The Aegean twinkles, and its thousand isles1
Hover2 in mist, and round the dun horizon
Are many floating visions, clouds, or peaks,
Tinted3 with rose!”
James Gates Percival.
The second day of the full moon arrived. All necessary preparations had been made for the marriage ceremony of Eumetis and Zopyrus which would take place on the following day.
Corinna approached her mother as the latter stood near the altar of Zeus, in conversation with the prospective4 bride and bridegroom.
“Mother,” said the girl. “I have just learned that my dear friend Gorgo is ill and wishes me to go immediately and spend the night with her. I will be back for the wedding tomorrow.”
Cleodice’s eyes shone with maternal6 approval as she surveyed the eager, youthful face so like her own.
“What will Polygnotus say?” asked Eumetis.
“Oh he will recover from the effects of one evening spent outside of my presence,” replied her sister indifferently.
181
Zopyrus stood silently by. He had been grievously disappointed and shocked at Corinna’s duplicity, and had hoped that before the fateful day arrived she would repent7 of her former decision and abandon the proposed trip to Naxos with the stranger. However her present conversation with Cleodice assured him that she hung tenaciously8 to her original purpose.
“By all means spend the night with your sick friend, Corinna,” said a voice from the entryway, and turning the four beheld9 the young artist who had heard the conversation unobserved by the others.
Zopyrus greeted Polygnotus heartily10. He thought at first to apprise11 him secretly of Corinna’s proposed trip to Naxos, but upon second thought he decided12 that there might be a better way of preventing the girl from committing such a folly13 without grieving her lover. The deep sincere eyes of the artist rested a moment in loving regard upon the face of Corinna who flushed deeply, turning demurely14 away. Her mother and sister each placed an arm lovingly about her, and the three women left the atrium.
When they were gone Polygnotus turned enthusiastically to Zopyrus and said: “I have good news! Cimon has just been made commander of the fleet, and is contemplating15 visiting Sparta with Alcmæon in behalf of the alleged16 confederacy.”
“Your news is pleasing to my ear, and I rejoice with you and Cimon—but,” Zopyrus glanced about and lowered his voice to a whisper. “Will you not speak well to Cimon of Themistocles and ask him to do his utmost to put down this charge of Medism against the statesman?”
182
“I will do what I can,” replied Polygnotus. “Cimon is more a warrior17 than a statesman. His methods are direct and bold, often sadly lacking in diplomacy18. He believes that when a man has served his purpose in life and is no longer useful to the community in which he dwells and may even become a detriment19 to those whom he once served, he should be cast aside as one would shed a worn garment when its season of beauty and service is past. Cimon and others like him also believe that when maturity20 of age is passed and the power of decision begins to wane21, the very burden of long experience perplexes the mind and engenders22 doubt and fear instead of confidence. Will you come with me this evening to the home of Cimon to congratulate him upon his success and to speak a good word for Themistocles? But I had forgotten—tomorrow you will wed5, and possibly you have arrangements to make in regard to the ceremonies. Corinna and I are to follow your example before long, but Cleodice does not wish to lose two daughters at once, and Eumetis is the older.”
183
“I am delighted to hear that your marriage will take place soon. I must be going now as I have a duty to fulfill,” said Zopyrus as he turned to go.
* * * * * * * *
Not long after this conversation a chance observer might have seen a young man of aristocratic bearing, crisp blond curls and noble face, walking with elastic23 strides toward Piræus. He was clad in the short dress of a laborer24, called an exomis, and upon his head was a narrow-brimmed, close-fitting cap. As he neared the harbor he proceeded cautiously, desirous of observing all that was taking place without being seen. To his consternation25 he saw that three boats with their occupants had already been launched upon the sea. Vexed26 with himself for having arrived so late he scanned the people who remained upon the shore waiting to be assigned to other boats. It was almost unbelievable but it was true! The sun unmistakably revealed a head of auburn hair and close to it the bullet-head and thick florid neck of a young man. Zopyrus, for it was he who clad in the woolen27 exomis instead of his customary linen28 chiton, watched the two closely, pulled the brim of his cap well over his eyes and approached the waiting youths and maidens29. Several he recognized as the sons and daughters of prominent Athenians. Another filled boat was leaving, the rowers diligently31 plying32 the oars33. It was apparent that Corinna and the heavy-set youth would be of the number to fill the next boat. Disguising his walk, Zopyrus made his way quickly to the waiting skiff and approached one of the oarsmen.
“Ten drachmas for you if you will let me take your place at the oars,” he said in a low tone.
The fellow looked amazed, prepared to turn his back upon Zopyrus, then suddenly thought better of the offer. He put forth34 his hand and when to his surprise the coins fell into his upturned palm, he sprang free of his seat and ran to the shore leaving his place at the oars free to the generous stranger.
