AstheEgyptianceasedthereroseabout，around，beneath，thesoftestmusicthatLydiaevertaught，orIonaeverperfected。Itcamelikeastreamofsound，bathingthesensesunawares；enervating，subduingwithdelight。Itseemedthemelodiesofinvisiblespirits，suchastheshepherdmighthaveheardinthegoldenage，floatingthroughthevalesofThessaly，orinthenoontidegladesofPaphos。ThewordswhichhadrushedtothelipofApaecides，inanswertothesophistriesoftheEgyptian，diedtremblinglyaway。Hefeltitasaprofanationtobreakuponthatenchantedstrain——thesusceptibilityofhisexcitednature，theGreeksoftnessandardourofhissecretsoul，wereswayedandcapturedbysurprise。Hesankontheseatwithpartedlipsandthirstingear；whileinachorusofvoices，blandandmeltingasthosewhichwakedPsycheinthehallsoflove，rosethefollowingsong：
　　THEHYMNOFEROS
　　BythecoolbankswheresoftCephisusflows，Avoicesail’dtremblingdownthewavesofair；
　　TheleavesblushedbrighterintheTeian’srose，Thedovescouch’dbreathlessintheirsummerlair；
　　Whilefromtheirhandsthepurplefloweretsfell，ThelaughingHoursstoodlisteninginthesky；——
　　FromPan’sgreencavetoAEgle’shauntedcell，Heavedthecharm’dearthinonedelicioussigh。
　　Love，sonsofearth！IamthePowerofLove！
　　Eldestofallthegods，withChaosborn；
　　Mysmileshedslightalongthecourtsabove，MykisseswaketheeyelidsoftheMorn。
　　Minearethestars——there，everasyegaze，Yemeetthedeepspellofmyhauntingeyes；
　　Mineisthemoon——and，mournfulifherrays，’TisthatshelingerswhereherCarianlies。
　　Theflowersaremine——theblushesoftherose，Theviolet——charmingZephyrtotheshade；
　　MinethequicklightthatintheMaybeamglows，Andminetheday—dreaminthelonelyglade。
　　Love，sonsofearth——forloveisearth’ssoftlore，Lookwhereyewill——earthoverflowswithME；
　　Learnfromthewavesthateverkisstheshore，Andthewindsnestlingontheheavingsea。
　　’Allteacheslove！’——Thesweetvoice，likeadream，Meltedinlight；yetstilltheairsabove，Thewavingsedges，andthewhisperingstream，Andthegreenforestrustling，murmur’d’LOVE！’
　　Asthevoicesdiedaway，theEgyptianseizedthehandofApaecides，andledhim，wandering，intoxicated，yethalf—reluctant，acrossthechambertowardsthecurtainatthefarend；andnow，frombehindthatcurtain，thereseemedtoburstathousandsparklingstars；theveilitself，hithertodark，wasnowlightedbythesefiresbehindintothetenderestblueofheaven。Itrepresentedheavenitself——suchaheaven，asinthenightsofJunemighthaveshonedownoverthestreamsofCastaly。Hereandtherewerepaintedrosyandaerialclouds，fromwhichsmiled，bythelimner’sart，facesofdivinestbeauty，andonwhichreposedtheshapesofwhichPhidiasandApellesdreamed。Andthestarswhichstuddedthetransparentazurerolledrapidlyastheyshone，whilethemusic，thatagainwokewithalivelierandlightersound，seemedtoimitatethemelodyofthejoyousspheres。
　　’Oh！whatmiracleisthis，Arbaces，’saidApaecidesinfalteringaccents。
　　’Afterhavingdeniedthegods，artthouabouttorevealtome……’
