第7章

AstheEgyptianceasedthereroseabout，around，beneath，thesoftestmusicthatLydiaevertaught，orIonaeverperfected。Itcamelikeastreamofsound，bathingthesensesunawares；enervating，subduingwithdelight。Itseemedthemelodiesofinvisiblespirits，suchastheshepherdmighthaveheardinthegoldenage，floatingthroughthevalesofThessaly，orinthenoontidegladesofPaphos。ThewordswhichhadrushedtothelipofApaecides，inanswertothesophistriesoftheEgyptian，diedtremblinglyaway。Hefeltitasaprofanationtobreakuponthatenchantedstrain——thesusceptibilityofhisexcitednature，theGreeksoftnessandardourofhissecretsoul，wereswayedandcapturedbysurprise。Hesankontheseatwithpartedlipsandthirstingear；whileinachorusofvoices，blandandmeltingasthosewhichwakedPsycheinthehallsoflove，rosethefollowingsong：

THEHYMNOFEROS

BythecoolbankswheresoftCephisusflows，Avoicesail’dtremblingdownthewavesofair；

TheleavesblushedbrighterintheTeian’srose，Thedovescouch’dbreathlessintheirsummerlair；

Whilefromtheirhandsthepurplefloweretsfell，ThelaughingHoursstoodlisteninginthesky；——

FromPan’sgreencavetoAEgle’shauntedcell，Heavedthecharm’dearthinonedelicioussigh。

Love，sonsofearth！IamthePowerofLove！

Eldestofallthegods，withChaosborn；

Mysmileshedslightalongthecourtsabove，MykisseswaketheeyelidsoftheMorn。

Minearethestars——there，everasyegaze，Yemeetthedeepspellofmyhauntingeyes；

Mineisthemoon——and，mournfulifherrays，’TisthatshelingerswhereherCarianlies。

Theflowersaremine——theblushesoftherose，Theviolet——charmingZephyrtotheshade；

MinethequicklightthatintheMaybeamglows，Andminetheday—dreaminthelonelyglade。

Love，sonsofearth——forloveisearth’ssoftlore，Lookwhereyewill——earthoverflowswithME；

Learnfromthewavesthateverkisstheshore，Andthewindsnestlingontheheavingsea。

’Allteacheslove！’——Thesweetvoice，likeadream，Meltedinlight；yetstilltheairsabove，Thewavingsedges，andthewhisperingstream，Andthegreenforestrustling，murmur’d’LOVE！’

Asthevoicesdiedaway，theEgyptianseizedthehandofApaecides，andledhim，wandering，intoxicated，yethalf—reluctant，acrossthechambertowardsthecurtainatthefarend；andnow，frombehindthatcurtain，thereseemedtoburstathousandsparklingstars；theveilitself，hithertodark，wasnowlightedbythesefiresbehindintothetenderestblueofheaven。Itrepresentedheavenitself——suchaheaven，asinthenightsofJunemighthaveshonedownoverthestreamsofCastaly。Hereandtherewerepaintedrosyandaerialclouds，fromwhichsmiled，bythelimner’sart，facesofdivinestbeauty，andonwhichreposedtheshapesofwhichPhidiasandApellesdreamed。Andthestarswhichstuddedthetransparentazurerolledrapidlyastheyshone，whilethemusic，thatagainwokewithalivelierandlightersound，seemedtoimitatethemelodyofthejoyousspheres。

’Oh！whatmiracleisthis，Arbaces，’saidApaecidesinfalteringaccents。

’Afterhavingdeniedthegods，artthouabouttorevealtome……’

