He cometh quickly; from below
Sweet gales1, as from deep gardens, blow
Before him, striking on my brow.”
Tennyson.
Days lengthened2 into weeks, and weeks into months. The fate of Corinna had lost none of its horror, but time had mollified the poignancy3 of the tragedy. Zopyrus still served as secretary to Pasicles and in his spare moments he wrote a series of essays entitled, “Memoirs of the Persian Court,” which he intended to present to the great Aeschylus as an aid to that poet in his poem the “Persæ” upon which he was working.
Considering himself to be unworthy because of his secret passion for the daughter of Aeschylus, he had for some weeks delayed speaking to Eumetis upon the subject of marriage, but one bright afternoon in March when the bird-winds blew across Attica from the Mediterranean4, he asked her to join him in a stroll to the Acropolis. She gladly consented, and together they sauntered along the winding5 street westward6 toward the hill which rose in majesty7 before them, the pride of every loyal Athenian.
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“Let us rest on yonder moss-covered ledge,” suggested Eumetis as they neared the eastern end of the Acropolis. “Later we can ascend8.”
“No, no,” exclaimed Zopyrus hastily, recognizing the very place where he had seen Corinna and the base creature who had accompanied her. “Let us to the Theatre of Dionysus where we sat together and witnessed ‘The Capture of Miletus.’ It was there you first—” but he could not conclude the sentence and walked along by Eumetis’ side, his eyes downcast with shame that his tongue had faltered9 just at the moment when he desired to bring up the subject of their betrothal10.
They entered the eastern gate of the theatre and before them rose the stone seats, tier upon tier, dazzling white in the heat of the sun. They were impressed by the awful silence which here reigned11 supreme12. What a vast difference between the theatre now and as it was on that day when thousands of spectators had thronged13 its gates and had sat in gala attire14 upon its benches! Then it had surged with human life; now the only living things visible were occasional lizards15 darting16 in and out of crevices17.
Zopyrus and Eumetis without a word, but with a mutual18 impulse, sought the section of seats at the head of which stood the statue of Aphrodite. For some moments they sat in silence with eyes fixed19 upon the stage as if before them they saw again enacted20 the great play of Phrynichus. But her hand did not touch his arm as upon that former occasion. There existed an inexplicable21 estrangement22, and Zopyrus as he noticed her pensive23 mood revealed in her pale features, was smitten24 with remorse25 that he had neglected and undoubtedly26 wounded her.
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“Eumetis,” he said softly, “do not think that I have been willfully neglectful of you. Much has occurred to turn our minds from our—our—happiness. Will you now once again set the date for our wedding?”
There was no response from Eumetis. He seized her hands which lay passively folded in her lap. They were cold. Her attitude was listless.
“Speak, Eumetis,” the youth implored29 with growing alarm. “Have I offended you?”
At his words of entreaty30 the girl turned her face toward him and smiled—but not as a maiden31 would smile at her lover, but as a mother would gaze upon a beloved but willful son.
“You have not offended me, Zopyrus, and I sincerely hope that what I am about to say will not hurt you. Do you believe, my friend, that I honor you most highly?”
He nodded affirmatively and she continued, her thoughtful, sincere eyes resting upon him contemplatively: “Then I will tell you why I have seemed strange. I love Polygnotus who returns my affection, and but for the fear of wounding you, a friend whom he holds most dear, would wed28 me now at any time.”
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The stage, the theatre, the Acropolis, and even the fleecy clouds floating dreamily above, seemed to whirl about in a colorless eddy32. Only the eyes of Eumetis remained stationary33. At one moment they seemed to be accusing eyes, at another, reproachful, then pitying, but his last impression of them was that they portrayed34 peace and happiness. His conscience would not permit him to play the heroically sacrificing lover, nor did he really experience any elation35 because of his freedom. He simply clasped her hand and murmured: “I understand.” She looked at him quickly with a questioning glance as they rose and turned their faces homeward.
Before they reached the western limit of the Agora, the familiar figure of Polygnotus suddenly turned from a side street and came toward them. Zopyrus imagined that a fleeting36 expression of pain passed over the artist’s kindly37 face at sight of them.