　　’Theirpleasures！’interruptedArbaces，inatonesodifferentfromitsusualcoldandtranquilharmonythatApaecidesstarted，andthoughttheEgyptianhimselftransformed；andnow，astheynearedthecurtain，awild——aloud——anexultingmelodyburstfrombehinditsconcealment。Withthatsoundtheveilwasrentintwain——itparted——itseemedtovanishintoair：andascene，whichnoSybariteevermorethanrivalled，brokeuponthedazzledgazeoftheyouthfulpriest。Avastbanquet—roomstretchedbeyond，blazingwithcountlesslights，whichfilledthewarmairwiththescentsoffrankincense，ofjasmine，ofviolets，ofmyrrh；allthatthemostodorousflowers，allthatthemostcostlyspicescoulddistil，seemedgatheredintooneineffableandambrosialessence：fromthelightcolumnsthatsprangupwardstotheairyroof，hungdraperiesofwhite，studdedwithgoldenstars。Attheextremitiesoftheroomtwofountainscastupaspray，which，catchingtheraysoftheroseatelight，glitteredlikecountlessdiamonds。
　　Inthecentreoftheroomastheyenteredthereroseslowlyfromthefloor，tothesoundofunseenminstrelsy，atablespreadwithalltheviandswhichsenseeverdevotedtofancy，andvasesofthatlostMyrrhinefabric，soglowinginitscolors，sotransparentinitsmaterial，werecrownedwiththeexoticsoftheEast。Thecouches，towhichthistablewasthecentre，werecoveredwithtapestriesofazureandgold；andfrominvisibletubesthevaultedroofdescendedshowersoffragrantwaters，thatcooledthedeliciousair，andcontendedwiththelamps，asifthespiritsofwaveandfiredisputedwhichelementcouldfurnishforththemostdeliciousodorous。Andnow，frombehindthesnowydraperies，troopedsuchformsasAdonisbeheldwhenhelayonthelapofVenus。Theycame，somewithgarlands，otherswithlyres；theysurroundedtheyouth，theyledhisstepstothebanquet。Theyflungthechapletsroundhiminrosychains。Theearth——thethoughtofearth，vanishedfromhissoul。Heimaginedhimselfinadream，andsuppressedhisbreathlestheshouldwaketoosoon；thesenses，towhichhehadneveryieldedasyet，beatinhisburningpulse，andconfusedhisdizzyandreelingsight。Andwhilethusamazedandlost，onceagain，butinbriskandBacchicmeasures，rosethemagicstrain：
　　ANACREONTIC
　　IntheveinsofthecalixfoamsandglowsThebloodofthemantlingvine，Butoh！inthebowlofYouththereglowsALesbian，moredivine！
　　Bright，bright，Astheliquidlight，Itswavesthroughthineeyelidsshine！
　　Fillup，fillup，tothesparklingbrim，ThejuiceoftheyoungLyaeus；
　　ThegrapeisthekeythatweowetohimFromthegaoloftheworldtofreeus。
　　Drink，drink！
　　Whatneedtoshrink，Whenthelambsalonecanseeus？
　　Drink，drink，asIquafffromthineeyesThewineofasoftertree；
　　Givethesmilestothegodofthegrape——thysighs，Belovedone，givetome。
　　Turn，turn，Myglancesburn，Andthirstforalookfromthee！
　　Asthesongended，agroupofthreemaidens，entwinedwithachainofstarredflowers，andwho，whiletheyimitated，mighthaveshamedtheGraces，advancedtowardshimintheglidingmeasuresoftheIoniandance：suchastheNereidswreathedinmoonlightontheyellowsandsoftheAEgeanwave——suchasCythereataughtherhandmaidsinthemarriage—feastofPsycheandherson。
