid-fcrvants the latter. After this, the ftranger was en- tertained during nine days, till the expiration of which he could not be queftioned concerning the objefl of his journey. During this interval he vvas furnifhed, not only with every thing necefTary to his fleeping comfortably, but with a fuffi- ciency of clothes to enable him to change his drefs when ^.ver he pleafed. Y 3 arc 326 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR are uncertain, yet you may probably be very worthy people, and therefore may (lay here as long as you plcafe, provided you will allow me to devote fome hours to ftudy j for to enjoy life, we muft cultivate our reafon, and improve the powers of the mind. Science is the true fource from which alone all happinefs can flow." The table of this fceptic was fuperior to that of Pythagoras, yet he told us we Ihould fare ftill more fumptuoufly with his friend Bion, if it was agreeable to us to pay him a vifit. " He is a philofopher," faid he, " of the fchool of Epicu- rus, and lives in the country." We accepted this propofal with the more pleafure, as Bion had acquired confiderable fame by his Idyls, whofe rural images, difplayed in melodious and eafy verfification, and a pure and elegant fimplicity of ftyle, were juftly entitled to the higheft praife. After fupper Lacidas entertained us with an account of the opinions of Pyrrho, the founder of the fceptic philofophy. " I ledlured," faid he, " five-and-twenty years in the gardens of the Academy, but was at length deferted for the fchool of Epicurus, who taught that corporeal and intelleftual pleafure were the only objefls of life. One of the principal maxims of our fchool,'* continued he, " is, that we ought always to fuf- pend our judgment, and never rafhly to hazard a de- IN GREECE AND ASIA. 327 a decifion. Look out of that window, and tell me wliat you fee." I replied that I faw a flock of fheep. " Well," continued he, '' thofe flieep, perhaps, may not in reality exift : it may be a mere delufion of optics. It is by means of doubting that a fceptic arrives at that perfetSt caininefs which we call ataraxia.-—\Nhen Pyrrho was in the mofl imminent danger of being Oiipwrecked, and all hopes had vaniflied, he appeared perfe6lly indifferent to the event, and continued to contemplate the tempeft's fury with the utmoft unconcern ; when being blamed for his apathy, he replied, ' Do you not fee that pig, who at the other end of the veffel is feeding with the greateft tranquillity ? That,' faid he, * is a true model for a wife man.' That great philofopher," continued Lacidas, " lived with his fiftcr, and, like her, interfered in the ma- nagement of the domeftic affairs. He went to market, fwept the houfe, and performed all the duties of a maid-fervant. When he was afked the reafon of this Angular condud, he anfwered, that all things were indifferent, and that one em- ployment was as good as another." Lacidas having afferted that to live or to die were the fame thing, Phanor afked him why he did not die : " Becaufe," replied he, " it is indifferent to me whether I live or die." One of his flaves Y 4 happening 328 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR happening to break a cup, the philofbpher was extremely angry, and reproved him very fe- verely. " Why," faid I, " are you fo angry ?" .— " Do you^not fee," faid he, " he has broke that mofb beautiful cup r"-i-" I fee," faid I, " a broken cup, in the fame manner as I fee yond fheep : but perhaps the cup does not exifl j perhaps it is not broken ; perhaps the breaking it is no evil J and befide, the ataraxia "■— " Alas 1" cried he, " by Pluto 1 think in one manner when I am ledluring in the fchool, but when I am at home 1 cannot help afling in an- other." The converfation now turned on the vice and injuftice of mankiiid. " I am of the lame opi- nion," faid the philofbpher, " as Pyrrho, who thought that the juftice or injuftice of adions de- pends folely on the laws and cuftoms of the country v, e inhabit j and that nothing is in icfelf either right or v/rong." This dangerous maxim we oppofed with all our powers : but he added, that " we have no certain means of difcovering the truth, for our reafon, our fenfcs, and our imagination, all our internal faculties, and all our external relations, are equally illufiveand un- certain. Every thing affeds different perfons in different mannersj and even the fame man at various times. In what light, then, can we con- fider IN GREECE AND ASIA. ^1^. fider reafon ? — Befides, do we not in dreams fee objects exadly as if they cxified ? Who then can tell that our whole life is not a conti- nual iilufion ?" This fyftem appeared fo abfurd to Phanor and myfclf, that we began to imagine the brain of this fccptic philofopher was de- ranged : but he reafoned fo juftly on every other fubjeil, anddifplayed fo much erudition on every occafion, that we immediately agreed this could not be the fafl. When we tool: leave of him for the night, we told him we 'hud been dream- ing that we had made a very good fupper, and in very agreeable company. *^ And I have been dreaming," returned he, " that I have enter- tained you with the greatell pleailire and the moft hearty welcome." Early the next morning he called us up to ac- company him to his friend Bion. " In him," faid he, " you will fee a poet and a philofopher, who is fo partial to the country, that he has determined never to be deprived of the fimple enjoyments it affords. It may be faid of him, when he fmgs. of the pleafures of a country life in his Idyls, that he is difplaying exa6lly his own favourite purfuits. He is poiTefTed of a large fortune, which he has the uncommon talent of knowing how to enjoy. He leads a mofc enviable and faf- cinating life, and afTociates every thing around him 33<^ THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR him with his own happinefs. At the end of the year he divides the gains of his ruftic CEconomy with his fervants and flaves, and never refufes pecunifiry aid to an honeft man. He is not, how- ever, entirely alone in his retirement, for he has a charming female companion, who is much younger than himfclf, and contributes, in the highell degree, to the happinefs of his hfe. Her hiftory is highly interefting, and Bion will no doubt have the goodncfs i:o relate it to you,'* < IN GREECE AND ASIA, 33I CHAP. XXXVII, ^heir viftt to Bion. — His ■philojofhy and mode of life, — T!hey are introduced to Theo^hania. WE were informed, on our arrival, that Bion was in a neighbouring wood. As we approached that fpot, feeing a flock of fheep difperfsd over the field, Lacidas obferved that Bion muftbe very near us, for this was his flock. «Ha! there," faidhe, " is Bion himfelf !" We cow perceived a frefli- looking old man, whofe drefs was fo Angular and uncouth, that we could fcarcely conceive it poffible he could be that favourite of the Mufes. He was habited like a fhepherd, had a chaplet of poplar on his hoary head, and in his hand a crook adorned with flowers. His fcrip hung over his flioulders, and his dog was following him. He faluted us in a gracious manner ^ and as he obferved that Phanor and mylelf looked at him with afl:onifli- ment, he faid, " I perceive my drefs furprifes you : bur, right or wrong, I have turned fhep- herd at feventy years of age. This employment i|5 at leafl: as honourable as any others and moft 1 4 aflTuredly 332 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR afluredly I would not exchange it for that of the moft powerful king. I am only following the example of my mailer Apollo, with the differ- ence that the flocks I am ttnding are my own.— But the heat of the day is coming on, and you muft be fatigued. Let us look for fome fhady retreat, and I will give orders for you to be properly entertained: for although I am a fhep- herd, 1 do not always live on roots, nor am I re- duced to milk as my only beverage." He now gave a fignal to his dog to colled the flock, after which the flieep, the fhepherd, the dogs, and ourfelves all advanced together. As we went along, Bion rallied Lacidas on his philofophical principles, and aflced him whether any of us really cxifted. Lacidas replied, that nothing could be more doubtful. The fiiephcrd-philo- fophcr then gave him a blow with his fifl:, of the violence of which the fceptic complained. " Pfliaw !" faid Bion, ** 'tis but a dream of yours J for nothing is fo uncertain as whether 1 even exifl:." We all laughed at this argu- ment, as did the fceptic himfelf, who could no other wife evade its force. When Bion had difpofed of his flock, he conducled us to his dairy. " There,'* faid he, «' we fliail meet the lovely Pfyche, who is mak- ing fome butter for for us. Her true name is Theophania, IN GREECE AND ASIA. ^3$ Theopliania, but L call her Pfyche*, on ac- count of her refemblance to that divinity. She is the mod precious gift I ever received from the gods. Our ages, it is true, are fomevvhat diflimilar, for Theophania is in the fpring of life, whereas my foul has now but a very ruinous habitation : yet I flatter myfelf fhe isftrongly at- tached to me ; for I had once the good fortune to render her an important fervice, to which I am indebted for the friendfliip flie now feels to- wards me. I will relate that incident to you at table. Inftead, however, of taking advantage of her gratitude, I prefented her with an inftrumenc containing a donation, and faid to her, * You are now above indigence, and independent of every one. If you are willing to retire into the coun- try with me, I Ihall ovve all my future happinefs entirely to your condefcenfion : but if the fo- ciety of an old man, who may foon be overtaken with infirmities, will derogate from the pleafure • The word Pfyche figniiies the foul. Pfyche is generally reprefented with the wings of a butterfly, to intimate the lightnefs of the foul, of which the butterfly is therefore the fymbol. Fr. Ed. On this account, in ancient gems, when a man was repre- fented as having jufl expired, a butterfly appeared fluttering above, as if rifing from the mouth of the deceafed. T, N. of 334 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR of ycur life*, you are free to make your own choice ; for no gratitude on your part, no fervices I may have happened to render you can create an obligation to facrifice either your liberty or your happinefs.' Having thus fpoken, the amiable fenfibility of Pfyche prompted her to fwear to me an inviolable attachment and affedlion, and "we retired to this folitary fpot which we have in- habited thefe two years without ever fufFering a moment's indifference or difguft." We now entered the dairy, where Bion pre- fented us to his youthful divinity, who faluted us with a fafcinating elegance of manner which can neither be communicated nor defcribed. We no fooner beheld her than both Phanor and my- felf were tranfported with ecftafy j when Laci- das, perceiving the lively impreflion fhe made on us, aflced Phanor how he liked her : " She is a very beautiful appearance," faid he; " a mod charming illufion of optics. I had rather dream that I fee her, than that 1 fee a flock of fheep." Bion then aiked me tlie fame queftion. I re- • In Greece concubinage was allowed, and the children of fuch unions were acknowledged without ftiame. They could not, however, inherit the property of their parents, of which they only enjoyed as much as the legitimate offspring volun- tarily affigned them. plied. - IN GREECE AND ASIA. ^3$ plied, " that I could not help'itnagining I beheld Pfyche herfelf. Her interefting countenance, her fine black eyes, her animated and tender caft of features, her charming fenfibility of cxpreffion, gave her a juft claim to the name he had elegantly befbowed on her." This compliment was far from being exagge- rated i for her countenance was truly divine. Her head and forehead were fmall, and her large black eyes and well proportioned features were foftened into a moft interefting exprefljon of the pureft fentiment. Her tall and ele- gant fhape feemed to pofTefs the flexibility of a reed, and her foft melodious voice in- finuated itfelf into the inmoft recefles of the foul. She made us tafte the butter fhe was churning, which being made by her lovely hand, was to us the moft exquifite ambrofia. In this procefs ftie was affifted by Bion, who faid to us, *' You are no doubt furprifed to fee a philofo- pher and a votary of the Mufes employ himfelf in thefe trifling objedls, and adopt this mode of life : but the only caufe I feel for regret is, that I began fo late. This paftorallife was purfued by our forefathers during many ages. Of this, if you do but read Homer, you will find innumer- able inftances. In Syria and in Sicily we ftill fee perfons of property employ themfelvcs in tending ^2^ THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR tending their own cattle, and amufe their leifure hours in compofing the moft charming fongs, whcfe paftoral fimplicity is enriched with all the reducing charms of nature. Alas ! 'cis here alone that I have found that happinefs which I fo long purfued in vain in the delufive paths of vanity and error. I have, like pother men, been too frequently the dupe of folly. Tormented by all the little paflions of human weaknefs, I have facrificed myfelf, during the greater part of my life, to the opinions and prejudices cf others, as if the confcience or the judgment cf every man, even of moderate abi- lities, ought not to be the principal guide of his aftions. Thus have I paffed my whole life in a continual flruggle againft my predominant in- clinations, fentiments, and paffions, and have conllantly wandered farther and farther from every object which my heart panted to attain. At length having emancipated myfelf from niy old prejudices, and correded my er- rors, I perceived that retirement was the true haven of the wife. Ytt I do not mean abfolute folitiide ; for extremes generally arife from weaknefs, or wear the appearance of madnefs. I ftill connnue in the world with regard to every thing that contributes to my happinefs, but I thus avoid thofe frivolous acquaintances that would IN GREECE AND ASIA. 337 would only fatigue me, and converfations that excite no intereft in my mind. On the contrary, I am fond of the fweet intercourfe of friendfliip, though I am equally difgufted with a too unli- mited indulgence in pleafure, and a too rigid affeftation of aiiftere virtue. I am ever happy to tafte each peaceful and innocent enjoyment; for to old age, repofe is the greateft of bleflings. I refide in the country, becaufe there every thing wears a fmiling afped, and comes home to the heart. Wifdom and folly equally require to be kept within the bounds of moderation. At my age the diminifhing ftrength of our faculties, and the privations they impofe, naturally incline us to be too auflere ; and we ought to be as much upon our guard againft this error as in our youth. We ought, above all things, to fliun intemper- ance, and I am thus endeavouring to re-animate my frame ; for I wifti to be able to fay, like a certain Epicurean philofopher, ' Time may drag me on, but it fiiall be in a retrograde motion/ " Our plan of life is as follows : when the fky is ferene, Theophania and myfelf lead our flock to pafture till the heat of the day comes on, when we take flicker in the woods, and Theophania fings to her lyre ; or fometimes foftly reclining on the turf befide her, I employ myfelf in com- pofing Idyls, or in reading Herodotus and Thu- voL. I. z cydides. 3^8 THE TkAVELS OF ANTENOR cydidcs. Sometimes we recite fcenes from So- phocles or ^.uripides, or, crowned with rofes, fing the fcolia of Anacreon. In the finefl: part of the fummer we dine in the woods on milk and fruits ; and when the veil of night begins to obfcure the diftant hills, we lead our flocks home ; and, after a charming walk amidft the beautiful varieties of Nature, conclude the day with a more agreeable and a more delicious fupper than thofe of Ulylfcs or Agamemnon ; for, according to Homer, that king of kings was en- tertained by Ajax with a roaflred bull j and the feaft of which Ulyfles partook, v/hen he vifited the good EumsEus, confifted of two broiled hogs. Perhaps you may think this a very extraordinary mode of life, but be affured, that the greateft ab- fnrdity into which the human mind can deviate is to be conftantlytheflave of cuftom and the viflim of prejudice." A fervant now came to inquire at what time and place his mailer would choofe to fup. He took this opportunity to inform us that he never are either at a fixed hour or at the fame place. " I think nothing fo ridiculous," laid hej " as to be confined to a particular hour, or to pre- tend to force our appetite to return at appointed times. All the beafts of the field and the birds of th€ air obey the calls of hunger alone. Even in refpefb to our dining-room I have a peculiarity of my IN GREECE AND ASIA. 239 my own. It is every where. Sometimes on a hill ; fometimes in the cool retreat of fome fhady wood, or near a murmuring fountain ; and very frequently in a favourite grotto j thus avoiding the infi.pid uniformity of unchanging cuftom, and giving the charm of perpetual novelty to our daily- recurring pleafures ; for the love of variety is the univerfal paffion of all mankind. — Do me the favour," faid he to Phanor and myfelf, " to choofe where we (hall take our repaft to-day." We replied that we would leave it to the decifion of the lovely Pfyche, who determined that we Ihould fup in the grotto. This grotto, of which the entrance was narrow^ formed a fpacious rotunda cut out of the folid rock. It received light from an aperture in the centre of the roof, which was fliaded by foliage, and admitted a foft gloomy light and arefrefhing cool. This charming retreat was furnilhed with very comfortable couches of a ruftic and fimple form. Z 2 34© TifE TRAVELS OF ANTENCK CHAP, XXXVIII. They dine with Bion. — Poem Jung hy Pjychr. THE table was covered with a profufion of delicacies, and the bread was uncommonly delicious. It was made of the fineil flour, and kneaded with milk, oil, and fait. We had Adienian olives, Phenician dates, and almonds of Naxos, which were efteemed one of the greateft rarities. The elegance and variety of the difhes, and the excellence of the winesy proved that the mailer of the feafl. was a man of the mioft refined tafte, and fond of the choiceft fare j and at every change the table was wafhed with fponges. We were ferved in fmall plates, in which Bion himfelf diftributed to each of the guefts a portion of the various diflies. We had cups of different fizes, and we were furnifhed with chaplets of flowers, which we placed upon our heads, upon our hearts, and round our arms. I was furprifed to obferve, by the fide of the richcft fervice of filver and filver-gilt, velTelsof the coarfell earthen-ware. When I alked Bion . the IN GREECE AN^ ASIA. 34I the reafon of this, he replied, that they were intended as a conftant memorial of his origin, and of the kind of veflels that once adorned his table. In the midft of our repaft Thcophania took a branch of myrtle and her cithara, and having played a (hort prelude, which difplayed the fofc and elegant outline of her beauteous arm in the moft attradive variety of attitudes, fhe began to unite her melodious voice to the rich harmony of the firings, and fang to it the following poem: THE WOES OF PSTCHE, A MYTHOLOGICAL TALE. AH l ye, whofe hearts with pity flow;. On me, on me your tears beftow ! For ye, whofe charms fubdue mankind. Or gods in tender fetters bind. Like me Ihall dread young Cupid's rage, I, too, could once foft pains afluage. With generous heart, and formed for tender love, i^h ! why ihould I for ever wretched prove ? z^ But 342 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR But Venus, jealous of my charms, Seduc'd each fuitor from my arms. And, ere I knew fond love's return, Doom'd me with haplefs flames to burn. Her rage alarm 'd my anxious fears. And delug'd all my bed with tears. Thus, thus, alas I was youth's half-open'd flower For ever blafted by that jealous power ! My father, grieving at my ftate, Inquir'd of oracles my fate : *' A wing'd deftroyer, fierce and wild," The god replied, •♦ fhall wed thy child ; By thee to yonder defert led. He foon fliall woo her to his bed. Thy fond, thy fruitlefs tears fhall flow in vain. For thus the Hern unerring Fates ordain." Now to a barren defert drear My father led me, pale with fear. How oft we echo'd each adieu 1 Too foon he vanifti'd from my view. «* Adieu, adieu, my love!" he cried ; ** Pity, ye gods, this haplefs bride !" With horror chill'd, my troubled fenfes fled ; I fwoon'd — the ruthlefs defert was my bed. But foon, amid this fcene of woes, A fplendid palace round me rofe. With painted dome, and columns tall. And fretted roof, and gilded wall. Thick groves, and Ilreams, and beds of flowers. Gods ! how the change dillurb'd my powers ! V/hlle, grav'don twenty youthful elms, I fee — «' My heart, oh ! lovely Pfyche, pants for thee !" Thus IN GREECE AND ASIA. 243 Thus trembling Hill with doubt and fear, A voice divinely fweet I hear : ** Each night fhall Pfyche now be blefs'd. Still by a lender lover prefs'd ; Here thou alone fhalt ever reign ; By day (halt feek my form in vain ; Por fhould'ft thou dare thy hufband's form tO'know* From Venus' rage unceafing ills fhall flow." With lefs alarm I now furvey'd The lofty dome, the cooling fliade ; Explor'd the winding path and bovver. The ftreamlet's courfe, tlie gaudy flower. Till night the lingering day fubdu'd — Night, when foft love is fUll renew'd ; Then fank to reft within a high alcove, Form'd for delicious ecftafy and love. But ftarting foon with wild alarms, I panted in a ftranger's arms. A thoufand kiffes he imprefs'd. And wak'd new tranfports in my breads But with the morn away he fled. Again, at eve, to grace my bed. Two months thefe joys return'd each rapt'rous night. And Time unheeded wing'd his filent flight. Ah ! fay what fiend deftroy'd my peace. And bid thefe heavenly pleafures ceafe ; Still bid me iigk my love to fee. And violate his ftern decree ? Each morn alone I wept, I figh'd; *' He's furefome raonfter vile !" I cried : " Or why, if man or god, thus ftiun my fight,' And hide his charms beneath the veil of nightie* M At 34^. THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR At length refolv'd, a fecret light With care I plac'd far out of fight. My hufband came, and took his place. And prefTed me in a fond embrace. Poured forth his foul with glowing kifs. And wak'd in mine ecftatic blifs : But foon did fleep his heavy eyelids clofe. And tranfient pleafures yield to long repofe. With filent ftep the lamp I fought. Soft to the bed the light I brought : Ye gods ! what joy, what fond delight* Tranfported now mv ravifh'd fighl ! While, doubting, ftill on him I gaze. And feail my eyes with fond amaze. My lamp I fpill'd, the godlike youth I burn'da And all my future joy to forrow turn'd. Now wildly ftarting from my fide, *' What deed is this ?" he fternly cried : *' Long, long fhalt thou this night regret, (For Venus fhall enforce her threat,) No more fhalt prefs within thy arms Her fon, who panted for thy charms : Henceforth revenge from angry Venus dread!'*' Then from my fight the ungrateful Ciipid fled. My palace vanifh'd into air, Acrofs the void quick lightnings glare. While yawning caves and rocks affright My trembling heart and dazzled fight. For pardon V'^enus I implore. And on my knees her power adore : <' Ah ! goddefs ! beauty's lovely queen ! forgive yiy crime, and grant thy fuppliant flill to live !" <« Though IN GREECE AND ASIA, J4J " Though live thou (halt," a voice replied, *« No happy days (hall o'er thee glide. For beauty fled thy tears fhall flow ; No charms, no conquefts thou flialt know. Thy form with horror fliall be view'd." Still I my humble prayer renew'd : *' Ah I goddefs ! let me all thy rigor prove. If but thy fon his wretched Pfyche love !'* Since that fevere, that dreadful doom. With tears around the world I roam. My dear, my cruel Cupid feek. To woo him to my pallid cheek. *Tis not for beauty loft I mourn- That fatal gift I'd freely fpurn — My heart remains, nor will 1 weep the paft, If Love reward my conftancy at laft *. WhUe • This perfonification of the foul, though very ingenioufly introduced here by tie French author, and though fuppofed, by fome, to be obfcurely alluded to in Synefius's book oa dreams, and ftill more faintly by Plato and Plotinus, feems never to have formed an important part of the Grecian my- thology, nor even to have appeared in the form of a fable till a period pofterior to the Auguftan age ; otherwife Plato or his followers would undoubtedly have paid due homage to a tale fo appofite to their fyflem, and, like their modern advo- cates, would have made fomething more of it than its obvious moral, that deluflon is the food of love. The French author has conflderably fliortened the original fable of Apuleius, which, had he verfified at full length, would {>erhaps have appeared tedious to the reader. The J^atin mythologift begins with relating that a certain Icing had three daughters of uncommon beauty, of whom the %wo elder were married to neighbouring princes : but the youngeft^ .346 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR While Theophania thus fang the pafllon and the woes ofPfyche, each of the audience Itftened v/ith youngcft, who excelled in beauty, not only her two fiflers, bpt every other mor:al, was rumoured to be the goddefs Venus herfelf, whofe altars were negledled, and the worlhip due to the goddefs paid to her earth-born rival. This enraged the goddefs To violently, that fhe complained to her fon Cupid of the infult, intreating him to revenge her wrongs, and punilh the rebellious beauty by caufing her to fall in love with the loweft and moll wretched of human beings. In the meanwhile Pfyche was rather admired as a model of beauty than approached with the ardor of impafiioned Icye, and neither princes nor nobles fought her hand in marriage. Hence Ihe was difconfolate at her forlorn ftate, and began even to hate that beauty which feemsd to fet her above the hopes and wilhes of mankind. Her father fufpedling the hatred of fome divinity to be the caufe of his daughter's de- fertion, confulted the oracle of Miletus j in confequence.of which Ihe was expofed on a rock, whence Zephyrus bpre her on his wings to a beautiful valley, where he gently laid her on the bolom of a flowery turf. The fable proceeds with all the invifible agents of a fair/ tale, till at length the elder fiHsrs endeavoured to difcover the place of her abode ; of which her hufband warned her, at the fame time threatening her with deftrudlion if (he payed the lead attention to their lamentations. By prayers and en- treaties, however, fhe extorted from her hufband permiffion to fee her fillers, though accompanied with new threats fhould fhe attempt to difcover his form. She alfo obtained his con- fent that Zephyrus fhould convey them to her palace in the fame manner as fhe had herfelf been brought from the rock. Solaced with finding their Pfyche was not only fafe but happy, her fifters at length began to bedifpleafed at her ea- IN GREECE AND ASIA. 347 with tranfport and admiration to her melodious voice i and unconfcious of what pafTed within him. joying fuperior riches, and being married to a divinity, whom ftie had defcribed as a beautiful youth, principally oc- cupied with hunting and rural employments ; after which ftie fent them a\»ay in the fame manner as they arrived, left, by a longer ftay, Ihe might incautioufly betray her fecret. On the road they inflamed each other's envy, complaining of their own hufbands as old and difgulling, or lame and impo> tent ; and of the haughty conduct of their younger fifter, who had given them but a trifling part of her immenfe riches, and then ordered them to be turned out of doors, and to be puffed and hiflfed away. Hence they refolved upon her ruin; to accomplilh which they praAifed innumerable arts ; and at length having extorted her fecret from her, and worked upon her fears, induced her to examine her hufljand's form by means of a concealed lamp, in the manner above defcribed ; providing alfo a razor, to cut off the head of the noxious fer- pent they reprefented him probably to be. Thus Pfyche difcovered the beauty of her huflaand ; and trying the Iharpnefs of one of his arrows, pricked her finger, and fell in love with Cupid : but while (he was admiring his beauty, fome oil from the lamp fcalding him, he immediately awoke and fled away ; though Pfyche clung to his leg till at length, through exceflive fatigue, fhe loft her hold and fell to the ground. This is the fubftance of the firft half of the fable, which then proceeds to relate the premature and violent deaths of the envious fifters ; the rage of Venus ; her punifhment of Cupid ; her revenge on Pfyche; the fevere tafks and hazard- ous expeditions on which fhe fent her ; till at length Cupid fupplicates Jupiter, who, in a full afliembly of all the gods, grants him Pfyche in marriage, and genders her immortal. The 54S THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR him, received, with ever-varying delight, each impreflion the fair fongftrefs endeavoured to im- part. Sometimes our ideas wantoned in the en- chanting groves of fiiSlion, to rejoice at the hap- pinefs of the beauteous and tender Pfyche : then, wild with fympathetic agitation, we wept at her misfortunes and the relentlefs vengeance of Venus. When fhe had concluded, and had re* ceived, with modefty, our thanks and our praifes, Ihe told us Bion had alfo, fome time ago, com- pofed a little fcolium on himfelf, which he would ro doubt fing to us. " I will repeat it," faid he, " with pleafure, but it will be in a hoarfe and croaking voice j for though once ftrong and fo- jiorous, I am at length almoft vanquifhed by Time, and am forced, unwillingly, to fubmit to his injuries. * Oft, with wanton fmiles and jeers. Women tell me I'm in years ; The fable concludes with the birth of a daughter to Cupid and Pfyche, whom the marriage of her mother rendered im- mortal, and whom we call Pleafure. * The French author has here attributed to Bion the cele- brated eleventh ode of Anacreon, of which he has given a free tranflation. He has ufed the fame liberty on many fubfequenj pccafions, though without acknowledging the licence he has taken in deviating from hiftorical accuracy, or offering any further apology than the general confeffion in the preface, T.N. I. the i IN GREECE AND ASIA. ^49 I, the mirror when I view. Find, alas ! they tell me true — Find my wrinkled forehead bare. And regret my falling hair — White and few, alas ! I find All that time has left behind. But ray hairs, if thus they fall. If but few or none at all, Afking not, I'll never (hare Fruitlefs knowledge, fruitlefs care. This important truth I know. If, indeed, in years I grow, I muft fnatch what life can give ; Not to love it not to live." Anok. Having expreiTed the great pleafure we re- ceived from this fonnet, we reminded Bion of his promife to relate to us by what happy interven- tion of the gods he had found fo charming a companion. He readily confented to our re- queft ; and having made our libations to the gods, he began as follows. 35<5 tHE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR tHAP. XXXIX. Hijlory of the firji interview of Bion and T'heophania. " A T that time I refided at Miletus in Ionia, -^^ a town much celebrated for its uncom- monly ferene and clear fky, and for its vicinity to the river Mseander, which there traverfes the mod luxuriant meadows, and fteals along be- neath the foliage of poplars with innumerable finuofities, at once retarding and embellilhing its courfe. Beneath that enchanting climate Love and Pleafure feem to hold a perpetual (t^- tival. To tafte the mofl: exquifite delights, or to add to the number of human enjoyments, are the only occupations of the paffing day. But the purfuit of pleafure abforbs all the powers of the mind, and diftrads it from the fofter thrill of heartfelt fenfibility, and the folid and durable delights of intelle6lual improvement. Yet mere fenfual enjoyment can never become a con- ftant and habitual flate. Tranquillity and peace with ourfelves and with others are the utmoft extent of human felicity s to procure thefe is the grand objedt of every being en- 4 dued IN GREECE AND ASIA. 35! tiued with fenfibility and reafon. In Hi or t, it is t-hat of the philofophy of my great mafter Epicurus. " Having dined, on a fine winter's day, iit t^e country, where our entertainment had been prolonged by the pleafure we enjoyed, I was re- turning, in the duHc of the evening, to Miletus, from which I was but a few ftadia diftant, whenl rnet two men, who, with an air of terror and wild- nefs, inquired if I had notfeena young girl : but on my anfwering in the negative they quitted me. Having gone but a little way farther, my dog ftopped oppofite to a hedge that ran along the Cde of the road, then came up to me 35 if fud- denly alarmed, barking fignificantly, and by his motions and apparent fear made me fufpedt fome evil-minded perfons were lurking in con- cealment near me. Being robuft and vigorous, notwithftanding iny age, having a (lick in my hand, and never having been thought a coward, I approached the hedge, when my dog barked ftill more violently, I was going to fee what was behind it, but a muddy ditch flopped my progrefs. As the night was not dark, 1 fuddenly defcried a figure coming out of the hedge. It feemed, at firft, a fpedlre, and I fhould have beheved it was from the gloomy depths of Tar- tarus, had not its foft and mournful voice dis- covered ^^1 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR covered it to be a young and unfortunate female. She addreffed me in a very plaintive tone, faying, * If you are as humane as you appear, m the name of almighty Jupiter I implore your pity, O take compalTion on an unfortunate fe- male in diftrefs !* Thefe accents of grief and de- fpair, and the apparent fenfibility of her heart, ir- refiftibly moved my commiferacion, and I leaped over the ditch with the utmoft alacrity. What a dreadful fight — what a heart-rending pidure now prefented itfelf ! A young and half-naked woman, holding a little infant in her arms, her face, her bofom, and her flowing hair all de- formed with gore and mud, perifhing with cold, and trembling throughout her frame ! I was doubting whether to approach her, when per- ceiving my fears, ihe threw herfelf at my feet; and prefenting to me her child, raifed her eyes to heaven, and implored my humanity and corapafTion. ' Who are you ?' faid I, * and why are you thus forlorn, in the midft of a loathfome ditch ?' — * I am unable,' faid Ihe, in a half-extinguiflied voice, * at prefentto explain, for I am perifiiing v/ith cold and terror. Save me, for pity's fake 1 and I will communicate to you all my misfortunes.' I no longer hcfitated, but throwing my cloak around her, I took her tinder my arm, and carried her child in the other. IM GREECE AND ASIA. 2§^ Other. She was extremely weak and emaciated, and the cold had quite numbed her limbs. I fupported and encoiira,q;ed her to the r.tmoft, but foon fhe fank and fainted away. I was extremely embarrafled what fteps to purfue, dll at length I took her on my (houlders, and thus arrived at Miletus exhaufled with ex'reme fatigue. Hav- ing ordered a fire to be lighted, an;! given her fome cordials, I perceived that her hand was feverely hurt. I drefled the wound, and having caufed her to be conduced to the bath, fent her fome clothes. I cannot defcribe to you my aftonifliment when I faw her again enter my room ; for I thought another Circe had meta- morphofed a hideous fpedlre into a mofb beau.^ tiful divinity. It is true I had obferved that Ihe had fine eyes, but all the reft of her countenance was fo disfigured and clotted with mud, that I was very far from fufpefting any extraordinary charms could exift under fuch a difguife. She inftantly threw herfelf at my feet, and with the moft poliflied elegance exprelTed her gratitude for my humanity. I raifed her up, paid a tribute of admiration to her beauty, and rejoiced in. having met with fo fortunate an adventure. After fupper, when good wine and feafonable food had renovated the energy of our minds, that im- mortal part which is fo. intimately connedted with VOL. I. A A our J54 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOH our bodies, I requefted her to tell to me her hiftory. But I Ihall leave you to enjoy the pleafure of hearing it from my Theophania her^ fdf; for fhe was the divinity I have been fpeak- ing of. She will relate it with an elegance I am unable to imitate, and which increafes the in- tereft of the tale. — But the evening ftar is bringing on the cool refreshing breeze : let us afcend yon hill before us, where we may enjoy iti reclining on couches of turf and mofs. In the meanwhile I will bring out jny flock to pafture near us." We then quitted the grotto, and the lovely Pfyche begged us to excufe her for a moment. Bion now tuned his pipe, when fuddenly the flock collcifled round him ; and the bleating of the flieep and playful lambs filled the valley with the mufic of Nature. A ram walked gravely at their head, and two dogs, one on each fide, maintained order and difcipline. As we walked along, Bion pointed out to us the beauties and the riches of his garden. " That of Alcinous," faid I, " though fo elaborately praifed by Homer, was but worthy of a fliep- herd when compared with jours, which would have done real honour to the king of Phsacia." — " When I was young," rephed he^ " and opprefled by poverty, the fummit of my ambition was to poflefs one of that prince's, four fountains and IN GREECE AND ASIA. ^55 and a few acres of his orchard : but a tafte for elegant pleafiires and refined enjoyment, and a defire to pafs our lives in a ftate of conftantly- increafing happinefs, gradually enter the mind ; and, growing ftronger as its faculties improve, add force to the delicacy and fenfibility of our hearts. Whether this increafing defire of happinefs and of pleafure, accompanied by the increafing faculty of procuring and enjoying them, be a real benefit conferred upon us by nature, is a queflion which I fhall leave to me- taphyficians to decide, who may difpute about it as long as they find amufement in the dif- cufTion." — " But how,"faid I, '' could you, who were born in the humble fphere of poverty, and deftitute of ambition, rife to this ftate of afflu- ence and luxury, which you enjoy with fo much elegance and tafte ?" — I was interrupted by La- cidas, who faid to Bion, " You muft entertain your guefts with this happy viciflitude of fortune, for they will take an intereft in the recital, and re- ceive pleafure from the tale." — " Let us, then," faid he, " climb to the top of the hill, and I will relate it to you while we are waiting for Theo- phania." A A 2 ;6 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR CHAP. XL. ^he hiftory of B'lon. ■y natl\«e place was Smyrna, where my birth was diftinguiflied by a very extra- ordinary event. The enemy having taken the town by furprife, the affrighted inhabitants fled through the oppofite gate; and in the confuHGn this panic occafioned, my nurfe left me expofed to every danger in the midft of an open field. *' Some divinity, however, watched over my life, and preferved me from dellruflion. My cries and rqoans attraded a goat who had lately brought forth her young, and who now gave me fuck, drove away the dogs and other beafts, and continued her charitable aid till the enemy retired, and the inhabitants returned to their de- ferted dwellings j when fome women who found me were aftoniflied to perceive that I was ftiil alive, and feveral of them fuccefilvely offered to give me fuck : but 1 turned away my head and fcreamed violently. The poor goat, hear- ing my cries, and alarmed for my fafety, now ran up to me, and fuckled me in the prefence of the IN GREECE AND ASIA. 357 the women, to whom I preferred my bene- fadlrefs of the field. This greatly furprifed all the fpeflatorsj and from that time, whenever they wanted the goat, they made me cry, and im- mediately the animal ran up to me with the utmoft fpeed. " My father, who was a difciple of the god of Epidaurus, a man of talents, and a votary of pleafure, left me no other patrimony than his books of medicine, a Homer, a buft of ^Efcula- pius, a box containing the portraits and the hair of his numerous miftreffes, many debts to pay, and a fmall fum of ready money. I took the money and the Homer, and left the books of medicine and the box of portraits for the credit- ors. Thus I arrived at Athens, like Bias, bringing all my fortune with me i young, fond of pleafure, and thirfting for inftruclion. As I fcarcely breathed but in poetry, and always afpired to the heights of ParnafTus, I foared above the fordid love of riches, and preferred the fmiles of Apollo to all the gold of Plutus. Yet the occafional admonition of intrulive want was fometimes fufficiently fevere to teach me, that notwithftanding the charms of philofophy, money had itsufes -, and that it was neceffary to water the flowers of Helicon with the ftreams of Padolus. I refledled, however, that a man A A 3 of 55^5 THE TRAVELS OF ANTSNOR of talents, and a votary of learning, ought not to facrifice a very large portion of his life to the occupation of enriching himfelf i becaufe an in- fatiable defire of gold, and a continual folici- tude to accumulate riches, confine the faculties of the foul, and extinguifli the facred fire of genius. " At that time the fame of Dionyfius of Sy- racufe was the univerfal topic of converfation throughout Greece, where nothing was fpoken of but his great riches, his unequalled power, and the patronage he beftowed on the arts, on the fciences, and on literature. I therefore re- folved to repair to the court of that prince, and thus burft at once into the temple of Fortune. I applied to Plato for a recommendation to ia- troduce me at the court ; and by means of his letters, and the credit of his name, I procured the moft cordial, the moft diftinguifhed recep- tion from the prince. I was foon admitted to participate his pleafures, and by degrees my verfes and my gaiety procured me his confidence and efteem. ** I now perceived that this fovereign of Sicily, thouo-h poflefied of unlimited power, and of all the gifts Fortune could beftow, was perhaps in himfelf the leaft happy of mankinds for corrod- ing cares, perpetual alarms, and unceafing re- 8 morfe IN GREECE AND ASIA. 359 morfe were the mod conftant inmates that dwelt beneath his gilded roof. The ftory of Damo- cles is well known, though related in a thoufand different manners. As I was an eye-witnefs to events you may have heard erroneoufly detailed, I will relate to you the true hiftory of that curi- ous incident. A A 4 ^60 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR CHAP. XLI. Anecdote of Damocles, T a feflival given by Dionyfius to the people, who were crowding into the public fquare before the palace, while the prince went from window to window to obferve them, Damocles, who was one of the moft affidu- ous of his flatterers, faid to him, * O prince ! how happy art thou who art mafter over fo nu- merous a people, and the pofleffor of all the riches of this happy ifland !' He purfued this Urain of infipid flattery till the monarch, impor- tuned by his fulfome and empty adulation, and difgufted with hearing that happinefs eulogized which he felt to be a fl:ranger to his bofora, faid to Damocles, ' This night you fliall yourfelf tafte the enjoyment you eftimate fo high, and be king during four-and-twenty hours. Give or- ders for a feaft, choofc your own guefts, and I will be prefent only as your fubjed, and not un- lefs I am invited.' *' I pafs over the intermediate hiftory of the preparation for this grand entertainment, till the time when Damocles entered the banqueting- hall IN GREECE AND ASIA, j6t hall with the royal crown upon his head, attended by guards, and furrounded by the great officers of flate, while a band of excellent muficians per- formed triumphant mufic, and Dionyfms mixed with the guefts who had been invited. Damo- cles, exulting in his tranfient elevation^ feated himfelf on a moil magnificent couch beneath a purple canopy, fpangled with gold and filver ftars, and of which the frame and ornaments were of maffy gold. A number of young per- fons, of the belt families of Syracufe, attended to wait upon the temporary prince* During the re- paft a fkilful female performer fang the charms and pleafures of empafTioned love, which Ihe ac- companied upon her lyre ; and a poet prefented him fome verfes, in which he praifed his talents, his power, his virtues, his courage, his gene- rofity, and the mildnefs of his reign. All the guefts rivalled each other in expreiTing their ap- probation and applaufes at the praifes beftowed on their new monarch ; and whenever he fpoke, all the company liftened to him in filent admi- ration of his wifdom. Damocles was highly elated with the refpe<5l and adoration he received from his flatterers, and enjoyed all the pleafures of the mod luxurious feaft, when on a fudden, happening to look up, he perceived a fword fuf- pended by an invifible hair perpendicularly over his j62 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR his head. This fight immediately clouded his pleafures and robbed him of his appetite. He no longer liftened to the adulation of his flatter- •crs, or the praifes beftowed upon the various difhes before him, and the foreign wines brought from Greece for his gratification. His ears and his ftomach were equally clofed, and he became infenfible to every thing but the fword that feemcd each moment ready to deftroy him. The changes of his countenance, and the evident per- turbation of his mind, amufed Dionyfius and the fpedators, till at length this monarch of a day, thus agitated with fear in the midfl: of his mo- mentary grandeur, begged permiffion of the king to abdicate the throne, with all its cares and pleafures. Thus, by this emblematical inftruc- tion, did Dionyfius make known the true con- dition of thofe tyrants who, furrounded by fplen- did cares and delufive magnificence, excite the mifplaced envy of mankind. iN GREECE AND ASIA. 363 CHAP. XLII. The hiftory of Bion continued. " y-%BSERViNG Dionyfius, one day, opprefled, V-/ with the moil gloomy melancholy, 1 was going to leave him, when he called to me, fay- ing, * Philofopher of Greece, have you ever difcovered the great fecret, the important enig- ma, how to acquire happinefs ? Can you tell me in what it confifts, and whether it exifts at all ?'— ' The anfwer,' faid I, * of Anaxagoras, to a great man who afked him if any one was happy, was as follows : Not he is really happy ivho^ loaded ^ith richesy "uuith hcncurs^ and dijiinoiions, ap- pears Jo in the eyes of the vulgar y but rather the man whoy cultivating afmall plot of ground, unites rujiic labour ivith the unambitious pleajures of the Mufes ; for though his modefi deportment and tranquil countenance do not exprejs the lively emotions of joy y yet the truefi happinefs refides in his heart.' I then related the celebrated fable of Crantor, who reprefents Health, Wealth, Piea- fure, and Virtue contending for the prize at the Olympian games. Wealth fpoke firft, laying, * I am 364 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR * I am the fovereign good, for by me every good is purchafed.' PJeafure then faid, ' The prize is mine j for the only objed for which men defire riches is that they may poiTefs me.