However，weoftheupperclassesarealwaystender—hearted；andhewouldcertainlygetofftolerablywellifhewerelefttous：for，betweenourselves，whatisapaltrypriestofIsis！——whatIsisherself？Butthecommonpeoplearesuperstitious；theyclamorforthebloodofthesacrilegiousone。Itisdangerousnottogivewaytopublicopinion。’
’Andtheblasphemer——theChristian，orNazarene，orwhateverelsehebecalled？’
’Oh，poordog！ifhewillsacrificetoCybeleorIsis，hewillbepardoned——ifnot，thetigerhashim。Atleast，soIsuppose；butthetrialwilldecide。Wetalkwhiletheurn’sstillempty。AndtheGreekmayyetescapethedeadlyThetaofhisownalphabet。Butenoughofthisgloomysubject。HowisthefairJulia？’
’Well，Ifancy。’
’Commendmetoher。Buthark！thedooryondercreaksonitshinges；itisthehouseofthepraetor。Whocomesforth？ByPollux！itistheEgyptian！
Whatcanhewantwithourofficialfriend！’
’Someconferencetouchingthemurder，doubtless，’repliedDiomed；’butwhatwassupposedtobetheinducementtothecrime？Glaucuswastohavemarriedthepriest’ssister。’
’Yes：somesayApaecidesrefusedthealliance。Itmighthavebeenasuddenquarrel。Glaucuswasevidentlydrunk——nay，somuchsoastohavebeenquiteinsensiblewhentakenup，andIhearisstilldelirious——whetherwithwine，terror，remorse，theFuries，ortheBacchanals，Icannotsay。’
’Poorfellow！——hehasgoodcounsel？’
’Thebest——CaiusPollio，aneloquentfellowenough。Polliohasbeenhiringallthepoorgentlemenandwell—bornspendthriftsofPompeiitodressshabbilyandsneakabout，swearingtheirfriendshiptoGlaucus（whowouldnothavespokentothemtobemadeemperor！——Iwilldohimjustice，hewasagentlemaninhischoiceofacquaintance），andtryingtomeltthestonycitizensintopity。Butitwillnotdo；Isisismightilypopularjustatthismoment。’
’And，by—the—by，IhavesomemerchandiseatAlexandria。Yes，Isisoughttobeprotected。’
’True；sofarewell，oldgentleman：weshallmeetsoon；ifnot，wemusthaveafriendlybetattheAmphitheatre。AllmycalculationsareconfoundedbythiscursedmisfortuneofGlaucus！HehadbetonLydonthegladiator；I
mustmakeupmytabletselsewhere。Vale！’
LeavingthelessactiveDiomedtoregainhisvilla，Clodiusstrodeon，hummingaGreekair，andperfumingthenightwiththeodorousthatsteamedfromhissnowygarmentsandflowinglocks。
’If，’thoughthe，’Glaucusfeedthelion，Juliawillnolongerhaveapersontolovebetterthanme；shewillcertainlydoatonme——andso，Isuppose，I
mustmarry。Bythegods！thetwelvelinesbegintofail——menlooksuspiciouslyatmyhandwhenitrattlesthedice。ThatinfernalSallustinsinuatescheating；andifitbediscoveredthattheivoryisclogged，whyfarewelltothemerrysupperandtheperfumedbillet——Clodiusisundone！
Bettermarry，then，whileImay，renouncegaming，andpushmyfortune（orratherthegentleJulia’s）attheimperialcourt。’
Thusmutteringtheschemesofhisambition，ifbythathighnametheprojectsofClodiusmaybecalled，thegamesterfoundhimselfsuddenlyaccosted；heturnedandbeheldthedarkbrowofArbaces。
’Hail，nobleClodius！pardonmyinterruption；andinformme，Iprayyou，whichisthehouseofSallust？’
’Itisbutafewyardshence，wiseArbaces。ButdoesSallustentertainto—night？’
’Iknownot，’answeredtheEgyptian；’noramI，perhaps，oneofthosewhomhewouldseekasabooncompanion。ButthouknowestthathishouseholdsthepersonofGlaucus，themurderer。’
