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GEORG EBERS’S BOOKS. 
 
 ROMANCES. 
 
 Cleopatra. Translated from the German by Mary J. 
 Safford. 2 volumes. 
 
 A Thorny Path. (Per Aspera.) Translated by Clara 
 Bell. 2 volumes. 
 
 An Egyptian Princess. Translated by Eleanor Grove. 
 2 volumes. 
 
 Uarda. Translated by Clara Bell. 2 volumes. 
 
 Homo Sum. Translated by Clara Bell, i volume. 
 
 The Sisters. Translated by Clara Bell, i volume. 
 
 A Question. Translated by Mary J. Safford. x volume. 
 The Emperor. Translated by Clara Bell. 2 volumes. 
 The Burgomaster’s Wife. Translated by Mary J. 
 Safford. i volume. 
 
 A Word, only a Word. Translated by Mary J. Saf- 
 ford. x volume. 
 
 Serapis. Translated by Clara Bell, i volume. 
 
 The Bride of the Nile. Translated by Clara Bell. 
 2 volumes. 
 
 Margery. (Gred.) Translated by Clara Bell. 2 volumes. 
 Joshua. Translated by Mary J. Safford. i volume. 
 The Elixir, and Other Tales. Translated by Mrs. 
 Edward H. Bell. With Portrait of the Author. 1 
 volume. 
 
 Each of the above, i6mo, paper cover, 40 cents per volume ; 
 cloth, 75 cents. Set of 22 volumes, cloth, in box, $16.50. 
 
 Also, i2mo edition of the above (except “A Question,” 
 “The Elixir,” “Cleopatra,” and “A Thorny Path”), in 
 8 volumes, cloth, $1.00 each. 
 
 OTHER WORKS. 
 
 The Story of My Life. Translated by Mary J. Saf- 
 ford. With Portraits. i2mo. Cloth, $1.25. 
 
 Lorenz Alma Tadema : His Life and Works. Trans- 
 lated by Mary J. Safford. i volume. i2mo. Paper, 
 40 cents ; cloth, 75 cents. 
 
 Richard Lepsius : A Biography. Translated by Zoe 
 Dana Underhill. 1 volume. i2mo. Paper, 60 cents ; 
 cloth, $1.25. 
 
AN 
 
 EGYPTIAN PRINCESS 
 
 BY 
 
 GEORG EBERS 
 
 AUTHOR OF UARDA, ETC. 
 TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN 
 
 By ELEANOR GROVE 
 
 IN TWO VOLUMES 
 VOL. I 
 
 NEW YORK 
 
 D. APPLETON AND COMPANY 
 1894 
 
Copyright, 1880, 
 
 By WILLIAM S. GOTTSBERGER. 
 
 A uthorized Edition. 
 
 Microfilm Negative 
 
 Humanities Preservation Project 
 

 ■32>4&jD2> 
 
 0<t 
 
 V, X 
 
 TO 
 
 PROFESSOR RICHARD LEPSIUS 
 
 THE NINTH EDITION 
 
 OP THIS WORK 
 
 IS RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED 
 
 BY 
 
 THE AUTHOR. 
 
 830 
 

 
 
 -1 
 
 
 * 
 
 
 
 \ 
 
 
PREFACE 
 
 TO THE SECOND GERMAN EDITION. 
 
 Aut prodesse volunt aut delectare poetae, 
 
 Aut simul et jucunda et idonea dicere vitae. 
 
 Horat. De arte poetica v. 333. 
 
 It is now four years since this book first appeared 
 before the public, and I feel it my duty not to let a 
 second edition go forth into the world without a few 
 words of accompaniment. It hardly seems necessary 
 to assure my readers that I have endeavored to earn 
 for the following pages the title of a “ corrected edi- 
 tion.” An author is the father of his book, and what 
 father could see his child preparing to set out on a new 
 and dangerous road, even if it were not for the first 
 time, without endeavoring to supply him with every 
 good that it lay in his power to bestow, and to free him 
 from every fault or infirmity on which the world could 
 look unfavorably ? The assurance therefore that I have 
 repeatedly bestowed the greatest possible care on the 
 correction of my Egyptian Princess seems to me super- 
 fluous, but at the same time I think it advisable to men- 
 tion briefly where and in what manner I have found it 
 necessary to make these emendations. The notes have 
 been revised, altered, and enriched with all those results 
 of antiquarian research (more especially in reference to 
 the language and monuments of ancient Egypt) which 
 have come to our knowledge since the year 1864, and 
 
 An Egyptian Princess , I, 
 
II 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 which my limited space allowed me to lay before a gen- 
 eral public. On the alteration of the text itself I en- 
 tered with caution, almost with timidity; for during four 
 years of constant effort as academical tutor, investiga- 
 tor and writer in those severe regions of study which 
 exclude the free exercise of imagination, the poetical 
 side of a man’s nature may forfeit much to the critical; 
 and thus, by attempting to remodel my tale entirely, I 
 might have incurred the danger of removing it from the 
 more genial sphere of literary work to which it properly 
 belongs. I have therefore contented myself with a care- 
 ful revision of the style, the omission of lengthy pas- 
 sages which might have diminished the interest of the 
 story to general readers, the insertion of a few charac- 
 teristic or explanatory additions, and the alteration of 
 the proper names. These last I have written not in 
 their Greek, but in their Latin forms, having been as- 
 sured by more than one fair reader that the names 
 Ibykus and Cyrus would have been greeted by them as 
 old acquaintances, whereas the “Ibykos” and “Kyros” 
 of the first edition looked so strange and learned, as to 
 be quite discouraging. Where however the German k 
 has the same worth as the Roman c I have adopted it in 
 preference. With respect to the Egyptian names and 
 those with which we have become acquainted through 
 the cuneiform inscriptions, I have chosen the forms 
 most adapted to our German modes of speech, and in 
 the present edition have placed those few explanations 
 which seemed to me indispensable to the right under- 
 standing of the text, at the foot of the page, instead of 
 among the less easily accessible notes at the end.* 
 
 * In this edition all the notes have been placed at the foot of the 
 pages containing the corresponding text. Note to American edition . 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 Ill 
 
 The fact that displeasure has been excited among 
 men of letters by this attempt to clothe the hardly-earned 
 results of severer studies in an imaginative form is even 
 clearer to me now than when I first sent this book be- 
 fore the public. In some points I agree with this judg- 
 ment, but that the act is kindly received, when a 
 scholar does not scorn to render the results of his in- 
 vestigations accessible to the largest number of the ed- 
 ucated class, in the form most generally interesting to 
 them, is proved by the rapid sale of the first large edition 
 of this work. I know at least of no better means than 
 those I have chosen, by which to instruct and suggest 
 thought to an extended circle of readers. Those who 
 read learned books evince in so doing a taste for such 
 studies; but it may easily chance that the following 
 pages, though taken up only for amusement, may ex- 
 cite a desire for more information, and even gain a dis- 
 ciple for the study of ancient history. 
 
 Considering our scanty knowledge of the domestic 
 life of the Greeks and Persians before the Persian war 
 — of Egyptian manners we know more — even the most 
 severe scholar could scarcely dispense with the assist- 
 ance of his imagination, when attempting to describe 
 private life among the civilized nations of the sixth cen- 
 tury before Christ. He would however escape all dan- 
 ger of those anachronisms to which the author of such 
 a work as I have undertaken must be hopelessly liable. 
 With attention and industry, errors of an external char- 
 acter may be avoided, but if I had chosen to hold my- 
 self free from all consideration of the times in which I 
 and my readers have come into the world, and the 
 modes of thought at present existing among us, and 
 had attempted to depict nothing but the purely ancient 
 
IV 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 characteristics of the men and their times, I should have 
 become unintelligible to many of my readers, uninter- 
 esting to all, and have entirely failed in my original ob- 
 ject. My characters will therefore look like Persians, 
 Egyptians, &c., but in their language, even more than 
 in their actions, the German narrator will be perceptible, 
 not always superior to the sentimentality of his day, 
 but a native of the world in the nineteenth century 
 after the appearance of that heavenly Master, whose 
 teaching left so deep an impression on human thought 
 and feeling. 
 
 The Persians and Greeks, being by descent related 
 to ourselves, present fewer difficulties in this respect 
 than the Egyptians, whose dwelling-place on the fruitful 
 islands won by the Nile from the Desert, completely 
 isolated them from the rest of the world. 
 
 To Professor Lepsius, who suggested to me that a 
 tale confined entirely to Egypt and the Egyptians might 
 become wearisome, I owe many thanks; and following 
 his hint, have so arranged the materials supplied by 
 Herodotus as to introduce my reader first into a Greek 
 circle. Here he will feel in a measure at home, and in- 
 deed will entirely sympathize with them on one impor- 
 tant point, viz. : in their ideas on the Beautiful and on 
 Art. Through this Hellenic portico he reaches Egypt, 
 from thence passes on to Persia and returns finally to 
 the Nile. It has been my desire that the three nations 
 should attract him equally, and I have therefore not 
 centred the entire interest of the plot in one hero, but 
 have endeavored to exhibit each nation in its individual 
 character, by means of a fitting representative. The 
 Egyptian Princess has given her name to the book, 
 only because the weal and woe of all my other char- 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 V 
 
 acters were decided by her fate, and she must therefore 
 be regarded as the central point of the whole. 
 
 In describing Amasis I have followed the excellent 
 description of Herodotus, which has been confirmed by 
 a picture discovered on an ancient monument. Hero- 
 dotus has been my guide too in the leading features of 
 Cambyses’ character; indeed as he was born only forty 
 or fifty years after the events related, his history forms 
 the basis of my romance. 
 
 “ Father of history” though he be, I have not fol- 
 lowed him blindly, but, especially in the development 
 of my characters, have chosen those paths which the 
 principles of psychology have enabled me to lay down 
 for myself, and have never omitted consulting those 
 hieroglyphic and cuneiform inscriptions which have been 
 already deciphered. In most cases these confirm the 
 statements of Herodotus. 
 
 I have caused Bartja’s murder to take place after 
 the conquest of Egypt, because I cannot agree with the 
 usually received translation of the Behistun inscription. 
 This reads as follows: “One named Cambujiya, son of 
 Curu, of our family, was king here formerly and had a 
 brother named Bartiya, of the same father and the same 
 mother as Cambujiya. Thereupon Cambujiya killed that 
 Bartiya.” In a book intended for general readers, it 
 would not be well to enter into a discussion as to niceties 
 of language, but even the uninitiated will see that 
 the word “ thereupon ” has no sense in this connection. 
 In every other point the inscription agrees with Hero- 
 dotus’ narrative, and I believe it possible to bring it 
 into agreement with that of Darius on this last as well; 
 but reserve my proofs for another time and place. 
 
 It has not been ascertained from whence Herodotus 
 
VI 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 has taken the name Smerdis which he gives to Bartja 
 and Gaumata. The latter occurs again, though in a 
 mutilated form, in Justin. 
 
 My reasons for making Phanes an Athenian will be 
 found in Note 90. Vol. 1. This coercion of an authen- 
 ticated fact might have been avoided in the first edi- 
 tion, but could not now be altered without important 
 changes in the entire text. The means I have adopted 
 in my endeavor to make Nitetis as young as possible 
 need a more serious apology; as, notwithstanding He- 
 rodotus’ account of the mildness of Amasis’ rule, it is 
 improbable that King Hophra should have been alive 
 twenty years after his fall. Even this however is not 
 impossible, for it can be proved that his descendants 
 were not persecuted by Amasis. 
 
 On a Stela in the Leyden Museum I have discov- 
 ered that a certain Psamtik, a member of the fallen 
 dynasty, lived till the 17th year of Amasis’ reign, and 
 died at the age of seventy-five. 
 
 Lastly let me be permitted to say a word or two 
 in reference to Rhodopis. That she must have been a 
 remarkable woman is evident from the passage in He- 
 rodotus quoted in Notes 10, and 14, Vol. 1., and from 
 the accounts given by many other writers. Her name, 
 “the rosy-cheeked one,” tells us that she was beautiful, 
 and her amiability and charm of manner are expressly 
 praised by Herodotus. How richly she was endowed 
 with gifts and graces may be gathered too from the 
 manner in which tradition and fairy lore have endeav- 
 ored to render her name immortal. By many she is 
 said to have built the most beautiful of the Pyramids, — 
 the Pyramid of Mycerinus or Menkera. One tale 
 related of her and reported by Strabo and ^Elian prob- 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 VII 
 
 ably gave rise to our oldest and most beautiful fairy- 
 tale, Cinderella; another is near akin to the Loreley 
 legend. An eagle, according to JE\mn — the wind, in 
 Strabo’s tale, — bore away Rhodopis’ slippers while she 
 was bathing in the Nile, and laid them at the feet of 
 the king, when seated on his throne of justice in the 
 open market. The little slippers so enchanted him that 
 he did not rest until he had discovered their owner and 
 made her his queen. 
 
 The second legend tells us how a wonderfully beau- 
 tiful naked woman could be seen sitting on the summit 
 of one of the pyramids ( ut in una ex pyramidibus); and 
 how she drove the wanderers in the desert mad through 
 her exceeding loveliness. 
 
 Moore borrowed this legend and introduces it in 
 the following verse: 
 
 “Fair Rhodope, as story tells — 
 
 The bright unearthly nymph, who dwells 
 'Mid sunless gold and jewels hid, 
 
 The lady of the Pyramid.” 
 
 Fabulous as these stories sound, they still prove 
 that Rhodopis must have been no ordinary woman. 
 Some scholars would place her on* a level with the 
 beautiful and heroic Queen Nitokris, spoken of by Julius 
 Africanus, Eusebius and others, and whose name, (sig- 
 nifying the victorious Neith) has been found on the 
 monuments, applied to a queen of the sixth dynasty. 
 This is a bold conjecture; it adds however to the im- 
 portance of our heroine; and without doubt many tra- 
 ditions referring to the one have been transferred to the 
 other, and vice versa. Herodotus lived so short a 
 time after Rhodopis, and tells so many exact particu- 
 lars of her private life that it is impossible she should 
 
VIII 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 have been a mere creation of fiction. The letter of 
 Darius, given at the end of Vol. II., is intended to 
 identify the Greek Rhodopis with the mythical builder 
 of the Pyramid. I would also mention here that she is 
 called Doricha by Sappho. This may have been her 
 name before she received the title of the “ rosy-cheeked 
 one.” 
 
 I must apologize for the torrent of verse that ap- 
 pears in the love-scenes between Sappho and Bartja; 
 it is also incumbent upon me to say a few words about 
 the love-scenes themselves, which I have altered very 
 slightly in the new edition, though they have been more 
 severely criticised than any other portion of the work. 
 
 First I will confess that the lines describing the happy 
 love of a handsome young couple to whom I had my- 
 self become warmly attached, flowed from my pen in- 
 voluntarily, even against my will (I intended to write 
 a novel in prose) in the quiet night, by the eternal Nile, 
 among the palms and roses. The first love-scene has 
 a story of its own to me. I wrote it in half an hour, 
 almost unconsciously. It may be read in my book that 
 the Persians always reflected in the morning, when 
 sober, upon the ’resolutions formed the night before, 
 while drunk. When I examined in the sunshine what 
 had come into existence by lamplight, I grew doubtful 
 of its merits, and was on the point of destroying the 
 love-scenes altogether, when my dear friend Julius 
 Hammer, the author of “Schau in Dich, und Schau um 
 Dich,” too early summoned to the other world by death, 
 stayed my hand. Their form was also approved by 
 others, and I tell myself that the poetical expression of 
 love is very similar in all lands and ages, while lovers’ 
 conversations and modes of intercourse vary according 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 IX 
 
 
 to time and place. Besides, I have to deal with one of 
 those by no means rare cases, where poetry can ap- 
 proach nearer the truth than prudent, watchful prose. 
 Many of my honored critics have censured these scenes; 
 others, among whom are some whose opinion I specially 
 value, have lavished the kindest praise upon them. 
 Among these gentlemen I will mention A. Stahr, C. V. 
 Holtei, M. Hartmann, E. Hoefer, W. Wolfsohn, C. 
 Leemans, Professor Veth of Amsterdam, etc. Yet I will 
 not conceal the fact that some, whose opinion has 
 great weight, have asked: “Did the ancients know 
 anything of love, in our sense of the word? Is not 
 romantic love, as we know it, a result of Christianity ? ” 
 The following sentence, which stands at the head of 
 the preface to my first edition, will prove that J had 
 not ignored this question when I began my task. 
 
 “ It has often been remarked that in Cicero’s letters 
 and those of Pliny the younger there are unmistakeable 
 indications of sympathy with the more sentimental feel- 
 ing of modern days. I find in them tones of deep ten- 
 derness only, such as have arisen and will arise from 
 sad and aching hearts in every land and every age” 
 
 A. v. Humboldt. Cosmos II. p. 19. 
 
 This opinion of our great scholar is one with which 
 I cheerfully coincide and would refer my readers to the 
 fact that love-stories were written before the Christian 
 era: the Amor and Psyche of Apuleius for instance. 
 Indeed love in all its forms was familiar to the ancients. 
 Where can we find a more beautiful expression of ardent 
 passion than glows in Sappho’s songs? or of patient 
 faithful constancy than in Homer’s Penelope? Could 
 there be a more beautiful picture of the union of two 
 
'I 
 
 X PREFACE. 
 
 loving hearts, even beyond the grave, than Xenophon 
 has preserved for us in his account of Panthea and 
 Abradatas? or the story of Sabinus the Gaul and his 
 wife, told in the history of Vespasian? Is there any- 
 where a sweeter legend than that of the Halcyons, the 
 ice-birds, who love one another so tenderly that when 
 the male becomes enfeebled by age, his mate carries 
 him on her outspread wings whithersoever he will; and 
 the gods, desiring to reward such faithful love, cause 
 the sun to shine more kindly, and still the winds and 
 waves on the “Plalcyon days” during which these birds 
 are building their nest and brooding over their young? 
 There can surely have been no lack of romantic love in 
 days when a used-up man of the world, like Antony, 
 could .desire in his will that wherever he died his body 
 might be laid by the side of his beloved Cleopatra : nor 
 of the chivalry of love when Berenice’s beautiful hair 
 was placed as a constellation in the heavens. Neither 
 can we believe that devotion in the cause of love could 
 be wanting when a whole nation was ready to wage a 
 fierce and obstinate war for the sake of one beautiful 
 woman. The Greeks had an insult to revenge, but the 
 Trojans fought for the possession of Helen. Even the 
 old men of Ilium were ready “to suffer long for such a 
 woman.”* And finally is not the whole question an- 
 swered in Theocritus’ unparalleled poem, “the Sorce- 
 ress?” We see the poor love-lorn girl and her old 
 woman-servant, Thestylis, cowering over the fire above 
 which the bird supposed to possess the power of bring- 
 ing back the faithless Delphis is sitting in his wheel. 
 Simcetha has learnt many spells and charms from an 
 
 roifjd ; ajLicpi yvvauti tcoXvv xpo y o y (xkyecc itd6x£i y > 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 XI 
 
 Assyrian, and she tries them all. The distant roar of 
 the waves, the smoke rising from the fire, the dogs 
 howling in the street, the tortured fluttering bird, the 
 old woman, the broken-hearted girl and her awful 
 spells, all join in forming a night scene the effect of 
 which is heightened by the calm cold moonshine. The 
 old woman leaves the girl, who at once ceases to weave 
 her spells, allows her pent-up tears to have their way, 
 and looking up to Selene the moon, the lovers’ silent 
 confidante, pours out her whole story: how when she 
 first saw the beautiful Delphis her heart had glowed 
 with love, she had seen nothing more of the train of 
 youths who followed him, “ and,” (thus sadly the poet 
 makes her speak) 
 
 “how I gained my home 
 I knew not; some strange fever wasted me. 
 
 Ten days and nights I lay upon my bed. 
 
 O tell me, mistress Moon, whence came my love ! ” * 
 
 “Then” (she continues) when Delphis at last 
 crossed her threshold: 
 
 “I 
 
 “ Became all cold like snow, and from my brow 
 Brake the damp dewdrops : utterance I had none, 
 
 Not e’en such utterance as a babe may make 
 That babbles to its mother in its dreams; 
 
 But all my fair frame stiffened into wax, — - 
 O tell me mistress Moon, whence came my love ! ” * 
 
 Whence came her love? thence, whence it comes to 
 us now. The love of the creature to its Creator, of 
 man to God, is the grand and yet gracious gift of 
 Christianity. Christ’s command to love our neighbor 
 called into existence not only the conception of philan- 
 thropy, but of humanity itself, an idea unknown to the 
 
 2 
 
 Translation by C. S. Calverley. 
 
XII 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 heathen world, where love had been at widest limited to 
 their native town and country. The love of man and 
 wife has without doubt been purified and transfigured 
 by Christianity; still it is possible that a Greek may have 
 loved as tenderly and longingly as a Christian. The 
 more ardent glow of passion at least cannot be denied 
 to the ancients. And did not their love find vent in the 
 same expressions as our own? Who does not know the 
 charming roundelay : 
 
 “ Drink the glad wine with me, 
 
 With me spend youth’s gay hours; 
 
 Or a sighing lover be, 
 
 Or crown thy brow with flowers. 
 
 When I am merry and mad, 
 
 Merry and mad be you ; 
 
 When I am sober and sad, 
 
 Be sad and sober too ! ” * 
 
 — written however by no poet of modern days, but 
 by Praxilla, in the fifth century before Christ. Who 
 would guess either that Moore’s little song was modelled 
 on one written even earlier than the date of our story ? 
 
 “As o’er her loom the Lesbian maid 
 In love-sick languor hung her head. 
 
 Unknowing where her fingers stray’d. 
 
 She weeping turned away and said, — 
 
 ‘ Oh, my sweet mother, ’tis in vain, 
 
 I cannot weave as once I wove ; 
 
 So wilder’ d is my heart and brain 
 With thinking of that youth I love.' " 
 
 If my space allowed I could add much more on this 
 subject, but will permit myself only one remark in con- 
 clusion. Lovers delighted in nature then as now; the 
 moon was their chosen confidante, and I know of no 
 modern poem in which the mysterious charm of a summer 
 
 Translated by Dean Milman. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 XIII 
 
 night and the magic beauty which lies on flowers, trees 
 and fountains in those silent hours when the world is 
 asleep, is more exquisitely described than in the following 
 verses, also by Sappho, at the reading of which we seem 
 forced to breathe more slowly, “kiihl bis an’s Herz 
 hinan.” 
 
 “ Planets, that around the beauteous moon 
 Attendant wait, cast into shade 
 Their ineffectual lustres, soon 
 As she, in full-orb’d majesty array’d, 
 
 Her silver radiance pours 
 Upon this world of ours.” * 
 
 and: — 
 
 “Thro’ orchard plots with fragrance crown’d, 
 
 The clear cold fountain murm’ring flows ; 
 
 And forest leaves, with rustling sound, 
 
 Invite to soft repose.” * 
 
 The foregoing remarks seemed to me due to those 
 who consider a love such as that of Sappho and Bartja 
 to have been impossible among the ancients. Unques- 
 tionably it was much rarer then than in these days: 
 indeed I confess to having sketched my pair of lovers 
 in somewhat bright colors. But may I not be allowed, 
 at least once, to claim the poet’s freedom ? 
 
 How seldom I have availed myself of this freedom 
 will be evident from the notes included in each volume. 
 They seemed to me necessary, partly in order to explain 
 the names and illustrate the circumstances mentioned in 
 the text, and partly to vindicate the writer in the eyes 
 of the learned. I trust they may not prove discourag- 
 ing to any, as the text will be found easily readable 
 without reference to the explanations. 
 
 Jena, November 28, 1868. 
 
 GEORG EBERS, Dr. 
 
 * Translated by J. H. Merivale. 
 
PREFACE 
 
 TO THE FOURTH GERMAN EDITION. 
 
 Two years and a half after the appearance of the 
 third edition of “An Egyptian Princess,” a fourth was 
 needed. I returned long since from the journey to the 
 Nile, for which I was preparing while correcting the 
 proof-sheets of the third edition, and on which I can 
 look back with special satisfaction. During my resi- 
 dence in Egypt, in 1872-73, a lucky accident enabled 
 me to make many new discoveries; among them one 
 treasure of incomparable value, the great hieratic man- 
 uscript, which bears my name. Its publication has just 
 been completed, and it is now in the library of the 
 Leipzig University. 
 
 The Papyrus Ebers, the second in size and the best 
 preserved of all the ancient Egyptian manuscripts which 
 have come into our possession, was written in the 16th 
 century B. C., and contains on no pages the hermetic 
 book upon the medicines of the ancient Egyptians, 
 known also to the Alexandrine Greeks. The god Thoth 
 (Hermes) is called “the guide ” of physicians, and the 
 various writings and treatises of which the work is com- 
 posed are revelations from him. In this venerable scroll 
 diagnoses are made and remedies suggested for the in- 
 ternal and external diseases of most portions of the 
 human body. With the drugs prescribed are numbers, 
 according to which they are weighed with weights and 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 XV 
 
 measured with hollow measures, and accompanying 
 the prescriptions are noted the pious axioms to be 
 repeated by the physician, while compounding and 
 giving them to the patient. On the second line of the 
 first page of our manuscript, it is stated that it came 
 from Sais. A large portion of this work is devoted to 
 the visual organs. On the twentieth line of the fifty- 
 fifth page begins the book on the eyes , which fills eight 
 large pages. We were formerly compelled to draw from 
 Greek and Roman authors what we knew about the 
 remedies used for diseases of the eye among the ancient 
 Egyptians. The portion of the Papyrus Ebers just 
 mentioned is now the only Egyptian source from whence 
 we can obtain instruction concerning this important 
 branch of ancient medicine. 
 
 All this scarcely seems to have a place in the pre- 
 face of a historical romance, and yet it is worthy of 
 mention here; for there is something almost “providen- 
 tial” in the fact that it was reserved for the author of 
 “ An Egyptian Princess” to bestow the gift of this manu- 
 script upon the scientific world. Among the characters 
 in the novel the reader will meet an oculist from Sais, 
 who wrote a book upon the diseases of the visual 
 organs. The fate of this valuable work exactly agrees 
 with the course of the narrative. The papyrus scroll 
 of the Sais oculist , which a short time ago existed only 
 in the imagination of the author and readers of “An 
 Egyptian Princess,” is now an established fact. When I 
 succeeded in bringing the manuscript home, I felt like 
 the man who had dreamed of a treasure, and when he 
 went out to ride found it in his path. 
 
 A reply to Monsieur Jules Soury’s criticism of “An 
 Egyptian Princess” in the Revue des deux Mondes, Vol. 
 
XVI 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 VII., January 1875, might appropriately be introduced 
 into this preface, but would scarcely be possible without 
 entering more deeply into the ever-disputed question, 
 which will be answered elsewhere, whether the historical 
 romance is ever justifiable. Yet I cannot refrain from 
 informing Monsieur Soury here that “An Egyptian Prin- 
 cess ” detained me from no other work. I wrote it in 
 my sick-room, before entering upon my academic career, 
 and while composing it, found not only comfort and 
 pleasure, but an opportunity to give dead scientific ma- 
 terial a living interest for myself and others. 
 
 Monsieur Soury says romance is the mortal enemy 
 of history; but this sentence may have no more justice 
 than the one with which I think myself justified in re- 
 plying: Landscape painting is the mortal enemy of 
 botany. The historical romance must be enjoyed like 
 any other work of art. No one reads it to study his- 
 tory; but many, the author hopes, may be aroused by 
 his work to make investigations of their own, for which 
 the notes point out the way. Already several persons 
 of excellent mental powers have been attracted to earn- 
 est Egyptological researches by “An Egyptian Princess.’’ 
 In the presence of such experiences, although Monsieur 
 Soury’s clever statements appear to contain much that 
 is true, I need not apply his remark that “historical 
 romances injure the cause of science” to the present 
 volume. 
 
 Leipzig, April 19, 1875. 
 
 GEORG EBERS. 
 
PREFACE 
 
 TO THE FIFTH GERMAN EDITION. 
 
 Again a new edition of “An Egyptian Princess” 
 has been required, and again I write a special preface, 
 because the printing has progressed so rapidly as unfor- 
 tunately to render it impossible for me to correct some 
 errors to which my attention was directed by the kind- 
 ness of the well-known botanist, Professor Paul Ascher- 
 son of Berlin, who has travelled through Egypt and the 
 Oases. 
 
 In Vol. I, page 7, I allow mimosas to grow among 
 other plants in Rhodopis’ garden. I have found 
 them in all the descriptions of the Nile valley, and 
 afterwards often enjoyed the delicious perfume of the 
 golden yellow flowers in the gardens of Alexandria and 
 Cairo. I now learn that this very mimosa (Acacia 
 farnesiana) originates in tropical America, and was un- 
 doubtedly unknown in ancient Egypt. The bananas , 
 which I mentioned in Vol. I, p. 64, among other Egyp- 
 tian plants, were first introduced into the Nile valley 
 from India by the Arabs. The botanical errors occur- 
 ring in the last volume I was able to correct. Helm’s 
 admirable work on “Cultivated Plants and Domestic 
 Animals” had taught me to notice such things. Theo- 
 phrastus, a native of Asia Minor, gives the first descrip- 
 tion of a citron, and this proves that he probably saw 
 the so-called paradise-apple, but not our citron, which 
 
 A n Egyptian Princess , /. 
 
XVIII 
 
 PREFACE. 
 
 I am therefore not permitted to mention among the? 
 plants cultivated in ancient Lydia. Palms and birches 
 are both found in Asia Minor; but I permitted them to 
 grow side by side, thereby committing an offense against 
 the geographical possibility of vegetable existence. 
 The birch, in this locality, flourishes in the mountainous 
 region, the palm, according to Griesbach ( Vegetatio?i of 
 the Earth , Vol. I, p. 319) only appears on the southern 
 coast of the peninsula. The latter errors, as I previ- 
 ously mentioned, will be corrected in the new edition. 
 
 I shall of course owe special thanks to any one who 
 may call my attention to similar mistakes. 
 
 Leipzig, March 5, 1877. 
 
 GEORG EBERS. 
 
 PREFACE 
 
 TO THE NINTH GERMAN EDITION. 
 
 I have nothing to add to the ninth edition of “An 
 Egyptian Princess” except that it has been thoroughly 
 revised. My sincere thanks are due to Dr. August 
 Steitz of Frankfort on the Main, who has travelled 
 through Egypt and Asia Minor, for a series of admirable 
 notes, which he kindly placed at my disposal. He will 
 find that they have not remained unused. 
 
 Leipzig , November 13, 1879. 
 
 GEORG EBERS. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 The Nile had overflowed its bed. The luxuriant 
 corn-fields and blooming gardens on its shores were lost 
 beneath a boundless waste of waters; and only the 
 gigantic temples and palaces of its cities, (protected from 
 the force of the water by dikes), and the tops of the tall 
 palm-trees and acacias could be seen above its surface. 
 The branches of the sycamores and plane-trees drooped 
 and floated on the waves, but the boughs of the tall 
 silver poplars strained upward, as if anxious to avoid 
 the watery world beneath. The full-moon had risen; 
 her soft light fell on the Libyan range of mountains 
 vanishing on the western horizon, and in the north the 
 shimmer of the Mediterranean could faintly be discerned. 
 Blue and white lotus-flowers floated on the clear water, 
 bats of all kinds darted softly through the still air, heavy 
 with the scent of acacia-blossom and jasmine; the wild 
 pigeons and other birds were at roost in the tops of the 
 trees, while the pelicans, storks and cranes squatted in 
 groups on the shore under the shelter of the papyrus- 
 reeds and Nile-beans. The pelicans and storks re- 
 mained motionless, their long bills hidden beneath their 
 wings, but the cranes were startled by the mere beat of 
 an oar, stretching their necks, and peering anxiously 
 into the distance, if they heard but the song of the 
 
2 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 boatmen. The air was perfectly motionless, and the 
 unbroken reflection of the moon, lying like a silver 
 shield on the surface of the water, proved that, wildly 
 as the Nile leaps over the cataracts, and rushes past the 
 gigantic temples of Upper Egypt, yet on approaching 
 the sea by different arms, he can abandon his impetuous 
 course, and flow along in sober tranquillity. 
 
 On this moonlight night in the year 528 B. C. a 
 bark was crossing the almost currentless Canopic mouth 
 of the Nile. On the raised deck at the stern of this 
 boat an Egyptian was. sitting to guide the long pole- 
 rudder, 1 and the half-naked boatmen within were sing- 
 ing as they rowed. In the open cabin, which was 
 something like a wooden summer-house, sat two men, 
 reclining on low cushions. They were evidently not 
 Egyptians; their Greek descent could be perceived even 
 by the moonlight. The elder was an unusually tall and 
 powerful man of more than sixty; thick grey curls, 
 showing very little attempt at arrangement, hung down 
 
 I. Wilkinson, Manners and customs of the ancient Egyptians 
 III. 196. and III. pi. XIV. A good representation of the different 
 vessels employed by the ancient Egyptians is to be found in Dii- 
 michen’s Flotte einer agyptischen Konigin , T. I — V. T. XXV — 
 XXXI. Here too we have the*ships of Solomon returning from Ophir, 
 and bringing (with the exception of the peacocks) all the treasures with 
 which he became enriched by the help of his friend Hiram’s shipmen ; 
 of which we read in I Kings IX. 28, X. 2. The monuments of Egypt 
 even supply information on the progress of nautical art. The mov- 
 able rudder did not come into use until late. Shipbuilders’ yards are 
 to be found as early as the time of the Pyramids. For instance they 
 are seen in the Mastaba of Sakkara, erected by the great nobles of the 
 empire in the fourth dynasty for tombs and mortuary chapels. The 
 Mastaba were built in the form of obtuse pyramids, the exterior was 
 left unadorned, but the interior all the more richly decorated with the 
 delicate, yet clear and characteristically treated bas-reliefs, which rouse 
 the admiration of our modern sculptors. There are representations of 
 ships in the Mastaba of Ti. Diimichen, Resultate der auf Befehl Sr. 
 Majestat des Konigs Wilhelm /. unternommenen Reise /. T. II. and IV. 
 As an appendix to.this work, the author gives an admirable treatise by 
 Graser, the best authority upon ancient maritime affairs. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 3 
 
 over his short, firm throat; he wore a simple, homely 
 cloak, and kept his eyes gloomily fixed on the water. 
 His companion, on the contrary, a man perhaps twenty 
 years younger, of a slender and delicate build, was sel- 
 dom still. Sometimes he gazed into the heavens, some- 
 times made a remark to the steersman, disposed his 
 beautiful purple chlanis* in fresh folds, or busied him- 
 self in the arrangement of his scented brown curls, or 
 his carefully curled beard. 
 
 The boat had left Naukratis , 2 at that time the only 
 
 2. This town, which will form the scene of a part of our tale, lies 
 in the northwest of the Nile Delta, in the Saitic Nomos or district, 
 on the left bank of the Canopic mouth of the river. According to 
 Strabo and Eusebius it was founded by Milesians, and Bunsen 
 reckons 749 B. C. It seems that in the earliest times Greek ships were 
 only allowed to enter this mouth of the Nile in case of necessity. The 
 entire intercourse of the Egyptians with the hated strangers was, at 
 that time, restricted to the little island of Pharos lying opposite to the 
 town of Thonis. Horn. Odyss. IV. 36. Herod. II. 113 and 14. E. 
 Curtius, in his clever pamphlet on the Ionians, tries to prove that 
 communication between the Egyptians and Ionians existed at a far 
 earlier period. There is no doubt that there was a communicadon 
 with foreigners at that time, but we hardly think directly through that 
 celebrated race. It was rather the Phoenicians who planted colonies 
 on the north coast of Lower Egypt at a very early period, adopted 
 the Egyptian customs, were called Egyptian Phoenicians, and remain- 
 ing true to the policy of their kindred in Tyre and Carthage, en- 
 deavored by force or cunning to exclude all foreigners from the ports 
 and commercial tov/ns established by themselves. Those details are 
 to be found in our work: Aegypten und die Bucher Moses , p. 195. 
 Mover’s Phonizier , II. 2 . p. 39 and following. As soon as the Greeks 
 had settled in Naukratis, they fortified it and built temples to their 
 gods : the men of HLgina to Zeus, the Milesians to Apollo, the Samians 
 to Hera. A large temple was erected also, common to many tribes 
 and towns, and a kind of trade-union (Hanseatic body) founded, called 
 the Hellenion. It was near to this flourishing commercial town that 
 Alexander fixed on a spot for the site of Alexandria. Brugsch has 
 recently given fresh grounds for the confirmation of this opinion. 
 Histoire a Egypte. Deuxieme edition , p. 128, Cap. XI. Le Semitisme en 
 Egypte. 
 
 * The chlanis was a light summer-mantle, worn especially by the 
 more elegant Athenians, and generally made of expensive materials. 
 The simpler cloak, the himation, was worn by the Doric Greeks, and 
 principally by the Spartans. 
 
4 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 Hellenic port in Egypt, about half an hour before. 
 During their journey, the grey-haired, moody man had 
 not spoken one word, and the other had left him to his 
 meditations. But now, as the boat neared the shore, 
 the restless traveller, rising from his couch, called to his 
 companion: “We are just at our destination, Aristom- 
 achus! That pleasant house to the left yonder, in the 
 garden of palms which you can see rising above the 
 waters , 3 is the dwelling of my friend Rhodopis. It was 
 built by her husband Charaxus, and all her friends, not 
 excepting the king himself, vie with one another in add- 
 ing new beauties to it year by year. A useless effort! 
 Let them adorn that house with all the treasures in the 
 world, the woman who lives within will still remain its 
 best ornament !” 
 
 The old man sat up, threw a passing glance at the 
 building, smoothed the thick grey beard which clothed 
 his cheeks and chin, but left the lips free , 4 and asked 
 abruptly: “Why so much enthusiasm, Phanes, for this 
 Rhodopis ? How long have the Athenians been wont 
 to extol old women?” At this remark the other smiled, 
 
 3. We are writing of the month of October, when the Nile begins 
 to sink. The inundations can now be accurately accounted for, es- 
 pecially since the important and laborious synoptical work of H. Barth 
 ( Zeitschrift fur allgemeine Erdkunde , 1863. Vol. XIV. and S. Baker’s 
 Travels in Abyssinia). They are occasioned by the tropical rains, and 
 the>melting of the snows on the high mountain-ranges at the Equator. 
 In the beginning of June a gradual rising of the Nile waters can be 
 perceived; between the 15th and 20th June, this changes to a rapid 
 increase; in the beginning of October the waters reach their highest 
 elevation, a point, which, even after having begun their retreat, they 
 once more attempt to attain ; then, at first gradually, and afterwards 
 with ever increasing rapidity, they continue to sink. In January, Feb- 
 ruary and March, the Nile is still drying up ; and in May is at its low- 
 est point, when the volume of its waters is only one-twentieth of that in 
 October. 
 
 4. The Spartans were not in the habit of wearing a beard qx \ the 
 upper lip. * 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 5 
 
 and answered in a self-satisfied tone, “My knowledge 
 of the world, and particularly of women, is, I flatter 
 myself, an extended one, and yet I repeat, that in all 
 Egypt I know of no nobler creature than this grey- 
 haired woman. When you have seen her and her lovely 
 grandchild, and heard your favorite melodies sung. by 
 her well-practised choir of slave-girls , 5 I think you will 
 thank me for having brought you hither.” — “Yet,” an- 
 swered the Spartan gravely, “ I should not have accom- 
 panied you, if I had not hoped to- meet Phryxus, the 
 Delphian, here.” 
 
 “ You will find him here; and besides, I cannot but 
 hope that the songs will cheer you, and dispel your 
 gloomy thoughts.” Aristomachus shook his head in 
 denial, and answered: “To you, sanguine Athenians, 
 the melodies of your country may be cheering: but 
 not so to me; as in many a sleepless night of dreams, 
 my longings will be doubled, not stilled by the songs of 
 Alkman . 6 
 
 5. The Greeks often entertained their guests during the banquet 
 with music; and in the Egyptian pictures women singing, or plavmg 
 on the double-flute, blind harpers, &c. are generally to be seen at the 
 feasts. 
 
 6. Alkman (Attic, Alkmaeon) flourished in Sparta about 650 B. C. 
 His mother was a Lydian slave in Sardes, and he came into the pos- 
 session of Agesides, who gave him his freedom. His beautiful songs 
 fcoon procured him the rights of a Lacedaemonian citizen. He was 
 appointed to the head-directorship in the entire department of music 
 in Lacedaemon and succeeded in naturalizing the soft Lydian music, 
 brought in by Polymnestes, there. Himerius, oral. 5. His language 
 was the Doric-Laconian. After a life devoted to song, the pleasures 
 of the table and of love, he is said to have died of a fearful disease. 
 From the frequent chorusses of virgins (Parthenien) said to have 
 been originally introduced by him, his frequent songs in praise of 
 women, and the friendly relations in which he stood to the Spartan 
 women (more especially to the fair Megalostrata), he gained the name 
 of the woman’s poet. His Paeans and hymns are also celebrated. 
 The fragments of his poems have been collected by Welcker and are 
 to be found in Bergk’s Poetce Lvnci Greed. Alcm.fr. German in Har- 
 tung's, Die Griechischen Lyriker> Greek with a metrical translation . 
 
6 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 “Do you think then/’ replied Phanes, “that I have 
 no longing for my beloved Athens, for the scenes of our 
 youthful games, for the busy life of the market? Truly, 
 the bread of exile is not less distasteful to my palate 
 than to yours, but, in the society afforded by this house, 
 it loses some of its bitterness, and when the dear melo- 
 dies of Hellas, so perfectly sung, fall on my ear, my 
 native land rises before me as in a vision, I see its pine 
 and olive groves, its cold, emerald green rivers, its blue 
 sea, the shimmer of its towns, its snowy mountain-tops 
 and marble temples, and a half-sweet, half-bitter tear 
 steals down my cheek as the music ceases, and I awake 
 to remember that I am in Egypt, in this monotonous, 
 hot, eccentric country, which, the gods be praised, I am 
 soon about to quit. But, Aristomachus, would you then 
 avoid the few Oases in the desert, because you must 
 afterwards return to its sands and drought ? Would you 
 fly from one happy hour, because days of sadness await 
 you later? But stop, here we are! Show a cheerful 
 countenance, my friend, for it becomes us not to enter 
 the temple of the Charites* with sad hearts.” 
 
 As Phanes uttered these words, they landed at the 
 garden wall, washed by the Nile. The Athenian 
 bounded lightly from the boat, the Spartan following 
 with a heavier, firmer tread. Aristomachus had a 
 wooden leg, but his step was so firm, even when com- 
 pared with that of the light-footed Phanes, that it might 
 have been thought to be his own limb. 
 
 The garden of Rhodopis was as full of sound, and 
 
 His songs must have become known in Egypt, though at a later 
 period, since a fragment of Alkmseon’s songs is one of the most valu- 
 able papyrus MSS. found in modern times on the Nile. 
 
 * The goddesses of grace and beauty, better known by their Ro- 
 man name of “ Graces.’ ' 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 7 
 
 scent and blossom as a night in fairy-land. It was one 
 labyrinth of acanthus shrubs, yellow mimosa, the snowy 
 gelder-rose, jasmine and lilac, red roses and laburnums, 
 overshadowed by tall palm-trees, acacias and balsam- 
 trees. Large bats hovered softly on their delicate wings 
 over the whole, and sounds of mirth and song echoed 
 from the river. 
 
 This garden had been laid out by an Egyptian, and 
 the builders of the Pyramids had already been celebrated 
 for ages for their skill in horticulture . 7 They well un- 
 derstood how to mark out neat flower-beds, plant groups 
 of trees and shrubs in regular order, water the whole by 
 aqueducts and fountains, arrange arbors and summer- 
 houses, and even inclose the walks with artistically 
 clipped hedges, and breed goldfish in stone basins. 
 
 At the garden gate Phanes stopped, looked around 
 him carefully and listened; then shaking his head, “ I 
 do not understand what this can mean,” he said. “ I 
 hear no voices, there is not a single light to be seen, 
 the boats are all gone, and yet the flag is still flying at 
 its gay’ flag-staff, there, by the obelisks on each side of 
 the gate . 8 Rhodopis must surely be from home; can 
 they have forgotten ?” Here a deep voice suddenly 
 
 7. Wilkinson II. 136 — 145. Rosellini monumenti civili, PL 68 & 69. 
 The best representations of the ancient Egyptians’ gardens have been 
 found in the sepulchres of Tel el Amarna (18th Dynasty) Lepsius, 
 Denkmdler aus Agypten und Athiopien. Abth. III. p. 102. They also 
 exist in some tombs at Abd el Qurnah in Thebes, for instance in 
 graves 34 and 35 and the vault of General Amen em heb, a great lover 
 of flowers. 
 
 8. Obelisks bearing the name of the owner were sometimes to be 
 seen near the gates of the Egyptian country-houses. Flags too were 
 not uncommon, but these were almost exclusively to be found at the 
 gates of the temples, where to this day the iron sockets for the flagstaff 
 can still be seen. Neither were flags unknown to the Greeks. It ap- 
 pears from some inscriptions on the staffs of the Pylons, that if the 
 former were not actually erected for lightning-rods, it had been noticed 
 that they attracted the electricity. 
 
8 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS 
 
 interrupted him with the exclamation, “ Ha! the com- 
 mander of the body-guard!” 
 
 “A pleasant evening to you, Knakais,” exclaimed 
 Phanes, kindly greeting the old man, who now came up. 
 
 “But how is it that this garden is as still as an 
 Egyptian tomb, and yet the flag of welcome is fluttering 
 at the gate? How long has that white ensign waved 
 for guests in vain ? ” 
 
 “How long indeed?” echoed the old slave of Rho- 
 dopis with a smile. “So long as the Fates graciously 
 spare the life of my mistress, the old flag is sure to waft 
 as many guests hither as the house is able to contain. 
 Rhodopis is not at home now, but she must return 
 shortly. The evening being so fine, she determined on 
 taking a pleasure- trip on the Nile with her guests. They 
 started at sunset, two hours ago, and the evening meal 
 is already prepared ; 9 they cannot remain away much 
 longer. I pray you, Phanes, to have patience and fol- 
 low me into the house. Rhodopis would not easily 
 forgive me, if I allowed such valued guests to depart. 
 You stranger,” he added, turning to the Spartan, “I en- 
 treat most heartily to remain ; as friend of your friend 
 you will be doubly welcome to my mistress.” 
 
 The two Greeks, following the servant, seated them- 
 selves in an arbor, and Aristomachus, after gazing on 
 the scene around him now brilliantly lighted by the 
 moon, said, “Explain to me, Phanes, by what good 
 fortune this Rhodopis, formerly only a slave and cour- 
 tesan 10 can now live as a queen, and receive her guests 
 in this princely manner?” 
 
 9. The principal meal, especially at Athens (the Deipnon Selnvov) 
 was taken late in the day. 
 
 10. The mistresses (Hetsere) of the Greeks must not be compared 
 with modern women of bad reputation. The better members of this 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 9 
 
 “I have long expected this question,” answered the 
 Athenian. “I shall be delighted to make you ac- 
 quainted with the past history of this woman before you 
 enter her house. So long as we were on the Nile, I 
 would not intrude my tale upon you; that ancient river 
 has a wonderful power of compelling to silence and 
 quiet contemplation. Even my usually quick tongue 
 was paralyzed like yours, when I took my first night- 
 journey on the Nile.” 
 
 “I thank you for this,” replied the Spartan. “When 
 I first saw the aged priest Epimenides, 11 at Knossus in 
 Crete, he was one hundred and fifty years old, and I 
 remember that his age and sanctity filled me with a 
 strange dread; but how far older, how far more sacred, 
 is this hoary river, the ancient stream ‘ Aigyptos’ ! 12 
 Who would wish to avoid the power of his spells ? Now, 
 however, I beg you to give me the history of Rhodopis.” 
 
 class represented the intelligence and culture of their sex in Greece, 
 and more especially in the Ionian provinces. As an instance we need 
 only recall Aspasia and her well-attested relation to Pericles and Soc- 
 rates. Our heroine Rhodopis'was a celebrated woman. The Hetsera, 
 Thargalia of Miletus, became the wife of a Thessalian king. Ptolemy 
 Lagi married Thais; her daughter was called Irene, and her sons 
 Leontiskus and Lagus. (Athen: XIII. p. 576). Finally, statues were 
 erected to many. This subject is treated in the best manner in F. 
 Jakob’s miscellaneous writings IV., and Becker’s Charicles II. p. 51 — 
 69. More will be said on it in our text. 
 
 11. Epimenides a priest of Zeus at Knossus in Crete. According 
 to Pliny he died at the age of 299; according to Xenophanes of Kolo- 
 phon, his contemporary, at 154 years. Laertius Diogenes relates that 
 he could die and restore himself to life at pleasure. As he was in 
 Sparta in 576 the aged Aristomachus could well have seen him. 
 
 12. The Nile was called “Aigyptos” by the Greeks in ancient 
 times , see Homer’s Odyssey IV. 478. The inundations of Lower 
 Egypt by the river is called on some monuments “Akab;” but prob- 
 ably only from the country it watered at its mouth, for the coast of the 
 Delta, which in earlier times was peopled by the Egyptian Phoenicians 
 seems to have been named “Aikab-t” or “ Aigab-t,” the curved coast, 
 and the word Egypt was undoubtedly first heard by the Greeks from 
 the lips of the Phoenicians v 
 
 3 
 
IO 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 Phanes began: “When Rhodopis was a little child 
 playing with her companions on the Thracian sea-shore, 
 she was stolen by some Phoenician mariners, carried to 
 Samos, and bought by Iadmon, one of the geomori, or 
 landed aristocracy of the island. The little girl grew 
 day by day more beautiful, graceful and clever, and was 
 soon an object of love and admiration to all who knew 
 her. .^Esop , 13 the fable-writer, who was at that time 
 also in bondage to Iadmon, took an especial pleasure 
 in the growing amiability and talent of the child, taught 
 her and cared for her in the same way as the tutors 
 whom we keep to educate our Athenian boys. 
 
 The kind teacher found his pupil tractable and quick 
 of comprehension, and the little slave soon practised 
 the arts of music, singing and eloquence, in a more 
 charming and agreeable manner than the sons of her 
 master Iadmon, on whose education the greatest care 
 had been lavished. By the time she had reached her 
 fourteenth year, Rhodopis was so beautiful and accom- 
 plished, that the jealous wife of Iadmon would not suffer 
 
 13. (620-550) was, according to Herodotus, a Thracian, 
 
 according to others a Phrygian, or a native of Mesembria, a Milesian 
 colony on the Black Sea. He was sold as a slave to Iadmon the 
 Samian, served in the same house with Rhodopis and at the same time, 
 and afterwards received his freedom. Herod. II. 134. Having at- 
 tained celebrity by his fables, he is said to have taken up the calling 
 of an advocate, and to have enjoyed the friendship of Croesus. In his 
 old age he was sent by the latter on a commission to Delphi ; there the 
 offended priests accused him of having stolen a golden vessel, he was 
 unjustly condemned to death, and thrown over the Delphian rocks. 
 In after times every tale taken from the natural life of men or animals 
 and practically illustrating some moral was called after ^Esop’s fables. 
 On himself and his fables see Grauert de PEsopo et fabulis ALsopiis. 
 Bonn. 1825. It has lately been maintained, more especially by Zlindel, 
 Revue Archeol. Ill p. 354, and on good grounds, that the origin of the 
 H^sopian fables is to be found in Egypt. The universal belief assigns 
 India as the birthplace of fables about animals. In the Villa Albani at 
 Rome is the famous mutilated statue of ZEsop. A concentrated ideal 
 type of the clever hump-back. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 1 1 
 
 her to remain any longer in the house, and the Samian 
 was forced, with a heavy heart, to sell her to a certain 
 Xanthus. The government of Samos at that time was 
 still in the hands of the less opulent nobles; had Poly- 
 krates then been at the head of affairs, Xanthus need 
 not have despaired of a purchaser. These tyrants fill 
 their treasuries as the magpies their nests! As it was, 
 however, he went off with his precious jewel to Naukra- 
 tis, and there gained a fortune by means of her won- 
 drous charms. These were three years of the deepest 
 humiliation to Rhodopis, which she still remembers 
 with horror. 
 
 Now it happened, just at the time when her fame 
 was spreading through all Greece, and strangers were 
 coming from far to Naukratis for her sake alone , 14 that 
 the people of Lesbos rose up against their nobles, drove 
 them forth, and chose the wise Pittakus as their ruler. 
 The highest families of Lesbos were forced to leave the 
 country, and fled, some to Sicily, some to the Greek 
 provinces of Italy, and others to Egypt. Alcaeus , 15 the 
 
 14. According to Herodotus the beauty of Rhodopis was so great 
 that every Greek knew her by name. 
 
 15. Alcaeus, a friend and contemporary of Sappho, and descended 
 like her from one of the highest noble families of Lesbos, may take 
 rank among the best lyric poets of antiquity. Endowed with all the 
 advantages, and not less with all the pride and prejudices of his class, 
 he devoted himself, body and soul, in prose and in song, to the over- 
 throw of the tyrants, the expulsion of the Athenian settlers from 
 Sigaeum and the retention of the supremacy in the hands of the nobles, 
 who were making a powerful resistance to the tyrants Melanchrus, 
 Megalagyrus, Myrsilus, and the Kleanaktidae. He was unsuccessful 
 in his two last enterprises, and when Pittakus attained to the leader- 
 ship of the people, was forced, with his brothers and the rest of his 
 party, to fly from Lesbos. The former entered the army of Nebuchad- 
 nezzar, king of Assyria; the latter, and with them Alcaeus, wandered 
 forth into the world at large. There is no doubt that he and Char- 
 axus, the brother of Sappho, were together for some time in Naukratis. 
 When Pittakus had completed the code of laws to which he owes the 
 name of a philosoper, he recalled the exiles and forgave Alcaeus, not- 
 withstanding the bitter verses which the latter had written upon him 
 
12 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 greatest poet of his day, and Charaxus, the brother of 
 that Sappho 16 whose odes it was our Solon’s last wish 
 to learn by heart, came here to Naukratis, which had 
 already long been the flourishing centre of commercial 
 
 even during his banishment. His songs breathe "the spirit of the 
 Mytilenian nobles, bred and educated as aristocrats, proud in the 
 consciousness of their own high position, and secure of the most un- 
 rivalled prerogatives, dividing their time between action and enjoy- 
 ment, and keeping up a light heart even in the deepest misfortune.” 
 His was a burning genius which burst into song whenever a fresh joy 
 gladdened, or a sorrow crushed his spirit; he could not but sing, and 
 therefore his songs took the most perfect forms. In his transparency 
 and wonderful ease, his freedom from aspiration and enjoyment of the 
 present moment, he must be regarded as one of the most remarkable 
 forerunners of Horace, who adopted not only his metres, but many of 
 his ideas. His relation to Sappho, mentioned in the text, can be 
 proved from occasional fragments of his writings. They are to be 
 found in A. Matthiae Alcaei reliquice . L. 1827. Also Welcker, Kleine 
 Schriften I. pp. 126 — 147. and Bergk, Lyr. gr. ed. I. pp. 569 — 598. 
 Hartung. Die Griechischen Lyriker . Griechisch mit metrizcher Ueber - 
 setzung. V. p. 18. His likeness as a statue has been found near Monte 
 Calvo and answers entirely to the above mentioned description of his 
 character. There is also a very fine statue in the Villa Borghese at 
 Rome, which probably represents our poet. Braun, Rumen und Mu- 
 seen Roms, p 548. Braun believes it to be the work of Pindar. 
 
 16. The celebrated poetess Sappho, according to Athenseus, lived 
 in the time of Alyattes, king of Lydia, therefore between 620 — 563 B. 
 C.; according to the Chronicle of Eusebius in the 44th Olympiad, or 
 about 600 B. C. She is also mentioned as a contemporary of Pittakus, 
 Alcaeus and Rhodopis, which coincides with the above statement. 
 We can scarcely be in error if we fix the time of her birth at Mytilene 
 in Lesbos, about the year 620 B. C. Her father’s name was Skaman- 
 dronymus or Skamon. For this we have not only the authority of 
 Herodotus, HHian, and other ancient writers, but also of Welcker, 
 Bernhardy, Richter and others. Her mother and her daughter both 
 bore the name of Kleis. Beside the brother spoken of in our tale 
 (Charaxus), she had another, named Larichus, who is said by Athe- 
 nseus to have held a high preferment in the Prytanaeum at Mitylene. 
 From this, and from the fact that Sappho and Charaxus were both 
 exiled at the time of Pittakus, it is evident that they belonged to a 
 family of very high degree. They must also have been wealthy, or 
 Charaxus could not, as Herodotus relates, have bought Rhodopis. 
 Suidas calls Cerkolas, the husband of Sappho, expressly, a very rich 
 man. Among her admirers, her celebrated contemporary Alcaeus 
 must not be overlooked, while Bernhardy’s well-known story of her 
 unfortunate passion for the young Phaon must be regarded as a fable. 
 The story that Anacreon dedicated certain love-verses to Sappho is 
 equally untrue, as he flourished some 30 or 40 years later, and the 
 verses were intended for another Lesbian woman. Her impure pas- 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 *3 
 
 communication between Egypt and the rest of the 
 world. Charaxus saw Rhodopis, and soon loved her 
 so passionately, that he gave an immense sum to secure 
 her from the mercenary Xanthus, who was on the point 
 
 sion for beautiful young girls and her leap from the Leukadian rocks 
 are also totally fabulous. See Welcker, F. W. Richter, Bernhardy 
 and Kochly. Of Sappho’s appearance we know but little. Plato, 
 Plutarch and others call her “the beautiful Sappho,” Alcaeus praises 
 her black hair and her charming smile. Welcker reckons her among 
 the celebrated beauties of antiquity. She was frequently represented 
 on the coins, in the pictures and statues of her native land, but it seems 
 that between these representations there were great differences. One 
 of her pictures is thus described by Democharis : 
 
 Nature herself the magic portrait drew, 
 
 And, painter, gave thy Lesbian Muse to view. 
 
 Light sparkles in her eyes; and fancy seems 
 The radiant fountain of those living beams ; 
 
 Through the smooth fullness of the unclouded skin 
 Looks out the clear ingenuous soul within. 
 
 Joy melts to fondness in her glistening face 
 And Love and Music breathe a mingled grace,* 
 
 Thousands of songs were dedicated to her; we will only mention 
 here the two following epigrams by Pinytus, and Antipater of Sidon, 
 taken from F. Jacob's Griechischen Blumenlese: 
 
 “This tomb has Sappho’s bones and idle name 
 But her wise words have won immortal fame.” 
 
 “ Sappho my name. When Homer’s song divine 
 Man hath surpassed, may maiden rival mine.” 
 
 Sappho wrote in the .^Eolic manner. 2A$0 is only to be found 
 on a vase in Vienna, and Welcker believes is an error in the writing 
 alone. See the fragments of her poems, Bergk, Lyr. Grec. Ed. II. 
 There is a first rate lecture on Sappho to be found in Koechly’s Ac- 
 ademical lectures and discourses , p. 153 and following. Solon’s wish, 
 alluded to in the text, was expressed to his nephew. Stobaeus Serm. 
 XXIX. 28. A bas-relief in the British Museum is worthy of mention 
 here. It was found at Melos and represents Sappho, with Alcaeus 
 grasping at her lute. In explanation of this carving, Overbeck in his 
 Geschichte der Plasiik, Vol. I. p. 148 Ijas quoted the following anecdote 
 by Aristotle: “Alcaeus loved his beautiful and gifted countrywoman, 
 and is said to have once accosted her with the tender words : “Thou 
 dark-haired, smiling Sappho, fain would I tell thee something, but fear 
 restrains me.” Upon which the poetess coyly and somewhat snap- 
 pishly retorted : “If thou wert impelled by any good and noble im- 
 pulse, and didst not desire to utter evil with thy tongue, shame would 
 not bid thee lower thine eyes ; thou wouldst frankly say what is right.” 
 
 * Translated by Rev. Dr. Hodgson. 
 
14 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 of returning with her to his own country; Sappho wrote 
 some biting verses, derisive of her brother and his pur- 
 chase, but Alcaeus on the other hand, approved, and 
 gave expression to this feeling in glowing songs on the 
 charms of Rhodopis. And now Sappho's brother, who 
 had till then remained undistinguished among the many 
 strangers at Naukratis, became a noted man through 
 Rhodopis. His house was soon the centre of attraction 
 to all foreigners, by whom she was overwhelmed with 
 gifts. The King Hophra, 17 hearing of her beauty and 
 talent, sent for her to Memphis, and offered to buy her 
 of Charaxus, but the latter had already long, though 
 secretly, gi\ en Rhodopis her freedom, and loved her far 
 too well to allow of a separation. She too, loved the 
 handsome Lesbian and refused to leave him despite the 
 brilliant offers made to her on all sides. At length 
 Charaxus made this wonderful woman his lawful wife, 
 and continued to live with her and her little daughter 
 Kleis in Naukratis, until the Lesbian exiles were recalled 
 to their native land by Pittakus. He then started 
 homeward with his wife, but fell ill on the journey, and 
 died soon after his arrival at Mitylene. Sappho, who 
 had derided her brother for marrying one beneath him, 
 
 17. For this king we have chosen his Biblical name, Hophra. 
 Among the Greeks he was called Uaphris and Apries. The hiero- 
 glyphical signs for his name (see Lepsius, Konigsbuch , T. 48) produce 
 Uah-ph-ra-het, from whence come the paraphrases Uaphris and Hophra 
 (Uah-ph-ra). He reigned from 588 — 569. The correctness of these 
 figures can be certified, first, by the existing agreement in the dates, 
 but more still by Mariette’s discovery of the Apis tombs, the inscrip- 
 tions on which throw an especially strong light on the reigns of the 
 26th dynasty of kings, to which Hophra belonged. He was dethroned 
 by Amasis, (who, according to Athenasus, was his friend), during an 
 insurrection mentioned by the prophets of the old Covenant, Jeremiah 
 XLIV. 30. XLVI. 24-26, and described more in detail by Herodotus. 
 Herod. II. 169. The Assyrian monuments, whose cuneiform inscrip- 
 tions are more easily deciphered, now strongly corroborate this portion 
 of Egyptian history. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 *5 
 
 soon became an enthusiastic admirer of the beautiful 
 widow and rivalled Alcaeus in passionate songs to her 
 praise. 
 
 After the death of the poetess, Rhodopis returned, 
 with her little daughter, to Naukratis, where she was 
 welcomed as a goddess. During this interval Amasis , 18 
 the present king of Egypt, had usurped the throne of 
 the Pharaohs, and was maintaining himself in its pos- 
 session by help of the army, to which caste he belonged. 
 As his predecessor Hophra had accelerated his fall, and 
 brought the army and priesthood to open rebellion by 
 his predilection for the Greek nation, and for intercourse 
 with foreigners generally, (always an abomination in the 
 eyes of the Egyptians), men felt confident that Amasis 
 would return to the old ways, would rigorously exclude 
 foreigners from the country , 19 dismiss the Greek mer- 
 cenaries, and instead of taking counsel from the Greeks, 
 would hearken only to the commands of the priesthood. 
 But in this, as you must see yourself, the prudent Egyp- 
 tians had guessed wide of the mark in their choice of a 
 
 18. Amasis, of whom much will be said in our text, reigned 570- 
 526 B. C. His name, in the hieroglyphic signs, was Aahmes or young 
 moon (Lepsius, Konigsbuch PL 48. 8.) but the name by which he was 
 commonly called was Sa-Nit “Son of Neith.” His name, and pictures 
 of him are to be found on stones in the fortress of Cairo, on a relief in 
 Florence, a statue in the Vatican, on sarcophagi in Stockholm and 
 London, a statue in the Villa Albani and on a little temple of red 
 granite at Leyden. A beautiful bust of gray-wacke in our possession 
 probably represents the same king. 
 
 19. In their relations with foreigners, the Egyptians may be com- 
 pared with the Japanese of our own times. Every man not an Egyptian 
 was hateful to them, and yet, from the earliest times they had been 
 compelled to admit foreigners into their land. Indeed they could not 
 prevent the Phoenicians, who, like the Spaniards and Portuguese in 
 Japan in the 16th century had the whole foreign trade of the country in 
 their hands, from gaining considerable influence, not only in all classes 
 of Egyptian life, but even over the religious consciousness ot the peo- 
 ple. As in Japan the Iberians were succeeded by the Dutch, so did 
 the Greeks follow the Phoenicians in Egypt, and after the Persian in- 
 vasion and Alexander’s expeditions they ruled in the valley of the Nile. 
 
 An Egyptian Princess , /. 
 
1 6 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS, 
 
 ruler; they fell from Scylla into Charybdis. If Hophra 
 was called the Greeks’ friend, Amasis must be named 
 our lover. The Egyptians, especially the priests and 
 the army, breathe fire and flame, and would fain strangle 
 us one and all, off-hand, This feeling on the part ot 
 the soldiery does not disturb Amasis, for he knows too 
 well the comparative value of their and our services; 
 but with the priests it is another and more serious mat- 
 ter, for two reasons: first, they possess an unbounded 
 influence over the people; and secondly. Amasis him- 
 self retains more affection than he likes to acknowledge 
 to us, for this absurd and insipid religion 20 — a religion 
 which appears doubly sacred to its adherents simply 
 because it has existed in this eccentric land 21 — un- 
 changed for thousands of years. These priests make 
 the king’s life burdensome to him; they persecute and 
 injure us in every possible way; and indeed, if it had not 
 been for the king’s protection, I should long ago have 
 been a dead man. But I am wandering from my tale! 
 As I said before, Rhodopis was received at Naukratis 
 with open arms by all, and loaded wfith marks of favor 
 by Amasis, who formed her acquaintance. Her daugh- 
 ter Kleis, — as is the case with the little Sappho now — 
 was never allowed to appear in the society which as- 
 sembled every evening at her mother’s house, and in- 
 deed was even more strictly brought up than the other 
 young girls in Naukratis. She married Glaucus, a rich 
 
 20. We know that the wisdom of the Egyptian priesthood was 
 highly esteemed by the Greeks; but many passages in the classic 
 writers prove that the religion itself was looked upon by the Greeks 
 and Romans, who only saw the eccentric forms in which it was clothed, 
 as absurd and insipid. Afterwards the followers of the new Platonic 
 doctrines drew largely from the teachings of the priests in Heliopolis, 
 Thebes, etc. 
 
 21. Herod. II. 35. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 J 7 
 
 Phocsean merchant of noble family, who had defended 
 his native town with great bravery against the Persians, 
 and with him departed to the newly-founded Massalia ,- 2 
 on the Celtic coast. There, however, the young couple 
 both fell victims to the climate, and died, leaving a little 
 daughter, Sappho. Rhodopis at once undertook the 
 long journey westward, brought the orphan child back 
 to live with her, spent the utmost care on her education, 
 and now that she is grown up, forbids her the society 
 of men, still feeling the stains of her own youth so 
 keenly that she would fain keep her granddaughter 
 (and this in Sappho’s case is not difficult), at a greater 
 distance from contact with our sex than is rendered 
 necessary, by the customs of Egypt. To my friend 
 herself society is as indispensable as water to the fish 
 or air to the bird. Her house is frequented by all the 
 strangers here, and whoever has once experienced her 
 hospitality and has the time at command will never 
 after be found absent when the flag announces an even- 
 ing of reception. Every Greek of mark is to be found 
 here, as it is in this house that we consult on the wisest 
 measures for encountering the hatred of the priests and 
 bringing the king round to our own views. Here you 
 can obtain not only the latest news from home, but from 
 the rest of the world, and this house is an inviolable 
 
 22. Massalia, the present Marseilles, was founded by a colony 
 from Phocaea, an Ionian town on the coast of Asia Minor which, 19 
 years before the beginning of our tale, had fallen into the hands of the 
 Persians, the entire body of its citizens having tied to their ships. It is 
 probable that before the inhabitants of Asia Minor settled there, a 
 Phoenician factory had stood on the site of Massalia. At all events we 
 find the Phoenicians later as joint possessors of the place, proof of 
 which is borne not only by classical authority, but by the inscriptions 
 and monuments discovered there. The word Celt was applied by the 
 ancient Greeks not only to the Gauls, but also to the German and 
 Iberian races. 
 
i8 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 sanctuary for the persecuted, Rhodopis possessing a 
 royal warrant which secures her from every molestation 
 on the part of the police . 23 Our own songs and our 
 own language are to be heard here, and here we take 
 counsel on the best means for delivering Greece from 
 the ever fresh encroachments of her tyrants . 24 
 
 In a word, this house is the centre of attraction for 
 all Hellenic interests in Egypt, and of more importance 
 to us politically, than our temple, the Hellenion itself, 
 and our hall of commerce.* 
 
 In a few minutes you will see this remarkable grand- 
 mother, and, if we should be here alone, perhaps the 
 grandchild too; you will then at once perceive that they 
 owe everything to their own rare qualities and not to 
 the chances of good fortune. Ah! there they come! 
 they are going towards the house. Cannot you hear 
 the slave-girls singing? Now they are going in. First 
 let them quietly be seated, then follow me, and when 
 the evening is over you shall say whether you repent of 
 having come hither, and whether Rhodopis resembles 
 more nearly a queen or a freed bond-woman.” 
 
 The house 25 was built in the Grecian style. It was 
 
 23. A very active and strict police-force existed in Egypt, the or- 
 ganization of which is said to have owed much to Amasis’ care. We 
 also read in inscriptions and papyrus rolls, that a body of mounted 
 police existed, the ranks of which were generally filled by foreigners in 
 preference to natives. 
 
 •24. Shortly before the date of our narrative, several ambitious 
 Greeks, had succeeded in overthrowing the oligarchy and obtaining 
 the supreme power, amongst others Pisistratus of Athens (died 527), 
 Polykrates of Samos (died 522), and Lygdamis of Naxos (died 524). 
 
 25. On the internal arrangement of the rooms in this house, I 
 have followed Becker and K. F. Hermann. The description in 
 Barthelemy’s Anacharsis taken from the not perfectly clear passage in 
 Vitruvius, is much too diffuse for our purpose. Hirt’s design pleases 
 us less than most, while, on the other hand, in the sketch drawn by 
 Hermann, ( Charikles II. 99.), acute criticism and good taste seem to 
 * See Note 2. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 *9 
 
 a rather long, one-storied building, the outside of which 
 would be called extremely plain in the present day; 
 within, it united the Egyptian brilliancy of coloring with 
 the Greek beauty of form. The principal door opened 
 into the entrance-hall.* To the left of this lay a large 
 dining-room, overlooking the Nile, and, opposite to this 
 last was the kitchen, an apartment only to be found in 
 the houses of the wealthier Greeks, the poorer families 
 being accustomed to prepare their food at the hearth in 
 the front apartment. The hall of reception lay at the 
 other end of the entrance-hall, and was in the form of a 
 square, surrounded within by a colonnade, into which 
 various chambers** opened. This was the apartment 
 devoted to the men,*** in the centre of which was the 
 household fire, burning on an altar-shaped hearth of 
 rich ^Eginetan metal-work . 26 
 
 have been alike employed in the application of the passages referred 
 to. A rich man, as was Charaxus, could easily have built such a house 
 as the one we have described, though the private dwellings of the 
 Greeks at the time referred to were probably of a more simple char- 
 acter. Our knowledge of the arrangement of Greek houses is far less 
 accurate than of Roman ones, which can be perfectly reconstructed 
 from the buildings in Pompeii. Overbeck describes them with great 
 precision and clearness. Pompeii , 3d edition, 1866. Vol. I. p. 230. 
 Sketch , p. 212. 
 
 26. Higina was very early celebrated for skill in the plastic arts. 
 The transition from a typical form to the free imitation of nature can 
 be more clearly perceived in the early /Eginetan work than elsewhere. 
 The groups from the pediment of the temple of Athene in iEgina, dis- 
 covered in 1811 by a party of English, Danish and German travellers 
 and now in Munich, may be considered as the most interesting me- 
 morials of old Hellenic art. They afford sufficient proof that the 
 Greeks learnt the mechanical part of the plastic art, the treatment of 
 the materials, and even the relative proportions of the human body 
 from the Egyptians, though even as scholars they excelled their mas- 
 ters. The above-mentioned figures represent combats between the 
 Greeks and Trojans for the bodies of fallen Greeks, in one for the body 
 of Achilles, in another for Oi'kles. The group from the \yest pediment, 
 with the statue of Athene in the centre is particularly well-preserved 
 and worthy of notice. S. Wagner, Bericht iiber die aginetischen Bild- 
 werke mit Anmerkungen von. Schelling. 1817. Gerhard, Vorlesungen 
 * Thyroreion. ** Oikemata. *** Andronitis. 
 
20 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 It was lighted by an opening in the roof, which 
 formed at the same time, at outlet for the smoke. From 
 this room (at the opposite end to that on which it 
 opened into the entrance-hall), a passage, closed by a 
 well-fastened door,* led into the chamber of the wo- 
 men.** This was also surrounded by a colonnade within, 
 but only on three sides, and here the female inhabitants 
 were accustomed to pass their time, when not employed, 
 spinning or weaving, in the rooms lying near the back 
 or garden-door*** as it was termed. Between these 
 latter and the domestic offices, which lay on the right 
 and left of the women’s apartment, were the sleeping- 
 rooms; these served also as places of security for the 
 valuables of the house. The walls of the men’s apart- 
 ment were painted of a reddish-brown color, hgainst 
 which the outlines of some white marble carvings, the 
 gift of a Chian sculptor , 27 stood out in sharp relief. The 
 floor was covered with rich carpets from Sardis; low 
 cushions of panthers’ skins lay ranged along the colon- 
 nade; around the artistically wrought hearth stood 
 quaint Egyptian settees, and small, delicately-carved 
 tables of Thya wood , 28 on which lay all kinds of musical 
 
 iiber Gypsabgiisse. 1844. S. 3-28. Welcker, antike Denkmdler. I. p. 30. 
 and following. Overbeck, Geschichte der griech. Plastik. I. p. 117. 
 Drawn by O. Muller. Denkmdler d. Kunst. I. T. 6-8. Clarac, Musee 
 de sculpture p . 815. 821 and following. In reference to Egyptian in- 
 fluence on early Greek art, the reader may be referred to Epochen der 
 Kunst bei den Griechcn , Fr. Thiersch. 1829. Ueber einige cegyptische 
 Kunstformen und ihre Entwickelung. R. Lepsius. 
 
 27. The earliest marble sculptures are said to have been made in 
 Chios. 
 
 28. Egyptian easy-chairs or settees. Wilkinson II. plate XI. p. 
 192 and following. Rosellini mon. civ. T. 60. 90-91. where there are 
 sofas also, not unlike our own. Elegantly wrought seats, capable of 
 accommodating several persons, on which are enthroned the owners of 
 tombs, represented in reliefs, pictures and statues as gods and kings, 
 are frequent. The Thya wood was brought from the oasis of Jupiter 
 
 * Metaulos Thyra. ** Gynaekonitis. *** Kepaia Thyra. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 21 
 
 instruments, the flute, cithara and lyre. Numerous 
 lamps of various and singular shapes, filled with Kiki 
 oil , 29 hung against the walls. Some represented fire- 
 spouting dolphins; others, strange winged monsters 
 from whose jaws the flames issued; and these, blending 
 their light with that from the hearth, illumined the apart- 
 ment. 
 
 In this room a group of men were assembled, whose 
 appearance and dress differed one from the other. A 
 Syrian from Tyre, in a long crimson robe, was talking 
 animatedly to a man whose decided features and crisp, 
 curly, black hair proclaimed him an Israelite. The 
 latter had come to Egypt to buy chariots and horses for 
 Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah — the Egyptian equi- 
 pages being the most sought after at that time . 30 Close 
 
 Ammon in the Libyan desert, and was so precious that Cicero gave a 
 million sesterces or ^8250. for one table made of this wood. At a 
 large exhibition of the products of the province, held in Algiers, I saw 
 a specimen of very heavy, firm, beautiful cedar, strongly resembling 
 our weeping birch, and mentioned in the catalogue, probably from a 
 mere conjecture of its compiler, as “ Thyaroot and wood from Teniet- 
 el-had.” 
 
 29. Oil from the fruit of Palma Christi (ricinus communis), called 
 by the Egyptians Kiki and used for the purposes of burning and anoint- 
 ing. Herod. II. 94. Strabo ed. Casaub. 824. PliniusXV. 7. Dioscor. 
 IV. 164. On the monuments, more frequently on the papyrus rolls, and 
 also in the great Papyrus Ebers the words kuku or kaka nuts occur. 
 We might consider the latter identical with the oil-giving fruits of the 
 ancient Egyptians, which were also called “Neter Kaka,” sacred kiki 
 nuts. 
 
 30. 1 Chronicles III. 17 — 19. Even Solomon, as early as 1000 B. 
 
