An Egyptian Princess, Volume 6.

s they entered, and, assisted by other noble staff-bearers (chamberlai

s near. As he entered the hall every one rose, and the multitude received hi

he golden chair for Cambyses, which stood by it. The king's lawful wives sat on his left hand; Nitetis next to him, then Atossa, and by her side the pale, plainly-dressed Phaedime; next to this last wife of Cambyses sat Boges, t

r rank and age. Of the concubines, the greater number sat at the foot of the table; some stood opposite to Cambyses, and enlivened the ban

at by him in all the splendor and dignity of a queen,

bled her. There was a sad seriousness about her mouth, and a slight cloud, which only he could see, seemed to veil the usually calm, clear and cheerful

reating a happy new year for himself and the Persians-named the immense sum he intended to present to his countrymen on this day, and then call

whether it was admissible, they all received satisfactory answers. The petitions of the women had been enquired into by the eunu

by Phaedime and another beauty. The latter was magnificently dressed and had been paired with Phaedime

on seeing their grandchild and daughter so pale, and in such mis

he asked her in an angry and tyrannical tone: "What is the meaning of this beggarly dress at my table, on the day set apart in my honor? Have you forgotten, that in our country it is the custom never to appear unadorned before the king? Ve

aising her hands and eyes to her angry lord in such a beseeching manner that his anger was changed int

sun of my life has withdrawn his light?"

othing then that you wish for? I used to be able to dry your

whom can she put on jewels when her king, her

int herself with white, for underneath the pale color her cheeks were burning with shame and anger. But, in spite of all, she controlled her passionate

er and grandchild thus humbled, and many an Achaemenidae looked on, feeling deep sympat

ore the king, in a golden basket, and gracefully bordered round with

s enormous size and rare beauty with the eye of a conno

ce. "For many years I have studied the art of gardening, and have ventured

so carefully will do greater things than these. What a splendid fruit! Surely it's like was never seen before. I thank you again, Oropastes, and as the thanks of a king must never consist of empty words a

ll. Their anger on account of the humiliation of a woman was quickly forgotten; thoughts of coming battles, undying renown and co

s day. What indeed could he wish for more than he already possessed? Had not the gods given him every thing that a man could desire? and, over and above all this, had not they flung into his lap the precious gift of love? His usual inflexibility seemed to have changed into benevolence, and his stern severity into good-nature, as he turned to his brother Bartja with the words: "Come brother, have you forgotten my pro

to defend his native town Phocaea against the hosts of Cyrus, and this fact the boy cleverly brought forward, speaking of the girl he loved as the daughter of a Greek warr

was untrue. Herod. I. For this reason they held all money transactions m contempt, such occupations being als

more, brother; do what your heart bids you. I know the power of love too, and I will help you to gain our mother's consent." Bartja threw himself at his brother's feet, overcome with gratitude and joy, but Cambyses raised him kin

to ridicule. Vendid. IV. Fargard. 130. The highest duty of man was to create and promo

r country, Nitetis, and will bring back another jew

her had finished speaking. Nitetis had fainted, and Atossa

andane, when Nitetis had awakened t

ke some wine to revive her completely, gave her the cup with his own hand, and then went on at the point at which he had left off in his account: "Bartja is going to your own coun

" cried the bli

exclaimed Atossa again, in an a

he was afraid of meeting those wonderful, fascinating eyes, and turned his head away, saying in a hoarse voice: "Take the women back to their apartments, Boges. I have seen enough of them-let us begin our drinking-bout-good-night, my mother; take care how you nourish vipers with your heart's blood. Sleep well, Egyptian, and pray to the gods to give you a more equal p

-more staggering than walking. Boges accomp

Nile-kitten! Haven't you any message for the beautiful boy, whose love-story frightened you so terribly? Think a little. Poor Boges will very gladly play the go-between; the poor despised Boges wishes you so well-the humble Boges will be so sorry when he sees the proud palm-tree from Sais cut

his impudent manner?" sa

nswered the wr

of your conduct,"

answered Boges. "Go out

scornful words; she saw how full of terror they were for her, turned her back on him and went quickly into the house, but his voice rang after her: "Do

nd least of all messengers from the queen-mother, Atossa or any of the great people, may venture to set foot on these steps. If Croesus or Oropastes should wish to speak to the Egyptian Princess, refuse them decidedly. Do you understand? I repeat it, whoever is begged or bribed into disobedien

