A King of Tyre

ossible a waking reality. He would go to her. Her hand upon his brow always exorcised his evil spirits, and he knew a pillow for a restless head softer than that of his divan. He struck with

nd workshops. But upon certain occasions he was not averse to the consideration of a goodly appearance, especially when he made his visits to Zillah. The male bird will display his plumage to the utmost, and pipe his sweetest notes, in the presence of the female. We may leave the explanation of this to the naturalist and the novelist; we here only record the fact that Hiram made no objection when his attendant brought from the wardrobe a close-fitting tunic of Sindonese silk, the raw material of which, brought from far-away India, had been woven without a flaw on the Tyrian looms, and embroidered by skilful and patient fingers with scarabs, lotus-blossoms, winged globes, and royal ur?i, in a combination of lines and colors that fascinated the eye with its general effect as much as it bewildered by its details. About

the island from the mainland. From its western balconies the view lay over the city, and far out over the Great Sea. The proud old merchant delighted especially in this prospect, which on

other of porphyry, another of alabaster, and one with strips of agate closely cemented. The interior apartments were panelled in richest woods, and floored with elaborate mosaics, upon which were skins of lions, wolves, and leopards. Objects of curiosity which his captains had brought from all the known co

ospitable in the merchant's welcome. As they passed the entrance together Ahimelek stopped. He seemed to be on the point of speaking, yet no words came. Awkwar

and has in his wife, except that of living with her. From the moment he had put the ring upon her finger, and had gi

been the handmaiden of Hiram's mother, and, but a little beyond him in years, had grown up as a sort of official playmate in the nursery. Upon his mother's death he had sent her

. Her locks overflowed in clustering ringlets upon her forehead and temples, and fell in waves upon her white neck. Her features were small, but so clear-cut as to seem larger than in reality, and so animated were they with health and joy that the long, pendent ear-rings of crystal, which rested upon her shoulders, seemed to borrow from her face the light that flashed in them. Her upper garment came close

d by a playful frown. She held him at arm's

d I were betrothed. You are more goodly-appearing with your sailor's cap and coarse chiton than in these fashions of Tyre. See! I have

ar, and flung it upon a divan; then pl

back our throne, if Egbalus steals it. Let me put it he

jewel in the folds of

er side upon the divan. "Egbalus is only a priest, not even a prince. And you have of

pose I ought to be above letting them annoy me, as the people in the country build booths on the roofs of their houses, and go to s

s driven from his throne, and went wandering over the world, and lost his queen somewhere, and could not find her. You used t

r girl, throwing her arm fondly about the shoulder of Hiram, with her cheek against his. "Even Astarte does not have so good a

gazed into his, seemed to

ut to say a word, and I must leave my throne. The satrap of Syria-only a satrap-has more power than I, a king, and could depose

r form to its full height. Her pose was majesty i

ll question either m

ew beauty was revealed, or some new sweetness exhaled from her life to gladden his. He did not, however, expect to find in his garden a stately palm-tree-a character so lofty and ruggedly strong. He now felt that she was more royal than he, and he could have thr

ery fountain of his soul, as the sun-god dries the springs in summer, should he dare to ques

s crown on a camel flying across the deserts. But"-her voice trembled, steadied only when his hot kiss

m-tree became a spray of delicate vine that t

melek, which was across the recess entering from the court, a sort of hallway that divided the

e night-hawk Egbalus. He is always flitting about in the

erior prowess of his antagonist. His tones of voice showed that he was now objecting, and now yielding point after point, only pro

the consent of every other member of the council bu

view that we are making too much of religion. If they would only leave me to select the victims, I would order the sacrifice myself, and

n the commerce of Cyprus and Memphis to the sailors of the Nile. This is death by the laws of Tyre. And think not that having a son for king will save a traitor. The evidence of it is written out. It is on this parc

enter the room, and slay the priest as he stood. A second thought showed the unwisdom of such a course. The plot must have other meshes, though Egbalus held the chief string. A rash deed on the king'

said Hiram, rising. "A few miserable babies mor

d clenched, and raised above his head; his whole soul seemingly condensed into one act of will, dominating the soul of Ahimelek; and that will was blazing from the priest's half

d to rescue the merchant from the straits into w

ve your king's permission to assent. Let

" jerked out Ahimelek, holding up h

have said it," re

n. He was a consummate actor. He could direct his most fiery passion by cold discretion, as the moulder l

the king would be so led by Baal that he himself would consent? Most noble king!

ocritical wretch with his heels. It cost Hiram a mighty effort to obey his quick, intuitive discretion. He

partment. "I swear by all the gods that for the last time have I yielded

ed by the sharp conflict of emotions through which he ha

ve died rather than have done it. But my time will come, if there be any

s brow, as if to exorcise some demon there-"I

until I can abolish cruelty. And I wil

ilent thought, then ros

no scenes for y

rather be like our heroic Queen Dido, for all her troubles, than be a mere statue come to life, like that which her broth

from such scenes and such priests, for I shall decree that there shall be no gods-except that every man