* Health declared that riches were unnecefTary ; and that without her no one could enjoy plea- fure. And laftly. Virtue faid, (lie was fuperior to all the reft, becaufe, though pofiefled of gold, and enjoying health and pleafure, we may be ex- tremely miferable if we conduct ourfelves ill. The prize was therefore given to Virtue. * The fable,' anfwered theking, Ms very ingenious, but ic would have been more accurate had Grantor faid that the fovereign good orhappinefsconfiflsin the union of all the four competitors, Virtue, Healthj Wealth, and Pleafure. However, Grantor and Anaxagoras are much in the right j for though now at the fummit of human grandeur, I am tired of my exiftence, and often confider my- felf as the moft wretched of m^ankind. Aaifl me with your counfels, and tell me what road I muft purfue to catch a momentary view of this fleeting happinefs. In fhort, what would you do were you in my place ?' — ^ I would quit,* faid I, * this magnificent and extenfive palace, I would ceafe to be a king, and return to a private ftation. I would retire to Athens, and dwell in that happy refort of the arts, of philofophy, and of IN GREECE AND ASIA. 365 of liberty, of polifhed manners, and of culti- vated tafte. I would there purchafe a beautiful country- houfe, where I would amufe myfelf in planting and building, and would pafs my leifure hours with the moft amiable fociety, and among the vvlfefl: philofophers. I would fele(5l a fmail circle of friends, and make my inmates happy by the benefits they would receive ac my hands y and being thus wife without aufterity, a philo- fopher without the flavery of fyftem, a lover of letters without pedantry, and folitary without mifanthropy, I would tafte of pleafure with ele- gance and delicacy, and wait the arrival of my laft hour in the fweet unfolicitous enjoyment of life.' — ♦' Your reafoning,' faid he, ' has con- vinced me. I will rcfign a fceptre which is loaded with cares and dangers, and prepare immedi- ately for my retreat. I requeft, however, that you will keep my intentions a profound fecret. Come to-morrow, and we will arrange the ex- ecution of this plan, the ;profpe6L of which al- ready charms and fafcinates my heart.' — I took my leave, full of exultation at having made a royal profelyte, and brought over a king to the caufe of reafon and philofophy. " I returned the next day at the appointed hour, when I found Diony Qus furrounded by a numerous train of courtiers^ who were paying their homage and 366 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR and their adulations to their fovereign. As foon as the prince perceived me, he gave me a fmile of afFedion, and made a fign for me to wait. When the crowd had difappeared, he began to fpeak of the luftre with which he would in future adorn his reign, the war he was meditating againft the Carthaginians, the troops and veflels he wasi about to arm and equip, but, to my utter afto- nilhment, not a word efcaped him relative to the plan we had been concerting the preceding even- ing. When he had finifhed difplaying his power, and anticipating his intended conquefts, 1 faid to him, with a fmile, ' I hope, amidft the din of battle and the torrent of your viftories, you will at lead fpare the city of Athens, which yefterday held out to you the profped of a happy afylum in your retirement.' — ' I underiland you,' re- plied he. ' I have refle<5led on my future plans : but every man has his deftiny, from which he will in vain attempt to fly. I know that the diadem of royal power is full of thorns, and that a phi- lofopher is much happier than a king : but after a few years more of labour and fatigue 1 will throw off all my cares and folicitudes, and enjoy in fweet repofe, amidft the groves of the Mufes, all the fame of my paft achievements, and all the plcafures of a ferene and happy life.' — ' May I venture,' faid I, * to afl^ you your age ?' — ' I am IN GREECE AND ASIA. 2^1 am only,' replied he, ^ fixcy-two years old.'— 'Well,* faid I, ^ dien every day, every hour you breathe, is fo much added to what you have a reafonable ground to claim as your own.' — ' How fo ^' faid he.—* Your whole fhare of life,* replied J, * is but twenty-two or twenty- three years upon an average, according to the common lot of humanity i and adopting the calculations of the medium duration of life at every age, you have no reafon to expert to live more than nine or ten years longer. '•»—* My plan, then,' faid he, fince my life is to be fo (hort, fhall be to make it up out of that of others, and to enjoy it, as much as poflible, at their expence.' We were now in- terrupted, and I went away, concluding, that to Dionyfius, and the majority of mankind, the bloiloms of wifdom and happinefs blow on ex-- otics which they know not how to cultivate. " But to return to the origin of the affluence I now poflefs : ambitious of acquiring every kijid of glory, and of being thought a poet as well as a hero, Dionyfius had fent a tragedy to the Olympian games, to obtain the prize of poetry. It was read by a perfon appointed for that pur- pofe, who had a full and fonorous voice : but the harmonious and feducing tone of the reader could not iinpofe upon the audience, or conceal the weakncfi of the compofitioni which was re- ceived 368 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR ceived with groans and hifles by the whole com-^ pany. This poet-king, thus overwhelmed with Ihame and confufion, (hut himfelf up for feveral days, ate his meals alone, and fcarcely admitted any one to fee him. I was not admitted till two days after, and was quite embarrafied how to conduct myfelf, or how to (hape my counte- nance, and offer confolations to an infulted poet, who had the moft powerful armies at his com- mand. Being refolved not to be fent to the quarries, as was Polyxenes for a fimilar indif- cretion, I entered with a forrowful' countenance, cxprefiive of the deepeft concern. The king at firft talked of indifferent topics, and then, with an air of grief and deprefllon, faid, * You have heard of my difgrace, and the rejetflion of my tragedy, at the Olympian games ?'— I replied that a great prince, like him, had no need of the laurels of Apollo to immortalize his name; that in thefe tumultuous affemblies the paffions and prejudices of the people, and the intrigues of de- figning men, were the chief caufes that influ- enced their decifions ; and that he Ihould have been aware of the levity, the caprice, and the in- conftancy of the Greeks. * I know,' faid he, ' that the Greeks deferve the character you give them, but they are alio the difpenfers of gtory, and they hold the trumpet of Fame in their hands. IN GREECE AND ASIA. 369 hands. I am determined I will recover this mt- Jerable fall, and be one of the competitors at the Dionyfia of Athens. I have a tragedy in hand, the fubje6t of which is the death of i^geus. You recolle6l,' continued he, * that Minos, having fubdued the Athenians, de- manded of them an annual tribute of feven youths and as many virgins, to be devoured by the Minotaur. When the youthful Thefeus, who was born to rid the earth of monfters, re- folved to be one of the vidlims, that he might either deliver his country from this iliameful tri- bute, or periili in the attempt, his father j^geus, deeply afflidled and terrified at this bold and hazardous cnterprize, ordered the pilot of the veiTel that conveyed the vi6lims to Crete to hoift a white fail, if his fon returned vi6lorious, in lieu of the black fails generally ufed on that occafion. During his abfcnce, ^^geus went daily to the fea-fide to watch for his return. At length one fine ferene day a brifl< gale wafted the vcfTel, that was bringing the triumphant Thefeus back to Athens, over the furface of the ocean : but both the pilot and Thefeus had, in the excefs of their joy at the rapidity with which they approached the fhore, forgotten to hoift the white fails according to the orders of ^geus, who conceiving his fon was VOL. I. B B devoured ^JO THE, TRAVELS OF ANTENOR devoured by the monder, threw himfelf in de- fpair into the fea, afterwards called by his name. This fubjec?:,' continued the king, * muft be pe- culiarly interefting to the Athenians. But I have as yet only formed a hafty fketch of a few of the fcenes, for I have been fo much occupied by public affairs, that I have not been able to advance in the work. You wits are very happy/ continued he, ' to be always foaring among the heights of Parnaffus, without being ever called down by more preffing, though perhaps lefs im- portant occupadons. — But it is not every one's fate to be born a poet.' — ^ Neither,' faid I, ' is it every one's deftiny to be a monarch ; yet I would not wifli to be a king, except of my gar- den and my miftrefs.' — ^ I have a fervice to aflc of you,' faid he, ' my dear Bion, in the per- formance of which I have no doubt I may de- pend on your fecrecy.' — ^ As much,' replied I, * as if I fwore it by the river Styx.' — * You muft help me,' continued he, ' to finifli my piece, complete the plan, and put a few of the firft fcenes into verfe ; and I will proceed with the reft as faft as polnble.' — At firft 1 modeftly refufed to mingle the prcdu<5tion of talents fo moderate as mine with the fublime flights of his exalted genius : but he peififted in his requefr, to which at length I yielded. I then fhut my- felf IN GREECE AND ASIA. 37I felf up in my ftudy ; and as the fketch of Dio- nyfius was but a rough outline, I extended it to five epilbdes or ads *. He was pleafed with my performance, and made fome very appofite and acute obfervations ; for he was by no means de- ficient either in talents or literary tafte. As foon * The ancient Greek poets were unacquainted with the dlvifion of plays into aifls, though their epifodes or chorufes ferved nearly the fame purpofe. It is true they confidered their pieces as confilling of certain parts or divifions, which they called protafis, epitafis, cataftafis, and cataftrophe, but they had no real divifions or interruptions anfvvering to them in the reprefentation. The Romans fir ft introduced ads into the drama ; and in Horace's time the five a£ts were grown into a law, which ftill determines the length of all regular plays. Neu brevior quinto, neu fit produdior, adu. Hor. It is certain, however, that on the principles of that great mafter of the drama, Arillotle, a play may bejuft and regu- lar though divided into only three ads. Tragedy was originally the name given to a hymn fung in honour of Bacchus by a chorus of muficians, accompanied with inllruments and dancing. It was fo called, from the prize being a goat, {r^xyo;,) which the vidor facrificcd to Bacchus ; and as the length of the performance might tire the. audience and fatigue the fingers, the chorus was divided into parts, and epifodes or recitations introduced in the intervals. Thefpis brought one ador on the ftage, ^fchylus a fecond, and Sophocles a third; and here the Greeks feem to have flopped ; at leaft they very rarely had more than three adors in the fame fcene : and if a fourth appeared, he was either entirely filent, or had very little to fay. T. N. ^6 2 as 372 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR as the plan was finifhed and approved of, I be- gan to attend to the verfification. At every fcene 1 went to confult my Apollo, (as I called the king,) and we correded it together. 1 ob- ferved that Dionyfius always laid 7ny tragedy, whether he intended, by frequent repetition, to perfuade me he was the true author of it, or wifhed to perfuade himfclf into that idea. I an- ■fwered in the flime manner, always calling it his. In fad, it really belonged to him } not merely on account of about a hundred verfes of his compofition, but of the price for which he purchafed it. As foon as we had fufficiently re- vifed, corrcded, pruned, and altered this tragi- cal phasnomenon, I failed for Athens in a bi- remis, and immediately prefented to the firft Archon this poem of the mafter of Sicily. I dazzled the eyes of all the judges appointed for the admiffion or rejedion of the pieces propofed with gold, which reflecled additional luftre on the work, and infured it a favorable reception. I then applied to the Choragi *, that no ex- pence might be fpared, and no attention omit- ted in the dances and the chorufes j I gave tlie a6lors robes with long trains, interwoven * The Choragi paid the expence of players, fingers, dancers, and muficians, at all public feltivals and folem- nities. with IN GREECE AND ASIA. 373 with gold, and variegated with purple and other colours, mafks defigned and coloured by the iirft mafters, and, a majeftic figure being of ■great importance, I gave my heroes bufkins four inches high, increafed the bulk of their per- fons on every fide, in proportion to their (la- ture, and added to the length of their arms by gauntlets. The decorations were executed in a fuperior manner by the bed painters. The firft fcene reprefented a beautiful landfcape; the fe- cond, a horrid deferton the fea-coaft, which was full of fleep rocks and deep caverns ; the third was a fuperb temple, covered Vv'ith gold and precious (tones. Thirty thoufand fpeclators crowded into the theatre to fee the reprcfenta- tion ; and by their applaufes Dionyfius was well requited for all his trouble and expence. Sup- ported by all thefe adventitious aids, the tragedy was elevated to the clouds, and the royal poet declared to have won the prize. It is true I felt all the lively emotions of a happy father, al- though I was too faithful to my promife to pluck a fingle flower from the literary crown of Dio- nyfius. I embarked the fame night, and made the iitmoft exertions to accelerate iny voyage ; and being favored by Neptune and the winds, I arrived, after a few days fail, at Sy- raciife. B B 3 « The 374 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR " The news of this brilliant fuccefs gave Dio- nyfius more pleafure than all the vidories he had ever gained in the field of battle. He talked of nothing but his tragedy, which he feemed to be fully perfuaded was the true offspring of his own genius, and felt a delirium of joy which feemed almoft to af?ecl his reafon. He invited all his friends, that he might announce to them his triumph, and publifhed it to all his court, and to every one he faw. When his tranfport had fomewhat fubfided, he allied me which of the verfes were moil applauded : and my anfwer, in which I quoted fome of his ov^n, feemed to give him the greateft pleafure. I had fcarcely re- turned home, when I received a magnificent prefent of a hundred talents, and an invita- tion to fup that night with the king, who in- tended to celebrate his grand fuccefs with a number of his friends. His triumph, alas ! was marked with that rapid inftability fo frequent in human affairs. The feaft was accompanied with unexampled luxury and profufion ; and two thoufand fifh, and feven thoufand birds and other game, were ferved upon the table. The throne of the viftor was placed beneath a canopy adorned with laurel, and a luxuriant crown of that emblem of vidory placed upon his head. A hundred guefls partook of the banquet i and wheq IN GREECE AND ASIA. 375 when the monarch entered the hall, the walls fhook with the applaufes and acclamations of the company. Dionyfius was animated with excels of joy, and gave himfelf up to the pleafures of intemperance. The largeft cups of wine were in conftant motion round the table, and he drank to the health of his friends, to the Athenians, to Apollo, and to the Mufes. His zeal was fo fer- vent, and he fo repeatedly celebrated the Mafter ofParnaffus, and the nine virgins that inhabit its heights, that at length he fell down overpowered by wine ; and a violent indigeftion foon termi- nated his glory, his pleafures, and his reign, his folicitudes, and his proje61:s. He was then in the fixty-third year of his age j and the Athenians faid they would have crowned him with laurel twenty years before, had they thought they could fo eafily deliver Sicily from his tyranny *. " Immediately after this unforefeen event I began to think of fecuring my treafures from t!ie rapacity of the younger Dionyfius and his fa- vorites, and felt all the uneafinefs of an old mifer, when he perceives fufpicious perfons lurk- * An oracle had foretold that Dionyfius would die when he had gained a vii^ory over thofe who excelled him. He ap- plied this expreffion to the Carthagenians, but his death folved the enigma. ' B B 4 ing 37^ THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR ing about the fpot vvhcre his gold is concealed. 1 therefore embarked as fecretly as poffible for Corinth, whence 1 came to vifit fome of my rela- tions here, who advifed me to purchafe this eftate. The fituation pleafed me, for I perceived it was fufceptibie of improvement j and I have been thcfe forty years employed, from time to time, in embellifhing and ornamenting its various natural beaunes." Theophania now returning, we placed her in the midd of us, and her little dog laid himfelf down at her feet. As foon as Ihe was feated, we all drew round her, and iiftened with the clofeft attention to her lovely voice, while fhe lelated to us her hiilory as follows. IN GREECE AND ASIA. 37* CHAP. XLIII. Hijiory of 'Theophania. " ▼ WAS born at Miletus, of which Bion has al- -■- ready given you a defcription : but he has not told you, perhaps, that the Milefian women believe it a facred duty, impofed by an ancient tradition, to devote their youth to the pleafures of love. Thus intrigue becomes their only occu-^ pation, and the gratification of their paffions the fole object of their lives, " I know not whether my mother had been a zealous worfliipper of Venus, but at a time when flie had feen ten luftra, being then a widow in poor circumftances, and deprived of all focicty but mine, (he retired to a fmall houfe, or rather a cottage, of which ^at was the proprietor, on the banks of the Msander. I was then about twelve years old, and we lived principally on roots and garden- ftuft, and on the produce of the ofier bafi-iets we made in the winter evenings or during the dog-days. My mother was a good woman in every lenfc of the word 3 that is, fhe was. ^y% THE TRAVELS OF AMTENOR was perfeflly honeft and fimplcj but had a weak mind, and was credulous and fuperftitious lo ex- cefs. ' She lived in conftant fear of Tartarus, which fhe imagined gaped to receive her if Ihe made the leaft omifTion in the rites and cere- monies of religion, or the worfhip of the gods ; and trembled at the names of Cerberus, of the Eumenidcs, or of Minos. She was pious rather from fear than love, and was tormented by a perpetual dread of the vengeance of the gods. Notwithftanding her poverty, fhe annu- ally facrificed a black fheep to Pluto, and per- formed purifications or libations to him almofl every hour of the day ; pouring milk, wine, or honey upon the earth or in the fire ; and if fhe had none of thefe, fhe made ufe of water. Whenever we had a piece of meat, flie burnt the beftpartin honour of her houfehold gods, of her genius, of Mercury, or of Bacchus. On faft- days, which are the eve of every great fcaft, fhe only took a flender meal at night -, for in the courfe of the day fhe ate nothing but a morfel of dry bread, and that without drinking. We were always provided with a good flock of luftral or holy water, with which we purified ourfclves night and morning ; and fhe always carried about with her certain flones of fupernatural and mi- raculous IN GREECE AND ASIA. ^19 raculous power*. She was continually talking of the torments of the damned, of the vnlcure devouring • In every age and country the power ci charms and talif- mans has been believed In proportion to the ignorance and barbarifm of mankind. The Egyptians particularly abound- ed in them, and wore round their necks fmall cylinders, adorned with figures and hieroglyphic fymbols. The Greeks had alfo a great variety of amulets. They attributed fupematural properties to the laurel, to the wil- low, to trees that bore thorns, tojafper, and to almoft all the precious llones. The Theflalians, the Illyrians, and the Tri- balii were particularly famous for their enchantments ; and Pliny afTerts, that the latter could ftrike animsls and childrea dead merely by locking at them. To defend them from thefe dangers, amulets were fu^pended to the necks of infants, of the form of (py.woi ; and for the fame purpcfe thev made bracelets or necklaces of {hells, of precious llones, and of coral. The ancients were particularly afraid of the looks of per- fons under the influence of envy or of anger, both for them- felves and their children ; for it was believed fome malignant influence darted from their eyes, and infefted the air ; and all animals were thought more fufceptible of thefe evil impref- fions in proportion to their youth. Againft thefe influences they defended themfelves by wearing the fame amulets as they fufpended to the necks of their children. They alfo af- fixed them to their doors, fo that, when they were opened, the (^.-iXAscthe little bells, &c. were necefTarily put in nioticn. It would be inconfiftent with the truths of natural philofo- phy to deny that the eye has rtrong powers, whether moral or phyfical. Some animals are Caid to be difordered and ; Ilupified by the eyes of other animals. Nor can it be de- pied, that thofe of a man in a violent rage may produce a very 3^0 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR devouring the liver of Prometheus, of the rolling rock of Sifyphus, of the wheel of Ixion, of the various metamorphofes of the gods, and of their irrefiftible vengeance. She often told me fhe had been aflured by a priefl of Minerva, that whenever the Pedafians were threatened with any calamity, a long beard grew fuddenly on the chin of the prieflefs of that goddefs i and that this had happened three feveral times. The fame prieft related to her the vengeance of Bacchus againft the Calydonians. Corefus, a prieft of that deity, was long the moft wretched of mankind; for he was deeply enamoured with the beautiful Callirhoe : but the more he adored her, the more he urged his haplefs fuit, the more cruelly and difdainfully Ihe repulfed him. His tears and fupplications, and all the tender entreaties of the moft empafTioned love, were fruidefs -, till at length he complained to Bacchus of his flighted very powerful impreffion on any one who contemplates his diftorted countenance. Fr. Ed. Pliny fays the eyes of the Triballi and Illyrians were fur- nilhedvvith two pupils, which were thought to contribute much to fafcinauon ; and quotes the followipg paflage of Cicero : " Feminas omnes ubique nocere, quse duplices pu- pillas habent ;" that every where women with double pupils had a power of injuring thofe on whom they fix their eyes. T.N. paffion i IN GREECE AND ASIA. 381 pafiion J and crowning his ftatue with chaplets of vine-branches, of apple-blofibms, and of pome- granate, he threw himfelf on his knees before the altar of the god. ' Thou mighty fon of Jupiter and Semele !* cried he, * take pity on my anguifb, and revenge this affront to the mofb zealous of thy minifters.' Bacchus heard his prayer, and infiided on the Calydonians a fud- den drunkennefs which rendered them furious. In their defpair they confulted the oracle of Do- dona, which anfv/ered, that Bacchus's revenge could only be appeafed by the blood of Calli- rhoe, whom the high-prieft Corefus mufl: facri- fice at his altar, or by the death of any man who was willing to die in her Head. No one offering to take her place, (he was led to the altar, pale and trembling, and fcarcely able to fupport her frame as fne walked in the folemn procefTion j while Corefus, full of inexorable vengeance, waited for the arrival of his unhappy vi(5lim. At length flie appeared, and he again beheld the object of his paffion with pallid coun- tenance, and dreaming with tears that enhanced the delicate and fafcinating charms of her un- equalled beauty. His heart was now once more awakened to tender fenfations, his refentment was forgotten, love and pity refumed their power; and as he held the facred knife, he 8 trembled 382 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR trembled and hefitated between contending emotions, till at length he caft a farewel view at the unfortnnate victim, and then plunging the fatal innrument into his own bofom, fell at her feet. Cailirhoe, now conlcious of her in- gratitude towards fo teni.ier and lb generous a lover, who had given fuch a proof of his fidelity, and defpifing her exigence, killed herfelf on the brink of a fountain, which from that time has borne her name. *' In thefe and fiinilar prejudices my mother was brought up by an old priefl: of Cybele, who was our only vifitor. She gave him all her favings, and we were often deprived of necef- faries to fupply offerings and vi(51;ims for the mother of the gods. *' In fuch principles my mother educated me> conflantly infilling into my mind the fear of heaven and of hell 3 and I was fo completely occupied with ideas of fuperftition, that when- ever I happened to be v/aiking alone in the fields, towards the dufl^ of evening, I fancied I faw the air peopled with gods and genii. One day I had a moft horrid fright. Seeing a white bull coming full up to me, I immediately thought of the metamorphofis of Jupiter into a bull, of that colour, when he carried off Europa, and imagining the god was now purfuing me. Thus being IN GREECE AND ASIA. jSj being robbed of all my powers by this fudden alarm, I knelt down and afked his forgivenefs for all my faults, and for my negleft of his wor- fhip, and promifed to facrifice to him a little kid of which I was very fond. The bull-god doubtlefs heard my prayer, and felt companion for my innocence, for he changed his courfe ; while I, like a dove purfued by a hawk, flew to hide myfcif in the bofom of my mother. I was then near fourteen years old, and was beginning to unfold my future form, which was very nearly the fame then as now, and I had all the fimpli- city and inexperience of a young perfon edu- cated in retirement by a pious, good mother. " We had permifllon to cut ofiers on the banks of the Msander, whither I frequently went for a frefh fupply. In one of thefe excur- fions I heard the melodious founds of a lyre, to which I liftened for fome time, looking every way to fee whence the found proceeded, yet wis unable to difcover any one. I was fo afto- nifhed at this prodigy, that I attributed it to Apollo, who perhaps had rendered himfeif in- vifible while he played ; till on a fudden, from the midft of the reeds that bordered the river, arofe fome god under the figure of a mortal. I drew back with furprife and alirm: but he called me to him, faying, * Stay, (lay, charming Theophania! j84 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR Theophania ! and banifh your groundlefs fears.' Encouraged by thefe words, I now ventured to contemplate his countenance. He wore a crown of reeds on his head, and in his hand he held his lyre and a bunch of rofes, which he immediately prefented to me. A mixture of furprize and curiofity ftrangely fufpended all refledion, and I know not what new fenfation rooted m,e to the ground, and forbid me to depart. The god took pity on my embarraffment, and in a tone of tcndernefs faid, * Be not alarmed, beautiful Theophania, for I will net do you the flighteft injury or difpleafure.'— * Who are you, then ?' cried I, in a half-articulated voice ; * How do you know my name ?' — ^ I am the god Mean- der/ anfwered he, * and I dwell in yond chryftal palace at the bottom of the river. I know the prefent, the pad, and the future, and have a con- liant eye upon your Heps. I have perceived that your innocence, your piety, and your virtues, are worthy of the charms you polfefs, and have rcfolved to place you among the Naiads. Thus elevated to the rank of an immortal, you fhall no longer be liable to ficknefs, grief, or loathfome death, but, like the other gods, iliall for ever preferve your youth and beauty.' I blulhed as I thanked the god, and faid I would fpeak of it to my mother. * By no means/ replied he j *it is not' IN GREECE AND ASIA," 3'8'5 not yet a proper time ; for our myfteries muft not be revealed to the profane.' — * But what am I to do/ faid 1, ' to merit the honour of being made a Naiad ?' — * You iiiuft purify yourfelf,' faid he, * during three days, night and morn- ing, with luflral water, and each time invoke Neptune the god of the fea. You muft faft throughout the day, at night eat only honey, milk, and vegetables ; and when the tliree days are paft, you will return to this fpot, where you vvill call thrice upon my name. I will then rife from my watery abode, and with my divine afflation purify your body from all its earthly and perifhable parts, infufing thar principle of immortal life which will change you into a divinity, and make you the happieft of the Naiads.' Having thus fpoken, he kifTed my lips, aflifced me to cut my ofiers, and vaniflied, *' Full ofemotionsof afi:oniIhmentand of joy, of alternate fear and hope, I returned with flow and penfive Hep to the cottage of my mother, from whom I concealed this augufl: fecret, and faithfully obeyed all the commands of the god Masander. " On the fourth day I arofe with the early dawn, and repaired to the appointed fpot full of anxiety and expe6lation, yet obedient to the commands of piety and the dilates of curi- VOL. I. c c ofity. ^86 THE TRAVELS OF AN^TENOR ofity, which gave me courage toperfevere in my rcfolution, notwithftanding all the contending emotions I experienced. When I arrived at the bank of the river I immediately called thrice upon the god. The third time I pronounced his name, lightnings flafhed acrofs the heavens, and the foliage feemed violently agitated. I was feized v/ith fudden alarm, and Hiut my eyes with terror. When I opened them I beheld the di- vinity, flill more brilliant than before, {landing near me. The reeds that encircled his head were interwoven with rofesj he exhaled the fweetefl perfume j his robe was of a mod fhining white ; and his fplendid appearance dazzled my aching eyes. He faid, ' I know you have been faithful to my precepts, and have not betrayed the fecret of the gods. Neptune, my father, has permitted me to reward your piety, and to raife you to the rank of a Naiad. Follow me to yond facredfpot, where this myilery fliall be performed *.' Thus * Similar revelations and myllic marriages are to be found in the hiftcry of moft religions. The catholics pretend that St. Catharine of Sienna had a vifion, in which fhe beheld the Elefied Virgin face to face. She is faid to have been married to Jefus Chrilt, and to have borne the facred marks or fiig- mata, like the feraphic Frai5§ois d'Affife. Certain quietift monks of Mount Athcs pretended that when they let their beards reil on their bofoms, and looked at their navels, they faw the light of I'habor, which they faid was uncreated. faying, IN GREECE AND ASIA, ^^f faying, he conduded me to a grotto at a fmall diftance, concealed by wild vines, the infide of which was covered with ivy, and in the innermoO: recefs was a couch of frefli foliage and aromatic l^lants. In this delicious retreat, which refembled thatprepared by Panto receivethe beautifulSyrinx, !the divine Mseander placed me on the couch, and feated himfelf be fide me. At firft I dared not fpeak, or even turn my eyes towards him : but he threw his arms around me, faying, ' I am about to initiate you in a myftery, into which the gods admit only the eled, and which will change and renovate your exiftence in an inflant.' While he thus addrelTed me, he loofened my zone, and overwhelmed me with kiffes. Ah ! cruel Mae- ander ! how couldft thou thus impofe on my cre- dulity, and take advantage of my fimplicity ! I fcreamed, 1 wept, I pufhed him from me : but he was deaf to my intreaties and infenfible to my tears. " When we quitted the grotto, he faid, ^ Dear, lovely Theophania, I have exerted all my powers to change you into a Naiad. Already is the metamorphofis half completed ; already have you received the beauty, the graces, and the fafcinating complexion of the divine Galatea, with whom Polyphemus was fo deeplyenamoured. Neptune, whom I am going to implore, will foon c c 2 complete 388 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR complete the work. — But the orb of day is near the zenith, and I know, by my divine knowledge, that your mother is uneafy at your abfence. Yet though we are now obliged to part, promife to return two days hence, and then a fecond opera- tion will complete your purification from every thing earthly. Go, lovely Theophania ! and be ever fubmiffive to the gods, and faithful to their fecrets.' " As I returned, I refledlcd much on this wonderful adventure, which appeared to be a flrange mixture of divine and human agencies. Yet fome degree of uneafmefs was combined with the fenfations of delight that ilill vibrated in my heart. Though fully perfuadedof the di- vinity rf my lover, yet I reproached myfelf with my facility in yielding implicit obedience to his folicltations, and the means he had ufed to change me into a Naiad. I refrained, however, from fpeaking of it to my mother; and as my remorfe foon yielded to the attraftions of plea- fure, I made frequent excurfions to the myfteri- ous grotto, fo different in its nature and effects from the cave of Trophonius *. But though love * The cave of Trophonius was one of the moft celebrated cracks 'of Greece, from which thofe who had received an- fwers came out backwards, and were always pale and de- jedled IN GREECE AND ASIA. 389 love puts forth the fweeteft of bloflbms, it produces the bitterefl of fruits. My paramour firft perceived that I was pregnant with the future offspring of our loves. He declared to me my fituatlon, and urged the necefTity of concealing it, efpecially from my mother. * Follow my advice,' faid he, ' and you will be relieved from all your difficulties. Your mother is a very re- ligious woman : her piety is well known to me. In the middle of the night, therefore, you will pretend faddenly to awake, and then fcreaming violently, tell her that Pallas has juft appeared to you, in her car drawn by owls j that (he has ordered you to be received among the number of her priefteffes, and to follow her, at day-break, £0 the banks of the Meander, where an old pried of that goddefs will be waiting to condudl you to Athens, to the celebrated Parthenon, her temple. You will add, that the goddcls will reward her for her piety, and confole her for your lofs by a talent, which fhe will find concealed in the garden, at the foot of her ftatue. ' And who will give me this talent ?' faid I; or where will you find the old prieft ?* — ' The talent,' re- plied he, ' is a gift of Minerva ; my divine jefled at their return. Hence it was faid, proverbially, of me- lancholy perfons, that they had confulied the oracle of Trophonius. T. N. c c 3 knowledge 39© THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR knowledge has communicated to me her Inten- tion : and as to the old pried, that will be my- fclf; for, like Vertumniis, I have the power of afiuming every form I pleafe.' Thus you per- ceive my lover was a god of as much art and ad- drefs as he v;ho is the meflenger of Olympus. This plan I adopted. I awoke in the night with fudden affrightj and told my mother the pre- tended ftory of my vifion, which no doubt fhe implicitly believed ; for at day- break fhe arofe, and went to look for the talent. To me, I con- fcfs the prefcnt of the goddefs appeared fome- what precarious : but my mother went before me, and cried, ' Here it is !* then fuddenly threw herfelf on her knees before the ftatue, to return thanks for the treafure, and vow eternal gratitude for her bounty. I did the fame, but felt the utm.oft aftoniihment at the reality of the miracle. We pafied the day in great rejoicings and a6ls of piety, burning incenfe before the goddefs, offering up cakes, milk, oil, and dried figs, and placing a crown of olive-branches on the head of her ftatue. " Yet my mother could not refolve to part with me j and the leparation which was fo afflic- tive to my dear parent would have been too much for me to bear, had not my fituation rendered it indifpenfably necefTary, I communicated to the IN GREECE AND ASIA. 39I the divine Mjpander her great irrefolutenefs and perplexity, to which he replied, that he foreknew her ftate of mind, and would work a miracle that (hould decide her wavering indeter- mination. * Declare to her, from Minerva,' faid he, * that if, in three days, her orders are not complied with, the fun fhall be eclipfed two hours before noon, and darknefs fhall come over you; and that if you do not then immediately depart, and come to my banks, you fliall never again be- hold that luminary, but the fhades of night will cover the earth forever.' " Simple and credulous as I was, I laughed at this prediction ; which my lover perceiving, faid, with a ferious air, * I could even now punifh you for your incredulity, and command the fun inftantly to hide his rays : but I will wait till the arrival of the third day, when you fliail be fully convinced how comprehenfive is my power. In the meanwhile declare to your mother the dread- ful punifhment to which her difobcdicnce will expofe her/ At length, although my faith was far from being perfedUy implicit, I promifed to obey his inftrudions. - " My mother, extremely alarmed at the threats of Minerva, yet reflrained by her tender love for me, waited the arrival of the third day before Ihe would confent to my departure. At c c 4 length ;592 THE TRAVELS OF ANTEMOR kngth the fatal morning arrived. From the dawn of day we watched the progrefs c' the fun, and purfued his cou; fe s 'ofs the azure vault of heaven til: two liours berore noon, when vvc faw the edge of his diHc grow pale -, and the Ihade gradually increafing, we embraced eacn other with the utmoft alarm and confternadon. In the meanwhile the darknefs fpreading, and continu- ally adding to our terrors, we both burfl into tears, and proftrated ourfelves at the foot of the ftatue of Minerva, imploring her mercy, and fo- liciting her fcrglvenefs> Havmg thus prayed to the goddef^, I intreated my mother to fufferme to devote myfelfto th- '■vorfliip of that divinity, and begged fhe would immediately accompany me to the bank of the river. At length fhe con- fented, and we fet off together in the midft of this fupernatural obfcuriry, while terror and remorfe purfued her lingering fteps, and fhe accufed herfelf of being the caufe of this difiurbance throughout the works of Nature. As we ad- vanced on our road, the darknefs gradually cleared up, and foori the fun fhone out with all his priftine fplendor. Joy now again revived within our breads, and we poured forth the mod fervent thankfgivings to Minerva. Tome this prodigy was inconceivably ftrange, and my ideas txcamc wild and confufed. My lover appeared but IN GREECE AND ASIA, 293 but an ordinary man, and yet he commanded the luainarJes -f heaven, and day and night were obe^iienr co his orders." — " Your lover," inter- rupLcci Dion fudJenly, " was an artful and cun- ning iaipoilor, who knew that on a particular day, and at r. particular hour, the fun would be cclipfjd ; and ihus converted the laws of Nature to the gratific;iLion of his paflion."— " Such, in- deed," connnued Theophania, " I afterwards found to be the truth *. " As we approached the river, I perceived an old man fitting by apoplar-trce, with a book in his hand, and apparently abforbed in profound meditation. When we came near him, he arofe and walked towards us. A white beard covered half his face, and his hair and eye-brows feemed filvered by time. He advanced with a flow and trembling ftep, leaning on a flick, and bent down with infirmity and age. I looked fted- faftly at him for fome time, unable to recognize his features, when my mother afking him whether he was a priefl of Minerva, he replied, ' Do you not fee that I wear her facred garb ? I know your errand, which Pallas has revealed to me J for your imprudence had nearly produced a fatal convulfion in the order of Nature. The * This was probably the fame ecHpfe that terrified Xerxes, Vvhsn marching againfl the Greeks. fun, 394 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR fun, in obedience to the commands of the of- fended goddefs, had withdrawn his accuilomed light before you repaired your error : but re- pentance has at length entered your hearts^ and light is again reftored to the fun and to the world.' " Scarcely had he begun to ipeak before I dif- covered the voice of my lover through the dif- guife of this old man : but my mother, who had been accuftomed to miraculous events, v/as little furprifed at meeting with a prieft who was a confidant of the goddefs Minerva, and replied, that {he would implicitly fubmit to the fovereign will of the gods, and entruft the deftiny of her dear daughter to his care. Thus faying, fhe em- braced me tenderly, and fhed a torrent of tears upon my cheek, while mine flowed from an equally abundant fource. Each moment I was on the point of retracing my confent, but the prefence of the pretended priefb, his myfterious figns, and the remembrance of my fituation, filenced the emotions of filial love, and reprefied the fenfibility of my heart. " Vfe came firfl: to Miletus, where Philo (for my lover at length avowed himfelf a mortal) received me in a fplendid manfion. Finding I had a pieafing voice, he procured me fldlful mufic- aiaHers j and as I had fome tafte for that art, I foon IN GREECE AND ASIA. 395 foon made a confiderable progrefs in Its acquire- ments. *' In fix months time I brought a daughter into the world, fo beautiful, that (he might well have paffed for the offspring of a god. I was refolved that no flranger fhould give her fuck, and was fo firmly actached to this principle, that when confined by illnefs, perceiving a woman fuckling her, I fprang out of bed, took my child away, and by putting my finger in her throat, made her caft up all the, milk flie had juft imbibed*. " After the birth of this pledge of love, I thought my happinefs infured for ever. I loved Philo tenderly, I idolized my child, and I en- joyed all the favours of fortune. I fent frequent aids to my mother, and I feemed to have nothing to wifh for that could increafe my felicity. But, alas ! a mere evanefcent line feparates the re- gions of profperity and of adverfity, of blifs and of defpair. " My infant daughter was fcarcely four months old when Philo intimated that it would be better to fend her away, and confide her to the care of • Blanche of Caflille, mother of St. Lewis, a£led in the fame manner on a fimilar cccafion, faying, ** Shall I, then, fuffer myfelf to be robbed of the facred name of mother, which is conferred on me at once by Nature and by my aod?"^ fbm& 39^ THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR fome good woman, as a nurfe : but as the pro** pofal was rejefled by me with indignation, he imiliediately changed the converfation to an- other topic. I foon perceived, however, that he never fmiled upon my child, or beftowed upon it the mofc tranfient carefles, and that he even' pufhed it away from him with difgud, I was grieved and wounded to the foul with this cold- nefs, and complained bitterly of his barbarity : but he replied, with harfhnefs, that this clafs of children deferved not the flighteft attachment. ' Gods !' cried I, ' does not Nature, then, find an advocate in your own bread ? Are you not its father ?' — * Plhaw!* faid he: * Nature is a mere word without a meaning. 'Tis prejudice, *£is cuftom, 'tis mere felf-love that attach fathers to their children. If you do but remove them at their birth, Nature will be for ever filent. In my opinion nature is but another word for habit, ^•^^ I could give no other reply to this miferablc metaphyfical argument but the tears of a wretched mother, and the kilTes I laviflied on my unfortunate infant. Can you believe the barbarity I am going to relate ? As he was ca» refllng me one day with tendernefs, and prefTing me to his bofom, the child at the fame time lying near me, I faid to him, ' Do but look at the little innocent ! Is (he not divinely beauti- ful r IN GREECE AND ASIA. 397 fol?* — < Yes/ replied he; * doubdefs it would be a pity to poifonit*.' What dreadful lan- guage ! I fhuddered with horror at the Ibund, and from that moment pafled my days in anxiety and grief. Even my love of Philo was changed into the bittereft hatred : yet I ftrove to reprefs my importunate feelings of difgufl ; for amidft all my contending emotions, I could not forget that he was the father of my child. " One morning he entered my chamber with a gloomy and determined air, faying, ' This child caufes a coldnefs between us; Ihe feems to engrofs all your thoughts, and abforb all your af- fedlions : I am refolved, therefore, to place it in other hands. Be not afraid j fhe fhall be taken good care of, and receive an education fuited to her future condition.' I fixed my eyes upon him with horror and aflonilhment, and was filent. * Do you underftand me,' faid he, * Theophania ?' — * Yes,' replied I : * but the barbarous Philo fhall fooner tear my heart from • Caligula was paffionately ford of his laft wife Csefonia, and often faid, as he was carefling her, •' This beautiful head would be cut ofF, were I but to (peak a fingle word.'* At other times he would iay, *' that he would put her to the torture, to make her confels why he loved her fo well." It is alfo aflerted, that in the phrenzy of feme of his de- bauches he took a pleafure in expofmg all her charms to the view of his favourites and companions. my 398 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR my bofom, than force my child from my arms. Do you underftand jnc r" He made no reply, but quitted me fuddenly, and continued three days abfent. Alas ! what days of horror I what ages of anxiety, of terror, and of folltude ! while maternal love thrilled in my bofom, and- fear and hatred alternately agitated my foul. " On the third day, towards the evening, he returned, and inquired concerning my health in a calm but affedionate tone of voice. He told me he had been fending fome money to my mother, and then afked me to accompany him into his ftudy, to take down a pi6i:ure which he would fend to a painter to repair fome da- mage it had lufFered. My child was afleep, and 1 was then totally deftitute of fufpicion. I ac- companied him as he defired, while he climbed a ladder, which he requeiled me to hold, and feemed to have fome difficulty in taking down the picture. At that moment I heard my child cry, and fome one walking along the room I had juft quitted. Thither 1 inftantly flew. Alas ! what did I behold ! A great meagre old hag taking away my child ! I inftantly rufned upon her, feized her by the hair, and cried out, ' In- fernal monfter ! thou (halt net efcape my ven- geance !' The barbarous wretch now prefented a poniard to my breafl i but I braved her weapon, feized IM GREECE AND ASIA. 399 feized it, and firmly grafped it in my hand. She endeavoured to wreft it from me, aad we ftrug- gled for its polTeflion, while rage and fury, and the fight of my innocent babe, inflamed my courage and gave new ftrength to my arm. The blood flowed copioufly from my wounded hand : but I flighted the pain, and ftill attacking the old hag, fcreamed violently as I refifted her wicked attempts. At length Philo appeared, fearing, no doubt, my cries might difcover his criminal defigns — yet this monfl:er was the father of my child ! He now ordered it to be reftored to me 'y and trembling with rage, he went out, at- tended by his accomplice. " I now called my flaves, but no one anfwer- ed, and I was left in perfedl fclitude. Thus was I deferted by all, and I feemed alone in the univerfe : but yet I had kept my child in my arms, and could ftill prefs her to my anxious bofom. The poor little babe fmiled at my ca- refl^es, and (Iretched out to me her innocent little hands. At length I perceived fhe was bathed in my blood, and began to attend to my negleft- ed wound, " Night, however, now came on, and added to my fears. I determined, therefore, to make my efcape forthwith, and to feek for refuge wherever I could find commiferation for an un- j^ fortunate 400 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR fortunate and injured mother. I ran to the door* of the houfe, but found the knot by which it was faftened fo well tied, that I could not open it *. This precaution increafed my terrors and my fufpicions. I went from chamber to chamber, v/ild with dcfpair, trembling with fear, and form- ing innumerable projeds of efcape, which I abandoned, as impra<3:icable, with equal rapidity. The windows were too high to rifls: the fafety of niy child, and I recurred to a little garden, in- clofed with high walls, which I determined upon getting over. The night was dark, but this I confidered as a favourable circumflance. I drew a ladder into the garden, and raifing it againft the wall, faftened my child upon my back with my girdle, and climbed it with trembling ftep. Alas! not forniyfclf were my alarms awakened, but for the dear burden I v/as endeavouring to prcferve from the barbarity of ftrangers. When I had afcended the ladder, I feared myfelf upon the wall, and carefied my child; then having again aJjufted my girdle, I pafied the ladder over to the other fide, though with the utmoU difficulty, and defcended. My firft care * Keys were firfl made by the Lacedemonians, Previous to tliac invention, doors were fliut with knots fo complex, that none but thofe who were pofTeffed of the fecret could open. them. was IN GREECE AND ASIA, 4OI was to throw myfelf on my knees, and return: thanks to the gods for my deliverance, and for the exertions which the miraculous power of ma- ternal tendernefs had enabled me to make. I then haftened away widi the utmoft ipeed -, for I was haunted with fears and terrors, and involved in the obfcurity of the night. I fancied, each moment, that I faw Jfhilo purfuing me, attended by the accomplices of his crimes. Alas ! my ftrength foon failed, and I fell almoft lifelefs be- neath a hedge, where, pale and trembling, 1 lay liftening to the cries of the night-bird, or the flighteft ruftling of the foliage. Soon I heard the flepsofmen, and redoubling my attention as the found approached, 1 threw myfelf, without further hefitation, into a muddy ditch behind the hedge. How fortunate a precaution ! My purfuers came to the very fpot where I lay, and {topped. How violently did my heart palpitate, while my bk)od feemed frozen in my veins, and I was fcarcely able to breathe ! Above all I trem- bled left my child fhould cry. * Whither,' faid they, * can Ihe have fled ? She muft have gone a great way in a very fhort time ! Let us go on, and we (hall find her.' A few moments after, fome beneficent god, who watches over the unfortunate, fent Bion to my relief. In him you behold my faviour ! What gratitude and VOL. I. D D afl^eclion 402 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR, &C. affeftion I owe him ! He has reconciled me to mankind, for whom I had begun to feel a fettled averfion j and his generofity, hi$ kindnefs, and his tender cares have never ceafed to conftitute the pleafurcs of my life. With him 1 forget every misfortune I have experienced j for in his fociety I enjoy uninterrupted felicity; nor have I any other wifli or defire to accomplifli than that of contributing to his happinefs and convincing him of my gratitude." Being afked by Phanor where her mother and daughter were, fhe told us they were gone to Amphiffa for a few days. Bion now retired, ob<- ferving, that a good fhepherd ought to rife before the fun, but made us promife to flay at his villa feveral days longer i and added, that to-morrow we fhould fup in thelfland of Friendfliip. ZND Of THE FIRST VOLpMH. o.?rin'^S^^'^ THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR I N GREECE AND ASIA: FROM A GREEK. MANUSCRIPT FOUND AT HERCULANEUM : INCLUDING SOME ACCOUNT OF EGrPT. TBAN5tAT£D FROM THE FRENCH OF E. F. LANTIER. 