　　Nowapproaching，theywreathedtheirchapletroundhishead；nowkneeling，theyoungestofthethreeprofferedhimthebowl，fromwhichthewineofLesbosfoamedandsparkled。Theyouthresistednomore，hegraspedtheintoxicatingcup，thebloodmantledfiercelythroughhisveins。Hesankuponthebreastofthenymphwhosatbesidehim，andturningwithswimmingeyestoseekforArbaces，whomhehadlostinthewhirlofhisemotions，hebeheldhimseatedbeneathacanopyattheupperendofthetable，andgazinguponhimwithasmilethatencouragedhimtopleasure。Hebeheldhim，butnotashehadhithertoseen，withdarkandsablegarments，withabroodingandsolemnbrow：arobethatdazzledthesight，sostuddedwasitswhitestsurfacewithgoldandgems，blazeduponhismajesticform；whiteroses，alternatedwiththeemeraldandtheruby，andshapedtiara—like，crownedhisravenlocks。Heappeared，likeUlysses，tohavegainedthegloryofasecondyouth——hisfeaturesseemedtohaveexchangedthoughtforbeauty，andhetoweredamidstthelovelinessthatsurroundedhim，inallthebeamingandrelaxingbenignityoftheOlympiangod。
　　’Drink，feast，love，mypupil！’saidhe，’blushnotthatthouartpassionateandyoung。Thatwhichthouart，thoufeelestinthyveins：thatwhichthoushaltbe，survey！’
　　Withthishepointedtoarecess，andtheeyesofApaecides，followingthegesture，beheldonapedestal，placedbetweenthestatuesofBacchusandIdalia，theformofaskeleton。
　　’Startnot，’resumedtheEgyptian；’thatfriendlyguestadmonishesusbutoftheshortnessoflife。FromitsjawsIhearavoicethatsummonsustoENJOY。’
　　Ashespoke，agroupofnymphssurroundedthestatue；theylaidchapletsonitspedestal，and，whilethecupswereemptiedandrefilledatthatglowingboard，theysangthefollowingstrain：
　　BACCHICHYMNSTOTHEIMAGEOFDEATH
　　I
　　ThouartinthelandoftheshadowyHost，Thouthatdidstdrinkandlove：
　　BytheSolemnRiver，aglidingghost，Butthythoughtisoursabove！
　　Ifmemoryyetcanfly，Backtothegoldensky，Andmournthepleasureslost！
　　Bytheruin’dhalltheseflowerswelay，Wherethysouloncehelditspalace；
　　Whentherosetothyscentandsightwasgay，Andthesmilewasinthechalice，Andthecithara’svoiceCouldbidthyheartrejoiceWhennighteclipsedtheday。
　　Hereanewgroupadvancing，turnedthetideofthemusicintoaquickerandmorejoyousstrain。
　　II
　　Death，deathisthegloomyshoreWhereweallsail——
　　Soft，soft，thouglidingoar；
　　Blowsoft，sweetgale！
　　ChainwithbrightwreathstheHours；
　　VictimsifallEver，’midsongandflowers，Victimsshouldfall！
　　Pausingforamoment，yetquickerandquickerdancedthesilver—footedmusic：
　　SinceLife’ssoshort，we’lllivetolaugh，Ah！whereforewasteaminute！
　　Ifyouth’sthecupweyetcanquaff，Belovethepearlwithinit！
　　Athirdbandnowapproachedwithbrimmingcups，whichtheypouredinlibationuponthatstrangealtar；andoncemore，slowandsolemn，rosethechangefulmelody：
　　III
　　Thouartwelcome，Guestofgloom，Fromthefarandfearfulsea！
　　Whenthelastroseshedsitsbloom，Ourboardshallbespreadwiththee！
　　Allhail，darkGuest！
　　WhohathsofairapleaOurwelcomeGuesttobe，Asthou，whosesolemnhallAtlastshallfeastusallInthedimanddismalcoast？
　　LongyetbewetheHost！
　　Andthou，DeadShadow，thou，Alljoylessthoughthybrow，Thou——butourpassingGUEST！
　　Atthismoment，shewhosatbesideApaecidessuddenlytookupthesong：
　　IV
　　Happyisyetourdoom，Theearthandthesunareours！
　　AndfarfromthedrearytombSpeedthewingsoftherosyHours——
　　Sweetisfortheethebowl，Sweetarethylooks，mylove；
　　Iflytothytendersoul，Asbirdtoitsmateddove！
　　Takeme，ah，take！
　　Clasp’dtothyguardianbreast，Softletmesinktorest：
　　Butwakeme——ah，wake！
　　Andtellmewithwordsandsighs，Butmorewiththymeltingeyes，Thatmysunisnotset——
　　ThattheTorchisnotquench’dattheUrnThatwelove，andwebreathe，andburn，Tellme——thoulov’stmeyet！