 C. sent for horses and chariots from Egypt. A horse cost 150, and a 
 chariot 600 shekels. (Z 11 - 6. and ^ 45 )- A shekel, (translated by Lu- 
 ther “ silberling”) is worth about 18 pence. 1 Kings X. 28. 29. 2 
 
 Chronicles I. 16. 17. On the Egyptian monuments we find not only 
 beautiful horses before Pharaoh’s chariots, but even the manufactories 
 where the chariots were built. The monuments prove also that neither 
 horses nor chariots were introduced into Egypt earlier than 2000 B. C. 
 The studs appear to have been kept on the large plains of northern 
 Egypt. We hear of chief-officers over the stud (Stela with the era of 
 400 years) and of Pharaohs who considered the breeding and condition 
 of the horse in Egypt as a matter of great importance, even before the 
 
22 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 to him stood three Greeks from Asia Minor, the rich 
 folds of whose garments (for they wore the costly dress 
 of their native city Miletus), contrasted strongly with 
 the plain and unadorned robe of Phryxus, the deputy 
 commissioned to collect money for the temple of Apollo 
 at Delphi, with whom they were in earnest conversation. 
 Ten years before, the ancient temple had been consumed 
 by fire; and at this time efforts were being made to 
 build another, and a more beautiful one . 31 
 
 Two of the Milesians, disciples of Anaximander and 
 Anaximenes , 32 were staying then in Egypt, to study 
 astronomy and the peculiar wisdom of the Egyptians at 
 Heliopolis, and the third was a wealthy merchant and 
 ship-owner, named Theopompus, who had settled at 
 Naukratis. Rhodopis herself was engaged in a lively 
 conversation with two Samian Greeks: the celebrated 
 
 26th dynasty, to which Amasis belonged. Pianchi’s Stela. First-rate 
 information on the Egyptian harness, and on the different parts of the 
 vehicles, which in Syria were manufactured with art and ingenuity, at 
 an early period is to be found in Chabas, Analyse des Papyr-Anastasi I. 
 Voyage d' un Egyptien etc. A light chariot in perfect preservation 
 (probably not a war trophy) belonging to an ancient Egyptian, was 
 found in the tomb of its former owner, and is now in the Egyptian 
 Museum at Florence. 
 
 31. Herodotus II. 180. Pindar. Pyth. 7. 9. 
 
 32. Anaximander of Miletus, born 611-546, was a celebrated 
 geometrician, astronomer, philosopher and geographer. He was the 
 author of a book on natural phenomena, drew the first map of the world 
 on metal, and introduced into Greece a kind of clock which he seems to 
 have borrowed from the Babylonians. He supposes a primary and 
 not easily definable Being, by which the whole world is governed, and 
 .in which, though in himself infinite and without limits, everything ma- 
 terial and circumscribed has its foundation. “ Chaotic matter” repre- 
 sents in his theory the germ of all created things, from which water, 
 earth, animals, nereids or fish-men, human beings &c. have had their 
 origin. Zeller, Philosophie der Griechen I. 170. Brandis. T. 1. P. 123. 
 Anaximenes, 570-500, also a Milesian natural philosopher, considered 
 air to be the primary matter from which all things proceeded. Plutarch 
 plac. phil. I. 3. 6. Zeller, Philosophie der Griechen I. Brandis T. 1. P. 
 141. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 2 3 
 
 worker in metals, sculptor and goldsmith Theodorus , 33 
 and the Iambic poet Ibykus of Rhegium , 34 who had left 
 the court of Polykrates for a time in order to become 
 acquainted with Egypt, and were bearers of presents 
 to Amasis from their ruler. Close to the fire lay Philo- 
 inus of Sybaris , 35 a corpulent man with strongly-marked 
 features and a sensual expression of face; he was 
 stretched at full-length on a couch covered with spotted 
 furs, and amused himself by playing with his scented 
 curls wreathed with gold, and with the golden chains 
 which fell from his neck on to the long saffron-colored 
 robe that clothed him down to his feet. 
 
 Rhodopis had a kind word for each of her guests, 
 but at present she occupied herself exclusively with the 
 two celebrated Samians; their talk was of art and 
 poetry. The fire of youth still glowed in the eyes of 
 the Thracian woman, her tall figure was still full and 
 
 33. Theodorus, descended from a Samian family celebrated as 
 artists, did much towards the improvement of architecture and the ar- 
 tistic casting of metals. Thiersch, Epochen der Kunst bei den Griechen 
 1829. Brunn, Kiinstlergeschichte II. p. 380. Overbeck, i. d. Berichten 
 der kgl. sachsischen Gesellschaft der Wissenschaften , 1868. p. 68 and 
 following. Bursian, Jahris 'Jahrbiichern 1856. I. Abth. p. 509 and fol- 
 lowing. 
 
 34. Ibykus, from Lower Italy, flourished about 530. Polykrates 
 attached this highly cultivated and impassioned poet to his court. The 
 events which followed his violent death became a proverb among the 
 ancients, and have become universally known in our own day through 
 Schiller’s Kraniche des Ibykus . Schneidewin collected the fragments 
 of his writings. I bye. carm. reliq. and Bergk, Poet. lyr. gr. It is no- 
 where mentioned that he was ever in Egypt, but we know that from 
 him the Greeks first learnt the identity of the morning and evening 
 star, a fact long known to the Egyptians. Achilles Tatius. Isag. in 
 Arati Phcenomen , in the Uranolog. Petamip. 136. See Lepsius Chron- 
 ologie , Einleitung p. 91. This passage, and the friendship subsisting 
 between Polykrates and Amasis, make it not improbable that Ibykus 
 was at one time in Egypt. 
 
 35. Sybaris was a town in Lower Italy notorious throughout the 
 ancient world for its luxury. According to Strabo it was founded by 
 Achaeans 262, About 510 it was conquered and destroyed by the 
 Crotoniates and then rebuilt undef the name of Thurii. 
 
24 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 unbent; her hair, though grey, was wound round her 
 beautifully formed head in luxuriant waves, and laid 
 together at the back in a golden net, and a sparkling 
 diadem shone above her lofty forehead. 
 
 Her noble Greek features were pale, but still beautiful 
 and without a wrinkle, notwithstanding her great age; 
 indeed her small mouth with its full lips, her white 
 teeth, her eyes so bright and yet so soft, and her nobly- 
 formed nose and forehead would have been beauty 
 enough for a young maiden. 
 
 Rhodopis looked younger than she really was, 
 though she made no attempt to disavow her age. 
 Matronly dignity was visible in every movement, and 
 the charm of her manner lay, not in a youthful endeavor 
 to be pleasing, but in the effort of age to please others, 
 considering their wishes, and at the same time demand- 
 ing consideration in return. 
 
 Our tv/o friends now presenting themselves in the 
 hall, every eye turned upon them, and as Phanes en- 
 tered leading his friend by the hand, the heartiest wel- 
 come met him from all sides; one of the Milesians 
 indeed exclaimed: “Now I see what it is that was 
 wanting to our assembly. There can be no merriment 
 without Phanes.” 
 
 And Philoinus, the Sybarite, raising his deep voice, 
 but not allowing himself for a moment to be disturbed 
 in his repose, remarked : “ Mirth is a good thing, and if 
 you bring that with you, be welcome to me also, Athe- 
 nian.” 
 
 “To me,” said Rhodopis, turning to her new guests, 
 “you are heartily welcome, but not more in your joy 
 than if borne down by sadness. I know no greater 
 pleasure than to remove the lines of care from a friend’s 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 2 5 
 
 brow. Spartan, I venture to address you as a friend 
 too, for the friends of my friends are my own.” 
 
 Aristomachus bowed in silence, but Phanes, address- 
 ing himself both to Rhodopis and to the Sybarite, an- 
 swered: “ Well then, my friends, I can content you both. 
 To you, Rhodopis, I must come for comfort, for soon, 
 too soon I must leave you and your pleasant house; 
 Philoinus however can still enjoy my mirth, as I cannot 
 but rejoice in the prospect of seeing my beloved Hellas 
 once more, and of quitting, even though involuntarily, 
 this golden mouse-trap of a country.” 
 
 “ You are going away! you have been dismissed? 
 Whither are you going?” echoed on all sides. 
 
 “ Patience, patience, my friends,” cried Phanes. “ I 
 have a long story to tell, but I will rather reserve it for 
 the evening meal. And indeed, dear friend, my hunger 
 is nearly as great as my distress at being obliged to 
 leave you.” 
 
 “Hunger- is a good thing,” philosophized the Sybar- 
 ite once more, “when a man has a good meal in 
 prospect.” 
 
 “On that point you may be at ease, Philoinus,” 
 answered Rhodopis. “I told the cook to do his ut- 
 most, for the most celebrated epicure from the most 
 luxurious city in the world, no less a person than Philo- 
 inus of Sybaris, would pass a stern judgment on his 
 delicate dishes. Go, Knakias, tell them to serve the 
 supper. Are you content now, my impatient guests? 
 As for me, since I heard Phanes’ mournful news, the 
 pleasure of the meal is gone.” The Athenian bowed, 
 and the Sybarite returned to his philosophy. “Con- 
 tentment is a good thing when every wish can be 
 satisfied. I owe you thanks, Rhodopis, for your 
 4 
 
2b 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 appreciation of my incomparable native city. What 
 says Anakreon ? 36 
 
 “To-day is ours — what do we fear? 
 
 To-day is ours — we have it here. 
 
 Let’s treat it kindly, that it may 
 
 Wish at least with us to stay. 
 
 Let’s banish business, banish sorrow; 
 
 To the gods belongs to-morrow.” * 
 
 “Eh! Ibykus, have I quoted your friend the poet 
 correctly, who feasts with you at Polykrates* banquets? 
 Well, I think I may venture to say of my own poor 
 self, that if Anakreon can make better verses, I under- 
 stand the art of living quite as well as he, though he 
 writes so many poems upon it. Why, in all his songs 
 there is not one word about the pleasures of the table! 
 Surely they are as important as love and play! I con- 
 fess that the two last are dear to me also ; still, I could 
 exist without them, though in a miserable fashion, but 
 without food, where should we be?” 
 
 The Sybarite broke into a loud laugh at his own 
 joke; but the Spartan turned away from this conversa- 
 tion, drew Phryxus into a corner, and quite abandoning 
 his usually quiet and deliberate manner, asked eagerly 
 whether he had at last brought him the long wished for 
 answer from the Oracle. The serious features of the 
 Delphian relaxed, and thrusting his hand into the folds 
 of his chiton,** he drew out a little roll of parchment- 
 like sheepskin, on which a few lines were written. 
 
 The hands of the brave, strong Spartan trembled as 
 
 36. Anakreon of Teos was, at the time of our narrative, also living 
 at the court of Polykrates. This celebrated, charming singer of love 
 and wine will be often mentioned and quoted in our text. The pas- 
 sage above is to be found Anacr. fragm. ed. Moebius XV. His likeness 
 as a statue is in the Villa Borghese at Rome. Copied in the Abhandl, 
 der k. sacks. Gesellschaft der Wissenschaften, Pkil-hist. Class III. p. 
 730 and following, with text by Otto Jahn. 
 
 * Translation by Cowley. *"* An undergarment resembling a shirt. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 27 
 
 he seized the roll, and his fixed gaze on its characters 
 was as if it would pierce the skin on which they were 
 inscribed. 
 
 Then, recollecting himself, he shook his head sadly 
 and said: “We Spartans have to learn other arts than 
 reading and writing; if thou canst, read me what Pythia 
 says.” 
 
 The Delphian glanced over the writing and replied: 
 “ Rejoice! Loxias* promises thee a happy return home; 
 hearken to the prediction of the priestess.” 
 
 “ If once the warrior hosts from the snow-topped mountains descending 
 Come to the fields of the stream watering richly the plain, 
 
 Then shall the lingering boat to the beckoning meadows convey thee 
 Which to the wandering foot peace and a home will afford. 
 
 When those warriors come, from the snow-topped mountains de- 
 .. scending, 
 
 Then will the powerful Five grant thee what long they refused.” 
 
 To these words the Spartan listened with intense 
 eagerness; he had them read over to him twice, then 
 repeated them from memory, thanked Phryxus, and 
 placed the roll within the folds of his garment. 
 
 The Delphian then took part in the general conver- 
 sation, but Aristomachus repeated the words of the 
 Oracle unceasingly to himself in a low voice, endeavor- 
 ing to impress them on his memory, and to interpret 
 their obscure import. 
 
 * A name given to Apollo on account of the dark and incompre- 
 hensible answers of his Oracle. 
 
28 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 The doors of the supper-room now flew open. 
 Two lovely, fair-haired boys, holding myrtle- wreaths, 
 stood on each side of the entrance, and in the middle 
 of the room was a large, low, brilliantly polished table, 
 surrounded by inviting purple cushions . 37 
 
 Rich nosegays adorned this table, and on it were 
 placed large joints of roast meat, glasses and dishes of 
 various shapes filled with dates, figs, pomegranates, 
 melons and grapes, little silver beehives containing 
 honey, and plates of embossed copper, on which lay 
 delicate cheese from the island of Trinakria. In the 
 midst was a silver table-ornament, something similar to 
 an altar, from which arose fragrant clouds of incense. 
 
 At the extreme end of the table stood the glittering 
 silver cup in which the wine was to be mixed . 38 This 
 was of beautiful ^Eginetan workmanship, its crooked 
 handles representing two giants, who appeared ready to 
 sink under the weight of the bowl which they sustained. 
 
 37. It was most probably usual for each guest to have his own lit- 
 tle table; but we read even in Homer of large tables on which the 
 meals were served up. Iliad. IX. 206. 215. Odyss. I. hi. In the 
 Symposium described by Xenophanes at about the date of our history, 
 a table is mentioned, the appointments of which we have more especial- 
 ly followed in the following description, Xenoph . fragm. ed. Bergk. I. 
 In the time of Homer people sat at table, but the recumbent position 
 became universal in later times. See Overbeck, Pompeii. First ed. p. 
 3 76 and following. 
 
 38. The Greeks were not accustomed to drink unmingled wine. 
 Zaleukus forbade to all citizens the pure juice or the grape under pen- 
 alty of death, and Solon under very severe penalties, unless required as 
 medicine. The usual mixture was composed of three-fifths water to 
 two-fifths wine. Schol. z. d. Rittem des Aristophanes, v. 1184. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 2 9 
 
 Like the altar, it was enwreathed with flowers, and a 
 garland of roses or myrtle had been twined around the 
 goblet of each guest . 39 
 
 The entire floor was strewed with rose-leaves , 40 and 
 the room lighted by many lamps which were hung 
 against the smooth, white, stucco walls. 
 
 No sooner were the guests reclining on their cush- 
 ions, than the fair-haired boys reappeared, wound gar- 
 lands of ivy and myrtle around the heads and shoulders 
 of the revellers, and washed their feet in silver basins . 41 
 The Sybarite, though already scented with all the per- 
 fumes of Arabia, would not rest until he was completely 
 enveloped in roses and myrtle, and continued to occupy 
 the two boys even after the carver had removed the first 
 joints from the table in order to cut them up; but as 
 soon as the first course, tunny-fish with mustard-sauce , 42 
 had been served, he forgot all subordinate matters, and 
 became absorbed in the enjoyment of the delicious 
 viands. 
 
 39. The Greeks, as well as the Egyptians, used drinking-cups of 
 various shapes, and the most different materials. The graceful forms 
 of the Greek drinking-vessels are well known, but even the Egyptians 
 knew how to manufacture beautiful goblets. They were made of the 
 precious metals, of bronze (such, according to Herodotus, were the 
 drinking-vessels of the priests) of delicate clay partially glazed, (in the 
 Berlin Museum with blue glaze) and also, but probably only seldom, 
 of glass. Many were enamelled in colors, and made in the form of 
 opening flowers, others represented the heads of animals or birds, from 
 the throats of which the wine was drunk ; others again were like our 
 cups with handles. Wilkinson II. pp. 348-55. Rosellini, mon . civ . T. 
 LIII-LXII. Ebers , Aegypten u. d. B. Moses p. 328. Originals are to 
 be found in the Museums of Berlin, London, Paris, Leyden, Turin, &c. 
 
 40. The dining-hall of Cleopatra is said to have been strewn ell 
 deep with roses. Aihenceus , Deipnos IV. 148 ed. Meineke. 
 
 41. The Greeks always wore garlands at meals, and the feet of the 
 guests were washed beforehand by slaves. Plato, Symposion p. 213. 
 Water was also poured over the hands before eating. Athen . II. 60. 
 
 42. This dish is mentioned by Hipponax about the date of our 
 narrative. Hipponact.y^wz. 34. ed. Berek. 
 
3 ° 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 Rhodopis, seated on a chair at the head of the table, 
 near the wine-bowl, not only led the conversation, but 
 gave directions to the slaves in waiting . 43 
 
 She gazed on her cheerful guests with a kind of 
 pride, and seemed to be devoting her attention to each 
 exclusively, now asking the Delphian how he had suc- 
 ceeded in his mission, then the Sybarite whether he was 
 content with the performances of her cook, and then 
 listening eagerly to Ibykus, as he told how the Athenian, 
 Phrynichus, had introduced the religious dramas of 
 Thespis of Ikaria into common life, and was now rep- 
 resenting entire histories from the past by means of 
 choruses, recitative and answer . 44 
 
 Then she turned to the Spartan, remarking, that to 
 him alone of all her guests, instead of an apology for 
 the simplicity of the meal, she felt she owed one for its 
 luxury. The next time he came, her slave Knakias, 
 who, as an escaped Plelot , 45 boasted that he could cook 
 a delicious blood-soup (here the Sybarite shuddered), 
 should prepare him a true Lacedaemonian repast. 
 
 When the guests had eaten sufficiently they again 
 washed their hands; the plates and dishes were removed, 
 the floor cleansed, and wine and water poured into the 
 
 43. The women took their meals sitting. The Greeks, like the 
 Egyptians, had chairs with backs and arms. The form of the solia or 
 throne has become familiar to us from the discoveries at Pompeii and 
 the representations of many gods and distinguished persons. It had a 
 high, almost straight back, and supports for the arms. Usually a 
 Symposiarch, or steward of the banquet, was chosen by lot; but in this 
 case the office belongs naturally to Rhodopis. The duty of giving 
 orders to the other servants, some of whom were brought by the guests, 
 fell to the lot of one of the house-slaves. 
 
 44. At the time of our tale, the drama was in its origin. Thespis 
 gave a dramatic form to the Dionysian choruses by the introduction of 
 strophe and antistrophe, and the adoption of masks ; and Phrynichus 
 must be named as the first tragic poet. 
 
 45. The Spartan slaves, who often tried to escape trom the service 
 of their masters, a service generally described in too dark terms. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 31 
 
 bowl. At last , 46 when Rhodopis had convinced herself 
 that the right moment was come, she turned to Phanes, 
 who was engaged in a discussion with the Milesians, 
 and thus addressed him: 
 
 “ Noble friend, we have restrained our impatience 
 so long that it must surely now be your duty to tell us 
 what evil chance is threatening to snatch you from 
 Egypt and from our circle. You may be able to leave 
 us and this country with a light heart, for the gods are 
 wont to bless you Ionians with that precious gift from 
 your very birth, but we shall remember you long and 
 sadly. I know of no worse loss than that of a friend 
 tried through years; indeed some of us have lived too 
 long on the Nile not to have imbibed a little of the con- 
 stant, unchanging Egyptian temperament. You smile, 
 and yet I feel sure that long as you have desired to 
 revisit your dear Hellas, you will not be able to leave 
 us quite without regret. Ah, you admit this? Well, I 
 knew I had not been deceived. But now tell us why 
 you are obliged to leave Egypt, that we may consider 
 whether it may not be possible to get the king’s decree 
 reversed, and so keep you with us.” 
 
 Phanes smiled bitterly, and replied: “Many thanks, 
 Rhodopis, for these flattering words, and for the kind 
 intention either to grieve over my departure, or if pos- 
 sible, to prevent it. A hundred new faces will soon 
 help you to forget mine, for long as you have lived on 
 the Nile, you are still a Greek from the crown of the 
 head to the sole of the foot, and may thank the gods 
 that you have remained so. I am a great friend of 
 constancy too, but quite as great an enemy of folly, 
 
 46. The Symposium began after the real meal. Not till that was 
 over did the guests usually adorn themselves with wreaths, wash their 
 hands with Smegma or Smema (a kind of soap) and begin to drink. 
 
 A n Egyptian Princess , /. 
 
3 2 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 and is there one among you who would not call it folly 
 to fret over what cannot be undone? I cannot call 
 the Egyptian constancy a virtue, it is a delusion. The 
 men who treasure their dead for thousands of years, 
 and would rather lose their last loaf than allow a single 
 bone belonging to one of their ancestors to be taken 
 from them , 47 are not constant, they are foolish. Can it 
 possibly make me happy to see my friends sad ? Cer- 
 tainly not! You must not imitate the Egyptians, who, 
 when they lose a friend, spend months in daily-repeated 
 lamentations over him. On the contrary, if you will 
 sometimes think of the distant, I ought to say, of the 
 departed, friend, (for as long as I live I shall never be 
 permitted to tread Egyptian ground again), let it be 
 with smiling faces; do not cry, ‘Ah! why was Phanes 
 forced to leave us?’ but rather, ‘Let us be merry, as 
 Phanes used to be when he made one of our circle!* 
 In this way you must celebrate my departure, as Simon- 
 ides enjoined when he sang: 
 
 ' 4 If we would only be more truly wise, 
 
 We should not waste on death our tears and sighs, 
 
 Nor stand and mourn o’er cold and lifeless clay 
 More than one day. 
 
 For Death, alas! we have no lack of time; 
 
 But Life is gone, when scarcely at its prime, 
 
 And is e’en, when not overfill’d with care 
 But short and bare! ’’48 
 
 “If we are not to weep for the dead, how much less 
 ought we to grieve for absent friends! the former have 
 
 47. An Egyptian, even when deeply involved in debt, was per- 
 mitted to remove the mummies of his ancestors. He would give all he 
 had rather than allow these to fall into decay, as in case of such neglect 
 he was exposed to shame and ignominy during life, and his body de- 
 nied burial at death. Diodor. I. 93. 
 
 48. Translation from Simonides fragm. ed. Bergk. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN TRINCESS. 
 
 33 
 
 left us for ever, but to the latter we say at parting, 
 
 ‘ Farewell, until we meet again ’ ” 
 
 Here the Sybarite, who had been gradually becom- 
 ing more and more impatient, could not keep silent any 
 longer, and called out in the most woe begone tone: 
 “ Will you never begin your story, you malicious fellow ? 
 I cannot drink a single drop till you leave off talking 
 about death. I feel cold already, and I am always ill, 
 if I only think of, nay, if I only hear the subject men- 
 tioned, that this life cannot last forever.” The whole 
 company burst into a laugh, and Phanes began to tell 
 his story: 
 
 “You know that at Sais I always live in the new 
 palace; but at Memphis, as commander of the Greek 
 body-guard which must accompany the king every- 
 where, a lodging was assigned me in the left wing of 
 the old palace . 49 
 
 49. Memphis is said to have been founded by Menes, whom most 
 of the ancient chronologists, following Manetho, call the first king of 
 Egypt. He is reputed to have dammed the Nile a hundred furlongs 
 above the city, thereby forcing the river, which had formerly flowed 
 close to the Libyan mountains, to leave its bed and take its course 
 through the centre of the valley, half-way between the mountains bor- 
 dering it on the east and west. Even in Herodotus’ day, the embank- 
 ment cutting off that curve of the Nile was carefully preserved and 
 strengthened by the Persian government, as any breach would expose 
 Memphis to the danger of being inundated. Although no traces of 
 the work remain, the truth of this statement cannot be doubted, for at 
 the village of Seft, the Nile flows westward, and if not again diverted 
 toward the east by the island es-Shekame, would reach the Libyan 
 Hills. His name has often been found on monuments, always placed 
 first in the line of kings; it occupies this position on the tablet of kings 
 discovered by Dumichen, which closes with Seti I. Menes (in Egyp- 
 tian Mena) spite of the suspicion his name might excite, may be con- 
 fidently considered a historical personage. See de Rouge, Mem . sur 
 les VI. premieres dyn. eg. According to Lepsius, who has critically 
 examined every existing date and inscription, he reigned 3892 B. C. and 
 this date, obtained in a strictly methodical way is remarkably verified by 
 an astronomical calendar on the back of the Papyrus Ebers. His son 
 and successor is said to have built the palace of Memphis, according 
 to Manetho, a priest of Heliopolis, who in the year 250 B. C. translated 
 the Egyptian sacred writings into Greek for the Ptolemaic Pharaohs. 
 
34 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 “ Since Psamtik the First , 50 Sais has always been the 
 royal residence, and the other palaces have in conse- 
 quence become somewhat neglected. My dwelling was 
 really splendidly situated, and beautifully furnished; it 
 would have been first-rate, if, from the first moment of 
 
 A few scanty remains near the villages Bedreschein and Mitrahenny — 
 some large heaps of rubbish — the prostrate colossal statue of Rameses 
 II. mentioned by classical writers, discovered by Caviglia and Slaone 
 and now the property of the English, fragments of columns and statues, 
 traces of the walls of the Ptah-temple, broken sherds, and smaller 
 memorials in larger numbers, are all that now remain of this once gi- 
 gantic'city. Nevertheless it is possible to gain a tolerably accurate 
 idea of its appearance. Narrow, and even in the twelfth century half 
 a day’s journey in length, its streets extended between the Nile and 
 the Bahr Yusuf, terminating in the north near Ghizeh, in the south in 
 the plain of the pyramids of Dashur. The quarter where the licen- 
 tious worship of the Phoenician and Egyptian goddess of love was 
 celebrated, and in which strangers were afterwards permitted to settle, 
 was named Ta, or The World of Life. It was also called the Syrian 
 quarter, and with its sacred groves undoubtedly lay toward the south. 
 The royal palace stood on a hill, which still remains, about three- 
 quarters of a kilometer east of Mitrahenny, from which at the present 
 time all the pyramids can be overlooked, and whence the Pharaohs 
 doubtless formerly directed the building of their mausoleums. The 
 ancient quarter of Amhi, was particularly magnificent. Here stood 
 the temples of the principal gods, none older or more renowned than 
 that of Ptah, with which the whole history of the city is associated. 
 The Mohammedan conquerors erected their residence on the right bank 
 of the Nile at the point nearly opposite the most northern portion of 
 Memphis, and here, near the fortified Babylon, rose the modern Cairo. 
 The city of the dead at Memphis is in better preservation. The Pyra- 
 mids stand on unmoved, and the Serapeum and the Apis tombs have 
 been excavated by Mariette Bey, a Frenchman in the service of the 
 Viceroy. The royal residences were not in the temples as many have 
 asserted. The palaces of the Pharaohs, like the private houses of the 
 Egyptians, seemed to have been constructed of much lighter and more 
 perishable materials than the temples. The former were probably 
 built of bricks made from the Nile mud, the latter almost without ex- 
 ception, of blocks of solid stone. 
 
 50. Psamtik I. better known by his Greek name Psametich,* be- 
 longed to the 26th, or the Saitic dynasty. He was the first to open a 
 communication between Egypt and foreign countries. On this reign 
 the inscriptions from the Apis tombs render such good service, that we 
 are enabled to fix the date of Psamtik’ s accession to the throne on 
 February 5th, 66 4 B. C. 
 
 Or Psammetichus. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 35 
 
 my entrance, a fearful annoyance had not made its 
 appearance. 
 
 “ In the day-time, when I was seldom at home, my 
 rooms were all that could be wished, but at night it was 
 impossible to sleep for the tremendous noise made by 
 thousands of rats and mice under the old floors, and 
 couches, and behind the hangings. 
 
 “Even in the first night an impudent mouse ran 
 over my face. 
 
 “ I was quite at a loss what to do, till an Egyptian 
 soldier sold me two large cats, and these, in the course 
 of many weeks, procured me some rest from my tor- 
 mentors. 
 
 “Now, you are probably all aware that one of the 
 charming laws of this most eccentric nation, (whose 
 culture and wisdom, you, my Milesian friends, cannot 
 sufficiently praise), declares the cat to be a sacred 
 animal. Divine honors are paid to these fortunate 
 quadrupeds as well as to many other animals, and he 
 who kills a cat is punished with the same severity as 
 the murderer of a human being.” 
 
 Till now Rhodopis had been smiling, but when she 
 perceived that Phanes’ banishment had to do with his 
 contempt for the sacred animals, her face became more 
 serious. She knew how many victims, how many 
 human lives, had already been sacrificed to this Egyp- 
 tian superstition, and how, only a short time before, the 
 king Amasis himself had endeavored in vain to rescue 
 an unfortunate Samian, who had killed a cat, from the 
 vengeance of the enraged populace . 51 
 
 51. The cat was probably the most sacred of all the animals wor- 
 shipped by the Egyptians. While others were deified only in particu- 
 lar districts, the cat was an object of adoration to all the subjects of the 
 Pharaohs. Herod. (II. 66.) tells that when a house was on fire the 
 
3 6 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 “ Everything was going well,” continued the officer, 
 “when we left Memphis two years ago. 
 
 “ I confided my pair of cats to the care of one of 
 the Egyptian servants at the palace, feeling sure that 
 these enemies of the rats would keep my dwelling clear 
 for the future; indeed I began to feel a certain venera- 
 tion for my deliverers from the plague of mice. 
 
 “Last year Amasis fell ill before the court could 
 adjourn to Memphis, and we remained at Sais. 
 
 “At last, about six week ago, we set out for the city 
 of the Pyramids . 52 I betook me to my old quarters; 
 not the shadow of a mouse’s tail was to be seen there, 
 but instead, they swarmed with another race of animals 
 
 Egyptians never thought of extinguishing the fire until their cats were 
 all saved, and that when a cat died, they shaved their heads in sign of 
 mourning. Whoever killed one of these animals, whether intentiom 
 ally or by accident, suffered the penalty of death, without any chance 
 of mercy. Diod. (I. 81.) himself witnessed the murder of a Roman 
 citizen who had killed a cat, by the Egyptian people; and this in spite 
 of the authorities, who in fear of the powerful Romans, endeavored to 
 prevent the deed. T he bodies of the cats were carefully embalmed 
 and buried, and their mummies are to be found in every Museum. 
 The embalmed cat, carefully wrapped in linen bandages, is oftener to 
 be met with than any other of the many animals thus preserved by the 
 Egyptians. In spite of the great care bestowed on cats, there can 
 have been no lack of mice in Egypt. In one nomos or province the 
 shrew-mouse was sacred, and a satirical, obscene papyrus in Turin 
 shows us a war between the cats and mice; the Papyrus Ebers con- 
 tains poisons for mice. We ourselves possess a shrew-mouse ex- 
 quisitely wrought in bronze. M. de Potonnier, the partner of the well- 
 known founder of the overland route to India, Waghorn, told us in 
 Cairo that he had once been attacked at night, by rats in an old walled 
 building in Lower Egypt. After a lapse of more than twenty years, 
 the scars caused by the bites of these loathsome creatures still remained. 
 Quite recently, even after the Mussulman faith had penetrated into 
 Egypt, cats were treated with special consideration. In Cairo a sum 
 of money was bequeathed to feed starving cats, and each great caravan 
 of pilgrims journeying to Mecca at the present time is accompanied by 
 an old man, who carries several cats and is known as the cats’ father. 
 See the beautiful illustration by Gentz in Ebers JEgyptcn in Bild und 
 Wort I. p. 103. 
 
 52. The great Pyramids lie to the west of Memphis. See Vol. II. 
 P- 293. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS, 
 
 37 
 
 not one whit dearer to me than their predecessors. The 
 pair of cats had, during my two years* absence, in- 
 creased twelvefold. I tried all in my power to dislodge 
 this burdensome brood of all ages and colors, but in 
 vain ; every night my sleep was disturbed by horrible 
 choruses of four-footed animals, and feline war-cries 
 and songs. 
 
 “ Every year, at the period of the Bubastis festival, 
 all superfluous cats may be brought to the temple of 
 the cat-headed goddess Pacht, where they are fed and 
 cared for, or, as I believe, when they multiply too fast, 
 quietly put out of the way. These priests are knaves! 
 
 “ Unfortunately the journey to the said temple 53 did 
 not occur during the time of our stay in Memphis; 
 however, as I really could not tolerate this army of 
 tormentors any longer, I determined at least to get rid 
 of two families of healthy kittens with which their 
 mothers had just presented me. My old slave Mils , 54 
 from his very name a natural enemy of cats, was told 
 
 53. The chief temple of the goddess Pacht (Bast), who was rep- 
 resented with the head of a cat, was at Bubastis in the Eastern Delta. 
 The mummies of the cats were usually brought thither ; some however 
 have been discovered in other places, and more especially at the 
 Serapeum. According to Herodotus she was similar to the Greek 
 Artemis (Diana) and was called the Bubastian. Stephanus of Byzan- 
 tium says also that the cat was called Bubastos in Egyptian. See 
 Ebers’ Durch Gosen zum Sinai , p. 15 and p. 482. The general name 
 for the animal was Mau, — Mie. She seems also to have been honored 
 as the deity who conferred the blessing of children and watched over 
 their birth. Representations of her are to be found in Birch, Gallery 
 p. 16 and following, and Wilkinson, Man. and Customs VI. PL 27. and 
 35. also Ebers’ ALgypten in Bild tind Wort, I. p. 102. Since the pub- 
 lication by Dtimichen of the temple-inscriptions at Dendera there 
 seems to be no longer any doubt that, in the goddess Bast, the Egyp- 
 tians worshipped certain phases of Astarte (the Syrian Aphrodite, 
 Venus urania). On the pilgrimage to Bubastis, see note 288 and text 
 p. 294. 
 
 54. Mues, /uOs, a name not uncommon among the Greeks, signifies 
 Mouse. 
 
38 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 to kill the little creatures, put them into a sack, and 
 throw them into the Nile. 
 
 “This murder was necessary, as the mewing of the 
 kittens would otherwise have betrayed the contents of 
 the sack to the palace- warders. In the twilight poor 
 Miis betook himself to the Nile through the grove of 
 Hathor , 55 with his perilous burden. But alas! the 
 Egyptian attendant who was in the habit of feeding my 
 cats, had noticed that two families of kittens were 
 missing, and had seen through our whole plan. 
 
 “ My slave took his way composedly through the 
 great avenue of Sphinxes, and by the temple of Ptah, 56 
 
 55. The goddess of Love, or Egyptian Venus, who also had a 
 temple at Memphis. Her principal sanctuary was at Dendera (Ta-n- 
 ta-rer, the land of the Nile horse, of the goddess of the Nile) where she 
 is mentioned by all her titles ; of these more than 300 are to be found 
 at Edfu. Throughout she appears as the female, or receptive and 
 productive principle, in opposition to the male, or generative; and 
 cosmic, as the Earth, the exhibition of the Deity working in the visible 
 world of nature. As the impersonation of fertility, she represents the 
 fruitfulness of the fields, and as this is dependent on the Nile, so it is 
 Isis-Hathor who “causeth the Nile to increase in his season.” She is 
 the sublime goddess of love, th$ great heavenly mother, who takes 
 under her divine protection all the mothers of the earth, the giver of 
 all good things in this life, the beautiful-visaged One, who fills Heaven 
 and earth with her benefits. In later times she became transformed 
 into a muse. The dance, song, mirth, even material enjoyments and 
 intoxication, were under her protection ; but she was principally revered 
 as the goddess of love. The cord and tambourine in her hand denote 
 the captivating, riveting power, and the pleasure, of love. Dendera 
 was called Kantharonpolis, “the place of the cup,” after her drinking- 
 cup. She is called the great queen of the golden wreath, and the 
 helper of mothers at the birth of their children. She was the goddess 
 most beloved by the wives of the kings. Her sacred animal was the 
 cow, and she generally appears in the form of a woman with a cow’s 
 head; the sun’s disk rests between her horns, which suggest the 
 crescent moon. Drawings in Birch's Gallery p. 19. Champollion, 
 Pantheon Egyptien. T. 18. Rosell. mon. d. culto . etc. The best infor- 
 mation on this goddess is to be had in Diimichen’s Bauurkunde von 
 Dendera L. 1865. Isis is the most sensual form of the goddess Hathor, 
 
 « — fertility as the idea of the organic world. 
 
 56, The temple of the great Memphian god Ptah, was one of the 
 most celebrated buildings in Egypt. King Menes is said to have laid 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 39 
 
 holding the little bag concealed under his mantle. 
 Already in the sacred grove he noticed that he was 
 being followed, but on seeing that the men behind him 
 stopped before the temple of Ptah and entered into 
 conversation with the priests, he felt perfectly reassured 
 and went on. 
 
 “He had already reached the bank of the Nile, 
 when he heard voices calling him and a number of 
 people running towards him in haste; at the same 
 moment a stone whistled close by his head. 
 
 “ Mils at once perceived the danger which was 
 threatening him. Summoning all his strength he rushed 
 down to the Nile, flung the bag in, and then with a 
 beating heart, but as he imagined without the slightest 
 evidence of guilt, remained standing on the shore. A 
 few moments later he was surrounded by at least a 
 hundred priests. 
 
 “Even the high-priest of Ptah, my old enemy 
 Ptahotep, had not disdained to follow the pursuers in 
 person. 
 
 “ Many of the latter, and amongst them the per- 
 fidious palace-servant, rushed at once into the Nile, 
 
 the foundation, and the Pharaohs of the 3d, 4th, 5th, and 6th dynasties, 
 who resided here, greatly enlarged it. In the 12th dynasty Amenemha 
 III. known by the name of Moris, supplied the north of the temple 
 with propylae, and even the monarchs residing at Thebes after the dis- 
 persion of the Hyksos did not neglect to sumptuously adorn Ptah’s 
 sanctuary. Rameses II. is said to have placed statues of his wife, him- 
 self, and two of their children, in front of this temple. The colossal 
 statue of the king was found by Caviglia and Slaone in 1820 and is 
 still lying in the same place. Rameses III. according to the great 
 Papyrus Harris, was the most lavish in the adornment of the edifice. 
 Even the Ethiopians respected the sanctuary of Ptah, whose interior 
 wms magnificently finished by the first king of the 26th dynasty, to 
 which Amasis belonged. Amasis erected statues, which were still 
 lying on the ground in the days of Herodotus. Particulars of the Apis 
 worshipped there will be given later. Some few remains of the temple 
 are still extant, near the Arabian village of Mitrahenny. 
 
40 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 and there, to our confusion, found the bag with its 
 twelve little corpses, hanging entirely uninjured among 
 the Papyrus-reeds and bean- tendrils. The cotton coffin 
 was opened before the eyes of the high-priest, a troop 
 of lower priests, and at least a thousand of the inhab- 
 itants of Memphis, who had hurried to the spot, and 
 when the miserable contents were disclosed, there arose 
 such fearful howls of anguish, and such horrible cries of 
 mingled lamentation and revenge, that I heard them 
 even in the palace. 
 
 “The furious multitude, in their wild rage, fell on 
 my poor servant, threw him down, trampled on him 
 and would have killed him, had not the all-powerful 
 high-priest — designing to involve me, as author of the 
 crime, in the same ruin — commanded them to cease 
 and take the wretched malefactor to prison. 
 
 “ Half an hour later I was in prison too. 
 
 “ My old Miis took all the guilt of the crime on 
 himself, until at last, by means of the bastinado, the 
 high-priest forced him to confess that I had ordered 
 the killing of the kittens, and that he, as a faithful 
 servant, had not dared to disobey. 
 
 “The supreme court of justice , 57 whose decisions 
 the king himself has no power to reverse, is composed 
 of priests from Memphis, Heliopolis and Thebes: you 
 
 57. This court of justice, which may be compared with the Areo- 
 pagus at Athens, and the Gerusia at Sparta, (Diod. I, 75.), was com- 
 posed of 30 judges taken from the priestly caste, (10 from Heliopolis, 
 10 from Memphis, 10 from Thebes). The most eminent from among 
 their number (£ya t'ov aouTrov) was chosen by them as president. All 
 complaints and defences had to be presented in writing, that the judges 
 might in no way be influenced by word or gesture. This tribunal was 
 independent, even of the king’s authority. Much information con- 
 cerning the administration of justice has been obtained from the Papy- 
 rus Abbott, known by the name of the Papyrus judiciaire. Particulars 
 and an account of their literature may be found in Ebers “ Durch 
 Gosen zum Sinai," p. 534 and following. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 41 
 
 can therefore easily believe that they had no scruple in 
 pronouncing sentence of death on poor Mils and my 
 own unworthy Greek self. The slave was pronounced 
 guilty of two capital offences: first, of the murder of 
 the sacred animals, and secondly, of a twelve-fold pollu- 
 tion of the Nile through dead bodies. I was con- 
 demned as originator of this, (as they termed it) four- 
 and-twenty-fold crime . 58 Miis was executed on the 
 same day. May the earth rest lightly on him! I shall 
 never think of him again as my slave, but as a friend 
 and benefactor! My sentence of death was read aloud 
 in the presence of his dead body, and I was already 
 preparing for a long journey into the nether world, 
 when the king sent and commanded a reprieve. 
 
 “ I was taken back to prison. One of my guards, 
 an Arcadian Taxiarch,* told me that all the officers of 
 the guard and many of the soldiers, (altogether four 
 thousand men) had threatened to send in their resigna- 
 tion, unless I, their commander, were pardoned. 
 
 “ As it was beginning to grow dusk I was taken to 
 the king. 
 
 “He received me graciously, confirmed the Taxi- 
 arch’s statement with his own mouth, and said how 
 grieved he should be to lose a commander so generally 
 beloved. I must confess that I owe Amasis no grudge 
 for his conduct to me, on the contrary I pity him. You 
 should have heard how he, the powerful king, com- 
 plained that he could never act according to his own 
 wishes, that even in his most private affairs he was 
 crossed and compromised by the priests and their in flu- 
 
 58. According to the Egyptian law, the man who was cognizant 
 of a crime was held equally culpable with the perpetrator. 
 
 * Commander of a Taxis, or captain of a company. Lysias, 
 Apol. p. 162. 
 
42 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 ence. Had it only depended on himself, he could 
 easily have pardoned the transgression of a law, which 
 I, as a foreigner, could not be expected to understand, 
 and might (though unjustly) esteem as a foolish super- 
 stition. But for the sake of the priests he dare not 
 leave me unpunished. The lightest penalty he could 
 inflict must be banishment from Egypt . 59 
 
 “He concluded his complaint with these words: 
 ‘You little know what concessions I must make to the 
 priests in order to obtain your pardon. Why, our 
 supreme court of justice is independent even of me, its 
 king!’ 
 
 “And thus I received my dismissal, after having 
 taken a solemn oath to leave Memphis that very day, 
 and Egypt, at latest, in three weeks. 
 
 “At the palace-gate I met Psamtik, the crown- 
 prince. He has long been my enemy, on account of 
 some vexatious matters which I cannot divulge, (you 
 know them, Rhodopis). I was going to offer him my 
 parting salutation, but he turned his back upon me, 
 saying: ‘Once more you have escaped punishment, 
 Athenian; but you cannot elude my vengeance. Whith- 
 ersoever you may go, I shall be able to find you!’ 
 ‘That remains to be proved,’ I answered, and putting 
 myself and my possessions on board a boat, came to 
 Naukratis. Here, by good fortune, I met my old friend 
 Aristomachus of Sparta, who, as he was formerly in 
 command of the Cyprian troops , 60 will most likely be 
 nominated my successor. I should rejoice to know that 
 
 59. The punishment of exile seems not to have been employed 
 against the native Egyptians ; it could be easily imposed on foreigners 
 whom it was desirable to get rid of. 
 
 60. King Amasis carried on a successful war against Cyprus. 
 Herod. II. 178. Diod. I. 68. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 43 
 
 such a first-rate man was going to take my place, if I 
 did not at the same time fear that his eminent services 
 will make my own poor efforts seem even more insig- 
 nificant than they really were.” 
 
 But here he was interrupted by Aristomachus, who 
 called out: “ Praise enough, friend Phanes! Spartan 
 tongues are stiff ; but if you should ever stand in need 
 of my help, I will give you an answer in deeds, which 
 shall strike the right nail on the head.” 
 
 Rhodopis smiled her approval, and giving her hand 
 to each, said: “ Unfortunately, the only conclusion to 
 be drawn from your story, my poor Phanes, is that you 
 cannot possibly remain any longer in this country. I 
 will not blame you for your thoughtlessness, though 
 you might have known that you were exposing yourself 
 to great danger for a mere trifle. The really wise and 
 brave man never undertakes a hazardous enterprise, 
 unless the possible advantage and disadvantage that 
 may accrue to him from it can be reckoned at least as 
 equal. Recklessness is quite as foolish, but not so 
 blamable as cowardice, for though both do the man an 
 injury, the latter alone can dishonor him. 
 
 “Your thoughtlessness, this time, has very nearly 
 cost your life, a life dear to many, and which you ought 
 to save for a nobler end. We cannot attempt to keep 
 you here; we should thereby only injure ourselves 
 without benefitting you. This noble Spartan must now 
 take your place as head and representative of the Greek 
 nation at the Egyptian court, must endeavor to protect 
 us against the encroachment of the priests, and to retain 
 for us the royal favor. I take your hand, Aristomachus, 
 and will not let it go till you have promised that you 
 will protect, to the utmost of your power, every Greek, 
 
44 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 however humble, (as Phanes did before you), from the 
 insolence of the Egyptians, and will sooner resign your 
 office than allow the smallest wrong done to a Hellene 
 to go unpunished. We are but a few thousands among 
 millions of enemies, but through courage we are great, 
 and unity must keep us strong. Hitherto the Greeks 
 in Egypt have lived like brothers; each has been ready 
 to offer himself for the good of all, and all for each, 
 and it is just this unity that has made us, and must 
 keep us, powerful. 
 
 “Oh! could we but bestow this precious gift on out 
 mother-country and her colonies! would the tribes of 
 our native land but forget their Dorian, Ionian or 
 ^Eolian descent, and, contenting themselves with the 
 one name of Hellenes, live as the children of one family, 
 as the sheep of one flock, — then indeed we should be 
 strong against the whole world, and Hellas would be 
 recognized by all nations as the Queen of the Earth !” 61 
 A fire glowed in the eyes of the grey-haired woman 
 as she uttered these words; and the Spartan, grasping 
 her hand impetuously and stamping on the floor with 
 his wooden leg, cried: “By Zeus, I will not let a hair 
 of their heads be hurt; but thou, Rhodopis, thou art 
 worthy to have been born a Spartan woman.” 
 
 “Or an Athenian,” cried Phanes. 
 
 “An Ionian,” said the Milesians, and the sculptor: 
 “A daughter of the Samian Geomori — ” 
 
 “But I am more, far more, than all these,” cried the 
 enthusiastic woman. “I am a Hellene!” 
 
 The whole company, even to the Jew and the 
 
 61. This longing desire for unity was by no means foreign to the 
 Greeks, though we seldom hear it expressed. Aristotle, for example, 
 says VII. 7.: “Were the Hellenes united into one state, they could 
 command all the barbarous nations.*' 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 45 
 
 Syrian, were carried away by the intense feeling of the 
 moment; the Sybarite alone remained unmoved, and, 
 with his mouth so full as to render the words almost 
 unintelligible, said: 
 
 “You deserve to be a Sybarite too, Rhodopis, for 
 your roast beef is the best I have tasted since I left 
 Italy, and your Anthylla wine 62 relishes almost as well 
 as Vesuvian or Chian !” 
 
 Every one laughed, except the Spartan, who darted 
 a look of indignation and contempt at the epicure. 
 
 In this moment a deep voice, hitherto unknown to 
 us, shouted suddenly through the window, “A glad 
 greeting to you, my friends!” 
 
 “A glad greeting,” echoed the chorus of revellers, 
 questioning and guessing who this late arrival might 
 prove to be. 
 
 They had not long to wait, for even before the 
 Sybarite had had time carefully to test and swallow 
 another mouthful of wine, the speaker, Kallias, the son 
 of Phaenippus of Athens , 63 was already standing by the 
 side of Rhodopis. He was a tall thin man of over sixty, 
 with a head of that oval form which gives the impres- 
 sion of refinement and intellect. One of the richest 
 among the Athenian exiles, he had twice bought the 
 possessions of Pisistratus from the state, and twice 
 been obliged to surrender them, on the tyrant’s return 
 to power. Looking round with his clear keen eyes on 
 
 62. Athenasus (I. 25.) calls the wine of Anthylla the best juice of 
 the grape in Egypt. On the monuments different kinds of red and 
 white wine are mentioned, for instance, the wine of Kakem. For par- 
 ticulars see Ebers, Aegypten u. d. Bucher Moses , p. 322. 
 
 63. A distinguished Athenian, whom we often hear mentioned at 
 the date of our narrative. According to Herodotus VI. 122. he had 
 been victor both in the horse and chariot-races. 
 
4 6 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 this circle of acquaintances, he exchanged friendly 
 greetings with all, and exclaimed: 
 
 “ If you do not set a high value on my appearance 
 among you this evening, I shall think that gratitude 
 has entirely disappeared from the earth.” 
 
 “ We have been expecting you a long time,” inter- 
 rupted one of the Milesians. “You are the first man 
 to bring us news of the Olympic games!” 
 
 “And we could wish no better bearer of such news 
 than the victor of former days ?” added Rhodopis. 
 
 “Take your seat,” cried Phanes impatiently, “and 
 come to the point with your news at once, friend Kal- 
 lias.” 
 
 “Immediately, fellow-countryman,” answered the 
 other. “ It is some time ago now since I left Olympia. 
 I embarked at Cenchreae in a fifty-oared Samian vessel, 
 the best ship that ever was built. 
 
 “It does not surprise me that I am the first Greek 
 to arrive in Naukratis. We encountered terrific storms 
 at sea, and could not have escaped with our lives, if 
 the big-bellied Samian galley, with her Ibis beak and 
 fish’s tail 64 had not been so splendidly timbered and 
 manned. 
 
 “ How far the other homeward-bound passengers 
 may have been driven out of their course, I cannot tell; 
 we found shelter in the harbor of Samos, and were able 
 to put to sea again after ten days. 
 
 We ran into the mouth of the Nile this morning. I 
 went on board my own bark at once, and was so 
 
 64. The celebrated Samian ships of that day are thus described 
 by Herodotus ; they also often had boars’ heads at the prow. At least 
 this seems implied in Strabo’s account, that the ^Eginetans had struck 
 off the boars’ heads from the ships they had captured. Herod, (III. 
 59,) tells the same with regard to the beaks of the ships. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 47 
 
 favored by Boreas, who at least at the end of my voy- 
 age, seemed willing to prove that he still felt kindly 
 towards his old Kallias, that I caught sight of this most 
 friendly of all houses a few moments since. I saw 
 the waving flag, the brightly lighted windows, and de- 
 bated within myself whether to enter or not; but 
 Rhodopis, your fascination proved irresistible, and 
 besides, I was bursting with all my untold news, long- 
 ing to share your feast, and to tell you, over the viands 
 and the wine, things that you have not even allowed 
 yourselves to dream of.” 
 
 Kallias settled himself comfortably on one of the 
 cushions, and before beginning to tell his news, pro- 
 duced and presented to Rhodopis a magnificent gold 
 bracelet in the form of a serpent 65 , which he had 
 bought for a large sum at Samos, in the goldsmith’s 
 workshop of the very Theodoras who was now sitting 
 with him at table. 
 
 “This I have brought for you ,” 66 he said, turning 
 to the delighted Rhodopis, “but for you, friend Phanes, 
 I have something still better. Guess, who won the 
 four-horse chariot-race ?” 
 
 “An Athenian?” asked Phanes, and his face glowed 
 with excitement; for the victory, gained by one citizen 
 at the Olympic games belonged to his whole people, 
 and the Olympic olive-branch was the greatest honor 
 and happiness that could fall to the lot, either of a 
 single Hellene, or an entire Greek tribe. 
 
 65. See Th. Hope. Costume I. 138. Egyptian bracelets in the 
 form of serpents are still extant. 
 
 66. In ancient days it was as usual as it is now to bring back 
 little presents for friends from a journey. Theocritus brought the 
 wife of his friend Nicias an ivory spindle and accompanied the : g 
 with charming verses. For these we must refer our readers to F. 
 Riickert’s delightful translation. 
 
 An Egyptian Princess , /. 
 
4 8 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 “Rightly guessed, Phanes!” cried the bringer of 
 this joyful news, “The first prize has been carried off 
 by an Athenian; and not only so, your own cousin 
 Cimon, the son of Kypselos, the brother of that Milti- 
 ades, who, nine Olympiads ago, earned us the same 
 honor, is the man who has conquered this year 67 ; and 
 with the same steeds that gained him the prize at the 
 last games. The fame of the Alkmseonidae is, verily, 
 darkening more and more before the Philaidae 68 . Are 
 not you proud, Phanes? do not you feel joy at the 
 glory of your family ?” 
 
 In his delight Phanes had risen from his seat, and 
 seemed suddenly to have increased in stature by a 
 whole head. 
 
 With a look of ineffable pride and consciousness of 
 his own position, he gave his hand to the messenger of 
 victory. The latter, embracing his countryman, con- 
 tinued : 
 
 “Yes, we have a right to feel proud and happy, 
 Phanes; you especially, for no sooner had the judges 
 
 67. The second triumph won by the steeds of Cimon must have 
 taken place, as Duncker correctly remarks ( Geschichte des Alterthums 
 IV./. 343), about the year 528. The same horses won the race for 
 the third time at the next Olympic games, consequently four years 
 later. As token of his gratitude Cimon caused a monument to be 
 erected in their honor in “the hollow way” near Athens. We may 
 here remind our readers that the Greeks made use of the Olympic 
 games to determine the date of each year. They took place every 
 four years. The first was fixed 776 B. C. Each separate year was 
 named the 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th of such or such an Olympiad. 
 
 68. Next to the Alkmaeonidae, the highest patrician family in 
 Athens. They boasted of being descended from Ajax, the Homeric 
 hero. Philaos, the son of Ajax of Salamis, is mentioned as their an- 
 cestor. The Miltiades and Cimon were their descendants. The first 
 Miltiades, who married Kypselos’ daughter, was one of the first archons 
 in Athens, (Pausan. IV. 23. 5, VIII 39. 2,) and seems to have occupied 
 the office in 664 and 659. Duncker, Geschichte des Alterthums , IV. p. 
 301, where the family genealogy, from the time of Miltiades, is related. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 49 
 
 unanimously awarded the prize to Cimon, than he 
 ordered the heralds to proclaim the tyrant Pisistratus 
 as the owner of the splendid team, and therefore victor 
 in the race. Pisistratus at once caused it to be an- 
 nounced that your family was free to return to Athens, 
 and so now, Phanes, the long- wished for hour of your 
 return home is awaiting you.” 
 
 But at these words Phanes turned pale, his look of 
 conscious pride changed into one of indignation, and 
 he exclaimed: 
 
 “At this I am to rejoice, foolish Kallias? rather bid 
 me weep that a descendant of Ajax should be capable 
 of laying his well-won fame thus ignominiously at a 
 tyrant’s feet! No! I swear by Athene, by Father Zeus, 
 and by Apollo, that I will sooner starve in foreign 
 lands than take one step homeward, so long as the 
 Pisistratidae hold my country in bondage. When I 
 leave the service of Amasis, I shall be free, free as a 
 bird in the air ; but I would rather be the slave of a 
 peasant in foreign lands, than hold the highest office 
 under Pisistratus. The sovereign power in Athens be- 
 longs to us, its nobles; but Cimon by laying his chap- 
 let at the feet of Pisistratus has acknowledged the 
 tyrants, and branded himself as their servant. He shall 
 hear that Phanes cares little for the tyrant’s clemency. 
 I choose to remain an exile till my country is free, till 
 her nobles and people govern themselves, and dictate 
 their own laws. Phanes will never do homage to the 
 oppressor, though all the Philaidae, the Alkmseonidae, 
 and even the men of your own house, Kallias, the rich 
 Daduchi 69 , should fall down at his feet!” 
 
 69. Kallias was called one of the Daduchi “ SqSovxos," because 
 the right of carrying torches at the Eleusinian mysteries was hered- 
 itary in his family. Xenoph. Hell. VI. 3. 2. 
 
50 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 With flashing eyes he looked round on the assem- 
 bly ; Kallias too scrutinized the faces of the guests with 
 conscious pride, as if he would say : 
 
 “See, friends, the kind of men produced by my 
 glorious country!” 
 
 Taking the hand of Phanes again, he said to him: 
 
 “The tyrants are as hateful to me as to you, my 
 friend; but 1 have seen, that, so long as Pisistratus lives, 
 the tyranny cannot be overthrown. His allies, Lygda- 
 mis of Naxos and Polykrates of Samos, are powerful; 
 but the greatest danger for our freedom lies in his own 
 moderation and prudence. During my recent stay in 
 Greece I saw with alarm that the mass of the people in 
 Athens love their oppressor like a father. Notwith- 
 standing his great power, he leaves the commonwealth 
 in the enjoyment of Solon’s constitution. He adorns 
 the city with the most magnificent buildings. They say 
 that the new temple of Zeus, now being built of glori- 
 ous marble by Kallaeschrus, Antistates and Porinus (who 
 must be known to you, Theodorus), will surpass every 
 building that has yet been erected by the Hellenes 70 . 
 He understands how to attract poets and artists of all 
 kinds to Athens, he has had the poems of Homer put 
 into writing, and the prophecies of Musaeus collected 
 by Onomakritus. He lays out new streets and ar- 
 ranges fresh festivals; trade flourishes under his rule, 
 and the people find themselves well off, in spite of the 
 many taxes laid upon them. But what are the people? 
 a vulgar multitude who, like the gnats, fly towards every 
 thing brilliant, and, so long as the taper burns, will 
 
 70. Vitruv. 7. prcef. 15. Pausan I. 18. Diccearch. fragm. ed. 
 Muller, 59. It is said to have been surpassed only by the temple of 
 Artemis ( Diana j at Ephesus. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 5 1 
 
 continue to flutter round it, even though they burn 
 their wings in doing so. Let Pisistratus’ torch burn out, 
 Phanes, and I’ll swear that the fickle crowd will flock 
 around the returning nobles, the new light, just as they 
 now do around the tyrant. 
 
 “Give me your hand once more, you true son of 
 Ajax; for you, my friends, I have still many an inter- 
 esting piece of news untold. 
 
 “The chariot-race, as I have just related, was won 
 by Cimon who gave the olive-branch to Pisistratus. 
 Four finer horses than his I never saw. Arkesilaus of 
 Cyrene, Kleosthenes of Epidamnus 71 , Aster of Sybaris, 
 Hekataeus of Miletus and many more had also sent 
 splendid teams. Indeed the games this time were more 
 than brilliant. All Hellas had sent deputies. Rhoda 
 of the Ardeates, in distant Iberia*, the wealthy Tar- 
 tessus, Sinope in the far East on the shores of Pontus, 
 in short, every tribe that could boast of Hellenic descent 
 was well represented. The Sybarite deputies were of 
 a dazzling beauty; the Spartans, homely and simple, 
 but handsome as Achilles, tall and strong as Hercules; 
 the Athenians remarkable for their supple limbs and 
 graceful movements, and the men of Crotona were led 
 by Milo , 72 strongest of mortal birth. The Samian and 
 Milesian deputies vied in splendor and gorgeousness of 
 
 71. Kleosthenes won the chariot-race three Olympiads later with 
 his four horses Phoenix, Korax, Samos and Knakias, and caused 
 monuments to be erected in their honor. Pausanias IV. 14. 
 
 72. Incredible feats of strength are related of this strongest of all 
 Greeks. He conquered seven times at Olympia, nine times at Nemea, 
 six times in the Pythian games (Delphi), ten times in the Isthmian. 
 Diod. XII. 9. That he won the wreath in the 62nd Olympiad we know 
 positively. Krause, Olympia , p. 327. He can therefore have wrestled 
 in the 63rd, that is, 528 B. C. 
 
 * Iberia (Spain) Rhoda is in the modern province of Catalonia — 
 Tartessus in Andalusia. 
 
5 2 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 attire with those from Corinth and Mitylene: the flower 
 of the Greek youth was assembled there, and, in the 
 space allotted to spectators, were seated, not only men 
 of every age, class and nation, but many virgins, fair 
 and lovely maidens, who had come to Olympia, more 
 especially from Sparta, in order to encourage the men 
 during the games by their acclamations and applause 73 . 
 The market was set up beyond the Alphaeus, and there 
 traders from all parts of the world were to be seen; 
 Greeks, Carthaginians, Lydians, Phrygians and shrewd 
 Phoenicians from Palestine settled weighty business 
 transactions, or offered their goods to the public from 
 tents and booths. But how can I possibly describe to 
 you the surging throngs of the populace, the echoing 
 choruses, the smoking festal hecatombs, the bright and 
 variegated costumes, the sumptuousness of the equipages, 
 the clang of the different dialects and the joyful cries of 
 friends meeting again after years of separation; or the 
 splendid appearance of the envoys, the crowds of look- 
 ers-on and venders of small wares, the brilliant effect 
 produced by the masses of spectators, who filled to 
 overflowing the space allotted to them, the eager sus- 
 pense during the progress of the games, and the never 
 ending shouts of joy when the victory was decided; the 
 solemn investiture with the olive-branch, cut with a 
 golden knife by the Elean boy, (whose parents must 
 both be living), from the sacred tree in the Altis 74 
 
 73. Meyer, Olympische Spiele. Schomann, Privat-alterthilmer and 
 others. Married women were forbidden, under penalty of death, to 
 appear among the spectators. 
 
 74. Altis was the name of the sacred grove of plane and olive 
 trees, which, enclosed by a wall, lay between the river Alphoeus and 
 the brook Kladeus. Pindar Olymp. VIII. Recently German scien- 
 tists, instigated by E. Curtius, have succeeded, at the expense of their 
 government, in excavating the foundations of the temple of Olympia 
 and finding interesting sculptures on its pediments. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 53 
 
 planted so many centuries ago by Hercules himself ; or 
 lastly, the prolonged acclamations which, like peals of 
 thunder, resounded in the Stadium, when Milo of Cro- 
 tona appeared, bearing on his shoulders the bronze 
 statue of himself cast by Dameas, and carried it through 
 the Stadium 75 into the Altis 76 without once tottering. 
 The weight of the metal would have crushed a bull to 
 the earth: but borne by Milo it seemed like a child in 
 the arms of its Lacedaemonian nurse 77 . 
 
 “The highest honors (after Cimon’s) were adjudged 
 to a pair of Spartan brothers, Lysander and Maro, the 
 sons of Aristomachus. Maro was victor in the foot- 
 race, but Lysander presented himself, amidst the shouts 
 of the spectators, as the opponent of Milo! Milo the 
 invincible, victor at Pisa, and in the Pythian and Isth- 
 mian combats 78 . Milo was taller and stouter than the 
 Spartan, who was formed like Apollo, and seemed from 
 his great youth scarcely to have passed from under the 
 hands of the schoolmaster. 
 
 “ In their naked beauty, glistening with the golden 
 oil, the youth and the man stood opposite to one an- 
 other, like a panther and a lion preparing for the com- 
 bat. Before the onset, the young Lysander raised his 
 hands imploringly to the gods, crying: ‘For my father, 
 
 75. The scene of the combats. 
 
 76. Pausanias VI. 14. Euseb. Chron. 6. 01 . 72. An epigram by 
 Simonides Fragm. 179. Bergk. Hartung 222. 
 
 Fair statue this of Milo fair, who won 
 
 Seven times the Pisan prize, and quailed to none.* 
 
 Seven times would probably have been better than six, for though 
 only six of Milo’s victories are spoken of elsewhere, yet in Anthol. 
 Plan. 24. the word e£<£/a is used, not kirraKi- 
 
 77. The Spartan nurses were celebrated and sought for through 
 the whole of Greece. 
 
 78. The groups of the wrestlers were decided by lot after their 
 free birth and unimpeachability of character had been established. 
 
 * Translated by Sterling. 
 
54 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 my honor, and the glory of Sparta!’ The Crotonian 
 looked down on the youth with a smile of superiority; 
 just as an epicure looks at the shell of the languste 79 
 he is preparing to open. 
 
 “And now the wrestling began. For some time 
 neither could succeed in grasping the other. The Cro- 
 tonian threw almost irresistible weight into his attempts 
 to lay hold of his opponent, but the latter slipped 
 through the iron grip like a snake. This struggle to 
 gain a hold lasted long, and the immense multitude 
 watched silently, breathless from excitement. Not a 
 sound was to be heard but the groans of the wrestlers 
 and the singing of the nightingales in the grove of the 
 Altis. At last, the youth succeeded, by means of the 
 cleverest trick I ever saw, in clasping his opponent 
 firmly. For a long time, Milo exerted all his strength 
 to shake him off, but in vain, and the sand of the Sta- 
 dium was freely moistened by the great drops of sweat, 
 the result of this Herculean struggle. 
 
 “ More and more intense waxed the excitement of 
 the spectators, deeper and deeper the silence, rarer the 
 cries of encouragement, and louder the groans of the 
 wrestlers. At last Lysander’s strength gave way. Im- 
 mediately a thousand voices burst forth to cheer him 
 on. He roused himself and made one last superhuman 
 effort to throw his adversary: but it was too late. Milo 
 had perceived the momentary weakness. Taking ad- 
 vantage of it, he clasped the youth in a deadly embrace; 
 a full black stream of blood welled from Lysander’s 
 beautiful lips, and he sank lifeless to the earth from the 
 
 79. The languste is the delicious clawless lobster which is found 
 on the coasts of the Mediterranean and the Red Sea, and sometimes 
 even on the French shores of the Atlantic. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 55 
 
 wearied arms of the giant. Democedes 80 , the most 
 celebrated physician of our day, whom you Samians 
 will have known at the court of Polycrates, hastened to 
 the spot, but no skill could now avail the happy Ly- 
 sander, — he was dead. 
 
 “Milo was obliged to forego the victor’s wreath 81 ; 
 and the fame of this youth will long continue to sound 
 through the whole of Greece. I myself would rather 
 be the dead Lysander, son of Aristomachus, than the 
 living Kallias growing old in inaction away from his 
 country. Greece, represented by her best and bravest, 
 carried the youth to his grave, and his statue is to be 
 placed in the Altis by those of Milo of Crotona and 
 Praxidamas of HCgina 82 . At length the heralds pro- 
 claimed the sentence of the judges: ‘To Sparta be 
 awarded a victor’s wreath for the dead, for the noble 
 Lysander hath been vanquished, not by Milo, but by 
 Death, and he who could go forth un conquered from a 
 two hours’ struggle with the strongest of all Greeks, 
 hath well deserved the olive-branch.’ ” 
 
 Here Kallias stopped a moment in his narrative. 
 During his animated description of these events, so 
 precious to every Greek heart, he had forgotten his 
 listeners, and, gazing into vacancy, had seen only the 
 
 80. This celebrated physician was born at Crotona in Lower 
 Italy, in the middle of the sixth century B. C. He is said to have left 
 his native land in consequence of his father’s severity, and to have been 
 employed as physician, first by the Pisistratidse for the yearly sum of 
 ^375. , and then by Polykrates for more than ^600. Still later he was 
 forced to enter the Persian service, where he preserved his reputation 
 for skill, and from which he at last escaped by stratagem. In the year 
 510 he reappeared in Crotona and married the daughter of the cele- 
 brated athlete Milo. 
 
 81. By the laws of the games the wrestler, whose adversary died, 
 had no right to the prize of victory. 
 
 82. Victor in the pugilistic combat, qgth Olympiad. 
 
56 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 figures of the wrestlers as they rose before his remem- 
 brance. Now, on looking round, he perceived, to his 
 astonishment, that the grey-haired man with the wooden 
 leg, whom he had already noticed, though without rec- 
 ognizing him, had hidden his face in his hands and was 
 weeping. Rhodopis was standing at his right hand. 
 Phanes at his left, and the other guests were gazing at 
 the Spartan, as if he had been the hero of Kallias’s tale. 
 In a moment the quick Athenian perceived that the 
 aged man must stand in some very near relation to one 
 or other of the victors at Olympia; but when he heard 
 that he was Aristomachus — the father of that glorious 
 pair of brothers, whose wondrous forms were constantly 
 hovering before his eyes like visions sent down from the 
 abodes of the gods, then he too gazed on the sobbing 
 old man with mingled envy and admiration, and made 
 no effort to restrain the tears which rushed into his own 
 eyes, usually so clear and keen. In those days men 
 wept, as well as women, hoping to gain relief from the 
 balm of their own tears. In wrath, in ecstasy of de- 
 light, in every deep inward anguish, we find the mighty 
 heroes weeping, while, on the other hand, the Spartan 
 boys would submit to be scourged at the altar of Ar- 
 temis Orthia, and would bleed and even die under the 
 lash without uttering a moan, in order to obtain the 
 praise of the men. 
 
 For a time every one remained silent, out of respect 
 to the old man's emotion. But at last the stillness was 
 broken by Joshua the Jew, who began thus, in broken 
 Greek : 
 
 “ Weep thy fill, O man of Sparta! I also have known 
 what it is to lose a son. Eleven years have passed 
 since I buried him in the land of strangers, by the 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 57 
 
 waters of Babylon, where my people pined in captivity. 
 
 Had vet one year been added unto the life of the beau- 
 tiful child, he had died in his own land, and had been 
 buried in the sepulchres of his fathers. But Cyrus the 
 Persian (Jehovah bless his posterity!) released us from 
 bondage one year too late, and therefore do I weep 
 doubly for this my son, in that he is buried among the 
 enemies of my people Israel. Can there be an evil 
 greater than to behold our children, who are unto us as 
 most precious treasure, go down into the grave before 
 us? And, may the Lord be gracious unto me 
 to lose so noble a son, in the dawn of his early 
 manhood, just at the moment he had won sue 
 brilliant renown, must indeed be a bitter grie , a 
 p;rief beyond all others!” 
 
 Then the Spartan took away his hands from before 
 his face; he was looking stern, but smiled through his 
 tears, and answered: 
 
 “Phoenician, you err! I weep not for anguis , 
 for joy, and would have gladly lost my other son, if he 
 
 could have died like my Lysander. 
 
 The Tew, horrified at these, to him, sinful and un- 
 natural words, shook his head disapprovingly ; but the 
 Greeks overwhelmed the old man with cong atulat ons 
 deeming him much to be envied. His great happn e 
 made Aristomachus look younger by many years, an 
 he cried to Rhodopis: “Truly, my friend your house is 
 for me a house of blessing; for this is the second gift 
 that the gods have allowed to fall to my lot, since I e - 
 tered it” “What was the first?” asked Rhodopis. 
 
 “A propitious oracle.” “But,” cried Phanes, “you 
 have forgotten the third; on this day the gods have 
 blessed you with the acquaintance of Rhodopis. But, 
 
 6 UNIVERSITY OF 
 
 ILLINOIS LIBRARY 
 
58 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 tell me, what is this about the oracle ?” “May I repeat 
 it to our friends?” asked the Delphian. 
 
 Aristomachus nodded assent, and Phryxus read 
 aloud a second time the answer of the Pythia: 
 
 “ If once the warrior hosts from the snow-topped mountains descending 
 Come to the fields of the stream watering richly the plain, 
 
 Then shall the lingering boat to the beckoning meadows convey thee 
 Which to the wandering foot peace and a home will afford. 
 
 When those warriors come from the snow-topped mountains de- 
 scending 
 
 Then will the powerful Five grant thee what they long refused.” 
 
 Scarcely was the last word out of his mouth, when 
 Kallias the Athenian, springing up, cried: “In this 
 house, too, you shall receive from me the fourth gift of 
 the gods. Know that I have kept my rarest news till 
 last: the Persians are coming to Egypt!” 
 
 At this every one, except the Sybarite, rushed to his 
 feet, and Kallias found it almost impossible to answer 
 their numerous questions. “Gently, gently, friends,” 
 he cried at last; “let me tell my story in order, or I 
 shall never finish it at all. It is not an army, as Phanes 
 supposes, that is on its way hither, but a great embassy 
 from Cambyses, the present 'ruler of the most powerful 
 kingdom of Persia. At Samos I heard that they had 
 already reached Miletus, and in a few days they will be 
 here. Some of the king’s own relations, are among the 
 number, the aged Croesus, king of Lydia, too; we shall 
 behold a marvellous splendor and magnificence! No- 
 body knows the object of their coming, but it is sup- 
 posed that King Cambyses wishes to conclude an alli- 
 ance with Amasis; indeed some say the king solicits 
 the hand of Pharaoh’s daughter.” 
 
 “An alliance?” asked Phanes, with an incredulous 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 59 
 
 shrug of the shoulders. “ Why the Persians are rulers 
 over half the world already. All the great Asiatic 
 powers have submitted to their sceptre; Egypt and our 
 own mother-country, Hellas, are the only two that have 
 been spared by the conqueror.” 
 
 “You forget India with its wealth of gold, and the 
 great migratory nations of Asia,” answered Kallias. 
 “And you forget moreover, that an empire, composed 
 like Persia of some seventy nations or tribes of differ- 
 ent languages and customs, bears the seeds of discord 
 ever within itself, and must therefore guard against the 
 chance of foreign attack; lest, while the bulk of the 
 army be absent, single provinces should seize the oppor- 
 tunity and revolt from their allegiance. Ask the Mile- 
 sians how long they would remain quiet if they heard 
 that their oppressors had been defeated in any battle?” 
 Theopompus, the Milesian merchant, called out, 
 laughing at the same time: “If the Persians were to be 
 worsted in one war, they would at once be involved in 
 a hundred others, and we should not be the last to rise 
 up against our tyrants in the hour of their weakness!” 
 “Whatever the intentions of the envoys may be,” 
 continued Kallias, “my information remains unaltered; 
 they will be here at the latest in three days.” 
 
 “And so your oracle will be fulfilled, fortunate 
 Aristomachus!” exclaimed Rhodopis, “for see, the 
 warrior hosts can only be the Persians. When they 
 descend to the shores of the Nile, then ‘ the powerful 
 Five,’ your Ephori 83 will change their decision, and you, 
 
 83. The five Ephori of Sparta were appointed to represent the 
 absent kings during the Messenian war. In later days the nobles 
 made use of the Ephori as a power, which, springing immediately from 
 their own body, they could oppose to the kingly authority. Being the 
 highest magistrates in all judicial and educational matters, and in 
 
6o 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 the father of two Olympian victors, will be recalled to 
 your native land. Fill the goblets again, Knakias. 
 Let us devote this last cup to the manes of the glorious 
 Ly sander; and then I advise you to depart, for it is 
 long past midnight, and our pleasure has reached its 
 highest point. The true host puts an end to the ban- 
 quet when his guests are feeling at their best. Serene 
 and agreeable recollections will soon bring you hither 
 again; whereas there would be little joy in returning to 
 a house where the remembrance of hours of weakness, 
 the result of pleasure, would mingle with your future 
 enjoyment.” In this her guests agreed, and Ibykus 
 named her a thorough disciple of Pythagoras, in praise 
 of the joyous, festive evening. 
 
 Every one prepared for departure. The Sybarite, 
 who had been drinking deeply in order to counteract 
 the very inconvenient amount of feeling excited by the 
 conversation, rose also, assisted by his slaves, who had 
 to be called in for this purpose. 84 
 
 While he was being moved from his former com- 
 fortable position, he stammered something about a 
 “ breach of hospitality;” but, when Rhodopis was about 
 to give him her hand at parting, the wine gained the 
 ascendancy and he exclaimed, “By Hercules, Rhodopis, 
 you get rid of us as if we were troublesome creditors. 
 It is not my custom to leave a supper so long as I can 
 
 everything relating to the moral police of the country, the Ephori soon 
 found means to assert their superiority, and on most occasions over 
 that of the kings themselves. Every patrician who was past the age of 
 thirty, had the right to become a candidate yearly for the office. Aristot. 
 Polit, II. and IV. Laert. Diog. I. 68. 
 
 84. The Greeks were usually accompanied by their slaves when 
 they went to entertainments. Thus for instance, according to Plato, 
 Alcibiades brought servants with him when he attended the Symposium 
 of Agathon. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 6 1 
 
 stand, still less to be turned out of doors like a misera- 
 ble parasite!” 
 
 “ Hear reason, you immoderate Sybarite,” began 
 Rhodopis, endeavoring with a smile to excuse her 
 proceeding. But these words, in Philoinus’ half-intoxi- 
 cated mood, only increased his irritation; he burst into 
 a mocking laugh, and staggering towards the door, 
 shouted: ‘‘Immoderate Sybarite, you call me? good! 
 here you have your answer:. Shameless slave! one can 
 still perceive the traces of what you were in your youth. 
 Farewell then, slave of Iadmon and Xanthus, freed- 
 woman of Charaxus!” He had not however finished 
 his sentence, when Aristomachus rushed upon him, 
 stunned him with a blow of his fist, and carried him off 
 like a child down to the boat in which his slaves were 
 waiting at the garden-gate. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 The guests were all gone. Their departing mirth 
 and joy had been smitten down by the drunkard’s 
 abusive words, like fresh young corn beneath a hail- 
 storm. Rhodopis was left standing alone in the empty, 
 brightly decorated (supper-room). Knakias extinguished 
 the colored lamps on the walls, and a dull, mysterious 
 half-light took the place of their brilliant rays, falling 
 scantily and gloomily on the piled-up plates and dishes, 
 the remnants of the meal, and the seats and cushions, 
 pushed out of their places by the retiring guests. A cold 
 breeze came through the open door, for the dawn was at 
 hand, and just before sunrise, the air is generally un- 
 
6 2 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 pleasantly cool in Egypt. A cold chill struck the limbs 
 of the aged woman through her light garments. She 
 stood gazing tearlessly and fixedly into the desolate 
 room, whose walls but a few minutes before had been 
 echoing with joy and gladness, and it seemed to her 
 that the* deserted guest-chamber must be like her own 
 heart. She felt as if a worm were gnawing there, and 
 the warm blood congealing into ice. 
 
 Lost in these thoughts, she remained standing till at 
 last her old female slave appeared to light her to her 
 sleeping apartment. 
 
