THE elegant Julia sat in her chamber2, with her slaves around her—like the cubiculum which adjoined it, the room was small, but much larger than the usual apartments appropriated to sleep, which were so diminutive4, that few who have not seen the bed-chambers5, even in the gayest mansions7, can form any notion of the petty pigeon-holes in which the citizens of Pompeii evidently thought it desirable to pass the night. But, in fact, 'bed' with the ancients was not that grave, serious, and important part of domestic mysteries which it is with us. The couch itself was more like a very narrow and small sofa, light enough to be transported easily, and by the occupant himself, from place to place; and it was, no doubt, constantly shifted from chamber to chamber, according to the caprice of the inmate8, or the changes of the season; for that side of the house which was crowded in one month, might, perhaps, be carefully avoided in the next. There was also among the Italians of that period a singular and fastidious apprehension9 of too much daylight; their darkened chambers, which first appear to us the result of a negligent10 architecture, were the effect of the most elaborate study. In their porticoes11 and gardens they courted the sun whenever it so pleased their luxurious12 tastes. In the interior of their houses they sought rather the coolness and the shade.
Julia's apartment at that season was in the lower part of the house, immediately beneath the state rooms above, and looking upon the garden, with which it was on a level. The wide door, which was glazed13, alone admitted the morning rays: yet her eye, accustomed to a certain darkness, was sufficiently14 acute to perceive exactly what colors were the most becoming—what shade of the delicate rouge15 gave the brightest beam to her dark glance, and the most youthful freshness to her cheek.
On the table, before which she sat, was a small and circular mirror of the most polished steel: round which, in precise order, were ranged the cosmetics16 and the unguents—the perfumes and the paints—the jewels and combs—the ribands and the gold pins, which were destined17 to add to the natural attractions of beauty the assistance of art and the capricious allurements18 of fashion. Through the dimness of the room glowed brightly the vivid and various colourings of the wall, in all the dazzling frescoes19 of Pompeian taste. Before the dressing-table, and under the feet of Julia, was spread a carpet, woven from the looms20 of the East. Near at hand, on another table, was a silver basin and ewer21; an extinguished lamp, of most exquisite22 workmanship, in which the artist had represented a Cupid reposing23 under the spreading branches of a myrtle-tree; and a small roll of papyrus24, containing the softest elegies25 of Tibullus. Before the door, which communicated with the cubiculum, hung a curtain richly broidered with gold flowers. Such was the dressing-room of a beauty eighteen centuries ago.
The fair Julia leaned indolently back on her seat, while the ornatrix (i.e. hairdresser) slowly piled, one above the other, a mass of small curls, dexterously26 weaving the false with the true, and carrying the whole fabric27 to a height that seemed to place the head rather at the centre than the summit of the human form.
Her tunic28, of a deep amber3, which well set off her dark hair and somewhat embrowned complexion29, swept in ample folds to her feet, which were cased in slippers30, fastened round the slender ankle by white thongs32; while a profusion33 of pearls were embroidered34 in the slipper31 itself, which was of purple, and turned slightly upward, as do the Turkish slippers at this day. An old slave, skilled by long experience in all the arcana of the toilet, stood beside the hairdresser, with the broad and studded girdle of her mistress over her arm, and giving, from time to time (mingled with judicious35 flattery to the lady herself), instructions to the mason of the ascending36 pile.
'Put that pin rather more to the right—lower—stupid one! Do you not observe how even those beautiful eyebrows37 are?—One would think you were dressing Corinna, whose face is all of one side. Now put in the flowers—what, fool!—not that dull pink—you are not suiting colors to the dim cheek of Chloris: it must be the brightest flowers that can alone suit the cheek of the young Julia.'
'Gently!' said the lady, stamping her small foot violently: 'you pull my hair as if you were plucking up a weed!'
'Dull thing!' continued the directress of the ceremony. 'Do you not know how delicate is your mistress?—you are not dressing the coarse horsehair of the widow Fulvia. Now, then, the riband—that's right. Fair Julia, look in the mirror; saw you ever anything so lovely as yourself?'
