ThepoorgirldelightedlysatdownbesideGlaucus。Shedrewfromhergirdleaballofthemany—coloredthreads，orratherslenderribands，usedintheweavingofgarlands，andwhich（foritwasherprofessionaloccupation）shecarriedconstantlywithher，andbeganquicklyandgracefullytocommencehertask。Uponheryoungcheeksthetearswerealreadydried，afaintbuthappysmileplayedroundherlips——childlike，indeed，shewassensibleonlyofthejoyofthepresenthour：shewasreconciledtoGlaucus：hehadforgivenher——shewasbesidehim——heplayedcaressinglywithhersilkenhair——hisbreathfannedhercheek——Ione，thecruelIone，wasnotby——noneotherdemanded，divided，hiscare。Yes，shewashappyandforgetful；itwasoneofthefewmomentsinherbriefandtroubledlifethatitwassweettotreasure，torecall。Asthebutterfly，alluredbythewintersun，basksforalittleinthesuddenlight，ereyetthewindawakesandthefrostcomeson，whichshallblastitbeforetheeve——sherestedbeneathabeam，which，bycontrastwiththewontedskies，wasnotchilling；andtheinstinctwhichshouldhavewarnedherofitsbriefness，badeheronlygladdeninitssmile。
’Thouhastbeautifullocks，’saidGlaucus。’Theywereonce，Iweenwell，amother’sdelight。’
Nydiasighed；itwouldseemthatshehadnotbeenbornaslave；butsheevershunnedthementionofherparentage，and，whetherobscureornoble，certainitisthatherbirthwasneverknownbyherbenefactors，norbyanyoneinthosedistantshores，eventothelast。Thechildofsorrowandofmystery，shecameandwentassomebirdthatentersourchamberforamoment；weseeitflutterforawhilebeforeus，weknownotwhenceitflewortowhatregionitescapes。
Nydiasighed，andafterashortpause，withoutansweringtheremark，said：
’ButdoIweavetoomanyrosesinmywreath，Glaucus？Theytellmeitisthyfavoriteflower。’
’Andeverfavored，myNydia，beitbythosewhohavethesoulofpoetry：itisthefloweroflove，offestival；itisalsotheflowerwededicatetosilenceandtodeath；itbloomsonourbrowsinlife，whilelifebeworththehaving；itisscatteredaboveoursepulchrewhenwearenomore。’
’Ah！would，’saidNydia，’insteadofthisperishablewreath，thatIcouldtakethywebfromthehandoftheFates，andinserttherosesthere！’
’Prettyone！thywishisworthyofavoicesoattunedtosong；itisutteredinthespiritofsong；and，whatevermydoom，Ithankthee。’
’Whateverthydoom！isitnotalreadydestinedtoallthingsbrightandfair？Mywishwasvain。TheFateswillbeastendertotheeasIshould。’
’Itmightnotbeso，Nydia，wereitnotforlove！Whileyouthlasts，Imayforgetmycountryforawhile。ButwhatAthenian，inhisgravermanhood，canthinkofAthensasshewas，andbecontentedthatheishappy，whilesheisfallen？——fallen，andforever？’
’Andwhyforever？’
’Asashescannotberekindled——asloveoncedeadcanneverrevive，sofreedomdepartedfromapeopleisneverregained。Buttalkwenotofthesemattersunsuitedtothee。’
’Tome，oh！thouerrest。I，too，havemysighsforGreece；mycradlewasrockedatthefootofOlympus；thegodshaveleftthemountain，buttheirtracesmaybeseen——seenintheheartsoftheirworshippers，seeninthebeautyoftheirclime：theytellmeitisbeautiful，andIhavefeltitsairs，towhicheventheseareharsh——itssun，towhichtheseskiesarechill。Oh！talktomeofGreece！PoorfoolthatIam，Icancomprehendthee！andmethinks，hadIyetlingeredonthoseshores，hadIbeenaGrecianmaidwhosehappyfateitwastoloveandtobeloved，ImyselfcouldhavearmedmyloverforanotherMarathon，anewPlataea。Yes，thehandthatnowweavestherosesshouldhavewoventheetheolivecrown！’
’Ifsuchadaycouldcome！’saidGlaucus，catchingtheenthusiasmoftheblindThessalian，andhalfrising。——’Butno！thesunhasset，andthenightonlybidsusbeforgetful——andinforgetfulnessbegay——weavestilltheroses！’