’Ay！he，good—heartedepicure，believesintheGreek’sinnocence！Youremindmethathehasbecomehissurety；and，therefore，tillthetrial，isresponsibleforhisappearance。’Well，Sallust’shouseisbetterthanaprison，especiallythatwretchedholeintheforum。ButforwhatcanyouseekGlaucus？’
’Why，nobleClodius，ifwecouldsavehimfromexecutionitwouldbewell。
Thecondemnationoftherichisablowuponsocietyitself。Ishouldliketoconferwithhim——forIhearhehasrecoveredhissenses——andascertainthemotivesofhiscrime；theymaybesoextenuatingastopleadinhisdefence。’
’Youarebenevolent，Arbaces。’
’Benevolenceisthedutyofonewhoaspirestowisdom，’repliedtheEgyptian，modestly。’WhichwayliesSallust’smansion？’
’Iwillshowyou，’saidClodius，’ifyouwillsuffermetoaccompanyyouafewsteps。But，praywhathasbecomeofthepoorgirlwhowastohavewedtheAthenian——thesisterofthemurderedpriest？’
’Alas！well—nighinsane！Sometimessheuttersimprecationsonthemurderer——thensuddenlystopsshort——thencries，"Butwhycurse？Oh，mybrother！Glaucuswasnotthymurderer——neverwillIbelieveit！"Thenshebeginsagain，andagainstopsshort，andmuttersawfullytoherself，"Yetifitwereindeedhe？"’
’UnfortunateIone！’
’ButitiswellforherthatthosesolemncarestothedeadwhichreligionenjoinshavehithertogreatlyabsorbedherattentionfromGlaucusandherself：and，inthedimnessofhersenses，shescarcelyseemsawarethatGlaucusisapprehendedandontheeveoftrial。WhenthefuneralritesduetoApaecidesareperformed，herapprehensionwillreturn；andthenIfearmemuchthatherfriendswillberevoltedbyseeingherruntosuccourandaidthemurdererofherbrother！’
’Suchscandalshouldbeprevented。’
’ItrustIhavetakenprecautionstothateffect。Iamherlawfulguardian，andhavejustsucceededinobtainingpermissiontoescorther，afterthefuneralofApaecides，tomyownhouse；there，pleasethegods！shewillbesecure。’
’Youhavedonewell，sageArbaces。And，now，yonderisthehouseofSallust。Thegodskeepyou！Yet，harkyou，Arbaces——whysogloomyandunsocial？Mensayyoucanbegay——whynotletmeinitiateyouintothepleasuresofPompeii？——Iflattermyselfnooneknowsthembetter。’
’Ithankyou，nobleClodius：underyourauspicesImightventure，Ithink，towearthephilyra：but，atmyage，Ishouldbeanawkwardpupil。’
’Oh，neverfear；Ihavemadeconvertsoffellowsofseventy。Therich，too，areneverold。’
’Youflatterme。AtsomefuturetimeIwillremindyouofyourpromise。’
’YoumaycommandMarcusClodiusatalltimes——andso，vale！’
’Now，’saidtheEgyptian，soliloquising，’Iamnotwantonlyamanofblood；
IwouldwillinglysavethisGreek，if，byconfessingthecrime，hewilllosehimselfforevertoIone，andforeverfreemefromthechanceofdiscovery；
andIcansavehimbypersuadingJuliatoownthephiltre，whichwillbeheldhisexcuse。Butifhedonotconfessthecrime，why，Juliamustbeshamedfromtheconfession，andhemustdie！——die，lestheprovemyrivalwiththeliving——die，thathemaybemyproxywiththedead！Willheconfess？——canhenotbepersuadedthatinhisdeliriumhestrucktheblow？
Tomeitwouldgivefargreatersafetythanevenhisdeath。Hem！wemusthazardtheexperiment。’
Sweepingalongthenarrowstreet，ArbacesnowapproachedthehouseofSallust，whenhebeheldadarkformwrappedinacloak，andstretchedatlengthacrossthethresholdofthedoor。
Sostilllaythefigure，andsodimwasitsoutline，thatanyotherthanArbacesmighthavefeltasuperstitiousfear，lesthebeheldoneofthosegrimlemures，who，aboveallotherspots，hauntedthethresholdofthehomestheyformerlypossessed。ButnotforArbacesweresuchdreams。