　　BOOKTHESECOND
　　ChapterI
　　AFLASHHOUSEINPOMPEII，ANDTHEGENTLEMENOFTHECLASSICRING。
　　TOoneofthosepartsofPompeii，whichweretenantednotbythelordsofpleasure，butbyitsminionsanditsvictims；thehauntofgladiatorsandprize—fighters；oftheviciousandthepenniless；ofthesavageandtheobscene；theAlsatiaofanancientcity——wearenowtransported。
　　Itwasalargeroom，thatopenedatonceontheconfinedandcrowdedlane。
　　Beforethethresholdwasagroupofmen，whoseironandwell—strungmuscles，whoseshortandHerculeannecks，whosehardyandrecklesscountenances，indicatedthechampionsofthearena。Onashelf，withouttheshop，wererangedjarsofwineandoil；andrightoverthiswasinsertedinthewallacoarsepainting，whichexhibitedgladiatorsdrinking——soancientandsovenerableisthecustomofsigns！Withintheroomwereplacedseveralsmalltables，arrangedsomewhatinthemodernfashionof’boxes’，androundthesewereseatedseveralknotsofmen，somedrinking，someplayingatdice，someatthatmoreskilfulgamecalled’duodecimscriptae’，whichcertainoftheblunderinglearnedhavemistakenforchess，thoughitrather，perhaps，resembledbackgammonofthetwo，andwasusually，thoughnotalways，playedbytheassistanceofdice。Thehourwasintheearlyforenoon，andnothingbetter，perhaps，thanthatunseasonabletimeitselfdenotedthehabitualindolenceofthesetavernloungers。
　　Yet，despitethesituationofthehouseandthecharacterofitsinmates，itindicatednoneofthatsordidsqualorwhichwouldhavecharacterizedasimilarhauntinamoderncity。ThegaydispositionofallthePompeians，whosought，atleast，togratifythesenseevenwheretheyneglectedthemind，wastypifiedbythegaudycolorswhichdecoratedthewalls，andtheshapes，fantasticbutnotinelegant，inwhichthelamps，thedrinking—cups，thecommonesthouseholdutensils，werewrought。
　　’ByPollux！’saidoneofthegladiators，asheleanedagainstthewallofthethreshold，’thewinethousellestus，oldSilenus’——andashespokeheslappedaportlypersonageontheback——’isenoughtothinthebestbloodinone’sveins。’
　　Themanthuscaressinglysaluted，andwhosebaredarms，whiteapron，andkeysandnapkintuckedcarelesslywithinhisgirdle，indicatedhimtobethehostofthetavern，wasalreadypassedintotheautumnofhisyears；buthisformwasstillsorobustandathletic，thathemighthaveshamedeventhesinewyshapesbesidehim，savethatthemuscleshadseeded，asitwere，intoflesh，thatthecheekswereswelledandbloated，andtheincreasingstomachthrewintoshadethevastandmassivechestwhichroseaboveit。
　　’Noneofthyscurrilousblusteringswithme，’growledthegiganticlandlord，inthegentlesemi—roarofaninsultedtiger；’mywineisgoodenoughforacarcasswhichshallsosoonsoakthedustofthespoliarium。’
　　’Croakestthouthus，oldraven！’returnedthegladiator，laughingscornfully；’thoushaltlivetohangthyselfwithdespitewhenthouseestmewinthepalmcrown；andwhenIgetthepurseattheamphitheatre，asI
　　certainlyshall，myfirstvowtoHerculesshallbetoforsweartheeandthyvilepotationsevermore。’
　　’Heartohim——heartothismodestPyrgopolinices！HehascertainlyservedunderBombochidesCluninstaridysarchides，’criedthehost。’Sporus，Niger，Tetraides，hedeclaresheshallwinthepursefromyou。Why，bythegods！