184
Zopyrus took the vacant place and had not long to wait before the young people filled the waiting boat. In unison35 with his fellow oarsmen, Zopyrus assailed36 the task briskly, and soon the graceful37 little skiff was well out into the harbor. The first boat was a mere38 speck39 near the horizon to the south as the one in which Corinna was a passenger, emerged from the entrance of the harbor. Zopyrus was grateful for the opportunity for strenuous40 physical exercise. It took his mind off of his own sorrow. He realized presently that he was listening unconsciously to the conversation of two men.
“What did you say were the names of the seven boats that left for Naxos?” asked one.
“They are named for seven goddesses or nymphs,” replied the other, “Doris, Leucothea, Metis, Aegle, Amphitrite, Doto and Persephone. This one is the ‘Persephone.’”
Zopyrus let his oars drift when he heard the last statement. Was the vision or name of Persephone to haunt him throughout life? When he was on land the leaves on the trees seemed to whisper “Persephone,” and now on the water, the boat in which he sat bore her name, and the ripples41 that washed its sides murmured the beloved accents.
The afternoon wore on, the sun’s rays became more slanting43 and the boats glided44 across the water like silent spirits. At length night descended45 upon the water—but no, it was growing brighter. Where but a few moments before the hills of distant Paros had slept on the edge of the darkness, now curve on curve was silhouetted46 against the silvery light of the moon, and the ripple42 of the oars on the water made a sheet of phosphorescence in its shadowy depths.
185
When Paros was passed, from across the water there floated on the gentle breeze the Dionysian hymn47, sung by the occupants of the four preceding boats. Those in the “Persephone” joined in the chant, and Zopyrus heard Corinna’s pure, soft tones mingling48 strangely with the harsh notes of her companion.
As the prow49 touched the bank Zopyrus sprang from his seat eager to set foot on land, but he was checked by the glances of indignant remonstrance50 cast upon him not only by his fellow oarsmen, but by the others as well. He turned his face quickly into the shadow fearing to be recognized by some of the youths and maidens of Athens, but his fears proved groundless. After the boat had been emptied of the Bacchanalians, Zopyrus quietly stepped ashore51, sauntering leisurely52 till beyond the range of vision of the oarsmen, who if they intended observing the rites53 of Bacchus, preferred to bide54 their time. Once out of their sight and hearing, Zopyrus quickened his pace, keeping well protected by the bushes and tree-trunks that lined the path, till he paused in awe55 as there appeared in a clearing to the left before him, the white Ionic columns and chaste56 lines of the Temple to Dionysus. Alas57 that its spotless purity was defiled58 by the wild orgies within! Its portals were thronged59 with gay devotees, and the sound of laughter and singing blended with the tones of flute60 and barbiton.
186
By now, indifferent to his plebeian61 dress, Zopyrus traversed the moon-lit sward to the temple and mingled62 with the light-hearted revelers. Groups of celebrants raised their voices in jubilant song, but here and there detached couples, their faces stamped with passion and lust63, made horrible the scene. Now and then a hetera with appealing glance passed close to where Zopyrus stood like a statue, too horrified64 too move. The muscles of his mouth were drawn65 and his face was haggard. He suffered complete inertia66 till the sight of a girl who reminded him of Corinna aroused him from his lethargic67 state and he set out to find her before it was too late, for he knew that she had been ignorant of the nature of the revelries.
He pressed on down the length of the cella, scrutinizing68 the face of every maiden30, but he did not see Corinna. As he neared the throne of Dionysus, the sound of triumphant69 acclamations, poured from the throats of a hundred devotees and Bacchantes who stood about the throne, fell upon his ears. He pushed his way nearer to the front, receiving many rebuffs and scornful glances because of his mean attire70.
“What is the excitement?” he asked of a young man.
“You can see for yourself,” was the surly reply. “Dionysus has turned to flesh and blood and shares the throne with Ariadne!”
Zopyrus forced his way onward71 till he could see the throne. He stood a moment as if petrified72, then with a few swift strides he was alone before the royal seat, gazing with death-white countenance73 at Dionysus and Ariadne.