ButitwaswithamelancholytoneofforcedgaietythattheAthenianutteredthelastwords：andsinkingintoagloomyreverie，hewasonlywakenedfromit，afewminutesafterwards，bythevoiceofNydia，asshesanginalowtonethefollowingwords，whichhehadoncetaughther：—
THEAPOLOGYFORPLEASURE
I
WhowillassumethebaysThattheherowore？
WreathsontheTombofDaysGoneevermore！
Whoshalldisturbthebrave，Oroneleafontheirholygrave？
Thelaurelisvowedtothem，Leavethebayonitssacredstem！
Butthis，therose，thefadingrose，Alikeforslaveandfreemangrows。
II
IfMemorysitbesidethedeadWithtombsheronlytreasure；
IfHopeislostandFreedomfled，ThemoreexcuseforPleasure。
Come，weavethewreath，therosesweave，Theroseatleastisours：
Tofeebleheartsourfathersleave，Inpityingscorn，theflowers！
III
Onthesummit，wornandhoary，OfPhyle’ssolemnhill，Thetrampofthebraveisstill！
AndstillinthesaddeningMart，Thepulseofthatmightyheart，Whoseverybloodwasglory！
Glaucopisforsakesherown，Theangrygodsforgetus；
Butyet，thebluestreamsalong，WalkthefeetofthesilverSong；
Andthenight—birdwakesthemoon；
AndthebeesintheblushingnoonHaunttheheartoftheoldHymettus。
Wearefallen，butnotforlorn，Ifsomethingislefttocherish；
AsLovewastheearliestborn，SoLoveisthelasttoperish。
IV
Wreathethentheroses，wreatheTheBEAUTIFULstillisours，Whilethestreamshallflowandtheskyshallglow，TheBEAUTIFULstillisours！
Whateverisfair，orsoft，orbright，Inthelapofdayorthearmsofnight，WhispersoursoulofGreece——ofGreece，Andhushesourcarewithavoiceofpeace。
Wreathethentheroses，wreathe！
Theytellmeofearlierhours；
AndIheartheheartofmyCountrybreatheFromthelipsoftheStranger’sflowers。
ChapterV
NYDIAENCOUNTERSJULIA。INTERVIEWOFTHEHEATHENSISTERANDCONVERTED
BROTHER。ANATHENIAN’SNOTIONOFCHRISTIANITY。
’WHAThappinesstoIone！whatblisstobeeverbythesideofGlaucus，tohearhisvoice！——Andshetoocanseehim！’
Suchwasthesoliloquyoftheblindgirl，asshewalkedaloneandattwilighttothehouseofhernewmistress，whitherGlaucushadalreadyprecededher。Suddenlyshewasinterruptedinherfondthoughtsbyafemalevoice。
’Blindflower—girl，whithergoestthou？Thereisnopannierunderthinearm；hastthousoldallthyflowers？’
ThepersonthusaccostingNydiawasaladyofahandsomebutaboldandunmaidenlycountenance：itwasJulia，thedaughterofDiomed。Herveilwashalfraisedasshespoke；shewasaccompaniedbyDiomedhimself，andbyaslavecarryingalanternbeforethem——themerchantandhisdaughterwerereturninghomefromasupperatoneoftheirneighbors’。
’Dostthounotremembermyvoice？’continuedJulia。’IamthedaughterofDiomedthewealthy。’
’Ah！forgiveme；yes，Irecallthetonesofyourvoice。No，nobleJulia，I
havenoflowerstosell。’
’IheardthatthouwertpurchasedbythebeautifulGreekGlaucus；isthattrue，prettyslave？’askedJulia。
’IservetheNeapolitan，Ione，’repliedNydia，evasively。
’Ah！anditistrue，then……’
’Come，come！’interruptedDiomed，withhiscloakuptohismouth，’thenightgrowscold；Icannotstayherewhileyoupratetothatblindgirl：come，letherfollowyouhome，ifyouwishtospeaktoher。’
’Do，child，’saidJulia，withtheairofonenotaccustomedtoberefused；
’Ihavemuchtoaskofthee：come。’
’Icannotthisnight，itgrowslate，’answeredNydia。’Imustbeathome；I
amnotfree，nobleJulia。’
’What，themeekIonewillchidethee？——Ay，IdoubtnotsheisasecondThalestris。Butcome，then，to—morrow：do——rememberIhavebeenthyfriendofold。’