　　eachofyourmusclesisstrongenoughtostifleallhisbody，orIknownothingofthearena！’
　　’Ha！’saidthegladiator，coloringwithrisingfury，’ourlanistawouldtelladifferentstory。’
　　’Whatstorycouldhetellagainstme，vainLydon？’saidTetraides，frowning。
　　’Orme，whohaveconqueredinfifteenfights？’saidthegiganticNiger，stalkinguptothegladiator。
　　’Orme？’gruntedSporus，witheyesoffire。
　　’Tush！’saidLydon，foldinghisarms，andregardinghisrivalswitharecklessairofdefiance。’Thetimeoftrialwillsooncome；keepyourvalortillthen。’
　　’Ay，do，’saidthesurlyhost；’andifIpressdownmythumbtosaveyou，maytheFatescutmythread！’
　　’Yourrope，youmean，’saidLydon，sneeringly：’hereisasestercetobuyone。’
　　TheTitanwine—venderseizedthehandextendedtohim，andgripeditinsosternavicethatthebloodspirtedfromthefingers’endsoverthegarmentsofthebystanders。
　　Theysetupasavagelaugh。
　　’Iwillteachthee，youngbraggart，toplaytheMacedonianwithme！IamnopunyPersian，Iwarrantthee！What，man！haveInotfoughttwentyyearsinthering，andneverloweredmyarmsonce？AndhaveInotreceivedtherodfromtheeditor’sownhandasasignofvictory，andasagracetoretirementonmylaurels？AndamInowtobelecturedbyaboy？’Sosaying，heflungthehandfromhiminscorn。
　　Withoutchangingamuscle，butwiththesamesmilingfacewithwhichhehadpreviouslytauntedminehost，didthegladiatorbravethepainfulgrasphehadundergone。Butnosoonerwashishandreleased，than，crouchingforonemomentasawildcatcrouches，youmightseehishairbristleonhisheadandbeard，andwithafierceandshrillyellhesprangonthethroatofthegiant，withanimpetusthatthrewhim，vastandsturdyashewas，fromhisbalance——anddown，withthecrashofafallingrock，hefell——whileoverhimfellalsohisferociousfoe。
　　Ourhost，perhaps，hadhadnoneedoftheropesokindlyrecommendedtohimbyLydon，hadheremainedthreeminuteslongerinthatposition。But，summonedtohisassistancebythenoiseofhisfall，awoman，whohadhithertokeptinaninnerapartment，rushedtothesceneofbattle。Thisnewallywasinherselfamatchforthegladiator；shewastall，lean，andwitharmsthatcouldgiveotherthansoftembraces。Infact，thegentlehelpmateofBurbothewine—sellerhad，likehimself，foughtinthelists——nayundertheemperor’seye。AndBurbohimself——Burbo，theunconqueredinthefield，accordingtoreport，nowandthenyieldedthepalmtohissoftStratonice。Thissweetcreaturenosoonersawtheimminentperilthatawaitedherworsehalf，thanwithoutotherweaponsthanthosewithwhichNaturehadprovidedher，shedartedupontheincumbentgladiator，and，claspinghimroundthewaistwithherlongandsnakelikearms，liftedhimbyasuddenwrenchfromthebodyofherhusband，leavingonlyhishandsstillclingingtothethroatofhisfoe。Sohaveweseenadogsnatchedbythehindlegsfromthestrifewithafallenrivalinthearmsofsomeenviousgroom；sohaveweseenonehalfofhimhighinair——passiveandoffenceless——whiletheotherhalf，head，teeth，eyes，claws，seemedburiedandengulfedinthemangledandprostrateenemy。Meanwhile，thegladiators，lapped，andpampered，andglutteduponblood，crowdeddelightedlyroundthecombatants——theirnostrilsdistended——theirlipsgrinning——theireyesgloatinglyfixedonthebloodythroatoftheoneandtheindentedtalonsoftheother。
　　’Habet！（hehasgotit！）habet！’criedthey，withasortofyell，rubbingtheirnervoushands。
