Sherosegently，andpouredtheperfumefromthegiftofJuliauponthemarblefloor——sherinseditseveraltimescarefullywiththewaterthatwasbesideher，andtheneasilyfindingthebedofJulia（fornighttoherwasasday），shepressedhertremblinghandunderthepillowandseizedthepotion。Juliastirrednot，herbreathregularlyfannedtheburningcheekoftheblindgirl。Nydia，then，openingthephial，poureditscontentsintothebottle，whicheasilycontainedthem；andthenrefillingtheformerreservoirofthepotionwiththatlimpidwaterwhichJuliahadassuredheritsoresembled，sheoncemoreplacedthephialinitsformerplace。Shethenstoleagaintohercouch，andwaited——withwhatthoughts！——thedawningday。
Thesunhadrisen——Juliasleptstill——Nydianoiselesslydressedherself，placedhertreasurecarefullyinhervest，tookupherstaff，andhastenedtoquitthehouse。
Theporter，Medon，salutedherkindlyasshedescendedthestepsthatledtothestreet：sheheardhimnot；hermindwasconfusedandlostinthewhirloftumultuousthoughts，eachthoughtapassion。Shefeltthepuremorningairuponhercheek，butitcoolednotherscorchingveins。
’Glaucus，’shemurmured，’allthelove—charmsofthewildestmagiccouldnotmaketheelovemeasIlovethee。Ione！——ah；awayhesitation！awayremorse！
Glaucus，myfateisinthysmile；andthine！hope！Ojoy！Otransport，thyfateisinthesehands！’
BOOKTHEFOURTH
ChapterI
REFLECTIONSONTHEZEALOFTHEEARLYCHRISTIANS。TWOMENCOMETOAPERILOUS
RESOLVE。WALLSHAVEEARS，PARTICULARLYSACREDWALLS。
WHOEVERregardstheearlyhistoryofChristianity，willperceivehownecessarytoitstriumphwasthatfiercespiritofzeal，which，fearingnodanger，acceptingnocompromise，inspireditschampionsandsustaineditsmartyrs。InadominantChurchthegeniusofintolerancebetraysitscause——inaweakandpersecutedChurch，thesamegeniusmainlysupports。Itwasnecessarytoscorn，toloathe，toabhorthecreedsofothermen，inordertoconquerthetemptationswhichtheypresented——itwasnecessaryrigidlytobelievenotonlythattheGospelwasthetruefaith，butthesoletruefaiththatsaved，inordertonervethediscipletotheausterityofitsdoctrine，andtoencouragehimtothesacredandperilouschivalryofconvertingthePolytheistandtheHeathen。Thesectariansternnesswhichconfinedvirtueandheaventoachosenfew，whichsawdemonsinothergods，andthepenaltiesofhellinotherreligions——madethebelievernaturallyanxioustoconvertalltowhomhefeltthetiesofhumanaffection；andthecirclethustracedbybenevolencetomanwasyetmorewidenedbyadesireforthegloryofGod。ItwasforthehonouroftheChristianfaiththattheChristianboldlyforceditstenetsuponthescepticismofsome，therepugnanceofothers，thesagecontemptofthephilosopher，thepiousshudderofthepeople——hisveryintolerancesuppliedhimwithhisfittestinstrumentsofsuccess；andthesoftHeathenbeganatlasttoimaginetheremustindeedbesomethingholyinazealwhollyforeigntohisexperience，whichstoppedatnoobstacle，dreadednodanger，andevenatthetorture，oronthescaffold，referredadisputefarotherthanthecalmdifferencesofspeculativephilosophytothetribunalofanEternalJudge。ItwasthusthatthesamefervorwhichmadetheChurchmanofthemiddleageabigotwithoutmercy，madetheChristianoftheearlydaysaherowithoutfear。
Ofthesemorefiery，daring，andearnestnatures，nottheleastardentwasOlinthus。NosoonerhadApaecidesbeenreceivedbytheritesofbaptismintothebosomoftheChurch，thantheNazarenehastenedtomakehimconsciousoftheimpossibilitytoretaintheofficeandrobesofpriesthood。