’Rise！’saidhe，touchingthefigurewithhisfoot；’thouobstructesttheway！’
’Ha！whoartthoucriedtheform，inasharptone，andassheraisedherselffromtheground，thestarlightfellfullonthepalefaceandfixedbutsightlesseyesofNydiatheThessalian。’Whoartthou？Iknowtheburdenofthyvoice。’
’Blindgirl！whatdostthouhereatthislatehour？Fie！——isthisseemingthysexoryears？Home，girl！’
’Iknowthee，’saidNydia，inalowvoice，’thouartArbacestheEgyptian’：
then，asifinspiredbysomesuddenimpulse，sheflungherselfathisfeet，andclaspinghisknees，exclaimed，inawildandpassionatetone，’Ohdreadandpotentman！savehim——savehim！Heisnotguilty——itisI！Helieswithin，ill—dying，andI——Iamthehatefulcause！Andtheywillnotadmitmetohim——theyspurntheblindgirlfromthehall。Oh，healhim！thouknowestsomeherb——somespell——somecountercharm，foritisapotionthathathwroughtthisfrenzy！
’Hush，child！Iknowall！——thouforgettestthatIaccompaniedJuliatothesaga’shome。Doubtlessherhandadministeredthedraught；butherreputationdemandsthysilence。Reproachnotthyself——whatmustbe，must：
meanwhile，Iseekthecriminal——hemayyetbesaved。Away！’
Thussaying，ArbacesextricatedhimselffromtheclaspofthedespairingThessalian，andknockedloudlyatthedoor。
Inafewmomentstheheavybarswereheardsuddenlytoyield，andtheporter，halfopeningthedoor，demandedwhowasthere。
’Arbaces——importantbusinesstoSallustrelativetoGlaucus。Icomefromthepraetor。’
Theporter，halfyawning，halfgroaning，admittedthetallformoftheEgyptian。Nydiasprangforward。’Howishe？’shecried；’tellme——tellme！’
’Ho，madgirl！isitthoustill？——forshame！Why，theysayheissensible。’
’Thegodsbepraised！——andyouwillnotadmitme？Ah！Ibeseechthee……’
’Admitthee！——no。AprettysaluteIshouldpreparefortheseshoulderswereItoadmitsuchthingsasthou！Gohome！’
Thedoorclosed，andNydia，withadeepsigh，laidherselfdownoncemoreonthecoldstones；and，wrappinghercloakroundherface，resumedherwearyvigil。
MeanwhileArbaceshadalreadygainedthetriclinium，whereSallust，withhisfavoritefreedman，satlateatsupper。
’What！Arbaces！andatthishour！——Acceptthiscup。’
’Nay，gentleSallust；itisonbusiness，notpleasure，thatIventuretodisturbthee。Howdoththycharge？——theysayinthetownthathehasrecoveredsense。’
’Alas！andtruly，’repliedthegood—naturedbutthoughtlessSallust，wipingthetearfromhiseyes；’butsoshatteredarehisnervesandframethatI
scarcelyrecognizethebrilliantandgaycarouserIwaswonttoknow。Yet，strangetosay，hecannotaccountforthecauseofthesuddenfrenzythatseizedhim——heretainsbutadimconsciousnessofwhathathpassed；and，despitethywitness，wiseEgyptian，solemnlyupholdshisinnocenceofthedeathofApaecides。’
’Sallust，’saidArbaces，gravely，’thereismuchinthyfriend’scasethatmeritsapeculiarindulgence；andcouldwelearnfromhislipstheconfessionandthecauseofhiscrime，muchmightbeyethopedfromthemercyofthesenate；forthesenate，thouknowest，haththepowereithertomitigateortosharpenthelaw。ThereforeitisthatIhaveconferredwiththehighestauthorityofthecity，andobtainedhispermissiontoholdaprivateconferencethisnightwiththeAthenian。Tomorrow，thouknowest，thetrialcomeson。’
’Well，’saidSallust，’thouwiltbeworthyofthyEasternnameandfameifthoucanstlearnaughtfromhim；butthoumaysttry。PoorGlaucus！——andhehadsuchanexcellentappetite！Heeatsnothingnow！’
