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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..0c1ea59 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #51107 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/51107) diff --git a/old/51107-0.txt b/old/51107-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 3a1f8dd..0000000 --- a/old/51107-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,4716 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook, Woman and Puppet, by Pierre Louÿs, -Translated by G. F. Monkshood - - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - - -Title: Woman and Puppet - Woman and Puppet; The New Pleasure; Byblis; Lêda;; Immortal Love; The Artist Triumphant; The Hill of Horsel - - -Author: Pierre Louÿs - - - -Release Date: February 2, 2016 [eBook #51107] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - - -***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WOMAN AND PUPPET*** - - -E-text prepared by Clarity, Les Galloway, and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net) from page images generously made -available by Internet Archive/American Libraries -(https://archive.org/details/americana) - - - -Note: Images of the original pages are available through - Internet Archive/American Libraries. See - https://archive.org/details/womanpuppetetc00louy - - -Transcriber’s note: - - Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_). - - - - - -WOMAN AND PUPPET - - - * * * * * - -_MANY TRANSLATIONS_ -BY -G. F. MONKSHOOD -WILL BE FOUND IN THE -LOTUS LIBRARY -_UNIFORM WITH THIS VOLUME_ - - * * * * * - - -WOMAN AND PUPPET -ETC. - -by - -PIERRE LOUŸS - -Translated and Adapted by G. F. Monkshood - - - - - - - -[Illustration: Logo] - -London -Greening & Co., Limited -1908 - -Richard Clay & Sons, Limited, -Bread Street Hill, E.C., and -Bungay, Suffolk. - - - - - DEDICATED - - TO - - JOHN W. WHITE - - PAINTER OF BEAUTIFUL THINGS - - G. F. M. - -_London, 1908._ - - - - -CONTENTS - - - PAGE - -WOMAN AND PUPPET 3 - -THE NEW PLEASURE 51 - -BYBLIS 65 - -LÊDA 89 - -IMMORTAL LOVE 107 - -THE ARTIST TRIUMPHANT 191 - -THE HILL OF HORSEL 233 - - - - -_TRANSLATOR’S NOTE_ - -_About twelve years ago Oscar Wilde dedicated his beautiful SALOME -thus: “À mon Ami Pierre Louÿs.” At that time not many gentlemen in -England knew the name of the writer who was to become famous throughout -the Land of the Mind as author of APHRODITE. His earliest fame here was -to be enshrined in that dedication. Afterwards, in THE SPIRIT LAMP, he -had the honour and pleasure of putting into a French sonnet one of the -prose poems that Wilde used to put into the post as letters. Suddenly, -about ten years ago, every one in the republic of French letters was -praising a new and wonderful book, APHRODITE. It was the most amazing -study of antiquity since the SALAMBO of Flaubert or the Mary Magdalen -of Edgar Saltus. The beautiful girl in the romance by Louÿs captivated -a continent. She was, indeed_, mystérieuse et victorieuse. _But he did -not stop. His waiting world soon had from him the CHANSONS DE BILITIS. -An English wit, one of the few, said they were CHANCES OF DEBILITY. His -phrase saves trouble, but one can say that these prose chansons were -a picture of Sapphic life and love of a very febrile sort. There is -quite a lot of that in modern French literature. It is a mode of the -moment. Louÿs then passed to the writing of the superb little books -LÊDA, BYBLIS, THE ARTIST TRIUMPHANT, and A NEW PLEASURE. They are here -translated. The narrative Louÿs called THE ADVENTURES OF KING PAUSOLUS -was of the whimsy story type. It brought to the minds of well-read -men such things as Uchard’s tale MON ONCLE BARBASSOU. It also clearly -informed the reader that Louÿs was French, and that even in the telling -of a harmless romance the strip of water between England and France is -a strip that also flows between two antipolar view-points. But Louÿs -at last came to the writing of WOMAN AND PUPPET, and wrote something -of deepest human intent. A version of it follows. The very curious -story entitled THE HILL OF HORSEL shows the fusing of fact and fiction, -antiquity and to-day. It is a most interesting effort, and achievement, -in a form of story that Poe, Gautier and D’Aurevilly also perfected._ - - G. F. MONKSHOOD. - - - - -WOMAN AND PUPPET - - - - -CHAPTER I - - -In Spain the Carnival does not finish, as in France, at eight o’clock -on the morning of Ash Wednesday. Over the wonderful gaiety of Seville -the memory that “_dust we are_,” etc., spreads its odour of sepulture -for four days only, and the first Sunday of Lent all the Carnival -reawakens. - -It is the _Domingo de Pinatas_, or the Sunday of Marmites, the Grand -Fête. All the populous town has changed its costume, and one sees in -the streets rags and tatters of red, blue, green, yellow or rose, -that have been mosquito-nets, curtains or women’s garments, all -waving in the sunlight and carried by a small body of ragamuffins. The -youngsters, noisy, many-coloured and masked, push their way through the -crowd of great personages. - -At the windows one sees pressed forward innumerable brunette heads. -Nearly all the young girls of the countryside are in Seville on such -a day as this. Paper confetti fall as a coloured rain, fans shade and -protect pretty powdered faces, there are cries, appeals and laughter in -the narrow streets. A few thousands of people make more noise on this -day of Carnival than would the whole of Paris. - -But, on the twenty-third of February in eighteen hundred and -ninety-six, André Stévenol saw the end of the Carnival approaching -with a slight feeling of vexation, for the week, although essentially -one of love-affairs, had not brought him any new adventure. Some -previous sojourning in Spain had taught him with what quickness and -freedom of the heart the knots of friendship were tied and untied in -this still primitive land. He was depressed at the thought that chance -and circumstance had not favoured him. He had had a long paper battle -with one young girl. They had fought and teased each other with the -serpentine strips of Carnival time, he in the street, she at a window. -She ran down and gave him a little red bouquet with “Many thanks, sir.” -But, alas! she had fled quickly, and at closer view illusions fled -also. André put the flower in his coat, but did not put the giver in -his memory. - -Four o’clock sounded from many clocks. He went by way of the Calle -Rodrigo and gained the Delicias, Champs-Elysées of shading trees along -the immense Guadalquivir thronged with vessels. It was there that -unrolled the Carnival of the elegant. - -At Seville the leisured class cannot always afford three good meals per -day, but would rather go without them than without the outside show -of a landau and two fine horses. Seville has hundreds of carriages, -often old-fashioned but made beautiful by their horses, and occupied by -people of noble race and face. - -André Stévenol made a way with difficulty through the crowd edging -the two sides of the vast dusty avenue. The battle of eggs was on. -Eggshells filled with paper confetti were being thrown into the -carriages, and thrown back, of course. André filled his pockets -with eggs and fought with spirit. The stream of carriages filed -past--carriages full of women, lovers, families, children, or friends. -The game had lasted an hour when André felt in his pocket his last egg. - -Suddenly there again appeared a young woman whose fan he had broken -with an egg earlier in the combat. - -She was marvellous. Deprived of the shade and shelter of the fan that -had protected her delicate, laughing features; open on all sides to the -attacks of the crowd and the nearest carriages, she took bravely her -part in the struggle, and, standing panting, hatless, flushed with heat -and frank gaiety, she gave and received attacks. She appeared to be -about twenty-two years old, and must have been at least eighteen. That -she was from Andalucia could not possibly be doubted. She was of that -admirable type that was born of the intermixing of Arabs and Vandals, -of Semites with the Germans. Such mixing has brought together in a -little valley of Europe all the perfection of two races. - -Her body, long and supple, was expressive in every line and curve. One -felt that even were she veiled one would be able to divine her thought, -and that she laughed with her limbs, even as she spoke with her -shoulders and her bosom, with grace and with liberty. Her hair was of -dark chestnut, but at a distance shone almost black. Her cheeks were of -great softness as to contour. The edges of the eyelids were very dark. - -André, pressed by the crowd close to her carriage, gazed at her -intently. His heart-beats told him that this woman would be one of -those who were destined to play a part in his life. At once he wrote -with pencil on his Carnival egg the word “QUIERO,” and threw it as one -might a rose into her hands. - -Quiero is an astonishing verb. It is “to will,” “to desire,” “to love.” -It is “to go in quest of,” it is “to cherish.” In turn, and according -to how used, it expresses an imperative passion, or a light caprice. -It is a prayer or an order, a declaration or a condescension. Often -it is but an irony. André looked as he gave it the look that can mean -“I would love to love you.” She put the curious missive in a sort of -hand-bag, and the stream of traffic took her on. André lost sight of -her after a vain attempt to follow. - -Saddened he slowly returned. For him all the Carnival was shrouded -and ended. Should he have been more determined and found a way in the -crowd? How could he find her again? It was not certain that she lived -in Seville. If not, it might be impossible to find her. And little -by little, by an unhappy illusion, the image that his mind held of -her became more charming. Certain details of her sweet features that -had only won a moment’s curious notice now became transmuted in the -crucible of memory into the principal things that made up her tender -attitude. There was a certain detail in the dressing of the hair, an -extreme mobility in the corners of the lips. The latter changed each -instant in form and expression. Often almost hidden, often almost -curved upwards, rounded, slender, pale or darkened, animated, so to -speak, with a varying flame of life and soul. Ah! perhaps one could -blame all the rest of that face--say that the nose was not Grecian, the -chin not Roman; but not to colour with pleasure at the sight of those -little lip-corners was to be past all forgiveness in this world. - -So his thoughts flew on and on till a voice cried behind him rough but -warning: a carriage was passing quickly in the narrow street. In the -carriage was a young woman who, when she saw André threw gently towards -him, as one would throw a rose, an egg inscribed “Quiero.” - -But, now, after the word there was a decided flourish. It was as if the -fair one had wished to reply by stressing his own one-word message. - - - - -CHAPTER II - - -Her carriage had turned the corner of the street. André went in -pursuit, anxious not to lose a second chance that might be the last. He -arrived as the horses went through the gates of a house in the Plaza -del Triunfo. The great black gates closed upon the rapidly caught -silhouette of a woman. - -Without doubt it would have been wiser if he had prepared to learn the -name and family, or mode of life of the stranger, before bursting into -all the divine unknown of any such intrigue, in which, knowing nothing, -he could not be master of anything. André nevertheless resolved not -to quit the place without a first effort to find out something. He -deliberately rang the gate bell. - -A young custodian came, but did not open the gates. - -“What does Your Grace demand?” - -“Take my card to the Señora.” - -“To what Señora?” - -“To the one who lives here, I presume.” - -“But her name?” - -“I say that your mistress awaits me.” - -The man bowed and made a deprecatory sign with his hands, then retired -without opening the gates or taking the card. - -Then André rang a second and third time. Anger had made him -discourteous. - -“A woman so prompt to reply to a declaration of this type,” he thought, -“cannot be surprised that one insists upon trying to see her.” It did -not occur to him that the Carnival and the bacchanal forgives passing -follies, that are not usually permitted in normal social life. - -What was to be done? He paced to and fro, but there was no sight of her -and no sign. Near the house was a stall-keeper whom André bribed and -questioned. But the man replied-- - -“The Señora purchases of me, but if she knew I talked of her to any one -she would buy of my rivals. I can only tell you her name: she is the -Señora Dona Concepcion Perez, wife of Don Manuel Garcia. Her husband is -in Bolivia.” - -André heard no more, but returned to his hotel and remained there -undecided. Even upon learning of the absence of the Señora’s husband, -he had not also learnt that all the chances were upon his side. The -reserve of the dealer, who seemed to know more than he would care to -say, rather left one with the idea that there was another and luckier -lover already chosen and enthroned. The attitude of the servant at the -gates increased this awkward afterthought. - -André had to return to Paris in two weeks’ time. Would those weeks -suffice for planning and effecting an entry into the life of a -beautiful young dame, whose life was without much doubt planned, -rounded, complete? - -While thus troubled with his incertitudes a letter was handed to him. -It had no address on the envelope. He said, “Are you sure that this -letter is for me?” - -“It has just been given to me for Don Andrés Stévenol.” - -The letter was written upon a blue card, and was as follows-- - -“Don Andrés Stévenol is begged to not make so much noise, to not give -his name or demand to know mine. If he is out walking to-morrow about -three on the Empalme route a carriage will be passing. It may stop.” - -André thought how easy life was, and already had visions of approaching -intimacy. He even sought for and murmured the most tender little forms -of her charming Christian name Concepcion, Concha, Conchita, Chita. - - - - -CHAPTER III - - -On the morning of the morrow André Stévenol had a radiant awakening. -The light flooded his room, which had four windows. There also came to -him the murmurs of the town. There were the feet of horses passing, -street cries, mules’ bells, and the bells of convents. - -He could not recall having known a morning as happy as this present -one was; no, not for a long time. He flung out his arms and stretched -them; then held them tightly folded around his breast as though to -give himself the illusion or the anticipation of that eagerly awaited -embrace. - -“How easy, how simple the affairs of life are, after all!” So he mused, -smiling. “Yesterday, at this hour I was alone, without an object to -fill my mind, almost without a thought. It was merely necessary to -take a walk and, behold! a change of scene, a love-affair in view. What -is the use of taking any notice of refusals, of disdain, or any such -things. We desire and demand, and the women give themselves. Why should -it ever be otherwise?” - -He rose, and in dressing-gown and slippers rang for his bath to be -prepared. Whilst waiting with his forehead pressed to the window-panes -he stared into the thoroughfare before him, now full of the stir -of day. The houses in sight were painted in light colours that -Seville favours as a rule: colours like the gay tints of women’s -dresses--cream, rose, green, orange, violet, but not the fearful -brown of Cadiz or Madrid, or the crude white of Jérez. There were -orange-trees in sight, bearing fruit; running fountains and laughing -girls, holding their shawls close. From all sides come the sound of -the mules’ bells. André could not then imagine any other place in which -to live but--Seville. - -He finished dressing, and slowly sipped a little cup of the thick -Spanish chocolate, then, easy in mind, almost aimlessly he went out -into the busy street. - -By chance he went the shortest way, to the Plaza del Triunfo. Then he -remembered that he was not to haunt the residence of his “mistress,” -as he called her to himself, so he went to Las Delicias. The place was -strewn with paper and the usual signs of the Carnival. It was also -deserted, for Lent had recommenced. Nevertheless, by a way that led -from the city’s outskirts, André saw coming towards him one whom he -recognized. - -“Good-day, Don Mateo,” he said, holding out his hand. “I had not -thought of seeing you so soon.” - -“Well, here I am, alone, idle and at a loose end. I stroll about in the -morning and evening, and fill up most of the day reading or playing in -some way. It’s a dull sort of existence.” - -“But you have nights that console the monotony of the days, if one may -credit the chatter of the city busybody?” - -“Whoever says so says wrongly. From now to the day of his death Don -Mateo Diaz has no woman about him. But do not let us talk about me. For -how long are you still going to remain here?” - -Don Mateo was a Spaniard, forty years old, to whom André had been -introduced during his first stay in Spain. He was a man of florid -phrase and declamatory gesture, very rich, and famed for his love -affairs. So André was surprised to hear that he had renounced the -pomps and vanities of the flesh, but did not attempt to weary him with -questions. - -They walked by the river for a time, and all their talk was of Spain, -its people, its policy, and history. - -Then, “You will come and break your fast or lunch,” said Don Mateo. -“My place is there, near the route D’Empalme. We shall be there in -a half-hour, and, if you will permit me, I will keep you till the -evening. I have some fine horses I should like to show off before you.” - -“I agree to take lunch with you,” said André, “but I cannot stay. This -evening I have a rendezvous that I must not fail to keep; that is a -fact.” - -“A lady ... I ask no questions. But stay as long as you can. When I was -your age I did not want to be bothered with the outer world during my -’days of mystery.’ The only person I loved to speak to on such days was -the woman of the moment.” - -Don Mateo was silent for a while, then said in a tone of advice-- - -“Ah, guard yourself against the women! I should be the last man to say -fly from them, for I have spent my life upon them until now. And if -I had my life to live again, the hours passed with women are those I -would most desire to revive. But guard yourself; guard yourself!” - -Then, as though he had found a phrase that fitted exactly to his -thoughts, Don Mateo added more slowly-- - -“There are two kinds of women that one should avoid, at all cost: those -who do not love you, and those who do. Between these two extremes -there are thousands of women of great charm, but we do not know how to -appreciate them.” - -The lunch would have been very slow indeed if the animation of Don -Mateo had not replaced by a monologue the interchange of thought for -thought that should have taken place. André was mentally preoccupied, -and only appeared to hear the half of what his host said to him. As the -hour of his assignation drew nearer, the throbbing of his heart, as on -the Carnival day, came back to him, but intensified. It was a kind of -persistent appeal within him, and all thoughts save the thought of the -longed-for woman were driven out of him. He would have given much for -the hands of the dial near him to have pointed to the next hour, but -the face of the clock was cold to his emotion, and time would no more -flow than the water of a stagnant pond. - -At last, almost incapable of holding his tongue any longer, he -surprised his host by saying-- - -“Don Mateo, you have always given me the best advice. May I confide a -secret to you and appeal to your advice again?” - -“I am entirely yours,” replied the Spaniard, rising and making for the -smoking-room. - -“I would not ask any one but you,” said André hesitatingly. “Do you -know a lady of Seville named Donna Concepcion Garcia?” - -Mateo leaped up, then rapidly uttered-- - -“Concepcion Garcia! Concepcion Garcia! But which one? Explain. There -are twenty thousand Concepcion Garcias, in Spain to-day. It is a name -as common as Jeanne Duval or Marie Lambert in France. For Heaven’s sake -tell me what is her other name. Is it Perez, Concha Perez?” - -“Yes,” said André, completely astonished. - -Then Don Mateo continued in precise tones-- - -“Concepcion Perez de Garcia: twenty-two, Plaza del Triunfo, eighteen -years old, hair almost black, and a mouth, Heavens what a divine mouth!” - -“Yes,” again answered André. - -“Ah! You have done well to mention her name. If I can stop you at the -gate in this affair, it will be a good action on my part, and a piece -of good luck for you!” - -“Is she a girl who would go to the arms of any one?” - -“No. She has had but few lovers. For these times, she is chaste and -very intelligent, with wit and a knowledge of life. She dances with -eloquence, speaks as well as she dances, and sings equally well. Have I -said enough?” - -André could hardly get a word out before Don Mateo resumed-- - -“And she is the worst of women. I hope that God will never pardon her!” - -André rose as if to go. - -“Nevertheless, Don Mateo, I--who am not yet able to speak of this -woman as you are--I, at present, am still less able to fail to keep an -assignation she has made with me. I have made you a confession, and I -regret to break yours by a premature departure.” He held out his hand. - -Mateo placed himself before the door. - -“Hear me, I beg of you. I speak to you, man to man, and I say Stop! -return as you came. Forget who you have seen, who has spoken to you -and written to you. If you would know peace, calm nights and a life -lacking in black care, _do not approach Concha Perez_! Do not approach -this woman. Let me save you. Have mercy upon yourself, in fact.” - -“Don Mateo. Do you then love her?...” - -The Spaniard stroked his forehead, and answered-- - -“Oh no! I do not now love or hate. It is all over and done with, all -trace effaced.” - -Mateo gazed at André, then, quite changing to a tone of banter, said-- - -“Besides, one should never go to the first rendezvous a woman gives -one.” - -“Why not?” - -“Because she never comes there.” - -A memory of an affair made André smile, and admit it was often true. - -“Very often. And if by chance she comes, be sure _your_ absence will -deepen her liking for you.” - -A short silence came. They had reseated themselves, and Mateo said-- - -“Now listen, please.” - - - - -CHAPTER IV - - -Three years ago I had not the grey hairs that you now see, and was -thirty-seven years of age, though I felt but twenty-two. I do not -know precisely when my youth passed from me, and it is hard for me to -realize that it has reached its end. People have told you that I was -one of the gadabouts of passion. That is false. I respected Love and I -never degraded her. Scarcely ever have I caressed a woman whom I did -not passionately love. If I were to name or number these loves to you -you would be surprised for they were but a few. I easily remember that -I have never loved a blonde. I have always ignored those pale objects -of worship. What is furthermore true, is that, for me, love has not -been a mere pleasure or pastime. It has been my very life. If I were -to take out of my life all the thoughts and actions that had the woman -for their sole end, there would remain nothing but emptiness--space. -This much said, I may now recount to you what I know of Concha Perez. - -I go first to three years and a half ago, and winter-time. I returned -from France, a bitter cold journey too, one twenty-sixth of December, -in the express that passes the bridge of the Bidassoa. - -The snow, already very thick at Biarritz and Saint Sebastian, rendered -almost impracticable the traversing of the Guipuzcoa. The train stopped -two hours at Zumarraga, for snow to be cleared away. Later an avalanche -stopped us for three hours. All night this snow trouble went on. Sounds -were deadened by the fall, and so we were travelling in a silence to -which danger gave a touch of grandeur. - -The morning of the morrow found us at Avila. We were eight hours late, -and had fasted for a day. We learnt at last that we should be “hung -up” at that place four days! Do you know Avila by any chance? It is -the place that they should send those people to who rave about Old -Spain being dead and done with. The inn I stopped at, Don Quixote could -easily have used also. - -In resuming my journey I went third-class, for a change, in a -compartment nearly full of Spanish women. There were really four -compartments with partitions about shoulder high. - -Well, we were passing the Sierra of Guadarrama, and suddenly the train -stopped again. We were blocked by another avalanche. When we realized -this there was a general request made to a gitana present to dance. - -She did dance: a woman about thirty, of the ugly gipsy type, but she -seemed to have fire in the fingers that flashed the castanets and fire -in her limbs. Everyone knelt and listened, or beat time with their -hands. I now noticed in the corner facing me a young girl, who was -singing. - -She wore a rose-coloured skirt, that made me guess she was from -Andalucia--that colour-loving province. - -Her shoulders and bosom were swathed in a creamy shawl, and she had a -throat scarf of white foulard to protect her from the cold. The whole -carriage already knew that she was trained at the Convent of San José -d’Avila, was going to Madrid to find her mother, and bore the name of -Concha Perez. - -Her voice was singularly penetrating. She sang without moving her body -about, hands in shawl, eyes closed. - -The songs she was singing were not taught her by the Sisters, I can be -quite sure. They were the little songs of four lines, only loved by the -people. Into these quatrains they put much passion. I can hear again -in memory the caress in her voice as she sang-- - - “Thy bed is of jasmins, - Thy sheets of white roses; - Of lilies thy pillows, - And a dark rose there poses.” - -There followed an angry scene between her and the gipsy. They fought, -but I stepped between, for I loathe to see women fighting. They do -it badly and dangerously. When it was all over, a gendarme came, and -after slapping Concha upon the cheeks put her in another compartment. -The train now went forward again, and my companions began to sleep. -The image of the little singer tormented me. Where had he put her? I -leant over the barrier of my carriage, and saw that she was there, -close enough to touch. She was sleeping like a tired child. I saw the -closed lids, the long lashes, the little nose and two small lips, that -seemed to be at one and the same time infantile and sensual. Gazing -for a long time at those amazing lips, I wondered whether their dream -movements were recalling the breast that nursed her or the lips of a -lover. - -Daylight came, and with it the end of the journey. I aided the little -Concha to get together six parcels, and offered to carry them but was -refused. She managed with them somehow, and ran off. I soon lost sight -of her. - -You see, do you not, this first meeting was insignificant, almost -vague. She had interested and amused me for a little while. That was -really all. Soon I ceased to think of her at all. - - - - -CHAPTER V - - -The following summer I found her again. In August, I was alone in my -house, a house that a feminine presence had filled for years. One -afternoon, bored to death, I visited the Government Tobacco Manufactory -of Seville. It was a sweltering day. I entered alone, which was a -favour, in this immense harem of about five thousand women-workers, of -a rather free-and-easy type. - -I have said the day was terribly hot? Most of the workers were -half-dressed only. It was a mixed spectacle, certainly: a sort of -panorama of women at all ages. I passed along, sometimes being asked -for a gift, sometimes being given a cynical pleasantry. Suddenly I -recognized Concha, and asked her what brought her into that place. - -“Heaven knows, I have forgotten.” - -“But your convent training?” - -“When girls go there through the door, they leave through the window.” - -“Did you?” - -“I will be honest with you. I didn’t enter at all for fear of sinning. -Give me a coin, and I will sing you something while the superintendent -is away from here.” - -Then she told me she lived with her mother, and came to the factory -when in the mood. I gave her a napoléon, and then left. - -In the youth of happy men there is a moment, an instant, that chance -decides. My moment came when I dropped that golden coin before that -girl. It was as if I had thrown a fatal die. I date from then and there -my actual life, “the life I have lived the most.” My moral ruin was -then begun. - -You shall know all; the actual story is simple enough, truly. - -I left the State Factory, and walked slowly into the shadowless street. -There she rejoined me, and said-- - -“I thank you; sir.” - -I noted that her voice had changed. The golden gift had evoked in her -the emotion that comes with the desire for wealth. She asked me to -conduct her home to the Calle Manteros, quite near. - -She told me she had no sweetheart, and I then replied-- - -“Surely, not through piety?” - -“I am pious, but I haven’t taken any vows.” - -Finally she said that she was virginal, and had kept herself pure. - - - - -CHAPTER VI - - -She admitted this with such a directness, such an air, that I -quite flushed and felt ill at ease. Whatever was passing in that -childish-looking head, behind that face so provoking, so rebellious? -What signified her decided moral attitude, her frank and, possibly, -honest eye, her sensuous mouth that seemed to tempt and yet defy. All -that I really knew was that she pleased me vastly, that I was enchanted -to have found her again, and looked forward to finding other chances -of being with her. We reached her home. Down-stairs at the doorway I -bought her some mandarines. At the top floor she gave three little -knocks at a door and I stood before her mother, a dark woman, who had -once been beautiful. - -Then began confidences; they seemed endless. The mother said she was -the widow of an engineer, and told me a story I had heard elsewhere -twenty times. - -“Ah, Caballero, we should have been rich, we two, had we but followed -evil ways. But sin has never passed the evening here!” - -Conchita during this discourse was putting powder on her cheeks. She -turned to me with a smile transfiguring her mouth. - -Finally I laid down four banknotes and arranged that Conchita was not -to return to the factory. I called again the next day. She was alone. -That day she came and sat upon my knees and kissed me with her burning -mouth. I left but to return, alas! not once, but twenty times more. I -was in love like the youngest, the most foolish of men. You must have -known such madness yourself and will understand me. Each time I left -her rooms I counted the hours until the next meeting, and those hours -never seemed to go. Little by little I got to pass the whole day with -them, paying all the expenses and the debts too. This cost me a good -deal of money. How Conchita and I talked! - -But she was impenetrable, mysterious. She seemed to love me; possibly -I really loved her. To-day I do not know what to think. To all my -pleadings she answered merely, “Later.” That resolution I could not -break. I swore to leave her and she told me to go. I threatened her, -even with my violence: it left her unconcerned. When loaded with -presents she accepted them upon her own terms. Nevertheless, when I -entered her place, I saw a light in her eyes that was not, I believe, a -feigned one. - -She slept nine hours at night and had a siesta of three hours. She did -nothing else. The work of the place was her mother’s affair. During -one whole week she refused to get up at all. Her conception of the -duties of the day was very Spanish. But I do not know from what country -came her conception of love. After twelve weeks of wooing I saw in her -maddening smile the same promises and certainly the same resistance. - -At last, one day, I took her mother into my confidence, and confessing -my love invoked her aid. After a night and a morning that were -insupportable through suspense, I received a four-line letter-- - - “_If you had loved me you would have waited. I wished to give myself - to you. You have asked that I shall be sold to you. Never again shall - you see me._ - - “CONCHITA.” - -When I reached their rooms in Seville they had left with all their -belongings. - - - - -CHAPTER VII - - -Autumn and winter passed. Memory was pitiless to me, and I felt -shattered. The months were empty. Oh, how I loved her, God of Heaven! I -thought sometimes that she was trying me, testing me, to be sure of me. -So be it. We met again. I was returning from the theatre, and in the -Calle Trajano I heard her voice call my name. She was at a window about -shoulder high from the ground, in night attire and shawled. - -I gazed at her as one entranced. She held her hand to me, and I covered -hand and arm with kisses. I was half insane with love. I craved for her -lips only to get for answer, “Later.” - -I pressed her with questions. They had been to Madrid then to -Carabanchel. By economy with my money they had now rented her present -place. There was enough money left to live honestly for a month. - -“And after that do you seriously think I shall feel embarrassed?” - -Then she paused. - -“You do not understand me. I can still work at the factory, sell -bananas, make bouquets, dance the Sevillana, can I not, Don Mateo?” - -Then with a sigh she leant forward, and said-- - -“Mateo, I will be your mistress the day after to-morrow.” - -“Are you sincere?” - -“I have said it. Leave me, Mateo. Be not impatient or jealous.” Then -she left me. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - - -Two interminable days and nights followed. I was happy and yet -suffering. A kind of troubled joy seemed to dominate every other -feeling. The hour of the assignation came, and I heard her softly -call, “Mateo.” We kissed passionately and a long love scene followed. -Questions, protestations, appeals. To hasten over what was to me a -time of great stress and strain, mental and physical, let me at once -say that Concha would in reality consent to nothing but this. I might -live with her, worship her, love her as fervently, truly, tenderly as -I liked, _but_ she was to be left wholly pure, utterly virginal. I -endured this state of things for two weeks. Concha then borrowed from -me a large sum to pay more debts, and the next day I found that mother -and daughter had fled again! - - - - -CHAPTER IX - - -It was too much to bear. I left for Madrid, and tried to get fond of an -Italian dancer. I returned to Seville, then went to Granada, Cordova, -Jérez. I sought for Concha Perez. At Cadiz we met again. One evening -I entered a drinking saloon. She was there dancing before sailors and -fishermen. At the moment I saw her I trembled and throbbed. I must have -become pale, and I felt as though I had no breath, no force, no will. I -dropped down upon the seat nearest the door, and head in hands watched -her. Her dance finished she came towards me. All knew her. From all -sides came cries of “Conchita” that made me shudder. On all sides she -cast glances. Here a smile, there a laugh, a shrug, a flower accepted, -a drink sipped. She sat at my table facing me, and desired coffee. - -I said in a low voice that I tried to steady-- - -“Then you fear nothing, Concha, not even death.” - -“You would not kill me.” - -“Do you dare me to.” - -“Yes, here or where you will. I know you, Don Mateo, as though you were -borne in my bosom nine months.” - -Bitter reproaches followed, and I taunted her. She rose, furious, and, -vowing by her father’s tomb that she was virtuous, left me. - - - - -CHAPTER X - - -After all that had happened I had three paths open before me-- - -To leave her for ever; - -To force her to stay with me; - -To take her life. - -I took a fourth path. I submitted to her own way of treating me. Each -evening I returned to my cozenage, looking at her, and waiting, waiting. - -Little by little, I think, she was more softened towards me. It even -seemed sometimes that she had not really intended me the harm that had -in fact been done. But the tavern life she now made me lead did not -suit me. It never has or can. The Señora Perez was there too. - -She seemed to know nothing of what had happened. Did she lie? I heard -her Memoirs once more, and paid for her glasses of Eau-de-vie. - -My sole instants of joy were provided by the dances of Concha. Her -triumph was the dance named _The Flamenco_. What a tragic dance! It -is, so to speak, all passion expressed in three acts. I always see her -in that dance. She was resplendent. During a month she tolerated me in -what may be called the dressing-room, at the rear of the stage where -the dances took place. I had not even the right to see her home; I kept -my “place” near her on conditions--no reproaches as to the past or the -present. As to the future I did not know anything, and had no idea -whatever what would be the solution of my most pitiable adventure of -body and spirit. - -Then came a night when, with other dancers, she danced, with bosom -bared, in a room up-stairs. There were two rich Englishmen present. - -I went up to her, and said-- - -“Follow me. Do not be afraid. But come or beware!” - -But again, she dared and defied me. - - - - -CHAPTER XI - - -They left us alone. - -“Defend yourself. Lie. You lie so well!” I cried. - -“Ah,” she answered. “You accuse me. Superb! After entering here like a -thief, spoiling my dance, and scaring every one away.” - -The usual scene of reproach, recrimination and explanation followed. At -the end I drew her on to my knees. - -“Listen,” I said. “I cannot live thus. If you stay here a day longer I -will indeed leave you for ever, Conchita.” - -Then she protested that she loved me, and had always loved me. - -Again she tamed me with her words, and the scene ended as so many had -ended--in her triumph. We returned to Seville, where I took a house -for her. In that house she pretended that she had a lover. It was -pretence, but at last I turned and struck her in the face! - -She tried to stab me but failed. Then I beat her until I hurt my own -hand. On her knees she craved my pardon, and opened her arms to me. I -took her. She was virginal as on the day of her birth. - - - - -CHAPTER XII AND LAST - - -André returned to Seville. He there met Concha Perez. - -As they were starting for Paris a letter came by hand addressed to her. -A little later in life André knew that the letter was as follows-- - - “_My Conchita, I pardon you. I cannot live where you are not. Return - to me. Now it is I who kneel to you. I kiss your feet._ - - “MATEO.” - - - - -THE NEW PLEASURE - - - - -CHAPTER I - - -For four or five years I lived in a flat that was in a street near -the little Park Monceau. I was there only for certain days in the -week. The flat was not the finest in Paris, but was discreet, and the -place generally had a well-valeted look. A distinct drawback was that -although one end of my street gave on to the park, I could not enjoy -that latter place much, for the gates were closed every evening before -midnight--just when I most deeply appreciate walking for exercise and -to take the pure air. - -One night at the flat I sat in silent contemplation of two blue china -cats that crouched upon a white table. I was wondering whether it would -be better to pass the time smoking cigarettes or writing sonnets. -Another idea was that it might be better to smoke the cigarettes and -stare at the painting on the ceiling. Cigarette, sonnet, or stare? The -most important thing at such an hour is to have a cigarette ready to -hand and lip. It enshrouds all the most material things with scarves -of cloud, fine and celestial. It adds something both to the lights and -to the dark of the chamber, taking away the hard mathematics of the -angles, and by means of a scented magical spell brings to the agitated -human spirit a panacea and peace. It brings, too, the land of dreams. -On the particular evening I now speak of there was the intention of -doing some writing, and yet the desire to do nothing was active and -coercive. Put differently, it was an evening that resembled many other -similar evenings of the “unlit lamp and ungirt loin.” Evenings that -ended with a full ink-well, sheets of dead-white writing paper, and--a -large ash-tray full of golden ends of cigarettes, ashes and unused -ideas. - -Suddenly I was brought back from my “open-eye dreams” by the unexpected -ringing of the bell. I raised my head and tried to be positive that on -Friday night, the ninth of June, I did not await any one at that hour -of the night. A second ring soon came, so I went to the door and drew -back the bolt. - -When the door was opened I saw a woman waiting. She was wrapped in a -sort of mantle, like a travelling cloak, fastened around the throat. -Above, the head was poised. I saw that her hair was blond, and that she -was young. Beneath the shadow of her tresses gleamed very dark eyes. -The face was a trifle teasing in its expression, and rather sensual, -the mouth being very red. - -“Do you wish me to come in?” she said, inclining her sweet head upon -her shoulder. - -I drew back, flattened as it were against the wall, suffering from -the genuine, the natural astonishment of a man who has to open his -door at such an hour to a woman of whom he has not the slightest -recollection--a woman, too, who used the intimate form of address, -“thou,” in the first phrase she used. - -“My dear lady,” I said, with a touch of timidity, as I followed her -into my chamber, “spare me any blame. Of course I recognize you -clearly, but by some lapse of memory I do not recall your name. Is it -not Lucienne or Tototte?” - -She smiled a tender, indulgent smile, but, making no reply, unfastened -her mantle. - -Her robe was of sea-green silk, with an iris pattern. Snared in the -low-cut corsage were beautiful breasts, that seemed as though they -longed to burst forth--a flow of imprisoned beauty. Clasped around -each of the nude, dark arms was a golden snake, with glittering -emerald eyes. Around the throat of darkest cream were two rows of -pearls--pearls that had meant the loss of many lives. - -“If you remember me it is because we have met in the land of dreams, or -in some land of the mind, where it seems that dreams come true. I am -Callisto, daughter of Lamia. During eighteen hundred years my tomb has -had peace. It is in the flowerful fields and woods of Daphne, near to -the hills where were the voluptuous dwelling-places of Antioch. But in -these days even the tombs have no abiding home. They took me to Paris, -and my shadow or spirit followed. For a long time I slept in the icy -caves of the Louvre. I should have been there for ever and ever if it -had not been for a great and grand pagan, a really holy man, Louis -Ménard. He is the only living man in all this land who knows to-day the -signs and symbols of the ancient divinities. Before my tomb he solemnly -pronounced the words that of old gave a nightly and transitory life to -the unhappy dead! Therefore behold me. For seven hours each night I may -go through your miserable city....” - -“Oh, child of the older world,” I cried, “how you must see the change -the world sorrows under!” - -“Yes, and yet no. I find the dwellings dark, the dresses ugly, the sky -sorrowful. How oddly you dress for such a climate. I find that life -in general is more stupid, and that human beings look much less happy -than in the older and more golden days. But if there is one thing that -greatly stupefies me, it is to see that you have still so many of the -things that I knew of old. What ... in eighteen hundred years have you -all made nothing more, nothing new? Is that so really and truly? What -I have seen in the houses, the open air, the streets, is that all? -Have you not succeeded in finding a new thing? If not, what misery, my -friend!” - -My attitude of astonishment was my sole reply. - -She smiled, the lovely red lips parting over her mother-of-pearl teeth -most enchantingly. Then she murmured in explanation-- - -“See how I am dressed. This was my burial attire. Regard it. In my -first lifetime one dressed in wool and silk. In returning to the earth -I thought that such things would have passed away even from the memory -of man. I imagined that after so many years that the human race would -have discovered fabrics to dress in more wonderful than a tissue of -sun and silk, more pleasurable to touch than the exquisite tender skin -of young virgins, of rose-leaves, of downy peaches. But you still -dress or clothe yourselves in thread, in wool, in the silk we all had -of old. Then look at my shoes of olive morocco, worked with gold like -the binding of a rare book. Have you as lovely things for the feet in -these days? And so with the gems and jewels of these days. I knew them -all, then.” - -“Callisto,” at last I said, “you give these things too great an -importance. A girl is never so beautiful as when she is made as the -gods made her.” - -She gazed at me, then said very slowly, “Are you sure now that women -themselves, their form, has not changed since my early days of life?” - - - - -CHAPTER II - - -To my utter amazement she followed her last words by slipping off her -jewels and robes. She had the grandeur of a goddess from throat to -feet. She curved into a long, deep, easy chair, and said, “Why have -you people of to-day not perfected the woman as you have perfected -flowers?” She continued in a soft, dreamy voice, “Oh, days of the youth -of the world, days of the first coming of pleasure!... During the -nineteen hundred years of my sleep in the grave what new joy have you -all discovered. What new pleasure have you found? Invite me to share it -with you....” - -“We need more time, Callisto,” I pleaded. - -She smiled in derision. “Your art and thought have both borrowed from -us--parasites of our dead bodies. Descartes and Kant borrowed from -our Parmenides. Euclid, Archimedes, Aristotle, Democritus, Heraclitus -... you have discovered nothing that they had not dreamt. You have -discovered nothing, not even America. Aristotle said the earth was -round, and indicated the path that Columbus finally took. But, oh! if -only you had discovered _one_ new pleasure; only one.” - -I sighed. I could not combat her arguments any more than I could -resist her beauty. Instead, I simply said, “Will you take a cigarette? -Doubtless Aristotle taught you that----” - -“No,” Callisto answered; “but do you offer me that as a new pleasure?” - -She consented to take one, and I taught her the best method of getting -joy from those tubes of white and gold. There followed a long silence. -She held in her hand my packet of cigarettes, and seemed to be deep -in the enjoyment of an emotion she would not share. Another cigarette -was lit for her, and slowly smoked. Callisto, at last, had found a new -pleasure! - - - - -BYBLIS - - - - - _Amaryllis told to the three young women and the three philosophers, - as if they were little children, this fable._ - -“Travellers I have known, who have gone to Caril by ascending the -Méandre far beyond the range of the shepherds, have seen the River God -asleep in the shade on the river-bank. He had a long green beard, and -his face was wrinkled like the river’s grey and rocky banks from which -trailed dripping plants. His old eyelids seemed dead as they overhung -the eyes which were for ever blind. It is likely that if any one went -to find him now, he would not be discovered alive. - -“Now this was the father of Byblis by his marriage with the nymph -Cyanée; I will tell you the story of the unhappy Byblis.” - - - - -CHAPTER I - - -In the grotto from which the river emerged in a mysterious way the -nymph Cyanée gave birth to twins; one was a son who was named Caunos, -and the other a girl to whom the name of Byblis was given. - -They both grew up upon the banks of the Méandre, and sometimes Cyanée -showed them beneath its transparent surface the divine appearance of -their father, whose soul disturbed its flowing stream. - -The only world the children knew was the forest in which they were -born. They had never seen the sun except through the network of its -branches. Byblis never left her brother, and walked with her arm around -his neck. - -She wore a little tunic which her mother had woven for her in the -depths of the river, which tunic was blue-grey like the first light of -dawn. Caunos wore around his waist nothing but a garland of roses from -which hung a yellow waist-cloth. - -As soon as it was light enough for them to walk in the woods, they -wandered far away, playing with the fruits which had fallen to the -ground, or searching for the largest and most sweetly-scented flowers. -They always shared their finds and never quarrelled, so that their -mother spoke proudly of them to the other nymphs her friends. - - * * * * * - -Now when twelve years from the day of their birth had sped, their -mother became uneasy and sometimes followed them. - -The two children played no longer, and when they returned from a day -in the forest, they brought back nothing with them, neither birds, -flowers, fruits, nor garlands. They walked so close together that their -hair was mingled. Byblis’ hands strayed about her brother’s arms. -Sometimes she kissed him upon the cheek: then they both remained silent. - -When the heat was too great they glided beneath the low branches, and -lying on their breasts upon the sweet-smelling grass talked and adored -each other without ever withdrawing from each other’s embrace. - -Then Cyanée took her son aside and said to him-- - -“Why are you sad?” - -Caunos replied-- - -“I am not sad. I used to be when I was playing and laughing. Now -everything is changed. I no longer feel the need of play, and if I do -not laugh it is because I am happy.” - -Then Cyanée asked him, “Why are you happy?” - -The answer which Caunos gave her was-- - -“Because I look at Byblis.” - -Cyanée asked him too-- - -“Why is it that you do not