“Eumetis has something important to say to you,” said Zopyrus laying a hand on his friend’s shoulder as the three met. “It is only good news,” he added at the startled look of inquiry38 upon Polygnotus’ face.
“Then I shall be glad to hear it, but will you not join us on our homeward way, Zopyrus?” asked the artist as Zopyrus turned to leave.
“Not for the present,” Zopyrus replied evasively. Then moved by a sudden impulse he seized a hand of Polygnotus and of Eumetis in each of his. He desired to invoke39 the blessing40 of the gods upon this couple whom he loved so dearly, but so deeply was he affected41 that he was unable to speak, and turned his back in the direction of the theatre, scarcely realizing what he was doing.
213
Before reaching the Acropolis he turned northward42, pursuing as direct a course as possible along the winding, closely built streets, till at last the dwellings43 became more interspersed44 with garden-plots, and finally between two spreading acacias he spied the massive masonry45 of the Dipylon Gate. He turned back for one last look at the Acropolis. There it stood in its solitary46 grandeur47, its ruined temples resembling a circlet of irregular pearls. Although this was the fifth time that he had passed through the great gate and along the Sacred Way, never until now had he known that this road led to the girl he loved. Unmindful of the scorching48 rays of the sun which beat down upon him, he pressed on thinking only of the goal. When, however, he was overtaken by a farmer in a cart who was returning to his farm near Eleusis after leaving his produce at the Athenian market, he gladly accepted an offer to ride.
The sun was approaching the horizon a little to the left of the travelers, and stretching into the distance were the fertile fields which the driver designated as his own.
“Here is where I live, my friend, but I can drive you on to Eleusis if you wish,” said the farmer.
“I would prefer to walk from here on,” replied Zopyrus hastily, “but I am truly grateful to you for driving me this far on my journey.”
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He bade the man a friendly farewell and with eyes alight with anticipation49, set forth50 to cover the remaining two miles which lay between him and the abode51 of the girl he loved.
* * * * * * * *
In the garden that was divided from the Temple of Mysteries only by an ivy-covered wall, reclined Persephone upon a cushion covered seat by the fountain. She did not sleep, but lay fully27 conscious, with her hands upon her bosom52 as it rose and fell regularly with her breathing. Her whole frame was wrapped in languor53. But her face was not as expressive54 of peace as her body, for an occasional frown puckered55 her smooth brow and she opened her eyes with a wistful expression only to close them again as if to shut out the reality of her loneliness. Between two cypress56 trees the white roof of the temple showed the first rosy57 tinge58 that followed the passing of Phœbus Apollo—Persephone rose to a sitting posture59; a figure in white had passed the gate and was coming toward her along the flower-bordered path. With a cry she sprang from her bench and ran into the outstretched arms of her lover.
“What of Eumetis?” she asked, attempting to draw away from the arms that encircled her.
“Eumetis has found happiness in the love of Polygnotus. It was inevitable60 that the artist could be such a frequent visitor at the home of Pasicles and not grow to love the sincere, unselfish, pure daughter who lives there. Oh—Persephone, have I your forgiveness for the death of your brother?” asked the young man with growing agitation61.
The maiden’s face lit up with a divine radiance as she said: “My brother Phales clad as I last saw him with helmet, cuirass and greaves, and carrying his sword, quiver and shield, appeared to me in a dream and told me not to hold you guilty of his death. He praised you highly, Zopyrus—and then he said one more thing.”
“And what was that?” questioned her lover eagerly.
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“He said, ‘There is but one God who controls and directs the universe.’ That is all he said. I would have asked him more, but he vanished.”
“Then the prayer to God saved Greece at Salamis, and incessant62 prayers to the one God have given me you, Persephone!”
She raised her lips to his as they stood together before the statue of Ceres, whose maternal63 countenance64 seemed to smile down benignly65 upon them despite their words concerning the Deity66.
There was one other witness to that kiss; a man of middle-age with thick waving hair and beard of chestnut67 brown, who came forth from the house and, unobserved, stood with arms outstretched toward the two as if pronouncing a benediction68.