　　’Nonhabeo，yeliars；Ihavenotgotit！’shoutedthehost，aswithamightyefforthewrenchedhimselffromthosedeadlyhands，androsetohisfeet，breathless，panting，lacerated，bloody；andfronting，withreelingeyes，theglaringlookandgrinningteethofhisbaffledfoe，nowstruggling（butstrugglingwithdisdain）inthegripeofthesturdyamazon。
　　’Fairplay！’criedthegladiators：’onetoone’；and，crowdingroundLydonandthewoman，theyseparatedourpleasinghostfromhiscourteousguest。
　　ButLydon，feelingashamedathispresentposition，andendeavoringinvaintoshakeoffthegraspofthevirago，slippedhishandintohisgirdle，anddrewforthashortknife。Somenacingwashislook，sobrightlygleamedtheblade，thatStratonice，whowasusedonlytothatfashionofbattlewhichwemodernscallthepugilistic，startedbackinalarm。
　　’Ogods！’criedshe，’theruffian！——hehasconcealedweapons！Isthatfair？
　　Isthatlikeagentlemanandagladiator？No，indeed，Iscornsuchfellows。’Withthatshecontemptuouslyturnedherbackonthegladiator，andhastenedtoexaminetheconditionofherhusband。
　　Buthe，asmuchinuredtotheconstitutionalexercisesasanEnglishbull—dogistoacontestwithamoregentleantagonist，hadalreadyrecoveredhimself。Thepurplehuesrecededfromthecrimsonsurfaceofhischeek，theveinsoftheforeheadretiredintotheirwontedsize。Heshookhimselfwithacomplacentgrunt，satisfiedthathewasstillalive，andthenlookingathisfoefromheadtofootwithanairofmoreapprobationthanhehadeverbestoweduponhimbefore：
　　’ByCastor！’saidhe，’thouartastrongerfellowthanItooktheefor！I
　　seethouartamanofmeritandvirtue；givemethyhand，myhero！’
　　’JollyoldBurbo！’criedthegladiators，applauding，’staunchtothebackbone。Givehimthyhand，Lydon。’
　　’Oh，tobesure，’saidthegladiator：’butnowIhavetastedhisblood，I
　　longtolapthewhole。’
　　’ByHercules！’returnedthehost，quiteunmoved，’thatisthetruegladiatorfeeling。Pollux！tothinkwhatgoodtrainingmaymakeaman；why，abeastcouldnotbefiercer！’
　　’Abeast！Odullard！webeatthebeastshollow！’criedTetraides。
　　’Well，wellsaidStratonice，whowasnowemployedinsmoothingherhairandadjustingherdress，’ifyeareallgoodfriendsagain，Irecommendyoutobequietandorderly；forsomeyoungnoblemen，yourpatronsandbackers，havesenttosaytheywillcomeheretopayyouavisit：theywishtoseeyoumoreattheireasethanattheschools，beforetheymakeuptheirbetsonthegreatfightattheamphitheatre。Sotheyalwayscometomyhouseforthatpurpose：theyknowweonlyreceivethebestgladiatorsinPompeii——oursocietyisveryselect——praisedbethegods！’
　　’Yes，’continuedBurbo，drinkingoffabowl，orratherapailofwine，’amanwhohaswonmylaurelscanonlyencouragethebrave。Lydon，drink，myboy；mayyouhaveanhonorableoldagelikemine！’
　　’Comehere，’saidStratonice，drawingherhusbandtoheraffectionatelybytheears，inthatcaresswhichTibullushassoprettilydescribed——’Comehere！’
　　’Notsohard，she—wolf！thouartworsethanthegladiator，’murmuredthehugejawsofBurbo。
　　’Hist！’saidshe，whisperinghim；’Calenushasjuststolein，disguised，bythebackway。Ihopehehasbroughtthesesterces。’
　　’Ho！ho！Iwilljoinhim，saidBurbo；’meanwhile，Isay，keepasharpeyeonthecups——attendtothescore。Letthemnotcheatthee，wife；theyareheroes，tobesure，butthentheyarearrantrogues：Cacuswasnothingtothem。’