now look at the forest?” - -“Because Byblis’ hair is softer and more scented than the grass; -because Byblis’ eyes--” - -But Cyanée stopped him. “Child! be silent!” - -Hoping to cure him of his illicit passion, she at once took him -to a mountain-nymph who had seven daughters most wondrously and -indescribably beautiful. - -Both of them, after planning together, said to him-- - -“Make your choice, Caunos, and the one who pleases you shall be your -wife.” - -But Caunos looked at the seven young girls as unmovedly as if he had -been looking at seven rocks; for the image of Byblis quite filled his -little soul, and there was not room in him for an alien love. - -For a month Cyanée took her son from mountain to mountain, and from -plain to plain without succeeding in diverting him from his desire. - -At last realizing that she would never overcome his obstinate passion, -she began to hate her son and accuse him of infamous conduct. But the -child did not understand why his mother reproached him. Why among all -women was he to be refused the one he loved? Why was it that caresses, -which would have been permissible in the importunate arms of another, -became criminal in the arms of his beloved Byblis? For what mysterious -reason was it that a sentiment which he knew to be good, tender and -capable of any sacrifice, was deemed worthy of every punishment? Zeus, -he thought, married his sister, and Aphrodite dared to deceive her -brother Ares with her brother Hephaïstos. For he did not yet know that -the gods alone have given themselves an intelligent morality and that -they disturb men’s virtue by incomprehensible laws. - -Now Cyanée said to her son-- - -“I disown you as my child!” - -She made a sign to a Centaur which was going towards the sea, and had -Caunos placed upon its back. Then the beast went rapidly away. - -For some time Cyanée followed her son with her eyes. Caunos in his -fright clung to the shoulders of the beast, and was sometimes buried in -its monstrous mane. Then Centaur moved with long and powerful strides; -it travelled in a straight line, and soon grew small in the distance. -Then it turned behind a clump of bushes, and reappeared looking from -afar like a tiny and almost stationary speck. At last Cyanée could see -it no longer. - -Slowly the mother of Byblis retraced her steps into the forest. - -She was sad, but at the same time proud of saving by a forced -separation the destiny of her two children; and she thanked the gods -for giving her the strength to accomplish such a heartrending duty. - -“Now,” she thought, “Byblis being alone will forget the brother who has -been sacrificed for her. She will fall in love with the first man who -knows how to caress her, and from the marriage-bed will spring, as is -right, a race half human and half divine. Blest are the immortal gods!” - -But when she returned to the grotto, little Byblis had disappeared. - - - - -CHAPTER II - - -When Byblis found herself alone upon the little bed of green leaves -upon which she had slept by her brother’s side every night, she had in -vain tried to sleep; but that evening dreams came not to her. - -She went out into the warm night. A gentle breath of air swayed the -darkness of the forest. She sat down and watched the flowing stream. - -“Why,” she thought, “has not Caunos come back. What has called him away -and kept him from me. Who is it, father, that is separating us?” - -As this last idea came to her she leant over the spring. - -“Father!” she repeated, “father! where is Caunos? Reveal the secret to -me?” - -A murmur of the water answered-- - -“Far away.” - -Byblis in affright quickly continued-- - -“When will he return? When will he come back to me?” - -“Never,” the spring replied. - -“Dead! Is he dead?” - -“No.” - -“Where shall I see him again?” - -The spring spake no more. Its gentle ripple resumed its monotonous -sound. No divine presence seemed to live in its clear waters. - -Byblis got up and fled. She knew the path by which Caunos had started -with his mother. It was a narrow track which wound from tree to tree as -it buried itself in the forest. She had not traversed it often, for it -ran through a valley infested with serpents and dangerous beasts. This -time her desire overcame her fear, and she tremblingly followed the -path with all the speed of which her little bare feet were capable. - -The night was not very dark; but the shadows thrown by the moon are -black, and behind the mighty trees Byblis had to feel her way. - -She reached a spot where the pathway split in two. Which direction was -she to take, which path was she to follow? On her knees she for a long -time sought for a footstep to guide her. But the earth was dry. Byblis -could see nothing. As she lifted her head she perceived that, hidden in -the foliage of an oak, a tree-nymph with green breasts was watching her -with a smile. - -“Oh!” Byblis cried, “which way did they go? Tell me if you saw them.” - -The tree-nymph extended one of her long branch-like arms to the right, -and Byblis thanked her with a grateful glance. - -She walked on that night for a long way. The pathway seemed -never-ending, and, besides, it was hardly visible beneath a covering of -dead leaves; it ceaselessly wound its way, determined in its direction -by the chance of the soil, and the position of the trees; it seemed to -climb up and descend into the shadows for ever. - -At last worn out with fatigue Byblis fell to the ground and went to -sleep. - -She awakened in the morning when the sun was high in the heavens with a -soft, warm sensation upon her outstretched hand. She opened her eyes to -see a white hind gently licking her. But at Byblis’ first movement the -graceful animal jumped up, pricked its ears, and fixed its lovely dark -eyes, which glittered like a mountain stream, upon a distant point. - -“Hind,” Byblis said, “to whom do you belong? If your mistress is the -Goddess Artemis guide me, for I know her. I offer up to her in the full -moonlight libations of goat’s milk which are very pleasing to her, -and, hind, she loves me dearly. If you are one of her company listen -to the voice of my anguish, and be sure that by so doing you will not -displease the kind Huntress of the Night.” - -The hind appeared to understand; it started off at a pace slow enough -for the child to follow. In this way they both traversed a vast expanse -of forest and crossed two streams, the hind crossing them with a bound -while Byblis had to wade knee-deep across them. Byblis was full of -confidence. She was now sure that she was upon the right track; without -a doubt the hind had been sent by the goddess herself out of gratitude -for her devoutness, and the divine animal was leading her through -the woods to her beloved brother from whom she would never again be -separated. Every step took her nearer to the place where she would see -Caunos again. She could even now feel upon her breast the fugitive’s -affectionate embrace. A part of his breath seemed to have entered into -the atmosphere and to have charmed the breeze. - -Suddenly the hind stopped. She slid her long head between two young -trees, where at the same time the horns of a stag appeared, and just as -if she had reached the end of her journey the hind lay down with her -hoofs beneath her and her head upon the ground. - -“Caunos!” Byblis called aloud, “Caunos, where are you?” - -Her only answer was from the stag, as he took a few steps towards her -and threatened her with his terrible horns, which were interwoven like -ten brown serpents. - -Then Byblis understood that the hind, like her, had come to meet her -lover, and that it was perhaps useless to reckon upon the help of these -entirely absorbed by an inward passion. - -She turned back, but she was lost. She took another track, which -rapidly descended to an invisible path. Her poor little weary feet -stumbled over the stones, caught in the roots, and slipped upon the -brown carpet of pine-needles. At a turn in this uneven path, which -followed the course of a stream, she stopped before a divine couple. - -They were two nymphs of different orders, one of them having authority -over the forests and the other the spring waters. The oread had brought -to the naiad the fresh offerings received from men, and both of them -were bathing in the stream, sporting and embracing as they did so. - -“Naiad,” Byblis said, “have you seen the son of Cyanée?” - -“Yes. His shadow has passed over me. It was yesterday at sunset.” - -“From what direction did he come?” - -“I do not know.” - -“Where was he going?” - -“I did not follow him.” - -Byblis uttered a profound sigh. - -“Did you,” she asked the other nymph, “see the son of Cyanée?” - -“Yes. Far away from here in the mountains.” - -“Whence did he come?” - -“I did not follow him.” - -“Where was he going?” - -“I have forgotten.” - -Then she continued, rising up in the midst of the flowing waters as she -spake-- - -“Remain with us, young girl, stay. Why do you still think of him, who -is absent? We have treasured up for you boundless present joys. There -is no future happiness worth the trouble of pursuit.” - -But Byblis did not think that the nymph had spoken the truth. Although -she was unable to express the ideas of her little soul, she could not -conceive any greater joy than to suffer in the pursuit of happiness. -During the first day of her useless journey she had counted on the -assistance and zeal of the unknown creatures. When she saw that they -were careless about aiding her destiny she relied solely upon herself, -and, leaving the winding path, penetrated haphazard into the labyrinth -of the woods. - -But the two immortals repeated their words of wisdom. - -“Stay with us, young girl, stay. Why do you still think of the absent -one? There is no future happiness worth the trouble of pursuit.” - -Long, long afterwards the child as she crossed the mysterious mountain -could hear in the distance two clear voices, calling together-- - -“Byblis!” - - - - -CHAPTER III - - -For a night and day Byblis traversed the mountain. She made anxious -inquiries of all the deities of the woods, of the trees, of the glades -and the thickets. She recounted her sorrows many times; she tremblingly -implored their assistance, and wrung her little hands. But not one of -them had seen Caunos. - -She climbed up so high that her mother’s holy name was quite unknown to -all she met, and the unconcerned nymphs did not understand her. - -She wanted to retrace her steps, but she was lost. On every side she -was surrounded by a confused colonnade of enormous pine-trees. There -were no more paths. There was no horizon. She ran in every direction. -She called out in despair. - -There was not even an echo to be heard. - -Then as her weary eyelids drooped lower and lower she lay down upon the -ground and a passing dream told her in measured tones-- - -“You will never see your brother, you will never set eyes upon him -again.” - -She awoke with a start, with her arms outstretched and her mouth open, -but she was so overwhelmed with sorrow and anguish that she had not the -strength to cry out. - -The moon rose red like blood behind the high black outlines of the -pine-trees. Byblis could hardly see it. It seemed to her that a humid -veil had been dropped over her long eyes. An eternal silence had -enveloped the sleeping woods. - -Then a large tear gathered in the corner of her left eye. - -Byblis had never before wept. She believed that she was about to die, -and sighed as if divine solace had come to her aid in a mysterious way. - -The tear grew, trembled, became larger still and then suddenly trickled -down her cheek. - -Byblis remained motionless with fixed eyes in the light of the moon. - -Then a large tear filled the corner of her right eye. It grew like the -other and trickled down her right cheek. - -Two other tears came, two burning drops which flowed down the moist -track made by the other. They reached the corner of her mouth; a -delightful bitterness overcame the worn-out child. - -Then never more would her hand touch the beloved hand of Caunos. Never -more would she see the gleam of his black eyes, his dear head, and wavy -hair. Never again would they sleep side by side in each other’s arms -upon the same bed of leaves. The forests no longer knew his name. - -An overwhelming outburst of despair made Byblis hide her face in her -hands, but such an abundance of tears moistened her inflamed cheeks -that she seemed to feel a miraculous spring washing away her sufferings -like dead leaves upon the waters of a torrent. - -The tears which had been gradually born in her, rose to her eyes, -welled up, overflowed, trickled in a warm flood over her cheeks, bathed -her tiny breasts and fell upon her entwined legs. She did not feel -them trickle one by one between her long lashes: they were a gentle -and never-ending stream, an inexhaustible flood, the outpouring of an -enchanted sea. - -But awakened by the moonlight the deities of the forest had gathered -from every side. The bark of the trees became transparent and allowed -the faces of the nymphs to be seen; and even the quivering naiads left -the water and the rocks and came into the woods. - -They all crowded around Byblis and spoke to her, for they were -frightened because the river of the child’s tears had traced in the -earth a sinuous track which was slowly extending towards the plain. - -But now Byblis could hear nothing, neither voices, footsteps, nor the -night wind. Her attitude little by little became eternal. Her skin had -assumed beneath the deluge of tears the smooth white tint of marble -washed by the waters. The wind would not have disturbed one of her -hairs which were as long as her arms. She died like pure marble. A -vague light still illuminated her vision. Suddenly it went out; but -fresh tears still flowed from her eyes. - -In that way was Byblis changed into a fountain. - - - - -LÊDA - - - - -There was not light enough in which to clearly see any creature or -thing; it was twilight, the time of the gauzy haze that haunts our -dreams. - -Moonbeams were beginning to light up the blackest branches of trees: -moonlight and the shine of flinching silver stars. - -There were four young Corinthians reclining upon the ground near to -three young men. They were deep in pleasant thought, but opened their -eyes wide when the grave Melandryon said these words-- - -“I will tell you the story of the Swan and the little Nymph who lived -upon the banks of the Eurotas. It is a story in praise of blissful -shadows.” He half raised himself, and what he told his companions now -follows. - - - - -CHAPTER I - - -In those days there were no tombs by the roadside and no temples upon -the hills. Men themselves scarce existed; there was not much talk of -them. The earth was given up to the joy of the gods and the times -favoured the birth of amazing divinities. It was the time of Echnida -and the Chimera of Pasiphæ and the Minotaur. The young ones that there -were went pale through the woods fearing to be waylaid by dragons. -Nevertheless upon the humid banks of the river Eurotas, where the -trees were so thick that one could not see the light, there lived an -extraordinary young girl who was blue-tinted like the light of the -night, mysterious as the moon and sweet as the Milky Way. That was why -they had named her Lêda. She was in truth almost blue, for the blood -of the iris was in her veins and not the blood of the rose that is in -your own veins. Her lips shone with blue like her eyes. Her hair was -so abundant that she sometimes seemed to have long wings. She loved -only the water and the night. Her chief pleasure was to walk upon the -soft springy spongy turf of the banks near the water. She could feel -the cold moisture of the water but hardly see the water itself, and her -naked feet had little shudders of pleasure and were softly moistened. - -For she did not bathe in the river because of her fear of the jealous -water-nymphs, and she did not want to give herself up to the water -entirely. But she loved to moisten her body and hair with the sweet -river-water. Sometimes she took up into her hands the freshness of the -flood and poured it between her young breasts, watching it trickle down -and run away. Sometimes she laid her full length down upon the bank -and drank from the surface of the water slowly, sweetly. Then she -seemed like a thirsty little animal. Such was chiefly her life: that -and thinking upon the satyrs. Sometimes one came upon her unexpectedly -but fled in affright, for they all thought her to be Phœbe, and austere -to those who saw her naked. She would have liked to talk to them had -they stayed near her. Their appearance filled her with astonishment. -One night when she had gone for a short walk in the forest, because it -had been raining and the ground was like a torrent, she approached one -of these half-divine creatures as he slept and gazed upon him; but she, -too, in her turn became horrified and quickly retraced her steps. Since -that time she occasionally thought of the incident and was disturbed -about things she did not understand. She began to gaze at herself and -found herself mysterious. It was the time when she became sentimental -and spent much time in weeping. - -When the nights were clear she gazed at her reflection in the water. -Once the thought came to her that it would be better for her to plait -her hair like a serpent and so display the nape of her neck which the -touch of her hand told her was beautiful. She chose a jewel for her -hair and made herself a garland of the leaves of water-lilies and their -blossoms. - -At first she took pleasure in walking like this. But as she was alone -there was none to gaze at her. Then she became unhappy and ceased to be -amused. - -Now her spirit did not know itself but her body awaited the beating of -the Swan’s wings. - - - - -CHAPTER II - - -One evening, as she was hardly awake and thought of continuing her -dream, because a long streak of yellow daylight still flowed behind the -darkness of the forest, her attention was attracted by the sound of the -reeds near her and she saw the apparition of a Swan. - -The beautiful bird was as white as a woman, splendid as the light and -gleaming like a cloud. It seemed to be like a midday sky, its form and -its winged spirit. That is why it was called Dzeus. - -Lêda knew it to be looking at her as it flew and walked in turn. It -circled around the nymph at a distance and looked sidelong at her. Even -when it was almost touching her it still continued to approach, and -rising on its red feet it stretched its graceful and undulating neck -as high as possible before her young thighs. - -Lêda’s astonished hands carefully grasped its little head and caressed -it. The bird fluttered all its feathers, with its soft and feathery -wings it gripped her naked legs and bent them; Lêda let herself fall -upon the ground. - -She covered her face with her two hands. She experienced neither fear -nor shame but inexpressible joy and a beating of the heart which made -her breasts tremble. - -She did not realize or understand what was about to happen. She did not -even understand why she was happy. She felt along her arms the supple -neck of the Swan. - -Why had it come? What had she done that it should come to her? Why had -it not flown away like the other swans on the river or fled like the -satyrs into the forest? From her earliest recollection she had always -lived alone. For that reason her ideas were very limited and the events -of that night were so disconcerting. This Swan she had neither called -nor seen, for she was asleep. It had come. - -She neither dared to look nor move lest it should fly away. She felt -upon her flushed cheeks the freshness of the beating of its wings. - -Soon it seemed to recoil and its caresses changed. She felt between her -cool knees the warmth of the bird’s body. - -She uttered a long sigh of bounteous delight, let fall backward with -closed eyes her fevered head, and plucked the grass with convulsive -fingers. - -Then for a long while she remained motionless. At her first gesture -her hand met the Swan’s beak. She sat up and saw the reflection of the -great bird in the river. She wished to rise but the bird prevented her. - -She wished to take a little water in the palm of her hand and moisten -her flesh, but the Swan prevented her with its wing. - -She clasped the bird in her arms and covered its thick feathers with -kisses, making it set them up with her embraces. Then she stretched -herself upon the river-bank and fell into a deep sleep. - -The next morning at daybreak a new sensation awakened her with a start: -something seemed to become detached from her body. A large blue egg -rolled in front of her and shone like a sapphire. - -She wanted to take it and play with it or else cook it in the warm -ashes as she had seen the satyrs do; but the Swan picked it up in its -beak and placed it under a tuft of overhanging reeds. It stretched -out its wings over the egg with its gaze fixed upon Lêda, and then -with a movement of the wings slowly soared straight up into the sky to -disappear in the growing daylight with the last white star. - - - - -CHAPTER III - - -Lêda hoped that the following night the Swan would come back to her, -and she waited for it in the reeds by the river-side near the blue egg -which was born of their miraculous union. - -The Eurotas was covered with swans, but her Swan was not among them. -She would have recognized it from a thousand, and even with her eyes -shut would have perceived its approach. But it was very certain that -the one was no longer there. - -Then she took off her garland of water-lily leaves, dropped it into the -stream, let down her hair and began to weep. - -When after a time she dried her eyes a great Satyr was near her though -she had not heard his approach. - -Now she was no longer like Phœbe. She had lost her virginity. The -satyrs were no longer afraid of her. - -She leapt to her feet and drew back in affright. - -The Satyr gently said to her: “Who are you?” - -“I am Lêda,” she replied. - -He was silent for a moment and then went on-- - -“Why are you different from the other nymphs? Why are you blue like the -water and the night?” - -“I do not know.” - -He looked at her in great astonishment. - -“What are you doing here all alone?” - -“I am waiting for the Swan.” - -She was looking at the river. “What Swan?” he asked. - -“The Swan. I did not call it, I did not see it, but it appeared. I was -so surprised. I will tell you.” - -She told him what had happened and parted the reeds to show him the -blue egg. - -The Satyr understood. He began to laugh and gave her vulgar -explanations, which she stopped by putting her hand over his mouth; -then she cried-- - -“I do not wish to know. I will not know. Oh, you have told me. Oh! it -is frightful! Now I shall not be able to love the Swan, and I shall die -of unhappiness.” - -He seized her by the arm in his passion. - -“Do not touch me!” she cried through her tears. “Oh! how happy was I -this morning! I did not realize how happy I was! Now if it return I -shall not love it. Now you have told me! Ah! how wicked you are!” - -He embraced her and caressed her hair. - -“Oh, no! no! no!” she cried. “Do not do that! Oh if the Swan were to -come back! Alas! alas! all is ended.” - -She stood with staring eyes and open mouth without weeping but with -hands trembling with fear. - -“I would like to die. I do not even know whether I am mortal. I would -like to die in the water, but I fear the naiads, lest they make me join -them. Oh! what have I done!” - -She sobbed bitterly in his arms. But a serious voice spake before her, -and when she opened her eyes she saw the river god crowned with green -leaves rising half out of the water and leaning upon a staff of light -wood. - -He said-- - -“You are quite right. But you have loved the symbol of all that is -light and glorious, and you have been united to it. - -“Of the symbol is born the symbol, and of the symbol will be born -Beauty. It is in the blue egg which you have seen. Since the beginning -of the world it has been called Helen; and the last man of all shall -know of her existence. - -“You were full of love because you were ignorant. For that let the -blessed darkness be praised. - -“But you are a woman, too, and bear in you the obscure being who would -be simply himself, whose father has not foreseen him, and whose son -does not know him. I will take the germ in my waters. It shall remain -in obscurity. - -“You were full of hatred because you learned the truth. I will make you -forget it. For that let the blessed darkness be praised.” - -She did not understand what the God had said, but she thanked him with -tears. - -She entered the bed of the river to purify herself from the Satyr, and -when she returned to the bank she had lost every remembrance of her -sorrow and her joy. - - * * * * * - -Melandryon spake no more. The women were all silent. But Rhea asked-- - -“What of Kaftor and Polydeukes? You have told us nothing of them. They -were the brothers of Helen.” - -“No, that is not true, they are not interesting. Helen alone was a -child of the Swan.” - -“Why, too, do you say that the Swan wounded her with its beak? That is -not in the legend, nor is it likely. Then why do you say that Lêda was -blue like water in the night? You have a reason for saying it.” - -“Did you not hear the words of the River. Symbols must never be -explained. They must not be understood. Have faith. Ah! do not doubt. -The maker of the symbol has concealed a truth in it, but he need not -explain it or what would be the use of the reader of symbols. - -“One must not tear aside ceremonies, for they only conceal the -invisible. We know that in these trees adorable nymphs are enclosed, -and yet when the wood-cutter fells the trees they are dead. We know -that behind us are dancing satyrs and divine nakedness but we need not -turn round, for if we do all will have disappeared. - -“The undulating reflection of the springs is actually the naiad. The -buck standing in the midst of the does is the reality of the Satyr. One -or other of you all is Aphrodite in reality. But we must not know it, -we must not seek to find it out. Such is the condition of love and joy. -Praise be to the blessed darkness for it.” - - - - -IMMORTAL LOVE - -(_From “Aphrodite”_) - - - - -CHAPTER I - -THE GARDENS OF THE GODDESS - - -The temple of Aphrodite-Astarte stood outside the gates of the city in -an immense domain full of flowers and shadows, where the waters of the -Nile flowed through seven aqueducts and maintained at all seasons a -state of wonderful fertility. - -This forest of flowers on the sea-shore, these deep streams, these -lakes and shady meadows had been created in the desert by Ptolemy I. -Since that time the sycamores planted by his orders had become giants; -through the fertilizing influence of the waters the lawns had grown -into meadows; the ponds had become enlarged into lakes; Nature had -turned a park into a country. - -The gardens were more than a valley, more than a country, more than a -land; they were a complete world enclosed within walls of stone, and -ruled by a Goddess who was the soul and centre of this universe. All -around this domain arose a circular terrace. Its boundary was not a -wall, it was a colossal city, consisting of fourteen hundred houses. A -like number of courtesans dwelt in this holy city and represented in -this spot alone seventy different races. - -These sacred houses were uniform in design, and had upon each door the -courtesan’s name who dwelt there. - -Upon each side of the door were two rooms without walls upon the side -next to the gardens. The room to the right was where the courtesan -arrayed in all her finery sat to await the arrival of her visitors. The -room on the left was at the disposal of those who wished to pass the -night in the open air without sleeping on the grass. - -On opening the door a passage gave entrance to a vast courtyard paved -with marble, the middle of which was adorned by an oval basin. A -peristyle provided the shade around this great square of light, and -formed a zone of coolness for the entrance to the seven rooms of the -house. At the back stood the altar which was of red granite. - -Every woman had brought from her own country a little image of the -Goddess, and as it stood there upon the altar of the house it was -worshipped by each one in her own tongue. Lakmî Ashtoreth, Venus, -Iskhtar, Freia, Mylitta, and Cypris were some of the holy names of -their Divinity of Pleasure. Some worshipped the divinity in the -symbolical shapes of a sea pebble, a conical stone, or a large prickly -shell. In many of the houses there was upon a wooden stand a rough -statuette with thin arms, large breasts, and huge thighs. They placed -a myrtle branch at the feet of the idol, strewed the altar with -rose-leaves, and burnt a grain of incense for each prayer which was -granted. The Goddess was the confidante of all their sorrows, the -witness of all their labours, and the supposed cause of all their -pleasure. At the courtesan’s death the image was placed in her fragile -coffin as a guardian of her tomb. - -The most beautiful of these girls came from the kingdoms of Asia. Every -year vessels bearing to Alexandria gifts from tributaries or allies -landed besides their cargoes a hundred virgins chosen by the priests -for the service of the sacred garden. They came from Mysia, Crete, -Phrygia, Babylon, and the banks of the Ganges, and there were also -Jewesses among them. Some were fair of skin with impassive faces and -inflexible breasts; others were dark as the earth after rain, and had -gold rings through their noses, and dark hair hanging down upon their -shoulders. Some came from still more distant lands; they were slender, -quiet little creatures, whose language no one understood and who -looked like yellow monkeys. Their eyes were long, and their straight -black hair was grotesquely arranged. These girls spent the whole of -their lives like lost and frightened animals. They knew the gestures -of love but declined to kiss upon the mouth. They amused themselves by -playing childish games. - -In a meadow apart, the fair and rosy daughters of the North lived -together sleeping upon the grass. These were women from Sarmatia -with triple-plaited hair, robust limbs, and square shoulders, who -made themselves garlands of the branches of trees and wrestled among -themselves for amusement; there were flat-nosed hairy Scythians and -gigantic Teutons who terrified the Egyptians with their hair which -was lighter than an old man’s and their flesh which was softer than a -child’s; there were Gauls like animals, who laughed without reason, and -young Celts with sea-green eyes, who never went out naked. - -The women of Iberia, too, who had swarthy breasts, spent their days -together. They had heavy masses of hair which was skilfully arranged -and did not remove the hairs from their bodies. Their firm skins and -strong limbs were much in favour with the Alexandrians. They were as -often employed as dancers as taken for mistresses. - -In the shade of the palm-trees dwelt the daughters of Africa, the -Numidians veiled in white, the Carthaginians clad in black gauze, and -Negresses clad in many-coloured costumes. - -There were fourteen hundred women. - -When a woman once entered the sacred garden, she never left it till the -first day of her old age came upon her. She gave to the temple half of -her gains and the rest sufficed for her food and perfumes. - -They were not slaves and each one really possessed one of the Terrace -houses; but all were not equally favoured and the more fortunate -often purchased houses near their own which the owners sold to save -themselves from growing thin through starvation. The latter then -removed the image of their Divinity into the park and found an altar -consisting of a flat stone, near which they took up their abode. The -poor people knew this and sought out the women who slept in the open -air near their altars; but sometimes they were neglected even by the -poor, and then the unfortunate girls united in their misery, two and -two, in a passionate friendship which became almost conjugal love, and -shared their misfortunes. - -Those without friends offered themselves as slaves to their more -fortunate companions. They were forbidden to have in their service -more than twelve of these poor girls, but these poor courtesans are -mentioned as having the maximum number which was composed of a -selection from many races. - -If a courtesan bore a son, the child was taken into the precincts of -the temple for the service of her divinity. When a daughter was born -she was consecrated to the service of the Goddess. The first day of her -life her symbolical marriage with the son of Dionysius was celebrated. -Later she entered the Didascalion, a great school situated behind the -temple where little girls learned in seven classes the theory and -method of all the erotic arts; the glance, the embrace, the movements -of the body, caresses and the secrets of the kiss. The pupil chose -the day of her first experience because desire is a command from the -Goddess which must not be disobeyed; on that day she received a house -on the Terrace; and some of these children, though not yet nubile, were -the most popular of all. - -The interior of the Didascalion, the seven classes, the little theatre -and the peristyle of the court were ornamented with ninety-two frescoes -which comprised the teaching of love. They were the lifework of a man, -Cleochares of Alexandria the natural son and disciple of Apelles, -who had furnished them on his death-bed. Lately Queen Berenice, who -was greatly interested in this famous school and had sent her little -sisters there, had ordered from Demetrios a series of marble groups to -complete the decoration; but only one of them had yet been placed in -position in the infants’ school. - -At the end of every year in the presence of all the famous courtesans, -a great gathering took place at which there was extraordinary emulation -among the women to win the twelve prizes offered, for they consisted of -the entry into the Cotytteion, the greatest honour of which they ever -dreamed. - -This last monument was wrapped in such mystery that to-day it is not -possible to give a detailed description of it. We only know that it -was in the shape of a triangle the base of which was a temple to the -Goddess Cotytto, in whose name frightful unheard-of debauchery was -committed. The two other sides of the monument consisted of eighteen -houses; thirty-six courtesans dwelt there, and were much sought after -by wealthy lovers; they were the Baptes of Alexandria. Once every -month, on the night of the full moon, they met within the temple -maddened by aphrodisiacs. The oldest of the thirty-six had to take -a fatal dose of the terrible erotogenous drug. The certainty of her -immediate death made her try without fear all the dangerous pleasures -from which the living recoil. Her body, which soon became covered with -sweat, was the centre and model of the whirling orgie; in the midst -of loud wailings, cries, tears and dancing the other naked women -embraced her, mingled their hair in her sweat, rubbed themselves upon -her burning skin and derived fresh ardour from the interrupted spasm of -this furious agony. For three years these women lived in this way, and -at the end of thirty-six months such was the intoxication of their end. - -Other but less venerated sanctuaries had been built by the women in -honour of the other names of Aphrodite. There was an altar consecrated -to the Ouranian Aphrodite which received the chaste vows of sentimental -courtesans; another to Aphrodite Apostrophia, where unfortunate love -affairs were forgotten, and there were many others. But these separate -altars were only efficacious and effective in the case of trivial -desires. They were used day by day, and their favours were trivial -ones. The suppliants who had their requests granted placed offerings -of flowers on them, while those who were not satisfied spat upon -them. They were neither consecrated nor maintained by the priests and -consequently their profanation was not punishable. - -The discipline of the Temple was very different. - -The Temple, the Mighty Temple of the Great Goddess, the most holy place -in the whole of Egypt, was a colossal edifice 336 feet in length with -golden gates standing at the top of seventeen steps at the end of the -gardens. - -The entrance was not towards the East, but in the direction of Paphos, -that is to say the north-west; the rays of the sun never penetrated -directly into the Sanctuary. Eighty-six columns supported the -architraves, they were all tinted with purple to half their height, and -the upper part of each stood out with indescribable whiteness like the -bust of a woman from her attire. - -Within were placed sculptured groups representing many famous scenes, -Europa and the Bull, Lêda and the Swan, the Siren and the dying -Glaucos, the God Pan and a Hamadryad, and at the end of the frieze the -sculptor was depicted modelling the Goddess Aphrodite herself. - - - - -CHAPTER II - -MYLITTA AND MELITTA - - -“Purify yourself, stranger.” - -“I shall enter pure,” Demetrios said. With the end of her hair dipped -in the holy water the young guardian of the gate moistened first his -eyes, then his lips and then his fingers, so that his look, the kiss -from his mouth and the caress of his hands were all sanctified. - -Then he advanced into the wood of Aphrodite. - -Through the darkening branches he saw the sun set a dark purple which -did not dazzle the eyes. It was the evening of the day when his meeting -with Chrysis had disturbed his life. That day he had seen a beautiful -woman upon the jetty, and addressed himself to her. She had declined -his advances though he was Demetrios the famous sculptor, a young, -wealthy and handsome man and the accredited lover of Queen Berenice. To -obtain her favour Chrysis, the courtesan, had imposed upon him three -almost impossible conditions. She required him to present to her the -silver mirror of Bacchis the famous courtesan, her friend, the ivory -comb worn by Touni the wife of the High Priest, and last of all the -necklace of pearls from the neck of the statue of the Goddess Aphrodite -within the Holy Temple. The first two of her demands could be carried -out possibly even without the shedding of blood, but her third behest -would mean the committal of an act of sacrilege punishable by death, -before which the boldest would hesitate. The feminine soul is so -transparent, that men cannot believe it to be so. Where there is only -a straight line they obstinately seek the complexity of an intricate -path. This was why the soul of Chrysis, in reality as clear as that of -a little child, appeared to Demetrios more mysterious than a problem -in metaphysics. When he left her on the jetty, he returned home in a -dream unable to reply to the questions which assailed him. What would -she do with the three gifts she had ordered him to procure her? It was -impossible for her to wear or sell a famous stolen mirror, the comb -of a woman who had perhaps been murdered in its acquirement, or the -necklace of pearls belonging to the Goddess. By retaining possession of -them she exposed herself every day to a discovery which would be fatal -to her. Then why did she ask for them? Was it to destroy them? He knew -that women did not rejoice in secrets and that good luck only pleased -them when it was well known to every one. Then, too, by what divination -or clairvoyance had she judged him to be capable of accomplishing three -such extraordinary deeds? - -Surely if he had wished, Chrysis might have been carried off, placed -in his power and become his mistress, his wife or his slave, as he -pleased. He had too the chance of destroying her. Revolutions in the -past had accustomed the citizens to deaths by violence, and no one was -disturbed by the disappearance of a courtesan. Chrysis must know him, -and yet she dared.... - -The more he thought of her the more her strange commands seemed to -please him. How many women were her equal! how many had presented -themselves to him in an unfavourable manner! What did she demand? -Neither love, gold, nor jewels, but three impossible crimes! She -interested him keenly. He had offered her all the treasures of Egypt: -he realized now that if she had accepted them she would not have -received two obols, and he would have wearied of her even before he had -known her. Three crimes, assuredly, were an uncommon salary; but she -was worthy to receive it since she was the woman to demand it, and he -promised himself to go on with the adventure. - -To give himself no time to repent of his resolutions that very day he -went to the house of Bacchis, found it empty, took the silver mirror -and fled into the gardens. Must he at once go to the second victim of -Chrysis? Demetrios did not think so. The wife of the High Priest Touni, -who possessed the famous ivory comb, was so charming and so weak that -he feared to approach her without preliminary precautions. So he turned -back and walked along the great Terrace. - -The courtesans were outside their dwellings like a display of flowers. -There was no less diversity in their attitudes and costumes than in -their ages, types and nationalities. The most beautiful, according -to the tradition of Phryne, only leaving the oval of their faces -uncovered, were clad from their hair to their heels in great robes -of fine wool. Others had adopted the fashion of transparent robes, -through which their beauty could be distinguished in a mysterious way, -as through limpid water one can see the patches of green weeds at the -bottom of the river. Those whose only charm was their youth remained -naked to the waist, and displayed the firmness of their breasts. But -the older women, knowing how much more quickly a woman’s face grows old -than does the skin of the body, sat quite naked, holding their breasts. - -Demetrios passed very slowly in front of them without allowing himself -to admire them. - -He could never view a woman’s nakedness without intense emotion. He -could not realize any feeling of disgust in the presence of the dead, -or of insensibility with very young girls. That evening every woman -could have charmed him. Provided she kept silence and did not display -any more ardour than the minimum demanded by politeness her beauty did -not matter. He preferred, also, that she should have a “coarse” body, -for the more his thoughts were fixed upon perfect shapes the further -away from them did his desire depart. The trouble, which the impression -of living beauty gave to him, was of an exclusively cerebral sensuality -which reduced to naught other excitation. He recollected with agony -that he had remained for an hour like an old man by the side of the -most admirable woman he had ever held in his arms. Since that night he -had learned to select less pure mistresses. - -“Friend,” a voice said, “do you not know me?” - -He turned, shook his head and went on his way, for he never visited -the same girl twice. That was the only principle he carried out in his -visits to the gardens. - -“Clonarion!” - -“Gnathene!” - -“Plango!” - -“Mnaïs!” - -“Crobyle!” - -“Iœsa!” - -They called out their names as he passed, and some added, as a further -inducement, a phrase upon their own ardent nature. Demetrios continued -his walk; he was inclined, as his usual custom was, to pick out one of -them haphazard, when a little girl dressed in blue spoke to him softly. - -“Open the door for me,” he said. “I wish to speak to you.” - -The little girl jumped gaily to her feet and knocked twice with the -knocker. An old slave opened the door. - -“Gorgo,” the girl said, “bring some wine and cakes.” - -She led the way into her chamber, which was very plain, like that of -all very young courtesans. Two large beds, a little tapestry and a few -chairs comprised the furniture, but through a large open bay could be -seen the gardens, the sea, and the roadstead of Alexandria. Demetrios -remained standing looking at the distant city. - -The sun sinking behind the harbour, that incomparable glory of a coast -town, the calm sky, the purple waters, were they not enough to bring -silence to any soul bursting with joy or sorrow! What footsteps would -they not stay, what pleasure suspend and what voice they not hush? -Demetrios watched: a swell of torrent-like flame seemed to leap out -from the sun which had half sunk into the sea and to flow straight to -the curved edge of the wood of Aphrodite. From one to another of the -two horizons the rich purple tone overran the Mediterranean in zones -of shades without transition from golden red to pale purple. Between -the moving splendour and the green mirror of the Mareotis lake the -white mass of the city was clothed in reddish violet reflections. The -different aspects of its twenty thousand flat houses marvellously -speckled it with twenty thousand patches of colour perpetually changing -with the decreasing phasis of the rays in the west. Now it was rapid -and fiery; then the sun was engulfed with almost startling suddenness -and the first approach of the night caused a tremor throughout the -earth and a hidden breeze. - -“Here are figs, sweets, honey and wine. You must eat the figs before it -is dark.” - -The girl came in with a laugh. She made the young man sit down and took -up her position upon his knees, refastening, as she did so, a rose in -her hair which was in danger of falling out. - -Demetrios uttered an exclamation of surprise, she looked so young and -childish that he felt full of pity for her. - -“But you are not a woman!” he cried. - -“I am not a woman! By the two Goddesses what am I then? a Thracian, a -porter or an old philosopher?” - -“How old are you?” - -“Ten years and a half. Eleven years. You can say eleven. I was born in -the gardens. My mother is a Milesian, her name is Pythias, nicknamed -the ’Goat.’ Shall I send for her if you think I am too young? She has a -soft skin and is very beautiful.” - -“You have been to the Didascalion?” - -“I am still there in the sixth class. I shall finish there next year; -it will not be any too soon.” - -“What don’t you like then?” - -“Ah! if you only knew how hard to please the mistresses are. They -make you begin the same lesson twenty-five times, and it is all about -useless things which the men never desire. Then one tires oneself for -nothing, and I do not like that. Come, have a fig; not that one, it is -not ripe. I will show you a new way to eat them--look.” - -“I know it. It takes longer, but it is not a better way. I believe you -are a good pupil.” - -“Oh! what I know I have learned by myself. The mistresses try to make -out they are stronger than we are. They are more experienced, but they -have not invented anything.” - -“Have you many lovers?” - -“They are all too old; it is inevitable. The young are so foolish! They -only care for women of forty. I sometimes see one pass as good-looking -as Eros, and you ought to see the woman he picks out--a hateful -hippopotamus! It makes one turn pale. I hope I shall not live to be the -age of those women; I should be ashamed to undress. That is why I am so -glad that I am young. But let me kiss you. I like you very much.” - -Here the conversation took a turn, and Demetrios soon saw that his -scruples were unnecessary in the case of such a well-informed young -woman. - -“What is your name?” he asked her presently. - -“Melitta. Did you not see the name over the door?” - -“I did not look at it.” - -“You could see it in the room. It has been written on the walls. I -shall soon have to have them repainted.” - -Demetrios raised his head. The four walls of the room were covered with -inscriptions. - -“Well, that is very curious,” he said. “May I read them?” - -“Yes, if you like. I have no secrets.” - -He read them. The name of Melitta was there several times, coupled with -various men’s names and strange designs. There were tender and comic -phrases. Lovers detailed the charms of the little courtesan, or made -jokes upon her. All that was not very interesting; but when he was -near the end of his reading he gave a start of surprise. - -“What is this? What is it? Tell me.” - -“What? Where? What is the matter?” - -“Here. This name. Who wrote that?” His finger was pointing to the name -of Chrysis. - -“Ah,” she replied, “I wrote that.” - -“But who is Chrysis?” - -“She is my great friend.” - -“I don’t doubt that. That is not what I am asking you. Which Chrysis is -it? There are so many.” - -“Mine is the most beautiful Chrysis of Galilee.” - -“You know her, then! Tell me about her! Where was her home? Where does -she live? Who is her lover? Tell me all about her.” - -He sat down upon the bed and took the girl upon his knees. - -“Are you in love with her?” she said. - -“What does it matter? Tell me what you know about her; I am anxious to -hear.” - -“Oh! I know nothing at all about her--very little indeed. She has been -twice to see me, and you can imagine that I did not ask her questions -about her relations. I was too pleased to see her to waste time in idle -conversation.” - -“What is she like?” - -“She is like a pretty girl; what do you want me to say? Must I name all -the parts of her body and say that they are all beautiful? Ah! she is a -real woman.” - -“You know nothing about her, then?” Demetrios asked. - -“I know she comes from Galilee; that she is nearly twenty, and lives in -the Jews’ quarter, on the east of the city, near the gardens. That is -all.” - -“Can you tell me nothing of her life or tastes?” - -“The first night she came here she came with her lover. Then she came -by herself, and she has promised to come and see me again.” - -“Do you know any other friend of hers in the gardens?” - -“Yes; a woman from her country----Chimairis, a poor woman.” - -“Where does she live? I want to see her.” - -“She sleeps in the wood. She has done so for a year. She sold her -house. But I know where her nest is, and I can take you there if you -wish. Put on my sandals for me, please.” - -Demetrios rapidly fastened the leather thongs of the sandals upon -Melitta’s little feet, and they went out together. - -They walked for some distance. The park was immense. Here and there a -girl beneath a tree called out her name as they passed. Melitta knew -a few, whom she embraced without stopping. As she passed a worn altar -she gathered three large flowers from the grass and placed them on the -stone. - -It was not yet quite dark. The intense light of the summer days has -something durable about it which vaguely lingers in the dusk. The -sprinkling of small stars, hardly brighter than the sky itself, -twinkled gently, and the shadows of the branches remained vague and -indefinite. - -“Ah!” said Melitta, “here is mother.” - -A woman clad in blue-striped muslin was coming slowly towards them. As -soon as she saw the child she ran to her, picked her up in her arms, -and kissed her fondly on the cheeks. - -“My little girl! my little love, where are you going?” - -“I am taking some one to see Chimairis. Are you taking a walk too?” - -“Corinna has been confined. Have been to her, and I dined at her -bedside.” - -“Is it a boy?” - -“Twins, my dear; as rosy as wax dolls. You can go and see her -to-night; she will show them to you.” - -“Oh, how nice! Two little courtesans. What are they to be called?” - -“Pannychis--both of them, because they were born on the eve of the -festival of Aphrodite. It is a divine omen. They will be beautiful!” - -She put down the child, and, turning to Demetrios, said-- - -“What do you think of my daughter? Have I not good cause to be proud of -her?” - -“You can be satisfied with one another,” he calmly replied. - -“Kiss mother,” Melitta said. - -He did so, and Pythias kissed him on the mouth as they separated. - -Demetrios went a little further still beneath the trees, while the -courtesan turned her head to watch them. At last they reached the spot -they sought, and Melitta said-- - -“Here it is.” - -Chimairis was squatting on her left heel in a little turfy glade -between two trees and a bush. She had beneath her a red rag, which was -her sole remaining garment in the daytime, and on which she lay when -the men passed. Demetrios looked at her with growing interest. She had -the feverish look of some thin, dark women whose tawny bodies seem to -be consumed by ever-present ardour. Her great lips, her eager gaze, her -livid eyes, gave her a double expression--that of covetous sensuality -and exhaustion. As Chimairis had sold everything--even her toilet -instruments--her hair was in indescribable disorder, while the down -upon her body gave her something of the appearance of a shameless and -hairy savage. - -Near her was a great stag, fastened to a tree by a gold chain which had -once adorned her mistress’s breast. - -“Chimairis,” Melitta said, “get up. Some one wants to speak to you.” - -The Jewess looked, but did not move. Demetrios approached. - -“Do you know Chrysis?” he asked. - -“Yes.” - -“Do you see her often?” - -“Yes.” - -“Can you tell me about her?” - -“No.” - -“Why not? Can’t you do so?” - -“No.” - -Melitta was surprised. - -“Speak to him,” she said. “Have confidence in him. He loves her and -wishes her well.” - -“I can clearly see that he loves her,” Chimairis replied. “If he loves -her he wishes her ill. If he loves her I will not speak.” - -Demetrios trembled with anger, but did not speak. - -“Give me your hand,” the Jewess said to him. “I will see whether I am -mistaken.” - -She took the young man’s left hand and turned towards the moonlight. -Melitta leant over to watch, although she did not know how to read the -mysterious lines; but their fatality attracted her. - -“What do you see?” Demetrios asked. - -“I see--may I tell you what I see? Shall you be pleased? Will you -believe me? First of all I see happiness, but that is in the past. I -see love, too, but that is lost in blood.” - -“Mine?” - -“The blood of a woman. Then the blood of another woman; and then, a -little later, your own.” - -Demetrios shrugged his shoulders. - -Melitta uttered a cry. - -“She is frightened,” Chimairis went on. “But this concerns neither her -nor me. Events must come to pass, since we cannot prevent them. From -before your birth your destiny was certain. Go away. I shall say no -more.” - -She let his hand drop. - - - - -CHAPTER III - -IMMORTAL LOVE AND MORTAL DEATH - - -“A woman’s blood. Afterwards the blood of another woman. Afterwards -thine; but a little later.” - -Demetrios repeated these words as he walked and a vague belief in them -oppressed him with sadness. He had never believed in oracles drawn -from the bodies of victims or from the movements of the planets. Such -affinities seemed to him much too problematic. But the complex lines -of the hand had of themselves a horoscopic aspect which was entirely -individual and which he regarded with uneasiness. Thus the prediction -remained in his mind. - -He, too, gazed at the palm of his left hand where his life was -displayed in mysterious and ineffaceable lines. He saw the signs -without being able to understand their meaning, and passing his hand -across his eyes he changed the subject of his meditation. - -Chrysis, Chrysis, Chrysis. - -The name beat in him like a fever. To satisfy her, to conquer her, to -enclose her in his arms, to flee away with her to Syria, Greece, Rome -or elsewhere, any place, in fact, where he had no mistresses and she no -lovers: that was what he had to do and to do at once! - -Of the three presents she had demanded one was already obtained. Two -others remained to be procured, the comb and the necklace. - -“First the comb,” he thought. He hastened his steps. - -Every evening after sunset the wife of the High Priest sat with her -back to the forest upon a marble seat from which a view of the sea -could be obtained, and Demetrios was aware of this, for Touni, like -many others, had been enamoured of him, and once she had told him that -the day he desired her he could take her. - -Thither he made his way. - -She was there; but she did not see him approach; she was reclining with -her eyes closed and her arms outstretched. - -She was an Egyptian. Her name was Touni. She wore a thin tunic of -bright purple without clasps or girdle, and with no other embroidery -than two black stars upon her breasts. The thin stuff reached down -to her knees and her little, round feet were shod with shoes of blue -leather. Her skin was very swarthy, her lips were very thick, her -fragile and supple waist seemed bowed down by the weight of her full -breast. She was sleeping with open lips and quietly dreaming. - -Demetrios took his seat in silence by her side. - -He gradually drew nearer to her. A young shoulder, smooth and dark and -muscular, delicately offered itself to him. - -Lower down the purple muslin tunic was open at the thigh. Demetrios -gently touched her, but she did not awake. Her dream changed but was -not dispelled. - -The eternal sea shimmered beneath a moon which was like a vast cup of -blood, but still Touni slept on with bowed head. - -The purple of the moon upon the horizon reached her from across the -sea. Its glorious and fateful light bathed her in a flame which seemed -motionless; but slowly the shadow withdrew from the Egyptian woman; one -by one her black stars appeared, and at last there suddenly emerged -from the shadows the comb, the royal comb desired by Chrysis. - -Then the sculptor took in his two hands Touni’s sweet face and turned -it towards him. She opened her eyes which grew big with surprise. - -“Demetrios! Demetrios! You!” - -Her two arms seized hold upon him. - -“Oh!” she murmured in a voice vibrating with happiness, “oh! you have -come, you are there. Is it you, Demetrios, who has awakened me with -your hands? Is it you, son of my Goddess, O God of my body and life?” - -Demetrios made a movement as if to draw back, but she at once came -suddenly quite close to him. - -“No,” she said, “what do you fear? I am not a woman to be feared by -you, one surrounded by the omnipotence of the High Priest. Forget my -name, Demetrios. Women in their lovers’ arms have no name. I am not the -woman you believe me to be. I am only a creature who loves you and is -filled with desire for you.” - -Demetrios made her no answer. - -“Listen once more,” she went on. “I know whom you possess. I do not -desire to be your mistress, nor do I aspire to become my Queen’s rival. -No, Demetrios, do with me what you will: look upon me as a little -slave whom one takes and casts aside in a moment. Take me like one of -the lowest of those poor courtesans who wait by the side of the pathway -for furtive and abortive love. In fact what am I but one of them? Have -the Gods given me anything more than they have bestowed upon the least -of all my slaves? You at least have the beauty which comes from the -Gods.” - -Demetrios gazed at her still more gravely. - -“What do you think, unhappy woman,” he asked, “also comes from the -Gods?” - -“Love.” - -“_Or death._” - -She got up. - -“What do you mean? _Death...._ Yes, death. But that is so far away from -me. In sixty years’ time I shall think of it. Why do you speak to me of -death, Demetrios?” - -He simply said-- - -“Death to-night.” - -She burst into a frightened laugh. - -“This evening ... surely not ... who says so? Why should I die?... -answer me, speak, what horrible jest is this?...” - -“You are condemned.” - -“By whom?” - -“By your destiny.” - -“How do you know that?” - -“I knew it because I, too, Touni, am involved in your destiny.” - -“And my destiny wills that I die?” - -“Your destiny demands that you die by my hand upon this seat.” - -He seized her by the wrist. - -“Demetrios,” she sobbed in her fear, “I will not cry out. I will not -call for help. Let me speak.” - -She wiped the sweat from her forehead. - -“If death comes to me through you, death will be pleasant. I will -accept it, I desire it; but listen to me.” - -She dragged him into the darkness of the wood, stumbling from stone to -stone. - -“Since you have in your hands,” she continued, “everything we receive -from the Gods, the thrill which gives life and that which takes it -away, open your two hands upon my eyes, Demetrios ... that of love and -that of death, and if you do so, I shall die without regret.” - -He gazed at her without replying, but she thought she could read assent -in his face. - -Transfigured for the second time she lifted up her face with a fresh -expression in it, one of new-born desire driving away terror with the -strength of desperation. - -She said no more, but from between her parted lips each breath seemed -to be a song of victory. - -She seized him in her arms crying-- - -“Ah! Kill me ... kill me, Demetrios, why are you waiting!” - -He rose, gazed once more at Touni as she lifted up her great eyes to -him, and taking one of the two gold pins from her hair, he buried it in -her left breast. - - - - -CHAPTER IV - -APHRODITE’S PEARLS - - -Yet this woman would have given him her comb and even her hair for love -of him. - -It was simply a scruple which had prevented him asking her for it: -Chrysis had very clearly desired a crime and not the ancient ornament -from a young woman’s hair. That was the reason he believed it his duty -to take part in the shedding of blood. - -He might have considered that oaths made to a woman during an access -of love can be forgotten afterwards without any great harm being done -to the moral worth of the lover who has sworn them, and that, if ever -this involuntary forgetfulness were excusable, it was so in the -circumstances when the life of another woman, who was quite innocent, -was being weighed in the balance. But Demetrios did not stay to reason -thus. The adventure he had undertaken seemed to him too curious to be -stayed by incidents of violence. - -So after cutting off Touni’s hair and concealing the ivory comb in his -clothing, he without further reflection undertook the third of the -tasks ordered by Chrysis: the taking of the necklace of Aphrodite. - -There was no question of entering the temple by the great door. The -twelve hermaphrodites who kept the door would no doubt have allowed -Demetrios to enter, in spite of the order which refused admission to -the unsanctified in the priest’s absence; but what was the use of thus -simply establishing his guilt for the future when there was a secret -entry leading to the sanctuary. Demetrios wended his way to a lonely -part of the wood where the necropolis of the High Priests of the -Goddess was situated. He counted the tombs, opened the door of the -seventh, and closed it behind him. - -With great difficulty, for the stone was heavy, he raised a slab within -the tomb which disclosed a marble staircase and descended it step by -step. - -He knew that it was possible to take sixty steps in a straight line and -then it was necessary to advance by feeling the wall to save falling -down the subterranean staircase of the temple. - -The coolness of this deep passage gradually calmed him. In a few -minutes he reached the end of it, ascended steps and opened the door. - -The night was clear in the open, but black in the holy place. When he -had cautiously closed the heavy door, he felt himself to be trembling -as if he had been gripped by the coldness of the stones. He dared not -lift his eyes. The black silence terrified him; the darkness seemed to -him alive with the unknown. He put his hand to his brow like a man who -did not desire to awaken lest he might find himself alive. At last he -had the courage to look. - -In a gleam of bright moonlight the Goddess was visible upon a pedestal -of red stone loaded with hanging treasures. She was naked and tenderly -tinted like a woman; in one hand she held her mirror and with the other -she was adorning her beauty with a necklace of seven rows of pearls. A -pearl, larger than the rest, long and silvery, gleamed at her breast -like a crescent. These were the actual holy pearls. - -Demetrios was lost in ineffable adoration. He believed in truth that -Aphrodite herself was there. He could no longer recognize his own work, -so deep was the abyss between that which it used to be and had become. -He extended his arms and murmured the mysterious words by which the -Goddess is addressed in the Phrygian ceremonies. - -Supernatural, luminous, immaculate, nude and pure the vision seemed to -hover over the stone pedestal softly palpitating. He fixed his eyes -upon it, though he feared that the caress of his gaze would make this -feeble hallucination vanish in the air. He advanced slowly and touched -with his finger the rosy toe as if to assure himself of the existence -of the statue, and being incapable of stopping, so great was its -attraction for him, he mounted and stood by its side, placing his hands -upon the white shoulders and looking into the eyes. - -He trembled, he faltered and began to laugh with joy. His hands -wandered over the bare arms, and he clasped the cold hard waist with -all his strength. He gazed at himself in the mirror, grasped the -necklace of pearls, took it off, made it gleam in the moonlight and -then fearfully replaced it. He kissed the hand, the round neck, the -undulating throat and the half-open marble mouth. Then he withdrew to -the edge of the pedestal and gazed tenderly at the lovely bowed head. - -The hair of the statue had been arranged in the oriental fashion and -lightly veiled the forehead. The half-shut eyes were prolonged in a -smile. The lips were separated as if vanquished by a kiss. - -He silently replaced the seven rows of round pearls upon the glorious -breast and descended to gaze upon the idol from a greater distance. - -Then he seemed to awaken. He remembered his errand which he had up to -then failed to accomplish, and realized how monstrous a project it was. -He felt his blood burn to the temples. - -The memory of Chrysis came to him like a common apparition. He -enumerated everything which was at all doubtful in the courtesan’s -beauty; her full lips, her dishevelled hair and her careless walk. -He had forgotten what her hands were like, but he imagined them to be -large in order to add an odious detail to the picture which he was -attempting to reject. His state of mind was like that of a man who had -been surprised at dawn by his dear mistress in the arms of a common -girl, and could offer no explanation to himself as to why he allowed -himself the previous evening to be tempted. He could find no excuse -for himself nor even a serious reason. Evidently during the day he had -suffered from a fit of passing madness, a physical trouble, a malady. -He felt himself to be cured but still intoxicated with stupefaction. - -To complete the recovery of his senses he leant against the temple wall -and stood for a long time before the statue. The moonlight continued -to shine through the square opening in the roof; Aphrodite shone -resplendent; and as the eyes of the statue were in the shadow he tried -to catch their expression. - -He spent the whole night like this. Then daylight came and the statue -in turn assumed the living rose colour of the dawn and the golden tint -of the sunlight. - -Demetrios could no longer think. The ivory comb and the silver mirror -which he carried within his tunic had disappeared from his memory. He -gently abandoned himself to serene contemplation. - -Outside the confused singing and twittering of the birds sounded in -the gardens. The talking and laughing of women’s voices could be heard -outside the walls. The life and movement of the morning was spreading -over the awakened land. Demetrios was full of pleasant ideas. - -The sun was high and the shadow from the roof had moved before he heard -the confused sound of light footsteps on the outer staircase. - -No doubt it was the prelude of a sacrifice to the Goddess by a -procession of young women, who came to perform their vows or to offer -up their prayers before the statue on the first day of the festival of -Aphrodite. - -Demetrios wished to flee. The sacred pedestal opened at the back in a -way that only the priests and the sculptor knew. That was the position -occupied by the hierophant from which he recited to a young girl with a -clear strong voice the miraculous discourse which came from the statue -on the third day of the festival. From that place the gardens could -be reached. Demetrios entered and stood before a bronze-edged opening -which pierced the thick stone. - -The two golden gates slowly opened. Then the procession entered. - - - - -CHAPTER V - -DICE--THE VENUS THROW - - -About the middle of the night Chrysis was awakened by three knocks at -the door. - -She was sleeping with her two friends Rhodis and Myrtocleia, and rising -cautiously she went down and half opened the door. - -A voice came from without. “Who is it, Djala? Who is it?” she asked. - -“Naucrates wishes to speak to you. I told him that you were engaged.” - -“Oh, how foolish! Most certainly I will see him. I am not engaged. Come -in, Naucrates. I am in my chamber.” - -She went back to bed. Naucrates remained for a moment at the door as if -he feared to be indiscreet. The two girls, who were musicians, opened -their sleepy eyes but could not rend themselves from their dreams. - -“Sit down,” said Chrysis. “There need be no false modesty between us -two. I know that you have not come to see me. What do you want?” - -Naucrates was a well-known philosopher who for more than twenty -years had been the lover of Bacchis and had not deceived her, though -more from indolence than fidelity be it said. His grey hair was cut -short, his beard was pointed after the manner of Demosthenes and his -moustaches were even with his lips. He wore a great white woollen robe. - -“I have brought you an invitation,” he said. “Bacchis is giving a -dinner to-morrow to be followed by a fête. We shall be seven including -yourself. Be sure you come.” - -“A fête? What is the occasion?” - -“She has given freedom to her most beautiful slave Aphrodisia. There -will be dancers and musicians. I think your two friends are engaged -to be there, and ought not to be here now. They are at this moment -rehearsing at Bacchis’ house.” - -“Oh! that is right,” Rhodis cried, “we had forgotten it. Arise, Myrto, -we are very late.” - -But Chrysis declared-- - -“No! not yet! It is too bad to take away my friends. If I had suspected -I should not have admitted you. Oh! they are dressed already!” - -“Our dresses are not very elaborate,” the girl answered. “We are not -beautiful enough to spend much time over our toilettes.” - -“Shall I then see you at the temple at some hour to-morrow?” Chrysis -asked them. - -“Yes, to-morrow morning, we shall take doves as our offering. I am -taking a drachma from your purse, Chrysis. We shall not otherwise have -the money to purchase them. Good-bye till to-morrow.” - -They ran out. Naucrates gazed for some time at the door which had -closed behind them, then he rose, saying-- - -“Can I tell Bacchis that she may reckon upon you?” - -“I will come,” Chrysis replied. - -The philosopher bowed to her and slowly departed. - -As soon as he had gone Chrysis clasped her hands and spoke aloud -although she was alone. - -“Bacchis, Bacchis, he comes from her and does not know. Is the mirror -then still in her possession? Demetrios has forgotten me. If he has -hesitated on the first day, I am lost, he will do nothing. But it is -quite possible that he has obtained it. Bacchis has other mirrors which -she uses more often. Without a doubt she has not found out yet. Ye -Gods! Ye Gods! there is no way of finding out. Ah! Djala! Djala!” - -The slave entered. - -“Give me my dice. I wish to throw them,” Chrysis said. - -She tossed in the air the four dice. - -“Oh! oh! Djala, look!” - -The throw had resulted in the dice each presenting a different face. It -was thirty-five chances to one against this happening and it was the -highest scoring throw of all. - -Djala coldly observed-- - -“What did you wish?” - -“Quite true,” Chrysis said in disappointed tones. “I forgot to utter a -wish. I thought of something but said nothing. Does not that count just -the same?” - -“I don’t think so; you must start again.” - -Chrysis made a second throw. This time the result was not decisive, it -resulted in both good and bad omens and required another throw to make -its meaning clear. - -The third throw Chrysis made with one of the dice only, and when she -saw the result burst into tears. - -Djala said nothing but was herself uneasy. Chrysis lay upon her bed -weeping with her hair in disorder. At last she turned round with an -angry movement. - -“Why did you make me begin again? I am sure the first throw counted.” - -“It would have done if you had expressed a wish, but you did not. You -are the only one who knows what your desire was.” - -“Besides, dice prove nothing. It is a Greek game. I don’t believe in -it. I am going to try something else.” - -She dried her tears and crossed the room. She took from the table a box -of white counters, selected twenty-two of them, and then with the point -of a pearl hook scratched one after the other the letters of the Hebrew -alphabet upon them. - -“I rely upon this. It never deceives one,” she said. “Raise the front -of your robe, that shall be my bag.” - -She threw the twenty-two counters into the slave’s tunic, repeating in -her mind-- - -“Shall I wear Aphrodite’s necklace? Shall I wear Aphrodite’s necklace? -Shall I wear Aphrodite’s necklace?” - -She drew out the tenth arcanum which clearly meant-- - -“Yes.” - - - - -CHAPTER VI - -THE ROSE OF CHRYSIS THE LOVELY - - -It was a white, blue, yellow, red and green procession. - -Thirty courtesans advanced carrying baskets of flowers, snow-white -doves with red feet, veils of the most fragile azure and valuable -ornaments. - -An old white-bearded priest, enveloped from head to foot in stiff -unbleached stuff walked in front of this procession of youth and guided -towards the stone altar the line of devout worshippers. - -They sang, and their song rose and fell like the sound of the sea and -the winds. The first two carried harps, which they held in the palm of -their left hands and bent forward like sickles of slender wood. - -One of them advanced and said-- - -“Tryperha, beloved Cypris, offers thee this blue veil which she has -spun herself so that thou mayst continue thy goodness to her.” - -Another said-- - -“Mousairon lays at the feet of the Goddess of the beautiful crown, -these garlands and bouquets of flowers. She has worn them at the fête -and has invoked thy name in the intoxication of their perfumes. O -Conqueror, receive these spoils of love.” - -Another one said-- - -“As an offering to thee, golden Cytheræ, Timo consecrates this sinuous -bracelet. Mayst thou entwine thy vengeance around the throat of the one -thou knowest, as this silver serpent entwined itself about these naked -arms.” - -Myrtocleia and Rhodis advanced hand in hand. - -“Here are two doves from Smyrna with wings as white as caresses and -feet as red as kisses. O double Goddess of Amathonte, accept them from -our joint hands if it is true that the fair Adonis did not satisfy thee -and a still more sweet embrace sometimes disturbed thy slumbers.” - -A very young courtesan followed, saying-- - -“Aphrodite Peribasia receive my virginity with this stained tunic of -mine. I am Pannychis of Pharos; since last night I have vowed myself to -thy worship.” - -Another said-- - -“Dorothea begs thee, charitable Epistrophia, to banish from her mind -the desire placed there by Eros or at least to inflame for her the -eyes of the lover who refuses her. She presents to thee this branch of -myrtle because it is the tree thou preferest.” - -Another said-- - -“Upon thy altar, Paphia, Calliston places sixty drachmas of silver, the -balance of a gift she has received from Cleomenes. Give her a still -more generous lover, if the offering seems to thee acceptable.” - -The only one left in front of the idol was a blushing child who had -taken the last place. She held in her hand nothing but a tiny garland -of flowers, and the priest treated her with contempt because of the -smallness of her offering. - -She said-- - -“I am not rich enough to give thee pieces of gold, great Goddess. -Besides, what could I give thee which thou dost not already possess. -Here are green and yellow flowers woven as a garland for thy feet.” - -The procession seemed to be at an end and the other courtesans were -about to retrace their steps when a woman was seen standing at the door. - -She had nothing in her hand and seemed to have come to offer her beauty -to the Goddess. Her hair was like two waves of gold, two deep billows -full of shadow engulfing the ears and twisted in seven turns at the -throat. Her nose was fine, with expressive and palpitating nostrils, -and beneath it was a full and coral coloured mouth with rounded mobile -corners to it. The supple lines of the body undulated at each step she -took. - -Her eyes were wonderful; they were blue but dark and gleaming as well, -and changed like moonstones, as she held them half closed beneath her -long lashes. The glances of those eyes were like the sirens’ songs. - -The priest turned towards her and waited for her to speak. - -She said-- - -“Chrysis offers up her prayer to thee, O Chrysea. Receive the paltry -offering she lays at thy feet. Hear and aid, love and solace her who -lives according to thy pattern and for the worship of thy name.” - -She extended her hands golden with rings and bowed her knees before the -Goddess. - -The vague chant recommenced. The sound of the harps ascended towards -the statue with the smoke of the incense which the priest was burning -in a swinging censor. - -She slowly rose and presented a bronze mirror which had been hanging at -her girdle. - -“To thee,” she said, “Astarte, Goddess of the Night, who minglest hands -and lips and whose symbol is like unto the footprint of the hinds upon -the earth of Syria, Chrysis consecrates her mirror. It has seen the -eyes and the gleam of love in them, the hair clinging to the temples -after the rites of thy ceremonial, O thou warrior with relentless hands -thou mingler of bodies and mouths.” - -The priest placed the mirror at the foot of the statue. Chrysis drew -from her golden hair a long comb of red copper, the sacred metal of -the Goddess. - -“To thee,” she said, “Anadyomene, who wast born of the blood-hued dawn -and the foaming smile of the sea, to thee, whose nakedness is like the -gleam of pearls, who fastenest thy moist hair with ribbons of seaweed, -Chrysis dedicates her comb. It has been plunged in her hair disordered -by movements in thy name.” - -She handed the comb to the old man and leant her head to the right to -take off her emerald necklace. - -“To thee,” she said, “O Hetaira, who wipest away the blushes of -shamefaced virgins and teaches them the immodest laugh, to thee, for -whom we barter our love, Chrysis dedicates her necklace. She received -it from a man whose name she does not know and each emerald represents -a kiss where thou hast dwelt for a moment.” - -She bowed herself once again and for a longer space as she placed the -necklace in the priest’s hands and took a step as if to depart. - -But the priest detained her. - -“What do you ask from the Goddess in return for these precious -offerings?” - -She smiled and shook her head, saying-- - -“I ask for nothing.” - -Then she walked along the row of women, took a rose from a basket and -raised it to her lips as she went out. - -One by one all the women followed her and the door closed upon an empty -temple. - - * * * * * - -Demetrios had remained alone concealed in the bronze pedestal. - -He had not lost a gesture or a word of the whole of this scene, and -when it was ended he remained for a long while without moving, being -once again in a state of torment, passion and irresolution. - -He had believed himself cured of the madness of the previous night and -thought that nothing could ever again hurl him into this shadow of the -unknown. - -But he had reckoned without the woman. - -Women! women! if you desire to be loved, show yourself, return, be -ever-present! The emotion he had felt at the entrance of the courtesan -was so overwhelming and complete that there could be no thought of -opposing it by an effort of the will. Demetrios was bound like a -barbarian slave to the conqueror’s chariot. The thought that he had -freed himself was a delusion. Without knowing it and quite naturally -she had placed her hand upon him. - -He had seen her approach, for she wore the same yellow robe she had -done when he met her on the jetty. She walked with slow and graceful -steps with undulating motion of the hips. She had come straight towards -him as if she guessed he were concealed behind the stone. - -From the first he realized that he had again fallen at her feet. -When she took from her girdle the mirror of shining bronze, she gazed -at herself in it for a time before handing it to the priest, and the -splendour of her eyes became dazzling. When to take her copper comb she -put her hand to her hair and lifted her bent arm, the beautiful lines -of her body were displayed beneath her robe and the sunlight glistened -upon the tiny beads of perspiration on her skin. When, last of all, to -unfasten and take off her necklace of heavy emeralds she put aside the -thick silk which shielded her breast and left but a little space full -of shadow with just room for the insertion of a bouquet, Demetrios felt -himself seized with frenzy. - -But then she began to speak and each word of hers was suffering to him. -She, a beautiful vase, white as the statue itself and with gleaming -golden hair, seemed to insist upon pleasure. She told of her deeds in -the service of the Goddess. Even the ease with which her favours were -obtainable attracted Demetrios to her. How true it is that a woman is -not entirely seductive to her lover unless she gives him ground for -jealousy! - -So, after presenting to the Goddess her green necklace in exchange for -the one for which she was hoping, when Chrysis returned to the city she -took with her a man’s will in her mouth with the little rose the stalk -of which she was biting. - -Demetrios waited till he was alone in the holy place; then he emerged -from his retreat. - -He looked at the statue in anguish expecting a struggle within him. But -being incapable of renewing, after so short an interval, such violent -emotion, he remained wonderfully calm and without any preliminary -remorse. - -He carelessly ascended to the statue, took off the necklace of real -pearls from its bowed neck and concealed it within his raiment. - - - - -CHAPTER VII - -QUEEN BERENICE - - -He walked very rapidly in the hope of overtaking Chrysis on the road -leading to the city, fearing if he lingered that he might become -cowardly and irresolute once again. - -The road, white with heat, was so luminous that Demetrios closed his -eyes as if he had been in the midday sunlight. In that way he walked -without seeing where he was going, and he had only just escaped -colliding with four black slaves who were walking in front of a cortège -when a little musical voice softly said-- - -“Beloved! how glad I am!” - -He lifted his head: it was Queen Berenice reclining in her litter. - -She ordered the bearers to stop and stretched out her arms to her -lover. - -Demetrios was much annoyed; but he could not refuse, so he slipped into -the litter, with a sullen air. - -Then Queen Berenice was filled with joy and rolled upon her cushions -like a playful cat. - -Now this litter was a room and twenty-four slaves carried it. Twelve -women could easily lie within amid its blue tapestry, cushions and -stuffs; and it was so lofty that it was not possible to touch the -ceiling even with a fan. It was greater in length than in breadth, -closed in front, but on the other three sides there were three very -light yellow curtains, through which the light came with dazzling -brightness. The floor was of cedar-wood covered with orange silk. -Within it a lighted lamp struggled with the daylight and its ever -changing shadows. Here Queen Berenice reclined between two Persian -slaves who gently fanned her with fans of peacock’s feathers. - -She invited the young sculptor to her side with a look and repeated-- - -“Beloved, I am pleased.” She put her hand upon his cheek. - -“I was seeking you, beloved. Where have you been? I have not seen you -since the day before yesterday. If I had not met you I should have -shortly died of grief. Alone in this great litter I was very dull. When -passing over the bridge of Hêrmes I threw all my jewels into the water -to make rings. You can see that I have neither rings nor necklaces now. -I am like a little pauper at your feet.” - -She turned to him and kissed him upon the lips. The two fan-bearers -withdrew a little further, and when Queen Berenice began to speak in -a low voice they put their fingers in their ears to pretend that they -were not listening. - -But Demetrios did not reply, for he hardly heard her and was quite -deranged. He could only see the young Queen’s smile on her red lips, -and the black cushion of her hair which was always loosely arranged to -serve as a pillow for her weary head. - -She said-- - -“Beloved, I have wept during the night. My bed was cold. When I -awakened, I stretched out my naked arms on each side of my body and I -did not touch you, nor could my hand find this hand of yours I am now -embracing. I expected you in the morning and since the full moon you -have not come. I sent my slaves into every quarter of the city and I -condemned them to death when they returned without you. Where have you -been? Were you at the Temple? You were not in the gardens with the -foreign women? No, I can see from your eyes that you were not. Then -what were you doing so long away from me? Were you before the statue? -Yes, I am sure you were there. You love it more now than you love me. -It is very like me, it has my eyes, my mouth, my breasts; but that is -what you seek. As for me I am poor and forlorn. You are weary of me and -I can see it clearly. You think of your marble and your ugly statues as -if I were not more beautiful than all of them, as well as being alive, -loving, good, ready to give all that you will accept and resigned to -your refusals. But you will have nothing. You would not be king, you -would not be a god and worshipped in a temple of your own. You will -hardly, even, consent to love me now.” - -She withdrew her feet beneath her and leant upon her hand. - -“I would do anything in the world to see you at the palace, beloved. -If you no longer desire me tell me who attracts you and she shall be -my friend. The women of my court are beautiful. I have twelve who -from their birth have been kept in my gynæceum and are ignorant that -men exist. They shall all be your mistresses if you come and see me -after them. Others I have with me who have had more lovers than the -sacred courtesans and are expert in love. Say one word. I have, too, a -thousand foreign slaves: those you desire shall be given to you. I will -dress them like myself, in yellow silk, gold and silver. - -“No, you are the handsomest and coldest of men. You love no one, -you lend yourself simply out of charity for those whom your eyes -have filled with love. You allow me to obtain my happiness from your -presence, but only in the way a beast allows itself to be led, looking -elsewhere. You are full of condescension. Ye Gods! Ye Gods! I shall -end by separating from you, young coxcomb whom all the city adores -and no one can make weep. I have others besides women at the palace. -I have strong Ethiopians who have chests of bronze and arms knotted -with muscles. I shall soon forget you. But the day I am sure that your -absence no longer makes me suffer, that I have replaced you, I will -send you from the top of the bridge of Hêrmes to join my necklaces and -rings like a jewel I have worn too long. Ah! what it is to be a queen!” - -She raised herself and seemed to be waiting for an answer. But -Demetrios still remained impassible and made no more movement than if -he had not heard. - -“Do you not understand?” - -He nonchalantly leant upon his elbow as he said in a very unconcerned -way-- - -“I have just had an idea for a story. - -“Long ago before Thrace was conquered by your father’s ancestors it was -overrun by wild animals and a few timid men dwelt there as well. - -“The animals were very fine; there were lions red as the sun, tigers -streaked like the evening and bears black as night. - -“The men were small and flat-nosed, clad in old hairless skins, and -armed with big spears and clumsy bows. They hid themselves in mountain -caves, behind huge blocks of stone which they moved with the greatest -difficulty. Their life was spent in hunting. There was blood in the -forests. - -“The land was so mournful that the Gods had deserted it. When at the -break of day Artemis left Olympus his path was never towards the north. -The wars there never disturbed Ares. The absence of flutes and citharas -turned away Apollo from it. The triple Hecate shone there alone like -the face of a Medusa upon a petrified land. - -“Now a man came there to dwell; a man of a more fortunate race, who did -not walk about clad in skins like the savages in the mountains. - -“He wore a long white robe which trailed behind him a little. Through -the beautiful glades of the forest he loved to wander at night in the -moonlight holding in his hand a little lute with three silver strings. - -“When his fingers touched the strings delightful music came from them, -music sweeter than the sound of the springs or the whispers of the wind -in the trees or the noise of grass shaken by the wind. The first time -he began to play three sleeping tigers awakened, and so charmed were -they that they did him no injury but came as near as possible to him -while he was playing and afterwards withdrew. The next day still more -animals came to listen, wolves, hyænas and serpents upright upon their -tails. - -“After a very short time the animals themselves came and asked him to -play to them. It often happened that a bear came to him alone and went -away satisfied with three marvellous chords. In return for his kindness -the beasts gave him his food and protected him against men. - -“But he wearied of this fastidious life. He became so sure of his -genius and of the pleasure he gave the beasts that he no longer -troubled to play well. The animals were always satisfied as long as he -played to them. Soon he even refused to give them this pleasure, and -through idleness ceased to play to them at all. The whole of the forest -was sad, but the morsels of food and tasty fruits did not cease to be -brought to the musician’s door. They continued to feed him and loved -him all the more. After this fashion are the hearts of animals made. - -“Now one day while he was leaning at his open door and watching the sun -sink behind the motionless trees a lioness passed near him. He made a -movement as if to go inside as if he expected a request which would -displease him. The lioness took no notice of him and quietly passed on. - -“Then he asked her in surprise: ’Why do you not ask me to play?’ She -replied that she did not care for it. He said: ’Do you not know me?’ -She replied: ’You are Orpheus.’ He went on; ’And you do not desire to -hear me?’ She repeated: ’I do not.’ ’Oh!’ he cried, ’Oh! how greatly I -am to be pitied! It is to you alone I always wished to play. You are -much more beautiful than the others and you would understand so much -better! If you will only listen to me for one hour, I will procure -for you everything you have ever desired to possess.’ She replied: ’I -order you to steal the fresh food belonging to the men of the plains. -I command you to assassinate the first one you meet. I command you to -steal the victims they have offered to their Gods and lay them at my -feet.’ He thanked her for not demanding more and did as she required. - -“For an hour he played to her; but afterwards he broke his lute and -lived as if he were dead.” - -The Queen sighed. - -“I never understand allegories. Explain it to me, beloved. What does it -mean?” - -He rose. - -“I did not tell it for you to understand. I told you a story to calm -you a little. Now it is late. Adieu, Berenice.” - -She began to weep. - -“I was sure of it! I was sure of it!” - -He laid her like a child upon her soft bed of silky stuffs; with a -smile placed a kiss upon her tearful eyes then calmly descended the -steps of the great litter. - - - - -THE ARTIST TRIUMPHANT - - - - - _TRANSLATOR’S NOTE_ - _TO_ - _THE ARTIST TRIUMPHANT_ - - -_Parrhasius, the great painter, son of Evenor of Ephesus, lived -about four hundred years before Christ. He was a mighty master of -his profession, and particularly excelled in strongly expressing the -violent passions. He was blessed with wondrous genius and invention, -and was particularly happy in his designs. He acquired great reputation -by his pieces, but by none more than that in which he allegorically -represented the people of Athens with all the injustice, the clemency, -the fickleness, timidity, the arrogance and inconsistency which so -eminently characterized that amazing nation. He once entered the lists -against Zeuxis, and when they had produced their respective pieces, -the birds came to pick, with the greatest avidity, the grapes which -Zeuxis had painted. Parrhasius immediately exhibited his piece, and -Zeuxis said, “Remove your curtain, that we may see the painting.” The -curtain was the painting. Zeuxis acknowledged himself conquered by -exclaiming, “Zeuxis has deceived birds, but Parrhasius has deceived -Zeuxis himself.” Parrhasius grew so vain of his art, that he clothed -himself in purple and wore a crown of gold, calling himself the king of -painters. He was lavish in his own praises, but by his vanity too often -exposed himself to the ridicule of his enemies._ - - G. F. M. - - - - -CHAPTER I - - -In the green gardens of white Ephesus we were two young learners, or -apprentices, with the aged Bryaxis, the sculptor. He was sitting upon -a seat made of stone as pallid as his face. He did not speak, but -lightly struck the earth with the end of his staff. Out of respect for -his great age and his greater glory we stood patiently before him. -Our backs leaned against two dark cypress trees. We did not talk, but -eagerly listened for him to speak. Motionless we studied him with -homage of which he appeared to be conscious. We knew that he had -survived all those whom we had longed to know. We loved him to reveal -his spirit to us, for we were simple-hearted children, born too late -to have heard the voices of heroes. We sought to trace the almost -invisible bonds that united him to his striking, astonishing lifework. -That brow had conceived, that hand had helped to model a frieze and -twelve figures for the tomb of Mausolus, the King of Caria, whose tomb -was a wonder of the world: the five Colossi erected in front of the -town of Rhodes, the Bull of Pasiphæ, that made women dream strange -dreams, the formidable Apollo of bronze, and the Seleucus Triumphant. -The more I contemplated their author, the more it seemed to me that the -Gods must have fashioned with their own hands this sculptor, in order -that he might be the means of revealing them to men! - -All at once a rush of feet, a whistle, and a cry of a gay heart; the -young Ophelion bounded among us. - -“Bryaxis,” cried he, “hear what all the city knows already. If I am the -first to tell thee I will make an offering to Artemis. But first let -us make our salute: I had forgot.” He now looked towards us, as if to -say, “Prepare yourselves well for what I am about to tell you.” Then he -began thus: “You know, revered one, that Clesides painted the portrait -of the Queen?” - -“People have spoken about it to me.” - -“But the end of the story ... has that also been told to you?” - -“Is there indeed a story then to tell?” - -“Is there a story?... You are ignorant of it all! Listen. Clesides -came expressly from Athens. They took him to the Palace. The Queen was -not yet ready; she permitted herself to be late. Finally she presented -herself, scarcely saluting her artist, and then posed--if one could -call it posing. It now seems that she continually moved, under the -pretext that Love had given her a cramp. Clesides drew in a very bad -humour, as you may imagine. His rough sketch was not even finished, -and lo! the Queen wishes to pose for her back....” - -“Without a reason?” - -“For the reason that--so she said--her back was as perfect as the -rest of her body, and must appear in the picture. Clesides might well -protest that he was a painter and not a sculptor, that one does not -turn a picture to see its back; that one cannot draw a woman seen from -every side upon the one flat plane of a picture.... The Queen merely -responded that it was her will; that the laws of art were not her laws; -that she had seen the portrait of her sister as Persephone, of her -mother as Demeter; and that she, Queen Stratonice, by her sole self, -wished to pose for the ’Three Graces.’” - -“That was not such a stupid idea of hers.” - -Our comrade appeared to take umbrage at this remark. - -“Supposing that Clesides had replied, ’No’? He was free to do so, one -would think. It is not the custom to give orders to the artist. Such a -thing as that we could _not_ support. Never would her father Demetrius -have done such a thing. Why, when he laid siege to Rhodes, where at the -time Protogenes was at work, Demetrius refused to fire that part of the -city where the sculptor worked.” - -“I know that story. Continue,” said Bryaxis. - -“Very well; I will be short with it. Clesides was very angry, but did -not show it. He finished his study of the back, and the Queen rose, -asking him to return on the morrow; he accepted, and left. Very good. -On the morrow what awaited him? A servant, saying that the Queen -Stratonice was fatigued, and would not pose any more. The servant was -to pose for her until the portrait was finished. _That_ was what the -Queen had desired!” - -We shook with mirth, and Bryaxis joined us therein. - -Ophelion then continued gaily-- - -“The slave was not badly made. Clesides gave her the same reason to be -cramped that her mistress had, and then said in a dry way that he did -not want her any more, and took himself and his drawings home.” - -“He certainly did right that time,” I said. “The Queen was merely -mocking him all the while.” - -“Well, on the way home, as he passed near the port, he saw a mariner -whom some one had told him the Queen had given herself to--though there -was no proof of it. The man was Glaucon--you know him well by sight. -Clesides got the fellow to come home with him, and pose for four days. -At the end of that time he had finished painting two scandalous little -pictures, representing the Queen in the arms of the sailor, firstly -facing the beholder, and then with the back showing. These pictures -he fastened at night to the wall of the Palace of Seleucus. He then -doubtless fled, after this public vengeance, on some vessel, for there -is said to be no trace of him. The Queen knows of it already, and if -she is furious at heart she hides it marvellously. - -“During the whole of the morning an enormous crowd defiled before -these scandalous paintings. Stratonice was told of it, and desired -to see them herself. Accompanied by twenty-five people of her court, -she stopped before the two subjects, approaching and then retreating -as though the better to judge of their artistic or truthful aspect in -detail and in general. I was there, and as I followed her glances with -a feeling of horror, wondering whom she was going to slay when her -anger reached its highest point, she said: “I do not know which is the -best; both are excellent!” - - * * * * * - -Bryaxis, in the midst of our exultation, lifted merely his eyebrows, -and so gave to his face the fine old lines that denoted surprise. - -“She proved that she is not less witty than impudent,” said he. “The -whole story is very curious; but why do you seem to be so proud of or -pleased with its hero? It seems to me that the part played by the model -is a very important one.” - -“If the Queen had dared,” said Ophelion, “she would have pursued -Clesides even to the far-off seas, and there have had him killed as one -might kill a dog. But then, through all the violet land of Greece she -would have been considered none other than a barbarian woman--she who -wishes to be thought a thorough Athenian. Stratonice holds Asia in her -hand as though it were a fly, and she has drawn back before a man who -has for weapon only a tablet and stylus.... Hereafter the