Hecouldnot，itwasevident，professtoworshipGod，andcontinueevenoutwardlytohonourtheidolatrousaltarsoftheFiend。
Norwasthisall，thesanguineandimpetuousmindofOlinthusbeheldinthepowerofApaecidesthemeansofdivulgingtothedeludedpeoplethejugglingmysteriesoftheoracularIsis。HethoughtHeavenhadsentthisinstrumentofhisdesigninordertodisabusetheeyesofthecrowd，andpreparetheway，perchance，fortheconversionofawholecity。Hedidnothesitatethentoappealtoallthenew—kindledenthusiasmofApaecides，toarousehiscourage，andtostimulatehiszeal。Theymet，accordingtopreviousagreement，theeveningafterthebaptismofApaecides，inthegroveofCybele，whichwehavebeforedescribed。
’Atthenextsolemnconsultationoftheoracle，’saidOlinthus，asheproceededinthewarmthofhisaddress，’advanceyourselftotherailing，proclaimaloudtothepeoplethedeceptiontheyendure，invitethemtoenter，tobethemselvesthewitnessofthegrossbutartfulmechanismofimposturethouhastdescribedtome。Fearnot——theLord，whoprotectedDaniel，shallprotectthee；we，thecommunityofChristians，willbeamongstthecrowd；wewillurgeontheshrinking：andinthefirstflushofthepopularindignationandshame，Imyself，uponthoseveryaltars，willplantthepalm—branchtypicaloftheGospel——andtomytongueshalldescendtherushingSpiritofthelivingGod。’
Heatedandexcitedashewas，thissuggestionwasnotunpleasingtoApaecides。Hewasrejoicedatsoearlyanopportunityofdistinguishinghisfaithinhisnewsect，andtohisholierfeelingswereaddedthoseofavindictiveloathingattheimpositionhehadhimselfsuffered，andadesiretoavengeit。Inthatsanguineandelasticoverboundofobstacles（therashnessnecessarytoallwhoundertakeventurousandloftyactions），neitherOlinthusnortheproselyteperceivedtheimpedimentstothesuccessoftheirscheme，whichmightbefoundinthereverentsuperstitionofthepeoplethemselves，whowouldprobablybeloth，beforethesacredaltarsofthegreatEgyptiangoddess，tobelieveeventhetestimonyofherpriestagainstherpower。
ApaecidesthenassentedtothisproposalwithareadinesswhichdelightedOlinthus。TheypartedwiththeunderstandingthatOlinthusshouldconferwiththemoreimportantofhisChristianbrethrenonhisgreatenterprise，shouldreceivetheiradviceandtheassurancesoftheirsupportontheeventfulday。ItsochancedthatoneofthefestivalsofIsiswastobeheldontheseconddayafterthisconference。Thefestivalprofferedareadyoccasionforthedesign。Theyappointedtomeetoncemoreonthenexteveningatthesamespot；andinthatmeetingwerefinallytobesettledtheorderanddetailsofthedisclosureforthefollowingday。
Ithappenedthatthelatterpartofthisconferencehadbeenheldnearthesacellum，orsmallchapel，whichIhavedescribedintheearlypartofthiswork；andsosoonastheformsoftheChristianandthepriesthaddisappearedfromthegrove，adarkandungainlyfigureemergedfrombehindthechapel。
’Ihavetrackedyouwithsomeeffect，mybrotherflamen，’soliloquisedtheeavesdropper；’you，thepriestofIsis，havenotformereidlediscussionconferredwiththisgloomyChristian。Alas！thatIcouldnothearallyourpreciousplot：enough！Ifind，atleast，thatyoumeditaterevealingthesacredmysteries，andthatto—morrowyoumeetagainatthisplacetoplanthehowandthewhen。MayOsirissharpenmyearsthen，todetectthewholeofyourunheard—ofaudacity！WhenIhavelearnedmore，ImustconferatoncewithArbaces。Wewillfrustrateyou，myfriends，deepasyouthinkyourselves。Atpresent，mybreastisalockedtreasuryofyoursecret。’
Thusmuttering，Calenus，foritwashe，wrappedhisroberoundhim，andstrodethoughtfullyhomeward。