 Silently Rhodopis allowed herself to be undressed, 
 and then, as silently, lifted the curtain which separated 
 a second sleeping apartment from her own. In the 
 middle of this second room stood a bedstead of maple- 
 wood, and there, on white sheets spread over a mattress 
 of fine sheep’s wool, and protected from the cold by 
 bright blue coverlets 85 , lay a graceful, lovely girl asleep; 
 this was Rhodopis’ granddaughter, Sappho. The 
 rounded form and delicate figure seemed to denote one 
 already in opening maidenhood, but the peaceful, bliss- 
 ful smile could only belong to a harmless, happy child. 
 
 One hand lay under her head, hidden among the 
 thick dark brown hair, the other clasped unconsciously 
 a little amulet of green stone 86 , which hung round her 
 
 85. Becker, Charikles III. 67. Pollux X. 67. See also the picture 
 of a bed from a painting on the wall of a Pompeian room. A. Rich, 
 under lectulus. The ancient bedsteads were made of wood, bronze or 
 ivory; they were also frequently built of bricks like a step 7 to 8 feet 
 long, and 2 to 2 1-2 feet high, whose outer edge was sometimes a little 
 raised, and on which were laid mattresses, coverlids, etc. 
 
 86. The ancient Greeks constantly wore amulets, as protection 
 against evil, and to ensure a lasting prosperity. On this see especially 
 Arditi: II fascino e l amuleto ; presso gli antichi. Among the ancient 
 Egyptians however we find the most frequent use of these charms. 
 They were not only supposed to avert misfortune from the living, but 
 also from the souls of the dead. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 6 3 
 
 neck. Over her closed eyes the long lashes trembled 
 almost imperceptibly, and a delicate pink flush came 
 and went on the cheek of the slumberer. The finely- 
 cut nostrils rose and fell with her regular breathing, and 
 she lay there, a picture of innocence, of peace, smiling 
 in dreams, and of the slumber that the gods bestow on 
 early youth, when care has not yet come. 
 
 Softly and carefully, crossing the thick carpets 87 on 
 tiptoe, the grey-haired woman approached, looked with 
 unutterable tenderness into the smiling, childish face, 
 and, kneeling down silently by the side of the bed, 
 buried her face in its soft coverings, so that the girl’s 
 hand just came in contact with her hair. Then she 
 wept, and without intermission; as though she hoped 
 with this flood of tears to wash away not only her recent 
 humiliation, but with it all other sorrow from her mind. 
 
 At length she rose, breathed a light kiss on the 
 sleeping girl’s forehead, raised her hands in prayer 
 towards heaven, and returned to her own room, gently 
 and carefully as she had come. 
 
 At her own bedside she found the old slave-woman, 
 still waiting for her. 
 
 “What do you want so late, Melitta?” said Rhodo- 
 pis, kindly, under her breath. “ Go to bed; at your age 
 it is not good to remain up late, and you know that I 
 do not require you any longer. Good night! and do 
 not come to-morrow until I send for you. I shall not 
 be able to sleep much to-night, and shall be thankful if 
 the morning brings me a short repose.” 
 
 87. Though the carpets of Babylon and Sardis were especially 
 famous, those of Egypt were praised even by Homer, who calls them 
 TaTTT]To<i. Odyss. IV. 124. Theocritus calls the purple carpets of Alex- 
 andria softer than sleep. There were costly Egyptian carpets with 
 wool on both sides. (a/u^tTcuroi). Athen. V. 197. 
 
 A n Egyptian Princess , /. 
 
6 4 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 The woman hesitated; it seemed that she had some- 
 thing on her mind which she feared to utter. 
 
 “ There is something you want to ask me?” said 
 Rhodopis. 
 
 Still the old slave hesitated. 
 
 “ Speak!’’ said Rhodopis, “ speak at once, and 
 quickly.” 
 
 “I saw you weeping,” said the slave-woman, “you 
 seem ill or sad; let me watch this night by your bed- 
 side. Will you not tell me what ails you? You have 
 often found that to tell a sorrow lightens the heart and 
 lessens the pain. Then tell me your grief to-day too; 
 it will do you good, it will bring back peace to your 
 mind.” 
 
 “No,” answered the other, “I cannot utter it.” And 
 then she continued, smiling bitterly: “I have once 
 more experienced that no one, not even a god, has 
 power to cancel the past of any human being, and that, 
 in this world, misfortune and disgrace are one and the 
 same. Good night, leave me. Melitta!” 
 
 At noon on the following day, the same boat, which, 
 the evening before, had carried the Athenian and the 
 Spartan, stopped once more before Rhodopis’ garden. 
 
 The sun was shining so brightly, so warmly and 
 genially in the dark blue Egyptian sky, the air was so 
 pure and light, the beetles were humming so merrily, 
 the boatmen singing so lustily and happily, the shores 
 of the Nile bloomed in such gay, variegated beauty, 
 and were so thickly peopled, the palm-trees, sycamores, 
 bananas and acacias were so luxuriant in foliage and 
 blossom, and over the whole landscape the rarest and 
 most glorious gifts seemed to have been poured out 
 with such divine munificence, that a passer-by must 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 65 
 
 have pronounced it the very home of joy and gladness, 
 a place from which sadness and sorrow had been for- 
 ever banished. 
 
 How often we fancy, in passing a quiet village 
 hidden among its orchards, that this at least must be 
 the abode of peace, and unambitious contentment! But 
 alas! when we enter the cottages, what do we find? 
 there, as everywhere else, distress and need, passion 
 and unsatisfied longing, fear and remorse, pain and 
 misery; and by the side of these, Ah! how few joys! 
 Who would have imagined on coming to Egypt, that 
 this luxuriant, laughing sunny land, whose sky is always 
 unclouded, could possibly produce and nourish men 
 given to bitterness and severity ? that within the charm- 
 ing, hospitable house of the fortunate Rhodopis, cov- 
 ered and surrounded, as it was, with sweet flowers, a 
 heart could have been beating in the deepest sadness? 
 And, still more, who among all the guests of that hon- 
 ored, admired Thracian woman, would have believed 
 that this sad heart belonged to her? to the gracious, 
 smiling matron, Rhodopis herself? 
 
 She was sitting with Phanes in a shady arbor near 
 the cooling spray of a fountain. One could see that 
 she had been weeping again, but her face was beautiful 
 and kind as ever. The Athenian was holding her hand 
 and trying to comfort her. 
 
 Rhodopis listened patiently, and smiled the while; 
 at times her smile was bitter, at others it gave assent to 
 his words. At last however she interrupted her well- 
 intentioned friend, by saying: 
 
 “ Phanes, I thank you. Sooner or later this last 
 disgrace must be forgotten too. Time is clever in the 
 healing art. If I were weak I should leave Naukratis 
 
66 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS, 
 
 and live in retirement for my grandchild alone; a whole 
 world, believe me, lies slumbering in that young creature. 
 Many and many a time already I have longed to leave 
 Egypt, and as often have conquered the wish. Not 
 because I cannot live without the homage of your sex ; 
 of that I have already had more than enough in my 
 life, but because I feel that I, the slave-girl and the 
 despised woman once, am now useful, necessary, al- 
 most indispensable indeed, to many free and noble men. 
 Accustomed as I am, to an extended sphere of work, 
 in its nature resembling a man’s, I could not content 
 myself in living for one being alone, however dear. I 
 should dry up like a plant removed from a rich soil into 
 the desert, and should leave my grandchild desolate 
 indeed, three times orphaned, and alone in the world. 
 No! I shall remain in Egypt. 
 
 “Now that you are leaving, I shall be really indis- 
 pensable to our friends here. Amasis is old; when 
 Psamtik comes to the throne we shall have infinitely 
 greater difficulties to contend with than heretofore. I 
 must remain and fight on in the fore-front of our battle 
 for the freedom and welfare of the Hellenic race. Let 
 them call my efforts unwomanly if they will. This is, 
 and shall be, the purpose of my life, a purpose to which 
 I will remain all the more faithful, because it is one of 
 those to which a woman rarely dares devote her life. 
 During this last night of tears I have felt that much, 
 very much of that womanly weakness still lingers in me 
 which forms at once the happiness and misery of our 
 sex. To preserve this feminine weakness in my grand- 
 daughter, united with perfect womanly delicacy, has 
 been my first duty; my second to free myself entirely 
 from it. But a war against one’s own nature cannot be 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 67 
 
 carried on without occasional defeat, even if ultimately 
 successful. When grief and pain are gaining the upper- 
 hand and I am well nigh in despair, my only help lies 
 in remembering my friend Pythagoras 88 , that noblest 
 among men, and his words: ‘ Observe a due proportion 
 in all things, avoid excessive joy as well as complaining 
 grief, and seek to keep thy soul in tune and harmony 
 like a well-toned harp/ This Pythagorean inward 
 peace, this deep, untroubled calm, I see daily before 
 me in my Sappho; and struggle to attain it myself, 
 though many a stroke of fate untunes the chords of 
 my poor heart. I am calm now! You would hardly 
 believe what power the mere thought of that first of all 
 thinkers, that calm, deliberate man, whose life acted on 
 mine like sweet, soft music, has over me. You knew 
 him, you can understand what I mean. Now, mention 
 your wish; my heart is as calmly quiet as the Nile 
 waters which are flowfing by so quietly, and I am ready 
 to hear it, be it good or evil.” 
 
 “I am glad to see you thus,” said the Athenian. 
 “ If you had remembered the noble friend of wisdom, 
 as Pythagoras was wont to call himself , 89 a little sooner, 
 your soul would have regained its balance yesterday. 
 The master enjoins us to look back every evening on 
 the events, feelings and actions of the day just past. 
 
 88. There is no question that Pythagoras visited Egypt during 
 the reign of Arnasis, probably towards the middle of the 6th century 
 (according to our reckoning, about 536 B. C.) Herod. II. 81. 123. 
 Diod. I. 98. Chseremon in Porphyrins de abstin. IV. Iamblichus vit. 
 Pythag. 35. Rich information about Pythagoras is to be found in the 
 works of the very learned scholar Roeth, Geschi elite unserer A bendldnde ? , 
 Philos. Vol. II. who is however occasionally much too bold in his con- 
 jectures. 
 
 89. Pythagoras was the first among Greek thinkers (speculators). 
 He would not take the name of a wise man or “sage,” but called him- 
 self “ Philosophos,” or a “friend of wisdom.” 
 
68 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 Now had you done this, you would have felt that the 
 unfeigned admiration of all your guests, among whom 
 were men of distinguished merit, outweighed a thousand- 
 fold the injurious words of a drunken libertine; you 
 would have felt too that you were a friend of the gods, 
 for was it not in your house that the immortals gave 
 that noble old man at last, after his long years of mis- 
 fortune, the greatest joy that can fall to the lot of any 
 human being? and did they not take from you one 
 friend only in order to replace him in the same moment, 
 by another and a better? Come, I will hear no con- 
 tradiction. Now for my request. 
 
 “You know that people sometimes call me an 
 Athenian, sometimes a Halikarnassian . 90 Now, as the 
 Ionian, ^Eolian and Dorian mercenaries have never 
 been on good terms with the Karians, my almost triple 
 descent (if I may call it so) has proved very useful to 
 me as commander of both these divisions. Well qual- 
 ified as Aristomachus may be for the command, yet in 
 this one point Amasis will miss me; for I found it an 
 easy matter to settle the differences among the troops 
 and keep them at peace, while he, as a Spartan, will find 
 it very difficult to keep right with the Karian soldiers. 
 
 90, Halikarnassus, a town on the south-west coast of Asia Minor, 
 now called Bodru, was a Dorian colony planted in the Karian territory. 
 The ruins of the famous sepulchre of King Mausolos (Mausoleum) 
 which was erected here, have been found, and the excavations begun 
 in 1856 under the direction of Newton and Pullans brought to light 
 these superb productions of Grecian art, which with the sculptures of 
 the Parthenon, are now the most beautiful ornament of the British 
 Museum. Herodotus, himself a Halikarnassian, calls Phanes a native 
 of the same place. Herod. I. 63. 64. We have made him an Athenian 
 in order to give our readers an idea of an Attic noble. For this we 
 have been blamed, perhaps justly, by the learned Dutch Professor 
 Veth in his first-rate critique on this book; and in our second edition 
 we should have made a Halikarnassian of Phanes entirely, had it not 
 been so important to our story to represent an Ionian Greek in active 
 life. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 69 
 
 “This double nationality of mine arises from the 
 fact that my father married a Halikarnassian wife out of 
 a noble Dorian family, and, at the time of my birth, was 
 staying with her in Halikarnassus, having come thither 
 in order to take possession of her parental inheritance. 
 So, though I was taken back to Athens before I was 
 three months old, I must still be called a Karian, as a 
 man’s native land is decided by his birthplace. 
 
 “In Athens, as a young nobleman, belonging to 
 that most aristocratic and ancient family, the Philaidse, 
 I was reared and educated in all the pride of an Attic 
 noble. Pisistratus, brave and clever, and though of 
 equal, yet by no means of higher birth, than ourselves, 
 for there exists no family more aristocratic than my 
 father’s, gained possession of the supreme authority. 
 Twice, the nobles, by uniting all their strength, suc- 
 ceeded in overthrowing him, and when, the third time, 
 assisted by Lygdamis of Naxos, the Argives and Ere- 
 trians, he attempted to return, we opposed him again. 
 We had encamped by the temple of Minerva at Pallene, 
 and were engaged in sacrificing to the goddess, early, 
 before our first meal, when we were suddenly surprised 
 by the clever tyrant, who gained an easy, bloodless vic- 
 tory over our unarmed troops. As half of the entire 
 army opposed to the tyrant was under my command, I 
 determined rather to die than yield, fought with my 
 whole strength, implored the soldiers to remain stead- 
 fast, resisted without yielding a point, but fell at last 
 with a spear in my shoulder. 
 
 “The Pisistratidse became lords of Athens . 91 I fled 
 to Halikarnassus, my second home, accompanied by 
 my wife and children. There, my name being known 
 
 91. Thucyd. VI. 56. 57. 
 
7 ° 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 through some daring military exploits, and, through my 
 having once conquered in the Pythian games , 92 I was 
 appointed to a command in the mercenary troops of the 
 King of Egypt; accompanied the expedition to Cyprus, 
 shared with Aristomachus the renown of having con- 
 quered the birthplace of Aphrodite for Amasis, and 
 finally was named commander-in-chief of all the mer- 
 cenaries in Egypt. 
 
 “Last summer my wife died; our children, a boy of 
 eleven and a girl of ten years, remained with an aunt 
 in Halikarnassus. But she too has followed to the 
 inexorable Hades, and so, only a few days ago I sent 
 for the little ones here. They cannot, however, possibly 
 reach Naukratis in less than three weeks, and yet they 
 will already have set out on their journey before a letter 
 to countermand my first order could reach them. 
 
 “ I must leave Egypt in fourteen days, and cannot 
 therefore receive them myself. 
 
 “ My own intentions are to go to the Thracian Cher- 
 sonese, where my uncle, as you know, has been called 
 to fill a high office among the Dolonki . 93 The children 
 shall follow me thither; my faithful old slave Korax 
 will remain in Naukratis on purpose to bring them to 
 me. 
 
 “Now, if you will show to me that you are in deed 
 and truth my friend, will you receive the little ones and 
 take care of them till the next ship sails for Thrace? 
 But above all, will you carefully conceal them from the 
 
 92. The Pythian games were solemnized every fourth year, near 
 Delphi, in honor of Apollo the Python slayer. They fell in the 3rd 
 year of each Olympiad. 
 
 93. Herod. VI. 35. 36. Laert. Diog. I. 47. Miltiades, having 
 entertained in his house, on their way to Delphi, the messengers sent 
 by the Dolonki, a Thracian tribe at feud with their neighbors, was 
 chosen to be their prince. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 7 1 
 
 eyes of the crown -prince’s spies? You know that 
 Psamtik hates me mortally, and he could easily revenge 
 himself on the father through the children. I ask you 
 for this great favor, first, because I know your kindness 
 by experience; and secondly, because your house has 
 been made secure by the king’s letter of guarantee, 
 and they will therefore be safe here from the inquiries 
 of the police; notwithstanding that, by the laws of this 
 most formal country, all strangers, children not ex- 
 cepted, must give up their names to the officer of the 
 district. 
 
 “You can now judge of the depth of my esteem, 
 Rhodopis; I am committing into your hands all that 
 makes life precious to me; for even my native land has 
 ceased to be dear while she submits so ignominiously 
 to her tyrants. Will you then restore tranquillity to an 
 anxious father’s heart, will you — ?” 
 
 “I will, Phanes, I will!” cried the aged woman in 
 undisguised delight. “You are not asking me for any- 
 thing, you are presenting me with a gift. Oh, how I 
 look forward already to their arrival! And how glad 
 Sappho will be, when the little creatures come and en- 
 liven her solitude! But this I can assure you, Phanes, 
 I shall not let my little guests depart with the first 
 Thracian ship. You can surely afford to be separated 
 from them one short half-year longer, and I promise 
 you they shall receive the best lessons, and be guided 
 to all that is good and beautiful.” 
 
 “On that head I have no fear,” answered Phanes, 
 with a thankful smile. “ But still you must send off the 
 two little plagues by the first ship; my anxiety as to 
 Psamtik’s revenge is only too well grounded. Take my 
 most heartfelt thanks beforehand for all the love and 
 
72 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 kindness which you will show to my children. I too 
 hope and believe, that the merry little creatures will be an 
 amusement and pleasure to Sappho in her lonely life.” 
 “And more,” interrupted Rhodopis looking down; 
 “this proof of confidence repays a thousand-fold the dis- 
 grace inflicted on me last night in a moment of intoxi- 
 cation. — But here comes Sappho ! ” 
 
 CHAPTER IY. 
 
 Five days after the evening we have just described 
 at Rhodopis’ house, an immense multitude was to be 
 seen assembled at the harbor of Sais. 
 
 Egyptians of both sexes, and of every age and class 
 were thronging to the water’s edge. 
 
 Soldiers and merchants, whose various ranks in so- 
 ciety were betokened by the length of their white gar- 
 ments, bordered with colored fringes, were interspersed 
 among the crowd of half-naked, sinewy men, whose only 
 clothing consisted of an apron, the costume of the lower 
 classes. Naked children crowded, pushed and fought 
 to get the best places. Mothers in short cloaks 94 were 
 holding their little ones up to see the sight, which by 
 this means they entirely lost themselves; and a troop 
 of dogs and cats were playing and fighting at the feet 
 of these eager sight-seers, who took the greatest pains 
 not to tread on, or in any way injure the sacred animals. 
 
 94. According to various pictures on the Egyptian monuments. 
 The mothers are from Wilkinson III. 363. Isis and Hathor, with the 
 child Horus in her lap or at her breast, are found in a thousand repre- 
 sentations, dating both from more modern times and in the Greek 
 style. The latter seem to have served as a model for the earliest pict- 
 ures of the Madonna holding the infant Christ. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 73 
 
 The police kept order among this huge crowd with 
 long staves , 95 on the metal heads of which the king’s 
 name was inscribed. Their care was especially needed 
 to prevent any of the people from being pushed into the 
 swollen Nile, an arm of which, in the season of the in- 
 undations, washes the walls of Sais. 
 
 On the broad flight of steps which led between two 
 rows of sphinxes down to the landing-place of the royal 
 boats, was a very different kind of assembly. 
 
 The priests of the highest rank were seated there on 
 stone benches. Many wore long, white robes, others 
 were clad in aprons, broad jewelled collars, and gar- 
 ments of panther skins. Some had fillets adorned with 
 plumes that waved around brows, temples, and the stiff 
 structures of false curls that floated over their shoulders; 
 others displayed the glistening bareness of their smoothly- 
 shaven skulls. The supreme judge was distinguished 
 by the possession of the longest and handsomest plume 
 in his head-dress, and a costly sapphire amulet, which, 
 suspended by a gold chain , 96 hung on his breast. 
 
 The highest officers of the Egyptian army wore 
 uniforms of gay colors , 97 and carried short swords in 
 
 95. Wilkinson III. 386. These sticks, in Mr. Salt’s collection, 
 were found at Thebes and are made of cherry-tree wood, a fact worthy 
 of note, because no trees of this species are cultivated in Egypt at the 
 present day. Egyptians bearing staves are to be seen on nearly all 
 the monuments, and Egyptian staves are preserved in most museums. 
 Chabas has devoted a special treatise to them. 
 
 96. This amulet bore a representation of t-Ma, the goddess of 
 truth, wearing an ostrich-feather on her head. She is also represented 
 with closed eyes. See Wilkinson II. 28. and VI. PI. 49. yElian men- 
 tions this amulet as an effigy in sapphire-stone, ayaAjaa dafaLoov \L&ov. 
 Diodorus speaks of it as set with precious stones. The entire priest- 
 hood or order of the Pterophoroe wore the ostrich-feather ; and many 
 high priestly orders wore feathers on the head. See the edict of Ka- 
 nopus. line 5 of the Greek text, and Clemens Alex. Strom, ed. Potter, p . 
 767. and 6 8 , (VI. 4.) Wilkinson I.*t. Ebers, Aegypten. I.p. 343. 
 
 97. Wilkinson III, PI. 3. Rosellini, Mon. stor. I. 79. Mon. civ . 
 PI. 121. 
 
 7 
 
74 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 their girdles. On the right side of the steps a division 
 of the body-guard was stationed, armed with battle- 
 axes, daggers, bows, and large shields ; on the left, were 
 the Greek mercenaries, armed in Ionian fashion. Their 
 new leader, our friend Aristomachus, stood with a few 
 of his own officers apart from the Egyptians, by the 
 colossal statues of Psamtik I., which had been erected on 
 the space above the steps, their faces towards the river. 
 
 In front of these statues, on a silver chair, sat Psam- 
 tik, the heir to the throne. He wore a close-fitting 
 garment of many colors, interwoven with gold , 98 and 
 was surrounded by the most distinguished among the 
 king’s courtiers, chamberlains, counsellors, and friends, 
 all bearing staves with ostrich feathers and lotus-flowers . 99 
 
 The multitude gave vent to their impatience by 
 shouting, singing, and quarrelling; but the priests and 
 magnates on the steps preserved a dignified and solemn 
 silence. Each, with his steady, unmoved gaze, his 
 stiffly-curled false wig and beard , 100 and his solemn, de- 
 liberate manner, resembled the two huge statues, which, 
 the one precisely similar to the other, stood also motion- 
 less in their respective places, gazing calmly into the 
 stream. 
 
 At last silken sails, chequered with purple and blue, 
 appeared in sight . 101 
 
 98. Rosellini, Mon. stor. I. Plate 81. 
 
 99. In nearly every case where the Pharaoh appears, he is accom- 
 panied by men with such staves in their hands. “ Fan-bearer” was a 
 usual title among those in office about the court. 
 
 100. In the Berlin Museum a similar wig is still to be seen, the 
 curls of which are 2 ft. 6 in. long. This mode probably owed its origin 
 to the religious ordinance which prescribed shorn hair. Modern 
 Oriental nations use the turban to protect their shaven heads from the 
 sun’s rays and the sudden chill of the evening air — the Egyptians wore 
 wigs for the same purpose. 
 
 101. Wilkinson III. p. 211. PL 16. Ezekiel 27. 7. “ Fine linen 
 
 with broidered work from Egypt was that which thou spreadest forth 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 75 
 
 The crowd shouted with delight. Cries of, “They 
 are coming! Here they are !” “Take care, or you’ll 
 tread on that kitten,” “Nurse, hold the child higher 
 that she may see something of the sight.” “You are 
 pushing me into the water, Sebak!” “Have a care 
 Phoenician, the boys are throwing burs into your long 
 beard.” “Now, now, you Greek fellow, don’t fancy 
 that all Egypt belongs to you, because Amasis allows 
 you to live on the shores of the sacred river! ” “Shame- 
 less set, these Greeks, down with them!” shouted a 
 priest, and the cry was at once echoed from many 
 mouths. “ Down with the eaters of swine’s flesh and 
 despisers of the gods ! ” 102 
 
 From words they were proceeding to deeds, but the 
 police were not to be trifled with, and by a vigorous 
 use of their staves, the tumult was soon stilled. The 
 large, gay sails, easily to be distinguished among the 
 brown, white and blue ones of the smaller Nile-boats 
 which swarmed around them, came nearer and nearer 
 to the expectant throng. Then at last the crown-prince 
 and the dignitaries arose from their seats. The royal 
 
 to be thy sail.” Diimichen, Flotte einer agyptischen Konigin. The 
 colored pictures were still more brilliant. Rosellini, mon. civ. PI. 107. 
 108. 
 
 102. The Egyptians, like the Jews, were forbidden to eat swine’s 
 flesh. This prohibition is mentioned in the Ritual of the Dead, found 
 in a grave in Abd-el-Qurnah, and also in other places. Porphyr. de 
 abstin. IV. The swine was considered an especially unclean animal 
 pertaining to Typhon (Egyptian, Set) as the boar to Ares, and swine- 
 herds were an especially despised race. Animals with bristles were 
 only sacrificed at the feasts of Osiris and Eileithyia. Herod. I. 2. 47. 
 It is probable that Moses borrowed his prohibition of swine’s flesh from 
 the Egyptian laws with regard to unclean animals. When we read of 
 rich Egyptians boasting in the possession for example, of 1500 swine, 
 (S. Brugsch, Reisenach Aegypten p. 223.) this must be taken in connec- 
 tion with the information from Herodotus, noticed above. The sacri- 
 fices of swine offered Eileithyia are seen in the pictures discovered in 
 the rock tombs cf Kab Kunde. 
 
7 6 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 band of trumpeters 103 blew a shrill and piercing blast of 
 welcome, and the first of the expected boats stopped at 
 the landing-place. 
 
 It was a rather long, richly-gilded vessel, and bore a 
 silver sparrow-hawk as figure-head. In its midst rose a 
 golden canopy with a purple covering, beneath which 
 cushions were conveniently arranged. On each deck 
 in the forepart of the ship sat twelve rowers, their 
 aprons attached by costly fastenings . 104 
 
 Beneath the canopy lay six fine-looking men in 
 glorious apparel; and before the ship had touched the 
 shore the youngest of these, a beautiful fair-haired youth, 
 sprang on to the steps. 
 
 Many an Egyptian girl’s mouth uttered a lengthened 
 “ Ah ” at this glorious sight, and even the grave faces of 
 some of the dignitaries brightened into a friendly smile. 
 
 The name of this much-admired youth was Bartja . 105 
 He was the son of the late, and brother of the reigning 
 king of Persia, and had been endowed by nature with 
 every gift that a youth of twenty years could desire for 
 himself. 
 
 103. Trumpeters. Wilkinson I. 290. PI. 13. Diimichen, Flotte 
 einer agyptischen Konigin. Taf. 8. and io. 
 
 104. Splendid Nil e-boats were possessed, in greater or less num- 
 bers, by all the men of high rank. Even in the tomb of Ti at Sakkara, 
 which dates from the time of the Pyramids, we meet with a chief over- 
 seer of the vessels belonging to a wealthy Egyptian. See note 101. 
 
 105. This Bartja is better known under the name of Smerdis, 
 but on what account the Greeks gave him this name is not clear. In 
 the cuneiform inscriptions of Bisitun or Behistan, he is called Bartja, 
 or, according to Spiegel, altpersische Inschriften p . 5. X, Bardiya. We 
 have chosen, for the sake of the easy pronunciation, the former, which 
 is Rawlinson’s simplified reading of the name. Note of the Behistun 
 inscription. Journ. of the Asiat. Soc. The son of Amasis we have 
 named Psamtik after the titles at Karnak and in the island of Philae; 
 the Greeks called him Psammetichos, Psamenitos and also Psammech- 
 erites a name in which Unger, Chivnologie des Manetho p. 284 conject- 
 ures a metathesis of Psemtek (Psamtik) Ra. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 77 
 
 Around his tiara was wound a blue and white tur- 
 ban, beneath which hung fair, golden curls of beautiful, 
 abundant hair; his blue eyes sparkled with life and joy, 
 kindness and high spirits, almost with sauciness; his 
 noble features, around which the down of a manly 
 beard was already visible, were worthy of a Grecian 
 sculptor’s chisel, and his slender but muscular figure 
 told of strength and activity. The splendor of his 
 apparel was proportioned to his personal beauty. A 
 brilliant star of diamonds and turquoises glittered in the 
 front of his tiara. An upper garment of rich white and 
 gold brocade reaching just below the knees, was fast- 
 ened round the waist with a girdle of blue and white, 
 the royal colors of Persia. In this girdle gleamed a 
 short, golden sword, its hilt and scabbard thickly 
 studded with opals and sky-blue turquoises. The trousers 
 were of the same rich material as the robe, fitting 
 closely at the ankle, and ending within a pair of short 
 boots of light-blue leather. 
 
 The long, wide sleeves of his robe displayed a pair 
 of vigorous arms, adorned with many costly bracelets 
 of gold and jewels; round his slender neck and on his 
 broad chest lay a golden chain . 105 
 
 Such was the youth who first sprang on shore. He 
 was followed by Darius, the son of Hystaspes, a young 
 Persian of the blood royal, similar in person to Bartja, 
 
 106. Curtius III. 3. Xenoph. Cyrop. VIII. 3. 7. Book ^/Esther 
 I. 6. VIII. 15. Aeschylus, Persians 661. Sculptures of Persepolis in 
 Niebuhr and others. The rest from the beautiful colored print (in 
 Overbeck’s Pompeii, p. 541.) of the famous mosaic floor, representing 
 Darius conquered by Alexander (Battle of Issus) found in the casa 
 del Fauno at Pompeii, and now in the Museo Borbonico, Naples. 
 It was probably executed by Helen, daughter of Timon of Egypt. 
 See Welcker’s kleine Schriften III. p. 460. 475. and Gervinus, k. hist. 
 Schriften VII. p. 435. 487. Schneider’s opinion that this picture treats 
 of the battle of Clastidium does not seem to me justified. 
 
78 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 and scarcely less gorgeously apparelled than he. The 
 third to disembark was an aged man with snow-white 
 hair, in whose face the gentle and kind expression of 
 childhood was united, with the intellect of a man, and 
 the experience of old age. His dress consisted of a 
 long purple robe with sleeves, and the yellow boots 
 worn by the Lydians ; 107 his whole appearance produced 
 an impression of the greatest modesty and a total ab- 
 sence of pretension. Yet this simple old man had been, 
 but a few years before, the most envied of his race and 
 age; and even in our day at two thousand years’ inter- 
 val, his name is used as a synonyme for the highest point 
 of worldly riches attainable by mankind. The old man 
 to whom we are now introduced is no other than 
 Croesus, the dethroned king of Lydia, who was then 
 living at the court of Cambyses, as his friend and coun- 
 sellor, and had accompanied the young Bartja to Egypt, 
 in the capacity of Mentor. 
 
 Croesus was followed by Prexaspes, the king’s Am- 
 bassador, Zopyrus, the son of Megabyzus, a Persian 
 noble, the friend of Bartja and Darius; and, lastly, by 
 his own son, the slender, pale Gyges, who after having 
 become dumb in his fourth year through the fearful 
 anguish he had suffered on his father’s account at the 
 taking of Sardis, had now recovered the power of 
 speech . 108 
 
 Psamtik descended the steps to welcome the 
 strangers. His austere, sallow face endeavored to as- 
 sume a smile. The high officials in his train bowed 
 down nearly to the ground, allowing their arms to hang 
 
 107. On account of these boots, which are constantly mentioned, 
 Croesus was named by the oracle “soft-footed/' ,l AvSe 7roSa/3oe,” 
 Herod. I. 55. 
 
 108. Herod. I. 85. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 79 
 
 loosely at their sides. The Persians, crossing their 
 hands on their breasts, cast themselves on the earth 
 before the heir to the Egyptian throne. When the first 
 formalities were over, Bartja, according to the custom 
 of his native country, but greatly to the astonishment 
 of the populace, who were totally unaccustomed to such 
 a sight, kissed the sallow cheek of the Egyptian prince; 
 who shuddered at the touch of a stranger’s unclean lips, 
 then took his way to the litters waiting to convey him 
 and his escort to the dwelling designed for them by the 
 king, in the palace at Sais. 
 
 A portion of the crowd streamed after the strangers, 
 but the larger number remained at their places, knowing 
 that many a new and wonderful sight yet awaited 
 them. 
 
 “Are you going to run after those dressed-up mon- 
 keys and children of Typhon, too?”* asked an angry 
 priest of his neighbor, a respectable tailor of Sais. “I 
 tell you, Puhor, and the high-priest says so too, that 
 these strangers can bring no good to the black land! I 
 am for the good old times, when no one who cared for 
 his life dared set foot on Egyptian soil. Now our streets 
 are literally swarming with cheating Hebrews , 109 and 
 above all with those insolent Greeks whom may the 
 gods destroy! Only look, there is the third boat full of 
 strangers! And do you know what kind of people 
 these Persians are? The high-priest says that in the 
 whole of their kingdom, which is as large as half the 
 world, there is not a single temple to the gods; and that 
 
 109. The Jews were called Hebrews (Apuriu) by the Egyptians; 
 as brought to light by Chabas. See Ebers, Aegyp'te?i I. p. 316. H. 
 Brugsch opposes this opinion. 
 
 * See note 147. 
 
 4 n Egyptian Princess , /. 
 
8o 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 instead of giving decent burial to the dead, they leave 
 them to be torn in pieces by dogs and vultures.” 110 
 
 The tailor’s indignation at hearing this was even 
 greater than his astonishment, and pointing to the land- 
 ing-steps, he cried: 
 
 “It is really too bad; see, there is the sixth boat 
 full of these foreigners!” 
 
 “Yes, it is hard indeed!” sighed the priest, “one 
 might fancy a whole army arriving. Amasis will go on 
 in this manner until the strangers drive him from his 
 throne and country, and plunder and make slaves of us 
 poor creatures, as the evil Hyksos, those scourges of 
 Egypt, 111 and the black Ethiopians did, in the days of 
 old.” 
 
 no. These statements are correct, as the Persians, at the time of 
 the dynasty of the Achaemenidse, had no temples, but used fire-altars 
 and exposed their dead to the dogs and vultures. An impure corpse 
 was not permitted to defile the pure earth by its decay; nor might it 
 be committed to the fire or water for destruction, as their purity would 
 be equally polluted by such an act. But as it was impossible to cause 
 the dead bodies to vanish, Dakhmas or burying-places were laid out, 
 which had to be covered with pavement and cement not less than four 
 inches thick, and surrounded by cords to denote that the whole struct- 
 ure was as it were suspended in the air, and did not come in contact 
 with the pure earth. Spiegel, Avesta II. Einleitung. 2. Cap. nach 
 Anquetil. Picture of the Dakhma. Vol. II. Tafel I. 
 
 hi. Foreign rulers over Egypt, whose descent it is difficult to 
 determine, were called Hyksos. We have proof of their existence, not 
 only in Manetho, but from highly interesting monuments, discovered 
 principally at Tanis in the Delta. These, coming from the hand of 
 Egyptian artists, represent the features of foreign rulers devoted to 
 the worship of Set (Typhon). A Papyrus document, (Sallier I.) has 
 also been preserved, which tells of the last days of this foreign suprem- 
 acy ; and a description of the storming of their fortress Abaris from sea 
 and land is to be found in the tomb of the naval commander, Ahmes. 
 Some of the names of these Hyksos kings have been preserved through 
 the Turin Papyrus of the kings, and the Stela with the era of 400 years 
 found at Tanis ; a small lion discovered at Bagdad and other monu- 
 ments, refer also to the Hyksos epoch. The last kings of the 17th 
 dynasty, (the lawful rulers of Egypt had been driven southward) en- 
 tered on a war with the alien rulers ; and in the beginning of the 18th 
 dynasty we find the whole kingdom under one sceptre. We believe 
 these Hyksos to have been the over-powerful Phoenician colony in the 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 81 
 
 “The seventh boat!” shouted the tailor. 
 
 “May my protectress Neith, the great goddess of 
 Sais, destroy me, if I can understand the king,” com- 
 plained the priest. “He sent three barks to Naukratis, 
 that poisonous nest hated of the gods, to fetch the 
 servants and baggage of these Persians; but instead of 
 three, eight had to be procured, for these despisers of 
 the gods and profan ers of dead bodies have not only 
 brought kitchen utensils, dogs, horses, carriages, chests, 
 baskets and bales, but have dragged with them, thou- 
 sands of miles, a whole host of servants. They tell me 
 that some of them have no other work than twining of 
 garlands and preparing ointments . 112 Their priests too, 
 whom they call Magi, are here with them. I should 
 like to know what they are for? of what use is a priest 
 where there is no temple?” 
 
 north of the Delta, joined by Arabians and some of the tribes from 
 Palestine. They ruled for more than 400 years ; and their expulsion 
 may be fixed about 1600 B. C. They must, in no case, as has often 
 been done since FI. Josephus, be confounded with the Jews. For fur- 
 ther particulars see Ebers, Aegypten und die Bucher Moses p. 198 and 
 following. We also refer the reader (though we do not in all points 
 agree wiih his conclusions) to Chabas’ interesting work : Les pasteurs 
 eri Egypte. Ainsterdam 1868. Brugsch, Geschichte Asgyptens unter den 
 Pharaonen , /. 212. During the last thousand years before Christ the 
 Ethiopians prevailed in Egypt, under 3 rulers; the last of whom 
 Taharka, (Tirhaka) was expelled in 693. The priest-king of Upper 
 Egypt, Pianchi, who had to encounter a severe resistance from the 
 little dynasties in the Delta, was an Ethiopian, see the Stela of Pianchi. 
 E. de Rouge, Rev. archeol. n. s. VIII. p. 96. Lauth, Die Pianckistele , 
 Abhandluni* d. k. bayer. Akad. d. W. I. Kl. XII. Bd. I. Abtheilung . 
 Oppert, Memoire sur les Rapports de l Egypte et de I'Assyrie. The ap- 
 pellation, “scourges of mankind,” which the Egyptian here applies 
 to the Hyksos, was in fact the name of detraction applied to these in- 
 terlopers ; in Egyptian aat-u. Chabas has explained this in the Melanges 
 egyptol. I. 263. 
 
 112. Herod. VII. 83. Xenoph. Cyrop. VIII. 10. Anab. VI. 4. 
 In the train of Darius taken captive by Alexander, there were, accord- 
 ing to Athenseus, 227 men-cooks, 29 kitchen-boys, 17 coopers, 70 but- 
 lers, 40 preparers of ointments, and 66 wreathers of garlands. 
 
8 2 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 The old King Amasis received the Persian embassy 
 shortly after their arrival with all the amiability and 
 kindness peculiar to him. 
 
 Four days later, after having attended to the affairs 
 of state, a duty punctually fulfilled by him every morn- 
 ing without exception, he went forth to walk with 
 Croesus in the royal gardens. The remaining members 
 of the embassy, accompanied by the crown-prince, were 
 engaged in an excursion up the Nile to the city of 
 Memphis. 
 
 The palace-gardens, of a royal magnificence, yet 
 similar in their arrangement to those of Rhodopis, lay 
 in the north-west part of Sais, near the royal citadel. 
 
 Here, under the shadow of a spreading plane-tree, 
 and near a gigantic basin of red granite, into which an 
 abundance of clear water flowed perpetually through 
 the jaws of black basalt crocodiles, the two old men 
 seated themselves. 
 
 The dethroned king, though in reality some years 
 the elder of the two, looked far fresher and more vigor- 
 ous than the powerful monarch at his side. Amasis 
 was tall, but his neck was bent; his corpulent body was 
 supported by weak and slender legs : and his face, though 
 well-formed, was lined and furrowed. But a vigorous 
 spirit sparkled in the small, flashing eyes, and an ex- 
 pression of raillery, sly banter, and at times, even of 
 irony, played around his remarkably full lips. The low, 
 broad brow, the large and beautifully-arched head be- 
 spoke great mental power , 113 and in the changing color 
 of his eyes one seemed to read that neither wit nor pas- 
 
 113 In Rosellini, Mon. stor. PI. XIII. 53. also in Lepsius’ Denk - 
 mciler werk is the portrait of Amasis as a youth. The features lead one 
 to suppose that Herodotus has given the characteristics of this prince 
 correctly. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 83 
 
 sion were wanting in the man, who, from his simple 
 place as soldier in the ranks, had worked his way up to 
 the throne of the Pharaohs. His voice was sharp and 
 hard, and his movements, in comparison with the delib- 
 eration of the other members of the Egyptian court, 
 appeared almost morbidly active. 
 
 The attitude and bearing of his neighbor Croesus 
 were graceful, and in every way worthy of a king. His 
 whole manner showed that he had lived in frequent 
 intercourse with the highest and noblest minds of 
 Greece. Thales, Anaximander and Anaximenes of 
 Miletus, Bias of Priene , 114 Solon of Athens, Pittakus of 
 Lesbos, the most celebrated Hellenic philosophers, had 
 in former and happier days been guests at the court of 
 Croesus in Sardis. His full clear voice sounded like 
 pure song when compared with the shrill tones of 
 Amasis. 
 
 “Now tell me openly,” began king Pharaoh* in 
 tolerably fluent Greek, “ what opinion hast thou formed 
 of Egypt? Thy judgment possesses for me more worth 
 than that of any other man, for three reasons: thou art 
 better acquainted with most of the countries and nations 
 of this earth; the gods have not only allowed thee to 
 ascend the ladder of fortune to its utmost summit, but 
 also to descend it; and thirdly, thou hast long been the 
 first counsellor to the mightiest of kings. Would that 
 my kingdom might please thee so well that thou wouldst 
 remain here and become to me a brother. Verily, 
 
 1 14. See notes 32 and 15. Bias, a philosopher of Ionian origin, 
 flourished about 560 B. C. and was especially celebrated for his wise 
 maxims on morals and law. After his death, which took place during 
 his defence of a friend in the public court, a temple was erected to him 
 by his countrymen. Laert. Diog. I. 88. 
 
 * In English “great house,” the high gate or “sublime porte. * 
 Egyptian peraa. See Ebers, Aegypten und die Bucher Moses , I. p. 263. 
 
8 4 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 Croesus, my friend hast thou long been, though my 
 eyes beheld thee yesterday for the first time!” 
 
 “And thou mine,” interrupted the Lydian. “I ad- 
 mire the courage with which thou hast accomplished 
 that which seemed right and good in thine eyes, in spite 
 of opposition near and around thee. I am thankful 
 for the favor shown to the Hellenes, my friends, and I 
 regard thee as related to me by fortune, for hast thou 
 not also passed through all the extremes of good and 
 evil that this life can offer ?” 
 
 “With this difference,” said Amasis smiling, “that 
 we started from opposite points; in thy lot the good 
 came first, the evil later; whereas in my own this order 
 has been reversed. In saying this, however,” he added, 
 “I am supposing that my present fortune is a good for 
 me, and that I enjoy it.” 
 
 “And I, in that case,” answered Croesus, “must be 
 assuming that I am unhappy in what men call my 
 present ill-fortune.” 
 
 “ How can it possibly be otherwise after the loss of 
 such enormous possessions?” 
 
 “Does happiness consist then in possession?” asked 
 Croesus. “Is happiness itself a thing to be possessed? 
 Nay, by no means! It is nothing but a feeling, a sen- 
 sation, which the envious gods vouchsafe more often to 
 the needy than to the mighty. The clear sight of the 
 latter becomes dazzled by the glittering treasure, and 
 they cannot but suffer continual humiliation, because, 
 conscious of possessing power to obtain much , they 
 wage an eager war for all , and therein are continually 
 defeated.” 
 
 Amasis sighed, and answered: “I would I could 
 prove thee in the wrong; but in looking back on my 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 85 
 
 past life I am fain to confess that its cares began with 
 that very hour which brought me what men call my 
 good fortune.” “And I,” interrupted Croesus, “can 
 assure thee that I am thankful thou delay edst to come to 
 my help, inasmuch as the hour of my overthrow was 
 the beginning of true, unsullied happiness. When I be- 
 held the first Persians scale the walls of Sardis, I exe- 
 crated myself and the gods, life appeared odious to me, 
 existence a curse. Fighting on, but in heart despairing, 
 I and my people were forced to yield. A Persian 
 raised his sword to cleave my skull — in an instant my 
 poor dumb son had thrown himself between his father 
 and the murderer, and for the first time after long years 
 of silence, I heard him speak. Terror had loosened his 
 tongue; in that dreadful hour Gvges learnt once more 
 to speak, and I, who but the moment before had been 
 cursing the gods, bowed down before their power. I 
 had commanded a slave to kill me the moment I should 
 be taken prisoner by the Persians, but now I deprived 
 him of his sword. I was a changed man, and by de- 
 grees learnt ever more and more to subdue the rage 
 and indignation which yet from time to time would boil 
 up again within my soul, rebellious against my fate and 
 my noble enemies. Thou knowest that at last I became 
 the friend of Cyrus, and that my son grew up at his 
 court, a free man at my side, having entirely regained 
 the use of his speech. Everything beautiful and good 
 that I had heard, seen or thought during my long life I 
 treasured up now for him; he was my kingdom, my 
 crown, my treasure. Cyrus’s days of care, his nights 
 so reft of sleep, reminded me with horror of my own 
 former greatness, and from day to day it became more 
 evident to me that happiness has nothing to do with 
 
86 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 our outward circumstances. Each man possesses the 
 hidden germ in his own heart. A contented, patient 
 mind, rejoicing much in all that is great and beautiful 
 and yet despising not the day of small things; bearing 
 sorrow without a murmur and sweetening it by calling 
 to remembrance former joy; moderation in all things; 
 a firm trust in the favor of the gods and a conviction 
 that, all things being subject to change, so with us too 
 the worst must pass in due season; all this helps to 
 mature the germ of happiness, and gives us power to 
 smile, where the man undisciplined by fate might yield 
 to despair and fear.” 
 
 Amasis listened attentively, drawing figures the 
 while in the sand with the golden flower on his staff. 
 At last he spoke: 
 
 “ Verily, Croesus, I ‘the great god/ the ‘sun of 
 righteousness/ ‘the son of Neith/ ‘the lord of warlike 
 glory/ as the Egyptians call me / 15 am tempted to envy 
 thee, dethroned and plundered as thou art. I have 
 been as happy as thou art now. Once I was known 
 through all Egypt, though only the poor son of a cap- 
 tain, for my light heart, happy temper, fun and high 
 spirits . 116 The common soldiers would do anything for 
 me, my superior officers could have found much fault, 
 but in the mad Amasis, as they called me, all was over- 
 looked, and among my equals, (the other under-officers) 
 there could be no fun or merry-making unless I took a 
 share • in it. My predecessor king Hophra sent us 
 
 115. Amasis bore these titles. Rosellini, Monumenti dell' Egitto. II. 
 149. That all the Pharaohs had similar distinctive titles, and were 
 honored as gods is proved by thousands of hieroglyphic inscriptions; 
 also by the Rosetta inscription, and the Canopus edict. The title Neb 
 pehti, “lord of warlike glory,” is frequently to be found in the 26th 
 dynasty. 
 
 116. See Herod. II. 172 and following. Diod. I. 95. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 87 
 
 against Cyrene. Seized with thirst in the desert, we 
 refused to go on; and a suspicion that the king intended 
 to sacrifice us to the Greek mercenaries drove the army 
 to open mutiny. In my usual joking manner I called 
 out to my friends: ‘You can never get on without a 
 king, take me for your ruler; a merrier you will never 
 find!’ The soldiers caught the words. ‘Amasis will 
 be our king/ ran through the ranks from man to man, 
 and, in a few hours more, they came to me with shouts, 
 and acclamations of ‘The good, jovial Amasis for our 
 King!’ One of my boon companions set a field- 
 marshal’s helmet on my head: I made the joke earnest, 
 and we defeated Hophra at Momemphis. The people 
 joined in the conspiracy, I ascended the throne, and 
 men pronounced me fortunate. Up to that time I had 
 been every Egyptian’s friend, and now I was the enemy 
 of the best men in the nation. 
 
 “The priests swore allegiance to me, and accepted 
 me as a member of their caste, but only in the hope of 
 guiding me at their will. My former superiors in com- 
 mand either envied me, or wished to remain on the 
 same terms of intercourse as formerly. But this would 
 have been inconsistent with my new position, and have 
 undermined my authority. One day, therefore, when 
 the officers of the host were at one of my banquets and 
 attempting, as usual, to maintain their old convivial 
 footing, I showed them the golden basin in which their 
 feet had been washed before sitting down to meat; five 
 days later, as they were again drinking at one of my 
 revels, I caused a golden image of the great god Ra 117 to 
 
 1 17. Ra, with the masculine article Phra, must be regarded as the 
 central point of the sun-worship of the Egyptians, which we consider 
 to have been the foundation of their entire religion. He was more 
 especially worshipped at Heliopolis, the Egyptian An. (Hebrew On). 
 
88 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 be placed upon the richly-ornamented banqueting-table. 
 On perceiving it, they fell down to worship. As they 
 rose from their knees, I took the sceptre, and holding it 
 up on high with much solemnity, exclaimed: 4 In five 
 days an artificer has transformed the despised vessel 
 into which ye spat and in which men washed your feet, 
 into this divine image. Such a vessel was I, but the 
 Deity, which can fashion better and more quickly than 
 a goldsmith, has made me your king. Bow down then 
 before me and worship. He who henceforth refuses to 
 obey, or is unmindful of the reverence due to the king, 
 is guilty of death! ’ 
 
 44 They fell down before me, every one, and I saved 
 my authority, but lost my friends. As I now stood in 
 need of some other prop, I fixed on the Hellenes, 
 
 He is generally represented in red on the monuments. His sacred 
 animal was the sparrow-hawk, and a winged disc of the sun his symbol. 
 In the Ritual of the dead he plays the most important part ; and hymns 
 and prayers were principally addressed to him. Plato, Eudoxus, and 
 probably Pythagoras also, profited by the teaching of his priests. The 
 obelisks, serving also as memorial monuments on which the names 
 and deeds of great kings were recorded, were sacred to him, and Pliny 
 remarks of them that they represented the rays of the sun. He was 
 regarded as the god of light, the director of the entire visible creation, 
 over which he reigned, as Osiris over the world of spirits. As, however, 
 every earthly manifestation is only the veil before a spiritual one, Ra 
 is in reality only the earthly manifestation of Osiris. Osiris is the 
 "soul of Ra”: he walks in this our world as Ra, returning every even- 
 ing to the distant sphere in which he lives alone, and which is his true 
 native land. He only changes his name and outward form of existence, 
 governing as Osiris there, and as Ra in our world. Each morning he 
 reproduces from himself the renovated Ra, as Horus Ra, and again 
 enters on the same orbit. Lepsius, cilteste Texte des Todtenbuches, 
 The myth ot Osiris, Isis and Horus lends an allegoric-dramatic form 
 to these views. The Phoenix was also a part of the worship of Ra. 
 Every 500 years it came from the land of palms (the eastern Phoenicia) 
 to be consumed by fire in the temple of Heliopolis and to rise from its 
 own ashes in new and greater beauty. It symbolized a period of 500 
 years, which, like the Phoenix, eternally reproduced itself, and, in its 
 sixfold repetition, determined the time needed by the soul before it 
 should go forth purified from its pilgrimage. Lepsius, Chronologie p. 
 180 and following. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 89 
 
 knowing that in all military qualifications one Greek is 
 worth more than five Egyptians, and that with this 
 assistance I should be able to carry out those measures 
 which I thought beneficial. 
 
 “I kept the Greek mercenaries always round me, I 
 learnt their language, and it was they who brought to 
 me the noblest human being I ever met, Pythagoras. 
 I endeavored to introduce Greek art and manners 
 among ourselves, seeing what folly lay in a self-willed 
 adherence to that which has been handed down to us, 
 when it is in itself bad and unworthy, while the good 
 seed lay on our Egyptian soil, only waiting to be 
 sown. 
 
 “I portioned out the whole land to suit my pur- 
 poses , 118 appointed the best police in the world, and 
 accomplished much; but my highest aim, namely: to 
 infuse into this country, at once so gay and so gloomy, 
 the spirit and intellect of the Greeks, their sense of 
 beauty in form, their love of life and joy in it, this all 
 was shivered on the same rock which threatens me with 
 overthrow and ruin whenever I attempt to accomplish 
 anything new. The priests are my opponents, my 
 masters, they hang like a dead weight upon me. Cling- 
 ing with superstitious awe to all that is old and tradi- 
 tionary, abominating everything foreign, and regarding 
 every stranger as the natural enemy of their authority 
 and their teaching, they can lead the most devout and 
 religious of all nations with a power that has scarcely 
 any limits. For this I am forced to sacrifice all my 
 plans, for this I see my life passing away in bondage to 
 their severe ordinances, this will rob my death-bed of 
 peace, and I cannot be secure that this host of proud 
 
 118. Herod. II. 177. Diod. I. 95. 
 
 8 
 
9 ° 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 mediators between god and man will allow me to rest 
 even in my grave!” 
 
 “By Zeus our saviour, with all thy good fortune, 
 thou art to be pitied !” interrupted Croesus sympatheti- 
 cally, “ I understand thy misery ; for though I have met 
 with many an individual who passed through life darkly 
 and gloomily, I could not have believed that an entire 
 race of human beings existed, to whom a gloomy, sullen 
 heart was as natural as a poisonous tooth to the serpent. 
 Yet it is true, that on my journey hither and during my 
 residence at this court I have seen none but morose and 
 gloomy countenances among the priesthood. Even the 
 youths, thy immediate attendants, are never seen to 
 smile; though cheerfulness, that sweet gift of the gods, 
 usually belongs to the young, as flowers to spring.” 
 
 “Thou errest,” answered Amasis, “in believing this 
 gloom to be a universal characteristic of the Egyptians. 
 It is true that our religion requires much serious thought. 
 There are few nations, however, who have so largely the 
 gift of bantering fun and joke: or who on the occasion 
 of a festival, can so entirely forget themselves and 
 everything else but the enjoyments of the moment; but 
 the very sight of a stranger is odious to the priests, and 
 the moroseness which thou observest is intended as 
 retaliation on me for my alliance with the strangers. 
 Those very boys, of whom thou spakest , 119 are the 
 greatest torment of my life. They perform for me the 
 service of slaves, and obey my slightest nod. One might 
 imagine that the parents who devote their children to 
 this service, and who are the highest in rank among the 
 priesthood, would be the most obedient and reverential 
 servants of the king whom they profess to honor as 
 
 119. Diodor. I. 70. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 9 1 
 
 divine; but believe me, Croesus, just in this very act of 
 devotion, which no ruler can refuse to accept without 
 giving offence, lies the most crafty, scandalous calcula- 
 tion. Each of these youths is my keeper, my spy. 
 They watch my smallest actions and report them at 
 once to the priests.” 
 
 “But how canst thou endure such an existence? 
 Why not banish these spies and select servants from the 
 military caste, for instance? They would be quite as 
 useful as the priests.” 
 
 “Ah! if I only could, if I dared!” exclaimed 
 Amasis loudly. And then, as if frightened at his own 
 rashness, he continued in a low voice, “ I believe that 
 even here I am being watched. To-morrow I will have 
 that grove of fig-trees yonder uprooted. The young 
 priest there, who seems so fond of gardening, has other 
 fruit in his mind besides the half-ripe figs that he is so 
 slowly dropping into his basket. While his hand is 
 plucking the figs, his ear gathers the words that fall from 
 the mouth of his king.” 
 
 “But, by our father Zeus, and by Apollo ” 
 
 “Yes, I understand thy indignation and I share it; ' 
 but every position has its duties, and as a king of a 
 people who venerate tradition as the highest divinity, I 
 must submit, at least in the main, to the ceremonies 
 handed down through thousands of years. Were I to 
 burst these fetters, I know positively that at my death 
 my body would remain unburied; for, know that the 
 priests sit in judgment over every corpse, and deprive 
 the condemned of rest, even in the grave .” 120 
 
 120. This well-known custom among the ancient Egyptians is 
 confirmed, not only by many Greek narrators, but by the laboriously 
 erased inscriptions discovered in the chambers of some tombs. The 
 religious views of the Egyptians will account for very great anxiety 
 
9 2 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 “ Why care about the grave ?” cried Croesus, becom- 
 ing angry. “We live for life, not for death!” 
 
 “ Say rather,” answered Amasis rising from his seat, 
 “we, with our Greek minds, believe a beautiful life to 
 be the highest good. But Croesus, I was begotten and 
 nursed by Egyptian parents, nourished on Egyptian 
 food, and though I have accepted much that is Greek, 
 am still, in my innermost being, an Egyptian. What 
 has been sung to us in our childhood, and praised as 
 sacred in our youth, lingers on in the heart until the 
 day which sees us embalmed as mummies. I am an 
 old man and have but a short span yet to run, before I 
 reach the landmark which separates us from that farther 
 country. For the sake of life’s few remaining days, 
 shall I willingly mar Death’s thousands of years ? No, my 
 friend, in this point at least I have remained an Egyptian, 
 in believing, like the rest of my countrymen, that the 
 happiness of a future life in the kingdom of Osiris 121 de- 
 
 lest the rest of the grave should be disturbed. It has been questioned 
 whether the Greek narrators may not possibly have confounded the 
 court of justice held over the dead here on earth with the judgment to 
 come, to be held over the soul in the other world: but we see no es- 
 pecial justification for this view. 
 
 121. Each human soul was considered as a part of the world-soul 
 Osiris, was united to him after the death of the body, and thenceforth 
 took the name of Osiris. The Egyptian Cosmos consisted of the three 
 great realms, the Heavens, the Earth and the Depths. Over the vast 
 ocean which girdles the vault of heaven, the sun moves in a boat or 
 car drawn by the planets and fixed stars. On this ocean too the great 
 constellations circle in their ships, and there is the kingdom of the 
 blissful gods, who sit enthroned above this heavenly ocean under a 
 canopy of stars. The mouth of this great stream is in the East, where 
 the sun-god rises from the mists and is born again as a child every 
 morning. The surface of the earth is inhabited by human beings hav- 
 ing a share in the three great cosmic kingdoms. They receive their 
 soul from the heights of heaven, the seat and source of light; their 
 material body is of the earth ; and the appearance or outward form by 
 which one human being is distinguished from another at sight — his 
 phantom or shadow — belongs to the depths. At death, soul, body and 
 shadow separate from one another. The soul to return to the place 
 from whence it came, to Heaven, for it is a part of God (of Osiris) ; the 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 93 
 
 pends on the preservation of my body, the habitation 
 of the soul. But enough of these matters; thou wilt 
 find it difficult to enter into such thoughts. Tell me 
 rather what thou thinkest of our temples and pyramids.’' 
 Croesus, after reflecting a moment, answered with a 
 smile: “ Those huge pyramidal masses of stone seem 
 to me creations of the boundless desert, the gaily 
 painted temple colonnades to be the children of the 
 Spring; but though the sphinxes lead up to your temple 
 gates, and seem to point the way into the very shrines 
 themselves, the sloping fortress-like w r alls of the Pylons, 
 those huge isolated portals, appear as if placed there 
 to repel entrance. Your many-colored hieroglyphics 
 likewise attract the gaze, but baffle the inquiring spirit 
 by the mystery that lies within their characters. The 
 images of your manifold gods are everywhere to be seen; 
 they crowd on our gaze, and yet who knows not that 
 their real is not their apparent significance ? that they 
 are mere outward images of thoughts accessible only 
 to the few, and, as I have heard, almost incomprehensi- 
 
 body, to be committed to the earth from which it was formed in the 
 image of its creator; the phantom or shadow, to descend into the 
 depths, the kingdom of shadows. The gate to this kingdom was 
 placed in the West among the sunset hills, where the sun goes down 
 daily, — where he dies. Thence arise the changeful and corresponding 
 conceptions connected with rising and setting, arriving and departing, 
 being born and dying. The careful preservation of the body after 
 death from destruction, not only through the process of inward decay, 
 but also through violence or accident, was in the religion of ancient 
 Egypt a principal condition (perhaps introduced by the priests on 
 sanitary grounds) on which depended the speedy deliverance of the 
 soul, and with this her early, appointed union with the source of Light 
 and Good, which two properties were, in idea, one and indivisible. In 
 the Egyptian conceptions the soul was supposed to remain, in a certain 
 sense, connected with the body during a long cycle of solar years. 
 She could, however, quit the body from time to time at will, and could 
 appear to mortals in various forms and places; these appearances 
 differed according to the hour, and were prescribed in exact words and 
 delineations, From tombs and Papyri. Brugsch, Aegyptische Grdber- 
 uoelt \ P. 6. 
 
94 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 ble in their depth ? My curiosity is excited everywhere, 
 and my interest awakened, but my warm love of the 
 beautiful feels itself in no way attracted. My intellect 
 might strain to penetrate the secrets of your sages, but 
 my heart and mind can never be at home in a creed 
 which views life as a short pilgrimage to the grave, and 
 death as the only true life ! ,J 
 
 “And yet,” said Amasis, “Death has for us too his 
 terrors, and we do all in our power to evade his grasp. 
 Our physicians would not be celebrated and esteemed 
 as they are, if we did not believe that their skill could 
 prolong our earthly existence. This reminds me of the 
 oculist Nebenchari whom I sent to Susa, to the king. 
 Does he maintain his reputation ? is the king content 
 with him?” 
 
 “Very much so,” answered Croesus. “He has been 
 of use to many of the blind; but the king’s mother is 
 alas! still sightless. It was Nebenchari who first spoke 
 to Cambyses of the charms of thy daughter Tachot. 
 But we deplore that he understands diseases of the eye 
 alone. When the Princess Atossa lay ill of fever, he 
 was not to be induced to bestow a word of counsel.” 
 
 “That is very natural; our physicians are only per- 
 mitted to treat one part of the body. We have aurists, 
 dentists and oculists, surgeons for fractures of the bone, 
 and others for internal diseases. By the ancient priestly 
 law a dentist is not allowed to treat a deaf man, nor a 
 surgeon for broken bones a patient who is suffering 
 from a disease of the bowels, even though he should 
 have a first rate knowledge of internal complaints . 122 
 
 122. Herod. II. 84. Borner, Antiquitates medicines Aeqyptiacce. p. 
 20. Spengel and Hirsch, Geschichte der Medicin and others. The great 
 medical Papyrus Ebers found in Thebes throws an entirely new light 
 on all these matters. This work, called by Clemens of Alexandria 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 95 
 
 This law aims at securing a great degree of real and 
 thorough knowledge; an aim indeed, pursued by the 
 priests (to whose caste the physicians belong) with a 
 most praiseworthy earnestness in all branches of science. 
 Yonder lies the house of the high-priest Neithotep, 
 whose knowledge of astronomy and geometry was so 
 highly praised, even by Pythagoras. It lies next to the 
 porch leading into the temple of the goddess Neith, the 
 protectress of Sais. Would I could show thee the 
 sacred grove with its magnificent trees, the splendid 
 pillars of the temple with capitals modelled from the 
 lotus-flower , 123 and the colossal chapel which I caused 
 to be wrought from a single piece of granite, as an offer- 
 ing to the goddess ; 124 but alas! entrance is strictly re- 
 fused to strangers by the priests. Come, let us seek my 
 wife and daughter; they have conceived an affection 
 
 the hermetic book on remedies for the eye (ttcoI <b*or\6jc(ov) prescribes 
 medicines for all sorts of diseases. The whole is compiled from several 
 authors, whose names are mentioned, yet it is attributed to the god 
 Thoth (Hermes) whose inspired disciples composed it. It proves that 
 Egyptian physicians possessed an immense number of remedies, that 
 they understood how to observe, that prophylactic measures were not 
 unknown to them, and though specialists were not lacking, the latter 
 also possessed a knowledge of the other branches of Egyptian medi- 
 cine, as is proved by corrections and marginal notes on our Papyrus 
 “on the cure of all parts of the body,” made by the same physician in 
 various places, treating of the most different diseases. 
 
 123. The Egyptian columns were made in the form of plants. 
 When the capitals were not adorned with masks of the gods as at Den- 
 dera, they were intentionally carved in the likeness of palms, lotus- 
 flowers, or seed-capsules. Shafts representing a number of papyrus 
 reeds are often to be found, for example in the temple at Luxor. See 
 Lepsius on the connection between ancient Egyptian and Doric columns. 
 Ueber den Zusammenhang der altagvptischen, und dorischen Saule Lep- 
 sius. Sur l ordre des co tonnes piliers en Egypte, et ses rapports etc. 
 in the Annates de linstitutde corresp. arch. Rome. 1838. Vol. IX. and 
 his new work on some forms of Egyptian Art, note. p. 26. Champol- 
 lion has already inferred, that the entrance to the tombs of Benihassan 
 might prove of great importance to the history of the origin of the 
 forms of columns. Lettres ecr. d' Eg. et de Nubie. p. 74 and following. 
 
 124. Herod. II. 175. 
 
 An Egyptian Princess, I. ’ 
 
9 6 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 for thee, and indeed it is my wish that thou shouldst 
 gain a friendly feeling towards this poor maiden before 
 she goes forth with thee to the strange land, and to the 
 strange nation whose princess she is to become. Wilt 
 thou not adopt and take her under thy care?” 
 
 “On that thou may’st with fullest confidence rely,” 
 replied Croesus with warmth, returning the pressure of 
 Amasis’ hand. “I will protect thy Nitetis as if I were 
 her father; and she will need my help, for the apart- 
 ments of the women in the Persian palaces are danger- 
 ous ground. But she will meet with great consideration. 
 Cambyses may be contented with his choice, and will 
 be highly gratified that thou hast entrusted him with 
 thy fairest child. Nebenchari had only spoken of 
 Tachot, thy second daughter.” 
 
 “Nevertheless I will send my beautiful Nitetis. 
 Tachot is so tender, that she could scarcely endure the 
 fatigues of the journey and the pain of separation. 
 Indeed were I to follow the dictates of my own heart, 
 Nitetis should never leave us for Persia. But Egypt 
 stands in need of peace, and I was a king before I 
 became a father!” 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 The other members of the Persian embassy had 
 returned to Sais from their excursion up the Nile to 
 the pyramids. Prexaspes alone, the ambassador from 
 Cambyses, had already set out for Persia, in order to 
 inform the king of the successful issue of his suit. 
 
 The palace of Amasis was full of life and stir. The 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 97 
 
 huge building was filled in all parts by the followers 
 of the embassy, nearly three hundred in number, and 
 by the high guests themselves, to whom every possible 
 attention was paid. The courts of the palace swarmed 
 with guards and officials, with young priests and slaves, 
 all in splendid festal raiment. 
 
 On this day it was the king’s intention to make an 
 especial display of the wealth and splendor of his court, 
 at a festival arranged in honor of his daughter’s be- 
 trothal. 
 
 The lofty reception-hall opening on to the gardens, 
 with its ceiling sown with thousands of golden stars 
 and supported by gaily-painted columns, presented a 
 magic appearance. Lamps of colored papyrus hung 
 against the walls and threw a strange light on the scene, 
 something like that when the sun’s rays strike through 
 colored glass. The space between the columns and the 
 walls was filled with choice plants, palms, oleanders, 
 pomegranates, oranges and roses, behind which an 
 invisible band of harp and flute-players was stationed, 
 who received the guests with strains of monotonous, 
 solemn music . 125 
 
 The floor of this hall was paved in black and white, 
 and in the middle stood elegant tables covered with 
 
 125. The description of this assembly is borrowed from the paint- 
 ings on walls, which have been reproduced by Wilkinson, Rosellini, 
 Lepsius and others in their large works. A picture copied by Dii- 
 michen in Egypt, but hitherto unpublished, and representing very 
 graphically a private party in the time of the Pharaohs, interested me 
 excessively. They were copied from the mortuary chapels, that is the 
 first hall in the rock tombs of wealthy Egyptians. Here the relatives 
 of the dead assembled to offer sacrifices to their manes. The paintings 
 recalled to memory the life, honors, possessions, favorite pursuits, etc. 
 of him who had gone to the other world. The favorite mode of repre- 
 sentation was in the midst of his family. Such pictures are to be found 
 near Minieh, el Kab, and very frequently in the tombs of Abd-el-Qur- 
 tiah, belonging to the necropolis of Thebes. 
 
c)S 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 dishes of all kinds, cold roast meats, sweets, well- 
 arranged baskets of fruit and cake, golden jugs of wine, 
 glass drinking-cups and artistic flower-vases. 
 
 A multitude of richly-dressed slaves under direction 
 of the high-steward, busied themselves in handing these 
 dishes to the guests, who, either standing around, or 
 reclining on sumptuous seats, entertained themselves in 
 conversation with their friends. 
 
 Both sexes and all ages were to be found in this 
 assembly. As the women entered, they received charm- 
 ing little nosegays from the young priests in the per- 
 sonal service of the king, and many a youth of high 
 degree appeared in the hall with flowers, which he not 
 only offered to her he loved best, but held up for her 
 to smell. 
 
 The Egyptian men, who were dressed as we have 
 already seen them at the reception of the Persian em- 
 bassy, behaved towards the women with a politeness 
 that might almost be termed submissive. Among the 
 latter few could pretend to remarkable beauty, though 
 there were many bewitching almond-shaped eyes, whose 
 loveliness was heightened by having their lids dyed with 
 the eye-paint called “mestem.” The majority wore 
 their hair arranged in the same manner; the wealth of 
 waving brown locks floated back over the shoulders 
 and was brushed behind the ears, one braid being left 
 on each side to hang over the temples to the breast. A 
 broad diadem confined these locks, which as the maids 
 knew, were quite as often the wig-maker’s work as 
 Nature’s. Many ladies of the court wore above their 
 foreheads a lotus-flower, whose stem drooped on the 
 hair at the back. 
 
 They carried fans of bright feathers in their delicate 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 99 
 
 hands. These were loaded with rings; the finger-nails 
 were stained red , 126 according to Egyptian custom, 
 and gold or silver bands were worn above the elbow, 
 and at the wrists and ankles. 
 
 Their robes were beautiful and costly, and in many 
 cases so cut as to leave the right breast uncovered. 
 
 Bartja, the young Persian prince, among the men, 
 and Nitetis, the Pharaoh’s daughter, among the women, 
 were equally conspicuous for their superior beauty, 
 grace and charms. The royal maiden wore a transpa> 
 rent rose-colored robe, in her black hair were fresh 
 roses, she walked by the side of her sister, the two 
 robed alike, but Nitetis pale as the lotus-flower in her 
 mother’s hair. 
 
 Ladice, the queen , 127 by birth a Greek, and daughter 
 of Battus of Cyrene, walked by the side of Amasis and 
 presented the young Persians to her children. A light 
 lace robe was thrown over her garment of purple, em- 
 broidered with gold; and on her beautiful Grecian head 
 she wore the Uraeus serpent, the ornament peculiar to 
 Egyptian queens . 128 
 
 126. This custom is still prevalent in the East ; the plant Shenna, 
 Lausonia spinosa , called by Pliny XIII. 1. Cyprus, being used for the 
 purpose. The Egyptian government has prohibited the dye, but it 
 will be difficult to uproot the ancient custom. The pigment for color- 
 ing the eyelids, mentioned in the text, is also still employed. The 
 Papyrus Ebers alludes to the Arabian kohl or antimony, which is fre- 
 quently mentioned under the name of “mestem” on monuments be- 
 longing to the time of the Pharaohs. 
 
 127. Herod. IJ. 181. The second consort of Amasis must, accord- 
 ing to her cartouche, have been called Sebaste. This name may be 
 Egyptian, or it may be Greek. If the former, she was a daughter of 
 the goddess Bast; if the latter, it signifies “the highly-esteemed, the 
 worshipped,” and proves that she was, in fact, a native of Hellas. 
 
 128. The Uraeus, the emblem of sovereignty, formed part of the 
 head-dress of every Egyptian king or queen. A head-dress of silver, 
 belonging to an Egyptian queen, with the head of this serpent, can be 
 seen in the Museum at Leyden. Drawings in Champollion, Mon . 
 Rosellini, Mon. stor. and civil., Wilkinson, Lepsius and many others. 
 
IOO 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 Her countenance was noble yet charming, and every 
 movement betrayed the grace only to be imparted by a 
 Greek education. 
 
 Amasis, in making choice of this queen, after the 
 death of his second wife, (the Egyptian Tentcheta , 129 
 mother of Psamtik the heir to the throne,) had followed 
 his prepossession in favor of the Greek nation and de- 
 fied the wrath of the priests. 
 
 The two girls at Ladice’s side, Tachot and Nitetis, 
 were called twin-sisters, but showed no signs of that re- 
 semblance usually to be found in twins. 
 
 Tachot was a fair, blue-eyed girl / 30 small, and 
 
 129. The first consort of Amasis appears to have been Anchnas, 
 the widow of Psamtik II. whom he probably married from political 
 reasons, as she was already somewhat advanced in years. Lepsius, 
 Konigsbuch II. PL XXXVIII. 
 
 130. The Egyptian women were not exactly considered as beauti- 
 ful among the ancients. Nevertheless, we find some very agreeable 
 countenances among the portraits of queens and princesses given us 
 by Rosellini and Lepsius. Among the sphinxes too we find heads 
 which correspond entirely to our present ideas of beauty. Exquisite spe- 
 cimens of beautiful Egyptian faces were found in the excavations at Sak- 
 karaand copied in Mariette’s Serapeum. Denon, speaking of the an- 
 cient pictures of Egyptian women says: “ Celle des femmes ressemble 
 encore a la figure des jolies femmes d' aujourd hui : de la rondeur , de la 
 volupte j le nez petit , les yeux longs , peu ouverts. . . le caractere de tete de 
 la plupart tenait du beau style." And General Heilbronner, in his 
 excellent book of travels in Egypt, goes even farther when speaking 
 of the heads of the women. It is placed beyond doubt, that the 
 Egyptian nation was originally a wandering tribe, belonging to 
 the so-called Caucasian race, which settled on the Nile. See 
 Ebers Aegypten u. d. Bucher Moses I. 40 and following. Euripides 
 speaks of beautiful maidens as dwelling on the shores of the Nile. 
 It is also certain that there were fair-haired women among the 
 Egyptians. In Syncellus' Manetho the queen Nitocris is called 
 tjav&ri rrjv xootdv, that is to say fair-haired, and among the portraits 
 given by Rosellini, Mon. stor. PI. XIX. we have discovered a fair- 
 haired princess who, in the text Vol. II. p. 510., is called Reninofre, 
 daughter of Thotmes IV. It seems to us however that her cartouche 
 must be read Ranofre, who, according to Lepsius, was a daughter of 
 Thotmes III. Almost all the women represented on the monuments — 
 even the most ancient ones, among which we must number the Mas- 
 taba of Medum — have a clear, light yellow complexion. The Coptic 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 IOI 
 
 delicately built; Nitetis, on the other hand, tall and 
 majestic, with black hair and eyes, evinced in every 
 action that she was of royal blood. 
 
 “ How pale thou look’st, my child ! ” said Ladice, 
 kissing Nitetis' cheek. “Be of good courage, and meet 
 thy future bravely. Here is the noble Bartja, the 
 brother of thy future husband." 
 
 Nitetis raised her dark, thoughtful eyes and fixed 
 them long and enquiringly on the beautiful youth. He 
 bowed low before the blushing maiden, kissed her gar- 
 ment, and said: 
 
 “I salute thee, as my future queen and sister! I 
 can believe that thy heart is sore at parting from thy 
 home, thy parents, brethren and sisters; but be of good 
 courage; thy husband is a great hero, and a powerful 
 king; our mother is the noblest of women, and among 
 the Persians the beauty and virtue of woman is as much 
 revered as the life-giving light of the sun. Of thee, 
 thou sister of the lily Nitetis, whom, by her side I might 
 venture to call the rose, I beg forgiveness, for robbing 
 thee of thy dearest friend." 
 
 As he said these words he looked eagerly into 
 Tachot’s beautiful blue eyes; she bent low, pressing 
 her hand upon her heart, and gazed on him long after 
 Amasis had drawn him away to a seat immediately 
 opposite the dancing-girls, who were just about to dis- 
 play their skill for the entertainment of the guests. A 
 thin petticoat was the only clothing of these girls, who 
 threw and wound their flexible limbs to a measure played 
 on harp and tambourine. After the dance appeared 
 
 women, believed to be the direct descendants of the ancient Egyptians, 
 are often very beautiful. See G. Richter’s portrait of a pretty Coptic 
 maiden in Ebers Aegypten in Dild und Wort. p. 33. 
 
102 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 Egyptian singers and buffoons 131 for the further amuse- 
 ment of the company. 
 
 At length some of the courtiers forsook the hall, 
 their grave demeanor being somewhat overcome by 
 intoxication . 132 The women were carried home in gay 
 litters by slaves with torches; and only the highest 
 military commanders, the Persian ambassadors and a 
 few officials, especial friends of Amasis, remained behind. 
 These were retained by the master of the ceremonies, 
 and conducted to a richly-ornamented saloon, where 
 a gigantic wine-bowl standing on a table adorned in the 
 Greek fashion, invited to a drinking-bout. 
 