Artist is the -king of kings, the sole inviolable being living under the sun. Now you -see why it is that we are so proud!” - -The elder man made a very disdainful movement of the mouth. - -“Thou art young,” he replied. “In my time we said the same thing, and -perhaps with greater reason. When Alexander timidly tried to explain -why such and such a picture seemed to be fine, my friend Apelles caused -him to be silent by saying that he was making the boys laugh who ground -up the colours; and Alexander made his excuses! Ah, well! I do not -believe that such tales really repay one for telling them. Whatever -may be the attitude--the respect or arrogance--of the King towards -contemporary painters, the pictures are not any the better, or any the -worse, for it all. It is a matter of indifference. On the other hand, -it may be good, and even noble, for an artist to dare and to be able to -put himself _not_ above the King marching with an army near the walls -of his home, but above all human laws, or even divine laws, when the -Muses, his inspiring spirits, sway him.” - -Bryaxis was now standing. We murmured in wonder-- - -“But who has done that? Of whom do you speak?” - -“None, perhaps,” came the answer of the older man, and there was in his -eyes the hazy look of the dreamer, “unless the great Parrhasius.... Did -he do wisely, I wonder? I used to believe so, but to-day I doubt and -know not what to think about it.” - -Ophelion flung me an astonished look, but I could not enlighten him in -any way as to the meaning behind the words of the aged artist. - -“We do not understand you, Bryaxis,” he said. - -He hinted, to put us upon the right way, “The Prometheus of Parrhasius.” - -“Yes; what can you tell us of that?” - -“Do you not know how Parrhasius painted the Prometheus of the -Acropolis?” - -“No. We have not been told how it was done.” - -“You do not know of that amazing scene--the deathly tragedy and alarums -from whence that picture emerged, bloodstained?” - -“Speak. Tell us all the scene; we know nought of it.” - -For an instant Bryaxis let his regards rest upon our young faces, as -if he hesitated to burden our spirits with such a memory. Then he said -with decision-- - -“Very good. I will tell you all.” - - - - -CHAPTER II - - -That which I am going to relate to you took place in the year in which -Plato died. I was then in Halicarnassus engaged upon my part of the -labour that was to produce at last the great tomb of King Mausolus the -Long-haired. It was a thankless task if ever there was one. Scopas, -who directed all of us, had decided to decorate the whole of the -eastern front of the monument himself, so that from the early morning -sunrise when they made the sacrifices the marbles of our master were -resplendent in the full light and, truly, people saw little of the -other work. - -To his comrade of the chisel, Timotheus, he had given the lateral face -of the monument, south; less interesting and more extended. Leochares -was entrusted with the western front. As for me, I had taken that side -others had not wished for--the northern, an enormous piece of work -perpetually in the shadow. - -(Pithis was also employed in raising a pyramid over this stately -monument and the top was adorned by a chariot harnessed to four horses. -The expenses of this edifice were immense, and this gave an occasion to -the philosopher Anaxagoras to exclaim when he saw it: “How much money -changed into stones!”) - -During five years I sculptured Victories and Amazons that looked, in -the sun, like living women; but each time it became necessary for me -to fix one for ever in the shadow of the monument it seemed to me that -the look of life died out of the stone form, and then my tears came. At -last my task came to an end. I occupied myself with preparations for -returning into Attica. In that year, as to-day, the Ægean Sea was not -very safe. War everywhere and strife between one city and another. -Athens besides was vanquished. The day upon which I wished to take my -departure I could not find a ship-master, or owner of a privateer, who -had any desire to go to the Piræus. The people of Caria, good dealers, -turned towards the vanquisher, and from the time that the taking of -Olynthus had let Chalcis fall into the hands of the Macedonians, all -the merchants of Halicarnassus filled out their sails for Eubœa in -order to sell there silken robes of Cos to the courtesans of Cnidus, -where Venus was the chief deity. - -I also departed for Chalcis. The voyage by sea was unpleasant to me. -I was not treated well even in the little corner of the vessel that I -professed to be satisfied with. My name in those days had not the same -sound and fame as it has to-day and the great monument to Mausolus was -too new and too near to men’s minds. The other voyagers upon the ship -contented themselves with knowing that I was a citizen of Athens. That -quite sufficed and they mocked, for Athens then was an unfortunate -city. One morning when the sun was high we landed at Chalcis in the -midst of an immense crowd in which I lost myself, and with pleasure. -In questioning some one I learnt that there was outside the gates an -extraordinary market. Philip, at the fall of Olynthus after having -destroyed the city had led into captivity and slavery the whole of the -population. - -There were about forty-five thousand people. The slave-market to -dispose of these had been on about two days and might last for three -months. Also the city was thronged, full of strangers--purchasers and -people suffering from curiosity. My interlocutor who was a dealer in -wines did not complain, but he confided to me that his neighbour who -sold slaves as a rule very dear was ruined. I heard the tavern-keeper -say with many gestures: “Consider, a Thracian of twenty years of age -one knows what he is worth, by all the Gods. When one has bought twelve -to cultivate land one counts twelve bags of gold. Now mark the price, -it has fallen to fifty drachmas. Judge of the others by that only. Such -a thing has never been heard of. There are three thousand virgins for -sale. They will go for twenty-five drachmas apiece, and please do not -think that I speak rashly on the subject. Perhaps a few drachmas more -may be got for those of the whitest skins. Ah! Philip is a great king -indeed!” - -This man wearied me and I separated from him and followed the multitude -beyond the open gates of the city to the vast stretch of country where -the Olynthians were camped. With great pains I wore myself a way -through the many groups in movement. Suddenly I saw pass near me a -procession that was extravagant and majestical. Before it the crowds -parted to left and right. - -Six Sarmatian slaves advanced in pairs, armed. Behind them a little -Ethiopian held horizontally a long cross of cedar decorated with gold. -It was the stick of the Master. Finally, gigantic and heavy, crowned -with flowers, the beard impregnated with perfumes and clad in an -enormous purple robe, I saw Parrhasius himself. He walked as though he -scorned and spurned the earth beneath his feet. Each arm was around the -shoulders of a beautiful girl. He was like the Indian Bacchus. - -His eyes fell upon me and he said-- - -“If you are not Bryaxis who gave you permission to bear his face?” - -“And you. If you are not the son of Semele who has given you that -Dionysiac stature and that robe of purple woven by the Graces of Naxos?” - -He then smiled upon me, and without lifting his arms away from their -charming supports he seized and shook my hand, pressing it against the -bared breast of one of his companions. - -“Chariclo,”--this to the young girl upon his right,--“take an arm of my -friend and let us continue our promenade. Soon the sun will become too -fierce to be pleasant.” - -We therefore as he wished went on enlaced. Parrhasius walked with -a grand heavy balancing of the body, measured and pompous as an -hexameter, the little steps of the women were as a dactyl. In a few -words he inquired of my works and my life. At each of my responses he -said with vivid words, “Yes. I understand perfectly.” He wished to cut -short any lengthy speech. Then he began to speak of himself. - -“Clearly understand that I have taken you under my protection,” said -he. “For not one citizen of Athens, save myself alone, is out of danger -when near the Macedonian. If the least little trouble had brought you -before their Court of Justice I would not have given two copper coins -for the value of your liberty. But now, maintain a tranquil mind.” - -“I am not,” I responded, “of a fearsome nature, but here in the shadow -of your mighty name----” - -“Yes,” said Parrhasius. “When Philip knew that I was going to honour -his new city he sent forward upon my route an officer of the palace. -This man brought me royal presents, among others the six colossal men -slaves and the two beautiful girls that you have seen. That is to say -Force to open my path before me and Beauty to grace my person.” - -“Girls of Macedonia?” I questioned. - -“Macedonians of Rhodes,” came the laughing answer. - -And then Parrhasius with a generous gesture of gift said-- - -“They shall both brighten your bed this night. As for me I have others -left with my valuables. But you are alone, friend. Accept these rosy -flowers of flesh from my hands. Their bright youthful skins will be -strikingly beautiful contrasted with a couch of sombre purple....” - -We approached the great market. He stopped and regarded me. - -“Indeed, you do not even ask me what it is that I come here to seek!” - -“I would not dare.” - -“Can you divine it?” - -“No; certainly not. I do not think you can want slaves, for Philip -gives you his own. Nor girls, since as you say....” - -“I have come from Athens to Chalcis to find a model, my friend. Now you -seem to be surprised.” - -“A model for you. Are there not any then between the Academe and the -Piræus?” - -“Yes: about half a million--for me,” he said majestically. “All Athens. -And yet I seek a model at the sale of the Olythians. You shall hear -why, and you will comprehend.” - -Here he drew himself up proudly-- - -“I shall make a Prometheus.” - -In saying this his face expressed the horror that the subject of -Prometheus would have. - -“There is a Prometheus (of some sort or the other) under every portico, -as you know. Timagoras made and sold one; Apollodorus has attempted -another. Zeuxis has believed that he has the power to ... but why bring -back to our memory so much piteous painting. _The_ Prometheus has never -yet been given to the world.” - -“That I fully believe,” I replied to the Master. - -“They have represented peasants naked and attached to rocks made of -wood. Their faces were distorted by a grimace of some sort, a mere -face-ache. But, Prometheus the forger of fire, and creator of the man -and his struggle with the eagle-god.... Ah! No one has yet created -that, Bryaxis. Such a Prometheus, one of the greatest grandeur, I see -as plainly before me, created by my brain, as I see your face. That -is the type of Prometheus that I wish to nail to the walls of the -Parthenon.” - -Saying that he quitted the support of his girl companion, took his wand -of wood and gold, and traced great waves of outline in the air. - -“For two months I have worked upon my great scheme. I have found -splendid rocks in the domain of Crates, at the Promontory of Astypolus. -All these studies were finished, the foundation of my picture ready, -the line of the figure in its place. All at once I find my way barred -before me. I fail to find a head. If it was merely a question of a -Hêrmes, an Apollo or Pan, all the citizens of Athens would be proud to -pose before me. But to take for model a man whose face is shining with -genius and to tie, or bind, him by the ankles, the hands, no, you can -see that is not possible. One cannot dislocate his limbs like the limbs -of a slave. We lack slaves who have the heads of freeborn Greeks. Ah, -well, Philip brings us some like that, and I come to buy where Philip -comes to sell.” - -I shuddered. - -“An Olynthian. One of the vanquished. But where do you intend to finish -this picture?” - -“At Athens.” - -“Upon the soil of Athens your slave will be free.” - -“He will be--when I wish it, and not before.” - -“But then, if you treat your captive so, have you no fear whatever of -what the laws will say?” - -“The laws?” questioned Parrhasius with a smile. “The laws are in the -hollow of my hand, even as are the folds of this mantle that I now -throw over my shoulder, behind me!” - -And with a magnificent movement he seemed at the same time to enwrap -himself with purple and with the sun. - - - - -CHAPTER III - - -The market for the sale of the Olynthians now stretched before us. -As far as one could see, and forming in a straight line six large -parallel ways, platforms of planks were erected upon tressels at a -height of about a yard from the ground. The population of an entire -city was there exposed before the population of another city: the one -as merchandise, the other as purchaser. Twenty-five thousand men, women -and children, their hands bound behind the back, the ankles shackled -with loose cords, waited, for the most part standing--waited the -unknown master who was yet to come, purchase, and lead them to some, -to them, unknown place on Grecian soil. One soldier guarded forty; -servants in crowds circulated with the bread and water needed for -the sustenance of such a host of slaves. A great and murmurous noise -perpetually ascended to the sky. It was like the sound of a great feast. - -Parrhasius penetrated into the principal “street” of slaves, where were -exposed for sale young men and young girls who appeared for one reason -or another to be of the sort that would command a high price. To my -great astonishment I did not catch in their eyes any great expression -of sadness. They seemed merely curious. Human sadness and misery, for -youth that is, has its certain measure, and they saw their sorrows were -about to pass or be moderated by the care of a master. From the time of -the ruin of their homes these beautiful beings had experienced to the -full all that could give days and nights of despair. The young men no -doubt had regained hope of their future escape: the young girls perhaps -dreamed of a love that might partly release them. By bravado or by -sheer ignorance of the fate in store they all showed a certain good -humour. The crowd pressed around them, examining and uncertain before -making a purchase. Few could have decided quickly in the midst of such -a vast choice. Often they handled the slaves. Hands tested the muscles -of a leg, the delicacy of a skin, the firmness of a breast. Then the -intending purchasers passed on hoping to find better bargains. - -Parrhasius halted an instant before a girl whose tall white form was a -harmony of lines. - -“Behold,” he said, “this is a beautiful child.” - -A seller at once came forward and cried-- - -“She is the most beautiful one offered for sale, my lord. See how -straight she is and white. Sixteen years old yesterday.” - -“Eighteen years,” rectified the young girl. - -“You lie, by Zeus! She is but sixteen years, my lord; do not credit -her when she says otherwise. Look at her black locks lifted up by this -comb. When she uncoils her hair it falls to the knees. Look at her -long white fingers, untouched by any labour. She is the daughter of a -senator.” - -“Speak not of my father,” said the girl gravely. - -“She is beautiful as a water-nymph, supple as a sword, and a virgin--as -at her birth.” - -The man disrobed her with cynical hands, but Parrhasius struck the -earth with his stick, and muttered-- - -“Virgin, you say? I care not whether she be a virgin or not, but merely -whether she be beautiful enough. Take away her shackles, that she may -robe herself properly. I will purchase her. What is her name?” - -“Artemidora,” said she. - -“Ah, good. Then know, Artemidora, that you are for the future in the -suite of Parrhasius.” - -She opened her great eyes wide, hesitated charmingly, and then said-- - -“You are the Parrhasius who....” - -“Yes, I am Parrhasius,” came the reply. - -Then, handing her to the care of his guard, he again walked on. -Presently he deigned to explain to me-- - -“Bound to the Caucausus that young girl would look charming! -Nevertheless, she will not be my Prometheus. She will serve me as model -for certain little erotic pictures with which I ease my toils during -hours of leisure--pictures that are not, however, the least noble part -of my lifework.” - -We walked on. The crowd had greatly increased. The sun became more -terrible in the midst of that vast plain, without a shadow, and in the -midst of a great and mixed concourse of people. - -Artemidora was dressed in a white tunic, girdle, and veil. She often -turned to look at us, and it seemed to me that when properly robed she -seemed to be another person. Her face acquired another expression, and -she seemed anxious to glean from one of us which was to be the man -she was fated to surrender to. Already we had been through half the -principal street when Parrhasius stopped, and said-- - -“No. That for which I seek is not here. The youth of the body and the -beauty of the face are not found together. I have more chance, I think, -of finding my man among slaves of the second class.” - -Scarcely had we gone three more paces when he extended his hand, and -cried out, “Behold him!” - -I drew near and gazed with curiosity. The man whom he pointed to -was about fifty years of age. Of a fine, tall figure and excellent -proportions, he had a large face; the arch of the brows was powerful -and muscular, the nose and ears were correctly modelled, hair grey, but -beard brown and brindled. The strong muscles of the neck formed a sort -of pedestal to his fine head, and gave it a pose of authority. - -Parrhasius questioned him. “What do you call yourself?” - -“Outis.” - -“I do not ask you for anything, my brave man, but the name that you -received from your father.” - -“For a month past I have called myself Outis. If I have ever borne -another, older name it does not please me to tell you.” - -“Why not?” - -“It does not please me to tell you why, Son of a Dog.” - -Parrhasius became maddened with anger. The seller of the slaves, -alarmed, advanced with suppliant arms. - -“Do not listen to him, my lord. He speaks as one who has lost his -senses. It is pure malice on his part, for he has more brain-power than -I have. He is a physician. For science and cleverness he had not his -equal in all Olynthus. I say what all the world would repeat, for he -was celebrated even in Macedon. People have told me that during thirty -years he has cured more Olynthians than we were able to kill when we -took their city. This will be a precious slave when he is chained and -has felt the rod. He plays the insolent, but he will change his tone, -as all the others will or have done. Then, if you lead him away with -you, Death will not come to you till your hundredth winter! Give me -thirty drachmas, and this Nicostratus will be your thing for ever.” - -“Nicostratus,” repeated Parrhasius to me; “as a poet I know one of that -name. My indifference is total towards the science of medicine.” - -Turning towards the seller he ordered-- - -“Remove his clothes.” - -Nicostratus let this be done, powerless and yet disdainful. Parrhasius -continued to command that the captive take up first one position and -then another. At last the bargain was struck. Parrhasius then said, -“Superb!” - -But I did not reply, for I felt almost envious. - -Fifty years have passed--the space of a human life. I have seen -hundreds and hundreds of models, but never one worthy to be compared -with that Nicostratus the Olynthian. He was the Statue of the Man in -all his grandeur at the full age of force and power. I never had him as -a model for anything of mine; the unfortunate being only posed once, -and you shall learn how. - - - - -CHAPTER IV - - -I returned upon horseback to my own place going through Attica. During -my five years of absence creditors had sold the few poor goods I -possessed, and I put up very simply at a hostelry of Athens for many -weeks. Parrhasius followed after an interval of a few days. Hearing of -my modest lodging, he at once offered me hospitality. I went to him at -once to thank him and decline. He then lived near the Academy, in a -palace of marble and metal, near to the little house that Plato lived -in. - -The gardens extended to the river, and the house was surrounded by much -pomp of trees. - -By some feebleness of the intellect that is difficult to understand -in a man of such strength and value, Parrhasius positively adored -ostentation and every show of wealth. His fortune was immense, and he -did not permit any one to think otherwise. With marble, silk, gold, -and beauteous women, his abode had the air of a palace of Artaxerxes. -He greeted me upon the threshold of the chamber that served him for a -studio. Standing robed in red silk and crowned like an Olympian god, -he opened his large arms to me. I then penetrated by his side into the -famous salon that had been the matrix of so many masterpieces. - -“My Prometheus?” he said, in answer to my question. “No; I am yet -meditating upon that. In a few days I shall see it all clearer. Come; -look at this little thing. It is wonderful. I have never done a more -beautiful thing.” - -It was a picture of a sleeping nymph and two satyrs. I saw, near, the -lovely Artemidora and two of the Sarmatians, and at once divined that -they had posed for the picture. - -He ordered the pose to be again taken, and continued the painting -before me. - - - - -CHAPTER V - - -I remained an entire month at Athens, occupied with my own personal -affairs; and these did not allow me time to return to the house of -the great painter. Athens was truly in mourning since the fall of the -Olynthians. The slave-market at Chalcis, the sale of a people, such a -scandal and insult was the subject on all tongues, and the dream of all -those who were silent. - -One day it was known that in Athens a citizen held captive an Olynthian -woman. The citizen was condemned and executed. - -Alarmed, I hastened to Parrhasius, and my entreaties gained me -admission to him.... Never shall I forget the regard, slow and grave, -with which Parrhasius greeted me when I entered. He was standing, -painting. Then, following his further glances, I saw, nude and bound -to an actual rock, Nicostratus the Olynthian. - -“Cry out!” shouted Parrhasius to him; and his awesome captive did, -cursing, foaming, and raging. - -The face of Parrhasius did not alter one line. He said to a Sarmatian -slave: “Upon his right; touch lightly, without penetrating.” -Nicostratus saw the man advance, and soon his eyes swooned and a sweat -of agony came to his temples. Moans came to the lips; then a sob, -like that of a child. Parrhasius, impassible, studied the face; then -suddenly cried out: “The imbecile! He has died too soon.” - - * * * * * - -When it was known how Parrhasius had painted his Prometheus the people -stormed his house, crying out for death to the murderer. At last -Parrhasius appeared in all his pomp and faced the crowd and all its -cries. Then, slowly lifting his painting, as though offering something -sacrosanct, he showed the Athenian people the Prometheus. - -An awesome shudder of amazement, of wonderment at its highest, came to -the populace who saw the great picture--the picture of human anguish -and final defeat by death. The summit, the uttermost, of tragic -grandeur seemed to be unveiled there for the first time.... Silence, -as of a temple, held the people for a time; then some hostile cries -broke out afresh. But they were futile, and died, lost in the splendid -thunder of glory. - - - - -THE HILL OF HORSEL - - - - -In the month of August eighteen ninety-one, shortly after I had heard, -at Bayreuth, _Tannhäuser_, _Tristan_ and _Parsifal_, for the ninth -time, I spent a fortnight in the verdant Marienthal near the ancient -city of Essenach. - -The room I occupied looked out on the west upon the lofty Wartburg, and -on the east upon Mount Horsel, that peak which used to be called by -priests and poets the Venusberg. The star of Wolfram appeared in the -bright sky of this land of Wagner. - -I was then so prone to sun that after leaning my elbows once upon the -sill of the western window before Luther’s towers I determined never to -return there even in my dreams. The Venusberg attracted me to it. - -Alone, among all the neighbouring peaks which with their coverings of -black firs or fertile meadows formed a garment for the earth, the -Venusberg was bare and like a woman’s swelling breast. Sometimes the -rosy dawn cast purple flesh-like tints upon it. It palpitated; truly at -certain hours of the evening it seemed to live, and then it appeared -as if Thuringia, like a divinity reclining in a green and black tunic, -allowed the blood of her desires to mount to the summit of her bare -breast. - -Throughout the long evenings of each day I watched the transfiguration -of the hill of Venus. I gazed at it from afar. I did not approach it. -It pleased me not to believe in its natural existence, for exquisite -is the pleasure of simplifying realities into the pure aspect of their -symbols, and remaining at such a distance that the eye is not forced -to see things as they are. I was afraid that once for all the illusion -would vanish never to return on the day when I set my foot upon the -mountain itself. - -Yet one morning I started. At first I followed the Gotha Road, which -is intersected by bridges and streams overgrown with verdure; then a -path through the fields. I had not lifted my eyes from the meadows when -three hours later I reached the end of it. Then I looked before me. - -Seen from near at hand, Mount Horsel was bare and reddish, without -earth, verdure, or water upon it; it appeared to be burned up by an -internal fire as if the legendary curse continued to arrest at its base -all the fresh vegetation which gave life to the other mountains. The -path I followed was made of stones and dead lichen, and was sometimes -quite indistinct amid a stony desert, while at other times it was -narrowly enclosed between high and rusty rocks. It ascended to the -summit, where a little grey house had been built with thick walls to -stand against the violence of the wind. - -I entered the house and discovered that I could lunch there. Lunch -upon the Venusberg! That would be the last step to my disenchantment. -I accepted the idea, to my shame, willingly enough, for in spite of -everything I was hungry. - -The two daughters of the inn-keeper, who was absent, served me upon -a little table a Wiener Schnitzl, which was perhaps more Saxon than -Austrian, and a bottle of Niersteiner. This was reality indeed. The -clean, light dining-room, the white curtains at the windows, the -freshly-cleaned floor, a light bedroom visible through an open door, -all succeeded in convincing me that I was not lunching with magicians, -as for a moment, alas! I had hoped. The two young girls were two good -spirits who would take no part in the damnation of the country. - -It is true that at the conclusion of the meal the elder discreetly -retired and the younger one gave me a smile of invitation which proved -her natural goodness; but at German inns the servants hardly fix any -precise limits to the kindness they bestow upon young travellers, and -that fact does not generally mean that they have made a compact with a -goddess of darkness. - -We talked. She was obliging enough to understand my German, though I -spoke it something like a negro from the Cameroons. I asked her for -some topographical information of the country. She gave it to me with a -very good grace. - -“Don’t forget,” she said, “to visit the grotto.” - -“What grotto?” - -“The Venushoehle.” - -“Is there a grotto of Venus?” - -“Yes! that is its name; I don’t know why; you must not go down the -mountain without seeing it.” - -Uneasy and almost jealous, I wanted to know whether many strangers came -to see this grotto, whose name alone had made me quiver. - -The young girl sadly replied-- - -“No one! You see the mountain is not lofty enough to tempt climbers, -and it is too high for walkers. Occasionally at very distant intervals -a sportsman from Essenach comes to lunch or to spend the night here; -but you are the first Frenchman I have seen since my birth.” - -“Which is the way to the grotto?” - -“Take the path to the left. You will get there in five minutes. Perhaps -you will find at the entrance a man seated upon a stone. Pay no -attention to what he says: he is mad.” - -So there was a grotto of Venus in the flanks of the Horselberg! But -then the country of Tannhäuser had retained the whole of its terrible -legend. - -The grotto of the Goddess was really there. And the man was there too. - -It was small, elliptical at the top, crowned with fine dark briars, -and appeared as the necessary symbol of the mountain, as another -justification of the old German tale still more striking than the -carnal aspect of the Venusberg on the horizon. The interior, into which -I gazed, was dark, narrow and low. Pools of water and dark recesses -made up its dark floor. It was difficult to enter without becoming -mud-stained, but some incomprehensible charm attracted me into the -humid darkness. - -“Where are you going?” the man said shortly. - -“To the bottom of the grotto.” - -“To the bottom of the grotto? But there is no bottom to it, sir. It is -the mouth of the earth.” - -“Good,” I said patiently. “I will not go far. I shall soon return.” - -His hollow cheeks grew purple. He hit his stick with his fist. - -“Ah! you will soon be back! Ha! ha! you think you can go in and out -of there at will. Do you think this grotto is a lift or a geological -curiosity? Are you a Cook’s tourist, or do you come from a natural -history museum? Have you come to write your name upon the rock, or to -gather stones for your collection? You think you are about to discover -here subterranean lakes, blind fish, architectural stalactites and -rocky arches covered with crystals! You are going to study the geology -of the Venushoehle. Ha! ha! that is admirable! Are you, too, a madman -like the others? You, also, do not understand. You then are not aware -that Venus is there in the flesh with millions of her nymphs around her -and they are more living than you are, since they are immortal.” - -“Sir,” I said, “I believe what you tell me; but you very much misjudge -me if you think that the presence of Venus will prevent me from -entering here.” - -“Hell!” he cried. - -“I should not be displeased to earn it as the price of her favours.” - -The madman made a gesture which evidently meant: “You do not -understand me at all.” Then he put his hands to his forehead and began -to speak. - -“Horselberg! or rather Hoelenberg, the Mountain of Hell! they come to -thee without being warned of thy eternal horrors, thou who waitest for -the pure, punishest the chaste, and will consume in eternity the wicked -misers of the flesh. They will have lived their lonely lives as rebels -to the great law divine, and they will not know thy atrocious burning -till the day when, by the power of the Sword, the Harbinger of Souls -will plunge them into the abyss. They have eyes and they see not, ears -have they and they hear not, they have mouths and they do not.... My -God, they are mad! mad! mad!” - -Suddenly turning to me he shouted-- - -“How can you think that the Venusberg can become a place of damnation -when it is hell itself.” - -I made a movement. - -“Alas!” he groaned. “Alas! My God!” (his hands fell from his eyes to -his beard) “Alas! shall I be the only living person to know the truth, -the truth, the truth. Will it be all in vain that the patriarchs -have placed Venus as the terrible antithesis of God, and will no one -understand that she is Satan? Is it all in vain that ancient tradition -has painted the satyrs with horns, black tail, goat’s legs and cloven -hoofs: will no one realize that they are demons? With regard to the -flames of hell, will no one in the world understand that they are -thousands of naked women dancing ...” (he struck the earth) “there -beneath our feet!” - -He shuddered. - -“Ever since man has thought, written and learned, he has said, repeated -and cried out that there is no worse torture than love. How is it he -has not foreseen that in the world of eternal torture that punishment -alone will be inflicted upon him! What other could he imagine more -terrible than it?” - -He then assumed a position as if he were gazing into the distance and -waved his hand. - -“Yes,” he said, “it is there ... it is there.... On the day when we -shall be nothing but rotting corpses and souls maddened by terror, -there we shall go in crowds, all of us, all sinners, to burn in -that horrible fire which is Lust. Every day and every hour we shall -experience desire, even to the extent of suffering, for more and more -beautiful women, and at the moment of possession we shall see them, as -on earth, vanish in smoke. But that which is here a spasm, a fear, a -cry, a sob,--which suffices to prepare the curse of a human life--will -be there a perpetual tremor, uninterrupted anguish, and the punishment -of years, of centuries and of centuries. Ah! God! such is the destiny -which awaits me.” - -His eyes became fixed upon a stone on the ground. Nodding his head he -went on in a strangely changed voice-- - -“I have lived an evil life, sir; this is the reason. I was born of -Protestant parents in the Mountain of Wartburg, that same one where -Luther, more than three centuries ago, taught his evil doctrine. I -spent my youth in piety, and led a noble and austere life. But from -my fourteenth year I could not look at a woman without being assailed -by terrible desire. I curbed it, after fierce struggles which left me -in the morning with a forehead bathed in sweat and trembling face. I -thought I could remain pure by living without love, mad that I was, -and blind to my own interests. To remain pure I would have killed -myself with my own hand before committing any sin. Those who have not -experienced nightly combats between religious duty and the frantic -desires of the body have not known sorrow. I struggled thus for a -shadow, and now I know that I struggled against God. And later I got -married, sir, but married only in the eyes of the world. The woman and -I had sworn only to unite our souls. That was how, little by little, -I was damned for my fault of lying every day to the law of life; and -afterwards there was not time for me to follow the path I had missed in -my youth. Ah! cursed be virgins! for the love they have repulsed during -their brief existence will justly be their punishment in their future -state.” - -He seized me by the arm. - -“Listen! The sun is sinking. Now is the time. Every evening I come -here, and sweetly the Goddess sings. She calls me from afar; she -attracts me. I come just as at the day of my death, at the day of my -fall into the Venushoehle. Ah! do not say a word. She is about to speak -to us.” - -I do not know whether it was these last few words, the man’s -expression, or the grasp of his hand which persuaded me that he was -speaking truly--but tremors ran through me and I listened. - -I expected, not as an accident, but with the absolute exactness of -prevision, the event predicted by the madman. - -I can only compare my state of mind to that of a traveller who, after -seeing the lightning, and knowing how far the storm is, waits for the -thunder. - -The time which separated me from the prodigy decreased first by a -quarter, then a half, then three-quarters, and at the precise moment -which I had anticipated as the end of my waiting, _a breath of perfumes -carried up to us the languishing echo of a ... Voice_! - - * * * * * - -Here ends the Book of Seven Stories by Pierre Louÿs. - -_Explicit Laus Veneris._ - - _Richard Clay & Sons, Limited, London and Bungay._ - - - - - * * * * * - - - - -Transcriber’s note: - -Obvious typographical errors have been silently corrected. Other -variations in spelling and punctuation remain unchanged. - - - -***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WOMAN AND PUPPET*** - - -******* This file should be named 51107-0.txt or 51107-0.zip ******* - - -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: -http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/5/1/1/0/51107 - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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F. Monkshood</h1> -<p>This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States -and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no -restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it -under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this -eBook or online at <a -href="http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you are not -located in the United States, you'll have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this ebook.</p> -<p>Title: Woman and Puppet</p> -<p> Woman and Puppet; The New Pleasure; Byblis; Lêda;; Immortal Love; The Artist Triumphant; The Hill of Horsel</p> -<p>Author: Pierre Louÿs</p> -<p>Release Date: February 2, 2016 [eBook #51107]</p> -<p>Language: English</p> -<p>Character set encoding: UTF-8</p> -<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK WOMAN AND PUPPET***</p> -<p> </p> -<h4>E-text prepared by Clarity, Les Galloway,<br /> - and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br /> - (<a href="http://www.pgdp.net">http://www.pgdp.net</a>)<br /> - from page images generously made available by<br /> - Internet Archive/American Libraries<br /> - (<a href="https://archive.org/details/americana">https://archive.org/details/americana</a>)</h4> -<p> </p> -<table border="0" style="background-color: #ccccff;margin: 0 auto;" cellpadding="10"> - <tr> - <td valign="top"> - Note: - </td> - <td> - Images of the original pages are available through - Internet Archive/American Libraries. See - <a href="https://archive.org/details/womanpuppetetc00louy"> - https://archive.org/details/womanpuppetetc00louy</a> - </td> - </tr> -</table> -<p> </p> -<hr class="full" /> -<p> </p> -<p> </p> -<p> </p> - -<p class="half-title">WOMAN AND PUPPET</p> - -<div class="bbox"> -<p class="center"><i><small>MANY TRANSLATIONS</small></i><br /> - -<small>BY</small><br /> - -G. F. MONKSHOOD<br /> - -<small>WILL BE FOUND IN THE</small><br /> - -LOTUS LIBRARY<br /> - -<i><small>UNIFORM WITH THIS VOLUME</small></i></p> -</div> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/title.jpg" alt="Title page" /> -</div> - -<h1> -WOMAN AND<br /> -PUPPET<br /> -<small>ETC</small>.</h1> - -<p class="center"><small>By</small><br /> -PIERRE LOUŸS</p> - -<p class="center"><small>Translated and Adapted by</small><br /> -G. F. MONKSHOOD</p> - - - -<p class="center"><small>LONDON</small><br /> -GREENING & CO., LIMITED<br /> -<small>1908</small></p> - - - - - -<p class="center spaced"> -<span class="smcap"><small>Richard Clay & Sons, Limited,<br /> -bread street hill, e.c., and<br /> -bungay, suffolk.</small></span> -</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - -<p class="center space-above"> -<small>DEDICATED</small><br /> - -<small>TO</small><br /> - -JOHN W. WHITE<br /> - -<small>PAINTER OF BEAUTIFUL THINGS</small></p> - -<div class="r1">G. F. M.</div> - -<div class="l1 small"><i>London, 1908.</i></div> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2><a name="CONTENTS" id="CONTENTS"></a>CONTENTS</h2> - - - - - -<div class="center"> -<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" summary=""> -<tr><td align="left"></td><td align="right"><small>PAGE</small></td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><a href="#WOMAN_AND_PUPPET">WOMAN AND PUPPET</a></td><td align="right">3</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><a href="#THE_NEW_PLEASURE">THE NEW PLEASURE</a></td><td align="right">51</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><a href="#BYBLIS">BYBLIS</a></td><td align="right">65</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><a href="#LEDA">LÊDA</a></td><td align="right">89</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><a href="#IMMORTAL_LOVE">IMMORTAL LOVE</a></td><td align="right">107</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><a href="#THE_ARTIST_TRIUMPHANT">THE ARTIST TRIUMPHANT</a></td><td align="right">191</td></tr> -<tr><td align="left"><a href="#THE_HILL_OF_HORSEL">THE HILL OF HORSEL</a></td><td align="right">233</td></tr> -</table></div> - -<hr class="chap" /> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</a></span></p> - - - -<div class="chapter"> -<h2><a name="TRANSLATORS_NOTE" id="TRANSLATORS_NOTE"></a><i>TRANSLATOR’S NOTE</i></h2> - -<p><i>About twelve years ago Oscar Wilde dedicated his -beautiful <span class="smcap">Salome</span> thus: “À mon Ami Pierre Louÿs.” -At that time not many gentlemen in England knew the -name of the writer who was to become famous throughout -the Land of the Mind as author of <span class="smcap">Aphrodite</span>. -His earliest fame here was to be enshrined in that -dedication. Afterwards, in <span class="smcap">The Spirit Lamp</span>, he -had the honour and pleasure of putting into a French -sonnet one of the prose poems that Wilde used to put -into the post as letters. Suddenly, about ten years ago, -every one in the republic of French letters was praising -a new and wonderful book, <span class="smcap">Aphrodite</span>. It was the -most amazing study of antiquity since the <span class="smcap">Salambo</span> of -Flaubert or the Mary Magdalen of Edgar Saltus. -The beautiful girl in the romance by Louÿs captivated a -continent. She was, indeed</i>, mystérieuse et victorieuse. -<i>But he did not stop. His waiting world soon had from -him the <span class="smcap">Chansons de Bilitis</span>. An English wit, one -of the few, said they were <span class="smcap">Chances of Debility</span>. -His phrase saves trouble, but one can say that these prose -chansons were a picture of Sapphic life and love of a -very febrile sort. There is quite a lot of that in -modern French literature. It is a mode of the moment.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a></span> -Louÿs then passed to the writing of the superb little -books <span class="smcap">Lêda</span>, <span class="smcap">Byblis</span>, <span class="smcap">The Artist Triumphant</span>, -and <span class="smcap">A New Pleasure</span>. They are here translated. -The narrative Louÿs called <span class="smcap">The Adventures of -King Pausolus</span> was of the whimsy story type. It -brought to the minds of well-read men such things as -Uchard’s tale <span class="smcap">Mon Oncle Barbassou</span>. It also -clearly informed the reader that Louÿs was French, and -that even in the telling of a harmless romance the strip -of water between England and France is a strip that -also flows between two antipolar view-points. But -Louÿs at last came to the writing of <span class="smcap">Woman and -Puppet</span>, and wrote something of deepest human intent. -A version of it follows. The very curious story entitled -<span class="smcap">The Hill of Horsel</span> shows the fusing of fact and -fiction, antiquity and to-day. It is a most interesting -effort, and achievement, in a form of story that Poe, -Gautier and D’Aurevilly also perfected.</i></p> - -<p class="right"> -G. F. MONKSHOOD.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span></p> - - - -</div><div class="chapter"> -<h2><a name="WOMAN_AND_PUPPET" id="WOMAN_AND_PUPPET"></a>WOMAN AND PUPPET</h2> - - - -<hr class="chap" /> -<h3>CHAPTER I</h3> - - -<p>In Spain the Carnival does not finish, -as in France, at eight o’clock on the -morning of Ash Wednesday. Over the -wonderful gaiety of Seville the memory -that “<em>dust we are</em>,” etc., spreads its odour -of sepulture for four days only, and the -first Sunday of Lent all the Carnival -reawakens.</p> - -<p>It is the <i lang="es">Domingo de Pinatas</i>, or the -Sunday of Marmites, the Grand Fête. -All the populous town has changed its -costume, and one sees in the streets rags -and tatters of red, blue, green, yellow -or rose, that have been mosquito-nets,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span> -curtains or women’s garments, all waving -in the sunlight and carried by a small -body of ragamuffins. The youngsters, -noisy, many-coloured and masked, push -their way through the crowd of great -personages.</p> - -<p>At the windows one sees pressed forward -innumerable brunette heads. Nearly all -the young girls of the countryside are in -Seville on such a day as this. Paper -confetti fall as a coloured rain, fans shade -and protect pretty powdered faces, there -are cries, appeals and laughter in the -narrow streets. A few thousands of people -make more noise on this day of Carnival -than would the whole of Paris.</p> - -<p>But, on the twenty-third of February in -eighteen hundred and ninety-six, André -Stévenol saw the end of the Carnival -approaching with a slight feeling of -vexation, for the week, although essentially -one of love-affairs, had not brought him -any new adventure. Some previous so<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span>journing -in Spain had taught him with -what quickness and freedom of the heart -the knots of friendship were tied and -untied in this still primitive land. He was -depressed at the thought that chance and -circumstance had not favoured him. He -had had a long paper battle with one young -girl. They had fought and teased each -other with the serpentine strips of Carnival -time, he in the street, she at a window. -She ran down and gave him a little red -bouquet with “Many thanks, sir.” But, -alas! she had fled quickly, and at closer -view illusions fled also. André put the -flower in his coat, but did not put the -giver in his memory.</p> - -<p>Four o’clock sounded from many clocks. -He went by way of the Calle Rodrigo -and gained the Delicias, Champs-Elysées -of shading trees along the immense -Guadalquivir thronged with vessels. It -was there that unrolled the Carnival of -the elegant.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span></p> - -<p>At Seville the leisured class cannot -always afford three good meals per day, -but would rather go without them than -without the outside show of a landau and -two fine horses. Seville has hundreds of -carriages, often old-fashioned but made -beautiful by their horses, and occupied by -people of noble race and face.</p> - -<p>André Stévenol made a way with difficulty -through the crowd edging the two -sides of the vast dusty avenue. The battle -of eggs was on. Eggshells filled with -paper confetti were being thrown into the -carriages, and thrown back, of course. -André filled his pockets with eggs and -fought with spirit. The stream of carriages -filed past—carriages full of women, lovers, -families, children, or friends. The game -had lasted an hour when André felt in -his pocket his last egg.</p> - -<p>Suddenly there again appeared a young -woman whose fan he had broken with an -egg earlier in the combat.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span></p> - -<p>She was marvellous. Deprived of the -shade and shelter of the fan that had -protected her delicate, laughing features; -open on all sides to the attacks of the -crowd and the nearest carriages, she took -bravely her part in the struggle, and, -standing panting, hatless, flushed with -heat and frank gaiety, she gave and -received attacks. She appeared to be -about twenty-two years old, and must -have been at least eighteen. That she -was from Andalucia could not possibly -be doubted. She was of that admirable -type that was born of the intermixing of -Arabs and Vandals, of Semites with the -Germans. Such mixing has brought -together in a little valley of Europe all -the perfection of two races.</p> - -<p>Her body, long and supple, was expressive -in every line and curve. One -felt that even were she veiled one would -be able to divine her thought, and that -she laughed with her limbs, even as she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span> -spoke with her shoulders and her bosom, -with grace and with liberty. Her hair -was of dark chestnut, but at a distance -shone almost black. Her cheeks were -of great softness as to contour. The edges -of the eyelids were very dark.</p> - -<p>André, pressed by the crowd close to -her carriage, gazed at her intently. His -heart-beats told him that this woman -would be one of those who were destined -to play a part in his life. At once he -wrote with pencil on his Carnival egg -the word “QUIERO,” and threw it as -one might a rose into her hands.</p> - -<p>Quiero is an astonishing verb. It is -“to will,” “to desire,” “to love.” It is -“to go in quest of,” it is “to cherish.” -In turn, and according to how used, it -expresses an imperative passion, or a light -caprice. It is a prayer or an order, a -declaration or a condescension. Often it -is but an irony. André looked as he -gave it the look that can mean “I would<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span> -love to love you.” She put the curious -missive in a sort of hand-bag, and the -stream of traffic took her on. André lost -sight of her after a vain attempt to follow.</p> - -<p>Saddened he slowly returned. For him -all the Carnival was shrouded and ended. -Should he have been more determined -and found a way in the crowd? How -could he find her again? It was not -certain that she lived in Seville. If not, -it might be impossible to find her. And -little by little, by an unhappy illusion, -the image that his mind held of her -became more charming. Certain details -of her sweet features that had only won -a moment’s curious notice now became -transmuted in the crucible of memory -into the principal things that made up -her tender attitude. There was a certain -detail in the dressing of the hair, an extreme -mobility in the corners of the lips. -The latter changed each instant in form -and expression. Often almost hidden,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span> -often almost curved upwards, rounded, -slender, pale or darkened, animated, so -to speak, with a varying flame of life -and soul. Ah! perhaps one could blame -all the rest of that face—say that the nose -was not Grecian, the chin not Roman; -but not to colour with pleasure at the -sight of those little lip-corners was to be -past all forgiveness in this world.