Thebenevolentepicurewasmovedsensiblyatthisthought。Hesighed，andorderedhisslavestorefillhiscup。
’Nightwanes，’saidtheEgyptian；’suffermetoseethywardnow。’
Sallustnoddedassent，andledthewaytoasmallchamber，guardedwithoutbytwodozingslaves。Thedooropened；attherequestofArbaces，Sallustwithdrew——theEgyptianwasalonewithGlaucus。
Oneofthosetallandgracefulcandelabracommontothatday，supportingasinglelamp，burnedbesidethenarrowbed。ItsraysfellpalelyoverthefaceoftheAthenian，andArbaceswasmovedtoseehowsensiblythatcountenancehadchanged。Therichcolorwasgone，thecheekwassunk，thelipswereconvulsedandpallid；fiercehadbeenthestrugglebetweenreasonandmadness，lifeanddeath。Theyouth，thestrengthofGlaucushadconquered；butthefreshnessofbloodandsoul——thelifeoflife——itsgloryanditszest，weregoneforever。
TheEgyptianseatedhimselfquietlybesidethebed；Glaucusstilllaymuteandunconsciousofhispresence。Atlength，afteraconsiderablepause，Arbacesthusspoke：
’Glaucus，wehavebeenenemies。Icometotheealoneandinthedeadofnight——thyfriend，perhapsthysaviour。’
Asthesteedstartsfromthepathofthetiger，Glaucussprangupbreathless——alarmed，pantingattheabruptvoice，thesuddenapparitionofhisfoe。Theireyesmet，andneither，forsomemoments，hadpowertowithdrawhisgaze。TheflushwentandcameoverthefaceoftheAthenian，andthebronzedcheekoftheEgyptiangrewashademorepale。Atlength，withaninwardgroan，Glaucusturnedaway，drewhishandacrosshisbrow，sunkback，andmuttered：
’AmIstilldreaming？’
’No，Glaucusthouartawake。Bythisrighthandandmyfather’shead，thouseestonewhomaysavethylife。Hark！Iknowwhatthouhastdone，butI
knowalsoitsexcuse，ofwhichthouthyselfartignorant。Thouhastcommittedmurder，itistrue——asacrilegiousmurder——frownnot——startnot——theseeyessawit。ButIcansavethee——Icanprovehowthouwertbereavedofsense，andmadenotafree—thinkingandfree—actingman。Butinordertosavethee，thoumustconfessthycrime。Signbutthispaper，acknowledgingthyhandinthedeathofApaecides，andthoushaltavoidthefatalurn。’
’Whatwordsarethese？——MurderandApaecides！——DidInotseehimstretchedonthegroundbleedingandacorpse？andwouldstthoupersuademethatIdidthedeed？Man，thouliest！Away！’
’Benotrash——Glaucus，benothasty；thedeedisproved。Come，come，thoumaystwellbeexcusedfornotrecallingtheactofthydelirium，andwhichthysobersenseswouldhaveshunnedeventocontemplate。Butletmetrytorefreshthyexhaustedandwearymemory。Thouknowestthouwertwalkingwiththepriest，disputingabouthissister；thouknowesthewasintolerant，andhalfaNazarene，andhesoughttoconvertthee，andyehadhotwords；andhecalumniatedthymodeoflife，andsworehewouldnotmarryIonetothee——andthen，inthywrathandthyfrenzy，thoudidststrikethesuddenblow。Come，come；youcanrecollectthis！——readthispapyrus，itrunstothateffect——signit，andthouartsaved。’
’Barbarian，givemethewrittenlie，thatImaytearit！IthemurdererofIone’sbrother：Iconfesstohaveinjuredonehairoftheheadofhimsheloved！Letmeratherperishathousandtimes！’
’Beware！’saidArbaces，inalowandhissingtone；’thereisbutonechoice——thyconfessionandthysignature，ortheamphitheatreandthelion’smaw！’