ChapterII
ACLASSICHOST，COOK，ANDKITCHEN。APAECIDESSEEKSIONE。THEIR
CONVERSATION。
ITwasthenthedayforDiomed’sbanquettothemostselectofhisfriends。
ThegracefulGlaucus，thebeautifulIone，theofficialPansa，thehigh—bornClodius，theimmortalFulvius，theexquisiteLepidus，theepicureanSallust，werenottheonlyhonourersofhisfestival。Heexpected，also，aninvalidsenatorfromRome（amanofconsiderablereputeandfavoratcourt），andagreatwarriorfromHerculaneum，whohadfoughtwithTitusagainsttheJews，andhavingenrichedhimselfprodigiouslyinthewars，wasalwaystoldbyhisfriendsthathiscountrywaseternallyindebtedtohisdisinterestedexertions！Theparty，however，extendedtoayetgreaternumber：foralthough，criticallyspeaking，itwas，atonetime，thoughtinelegantamongtheRomanstoentertainlessthanthreeormorethannineattheirbanquets，yetthisrulewaseasilydisregardedbytheostentatious。Andwearetold，indeed，inhistory，thatoneofthemostsplendidoftheseentertainersusuallyfeastedaselectpartyofthreehundred。Diomed，however，moremodest，contentedhimselfwithdoublingthenumberoftheMuses。Hispartyconsistedofeighteen，nounfashionablenumberinthepresentday。
ItwasthemorningofDiomed’sbanquet；andDiomedhimself，thoughhegreatlyaffectedthegentlemanandthescholar，retainedenoughofhismercantileexperiencetoknowthatamaster’seyemakesareadyservant。
Accordingly，withhistunicungirdledonhisportlystomach，hiseasyslippersonhisfeet，asmallwandinhishand，wherewithhenowdirectedthegaze，andnowcorrectedtheback，ofsomedullermenial，hewentfromchambertochamberofhiscostlyvilla。
Hedidnotdisdainevenavisittothatsacredapartmentinwhichthepriestsofthefestivalpreparetheirofferings。Onenteringthekitchen，hisearswereagreeablystunnedbythenoiseofdishesandpans，ofoathsandcommands。SmallasthisindispensablechamberseemstohavebeeninallthehousesofPompeii，itwas，nevertheless，usuallyfittedupwithallthatamazingvarietyofstovesandshapes，stew—pansandsaucepans，cuttersandmoulds，withoutwhichacookofspirit，nomatterwhetherhebeanancientoramodern，declaresitutterlyimpossiblethathecangiveyouanythingtoeat。Andasfuelwasthen，asnow，dearandscarceinthoseregions，greatseemstohavebeenthedexterityexercisedinpreparingasmanythingsaspossiblewithaslittlefire。AnadmirablecontrivanceofthisnaturemaybestillseenintheNeapolitanMuseum，viz。，aportablekitchen，aboutthesizeofafoliovolume，containingstovesforfourdishes，andanapparatusforheatingwaterorotherbeverages。
Acrossthesmallkitchenflittedmanyformswhichthequickeyeofthemasterdidnotrecognize。
’Oh！oh！’grumbledhetohimself，’thatcursedCongriohathinvitedawholelegionofcookstoassisthim。Theywon’tservefornothing，andthisisanotheriteminthetotalofmyday’sexpenses。ByBacchus！thriceluckyshallIbeiftheslavesdonothelpthemselvestosomeofthedrinkingvessels：ready，alas，aretheirhands，capaciousaretheirtunics。Memiserum！’
Thecooks，however，workedon，seeminglyheedlessoftheapparitionofDiomed。
’Ho，Euclio，youregg—pan！What，isthisthelargest？itonlyholdsthirty—threeeggs：inthehousesIusuallyserve，thesmallestegg—panholdsfifty，ifneedbe！’
’Theunconscionablerogue！’thoughtDiomed；’hetalksofeggsasiftheywereasesterceahundred！’
’ByMercury！’criedapertlittleculinarydisciple，scarceinhisnovitiate；’whoeversawsuchantiquesweetmeatshapesasthese？——Itisimpossibletodocredittoone’sartwithsuchrudematerials。Why，Sallust’scommonestsweetmeatshaperepresentsthewholesiegeofTroy；