</p> - -<p>So his thoughts flew on and on till a -voice cried behind him rough but warning: -a carriage was passing quickly in the -narrow street. In the carriage was a -young woman who, when she saw André -threw gently towards him, as one would -throw a rose, an egg inscribed “Quiero.”</p> - -<p>But, now, after the word there was a -decided flourish. It was as if the fair one -had wished to reply by stressing his own -one-word message.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span></p> - - -</div><div class="chapter"> - -<h3>CHAPTER II</h3> - - -<p>Her carriage had turned the corner of -the street. André went in pursuit, anxious -not to lose a second chance that might be -the last. He arrived as the horses went -through the gates of a house in the Plaza -del Triunfo. The great black gates closed -upon the rapidly caught silhouette of a -woman.</p> - -<p>Without doubt it would have been wiser -if he had prepared to learn the name and -family, or mode of life of the stranger, -before bursting into all the divine unknown -of any such intrigue, in which, knowing -nothing, he could not be master of anything. -André nevertheless resolved not to quit -the place without a first effort to find out -something. He deliberately rang the gate -bell.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span></p> - -<p>A young custodian came, but did not -open the gates.</p> - -<p>“What does Your Grace demand?”</p> - -<p>“Take my card to the Señora.”</p> - -<p>“To what Señora?”</p> - -<p>“To the one who lives here, I presume.”</p> - -<p>“But her name?”</p> - -<p>“I say that your mistress awaits me.”</p> - -<p>The man bowed and made a deprecatory -sign with his hands, then retired without -opening the gates or taking the card.</p> - -<p>Then André rang a second and third -time. Anger had made him discourteous.</p> - -<p>“A woman so prompt to reply to a -declaration of this type,” he thought, “cannot -be surprised that one insists upon -trying to see her.” It did not occur to -him that the Carnival and the bacchanal -forgives passing follies, that are not usually -permitted in normal social life.</p> - -<p>What was to be done? He paced to -and fro, but there was no sight of her and -no sign. Near the house was a stall-keeper<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> -whom André bribed and questioned. But -the man replied—</p> - -<p>“The Señora purchases of me, but if -she knew I talked of her to any one she -would buy of my rivals. I can only tell -you her name: she is the Señora Dona -Concepcion Perez, wife of Don Manuel -Garcia. Her husband is in Bolivia.”</p> - -<p>André heard no more, but returned to -his hotel and remained there undecided. -Even upon learning of the absence of the -Señora’s husband, he had not also learnt -that all the chances were upon his side. -The reserve of the dealer, who seemed to -know more than he would care to say, -rather left one with the idea that there was -another and luckier lover already chosen -and enthroned. The attitude of the servant -at the gates increased this awkward afterthought.</p> - -<p>André had to return to Paris in two -weeks’ time. Would those weeks suffice -for planning and effecting an entry into<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span> -the life of a beautiful young dame, whose -life was without much doubt planned, -rounded, complete?</p> - -<p>While thus troubled with his incertitudes -a letter was handed to him. It had no -address on the envelope. He said, “Are -you sure that this letter is for me?”</p> - -<p>“It has just been given to me for Don -Andrés Stévenol.”</p> - -<p>The letter was written upon a blue card, -and was as follows—</p> - -<p>“Don Andrés Stévenol is begged to -not make so much noise, to not give his -name or demand to know mine. If he is -out walking to-morrow about three on the -Empalme route a carriage will be passing. -It may stop.”</p> - -<p>André thought how easy life was, and -already had visions of approaching intimacy. -He even sought for and murmured the -most tender little forms of her charming -Christian name Concepcion, Concha, Conchita, -Chita.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span></p> - - - -</div><div class="chapter"> -<h3>CHAPTER III</h3> - - -<p>On the morning of the morrow André -Stévenol had a radiant awakening. The -light flooded his room, which had four -windows. There also came to him the -murmurs of the town. There were the -feet of horses passing, street cries, mules’ -bells, and the bells of convents.</p> - -<p>He could not recall having known a -morning as happy as this present one was; -no, not for a long time. He flung out his -arms and stretched them; then held them -tightly folded around his breast as though -to give himself the illusion or the anticipation -of that eagerly awaited embrace.</p> - -<p>“How easy, how simple the affairs of -life are, after all!” So he mused, smiling. -“Yesterday, at this hour I was alone, without -an object to fill my mind, almost<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span> -without a thought. It was merely necessary -to take a walk and, behold! a change -of scene, a love-affair in view. What is -the use of taking any notice of refusals, -of disdain, or any such things. We desire -and demand, and the women give -themselves. Why should it ever be otherwise?”</p> - -<p>He rose, and in dressing-gown and -slippers rang for his bath to be prepared. -Whilst waiting with his forehead -pressed to the window-panes he stared -into the thoroughfare before him, now full -of the stir of day. The houses in sight -were painted in light colours that Seville -favours as a rule: colours like the gay -tints of women’s dresses—cream, rose, -green, orange, violet, but not the fearful -brown of Cadiz or Madrid, or the crude -white of Jérez. There were orange-trees -in sight, bearing fruit; running fountains -and laughing girls, holding their shawls -close. From all sides come the sound of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span> -the mules’ bells. André could not then -imagine any other place in which to live -but—Seville.</p> - -<p>He finished dressing, and slowly sipped -a little cup of the thick Spanish chocolate, -then, easy in mind, almost aimlessly he -went out into the busy street.</p> - -<p>By chance he went the shortest way, to -the Plaza del Triunfo. Then he remembered -that he was not to haunt the residence -of his “mistress,” as he called her -to himself, so he went to Las Delicias. -The place was strewn with paper and the -usual signs of the Carnival. It was also -deserted, for Lent had recommenced. -Nevertheless, by a way that led from the -city’s outskirts, André saw coming towards -him one whom he recognized.</p> - -<p>“Good-day, Don Mateo,” he said, holding -out his hand. “I had not thought of -seeing you so soon.”</p> - -<p>“Well, here I am, alone, idle and at a -loose end. I stroll about in the morning<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span> -and evening, and fill up most of the day -reading or playing in some way. It’s a -dull sort of existence.”</p> - -<p>“But you have nights that console the -monotony of the days, if one may credit -the chatter of the city busybody?”</p> - -<p>“Whoever says so says wrongly. From -now to the day of his death Don Mateo -Diaz has no woman about him. But do -not let us talk about me. For how long -are you still going to remain here?”</p> - -<p>Don Mateo was a Spaniard, forty years -old, to whom André had been introduced -during his first stay in Spain. He was a man -of florid phrase and declamatory gesture, -very rich, and famed for his love affairs. -So André was surprised to hear that he -had renounced the pomps and vanities of -the flesh, but did not attempt to weary -him with questions.</p> - -<p>They walked by the river for a time, and -all their talk was of Spain, its people, its -policy, and history.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span></p> - -<p>Then, “You will come and break your -fast or lunch,” said Don Mateo. “My -place is there, near the route D’Empalme. -We shall be there in a half-hour, and, if -you will permit me, I will keep you till the -evening. I have some fine horses I should -like to show off before you.”</p> - -<p>“I agree to take lunch with you,” said -André, “but I cannot stay. This evening -I have a rendezvous that I must not fail -to keep; that is a fact.”</p> - -<p>“A lady ... I ask no questions. But -stay as long as you can. When I was -your age I did not want to be bothered -with the outer world during my ’days of -mystery.’ The only person I loved to -speak to on such days was the woman of -the moment.”</p> - -<p>Don Mateo was silent for a while, then -said in a tone of advice—</p> - -<p>“Ah, guard yourself against the -women! I should be the last man to say -fly from them, for I have spent my life<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span> -upon them until now. And if I had my -life to live again, the hours passed with -women are those I would most desire -to revive. But guard yourself; guard -yourself!”</p> - -<p>Then, as though he had found a phrase -that fitted exactly to his thoughts, Don -Mateo added more slowly—</p> - -<p>“There are two kinds of women that -one should avoid, at all cost: those who -do not love you, and those who do. Between -these two extremes there are -thousands of women of great charm, but -we do not know how to appreciate them.”</p> - -<p>The lunch would have been very slow -indeed if the animation of Don Mateo had -not replaced by a monologue the interchange -of thought for thought that should -have taken place. André was mentally -preoccupied, and only appeared to hear the -half of what his host said to him. As the -hour of his assignation drew nearer, the -throbbing of his heart, as on the Carnival<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span> -day, came back to him, but intensified. It -was a kind of persistent appeal within him, -and all thoughts save the thought of the -longed-for woman were driven out of him. -He would have given much for the hands -of the dial near him to have pointed to -the next hour, but the face of the clock -was cold to his emotion, and time would -no more flow than the water of a stagnant -pond.</p> - -<p>At last, almost incapable of holding his -tongue any longer, he surprised his host by -saying—</p> - -<p>“Don Mateo, you have always given me -the best advice. May I confide a secret -to you and appeal to your advice again?”</p> - -<p>“I am entirely yours,” replied the -Spaniard, rising and making for the smoking-room.</p> - -<p>“I would not ask any one but you,” said -André hesitatingly. “Do you know a -lady of Seville named Donna Concepcion -Garcia?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span></p> - -<p>Mateo leaped up, then rapidly uttered—</p> - -<p>“Concepcion Garcia! Concepcion Garcia! -But which one? Explain. There are -twenty thousand Concepcion Garcias, in -Spain to-day. It is a name as common -as Jeanne Duval or Marie Lambert in -France. For Heaven’s sake tell me what -is her other name. Is it Perez, Concha -Perez?”</p> - -<p>“Yes,” said André, completely astonished.</p> - -<p>Then Don Mateo continued in precise -tones—</p> - -<p>“Concepcion Perez de Garcia: twenty-two, -Plaza del Triunfo, eighteen years old, -hair almost black, and a mouth, Heavens -what a divine mouth!”</p> - -<p>“Yes,” again answered André.</p> - -<p>“Ah! You have done well to mention -her name. If I can stop you at the gate -in this affair, it will be a good action on my -part, and a piece of good luck for you!”</p> - -<p>“Is she a girl who would go to the arms -of any one?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span></p> - -<p>“No. She has had but few lovers. -For these times, she is chaste and very -intelligent, with wit and a knowledge of -life. She dances with eloquence, speaks -as well as she dances, and sings equally -well. Have I said enough?”</p> - -<p>André could hardly get a word out before -Don Mateo resumed—</p> - -<p>“And she is the worst of women. -I hope that God will never pardon -her!”</p> - -<p>André rose as if to go.</p> - -<p>“Nevertheless, Don Mateo, I—who am -not yet able to speak of this woman as you -are—I, at present, am still less able to fail -to keep an assignation she has made with -me. I have made you a confession, and -I regret to break yours by a premature -departure.” He held out his hand.</p> - -<p>Mateo placed himself before the door.</p> - -<p>“Hear me, I beg of you. I speak to -you, man to man, and I say Stop! return -as you came. Forget who you have seen,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span> -who has spoken to you and written to you. -If you would know peace, calm nights and -a life lacking in black care, <em>do not approach -Concha Perez</em>! Do not approach this -woman. Let me save you. Have mercy -upon yourself, in fact.”</p> - -<p>“Don Mateo. Do you then love -her?...”</p> - -<p>The Spaniard stroked his forehead, and -answered—</p> - -<p>“Oh no! I do not now love or hate. -It is all over and done with, all trace -effaced.”</p> - -<p>Mateo gazed at André, then, quite -changing to a tone of banter, said—</p> - -<p>“Besides, one should never go to -the first rendezvous a woman gives -one.”</p> - -<p>“Why not?”</p> - -<p>“Because she never comes there.”</p> - -<p>A memory of an affair made André -smile, and admit it was often true.</p> - -<p>“Very often. And if by chance she<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span> -comes, be sure <em>your</em> absence will deepen -her liking for you.”</p> - -<p>A short silence came. They had reseated -themselves, and Mateo said—</p> - -<p>“Now listen, please.”</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span></p> - - -</div><div class="chapter"> - -<h3>CHAPTER IV</h3> - - -<p>Three years ago I had not the grey -hairs that you now see, and was thirty-seven -years of age, though I felt but -twenty-two. I do not know precisely -when my youth passed from me, and it is -hard for me to realize that it has reached -its end. People have told you that I was -one of the gadabouts of passion. That -is false. I respected Love and I never -degraded her. Scarcely ever have I -caressed a woman whom I did not passionately -love. If I were to name or number -these loves to you you would be surprised -for they were but a few. I easily remember -that I have never loved a blonde. I -have always ignored those pale objects of -worship. What is furthermore true, is -that, for me, love has not been a mere<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span> -pleasure or pastime. It has been my very -life. If I were to take out of my life all the -thoughts and actions that had the woman -for their sole end, there would remain -nothing but emptiness—space. This much -said, I may now recount to you what I -know of Concha Perez.</p> - -<p>I go first to three years and a half ago, -and winter-time. I returned from France, -a bitter cold journey too, one twenty-sixth -of December, in the express that -passes the bridge of the Bidassoa.</p> - -<p>The snow, already very thick at Biarritz -and Saint Sebastian, rendered almost -impracticable the traversing of the Guipuzcoa. -The train stopped two hours at -Zumarraga, for snow to be cleared away. -Later an avalanche stopped us for three -hours. All night this snow trouble went -on. Sounds were deadened by the fall, -and so we were travelling in a silence to -which danger gave a touch of grandeur.</p> - -<p>The morning of the morrow found us<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span> -at Avila. We were eight hours late, and -had fasted for a day. We learnt at last -that we should be “hung up” at that place -four days! Do you know Avila by any -chance? It is the place that they should -send those people to who rave about Old -Spain being dead and done with. The -inn I stopped at, Don Quixote could easily -have used also.</p> - -<p>In resuming my journey I went third-class, -for a change, in a compartment -nearly full of Spanish women. There -were really four compartments with partitions -about shoulder high.</p> - -<p>Well, we were passing the Sierra of -Guadarrama, and suddenly the train stopped -again. We were blocked by another avalanche. -When we realized this there was -a general request made to a gitana present -to dance.</p> - -<p>She did dance: a woman about thirty, -of the ugly gipsy type, but she seemed to -have fire in the fingers that flashed the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> -castanets and fire in her limbs. Everyone -knelt and listened, or beat time with -their hands. I now noticed in the corner -facing me a young girl, who was singing.</p> - -<p>She wore a rose-coloured skirt, that -made me guess she was from Andalucia—that -colour-loving province.</p> - -<p>Her shoulders and bosom were swathed -in a creamy shawl, and she had a throat -scarf of white foulard to protect her from -the cold. The whole carriage already -knew that she was trained at the Convent -of San José d’Avila, was going to Madrid -to find her mother, and bore the name of -Concha Perez.</p> - -<p>Her voice was singularly penetrating. -She sang without moving her body about, -hands in shawl, eyes closed.</p> - -<p>The songs she was singing were not -taught her by the Sisters, I can be quite -sure. They were the little songs of four -lines, only loved by the people. Into -these quatrains they put much passion.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span> -I can hear again in memory the caress -in her voice as she sang—</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"><div class="poetry"><div class="stanza"> - <div class="verse">“Thy bed is of jasmins,</div> - <div class="verse">Thy sheets of white roses;</div> - <div class="verse">Of lilies thy pillows,</div> - <div class="verse">And a dark rose there poses.”</div> -</div></div></div> - -<p>There followed an angry scene between -her and the gipsy. They fought, but I -stepped between, for I loathe to see women -fighting. They do it badly and dangerously. -When it was all over, a gendarme -came, and after slapping Concha upon the -cheeks put her in another compartment. -The train now went forward again, and -my companions began to sleep. The -image of the little singer tormented me. -Where had he put her? I leant over the -barrier of my carriage, and saw that she -was there, close enough to touch. She -was sleeping like a tired child. I saw the -closed lids, the long lashes, the little nose -and two small lips, that seemed to be at -one and the same time infantile and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> -sensual. Gazing for a long time at those -amazing lips, I wondered whether their -dream movements were recalling the -breast that nursed her or the lips of a -lover.</p> - -<p>Daylight came, and with it the end of -the journey. I aided the little Concha to -get together six parcels, and offered to -carry them but was refused. She managed -with them somehow, and ran off. -I soon lost sight of her.</p> - -<p>You see, do you not, this first meeting -was insignificant, almost vague. She had -interested and amused me for a little while. -That was really all. Soon I ceased to -think of her at all.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span></p> - - - -</div><div class="chapter"> -<h3>CHAPTER V</h3> - - -<p>The following summer I found her -again. In August, I was alone in my -house, a house that a feminine presence -had filled for years. One afternoon, bored -to death, I visited the Government Tobacco -Manufactory of Seville. It was a sweltering -day. I entered alone, which was a -favour, in this immense harem of about -five thousand women-workers, of a rather -free-and-easy type.</p> - -<p>I have said the day was terribly hot? -Most of the workers were half-dressed -only. It was a mixed spectacle, certainly: -a sort of panorama of women at all ages. -I passed along, sometimes being asked for -a gift, sometimes being given a cynical -pleasantry. Suddenly I recognized Concha,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span> -and asked her what brought her into that -place.</p> - -<p>“Heaven knows, I have forgotten.”</p> - -<p>“But your convent training?”</p> - -<p>“When girls go there through the door, -they leave through the window.”</p> - -<p>“Did you?”</p> - -<p>“I will be honest with you. I didn’t -enter at all for fear of sinning. Give me -a coin, and I will sing you something while -the superintendent is away from here.”</p> - -<p>Then she told me she lived with her -mother, and came to the factory when in -the mood. I gave her a napoléon, and -then left.</p> - -<p>In the youth of happy men there is a -moment, an instant, that chance decides. -My moment came when I dropped that -golden coin before that girl. It was as if -I had thrown a fatal die. I date from -then and there my actual life, “the life I -have lived the most.” My moral ruin was -then begun.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span></p> - -<p>You shall know all; the actual story is -simple enough, truly.</p> - -<p>I left the State Factory, and walked -slowly into the shadowless street. There -she rejoined me, and said—</p> - -<p>“I thank you; sir.”</p> - -<p>I noted that her voice had changed. -The golden gift had evoked in her the -emotion that comes with the desire for -wealth. She asked me to conduct her -home to the Calle Manteros, quite near.</p> - -<p>She told me she had no sweetheart, and -I then replied—</p> - -<p>“Surely, not through piety?”</p> - -<p>“I am pious, but I haven’t taken any -vows.”</p> - -<p>Finally she said that she was virginal, -and had kept herself pure.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span></p> - - -</div><div class="chapter"> - -<h3>CHAPTER VI</h3> - - -<p>She admitted this with such a directness, -such an air, that I quite flushed and -felt ill at ease. Whatever was passing in -that childish-looking head, behind that -face so provoking, so rebellious? What -signified her decided moral attitude, her -frank and, possibly, honest eye, her -sensuous mouth that seemed to tempt and -yet defy. All that I really knew was -that she pleased me vastly, that I was -enchanted to have found her again, and -looked forward to finding other chances -of being with her. We reached her -home. Down-stairs at the doorway I -bought her some mandarines. At the -top floor she gave three little knocks at -a door and I stood before her mother,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span> -a dark woman, who had once been -beautiful.</p> - -<p>Then began confidences; they seemed -endless. The mother said she was the -widow of an engineer, and told me a -story I had heard elsewhere twenty times.</p> - -<p>“Ah, Caballero, we should have been -rich, we two, had we but followed evil -ways. But sin has never passed the -evening here!”</p> - -<p>Conchita during this discourse was putting -powder on her cheeks. She turned to -me with a smile transfiguring her mouth.</p> - -<p>Finally I laid down four banknotes and -arranged that Conchita was not to return -to the factory. I called again the next -day. She was alone. That day she -came and sat upon my knees and kissed -me with her burning mouth. I left but -to return, alas! not once, but twenty -times more. I was in love like the -youngest, the most foolish of men. You -must have known such madness yourself<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span> -and will understand me. Each time I -left her rooms I counted the hours until -the next meeting, and those hours -never seemed to go. Little by little -I got to pass the whole day with -them, paying all the expenses and the -debts too. This cost me a good deal of -money. How Conchita and I talked!</p> - -<p>But she was impenetrable, mysterious. -She seemed to love me; possibly I really -loved her. To-day I do not know what -to think. To all my pleadings she -answered merely, “Later.” That resolution -I could not break. I swore to leave -her and she told me to go. I threatened -her, even with my violence: it left her -unconcerned. When loaded with presents -she accepted them upon her own terms. -Nevertheless, when I entered her place, -I saw a light in her eyes that was not, -I believe, a feigned one.</p> - -<p>She slept nine hours at night and had -a siesta of three hours. She did nothing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span> -else. The work of the place was her -mother’s affair. During one whole week -she refused to get up at all. Her conception -of the duties of the day was very -Spanish. But I do not know from what -country came her conception of love. -After twelve weeks of wooing I saw in -her maddening smile the same promises -and certainly the same resistance.</p> - -<p>At last, one day, I took her mother -into my confidence, and confessing my -love invoked her aid. After a night and a -morning that were insupportable through -suspense, I received a four-line letter—</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>“<i>If you had loved me you would have -waited. I wished to give myself to you. -You have asked that I shall be sold to -you. Never again shall you see me.</i></p> - -<p class="r1"> -“<span class="smcap">Conchita.</span>”<br /> -</p></blockquote> - -<p>When I reached their rooms in Seville -they had left with all their belongings.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span></p> - - - -</div><div class="chapter"> -<h3>CHAPTER VII</h3> - - -<p>Autumn and winter passed. Memory -was pitiless to me, and I felt shattered. -The months were empty. Oh, how I -loved her, God of Heaven! I thought -sometimes that she was trying me, testing -me, to be sure of me. So be it. We -met again. I was returning from the -theatre, and in the Calle Trajano I -heard her voice call my name. She was -at a window about shoulder high from the -ground, in night attire and shawled.</p> - -<p>I gazed at her as one entranced. She -held her hand to me, and I covered hand -and arm with kisses. I was half insane -with love. I craved for her lips only to -get for answer, “Later.”</p> - -<p>I pressed her with questions. They -had been to Madrid then to Carabanchel.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span> -By economy with my money they had -now rented her present place. There was -enough money left to live honestly for a -month.</p> - -<p>“And after that do you seriously think -I shall feel embarrassed?”</p> - -<p>Then she paused.</p> - -<p>“You do not understand me. I can -still work at the factory, sell bananas, -make bouquets, dance the Sevillana, can -I not, Don Mateo?”</p> - -<p>Then with a sigh she leant forward, and -said—</p> - -<p>“Mateo, I will be your mistress the day -after to-morrow.”</p> - -<p>“Are you sincere?”</p> - -<p>“I have said it. Leave me, Mateo. -Be not impatient or jealous.” Then she -left me.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span></p> - - - -</div><div class="chapter"> -<h3>CHAPTER VIII</h3> - - -<p>Two interminable days and nights -followed. I was happy and yet suffering. -A kind of troubled joy seemed to dominate -every other feeling. The hour of the -assignation came, and I heard her softly -call, “Mateo.” We kissed passionately -and a long love scene followed. Questions, -protestations, appeals. To hasten over -what was to me a time of great stress and -strain, mental and physical, let me at once -say that Concha would in reality consent -to nothing but this. I might live with her, -worship her, love her as fervently, truly, -tenderly as I liked, <em>but</em> she was to be left -wholly pure, utterly virginal. I endured -this state of things for two weeks. Concha -then borrowed from me a large sum to pay -more debts, and the next day I found that -mother and daughter had fled again!</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span></p> - - - -</div><div class="chapter"> -<h3>CHAPTER IX</h3> - - -<p>It was too much to bear. I left for -Madrid, and tried to get fond of an Italian -dancer. I returned to Seville, then went -to Granada, Cordova, Jérez. I sought for -Concha Perez. At Cadiz we met again. -One evening I entered a drinking saloon. -She was there dancing before sailors and -fishermen. At the moment I saw her I -trembled and throbbed. I must have -become pale, and I felt as though I had no -breath, no force, no will. I dropped down -upon the seat nearest the door, and head -in hands watched her. Her dance finished -she came towards me. All knew her. -From all sides came cries of “Conchita” -that made me shudder. On all sides she -cast glances. Here a smile, there a laugh, -a shrug, a flower accepted, a drink sipped.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span> -She sat at my table facing me, and desired -coffee.</p> - -<p>I said in a low voice that I tried to -steady—</p> - -<p>“Then you fear nothing, Concha, not -even death.”</p> - -<p>“You would not kill me.”</p> - -<p>“Do you dare me to.”</p> - -<p>“Yes, here or where you will. I know -you, Don Mateo, as though you were borne -in my bosom nine months.”</p> - -<p>Bitter reproaches followed, and I taunted -her. She rose, furious, and, vowing by -her father’s tomb that she was virtuous, -left me.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span></p> - - - -</div><div class="chapter"> -<h3>CHAPTER X</h3> - - -<p>After all that had happened I had -three paths open before me—</p> - -<p>To leave her for ever;</p> - -<p>To force her to stay with me;</p> - -<p>To take her life.</p> - -<p>I took a fourth path. I submitted to -her own way of treating me. Each evening -I returned to my cozenage, looking at -her, and waiting, waiting.</p> - -<p>Little by little, I think, she was more -softened towards me. It even seemed -sometimes that she had not really intended -me the harm that had in fact been done. -But the tavern life she now made me lead -did not suit me. It never has or can. -The Señora Perez was there too.</p> - -<p>She seemed to know nothing of what -had happened. Did she lie? I heard<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span> -her Memoirs once more, and paid for her -glasses of Eau-de-vie.</p> - -<p>My sole instants of joy were provided -by the dances of Concha. Her -triumph was the dance named <i>The Flamenco</i>. -What a tragic dance! It is, so -to speak, all passion expressed in three -acts. I always see her in that dance. -She was resplendent. During a month -she tolerated me in what may be called -the dressing-room, at the rear of the stage -where the dances took place. I had not -even the right to see her home; I kept my -“place” near her on conditions—no reproaches -as to the past or the present. -As to the future I did not know anything, -and had no idea whatever what would be -the solution of my most pitiable adventure -of body and spirit.</p> - -<p>Then came a night when, with other -dancers, she danced, with bosom bared, in -a room up-stairs. There were two rich -Englishmen present.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span></p> - -<p>I went up to her, and said—</p> - -<p>“Follow me. Do not be afraid. But -come or beware!”</p> - -<p>But again, she dared and defied me.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span></p> - - -</div><div class="chapter"> - -<h3>CHAPTER XI</h3> - - -<p>They left us alone.</p> - -<p>“Defend yourself. Lie. You lie so -well!” I cried.</p> - -<p>“Ah,” she answered. “You accuse me. -Superb! After entering here like a thief, -spoiling my dance, and scaring every one -away.”</p> - -<p>The usual scene of reproach, recrimination -and explanation followed. At the -end I drew her on to my knees.</p> - -<p>“Listen,” I said. “I cannot live thus. -If you stay here a day longer I will indeed -leave you for ever, Conchita.”</p> - -<p>Then she protested that she loved me, -and had always loved me.</p> - -<p>Again she tamed me with her words, -and the scene ended as so many had -ended—in her triumph. We returned to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span> -Seville, where I took a house for her. In -that house she pretended that she had a -lover. It was pretence, but at last I -turned and struck her in the face!</p> - -<p>She tried to stab me but failed. Then -I beat her until I hurt my own hand. On -her knees she craved my pardon, and -opened her arms to me. I took her. -She was virginal as on the day of her -birth.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span></p> - - -</div><div class="chapter"> - -<h3><span class="smcap">CHAPTER XII and Last</span></h3> - - -<p>André returned to Seville. He there -met Concha Perez.</p> - -<p>As they were starting for Paris a letter -came by hand addressed to her. A little -later in life André knew that the letter -was as follows—</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>“<i>My Conchita, I pardon you. I cannot -live where you are not. Return to -me. Now it is I who kneel to you. I -kiss your feet.</i></p> - -<p class="r1"> -“<span class="smcap">Mateo.</span>” -</p></blockquote> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a><br /><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span></p> - -</div><div class="chapter"> - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a><br /><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span></p> -</div><div class="chapter"> -<h2><a name="THE_NEW_PLEASURE" id="THE_NEW_PLEASURE"></a>THE NEW PLEASURE</h2> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - -<h3>CHAPTER I</h3> - - -<p>For four or five years I lived in a flat -that was in a street near the little Park -Monceau. I was there only for certain -days in the week. The flat was not the -finest in Paris, but was discreet, and the -place generally had a well-valeted look. -A distinct drawback was that although -one end of my street gave on to the park, -I could not enjoy that latter place much, -for the gates were closed every evening -before midnight—just when I most deeply -appreciate walking for exercise and to -take the pure air.</p> - -<p>One night at the flat I sat in silent -contemplation of two blue china cats that -crouched upon a white table. I was -wondering whether it would be better to -pass the time smoking cigarettes or writ<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span>ing -sonnets. Another idea was that it -might be better to smoke the cigarettes -and stare at the painting on the ceiling. -Cigarette, sonnet, or stare? The most -important thing at such an hour is to -have a cigarette ready to hand and lip. It -enshrouds all the most material things with -scarves of cloud, fine and celestial. It -adds something both to the lights and to -the dark of the chamber, taking away the -hard mathematics of the angles, and by -means of a scented magical spell brings to -the agitated human spirit a panacea and -peace. It brings, too, the land of dreams. -On the particular evening I now speak of -there was the intention of doing some writing, -and yet the desire to do nothing was -active and coercive. Put differently, it was -an evening that resembled many other -similar evenings of the “unlit lamp and -ungirt loin.” Evenings that ended with a -full ink-well, sheets of dead-white writing -paper, and—a large ash-tray full of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span> -golden ends of cigarettes, ashes and unused -ideas.</p> - -<p>Suddenly I was brought back from my -“open-eye dreams” by the unexpected -ringing of the bell. I raised my head and -tried to be positive that on Friday night, -the ninth of June, I did not await any one -at that hour of the night. A second ring -soon came, so I went to the door and drew -back the bolt.</p> - -<p>When the door was opened I saw a -woman waiting. She was wrapped in a -sort of mantle, like a travelling cloak, -fastened around the throat. Above, the -head was poised. I saw that her hair was -blond, and that she was young. Beneath -the shadow of her tresses gleamed very -dark eyes. The face was a trifle teasing -in its expression, and rather sensual, the -mouth being very red.</p> - -<p>“Do you wish me to come in?” she said, -inclining her sweet head upon her shoulder.</p> - -<p>I drew back, flattened as it were against<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span> -the wall, suffering from the genuine, the -natural astonishment of a man who has to -open his door at such an hour to a woman -of whom he has not the slightest recollection—a -woman, too, who used the intimate -form of address, “thou,” in the first phrase -she used.</p> - -<p>“My dear lady,” I said, with a touch of -timidity, as I followed her into my -chamber, “spare me any blame. Of -course I recognize you clearly, but by some -lapse of memory I do not recall your -name. Is it not Lucienne or Tototte?”</p> - -<p>She smiled a tender, indulgent smile, -but, making no reply, unfastened her -mantle.</p> - -<p>Her robe was of sea-green silk, with an -iris pattern. Snared in the low-cut corsage -were beautiful breasts, that seemed as -though they longed to burst forth—a flow -of imprisoned beauty. Clasped around -each of the nude, dark arms was a golden -snake, with glittering emerald eyes.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> -Around the throat of darkest cream were -two rows of pearls—pearls that had meant -the loss of many lives.</p> - -<p>“If you remember me it is because we -have met in the land of dreams, or in some -land of the mind, where it seems that -dreams come true. I am Callisto, daughter -of Lamia. During eighteen hundred years -my tomb has had peace. It is in the -flowerful fields and woods of Daphne, -near to the hills where were the voluptuous -dwelling-places of Antioch. But in -these days even the tombs have no abiding -home. They took me to Paris, and my -shadow or spirit followed. For a long -time I slept in the icy caves of the Louvre. -I should have been there for ever and ever -if it had not been for a great and grand -pagan, a really holy man, Louis Ménard. -He is the only living man in all this land -who knows to-day the signs and symbols -of the ancient divinities. Before my tomb -he solemnly pronounced the words that of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span> -old gave a nightly and transitory life to the -unhappy dead! Therefore behold me. -For seven hours each night I may go -through your miserable city....”</p> - -<p>“Oh, child of the older world,” I cried, -“how you must see the change the world -sorrows under!”</p> - -<p>“Yes, and yet no. I find the dwellings -dark, the dresses ugly, the sky sorrowful. -How oddly you dress for such a climate. -I find that life in general is more stupid, -and that human beings look much less -happy than in the older and more golden -days. But if there is one thing that greatly -stupefies me, it is to see that you have still -so many of the things that I knew of old. -What ... in eighteen hundred years -have you all made nothing more, nothing -new? Is that so really and truly? What -I have seen in the houses, the open air, the -streets, is that all? Have you not succeeded -in finding a new thing? If not, -what misery, my friend!”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span></p> - -<p>My attitude of astonishment was my sole -reply.</p> - -<p>She smiled, the lovely red lips parting -over her mother-of-pearl teeth most enchantingly. -Then she murmured in explanation—</p> - -<p>“See how I am dressed. This was my -burial attire. Regard it. In my first lifetime -one dressed in wool and silk. In -returning to the earth I thought that such -things would have passed away even from -the memory of man. I imagined that after -so many years that the human race would -have discovered fabrics to dress in more -wonderful than a tissue of sun and silk, -more pleasurable to touch than the exquisite -tender skin of young virgins, of -rose-leaves, of downy peaches. But you -still dress or clothe yourselves in thread, in -wool, in the silk we all had of old. Then -look at my shoes of olive morocco, worked -with gold like the binding of a rare book. -Have you as lovely things for the feet in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span> -these days? And so with the gems and -jewels of these days. I knew them all, -then.”</p> - -<p>“Callisto,” at last I said, “you give -these things too great an importance. A -girl is never so beautiful as when she is -made as the gods made her.”</p> - -<p>She gazed at me, then said very slowly, -“Are you sure now that women themselves, -their form, has not changed since -my early days of life?”</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span></p> - - -</div><div class="chapter"> - -<h3>CHAPTER II</h3> - - -<p>To my utter amazement she followed -her last words by slipping off her jewels -and robes. She had the grandeur of a -goddess from throat to feet. She curved -into a long, deep, easy chair, and said, -“Why have you people of to-day not perfected -the woman as you have perfected -flowers?” She continued in a soft, dreamy -voice, “Oh, days of the youth of the -world, days of the first coming of pleasure!... -During the nineteen hundred -years of my sleep in the grave what new -joy have you all discovered. What new -pleasure have you found? Invite me to -share it with you....”</p> - -<p>“We need more time, Callisto,” I -pleaded.</p> - -<p>She smiled in derision. “Your art<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span> -and thought have both borrowed from us—parasites -of our dead bodies. Descartes -and Kant borrowed from our Parmenides. -Euclid, Archimedes, Aristotle, Democritus, -Heraclitus ... you have discovered -nothing that they had not dreamt. -You have discovered nothing, not even -America. Aristotle said the earth was -round, and indicated the path that Columbus -finally took. But, oh! if only you -had discovered <em>one</em> new pleasure; only -one.”</p> - -<p>I sighed. I could not combat her arguments -any more than I could resist her -beauty. Instead, I simply said, “Will you -take a cigarette? Doubtless Aristotle -taught you that——”</p> - -<p>“No,” Callisto answered; “but do you -offer me that as a new pleasure?”</p> - -<p>She consented to take one, and I taught -her the best method of getting joy from -those tubes of white and gold. There followed -a long silence. She held in her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> -hand my packet of cigarettes, and seemed -to be deep in the enjoyment of an emotion -she would not share. Another cigarette -was lit for her, and slowly smoked. Callisto, -at last, had found a new pleasure!</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a><br /><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span></p> - -</div><div class="chapter"> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a><br /><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span></p> -<h2><a name="BYBLIS" id="BYBLIS"></a>BYBLIS</h2> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - -<p class="hang"><i>Amaryllis told to the three young women -and the three philosophers, as if they -were little children, this fable.</i></p> - -<p>“Travellers I have known, who have -gone to Caril by ascending the Méandre -far beyond the range of the shepherds, -have seen the River God asleep in the -shade on the river-bank. He had a long -green beard, and his face was wrinkled -like the river’s grey and rocky banks from -which trailed dripping plants. His old -eyelids seemed dead as they overhung -the eyes which were for ever blind. It is -likely that if any one went to find him -now, he would not be discovered alive.</p> - -<p>“Now this was the father of Byblis by -his marriage with the nymph Cyanée; I -will tell you the story of the unhappy -Byblis.”</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span></p> - - -</div><div class="chapter"> - -<h3>CHAPTER I</h3> - - -<p>In the grotto from which the river -emerged in a mysterious way the nymph -Cyanée gave birth to twins; one was a -son who was named Caunos, and the other -a girl to whom the name of Byblis was -given.</p> - -<p>They both grew up upon the banks -of the Méandre, and sometimes Cyanée -showed them beneath its transparent surface -the divine appearance of their father, -whose soul disturbed its flowing stream.</p> - -<p>The only world the children knew was -the forest in which they were born. They -had never seen the sun except through the -network of its branches. Byblis never left -her brother, and walked with her arm -around his neck.</p> - -<p>She wore a little tunic which her mother<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span> -had woven for her in the depths of the -river, which tunic was blue-grey like -the first light of dawn. Caunos wore -around his waist nothing but a garland of -roses from which hung a yellow waist-cloth.</p> - -<p>As soon as it was light enough for them -to walk in the woods, they wandered far -away, playing with the fruits which had -fallen to the ground, or searching for the -largest and most sweetly-scented flowers. -They always shared their finds and never -quarrelled, so that their mother spoke -proudly of them to the other nymphs her -friends.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Now when twelve years from the day -of their birth had sped, their mother became -uneasy and sometimes followed -them.</p> - -<p>The two children played no longer, and -when they returned from a day in the -forest, they brought back nothing with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span> -them, neither birds, flowers, fruits, nor garlands. -They walked so close together that -their hair was mingled. Byblis’ hands -strayed about her brother’s arms. Sometimes -she kissed him upon the cheek: -then they both remained silent.</p> - -<p>When the heat was too great they glided -beneath the low branches, and lying on -their breasts upon the sweet-smelling grass -talked and adored each other without -ever withdrawing from each other’s embrace.</p> - -<p>Then Cyanée took her son aside and -said to him—</p> - -<p>“Why are you sad?”</p> - -<p>Caunos replied—</p> - -<p>“I am not sad. I used to be when I was -playing and laughing. Now everything is -changed. I no longer feel the need of -play, and if I do not laugh it is because I -am happy.”</p> - -<p>Then Cyanée asked him, “Why are you -happy?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span></p> - -<p>The answer which Caunos gave her -was—</p> - -<p>“Because I look at Byblis.”</p> - -<p>Cyanée asked him too—</p> - -<p>“Why is it that you do not now look at -the forest?”</p> - -<p>“Because Byblis’ hair is softer and -more scented than the grass; because -Byblis’ eyes—”</p> - -<p>But Cyanée stopped him. “Child! be -silent!”</p> - -<p>Hoping to cure him of his illicit passion, -she at once took him to a mountain-nymph -who had seven daughters most wondrously -and indescribably beautiful.</p> - -<p>Both of them, after planning together, -said to him—</p> - -<p>“Make your choice, Caunos, and the -one who pleases you shall be your wife.”</p> - -<p>But Caunos looked at the seven young -girls as unmovedly as if he had been -looking at seven rocks; for the image -of Byblis quite filled his little soul, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> -there was not room in him for an alien -love.</p> - -<p>For a month Cyanée took her son from -mountain to mountain, and from plain to -plain without succeeding in diverting him -from his desire.</p> - -<p>At last realizing that she would never -overcome his obstinate passion, she began -to hate her son and accuse him of infamous -conduct. But the child did not -understand why his mother reproached -him. Why among all women was he to be -refused the one he loved? Why was it that -caresses, which would have been permissible -in the importunate arms of another, -became criminal in the arms of his beloved -Byblis? For what mysterious reason was -it that a sentiment which he knew to be -good, tender and capable of any sacrifice, -was deemed worthy of every punishment? -Zeus, he thought, married his sister, and -Aphrodite dared to deceive her brother -Ares with her brother Hephaïstos. For he<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span> -did not yet know that the gods alone have -given themselves an intelligent morality -and that they disturb men’s virtue by incomprehensible -laws.</p> - -<p>Now Cyanée said to her son—</p> - -<p>“I disown you as my child!”</p> - -<p>She made a sign to a Centaur which was -going towards the sea, and had Caunos -placed upon its back. Then the beast -went rapidly away.</p> - -<p>For some time Cyanée followed her son -with her eyes. Caunos in his fright clung -to the shoulders of the beast, and was -sometimes buried in its monstrous mane. -Then Centaur moved with long and powerful -strides; it travelled in a straight line, -and soon grew small in the distance. Then -it turned behind a clump of bushes, and -reappeared looking from afar like a tiny -and almost stationary speck. At last -Cyanée could see it no longer.</p> - -<p>Slowly the mother of Byblis retraced -her steps into the forest.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span></p> - -<p>She was sad, but at the same time proud -of saving by a forced separation the -destiny of her two children; and she -thanked the gods for giving her the -strength to accomplish such a heartrending -duty.</p> - -<p>“Now,” she thought, “Byblis being -alone will forget the brother who has been -sacrificed for her. She will fall in love -with the first man who knows how to -caress her, and from the marriage-bed will -spring, as is right, a race half human and -half divine. Blest are the immortal -gods!”</p> - -<p>But when she returned to the grotto, -little Byblis had disappeared.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span></p> - - - -</div><div class="chapter"> -<h3>CHAPTER II</h3> - - -<p>When Byblis found herself alone upon -the little bed of green leaves upon which -she had slept by her brother’s side every -night, she had in vain tried to sleep; but -that evening dreams came not to her.</p> - -<p>She went out into the warm night. A -gentle breath of air swayed the darkness -of the forest. She sat down and watched -the flowing stream.</p> - -<p>“Why,” she thought, “has not Caunos -come back. What has called him away -and kept him from me. Who is it, father, -that is separating us?”</p> - -<p>As this last idea came to her she leant -over the spring.