When, after innumerable comments, difficulties, and delays, the intricate tower was at length completed, the next preparation was that of giving to the eyes the soft languish38, produced by a dark powder applied39 to the lids and brows; a small patch cut in the form of a crescent, skillfully placed by the rosy40 lips, attracted attention to their dimples, and to the teeth, to which already every art had been applied in order to heighten the dazzle of their natural whiteness.
To another slave, hitherto idle, was now consigned41 the charge of arranging the jewels—the ear-rings of pearl (two to each ear)—the massive bracelets42 of gold—the chain formed of rings of the same metal, to which a talisman44 cut in crystals was attached—the graceful45 buckle46 on the left shoulder, in which was set an exquisite cameo of Psyche—the girdle of purple riband, richly wrought47 with threads of gold, and clasped by interlacing serpents—and lastly, the various rings, fitted to every joint48 of the white and slender fingers. The toilet was now arranged according to the last mode of Rome. The fair Julia regarded herself with a last gaze of complacent49 vanity, and reclining again upon her seat, she bade the youngest of her slaves, in a listless tone, read to her the enamoured couplets of Tibullus. This lecture was still proceeding50, when a female slave admitted Nydia into the presence of the lady of the place.
'Salve, Julia!' said the flower-girl, arresting her steps within a few paces from the spot where Julia sat, and crossing her arms upon her breast. 'I have obeyed your commands.'
'You have done well, flower-girl,' answered the lady. 'Approach—you may take a seat.'
One of the slaves placed a stool by Julia, and Nydia seated herself.
Julia looked hard at the Thessalian for some moments in rather an embarrassed silence. She then motioned her attendants to withdraw, and to close the door. When they were alone, she said, looking mechanically from Nydia, and forgetful that she was with one who could not observe her countenance51:
'You serve the Neapolitan, Ione?'
'I am with her at present,' answered Nydia.
'Is she as handsome as they say?'
'I know not,' replied Nydia. 'How can I judge?'
'Ah! I should have remembered. But thou hast ears, if not eyes. Do thy fellow-slaves tell thee she is handsome? Slaves talking with one another forget to flatter even their mistress.'
'They tell me that she is beautiful.'
'Yes.'
'Why, so am I. Dark haired?'
'I have heard so.'
'So am I. And doth Glaucus visit her much?'
'Daily' returned Nydia, with a half-suppressed sigh.
'Daily, indeed! Does he find her handsome?'
'Wedded!' cried Julia, turning pale even through the false roses on her cheek, and starting from her couch. Nydia did not, of course, perceive the emotion she had caused. Julia remained a long time silent; but her heaving breast and flashing eyes would have betrayed, to one who could have seen, the wound her vanity had sustained.
'They tell me thou art a Thessalian,' said she, at last breaking silence.
'And truly!'
'It has ever been celebrated55 for its sorcerers,' returned Nydia, timidly.
'Knowest thou, then, blind Thessalian, of any love-charms?'
'I!' said the flower-girl, coloring; 'I! how should I? No, assuredly not!'
'The worse for thee; I could have given thee gold enough to have purchased thy freedom hadst thou been more wise.'
'But what,' asked Nydia, 'can induce the beautiful and wealthy Julia to ask that question of her servant? Has she not money, and youth, and loveliness? Are they not love-charms enough to dispense56 with magic?'
'To all but one person in the world,' answered Julia, haughtily57: 'but methinks thy blindness is infectious; and... But no matter.'
'And that one person?' said Nydia, eagerly.
'Is not Glaucus,' replied Julia, with the customary deceit of her sex. 'Glaucus—no!'
Nydia drew her breath more freely, and after a short pause Julia recommenced.
'But talking of Glaucus, and his attachment58 to this Neapolitan, reminded me of the influence of love-spells, which, for ought I know or care, she may have exercised upon him. Blind girl, I love, and—shall Julia live to say it?—am loved not in return! This humbles—nay59, not humbles—but it stings my pride. I would see this ingrate60 at my feet—not in order that I might raise, but that I might spurn61 him. When they told me thou wert Thessalian, I imagined thy young mind might have learned the dark secrets of thy clime.'
