CHAPTER XIV.
While our friends were enjoying their row on the Nile, Cambyses' envoy,Prexaspes, had returned from a mission to the long-lived Ethiopians. Hepraised their strength and stature, described the way to their countryas almost inaccessible to a large army, and had plenty of marvelloustales to tell. How, for instance; they always chose the strongestand handsomest man in their nation for their king, and obeyed himunconditionally: how many of them reached the age of 120 years, and someeven passed it: how they ate nothing but boiled flesh, drank new milkand washed in a spring the waters of which had the scent of violets,gave a remarkable lustre to their skins, and were so light that woodcould not swim in them: how their captives wore golden fetters, becauseother metals were rare and dear in their country; and lastly, how theycovered the bodies of the dead with plaster or stucco, over which acoating of some glass-like material was poured, and kept the pillarsthus formed one year in their houses, during which time sacrifices wereoffered them, and at the year's end they were placed in rows around thetown.
The king of this strange people had accepted Cambyses' presents, saying,in a scornful tone, that he new well his friendship was of no importanceto the Persians, and Prexaspes had only been sent to spy out the land.If the prince of Asia were a just man, he would be contented with hisown immense empire and not try to subjugate a people who had done him nowrong. "Take your king this bow," he said, "and advise him not to beginthe war with us, until the Persians are able to bend such weapons aseasily as we do. Cambyses may thank the gods, that the Ethiopians havenever taken it into their heads to conquer countries which do not belongto them."
He then unbent his mighty bow of ebony, and gave it to Prexaspes to taketo his lord.
Cambyses laughed at the bragging African, invited his nobles to a trialof the bow the next morning, and awarded Prexaspes for the clever wayin which he had overcome the difficulties of his journey and acquittedhimself of his mission. He then went to rest, as usual intoxicated, andfell into a disturbed sleep, in which he dreamed that Bartja was seatedon the throne of Persia, and that the crown of his head touched theheavens.
This was a dream, which he could interpret without the aid of soothsayeror Chaldean. It roused his anger first, and then made him thoughtful.
He could not sleep, and such questions as the following came into hismind: "Haven't you given your brother reason to feel revengeful? Do youthink he can forget that you imprisoned and condemned him to death, whenhe was innocent? And if he should raise his hand against you, wouldnot all the Achaemenidae take his part? Have I ever done, or have Iany intention of ever doing anything to win the love of these venalcourtiers? Since Nitetis died and that strange Greek fled, has therebeen a single human being, in whom I have the least confidence or onwhose affection I can rely?"
These thoughts and questionings excited him so fearfully, that he sprangfrom his bed, crying: "Love and I have nothing to do with one another.Other men maybe kind and good if they like; I must be stern, or I shallfall into the hands of those who hate me--hate me because I have beenjust, and have visited heavy sins with heavy chastisements. They whisperflattering words in my ear; they curse me when my back is turned. Thegods themselves must be my enemies, or why do they rob me of everythingI love, deny me posterity and even that military glory which is my justdue? Is Bartja so much better than I, that everything which I am forcedto give up should be his in hundred-fold measure? Love, friendship,fame, children, everything flows to him as the rivers to the sea, whilemy heart is parched like the desert. But I am king still. I can showhim which is the stronger of us two, and I will, though his foreheadmay touch the heavens. In Persia there can be only one great man. Heor I,--I or he. In a few days I'll send him back to Asia and make himsatrap of Bactria. There he can nurse his child and listen to his wife'ssongs, while I am winning glory in Ethiopia, which it shall not be inhis power to lessen. Ho, there, dressers! bring my robes and a goodmorning-draught of wine. I'll show the Persians that I'm fit to beKing of Ethiopia, and can beat them all at bending a bow. Here, give meanother cup of wine. I'd bend that bow, if it were a young cedar and itsstring a cable!" So saying he drained an immense bowl of wine and wentinto the palace-garden, conscious of his enormous strength and thereforesure of success.
All his nobles were assembled waiting for him there, welcomed him withloud acclamations, and fell on their faces to the ground before theirking.