　　’Neverfearme，fool！’wastheconjugalreply；andBurbo，satisfiedwiththedearassurance，strodethroughtheapartment，andsoughtthepenetraliaofhishouse。
　　’Sothosesoftpatronsarecomingtolookatourmuscles，’saidNiger。’Whosenttoprevisetheeofit，mymistress？’
　　’Lepidus。HebringswithhimClodius，thesurestbetterinPompeii，andtheyoungGreek，Glaucus。’
　　’Awageronawager，’criedTetraides；’Clodiusbetsonme，fortwentysesterces！Whatsayyou，Lydon？’
　　’Hebetsonme！’saidLydon。
　　’No，onme！’gruntedSporus。
　　’Dolts！doyouthinkhewouldpreferanyofyoutoNiger？’saidtheathletic，thusmodestlynaminghimself。
　　’Well，well，’saidStratonice，asshepiercedahugeamphoraforherguests，whohadnowseatedthemselvesbeforeoneofthetables，’greatmenandbrave，asyeallthinkyourselves，whichofyouwillfighttheNumidianlionincasenomalefactorshouldbefoundtodepriveyouoftheoption？’
　　’Iwhohaveescapedyourarms，stoutStratonice，’saidLydon，’mightsafely，Ithink，encounterthelion。’
　　’Buttellme，’saidTetraides，’whereisthatprettyyoungslaveofyours——theblindgirl，withbrighteyes？Ihavenotseenheralongtime。’
　　’Oh！sheistoodelicateforyou，mysonofNeptune，’saidthehostess，’andtooniceevenforus，Ithink。Wesendherintothetowntosellflowersandsingtotheladies：shemakesusmoremoneysothanshewouldbywaitingonyou。Besides，shehasoftenotheremploymentswhichlieundertherose。’
　　’Otheremployments！’saidNiger；’why，sheistooyoungforthem。’
　　’Silence，beast！’saidStratonice；’youthinkthereisnoplaybuttheCorinthian。IfNydiaweretwicetheagesheisatpresent，shewouldbeequallyfitforVesta——poorgirl！’
　　’But，harkye，Stratonice，’saidLydon；’howdidstthoucomebysogentleanddelicateaslave？SheweremoremeetforthehandmaidofsomerichmatronofRomethanforthee。’
　　’Thatistrue，’returnedStratonice；’andsomedayorotherIshallmakemyfortunebysellingher。HowcameIbyNydia，thouaskest。’
　　’Ay！’
　　’Why，thouseest，myslaveStaphyla——thourememberestStaphyla，Niger？’
　　’Ay，alarge—handedwench，withafacelikeacomicmask。HowshouldI
　　forgether，byPluto，whosehandmaidshedoubtlessisatthismoment！’
　　’Tush，brute！——Well，Staphyladiedoneday，andagreatlossshewastome，andIwentintothemarkettobuymeanotherslave。But，bythegods！theywereallgrownsodearsinceIhadboughtpoorStaphyla，andmoneywassoscarce，thatIwasabouttoleavetheplaceindespair，whenamerchantpluckedmebytherobe。"Mistress，"saidhe，"dostthouwantaslavecheapIhaveachildtosell——abargain。Sheisbutlittle，andalmostaninfant，itistrue；butsheisquickandquiet，docileandclever，singswell，andisofgoodblood，Iassureyou。""Ofwhatcountry？"saidI。"Thessalian。"
　　NowIknewtheThessalianswereacuteandgentle；soIsaidIwouldseethegirl。Ifoundherjustasyouseehernow，scarcelysmallerandscarcelyyoungerinappearance。Shelookedpatientandresignedenough，withherhandscrossedonherbosom，andhereyesdowncast。Iaskedthemerchanthisprice：itwasmoderate，andIboughtheratonce。Themerchantbroughthertomyhouse，anddisappearedinaninstant。Well，myfriends，guessmyastonishmentwhenIfoundshewasblind！Ha！ha！acleverfellowthatmerchant！Iranatoncetothemagistrates，buttheroguewasalreadygonefromPompeii。SoIwasforcedtogohomeinaveryillhumor，Iassureyou；