'Thanks, at least, for that kindly63 wish,' said Julia, unconscious of what was passing in the breast of the flower-girl.
'But tell me—thou hearest the gossip of slaves, always prone64 to these dim beliefs; always ready to apply to sorcery for their own low loves—hast thou ever heard of any Eastern magician in this city, who possesses the art of which thou art ignorant? No vain chiromancer, no juggler65 of the market-place, but some more potent66 and mighty67 magician of India or of Egypt?'
'Of Egypt?—yes!' said Nydia, shuddering68. 'What Pompeian has not heard of Arbaces?'
'Arbaces! true,' replied Julia, grasping at the recollection. 'They say he is a man above all the petty and false impostures of dull pretenders—that he is versed69 in the learning of the stars, and the secrets of the ancient Nox; why not in the mysteries of love?'
'If there be one magician living whose art is above that of others, it is that dread70 man,' answered Nydia; and she felt her talisman while she spoke71.
'He is too wealthy to divine for money?' continued Julia, sneeringly72. 'Can I not visit him?'
'It is an evil mansion6 for the young and the beautiful,' replied Nydia. 'I have heard, too, that he languishes73 in...'
'By Ceres, by Pan, and by Cybele! thou dost but provoke my curiosity, instead of exciting my fears,' returned the wayward and pampered77 Pompeian. 'I will seek and question him of his lore78. If to these orgies love be admitted—why the more likely that he knows its secrets!'
Nydia did not answer.
'I will seek him this very day,' resumed Julia; 'nay, why not this very hour?'
'At daylight, and in his present state, thou hast assuredly the less to fear,' answered Nydia, yielding to her own sudden and secret wish to learn if the dark Egyptian were indeed possessed79 of those spells to rivet80 and attract love, of which the Thessalian had so often heard.
'And who dare insult the rich daughter of Diomed?' said Julia, haughtily. 'I will go.'
'May I visit thee afterwards to learn the result?' asked Nydia, anxiously.
'Kiss me for thy interest in Julia's honour,' answered the lady. 'Yes, assuredly. This eve we sup abroad—come hither at the same hour to-morrow, and thou shalt know all: I may have to employ thee too; but enough for the present. Stay, take this bracelet43 for the new thought thou hast inspired me with; remember, if thou servest Julia, she is grateful and she is generous.'
'I cannot take thy present,' said Nydia, putting aside the bracelet; 'but young as I am, I can sympathize unbought with those who love—and love in vain.'
'Sayest thou so!' returned Julia. 'Thou speakest like a free woman—and thou shalt yet be free—farewell!'
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1
dressing
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| n.(食物)调料；包扎伤口的用品，敷料 | |
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chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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amber
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| n.琥珀；琥珀色；adj.琥珀制的 | |
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diminutive
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| adj.小巧可爱的，小的 | |
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chambers
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| n.房间( chamber的名词复数 )；（议会的）议院；卧室；会议厅 | |
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mansion
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| n.大厦，大楼；宅第 | |
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mansions
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| n.宅第，公馆，大厦( mansion的名词复数 ) | |
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inmate
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| n.被收容者；(房屋等的)居住人；住院人 | |
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apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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negligent
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| adj.疏忽的；玩忽的；粗心大意的 | |
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porticoes
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| n.柱廊，（有圆柱的）门廊( portico的名词复数 ) | |
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luxurious
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| adj.精美而昂贵的；豪华的 | |
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glazed
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| adj.光滑的，像玻璃的；上过釉的；呆滞无神的v.装玻璃( glaze的过去式)；上釉于，上光；（目光）变得呆滞无神 | |
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sufficiently
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| adv.足够地，充分地 | |
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rouge
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| n.胭脂，口红唇膏；v.(在…上)擦口红 | |
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cosmetics
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| n.化妆品 | |
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destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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allurements
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| n.诱惑( allurement的名词复数 )；吸引；诱惑物；有诱惑力的事物 | |
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frescoes
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| n.壁画( fresco的名词复数 )；温壁画技法，湿壁画 | |
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looms
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| n.织布机( loom的名词复数 )v.隐约出现，阴森地逼近( loom的第三人称单数 )；隐约出现，阴森地逼近 | |
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ewer
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| n.大口水罐 | |
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exquisite
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| adj.精美的；敏锐的；剧烈的，感觉强烈的 | |
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23
reposing
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| v.将（手臂等）靠在某人（某物）上( repose的现在分词 ) | |
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24
papyrus
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| n.古以纸草制成之纸 | |
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elegies
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| n.哀歌，挽歌( elegy的名词复数 ) | |
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26
dexterously
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| adv.巧妙地，敏捷地 | |
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fabric
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| n.织物，织品，布；构造，结构，组织 | |
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28
tunic
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| n.束腰外衣 | |
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complexion
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| n.肤色；情况，局面；气质，性格 | |
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30
slippers
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| n. 拖鞋 | |
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slipper
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| n.拖鞋 | |