Pillars, connected by scarlet cords, had been quickly set up between theclosely-cut hedges and straight avenues. From these cords, suspended bygold and silver rings, yellow and dark blue hangings fluttered in thebreeze. Gilded wooden benches had been placed round in a large circle,and nimble cup-bearers handed wine in costly vessels to the companyassembled for the shooting-match.
At a sign from the king the Achaemenidae rose from the earth.
Cambyses glanced over their ranks, and his face brightened on seeingthat Bartja was not there. Prexaspes handed him the Ethiopian bow, andpointed out a target at some distance. Cambyses laughed at the largesize of the target, weighted the bow with his right hand, challengedhis subjects to try their fortune first, and handed the bow to the agedHystaspes, as the highest in rank among the Achaemenidae.
While Hystaspes first, and then all the heads of the six other highestfamilies in Persia, were using their utmost efforts to bend this monsterweapon in vain, the king emptied goblet after goblet of wine, hisspirits rising as he watched their vain endeavors to solve theEthiopian's problem. At last Darius, who was famous for his skill inarchery, took the bow. Nearly the same result. The wood was inflexibleas iron and all his efforts only availed to move it one finger'sbreadth. The king gave him a friendly nod in reward for his success,and then, looking round on his friends and relations in a manner thatbetokened the most perfect assurance, he said: "Give me the bow now,Darius. I will show you, that there is only one man in Persia whodeserves the name of king;--only one who can venture to take the fieldagainst the Ethiopians;--only one who can bend this bow."
He grasped it tightly with his left hand, taking the string, which wasas thick as a man's finger and made from the intestines of a lion, inhis right, fetched a deep breath, bent his mighty back and pulled andpulled; collected all his strength for greater and greater efforts,strained his sinews till they threatened to break, and the veins in hisforehead were swollen to bursting, did not even disdain to use hisfeet and legs, but all in vain. After a quarter of an hour of almostsuperhuman exertion, his strength gave way, the ebony, which he hadsucceeded in bending even farther than Darius, flew back and set allhis further endeavors at nought. At last, feeling himself thoroughlyexhausted, he dashed the bow on to the ground in a passion, crying:"The Ethiopian is a liar! no mortal man has ever bent that bow. What isimpossible for my arm is possible for no other. In three days we willstart for Ethiopia. I will challenge the impostor to a single combat,and ye shall see which is the stronger. Take up the bow, Prexaspes,and keep it carefully. The black liar shall be strangled with his ownbow-string. This wood is really harder than iron, and I confess thatthe man who could bend it, would really be my master. I should not beashamed to call him so, for he must be of better stuff than I."
As he finished speaking, Bartja appeared in the circle of assembledPersians. His glorious figure was set off to advantage by his richdress, his features were bright with happiness and a feeling ofconscious strength. He passed through the ranks of the Achaemenidae withmany a friendly nod, which was warmly returned, and going straight tohis brother, kissed his robe, looked up frankly and cheerfully into hisgloomy eyes, and said: "I am a little late, and ask your forgiveness, mylord and brother. Or have I really come in time? Yes, yes, I see there'sno arrow in the target yet, so I am sure you, the best archer in theworld, cannot have tried your strength yet. But you look so enquiringlyat me. Then I will confess that our child kept me. The little creaturelaughed to-day for the first time, and was so charming with its mother,that I forgot how time was passing while I watched them. You have allfull leave to laugh at my fol
ly; I really don't know how to excusemyself. See, the little one has pulled my star from the chain. But Ithink, my brother, you will give me a new one to-day if I should hit thebull's eye. Shall I shoot first, or will you begin, my Sovereign?"
"Give him the bow, Prexaspes," said Cambyses, not even deigning to lookat his brother.
Bartja took it and was proceeding to examine the wood and the string,when Cambyses suddenly called out, with a mocking laugh: "By Mithras, Ibelieve you want to try your sweet looks on the bow, and win its favorin that fashion, as you do the hearts of men. Give it back to Prexaspes.It's easier to play with beautiful women and laughing children, thanwith a weapon like this, which mocks the strength even of real men."
Bartja blushed with anger and annoyance at this speech, which wasuttered in the bitterest tone, picked up the giant arrow that lay beforehim, placed himself opposite the target, summoned all his strength, bentthe bow, by an almost superhuman effort, and sent the arrow into thevery centre of the target, where its iron point remained, while thewooden shaft split into a hundred shivers.