’Iwillobeythywishes，’answeredNydia；andDiomedagainimpatientlysummonedhisdaughter：shewasobligedtoproceed，withthemainquestionshehaddesiredtoputtoNydiaunasked。
MeanwhilewereturntoIone。TheintervaloftimethathadelapsedthatdaybetweenthefirstandsecondvisitofGlaucushadnotbeentoogailyspent：
shehadreceivedavisitfromherbrother。SincethenighthehadassistedinsavingherfromtheEgyptian，shehadnotbeforeseenhim。
Occupiedwithhisownthoughts——thoughtsofsoseriousandintenseanature——theyoungpriesthadthoughtlittleofhissister；intruth，men，perhapsofthatferventorderofmindwhichiseveraspiringaboveearth，arebutlittlepronetotheearthlieraffections；andithadbeenlongsinceApaecideshadsoughtthosesoftandfriendlyinterchangesofthought，thosesweetconfidences，whichinhisearlieryouthhadboundhimtoIone，andwhicharesonaturaltothatendearingconnectionwhichexistedbetweenthem。
Ione，however，hadnotceasedtoregrethisestrangement：sheattributedit，atpresent，totheengrossingdutiesofhisseverefraternity。Andoften，amidstallherbrighthopes，andhernewattachmenttoherbetrothed——often，whenshethoughtofherbrother’sbrowprematurelyfurrowed，hisunsmilinglip，andbendedframe，shesighedtothinkthattheserviceofthegodscouldthrowsodeepashadowoverthatearthwhichthegodscreated。
Butthisdaywhenhevisitedhertherewasastrangecalmnessonhisfeatures，amorequietandself—possessedexpressioninhissunkeneyes，thanshehadmarkedforyears。Thisapparentimprovementwasbutmomentary——itwasafalsecalm，whichtheleastbreezecouldruffle。
’Maythegodsblessthee，mybrother！’saidshe，embracinghim。
’Thegods！Speaknotthusvaguely；perchancethereisbutoneGod！’
’Mybrother！’
’WhatifthesublimefaithoftheNazarenebetrue？WhatifGodbeamonarch——One——Invisible——Alone？Whatifthesenumerous，countlessdeities，whosealtarsfilltheearth，bebutevildemons，seekingtoweanusfromthetruecreed？Thismaybethecase，Ione！’
’Alas！canwebelieveit？orifwebelieved，woulditnotbeamelancholyfaithansweredtheNeapolitan。’What！allthisbeautifulworldmadeonlyhuman！——mountaindisenchantedofitsOread——thewatersoftheirNymph——thatbeautifulprodigalityoffaith，whichmakeseverythingdivine，consecratingthemeanestflowers，bearingcelestialwhispersinthefaintestbreeze——wouldstthoudenythis，andmaketheearthmeredustandclay？No，Apaecides：allthatisbrightestinourheartsisthatverycredulitywhichpeoplestheuniversewithgods。’
Ioneansweredasabelieverinthepoesyoftheoldmythologywouldanswer。
WemayjudgebythatreplyhowobstinateandhardthecontestwhichChristianityhadtoendureamongtheheathens。TheGracefulSuperstitionwasneversilent；every，themosthousehold，actionoftheirliveswasentwinedwithit——itwasaportionoflifeitself，astheflowersareapartofthethyrsus。Ateveryincidenttheyrecurredtoagod，everycupofwinewasprefacedbyalibation；theverygarlandsontheirthresholdswerededicatedtosomedivinity；theirancestorsthemselves，madeholy，presidedasLaresovertheirhearthandhall。Soabundantwasbeliefwiththem，thatintheirownclimes，atthishour，idolatryhasneverthoroughlybeenoutrooted：itchangesbutitsobjectsofworship；itappealstoinnumerablesaintswhereonceitresortedtodivinities；anditpoursitscrowds，inlisteningreverence，tooraclesattheshrinesofSt。JanuariusorSt。
Stephen，insteadoftothoseofIsisorApollo。
ButthesesuperstitionswerenottotheearlyChristianstheobjectofcontemptsomuchasofhorror。Theydidnotbelieve，withthequietscepticismoftheheathenphilosopher，thatthegodswereinventionsofthepriests；noreven，withthevulgar，that，accordingtothedimlightofhistory，theyhadbeenmortalslikethemselves。Theyimaginedtheheathendivinitiestobeevilspirits——theytransplantedtoItalyandtoGreecethegloomydemonsofIndiaandtheEast；andinJupiterorinMarstheyshudderedattherepresentativeofMolochorofSatan。