AstheEgyptianfixedhiseyesuponthesufferer，hehailedwithjoythesignsofevidentemotionthatseizedthelatteratthesewords。AslightshudderpassedovertheAthenian’sframe——hislipfell——anexpressionofsuddenfearandwonderbetrayeditselfinhisbrowandeye。
’Greatgods！’hesaid，inalowvoice，’whatreverseisthis？Itseemsbutalittledaysincelifelaughedoutfromamidstroses——Ionemine——youth，health，love，lavishingonmetheirtreasures；andnow——pain，madness，shame，death！Andforwhat？WhathaveIdone？Oh，Iammadstill？’
’Sign，andbesaved！’saidthesoft，sweetvoiceoftheEgyptian。
’Tempter，never！’criedGlaucus，inthereactionofrage。’Thouknowestmenot：thouknowestnotthehaughtysoulofanAthenian！Thesuddenfaceofdeathmightappalmeforamoment，butthefearisover。Dishonourappalsforever！Whowilldebasehisnametosavehislife？whoexchangeclearthoughtsforsullendays？whowillbeliehimselftoshame，andstandblackenedintheeyesoflove？Iftoearnafewyearsofpollutedlifetherebesobaseacoward，dreamnot，dullbarbarianofEgypt！tofindhiminonewhohastrodthesamesodasHarmodius，andbreathedthesameairasSocrates。Go！leavemetolivewithoutself—reproach——ortoperishwithoutfear！’
’Bethinktheewell！thelion’sfangs：thehootsofthebrutalmob：thevulgargazeonthydyingagonyandmutilatedlimbs：thynamedegraded；thycorpseunburied；theshamethouwouldstavoidclingingtotheeforayeandever！’
’Thouravest；thouartthemadman！shameisnotinthelossofothermen’sesteem——itisinthelossofourown。Wiltthougo？——myeyesloathethesightofthee！hatingever，Idespisetheenow！’
’Igo，’saidArbaces，stungandexasperated，butnotwithoutsomepityingadmirationofhisvictim，’Igo；wemeettwiceagain——onceattheTrial，onceattheDeath！Farewell！’
TheEgyptianroseslowly，gatheredhisrobesabouthim，andleftthechamber。HesoughtSallustforamoment，whoseeyesbegantoreelwiththevigilsofthecup：’Heisstillunconscious，orstillobstinate；thereisnohopeforhim。’
’Saynotso，’repliedSallust，whofeltbutlittleresentmentagainsttheAthenian’saccuser，forhepossessednogreatausterityofvirtue，andwasrathermovedbyhisfriend’sreversesthanpersuadedofhisinnocence——’saynotso，myEgyptian！sogoodadrinkershallbesavedifpossible。BacchusagainstIsis！’
’Weshallsee，’saidtheEgyptian。
Suddenlytheboltswereagainwithdrawn——thedoorunclosed；Arbaceswasintheopenstreet；andpoorNydiaoncemorestartedfromherlongwatch。
’Wiltthousavehim？’shecried，claspingherhands。
’Child，followmehome；Iwouldspeaktothee——itisforhissakeIaskit。’
’Andthouwiltsavehim？’
Noanswercameforthtothethirstingearoftheblindgirl：Arbaceshadalreadyproceededfarupthestreet；shehesitatedamoment，andthenfollowedhisstepsinsilence。
’Imustsecurethisgirl，’saidhe，musingly，’lestshegiveevidenceofthephiltre；astothevainJulia，shewillnotbetrayherself。’
ChapterVIII
ACLASSICFUNERAL。
WHILEArbaceshadbeenthusemployed，SorrowandDeathwereinthehouseofIone。ItwasthenightprecedingthemorninwhichthesolemnfuneralritesweretobedecreedtotheremainsofthemurderedApaecides。ThecorpsehadbeenremovedfromthetempleofIsistothehouseofthenearestsurvivingrelative，andIonehadheard，inthesamebreath，thedeathofherbrotherandtheaccusationagainstherbetrothed。Thatfirstviolentanguishwhichbluntsthesensetoallbutitself，andtheforbearingsilenceofherslaves，hadpreventedherlearningminutelythecircumstancesattendantonthefateofherlover。Hisillness，hisfrenzy，andhisapproachingtrial，wereunknowntoher。