 131. Dancing-girls, who accompanied themselves on the guitar. 
 Wilkinson II. 301. Players on the harp. Wilkinson II. 20. Harp- 
 ists and blind singers II. 239. Women with tambourines II. 240. 
 Men playing on the double flute II. 232 and 234. Entertainment with 
 dancing-girls and musicians. Wilkinson II. PI. XII. II. 390. Jug- 
 glers. Wilkinson II. 433. Musical instruments are to be found in the 
 museums. The dancing-girls whom we see singing at the same time, 
 may be compared to the Almehs of the present day, who enliven the 
 entertainments of the modern Cairenes and the inhabitants of other 
 towns on the Nile, by their charms, their singing and dancing. In 
 ancient Egypt they were called Achennu, and seem to have formed 
 a part of the establishments of the great lords. Private singers were 
 kept in aristocratic households. One employed by Neferhotep, a 
 noble of the 18th dynasty, was found in his tomb at Abd-el-Qurnah. 
 By his side may be read one of his songs, which is rich in beautiful 
 passages. 
 
 132. Unfortunately women, as well as men, are to be seen depicted 
 on the monuments in an intoxicated condition. One man is being 
 carried home, like a log of wood, on the heads of his servants. Wilkin- 
 son II. 168. Another is standing on his head II. 169. and several 
 ladies are in the act of returning the excessive quantity which they have 
 drunk. Wilkinson II. 167. At the great Techu-festival at Dendera 
 intoxication seems to have been as much commanded as at the festivals 
 of Dionysus under the Ptolemies, one of whom (Ptolemy Dionysus) 
 threatened those who remained sober with the punishment of death. 
 But intoxication was in general looked upon by the Egyptians as a 
 forbidden and despicable vice. In the Papyrus Anastasi IV., for in- 
 stance, we read these words on a drunkard : “ Thou art as a sanctuary 
 without a divinity, as a house without bread,” and further: “How 
 carelully should men avoid beer (hek).” A number of passages in the 
 Papyrus denounce drunkards. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 103 
 
 Amasis was seated on a high arm-chair 133 at the head 
 of the table; at his left the youthful Bartja, at his right 
 the aged Croesus. Besides these and the other Persians, 
 Theodorus and Ibykus, the friends of Polykrates, already 
 known to us, and Aristomachus, now commander of tl 
 Greek body-guard, were among the king’s guests. 
 
 Amasis, whom we have just heard in such grave 
 discourse with Croesus, now indulged in jest and satire. 
 He seemed once more the wild officer, the bold reveller 
 of the olden days. 
 
 His sparkling, clever jokes, at times playful, at times 
 scornful, flew round among the revellers. The guests 
 responded in loud, perhaps often artificial laughter, to 
 their king’s jokes, goblet after goblet was emptied, and 
 the rejoicings had reached their highest point, when 
 suddenly the master of the ceremonies appeared, bear- 
 ing a small gilded mummy; and displaying it to the 
 gaze of the assembly, exclaimed. “ Drink, jest, and 
 be merry, for all too soon ye shall become like unto 
 this !” 134 
 
 “ Is it your custom thus to introduce death at all 
 your banquets? ” said Bartja, becoming serious, “or is 
 this only a jest devised for to-day by your master of the 
 ceremonies ? ” 
 
 133. Royal arm-chairs, expensively gilt and cushioned in gay 
 colors. Wilkinson II. PI. XI. Rosellini, mon. civ. PI. 90-92. 
 
 134. Herod. II. 78. Petron. Satyr, c. 34. Nicol. Damasc. Orat. 
 I. Wilkinson gives drawings of these mummies (II. 410.) hundreds of 
 which were placed in the tombs, and have been preserved to us. Lu- 
 cian was present at a banquet, when they were handed round. The 
 Greeks seem to have adopted this custom, but with their usual talent 
 for beautifying all they touched, substituted a winged figure of death 
 for the mummy. Maxims similar to the following one are by no means 
 rare. “ Cast off all care; be mindful only of pleasure until the day 
 cometh when thou must depart on the journey, whose goal is the 
 realm of silence ! ” Copied Irom the tomb of Neferhotep in Abd-el- 
 Qurnah. 
 
104 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 “Since the earliest ages,” answered Amasis, “it has 
 been our custom to display these mummies at banquets, 
 in order to increase the mirth of the revellers, by remind- 
 ing them that one must enjoy the time while it is here. 
 Thou, young butterfly, hast still many a long and joyful 
 year before thee; but we, Croesus, we old men, must 
 hold by this firmly. Fill the goblets, cup-bearer, let 
 not one moment of our lives be wasted! Thou canst 
 drink well, thou golden-haired Persian ! Truly the great 
 gods have endowed thee not only with beautiful eyes, 
 and blooming beauty, but with a good throat ! Let me 
 embrace thee, thou glorious youth, thou rogue! What 
 thinkest thou Croesus? my daughter Tachot can speak 
 of nothing else than of this beardless youth, who seems 
 to have quite turned her little head with his sweet looks 
 and words. Thou needest not to blush, young mad- 
 cap! A man such as thou art, may well look at king’s 
 daughters; but wert thou thy father Cyrus himself, I 
 could not allow my Tachot to leave me for Persia!” 
 
 “Father!” whispered the crown-prince Psamtik, in- 
 terrupting this conversation. “ Father, take care what 
 you say, and remember Phanes.” The king turned a 
 frowning glance on his son; but following his advice, 
 took much less part in the conversation, which now be- 
 came more general. 
 
 The seat at the banquet-table, occupied by Aristom- 
 achus, placed him nearly opposite to Croesus, on 
 whom, in total silence and without once indulging in a 
 smile at the king’s jests, his eyes had been fixed from 
 the beginning of the revel. When the Pharaoh ceased 
 to speak, he accosted Croesus suddenly with the follow- 
 ing question : “ I would know, Lydian, whether the 
 snow still covered the mountains, when ye left Persia.” 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 io 5 
 
 Smiling, and a little surprised at this strange speech, 
 Croesus answered: “Most of the Persian mountains 
 were green when we started for Egypt four months 
 ago; but there are heights in the land of Cambyses on 
 which, even in the hottest seasons, the snow never 
 melts , 135 and the glimmer of their white crests we could 
 still perceive, as we descended into the plains.” 
 
 The Spartan’s face brightened \isibly, and Croesus, 
 attracted by this serious, earnest man, asked his name. 
 “ My name is Aristomachus.” 
 
 “That name seems known to me.” 
 
 “You were acquainted with many Hellenes, and my 
 name is common among them.” 
 
 “Your dialect would bespeak you a Dorian; and in 
 my opinion a Spartan.” 
 
 “I was one once.” 
 
 “And now no more?” 
 
 “ He who forsakes his native land without permis- 
 sion, is worthy of death.” 
 
 “Have you forsaken it with your own free-will?” 
 “Yes.” 
 
 “For what reason?” 
 
 “To escape dishonor.” 
 
 “What was your crime?” 
 
 “ I had committed none.” 
 
 “You were accused unjustly?” 
 
 “Yes.” 
 
 “Who was the author of your ill-fortune?” 
 “Yourself.” 
 
 Croesus started from his seat. The serious tone and 
 gloomy face of the Spartan proved that this was no jest, 
 
 135. More especially on the Demawend. I would refer the reader 
 to the ascent of this mountain as described by Brugsch in his very in- 
 teresting account of travels in Persia. I. p. 284. 
 
 9 
 
io6 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 and those who sat near the speakers, and had been fol- 
 lowing this strange dialogue, were alarmed and begged 
 Aristomachus to explain his words. 
 
 He hesitated and seemed unwilling to speak; at last, 
 however, at the king’s summons, he began thus: 
 
 “In obedience to the oracle, 136 you, Croesus, had 
 chosen us Lacedaemonians, as the most powerful among 
 the Hellenes, to be your allies against the might of 
 Persia; and you gave us gold for the statue of Apollo 
 on Mount Thornax. The ephori, on this, resolved to 
 present you with a gigantic bronze wine-bowl, richly 
 wrought. I was chosen as bearer of this gift. Before 
 reaching Sardis our ship was wrecked in a storm. The 
 wine-cup sank with it, and we reached Samos with 
 nothing but our lives. On returning home I was accused 
 by enemies, and those who grudged my good fortune, 
 of having sold both ship and wine-vessel to the Samians. 
 As they could not convict me of the crime, and had yet 
 determined on my ruin, I was sentenced to two days’ 
 and nights’ exposure on the pillory. My foot was 
 chained to it during the night; but before the morning 
 of disgrace dawned, my brother brought me secretly a 
 sword, that my honor might be saved, though at the 
 expense of my life. But I could not die before reveng- 
 ing myself on the men who had worked my ruin; and 
 therefore, cutting the manacled foot from my leg, I 
 escaped, and hid in the rushes on the banks of the 
 Eurotas. My brother brought me food and drink in 
 secret; and after two months I was able to walk on the 
 wooden leg you now see. Apollo undertook my revenge; 
 he never misses his mark, and my two worst opponents 
 died of the plague. Still I durst not return home, and 
 136. Herod. I. 52. 54. 69. 70. Xenoph. Cyrop, VI. 2. 5. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. T07 
 
 at length took ship from Gythium to fight against the 
 Persians under you, Croesus. On landing at Teos, I 
 heard that you were king no longer, that the mighty 
 Cyrus, the father of yonder beautiful youth, had con- 
 quered the powerful province of Lydia in a few weeks, 
 and reduced the richest of kings to beggary.” 
 
 Every guest gazed at Aristomachus in admiration. 
 Croesus shook his hard hand; and Bartja exclaimed: 
 “ Spartan, I would I could take you back with me to 
 Susa, that my friends there might see what I have seen 
 myself, the most courageous, the most honorable of 
 men!” 
 
 “ Believe me, boy,” returned Aristomachus smiling, 
 “ every Spartan would have done the same. In our 
 country it needs more courage to be a coward than a 
 brave man.” 
 
 “And you, Bartja,” cried Darius, the Persian king’s 
 cousin, “could you have borne to stand at the pillory?” 
 
 Bartja reddened, but it was easy to see that he too 
 preferred death to disgrace. 
 
 “Zopyrus, what say you?” asked Darius of the third 
 young Persian. 
 
 “I could mutilate my own 137 limbs for love of you 
 two,” answered he, grasping unobserved the hands of 
 his two friends. 
 
 With an ironical smile Psamtik sat watching this 
 scene — the pleased faces of Amasis, Croesus and Gyges, 
 the meaning glances of the Egyptians, and the con- 
 tented looks with which Aristomachus gazed on the 
 young heroes. 
 
 Ibykus now told of the oracle which had promised 
 
 137. Further on in our story we shall see that this apparently 
 hyperbolical protestation was carried out by Zopyrus. 
 
io8 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 Aristomachus a return to his native land, on the ap- 
 proach of the men from the snowy mountains, and at 
 the same time, mentioned the hospitable house of Rho- 
 dopis. 
 
 On hearing this name Psamtik grew restless; Croesus 
 expressed a wish to form the acquaintance of the Thra- 
 cian matron, of whom ^Esop had related so much that 
 was praiseworthy; and, as the other guests, many of 
 whom had lost consciousness through excessive drink- 
 ing, were leaving the hall, the dethroned monarch, the 
 poet, the sculptor and the Spartan hero made an agree- 
 ment to go to Naukratis the next day, and there enjoy 
 the conversation of Rhodopis. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 On the night following the banquet just described, 
 Amasis allowed himself only three hours’ rest. On this, 
 as on every other morning, the young priests wakened 
 him at the first cock-crow, conducted him as usual to 
 the bath, arrayed him in the royal vestments and led 
 him to the altar in the court of the palace, where in 
 presence of the populace he offered sacrifice. During 
 the offering the priests sang prayers in a loud voice, 
 enumerated the virtues of their king, and, that blame 
 might in no case light on the head of their ruler, made 
 his bad advisers responsible for every deadly sin com- 
 mitted in ignorance. 
 
 They exhorted him to the performance of good 
 deeds, while extolling his virtues; read aloud profitable 
 portions of the holy writings, containing the deeds and 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 109 
 
 sayings of great men, and then conducted him to his 
 apartments, where letters and information from all parts 
 of the kingdom awaited him . 138 
 
 Amasis was in the habit of observing most faithfully 
 these daily-repeated ceremonies and hours of work; 
 the remaining portion of the day he spent as it pleased 
 him, and generally in cheerful society . 139 
 
 The priests reproached him with this, alleging that 
 such a life was not suited to a monarch; and on one 
 occasion he had thus replied to the indignant high- 
 priest : “ Look at this bow ! if always bent it must lose 
 its power, but, if used for half of each day and then 
 allowed to rest, it will remain strong and useful till the 
 string breaks.” 
 
 Amasis had just signed his name to the last letter, 
 granting the petition of a Nomarch 140 for money to 
 
 138. This arrangement of the day of a king of Egypt, given by 
 Diodorus (I. 70.), is in its principal particulars confirmed by the mon- 
 uments. 
 
 139. Herod. II. 173. 
 
 140. Nomarch was the title given to the supreme administrators 
 of the provinces or Nomoi, into which the entire kingdom of Egypt 
 was divided. The word Nomos (vo/jlos) is purely Greek and probably 
 signified originally a district of pasture or meadow-land. The Egyp- 
 tian word is p-iasch or hesp. We are now, more especially owing to 
 the labors of Harris, Brugsch, Parthey, Diimichen and Jacques de 
 Rouge, possessed of the most exact information on the division of the 
 ancient kingdom of the Pharaohs. The results arrived at by the above- 
 mentioned scholars, were obtained through the discovery of numerous 
 lists of the Nomoi carved in the temple walls, from which it can be 
 seen that the entire kingdom was divided into 50 provinces or districts, 
 viz : 26 for Upper, and 24 for Lower Egypt. Each of these was sub- 
 divided into 3 smaller ones. A very correct definition of the Nomos is 
 given by Cyril, bishop of Alexandria. Esai. 19. From the latest 
 discoveries it seems probable, that the limits of the Nomoi were not de- 
 termined by local conditions, but by accurate mathematical measure- 
 ments. Inferior in rank to the Nomarchs, who governed each an en- 
 tire province, and probably resided in its metropolis, were the Top- 
 archs, who administered the affairs of the local circles. These smaller 
 districts were again divided into plots of meadow or pasture-land 
 laQOvqat, /ueotSes). Strabo 787. 
 
I IO 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS, 
 
 carry on different embankments 141 rendered necessary 
 by the last inundation, when a servant entered, bringing 
 a request from the crown-prince Psamtik for an audience 
 of a few minutes. 
 
 Amasis, who till this moment had been smiling 
 cheerfully at the cheering reports from all parts of the 
 country, now became suddenly serious and thoughtful. 
 After long delay he answered: “Go and inform the 
 prince that he may appear.” 
 
 Psamtik appeared, pale and gloomy as ever; he 
 bowed low and reverentially, on entering his father’s 
 presence. 
 
 Amasis nodded silently in return, and then asked 
 abruptly and sternly: “What is thy desire? my time is 
 limited.” 
 
 “For your son, more than for others,” replied the 
 prince with quivering lips. “ Seven times have I peti- 
 tioned for the great favor, which thou grantest for the 
 first time to-day.” 
 
 “No reproaches! I suspect the reason of thy visit. 
 Thou desirest an answer to thy doubts as to the birth 
 of thy sister Nitetis.” 
 
 “I have no curiosity; I come rather to warn thee, 
 and to remind thee that I am not the only one who is 
 acquainted with this mystery.” 
 
 “Speakest thou of Phanes?” 
 
 “ Of whom else should I speak ? He is banished 
 
 141. Embankments were peculiarly necessary on the shores of the 
 Nile, and the Pharaohs took much pride in maintaining them. Hero- 
 dotus speaks of the embankment of the western arm of the Nile near 
 Memphis, constructed by Menes, which information may be correct. 
 Bunsen, Aegyptens Stelle i. d. Weltgeschichte II. p. 40. There is no 
 longer any doubt that the lake of Moeris was excavated as a means of 
 regulating the inundations of the river. Lepsius, Chronol. I. p. 262. 
 Linant de Bellefonds, Memoire sur le lac de Mceris . See also H. 
 Stephan, das heutige Aegypte 7 i p. 8. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 Ill 
 
 from Egypt and from his own country, and must leave 
 Naukratis in a few days. What guarantee hast thou, 
 that he will not betray us to the Persians ?” 
 
 “The friendship and kindness which I have always 
 shown him.” 
 
 “ Dost thou believe in the gratitude of men ?” 
 
 “ No ! but I rely on my own discernment of character. 
 Phanes will not betray us! he is my friend, I repeat it!” 
 “Thy friend perhaps, but my mortal enemy!” 
 
 “Then stand on thy guard! I have nothing to fear 
 from him.” 
 
 “For thyself perhaps nought, but for our country! 
 O father, reflect that though as thy son I may be hate- 
 ful in thine eyes, yet as Egypt’s future I ought to be 
 near thy heart. Remember, that at thy death, which 
 may the gods long avert, I shall represent the exist- 
 ence of this glorious land as thou dost now; my fall 
 will be the ruin of thine house, of Egypt!” 
 
 Amasis became more and more serious, and Psamtik 
 went on eagerly: “Thou knowest that I am right! 
 Phanes can betray our land to any foreign enemy; he 
 is as intimately acquainted with it as we are; and beside 
 this, he possesses a secret, the knowledge of which would 
 convert our most powerful ally into a most formidable 
 enemy.” 
 
 “There thou art in error. Though not mine, Nitetis 
 is a king’s daughter and will know how to win the love 
 of her husband.” 
 
 “Were she the daughter of a god, she could not 
 save thee from Cambyses’ wrath, if he discovers the 
 treachery; lying is to a Persian the worst of crimes , 142 
 
 142. Herod. I. 138. Xenoph. Cyrop. VIII. 8. 7. A vesta (Spiegel). 
 Fargard IV. See also Vol. II. note 190. 
 
 A n Egyptian Princess , /. 
 
1 1 2 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 to be deceived the greatest disgrace; thou hast deceived 
 the highest and proudest of the nation, and what can 
 one inexperienced girl avail, when hundreds of women, 
 deeply versed in intrigue and artifice, are striving for 
 the favor of their lord?” 
 
 “ Hatred and revenge are good masters in the art of 
 rhetoric,” said Amasis in a cutting tone. “And think’st 
 thou then, oh, foolish son, that I should have under- 
 taken such a dangerous game without due consideration ? 
 Phanes may tell the Persians what he likes, he can never 
 prove his point. I, the father, Ladice the mother must 
 know best whether Nitetis is our child or not. We call 
 her so, who dare aver the contrary? If it please Phanes 
 to betray our land to any other enemy beside the Per- 
 sians, let him; I fear nothing! Thou wouldst have me 
 ruin a man who has been my friend, to whom I owe 
 much gratitude, who has served me long and faithfully; 
 and this without offence from his side. Rather will I 
 shelter him from thy revenge, knowing as I do the im- 
 pure source from which it springs.” 
 
 “My father!” 
 
 “Thou desirest the ruin of this man, because he hin- 
 dered thee from taking forcible possession of the grand- 
 daughter of Rhodopis, and because thine own incapacity 
 moved me to place him in thy room as commander of 
 the troops. Ah! thou growest pale! Verily, I owe 
 Phanes thanks for confiding to me your vile intentions, 
 and so enabling me to bind my friends and supporters, 
 to whom Rhodopis is precious, more firmly to my 
 throne.” 
 
 “And is it thus thou speakest of these strangers, my 
 father? dost thou thus forget the ancient glory of 
 Egypt? Despise me, if thou wilt; I know thou lovest 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 IT 3 
 
 me not; but say not that to be great we need the help 
 of strangers! Look back on our history! Were we 
 not grea test when our gates were closed to the stranger, 
 when we depended on ourselves and our own strength, 
 and lived according to the ancient laws of our ances- 
 tors and our gods ? Those days beheld the most distant 
 lands subjugated by Rameses , 143 and heard Egypt cele- 
 
 143. Rameses the Great, son of Sethos, reigned over Egypt 1394- 
 1328 B. C. He was called Sesostris by the Greeks ; see Lepsius ( Chron . 
 d. Aegypter, p. 538.) on the manner in which this confusion of names 
 arose. Egypt attained the zenith of her power under this king, whose 
 army, according to Diodorus (I. 53-58), consisted of 600,000 foot and 
 24,000 horsemen, 27,000 chariots and 400 ships of war. With these 
 hosts he subdued many of the Asiatic and African nations, carving his 
 name and likeness, as trophies of victory, on the rocks of the con- 
 quered countries. Herodotus speaks of having seen two of these in- 
 scriptions himself (II. 102-106.) and two are still to be found not far 
 from Bairut, the ancient Beoor? or Brjovro?* Drawings of these have 
 been given by Guys and Wyse, and are also to be found in the Annalcs 
 de V institut de corresp. Archeol. Rome 1834. It is probably in reference 
 to these pictures and inscriptions that the Egyptian monuments call 
 him, “ He who holds the world firmly by means of the monuments 
 bearinghis nzme," cherta-u. em menn-u, herran-f. His conquests brought 
 vast sums of tribute into Egypt. Tacitus annal. II. 60. and these en- 
 abled him to erect magnificent buildings in the whole length of his 
 land from Nubia to Tanis, but more especially in Thebes, the city in 
 which he resided. One of the obelisks erected by Rameses at Helio- 
 polis is now standing in the Place de la Concorde at Paris , and has been 
 lately translated by F. Chabas. On the walls of the yet remaining 
 palaces and temples, built under this mighty king, we find, even to 
 this day, thousands of pictures representing himself, his armed hosts, 
 the many nations subdued by the power of his arms, and the divinities 
 to whose favor he believed these victories were owing. Among the 
 latter Ammon and Bast seem to have received his especial veneration, 
 and, on the other hand, we read in these inscriptions that the gods 
 were very willing to grant the wishes of their favorite. A poetical 
 description of the wars he waged with the Cheta is to be found in long 
 lines of hieroglyphics on the south wall of the hall of columns of 
 Rameses II. at Karnak, also at Luxor and in theSallier Papyrus, and 
 an epic poem referring to his mighty deeds in no less than six different 
 places. This has been treated by Vicomte E. de Rougd. The very 
 interesting treaty of peace, concluded by Rameses with the Cheta has 
 been preserved to us and translated by Chabas in the appendix to his 
 Analysis of the Papyrus Anastasis /. Voyage d'un Egyptien. The por- 
 trait with the slightly arched nose, representing him in the enthusiasm 
 of enterprise, is highly characteristic. The existing monuments enable 
 us to follow his entire history, and to become acquainted with every 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 114 
 
 brated in the whole world as its first and greatest nation. 
 What are we now? The king himself calls beggars and 
 foreigners the supporters of his throne, and devises a 
 petty stratagem to secure the friendship of a power 
 over whom we were victorious before the Nile was in- 
 fested by these strangers . 144 Egypt was then a mighty 
 Queen in glorious apparel ; she is now a painted woman 
 decked out in tinsel!” 
 
 “Have a care what thou sayest!” shouted Amasis 
 stamping on the floor. “ Egypt was never so great, so 
 flourishing as now! Rameses carried our arms into 
 distant lands and earned blood; through my labors the 
 products of our industry have been carried to all parts 
 of the world and instead of blood, have brought us 
 treasure and blessing. Rameses caused the blood and 
 sweat of his subjects to flow in streams for the honor of 
 his own great name; under my rule their blood flows 
 rarely, and the sweat of their brow only in works of 
 usefulness. Every citizen can now end his days in 
 prosperity and comfort. Ten thousand populous cities 
 rise on the shores of the Nile , 145 not a foot of the soil 
 
 member of his family. The finest statue of him is in the Egyptian 
 museum at Turin. Egyptian art reached its zenith in the reign of his 
 father Seti. 
 
 144. Josephus (following Manetho) relates that Rameses also con- 
 quered the Medes ? This would not be so improbable if we may con- 
 sider Bachtan, where in the 20th dynasty we find one of the Pharaohs 
 levying tribute, to be Ekbatana. Bachtan was certainly in Asia. There 
 is, however, much cause to doubt this etymology. Brugsch believes it 
 to be Bachi. See the Bentrescht Stela in the library at Paris. E. de 
 Rouge, Etude sur une stele egyptienne etc. Journ. Asiat. 1856 — 1858. 
 
 145. Herod II. 177. This information seems to be exaggerated, 
 as according to Diodorus, the population of Egypt at the time of the 
 Ptolemies did not exceed 7 millions. Diod. I. 31. Josephus makes it 
 7,500,000. The number given by Theokritus is nothing more than a 
 mnemonic play on the number 3. Lane, in his account of the man- 
 ners and customs of the modern Egyptians, reckons that the country 
 could supply food for 8 million inhabitants. Champollion le jeune 
 believes that 6 — 7 millions may be accepted as the correct number. In 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 ”5 
 
 lies untilled, every child enjoys the protection of law 
 and justice, and every ill-doer shuns the watchful eye 
 of the authorities. 
 
 “ In case of attack from without, have we not, as 
 defenders of those god-given bulwarks , 146 our cataracts, 
 our sea and our deserts, the finest army that ever bore 
 arms? Thirty thousand Hellenes beside our entire 
 Egyptian military caste? such is the present condition 
 of Egypt! Rameses purchased the bright tinsel of 
 empty fame with the blood and tears of his people. 
 To me they are indebted for the pure gold of a peace- 
 ful welfare as citizens — to me and to my predecessors, 
 the Saitic kings!” 
 
 “And yet I tell thee,” cried the prince, “that a worm 
 is gnawing at the root of Egypt’s greatness and her life. 
 This strugglefor riches and splendor corrupts the hearts 
 of the people, foreign luxury has given a deadly blow 
 to the simple manners of our citizens, and many an 
 Egyptian has been taught by the Greeks to scoff at the 
 gods of his fathers. Every day brings news of bloody 
 strife between the Greek mercenaries and our native 
 soldiery, between our own people and the strangers. 
 The shepherd and his flock are at variance; the wheels 
 of the state machinery are grinding one another and 
 thus the state itself, into total ruin. This once, father, 
 though never again, I must speak out clearly what is 
 weighing on my heart. While engaged in contending 
 
 1830 the population of Egypt amounted to 2,500,000 souls according 
 to Lane. According to Stephan, Das heutige Aegyfiten, 1872, p. 58. 
 Egypt in 1866 had 4,848,529 inhabitants. 
 
 146. The science of fortification was very fairly understood by the 
 ancient Egyptians. Walled and battlemented forts are to be seen de- 
 picted on their monuments. We have already endeavored to show 
 (see our work on Egypt. I. 78 and following) that, on the northeast, 
 Egypt was defended from Asiatic invasion by a line of forts, extending 
 from Pelusium to the Red Sea. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 1 16 
 
 with the priests, thou hast seen with calmness the young 
 might of Persia roll on from the East, consuming the 
 nations on its way, and, like a devouring monster, grow- 
 ing more and more formidable from every fresh prey. 
 Thine aid was not, as thou hadst intended, given to the 
 Lydians and Babylonians against the enemy, but to the 
 Greeks in the building of temples to their false gods. 
 At last resistance seemed hopeless; a whole hemisphere 
 with its rulers lay in submission at the feet of Persia; 
 but even then the gods willed Egypt a chance of de- 
 liverance. Cambyses desired thy daughter in marriage. 
 Thou, however, too weak to sacrifice thine own flesh 
 and blood for the good of all, hast substituted another 
 maiden, not thine own child, as an offering to the mighty 
 monarch; and at the same time, in thy soft-heartedness, 
 wilt spare the life of a stranger in whose hand lie the 
 fortunes of this realm, and who will assuredly work its 
 ruin; unless indeed, worn out by internal dissension, it 
 perish even sooner from its own weakness!” 
 
 Thus far Amasis had listened to these revilings of 
 all he held dearest in silence, though pale, and trem- 
 bling with rage; but now he broke forth in a voice, the 
 trumpet-like sound of which pealed through the wide 
 hall: “Know’st thou not then, thou boasting and re- 
 vengeful son of evil, thou future destroyer of this 
 ancient and glorious kingdom, know’st thou not whose 
 life must be the sacrifice, were not my children, and the 
 dynasty which I have founded, dearer to me than the 
 welfare of the whole realm? Thou, Psamtik, thou art 
 the man, branded by the gods, feared by men — the man 
 to whose heart love and friendship are strangers, whose 
 face is never seen to smile, nor his soul known to feel 
 compassion! It is not, however, through thine own sin 
 
AN EGYPTIAN TRINCESS. 1 17 
 
 that thy nature is thus unblessed, that all thine under- 
 takings end unhappily. Give heed, for now I am 
 forced to relate what I had hoped long to keep secret 
 from thine ears. After dethroning my predecessor, I 
 forced him to give me his sister Tentcheta in marriage. 
 She loved me; a year after marriage there was promise 
 of a child. During the night preceding thy birth I fell 
 asleep at the bedside of my wife. I dreamed that she 
 was lying on the shores of the Nile, and complained to 
 me of pain in the breast. Bending down, I beheld a 
 cypress-tree springing from her heart. It grew larger 
 and larger, black and spreading, twined its roots around 
 thy mother and strangled her. A cold shiver seized 
 me, and I was on the point of flying from the spot, 
 when a fierce hurricane came from the East, struck the 
 tree and overthrew it, so that its spreading branches 
 were cast into the Nile. Then the waters ceased to 
 flow; they congealed, and, in place of the river, a gi- 
 gantic mummy lay before me. The towns on its banks 
 dwindled into huge funereal urns, surrounding the vast 
 corpse of the Nile as in a tomb. At this I awoke and 
 caused the interpreters of dreams to be summoned. 
 None could explain the vision, till at last the priests of 
 the Libyan Ammon gave me the following interpreta- 
 tion ‘Tentcheta will die in giving birth to a son. The 
 cypress, which strangled its mother, is this gloomy, un- 
 happy man. In his days a people shall come from 
 the East and shall make of the Nile, that is of the 
 Egyptians, dead bodies, and of their cities ruinous 
 heaps; these are the urns for the dead, which thou 
 sawest.” , 
 
 Psamtik listened as if turned into stone; his father 
 continued; “Thy mother died in giving birth to thee; 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 1 18 
 
 fiery-red hair, the mark of the sons of Typhon , 147 grew 
 around thy brow; thou becam’st a gloomy man. Mis- 
 fortune pursued thee and robbed thee of a beloved wife 
 and four of thy children. The astrologers computed 
 that even as I had been born under the fortunate sign 
 of Ammon, so thy birth had been watched over by the 
 rise of the awful planet Seb . 148 Thou . . .” But here 
 
 147. Typhon, in Egyptian Seth, the god of evil and misfortune, 
 passed through a remarkable transformation in the religious conscious- 
 ness of the Egyptians. In the earliest ages of their history he was not 
 regarded as a destructive deity. Mariette proves that he was wor- 
 shipped at Memphis from the 5th dynasty. His first appearance as a 
 deity of destruction seems to have been in the time of the Hyksos, who 
 worshipped him exclusively. Before this the principle of evil had been 
 personified by the serpent Appe, and Seth had been worshipped as 
 the god of war and of foreign countries. If their foes were worsted in 
 battle the Egyptians glorified this deity, but despised and maltreated 
 him if the contrary were the case. Rameses took pleasure in calling 
 himself a worshipper of Seth; but succeeding monarchs erased his 
 name wherever they found it, and at last the god was universally de- 
 tested as the principle of destruction. According to Plutarch he had 
 dominion over all the passionate, ill-regulated, unsteadfast, false and 
 foolish feelings in the souls of men. In one Papyrus he is called “the 
 omnipotent destroyer and devastator.” Lepsius, erster Gotterkreis p. 
 53. The destroying forces of nature were reflected in his being. All 
 noxious plants and destructive animals were his property, and the 
 capricious and unfruitful sea formed a part of his dominions. His 
 favorite animals were the stubborn ass, the disgusting hippopotamus, 
 the voracious crocodile and the wild boar. Red was his distinctive 
 color, in consequence of which people with red hair were called Ty- 
 phonian, and are said to have been offered in sacrifice to this deity. 
 Diod. I. 88. Plutarch gives the same account. In the Papyrus Ebers, 
 all injurious and evil things are called “red.” Papyrus Ebers, line 20. 
 But these human sacrifices had already ceased to be practised at a very 
 early period, though red-haired Egyptians continued to be held in 
 contempt, and were often pelted with mud, much later. The pictures 
 of the god represent him as deformed, having a back covered with 
 bristles and the head of a crocodile, an ass, or a hippopotamus. In 
 the myth of Isis and Osiris we find Seth-Typhon again. 
 
 148. The Egyptian astrologers had a world-wide renown. Hero- 
 dotus (II. 82.) says, that they were the inventors of astrology and 
 Aristoteles (de coelo II. 12.), that they Were the first astronomers. Each 
 hour, with them, had its respective planets boding good fortune or the 
 reverse ; horoscopes drawn from the position of the stars determined 
 these predictions. Ammon (Jupiter) was invariably a fortunate star, 
 Seb (Saturn) unpropitious, Thoth (Mercury) fluctuating. It was also 
 believed that even a single limb could be affected by certain stars. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 119 
 
 Amasis broke off, for Psamtik, in the anguish produced 
 by these fearful disclosures had given way, and with 
 sobs and groans, cried: 
 
 “ Cease, cruel father! spare me at least the bitter 
 words, that I am the only son in Egypt who is hated by 
 his father without cause !” 
 
 Amasis looked down on the wretched man who had 
 sunk to the earth before him, his face hidden in the 
 folds of his robe, and the father’s wrath was changed to 
 compassion. He thought of Psamtik’s mother, dead 
 forty years before, and felt he had been cruel in inflict- 
 ing this poisonous wound on her son’s soul. It was 
 the first time for years, that he had been able to feel 
 towards this cold strange man, as a father and a com- 
 forter. For the first time he saw tears in the cold eyes 
 of his son, and could feel the joy of wiping them away. 
 He seized the opportunity at once, and bending down 
 over the groaning form, kissed his forehead, raised him 
 from the ground and said gently: 
 
 “ Forgive my anger, my son! the words that have 
 grieved thee came not from my heart, but were spoken 
 in the haste of wrath. Many years hast thou angered 
 me by thy coldness, hardness and obstinacy; to-day 
 thou hast wounded me again in my most sacred feel- 
 ings; this hurried me into an excess of wrath. But 
 now all is right between us. Our natures are so diverse 
 that our innermost feelings will never be one, but at 
 least we can act in concert for the future, and show for- 
 bearance one towards the other.” 
 
 Champollion lettres p. 239. Firmicus Maternus IV. 16. even mentions 
 the names of two celebrated Egyptian astrologers, Petosiris and 
 Nechepso. See also Diodorus I. 50. 81. II. 92. The monuments 
 abound in astronomical representations, and the calendars of their 
 festivals which have come down to us, confirm the reports of classical 
 writers as to the progress of astronomv in Egypt. 
 
120 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 In silence Psamtik bowed down and kissed his 
 father’s robe “Not so,” exclaimed the latter; “rather 
 let my lips receive thy kiss, as is meet and fitting 
 between father and son! Thou needest not to think 
 again of the evil dream I have related. Dreams are 
 phantoms, and even if sent by the gods, the interpreters 
 thereof are human and erring. Thy hand trembles still, 
 thy cheeks are white as thy robe. I was hard towards 
 thee, harder than a father. ...” 
 
 “Harder than a stranger to strangers,” interrupted 
 his son. “Thou hast crushed and broken me, and if 
 till now my face has seldom worn a smile, from this day 
 forward it can be naught but a mirror of my inward 
 misery.” 
 
 “Not so,” said Amasis, laying his hand on his son’s 
 shoulder. “ If I wound, I can also heal. Tell me the 
 dearest wish of thy heart, it shall be granted thee !” 
 
 Psamtik’s eyes flashed, his sallow cheeks glowed for 
 a moment, and he answered without consideration, 
 though in a voice still trembling from the shock he had 
 just received: “Deliver Phanes, my enemy, into my 
 power! ” 
 
 The king remained a few moments in deep thought, 
 then answered: “I knew what thou wouldst ask, and 
 will fulfil thy desire: but I would rather thou hadst 
 asked the half of my treasures. A thousand voices 
 within warn me that I am about to do an unworthy 
 deed and a ruinous — ruinous for myself, for thee, the 
 kingdom and our house. Reflect before acting, and 
 remember, whatever thou mayst meditate against 
 Phanes, not a hair of Rhodopis’ head shall be touched. 
 Also, that the persecution of my poor friend is to re- 
 main a secret from the Greeks. Where shall I find his 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 I 2 1 
 
 equal as a commander, an adviser and a companion ? 
 He is not yet in thy power, however, and I advise thee 
 to remember, that though thou mayst be clever for an 
 Egyptian, Phanes is a clever Greek. I will remind 
 thee too of thy solemn oath to renounce the grandchild 
 of Rhodopis. Methinks vengeance is dearer to thee 
 than love, and the amends I offer will therefore be ac- 
 ceptable! As to Egypt, I repeat once again, she was 
 never more flourishing than now; a fact which none 
 dream of disputing, except the priests, and those who 
 retail their foolish words. And now give ear, if thou 
 wouldst know the origin of Nitetis. Self-interest will 
 enjoin secrecy.” 
 
 Psamtik listened eagerly to his father’s communica- 
 tion, indicating his gratitude at the conclusion by a 
 warm pressure of the hand. 
 
 “Now farewell,” said Amasis. “Forget not my 
 words, and above all shed no blood! I will know 
 nothing of what happens to Phanes, for I hate cruelty 
 and would not be forced to stand in horror of my own 
 son. But thou, thou rejoicest! My poor Athenian, 
 better were it for thee, hadst thou never entered 
 Egypt!” 
 
 Long after Psamtik had left, his father continued 
 to pace the hall in deep thought. He was sorry he 
 had yielded; it already seemed as if he saw the bleed- 
 ing Phanes lying massacred by the side of the de- 
 throned Hophra. “It is true, he could have worked 
 our ruin,” was the plea he offered to the accuser within 
 his own breast, and with these words, he raised his 
 head, called his servants and left the apartment with a 
 smiling countenance. 
 
 Had this sanguine man, this favorite of fortune, thus 
 
 io 
 
122 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 speedily quieted the warning voice within, or was he 
 strong enough to cloak his torture with a smile ? 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 Psamtik went at once from his father’s apartments 
 to the temple of the goddess Neith. At the entrance 
 he asked for the high-priest and was begged by one 
 of the inferior priests to wait, as the great Neithotep 
 was at that moment praying in the holiest sanctuary 149 
 of the exalted Queen of Heaven. 
 
 After a short time a young priest appeared with the 
 intelligence that his superior awaited the Prince’s visit. 
 
 Psamtik had seated himself under the shadow of 
 the sacred grove of silver poplars bordering the shores 
 of the consecrated lake , 150 holy to the great Neith. He 
 rose immediately, crossed the temple-court, paved with 
 
 149. The temples of Egypt were so constructed as to intensify 
 the devotion of the worshipper by conducting him onward through a 
 series of halls or chambers gradually diminishing in size. “The way 
 through these temples is clearly indicated, no digression is allowed, no 
 error possible. We wander on through the huge and massive gates 
 of entrance, between the. ranks of sacred animals. The worshipper 
 is received into an ample court, but by degrees the walls on either side 
 approach one another, the halls become less lofty, all is gradually tend- 
 ing towards one point. And thus we wander on, -the sights and sounds 
 of God’s world without attract us no longer, we see nothing but the 
 sacred representations which encompass us so closely, feel only the 
 solemnity of the temple in which we stand. And the consecrated walls 
 embrace us ever more and more closely, until at last we reach the 
 lonely, resonant chamber occupied by the divinity himself, and en- 
 tered by no human being save his priest.” Schnaase, Kunstgeschichte 
 E 394- 
 
 150. This lake exists still, near the ruins of Sais. Herod. II. 170. 
 Wilkinson IV. 192. II. 509. Map in the Description de V Egypte. Lep- 
 sius, l^erJzmdler. Abth. I. PI. 55 and 56. Lakes, sacred to various 
 divinities, are found in most temples. Drawing of ruins by Ebers. 
 Aegypten in Bild mid VVott. I. p. 79. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 123 
 
 stone and asphalte, on which the sun’s rays were dart- 
 ing like fiery arrows, and turned into one of the long 
 avenues of Sphinxes which led to the isolated Pylons* 
 before the gigantic temple of the goddess. He then 
 passed through the principal gate, ornamented, as were 
 all Egyptian temple-entrances, with the winged sun’s 
 disc. I5 °" a Above its widely-opened folding doors arose 
 on either side, tower-like buildings, slender obelisks and 
 waving flags. The front of the temple, rising from the 
 earth in the form of an obtuse angle, had somewhat the 
 appearance of a fortress, and was covered with colored 
 pictures and inscriptions. Through the porch Psamtik 
 passed on into a lofty entrance-chamber, and from 
 thence into the great hall itself, the ceiling of which was 
 strewn with thousands of golden stars, and supported 
 by four rows of lofty pillars. Their capitals were 
 carved in imitation of the lotus-flower, and these, the 
 shafts of the columns, the walls of this huge hall, and 
 indeed every niche and corner that met the eye were 
 covered with brilliant colors and hieroglyphics. The 
 columns rose to a gigantic height, the eye seemed to 
 wander through immeasurable space, and the air 
 breathed by the worshippers was heavy with the fra- 
 grance of Kyphi and incense, and the odors which arose 
 
 150a. Until very recently, the monuments have afforded no full 
 explanation of the meaning of the winged disk of the sun. From the 
 text of Edsu, published by Naville and translated by Brugsch in his 
 treatise on “the winged disk of the sun,” we learn that Hor Hut (the 
 Horus of Edsu) under the form of a winged disk of the sun, overthrew 
 the spirit of evil and his allies, therefore in memory of his victory, the 
 winged disk with the urseus serpent was placed above all the temple- 
 gates and sanctuaries in Egypt. Thus this symbol reminded the 
 worshipper of the final triumph of good over evil, light over darkness, 
 fertility over barrenness, life over death. 
 
 * The isolated gate-ways with slanting piers or side-walls, which 
 led to the Egyptian temples, and which perhaps obtained for Homer’s 
 Thebes the name, “ City of a hundred gates.” 
 
124 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 from the laboratory attached to the temple. Strains of 
 soft music, proceeding from invisible hands, flowed on 
 unceasingly, only occasionally interrupted by the deep 
 lowing of the sacred cows of Isis, or the shrill call of 
 the sparrow-hawk of Horus, whose habitations were in 
 one of the adjoining halls. No sooner did the pro- 
 longed low of a cow break like distant thunder on the 
 ear, or the sharp cry of the sparrow-hawk shoot like a 
 flash of lightning through the nerves of the worship- 
 pers, than each crouching form bent lower still, and 
 touched the pavement with his forehead. On a portion 
 of this pavement, raised above the rest, stood the priests, 
 some wearing ostrich-feathers on their bald and shining 
 heads; others panther-skins over their white-robed 
 shoulders. Muttering and singing, bowing low and 
 rising again, they swung the censers and poured liba- 
 tions of pure water to the gods out of golden vessels. 
 In this immense temple man seemed a dwarf in his 
 own eyes. All his senses even to the organs of respi- 
 ration, were occupied by objects far removed from 
 daily life, objects that thrilled and almost oppressed 
 him. Snatched from all that was familiar in his daily 
 existence, he seemed to grow dizzy and seek support 
 beyond himself To this the voice of the priests di- 
 rected him and the cries of the sacred animals were 
 believed to prove a divinity at hand. 
 
 Psamtik assumed the posture of a worshipper on 
 the low, gilded and cushioned couch set apart for him, 
 but was unable to pay any real devotion, and passed 
 on to the adjoining apartment before mentioned, where 
 the sacred cows of Isis-Neith and the sparrow-hawk of 
 Horus were kept. These creatures were concealed from 
 the gaze of the worshippers by a curtain of rich fabric 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 I2 5 
 
 embroidered with gold; the people were only allowed 
 an occasional and distant glimpse of the adorable ani- 
 mals. When Psamtik passed they were just being fed; 
 cakes soaked in milk, salt and clover-blossoms were 
 placed in golden cribs for the cows, and small birds of 
 many-colored plumage in the beautifully-wrought and 
 ornamented cage of the sparrow-hawk. But, in his 
 present mood, the heir to the throne of Egypt had no 
 eye for these rare sights; but ascended at once, by 
 means of a hidden staircase, to the chambers lying near 
 the observatory, where the high-priest was accustomed 
 to repose after the temple-service. 
 
 Neithotep, a man of seventy years, was seated in a 
 splendid apartment. Rich Babylonian carpets covered 
 the floor and his chair was of gold, cushioned with 
 purple. A tastefully-carved footstool supported his feet, 
 his hands held a roll covered with hieroglyphics, and 
 a boy stood behind him with a fan of ostrich-feathers 
 to keep away the insects. 
 
 The face of the old man was deeply lined now, but 
 it might once have been handsome, and in the large 
 blue eyes there still lay evidence of a quick intellect 
 and a dignified self-respect. 
 
 His artificial curls had been laid aside, and the bald, 
 smooth head formed a strange contrast to the furrowed 
 countenance, giving an appearance of unusual height 
 to the forehead, generally so very low among the Egyp- 
 tians. The brightly-colored walls of the room, on which 
 numerous sentences in hieroglyphic characters were 
 painted, the different statues of the goddess painted 
 likewise in gay colors, and the snow-white garments of 
 the aged priest, were calculated to fill a stranger not only 
 with wonder, but with a species of awe. 
 
126 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 The old man received the prince with much affec- 
 tion, and asked: 
 
 “What brings my illustrious son to the poor servant 
 of the Deity ?” 
 
 “I have much to report to thee, my father;” an- 
 swered Psamtik with a triumphant smile, “for I come 
 in this moment from Amasis.” 
 
 “Then he has at length granted thee an audience?” 
 “At length!” 
 
 “Thy countenance tells me that thou hast been 
 favorably received by our lord, thy father.” 
 
 “After having first experienced his wrath. For, 
 when I laid before him the petition with which thou 
 hadst entrusted me, he was exceeding wroth and nearl/ 
 crushed me by his awful words.” 
 
 “Thou hadst surely grieved him by thy language. 
 Didst thou approach him as I advised thee, with lowli- 
 ness, as a son humbly beseeching his father?” 
 
 “No, my father, I was irritated and indignant.” 
 “Then was Amasis right to be wrathful, for never 
 should a son meet his father in anger; still less when 
 he hath a request to bring before him. Thou know’st 
 the promise, ‘The days of him that honoreth his father 
 shall be many. ,I5 °' b In this one thing, my scholar, thou 
 errest always; to gain thine ends thou usest violence 
 and roughness, where good and gentle words would 
 more surely prevail. A kind word hath far more power 
 than an angry one, and much may depend on the way 
 in which a man ordereth his speech. Hearken to that 
 which I will now relate. In former years there was a 
 king in Egypt named Snefru, who ruled in Memphis. 
 
 150-b. This Egyptian command bears a remarkable resemblance 
 to the fifth in the Hebrew decalogue, both having a promise annexed. 
 It occurs in the Prisse Papyrus, the most ancient sacred writing extant. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 127 
 
 And it came to pass that he dreamed, and in his dream 
 his teeth fell out of his mouth. And he sent for the 
 soothsayers and told them the dream. The first inter- 
 preter answered: ‘Woe unto thee, O king, all thy kins- 
 men shall die before thee!’ Then was Snefru wroth, 
 caused this messenger of evil to be scourged, and sent 
 fora second interpreter. He answered: ‘O king, live 
 for ever, thy life shall be longer than the life of thy 
 kinsmen and the men of thy house!’ Then the king 
 smiled and gave presents unto this interpreter, for 
 though the interpretations were one, yet he had under- 
 stood to clothe his message in a web of fair and pleas- 
 ant words. Apprehendest thou? then hearken to my 
 voice, and refrain from harsh words, remembering that 
 to the ear of a ruler the manner of a man’s speech is 
 weightier than its matter.” 
 
 “Oh my father, how often, hast thou thus admon- 
 ished me! how often have I been convinced of the evil 
 consequences of my rough words and angry gestures! 
 but I cannot change my nature, I cannot . . .” 
 
 “Say rather: I will not; for he that is indeed a man, 
 dare never again commit those sins of which he has 
 once repented. But I have admonished sufficiently. 
 Tell me now how thou didst calm the wrath of Amasis.” 
 
 “Thou knowest my father. When he saw that he 
 had wounded me in the depths of my soul by his 
 awful words, he repented him of his anger. He felt he 
 had been too hard, and desired to make amends at any 
 price.” 
 
 “He hath a kindly heart, but his mind is blinded, 
 and his senses taken captive,” cried the priest. “What 
 might not Amasis do for Egypt, would he but hearken 
 to our counsel, and to the commandments of the gods!” 
 
 A n Egyptian Princess. I. 
 
128 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 “But hear me, my father! in his emotion he granted 
 me the life of Phanes ! ” 
 
 “Thine eyes flash, Psamtik! that pleaseth me not. 
 The Athenian must die, for he has offended the gods; 
 but though he that condemns must let justice have her 
 way, he should have no pleasure in the death of the 
 condemned; rather should he mourn. Now speak; 
 didst thou obtain aught further?” 
 
 “The king declared unto me to what house Nitetis 
 belongs.” 
 
 “ And further naught ? ” 
 
 “ No, my father; but art thou not eager to learn . . . ? ” 
 “ Curiosity is a woman’s vice; moreover, I have long 
 known all that thou canst tell me.” 
 
 “ But didst thou not charge me but yesterday to ask 
 my father this question ? ” 
 
 “ I did do so to prove thee, and know whether thou 
 wert resigned to the Divine will, and wert walking in 
 those ways wherein alone thou canst become worthy of 
 initiation into the highest grade of knowledge. Thou 
 hast told us faithfully all that thou hast heard, and 
 thereby proved that thou canst obey — the first virtue of a 
 priest.” 
 
 “ Thou knewest then the father of Nitetis ?” 
 
 “ I myself pronounced the prayer over king Hoph- 
 ra’s tomb.” 
 
 “ But who imparted the secret to thee ?” 
 
 “ The eternal stars, my son, and my skill in reading 
 them.” 
 
 “ And do these stars never deceive ?” 
 
 “ Never him that truly understands them.” 
 
 Psamtik turned pale. His father’s dream and his 
 own fearful horoscope passed like awful visions through 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 129 
 
 his mind. The priest detected at once the change in 
 his features and said gently : “ Thou deem’st thyself 
 a lost man because the heavens prognosticated evil at 
 thy birth; but take comfort, Psamtik ; I observed another 
 sign in the heavens at that moment, which escaped the 
 notice of the astrologers. Thy horoscope was a threat- 
 ening, a very threatening one, but its omens may be 
 averted, they may . . 
 
 “ O tell me, father, tell me how ! ” 
 
 “ They must turn to good, if thou, forgetful of all 
 else, canst live alone to the gods, paying a ready obedi- 
 ence to the Divine voice audible to us their priests alone 
 in the innermost and holiest sanctuary.” 
 
 “ Father, I am ready to obey thy slightest word.” 
 •‘The great goddess Neith, who rules in Sais, grant 
 this, my son ! ” answered the priest solemnly. “ But 
 now leave me alone,” he continued kindly, “ lengthened 
 devotions and the weight of years bring weariness. 
 If possible, delay the death of Phanes, I wish to speak 
 with him before he dies. Yet one more word. A 
 troop of Ethiopians arrived yesterday. These men 
 cannot speak a word of Greek, and under a faithful 
 leader, acquainted with the Athenians and the locality, 
 they would be the best agents for getting rid of the 
 doomed man, as their ignorance of the language and 
 the circumstances render treachery or gossip impossible. 
 Before starting for Naukratis, they must know nothing 
 of the design of their journey; the deed once accom- 
 plished, we can send them back to Kush.* Remember, 
 a secret can never be too carefully kept ! Farewell.” 
 Psamtik had only left the room a few moments, when 
 a young priest entered, one of the king’s attendants. 
 
 * The Egyptian name for Ethiopia. 
 
130 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 “ Have I listened well, father ? ” he enquired of the 
 old man. 
 
 “ Perfectly, my son. Nothing of that which passed 
 between Amasis and Psamtik has escaped thine ears. 
 May Isis 151 preserve them long to thee ! ” 
 
 “ Ah, father, a deaf man could have heard every 
 word in the ante-chamber to-day, for Amasis bellowed 
 like an ox.” 
 
 “ The great Neith has smitten him with the lack of 
 prudence, yet I command thee to speak of the Pharaoh 
 with more reverence. But now return, keep thine eyes 
 open and inform me at once if Amasis, as is possible, 
 should attempt to thwart the conspiracy against Phanes. 
 Thou wilt certainly find me here. Charge the atten- 
 dants to admit no one, and to say I am at my devotions 
 in the Holy of holies. May the ineffable One protect 
 thy footsteps!” 
 
 While Psamtik was making every preparation for 
 the capture of Phanes, Croesus, accompanied by his 
 followers, had embarked on board a royal bark, and 
 was on his way down the Nile to spend the evening 
 with Rhodopis. 
 
 His son Gyges and the three young Persians re- 
 mained in Sais, passing the time in a manner most 
 agreeable to them. 
 
 Amasis loaded them with civilities, allowed them, 
 according to Egyptian custom, the society of his queen 
 and of the twin-sisters, as they were called ; taught 
 
 151. Isis, the wife or sister of Osiris, is the phenomena of nature, 
 by means of which the god is able to reveal himself to human contem- 
 plation. For more details regarding this myth, see Vol. II. p. 301. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 
 Gygcs the game of draughts / 52 and looking on while 
 the strong, dexterous, young heroes joined his daughters 
 in the game of throwing balls and hoops, so popular 
 among Egyptian maidens / 53 enlivened their amusements 
 with an inexhaustible flow of wit and humor. 
 
 “ Really ,” said Bartja, as he watched Nitetis catch- 
 ing the slight hoop, ornamented with gay ribbons, for the 
 hundredth time on her slender ivory rod, “ really we 
 must introduce this game at home. We Persians are so 
 different from you Egyptians. Everything new has a 
 special charm for us, while to you it is just as hateful. 
 I shall describe the game to our mother Kassandane, 
 and she will be delighted to allow my brother’s wives 
 this new amusement.” 
 
 “ Yes, do, do!” exclaimed the fair Tachot blushing 
 deeply. “ Then Nitetis can play too, and fancy herself 
 back again at home and among those she loves ; and 
 Bartja,” she added in a low voice,. “ whenever you 
 watch the hoops flying, you too must remember this 
 hour.” 
 
 “ I shall never forget it,” answered he with a smile, 
 and then, turning to his future sister-in-law, he called 
 out cheerfully, “ Be of good courage, Nitetis, you will 
 be happier than you fancy with us. We Asiatics know 
 
 152. The Pharaohs themselves, as well as their subjects, wefe in 
 the habit of playing at draughts and other similar games. Rosellini 
 gives us Rameses playing with his daughter; see also two Egyptians 
 playing together, Wilkinson II. 419. v. Minutoli, Gesellschaftliche 
 Spiele bei den alten Aegyptern. Leipziger Illustrirte Zeitung. An es- 
 pecially beautiful draught-board exists in the Egyptian collection at 
 the Louvre Museum. The Egyptians hoped to be permitted to enjoy 
 these pleasures even in the other world. Birch, rev. archeol. N. S. 
 XII. p. 56 and following. 
 
 153. v. Minutoli, Gesellschaftliche Spiele. Wilkinson II. 429. 
 Rosellini, Mon. civ. PI. 100 and 101. Balls that have been found in 
 the tombs are still to be seen ; some, for instance, in the Museum at 
 Leyden. 
 
i3 2 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 how to honor beauty; and prove it by taking many 
 wives.” 
 
 Nitetis sighed, and the queen Ladice exclaimed: 
 “ On the contrary, that very fact proves that you under- 
 stand but poorly how to appreciate woman’s nature! 
 You can have no idea, Bartja, what a woman feels on 
 finding that her husband — the man who to her is more 
 than life itself, and to whom she would gladly and with- 
 out reserve give up all that she treasures as most sacred 
 — looks down on her with the same kind of admiration 
 that he bestows on a pretty toy, a noble steed, or a well- 
 wrought wine-bowl. But it is yet a thousand-fold more 
 painful to feel that the love which every woman has a 
 right to possess for herself alone, must be shared with a 
 hundred others ! ” 
 
 “ There speaks the jealous wife !” exclaimed Amasis. 
 “ Would you not fancy that I had often given her occa- 
 sion to doubt my faithfulness?” 
 
 “ No, no, my husband,” answered Ladice, “in this 
 point the Egyptian men surpass other nations, that they 
 remain content with that which they have once loved; 
 indeed I venture to assert that an Egyptian wife is the hap- 
 piest ofwomen . 154 Even the Greeks, who in so many things 
 
 154. According to Diodorus (I. 27) the queen of Egypt held a 
 higher position than the king himself. The monuments and lists of 
 names certainly prove that women could rule with sovereign power. 
 The husband of the heiress to the throne became king. They had 
 their own revenues (Diodorus I. 52) and when a princess, after death, 
 was admitted among the goddesses, she received her own priestesses. 
 (Edict of Canopus.) During the reigns of the Ptolemies many coins 
 were stamped with the queen’s image and cities were named for them. 
 We notice also that sons, in speaking of their descent, more frequently 
 reckon it from the mother’s than the father’s side, that a married 
 woman is constantly alluded to as the “mistress” or “lady” of the 
 house, that according to many a Greek Papyrus they had entire dis- 
 posal of all their property, no matter in what it consisted, in short that 
 the weaker sex seems to have enjoyed equal influence with the stronger. 
 We learn too that pretenders to the crown were often anxious to se- 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 *33 
 
 may serve as patterns to us, do not know how to appreciate 
 woman rightly. Most of the young Greek girls pass their 
 sad childhood in close rooms, kept to the wheel and the 
 loom by their mothers and those who have charge of 
 them, and when marriageable, are transferred to the 
 quiet house of a husband they do not know, and whose 
 work in life and in the state allows him but seldom to 
 visit his wife’s apartments. Only when the most inti- 
 mate friends and nearest relations are with her husband, 
 does she venture to appear in their midst, and then 
 shyly and timidly, hoping to hear a little of what is 
 going on in the great world outside. Ah, indeed ! we 
 women thirst for knowledge too, and there are certain 
 branches of learning at least, which it cannot be right to 
 withhold from those who are to be the mothers and 
 educators of the next generation. What can an Attic 
 mother, without knowledge, without experience, give to 
 her daughters ? Naught but her own ignorance. And 
 so it is, that a Hellene, seldom satisfied with the society 
 of his lawful, but, mentally, inferior wife, turns for satis- 
 faction to those courtesans, who, from their constant 
 intercourse with men, have acquired knowledge, and 
 well understand how to adorn it with the flowers 
 of feminine grace, and to season it with the salt 
 of a woman’s more refined and delicate wit.* In 
 Egypt it is different. A young girl is allowed to 
 associate freely with the most enlightened men. Youths 
 and maidens meet constantly on festive occasions, learn 
 to know and love one another. The wife is not the 
 slave, but the friend of her husband ; the one supplies 
 the deficiencies of the other. In weighty questions the 
 
 cure the hand of princesses belonging to a legitimate dynasty. During 
 the king's absence, the queen assumed the regency. (Diodorus Is 17.) 
 
 * See Note 10. 
 
*34 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 stronger decides, but the lesser cares of life are left to 
 her who is the greater in small things. The daughters 
 grow up under careful guidance, for the mother is 
 neither ignorant nor inexperienced. To be virtuous and 
 diligent in her affairs becomes easy to a woman, for she 
 sees that it increases his happiness whose dearest posses- 
 sion she boasts of being, and who belongs to her alone. 
 We women only do that which pleases us! but the 
 Egyptian men understand the art of making us pleased 
 with that which is really good, and with that alone. On 
 the shores of the Nile, Phocylides of Miletus and Hip- 
 ponax of Ephesus would never have dared to sing their 
 libels on women, nor could the fable of Pandora 155 have 
 been possibly invented here !” 
 
 “ How beautifully you speak !” exclaimed Bartja. 
 “ Greek was not easy to learn, but I am very glad now 
 that I did not give it up in despair, and really paid 
 attention to Croesus’ lessons.” 
 
 “Who could those men have been,” asked Darius, 
 “ who dared to speak evil of women ?” 
 
 “A couple of Greek poets,” answered Amasis, “the 
 boldest of men, for I confess I would rather provoke a 
 
 155. Simonides of Amorgos, an Iambic poet, who delighted in 
 writing satirical verses on women. He divides them into different 
 classes, which he compares to unclean animals, and considers that the 
 only woman worthy of a husband and able to make him happy must 
 be like the bee. The well-known fable of Pandora owes its origin to 
 Simonides. He lived about 650 B. C. The Egyptians too, speak very 
 severely of bad women, comparing them quite in the Simonides style 
 to beasts of prey (hyenas, lions and panthers). We find this sentence 
 on a vicious woman : She is a collection of every kind of meanness, 
 and a bag full of wiles. Chabas, Papyr. magique Harris, p. 135. 
 Phocylides of Miletus, a rough and sarcastic, but observant man, imi- 
 tated Simonides in his style of writing. But the deformed Hipponax 
 of Ephesus, a poet crushed down by poverty, wrote far bitterer verses 
 than Phocylides. He lived about 550 B. C. “ His own ugliness (ac- 
 cording to Bernhardy) is reflected in every one of his Choliambics.” 
 See Welcker, Schneidewin and Bergk for fragments of his poems. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 *35 
 
 lioness than a woman. But these Greeks do not know 
 what fear is. I will give you a specimen of Hipponax’s 
 poetry : 
 
 “There are but two days when a wife, 
 
 Brings pleasure to her husband's life, 
 
 The wedding-day, when hopes are bright, 
 
 And the day he buries her out of his sight.” 
 
 “ Cease, cease/’ cried Ladice stopping her ears, 
 “that is too bad. Now, Persians, you can see what 
 manner of man Amasis is. For the sake of a joke, he 
 will laugh at those who hold precisely the same opinion 
 as himself. There could not be a better husband. . .” 
 “ Nor a worse wife,” laughed Amasis. “ Thou wilt 
 make men think that I am a too obedient husband. 
 But now farewell, my children ; our young heroes must 
 look at this our city of Sais; before parting, however, I 
 will repeat to them what the malicious Simonides has 
 sung of a good wife : 
 
 “ Dear to her spouse from youth to age she grows; 
 
 Fills with fair girls and sturdy boys his house; 
 
 Among all women womanliest seems, 
 
 And heavenly grace about her mild brow gleams. 
 
 A gentle wife, a noble spouse she walks, 
 
 Nor ever with the gossipmongers talks. 
 
 Such women sometimes Zeus to mortals gives, 
 
 The glory and the solace of their lives.” 156 
 
 “Such is my Ladice! now farewell!” 
 
 “Not yet!” cried Bartja. “Let me first speak in 
 defence of our poor Persia and instil fresh courage into 
 my future sister-in-law; but no! Darius, thou must 
 speak, thine eloquence is as great as thy skill in figures 
 and swordsmanship ! ” 
 
 156. Translated by Edwin Arnold. 
 
136 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 “Thou speakst of me as if I were a gossip or a 
 shopkeeper ,” 157 answered the son of Hystaspes. “Be 
 it so ; I have been burning all this time to defend the 
 customs of our country. Know then, Ladice, that if 
 Auramazda 158 dispose the heart of our king in his own 
 good ways, your daughter will not be his slave, but his 
 friend. Know also, that in Persia, though certainly 
 only at high festivals, the king’s wives have their places 
 at the men’s table, and that we pay the highest rever- 
 ence to our wives and mothers. A king of Babylon 
 once took a Persian wife; in the broad plains of the 
 Euphrates she fell sick of longing for her native moun- 
 tains; he caused a gigantic structure to be raised on 
 arches, and the summit thereof to be covered with a 
 depth of rich earth; caused the choicest trees and 
 flowers to be planted there, and watered by artificial 
 machinery. This wonder completed, he led his wife 
 thither; from its top she could look down into the 
 plains below, as from the heights of Rachmed, and with 
 this costly gift he presented her . 159 Tell me, could even 
 an Egyptian give more?” 
 
 “And did she recover?” asked Nitetis, without rais- 
 ing her eyes. 
 
 “She recovered health and happiness; and you too 
 will soon feel well and happy in our country.” 
 
 157. This nickname, which Darius afterwards earned, is more 
 fully spoken of at the end of the second volume. 
 
 158. Auramazda, called in the cuneiform writings Ormusd, was 
 the mighty, pure and immaculate god of the Persians, always opposed 
 to Angramainjus or Ahriman, the principle of evil and darkness. In 
 the Zend-Avesta Auramazda (according to Spiegel) is called Ahura- 
 Mazda. 
 
 159. This stupendous erection is said to have been constructed by 
 Nebuchadnezzar for his Persian wife Amytis. Curtius V. 5. Josephus 
 contra Apion. I. 19. Antiquities X. 11. 1. Diod. II. 10. For further 
 particulars relative to the hanging-gardens, see note 235. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 *37 
 
 “And now,” said Ladice with a smile, “what, think 
 you, contributed most to the young queen’s recovery ? 
 the beautiful mountain or the love of the husband, who 
 erected it for her sake ?” 
 
 “ Her husband’s love,” cried the young girls. 
 
 “ But Nitetis would not disdain the mountain either,” 
 maintained Bartja, “and I shall make it my care that 
 whenever the court is at Babylon, she has the hanging- 
 gardens for her residence.” 
 
 “But now come,” exclaimed Amasis, “unless you 
 wish to see the city in darkness. Two secretaries have 
 been awaiting me yonder for the last two hours. Ho! 
 Sachons! give orders to the captain of the guard to 
 accompany our noble guests with a hundred men.” 
 
 “ But why ? a single guide, perhaps one of the 
 Greek officers, would be amply sufficient.” 
 
 “No, my young friends, it is better so. Foreigners 
 can never be too prudent in Egypt. Do not forget 
 this, and especially be careful not to ridicule the sacred 
 animals. And now farewell, my young heroes, till we 
 meet again this evening over a merry wine-cup.” 
 
 The Persians then quitted the palace, accompanied 
 by their interpreter, a Greek, but who had been brought 
 up in Egypt, and spoke both languages 160 with equal 
 facility. 
 
 Those streets of Sais which lay near the palace 
 wore a pleasant aspect. The houses, many of which 
 were five stories high, were generally covered with pict- 
 ures or hieroglyphics; galleries with balustrades of 
 carved and gaily-painted wood-work, supported by 
 
 160. Psamtik I. is said to have formed a new caste, viz.: the caste 
 of Interpreters, out of those Greeks who had been born and bred up 
 in Egypt. Herod. II. 154. Herodotus himself was probably con- 
 ducted by such a “ Dragoman.” 
 
 1 1 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 138 
 
 columns also brightly painted, ran round the walls 
 surrounding the courts. In many cases the proprie- 
 tor’s name and rank was to be read on the door , 161 
 which was, however, well closed and locked. Flowers 
 and shrubs ornamented the flat roofs, on which the 
 Egyptians loved to spend the evening hours, unless 
 indeed, they preferred ascending the mosquito-tower 
 with which nearly every house was provided. These 
 troublesome insects, engendered by the Nile, fly low, 
 and these little watch-towers were built as a protection 
 from them . 162 
 
 The young Persians admired the great, almost ex- 
 cessive cleanliness, with which each house, nay, even 
 the streets themselves, literally shone. The door-plates 
 and knockers sparkled in the sun; paintings, balconies 
 and columns all had the appearance of having been 
 only just finished, and even the street-pavement looked 
 as if it were often scoured . 163 But as the Persians left 
 the neighborhood of the Nile and the palace, the streets 
 became smaller. Sais was built on the slope of a mode- 
 rately high hill, and had only been the residence of 
 the Pharaohs for two centuries and a half, but, during 
 that comparatively short interval, had risen from an 
 unimportant place into a town of considerable magni- 
 tude. 
 
 On its river-side the houses and streets were brill- 
 iant, but on the hill-slope lay, with but few more res- 
 pectable exceptions, miserable, poverty-stricken huts 
 
 161. Wilkinson II./. 102. 95. 1. 
 
 162. Wilkinson II. /. 119 and 121. Herod. II. 95. Similar little 
 towers can be seen in the present day. 
 
 163. The streets of Egyptian towns seem to have been paved, 
 judging from the ruins of Alabastron and Memphis. We know at 
 least with certainty that this was the case with those leading to the 
 temples. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 T 39 
 
 constructed of acacia-boughs and Nile-mud. On the 
 north-west rose the royal citadel . 164 
 
 “Let us turn back here,” exclaimed Gyges to his 
 young companions. During his father’s absence he was 
 responsible as their guide and protector, and now 
 perceived that the crowd of curious spectators, which 
 had hitherto followed them, was increasing at every 
 step. 
 
 “I obey your orders,” replied the interpreter, “but 
 yonder in the valley, at the foot of that hill, lies the 
 Saitic city of the dead, and for foreigners I should think 
 that would be of great interest.” 
 
 “ Go forward !” cried Bartja. “ For what did we leave 
 Persia, if not to behold these remarkable objects?” 
 
 On arriving at an open kind of square surrounded 
 by workmen’s booths , 165 and not far from the city of 
 the dead, confused cries rose among the crowd behind 
 them. The children shouted for joy, the women called 
 out, and one voice louder than the rest was heard 
 exclaiming: “Come hither to the fore-court of the 
 temple, and see the works of the great magician, who 
 comes from the western oases of Libya and is endowed 
 with miraculous gifts by Chunsu, the giver of good 
 counsels, and by the great goddess Hekt .” 166 
 
 164. The mounds of rubbish indicating the site of the Acropolis 
 of Sais were seen by Lepsius, [Brief e S. 13.) and even earlier, by the 
 savants who accompanied the French expedition. We saw them our- 
 selves in 1873. See note 150. 
 
 165. Artisans, as well among the ancient as the modern Egyptians, 
 were accustomed to work in the open air. 
 
 166. Many texts in the Bible, and narratives related by the ancients, 
 prove that magicians and snake-charmers were not uncommon in an- 
 cient Egypt. Psalm 58. 4. 5. Jerem. 8. 17. yElian histor. Animal. 
 XVII. 5. Lane tells us that at the present day there are more than 
 300 such snake-charmers in Cairo alone. We have seen many such 
 jugglers in Cairo, Suez, etc. We would remind our readers also of 
 the Psylli of Cyrenaica. We have chosen, so to speak, the divinities 
 
140 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 “ Follow me to the small temple yonder,” said the 
 interpreter, “and you will behold a strange spectacle.” 
 
 He pushed a way for himself and the Persians 
 through the crowd, obstructed in his course by many 
 a sallow woman and naked child; and at length came 
 back with a priest, who conducted the strangers into 
 the fore-court of the temple. Here, surrounded by va- 
 rious chests and boxes, stood a man in the dress of 
 a priest; beside him on the earth knelt two negroes. 
 
 The Libyan* was a man of gigantic stature, with 
 great suppleness of limb and a pair of piercing black 
 eyes. In his hand he held a wind-instrument resemb- 
 ling a modern clarionet, and a number of snakes, 
 known in Egypt to be poisonous, lay coiling themselves 
 over his breast and arms. 
 
 On finding himself in the presence of the Persians 
 he bowed low, inviting them by a solemn gesture to 
 gaze at his performances; he then cast off his white robe 
 and began all kinds of tricks with the snakes. 
 
 He allowed them to bite him, till the blood trickled 
 down his cheeks; compelled them by the notes of his 
 flute to assume an erect position and perform a kind of 
 dancing evolution; by spitting into their jaws he trans- 
 formed them to all appearance into motionless rods ; 
 and then, dashing them all on to the earth, performed a 
 wild dance in their midst, yet without once touching a 
 single snake. 
 
 Like one possessed, he contorted his pliant limbs 
 
 Chunsu and Hekt as the tutelary deities of these conjurors, because 
 the former is mentioned on the Bentrescht Stela in the library at Paris, 
 as casting out evil spirits and the goddess Hekt presided over magic. 
 
 * The name Libya was applied to the western shores of the Nile 
 and the regions beyond. The Libyan Nomoslayin north-west Egypt; 
 and abounded in serpents, especially in its western portions near the 
 Marmarica which partake of the desert character. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 141 
 
 until his eyes seemed starting from his head and a 
 bloody foam issued from his lips. 
 
 Suddenly he fell to the ground, apparently lifeless. 
 A slight movement of the lips and a low hissing whistle 
 were the only signs of life; but, on hearing the latter, 
 the snakes crept up and twined themselves like living 
 rings around his neck, legs and body. At last he rose, 
 sang a hymn in praise of the divine power which had 
 made him a magician, and then laid the greater number 
 of his snakes in one of the chests, retaining a few, prob- 
 ably his favorites, to serve as ornaments for his neck 
 and arms. 
 
 The second part of this performance consisted of 
 clever conjuring-tricks, in which he swallowed burning 
 flax, balanced swords while dancing, their points stand- 
 ing in the hollow of his eye; drew long strings and 
 ribbons out of the noses of the Egyptian children, 
 exhibited the well-known cup-and-ball trick, and, at 
 length, raised the admiration of the spectators to its 
 highest pitch, by producing five living rabbits from 
 as many ostrich-eggs. 
 
 The Persians formed no unthankful portion of the 
 assembled crowd; on the contrary, this scene, so totally 
 new, impressed them deeply. 
 
 They felt as if in the realm of miracles, and fancied 
 they had now seen the rarest of all Egyptian rarities. 
 
 In silence they took their way back to the hand- 
 somer streets of Sais, without noticing how many muti- 
 lated Egyptians crossed their path. These poor dis- 
 figured creatures were indeed no unusual sight for 
 Asiatics, who punished many crimes by the amputation 
 of a limb. Had they enquired however, they would 
 have heard that, in Egypt, the man deprived of his 
 
142 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 hand was a convicted forger, the woman of her nose, 
 an adulteress; that the man without a tongue had been 
 found guilty of high treason or false witness; that the 
 loss of the ears denoted a spy, and that the pale, idiotic- 
 looking woman yonder had been guilty of infanticide, 
 and had been condemned to hold the little corpse three 
 days and three nights in her arms. What woman could 
 retain her senses after these hours of torture ? 167 
 
 The greater number of the Egyptian penal laws not 
 only secured the punishment of the criminal, but rendered 
 a repetition of the offence impossible. 
 
 The Persian party now met with a hindrance, a large 
 crowd having assembled before one of the handsomest 
 houses in the street leading to the temple of Neith. 
 The few windows of this house that could be seen (the 
 greater number opening on the garden and court) were 
 closed with shutters, and at the door stood an old man, 
 dressed in the plain white robe of a priest’s servant. 
 He was endeavoring, with loud cries, to prevent a 
 number of men of his own class from carrying a large 
 chest out of the house. 
 
 “What right have you to rob my master?” he 
 shrieked indignantly. “I am the guardian of this 
 house, and when my master left for Persia (may the 
 gods destroy that land !) he bade me take especial care 
 of this chest in which his manuscripts lay.” 
 
 “ Compose yourself, old Hib!” shouted one of these 
 inferior priests, the same whose acquaintance we made 
 on the arrival of the Asiatic Embassy. “We are herein 
 the name of the high-priest of the great Neith, your 
 master’s master. There must be queer papers in this 
 
 167. Diodorus I. 77. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 J 4 3 
 
 box, or Neithotep would not have honored us with his 
 commands to fetch them.” 
 
 “But I will not allow my master’s papers to be 
 stolen,” shrieked the old man. “ My master is the 
 great physician Nebenchari, and I will secure his rights, 
 even if I must appeal to the king himself.” 
 
 “There,” cried the other, “that will do; out with 
 the chest, you fellows. Carry it at once to the high- 
 priest; and you, old man, would do more wisely to 
 hold your tongue and remember that the high-priest is 
 your master as well as mine. Get into the house as 
 quick as you can, or to-morrow we shall have to drag 
 you off as we did the chest to-day 1 ” So saying, he 
 slammed the heavy door, the old man was flung back- 
 ward into the house and the crowd saw him no more. 
 
 The Persians had watched this scene and obtained 
 an explanation of its meaning from their interpreter. 
 
 Zopyrus laughed on hearing that the possessor of 
 the stolen chest was the oculist Nebenchari, the same 
 who had been sent to Persia to restore the sight of the 
 king’s mother, and whose grave, even morose temper 
 had procured him but little love at the court of Cam- 
 byses. 
 
 Bartja wished to ask Amasis the meaning of this 
 strange robbery, but Gyges begged him not to interfere 
 in matters with which he had no concern. Just as 
 they reached the palace, and darkness, which in Egypt 
 so quickly succeeds the daylight, was already stealing 
 over the city, Gyges felt himself hindered from proceed- 
 ing further by a firm hand on his robe, and perceived a 
 stranger holding his finger on his lips in token of silence. 
 
 “When can I speak with you alone and unobserved?” 
 he whispered. 
 
 An Egyptian Princess /. 
 
144 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 .■“What do you wish from me?” 
 
 “Ask no questions, but answer me quickly. By 
 Mithras , 168 I have weighty matters to disclose.” 
 
 “You speak Persian, but your garments would pro- 
 claim you an Egyptian.” 
 
 “ I am a Persian, but answer me quickly or we shall 
 be noticed. When can I speak to you alone ? ” 
 “To-morrow morning.” 
 
 “That is too late.” 
 
 “ Well then, in a quarter of an hour, when it is quite 
 dark, at this gate of the palace,” 
 
 “ I shall expect you.” 
 
 So saying the man vanished. Once within the 
 palace, Gyges left Bartja and Zopyrus, fastened his 
 sword into his girdle, begged Darius to do the same and 
 to follow him, and was soon standing again under the 
 great portico with the stranger, but this time in total 
 darkness. 
 
 “ Auramazda be praised that you are there!” cried 
 the latter in Persian to the young Lydian; “but who is 
 that with you ?” 
 