ApaecideshadnotyetadoptedformallytheChristianfaith，buthewasalreadyonthebrinkofit。HealreadyparticipatedthedoctrinesofOlinthus——healreadyimaginedthatthelivelyimaginationsoftheheathenwerethesuggestionsofthearch—enemyofmankind。TheinnocentandnaturalanswerofIonemadehimshudder。Hehastenedtoreplyvehemently，andyetsoconfusedly，thatIonefearedforhisreasonmorethanshedreadedhisviolence。
’Ah，mybrother！’saidshe，’theseharddutiesofthinehaveshatteredthyverysense。Cometome，Apaecides，mybrother，myownbrother；givemethyhand，letmewipethedewfromthybrow——chidemenotnow，Iunderstandtheenot；thinkonlythatIonecouldnotoffendthee！’
’Ione，’saidApaecides，drawinghertowardshim，andregardinghertenderly，’canIthinkthatthisbeautifulform，thiskindheart，maybedestinedtoaneternityoftorment？’
’Diimeliora！thegodsforbid！’saidIone，inthecustomaryformofwordsbywhichhercontemporariesthoughtanomenmightbeaverted。
Thewords，andstillmorethesuperstitiontheyimplied，woundedtheearofApaecides。Herose，mutteringtohimself，turnedfromthechamber，then，stopping，halfway，gazedwistfullyonIone，andextendedhisarms。
Ioneflewtotheminjoy；hekissedherearnestly，andthenhesaid：
’Farewell，mysister！whenwenextmeet，thoumaystbetomeasnothing；
takethou，then，thisembrace——fullyetofallthetenderreminiscencesofchildhood，whenfaithandhope，creeds，customs，interests，objects，werethesametous。Now，thetieistobebroken！’
Withthesestrangewordsheleftthehouse。
ThegreatandseveresttrialoftheprimitiveChristianswasindeedthis；
theirconversionseparatedthemfromtheirdearestbonds。Theycouldnotassociatewithbeingswhosecommonestactions，whosecommonestformsofspeech，wereimpregnatedwithidolatry。Theyshudderedattheblessingoflove，totheirearsitwasutteredinademon’sname。This，theirmisfortune，wastheirstrength；ifitdividedthemfromtherestoftheworld，itwastounitethemproportionallytoeachother。TheyweremenofironwhowroughtforththeWordofGod，andverilythebondsthatboundthemwereofironalso！
GlaucusfoundIoneintears；hehadalreadyassumedthesweetprivilegetoconsole。Hedrewfromherarecitalofherinterviewwithherbrother；butinherconfusedaccountoflanguage，itselfsoconfusedtoonenotpreparedforit，hewasequallyatalosswithIonetoconceivetheintentionsorthemeaningofApaecides。
’Hastthoueverheardmuch，’askedshe，’ofthisnewsectoftheNazarenes，ofwhichmybrotherspoke？’
’Ihaveoftenheardenoughofthevotaries，’returnedGlaucus，’butoftheirexacttenetsknowInaught，savethatintheirdoctrinethereseemethsomethingpreternaturallychillingandmorose。Theyliveapartfromtheirkind；theyaffecttobeshockedevenatoursimpleusesofgarlands；theyhavenosympathieswiththecheerfulamusementsoflife；theyutterawfulthreatsofthecomingdestructionoftheworld；theyappear，inoneword，tohavebroughttheirunsmilingandgloomycreedoutofthecaveofTrophonius。
Yet，’continuedGlaucus，afteraslightpause，’theyhavenotwantedmenofgreatpowerandgenius，norconverts，evenamongtheAreopagitesofAthens。