threats were never meant in joke, and fancied something great must be comin

nqueting-hall in the same litter

standing in their appointed place, singing their monoto

d confusion rose with every fresh wine-cup. They forgot the dignity of th

e and there a novice was carried away in the arms of a pair of sturdy attendants, while an old hand at the w

ing into the wine-cup as if unconscious of what was going on

he had pretended to love him while her heart really belonged to Bartja. How shamefully they had made sport of him! How deeply rooted must have been the faithlessness of thi

n women seem to take great interest in the love-affairs of their brothers-in-law. The P

ostrich, he feigned deafness and blindness in order not to seem aware of the lo

spicion of his brother, he would have killed him on the spot. Bartja was certainly innocent of any share in the deception and in his brother's misery, but still he was the cause of all; so the old grud

nishment for this false woman. Her death would not content h

ilt, (for he was determined to force a confession from her) shut her up in a solitary dungeon? or should he deliver her over to Boges, to be the servant of his concubines? Yes! now he h

we two-he always fortunate and happy, and I so miserable. Some day or other his descendants w

r into the hall, so that the wine flew round like rain, and cried: "We have had enough of this idle talk and useless noise. Let us hold a council

re intoxicated, and when they were sober reconsidered their determ

ave left us no choice. We cannot go to war against desert wastes; but as our host is already under arms and our swords have

n the staff, which used to be the badge of your rank as commander, and yet you speak like a hot-blooded boy. I agree with you that enemies are easy enough to find, but only fools go out to look for them. The man who tries to make enemies is like a wretch who mutilates his own body. If the

applause, drowned however quickly by cries of

the same time we will follow Hystaspes' advice by raising our claims and pronouncing every one our enemy, who does not cheerfully consent to become a member of the kingdom founded by our great father Cyru

d Zopyrus. "We must h

said Gobryas. "And I

aba

ior Araspes, the old Intaphernes, and so

, striking the table so sharply with his heavy fist, that the golden vessels rang ag

with the Massagetae,

emselves have avenged C

restrained enthusiasm of his warriors, and then, rising from his

e lowered his voice and went on: "I did not ask whether you wished for peace or war-I know that every Persian prefers the labor of war to an inglorious idleness-but I wished to

he king then asked a second question: "Shall we accept the conditions proposed by their envoys, and gra

onsider what has been resolved on during our intoxication. Drink on, all of you, as long as the night lasts. To-morrow, a

y to the king!" Boges had slipped out quietly before him. In the fo

" asked Boges. "I have

rt

ed your master to send

sunburnt head an

u then?" said Boges be

ome one

s sent a message to

old yo

Here, give me what you have; I

it to any one but t

ill be safer in my h

are

e at on

, and then called in a loud voice to the whip-bearers o

atter here?" a

e audacity to make his way into the palace with

ad fallen on his knees, touchin

Then, turning to the eunuch, he asked: "What do

rusted to him to no one but Bartja." On hearing this the boy look

ent stamped furiously on the ground at seeing that the

d the boy who had given him the letter. "The Egyptian lady's

brother

prince, before the banquet, with a greeting from

the banquet the prince was walking with you, so I could not speak to him, and now I am waiting f

fancying himself shamefully deceived. "No, indee

him quick as thought, and Cambyses, who went off at once to his own

rubbing his fat hands, and

one, he called Boges and said in a low voice: "From this time forward the hanging-gardens and the Egyptian are under your cont

ne or Atossa sho

very attempt to see or communicate with Nitetis

favor for mys

well chosen for

lse to take charge of the hang

ow lea

sciousness three times during the day-if w

uld take y

s true as gold, and inflexibly severe. One day of r

your place to-morrow, but give hum the strictest orders, and say

yras, Croesus and Oropastes, the greatest horticulturists at your court, would very much like to see it. May they be all

s eyes open, if he care

e the torches before him. He was so very happy. Every thing had succeeded beyond his expectations:-the fate

concubines. Bartja, the destroyer of his happiness, should set off at once for Egypt, and on his return become the satrap of some distant provinces. He did not wish to incur the guilt of a brother

of followers armed with shields, swords, lances, bows and lassos, in pursuit of the game which was to be fo

historical, not a symbolical meaning. Similar representations occur on Assyrian monuments. Izdubar strangling a lion and fighting with a lion (relief at Khorsabad) is admirably copied in Delitzsch's edition of G. Smith's Chaldean Genesis. Layard discovered some representations of hunting-scenes during his excavations; as, for instance, stags and wild boars among the reeds; and the Greeks often mention the immense troops of followers on horse and foot who attended the kings