 “ Darius, the son of Hystaspes, one of the Achaeme- 
 nidae , 169 and my friend.” , 
 
 The stranger bowed low and answered, “It is well, 
 I feared an Egyptian had accompanied you.” 
 
 “No, we are alone and willing to hear you; but be 
 brief. Who are you and what do you want ?” 
 
 “ My name is Bubares. I served as a poor captain 
 
 168. Oaths sworn in the name of Mithras, the god of the sun, 
 were held specially sacred among the Persians. Vendid . Farg . IV. 36. 
 Spiegel , Avesta.p. 94. 
 
 169. Achaemenidse was the name given to the kings of Persia de- 
 scended from Achaemenes, and to the nobles related to them by birth. 
 In the cuneiform character, inscription of Behistan I. 2. the name is 
 “ Hakhamanis." 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 MS 
 
 under the great Cyrus. At the taking of your father’s 
 city, Sardis, the soldiers were at first allowed to plunder 
 freely; but on your wise father’s representing to Cyrus 
 that to plunder a city already taken was an injury to 
 the present, and not to the former, possessor / 70 they 
 were commanded on pain of death to deliver up their 
 booty to their captains, and the latter to cause every- 
 thing of worth, when brought to them, to be collected 
 in the market-place. Gold and silver trappings lay 
 there in abundance, costly articles of attire studded with 
 precious stones . . .” 
 
 “ Quick, quick, our time is short,” interrupted 
 Gyges. 
 
 “ You are right. I must be more brief. By keeping 
 for myself an ointment-box sparkling with jewels, taken 
 from your father’s palace, I forfeited my life. Croesus, 
 however, pleaded for me with his conqueror Cyrus; my 
 life and liberty were granted me, but I was declared a 
 dishonored man. Life in Persia became impossible 
 with disgrace lying heavily on my soul; I took ship 
 from Smyrna to Cyprus, entered the army there, fought 
 against Amasis, and was brought hither by Phanes as a 
 prisoner-of-war. Haying always served as a horse-sol- 
 dier, I was placed among those slaves who had charge 
 of the king’s horses, and in six years became an over- 
 seer. Never have I forgotten the debt of gratitude I 
 owe to your father; and now my turn has come to ren- 
 der him a service.” 
 
 “ The matter concerns my father ? then speak — tell 
 me, I beseech you !” 
 
 “ Immediately. Has Croesus offended the crown- 
 prince ?” 
 
 170, Herod . I. 88. 
 
146 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 “ Not that I am aware of.” 
 
 “ Your father is on a visit to Rhodopis this evening, 
 at Naukratis ?” 
 
 “ How did you hear this ?” 
 
 “ From himself. I followed him to the boat this 
 morning and sought to cast myself at his feet.” 
 
 “ And did you succeed ?” 
 
 “ Certainly. He spoke a few gracious words with 
 me, but could not wait to hear what I would say, as 
 his companions were already on board when he arrived. 
 His slave Sandon, whom I know, told me that they 
 were going to Naukratis, and would visit the Greek 
 woman whom they call Rhodopis.” 
 
 “ He spoke truly.” 
 
 “ Then you must speed to the rescue. At the time 
 that the market-place was full , 171 ten carriages and two 
 boats, full of Ethiopian soldiers under the command of 
 an Egyptian captain, were sent off to Naukratis to sur- 
 round the house of Rhodopis and make captives of her 
 guests.” 
 
 “ Ha, treachery!” exclaimed Gyges. 
 
 “ But how can they wish to injure your father?” said 
 Darius. “They know that the vengeance of Cam- 
 byses ” 
 
 “ I only know,” repeated Bubares, “ that this night 
 the house of Rhodopis, in which your father is, will be 
 
 171. The forenoon among the Greeks was regulated by the busi- 
 ness of the market. n\rix}ov6a ayooa, 7reot n\rj&ov6av ayooav, — TrXrj&uiOTj 
 ayooag- Herod. II. 173. VII. 223. 8ux\v6l<: ayooaq (Xenopk. Oecon. 12. 
 1.) “When the market-place begins to fill, when it is full, when it 
 becomes empty.” It would be impossible to define this division ot 
 time exactly according to our modern methods of computation, but it 
 seems certain that the market was over by the afternoon. The busiest 
 hours were probably from 10 till 1. At the present day the streets of 
 Athens are crowded during those hours ; but in Summer from two to 
 four o’clock are utterly deserted. I owe this information to Dr. Steitz. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 147 
 
 surrounded by Ethiopian soldiers. I myself saw to the 
 horses which transport them thither and heard Pentaur, 
 one of the crown-prince’s fan-bearers, call to them, 
 
 ‘ Keep eyes and ears open, and let the house of Rhodo- 
 pis be surrounded, lest he should escape by the back 
 door. If possible spare his life, and kill him only if he 
 resist. Bring him alive to Sais, and you shall receive 
 twenty rings of gold .”’ 172 
 
 “ But could that allude to my father ?” 
 
 “ Certainly not,” cried Darius. 
 
 “ It is impossible to say,” murmured Bubares. “In 
 this country one can never know what may happen.” 
 
 “ How long does it take for a good horse to reach 
 Naukratis ?” 
 
 “ Three hours, if he can go so long, and the Nile 
 has not overflowed the road too much.” 
 
 “ I will be there in two.” 
 
 “ I shall ride with you,” said Darius. 
 
 “ No, you must remain here with Zopyrus for Bartja’s 
 protection. Tell the servants to get ready.” 
 
 “ But Gyges ” 
 
 “Yes, you will stay here and excuse me to Amasis. 
 Say I could not come to the evening revel on account 
 of headache, toothache, sickness, anything you like. 
 
 172. It is no longer a matter of question, that before the time of 
 the Persians, and therefore at this point of our history, no money had 
 been coined in Egypt. The precious metals were weighed out and 
 used as money in the shape of rings, animals, etc. On many of the 
 monuments we see people purchasing goods and weighing out the 
 gold in payment; while others are paying their tribute in gold rings. 
 These rings were in use as a medium of payment up to the time of 
 the Ptolemies. Pliny XXXIII. 1. Balances with weights in the form 
 of animals may be seen in Wilkinson II. p. 10. During the reigns of 
 the Ptolemies many coins were struck, numerous beautiful specimens 
 of which have been given in our “ Aegypten in Dild und Wort ” 
 Some of the Egyptian weights and the value assigned to them are 
 known at the present day. 
 
148 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 I shall ride Bartja’s Nicsean horse; and you, Bubares, 
 will follow me on Darius’s. You will lend him, my 
 brother ? ” 
 
 “ If I had ten thousand, you should have them all.” 
 “ Do you know the way to Naukratis, Bubares?” 
 
 “ Blindfold.” 
 
 “ Then go, Darius, and tell them to get your horse 
 and Bartja’s ready ! To linger would be sin. Farewell 
 Darius, perhaps for ever ! Protect Bartja ! Once more, 
 farewell !” 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 
 It wanted two hours of midnight. Bright light was 
 streaming through the open windows of Rhodopis’ 
 house, and sounds of mirth and gaiety fell on the ear. 
 Her table had been adorned with special care in 
 Croesus’ honor. 
 
 On the cushions around it lay the guests with whom 
 we are already acquainted : Theodorus, Ibykus, Phanes, 
 Aristomachus, the merchant Theopompus of Miletus, 
 Croesus and others, crowned with chaplets of poplar 
 and roses. 
 
 Theodorus the sculptor was speaking : “ Egypt seems 
 to me,” he said, “ like a girl who persists in wearing a 
 tight and painful shoe only because it is of gold, while 
 within her reach lie beautiful and well-fitting slippers in 
 which she could move at ease, if she only would.” 
 
 “You refer to the Egyptians’ pertinacity in retaining 
 traditional forms and customs ?” asked Croesus. 
 
 “ Certainly I do,” answered the sculptor. “Two 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 149 
 
 centuries ago Egypt was unquestionably the first of the 
 nations. In Art and Science she far excelled us ; but 
 we learnt their methods of working, improved on 
 them, held firm to no prescribed proportions, but to 
 the natural types alone, gave freedom and beauty to 
 their unbending outlines,* and now have left our 
 masters far behind us. But how was this possible? 
 simply because the Egyptians, bound by unalterable 
 laws, could make no progress ; we, on the contrary, were 
 free to pursue our course in the wide arena of art as far 
 as will and power would allow.” 
 
 “ But how can an artist be compelled to fashion 
 statues alike, which are meant to differ from each other 
 in what they represent ?” 
 
 “ In this case that can be easily explained. The 
 entire human body is divided by the Egyptians into 
 21 parts, 173 in accordance with which division the 
 proportion of each separate limb is regulated. I, myself, 
 have laid a wager with Amasis, in presence of the first 
 Egyptian sculptor, (a priest of Thebes), that, if I send 
 my brother Telekles, in Ephesus, dimensions, proportion 
 and attitude, according to the Egyptian method, he and 
 I together can produce a statue which shall look as if 
 sculptured from one block and by one hand, though 
 
 173. These numbers, and the story which immediately follows, are 
 taken from Diodorus I. 98. Plato tells us that, in his time, a law existed 
 binding the Egyptian artists to execute their works with exactly the 
 same amount of beauty or its reverse, as those which had been made 
 more than a thousand years before. This statement is confirmed by 
 the monuments; but any one well acquainted with Egyptian art can 
 discern a marked difference in the style of each epoch. At the time 
 of the ancient kingdom the forms were compressed and stunted; 
 under Seti I. beauty of proportion reached its highesjt point. During, 
 and after the 20th dynasty, the style declined in beauty; in the 26th, 
 under the descendants of Psammetichus, we meet with a last revival 
 of art, but the ancient purity of form was never again attained, 
 
 * See note 26. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 1 S° 
 
 Telekles is to carve the lower half at Ephesus, and I the 
 upper here in Sais, and under the eye of Amasis.” 
 
 “ And shall you win your wager ?” 
 
 “ Undoubtedly. I am just going to begin this trick 
 of art; it will as little deserve the name of a work of art, 
 as any Egyptian statue.” 
 
 “ And yet there are single sculptures here which are 
 of exquisite workmanship ; such, for instance, as the one 
 Amasis sent to Samos as a present to Polykrates. In 
 Memphis I saw a statue said to be about three thousand 
 years old, and to represent a king 174 who built the great 
 Pyramid, which excited my admiration in every respect. 
 With what certainty and precision that unusually hard 
 stone has been wrought ! the muscles, how carefully 
 carved! especially in the breast, legs and feet; the 
 harmony of the features too, and, above all, the polish 
 of the whole, leave nothing to be desired.” 
 
 “ Unquestionably. In all the mechanism of art, 
 such as precision and certainty in working even the 
 hardest materials, the Egyptians, though they have so 
 long stood still in other points, are still far before us; 
 but to model form with freedom, to breathe, like Pro- 
 metheus, a soul into the stone, they will never learn 
 until their old notions on this subject have been entirely 
 abandoned. Even the pleasing varieties of corporeal 
 life cannot be represented by a system of mere propor- 
 
 174. These wooden statues represented the king himself. Herod. 
 II. 182. A considerable number of portrait-statues have come down 
 to us. As a proof of the height which art in Egypt had reached, even 
 at so early a period as the time of the Pyramids, we need only allude 
 to the statue of Chefren now in the Museum at Boolak, exquisitely 
 wrought in a very hard material. At the Paris Exhibition of 1867 it 
 excited the admiration of every beholder. The wooden statue of the 
 so-called village magistrate, found at Sakkara, also belongs to the time 
 of the Pyramids. In delicacy of workmanship and realistic treatment 
 it is unsurpassed by anything in the collection. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 151 
 
 tions, much less those which are inner and spiritual. 
 Look at the countless statues which have been erected 
 during the last three thousand years, in all the temples 
 and palaces from Naukratis up to the Cataracts. They 
 are all of one type, and represent men of middle age, 
 with grave but benevolent countenances. Yet they are 
 intended, some as statues of aged monarchs, others to 
 perpetuate the memory of young princes. The warrior 
 and the lawgiver, the blood-thirsty tyrant and the phi- 
 lanthropist are only distinguished from each other by a 
 difference in size, by which the Egyptian sculptor 
 expresses the idea of power and strength. Amasis orders 
 a statue just as I should a sword. Breadth and length 
 being specified, we both of us know quite well, before 
 the master has begun his work, what we shall receive 
 when it is finished. How could I possibly fashion an 
 infirm old man like an eager youth? a pugilist like a 
 runner in the foot-race? a poet like a warrior? Put 
 Ibykus and our Spartan friend side by side, and tell me 
 what you would say, were I to give to the stern warrior the 
 gentle features and gestures of our heart-ensnaring poet.’* 
 “ Well, and how does Amasis answer your remarks 
 on this stagnation in art ?” 
 
 “ He deplores it ; but does not feel himself strong 
 enough to abolish the restrictive laws of the priests.” 
 
 “ And yet,” said the Delphian, “ he has given a 
 large sum towards the embellishment of our new tem- 
 ple, expressly, (I use his own words) for the promotion 
 of Hellenic art!” 
 
 “ That is admirable in him,” exclaimed Croesus. 
 “ Will the Alkmaeonidae soon have collected the three 
 hundred talents* necessary for the completion of the 
 * £ 67,5 oo- 
 

 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 temple ? 175 Were I as rich as formerly I would gladly 
 undertake the entire cost ; notwithstanding that your 
 malicious god so cruelly deceived me, after all my offer- 
 ings at his shrine. For when I sent to ask whether I 
 should begin the war with Cyrus, he returned this 
 answer: I should destroy a mighty kingdom by crossing 
 the river Halys . 176 I trusted the god, secured the friend- 
 ship of Sparta according to his commands, crossed the 
 boundary stream, and, in so doing, did indeed destroy 
 a mighty kingdom; not however that of the Medes and 
 Persians, but my own poor Lydia, which, as a satrapy 
 of Cambyses, finds its loss of independence a hard and 
 uncongenial yoke.” 
 
 “You blame the god unjustly,” answered Phryxus. 
 “It cannot be his fault that you, in your human conceit, 
 should have misinterpreted his oracle. The answer did 
 not say The kingdom of Persia/ but 6 a kingdom’ 
 should be destroyed through your desire for war. Why 
 did you not enquire what kingdom was meant? Was 
 not your son’s fate truly prophesied by the oracle ? and 
 also that on the day of misfortune he would regain his 
 speech ? And when, after the fall of Sardis, Cyrus 
 granted your wish to enquire at Delphi whether the 
 Greek gods made a rule of requiting their benefactors 
 by ingratitude, Loxias answered that he had willed the 
 best for you, but was controlled by a mightier power 
 than himself, by that inexorable fate which had foretold 
 
 175. The noble Attic family of the Alkmseonidae, after having 
 been driven from Athens by Pisistratus, undertook to rebuild the 
 temple at Delphi. A fourth of the money required for the work was 
 to be procured by the Delphians themselves, who also made collec- 
 tions in Egypt, and are said to have obtained a considerable sum 
 there. Herod. II. 180. 
 
 176. Herod. I. 53. Xenoph. Cyrop. VII. 2. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 *53 
 
 to thy great ancestor , 177 that his fifth successor was 
 doomed to destruction.” 
 
 “ In the first days of my adversity I needed those 
 words far more than now,” interrupted Croesus. “ There 
 was a time when I cursed your god and his oracles; but 
 later, when with my riches my flatterers had left me, and 
 I became accustomed to pronounce judgment on my 
 own actions, I saw clearly that not Apollo, but my own 
 vanity had been the cause of my ruin. How could 
 ‘the kingdom to be destroyed’ possibly mean mine, the 
 mighty realm of the powerful Croesus, the friend of the 
 gods, the hitherto unconquered leader ? Had a friend 
 hinted at this interpretation of the ambiguous oracle, I 
 should have derided, nay, probably caused him to be 
 punished. For a despotic ruler is like a fiery steed; the 
 latter endeavors to kick him who touches his wounds 
 with intent to heal ; the former punishes him who lays 
 a hand on the weak or failing points of his diseased 
 mind. Thus I missed what, if my eyes had not been 
 dazzled, I might easily have seen ; and now that my 
 vision is clearer, though I have nothing to lose, I am far 
 more often anxious than in the days when none could 
 possibly lose more than I. In comparison with those 
 days, Phryxus, I may be called a poor man now, but 
 Cambyses does not leave me to famish, and I can still 
 raise a talent 178 for your temple.” 
 
 Phryxus expressed his thanks, and Phanes remarked : 
 “ The Alkmaeonidae will be sure to erect a beautiful 
 edifice, for they are rich and ambitious, and desirous of 
 
 177. Kandaules, who received the answer mentioned in the text 
 from the oracle, had murdered Gyges, king of Lydia, and thus ob- 
 tained possession of the throne. Herod. I. 8. 91. 
 
 178. The ancient Attic talent of silver was worth ^225, according 
 to Bockh, Staatshaushaltung der Athener I. 25. The Mina was worth 
 ^3. 15. the drachma about yd. and the obolus a little more than id. 
 
 12 
 
T S4 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 gaining favor with the Amphiktyons, in order, by their 
 aid, to overthrow the tyrants, secure to themselves a 
 higher position than that of the family to which I 
 belong, and with this, the guidance of state-affairs.” 
 
 “ Is it true, as people say,” asked Ibykus, “ that 
 next to Agarista 179 with whom Megakles received so 
 rich a dowry, you, Croesus, have been the largest con- 
 tributor to the wealth of the Alkmaeonidae ? ” 
 
 “True enough,” answered Croesus laughing. 
 
 “Tell us the story, I beg,” said Rhodopis. 
 
 “Well,” answered Croesus, “ Alkmaeon of Athens 
 once appeared at my court; 180 his cheerfulness and cul- 
 tivation pleased me well, and I retained him near me 
 for some time. One day I showed him my treasure- 
 chambers, at the sight of which he fell into despair, 
 called himself a common beggar and declared that one 
 good handful of these precious things would make him 
 a happy man. I at once allowed him to take as much 
 gold away as he could carry. What think you did 
 Alkmaeon on this ? sent for high Lydian riding-boots, an 
 apron and a basket, had the one secured behind him, 
 put the others on, and filled them all with gold, till 
 they could hold no more. Not content with this, he 
 strewed gold-dust in his hair and beard and filled 
 his mouth to that extent that he appeared in the 
 act of choking. In each hand he grasped a gold- 
 en dish, and thus laden dragged himself out of the 
 treasure-house, falling exhausted as he crossed the 
 threshold. Never have I laughed so heartily as at this 
 sight.” 
 
 179. Agarista was the wealthy heiress of Klisthenes of Sicyon, and 
 wife of Megakles, one of the Alkmaeonidae. Herod. VI. 126 — 130. 
 Diod. VII. 19. Pherecydes fr . 20. Miiller. 
 
 180. Herod. VI. 125. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 !SS 
 
 “ But did you grant him all these treasures?” said 
 Rhodopis. 
 
 “ Yes, yes, my friend; and did not think even then, 
 that I had paid too dearly for the experience that gold 
 can make fools even of clever men.” 
 
 “ You were the most generous of monarchs,” cried 
 Phanes. 
 
 “ And make a tolerably contented beggar,” answered 
 Croesus. “But tell me, Phryxus, how much has Amasis 
 contributed to your collection ? ” 
 
 “ He gave fifty tons of alum.” 181 
 “A royal gift ! ” 
 
 “ And the prince Psamtik ? ” 
 
 “ On my appealing to him by his father’s munificence, 
 he turned his back on me, and answered with a bitter 
 laugh : ‘ Collect money for the destruction of your temple, 
 and I am ready to double my father’s donation ! ’ ” 
 
 “ The wretch ! ” 
 
 “ Say rather : the true Egyptian ! to Psamtik every- 
 thing foreign is an abomination.” 
 
 “ How much have the Greeks in Naukratis contri- 
 buted?” 
 
 “ Beside munificent private donations, each com- 
 munity 182 has given twenty minae.” * 
 
 “ That is much.” 
 
 “ Philoinus, the Sybarite, alone sent me a thou- 
 sand drachmae, ## and accompanied his gift with a 
 
 181. Herod. II. 180. 
 
 182. See note 175. Herod II. 180. It might be understood from 
 this passage, that the sum of 20 Minas, or ^75, had been contributed 
 by the entire Greek colony in Naukratis. But as this would have been 
 far too small a sum for so considerable a place, and yet, (in Valla’s 
 opinion) too much for each indi /idual citizen, we can only assume that 
 Herodotus is speaking of the different communities of which the 
 colony was composed. 
 
 * £ 75 . ** See note 178. £ 37 . 10 . 
 
156 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 most singular epistle. May I read it aloud, Rho« 
 dopis ? ” 
 
 “ Certainly, answered she. “It will show you that 
 the drunkard has repented of his late behaviour.” 
 
 The Delphian began : “ Philoinus to Phryxus : It 
 grieves me that at Rhodopis’ house the other night I did 
 not drink 7?iore ; for had I done so I should have lost 
 consciousness entirely, and so have been unable to 
 offend even the smallest insect. My confounded ab- 
 stemiousness is therefore to blame, that I can no longer 
 enjoy a place at the best table in all Egypt. I am 
 thankful, however, to Rhodopis for past enjoyment, and 
 in memory of her glorious roastbeef (which has bred in 
 me the wish to buy her cook at any price) I send twelve 
 large spits for roasting oxen , 183 and beg they may be 
 placed in some treasure-house at Delphi as an offering 
 from Rhodopis. As for myself, being a rich man, I 
 sign my name for a thousand drachmae, and beg that 
 my gift may be publicly announced at the next Pythian 
 games. To that rude fellow, Aristomachus of Sparta, 
 express my thanks for the effectual manner in which he 
 fulfilled my intention in coming to Egypt. I came 
 hither for the purpose of having a tooth extracted 
 by an Egyptian dentist 184 said to take out teeth without 
 causing much pain. Aristomachus, however, knocked 
 out the defective tooth and so saved me from an opera- 
 tion, the thought of which had often made me tremble. 
 On recovering consciousness, I found that three teeth 
 
 183. Rhodopis is said to have sent such a gift to Delphi. Herod. 
 II- 135. 
 
 184. The Egyptian dentists must have been very skilful. Artificial 
 teeth have been discovered in the jaws of mummies. See Blumenbach 
 on the teeth of the ancient Egyptians, and on mummies. Gbitinger 
 Magazin 1780. I. 115. In the Papyrus Ebers, prescriptions are given 
 for various diseases of the teeth. Taf. 72. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 *57 
 
 had been knocked into my mouth, the diseased one 
 and two others, which though healthy, would probably at 
 some future time have caused me pain. Salute Rhodopis 
 and the handsome Phanes from me. You I invite to 
 an entertainment at my house in feybaris, this day 
 year . 185 We are accustomed to issue invitations some- 
 what early, on account of my necessary preparations. I 
 have caused this epistle to be written by my slave 
 Sophotatus in an adjoining chamber, as merely to 
 behold the labor of writing causes cramp in my fingers.” 
 A burst of laughter arose at these words, but Rho- 
 dopis said : “ This letter gives me pleasure ; it proves 
 that Philoinus is not bad at heart. Brought up a 
 Sybarite ” . . . , She was suddenly interrupted by the 
 voice of a stranger, who had entered unperceived, and, 
 after apologizing to the venerable hostess and her guests 
 for appearing without invitation among them, continued 
 thus : “I am Gyges the son of Croesus ; and it has not 
 been merely for pastime, that I have ridden over from 
 Sais in two hours lest I should arrive too late ! ” 
 
 “ Menon, a cushion for our guest ! ” cried Rhodopis. 
 “ Be welcome to my house and take some repose after 
 your wild, thoroughly Lydian, ride.” 
 
 “ By the dog , 186 Gyges !” exclaimed Croesus, “ what 
 brings thee here at this hour? I begged thee not to 
 quit Bartja’s side . . . But how thou look’st ! what is 
 the matter ? has aught happened ? speak, speak ! ” 
 
 In the first moment Gyges could not answer a word. 
 To see his beloved father, for whose very life he had 
 been in such anxiety, a safe and happy guest at this 
 
 185. Athen. XII. 20. Plut. sept. sap. p. 147. 
 
 186. ‘Vtj t'ov Kvva .” An oath of Rhadamanthus used in order to 
 avoid mentioning the names of the gods. Schol. Aristoph. Aves. 520. 
 
158 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 rich banquet, seemed to rob him of his speech a second 
 time. At last, however., he was able to say : “ The 
 gods be praised, my father, that I see thee safe once 
 more! Think not I forsook my post thoughtlessly. 
 Alas ! I am forced to appear as a bird of evil omen 
 in this cheerful assembly. Know at once, ye guests, 
 for I dare not lose time in preparing my words, that a 
 treacherous assault awaits ye ! ” 
 
 They all sprang up as if struck by lightning. Aris- 
 tomachus silently loosened his sword in its scabbard; 
 Phanes extended his arms as if to discern whether the 
 old athletic elasticity still dwelt there. 
 
 “What can it be? what is their design?” echoed 
 from all sides. 
 
 “This house is surrounded by Ethiopian soldiers!” 
 answered Gyges. “A faithful fellow confided to me 
 that the crown-prince had designs on one of your 
 number; he was to be taken alive if possible, but killed 
 if he resisted. Dreading lest thou shouldst be this 
 victim, my father, I sped hither. The fellow had not lied. 
 This house is surrounded. My horse shied on reaching 
 your garden-gate, Rhodopis, jaded as he was. I dis- 
 mounted, and could discern behind every bush the glitter 
 of weapons and the eager eyes of men lying in ambush. 
 They allowed us, however, to enter unmolested.” 
 
 At this moment Knakias rushed in crying, “Im- 
 portant news! On my way to the Nile to fetch water 
 with which to prepare the wine-cup , 187 I have just 
 met a man who, in his haste, nearly ran over me. It 
 
 187. The water of the Nile has a very agreeable flavor. It is 
 called by one traveller the champagne among the waters. The ladies 
 of the Sultan’s harem send for this water even from Constantinople, 
 and the Arabs say, that if Mahomet had drunk thereof he would have 
 desired to live for ever. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 J 59 
 
 was an Ethiop, one of Phanes’ boatmen, and he tells 
 that just as he sprang out of the boat to bathe, a royal 
 bark came alongside and a soldier asked the rest of the 
 crew in whose service they were. On the helmsman 
 answering, ‘in Phanes’ service,’ the royal boat passed 
 on slowly. He, however, (the rower who was bathing), 
 seated himself in fun on the rudder of the royal boat, 
 and heard one Ethiopian soldier on board say to an- 
 other, ‘Keep that craft well in sight; now we know 
 where the bird sits, and it will be easy to catch him. 
 Remember, Psamtik has promised us fifty gold rings if 
 we bring the Athenian to Sais dead or alive.’ This is 
 the report of Sebek, who has been in your service seven 
 years, O Phanes.” 
 
 To both these accounts Phanes listened calmly. 
 
 Rhodopis trembled. Aristomachus exclaimed, “Not 
 a hair of your head shall be touched, if Egypt perish 
 for it!” Croesus advised prudence. A tremendous ex- 
 citement had mastered the whole party. 
 
 At last Phanes broke silence, saying: “Reflection is 
 never more necessary than in a time of danger. I have 
 thought the matter over, and see clearly that escape 
 will be difficult. The Egyptians will try to get rid of 
 me quietly. They know that I intend going on board 
 a Phocoean trireme, which sets sail for Sigeum at a very 
 early hour to-morrow morning, and have therefore no 
 time to lose, if they will seize me. Your garden, Rho- 
 dopis, is entirely surrounded, and were I to remain 
 here, your house would no longer be respected as a 
 sanctuary; it would be searched and I taken in it. 
 There can be no doubt that a watch has been set over 
 the Phocoean ship also. Blood shall not be shed in 
 vain on my account.” 
 
 A n Egyptian Princess. I. 
 
i6o 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 “But you dare not surrender!” cried Aristo- 
 machus. 
 
 “No, no, I have a plan,” shouted Theopompus the 
 Milesian merchant. “At sunrise to-morrow a ship sails 
 for Miletus laden with Egyptian corn, but not from 
 Naukratis, from Canopus. Take the noble Persian's 
 horse and ride thither. We will cut a way for you 
 through the garden.” 
 
 “But,” said Gyges, “our little band is not strong 
 enough to . carry out such an attempt. We number in 
 all ten men, and of these only three have swords; our 
 enemies, on the other hand, number at least a hundred, 
 and are armed to the teeth.” 
 
 “Lydian!” cried Aristomachus, “werfthou ten times 
 more fainthearted than thou art, and were our enemies 
 double their number, I at least, will fight them !” 
 
 Phanes grasped his friend’s hand. Gyges turned 
 pale. This brave warrior had called him fainthearted; 
 and again he could find no words to answer; for at 
 every stirring emotion his tongue failed him. Suddenly 
 the blood mounted to his face; his words came quickly 
 and with decision: “Athenian, follow me! and thou, 
 Spartan, who art not wont to use words heedlessly, call 
 no man fainthearted again before thou knowest him. 
 Friends, Phanes is safe, Farewell, father!” 
 
 The remaining guests surveyed these two departing 
 men in silent wonder. As they stood there, silently 
 listening, the sound of two horses galloping swiftly away 
 fell on their ear, and after a longer interval a prolonged 
 whistle from the Nile and a cry of distress. 
 
 “Where is Knakias?” said Rhodopis to one of her 
 slaves. 
 
 “He went into the garden with Phanes and the 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 j6i 
 
 Persian,” was the answer, and as it was being spoken, 
 the old slave re-entered, pale and trembling. 
 
 “Have you seen my son?” cried Croesus. 
 
 “Where is Phanes?” 
 
 “ I was to bid you farewell from them both.” 
 
 “Then they are gone. — Whither? How was it pos- 
 sible ?” . . . 
 
 “The Athenian and the Persian,” began the slave, 
 “had a slight dispute in the anteroom. This over, I 
 was told to divest both of their robes. Phanes then put 
 on the stranger’s trousers, coat and girdle; on his own 
 curls he placed the pointed Persian cap. The stranger 
 wrapped himself in the Athenian’s chiton and mantle, 
 placed the golden circlet above his brow, caused the 
 hair to be shaved from his upper lip, and ordered me to 
 follow him into the garden. Phanes, whom in his 
 present dress, none could imagine to be other than a 
 Persian, mounted one of the horses still waiting before 
 the gate; the stranger called after him, 4 Farewell Gy ges, 
 farewell beloved Persian, a pleasant journey to thee, 
 Gyges!’ The servant, who had been waiting, followed 
 on the other horse. I could hear the clatter of arms 
 among the bushes, but the Athenian was allowed to 
 depart unmolested, the soldiers, without doubt, believe 
 ing him to be a Persian. 
 
 “On returning to the house the stranger’s orders 
 were: ‘Accompany me to Phanes’ bark, and cease not 
 to call me by the Athenian’s name.’ ‘But the boatmen 
 will betray you,’ I said. ‘Then go alone to them,’ he 
 answered, ‘and command them to receive me as their 
 master, Phanes.’ Then I prayed him to allow me to 
 take the dress of the fugitive and become a prey to the 
 pursuers; but he would by no means allow this, and 
 
162 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 said my gait and carriage would betray me. There 
 alas! he spoke truly, for only the free man can walk 
 erect; the neck of the slave is bent; the schools in 
 which the noble and the freeborn learn grace and 
 beauty of movement are not for him. And so it must 
 remain, the children must be even as the fathers; can 
 the unclean onion-root produce a rose, or the unsightly 
 radish a hyacinth ? 188 Constant bondage bows the 
 neck of the slave, but the consciousness of freedom 
 gives dignity to the stature.” 
 
 “But what has become of my son?” interrupted 
 Croesus. 
 
 “He would not accept my poor offer, and took his 
 seat in the bark, sending a thousand greetings unto 
 thee, O king! I cried after him, ‘ Farewell Phanes! 
 I wish thee a prosperous journey, Phanes F At that 
 moment a cloud crossed the moon; and from out the 
 thick darkness I heard screams, and cries for help; they 
 did not, however, last long, a shrill whistle followed, then 
 all was silent; and the measured strokes of oars were 
 the only sounds that fell on my ear. I was on the point 
 of returning to relate what I had seen, when the boat- 
 man Sebek swam up once more and told as follows: 
 The Egyptians had caused a leak to be made in Phanes’ 
 boat, and at a short distance from land it had filled and 
 began to sink. On the boatmen crying for help, the 
 royal bark, which was following, had come up and taken 
 the supposed Phanes on board, but had prevented the 
 rowers from leaving their benches. They all went down 
 with the leaking boat, the daring Sebek alone excepted. 
 Gyges is on board the royal boat; Phanes has escaped, 
 
 188. From some verses by Theognis of Megara, IV. 62. died 480 
 B. C. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 1 63 
 
 for that whistle must have been intended for the soldiers 
 in ambush at the garden-gate. I searched the bushes, 
 the soldiers were gone, and I could hear the sound of 
 their voices and weapons on their way back to Sais.” . 
 
 The guests listened with eager attention to this tale. 
 At its close a mingled feeling of relief and anxiety was 
 felt by all; relief that their favorite companion had 
 escaped so fearful a danger, anxiety for the brave young 
 Lydian who had risked his life to save him. They 
 praised his generosity, congratulated Croesus on possess- 
 ing such a son, and finally agreed in the conclusion, 
 that, when the crown-prince discovered the error into 
 which his emissaries had fallen, he must certainly release 
 Gyges, and even make him compensation for what he 
 had suffered at their hands. 
 
 The friendship already shown by Amasis, and the 
 fear in which he evidently stood of the Persian power, 
 were the thoughts which had power to calm Croesus, 
 w T ho soon left, in order to pass the night at the house 
 of Theopompus, the Milesian merchant. At parting, 
 Aristomachus said: “ Salute Gyges in my name; tell 
 him I ask his forgiveness, and hope one day either to 
 enjoy his friendship, or, if that cannot be, to meet him 
 as a fair foe on the field of battle.” 
 
 “Who knows what the future may bring?” answered 
 Croesus giving his hand to the Spartan. 
 
164 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 The sun of a new day had risen over Egypt, but 
 was still low in the east; the copious dew, which, on 
 the Nile, supplies the place of rain, lay sparkling like 
 jewels on the leaves and blossoms, and the morning 
 air, freshened by a north-west wind, invited those to 
 enjoy it who could not bear the heat of mid-day. 
 
 Through the door of the country-house, now so well 
 known to us, two female figures have just passed; 
 Melitta, the old slave, and Sappho, the grandchild of 
 Rhodopis. 
 
 The latter is not less lovely now, than when we saw 
 her last, asleep. She moves through the garden with 
 a light quick step, her white morning robe with its wide 
 sleeves falling in graceful drapery over her lithe limbs, 
 the thick brown hair straying from beneath the purple 
 kerchief over her head, and a merry, roguish smile 
 lurking round her rosy mouth and in the dimples of her 
 cheeks and chin. 
 
 She stooped to pick a rose, dashed the dew from if 
 into the face of her old nurse, laughing at her naughty 
 trick till the clear bell-like tones rang through the gar- 
 den; fixed the flower in her dress and began to sing in 
 a wonderfully rich and sweet voice — 
 
 Cupid once upon a bed 
 Of roses laid his weary head ; 
 
 Luckless urchin ! not to see 
 Within the leaves a slumbering bee. 
 
 The bee awak’d — with anger wild 
 The bee awak’d, and stung the child. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 i6 5 
 
 Loud and piteous are his cries ; 
 
 To Venus quick he runs, he flies; 
 
 “Oh mother! I am wounded through^- 
 “ I die with pain — in sooth I do ! 
 
 “Stung by some little angry thing. 
 
 “Some serpent on a tiny wing, 
 
 “A bee it was — for once, I know, 
 
 “ I heard a rustic call it so." * 
 
 “ Isn’t that a very pretty song ?” asked the laughing 
 girl. “ How stupid of little Eros to mistake a bee for 
 a winged snake ! Grandmother says that the great poet 
 Anacreon wrote another verse to this song, but she will 
 not teach it me. Tell me, Melitta, what can there be 
 in that verse? There, you are smiling; dear, darling 
 Melitta, do sing me that one verse. Perhaps though, 
 you don’t know it yourself? No? then certainly you 
 can’t teach it me.” 
 
 “ That is a new song,” answered the old woman, 
 evading her darling’s question, “ I only know the songs 
 of the good old times. But hark ! did not you hear a 
 knock at the gate ?” 
 
 “ Yes, of course I did, and I think the sound of 
 horses’ hoofs too. Go and see who seeks admission so 
 early. Perhaps, after all, our kind Phanes did not go 
 away yesterday, and has come to bid us farewell once 
 more.” 
 
 * The last lines which contain the point of this song are : 
 
 Thus he spoke, and she, the while, 
 
 Heard him with a soothing smile; 
 
 Then said, “ My infant, if so much 
 “Thou feel the little wild bee’s touch, 
 
 “How must the heart, ah ! Cupid be, 
 
 “The hapless heart that’s stung by thee?" 189 
 
 189. Translation from one of Anacreon’s songs, the authenticity 
 of which has, we think erroneously, been questioned. Anacreon ed. 
 Melhorn. Ay'. 
 
1 66 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 “ Phanes is gone,” said Melitta, becoming serious, 
 “ and Rhodopis has ordered me to send you in when 
 visitors arrive. Go child, that I may open the gate. 
 There, they have knocked again.” 
 
 Sappho pretended to run in, but instead of obeying 
 her nurse’s orders, stopped and hid herself behind a 
 rose-bush, hoping to catch sight of these early guests. 
 In the fear of needlessly distressing her, she had not 
 been told of the events of the previous evening, and at 
 this early hour could only expect to see some very inti- 
 mate friend of her grandmother’s. 
 
 Melitta opened the gate and admitted a youth splen- 
 didly apparelled, and with fair curling hair. 
 
 It was Bartja, and Sappho was so lost in wonder at 
 his beauty, and the Persian dress, to her so strange, that 
 she remained motionless in her hiding-place, her eyes 
 fixed on his face. Just so she had pictured to herself 
 Apollo with the beautiful locks, guiding the sun-chariot. 
 
 As Melitta and the stranger came nearer she thrust 
 her little head through the roses to hear what the hand- 
 some youth was saying so kindly in his broken 
 Greek. 
 
 She heard him ask hurriedly after Croesus and his 
 son; and then, from Melitta’s answer, she gathered all 
 that had passed the evening before, trembled for Phanes, 
 felt so thankful to the generous Gyges, and again won- 
 dered who this youth in royal apparel could possibly be. 
 Rhodopis had told her about Cyrus’s heroic deeds, the 
 fall of Croesus and the power and wealth of the Persians, 
 but still she had always fancied them a wild, uncultivated 
 people. Now, however, her interest in Persia increased 
 with every look at the handsome Bartja. At last Melitta 
 went in to wake her grandmother and announce the 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 167 
 
 guest, and Sappho tried to follow her, but Eros, the 
 foolish boy whose ignorance she had been mocking a 
 moment before, had other intentions. Her dress caught 
 in the thorns, and before she could disengage it, the 
 beautiful Bartja was standing before her, helping her to 
 get free from the treacherous bush. 
 
 Sappho could not speak a word even of thanks; she 
 blushed deeply, and stood smiling and ashamed, with 
 downcast eyes. 
 
 Bartja, too, generally so full of fun and spirit, looked 
 down at her without speaking, the color mounting to 
 his cheeks. 
 
 The silence, however, did not last long, for Sappho, 
 recovering from her fright, burst into a laugh of childish 
 delight at the silent stranger and the odd scene, and 
 fled towards the house like a timid fawn. 
 
 In a moment Bartja was himself again; in two 
 strides he reached the young girl, quick as thought 
 seized her hand and held it fast, notwithstanding all her 
 struggles. 
 
 “ Let me go !” she cried half in earnest and half 
 laughing, raising her dark eyes appealingly to him. 
 
 “ Why should I ?” he answered. “ I took you from 
 the rose-bush and shall hold you fast until you give 
 me your sister there, the other rose, from your bosom, 
 to take home with me as a keepsake.” 
 
 “ Please let me go,” repeated Sappho, “ I will pro- 
 mise nothing unless you let my hand go.” 
 
 “ But if I do, you will not run away again ?” 
 
 “ Certainly not.” 
 
 “ Well, then, I will give you your liberty, but now 
 you must give me your rose.” 
 
 “ There are plenty on the bush yonder, and more 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 1 68 
 
 beautiful ones; choose whichever you like. Why do 
 you want just this one ?” 
 
 “ To keep it carefully in remembrance of -the most 
 beautiful maiden I ever saw.” 
 
 “ Then I shall certainly not give it to you; for those 
 are not my real friends who tell me I am beautiful, only 
 those who tell me I am good.” 
 
 “ Where did you learn that ?” 
 
 “ From my grandmother Rhodopis.” 
 
 “Very well, then I will tell you you are better than 
 any other maiden in the whole world.” 
 
 “ How can you say such things, when you don’t 
 know me at all ? Oh, sometimes I am very naughty 
 and disobedient. If I were really good I should be 
 indoors now instead of talking to you here. My grand- 
 mother has forbidden me ever to stay in the garden 
 when visitors are here, and indeed I don’t care for all 
 those strange men who always talk about things I can- 
 not understand.” 
 
 “Then perhaps you would like me to go away too?” 
 “ Oh no, I can understand you quite w r ell ; though 
 you cannot speak half so beautifully as our poor Phanes 
 for example, who was obliged to escape so miserably 
 yesterday evening, as I heard Melitta saying just this 
 minute.” 
 
 “ Did you love Phanes ? ” 
 
 “ Love him ? Oh yes, — I was very fond of him. 
 When I was little he always brought me balls, dolls 
 ninepins 190 from Memphis and Sais ; and now that I am 
 older he teaches me beautiful new songs. As a parting 
 
 190. Jointed dolls for children. Wilkinson II. 427. Note 149. 
 In the Leyden Museum one of these jointed toys is to be seen, in very 
 good preservation. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 169 
 
 gift lie brought me a tiny Sicilian lapdog , 191 which I am 
 going to call Argos , 192 because he is so white and swift- 
 footed. But in a few days we are to have another 
 present from the good Phanes, for . . . There, now 
 you can see what I am; I was just going to let out 
 a great secret. My grandmother has strictly forbidden 
 me to tell any one what dear little visitors we are 
 expecting; but I feel as if I had known you a long time 
 already, and you have such kind eyes that I could tell 
 you everything. You see, when I am very happy, I 
 have no one in the whole world to talk to about it, 
 except old Melitta and my grandmother, and, I don’t 
 know how it is, that, though they love me so much, 
 they sometimes cannot understand how trifles can make 
 me so happy.” 
 
 “ That is because they are old, and have forgotten 
 what made them happy in their youth. But have you 
 no companions of your own age that you are fond of?” 
 “ Not one. Of course there are many other young 
 girls beside me in Naukratis, but my grandmother says 
 I am not to seek their acquaintance, and if they will 
 not come to us I am not to go to them.” 
 
 “ Poor child ! if you were in Persia, I could soon 
 find you a friend. I have a sister called Atossa, who is 
 young and good, like you.” 
 
 “ Oh, what a pity that she did not come here with 
 you ! — But now you must tell me your name.” 
 
 “ My name is Bartja.” 
 
 “ Bartja ! that is a strange name ! Bartja — Bartja. 
 Do you know, I like it. How was the son of Croesus 
 called, who saved our Phanes so generously ? ” 
 
 191. Sicilian lapdogs were much boasted of among the ancients; 
 they appear to have been first kept by the luxurious Sybarites. 
 
 192. This was the name of the faithful dog in the Odyssey. 
 
 13 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 170 
 
 “ Gyges. Darius, Zopyrus and he are my best 
 friends. We have sworn never to part, and to give up 
 our lives for one another , 193 and that is why I came 
 to-day, so early and quite in secret, to help my friend 
 Gyges, in case he should need me.” 
 
 “ Then you rode here for nothing.” 
 
 “ No, by Mithras, that indeed I did not, for this ride 
 brought me to you. But now you must tell me your 
 name.” 
 
 “ I am called Sappho.” 
 
 “ That is a pretty name, and Gyges sings me some- 
 times beautiful songs by a poetess called Sappho. Are 
 you related to her ? ” 
 
 “ Of course. She was the sister of my grandfather 
 Charaxus, and is called the tenth muse or the Lesbian 
 swan. I suppose then, your friend Gyges speaks Greek 
 better than you do ? ” 
 
 “Yes, he learnt Greek and Lydian together as a 
 little child, and speaks them both equally well. He 
 can speak Persian too, perfectly ; and what is more, he 
 knows and practises all the Persian virtues.” 
 
 “Which are the highest virtues then according to 
 you Persians ? ” 
 
 “Truth* is the first of all; courage the second, and 
 the third is obedience; these three, joined with venera- 
 tion for the gods, have made us Persians great.” 
 
 “ But I thought you worshipped no gods ? ” 
 
 “Foolish child ! who could live without a god, with- 
 out a higher ruler ? True, they do not dwell in houses 
 
 193. The Persians, even in our day, form solemn contracts of 
 friendship. Two Persians, who wish to bind themselves as friends for 
 the term of their lives, go together to the Mollah, declare their intention 
 and are then solemnly blessed by him as brader ha or “brothers.” 
 Brugsch, Reise nach Persien, l.p, 260. 
 
 * See note 142. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 171 
 
 and pictures like the gods of the Egyptians, for the 
 whole creation is their dwelling. The Divinity, who 
 must be in every place, and must see and hear every- 
 thing, cannot be confined within walls .” 194 
 
 “ Where do you pray then and offer sacrifice, if you 
 have no temples ? ” 
 
 “ On the grandest of all altars, nature herself; our 
 favorite altar is the summit of a mountain . 195 There we 
 are nearest to our own god, Mithras, the mighty sun, 
 and to Auramazda, the pure creative light; for there 
 the light lingers latest and returns earliest. Light alone 
 
 194. From Herodotus (I. 131. and 132.), and from many other 
 sources, we see clearly that at the time of the Achaemenidae the Per- 
 sians h?.d neither temples nor images of their gods. Auramazda and 
 Angramainjus, the principles of good and evil, were invisible exist- 
 ences filling all creation with their countless train of good and evil 
 spirits. Eternity created fire and water. From these Ormusd (Aura- 
 mazda), the good spirit, took his origin. He was brilliant as the light, 
 pure and good. After having, in the course of 12000 years, created 
 heaven, paradise and the stars, he became aware of the existence of 
 an evil spirit, Ahriman (Angramainjus), black, unclean, malicious and 
 emitting an evil odor. Ormusd determined on his destruction, and a 
 fierce strife began, in which Ormusd was the victor, and the evil spirit 
 lay 3000 years unconscious from the effects of terror. During this 
 interval Ormusd created the sky, the waters, the earth, all useful 
 plants, trees and herbs, the ox and the first pair of human beings in 
 one year. Ahriman, after this, broke loose, and was overcome but 
 not slain. As, after death, the four elements of which all things are 
 composed, Earth, Air, Fire and Water, become reunited with their 
 primitive elements; and as, at the resurrection-day, everything that 
 has been severed combines once more, and nothing returns into ob- 
 livion, all is reunited to its primitive elements, Ahriman could only 
 have been slain if his impurity could have been transmuted into purity, 
 his darkness into light. And so evil continued to exist, and to produce 
 impurity and evil wherever and whenever the good spirit created the 
 pure and good. 'This strife must continue until the last day ; but then 
 Ahriman, too, will become pure and holy; the Diws or Dsewa (evil 
 spirits) will have absorbed his evil, and themselves have ceased to 
 exist. For the evil spirits which dwell in every human being, and are 
 emanations from Ahriman, will be destroyed in the punishment inflicted 
 on men after death. From Vuller’s Ulmai Islam and the Zend-Avesta. 
 
 195. To this day the fire-altars of the Parsees are to be seen on 
 the mountains. They are allowed to pray whenever fire and water 
 are near at hand. Spiegel, Avesta , Einleitung LI. Herodotus (I. 132.) 
 mentions also that the Persians worshipped in the open air. 
 
172 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 is pure and good; darkness is unclean and evil. Yes, 
 maiden, believe me, God is nearest to us on the moun- 
 tains; they are his favorite resting-place. Have you 
 never stood on the wooded summit of a high mountain, 
 and felt, amid the solemn silence of nature, the still 
 and soft, but awful breath of Divinity hovering around 
 you ? Have you prostrated yourself in the green forest, 
 by a pure spring, or beneath the open sky, and listened 
 for the voice of God speaking from among the leaves 
 and waters ? Have you beheld the flame leaping up to 
 its parent the sun, and bearing with it, in the rising 
 column of smoke, our prayers to the radiant Creator ? 
 You listen now in wonder, but I tell you, you would 
 kneel and worship too with me, could I but take you to 
 one of our mountain-altars.” 
 
 “ Oh ! if I only could go there with you ! if I might 
 only once look down from some high mountain over all 
 the woods and meadows, rivers and valleys. I think, 
 up there, where nothing could be hidden from my eyes, 
 I should feel like an all-seeing Divinity myself. But 
 hark, my grandmother is calling. I must go.” 
 
 “Oh, do not leave me yet!” 
 
 “Is not obedience one of the Persian virtues?” 
 
 “ But my rose ? ” 
 
 “Here it is.” 
 
 “Shall you remember me?” 
 
 “Why should I not?” 
 
 “Sweet maiden, forgive me if I ask one more favor.” 
 “Yes, but ask it quickly, for my grandmother has 
 just called again.” 
 
 “Take my diamond star as a remembrance of this 
 hour.” 
 
 “No, I dare not.” 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 *73 
 
 “ Oh, do, do take it. My father gave it me as a re- 
 ward, the first time that I killed a bear with my own 
 hand , 196 and it has been my dearest treasure till to-day, 
 but now you shall have it, for you are dearer to me 
 than anything else in the world.” 
 
 Saying this, he took the chain and star from his 
 breast, and tried to hang it round Sappho’s neck. She 
 resisted, but Bartja threw his arms round her, kissed her 
 forehead, called her his only love, and looking down 
 deep into the eyes of the trembling child, placed it round 
 her neck by gentle force. 
 
 Rhodopis called a third time. Sappho broke from 
 the young prince’s embrace, and was running away, 
 but turned once more at his earnest entreaty and the 
 question, “ When may I see you again ? ” and answered 
 softly, “ To-morrow morning at this rose-bush.” 
 
 “ Which held you fast to be my friend.” 
 
 Sappho sped towards the house. Rhodopis received 
 Bartja, and communicated to him all she knew of his 
 friend’s fate, after which the young Persian departed for 
 Sais. 
 
 When Rhodopis visited her grandchild’s bed that 
 evening, she did not find her sleeping peacefully as 
 usual; her lips moved, and she sighed deeply, as if dis- 
 turbed by vexing dreams. 
 
 On his way back, Bartja met Darius and Zopyrus, 
 who had followed at once on hearing of their friend’s 
 secret departure. They little guessed that instead of 
 encountering an enemy, Bartja had met his first love. 
 
 Croesus reached Sais a short time before the three 
 
 196. Kings were accustomed to reward noble deeds with such 
 gifts. Herod. III. 130. VIII. 118. Plutarch A rtaxerxes 10. 14. Xenoph. 
 Anab. I. 2. Robe of honor. Xenoph. Cyrop . VIII. 3. See also Vol. 
 II. note 219. 
 
m 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 friends. He went at once to the king and informed 
 him without reserve of the events of the preceding 
 evening. Amasis pretended much surprise at his 
 son’s conduct, assured his friend that Gyges should be 
 released at once, and indulged in some ironical jokes 
 at the discomfiture of Psamtik’s attempt to revenge 
 himself. 
 
 Croesus had no sooner quitted the king than the 
 crown-prince was announced. 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 Amasis received his son with a burst of laughter, 
 and without noticing Psamtik’s pale and troubled coun- 
 tenance, shouted: “Did not I tell thee, that a simple 
 Egyptian would find it no easy task to catch such a 
 Greek fox ? I would have given ten cities to have been 
 by, when thy captive proved to be the stammering 
 Lydian instead of the voluble Athenian.” 
 
 Psamtik grew paler and paler, and trembling with 
 rage, answered in a suppressed voice: “Is it well, my 
 father, thus to rejoice at an affront offered to thy son? 
 I swear, by the eternal gods, that but forCambyses’ sake 
 that shameless Lydian had not seen the light of another 
 day. But what is it to thee, that thy son becomes a 
 laughing-stock to these beggarly Greeks!” 
 
 “Abuse not those who have outwitted thee.” 
 “Outwitted! my plan was so subtly laid, that . . .” 
 “The finer the web, the sooner broken.” 
 
 “That that intriguing Greek could not possibly have 
 escaped, if, in violation of all established precedents, 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 *75 
 
 the envoy of a foreign power had not taken it upon 
 himself to rescue a man whom we had condemned.” 
 
 “ There thou art in error, my son. We are not 
 speaking of the execution of a judicial sentence, 
 but of the success or failure of an attempt at personal 
 revenge.” 
 
 “ The agents employed were, however, commissioned 
 by the king, and therefore the smallest satisfaction that 
 I can demand of thee, is to solicit from Cambyses the 
 punishment of him who has interfered in the execution 
 of the royal decrees. In Persia, where men bow to the 
 king’s will as to the will of a god , 197 this crime will be 
 seen in all its heinousness. The punishment of Gyges 
 is a debt which Cambyses owes us.” 
 
 “ But I have no intention of demanding the payment 
 of this debt,” answered Amasis. “ On the contrary, I 
 am thankful that Phanes has escaped. Gyges has 
 saved my soul from the guilt of shedding innocent 
 blood, and thine from the reproach of having revenged 
 thyself meanly on a man, to whom thy father is 
 indebted.” 
 
 “ Wilt thou then conceal the whole affair from Cam- 
 byses ?” 
 
 “ No, I shall mention it jestingly in a letter, as my 
 manner is, and at the same time caution him against 
 Phanes. I shall tell him that he has barely escaped my 
 vengeance, and will therefore certainly endeavor to stir 
 up the power of Persia against Egypt ; and shall entreat 
 my future son-in-law to close his ears to this false accuser. 
 Croesus and Gyges can help us by their friendship more 
 than Phanes can injure by his hatred.” 
 
 197. See Vol. II. for further particulars on the obedience paid to 
 the kings of Persia. 
 
 An Egyptian Princess. /. 
 
17 6 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 “ Is this then thy final resolve ? Can I expect no 
 satisfaction ?” 
 
 “ None. I abide by what I have said.” 
 
 “ Then tremble, not alone before Phanes, but before 
 another — before one who holds thee in his power, and 
 who himself is in ours.” 
 
 Thou thinkest to alarm me ; thou wouldst rend the 
 bond formed only yesterday ? Psamtik, Psamtik, I coun- 
 sel thee to remember, that thou standest before thy father 
 and thy king.” 
 
 “ And thou, forget not that I am thy son ! If thou 
 compell’st me to forget that the gods appointed thee to 
 be my father — if I can hope for no help from thee, then 
 I will resort to my own weapons.” 
 
 “ I am curious to learn what these may be.” 
 
 “ And I need not conceal them. Know then that 
 the oculist Nebenchari is in our power.” 
 
 Amasis turned pale. 
 
 “ Before thou couldst possibly imagine that Camby- 
 ses would sue for the hand of thy daughter, thou sen test 
 this man to the distant realm of Persia, in order to rid 
 thyself of one who shared thy knowledge of the real 
 descent of my, so-called, sister Nitetis. He is still there, 
 and at a hint from the priests will disclose to Cambyses 
 that he has been deceived, and that thou hast ventured 
 to send him, instead of thine own, the child of thy 
 dethroned predecessor Hophra. All Nebenchari’s papers 
 are in our possession, the most important being a letter 
 in thine own hand promising his father, who assisted at 
 Nitetis’ birth , 198 a thousand gold rings, as an inducement 
 to secrecy even from the priests.” 
 
 198. In ancient as now in modern Egypt, midwives seem to have 
 assisted at the birth of children. Two are named in Exodus I. 15. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 I 77 
 
 “ In whose hands are these papers ?” asked Amasis 
 in a freezing tone. 
 
 “ In the hands of the priesthood.” 
 
 “ Who speak by thy mouth ?” 
 
 “ Thou hast said it.” 
 
 “ Repeat then thy requests.” 
 
 “ Entreat Cambyses to punish Gyges, and grant me 
 free powers to pursue the escaped Phanes as it shall 
 seem good in mine eyes.” 
 
 “ Is that all ?” 
 
 “ Bind thyself by a solemn oath to the priests, that 
 the Greeks shall be prevented from erecting any more 
 temples to their false gods in Egypt, and that the 
 building of the temple to Apollo, in Memphis, shall be 
 discontinued.” 
 
 “ I expected these demands. The priests have dis- 
 covered a sharp weapon to wield against me. Well, I 
 am prepared to yield to the wishes of my enemies, with 
 whom thou hast leagued thyself, but only on two con- 
 ditions. First, I insist that the letter, which I confess 
 to have written to the father of Nebenchari in a moment 
 of inconsideration, be restored to me. If left in the 
 hands of thy party, it could reduce me from a king to 
 the contemptible slave of priestly intrigue.” 
 
 “That wish is reasonable. The letter shall be 
 returned to thee, if . . .” 
 
 “ Not another if! on the contrary, know that I con- 
 sider thy petition for the punishment of Gyges so 
 imprudent, that I refuse to grant it. Now leave me and 
 appear not again before mine eyes until I summon thee! 
 Yesterday I gained a son, only to lose him to-day. 
 
 Shiprah and Puah. If the mother were a queen, good fairies and 
 goddesses were also present with their aid, generally a Hathor. 
 
178 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 Rise ! I demand no tokens of a love and humility, which 
 thou hast never felt. Go to the priests when thou 
 needest comfort and counsel, and see if they can supply 
 a father’s place. Tell Neithotep, in whose hands thou 
 art as wax, that he has found the best means of forcing 
 me to grant demands, which otherwise I should have 
 refused. Hitherto I have been willing to make every 
 sacrifice for the sake of upholding Egypt’s greatness; 
 but now, when I see that, to attain their own ends, the 
 priests can strive to move me' by the threat of treachery 
 to their own country, I feel inclined to regard this 
 privileged caste as a more dangerous enemy to Egypt, 
 than even the Persians. Beware, beware ! This once, 
 having brought danger upon Egypt through my own 
 fatherly weakness, I give way to the intrigues of my 
 enemies ; but, for the future, I swear by the great god- 
 dess Neith, that men shall see and feel I am king; the 
 entire priesthood shall be sacrificed rather than the 
 smallest fraction of my royal will ! Silence — depart !” 
 
 The prince left, but this time a longer interval was 
 necessary, before the king could regain even outward 
 cheerfulness sufficient to enable him to appear before his 
 guests. 
 
 Psamtik went at once to the commander of the native 
 troops, ordered him to banish the Egyptian captain who 
 had failed in executing his revengeful plans, to the 
 quarries of Thebais, 1 " and to send the Ethiopians back 
 to their native country. He then hurried to the high- 
 priest of Neith, to inform him how much he had been 
 able to extort from the king. 
 
 199. A usual, but fearful punishment for great crimes. Diod. I. 
 78. III. 12. 14. Further particulars in the text of Vol. II. and note 
 139 of the same volume. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 1J9 
 
 Neithotep shook his head doubtfully on hearing of 
 Amasis’ threats, and dismissed the prince with a few 
 words of exhortation, a practice he never omitted. 
 
 Psamtik returned home, his heart oppressed and his 
 mind clouded with a sense of unsatisfied revenge, of a 
 new and unhappy rupture with his father, a fear of foreign 
 derision, a feeling of his subjection to the will of the 
 priests, and of a gloomy fate which had hung over his 
 head since his birth. 
 
 His once beautiful wife was dead ; and, of five bloom- 
 ing children, only one daughter remained to him, and a 
 little son, whom he loved tenderly, and to whom in this 
 sad moment he felt drawn. For the blue eyes and 
 laughing mouth of his child were the only objects that 
 ever thawed this man’s icy heart, and from these he now 
 hoped for consolation and courage on his weary road 
 through life. 
 
 “Where is my son?” he asked of the first attendant 
 who crossed his path. 
 
 “ The king has just sent for the Prince Necho and 
 his nurse,” answered the man. 
 
 At this moment the high-steward of the prince’s 
 household approached, and with a low obeisance deliv- 
 ered to Psamtik a sealed papyrus letter, with the words : 
 “ From your father, the king.” 
 
 In angry haste he broke the yellow w r ax of the seal 
 bearing the king’s name , 200 and read: “ I have sent for 
 
 200. Signet rings were worn by the Egyptians at a very early 
 period. Thus, in Genesis 41. 42., Pharaoh puts his ring on Joseph’s 
 hand. In the Berlin Museum and all other collections of Egyptian 
 antiquities, numbers of these rings are to be found, many of which 
 are more than 4000 years old. Wilkinson gives drawings of a series 
 of such rings. III. p. 374. See also a drawing of the Ferlini discov- 
 eries made in Nubia and now in the Berlin Museum. Lepsius, Denk- 
 mdler X. PI. 42. At the spot wiiere this treasure was discovered in 
 
i8o 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 thy son, that he may not become, like his father, a 
 blind instrument in the hands of the priesthood, forget- 
 ful of what is due to himself and his country. His 
 education shall be my care, for the impressions of child- 
 hood affect the whole of a man’s later life. Thou canst 
 see him if thou wilt, but I must be acquainted with thy 
 intention beforehand.” 
 
 Psamtik concealed his indignation from the sur- 
 rounding attendants with difficulty. The mere wish of 
 a royal father had, according to Egyptian custom, as 
 much weight as the strictest command. After reflecting 
 a few moments, he called for huntsmen, dogs, bows 
 and lances, sprang into a light chariot 201 and com- 
 manded the charioteer to drive him to the western 
 marshes, where, in pursuing the wild beasts of the 
 desert, he could forget the weight of his own cares and 
 wreak on innocent creatures his hitherto baffled ven- 
 geance. 
 
 Gyges was released immediately after the conversa- 
 tion between his father and Amasis, and welcomed 
 with acclamations of joy by his companions. The 
 Pharaoh seemed desirous of atoning for the imprison- 
 
 1830, a tradition has already arisen with respect to it. Rings have 
 been found on the hands of many mummies. 
 
 201. Field sports seem to have been much favored by the kings of 
 Egypt and their nobles. Not only dogs of different breeds, but wild 
 animals, such as leopards and lions, were trained to the chase. Wilkin- 
 son III. 16. A good drawing of a lion-hunt is to be found in Rosel- 
 lini, Mon. stor. II. plate 129. A lion shot by the Pharaoh lies dying 
 near him, the arrows quivering in his body; and another wounded 
 lion is escaping into the rushes by the water. Hunting-dogsof differ- 
 ent kinds, see Wilkinson III. 32. and also III. 22. where wild goats, 
 gazelles and other graminivorous animals are being hunted. Rosellini, 
 Mon. civ. PI. 15-18. Birds are being caught with nets and the boomer- 
 ang. Wilkinson III. 38. 39. 41. 42. Lepsius, Denkmaler. Abth. II. 
 PI. 131. 132. Hunting-scenes from Benihassan. On one of the so- 
 called wedding scarabei (18th dynasty) we read that the king himself 
 killed no lions. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 181 
 
 ment of his friend’s son by doubling his favors, for on 
 the same day Gyges received from the king a magnifi- 
 cent chariot drawn by two noble brown steeds , 202 and 
 was begged to take back with him to Persia a curiously- 
 wrought set of draughts,* as a remembrance of Sais. 
 The separate pieces were made of ebony and ivory, 
 some being curiously inlaid with sentences, in hiero- 
 glyphics of gold and silver. 
 
 Amasis laughed heartily with his friends at Gyges’ 
 artifice, allowed the young heroes to mix freely with 
 his family, and behaved towards them himself as a 
 jovial father towards his merry sons. That the ancient 
 Egyptian was not quite extinguished in him could only 
 be discerned at meal-times, when a separate table was 
 allotted to the Persians. The religion of his ancestors 
 would have pronounced him defiled, had he eaten c.t 
 the same table with men of another nation . 203 
 
 When Amasis, at last, three days after the release of 
 Gyges, declared that his daughter Nitetis would be 
 prepared to depart for Asia in the course of two more 
 weeks, all the Persians regretted that their stay in 
 Egypt was so near its close. 
 
 Croesus had enjoyed the society of the Samian 
 
 202. Some especially fine paintings of horses in rich trappings, 
 evidently by an artist’s hand, are to be found on the monuments at 
 Thebes. See Rosellini, Mon. stor. I. Plate 78. Lepsius, Denkmdler 
 III. 126 and following , and the Description de V Egypte ant. II. and III. 
 (Thebes). Magnificent modern Egyptian horses are represented in 
 Ebers, Aegypten in Bild und Wort. p. 241. 
 
 203. Herodotus II. 41. says that the Egyptians neither kissed, nor 
 ate out of the same dish with foreigners, nay, indeed, that they refused 
 to touch meat, in the cutting up of which the knife of a Greek had 
 been used. Nor were the lesser dynasties of the Delta allowed, ac- 
 cording to the Stela of Pianchi, to cross the threshold of the Pharaohs 
 because they were unclean and ate fish. In the book of Genesis, the 
 brethren of Joseph were not allowed to eat bread with the Egyptians. 
 
 * See note 152. 
 
182 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 poets and sculptors. Gyges had shared his father’s 
 preference for Greek art and artists. Darius, who had 
 formerly studied astronomy in Babylon , 204 was one 
 evening observing the heavens, when, to his surprise, 
 he was addressed by the aged Neithotep and invited to 
 follow him on to the temple-roof. Darius, ever eager 
 to acquire knowlege, did not wait to be asked twice, 
 and was to be found there every night in earnest atten- 
 tion to the old priest’s lessons. 
 
 On one occasion Psamtik met him thus with his 
 master, and asked the latter what could have induced 
 him to initiate a Persian in the Egyptian mysteries. 
 
 “ I am only teaching him,” answered the high-priest, 
 “ what is as well known to every learned Chaldee in 
 Babylon as to ourselves, and am thereby gaining the 
 friendship of a man, whose stars as far outshine those of 
 Cambyses as the sun outshines the moon. This Darius, 
 I tell thee, will be a mighty ruler. I have even seen the 
 beams of his planet shining over Egypt. The truly 
 wise man extends his gaze into the future, regards the 
 objects lying on either side of his road, as well as the 
 road itself. Thou canst not know in which of the many 
 houses by which thou passest daily, a future benefactor 
 may not have been reared for thee. Leave nought un- 
 noticed that lies in thy path, but above all direct thy 
 gaze upward to the stars. As the faithful dog lies 
 in wait night after night for thieves, so have I watched 
 these pilgrims of the heavens fifty years long — these 
 foretellers of the fates of men, burning in ethereal space, 
 
 204. The Chaldaeans of Babylon were the next best astronomers 
 to the Egyptians. Aristoteles de ccelo II. 12. Chasles maintains that 
 they made use of astronomical tables. Comptes rendus de I'academie 
 des sciences. T. XXIII. 1846. p. 852-854. According to Herodotus, 
 Darius was well-affected to the Egyptians and held their wisdom in 
 high estimation. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 183 
 
 and announcing, not only the return of summer and 
 winter, but the arrival of good and bad fortune, honor 
 and disgrace. These are the unerring guides, who have 
 • pointed out to me in Darius a plant, that will one day 
 wax into a mighty tree.” 
 
 To Bartja, Darius’ nightly studies were especially 
 welcome; they necessitated more sleep in the morning, 
 and so rendered Bartja’s stolen early rides to Naukratis, 
 (on which Zopyrus, to whom he had confided his secret, 
 accompanied him), easier of accomplishment. During 
 the interviews with Sappho, Zopyrus and the attendants 
 used all their endeavors to kill a few snipes, jackals or 
 jerboas. They could then, on their return, maintain to 
 their Mentor Croesus, that they had been pursuing field- 
 sports, the favorite occupation of the Persian nobility. 
 
 The change which the power of a first love had 
 wrought in the innermost character of Bartja, passed 
 unnoticed by all but Tachot, the daughter of Amasis. 
 From the first day on which they had spoken together 
 she had loved him, and her quick feelings told her at 
 once that something had happened to estrange him 
 from herself. Formerly his behavior had been that 
 of a brother, and he had sought her companionship; 
 but now he carefully avoided every approach to in- 
 timacy, for he had guessed her secret and felt as if even 
 a kind dook would have been an offence against his 
 loyalty to Sappho. 
 
 In her distress at this change Tachot confided her 
 sorrows to Nitetis. The latter bade her take courage, 
 and the two girls built many a castle in the air, pictur- 
 ing to themselves the happiness of being always to- 
 gether at one court, and married to two royal brothers. 
 But as the days went by, the visits of the handsome 
 
184 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 prince became more and more rare, and when he did 
 come, his behavior to Tachot was cold and distant. 
 
 Yet the poor girl could not but confess that Bartja 
 had grown handsomer and more manly during his 
 stay in Egypt. An expression of proud and yet gentle 
 consciousness lay beaming in his large eyes, and a 
 strange dreamy air of rest often took the place of his 
 former gay spirits. His cheeks had lost their brilliant 
 color, but that added to his beauty, while it lessened 
 hers, who, like him, became paler from day to day. 
 
 Melitta, the old slave, had taken the lovers under 
 her protection. She had surprised them one morning, 
 but the prince had given her such rich presents, and 
 her darling had begged, flattered and coaxed so sweetly, 
 that at last Melitta promised to keep their secret, and 
 later, yielding to that natural impulse which moves all 
 old women to favor lovers, had even given them every 
 assistance in her power. She already saw her “ sweet 
 child ” mistress of a hemisphere, often addressed her as 
 “my Princess” and “my Queen” when none were by 
 to hear, and in many a weak moment imagined a brill- 
 iant future for herself in some high office at the Persian 
 court. 
 
 CHAPTER XL 
 
 Three days before the time fixed for the departure 
 of Nitetis, Rhodopis had invited a large number of 
 guests to her house at Naukratis, amongst whom Croesus 
 and Gyges were included. 
 
 The two lovers had agreed to meet in the garden, 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 1 85 
 
 protected by the darkness and the old slave, while the 
 guests were occupied at the banquet. Melitta, there- 
 fore, having convinced herself that the guests were 
 thoroughly absorbed in conversation, opened the gar- 
 den-gate, admitted the prince, brought Sappho to him, 
 and then retired, promising to warn them of any in- 
 truder by clapping her hands. 
 
 “I shall only have you near me three days longer,” 
 whispered Sappho. “ Do you know, sometimes it 
 seems to me as if I had only seen you yesterday for 
 the first time; but generally I feel as if you had be- 
 longed to me for a whole eternity, and I had loved you 
 all my life.” 
 
 “To me too it seems as if you had always been 
 mine, for I cannot imagine how I could ever have 
 existed without you. If only the parting were over 
 and we were together again!” 
 
 “Oh, believe me, that will pass more quickly than 
 you fancy. Of course it will seem long to wait — very 
 long; but when it is over, and we are together again, I 
 think it will seem as if we had never been parted. So 
 it has been with me every day. How I have longed 
 for the morning to come and bring you with it! but 
 w T hen it came and you were sitting by my side, I felt 
 as if I had had you all the time and your hand had 
 never left my head.” 
 
 “And yet a strange feeling of fear comes over me, 
 when I think of our parting hour.” 
 
 “ I do not fear it so very much. I know my heart 
 will bleed when you say farewell, but I am sure you 
 will come back and will not have forgotten me. Melitta 
 wanted to enquire of the Oracle whether you would 
 remain faithful; and to question an old woman who 
 
 14 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 1 86 
 
 has just come from Phrygia and can conjure by night 
 from drawn cords, with incense, styrax, moon-shaped 
 cakes, and wild-briar leaves; 205 but I would have none 
 of this, for my heart knows better than the Pythia, 
 the cords, or the smoke of sacrifice, that you will be 
 true to me, and love me always.” 
 
 “ And your heart speaks the truth.” 
 
 “But I have sometimes been afraid; and have 
 blown into a poppy-leaf, and struck it, as the young 
 girls here do. If it broke with a loud crack I was 
 very happy, and cried, 4 Ah! he will not forget !’ but 
 if the leaf tore without a sound I felt sad. I dare say 
 I did this a hundred times, but generally the leaf gave 
 the wished-for sound, and I had much oftener reason 
 to be joyful than sad.” 206 
 
 “May it be ever thus!” 
 
 “It must be! but dearest, do not speak so loudly; 
 I see Knakias going down to the Nile for water and he 
 will hear us.” 
 
 “Well, I will speak low. There, I will stroke back 
 your silky hair and whisper in your ear 4 1 love you/ 
 Could you understand?” 
 
 44 My grandmother says that it is easy to understand 
 what we like to hear; but if you had just whispered, 
 4 1 hate you/ your eyes would have told me with a 
 
 205. These are the spells which Glycera desired to consult, when 
 her lover, the tragic poet Menander, was called to Egypt by king 
 Ptolemy. Her letter is as clever as it is charming. Alciphr. II. Ep. 
 4. I would mention also the beautiful poem by Theokritus on the 
 love-sick girl and her spells. 
 
 206. This questioning of flowers reminds us of the way in which 
 children and girls now-a-days pull the leaves of the acacia and the 
 petals of the daisy, and was not unusual among the ancients. Pollux 
 IX. 27. Becker, Charikles I. 327. In modern Greece the young girls 
 are said still to consult the same oracles. Bybilakis, Neugriechisches 
 Leben, p. 20. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 187 
 
 thousand glad voices that you loved me. Silent eyes 
 are much more eloquent than all the tongues in the 
 world.” 
 
 “ If I could only speak the beautiful Greek language 
 as you do, I would . . .” 
 
 “ Oh, I am so glad you cannot, for if you could tell 
 me all you feel, I think you would not look into my 
 eyes so lovingly. Words are nothing. Listen to the 
 nightingale yonder! She never had the gift of speech 
 and yet I think I can understand her.” 
 
 “ Will you confide her secret to me ? I should like 
 to know what Gulgul, as we Persians call the nightin- 
 gale, has to talk about to her mate in the rose-bush. 
 May you betray her secret?” 
 
 “I will whisper it softly. Philomel sings to her 
 mate ‘I love thee/ and he answers, (don’t you hear 
 him?), ‘Itys, ito, itys.’ ” a ° 7 
 
 207. Thus Aeschylus renders the sweet song of the nightingale. 
 The ingenious interpretation of the words l tvs, irto, is a playful idea, 
 which we can venture to put into the mouth of our childlike Sappho. 
 The Itys-call of the nightingale had, however, originally a very differ- 
 ent signification. Philomela is bemoaning the boy Itys, who has been 
 slain to revenge her wrongs on his father. Prokne, the sister of Philo- 
 mela and daughter of the Athenian, Pandion, was the wife of Tereus 
 of Daulis in Thrace. Itys was their son. Tereus, having to conduct 
 Philomela to her sister, used violence towards the maiden on the way 
 thither, cut out her tongue to prevent her from revealing his conduct, 
 and left her in the wood,. Philomela, however, wove the story of her 
 wrongs into a garment, by means of which she informed her sister 
 Prokne of Tereus' baseness. On discovering this, Prokne killed her 
 own child Itys and caused his flesh to be served up as a dish for her 
 husband. The sisters then fled, and were pursued by Tereus on his 
 discovering that he had eaten his own son. They prayed to the gods, 
 who granted their petition, and transformed them, together with 
 Tereus, into birds. According to the original myth, Prokne fled into 
 the forest in the form of a nightingale and bewailed her sacrificed Itys. 
 Philomela was turned into a swallow, who, from the loss of her tongue, 
 could only twitter and cry “ Tereu.” Tereus became a hoopoe, whose* 
 perpetual call (referring to his lost son) was “ pou ?” “where ” ? The 
 punishments of entire and of semi-sleeplessness were imposed on the 
 nightingale and the swallow. The accounts differ as to which sister 
 
1 88 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 “And what does that mean, ‘Ito, ito?’” 
 
 “ I accept it.” 
 
 “ And Itys?” 
 
 “ Oh, that must be explained, to be rightly under- 
 stood. Itys is a circle; and a circle, I was always 
 taught, is the symbol of eternity, having neither be- 
 ginning nor end; so the nightingale sings, 4 1 accept 
 it for eternity. * ” 
 
 “ And if I say to you, 4 1 love thee ? ’ ” 
 
 “ Then I shall answer gladly, like the sweet night- 
 ingale, ‘ I accept it for to-day, to-morrow, for all 
 eternity ! , ” 
 
 “What a wonderful night it is! everything so still 
 and silent; I do not even hear the nightingale now; 
 she is sitting in the acacia-tree among the bunches of 
 sweet blossoms. I can see the tops of the palm-trees 
 in the Nile, and the moon’s reflection between them, 
 glistening like a white swan.” 
 
 “ Yes, her rays are over every living thing like silver 
 fetters, and the whole world lies motionless beneath 
 them like a captive woman. Happy as I feel now, yet 
 I could not even laugh, and still less speak in a loud 
 voice.” 
 
 “ Then whisper, or sing ! ” 
 
 “Yes, that is the best. Give me a lyre. Thank 
 you. Now I will lean my head on your breast, and 
 sing you a little, quiet, peaceful song. It was written 
 by Alkman,* the Lydian, who lived in Sparta, in praise 
 of night and her stillness. You must listen though, 
 
 became the nightingale. Ovid, who gives the whole story in a most 
 .charming form ( Metamorphoses VI. 425. seq.) leaves the question unde- 
 cided. But he too, ( Amoves II. 6. 7-10.) assumes that Philomela be- 
 came a nightingale, and this has since become the universal belief. 
 