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thongs
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| 的东西 | |
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profusion
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| n.挥霍；丰富 | |
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embroidered
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| adj．绣花的 | |
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judicious
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| adj.明智的，明断的，能作出明智决定的 | |
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ascending
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| adj.上升的，向上的 | |
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eyebrows
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| 眉毛( eyebrow的名词复数 ) | |
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languish
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| vi.变得衰弱无力，失去活力，（植物等）凋萎 | |
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applied
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| adj.应用的；v.应用，适用 | |
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rosy
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| adj.美好的，乐观的，玫瑰色的 | |
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41
consigned
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| v.把…置于（令人不快的境地）( consign的过去式和过去分词 )；把…托付给；把…托人代售；丟弃 | |
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42
bracelets
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| n.手镯，臂镯( bracelet的名词复数 ) | |
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43
bracelet
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| n.手镯，臂镯 | |
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44
talisman
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| n.避邪物，护身符 | |
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graceful
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| adj.优美的，优雅的；得体的 | |
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46
buckle
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| n.扣子，带扣；v.把...扣住，由于压力而弯曲 | |
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47
wrought
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| v.引起；以…原料制作；运转；adj.制造的 | |
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joint
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| adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合 | |
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49
complacent
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| adj.自满的；自鸣得意的 | |
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50
proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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51
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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52
hem
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| n.贴边，镶边；vt.缝贴边；(in)包围，限制 | |
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53
wedded
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| adj.正式结婚的；渴望…的，执著于…的v.嫁，娶，（与…）结婚( wed的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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54
talismans
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| n.护身符( talisman的名词复数 )；驱邪物；有不可思议的力量之物；法宝 | |
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55
celebrated
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| adj.有名的，声誉卓著的 | |
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56
dispense
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| vt.分配，分发；配(药)，发(药)；实施 | |
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57
haughtily
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| adv. 傲慢地, 高傲地 | |
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58
attachment
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| n.附属物，附件；依恋；依附 | |
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59
nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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60
ingrate
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| n.忘恩负义的人 | |
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61
spurn
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| v.拒绝，摈弃；n.轻视的拒绝；踢开 | |
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62
alas
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| int.唉(表示悲伤、忧愁、恐惧等) | |
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63
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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64
prone
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| adj.(to)易于…的，很可能…的；俯卧的 | |
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65
juggler
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| n. 变戏法者, 行骗者 | |
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66
potent
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| adj.强有力的，有权势的；有效力的 | |
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mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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68
shuddering
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| v.战栗( shudder的现在分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
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69
versed
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| adj. 精通，熟练 | |
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70
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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71
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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72
sneeringly
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| 嘲笑地，轻蔑地 | |
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73
languishes
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| 长期受苦( languish的第三人称单数 )； 受折磨； 变得（越来越）衰弱； 因渴望而变得憔悴或闷闷不乐 | |
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74
catching
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| adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住 | |
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75
impure
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| adj.不纯净的，不洁的；不道德的，下流的 | |
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76
rumor
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| n.谣言，谣传，传说 | |
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77
pampered
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| adj.饮食过量的，饮食奢侈的v.纵容，宠，娇养( pamper的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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lore
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| n.传说；学问，经验，知识 | |
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79
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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80
rivet
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| n.铆钉；vt.铆接，铆牢；集中(目光或注意力) | |
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