</p> - -<p>“Father!” she repeated, “father! -where is Caunos? Reveal the secret to -me?”</p> - -<p>A murmur of the water answered—</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span></p> - -<p>“Far away.”</p> - -<p>Byblis in affright quickly continued—</p> - -<p>“When will he return? When will he -come back to me?”</p> - -<p>“Never,” the spring replied.</p> - -<p>“Dead! Is he dead?”</p> - -<p>“No.”</p> - -<p>“Where shall I see him again?”</p> - -<p>The spring spake no more. Its gentle -ripple resumed its monotonous sound. No -divine presence seemed to live in its clear -waters.</p> - -<p>Byblis got up and fled. She knew the -path by which Caunos had started with his -mother. It was a narrow track which -wound from tree to tree as it buried itself -in the forest. She had not traversed it -often, for it ran through a valley infested -with serpents and dangerous beasts. This -time her desire overcame her fear, and she -tremblingly followed the path with all the -speed of which her little bare feet were -capable.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span></p> - -<p>The night was not very dark; but the -shadows thrown by the moon are black, -and behind the mighty trees Byblis had to -feel her way.</p> - -<p>She reached a spot where the pathway -split in two. Which direction was she to -take, which path was she to follow? On -her knees she for a long time sought for a -footstep to guide her. But the earth was -dry. Byblis could see nothing. As she -lifted her head she perceived that, hidden -in the foliage of an oak, a tree-nymph with -green breasts was watching her with a -smile.</p> - -<p>“Oh!” Byblis cried, “which way did -they go? Tell me if you saw them.”</p> - -<p>The tree-nymph extended one of her -long branch-like arms to the right, and -Byblis thanked her with a grateful glance.</p> - -<p>She walked on that night for a long way. -The pathway seemed never-ending, and, -besides, it was hardly visible beneath a -covering of dead leaves; it ceaselessly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> -wound its way, determined in its direction -by the chance of the soil, and the position -of the trees; it seemed to climb up and -descend into the shadows for ever.</p> - -<p>At last worn out with fatigue Byblis fell -to the ground and went to sleep.</p> - -<p>She awakened in the morning when the -sun was high in the heavens with a soft, -warm sensation upon her outstretched -hand. She opened her eyes to see a white -hind gently licking her. But at Byblis’ -first movement the graceful animal jumped -up, pricked its ears, and fixed its lovely -dark eyes, which glittered like a mountain -stream, upon a distant point.</p> - -<p>“Hind,” Byblis said, “to whom do you -belong? If your mistress is the Goddess -Artemis guide me, for I know her. I offer -up to her in the full moonlight libations of -goat’s milk which are very pleasing to her, -and, hind, she loves me dearly. If you -are one of her company listen to the voice -of my anguish, and be sure that by so<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span> -doing you will not displease the kind -Huntress of the Night.”</p> - -<p>The hind appeared to understand; it -started off at a pace slow enough for the -child to follow. In this way they both -traversed a vast expanse of forest and -crossed two streams, the hind crossing -them with a bound while Byblis had to -wade knee-deep across them. Byblis was -full of confidence. She was now sure that -she was upon the right track; without a -doubt the hind had been sent by the -goddess herself out of gratitude for her -devoutness, and the divine animal was -leading her through the woods to her beloved -brother from whom she would never -again be separated. Every step took her -nearer to the place where she would see -Caunos again. She could even now feel -upon her breast the fugitive’s affectionate -embrace. A part of his breath seemed to -have entered into the atmosphere and to -have charmed the breeze.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span></p> - -<p>Suddenly the hind stopped. She slid -her long head between two young trees, -where at the same time the horns of a stag -appeared, and just as if she had reached -the end of her journey the hind lay down -with her hoofs beneath her and her head -upon the ground.</p> - -<p>“Caunos!” Byblis called aloud, -“Caunos, where are you?”</p> - -<p>Her only answer was from the stag, as -he took a few steps towards her and threatened -her with his terrible horns, which were -interwoven like ten brown serpents.</p> - -<p>Then Byblis understood that the hind, -like her, had come to meet her lover, and -that it was perhaps useless to reckon upon -the help of these entirely absorbed by an -inward passion.</p> - -<p>She turned back, but she was lost. She -took another track, which rapidly descended -to an invisible path. Her poor -little weary feet stumbled over the stones, -caught in the roots, and slipped upon the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span> -brown carpet of pine-needles. At a turn -in this uneven path, which followed the -course of a stream, she stopped before a -divine couple.</p> - -<p>They were two nymphs of different -orders, one of them having authority over -the forests and the other the spring waters. -The oread had brought to the naiad -the fresh offerings received from men, -and both of them were bathing in the -stream, sporting and embracing as they -did so.</p> - -<p>“Naiad,” Byblis said, “have you seen -the son of Cyanée?”</p> - -<p>“Yes. His shadow has passed over me. -It was yesterday at sunset.”</p> - -<p>“From what direction did he come?”</p> - -<p>“I do not know.”</p> - -<p>“Where was he going?”</p> - -<p>“I did not follow him.”</p> - -<p>Byblis uttered a profound sigh.</p> - -<p>“Did you,” she asked the other nymph, -“see the son of Cyanée?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span></p> - -<p>“Yes. Far away from here in the -mountains.”</p> - -<p>“Whence did he come?”</p> - -<p>“I did not follow him.”</p> - -<p>“Where was he going?”</p> - -<p>“I have forgotten.”</p> - -<p>Then she continued, rising up in the -midst of the flowing waters as she spake—</p> - -<p>“Remain with us, young girl, stay. Why -do you still think of him, who is absent? -We have treasured up for you boundless -present joys. There is no future happiness -worth the trouble of pursuit.”</p> - -<p>But Byblis did not think that the nymph -had spoken the truth. Although she was -unable to express the ideas of her little -soul, she could not conceive any greater -joy than to suffer in the pursuit of happiness. -During the first day of her useless -journey she had counted on the assistance -and zeal of the unknown creatures. When -she saw that they were careless about -aiding her destiny she relied solely upon<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span> -herself, and, leaving the winding path, -penetrated haphazard into the labyrinth of -the woods.</p> - -<p>But the two immortals repeated their -words of wisdom.</p> - -<p>“Stay with us, young girl, stay. Why do -you still think of the absent one? There -is no future happiness worth the trouble of -pursuit.”</p> - -<p>Long, long afterwards the child as she -crossed the mysterious mountain could -hear in the distance two clear voices, calling -together—</p> - -<p>“Byblis!”</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span></p> - - -</div><div class="chapter"> -<h3>CHAPTER III</h3> - - -<p>For a night and day Byblis traversed -the mountain. She made anxious inquiries -of all the deities of the woods, of the trees, -of the glades and the thickets. She recounted -her sorrows many times; she tremblingly -implored their assistance, and -wrung her little hands. But not one of -them had seen Caunos.</p> - -<p>She climbed up so high that her -mother’s holy name was quite unknown to -all she met, and the unconcerned nymphs -did not understand her.</p> - -<p>She wanted to retrace her steps, but she -was lost. On every side she was surrounded -by a confused colonnade of -enormous pine-trees. There were no more -paths. There was no horizon. She ran in -every direction. She called out in despair.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span></p> - -<p>There was not even an echo to be -heard.</p> - -<p>Then as her weary eyelids drooped -lower and lower she lay down upon the -ground and a passing dream told her in -measured tones—</p> - -<p>“You will never see your brother, you -will never set eyes upon him again.”</p> - -<p>She awoke with a start, with her arms -outstretched and her mouth open, but she -was so overwhelmed with sorrow and -anguish that she had not the strength to -cry out.</p> - -<p>The moon rose red like blood behind -the high black outlines of the pine-trees. -Byblis could hardly see it. It seemed to -her that a humid veil had been dropped -over her long eyes. An eternal silence had -enveloped the sleeping woods.</p> - -<p>Then a large tear gathered in the corner -of her left eye.</p> - -<p>Byblis had never before wept. She -believed that she was about to die, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span> -sighed as if divine solace had come to her -aid in a mysterious way.</p> - -<p>The tear grew, trembled, became larger -still and then suddenly trickled down her -cheek.</p> - -<p>Byblis remained motionless with fixed -eyes in the light of the moon.</p> - -<p>Then a large tear filled the corner of her -right eye. It grew like the other and -trickled down her right cheek.</p> - -<p>Two other tears came, two burning -drops which flowed down the moist track -made by the other. They reached the -corner of her mouth; a delightful bitterness -overcame the worn-out child.</p> - -<p>Then never more would her hand touch -the beloved hand of Caunos. Never more -would she see the gleam of his black eyes, -his dear head, and wavy hair. Never -again would they sleep side by side in each -other’s arms upon the same bed of leaves. -The forests no longer knew his name.</p> - -<p>An overwhelming outburst of despair<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span> -made Byblis hide her face in her hands, -but such an abundance of tears moistened -her inflamed cheeks that she seemed to -feel a miraculous spring washing away her -sufferings like dead leaves upon the waters -of a torrent.</p> - -<p>The tears which had been gradually -born in her, rose to her eyes, welled up, -overflowed, trickled in a warm flood over -her cheeks, bathed her tiny breasts and -fell upon her entwined legs. She did not -feel them trickle one by one between her -long lashes: they were a gentle and never-ending -stream, an inexhaustible flood, the -outpouring of an enchanted sea.</p> - -<p>But awakened by the moonlight the -deities of the forest had gathered from -every side. The bark of the trees became -transparent and allowed the faces of the -nymphs to be seen; and even the quivering -naiads left the water and the rocks and -came into the woods.</p> - -<p>They all crowded around Byblis and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span> -spoke to her, for they were frightened because -the river of the child’s tears had -traced in the earth a sinuous track which -was slowly extending towards the plain.</p> - -<p>But now Byblis could hear nothing, -neither voices, footsteps, nor the night -wind. Her attitude little by little became -eternal. Her skin had assumed beneath -the deluge of tears the smooth white tint -of marble washed by the waters. The -wind would not have disturbed one of her -hairs which were as long as her arms. She -died like pure marble. A vague light still -illuminated her vision. Suddenly it went -out; but fresh tears still flowed from her -eyes.</p> - -<p>In that way was Byblis changed into a -fountain.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span></p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a><br /><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span></p> -</div><div class="chapter"> -<h2><a name="LEDA" id="LEDA"></a>LÊDA</h2> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - -<p>There was not light enough in which -to clearly see any creature or thing; it was -twilight, the time of the gauzy haze that -haunts our dreams.</p> - -<p>Moonbeams were beginning to light up -the blackest branches of trees: moonlight -and the shine of flinching silver stars.</p> - -<p>There were four young Corinthians reclining -upon the ground near to three -young men. They were deep in pleasant -thought, but opened their eyes wide when -the grave Melandryon said these words—</p> - -<p>“I will tell you the story of the Swan -and the little Nymph who lived upon the -banks of the Eurotas. It is a story in -praise of blissful shadows.” He half -raised himself, and what he told his companions -now follows.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span></p> - - -</div><div class="chapter"> - -<h3>CHAPTER I</h3> - - -<p>In those days there were no tombs by -the roadside and no temples upon the hills. -Men themselves scarce existed; there was -not much talk of them. The earth was -given up to the joy of the gods and the -times favoured the birth of amazing -divinities. It was the time of Echnida and -the Chimera of Pasiphæ and the Minotaur. -The young ones that there were -went pale through the woods fearing to be -waylaid by dragons. Nevertheless upon -the humid banks of the river Eurotas, -where the trees were so thick that one -could not see the light, there lived an -extraordinary young girl who was blue-tinted -like the light of the night, mysterious -as the moon and sweet as the Milky -Way. That was why they had named her -Lêda. She was in truth almost blue, for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span> -the blood of the iris was in her veins and -not the blood of the rose that is in your -own veins. Her lips shone with blue like -her eyes. Her hair was so abundant that -she sometimes seemed to have long wings. -She loved only the water and the night. -Her chief pleasure was to walk upon the -soft springy spongy turf of the banks near -the water. She could feel the cold moisture -of the water but hardly see the water itself, -and her naked feet had little shudders of -pleasure and were softly moistened.</p> - -<p>For she did not bathe in the river because -of her fear of the jealous water-nymphs, -and she did not want to give herself -up to the water entirely. But she -loved to moisten her body and hair with -the sweet river-water. Sometimes she took -up into her hands the freshness of the -flood and poured it between her young -breasts, watching it trickle down and run -away. Sometimes she laid her full length -down upon the bank and drank from the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span> -surface of the water slowly, sweetly. -Then she seemed like a thirsty little -animal. Such was chiefly her life: that -and thinking upon the satyrs. Sometimes -one came upon her unexpectedly but fled -in affright, for they all thought her to be -Phœbe, and austere to those who saw her -naked. She would have liked to talk to -them had they stayed near her. Their -appearance filled her with astonishment. -One night when she had gone for a short -walk in the forest, because it had been -raining and the ground was like a torrent, -she approached one of these half-divine -creatures as he slept and gazed upon him; -but she, too, in her turn became horrified -and quickly retraced her steps. Since that -time she occasionally thought of the incident -and was disturbed about things she -did not understand. She began to gaze at -herself and found herself mysterious. It -was the time when she became sentimental -and spent much time in weeping.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span></p> - -<p>When the nights were clear she gazed -at her reflection in the water. Once the -thought came to her that it would be better -for her to plait her hair like a serpent and -so display the nape of her neck which the -touch of her hand told her was beautiful. -She chose a jewel for her hair and made -herself a garland of the leaves of water-lilies -and their blossoms.</p> - -<p>At first she took pleasure in walking like -this. But as she was alone there was none -to gaze at her. Then she became unhappy -and ceased to be amused.</p> - -<p>Now her spirit did not know itself but -her body awaited the beating of the -Swan’s wings.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span></p> - - -</div><div class="chapter"> - -<h3>CHAPTER II</h3> - - -<p>One evening, as she was hardly awake -and thought of continuing her dream, because -a long streak of yellow daylight still -flowed behind the darkness of the forest, -her attention was attracted by the sound of -the reeds near her and she saw the apparition -of a Swan.</p> - -<p>The beautiful bird was as white as a -woman, splendid as the light and gleaming -like a cloud. It seemed to be like a midday -sky, its form and its winged spirit. -That is why it was called Dzeus.</p> - -<p>Lêda knew it to be looking at her as it -flew and walked in turn. It circled around -the nymph at a distance and looked sidelong -at her. Even when it was almost -touching her it still continued to approach, -and rising on its red feet it stretched its<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span> -graceful and undulating neck as high as -possible before her young thighs.</p> - -<p>Lêda’s astonished hands carefully -grasped its little head and caressed it. -The bird fluttered all its feathers, with its -soft and feathery wings it gripped her -naked legs and bent them; Lêda let herself -fall upon the ground.</p> - -<p>She covered her face with her two -hands. She experienced neither fear nor -shame but inexpressible joy and a beating -of the heart which made her breasts -tremble.</p> - -<p>She did not realize or understand what -was about to happen. She did not even -understand why she was happy. She felt -along her arms the supple neck of the -Swan.</p> - -<p>Why had it come? What had she done -that it should come to her? Why had it -not flown away like the other swans on the -river or fled like the satyrs into the forest? -From her earliest recollection she had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span> -always lived alone. For that reason her -ideas were very limited and the events of -that night were so disconcerting. This -Swan she had neither called nor seen, for -she was asleep. It had come.</p> - -<p>She neither dared to look nor move lest -it should fly away. She felt upon her -flushed cheeks the freshness of the beating -of its wings.</p> - -<p>Soon it seemed to recoil and its caresses -changed. She felt between her cool -knees the warmth of the bird’s body.</p> - -<p>She uttered a long sigh of bounteous -delight, let fall backward with closed eyes -her fevered head, and plucked the grass -with convulsive fingers.</p> - -<p>Then for a long while she remained -motionless. At her first gesture her hand -met the Swan’s beak. She sat up and saw -the reflection of the great bird in the river. -She wished to rise but the bird prevented -her.</p> - -<p>She wished to take a little water in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span> -palm of her hand and moisten her flesh, -but the Swan prevented her with its wing.</p> - -<p>She clasped the bird in her arms and -covered its thick feathers with kisses, -making it set them up with her embraces. -Then she stretched herself upon the river-bank -and fell into a deep sleep.</p> - -<p>The next morning at daybreak a new -sensation awakened her with a start: something -seemed to become detached from her -body. A large blue egg rolled in front of -her and shone like a sapphire.</p> - -<p>She wanted to take it and play with it -or else cook it in the warm ashes as she -had seen the satyrs do; but the Swan picked -it up in its beak and placed it under a tuft -of overhanging reeds. It stretched out its -wings over the egg with its gaze fixed upon -Lêda, and then with a movement of the -wings slowly soared straight up into the -sky to disappear in the growing daylight -with the last white star.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span></p> - - -</div><div class="chapter"> - -<h3>CHAPTER III</h3> - - -<p>Lêda hoped that the following night the -Swan would come back to her, and she -waited for it in the reeds by the river-side -near the blue egg which was born of their -miraculous union.</p> - -<p>The Eurotas was covered with swans, -but her Swan was not among them. She -would have recognized it from a thousand, -and even with her eyes shut would have -perceived its approach. But it was very -certain that the one was no longer there.</p> - -<p>Then she took off her garland of water-lily -leaves, dropped it into the stream, let -down her hair and began to weep.</p> - -<p>When after a time she dried her eyes a -great Satyr was near her though she had -not heard his approach.</p> - -<p>Now she was no longer like Phœbe.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span> -She had lost her virginity. The satyrs -were no longer afraid of her.</p> - -<p>She leapt to her feet and drew back in -affright.</p> - -<p>The Satyr gently said to her: “Who are -you?”</p> - -<p>“I am Lêda,” she replied.</p> - -<p>He was silent for a moment and then -went on—</p> - -<p>“Why are you different from the other -nymphs? Why are you blue like the water -and the night?”</p> - -<p>“I do not know.”</p> - -<p>He looked at her in great astonishment.</p> - -<p>“What are you doing here all alone?”</p> - -<p>“I am waiting for the Swan.”</p> - -<p>She was looking at the river. “What -Swan?” he asked.</p> - -<p>“The Swan. I did not call it, I did not -see it, but it appeared. I was so surprised. -I will tell you.”</p> - -<p>She told him what had happened and -parted the reeds to show him the blue egg.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span></p> - -<p>The Satyr understood. He began to -laugh and gave her vulgar explanations, -which she stopped by putting her hand -over his mouth; then she cried—</p> - -<p>“I do not wish to know. I will not -know. Oh, you have told me. Oh! it is -frightful! Now I shall not be able to love -the Swan, and I shall die of unhappiness.”</p> - -<p>He seized her by the arm in his passion.</p> - -<p>“Do not touch me!” she cried through -her tears. “Oh! how happy was I this -morning! I did not realize how happy I -was! Now if it return I shall not love it. -Now you have told me! Ah! how wicked -you are!”</p> - -<p>He embraced her and caressed her hair.</p> - -<p>“Oh, no! no! no!” she cried. “Do not -do that! Oh if the Swan were to come -back! Alas! alas! all is ended.”</p> - -<p>She stood with staring eyes and open -mouth without weeping but with hands -trembling with fear.</p> - -<p>“I would like to die. I do not even<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span> -know whether I am mortal. I would like -to die in the water, but I fear the naiads, -lest they make me join them. Oh! what -have I done!”</p> - -<p>She sobbed bitterly in his arms. But a -serious voice spake before her, and when -she opened her eyes she saw the river -god crowned with green leaves rising half -out of the water and leaning upon a staff -of light wood.</p> - -<p>He said—</p> - -<p>“You are quite right. But you have -loved the symbol of all that is light and -glorious, and you have been united to it.</p> - -<p>“Of the symbol is born the symbol, and -of the symbol will be born Beauty. It is -in the blue egg which you have seen. -Since the beginning of the world it has -been called Helen; and the last man of -all shall know of her existence.</p> - -<p>“You were full of love because you -were ignorant. For that let the blessed -darkness be praised.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span></p> - -<p>“But you are a woman, too, and bear in -you the obscure being who would be simply -himself, whose father has not foreseen him, -and whose son does not know him. I will -take the germ in my waters. It shall remain -in obscurity.</p> - -<p>“You were full of hatred because you -learned the truth. I will make you forget -it. For that let the blessed darkness be -praised.”</p> - -<p>She did not understand what the God -had said, but she thanked him with -tears.</p> - -<p>She entered the bed of the river to -purify herself from the Satyr, and when -she returned to the bank she had lost every -remembrance of her sorrow and her joy.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Melandryon spake no more. The -women were all silent. But Rhea asked—</p> - -<p>“What of Kaftor and Polydeukes? -You have told us nothing of them. They -were the brothers of Helen.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span></p> - -<p>“No, that is not true, they are not interesting. -Helen alone was a child of the -Swan.”</p> - -<p>“Why, too, do you say that the Swan -wounded her with its beak? That is not -in the legend, nor is it likely. Then why -do you say that Lêda was blue like water -in the night? You have a reason for saying -it.”</p> - -<p>“Did you not hear the words of the -River. Symbols must never be explained. -They must not be understood. Have -faith. Ah! do not doubt. The maker of -the symbol has concealed a truth in it, but -he need not explain it or what would be -the use of the reader of symbols.</p> - -<p>“One must not tear aside ceremonies, for -they only conceal the invisible. We know -that in these trees adorable nymphs are -enclosed, and yet when the wood-cutter -fells the trees they are dead. We know -that behind us are dancing satyrs and -divine nakedness but we need not turn<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span> -round, for if we do all will have disappeared.</p> - -<p>“The undulating reflection of the -springs is actually the naiad. The buck -standing in the midst of the does is the -reality of the Satyr. One or other of you -all is Aphrodite in reality. But we must -not know it, we must not seek to find it -out. Such is the condition of love and -joy. Praise be to the blessed darkness -for it.”</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span></p> - - -</div><div class="chapter"> - -<h2><a name="IMMORTAL_LOVE" id="IMMORTAL_LOVE"></a>IMMORTAL LOVE</h2> - -<p class="center">(<cite>From “Aphrodite”</cite>)</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a><br /><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span></p> - - - - -<h3>CHAPTER I<br /> - -<small>THE GARDENS OF THE GODDESS</small></h3> - - -<p>The temple of Aphrodite-Astarte stood -outside the gates of the city in an immense -domain full of flowers and shadows, where -the waters of the Nile flowed through seven -aqueducts and maintained at all seasons a -state of wonderful fertility.</p> - -<p>This forest of flowers on the sea-shore, -these deep streams, these lakes and shady -meadows had been created in the desert by -Ptolemy I. Since that time the sycamores -planted by his orders had become giants; -through the fertilizing influence of the -waters the lawns had grown into meadows; -the ponds had become enlarged into lakes; -Nature had turned a park into a country.</p> - -<p>The gardens were more than a valley, -more than a country, more than a land;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span> -they were a complete world enclosed within -walls of stone, and ruled by a Goddess who -was the soul and centre of this universe. -All around this domain arose a circular -terrace. Its boundary was not a wall, it -was a colossal city, consisting of fourteen -hundred houses. A like number of courtesans -dwelt in this holy city and represented -in this spot alone seventy different -races.</p> - -<p>These sacred houses were uniform in -design, and had upon each door the courtesan’s -name who dwelt there.</p> - -<p>Upon each side of the door were two -rooms without walls upon the side next to -the gardens. The room to the right was -where the courtesan arrayed in all her -finery sat to await the arrival of her visitors. -The room on the left was at the disposal of -those who wished to pass the night in the -open air without sleeping on the grass.</p> - -<p>On opening the door a passage gave -entrance to a vast courtyard paved with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span> -marble, the middle of which was adorned -by an oval basin. A peristyle provided -the shade around this great square of light, -and formed a zone of coolness for the entrance -to the seven rooms of the house. -At the back stood the altar which was of -red granite.</p> - -<p>Every woman had brought from her own -country a little image of the Goddess, and -as it stood there upon the altar of the house -it was worshipped by each one in her -own tongue. Lakmî Ashtoreth, Venus, -Iskhtar, Freia, Mylitta, and Cypris were -some of the holy names of their Divinity -of Pleasure. Some worshipped the divinity -in the symbolical shapes of a sea -pebble, a conical stone, or a large prickly -shell. In many of the houses there was -upon a wooden stand a rough statuette -with thin arms, large breasts, and huge -thighs. They placed a myrtle branch at -the feet of the idol, strewed the altar with -rose-leaves, and burnt a grain of incense<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span> -for each prayer which was granted. The -Goddess was the confidante of all their sorrows, -the witness of all their labours, and -the supposed cause of all their pleasure. -At the courtesan’s death the image was -placed in her fragile coffin as a guardian -of her tomb.</p> - -<p>The most beautiful of these girls came -from the kingdoms of Asia. Every year -vessels bearing to Alexandria gifts from -tributaries or allies landed besides their -cargoes a hundred virgins chosen by the -priests for the service of the sacred garden. -They came from Mysia, Crete, Phrygia, -Babylon, and the banks of the Ganges, -and there were also Jewesses among them. -Some were fair of skin with impassive -faces and inflexible breasts; others were -dark as the earth after rain, and had -gold rings through their noses, and dark -hair hanging down upon their shoulders. -Some came from still more distant lands; -they were slender, quiet little creatures,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span> -whose language no one understood and -who looked like yellow monkeys. Their -eyes were long, and their straight black -hair was grotesquely arranged. These -girls spent the whole of their lives like -lost and frightened animals. They knew -the gestures of love but declined to kiss -upon the mouth. They amused themselves -by playing childish games.</p> - -<p>In a meadow apart, the fair and rosy -daughters of the North lived together -sleeping upon the grass. These were -women from Sarmatia with triple-plaited -hair, robust limbs, and square shoulders, -who made themselves garlands of the -branches of trees and wrestled among -themselves for amusement; there were -flat-nosed hairy Scythians and gigantic -Teutons who terrified the Egyptians with -their hair which was lighter than an old -man’s and their flesh which was softer than -a child’s; there were Gauls like animals, -who laughed without reason, and young<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span> -Celts with sea-green eyes, who never went -out naked.</p> - -<p>The women of Iberia, too, who had -swarthy breasts, spent their days together. -They had heavy masses of hair which -was skilfully arranged and did not remove -the hairs from their bodies. Their firm -skins and strong limbs were much in -favour with the Alexandrians. They were -as often employed as dancers as taken for -mistresses.</p> - -<p>In the shade of the palm-trees dwelt -the daughters of Africa, the Numidians -veiled in white, the Carthaginians clad in -black gauze, and Negresses clad in many-coloured -costumes.</p> - -<p>There were fourteen hundred women.</p> - -<p>When a woman once entered the sacred -garden, she never left it till the first day -of her old age came upon her. She gave -to the temple half of her gains and the -rest sufficed for her food and perfumes.</p> - -<p>They were not slaves and each one<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span> -really possessed one of the Terrace -houses; but all were not equally favoured -and the more fortunate often purchased -houses near their own which the owners -sold to save themselves from growing thin -through starvation. The latter then -removed the image of their Divinity into -the park and found an altar consisting of -a flat stone, near which they took up their -abode. The poor people knew this and -sought out the women who slept in the -open air near their altars; but sometimes -they were neglected even by the poor, -and then the unfortunate girls united in -their misery, two and two, in a passionate -friendship which became almost conjugal -love, and shared their misfortunes.</p> - -<p>Those without friends offered themselves -as slaves to their more fortunate -companions. They were forbidden to -have in their service more than twelve of -these poor girls, but these poor courtesans -are mentioned as having the maximum<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span> -number which was composed of a selection -from many races.</p> - -<p>If a courtesan bore a son, the child was -taken into the precincts of the temple for -the service of her divinity. When a -daughter was born she was consecrated to -the service of the Goddess. The first -day of her life her symbolical marriage -with the son of Dionysius was celebrated. -Later she entered the Didascalion, a great -school situated behind the temple where -little girls learned in seven classes the -theory and method of all the erotic arts; -the glance, the embrace, the movements -of the body, caresses and the secrets of -the kiss. The pupil chose the day of her -first experience because desire is a command -from the Goddess which must not -be disobeyed; on that day she received a -house on the Terrace; and some of these -children, though not yet nubile, were the -most popular of all.</p> - -<p>The interior of the Didascalion, the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span> -seven classes, the little theatre and the -peristyle of the court were ornamented -with ninety-two frescoes which comprised -the teaching of love. They were the lifework -of a man, Cleochares of Alexandria -the natural son and disciple of Apelles, -who had furnished them on his death-bed. -Lately Queen Berenice, who was greatly -interested in this famous school and had -sent her little sisters there, had ordered -from Demetrios a series of marble groups -to complete the decoration; but only one -of them had yet been placed in position -in the infants’ school.</p> - -<p>At the end of every year in the presence -of all the famous courtesans, a great -gathering took place at which there was -extraordinary emulation among the women -to win the twelve prizes offered, for they -consisted of the entry into the Cotytteion, -the greatest honour of which they ever -dreamed.</p> - -<p>This last monument was wrapped in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span> -such mystery that to-day it is not possible -to give a detailed description of it. We -only know that it was in the shape of a -triangle the base of which was a temple -to the Goddess Cotytto, in whose name -frightful unheard-of debauchery was committed. -The two other sides of the -monument consisted of eighteen houses; -thirty-six courtesans dwelt there, and were -much sought after by wealthy lovers; -they were the Baptes of Alexandria. -Once every month, on the night of the -full moon, they met within the temple -maddened by aphrodisiacs. The oldest -of the thirty-six had to take a fatal dose -of the terrible erotogenous drug. The -certainty of her immediate death made her -try without fear all the dangerous pleasures -from which the living recoil. Her -body, which soon became covered with -sweat, was the centre and model of the -whirling orgie; in the midst of loud wailings, -cries, tears and dancing the other<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span> -naked women embraced her, mingled their -hair in her sweat, rubbed themselves upon -her burning skin and derived fresh ardour -from the interrupted spasm of this furious -agony. For three years these women -lived in this way, and at the end of thirty-six -months such was the intoxication of -their end.</p> - -<p>Other but less venerated sanctuaries -had been built by the women in honour -of the other names of Aphrodite. There -was an altar consecrated to the Ouranian -Aphrodite which received the chaste vows -of sentimental courtesans; another to -Aphrodite Apostrophia, where unfortunate -love affairs were forgotten, and there were -many others. But these separate altars -were only efficacious and effective in the -case of trivial desires. They were used -day by day, and their favours were trivial -ones. The suppliants who had their -requests granted placed offerings of -flowers on them, while those who were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span> -not satisfied spat upon them. They were -neither consecrated nor maintained by the -priests and consequently their profanation -was not punishable.</p> - -<p>The discipline of the Temple was very -different.</p> - -<p>The Temple, the Mighty Temple of the -Great Goddess, the most holy place in -the whole of Egypt, was a colossal edifice -336 feet in length with golden gates standing -at the top of seventeen steps at the -end of the gardens.</p> - -<p>The entrance was not towards the East, -but in the direction of Paphos, that is to -say the north-west; the rays of the sun -never penetrated directly into the Sanctuary. -Eighty-six columns supported the -architraves, they were all tinted with -purple to half their height, and the upper -part of each stood out with indescribable -whiteness like the bust of a woman from -her attire.</p> - -<p>Within were placed sculptured groups<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span> -representing many famous scenes, Europa -and the Bull, Lêda and the Swan, the Siren -and the dying Glaucos, the God Pan and -a Hamadryad, and at the end of the frieze -the sculptor was depicted modelling the -Goddess Aphrodite herself.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span></p> - - -</div><div class="chapter"> - -<h3>CHAPTER II<br /> - -<small>MYLITTA AND MELITTA</small></h3> - - -<p>“Purify yourself, stranger.”</p> - -<p>“I shall enter pure,” Demetrios said. -With the end of her hair dipped in the -holy water the young guardian of the gate -moistened first his eyes, then his lips and -then his fingers, so that his look, the kiss -from his mouth and the caress of his hands -were all sanctified.</p> - -<p>Then he advanced into the wood of -Aphrodite.</p> - -<p>Through the darkening branches he -saw the sun set a dark purple which did -not dazzle the eyes. It was the evening -of the day when his meeting with Chrysis -had disturbed his life. That day he had -seen a beautiful woman upon the jetty, -and addressed himself to her. She had -declined his advances though he was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span> -Demetrios the famous sculptor, a young, -wealthy and handsome man and the -accredited lover of Queen Berenice. To -obtain her favour Chrysis, the courtesan, -had imposed upon him three almost impossible -conditions. She required him to -present to her the silver mirror of Bacchis -the famous courtesan, her friend, the ivory -comb worn by Touni the wife of the High -Priest, and last of all the necklace of -pearls from the neck of the statue of the -Goddess Aphrodite within the Holy -Temple. The first two of her demands -could be carried out possibly even without -the shedding of blood, but her third behest -would mean the committal of an act -of sacrilege punishable by death, before -which the boldest would hesitate. The -feminine soul is so transparent, that men -cannot believe it to be so. Where there -is only a straight line they obstinately seek -the complexity of an intricate path. This -was why the soul of Chrysis, in reality<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span> -as clear as that of a little child, appeared -to Demetrios more mysterious than a -problem in metaphysics. When he left -her on the jetty, he returned home in a -dream unable to reply to the questions -which assailed him. What would she do -with the three gifts she had ordered him -to procure her? It was impossible for her -to wear or sell a famous stolen mirror, the -comb of a woman who had perhaps been -murdered in its acquirement, or the necklace -of pearls belonging to the Goddess. -By retaining possession of them she exposed -herself every day to a discovery -which would be fatal to her. Then why -did she ask for them? Was it to destroy -them? He knew that women did not -rejoice in secrets and that good luck only -pleased them when it was well known to -every one. Then, too, by what divination -or clairvoyance had she judged him -to be capable of accomplishing three -such extraordinary deeds?</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span></p> - -<p>Surely if he had wished, Chrysis might -have been carried off, placed in his power -and become his mistress, his wife or his -slave, as he pleased. He had too the -chance of destroying her. Revolutions in -the past had accustomed the citizens to -deaths by violence, and no one was disturbed -by the disappearance of a courtesan. -Chrysis must know him, and yet she -dared....</p> - -<p>The more he thought of her the more -her strange commands seemed to please -him. How many women were her equal! -how many had presented themselves to -him in an unfavourable manner! What -did she demand? Neither love, gold, nor -jewels, but three impossible crimes! She -interested him keenly. He had offered -her all the treasures of Egypt: he realized -now that if she had accepted them she -would not have received two obols, and -he would have wearied of her even -before he had known her. Three crimes,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span> -assuredly, were an uncommon salary; but -she was worthy to receive it since she was -the woman to demand it, and he promised -himself to go on with the adventure.</p> - -<p>To give himself no time to repent of -his resolutions that very day he went to -the house of Bacchis, found it empty, took -the silver mirror and fled into the gardens. -Must he at once go to the second victim -of Chrysis? Demetrios did not think so. -The wife of the High Priest Touni, who -possessed the famous ivory comb, was so -charming and so weak that he feared to -approach her without preliminary precautions. -So he turned back and walked -along the great Terrace.</p> - -<p>The courtesans were outside their dwellings -like a display of flowers. There was -no less diversity in their attitudes and costumes -than in their ages, types and nationalities. -The most beautiful, according to -the tradition of Phryne, only leaving the -oval of their faces uncovered, were clad<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span> -from their hair to their heels in great robes -of fine wool. Others had adopted the -fashion of transparent robes, through -which their beauty could be distinguished -in a mysterious way, as through limpid -water one can see the patches of green -weeds at the bottom of the river. Those -whose only charm was their youth remained -naked to the waist, and displayed -the firmness of their breasts. But the -older women, knowing how much more -quickly a woman’s face grows old than -does the skin of the body, sat quite naked, -holding their breasts.</p> - -<p>Demetrios passed very slowly in front -of them without allowing himself to admire -them.</p> - -<p>He could never view a woman’s nakedness -without intense emotion. He could -not realize any feeling of disgust in the -presence of the dead, or of insensibility -with very young girls. That evening every -woman could have charmed him. Provided<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span> -she kept silence and did not display -any more ardour than the minimum demanded -by politeness her beauty did not -matter. He preferred, also, that she -should have a “coarse” body, for the more -his thoughts were fixed upon perfect -shapes the further away from them did -his desire depart. The trouble, which the -impression of living beauty gave to him, -was of an exclusively cerebral sensuality -which reduced to naught other excitation. -He recollected with agony that he -had remained for an hour like an old man -by the side of the most admirable woman -he had ever held in his arms. Since that -night he had learned to select less pure -mistresses.</p> - -<p>“Friend,” a voice said, “do you not -know me?”</p> - -<p>He turned, shook his head and went on -his way, for he never visited the same girl -twice. That was the only principle he -carried out in his visits to the gardens.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span></p> - -<p>“Clonarion!”</p> - -<p>“Gnathene!”</p> - -<p>“Plango!”</p> - -<p>“Mnaïs!”</p> - -<p>“Crobyle!”</p> - -<p>“Iœsa!”</p> - -<p>They called out their names as he -passed, and some added, as a further inducement, -a phrase upon their own ardent -nature. Demetrios continued his walk; -he was inclined, as his usual custom was, -to pick out one of them haphazard, when -a little girl dressed in blue spoke to him -softly.</p> - -<p>“Open the door for me,” he said. “I -wish to speak to you.”</p> - -<p>The little girl jumped gaily to her feet -and knocked twice with the knocker. An -old slave opened the door.</p> - -<p>“Gorgo,” the girl said, “bring some -wine and cakes.”</p> - -<p>She led the way into her chamber, which -was very plain, like that of all very young<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span> -courtesans. Two large beds, a little -tapestry and a few chairs comprised the -furniture, but through a large open bay -could be seen the gardens, the sea, and the -roadstead of Alexandria. Demetrios remained -standing looking at the distant city.</p> - -<p>The sun sinking behind the harbour, -that incomparable glory of a coast town, -the calm sky, the purple waters, were they -not enough to bring silence to any soul -bursting with joy or sorrow! What footsteps -would they not stay, what pleasure -suspend and what voice they not hush? -Demetrios watched: a swell of torrent-like -flame seemed to leap out from the sun -which had half sunk into the sea and to -flow straight to the curved edge of the -wood of Aphrodite. From one to another -of the two horizons the rich purple tone -overran the Mediterranean in zones of -shades without transition from golden red -to pale purple. Between the moving splendour -and the green mirror of the Mareotis<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span> -lake the white mass of the city was clothed -in reddish violet reflections. The different -aspects of its twenty thousand flat houses -marvellously speckled it with twenty thousand -patches of colour perpetually changing -with the decreasing phasis of the rays -in the west. Now it was rapid and fiery; -then the sun was engulfed with almost -startling suddenness and the first approach -of the night caused a tremor throughout -the earth and a hidden breeze.</p> - -<p>“Here are figs, sweets, honey and -wine. You must eat the figs before it is -dark.”</p> - -<p>The girl came in with a laugh. She -made the young man sit down and took up -her position upon his knees, refastening, -as she did so, a rose in her hair which was -in danger of falling out.</p> - -<p>Demetrios uttered an exclamation of -surprise, she looked so young and childish -that he felt full of pity for her.</p> - -<p>“But you are not a woman!” he cried.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span></p> - -<p>“I am not a woman! By the two -Goddesses what am I then? a Thracian, a -porter or an old philosopher?”</p> - -<p>“How old are you?”</p> - -<p>“Ten years and a half. Eleven years. -You can say eleven. I was born in the -gardens. My mother is a Milesian, her -name is Pythias, nicknamed the ’Goat.’ -Shall I send for her if you think I am too -young? She has a soft skin and is very -beautiful.”</p> - -<p>“You have been to the Didascalion?”</p> - -<p>“I am still there in the sixth class. I -shall finish there next year; it will not be -any too soon.”</p> - -<p>“What don’t you like then?”</p> - -<p>“Ah! if you only knew how hard to -please the mistresses are. They make -you begin the same lesson twenty-five -times, and it is all about useless things -which the men never desire. Then one -tires oneself for nothing, and I do not like -that. Come, have a fig; not that one,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span> -it is not ripe. I will show you a new way -to eat them—look.”</p> - -<p>“I know it. It takes longer, but it is -not a better way. I believe you are a -good pupil.”</p> - -<p>“Oh! what I know I have learned by -myself. The mistresses try to make out -they are stronger than we are. They are -more experienced, but they have not invented -anything.”</p> - -<p>“Have you many lovers?”</p> - -<p>“They are all too old; it is inevitable. -The young are so foolish! They only -care for women of forty. I sometimes -see one pass as good-looking as Eros, and -you ought to see the woman he picks out—a -hateful hippopotamus! It makes one -turn pale. I hope I shall not live to be -the age of those women; I should be -ashamed to undress. That is why I am -so glad that I am young. But let me kiss -you. I like you very much.”</p> - -<p>Here the conversation took a turn, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span> -Demetrios soon saw that his scruples were -unnecessary in the case of such a well-informed -young woman.</p> - -<p>“What is your name?” he asked her -presently.</p> - -<p>“Melitta. Did you not see the name -over the door?”</p> - -<p>“I did not look at it.”</p> - -<p>“You could see it in the room. It has -been written on the walls. I shall soon -have to have them repainted.”</p> - -<p>Demetrios raised his head. The four -walls of the room were covered with inscriptions.</p> - -<p>“Well, that is very curious,” he said. -“May I read them?”</p> - -<p>“Yes, if you like. I have no secrets.”</p> - -<p>He read them. The name of Melitta -was there several times, coupled with -various men’s names and strange designs. -There were tender and comic phrases. -Lovers detailed the charms of the little -courtesan, or made jokes upon her. All<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span> -that was not very interesting; but when he -was near the end of his reading he gave a -start of surprise.