CHAPTER VIII.
It wanted two hours of midnight. Bright light was streaming through theopen windows of Rhodopis' house, and sounds of mirth and gaiety fell onthe ear. Her table had been adorned with special care in Croesus' honor.
On the cushions around it lay the guests with whom we are alreadyacquainted: Theodorus, Ibykus, Phanes, Aristomachus, the merchantTheopompus of Miletus, Croesus and others, crowned with chaplets ofpoplar and roses.
Theodorus the sculptor was speaking: "Egypt seems to me," he said, "likea girl who persists in wearing a tight and painful shoe only becauseit is of gold, while within her reach he beautiful and well-fittingslippers in which she could move at ease, if she only would."
"You refer to the Egyptians' pertinacity in retaining traditional formsand customs?" asked Croesus.
"Certainly I do," answered the sculptor. "Two centuries ago Egypt wasunquestionably the first of the nations. In Art and Science she farexcelled us; but we learnt their methods of working, improved on them,held firm to no prescribed proportions, but to the natural types alone,gave freedom and beauty to their unbending outlines, and now have leftour masters far behind us. But how was this possible? simply because theEgyptians, bound by unalterable laws, could make no progress; we, on thecontrary, were free to pursue our course in the wide arena of art as faras will and power would allow."
"But how can an artist be compelled to fashion statues alike, which aremeant to differ from each other in what they represent?"
"In this case that can be easily explained. The entire human body isdivided by the Egyptians into 21 1/4 parts, in accordance with whichdivision the proportion of each separate limb is regulated. I, myself,have laid a wager with Amasis, in presence of the first Egyptiansculptor, (a priest of Thebes), that, if I send my brother Telekles, inEphesus, dimensions, proportion and attitude, according to the Egyptianmethod, he and I together can produce a statue which shall look as ifsculptured from one block and by one hand, though Telekles is to carvethe lower half at Ephesus, and I the upper here in Sais, and under theeye of Amasis."
[These numbers, and the story which immediately follows, are taken from Diodorus I. 98. Plato tells us that, in his time, a law existed binding the Egyptian artists to execute their works with exactly the same amount of beauty or its reverse, as those which had been made more than a thousand years before. This statement is confirmed by the monuments; but any one well acquainted with Egyptian art can discern a marked difference in the style of each epoch. At the time of the ancient kingdom the forms were compressed and stunted; under Seti I. beauty of proportion reached its highest point. During and after the 20th dynasty the style declined in beauty; in the 26th, under the descendants of Psammetichus, we meet with a last revival of art, but the ancient purity of form was never again attained.]
"And shall you win your wager?"
"Undoubtedly. I am just going to begin this trick of art; it will aslittle deserve the name of a work of art, as any Egyptian statue."
"And yet there are single sculptures here which are of exquisiteworkmanship; such, for instance, as the one Amasis sent to Samos as apresent to Polykrates. In Memphis I saw a statue said to be about threethousand years old, and to represent a king who built the great Pyramid,which excited my admiration in every respect. With what certainty andprecision that unusually hard stone has been wrought! the muscles, howcarefully carved! especially in the breast, legs and feet; the harmonyof the features too, and, above all, the polish of the whole, leavenothing to be desired."
"Unquestionably. In all the mechanism of art, such as precision andcertainty in working even the hardest materials, the Egyptians, thoughthey have so long stood still in other points, are still far before us;but to model form with freedom, to breathe, like Prometheus, a soul intothe stone, they will never learn until their old notions on this subjecthave been entirely abandoned. Even the pleasing varieties of corporeallife cannot be represented by a system of mere proportions, much lessthose which are inner and spiritual. Look at the countless statueswhich have been erected during the last three thousand years, in all thetemples and palaces from Naukratis up to the Cataracts. They are allof one type, and represent men of middle age, with grave but benevolentcountenances. Yet they are intended, some as statues of aged monarchs,others to perpetuate the memory of young princes. The warrior and thelawgiver, the blood-thirsty tyrant and the philanthropist are onlydistinguished from each other by a difference in size, by which theEgyptian sculptor expresses the idea of power and strength. Amasisorders a statue just as I should a sword. Breadth and length beingspecified, we both of us know quite well, before the master has begunhis work, what we shall receive when it is finished. How could Ipossibly fashion an infirm old man like an eager youth? a pugilist likea runner in the foot-race? a poet like a warrior? Put Ibykus and ourSpartan friend side by side, and tell me what you would say, were Ito give to the stern warrior the gentle features and gestures of ourheart-ensnaring poet."