’Theirpleasures！’interruptedArbaces，inatonesodifferentfromitsusualcoldandtranquilharmonythatApaecidesstarted，andthoughttheEgyptianhimselftransformed；andnow，astheynearedthecurtain，awild——aloud——anexultingmelodyburstfrombehinditsconcealment。Withthatsoundtheveilwasrentintwain——itparted——itseemedtovanishintoair：andascene，whichnoSybariteevermorethanrivalled，brokeuponthedazzledgazeoftheyouthfulpriest。Avastbanquet—roomstretchedbeyond，blazingwithcountlesslights，whichfilledthewarmairwiththescentsoffrankincense，ofjasmine，ofviolets，ofmyrrh；allthatthemostodorousflowers，allthatthemostcostlyspicescoulddistil，seemedgatheredintooneineffableandambrosialessence：fromthelightcolumnsthatsprangupwardstotheairyroof，hungdraperiesofwhite，studdedwithgoldenstars。Attheextremitiesoftheroomtwofountainscastupaspray，which，catchingtheraysoftheroseatelight，glitteredlikecountlessdiamonds。

Inthecentreoftheroomastheyenteredthereroseslowlyfromthefloor，tothesoundofunseenminstrelsy，atablespreadwithalltheviandswhichsenseeverdevotedtofancy，andvasesofthatlostMyrrhinefabric，soglowinginitscolors，sotransparentinitsmaterial，werecrownedwiththeexoticsoftheEast。Thecouches，towhichthistablewasthecentre，werecoveredwithtapestriesofazureandgold；andfrominvisibletubesthevaultedroofdescendedshowersoffragrantwaters，thatcooledthedeliciousair，andcontendedwiththelamps，asifthespiritsofwaveandfiredisputedwhichelementcouldfurnishforththemostdeliciousodorous。Andnow，frombehindthesnowydraperies，troopedsuchformsasAdonisbeheldwhenhelayonthelapofVenus。Theycame，somewithgarlands，otherswithlyres；theysurroundedtheyouth，theyledhisstepstothebanquet。Theyflungthechapletsroundhiminrosychains。Theearth——thethoughtofearth，vanishedfromhissoul。Heimaginedhimselfinadream，andsuppressedhisbreathlestheshouldwaketoosoon；thesenses，towhichhehadneveryieldedasyet，beatinhisburningpulse，andconfusedhisdizzyandreelingsight。Andwhilethusamazedandlost，onceagain，butinbriskandBacchicmeasures，rosethemagicstrain：

ANACREONTIC

IntheveinsofthecalixfoamsandglowsThebloodofthemantlingvine，Butoh！inthebowlofYouththereglowsALesbian，moredivine！

Bright，bright，Astheliquidlight，Itswavesthroughthineeyelidsshine！

Fillup，fillup，tothesparklingbrim，ThejuiceoftheyoungLyaeus；

ThegrapeisthekeythatweowetohimFromthegaoloftheworldtofreeus。

Drink，drink！

Whatneedtoshrink，Whenthelambsalonecanseeus？

Drink，drink，asIquafffromthineeyesThewineofasoftertree；

Givethesmilestothegodofthegrape——thysighs，Belovedone，givetome。

Turn，turn，Myglancesburn，Andthirstforalookfromthee！

Asthesongended，agroupofthreemaidens，entwinedwithachainofstarredflowers，andwho，whiletheyimitated，mighthaveshamedtheGraces，advancedtowardshimintheglidingmeasuresoftheIoniandance：suchastheNereidswreathedinmoonlightontheyellowsandsoftheAEgeanwave——suchasCythereataughtherhandmaidsinthemarriage—feastofPsycheandherson。

Nowapproaching，theywreathedtheirchapletroundhishead；nowkneeling，theyoungestofthethreeprofferedhimthebowl，fromwhichthewineofLesbosfoamedandsparkled。Theyouthresistednomore，hegraspedtheintoxicatingcup，thebloodmantledfiercelythroughhisveins。Hesankuponthebreastofthenymphwhosatbesidehim，andturningwithswimmingeyestoseekforArbaces，whomhehadlostinthewhirlofhisemotions，hebeheldhimseatedbeneathacanopyattheupperendofthetable，andgazinguponhimwithasmilethatencouragedhimtopleasure。Hebeheldhim，butnotashehadhithertoseen，withdarkandsablegarments，withabroodingandsolemnbrow：arobethatdazzledthesight，sostuddedwasitswhitestsurfacewithgoldandgems，blazeduponhismajesticform；whiteroses，alternatedwiththeemeraldandtheruby，andshapedtiara—like，crownedhisravenlocks。Heappeared，likeUlysses，tohavegainedthegloryofasecondyouth——hisfeaturesseemedtohaveexchangedthoughtforbeauty，andhetoweredamidstthelovelinessthatsurroundedhim，inallthebeamingandrelaxingbenignityoftheOlympiangod。