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1
isles
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| 岛( isle的名词复数 ) | |
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2
hover
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| vi.翱翔，盘旋；徘徊；彷徨，犹豫 | |
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3
tinted
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| adj. 带色彩的 动词tint的过去式和过去分词 | |
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4
prospective
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| adj.预期的，未来的，前瞻性的 | |
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5
wed
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| v.娶，嫁，与…结婚 | |
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6
maternal
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| adj.母亲的，母亲般的，母系的，母方的 | |
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7
repent
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| v.悔悟，悔改，忏悔，后悔 | |
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8
tenaciously
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| 坚持地 | |
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9
beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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10
heartily
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| adv.衷心地，诚恳地，十分，很 | |
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11
apprise
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| vt.通知，告知 | |
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12
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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13
folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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14
demurely
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| adv.装成端庄地，认真地 | |
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15
contemplating
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| 深思，细想，仔细考虑( contemplate的现在分词 )； 注视，凝视； 考虑接受（发生某事的可能性）； 深思熟虑，沉思，苦思冥想 | |
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16
alleged
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| a.被指控的，嫌疑的 | |
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17
warrior
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| n.勇士，武士，斗士 | |
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18
diplomacy
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| n.外交；外交手腕，交际手腕 | |
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19
detriment
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| n.损害；损害物，造成损害的根源 | |
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20
maturity
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| n.成熟；完成；(支票、债券等)到期 | |
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21
wane
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| n.衰微，亏缺，变弱；v.变小，亏缺，呈下弦 | |
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22
engenders
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| v.产生（某形势或状况），造成，引起( engender的第三人称单数 ) | |
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23
elastic
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| n.橡皮圈，松紧带；adj.有弹性的；灵活的 | |
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24
laborer
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| n.劳动者，劳工 | |
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25
consternation
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| n.大为吃惊，惊骇 | |
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26
vexed
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| adj.争论不休的；（指问题等）棘手的；争论不休的问题；烦恼的v.使烦恼( vex的过去式和过去分词 )；使苦恼；使生气；详细讨论 | |
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27
woolen
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| adj.羊毛(制)的；毛纺的 | |
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28
linen
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| n.亚麻布，亚麻线，亚麻制品；adj.亚麻布制的，亚麻的 | |
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29
maidens
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| 处女( maiden的名词复数 )； 少女； 未婚女子； （板球运动）未得分的一轮投球 | |
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30
maiden
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| n.少女，处女；adj.未婚的，纯洁的，无经验的 | |
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31
diligently
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| ad.industriously;carefully | |
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32
plying
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| v.使用（工具）( ply的现在分词 )；经常供应（食物、饮料）；固定往来；经营生意 | |
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33
oars
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| n.桨，橹( oar的名词复数 )；划手v.划（行）( oar的第三人称单数 ) | |
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34
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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35
unison
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| n.步调一致，行动一致 | |
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36
assailed
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| v.攻击( assail的过去式和过去分词 )；困扰；质问；毅然应对 | |
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37
graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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38
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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39
speck
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| n.微粒，小污点，小斑点 | |
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40
strenuous
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| adj.奋发的，使劲的；紧张的；热烈的，狂热的 | |
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41
ripples
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| 逐渐扩散的感觉( ripple的名词复数 ) | |
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42
ripple
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| n.涟波，涟漪，波纹，粗钢梳；vt.使...起涟漪，使起波纹； vi.呈波浪状，起伏前进 | |
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43
slanting
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| 倾斜的，歪斜的 | |
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44
glided
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| v.滑动( glide的过去式和过去分词 )；掠过；（鸟或飞机 ） 滑翔 | |
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45
descended
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| a.为...后裔的，出身于...的 | |
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46
silhouetted
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| 显出轮廓的，显示影像的 | |
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47
hymn
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| n.赞美诗，圣歌，颂歌 | |
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48
mingling
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| adj.混合的 | |
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49
prow
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| n.(飞机)机头，船头 | |
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50
remonstrance
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| n抗议，抱怨 | |
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51
ashore
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| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
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52
leisurely
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| adj.悠闲的；从容的，慢慢的 | |
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53
rites
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| 仪式，典礼( rite的名词复数 ) | |
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54
bide
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| v.忍耐；等候；住 | |
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55
awe
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| n.敬畏，惊惧；vt.使敬畏，使惊惧 | |
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56
chaste
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| adj.贞洁的；有道德的；善良的；简朴的 | |
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57
alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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58
defiled
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| v.玷污( defile的过去式和过去分词 )；污染；弄脏；纵列行进 | |
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59
thronged
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| v.成群，挤满( throng的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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60
flute
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| n.长笛；v.吹笛 | |
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61
plebeian
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| adj.粗俗的；平民的；n.平民；庶民 | |
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62
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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63
lust
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| n.性(淫)欲；渴(欲)望；vi.对…有强烈的欲望 | |
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64
horrified
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| a.(表现出)恐惧的 | |
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65
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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66
inertia
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| adj.惰性，惯性，懒惰，迟钝 | |
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67
lethargic
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| adj.昏睡的，懒洋洋的 | |
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68
scrutinizing
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| v.仔细检查，详审( scrutinize的现在分词 ) | |
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69
triumphant
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| adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的 | |
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70
attire
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| v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装 | |
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71
onward
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| adj.向前的，前进的；adv.向前，前进，在先 | |
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72
petrified
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| adj.惊呆的；目瞪口呆的v.使吓呆，使惊呆；变僵硬；使石化(petrify的过去式和过去分词) | |
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73
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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