"Well, and how does Amasis answer your remarks on this stagnation inart?"
"He deplores it; but does not feel himself strong enough to abolish therestrictive laws of the priests."
"And yet," said the Delphian, "he has given a large sum towards theembellishment of our new temple, expressly, (I use his own words) forthe promotion of Hellenic art!"
"That is admirable in him," exclaimed Croesus. "Will the Alkmaeonidaesoon have collected the three hundred talents necessary for thecompletion of the temple? Were I as rich as formerly I would gladlyundertake the entire cost; notwithstanding that your malicious god socruelly deceived me, after all my offerings at his shrine. For when Isent to ask whether I should begin the war with Cyrus, he returned thisanswer: I should destroy a mighty kingdom by crossing the river Halys.I trusted the god, secured the friendship of Sparta according to hiscommands, crossed the boundary stream, and, in so doing, did indeeddestroy a mighty kingdom; not however that of the Medes and Persians,but my own poor Lydia, which, as a satrapy of Cambyses, finds its lossof independence a hard and uncongenial yoke."
"You blame the god unjustly," answered Phryxus. "It cannot be his faultthat you, in your human conceit, should have misinterpreted his oracle.The answer did not say 'the kingdom of Persia,' but 'a kingdom' shouldbe destroyed through your desire for war. Why did you not enquire whatkingdom was meant? Was not your son's fate truly prophesied by theoracle? and also that on the day of misfortune he would regain hisspeech? And when, after the fall of Sardis, Cyrus granted your wish toenquire at Delphi whether the Greek gods made a rule of requiting theirbenefactors by ingratitude, Loxias answered that he had willed the bestfor you, but was controlled by a mightier power than himself, by thatinexorable fate which had foretold to thy great ancestor, that his fifthsuccessor was doomed to destruction."
"In the first days of my adversity I needed those words far more thannow," interrupted Croesus. "There was a time when I cursed your god andhis oracles; but later, when with my riches my flatterers had left me,and I became accustomed to pronounce judgment on my own actions, I sawclearly that not Apollo, but my own vanity had been the cause of myruin. How could 'the kingdom to be destroyed' possibly mean mine,the mighty realm of the powerful Croesus, the friend of the gods, thehitherto unconquered leader? Had a friend hinted at this interpretationof the ambiguous oracle, I should have derided, nay, probably caused himto be punished. For a despotic ruler is like a fiery steed; the latterendeavors to kick him who touches his wounds with intent to heal; theformer punishes him who lays a hand on the weak or failing points of hisdiseased mind. Thus I missed what, if my eyes had not been dazzled, Imight easily have seen; and now that my vision is clearer, though I havenothing to lose, I am far more often anxious than in the days when nonecould possibly lose more than I. In comparison with those days, Phryxus,I may be called a poor man now, but Cambyses does not leave me tofamish, and I can still raise a talent for your temple."
Phryxus expressed his thanks, and Phanes remarked "The Alkmaeonida; willbe sur
e to erect a beautiful edifice, for they are rich and ambitious,and desirous of gaining favor with the Amphiktyons, in order, by theiraid, to overthrow the tyrants, secure to themselves a higher positionthan that of the family to which I belong, and with this, the guidanceof state-affairs."
"Is it true, as people say," asked Ibykus, "that next to Agarista withwhom Megakles received so rich a dowry, you, Croesus, have been thelargest contributor to the wealth of the Alkmaeonidae?"
"True enough," answered Croesus laughing.
"Tell us the story, I beg," said Rhodopis.
"Well," answered Croesus, "Alkmaeon of Athens once appeared at my court;his cheerfulness and cultivation pleased me well, and I retained himnear me for some time. One day I showed him my treasure-chambers, at thesight of which he fell into despair, called himself a common beggar anddeclared that one good handful of these precious things would make hima happy man. I at once allowed him to take as much gold away as hecould carry. What think you did Alkaemmon on this? sent for high Lydianriding-boots, an apron and a basket, had the one secured behind him, putthe others on, and filled them all with gold, till they could hold nomore. Not content with this, he strewed gold-dust in his hair and beardand filled his mouth to that extent that he appeared in the act ofchoking. In each hand he grasped a golden dish, and thus laden draggedhimself out of the treasure-house, falling exhausted as he crossed thethreshold. Never have I laughed so heartily as at this sight."