171TH siDDITION.'lI NOTES ST THE ENGLISH THANSLATOK. IN TflRES VOLUMES. V O L. II. 3.T.?r.t msminilTe p?r;t LO N D K : PRINTED FOR T. K. LONGMAN ANP Q.Rl.tU. P A T H P N o c T F n - ?. \V . iroQ. CONTENTS OF THE SECOND VOLUME, CHAP. XLIV. Solitary walk of Antenor, - Page i CHAP, XLV: Excurjion upon the lake. — Fi/hing.-^Conuer- fation in the boat, - - ~ 5 CHAP. XL VI. Defcription of the IJland of FriendJhip^~of the hanqueting-room — and of the three Jfatues with which it was adorned. - 14 CHAP. XLVIL 'The hijiory of Anacreon, - 20 CHAP. XL VII r. ^he hiJlory of Ibycus. - -23 A 2 iv CONTENTS. CHAP. XLIX. The hifiory of Afollonides, - Page 30 CHAP. L. Converjation of the two friends. — A /porting party. - - "45 CHAP. LI. Rejult of Phanofs amour with 'Theophania^ 5 1 CHAP. LIL Breakfafi.^^Philofopky. — A f:orl excurfio;i. 58 CHAP. LIU. Meeting of Theophania and Antenor after an interval of forty years. - - 65 CHAP. LIV, The Oracle of Delphi. — Defcription of tht town and temple. — Prodigies. — Anecdotes. 73 CHAP. LV. Letter from Lajihenia. - - 50 CHAP. LVL Departure of the two friends for Laced^mon. — They pafs through Daulis to Corinth, and embarking with Diagoras, arrive at EpidauruSi whence they enter Laconia. 102 CONTENTS. V CHAP. LVII. "They refi them/elves at the houje of a poor woman. — Defcription cf her manners and mode of life. — Hiftory of Alcander. Page 114 CHAP. LVIIT. Defcription of the city of Laced amon. — Drefs land manners of the inhabitants.'— The Gymnafmm. — Public meals. — Robbery committed on Thanor. - 1 26 CHAP. LIX. •Incident at the temple of Diana, — Exercijes of the young people. — A delivery. — Ex* traordinary leaps. — Anecdotes. - 143 CHAP. LX. Excurfion into Laconia. — Af.ngular charac- ter. — Afiatue of Modefly. - 15a CHAP. LXI. Treachery and death of Paufanias. — Feafi of Diana.— 'Flagellation of children. — Amour of Antenor. — Phanor's fruitlefs Jearch offimilar adventures. - - 161 CHAP. LXII. Letter from hafihenia — Illnejs of Arifiippus, -^Story of Narcijfus, - 178 vi CONTENTS, CHAP. LXIII. hafihenicCs letter continued, — Viftt of two philajophers. — Worfni-p of the gods of Egypt. — Manners of the Egyptians, Page i8^ CHAP. LXIV. Lajihenia's letter continued.-^Hifory of Nicias. — 'The ring of Poly crates, - ao6 CHAP. LXV. LafthenicCs letter continued. — Gallant anec- dote of Ariftippus. - -^ 228 CHAP. V^^l. Lajlhenid's letter continued. — Hifiory of Nicias continued. - - 232 C H A P^ LXVir. Lafihenids letter contiyiued. — T^he ceremo- nies of initiation in Egypt, - 235' CHAP. LXVIII. Lafihenids letter continued.—-Hiftory of OrpheiiSi - - - 246 CHAP. LXIX. Lajlhenid's letter continued. — Hijlory of the initiation concluded. - - 2 < i CONTENTS. vii CHAP. LXX. Lajibenia^s letter continued. — Death and judgment of Bocchoris. - Page 275 CHAP. Lxxr. Lajihenia's letter continued. — The hifiory of Nicias concluded. - - a 80 CHAP. LXXIJ. Lajlhenid*s letter concluded. — The Pfylli, Pilgrimage to Bubafiis. — The cat wor- /hipped by its inhabitants. — Crocodiles, —Anecdote of Thonis. — Death of Arijiip- pus. _ - - 289 CHAP. LXXIII. Dance of the Gymnop^dia. — Majfacre of the Helots. — A m5furnal ceremony. — A feat of addrefs and revenge performed by Phanor, — Departure from Sparta. - joi CHAP. LXXIV. Journey to Argos, — Some account of Mycena. — Converjation with Chryfippus the Stoic, — Vijit to Delos. — Hifiory of Latona. — The two friends embark on board a vejfel which pajfes before Chio and Samos, - 317 viii CONTENTS. CHAP. LXXV. Arrival at Ephejus. — Dejcription of the Temple of Diana. Anecdotes of Hera- clitus, - - Page 329. CHAP. LXXVI. Dejcription of Miletus. — Amour of Phanor ; the dangers attending it. — Departure from Miletus.-— Hifiory of Philijlus, - 334 CHAP. LXXVII. Adventure of Phanor, -, - 349 CHAP. LXXVIir. Phanor^s flan of retirement. — Arrival at Rhodes. - - - 357 CHAP. LXXIX. Dejcription of Rhodes and of t^e Colojfus. — Manners of the inhabitants, — New amour of Phanor. — Precipitate departure from Rhodes. — Arrival at Sidon.-^DeJcription of Mount Libanus. - - 361 CHAP. LXXX. Manners of the Hebrews. — Dejcription of their temple. — Vengeance of their God. 37 1 CHAP. LXXXr. Expedition on the Euphrates. — The two friends dine withjome labourers. Hiflcry and adventures of the Neftor of the village, -^'i^ T H E TRAVELS OF ANTENOR IN GREECE AND IN ASIA. CHAP. XLIV. Solitary walk of Anterior, 1 AROSE at day-break, and crofling the lawn before the houfe, rambled among the woods and variegated hills of our worthy hoft's do- main. I admired the elegance of his tafte, the rich cultivation of his lands, and the limpid tranfparency of the ftream, winding its filent courfe amidft the fmiling luxuriance of this calm, this fafcinating retreat. Having thus ftrayed to a confiderable diftance, I afcended a Iteep hill, the centre of which was occupied by a fingle tree of vaft extent and crowded foliage, beneath whofe friendly Ihade I feated myfelf, and enjoyed the furrounding profped j viewing, VOL. II, B in 2 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR in rapid fucceflion, the difrant meadows, the extenftve paftures, the rich vineyards, the oxen yoked together and plowing the fertile lands, the innumerable flocks that were grazing, and the fmooth tranfparent furface of a lake that bounded the eftate of Bion. I furveyed its winding verdant banks, and watched, with eager attention, the fturdy hind, who, infen- fible to the burning heat of the fun, and fcarcely fufceptible of fatigue, was guiding the lagging plow. A fweet reverie now rapt my foul as it were from the earth, and bore me to the ipheres above. I feemed to breathe a pure em- pyreal air i and, forgetting my earthly exiftence, my thoughts darted at once into the prefence of the Deity, whofe uncreated power I beheld ar- ranging and giving form to matter co-eternal with himfelf, but as yet defl:itute of (hape or or- der. I faw a ray of his Divinity animate the mafs, and it began to think, to have fublime ideas and fenfations, to be agitated with defire, and fet in motion by volition. This divine ray united with a quantity of matter to form an indi- vidual of momentary exiftence : but the fleeting form was foon diflfolved j the foul returned to the bofom of the Creator; the identity was gone ; the confcioufnefs, the felf had ceafed> and nothing remained but brute inanimate dufl:. " Whence^ ^^f GREECE AND ASIA* 3 " Whence, then, O man ! thou whom an undif- tinguifhable point feparates from annihilation, whence thy fwelling pride ?" Thefe reflciflions, like lowering clouds roiling through the at- mofphere, threw a melancholy gloom over my foul, till happily the remembrance of my Laf- thenia led me into a (till more blifsful and rap- turous reverie ; and all the tendernefs of my forrowing paflion foothed me with the luxury of a grief more fweet, more congenial to miy heart, than even the lively ebullitions of invigorating joy. I fancied myfelf walking with her on the banks of the Ilyffus or the Cephilus, and remem- bered the happy, happy day, when love crowned me with fuccefs, and inebriated my foul with tranfport in the temple of Flora. I then tranf- ferred my thoughts to the fatal moment of our feparation, and tenderly reiterated ourlafi: adieus, while bitter tears ftole down my languid cheeks. I was awakened from this ecftatic reverie by a flave, who apprifed me that my friends were waiting for me, and were ready to breakfafb. It was a frugal repaft, fuited to the fimplicity of a paftoral life, and confiding of milk, honey, and various fruits. When it v/as con- cluded, Bion propofed that we fliould go upon the lake, and take the amufement of fifhing. Lacidas objcding that the day was too fultry, B 2 Bion 4 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR Bion facetioufly replied, " Well, you have only to conceive that ic is the mere femblance of heati for you fceptics," faid he, " are .perfe6t mafters of your imaginations. Befides, I can promife youawefl: wind, whofe refrefhing breeze will temper the noon-day heat. You know the Zephyrs are always at the command of us poets, to vvhom they owe fo much of their celebrity.'* And fo, indeed, did the fad appear i for the weft ■wind blew durin» our excurfion, and we had the additional luxury ofa purple tent, which covered our boat, and fliielded us from the fun's too fcorching heat. IN GREECE AND ASIA. CHAP. XLV. Excurfton upon the lake, — Fijloing. — Converfation in the boat» \T TE began our expedition by walking round ^^ a. part of the lake, to take a view of its numerous and variegated beauties. We con- templated, with pleafure, the fmiling banks, whofe luxuriant verdure was fhaded by poplars, willows, and innumerable fhrubs. " This thick and ornamental plantation," faid Bion, '* is en- tirely the work of my own hands. Thefe trees i brought hither forty years ago ; for I was ever fond of rural fcenery, and thefweet and foothing tranquiUity of retirement. I had no fooner made my purchafe than I came to inhabit my new manfion, to embellilh the fcene of my future en- joyments, and to pafs the greater part of my days in elegant retirement, amidfl: the fafcinating converfe of the Mufes. I therefore haftened to execute the plan I had formed, and employing my time in planting and building, altered every thing, and worked myfelf with the moft unre- mitting ardor; though neither my head nor B 3 my 6 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR my heart were yet fufRciently matured tofupport the iminterefting voidof abfolute retirement; to enjoy which we mud pofiefs the philofophy of the mind, which is far more difficult to attain than that of the fchools, and which alone can en- able us to live in folitude. Thus did reftlefsam- bidon and the love of pleafure banifh me too frequently from my home. Sometimes, it is true, I came hither to collect my fcattered thoughts, and to repofe from the hurry of the town, but iny ftay was always fhort ; for I had not fufficient ilrength of mind to burft the chains of cuftom, or deny myfelf the pleafures of variety. At length, r.fcer eight-and-thirty years of continual hurry and agitation, I have renounced my er- rors, and learned to enjoy, with heartfelt fatif- ladion, the friendly fiiades of my woods, and the fweet unlolicitous repofe of a ruftic life. Thus, incredible as it may appear, I have found that the happieft sera of my life is that at which I am now arrived, though feventy years of age. Such, indeed, is the general career of man. In the fpring of our ex- iftence too many contending paflions agitate the foul, and too many wants furround us, to admit of our fading the true enjoyment of happinefs, OurpalTions, perhaps, are then more vivid, and our lenfibility more alive to the thrill of pleafure, but IN GREECE AND ASIA. 7 but our gratifications are attended or followed with corroding cares, and frequently by un- availing repentance. A wife and enlightened old man, who has acquired fome reputation, and whofe health and ftrength, though perhaps fomewhat diminifhed, are by no means deftroyed, can create to himfelf thofe tranquil and mode- rate pleafures which are fuited to his ftate ; and having refkdted on every fubje6l, and appreci- ated the value of every purfuir, the peace and ferenity of his foul are no longer affedled by that vanity, thofe prejudices, and thofe ideal plea- fures, which torment and deceive the majority of mankind. You will perhaps anfwer, that an old man is nearer to the clofe of his exiltence, und that the profpecb of approaching diffolution mud throw a gloom even over his pleaflires : but to this reafoning I will reply bv quoting an anecdote of one of the wife men of Greece. Re- turning from an expedition full of health and vigor, and being already within a few ftadia of his home, he recollected an article he had omitted in his will. He immediately got off his horfe, and wrote his further intentions and wiflies upon a tablet*, fearing death might overtake • TheGreeks wrote upon very thin tablets of wood, covered -with wax. The inflrument they ufed was a needle or ftyie of B 4 copper^ S THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR overtake him before he arrived. Hence I con- clude that the fear of death is nearly equal at all ages, or rather that we ought at all times to ex- pert it J and familiarizing ourfelves with that re- fledlion, contemplate the idea with a calm and unruffled mind : Each day's a prefent which the gods beftow ; And fince, to-day, from heaven new pleafures flow. Not lefs to-morrow may their bounty Ihare, And age and youth alike divide their care. To-morrow's no man's. Heaven diredls our doom. And youth may go before me to the tomb." While thus converfing, we had advanced to the middle of the lake, which is fixteen ftadia in circumference, and about four acrofs, when Bion ordered the boatmen to ceafe rowing, and faid he would entertain us with a new fight. Then requefting Theophania to play upon her cithara, we were fuddenly furprifed with the fmgular and pleafmg fight of the fifli affembling round the boat, and frifking and playing to the notes of her harmonious inftrument. We all compared the power of our beautiful fongftrefs copper, iron, or gold, pointed at one end and flat at the other; the latter ferving to efface and corredt. They wore a cafe appended to their girdle, called graphiarium, in which they carried both the ftyle and the tablets. to IN GREECE AND ASIA. p to the celebrated Arion, whofe melodious founds drew innumerable dolphins around his veflel : but at the fame time requeued {he would not imitate him, by throwing herfelf into the lake, as we Taw no filh large enough to carry her on ihore. Theophania would by no means fufter the net to be caft at this time, for (he faid it would be an aft of cowardice and treachery thus to hold out a kind of feaft to the fifh, and draw them by the atrradions of pleafure, merely that we might the next moment inhumanly deftroy them. Thus we continued our navigation ; and at length approaching a fmall ifland, Bion ex- claimed, " Here it is ! This is the Ifland of Friendihip. That large circular hut," conti- nued he, " which appears fo low, and is co- vered with thatch, will to-day be our banquet- ing-room. You may, perhaps, think it a little too ruftic, but 1 ought from time to time to be reminded that I am but a fimple fhepherd." We now requefled this poet-phiiofopher to recite fome of his Idyls, thus enhancing the pleafures of our excurfion by the intelleftual feaft of hearing his elegant and charming productions. *f I fhall the more eafily fatisfy your expeda- tions," faid he, " as it is not entirely my own work you will hear, but the production of Anacreon and Theocritus combined toge.her. They to THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR They have both fallen into the fame idea of Cupid ftung by a bee j and as both thefe poets have feme very happy turns peculiar to each, and which are wanting in the other, I have amufed myfelf with combining them together. In the meanwhile v/e will paddle on without noife, as lighdy as the conch of the lovely Amphitrite, when (he plows, in beauteous majefiy, the fur- face of her watery empire. As Cupid, once, the flieft rogue alive. Was ftealing fragrant honey from the hive, A little bee, inflam'd with rage and grief, Pierc'd, with his lling, the finger of the^thief. He blew the tortur'd hand, he fcamp'd the ground^ He ran and to his mother fhow'd the wound. Then he thus began to 'plain : ** Oh ! undone 1 X die with pain ! Dear mamma, a ferpent fmall. Which a bee the plowmen call, Imp'd with wings and arm'd with dart. Oh ! has (lung me to the heart." Venus thus replied, and fmil'd, *' Dry thofe tears — for Ihame, my child ! If a bee can wound fo deep, » Caufing Cupid thus to weep. Think, O think, what crusl pains He that's Hung by thee fuftains ! For though little, like a bee. Mighty wounds are made by thee !" See Fawkes's Anac. We were fo enchanted with this Idyl, that we requefted Bion to repeat it j and the boatmen lay IN GREECE AND ASIA. tl lay upon their oars and liftened to it with as much attention as ourfelves. When he had finifhed, we find to him, " You have given us a moft delicious feaft : but thefe fruits are not en- tirely the produce of your own gardei?. We know it bears fome equally delicious, and we are extremely greedy of fuch luxurious fare."— " Whatever praife you may beftow on me," an- fwered Bion, " I know how inferior I am to the elegance and fimplicity of thefe two poets, who are the real offspring of Apollo : but to fmg my own verfes, after having given you a fample of theirs, will be no proof either of my modefty, or my admiration of their fuperior excellence. I will, however, endeavour to feleft one of my beft fongs, for it is my duty to entertain my guefts to the utmoll of my abilities. ID TL, As late I flumbering lay, before my fight Bright Venus rofe in vifions of the night. She led young Cupid, as in thought profound. His tiiodeft eyes were fix'd upon the ground. And thus fhefpoke : " To thee, dear fvvain, I bring My little fon. Inftruft the boy to fing." No more fhe faid, but vanifli'd into air, And left the wily pupil to my care. I — fure I was an idiot for my pains-— Began to teach him old bucolic drains ; How Pan the pipe, how Pallas form'd the flute, Phoebus the lyre, and Mercury the lute. Love, J2 THE TRAVELS OF ANT£NOR Love, to my leflbns quite regardlefs grown. Sang lighter lays and fonnetsofhis own ; Th' amours of men below, and gods above. And all the triumphs of the queen of love. I — fare the fimpleft of all (hepherd fwains — Foil foon forgot my old bucolic drains ; The lighter lays of love my fancy caught. And 1 remembered all that Cupid taught." Fawkes, We were all fo much charmed with this Idyl^ that we vied with each other in lavifliing our thanks and our encomiums. Bion, who was averfe to the incenfe even of jufl: praife, now ordered the nets to be thrown into the water, and we had a plentiful draught. Our fuccefs made us forget the filent flight of time, till Bion, more vigilant, apprifed us of the latenefs of the hour, and that dinner was waiting for us. This information gave us much pleafure. He propofed our bath- ing on the borders of the lake, where he faid wc fhould find very agreeable retreats. We accept- ed his invitation, and the boatmen conveyed us to the fpot he pointed out. Thefe baths were contrived in the little creeks and bays formed by the fmuofities of the fhore. The fides and bottom of each were of marble, and a thick canopy of trees and Ihrubs afforded fo impenetrable a fhade, that even the chafte Diana might have ufed them without a blufh, or without apprehending the curious eye of Adseon, •IN GREECE AND ASIA. I3 Atfla^on. Each of us chofe one of thefe deli- cious little recedes j and while I repofed \n the midft of the limpid and refrefhing fluid, innu- merable birds poured forth their melodious notes in concert, to charm my faicinated fenfes. A Have brought me oil and cflences, and a robe of brilliant white, and 1 quitted this fafci- nating fpot with regret. Immediately after Bion and Lacidas came in the boat to take me in, and having fuccefTively received Phanor and Theo- phaniain our way, wefpeediiy arrived at the Ifle ©f Friend flii|>. 14 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR CHAP. XLVI. DeJcripHon of the IJland ef Friend/hip — of the han* quet ting-room — and of the three flatues with which it was adorned, THIS ifland was rude and uncultivated, and we beheld no plants but the wild fponta- neous productions of unreftrained, unbidden Na- ture J no trees but a few pines that grew upon the rocks; and no animals but a few goats browzing a rare, and fweet and nourifliing grafs ; ducks and geefe were ftrutting along the water's edge 3 and a hut occupied the middle of the ifland, and leaned againft a vaft impending rock. " I perceive," faid Bion, " that you are not much charmed with the beauties of this wild fequeftered fpot : but fome contrafts and oppo- fitions are neceffary in our pleafures as well as in fine paintings, and all the works of ge- nius. Remember, this will render my groves and gardens more agreeable to you to-morrow : but to-day, let us content ourfelves with a frugal meal in this fimple and ruftic cottage." I was the firft that entered, and Bion and Phanor fol- lowed. IN GREECE AND ASIA. fj lowed. We remained a fliort time in obfcurity : but fome flaves, who were concealed in various parts, fuddenly obeying a fignal from their inafter, opened Tome fhutters, and we perceived we were in a brilliant and magnificent hall, illu- mined by a foft luxurious light, perfumed with delicious odours, and rendered fiiil more charm- ing by its refrediing cool. My furprife was fo great, that I was fcarcely able to articulate, while Bion enjoyed our aftonifhrnent and admiration. At length 1 faid to him, " By what miracle do you thus renew the magic fcenes of Baucis and Philemon *, and change a miferable hut into a fuperb temple — for this, no doubt, is the temple of Friendfhip ?" — " What you think a prodigy," replied he, " is, like ail others, performed by the fimpleft poffible means. Mere fliutters, fud- denly opened, are all the divine agencies that have been employed." * Thefe poor cottagers received Jupiter and Mercury, when travelling over Afia in difguife, and tefufed admittance by others. Here they partook of the beft fare which the ruftic frugality of their hoUs airorded ; and Japiter was fo pleafed with their hofpitality, that he metamorphofed their dwelling into a magnificent temple, of which Baucis and her huftand were made priefts. When they died, which, ac- cording to their requell to Jupiter, happened at the fame time, they were changed into trees before the doors of the temple. T. N. 9 This t6 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR This hall was divided in two unequal parts* The upper compartment, next to the rock, was a parallelogram ; and the other, much the largeft, a fegment of an ellipfis. Three ftatues of alabafter, five feet and a half high, placed on pedeltals, adorned the farther fide of the fquare divifion, which was filled with vafes and boxes of flowers, placed upon fteps of va- rious heights. A balluftrade of iron-gilr, breaft- high, feparated the two compartments. The elliptic divifion was furrounded with columns of yellow and green marble alternately, and move* able blinds filled the intercolumniations. The ceiling was painted from a beautiful defign, repre^ fenting Theophania, in the charader of Aurora, adorned with chaplets of rofes and jafmine, guid- ing her chariot through the blufhing air. Her countenance fhone with gaiety and pleafure, and, together with her charming complexion, feemed to announce the finenefs of the approaching day. The Hours, fluttering their wings of purple and azure, and bearing bafl^ets full of flowers, which they ftrewed before them, furrounded her car, and innumerable birds, of variegated plum- age, hovered around her. As they feemed fome to go before her, and others to follow her ma- jeftic courfe, the ravilhed fpe(5lator almoft fan- cied IN GREECE AND ASIA. I7 cied he heard their fongs of love and joy, and participated their ecftatic delight. The table was already covered, and the dinner correfponded with the elegance of this fplendid hall. Among the didies were placed vefTels of chryftal, filled with flowers j and birds, fhell-filh, and other rare filh, compofed the firft courfe. We had a profufionof wines of Cyprus, ofLef- bos, and of Chios ; nor could better be taftedat the luxurious feafts of the Satraps> in the volup- tuous cities of Ionia. After the firft courfe, I afked Bion whom the three ftatues before us reprefented : "Alas !" faid he, with a deep figh, " they are the fimilitudes of three of my moft intimate friends, whom I have had the misfortune to lofe. They who live to a great age behold every thing perifli around them, and remain infulated and folitary upon the earth ! Happily for me, my Theophania, like the rifing fun, chears and reanimates the lan- guifliing winter of my life. *' The ftatue on the right," continued he, " which reprefents a poet with his lyre in one hand, and fupporting with the other a youthful Love who is playing on it, is Anacreon. That voluptuous philofopher was my mafter and my friend, although twenty years older than myfelf. It was he who firft taught me the art of giving VOL. II. c to l8 TRAVELS OF ANTENOR to the produflions of the moft laborlotis ftudy the appearance of negligence and eafe, and of enriching harmonious verfificadon with the beauties of tender fentiment. How happy Ihould I have been to equal the graceful elegance and flowing fweetnefs of his num- bers ! His immortal fongs are the children of fancy and pleafure, and breathe the moft fafci- nating tendernefs, combined with the moft at- tractive gaiety. That to the left, holding a flute, and at whofe feet you perceive a lamb, is Ibycus the bucolic poet, author of fome very charming writings. We formed an intimate friendftiip in our early youth, when, reciprocally attradled by a coincidence of tafte, we pafled our lives in a total abfence of care, more greedy of the enjoyment of pleafure, and more defirous of acquiring knowledge, than ambitious to ac- cumulate riches. The ftatue in the centre,^ which reprefents a man fmiling at his own re- fledions, is Apollonides of Cos. Alas ! both he and Ibycus experienced a tragical fate, and their unhappy end fpread a long and painful gloom over my exiftence. Time, however, which confoles us for every misfortune, has at length worn away the effects of my grief: but the contemplation of their forms, and the re- membrance of their virtues, ftill awaken in my mind IN GREECE AND ASIA. I^ mind the keeneft fenfatlons of regret. I will re- late to you their hiftory, for I love to think and Ipeak of them. I will begin with Anacreon, whofe eafy death feemed but a gentle paflage from a waking to a fleeping ftate. c a 20 TRAVELS OF ANTENOR CHAP. XLVIL The hiftory of Anacreon, " Tjou have heard that Anacreon paflfed his ■*• life between the purfuits of love and wine. PoiTefled of two of the principal fources of happinefs, a fmall fortune and a difinterefted difpofition, he fpent a confiderable time at Samos with that enlightened protedlor of the arts, Polycrates, who once made him a prefent of five talents. Anacreon having never been matter of fo large a fum, could not fleep for two nights, and therefore, on the' third day, determined to reftore the money. It is faid that, while his laft miftrefs, Cea, was yet in her cradle, the poet, being one day heated with wine, rudely difturbed her, and added fome abufive languages on which the enraged nurfe uttered an imprecation, wifli- ing the child might one day be as beautiful as Helen, and that Anacreon might be deeply in love with her, and more wretched than Mene- iaus. Half her prophetic prayer was granted; for Anacreon, when eighty years of age, fighed for the beautiful Cea: but having, by the pecu- liar IN GREECE AND ASIA. 2l liar favour of Venus, gained her heart, his vows were at length fuccefsful. " Five years ago he peacefully departed from the theatre of life in her arms. They were at fupper with a few friends, and the Teian bard had fung, with his aged but fonorous voice, his favourite fonnet : Too fafl: away our moments fteal, Like the fwift chariot's rolling wheel. The rapid courfe is quickly done. And foon the race of life is run. Then, then, alas ! we droop, we die. And funk in diffolu^ion lie ; Our frame no fymmetry retains ; Nought but a little duft remains. Why on the tomb are odours flied ? Why pour libations to the dead ?- To me, far better while 1 live. Rich wines and balmy fragrance give. iSiow, now the rofy wreath prepare. And hither call the lovely fair : Now, while 1 draw the vital breath. Ere yet I lead the dance of death ; For joy my forrows I'll refign. And drown my cares in rofy wine. Fawkes, " Having finifhed his fong, he ate a few dried raifins, a kind of food he thought cal- culated to fupport the drooping languor of old age. Unfortunately one of the grape-ftones fluck in his throat, and choaked him. So eafy and fo fudden a death, after a long life fpent in c 3 the 22 TRAVELS OF ANTENOR the perpetual enjoyment of pleafure, has been confidered as a peculiar favour of the gods. But the tragical end of Ibycus feems to accufe them of injuftice and partiality in their diftribution of good and evil to mankind." \ IN GREECE AND ASIA 23 CHAP. XLVIII. 'The Hiftory of Ibycus, tion ; that then the foul adls no more, thinks no more, defires no more, and no longer receives any imprefllon from material objetE^s ; fo that all the faculties being abforbed by contem- plation, it can no longer be diftraded by any thing that paflfes in the body. In this ftace it no longer needs either prayers, or hymns, or vows ; for prayers, where the fpirit labours, and the mouth opens, are the lot of the weak and the imperfedl : the foul of the faint is, as it were, laid in the bofom and be- tween the arms of its God, where, without making any mo- tion, or exerting any aftion, it waits and receives the divine graces. It then becomes happy ; and quitting the exiftence it had before, is now changed, transformed, and as it were funk IN GREECE AND ASIA. ' 49 at this metaphyfical, jargon, and fald to his friend, with an air of gaiety, " I am now come a good way from home, and I mull therefore quit you. Adieu, my -dear Lacidas, let me often have the pleafure that accompanies your appearance, and let me fometimes indulge in the agreeable dream that I am in your company." Thus faying, we embraced, and took leave of each other for ever. As Bion and myfelf returned, we ronverfed on the fubjetft of his friend, and the philofophical indifference with which he fufFered me to lofe my purfe. " He is quite an anomalous animal," faid Bion, " and is infatuated with the abfurd fyftem of fcepticifm, which, in the eyes of that left, renders even their own exiftence doubtful. Yet, notwithftanding the errors of this wrong-headed hypothefis, he is full of probity and honour, and his foul is generous and noble. A friend hav- ing once borrowed fome plates and dilhes, he obftinately refufed to receive them again ; and funk and fwallowed up in the divine being, infomuch as not to know or perceive that it is diftindl from God himfelf. It is even of little confequence fhould the inferior part abandon itfelf to the moft inordinate excefles, provided the fuperlor remain concentrated in the Deity. Madame Guyon, and even Fenelon have adopted fome of the ideas of this myllic quietifn?, though they have both rejected the moft difgulting of its ab- furdities. VOL. II, E at 5P TI^^ TRAVELS OF ANTENOR at a period of his life, when his affairs were in a bad date, declined a confiderable fum of money offered him by Attalus, king of Pcrga- jnus, to come and refide at his court, faying, * that the fimilitude of a king ought only to be viewed at a diftancc.*' IN GREECE AND ASIA. 5I CHAP. LI. Refult of Pbanor's Amour with Theopbania, ON our return to Bion's, I found Phanor quite in ecftafies ; for he had finifhed his ode to Theophania, and had prefented it to her. « Well," faid I, " and did (he accept it ?"— " She received it," replied my friend, " at firfl with bafhfulnefs i but afterwards (he was more confident, and gave me fome hopes of an anfwer." I congratulated him on his fuccefs, although I placed no great reliance on his expedations : but towards evening he came to me, wild with joy J and, laughing at my doubts and my credu- lity, ihewed me fome charming verfes which he had juft received from the lovely Pfychc. His praife was far from exaggerated, for the verfes were full of poetical beauty and tender fentimenr, and I agreed with Phanor, that the fcholar at ieaft equalled her mafter. ** Oh !" cried he, " Bion is far from poflefTing the fweet native fimplicity, or the inimitable graces that breathe throughout thefe elegant verfes. Not even Cor. £ 2 rinna 52 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR rinna or Sappho have ever compofed any fo delicate or fo fafcinating. 'Tis Erato herfelf that has infpired them. Ah ! how this enchanting talent adds to the ftrength of my paffion ! Never, never did I love with fuch irrefifiible ardour !" Convinced that the palm of victory would fpeedily crown him, he folicited an afiignation in other verfes which was promifed him in three days by a further effufion of the Mufe, that being the time fixed for Bion to go to AmphifTa. I was aftoniflied at this facility of Theopha- nia, and feverely cenfured her ingratitude to fo amiable and fo generous a lover, while Phanor confidered this preference as a proof of her tender fenfibility, and of a noble and generous heart. Thefe three days pafTed like fo many ages. At length, however, the happy period arrived. The place of appointment was the dairy, and Bion was no fooner departed, than Phanor repaired thither on the tiptoe of love and expe6lation. Scarcely had he left me, before I perceived Bion return with a troop of young perfons of both CexeSi adorned with chaplets of herbs and flowers, and bearing torches, flutes, cymbals, fiftra, and the nuptial torch. He immediately laid to me, " Come, and follow me," which I did IN GREECE AND ASIA. 53 did full of wonder and aftonilhment. We went diredly to the dairy, and the whole proceflion flopped before the door. The coryphseus gave the fignal, and they all fang the following epi- thalamium in full chorus, which Bion had com- pofed for the occafion : E PITH A LA MI UAL Venus, fair queen of Gods above, Cupid, thou mighty power of love. And Hymen, bland, by heaven defign'd The fruitful fource of human kind. To you, as to the lyre I fing. Flows honour from the founding firing : Prbpitious to the numbers prove, O ! Venus, Hymen, god of love ! View, gentle youth, with rapture view This blooming bride, ordain'd for you j Rife quick, and feallcn all her charms. Left, like a bird, fne fly your arms. O ! happy youth ! by Venus bleft. But happier on thy Pfyche's breaft, * See how the fair one, fvveerly coy. All foft confufion, meets the joy ; Blooming as health, frelh as May flowers. And bright as radiant noon-tide hours I' Of all the flowers upon the plains. The rofe, unmatch'd in beauty, reigns; Thy Pfyche thus in charms excels. She fhines the rofe among the belles: O, msy bkil youth, the God of day The pleafing toils of Love furvey. And may a beauteous blooming boy Crown your foft vows v/ith laftingjoy I Fawkes. E 3 When 54 TH2 TRAVELS OF ANTENOR When this performance was concluded, Bion entered at the head of his gay troop, and ever/ one prefented a chaplet to Phanor, whofe coun- tenance was crimfoned over with confufion aid cmbarraffment, while Theophania crowned him with her own hands. We then walked abroad in the country, and the hymeneal torch was carried before Phanor, while a woman of mature ag« walked befide Theophania, and filled the office of mother and of paranymph *. Thus accom- panied by mufic and hymeneal fongs, we arrived at the wood, where we danced beneath the fo- liage. I laughed heartily at Phanor's embar- raffment, and the mild and ingenious revenge of Bion. The dance gave place to a fuperb rural feall, and the pretended bride and bridegroom were placed befide each other, while the epitha- lamium was again repeated. Theophania then fang a charming fonnet, analagous to the occar. fion, compofed alfo by Bion. Lee the favour'd lover prove Ever faithful to his love. Let him daily find new charms In his fair one's circling arms; * The office of the paranym'ph was to do the honours of the day, to give the necefiary orders for the conduft of the feaft and oiher amufements, and to guard the door of the apartment in which was the nuptial bed. Let iJff GREECE AND ASIA, 55 Let the languid plaintive figh Win che coyeft of the coy ; But when love's fupremely blefs'd* Silence is of faith the tell. This feaft, which was very long, very gaf, and very agreeable, excepting to the hero of the day, was again fucceeded by dancing, till night interrupted our amufcments, and difperfed the company. When all the ftrangers were with- drawn, Bion congratulated Phanor on his mar- riage, adding that Theophania would excufe the feft of the ceremony, and then faluting us po- litely, they took their leave, and retired arm in arm. Being now alone, I fixed my eyes fome time On Phanor without uttering a word. His face was covered with fhame and vexation ; he feemed abfent, and bit his lips with chagrin.— '* Well," faid I at length, " you muft confefs ^ion has given us a charming feftival, and made ]is pafs a mod pleafant day !"-^^' On the con- trary,*' replied he ; " I thought it very long and very infipid." — " You have burned your fingers," faid I, " in this enterprife j you feem much piqued."—" I confefs it," faid he ; "I am infulted j this pleafantry is deteftable."— *^ By no means," replied I, " your rival has re- I 4 venged ^6 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR venged himfelf like a man of talents that knows the world, and frequents the firft fo- ciety." — ^' T am lefs angry with him," returned he, " than with the treacherous coquette, who has betrayed me." — " She has afted," faid I, « as fhe ought. Doubtlefs (he fhewcd him your verfes, and Bion hasamufed himfelf at your expence by anfwering them in her name. You thought them, I remember, far fuperior to thofe of Corinna and of Sappho ! Bion never had the fweet native fimplicity and inimitable graces of ftyle they poflefs. Thus you fee how our prejudices influence our opinions and our judg- ments. Shall we ftay here a few days longer?" , — « N(.^ ; by Bacchus !" returned he. " I fhould make a very filly figure. We will fet off to- morrow morning at day-break." — " Agreed," laid I, " let us go and take leave of our friends." Phanor refufcd to fee them any more, till I re- prefented the indecency of fetting off without thanking them for their kindnefs and hofpitality. At length he yielded to my reafoning, but ftiJl refufed to fee Theophania, againft whom he felt his blood boil v\ith indignation., The worthy Bion (hewed great concern at our fpeedy depar- ture, and begged pardon of Phanor for the joke he had played off upon him, declaring, it arofe lefs from IN GREECE AND A$IA. en from a defire of revenge than of convincing him that he ought to. keep his amours vithin the bounds of reafon, of prudence, and of honour. He then took leave of* us, politely foliciting our company the next morning at breakfaft. 58 The travels of antenoh CHAP. LII. Breakfafi, — Philofophy. — AJhort Excur/wfi. WE arofe with the fun, and were no fooner feated at table, than Theophania en- tered, with a laughing air, bringing milk and fruit in both her hands. She begged Pha- nor's pardon for the infidelity with which fhc had treated his attentions, and acknowledged, that as fhe had never been accuftomed to fre- quent the groves of ParnafTus, fhe had been obliged to Bion for her poetical replies. Pha- nor, who was now appeafed by the good-na- tured fweetnefs and eafy gaiety of this amiable girl, threw himfelf at her feet, humbly folicited her forgivenefs, and promifed that he would ex- piate his crime by an eternal remembrance of the adorable Pfyche. After this fubmiflion from Phanor, mutual con- fidence and friendfhip again returned to cheer the countenances of all our little party, and enliven our repaft. Bion in particular was uncommonly amiable and attentive. Struck with the pleaf- ing cheerfulnefs of his manners, 1 told him I believed him to be the happieft of mankind. *< Yes/* IN GREECE AND ASIA. 59 •* Yes," replied he, " perhaps I am, notwith- ftanding the maxim of Solon, which fays, that no man can be declared happy till the laft moment of his life. Let us brave the phantoms of fu- perdition, and death will lofe all its horrors. I am happy becaufe I never ad at variance with my charafler and difpofition s but live in retire- ment, and employ my mind to render that re- tirement interefling and inftrudive. Thus I am neither influenced by an infatiable defire of fame, nor can avarice, ambition, and the bufy pafTions of mankind any longer find ac- Qt{^ to my foul, or trouble my repofe. Thus all my defires are at harmony with my means of gratification i I do as much good as is in my power i and beneficence and liberality are to mc a grateful and delicious perfume that waft back their odours to him who gave them birth. The day will foon arrive, when I mufl: quit thefe happy fcenes, thefc peaceful fhades, my well-fcledcd books, and my lovely Pfyche, who is the chief ornament of all I poflefs, Alas ! when the idea of that heart-rending feparation prcfents itfelf, I reflefl upon it for a itff mo- ments, it is true j but in lieu of fufiering it to deprefs my mind, I exclaim. Let us enjoy life while its glimmering taper yet continues to burn !" He then addrefled himfelf to his Pfyche, and faid, ** Alas ! 'tis you who w^ill clofc my Co THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR mj eyeSj and receive my departing breath ! When you perceive my foul about to take its flight, ah ! detain it for a moment by the fweet found of your lyre. Play that charming air of ■which I am fo fond, and perhaps 1 fhall die with pleafure. Thus," continued he, " you perceive happinefsis not one of thofe illufive ideas refem- bling the fruits of Tantalus that we can never tafte. Our defliny is in general placed in our own hands, and it is too often unjuftly that we accufe the gods of our misfortunes." — " But all men," faid I, *' are not fo fortunate as to have a fine country houfe, a conftant flow of health, a beau- tiful miftrefs, brilliant talents, and amiable manners." — '■'■ Do you know," faid he, " the anecdote of Gyges, king of Lydia ? It is faid, that being defirous to know whether any man were happier than'himfeif, he confulted an oracle, and received for anfwer, that Aglaus was happier than the king. This man, who was the pooreft of the Arcadian fliephcrds, had never quitied his native plains, Vvhich he cultivated with his own hands, and lived contented on the pro- duce of his labour. But I v.ill {liow you to-day a msn whofe happinefs is flill more furprifing, becniife its fources are more confined. He has nut even a plethron of knJ, and has Toff the ufe of both his IcgSi yet he lives contented with his lot. IN GREECE AND ASIA. 6l lot, and happy in his indigence. His dwelling is not far : I will accompany you thither." Pfyche offered to join us, and we all fet off to- gether. Our excurfion was very pleafant. Bion re- lated a variety of anecdotes on the road, and Phanor fang his elegy on Theano. We rallied him on his late marriage, which had deceived his expectations, and he joined in our pieafantry with great good- humour, till at length we ar- rived in high fpirits at the miferable hovel of a happy being. We there faw a man of a healthy and florid complexion, but covered with rags, and fquatcingon his hearth, tending a pot v.hich flood over fome burning wood. He received m with a fmiiing and cheerful air: and Bion prefently pointed out to us that he was deprived of the ufe of his legs, and told us, that having been para- lytic from his infancy, he could only walk upon his knees. In this fmoky hut he lived quite alone. ' When I afked him whether he was cooking fome meat ? he replied, *' that the con- tents of the pot were only roots j for that," faid he, " is all my flender purfe will afford."— " Then, what," faid I, " are your means of fupport." — " The produce," replied he, " of my own labour. I make baflcets, and fmall utcnfils of wood." — '< And that fupplies you," 6 faid 62 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR faid r, " with necefTaries, and makes you con- tented and happy ?" — " As happy,'* replied he, ** as a king, efpecially when I have work to do." — " At lead this little dwelling," faid I, " is no doubt your own ?" — " That," anfwer- ed he, " would be too great a happinefs. No j a friend has lent it me.'* — " Do you ever go out ?" I alked. — " Very rarely," returned he, " for I am obliged to drag myfclf through the dirt, or over the ftones, and befides, I could not go any great diilance."— '' But are you not fometimes tired," faid I, " of this folitary and de- ferted way of life ?" — " Never !" — " No doubt," continued I, " you can read and write ?" — " I wifli I could," returned he, " but I do as well, perhaps, without."—" Have you no fear," I afked, " in this lonely and remote fpot, living entirely alone, and thus impotent and without defence ?" — " Fear !" returned he, " of what ? I have nothing to lofe j and thieves, like ferrets, fmell out their prey wherever it is G-onceakd ; but they keep far away from the huts and hovels of us poor folks." — " How old arc you ?" faid I. He replied that he was forty- four. — " And have you always," continued I, *< been thus lame and indigent."—" Always," re- turned he ; " but thanks to the gods, neither ?.ppctite nor work have hitherto failed me."—! I could IN GREECE AND ASIA. Sj 1 could fcarcely ceafe queftioning this philofo- pher of nature, whofe wifdom feemed to me To far fuperior to that of Pythagoras, and even of Zeno. After feveral more inquiries, we afked him whether we could render him any fervice, and whether he had any thing to requeft of us ? " Nothing," faid he, " but work j that is all I want." Bion promifed to fupply him, and we offered him fome money, which at firft he pofitively refufed, till Bion faid, " You give me pain by thus reje<5ling what is offered you with pleafure." — " Come then," faid he, " I will ac- cept it, for I perceive you are worthy people, who give from benevolence, and not from oftentation." *^ You now perceive," faid Bion, after we had left this hovel, " in what corners Happinefs hides herfelf ! How many of the afHuent and great, how many kings and princes are their own difturbers and tormentors in the midft of their grandeur and their pleafures, while this indigent cripple, who is deprived of all fociety, and thus infulatcd from the world, is contented with his lot, and enjoys uninterupted happinefs ! O, ye Gods ! Here then do I perceive your juftice, your Jjounty, and your undeviating benevolence !" This, alas ! was the period of our feparation ; we embraced our kind hofts in the moll afTec- tionate ^4 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR tionate manner, and Phanor could fcarcely per- fuade himfelf to part from his adorable Theo- phania : till at length he quitted her for a mo- ment, then came back, renewed his farewell adieus, and tore himfelf iway. To complete the hi^ory of Bion, I Ihall in this place infertthe account of his death, of which I was not informed till forty years after, in con- fequenceof a very unexpe6tei^. incident. IN GREECE AND ASIAi 6^ CHAP. LIII. Meeting of Theophania and Anterior after an in- terval of forty years. 