HectorandParis，andHelen……withlittleAstyanaxandtheWoodenHorseintothebargain！’
’Silence，fool！’saidCongrio，thecookofthehouse，whoseemedtoleavethechiefpartofthebattletohisallies。’Mymaster，Diomed，isnotoneofthoseexpensivegood—for—noughts，whomusthavethelastfashion，costwhatitwill！’
’Thouliest，baseslave！’criedDiomed，inagreatpassion——andthoucostestmealreadyenoughtohaveruinedLucullushimself！Comeoutofthyden，I
wanttotalktothee。’
Theslave，withaslywinkathisconfederates，obeyedthecommand。
’Manofthreeletters，’saidDiomed，withhisfaceofsolemnanger，’howdidstthoudaretoinviteallthoserascalsintomyhouse？——Iseethiefwrittenineverylineoftheirfaces。’
’Yet，Iassureyou，master，thattheyaremenofmostrespectablecharacter——thebestcooksoftheplace；itisagreatfavortogetthem。
Butformysake……’
’Thysake，unhappyCongrio！’interruptedDiomed；andbywhatpurloinedmoneysofmine，bywhatreservedfilchingsfrommarketing，bywhatgoodlymeatsconvertedintogrease，andsoldinthesuburbs，bywhatfalsechargesforbronzesmarred，andearthenwarebroken——hastthoubeenenabledtomakethemservetheeforthysake？’
’Nay，master，donotimpeachmyhonesty！Maythegodsdesertmeif……’
’Swearnot！’againinterruptedthecholericDiomed，’forthenthegodswillsmitetheeforaperjurer，andIshalllosemycookontheeveofdinner。
But，enoughofthisatpresent：keepasharpeyeonthyill—favoredassistants，andtellmenotalesto—morrowofvasesbroken，andcupsmiraculouslyvanished，orthywholebackshallbeonepain。Andharkthee！
thouknowestthouhastmademepayforthosePhrygianattagensenough，byHercules，tohavefeastedasobermanforayeartogether——seethattheybenotoneiotaover—roasted。Thelasttime，OCongrio，thatIgaveabanquettomyfriends，whenthyvanitydidsoboldlyundertakethebecomingappearanceofaMeliancrane——thouknowestitcameuplikeastonefromAEtna——asifallthefiresofPhlegethonhadbeenscorchingoutitsjuices。
Bemodestthistime，Congrio——waryandmodest。Modestyisthenurseofgreatactions；andinallotherthings，asinthis，ifthouwiltnotsparethymaster’spurse，atleastconsultthymaster’sglory。’
’ThereshallnotbesuchacoenaseenatPompeiisincethedaysofHercules。’
’Softly，softly——thycursedboastingagain！ButIsay，Congrio，yonhomunculus——yonpigmyassailantofmycranes——yonpert—tonguedneophyteofthekitchen，wasthereaughtbutinsolenceonhistonguewhenhemalignedthecomelinessofmysweetmeatshapes？Iwouldnotbeoutofthefashion，Congrio。’
’Itisbutthecustomofuscooks，’repliedCongrio，gravely，toundervalueourtools，inordertoincreasetheeffectofourart。Thesweetmeatshapeisafairshape，andalovely；butIwouldrecommendmymaster，atthefirstoccasion，topurchasesomenewonesofa……’
’Thatwillsuffice，’exclaimedDiomed，whoseemedresolvednevertoallowhisslavetofinishhissentences。’Now，resumethycharge——shine————eclipsethyself。LetmenenvyDiomedhiscook——lettheslavesofPompeiistyletheeCongriothegreat！Go！yetstay——thouhastnotspentallthemoneysIgavetheeforthemarketing？’’"All！"alas！thenightingales’tonguesandtheRomantomacula，andtheoystersfromBritain，andsundryotherthings，toonumerousnowtorecite，areyetleftunpaidfor。Butwhatmatter？everyonetruststheArchimagirusofDiomedthewealthy！’
’Oh，unconscionableprodigal！——whatwaste！——whatprofusion！——Iamruined！
Butgo，hasten——inspect！——taste！——perform！——surpassthyself！LettheRomansenatornotdespisethepoorPompeian。Away，slave——andremember，thePhrygianattagens。’