WelldoIremembertohaveheardmyfatherspeakofonestrangeguestatAthens，manyyearsago；methinkshisnamewasPAUL。MyfatherwasamongstamightycrowdthatgatheredononeofourimmemorialhillstohearthissageoftheEastexpound：throughthewidethrongthererangnotasinglemurmur！——thejestandtheroar，withwhichournativeoratorsarereceived，werehushedforhim——andwhenontheloftiestsummitofthathill，raisedabovethebreathlesscrowdbelow，stoodthismysteriousvisitor，hismienandhiscountenanceawedeveryheart，evenbeforeasoundlefthislips。Hewasaman，Ihaveheardmyfathersay，ofnotallstature，butofnobleandimpressivemien；hisrobesweredarkandample；thedecliningsun，foritwasevening，shoneaslantuponhisformasitrosealoft，motionless，andcommanding；hiscountenancewasmuchwornandmarked，asofonewhohadbravedalikemisfortuneandthesternestvicissitudeofmanyclimes；buthiseyeswerebrightwithanalmostunearthlyfire；andwhenheraisedhisarmtospeak，itwaswiththemajestyofamanintowhomtheSpiritofaGodhathrushed！
’"MenofAthens！"heisreportedtohavesaid，"Ifindamongstyeanaltarwiththisinscription：
TOTHEUNKNOWNGOD。
YeworshipinignorancethesameDeityIserve。
Toyouunknowntillnow，toyoubeitnowrevealed。"
’ThendeclaredthatsolemnmanhowthisgreatMakerofallthings，whohadappointeduntomanhisseveraltribesandhisvarioushomes——theLordofearthandtheuniversalheaven，dweltnotintemplesmadewithhands；thatHispresence，Hisspirit，wereintheairwebreathed——ourlifeandourbeingwerewithHim。"Thinkyou，"hecried，"thattheInvisibleislikeyourstatuesofgoldandmarble？ThinkyouthatHeneedethsacrificefromyou：Hewhomadeheavenandearth？"Thenspokeheoffearfulandcomingtimes，oftheendoftheworld，ofasecondrisingofthedead，whereofanassurancehadbeengiventomanintheresurrectionofthemightyBeingwhosereligionhecametopreach。
’Whenhethusspoke，thelong—pentmurmurwentforth，andthephilosophersthatweremingledwiththepeople，mutteredtheirsagecontempt；theremightyouhaveseenthechillingfrownoftheStoic，andtheCynic’ssneer；andtheEpicurean，whobelievethnoteveninourownElysium，mutteredapleasantjest，andsweptlaughingthroughthecrowd：butthedeepheartofthepeoplewastouchedandthrilled；andtheytrembled，thoughtheyknewnotwhy，forverilythestrangerhadthevoiceandmajestyofamantowhom"TheUnknownGod"hadcommittedthepreachingofHisfaith。’
Ionelistenedwithwraptattention，andtheseriousandearnestmannerofthenarratorbetrayedtheimpressionthathehimselfhadreceivedfromonewhohadbeenamongsttheaudiencethatonthehilloftheheathenMarshadheardthefirsttidingsofthewordofChrist！
ChapterVI
THEPORTER。THEGIRL。ANDTHEGLADIATOR。
THEdoorofDiomed’shousestoodopen，andMedon，theoldslave，satatthebottomofthestepsbywhichyouascendedtothemansion。ThatluxuriousmansionoftherichmerchantofPompeiiisstilltobeseenjustwithoutthegatesofthecity，atthecommencementoftheStreetofTombs；itwasagayneighborhood，despitethedead。Ontheoppositeside，butatsomeyardsnearerthegate，wasaspacioushostelry，atwhichthosebroughtbybusinessorbypleasuretoPompeiioftenstoppedtorefreshthemselves。Inthespacebeforetheentranceoftheinnnowstoodwagons，andcarts，andchariots，somejustarrived，somejustquitting，inallthebustleofananimatedandpopularresortofpublicentertainment。Beforethedoor，somefarmers，seatedonabenchbyasmallcirculartable，weretalkingovertheirmorningcups，ontheaffairsoftheircalling。Onthesideofthedooritselfwaspaintedgailyandfreshlytheeternalsignofthechequers。Bytheroofoftheinnstretchedaterrace，onwhichsomefemales，wivesofthefarmersabovementioned，were，someseated，someleaningovertherailing，andconversingwiththeirfriendsbelow。Inadeeprecess，atalittledistance，wasacoveredseat，inwhichsometwoorthreepoorertravellerswererestingthemselves，andshakingthedustfromtheirgarments。