</p> - -<p>“What is this? What is it? Tell me.”</p> - -<p>“What? Where? What is the matter?”</p> - -<p>“Here. This name. Who wrote that?” -His finger was pointing to the name of -Chrysis.</p> - -<p>“Ah,” she replied, “I wrote that.”</p> - -<p>“But who is Chrysis?”</p> - -<p>“She is my great friend.”</p> - -<p>“I don’t doubt that. That is not what -I am asking you. Which Chrysis is it? -There are so many.”</p> - -<p>“Mine is the most beautiful Chrysis of -Galilee.”</p> - -<p>“You know her, then! Tell me about -her! Where was her home? Where does -she live? Who is her lover? Tell me all -about her.”</p> - -<p>He sat down upon the bed and took the -girl upon his knees.</p> - -<p>“Are you in love with her?” she said.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span></p> - -<p>“What does it matter? Tell me what -you know about her; I am anxious to -hear.”</p> - -<p>“Oh! I know nothing at all about her—very -little indeed. She has been twice -to see me, and you can imagine that I did -not ask her questions about her relations. -I was too pleased to see her to waste time -in idle conversation.”</p> - -<p>“What is she like?”</p> - -<p>“She is like a pretty girl; what do you -want me to say? Must I name all the -parts of her body and say that they are all -beautiful? Ah! she is a real woman.”</p> - -<p>“You know nothing about her, then?” -Demetrios asked.</p> - -<p>“I know she comes from Galilee; that -she is nearly twenty, and lives in the Jews’ -quarter, on the east of the city, near the -gardens. That is all.”</p> - -<p>“Can you tell me nothing of her life or -tastes?”</p> - -<p>“The first night she came here she came<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span> -with her lover. Then she came by herself, -and she has promised to come and see me -again.”</p> - -<p>“Do you know any other friend of hers -in the gardens?”</p> - -<p>“Yes; a woman from her country——Chimairis, -a poor woman.”</p> - -<p>“Where does she live? I want to see -her.”</p> - -<p>“She sleeps in the wood. She has done -so for a year. She sold her house. But -I know where her nest is, and I can take -you there if you wish. Put on my sandals -for me, please.”</p> - -<p>Demetrios rapidly fastened the leather -thongs of the sandals upon Melitta’s little -feet, and they went out together.</p> - -<p>They walked for some distance. The -park was immense. Here and there a -girl beneath a tree called out her name as -they passed. Melitta knew a few, whom -she embraced without stopping. As she -passed a worn altar she gathered three<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span> -large flowers from the grass and placed -them on the stone.</p> - -<p>It was not yet quite dark. The intense -light of the summer days has something -durable about it which vaguely lingers in -the dusk. The sprinkling of small stars, -hardly brighter than the sky itself, twinkled -gently, and the shadows of the branches -remained vague and indefinite.</p> - -<p>“Ah!” said Melitta, “here is mother.”</p> - -<p>A woman clad in blue-striped muslin -was coming slowly towards them. As soon -as she saw the child she ran to her, picked -her up in her arms, and kissed her fondly -on the cheeks.</p> - -<p>“My little girl! my little love, where -are you going?”</p> - -<p>“I am taking some one to see Chimairis. -Are you taking a walk too?”</p> - -<p>“Corinna has been confined. Have -been to her, and I dined at her bedside.”</p> - -<p>“Is it a boy?”</p> - -<p>“Twins, my dear; as rosy as wax dolls.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span> -You can go and see her to-night; she will -show them to you.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, how nice! Two little courtesans. -What are they to be called?”</p> - -<p>“Pannychis—both of them, because they -were born on the eve of the festival of -Aphrodite. It is a divine omen. They will -be beautiful!”</p> - -<p>She put down the child, and, turning to -Demetrios, said—</p> - -<p>“What do you think of my daughter? -Have I not good cause to be proud of -her?”</p> - -<p>“You can be satisfied with one another,” -he calmly replied.</p> - -<p>“Kiss mother,” Melitta said.</p> - -<p>He did so, and Pythias kissed him on the -mouth as they separated.</p> - -<p>Demetrios went a little further still -beneath the trees, while the courtesan -turned her head to watch them. At last -they reached the spot they sought, and -Melitta said—</p> - -<p>“Here it is.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span></p> - -<p>Chimairis was squatting on her left heel -in a little turfy glade between two trees -and a bush. She had beneath her a red -rag, which was her sole remaining garment -in the daytime, and on which she lay when -the men passed. Demetrios looked at her -with growing interest. She had the feverish -look of some thin, dark women whose -tawny bodies seem to be consumed by ever-present -ardour. Her great lips, her eager -gaze, her livid eyes, gave her a double -expression—that of covetous sensuality -and exhaustion. As Chimairis had sold -everything—even her toilet instruments—her -hair was in indescribable disorder, while -the down upon her body gave her something -of the appearance of a shameless -and hairy savage.</p> - -<p>Near her was a great stag, fastened to -a tree by a gold chain which had once -adorned her mistress’s breast.</p> - -<p>“Chimairis,” Melitta said, “get up. -Some one wants to speak to you.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span></p> - -<p>The Jewess looked, but did not move. -Demetrios approached.</p> - -<p>“Do you know Chrysis?” he asked.</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“Do you see her often?”</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<p>“Can you tell me about her?”</p> - -<p>“No.”</p> - -<p>“Why not? Can’t you do so?”</p> - -<p>“No.”</p> - -<p>Melitta was surprised.</p> - -<p>“Speak to him,” she said. “Have confidence -in him. He loves her and wishes -her well.”</p> - -<p>“I can clearly see that he loves her,” -Chimairis replied. “If he loves her he -wishes her ill. If he loves her I will not -speak.”</p> - -<p>Demetrios trembled with anger, but did -not speak.</p> - -<p>“Give me your hand,” the Jewess said to -him. “I will see whether I am mistaken.”</p> - -<p>She took the young man’s left hand and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span> -turned towards the moonlight. Melitta -leant over to watch, although she did not -know how to read the mysterious lines; but -their fatality attracted her.</p> - -<p>“What do you see?” Demetrios asked.</p> - -<p>“I see—may I tell you what I see? -Shall you be pleased? Will you believe -me? First of all I see happiness, but that -is in the past. I see love, too, but that is -lost in blood.”</p> - -<p>“Mine?”</p> - -<p>“The blood of a woman. Then the -blood of another woman; and then, a little -later, your own.”</p> - -<p>Demetrios shrugged his shoulders.</p> - -<p>Melitta uttered a cry.</p> - -<p>“She is frightened,” Chimairis went on. -“But this concerns neither her nor me. -Events must come to pass, since we cannot -prevent them. From before your birth -your destiny was certain. Go away. I -shall say no more.”</p> - -<p>She let his hand drop.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span></p> - - -</div><div class="chapter"> - -<h3>CHAPTER III<br /> - -<small>IMMORTAL LOVE AND MORTAL DEATH</small></h3> - - -<p>“A woman’s blood. Afterwards the -blood of another woman. Afterwards -thine; but a little later.”</p> - -<p>Demetrios repeated these words as he -walked and a vague belief in them oppressed -him with sadness. He had never -believed in oracles drawn from the bodies -of victims or from the movements of the -planets. Such affinities seemed to him -much too problematic. But the complex -lines of the hand had of themselves a -horoscopic aspect which was entirely individual -and which he regarded with uneasiness. -Thus the prediction remained in -his mind.</p> - -<p>He, too, gazed at the palm of his left -hand where his life was displayed in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span> -mysterious and ineffaceable lines. He saw -the signs without being able to understand -their meaning, and passing his hand across -his eyes he changed the subject of his -meditation.</p> - -<p>Chrysis, Chrysis, Chrysis.</p> - -<p>The name beat in him like a fever. To -satisfy her, to conquer her, to enclose her -in his arms, to flee away with her to Syria, -Greece, Rome or elsewhere, any place, in -fact, where he had no mistresses and she -no lovers: that was what he had to do and -to do at once!</p> - -<p>Of the three presents she had demanded -one was already obtained. Two others -remained to be procured, the comb and the -necklace.</p> - -<p>“First the comb,” he thought. He -hastened his steps.</p> - -<p>Every evening after sunset the wife of -the High Priest sat with her back to the -forest upon a marble seat from which a -view of the sea could be obtained, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span> -Demetrios was aware of this, for Touni, -like many others, had been enamoured of -him, and once she had told him that the -day he desired her he could take her.</p> - -<p>Thither he made his way.</p> - -<p>She was there; but she did not see him -approach; she was reclining with her eyes -closed and her arms outstretched.</p> - -<p>She was an Egyptian. Her name was -Touni. She wore a thin tunic of bright -purple without clasps or girdle, and with -no other embroidery than two black stars -upon her breasts. The thin stuff reached -down to her knees and her little, round -feet were shod with shoes of blue leather. -Her skin was very swarthy, her lips were -very thick, her fragile and supple waist -seemed bowed down by the weight of her -full breast. She was sleeping with open -lips and quietly dreaming.</p> - -<p>Demetrios took his seat in silence by her -side.</p> - -<p>He gradually drew nearer to her. <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span>A -young shoulder, smooth and dark and -muscular, delicately offered itself to him.</p> - -<p>Lower down the purple muslin tunic -was open at the thigh. Demetrios gently -touched her, but she did not awake. Her -dream changed but was not dispelled.</p> - -<p>The eternal sea shimmered beneath a -moon which was like a vast cup of blood, -but still Touni slept on with bowed head.</p> - -<p>The purple of the moon upon the -horizon reached her from across the sea. -Its glorious and fateful light bathed her -in a flame which seemed motionless; but -slowly the shadow withdrew from the -Egyptian woman; one by one her black -stars appeared, and at last there suddenly -emerged from the shadows the comb, the -royal comb desired by Chrysis.</p> - -<p>Then the sculptor took in his two hands -Touni’s sweet face and turned it towards -him. She opened her eyes which grew -big with surprise.</p> - -<p>“Demetrios! Demetrios! You!”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span></p> - -<p>Her two arms seized hold upon him.</p> - -<p>“Oh!” she murmured in a voice vibrating -with happiness, “oh! you have come, -you are there. Is it you, Demetrios, who -has awakened me with your hands? Is it -you, son of my Goddess, O God of my -body and life?”</p> - -<p>Demetrios made a movement as if to -draw back, but she at once came suddenly -quite close to him.</p> - -<p>“No,” she said, “what do you fear? I -am not a woman to be feared by you, one -surrounded by the omnipotence of the -High Priest. Forget my name, Demetrios. -Women in their lovers’ arms have no name. -I am not the woman you believe me to be. -I am only a creature who loves you and -is filled with desire for you.”</p> - -<p>Demetrios made her no answer.</p> - -<p>“Listen once more,” she went on. “I -know whom you possess. I do not desire -to be your mistress, nor do I aspire to become -my Queen’s rival. No, Demetrios,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span> -do with me what you will: look upon me -as a little slave whom one takes and casts -aside in a moment. Take me like one of -the lowest of those poor courtesans who -wait by the side of the pathway for furtive -and abortive love. In fact what am I but -one of them? Have the Gods given me -anything more than they have bestowed -upon the least of all my slaves? You at -least have the beauty which comes from -the Gods.”</p> - -<p>Demetrios gazed at her still more -gravely.</p> - -<p>“What do you think, unhappy woman,” -he asked, “also comes from the Gods?”</p> - -<p>“Love.”</p> - -<p>“<em>Or death.</em>”</p> - -<p>She got up.</p> - -<p>“What do you mean? <em>Death....</em> -Yes, death. But that is so far away from -me. In sixty years’ time I shall think of -it. Why do you speak to me of death, -Demetrios?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span></p> - -<span style="margin-left: 0.5em;">He simply said—</span><br /> - -<p>“Death to-night.”</p> - -<p>She burst into a frightened laugh.</p> - -<p>“This evening ... surely not ... -who says so? Why should I die?... -answer me, speak, what horrible jest is -this?...”</p> - -<p>“You are condemned.”</p> - -<p>“By whom?”</p> - -<p>“By your destiny.”</p> - -<p>“How do you know that?”</p> - -<p>“I knew it because I, too, Touni, am -involved in your destiny.”</p> - -<p>“And my destiny wills that I die?”</p> - -<p>“Your destiny demands that you die -by my hand upon this seat.”</p> - -<p>He seized her by the wrist.</p> - -<p>“Demetrios,” she sobbed in her fear, -“I will not cry out. I will not call for -help. Let me speak.”</p> - -<p>She wiped the sweat from her forehead.</p> - -<p>“If death comes to me through you,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span> -death will be pleasant. I will accept it, -I desire it; but listen to me.”</p> - -<p>She dragged him into the darkness of -the wood, stumbling from stone to stone.</p> - -<p>“Since you have in your hands,” she -continued, “everything we receive from -the Gods, the thrill which gives life and -that which takes it away, open your two -hands upon my eyes, Demetrios ... that -of love and that of death, and if you do -so, I shall die without regret.”</p> - -<p>He gazed at her without replying, but -she thought she could read assent in his -face.</p> - -<p>Transfigured for the second time she -lifted up her face with a fresh expression -in it, one of new-born desire driving -away terror with the strength of desperation.</p> - -<p>She said no more, but from between her -parted lips each breath seemed to be a -song of victory.</p> - -<p>She seized him in her arms crying—</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span></p> - -<p>“Ah! Kill me ... kill me, Demetrios, -why are you waiting!”</p> - -<p>He rose, gazed once more at Touni as -she lifted up her great eyes to him, and -taking one of the two gold pins from her -hair, he buried it in her left breast.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span></p> - - -</div><div class="chapter"> - -<h3>CHAPTER IV<br /> - -<small>APHRODITE’S PEARLS</small></h3> - - -<p>Yet this woman would have given him -her comb and even her hair for love of -him.</p> - -<p>It was simply a scruple which had prevented -him asking her for it: Chrysis had -very clearly desired a crime and not the -ancient ornament from a young woman’s -hair. That was the reason he believed it -his duty to take part in the shedding of -blood.</p> - -<p>He might have considered that oaths -made to a woman during an access of -love can be forgotten afterwards without -any great harm being done to the moral -worth of the lover who has sworn them, -and that, if ever this involuntary forgetfulness -were excusable, it was so in the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span> -circumstances when the life of another -woman, who was quite innocent, was being -weighed in the balance. But Demetrios -did not stay to reason thus. The adventure -he had undertaken seemed to him too -curious to be stayed by incidents of -violence.</p> - -<p>So after cutting off Touni’s hair and -concealing the ivory comb in his clothing, -he without further reflection undertook -the third of the tasks ordered by Chrysis: -the taking of the necklace of Aphrodite.</p> - -<p>There was no question of entering the -temple by the great door. The twelve -hermaphrodites who kept the door would -no doubt have allowed Demetrios to enter, -in spite of the order which refused admission -to the unsanctified in the priest’s -absence; but what was the use of thus -simply establishing his guilt for the future -when there was a secret entry leading to -the sanctuary. Demetrios wended his way -to a lonely part of the wood where the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span> -necropolis of the High Priests of the Goddess -was situated. He counted the tombs, -opened the door of the seventh, and closed -it behind him.</p> - -<p>With great difficulty, for the stone was -heavy, he raised a slab within the tomb -which disclosed a marble staircase and -descended it step by step.</p> - -<p>He knew that it was possible to take -sixty steps in a straight line and then it -was necessary to advance by feeling the -wall to save falling down the subterranean -staircase of the temple.</p> - -<p>The coolness of this deep passage -gradually calmed him. In a few minutes -he reached the end of it, ascended steps -and opened the door.</p> - -<p>The night was clear in the open, but -black in the holy place. When he had -cautiously closed the heavy door, he felt -himself to be trembling as if he had been -gripped by the coldness of the stones. He -dared not lift his eyes. The black silence<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span> -terrified him; the darkness seemed to him -alive with the unknown. He put his hand -to his brow like a man who did not desire -to awaken lest he might find himself alive. -At last he had the courage to look.</p> - -<p>In a gleam of bright moonlight the Goddess -was visible upon a pedestal of red -stone loaded with hanging treasures. She -was naked and tenderly tinted like a -woman; in one hand she held her mirror -and with the other she was adorning her -beauty with a necklace of seven rows of -pearls. A pearl, larger than the rest, long -and silvery, gleamed at her breast like a -crescent. These were the actual holy -pearls.</p> - -<p>Demetrios was lost in ineffable adoration. -He believed in truth that Aphrodite -herself was there. He could no longer -recognize his own work, so deep was the -abyss between that which it used to be and -had become. He extended his arms and -murmured the mysterious words by which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span> -the Goddess is addressed in the Phrygian -ceremonies.</p> - -<p>Supernatural, luminous, immaculate, -nude and pure the vision seemed to hover -over the stone pedestal softly palpitating. -He fixed his eyes upon it, though he feared -that the caress of his gaze would make this -feeble hallucination vanish in the air. He -advanced slowly and touched with his -finger the rosy toe as if to assure himself -of the existence of the statue, and being -incapable of stopping, so great was its -attraction for him, he mounted and stood -by its side, placing his hands upon the -white shoulders and looking into the eyes.</p> - -<p>He trembled, he faltered and began to -laugh with joy. His hands wandered over -the bare arms, and he clasped the cold -hard waist with all his strength. He gazed -at himself in the mirror, grasped the necklace -of pearls, took it off, made it gleam -in the moonlight and then fearfully replaced -it. He kissed the hand, the round<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span> -neck, the undulating throat and the -half-open marble mouth. Then he withdrew -to the edge of the pedestal and -gazed tenderly at the lovely bowed -head.</p> - -<p>The hair of the statue had been arranged -in the oriental fashion and lightly veiled -the forehead. The half-shut eyes were -prolonged in a smile. The lips were -separated as if vanquished by a kiss.</p> - -<p>He silently replaced the seven rows of -round pearls upon the glorious breast and -descended to gaze upon the idol from a -greater distance.</p> - -<p>Then he seemed to awaken. He remembered -his errand which he had up to -then failed to accomplish, and realized -how monstrous a project it was. He felt -his blood burn to the temples.</p> - -<p>The memory of Chrysis came to him like -a common apparition. He enumerated -everything which was at all doubtful in -the courtesan’s beauty; her full lips, her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span> -dishevelled hair and her careless walk. He -had forgotten what her hands were like, -but he imagined them to be large in order -to add an odious detail to the picture which -he was attempting to reject. His state of -mind was like that of a man who had been -surprised at dawn by his dear mistress in -the arms of a common girl, and could offer -no explanation to himself as to why he -allowed himself the previous evening to be -tempted. He could find no excuse for -himself nor even a serious reason. -Evidently during the day he had suffered -from a fit of passing madness, a physical -trouble, a malady. He felt himself to be -cured but still intoxicated with stupefaction.</p> - -<p>To complete the recovery of his senses -he leant against the temple wall and stood -for a long time before the statue. The -moonlight continued to shine through the -square opening in the roof; Aphrodite -shone resplendent; and as the eyes of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span> -statue were in the shadow he tried to catch -their expression.</p> - -<p>He spent the whole night like this. -Then daylight came and the statue in turn -assumed the living rose colour of the dawn -and the golden tint of the sunlight.</p> - -<p>Demetrios could no longer think. The -ivory comb and the silver mirror which he -carried within his tunic had disappeared -from his memory. He gently abandoned -himself to serene contemplation.</p> - -<p>Outside the confused singing and twittering -of the birds sounded in the gardens. -The talking and laughing of women’s -voices could be heard outside the walls. -The life and movement of the morning -was spreading over the awakened land. -Demetrios was full of pleasant ideas.</p> - -<p>The sun was high and the shadow from -the roof had moved before he heard the -confused sound of light footsteps on the -outer staircase.</p> - -<p>No doubt it was the prelude of a sacri<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span>fice -to the Goddess by a procession of -young women, who came to perform their -vows or to offer up their prayers before -the statue on the first day of the festival -of Aphrodite.</p> - -<p>Demetrios wished to flee. The sacred -pedestal opened at the back in a way that -only the priests and the sculptor knew. -That was the position occupied by the hierophant -from which he recited to a young -girl with a clear strong voice the miraculous -discourse which came from the statue -on the third day of the festival. From that -place the gardens could be reached. -Demetrios entered and stood before a -bronze-edged opening which pierced the -thick stone.</p> - -<p>The two golden gates slowly opened. -Then the procession entered.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span></p> - - -</div><div class="chapter"> - -<h3>CHAPTER V<br /> - -<small>DICE—THE VENUS THROW</small></h3> - - -<p>About the middle of the night Chrysis -was awakened by three knocks at the door.</p> - -<p>She was sleeping with her two friends -Rhodis and Myrtocleia, and rising cautiously -she went down and half opened the -door.</p> - -<p>A voice came from without. “Who is -it, Djala? Who is it?” she asked.</p> - -<p>“Naucrates wishes to speak to you. I -told him that you were engaged.”</p> - -<p>“Oh, how foolish! Most certainly I -will see him. I am not engaged. Come in, -Naucrates. I am in my chamber.”</p> - -<p>She went back to bed. Naucrates remained -for a moment at the door as if he -feared to be indiscreet. The two girls, who -were musicians, opened their sleepy eyes<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span> -but could not rend themselves from their -dreams.</p> - -<p>“Sit down,” said Chrysis. “There -need be no false modesty between us two. -I know that you have not come to see me. -What do you want?”</p> - -<p>Naucrates was a well-known philosopher -who for more than twenty years had -been the lover of Bacchis and had not -deceived her, though more from indolence -than fidelity be it said. His grey hair was -cut short, his beard was pointed after the -manner of Demosthenes and his moustaches -were even with his lips. He wore -a great white woollen robe.</p> - -<p>“I have brought you an invitation,” he -said. “Bacchis is giving a dinner to-morrow -to be followed by a fête. We shall -be seven including yourself. Be sure you -come.”</p> - -<p>“A fête? What is the occasion?”</p> - -<p>“She has given freedom to her most -beautiful slave Aphrodisia. There will be<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span> -dancers and musicians. I think your two -friends are engaged to be there, and ought -not to be here now. They are at this -moment rehearsing at Bacchis’ house.”</p> - -<p>“Oh! that is right,” Rhodis cried, “we -had forgotten it. Arise, Myrto, we are -very late.”</p> - -<p>But Chrysis declared—</p> - -<p>“No! not yet! It is too bad to take -away my friends. If I had suspected I -should not have admitted you. Oh! they -are dressed already!”</p> - -<p>“Our dresses are not very elaborate,” -the girl answered. “We are not beautiful -enough to spend much time over our -toilettes.”</p> - -<p>“Shall I then see you at the temple at -some hour to-morrow?” Chrysis asked them.</p> - -<p>“Yes, to-morrow morning, we shall take -doves as our offering. I am taking a -drachma from your purse, Chrysis. We -shall not otherwise have the money to purchase -them. Good-bye till to-morrow.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span></p> - -<p>They ran out. Naucrates gazed for -some time at the door which had closed -behind them, then he rose, saying—</p> - -<p>“Can I tell Bacchis that she may reckon -upon you?”</p> - -<p>“I will come,” Chrysis replied.</p> - -<p>The philosopher bowed to her and -slowly departed.</p> - -<p>As soon as he had gone Chrysis clasped -her hands and spoke aloud although she -was alone.</p> - -<p>“Bacchis, Bacchis, he comes from her -and does not know. Is the mirror then -still in her possession? Demetrios has forgotten -me. If he has hesitated on the first -day, I am lost, he will do nothing. But it -is quite possible that he has obtained it. -Bacchis has other mirrors which she uses -more often. Without a doubt she has not -found out yet. Ye Gods! Ye Gods! there -is no way of finding out. Ah! Djala! -Djala!”</p> - -<p>The slave entered.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span></p> - -<p>“Give me my dice. I wish to throw -them,” Chrysis said.</p> - -<p>She tossed in the air the four dice.</p> - -<p>“Oh! oh! Djala, look!”</p> - -<p>The throw had resulted in the dice each -presenting a different face. It was thirty-five -chances to one against this happening -and it was the highest scoring throw of all.</p> - -<p>Djala coldly observed—</p> - -<p>“What did you wish?”</p> - -<p>“Quite true,” Chrysis said in disappointed -tones. “I forgot to utter a wish. -I thought of something but said nothing. -Does not that count just the same?”</p> - -<p>“I don’t think so; you must start -again.”</p> - -<p>Chrysis made a second throw. This -time the result was not decisive, it resulted -in both good and bad omens and required -another throw to make its meaning clear.</p> - -<p>The third throw Chrysis made with one -of the dice only, and when she saw the -result burst into tears.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span></p> - -<p>Djala said nothing but was herself -uneasy. Chrysis lay upon her bed weeping -with her hair in disorder. At last she -turned round with an angry movement.</p> - -<p>“Why did you make me begin again? -I am sure the first throw counted.”</p> - -<p>“It would have done if you had expressed -a wish, but you did not. You are -the only one who knows what your desire -was.”</p> - -<p>“Besides, dice prove nothing. It is a -Greek game. I don’t believe in it. I am -going to try something else.”</p> - -<p>She dried her tears and crossed the -room. She took from the table a box of -white counters, selected twenty-two of -them, and then with the point of a pearl -hook scratched one after the other the -letters of the Hebrew alphabet upon -them.</p> - -<p>“I rely upon this. It never deceives -one,” she said. “Raise the front of your -robe, that shall be my bag.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span></p> - -<p>She threw the twenty-two counters into -the slave’s tunic, repeating in her mind—</p> - -<p>“Shall I wear Aphrodite’s necklace? -Shall I wear Aphrodite’s necklace? Shall -I wear Aphrodite’s necklace?”</p> - -<p>She drew out the tenth arcanum which -clearly meant—</p> - -<p>“Yes.”</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span></p> - - -</div><div class="chapter"> - -<h3>CHAPTER VI<br /> - -<small>THE ROSE OF CHRYSIS THE LOVELY</small></h3> - - -<p>It was a white, blue, yellow, red and -green procession.</p> - -<p>Thirty courtesans advanced carrying -baskets of flowers, snow-white doves with -red feet, veils of the most fragile azure -and valuable ornaments.</p> - -<p>An old white-bearded priest, enveloped -from head to foot in stiff unbleached stuff -walked in front of this procession of youth -and guided towards the stone altar the line -of devout worshippers.</p> - -<p>They sang, and their song rose and fell -like the sound of the sea and the winds. -The first two carried harps, which they -held in the palm of their left hands -and bent forward like sickles of slender -wood.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span></p> - -<p>One of them advanced and said—</p> - -<p>“Tryperha, beloved Cypris, offers thee -this blue veil which she has spun herself -so that thou mayst continue thy goodness -to her.”</p> - -<p>Another said—</p> - -<p>“Mousairon lays at the feet of the Goddess -of the beautiful crown, these garlands -and bouquets of flowers. She has worn -them at the fête and has invoked thy name -in the intoxication of their perfumes. O -Conqueror, receive these spoils of love.”</p> - -<p>Another one said—</p> - -<p>“As an offering to thee, golden Cytheræ, -Timo consecrates this sinuous -bracelet. Mayst thou entwine thy vengeance -around the throat of the one thou -knowest, as this silver serpent entwined -itself about these naked arms.”</p> - -<p>Myrtocleia and Rhodis advanced hand -in hand.</p> - -<p>“Here are two doves from Smyrna with -wings as white as caresses and feet as red<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span> -as kisses. O double Goddess of Amathonte, -accept them from our joint hands -if it is true that the fair Adonis did not -satisfy thee and a still more sweet embrace -sometimes disturbed thy slumbers.”</p> - -<p>A very young courtesan followed, saying—</p> - -<p>“Aphrodite Peribasia receive my virginity -with this stained tunic of mine. -I am Pannychis of Pharos; since last -night I have vowed myself to thy worship.”</p> - -<p>Another said—</p> - -<p>“Dorothea begs thee, charitable Epistrophia, -to banish from her mind the desire -placed there by Eros or at least to inflame -for her the eyes of the lover who refuses -her. She presents to thee this branch -of myrtle because it is the tree thou -preferest.”</p> - -<p>Another said—</p> - -<p>“Upon thy altar, Paphia, Calliston -places sixty drachmas of silver, the balance<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span> -of a gift she has received from Cleomenes. -Give her a still more generous lover, if the -offering seems to thee acceptable.”</p> - -<p>The only one left in front of the idol -was a blushing child who had taken the -last place. She held in her hand nothing -but a tiny garland of flowers, and the priest -treated her with contempt because of the -smallness of her offering.</p> - -<p>She said—</p> - -<p>“I am not rich enough to give thee -pieces of gold, great Goddess. Besides, -what could I give thee which thou dost not -already possess. Here are green and -yellow flowers woven as a garland for thy -feet.”</p> - -<p>The procession seemed to be at an end -and the other courtesans were about to -retrace their steps when a woman was seen -standing at the door.</p> - -<p>She had nothing in her hand and seemed -to have come to offer her beauty to the -Goddess. Her hair was like two waves of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span> -gold, two deep billows full of shadow -engulfing the ears and twisted in seven -turns at the throat. Her nose was fine, with -expressive and palpitating nostrils, and -beneath it was a full and coral coloured -mouth with rounded mobile corners to it. -The supple lines of the body undulated -at each step she took.</p> - -<p>Her eyes were wonderful; they were -blue but dark and gleaming as well, and -changed like moonstones, as she held them -half closed beneath her long lashes. The -glances of those eyes were like the sirens’ -songs.</p> - -<p>The priest turned towards her and -waited for her to speak.</p> - -<p>She said—</p> - -<p>“Chrysis offers up her prayer to thee, O -Chrysea. Receive the paltry offering she -lays at thy feet. Hear and aid, love -and solace her who lives according to -thy pattern and for the worship of thy -name.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span></p> - -<p>She extended her hands golden with -rings and bowed her knees before the -Goddess.</p> - -<p>The vague chant recommenced. The -sound of the harps ascended towards the -statue with the smoke of the incense which -the priest was burning in a swinging -censor.</p> - -<p>She slowly rose and presented a bronze -mirror which had been hanging at her -girdle.</p> - -<p>“To thee,” she said, “Astarte, Goddess -of the Night, who minglest hands and lips -and whose symbol is like unto the footprint -of the hinds upon the earth of Syria, -Chrysis consecrates her mirror. It has seen -the eyes and the gleam of love in them, the -hair clinging to the temples after the rites -of thy ceremonial, O thou warrior with -relentless hands thou mingler of bodies -and mouths.”</p> - -<p>The priest placed the mirror at the foot -of the statue. Chrysis drew from her<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span> -golden hair a long comb of red copper, the -sacred metal of the Goddess.</p> - -<p>“To thee,” she said, “Anadyomene, who -wast born of the blood-hued dawn and the -foaming smile of the sea, to thee, whose -nakedness is like the gleam of pearls, who -fastenest thy moist hair with ribbons of -seaweed, Chrysis dedicates her comb. It -has been plunged in her hair disordered -by movements in thy name.”</p> - -<p>She handed the comb to the old man and -leant her head to the right to take off her -emerald necklace.</p> - -<p>“To thee,” she said, “O Hetaira, who -wipest away the blushes of shamefaced -virgins and teaches them the immodest -laugh, to thee, for whom we barter our -love, Chrysis dedicates her necklace. She -received it from a man whose name she -does not know and each emerald represents -a kiss where thou hast dwelt for a -moment.”</p> - -<p>She bowed herself once again and for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span> -a longer space as she placed the necklace -in the priest’s hands and took a step as if -to depart.</p> - -<p>But the priest detained her.</p> - -<p>“What do you ask from the Goddess in -return for these precious offerings?”</p> - -<p>She smiled and shook her head, saying—</p> - -<p>“I ask for nothing.”</p> - -<p>Then she walked along the row of -women, took a rose from a basket and -raised it to her lips as she went out.</p> - -<p>One by one all the women followed her -and the door closed upon an empty temple.</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Demetrios had remained alone concealed -in the bronze pedestal.</p> - -<p>He had not lost a gesture or a word of -the whole of this scene, and when it was -ended he remained for a long while without -moving, being once again in a state of -torment, passion and irresolution.</p> - -<p>He had believed himself cured of the -madness of the previous night and thought<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span> -that nothing could ever again hurl him into -this shadow of the unknown.</p> - -<p>But he had reckoned without the woman.</p> - -<p>Women! women! if you desire to be -loved, show yourself, return, be ever-present! -The emotion he had felt at the -entrance of the courtesan was so overwhelming -and complete that there could be -no thought of opposing it by an effort of -the will. Demetrios was bound like a barbarian -slave to the conqueror’s chariot. -The thought that he had freed himself -was a delusion. Without knowing it and -quite naturally she had placed her hand -upon him.</p> - -<p>He had seen her approach, for she wore -the same yellow robe she had done when -he met her on the jetty. She walked with -slow and graceful steps with undulating -motion of the hips. She had come straight -towards him as if she guessed he were concealed -behind the stone.</p> - -<p>From the first he realized that he had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span> -again fallen at her feet. When she took -from her girdle the mirror of shining -bronze, she gazed at herself in it for a time -before handing it to the priest, and the -splendour of her eyes became dazzling. -When to take her copper comb she put -her hand to her hair and lifted her bent -arm, the beautiful lines of her body were -displayed beneath her robe and the sunlight -glistened upon the tiny beads of -perspiration on her skin. When, last of -all, to unfasten and take off her necklace -of heavy emeralds she put aside the thick -silk which shielded her breast and left but -a little space full of shadow with just room -for the insertion of a bouquet, Demetrios -felt himself seized with frenzy.</p> - -<p>But then she began to speak and each -word of hers was suffering to him. She, -a beautiful vase, white as the statue itself -and with gleaming golden hair, seemed to -insist upon pleasure. She told of her -deeds in the service of the Goddess. Even<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span> -the ease with which her favours were -obtainable attracted Demetrios to her. -How true it is that a woman is not entirely -seductive to her lover unless she gives him -ground for jealousy!</p> - -<p>So, after presenting to the Goddess her -green necklace in exchange for the one -for which she was hoping, when Chrysis -returned to the city she took with her a -man’s will in her mouth with the little rose -the stalk of which she was biting.</p> - -<p>Demetrios waited till he was alone in -the holy place; then he emerged from his -retreat.</p> - -<p>He looked at the statue in anguish expecting -a struggle within him. But being -incapable of renewing, after so short an -interval, such violent emotion, he remained -wonderfully calm and without any preliminary -remorse.</p> - -<p>He carelessly ascended to the statue, -took off the necklace of real pearls from its -bowed neck and concealed it within his -raiment.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span></p> - - -</div><div class="chapter"> - -<h3>CHAPTER VII<br /> - -<small>QUEEN BERENICE</small></h3> - - -<p>He walked very rapidly in the hope of -overtaking Chrysis on the road leading to -the city, fearing if he lingered that he -might become cowardly and irresolute once -again.</p> - -<p>The road, white with heat, was so luminous -that Demetrios closed his eyes as if -he had been in the midday sunlight. In -that way he walked without seeing where -he was going, and he had only just escaped -colliding with four black slaves who were -walking in front of a cortège when a little -musical voice softly said—</p> - -<p>“Beloved! how glad I am!”</p> - -<p>He lifted his head: it was Queen Berenice -reclining in her litter.</p> - -<p>She ordered the bearers to stop and -stretched out her arms to her lover.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span></p> - -<p>Demetrios was much annoyed; but he -could not refuse, so he slipped into the -litter, with a sullen air.</p> - -<p>Then Queen Berenice was filled with -joy and rolled upon her cushions like a -playful cat.</p> - -<p>Now this litter was a room and twenty-four -slaves carried it. Twelve women -could easily lie within amid its blue -tapestry, cushions and stuffs; and it was -so lofty that it was not possible to touch -the ceiling even with a fan. It was greater -in length than in breadth, closed in front, -but on the other three sides there were -three very light yellow curtains, through -which the light came with dazzling brightness. -The floor was of cedar-wood covered -with orange silk. Within it a lighted lamp -struggled with the daylight and its ever -changing shadows. Here Queen Berenice -reclined between two Persian slaves who -gently fanned her with fans of peacock’s -feathers.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span></p> - -<p>She invited the young sculptor to her -side with a look and repeated—</p> - -<p>“Beloved, I am pleased.” She put her -hand upon his cheek.</p> - -<p>“I was seeking you, beloved. Where -have you been? I have not seen you since -the day before yesterday. If I had not -met you I should have shortly died of -grief. Alone in this great litter I was very -dull. When passing over the bridge of -Hêrmes I threw all my jewels into the -water to make rings. You can see that I -have neither rings nor necklaces now. I -am like a little pauper at your feet.”</p> - -<p>She turned to him and kissed him upon -the lips. The two fan-bearers withdrew -a little further, and when Queen Berenice -began to speak in a low voice they put -their fingers in their ears to pretend that -they were not listening.</p> - -<p>But Demetrios did not reply, for he -hardly heard her and was quite deranged. -He could only see the young Queen’s smile<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span> -on her red lips, and the black cushion of -her hair which was always loosely arranged -to serve as a pillow for her weary head.</p> - -<p>She said—</p> - -<p>“Beloved, I have wept during the night. -My bed was cold. When I awakened, I -stretched out my naked arms on each side -of my body and I did not touch you, nor -could my hand find this hand of yours I -am now embracing. I expected you in the -morning and since the full moon you have -not come. I sent my slaves into every -quarter of the city and I condemned them -to death when they returned without you. -Where have you been? Were you at the -Temple? You were not in the gardens -with the foreign women? No, I can see -from your eyes that you were not. Then -what were you doing so long away from -me? Were you before the statue? Yes, -I am sure you were there. You love it -more now than you love me. It is very -like me, it has my eyes, my mouth, my<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span> -breasts; but that is what you seek. As for -me I am poor and forlorn. You are weary -of me and I can see it clearly. You think -of your marble and your ugly statues as -if I were not more beautiful than all of -them, as well as being alive, loving, good, -ready to give all that you will accept and -resigned to your refusals. But you will -have nothing. You would not be king, -you would not be a god and worshipped -in a temple of your own. You will hardly, -even, consent to love me now.”</p> - -<p>She withdrew her feet beneath her and -leant upon her hand.</p> - -<p>“I would do anything in the world to -see you at the palace, beloved. If you no -longer desire me tell me who attracts you -and she shall be my friend. The women -of my court are beautiful. I have twelve -who from their birth have been kept in -my gynæceum and are ignorant that men -exist. They shall all be your mistresses -if you come and see me after them. Others<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span> -I have with me who have had more lovers -than the sacred courtesans and are expert -in love. Say one word. I have, too, a -thousand foreign slaves: those you desire -shall be given to you. I will dress them -like myself, in yellow silk, gold and silver.</p> - -<p>“No, you are the handsomest and -coldest of men. You love no one, you -lend yourself simply out of charity for -those whom your eyes have filled with love. -You allow me to obtain my happiness from -your presence, but only in the way a beast -allows itself to be led, looking elsewhere. -You are full of condescension. Ye Gods! -Ye Gods! I shall end by separating from -you, young coxcomb whom all the city -adores and no one can make weep. I -have others besides women at the palace. -I have strong Ethiopians who have chests -of bronze and arms knotted with muscles. -I shall soon forget you. But the day I -am sure that your absence no longer makes -me suffer, that I have replaced you, I will<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span> -send you from the top of the bridge of -Hêrmes to join my necklaces and rings -like a jewel I have worn too long. Ah! -what it is to be a queen!”</p> - -<p>She raised herself and seemed to be -waiting for an answer. But Demetrios -still remained impassible and made no -more movement than if he had not heard.</p> - -<p>“Do you not understand?”</p> - -<p>He nonchalantly leant upon his elbow -as he said in a very unconcerned way—</p> - -<p>“I have just had an idea for a story.</p> - -<p>“Long ago before Thrace was conquered -by your father’s ancestors it was -overrun by wild animals and a few timid -men dwelt there as well.</p> - -<p>“The animals were very fine; there were -lions red as the sun, tigers streaked like -the evening and bears black as night.</p> - -<p>“The men were small and flat-nosed, -clad in old hairless skins, and armed with -big spears and clumsy bows. They hid -themselves in mountain caves, behind huge<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span> -blocks of stone which they moved with the -greatest difficulty. Their life was spent in -hunting. There was blood in the forests.</p> - -<p>“The land was so mournful that the -Gods had deserted it. When at the break -of day Artemis left Olympus his path was -never towards the north. The wars there -never disturbed Ares. The absence of -flutes and citharas turned away Apollo -from it. The triple Hecate shone there -alone like the face of a Medusa upon a -petrified land.</p> - -<p>“Now a man came there to dwell; a -man of a more fortunate race, who did not -walk about clad in skins like the savages -in the mountains.</p> - -<p>“He wore a long white robe which -trailed behind him a little. Through the -beautiful glades of the forest he loved to -wander at night in the moonlight holding -in his hand a little lute with three silver -strings.</p> - -<p>“When his fingers touched the strings<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span> -delightful music came from them, music -sweeter than the sound of the springs or -the whispers of the wind in the trees or the -noise of grass shaken by the wind. The -first time he began to play three sleeping -tigers awakened, and so charmed were they -that they did him no injury but came as -near as possible to him while he was playing -and afterwards withdrew. The next -day still more animals came to listen, -wolves, hyænas and serpents upright upon -their tails.</p> - -<p>“After a very short time the animals -themselves came and asked him to play -to them. It often happened that a bear -came to him alone and went away satisfied -with three marvellous chords. In -return for his kindness the beasts gave him -his food and protected him against men.</p> - -<p>“But he wearied of this fastidious life. -He became so sure of his genius and of -the pleasure he gave the beasts that he no -longer troubled to play well. The animals<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span> -were always satisfied as long as he played -to them. Soon he even refused to give -them this pleasure, and through idleness -ceased to play to them at all. The whole -of the forest was sad, but the morsels of -food and tasty fruits did not cease to be -brought to the musician’s door. They continued -to feed him and loved him all the -more. After this fashion are the hearts of -animals made.</p> - -<p>“Now one day while he was leaning at -his open door and watching the sun sink -behind the motionless trees a lioness -passed near him. He made a movement -as if to go inside as if he expected a -request which would displease him. The -lioness took no notice of him and quietly -passed on.</p> - -<p>“Then he asked her in surprise: ’Why -do you not ask me to play?’ She replied -that she did not care for it. He said: ’Do -you not know me?’ She replied: ’You are -Orpheus.’ He went on; ’And you do not<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span> -desire to hear me?’ She repeated: ’I do -not.’ ’Oh!’ he cried, ’Oh! how greatly I -am to be pitied! It is to you alone I -always wished to play. You are much -more beautiful than the others and you -would understand so much better! If you -will only listen to me for one hour, I will -procure for you everything you have ever -desired to possess.’ She replied: ’I order -you to steal the fresh food belonging to the -men of the plains. I command you to -assassinate the first one you meet. I command -you to steal the victims they have -offered to their Gods and lay them at my -feet.’ He thanked her for not demanding -more and did as she required.</p> - -<p>“For an hour he played to her; but -afterwards he broke his lute and lived as -if he were dead.”</p> - -<p>The Queen sighed.</p> - -<p>“I never understand allegories. Explain -it to me, beloved. What does it -mean?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span></p> - -<p>He rose.</p> - -<p>“I did not tell it for you to understand. -I told you a story to calm you a little. -Now it is late. Adieu, Berenice.”</p> - -<p>She began to weep.</p> - -<p>“I was sure of it! I was sure of it!”