'I'M the CDurfe of my travels, happening to pafs "*" near the temple of Juno, on the road from Phaleron to Athens, I determined to pay it a vifit. The plan of this building is very fingular, being formed by columns without walls, and open on every fide. Its appearance brought to my mind the elegant banqueting-room in the ifland of friendHiip, at Bion's villa, built nearly on the fame plan, though it was forty years fince I had feen it. This fvveet remembrance ren- dered the edifice flill more pleafing, and I could not help feeling a kind of heartfelt attachment to it, when fuddenly I perceived an old woman fix her eyes on me very attentively, and there- fore I examined her countenance in my turn. Notwichflanding the alteration in her appear- ance made by the rude hand of Age, I thought I recollefted her features, and perceived that flie had the remains of a molt loveiy perfon. My refleulions trod back the irremeable path of VOL. ir. F Tims, ^6 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR Time, like a traveller examining the ruins of fome venerable temple, and beholding with ad- miration the magnificence of the ages that are gone. He fees a few of its flately columns fupporting a mafly fragment of rich cornice, and exclaims with enthufiafm, '* How beautiful, how majeftic a pile ! what a fad misfortune no more of it fiiould remain 1" By degrees we drew nearer, ftill obferving each other attentively, and flill advancing (lep by ftep. We continued fome minutes filent ; till at length I faid to her, " I believe wc have formerly been acquainted, though perhaps at fome very diftant time and place."— *« Yes, indeed," replied fhe, " your countenance ftruck me as that of one I had known. You have the fame features, the fame tone of voice, and the fame perfon." While fhe faid this, fhe furveyed me from head to foot. " Yes," faid fhe, " the refemblance is complete. You are certainly the fon of Antenor." — " That," re- plied I, " is my name, but I have no fon, and affliredly you never knew my father." — " You Antenor !" rejoined flie, " it is impofTible !" — " Yet," faid I, '' it is true." — " Do you then," faid fhe, " remember Blon and Theophania." — " Ah ! nov/," returned I, " I remember you. Yoa are Theophania." Upon this we em- braced each other tenderly, and then quieted the temple. IN GREECE AND ASIA. Sj temple, that we might converfe more freely. I overpowered her with queftions, and llie aflced me as many ; but (he could not forget her furprife and aftonifhment at my youthful ap- pearance and florid complexion. She doubted whether I was a god, or one of the genii with whom Plato has peopled the heavens. I afliired her I was a mere mortal, who it feemed had been deftined, or rather, perhaps, condemned to exceed the comm.on fpan of human life. " And do you not find my appearance," faid fhe, " much altered ?" — " You appear," faid I, *' as amiable as at twenty years old." This anfwer was rather evafive, but the old lady feemed to be fatisfied with it; and I immediately afked her how long Bion had lived after my vifit to him. She told me he had lived thirteen years, always gay and amiable as ever, and always occupied with the care of his flocks, of herfelf, and of his poetry: " He gave no figns," continued flie, " of de- clining genius, except by the abundance of his verfes ; for the older he grew the more prolific was his mufe. It is true his latter produflions were inodorous flowers or taftelefs fruits, and the mod pafl"able of his verfes were thofe he compofed (hortly before his death. He refem- bled a lamp, which immediately before it goes out, feems to recover all its luflre, and fheds a F 2 momenta rv 6S THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR momentary gleam of iinexpefled fplendor. I will repeat them to you j for they will never be effaced from my memory. Ray divine ! immortal foul ! Thou, who art of man the whole. Soon fhalt quit this m rtal form. Flying life's unceafing Itorm ; Hence to Pluto's realms to go. And thy earthly adions fhew. What canft thou to Pluto fay, Fcrc'd his fummons to obey ? When the fov'reign Judge fhall aflc How thou haftdifcharg'd thy tafk, "What thy deeds on earth above. How canft thou thy virtue prove ? Then Ihalt thou, with confcious joy, To the fov'reign Judge reply, " Faithfully to thee I tell, Minos, arbiter of hell. All that I have ihought or done Till my earthly race was run. While a human fhape I wore On the happy Grecian fhore : " Once a ftoic gravel feem'd. And of (hunning pleafure dream'd : Waking foon, I wifer grew. And to Epicurus flew ; Acting right or afting wrong, Pafiion urging me along, Goci or evil thus I did, Juft as inborn Nature bid. But from malice I was pure, Kor 10 vice did gain allure. Whirl'd IN GREECE AND ASIA. 69 Whirl'd about by wind and tide. Chance was oft my only guide. Thus does chance the fovil Incline, Though the foul be all divine, Reafon's dilates to purfue. And our paffions to fubdue. Or to Folly weakly yield Reafon's fceptre and her ihield ; While the foul, to body join'd, 'Prifoning the heaven-born mind. Like a lifelefs baie machine. Still obeys the fprings within. Panting for high-founding fame. Next a poet I became ; Vanity, and not the Mufe, Tow'rds Parnaffus bent my views. Bid me, e'en at eighty, dare Still to court the youthful fair- Bid me ftrive to pleafe mankind And my brow with laurels bind. Yet, alas ! by earth and heaven, I had faults to be for.KC; [ABV t'TTirpil^lj %a.\«OV J'£7flEr*i. He ROD. I count the fands, I meafure out the fea. The dumb I hear, the filent fpeak to me. A tortoife and a lamb together feeth, P]ac'd between brafs above and brafs beneath. This anfwer being carried back to the king, he was very much ftruck with the omnifciencc of the God, and confefTed that on the day and at the hour appointed, wilhing to do fomething very fingular and extraordinary, he had employed himfelf in boiling a tortoife and a lamb in a brazen kettle, with a cover of the fame metal. Another time the king confulced the oracle re- lative to the deftiny of his fon, a young man of otherwife promifing talents, but unfortunately dumb from his birth. The Pythia replied. Foci that thou art, wiflj not to hear the voice of thy child, for "johen he fhall begin to fpeak, thy misfor- tunes will commence. This prophecy proved too true. On the day when Sardis was taken, a fol- dier fell with fury, fword in hand, on Croefus, who, difheartened with his ill- fortune, and dif- gufted IN GREECE AND ASIA. 75 guded with life, made but a feeble refiftance. On feeing his father in danger, the young prince was fo much terrified, that making a grand effort to fpeak, he cried out, "Soldier ! kill not Croe- fus 1" Thefe were his firft words; after which he enjoyed the faculty of fpeech during the re- mainder of his life. But the mod aftonifning oracle was that relative to the deilrudion of the Gauls under the command of Brennus. That barbarous general, having made an irruption into Phocis, and beat the Grecian army, march- ed ftraight to Delphi ; the inhabitants of which, alarmed at the impending d-^nger, confulted the oracle, and received for anfwerj that they had no caufe to fear. In fa6t fo it proved : for they fpeedily received fuccours, and gave battle to the enemy. At the moment of combat, Apollo manifefted his rage againfl the barbarians, and the earth fhook beneath their feet, and threat- ened to fwallow up the whole camp. Lighten- ings darted acrofs the darkened atmofphere, and loud claps of thunder followed each other v/ith increafing rapidity, and a dreadful crafh. It often fell among the enemy, and with a burning exhalation reduced both the foldiers and their arms to duft:. The Greeks thought they beheld the angry forms of their ancient heroes riding in j6 THJE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR in the air, animating the courage of the Delphians, and fighting for them agamfl: the Gauls. The night was ftill more fatal : a very heavy fall of fnovv occafioned- a moft rigorous cold, and as if all the elements confpired in their deftruiflion, large fragments of rock detached from Mount Parnaffus fell upon their camp, and killed thirty or forty men at a time. The Pho- cians took advantage of this diforder, attacked them, and eafily put them to flight. Amyntor was fo fully convinced of the truth of thefe prodigies, that to have exprefled the leaft doubt of the fafls he related, would have given him the moft ferious ofience. The morning after our arrival, he conducted us to the temple *. He told us on the way that the firft temple ereded to Apollo was formed of laurel branches cut from the plains of Tempe. and forming a kind of hut. To this fucceeded an edifice of copper, which was afterwards fwal- lowed up by the earth. At length the Am- phidlyons ordered it to be rc-buik with ftone in its prefent form, by the archite6ts Agamedes and Trophonius. The approach to it confifts of * The temples of the aricients confifted of avaft walled in- clofure, within which were race grounds, groves, pocls of water, and fometimes a dwelling for the priefts, befides the fanftuary, or temple itfelf, into the innerrr.cfi: part of which (/iiiTovor A>ax70fo^) the priefts alone were admitted. four IN GREECE AND ASIA, 77 four avenues of plane-trees, and the number of ftatues that adorn it is immenfe. We found all the gods, demigods, and heroes of Greece executed by the greateft mafters, while fcatues of Athletse, of horfes, and of vidories oc- cupy the remainder of this extenfive inclofure. Among thefe innumerable works of art v/e were chiefly ftruck with the figures of Codrus and Mil- tiades. The temple is a fquare edifice of very fine ftone, one of the fides of vviiich is appropriated to the refidence of the priells, and in the centre is the flatue of Apollo. The entrance is of marble of Paros, over which is that celebrated infcription of the philofopher Solon, Kno^^^ At the entrance of the temple are two marble fountains, one of which is called the fountain of Caftalis, whofe pure and refrefhing waters rufh in foaming cafcades down the fides of the moun- tain. Thefe fountains fupply two capacious bafins, wherein the priefrs, and thofe who are de- firous of conf^jlting the oracle, vvaih and purify themfelves. The veftibule is decorated with the moft precious pi(5lures, and a great number of vafes of every variety of form ; fome containing ludral water, while others are filled with mixtures of 7? THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR of wine and water, for Jibations. The pious Amyntor pointed out to us fevcral fentences infcribed on the columns, and among others. Let no one enter unlejs his hands are pure, " They mean full" faid Phanor, in a low whifper. As it was yet very early in the morning, we found no one in the temple, except a folitary prieft, who had charge of the building, and was fweeping it with a branch of laurel cut from the neighbourhood of the Caftalian fountain, " One of the priefts," faid Amyntor, " rifes every morning with the fun, to perform this office : let us follow him. Do you fee him affixing thofe crowns of laurel to the doors, the walls, the altars, and tripods. Now he is drawing water in golden veffels from the fountain of Caf- talis. Obferve him fprinkling the pavement, the walls, and the gates of the temple with the fame laurel- branch," When he had performed all thefe offices, he took a bow and arrows, to kill the birds that perched on the roof of the building, and on the ftatues that adorned the mountain. One of the priefls now accofted us, and offered us his fervices. We thanked him for his kind- nefs, and declined giving him any trouble j till Amyntor whifpered that he was only doing his duty, as he was one of the officers ap- pointed IN GREECE AND ASIA. 79 pointed to (how the curlofities of the town, and the beauties of the temple, to ftrangers. The treafures we faw in the latter were immenfe. Kings, princes, and private individuals, in all parts of the world, who confult the oracle, had contributed to enrich it with golden vafes, tri- pods *, phials, ftatuesj bowls, and ingots ; and Phanor whiipered to me, as we were obferving this profufion of riches, " What a fine fweep we might make here f ! The gods cannnot have occafion for gold or fdver: a little fmoke is all they want 1" — ^' Bus the priefts," anfwered I, " do not live 'jpon fuch unfubflantial fare." The prieft now pointed out to us feveral figures on the pediment of the temple, repre- fenting Latona, Diana, Apollo, the Mufes, the fetdng fun, Bacchus, and the Thyades. On * Tripod was a term applied to veflels with three feet, as the word imports. There were two kinds of pots or kettles called by that name, one ufed at entertainments for mixing wine and water, and the other for heating water. Ccelius has proved that of Apollo to have been, not a ve/Tel, but a table or feat, on which the Pythia leaned or fat ; yet the Ro- mans feem to have fpoken of the tripod as a velTel, for they called it cortlna, which fignified a cauldron or kettle. f Thib almoft: prophetic fentence was fulfilled fome time after, when Xerxes plundered the temple of a quantity of gold, amounting to more than two milicns fterling, Sylla alfo robbed it of its treafures, to pay his troops ; faying, he could not doubt of gaining the viitory, finge his army was paid by the gods themfelves. 7 the 8o THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR the capitals of the columns hung bucklers of gold, the glorious monuments of thr vid^ry of Marathon. " That golden tripod," faid he, " fupported by a dragon of fire, was confecrated to Apollo jointly by all the inhabitants of Greece, after the famous battle of Platsae. That wolf of bronze near the high altar is an offering of the Delphians. A facrilegious villain having plundered the treafures of the temple, and con- cealed himfelf in the mod remote andfecret part of Mount ParnafTus, fell afleep, and was torn in pieces by a wolf j after which the animal came every night into the city, and howled till morn- ing. This continual importunity feeming a fu- pernatural interpofition, fome of the inhabitants followed the wolf to its haunts, and found the treafure that had been ftolen. It was in com- memoration of this event that the ftatue you fee, was cafb in bronze, and confecrated in the temple of Apollo. " That group," . continued the prieft, " re- prefents Biton and Cleobis, the two Argian brothers, fo famous for their filial piety. The gods having granted them prodigious ftrength, they made a very uncommon ufe of it at the fefti- val of Juno, which was annually celebrated at Argos. Their mother Cydippe being prieftels of IN" GREECE AND ASIA. $1 of that goddefs, was to be carried to the temple . in a car drawn by oxen : but it was fo late, owing to feme mifmanagement, before any oxen could be procured, that the two brothers yoked them- felves to her car, and drew it above forty-five ftadia to the temple, amidft the acclamations of the multitude, who received them with tranf- ports of joy and admiration, and congratulated this happy mother on being bleffed with fuch pious children. Cydippe, weeping with tender- nefs and pleafure, advanced to the feet of the goddefs, and entreated her to reward the virtue of her fons with the beft gift that could be granted to mortals. It happened, that after the facrifice and the feaft were ended, the two young men fell afleep in the temple. From this fleep they awoke no more; by which the goddefs Ihewed that death is the mod fortunate event we can experience. The Argives confidering Cleobis and Biton as the peculiar favourites of the gods, caufed tbefe ftatues to be made, and fcnt them to the temple of Apollo." While Amyntor and the priefi: were thus de- fcribing the various objefts before us, they re- lated to us feveral of the miracles they had per- formed. One had moved its eyes i another had fpoken i a third had bowed its head j a fourth VOL. II. o had 82 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR had rifcn from its fitting poflure, and Hood upright during a whole hour. As I was contemplating one ■without eyes, " That,"faid the prieft, ^'is the fta- tue of a Spartan, whofe eyes fell out two or three days before he died. — All thefe prodigies," faid he, " are perfeflly authentic : a thoufand eye- witnefTes are ready to prove them." And Amyn- tor confirmed every thing the prieft aflerted. We examined the ftatue of Apollo with the clofeft attention and the moft lively pleafure ; for although it was of mafly gold, the value of the material was exceeded by the exquifitenefs of the workmanfhip. The prieft now explained to us the origin of the oracle. " Some goats," faid he, " who were browzing upon Mount Parnafllis happened to approach the mouth of a large cavern, whence mephytic vapours iflJued, and being thereby thrown into convulfions, began to dance and frifk about, and to utter ftrange founds, as if they had been drunk. The goat-herd, who, obferv- ing this prodigy, had the curiofity to go and view the miraculous cavern, was immediately feized with a fimilar fit of madnefs ; and leaping and dancing about, with his face and body con- vulfed and diftorted, began to utter ftrange words deftitute of fenfe, Thefe were carefully noted by IN GREECE AND ASIA. 83 by the hearers, who found they were prophe- cies, and therefore concluded the vapours of this myfterious cave were a divine infpiration from the gods. Hence they built the temple over the aperture, which is in the innermoft part of the fandluary, and over it was placed the tripod on which the Pythia fits. *' Come," continued he, " and fee the rock of Hyampia, from which the celebrated ^fop was thrown, whofe fables have rendered him fo fa- mous. Croefus had fent him hither v;ith a trea- fure of gold, to make a magnificent offering to Apollo, and diftribute four minse to each of the Delphians: but iEfop being difpleafed with them, offered up the facnfice, and fent the money back to Sardis. On this, the Delphians were fo irritated, that they accufed him of hav- ing ftolen fome of the facred veffcls, and con- demned him to be thrown down the rock." The evening preceding the day when the ora- cle was to fpeak, the whole town refounded throughout the night with fongs of joy, and concerts of harmonious mufic j and it was or- dered, that on that facred day none of the inha- bitants Ihould eat any thing but cheefe and cakes of wheat flour. Very early in the morning we crowned our- felves with laurel, and holding in our hands a G 2 branch. §4 THE TRAVELS OF ANTEtJOR branch, twined round with a fillet of white wool, we afcended the hill with an immcnfe crowd of people, fome to confult the oracle, while others were attradled by cnriofity or devotion. Each of the inquirers brought a viiflim to be of- fered up by the priefts, namely, goats, fheep, and heifers. Ours was a young fleer. As we approached, we faw tlie laurel before the door tremble, and the temple itfelf fhook to its i foundations ; thus announcing the extraordinary prefence of the god. At the door of the edifice a priefl purified us with luftral water, after which we prefented our in- quiries in writing, and delivered him our vi6lim. The facrificers were adorned with facred fillets and garlands, their feet were bare, their hair loofe, and their flowing robes unbound with girdles. They killed the animal with a facred knife, and infpefting the palpitating entrails, declared the omen favourable. We were then introduced into a fmall chapel, where fweet per- fumes fuddenly fpread around us, and thus an- 1 nounccd the favour of the godj for the priefts af- fured us no one ever knew at what time thefe odours would arife. Another priefc then conduced us into the fanduary, or rather the cavern, whence the pro- phetic vapour exhaled. Here the whole cir- 1 cumfcrence m IN GREECE AND ASIA. Sj cumference was fo loaded with offerings,' and the light fo obfcured by the perfumes, the in- cenfe, and the emanations of the cavern, that we could fcarcely difcern a fingle objefl. The tripod itfelf was fhaded with branches of laurel, and covered with the fkin of the ferpenc Python. The Py thia had prepared herfelf three days before by facrifices, faftings, and purifica- tion. She had that morning bathed in the Caf- talian fountain, had walhed her feet and hands, had drunk a quantity of the water, had Ihaken the laurel, and chewed fome of its leaves, which were gathered in the neighbourhood of the foun- tain. When thefe ceremonies were performed, fhe entered the fanduary, attended by priefts and other holy perfons. She feemed a little thin, dry, ghaitly, ill-drefTed woman, of about fixty years old, and of a dejedled and melancholy air *. Her forehead was bound round with a fillet, and her head crowned with laurel, of which Ihc • The Pythiae were not admitted to their office till they had attained their fiftieth year. They were three in num- ber, and officiated by turns, being chofen from among the poorer and more ignorant clafTes, They were very fimply clothed, and were prohibited the ufe of effences and per- fumes. It was alfo requifite they (hould be born in lawful marriage. At firft virgins only were admitted : but one of them having been violated by a Theffalian named Eche- crates, they afterwards chofe women above fifty years of age, who, however, wore the habit of virgins. G 3 threvy 85 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR threw a few leaves into the facred fire, together with feme barley flour. Having drunk fome of the water that reveals future events, fhe ap- proached the tripod, but obftinately refufed to place herfelf upon it till the priefts employed threats, and at length induced her to comply by force. She then took her feat over the aper- ture, and placed herfelf in a favourable pofture for the prophetic vapour to have its full effe6t. She prefently began to be violently agitated, her countenance turned red, and (he foamed at the mouth. Herinteftines feemed to fwell, Ihe tore her hair and her flefh, and uttered plaintive cries and dreadful groans. Thus overpowered by the god, fhe would have left the tripod, had not the two priefls held her on her feat. She then tore her veil and her fillet, and, ilirieking horribly, littered fome words from the bottom of her belly, which the priefts eagerly liflened to and noted j after which (he quitted her feat, exhauded with fatigue, and almoft in a dying ftate *. The facrincers now delivered us the anfwers of the oracle in wridng. " Let us go," faid Phanor; *' my heart is finking with horror! What barbarous monfters are thefe priefts ! That miferable Pythia is the vidim of their ava- • Theoflice of Pytkia was very dangerous. Several died mconfequence of thefe violent fymptoms, and others had \ery dangerous illneiies, rice IN GREECE AND ASIA. tj rice and cruelty." Amyntor congratulated us on the favour of the gods, obferving, that the entrails of the vidim were perfedlly found and healthy. " So much the better," faid Phanor, " for their miniflers, for they will mod probably fup the better *." As foon as Amyntor had quitted us we opened our anfwers. I had afked the oracle whether I Ihould enjoy long life, to which the anfwer was. The grape is gathered before the olive. Phanor was defirous to know whether he fhould be for- tunate in marriage i to which the oracle replied. My Jorii the oxen are yoked together to open the earthy that the fields may bring forth their fruits. We were a long time endeavouring to dif- cover the meaning of thefe enigmas, but the god had concealed them in impenetrable obfcurity j and we clearly perceived that the priefts did not compromife the veracity of the oracle by pro- phecies fo ambiguous. * The viftims were divided between the gods, their priefts, and thofe who prefented them. The part devottd to the god was confumed by the flames ; that of the priefts formed a branch of their emolument; and the third part belonged to thofe who brought the viftim, and who pioufly ate it with their friends, or fent them portions of it. The Greeks con- fidered it as an ad of religion to take a piece of the meat frojiv thofe who were carrying it away to their homes. C 4 A& 88 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR As we came down from the temple we met two lovers in the prime of opening youth, and of interefting and beautiful countenances. The girl was leading a fhe- goat, and her companion a Iheep. On queftioning them relative to the objefl of their inquiry, they told us they were going to afk whether they fhould do well to marry. " No doubt," faidi, "you love each other ?" — " Yes, moft tenderly," they both at once replied.—" Why, then," continued I, '' are you afraid to be united together ?"— ." Be- caufe," faid they, " we are poor." — " But when you have given away your goat and your fheep,'* faid I, " will you not be poorer ftlll .?" — " That is true," anfwered they. — " Well," returned I, " keep your prefents to afifift you in houfe- keeping J and fince you love each other, confult only the god of love, who will be mofl: favour- able to thofe marriages that are contra6ted be- neath his aufpices." We confirmed our falutary advice by fome pecuniary prefents, and they re- turned fatisfied with the oracle we had delivered, and promifing to be married the very next morn- mg*. * No woman was admitted into this fanftuary, whatever might be her rank or her condition. The minifters w ho fu- perintended the worfhip of Apollo were very numerous. There were prophets, who attended the Pythia when fhe went tothefancluary, and while fhe fat on the tripod ; thefe adapted IN GREECE AND ASIA, 89 adapted the words (he uttered to the queftions propofed, and received and condufted the inquiries, being themfelves under the command of a chief prophet;— poets, who put thefe ora- cles, firft delivered by the Pythia, and then adapted by the prophets, into verfe; five facrificers, who received and im- molated the viftims ; diviners, who infpeded the entrails, and obferved the notes and flights of birds, thence predict- ing future events j prieftefles, chofen from a number of widows, to keep up the facred fire, which burned night and day, and was fed, not with oil, but with wood ; fubordinate facrificers, and attendants appointed for inferior offices con- nefted with the ceremonies and facrifices which their fupe- riors conduced ; and laftly, muficians and heralds, who proclaimed the public feftivals ; and chorufes of boys and young girls, who fang and danced at the grand feftival called Pythia. Fr. Ed. It is a vulgar error that the oracles ceafed on the publication of the gofpel ; whereas, in fad, fome of them were filent long before Chrift, and others continued till the fall of paganifm under Theodofius the Great, by whofe laws it appears they delivered predidlions as low as the year 358. Cicero fays they became dumb in proportion as men, growing lefs credulous, began to fufpedl them to be mere impoftures. Before him, Plutarch, among other reafons, attributes their ceflation to the forlorn ftate of Greece, ruined and defolated by wars ; for hence the fmallnels of the gains reduced the priefts to a ftate of poverty and contempt, which left them too bare to cover the fraud. This error is the oiFspring of another, which is ftill more abfurd ; namely, that the oracles were not Ikilful impoftures of pradical deceivers, but the genuine predidlions of the devil, who being vanquiftied by Chrift, loft this prophetic faculty ! T. N. 50 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR, C H A P. LV. Letter from Lafihenia. T Delphi I received a letter from Lafihenia, to the following effed: : " Joy and profperity ! " Time will never efface the delicious re- membrance of our loves. The happinefs that is pafl difturbs the calm enjoyments of the prefent day. What a blank do the departed pleafures of mutual affedlion leave in the heart ! My only confolations are, alas ! thofe of philofophy and friendfhip. — But I will banifh thefe melancholy ideas, and talk of other fubjeds. "Apropos of friendfhip — 1 know not whether you will approve the conduct of the philolbpher Abbaucus. The other day, being informed his houfe was on fire, he fled to the affiftance of a friend who was on a vifit with him, and neglected his wife and children, one of whom perifhed in the flames. When he was afked the motives of his condu6l, he replied, * A child may be re- placed, butihc lofs of a friend is irreparable.' " I have IN GREECE AND ASIA. 9I "I have little to communicate on the fubjeft ofpolitics. The people are ever the fame, and fuffer themfelves to be governed by the intrigues and flattery of their dennagogues. Formerly the wifdom of Solon, by rendering them attentive to their daily occupations and their private interefts, prevented them from lofing their time at the general aflemblies : but fmce they have acquired a right of voting, they are always flocking thither, and keep away every man of property or diftindion, who (huns their meetings that he may not be expofed to infults and humiliations -, while the lower claffes pafs great part of the day in the public fquares, hearing the news, and lifl.ening to the harangues of petty politicians. The people of Athens, indeed, pofl^efs much fenfibility, but they have alfo a great fhare of ficklenefs, and are very diflipated, very carelefs, and very cre- dulous. At prefent they are in a ftate of fer- mentation and tumult, the inevitable confe- quences of a democratic government. As for me, I hide myfelf here in the country, and adopt the maxim of Pythagoras, * When the tempefl rages, worfliip Echo *.' "As * After the generous felf- devotion of Codrus, the feven- teenth and laft king of Athens, in compliance with an oracle, yhich, in the war with the Heraclidas, declared, vidlory would attend 92. THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR *' As I have no other newsj I will fpeak of our philofophers. You remember the cynic Crates. By his wife Hipparchia he had two daugliters, who are juft now becoming marriageable, and therefore he has given them upon trial, for a month, to two of his difciples ; after which time they may either marry or reje<5l them as they pleafe. What do you think of this philofophical marriage-contrafl ? " You knew Protagoras. The magiflrates have at length refolved to banifli him, and burn his laft woric, wherein he fays, * I am not certain of the exiftence of the gods. Among the reafons,' adds he, * which prevent mc from attend the nation whofe king was killed in battle, the Athe- nians honoured him by a refolution, that no king fhould again reign in Athens. T. N. That people, however, ftill preferved the name and phantom of a king : but it was the fecond Archon who en- joyed the title, and his office was chiefly confined to pre- fiding over facrifices and religious ceremonies. It was re- quired that his wife ihould be a citizen of the whole blood of Athens, and a virgin when married. The firft archon was called ETToivyio:, becaufe the year was diftinguifhed by his name. The third was called Polemarch, and the fix others Thefmotheta. Fi\ Ed. The fecond archon alfo had cognizance of difputes about inanimate things, and took an account of murder, which he referred to the areopagices, among whom he had a voice, but was obliged to lay afide his cjfown during the triaU T.N. knowing tM GREECE AND ASIA, 93 knowing whether they really exift are, the doubts entertained on the fubjed, and the fhortnefs of human life.' " It is alfo the opinion of this philofopher, that the foul is no other than the fenfes. This is pure materialifm. What a cloud of darknefs and uncertainty envelopes our exiftence and our nature ! When I alk myfclf Who am 1 ? Whence am I ? Whither do I go ? what a pro- found, what an endlefs fubjefb of difpute and contemplation ftarts up before me * 1 " The college of priefts have rifen again fl Anaxagoras, whom you have heard declare that he had rather have a grain of wifdom than a ton of gold. Although he believes in a fu- preme intelligence, who reduced Chaos into Order, they have accufed him of impiety and irreligion, and have condemned him to death for contumacy. When his fentence was announced to him, he anfwered, with perfedl indifference, * In the doifter of the abbey of St. Viftor, at Paris, is an epitaph written by a canon named Adam, on himfelf, of which the fentiraents are truly philofophical : *' Unde fuperbit homo ! cujus conceptio culpa, (vel eafus,} Nafci pcena, labor vita, necefle mori.'* By chance conceiv'd, with many a pang we're born. Our life is labour, and till death we mourn. ' Nature 94 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR * Nature has long ago pronounced that fentencc on my judges as well as on myfelf.' " We have lately heard of the death of the celebrated Lai's. This event is related in va- rious ways i fome aflerting that fhe had accom- panied a favourite youth, called HIppoftratus, into Theffaly, where the women of the place, jealous of her charms, and apprehenfive fhe might corrupt the fidelity of their hulbands, decoyed her into the temple of Venus, and floned her to death ; while others fay fhe ex- pired in the arms of her paramour, which to her, no doubt, was dying in the bed of honour. She was, however, in the decline of life, and en- tering on its autumnal feafon. It is faid fhe had taken on herfelf the office of proxeneta, like the celebrated Athenian mule, who, when eighty years of age, and exempted from labour, after having long been ufeful to the republic, was fo averfe to leading an idle or a ufelefs life, that fhe went before the chariots, animating and encou- raging the beafls that drew them. ** I know not whether you are acquainted with an epigram of Plato, on Lais depofiting her mirror in the temple of Venus. It is as follows ; H QoQafov yiK'xira.ca. xa0 EMas^o:, *? To> Epyrar, Tfl ita.ID ASIA, Xi5 her fimple riches, and were all the ftock of her limited domain. Like another Baucis Ihe bufiiy employed hcrfelf with all the agitation of an un- expeded feftival, and ferved us up a collation of milk, honey, and cheefe. Her table^ which was of ftone, flood beneath one of the fig-trees, and flie told us we were eating in the very fpoC where (he had once given king Agefilaus a break- fafl. " How can that be ?" laid Demonax, " it is feventy-fix years fince he died." — '^ I know not when he died," replied (he, '* but I very well remember to have feen him here a great while ago. I remember him as if it were but yefterday. He was a deformed little man, and had by no means the air of majefty s but when he fpoke it was eafy to fee he was a great man and a true Spartan.*'-*" In what year," faid Demonax, " did he pafs this way/' — " I do not remember," faid fhe, " but you will find it engraved on the ftone on which you are fitting." On looking at the infcription, Demonax found it to be eighty- fix years. I afl^:ed Theodora, for that was our hoftefs's name, how old fhe was at that time. " It was a twelve- month," anfwered Ihe, '* after I married, and about my one-and- twentieth year."—*- Then you are a hundred and feven years old ?" laid I. '^ I know not," returned (lie, " how old I am, bur I have lived 12 a very Il6 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR a very long time upon the earth." We all ex- prefled our wonder at her great longevity, and fhould have guefled her at mod to be eighty years old. Yet (he was in full pofiefiion of all her faculties, walked firmly, and her back was fcarcely at all bent. As (he excited my curio- lity, I afked her feveral queftions. " Do you live in this remote folitude," faid I, " entirely alone ?" — " I have no companions," fhe replied, " but my goats and my dog. I have a grand- daughter, married, two ftadia further, who comes to fetch my cheefe and my milk, and fells them in the town." — " How long," faid I, *' have you lived in this fpot ?" — " Above eighty years," Ihe replied, " nor have I ever quitted it but once, when I went to Sparta."— " On what do you live ?" I enquired. — " On the milk of my goats," faid (he, " and the honey furnifhed by my bees ; and what I do not ufe enables me fometimes to give little prefents to my great grand-children." — ''And are you con- tented and happy ?" continued I ; *' is there no- thing elfe you wilh for ?" — " Yes," replied fhe, " I wi(h it may continue a long time yet to come ; but I know we mufl: all die, and I am refigned to my fate, which will happen whenever it pleafes Jupiter. It is faid there is a great deal of evil and vexation in the world : 1 am foriy IN GREECE AND ASIA. II/ forry for it : why is it To ? Surely Jupiter has it in his power to make us all happy : as for myfelf, I have no caufe to complain ; I have never fuf- fered any illnefs, and have only experienced one misfortune ; I mean, when my brave hufband was killed. Alas ! I was then very young ! but as he died in defence of his country, that in fome meafure confoled me." Demonax afked her in what battle he fell. " At the fiege," faid flie, " of a great city then at enmity with Sparta, but I forget the name. The general, hovvev'cr, was called Lyfandcr." — '' Then," faid our companion, " it mull have been at the fiege of Athens, which was carried on by Lyfandcr, a man of great talents, but very dangerous, on account of his ambition and his principles. He iifed to fay, that children were amufed wirh rattles, and men with words, that truth was better than falfehood, but they mud both be em- ployed as occafion may require."— ''Did you ever hear," faid I, " of the war of the Titans, of the deluge of Deucalion and Pyrrha, of the fiege of Troy, or of Agamemnon, Achilles, and Ileflor r" — '' No," replied (he ; " were they fliephtrds,mu- ficians, or pricfts ?*' — " What is your opinion," faid I, *' relative to the foul ; do you think it is immortal, or that it dies with the body ?" — '« In- deed," faid flie, " I never thought about it. I 3 Alas ! Il3 THE TRAVELS OF ANTEKOR Alas ! It was but laft month, I faw one of my poor goats die, of whom I was very fond. I talked to her a long time, but flie did not an- fwer me, though fhe ufed to underftand me perfeflly well. This furely is a proof fhe was entirely dead." — ^.^^Butfyou know," continued Ij ^' that vvhen we die, v/e defcend into Tar- tarus, or go to the Elyfian fields, according as our lives have been virtuous or vicious ?"— " I have often heard fo," replied fhe, " when 1 was young ; but I refpccl the gods, and do no harm to any one. On the contrary, I give fome of ^iiy goats' milk to all v;ho pafs this way ; and therefore what fhould I be afraid of?"—*' Would you like," faid I, '* to begin your life over again, and pafs through the fame trials of fortitude, and the fame feries of events you havp experienced ?" —«' No doubt," replied fhe, « I would." — " Then,'* returned I, " you are perhaps the only rational being who ever confented to fuch a propofal. In general we are attached to life merely in hopes of meliorating our lot ; but we meet with too many thorns and brambles to wifh again to travel its rugged path." As I ftrolled about the houfe I perceived the ruins of an extenfive and magnificent edifice : large fragments of flone and marble, mouldering \vith time, broken fnafts of columns, fallen en- tablatures. IN GREECE AND ASIA. II9 tablatures, cornices, and capitals. On an<:ing Theodora to give us an account of thefe ancient ruins, which Teemed to proclaim the reign of luxury and opulence, " Yes," faid fhe, " this humble cottage Hands on the very fpot once oc- cupied by a rich and magnificent palace. In my youth, how often have I heard the tale repeated ! but now my memory grows weak, and I forget every thing. At my age people think chiefly of themfelves, and of the care of their own life and health." Demonax faid, he could relate to us this ftory, which was well known by every Spartan. " When our great legiflator Lycurgus," faid he, " wasdefirous of reforming the government, and eftabliHiing an equality of fortunes among the citizens of Sparta, the rich raifed a powerful facSlion againfl him, at the head of which was a very opulent and ambitious man named Alcan- der, who ftirred up a part of the people againfl Lycurgus, purfued him with a cudgel in his hand, ftruck him in the face, and beat out one of his eyes. This infult to fo great a man re-animated his party J the people faw their error, and run- ning from one extreme to the contrary, fell upon Alcander, whom they were going to tear in pieces, had not Lycurgus himfelf, though bleed- 14 ing I20 THE TRAVELS OF AN'TENOR ing with his wound, prottifled him, by his en- treaties, againft the rage of this irritated people. " The proud Alcander could not endure to live in a city, whence luxury and pleafure were banilhed, where the lowed citizen was his equal, and where the fenfe of reciprocal obliga- tion was burdenfcme to his mind. He retired, therefore, to this palace, which was fitted up and decorated with all the magnificence of the mod extravagant luxury, together with an only fon, three years old, and his wife, who was an amiable woman, polTefied great fenfibility, and ufed aU her endeavours to afluage his griefs, and render his retirement fupportable. " But neither her tendernefs and affccfliona the ardefs fmiles and winning manners of his infant fon, nor the fweet and tranquil ferenity of a rural life, could foftcn andconfole hisexafperated and haughty fpirit. Who but would have been fupremely happy in this inrerefting fociety, in the bofom of Nature, and furrounded by the charms of the country ! But Alcander languifhed in in- diftertnce and inactivity, till at length he arofe, one night, tired of his exigence, boiling with rage, and inebriated with the defire of re- venge. His wife waking, afked him, with great fcnfibilitv and terror, ' Where are vougoin^? ^ Why IN GREECE AND ASIA. 121 Why do you leave me ? If you have any griefs or anxieties, why notrepofe them in my bofom ? I will at lead endeavour to confole you by parti- cipating them.' But Alcander anfwered her dryly, * Be not uneafy : I have no other griev- ance than that of not being abie to fleep, and therefore am going to breathe a little frelh air.' He then went into a neighbouring room, where his fon was fleeping with his nurfe, took him away, and wrote a note, which he left with a flave, ordering him to deliver it to his wife as foon as fhe arofe. Look," continued Dcmo- nax, ^' towards your left, at that high and fteep rock. To its fummit Alcander climbed, and thence threw himfelf with his child, on whom he fell, and thus pUt an end to both their lives. " At the break of day his wife arofe with fur- prife and anxiety at his not returning. The flave having delivered her the letter, fhe opened it, palpitating with alarm, and read as follows : *■ I am now no long^er in exigence. Life is be- come odious to me, and I have quitted it. May my ungrateful country thus alfo perifh ! I hate it too much to leave it my child, who, though born to enjoy the privileges of fortune, and the higheft honours and diftindions, has fallen to the rank of the meaneft citizen. Farewel, and be confoled i for though I once deferved your compaflion. 122 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR compalTion, I now no longer need it.' Having read this, fhe ran about, wild with defpair, and frantic with grief and horror, to feek for the re- mains of her child and of her hufband, perhaps ■with fome remaining hope of faving their lives ; till at length fhe came to the foot of the rock. What a dreadful fcene ! Alcander, with his head half open, and his body mutilated, was yet breathing, though wholly infenfible: but the child fcarcely retained even a human form. The vi'retched widow beheld them with a fixed eye ; her heart feemed convulfed, her blood was frozen in her veins, and fhe was v/hoUy robbed of the power of fpeech. At length a deep figh came from the bottom of her foul. It was her laft j for fhe fell, and expired upon her mangled child. " This melancholy cataflrophe was no fooner knov^n at Sparta, than the fenate ordered the palace to be demolifhed, as a memorable monu- ment of Alcander's unbounded pride, his traitor- ous ambition, and his deftruclive rage." Demonax having concluded his tale, we took leave of our worthy hoftefs, whom we called another Baucis, and embracing her, wifhed her a long enjoyment of that life which to her was marked with the purity of innocence and the il' re n i ty c f h app i n e fs . We IN GREECE AND ASIA. I23 We converfed, during the remainder of our journey, on the charader and mode of life of this good woman, who was virtuous by inftin6l, kind from fcntiraent, believed in the gods through prejudice, was totally carelefs of the future, and happy as to the pad. Her pleafures were cir- cumfcribed, her enjoyments limited to a few of the mod fimple and natural gratifications, her fiudies and her fcience not extending beyond the care of her goats, and her ambition depending on their profperity ; unknowing and unknown by sll mankind, yet perhaps the mod fortunate of all our race. She had mechanically purfued the maxims, and praflifed the wifdom of our philo- fophers. " No doubt," faidi to Phanor, " you admire the happy condition of this poor woman ?" — " Moft aflliredly," replied he. — " But would you," continued I, " exchange fituations with her, and live exaftly as Ihe does, in folitude, unknown by the world, ignorant, and poor ? In fhort, would you confent to be happy on the fame terms ?" — " I know not," faid he. " I am afraid I (hould refufe the bar- ter." — " And what," returned I, *' is your real'on ?" — *^ I know not," repeated he. — ** I doubt," faid I, " the true anfwer will be found in your felf-love. You would think yourfelf abafed and degraded were you poor and deflitute of 124 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR of learning ; and yet the firft and moft important fcience of mankind is that of happinefs. The great obJe and was carrying in his pocket j for he was not partial either to black broth or boiled pork. A few days before, at the Gymnafium, he had in like manner loft a leveret which he had killed in hundng, and concealed under his coat. In the firft emotion of vexation and difappointment at the lofs of his birds he complained of it to De- monax, faying, he did not conceive that in fuch a company of the grave and the wife he mult watch his pockets, and miftruft his neighbours, as if he were among thieves. Upon this Demo- nax burft into a loud laugh, exclaiming, that he would cordially embrace the perpetrator of this theft, and doubted not it was the fame who had fo dexteroufly ftolen the leveret. " You know him, then ?" faid Phanor.— " Perfectly well,'* replied Demonax. " Did you not fee a tall young man, who feated himfelf between you and me ? He is my nephew, and is a vtvy clever lad. He made a prefcnt of your leveret to his miftrefs, and probably your partridges will fnare the fame fate." — " And this," faid Phanor, *' you confider as a piece of pleafantry ? By Juno, I pity you for having fuch a hopeful rela- tion V* 140 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOk. tlon !"— " Why fo?" returned Demonax: " I am quite proud of him. He is a brave youth, and a true Spartan, and is univerfally efteemed. You are ignorant, perhaps, that this kind of rob- bery is authorized^ by a law of Lycurgus ?" — *^^We live here, then," exclaimed Phanor, " as in the midft of a lawlefs foreft ? By Hercules, I will have my revenge, and rob in my turn !" ** If fo," replied Demonax, " I advife you at lead to do it neatly and fkilfully ; for if you are caught in the facl, you will be punifhed for your awkwardnefs." — " Befides," continued Phanor, *' what have you to be robbed of? Some wooden fpoons, your fandals, and a few iron oboli!" — " You muft not be furprifed, how- ever," refumed Demonax, " at the principle of this law i for it is calculated to form our youth " — " Yes," faid Phanor, *' to robbery and plunder." — " Far from it," replied our friend J "it forms them to vigilance and the arts of war." — " My dear friend," faid Phanor to me, as foon as we were alone, " this proud city of Lacedsemon is a horde of fools, of thieves, and of barbarians. They have very bad cheer, are very ill-lodged, and rob us at every turn. What a fcene of idlenefs and infipidity ! The arts and fciences are banifhed, and their diale(^ is as harfli and difguiting as their man- ners. IN GREECE AND ASIA. I4J ners. Thefe great Ignorant boobies are walking about the whole day in the fquare, without di- re*5ling their thoughts to any ufefLil purpofe, or at beft, wafting them on projedls of conqueft and of war. Here is not one obje<5l worthy the attention of a traveller, except the beautiful form of the women. But I do not like to be duped ; and if I can be revenged of this nephew of De- monax, who feafts at my expence, certainly I will not fufFer the opportunity to efcape." 