"But did you grant him all these treasures?" said Rhodopis.
"Yes, yes, my friend; and did not think even then, that I had paid toodearly for the experience that gold can make fools even of clever men."
"You were the most generous of monarchs," cried Phanes.
"And make a tolerably contented beggar," answered Croesus. "But tell me,Phryxus, how much has Amasis contributed to your collection?"
"He gave fifty tons of alum."
"A royal gift!"
"And the prince Psamtik?"
"On my appealing to him by his father's munificence, he turned hisback on me, and answered with a bitter laugh: 'Collect money forthe destruction of your temple, and I am ready to double my father'sdonation!'"
"The wretch!"
"Say rather: the true Egyptian! to Psamtik everything foreign is anabomination."
"How much have the Greeks in Naukratis contributed?"
"Beside munificent private donations, each community has given twentyminae."
"That is much."
"Philoinus, the Sybarite, alone sent me a thousand drachmm, andaccompanied his gift with a most singular epistle. May I read it aloud,Rhodopis?"
"Certainly," answered she, "it will show you that the drunkard hasrepented of his late behaviour."
The Delphian began: "Philoinus to Phryxus: It grieves me that atRhodopis' house the other night I did not drink more; for had I done soI should have lost consciousness entirely, and so have been unableto offend even the smallest insect. My confounded abstemiousness istherefore to blame, that I can no longer enjoy a place at the best tablein all Egypt. I am thankful, however, to Rhodopis for past enjoyment,and in memory of her glorious roast-beef (which has bred in me the wishto buy her cook at any price) I send twelve large spits for roastingoxen,--[Rhodopis is said to have sent such a gift to Delphi.Herod.]--and beg they may be placed in some treasure-house at Delphi asan offering from Rhodopis. As for myself, being a rich man, I signmy name for a thousand drachmae, and beg that my gift may be publiclyannounced at the next Pythian games. To that rude fellow, Aristomachusof Sparta, express my thanks for the effectual manner in which hefulfilled my intention in coming to Egypt. I came hither for the purposeof having a tooth extracted by an Egyptian dentist said to take outteeth without causing much pain.
[The Egyptian dentists must have been very skilful. Artificial teeth have been discovered in the jaws of mummies. See Blumenbach on the teeth of the ancient Egyptians, and on mummies.]
Aristomachus, however, knocked out the defective tooth and so saved mefrom an operation, the thought of which had often made me tremble. Onrecovering consciousness, I found that three teeth had been knocked intomy mouth, the diseased one and two others, which though healthy, wouldprobably at some future time have caused me pain. Salute Rhodopis andthe handsome Phanes from me. You I invite to an entertainment at myhouse in Sybaris, this day year. We are accustomed to issue invitationssomewhat early, on account of my necessary preparations. I have causedthis epistle to be written by my slave Sophotatus in an adjoiningchamber, as merely to behold the labor of writing causes cramp in myfingers."
A burst of laughter arose at these words, but Rhodopis said: "Thisletter gives me pleasure; it proves that Philoinus is not bad at heart.Brought up a Sybarite."... She was suddenly interrupted by the voice ofa stranger, who had entered unperceived, and, after apologizing to thevenerable hostess and her guests for appearing without invitation amongthem, continued thus: "I am Gyges the son of Croesus; and it has notbeen merely for pastime, that I have ridden over from Sais in two hourslest I should arrive too late!"
"Menon, a cushion for our guest!" cried Rhodopis. "Be welcome to myhouse and take some repose after your wild, thoroughly Lydian, ride."
"By the dog, Gyges!" exclaimed Croesus.
[An oath of Rhadamanthus used in order to avoid mentioning the names of the gods. Schol. Aristoph. Aves. 520.]
"What brings thee here at this hour? I begged thee not to quit Bartja'sside.... But how thou look'st! what is the matter? has aught happened?speak, speak!"