’Drink，feast，love，mypupil！’saidhe，’blushnotthatthouartpassionateandyoung。Thatwhichthouart，thoufeelestinthyveins：thatwhichthoushaltbe，survey！’

Withthishepointedtoarecess，andtheeyesofApaecides，followingthegesture，beheldonapedestal，placedbetweenthestatuesofBacchusandIdalia，theformofaskeleton。

’Startnot，’resumedtheEgyptian；’thatfriendlyguestadmonishesusbutoftheshortnessoflife。FromitsjawsIhearavoicethatsummonsustoENJOY。’

Ashespoke，agroupofnymphssurroundedthestatue；theylaidchapletsonitspedestal，and，whilethecupswereemptiedandrefilledatthatglowingboard，theysangthefollowingstrain：

BACCHICHYMNSTOTHEIMAGEOFDEATH

I

ThouartinthelandoftheshadowyHost，Thouthatdidstdrinkandlove：

BytheSolemnRiver，aglidingghost，Butthythoughtisoursabove！

Ifmemoryyetcanfly，Backtothegoldensky，Andmournthepleasureslost！

Bytheruin’dhalltheseflowerswelay，Wherethysouloncehelditspalace；

Whentherosetothyscentandsightwasgay，Andthesmilewasinthechalice，Andthecithara’svoiceCouldbidthyheartrejoiceWhennighteclipsedtheday。

Hereanewgroupadvancing，turnedthetideofthemusicintoaquickerandmorejoyousstrain。

II

Death，deathisthegloomyshoreWhereweallsail——

Soft，soft，thouglidingoar；

Blowsoft，sweetgale！

ChainwithbrightwreathstheHours；

VictimsifallEver，’midsongandflowers，Victimsshouldfall！

Pausingforamoment，yetquickerandquickerdancedthesilver—footedmusic：

SinceLife’ssoshort，we’lllivetolaugh，Ah！whereforewasteaminute！

Ifyouth’sthecupweyetcanquaff，Belovethepearlwithinit！

Athirdbandnowapproachedwithbrimmingcups，whichtheypouredinlibationuponthatstrangealtar；andoncemore，slowandsolemn，rosethechangefulmelody：

III

Thouartwelcome，Guestofgloom，Fromthefarandfearfulsea！

Whenthelastroseshedsitsbloom，Ourboardshallbespreadwiththee！

Allhail，darkGuest！

WhohathsofairapleaOurwelcomeGuesttobe，Asthou，whosesolemnhallAtlastshallfeastusallInthedimanddismalcoast？

LongyetbewetheHost！

Andthou，DeadShadow，thou，Alljoylessthoughthybrow，Thou——butourpassingGUEST！

Atthismoment，shewhosatbesideApaecidessuddenlytookupthesong：

IV

Happyisyetourdoom，Theearthandthesunareours！

AndfarfromthedrearytombSpeedthewingsoftherosyHours——

Sweetisfortheethebowl，Sweetarethylooks，mylove；

Iflytothytendersoul，Asbirdtoitsmateddove！

Takeme，ah，take！

Clasp’dtothyguardianbreast，Softletmesinktorest：

Butwakeme——ah，wake！

Andtellmewithwordsandsighs，Butmorewiththymeltingeyes，Thatmysunisnotset——

ThattheTorchisnotquench’dattheUrnThatwelove，andwebreathe，andburn，Tellme——thoulov’stmeyet！