142 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR. CHAP LIX. Accident at the temple of Diana. — Exercifes of the young people, — A delivery, "^Famous leaps,r^ Anecdotes, A CALAMITY, which had nearly coft us our lives, added to the difguft of Phanor at the city of Lacedsmon. One day, when a grand folemnity was to take place in the temple of Diana, it caught fire. The flames fpread with rapidity, and we faw three women, with torches in their hands, endeavouring to increafe their rage. On the alarm being fpread, the people rulhed with impetuofity to the gate j and the fcreams of thofe who were half ftifled with the preflure of the croud, or fearful of being trodden under foot, added to the confuf.on of the fcene ; while the terror, the defpair, ^nd the clamour of the women filled our fouls with horror, and made us almoft infenfible to the danger that furrounded us. In the meanwhile we were borne along by the croud, and feparated from each other, till at length I found myfelf in the court before the temple, violently bruifcd, and aimoil 7 torn IN GREECE AND ASIA. I43 torn in pieces. The ephoii, who were prefent in their places, immediately ordered the three furies by whom this outrage was committed, to be feized, while, ftill hurrying with rage and defpair, they communicated the fire to all parts of the temple. I now rejoined Phanor, who, dill more maltreated than myfelf," curfed the feftival, the Lacedaemonians, and all the country. At length the fire was fubdued, and the three incendiaries brought to the great fquare. They were a mother and two mofl lovely daughters, whofe charms were rather en- hanced than eciipfed by the wild diforder of their drefs, and the flowing loofenefs of their hair. The mother, whofe name was Demccrite, full of rage and fury, exhorted her daughters to con- flancy and firmnefs, and to contemn the torments that might await them. One of the ephori hav- ing upbraided her for her crime, " No," an- fwered flie, " it is not I that am the criminal. I revenge the injured Alcippus, my hufband, and the father of thcie children, whom you have banifhed v/ithout juft caufe, and have forbidden us to accompany him in his exile. We have been condemned to fliame, mifery, and humili- ation : but I avenge myfelfof your injuftice and cruelty ; and my only grief is at being unable to crufli you beneath the ruins of your temple. Go, 144 "^^^ TRAVELS OF ANTENOR Go, barbarians ! I am not bafe e.iough to beg for life at your hands." Thus faying, Ihe drew forth a poniard, her daughters followed her ex- ample, and all three at once plunged them in their bofoms in the prefence of the aflembly, who were rooted to the ground with horror and amazement. Thus they fell, weltering in their blood, into each other's arms, while the ex- piring Democrite called upon Nemefis and Ate *, devoting her unjuft and ungrateful country to Pluto, to the Furies, and to the gods who punifh the wicked. This fcene of horror filled the whole city with confternation ; while the unparalleled courage and energy of the three incendiaries ex- cited univerfal pity and admiration. Dcmonax now informed us of a combat that was to take place at the Platanifia, between the youth of Lacedaemon. " Yeilerday," faid he, " they divided in two troops, and facrificed a little dog to Mars, as the moft courageous of dom.eftic animals. After this they fet two tame * Ate was the daughter of Jupiter, and the Goddefs of Evil. She raifed fuch jealoufy and fedition among the gods, that Jupiter feized her by the hair, and banifliing her for ever from heaven, fent her to dwell upon the earth, where fne revenged herfeif by exciting mankind to wickednefs and ftrife. She traverfed the glebe with incredible rapidity, while the Prayers limped after her, ftriving in rain to repair the mil- chiefs fhe occaiioned. boars IN GREECE AND ASIA." t^^ boars to fight, and each .party took the warmeft intereft in their champion. In thecourfe of the night," continued he, " they have been drawing Jots to determine by which bridge each troop iliould enter the Platanifta. It is noon, and that is the time appointed for the combat. Let us go and fee it." We arrived at the moment whea the fignal was given. Immediately each party rulhed upon the other, and fought both with their fifts and their feet, bidng with all their ilrength, and endeavouring to tear out each other's eyes ; fometimes in platoons, fometimes body to. body ; each troop exerting their utmoft efforts to drive the other back, and force them into the Eurotas. In this ftruggle, a youih of an uncommonly pleafmg and attraclive counte- nance fell beneath his vigorous antagonift, and broke his thigh. This accident, however, feemed to make no impreflion on the reft. The wounded combatant was carried off, and the games proceeded as before. Phanor was indig- nant at this ferocious infenfibilicy, and exclaim- ed, " Let us be gone 1 Thefe people are more favage than the Thracians ! Befides,'" continued he, *' this is far from being fo intereft- ing a fight as that of the young women. 1 enjoy no exhibitions but thofe of the beautiful Afpafia* My dear friend, that lovely girl has robbed me VOL. II. ju of 1/^.6 TME TRAVELS OF ANTENOR. of my peace, and every* moment diftiirbs my re- pofe. This morning fhe pafled me in a fhort petticoat, and flravv hat. Gods ! what a charm- ing fliape ! I was following her, and would have accofted her, but fhe fcemed to difcover my defign, and fled from me with the rapidity of the doe. By Pollux, I would marry her in- ftantly with all my foul !" — " Perhaps fo," faid I : " but the laws of the country forbid. You have not the honour of being born at Sparta ; and befides, it would be impoffible to marry all the fine women you happen to admire.'* He alfented to my reafoning, and reludlantly yielded to his fate. The next day we v/ent to the lodging-houfe of the children, who fleep in extenfive dor- mitories, on beds of reeds, which in winter are covered with thiftle-down. Demonax informed us, that at feven years of age they quitted their paternal roof, and v;ere removed to a kind of barracks -, and that at five they learnt the' Pyr- rhic or military dance. " At Athens," faid I, "^ they begin, at fcven years old, to read Homer." The wife of Demonax, who was now very near her time, was a proud, imperious woman, like mofL of her fex at Sparta. Her hufband one day interceding with her to pardon a Helot, whom IN GREECE AND ASIA. I4J whom fhe was about to chaftife, (he refufed him with the utmoft haughtinefs. Being much fur- prifed at her manner, I told her Sparta was the only place where the women commanded the men ; " Becaufe," replied fhe, " we are the only v^omen who produce men." At length Demonax came to us in the middle of the night, intoxicated with joy, told us his wife was attacked with the pains of childbirth, and invited us to attend the ceremonies cuftomary on that occafion. The mother was placed upon a buckler, and furnifhed with a javelin. A3 icon as the child came into the world, as he was a male, the relations laid him on the buck- ler, at the fame time crying out, " Or with it or upon it *." At day-break the joyful father car- ried him to the Lefcha f , where eight of the oldeft of his tribe attended to examine into the goodnefs of his conftitution. The nurfe having put fome wine in a bucket, plunged him • When the Spartans departed to join the camp, it was cullcmary for their mothers to deliver them their buck- lers, faying, "« raro ''n etti tstc ; that is, " Bring this back* or be brought upon it ;" thofe who fell in battle bting carried home upon their bucklers. f All the large towns of Greece were furnished with thefe lefch^c, {ucryyu,), which, like cur cofFee-lioafej, were the ren- dezvous of the b^ft fociety. Sparta had wo lefchje, thougli appropriated to very di^erent purpofes, L a in. 14^ THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR in, wafhed his body, and after having left him fome time in the bath *, prefented him to the old men. But this dangerous immerfion had injured the new-born babe, and thrown him into convul- fions ; in confeqiience of which the judges de- clared that he could never become a vigorous man, and that he would therefore be ufelefs to the republic. Phanor reprefented to them that this momentary examination was a very uncertain criterion, and that even the want of phyfical flrength might be advantageoufly compenfated by moral excellence and brilliant talents : but thefe grave perfonages filenced him with a look of feverity and difdain, and gave him no other an- fwer than by unanimoufly pronouncing fentence of death upon the innocent little infant. On hearing this barbarous decree I turned my eyes towards the father, whO;, without the lead change of countenance, immediately ordered a flave to carry him to Mount Taygetus. We accom- * Henry IV. of France was treated nearly in the fame manner as the children of Sparta. His father, Anthony of Bourbon, having received hitn from the nurfc, gave him a clove of garlick to fuck, and put fome wine in his mouth. In his infancy he was drefTed and fed iilce other children, and was accuUomed to exercile himfelf in running and climbing among the rocks. His food was generally brown bread, beef, andcheefe, and he was frequently made to \va'k barefcot, ar.d with his head uncovered, panied IN GREECE AND ASIA. I49 panicd him, together with his cruel judges, and faw him thrown down the precipice into the Apothetas, a gulf appropriated to that purpofe*. • " What cruel monfters !" cried Phanor, as we ftood apart from the company : *' What atro- cious barbarians ! Ah 1 were the women lefs beautiful, the whole city ought to be deftroyed and exterminated." We dared notfpeak to Demonax of the lofs of his fon, or the barbarous lavv' to which he had been facrificed. At length, however, 1 ven- tured to exprefs fome concern at his misfortune : but he anfwered coldly, that it was a very wife law. *' Our children," faid he, " are not born * The Chinefe are fiill more cruel to their children than the Lacedaemonians, expofingthem in great numbers, and mak- ing ufe of three various ways of getting rid of them. Some- times the midwives drown them in a bafin of hot water, and are paid by the parents for the operation : fometimes they are thrown into the river with a hollow gourd fixed to their back, fo that they float a long lime before they ceafe to exift. Their cries would make any human being, except a Chinefe, whofe heart is hardened by cuflom, (hudder with horror. A third mode is to expofe them in theftreets, where dung carts pafs along every morning, efpecially at Pekin, to pick them up; after which they are thrown into a foffs, which is left open, in hopes the Mahometans may take fome of them awav. But it often happens that before the dung-carts ar- rive, the dogs and pigs, with which tlie Ilreets abound, parti- cularly the latter, devour them alive, I 3 for I^O THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR for ourfelves, but for our country, which ought to admit none into its bofom but fuch as are healthy and robufc. The reft would be an ufe- lefb burthen. Hence the republic has ordained that children fhall be examined naked, every de- cade, by the Ephori, who attend to their con- flitution and (late of health ; when thofe who are too fat are chaftifed and puniflied. My nephew, who is now fo fine a young man, and fufKciently fiender, was more than once flogged and con- demned to fad in his infancy, to counterad his inclination to obefity. Be fides," added he, " it is not my fiult if my wife has produced fo delicate and feeble an offspring: fori had covered the walls of her chamber with the portraits of Apollo, of Caftor, of Hercules, of Hyacinthus, of Narcillus, and of Adonis." Phanor often induced me to repeat our vifits to the gymnafiuai of the young women, that he might fee his dear Afpafia. He feemed ready to devour her with his eyes whenever fhe threv/ the diflv, or exerted her ftrength in leaping, wrefc- ling, and running — in all which athletic exercifes frie excelled. She even challenged the men, and often bore away the palm from the conteft. Once, however, fhe was excelled by a young athlcta, who being extremely elevated v.ich his viftory, and rallying her fomewhat too roughly upon IN GREECE AND ASIA. I^I upon her being overcome, a Theirallan youth, who happened to be prefent, refolved to revenge the afFrontj and engaged to leap as far again as the Spartan, who had jumped three-and-twenty feet. The challenge was immediately accepted with a tone of incredulous irony 3 and this bold and animated Theffalian, difdaining to leap over a common ditch, offered to clear the river Euro- tas. Notwithflanding the great danger of this attempt, which was ftrongly reprefented to him, ;ind though informed the river was at that time uncommonly full and r^pid, he perfifted in his propofal. The banks of the river were crowded with fpeflators ; and its breadth, in the fpot fe- le6led for this exploit, was forty- feven feet. The Theffalian then threw off his clothes, fprang for- ward, and lighted on the oppofite fhore. This leap of feven-and- forty feet was celebrated throughout Greece, but has never found a finglc imitator. L A S^2 . THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR CHAP. LX. Exfurfion into Laconia.—^A fingiilar char abler, -^ jijlatue of Modefij. DEMONAX propofed to us an excurfion into Laconia, to view its cultivation, its gene- ral appearance, its pidlurefque natural beauties, and the many charming fpots that varied its en- chanting fcenery. When we accepted his in- vitation, he told us he would procure a car- riage : but we replied, that it would be a fuper- fiuous expence, as we were not eafily fatigued. " Why do you talk of expence ?" faidhe. " It will not coll me a fingle obolus. Come, and you Hiali fee the truth of my affertion.'* He then led us into a houfe at the end of the ftreet, and going dire(5lly to the ftable, took two horfcs, and harneffed them to a carriage. Much fur- prifed at this ftep, I afked him whether the inafter of the houfe was his brother. " No," faid he, " we are no relations : but here every thing is common ; and one Spartan may freely difpofe of the property of another." — " This cuftom,-' faid Phanor, "and the light dreffes ufed by the women. m GREECE AND ASIA. 1 53 women, are the moft attradlve peculiarities of the place." To defray the expences of our journey, De- monax took with him a very heavy bag full of pieces of iron, on which Phanor was often very facetious. " This money," faid our hod, " is made red hot, and then immerfed in vinegar, to render it brittle, that it may not be applied to any other ufe." As we quitted the city, we pafled by the Schif- matia, or the grave of thofe who were killed by an earthquake. *^It was a moft dreadful calamity," faid Demonax. " The earth opened in many places, and fwallowed up whole villages*. The Taygetus and other neighbouring mountains iliook to their foundations, feveral of their fum- mits were broken off, and the whole city was deftroyed except five houfes. A little before this dreadful explofion, fome young people, who were exercifing themfelves in the portico, faw a hare run by them, when feveral of the youngeft, who were naked, and had been rubbed with oil, purfued her, and thereby laved their lives, for ithey had no fooner quitted the portico than it fell, and deftroyed all thofe who remained. * Diodorus Siculus fays that twenty thoufand perfons pe- fiCied by this catallrophe. AmidH 154 THE TRAVELS OF ANTE2.:0R Amidft this dreadful defolation king Archidamus preferved the moft cool and unruffled courage. Obferving the citizens running with the utmoft precipitation to fave their moft valuable effeds, he ordered an alarm to be founded with trum- pets, as if the enemy were at the gates of the city. This prefence of mind faved Sparta j for the Helotse, who were flocking from all parts to deftroy thofe whom the earthqtiake had fpared, feeing the citizens in battle array, and being now feized with reciprocal alarm, they retired immediately to the neighbouring towns to efcape tfteir revenge. Demonax then fliewed us the cavern called Laceada, where thofe criminals are caft who are condemned to death for great crimes. " Down this precipice," faid he, " was thrown the cele- brated Ariftomenes, the fworn enemy of Sparta, and the glory and defence of MelTene, which was his native place. He was furprifed by our brave foldiers, at the head of a detachment very inferior to his opponents ; but he fought with the defperation of a lion, till, being ftruck by a flone, he was fuddenly deprived of fenfation. In confequence of this, he and fifty of his fol- lowers were taken, and precipitated into this cavern. Do you perceive," continued he, " how extremely deep it is ? It is quite terrific ! Yet, by IN GREECE AND ASIA. I55 by an unparalleled miracle, AriPcomenes alone came to the bottom without being killed, ar dangeroufly wounded. His prefcrvation was attributed to his armour ; for he wore it at the time when this fentence was executed. Thus buried at the bottom of the abyfs, he waited two days, with the moft heroic conftancy, in the lin- gering expedation of certain death. On the third, hearing a noiie, and looking round, he perceived, by a very teeble light, a fox, who came to devour the carcafes. He waited, without moving, till the animal approached him, and as foon as he was near enough, feized him with one*hand, while with the other he foiled his attempts to bite, by prefenting his cloak to his difappointed rage. He followed him where- ever he led the way, and where the pafiage was too narrow, fuffered himfelf to be dragged along. At length coming to an opening where the light was fomewhat more diftinguifliablc, though only wide enough for the fox to pafs, this fight reanimated his courage ; and Jetting go the animal, he faw him climb up and efcape by that paffage.- Ariftomenes determined to follow his example; and collecting all his ftrength, widened the hole till at length he got out of the cavern, and climbed the precipice. Thus did the 156 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR the Meflenians, who were bewailing his death, foon behold his return with the moft inexpreflible joy and fatisfacftion." We now arrived at Gytheum, near which are the port and arfenal of the republic, being about a quarter of a mile from that town, and at the mouth of the Eurotas. We breakfafted on the excellent cheefe it produces, "which was fuperior even to that of the hofpi- table Theodora, although we had eaten hers with greater pleafure. From Gytheum we crofled the Eurotas to Mount Taygetus. All this part of the country is full of vineyards and little hills. Near the fummifof the moun- tain is the wood of Enoras, where are a pro- digious number of fallow-deer, wild goats, bears, and wild boars. This is the principal hunting country for the youth of Sparta. We climbed its fummit, called Teleton, where a horfe is annually facrificed to the fun. As we came down the hill we encountered a violent ftorm ; and the rain was fo heavy, that we were obliged to take refuge under an impending rock. Demonax, however, would on no ac- count avail himfelfof this fhelter, faying, that a Spartan ought to brave the moft intemperate weather, and that he lliould be alhamed to feek any IN GREECE AMD ASIA. I57 any protecfllon from a little pure water. He therefore walked fteadfailly on, while the rain fell in torrents on his head. When the ftorm was pafled, and we were en- deavouring to overtake him, we met a man whofe figure and drefs had a very extraordinary appearance. He was without a cloak, walked bare-foot, was disfigured by a very thick black beard, and feemed uncommonly tanned and weather-beaten. He was ver/ thin, his eyes deeply funken, and his gloomy counte- nance was a miferable objefl of pity. After ob- ferving us Tome time, he accofted us, inquiring whether we came from Sparta j and on our an- fwering in the affirmative, immediately aflced us feveral queftions relative to the affairs of that city. We told him we were ftrangers there, but that Demonax, who was a citizen of Sparta, and was travelling vi^ith us, would give him every in- formation. Upon this he left us abrupdy. We imagined he was out of his fenfes, and defcribed to our friend what a fmgular being we had men with ; telling him alio that he fled the moment he heard his name, " That," faid he, " is be- caufe I know him. This miferable being has lived thefe ten years in a cavern, though he has a wife and feveral children." — '' He is an- other Tiinon then," faid I : " fome enemy to the 158 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR the human race." — *^ By no means," replied Demonax : " he was uncommonly fond of the pleafures of fociety : but he difhonoured him- felf by his cowardice, and is therefore con- demned to pafs. the remainder of his life in ig- nominy or in folitude. Who would believe it pofTible that a Spartan fliould want courage 1 Yet he threw away his buckler in battle, and look to flight. When his wife faw him return without his armour, fhe refufed to receive him, and the republic forbad his children to vifit him. At Sparta, cowards are excluded from every office of diftinction. It would be a degradation to marry their daughter, or to be in any way con- nedled with them. Every one may ftrike them with impunity, they are obliged to wear dirty clothes, pieced v;ith fcraps of various colours^ and they muft fliave half their beard, and pre- icrvc the other half. However cowardly and fhamelefs might be this man's chara£ler,he could not bear thefe marks of humiliation, and there- fore came to hide his degraded bafenefs in the obfcure recefles of thefe mountains. The coward has not even the courage to die !" We agreed with our conduftor that death was pre- ferable to fo miferablc an exigence. At thirty (ladia from the city we faw a ftatue of Modefty. " That is a very ancient ftatue," laid IN GREECE AND ASIA. I^^ faid Demonax. ^' It was placed here by Ica- rius the father of Penelope, on a fingnlar oc- cafion. " After his daughter was married to Ulyfles, he prefled his fon-in-Iaw to fix his refidence ac Sparta : but being unable to prevail with him he addrefled himfelf with tears to Penelope, conjuring her to take pity on his forrows, and not abandon him in his old age. Penelope was melted with fympathy, but replied, that Ihe could not feparate her fortunes from thofe of her hufband. When the time appointed for their departure arrived, Icarius renewed his entreaties with increafing energy, and wept bitterly as he accompanied their car. Upon this, Ulyfles, grieving at the fighs and tears of both Icarius and his daughter, told her fhe was fiill at liberty to choofe either her father or her hufband, and to decide whether (ht would accompany him to Ithaca, or remain widi Icarius at Sparta. Pe- nelope blufhed, but gave no other anfwer than covering her head with her veil. Icarius un- derftood the fignal, and ceafed to urge his foli- citations : but he was fo ftrongly affcded with the grief and embarrafTment of his beloved daughter, that he fet up a ftatue of Modefty on the very fpot where this fcene had pafied." W^ l5o THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR We now pafTed a temple dedicated to Minerva^ " This edifice,'* faid our hoft, " is of brafs, and that, in fa(5l:, is all the merit it can boaft : but it is celebrated for having been the fcene of the death of a king of Sparta — I mean, the traitor Paufanias." — " Let us vifit ir," faid I, " and afterwards we will requeft you to relate both the crime and punifhmentof that celebrated perfon- age."— " With all my heart," replied he ; "let us go in, and after breakfall I will comply with yourdefire." Having vifited the temple, we feated ourfelves beneath fome willows that grew on the banks of a rivulet, when Demonax took fome hard bread and a piece of boiled pork out of a fack, and after a light and wholefome repall began the (lory of Paufanias as follows. IN GREECE AND ASIA. l6l CHAP. LXi. Treachery and death of Panjanias. — Feaft of Diajta. — Flagellation of children,'-^ Amour of Antenor. — Phanors fru'itlefs endeavours. |AUSANIA5, king of Sparta, was not only a great general, but 'a profound politician. He had immortalifed himfelf at Platasa by a viftory over the Perfians : but his ambition made him afpire to the fole authority and abfo- lute power. Death, however, was the reward of his perfidy. The gods, no doubt, thus hurried himon todefirucSlion, to revenge the innocent blood he had Ihed on the banks of the Hcl- Icfpont, where he had the command of our fleet ; for while thus bafely meditating to be- tray his country into the hands of the Perfians, he became enamoured with a Byzantian girl named Cleonica, whom he ordered to be brought to him at the dufk of the evening. The general's order was pundually obeyed : butPau- fanias happening to be afleep, Cleonica, who was foftly approaching his bed, overfet the lamp. This accident awakened Paufanias, who, full of the fears and terrors that haunt every VOL. II. M traitor. 1 6*2 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR traitor, fprang up, feized his fcymitar, and killed the unfortunate Cleonica with a fingle blow. Agitated with remorfe and tormented by grief, hewas reje6ted by all the gods, who re- fufed to purify him from the crime, and driven from every temple j and his death alone could fatisfy their vengeance. This event owed its ac- complifhm.ent to a fingular circumftance. He carried on a fecret intelligence with the king of Perfia, by means of emiflaries, who, having once difcharged their commiffion, were never heard of more. At length he difpatched a Theflalian youth, with whom he committed the iiioft fhameful crimes. This youth obferving that none of his predeceflbrs returned, and his fuf- picions being thus awakened, broke open the letter, and difcovcred the plot, together with the certainty of his own deflruction, had he ful- filled his commiiTion. Alarmed at this difcovery , he inftantly repaired to Sparta, and delivered the letter to the ephori, whofe ftricl juftice and un- deviating prudence forbad them to put the king under arreft till they had heard the confeflion of his crime from his own mouth. " On the promontory of Tsnarus is a temple of Neptune, confidered by the Greeks as an in- violable afylum. The ephori ordered the young Theflalian to take refuge there i and a fubter- IN GREECE AND ASIA. l6j fubterraneous palTage being dug from the altar, by means of which they could hear every thing that pafled, three of thefe magifhrates took their flation in it, till Paufanias being informed his cmlflary had taken refuge in that temple, re- paired thither with the utmoft alarm and agita- tion. Seeing the youth embrace the altar with a fuppliant and affrighted air, he inquired what crime had brought him to that afylum. Upon this, the youth confeffing he had opened his letter, the king was feized with fudden terror, and conjured him not to divulge the fecret ; at the fame time promifing him great treafures if, in lieu of denouncing him, he would afTifl in ex- tricating him from the danger with which he was threatened. " The ephori having heard all that pafied, took the road to Sparta, and refolved to arred the traitor, who alfo returned in full reliance on the promife of the Theffalian. He met the ephori near the temple of Minerva, when one of them defirous of faving his life, apprifed him, by figns, of the danger that awaited him. Paufanias, perceiving he was betrayed, inftantly took refuge there j and therefore the ephori or- dered the building to be unroofed, and the doors walled up. It is faid, his mother, though ex- tremely old, brought the firft ftone, and aflifted M 2 in 1^4 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR in the work. After pafTing feveral days in the cruelleft tortures, the wretch was dragged out of his prifon in a dying (late, and Toon ended his miferable life. Thus did this once great man, whofe diftinguiihed courage and brilliant talents raifed him to a hero, tarnifh his glory, and wither all his laurels by his unbounded ambition, and terminate his career with an ignominious death." We now returned to Sparta, that we might affifl: the next day at the annual feftival of Diana Orthia, whofe temple was in the Limnasan Hreet. We were ftruck with the plainnefs of the goddefs's flatue j and on expreffing our fur- prife t6 Demonax, " 'Tis true," faid he, " it is formed only of wood, and is very fmall, but it is the fame that Iphigenia and Oreiles carried off from the Taurica Cherfonefus, and which Oredes, one of our kings, brought hither. Long was it the cuftom to facrifice human vic- tims upon this altar, in compliance with an an- cient oracle ! But Lycurgus exchanged that barbarous pradice for the flagellation of chil- dren." Phanor looked all over the temple for the beautiful Afpafia, and at length had the good fortune to find her. As the priefts advanced towards the altar, one of them faid aloud, " Let us make libations and pray !" IN GREECE AND ASIA. 165 pray !" Another cried out, " Who are they who compofe this affembly ?" We all replied unanimoudy, " Honeft men." — " Then keep filence," he replied. The ufual prayer, which was in the true laconic ftyle, was then read. They prayed that they might combine the beau- tiful with the good. This was all they all<;ed of the divine goodnefs j thus including in two words all the morality of the philofophers of Greece. When this prayer was concluded the vidlims were brought forward : they were two oxen and two flags ; and the prieils having placed on their foreheads a cake of barley-meal and fait, poured fome wine on their heads. They placed fig-tree wood and myrtle to burn upon the altar, and tearing the hair from their foreheads, threw it in the fire : after which the animals fell beneath the facred knife. The thighs were then burnt with fplit wood, and the victims divided between the gods, the priefts, and thofe who prefcnted them ; the portion of the former being confumed by the flames. When this ceremony was concluded, the children, who were the vidims and the heroes of the day, were brought forward, being twenty in number, quite naked, and about fcven years of age. Thefe were followed by as many flaves, M 3 with l66 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR with rods, and the whole troop placed themfelves in the middle of the temple. A prieftefs having approached them with a ftatue of Diana in her handsj raifed it as high as fhe was able ; and upon this fignal being given, the flaves began to do their office with force and energy. Yet the innocent little creatures received their blows without the flighted change of countenance, a fingle cry, or the moft trifling murmur ; while their relations endeavoured, by figns and me- naces, and confolatory words, to exhort and en- courage them to pcrfevere viith fortitude in fuf- fering themfelves to be thus mangled without the leafl. complaint. The blood trickled down their backs, while the fl:rokes were laid on quicker and quicker ; and all the fpedators, both male and female, enjoyed with immoveable fternnefs this cruel and inhuman ceremony as a pleafing and agreeable exhibition. Phanor, although his attention was fomewhat drawn off by the beautiful eyes of Afpafla, fighed and grieved at this barbarous cuftom, and faid to me, in a low whifper, " What have the little bafliards done, that they are to be thus flayed alive ? And this they call a feftival !" continued he. " Yes, 'cis the fcftival of the infernal furies !" Yet although I was as much agitated as himfelf, I requefled hiny IN GREECE AND ASIA, 1 67 him to be filent, and even to join in the ap- plaufe *. In the meanwhile the ardour of the execu- tioners began to abate, which the prieftefs per- ceiving, exclaimed, that fhe could no longer fupport the ftatue. This was intended as a re- proach to the flaves for their coldnefs and effe- minacy, and therefore they reanimated their ex- ertions, and inflifted ftronger and more rapid ftrokes ; while we beheld the tender and inno- cent little viclims, covered widi blood, afFeding to defpife pain, and to fmile at every piece of flcfli which the rods tore from their backs. " Ah !" cried Phanor aloud, " there is one of the children expiring !" for one of them * Cicero was prefent at a fimilar flagellation at Sparta, and even approved of the ceremony. In Egypt, both the men and women flogged themfelves at the feaft of Ifis. St. Dominic v.'ore afliirt of mail, an-d flogged himfelf, not only on his own account, but to expiate the fins of others. At that time (the eleventh century) it was imagined three thoufand lafhes, accompanied with the repetition of twenty peniten- tiary pfalms, were adequate to one hundred years of peni- tence. St. Dominic faved this century of punifliment in fix days, in which time his fein became as black as that of a negro. In 1260 a feft was formed in Italy, under the name of Flage lantes, who went about in proceflion, two by two, with their Ihculders bare, which they whipped with cords armed with thorns till the blood ran down. This religious bar- barifm prevailed all over Italy, Spain, Provence, and the Corarat Venaiflin. M 4 had l68 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR had fallen, and lay upon the ground almoftdead. He was carried off with hafte : but the exclama- tion of Phanor made the Spartans murmur, and they caft the moft menacing looks at us, while ■we fixed our eyes upon the ground, and kept profound filence. As we carne out, I afked Demonax for what crime thefe children had been condemned to fo fevere a chaftifement : " They are perfedlly in- nocent of crimes," replied he : " but we are will- ing to accuftom them betimes to pain and mor- tification." — •' And why," faid I, " do you not break one of their hss, to accuflom them to walk on the other ?" — " I confefs," faid he, the experiment is fomewhat fevere: but the youth of Sparta are naturally intrepid, and boldly expofe themfelves to every danger." — " Yes, indeed," faid I, " I (hould be much fur- prifed if they were afraid of death, confidering the dulnefs and infipidity of their lives." In the evening of the fame day I was walking alone in the Platanifta, when a man, who ap- peared about fixty years old, and had been ob- ferving me fome time, accofted me in a friend- \y manner, and told me he was going to aflc me an important fervice, both for the republic and himfelf. '■' If it be in my power," faid I, " I ihall be extremely happy. Have the goodnefs to IN GREECE AND ASIA. 169 to explain yourfelf." — " You are young," faid he, " are a fine, tall, well-made man, and feem full of health and vigor : but I, alas ! am grow- ing old, and am declining every d'ay." I waited with the moft impatient curiofity for the end of this fingular fpeech. " I have received an affront," faid he, " for which the remedy is in your power. Yefterday, when I entered our affembly, all the young people rofe except one, who refufed me that tribute of refpeft due to age. When I afked him the reafon, ' Be- caufe,' faid he, * you have not given any chil- dren to the flate, who may honour me, in my turn, when I grow old.' This," continued he, " has rendered me quite miferable. Four years ago I married a young and beautiful wife " — *' Then I congratulate you," faid I ; " for you mufl: be very happy." — " Yes, indeed," replied he, " and fo I am : but the cup of bitternefs often ftands very near that ofpleafure and enjoy- ment. Though I am panting to give a fine boy to my country, yet the gods prove inexorable to my prayers, and all my vows are fruitlefs."— " Would to heaven," faid I, " I poffeffcd any recipe or fecret that could remove the caufe of your uneafinefs ! I have heard of philtres and aphrodifiacs 1" — " It is not," faid he, " for recipes or fecrets that I afk : I defire no fecret 170 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR fecret that ycu do not perfonally pofTefs. Love demands the co-operation of youth; and you will do me the greateft poffible favour if you will pafs the night with my wife. I doubt not you will enrich the republic with a little Hercules. I W2's fo aftoniflied and confounded with this propofal, that I knew not what to reply. Find- ing me (lillfilent, he added, " Perhaps you have heard that one of the principal punifhments of a Spartan, who is branded v/ith difhonour by the lav/, is that of being forbid to lend his wife, or poiTefs another man's ; and never to have any woman at his houfe but virgins: but I have in ro refpeft offended againft the law, and can dif- pofe of my wife as 1 pleafe *." — " I have no * Lycurgus confidered the rigorous laws of many nations, relative to adultery, as ridiculous and inconfiftent with rea- fon. " Men fludy," faid he, *' the breeds of their horfes and dogs, and pay the minutcft attention to the melioration cf the race : but however old or infirm they may be them- felves, they are very jealous of their wives, and fhut them up as if they feared their native country fhould be peopled with iL'ong, well-proportioned, healthy men." Although aduhery was a crime at Sparta, yet hufbands fometimes refigned their connubial bed to a handfome man, that they might have robull and fine children ; for they thought the confent or I'efufal of the hufband conftituted the innocence or criminality of the aftion. A true Spartan never confidered his wife as the partner of his pleafures, but ifierely as the mother of the children he defired, doubt IN GREECE AND ASIA. I7I doubt of it," faid I, recovering from my fur- prife ; ' nor is there any thing I would refufe to ferve either you or the republic." — " Can you, then, oblige me," faid he, " this night ?" — " I am ready," faid I, " to obey your orders, and impadent to accommodate you." — " In that cafe," returned he, " come with me, and we will fup together." I now perceived Phanor at a little diftance, and running up to him, told him I Ihould not return that evening ; for the re- public had occafion for my talents, and I was about to confecrate the night to its fervice. " I underftand you not," faid Phanor j " explain yourfelf !" — " Go home," faid I, " and fleep in peace. X^^ ^^^i enjoy that repofe of which I fhall be deprived. Adieu ! I am in hade : While yet I fpeak. Time hurries on too faft. And mixes coming moments with the pall," I immediately rejoined Antiphon, (for that was the name of this good-natured hufband,) who conducted mc to his wife's apartment, and introduced me by faying, « Here is a handfcme young man, who is fo kind as to undertake en- riching the ftate with a child, provided you like each other." Thus faying, he took off her veil, and difplayed a moft lovely and fafcinating coun- tenance, which was inftantly covered with blufhes. \']1 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR blufiies, while her eyes, which were very large, lliaded with long eye-lafhes, and adorned with well-arched eyebrows, were involuntarily cafl: downwards. I was charmed with the ani- mation and fyinmetry of her features, and hope and expedation inflamed my raviHied fenfes. I was attempting to compliment her beauty, but my confufion muft have appeared a wariner ho- mage than my moft enthufiaflic expreflions. In the meanwhile, having ftolen a glance at me, fhe replied to her hufband, that he and her country had a right to command her obedience and her civifm. I concealed the joy this anfvver excited in my bread, for I vvilLed rather to appear to be conferring than receiving a favour. We now went to fupper, and this afforded me an oppor- tunity of difcovering more of the elegant perfon of my new acquaintance, who difplayed, as fhe arofe, a majeflic figure, and a noble but modeft mien. During the repaft (he Ipoke but little ; and though (he ventured, from time to time, a modeft glance at me, yet whenever her eyes met mine, her whole countenance was fluQied with crimfon — foft harbinger of her future love and tendernefs. As for me, I but feldom indulged in the pleafure of beholding her lovely features ; for I preferred concealing the ardour of my rifmg pafllon under the veil of modefty and IN GREECE AND ASIA. IJ^ and decorum. Antiphon feemed quiie over- joyed, and appeared to exult in his good fortune, as if he had been the juvenile objed of prefer- ence and of love. He fupped heartily, and prefied me to follow his example j facetioufly al- luding to the peculiarity of my fituation. I fmiled at his pleafantries, and replied to them by the aflivity of my appetite, although my kind hoftonly gave me a fannily iupper of black broth and boiled pork. When we had finiflied our meal Thargelia left us, and her hufband foon apprifed me fhe vvas expefting me. " How do you like her?" faid he. — " She is very beautiful," faid I -, " and her amiable modefty enhances the charms of her per- fon." — " I apprehend," faid he, " the flicrince flie makes to you will not be very repugnant to her inclination j for fhe loves her country, and will expe tippus : ' I am going to rt-join my mafter So- crates and the fafcinating Lais, whole wit and beauty have iafiamed all Greece, and bev;ildcred its IN GREECE AND ASIA. 1 79 ics wifcfl heads, though now difibld' into the inanimate duft of the earth. What a noble, what a grand idea is the re-exiflence of man ! Yer, alas ! the Toothing confolations, it affords our ieh'"-love are, 1 fear, but an imaginary chi- mera ; for the probabilities are certainly againll ic' The phyfician advifed him not to dwell upon Tuch mournful thoughts. * Do not imagine,* faid he, * that I am tormented with the fears and terrors of death, for I know better how to ap- preciate the true value of life. Pindar has juflly defcribed it as the dream cf a Jijadoiv *. I fcarcely ■know for what end we are placed upon the earth : but when Charon brings liis boat to take me over, I am determined co leap into it with a light and willing fiep ; and the end of my journey Ihall refemble the gay brilliancy of the weRern iky, that emblazons the departure of a leren-e and happy day.' " He arranged his affairs with a Vv'onderful comprehenfion of mind, and then dcfired to be conveyed to his garden near the city g-ites, v/here he had his bed placed oppofite the window, that he might enjoy, as long as polTible, the delicious verdure of the fields, and the fmiling varieties of Nature's fcenery. His chiambcr was adorned ' with branches of trees and pots of flowers, and • Dream of a dream, and fhadow of a flidde, Yoy-Nf;. N Z he 150 THE TRAVELS OF ANTEN-QR he forbad its being darkened according to the abfiird cuftom prevalent on fimilar occafions. By day he delighted in the exhilarating fplendor of the fun, and by night torches fupplied the place of day-light. Perceiving me much de- jed^ed and afflicted, ' Why,* faid he, * do you grieve, when you know not whether death be an -evil or a benefit ? The fpacethat divides the dead from the living is too (hort to juftify our for- row and our folicitude. The firfl; inftance of fuch a change, like the firft night that obfcured the lieavens, ought alone to have awakened ourafto- nifhment, or funk us in melancholy. We fhould contemplate the unceafing tide of fucceeding generations with the fame tranquillity with which we view the waves that chace each other to the fhore, or the fall of the autumnal foliage. Of what importance is it that crowds of individuals ftart into momentary exiftence, or vanifh as fud- denly from the earth ? The world is a ftage, where the various a61ors, as v;ell as the decora- tions that diverfify its fcenery, are but fleeting lliadows, mere beings of a moment. This col- ledion of atoms that contribute to rriy exigence will prefently be difTolved ; they will enter into other bodies; but they will no longer be Ariftip» pus, and my identity will be utterly dcftroyed. I have enjoyed every thing from which enjoy^ 5* ment IN GREECE AND ASIA. iSl ment can flow, feen every thing that could in- terefl: my curiofity or improve my intellecl:, and exhaufted all that can render life dcfirable. No- thing would now be new to me ; and who knows whether, if I continued to live, what would be my future lot ? I am refolvcd, however, to ter- minate my life in a manner worthy of the leader of my fedl*. — I defired fome finging girls to be fent for: let them be introduced.' A little concert now commenced ; and one of the per- formers accompanied herfelf on the harp, while fhe fang the ftory of Narciflus becoming ena- moured of himfclf. THE STORT OF NJRCISSUS, Narciflus now his fixteenth year began, Juft turn'd of boy, and on the verge of man ; Many a friend the blooming youth carefs'd. Many a lovefick maid her flame confefs'd. Such was his pride, in vain the friend carefs'd. The lovefick maid in vain her flame confefs'd. Once, in the woods, as he purfu'd the chace. The babbling Echo had defcry'd his face; She, who in others' words her filence breaks. Nor fpeaks herfelf but when another fpeaks. Echo was then a maid, of fpeech bereft, Of wonted fpeech ; for though her voice was left, Juno a curfe did on her tongue impofe. To fport with every fentence in the clofe.— * He was the founder of the Cyrenaic fedt, K 3 The l82 THE TllAVELS OF ANTENOR The lovcfick virgin, overjoy'd to find The boy alone, ftill follow'd him behind; When glowing warraly at her near approach. As fulphur blazes at the taper's touch. She long'd her hidden paflion to reveal. And tell her pains, but had not words to tell : She can't begin, bat waits for the rebound. To catch his voice, and to return the found. The nymph, when nothing could NarcLTus move Still daHi'd with hlufnes for her flighted love, Liv'd in the fhady covert of the woods. In folitary caves and dark abodes; Where pining wander'd the rejefled fair. Till, harafs'd oat, and worn away wirh care. The founding {kelston, of blood bereft, Befjdes her bones and voice had nothing left. Her bones are petrified, her voice is found In vaults, where Pdll it doubles every found. Thus did the nymph in vain carefs the boy. He flill was lovely, but he Rill was coy : When one fair virgin of the flighted train Thus pray 'd the god?, provok'd by his difdain,. «' Oh may he love like me, and love like me in vain I'* Ehamnufia pitied the negle^Sed fair. And with jtifl vengeance anfwer'd lo her prayer. There ftar.ds a fountain in adarkfome weed. Nor ftain'd wiih falling leaves ncr rifing mud ; Untroubled by the breath of winds it refiSi UnfuUied by the touch of men or beafts ; High bowers of fhady trees above it grow. And rifing grafs and cheerful greens below. Pleas'd with the form and coolnefs of the place. And ovei -heated with the morning chace, Narcillus on the graffy verdure lies : But while within the chryf^al fount he tries To quench his heat, he feels new heats arife. For, IN GREECE AND ASIA. iSj For, as his own bright image he furvey'd. He fell in love with the fantaftic fhade ; And o'er the fair refemblance hung unmov'd. Nor knew, fond youth, it was himfelf he lov'd. The well-turn'd reck ard flioulders hedefcries. The fpacious forehead, and the fparkling eyes ; The hands that Bacchus might not fcorn to (how. And hair that round Apollo's head might flow. With all the purple youthfulnefs of face, That gently blulhes in the watery glafs. By his own flames confum'd, the lover lies. And gives himfelf the wound by which he dies. To the cold water oft he joins his lips. Oft catching at the beauteous fhade, he dips His arms, as often from himfelf he flips. Nor knows he who it is his arms puifue With eager clafps, but loves he knows not who. What could, fond youth, this helplefs paffion move ? What kindle in thee this unpitied love ? Thy own warm blufh within the water glows. With thee thecolour'd fliadow comes and goes, ]ts empty being on thyfelf relies j Step thou afide, and the frail charmer dies. ■ Still o'er the fountain's wat'ry gleam he flood, Mindlefs of fleep, and negligent of food ; Still view'd his face, and languifli'd as he view'd. At length he rais'd his head, and thus began To vent his griefs, and tell the woods his pain : *' You trees," fays he, " and thou furrounding grove. Who oft have been the kindly fcenes of love. Tell me, if e'er within your fhades did lie A youth fo tortur'd, fo perplex'd as 1 ? i, who before me fee the charming fair. Whilft there he Hands, ard yet he flandsnot there.' In fuch a maze of love my thoughts are loft ; And yet no bulwark town, nor diftant coaft, N 4 Preferves 184 THE TRAVELS Of ANTENOR Prefervestbe beauteous youth from being feen. No mountains rife, nor oceans flow between, A (hallow water hinders my embrace ; And yet the lovely mimic wears a face That kindly fmiles, and when I bend to join My lips to his, he fondly bends to mine. Hear, gentle youth, and pity my complaint. Come from thy well, thou fair inhabitant. My charms an eafy conqueft have obtain'd O'er other hearts, by thee atone dii'dain'd. But why Ihould I deipair ? I'm fare he burns With equal flames, and languiflaes by turns. Whene'er I ftoop, he cfFe s at a kifs : And when my arms I ftretch, he fliretches his. His eyes with pleafure on my face he keeps. He fmiles my (miles, and when I weep he weeps. Whene'er I fpeak, his moving lips appear To utter fomething which 1 cannot hear. " Ah wretched me ! 