</p> - -<p>He laid her like a child upon her soft -bed of silky stuffs; with a smile placed a -kiss upon her tearful eyes then calmly -descended the steps of the great litter.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span></p> - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a><br /><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span></p> -</div><div class="chapter"> -<h2><a name="THE_ARTIST_TRIUMPHANT" id="THE_ARTIST_TRIUMPHANT"></a>THE ARTIST TRIUMPHANT</h2> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - -<h3> -<i>TRANSLATOR’S NOTE</i><br /> -<i>TO</i><br /> -<i>THE ARTIST TRIUMPHANT</i><br /> -</h3> - - -<p><i>Parrhasius, the great painter, son of -Evenor of Ephesus, lived about four -hundred years before Christ. He was a -mighty master of his profession, and -particularly excelled in strongly expressing -the violent passions. He was blessed -with wondrous genius and invention, and -was particularly happy in his designs. -He acquired great reputation by his -pieces, but by none more than that in -which he allegorically represented the -people of Athens with all the injustice, -the clemency, the fickleness, timidity, the -arrogance and inconsistency which so eminently -characterized that amazing nation. -He once entered the lists against Zeuxis,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span> -and when they had produced their respective -pieces, the birds came to pick, with the -greatest avidity, the grapes which Zeuxis -had painted. Parrhasius immediately -exhibited his piece, and Zeuxis said, -“Remove your curtain, that we may see -the painting.” The curtain was the painting. -Zeuxis acknowledged himself conquered -by exclaiming, “Zeuxis has deceived -birds, but Parrhasius has deceived -Zeuxis himself.” Parrhasius grew so vain -of his art, that he clothed himself in purple -and wore a crown of gold, calling himself -the king of painters. He was lavish in his -own praises, but by his vanity too often -exposed himself to the ridicule of his -enemies.</i></p> - -<p class="r1"> -G. F. M. -</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span></p> - -</div><div class="chapter"> - - -<h3>CHAPTER I</h3> - - -<p>In the green gardens of white Ephesus -we were two young learners, or apprentices, -with the aged Bryaxis, the sculptor. He -was sitting upon a seat made of stone as -pallid as his face. He did not speak, but -lightly struck the earth with the end of his -staff. Out of respect for his great age -and his greater glory we stood patiently -before him. Our backs leaned against two -dark cypress trees. We did not talk, but -eagerly listened for him to speak. Motionless -we studied him with homage of which -he appeared to be conscious. We knew -that he had survived all those whom we -had longed to know. We loved him to -reveal his spirit to us, for we were simple-hearted -children, born too late to have -heard the voices of heroes. We sought<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span> -to trace the almost invisible bonds that -united him to his striking, astonishing lifework. -That brow had conceived, that hand -had helped to model a frieze and twelve -figures for the tomb of Mausolus, the King -of Caria, whose tomb was a wonder of the -world: the five Colossi erected in front of -the town of Rhodes, the Bull of Pasiphæ, -that made women dream strange dreams, -the formidable Apollo of bronze, and the -Seleucus Triumphant. The more I contemplated -their author, the more it seemed -to me that the Gods must have fashioned -with their own hands this sculptor, in order -that he might be the means of revealing -them to men!</p> - -<p>All at once a rush of feet, a whistle, and -a cry of a gay heart; the young Ophelion -bounded among us.</p> - -<p>“Bryaxis,” cried he, “hear what all the -city knows already. If I am the first to tell -thee I will make an offering to Artemis. -But first let us make our salute: I had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span> -forgot.” He now looked towards us, as if -to say, “Prepare yourselves well for what -I am about to tell you.” Then he began -thus: “You know, revered one, that -Clesides painted the portrait of the -Queen?”</p> - -<p>“People have spoken about it to -me.”</p> - -<p>“But the end of the story ... has that -also been told to you?”</p> - -<p>“Is there indeed a story then to tell?”</p> - -<p>“Is there a story?... You are ignorant -of it all! Listen. Clesides came expressly -from Athens. They took him to the Palace. -The Queen was not yet ready; she permitted -herself to be late. Finally she presented -herself, scarcely saluting her artist, -and then posed—if one could call it posing. -It now seems that she continually -moved, under the pretext that Love had -given her a cramp. Clesides drew in a -very bad humour, as you may imagine. -His rough sketch was not even finished,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span> -and lo! the Queen wishes to pose for her -back....”</p> - -<p>“Without a reason?”</p> - -<p>“For the reason that—so she said—her -back was as perfect as the rest of her body, -and must appear in the picture. Clesides -might well protest that he was a painter -and not a sculptor, that one does not turn -a picture to see its back; that one cannot -draw a woman seen from every side upon -the one flat plane of a picture.... The -Queen merely responded that it was her -will; that the laws of art were not her laws; -that she had seen the portrait of her sister -as Persephone, of her mother as Demeter; -and that she, Queen Stratonice, by her sole -self, wished to pose for the ’Three Graces.’”</p> - -<p>“That was not such a stupid idea of -hers.”</p> - -<p>Our comrade appeared to take umbrage -at this remark.</p> - -<p>“Supposing that Clesides had replied, -’No’? He was free to do so, one would<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span> -think. It is not the custom to give orders -to the artist. Such a thing as that we could -<em>not</em> support. Never would her father -Demetrius have done such a thing. Why, -when he laid siege to Rhodes, where at -the time Protogenes was at work, Demetrius -refused to fire that part of the city -where the sculptor worked.”</p> - -<p>“I know that story. Continue,” said -Bryaxis.</p> - -<p>“Very well; I will be short with it. -Clesides was very angry, but did not show -it. He finished his study of the back, and -the Queen rose, asking him to return on -the morrow; he accepted, and left. Very -good. On the morrow what awaited him? -A servant, saying that the Queen Stratonice -was fatigued, and would not pose -any more. The servant was to pose for -her until the portrait was finished. <em>That</em> -was what the Queen had desired!”</p> - -<p>We shook with mirth, and Bryaxis -joined us therein.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span></p> - -<p>Ophelion then continued gaily—</p> - -<p>“The slave was not badly made. -Clesides gave her the same reason to be -cramped that her mistress had, and then -said in a dry way that he did not want her -any more, and took himself and his drawings -home.”</p> - -<p>“He certainly did right that time,” I -said. “The Queen was merely mocking -him all the while.”</p> - -<p>“Well, on the way home, as he passed -near the port, he saw a mariner whom some -one had told him the Queen had given -herself to—though there was no proof of -it. The man was Glaucon—you know him -well by sight. Clesides got the fellow to -come home with him, and pose for four -days. At the end of that time he had -finished painting two scandalous little -pictures, representing the Queen in the -arms of the sailor, firstly facing the beholder, -and then with the back showing. -These pictures he fastened at night to the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span> -wall of the Palace of Seleucus. He then -doubtless fled, after this public vengeance, -on some vessel, for there is said to be no -trace of him. The Queen knows of it -already, and if she is furious at heart she -hides it marvellously.</p> - -<p>“During the whole of the morning an -enormous crowd defiled before these scandalous -paintings. Stratonice was told of -it, and desired to see them herself. Accompanied -by twenty-five people of her -court, she stopped before the two subjects, -approaching and then retreating as though -the better to judge of their artistic or truthful -aspect in detail and in general. I was -there, and as I followed her glances with -a feeling of horror, wondering whom she -was going to slay when her anger reached -its highest point, she said: “I do not know -which is the best; both are excellent!”</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Bryaxis, in the midst of our exultation,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span> -lifted merely his eyebrows, and so gave to -his face the fine old lines that denoted -surprise.</p> - -<p>“She proved that she is not less witty -than impudent,” said he. “The whole -story is very curious; but why do you seem -to be so proud of or pleased with its hero? -It seems to me that the part played by the -model is a very important one.”</p> - -<p>“If the Queen had dared,” said -Ophelion, “she would have pursued -Clesides even to the far-off seas, and there -have had him killed as one might kill a -dog. But then, through all the violet land -of Greece she would have been considered -none other than a barbarian woman—she -who wishes to be thought a thorough -Athenian. Stratonice holds Asia in her -hand as though it were a fly, and she has -drawn back before a man who has for -weapon only a tablet and stylus.... -Hereafter the Artist is the king of kings, -the sole inviolable being living under the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span> -sun. Now you see why it is that we are so -proud!”</p> - -<p>The elder man made a very disdainful -movement of the mouth.</p> - -<p>“Thou art young,” he replied. “In my -time we said the same thing, and perhaps -with greater reason. When Alexander -timidly tried to explain why such and such -a picture seemed to be fine, my friend -Apelles caused him to be silent by saying -that he was making the boys laugh who -ground up the colours; and Alexander -made his excuses! Ah, well! I do not -believe that such tales really repay one -for telling them. Whatever may be the -attitude—the respect or arrogance—of the -King towards contemporary painters, the -pictures are not any the better, or any the -worse, for it all. It is a matter of indifference. -On the other hand, it may be good, -and even noble, for an artist to dare and to -be able to put himself <em>not</em> above the King -marching with an army near the walls of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span> -his home, but above all human laws, or -even divine laws, when the Muses, his inspiring -spirits, sway him.”</p> - -<p>Bryaxis was now standing. We murmured -in wonder—</p> - -<p>“But who has done that? Of whom do -you speak?”</p> - -<p>“None, perhaps,” came the answer of -the older man, and there was in his eyes -the hazy look of the dreamer, “unless the -great Parrhasius.... Did he do wisely, -I wonder? I used to believe so, but to-day -I doubt and know not what to think -about it.”</p> - -<p>Ophelion flung me an astonished look, -but I could not enlighten him in any way -as to the meaning behind the words of the -aged artist.</p> - -<p>“We do not understand you, Bryaxis,” -he said.</p> - -<p>He hinted, to put us upon the right way, -“The Prometheus of Parrhasius.”</p> - -<p>“Yes; what can you tell us of that?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span></p> - -<p>“Do you not know how Parrhasius -painted the Prometheus of the Acropolis?”</p> - -<p>“No. We have not been told how it -was done.”</p> - -<p>“You do not know of that amazing -scene—the deathly tragedy and alarums -from whence that picture emerged, bloodstained?”</p> - -<p>“Speak. Tell us all the scene; we know -nought of it.”</p> - -<p>For an instant Bryaxis let his regards -rest upon our young faces, as if he hesitated -to burden our spirits with such a -memory. Then he said with decision—</p> - -<p>“Very good. I will tell you all.”</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span></p> - - -</div><div class="chapter"> - -<h3>CHAPTER II</h3> - - -<p>That which I am going to relate to you -took place in the year in which Plato died. -I was then in Halicarnassus engaged upon -my part of the labour that was to produce -at last the great tomb of King Mausolus -the Long-haired. It was a thankless task -if ever there was one. Scopas, who directed -all of us, had decided to decorate the whole -of the eastern front of the monument himself, -so that from the early morning sunrise -when they made the sacrifices the -marbles of our master were resplendent in -the full light and, truly, people saw little -of the other work.</p> - -<p>To his comrade of the chisel, Timotheus, -he had given the lateral face of the -monument, south; less interesting and -more extended. Leochares was entrusted<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span> -with the western front. As for me, I had -taken that side others had not wished for—the -northern, an enormous piece of work -perpetually in the shadow.</p> - -<p>(Pithis was also employed in raising a -pyramid over this stately monument and -the top was adorned by a chariot harnessed -to four horses. The expenses of this -edifice were immense, and this gave an -occasion to the philosopher Anaxagoras to -exclaim when he saw it: “How much -money changed into stones!”)</p> - -<p>During five years I sculptured Victories -and Amazons that looked, in the sun, like -living women; but each time it became -necessary for me to fix one for ever in the -shadow of the monument it seemed to me -that the look of life died out of the stone -form, and then my tears came. At last my -task came to an end. I occupied myself -with preparations for returning into Attica. -In that year, as to-day, the Ægean Sea was -not very safe. War everywhere and strife<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span> -between one city and another. Athens besides -was vanquished. The day upon -which I wished to take my departure I -could not find a ship-master, or owner of -a privateer, who had any desire to go to -the Piræus. The people of Caria, good -dealers, turned towards the vanquisher, -and from the time that the taking of -Olynthus had let Chalcis fall into the -hands of the Macedonians, all the merchants -of Halicarnassus filled out their -sails for Eubœa in order to sell there -silken robes of Cos to the courtesans -of Cnidus, where Venus was the chief -deity.</p> - -<p>I also departed for Chalcis. The voyage -by sea was unpleasant to me. I was not -treated well even in the little corner of the -vessel that I professed to be satisfied with. -My name in those days had not the same -sound and fame as it has to-day and the -great monument to Mausolus was too new -and too near to men’s minds. The other<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span> -voyagers upon the ship contented themselves -with knowing that I was a citizen of -Athens. That quite sufficed and they -mocked, for Athens then was an unfortunate -city. One morning when the sun was -high we landed at Chalcis in the midst of -an immense crowd in which I lost myself, -and with pleasure. In questioning some -one I learnt that there was outside the -gates an extraordinary market. Philip, at -the fall of Olynthus after having destroyed -the city had led into captivity and slavery -the whole of the population.</p> - -<p>There were about forty-five thousand -people. The slave-market to dispose of -these had been on about two days and -might last for three months. Also the city -was thronged, full of strangers—purchasers -and people suffering from curiosity. -My interlocutor who was a dealer in wines -did not complain, but he confided to me -that his neighbour who sold slaves as a -rule very dear was ruined. I heard the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span> -tavern-keeper say with many gestures: -“Consider, a Thracian of twenty years of -age one knows what he is worth, by all the -Gods. When one has bought twelve to -cultivate land one counts twelve bags of -gold. Now mark the price, it has fallen to -fifty drachmas. Judge of the others by that -only. Such a thing has never been heard -of. There are three thousand virgins -for sale. They will go for twenty-five -drachmas apiece, and please do not think -that I speak rashly on the subject. Perhaps -a few drachmas more may be got for -those of the whitest skins. Ah! Philip is a -great king indeed!”</p> - -<p>This man wearied me and I separated -from him and followed the multitude beyond -the open gates of the city to the vast -stretch of country where the Olynthians -were camped. With great pains I wore -myself a way through the many groups -in movement. Suddenly I saw pass near -me a procession that was extravagant and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span> -majestical. Before it the crowds parted to -left and right.</p> - -<p>Six Sarmatian slaves advanced in pairs, -armed. Behind them a little Ethiopian -held horizontally a long cross of cedar -decorated with gold. It was the stick of -the Master. Finally, gigantic and heavy, -crowned with flowers, the beard impregnated -with perfumes and clad in an enormous -purple robe, I saw Parrhasius himself. He -walked as though he scorned and spurned -the earth beneath his feet. Each arm was -around the shoulders of a beautiful girl. -He was like the Indian Bacchus.</p> - -<p>His eyes fell upon me and he said—</p> - -<p>“If you are not Bryaxis who gave you -permission to bear his face?”</p> - -<p>“And you. If you are not the son of -Semele who has given you that Dionysiac -stature and that robe of purple woven by -the Graces of Naxos?”</p> - -<p>He then smiled upon me, and without -lifting his arms away from their charming<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span> -supports he seized and shook my hand, -pressing it against the bared breast of one -of his companions.</p> - -<p>“Chariclo,”—this to the young girl upon -his right,—“take an arm of my friend and -let us continue our promenade. Soon the -sun will become too fierce to be pleasant.”</p> - -<p>We therefore as he wished went on -enlaced. Parrhasius walked with a grand -heavy balancing of the body, measured -and pompous as an hexameter, the little -steps of the women were as a dactyl. In -a few words he inquired of my works and -my life. At each of my responses he said -with vivid words, “Yes. I understand perfectly.” -He wished to cut short any -lengthy speech. Then he began to speak -of himself.</p> - -<p>“Clearly understand that I have taken -you under my protection,” said he. “For -not one citizen of Athens, save myself -alone, is out of danger when near the -Macedonian. If the least little trouble had -brought you before their Court of Justice<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span> -I would not have given two copper -coins for the value of your liberty. But -now, maintain a tranquil mind.”</p> - -<p>“I am not,” I responded, “of a fearsome -nature, but here in the shadow of your -mighty name——”</p> - -<p>“Yes,” said Parrhasius. “When Philip -knew that I was going to honour his new -city he sent forward upon my route an -officer of the palace. This man brought -me royal presents, among others the six -colossal men slaves and the two beautiful -girls that you have seen. That is -to say Force to open my path before me -and Beauty to grace my person.”</p> - -<p>“Girls of Macedonia?” I questioned.</p> - -<p>“Macedonians of Rhodes,” came the -laughing answer.</p> - -<p>And then Parrhasius with a generous -gesture of gift said—</p> - -<p>“They shall both brighten your bed -this night. As for me I have others left -with my valuables. But you are alone, -friend. Accept these rosy flowers of flesh<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span> -from my hands. Their bright youthful -skins will be strikingly beautiful contrasted -with a couch of sombre purple....”</p> - -<p>We approached the great market. He -stopped and regarded me.</p> - -<p>“Indeed, you do not even ask me what -it is that I come here to seek!”</p> - -<p>“I would not dare.”</p> - -<p>“Can you divine it?”</p> - -<p>“No; certainly not. I do not think you -can want slaves, for Philip gives you his -own. Nor girls, since as you say....”</p> - -<p>“I have come from Athens to Chalcis -to find a model, my friend. Now you seem -to be surprised.”</p> - -<p>“A model for you. Are there not any -then between the Academe and the -Piræus?”</p> - -<p>“Yes: about half a million—for me,” -he said majestically. “All Athens. And -yet I seek a model at the sale of the -Olythians. You shall hear why, and you -will comprehend.”</p> - -<p>Here he drew himself up proudly—</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span></p> - -<p>“I shall make a Prometheus.”</p> - -<p>In saying this his face expressed the -horror that the subject of Prometheus -would have.</p> - -<p>“There is a Prometheus (of some sort -or the other) under every portico, as -you know. Timagoras made and sold -one; Apollodorus has attempted another. -Zeuxis has believed that he has the power -to ... but why bring back to our memory -so much piteous painting. <em>The</em> Prometheus -has never yet been given to the -world.”</p> - -<p>“That I fully believe,” I replied to the -Master.</p> - -<p>“They have represented peasants naked -and attached to rocks made of wood. -Their faces were distorted by a grimace -of some sort, a mere face-ache. But, Prometheus -the forger of fire, and creator -of the man and his struggle with the eagle-god.... -Ah! No one has yet created -that, Bryaxis. Such a Prometheus, one of -the greatest grandeur, I see as plainly<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span> -before me, created by my brain, as I see -your face. That is the type of Prometheus -that I wish to nail to the walls of the -Parthenon.”</p> - -<p>Saying that he quitted the support of -his girl companion, took his wand of wood -and gold, and traced great waves of outline -in the air.</p> - -<p>“For two months I have worked upon -my great scheme. I have found splendid -rocks in the domain of Crates, at the Promontory -of Astypolus. All these studies -were finished, the foundation of my picture -ready, the line of the figure in its place. -All at once I find my way barred before -me. I fail to find a head. If it was merely -a question of a Hêrmes, an Apollo or Pan, -all the citizens of Athens would be proud -to pose before me. But to take for model -a man whose face is shining with genius -and to tie, or bind, him by the ankles, the -hands, no, you can see that is not possible. -One cannot dislocate his limbs like the -limbs of a slave. We lack slaves who have<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span> -the heads of freeborn Greeks. Ah, well, -Philip brings us some like that, and I come -to buy where Philip comes to sell.”</p> - -<p>I shuddered.</p> - -<p>“An Olynthian. One of the vanquished. -But where do you intend to finish this -picture?”</p> - -<p>“At Athens.”</p> - -<p>“Upon the soil of Athens your slave -will be free.”</p> - -<p>“He will be—when I wish it, and not -before.”</p> - -<p>“But then, if you treat your captive so, -have you no fear whatever of what the -laws will say?”</p> - -<p>“The laws?” questioned Parrhasius -with a smile. “The laws are in the hollow -of my hand, even as are the folds of this -mantle that I now throw over my shoulder, -behind me!”</p> - -<p>And with a magnificent movement he -seemed at the same time to enwrap himself -with purple and with the sun.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span></p> - - -</div><div class="chapter"> - -<h3>CHAPTER III</h3> - - -<p>The market for the sale of the Olynthians -now stretched before us. As far as -one could see, and forming in a straight -line six large parallel ways, platforms of -planks were erected upon tressels at a -height of about a yard from the ground. -The population of an entire city was there -exposed before the population of another -city: the one as merchandise, the other -as purchaser. Twenty-five thousand men, -women and children, their hands bound -behind the back, the ankles shackled with -loose cords, waited, for the most part -standing—waited the unknown master who -was yet to come, purchase, and lead them -to some, to them, unknown place on -Grecian soil. One soldier guarded forty; -servants in crowds circulated with the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span> -bread and water needed for the sustenance -of such a host of slaves. A great and -murmurous noise perpetually ascended to -the sky. It was like the sound of a great -feast.</p> - -<p>Parrhasius penetrated into the principal -“street” of slaves, where were exposed for -sale young men and young girls who -appeared for one reason or another to be -of the sort that would command a high -price. To my great astonishment I did -not catch in their eyes any great expression -of sadness. They seemed merely curious. -Human sadness and misery, for youth that -is, has its certain measure, and they saw -their sorrows were about to pass or be -moderated by the care of a master. From -the time of the ruin of their homes these -beautiful beings had experienced to the -full all that could give days and nights of -despair. The young men no doubt had -regained hope of their future escape: the -young girls perhaps dreamed of a love that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span> -might partly release them. By bravado or -by sheer ignorance of the fate in store they -all showed a certain good humour. The -crowd pressed around them, examining -and uncertain before making a purchase. -Few could have decided quickly in the -midst of such a vast choice. Often they -handled the slaves. Hands tested the -muscles of a leg, the delicacy of a skin, the -firmness of a breast. Then the intending -purchasers passed on hoping to find better -bargains.</p> - -<p>Parrhasius halted an instant before a -girl whose tall white form was a harmony -of lines.</p> - -<p>“Behold,” he said, “this is a beautiful -child.”</p> - -<p>A seller at once came forward and -cried—</p> - -<p>“She is the most beautiful one offered -for sale, my lord. See how straight she -is and white. Sixteen years old yesterday.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span></p> - -<p>“Eighteen years,” rectified the young -girl.</p> - -<p>“You lie, by Zeus! She is but sixteen -years, my lord; do not credit her when she -says otherwise. Look at her black locks -lifted up by this comb. When she uncoils -her hair it falls to the knees. Look at her -long white fingers, untouched by any labour. -She is the daughter of a senator.”</p> - -<p>“Speak not of my father,” said the girl -gravely.</p> - -<p>“She is beautiful as a water-nymph, -supple as a sword, and a virgin—as at her -birth.”</p> - -<p>The man disrobed her with cynical -hands, but Parrhasius struck the earth with -his stick, and muttered—</p> - -<p>“Virgin, you say? I care not whether -she be a virgin or not, but merely whether -she be beautiful enough. Take away her -shackles, that she may robe herself properly. -I will purchase her. What is her -name?”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span></p> - -<p>“Artemidora,” said she.</p> - -<p>“Ah, good. Then know, Artemidora, -that you are for the future in the suite of -Parrhasius.”</p> - -<p>She opened her great eyes wide, hesitated -charmingly, and then said—</p> - -<p>“You are the Parrhasius who....”</p> - -<p>“Yes, I am Parrhasius,” came the -reply.</p> - -<p>Then, handing her to the care of his -guard, he again walked on. Presently he -deigned to explain to me—</p> - -<p>“Bound to the Caucausus that young -girl would look charming! Nevertheless, -she will not be my Prometheus. She will -serve me as model for certain little erotic -pictures with which I ease my toils during -hours of leisure—pictures that are not, -however, the least noble part of my lifework.”</p> - -<p>We walked on. The crowd had greatly -increased. The sun became more terrible -in the midst of that vast plain, without a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span> -shadow, and in the midst of a great and -mixed concourse of people.</p> - -<p>Artemidora was dressed in a white tunic, -girdle, and veil. She often turned to look -at us, and it seemed to me that when -properly robed she seemed to be another -person. Her face acquired another expression, -and she seemed anxious to glean -from one of us which was to be the man -she was fated to surrender to. Already -we had been through half the principal -street when Parrhasius stopped, and said—</p> - -<p>“No. That for which I seek is not -here. The youth of the body and the -beauty of the face are not found together. -I have more chance, I think, of finding -my man among slaves of the second class.”</p> - -<p>Scarcely had we gone three more paces -when he extended his hand, and cried out, -“Behold him!”</p> - -<p>I drew near and gazed with curiosity. -The man whom he pointed to was about -fifty years of age. Of a fine, tall figure and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span> -excellent proportions, he had a large face; -the arch of the brows was powerful and -muscular, the nose and ears were correctly -modelled, hair grey, but beard brown and -brindled. The strong muscles of the neck -formed a sort of pedestal to his fine head, -and gave it a pose of authority.</p> - -<p>Parrhasius questioned him. “What do -you call yourself?”</p> - -<p>“Outis.”</p> - -<p>“I do not ask you for anything, my -brave man, but the name that you received -from your father.”</p> - -<p>“For a month past I have called myself -Outis. If I have ever borne another, older -name it does not please me to tell you.”</p> - -<p>“Why not?”</p> - -<p>“It does not please me to tell you why, -Son of a Dog.”</p> - -<p>Parrhasius became maddened with anger. -The seller of the slaves, alarmed, advanced -with suppliant arms.</p> - -<p>“Do not listen to him, my lord. He<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span> -speaks as one who has lost his senses. It -is pure malice on his part, for he has -more brain-power than I have. He is a -physician. For science and cleverness he -had not his equal in all Olynthus. I say -what all the world would repeat, for he -was celebrated even in Macedon. People -have told me that during thirty years he -has cured more Olynthians than we were -able to kill when we took their city. This -will be a precious slave when he is chained -and has felt the rod. He plays the insolent, -but he will change his tone, as all the -others will or have done. Then, if you lead -him away with you, Death will not come -to you till your hundredth winter! Give -me thirty drachmas, and this Nicostratus -will be your thing for ever.”</p> - -<p>“Nicostratus,” repeated Parrhasius to -me; “as a poet I know one of that name. -My indifference is total towards the science -of medicine.”</p> - -<p>Turning towards the seller he ordered—</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span></p> - -<p>“Remove his clothes.”</p> - -<p>Nicostratus let this be done, powerless -and yet disdainful. Parrhasius continued -to command that the captive take up first -one position and then another. At last the -bargain was struck. Parrhasius then said, -“Superb!”</p> - -<p>But I did not reply, for I felt almost -envious.</p> - -<p>Fifty years have passed—the space of -a human life. I have seen hundreds and -hundreds of models, but never one worthy -to be compared with that Nicostratus the -Olynthian. He was the Statue of the Man -in all his grandeur at the full age of force -and power. I never had him as a model for -anything of mine; the unfortunate being -only posed once, and you shall learn how.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span></p> - - -</div><div class="chapter"> - -<h3>CHAPTER IV</h3> - - -<p>I returned upon horseback to my own -place going through Attica. During my -five years of absence creditors had sold -the few poor goods I possessed, and I put -up very simply at a hostelry of Athens for -many weeks. Parrhasius followed after an -interval of a few days. Hearing of my -modest lodging, he at once offered me -hospitality. I went to him at once to thank -him and decline. He then lived near the -Academy, in a palace of marble and metal, -near to the little house that Plato lived in.</p> - -<p>The gardens extended to the river, and -the house was surrounded by much pomp -of trees.</p> - -<p>By some feebleness of the intellect that -is difficult to understand in a man of such -strength and value, Parrhasius positively -adored ostentation and every show of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span> -wealth. His fortune was immense, and he -did not permit any one to think otherwise. -With marble, silk, gold, and beauteous -women, his abode had the air of a palace -of Artaxerxes. He greeted me upon the -threshold of the chamber that served him -for a studio. Standing robed in red silk -and crowned like an Olympian god, he -opened his large arms to me. I then penetrated -by his side into the famous salon -that had been the matrix of so many -masterpieces.</p> - -<p>“My Prometheus?” he said, in answer -to my question. “No; I am yet meditating -upon that. In a few days I shall see it all -clearer. Come; look at this little thing. -It is wonderful. I have never done a more -beautiful thing.”</p> - -<p>It was a picture of a sleeping nymph and -two satyrs. I saw, near, the lovely Artemidora -and two of the Sarmatians, and at once -divined that they had posed for the picture.</p> - -<p>He ordered the pose to be again taken, -and continued the painting before me.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span></p> - - -</div><div class="chapter"> - -<h3>CHAPTER V</h3> - - -<p>I remained an entire month at Athens, -occupied with my own personal affairs; -and these did not allow me time to return -to the house of the great painter. Athens -was truly in mourning since the fall of the -Olynthians. The slave-market at Chalcis, -the sale of a people, such a scandal and -insult was the subject on all tongues, and -the dream of all those who were silent.</p> - -<p>One day it was known that in Athens -a citizen held captive an Olynthian woman. -The citizen was condemned and executed.</p> - -<p>Alarmed, I hastened to Parrhasius, and -my entreaties gained me admission to -him.... Never shall I forget the regard, -slow and grave, with which Parrhasius -greeted me when I entered. He was standing, -painting. Then, following his further<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span> -glances, I saw, nude and bound to an -actual rock, Nicostratus the Olynthian.</p> - -<p>“Cry out!” shouted Parrhasius to him; -and his awesome captive did, cursing, -foaming, and raging.</p> - -<p>The face of Parrhasius did not alter -one line. He said to a Sarmatian slave: -“Upon his right; touch lightly, without -penetrating.” Nicostratus saw the man -advance, and soon his eyes swooned and -a sweat of agony came to his temples. -Moans came to the lips; then a sob, like -that of a child. Parrhasius, impassible, -studied the face; then suddenly cried out: -“The imbecile! He has died too soon.”</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>When it was known how Parrhasius had -painted his Prometheus the people stormed -his house, crying out for death to the -murderer. At last Parrhasius appeared in -all his pomp and faced the crowd and all -its cries. Then, slowly lifting his painting, -as though offering something sacrosanct,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span> -he showed the Athenian people the Prometheus.</p> - -<p>An awesome shudder of amazement, of -wonderment at its highest, came to the -populace who saw the great picture—the -picture of human anguish and final defeat -by death. The summit, the uttermost, of -tragic grandeur seemed to be unveiled -there for the first time.... Silence, as of -a temple, held the people for a time; then -some hostile cries broke out afresh. But -they were futile, and died, lost in the -splendid thunder of glory.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a><br /><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span></p> - - - - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a><br /><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span></p> -</div><div class="chapter"> -<h2><a name="THE_HILL_OF_HORSEL" id="THE_HILL_OF_HORSEL"></a>THE HILL OF HORSEL</h2> - -<hr class="chap" /> - - -<p>In the month of August eighteen -ninety-one, shortly after I had heard, at -Bayreuth, <i>Tannhäuser</i>, <i>Tristan</i> and <i>Parsifal</i>, -for the ninth time, I spent a fortnight -in the verdant Marienthal near the ancient -city of Essenach.</p> - -<p>The room I occupied looked out on the -west upon the lofty Wartburg, and on the -east upon Mount Horsel, that peak which -used to be called by priests and poets the -Venusberg. The star of Wolfram appeared -in the bright sky of this land of -Wagner.</p> - -<p>I was then so prone to sun that after -leaning my elbows once upon the sill of -the western window before Luther’s towers -I determined never to return there even in -my dreams. The Venusberg attracted me -to it.</p> - -<p>Alone, among all the neighbouring -peaks which with their coverings of black<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span> -firs or fertile meadows formed a garment for -the earth, the Venusberg was bare and like -a woman’s swelling breast. Sometimes the -rosy dawn cast purple flesh-like tints upon -it. It palpitated; truly at certain hours -of the evening it seemed to live, and then -it appeared as if Thuringia, like a divinity -reclining in a green and black tunic, -allowed the blood of her desires to mount -to the summit of her bare breast.</p> - -<p>Throughout the long evenings of each -day I watched the transfiguration of the -hill of Venus. I gazed at it from afar. I -did not approach it. It pleased me not -to believe in its natural existence, for -exquisite is the pleasure of simplifying -realities into the pure aspect of their -symbols, and remaining at such a distance -that the eye is not forced to see things as -they are. I was afraid that once for all the -illusion would vanish never to return on -the day when I set my foot upon the -mountain itself.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span></p> - -<p>Yet one morning I started. At first I -followed the Gotha Road, which is intersected -by bridges and streams overgrown -with verdure; then a path through the -fields. I had not lifted my eyes from the -meadows when three hours later I reached -the end of it. Then I looked before me.</p> - -<p>Seen from near at hand, Mount Horsel -was bare and reddish, without earth, verdure, -or water upon it; it appeared to be -burned up by an internal fire as if the -legendary curse continued to arrest at its -base all the fresh vegetation which gave life -to the other mountains. The path I followed -was made of stones and dead lichen, and -was sometimes quite indistinct amid a stony -desert, while at other times it was narrowly -enclosed between high and rusty rocks. It -ascended to the summit, where a little grey -house had been built with thick walls to -stand against the violence of the wind.</p> - -<p>I entered the house and discovered that -I could lunch there. Lunch upon the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span> -Venusberg! That would be the last step -to my disenchantment. I accepted the -idea, to my shame, willingly enough, for in -spite of everything I was hungry.</p> - -<p>The two daughters of the inn-keeper, -who was absent, served me upon a little -table a Wiener Schnitzl, which was perhaps -more Saxon than Austrian, and a -bottle of Niersteiner. This was reality -indeed. The clean, light dining-room, the -white curtains at the windows, the freshly-cleaned -floor, a light bedroom visible -through an open door, all succeeded in -convincing me that I was not lunching -with magicians, as for a moment, alas! I -had hoped. The two young girls were two -good spirits who would take no part in the -damnation of the country.</p> - -<p>It is true that at the conclusion of the -meal the elder discreetly retired and the -younger one gave me a smile of invitation -which proved her natural goodness; but at -German inns the servants hardly fix any<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span> -precise limits to the kindness they bestow -upon young travellers, and that fact does -not generally mean that they have made -a compact with a goddess of darkness.</p> - -<p>We talked. She was obliging enough -to understand my German, though I spoke -it something like a negro from the Cameroons. -I asked her for some topographical -information of the country. She gave it -to me with a very good grace.</p> - -<p>“Don’t forget,” she said, “to visit the -grotto.”</p> - -<p>“What grotto?”</p> - -<p>“The Venushoehle.”</p> - -<p>“Is there a grotto of Venus?”</p> - -<p>“Yes! that is its name; I don’t know -why; you must not go down the mountain -without seeing it.”</p> - -<p>Uneasy and almost jealous, I wanted to -know whether many strangers came to see -this grotto, whose name alone had made -me quiver.</p> - -<p>The young girl sadly replied—</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span></p> - -<p>“No one! You see the mountain is not -lofty enough to tempt climbers, and it is -too high for walkers. Occasionally at -very distant intervals a sportsman from -Essenach comes to lunch or to spend the -night here; but you are the first Frenchman -I have seen since my birth.”</p> - -<p>“Which is the way to the grotto?”</p> - -<p>“Take the path to the left. You will -get there in five minutes. Perhaps you will -find at the entrance a man seated upon a -stone. Pay no attention to what he says: -he is mad.”</p> - -<p>So there was a grotto of Venus in the -flanks of the Horselberg! But then the -country of Tannhäuser had retained the -whole of its terrible legend.</p> - -<p>The grotto of the Goddess was really -there. And the man was there too.</p> - -<p>It was small, elliptical at the top, -crowned with fine dark briars, and appeared -as the necessary symbol of the -mountain, as another justification of the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span> -old German tale still more striking than -the carnal aspect of the Venusberg on the -horizon. The interior, into which I gazed, -was dark, narrow and low. Pools of water -and dark recesses made up its dark floor. -It was difficult to enter without becoming -mud-stained, but some incomprehensible -charm attracted me into the humid -darkness.</p> - -<p>“Where are you going?” the man said -shortly.</p> - -<p>“To the bottom of the grotto.”</p> - -<p>“To the bottom of the grotto? But there -is no bottom to it, sir. It is the mouth of -the earth.”</p> - -<p>“Good,” I said patiently. “I will not go -far. I shall soon return.”</p> - -<p>His hollow cheeks grew purple. He hit -his stick with his fist.</p> - -<p>“Ah! you will soon be back! Ha! ha! -you think you can go in and out of there -at will. Do you think this grotto is a lift -or a geological curiosity? Are you a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span> -Cook’s tourist, or do you come from a -natural history museum? Have you come -to write your name upon the rock, or to -gather stones for your collection? You -think you are about to discover here subterranean -lakes, blind fish, architectural -stalactites and rocky arches covered with -crystals! You are going to study the -geology of the Venushoehle. Ha! ha! that -is admirable! Are you, too, a madman like -the others? You, also, do not understand. -You then are not aware that Venus is there -in the flesh with millions of her nymphs -around her and they are more living than -you are, since they are immortal.”</p> - -<p>“Sir,” I said, “I believe what you tell -me; but you very much misjudge me if -you think that the presence of Venus will -prevent me from entering here.”</p> - -<p>“Hell!” he cried.</p> - -<p>“I should not be displeased to earn it as -the price of her favours.”</p> - -<p>The madman made a gesture which<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span> -evidently meant: “You do not understand -me at all.” Then he put his hands to his -forehead and began to speak.</p> - -<p>“Horselberg! or rather Hoelenberg, -the Mountain of Hell! they come to thee -without being warned of thy eternal -horrors, thou who waitest for the pure, -punishest the chaste, and will consume in -eternity the wicked misers of the flesh. -They will have lived their lonely lives as -rebels to the great law divine, and they will -not know thy atrocious burning till the day -when, by the power of the Sword, the -Harbinger of Souls will plunge them into -the abyss. They have eyes and they -see not, ears have they and they hear -not, they have mouths and they do -not.... My God, they are mad! mad! -mad!”</p> - -<p>Suddenly turning to me he shouted—</p> - -<p>“How can you think that the Venusberg -can become a place of damnation -when it is hell itself.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span></p> - -<p>I made a movement.</p> - -<p>“Alas!” he groaned. “Alas! My -God!” (his hands fell from his eyes to his -beard) “Alas! shall I be the only living -person to know the truth, the truth, the -truth. Will it be all in vain that the -patriarchs have placed Venus as the -terrible antithesis of God, and will no one -understand that she is Satan? Is it all in -vain that ancient tradition has painted the -satyrs with horns, black tail, goat’s legs -and cloven hoofs: will no one realize that -they are demons? With regard to the -flames of hell, will no one in the world -understand that they are thousands of -naked women dancing ...” (he struck the -earth) “there beneath our feet!”</p> - -<p>He shuddered.</p> - -<p>“Ever since man has thought, written -and learned, he has said, repeated and -cried out that there is no worse torture than -love. How is it he has not foreseen that in -the world of eternal torture that punish<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span>ment -alone will be inflicted upon him! -What other could he imagine more terrible -than it?”</p> - -<p>He then assumed a position as if he were -gazing into the distance and waved his hand.</p> - -<p>“Yes,” he said, “it is there ... it is -there.... On the day when we shall be -nothing but rotting corpses and souls maddened -by terror, there we shall go in -crowds, all of us, all sinners, to burn in -that horrible fire which is Lust. Every day -and every hour we shall experience desire, -even to the extent of suffering, for more -and more beautiful women, and at the -moment of possession we shall see them, -as on earth, vanish in smoke. But that -which is here a spasm, a fear, a cry, a -sob,—which suffices to prepare the curse of -a human life—will be there a perpetual -tremor, uninterrupted anguish, and the -punishment of years, of centuries and of -centuries. Ah! God! such is the destiny -which awaits me.”</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span></p> - -<p>His eyes became fixed upon a stone on -the ground. Nodding his head he went on -in a strangely changed voice—</p> - -<p>“I have lived an evil life, sir; this is the -reason. I was born of Protestant parents -in the Mountain of Wartburg, that same -one where Luther, more than three centuries -ago, taught his evil doctrine. I spent -my youth in piety, and led a noble and -austere life. But from my fourteenth year -I could not look at a woman without being -assailed by terrible desire. I curbed it, -after fierce struggles which left me in the -morning with a forehead bathed in sweat -and trembling face. I thought I could -remain pure by living without love, mad -that I was, and blind to my own interests. -To remain pure I would have killed myself -with my own hand before committing any -sin. Those who have not experienced -nightly combats between religious duty and -the frantic desires of the body have not -known sorrow. I struggled thus for a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span> -shadow, and now I know that I struggled -against God. And later I got married, sir, -but married only in the eyes of the world. -The woman and I had sworn only to unite -our souls. That was how, little by little, I -was damned for my fault of lying every -day to the law of life; and afterwards there -was not time for me to follow the path I -had missed in my youth. Ah! cursed be -virgins! for the love they have repulsed -during their brief existence will justly be -their punishment in their future state.”</p> - -<p>He seized me by the arm.</p> - -<p>“Listen! The sun is sinking. Now is -the time. Every evening I come here, and -sweetly the Goddess sings. She calls me -from afar; she attracts me. I come just as -at the day of my death, at the day of my -fall into the Venushoehle. Ah! do not say -a word. She is about to speak to us.”</p> - -<p>I do not know whether it was these last -few words, the man’s expression, or the -grasp of his hand which persuaded me that<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span> -he was speaking truly—but tremors ran -through me and I listened.</p> - -<p>I expected, not as an accident, but with -the absolute exactness of prevision, the -event predicted by the madman.</p> - -<p>I can only compare my state of mind -to that of a traveller who, after seeing the -lightning, and knowing how far the storm -is, waits for the thunder.</p> - -<p>The time which separated me from the -prodigy decreased first by a quarter, then -a half, then three-quarters, and at the precise -moment which I had anticipated as the -end of my waiting, <em>a breath of perfumes -carried up to us the languishing echo of -a ... Voice</em>!</p> - -<hr class="tb" /> - -<p>Here ends the Book of Seven Stories by -Pierre Louÿs.</p> - -<p class="center"><i lang="la">Explicit Laus Veneris.</i></p> -<hr class="tb" /> -<p class="center"> -<i><small>Richard Clay & Sons, Limited, London and Bungay</small>.</i><br /> -</p> -</div> -<p> </p> -<p> </p> - -<div class="transnote"> -<h3>Transcriber’s Note</h3> - -<p>Obvious typographical errors have been silently corrected. 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