Thechiefdisappearedwithinhisnaturaldomain，andDiomedrolledbackhisportlypresencetothemorecourtlychambers。Allwastohisliking——theflowerswerefresh，thefountainsplayedbriskly，themosaicpavementswereassmoothasmirrors。
’WhereismydaughterJulia？’heasked。
’Atthebath。’
’Ah！thatremindsme！——timewanes！——andImustbathealso。’
OurstoryreturnstoApaecides。Onawakingthatdayfromthebrokenandfeverishsleepwhichhadfollowedhisadoptionofafaithsostrikinglyandsternlyatvariancewiththatinwhichhisyouthhadbeennurtured，theyoungpriestcouldscarcelyimaginethathewasnotyetinadream；hehadcrossedthefatalriver——thepastwashenceforthtohavenosympathywiththefuture；thetwoworldsweredistinctandseparate——thatwhichhadbeen，fromthatwhichwastobe。Towhataboldandadventurousenterprisehehadpledgedhislife！——tounveilthemysteriesinwhichhehadparticipated——todesecratethealtarshehadserved——todenouncethegoddesswhoseministeringrobehewore！Slowlyhebecamesensibleofthehatredandthehorrorheshouldprovokeamongstthepious，evenifsuccessful；iffrustratedinhisdaringattempt，whatpenaltiesmighthenotincurforanoffencehithertounheardof——forwhichnospecificlaw，derivedfromexperience，wasprepared；andwhich，forthatveryreason，precedents，draggedfromthesharpestarmouryofobsoleteandinapplicablelegislation，wouldprobablybedistortedtomeet！Hisfriends——thesisterofhisyouth——couldheexpectjustice，thoughhemightreceivecompassion，fromthem？Thisbraveandheroicactwouldbytheirheatheneyesberegarded，perhaps，asaheinousapostasy——atthebestasapitiablemadness。
Hedared，herenounced，everythinginthisworld，inthehopeofsecuringthateternityinthenext，whichhadsosuddenlybeenrevealedtohim。
Whilethesethoughtsontheonehandinvadedhisbreast，ontheotherhandhispride，hiscourage，andhisvirtue，mingledwithreminiscencesofrevengefordeceit，ofindignantdisgustatfraud，conspiredtoraiseandtosupporthim。
Theconflictwassharpandkeen；buthisnewfeelingstriumphedoverhisold：andamightyargumentinfavorofwrestlingwiththesanctitiesofoldopinionsandhereditaryformsmightbefoundintheconquestoverboth，achievedbythathumblepriest。HadtheearlyChristiansbeenmorecontrolledby’thesolemnplausibilitiesofcustom’——lessofdemocratsinthepureandloftyacceptationofthatpervertedword——Christianitywouldhaveperishedinitscradle！
Aseachpriestinsuccessionsleptseveralnightstogetherinthechambersofthetemple，thetermimposedonApaecideswasnotyetcompleted；andwhenhehadrisenfromhiscouch，attiredhimself，asusual，inhisrobes，andlefthisnarrowchamber，hefoundhimselfbeforethealtarsofthetemple。
Intheexhaustionofhislateemotionshehadsleptfarintothemorning，andtheverticalsunalreadypoureditsfervidbeamsoverthesacredplace。
’Salve，Apaecides！’saidavoice，whosenaturalasperitywassmoothedbylongartificeintoanalmostdispleasingsoftnessoftone。’Thouartlateabroad；hasthegoddessrevealedherselftotheeinvisions？’
’Couldsherevealhertrueselftothepeople，Calenus，howincenselesswouldbethesealtars！’
’That，’repliedCalenus，’maypossiblybetrue；butthedeityiswiseenoughtoholdcommunewithnonebutpriests。’
’Atimemaycomewhenshewillbeunveiledwithoutherownacquiescence。’
’Itisnotlikely：shehastriumphedforcountlessages。Andthatwhichhassolongstoodthetestoftimerarelysuccumbstothelustofnovelty。Butharkye，youngbrother！thesesayingsareindiscreet。’
’Itisnotfortheetosilencethem，’repliedApaecides，haughtily。