BOOKTHESECOND

ChapterI

AFLASHHOUSEINPOMPEII，ANDTHEGENTLEMENOFTHECLASSICRING。

TOoneofthosepartsofPompeii，whichweretenantednotbythelordsofpleasure，butbyitsminionsanditsvictims；thehauntofgladiatorsandprize—fighters；oftheviciousandthepenniless；ofthesavageandtheobscene；theAlsatiaofanancientcity——wearenowtransported。

Itwasalargeroom，thatopenedatonceontheconfinedandcrowdedlane。

Beforethethresholdwasagroupofmen，whoseironandwell—strungmuscles，whoseshortandHerculeannecks，whosehardyandrecklesscountenances，indicatedthechampionsofthearena。Onashelf，withouttheshop，wererangedjarsofwineandoil；andrightoverthiswasinsertedinthewallacoarsepainting，whichexhibitedgladiatorsdrinking——soancientandsovenerableisthecustomofsigns！Withintheroomwereplacedseveralsmalltables，arrangedsomewhatinthemodernfashionof’boxes’，androundthesewereseatedseveralknotsofmen，somedrinking，someplayingatdice，someatthatmoreskilfulgamecalled’duodecimscriptae’，whichcertainoftheblunderinglearnedhavemistakenforchess，thoughitrather，perhaps，resembledbackgammonofthetwo，andwasusually，thoughnotalways，playedbytheassistanceofdice。Thehourwasintheearlyforenoon，andnothingbetter，perhaps，thanthatunseasonabletimeitselfdenotedthehabitualindolenceofthesetavernloungers。

Yet，despitethesituationofthehouseandthecharacterofitsinmates，itindicatednoneofthatsordidsqualorwhichwouldhavecharacterizedasimilarhauntinamoderncity。ThegaydispositionofallthePompeians，whosought，atleast，togratifythesenseevenwheretheyneglectedthemind，wastypifiedbythegaudycolorswhichdecoratedthewalls，andtheshapes，fantasticbutnotinelegant，inwhichthelamps，thedrinking—cups，thecommonesthouseholdutensils，werewrought。

’ByPollux！’saidoneofthegladiators，asheleanedagainstthewallofthethreshold，’thewinethousellestus，oldSilenus’——andashespokeheslappedaportlypersonageontheback——’isenoughtothinthebestbloodinone’sveins。’

Themanthuscaressinglysaluted，andwhosebaredarms，whiteapron，andkeysandnapkintuckedcarelesslywithinhisgirdle，indicatedhimtobethehostofthetavern，wasalreadypassedintotheautumnofhisyears；buthisformwasstillsorobustandathletic，thathemighthaveshamedeventhesinewyshapesbesidehim，savethatthemuscleshadseeded，asitwere，intoflesh，thatthecheekswereswelledandbloated，andtheincreasingstomachthrewintoshadethevastandmassivechestwhichroseaboveit。

’Noneofthyscurrilousblusteringswithme，’growledthegiganticlandlord，inthegentlesemi—roarofaninsultedtiger；’mywineisgoodenoughforacarcasswhichshallsosoonsoakthedustofthespoliarium。’

’Croakestthouthus，oldraven！’returnedthegladiator，laughingscornfully；’thoushaltlivetohangthyselfwithdespitewhenthouseestmewinthepalmcrown；andwhenIgetthepurseattheamphitheatre，asI

certainlyshall，myfirstvowtoHerculesshallbetoforsweartheeandthyvilepotationsevermore。’

’Heartohim——heartothismodestPyrgopolinices！HehascertainlyservedunderBombochidesCluninstaridysarchides，’criedthehost。’Sporus，Niger，Tetraides，hedeclaresheshallwinthepursefromyou。Why，bythegods！

eachofyourmusclesisstrongenoughtostifleallhisbody，orIknownothingofthearena！’

’Ha！’saidthegladiator，coloringwithrisingfury，’ourlanistawouldtelladifferentstory。’