Shelearnedonlytheaccusationagainsthim，andatonceindignantlyrejectedit；nay，onhearingthatArbaceswastheaccuser，sherequirednomoretoinduceherfirmlyandsolemnlytobelievethattheEgyptianhimselfwasthecriminal。Butthevastandabsorbingimportanceattachedbytheancientstotheperformanceofeveryceremonialconnectedwiththedeathofarelation，had，asyet，confinedherwoeandherconvictionstothechamberofthedeceased。Alas！itwasnotforhertoperformthattenderandtouchingoffice，whichobligedthenearestrelativetoendeavortocatchthelastbreath——thepartingsoul——ofthebelovedone：
butitwasherstoclosethestrainingeyes，thedistortedlips：towatchbytheconsecratedclay，as，freshbathedandanointed，itlayinfestiverobesupontheivorybed；tostrewthecouchwithleavesandflowers，andtorenewthesolemncypress—branchatthethresholdofthedoor。Andinthesesadoffices，inlamentationandinprayer，Ioneforgotherself。Itwasamongtheloveliestcustomsoftheancientstoburytheyoungatthemorningtwilight；for，astheystrovetogivethesoftestinterpretationtodeath，sotheypoeticallyimaginedthatAurora，wholovedtheyoung，hadstolenthemtoherembrace；andthoughintheinstanceofthemurderedpriestthisfablecouldnotappropriatelycheatthefancy，thegeneralcustomwasstillpreserved。
Thestarswerefadingonebyonefromthegreyheavens，andnightslowlyrecedingbeforetheapproachofmorn，whenadarkgroupstoodmotionlessbeforeIone’sdoor。Highandslendertorches，madepalerbytheunmelloweddawn，casttheirlightovervariouscountenances，hushedforthemomentinonesolemnandintentexpression。Andnowtherearoseaslowanddismalmusic，whichaccordedsadlywiththerite，andfloatedfaralongthedesolateandbreathlessstreets；whileachorusoffemalevoices（thePraeficaesooftencitedbytheRomanpoets），accompanyingtheTibicenandtheMysianflute，wokethefollowingstrain：
THEFUNERALDIRGE
O’erthesadthreshold，wherethecypressboughSupplantstherosethatshouldadornthyhome，OnthelastpilgrimageonearththatnowAwaitsthee，wanderertoCocytus，come！
Darklywewoo，andweepingweinvite——
Deathisthyhost——hisbanquetasksthysoul，ThygarlandshangwithintheHouseofNight，Andtheblackstreamaloneshallfillthybowl。
Nomorefortheethelaughterandthesong，Thejocundnight——thegloryoftheday！
TheArgivedaughters’attheirlabourslong；
Thehell—birdswoopingonitsTitanprey——
ThefalseAEolidesupheavingslow，O’ertheeternalhill，theeternalstone；
ThecrownedLydian，inhisparchingwoe，AndgreenCallirrhoe’smonster—headedson—
Theseshaltthousee，dimshadowedthroughthedark，WhichmakestheskyofPluto’sdrearyshore；
Lo！wherethoustand’st，pale—gazingonthebark，Thatwaitsourritetobeartheetremblingo’er！
Come，then！nomoredelay！——thephantompinesAmidsttheUnburiedforitslatesthome；
O’erthegreyskythetorchimpatientshines——
Come，mourner，forth！——thelostonebidstheecome。
Asthehymndiedaway，thegrouppartedintwain；andplaceduponacouch，spreadwithapurplepall，thecorpseofApaecideswascarriedforth，withthefeetforemost。Thedesignator，ormarshalofthesombreceremonial，accompaniedbyhistorch—bearers，cladinblack，gavethesignal，andtheprocessionmoveddreadlyon。
Firstwentthemusicians，playingaslowmarch——thesolemnityofthelowerinstrumentsbrokenbymanyalouderandwilderburstofthefuneraltrumpet：