1 now begin too late To find out all the long-perp!ex'd deceit; It is my felt I love, myfelf 1 fee | The gay delufion is a part of me. I kindle up the fires by which I burn. And my own beauties from the well return. Whom fliould I court ? How utter my complaint } Enjoyment but produces my reftrainr. And too much plenty makes me die for want. How gladly would I from myfelf xemove I And at a diftance fetthe thing I love. My breaft is warm'd wJih fuch unufual fire, I wifli him abfent whom 1 moftdefire. And now I faint with grief; my fate draws nigh 5 In all the pride of blooming youth 1 die. Death will the forrows of my heart relieve, O might the viflonary youth furvive, I fhoulfj IN GREECE AND ASIA, .185 I ftiould with jov mv lateft breath rellgn ! But, oh! 1 fee his fate involv'din mine !" This faiii. the weeping youth again return'd To the clear fciintain, where again he burn'd ; His tears defac'd the furface of the well. With circle after circle ns they fell : And pnw the lovely face but half appears, O'er-run with wrinkles, and detorm'd with tears, *' An whither," cries NarcilTus, " doftthou fly ; Let me RWl feed the flame by which 1 die ; Let me ftili fee, though I'm n& further bleft." Then rends his gartn''nt off, and beats his breaft :■ His r.akedbofom redden'd with the blow. In fuch a blufh as purple clufters fhow. Ere yet the fun's autumnal heats refine The fprightly juice, and mellow it to wine. The glowing beauties of his breall he fpies, And vvith a new redoubled paflion dies. As wax dillblves, as ice begins to run. And trickle into drops before the fun. So melts the youth, and languilhes away: His beauty withers, and his limbs decay. And none of thofe attradive charms remain. To which the flighted Echo fued in vain. She fawhim in his prefent mifery, Whom, fpiteofali her wrongs, flie griev'd to fee. She anfwer'd fadly to the lover's moan, Sigh'd back his fighs, and groan'd to every groan ; ** Ah, youth I belov'd in vain," NarcifTus cries ; " Ah youth ! belov'd in vain," the nymph replies, " Farewel," fays he : the parting found fcarce fell From his faint lips, but ftie replied, " Farewel." Then on th' unwholefome earth he gafping lies. Till death fiiuts up thofe felf-ad miring eyes. To the cold fhades bis flitting gholl: retires, Aad in the Stygian waves itfelf admires. For l'86 THE TRAVELS OF Al^TEN^OR For him the Naiads and the Driads mourn. Whom the fad Echo anfwers in her turn : And now the fifter-nymphs prepare his urn ; V/hen. looking for his corpfe, they only found A nhng ilalk with yellow blolToms crown'd. Addison, ' " When this performance was concluded, the phyfician cp.me in, and Ariftippiis invited us to Tup by his bed-fide. The fon of ^'Efculapius hav- ing ordered him a decodion of herbs, *Ah!' cried his patient, ' talk to me no more of phy- fic : let me have nothing bitter or difagreeable ! I v»i!l join you, however,' continued he, ^ in drinking fome Lefbos wine.' And he added, fmiling, * Do you believe, that if I facrificed a cock and a black flieep to the god of Epidaurus, he would reftore my health ?' — ^ Every thing,* replied the phyfician, * is pofllble with the gods.* — ' Agreed,' returned the patient : • but I am too modeft to afk them to derange the csconomy oftheuniverfe, or the immutable order inftituted by their wifdom, for a httle animated atom like me. I will only invoke the god Mercury, the conduclor of fouls into the infernal regions, that he may give mine a good lodging *.* « As • The tyrannical Louis XL who died in 14S3, was far from exhibiting t.>e philofoihic fortitude of Arillippus. He threw himfelf at the feet of St. Francis de Paula, intreating him to pray to God to prolong his life. The faint replied, that he would pray for the falvatioi of his foul. *' Let us talk TM GREECE AND ASIA. I87 «' As we fat at fupper, he laid, with phllofophic gaiety and chearfulnefs, * Wliile I liflcncd to the fingers, I was thinking of my fimehil p'-ocefTion. I would have it attended to the place of inter- ment by flute-players crowned with rofes.' We afls:ed him whether he chofe to be buried at Cy- rene, that being his native place. * No/ re- plied he J * the road to the infernal regions is as near to one country as to another. But I dif- covered a charming fpot, more than three years ago, on Mount Fames, not far from the altar whereon the inhabitants facrifice fomecimes to Jupiter Pluvius, and fometimes to Jupiter Al- mus; there let my bones repofe. It is a grotto on the acclivity of the hill, furrounded with rocks, and carpetted with mofs and ivy. There have I often paffed whole hours, in meditating on the pride and infignificance of man, on the in- comprehenfible final caufe of our ephemeral ex- iftenee, and on the undifcoverable author of this immenfity of funs and planets, wandering through the boundlefs void of infinite fpace. It is a very pi£tur«fque fpot, and entirely the v;ork of talk firft of the body," faid the king ; " we tnuft not aik for fo many things at once." As Ariilippus called for wine, fo Louis XI. attempted to reanimate his finking frame by drink- ing blood drawn from the veins of young children. Nature. l8S THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR Nature. Oaks that have yielded to the deftroy- ing hand of timcj elms ftill in their vigor, pines, and wild olive-trees, vary the beautiful fcenery that adorn it j and the inftant I beheld it, I fixed my choice there for my laft abode *. If, as is aflerted, my fhade will wander around my tomb, I fhall at leaft enjoy a cool retreats and the frivolous coxcombs I have always hated will not come to difturb my repofe.' * In China alfo the rich employ perfons to feek for cool and pleafant burying-places among the mountains, and requite their trouble with confiderable rewards. IN GREECE AND ASIA. ■ 189 CHAP. LXIII. Lafthenia^s letter continued. — Viftt of two -philofo- phers. — IVorJhip of the gods of Egypt. — Man^ of the Egyptians. *' \T7E were finifliing our fupper, when Eu- ' * doxus and Anaximander, two philofo- phers who were particular friends of Ariftippus, arrived. The former vvas ac once an aftronomer, a phyfician, and a legiflacor, and the latter a dif- ciple of the Lycasum. They came to fit with Ariftippus, and were men highly worthy of his fociety and fricndihips for they combined the moft extenfive fcience with an uncommon critical precifion and philofophical inveftigation. Ariftippus was defirous I fhould retire and take fome reft : but 1 requefted I might enjoy the benefit of their converfation, rather than fatigue my pillow with invocations to Sleep, which would certainly (hun my couch. The reci- procal communication of ideas between three amiable and learned philofophers could not fail to be interefting and inftruilive *. Theirs hap- pened « Three very learned and accomplifhed noblemen having made a party wiih Mr. Locke to pafs the evening together, had ICJO THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR pened to turn on religion, and they beftowed » plentiful portion of their attic fait on the oracles and prodigies of the priefts, and the folly and credulity of the people. They laughed at the flames of the Phlegethon, the fabulous theogony of the pontiffs, and their analytical fyflem which, divides man into four parts j the body, which, dies and turns to duft ; the foul *, which goes to Tartarus or inhabits theElyfian fields, according to its virtues or its vices -, the fhadef , which wan- ders around the fepulchre ; and the phantom J, which dwells in the veftibule of hell. " Eudoxus having pafTed fourteen months in Egypt, informed us he was at Memphis § at the time when the god Apis was to die. I afkcd him the hiftory of that divinity, and how had fcarcely met before ihey called for cards. The philofo- pher fat, during a-confiderabie time, patiently contemplating their play, till at length he took out his pocket-book, and be- gan to write with the clofeft attention. After a time, one of the noblemen aflcing him what he was writing, he replied, *' I always endeavour, my lord, when I have the good for- tune to pafs my time in fuch company as the prefent, to im- prove by their converfation ; and this 1 know no better way of doing than writing it down. I will read you that of the lad hour." This flrongly fhowed the ridiculous frivolity of their amufement, which immediately gave way to more dignified difcuffions. § The celebrated Memphis Hood at a fmall diftance from the prefent Grand-Cairo. it IN GREtCE AND ASIA. I9I it was pofiible the Egyptians could be fo igno- rant as to adore an ox. He replied, that their king Ofiris, the hufband of Ifis, who was aifo his fifter, was killed by his brother Typhon : but Ifis having found his body, and caufcd it to be buried, an ox appeared near the tomb, and was believed to be Ofiris himfclf, who re-appeared in that fhape. Hence the people deified him, in teftimony of gratitude ' and afFedion for their murdered monarch. The priefts fix the period of his life according to their facred books ; and when his term is expired, they conduct him to the banks of the Nile, proftrate themfelves be- fore him, regale him with incenfe, and then drown him in the river. After this he is drawn out, and being duly embalmed, is buried with the mod magnificent obfequies. The prierts wear black on this occafion, and mourn- ing and confternation prevail throughout the city. * This affliflion continues till another ox frod is found. He muft have a white fquare ma:k upon his foreliead, the figure of an eagle on his back, and a white crefcent on his righc fide ; his body mull be black, he muft have a k;.oc under his tongue like a beetle, and the hairs of his tail mud be double. The pricfts afiert that he is of cclefiial origin. The moon (fay they) fpreads 192 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR fpreads a generative light ; and when a cow is feized with the fsver of love, and is ftruck by her rays, ftie conceives an Apis.* — As foon as this fad: is eftablifhed, the facred minifters exa- mine the calf at the time of its birth ; and if they difcover the requifite diftinftive marks, the Apis is acknowledged, and his exiftence an- nounced to the people. In this inftance they found him at the expiration of three months, when fuddenly the v^hole appearance of the city was changed, and joy and jubilation difperfcd the clouds of fadnefs. But this new divinity was not to arrive at Memphis till forty days were ex- pired, during which interval he was to remain at the city of the Nile, where none but women, drefled in the mod elegant apparel, are permit- ted to appear before him, and ferve him ; and I have been affured they are not allowed to ap- proach him but in the mod wanton and indecent attitudes, or till they have plucked out their hair. * In the meanwhile a bark was prepared for him, with a niche magnificently decorated and gilt, in which, when the forty days were ex- pired, he was brought down the river to Mem- phis. At his arrival, the priefts, drefTed in linen robes, with their heads fhaved and crowned with chaplets of flowers, fome carrying cenfers, others fiftra, went out to meet him, and were- accompanied IM GREECE AND ASIA. igS accompanied by a great number of flute-players, a troop of young people clothed in linen, dancing and finging longs of joy ; and others, who prefented him with bafkets of food. As foon as he came to the bank, the priefts fur- rounded him, fcattering over him flowers and perfumes j and none were allowed to ap- proach him but children, who received his breath, and thus acquired the gift of prophecy. Yet the god appeared cold and ftupid, and was very little afl'edled with the honours that were laviflied on him. When he had been fufficiently expofed to the homage and veneration of the multitude, the priefl:s condufled him in procef- fion to the temple of Ofiris, where two magnifi- cent (tables were appropriated for his refidence. There he is kept from the fight of the profane, being very feldom publicly (hown, and during my whole refidence in Egypt only went out once. He was then led through the ftreetSj which were ftrewed with flowers, and was attended by a troop of children, who fang his praifes, and a great number of officers, who kept off the crowd. ' The feven firft days after his arrival were devoted to feafting and rejoicing. The Egyp- tians congratulated each other on this happy event, in their temples, in the fl:reets, and in their houfesj and I went round to all my ac- VOL. II. o quaintance 194 THE TRAVELS OF ANT£KOR quaintance to pay them my compliments on the occafioii. I joined the crowd that went to confult the god, and prefcnted him a barley cake, v/hich he ate with avidity. This, as i was informed by the priefts, was a very good omen -, and I was inftruded to put my mouth to his ear, and clofe mine with my fingers. Hav- ing continued Tome time in this attitude, I went out of the temple, keeping my ears flill fhut, as I was defired, and then tooi-v away my fingers to obferve the words of the firft perfon who might fpeak. When I came into the court-yard, two men paffing me, one faid to the other, " I have a very bad wife ; I wilh fhe were in the three mouths of Cerberus." The fenfe of this ora- cle always appeared very obfcure ; and I cannot yet difcover whether I am to be myfelf devoured by the three mouths of Cerberus, or whether I am to have a bad wife, which is infinitely worfe. The priefts of Apis annually celebrate the birth of that divinity during feven days, at which time they offer facrifices, and even immolate oxen to the god. It is faid that during this fo- lemnity crocodiles are robbed of their ferociouf- nefs, and become perfeftly harmlefs.' — ' No- rliing, furely,' faid Ariftippus, « can be more credible '' •' Eudoxus, IN GP.EECE AND ASIA. I95 " Eudoxus, who was free and communica- tive, and excelled in colloquial narrative, added, that he had alfo the good fortune to pay his adora- tions to the god Anubis, whole head is that of a dog, and had proftrated himfelf before the facred dogs kept in one of their temples. ^ Nor ought I,' continued he, * to omit the great Ofiris, brother and hufbandof Ifis, who were enamoured of each other in their mother's womb, at which time (he became pregnant with the god Orus. Ofiris is the Phoebus of the Egyptians, and Ifis is their Phcebe. The former holds in one hand the au- gurial wand of a pontiff, and in the other a whip with two thongs. The apparel of the god is of the colour of fire, is kept with great care, and only expofed once a year to public view. Orifis is reprefented with the head of a hawk and the body of a man. He is fwathed like a mummy, is furniihed with a pair of horns, and deco- rated with the reprefcntation of the (paXXog.' — ' It appears,' faid Ariftippus, * that the Egyptians, both men and women, have a great veneration for that fymbol.' — * It is true,' replied Eudoxus i ' and I believe the fame difpofition will continue as long as the human race itfelf : the priefts even decorate their facerdotal habits with its fimilitude.' 02 *' This 1(^6 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR " This account of the gods of Egyptian ma- nufafture was highly amufing, and excited much gaiety and mirth at the expence of the folly and credulity of mankind.] ' But this is not all,' faid Eudoxus : * I have not yet mentioned the god Serapis, and his magnificent temple called Serapion, at Canopus. This little fpot is the moft fmiling garden upon earth, and the aflive artifice of the priefts has rendered it one of the moft celebrated pilgrimages. The temple is as it were fufpended in the air, being a fquarc building of vaft extent, approached by above one hundred fteps. It is fupported by a combi- nation of vaults and arches divided into feveral apartments, within which are porticoes. On thefe the edifice is built, decorated with beauti- ful columns, and the walls incrufted with marble. Serapis, who is the firft god of Egypt, is repre- fented with a bufhel on his head, which is adorn- ed with a radiated crown, and armed with ram's horns. Before him is placed a cornucopias, and behind him a fceptre with three points, round which a ferpent twines. His temple is very much frequented, though rather for plea- fure than through any religious motive. He not only cures diforders, but the youth come thither in crowds., that they may, through tiie favour of th^ IN GREECE AND ASIA. 1 97 the god, find the women eafy and complying.*-— * I fhould not have imagined,' faid Ariftippus, ' that it required the intervention of the gods to humanize the fex.'— * Atthe feftivals ofSerapis/ continued Eudoxus, * the concourfe is prodi- gious. The vifitants come to Canopus by a canal from the Nile, which is covered with men and women, finging and dancing, and affording a fcene of unbounded joy and licentioufncfs. The priefts of this god are confulted, not only as interpreters of the oracles, but as phyficians. Skilled in reftoring vigor to the exhaufted frames of the fick by fumigated baths, in renewing the energy of their ftomachs by a nourifliing diet, full of juices, and enriched with fpices, and in- flaming their imaginations with voluptuous rc- prefentations, they are able to recal the fenfibility of thofe whofe ftrength and vigor were impaired. Thefe cures, the honour of which they attribute to Serapis, are recorded in a regifter, which being expofed to pubHc view, has procured this god the moil unequalled celebrity *.' •In Greece, alfo, votive tablets of brai's or marble, de- fcriptivc of the diforder of the patient, and the remedies to which it had yielded, were affixed in the temple of JEfcu- iapius. o 3 *' We igS THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR " We now requefted Eudoxus to defcribe the manners and cufloms of the Egyptians, and of their priefls. ' In Greece,' faid he, ^ the women feldom or never go out, but in Egypt the cuftom is very different j for on them devolves every thing that is done without doors, while the men remain conftantly at home, making cloth. They enjoy more authority than their hufbands ; and it is even ftipujated in their marriage-contrafts that the wife fhall be miftrefs, and the hufband obedient to her commands. Women, however, are excluded from the priefthood, which is en- tirely confined to men. * The Egypdans are allowed a plurality of wives, though priefts are limited to one. No Egyptian, male or female, would on any ac- count kifs the lips of a Greek, or make ufe of his furniture and utenfils. Nor would he even eat the flefli that had been cut with a knife belong- ing to one of that nation. In Greece our priefts wear their hair : but in Egypt, both priefts and people fhave not only their heads, but their whole body, every third day, except, when in mourn- ing ; at which time they fuffer it to grow. When the Egyptians meet, they falute each other without fpeaking, by touching their knees with their IN GREECE AND ASIA. I99 their hands. Their clothes are of linen, but they wear above them a white woollen cloak. ' The priells are extremely religious, and more attached to their forms and ceremonies than mod other nations. They are circumcifed through a regard to cleanlinefs, which they re- fpecft more than beauty itfelf. Hence, alfo, they wafh twice every day, and as often in the night i though, as others informed me, they v-adi only three times a day^ which they do in an infufion ofhyfop, namely, at rifing, before din- ner, and when going to bed. They are not al- lowed to wear any other drefs than a linen robe, and their fhoes are made of the biblus *. « Whenever they prepare for a great religion'^ ceremony, they previoufly abitain, during (Gven days, from animal food and garden- fluff", and obferve the ftricleit regimen in every refpedl. Their beds are formed of branches of the palm- * The biblus is the fame as the papyrus. This plant grows in marlhy places, and its root, which is of the thicknel's of the wrift and fix cubits long, rifes above the earth. The Item is four cubits high. The fibres are weak, and therefore ufelefs, and it bears no fruit : but the root is a mofl: ufeful kind of wood. It is employed in the conflrudiion of {hips, is made into vafes, and fupplies the inhabitants with fire -wood. The inner bark is manufaflured into fails, mats, clothes, and coverlets. The lower part of the ftem is chewed either raw or after it has been cooked, but only the juice is fwal- lowed. o 4- tree 200 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR tree Interwoven, and a half-cylinder of wood is their bolfter. Thcyalfo exercife their fortitude in bearing hunger and thirft, and live on a very fcanty allowance of food. They never eat any kind of fiOi : but on the 9th of the firft month, when the people eat them baked before their door, the priefls burn them before theirs.'— * Whence,' faid Ariftippus, * arifes this hatred for fifh ?' — ' Some attribute it,' replied Eu- doxus, * to an averfion to the Tea : but I am of opinion their true motive is, that thofe kinds of fifii which are without fcales render the humours vifcid , and diminifliing the perfpiration, caufe the endemic complaint called elephantiafis. The Egyptians have alfo a great repugnance to beans, and the priefts cannot even bear the fight of them ; for they confiderthem as impure. ' The priefts, however, enjoy very great ad- vantages, for they poffefs one third of the pro- perty of the nation, and are the only judges in all civil caufes. They form a diftinfl clafs of men, and their children fucceed theni in their religious functions, which none but the facer- dotal race can perform. The ceremonies ob- fcrved in facrifices are alfo worthy of notice. An ox cannot be accepted as a vidim unlefs he be clean j that is, if he have a fingle black hair. When he is found to be quite clean, they lead hirq IN GREECE A^'D ASIA. 201 iiim to the altar, light a fire, pour wine upon the altar, and cut the vidim's throat, at the fame time invoking the god. They then cut off the head, which they load with imprecations*! after which it is carried to market to be fold to the Greeks, or is thrown into the river : all the Egyptians obferve the fame rites and ce- remonies in their facrifices, and hence they never eat the head of any animal whatever. ' I was prefent at a facrifice offered to the goddefs Ifis. This was a very magnificent feftival, and the priefts prepared for it by fafling and prayer. On this occafion they immolated an ox, and having immediately flripped off his fkin and taken out the inteflines, cut off his thighs, his fhoulders, and his neck. The body was then filled with fine flour, honey, raifins, figs, incenfe, myrrh, and other odoriferous fub- flances, after which it was burnt, and oil poured on the fire. During this interval the priefts beat chemfelves widi great force ; and when the ce- remony was concluded, the remainder of the facrifice wasdillrlbuted among them. 'The Egyptians confider hogs as unclean;- and if any one by accident touches one of thofe • They pray that every evil may be averted both from fhcir country and themfelves, ar.d fall upon that head. animals, 202 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR animals, he immediately plunges, together with his clothes, into the river. Hence, too, thofe who keep hogs, although Egyptians by birth, cannot enter any temple j and they intermarry among themfelves, becaufe no one would confent to ht allied to them. Yet the Egyptians* facrifice and eat a hog once a year, at the feftival of the full moon and of Bacchtis, who is the fame as Ofiris. On that day they immolate a hog be- fore their door at the hour of dinner, after which they walk in proceffion, carrying figures about a cubit high, which are fet in motion by a firing. To each of thefe is attached a (pixXXocy of equal lize with the figure itfelf, which the women agi- tate as they carry them through the villages and country towns, preceded by a flute- play er,andfing- ingthe praifes of Bacchus. — But I will endeavour to vary my narration, by relating the hillory of the afironomer Nicias, who fell an unfortunate vic- tim to the prejudices of fuperftition. His fate is aftriking inftance how much thefe vulgar errors brutalize the foul, and ftamp it with ferocity.'— But Ariflippus wilhing to repofe, requefted his * The averfion of the Jews and the Egyptians to this ani- mal is attributed to the great quantity of fat in which it is in- veloped, and which, preventing it from perfpiring, gives it a difpofitron to caufe leprofy in thofe who eat it. friend IN GREECE AND ASIA. 20^ friend to referve that hiftory for the following day. " The next morning he feemed re-animated with a new flow of vigor and of health. Charmed with the ferenity of the flcy, and the balmy foft- nefs of the air, he defired to be carried into the garden, and placed in a bower of myrtle and of lilach, faying he wifhed to enjoy this lafl: ray of light. I accompanied him thither, and lillcned with intereft and fatisfaflion to the various events of his youth. When I aiked him whether, were he again to run the career of life, he would flill place the fovereign good in pleafure, * Yes,' replied he, immediately. — ' In what, then,' con- tinued!, 'do you confider happinefs as confifl- ing ?' — ' In the union,' faidhe, 'of the pleafures of the heart, when enjoyed with moderation, the pleafures of the mind, and the pleafures of the fenfes. Thefe lafr, however, foon fatigue and exhaud our organs. The fovereign good of Plato, and of the other philofophers who have bewildered themfelves with their abftraiSlions, is but a delufive chimera of the imagination. There exifts no more a fovereign good than a fovereign world. To be happy, it is enough that we can pafs, without interruption, from pleafure to plea- fure, and from enjoyment to enjoyment : bur the moll delicious food mud be fucceeded by digeflion. 204 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR digdftion. Even connubial joys muft fometimes yield to the funiflions of a mother ; and repofe itfelf lofes more than half its attradlions, unlefs invited by the pleafures of fatigue. Thus it is impoflible to enjoy an uninterrupted fucceflion of the fame delights, or to give continuity and per- manency to the moft exquifite enjoyments. The truly happy man is he who varies the rapid and tranfient gratifications of fenfual pleafure with the ennobling purfuits, of intelleflual excellence, and the refined delights of interefting contem- plations. Thefe are the beft refources againft that apathetic lafTitudc of mind, that indefinable evil genius, the conftant attendant on a total va- cancy of purfuit. They have conftituted my favourite amufemenr, and afforded me the fweeteft confolation for all the evils of life. No misfortune is beyond the reach- of their foothing infiuence. They elevate the foul, adorn the mind with truth, and teach us to comprehend the remotell fprings of a6lion that influence mankind. They render us more humane, more generous, more enlightened j and qualify us to become at once ufeful and agreeable members of ibciety.* " Eudoxus and Anaximander returned towards the clofe of the day, and we retired within doors to fupper, when the latter, having jocofely re- commended IN GREECE AND ASIA. 20^ commended to Ariftippus to make libations to Juno, and thus to reconcile himfclf to that god- defs, * I had rather,' replied he, * be reconciled with my departed appetite/ " When fupper was ended, we requefled Eu- doxus to relate the hiftory of Nicias. * I will be- gin,' faid he, ' with his origin j for the birth, the fortune, and the character of that great aftrono-. mer, arc all highly worthy to be known. ^o6 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR CHAP. LXIV. Lajlhenias letter continued. — Hijlory ofNicias.-—' The ring of Poly crates, < "IK -YiciAS was a true praflical phlioropher, of -*-^ an acute and original turn of mind. He concealed great erudition under the fafcinating charms of gaiety and fimplicity, but the fweet- nefs and franknefs of his difpofition rendered him ilill dearer to his aflbciates, with whom, like Democritus, he loved to laugh at the follies of mankind. He was born in the ifland of Samos, of indigent parents, being the fon of a potter *. At thirteen years of age having loft his father, and beirg deftitute both of bread and of friends, he fet off for Samos, the capital of the ifland, which he had heard was fituated towards the weft. He therefore purfued the courfe of the fun, which, to his great furprife, continually re- ceded as he advanced. At the clofe of the day, being exhaufted with hunger and fatigue, and periftiing with cold though attacked with a vio- * The Samians are fuppofed to have been the inventors of this manufadlure, in which they greatly excelled, 14 ^ lent. IN GREECE AKD ASIA. aOJ lent fever, he fued for hofpitallry at the door of a herdfman who inhabited a mifcrable hovel. Here he was allowed to fleep on a dunghill in the liable, and received fonie hard dry bread, which he moiftened by laying it on t!ie dung. The fheep, who were the partners of his lodg- ing, feemed to pity his misfortunes ; for they licked him with their tongues, and cherifhed him with their tepid breaths. The juvenile vigor of a robuft conftitution prevented him from finking beneath this accumulation of evils ; and the herdfman, who began to feel for his wretched fituation, gave him the care of his fheep. It was at this period that, by pafTing his days con* ftantly in the open air, his tafte for aftronomical inveftigation began to unfjld. Urged by his in- ftindiive defire of knowledge, and enlightened by his ov/n reflexions aione, he conllantly ob- ferved the rifing and fetdng of the fun, and watched the various phafes of the moon. A: length accidentally finding a book, he bscame quite miferabie at being unable to read. He carried it, however, always about him, and con- tinued turning the leaves backv/ard and forward till one day he faw a man fitting by the ftem of a tree,[and reading. He envied him this aftonifhing talent, of undcsrilanding the thoughts of others by means of the.fe little charaflers thus deline- ated 20S THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR ated on leaves of papyrus^ and after watching him a confiderable time, he approached him with great cmbarraffment and hefitation, and afl<:cd him, without any further preface, to {how him how to read. *' See," faid he, " here is a book I have found, and I would give the whole world to be able to read it. But I have no money, and all my riches confift in this ragged cloak. 1 earn a few oboli, however, and thefe I will give you for your trouble." — " And how, then," returned the ftranger, " will you live in the mean while ?'* — " On bread and water," re- turned he. — "And why," afls.edthe ftranger, "do you want to read ?" — " That 1 may learn aftro- nomy," faid Nicias. " I have been thefc three months fatiguing my head to difcover why the day gradually diminiflies, and the fun fets every evening a little earlier than the preceding j fo that I am afraid we fhail foon have perpetual night. Yet if I compare it with the moon, I cannot help imagining the day will again in- creafe." Upon this the ftranger, aftoniftied at the natural genius and f^gacity of this young fhep- herd, told him to come to him every evening, and he would teach him to read. Though he lived twenty ftadia from the herdfmen, Nicias daily hurried thither at funfet, and applied with fu much eagernefs to his new ftudy, that in three weeks IN GREECE AND ASIA, SOg) Weeks he had no further occafion for inftrudion. After that period he taught himfelf to write, and was continually delineating letters in the fand, or on the bark of trees, Aftronomy, however, was the grand o.bjeft of his purfuit, for which pur- pofe he contrived an obfervatory at the top of a large oak. There he paflfed a confiderable part of the night, although, being deftitutc of money, he could buy neither books nor maps. To procure thefe, he formed little Junoes, priapi, and penates, of clay, which he fold to old women, and, with the produce, formed the ele- ments of his library. One day, as he lay fur- rounded by his flock, with a book in his hand, and a number of maps fpread before him, a hand- fome, well-drefled man pafl"ed near him -, and being aftonifhed at all this apparatus, fo incon- gruous with the drcfs and appearance of the young fliepherd, accofled him, and afked him ■what he was doing. " 1 am ftudying aftro- nomy," faid Nicias.— " And do you underftand any thing of it ?" faid the flranger* — '* Very little," replied the youth : " but by Jupiter I will one day underftand more of it. I know, already, that the moon moves round the earth in about twcnty-feven days *." — " That is a con- fiderablc * The moon completes her circumvolutiort round the earth, to the point of depanure, in t>,vcnty-fev?n days, feven VOL. II. f hours. lie THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR fiderable progrefs," returned the ftranger. " How did you contrive to know her motion ib well ?" — " At firft," faid Nicias, " I contemplated her for a long time. I obferved that fhe always fet behind a foreft, and thither I frequently hurried to overtake her, but was aftonilhed to fee her ftill as rem.ote as ever. I watched her courfe, and my furprife increafed to perceive her rife and fet at different hours. Thus have I (ludied at ran- dom during two whole fummers, without any other inftruclor than my eyes. I difcovered that the flars never change their places, except that of Venus, -which particularly fixed my attention, and feemed, like the moon, to have a motion pe- culiar to herfelf. For a long time fhe dif- appeared ; afcer which fhe became a morning in lieu of an evening-ftar. In the fame manner I have purfued the courfe of the fun, whofe time of rifing and fetdng alfo varies daily. I have marked both of them with two (lakes. "-—" You feem," faid the ftranger, " to be a clever lad, and I will make your fortune." — " I thank you," returned the youth, *' but I am not in want of any thing." — " Ha, ha !" returned he. hcurs, forty-three minutes, and twelve feconds, and arrives at the fame relative fituation to the fun in twenty nine days, twelve hours, forty- four minutes, and three feconds. " how IN GREECE AND ASIA. 2Il *' how muchj then, do you earn per day ?"— " As much," replied Nicias, " as Polycrates the tyrant of Samos." — '' Indeed 1'* faid the llranger. " That is a great deal ! But how do you mean ?" — " He earns his livelihood," re- plied the youth, " and I earn mine." At this time the ftranger was furrounded by a numerous and brilliant retinue, who approached him with a refpedful air, and kiffed his hand. On feeing this, Nicias arofe, though with manly aflTurance, and not betraying the lead fear or embaraff- ment ; upon which the tyrant of Samos (for fuch, in (sL^ty was the ftranger) difcovered him- felf to the young fhepherd, and invited him to his capital, where he promifed to take care of his education, and then fend him to complete his ftudies at Memphis or at Athens. At this pro- pofal Nicias hefitated fome time ; for though he panted for the acquifition of knowledge, yet his liberty was dearer to him than fcience itfelf. Polycrates, however, promifed he fnould not forfeit that trcafure i and on this condition Nicias accepted his offer. From the moment of his arrival at Samos he applied with enthu- fiafm to the ftudy of aftronomy and^ the other fciencesj and his progrefs was fo rapid, that at the expiration of four years Polycrates fent him to travel into Chaldrta, Egypt, and Greece. Ac p 2 his 212 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOK. his return he appointed him his aftronomer, gave him apartments in his palace, and afligned him a very handfome income. But neither the man- ners and refinements of the court, nor the at- traflions and enjoyments of luxury, could cor- rupt the native fimplicity of this ruftic philofo- pher. His frugal habits ftill remained the fame; a board was his bed, and he had no fixed hour for his meals. He ate as he walked, and his food was cheefe, milk, and vegetables ; for he could never accuftom his ftomach to the ufe of animal food. * The tyrant, who was very fond of his con- verfation, was one day felicitating himfelf on the uninterrupted career of his profperity, and the unceafing favour of the gods, when Nicias re- prefented to him that this was a motive for his dreading the caprices of Fortune, who fooner or later demands a tribute of grief from all men ; and therefore advifed him to infllid on himfelf fome voluntary misfortune, to fatisfy that malig- nant divinity. The prince thought his rcafoning jutl ; and having an emerald ring, to which he was extremely attached, not only on account of the beauty and rarity of the ftone, but of the great reputation and talents of the engraver, v/alked into a gallery, and threw it into the fea. A ftv/ days after, fome fi(hcrmen having taken a IN GREECE AND ASIA. 0.1^ li(h of extraordinary fize, brought it to the kitchen of the prince, where it was no fooncr opened than the ring was found in the entrails. On hearing of this, Polycrates was tranrported with joy and furprife, exclaiming that he was the darling of Fortune, who was determined to exempt him from the general lot of humanity. But the philofopher Nicias, v/ho, in lieu of re- joicing at this prodigy, trembled for the fate of the prince, began to lay up his favings, and fend them to Memphis, that he might retire thither in cafe he (hould experience a common (hip- wreck with his mailer. ' The event proved the v^^ifdom of his deter- mination ; for fix months after Oroetes, one of the fatraps of Cambyfes, and governor of Sar- dis, being defirous of making himfelf maftcr of the ifland of Samos, fcnt word to Polycrates that he was difcontented with the Perfian go- vernment, and wifhed to retire to his court with all his treafures, of which he propofed to give him half, if he would afford him a retreat. At the fame time he invited him to an interview, that they might confer upon the fubjecfl. Though the thirft of gold tempted the avarice of Polycrates, yet as he was too acute not to fuf- pedl fomc treacherous defign, he fent a confi- dential meflenger to Orcetes, to obferve every p 3 thing •214 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR thing that pafied, and to endeavour to penetrate the real intentions of the latrap ; who, being equally crafty v/ith the tyrant, caufed a number of cafks to be embarked in the prefence of the meffenger, which, he faid, contained his riches, but which, in fafl, were filled with materials of no value, and covered with a thin layer of gold at the furface *. This completely deceived the meffenger, who gave his mafter the fulleft affur- ances, and thus induced him to embark, not- "withftanding the prayers and intreaties of his daughter, to whom he faid, in a moment of paflion, that if he came back fafe, he would never confent to her marrying. " I wilh," re- plied fhe, " that your threats may be realized; for I had rather always continue fingle than lofe my dear father." No fooner was Polycrates in the power of the treacherous Orcetes than he caufed him to be fcized and crucified. Thus did this prince, fo celebrated both on account of his brilliant talents and his uninterrupted flow of good fortune, terminate a life of unparalleled profpericy widi an ignominious and cruel death. * Annlbsl made u(s of a fimilar artifice, to elude the ava- ricious rapacity of the inhabitants of Gortyna in Crete, fill- ing fome amphora vyith lead, which he covered wich gold and fjlver, and prefented in the temple of Diana. On IN GREECE AND ASIA. 215 ' On the news of this horrid cataflrophe, Nicias left Samos, and removed to Memphis, that fuperb city which is near feven leagues in circumference, and is adorned with the mod magnificent edifices. There Nicias lived in philofophic retirement, pafling all his time in his ftudy, and devoting himfelf entirely to aftronomy and geometry, which were then in the moft flourifhing ftate in that capital ; where his deep fcience and great aftronomical difcoveriespro- cured him a very high reputation. He de- termined the different elevations of the pole by the fliadow of the fun ; for he obferved, that in proportion as we advance towards the north, the ihadows meafured on the fame day of the year are longer. Hence he concluded that the fun's altitude above the horizon is diminifhed ; that the obferver fituated to the northward is not on the fame plane as the obferver to the fouthward, and therefore that the earth is round. He ac- quired a flill further afTurance of its ipherical form by the eclipfes of the moon, becaufe at that time the fhadcw of the earth is always circular i and by the failing of fliips, which ap- pear and difappear by degrees, the ma ft remaining the longeft in fight. He difcovered that Venus comes to her inferior conjunction w^ith the fun once in nineteen months i and being then at her perigee, or fmalleft diftance from the earthy p 4 fhines 2l6 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR fhines with extraordinary Iplendor about thirty- fix days before, and as many after their union. * When the fummer folftice approached, he took a voyage to Syene, which is fituated verti-i cally under the tropic of Cancer, to fee the cele- brated well, over which the fun pafles perpendi- cularly on the d^y of its hjgheft elevation. There he faw the refledion of that luminary at the bot- tom of the well, and no inade whatever in the city, which proved to him that it was really fitu- ated precifcly under the tropic. Though this ruftic philofopher, however, had hitherto been defended from the fhafts' of Cupid by the segis of Minerva, he at length experienced the refift- lefs power of beaut . One afternoon as he was walking in the counrry, contemplating the nature of the ftars and the motion of the moon, his at- tention was fuddenly called back to the earth by the melodious tones ofa female voice. Lookin» o round to difcover whence it proceeded, he faw, at a fmall diftance, feme young girls waQiing linen in one of the lefTer canals of the Nile. He paufed to liften to their fongs, and they per- ceived his intentions : but whether through ti- midity or playfulnefs, they immediately ceafed. By an illufion of optics, all thefe wafhing-girls, when viewed in the diftance by the fafcinated philofopher, appeared fo many beauteous nymphs; IN GREECE AND ASIA. dlj nymphs : but when he approached them, his whole foul was abforbed by one in particular who refembled Galatea furrounded by the Nereids. Her long eye-kfhes, her large black eyes fiafhing fire through their gliftening hu- midity, and giving a warmth and voluptuouf- nefs of exprefTion to her countenance, her fine flowing hair, and her light and eafy fliape, united with a middle ftature ; fuch was the charming obje(^ who was deftined to awaken the hrfl fenfa- tions of love in the breaft of Nicias : an impref- fion which was the more lively, as the women of the country are in general far from beautiful *, He accofted her, and was pleafed with her re- plies. She told him (he only wafhed her father's and her own clothes , that they lived in the neighbourhood ; and that having done her work, fhe would condutfl him to her father's houfe, if agreeable to him to accompany her. Nicias, who was well verfed in Homer, immediately thought of the princcfs Nauficaa, who walhed the robes of her father Alcinous, and his ardent imagination readily transformed his fair one into the daughter of a king, or a nymph of the train * The higbeft degree of beauty in Egypt confided in being eriormoufly fat; for which purpofe they ate the feet of ani- mals, and certain drugs which promote that habit of body. of ^l8 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENlOR of Diana. He accepted her invitation, and even aflifted his lovely wadier woman to carry a part of her burthen. He afked her, on the road, whether Ihe was married : " No," faid fhe ; " I am but fifteen years old, and therefore am in no hurry j though it is true my elder fifter was married at twelve ; and my coufin, who was married a few days ago, had but juft completed her eleventh year." She afterwards informed him that her name vt^as Deiphila, and her father's Bocchoris, whom they found in a fmall garden, ornamented with fycamores and palm-trees. When Bocchoris heard the name of Nicias, who had already become famous throughout Egypt, he felicitated himfelf on receiving a vifit from fo great a philofopher. This man was one of the mofl zealous worfhippers of Apis and Anu- bis, and had a profound veneration for the cro- codile, for the ibis, and for cats. To the latter of thefe he had confecrated a corner of his garden, to which he conducted his gueft. " I. feed them," faid he, " on bread crumbled into milk, and fometimes give them fifh from the Nile." He then fpoke of the great Ofiris, and of Typhon his brother. Nicias often inter- rupted him to addrefs Deiphila j and when he took leave, Bocchoris invited him to fupper the next day. " I fhall give you," faid he, " fome 3 PQ'"^^ ^ fN GREECE AND ASIA. 219 pork ; for to-morrow is the full moon, and that, you know, is the only day in the year when we are allowed to eat any. Come with me, and fee me kill it." When this vi6lim v/as immolated, the fpleen, the epiploon or caul, and the extre- mity of the tail, were wrapped up in the fat, and burnt, the remainder being kept for dinner the next day. Nicias pafled a charming evening; and when he returned home, all his thoughts and defires were fixed on the amiable Egyptian. He would even have abandoned Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and the Greater and Lefler Bear, to contemplate the new conftellation he had dif- covered upon earth. This fituarion, fo entirely new to the philofopher, deprived him offleep; and being utterly inexperienced in the wiles of iove, and totally ignorant of thofe fine and deli- cate allurements which, with dexterous manage- ment, penetrate at once into the heart of the fair, as the morning ray warms and reanimates the flower which the night has chilled ; he eould dif- cover no other hopes of fuccefs, no other fandion for his paffion, than the facred bonds of marriage. But how could a philofopher and an aftronomer, half wild from the hand of Nature, and efpecially a man who had hitherto lived in the molt abfolute independence, bend his neck beneath fo heavy a yoke? Thefe reflei^ions violently 220 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR violently agitated him; wliile, on the one hand, he was attrafted by the fweetiy- Toothing delights of mutual love, and on the other, re- preiTed by the cares and chains of an indifiblable bondage. * In this ftate ofanxiety he went out to diffipate and allay his uneafinefs by a ramble in the fields, and to reflect on the line of conduft he ought to purfue, when he accidentally met a friend, who, without erecting a ftandard of philofophy, poffelT- ed agreatfhare ofgoodfenfeand found judgment. To him he confided his palTion and the inde- cifion of his mind, and afked his opinion relative to marriage. " If ycu were about to under- take a long journey," faid his friend, '^ would you prefer being alone, or accompanied by one you efleem and love?" — " What an idle quef- tion 1" returned Nicias : *' Nothing can be fo dull as travelling alone. If we incur any danger, or fufFcr any hardfliips and misfortunes, thcfe are furely foftened and alleviated by the company of a friend. If, when the opening day beams upon our path, while breathing the pure and refrefhing atm.ofphere of morning, wo traverfe a beautiful plain, or wind along a charm- ing valley, is notour plcafure doubled by com- munication r" — " Very well, my dear friend," replied his counfellor ; *' this is an anfwer to your inquiry.. IN GREECE AND ASIA. 221 inquiry. Life is a rugged and intricate path, full of ftones and rocks, and embarrafled with briars, where we only now and then meet with a fertile and fmiling valley. This road we muft necelTarily pafs, in our progrefs towards the end of our journey, and an agreeable companion par- ticipates the pleafures and alleviates the fatigues we meet with." At this time they perceived a man and woman difputing vehemently, till at length the man recurred to the law of the ftrongeft, and beat his antagonid. Immediately they ran to her affiftance, and aflced the peafant what could occafion this violent anger and brutality. " It is only my wife I am correft- ing," faid the countryman. " She is an ill- tempered, capricious, indolent, pafilonate, tur- bulent mifchief-makcr, and, in fliort, I am tired of enduring her." When they queftioned the woman in her turn, ilie replied, with the fame afperity, 'that her huiband was a jealous, brutal, avaricious drunkard, and that flie could not live with him any longer. Nicias's friend, there- fore, advifed them to ft-parate amicably, to which both parties readily confented. Upon this, Nicias faid, " You fee it is better to travel alone than to take a companion, and then quarrel and fight by