’Sohot！——yetIwillnotquarrelwiththee。Why，myApaecides，hasnottheEgyptianconvincedtheeofthenecessityofourdwellingtogetherinunity？
Hashenotconvincedtheeofthewisdomofdeludingthepeopleandenjoyingourselves？Ifnot，oh，brother！heisnotthatgreatmagicianheisesteemed。’
’Thou，then，hastsharedhislessons？’saidApaecides，withahollowsmile。
’Ay！butIstoodlessinneedofthemthanthou。Naturehadalreadygiftedmewiththeloveofpleasure，andthedesireofgainandpower。Longisthewaythatleadsthevoluptuarytotheseveritiesoflife；butitisonlyonestepfrompleasantsintoshelteringhypocrisy。Bewarethevengeanceofthegoddess，iftheshortnessofthatstepbedisclosed！’
’Beware，thou，thehourwhenthetombshallberentandtherottennessexposed，’returnedApaecides，solemnly。’Vale！’
Withthesewordshelefttheflamentohismeditations。Whenhegotafewpacesfromthetemple，heturnedtolookback。Calenushadalreadydisappearedintheentryroomofthepriests，foritnowapproachedthehourofthatrepastwhich，calledprandiumbytheancients，answersinpointofdatetothebreakfastofthemoderns。Thewhiteandgracefulfanegleamedbrightlyinthesun。Uponthealtarsbeforeitrosetheincenseandbloomedthegarlands。Thepriestgazedlongandwistfullyuponthescene——itwasthelasttimethatitwaseverbeheldbyhim！
HethenturnedandpursuedhiswayslowlytowardsthehouseofIone；forbeforepossiblythelasttiethatunitedthemwascutintwain——beforetheuncertainperilofthenextdaywasincurred，hewasanxioustoseehislastsurvivingrelative，hisfondestashisearliestfriend。
Hearrivedatherhouse，andfoundherinthegardenwithNydia。
’Thisiskind，Apaecides，’saidIone，joyfully；’andhoweagerlyhaveI
wishedtoseethee！——whatthanksdoInotowethee？Howchurlishhastthoubeentoanswernoneofmyletters——toabstainfromcominghithertoreceivetheexpressionsofmygratitude！Oh！thouhastassistedtopreservethysisterfromdishonour！What，whatcanshesaytothankthee，nowthouartcomeatlast？’
’MysweetIone，thouowestmenogratitude，forthycausewasmine。Letusavoidthatsubject，letusrecurnottothatimpiousman——howhatefultobothofus！Imayhaveaspeedyopportunitytoteachtheworldthenatureofhispretendedwisdomandhypocriticalseverity。Butletussitdown，mysister；Iamweariedwiththeheatofthesun；letussitinyondershade，and，foralittlewhilelonger，betoeachotherwhatwehavebeen。’
Beneathawideplane—tree，withthecistusandthearbutusiclusteringroundthem，thelivingfountainbefore，thegreenswardbeneaththeirfeet；thegaycicada，oncesodeartoAthens，risingmerrilyeverandanonamidstthegrass；thebutterfly，beautifulemblemofthesoul，dedicatedtoPsyche，andwhichhascontinuedtofurnishillustrationstotheChristianbard，richintheglowingcolorscaughtfromSicilianskies，hoveringaboutthesunnyflowers，itselflikeawingedflower——inthisspot，andthisscene，thebrotherandthesistersattogetherforthelasttimeonearth。Youmaytreadnowonthesameplace；butthegardenisnomore，thecolumnsareshattered，thefountainhasceasedtoplay。LetthetravelersearchamongsttheruinsofPompeiiforthehouseofIone。Itsremainsareyetvisible；butIwillnotbetraythemtothegazeofcommonplacetourists。Hewhoismoresensitivethantheherdwilldiscoverthemeasily：whenhehasdoneso，lethimkeepthesecret。
Theysatdown，andNydia，gladtobealone，retiredtothefartherendofthegarden。
’Ione，mysister，’saidtheyoungconvert，’placeyourhanduponmybrow；