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1
gales
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| 龙猫 | |
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2
lengthened
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| （时间或空间）延长，伸长( lengthen的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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poignancy
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| n.辛酸事，尖锐 | |
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4
Mediterranean
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| adj.地中海的；地中海沿岸的 | |
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5
winding
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| n.绕，缠，绕组，线圈 | |
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westward
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| n.西方，西部；adj.西方的，向西的；adv.向西 | |
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majesty
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| n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权 | |
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8
ascend
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| vi.渐渐上升，升高；vt.攀登，登上 | |
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9
faltered
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| （嗓音）颤抖( falter的过去式和过去分词 )； 支吾其词； 蹒跚； 摇晃 | |
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10
betrothal
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| n. 婚约, 订婚 | |
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11
reigned
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| vi.当政，统治（reign的过去式形式） | |
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12
supreme
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| adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的 | |
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13
thronged
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| v.成群，挤满( throng的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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14
attire
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| v.穿衣，装扮[同]array；n.衣着；盛装 | |
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15
lizards
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| n.蜥蜴( lizard的名词复数 ) | |
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16
darting
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的现在分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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17
crevices
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| n.（尤指岩石的）裂缝，缺口( crevice的名词复数 ) | |
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18
mutual
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| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
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19
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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20
enacted
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| 制定（法律），通过（法案）( enact的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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21
inexplicable
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| adj.无法解释的，难理解的 | |
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22
estrangement
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| n.疏远，失和，不和 | |
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23
pensive
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| a.沉思的,哀思的,忧沉的 | |
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24
smitten
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| 猛打，重击，打击( smite的过去分词 ) | |
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25
remorse
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| n.痛恨，悔恨，自责 | |
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26
undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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27
fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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28
wed
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| v.娶，嫁，与…结婚 | |
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29
implored
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| 恳求或乞求（某人）( implore的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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30
entreaty
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| n.恳求，哀求 | |
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31
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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32
eddy
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| n.漩涡，涡流 | |
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33
stationary
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| adj.固定的，静止不动的 | |
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34
portrayed
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| v.画像( portray的过去式和过去分词 )；描述；描绘；描画 | |
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35
elation
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| n.兴高采烈，洋洋得意 | |
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36
fleeting
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| adj.短暂的，飞逝的 | |
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37
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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38
inquiry
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| n.打听，询问，调查，查问 | |
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39
invoke
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| v.求助于(神、法律)；恳求，乞求 | |
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40
blessing
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| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
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41
affected
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| adj.不自然的，假装的 | |
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42
northward
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| adv.向北；n.北方的地区 | |
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43
dwellings
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| n.住处，处所( dwelling的名词复数 ) | |
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44
interspersed
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| adj.[医]散开的；点缀的v.intersperse的过去式和过去分词 | |
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45
masonry
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| n.砖土建筑；砖石 | |
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46
solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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47
grandeur
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| n.伟大，崇高，宏伟，庄严，豪华 | |
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48
scorching
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| adj. 灼热的 | |
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49
anticipation
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| n.预期，预料，期望 | |
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50
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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51
abode
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| n.住处，住所 | |
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52
bosom
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| n.胸，胸部；胸怀；内心；adj.亲密的 | |
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53
languor
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| n.无精力，倦怠 | |
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54
expressive
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| adj.表现的，表达…的，富于表情的 | |
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55
puckered
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| v.（使某物）起褶子或皱纹( pucker的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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56
cypress
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| n.柏树 | |
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57
rosy
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| adj.美好的，乐观的，玫瑰色的 | |
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58
tinge
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| vt.(较淡)着色于，染色；使带有…气息；n.淡淡色彩，些微的气息 | |
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59
posture
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| n.姿势，姿态，心态，态度；v.作出某种姿势 | |
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60
inevitable
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| adj.不可避免的，必然发生的 | |
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61
agitation
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| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
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62
incessant
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| adj.不停的，连续的 | |
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63
maternal
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| adj.母亲的，母亲般的，母系的，母方的 | |
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64
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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benignly
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| adv.仁慈地，亲切地 | |
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66
deity
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| n.神，神性；被奉若神明的人(或物) | |
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67
chestnut
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| n.栗树，栗子 | |
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68
benediction
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| n.祝福；恩赐 | |
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