In the first moment Gyges could not answer a word. To see his belovedfather, for whose very life he had been in such anxiety, a safe andhappy guest at this rich banquet, seemed to rob him of his speech asecond time. At last, however, he was able to say: "The gods be praised,my father, that I see thee safe once more! Think not I forsook my postthoughtlessly. Alas! I am forced to appear as a bird of evil omen inthis cheerful assembly. Know at once, ye guests, for I dare not losetime in preparing my words, that a treacherous assault awaits ye!"
They all sprang up as if struck by lightning. Aristomachus silentlyloosened his sword in its scabbard; Phanes extended his arms as if todiscern whether the old athletic elasticity still dwelt there.
"What can it be?--what is their design?" echoed from all sides.
"This house is surrounded by Ethiopian soldiers!" answered Gyges. "Afaithful fellow confided to me that the crown-prince had designs on oneof your number; he was to be taken alive if possible, but killed if heresisted. Dreading lest thou shouldst be this victim, my father, I spedhither. The fellow had not lied. This house is surrounded. My horseshied on reaching your garden-gate, Rhodopis, jaded as he was. Idismounted, and could discern behind every bush the glitter of weaponsand the eager eyes of men lying in ambush. They allowed us, however, toenter unmolested."
At this moment Knakias rushed in crying, "Important news! On my way tothe Nile to fetch water with which to prepare the wine-cup, I have justmet a man who, in his haste, nearly ran over me.
[The water of the Nile has a very agreeable flavor. It is called by one traveller the champagne among the waters. The ladies of the Sultan's harem send for this water even from Constantinople, and the Arabs say, that if Mahomet had drunk thereof he would have desired to live for ever.]
It was an Ethiop, one of Phanes' boatmen, and he tells that just ashe sprang out of the boat to bathe, a royal bark came alongside and asoldier asked the rest of the crew in whose service they were. On thehelmsman answering, 'in Phanes' service,' the royal boat passed onslowly. He, however, (the rower who was bathing), seated himself infun on the rudder of the royal boat, and heard one Ethiopian soldier onboard say to another, 'Keep that craft well in sight; now we know wherethe bird sits, and it will be easy to catch him. Remember, Psamtik haspromised us fifty gold rings if we bring the Athenian to Sais dead oralive.' This is the report of Sebek, who has been in your service sevenyears, O Phanes."
To both these accounts Phanes listened calmly. Rhodopis trembled.Aristomac
hus exclaimed, "Not a hair of your head shall be touched, ifEgypt perish for it!" Croesus advised prudence. A tremendous excitementhad mastered the whole party.
At last Phanes broke silence, saying: "Reflection is never morenecessary than in a time of danger. I have thought the matter over, andsee clearly that escape will be difficult. The Egyptians will try toget rid of me quietly. They know that I intend going on board a Phoeceantrireme, which sets sail for Sigeum at a very early hour to-morrowmorning, and have therefore no time to lose, if they will seize me. Yourgarden, Rhodopis, is entirely surrounded, and were I to remain here,your house would no longer be respected as a sanctuary; it would besearched and I taken in it. There can be no doubt that a watch has beenset over the Phoecean ship also. Blood shall not be shed in vain on myaccount."
"But you dare not surrender!" cried Aristomachus.
"No, no, I have a plan," shouted Theopompus the Milesian merchant. "Atsunrise to-morrow a ship sails for Miletus laden with Egyptian corn,but not from Naukratis, from Canopus. Take the noble Persian's horse andride thither. We will cut a way for you through the garden."
"But," said Gyges, "our little band is not strong enough to carry outsuch an attempt. We number in all ten men, and of these only three haveswords; our enemies, on the other hand, number at least a hundred, andare armed to the teeth."
"Lydian!" cried Aristomachus, "wert thou ten times more faintheartedthan thou art, and were our enemies double their number, I at least,will fight them!"
Phanes grasped his friend's hand. Gyges turned pale. This brave warriorhad called him fainthearted; and again he could find no words to answer;for at every stirring emotion his tongue failed him. Suddenly theblood mounted to his face; his words came quickly and with decision:"Athenian, follow me! and thou, Spartan, who art not wont to use wordsheedlessly, call no man fainthearted again before thou knowest him.Friends, Phanes is safe, Farewell, father!"