 * See note 6. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 189 
 
 for this low, sweet slumber-song must only leave the 
 lips like a gentle wind. Do not kiss me any more, 
 please, till I have finished ; then I will ask you to thank 
 me with a kiss : 
 
 “ Now o’er the drowsy earth still night prevails, 
 
 Calm sleep the mountain tops and shady vales, 
 
 The rugged cliffs and hollow glens; 
 
 The wild beasts slumber in their dens ; 
 
 The cattle on the hill. Deep in the sea 
 The countless finny race and monster brood 
 Tranquil repose. Even the busy bee 
 Forgets her daily toil. The silent wood 
 No more with noisy hum of insect rings ; 
 
 And all the feathered tribe, by gentle sleep subdued, 
 
 Roost in the glade and hang their drooping wings.” * 
 
 “ Now, dearest, where is my kiss ?” 
 
 “ I had forgotten it in listening, just as before I for- 
 got to listen in kissing.” 
 
 “ You are too bad. But tell me, is not my song 
 lovely ?” 
 
 “ Yes, beautiful, like everything else you sing.” 
 
 “ And the Greek poets write ?” 
 
 “ Yes, there you are right too, I admit.” 
 
 “ Are there no poets in Persia ?” 
 
 “ How can you ask such a question ? How could a 
 nation, who despised song, pretend to any nobility of 
 feeling ?” 
 
 “ But you have some very bad customs.” 
 
 “Well?” 
 
 “You take so many wives.” 
 
 “ My Sappho . . .” 
 
 “ Do not misunderstand me. I love you so much, 
 that I have no other wish than to see you happy and 
 
 * Translation by Colonel Mure. 
 
190 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 be allowed to be always with you. If, by taking me for 
 your only wife, you would outrage the laws of your 
 country, if you would thereby expose yourself to con- 
 tempt, or even blame, (for who could dare to despise 
 my Bartja !) then take other wives ; but let me have 
 you, for myself alone, at least two, or perhaps even 
 three years. Will you promise this, Bartja ?” 
 
 “ I will.” 
 
 “ And then, when my time has passed, and you must 
 yield to the customs of your country (for it will not be 
 love that leads you to bring home a second wife), then 
 let me be the first *among your slaves. Oh! I have 
 pictured that so delightfully to myself. When you go 
 to war I shall set the tiara on your head, gird on the 
 sword, and place the lance in your hand ; and when you 
 return a conqueror, I shall be the first to crown you 
 with the wreath of victory. When you ride out to the 
 chase, mine will be the duty of buckling on your spurs, 
 and when you go to the banquet, of adorning and 
 anointing you, winding the garlands of poplar and roses 
 and twining them around your forehead and shoulders. 
 If wounded, I will be your nurse ; will never stir from 
 your side if you are ill, and when I see you happy will 
 retire, and feast my eyes from afar on your glory and 
 happiness. Then perchance you will call me to your 
 side, and your kiss will say, ; I am content with my 
 Sappho, I love her still.’ ” 
 
 “ O Sappho, wert thou only my wife now ! — to-day! 
 The man who possesses such a treasure as I have in 
 thee, will guard it carefully, but never care to seek for 
 others which, by its side, can only show their miserable 
 poverty. He who has once loved thee, can never love 
 another : I know it is the custom in my country to have 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 191 
 
 many wives, but this is only allowed ; there is no law to 
 enjoin it. My father had, it is true, a hundred female 
 slaves, but only one real, true wife, our mother Kassan- 
 dane.” 
 
 “ And I will be your Kassandane. ,, 
 
 “ No, my Sappho, for what you will be to me, no 
 woman ever yet was to her husband.” 
 
 “ When shall you come to fetch me ?” 
 
 “As soon as I can, and am permitted to do so.” 
 
 “ Then I ought to be able to wait patiently.” 
 
 “ And shall I ever hear from you ?” 
 
 “ Oh, I shall write long, long letters, and charge 
 every wind with loving messages for you.” 
 
 “Yes, do so, my darling; and as to the letters, give 
 them to the messenger who will bring Nitetis tidings 
 from Egypt from time to time.” 
 
 “ Where shall 1 find him ?” 
 
 “ I will see that a man is stationed at Naukratis, to 
 take charge of everything you send to him. All this I 
 will settle with Melitta.” 
 
 “Yes, we can trust her, she is prudent and faithful; 
 but I have another friend, who is dearer to me than any 
 one else excepting you, and who loves me too better 
 than any one else does, but you — ” 
 
 “ You mean your grandmother Rhodopis.” 
 
 “Yes, my faithful guardian and teacher.” 
 
 “ Ah, she is a noble woman. Croesus considers her 
 the most excellent among women, and he has studied 
 mankind as the physicians do plants and herbs. He 
 knows that rank poison lies hidden in some, in others 
 healing cordials, and often says that Rhodopis is like a 
 rose which, while fading away herself, and dropping leaf 
 after leaf, continues to shed perfume and quickening 
 
 A n Egyptian Princess . /. 
 
192 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 balsam for the sick and weak, and awaits in patience the 
 wind which at last shall waft her from us.” 
 
 “ The gods grant that she may be with us for a long 
 time yet ! Dearest, will you grant me one great favor?” 
 “ It is granted before I hear it.” 
 
 “ When you take me home, do not leave Rhodopis 
 here. She must come with us. She is so kind and loves 
 me so fervently, that what makes me happy will make 
 her so too, and whatever is dear to me, will seem to her 
 worthy of being loved.” 
 
 “ She shall be the first among our guests.” 
 
 “ Now I am quite happy and satisfied, for I am 
 necessary to my grandmother; she could not live with- 
 out her child. I laugh her cares and sorrows away, and 
 when she is singing to me, or teaching me how to guide 
 the style, or strike the lute, a clearer light beams from 
 her brow, the furrows ploughed by grief disappear, her 
 gentle eyes laugh, and she seems to forget the evil past 
 in the happy present.” 
 
 “ Before we part, I will ask her whether she will fol- 
 low us home.” 
 
 “ Oil, how glad that makes me ! and do you know, 
 the first days of our absence from each other do not seem 
 so very dreadful to me. Now you are to be my hus- 
 band, I may surely tell you everything that pains or 
 pleases me, even when I dare not tell any one else, and 
 so you must know, that, when you leave, we expect two 
 little visitors; they are the children of the kind Phanes, 
 whom your friend Gyges saved so nobly. I mean to 
 be like a mother to the little creatures, and when they 
 have been good I shall sing them a story of a prince, a 
 brave hero, who took a simple maiden to be his wife; 
 and when I describe the prince I shall have you in my 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 T 9 3 
 
 mind, and though my little listeners will not guess it, I 
 shall be describing you from head to foot. My prince 
 shall be tall like you, shall have your golden curls and 
 blue eyes, and your rich, royal dress shall adorn his 
 noble figure. Your generous heart, your love of truth, 
 and your beautiful reverence for the gods, your courage 
 and heroism, in short, every thing that I love and honor 
 in you, I shall give to the hero of my tale. How the 
 children will listen ! and when they cry, 4 Oh, how we 
 love the prince, how good and beautiful he must be ! if 
 we could only see him !’ then I shall press them close 
 to my heart and kiss them as I kiss you now, and so 
 they will have gained their wish, for as you are enthroned 
 in my heart, you must be living within me and there- 
 fore near to them, and when they embrace me they 
 will embrace you too.” 
 
 44 And I shall go to my little sister Atossa and tell 
 her all I have seen on my journey, and when I speak 
 of the Greeks, their grace, their glorious works of art, 
 and their beautiful women, I shall describe the golden 
 Aphrodite in your lovely likeness. I shall tell her of 
 your virtue, your beauty and modesty, of your singing, 
 which is so sweet that even the nightingale is silent 
 in order to listen to it, of your love and tenderness. 
 But all this I shall tell her belongs to the divine Cypris, 
 and when she cries, 4 0 Aphrodite, could I but see 
 thee!’ I too shall kiss my sister.” 
 
 44 Hark, what was that? Melitta surely clapped her 
 hands. Farewell, we must not stay! but we shall soon 
 see each other again.” 
 
 44 One more kiss!” 
 
 44 Farewell!” 
 
 Melitta had fallen asleep at her post, overcome by 
 
i94 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 age and weariness. Her dreams were suddenly dis- 
 turbed by a loud noise, and she clapped her hands 
 directly to warn the lovers and call Sappho, as she 
 perceived by the stars that the dawn was not far off. 
 
 As the two approached the house, they discovered 
 that the noise which had awakened the old slave, pro- 
 ceeded from the guests, who were preparing for depart- 
 ure. 
 
 Urging her to make the greatest haste, Melitta 
 pushed the frightened girl into the house, took her at 
 once to her sleeping-room, and was beginning to un- 
 dress her when Rhodopis entered. 
 
 “You are still up, Sappho ?” she asked. “What is 
 this, my child ?” 
 
 Melitta trembled and had a falsehood ready on her 
 lips, but Sappho, throwing herself into her grand- 
 mother’s arms, embraced her tenderly and told the 
 whole story of her love. 
 
 Rhodopis turned pale, ordered Melitta to leave the 
 chamber, and, placing herself in front of her grand- 
 child, laid both hands on her shoulders and said earn- 
 estly, “Look into my eyes, Sappho. Canst thou look 
 at me as happily and as innocently, as thou couldst 
 before this Persian came to us ?” 
 
 The girl raised her eyes at once with a joyful smile; 
 then Rhodopis clasped her to her bosom, kissed her 
 and continued: “Since thou wert a little child my 
 constant effort has been to train thee to a noble 
 maidenhood and guard thee from the approach of 
 love. I had intended, in accordance with the customs 
 of our country , 208 to choose a fitting husband for thee 
 
 208. The Spartans married for love, but the Athenians were accus- 
 tomed to negotiate their marriages with the parents of the bride alone. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 X 9S 
 
 shortly myself, to whose care I should have committed 
 thee; but the gods willed differently. Eros mocks all 
 human efforts to resist or confine him; warm ZEolian 209 
 blood runs in thy veins and demands love; the pas- 
 sionate heart of thy Lesbian forefathers beats in thy 
 breast. What has happened cannot now be undone. 
 Treasure these happy hours of a first, pure love; hold 
 them fast in the chambers of memory, for to every 
 human being there must come, sooner or later, a present 
 so sad and desolate, that the beautiful past is all 
 he has to live upon. Remember this handsome prince 
 in silence, bid him farewell when he departs to his 
 native country, but beware of hoping to see him again. 
 The Persians are fickle and inconstant, lovers of every- 
 thing new and foreign . 210 The prince has been fasci- 
 nated by thy sweetness and grace. He loves thee 
 ardently now, but remember, he is young and hand- 
 some, courted by every one, and a Persian. Give him 
 up that he may not abandon thee!’ , 
 
 “But how can I, grandmother? I have sworn to be 
 faithful to him for ever.” 
 
 “Oh, children! Ye play with eternity as if it were 
 but a passing moment! I could blame thee for thus 
 plighting thy troth, but I rejoice that thou regardest 
 the oath as binding. I detest the blasphemous proverb : 
 ‘Zeus pays no heed to lovers’ oaths.’ Why should an 
 oath touching the best and holiest feelings of humanity 
 
 This custom was either the cause or the result of the very secluded 
 life led by the Athenian girls. More on this subject will be found in 
 the text of Vol. II. and its notes 97. 98. 
 
 209. Charaxus, the grandfather of our heroine, and brother of the 
 poetess Sappho, was, as a Lesbian, an yEolian Greek. 
 
 210. In this, as in other points, the Persians prove themselves of 
 the Germanic race. They have the same admiration for everything 
 new and strange now, as in the days of Herodotus. Herod. I. 135. 
 
196 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 be regarded by the Deity, as inferior in importance to 
 asseverations respecting the trifling questions of mine 
 and thine? Keep thy promise then, — hold fast thy 
 love, but prepare to renounce thy lover.” 
 
 “ Never, grandmother! could I ever have loved 
 Bartja, if I had not trusted him? Just because he is a 
 Persian and holds truth to be the highest virtue, I may 
 venture to hope that he will remember his oath, and, 
 notwithstanding those evil customs of the Asiatics, will 
 take and keep me as his only wife.” 
 
 “ But if he should forget, thy youth will be passed 
 in mourning, and with an embittered heart . . .” 
 
 “O, dear kind grandmother, pray do not speak of 
 such dreadful things. If you knew him as well as I 
 do, you would rejoice with me, and would tell me I was 
 right to believe that the Nile may dry up and the 
 Pyramids crumble into ruins, before my Bartja can ever 
 deceive me!” 
 
 The girl spoke these words with such a joyful, per- 
 fect confidence, and her eyes, though filled with tears, 
 were so brilliant with happiness and warmth of feeling, 
 that Rhodopis’ face grew cheerful too. 
 
 Sappho threw her arms again round her grand- 
 mother, told her every word that Bartja had said to her, 
 and ended the long account by exclaiming: Oh, 
 grandmother, I am so happy, so very happy, and if 
 you will come with us to Persia, I shall have nothing 
 more to wish from the Immortals.” 
 
 “That will not last long,” said Rhodopis. “The 
 gods cast envious glances at the happiness of mortals; 
 they measure our portion of evil with lavish hands, 
 and give us but a scanty allowance of good. But now 
 go to bed, my child, and let us pray together that &11 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 I 9 7 
 
 may end happily. I met thee this morning as a child, 
 I part from thee to-night a woman ; and, when thou 
 art a wife, may thy kiss be as joyful as the one thou 
 givest me now. To-morrow I will talk the matter over 
 with Croesus. He must decide whether I dare allow 
 thee to await the return of the Persian prince, or 
 whether I must entreat thee to forget him and become 
 the domestic wife of a Greek husband. Sleep well, 
 my darling, thy grandmother will wake and wa*tch for 
 thee.” 
 
 Sappho’s happy fancies soon cradled her to sleep; 
 but Rhodopis remained awake watching the day dawn, 
 and the sun rise, her mind occupied with thoughts 
 which brought smiles and frowns across her counte- 
 nance in rapid succession. 
 
 The next morning she sent to Croesus, begging him 
 to grant her an hour’s interview, acquainted him with 
 every particular she had heard from Sappho, and con- 
 cluded her tale with these words : “ I know not what 
 demands may be made on the consort of a Persian 
 king, but I can truly say that I believe Sappho to be 
 worthy of the first monarch of the world. Her father 
 was free and of noble birth, and I have heard that, by 
 Persian law, the descent of a child is determined by 
 the rank of the father only. In Egypt, too, the descen- 
 dants of a female slave enjoy the same rights as those of 
 a princess, if they owe their existence to the same 
 father .” 211 
 
 “ I have listened to you in silence,” answered 
 Croesus, “ and must confess, that, like yourself, I do not 
 know in this moment whether to be glad or sorry 
 for this attachment. Cambyses and Kassandane (the 
 
 2n. Diod.-I. 81. 
 
198 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 king’s and Bartja’s mother) wished to see the prince 
 married before we left Persia, for the king has no chil- 
 dren, and should he remain childless, the only hope for 
 the family of Cyrus rests on Bartja, as the great founder 
 of the Persian empire left but two sons, — Cambyses, 
 and him who is now the suitor of your granddaughter. 
 The latter is the hope and pride of the entire Persian 
 nation, high and low; the darling of the people; gener- 
 ous, and noble, handsome, virtuous, and worthy of their 
 love. It is indeed expected that the princes shall marry 
 in their own family, the Achaemenidae; but the Persians 
 have an unbounded predilectidh for everything foreign. 
 Enchanted with the beauty of your granddaughter, and 
 rendered indulgent by their partiality for Bartja, they 
 would easily forgive this breach of an ancient custom. 
 Indeed, if the king gives his approval, no objection on 
 the part of his subjects can be entertained. The history 
 of Iran too offers a sufficient number of examples, in 
 which even slaves became the mothers of kings . 212 The 
 queen mother, whose position, in the eyes of the people, 
 is nearly as high as that of the monarch himself, will do 
 nothing to thwart the happiness of her youngest and 
 favorite son. When she sees that he will not give 
 up Sappho, — that his smiling face, in which she adores 
 the image of her great husband Cyrus, becomes clouded, 
 I verily believe she would be ready to sanction his 
 taking even a Scythian woman to wife, if it could restore 
 him to cheerfulness. Neither will Cambyses himself 
 refuse his consent if his mother press the point at a 
 right moment.” 
 
 “ In that case every difficulty is set aside,” cried 
 Rhodopis joyfully. 
 
 212. Firdusi, Book of the kings . Sons of Fcridun. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 *99 
 
 “ It is not the marriage itself, but the time that must 
 follow, which causes me uneasiness,” answered Croesus. 
 
 “ Do you think then that Bartja . . . ?” 
 
 “ From him I fear nothing. He has a pure heart, 
 and has been so long proof against love, that now he 
 has once yielded, he will love long and ardently.” 
 
 “ What then do you fear ? ” 
 
 “You must remember that, though the charming 
 wife of their favorite will be warmly received by all 
 his friends of his own sex, there are thousands of idle 
 women in the harems of the Persian nobles, who will 
 endeavor, by every artifice and intrigue in their power, 
 to injure the newly-risen star ; and whose greatest joy it 
 will be to ruin such an inexperienced child and make 
 her unhappy.” 
 
 “You have a very bad opinion of the Persian 
 women.” 
 
 “ They are but women, and will naturally envy her, 
 who has gained the husband they all desired either for 
 themselves or for their daughters. In their monotonous 
 life, devoid of occupation, envy easily becomes hatred, 
 and the gratification of these evil passions is the only 
 compensation which the poor creatures can obtain for 
 the total absence of love and loss of freedom. I repeat, 
 the more beautiful Sappho is, the more malicious they 
 will feel towards her, and, even if Bartja should love 
 her so fervently as not to take a second wife for two or 
 three years, she will still have such heavy hours to en- 
 counter, that I really do not know whether I dare con- 
 gratulate you on her apparently brilliant future.” 
 
 “That is quite my own feeling. A simple Greek 
 would be more welcome to me than this son of a mighty 
 monarch.” 
 
200 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 In this moment Knakias brought Bartja into the 
 room. He went to Rhodopis at once, besought her 
 not to refuse him the hand of her granddaughter, spoke 
 of his ardent love, and assured her that his happiness 
 would be doubled, if she would consent to accompany 
 them to Persia, Then turning to Croesus, he seized his 
 hand and entreated forgiveness for having so long con- 
 cealed his great happiness from one who had been like 
 a father to him, at the same time begging him to second 
 his suit with Rhodopis. 
 
 The old man listened to the youth’s passionate 
 language with a smile, and said: “ Ah, Bartja, how 
 often have I warned thee against love! It is a scorch- 
 ing fire.” 
 
 “ But its flame is bright and beautiful.” 
 
 “ It causes pain.” 
 
 “ But such pain is sweet.” 
 
 “ It leads the mind astray.” 
 
 “ But it strengthens the heart.” 
 
 “ Oh, this love!” cried Rhodopis. “ Inspired by 
 Eros, the boy speaks as if he had been all his life study- 
 ing under an Attic orator ! ” 
 
 “ And yet,” answered Croesus, “ these lovers are the 
 most unteachable of pupils. Convince them as clearly 
 as you will, that their passion is only another word for 
 poison, fire, folly, death, they still cry, ‘ ’Tis sweet/ and 
 will not be hindered in their course.” 
 
 As he was speaking Sappho came in. A white 
 festal robe, with wide sleeves, and borders of purple em- 
 broidery, fell in graceful folds round her delicate figure, 
 and was confined at the waist by a golden girdle. Her 
 hair was adorned with fresh roses, and on her bosom 
 lay her lover’s first gift, the flashing diamond star. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 201 
 
 She came up modestly and gracefully, and made 
 a low obeisance to the aged Croesus. His eyes rested 
 long on the maidenly and lovely countenance, and the 
 longer he gazed the kindlier became his gaze. For a 
 moment he seemed to grow young again in the visions 
 conjured up by memory, and involuntarily he went up 
 to the young girl, kissed her affectionately on the fore- 
 head, and, taking her by the hand, led her to Bartja 
 with the words: “Take her, thy wife she must be, if 
 the entire race of the Achaemenidas were to conspire 
 against us ! ” 
 
 “ Have I no voice in the matter ?” said Rhodopis, 
 smiling through her tears. 
 
 On hearing these words, Bartja and Sappho each 
 took one of her hands, and gazed entreatingly into her 
 face. She rose to her full stature, and like a prophetess 
 exclaimed : “ Eros, who brought you to each other, 
 Zeus and Apollo defend and protect you. I see you 
 now like two fair roses on one stem, loving and happy 
 in the spring of life. What summer, autumn and win- 
 ter may have in store for you, lies hidden with the gods. 
 May the shades of thy departed parents, Sappho, smile 
 approvingly when these tidings of their child shall reach 
 them in the nether world.” 
 
 Three days later a densely packed crowd was once 
 more surging round the Sais landing-place. This time 
 they had assembled to bid a last farewell to their king’s 
 daughter, and in this hour the people gave clear tokens 
 that, in spite of all the efforts of the priestly caste, their 
 hearts remained loyal to their monarch and his house. 
 
 For when Amasis and Ladice embraced Nitetis for 
 *5 
 
.202 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 the last time with tears — when Tachot, in presence of 
 all the inhabitants of Sais, following her sister down the 
 broad flight of steps that led to the river, threw her 
 arms round her neck once more and burst into sobs — 
 when at last the wind filled the sails of the royal boat 
 and bore the princess, destined to be the great king's 
 bride, from their sight, few eyes among that vast crowd 
 remained dry. 
 
 The priests alone looked on at this sad scene w ith 
 unmoved gravity and coldness ; but when the south 
 wind at last bore away the strangers who had robbed 
 them of their princess, many a curse and execration fol- 
 lowed from the Egyptians on the shore; Tachot alone 
 stood weeping there and waving her veil to them. For 
 whom were these tears ? for the play-fellow of her youth, 
 or for the handsome, beloved prince ? 
 
 Amasis embraced his wife and daughter in the eyes 
 of all his people; and held up his little grandson, 
 Prince Necho, to their gaze, the sight eliciting cries of 
 joy on all sides. But Psamtik, the child’s own father, 
 stood by the while, tearless and motionless. The king 
 appeared not to observe him, until Neithotep approached, 
 and leading him to his father, joined their hands and 
 called down the blessing of the gods upon the royal 
 house. 
 
 At this the Egyptians fell on their knees with uplifted 
 hands. Amasis clasped his son to his heart, and when 
 the high-priest had concluded his prayer, the following 
 colloquy between the latter and Amasis took place in 
 low tones: 
 
 “ Let peace be between us for our own and Egypt’s 
 sake !” 
 
 “ Hast thou received Nebenchari’s letter?” 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 203 
 
 “ A Samian pirate-vessel is in pursuit of Phanes’ 
 trireme.” 
 
 “ Behold the child of thy predecessor Hophra, the 
 rightful heiress of the Egyptian throne, departing unhin- 
 dered to a distant land !” 
 
 “ The works of the Greek temple now building in 
 Memphis shall be discontinued.” 
 
 “ May Isis grant us peace, and may prosperity and 
 happiness increase in our land !” 
 
 The Greek colonists in Naukratis had prepared a 
 feast to celebrate the departure of their protector’s 
 daughter. 
 
 Numerous animals had been slaughtered in sacrifice 
 on the altars of the Greek divinities, and the Nile-boats 
 were greeted with a loud cry of “Ailinos” on their 
 arrival in the harbor. 
 
 A bridal wreath, composed of a hoop of gold wound 
 round with scented 213 violets, was presented to Nitetis 
 by a troop of young girls in holiday dresses, the act of 
 presentation being performed by Sappho, as the most 
 beautiful among the maidens of Naukratis. 
 
 On accepting the gift Nitetis kissed her’forehead in 
 token of gratitude. The triremes were already waiting ; 
 she went on board, the rowers took their oars and began 
 the Keleusma .* 214 The south wind filled the sails, and 
 
 213. The Greek bridal wreath usually consisted of violets and 
 myrtle. On the customs observed at marriages see Vol. II. notes 97. 98. 
 
 214. The measure of the Keleusma was generally given by a flute- 
 player, the Trieraules. iEschylus, Persians 403. Laert. Diog. IV. 22. 
 Becker, Charikles I. p. 213. In the Frogs of Aristophanes the inhab- 
 itants of the marshes are made to sing the Keleusma, v. 205. 
 
 * The melody, to the measure of which the Greek boatmen usually 
 timed their strokes. 
 
204 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 again the Ailinos rang across the water from a thousand 
 voices. ..Bartja stood on the deck, and waved a last 
 loving farewell to his betrothed; while Sappho prayed 
 in silence to Aphrodite Euploia, the protectress of those 
 who go down to the sea in ships. A tear rolled down 
 her cheek, but around her lips played a smile of love 
 and hope, though her old slave Melitta, who accom- 
 panied her to carry her parasol, was weeping as if her 
 heart would break. On seeing, however, a few leaves 
 fall from her darling's wreath, she forgot her tears for a 
 moment and whispered softly: “Yes, dear heart, it is 
 easy to see that you are in love; when the leaves fall 
 from a maiden’s wreath, ’tis a sure sign that her heart 
 has been touched by Eros . 215 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 Seven weeks after Nitetis had quitted her native 
 country, a long train of equipages and horsemen was to 
 be seen on the king’s highway 216 from the west to Baby- 
 lon, moving steadily towards that gigantic city, whose 
 towers might already be descried in the far distance. 
 
 The principal object in this caravan was a richly- 
 gilded, four-wheeled carriage, closed in at the sides by 
 curtains, and above by a roof supported on wooden 
 pillars. In this vehicle, called the Harmamaxa,* rest- 
 
 215. See Kallimachus’ epigram 45, Athenaeus XV. p. 669. 
 
 216. The great road called the “king’s road,” of which we shall 
 have more to say, was made by Cyrus and carefully kept up by Darius. 
 
 * An Asiatic travelling carriage. The first mention of these is in 
 Xenophon’s Anabasis, where we find a queen travelling in such a 
 vehicle. They were later adopted by the Romans and used for the 
 same object. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 205 
 
 ing on rich cushions of gold brocade, sat our Egyptian 
 Princess. 
 
 On either side rode her escort, viz. : the Persian 
 princes and nobles whom we have already learnt to 
 know during their visit to Egypt, Croesus and his son. 
 
 Behind these, along train, consisting of fifty vehicles 
 of different kinds and six hundred beasts of burden, 
 stretched away into the distance, and the royal carriage 
 was preceded by a troop of splendidly-mounted Persian 
 cavalry. 
 
 The high-road followed the course of the Euphrates, 
 passing through luxuriant fields of wheat, barley and 
 sesame* yielding fruit two, and sometimes even three, 
 hundred-fold. Slender date-palms covered with golden 
 fruit were scattered in every direction over the fields, 
 which were thoroughly irrigated by means of canals and 
 ditches . 2I7 
 
 It was winter, but the sun shone warm and bright 
 from a cloudless sky. The mighty river swarmed with 
 craft of all sizes, either transporting the products of 
 Upper Armenia to the plains of Mesopotamia, or the 
 wares of Greece and Asia Minor from Thapsakus** to 
 Babylon. Pumps and water-wheels poured refreshing 
 streams over the thirsty land, and pretty villages orna- 
 mented the shores of the river. Indeed every object 
 gave evidence that our caravan was approaching the 
 metropolis of a carefully governed and civilized state. 
 
 217. Herodotus I. 193. The ancient aqueduct discovered by 
 Layard. Nineveh and Babylon p. 215. Bass-reliefs representing this 
 well-watered and cultivated region I. 1. p. 233. 
 
 * A species of grain which grows luxuriantly in the neighborhood 
 of Babylon, and from which oil is extracted. 
 
 ** An important commercial town on the Euphrates, and the point 
 of observation from which Eratosthenes took his measurements of the 
 earth. 
 
20 6 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 Nitetis and her retinue now halted at a long brick 
 house, roofed with asphalte , 218 and surrounded by a 
 grove of plane-trees. Here Croesus was lifted from his 
 horse, and approaching the carriage, exclaimed: “ Here 
 we are at length at the last station! That high tower 
 which you see on the horizon is the celebrated temple 
 of Bel, next to the Pyramids, one of the most gigantic 
 works ever constructed by human hands. Before sun- 
 set we shall have reached the brazen gates of Baby- 
 lon. And now I would ask you to alight, and let 
 me send your maidens into the house; for here you 
 must put on Persian apparel, to appear well-pleasing in 
 the eyes of Cambyses. In a few hours you will stand 
 before your future husband. But you are pale! Permit 
 your maidens to adorn your cheeks with a color that 
 shall look like the excitement of joy. A first impression 
 is often a final one, and this is especially true with re- 
 gard to Cambyses. If, which I doubt not, you are 
 pleasing in his eyes at first, then you have won his love 
 for ever; but if you should displease him to-day he will 
 never look kindly on you again, for he is rough and 
 harsh. But take courage, my daughter, and above all, 
 do not forget the advice I have given you.” Nitetis 
 dried her tears as she answered: “How can I ever 
 thank you, O Croesus, my second father, my protector 
 and adviser, for all your goodness? Oh, forsake me 
 not in the days to come! and if the path of my life 
 should lead through grief and care, be near to help and 
 
 218. Nearly all authorities, ancient as well as modern, report that 
 bitumen, which is still plentifully found in the neighborhood of Baby- 
 lon, was used by the Babylonians as mortar. See, besides the accounts 
 of ancient writers, W. Vaux, Nineveh and Persepolis. An historical 
 sketch of Assyria and Persia, p. 136. Layard 1 . 1 . p. 262. and pp. 529. 
 530. Burnt bitumen as used by Assyrians for cement in building. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 207 
 
 guide me as you did on the mountain-passes of this 
 long and dangerous journey. A thousand times I thank 
 thee, O my father!” 
 
 And, as she said these words, the young girl threw 
 her arms around the old man’s neck and kissed him 
 tenderly. 
 
 On entering the court-yard, a tall stout man, followed 
 by a train of Asiatic serving-maidens, came forward to 
 meet them. This was Boges, the chief of the eunuchs , 219 
 an important official at the Persian court. His beard- 
 less face wore a smile of fulsome sweetness; in his ears 
 hung costly jewelled pendents; his neck, arms, legs and 
 his effeminately long garments glittered all over with 
 gold chains and rings, and his crisp, stiff curls, bound 
 round by a purple fillet, streamed with powerful and 
 penetrating perfumes. 
 
 Making a low and reverential obeisance before 
 Nitetis, and holding, the while, his fat hands overloaded 
 with rings before his mouth, he thus addressed her: 
 “ Cambyses, lord of the world, hath sent me to thee, O 
 Queen, that I may refresh thy heart with the dew of 
 his salutations. He sendeth thee likewise by me, even 
 by me the lowest of his servants, Persian raiment, that 
 thou, as befitteth the consort of the mightiest of all 
 rulers, mayest approach the gates of the Achaemenidse in 
 Median garments. These women whom thou seest are 
 thy handmaidens, and only await thy bidding to trans- 
 form thee from an Egyptian jewel into a Persian pearl.” 
 
 219. See Ebers, Aegypten und die Bucher Moses, p. 296 and follow- 
 ing, on this unfortunate class of human beings, who far more proba- 
 bly owed their origin to the jealousy of the Easterns and their desire 
 to perpetuate their race or family in its original purity, than to Semi- 
 ramis’ wish to be surrounded only by men who, like herself, were 
 beardless and had high-toned voices. See portrait of a eunuch by 
 Gentz in Ebers Aegypten in Bild und Wort. 
 
 A n Egyptian Princess. I. 
 
2o8 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 The master of the caravansary then appeared, bear- 
 ing, in token of welcome, a basket of fruits arranged 
 with great taste. # 
 
 Nitetis returned her thanks to both these men in 
 kind and friendly words; then entering the house laid 
 aside the dress and ornaments of her native land, 
 weeping as she did so, allowed the strangers to unloose 
 the plait of hair which hung down at the left side of her 
 head, and was the distinctive mark of an Egyptian 
 princess , 220 and to array her in Median garments. 
 
 In the meantime, a repast had been commanded by 
 the princes who accompanied her. Eager and agile 
 attendants rushed to the baggage- waggons, fetching 
 thence, in a few moments, seats, tables, and golden 
 utensils of all kinds. The cooks vied with them and 
 with each other, and as if by magic, in a short space of 
 time a richly-adorned banquet for the hungry guests ap- 
 peared, at which even the flowers were not wanting. 
 
 During the entire journey our travellers had lived in 
 a similar luxury, as their beasts of burden carried every 
 imaginable convenience, from tents of water-proof mate- 
 rials inwrought with gold, down to silver foot-stools; 
 and in the vehicles which composed their train were 
 not only bakers, cooks, cup-bearers and carvers, but 
 perfumers, hair-dressers and weavers of garlands. Be- 
 side these conveniences, a well-fitted up caravansary, 
 or inn, was to be found about every eighteen miles 
 along the whole route, where disabled horses could be 
 replaced, the plantations around which afforded a re- 
 
 220. In almost all the Egyptian pictures, the daughters and sons 
 of the Pharaohs are represented with these locks of hair, plaited and 
 reaching from the forehead to the neck. Rosellini, Mon. stor. II. 123. 
 Lepsius, Denkmcilcr. The daughter of Rameses II. is drawn thus, 
 and we have examples of the same in many other pictures. 
 
 * See vol. 2, note 3. 
 
an EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 209 
 
 freshing shelter from the noonday heat, or their hearths 
 
 a refuge from the snow and cold on the mountain- 
 passes. 
 
 The kingdom of Persia was indebted for these inns 
 (similar to the post-stations of modern days) to Cyrus 
 who had endeavored to connect the widely-distant prov- 
 inces of his immense dominions by a system of well- 
 kept roads, and a regular postal service. At each of 
 these stations the horseman carrying the letter-bag was 
 relieved by a fresh man on a fresh steed, to whom the 
 etters were transferred, and who, in his turn, darted off 
 ike the wind, to be again replaced at a similar distance 
 by another rider. These couriers, called Angari, were 
 considered the swiftest horsemen in the world . 231 
 
 Just as the banqueters, amongst whom Boges had 
 taken his seat, were rising from table, the door opened 
 and a vision appeared, which drew prolonged exclama- 
 tion of surprise from all the Persians present. Nitetis 
 clad in the glorious apparel of a Median princess, proud 
 in the consciousness of her triumphant beauty, and yet 
 blushing like a young girl at the wondering admiration 
 of her friends, stood before them. 
 
 The attendants involuntarily fell on their faces 
 before her according to the custom of the Asiatics, and 
 f "° e Acluemcmdas bowed low and reverentially 
 or it seemed as if Nitetis has laid aside all her former 
 bashfulness and timidity with her simple Egyptian 
 dress, and with the splendid silken garment! of a 
 Persian princess, flashing as they were with gold and 
 
 6. 9- Plutarch, 
 
 ruins of the old king's road which W? f ^ t ? T - be f °i md amon g the 
 
 m *-™* < blue p m -T 
 
 i 
 
210 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 jewels, had clothed herself in the majesty of a 
 queen. 
 
 The deep reverence paid by all present seemed 
 agreeable to her, and thanking her admiring friends by 
 a gracious wave of the hand, she turned to the chief of 
 the eunuchs 222 and said in a kind tone but mingled with 
 a touch of pride; “Thou hast performed thy mission 
 well; I am content with the raiment and the slaves 
 that thou hast provided and shall commend thy circum- 
 spection to the king, my husband. Receive this gold 
 chain in the meanwhile, as a token of my gratitude/* 
 
 The eunuch kissed the hem of her garment, and 
 accepted the gift in silence. This man, hitherto omnip- 
 otent in his office, had never before encountered such 
 pride in any of the women committed to his charge. 
 Up to the present time all Cambyses’ wives had been 
 Asiatics, and, well aware of the unlimited power of the 
 chief of the eunuchs, had used every means within 
 their reach to secure his fa\or by flattery and sub- 
 mission. 
 
 Boges now made a second obeisance before Nitetis, 
 of which, however, she took no notice, and turning to 
 Croesus said: “Neither words nor gifts could ever 
 suffice to express my gratitude to you, kindest of friends, 
 for, if my future life at the court of Persia prove, I will 
 not venture to say a happy, but even a peaceful one, it 
 is to you alone that I shall owe it. Still, take this ring. 
 It has never left my finger since I quitted Egypt, and it 
 has a significance far beyond its outward worth. 
 Pythagoras, the noblest of the Greeks, gave it to my 
 
 222. In the book of Esther 2. 12. 15. a chief of the eunuchs for 
 the king’s wives is spoken of, and another for the concubines. But in 
 the reign of Cambyses, which was so much earlier, we have allowed 
 Boges to fill both these offices. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 2 1 1 
 
 mother, when he was tarrying in Egypt to learn the 
 wisdom of our priests, and it was her parting gift to me. 
 The number seven is engraved upon the simple stone. 
 This indivisible number represents perfect health, both 
 to soul and body , 223 for health is likewise one and 
 indivisible. The sickness of one member is the sickness 
 of all; one evil thought, allowed to take up its abode 
 within our heart, destroys the entire harmony of the 
 soul. When you see this seven therefore, let it recall 
 my heart’s wish that you may ever enjoy undisturbed 
 bodily health, and long retain that loving gentleness 
 which has made you the most virtuous, and therefore 
 the healthiest of men. No thanks, my father, for even 
 if I could restore to Croesus all the treasures that he 
 once possessed, I should still remain his debtor. Gyges, 
 to you I give this Lydian lyre; let its tones recall the 
 giver to your memory. For you, Zopyrus, I have a 
 golden chain ; I have witnessed that you are the most 
 faithful of friends; and we Egyptians are accustomed 
 to place cords and bands in the hands of our lovely 
 Hathor, the goddess of love and friendship, as symbols 
 of her captivating and enchaining attributes.* As 
 Darius has studied the wisdom of Egypt and the signs of 
 the starry heavens, I beg him to take this circlet of gold, 
 on which a skilful hand has traced the signs of the 
 Zodiac . 224 And lastly, to my dear brother-in-law Bartja 
 
 223. Seven, the “ motherless" number, which has no factor below 
 ten. Zeller, Geschichte der Philosophic der Griechen , p. 232 and 298. 
 
 224. Diodorus (I. 49.) tells, that in the tomb of Osvmandyas 
 (palace of Rameses II. at Thebes) there lay a circle of gold, one ell 
 thick and 365 ells in circumference, containing a complete astronom- 
 ical calendar. The circle of the zodiac from Dendera, which is now 
 in Paris, — an astronomical ceiling painting, which was believed at the 
 time of its discovery to be of great age, is not nearly so ancient as was 
 supposed, dating only from the end of the Ptolemaic dynasty. Le- 
 
 * See note 55. 
 
212 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 I commit the most precious jewel in my possession — 
 this amulet of blue stone.* My sister Tachot hung it 
 round my neck as I kissed her on the last night before 
 we parted ; she told me it could bring to its wearer the 
 sweet bliss of love. And then, Bartja, she wept! I do 
 not know of whom she was thinking in that moment, 
 but I hope I am acting according to her wishes in 
 giving you her precious jewel. Take it as a gift from 
 Tachot, and sometimes call to mind our games in the 
 Sais gardens.” 
 
 Thus far she had been speaking Greek, but now, ad- 
 dressing the attendants who remained standing in an 
 attitude of deep reverence, she began in broken Persian : 
 “ Accept my thanks also. In Babylon you shall receive 
 a thousand gold staters .” 225 Then turning to Boges, she 
 added : “ Let this sum be distributed among the atten- 
 dants at latest by the day after to-morrow. Take me 
 to my carriage, Croesus.” 
 
 The old king hastened to do her bidding, and as he 
 was leading her thither she pressed his arm and whis- 
 pered gently, “ Are you pleased with me, my father ?” 
 
 “ I tell you, girl,” the old man answered, “ that no 
 
 tronne was the first to estimate it correctly. See Lepsius, Chron. p. 
 63. and Lauth, les zodiaques de Dendera. Munich 1865. 
 
 225. These staters were the earliest stamped coins, according to 
 Herodotus I. 94. But Bockh and Brandis have proved that the Assy- 
 rians had fixed weights and measures much earlier. The Persian 
 Daricus was probably first, coined in the reign of Darius, though 
 Suidas maintains that they took their name from a former Darius. It 
 may have been derived from the word “Zara,” gold. The Daricus 
 was worth a little more than twenty-four shillings. Bockh, Metrologie. 
 p. 46. 51. 129. and following. Duncker, Geschichte des Alterthums II. 
 p. 642. We are indebted to Brandis for the latest and most successful 
 researches on the subject of Eastern measures of every kind. 
 
 * Lapis-lazuli was a favorite stone among the ancient Egyptians. 
 Turquoises have been found in the present day by an Englishman 
 named Macdonald, in the old mines on the Sinaitic peninsular. See 
 Brugsch , Wandenmgen zu den Turkisminen. 
 
'AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 213 
 
 one but the king’s mother can ever be your equal at 
 this court, for a true and queenly pride reigns on your 
 brow, and you have the power of using small means to 
 effect great ends. Believe me, the smallest gift, chosen 
 and bestowed as you can choose and bestow, gives 
 more pleasure to a noble mind than heaps of treasure 
 merely cast down at his feet. The Persians are accus- 
 tomed to present and receive costly gifts. They under- 
 stand already how to enrich their friends, but you 
 can teach them to impart a joy with every gift. How 
 beautiful you are to-day ! Are your cushions to your 
 mind, or would you like a higher seat ? But what is 
 that ? There are clouds of dust in the direction of the 
 city. Cambyses is surely coming to meet you! Courage, 
 my daughter. Above all try to meet his gaze and 
 respond to it. Very few can bear the lightning glance 
 of those eyes, but, if you can return it freely and fear- 
 lessly, you have conquered. Fear nothing, my child, 
 and may Aphrodite adorn you with her most glorious 
 beauty! My friends, we must start, I think the king 
 himself is coming.” Nitetis sat erect in her splendid, 
 gilded carriage ; her hands were pressed on her throb- 
 bing heart. The clouds of dust came nearer and 
 nearer, her eye caught the flash of weapons like light- 
 ning across a stormy sky. The clouds parted, she 
 could see single figures for a moment, but soon lost 
 them as the road wound behind some thickets and 
 shrubs. Suddenly the troop of horsemen appeared in 
 full gallop only a hundred paces before her, and dis- 
 tinctly visible. 
 
 Her first impression was of a motley mass of steeds 
 and men, glittering in purple, gold, silver and jewels. 
 It consisted in reality of a troop of more than two 
 
2 14 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 hundred horsemen mounted on pure white Nicaean 
 horses, whose bridles and saddle-cloths were covered 
 with bells and bosses, feathers, fringes, and em- 
 broidery . 226 Their leader rode a powerful coal-black 
 charger, which even the strong will and hand of his rider 
 could not always curb, though in the end his enormous 
 strength proved him the man to tame even this fiery 
 animal. This rider, beneath whose weight the power- 
 ful steed trembled and panted, wore a vesture of scarlet 
 and white, thickly embroidered with eagles and falcons 
 in silver . 227 The lower part of his dress was purple, and 
 his boots of yellow leather. He wore a golden girdle ; 
 in this hung a short dagger-like sword, the hilt and 
 scabbard of which were thickly studded with jewels. 
 The remaining ornaments of his dress resembled those 
 we have described as worn by Bartja, and the blue and 
 white fillet of the Achasmenidae was bound around the 
 tiara, which surmounted a mass of thick curls, black as 
 ebony. The lower part of his face was concealed by 
 an immense beard. His features were pale and immov- 
 able, but the eyes, (more intensely black, if possible, 
 than either hair or beard), glowed with a fire that was 
 rather scorching than warming. A deep, fiery-red scar, 
 given by the sword of a Massagetan warrior, crossed 
 his high forehead, arched nose and thin upper lip. His 
 whole demeanor expressed great power and unbounded 
 pride. 
 
 Nitetis’ gaze was at once riveted by this man. She 
 had never seen any one like him before, and he exercised 
 
 226. From the pictures in H. Gosse’s Assyria p. 238. and Layard’s 
 Nineveh and Babylon p. 178. 340. 450. 
 
 227. Curtius III. 3. Xenoph. Cyrop. VIII. 3. 7. Aeschylus, 
 Persians 835. 836. The king’s dress and ornaments were worth 12,000 
 talents, or ^2,250,000 according to Plutarch, Artaxerxes 24. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 2I 5 
 
 a strange fascination over her. The expression of indom- 
 itable pride, worn by his features, seemed to her to 
 represent a manly nature which the whole world, but 
 she herself above all others, was created to serve. She 
 felt afraid, and yet her true woman’s heart longed to 
 lean upon his strength as the vine upon the elm. She 
 could not be quite sure whether she had thus pictured 
 to herself the father of all evil, the fearful Seth,* or the 
 great god Ammon, the giver of light. 
 
 The deepest pallor and the brightest color flitted by 
 turns across her lovely face, like the light and shadow 
 when clouds pass swiftly over a sunny noonday sky. 
 She had quite forgotten the advice of her fatherly old 
 friend, and yet, when Cambyses brought his unruly, 
 chafing steed to a stand by the side of her carriage, she 
 gazed breathless into the fiery eyes of this man and felt 
 at once that he was the king, though no one had told 
 her so. 
 
 The stern face of this ruler of half the known world 
 relaxed, as Nitetis, moved by an unaccountable impulse, 
 continued to bear his piercing gaze. At last he waved 
 his hand to her in token of welcome, and then rode on 
 to her escort, who had alighted from their horses and 
 were awaiting him, some having cast themselves down 
 in the dust, and others, after the Persian manner, stand- 
 ing in an attitude of deep reverence, their hands 
 concealed in the wide sleeves of their robes. 
 
 He sprang from his horse, an example which was 
 followed at once by his entire suite. The attendants, 
 with the speed of thought, spread a rich purple carpet 
 on the highway, lest the foot of the king should come 
 in contact with the dust of the earth, and then Cambyses 
 * See note 147. 
 
21 6 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 proceeded to salute his friends and relations by offering 
 them his mouth to kiss. 
 
 He shook Croesus by the right hand, commanding 
 him to remount and accompany him to the carriage, as 
 interpreter between himself and Nitetis. 
 
 In an instant his highest office-bearers were at hand 
 to lift the king once more on to his horse, and at a sin- 
 gle nod from their lord, the train was again in motion. 
 
 Cambyses and Croesus rode by the side of the car- 
 riage. 
 
 “ She is beautiful, and pleases me well,” began the 
 king. “ Interpret faithfully all her answers, for I under- 
 stand only the Persian, Assyrian and Median tongues.” 
 
 Nitetis caught and understood these words. A 
 feeling of intense joy stole into her heart, and before 
 Croesus could answer, she began softly in broken Per- 
 sian and blushing deeply: “ Blessed be the gods, who 
 have caused me to find favor in thine eyes. I am not 
 ignorant of the speech of my lord, for the noble Croesus 
 has instructed me in the Persian language during our 
 long journey. Forgive, if my sentences be broken and 
 imperfect; the time was short, and my capacity only 
 that of a poor and simple maiden . 228 
 
 A smile passed over the usually serious mouth of 
 Cambyses. His vanity was flattered by Nitetis’ desire 
 to win his approbation, and, accustomed as he was to 
 see women grow up in idleness and ignorance, thinking 
 of nothing but finery and intrigue, her persevering 
 industry seemed to him both wonderful and praise- 
 worthy. So he answered with evident satisfaction : “ I 
 
 228. Diodorus tells us that Themistocles learnt the Persian lan- 
 guage during the journey to Susa. We are not, therefore, requiring an 
 impossibility of Nitetis. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 217 
 
 rejoice that we can speak without an interpreter. Per- 
 severe in learning the beautiful language of my forefathers. 
 Croesus, who sits at my table, shall still remain your 
 instructor.” 
 
 “ Your command confers happiness !” exclaimed the 
 old man. “ No more eager or thankful pupil could be 
 found, than the daughter of Amasis.” 
 
 “ She justifies the ancient report of the wisdom of 
 Egypt,” answered the king, “ and I can believe that she 
 will quickly understand and receive into her soul the 
 religious instructions of our Magi.” 
 
 Nitetis dropped her earnest gaze. Her fears were 
 being realized. She would be compelled to serve strange 
 gods. 
 
 But her emotion passed unnoticed by Cambyses, who 
 went on speaking: “ My mother Kassandane will tell 
 you the duties expected from my wives. To-morrow I 
 myself will lead you to her. The words, which you 
 innocently chanced to hear, I now repeat ; you please 
 me well. Do nothing to alienate my affection. We 
 will try to make our country agreeable, and, as your 
 friend, I counsel you to treat Boges whom I sent as my 
 forerunner, in a kind and friendly manner. As head 
 over the house of the women, you will have to conform 
 to his will in many things.” 
 
 “ Though he be head over the house of the women,” 
 answered Nitetis, “ surely your wife is bound to obey no 
 other earthly will than yours. Your slightest look shall 
 be for me a command; but remember that I am a king’s 
 daughter, that in my native land the weaker and the 
 stronger sex have equal rights, and that the same pride 
 reigns in my breast, which I see kindling in your eyes, 
 my lord and king ! My obedience to you, my husband 
 16 
 
2l8 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 and my ruler, shall be that of a slave, but I can never 
 stoop to sue for the favor, or obey the orders of a venal 
 servant, the most unmanly of his kind !” 
 
 Calluses’ wonder and satisfaction increased. He 
 had never heard any woman speak in this way before, 
 except his mother; the clever way in which Nitetis 
 acknowledged, and laid stress on, his right to command 
 her every act, was very flattering to his self-love, and 
 her pride found an echo in his own haughty disposition. 
 He nodded approvingly and answered: “You have 
 spoken well. A separate dwelling shall be appointed 
 you. I, and no one else, will prescribe your rules of life 
 and conduct. This day the pleasant palace on the 
 hanging-gardens shall be prepared for your reception.” 
 “A thousand, thousand thanks,” cried Nitetis. 
 “You little know the blessing you are bestowing in this 
 permission. Again and again I have begged your 
 brother Bartja to repeat the story of these gardens, and 
 the love of the king who raised that verdant and bloom- 
 ing hill, pleased us better than all the other glories 
 of your vast domains.” 
 
 “To-morrow,” answered the king, “you can enter 
 your new abode. But tell me now how my messengers 
 pleased you and your countrymen.” 
 
 “How can you ask? Who could know the noble 
 Croesus without loving him ? Who could fail to admire 
 the beauty of the young heroes, your friends ? They 
 have all become dear to us, but your handsome brother 
 Bartja especially, won all hearts. The Egyptians have 
 no love for strangers, and yet the gaping crowd would 
 burst into a murmur of admiration, when his beautiful 
 face appeared among them.” 
 
 At these words the king’s brow darkened; he struck 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 219 
 
 his horse so sharply that the creature reared, and then 
 turning it quickly round he gallopped to the front and 
 soon reached the walls of Babylon. 
 
 Though Nitetis had been brought up among the 
 huge temples and palaces of Egypt, she was still 
 astonished at the size and grandeur of this gigantic 
 city. 
 
 Its walls seemed impregnable ; they measured more 
 than seventy-five feet* in height and their breadth was 
 so great, that two chariots could conveniently drive 
 abreast upon them. These mighty defences were 
 crowned and strengthened by two hundred and fifty 
 high towers, and even these would have been insufficient, 
 if Babylon had not been protected on one side by 
 impassable morasses. The gigantic city lay on both 
 shores of the Euphrates. It was more than forty miles 
 in circumference, and its walls enclosed buildings sur- 
 passing in size and grandeur even the Pyramids and 
 the temples of Thebes . 229 
 
 The mighty gates of brass, through which the royal 
 train entered the city, had opened wide to receive this 
 noble company. This entrance was defended on each 
 side by a strong tower, and before each of these towers 
 lay, as warder, a gigantic winged bull carved in stone, 
 
 229. These numbers and measurements are taken partly from 
 Herodotus, partly from Diodorus, Strabo and Arrian. And even the 
 ruins of this giant city, writes Layard, are such as to allow a very fair 
 conclusion of its enormous size. Layard I. 1. Gosse, Assyria. Ritter, 
 Erdkunde XI. p. 900. and many others. Aristotle ( Polit . III. 1.) says 
 Babylon’s dimensions were not those of a city, but of a nation. 
 
 * Fifty ells. The Greek ell (nrixvs) is equal to one foot and a half 
 English. 
 
220 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 with a human head, bearded and solemn . 230 Nitetis 
 gazed at these gates in astonishment, and then a joyful 
 smile lighted up her face, as she looked up the long 
 broad street so brightly and beautifully decorated to 
 welcome her. 
 
 The moment they beheld the king and the gilded 
 carriage, the multitude burst into loud shouts of joy, 
 but when Bartja, the people’s darling, came in sight, the 
 shouts rose to thunder-peals and shrieks of delight, 
 which seemed as if they would never end. It was long 
 since the populace had seen Cambyses, for in accord- 
 ance with Median customs the king seldom appeared in 
 public Like the Deity, he was to govern invisibly, and 
 his occasional appearance before the nation to be looked 
 upon as a festival and occasion of rejoicing. Thus all 
 Babylon had come out to-day to look upon their awful 
 ruler and to welcome their favorite Bartja on his return. 
 The windows were crowded with eager, curious women, 
 who threw flowers before the approaching train, or 
 poured sweet perfumes from above as they passed by. 
 The pavement was thickly strewn with myrtle and 
 palm branches, trees of different kinds had been placed 
 before the house-doors, carpets and gay cloths hung 
 from the windows, garlands of flowers were wreathed 
 from house to house, fragrant odors of incense and 
 sandal-wood perfumed the air, and the way was lined 
 with thousands of gaping Babylonians dressed in white 
 
 230. J. Bonomi, Nineveh and. its palaces, fig. 33. and many pictures 
 in Layard’s works. Originals and casts of ancient Assyrian works of 
 art in the British Museum, the Louvre in Paris, and (more especially 
 casts) in the New Museum, Berlin. The Assyrian sphinxes were prob- 
 ably intended as symbols of the omnipotence of the Deity. The 
 highest degree of strength was symbolized by the body of a bull, the 
 highest intelligence by the head of a man, and the gEeatest swiftness 
 by the eagle’s wings. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 221 
 
 linen shirts, gaily-colored woollen petticoats and short 
 cloaks, and carrying long staves headed with pome- 
 granates, birds, or roses, of gold or silver . 231 
 
 The streets through which the procession moved 
 were broad and straight, the houses on either side, built 
 of brick, tall and handsome . 232 Towering above every- 
 thing else, and visible from all points, rose the gigantic 
 temple of Bel. Its colossal staircase, like a huge ser- 
 pent, wound round and round the ever-diminishing 
 series of stories composing the tower, until it reached 
 the summit crowned by the sanctuary itself . 233 
 
 The procession approached the royal palace , 234 This 
 
 231. Herodotus I. 195. Ezekiel 23. 15. This dress too agrees 
 well with the pictures of Assyrians, represented on the Egyptian mon- 
 uments among the foreign nations. Printed in colors in Rosellini’s 
 Mon. stor. dell' Egitto II. PI. 157. and 158. and in Lepsius’ Denkmdler . 
 In the celebrated enumeration of the campaigns of Thotmes III. (in 
 Lepsius) mention is made of Assuri and Babel, perhaps Assyria and 
 Babylon. It runs thus: “In the year 40 the tribute of the kings of 
 Assuri (Assyria?) was a great stone of lapis-lazuli weighing 20 minae 
 and 9 aces, of beautiful lapis-lazuli from Bebel (Babylon ?), vases from 
 Assuri &c.” The “statistical monument at Karnak,” recently pub- 
 lished by Mariette Bey and used by Brugsch and A. Wiedemann. 
 
 232. Herodotus I. 180. 
 
 233. This temple of Bel, which many consider may have been the 
 tower of Babel of Genesis XI., is mentioned by Herodotus I. 181. 182. 
 183. Diodorus II. 8. 9. (Ktesias), Strabo 738 and many other ancient 
 writers. The people living in its neighborhood now call the ruins Birs 
 Nimrud, the castle of Nimrod. In the text we have reconstructed it 
 as far as possible from the accounts of classical writers. The first story, 
 which is still standing, in the midst of a heap of ruins, is 260 feet high. 
 The walls surrounding the tower are said to be still clearly recogniza- 
 ble, and were 4000 feet long and 3000 broad. Ritter, Erdkunde XI. 877. 
 Layard pp. 494-499. Rich. Collected memoirs. First memoir p. 37. 
 The immense building must have been in its greatest splendor 
 at the time of our tale, as we know from Josephus (Ant. X. 11. 1.) that 
 Nebuchadnezzar added to and finished it in a magnificent manner; 
 and Josephus’ report is confirmed by a cuneiform inscription trans- 
 lated by Rawlinson, Journal of Royal As. Society XII. 2. p. 476. The 
 foundation of the temple seems to have been square. 
 
 234. This palace or castle is said to have been built by Nebuchad- 
 nezzar too. At least the bricks which have been found among its 
 ruins at Hillah bear his name in cuneiform characters. Many frag- 
 ments of glazed reliefs have been found there also. 
 
22 2 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 corresponded in its enormous size to the rest of the vast 
 city. The walls surrounding it were covered with gaily- 
 colored and glazed representations of strange figures 
 made up of human beings, birds, quadrupeds and fishes; 
 hunting-scenes, battles and solemn processions. By the 
 side of the river towards the north, rose the hanging- 
 gardens , 235 and the smaller palace lay toward the east on 
 the other bank of the Euphrates, connected with the 
 larger one by the wondrous erection, a firm bridge 
 of stone. 
 
 Our train passed on through the brazen gates of 
 three of the walls surrounding the palace, and then 
 halted. Nitetis was lifted from her carriage by bearers; 
 she was at last in her new home, and soon after in the 
 apartments of the women’s house assigned to her tem-» 
 porary use. 
 
 Cambyses, Bartja and their friends already known 
 to us, were still standing in the gaily-carpeted court of 
 the palace, surrounded by at least a hundred splendid 
 dignitaries in magnificent dresses, when suddenly a 
 sound of loud female voices was heard, and a lovely 
 Persian girl richly dressed, her thick fair hair profusely 
 wreathed with pearls, rushed into the court, pursued by 
 several women older than herself. She ran up to the 
 group of men; Cambyses with a smile placed himself in 
 her path, but the impetuous girl slipped adroitly past 
 
 235. See note 159. A heap of debris, 2400 ft. long and 1800 broad, 
 now called el Kasr “ the palace ” stretches along the bank of the Eu- 
 phrates. “ On the north side of this artificial hill, on one of the high- 
 est points stands a lonely tamarisk, looking down on the river beneath. 
 The tree is very old and large, and the Arabs say is the only one now 
 remaining from the hanging-gardens of Semiramis.” Duncker, Ge- 
 schichte des Alterthums I. p. 572. Diodorus (II. 10.) says the hanging- 
 gardens were in terraces like the seats in a theatre. Layard found a 
 tablet with bass-reliefs of a garden supported on columns. Nineveh 
 and Babylon, p. 233. PI. XI. B. in Zenker's translation. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 223 
 
 him, and in another moment was hanging on Barlja’s 
 neck, crying and laughing by turns. 
 
 The attendants in pursuit prostrated themselves at 
 a respectful distance, but Cambyses, on seeing the 
 caresses lavished by the young girl on her newly- 
 returned brother, cried: “For shame, Atossa! remember 
 that since you began to wear ear-rings you have ceased 
 to be a child ! 236 It is right that you should rejoice to 
 see your brother again, but a king’s daughter must 
 never forget what is due to her rank, even in her greatest 
 joy. Go back tb your mother directly. I see your 
 attendants waiting yonder. Go and tell them, that as 
 this is a day of rejoicing I will allow your heedless 
 conduct to pass unpunished, but the next time you 
 appear unbidden in these apartments, which none may 
 enter without permission, I shall tell Boges to keep you 
 twelve days in confinement. Remember this, thought- 
 less child, and tell our mother, Bartja and I are coming 
 to visit her. Now give me a kiss. You will not? We 
 shall see, capricious little one!” And so saying the 
 king sprang towards his refractory little sister, and seiz- 
 ing both her hands in one of his own, bent back her 
 charming head with the other and kissed her in spite of 
 her resistance. She screamed from the violence of his 
 grasp, and ran away crying to her attendants, who took 
 her back to her apartments. 
 
 When Atossa had disappeared, Bartja said; “You 
 
 236. Ear-rings were given to the Persian girls in their fifteenth 
 year, the marriageable age. Vendid. Fargard XIV. 66. At this age 
 too boys as well as girls were obliged to wear the sacred cord, Ku<;ti 
 or Kosti as a girdle ; and were only allowed to unloose it in the night. 
 The making of this cord is attended with many ceremonies, even 
 among the Persians of our own day. Seventy-two threads must be 
 employed, but black wool is prohibited. Spiegel. Avesta II. Ein- 
 leitung XXIII. 
 
 A n Egyptian Princess. /. 
 
224 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 were too rough with the little one, Cambyses. She 
 screamed with pain!” 
 
 Once more the king’s face clouded, but suppressing 
 the harsh words which trembled on his lips, he only 
 answered, turning towards the house: “Let us come to 
 our mother now; she begged me to bring you as soon 
 as you arrived. The women, as usual, are all impa- 
 tience. Nitetis told me your rosy cheeks and fair curls 
 had bewitched the Egyptian women too. I would 
 advise you to pray betimes to Mithras* for eternal 
 youth, and for his protection against the wrinkles of 
 age!” 
 
 “Do you mean to imply by these words that I have 
 no virtues which could make an old age beautiful?” 
 asked Bartja. 
 
 “ I explain my words to no one. Come.” 
 
 “But I ask for an opportunity of proving, that I am 
 inferior to none of my nation in manly qualities.” 
 
 “For that matter, the shouts of the Babylonians to- 
 day will have been proof enough, that deeds are not 
 wanted from you, in order to win their admiration.” 
 
 “ Cambyses!” 
 
 “Now come! We are just on the eve of a war 
 with the Massagetse; there you will have a good op- 
 portunity of proving what you are worth.” 
 
 A few minutes later, and Bartja was in the arms of 
 his blind mother. She had been waiting for her dar- 
 ling’s arrival with a beating heart, and in the joy of 
 hearing his voice once more, and of being able to lay 
 her hands again on that beloved head, she forgot every- 
 thing else — even her first-born son who stood by smiling 
 bitterly, as he watched the rich and boundless 
 
 * God of the sun and of light among the Persians. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS, 
 
 225 
 
 stream of a mother’s love flowing out to his younger 
 brother. 
 
 Cambyses had been spoiled from his earliest in- 
 fancy. Every wish had been fulfilled, every look re- 
 garded as a command; and thus he grew up totally 
 unable to brook contradiction, giving way to the most 
 violent anger if any of his subjects (and he knew no 
 human beings who were not his subjects) dared to op- 
 pose him. 
 
 His father Cyrus, conqueror of half the world — the 
 man whose genius had raised Persia from a small 
 nation to the summit of earthly greatness — who had 
 secured for himself the reverence and admiration of 
 countless subjugated tribes — this great king was inca- 
 pable of carrying out in his own small family-circle the 
 system of education he had so successfully adopted 
 towards entire countries . 237 He could see nought else 
 in Cambyses but the future king of Persia, and com- 
 manded his subjects to pay him an unquestioning obe- 
 dience, entirely forgetful of the fact that he who is to 
 govern well must begin by learning to obey. 
 
 Cambyses had been the first-born son of Kassan- 
 dane, the wife whom Cyrus had loved and married 
 young; three daughters followed, and at last, fifteen 
 years later, Bartja had come into the world. Their 
 eldest son had already outgrown his parents’ caresses, 
 when this little child appeared to engross all their care 
 and love. His gentle, affectionate and clinging nature 
 made him the darling of both father and mother: 
 Cambyses was treated with consideration by his parents, 
 but their love was for Bartja. Cambyses was brave; 
 
 237. The same remark is to be found in Seneca, De Ira and in 
 Plato, Legg. 691. and 695. 
 
226 
 
 AN- EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 he distinguished himself often in the field, but his dis- 
 position was haughty and imperious; men served him 
 with fear and trembling, while Bartja, ever sociable and 
 sympathizing, converted all his companions into loving 
 friends. As to the mass of the people, they feared the 
 king, and trembled when he drew near, notwithstand- 
 ing the lavish manner in which he showered rich gifts 
 around him; but they loved Bartja, and believed they 
 saw in him the image of the great Cyrus the “ Father 
 of his people.” 
 
 Cambyses knew well that all this love, so freely 
 given to Bartja, was not to be bought. He did not 
 hate his younger brother, but he felt annoyed that a 
 youth who had as yet done nothing to distinguish him- 
 self, should be honored and revered as if he were al- 
 ready a hero and public benefactor. Whatever annoyed 
 or displeased him he considered must be wrong; where 
 he disapproved he did not spare his censures, and from 
 his very childhood, Cambyses 7 reproofs had been 
 dreaded even by the mighty. 
 
 The enthusiastic shouts of the populace, the over- 
 flowing love of his mother and sister, and above all, 
 the warm encomiums expressed by Nitetis, had excited 
 a jealousy which his pride had never allowed hitherto. 
 Nitetis had taken his fancy in a remarkable degree. 
 This daughter of a powerful monarch, like himself dis- 
 daining everything mean and inferior, had yet acknowl- 
 edged him to be her superior, and to win his favor had 
 not shrunk from the laborious task of mastering his 
 native language. These qualities, added to her pecu- 
 liar style of beauty, which excited his admiration from 
 its rare novelty, half Egyptian half Greek, (her mother 
 having been a Greek), had not failed to make a deep 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 227 
 
 impression on him. But she had been liberal in her 
 praise of Bartja; — that was enough to disturb Cam- 
 byses’ mind and prepare the way for jealousy. 
 
 As he and his brother were leaving the women’s 
 apartments, Cambyses adopted a hasty resolution and 
 exclaimed : “ You asked me just now for an opportunity of 
 proving your courage. I will not refuse. The Tapuri have 
 risen; I have sent troops to the frontier. Go to Rhagae, 
 take the command and show what you are worth.” 
 
 “ Thanks, brother,” cried Bartja. “ May I take my 
 friends, Darius, Gyges and Zopyrus with me?” 
 
 “That favor shall be granted too. I hope you will 
 all do your duty bravely and promptly, that you may 
 be back in three months to join the main army in the 
 expedition of revenge on the Massagetae. It will take 
 place in spring.” 
 
 “I will start to-morrow.” 
 
 “Then farewell.” 
 
 “ If Auramazda should spare my life and I should 
 return victorious, will you promise to grant me one 
 favor?” 
 
 “Yes, I will.” 
 
 “Now, then, I feel confident of victory, even if I 
 should have to stand with a thousand men against ten 
 thousand of the enemy.” Bartja’s eyes sparkled, he was 
 thinking of Sappho. 
 
 “Well,” answered his brother, “I shall be very glad 
 if your actions bear out these glowing words. But 
 stop; I have something more to say. You are now 
 twenty years of age; you must marry, Roxana, 
 daughter of the noble Hydarnes, is marriageable, and 
 is said to be beautiful. Her birth makes her a fitting 
 bride for you.” 
 
228 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 “Oh! brother, do not speak of marriage; I . . 
 
 “You must marry, for I have no children.” 
 
 “But you are still young; you will not remain child- 
 less. Besides, I do not say that I will never marry. 
 Do not be angry, but just now, when I am to prove my 
 courage, I would rather hear nothing about women.” 
 “Well, then, you must marry Roxana when you re- 
 turn from the North. But I should advise you to take 
 her with you to the field. A Persian generally fights 
 better if he knows that, beside his most precious 
 treasures, he has a beautiful woman in his tent to 
 defend . 233 
 
 “Spare me this one command, my brother. I con- 
 jure thee, by the soul of our father, not to inflict on me 
 a wife of whom I know nothing, and never wish to 
 know. Give Roxana to Zopyrus, who is so fond of 
 women, or to Darius or Bessus, who are related to her 
 father Hydarnes. I cannot love her, and should be 
 miserable . . .” 
 
 Cambyses interrupted him with a laugh, exclaiming: 
 “ Did you learn these notions in Egypt, where it is the 
 custom to be contented with one wife? In truth, I 
 have long repented having sent a boy like you abroad. 
 I am not accustomed to bear contradiction, and shall 
 listen to no excuses after the war. This once I will 
 allow you to go to the field without a wife. I will 
 not force you to do what, in your opinion, might en- 
 danger your valor. But it seems to me that you have 
 other and more secret reasons for refusing my brotherly 
 proposal. If that is the case, I am sorry for you. 
 However, for the present, you can depart, but after the 
 war I will hear no remonstrances. You know me.” 
 
 238. Herodotus VII. 83. 187. Xenoph. Cyrop. VIII. 10. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 229 
 
 “Perhaps after the war I may ask for the very thing, 
 which I am refusing now — but never for Roxana! It 
 is just as unwise to try to make a man happy by force 
 as it is wicked to compel him to be unhappy, and I 
 thank you for granting my request.” 
 
 “Don’t try my powers of yielding too often! — How 
 happy you look! I really believe you are in love with 
 some one woman by whose side all the others have lost 
 their charms.” 
 
 Bartja blushed to his temples, and seizing his 
 brother’s hand, exclaimed: “ Ask no further now, accept 
 my thanks once more, and farewell. May I bid Nitetis 
 farewell too, when I have taken leave of our mother and 
 Atossa?” 
 
 Cambyses bit his lip, looked searchingly into Bartja’s 
 face, and finding that the boy grew uneasy under his 
 glance, exclaimed abruptly and angrily: “Your first 
 business is to hasten to the Tapuri. My wife needs 
 your care no longer; she has other protectors now.” 
 
 So saying he turned his back on his brother and 
 passed on into the great hall, blazing with gold, purple 
 and jewels, where the chiefs of the army, satraps, judges, 
 treasurers, secretaries, counsellors, eunuchs, door-keepers, 
 introducers of strangers, chamberlains, keepers of the 
 wardrobe, dressers, cup-bearers, equerries, masters of 
 the chase, physicians, eyes and ears of the king, ambas- 
 sadors and plenipotentiaries of all descriptions 239 were 
 in waiting for him. 
 
 239. The “eyes and ears” ot the king may be compared to our 
 police-ministers. Darius may have borrowed the name from Egypt, 
 where such titles as “ the 2 eyes of the king for Upper Egypt, the 2 
 ears of the king for Lower Egypt" are to be found on the earlier 
 monuments, for instance in the tomb of Amen em heb at Abd el 
 Qurnah. And in Herodotus II. 114. the boy Cyrus calls one of his 
 playfellows o^aA/moy / 3 abvAews, “ the eye of the king." Herod. (I. 100.) 
 
230 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 The king was preceded by heralds bearing staves, 
 and followed by a host of fan, sedan and footstool- 
 bearers, men carrying carpets, and secretaries who the 
 moment he uttered a command, or even indicated a 
 concession, a punishment or a reward, hastened to note 
 it down and at once hand it over to the officials em- 
 powered to execute his decrees. 
 
 In the middle of the brilliantly-lighted hall stood a 
 gilded table, which looked as if it must give way beneath 
 the mass of gold and silver vessels, plates, cups and 
 bowls which were arranged with great order upon it. 
 The king’s private table, the service on which was of 
 immense worth and beauty, was placed in an apartment 
 opening out of the large hall, and separated from it by 
 purple hangings. These concealed him from the gaze 
 of the revellers, but did not prevent their every move- 
 ment from being watched by his eye . 240 It was an ob- 
 ject of the highest ambition to be one of those who ate 
 at the king’s table, and even he to whom a portion was 
 sent might deem himself a highly-favored man. 
 
 As Cambyses entered the hall, nearly every one 
 present prostrated themselves before him; his relations 
 alone, distinguished by the blue and white fillet on the 
 tiara, contented themselves with a deferential obeisance. 
 
 After the king had seated himself in his private 
 apartment, the rest of the company took their places, 
 and then a tremendous revel began. Animals, roasted 
 whole, were placed on the table, and, when hunger was 
 
 makes the system of espionage by the police begin under Dejoces, in 
 whose time the country was full of spies and listeners. The other 
 court-officers are mentioned by different ancient writers and enumer- 
 ated in detail by Duncker, Geschichte des Alterthums II. p. 606. and 
 614. 
 
 240. Heracl. Cum. Fragm. I. Plutarch, Artaxerxes 5. tells, that 
 the king’s mother and his favorite wife had seats at his own table. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 231 
 
 appeased, several courses of the rarest delicacies fol- 
 lowed, celebrated in later times even among the Greeks 
 under the name of “ Persian dessert .” 241 
 
 Slaves then entered to remove the remains of the 
 food. Others brought in immense jugs of wine, the 
 king left his own apartment, took his seat at the head 
 of the table, numerous cup-bearers filled the golden 
 drinking-cups in the most graceful manner, first tasting 
 the wine to prove that it was free from poison, and soon 
 one of those drinking-bouts had begun under the best 
 auspices, at which, a century or two later, Alexander 
 the Great, forgot not only moderation but even friend- 
 ship itself. 
 
 Cambyses was unwontedly silent. The suspicion 
 had entered his mind, that Bartja loved Nitetis. Why 
 had he, contrary to all custom, so decidedly refused to 
 marry a noble and beautiful girl, when his brother’s 
 childlessness rendered marriage an evident and urgent 
 duty for him ? Why had he wished to see the Egyptian 
 princess again before leaving Babylon ? and blushed as 
 he expressed that wish ? and why had she, almost with- 
 out being asked, praised him so warmly ? 
 
 It is well that he is going, thought the king; at least 
 he shall not rob me of her love. If he were not my 
 brother I would send him to a place from whence none 
 can return. 
 
 After midnight he broke up the banquet. Boges 
 appeared to conduct him to the Harem, which he was 
 
 241. Herodotus ( 1 . 133.) writes that the Persians fancied the Greeks’ 
 hunger was never satisfied, because nothing special was brought to the 
 table at the end of the meal. We read in modern books of travels, 
 that the Persians are still very fond of delicacies. Brugsch, Reise vack 
 Persien. J. v. Hammer gives quotations from a poet named Abu 
 Ishak, who only wrote in oraise of dainties. 
 
2 32 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 accustomed to visit at this hour, when sufficiently 
 sober. 
 
 “ Phaedime awaits you with impatience,” said the 
 eunuch. 
 
 “ Let her wait!” was the king’s answer. “ Have you 
 given orders that the palace on the hanging-gardens 
 shall be set in order ?” 
 
 “ It will be ready for occupation to-morrow.” 
 “What apartments have been assigned to the 
 Egyptian Princess ?” 
 
 “Those formerly occupied by the second wife of 
 your father Cyrus, the deceased Amytis.” 
 
 “ That is well. Nitetis is to be treated with the great- 
 est respect, and to receive no commands even from 
 yourself, but such as I give you for her.” 
 
 Boges bowed low. 
 
 “ See that no one, not even Croesus, has admission 
 to her before my . . . before I give further orders.” 
 
 “ Croesus was with her this evening.” 
 
 “What may have been his business with my wife?” 
 “ I do not know, for I do not understand the Greek 
 language, but I heard the name of Bartja several times, 
 and it seemed to me that the Egyptian had received sor- 
 rowful intelligence. She was looking very sad when I 
 came, after Croesus had left, to inquire if she had any 
 commands for me.” 
 
 “ May Ahriman blast thy tongue,” muttered the king, 
 and then turning his back on the eunuch he followed the 
 torch-bearers and attendants, who were in waiting to dis- 
 robe him, to his own private apartments. 
 
 At noon on the following day, Bartja, accompanied 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 2 33 
 
 by his friends and a troop of attendants, started on 
 horseback for the frontier. Croesus went with the young 
 warriors as far as the city gates, and as their last fare- 
 wells and embraces were being exchanged, Bartja 
 whispered to his old friend: “If the messenger from 
 Egypt should have a letter for me in his bag, will you 
 send it on ?” 
 
 “ Shall you be able to decipher the Greek writing ?” 
 
 “ Gyges and love will help me ! ” 
 
 “ When I told Nitetis of your departure she begged 
 me to wish you farewell, and tell you not to forget 
 Egypt.” 
 
 “ I am not likely to do that.” 
 
 “ The gods take thee into their care, my son. Be 
 prudent, do not risk your life heedlessly, but remember 
 that it is no longer only your own. Exercise the gentle- 
 ness of a father towards the rebels; they did not rise in 
 mere self-will, but to gain their freedom, the most 
 precious possession of mankind. Remember, too, that 
 to shew mercy is better than to shed blood ; the sword 
 killeth, but the favor of the ruler bringeth joy and hap- 
 piness. Conclude the war as speedily as possible, for 
 war is a perversion of nature ; in peace the sons outlive 
 the fathers, but in war the fathers live to mourn for their 
 slain sons. Farewell, my young heroes, go forward and 
 conquer ! ” 
 
 17 
 
234 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS, 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 Cambyses passed a sleepless night. The feeling of 
 jealousy, so totally new to him, increased his desire to 
 possess Nitetis, but he dared not take her as his wife 
 yet, as the Persian law forbade the king to marry a 
 foreign wife , 242 until she had become familiar with the 
 customs of Iran and confessed herself a disciple of 
 Zoroaster . 243 
 
 242. In the book of Esther, this year is said to have been specially 
 devoted to initiating the women in the use of ointments, spices and 
 perfumes. Surely for such a purpose a year was too long; may it not 
 probably have been used for instructing the foreign women in the de- 
 mands made upon them by the laws of Zoroaster? In confirmation 
 of this conjecture we quote the following passage — VendidacL Farg. 
 XVIII. 123. 124. literally translated: 
 
 “ Who takes the greatest vengeance on thee, thou Ahura-Mazda? 
 who is thy worst torment?” 
 