[Herodotus tells this story (III, 30.), and we are indebted to him also for our information of the events which follow. The following inscription, said to have been placed over the grave of Darius, and communicated by Onesikritus, (Strabo 730.) proves that the Persians were very proud of being reputed good archers: "I was a friend to my friends, the best rider and archer, a first-rate hunter; I could do everything."]
Most of the Achaemenidae burst into loud shouts of delight at thismarvellous proof of strength; but Bartja's nearest friends turned paleand were silent; they were watching the king, who literally quiveredwith rage, and Bartja, who was radiant with pride and joy.
Cambyses was a fearful sight at that moment. It seemed to him as if thatarrow, in piercing the target, had pierced his own heart, his strength,dignity and honor. Sparks floated before his eyes, in his ears was asound like the breaking of a stormy sea on the shore; his cheeks glowedand he grasped the arm of Prexaspes who was at his side. Prexaspes onlytoo well understood what that pressure meant, when given by a royalhand, and murmured: "Poor Bartja!"
At last the king succeeded in recovering his presence of mind. Withoutsaying a word, he threw a gold chain to his brother, ordered his noblesto follow him, and left the garden, but only to wander restlessly upand down his apartments, and try to drown his rage in wine. Suddenly heseemed to have formed a resolution and ordered all the courtiers, exceptPrexaspes, to leave the hall. When they were alone, he called out in ahoarse voice and with a look that proved the extent of his intoxication:"This life is not to be borne! Rid me of my enemy, and I will call youmy friend and benefactor."
Prexaspes trembled, threw himself at the king's feet and raised hishands imploringly; but Cambyses was too intoxicated, and too muchblinded by his hatred to understand the action. He fancied theprostration was meant as a sign of devotion to his will, signed to himto rise, and whispered, as if afraid of hearing his own words: "Actquickly and secretly; and, as you value your life, let no one know ofthe upstart's death. Depart, and when your work is finished, take asmuch as you like out of the treasury. But keep your wits about you. Theboy has a strong arm and a winning tongue. Think of your own wife andchildren, if he tries to win you over with his smooth words."
As he spoke he emptied a fresh goblet of pure wine, staggered throughthe door of the room, calling out as he turned his back on Prexaspes:"Woe be to you if that upstart, that woman's hero, that fellow who hasrobbed me of my honor, is left alive."
Long after he had left the hall, Prexaspes stood fixed on the spot wherehe had heard these words. The man was ambitious, but neither mean norbad, and he felt crushed by the awful task allotted to him. He knew thathis refusal to execute it would bring death or disgrace on himselfand on his family; but he loved Bartja, and besides, his whole naturerevolted at the thought of becoming a common, hired murderer. A fearfulstruggle began in his mind, and raged long after he left the palace. Onthe way home he met Croesus and Darius. He fancied they would see fromhis looks that he was already on the way to a great crime, and hidhimself behind the projecting gate of a large Egyptian house. As theypassed, he heard Croesus say: "I reproached him bitterly, little as hedeserves reproach in general, for having given such an inopportune proofof his great strength. We may really thank the gods, that Cambyses didnot lay violent hands on him in a fit of passion. He has followed myadvice now and gone with his wife to Sais. For the next few days Bartjamust not come near the king; the mere sight of him might rouse his angeragain, and a monarch can always find unprincipled servants..."
The rest of the sentence died away in the distance, but the words he hadheard were enough to make Prexaspes start, as if Croesus had accused himof the shameful deed. He resolved in that moment that, come whatwould, his hands should not be stained with the blood of a friend. Thisresolution restored him his old erect bearing and firm gait for thetime, but when he reached the dwelling which had been assigned as hisabode in Sais his two boys ran to the door to meet him. They had stolenaway from the play-ground of the sons of the Achaemenidae, (who, as wasalways the case, had accompanied the king and the army), to see theirfather for a moment. He felt a strange tenderness, which he could notexplain to himself, on taking them in his arms, and kissed the beautifulboys once more on their telling him that they must go back to theirplay-ground again, or they should be punished. Within, he found hisfavorite wife playing with their youngest child, a sweet little girl.Again the same strange, inexplicable feeling of tenderness. He overcameit this time for fear of betraying his secret to his young wife, andretired to his own apartment early.