nextfollowedthehiredmourners，chantingtheirdirgestothedead；andthefemalevoicesweremingledwiththoseofboys，whosetenderyearsmadestillmorestrikingthecontrastoflifeanddeath——thefreshleafandthewitheredone。Buttheplayers，thebuffoons，thearchimimus（whosedutyitwastopersonatethedead）——these，thecustomaryattendantsatordinaryfunerals，werebanishedfromafuneralattendedwithsomanyterribleassociations。
ThepriestsofIsiscamenextintheirsnowygarments，barefooted，andsupportingsheavesofcorn；whilebeforethecorpsewerecarriedtheimagesofthedeceasedandhismanyAthenianforefathers。Andbehindthebierfollowed，amidstherwomen，thesolesurvivingrelativeofthedead——herheadbare，herlocksdisheveled，herfacepalerthanmarble，butcomposedandstill，saveeverandanon，assometenderthought——awakenedbythemusic，flasheduponthedarklethargyofwoe，shecoveredthatcountenancewithherhands，andsobbedunseen；forherswerenotthenoisysorrow，theshrilllament，theungovernedgesture，whichcharacterizedthosewhohonoredlessfaithfully。Inthatage，asinall，thechannelofdeepgriefflowedhushedandstill。
Andsotheprocessionswepton，tillithadtraversedthestreets，passedthecitygate，andgainedthePlaceofTombswithoutthewall，whichthetraveleryetbeholds。
Raisedintheformofanaltar——ofunpolishedpine，amidstwhoseintersticeswereplacedpreparationsofcombustiblematter——stoodthefuneralpyre；andarounditdroopedthedarkandgloomycypressessoconsecratedbysongtothetomb。
Assoonasthebierwasplaceduponthepile，theattendantspartingoneitherside，Ionepasseduptothecouch，andstoodbeforetheunconsciousclayforsomemomentsmotionlessandsilent。Thefeaturesofthedeadhadbeencomposedfromthefirstagonizedexpressionofviolentdeath。Hushedforevertheterrorandthedoubt，thecontestofpassion，theaweofreligion，thestruggleofthepastandpresent，thehopeandthehorrorofthefuture！——ofallthatrackedanddesolatedthebreastofthatyoungaspiranttotheHolyofLife，whattracewasvisibleintheawfulserenityofthatimpenetrablebrowandunbreathinglip？Thesistergazed，andnotasoundwasheardamidstthecrowd；therewassomethingterrible，yetsoftening，also，inthesilence；andwhenitbroke，itbrokesuddenandabrupt——itbroke，withaloudandpassionatecry——theventoflong—smothereddespair。
’Mybrother！mybrother！’criedthepoororphan，fallinguponthecouch；
’thouwhomthewormonthypathfearednot——whatenemycouldstthouprovoke？
Oh，isitintruthcometothis？Awake！awake！Wegrewtogether！Arewethustornasunder？Thouartnotdead——thousleepest。Awake！awake！’
Thesoundofherpiercingvoicearousedthesympathyofthemourners，andtheybrokeintoloudandrudelament。Thisstartled，thisrecalledIone；
shelookeduphastilyandconfusedly，asifforthefirsttimesensibleofthepresenceofthosearound。
’Ah！’shemurmuredwithashiver，’wearenotthenalone！’Withthat，afterabriefpause，sherose；andherpaleandbeautifulcountenancewasagaincomposedandrigid。Withfondandtremblinghands，sheunclosedthelidsofthedeceased；butwhenthedullglazedeye，nolongerbeamingwithloveandlife，methers，sheshriekedaloud，asifshehadseenaspectre。Oncemorerecoveringherselfshekissedagainandagainthelids，thelips，thebrow；
andwithmechanicandunconscioushand，receivedfromthehighpriestofherbrother’stemplethefuneraltorch。
Thesuddenburstofmusic，thesuddensongofthemournersannouncedthebirthofthesanctifyingflame。
HYMNTOTHEWIND