 And Ahura-Mazda answers: 
 
 “He who mingles the seed of the righteous and the wicked, of 
 those who honor the Daevas and those who honor them not, the sin- 
 ners and the holy ones ; those who take in marriage worshippers of 
 the Daevas ought to be slain sooner than venomous serpents.” Vend. 
 XVIII. 123. The privilege of becoming a Mazdayagnas was granted 
 to foreigners, though the Mazdayagnas themselves did not make 
 proselytes, considering it a great distinction to have been born in the 
 faith. During the dynasty of the Sassanidae indeed, the professors 
 of other religions were fiercely persecuted. 
 
 243. Zoroaster, really Zarathustra or Zerethoschtro, was one of 
 the greatest among founders of new religions and lawgivers. His 
 name signified “golden star” according to Anquetil du Perron. But 
 this interpretation is as doubtful, as the many others which have been 
 attempted. An appropriate one is given in the essay by Kern quoted 
 below, from zara golden, and thwistra glittering; thus “the gold- 
 glittering one” x9vdo<f>drj?. It is uncertain whether he was born in 
 Bactria, Media or Persia, Anquetil thinks in Urmi, a town in Aderbai- 
 jan. His father’s name was Poroschasp, his mother’s Dogdo, and his 
 family boasted of royal descent. The time of his birth is very, — 
 Spiegel says “hopelessly” — dark. Anquetil, and many other scholars 
 would place it in the reign of Darius, a view which has been proved 
 to be incorrect by Spiegel, Duncker and v. Schack in his introduction 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 235 
 
 According to this law a whole year must pass before 
 Nitetis could become the wife of a Persian monarch ? 
 but what was the law to Cambyses ? In his eyes the 
 law was embodied in his own person, and in his opinion 
 three months would be amply sufficient to initiate Nite- 
 tis in the Magian mysteries, after which process she 
 could become his bride. 
 
 To-day his other wives seemed hateful, even loath- 
 some, to him. From Cambyses , earliest youth his house 
 had been carefully provided with women. Beautiful 
 girls from all parts of Asia, black-eyed Armenians, 
 dazzlingly fair maidens from the Caucasus, delicate girls 
 from the shores of the Ganges, luxurious Babylonian 
 women, golden-haired Persians and the effeminate 
 daughters of the Median plains; indeed many of the 
 noblest Achaemenidae had given him their daughters in 
 marriage. 
 
 Phaedime, the daughter of Otanes, and niece of his 
 own mother Kassandane, had been Cambyses’ favorite 
 wife hitherto, or at least the only one of whom it could 
 be said that she was more to him than a purchased 
 slave would have been. But even she, in his present 
 sated and disgusted state of feeling, seemed vulgar and 
 contemptible, especially when he thought of Nitetis. 
 
 to the translation of Firdusi. We cannot enter more minutely into 
 this difficult question here, but venture to assure our readers, that the 
 religion of Zoroaster was in force at the time of our tale. The differ- 
 ent accounts given of the founder himself are so uncertain, that lately 
 a young Dutchman, Professor Kern, was able to attempt to disprove 
 the existence of Zoroaster entirely and reduce him to the hero of a 
 myth. This treatise, full of information and written with great ability, 
 is to be found in the Versla^en en midedeelingen der k. akad. v. weten- 
 schapen. Afdeeling Letterkunde. Amsterdam 1867. p. 132. Justi in 
 his handbook of the Zend language, maintains an opposite view. The 
 Avesta was probably not completed till later, about the time of Artax- 
 erxes. It contained 21 Nosk or parts. The Vendidad alone has come 
 down to us complete. 
 
2 3 6 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 The Egyptian seemed formed of nobler, better stuff 
 than they all. They were flattering, coaxing girls; Nite- 
 tis was a queen. They humbled themselves in the dust 
 at his feet; but when he thought of Nitetis, he beheld 
 her erect, standing before him, on the same proud level 
 as himself. He determined that from henceforth she 
 should not only occupy Phaedime’s place, but should be 
 to him what Kassandane had been to his father Cyrus. 
 
 She was the only one of his wives who could assist 
 him by her knowledge and advice; the others were all 
 like children, ignorant, and caring for nothing but dress 
 and finery: living only for petty intrigues and useless 
 trifles. This Egyptian girl would be obliged to love 
 him, for he would be her protector, her lord, her father 
 and brother in this foreign land. 
 
 “ She must,” he said to himself, and to this despot 
 to wish for a thing and to possess it seemed one and the 
 same. “ Bartja had better take care,” he murmured, “ or 
 he shall know what fate awaits the man who dares to 
 cross my path.” 
 
 Nitetis too had passed a restless night. 
 
 The common apartment of the women was next to 
 her own, and the noise and singing there had not ceased 
 until nearly midnight. She could often distinguish the 
 shrill voice of Boges joking and laughing with these 
 women, who were under his charge. At last all was 
 quiet in the wide palace halls and then her thoughts 
 turned to her distant home and her poor sister Tachot, 
 longing for her and for the beautiful Bartja, who, Croesus 
 had told her, was going to-morrow to the war and pos- 
 sibly to death. At last she fell asleep, overcome by the 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 237 
 
 fatigue of the journey and dreaming of her future hus^ 
 band. She saw him on his black charger. The foaming 
 animal shied at Bartja who was lying in the road, threw 
 his rider and dragged him into the Nile, whose waves 
 became blood-red. In her terror she screamed for help ; 
 her cries were echoed back from the Pyramids in such 
 loud and fearful tones that she awoke. 
 
 But hark ! what could that be ? That wailing, shrill 
 cry which she had heard in her dream, — she could hear 
 it still. 
 
 Hastily drawing aside the shutters from one of the 
 openings which served as windows, she looked out. 
 A large and beautiful garden, laid out with fountains 
 and shady avenues, lay before her, glittering with the 
 early dew . 244 No sound was to be heard except the 
 one which had alarmed her, and this too died away at 
 last on the morning breeze. After a few minutes she 
 heard cries and noise in the distance, then the great 
 city awaking to its daily work, which soon settled down 
 into a deep, dull murmur like the roaring of the sea. 
 
 Nitetis was by this time so thoroughly awakened 
 from the effect of the fresh morning air, that she did not 
 care to lie down again. She went once more to the 
 window and perceived two figures coming out of the 
 
 244. The Persian gardens were celebrated throughout the old 
 world, and seem to have been laid out much less stiffly than the Egyp- 
 tian. Even the kings of Persia did not consider horticulture beneath 
 their notice, and the highest among the Achsemenidae took an especial 
 pleasure in laying out parks, called in Persian Paradises. Herodotus 
 V. 14. 49-52. Xenoph. Cyrop. VIII. 6. 9. (Econ . 4. Diodor. XVI. 
 41. Plutarch, Alcibiades 24. Their admiration for well- grown trees 
 went so far, that Xerxes, finding on his way to Greece a singularly 
 beautiful tree, hung ornaments of gold upon its branches. Firdusi, 
 the great Persian epic poet, compares human beauty to the growth of 
 the cypress, as the highest praise he can give. Indeed some trees were 
 worshipped by the Persians; and as the tree of life in the Hebrew and 
 Egyptian, so we find sacred trees in their Paradise. 
 
238 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 house. One she recognized as the eunuch Boges; 
 he was talking to a beautiful Persian woman carelessly 
 dressed. They approached her window. Nitetis hid 
 herself behind the half-opened shutter and listened, for 
 she fancied she heard her own name. 
 
 “The Egyptian is still asleep.” said Boges. “She 
 must be much fatigued by the journey. I see too that 
 one of her windows is still firmly closed.” 
 
 “Then tell me quickly,” said the Persian. “Do 
 you really think that this stranger’s coming can injure 
 me in any way ?” 
 
 “ Certainly, I do, my pretty one.” 
 
 “ But what leads you to suppose this ?” 
 
 “She is only to obey the king’s commands, not 
 mine.” 
 
 “Is that all?” 
 
 “No, my treasure. I know the king. I can read 
 his features as the Magi read the sacred books.” 
 
 “Then we must ruin her.” 
 
 “ More easily said than done, my little bird.” 
 
 “Leave me alone! you are insolent.” 
 
 “Well, but nobody can see us, and you know you 
 can do nothing without my help.” 
 
 “Very well then, I don’t care. But tell me quickly 
 what we can do.” 
 
 “Thanks, my sweet Phaedime. Well, for the present 
 we must be patient and wait our time. That detesta- 
 ble hypocrite Croesus seems to have established himself 
 as protector of the Egyptian; when he is away, we must 
 set our snares.” 
 
 The speakers were by this time at such a distance, 
 that Nitetis could not understand what they said. In 
 silent indignation she closed the shutter, and called her 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 239 
 
 maidens to dress her. She knew her enemies now — 
 she knew thdt a thousand dangers surrounded her, 
 and yet she felt proud and happy, for was she not 
 chosen to be the real wife of Cambyses? Her own 
 worth seemed clearer to her than ever before, from a 
 comparison with these miserable creatures, and a won- 
 derful certainty of ultimate victory stole into her heart, 
 for Nitetis was a firm believer in the magic power of 
 virtue. 
 
 “ What was that dreadful sound I heard so early ?” 
 she asked of her principal waiting-woman, who was 
 arranging her hair. 
 
 “Do you mean the sounding brass, lady?” 
 
 “Scarcely two hours ago I was awakened by a 
 strange and frightful sound.” 
 
 “That was the sounding brass, lady. It is used to 
 awaken the young sons of the Persian nobles, who are 
 brought up at the gate of the king . 245 You will soon 
 become accustomed to it. We have long ceased even 
 to hear it, and indeed on great festivals, when it is not 
 sounded, we awake from the unaccustomed stillness. 
 From the hanging-gardens you will be able to see how 
 the boys are taken to bathe every morning, whatever 
 the weather may be. The poor little ones are taken 
 from their mothers when they are six years old, to be 
 brought up with the other boys of their own rank 
 under the king’s eye.” 
 
 “ Are they to begin learning the luxurious manners 
 of the court so early ?” 
 
 “Oh no! the poor boys lead a terrible life. They 
 are obliged to sleep on the hard ground, to rise before 
 the sun. Their food is bread and water, with very 
 
 245. From Xenophon, Cyrop. VIII. 8. 7. Anabasis I. 9. 
 
 A n Egyptian Princess. /. * _ 
 
240 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 little meat, and they are never allowed to taste wine 
 or vegetables. Indeed at times they are deprived of 
 food and drink for some days, simply to accustom 
 them to privations. When the court is at Ecbatana or 
 Pasargadae , 246 and the weather is bitterly cold, they are 
 sure to be taken out to bathe, and here in Susa, the 
 hotter the sun, the longer and more difficult the marches 
 they are compelled to take.” 
 
 “And these boys, so simply and severely brought 
 up, become in after life such luxurious men ?” 
 
 “Yes, that is always the case. A meal that has 
 been waited for is all the more relished when it comes. 
 These boys see splendor and magnificence around them 
 daily; they know how rich they are in reality, and yet 
 have to suffer from hunger and privation. Who can 
 wonder, if, when at last they gain their liberty, they 
 plunge into the pleasures of life with a tenfold eager- 
 ness? But on the other hand, in time of war, or when 
 going to the chase, they never murmur at hunger or 
 thirst, spring with a laugh into the mud regardless of 
 their thin boots and purple trousers, and sleep as 
 soundly on a rock as on their beds of delicate Arabian 
 wool. You must see the feats these boys perform, 
 especially when the king is watching them! Cambyses 
 will certainly take you if you ask him.” 
 
 “I know those exercises already. In Egypt the 
 girls as well as the boys are kept to such gymnastic 
 exercises. My limbs were trained to flexibility by 
 running, postures, and games with hoops and balls.”* 
 
 246. The summer residences of the kings of Persia, where it is 
 sometimes very cold. Ecbatana lies at the foot of the high Elburs 
 (Orontes) range of mountains in the neighborhood of the modern 
 Hamadan; Pasargadae not far from Rachmet in the highlands of Iran. 
 
 * See note 153. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 24I 
 
 “ How strange! Here, we women grow up just as 
 we please, and are taught nothing but a little spinning 
 and weaving. Is it true that most of the Egyptian 
 women can read and write ?” 
 
 “Yes, nearly all.” 
 
 “ By Mithras, you must be a clever people! Scarcely 
 any of the Persians, except the Magi and the scribes, 
 learn these difficult arts. The sons of the nobles are 
 taught to speak the truth, to be courageous, obedient, and 
 to reverence the gods; to hunt, ride, plant trees and 
 discern between herbs; but whoever, like the noble 
 Darius, wishes to learn the art of writing, must apply to 
 the Magi. Women are forbidden to turn their minds 
 to such studies. — Now your dress is complete. This 
 string of pearls, which the king sent this morning, looks 
 magnificent in your raven-black hair, but it is easy to 
 see that you are not accustomed to the full silk trousers 
 and high-heeled boots. If, however, you walk two 
 or three times up and down the room you will surpass 
 all the Persian ladies even in your walk ! ” 
 
 At this moment a knock was heard and Boges 
 entered. He had come to conduct Nitetis to Kassan- 
 dane’s apartments, where Cambyses was waiting for her. 
 
 The eunuch affected an abject humility, and poured 
 forth a stream of flattering words, in which he likened 
 the princess to the sun, the starry heavens, a pure 
 fount of happiness, and a garden of roses. Nitetis 
 deigned him not a word in reply, but followed, with a 
 beating heart, to the queen’s apartment. 
 
 In order to keep out the noonday sun and produce 
 a salutary half-light for the blind queen’s eyes, her win- 
 dows were shaded by curtains of green Indian silk. 
 The floor was covered with a thick Babylonian carpet, 
 
242 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 soft as moss under the foot. The walls were faced with 
 a mosaic of ivory, tortoise-shell, gold, silver, malachite, 
 lapis-lazuli,* ebony and amber. The seats and couches 
 were of gold covered with lions , skins, and a table 
 of silver stood by the side of the blind queen. Kassan- 
 dane was seated in a costly arm-chair. She wore a 
 robe of violet-blue, embroidered with silver, and over 
 her snow-white hair lay a long veil of delicate lace, 
 woven in Egypt, the ends of which were wound round 
 her neck and tied in a large bow beneath her chin . 247 
 She was between sixty and seventy years old; her face, 
 framed, as it were, into a picture by the lace veil, was 
 exquisitely symmetrical in its form, intellectual, kind 
 and benevolent in its expression. 
 
 The blind eyes were closed, but those who gazed 
 on her felt that, if open, they would shine with 
 the gentle light of stars. Even when sitting, her 
 attitude and height showed a tall and stately figure. 
 Indeed her entire appearance was worthy the widow of 
 the great and good Cyrus. 
 
 On a low seat at her feet, drawing long threads 
 from a golden spindle, sat the queen’s youngest child 
 Atossa, born to her late in life. Cambyses was stand- 
 ing before her, and behind, hardly visible in the dim 
 light, Nebenchari, the Egyptian oculist. 
 
 247. This description of the magnificence of the queen-mother’s 
 apartment is in no way exaggerated. The details are taken from 
 ^schylus’ Persians , Xenophon’s Cyropcedia and Anabasis , Arrian, 
 Curtius, Strabo and others. I have called the lace worn by Kassan- 
 dane “Egyptian,” because at that time the finest known lace was 
 woven on the Nile, and classic writers maintain that the proof of this 
 lies in the many transparent robes, which are to be seen in the paint- 
 ings on Egyptian monuments. Sir Gardner Wilkinson possesses a 
 piece of remarkably fine old Egyptian weaving. 
 
 * Lapis-lazuli and malachite were known at a very early date 
 among the tributes paid to the Pharaohs by Asiatic nations. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 243 
 
 As Nitetis entered, Cambyses came towards her 
 and led her to his mother. The daughter of Amasis 
 fell on her knees before this venerable woman, and 
 kissed her hand with real affection. 
 
 “Be welcome here!” exclaimed the blind queen, 
 feeling her way to the young* girl’s head, on which she 
 laid her hand, “ I have heard much in your praise, and 
 hope to gain in you a dear and loving daughter.” 
 
 Nitetis kissed the gentle, delicate hand again, saying 
 in a low voice : “ O how I thank you for these words ! 
 Will you, the wife of the great Cyrus, permit me to call 
 you mother ? My tongue has been so long accustomed 
 to this sweet word ; and now after long weeks of silence, 
 I tremble with joy at the thought that I may say c my 
 mother’ once more! I will indeed try to deserve your 
 love and kindness; and you — you will be to me all that 
 your loving countenance seems to promise? Advise 
 and teach me ; let me find a refuge at your feet, if some- 
 times the longing for home becomes too strong, and 
 my poor heart too weak to bear its grief or joy alone. 
 Oh, be my mother ! that one word includes all else ! ” 
 The blind queen felt the warm tears fall on her 
 hand; she pressed her lips kindly on the weeping girl’s 
 forehead, and answered : “ I can understand your feel- 
 ings. My apartments shall be always open to you, 
 my heart ready to welcome you here. Come when you 
 will, and call me your mother with the same perfect 
 confidence with which I, from my whole heart, name 
 you my daughter. In a few months you will be my 
 son’s wife, and then the gods may grant you that gift, 
 which, by implanting within you the feelings of a mother, 
 will prevent you from feeling the need of one.” 
 
 “May Ormuszd hear and give his blessing!” said 
 
244 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 Cambyses. “I rejoice, mother, that my wife pleases 
 you, and I know that when once she becQmes familiar 
 with our manners and customs she will be happy here. 
 If Nitetis pay due heed, our marriage can be celebrated 
 in four months.” 
 
 “ But the law ” began his mother. 
 
 “I command — in four months, and should like to 
 see him who dare raise an objection. Farewell! Ne- 
 benchari, use your best skill for the queen’s eyes, and if 
 my wife permit, you, as her countryman, may visit her 
 to-morrow. Farewell! Bartja sends his parting greet- 
 ings. He is on the road to the Tapuri.” 
 
 Atossa wiped away a tear in silence, but Kassandane 
 answered: “You would have done well to allow the 
 boy to remain here a few months longer. Your com- 
 mander, Megabyzus, could have subdued that small 
 nation alone.” 
 
 “ Of that I have no doubt,” replied the king, “but 
 Bartja desired an opportunity of distinguishing himself 
 in the field ; and for that reason I sent him.” 
 
 “Would he not gladly have waited until the war 
 with the Massagetae, where more glory might be gained ?” 
 asked the blind woman. 
 
 “Yes,” said Atossa, “and if he should fall in this 
 war, you will have deprived him of the power of ful- 
 filling his most sacred duty, of avenging the soul of 
 our father!” 
 
 “Be silent!” cried Cambyses in an overbearing tone, 
 “or I shall have to teach you what is becoming in 
 women and children. Bartja is on far too good terms 
 with fortune to fall in the war. He will live, I hope, to 
 deserve the love which is now so freely flung into his 
 lap like an alms.” 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 245 
 
 “Howcanst thou speak thus ?” cried Kassandane. 
 “In what manly virtue is Bartja wanting? Is it his 
 fault, that he has had no such opportunity of distinguish- 
 ing himself in the field as thou hast had? You are the 
 king and I am bound to respect your commands, but I 
 blame my son for depriving his blind mother of the 
 greatest joy left to her in her old age. Bartja would 
 have gladly remained here until the Massagetan war, 
 if your self-will had not determined otherwise.” 
 
 “And what I will is good!” exclaimed Cambyses 
 interrupting his mother, and pale with anger, “ I desire 
 that this subject be not mentioned again.” 
 
 So saying, he left the room abruptly and went into 
 the reception-hall, followed by the immense retinue 
 which never quitted him, whithersoever he might direct 
 his steps. 
 
 An hour passed, and still Nitetis and the lovely 
 Atossa were sitting side by side, at the feet of the queen. 
 
 The Persian women listened eagerly to all their new 
 friend could tell them about Egypt and its wonders. 
 
 “ Oh ! how I should like to visit your home !” 
 exclaimed Atossa. “ It must be quite, quite different 
 from Persia and everything else that I have seen yet. 
 The fruitful shores of your great river, larger even than 
 the Euphrates, the temples with their painted columns, 
 those huge artificial mountains, the Pyramids, where the 
 ancient kings lie buried — it must all be wonderfully 
 beautiful. But what pleases me best of all is your de- 
 scription of the entertainments, where men and women 
 converse together as they like. The only meals we are 
 allowed to take in the society of men are on New Year’s 
 Day and the king’s birthday, and then we are forbidden 
 to speak; indeed it is not thought right for us even to 
 
246 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 raise our eyes. How different it is with you! By 
 Mithras ! mother, I should like to be an Egyptian, for 
 we poor creatures are in reality nothing but miserable 
 slaves; and yet I feel that the great Cyrus was my 
 father too, and that I am worth quite as much as most 
 men. Do I not speak the truth ? can I not obey as 
 well as command ? have I not the same thirst and long- 
 ing for glory ? could not I learn to ride, to string a bow, 
 to fight and swim, if I were taught and inured to such 
 exercises ? ” 
 
 The girl had sprung from her seat while speaking, 
 her eyes flashed and she swung her spindle in the air, 
 quite unconscious that in so doing she was breaking the 
 thread and entangling the flax. 
 
 “ Remember what is fitting,” reminded Kassandane. 
 “ A woman must submit with humility to her quiet des- 
 tiny, and not aspire to imitate the deeds of men.” 
 
 “ But there are women who lead the same lives as 
 men,” cried Atossa. “ There are the Amazons who live 
 on the shores of the Thermodon in Themiscyra, and at 
 Comana on the Iris ; they have waged great wars, and 
 even to this day wear men’s armor.” 
 
 “ Who told you this ?” 
 
 “ My old nurse, Stephanion, whom my father brought 
 a captive from Sinope to Pasargadae.” 
 
 “ But I can teach you better,” said Nitetis. “ It is 
 true that in Themiscyra and Comana there are a num- 
 ber of women who wear soldier’s armor ; but they are 
 only priestesses, and clothe themselves like the warlike 
 goddess they serve, in order to present to the worship- 
 pers a manifestation of the divinity in human form. 
 Croesus says that an army of Amazons has never existed, 
 but that the Greeks, (always ready and able to turn 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 247 
 
 anything into a beautiful myth), having seen these 
 priestesses, at once transformed the armed virgins 
 dedicated to the goddess into a nation of fighting 
 women. 5,248 
 
 “ Then they are liars !” exclaimed the disappointed 
 girl. 
 
 “It is true, that the Greeks have not the same rev- 
 erence for truth as you have,” answered Nitetis, “ but 
 they do not call the men who invent these beautiful 
 stories liars; they are called poets.” 
 
 “Just as it is with ourselves,” said Kassandane. 
 “ The poets, who sing the praises of my husband, have 
 altered and adorned his early life in a marvellous man- 
 ner; yet no one calls them liars. But tell me, my 
 daughter, is it true that these Greeks are more beautiful 
 than other men, and understand art better even than the 
 Egyptians ?” 
 
 “ On that subject I should not venture to pronounce 
 a judgment. There is such a great difference between 
 the Greek and Egyptian works of art. When I went 
 into our own gigantic temples to pray, I always felt as 
 if I must prostrate myself in the dust before the great- 
 ness of the gods, and entreat them not to crush so 
 insignificant a worm; but in the temple of Hera at 
 Samos, I could only raise my hands to heaven in joyful 
 thanksgiving, that the gods had made the earth so beau- 
 tiful. In Egypt I always believed as I had been taught: 
 ‘ Life is a sleep ; we shall not awake to our true exist- 
 ence in the kingdom of Osiris till the hour of death; 5 
 
 248. Duncker, Geschichte des Alteithums p. 231-238. It has been 
 proved that the Amazons belong to the regions of fable. Strange to 
 say the Chinese have a similar myth. In the ethnographical Museum 
 at Jena, of which I am director, there is an interesting Chinese picture 
 of an Amazon war. 
 
248 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 but in Greece I thought : ‘ I am born to live and to 
 enjoy this cheerful, bright and blooming world.’ ” 
 
 “Ah! tell us something more about Greece,” cried 
 Atossa; “but first Nebenchari must put a fresh bandage 
 on my mother’s eyes.” 
 
 The oculist, a tall, grave man in the white robes of 
 an Egyptian priest, came forward to perform the neces- 
 sary operation, and after being kindly greeted by Nitetis, 
 withdrew once more silently into the background. At 
 the same time a eunuch entered to enquire whether 
 Croesus might be allowed to pay his respectful homage 
 to the king’s mother. 
 
 The aged king soon appeared, and was welcomed 
 as the old and tried friend of the Persian royal family. 
 Atossa, with her usual impetuosity, fell on the neck of 
 the friend she had so sorely missed during his absence; 
 the queen gave him her hand, and Nitetis met him like 
 a loving daughter. 
 
 “ I thank the gods, that I am permitted to see you 
 again,” said Croesus. “ The young can look at life as a 
 possession, as a thing understood and sure, but at my 
 age every year must be accepted as an undeserved gift 
 from the gods, for which a man must be thankful.” 
 
 “ I could envy you for this happy view of life,” sighed 
 Kassandane. “ My years are fewer than yours, and yet 
 every new day seems to me a punishment sent by the 
 Immortals.” 
 
 “ Can I be listening to the wife of the great Cyrus?” 
 asked Croesus. “ How long is it since courage and con- 
 fidence left that brave heart ? I tell you, you will recover 
 sight, and once more thank the gods for a good old age. 
 The man who recovers, after a serious illness, values 
 health a hundred-fold more than before; and he who 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 249 
 
 regains sight after blindness, must be an especial favorite 
 of the gods. Imagine to yourself the delight of that 
 first moment when your eyes behold once more the 
 bright shining of the sun, the faces of your loved ones, 
 the beauty of all created things, and tell me, would not 
 that outweigh even a whole life of blindness and dark 
 night ? 249 In the day of healing, even if that come in 
 old age, a new life will begin and I shall hear you con- 
 fess that my friend Solon was right.” 
 
 “ In what respect ?” asked Atossa. 
 
 “ In wishing that Mimnermos, the Colophonian 350 
 poet, would correct the poem in which he has assigned 
 sixty years as the limit of a happy life, and would 
 change the sixty into eighty.” 
 
 “Oh no!” exclaimed Kassandane. “Even were 
 Mithras to restore my sight, such a long life would be 
 dreadful. Without my husband I seem to myself like 
 a wanderer in the desert, aimless and without a 
 guide.” 
 
 “Are your children then nothing to you, and this 
 kingdom, of which you have watched the rise and 
 growth?” 
 
 “No indeed! but my children need me no longer, 
 and the ruler of this kingdom is too proud to listen to 
 a woman’s advice.” 
 
 On hearing these words Atossa and Nitetis seized 
 each one of the queen’s hands, and Nitetis cried: 
 “You ought to desire a long life for our sakes. What 
 should we be without your help and protection ?” 
 
 249. These words cannot surely be called an anachronism. The 
 same feelings are expressed in the beautiful passage of Aristotle in 
 Cicero’s De Natura Deonim. 
 
 250. Mimnermos. Frag. ed. Bergk. 6. Solon. Frag. same. 
 
250 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 Kassandane smiled again, murmuring in a scarcely 
 audible voice: “You are right, my children, you will 
 stand in need of your mother.” 
 
 “Now you are speaking once more like the wife of 
 the great Cyrus,” cried Croesus, kissing the robe of the 
 blind woman. “Your presence will indeed be needed, 
 who can say how soon? Cambyses is like hard steel; 
 sparks fly wherever he strikes. You can hinder these 
 sparks from kindling a destroying fire among your 
 loved ones, and this should be your duty. You alone 
 can dare to admonish the king in the violence of his 
 passion. He regards you as his equal, and, while 
 despising the opinion of others, feels wounded by his 
 mother’s disapproval. Is it not then your duty to 
 abide patiently as mediator between the king, the king- 
 dom and your loved ones, and so, by your own timely 
 reproofs, to humble the pride of your son, that he may 
 be spared that deeper humiliation which, if not thus 
 averted, the gods will surely inflict.” 
 
 “You are right,” answered the blind woman, “but 
 I feel only too well that my influence over him is but 
 small. He has been so much accustomed to have his 
 own will, that he will follow no advice, even if it come 
 from his mother’s lips.” 
 
 “But he must at least hear it,” answered Croesus, 
 “and that is much, for even if he refuse to obey, your 
 counsels will, like divine voices, continue to make 
 themselves heard within him, and will keep him back 
 from many a sinful act. I will remain your ally in this 
 matter; for, as Cambyses’ dying father appointed me 
 the counsellor of his son in word and deed, I venture 
 occasionally a bold word to arrest his excesses. Ours 
 is the only blame from which he shrinks: we alone 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 2S 1 
 
 can dare to speak our opinion to him. Let us cou- 
 rageously do our duty in this our office: you, moved 
 by love to Persia and your son, and I by thankful- 
 ness to that great man to whom I owe life and 
 freedom, and whose son Cambyses is. I know that 
 you bemoan the manner in which he has been brought 
 up; but such late repentance must be avoided like 
 poison. For the errors of the wise the remedy is 
 reparation, not regret; regret consumes the heart, but 
 the effort to repair an error causes it to throb with a 
 noble pride. ,, 
 
 “In Egypt,” said Nitetis, “regret is numbered 
 among the forty-two deadly sins. One of our princi- 
 pal commandments is, ‘Thou shalt not consume thine 
 heart.’ ” 251 
 
 “ There you remind me,” said Croesus “ that I have 
 undertaken to arrange for your instruction in the Per- 
 sian customs, religion and language. I had intended 
 to withdraw to Barene, the town which I received as a 
 gift from Cyrus, and there, in that most lovely moun- 
 tain valley, to take my rest; but for your sake and for 
 the king’s, I will remain here and continue to give you 
 instruction in the Persian tongue. Kassandane herself 
 will initiate you in the customs peculiar to women at 
 
 251. In the Ritual of the Dead (indeed in almost every Papyrus 
 of the Dead) we meet with a representation of the soul, whose heart is 
 being weighed and judged. The speech made by the soul is called 
 the negative justification, in which she assures the 42 judges of the 
 dead, that she has not committed the 42 deadly sins which she enumer- 
 ates. This justification is doubly interesting because it contains 
 nearly the entire moral law of Moses, which last, apart from all 
 national peculiarities and habits of mind, seems to contain the quint- 
 essence of human morality — and this we find ready paragraphed in 
 our negative justification. Todtenbuch ed. Lepsius. 125. We cannot 
 discuss this question philosophically here, but the law of Pythagoras, 
 who borrowed so much from Egypt, and the contents of which are 
 the same, speaks for our view. It is similar in form to the Egyptian. 
 
252 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 the Persian court, and Oropastes, the high-priest, has 
 been ordered by the king to make you acquainted with 
 the religion of Iran. He will be your spiritual, and I 
 your secular guardian .” 252 
 
 At these words Nitetis, who had been smiling hap- 
 pily, cast down her eyes and asked in a low voice: 
 “Am I to become unfaithful to the gods of my fathers, 
 who have never failed to hear my prayers? Can I, 
 ought I to forget them ?” 
 
 “Yes,” said Kassandane decidedly, “thou canst, 
 and it is thy bounden duty, for a wife ought to have 
 no friends but those her husband calls such. The 
 gods are a man’s earliest, mightiest and most faithful 
 friends, and it therefore becomes thy duty, as a wife, 
 to honor them, and to close thine heart against strange 
 gods and superstitions, as thou wouldst close it against 
 strange lovers.” 
 
 “And,” added Croesus, “we will not rob you of 
 your deities; we will only give them to you under 
 other names. As Truth remains eternally the same, 
 whether called ‘maa’, as by the Egyptians, or ‘Aletheia’ 
 as by the Greeks, so the essence of the Deity con- 
 tinues unchanged in all places and times. Listen, my 
 daughter: I myself, while still king of Lydia, often 
 sacrificed in sincere devotion to the Apollo of the 
 Greeks, without a fear that in so doing I should offend 
 the Lydian sun-god Sandon; the Ionians pay their 
 worship to the Asiatic Cybele, and, now that I have 
 become a Persian, I raise my hands adoringly to 
 
 252. When a Persian child begins to wear the girdle “ Kosti” he 
 or she must choose a guardian from among the Yazatas, and an 
 adviser in spiritual things from among the Desturs or priests. This 
 adviser is the spiritual father of the child. Spiegel, Avesta II. Ein - 
 leitung XXII. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 253 
 
 Mithras, Ormuzd and the lovely Anahita . 253 Pythagoras 
 too, whose teaching is not new to you, worships one 
 god only, whom he calls Apollo; because, like the 
 Greek sun-god, he is the source of light and of those 
 harmonies which Pythagoras holds to be higher than 
 all else. And lastly, Xenophanes of Colophon 254 laughs 
 at the many and divers gods of Homer and sets one 
 single deity on high — the ceaselessly creative might of 
 nature, whose essence consists of thought, reason and 
 eternity. In this power everything has its rise, and it 
 alone remains unchanged, while all created matter must 
 be continually renewed and perfected. The ardent 
 longing for some being above us, on whom we can 
 lean when our own powers fail, — the wonderful instinct 
 which desires a faithful friend to whom we can tell 
 every joy and sorrow without fear of disclosure, — 
 the thankfulness with which we behold this beautiful 
 world and all the rich blessings we have received — 
 these are the feelings which we call piety — devotion. 
 
 253. Anahita or Ardi—gura was the goddess of the water-springs 
 and has been, not incorrectly, compared with the Greek Aphrodite. 
 All waters flowed from the spring Anahita, and it possessed unlimited 
 powers of cleansing. Vendidad VII. 37-40. The supposition of our 
 Dutch translator, that Anahita was originally a Semitic goddess who 
 later became merged into the Persian female genius of the waters, has 
 much in its favor ; we have expressed the same opinion ourselves 
 elsewhere. It can be proved that she was not worshipped till the reign 
 of Artaxerxes Mnemon. Stickel, the celebrated promoter of the study 
 of Oriental coins, is the most eager defender of the former view : De 
 Diana Per s. monum. Gr.; and Windischmann of the latter: Die per si- 
 sche Anahita . In the later tradition, it is said that Zoroaster entrusted 
 her with the seed from which his son was to spring up at the last judg- 
 ment. Anquetil, Zend-Avesta II. p. 43. 
 
 254. A celebrated freethinker, who indulged in bold and independ- 
 ent speculations, and suffered much persecution for his ridicule of the 
 Homeric deities. He flourished at the time of our history and lived to 
 a great age, far on into the fifth century. We have quoted some 
 fragments of his writings above. He committed his speculations also 
 to verse. 
 
2 54 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 These you must hold fast; remembering, however, at 
 the same time, that the world is ruled neither by the 
 Egyptian, the Persian, nor the Greek divinities apart 
 from each other, but that all these are one; and that 
 one indivisible Deity, how different soever may be the 
 names and characters under which He is represented, 
 guides the fate of men and nations .” 255 
 
 The two Persian women listened to the old man in 
 amazement. Their unpractised powers were unable to 
 follow the course of his thoughts. Nitetis, however, 
 had understood him thoroughly, and answered : “ My 
 mother Ladice was the pupil of Pythagoras, and has 
 told me something like this already; but the Egyptian 
 priests consider such views to be sacrilegious, and call 
 their originators despisers of the gods. So I tried to 
 repress such thoughts; but now I will resist them no 
 longer. What the good and wise Croesus believes 
 cannot possibly be evil or impious! Let Oropastes 
 come ! I am ready to listen to his teaching. The god 
 of Thebes, our Ammon, shall be transformed into 
 Ormuzd, — Isis or Hathor, into Anahita, and those 
 among our gods for whom I can find no likeness in 
 the Persian religion, I shall designate by the name of 
 The Deity.’” 
 
 Croesus smiled. He had fancied, knowing how ob- 
 stinately the Egyptians clung to all they had received 
 from tradition and education, that it would have been 
 more difficult for Nitetis to give up the gods of her 
 native land. He had forgotten that her mother was a 
 Greek, and that the daughters of Amasis had studied 
 the doctrines of Pythagoras. Neither was he aware 
 
 255. Whoever is acquainted with the aphorisms of Xenophanes, 
 will not find an anachronism in this speech. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 2 55 
 
 how ardently Nitetis longed to please her proud lord 
 and master. Even Amasis, who so revered the Samian 
 philosopher, who had so often yielded to Hellenic in- 
 fluence, and who with good reason might be called a 
 freethinking Egyptian, would sooner have exchanged 
 life for death, than his multiform gods for the one idea 
 “ Deity.” 
 
 “ You are a teachable pupil,” said Croesus, laying his 
 hand on her head, “ and as a reward, you shall bo 
 allowed either to visit Kassandane, or to receive Atossa 
 in the hanging-gardens, every morning, and every after- 
 noon until sunset.” 
 
 This joyful news was received with loud rejoicings 
 by Atossa, and with a grateful smile by the Egyptian 
 girl. 
 
 “And lastly,” said Croesus, “I have brought some 
 balls and hoops with me from Sais, that you may be 
 able to amuse yourselves in Egyptian fashion.” 
 
 “ Balls ?” asked Atossa in amazement ; “ what can 
 we do with the heavy wooden things ?” 256 
 
 “That need not trouble you,” answered Croesus, 
 laughing. “The balls I speak of are pretty little things 
 made of the skins of fish filled with air, or of leather. 
 A child of two years old can throw these, but you 
 would find it no easy matter even to lift one of those 
 wooden balls with which the Persian boys play. Are 
 you content with me, Nitetis?” 
 
 “How can I thank you enough, my father?” 
 
 “And now listen to my plan for the division of your 
 
 256. In Persia games with balls are still reckoned among the 
 amusements of the men. One player drives a wooden ball to the 
 other, as in the English game of cricket. Chardin ( Voyage en Perse. 
 III. p. 226.) saw the game played by 300 players. There is much on 
 this subject in Hyde. De ludis orientalium. 
 
 A ?i Egyptian Princess. I. 
 
256 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS, 
 
 time. In the morning you will visit Kassandane, chat 
 with Atossa, and listen to the teaching of your noble 
 mother.” 
 
 Here the blind woman bent her head in approval. 
 
 “ Towards noon I shall come to teach you, and we 
 can talk sometimes about Egypt and your loved ones 
 there, but always in Persian. You would like this, 
 would you not ? ” 
 
 Nitetis smiled. 
 
 “ Every seeond day, Oropastes will be in attendance 
 to initiate you in the Persian religion.” 
 
 “ I will take the greatest pains to comprehend him 
 quickly.” 
 
 “ In the afternoon you can be with Atossa as long 
 as you like. Does that please you too ?” 
 
 “O Croesus!” cried the young girl and kissed the 
 old man’s hand. 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 The next day Nitetis removed to the country-house 
 in the hanging-gardens, and began a monotonous, but 
 happy and industrious life there, according to the rules 
 laid down by Croesus. Every day she was carried to 
 Kassandane and Atossa in a closely shut-up litter. 
 
 Nitetis soon began to look upon the blind queen as 
 a beloved and loving mother, and the merry, spirited 
 Atossa nearly made up to her for the loss of her sister 
 Tachot, so far away on the distant Nile. She could 
 not have desired a better companion than this gay, 
 cheerful girl, whose wit and merriment effectually pre- 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 257 
 
 vented homesickness or discontent from settling in her 
 friend’s heart. The gravity and earnestness of Nitetis* 
 character were brightened by Atossa’s gaiety, and 
 Atossa’s exuberant spirits calmed and regulated by the 
 thoughtful nature of Nitetis. 
 
 Both Croesus and Kassandane were pleased and 
 satisfied with their new daughter and pupil, and Oro- 
 pastes extolled her talents and industry daily to Cam- 
 byses. She learnt the Persian language unusually well 
 and quickly; Cambyses only visited his mother when 
 he hoped to find Nitetis there, and presented her con- 
 tinually with rich dresses and costly jewels. But the 
 highest proof of his favor consisted in his abstaining 
 from visiting her at her house in the hanging-gardens, a 
 line of conduct which proved that he meant to include 
 Nitetis in the small number of his real and lawful wives, 
 a privilege of which many a princess in his harem could 
 not boast. 
 
 The grave, beautiful girl threw a strange spell over 
 this strong, turbulent man. Her presence alone seemed 
 enough to soften his stubborn will, and he would watch 
 their games for hours, his eyes fixed on her graceful 
 movements. Once, when the ball had fallen into the 
 water, the king sprang in after it, regardless of his costly 
 apparel. Nitetis screamed on seeing his intention, but 
 Cambyses handed her the dripping toy with the words: 
 “Take care or I shall be obliged to frighten you again.” 
 At the same time he drew from his neck a gold chain 
 set with jewels and gave it to the blushing girl, who 
 thanked him with a look which fully revealed her 
 feelings for her future husband. 
 
 Croesus, Kassandane and Atossa soon noticed that 
 Nitetis loved the king. Her former fear of this proud 
 
258 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 and powerful being had indeed changed into a pas- 
 sionate admiration. She felt as if she must die if de- 
 prived of his presence. He seemed to her like a 
 glorious and omnipotent divinity, and her wish to pos- 
 sess him presumptuous and sacrilegious; but its fulfil- 
 ment shone before her as an idea more beautiful 
 even than return to her native land and reunion with 
 those who, till now, had been her only loved ones. 
 
 Nitetis herself was hardly conscious of the strength 
 of her feelings, and believed that when she trembled 
 before the king’s arrival it was from fear, and not from 
 her longing to behold him once more. Croesus, how- 
 ever, had soon discovered the truth, and brought a deep 
 blush to his favorite’s cheek by singing to her, old as 
 he was, Anacreon’s newest song, which he had learnt at 
 Sais from Ibykus : 
 
 “We read the flying courser’s name 
 Upon his side in marks of flame ; 
 
 And by their turban’d brows alone 
 The warriors of the East are known. 
 
 But in the lover’s glowing eyes, 
 
 The inlet to his bosom lies ; 
 
 Through them we see the tiny mark, 
 
 Where Love has dropp’d his burning spark!” * 
 
 And thus, in work and amusement, jest, earnest, and 
 mutual love, the weeks and months passed with Nitetis. 
 Cambyses’ command that she was to be happy in his 
 land had fulfilled itself, and by the time the Mesopota- 
 mian spring-tide (January, February and March), which 
 succeeds the rainy month of December, was over, and 
 the principal festival of the Asiatics, the New Year, had 
 been solemnized at the equinox, and the May sun had 
 
 * Paegnion 15. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 2 59 
 
 begun to glow in the heavens, Nitetis felt quite at home 
 in Babylon, and all the Persians knew that the young 
 Egyptian princess had quite displaced Phaedime, the 
 daughter of Otanes, in the king’s favor, and would cer- 
 tainly become his first and favorite wife. 
 
 Boges sank considerably in public estimation, for it 
 was known that Cambyses had ceased to visit the harem, 
 and the chief of the eunuchs had owed all his import- 
 ance to the women, who were compelled to coax from 
 Cambyses whatever Boges desired for himself or others. 
 Not a day passed on which the mortified official did 
 not consult with the supplanted favorite Phaedime, as to 
 the best means of ruining Nitetis, but their most finely 
 spun intrigues and artifices were baffled by the strength 
 of the king’s love and the blameless life of his royal 
 bride. 
 
 Phaedime, impatient, mortified, and thirsting for ven- 
 geance, was perpetually urging Boges to some decided 
 act; he, on the contrary, advised patience. 
 
 At last, however, after many weeks, he came to her 
 full of joy, exclaiming : “ I have devised a little plan 
 which must ruin the Egyptian woman as surely as my 
 name is Boges. When Bartja comes back, my treasure, 
 our hour will have arrived.” 
 
 While saying this the creature rubbed his fat, soft 
 hands, and, with his perpetual fulsome smile, looked as 
 if he were feasting on some good deed performed. He 
 did not, however, give Phaedime the faintest idea of the 
 nature of his “ little plan,” and only answered her press- 
 ing questions with the words: “ Better lay your head in 
 a lion’s jaws, than your secret in the cars of a woman. I 
 fully acknowledge your courage, but at the same time 
 advise you to remember that, though a man proves his 
 
260 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 courage in action, a woman’s is shown in obedience. 
 Obey my words and await the issue in patience.” 
 
 Nebenchari, the oculist, continued to attend the 
 queen, but so carefully abstained from all intercourse 
 with the Persians, that he became a proverb among them 
 for his gloomy, silent ways. During the day he was to 
 be found in the queen’s apartments, silently examining 
 large rolls of papyri, which he called the book of Atho- 
 tes and the sacred Ambres ; 257 at night, by permission 
 of the king and the satrap 258 of Babylon, he often ascended 
 one of the high towers on the walls, called Tritantaechmes, 
 in order to observe the stars. 
 
 The Chaldaean priests, the earliest astronomers, 
 would have allowed him to take his observations from 
 
 257. The name “ the holy Ambres ” seems to have been corrupted 
 from the first words of the Ritual of the Dead. Horapollo (I. 58. ed. 
 Leemans) mentions the “ Book of diseases,” and Manetho, in Africa- 
 nus and Eusebius, tells that Athotes, whom all the chronographs 
 and monuments agree in calling the successor of Menes, the first king 
 of Egypt, had written books on anatomy. But all the scientific and 
 especially medical bocks were usually ascribed to the god Thoth, and 
 it may easily have arisen, that from the likeness between these two 
 names, the king gained the credit which was really due to the god. 
 There are said to have been six medical books among the Egyptian 
 sacred writings. Clem. Alex. Strom, ed Potter p. 757. (VI. 4.) Iam- 
 blichus de Myst. Aeg. VIII. 4. See also Vol. II. note 49. 
 
 258. Satraps were the governors of single provinces, and ruled 
 with pretty nearly absolute authority as representatives of the king. 
 Malcolm ( Persia I. 41.) was the first to propose an explanation of the 
 name, suggesting that it may have been taken from the words Chattra 
 a parasol and paii lord — the lord of the parasol ; but we are glad to 
 give this up in favor of a later one by Tielesch, who derives the word 
 satrap from Khshatra a government and pavan protector. It is true 
 that on the monuments we see the great men of the kingdom perform- 
 ing the office of parasol-bearers behind the king with great dignity, 
 (Niebuhr, Texier, Layard, etc.), but in Bactrian and in the Zend- 
 Avesta they are called Shoitrapaita , “lord of a province,” and Shoitra- 
 pan y “ protector of a province.” The Dutch translator of this note, 
 Dr. Rogge, takes the latter view. We will only remark that in old 
 Persian, as well as in German, the idea of covering and sheltering, as 
 with a parasol, is conveyed in the word used for the act of protecting 
 or defending. In an Egyptian manuscript, General Ptolem£eus (Lagi) 
 is called Chschatrapan, (satrap.) 
 
AN EGYPTIAN TRINCESS. 
 
 261 
 
 the summit of the great temple of Bel, their own observ- 
 atory, but he refused this offer decidedly, and persisted 
 in his haughty reserve. When Oropastes attempted to 
 explain to him the celebrated Babylonian sun-dial, 
 introduced by Anaximander of Miletus into Greece, he 
 turned from the Magian with a scornful laugh, saying: 
 “We knew all this, before you knew the meaning of an 
 hour .” 259 
 
 Nitetis had shown Nebenchari much kindness, yet 
 he took no interest in her, seemed indeed to avoid her 
 purposely, and on her asking whether she had displeased 
 or offended him, answered : “For me you are a stranger. 
 How can I reckon those my friends, who can so gladly 
 and so quickly forget those they loved best, their gods, 
 and the customs of their native land ?” 
 
 Boges quickly discovered this state of feeling on the 
 part of Nebenchari, and took much pains to secure him 
 as an ally, but the physician rejected the eunuch’s flat- 
 teries, gifts, and attentions with dignity. 
 
 No sooner did an Angare appear in the court of the 
 palace with despatches for the king, than Boges 
 hastened to enquire whether news from the Tapuri had 
 arrived. 
 
 At length the desired messenger appeared, bringing 
 word that the rebels were subdued, and Bartja on the 
 point of returning. 
 
 Three weeks passed — fresh messengers arrived from 
 day to day announcing the approach of the victorious 
 
 259. Though the Chaldaeans, as Aristotle was told, possessed 
 astronomical calculations reaching as far back as the year 1903 before 
 Alexander, — 2234 B. C . — ( Simplicius comm, in Arist. de codo I. II. 
 Lepsius, Chronologie, 8. 9.) yet there is no doubt that the Egyptian 
 astronomy was still older. Diodorus indeed (I. 81.) tells us the Egyp- 
 tian priests maintained, that the Chaldasans were Egyptian colonists 
 and owed their fame as astronomers to the teaching of the Egyptian 
 
262 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 prince ; the streets glittered once more in festal array, 
 the army entered the gates of Babylon, Bartja thanked 
 the rejoicing multitude, and a short time after was in the 
 arms of his blind mother. 
 
 Cambyses received his brother with undisguised 
 warmth, and took him to the queen’s apartments, when 
 he knew that Nitetis would be there. 
 
 For he was sure the Egyptian girl loved him ; his 
 previous jealousy seemed a silly fancy now, and he 
 wished to give Bartja an opportunity of seeing how 
 entirely he trusted his bride. 
 
 Cambyses’ love had made him mild and gentle, un- 
 wearied in giving and in doing good. His wrath slumbered 
 for a season, and around the spot where the heads of 
 those who had suffered capital punishment were exhibited 
 as a warning to their fellow-men, the hungry, screeching 
 crows now wheeled, in vain. 
 
 The influence of the insinuating eunuchs (a race who 
 had never been seen within the gates of Cyrus until the 
 incorporation of Media, Lydia and Babylon, in which 
 countries they had filled many of the highest offices at 
 court and in the state), was now waning, and the import- 
 ance of the noble Achaemenidae increasing in proportion; 
 for Cambyses applied oftener to the latter than to the 
 former for advice in matters relating to the welfare of 
 the country. 
 
 The aged Hystaspes, father of Darius, governor of 
 Persia proper and cousin to the king ; Pharnaspes, Cam- 
 byses’ grandfather on the mother’s side; Otanes, his 
 uncle and father-in-law; Intaphernes, Aspathines, 
 
 priests. There may be some truth in the latter assertion, but it is 
 more likely that the Egyptians came from Western Asia, than that the 
 Chaldaeans came from Egypt. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 263 
 
 Gobryas, Hydarnes, the general Megabyzus , 960 father of 
 Zopyrus, the envoy Prexaspes, the noble Croesus, and 
 the old warrior' Araspes; in short, the flower of the 
 ancient Persian aristocracy, were now at the court of 
 Cambyses. 
 
 To this must be added that the entire nobility of 
 the realm, the satraps or governors of the provinces, 
 and the chief priests from every town were also assem- 
 bled at Babylon to celebrate the king’s birthday . 261 
 
 The entire body of officials and deputies streamed 
 from the provinces up to the royal city, bringing pres- 
 ents to their ruler and good wishes; they came also to 
 take part in the great sacrifices at which horses, stags, 
 bulls and asses were slaughtered in thousands as offer- 
 ings to the gods. 
 
 At this festival all the Persians received gifts, every 
 man was allowed to ask a petition of the king, which 
 seldom remained unfulfilled, and in every city the 
 people were feasted at the royal expense. Cambyses 
 had commanded that his marriage with Nitetis should 
 be celebrated eight days after the birthday, and all the 
 
 260. These names, given by Herodotus, are to be found, with 
 slight differences of form, in the inscription of Behistun or Bisitun. 
 Spiegel, Altpersische Keilschriften. Behistun inscription IV. XVIII. 
 p. 37. Rawlinson, Journ. of Asiatic Soc. X. p. 12. 
 
 261. The king’s birthday was the principal feast among the Per- 
 sians, and called “ the perfect feast.” Herod. I. 133. Birthdays were 
 held in much honor by the ancients, and more especially those of 
 their kings. Both the great bilingual Egyptian tablets, which we pos- 
 sess (the Rosetta stone, line 10 of hieroglyphic text; Gr. text, line 46. 
 and the edict of Canopus ed. Lepsius, hieroglyphic text 1 . 3. Gr. text 
 1 . 5.) mention the celebration of the birthday of one of the Ptolemies; 
 and even of Rameses II., so early as the 14th century B. C. we read : 
 nehem em pet heru em mese-t-f, “ There was joy in heaven on his birth- 
 day.” Stela of Kuban 1 . 3. Drumann quotes a number of passages 
 referring to the birthdays of the kings in his Greek text to the Rosettq 
 stone. See also Ebers," sEgypteu I. p. 334. 
 
264 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 magnates of the realms should be invited to the cere- 
 mony. 
 
 The streets of Babylon swarmed with strangers, the 
 colossal palaces on both shores of the Euphrates were 
 overfilled, and all the houses stood adorned in festal 
 brightness. 
 
 The zeal thus displayed by his people, — this vast 
 throng of human beings, — representing and bringing 
 around him, as it were, his entire kingdom, contributed 
 not a little to raise the king's spirits. 
 
 His pride was gratified; and the only longing left 
 in his heart had been stilled by Nitetis’ love. For the 
 first time in his life he believed himself completely 
 happy, and bestowed his gifts, not only from a sense 
 of his duty as king of Persia, but because the act of 
 giving was in itself a pleasure. 
 
 Megabyzus could not extol the deeds of Bartja and 
 his friends too highly. Cambyses embraced the young 
 warriors, gave them horses and gold chains, called them 
 “ brothers" and reminded Bartja, that he had promised 
 to grant him a petition if he returned victorious. 
 
 At this Bartja cast down his eyes, not knowing at 
 first in what form to begin his request, and the king 
 answered laughing: “Look, my friends; our young 
 hero is blushing like a girl! It seems I shall have to 
 grant something important; so he had better wait until 
 my birthday, and then, at supper, when the wine has 
 given him courage, he shall whisper in my ear what he 
 is now afraid to utter. Ask much, Bartja, I am happy 
 myself, and wish all my friends to be happy too.” 
 
 Bartja only smiled in answer and went to his 
 mother; for he had not yet opened his heart to her 
 on the matter which lay so near it. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 265 
 
 He was afraid of meeting with decided opposition; 
 but Croesus had cleared the way for him by telling 
 Kassandane so much in praise of Sappho, her virtues 
 and her graces, her talents and skill, that Nitetis and 
 Atossa maintained she must have given the old man a 
 magic potion, and Kassandane, after a short resistance, 
 yielded to her darling’s entreaties. 
 
 “A Greek woman the lawful wife of a Persian 
 prince of the blood!” cried the blind woman. ‘‘Un- 
 heard of! What will Cambyses say? How can we 
 gain his consent ?” 
 
 “On that matter you may be at ease, my mother,” 
 answered Bartja, “ I am as certain that my brother will 
 give his consent, as I am that Sappho will prove an 
 ornament and honor to our house.” 
 
 “ Croesus has already told me much in favor of this 
 maiden,” answered Kassandane,” and it pleases me 
 that thou hast at last resolved to marry; but neverthe- 
 less this alliance does not seem suitable for a son of 
 Cyrus. And have you forgotten that the Achaemenidse 
 will probably refuse to recognize the child of a Greek 
 mother as their future king, if Cambyses should remain 
 childless?” 
 
 “Mother, I fear nothing; for my heart is not set 
 upon the crown. And indeed many a king of Persia 
 has had a mother of far lower parentage than my 
 Sappho . 262 I feel persuaded that when my relations see 
 the precious jewel I have won on the Nile, not one of 
 them will chide me.” 
 
 “The gods grant that Sappho may be equal to our 
 
 262. Thus for instance we read in Firdusi’s Book of the Kings, 
 that the race of Feridun was perpetuated by a female slave. And 
 Sal, the father of Rustem, married a foreigner with whom he had 
 fallen in love. Whether the heroes of the Persian Epos were purely 
 
 19 
 
2 66 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 Nitetis!” answered Kassandane, “I love her as if she 
 were my own child, and bless the day which brought 
 her to Persia. The warm light of her eyes has melted 
 your brother’s hard heart; her kindness and gentleness 
 bring beauty into the night of my blind old age, and 
 her sweet earnestness and gravity have changed your 
 sister Atossa from an unruly child into a gentle maiden. 
 But now call them, (they are playing in the garden), 
 and we will tell them of the new friend they are to gain 
 through you.” 
 
 “ Pardon me, my mother,” answered Bartja, "but I 
 must beg you not to tell my sister until we are sure of 
 the king’s consent.” 
 
 “You are right, my son. We must conceal your 
 wish, to save Nitetis and Atossa from a possible disap- 
 pointment. A bright hope unfulfilled is harder to bear 
 than an unexpected sorrow. So let us wait for your 
 brother’s consent, and may the gods give their blessing!” 
 
 Early in the morning of the king’s birthday the 
 Persians offered their sacrifices on the shores of the 
 Euphrates. A huge altar of silver had been raised on 
 an artificial hill. On this a mighty fire had been 
 kindled, from which flames and sweet odors rose 
 towards heaven. White-robed magi fed the fire with 
 pieces of daintily-cut sandal-wood, and stirred it with 
 bundles of rods. 
 
 A cloth, the Paiti-dhana , 263 was bound round the 
 
 mythical personages (a fact which has never been proved) or not, 
 still the marriage of a prince and a slave-girl was by no means 
 an unheard-of occurrence. 
 
 263. The Persians were ordered to hold this little square piece 
 of cloth before their mouths when they prayed. It was from 2 to 7 
 fingers broad. Anquetil gives a drawing of it in his Zend-Avesta . . 
 Strabo speaks of the Paiti-dhana p. 733. He says the ends of the 
 cloth used as a covering for the head hung down over the mouth. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 267 
 
 heads of the priests, the ends of which covered the 
 mouth, and thus preserved the pure fire from pollution 
 by human breath. The victims had been slaughtered 
 in a meadow near the river, the flesh cut into pieces , 264 
 sprinkled with salt, and laid out on tender grasses, 
 sprouts of clover, myrtle-blossoms, and laurel-leaves, 
 that the beautiful daughter of Ormuzd, the patient, 
 sacred Earth, might not be touched by aught that was 
 dead or bleeding. 
 
 Oropastes, the chief Destur,* now drew near the 
 fire and cast fresh butter into it. The flames leapt up 
 into the air and all the Persians fell on their knees 
 and hid their faces, in the belief that the fire was now 
 ascending to their great god and father. The Magian 
 then took a mortar, laid some leaves and stalks of the 
 sacred herb Haoma 265 within it, crushed them and 
 poured the ruddy juice, the food of the gods, into the 
 flames. 
 
 After this he raised his hands to heaven, and, while 
 the other priests continually fed the flames into a wilder 
 blaze by casting in fresh butter, sang a long prayer out 
 of the sacred books. In this prayer the blessing of the 
 gods was called down on everything pure and good, but 
 principally on the king and his entire realm. The good 
 spirits of light, life and truth; of all noble deeds; of 
 the Earth, the universal giver; of the refreshing waters, 
 the shining metals, the pastures, trees and innocent 
 
 264. Herod. I. 132. Strabo. 733. Anquetil gives descriptions and 
 drawings of all the instruments of sacrifice used by the modern Parsees. 
 
 265. Haoma or Soma is the name of a plant, the juice of which 
 is said to have been the food of the gods ; it was tasted and poured 
 by drops into the fire at certain religious ceremonies. Haoma was 
 also a god. For particulars on the worship of Soma among the 
 Arians see Windischman, Abhandlungen det K B. Akademie dev 
 Wissenscka ften , IV. 2. 
 
 * Priest 
 
268 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS* 
 
 creatures, were praised: the evil spirits of darkness; of 
 lying, the deceiver of mankind; of disease, death and 
 sin; of the rigid cold; the desolating heat; of all odious 
 dirt and vermin, were cursed, together with their father 
 the malignant Ahriman. At the end all present joined 
 in singing the festival prayer : “ Purity and glory are 
 sown for them that are pure and upright in heart .” 266 
 
 The sacrificial ceremony was concluded with the 
 king’s prayer, and then Cambyses, arrayed in his richest 
 robes, ascended a splendid chariot drawn by four snow- 
 white Nicaean horses, and studded with topazes, corne- 
 lian and amber, and was conveyed to the great recep- 
 tion-hall, where the deputies and officers from the prov- 
 inces awaited him. 
 
 As soon as the king and his retinue had departed, 
 the priests selected, for themselves, the best pieces of 
 the flesh which had been offered in sacrifice, and al- 
 lowed the thronging crowd to take the rest. 
 
 The Persian divinities disdained sacrifices in the 
 light of food, requiring only the souls of the slaughtered 
 animals, and many a poor man, especially among the 
 priests, subsisted on the flesh of the abundant royal 
 sacrifices. 
 
 The prayer offered up by the Magian was a model 
 for those of the Persian people. No man was allowed 
 to ask anything of the gods for himself alone. Every 
 pious soul was rather to implore blessings for his nation; 
 for was not each only a part of the whole ? and did not 
 each man share in the blessings granted to the whole 
 kingdom ? But especially they were commanded to 
 pray for the king, in whom the realm was embodied and 
 
 266. This beautiful prayer is to be repeated by the Parsees on 
 awaking from sleep. Anquetil, Zend-Avesta II. 564. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 269 
 
 shadowed forth. It was this beautiful surrender of self 
 for the public weal, that had made the Persians great. 
 
 The doctrines of the Egyptian priesthood repre- 
 sented the Pharaohs as actual divinities, while the Per- 
 sian monarchs were only called “ sons of the gods 267 
 yet the power of the latter was far more absolute 
 and unfettered than that of the former; the reason for 
 this being that the Persians had been wise enough 
 to free themselves from priestly domination, while the 
 Pharaohs, as we have seen, if not entirely under the 
 dominion of the priestly caste, were yet under its influ- 
 ence in the most important matters. 
 
 The Egyptian intolerance of all strange religions 
 was unknown in Asia. The conquered Babylonians 
 were allowed by Cyrus to retain their own gods, after 
 their incorporation in the great Asiatic kingdom. The 
 Jews, Ionians and inhabitants of Asia Minor, in short, 
 the entire mass of nations subject to Cambyses remained 
 unmolested in possession of their hereditary religions 
 and customs. 
 
 Beside the great altar, therefore, might be seen 
 many a smaller sacrificial flame, kindled in honor of 
 their own divinities, by the envoys from the conquered 
 provinces to this great birthday feast. 
 
 Viewed from a distance, the immense city looked 
 like a gigantic furnace. Thick clouds of smoke hovered 
 over its towers, obscuring the light of the burning May 
 sun. 
 
 By the time the king had reached the palace, the 
 •multitude who had come to take part in the festival 
 had formed themselves into a procession of interminable 
 
 267. In later times, however, the Persian kings allowed themselves 
 to be worshipped as gcds ^lso, though only indirectly. 
 
270 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 length, which wandered on through the straight streets of 
 Babylon towards the royal palace. 
 
 Their road was strewn with myrtle and palm- 
 branches, roses, poppy and oleander-blossoms, and with 
 leaves of the silver poplar, palm and laurel ; the air per- 
 fumed with incense, myrrh, and a thousand other sweet 
 odors. Carpets and flags waved and fluttered from 
 the houses. 
 
 Music too was there ; the shrill peal of the Median 
 trumpet, and soft tone of the Phrygian flute; the Jewish 
 cymbal and harp, Paphlagonian tambourines and the 
 stringed instruments of Ionia; Syrian kettle-drums and 
 cymbals, the shells and drums of the Arians from the 
 mouth of the Indus, and the loud notes of the Bactrian 
 battle-trumpets. But above all these resounded the re- 
 joicing shouts of the Babylonian multitude, subjugated 
 by the Persians only a few short years before, and yet, 
 like all Asiatics, wearing their fetters with an air of glad- 
 ness so long as the fear of their tyrant was before their 
 eyes. • 
 
 The fragrant odors, the blaze of color and sparkling 
 of gold and jewels, the neighing of the horses, and 
 shouts .and songs of human beings, all united to 
 produce a whole, at once bewildering and intoxicating 
 to the senses and the feelings. 
 
 The messengers had not been sent up to Babylon 
 empty-handed. Beautiful horses, huge elephants and 
 comical monkeys ; rhinoceroses and buffaloes adorned 
 with housings and tassels; double-humped Bactrian 
 camels w r ith gold collars on their shaggy necks ; waggon- 
 loads of rare woods and ivory, woven goods of exquisite 
 texture, casks of ingots and gold-dust, gold and silver 
 vessels, rare plants for the royal gardens, and foreign 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 271 
 
 animals for the preserves, the most remarkable of which 
 were antelopes, zebras, and rare monkeys and birds , 268 
 these last being tethered to a tree in full leaf and flutter- 
 ing among the branches. Such were the offerings sent 
 to the great king of Persia. 
 
 They were the tribute of the conquered nations and, 
 after having been shown to the king, were weighed 
 and tested by treasurers and secretaries, either declared 
 satisfactory, or found wanting and returned, in which 
 case the niggardly givers were condemned to bring 
 a double tribute later . 269 
 
 The palace-gates were reached without hindrance, 
 the way being kept clear by lines of soldiers and whip- 
 bearers stationed on either side of the street. 
 
 If the royal progress to the place of sacrifice, when 
 five hundred richly-caprisoned horses had been led be- 
 hind the king’s chariot , 270 could be called magnificent, 
 and the march of the envoys a brilliant spectacle, the 
 great throne-room presented a vision of dazzling and 
 magic beauty. 
 
 In the background, raised on six steps, each of 
 which was guarded, as it were, by two golden dogs, 
 stood the throne of gold; above it, supported by four 
 golden pillars studded with precious stones, was a purple 
 
 268. We have described this procession from reliefs, for our ac- 
 quaintance with which, We are in great measure indebted to Layard’s 
 excavations and an obelisk from Nimrud (Nineveh). 
 
 269. At the time of which we are writing, the kings of Persia 
 taxed their kingdom at whatever time and to whatever extent seemed 
 good in their own eyes. Cambyses’ successor, Darius, was the first 
 to introduce a regular system of taxation, in consequence of which he 
 was nicknamed “ the shopkeeper.” Up to a much later period it still 
 remained the duty of certain districts to send natural products to the 
 court. Herod. I. 192. Xenoph. Anab. IV. 5. 
 
 270. Herod. VII. 40. 41. 54. 55. Xenoph. Cyrop . VIII. 3. Curtius 
 III. 3. 
 
 A n Egyptian Princess. /. ^ 
 
2J2 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 canopy, on which appeared two winged discs, the king’s 
 Feruer . 271 
 
 Fan-bearers, high in office at the court, stood behind 
 the throne, and, on either side, those who sat at the 
 king’s table, his relations and friends, and the most im- 
 portant among the officers of state, the priestly caste 
 and the eunuchs. 
 
 The walls and ceiling of the entire hall were covered 
 with plates of burnished gold, and the floor with purple 
 carpets. 
 
 Before the silver gates lay winged bulls, and the king’s 
 body-guard — their dress consisting of a gold cuirass 
 under a purple overcoat, and the high Persian cap, 
 their swords in golden scabbards glittering with jewels, 
 and their lances ornamented with gold and silver apples, 
 — were stationed in the court of the palace. Among 
 them the band of the “ Immortals ” 272 was easily to be 
 distinguished by their stately forms and dauntless bear- 
 ing. 
 
 Officers, whose duty consisted in announcing and 
 presenting strangers, and who carried short ivory staves, 
 
 271. The Feruer or Ferwer is the spiritual part of every man — his 
 soul and reason. It was in existence before the man was torn, joins 
 him at his birth and departs at his death. The Ferwer keeps up a war 
 with the Diws or evil spirits, and is the element of man’s preservation 
 in life. The moment he departs, the body returns to its original ele- 
 ments. After death he becomes immortal if he has done well, but if 
 his deeds have been evil he is cast into hell. It is right to call upon 
 the Ferwer and entreat his help. He will bring the prayer before 
 God and on this account is represented as a winged disc. Ulmai 
 Islam in Vuller’s Fragmente liber die Religion des Zoroaster. We 
 would also direct our readers, especially with reference to the Frava- 
 shis, {in Farvardin yasht) to Tiele. De Godsdienst van Zarathustra. 
 
 272. These “Immortals” owed their honorable name to the cir- 
 cumstance, that as soon as one of their number fell in battle, or died, 
 his place was filled by a substitute, and thus the total number of the 
 band never diminished — 10,000 warriors were always there. This 
 guard is said to have been organized by Cyrus. Herod. VII. 40. 41. 
 84. Xenoph. Cyivp. VII. 1. VIII. 1. 2/3. Curtius III. 3. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 2 73 
 
 led the deputies into the hall, and up to the throne, 
 where they cast themselves on the ground as though 
 they would kiss the earth, concealing their hands in the 
 sleeves of their robes. A cloth was bound over the 
 mouth of every man before he was allowed to answer 
 the king’s questions, lest the pure person of the king 
 should be polluted by the breath of common men. 
 
 Cambyses’ severity or mildness towards the deputations 
 with whose chiefs he spoke, was proportioned to the 
 obedience of their province and the munificence of their 
 tribute-offerings. Near the end of the train appeared 
 an embassy from the Jews, led by two grave men with 
 sharply-cut features and long beards. Cambyses called 
 on them in a friendly tone to stop. 
 
 The first of these men was dressed in the fashion of 
 the Babylonian aristocracy. The other wore a purple 
 robe woven without seam, trimmed with bells and tas- 
 sels, and held in at the waist by a girdle of blue, red 
 and white . 273 A blue garment was thrown over his 
 shoulders and a little bag suspended around his neck 
 containing the sacred lots, the Urim and Thummin, 
 adorned with twelve precious stones set in gold, and 
 bearing the names of the tribes of Israel. The high- 
 priest’s brow was grave and thoughtful. A white cloth 
 was wound round his head, the ends of which hung down 
 to the shoulders. 
 
 “ I rejoice to behold you once more, Beiteshazzar ,” 274 
 
 273. Ewald, Alterthumer des Volkes Israel p. 289. 305. 333. Weiss, 
 Kostiimkunde T. p. 344. Winer, Bibl. Realworterb uch , 3 Aitjl. Kitto’s 
 The Tabernacle and Furniture Pl. III. 
 
 274. In cur first edition we brought Daniel himself before our 
 readers in the person of the Israelite who accompanies Joshua; but 
 the later researches made by Hitzig, Lengerke, Merz, and Kuenen 
 have rendered this inadmissible. A rich and distinguished Jew, how- 
 ever, from among those who had remained behind in Babylon after 
 
274 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 exclaimed the king to the former of the two men. 
 “ Since the death of my father you have not been seen 
 at my gate.” 
 
 The man thus addressed bowed humbly and answered : 
 “ The favor of the king rejoices his servant! If it seem 
 good unto thee, to cause the sun of thy favor to shine on 
 me, thine unworthy servant, so hearken unto my peti- 
 tion for my nation, which thy great father caused to 
 return unto the land of their father sepulchres. This 
 old man at my side, Joshua, the high-priest of our God, 
 hath not feared the long journey to Babylon, that he 
 might bring his request before thy face. Let his speech 
 be pleasing in thine ears and his words bring forth fruit 
 in thine heart.” 
 
 “ I foresee what ye desire of me,” cried the king. 
 “ Am I wrong, priest, in supposing that your petition 
 refers to the building of the temple in your native 
 land ?” 
 
 “ Nothing can be hidden from the eyes of my lord,” 
 answered the priest, bowing low. “ Thy servants in 
 Jerusalem desire to behold the face of their ruler, and 
 beseech thee by my mouth to visit the land of their 
 fathers, and to grant them permission to set forward the 
 work of the temple, concerning which thine illustrious 
 father (the favor of our God rest upon him), made a 
 decree.” 
 
 The king answered with a smile : “ You have the 
 craft of your nation, and understand how to choose the 
 right time and words for your petition. On my birth- 
 
 the captivity, can be introduced without further remarks ; and at the 
 same time we would mention that the writing in Cyrus’s hand which 
 induced Darius later to allow the rebuilding of the temple, is histor- 
 ically authentic. Ezra VI. 2-12. Zechariah 1-8. At the time of our 
 tale Joshua was high-priest. Bunsen, Bibelwerk p. 324. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 2 75 
 
 day it is difficult for me to refuse my faithful people 
 even one request. I promise you, therefore, so soon as 
 possible to visit Jerusalem and the land of your fathers.’ 7 
 
 “ By so doing thou wilt make glad the hearts of thy 
 servants,” answered the priest; “ our vines and olives 
 will bear more fruit at thine approach, our gates will lift 
 up their heads to receive thee, and Israel rejoice with 
 shouts to meet his lord, doubly blessed if as lord of the 
 building ” 
 
 “ Enough, priest, enough !” cried Cambyses. “Your 
 first petition, I have said it, shall not remain unfulfilled; 
 for I have long desired to visit the wealthy city of Tyre, 
 the golden Sidon, and Jerusalem with its strange super- 
 stitions ; but were I to give permission for the building 
 now, what would remain for me to grant you in the 
 coming year?” 
 
 “ Thy servants will no more molest thee by their 
 petitions, if thou grant unto them this one, to finish the 
 temple of the Lord their God,” answered the priest. 
 
 “ Strange beings, these men of Palestine !” exclaimed 
 Cambyses. “ I have heard it said that ye believe in one 
 God alone, who can be represented by no likeness, and 
 is a spirit. Think ye then that this omnipresent Being 
 requires a house? Verily, your great spirit can be but 
 a weak and miserable creature, if he need a covering 
 from the wind and rain, and a shelter from the heat 
 which he himself has created. If your God be like 
 ours, omnipresent, fall down before him and worship as 
 we do, in every place, and feel certain that everywhere 
 ye will be heard of him!” 
 
 “ The God of Israel hears his people in every place,” 
 exclaimed the high-priest. “He heard us when we 
 mned in captivity under the Pharaohs far from our land; 
 
276 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 he heard us weeping by the rivers of Babylon. He chose 
 thy father to be the instrument of our deliverance, and 
 will hear my prayer this day and soften thine heart like- 
 wise. O mighty king, grant unto thy servants a common 
 place of sacrifice, whither our twelve tribes may repair, 
 an altar on the steps of which they can pray together, 
 a house in which to keep their holy feasts ! For this 
 permission we will call down the blessing of God upon 
 thine head and his curse upon thine enemies.” 
 
 “ Grant unto my brethren the permission to build their 
 temple !” added Belteshazzar, who was the richest and 
 most honorable and respected of the Jews yet remaining 
 in Babylon ; a man whom Cyrus had treated with much 
 consideration, and of whom he had even taken counsel 
 from time to time. 
 
 “ Will ye then be peaceable, if I grant your petition ?” 
 asked the king. “ My father allowed you to begin the 
 work and granted the means for its completion. Of one 
 mind, happy and content, ye returned to your native 
 land, but while pursuing your work strife and contention 
 entered among you. Cyrus was assailed by repeated 
 letters, signed by the chief men of Syria, entreating him 
 to forbid the work, and I also have been lately besought 
 to do the same. Worship your God when and where 
 ye will, but just because I desire your welfare, I cannot 
 consent to the prosecution of a work which kindles dis- 
 cord among you.” 
 
 “ And is it then thy pleasure on this day to take 
 back a favor, which thy father made sure unto us by a 
 written decree ?” asked Belteshazzar. 
 
 “ A written decree ?” 
 
 “ Which will surely be found even to this day laid up 
 in the archives of thy kingdom.” 
 
AN EGYPTIAN TRINCESS. 
 
 277 
 
 “ Find this decree and show it me, and I will not 
 only allow the building to be continued, but will pro- 
 mote the same,” answered the king; “ for my father’s 
 will is as sacred to me as the commands of the gods.” 
 
 “Wilt thou allow search to be made in the house of 
 the rolls at Ecbatana ?” asked Belteshazzar. “ The decree 
 will surely be found there.” 
 
 “ I consent, but I fear ye will find none. Tell thy 
 nation, priest, that I am content with the equipment of 
 the men of war they have sent to take the field against 
 the Massagetae. My general Megabyzus commends 
 their looks and bearing. May thy people prove as 
 valiant now as in the wars of my father! You, Belte- 
 shazzar, I bid to my marriage feast, and charge you to 
 tell your fellows, Meshach and Abednego , 275 next unto 
 you the highest in the city of Babylon, that I expect 
 them this evening at my table.” 
 
 “The God of my people Israel grant thee blessing 
 and happiness,” answered Belteshazzar bowing low 
 before the king. 
 
 “A wish which I accept!” answered the king, “for 
 I do not despise the power of your wonder-working 
 great Spirit. But one word more, Belteshazzar. Many 
 Jews have lately been punished for reviling the gods of 
 the Babylonians. Warn your people ! They bring down 
 hatred on themselves by their stiff-necked superstition , 276 
 and the pride with which they declare their own great 
 spirit to be the only true God. Take example by us; 
 
 275. We have retained the names Meshach and Abednego, as it 
 seemed to us that none more suitable could be found for distinguished 
 Jews living in Babylon, than those given in the Bible to Daniel’s com- 
 panions. 
 
 276. Tacitus ( Histor . V. 2-5.) speaks still more severely, even 
 harshly and bitterly, of the Jewish religion, especially of its intolerance. 
 
2jS 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 we are content with our own faith and leave others to 
 enjoy theirs in peace. Cease to look upon yourselves 
 as better than the rest of the world. I wish you well, 
 for a pride founded on self-respect is pleasing in mine 
 eyes; but take heed lest pride degenerate into vain- 
 glory. Farewell! rest assured of my favor. ,, 
 
 The Jews then departed. They were disappointed, 
 but not hopeless ; for Belteshazzar knew well that the 
 decree, relative to the building of the temple, must be 
 in the archives at Ecbatana. 
 