Ontheothersidestretchedawidespace，originallytheburial—groundofamoreancientracethanthepresentdenizensofPompeii，andnowconvertedintotheUstrinum，orplacefortheburningofthedead。Abovethisrosetheterracesofagayvilla，halfhidbytrees。Thetombsthemselves，withtheirgracefulandvariedshapes，theflowersandthefoliagethatsurroundedthem，madenomelancholyfeatureintheprospect。Hardbythegateofthecity，inasmallniche，stoodthestillformofthewell—disciplinedRomansentry，thesunshiningbrightlyonhispolishedcrest，andthelanceonwhichheleaned。Thegateitselfwasdividedintothreearches，thecentreoneforvehicles，theothersforthefoot—passengers；andoneithersiderosethemassivewallswhichgirtthecity，composed，patched，repairedatathousanddifferentepochs，accordingaswar，time，ortheearthquakehadshatteredthatvainprotection。Atfrequentintervalsrosesquaretowers，whosesummitsbrokeinpicturesquerudenesstheregularlineofthewall，andcontrastedwellwiththemodernbuildingsgleamingwhitelyby。
Thecurvingroad，whichinthatdirectionleadsfromPompeiitoHerculaneum，woundoutofsightamidsthangingvines，abovewhichfrownedthesullenmajestyofVesuvius。
’Hastthouheardthenews，oldMedon？’saidayoungwoman，withapitcherinherhand，asshepausedbyDiomed’sdoortogossipamomentwiththeslave，eresherepairedtotheneighboringinntofillthevessel，andcoquetwiththetravellers。
’Thenews！whatnews？’saidtheslave，raisinghiseyesmoodilyfromtheground。
’Why，therepassedthroughthegatethismorning，nodoubterethouwertwellawake，suchavisitortoPompeii！’
’Ay，’saidtheslave，indifferently。
’Yes，apresentfromthenoblePomponianus。’
’Apresent！Ithoughtthousaidstavisitor？’
’Itisbothvisitorandpresent。Know，Odullandstupid！thatitisamostbeautifulyoungtiger，forourapproachinggamesintheamphitheatre。Hearyouthat，Medon？Oh，whatpleasure！IdeclareIshallnotsleepawinktillIseeit；theysayithassucharoar！’
’Poorfool！’saidMedon，sadlyandcynically。
’Foolmenofool，oldchurl！Itisaprettything，atiger，especiallyifwecouldbutfindsomebodyforhimtoeat。Wehavenowalionandatiger；
onlyconsiderthat，Medon！andforwantoftwogoodcriminalsperhapsweshallbeforcedtoseethemeateachother。By—the—by，yoursonisagladiator，ahandsomemanandastrong，canyounotpersuadehimtofightthetiger？Donow，youwouldobligememightily；nay，youwouldbeabenefactortothewholetown。’
’Vah！vah！’saidtheslave，withgreatasperity；’thinkofthineowndangererethouthuspratestofmypoorboy’sdeath。’
’Myowndanger！’saidthegirl，frightenedandlookinghastilyaround——’Averttheomen！letthywordsfallonthineownhead！’Andthegirl，asshespoke，touchedatalismansuspendedroundherneck。’"Thineowndanger！"whatdangerthreatensme？’
’Hadtheearthquakebutafewnightssincenowarning？’saidMedon。’Hasitnotavoice？Diditnotsaytousall，"Preparefordeath；theendofallthingsisathand？"’
’Bah，stuff！’saidtheyoungwoman，settlingthefoldsofhertunic。’NowthoutalkestastheysaytheNazarenestalked——methinksthouartoneofthem。Well，Icanpratewiththee，greycroaker，nomore：thougrowestworseandworse——Vale！OHercules，sendusamanforthelion——andanotherforthetiger！’
Ho！ho！forthemerry，merryshow，Withaforestoffacesineveryrow！
Lo，theswordsmen，boldasthesonofAlcmena，Sweep，sidebyside，o’erthehushedarena；
Talkwhileyoumay——youwillholdyourbreathWhentheymeetinthegraspoftheglowingdeath。
Tramp，tramp，howgailytheygo！
Ho！ho！forthemerry，merryshow！
Chantinginasilverandclearvoicethisfeminineditty，andholdinguphertunicfromthedustyroad，theyoungwomansteppedlightlyacrosstothecrowdedhostelry。