Night had come on.
The sorely-tried man could not sleep; he turned restlessly from side toside. The fearful thought, that his refusal to do the king's will wouldbe the ruin of his wife and children, stood before his wakeful eyes inthe most vivid colors. The strength to keep his good resolution forsookhim, and even Croesus' words, which, when he first heard them had givenhis nobler feelings the victory, now came in as a power on the otherside. "A monarch can always find unprincipled servants." Yes, the wordswere an affront, but at the same time a reminder, that though he mightdefy the king's command a hundred others would be ready to obey it.No sooner had this thought become clear to him, than he started up,examined a number of daggers which hung, carefully arranged, above hisbed, and laid the sharpest on the little table before him.
He then began to pace the room in deep thought, often going to theopening which served as a window, to cool his burning forehead and seeif dawn were near.
When at last daylight appeared, he heard the sounding brass calling theboys to early prayer. That reminded him of his sons and he examinedthe dagger a second time. A troop of gaily-dressed courtiers rode by ontheir way to the king. He put the dagger in his girdle; and at last, onhearing the merry laughter of his youngest child sound from the women'sapartments, he set the tiara hastily on his head, left the house withouttaking leave of his wife, and, accompanied by a number of slaves, wentdown to the Nile. There he threw himself into a boat and ordered therowers to take him to Sais.
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A few hours after the fatal shooting-match, Bartja had followed Croesus'advice and had gone off to Sais with his young wife. They found Rhodopisthere. She had yielded to an irresistible impulse and, instead ofreturning to Naukratis, had stopped at Sais. Bartja's fall on steppingashore had disturbed her, and she had with her own eyes seen an owl flyfrom the left side close by his head. These evil omens, to a heartwhich had by no means outgrown the superstitions of the age, added toa confused succession of distressing dreams which had disturbed herslumbers, and her usual wish to be always near Bartja and Sappho, ledher to decide quickly on waiting for her granddaughter at Sais.
Bartja and Sappho were delighted to find such a welcome guest, and aftershe had dandled and played with her great grandchild, the littleParmys, to her heart's content, they led her to the rooms which had beenprepared for her.
[Herodotus states, that beside Atossa, &c.. Darius took a daughter of the deceased Bartja, named Parmys, to be his wife. Herod. III. 88. She is also mentioned VII. 78.]
They were the same in which the unhappy Tachot had spent the last monthsof her fading existence. Rhodopis could not see all the little trifleswhich showed, not only the age and sex of the former occupant, but hertastes and disposition, without feeling very sad. On the dressing-tablewere a number of little ointment-boxes and small bottles for perfumes,cosmetics, washes and oils. Two larger boxes, one in the form of aNile-goose, and another on the side of which a woman playing on alute had been painted, had once contained the princess's costly goldenornaments, and the metal mirror with a handle in the form of a sleepingmaiden, had once reflected her beautiful face with its pale pink flush.Everything in the room, from the elegant little couch resting on lions'claws, to the delicately-carved ivory combs on the toilet-table, provedthat the outward adornments of life had possessed much charm forthe former owner of these rooms. The golden sisirum and thedelicately-wrought nabla, the strings of which had long ago been broken,testified to her taste for music, while the broken spindle in thecorner, and some unfinished nets of glass beads shewed that she had beenfond of woman's usual work.
It was a sad pleasure to Rhodopis to examine all these things, and thepicture which she drew in her own mind of Tachot after the inspection,differed very little from the reality. At last interest and curiosityled her to a large painted chest. She lifted the light cover and found,first, a few dried flowers; then a ball, round which some skilful handhad wreathed roses and leaves, once fresh and bright, now, alas,long ago dead and withered. Beside these were a number of amuletsin different forms, one representing the goddess of truth, anothercontaining spells written on a strip of papyrus and concealed in alittle golden case. Then her eyes fell on some letters written in theGreek character. She read them by the light of the lamp. They were fromNitetis in Persia to her supposed sister, and were written in ignoranceof the latter's illness. When Rhodopis laid them down her eyes were fullof tears. The dead girl's secret lay open before her. She knew now thatTachot had loved Bartja, that he had given her the faded flowers, andthat she had wreathed the ball with roses because he had thrown it toher. The amulets must have been intended either to heal her sick heart,or to awaken love in his.