letmefeelyourcooltouch。Speaktome，too，foryourgentlevoiceislikeabreezethathathfreshnessaswellasmusic。Speaktome，butforbeartoblessme！Utternotonewordofthoseformsofspeechwhichourchildhoodwastaughttoconsidersacred！’
’Alas！andwhatthenshallIsay？Ourlanguageofaffectionissowovenwiththatofworship，thatthewordsgrowchilledandtriteifIbanishfromthemallusiontoourgods。’
’Ourgods！’murmuredApaecides，withashudder：’thouslightestmyrequestalready。’
’ShallIspeakthentotheeonlyofIsis？’
’TheEvilSpirit！No，ratherbedumbforever，unlessatleastthoucanst——butaway，awaythistalk！Notnowwillwedisputeandcavil；notnowwillwejudgeharshlyofeachother。Thou，regardingmeasanapostate！andIallsorrowandshamefortheeasanidolater。No，mysister，letusavoidsuchtopicsandsuchthoughts。Inthysweetpresenceacalmfallsovermyspirit。ForalittlewhileIforget。AsIthuslaymytemplesonthybosom，asIthusfeelthygentlearmembraceme，Ithinkthatwearechildrenoncemore，andthattheheavensmilesequallyuponboth。Foroh！
ifhereafterIescape，nomatterwhatperil；anditbepermittedmetoaddresstheeononesacredandawfulsubject；shouldIfindthineearclosedandthyhearthardened，whathopeformyselfcouldcountervailthedespairforthee？Inthee，mysister，Ibeholdalikenessmadebeautiful，madenoble，ofmyself。Shallthemirrorliveforever，andtheformitselfbebrokenasthepotter’sclay？Ah，no——no——thouwiltlistentomeyet！DostthourememberhowwewentintothefieldsbyBaiae，handinhandtogether，toplucktheflowersofspring？Evenso，handinhand，shallweentertheEternalGarden，andcrownourselveswithimperishableasphodel！’
Wonderingandbewilderedbywordsshecouldnotcomprehend，butexcitedeventotearsbytheplaintivenessoftheirtone，Ionelistenedtotheseoutpouringsofafullandoppressedheart。Intruth，Apaecideshimselfwassoftenedmuchbeyondhisordinarymood，whichtooutwardseemingwasusuallyeithersullenorimpetuous。Forthenoblestdesiresareofajealousnature——theyengross，theyabsorbthesoul，andoftenleavethesplenetichumorsstagnantandunheededatthesurface。Unheedingthepettythingsaroundus，wearedeemedmorose；impatientatearthlyinterruptiontothedivinerdreams，wearethoughtirritableandchurlish。Forasthereisnochimeravainerthanthehopethatonehumanheartshallfindsympathyinanother，sononeeverinterpretuswithjustice；andnone，no，notournearestandourdearestties，forbearwithusinmercy！Whenwearedeadandrepentancecomestoolate，bothfriendandfoemaywondertothinkhowlittletherewasinustoforgive！
’Iwilltalktotheethenofourearlyyears，’saidIone。’Shallyonblindgirlsingtotheeofthedaysofchildhood？Hervoiceissweetandmusical，andshehathasongonthatthemewhichcontainsnoneofthoseallusionsitpainstheetohear。’
’Dostthourememberthewords，mysister？’askedApaecides。
’Methinksyes；forthetune，whichissimple，fixedthemonmymemory。’
’Singtomethenthyself。Myearisnotinunisonwithunfamiliarvoices；
andthine，Ione，fullofhouseholdassociations，haseverbeentomemoresweetthanallthehirelingmelodiesofLyciaorofCrete。Singtome！’
Ionebeckonedtoaslavethatstoodintheportico，andsendingforherlute，sang，whenitarrived，toatenderandsimpleair，thefollowingverses：—
REGRETSFORCHILDHOOD
I
ItisnotthatourearlierHeavenEscapesitsAprilshowers，Orthattochildhood’sheartisgivenNosnakeamidsttheflowers。
Ah！twinedwithgriefEachbrightestleaf，That’swreath’dusbytheHours！
Youngthoughwebe，thePastmaysting，Thepresentfeeditssorrow；
ButhopeshinesbrightoneverythingThatwaitsuswiththemorrow。
Likesun—litglades，ThedimmestshadesSomerosybeamcanborrow。