’Whatstorycouldhetellagainstme，vainLydon？’saidTetraides，frowning。

’Orme，whohaveconqueredinfifteenfights？’saidthegiganticNiger，stalkinguptothegladiator。

’Orme？’gruntedSporus，witheyesoffire。

’Tush！’saidLydon，foldinghisarms，andregardinghisrivalswitharecklessairofdefiance。’Thetimeoftrialwillsooncome；keepyourvalortillthen。’

’Ay，do，’saidthesurlyhost；’andifIpressdownmythumbtosaveyou，maytheFatescutmythread！’

’Yourrope，youmean，’saidLydon，sneeringly：’hereisasestercetobuyone。’

TheTitanwine—venderseizedthehandextendedtohim，andgripeditinsosternavicethatthebloodspirtedfromthefingers’endsoverthegarmentsofthebystanders。

Theysetupasavagelaugh。

’Iwillteachthee，youngbraggart，toplaytheMacedonianwithme！IamnopunyPersian，Iwarrantthee！What，man！haveInotfoughttwentyyearsinthering，andneverloweredmyarmsonce？AndhaveInotreceivedtherodfromtheeditor’sownhandasasignofvictory，andasagracetoretirementonmylaurels？AndamInowtobelecturedbyaboy？’Sosaying，heflungthehandfromhiminscorn。

Withoutchangingamuscle，butwiththesamesmilingfacewithwhichhehadpreviouslytauntedminehost，didthegladiatorbravethepainfulgrasphehadundergone。Butnosoonerwashishandreleased，than，crouchingforonemomentasawildcatcrouches，youmightseehishairbristleonhisheadandbeard，andwithafierceandshrillyellhesprangonthethroatofthegiant，withanimpetusthatthrewhim，vastandsturdyashewas，fromhisbalance——anddown，withthecrashofafallingrock，hefell——whileoverhimfellalsohisferociousfoe。

Ourhost，perhaps，hadhadnoneedoftheropesokindlyrecommendedtohimbyLydon，hadheremainedthreeminuteslongerinthatposition。But，summonedtohisassistancebythenoiseofhisfall，awoman，whohadhithertokeptinaninnerapartment，rushedtothesceneofbattle。Thisnewallywasinherselfamatchforthegladiator；shewastall，lean，andwitharmsthatcouldgiveotherthansoftembraces。Infact，thegentlehelpmateofBurbothewine—sellerhad，likehimself，foughtinthelists——nayundertheemperor’seye。AndBurbohimself——Burbo，theunconqueredinthefield，accordingtoreport，nowandthenyieldedthepalmtohissoftStratonice。Thissweetcreaturenosoonersawtheimminentperilthatawaitedherworsehalf，thanwithoutotherweaponsthanthosewithwhichNaturehadprovidedher，shedartedupontheincumbentgladiator，and，claspinghimroundthewaistwithherlongandsnakelikearms，liftedhimbyasuddenwrenchfromthebodyofherhusband，leavingonlyhishandsstillclingingtothethroatofhisfoe。Sohaveweseenadogsnatchedbythehindlegsfromthestrifewithafallenrivalinthearmsofsomeenviousgroom；sohaveweseenonehalfofhimhighinair——passiveandoffenceless——whiletheotherhalf，head，teeth，eyes，claws，seemedburiedandengulfedinthemangledandprostrateenemy。Meanwhile，thegladiators，lapped，andpampered，andglutteduponblood，crowdeddelightedlyroundthecombatants——theirnostrilsdistended——theirlipsgrinning——theireyesgloatinglyfixedonthebloodythroatoftheoneandtheindentedtalonsoftheother。

’Habet！（hehasgotit！）habet！’criedthey，withasortofyell，rubbingtheirnervoushands。

’Nonhabeo，yeliars；Ihavenotgotit！’shoutedthehost，aswithamightyefforthewrenchedhimselffromthosedeadlyhands，androsetohisfeet，breathless，panting，lacerated，bloody；andfronting，withreelingeyes，theglaringlookandgrinningteethofhisbaffledfoe，nowstruggling（butstrugglingwithdisdain）inthegripeofthesturdyamazon。