’Mypoorson！’saidtheslave，halfaloud，’isitforthingslikethisthouarttobebutchered？Oh！faithofChrist，Icouldworshiptheeinallsincerity，wereitbutforthehorrorwhichthouinspirestforthesebloodylists。’
Theoldman’sheadsankdejectedlyonhisbreast。Heremainedsilentandabsorbed，buteverynowandthenwiththecornerofhissleevehewipedhiseyes。Hisheartwaswithhisson；hedidnotseethefigurethatnowapproachedfromthegatewithaquickstep，andasomewhatfierceandrecklessgaitandcarriage。Hedidnotlifthiseyestillthefigurepausedoppositetheplacewherehesat，andwithasoftvoiceaddressedhimbythenameof：
’Father！’
’Myboy！myLydon！isitindeedthou？’saidtheoldman，joyfully。’Ah，thouwertpresenttomythoughts。’
’Iamgladtohearit，myfather，’saidthegladiator，respectfullytouchingthekneesandbeardoftheslave；’andsoonmayIbealwayspresentwiththee，notinthoughtonly。’
’Yes，myson——butnotinthisworld，’repliedtheslave，mournfully。
’Talknotthus，Omysire！lookcheerfully，forIfeelso——IamsurethatI
shallwintheday；andthen，thegoldIgainbuysthyfreedom。Oh！myfather，itwasbutafewdayssincethatIwastaunted，byone，too，whomI
wouldgladlyhaveundeceived，forheismoregenerousthantherestofhisequals。HeisnotRoman——heisofAthens——byhimIwastauntedwiththelustofgain——whenIdemandedwhatsumwastheprizeofvictory。Alas！helittleknewthesoulofLydon！’
’Myboy！myboy！’saidtheoldslave，as，slowlyascendingthesteps，heconductedhissontohisownlittlechamber，communicatingwiththeentrancehall（whichinthisvillawastheperistyle，nottheatrium）——youmayseeitnow；itisthethirddoortotherightonentering。（Thefirstdoorconductstothestaircase；thesecondisbutafalserecess，inwhichtherestoodastatueofbronze。）’Generous，affectionate，piousasarethymotives，’saidMedon，whentheywerethussecuredfromobservation，’thydeeditselfisguilt：thouarttoriskthybloodforthyfather’sfreedom——thatmightbeforgiven；buttheprizeofvictoryisthebloodofanother。oh，thatisadeadlysin；noobjectcanpurifyit。Forbear！
forbear！ratherwouldIbeaslaveforeverthanpurchaselibertyonsuchterms！’
’Hush，myfather！’repliedLydon，somewhatimpatiently；’thouhastpickedupinthisnewcreedofthine，ofwhichIpraytheenottospeaktome，forthegodsthatgavemestrengthdeniedmewisdom，andIunderstandnotonewordofwhatthouoftenpreachesttome——thouhastpickedup，Isay，inthisnewcreed，somesingularfantasiesofrightandwrong。PardonmeifIoffendthee：butreflect！AgainstwhomshallIcontend？Oh！couldstthouknowthosewretcheswithwhom，forthysake，Iassort，thouwouldstthinkI
purifiedearthbyremovingoneofthem。Beasts，whoseverylipsdropblood；
things，allsavage，unprincipledintheirverycourage：ferocious，heartless，senseless；notieoflifecanbindthem：theyknownotfear，itistrue——butneitherknowtheygratitude，norcharity，norlove；theyaremadebutfortheirowncareer，toslaughterwithoutpity，todiewithoutdread！Canthygods，whosoevertheybe，lookwithwrathonaconflictwithsuchasthese，andinsuchacause？Oh，Myfather，whereverthepowersabovegazedownonearth，theybeholdnodutysosacred，sosanctifying，asthesacrificeofferedtoanagedparentbythepietyofagratefulson！’
Thepooroldslave，himselfdeprivedofthelightsofknowledge，andonlylateaconverttotheChristianfaith，knewnotwithwhatargumentstoenlightenanignoranceatoncesodark，andyetsobeautifulinitserror。
Hisfirstimpulsewastothrowhimselfonhisson’sbreast——hisnexttostartawaytowringhishands；andintheattempttoreprove，hisbrokenvoicelostitselfinweeping。