The remaining guests surveyed these two departing men in silent wonder.As they stood there, silently listening, the sound of two horsesgalloping swiftly away fell on their ear, and after a longer interval aprolonged whistle from the Nile and a cry of distress.
"Where is Knakias?" said Rhodopis to one of her slaves.
"He went into the garden with Phanes and the Persian," was theanswer, and as it was being spoken, the old slave re-entered, pale andtrembling.
"Have you seen my son?" cried Croesus. "Where is Phanes?"
"I was to bid you farewell from them both."
"Then they are gone.--Whither? How was it possible?"...
"The Athenian and the Persian," began the slave, "had a slight disputein the anteroom. This over, I was told to divest both of their robes.Phanes then put on the stranger's trousers, coat and girdle; on his owncurls he placed the pointed Persian cap. The stranger wrapped himselfin the Athenian's chiton and mantle, placed the golden circlet above hisbrow, caused the hair to be shaved from his upper lip, and ordered meto follow him into the garden. Phanes, whom in his present dress, nonecould imagine to be other than a Persian, mounted one of the horsesstill waiting before the gate; the stranger called after him, 'FarewellGyges, farewell beloved Persian, a pleasant journey to thee, Gyges!' Theservant, who had been waiting, followed on the other horse. I could hearthe clatter of arms among the bushes, but the Athenian was allowed todepart unmolested, the soldiers, without doubt, believing him to be aPersian.
"On returning to the house the stranger's orders were: 'Accompany me toPhanes' bark, and cease not to call me by the Athenian's name.' 'But theboatmen will betray you,' I said. 'Then go alone to them,' he answered,'and command them to receive me as their master, Phanes.' Then I prayedhim to allow me to take the dress of the fugitive and become a prey tothe pursuers; but he would by no means allow this, and said my gait andcarriage would betray me. There alas! he spoke truly, for only the freeman can walk erect; the neck of the slave is bent; the schools in whichthe noble and the freeborn learn grace and beauty of movement arenot for him. And so it must remain, the children must be even as thefathers; can the unclean onion-root produce a rose, or the unsightlyradish a hyacinth? Constant bondage bows the neck of the slave, but theconsciousness of freedom gives dignity to the stature."
"But what has become of my son?" interrupted Croesus.
"He would not accept my poor offer, and took his seat in the bark,sending a thousand greetings unto thee, O king! I cried after him,'Farewell Phanes! I wish thee a prosperous journey, Phanes!' At thatmoment a cloud crossed the moon; and from out the thick darkness I heardscreams, and cries for help; they did not, however, last long, a shrillwhistle followed, then all was silent; and the measured strokes ofoars were the only sounds that fell on my ear. I was on the point ofreturning to relate what I had seen, when the boatman Sebek swam up oncemore and told as follows: The Egyptians had caused a leak to be made inPhanes' boat, and at a short distance from land it had filled and beganto sink. On the boatmen crying for help, the royal bark, which wasfollowing, had come up and taken the supposed Phanes on board, but hadprevented the rowers from leaving their benches. They all went down withthe leaking boat, the daring Sebek alone excepted. Gyges is on board theroyal boat; Phanes has escaped, for that whistle must have been intendedfor the soldiers in ambush at the garden-gate. I searched the bushes,the soldiers were gone, and I could hear the sound of their voices andweapons on their way back to Sais."
The guests listened with eager attention to this tale. At its close amingled feeling of relief and anxiety was felt by all; relief that theirfavorite companion had escaped so fearful a danger, anxiety for thebrave young Lydian who had risked his life to save him. They praised hisgenerosity, congratulated Croesus on possessing such a son, and finallyagreed in the conclusion, that, when the crown-prince discovered theerror into which his emissaries had fallen, he must certainly releaseGyges, and even make him compensation for what he had suffered at theirhands.
The friendship already shown by Amasis, and the fear in which heevidently stood of the Persian power, were the thoughts which had powerto calm Croesus, who soon left, in order to pass the night at the houseof Theopompus, the Milesian merchant. At parting, Aristomachus said:"Salute Gyges in my name; tell him I ask his forgiveness, and hope oneday either to enjoy his friendship, or, if that cannot be, to meet himas a fair foe on the field of battle."
"Who knows what the future may bring?" answered Croesus giving his handto the Spartan.