the way." — " Stay till to-morrow," re- turned his friend, " before you fo haftily make up 222 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR up your mind." Nicias, however, pafTed an- other night in the fame agitation as before, and equally incapable of deciding between love and reafon. As foon as day appeared, he haftened to his friend, where he found the peafant intreating him to prevail upon his wife to return, proteft- ing how much he loved her, notwithftanding all her faults, and declaring that he could not bear thus to live in folitude like a moping owl. Nicias's friend immediately fent for the woman, and afked her, in the hearing of her huiband, who was concealed from her view, whether fhe perfifted in her determination to part. But no fooner did (he hear this queftion than flie burfl: into tears, confefled fhe had pafled a miferable night, and affured him, that although her huiband had many faults and errors, (he could not bear his abfence. On this the huiband immediately came forth and embraced his wife, and they re- turned home together, full of joy and tendernefs, " What do you think now," laid the Egyptian to Nicias, '* of matrimony and its florms r" — " I think," replied he, " that it refembles the climate of Greece, which is often foggy, cloudy, and tempefluous, but which many fine days of ferenity render a charming abode. Yes, I am determined. I v/il! marry Deiphila." He im- mediately went to Bocchoris, and joined him in eating IN GREECE AND ASIA. Hl^ eating his pork under the palm-trees (for that was the day of the full moon) ; and after fupper Bocchoris and Nicias walked in the garden, -when Bocchoris happening to afk him whether he had pafled the night in contemplating the ftars. " By no means/' faid Nicias : " I walked on the banks of the Nile with your lovely daughter; and I think, that after this folitary noflurnal walk with a young girl, it is my duty to folicit her in marriage." Bocchoris imme- diately gave his confent with tranfport. " But I muft aifo have that of the charming Deiphila," faid the philofopher. — " I have no doubt," re- plied the father, "of your obtaining it. There fhe is, m,ufing in folitude : go and propofe it to her." Nicias now approached her, and both, at firft, were filent -, for the philofopher was to- tally unpraflifed in this kind of interviev/, and knew not how to begin. At length he took courage, and faid, " Fair Deiphila, though I am totally ignorant of the language of love, yet from the firft moment I beheld you, you have difturbed my peace and overpowered my reafon. The fineft fun-rife, the moft brilliant view of opening fpring, the rofe mingling its new-born crimfon with the verdure of its foliage, never yet caufed fo lively a pleafure, or fo foft a fenfation in my breaft as the fight of your youthful and at- tradlive 224 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR tra6live charms. From that moment your image has been impreffed upon my breaft, as fweetnefs and fenfibility fmile in your lovely countenance. I was aftonifhed at my fituatiori, and found I loved you. Either all my calcula- tions are erroneous, or to poiTefs you would con- flitute the happinefs of my life. I have already obtained the confent of your father : but that is nugatory, unlefs confirmed by you. Speak — tell me if you hate me. If fo, it fhall go no farther : but if you do not, take me at my word, and let us be married to-morrow." Deiphila re- fledled for a mom.enti then walking a few fteps away from him, fhe faid, " I am going to give you an anfwer." She then delineated fome letters in the fand with her ftick, after which (he fled away and vanifhed. Nicias approached, and read, with ecftatic joy, " Yes; the wife, the learned Nicias has gained my love." ' The philofopher now retired, and confidered himfelfthe happieft of mankind. In the night, however, he was attacked with a violent indi- geftion i for through complaifance to Bocchoris and the amiable Deiphila he had eaten pork, al- though in the habit of abftaining from all kinds of meat. In confequence of this he had a danger- ous colic, headache, and fever. Immediately three phyficians attended him ^ and though he would IN GREECE AND ASIA, 'fli^ KVouId fcarcely admit more than one, he was told tliree were indifpenfably neceffary : one for the colic, one for the headache, and a third for the fever. Such^ indeed, was the cuftom in Egypt, where no phyfician could praftife in more than one diforder. Hence each of thefe fons of iEfcLilapius ordered his remedies apart. But Nicias followed his own judgment, and foon re- covered *. * He immediately renewed his vifits to Dei- phila, and urged the acceleration of their nup- tials, which were fixed for the day after the neW moon. Nicias waited for the expiration of this interval with all the impatience of a lover pant- ing for the accomplifhment of his defires, when an unforefeen calamity poftponed his pro mi fed happinefs. On the appointed day the overjoyed Nicias came, like Tithonus rejuvenated by Aurora, to the houfe of Bocchoris, where he found the whole family overwhelmed with grief and conrternation. Bocchoris and his daughter had fhaved their eyebrows ^ they beat their breaftpj and heaved the deepeft fighs and groansj and when Nicias, full of alarm and furprifc, * The phyficians being of the college of priefis, were obliged to follow the prelcribed rules ; from which if they deviated, their own life was refponfible for that of thei? patient. VOL. II, Q, eagerly ilS THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR eagerly enquired the caufe of this mourning, he was told, one of the cats of the family had fud- denly died. The veneration of the Egyptians for that animal is well known ; and the philo- fopher, whofe wifhes it deferred, fmcerely con- doled and fympathifed on the occafion with his new relations. In the meanwhile the corpfe was wrapped in linen, and fent to the Taricheut^, to be embalmed and interred in the facred monuments. * It was neceflary, however, to wait till the mourning was expired before the nuptials could be celebrated. The irrefiflible flight of time at length brought on that happy period, and Bocchoris gave a great entertainment on the oc- cafion. In the middle of the feafl, while joy animated the features of every gueft, a large coffin, on which was a reprefentation of a dead man cut in wood, was brought round according to cuftom, and prefented by turrts to each of the guefts, the bearer faying, Ca/} thine eyes on this man ; thou wilt rejemhle him after death. NoWi therefore J drink and be happy /' " As the night was rapidly advancing, Eu- doxus broke off his narration j and the phyfician finding the pulfe of Ariftippus accelerated, de- fired he might be left to repofe. He paffcd, however, a quiet night, and in the morning feemed IN GREECE AND ASIA.' 227 feemed free from every diforder but that of ex- treme debility. While we were expeding the arrival of his two philofophic friends, he related, with great fpirit and animation, a fingular anec- dote of himfclf* <2.a •SSS TH2 TRAVELS OF ANTEKOH CHAP, LXV. Lajlhenia's letter continued. — Gallant anecdote of Arifii'ppis^ * y WAS about thirty years old/ faid the dying A philofopher, ' when either my third for knowledge, or a more fuperficial and idle curi- ofity, induced me to go to Corinth, whither my love of gallantry and of pleafure naturally tra- velled with me. There I foon became ena- moured with the charms of the young and beautiful LybiiTa. Lais, to whom I had been fome time attached, being informed cf my in- fidelity, indantly fet off from Athens, difguifed in man's clothes, and on her arrival at Corinth procured an introdudlion to LybifTa, ingrati- ated herfelf in her affedions,. entangled her in the flowery fnares of love, and thus feduced her into the devious paths of inconfiancy. You well know that nothing could be more amiable or attraflive than this beautiful Sicilian courtezan. Unfortunately I was obliged to make an excur- fion of feven or eight days to Megara, and this interval flie improved to the beft advantage. Lybiffa IN GREECE AND ASIA. 229 Lyblffa having conftfied fhe was engaged to me, '^ What fignifies this tranfient inclination?" re- plied Lais. " Inconflancy and variety are the chief gratifications of the heart, and the primary impulfe of nature. In fa6l, they are the univerfal law. The feafons vary the face of the revolving year : Spring decorates the fields with flowers. Summer gilds and enriches them with corn. Autumn loads the trees with fruit, and fills our prefles with wine j till at length winter arrives, and again wholly changes the animated fcene. The trees are then dripped of their leafy ho- nours ; and the orchards, that fo lately fmiled with fruit and verdure, now chill the imagina- tion and deprefs the heart." Perfuafion doubt- lefs flowed irrefiftibly from her lips : but no iboner did Lybifla hear of my return than (he fent for me. Finding her manner unufually dif- tant and embarralfed, I aflied her what was the caufe of this change. She hefitated, blufhed, and caft her eyes upon the earth ; till at length {he faid, " My dear Ariftippus, you are a phi- lofopher, and confcquently will have fome in- dulgence for my weaknefs.'' — " Yes, indeed," faid I ; "I have too much need of that of others to refufe them mine. You may therefore fpeak with confidence, for I fliall liften to you with the regard and interefl of friendlhip." — '^ I once 0^3 loved i.^O THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR loved you," faid fhe. — " Once !" repeated I, "1 often flattered myfelf that you loved me: but does your afredion, then, diminifh in lieu of increafing?*' — " Yes," faidflie; "and to confefs it frankly, is a duty which I owe you."— " At lead," replied J, " I had no expe6tation of fo rapid a change. Have I, then, the mis- fortune to have a rival, more amiable or more happy than myfelf?" — " Not more amiable," returned fhe, " thougli perhaps more happy ; if it be a happinefs to have taken my tendernefs by furprife." — " Your fincerity, at leafl," faid I, " ought to be fome apology for your incon- ftancy. But do me the favour to tell me the name of this happy rival ?" — " He is one of your own friends," (did fhe : " his name is Amyclas." — " Amyclas ! Yes," returned I ; " I knew an Athenian of tliat n^me. He is a little man, with one eye, a broad, flat nofe ; thick clumfy lips ■» woolly hair j and, in fhort, nearly refembles a fatyr. Is that the worthy rival who has induced you to rejecft me ? I congratulate you on the elegance of your choice !'* At this moment the door opened, and a young man entered, faying, " Look, Ariftippus ! does my appearance correfpond with the pifture you have drawn ? Do I refemble a fatyr ?" Gods ! how 1 was allonifned ! The youth, who thus fuddenly IN GREECE AND ASIA. Q.^^! fuddenly addrefled me, was as beautiful as Nar- ciflus himfelf! As I was (till filent, he faid, " What ! does the amiable Ariftippus forget a friend, with whom he has pafled fo many agreeable and happy days ?" — At length I dif- covered, with the utmoft aftonilhment, that my rival was Lais herfelf^ who afTured me that LybifTa waited only for my confent to give her hand to her pretended lover. " I confent to it," faid I, fmiling, " iffuch a union be poITible. But I have a certain fufpicion of this Amyclas ; and I believe an infurmountable obftacle will prevent your happinefs.'*— " And what is that ?'* faid LybifTa, with the utmoft aftonifhmenr. " I cannot difcover any, for his heart is mine." "Agreed," faid Ij " yet the heart is not enough in wedded life. But there he is, and to him I leave the explanation." Upon this, Lais, after fome excufes, declared the inutility of her paflion, and acknowledged her fex. At thefe words, rage and confufion diftorted the countenance of Lybifla, and Ihe quitted us with a threatening look of indignation and horror, but without uttering a word.* " At this time entered Eudoxus and Anax- imander, and we requefted the former to re- fume the interefting narrative of Nicias. Q.4 t)32 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR CHAP. LXVI. hafihenia^ $ Utter continued, — Hiftory of Niciat continued. ' "KJTiciAS was now pofiefled of a wife, who had ^^ been educated amidft a crowd of fuper- Ititious prejudices, and loaded with amulets and talifmans. But her hufband, whofe philofophy was far fuperior to vulgar errors, foon dif- embarralTed her of all thefe trinkets, and con- vinced her that it is only by purity of manners, by refpefl for the gods, and by benevolence to- wards mankind, that we can elevate our minds above thefe bafe-born fears, or deferve the ap- probation of the Deity. Long did their lives glide on amid the fweet and tranquil enjoyments of mutual afFedions and akhough Nicias did not find in his wife thofe mental endowments which would have muldplied as well as ftrength- ened the bands of love, and rendered it more in- terefting and animated, yet, like a true philo- fopher, he treated her with all that indulgence which cultivated minds owe to modeft igno- rance and confcious weaknefs ; efpecially when this IN GREECE AND ASIA, 2JJ this fiumber of the mind is compenfated by the moll amiable and engaging qualities of the liearr. Deiphila, however, was continually urging her hufband to get hin^felf admitted among the Initiated, as the mod certain road to fame and happinefs, both in the prefent world and after death. ' Bocchoris, equally infatuated with preju- dices, andhimfelf one of the Initiated, wasalfo inceflantly foliciting his fon-in-law to pafs through this religious ceremony, which, he faid, would give him a new life and mode of cxiftence. " It requires fome courage," faid he, " to undergo the trials and the preparations required, for they are terrible and hazardous : yet the danger is but imaginary. Only brave it, and the palm of glory will be the reward of your firmnefs." In fadr,> though Nicias was a true fceptic, the defire of being acquainted with myfteries fo univerfally celebrated through- out Greece induced him to undergo a trial, too terrific for the majority of mankind. I have brought the manufcript,' continued Eudoxus, ^ wherein he relates the various ceremonies of the initiation. This manufcript I have had the utmofb difficulty to procure, and it coft the writer his life.* "We 2'*4 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR " We were now interrupted by a deputation from the Lyca^um and the Academy, to inquire after the health of Ariflippus. He ordered them to be introduced ; and after having exprefled his gratitude for their folicitudes, he added, ' My laft journey is fixed in the great book of fate, and I fhail depart, on a very early day, from this little fublunary globe. You may aflure my worthy brothers, that *.7hatever part of the uni- verfe I may inhabit when dead, I fhall remember their kindnefs, and will ferve them if it be in my power/ When the deputies were gone, Eu- doxus refumed his manufcript, and read as follows. IN GREECE AND ASIA. C35 CHAP. LXVII. hajihenia^s letter continued, — The ceremonies of initiation in Egyp. B' lEFORE I fet off for the temple of Memphis, where the ceremonies of initiation are per- formed, my father-in-law again reminded me of the fatigues and dangers I was about to en- counter, efpecially fliould my courage fail. But I replied, that my refolution was fixed, and that he might rely upon my firmnefs. Having pro- vided ourfelves with a lamp, and the means of lighting it, we fet out for the pyramid, where we arrived at night, and immediately af- cended fixteen fteps to a window three feet fquare, and always open. This was the be- ginning of a long winding pafTage, which we could only enter by crawling on our bellies. I went firft with my lighted lamp in my hand, and after many turnings, we came to a very capacious well, coated with a very black afphaltos, and as fmooth as a mirror. The appearance of this well, by thelightof my lamp, was very terrific. Wc t$6 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR We could not difcover its depth, nor did we perceive any means of facilitating our defcent ; and, in general, men of weak minds proceed no further. Bocchoris endeavoured to difcover the ftate of mine, by looking at me fome time without uttering a word : but perceiving me re- folute and unfliaken, he took the lamp from me, placed it on his head, put one foot into the well on an iron ftep which the obfcurity of the place had concealed from my view ; and fetting the other on a fecond ftep, defcended without fpeaking. I followed him till v/e came to the fixtieth fcep, where we found a window that led into a commodious pafTage cut in the folid rock, anddefcending in a fpiral line one hundred and twenty-four feet. We then found folding-doors of brafs grating, which we opened without dif- ficulty and without noife : but as they clofed, they gave a very loud report, which long re- echoed through that vaft pile of building. By this time we were at the bottom^ of the well, which was an hundred and fifty feet deep. Op- pofite to this gate, which faced the north, was another to the fouthward, with a fixed iron grating, formed of bars as thick as the arm. On looking through it, I perceived a paffage, extending as far as I could diilinguifh, adorned on the left with a long range of arcades, illumi- nated IN GREECE AND ASIA. 1'^'j riated with a great number of lamps and torches; and heard harmonious mufic, confiriingof male and female voices. " This pafTage," faid Bocchoris, " pafles under the other pyramids, which are ufed as tombs, and the arcades lead to a fubterraneous temple, where the priefts and prieftefTes, whofe voices you hear, perform fa- crifices and ceremonies every night, which I am not yet permitted to reveal. — But it is time we fliould reft, whatever be our intention, v/hether to proceed or return.". Accordingly v/e fcated our- felves on a ftone bench, which extended the whole circumference of the well, where I was deeply impreffed with the magnificence of thefe fubterraneous works, which are fully known only to the initiated. When we had refted ourfelves a few minutes, Bocchoris faid to me, " My fon, that is the northern gate by which we entered. To the eaft is another, which opens into a paf- fage parallel to that with the arcades, which as yet you are not permitted to enter. This paffage was iiyi feet v/ide, very fmooth, per- fcdly ftraight, and its roof formed a femicircular arch. On a pediment over the door were fomc black letters on very white marble, to the follow- ing effeft : Whojoever jioall pajs this way alone ^ and without looking behind him, Jloall he purified ly, fire^ water ^ and air i and if he overcome the fear 238 tME TRAVELS OF ANTENOR cf death y Jhall come forth from the hojom of thf earthy Jhall fee the light., and have a right to pre^ pare his foul for the revelation of the myfteries of the great goddejs Ifts. Here Bocchoris told mc he could accompany me no farther^, and that I ftill had it in my power to go back : but I re- plied, that I fhould proceed with the fame in- trepidity as thofe who had gone before ine. Thus faying, I took the lamp, and bid him fare- wel. He embraced me, and told me to unite addrefs with courage. In the meanwhile he fol- lowed me at a diftance, though unknown to me. This is the general rule j becaufe, in cafe the candidate fhould be taken ill, or want courage to proceed, his guide is to condud him back to- wards the well, (hew him the way out, and ad- vife him, for his own honour, never to fpeak of this adventure, and never to enter any one of the. twelve temples of Egypt. Thus I v/alked, by lamp-light, along a fubterraneous road of more than a league in length, full of wonder and alio- nilhment. At length I came to a little iron gate, which was fhut, and a few paces from ic faw three men in helmets, whofe crefts were the head of Anubis *. I did not, however, recede j * Thefe three men gave rife to Orpheus's fable of the ic^ wUlx three heads. and IN GREECE AND ASIA. I39 and one of them faid to me, " You are ftill free . to return : but after this, you will never go our, except by the road that lies before you, and that without either going back or turning your head." Perceiving that I was ftill refolved to go forward, they fuffered me to pafs ; and here Bocchoris, as I was afterwards informed, finally quitted me. As I advanced, I perceived, at the extremity of the road, a very white and vivid flame ; and haftening onward, I entered a vaulted chamber, one hundred feet high and as many broad. On either fide were flaming trees or pofts fet upright, round which branches of Arabian balm were entwined, together with Egyptian thorn and tamarind. The finoke was carried off^ by long pipes, while the flames fcemed to fill the room, fo as to refemble a burning furnace. On the floor, between the two rows of flames, was a red-hot iron grating, in the form of a lozenge, with fpaces jufl: wide enough to fet the foot, and I perceived that I could not go forward without crofllng it, which I did with as much care and dexterity as poflible *. « Having paflTed this trial, I came to a canal fifty feet wide, extending on both fides of the * The majority of the trial* fpoken of in hlftory were no ether than ths(h, fubter- aJ^6 THE TRAVELS OF ANTEf-JOIl fubterraneous chamber, and running acrofs iron bars. This canal^which proceeded from theNile^ made a very loud roar, which I confounded with that of the fiames, by whofe light 1 per- ceived, beyond the canal, an arcade, within which were fteps; and of thefe the uppermoft v;ere loft in obfcurity. This I conceived to be the door that would bring me to open day-light, ef- pecially as I perceived two iron baluftrades rifing from under the water to the right and left. Fearing the flaming room might prefendy ceafe to enlighten me, I again lighted my lamp, which therarefaftion of the air had there extinguidied. I then threw off my clothes, which I tied upor» my head with my girdle, and fwam acrofs the canal with my lamp in my hand. I dreffed my- felf as fpeedilyas poffible, afcended the fleps of the arcade, and came to a platform fix feet long by three wide. The floor Vi^'as moveable; and the fide-fences, which were of brafs, ferved as frames to the axles of two large wheels of the fame metal, the lower half of which was hidden by the fences, and the upper loaded with heavy chains. In the roof above the platform, which was fifteen feet high, I favv three large dark ca- vities, and before me a door covered with the whiteft ivory. This I frequendy endeavoured to open, but in vain. At length I perceived two great rings IN GREECE AND ASIA. 141 rings of fteel, which flione like diamonds, in the lintel of the door. Of thefe I took hold, to try whether by that means the door would open. This was the laft and moft terrific of my trials J for, the moment the rings were moved, the wheels went round with a dreadful thundering noife, the floor rofe up by the door, and I had no alternative but to hang by the rings or imme- diately to return. I did not heficate, however ; for I remembered my inflrudions not to go back, and therefore grafped the rings. But the lintel of the door alio rofe, and my lamp, which frood on the floor. Aid away and went out. Thus was I deftitute of light, hanging to a couple of rings, which I grafped very hard, in the midft of a dreadful noife. In this fituation I confefs I did not feel very much at my eafe. Above the door was a large wheeJ, to which were attached a tackling of ropes and pullies to fupport the door, that it might not fuddenly fall. The re- volution of this wheel, which was furniflied with flaps of iron plate, caufed a violent agitation in the air. In the meanwhile I perceived I wasde- fcending -, and when the door had returned to its original fituation, it opened, and difcovered a capacious cave, very ftrongly illuminated with an ifnmenfe quantity of lamps. VOL. II. R * Htrr 242 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR ' Here I arrived at funrife, and faw the god Apis through the gratings of his (table. I was much furprifcd to perceive that I had come out from under the pedellal of the triple ftatue of Ofiris, Ifis, and Orus, and was received by the priefts landing in two rows behind the fane- tuary. ' At this fight I began to breathe, and the high- prieft embraced me, and congratulated me on my courage and fuccefs. He then prefented me a cup of water from the canal I had juft traverfed, faying, " This vv'ater is from the river Lethe, and will enable you to forget all the falfe maxims of the world." He then direded me to proftrate myfelf before the triple ftatue, and pronounced thefe words over me : ** O Ifis 1 thou great di- vinity of the Egyptians ! O grant thy fpirit to him who has furmounted fo many difficulcies and dangers ! Render him viflorious alfo in the trials of the mind, that his merit may procure him admiffion to thy mylleries !" All the priefts having repeated the firll words of this prayer, I was dire£led to rife, when the high- prieft gave me a compound liquor, telling me it was a draught of mnem.ofyne, or memory, that I might retain the Icfibns of wifdom, 1 fhould: foon receive. I was then conduclcd into an apartment. IN GREECE AND ASIA. 243 apartment, where I found every thing I had need of i as I was not to quit thefe holy abodes till after my initiation. ' I have fince learnt, that if, after pafilng through the little door, the candidate be fright- ened, and return, the three men, who are of- ficers of the fecond order, fcize him, and carry him to the fubterraneous temples, whence he is never fuffered to depart, left he fhould reveal the nature of thefe trials. ' la the fame manner are thofe treated who flop at the canal. Should* they be in any danger, or taken ill, the officers give them alTiftance : but they are equally confined for life. Their imprifonment, however, is by no means rigid. With their own confent they are made officers of the fecond rank in thefe fubterraneous temples, and they are allowed to marry the daughters of their fellow-officers*. But they are obliged to write to their relations, that having attempted a * The other officers of the fecond rank, who are chilcren of the former, have the liberty, not indeed to change their condition, (for that no Egyptian is allowed to do,) but to ferve, in their turn, in the upper temples, and even to (peak to any one, like the priefts, becaufe they zrs bound to fe- crecy by an oath; whereas thofe are thought unworthy to take it, who, having funk under their trials, have broken their promifes to ihemfelves. R 2 ra(h 244 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR rafli a6lion, the juft and merciful gods retain them in perpetual but happy imprifonmcnt- " Fear and love thefe gods !" From this time they are confidered as dead to the world, and never again fpeak with the profane. With re- gard to the laft of thefe trials, it impreflcd my mind with a lively idea of death itfelf, fuch was the dreadful cralh of the wheels in the midft of this impenetrable darknefs ; while the noife was a fignal to the priefts who were waiting for the candidate in the fanfluary. On hearing it, they covered all the apertures; and the people, ifthere were any in the temple, imagined it was the thunder of the gods, to announce their imme- diate prcfence. It was at this laft trial, the courage of Orpheus failed : yet he was per- mitted to be initiated, in confideration of his orcat youth and the charms of his lyre.' " We requefted Eudoxus to relate to us this part of the hiftory of that extraordinary man, fo celebrated on account of his love and of his talents, which embraced poetry, mufic, and philofophy. * Let him reft a little,* faid Arif- tippus, * for he muft have need of repofe. In the meanwhile we will vary our amufements by fupper I after which he will oblige us by re- fuming his narration.' Supper being fervei up. IN GREECE AND ASIA, 245 up, we drank, and laughed, and fang ; and Ariftippus, though on his death-bed, feemed rather to be preparing for his nuptials. When our repaft was ended, we fat round Eudoxus to iiften to his ftory. R3 24^ THE TRAVELS OF ANT£NOR CHAP. LXVIII. Laflhema^s letter continued. — Hijlory of Orpheus. iHis celebrated Grecian,' faid Eudoxus, * who paiTed for a fon of Apollo, becaufe he had received the brilliant gifts of poetry and miific, had in Theffaly married the beautiful Eurydice, who was ftill more celebrated on ac- count of her love for her hufband than of her ex- traordinary charms. Some time after the mar- riage, Orpheus, who eagerly thirfled after know- ledge, hearing the profound fcience and exten- five learning of the Egyptian priefts, and their aftoniihing myfteries daily celebrated, conceived a wifh to go thither and be initiated, with the perfuaGon he fhould thereby enrich his poetry with new ideas of morality and virtue. This idea he imparted to his wife, who inftantly re- folved to accompany him. They difembarked at Canopus, and thence came by a canal to Memphis : but it being then the dufk of the evening, they flopped at a tavern without the city. On the road, Eurydice felt a trifling pundure in her heel, to which, however, Ihe paid IN GREECE AND ASIA. 247 paid no attention whatever : but fhe had fcarcely entered her apartment when flie fell into a very heavy drowfinefs, and told her hulband flie wanted to repofe. An hour afterwards he was informed (he was afleep, and breathed very hard. He found her face fvvelled, her flun livid; and though he endeavoured to awaken her, fhe continued apparently infenfible. Being now alarmed, he eagerly and loudly called his holt, who no fooner beheld her than he immedi- ately faid to Orpheus, " Your wife has been ilung by a venomous animal, and there is no pofTibility of curing her. You ought to have been informed that you fliould not walk in Egypt without being provided with a certain balm, which is an infallible fpecific for it : but a delay of only a few minutes renders the evil irremedi- able." — *' Alas I" cried Orpheus, " I had the balm, but my unfortunate Eurydice did not tell me of the wound." She died very- foon after, and was removed, without cercmony> to the tomb of the Grangers, becaufe Orpheus as yet was totally unknown. This tomb was the cata- comb of the mummies, fituated a liccie way out of Memphis. At the entrance is the lake Ache- rufia, on whofc banks judgment is palled on the deceaied Egyptians : but ilrangers are neither judged nor embalmed, - Orpheus, however, R 4 who 248 THE tRAVELS OF ANTENOR who went every day to the catacombs to bewail his beloved Eurydice, heard fome of the Egyptians fay, there was a fubterraneous communication between thefc caverns and the pyramids, where the fouls of the dead roamed about ; and that thofe who had had the courage to penetrate into it had heard the voices and the fongs of the blclfed (hades. On hearing this, Orpheus in- dulged the fweet and foothing, though illufory hope, of again beholding his loft: Eurydice, and perhaps of bringing her back to the realms of day. He therefore took a lamp and his lyre, which had long lain dormant and forgotten, and at night entered thefc dark and fubterraneous vaults, which now re-echoed with the beloved name of his Eurydice. After an alarming in- tricacy of innumerable turnings and windings, he came to the vvell, and defcending the fteps, heard melodious rrufic through the iron grating, and fancied that among the female voices he diftin- guifhed that of his Eurydice. He then read the iiifcripcion, and difcovered that he v/as in the road of that initiation which was the ultimate objefl of his expedition, and which he conceived would bring him to the abodes of the bleffed. Thus animated at once by love and the defire of knowledge, he pafied courageoufly through the trials of fire and water : but on coming IN GREECE AND ASIA. 249 coming to that of the moveable platform, ac- companied with the noife of the wheels and the agitation of the floor itfelf, in lieu of grafping the rings, he drew back, and was thrown, in fpite of his exertions, on the fteps Oi the arcade. He immediately perceived his error ; and therefore, as foon as he faw the door of the pe- deflal open, took his lyre, and, being refolvedon death, advanced towards the fanduary, finging fome verfes in which the names of the gods and of Eurydice were frequently repeated ; and at the fame time accompanied himfelf with his Jyre fo melodioufly and fo tenderly, that he charmed all the priefts, by whom he was now furrounded. As foon as he ceafed finging, he threw himfelf on his knees to await his fentence : but the high-prieft raifed him up, and faid, * You can be no other than the celebrated Or- pheus ! We perceive by your fongs, and the lublimity of your harmony, that you love and honour the gods, and that they are aufpicious to you. The goddefs Ifis pardons, in confidera- Vion of your piety, your weaknefs at the laft of the trials : but in reparation of your error, fhe commands you to tranfplant her worfhip into Greece.' Orpheus made no other anfwer than by tears of gratitude and joy j and the high-prieft admitted 250 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR admitted him into the number of the ini- tiated *. * It is faid the tomb of this favourite of the Muies, who has taught mankind the cere- monies of religion, is in Thrace -, and that the nightingales, who build in the branches that furround it, fing with extraordinary melody and Iweetnefs.' " Perceiving that Ariftippus was inclined to repofc, we now filcntly withdrew, and deferred, till the next day, the remainder of the hiftory of the initiation." * Orpheus, in faft, inflltuted the myfteries of Ceres at Eleufis, whence they were called the Eleufmian myfteries, in imitation of thofe of Ifis ; dividing them into the greater and ieffer, as thofe of Egypt were diftinguifhed into the greater and lefTer initiations; the former being limited to the natives, and the latter extending to foreigners. In each of thefe countries the initiated were bound by an oath ; for the rooft trifling violation of which they anfwered with their lives ; being tried and judged, if taken ; and if not, by every other poffible means, wherefofever they might be. In that cafe the part revealed was immediately altered. Nothing was efteem- ed fo facred or fo important, throughout Greece, as thefe myfteries ; and not only Atticus, but Auguflus himfelf was of the number of the initiated. IN GREECE AND ASIA. 2^1 CHAP. LXIX. Lajihenia's letter continued. — Hijlory of the initi- ation concluded. *' * s foon as I arofe I entered the chamber of -*^ my friend, together with his phyfician. * Hearken,' faid Ariftippus, * to my laft wifhes. I would have my funeral obfequies accompanied, not with hymns of the country, but with con- vivial fcholia 3 for my country is every foil, where men are to be found. I would not have my body expofed before the door of the houfe, that every palTenger may come thither to look at me j and I requeft, my dear Lafthenia, to wear a white drefs, in lieu of the black generally adopted j fqr death ought rather to be rendered as cheerful as poffible, than to receive every fu- perfluous addition of extraneous gloom. It would be ufelefs to employ pfychagogues to call aloud upon my fhade to come to the habitation prepared for it, for I certainly will not attend their evocation.' At this moment an old fe- male (lave fneezed tow.:rds her left, which is an unfavourable omen. ' There,' faid he, * is the fybil t^i THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR fybil who announces my approaching death. Crown her with flowers !' And now feeing his two philofophic friends come in, he faid, • Burn perfumes, and make libations to Hecate, that I may have an aufpicious journey.' " After thefe ceremonies, Eudoxus refumed his narration. ' I was fuffered to repofe during four-and-tweity hours, but with a ftridt pro- hibition to quit my apartment i and the next day the priefts came to inform me I was about to commence a faft of eighty-one days, during which period I was only to drink water. The two firft months I had as much bread as I chofe, and fruit both frefh and dried in the fun. During the twelve following days I had the fame quan- tity of bread, but only three ounces of fruit; and the nine laft I failed very rigoroufly, eighteen ounces of bread being all the nourifh- ment allowed me. During the feventy-two firfi: days I ate alone, and at whatever hours I pleafcd. I only flept fix hours, and that on a bed without any covering : but at noon I was allowed tOL fleep one hour fitting. Thus much for the purifi- cation of the body, which is the firft of the three parts of the initiation ; the two others being the purification of the foul and the manifeftation. * The purification of the foul confiftsin inftruc- tion and invocation, and the latter is performed by IN GREECE AND ASIA. 2^^ by attending the facrificesan hour every morning and evening : but the candidate is placed fo as neither to fee nor be feen. In the inftruction, they fpoke principally of the duties of my con- dition ; and I attended two conferences every day. In that of the morning, a prieft explained to me, during an hour, the idea of the unity of the Deity, who had conceived the world by his intelligence before he formed it by his volition : adding, that to conform to the weaknefs of man- kind, they are permitted to adore him in his attri- butes and works j as, for inftance, in the fun, in the planets, in great men, fuch as Ofiris, Jupiter, and Mercury ; and in terreftrial produdions, fuch as animals and plants. They talked of the inferior orders of divinities employed by the Supreme in the government of the world, and of Typhon and the evil genii, who are con- ftantly endeavouring to difturb the order of Na- ture. The conference at night continued an hour and a half, and the fubjedt was morality. The candidate has liberty, during forty-two days, to enter the fludies of the priefts, which are ap- propriated to facred inftrudion ; for the whole college devote their attention individually to each candidate, and employ their minds on his charadler and manners. Their wives, who en- joy the honorary title of prieftelTcs, though un^ accompanied 254' '^^^ TRAVELS OF ANTENOR accompanied by any facerdotal funflions, Inhabic the fame edifice. They may enter their huf- band's apartments, but not their ftudies, nor the public and common apartments, except the cor- ridors, which merely ferve as palTages. The candidate is forbidden to fpeak to them, or even to give them the flighted falutation. This rule appeared fo much the more painful a privation, as thefe prieftefles, who are in general extremely beautiful, never failed to falute me moft re- ipedlfuUy as they pafied, which I was not per^ mitted to return by the moft trifling fign. By this we are to learn to defy the charms of the fair fex, and voluntarily to deprive ourfelves even of what is lawful, whenever our duty requires. * On the evening of the forty-fecond day I was informed that for the next eighteen I was about to enter on the moft profound filence ; that the ufe of any fign whatever, to communi* cate my thoughts, was prohibited, except in cafe of ficknefs, which I might fignify by laying my hand on my heart. In that cafe the candidate is treated with the greateft care by thofe priefts who are phyficians : but after his cure, he muft recommence the purification at whatever period of the three months he has fallen ill. I wasfur- niflied, however, with books and tablets, to- gether with a ftyle, that I might write v>^hat- ever IN GREECE AND ASIA. 255 ever I pleafed. In the meanwhile my other ex- crcifes continued the fame : but I was obliged to attend my two conferences without being called ; and their only care was to wake me in the morn- ing and after dinner. The gardens were always open to me, but I was not allowed to notice any one, either man or woman, and every one adled in the fame manner towards me. The pried who announced to m.e this filence of elghte>cn days told me it would be enforced with the ut- moft rigor -, that hitherto a few trifling errors had been forgiven ; but that the leaft violation of the rules now prefcribed would cod me my liberty for the remainder of my life. The next morning, as foon as I arofe, three priefts entered with auftere countenances. They reproved me for the little faults I had committed fince the commencement of my preparation j and among others, that I had faluted a woman with a motion of my head, which was a {^8:. They alfo mentioned various aftions of my paft life, which at firft aftonifhed me ; although my furprife was afterwards removed, and their knowledge of them accounted for *. Towards the evening of * As people from every part applied to the co'lege of prlells for oracles and prediclions, tliey made or caufed to be made, by their officers of the fccond order, numerous in- quiries of what was paffing in the world, efpecially relative to the hiftory and tranfadUons of every perfon of eminence. the 2^6 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR the lad day the three priefts came to me with s Jerene countenance, and one of them told me I was about to be admitted into a body which had been formed by merit alone, and would hold the firll rank in the efteem of mankind ; that al-^ though initiation was but a participation of the priefthood, the priefts were only fuch by birth j whereas the initiated attained their rank by a merit which had undergone the mod rigorous trials. He added, that the next day they would reftore me the ufe of my fpeech, and that they gave me twelve days to recoUedl, either in writing or by memory, what I had learnt in ruy conferences and lecflures j that by being initiated, I was a regenerated man y that the hours and the length of my prayers would be re- gulated according to my piety and my choice ; and that in future I might converfe with the priefts, and falute their wives, provided I did noE fpeak. ' The next day after thcfe twelve were ex- pired, the high-priefl:, accompanied by feveral others, came into my room. " My fon," faid he, " Youmuft anfwerthe three following quef- tions in the courfe of nine days, till which time both books and converfation are prohibited* Of the gods alone you muft afk for the neceflary illuminations. Durin^ that time you will fleep. in IN GREECE AND ASIA. 257 in the fanftuary, behind the ftatues of the three divinities, that the goddefs Ifis may inftrufl you in your dreams ; and every day, before the gates are opened, a facrifice will be iriadc to her, to fupplicate her to fill your foul with wifdom. You may alfo go and meditate on youranfwers in the garden -, and to enliven your folitude, you will eat twice a day with us -, but you muft preferve filtrnce, and adopt the diet prefcribed, which is nine ounces of bread and a little water. The high priefl: then afked me three quefiions, which I have anfwered elfc where, and which will be found in my laft work. When I went to the temple, I perceived that a folemn and per- fe6t filence prevailed throughout the houfe, which continued nine days. The priefts and priefteflcs never fpoke in my prefence, and even when at a diftance, only whifpered in each other's ears. Before chat time, they walked and converfed together in the garden ; but during thefe nine days, I only fav/ there the priefts ap- pointed by turns to guard the bull Apis ; who was feeding in an inclofure in tiie middle. As the citizens were only received in outer halls, no one knew there was a candidate in the tem- ple, which was kept an inviolable fecret. Ac the hour of dinner, I was furprifed to obferve, that the priefts fubmitted to the fame abftinence as was prefcribed to me. At length came the VOL. II. s twelve 258 THE TRAVELS OF ANTINOR twelve days of the manlfeflation, or third and laft part of the initiation. This was not fo much a tafk as the reward of all the privations, that preceded. I now broke my fad, and wine and fucculent meats were brought me j but as I had been deprived of thefe luxuries during three months, the facerdotal phyficians prefided at my meals, and regulated my diet. ' By the manifeftation,the fubterraneous abodes are opened to the candidate j and he travels as it were in a new world. * At day-break, on the firfl of thefe twelve days, I was condudled to the triple ftatue, be- fore which I knelt down, while the high prieft confecrated me in the name of wifdom to Ifis ; to Ofiris, the benefadlor of mankind j and to Orus, the god of fecrecy and filence : I then fwore never to reveal to any of the profane what I fhould fee in thefe fubterraneous temples; agreeing, fhould I violate the fecret, to fubmit to the vengeance of all the deities of heaven, of earth, and of hell 3 and delaring myfclf in that cafe guilty of death. Having taken this oath, the fubterraneous regions, comprifing an extent of four thoufand fquare paces, were opened to me ; and according to cuftom, the laft of the initiated Egyptians then in the houfe, was affigned me as a guide. At the entrance I heard IN GREECE AND ASIA. 259 heard the cries and fcreams of children *, whom I found to be thofe of the priefts, their mothers being delivered of them in this place. For ufing this dark retreat they had two motives; that the children might be accuftomed to that obfcurity in which they were to pafs their lives ; and that no noife might difturb the ftudies and contemplations of the priefts. My guide only permitted me to view this abode from the entrance; and that for a fingle moment. * The officers of the fecond order, together with their wives, form a numerous eftablifli- ment of inferior affiftants to attend on the religi- ous ceremonies; ofdomeftics to wait upon their fuperiors or the prieftefles ; and of labourers of all clafies, to perform various kinds of work in the houfe and temple, no ftranger being ad- mitted. The priefl:eires are diftinguiftied from other women, by a tunic of the fame colour as that of their hufbands. All the mechanic arts carried on in thefe regions, abound in intereft- ing curiofities, and they had lately contrived from under this vaulted obfcurity, certain aper- tures into the courts and gardens of the facer- dotal houfes ; but theie were for the admiffion of air, and not of light ; and as I could not ex- • Orpheus imagined thefe cries proceeded from children, who died at the breaft, and inhabited the vellibule of hell, s 2 plore 260 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR plore this vaft region in a fingle day, I afcended by thefe apertures into the upper houfes. On the fourth day I arrived at the field of tears, which comprifes nine acres in length, and three in breadth ; here the officers of the fecond rank are punifiied for their errors and neglefls, after having been tried by three priefts. Some were condemned to roll a cylinder of flone of various fizes up a hill ; on the other fide of which it de- fcended, and thus they were conflantly obliged to reiterate their labour. Women there were who drew water from a deep well, and poured it into the channel of a running ftream *. Both fexes were naked to the middle -, and when they had committed any fcandalous crime, or fuch as would diflurb the order and tranquillity of the houfe, they were condemned to pafs many years in thefe fubterraneous caverns in perfefb filence. I faw there priefts and priefteiTes cloath- ed in black, and deprived of their facerdotal tunic. They concealed their faces as they walked, and each ,of them occupied a cell, where they had no refources but books, which they were freely allowed. If any of them vio- lated the fecret, whether priefts or others, their breafts were to be opened, and their hearts torn * Thefe were the origins of the rock of Sifyphus and the Tun of the Danaids. 14 OUt^ • IN GREECE AND ASIA.. 261 out, and given to be devoured by birds of prey J but whole ages pafs away without any example of this cruel punifhment. * As I ftill advanced, I arrived in an enchanted fcene called Flyfium, which was a garden above two miles long and eight hundred paces wide. It is approached by eight great parallel avenues, adorned on either fide with large pots of flowers and odoriferous flirubs. The priefts have embellilhed it with every thing the moft poetical imagination can invent j and as it is one hundred and forty feet below the furface of the earth, the fun weakened as it were by the diftance, and by the floade of the trees, with which the garden is crowded, fpreads a foft light, refembling that of a fine no6lurnal fcene, when the moon is at the full : that light fo dear to the heart of fenfibility, and fo propitious to every tender reverie. In the bottom, the form of which is elliptical, is an immenfe iheet of water, feeming in the diftance to proceed from the clouds, and meandering through very capa- cious canals, till it runs off into wells. Befides this, a number of fecret pipes fupply an infinity of beautiful fountains. The whole plot is laid out in charming walks, groves, and laby- rinths decorated with ftatues and groups, in marble, bronze, and porphyry, by the bed s 3 mailers. 