’Fairplay！’criedthegladiators：’onetoone’；and，crowdingroundLydonandthewoman，theyseparatedourpleasinghostfromhiscourteousguest。

ButLydon，feelingashamedathispresentposition，andendeavoringinvaintoshakeoffthegraspofthevirago，slippedhishandintohisgirdle，anddrewforthashortknife。Somenacingwashislook，sobrightlygleamedtheblade，thatStratonice，whowasusedonlytothatfashionofbattlewhichwemodernscallthepugilistic，startedbackinalarm。

’Ogods！’criedshe，’theruffian！——hehasconcealedweapons！Isthatfair？

Isthatlikeagentlemanandagladiator？No，indeed，Iscornsuchfellows。’Withthatshecontemptuouslyturnedherbackonthegladiator，andhastenedtoexaminetheconditionofherhusband。

Buthe，asmuchinuredtotheconstitutionalexercisesasanEnglishbull—dogistoacontestwithamoregentleantagonist，hadalreadyrecoveredhimself。Thepurplehuesrecededfromthecrimsonsurfaceofhischeek，theveinsoftheforeheadretiredintotheirwontedsize。Heshookhimselfwithacomplacentgrunt，satisfiedthathewasstillalive，andthenlookingathisfoefromheadtofootwithanairofmoreapprobationthanhehadeverbestoweduponhimbefore：

’ByCastor！’saidhe，’thouartastrongerfellowthanItooktheefor！I

seethouartamanofmeritandvirtue；givemethyhand，myhero！’

’JollyoldBurbo！’criedthegladiators，applauding，’staunchtothebackbone。Givehimthyhand，Lydon。’

’Oh，tobesure，’saidthegladiator：’butnowIhavetastedhisblood，I

longtolapthewhole。’

’ByHercules！’returnedthehost，quiteunmoved，’thatisthetruegladiatorfeeling。Pollux！tothinkwhatgoodtrainingmaymakeaman；why，abeastcouldnotbefiercer！’

’Abeast！Odullard！webeatthebeastshollow！’criedTetraides。

’Well，wellsaidStratonice，whowasnowemployedinsmoothingherhairandadjustingherdress，’ifyeareallgoodfriendsagain，Irecommendyoutobequietandorderly；forsomeyoungnoblemen，yourpatronsandbackers，havesenttosaytheywillcomeheretopayyouavisit：theywishtoseeyoumoreattheireasethanattheschools，beforetheymakeuptheirbetsonthegreatfightattheamphitheatre。Sotheyalwayscometomyhouseforthatpurpose：theyknowweonlyreceivethebestgladiatorsinPompeii——oursocietyisveryselect——praisedbethegods！’

’Yes，’continuedBurbo，drinkingoffabowl，orratherapailofwine，’amanwhohaswonmylaurelscanonlyencouragethebrave。Lydon，drink，myboy；mayyouhaveanhonorableoldagelikemine！’

’Comehere，’saidStratonice，drawingherhusbandtoheraffectionatelybytheears，inthatcaresswhichTibullushassoprettilydescribed——’Comehere！’

’Notsohard，she—wolf！thouartworsethanthegladiator，’murmuredthehugejawsofBurbo。

’Hist！’saidshe，whisperinghim；’Calenushasjuststolein，disguised，bythebackway。Ihopehehasbroughtthesesterces。’

’Ho！ho！Iwilljoinhim，saidBurbo；’meanwhile，Isay，keepasharpeyeonthecups——attendtothescore。Letthemnotcheatthee，wife；theyareheroes，tobesure，butthentheyarearrantrogues：Cacuswasnothingtothem。’