As she was putting the letters back in their old place, she touched somecloths which seemed put in to fill up the bottom of the chest, and felta hard round substance underneath. She raised them, and discovered abust made of colored wax, such a wonderfully-exact portrait of Nitetis,that an involuntary exclamation of surprise broke from her, and it waslong before she could turn her eyes away from Theodorus' marvellouswork.
She went to rest and fell asleep, thinking of the sad fate of Nitetis,the Egyptian Princess.
The next morning Rhodopis went into the garden--the same into whichwe led our readers during the lifetime of Amasis-and found Bartja andSappho in an arbor overgrown with vines.
Sappho was seated in a light wicker-work chair. Her child lay on herlap, stretching out its little hands and feet, sometimes to its father,who was kneeling on the ground before them, and then to its mother whoselaughing face was bent down over her little one.
Bartja was very happy with his child. When the little creature buriedits tiny fingers in his curls and beard, he would draw his head backto feel the strength of the little hand, would kiss its rosy feet, itslittle round white shoulders and dimpled arms. Sappho enjoyed the fun,always trying to draw the little one's attention to its father.
Sometimes, when she stooped down to kiss the rosy baby lips, herforehead would touch his curls and he would steal the kiss meant for thelittle Parmys.
Rhodopis watched them a long time unperceived, and, with tears of joy inher eyes, prayed the gods that they might long be as happy as they nowwere. At last she came into the arbor to wish them good-morning, andbestowed much praise on old Melitta for appearing at the right moment,parasol in hand, to take her charge out of the sunshine before it becametoo bright and hot, and put her to sleep.
The old slave had been appointed head-nurse to the high-born child, andacquitted herself in her new office with an amount of importance whichwas very comical. Hiding her old limbs under rich Persian robes, shemoved about exulting in the new and delightful right to command, andkept her inferiors in perpetual motion.
Sappho followed Melitta into the palace, first whispering in herhusband's ear with her arm round his neck: "Tell my grandmothereverything and ask whether you are right."
Before he could answer, she had stopped his mouth with a kiss, and thenhurried after the old woman who was departing with dignified steps.
The prince smiled as he watched her graceful walk and beautiful figure,and said, turning to Rhodopis: "Does not it strike you, that she hasgrown taller lately."
"It seems so," answered Rhodopis. "A woman's girlhood has its ownpeculiar charm, but her true dignity comes with motherhood. It is thefeeling of having fulfilled her destiny, which raises her head and makesus fancy she has grown taller."
"Yes," said Bartja, "I think she is happy. Yesterday our opinionsdiffered for the first time, and as she was leaving us just now, shebegged me, privately, to lay the question before you, which I am veryglad to do, for I honor your experience and wisdom just as much, as Ilove her childlike inexperience."
Bartja then told the story of the unfortunate shooting-match, finishingwith these words: "Croesus blames my imprudence, but I know my brother;I know that when he is angry he is capable of any act of violence, andit is not impossible that at the moment when he felt himself defeated hecould have killed me; but I know too, that when his fierce passion hascooled, he will forget my boastful deed, and only try to excel me byothers of the same kind. A year ago he was by far the best marksman inPersia, and would be so still, if drink and epilepsy had not underminedhis strength. I must confess I feel as if I were becoming stronger everyday."
"Yes," interrupted Rhodopis, "pure happiness strengthens a man's arm,just as it adds to the beauty of a woman, while intemperance and mentaldistress ruin both body and mind far more surely even than old age. Myson, beware of your brother; his strong arm has become paralyzed, andhis generosity can be forfeited too. Trust my experience, that the manwho is the slave of one evil passion, is very seldom master of therest; besides which, no one feels humiliation so bitterly as he whois sinking--who knows that his powers are forsaking him. I say again,beware of your brother, and trust the voice of experience more than thatof your own heart, which, because it is generous itself, believes everyone else to be so."