 They were followed by a deputation from Syria, and 
 by the Greeks of Ionia; and then, winding up the long 
 train, appeared a band of wild-looking men, dressed in 
 the skins of animals, whose features bespoke them 
 foreigners in Babylon. They wore girdles and shoulder- 
 bands of solid, unwrought gold; and of the same 
 precious metal were their bow-cases, axes, lance-points, 
 and the ornaments on their high fur caps. They were 
 preceded by a man in Persian dress, whose features 
 proved him, however, to be of the same race as his fol- 
 lowers . 277 
 
 The king gazed at first on these envoys with won- 
 der; then his brow darkened, and beckoning the officer 
 whose duty it was to present strangers, he exclaimed : 
 “ What can these men have to crave of me ? If I mis- 
 take not they belong to the Massagetae, to that people 
 who are so soon to tremble before my vengeance. Tell 
 them, Gobryas, that an armed host is standing on the 
 
 277. ITerod. I. 215. We give this episode partly from Herod. I. 
 204-216., partly from Diod. II. 44. and Justin I. 8. — Ktesias, Persica 9. 
 tells that Cyrus was wounded by an Indian during a battle with the 
 Derbians, and died from the effects of the wound. In Xenophon’s 
 accounts he returns home peacefully, but this is probably only because 
 it gives such a good opportunity of putting a beautiful dying speech 
 into his mouth. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 279 
 
 Median plains ready to answer their demands with the 
 sword. ” 
 
 Gobryas answered, bowing low : “ These men arrived 
 this morning during the sacrifice bringing huge burdens 
 of the purest gold to purchase your forbearance. When 
 they heard that a great festival was being celebrated in 
 your honor, they urgently besought to be admitted into 
 your presence, that they might declare the message 
 entrusted to them by their country.” 
 
 The king’s brow cleared and, after sharply scrutiniz- 
 ing the tall, bearded Massagetse, he said : “ Let them 
 come nearer. I am curious to know what proposals my 
 father’s murderers are about to make me.” 
 
 Gobryas made a sign, and the tallest and eldest of 
 the Massagetae came up close to the throne and began 
 to speak loudly in his native tongue. He was accom- 
 panied by the man in a Persian dress, who, as one of 
 Cyrus’ prisoners of war, had learnt the Persian language, 
 and now interpreted one by one the sentences uttered 
 by the spokesman of this wandering tribe. 
 
 “We know,” began the latter, “ that thou, great 
 king, art wroth with the Massagetae because thy father 
 fell in war with our tribe — a war which he alone had pro- 
 voked with a people who had done naught to offend him.” 
 “ My father was justified in punishing your nation,” 
 interrupted the king. “ Your Queen Tomyris had dared 
 to refuse him her hand in marriage.” 
 
 “ Be not wroth, O King,” answered the Massagetan, 
 “when I tell thee that our entire nation approved of that 
 act. Even a child could see that the great Cyrus only 
 desired to add our queen to the number of his wives, 
 hoping, in his insatiable thirst for more territories, to gain 
 our land with her.” 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 280 
 
 Cambyses was silent and the envoy went on. “ Cyrus 
 caused a bridge to be made over our boundary river, 
 the Araxes . 278 We were not dismayed at this, and 
 Tomyris sent word that he might save himself this 
 trouble, for that the Massagetae were willing either to 
 await him quietly in their own land, leaving the passage 
 of the river free, or to meet him in his. Cyrus decided, 
 by the advice of the dethroned king of Lydia, (as we 
 learnt afterwards, through some prisoners of war) on 
 meeting us in our own land and defeating us by a stra- 
 tagem. With this intention he sent at first only a small 
 body of troops, which could be easily dispersed and 
 destroyed by our arrows and lances, and allowed us to 
 seize his camp without striking a blow. Believing we 
 had defeated this insatiable conqueror, we feasted on 
 his abundant stores, and, poisoned by the sweet unknown 
 drink which you call wine, fell into a stupefied slumber, 
 during which his soldiers fell upon us, murdered the 
 greater number of our warriors and took many captives. 
 Among the latter was the brave, young Spargapises, our 
 queen’s son. 
 
 “ Hearing in his captivity, that his mother was will- 
 ing to conclude peace with your nation as the price of 
 his liberty, he asked to have his chains taken off. The 
 request was granted, and on obtaining the use of his 
 hands he seized a sword and stabbed himself, exclaim- 
 ing: ‘ I sacrifice my life for the freedom of my nation.’” 
 
 “No sooner did we hear the news that the young 
 prince we loved so well had died thus, than we assembled 
 all the forces yet left to us from your swords and fetters. 
 
 278. The Araxes (Aras) rises in the highlands of Armenia and 
 flows into the Caspian Sea. The stream called Araxes by Herodotus 
 is undoubtedly the Jaxartes (the modern Sir Darya.) 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 281 
 
 Even old men and boys flew to arms to revenge our 
 noble Spargapises, and sacrifice themselves, after his 
 example, for Massagetan freedom. Our armies met; ye 
 were worsted and Cyrus fell. When Tomyris found his 
 body lying in a pool of human blood, she cried : 4 Me- 
 thinks, insatiable conqueror, thou art at last sated with 
 blood! ’ The troop, composed of the flower of your no- 
 bility, which you call the Immortals, drove us back and 
 carried your father’s dead body forth from our closest 
 ranks. You led them on, fighting like a lion. I know 
 you well, and that wound across your manly face, 
 which adorns it like a purple badge of honor, was made 
 by the sword now hanging at my side.” 
 
 A movement passed through the listening crowd ; 
 they trembled for the bold speaker’s life. Cambyses, 
 however, looked pleased, nodded approvingly to the 
 man and answered: 44 Yes, I recognize you too now; 
 you rode a red horse with golden trappings. You shall 
 see that the Persians know how to honor courage. 
 Bow down before this man, my friends, for never did I 
 see a sharper sword nor a more unwearied arm than 
 his; and such heroic courage deserves honor from the 
 brave, whether shown by friend or foe . 279 As for you, 
 
 279. This speech corresponds with the Persian character. In 
 Herodotus (VII. 231.) Xerxes is made to act on opposite principles, 
 but the following epigram by Antipliilos of Byzantium, (translated by 
 G. Burges, M. A. Trin. Coll. Cambridge) is a proof that the Greeks 
 fully acknowledged the chivalrous feeling of the Persian nation. 
 
 A. “ This purple robe, Leonidas, to thee 
 
 Has Xerxes given ; for thy deeds in arms 
 Have won his admiration. 
 
 L. Not for me 
 
 Be this the gift. A traitor’s limbs it warms 
 Better; and I reject it. In death’s sleep 
 My shield throw o’er me, not a garb of gold. 
 
 A. Why midst the dead thy hate ’gainst Persians keep? 
 
 L. The love of freedom not in death is cold.” 
 
 20 
 
282 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 Massagetae, I would advise you to go home quickly 
 and prepare for war; the mere recollection of your 
 strength and courage increases my longing to test it 
 once more. A brave foe, by Mithras, is far better than 
 a feeble friend. You shall be allowed to return home 
 in peace; but beware of remaining too long within my 
 reach, lest the thought of the vengeance I owe my 
 father’s soul should rouse my anger, and your end draw 
 suddenly nigh.” 
 
 A bitter smile played round the bearded mouth of 
 the warrior as he made answer to this speech. “The 
 Massagetae deem your father’s soul too well avenged 
 already. The only son of our queen, his people’s pride, 
 and in no way inferior to Cyrus, has bled for him. The 
 shores of the Araxes have been fertilized by the bodies 
 of fifty thousand of my countrymen, slain as offerings 
 for your dead king, while only thirty thousand fell there 
 on your own side. We fought as bravely as you, but 
 your armor is better able to resist the arrows which 
 pierce our clothing of skins. And lastly, as the most 
 cruel blow of all, ye slew our queen.” 
 
 “ Tomyris is dead ? ” exclaimed Cambyses interrupt- 
 ing him. “You mean to tell me that the Persians have 
 killed a woman ? Answer at once, what has happened 
 to your queen ? ” 
 
 “Tomyris died ten months ago of grief for the loss 
 of her only son, and I have therefore a right to say 
 that she too fell a sacrifice to the war with Persia and 
 to your father’s spirit.” 
 
 “She was a great woman,” murmured Cambyses, 
 his voice unsteady from emotion. “Verily, I begin to 
 think that the gods themselves have undertaken to re- 
 venge my father’s blood on your nation. Yet I tell you 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 2 83 
 
 that, heavy as your losses may seem, Spargapises, 
 Tomyris and fifty thousand Massagetae can never out- 
 weigh the spirit of one king of Persia, least of all of a 
 Cyrus.” 
 
 “ In our country,” answered the envoy, “ death 
 makes all men equal. The spirits of the king and the 
 slave are of equal worth. Your father was a great man, 
 but we have undergone awful sufferings for his sake. 
 My tale is not yet ended. After the death of Tomyris 
 discord broke out among the Massagetae. Two claim- 
 ants for the crown appeared; half our nation fought for 
 the one, half for the other, and our hosts were thinned, 
 first by this fearful civil war and then by the pestilence 
 which followed in its track. We can no longer resist 
 your power, and therefore come with heavy loads of 
 pure gold as the price of peace.” 
 
 “Ye submit then without striking a blow?” asked 
 Cambyses. “Verily, I had expected something else 
 from such heroes; the numbers of my host, which 
 waits assembled on the plains of Media, will prove 
 that. We cannot go to battle without an enemy. I 
 will dismiss my troops and send a satrap. Be welcome 
 as new subjects of my realm.” 
 
 The red blood mounted into the cheeks of the 
 Massagetan warrior on hearing these words, and he 
 answered in a voice trembling with excitement: “You 
 err, O King, if you imagine that we have lost our old 
 courage, or learnt to long for slavery. But we know 
 your strength; we know that the small remnant of our 
 nation, which war and pestilence have spared, cannot 
 resist your vast and well-armed hosts. This we admit, 
 freely and honestly as is the manner of the Massagetae, 
 declaring however at the same time, that we are deter- 
 
284 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 mined to govern ourselves as of yore, and will never 
 receive laws or ordinances from a Persian satrap. — 
 You are wroth, but I can bear your angry gaze and 
 yet repeat my declaration.” 
 
 “And my answer,” cried Cambyses, “is this: — 
 Ye have but one choice: either to submit to my scep- 
 tre, become united to the kingdom of Persia under the 
 name of the Massagetan province, and receive a satrap 
 as my representative with due reverence, or to look 
 upon yourselves as my enemies, in which case you will 
 be forced by arms to conform to those conditions 
 which I now offer you in good part. To-day you could 
 secure a ruler well-affected to your cause, — later you 
 will find in me only a conqueror and avenger. Con- 
 sider well before you answer.” 
 
 “We have already weighed and considered all,” 
 answered the warrior, “and, as free sons of the desert, 
 prefer death to bondage. Hear what the council of 
 our old men has sent me to declare to you : — The Mas- 
 sagetae have become too weak to oppose the Persians, 
 not through their own fault, but through the heavy 
 visitation of our god, the sun. We know that you have 
 armed a vast host against us, and we are ready to buy 
 peace and liberty by a yearly tribute. But if you per- 
 sist in compelling us to submit by force of arms, you 
 can only bring great damage on yourselves. The 
 moment your army nears the Araxes, we shall depart 
 with our wives and children and seek another home, 
 for we have no fixed dwellings like yours, but are ac- 
 customed to rove at will on our swift horses, and to 
 rest in tents. Our gold we shall take with us, and 
 shall fill up, destroy, and conceal the pits in which you 
 could find new treasures. We know every spot where 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 285 
 
 gold is to be found, and can give it in abundance, if 
 you grant us peace and leave us our liberty; but, if 
 you venture to invade our territory, you win nothing 
 but an empty desert and an enemy always beyond your 
 reach, — an enemy who may become formidable, when 
 he has had time to recover from the heavy losses which 
 have thinned his ranks. Leave us in peace and free- 
 dom and we are ready to give every year five thousand 
 swift horses of the desert, besides the yearly tribute of 
 gold; we will also come to the help of the Persian 
 nation when threatened by any serious danger.” 
 
 The envoy ceased speaking. Cambyses did not 
 answer at once ; his eyes were fixed on the ground in 
 deep thought. At last he said, rising at the same time 
 from his throne: u We will take counsel on this matter 
 over the wine to-night, and to-morrow you shall hear 
 what answer you can bring to your people. Gobryas, 
 see that these men are well cared for, and send the Mas- 
 sagetan, who wounded me in battle, a portion of the best 
 dishes from my own table.” 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 During these events Nitetis had been sitting alone 
 in her house on the hanging-gardens, absorbed in the 
 saddest thoughts. To-day, for the first time, she had 
 taken part in the general sacrifice made by the king’s 
 wives, and had tried to pray to her new gods in the open 
 air, before the fire-altars and amidst the sound of religious 
 songs strange to her ears. 
 
 Most of the inhabitants of the harem saw her to-day 
 
286 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 for the first time, and instead of raising their eyes to 
 heaven, had fixed them on her during the ceremony. 
 
 The inquisitive, malevolent gaze of her rivals, and 
 the loud music resounding from the city, disquieted and 
 distracted her mind. Her thoughts reverted painfully 
 to the solemn, sultry stillness of the gigantic temples in 
 her native land where she had worshipped the gods of 
 her childhood so earnestly at the side of her mother 
 and sister; and much as she longed, just on this day, to 
 pray for blessings on her beloved king, all her efforts 
 were in vain ; she could arouse no devotional feeling. 
 
 Kassandane and Atossa knelt at her side, joining 
 heartily in the very hymns which to Nitetis were an 
 empty sound. 
 
 It cannot be denied, that many parts of these hymns 
 contain true poetry; but they become wearisome through 
 the constant repetition and invocation of the names of 
 good and bad spirits. The Persian women had been 
 taught from childhood, to look upon these religious songs 
 as higher and holier than any other poetry. Their ear- 
 liest prayers had been accompanied by such hymns, 
 and, like everything else which has come down to us 
 from our fathers, and which we have been told in the 
 impressionable time of childhood is divine and worthy 
 of our reverence, they were still sacred and dear to them 
 and stirred their most devotional feelings. 
 
 But for Nitetis, who had been spoilt for such things 
 by an intimate acquaintance with the best Greek poets, 
 they could have but little charm. What she had lately 
 been learning in Persia with difficulty had not yet 
 become a part of herself, and so, while Kassandane and 
 Atossa went through all the outward rites as things of 
 course and perfectly natural to them, Nitetis could only 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 287 
 
 prevent herself from forgetting th& prescribed ceremo- 
 nials by a great mental effort, and dreaded lest she 
 should expose her ignorance to the jealous, watclfful 
 gaze of her rivals. 
 
 And then, too, only a few minutes before the 
 sacrifice, she had received her first letter from Egypt. 
 It lay unread on her dressing-table, and came into her 
 mind whenever she attempted to pray. She could not 
 help wondering what news it might bring her. How 
 were her parents ? and how had Tachot borne the 
 parting from herself, and from the prince she loved so 
 well? 
 
 The ceremony over, Nitetis embraced Kassandane 
 and Atossa, and drew a long, deep breath, as if delivered 
 from some threatening danger. Then ordering her 
 litter, she was carried back to her dwelling, and hastened 
 eagerly to the table where her letter lay. Her principal 
 attendant, the young girl who on the journey had 
 dressed her in her first Persian robes, received her with 
 a smile full of meaning and promise, which changed 
 however, into a look of astonishment, on seeing her 
 mistress seize the letter, without even glancing at the 
 articles of dress and jewelery which lay on the table. 
 
 Nitetis broke the seal quickly and was sitting down, 
 in order to begin the difficult work of reading her letter, 
 when the girl came up, and with clasped hands, ex- 
 claimed: “By Mithras, my mistress, I cannot under- 
 stand you. Either you are ill, or that ugly bit of grey 
 stuff must contain some magic which makes you blind 
 to everything else. Put that roll away and look at the 
 splendid presents that the great king (Auramazda grant 
 him victory !) has sent while you were at the sacrifice. 
 Look at this wonderful purple robe with the white 
 
 A n Egyptian Princess. /. 
 
288 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 stripe and the rich silver embroidery; and then the tiara 
 with the royal diamonds ! Do not you know the high 
 meaning of these gifts? Cambyses begs, (the messenger 
 said ‘ begs/ not ‘ commands’) you to wear these splendid 
 ornaments at the banquet to-day. How angry Phaedime 
 will be! and how the others will look, for they have 
 never received such presents. Till now only Kassan- 
 dane has had a right to wear the purple and diamonds; 
 so by sending you these gifts, Cambyses places you on a 
 level with his mother, and chooses you to be his favorite 
 wife before the whole world . 280 O pray allow me to 
 dress you in these new and beautiful things. How 
 lovely you will look! How angry and envious the 
 others will feel! If I could only be there when you 
 enter the hall! Come, my mistress, let me take off 
 your simple dress, and array you, (only as a trial you 
 know,) in the robes that as the new queen you ought to 
 wear.” 
 
 Nitetis listened in silence to the chattering girl, and 
 admired the gifts with a quiet smile. She was woman 
 enough to rejoice at the sight, for he, whom she loved 
 better than life itself, had sent them; and they were a 
 proof that she was more to the king than all his other 
 wives; — that Cambyses really loved her. The long 
 wished-for letter fell unread to the ground, the girl’s 
 wish to dress her was granted without a word, and in a 
 short time the splendid toilette was completed. The 
 royal purple added to her beauty, the high flashing 
 tiara made her slender, perfect figure seem taller than it 
 really was, and when, in the metal mirror which lay on 
 her dressing table, she beheld herself for the first time 
 
 280. Book of Esther I. n. 19. II. 4. 17. V. 1. Heliodorus of 
 Emesa, ALthiopica VII. 19. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 289 
 
 in the glorious likeness of a queen, a new expression 
 dawned on her features. It seemed as if a portion of 
 her lord’s pride were reflected there. The frivolous 
 waiting-woman sank involuntarily on her knees, as her 
 eyes, full of smiling admiration, met the radiant glance 
 of Nitetis, — of the woman who was beloved by the most 
 powerful of men. 
 
 For a few moments Nitetis gazed on the girl, lying 
 in the dust at her feet; but soon shook her beautiful 
 head, and blushing for shame, raised her kindly, kissed 
 her forehead, gave her a gold bracelet, and then, per- 
 ceiving her letter on the ground, told her she wished to 
 be alone. Mandane ran, rather than walked, out of 
 the room in her eagerness to show the splendid present 
 she had just received to the inferior attendants and 
 slaves; and Nitetis, her eyes glistening and her heart 
 beating with excess of happiness, threw herself on to 
 the ivory chair which stood before her dressing-table, 
 uttered a short prayer of thanksgiving to her favorite 
 Egyptian goddess, the beautiful Hathor, kissed the gold 
 chain which Cambyses had given her after plunging 
 into the water for her ball, then her letter from home, 
 and rendered almost over-confident by her great hap- 
 piness, began to unroll it, slowly sinking back into the 
 purple cushions as she did so and murmuring: “How 
 very, very happy I am! Poor letter, I am sure your 
 writer never thought Nitetis would leave you a quarter 
 of an hour on the ground unread.” 
 
 In this happy mood she began to read, but her face 
 soon grew serious and when she had finished, the letter 
 fell once more to the ground. 
 
 Her eyes, whose proud glance had brought the 
 waiting-maid to her feet, were dimmed by tears; her 
 
290 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 head, carried so proudly but a few minutes before, now 
 lay on the jewels which covered the table. Tears rolled 
 down among the pearls and diamonds, as strange a 
 contrast as the proud tiara and its unhappy, fainting 
 wearer. 
 
 The letter read as follows : 
 
 “Ladice the wife of Amasis and Queen of Upper 
 and Lower Egypt, to her daughter Nitetis, consort of 
 the great King of Persia. 
 
 “It has not been our fault, my beloved daughter, 
 that you have remained so long without news from 
 home. The trireme by which we sent our letters for 
 you to JEgzz was detained by Samian ships of war, or 
 rather pirate vessels, and towed into the harbor of 
 Astypalaea . 281 
 
 “ Polykrates’ presumption increases with the con- 
 tinual success of his undertakings, and since his victory 
 over the Lesbians and Milesians , 282 who endeavored to 
 put a stop to his depredations, not a ship is safe from 
 the attacks of his pirate vessels. 
 
 “ Pisistratus is dead , 283 but his sons are friendly to 
 Polykrates. Lygdamis is under obligations to him, and 
 cannot hold his own in Naxos without Samian help. 
 He has won over the Amphiktyonic council to his 
 
 281. JEgse, a seaport town in Mysia. The Astypalaea mentioned 
 here must not be confounded with the island of the same name, on 
 which Dorian colonists built the town Akragas “the most beautiful 
 town ever built by mortals.” Pindar, Pyth. 12. 1. The castle built 
 on the island of Samos by Polykrates, and fortified with round towers, 
 was also called Astypalaea. Its walls were 12 feet thick, and it was 
 garrisoned by the tyrant’s Scythian body-guard. Polyaenus I. 23. E. 
 Curtius, Geschichte von Griechenland , p. 312. 
 
 282. Herod. III. 39. 
 
 283. Pisistratus, who has already been spoken of (Vol. I. Ch. II.) 
 died at a great age, 52 7 B. C. He was succeeded by his eldest son 
 Hippias. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 291 
 
 side by presenting the Apollo of Delos with the neigh- 
 boring island of Rhenea . 284 His fifty-oared vessels, 
 requiring to be manned by twenty-thousand men, do 
 immense damage to all the seafaring nations; yet not 
 one dares to attack him, as the fortifications of his 
 citadel and his splendid harbor are almost impregnable, 
 and he himself always surrounded by a well-drilled 
 body-guard. 
 
 “Through the traders, who followed the fortunate 
 Kolaeus 385 to the far west, and these pirate ships, Samos 
 will become the richest of islands and Polykrates the 
 most powerful of men, unless, as your father says, the 
 gods become envious of such unchanging good fortune 
 and prepare him a sudden and speedy downfall. 
 
 “ In this fear Amasis advised Polykrates as his old 
 friend, to put away from him the thing he held dearest, 
 and in such a manner that he might be sure of never 
 receiving it again. Polykrates adopted this advice and 
 threw into the sea, from the top of the round tower on 
 his citadel, his most valuable signet-ring, an unusually 
 large sardonyx held by two dolphins. This ring was 
 the work of Theodorus, and a lyre, the symbol of the 
 ruler, was exquisitely engraved on the stone .* 86 
 
 284. Rhenea is one of the northern Cyclades. Herod. III. 39. 
 Thucydides I. 13. III. 104. 
 
 285. In the seventh century B. C. a Samian captain named 
 Kolaeus was driven out of his course during a voyage to Egypt, and 
 was the first Greek that passed the Pillars of Hercules (Straits of 
 Gibraltar). Herod. IV. 152. 
 
 286. Both Pliny (37. 2.) and Solinus (38.) speak of the stone in 
 this well-known ring as a sardonyx. In the time of Solinus the temple 
 of Concordia possessed a ring, presented by Augustus, which was 
 said to have belonged to Polykrates. Clemens of Alexandria says 
 that a lyre was engraved on this ring. The Arabs of the present day 
 tell a story very like the one in our text ; their hero, however, loses 
 his ring by accident. See the story of the clever Schuhu in Fr. 
 Dieterici’s Reisebilder aus dem Morgenlande I. p. 161. Schiller took 
 
292 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 “ Six days later, however, the ring was found by 
 Polykrates’ cooks in the body of a fish. He sent us news 
 at once of this strange occurrence, but instead of rejoic- 
 ing your father shook his grey head sadly, saying: ‘he 
 saw now it was impossible for any one to avoid his 
 destiny !’ On the same day he renounced the friendship 
 of Polykrates and wrote him word, that he should 
 endeavor to forget him in order to avoid the grief of 
 seeing his friend in misfortune. 
 
 “ Polykrates laughed at this message and returned 
 the letters his pirates had taken from our trireme, with a 
 derisive greeting. For the future all your letters will be 
 sent by Syria. 
 
 “ You will ask me perhaps, why I have told you this 
 long story, which has so much less interest for you than 
 any other home news. I answer: to prepare you for 
 your father’s state. Would you have recognized the 
 cheerful, happy, careless Amasis in that gloomy answer 
 to his Samian friend ? 
 
 “ Alas, my husband has good reason to be sad, and 
 since you left us, my own eyes have seldom been free 
 from tears. My time is passed either at the sick-bed of 
 your sister or in comforting your father and guiding his 
 steps ; and though much in need of sleep I am now 
 taking advantage of night to write these lines. 
 
 “ Here I was interrupted by the nurses, calling me 
 to your sister Tachot, your own true friend. 
 
 “ How often the dear child has called you in her 
 
 the fable for his beautiful ballad from Herodotus, who gives a letter in 
 full, written, he tells us, by Amasis to Polykrates. Herod. III. 40. 
 We still possess seals made of sardonyx stones, as for. instance, the 
 beautifully-carved one which belonged to the king of Phoenicia, Abi- 
 bal, and which is now at Florence. Gori, Gemmce antiques ex Thesauro 
 Mediceo , p. 56. PI. XXII., de Luynes, Essai sur la numismatique des 
 satrapies de la Phtnicie sous les rois Achcemenides , p. 69. PI, XIII. 1. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 2 9 3 
 
 feverish delirium ; and how carefully she treasures your 
 likeness in wax, 287 that wonderful portrait which bears 
 evidence not only of the height to which Greek art has 
 risen, but of the master hand of the great Theodorus. 
 To-morrow it will be sent to yEgina,* to be copied in 
 gold, as the soft wax becomes injured from frequent 
 contact with your sister’s burning hands and lips. 
 
 “ And now, my daughter, you must summon all your 
 courage to hear what I need all my strength of mind to 
 tell — the sad story of the fate which the gods have 
 decreed for our house. 
 
 “ For three days after you left us Tachot wept inces- 
 santly. Neither our comforting words nor your father’s 
 good advice — neither offerings nor prayers — could avail 
 to lessen her grief or divert her mind. At last on the 
 fourth day she ceased to weep and would answer our 
 questions in a low voice, as if resigned ; but spent the 
 greater part of every day sitting silently at her wheel. 
 Her fingers, however, which used to be so skilful, either 
 broke the threads they tried to spin, or lay for hours 
 idle in her lap, while she was lost in dreams. Your 
 father’s jokes, at which she used to laugh so heartily, 
 made no impression on her, and when 1 endeavored to 
 reason with her she listened in anxious suspense. 
 
 “ If I kissed her forehead and begged her to control 
 herself, she would spring up, blushing deeply, and throw 
 herself into my arms, then sit down again to her wheel 
 
 287. Anakreon, who lived at the time of our tale, wrote a song on 
 a picture of Eros in wax, which he had bought of a boy for one 
 drachma, or nine pence. Anakreon ed. Moebius 10. Plato too uses 
 the word K^ooTrAarf'n??, that is, sculptor in wax, in Timceus p. 74. But 
 usually, fruit seems to have been the principal object imitated in wax. 
 See Bottiger, Kl. Schriften II. p. 98. III. p. 304., and Becker, Char ikies 
 1. p. 99. 
 
 * See note 26. 
 
294 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 and begin to pull at the threads with almost frantic 
 eagerness; but in half an hour her hands would be lying 
 idle in her lap again and her eyes dreamily fixed, either 
 on the ground, or on some spot in the air. If we forced 
 her to take part in any entertainment, she would wander 
 among the guests totally uninterested in everything that 
 was passing. 
 
 “We took her with us on the great pilgrimage to 
 Bubastis, during which the Egyptians forget their usual 
 gravity, and the shores of the Nile look like a great 
 stage where the wild games of the satyrs are being per- 
 formed by choruses, hurried on in the unrestrained 
 wantonness of intoxication . 288 When she saw thus for 
 the first time an entire people given up to the wildest 
 and most unfettered mirth and enjoyment, she woke up 
 from her silent brooding thoughts and began to weep 
 again, as in the first days after you went away. 
 
 “ Sad and perplexed, we brought our poor child back 
 to Sais. 
 
 “ Her looks were not those of a common mortal. 
 
 288. Herodotus (II. 58.) gives a description of this riotous festival. 
 He says that it was usual for 700,000 people to undertake this pilgrim- 
 age to Bubastis on the east of the Pelusinian Nile arm, and when 
 there to drink more wine than during the entire year beside. See also 
 Vol. I. Note 53. Similar festivals were celebrated at Dendera, the 
 goddess of which place, Hathor, was also called “the great one” of 
 Bubastis. This we learn from the inscriptions. See Vol. I. Note 55. 
 The excesses which took place on these occasions, and the entire 
 nature and worship of the goddess Bast are undoubtedly connected 
 with the Phoenician religion, in explanation of which connection we 
 must remind our readers, that the Delta coast of the Mediterranean 
 was colonized by Phoenicians at a very early period. See Ebers Durch 
 Giosen zum Sinai , p. 18, 482 and 483. The fair held in Tanta, a few 
 miles from the site of the ancient Bubastis, is a relic of this festival. 
 We saw boats moving thither filled with screaming, laughing women, 
 witnessed the frantic mirth of the fair, and learned that certain attri- 
 butes of the Egyptian Chem had been transferred to the sacred Sejjid 
 el-Bedawi, whose grave is annually visited by many hundred thousand 
 pilgrims. Farther particulars may be found in Ebers, ALgypten in 
 Bild and Wort. I. p. 88-96. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 2 95 
 
 She grew thinner, and we all fancied, taller ; her com- 
 plexion was white, and almost transparent, with a ten- 
 der bloom on her cheek, which I can only liken to a 
 young rose-leaf or the first faint blush of sunrise. Her 
 eyes are still wonderfully clear and bright. It always 
 seems to me as if they looked beyond the heaven and 
 earth which we see. 
 
 “ As she continued to suffer more and more from heat 
 in the head and hands, while her tender limbs often 
 shivered with a slight chill, we sent to Thebes for 
 Thutmes, the most celebrated physician for inward 
 complaints. 
 
 “ The experienced priest shook his head on seeing 
 your sister and foretold a serious illness. He forbade 
 her to spin or to speak much. Potions of all kinds 
 were given her to drink, her illness was discussed and 
 exorcised , 289 the stars and oracles consulted, rich pres- 
 
 289. The Egyptian physicians seem to have used charms and 
 incantations for the sick. Medical directions for these, of various 
 kinds, have been preserved in the hieratic papyri, among which the 
 one on medicine in Berlin is especially celebrated. It has been 
 edited by Brugsch in his Recueil de Monum. egyptiens PI. 85-107. 
 Chabas ( Melanges egyptol. 1862.) has treated it very ably, and Brugsch 
 also, see Notice raisonnee d' an traite medical d at ant du XIV. siecle avant 
 notre ere. See also H. Brugsch uberdie medizinische Kenntnisz der alten 
 Aegypter nnd Uber ein altdgyptisches medizin. Manuscript des Berl. 
 Museums. Allgemeine Monatsschrift f. Wissenschaft u. Literatur, 1853. 
 This Papyrus describes the condition of a patient characteristically in 
 the following words: “ His body is heavy, the opening of his stomach 
 is burning, his clothes are a burden to him, and though he wear many, 
 yet he is not warm. In the night he feels thirst ; the taste of his heart 
 (stomach) is spoilt, like that of him who has eaten sycamore figs — he 
 has a nest of inflammation within him — when he rises, he is like a man 
 who is prevented from walking by others.” Among the remedies men- 
 tioned is : “An ointment for outward application made of palm-wine, 
 salt and incense.” Spells and the magical element appear too in this 
 manuscript. Isis is to be called upon to destroy the germs of disease, 
 and remarkable means made use of in certain cases. In this place 
 too I must mention the demotic Greek papyri now at Leyden, which 
 have been rendered accessible to the literary world by Dr. Leemans’ 
 valuable work Mofiuments egyptiens du Musee de Leyde. Sect. 2. con- 
 
296 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 ents and sacrifices made to the gods. The priest of 
 Hathor from the island of Philae sent us a consecrated 
 amulet, the priest of Osiris in Abydos a lock of hair 
 from the god himself set in gold, and Neithotep, the 
 high-priest of our own guardian goddess, set on foot a 
 great sacrifice, which was to restore your sister to 
 health. 
 
 “ But neither physicians nor charms were of any 
 avail, and at last Neithotep confessed that Tachot’s 
 stars gave but little ground for hope. Just then, too, the 
 sacred bull at Memphis died and the priests could dis- 
 cover no heart in his entrails, which they interpreted as 
 prognosticating evil to our country. They have not yet 
 succeeded in finding a new Apis, and believe that the 
 
 tains the Recette medicale par Hemerius. See also Sect. 15. I would 
 here call to mind the griechisch-cegyptischen Zaubeipapyrus edited by 
 Parthey. The fumigations mentioned by Plutarch (Is. and Os.) as 
 disinfectants, are very reasonable. A remarkable formula of exorcism 
 has come down to us through a Coptic M.S. in which the writer has 
 transformed the Egyptian divinities into the Archangels Michael, 
 Uriel and Gabriel. Dulaurier, recette deprecatoire. Journal Asiatique 
 IV. T. I. p. 433. Horapollo (I. 23.; speaks of amulets possessing 
 medicinal powers, and Tacitus of oracles, histor. IV. 81. We could 
 fill a larger space with similar quotations. It is strange that such 
 remedies, even up to the present day, continue to be believed in and 
 used, often as they have proved ineffectual. In the winter of 1872-73 
 we had the good fortune to bring home the largest and best of the 
 medical Papyri yet found. See preface to fourth edition. Its publica- 
 tion has just been completed. It contains an inimitable copy of the one 
 hundred and ten pages of the papyrus, an ample introduction, descrip- 
 tion of all the diseases for which remedies are prescribed, and a list, 
 arranged in the form of a lexicon, of all words occurring in the papy- 
 rus. Although this work — which is similar to the book on Egyptian 
 medicines for diseases of the eye mentioned by Clemens of Alexandria 
 — does not lack forms of incantation, most of the diseases have reme- 
 dies prescribed, consisting of drugs belonging to all the kingdoms of 
 Nature, and not unfrequently brought from distant lands, compounded 
 according to exact weights and measures. Phoenician characters are 
 used in this venerable scroll, written in the 16th century B. C. — an 
 extremely noteworthy and interesting fact, because the circumstance 
 proves that even at this early period, the Egyptians, notwithstanding 
 their aversion to foreigners, did not disdain to profit by the intellectual 
 acquirements of their Eastern neighbors. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 2 97 
 
 gods are wroth with your father’s kingdom. Indeed the 
 oracle of Buto has declared that the Immortals will 
 show no favor to Egypt, until all the temples that have 
 been built in the black land* for the worship of false 
 gods are destroyed and their worshippers banished. 
 
 “These evil omens have proved, alas, only too true. 
 Tachot fell ill of a dreadful fever and lay for nine days 
 hovering between life and death ; she is still so weak 
 that she must be carried, and can move neither hand 
 nor foot. 
 
 “During the journey to Bubastis, Amasis’ eyes, as 
 so often happens here , 290 became inflamed. Instead of 
 sparing them, he continued to work as usual from sun- 
 rise until mid-day, and while your sister was so ill he 
 never left her bed, notwithstanding all our entreaties. 
 But I will not enter into particulars, my child. His 
 eyes grew worse, and on the very day which brought 
 us the news of your safe arrival in Babylon, Amasis be- 
 came totally blind. 
 
 “The cheerful, active man has become old, gloomy 
 and decrepit since that day. The death of Apis, and 
 the unfavorable constellations and oracles weigh on 
 his mind; his happy temper is clouded by the unbroken 
 
 290. The Egyptian eye-disease, which unfortunately is not un- 
 known to us moderns, must have raged on the shores of the Nile in 
 very early ages. Egyptian oculists were already very celebrated at 
 the time of our tale. Herodotus says, that Egypt swarmed with phy- 
 sicians, and we find blind people represented on the monuments. 
 Ophthalmia is fearfully frequent among the modern Egyptians. F. 
 Pruner, Krankheiten des Orients. Bruaut , notice sur V opthalmie reg- 
 nant e. In the Memoires sur V Egypte I. p. 95-103. See also Vol. II. 
 Note 50. From the great Papyrus Ebers we have obtained the first 
 accurate information concerning the knowledge possessed by the 
 Egyptian oculists. The number of diseases of the eye known on the 
 Nile in the 16th century B. C. is marvellous. Various remedies for 
 granulation are given. See vol. II. note 49. 
 
 * Egypt was called by its ancient inhabitants Cham, the black, or 
 black-earthed. 
 
 21 
 
298 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 night in which he lives; and the consciousness that he 
 cannot stir a step alone causes indecision and uncer- 
 tainty. The daring and independent ruler will soon 
 become a mere tool, by means of which the priests can 
 work their will. 
 
 “He spends hours in the temple of Neith, praying 
 and offering sacrifices; a number of workmen are em- 
 ployed there in building a tomb for his mummy, and 
 the same number at Memphis in levelling the temple 
 which the Greeks have begun building to Apollo. He 
 speaks of his own and Tachot’s misfortunes as a just 
 punishment from the Immortals. 
 
 “ His visits to Tachot’s sick-bed are not the least 
 comfort to her, for instead of encouraging her kindly, he 
 endeavors to convince her that she too deserves punish- 
 ment from the gods. He spends all his remarkable 
 eloquence in trying to persuade her, that she must for- 
 get this world entirely and only try to gain the favor of 
 Osiris and the judges of the nether world by ceaseless 
 prayers and sacrifices. In this manner he only tortures 
 our poor sick child, for she has not lost her love of life. 
 Perhaps I have still too much of the Greek left in me 
 for a queen of Egypt; but really, death is so long and 
 life so short, that I cannot help calling even wise 
 men foolish, when they devote the half of even this 
 short term to a perpetual meditation on the gloomy 
 Hades. 
 
 “I have just been interrupted again. Our great 
 physician, Thutmes, came to enquire after his patient. 
 He gives very little hope, and seems surprised that her 
 delicate frame has been able to resist death so long. 
 He said yesterday: 4 She would have sunk long ago if 
 not kept up by her determined will, and a longing which 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 299 
 
 gives her no rest. If she ceased to care for life, she 
 could allow death to take her, just as we dream our- 
 selves asleep. If, on the other hand, her wish could be 
 gratified, she might, (though this is hardly probable) 
 live some years yet, but if it remain but a short time 
 longer unfulfilled, it will certainly wear her to death.’ 
 
 “ Have you any idea for whom she longs so eagerly ? 
 Our Tachot has allowed herself to be fascinated by the 
 beautiful Bartja, the brother of your future husband. I 
 do not mean to say by this that he has employed magic, 
 as the priest Ameneman believes, to gain her love; for a 
 youth might be far less handsome and agreeable than 
 Bartja, and yet take the heart of an innocent girl, still 
 half a child. But her passionate feeling is so strong, and 
 the change in her whole being so great, that sometimes 
 I too am tempted to believe in the use of supernatural 
 influence. A short time before you left I noticed that 
 Tachot was fond of Bartja. Her distress at first we 
 thought could only be for you, but when she sank into 
 that dreamy state, Ibykus, who was still at our court, 
 said she must have been seized by some strong passion. 
 
 “Once when she was sitting dreaming at her wheel, 
 I heard him singing softly Sappho’s little love-song to 
 her: 
 
 “ I cannot, my sweet mother, 
 
 Throw shuttle any more ; 
 
 My heart is full of longing, 
 
 My spirit troubled sore, 
 
 All for a love of yesterday 
 A boy not seen before. ”291 
 
 “She turned pale and asked him: ‘Is that your 
 own song?’ 
 
 291. Sappho ed. Neue XXXII. Translation from Edwin Arnold’s 
 Poets of Greece. 
 
3°o 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 “‘No/ said he, ‘ Sappho wrote it fifty years ago/ 
 
 “‘ Fifty years ago,’ echoed Tachot musingly. 
 
 “‘Love is always the same,’ interrupted the poet; 
 ‘women loved centuries ago, and will love thousands of 
 years to come, just as Sappho loved fifty years back.’ 
 
 “The sick girl smiled in assent, and from that time I 
 often heard her humming the little song as she sat at her 
 wheel. But we carefully avoided every question, that could 
 remind her of him she loved. In the delirium of fever, 
 however, Bartja’s name was always on her burning lips. 
 When she recovered consciousness we told her what she 
 had said in her delirium; then she opened her heart to 
 me, and raising her eyes to heaven like a prophetess, 
 exclaimed solemnly : ‘ I know, that I shall not die till I 
 have seen him again.’ 
 
 “A short time ago we had her carried into the 
 temple, as she longed to worship there again. When the 
 service was over and we were crossing the temple-court, 
 we passed some children at play, and Tachot noticed a 
 little girl telling something very eagerly to her com- 
 panions. She told the bearers to put down the litter 
 and call the child to her. 
 
 “‘What were you saying?’ she asked the little one. 
 
 “‘I was telling the others something about my 
 eldest sister.’ 
 
 “‘May I hear it too?’ said Tachot so kindly, that 
 the little girl began at once without fear: “ Batau, who 
 is betrothed to my sister, came back from Thebes quite 
 unexpectedly yesterday evening. Just as the Isis- 
 star 992 was rising, he came suddenly on to our roof where 
 
 292. Among the Egyptians the planet Venus bore the name of 
 the goddess Isis. Pliny II. 6. Arist. De viundo II. 7. Early monu- 
 ments prove that they were acquainted with the identity of the morn- 
 ing and evening star. Lepsius, Chronologic p. 94. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 3 or 
 
 Kerimama was playing at draughts with my father; 
 and he brought her such a beautiful golden bridal 
 wreath.’ 
 
 “Tachot kissed the child and gave her her own costly 
 fan. When we were at home again she smiled archly 
 at me and said: ‘You know, mother dear, that the 
 words children say in the temple-courts are believed to 
 be oracles . 293 So, if the little one spoke the truth, he 
 must come; and did not you hear that he is to bring 
 the bridal-wreath? O mother, I am sure, quite sure, 
 that I shall see him again.’ 
 
 “ I asked her yesterday if she had any message for 
 you, and she begged me to say that she sent you thou- 
 sands of kisses, and messages of love, and that when 
 she was stronger she meant to write, as she had a great 
 deal to tell you. She has just Drought me the little note 
 which I enclose; it is for you alone, and has cost her 
 much fatigue to write. 
 
 “But now I must finish my letter, as the messenger 
 has been waiting for it some time. 
 
 “I wish I could give you some joyful news, but 
 sadness and sorrow meet me whichever way I turn. 
 Your brother yields more and more to the priests’ 
 tyranny, and manages the affairs of state for your poor 
 blind father under Neithotep’s guidance. 
 
 “ Amasis does not interfere, and says it matters little 
 whether his place be filled a few days sooner or later 
 by his successor. 
 
 “He did not attempt to prevent Psamtik from 
 seizing the children of Phanes in Rhodopis’ house, and 
 actually allowed his son to enter into a negotiation 
 with the descendants of those two hundred thousand 
 
 293. Plutarch, I. and O. 14. Pausanias VII. 22. 
 
3° 2 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 soldiers , 294 who emigrated to Ethiopia in the reign of 
 Psamtik I. on account of the preference shown to the 
 Greek mercenaries. In case they declared themselves 
 willing to return to their native land, the Greek merce- 
 naries were to have been dismissed. The negotiation 
 failed entirely, but Psamtik’s treatment of the children 
 of Phanes has given bitter offence to the Greeks. Aris- 
 tomachus threatened to leave Egypt, taking with him 
 ten thousand of his best troops, and on hearing that 
 Phanes’ son had been murdered at Psamtik’s command 
 applied for his discharge. From that time the Spartan 
 disappeared, no one knows whither; but the Greek 
 troops allowed themselves to be bribed by immense 
 sums and are still in Egypt. 
 
 “Amasis said nothing to all this, and looked on 
 silently from the midst of his prayers and sacrifices, 
 while your brother was either offending every class of 
 his subjects or attempting to pacify them by means 
 beneath the dignity of a ruler. The commanders of 
 the Egyptian and Greek troops, and the governors of 
 different provinces have all alike assured me that the 
 present state of things is intolerable. No one knows 
 what to expect from this new ruler; he commands to- 
 day the very thing, which he angrily forbade the day 
 before. Such a government must soon snap the beau- 
 tiful bond, which has hitherto united the Egyptian 
 people to their king. 
 
 “ Farewell, my child, think of your poor friend, 
 your mother; and forgive your parents when you hear 
 
 294. According to Herodotus (II. 29-31.) 240,000 men. According 
 to Diod. (I. 67.) more than 200,000. In the great rock-temple of 
 Rameses II. at Abusimbel in Nubia, Greek and Phoenician inscriptions 
 have been found written by the pursuers of these fugitives. Lepsius, 
 Denkmaler IV. Bl. 98 and 99. Ebers, Aegypten und die Bucher Moses 
 p,. 162. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 3°3 
 
 what they have so long kept secret from you. Pray 
 for Tachot, and remember us to Croesus and the young 
 Persians whom we know. Give a special message too 
 from Tachot to Bartja; I beg him to think of it as the 
 last legacy of one very near death. If you could only 
 send her some proof, that he has not forgotten her! 
 
 “Farewell, once more farewell and be happy in 
 your new and blooming home.” 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 Sad realities follow bright anticipations nearly as 
 surely as a rainy day succeeds a golden sunrise. 
 
 Nitetis had been so happy in the thought of read- 
 ing the very letter, which poured such bitter drops of 
 wormwood into her cup of happiness. 
 
 One beautiful element in her life, the remembrance 
 of her dear home and the companions of her happy 
 childhood, had been destroyed in one moment, as if by 
 the touch of a magician’s wand. 
 
 She sat there in her royal purple, weeping, forgetful 
 of everything but her mother’s grief, her father’s mis- 
 fortunes and her sister’s illness. The joyful future, full 
 of love, joy, and happiness, which had been beckoning 
 her forward only a few minutes before, had vanished. 
 Cambyses’ chosen bride forgot her waiting, longing 
 lover, and the future queen of Persia could think of 
 nothing but the sorrows of Egypt’s royal house. 
 
 It was long past mid-day, when the attendant Man- 
 dane came to put a last touch to Nitetis’ dress and or- 
 naments. 
 
 A n Eygptian Princess . /. 
 
3°4 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 “She is asleep,” thought the girl. “I can let her 
 rest another quarter of an hour; the sacrifice this morn- 
 ing has tired her, and we must have her fresh and beau- 
 tiful for the evening banquet; then she will outshine 
 the others as the moon does the stars.” 
 
 Unnoticed by her mistress she slipped out of the 
 room, the windows of which commanded a splendid 
 view over the hanging-gardens, the immense city 
 beneath, the river, and the rich and fruitful Babylonian 
 plain, and went into the garden. 
 
 Without looking round she ran to a flower-bed, to 
 pluck some roses. Her eyes were fixed on her new 
 bracelet, the stones of which sparkled in the sun, and 
 she did not notice a richly-dressed man peering in at 
 one of the windows of the room where Nitetis lay 
 weeping. On being disturbed in his watching and 
 listening, he turned at once to the girl and greeted her 
 in a high treble voice. 
 
 She started, and on recognizing the eunuch Boges, 
 answered: “It is not polite, sir, to frighten a poor girl 
 in this way. By Mithras, if I had seen you before I 
 heard you, I think I should have fainted. A woman’s 
 voice does not take me by surprise, but to see a man 
 here is as rare as to find a swan in the desert.” 
 
 Boges laughed good-humoredly, though he well un- 
 derstood her saucy allusion to his high voice, and 
 answered, rubbing his fat hands: “Yes, it is very hard 
 for a young and pretty bird like you, to have to live in 
 such a lonely corner, but be patient, sweetheart. Your 
 mistress will soon be queen, and then she will look out 
 a handsome young husband for you. Ah, ha! you will 
 find it pleasanter to live here alone with him, than with 
 your beautiful Egyptian.” 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 305 
 
 “My mistress is too beautiful for some people’s 
 fancy, and I have never asked any one to look out a 
 husband for me,” she answered pertly. “I can find 
 one without your help either.” 
 
 “Who could doubt it? Such a pretty face is as 
 good a bait for a man, as a worm for a fish.” 
 
 “But I am not trying to catch a husband, and least 
 of all one like you.” 
 
 “That I can easily believe,” he answered laughing. 
 “But tell me, my treasure, why are you so hard on 
 me? Have I done anything to vex you? Wasn’t it 
 through me, that you obtained this good appointment, 
 and are not we both Medes?” 
 
 “You might just as well say that we are both 
 human beings, and have five fingers on each hand and 
 a nose in the middle of our faces. Half the people 
 here are Medes, and if I had as many friends as I have 
 countrymen, I might be queen to-morrow. And as to 
 my situation here, it was not you, but the high-priest 
 Oropastes who recommended me to the great queen 
 Kassandane. Your will is not law here,” 
 
 “What are you talking about, my sweet one? don’t 
 you know, that not a single waiting- woman can be en- 
 gaged without my consent?” 
 
 “ Oh, yes, I know that as well as you do, but . . 
 
 “ But you women are an unthankful race, and don’t 
 deserve our kindness.” 
 
 “ Please not to forget, that you are speaking to a girl 
 of good family.” 
 
 “ I know that very well, my little one. I know that 
 your father was a Magian and your mother a Magian’s 
 daughter ; that they both died early and you were placed 
 under the care of the Destur Ixabates, the father of 
 
3°6 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 Oropastes, and grew up with his children. I know too 
 that when you had received the ear-rings, Oropastes’ 
 brother Gaumata , 295 (you need not blush, Gaumata is a 
 pretty name) fell in love with your rosy face, and wanted 
 to marry you, though he was only nineteen. Gaumata 
 and Mandane, how well the two names sound together! 
 Mandane and Gaumata ! If I were a poet I should 
 call my hero Gaumata and his lady-love Mandane.” 
 
 “ I insist on your ceasing to jest in this way,” cried 
 Mandane, blushing deeply and stamping her foot. 
 
 “What, are you angry because I say the names 
 sound well together ? You ought rather to be angry 
 with the proud Oropastes, who sent his younger brother 
 to Rhagae 296 and you to the court, that you might forget 
 one another.” 
 
 “ That is a slander on my benefactor.” 
 
 “ Let my tongue wither away, if I am not speaking 
 the truth and nothing but the truth! Oropastes sepa- 
 rated you and his brother because he had higher 
 intentions for the handsome Gaumata, than a marriage 
 with the orphan daughter of an inferior Magian. He 
 would have been satisfied with Amytis or Menische for 
 a sister-in-law, but a poor girl like you, who owed every- 
 thing to his bounty, would only have stood in the way 
 of his ambitious plans. Between ourselves, he would 
 
 295. Known among the Greeks by the name of Smerdis. But in 
 the cuneiform inscriptions he is called Gumata, or according to Spiegel, 
 Gaumata. Inscription of BehistanYA. Justin I. 9. gives the correct 
 name., though somewhat disfigured, and calls Smerdis, Kometes. For 
 this reason we have taken the name Oropastes also from him, though 
 Herod. III. 61. gives Patizeithes. 
 
 296. Rhagae (Rhagai), in the time of Alexander Europes, — later, 
 under Seleucus Nicator, Arsacia, — and now called Rai, is one of the 
 oldest towns in Persia. Zoroaster is said to have been born here, and 
 the same is told of Haroun-er-raschid. In the Apochrypha Tobit is 
 said to have been cast ashore at Rages. In this town there was a 
 famous school for priests. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 3 ° 7 
 
 like to be appointed regent of Persia while the king is 
 away at the Massagetan war, and would therefore give 
 a great deal to connect himself by marriage in some way 
 or other with the Achaemenidae. At his age a new wife 
 is not to be thought of ; but his brother is young and 
 handsome, indeed people go so far as to say, that he is 
 like the Prince Bartja.” 
 
 “ That is true,” exclaimed the girl. “ Only think, 
 when we went out to meet my mistress, and I saw Bartja 
 for the first time from the window of the station-house, 
 I thought he was Gaumata. They are so like one 
 another that they might be twins, and they are the 
 handsomest men in the kingdom.” 
 
 “ How you are blushing, my pretty rose-bud ! But 
 the likeness between them is not quite so great as all 
 that. When I spoke to the high-priest’s brother this 
 morning ...” 
 
 “ Gaumata is here?” interrupted the girl passion- 
 ately. “ Have you really seen him or are you trying to 
 draw me out and make fun of me ?” 
 
 “ By Mithras ! my sweet one, I kissed his forehead 
 this very morning, and he made me tell him a great 
 deal about his darling. Indeed his blue eyes, his golden 
 curls and his lovely complexion, like the bloom on a 
 peach, were so irresistible that I felt inclined to try and 
 work impossibilities for him. Spare your blushes, my 
 little pomegranate-blossom, till I have told you all; and 
 then perhaps in future you will not be so hard upon 
 poor Boges ; you will see that he has a good heart, 
 full of kindness for his beautiful, saucy little country- 
 woman. ” 
 
 “ I do not trust you,” she answered, interrupting 
 these assurances. “ I have been warned against your 
 
3°8 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 smooth tongue, and I do not know what I have done 
 to deserve this kind interest.” 
 
 “ Do you know this ?” he asked, showing her a 
 white ribbon embroidered all over with little golden 
 flames. 
 
 “ It is the last present I worked for him,” exclaimed 
 Mandane. 
 
 “ I asked him for this token, because I knew you 
 would not trust me. Who ever heard of a prisoner 
 loving his jailer?” 
 
 “ But tell me at once, quickly — what does my old 
 playfellow want me to do ? Look, the — western sky 
 is beginning to glow. Evening is coming on, and I 
 must arrange my mistress’s dress and ornaments for the 
 banquet.” 
 
 “ Well, I will not keep you long,” said the eunuch, 
 becoming so serious that Mandane was frightened. “ If 
 you do not choose to believe that I would run into any 
 risk out of friendship to you, then fancy that I forward 
 your love affair to humble the pride of Oropastes. He 
 threatens to supplant me in the king’s favor, and I am 
 determined, let him plot and intrigue as he likes, that 
 you shall marry Gaumata. To-morrow evening, after 
 the Tistar-star has risen , 297 your lover shall come to see 
 you. I will see that all the guards are away, so that he 
 can come without danger, stay one hour and talk over 
 the future with you ; but remember, only one hour. I 
 see clearly that your mistress will be Cambyses’ favorite 
 
 297. The Tistar-star, (probably Sirius or the dog-star) in the 
 Avesta, Tistrija, and in the Vedas, Tishija, was invoked by the Per- 
 sians as a brilliant, powerful star, which brought the rain so valuable 
 in Persia. It is often mentioned in the Parsee sacred books. Spiegel 
 Avesta I. 1, Excurs. p. 274. Many Jashts treat of this star. Anquetil 
 in his Vie de Zoroaster p. 1. ventures to derive the name Zerethoschtro 
 from “ zere" gold, and " thaschtre" Tistar-star. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 309 
 
 wife, and will then forward your marriage, for she is 
 very fond of you, and thinks no praise too high for your 
 fidelity and skill. So to-morrow evening,” he continued, 
 falling back into the jesting tone peculiar to him, “ when 
 the Tistar-star rises, fortune will begin to shine on you. 
 Why do you look down ? Why don’t you answer ? 
 Gratitude stops your pretty little mouth, eh ? is that the 
 reason ? Well, my little bird, I hope you won’t be quite 
 so silent, if you should ever have a chance of praising 
 poor Boges to your powerful mistress. And what mes- 
 sage shall I bring to the handsome Gaumata ? May I 
 say that you have not forgotten him and will be delighted 
 to see him again? You hesitate? Well, I am very 
 sorry, but it is getting dark and I must go. I have to 
 inspect the women’s dresses for the birthday banquet. 
 Ah ! one thing I forgot to mention. Gaumata must 
 leave Babylon to-morrow. Oropastes is afraid, that he 
 may chance to see you, and told him to return to 
 Rhagae directly the festival was over. What! still 
 silent ? Well then, I really cannot help you or that 
 poor fellow either. But I shall gain my ends quite as 
 well without you, and perhaps after all it is better that 
 you should forget one another. Good-bye.” 
 
 It was a hard struggle for the girl. She felt nearly 
 sure that Boges was deceiving her, and a voice within 
 warned her that it would be better to refuse her lover 
 this meeting. Duty and prudence gained the upper 
 hand, and she was just going to exclaim : “ Tell him I 
 cannot see him,” when her eye caught the ribbon she 
 had once embroidered for her handsome playfellow. 
 Bright pictures from her childhood flashed through 
 her mind, short moments of intoxicating happiness ; 
 love, recklessness and longing gained the day in their 
 
3 l ° 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 turn over her sense of right, her misgivings and her 
 prudence, and before Boges could finish his farewell, 
 she called out, almost in spite of herself and flying to- 
 wards the house like a frightened fawn: “I shall expect 
 him.” 
 
 Boges passed quickly through the flowery paths 
 of the hanging-gardens. He stopped at the parapet 
 and cautiously opened a hidden trap-door, admitting to 
 a secret staircase which wound down through one of the 
 huge pillars supporting the hanging-gardens, and which 
 had probably been intended by their original designer 
 as a means of reaching his wife’s apartments unobserved 
 from the shores of the river. The door moved easily 
 on its hinges, and when Boges had shut it again and 
 strewed a few of the river-shells from the garden walks 
 over it, it would have been difficult to find, even for any 
 one who had come with that purpose. The eunuch 
 rubbed his jeweled hands, smiling the while as was his 
 custom, and murmured: “It can’t fail to succeed now; 
 the girl is caught, her lover is at my beck and call, the 
 old secret flight of steps is in good order, Nitetis has been 
 weeping bitterly on a day of universal rejoicing, and the 
 blue lily opens to-morrow night. Ah, ha! my little 
 plan can’t possibly fail now. And to-morrow, my pretty 
 Egyptian kitten, your little velvet paw will be fast in a 
 trap set by the poor despised eunuch, who was not 
 allowed, forsooth, to give you any orders.” 
 
 His eyes gleamed maliciously as he said these words 
 and hurried from the garden. 
 
 At the great flight of steps he met another eunuch, 
 named Neriglissar, who held the office of head-gardener, 
 and lived at the hanging-gardens. 
 
 “ How is the blue lily going on ? ” asked Boges. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 31I 
 
 “ It is unfolding magnificently ! ” cried the gardener, 
 in enthusiasm at the mere mention of his cherished 
 flower. “ To-morrow, as I promised, when the Tistar- 
 star rises, it will be in all its beauty. My Egyptian 
 mistress will be delighted, for she is very fond of flowers, 
 and may I ask you to tell the king and the Ach^e- 
 menidae, that under my care this rare plant has at last 
 flowered? It is to be seen in full beauty only once in 
 every ten years. Tell the noble Achaemenidae this, and 
 bring them here.” 
 
 “ Your wish shall be granted,” said Boges smiling, 
 “ but I think you must not reckon on the king, as I do 
 not expect he will visit the hanging-gardens before his 
 marriage with the Egyptian. Some of the Achaemenidae, 
 however, will be sure to come; they are such lovers 
 of horticulture that they would not like to miss this rare 
 sight. Perhaps, too, I may succeed in bringing Croesus. 
 It is true that he does not’ understand flowers or doat 
 on them as the Persians do, but he makes amends for 
 this by his thorough appreciation of everything beauti- 
 ful.” 
 
 “ Yes, yes, bring him too,” exclaimed the gardener. 
 “He will really be grateful to you, for my queen of the 
 night is the most beautiful flower, that has ever bloomed 
 in a royal garden. You saw the bud in the clear 
 waters of the reservoir surrounded by its green leaves; 
 that bud will open into a gigantic rose, blue as the sky. 
 My flower . . .” 
 
 The enthusiastic gardener would have said much 
 more in praise of his flower, but Boges left him with 
 a friendly nod, and went down the flight of steps. A 
 two-wheeled wooden carriage was waiting for him 
 there; he took his seat by the driver, the horses, decked 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 .^12 
 
 out with bells and tassels , 298 were urged into a sharp 
 trot and quickly brought him to the gate of the harem- 
 garden. 
 
 That day was a busy, stirring one in Cambyses* 
 harem. In order that the women might look their very 
 best, Boges had commanded that they should all be 
 taken to the bath before the banquet. He therefore 
 went at once to that wing of the palace, which con- 
 tained the baths for the women. 
 
 While he was still at some distance a confused noise 
 of screaming, laughing, chattering and tittering reached 
 his ears. In the broad porch of the large bathing-room, 
 which had been almost overheated, more than three 
 hundred women 299 were moving about in a dense cloud 
 of steam. The half-naked forms floated over the warm 
 pavement like a motley crowd of phantoms. Their 
 thin silken garments were wet through and clung to 
 their delicate figures, and a warm rain descended upon 
 them from the roof of the bath, rising up again in 
 vapor when it reached the floor. 
 
 Groups of handsome women, ten or twenty together, 
 
 298. From pictures in Gosse’s Assyria p. 224. 251. and Layard’s 
 Nineveh and its remains p. 288. Nin. and Babylon, p. 198. 340. 450. 
 
 299. We read in Diodorus XVII. 77. that the king of Persia had 
 as many wives as there are days in the year. At the battle of Issus, 
 Alexander the Great took 329 concubines, of the last Darius, captive. 
 See also Esther I. 9. 18. II. 2. and following verses. Herod. III. 68. 
 69. 84. 88. and in many other passages. But it must be observed that 
 the large numbers above mentioned only refer to the concubines. 
 After the insurrection of the Magi had been put down, it was agreed 
 among the great Persian lords, that the king should only be allowed to 
 choose his lawful wives from among their daughters. Herod. III. 84. 
 This law seems to have been observed almost without a single excep- 
 tion. Later Darius had four lawful wives, amongst whom Atossa 
 always retained the highest place, v. Hammer’s opinion (which is 
 difficult to refute) that the permission to marry four wives, given by 
 Mahomet, was derived from an ancient Oriental custom, is partly 
 grounded on this fact. v. Hammer, Geschichte des osma?iischen Reiches 
 vol. 1. p. 565. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 3*3 
 
 lay gossiping saucily in one part of the room; in another 
 two king’s wives were quarrelling like naughty children. 
 One beauty was screaming at the top of her voice be- 
 cause she had received a blow from her neighbor’s 
 dainty little slipper, while another was lying in lazy 
 contemplation, still as death, on the damp, warm floor. 
 Six Armenians were standing together, singing a saucy 
 love-song in their native language with clear-toned 
 voices, and a little knot of fair-haired Persians were 
 slandering Nitetis so fearfully, that a by-stander 
 would have fancied our beautiful Egyptian was some 
 awful monster, like those nurses used to frighten 
 children. 
 
 Naked female slaves moved about through the 
 crowd, carrying on their heads well-warmed cloths to 
 throw over their mistresses. The cries of the eunuchs, 
 who held the office of door-keepers, and were continually 
 urging the women to greater haste, — the screeching 
 calls of those whose slaves had not yet arrived, — the 
 penetrating perfumes and the warm vapor combined to 
 produce a motley, strange and stupefying scene. 
 
 A quarter of an hour later, however, the king’s 
 wives presented a very different spectacle. 
 
 They lay like roses steeped in dew, not asleep, but 
 quite still and dreaming, on soft cushions placed along 
 the walls of an immense room. The wet perfumes still 
 lay on their undried and flowing hair, and nimble 
 female slaves were busied in carefully wiping away, 
 with little bags made of soft camels’ hair, the slightest 
 outward trace of the moisture which penetrated deep 
 into the pores of the skin. 
 
 Silken coverlets were spread over their weary, 
 beautiful limbs, and a troop of eunuchs took good care 
 
 22 
 
314 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 that the dreamy repose of the entire body should not 
 be disturbed by quarrelsome or petulant individuals. 
 
 Their efforts, however, were seldom so successful as 
 to-day, when every one knew that a disturbance of the 
 peace would be punished by exclusion from the banquet. 
 
 They had probably been lying a full hour in this 
 dreamy silence, when the sound of a gong produced 
 another transformation. 
 
 The reposing figures sprang from their cushions, a 
 troop of female slaves pressed into the hall, the beauties 
 were annointed and perfumed, their luxuriant hair in- 
 geniously braided, plaited, and adorned with precious 
 stones. Costly ornaments and silken and woolen robes 
 in all the colors of the rainbow were brought in, — shoes 
 stiff with rich embroidery of pearls and jewels were tied 
 on to their tender feet, and golden girdles fastened 
 round their waists . 300 
 
 By the time Boges came in, the greater number of 
 the women were already fully adorned in their costly 
 jewelry, which would have represented probably, when 
 taken together, the riches of a large kingdom. 
 
 He was greeted by a shrill cry of joy from many 
 voices. Twenty of the women joined hands and 
 danced round their smiling keeper, singing a simple 
 song which had been composed in the harem in praise 
 of his virtues. On this day it was customary for the 
 king to grant each of his wives one reasonable petition. 
 So when the ring of dancers had loosed hands, a troop 
 of petitioners rushed in upon Boges, kissing his hands, 
 stroking his cheeks, whispering in his ear all kinds of 
 
 300. Some kings gave their wives the revenues of entire cities as 
 “girdle-money" (pin-money). Xenoph. Anab. I. 4. Cicero, Verr. 
 III. 83. Expensive shoes. Judith XVI. 9. See Herodotus III. 130. 
 on the well-filled jewel caskets of the Persian women. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 315 
 
 requests, and trying by flattery to gain his intercession 
 with the king. The woman’s tyrant smiled at it all, 
 stopped his ears and pushed them all back with jests 
 and laughter, promising Amytis the Median that Esther 
 the Phoenician should be punished, and Esther the same 
 of Amytis, — that Parmys should have a handsomer set 
 of jewels than Parisatys , 301 and Parisatys a more costly 
 one than Parmys, but finding it impossible to get rid of 
 these importunate petitioners, he blew a little golden 
 whistle. Its shrill tones acted like magic on the eager 
 crowd; the raised hands fell in a moment, the little 
 tripping feet stood still, the opening lips closed and the 
 eager tumult was turned into a dead silence. 
 
 Whoever disobeyed the sound of this little whistle, 
 was certain of punishment. It was as important as the 
 words “ Silence, in the king’s name!” or the reading of 
 the riot-act. To-day it worked even more effectually 
 than usual. Boges’ self-satisfied' smile showed that he 
 had noticed this; he then favored the assembly with a 
 look expressive of his contentment with their conduct, 
 promised in a flowery speech to exert all his influence 
 with the king in behalf of his dear little white doves, 
 and wound up by telling them to arrange themselves in 
 two long rows. 
 
 The women obeyed and submitted to his scrutiny 
 like soldiers on drill, or slaves being examined by their 
 buyer. 
 
 With the dress and ornaments of most he was 
 satisfied, ordering, however, to one a little more rouge, — - 
 to another a little white powder to subdue a too healthy 
 color, — here a different arrangement of the hair — there 
 
 301. This name signifies “of the race of the Peris.” According 
 to Rogge it is really Pairikazana , Pairikagaona or Pairikandfa. 
 
3 l6 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 a deeper tinge to the eyebrows, or more pains to be 
 taken in anointing the lips. 
 
 When this was over he left the hall and went to 
 Phaedime, who as one of the king’s lawful wives, had a 
 private room, separated from those allotted to the con- 
 cubines. 
 
 This former favorite, — this humbled daughter of the 
 Achaemenidae, — had been expecting him already some 
 time. 
 
 She was magnificently dressed, and almost over- 
 loaded with jewels. A thick veil of gauze inwrought 
 with gold hung from her little tiara, and interlaced with 
 this was the blue and white band of the Achaemenidae. 
 There could be no question that she was beautiful, but 
 her figure was already too strongly developed, a frequent 
 result of the lazy harem life among Eastern women. 
 Fair golden hair, interwoven with little silver chains and 
 gold pieces, welled out almost too abundantly from 
 beneath her tiara, and was smoothed over her white 
 temples. 
 
 She sprang forward to meet Boges, trembling with 
 eagerness, caught a hasty glance at herself in the look- 
 ing-glass, and then, fixing her eyes on the eunuch, asked 
 impetuously: “ Are you pleased with me? Will he 
 admire me ?” 
 
 Boges smiled his old, eternal smile and answered : 
 “You always please me , my golden peacock, and the 
 king would admire you too if he could see you as you 
 were a moment ago. You were really beautiful when 
 you called out, ‘Will he admire me?’ for passion had 
 turned your blue eyes black as night, and your lip was 
 curled with hatred so as to show two rows of teeth 
 white as the snow on the Demawend !” 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 317 
 
 Phoedime was flattered and forced her face once 
 more into the admired expression, saying: “ Then take 
 us at once to the banquet, for I know my eyes will be 
 darker and more brilliant, and my teeth will gleam more 
 brightly, when I see that Egyptian girl sitting where I 
 ought to sit.” 
 
 “ She will not be allowed to sit there long.” 
 
 “ What ! is your plan likely to succeed then ? Oh, 
 Boges, do not hide it any longer from me — I will be as 
 silent as the grave — I will help you — I will — ” 
 
 “ No, I cannot, I dare not tell you about it, but this 
 much I will say in order to sweeten this bitter evening: 
 we have dug the pit for our enemy, and if my golden 
 Phaedime will only do what I tell her, I hope to give 
 her back her old place, and not only that, but even a 
 higher one.” 
 
 “ Tell me what I am to do ; I am ready for anything 
 and everything.” 
 
 “ That was well and bravely spoken ; like a true 
 lioness. If you obey me we must succeed; and the 
 harder the task, the higher the reward. Don't dispute 
 what I am going to say, for we have not a minute to 
 lose. Take off all your useless ornaments and only wear 
 the chain the king gave you on your marriage. Put 
 on a dark simple dress instead of this bright one; and 
 when you have prostrated yourself before Kassandane, 
 bow down humbly before the Egyptian Princess too.” 
 
 “ Impossible !” 
 
 “ I will not be contradicted. Take off those orna- 
 ments at once, I entreat you. There, that is right. 
 We cannot succeed unless you obey me. How white 
 your neck is! The fairest Peri would look dark by 
 your side.” 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 318 
 
 “ But ” 
 
 “ When your turn comes to ask a favor of the king, 
 tell him you have no wishes, now that the sun of your 
 life has withdrawn his light. ” 
 
 “ Yes, that I will do.” 
 
 “ When your father asks after your welfare, you must 
 weep.” 
 
 “ I will do that too.” 
 
 “ And so that all the Achaemenidae can see that you 
 are weeping.” 
 
 “ That will be a fearful humiliation !” 
 
 “Not at all; only a means by which to rise the 
 more surely. Wash the red color from your cheeks 
 and put on white powder. Make yourself pale — paler 
 still.” 
 
 “Yes, I shall need that to hide my blushes. Boges, 
 you are asking something fearful of me, but I will obey 
 you if you will only give me a reason.” 
 
 “ Girl, bring your mistress’s new dark green robe.” 
 “I shall look like a slave.” 
 
 “True grace is lovely even in rags.” 
 
 “The Egyptian will completely eclipse me.” 
 
 “Yes, every one must see that you have not the 
 slightest intention of comparing yourself with her. Then 
 people will say: ‘ Would not Phaedime be as beautiful 
 as this proud woman, if she had taken the same pains to 
 make herself so?’” 
 
 “ But I cannot bow down to her.” 
 
 “You must.” 
 
 “You only want to humble and ruin me.” 
 “Short-sighted fool! listen to my reasons and obey. 
 I want especially to excite the Achaemenidae against our 
 enemy. How it will enrage your grandfather Intaphernes, 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 3 T 9 
 
 and your father Otanes to see you in the dust before 
 a stranger! Their wounded pride will bring them over 
 to our side, and if they are too ‘noble/ as they call it, to 
 undertake anything themselves against a woman, still 
 they will be more likely to help than to hinder us, if I 
 should need their assistance. Then, when the Egyptian 
 is ruined, if you have done as I wish, the king will 
 remember your sad pale face, your humility and forget- 
 fulness of self. The Achaemenidae, and even the Magi, 
 will beg him to take a queen from his own family; and 
 where in all Persia is there a woman who can boast 
 of better birth than you? Who else can wear the royal 
 purple but my bright bird of Paradise, my beautiful rose 
 Phaedime? With such a prize in prospect we must no 
 more fear a little humiliation than a man who is learning 
 to ride fears a fall from his horse.” 
 
 And she, princess as she was, answered: “I will 
 obey you.” 
 
 “Then we are certain of victory,” said the eunuch. 
 “There, now your eyes are flashing darkly again as 
 I like to see them, my queen. And so Cambyses shall 
 see you when the tender flesh of the Egyptian shall have 
 become food for dogs and the birds of the air, and when, 
 for the first time after long months of absence, I bring 
 him once more to the door of your apartments. Here, 
 Armorges! tell the rest of the women to get ready and 
 enter their litters. I will go on and be there to show 
 them their places.” 
 
 The great banqueting-hall was bright as day — even 
 brighter, — from the light of thousands of candles whose 
 rays were reflected in the gold plates forming the panel- 
 
 A n Egyptian Princess . I. 
 
3 2 ° 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 ling of the walls. A table of interminable length stood 
 in the middle of the hall, overloaded with gold and silver 
 cups, plates, dishes, bowls, jugs, goblets, ornaments and 
 incense-altars, and looked like a splendid scene from 
 fairy-land. 
 
 “The king will soon be here,” called out the head- 
 steward of the table, of the great court-lords, to the 
 king’s cup-bearer, who was a member of the royal family. 
 “Are all the wine-jugs full, has the wine been tasted, are 
 the goblets ranged in order, and the skins sent by Poly- 
 krates, have they been emptied?” 
 
 “ Yes,” answered the cup-bearer, “ everything is 
 ready, and that Chian wine is better than any I ever 
 tasted ; indeed, in my opinion, even the Syrian 302 is not 
 to be compared to it. Only taste it.” 
 
 So saying he took a graceful little golden goblet 
 from the table in one hand, raised a wine-pitcher of the 
 same costly metal with the other, swung the latter high 
 into the air and poured the wine so cleverly into the 
 narrow neck of the little vessel that not a drop was lost, 
 though the liquid formed a wide curve in its descent. 
 He then presented the goblet to the head-steward with 
 the tips of his fingers, bowing gracefully as he did so . 3 ° 3 
 The latter sipped the delicious wine, testing its flavor 
 with great deliberation, and said, on returning the cup: 
 “ I agree with you, it is indeed a noble wine, and tastes 
 twice as well when presented with such inimitable grace. 
 Strangers are quite right in saying that there are no cup- 
 bearers like the Persian.” 
 
 302. The Chian wine was the most esteemed by the Greeks. The 
 wine of Byblus (Gebal) in Syria was celebrated on account of its 
 exquisite flavor. 
 
 303. Xenoph. Cyrop. I. 3. 8. praises the Persian cup-bearers 
 highly for their dexterity and grace. 
 
AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 3 21 
 
 “ Thanks for this praise,” replied the other, kissing 
 his friend’s forehead. “ Yes, I am proud of my office, 
 and it is one which the king only gives to his friends. 
 Still it is a great plague to have to stay so long in this 
 hot, suffocating Babylon. Shall we ever be off for the 
 summer, to Ecbatana or Pasargadse ? ” 
 
 “ I was talking to the king about it to-day. He had 
 intended not to leave before the Massagetan war, and 
 to go straight from Babylon into the field, but to-day’s 
 embassy has changed matters; it is probable that there 
 may be no war, and then we shall go to Susa three days 
 after the king’s marriage — that is, in one week from the 
 present time.” 
 
 “To Susa?” cried the cup-bearer. “It’s very little 
 cooler there than here, and besides, the old Memnon’s 
 castle is being rebuilt .” 304 
 
 “ The satrap of Susa has just brought word that the 
 new palace is finished, and that nothing so brilliant has 
 ever been seen. Directly Cambyses heard, it he said : 
 ‘ Then we will start for Susa three days after our mar- 
 riage. I should like to show the Egyptian Princess 
 that we understand the art of building as well as her 
 own ancestors. She is accustomed to hot weather on 
 the Nile, and will not find our beautiful Susa too warm.’ 
 The king seems wonderfully fond of this woman.” 
 
 “ He does indeed ! All other women have become 
 perfectly indifferent to him, and he means soon to make 
 her his queen.” 
 
 304. The citadel of Susa was called by the ancients, and also by 
 Ktesias, who lived a long time at the Persian court as physician, the 
 castle of Memnon. Ktesias, in Diodor. II. 22. Herod. VII. 151. V. 53. 
 54. yEschylus in Strabo p. 718. In Fr. Jacobs’ vermischten Schriften 
 the best remarks on Memnon, as a mythical character, are to be found. 
 
3 22 
 
 AN EGYPTIAN PRINCESS. 
 
 “That is unjust; Phaedime, as daughter of the 
 Achaemenidae, has an older and better right.” 
 
 “No doubt, but whatever the king wishes, must be 
 right.” 
 
 “ The ruler’s will is the will of God.” 
 
 “ Well said ! A true Persian will kiss his king’s hand, 
 even when dripping with the blood of his own child.” 
 
 “ Cambyses ordered my brother’s execution, but I 
 bear him no more ill-will for it than I should the gods 
 for depriving me of my parents. Here, you fellows ! 
 draw the curtains back ; the guests are coming. Look 
 sharp, you dogs, and do your duty ! Farewell, Arta- 
 bazos, we shall have warm work to-night.” 
 
 END OF VOLUME I. 
 
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