262 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR mafters. The flower beds are formed by long caiflbons of earth, funk down even with the ground, and adorned with the molt beautiful flowers, myrtles, laurels, and orange-trees. In the middle of the garden, a large fpace is left uncultivated, ferving as an arena or circus ; where the children of both fexes belonging to the temple are exercifed. Hence they acquire that grace and agility for which they are dillin- guifhed in the performance of religious ceremo- nies j and although gravity, modefty, and re- ferve, are the peculiar duties of priefts and prieflrefTesi yet they excel the refl: of the world in the eafe and elegance oftheirmanners. The priefl:s contrive a kind of theatrical fcene for replying to thofe who confult them, relative to fecrets and future events. On thefe occafions, the in- quirer is often made to wait whole months for his anfweri during which interval, the priefts endeavour to learn, both from himfelf and by other channels, all his concerns, efpecially thofe relative to the objeft of the inquiry. Here- upon they prepare an anfwer in verfe, and ar- range the fcenery and decorations that are to ac- company its delivery. They then receive the inquirer in fecret chambers, where he is fed for feveral days on light food and delicious li- quors. I'M GREECE AND ASIA. 26^ quOTS, containing narcotic ingredients ; he is z\{o admitted into the temple, to be prefent at a number of ceremonies which are performed in fecret. After this he is placed between a prieft and a woman in an open car, of which the wheels are concealed j and frequently a woman is afligned him as counfellor and companion. The car being gently pufhed behind, runs down the gentle declivity of the walks, leading to Elyfium ; and the officers of the fecond rank, who are afterwards relieved by others, continue to pufh it with equal velocity as far as Elyfium itfelf j at the entrance of which, the inquirer defcends from the car. Then the prieft and prieftefs, without permitting him to quit their prefence, fhew him the fliades of the happy walking in Elyfium ; while their diftance, and the faintnefs of the light prevent thefc fhades from ^eing diftindly feen. On quitting thefe fcenes the inquirer is conduced to the temple of divina- tion. At the entrance of this temple is a fuperb flight of fteps, through which he perceives as it were, in a large liibterraneous cavern, the flames of a canal of fulphureous and fpirituous water ; which, though the canal is very narrow, has the cfi^edl of a river of fire *. Acrofs thefe flames * Hence i: was that Orpheus took the idea of the Phlege- tJion. s 4 are 264 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR are fecn on the further fide men and women apparently naked, and lalhed by the EumenideSj while the vaulted roofs re-echo with the found of blows that ?.re totally harmlefs. Thefe ob- jects are pointed out to the inquirer, who is told of the crimes of the damned j after which he is brought before the theatre, where the prieft and pricftefs feat themfelves befide him, while chorufes are performed to the finefl: mufic, and theatrical fcenes reprefented, * Near Elyfium is the pantheon, the entrance to which, cor.filh of feveral very deep arcades. This capacious temple is but thirty feet high by forty wide. It is however of a very extraor- dinary length, and were it fmaller, would be very ill calculated for the reception of the gods of Egypt in feparate chapels. Nor has even this ccmple a compartment allotted to each divinitVj for the F-gyptians worfhip at lead thirty thoiifand gods. The fanduary is confecrated to Ifis, wh(; is the mother of Nature, or rather Na- ture herfelf. Each of thefe gods and demi godsj ftanus with his face towards the entrance of the temple] the lowerpart of which is refcrved for the malevolent gods or evil genii. Typhon Hands upright againd a wall, the height of which he equals, and his arms reach to the extremity of thofe IN GREECE AND ASIA. Q.6^ Ehofe to the right and left ; but his figure is hu- man only as far as his navel ; for his legs and thighs are two enormous dragons. Flames rvo- ceed from his eyes and mouth, and he is lur- rounded by twenty chapels, appropriated to evil genii, whofe faces are turned towards the benevolent deities, to fnow the oppofition of their natures. The walls and roofs of the tem- ple are full of hieroglyphics cxprelTive of the hiftory and worfhip of the gods. Here every night from ten till two o'clock, various facrifices and ceremonies are performed, at which, during the three laft days of manifertation, all the fub- terraneous inhabitants, even the prifoners of the field of tears, moft of the initiated, and the can- didate hlmfelf, attend. As thefe nodurnal cere- monies begin before the expiration of the na- tural day, the priefts firfl addrefs the gods who prefide over the day, moft of whom have facri- iices peculiar to themfelves, and particular kinds of wood for burning them, which are ignited either by the fun's rays from a parobolic mirrorj by the fparks of flint and fteel, or by lamps, ac- cording to the rank and dignity of each divinity. « The facrificers of fome of thefe gods are priefts, while others are ferved by prieftefTes. At mid- night the facrificer of the day comes forth from the lower temple, followed by two files of priefts, who advance 2^6 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR advance towards the ftatue of Ifis. They are accompanied with a grand chorus of mufic, con- fifling of priefts, prieftefles, and young people of both fexes, from nine years old upwards. When the facrificer comes to the ftatue, the two files of priefts open to let the victim pafs, which is brought forward by eighteen of the the priefts' daughters, who walk naked two by two, each bearing a bafket of fruit and other prefents then in fcafon ; a ceremony which they continue to perform, from thirteen years of age till they are married. The bafl-iets are emptied by the facrificer on a large fquare altar, the front of which bears the following infcription : To thee, Ifis, the only and the univerfal god'*'. When thefe young virgins have withdrawn from the fanduary, the priefts enter to perform the reft of the ceremonies, which continue above two hours, always accompanied by mufic and fing- ing. The rites themfelves vary according to the fcafon. The mufic paffes from thefe fubterraneous temples into thofe above, an^ thence the beauty of the verfes, and the melo- dioufnefs of the ftrains fpread them from mouth to mouth throughout the country j-. 'On * Tibi, una quae es omnia, Dea, Ifis ! j^ Thefe were the famous myllerles of Ifis, whofe inviolar ble fecrecy rendered them fo refpedlable in the fine ages of IN GREECE AND ASIA. 267 ' On the laft day of my initiation, I ftill flept in the fubterraneous regions. In the meanwhile thepriefts were preparing for the magnificent pro- ceffion which was to take place the next day; called the Great Ifiac pomp, or the triumph of the initiated candidate. ' On the preceding evening, fix officers of the fecond order came on horfeback in front of the royal palace, which is fituated oppofite to the tem- ple, at the other extremity of the great fquare, to announce with trumpets, that the next day a newly initiated candidate would make his ap- pearance, and the fame proclamation was made in all tho.fe ftreets where the proceffion was to pafs. When the candidate is an Egyptian, this circumilance is alio declared j for if he is a foreigner, the proceffion is lefs magnificent, being confined to going round the temple, and the proclamation is only made before that edi- fice. As many years often pafi without re- ceiving an initiated candidate, the people were the Egyptian hiilory : and which afforded an example or a pretext for the diflblute manners that afterwards difgraced the temples of Greece and Italy. It is an eftablifhed faft, however, that the priells and their alliftants in the Pantheon, never introduced thefe abufes into their worfhlp. very 268 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR very eager to fee the ceremony : I fhall not, how- ever, here defcribe the proceffion made on my ac- count, who am a foreigner j but that v/hich I witnefTed a year afterwards for a native. ' The whole of the laft night of initiation was employed in decorating the infide of the temple with the mod magnificent riches the facred re- pofitories contained, and the citizens of Mem- phis adorned the fronts of their houfes with their moft precious hangings and other ornaments. After fun-rife, the tabernacle of Ifis was brought from the fubterraneous regions, and expofed to view in the middle of the fandtuary. This was a large coffer covered with a veil of white filk fpanglcd with hieroglyphics in gold, over which was a black gauze, expreffive of the fe- crecy that attends the myileries of the goddefs. Before the priefts went away, they offered her a facrifice j during which the prielts' daughters, who never appear abroad but at the feafts of Ifis, performed by turns a ferious dance to in- ftrumental mufic. After this the folemn pro- cefiion began, being led by the fix officers who had proclaimed the ceremony, and who from time to time founded their trumpets. Two files of guards of the fame order accompanied the procefljon IN GREECE AND ASIA. iScj procefiion on each fide, throughout its whole extent. Of the four clalTes of priefts, thofe of mathematicians, phyficians, and lawyers, went firftj being preceded by their children, who were in the fame drefies as themfelves. The officiating priefts wore a black robe over their tunic of fine linen, while thofe of the three firft clafTes were blue, violet, or red ; a fold of them being ufed to cover their heads. Between the two files walked, one by one, the priefts, called paftophori, who in lieu of a robe wore a cloak of the colour of their clafs, cari-ying the facred books of Mercury whence they draw all their learning. ' After this part of the proceffion came a prieft of the firft clafs in a black cloak, holding the celebrated Ifiac tablet which refted on his breaftj thiswasa plate of copper, borderedand interfered with narrow plates of filver, on which are en- graved the emblems of the myfteries of Ifis, under the form of women; fome ofwhomhavethe heads of various animals. This was followed by the priefts' daughters, dreffed in robes of the colour of their clafs over a tunic of fine linen -, and above thefe they had a mantua each of a difi^er- ent colour, embroidered with gold, and adorned with gold taffels fixed on their left flioulder with a precious ftone. Their hair formed the chief ornament 270 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOIl ornament of their heads, which were decorated with feathers ; and they wore pendants to their cars, pearl necklaces, and bracelets of great value. They formed four files, and walked in couples arm in £.rm. The direfling prieftefTes •who were drcfled in black, except their tunic, walked in the middle, and round this group of beautiful women, who were rarely feen abroad, the guards were doubled. Next came a very numerous band of muficians, cohfiftingof priefts and their children, thus announcing the taberna- cle of Ifis, which was carried on the fhoulders of eight priefts, being immediately preceded by virgins of the fecond order, cloathed in very fine white woollen drefTes decorated with flowers, and performing liglit airy dances befoie it, to the mufic of the fif^ra and crotala which they carried in their hands j oth^r virgins of the fame order burned perfumes on either fide, the fmoak of which enveloped the taber- nacle in a cloud. The high prieft followed, alone, cloathed in a purple robe, lined with ermine, over a white tunic j andhi^ train was borne by two children of the fecond order. His head was covered with a kind of mitre cr turban, which he has the exclufive right to wear j and he alone carried the augurial wand, which no other prieft can IN GREECE AND ASIA. IJl can ufe in his prefence. After him came priefts of the firft order, who interpret the facred writ- ings, the books of which were carried by the paftophori. Two of them had a Ihaft upon their flioulder, with the augurial or divining vafe, on which were hid an aftrolabe, a quadrant, and a compafs. Ail the priefts of this clafs wore a black robe over a white tunic, being followed by their children ; after whom walked the four priefts who fuperintended their education. * The laft part of the triumph of the initiated aflumed a martial appearance. Behind the for- mer, and at a little diftance, came three ban- ners flying to the found of fiftra and of drums ; the firft reprefenting the god Apis, the fymbol of the kingdom of Memphis j the fecond, that of Egypt or the fphinx; and the third, that of the whole worlds w^hich is a ferpent with his tail in his mouth ; then followed the initiated of every nomeor diftricft, who are admitted, becaule all the initiated throughout Egypt form but one body. They walked one by one in their ufual drefs, which they never change j confuting of a linen veft, which extends no lower than the knees, and over this the robe belonging to their dignity or their office. By their fide, but out of the rank, walked the initiated foreigners, of which number I was one. 'At 272 tHE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR * At length came the newly initiated candidate between the youngeft of the priefts on his right, and the oldeft of the initiated on his left. He was cloathed for this day only in a white tunic, with a long train on the ground of the length of his body. He had a belt over his (houlder em- broidered with black, from which hung a fword with a fteel hilt ; and as a girdle, a fcarf of the colour of fire embroidered with gJd j he had a crown of myrtle on his head, and held in his hand a large p.dm-branch as a fv'mbol of peace. Laftly, he wore a white veil extending to his breafi, which, though fufficient to prevent his features from being known, was tranfparent enough for him to fee his way. He was followed by a triumphal car with four horfes abreaft, where four virtues carried a triumphal crown over the feat which was unoccupied, vhile the difcom- fi'.ed vicrs lay around the foot- board. This car refetrblcd that ufcd in Egypt for triumphant generals after any great vitftory. But the ini- tiated candidate never enters that which attends en him, to fhew that he does not even alpire to the hon' urs his great 2(!ilions may deferve. He v\as received with acclamations j flowers were fbowtred down upon him, and he was con- tinually bathed with eflences and precious per- fumes. IN GRcECE AND ASIA. 273 fumes, which were thrown from the windows of the houfesj or over the heads of the guards. * Having thus made a confiderable circuit through the ciry, he came before the royal pa- lace where the king was expefiing him, fur- rounded by his court, in a balcony decorated with the richeft and moil magnificent carpets. Here the initiated afcended an alcove eredled before the balcony, kneeled dov/n on a cufnion, made a low bow to the king, then rifing up, drew his fword, as if to offer it to his prince; after which, defcending from the alcove, he returned to the temple, ftill holding his naked fword in one hand, and in the other his palm-bf"anch which he laid acrofs it. Having re-entered the temple he afcended a kind of throne very highly elevated, accompanied by two officers of the fecond order, who drew two large curtains before chemfelves and the new member. Here they put on his ufual drefs over his white veft, while hymns were perform- ing ; and after an interval of half an hour, the curtains being drawn afide, exhibited the newly initiated candidate, who was received by the people with the loudeft and moft animated ap- plaufes.' VOL. IT. T The 274 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR The account of the initiation being now con- cluded, Ariftippus thanked Eudoxus for the pleafure he had received, and requefled him to return the next day and finilh this interefting hiilory of the philofopher Nicias. IN GREECE AND ASIA. 2^5 CHAP. LXX. LaJ}henia*s letter continued. — Death and judgment of Bocchoris, « IT/f^EN Eudoxus and Anaximander rcturn- ^ ^ ed, Ariftippus being fomewhat agitated, afked for muficians j who prefently coming in, performed fofc and tender airs, which having calmed his inquietudes, Eudoxus continued his narration. * I will relate, faid he, the death of Bocchoris, which Nicias thus goes on to defcribc : " My father-in-law, fays he, died on the very day when it was proclaimed in Memphis, that the Nile had rifen to fixteen cubits. Hence I could not participate in the public joy and feftivity on that occafion, being obliged to fubmit to the cuf- toms of the country, and to cover my head and face with mud. My wife and my felf girded our- felves round the waift, laid our bofoms bare, beat our breads, and leaving the corpfe in the houfe, ran about the city accompanied by our relations. At our return we fent the body ta the embalmers *, and in conjundion with the other • It was the bufinefs of fome of the embalmer's at- tendants to take out the brains of the deceafed through his T a noilrils. \ 276 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR Other relations of the deceafed, fixed the day for the funeral obfequies and judgment of Boc- choris, that both they and their friends might be prefent. As funerals are never performed dur- ing the inundation, we waited till the Nile had returned to its bed, before we caufed it to be proclaimed in the ufual form that Bocchoris was about to pafs the lake of his nome. The dead are conveyed over two lakes in their paflage to the plains, where the kings have eftablifhed noftrils, with an iron inftrument made for that purpofe, while others opened his fide with a (harp ftone and removed the entrails ; after which, they filled up the void with vari- ous perfumes and odoriferous drugs. When this fpecies of dilledion was finifhed, thofe who had been employed in that office took to flight, while the perfons prefent purfued them, and threw ftones at them. Thofe on the contrary, who embalmed the body, were treated honourably. Having filled it with cinnamon and all forts of aromatics, they fome time after wrapped it round with fillets of very fine linen, which they glued together with a thin gum, and fpread over the whole the moll exquifite perfumes. It is faid that by thefe means the whole counte- nance, features, and even the hair of the eye-lafhes and brows were perfedly preferved. The body being thus embalmed, the relations inclofed it in a kind of open cafe made to the fize of the deceafed, whom th-y placed upright, and leaning againft the wall of their houfes or of the tombs. Mummies thus preferved are flill difcovcred from time to time in fi^gvpt. their IN GREECE AND ASIA. 277 their maufolea, and where the three famous py- ramids are fituated j each being furnifhed with a feparate temple and priefts. As thefe fcenes of filence are an inviolable afyliim, and every one who profanes them is puniOied with death, moft of the Egyptians are defirous of having tombs there, and each family excavates a vault in the rock that is covered with fand. The beauty of the plains beyond this vaft defert of fand, the canals that water them, and their perpe- tually verdant (hades fuggefted to the travellers of Greece the firft idea of the Styx, of Lethe, and of the Elyfian fields. Beyond the lake is the temple of the dark and infernal Hecate; the gates of Cocytus and of Lethe, which are (hut with bars of brafs, and near them a ftatue of Truth and another of Juftice without a head. When the appointed day arrived, we entered the boat called baris together with the corpfe, and gave the ferryman Charon an obolus for our paflage *. On the other fide we found the judges feated in a femi-circle, being forcy-one in number. Thefe judges, v/hether fitting in judgment on a private individual, or on a de- ceafed king, enjoy the higheft reputation in re- ♦ From this cuftom, the Greeks after the return of Or- pbeus, invented the fable of Charon's boat. T 3 Ipcd 2.78 THE TRAVELS OF ANYENOR rpe6t to their probity. They can only be fe- le<5led from among the initiated, and a new- choice is made by the citizens for every occa- fion. As judges, they wear over the v*'hite tunic, which is the drefs of the priefts or of the initiated, a red robe and a gold chain, fupportlng a fapphire, on which is engraved a figure of Truth. By law, every man is al- lowed to accufe the deceafed, and if the accufer proves that his life has been blame- worthy, the judges condemn him, and he is deprived of burial : but if the charge is falfe and calumnious, the accufer is feverely puniflied. No one, how- ever, offering to attack the reputation of my. father-in-law, I pronounced his panegyric. Of his birth I took no notice, for all the Egyptians efteem themfelves noble ; but I expatiated on his education, and the knowledge and mental en- dowments he had been accumulating from his in- fancy. I commemorated his piety, his juftice, his temperance, and all his other virtues j and con- cluded by praying to the infernal gods to admit him to the abodes of the happy. Having ended this oration, the judges ordered that Bocchoris (hould be buried. We therefore delivered the body to the embalmers, but having no tomb, ordered a chamber to be conftrucfted in the houfe. IN GREECE AND ASIA, Otf^ houfe, where we placed his coffin upright againft: the mod folid pare of the wall." Here faid Eudoxus ends the manufcript of Nicias.' Wc thanked him, and after an interval of repofe, requefted him to conclude the hiftory of that amiable philofopher. " That," faid he, " I will readily do, but I apprife you that it will ter- minate in an afFeding and melancholy cata- ftrophe. •^4 28o THE TRAVELS OF ANTEWOR CHAP. LXXI. Lafthenia's letter continued, — The hijiory of Nicias concluded. 'OTwiTHSTANDiNG his initiation, Nicias had the misfortune to draw on himfelf the hatred of the priefts. Totally unable to throw off his native franknefs, and having a fatirical turn of mind, he frequently attacked the gods of the country with farcafms and witticifms. The ox Apis had a liberal fl.are of his fatire ; and though it was merely with a few of his intimate friends that he thus indulged the gaiety of his difpofition, yet his fayings were repeated and fpread abroad, becaufe their fhrewdnefs and brilliancy amufed and gratified the wits, and every one found a pleafure in repeating them. His wife, in whofe prefence he was often merry at the expence of the priefts, was fhocked and alarmed at thefe impieties, and feared fome in- ftant judgment of the gods, fome avenging thunderbolt, would inftacdy fall upon the houfcj and deftroy it. In vain did Nicias oppofe thefe prejudices, and endeavour to enlighten her mind with IN GREECE AND ASIA, sSl •with the religion of Reafon : for Reafon could not thrive in a foil fo ill prepared for its recep- tion. Her biindnefs was the more incurable, as fhe was under the influence of a prieft of Serapis named Sethon. This man, Fanatic by princi- ple, obfliinate through pride, and barbarous both by nature and from the dictates of his religion, would have baniflied human reafon from the mind, and exterminated allthofe who do not ac- knowledge the divinity of the god Apis. The influence and power of the Egyptian priefbs, who with the fetters of fuperftition enQave and govern the people, is well known. Their riches, which they pretend to have received from Ifis herfelf, and their exemption from all taxes and from every public office, flrengthen their au-. thority and increafe their influence ; and the better to eftablifh and confirm it, they affed a fingularity of manners and cuftoms, and the mofl: extraordinary religious ceremonies. They fcarce- ly ever drink the pure water of the Nile, and often keep fafls of ten days, during which they do not cohabit with their wives. *<^ Sethon infl:illed all the prejudices of his or- der into the mind of the weak Deiphila, where they took fo deep root, that flie began even to feel a coldnefs and averfion for her hufband, and to confider him as a reprobate accurfed of the pods; 282 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR gods : dreadful effed of that unfocial fanaticin-n ■which too often extinguifhes the beft and pureft feelings of Nature ! The wife Nicias, perceiving that this connexion produced a fatal change in the charafler of his wife, that itincreafed and agitated her prejudices, and eftranged her afiec- tions from her hufband, forbid her all communi- cation with the old prieft, who, enraged at thefe orders, confpired with his brethren to ruin the phslofopher. Nicias, who was not only deeply ilvilled in the abftracl fciences, but aifo cultivated the rich fields of general literature, had, in his moments of leifure, relaxed his mind from his jntenfer ftudies by ftraying among the flowers of ParnalTus, and had compofed a little poem on the god Apis. This work, which was full of wit and pleafantry, he carefully concealed in the fan(5luary of the Mufes, and it was only read pri- vately to his particular friends. But the fecret got wind, and the whole priefthood being alarm- ed, combined to get this impious work into their poffcfilon, and deftroy its author. " This manufcript the crafty Sethon under- took to procure, and in a private interview with Deiphila employed all his artifice and all his in- fluence to induce her to lend him the poem. Deiphila, notwithdanding the ftrength of her relii^ious prejudices, refufed to bear a part in this perfidious IN GREECE AND ASIA, iSj perfidious plot : but a few days after, thun- der, which is very rarely heard in Egypt, hav- ing burft over her houfe, the pried did not fail to declare it was a proof of the anger of heaven, and a divine indication of the will of the gods, afTuring her that both fhe and her hufband would experience the revenge of Ifis if fhe did not de- ftroy that monument of impiety for which he had folicited. " This reafoning, added to the fiill more powerful impreflion of terror, fixed the waver- ing refolution of her mind ; and during the ab- Icnce of Nicias flie introduced Sethon and one of his colleagues into her hufband's lludy, where they fearched and turned over all his papers, till at length they found this poem, to- gether with a rough copy of the account of the ceremonies of the initiation i the fair manufcript of which he had confided to one of his inti- mate friends, from whom I received it at my de- parture from Egypt. This rough copy Nicias had either forgot or negleded to burn, and the enraged priefts carried it away, together with the poem, the author of which they now accufed of having revealed the facred myfteries. The vengeance of the priefts immediately broke out, and Nicias was feized in the middle of the nio-ht, and thrown into a dunoeon. He foon learnt the caufe 284 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR caufe of his imprifonment, and concluded that he was inevitably loft. In vain did his friends unite to refcue him from the vindiftive revenge of the face rdotal order. The people were ftirred up to demand his pimifhrnent aloud, and the priefts, who aded as judges, pronounced fcn- tence of death. " On hearing this, Deiphila perceived the fatal error fhe had committed*. The voice of Nature now triumphed over her prejudices, and the agonizing pangs of remorfe tore her heart afundcr. She ran immediately to the prifon to throw herfelf at her hufband's feet, but was refufcd admiffion. She folicited and implored every feeling heart to procure permifiion for her to fee him, but every one was deaf to her in- treaties, and her prayers and tears were of no avail : fuch was the univerfal terror this power- ful body infpired. In her defpair fhe ran to Sethon himfelf, and falling on her knees, im- plored his aid with fighs and tears. The im- placable hierophant now difplayed all the du- plicity and turpitude of his foul. After having reprefented her hufband as a facrilegious wretch, condemned by gods and men, he affcded a tone of fenfibility and concern, fpoke of his tender regard for her, and concluded with propofing a union with himfelfs adding, that inftead of an impious IN GREECE AND ASIA. 2$^ impious atheift, fhe would then have a n~ilnifter belovtd of the gods and of men ; and that if fhe would confent to this, il:e might have a farewel interview with Nicias. Deiphila, con- cealing the horror fhe felt at flich bafcnefs and hypocrify, replied, * Grant me the favour I implore, and if my feeble charms ftill appear worthy of your regard, when I quit the prifon, I v^ill not refufe my confenc' *' No fooner was fne poficITed of the order of admifllon than Ihe flew to the prifon. When the door was opened to her, Nicias appeared perfeclly calm and ferene, being eniployed in reading by the feeble light of a glimmering lamp J for the cheerful ray of heaven found no accefs to his gloomy dungeon. Almoft ftified with fobs and drowned in tears, fiie threw herfclf at his feet and fwooned. Nicias, who was fliil ig- norant that his wife was the caufc ot his ruin, en- deavoured to confole her, prcfTed her to his bofom, and overwhelmed her with the fondeft: endearments. Thefe ihe would have rejefted, but was totally deftitute of ilrength ; till partly recovering, * My dearefl: Nicias,' fne cried, • away vvith your careflcs ! You behold at your feet a monfter of ingratitude and of perfidy. You are ignorant of my crimes. 'Tis I, 'tis I, whofe blind fuperftition has dragged you to this dungeon !* a86 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR dungeon !' She then related to him the fatal error Ihe had committed in furnifhing the two priefts with the maniifcripts, Nicias heard her with the tendernefs of a hulband and the tran- quillity of a philofopher, and raifing her from her kneeling pofture, in which fhe implored his pardon with all the wildnefs of defpair, ' Yes,* faid he, * my dearcft wife, yes, I forgive you. Your error is a cruel one, but your heart at leaft is innocent. Such are the horrid effects of fanaticifm ! 'Tis the hypocrite who has be- guiled you that alone is guilty. But tell me what fentence has been pronounced, and what is to be my punifhment ?' — * As a violator of the mylleries of Ifis,' replied fhe, * you are condemned to death, and your heart is to be torn out, and given to beafts of prey. The priefts have triumphed, the gods have aban- doned you ! What do I fay ? the gods ? They exift not, they never did exift : or if they do, they are the enemies of virtue !' Nicias hear- ing thefe blafphemies, the offspring of a be- wildered mind, gently reproached her with running from one extreme to its oppofite ; and told her that if fuperftiuon degrades and brutal- izes mankind, impiety is a ftill greater dilgrace to the underftanding and the moral charafter,' < There is,' faid he, < a fupreme god, though not IN GREECE AND ASIA. 287 not fuch as he is reprefented by priefts, a fe- rocious, jealous, and vindifbive being. No, he is good, juft, and merciful : he hears the voice of your remorfe, and the accents of your re- pentance. He will punidi the wicked, pardon our weaknelTes and our errors, and repay us, after death, for the evils of this miferable life.' On hearing this, Deiphlla, hurried away by the fublimity of enthufiafm, cried, ' Yes, my dear Nicias, let us pafs the Cocytus, and feek the recompence that awaits us. Ail you fear is, no doubt, the pomp and ceremonies of a public execution. I have brought a li- quor, which ftrengthens and fupports the mind, and nerves it with fortitude and refolution.* She inftantly took out a bottle, poured its con- tents into a cup, and drinking half, prefented the remainder to her aftonilhed hufband, faying, ' Drink ! 'tis poifon !' Nicias Ihuddered with horror, but took the cup and drank it. They then threw themfelves into each other's arms, laid themfelves down on the ground, and braving the horrors of death, rejoiced in dying together. When peiphila began to feel the cfFe6ls of the poifon, fhe wrote to the infamous Sethon, ' I keep my promife. If in my prefent ftate my perfon retains any power over your heart, come ^i)d take ine from the arms of my hufband.' Sethon 288 THE TIlAVEf.S OF ANtENOR Sethon no fooner received this letter thari he haftened to the prifon, where as he entered he faw Deiphila, the beautiful, *the fafcinating Deiphila, fole objeft of his wifiies, extended on the earth a lifelefs corpfe, whofe faded charms had- yielded to all the horrors of death, and em- bracing her hufband, who had juft expired, after furviving her but a few moments. Filled with wonder and aftonifhment, he couid fcarcely be- lieve this a6t of heroifm. Yet he couid not help beholding, with a lafcivious and curious eye, the foft attractions, the beautiful and lovely form of his deplorable vidim ; and his only regret, as he turned away, was the difappointment of his expeded pleafures. " Thus perilhed that truly wife philofopher, that difciple of Nature, Nicia?, who defervedthe gratitude and eReem of Egypt and of all man- kind. He had alio drawn on himfelf the ani- madverfion of the priefls by an agronomical difcufiion. He pretended, that in the courfe of eleven thoufand years the fun had twice changed his place of fctting, from eaft to weft and from weft to eaft ; and he proved, that even were the ecliptic, as was then afferted, parallel to the equator, this would not materially affeft the courle of the fun." In GREECE AND ASIA, 286 CHAP. LXXli. Lafthenia's letter concluded. — l^he PfylU. Pil- grimage to Buhafiis. 'The Cat -worjhipped by its inhabitants. Crocodiles. Anecdote of Thonis-^ Death of Arijiippus. " nnHis tragical fldry," contlftiied Lafthenia's letter, " drew tears from our eyes. Ariftip- pus was much affefl:ed with the narration, and re- quefted his friend in future to choofe ]efs melan- choly tales. * I will change the fubjeft then/ faid Eudoxus, ' and endeavour to exhilarate the fcene, by fpeaking of the Pfylli ; after which, I will defcribe a charming excurfion I made to Bubaftis, to attend the celebration of the feftival of Diana, The Pfylli are men who play with and devour ferpents. I faw them walk in proceflion with their arms naked and a ferocious look, holding enormous ferpents in their hands, which formed many convolutions round their bodies. By firmly feizing their necks they avoided their bite, and notwithftanding their dreadful hiflings, tore them with their teeth and ate them alive, VOL. II, H while 290 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR while the blood poured from their impurtf contaminated mouths. They even fought with each other for their prey, which they greedily devoured j for it is afferted they pofTefs fome fecret whereby they render thefe reptiles harm- lefs, or that their bodies are a natural antidote to their venom. * The feaft of Diana which is celebrated ac Bubaftis, affords a more pleafing fight, and draws a concourfe of people from all parts of Egypt. I went thither in a very numerous com- pany who embarked on the Nile j and the river was entirely covered v/ith boats. In every bark were female muficians who accompanied their voices with cymbals and tabours, while the men played on flutes, and the women on the banks of the river gave themfelves up to the intoxi- cation of joy, ufed the freed and mod enti- cing language to the paflengers, performed lafcivious fongs and dances, and frequently threw themfelves into the mod indecent atti- tudes. At the fame time herds of oxen where lowing in the meadows, the hufbandmen were watering their crops, and young girls who came to the banks of the river to wafli their linen, or to draw water, rubbed their bodies with the flime of the Nile, or threw themfelves into the ftream. IN GREECE AND ASIA. 2^1 ftream, and fported with the coming wave. Se- veral fwam round our boat, and appeared like Nereids reclining on the bofom of the waters. They glided along with uncommon grace, their flowing trelTes danced upon their (boulders 3 and although their complexions were dark and tawny, they were in general extremely well made. In the courfe of our navigation we met with iflands covered with a thick grafs, whither buffaloes were led to pafture by a fhepherd, who, feated on the neck of the firfl: of them, defcends into the river, fmacks his whip, and direfls their courfe ; while the whole herd follow fwimming: acrofs the flream, lowing as they pafs, and blow- ing out the water from their wide extended noftrils. At Bubaftis, a concourfe of feven thou- fand perfons were affcmbled; and during the folemnity a prodigious number of vi^Hiims were immolated. At night each boat's mafb was adorned v*^ith feveral lamps, whofe reflefled light fpangled the water, as with innumerable ftars- The tents that decorated the banks, were alfo lighted up in like manner ; and this wonderful illumination, which extended thirty ftadia, pro- duced the moft furprifing cffe6l on the waters and on the verdure.* — * I can ajmoft tolerate a fuperflition,' faid Ariftippus, * which affords fuch u 2 agree- 2^2 THE TRAVELS OF ANTEWOR agreeable fcftivals. 'Tis by pleafure, not hf aufterity and rigour, that man fhould approach the divinity.' — ^ In a magnificent temple at Bu- baftis,' continued Eudoxus, * is a very fine cat, which the priefts feed with various facred ali- ments, and who is embalmed when dead, and carried with great pomp to his grave.' — ' Do they not alfo feed crocodiles,' faid Ariftippus ? — * Yes,' replied Eudoxus ; ' in upper Egypt, this amphibious animal is worfiiipped and con- fidered facred. The priefts keep one of them in a feparate lake, where they give him meat, fruit, and wine, of which I have been an eye- witncfs. My hod, who was a refpeftable perfon, took me one afternoon to this lake, carrying with him fome fmall cakes, roaft meat, and a veflel of wine. We found the crocodile repof- ing on the bank. The priefts approached him, and one of riiem opened his mouth, while ano- ther put in the cakes, the meat, and the wine. After this meal, he defcended quietly into the water, and fwam to the other fide.' — * What a madnefs, what a delirium of human reafon,' faid I, * is this worihip paid to that loathfome and de- fl:ru6live animal ?' He replied * that it was a fpecies of fuperftition, which fprang from fear. The Egyptians confidering Typhon as the prin- ciple of evil, have confecrated to him the croco- dile. IN GREECE AND ASIA. 2^3 dilc, the hippopotamus, and the afs, on account of its red colour, which the Egyptians hate. Thefe animals are fed in facred places, and by fuch iacrifices the natives expe6t to pacify that evil genius.'—* In your expedition by war?r to Bu- baflis,' faid Ariftippus, * were you not afraid of meeting with crocodiles ?' — * No,' replied Eu- doxus, * they feldom come fo far down the Nile as lower Egypt, and never below Memphis. Thefe animals,' continued he, 'although covered with alnioll impenetrable fcales, avoid all fre- quented fpots. They are chiefly found from Thebes to Syene, where they are ^ecn lying along the fhores of fandy iflands, and fleeping in the fjn } but their (lumbers are very flight, and as foon as any boat approaches, they inftantly rufh into the water. Yet thefe animals, how-, ever revered and worfhipped in general, find very ferious enemies in the inhabitants of Ten- tyra, who hold them in abhorrence, and carry on a cruel war againft them : for though all other men turn pale with fear at the fight of them, th^ Tentvrites vigoroufly purfue and deftroy them, Thefe men plunge into the midft of the Nile, boldly fwimming diredly towards that formida- ble anim.al, and, waiting till he opens nis mouth, to devour them, thruft a deal plank, to which 3- cord is faftened, into his throat. The croco- u 3 dik ^94 "^f^E TRAVELS OF ANTENOR dile Immediately attempts to fhut his teeth, which being very fharp, he cannot withdraw from the wood, and thus the Egyptian regains the bank with the cord in his hand, and is alTifted by feveral others in dragging the mon- ller afhore and deftroying him. If, however, the fwimmer is deficient in addrefs, he is inftan- taneoufly devoured. * But I will terminate thefe religious details, with an anecdote that took place in that country. An Egyptian was deeply enamoured of the courtezan Thonis, who placed fo high a value on her favours that he could not obtain her. Yet his mind was fo continually engrolTed by his pafiion, and his thoughts fo wholly devoted to her, that one night in a dream, he imagined himfelf in her arms; and by this ideal enjoy- ment, his defires were extinguifhed. Thonis being informed of his indifference and its caufe, fued him for the price ihe had demanded for her favors. This caufe was pleaded before the king, who ordered that the young man fhould bring to the audience chamber the fum demanded by the plaintiff, where he was to pafs it to and fro be- fore the eyes of Thoni'^ ; faying, that imagination is the fhadow of truth.* Ariftippus obferved, that this judgment was noc equitable, becaufe the Ihadow of the money had not fatisfied the 8 defires IN GREECE AND ASIA. 4^5 dcfirc's of Thonis, although the dream had fatl- ated the lover.* ** The night v/as now f^r advanced," continued Lafthenia, " and my health requiring fome re- pofe, Ariftippus ftrongly urged me to lie d-wn. The philofophers did not retire till daybreak, and I had given orders to be informed as fooin as they went. I then returned to Ariftippus, and found him very faint and weak. However, he defired to hear fome of the idyls of Theo- critus read, which he foon difcontinued to con- verfe with me. As his illnefs was but the gra- dual decay of a plant deprived of its nutritious juices, and dying by imperceptible degrees j he was free from abfolute pain, and preferved all his mental faculties unimpaired. < My dear Lafthenia,' faid he, ' I am about to leave you ! and that, alas ! is my chief regret j but as for life, I know not what benefit its prefervation could confer on me. Momus was not much miftaken when he faid the gods had been drinking too much nedar when they created man ; and that they could not contemplate their work without laughing. Do not aft the part of a child and weep for me : I will alfo excufe your coming to my tomb to call upon my Ihade, or water it with libations, and above all, your fpoiling that fine hair by cutting off your ringlets, and ftrew- u 4 ing «9^ THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR ing them over my grave. Nor do I wifli for any other epitaph than that whieh I have juft tjioiight of: Here lies one who expe£is ycu.' One of his friends being now announced, I was about to refufe him admifiiorf. * By no means,' faid Ariftippus, ' let all the world come in, for I am determined to finifh my life gaijy, and in good company. Converfe and smufe ycur- felves without much noife, buc be as cheerful as if I were merely fecting off for Syracufe, to in- flru(5t Dionyfius in the art of pleafure and good living.' Throughout the day his chamber was full o^ philofophers, fophifts, poets, and artifts 5 and I dcfired all thofe who came, not to affcfl a dejected and melancholy air, but to fpeak to him in their ufual manner. They converfed on the news of the day, and the amufcments of Athens, while Ariftippus iiitened to their con- verfadon, though without taking much (liare in it. But fome one having obferved that Diony- fius feared the gods, he feemed immediately to revive, and faid with fudden animation, * What a grofs error 1 I affure you he was totally delli- tute of all religion. He took from a ftatue of Jupiter a cloak of folid gold, faying. That it ijoas too heavy in Jummer and too cold in winter ; and replaced it with one of wool, under pretext that this was adapted to all weathers. He alio took IN GREECE AND ASIA. 297 took from ^fciilapius his golden beard, alleg- ing that it was not right the fon (hould have a beard, when his father, Apollo, had none, Anothei" time finding fome filver tablets in a temple, with this infcription. To the good gods, he fr.id, *< Let us avail o'jrfelves of their good- nefi," and took them away *.' We Tupped in the chamber of Ariftippus, who afKed for the munc girls, and faid to us, ' Your meal refembles thofe banquets of the Egyptians, where a corpfe is prefented to all the guells.' Then after an interval of filence, he exclaimed, * I am thinking of Nicomachus, who wifely contemplated death with philofophic indifference, and faid, that ' To fear death is to pretend to know that of which all mankind arc ignorant.' Being very unjuftly accufed and brought before a tribunal j he * When Sy!!a laid fiege to Athens, be fent a man named Caphis, a native of Fhocis, to carry off the treafures of Delphi. Caohis went thither, but through refpect for the god, dared not touch thofe facred depofiu, and wept in the prefence of the Amphiftyons at the tafk imp^fed on him ; when one of ihem replied, that he had heard the found of Apollo's lyre in the fanduary. This pretended prodigy Caphis believed, or feigned to believe, and communicated to Sylla ; on which the latter Idughed at his fimplicity, and exprefled his furprife that he did not know, finging was a fign of joy, not of anger or indignation. He there- fore pofitively ordered the treafures to be removed, and his fommands were immediately obeyed. 29S THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR was follcited by his friends to exculpate himfelf^ in order to fave fo valuable a life. But he faid to the judges, " If I requeft you not to put me to death, I fear I fhall obtain a favour to my difadvantage. Thofe who fear death ought to be well acquainted with its nature : as for me, I am totally ignorant what death is, or what is done in the other world. Whatever I know to be bad, as, for inftance, doing an injury to my neighbour, I avoid ; but what I am unacquainted with, as for inftance death, I do not attempt to fhun, I leave the decifion to you, and you may difpofe of me as you pleafe." I am of the fame opinion, continued Ariftippus, and leave the care of my life to the meflenger Iris, who may come whenever {he pleafes, and cut the thread of my exiftence.' The converfation now became gay and aniirated. We laughed at the vulture of Prometheus and the wheel of Ixion. who at- tempting to violate Juno, impregnated a cloud which Jupiter had caufed to afTume her fiiape. We fpoke alfo of the figns which the priefts caufc to appear on the livers of vidims, that they may give good or bad auguries accordingly. * They trace,' faid Anaximander, ' certain figures on their hands, in which they fqueeze the liver, while yet warm and tender, and thus com- IN GREECE AND ASIA. 299 communicate the intended mark.' Arifiippus defined we would by no means forget to put money under his tongue to pay his palTage in the ferry, and give him a cake of flour and honey to appeafe the rage of Cerbergs. In thefe various difcuffions of philofophical and animated plea- fantry the night pafTed away. At day break, I perceived Ariftippus vifibly decline ; he ap- peared faint and drowfy, and feldom fpoke ; foon after his phyfician coming in, and feeling his pulfe, faid, * I believe the fever is going off.' — * Rather fay the -patient y returned Arif- tippus, and he added 3 The ftrong, tne weak, the great, the Imali, Muft yield to death's refiftlefs call.' " Kv, hour after, when I afl^ed him if he wanted any thing. — ' I would willingly turn on the other fide,' faid he, ' but I am fo weak that I fhall expire if I attempt it.' His phyfician, however, aflured him he had more (Irength than he imagined.—-* Would you wifh, faid the philofopher, * to fee the experiment tried ?' and immediately making an effort to turn him- it\ii breathed his lad. " Alas ! my dear Antenor, you cannot con- ceive the melancholy gloom this dreadful lofs has 300 THE TRAVELS OF ANTENOR has thrown over my mind ! What a blank do I feel in my heart and in ray future life, from the privation of a friend to whom I have been thefe twelve years fo ftrongly attached ! Were you but here, you would footh and participate tay pains ; but fate robs me of every friendly aid, every tranquilizing confolation, and nothing remains but philofopliy ; to whofe arms I am about to confign myfelf by retiring to the coun- try, there to divide my leifure between the mufes and my rural occupations, Farewel I Be happy." The Death of Ariftippus, and the forrow of my dear Laflhenia, afFe6led me in the mofl lively manner. 1 foon returned an anfwer to her letter, and offered to go and (hare the griefs and folicitudes that now imbittered her life, and to fweeten mine, by the charms of her delicious fociecy and converfation. IN GREECE AND ASIA. .'JOI CHAP. LXXIII. Dance of the Gymnofadia^ Majfacre of the Helots. A no5iiirnal ceremony. A feat of Jkill And revenge performed by Phanor. De^ parture from Sparta, rT