’Neverfearme，fool！’wastheconjugalreply；andBurbo，satisfiedwiththedearassurance，strodethroughtheapartment，andsoughtthepenetraliaofhishouse。

’Sothosesoftpatronsarecomingtolookatourmuscles，’saidNiger。’Whosenttoprevisetheeofit，mymistress？’

’Lepidus。HebringswithhimClodius，thesurestbetterinPompeii，andtheyoungGreek，Glaucus。’

’Awageronawager，’criedTetraides；’Clodiusbetsonme，fortwentysesterces！Whatsayyou，Lydon？’

’Hebetsonme！’saidLydon。

’No，onme！’gruntedSporus。

’Dolts！doyouthinkhewouldpreferanyofyoutoNiger？’saidtheathletic，thusmodestlynaminghimself。

’Well，well，’saidStratonice，asshepiercedahugeamphoraforherguests，whohadnowseatedthemselvesbeforeoneofthetables，’greatmenandbrave，asyeallthinkyourselves，whichofyouwillfighttheNumidianlionincasenomalefactorshouldbefoundtodepriveyouoftheoption？’

’Iwhohaveescapedyourarms，stoutStratonice，’saidLydon，’mightsafely，Ithink，encounterthelion。’

’Buttellme，’saidTetraides，’whereisthatprettyyoungslaveofyours——theblindgirl，withbrighteyes？Ihavenotseenheralongtime。’

’Oh！sheistoodelicateforyou，mysonofNeptune，’saidthehostess，’andtooniceevenforus，Ithink。Wesendherintothetowntosellflowersandsingtotheladies：shemakesusmoremoneysothanshewouldbywaitingonyou。Besides，shehasoftenotheremploymentswhichlieundertherose。’

’Otheremployments！’saidNiger；’why，sheistooyoungforthem。’

’Silence，beast！’saidStratonice；’youthinkthereisnoplaybuttheCorinthian。IfNydiaweretwicetheagesheisatpresent，shewouldbeequallyfitforVesta——poorgirl！’

’But，harkye，Stratonice，’saidLydon；’howdidstthoucomebysogentleanddelicateaslave？SheweremoremeetforthehandmaidofsomerichmatronofRomethanforthee。’

’Thatistrue，’returnedStratonice；’andsomedayorotherIshallmakemyfortunebysellingher。HowcameIbyNydia，thouaskest。’

’Ay！’

’Why，thouseest，myslaveStaphyla——thourememberestStaphyla，Niger？’

’Ay，alarge—handedwench，withafacelikeacomicmask。HowshouldI

forgether，byPluto，whosehandmaidshedoubtlessisatthismoment！’

’Tush，brute！——Well，Staphyladiedoneday，andagreatlossshewastome，andIwentintothemarkettobuymeanotherslave。But，bythegods！theywereallgrownsodearsinceIhadboughtpoorStaphyla，andmoneywassoscarce，thatIwasabouttoleavetheplaceindespair，whenamerchantpluckedmebytherobe。"Mistress，"saidhe，"dostthouwantaslavecheapIhaveachildtosell——abargain。Sheisbutlittle，andalmostaninfant，itistrue；butsheisquickandquiet，docileandclever，singswell，andisofgoodblood，Iassureyou。""Ofwhatcountry？"saidI。"Thessalian。"

NowIknewtheThessalianswereacuteandgentle；soIsaidIwouldseethegirl。Ifoundherjustasyouseehernow，scarcelysmallerandscarcelyyoungerinappearance。Shelookedpatientandresignedenough，withherhandscrossedonherbosom，andhereyesdowncast。Iaskedthemerchanthisprice：itwasmoderate，andIboughtheratonce。Themerchantbroughthertomyhouse，anddisappearedinaninstant。Well，myfriends，guessmyastonishmentwhenIfoundshewasblind！Ha！ha！acleverfellowthatmerchant！Iranatoncetothemagistrates，buttheroguewasalreadygonefromPompeii。SoIwasforcedtogohomeinaveryillhumor，Iassureyou；