"I see," said Bartja, "that you will take Sappho's side. Difficult as itwill be for her to part from you, she has still begged me to return withher to Persia. She thinks that Cambyses may forget his anger, when Iam out of sight. I thought she was over-anxious, and besides, itwould disappoint me not to take part in the expedition against theEthiopians."
"But I entreat you," interrupted Rhodopis, "to follow her advice. Thegods only know what pain it will give me to lose you both, and yet Irepeat a thousand times: Go back to Persia, and remember that nonebut fools stake life and happiness to no purpose. As to the warwith Ethiopia, it is mere madness; instead of subduing those blackinhabitants of the south, you yourselves will be conquered by heat,thirst and all the horrors of the desert. In saying this I refer to thecampaigns in general; as to your own share in them, I can only say thatif no fame is to be won there, you will be putting your own life and thehappiness of your family in jeopardy literally for nothing, and that if,on the other hand, you should distinguish yourself again, it would onlybe giving fresh cause of jealousy and anger to your brother. No, go toPersia, as soon as you can."
Bartja was just beginning to make various objections to these arguments,when he caught sight of Prexaspes coming up to them, looking very pale.
After the usual greeting, the envoy whispered to Bartja, that he shouldlike to speak with him alone. Rhodopis left them at once
, and he began,playing with the rings on his right hand as he spoke, in a constrained,embarrassed way. "I come from the king. Your display of strengthirritated him yesterday, and he does not wish to see you again for sometime. His orders are, that you set out for Arabia to buy up all thecamels that are to be had.
[Camels are never represented on the Egyptian monuments, whereas they were in great use among the Arabians and Persians, and are now a necessity on the Nile. They must have existed in Egypt, however. Hekekyan-Bey discovered the bones of a dromedary in a deep bore. Representations of these creatures were probably forbid We know this was the case with the cock, of which bird there were large numbers in Egypt: It is remarkable, that camels were not introduced into Barbary until after the birth of Christ.]
"As these animals can bear thirst very long, they are to be used inconveying food and water for our army on the Ethiopian campaign. Theremust be no delay. Take leave of your wife, and (I speak by the king'scommand) be ready to start before dark. You will be absent at least amonth. I am to accompany you as far as Pelusium. Kassandane wishes tohave your wife and child near her during your absence. Send them toMemphis as soon as possible; under the protection of the queen mother,they will be in safety."
Prexaspes' short, constrained way of speaking did not strike Bartja.He rejoiced at what seemed to him great moderation on the part of hisbrother, and at receiving a commission which relieved him of all doubton the question of leaving Egypt, gave his friend, (as he supposedhim to be), his hand to kiss and an invitation to follow him into thepalace.
In the cool of the evening, he took a short but very affectionatefarewell of Sappho and his child, who was asleep in Melitta's arms, toldhis wife to set out as soon as possible on her journey to Kassandane,called out jestingly to his mother-in-law, that at least this time shehad been mistaken in her judgment of a man's character, (meaning hisbrother's), and sprang on to his horse.
As Prexaspes was mounting, Sappho whispered to him, "Take care of thatreckless fellow, and remind him of me and his child, when you see himrunning into unnecessary danger."
"I shall have to leave him at Pelusium," answered the envoy, busyinghimself with the bridle of his horse in order to avoid meeting her eyes.
"Then may the gods take him into their keeping!" exclaimed Sappho,clasping her husband's hand, and bursting into tears, which she couldnot keep back. Bartja looked down and saw his usually trustful wifein tears. He felt sadder than he had ever felt before. Stooping downlovingly from his saddle, he put his strong arm round her waist, liftedher up to him, and as she stood supporting herself on his foot in thestirrup, pressed her to his heart, as if for a long last farewell. Hethen let her safely and gently to the ground, took his child up to himon the saddle, kissed and fondled the little creature, and told herlaughingly to make her mother very happy while he was away, exchangedsome warm words of farewell with Rhodopis, and then, spurring his horsetill the creature reared, dashed through the gateway of the Pharaohs'palace, with Prexaspes at his side.
When the sound of the horses' hoofs had died away in the distance,Sappho laid her head on her grandmother's shoulder and weptuncontrollably. Rhodopis remonstrated and blamed, but all in vain, shecould not stop her tears.